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You are invited to consider joining the team of the Omaha VA Medical Center and Creighton University School of Medicine, providing care for the world's best patients while providing training and mentorship for fellows, residents, and students. You should be board certified/eligible in Cardiology and Echocardiography and a US citizen with current US licensure (any state) with no history of revocations or suspension. Permanent Residents may be considered if no US citizen is selected.
As a care giver and clinician educator, you should have outstanding cardiology skills combined with a passion for teaching and scholarship. Previous post-training academic experience and a history of publication in peer-reviewed cardiology journals is preferred. This position includes both inpatient and outpatient activity and the opportunity to teach learners at all levels (students, residents, and fellows). You will spend most of your time in direct patient care and the supervision of medical residents and cardiology fellows in inpatient/outpatient settings. We have coronary angiography, PCI and EP procedures on site and all manner of echo procedures and state of the art echo equipment. Three faculty interpret echoes and do TEE/stress echo/DSE.
The Omaha VA Medical Center is an acute, 100-bed tertiary care facility, providing inpatient, medical, surgical and psychiatric care in addition to its ambulatory care services and, is also home to major clinical research programs. It also included 8 residential substance abuse beds. Academic affiliations include University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Medicine, along with allied health programs in Dentistry, Nursing, Pharmacy, Social Work, Physician Assistant, Dietetics, Nurse Practitioner and, Creighton University Schools of Medicine, Pharmacy, Allied Health, Occupational Therapy Nursing.
Ongoing research projects include studies in cardiac diseases, liver and pulmonary diseases, reproductive endocrinology, immunology, cancer, gastroenterology, endocrine and diabetes, orthopedics, dental prosthetics, mental health including substance abuse, airway inflammation, infectious disease, rheumatoid arthritis, orthopedic rehabilitation, surgical wound healing, anesthesiology, vascular disease and alcohol-related diseases. Special programs include a Regional Audiology Center, Interactive Videoconferencing System, Sleep Lab, Substance Abuse Treatment Program, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) outpatient program and Bariatric Surgery Program.
Omaha celebrates and treasures the past, while warmly embracing change and growth. The metro area that once brought you TV dinners and Reuben sandwiches now houses fancy seafood restaurants and hip vegan options (though you'll never have trouble finding a hearty steak). And while ranchers continue to raise cattle on the sprawling prairies surrounding the region, Omaha is attracting budding new tech startups. Affordability and a strong economy attract young professionals, while safety, a plethora of education options and family-friendly activities are appealing to those with kids. Omaha was ranked by US News as the 28th best place to live in the country among 125 metro areas. Discover what makes working in Omaha great at www.visitomaha.com.
Whether you're interested in academics, research, or a better work/life balance, you'll find the VA has a lot to offer, including the unmatched satisfaction you'll get from caring for those who have served our country. In addition to competitive pay and liability protection, the VA also offers a robust benefits plan that includes:Paid Time Off:
Federal Retirement Plan:
For more information, Email your full CV to Don Rainwater, National Healthcare Recruitment Consultant at email@example.com. Your inquiry will be handled in confidence.


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The Phelps Garden at Adrian College was rededicated Saturday.
More than 60 alumni, family and friends of Arlene "Ma" Phelps gathered on the Adrian College campus for the ceremony.
First created in 1992 in honor of the late Mickey Phelps, husband of Arlene and former safety officer and director of security at Adrian College, the garden has recently undergone updates and the addition of new benches. A plaque honoring both Arlene and Mickey was also added to the garden.
Arlene served as resident director and conference director from 1978 until her retirement in 1991. During the ceremony, she was also recognized as the first recipient of the AC Stewardship Award, recently created by the Alumni Association Board of Directors. This award is given to non-alumni current or former employees who demonstrated special care to students during their undergraduate years.
A brunch followed in the Ritchie Marketplace Annex.

subset: commoncrawl


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Farro is a "cousin" of spelt, and a grain so ancient that it is said to have sustained the Roman legions with its nutty flavor, chewy texture, and high fiber, vitamin, and protein content.
When I was growing up my mom would always bring back some from our visits to Nonna in Tuscany. Our friends in Venice would taste her soups or cakes with a combination of curiosity and suspicion: at the time, in fact, farro was used only in a few Italian regions, and mostly in peasant dishes. By the way, these are the same friends who were puzzled by her use of olive oil, which they considered a heavier and less healthy alternative to butter or margarine!
In more recent years, however, farro has made it onto the chic tables of all northern Italy , and even to the United States, where it flies off the shelves of gourmet grocery stores such as Zabar's and Citarella's.
- 1 lb farro (you can substitute spelt)
- 1 large bunch arugola
- 3 medium pears
- 1 1/2 tbsp honey
- 4 oz gorgonzola or blue cheese (you can substitute feta)
- 1 1/2 tbsp white wine vinegar
- 4 or 5 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- salt and black pepper to taste
Rinse the spelt and cook it until al dente in salted boiling water (about 30-40 minutes in a regular pot or 5-10 minutes in a pressure cooker, follow instructions on package). Drain, allow to cool, and transfer to a salad bowl. Whisk the oil with the vinegar and honey, salt and pepper. Peel and slice the pears and drizzle them with lemon juice to prevent them from darkening. Dice or crumble the cheese, and break or cut the arugola into smaller pieces. Add all ingredients to the farro and dress with the honey vinagrette. Serve slightly warm or at room temperature.
More with Farro:
NYT's Farrotto with Mushrooms
Lucullian Delights' Chocolate Farro Cake


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Get More From EHedger.
Our commentaries are just one part of our whole risk management service. Please go to http://www.ehedger.com/getmore.html for a free two-week trial of our full member website that gives you access to all our hedge and marketing recommendations, educational tools, market snapshots and much more.
Also learn about our acclaimed AMMO Program that helps producers optimize their marketing strategies using the premier tools and insights in the industry.
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Trading commodity futures and options involves substantial risk of loss and may not be suitable for all investors. The market information contained in this message has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but is not guaranteed as to its accuracy or completeness. Market information may not be consistent with current or future market positions of E Hedger, its affiliates, officers, directors, employees, or agents. Recipients assume the risk of reliance on and indemnify and hold E Hedger harmless for any and all losses, costs, or tax consequences incurred as a result of their use of market information.
Thursday corn and soybeans were higher with wheat again leading the way sharply higher. The US dollar was sharply lower throughout the day and it was surprising to see modest gains in corn and soybeans with the dollar down over 900 points. At settlement December corn was 1 ¾ higher, November beans were 1 ¼ higher, and December wheat was 15 ½ higher.
Weekly exports were in line with estimates for corn and wheat, but were once again strong for soybeans due to strong Chinese demand. Soybean exports were 2.025 million metric tons, 1.37 of which was contracted to China. November beans reacted early to the news but were unable to hold the strength and finished only slightly higher.
There has been recent speculation circulating the market that China will start buying US corn. Corn has already been bullish from weak production in the US so if we see a spike in corn demand from China it would be considered very bullish. Soybean demand has been strong but much of this demand has already been projected.
Wheat was the upside leader again today. The funds have been net short Chicago wheat against net long corn and soybean positions. They are likely exiting many of these positions after the latest crop conditions report showed winter wheat at only 47% good to excellent compared to 62% this time last year. Over the past week wheat has been at its cheapest levels compared to corn and beans for a long time so it didn't take much for those spreads to reverse.
Between now and the next WASDE report (November 9th) we like staying well protected in cash sales and have our upside potential in spring call spreads. Please call your broker if you still need to get the spring call spreads on.
How Do I Distinguish Between Nutrient Deficiencies?
Ty Warren: A Tribute to College Athletics


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Rory McIlroy shrugs off sunstroke to power into a three-way tie for lead in Dubai
World number one Rory McIlroy shrugged off a touch of desert sunstroke to join second-ranked Luke Donald and little-known Briton Marc Warren in a tie for the lead in the DP World Tour Championship second round on Friday.
Officials brought several tees forward at the European Tour's season-ending event and it led to a rush of low-scoring even though the winds were fresher than they were 24 hours earlier.
McIlroy carded a solitary bogey, at the short fourth, as he powered his way to a five-under 67 for an 11-under total of 133.
Overnight leader Donald (68) did not drop a shot to par all day while playing partner Warren went one better with a 67 to clinch a two-ball pairing with McIlroy in Saturday's third round.
Branden Grace (65) and Louis Oosthuizen (67), South African compatriots and close friends, were tied for fourth spot on 134.
"I didn't feel great last night but was much better this morning and felt almost 100 percent out there on the course," McIlroy said after his round at the Greg Norman-designed Earth course.
"I had a bit of a sore head last night. I guess it's just us Irish and the skin not used to this sort of sun."
The 23-year-old Northern Irishman said he received some tender loving care from his girlfriend, former world tennis number one Caroline Wozniacki, on Thursday evening."
Caroline squeezed about five lemons into a glass and I took that," he explained. "Then I had some vitamins and a mineral drink - it made me feel a little better.
"With the anti-doping (checks in golf) you can't really take too much," said McIlroy, who has already won the money-lists on both sides of the Atlantic this year.
Donald, who finished third here last year, is 27-under-par for his last five rounds in this tournament and is beginning to form a lasting affection for the Earth layout.
"I haven't dropped a shot in the last 36 holes so I feel quite good about that," he said. "I didn't put myself in too much trouble today but when I did I was able to recover with the putter."
Donald is looking for back-to-back victories after winning the Dunlop Phoenix event in Japan last week."
When you are really trusting your swing like I am at the moment, I don't think there is much doubt in your mind," said the 34-year-old Englishman."
There are two days to go in my season and I am ready to have a nice break and get home to spend some time with my family. It would be very nice to win the last event of the year and finish it off in some style."
Warren, 31, without a victory since the 2007 Johnnie Walker Championship in his native Scotland, was pleased to be in such exalted company in Dubai.
"It's nice to be the Scot in a pack with the Englishman and the Northern Irishman," he said.
"It's great to be in contention with guys like that. It's a high-quality leaderboard and doesn't get any better anywhere in the world."
Sergio Garcia, competing this week for the first time since Europe's Ryder Cup win in September, equalled the course record with a swashbuckling 64.
The Spaniard, who had laser eye surgery last month to correct astigmatism, collected only four pars all day in a rollercoaster round.
Garcia played the inward half without a regulation figure, notching two eagles, four birdies, two bogeys and a triple bogey at the par-four 16th to finish on 137.
"I wish I could explain that," he laughed. "Everything was going well until the 12th...and all of a sudden I kind of lost it a little bit."
On 16 I probably hit the worst shot I hit all day. I just didn't commit to the shot I wanted to hit," he said, referring to an eight-iron approach he dunked into water.
One of the day's best performances came from Briton Danny Willett, who stormed home in 29 strokes to return a 65 for 136.


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STLR Link Roundup – January 22, 2010
The latest on the STLR radar: More on Google and China: U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton condemned countries that use cyberattacks, reports the New York Times. Meanwhile, from the Wall Street Journal, Google affirmed its commitment both to remaining in China and to ceasing censorship of its search results. The company Legal River has released online Terms of Service and Privacy Policy Generators for entrepreneurs and small businesses to use to minimize legal costs, Continue Reading →


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"Sleep & Creativity" By Mary Deal…Another Great Article On The Child Finder Trilogy
Want to wake in the morning with more creativity? Then pay attention to what's on your mind when you fall asleep.
Research has proven that the mind uses its most recent daytime images and thoughts to create dreams. So, too, the mind produces the mood with which you wake after sleeping. Read More


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You are here
Beautiful Blue Bedrooms
16 rooms filled with inspiration to help you shape your own serene space
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Evoking the clear summer sky and calm waters, the color blue is a favorite, especially in bedrooms, where it creates the feel of a true sanctuary. Want to shape your own dream space? Grab some inspiration from these rooms.
The custom blue wall finish in this sophisticated waterfront bedroom nods to sea and sky but also embraces the comfortable feel of chambray, proving that elegance and ease do mix. Fabric draped around the tufted headboard puts a fresh twist on the classic half-tester bed. Traditional damask and check prints bring traditional beauty, but they're used in moderation with plenty of solids—in both blue and white—to keep a calm, contemporary mood. Brass accents are the perfect complement to the blue palette.
Design: Kelley Proxmire
Seaside Escape
Walls painted in "Sleepy Blue" by Sherwin-Williams make serenity the name of the game in this bedroom. White on the ceiling ("White Flour") and trim ("Whitetail") balance the blue like fluffy clouds in the summer sky. The roles of blue and white are reversed on the bedding, where blue becomes the accent. The tranquil room provides the perfect backdrop for a splash of pattern on draperies, which offer a hint of blue, along with greens that echo the outdoors and browns that complement antique furniture pieces.
Design: Carolyn Griffith
Ultimate Hideaway
Layers of blue and ivory fabric create a wonderful sense of indulgement in this private retreat, where a well-dressed canopy bed claims the spotlight. A mix of textural fabrics, all within a tight palette to keep the calm, add to the lavish atmosphere. The wallcovering is "Seta" in a soft sky hue by Cowtan & Tout.
Design: Phoebe Howard
Tasteful Retreat
Shades of blue—both soft and saturated—mingle with white and cream to create a sophisticated, multi-layered palette in this refined bedroom. Walls are "Krypton" by Sherwin-Williams. Organic shapes seen in the toile draperies are repeated in the beaded chandelier and finials on the four-poster.
Design: Tobi Fairley
Dark Drama
A blend of blues brings rich character to this master bedroom with a masculine edge. A striking indigo duvet contrasts the midtone blues on sheets and wallcovering while it meshes with the deep natural wood hues seen in the ornate four-poster and antique dresser.
Design: Barclay Butera
Lap of Luxury
Silk wallpaper wraps this restful master bedroom in elegance. Its moody, multi-hued color sets a peaceful tone and is just the right counterpoint to the natural wood dressers and wood-and-iron bed. White bed coverings and alabaster lamps and mirror frames give the dark hues plenty of breathing space.
Design: Lonni Paul
Pattern Perfect
Blue, white, and touches of gray mingle in this idyllic haven, where pattern packs interest into the calm color scheme. Celerie Kemble's "Hot House Flowers" linen print goes big on the headboard, while Kelly Wearstler's trellis paper scales back the pattern statement on walls, providing just the right balance.
Design: Tobi Fairley
Ethereal Enchantment
Sheer draperies and barely blue walls bring a dreamy quality to this master bedroom. Aqua upholstery on a side chair dials up the blue in the palette while its subtle green undertones jibe with a cheery coverlet that's as vibrant as the leaves outside. Reclaimed chestnut floors—the wood tones always a match with blues—were stenciled with a Fortuny-inspired design.
Design: Maureen Footer
Touch of Teal
White walls set an airy backdrop for hits of lively blue—in teal-bordered floral fabric by Duralee and on Napolean III chairs, coated in aqua lacquer. Subtle use of green on the door and in bench and stool fabric complements the teal hue. A gilt bench, chandelier and frames bring in a touch of glam.
Design: Patricia McLean
Fairy-Tale Suite
A medley of blues come together to create a romantic mood in this master suite. The feminine mix includes a fresh celadon-and-blue toile from Vervain, two sizes of Schumacher checks, and a trellis wallcovering from Thibaut.
Design: Heather Dewberry and Will Huff
Swedish Style
Swedish-inspired furniture and a blue-and-white palette go together like meatballs and lingonberry jam. With calm white walls as a backdrop, a mix of fabrics makes for fun pattern play on the bed. Make the mix work for you by choosing three primary patterns—in complementing scales—and repeating them. Here, small accent pillows mimic the headboard and shams match the coverlet. Plenty of solid whites keep the lively vibe totally livable.
Design: JoAnn Barwick
Opulent Oasis
Powder blues rub elbows with serene greens to bring a relaxed atmosphere to this luxe bedroom. Complementing the cool tones are neutrals punctuated with pink. Cream linens are the perfect topping for the custom tufted bed.
Design: Skip Sroka
Coastal Color
Swaths of sky blue over white-painted wainscoting sets the stage for this beachy retreat. More refreshing ocean-inspired color comes courtesy of striped bed curtains and a matching pillow. The luxurious white duvet and shams bring softness to this casual Gulf Coast space and let the metallic canopy bed shine.
Design: Georgia Carlee
Blue Notes
Put a bit of a twist on the blue-and-white palette with pale tan walls. The soothing, sand-inspired hue recedes to let rich indigoo colors take the spotlight. Their deep tones mesh wonderfully with the dark wood of the bed and side tables. Navy and chambray stripes keep the vibe contemporary.
Design: Jack Fhillips
Swedish Accent
A light palette of airy blues and whites wrap this room in easy-to-live-with style. Painted Swedish antiques lend a touch of rich ivory, and a custom area rug from Stark brings the room's palette together in a soft pattern underfoot.
Design: Patricia Fisher
Colored with Confidence
Bold indigo and navy fabrics match the drama created in this room by a substantial finialed bed and crystal chandelier. Tan grass-cloth walls and a sisal carpet add texture and warmth, while a white ceiling and swaths of white on the bed and at the windows balances the dramatic blues on furniture pieces.
Design: Megan Winters


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Let's Party!!!
Jennifer L. Alder February 28, 2009Wow! Such a fabulous capture, Judy! Lovely treatment and amazing details throughout. :) #1090341
Carolyn M. Fletcher February 28, 2009This is just the cutest ever! Winner for sure! #7224626
Gord MacEachern February 28, 2009Great capture Judy,great detail and POV.
Anne M. Young February 28, 2009Very cool capture - love it! #7224844
Mary L. Graham February 28, 2009What a cute Caputure Judy and I love the treament!! =) #7224975
Kathy L. Clark February 28, 2009Awsome work on this Judy. I know the little critters can be pesky but I love them.
Happy birthday Darren. #7225058
Cathy Barrows February 28, 2009well I just knew you would have a fun one...great image #7225073
Laurie Daily February 28, 2009I love this gathering, Judy!!! They certainly look as if they are up to something. Great treatment and deatils! #7225157
Linda D. Lester February 28, 2009Just love it Judy and Darren will too!
Happy Birthday, Darren!
Hope your weekend is awesome! #7225410
Sam Britt February 28, 2009Very cute!! Terrific image, great effects. Happy Birthday, Darren, #7225578
Melissa G. Meiselman February 28, 2009Incredible capture of this trio taken with sharp detail, vivid color and great lighting, Judy!!
Happy Birthday, Darren!! #7225977
Shelly A. Van Camp February 28, 2009Very cute! Happy B'day, Darren! #7226033
Shawn Jennings February 28, 2009Super work, Judy!
Happy Birthday, Darren! #7226434
Ken Smith March 01, 2009Awesome work, Judy..sure to bring a smile to DArren's face...happy b'day, Darren! #7228388
Darren K. Fisher March 01, 2009LOL this put a HUGE smile on my face. Awesome capture and thank you so much for the Bday wish. #7229032
Nina Shields March 01, 2009Judy, your talent is so multi-faceted; outstanding work and wonderful B'day tribute! #7230257
Renee Doyle March 02, 2009This is just way too cute Judy!!!!!! Happy birthday Darren! #7231561
Tammy Scott March 02, 2009Aaaaaaaawwwwwwww! These guys are adorable! Happy Birthday, Darren! #7231983
Joy Rector March 02, 2009wow #7232280
Amy JACKSON March 03, 2009Great image, Judy!! #7237904
Summer A. Kozisek March 09, 2009I don't know how I missed this one, they are so cute! Great image Judy! #7263500
Toni Riggs March 15, 2009Adorable! #7286192
Stefania Barbier March 25, 2009congratulations on your gorgeous finalist!!!! #7327422
Vladan D. Djordjevic March 25, 2009Congratulations on your terrific finalist! favorite! #7327453
Lisa J. Boulden March 25, 2009WTG, Judy!!!
Tamara K. Walker March 25, 2009CONGRATULATIONS! #7327881
Joannie Bertucci March 25, 2009Judy, this is one terrific party photo and perfect for Darren's birthday!
Melissa G. Meiselman March 25, 2009Congratulations on this stunning finalist, Judy!!! #7327971
Tiia Vissak March 25, 2009Congratulations! #7328009
Michelle L. Frick March 25, 2009Adorable - congratulations Judy! #7328034
Bojan Bencic March 25, 2009Congratulations on your finalist, Judy! Great photo. #7328115
Mary Beth Aiello March 25, 2009Huge congrats on this well deserved finalist, Judy. #7328629
Elida Gutierrez March 25, 2009Just Beautiful CONGRATULATIONS!!! #7329556
Patrick Rouzes March 25, 2009AMAZING!!! CONGRATULATIONS on this amazing finalist, Judy!!! #7329782
Cathy Barrows March 25, 2009Congrats on your finalist...too cute #7330044
Nadya Johnson March 25, 2009How cute is this?! I love it! Congratulations on your outstanding finalist! #7330238
Debra R. Harder March 25, 2009This is AMAZING, Judy! Huge CONGRATULATIONS on your WONDERFUL finalist! Deb #7330706
JO ANN CLEVELAND March 25, 2009Big congrats Judy, go for the gold!
This is a sure winner!
jo ann c. #7330891
Cary Rogers March 25, 2009Judy, CONGRATS on this FABULOUS Finalist!! #7332249
Laurie Daily March 26, 2009I just love this one Judy! Congratulations on this fabulous finalist! #7333287
Usman M. Bajwa March 26, 2009WONDERFUL CAPTURE, Judy. CONGRATS.
Usman. #7333683
Anne M. Young March 26, 2009Congratulations - super capture #7333952
Jeana Clark March 26, 2009
Donna La Mattino Pagakis March 26, 2009This is so cute Judy! Congratulations on your finalist! #7335851
Sharon Sawyer March 26, 2009Judy, congratulations on your wonderful win!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Toooo cute!!!! #7336494
Arlene Krassner March 26, 2009Judy this is outstanding.
Vladan D. Djordjevic March 26, 2009Big congratulations on your superb winner! #7336771
Evy Johansen March 26, 2009I have stopped counting :) Congratulations on another win, Judy!! #7337383
Judy V. Kennamer March 26, 2009Thanks so much everyone! Your comments mean a lot to me! #7337605
frank w. degenhardt March 26, 2009Congratulations on your win for this cute and adorable picture. So cool neighbor. #7337798
Nadya Johnson March 27, 2009So glad to see this in the winners circle, Judy! Congratulations on your wonderful winner! #7339243
Kathy L. Clark March 27, 2009This is just the coolest image. Congrats on this well deserved winner Judy. #7339356
David Phalen March 27, 2009BIG Congrats again on an outstanding Winner!! #7339819
JO ANN CLEVELAND March 27, 2009You know I loved this one and knew it would be a winner!
Congratulations on this well deserved win Judy
jo ann c. #7339820
Debra R. Harder March 27, 2009This was a winner all the way, Judy! HUGE CONGRATULATIONS on another OUTSTANDING GOLD WINNER! Deb #7339854
Kitty R. Rodehorst-Hanna March 27, 2009Another FANTASTIC WINNER!!!!!!! WTG, Judy!!!!! :-) k #7340080
Shelly A. Van Camp March 27, 2009Congrats on all your wins! I love this one!! #7340159
Rhonda Burger March 27, 2009C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S !!!
Pat Abbott March 27, 2009I love this! Congratulations! #7340912
Shawn Jennings March 27, 2009WTG on another fantastic win, Judy! #7341079
Mary Beth Aiello March 27, 2009Another beautiful Gold, Judy. Many congrats. #7341254
Sam Britt March 27, 2009Big congratulations again, Judy. So cute!! #7341569
Linda Blair March 27, 2009Congrats on this great win!!!!!!!!! #7341618
Cheryl E. Molennor March 27, 2009Too cute! Congratulations on this great winner!
Wendy Moghadam March 27, 2009Congratulations on your well deserved Finalist! #7341923
Nancy L. Green March 28, 2009This is just too cut Judy, I love this and CONGRATULATIONS on you well deservered win!! <>< #7344750
Gail Vitikacs March 28, 2009Big Congratulations on this fun shot! #7345195
Renee Doyle March 28, 2009Big congrats to you Judy!!!!!!! #7345916
Michael Umbreit March 28, 2009Judy - Congratulations on your win! - Mike #7345970
Ken Smith March 28, 2009I smiled the first time I saw this, and am smiling again. Excellent Judy and congrats again! #7346571
Usman M. Bajwa March 29, 2009Another great picture and another Huge Congrats, Judy.
Usman. #7348075
Linda D. Lester March 29, 2009I knew this would be back....Congratulations! #7348476
Donna La Mattino Pagakis March 31, 2009Congratulations on your win Judy! #7354940
Datha Y. Thompson March 31, 2009CONGRATULATIONS again!! Excellent!!! #7356267
Elida Gutierrez April 01, 2009CONGRATULATIONS!!!
Dominick M. Dimacale April 02, 2009Congratulations Judy on your 3rd Win!!!
Dominick #7362788
Susan Jane Allen April 04, 2009Adorable! Congrats! #7372709
Laura E. Swan April 10, 2009This is FANTASTIC! No wonder it won! The judges were on their toes! :)
-Laura :) #7393339
Mariann Kovats August 13, 2009What an awesome capture! Congratulation on your win! I had to put you as my favorite, so I can hop in your gallery time to time and look at all your fantastic winning images, so I can learn from you. You have awesome pictures. #7846040
It's Darren's birthday!
Happy Birthday my friend! I hope you have a wonderful day!
Exif: F Number: 4, Exposure Bias Value: 0.00, ExposureTime: 1/125 seconds, Flash: did not fire, compulsory flash mode, ISO: 1600, White balance: Manual white balance, FocalLength: 115.00 mm, Model: Canon EOS 50D
Uploaded on February 28, 2009
Copyright for this gallery photo belongs solely to Judy V. Kennamer. Images may not be copied, downloaded, or used in any way without the expressed, written permission of the photographer. Contact photographer via gallery
Log in to follow or message this photographer or report this photo.


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Find us on:
The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) supports and conducts biomedical and behavioral research on the causes, consequences, treatment, and prevention of alcoholism and alcohol-related problems. NIAAA also provides leadership in the national effort to reduce the severe and often fatal consequences of these problems by: conducting and supporting research directed at determining the causes of alcoholism, discovering how alcohol damages the organs of the body, and developing prevention and treatment strategies for application in the Nation's health care system; supporting and conducting research across a wide range of scientific areas; conducting policy studies that have broad implications for alcohol problem prevention, treatment and rehabilitation activities; conducting epidemiological studies; collaborating with other research institutes and Federal programs relevant to alcohol abuse and alcoholism, and providing coordination for Federal alcohol abuse and alcoholism research activities; maintaining continuing relationships with institutions, professional and voluntary associations at international, national, state and local levels engaged in alcohol-related work; and disseminating research findings to health care providers, researchers, policymakers, and the public.
Review Date: Thursday, August 11, 2011
List reviewed web resources
The Office of the Surgeon General, under the direction of the Surgeon General, oversees the operations of the 6,500-member Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service and provides support for the Surgeon General in the accomplishment of her other duties. The Office is part of the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health in the Office of the Secretary, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The Surgeon General serves as America's Doctor by providing Americans the best scientific information available on how to improve their health and reduce the risk of illness and injury.
Review Date: Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Inquiries on mental health, drug abuse, or alcohol can be directed to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) , formerly the Alcohol, Drug Abuse and Mental Health Administration (ADAMHA). Requests for publications should be directed to the information offices listed in the General Notes (GN) field of this database record.
Review Date: Monday, June 13, 2011
Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit grass roots organization with more than 600 chapters nationwide. MADD's mission is to stop drunk driving, support the victims of this violent crime and prevent underage drinking.
Review Date: Friday, April 29, 2011
Founded in 1981 as Students Against Driving Drunk, SADD's focus initially was to combat teen deaths due to drinking and driving. SADD has expanded its mission and name and now sponsors chapters called Student Against Destructive Decisions. SADD now focuses on prevention of all destructive behaviors and attitudes that are harmful to young people, including underage drinking, substance abuse, violence, reckless driving, depression and suicide. SADD's unique approach involves young people delivering education and prevention programming to their peers through school- and community-wide activities and campaigns responsive to the needs of their particular locations. Projects may include peer-led classes and theme-focused forums; teen workshops; conferences and rallies; prevention education and leadership training; awareness-raising activities; studen/parent programming and legislative work. Since its formation, SADD has spread to all 50 states, Canada, New Zealand and many other international locations.
Review Date: Thursday, June 10, 2010
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Each issue of TerraJoule.us contains: a Main Essay, a Model Portfolio, a Data Brief, and a link to a Downloadable Podcast. Gregor Macdonald, Editor. For a more detailed description of each issue's contents, please see the Subscribe section.
This month's publication, Oil's Ultimate Fate, covers the structural shift as oil consumption continues to migrate from the West to the developing world. As this trend nears completion, oil will finally be ready for its next, major repricing:
Oil's quiet period has been composed of declining OECD demand, a hardening of the floor of oil prices, increased supplies of high-cost, marginal oil, and the almost silent shift of demand from West to East. Non-OECD economic growth, however, has not quite been strong enough to cause oil prices to breakout to the upside. Indeed, weak OECD economies and oil demand have provided just enough counterweight to keep oil prices from taking off. Oil's quiet period, therefore, has seen oil trapped in a very tight range, unable to move lower because of marginal costs—and—unable to move higher because of continuing affordability issues in the OECD.
The May issue also includes an analysis of Japan's worsening energy-balances, as the country's currency debasement strategy meets up with soaring volumes of imported LNG:
While hedge fund managers focus on Japan's debt dynamics, they should monitor instead these fragile energy-balance dynamics for the trigger to Japan's next crisis.
To purchase, please follow the link below:
Oil's Ultimate Fate: May Issue of TerraJoule.us
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The Crimson will look to move its win streak to eight this weekend against George Mason and Princeton (Ben Barnhart).
The Storyline
The No. 14 Harvard men's volleyball team will put its six-match win streak on the line this weekend as it travels to George Mason and Princeton for a pair of EIVA matches. The Crimson will first face the Patriots Friday, March 1 at 7 p.m. before taking on the Tigers Saturday, March 2 at 4 p.m.
A live video stream and live stats will be available during Friday's match through gomason.com by clicking here. A live video stream and live stats will also be available during Saturday's match through goprincetontigers.com by clicking here.
Last Time Out
The Harvard men's volleyball team recorded its second sweep of the weekend and earned its sixth straight win Saturday with a 3-0 victory on the road over Rutgers-Newark. The victory came by set scores of 25-15, 28-26 and 25-18. Branden Clemens led a potent offensive attack by recording a match high 12 kills and committing only two errors en route to a .625 hitting percentage.
Around the League
Harvard is currently in second place of the EIVA standings with a 5-1 conference mark and a 9-2 overall record. The Crimson leads the conference in hitting percentage (.276), is second in kills (12.66), third in assists (11.76) and blocks (2.53), and ranks seventh in digs (8.47).
Individually, Branden Clemens is eighth in the conference with 2.95 kps. Clemens and Caleb Zimmick rank first and fourth with hitting percentages of .349 and .305, respectively. Rob Lothman is third among EIVA setters with 10.27 aps while Chris Gibbons comes in fourth among liberos with 2.32 dps. Zimmick also boasts the third best blocking average at 1.16 bps with Kyle Rehkemper chipping in 0.97 bps, good for 9th.
National Scene
Men's volleyball national ranking summary through games played Feb. 23.
Scouting George Mason
George Mason comes into the weekend tied for third place in the EIVA standings with a 3-2 conference mark and 5-7 overall. The Patriots have averaged 12.33 kps while hitting just .217, ranking fourth and fifth in the conference, respectively. George Mason is also fourth in assists (11.65) and second in blocks (2.69), but first in the league in digs (9.77).
Andrew Kentler leads the Patriots attack with 3.48 kps while Michael Kvidahl has added 3.12 kps. Javier perez has served as the team's primary setter and has dished out 10.33 aps. Defensively, George Mason is once again paced by Kentler's 1.80 dps, tenth highest in the EIVA.
Scouting Princeton
Princeton is tied for third place in the EIVA standings with an 3-2 conference record and an overall mark of 5-3. The Tigers lead the league in blocks (2.80) and are second in assists (11.78), third in hitting percentage (.270) and kills per set average (12.38), but rank sixth in digs (9.57).
Pat Schwagler leads the Princeton attack with 4.10 kps, the highest total in the EIVA, while Devin Stearns has added 2.63 kps. Davis Waddell has averaged 10.14 aps as the team's primary setter while Tony Ensbury has paced the defense with 2.19 dps.
Winning Ways
Harvard has won six straight matches, its longest streak since winning 13 in a row in 2005. The Crimson's last four wins have come in straight sets, also matching the 2005 teams' streak of four consecutive sweeps.
Taking Home the Hardware
Sophomore DJ White earned a pair of honors recently being named both the AVCA Division I-II National Player of the Week and EIVA Offensive Player of the Week. The praise came after White averaged 4.17 kills per set and hit .477 as the Crimson knocked off No. 9 Penn State and St. Francis (Pa.) in straight sets.
White is the first member of the Crimson to earn the national recognition. He has been named the conference's offensive player of the week twice this season and has earned the distinction three times in his career.
National News
Harvard was ranked No. 14 in this week's AVCA Division I-II Poll, marking the second straight week the Crimson has been ranked and the highest ranking in program history. Harvard earned the first national ranking last year in week 14 and remained in the poll at No. 15 for the final four weeks.
Slump Busters
The Crimson ended a 51-match drought for conference opponents versus Penn State when it upset the ninth-ranked Nittany Lions Feb. 15, 3-0. Penn State's last loss to an EIVA conference foe came on March 7, 2008 to George Mason, 3-1.
Ranked Wins
Harvard's 3-0 victory over then ninth-ranked Penn State marked the team's second win over a ranked opponent in as many years. Last season, the Crimson knocked off No. 12 Call State Northridge, 3-1, to record the program's first victory against a ranked team under head coach Brian Baise.
MAC Attack
Harvard is 19-6 in the friendly confines of the Malkin Athletic Center since the start of 2011 including a 3-0 mark this year. The Crimson has won seven straight matches at home dating back to last season and has captured each of its last three home openers.
Block Party
The Crimson recorded 17.5 blocks at No. 6 Penn State, the team's highest total over the last three seasons. Caleb Zimmick led the way with eight total blocks as Michael Owen and Kyle Rehkemper each turned in seven. Nick Madden and Rob Lothman also got in on the action, registering six blocks and four blocks, respectively.
Harvard's season high for blocks in 2012 was 17 at Rutgers-Newark.
Quick Start
Harvard swept Stevens, NYU and St. Francis (Pa.) to open the year, marking the third straight season that the Crimson has started the year with at least two victories. Harvard's three straight-set victories, meanwhile, had not been accomplished since 1993 when the squad posted four sweeps in its first four matches.
Catch the Crimson in 2013
Harvard will host 11 home matches at the Malkin Athletic Center this season and each will be streamed live online through GoCrimson.com. Fans can also watch each match On Demand approximately two hours after completion. One-year subscriptions are available for $49.95 and allow access to every home event streamed by the Crimson, including football, men's and women's basketball, men's and women's hockey and men's soccer. For more information or to sign up today, click here.
Captaining the Ship
Rob Lothman and Nick Madden will serve as the team's captains for the 2013 season. Lothman was named to the All-EIVA second team in 2012 after setting a career-high with 888 assists, the fifth-best single-season total in program history. Lothman directed the Crimson attack to a .298 hitting percentage, which ranked seventh in the NCAA, while his 10.1 assists per set were good for 18th in the nation. Madden, meanwhile, started all 24 matches last year for the Crimson and ranked second on the squad in kills (3.01) and points (3.6). His 268 kills in 2012 were good for eighth in program history while his 147 career blocks rank his sixth all-time.
Banner Year
Harvard is coming off one of the most successful seasons in program history, as the Crimson earned its first-ever national ranking in 2012 and finished the year at No. 15 in the AVCA Coaches Poll. Harvard posted an 18-6 overall record and took second in the EIVA with a 10-4 conference mark, with the team's 18 wins representing the third-highest total ever.
Head coach Brian Baise was tabbed as the EIVA Coach of the Year as a result of the squad's success while Matt Jones, DJ White and Rob Lothman all earned all-conference accolades.


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It appears that this fellow has found himself some trouble on a dark and stormy night. What hot water has he landed in? And who is on the other end of that phone call?
This is a digital painting by concept artist Craig Sellars, via reddit. See if you can come up with a short story inspired by this picture and post it in the comments.


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LONDON (Reuters) - Investors are betting that after cap-in-hand Greece comes Portugal, selling off its stocks and bonds in the belief that the euro zone laggard cannot avoid a default without a second bailout.
While borrowing costs have fallen for debt-ridden Spain and Italy as well as bailed-out Ireland on the back of a huge infusion of low-cost loans from the European Central Bank, Portugal's have shot up, setting it on a path towards bankruptcy.
The rot really set in two weeks ago after Standard & Poor's downgraded 15 euro zone countries, putting Portugal in the "junk" category, along with Greece. That shuts it out from tapping capital markets in the foreseeable future and makes its task of meeting future debt repayments even tougher.
Since then, the rise in both government bond yields and the cost of insuring debt against default has been relentless.
This is the opposite of what has happened in Ireland, which was bailed out in November 2010 just six months before Portugal received a 78 billion euro bailout from international lenders.
"If we look at where bond yields are for Portugal it makes it impossible for Portugal to access debt markets in 2013," said Nikolaos Panigirtzoglou, a rate strategist at JPMorgan.
"It's a country that still relies on the official sector in terms of financing its current account deficit and repayments and this makes it certain that we're going to get a second bailout for Portugal later this year."
Portuguese debt and stocks have fared far worse than other highly-indebted euro zone given worries it could follow Greece and need to restructure its debt.
The absolute level of 10-year yields, which reflects how much payment investors are demanding to hold the country's debt, has risen three percentage points to 15 percent since S&P moved on January 13. This is almost double the equivalent Irish yields, which have fallen to their lowest in over a year over the same period.
Unlike Portugal and Greece, Ireland has moved to surplus on its current account over the past year in its fight to rebuild investor confidence.
"Ireland ... is a different case in the sense that its private sector at least is doing OK and is growing and generating trade surpluses," said Richard Batty, investment director at Standard Life Investments.
Ireland still faces hurdles, particularly given a weakened growth outlook on top of a debt ratio officially forecast to peak at 119 percent of economic output next year. But it is campaigning on a number of fronts to improve its chances of funding itself fully for 2014.
Portugal, Ireland, Italy government bond spread link.reuters.com/mac36s
Portugal and Ireland CDS link.reuters.com/tyw26s
Portugal economic overview link.reuters.com/nyj94s
What is worrying investors about Portugal is that two- and five- year Portuguese debt now yield more than longer-term bonds at 16.7 and 20 percent respectively. This mirrors the trend in Greece before it sought a second bailout package in 2011.
In a normally functioning market, short-term government bonds yield less than long maturities as investors want higher compensation for the risk of holding the asset for longer
Simon Derrick who heads foreign exchange strategy at Bank of New York Mellon says his bank's custodial data shows long-term investors have stepped up sales of Portuguese debt in the past month. This is likely to have gathered momentum after the country was downgraded to junk status.
Indeed, the credit market has highlighted investors' growing worries about Portugal's ability to repay debt in the coming years and the growing divergence from Ireland. The cost of insuring one- or two-year Portuguese debt using credit default swaps (CDS) is stubbornly above the equivalent premium for five-year debt.
Typically, five-year CDS trade above shorter-dated ones, as is currently the case in Ireland.
Banks issuing insurance, moreover, are demanding that a percentage of the total amount to be insured in Portugal must be paid when the contract is entered into, typically a signal that a credit is distressed.
"What's happening now with Portugal is very worrying and the market is asking whether Portugal is really just like Greece," said Standard Life Investments' Batty. "Portugal has never been able to grow itself sufficiently and in the current environment you have to ask 'how can they compete?"
Standard Life Investments, which has some $233 billion in assets under management does not hold any government debt of bailed-out European sovereigns Greece, Portugal or Ireland.
Investors are particularly concerned about whether Greece can be ringfenced and not trigger a domino effect that snares Portugal and larger euro zone economies Spain and Italy.
Part of their concerns stem from the fact that Portugal had to seek a bailout from international lenders not too long after Greece was given a record rescue package.
Highlighting a growing sense of inevitability that Portugal is heading for serious trouble, credit market prices are implying a near-70 percent default probability on a five year time horizon.
That chimes with a Reuters poll of 50 bank economists which showed a median 70 percent chance that the country will need more help with its financing at some point.
Only 10 gave a less than 50 percent probability of a second bailout.
Antonio Saraiva, the head of Portugal's industry confederation, said the country needs an additional 30 billion euros in extra European Union and International Monetary Fund aid.
The picture is so grim and with Portugal not be able to return to market funding until 2013 at the earliest, some analysts believe it will require additional bail-out money from international lenders sooner rather than later.
It should get it, if needed, because the country has so far complied with the fiscal austerity measures that are tied to such aid.
But additional funding isn't likely to solve the problems and some believe that, like Greece, it will all end up with private creditor like banks taking a big loss, or "haircut" to use the jargon.
"We expect that eventually Portugal will face a PSI (private sector involvement) debt restructuring with a haircut of around 35 percent," Michael Saunders, an economist at Citi said, adding he expected it in the end of 2012 or early 2013.
Indeed, the face value of 10-year Portuguese government bonds stands around 46 cents in the euro, implying holders fear they will not get all their money back.
(Additional reporting by Mike Dolan and Simon Jessop, Graphics by Scott Barber, Editing by Jeremy Gaunt)
This story was corrected in paragraph 5 to show Ireland's bailout was before Portugal's


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On Campus
Capturing the Irish Soul and Sound
Bringing out an actor's brogue is the specialty of William Tate, theater professor, dialect coach, and director of the University's spring production of Dancing at Lughnasa. The play, set in 1936 Donegal, Ireland, opens at 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 23, in Lincoln Performance Hall and continues May 24, 28-31. A 2 p.m. matinee is scheduled May 25 and a low-cost preview is at 7:30 p.m. on May 22. Tickets may be purchased at the PSU Box office, 503-725-3307, or through Ticketmaster.
The Tony Award-winning play tells the story of the five unmarried Mundy sisters, whose lives revolve around the eight-year-old love child of the youngest. Dancing at Lughnasa is told from the boy's memories of harvest celebrations with his aunts and of the men who came in and out of their lives.
Autistic couple write book on dating
LOVE HAS NO BARRIERS. That's what Jody John Ramey MA '05 and Emilia Ramey '07 have found. Despite having Asperger syndrome, a lighter form of autism, the Rameys met and fell in love while studying at Portland State.
"Emilia volunteered on campus at the Disability Advocacy Cultural Association, where I had an office," recalls Jody. "We had just started dating a couple of weeks. I had been doing a lot of presentations around the world on disability-related topics and dance. I thought it would be cool to write something about dating for autistics for an upcoming conference on autism. Emilia thought I was nuts. 'What do we have to tell anyone?'"
But Jody, 35, persisted and won Emilia, 33, over to his way of thinking. Shortly after giving their dating for autistics talk at several conferences, Jody proposed that they expand their ideas into a book. Fortunately, the romance between Jody and Emilia was blossoming.
"We started dating at the beginning of 2006 and got engaged during spring break," says Emilia. "During the summer we took marriage prep classes and were married Labor Day weekend."
Now the Rameys have written Autistics' Guide to Dating, a 128-page book published by London-based Jessica Kingsley Publishers. The subtitle stresses that the book's audience includes "Autistics and Those Who Love Them or Who Are in Love with Them."
"We break down our relationship into some of its component parts and extrapolate what worked for us and what didn't work for us," says Jody.
Communication is an important topic of the book. Nonautistic people can pick up on nonverbal cues such as facial expressions more easily than autistic people.
"Double-checking with each other helps to avoid assumptions," remarks Emilia. "If something comes up, where you are not sure what the other person means, then you should ask."
The book also deals with sensory issues, because most autistic people are hypersensitive.
"I'm very sensitive to touch," says Jody "That means that I like to be touched in specific ways. In the book we talk about how to find a way toward friendly touch to the person who is touch-sensitive."
The Rameys hope that their book inspires other autistics.
"Every chapter has a call for action," explains Emilia. "We'd like other autistics to start telling their stories. We know of other autistic couples who have been married longer than us and we'd like them to share their stories as well."
By James Bash
Jody and Emilia Ramey (photo by Zachary Kaufman/The Columbian)
Jazz as a calling
MERCER ELLINGTON, the son of Duke Ellington, made a big impression on Ben '01 and Michelle '01 Medler when he came to Portland in the mid-1990s. Ellington wanted to work with an all-star jazz youth ensemble, but Portland didn't have one.
At the time, the Medlers were artists-in-residence teaching jazz at Wilson High School. The opportunity to work with Ellington was too good to miss. So, they put together a temporary all-state high school jazz band. It was a success.
Years later and jobless, the Medlers used that experience to start the Portland Jazz Youth Orchestra, where they are adept at getting students before live audiences, including the Portland Jazz Festival. They offer group and individual classes at four levels ranging from sixth grade to college.
Michelle specializes in saxophone and plays all of the woodwinds, while Ben specializes in trombone and covers the brass instruments. Both of them play piano and drums, which comes in handy for their own gigs with Quadraphonnes, the Medler Big Band, and the Trombone Encounter.
"We are so busy that we rarely have any time off," says Michelle. "But we are making a living as musicians, and it's been great."
By James Bash
New Works
The Undercover Philosopher: A Guide to Detecting Shams, Lies and Delusions
By Michael Philips (philosophy emeritus faculty)
Oneworld Publications, 2008
By R.J. Archer '75
NWIDI Press, 2008
Being and Place Among the Tlingit
By Thomas Thornton (anthropology faculty)
University of Washington Press, 2008
By Michael Hollister (English emeritus faculty)
AuthorHouse, 2007
CD by Darrell Grant (music faculty) and other jazz artists
Origin Records, 2008
N Is For Nostril
By Joe Spooner '68
Arnica Publishing, 2008
Mark Twain Day by Day: 1835-1885
By David H. Fears '71
Horizon Micro Publishing, 2008
Singing and Imagination of Devotion: Vocal Aesthetics in Early English Protestant Culture
By Susan Brown MAT '90
Paternoster, 2008
If Not God, Then What?
By Joshua Fost (university studies faculty)
Clearhead Studios, Inc., 2007
The Too Tall Kansas (Sidhi) Turtle Tale
By David J. Marks '78, MST '86, '93, MAT '94
Xlibris Press, 2007
ABOUT THIS PAGE: We want to hear about your books and recordings and your future exhibits, performances, and directing ventures. Contact the magazine by e-mailing firstname.lastname@example.com, sending a fax to 503-725-4465, or mailing to Portland State Magazine, Office of University Communications, PO Box 751, Portland OR 97207-0751.


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Freedom in the World
You are here
2012 Scores
Freedom Rating (1 = best, 7 = worst)
Civil Liberties (1 = best, 7 = worst)
Political Rights (1 = best, 7 = worst)
Ethiopia received a downward trend arrow due to the government's increased use of antiterrorism legislation to target political opponents and a decision by the parliament's lower house to include a leading opposition movement in its list of terrorist organizations.
Ethiopia's authoritarian government showed no sign of loosening its grip on power in 2011, using an antiterrorism law to target opponents of the ruling party. More than 100 political activists and journalists were detained, often for several months, before being charged with vaguely defined terrorism offenses. Also during the year, tensions with neighboring Eritrea increased after it was accused by a UN panel of plotting a terrorist attack in Ethiopia.
Ethiopia, one of the few African countries to avoid decades of European colonization, ended a long tradition of monarchy in 1974, when Emperor Haile Selassie was overthrown in a Marxist military coup. Colonel Mengistu Haile Mariam ruled the country until he was toppled by guerrilla groups led by forces from the northern Tigray region in 1991. The main rebel group, the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), formed a provisional government with Meles Zenawi as head of state.
The EPRDF introduced democratic institutions and a new constitution, and Meles became prime minister after elections in 1995. However, most of the opposition boycotted the polls, claiming harassment of its supporters. The EPRDF easily won the 2000 elections, and Meles began his second five-year term. Opposition parties and some observers criticized the government's conduct of the vote.
A border dispute with Eritrea, which had gained formal independence from Ethiopia in 1993 after a long guerrilla conflict, triggered a 1998–2000 war between the countries. Ethiopia later rejected the findings of an international commission that awarded the contested area to Eritrea, and the two neighbors have remained at odds ever since.
The EPRDF and its allies led the 2005 parliamentary elections, though the main opposition parties performed well, winning a third of the seats. Claiming that voter fraud had deprived them of outright victory, opposition supporters took to the streets. The authorities responded harshly, killing at least 193 people and arresting more than 4,000, including leading opposition figures. Several prominent detainees received harsh sentences, and though all were pardoned and released in 2007, some were later rearrested.
The opposition boycotted local elections in 2008, accusing the EPRDF of harassment. Opposition activities were further restricted in 2009, when 40 members of an unregistered political party were convicted of trying to topple the government.
In contrast to the 2005 elections, the May 2010 federal and regional elections were tightly controlled by the EPRDF. Voters were threatened with losing their jobs, homes, or government services if they did not turn out for the ruling party. Opposition meetings were broken up, and candidates were threatened and detained. Opposition-aligned parties saw their 160-seat presence in Parliament virtually disappear, with the EPRDF and its allies taking all but two of the 547 seats in the lower house. The European Union and the United States expressed serious reservations about the outcome, but opposition demands for a rerun were dismissed by the Supreme Court. Meles was sworn in for a third term as prime minister in September 2010.
Shorn of its representation in Parliament and placed under relentless pressure by the authorities, opponents of the EPRDF found it increasingly difficult to operate. A planned antigovernment protest inspired by the uprisings in North Africa fizzled out in May 2011. In June, Parliament's lower house declared five groups to be terrorist entities, including the U.S.-based opposition movement Ginbot 7. The designation meant that any journalist who interviewed party members faced possible arrest on terrorism charges. Scores of activists and journalists were arrested in the following months, including well-known actor Debebe Eshetu, who was charged with planning attacks on behalf of Ginbot 7. Two political leaders from the Oromia region were arrested in August and charged under the same antiterrorism legislation; another four politicians were detained the following month.
Tensions between Ethiopia and Eritrea ratcheted up once more after evidence emerged that Eritrean officials were behind a failed plot to bomb an African Union summit and other high-profile targets in Addis Ababa in January. Eritrea denied involvement, but a panel of UN experts endorsed the allegations in a July report. Meles called for regime change in Eritrea and accused his domestic opponents of acting as agents for Asmara. More than 120 suspected members of a leading rebel movement, the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF), were rounded up. In July, 14 were found guilty of involvement in the bomb plot and received lengthy prison terms.
Also during the year, the government claimed successes against the main rebel movement in the Ogaden region. The Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) had split in two, with one faction signing a peace deal in 2010 and winning the release of 400 members from prison in January 2011. Military operations continued against the other faction, which alleged that 100 civilians were killed during a government offensive in May.
A prolonged drought, the worst to hit the Horn of Africa in 60 years, left nearly 5 million Ethiopians in need of assistance at the end of 2011. Over 270,000 refugees fleeing famine in Somalia had crossed into Ethiopia, adding to the crisis. Ethiopians' difficulties were compounded by large rises in the price of food; the annual rate of inflation reached 41 percent in August.
Ethiopia is not an electoral democracy. Parliament is made up of a 108-seat upper house, the House of Federation, and a 547-seat lower house, the House of People's Representatives. The lower house is filled through popular elections, while the upper chamber is selected by the state legislatures, with both serving five-year terms. The lower house selects the prime minister, who holds most executive power, and the president, a largely ceremonial figure who serves up to two six-year terms. However, all of these institutions are dominated by the EPRDF, which tightly controlled the 2010 elections. The leader of the EPRDF, Meles Zenawi, has ruled continuously since 1991, first as transitional head of state and then as prime minister. While the 1995 constitution in theory grants the right of secession to ethnically based states, the government acquired powers in 2003 to intervene in states' affairs on issues of public security.
Corruption is a significant problem in Ethiopia. According to the Heritage Foundation's Index of Economic Freedom, EPRDF officials receive preferential access to credit, land leases, and jobs.
The news media are dominated by state-owned broadcasters and government-oriented newspapers. One of the few independent papers in the capital, Addis Neger, closed in 2009, claiming harassment by the authorities. Privately owned papers are small in number, tend to steer clear of political issues, and have low circulations. A 2008 media law allows prosecutors to seize material before publication in the name of national security, and makes defamation a criminal offense.
Journalists who reported on opposition activities faced serious harassment in 2011. Two newspaper reporters were detained under the country's antiterrorism law in June. They were formally charged with terrorism offenses during a court hearing in September, at which one of them claimed to have been tortured. A third journalist was charged in absentia. In a separate case, two Swedish journalists were charged on the same day with terrorism offenses for reporting on the activities of the ONLF. In December, they were found guilty of supporting terrorism and were each sentenced to 11 years in prison. Another well-known journalist, Eskinder Nega, who had previously been pardoned for treason relating to the postelection protests in 2005, was detained again in September and accused of terrorism. Because of these risks, many of Ethiopia's journalists work in exile. In September, a reporter fled the country after being asked to reveal the source of a story he wrote that was cited in a U.S. diplomatic cable published by the antisecrecy group WikiLeaks. The authorities routinely block opposition websites, and in 2010, they jammed the Amharic-language broadcasts of Voice of America for eight months.
Constitutionally mandated religious freedom is generally respected, though religious tensions have risen in recent years. The Ethiopian Orthodox Church is influential, particularly in the north. In the east there is a large Muslim community, made up mainly of the Somali, Oromo, and Afar ethnic groups.
Academic freedom is restricted. The government has accused universities of being friendly to the opposition, and prohibits political activities on campuses. There have been reports of students being pressured into joining the EPRDF in order to secure places at universities.
The presence of the EPRDF at all levels of society inhibits free private discussion. Many people are wary of speaking against the government for fear of being overheard by party officials. The EPRDF maintains a network of paid informants, and opposition politicians have accused the government of tapping their telephones.
Freedoms of assembly and association are guaranteed by the constitution but limited in practice. Organizers of large public meetings must request permission from the authorities 48 hours in advance. Applications by opposition groups are routinely denied. During the 2010 election campaign, police routinely broke up political rallies and meetings organized by the opposition.
The 2009 Charities and Societies Proclamation restricts the activities of foreign nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) by prohibiting work on human and political rights. Foreign NGOs are defined as groups receiving more than 10 percent of their funding from abroad, a classification that captures most domestic organizations as well. NGOs have struggled to maintain operations as a result of the law, which also obliged them to reregister with the authorities. According to Justice Ministry figures, there were 3,522 registered NGOs before the law was passed and 1,655 afterward. In 2010, the Ethiopian Human Rights Council and the Ethiopian Women Lawyers' Association had their bank accounts frozen for violating the rules on receiving foreign funds, and the Ethiopian Bar Association had its license suspended for alleged irregularities. It was forced to register under a new name after its identity was assumed by a new organization affiliated with the EPRDF. In August 2011, a visiting delegation from Amnesty International was expelled following a meeting with opposition leaders, who were subsequently arrested.
Trade union rights are tightly restricted. All unions must be registered, and the government retains the authority to cancel registration. Two-thirds of union members belong to organizations affiliated with the Confederation of Ethiopian Trade Unions (CETU), which is under government influence. Independent unions face harassment. There has not been a legal strike since 1993.
The judiciary is officially independent, but its judgments rarely deviate from government policy. The 2009 Antiterrorism Proclamation defines terrorist activity very broadly and gives great discretion to the security forces, allowing the detention of suspects for up to four months without charge. It was used in 2011 to detain more than 100 members of opposition parties; terrorist suspects were denied legal assistance while they awaited trial. Conditions in Ethiopia's prisons are harsh, and detainees frequently report abuse.
The government has tended to favor Tigrayan ethnic interests in economic and political matters. Politics within the EPRDF have been dominated by the Tigrayan People's Liberation Front, one of its constituent groups. Repression of the Oromo and ethnic Somalis, and government attempts to co-opt their parties into subsidiaries of the EPRDF, have fueled nationalism in both Oromia and the Ogaden. Persistent claims that war crimes have been committed by government troops in the Ogaden are difficult to verify, as independent media are barred from the region.
Private business opportunities are limited by rigid state control of economic life and the prevalence of state-owned enterprises. All land must be leased from the state. The government has evicted indigenous groups from areas like the Lower Omo Valley to make way for projects such as hydroelectric dams. It has also leased large tracts of land to foreign governments and investors for agricultural development in opaque deals. Persistent allegations have been made by journalists and groups such as Human Rights Watch that the government has withheld development assistance from villages perceived as being unfriendly to the ruling party.
Women are relatively well represented in Parliament, winning 152 seats in the lower house in the 2010 elections. Legislation protects women's rights, but they are routinely violated in practice. Forced child labor is a significant problem, particularly in the agricultural sector.


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Pope Francis' interviews need to involve women — as subject matter, interviewers and ordained priests
The first exclusive interview Pope Francis gave was to family — to his Jesuit journalist brothers and their publications around the world. It was refreshingly frank, pastoral, quite disarming.
The second interview he gave, again stunningly outside the Vatican's tight network, was to an admired non-believing journalist. More personal, fascinating, revealing conversation, a no-scold approach, just marvelous! At the end of the second interview Francis says to the editor, "Let's talk again, and we'll talk about women." Ah. Yes. Let's.
But that conversation should not be with a non-believing newspaperman or a fourth-estate Jesuit, but a frank talk among Pope Francis, a Catholic sister feminist theologian and a female Episcopalian bishop. These will be women who believe what they can see and experience, phenomenologists, like most of people in the world, not only with Roman Catholics who believe in natural law. In other words, Pope Francis will engage with women that bishops and priests usually don't talk to.
It needs to be a dialogue of mutual respect and equality. Francis said that he wants to again widen the ecumenical dialog, and well he should. Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI steered clear from conversations with mainline Protestants after Episcopalians, Anglicans, Methodists, Lutherans and even some Baptists started ordaining women, and instead preferred talking to Eastern Orthodox or Jewish Orthodox guys, because there would be no women's ordination to talk over. Ordination of women in the Roman Church may not be discussed — because WE SAID SO! Popes have spoken, the matter is closed, because we say so, and we are infallible.
This smarts because it's an example of creeping infallibility. No council with Pope has definitively ruled on this, and there are many Catholics, present and former, who strongly disagree with excluding women from ordained leadership. In this day, in this country, it is frankly ignorant and embarrassing. There is even a diminishing number of Catholic priests who dissent from this, diminishing because they are dying off, giving up or giving in to the litmus test at ordination that penises are required for priesthood. Penises, however, may not be used for reproductive purposes AFTER ordination. C'mon.
American nuns are also castigated by the Roman Curia for not jumping up and down enough against women's ordination — and again, a vocal number are flat out for it. Sisters around the world sweat and work in justice and charity work with the poor; their habit is the habitual radical hospitality they enact with the hungry and homeless. Why would the cardinals of the Curia think that nuns need to be investigated more than emulated? Is a life of prayer and service somehow suspect because the sisters are not sufficiently incensed about women's ordination, or guys dictating on contraception?
So a new tone and approach do matter, no doubt, and are very welcome. But at some point content and change will need to be faced. The issue is gender, not just the practices of sexuality. Are women radically equal to men? A conversion is needed in Roman Catholicism on this issue. The conversion extends to ending the sin of clericalism, something Pope Francis acknowledges and abhors. Clericalism is pervasive, not just in the Curia; it is the norm v the exception. Those priests that ARE the exception, or are willing to be, are not connecting enough with each other.
Do you really believe there is some natural law of similarity to the maleness of Jesus needed to be called to sacred orders? I ask Catholic priests and bishops to actually experience a woman priest in action — in vestment, leading worship, preaching, blessing, forgiving, consecrating, priesting. There is no difference in effect, only in our confined minds.
Perhaps our new Pope will drive off in his old car one day down the street to see what She Is, a priest, among her congregation, bringing good news and creating communion. I believe repentance, confession and forgiveness is in order — and will be granted by the One who welcomes all at his table.


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Still, symphony in top form even if Denyce Graves isn't
San Diego Symphony Jacobs Masterworks Series
When: Program repeats 8 p.m. May 18 and 2 p.m. May 19
Where: Copley Symphony Hall, 750 B St., downtown
Admission: $20-$96
Phone: (619) 235-0804
You had to wonder Friday where the masterworks were in the San Diego Symphony's Jacobs Masterworks concert at Copley Symphony Hall.
When Manuel de Falla's lightweight "El amor brujo" is the heaviest work on a program that also included orchestrations of pieces by Enrique Granados and Celedonio Romero, and Gould's "Troubadour Music for Four Guitars," you know you're in light classical territory, with the emphasis on light.
Nevertheless, a good time was had by just about everybody.
The Romeros — Celin, Pepe, Lito and Celino — seemed to enjoy themselves in revisiting the Gould work, which was written in 1969 for the Romeros — then Celin, Pepe, Angel and Celedonio — and the San Diego Symphony in honor of the 200th anniversary of the founding of San Diego.
The piece, apparently unheard in a San Diego concert hall since then, seems as if it's something from a time capsule, or perhaps the soundtrack to some long lost movie. In its slightly dissonant — but just dissonant enough to be modern — idiom, it's of a different time and place. Still, it's an effective, if disjointed, showpiece for four guitarists and the Romeros took full advantage.
Pepe Romero also made the most of his father's "Concierto de Malaga," showing he's lost none of his considerable skill over the years as he demonstrated some particularly agile fingerwork in the second movement.
Conductor Jahja Ling appeared to have a good time on the podium and the orchestra was in excellent form, particularly the woodwinds, who sounded with uncommon warmth and presence in Granados' "Tres danzas españolas."
Only mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves sounded unhappy. She had the assignment of singing the three out of the 13 segments of "El amor brujo" (loosely translated, "Love, the Magician") that have a vocal part (most commonly the piece is done without those segments).
Although she is without question one of the most distinguished mezzo-sopranos of her generation, or arguably any generation, she had serious pitch problems, especially in the "Song of a Broken Heart."
But perhaps even more alarming was the fact it sounded as if she was amplified. The symphony always has microphones around the stage, but they are ostensibly for recording (every concert is recorded for archival purposes, Ling's consideration and potential broadcast). Her voice sounded metallic and her interpretation tentative.
It certainly wasn't a masterwork.


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Art Chat
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January 16, 2020
Join Art Chat for an informal tour of the galleries led by a trained and knowledgeable Docent:
Every Friday from 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
3rd Thursday of the month from 4 – 6 p.m.
Discuss artwork in the current exhibitions and learn about the history of the Museum. These free tours are a great way to explore LBMA.
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I noticed on a netbook recently that when you moved the mouse pointer with its trackpad the mouse pointer floated slowly to a stop when I released my fingers.
Does anyone know if this is a windows 7 feature or is there some software required?
Do you think it work fine with a TS?


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OCEAN CITY – Federal
fisheries officials this week filed a motion to dismiss the ongoing civil suit
over the abrupt closure of the black sea bass season last October, pointing out
the emergency closure has since been lifted and the flawed catch data
collection system has since been repaired.
Last October, black sea
bass, one of the most important fisheries for Ocean City and the entire east
coast, was closed without warning, forcing the Recreational Fishing Alliance
(RFA) and a handful of local captains to file a multi-party federal lawsuit
against the National Marine Fisheries Service (NFMS), the federal agency that
shut the fishery down. NMFS officials closed the black sea bass fishery in the
midst of a robust fall season after determining anglers up and down the east
coast had exceeded the established quota by some 800,000 fish.
The lawsuit filed by the
RFA and the coalition of local and regional charter captains sought an immediate
reversal of the closure, which they claimed was based on flawed science and was
costing the recreational fishing sector hundreds of thousands of dollars each
day the fishery was closed. It also called on NMFS to abandon the archaic
Marine Recreational Fisheries Statistics Survey (MRFSS) system of collecting
data and establishing quotas.
However, in the months
since the federal suit was filed, NMFS reversed its course somewhat and
re-opened the black sea bass season on May 21, which, in its opinion, made the
ongoing federal lawsuit a moot issue. This week, NMFS and the other federal
defendants in the case filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit.
"The court should enter
judgment for federal defendants because the closure expired on May 21, 2010,"
the motion reads. "There is, therefore, no dispute for the court to decide or
remedy to provide. The plaintiffs no longer have a legally cognizable interest
in the outcome of their claims because the rule that they seek to have set
aside is no longer in force."
The motion also suggests
the coalition's claims a similar closure could be reasonably expected in the
future is moot because the plaintiffs cannot identify any identical agency
action reasonably expected to recur.
"This is not surprising
because an emergency, in-season decision to close a fishery is a very unusual
occurrence, and the factors relevant to such a decision are highly
fact-specific," the motion to dismiss reads.
One of the pillars of
the plaintiffs' case was the flawed data collection used to force the
unexpected closure last fall. Traditionally, MRFSS data collection relied on
telephone conversations with a handful of recreational anglers, with the small
samples extrapolated out over a much larger state, regional or even coast-wide
However, in the motion
to dismiss the case, the defendants argue any claims about the flawed data
collection system are now moot because of the creation of the National
Saltwater Angler Registry Program.
"The data collection
methods previously used for MRFSS became obsolete on Jan. 1, 2010," the motion
reads. "On that day, NMFS implemented the National Saltwater Angler Registry
program, designed to allow NMFS to more accurately collect data on the
recreational fishery."
NMFS' motion to dismiss
the case said the national registry would prevent similar closures in the
"These changes replace
the agency's former reliance on random telephone contacts with residents of
coastal county households to collect marine recreational fishing effort data,"
the motion reads. "Because this is the only aspect of MRFSS the plaintiffs
contend is flawed, and the challenged system of random telephone contacts will
not be used in the future, the plaintiffs' MRFSS-related claim is clearly not
capable of repetition."


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Catalog Details
AG4380 - Graphic Design V
Credits: 3
First semester of a two-semester capstone course experience for BFA Graphic Design majors. Prepares students in all areas of their portfolio and professional career development. Includes portfolio organization and assessment, job market possibilities, resume and cover letter writing, making effective presentations, guidelines for pricing and selling work, and ethics considerations in the workplace in graphic design. Also covers the primary planning stages and project delineation for the Senior BFA Exhibit, to be completed in the spring semester (Graphic Design VI). Design professionals are invited to present special topics and critique work during semester. Additional course fee required. Falls. Prerequisite(s): application to and acceptance by the BFA Portfolio Committee.


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Seven Seconds or Mess: Webisode 18
: SSoM : Written by Gian Casimiro (7SoM) : 03-25-2009
I know it's been a while, KB, but the 7SoM is back. If you're curious about where I've been just read the first paragraph here. I've missed the opportunity to break down the collapse of the team's playoff hunt but the issues that caused it are the same issues I've tried to lay out on tape all season. So with the remaining schedule I'll be pointing out some of the negative aspects of the Knicks' key players. First up is David Lee whose shortcomings on the defensive end have been on display in previous episodes. In episode 18, I show …continue reading


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"No to Mo" has turned into "Yes to Mo."
Wild GM Chuck Fletcher confirmed an ESPNDallas.com report this afternoon that not only is Detroit and San Jose in contact with Modano, but so are the Wild.
"We're interested in speaking to Mike about his future plans," Fletcher said. "We obviously have interest in doing anything that will make our team better and we just want to sit down with him and see if there's a mutual fit."
Modano told ESPNDallas.com, "It would be a fun storyline," referring to the fact that he began his future Hall of Fame career 22 years ago with the North Stars.
Fletcher said he hopes to sit down with Modano at some point to determine if there's a right fit. This is definitely not something that will happen overnight -- if it even does.
But I will say: I think Modano's "fun storyline" comment to Stars beat writer Richard Durrett is more than just a quote though. I really feel that he'd be very excited about coming to play specifically here. I felt back in April that Modano was dropping lots of hints that if he continued playing, he'd want it to be here.
I just never sensed the interest was reciprocated, and frankly it wasn't until the last few days.
Right now no meeting is planned because Modano told Fletcher he's got some things going on, and frankly, so does Fletcher. But Fletcher said at some point he and coach Todd Richards will sit down with the future Hall of Famer. But as I mentioned above, we could be far from a conclusion.
Hey, you're always patient with the Brett Favre wait. You'll have to be patient with this, too. In fact, Judd and Chip can cover both. They're experts.
In this eventual sitdown between the Wild and Modano, I think they'll both have to convince each other that there's a mutual fit. Is Mike committed to playing and going through the rigors of training camp? Is he going to be comfortable and play the good soldier if it's the middle of the long grind and he's getting third-or fourth-line minutes and playing the second power play?
Remember, this is a proud athlete, a former superstar, one who's scored 50 goals in this league and 30 goals a bunch. Can he handle a secondary role?
I was led to believe for some time that the Wild wasn't going to be going after Modano, that it didn't make much sense to have him taking playing time from a kid like Casey Wellman. But clearly things evolve over time, and I think Fletcher signed Matt Cullen and Eric Nystrom and then took a few days to really analyze the roster.
There's uncertainty with Pierre-Marc Bouchard's health, even though he is exercising and is trying to come back. I think there's uncertainty whether Casey Wellman will be ready for a full-time NHL job, even though he's turning 23 and not turning 19. I think there's a definite unwillingness to hand James Sheppard another NHL job unless he completely deserves it. This will be the biggest training camp of Sheppard's hockey-playing career.
And of course, even though Cullen was signed to be the No. 2 center, as even he said to me, "you can't script chemistry," so will there be chemistry with Cullen between Gui Latendresse and Marty Havlat?
Fletcher's very happy with the pickups of Cullen, Nystrom and Brad Staubitz and with the fact that he believes the Wild will be a harder-working team and more importantly a harder-to-play-against team. But there's still the concern of scoring and the skill level of the team, and if a guy like Modano could get 40 or 50 points and that means five or six more points in the standings, well, in the NHL, that could be the difference of making the playoffs and missing.
I've always said that if the Wild couldn't get their long-term solutions via trade, they'd look to short-term solutions in free agency. I was thinking more in the lines of Saku Koivu or Olli Jokinen when I wrote that in late June. Obviously, the Wild didn't get them, and obviously a trade hasn't transpired yet.
So they move on to Modano. What this also shows me is that since the Wild clearly sees a hole when it comes to skill, maybe guys that didn't make sense a few days ago could start making sense a few days from now or later in the summer.
In other words, I guarantee the kicking tires from Fletcher's part isn't just with Modano. Modano just revealed the contact. So could that mean Fletcher's kicked tires with guys like Alex Frolov, Lee Stempniak, Paul Kariya, Maxim Afinogenov, Alexei Ponikarovsky, Miro Satan?
Hey, I ate crow on Modano, so I'm no longer discounting anybody.
On another subject, Fletcher said Richards has talked with assistant coaching candidates and he's also had conversations with some. Fletcher said the Wild is a week or maybe two from naming a replacement for Mike Ramsey.


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Texas Ex-Inmate Fights for $2M Under Wrongful Conviction Compensation Law
Billy Frederick Allen spent more than 25 years in prison before an appeals court overturned his convictions in two murders. Three years after winning his freedom, Allen is fighting the state again — this time for the $2 million he says he's owed for wrongful imprisonment.
McKINNEY, Texas — Billy Frederick Allen spent more than 25 years in prison before an appeals court overturned his convictions in two murders. Three years after winning his freedom, Allen is fighting the state again — this time for the $2 million he says he's owed for wrongful imprisonment.
Although the appeals court declared the evidence against Allen too weak for any reasonable juror to convict him, Texas officials say he has not proven his innocence. Therefore, they say, he isn't covered by a state law that generously compensates the wrongfully convicted for the years they spent behind bars.
Advocates say Allen's case raises new questions about what evidence is needed to qualify for compensation in Texas, where more inmates have been freed because of wrongful convictions than any other state.
DNA evidence has led to most of Texas' exonerations. But with DNA testing essentially standard in most cases and the number of DNA-based exonerations expected to dwindle, more former inmates like Allen — whose case has no DNA evidence — are likely to account for more compensation cases.
"The only difference is the good luck, if you want to call it that, that exonerees in DNA cases had versus Billy," said Jeff Blackburn, chief counsel of the Innocence Project of Texas, which works to free wrongfully convicted inmates. "It doesn't make them any more innocent than Billy Allen. It doesn't make Billy any less innocent than them."
Texas' compensation law is the most generous in the U.S., according to the national Innocence Project. Freed inmates who are declared innocent by a judge, prosecutors or a governor's pardon can collect $80,000 for every year of imprisonment, along with an annuity.
Allen, who was imprisoned for 26 years, would stand to collect almost $2.1 million.
The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, the state's highest state court to review criminal cases, reversed Allen's murder convictions three years ago in two 1983 murders in the Dallas enclave of University Park. The court ruled that Allen's trial attorney made mistakes, including failing to contradict a police officer's claim that one victim, moments before he died, indicated Allen was his attacker.
The court ordered a new trial. Prosecutors decided to dismiss the charges, but said they still considered Allen a suspect and have kept the case open.
Texas Comptroller Susan Combs' office denied Allen's application for compensation because "ineffective assistance of counsel was the basis for the relief he received from the court; it was not on the basis of actual innocence," her spokesman said in a statement. Combs declined an interview request.
Allen was convicted in the fatal shootings of James Perry Sewell and Sewell's girlfriend, Raven Dannelle Lashbrook. Allen said he'd frequently visited Sewell because he wanted to sell Sewell scraps of gold as part of a legitimate business, and that he'd leaned against Sewell's car a few days before the couple's deaths, according to court filings.
The court documents said Sewell was found "gagged, handcuffed and covered with blood" near an apartment building, and that Allen's handprint was discovered on top of the car, where Lashbrook was found dead.
The police officer testified that when he asked Sewell who attacked him, he answered: "Billy Allen."
But a defense investigator after the trial found two paramedics who heard Sewell saying three names as he was dying, the Court of Criminal Appeals said. One said he heard Sewell say "Billy Wayne Allen," the name of another possible suspect. The other paramedic remembered hearing a middle name, but couldn't recall it.
That new evidence left the officer's testimony ineffective, and the remaining major piece of evidence — the palm print on the car — would not have been enough to convict him, the Court of Criminal Appeals determined. The court overturned Allen's conviction in 2009, and he walked out of prison on bond.
Now, the Texas Supreme Court is considering Allen's compensation claim. Both sides recently argued before the court, with Allen's attorneys saying he had proven himself innocent and was the same as any other ex-inmate who had been released from prison.
"Billy will establish that you don't have to have a DNA exoneration to be compensated," said his attorney, Kris Moore.
Assistant Solicitor General Philip Lionberger, representing the state, argued that Allen was freed through a claim that raised legitimate questions about his conviction but did not prove he was fully innocent. He said state law only requires payment to former inmates who win their freedom after presenting evidence proving their innocence based on a stricter standard than the one Allen met.
Lionberger said Allen's claim and others like his are "never going to be entitled to compensation."
Democratic state Sen. Rodney Ellis, who pushed for the state's compensation law and other criminal justice reforms, said Allen's case seemed caught in a "no person's land" — the evidence was insufficient to convict him, yet it also appeared too weak to qualify him for compensation.
The state has paid 79 people about $48 million, according to the state comptroller's office. Most were freed through DNA testing or in connection to a drug detective in the Texas Panhandle town of Tulia later convicted of perjury.
Combs' office is currently challenging five compensation claims before the Texas Supreme Court. Another ex-inmate, Richard Sturgeon, had his conviction for a 1998 robbery overturned based on problems with his trial attorney and witnesses. He filed a claim similar to Allen's.
Cory Session, whose brother, Tim Cole, was exonerated of a rape conviction after he died and became the namesake of the compensation law, said he was prepared to push for legislative changes to help Allen.
"I'm totally against someone going to prison, spending years, and then their case getting out on appeal, and they say, 'We don't really want to say he's innocent, but no jury would find him guilty,'" Session said. "In the state of Texas, we can't play semantics with people's lives after they're incarcerated."
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.
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