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There has been some news related to John the Baptist over the last few weeks. Archaeologists excavating an ancient church off the coast of Bulgaria have identified what they are describing as "relics of John the Baptist." Apparently they discovered an urn built into the altar of a church dedicated to the Baptist. When they opened the urn they found small bones from the arms and the legs of John the Baptist.
I cannot comment on whether or not these are really some of John the Baptist's bones. It is possible, but I have my doubts. Church relics have a long and complicated history. John Calvin once commented that there were enough pieces of the true cross to build a ship. I would add this story to a long list of suspicious ones. For instance, back in March the residents of another small island claimed to have found the nails from Jesus' cross. At least that story was made a little more exciting by brining in the Knights Templar. It seems that if you mention the Templars it somehow adds credence to the claims.
If this ancient church and it relics can teach us anything, it is that the man who blasted Herod Antipas and called Israel to repentance has had a following long after his death. In fact, there have always been those in history who would rather follow John as Messiah instead of Jesus.
There seems to be some of evidence in the New Testament of a conflict with the followers of John the Baptist. We know from Acts 18:25 and 19:1-7 that there were disciples of John the Baptist who continued to follow him even after he died.
Unlike the Synoptics, the fourth gospel does not record John baptizing Jesus, but it does retain his witness of the Spirit descending upon Jesus (1.29-34). This may be an attempt to deprive those claiming an alternative Messiah and the possibility of pointing to Jesus' baptism as a symbol of Jesus' subservience to John. The gospel's programmatic approach towards John is clearest in 1:8 where it blatantly declares that John was not the light but only came to testify to the light. This is followed by John the Baptist's own confession in 1:20, 28 that he is not the messiah and even points Jesus out to two of his disciples who leave John to follow Jesus (1:35-40). Later John tells his own disciples that he himself must decrease while giving Jesus room to increase (3:30). Jesus then goes on to make more disciples than John (4:1). Jesus performs seven signs in the gospel; John performs none (10:41). From this evidence it seems that the author of John was trying to support belief in Jesus as the Messiah over against John while at the same time trying to claim John for the Christian cause.
Later there were even claims by some groups that John, not Jesus, was the Messiah (Pseudo-Clementine Recognitions 1.60.1-2). Consequently, the possibility remains that the movement did not die but endured and spread even after John's death.
Even today there remain followers of John. A small sect called Mandaeans live in parts of Iran and Iraq and has kept this movement going until the modern era. These followers of John practice a baptism ritual by dipping themselves in a river weekly. The group was first brought to the attention of western scholars during the 17th century missionary movement in the area. The Mandaean literature dates back to the eight century and hence is not old enough to help us discern anything about the historical John. But the group's long history is a testimony to the enduring influence of John the Baptist's ministry.
Unfortunately, the group has had some struggles since the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Many of the Mandaeans in Iraq received a level of protection under Saddam Hussein. But with the political, social and religious upheaval in that country many have been forced to flee. It would be interesting to hear what thoughts the Mandeans have about the supposed discovery of John the Baptist's remains. It would also be interesting to know what John himself might have thought about both the Mandeans and his relics.


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Wolverine's a respectable bub. This is no small feat as he's spent most of the last 35 years wearing a banana-colored body condom and a Batman hat. Nonetheless, life has kicked the snikt out of Logan. Let's recap the humiliation.
When you're the best there is at what you, it's inevitable that you'll have an off day...or ten. As a stalwart cash cow anti-hero, Wolverine has been pretty much a walking lightning rod for embarrassing moments (his adamantium skeleton makes him a literal lightning rod, but that's neither here nor there). Here's a ten-part chronicle of the times his human dignity factor failed to kick in.
10.) Alternate Reality Wolverine Is Al Bundy
In 1999's dystopian miniseries Earth X, Wolverine has settled down with Madelyne Pryor, who he believes is Jean Grey. In Earth X, the world's gone to pot and so has Wolvie. He's become a fat wheezing sot, condemned to torment his Rubenesque clone wife. Of course, his boorishness may have to do something with the fact that he evolved from Moon Boy in the series, but hey - Earth X was some heady stuff. Dr. Doom became an angel and shit.[Picture via Again With The Comics]
9.) The Punisher Runs Wolverine Over With A Steamroller
In 2002's Punisher #17, Frank Castle blows Wolverine's face off with a shotgun, they team up to battle a bunch of dwarf mafiosos, and Frank shoots Logan's testicles off and mows him down with a steamroller, Wile E. Coyote style, as illustrated by Darick Robertson. It's a classic example of Garth Ennis venting his superhero frustrations before The Boys and taking Logan's persona to ludicrous extremes.
8.) Wolverine Calls The Punisher A Homosexual
What's more pathetic than Wolverine getting smushed by a steamroller? His totally bad revenge on the Punisher. In Wolverine #186, Logan bests the Punisher in a pointless, totally left-field battle during which a whole lot of dire, macho pap is spouted. At the end of the fight, a stack of men's muscle mags slips out of the Punisher's rucksack. Frank claims they're suspects; Wolverine insinuates Frank's a nancy boy. The issue reads like fan-fiction written by Andrew Dice Clay.
7.) Wolverine Throws A Shrimp On The Barbie
In the 1989 X-Men: Pryde of the X-Men failed TV pilot, Wolverine spoke with a Down Under dialect more stereotypical than Paul Hogan at a Men At Work concert. At least they didn't name him "Dingo."
6.) Wolverine Becomes A Death Metal Mascot
In 1993, Earache Records made a deal with Marvel to showcase Wolverine in the marketing of Scandinavian death metal band Entombed's new LP, Wolverine Blues. The problem? Entombed wanted nothing to do with the superhero, but Logan nonetheless became the spokesman of the album. Death metal yowling and Wolverine are two great tastes separately, but together, they go together like chocolate and whatever the diametric opposite of chocolate is.
5.) Hulk Rips Wolverine In Half, Leaves Him That Way For 3.5 Years
In December 2005, Damon Lindelof's Ultimate Wolverine vs. Hulk opened with Hulk ripping Ultimate Wolverine in twain. Issue #2 came out several months later. The series went on sabbatical until May 2009, thereby leaving Wolvie disemboweled for a solid 1/3 of a decade.
4.) Spock Nerve Pinches Wolverine
In 1996's Star Trek/X-Men, Wolverine berserker rages at Spock, who shuts him down immediately. Sure, his healing factor allows him to wake up in a hot minute to fight Spock again, but then he just looks like a déclassé ass for threatening our favorite Vulcan (who is not named Tuvok). It's a lose-lose scenario. [Photo via The Retroist]
3.) Wolverpop
Notice his frozen gaping maw, awaiting your sweaty tongue. He melts faster for dead redheads. [Via Frederator Studios Blog]
2.) Wolverine Shills Gerber Products
In 1993, Marvel sent out their annual report to shareholders in the form of a comic book. The comic featured Iron Man, Spiderman, and Wolverine alternating between chasing Arcade and yammering random facts about Marvel tie-ins. The best moment is when Wolverine loses his mind over Gerber products.
Of course, the segments when Apocalypse starts screaming about sales demographics are pretty clutch, too.
One of these days I'll post a review of the Marvel 1993 Annual Report. It's inevitable.
1.) Wolverine The Anti-Semite
In 1998's Wolverine #131, this absolutely baffling typo appeared. The offending issues were pulled faster than you can say "Excelsior." Holy shit, Logan. I mean, you're a century or so old, so you're kind of backwards. But man! I don't think Red Skull's ever stooped this low.
UPDATE 3/19/10: Readers have informed me that the slur-tosser in this issue was the femme fatale Viper, not Wolverine. Still Wolvie, you married her and this happened in your title. Had this happened to say, Quasar, editorial would have thrown him under Galactus' bus. [Typo picture via this Vendio shop]

subset: commoncrawl


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To check whether there is any recall, quality campaign or service campaign concerning your Volvo Penta engine, drive or shield, please enter your product's serial number below.How to find your serial number


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Each year ACU hosts the Carmichael-Walling Lectures which features New Testament scholars. Last year's lectures were given by Dr. Margaret Mitchell, professor of New Testament and early Christian literature in the Divinity School at the University of Chicago. This year's lectures, which I attended tonight, were given by Dr. Wayne A. Meeks, Woolsey Professor of Biblical Studies Emeritus in the Department of Religious Studies at Yale University.
Interestingly, Dr. Mitchell's and Dr. Meeks' lectures had some intriguing convergences. But first, a funny story about me at last year's lectures.
Dr. Mitchell had just finished her second lecture on "Looking for Biblical Literalism - in All the Wrong Places." I'll get to this lecture in a minute, but it had to do with how biblical texts were being used on the Internet. So, during the Q&A I raise my hand to ask a question.
I ask, "Dr. Mitchell, with the ubiquitous presence of bible search engines now on the Internet, I wonder about the hermeneutical effects this will have on how this generation will view the biblical text. I wonder if you could comment on the Googlification of the bible and how it will impact how we see and read the bible."
At this point I'm patting myself on the back. What a great, insightful question I just asked in front of all these people! The "Googlification of the bible"! What great stuff! (And, to be more serious, this actually is a half-decent question. What does happen to the bible when people primarily approach it using Keyword and Topical searches?)
Well, Dr. Mitchell says to me, "That's a great question. But if we think about it, this actually isn't a new thing. For example, think of the Eusebian Canon."
The Eusebian Canon????? What is she talking about????? Regardless, Dr. Mitchell is looking right at me, as is an entire room of bible professors and graduate students, waiting for me to nod my head sagely and say, "Ah, yes! The Eusebian Canon! Of course, I should have remembered that. Excellent point!"
But the trouble is, I don't know what the Eusebian Canon is. No clue. Which puts me in a bit of a pickle. I can't nod yes. I have a lot of friends in the audience who know I have no clue what the Eusebian Canon is. And if I nod yes, they will bust me for years for being a faker.
So, I can't nod yes. But Dr. Mitchell is still looking at me, expectantly, clearly not going on until I give her the nod. Seconds are passing and the question is just hanging there in the air:
"Think of the Eusebian Canon."
And I say the only thing I can say:
"I'm very sorry, but I can't."
And the room erupts in laughter.
And it quickly dawns on Dr. Mitchell that this lecture is open to the public and that people, like me, might actually be in attendance who have no freaking clue what the Eusebian Canon is. It really was a funny moment.
Okay, back to the serious stuff.
Dr. Mitchell's second lecture was fascinating. The premise of her talk, "In Search of Biblical Literalism," was to go looking for biblical literalism among the websites of the Religious Right. The idea was this. The Religion Right, biblical fundamentalists, claim that there is a clear, unambiguous, and literal reading of the bible. The bible simply says what it says. This is often called the "plain sense" of the text.
So Dr. Mitchell takes us on a tour of fundamentalist Internet sites analyzing, as we go, how these biblical "literalists" are using the bible. And what do you find? Well, you don't find biblical literalism. But you do find lots and lots of biblical interpretation. Specifically, when the "plain sense" of the text suits their position on war, or sex, or gambling then the fundamentalists trot out the "plain sense." But when there are no proof texts available they resort to cobbling together texts, assumptions, and argument. The point? The biblical literalists aren't so literal. Far from it. And if the literalists aren't being literal then perhaps there is no "plain sense" of the text. All text involves interpretation.
Tonight, in this year's lectures, Dr. Meeks made a similar point. Specifically, Dr. Meeks discussed how people misuse the metaphor "What does the Bible say?"
Meeks made the point that when I use the phrase "The Bible says..." I'm actually engaging in a bit of fakery (his word). The Bible doesn't speak. We speak. We interpret. Thus, to say "The Bible says..." is disingenuous for it is I, and not the Bible, who is speaking. To use the phrase "The Bible says..." is just a power play, a way of hiding my interpretation behind the authority of the Good Book. Paraphrasing Dr. Meeks, when we say "The Bible says..." we are simply hiding the true power we want to enforce on others: Our own.
To conclude, I think Mitchell's observation that a literal reading of the bible just doesn't exist jives nicely with Meeks' point that the phrase "The Bible says..." is often just a power play.
(And for the record, I did eventually find out what the Eusebian Canon was.
And yes, Dr. Mitchell, you make an excellent point.)
On Reading the Bible: Dispatches from the Carmichael-Walling Lectures
Each year ACU hosts the Carmichael-Walling Lectures which features New Testament scholars. Last year's lectures were given by Dr. Margaret Mitchell, professor of New Testament and early Christian literature in the Divinity School at the University of Chicago. This year's lectures, which I attended tonight, were given by Dr. Wayne A. Meeks, Woolsey Professor of Biblical Studies Emeritus in the Department of Religious Studies at Yale University.


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When Lindsay + Mitch started planning their wedding, they knew one thing – they wanted it to be the most fun anyone had ever had in their lives. No problem, right? So they came together and thought of all the things they love and that are meaningful in their lives and created "A Most Spectacular Wedding," which was their theme! Just love!! A bit more about their day from Lindsay…
We both grew up in Olympia, Washington, and have a very close group of friends who we've known for pretty much ever, and we wanted to incorporate that history into the day. Our venue, Schilter Family Farm, was a place where both of us had gone as children to get Halloween pumpkins and Christmas trees. We used a vendor from the Olympia farmer's market for all of our flowers. My very dear and uber talented friend Chris of Chris Ritter Design Works designed all of our papergoods, and my stellar bridesmaids spent many MANY hours handcrafting decorations with me. Our friend Justin emceed our reception and created a wedding playlist for us, and Mitch's brother built the curtain that was the backdrop for our ceremony. Mitch's aunt oversaw putting the event together on the day-of. It was truly a labor of love that involved so many people who are dear to us, and that made our wedding all the more special.
Thanks so much to the always awesome Jagger Photography for the beautiful photos!
Not your typical first look, Lindsay instead crawled/stalked towards him to attack! How fun are they!! :)
Lindsay had all the girls dresses made with fabric they picked out – just love them!
Processional: Big Rock Candy Mountains by Harry McClintock, The Dress Looks Nice on You by Sufjan Stevens
Recessional: You Never Can Tell by Chuck Berry
First Dance: Harvest Moon by Neil Young
OK, I know I'm only supposed to pick ONE, but there are three and I can't narrow it down any further.
1. The ceremony. Both Mitch and I thought we were going to HATE it because we hate being in front of people, but it was a seriously transformative experience. I couldn't believe how much I was bursting with love for my husband–in fact, right after he said his vows I just leaned right in and kissed him because I couldn't wait!
2. We took a hayride around the farm with all of our friends as the sun was setting. Our friend Nathan brought his banjo and the whole ride we were singing and laughing. It was magical.
3. Towards the end of the night we got everyone together to sing John Denver's Country Roads. Random, I know, but it's kind of the theme song of our friend group. The whole barn was singing along and it was like being in a pulsating vortex of love and friendship. Awesome!!!
We are also fairly eclectic and fun-loving people, so we wanted to have some touches at the reception that reflected our kooky personalities. Long ago we decided our spirit animals were a dinosaur and a flamingo, and so those were the toppers on our wedding pie. We also totally love animals, and the awesome staff at Schilter Farm set up a little petting zoo for us with pygmy goats, Shetland ponies and chickens and took our guests on hay rides. Our caterer, Veraci Pizza, brought in a freestanding wood fire pizza oven so you could watch them making and firing the pizzas right there. We also had a photo booth with these plastic animal masks we're obsessed with.
Communicate with everyone involved in your wedding as you plan – otherwise you can be in for a lot of stress and heartache as you move forward in the planning stages.
Also: INVEST IN YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER! At first we were thinking of using a friend to save on photography costs, and I'm SO GLAD we didn't! We had the BEST experience with Heather and Grayson at Jagger Photography, and they captured our wedding – from the tiny details to the bubbling emotions – to a T. All of their talent, experience shooting weddings and professionalism was worth its weight in gold. We seriously couldn't be happier with our pictures, because every time we look at them, it's like reliving the day over and over again. And when you spend a year of your life planning a six hour event, trust me, you're going to want some stellar photos that show all the blood, sweat and tears that went into it.
I couldn't agree more about the photographer comment you guys! So true + yours are pretty amazing – I feel like I was there! :) Congrats to you both!
venue name: Schilter Family Farm, Nisqually, WA // wedding dress: David's Bridal and Urban Outfitters // bride's shoes: Vera Wang // bridesmaid dresses: Miss Brache // groom attire: J. Crew (pants and shirt) and thrifted (vest and tie) // paper goods: Chris Ritter Design Works // catering: Veraci Pizza // photography: Jagger Photography (you can see more photos from their wedding here) // floral design: Simple Life Farm, Olympia, WA // invitations: Chris Ritter Design Works // cake: Shoofly Pie Company, Cupcake Royale, peaches and blueberries from Schilter Family Farm


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Stompin' Tom Connors dies at 77
Canadian country-folk legend Stompin' Tom Connors, whose toe-tapping musical spirit and fierce patriotism established him as one of Canada's strongest cultural icons, has died. He was 77.
Connors passed away Wednesday from what a spokesman described as "natural causes."
Brian Edwards said the musician, rarely seen without his signature black cowboy hat and stomping cowboy boots, knew his health was declining and had penned a message for his fans a few days before his death.
In the message posted on his website, Connors says Canada kept him "inspired with its beauty, character, and spirit, driving me to keep marching on and devoted to sing about its people and places that make Canada the greatest country in the world."
Connors is survived by his wife Lena, two sons, two daughters and several grandchildren.
Dubbed Stompin' Tom for his propensity to pound the floor with his left foot during performances, Connors garnered a devoted following through straight-ahead country-folk tunes that drew inspiration from his extensive travels and focused on the everyman.
Although wide commercial appeal escaped Connors for much of his four-decade career, his heritage-soaked songs like Canada Day, Up Canada Way, The Hockey Song, Bud the Spud, and Sudbury Saturday Night, have come to be regarded as veritable national anthems thanks to their unabashed embrace of all things Canadiana.
Still, Connors often complained that not enough songs were being written about his homeland.
"I don't know why I seem to be the only one, or almost the only one, writing about this country," Connors said in a rare one-on-one interview at his home in Halton Hills, Ont., in 2008.
"It just amazes me that I've been going so long I would think that somebody else (would have) picked up the torch a long time ago and started writing tons of songs about this country. This country is the most underwritten country in the world as far as songs are concerned. We starve. The people in this country are starving for songs about their homeland."
Connor's fervent patriotism brought controversy when his principles put him at loggerheads with the Canadian music industry.
In 1978, he famously returned a handful of Juno Awards he had amassed in previous years, complaining that some artists were being awarded in categories outside their genre while other winners had conducted most of their work outside of the country. He derided artists that moved to the United States as "border jumpers."
"I feel that the Junos should be for people who are living in Canada, whose main base of business operations is in Canada, who are working toward the recognition of Canadian talent in this country and who are trying to further the export of such talent from this country to the world with a view to proudly showing off what this country can contribute to the world market," he said in a statement at the time.
The declaration marked the beginning of a 10-year self-imposed exile from the spotlight.
From Connors' earliest days, life was a battle.
He was born in Saint John, N.B., on Feb. 9, 1936 to an unwed teenage mother. According to his autobiography, Before the Fame, he often lived hand-to-mouth as a youngster, hitchhiking with his mother from the age of three, begging on the street by the age of four. At age eight, he was placed in the care of Children's Aid and adopted a year later by a family in Skinner's Pond, P.E.I. He ran away four years later to hitchhike across the country.
Connors bought his first guitar at age 14 and picked up odd jobs as he wandered from town to town, at times working on fishing boats, as a grave digger, tobacco picker and fry cook.
Legend has it that Connors began his musical career when he found himself a nickel short of a beer at the Maple Leaf Hotel in Timmins, Ont., in 1964 at age 28.
The bartender agreed to give him a drink if he would play a few songs but that turned into a 14-month contract to play at the hotel. Three years later, Connors made his first album and garnered his first hit in 1970 with Bud The Spud.
Hundreds more songs followed, many based on actual events, people, and towns he had visited.
"I'm a man of the land, I go out into the country and I talk to people and I know the jobs they do and how they feel about their jobs," Connors has said.
"And I've been doing that all my life so I know Canada like the palm of my hand. I don't need a map to go anywhere in Canada, I know it all."
In 1988, Connors emerged from his decade-long protest with the album Fiddle and Song, featuring a new fiddle style and the songs Canada Day, Up Canada Way, Lady kd lang, and I Am the Wind. It was followed in 1990 by a 70-city Canadian tour that established him as one of the country's best loved troubadours.
But his strong convictions about the music industry remained. Connors declined induction into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame in 1993.
Accolades he did embrace included an appointment to the Order of Canada in 1996, and his own postage stamp.
"Whatever I do, in my writing, I do it for others," Connors said in the 2008 interview. "I do it for my country and I do it for my countrymen and that's the only value that I really have. If there was no money in this, I'd be doing it anyway. I've always been that way. Because it's what I am."


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MTV's Catfish is quite possibly the most ridiculous show currently on television—making it one of my absolute favorites. Nev of the original Catfish film and his buddy Max travel around the country performing advanced google searches for people who don't want to face reality. While every episode is a rollercoaster of delusion, bewilderment and sadness, last night really delivered.
We meet 21 year-old Miranda from Somewhere, Minnesota who has been in love with a young man named Cameryn since 2011. Cameryn, the lost member of One Direction, lives in California and like all catfishes, is unable to video chat or meet Miranda in person.After Miranda pressures Cameryn on his shadiness, he admits that his "real name" is James and he actually lives in Atlanta.
Because he's still pretty cute (her words), Miranda is unfazed by James' deceit and manipulation and continues talking to him like it ain't no thang, eventually falling in love (re-falling in love?) with him. But this time around Miranda is "too scared" to video chat with James, rightly fearing that he is still lying about his identity.
Now, let me say this: Catfish is filled with a lot of lonely people. It is this loneliness that enables them to fall in love with someone sight unseen and in the face of glaring inconsistencies and lies. So while the storylines are still totally absurd, you can sometimes understand where these people are coming from. That being said, Miranda allowing herself to be catfished twice by the same person is inexcusable. There is no amount of pity rationalization that I can apply for that to make any damn sense.
I'll save you details of Nev and Max's detective work, but I do have to mention one gem. In their google search of all the James' in Atlanta, they stumble upon the criminal record of a man who had been arrested for attempting to commit an unlawful sexual offense with a minor. A sex offender. Now, they know good and goddamn well that this man can't possibly be the catfish—I don't believe they have texting in prison—but they run this by Miranda anyway just to see her reaction. Hilarious? Sure. Petty? Absolutely.
They eventually get in touch with the real James and agree to fly down to Atlanta to meet him.
But the twists and turns abound! On their way to go meet James, he texts Nev informing him that he will not be able to meet in person because his family won't allow it. But MTV has already put money into this episode so he agrees to Skype with them instead.
After an annoying commercial break it is revealed that James is actually an 18 year-old woman named Gabby.
Let's pause here and note that Gabby's family won't allow her to meet Nev and Max in person, but they're fine with her signing a release to Skype on camera with MTV? OK.
Gabby doesn't identify as bisexual or as a lesbian but she admits that her interest in Miranda is not platonic. Miranda is pretty horrified and cries a lot. It seems like that's the way the cookie has crumbled until we get to the "where are they now," bit of the show.
Miranda is full of giggles when she informs Nev and Max that she and Gabby have been flirting over Snapchat and that Gabby is even planning on coming up to visit her, because even if Miranda isn't officially into girls now, she's apparently into this one.
I'm not objecting to the fact that Miranda maybe fell in love with a woman—it happens—this all just feels very, convenient knowwhatImsaying? I would like to believe in this happy ending, but part of me wonders: If you let yourself catfished twice, do you really deserve happiness?
We are witnessing peak absurdity, my friends, making it the best episode of the season thus far.
Image Credit: MTV


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*Drought simulator will enable in-depth testing under real-world conditions*
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Historically, droughts have had devastating effects on agriculture, causing famine and increasing consumer food costs. Now, researchers at the University of Missouri College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR) have completed two drought simulators designed to test the effects of water deficiency on crops. The simulators are located at the University of Missouri's Bradford Research and Extension Center east of Columbia.
The simulators, part of a $1.5 million Missouri Life Sciences Research Board grant, are essentially mobile greenhouses measuring 50 feet by 100 feet. To simulate drought, researchers move the greenhouses over plants when it is raining and move them away from plants when it is sunny. A test plot of the same plants will be kept next to the simulator to provide a comparison. The drought simulators will increase the real-world application of scientific research, as they allow researchers to more closely mimic actual drought conditions.
When funding is available, additional simulators will be built at the Delta Research Center in Portageville, Mo., in the southeastern part of the state, and at the Horticulture and Agroforestry Research Center in New Franklin, Mo. These locations represent a variety of environments, crop species and soil types, allowing researchers to test any agriculturally important crop, forage and turf species grown in Missouri and surrounding states.
"This network of drought simulators will be unlike any other network in the U.S., providing Missouri scientists with state-of-the-art field facilities to conduct a broad range of drought-related research," said Felix Fritschi, assistant professor in the CAFNR Division of Plant Sciences. "Our objective is to develop real-world products and practices to improve food security and increase profitability for farmers."
"The ability to manage the timing, duration and intensity of water-deficit stress under field conditions is essential to examine plant responses to drought," said Bob Sharp, a co-investigator and director of MU's Interdisciplinary Plant Group. "Thus, the drought simulators will bridge the gap between controlled-environment facilities, such as growth chambers and greenhouses, and real conditions encountered in the field."
Thirteen co-investigators from several disciplines, including water quality, soil biology, soil physics, plant-insect and plant-disease interaction, and plant breeding, genetics and plant root biology will collaborate on the project. Another focus area is tissue dehydration tolerance. Researchers plan to study the genetic characteristics of plants that are extremely tolerant to dry climates and how these characteristics might be used to improve commercial crops.
*Source: University of Missouri


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Human rights progress took a winding road in 2013
Though the past 65 years have brought clear progress, a close-up look at the status of human rights today isn't as encouraging. But change takes time. From this view, 2013 brought some notable advances.
| Cambridge, Mass.
When the United Nations adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 65 years ago, the most genocidal war in modern history had ended only three years earlier. Racial segregation was still the law in much of the United States, the Gulag prison system was active in the Soviet Union, and apartheid reigned in South Africa. By those standards human rights progress since has been huge.
But if we zero in on human rights today, the picture isn't as encouraging. The Arab Spring has turned to winter. Russia is a democracy in name only. The Syrian civil war is taking an enormous toll, especially on children. The UN Refugee Agency estimates that there are 43.7 million refugees or internally displaced people around the world due to conflict and violence. And the US Senate appears reluctant to ratify even the noncontroversial Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
But whoever said that the achievement of respect for human rights would proceed quickly or in a linear fashion? Indeed, the advancement of human rights is largely dependent on changes in norms. For better or worse, those norms change gradually, sometimes advancing, sometimes regressing.
The good news is, however, that they do change and usually in a progressive direction. Seen from this perspective, 2013 brought some notable advances.
In Congo, the UN peacekeeping force, criticized for 14 years of passivity, launched its Forward Intervention Brigade. Fighting alongside government troops, it forced the M23 militia, responsible for numerous rapes and killings, to announce a cessation of hostilities.
The French acted similarly when they beat back an Al Qaeda-affiliated militia in Mali. Such actions would have been far less likely before the UN adopted its 2005 resolution on the Responsibility to Protect, affirming the international community's obligation to protect civilians at risk from war crimes, thereby shifting the norm regarding when active military intervention is appropriate.
Or consider Myanmar's decision to release hundreds of political prisoners. Though the country, also known as Burma, is still battling with Karen rebels and has done far too little to protect the Rohingya Muslims from attack by Buddhist extremists, Burmese President Thein Sein knows that his campaign for international acceptance will be unsuccessful if his country continues to imprison peaceful political dissenters.
Would a world indifferent to human rights have taken a young Pakistani girl named Malala Yousafzai to its heart when Taliban gunmen shot her as payback for her advocacy of women's education? Malala became the first girl nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. In her neighboring India, public outrage over the fatal gang rape of a woman in Delhi resulted in improved, if still highly flawed, new laws against rape.
And in the US the number of states allowing same-sex marriage doubled to 16, and Maryland became the 18th state to abolish the death penalty. The public demonstrations in Ukraine now reflect not only the attraction of European Union-style freedoms but a resurgence of the "people power" that flourished a decade ago in that country.
Perhaps most remarkable is China's announcement that it will abolish "reeducation through labor camps," into which tens of thousands of Chinese citizens have been thrown without trial, often for the pettiest alleged offenses. It is too early to tell whether this is a harbinger of larger changes in China. But abolition would never have occurred absent a growing international insistence that to be a "great power" means to allow those accused of crimes a chance to defend themselves, as the US has learned at Guantánamo Bay.
Impatience is an understandable reaction to the global evolution of human rights. To learn of suffering and not to want it abated as soon as possible is the sign of a callous heart. But just as damaging is to adopt a cynical attitude toward human rights bred by a focus solely on its short-term setbacks.
Those who wrote the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 65 years ago knew that they would not live to see the world transformed to their full liking, but they had faith that it would gravitate in the direction they envisioned. It is impossible to compare the world of 1948 to today and not be convinced that indeed it has.
In spite of setbacks, 2013 shows that the march toward justice may take a long, rugged, and sometimes winding road, but it does move forward. The past year shed light on clear pitfalls along the way but also offered clear way marks of progress.
William F. Schulz, president of the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee, is the former executive director of Amnesty International USA.


text:
#34 Pepsy Coral is a coral orange shade that is very similar to #39 Magnetic Coral except that Pepsy Coral contains flecks of pale gold whereas Magnetic Coral contains flecks of pink and gold. When swatched, Magnetic Coral is a tinge more orange-toned while Pepsy Coral leans more rose gold. Nevertheless, I found Magnetic Coral to be surprisingly easy to wear, as it is not that loud when applied on the eyelids.
The pic above was taken under a spot light which shows off the shimmery finish while the pic below was taken under normal room light.
#33 Tender Caramel is a silvery taupe brown.
I also picked up #40 Cosmic Black, an antique bronze with black flecks, from the L'Or Electric collection. This looks similar to #24 Bronze Godddess but swatches a bit more sheer and murky.
These swatches were 1-2 swipes each over bare skin without any primer, using my fingertip. All had a smooth, velvety texture. Although some of the Color Infallibles get clumpy in the pot with chunks that stick to the black plastic stopper, but that doesn't affect how well they apply.
My current stash of Infallibles, which has doubled this spring thanks to the Cannes/L'Or Electric and Miss Candy collections.


text:
Friday, May 23, 2008
The View from Seat 23F
Early in his career Church painted this scene based on the sunrise view from the eastern scarp of the Catskill Mountains. It has the feeling of being detached from the ground, but there are still vestiges of rocks and trees beneath our feet.
A couple months ago I sat atop Storm King, a mountain overlooking the Hudson River near the cities of Newburgh and Beacon. As I sketched, I found myself unconsciously wanting to invent a repoussoir element in the foreground to give the viewer something to hang onto.
I was thinking of Caspar David Friedrich's famous painting of the wanderer above the sea of clouds. He puts us on the dizzy heights with the world below almost swallowed up in vapors.
One contemporary artist, Hillary Brace, draws cloudscapes entirely devoid of solid ground.
I think Church would have loved the challenge to paint a pure sea of clouds. After all, his most famous painting, Niagara, dispensed with a solidity and security altogether.
Landscape painting at its best uses visible matter to convey invisible realms of space, air, depth and silence.
Thanks, Chris. Hillary Brace, link. Jing Hao, link.
5 comments:
- S. Jones said...
Thanks for sharing these interesting cloudscape artists. I've always loved cloudscapes, I often find myself wishing I had my camera with me on afternoons when the golden hour's skies are particularly amazing.
Art wise, I've always admired Jennifer Miller's paintings of skies- you might want to take a look, they're very captivating.
- May 23, 2008 at 2:51 PM
- Susan's Scribbles said...
Thanks for the post. I always enjoy the information you share. It's interesting and helpful and we never know what to expect next! Thanks again!
- May 23, 2008 at 5:15 PM
- Rod Bennett said...
Great observations, J. F.E. Church is the prince among landscape painters, IMHO. I could spend hours in front of THE ICEBERGS, HEART OF THE ANDES, COTOPAXI, etc. -- in fact, I have done so! And I envy you your easy access to the countryside that so inspired him...
- May 23, 2008 at 11:15 PM
- Ambera said...
Hi James! What a great post, I really enjoyed that. I'm fascinated by clouds, I'm always painting them over and over in whatever which way I can. Eric Orchard directed me to your blog, I'll be back again. Thanks!
- May 24, 2008 at 4:21 PM
- John Nez said...
I guess I just don't fly enough, because I'm always astonished to see most passengers on airlines just pull up the shade and go to sleep.
Since I only fly once every 10 years or so, I'm always entranced by the wonder of it all... with my neck glued to the window the whole flight.
I usually think of Tiepolo when I see clouds... and often wonder what Tiepolo himself would have thought if he could share the same point of view that most jaded airline passengers get.
Thanks for the great blog... you really put a lot into it.
- May 29, 2008 at 6:15 PM


text:
Day 1 of the White House equal-pay push produced a walkback on their central claim and Jay Carney's embarrassing admission that the White House itself hasn't addressed the problem it claims to want to solve for everyone else. Day 2 consisted of broadsides from fact checkers and the revelation that Senate Democrats climbing about the equal-pay bandwagon are actually worse on the issue than the White House. Day 3 isn't turning out much better. Ruth Marcus calls the effort "revolting equal-pay demagoguery" in the Washington Post, equal to "waving the bloody shirt":
Here's a radical notion: It is simultaneously possible to believe that women are entitled to equal pay and to not support the Paycheck Fairness Act.
Not that you'd know it from the rhetoric President Obama and fellow Democrat are happily flinging at Republicans who dare to oppose the measure.
Marcus says she'd probably vote for the Paycheck Fairness Act, which died in the Senate yesterday, but that there are plenty of good reasons to be wary of it that have nothing to do with hostility toward women:
The Paycheck Fairness Act presents more complicated questions about proof and damages. In brief, the bill would make it harder for employers to rebut claims of gender-based pay discrimination. Currently, employers facing an equal pay claim can defend the differential by showing that it is "based on any other factor other than sex." The Paycheck Fairness Act would tighten that gaping exception to require that it relate to "bona fide factors, such as education, training or experience."
Likewise, the measure would make it easier for plaintiffs to collect not only back pay but compensatory and punitive damages, including in class action lawsuits. A third change would protect employees who discuss their compensation from being punished by their employer — a no-brainer in the aftermath of Ledbetter's experience.
As I said, I'd vote "yes" on the bill. But I can understand the concerns of those who worry about floods of litigation and business decisions second-guessed by federal judges. There is a difference between opposing the Paycheck Fairness Act and opposing paycheck fairness. Politicians who choose to confuse the two may score a cheap political point, but it's not a fair one.
Besides, the hypocrisy coming from Democrats who don't operate any differently than the marketplace — and in some instances, worse than the general marketplace — makes it difficult to credit them with fairness in any sense. Why does the White House have a worse pay differential under their own formula for pushing this bill than Washington DC at large does (88:100 vs 95:100)? Why do Senators like Mary Landrieu (D-LA) and Mark Begich (D-AK) pay similarly, if they want to highlight pay-equity gaps? Why not fix the problem in their own organizations before demanding that Congress sic trial lawyers on everyone else?
Landrieu and Begich may want to rethink this push anyway. Bloomberg's Francis Barry notes that their states not only tend toward income equality anyway, but also that the independents they need to retain their seats in the midterms aren't likely to respond well to this hypocritical demagoguery:
This November, control of the U.S. House will not be determined by voters in safely Democratic major cities, but by voters in suburban and rural districts, where inequality tends to be lower. And control of the Senate will be decided largely in states with low levels of inequality relative to the national average.
Take Alaska, where Democratic Senator Mark Begich is in a tossup race. It has the second-lowest level of income inequality in the nation (though still high by international standards). Iowa, Montana and New Hampshire — all with Senate seats up for grabs — aren't far behind, ranking eighth, ninth and 10th. Minnesota, Oregon and Colorado, all battleground states, also have income inequality rates that put them in the lower half of states.
There are only two states that have both above-average levels of inequality and competitive Senate races this year: Georgia and Louisiana. In both, Democrats will need to do more than mobilize their base to win; they will need to persuade independents.
Polls show that independents support more action to reduce income inequality, but they respond more favorably to messages centered on fighting poverty and creating opportunity, as do voters generally. A recent poll by the Center for American Progress found that 63 percent of voters consider it a priority to "make sure everyone in the country has a real opportunity to succeed," while only 37 percent think of "reducing the gap between the richest 1 percent and the rest of the country" as a priority.
By putting income inequality front and center, Democrats are playing to a vital part of their base: liberals and the urban poor. But they are preaching to the faithful instead of trying to convert the undecided.
Until Senators like Landrieu and Begich literally put their money where their mouths are, they're not likely to convert anyone. Instead, they will more likely remind voters of just how Washington likes to pass laws that don't apply to themselves but make it more difficult for everyone else to run their own businesses.


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Bonus Content To Be Two Story Arcs
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A few days ago, I received confirmation that Lucasfilm Animation was
proceeding with layoffs
. Yesterday, Colum Slevin, Vice President and Head of Studio Operations for Lucasfilm, publicly alluded to the layoffs in
a Tumblr post
. Today, I have more news about
The Clone Wars
to report, and depending on your expectations about the promised "bonus content," this news will either be disappointing or about what you expected -- but probably not a welcome surprise.
A source in the know tells me that Lucasfilm is only finishing two story arcs from the material that they had planned for
The Clone Wars
Season Six. Among the story arcs that will not emerge in this post-cancellation era is one that dealt with Boba Fett and the other bounty hunters who have menaced the heroes for several seasons. This story arc, which my source tells me was almost done, would have shown us the fates of Cad Bane and Aurra Sing.
Even though
The Clone Wars
isn't coming back in its original form, reminding Disney how much we enjoyed it is the best way to ensure that at least part of the company's future decision-making involves gauging fan response. Remember to send your letters to:
Bob Iger
Disney Studios
500 S Buena Vista St
Burbank, CA 91521
As always, TFN will keep you updated on developments relating to Lucasfilm Animation and
Star Wars: The Clone Wars
This report has been updated to reflect new information.
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Rebelscum Breast Cancer Awareness Charity Patch
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Thanks to everybody that ordered patches. I sent a check for $1,600.00 to the National Breast Cancer Foundation on Monday. While it's not as much as I hoped for, it's still very much appreciated. They will remain for sale in the store for anybody that still wishes to purchase them. Details after the jump.
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Washington (CNN) -- The push to overhaul health care received a major boost Thursday as the American Medical Association and AARP endorsed legislation drafted by top House Democrats.
The AARP, the nation's largest organization of older Americans, is a nonpartisan group that advocates for people 50 and older. The AMA, historically an opponent of health care reform, is considered one the nation's most influential doctors' advocacy groups.
"I want to thank both organizations again for their support, and I urge Congress to listen to AARP, listen to the AMA and pass this reform for hundreds of millions of Americans who will benefit from it," President Obama said at the White House.
The backing of those two groups comes as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-California, oversees final changes to the $1.1 trillion health care bill. The measure likely will come to a final vote Saturday.
Read the House health care bill (PDF)
A 42-page manager's amendment on the health care legislation posted Tuesday night made mostly technical changes in the nearly 2,000-page bill compiled from three Democratic proposals passed by three House committees.
By making the changes public Tuesday, House Democratic leaders could open floor debate on the bill Friday, while fulfilling their pledge to allow 72 hours of review before bringing the measure to the full chamber.
Pelosi insisted Thursday she will have the 218 votes necessary to pass the bill. Meanwhile, President Obama is set to huddle Saturday with congressional Democrats on Capitol Hill to review the legislation.
Check out the key parts of the bill
In a statement, AARP CEO Barry Rand said, "We started this debate more than two years ago with the twin goals of making coverage affordable to our younger members and protecting Medicare for seniors.
"We can say with confidence that [the House bill] meets those goals with improved benefits for people in Medicare and needed health insurance market reforms to help ensure every American can purchase affordable health coverage."
The AMA's president, Dr. J. James Rohack, told reporters Thursday that the legislation is "not a perfect representation of our views" but is close enough to warrant his group's support and keep the reform process moving forward.
Rohack said the bill needs to be accompanied by legislation reversing scheduled Medicare reimbursement payment reductions to physicians.
Responding to the AMA endorsement, Obama said the doctors' group is "supporting reform because [its members have] seen firsthand what's broken about our health care system," Obama said.
"They would not be supporting it if they really believed that it would lead to government bureaucrats making decisions that are best left to doctors."
Watch Obama say health care reform is moving forward
Meanwhile, House Republicans on Thursday continued to signal their opposition to the measure. GOP leaders held a rally on Capitol Hill along with "Tea Party" movement protesters and other activists to warn that the House legislation would translate into a full-blown government takeover of the health care system.
Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minnesota, told CNN's "American Morning" on Thursday that Democrats had forgotten the lessons of August's town hall meetings when angry conservatives criticized health care legislation.
"I think what we're going to see is the town hall coming to Washington, D.C., just to remind members of Congress [that] we're the ones we would like you to pay attention to, not lobbyists. And we don't want the government to own our health care," Bachmann said.
Speaking at Thursday's opposition rally, actor John Ratzenberger, who played Cliff on the sitcom "Cheers," slammed the Democratic bill as a form of socialism.
"These are Woodstock Democrats," Ratzenberger said. "We have to remember where their philosophy comes. It doesn't come from America. It comes from overseas. It comes from socialism. And socialism is a philosophy of failure."
House Democrats have rejected an alternative $60 billion Republican plan as inadequate for meeting the goals of expanding health coverage to most of the nation's 46 million uninsured while bringing down costs and ending controversial industry practices such as denying coverage for pre-existing conditions.
Pelosi's bill would extend insurance coverage to 36 million uncovered Americans and guarantee that 96 percent of Americans have coverage, according to the Democratic leadership.
The claim is based on an analysis by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office.
Among other things, the bill would subsidize insurance for poorer Americans and create health insurance exchanges to make it easier for small groups and individuals to purchase coverage. It also would cap annual out-of-pocket expenses and prevent insurance companies from denying coverage for pre-existing conditions.
Pelosi's office has said the bill would cut the federal deficit by roughly $30 billion over the next decade. The measure is financed through a combination of a tax surcharge on wealthy Americans and spending constraints in Medicare and Medicaid.
Specifically, individuals with annual incomes more than $500,000 -- as well as families earning more than $1 million -- would face a 5.4 percent income tax surcharge. Growth in Medicare expenditures would be cut by 1.3 percent annually.
The House bill also includes a government-run public option. Under the House plan, health care providers would be allowed to negotiate reimbursement rates with the federal government. Pelosi and other liberal Democrats had argued for a more "robust" public option that would tie reimbursement rates for providers and hospitals to Medicare rates plus a 5 percent increase. Several Democrats representing rural areas, however, killed the proposal after complaining that doctors and hospitals in their districts would be shortchanged under such a formula.
One thorny issue yet to be resolved among House Democrats is the bill's final language on abortion. Rep. Bart Stupak, D-Michigan, has been pushing leaders to add stronger language prohibiting the use of federal money to pay for abortions under the health care overhaul.
Stupak has vowed that if he isn't allowed a vote on the issue, a group of 40 anti-abortion Democrats will work to block the bill from getting to the House floor.
The House bill differs from legislation the Senate is considering in a number of critical ways. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nevada, also favors a public option but would allow individual states to opt out of the plan.
An $829 billion bill recently passed by the Senate Finance Committee does not include a tax surcharge on the wealthy but would impose a new tax on high-end health care policies, which critics have dubbed "Cadillac" plans. A large number of House Democrats are opposed to taxing those policies, arguing that such a move would hurt union members who traded higher salaries for more generous benefits.
Individuals under the $829 billion Finance Committee plan would be required to purchase health insurance coverage or face a fine of up to $750. The House bill imposes a more stringent fine of up to 2.5 percent of an individual's income. Both versions include a hardship exemption for poorer Americans.
The Finance Committee bill would require large companies to contribute to the health care costs of lower income workers if those workers received a government subsidy for insurance. The House legislation would require larger companies to provide employee insurance for everyone or pay a penalty of up to 8 percent of total revenue.
Democratic leaders in both chambers agree on establishing nonprofit health care cooperatives and stripping insurance companies of an anti-trust exemption that has been in place since the end of World War II.
Reid refused earlier this week to predict when the chamber would pass a health care bill, possibly signaling difficulty in generating support from his entire Democratic caucus.
CNN's Dana Bash, Lisa Desjardins and Deirdre Walsh contributed to this report.


text:
Happy Day 22: Game Changer!
But enough about dishes, because guess what? They're not my problem anymore! My dear friend Jenna recently introduced me to these babies...
Good on you Disney for finding something that works for you and for sharing it. I'm most definitely a meal preparer but those liners sound AWESOME! Not sure if you can get them in New Zealand but I'll keep an eye out.ReplyDelete
I have to admit something horrible. A couple of weeks ago I used my crockpot without a liner (for the first time ever) and I haven't cleaned it out. I seriously have to throw it away now. These are life savers. My mom told me about them :)ReplyDelete
I know what you mean! I like cooking but it's the cleaning up that sucks. We don't have a dishwasher either so it totally sucks, my brother is in the habit of just leaving his dishes in the sink and walking away. If my mum cooks she cleans as she goes and I've recently go into the habit of doing that and it save SOOOO much time afterwards - it's just the cutlery and plates. I think I will have to try and find those liners and I HATE cleaning the crockpot! I've never seen them before here in Aus so I will have to have a little looksie at the shops next! Good for you for admitting you hate dishes - my least favourite chore is vacuuming and dishes but I do both anyway in turn with my mum! :) xoReplyDelete
Aluminum foil and foil pans are my favorite. I don't mind dishes though. I abhor cleaning the bathroom. All of it. I'd rather move than clean it. xReplyDelete
Yeah you and I could totally be friends...I haaaaaate cooking. I really do. After 10 year ago trying to get on board nd having people tell me I'll grow to love it, I just don't. It's not my thing. It's always the first chore that suffers when I'm stressed or sick. Bleh. The cleaning up afterwards stinks too. It's all not my favorite. I'll have to try these. I love my crock pot...when I remember that I do in fact hold the responsibility of providing some meal at of the day for my family and I need to turn the sucker on. I'm such a dork.ReplyDelete
hehe this post cracked me up. i'm not a huge fan of cooking either (it's so temporary - sewing is a better use of my time!) but i do cook. only discovered my crock pot recently and i'm in love with it, though. love root beer pulled pork; chili is another good one (ground beef, onions/peppers/beans, spices, and walk away). oh and you should try this one if you haven't yet - so good on rice with a little flavor (cilantro lime?) and great for lunches on the go. i think you can freeze/reheat it too: http://www.budgetbytes.com/2011/07/taco-chicken-bowls/ReplyDelete
I hate cooking too!!! I can cook, I just don't like doing it. I love my crockpot as well! If I get it going in the morning after picking up the house-it's so wonderful to have the rest of the day to craft! I'm all about 4 ingredients or less!
Frozen chicken breasts & dry onion soup mix- poured on top -in the crockpot-wonderful! Add a salad, wa-la done! So good. Im all about easy.
Yeah... These are kinda great. The first time I ever used one, I picked up the clean crock pot and ran around the house showing it to everyone. I do feel kinda guilty about adding to landfills though.ReplyDelete


text:
A driving question for Colo. marijuana users
DENVER – The surge of medical marijuana use in Colorado has started another debate in the state Legislature: What constitutes driving while high?
Lawmakers are considering setting a DUI blood-content threshold for marijuana that would make Colorado one of three states with such a provision in statute – and one of the most liberal, according to Rep. Claire Levy, one of the bill's sponsors.
Under the proposal, drivers who test positive for 5 nanograms or more of THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana, would be considered too impaired to drive if the substance is present in their blood at the time they're pulled over or within two hours.
Levy, a Democrat from Boulder, said she's gotten resistance from medical marijuana advocates who fear it will restrict patients from using the drug.
"What I've tried to assure the patient advocates is that we're not talking about sobriety checkpoints, we're not talking about dragnets and massive stops," she said. "They're not going to be stopped if they're driving appropriately."
While it's already illegal to drive while impaired by drugs, states have taken different approaches to the issue. Twelve states, including Arizona, Michigan, Illinois, Iowa, and Rhode Island, have a zero-tolerance policy for driving with any presence of an illegal substance, said Anne Teigen, policy specialist at the National Conference of State Legislatures. Minnesota has the same policy but exempts marijuana.
Nevada, which is among the 16 states that allow medical marijuana, and Ohio have a 2 nanogram THC limit for driving. Pennsylvania has a 5 nanogram limit, but that's a state Health Department guideline, which can be introduced in driving violation cases, Teigen said.
Don Christensen, the executive director of the County Sheriffs of Colorado, which supports the 5 nanogram THC blood-content benchmark, said he thinks it's a fair way for law enforcement and the public to know how much marijuana you can consume while legally being able to drive – just as there's a limit with alcohol.
"I think it's fair to tell them the rules to be played by," he said.
Pot activists, including the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, say they hope marijuana DUIs are not based solely on the amount of the drug found in someone's system, but rather on the totality of the case, such as how the person was driving and other observations an officer makes.
They argue that medical users of the drug may have higher tolerance levels, which would allow them to drive or still have trace levels of THC long after they've smoked the drug. Some also worry that medical users may be unfairly targeted.
"My only concern is that, because medical marijuana is controversial, that we're entering a new phase of not racial profiling but medical profiling," said Sean McAllister, an attorney at Denver's Cannabis Law Center. McAllister was on a state panel that recommended the 5-nanogram standard, which he said is a fair judge of impairment for most users.
Not all marijuana advocates agree.
"We're concerned the nanogram limit is too low because most medical marijuana patients are going to have higher levels in their bloodstream because of their continued use of medical cannabis," said Laura Kriho, a spokeswoman with the Cannabis Therapy Institute in Colorado.
Rep. Mark Waller, a Republican who is sponsoring House Bill 1261 with Rep. Levy, said their proposal is meant to set a THC-blood level at which someone is presumed to be too impaired to drive.
"It's a rebuttable presumption, though," said Waller, adding that drivers won't be automatically guilty of a DUI and will still get a chance to argue their case.
The bill is yet to come before a committee for a hearing, but Levy said she's already getting a lot of comments from medical marijuana users.
"I'm getting a lot of pushback, a lot of concern that this will hinder the ability of medical marijuana patients to make use of their medicine," Levy said. She said the bill is about safety, not targeting people who use pot for medical purposes.
"I'm very supportive of medicinal use of marijuana," Levy said. "You just can't allow people to be driving when they're high."


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2013 President's Report available online
The 2013 President's Report is now available on the William & Mary website.
The report, which reviews the 2013 calendar year, includes a message from President Taylor Reveley on the state of the university, a year-in-review video, the financial report for fiscal year 2013, feature articles and videos and links to the past year's top news stories.
Reveley sent a message to members of the William & Mary community Wednesday inviting them to read and view the complete report, which includes embedded videos and additional links to William & Mary information.
"William & Mary is doing splendidly these days," Reveley said. "All of us – faculty, students, staff, alumni, parents and friends – have a part in the College's success."


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Hands on: Apple's AirPods are indeed 'magical'
The new wireless headphones do a lot of things right, but they're not without flaws
There's a lot to like about Apple's new wireless AirPods. From the ease of the initial setup to the small carrying case that doubles as a charger to the sound quality of the speakers and directional mics, the AirPods do a lot of things right -- elegantly, even -- yet they are not entirely without flaws.
The $159 wireless headphones were announced back in September, but didn't start shipping until last month and were quickly backordered. Only recently have customers actually started receiving them and they're still a rare find at Apple Stores. (Buying directly from Apple's online store means a six week wait before the order ships.) Apple Store employees have told me that they receive daily shipments, and sell out quickly.
Your best bet if you want a pair sooner rather than later is to track availability at your local Apple Store via iStockNow.com. That's what I did just before Christmas. I was able to use the Apple Store iPhone app to purchase my pair on Dec. 21 from the Providence Place Apple Store in Rhode Island as soon as iStockNow's availability indicator lit up green. Within a minute, that store was out of stock.
Open box, easy setup
In the box is the pair of AirPods, the small white carrying case that doubles as a charger, a Lightning-to-USB cable similar (if not identical) to the one that ships with iPhones and basic documentation -- a small foldout pamphlet with simple instructions for pairing and using the AirPods.
AirPods are compatible with iOS devices capable of running iOS 10, any Mac capable of running macOS Sierra, and any Apple Watch running watchOS 3. To work seamlessly between devices, all must share the same iCloud account.
Using the same iCloud account is part of what allows Apple to boast they're "magical;" it makes setup a breeze. Once the AirPods are paired up with one of your Apple devices, they're paired up with all your devices sharing the same iCloud account.
AirPod setup is as follows: unlock your iPhone, open the lid of the AirPod carrying case within a couple of inches of the iPhone, and tap Connect on the iPhone's screen. That's it. Your iPhone -- and now, every Apple device you own -- can use your AirPods.
This is possible because they use Apple's custom W1 chipset. It piggy-backs on the existing Bluetooth protocol and means AirPods are compatible with anything that can stream through Bluetooth, including Android phones. The W1 chipset doesn't just help with pairing, though; it is designed to help maintain a stable connection to each individual AirPod while maintaining about five hours of continuous battery life.
(Editor's note: The W1 chip is also used in several new Beats headphones and allows the same easy setup and lengthy battery time.)
The AirPods represent Apple's follow-up to the elimination of the analog audio jack in the iPhone 7. In addition to providing a dongle if you need to connect an older pair of headphones, Apple rolled out new technology that improves on current wireless implementations.
Notice that I said improved, not perfected. But we'll get to that in a bit.
Fit, feel and sound
The AirPods are in-ear, but they aren't the type that squeezes into your ear canal. This means wearing them doesn't block ambient noise. Initially, I used the AirPods one at a time while doing chores or fixing computers at work. But I've found that even with both AirPods in, hearing your surroundings isn't a challenge if the volume is kept low.
The speakers have a good range of volume and a pretty good balance of highs, lows, and mids. Bass is, well, bass is bass on a tinny speaker; existing technology hasn't changed that. But to my non-audiophile ears, the sound is more than acceptable and into "very good" territory. (My previous go-to earphones were the SmartOmi Boots mini wireless earbuds, which are in-ear and thus provide better bass.)
Despite the ease with which the AirPods slip on, it takes a lot of effort to knock them out. In my use -- which has involved running, weight-lifting, a couple of bouts of Insanity classes, and, just to see if I could knock them out, sustained head-banging -- the only time they fell out of my ears was when they were physically knocked out. (Other people have reported less luck keeping them in place, though; your mileage may vary.)
Using them
There are a couple of ways to interact with the AirPods, but because they lack buttons, actions are limited. Inserting one or both AirPods will sound a chime, alerting you that they're connected and ready. While audio is playing, removing one will pause the audio -- perfect if someone walks up to chat. Placing the AirPod back in your ear automatically resumes whatever you were listening to beforehand. If you remove both AirPods and then put them back in your ear, you have to manually trigger the audio to re-start.
Double-tapping either AirPods brings up Siri or Play/Pause your audio source, depending on your setting. (Settings can be changed in the Bluetooth category in iPhone Settings.) And...that's it. To do anything else, you use Siri, which responds to commands for adjusting volume, skipping tracks, starting playlists, and other Siri-related functions like getting the weather, placing phone calls and dictating messages.
The built-in microphones pick up audio really well (using what Apple calls a voice accelerometer in concert with the beamforming mics). At work -- in a quiet cube farm environment -- I invoked Siri but didn't want to disturb coworkers with audible commands. To my surprise, the AirPods were able to pick up commands I whispered.
Using your voice to control basic functions works well enough; but Siri still needs enhanced capabilities to make the experience better. For instance, using Siri means that there needs to be an active internet connection, even for on-device functions like skipping tracks or volume adjustment. And Siri often displays the answer to a question on the iPhone screen instead of reading it out loud. So in that sense, Siri is a letdown.
Support for local functions without an internet connection would be a good improvement. So would adding configurable multiple-tap options per AirPod. (In addition to the two taps that initiate Siri, there could be options for three taps on the right AirPod to skip, and three taps on the left to go back a track, etc. Thankfully, that's an option that could be added later via software update if Apple so chooses. Let's hope they do.)
Keeping them charged
The quality and build seem solid. When they're slid into the charging case, the AirPods snap into place via hidden magnets. The case also closes with a satisfying snap, and is held shut by magnets. That means there's no latch to catch on something or break, or button to depress to open the lid. And because it uses a decent magnet, you can be confident the case won't just open and cause you to accidentally lose an AirPod. (It costs $69 each to replace them if you do.)
Just putting the pods in the case for storage means they're getting charged. Fifteen minutes of charging buys three hours of audio; on full charge, the AirPods should last for five hours.
The case, which is charged with the included Lightning cable, has about 24 hours of battery capacity. In my experience, I've had to charge the case about once a week, while using the AirPods during the work day and for gym sessions.
If you want to check the battery status of the AirPods and the carrying case, you can do so in the Control Center on your iPhone under the AirPods option, or when you flip open the carrying case near the unlocked iPhone. (The AirPods need to be in the case though.)
Final thoughts
The AirPods aren't without issues. I have had several dropped connections, and each time it was embarrassing. In a couple of weeks of daily testing, there were a few times the connection completely dropped and my iPhone speaker broadcast to my coworkers that I was listening to sports radio (Go Patriots!). It's annoying having to scramble for the audio pause button, so I'm hoping Apple will improve the connection behavior in the future. I've also noticed audio cutouts at times, when the sound drops out for a second or so. Interestingly, I've seen more hiccups with macOS than iOS 10.
And I should note that a few people have told me they look goofy, in case that matters. But I don't care.
Ultimately, the AirPods do much more right than wrong. If you're already in the Apple ecosystem, these AirPods (or even the newest Beats headphones with the W1 chipset) will work very well across all of your devices; if you're not in the Apple ecosystem, these little earphones are still worth checking out.
Apple hasn't completely ended wireless audio issues with AirPods, but it's done a damned good job in a few specific areas (like initial setup and audio quality) to make the AirPods worthy of consideration if you're in the market for wireless headphones.
- New W1 chip allows easy setup
- Good sound, but bass is a bit tinny
- 5 hours of battery life
- Carrying case doubles as charger
- Limited play/pause features
- Uses Siri, which needs an internet connection
- Occasional audio dropouts
Copyright © 2017 IDG Communications, Inc.


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We've been lulled into the world of cruising – a timeless sort of being when the days are charted by ports of call and the passing of time by the rising and setting sun.
I'd written a post further describing Bangkok to you but so many have written with questions about our ship and our whereabouts, that I bumped it in lieu of an update from the ship.
|Oceania's Nautica - our home for the next month
And the wonders of technology are allowing me to write and post as our ship takes us to Yangon, Myanmar (Rangoon, Burma) on the 1,200 kilometers long Andaman Sea, a part of the Bay of Bengal. However, the wonders of technology did fail me, right after I wrote that sentence. I am cutting and pasting this blog post together. So bear with the photo size and captions!
|Our cabin - teeny tiny home sweet home
Our home has been Oceania's Nautica since we boarded in Bangkok nearly a week ago. We've visited Singapore and Phuket, Thailand since sailing last Wednesday. (more on those as time allows – I don't want to wear out the welcome in your inboxes or feeds). This mid-sized ship by industry standards is small in comparison to ships we've recently sailed. It has only 11 decks, 9 of which serve passengers. We are not sailing at capacity, only 550 or so of the 684-passenger capacity was filled when we boarded; a few more came on in Singapore and some are disembarking in Mumbai. Flexibility is a plus with this cruise line.
|The Lobby décor reflects the ship's elegant decor
Our cabin is small, very small. That was our mistake when we booked the ship – we'll definitely book the larger room should we return to Oceania someday. The bathroom is beyond small – as The Scout describes it, 'don't drop your soap!' in the shower that is 3-feet long and 19-inches wide.
The ship and staff are above board – the same high quality we've experienced on Celebrity and Holland America cruise lines. The culinary department is producing excellent morsels for us each day and alcohol prices are high (like all cruise lines) but tempered with a daily 2-for-1 Happy Hour that takes the edge off the over-the-top prices.
The Weather
|Balinese day beds and lounges on the Nautica
It is hot. It is humid. Temperatures have hovered at or above 90-degrees the last few days and humidity has also been in the 90 percent range. We have beautiful Balinese day beds that surround the pool – but there is no clamoring to occupy them – it is simply too hot. (And we've consumed gallons of bottled water, which on this ship is provided for free – another big plus!) And for my fashionista friends out there: the Chico's hasn't come out of the closet – way too hot to wear. I've purchased thin cotton tops on shore to wear – and they tell us the weather will be even hotter in India!
Our Fellow Cruisers
As I mentioned they didn't fill the ship on this cruise but the cruisers who are on board are a great group of like-minded people. They don't wring their hands worrying about safety nor do they discuss age and health issues. They are too busy preparing for their next shore adventure – and a plus for this cruise line is that you can have those adventures on your own; you don't need to be part of a ship's tour unless you desire to do so.
Who are these people? Well let me introduce you to a few of them:
* A couple from Australia boarded in Singapore and between cruises and land adventures they have planned, won't be home for another five months.
*On a small world note, one couple who live full-time in Arizona, still have a home in Kirkland, Washington (we've been catching up on Kirkland news with them).
*Even a smaller world tale is two attorneys from San Francisco who have done work in Wenatchee, Washington State and one of whom one of The Scout's law partners from back in our Yakima days.
* We shared a cab back to the ship in Singapore with a woman who is sailing with her 91-year-old father. She pushes him around in a wheelchair, but that didn't stop either of them from taking the Hop-On, Hop-Off bus tour in that city.
* Another woman is traveling with her 93-year-old mom (who only uses a walker).
|Sunset from the Horizons Bar - Nautica
It is an adventuresome, fun-loving group of people we've surrounded ourselves with – we meet for cocktails to discuss our day's adventures and plan for future outings.
We are all off in different directions when we reach Myanmar tomorrow. A couple from England is sharing a taxi with us as we are all heading to a hotel in Yangon for an independent (on our own) adventure. Four other new friends are part of a ship's tour that involves flying to Bagan, a heritage town in the country.
That's it for now. Safe travels to you and thanks for your time. You can catch more frequent updates on Facebook.
Linking I hope this week with:
Budget Travelers Sandbox – Travel Photo Thursday


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|The White House
President George W. Bush
|Print this document
For Immediate Release
Office of the First Lady
May 9, 2007
Mrs. Bush's Remarks at the Preserve America Presidential Awards
The Rose Garden
MRS. BUSH: Good afternoon, everyone. So good to see you all. I want to welcome everyone to the White House -- members of the Cabinet that are here, members of the Congress that have joined us, many members of the administration. Thank you for joining us today. We've had a very interesting and a historical week, which is a nice thing to do when -- ended the middle of the week in the Royal visit with this chance for us to talk about our own history and ways we can protect it. As all of you know, Queen Elizabeth was here for the 400th anniversary of Jamestown, one of our oldest and most iconic settlements in our country, and that was really fun. So today it's interesting and fun for us to have the chance to be together to recognize other historical preservation sites and areas in our country.
Distinguished guests, thank you all very much for coming.
In 2003, President Bush launched the Preserve America Initiative to encourage communities to protect our cultural and natural heritage. The goals of the initiative include a greater shared knowledge of our nation's past, strengthened regional identities and pride, increased local participation in preserving our country's cultural and natural heritage, and support for the economic vitality of our communities.
Over the last four years, the initiative has awarded 68 grants to 68 excellent preservation organizations like The Mount, the home of Edith Wharton, which I got to visit last spring.
For the last three years, Preserve America has also honored a history teacher of the year, and these three history teachers are here with us: Kathleen Keen, Rosanne Lichatin and Gerry Kohler. Where are they, actually? There they are, over there, the three history teachers of the last three years. (Applause.)
And each one of us know how important an excellent history teacher is to our love of history. A lot of us can really trace our love of history back to a wonderful teacher who made history come alive -- maybe it was a parent also who loved history and loved to tell stories about it. So thank you all for your great work inspiring kids.
Since President Bush announced the initiative, more than 600 cities and towns have applied to become Preserve America Communities; 486 communities have been honored with this distinction.
Last October, a Preserve America Summit was held in New Orleans to mark the 40th anniversary of the National Historic Preservation Act, and many of the organizations and groups that are here today were also our partners in that summit.
The National Historic Preservation Act was signed by President Johnson in 1965, and the act launched the first coordinated federal effort to safeguard our country's heritage. At the Preserve America Summit, we took stock of the strides we've made over the last four decades. We learned how businesses and foundations, educational institutions, governments and private citizens -- what they can do to modernize our preservation efforts so that we can be more effective in the future.
The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation evaluated scores of ideas that emerged from that summit, and they've recommended 12 proposals to help fill our obligations to care for the treasures we've inherited. And I know that with the ACHP's meeting in the next couple of days, these proposals will be discussed and approved.
One of our most important obligations, though, is making sure that the next generation carries on this preservation work after us. During the Preserve America Summit, I attended a youth program sponsored by Save Our History, one of today's award recipients. High school students spoke of how much they had enjoyed hands-on preservation projects in their own communities -- from revitalizing Denver's historic Colfax Avenue, to restoring a traditional African American home in La Marque, Texas. The ACHP will officially make our country's next generation of preservationists a top priority at their meeting tomorrow.
Today, we honor the terrific work of this year's Preserve America Presidential Award winners. Presenting the awards is the Chairman of the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, and a serious history buff himself, John Nau, and he'll be joined in the presentations by the Secretary of Interior, Dirk Kempthorne.
Since one of our winners is San Diego's USS Midway Museum, a World War II-era aircraft carrier that preserves the history of our naval battles in the Pacific, I should mention that Secretary Kempthorne and I visited Midway Island in March. Midway is one of the islands in the Northwest Hawaiian Island chain that President Bush declared a national marine monument last year. This declaration protects 140,000 square miles of pristine waters and thousands of rare aquatic species that live there.
On Midway Island, Secretary Kempthorne and I saw the World War II-era military installations that are there, and we also saw marine and bird life that's found nowhere else on Earth. We fed seals, we banded birds, and we planted native grasses. And in fact, Secretary Kempthorne even refereed a wrestling match between a White House official and Laysan albatross. (Laughter.) The Secretary was a great travel companion, and I'm delighted that he'll be here to help present these awards today.
I know I speak for President Bush when I congratulate each one of you, each of our Preserve America Presidential Award winners. So to begin the presentations, please welcome John Nau. (Applause.)