text: Joe Hellandback September 25, 2018 Share September 25, 2018 The Good; Hell of a shock when Darla makes the Angel/Denver shish kebab. Good scenes at WR&H and the Darla/Lindsey stuff is great. The Bad; How come Angel can sense Darla at the Hyperion but not when she's eavesdropping on him and Denver? Best line: Lilah; "Stake the bitch!" Jeez, how did they get away with that? One of the WR&H employees pulls their child out of daycare as a sacrifice? Killing the mom and her family is horrible! Kate's suicide attempt also ain't nice. Apocalypses: 5 Angel Clichés Damsel in distress; 17 In disguise; 8 DB get's his shirt off; at the end Darla rips it off 12 Cordy's tattoo;4 Cheap Angel; 6 Fang Gang in bondage: Cordy: 5 Angel: 9 Wes: 3 Fang gang knocked out: Cordy: 10 Angel: 12 Wes: 5 Doyle; 1 Gunn; 1 Lorne; 1 Kills: Cordy: 5 vamps, 1 demons Angel; 22 vamps, 31 and 1/2 demons, 3 humans Doyle; 1 vamp Wes; 1 demon Kate; 3 vamps Faith; 16 vamps, 6 demons, 3 humans. Gunn; 5 vamps+ 2 demons. Fang Gang go evil: Cordy: 2 Angel: 2 Alternate Fang Gang: Cordy: 2 Angel: 6 Characters killed: Denver plus the family 35 Recurring characters killed; byebye Denver 5; Total number of Angel Investigations: 3/1 4, Angel, Cordy, Wes and Gunn Angel Investigations shot: Angel: 10 Wes; 1 Packing heat; Wes; 2 Doyle; 1 Angel; 1 Notches on Fang Gang bedpost: Angel and Darla and how! Cordy: 2 ?+Wilson/Hacksaw Beast Angel: 2; Buffy and Darla Wes; 2; Virginia and the bleached blonde Kinky dinky: The Claimac demons apparently 'raped' the villages of man in addition to laying them waste. Speaking of which Angel 'taking' Darla at the end is about as close to rape as you'll ever see from a heroic character on TV. Their foreplay is him chucking her through a glass door! Know the face, different character; 2 Parking garages; 5, Buffy characters on Angel; 14 Wetherby, Collins and Smith. Angel, Cordy, Oz, Spike, Buffy, Wes, Faith, Darla, Dru, Master, Anne Questions and observations; Why no commentary on all these great eps? Why do people sacrifice goats? They're the nicest animals out but they always seem to be associated with evil. Must have been fun to have them on the set that day. David Fury of course is one of the sacrificers. First mention of Lilah's mum. Lorne doesn't like Lloyd Webber, not even 'Memory'? Wes and Virginia breaking up, awwwww! Cordy remarks she has no friends in LA, I guess she didn't keep up with the girls from 'Expecting' or 'She' (you'd think being knocked up against their will by a demonic entity and ending up in his breeding hot tub together would have bound them closer?). Darla with the glove rather reminds me of the old TV series Witchblade. Last appearance of Holland, not a nice guy but a great character. He's right of course, supernatural evil depends on human weakness. Poor Kate! Marks out of 10; 9/10, truly great Link to comment


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Nearly 4 million Americans — the vast majority of them middle class — will have to pay the new penalty for not getting health insurance when President Barack Obama's health care overhaul law kicks in, according to congressional estimates released Thursday.
The penalties will average a little more than $1,000 apiece in 2016, the Congressional Budget Office said in a report.
Most of the people paying the fine will be middle class. Obama pledged in 2008 not to raise taxes on individuals making less than $200,000 a year and couples making less than $250,000.
Republicans have criticized the penalties, even though the idea for a mandate was originally proposed by the GOP in the 1990s and is part of the Massachusetts health care plan signed into law in 2006 by then Gov. Mitt Romney, a Republican. Attorneys general in more than a dozen states are working to challenge the mandate in federal court as unconstitutional.
"The individual mandate tax will fall hardest on Americans who can least afford to pay it, many of whom were promised subsidies by the Democrats and who the president has promised would not pay higher taxes," said Rep. Dave Camp of Michigan, the top Republican on the tax-writing House Ways and Means Committee.
Democrats argue the mandate and the penalties are a necessary part of a massive overhaul designed to expand coverage to millions who now lack it. They point out that getting young, healthy Americans in the insurance pool will reduce costs for others.
Americans who don't get qualified health insurance will be required to pay penalties starting in 2014, unless they are exempt because of low income, religious beliefs, or because they are members of American Indian tribes. The penalties will be fully phased in by 2016.
About 21 million nonelderly residents will be uninsured in 2016, according to projections by the CBO and the Joint Committee on Taxation. Most of those people will be exempt from the penalties.
Under the new law, the penalties will be phased in starting in 2014. By 2016, those who must get insurance but don't will be fined $695 or 2.5 percent of their household income, whichever is greater.
After 2016, the penalties will be increased by annual cost-of-living adjustments. People will not be required to get coverage if the cheapest plan available costs more than 8 percent of their income.
The penalties will be collected by the Internal Revenue Service through tax returns. However, the IRS will not have the authority to bring criminal charges or file liens against those who don't pay.
About 3 million of those required to pay fines in 2016 will have incomes below $59,000 for individuals and $120,000 for families of four, according to the CBO projections. The other 900,000 people who must pay the fine will have higher incomes.
The government will collect about $4 billion a year in fines from 2017 through 2019, according to the report.

subset: commoncrawl


text: May 27, 2011 Ask The Paris Review Words We Don't Say; The Tao of Travel By Lorin Stein Kurt Andersen had his list of "Words We Don't Say." As the editor of The Paris Review, what are some of yours? —Tom Michaels Usage snobbery is a poor man's snobbery. It has no place at The Paris Review. When Kurt Andersen compiled his list of peeves, he had the excuse of working at New York—a magazine that pretty much exists to market snootiness on a budget. You will notice that most of his verbotens come from the tabloids, the trades, or lifestyle magazines. (There is something, not just ironic, but deep about a lifestyle magazine banning the word lifestyle.) Which is to say, Andersen was doing his job. He was maintaining a tone. Here at the Review we have no such excuse. All we've got are hang-ups. I blame mine on The Worth of Words, a late-Victorian usage manual that I picked up at a yard sale during high school and subsequently destroyed. It was too late. The Worth of Words had singed it onto my brain that the phrase due to should be used only in instances of someone actually incurring a debt of gratitude, that aggravate must never be used except in the sense of adding to, and that partially means only "with bias." (Google Books has now reunited me with this manual and its insane author, Ralcy Halsted Bell. Entry one: "ABORTIVE means of untimely birth … To speak of an abortive attempt or act is hardly short of the ridiculous." I do not recommend The Worth of Words, and I offer this tiny (partial) list of my own in a spirit of confession and contrition. Recently our managing editor, Nicole Rudick, cured me of an aversion to forthcoming (in the sense of "soon to be published") with the help of the OED. Here, off the top of my head, are some more: Home (for house) Hopefully (for "I hope") Disinterest (for "lack of interest"—yes, even though I know it's totally correct) Delicious, Spicy, Tangy (used metaphorically) Tasty (ever, but especially in reference to a "lick") Pleasantry (except in the sense of "joke") Following (to introduce a list: as in "the following") Contact (as a verb) Relationship (ever, ever, even when it's the mot juste) Impact (unless we're talking about, e.g., a car crash) I could go on. (Couldn't you?) Read More


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Washington State football head coach Mike Leach isn't just inspiring possible new Friday Night Lights movies, he's also playing along with Internet memes referencing the nemesis who probably got him fired from Texas Tech.
That's if this image is to be believed, and we have no reason to think it's a forgery. "CJK5H" is imprinted along with a note to "Nick" and Leach's signature on the title page of a copy of the coach's Swing Your Sword memoir; we think this is Nick but since his Twitter account is protected, we can't be sure. Congratulations to Nick for pulling this off, if indeed you're the one who made this happen, because it is awesome.
Update (11:07 p.m.): We've received confirmation from several people who witnessed Leach sign this book with the CJK5H.
h/t to William


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Captain James T. Sutherland: The Battle For The Original Hockey Hall of Fame
In 1938 Major League Baseball created the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York. Sutherland almost immediately began his campaign to see hockey get it's own Hall of Fame.
By 1943 Sutherland's unrelenting drive succeeded. The National Hockey League and the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association created the International Hockey Hall of Fame.
Two years later, the inaugural class was inducted (Hobey Baker, Charlie Gardiner, Eddie Gerard, Frank McGee, Howie Morenz, Tommy Phillips, Harvey Pulford, Hod Stuart and Georges Vezina, along with builders Lord Stanley and Sir Montagu Allan.)
However the Hall had no physical location. Sutherland devoted his life to getting a proper Hall of Fame built in Kingston, Ontario. Kingston was his hometown, and, he believed, the birthplace of hockey.
The National Hockey League would withdraw it's support of the IHHOF in 1958 and would begin creating it's own Hockey Hall of Fame, the one we all think of to this day, in Toronto.
Despite this major setback Sutherland continued with his dream, and by 1965 the IHHOF moved into its home on 277 York Street in Kingston. You can still go and visit two floors worth of exhibits. Many other exhibits are in storage as they seek a new home.


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Just in time for the launch of Windows 8, Skype is getting a new modern-style app to take advantage of all the operating system's features.
Given that Microsoft owns Skype, it's no surprise that the Windows 8 app is a model for the new modern interface. The app appears as a Live Tile on the Windows 8 Start screen, and shows a preview of missed calls or new messages. The app also runs constantly in the background—though Skype says this doesn't drain battery life—and delivers notifications for new calls or messages.
Inside the app, the main screen shows a list of recent interactions and favorite contacts, followed by a list of all contacts that scrolls off to the right. A small phone logo on this screen leads to a dialer for direct calls to landlines and mobile phones, using Skype credit or a subscription.
Perhaps the most useful feature in Skype's Windows 8 app is its support for Snap. Users can drag the app to the right or left sidebar, and continue to see their video calls while using other apps. The sidebar shows a portrait view of the person on the other end, with a thumbnail view of the user underneath.
One thing that's missing from Skype's Windows 8 app is support for the Share charm, which lets any two apps share information with one another. The CAPability to grab links or photos from within other apps and send them to a Skype contact would certainly be useful, especially while a conversation is snapped to the sidebar. A Skype representative says the company is working to support sharing from the Windows 8 charms menu in the future.
Outside of the app itself, Skype integrates with Windows 8's People app, which acts as a central location for email addresses, phone numbers and other contact methods. Users can connect Skype to the People app by logging into Skype with a Microsoft account.
Skype for Windows 8 will be available on October 26, the same day that Microsoft's new operating system launches. Skype's blog post says you can find the app "on your new Windows 8 device and or download it from the Windows Store," so it may be pre-installed on some new Windows hardware.


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The Adventures of the Course Kids!
Price: $13.94
CMC *Supporting Members* pay only $12.55
To become a CMC *Supporting Member* click here
Full Title: The Adventures of the Course Kids!
Subtitle: With Grace (Volume 2)
During a weekend spiritual retreat, Grace encourages her middle school friends to learn and apply the teachings of A Course in Miracles. Through the wise guidance of Elder Lily, six diverse early-teens embrace the intriguing lessons of the Course. Their joyous adventure into the world of discovery is captivating! This uplifting story will hold the attention of even the most resistant seeker.
By Rev. Barbara Franco Adams


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March 8, 1945 -
Sylvia Wiegand comes from a family of mathematicians. Both of her paternal grandparents, Grace Chisholm Young (1868-1944) and William Henry Young (1863-1942), were mathematicians. Her father, Laurence Chisholm Young (1905-2000), was the Distinguished Research Professor in mathematics at the University of Wisconsin. Her aunt, Cecily Young Tanner (1900-1992), wrote a Ph.D. thesis in mathematics at Cambridge University and taught at Imperial College, University of London.
Sylvia Young was born in Cape Town, South Africa, where her father was Head of the Department of Mathematics at the University of Cape Town. The family moved to Madison, Wisconsin, in 1949 when Laurence Young accepted a position at the University of Wisconsin. Sylvia's interest in mathematics developed at a young age in response to the mathematical puzzles posed by her father. During her junior and senior years at Wisconsin High School she took mathematics courses at the University of Wisconsin. She then entered Bryn Mawr College. During her first year at college she met Roger Wiegand, a senior mathematics major at Princeton University who went on to graduate school at the University of Washington. When she graduated in 1966 after only three years at Bryn Mawr, she and Roger married. Sylvia then spent one year completing a master's degree at Washington while Roger finished his Ph.D.
The Wiegands returned to Madison when Roger accepted a position on the mathematics faculty at the University of Wisconsin. Sylvia entered the mathematics graduate program at the university where Mary Ellen Rudin was a mentor to many of the women students. She received her Ph.D. in 1972 with a thesis in commutative algebra entitled "Galois Theory of Essential Expansions of Modules and Vanishing Tensor Powers," written under the supervision of Lawrence Levy. Parts of this work appeared in her first paper which was published in the Canadian Journal of Mathematics in 1972 [Abstract].
With Sylvia and Roger Wiegand both working in the same area of commutative algebra, their "two-body problem" of finding academic jobs together was particularly acute. Fortunately, the mathematics department at the University of Nebraska offered both of them positions, although Sylvia was only hired as an instructor. Two years later, however, she was promoted to assistant professor, followed by promotion to associate professor after another two years. She became a full professor in 1987. She was the only female professor in the department at that time. She has published over 40 research papers, including seven joint papers with her husband, and supervised five Ph.D. students. In May 2005, The University of Nebraska hosted the Nebraska Commutative Algebra Conference: WiegandFest "in celebration of the many important contributions of Sylvia and Roger Wiegand."
Sylvia Wiegand has an extensive record of service to the mathematics professional community. She has served as an editor for Communications in Algebra and the Rocky Mountain Journal of Mathematics, and as a member of numerous committees of both the Mathematical Association of America and the American Mathematical Society, including the AMS Council (1994-1996). She also served a four-year term on the Executive Board of Directors of the Canadian Math Society (1997-2000).
Wiegand has been a strong advocate for women in mathematics. Under the leadership of then chair, Jim Lewis, the mathematics department at Nebraska began an effort in 1988 to create a welcoming and supportive environment for women faculty and students alike. Among a series of student awards established by the department was a fellowship created to honor Sylvia Wiegand's grandparents. In 1996 the department initiated an annual Summer Mathematics Camp for High School Girls called All Girls/All Math, and two years later began the annual Nebraska Conference for Undergraduate Women in Mathematics. While all this was happening on campus, Wiegand became President of the Association for Women in Mathematics in 1997, serving a two year term. As president she became involved in efforts to promote mathematics and science issues on Capitol Hill and advocated for increases in federal support of mathematics and science education and research. In 2000 Wiegand was presented with Nebraska University's Outstanding Contribution to the Status of Women Award.
In addition to her successful career as a mathematician, Sylvia Wiegand has for many years been an avid runner for pleasure and in 10K races, marathons, and even ultramarathons. She completed the 1981 Omaha marathon in 3:18, a personal best, and in 1994 finished the 100 mile Leadville ultramarathon in a time of 29 hours, 35 minutes.
Photo Credit: Photo courtesy of Sylvia Wiegand


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Wine Blogging Wednesday turns 2 this month with numero uno wine blogger Alder from Vinography hosting. Alder has picked a regional theme that is perfect for late summer sipping, the white wines of France's Loire Valley. It doesn't seem possible that what started 24 months ago with 17 bloggers has grown to such a large world-wide gathering with new bloggers participating each time. Different from most of the months I have participated, I will only blog and not podcast this time, saving this theme for a more comprehensive audio version in the next few of weeks.
The Loire is known for both white and red wines, but it's probably most famous for it's great Sauvignon Blanc (Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé) and Chenin Blanc (Vouvray). Another notable white is made from the Melon de Bourgogne grape and is called Muscadet. The region is also renowned for Cabernet Franc based red wines (Chinon and Bourgueil), but that is a subject for another night. Alder has asked that we keep our choices to only whites, so that's what I picked up to taste.
I generally found the selection of Loire whites to be disappointing here, but I didn't get a chance to really search the best stores in town. What I did find was a lot of Vouvray, Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé. Since I covered Sancerre in a past show and would like to feature Pouilly-Fumé on it's own, I decided to concentrate on Vouvray and a wine I have never tried, Muscadet. Here's what I found:
Cuvée Catherine, Muscadet, Sèvre et Maine Sur Lie 2004 ($8) – Very light straw-green in color with aromas of green apple and citrus.Tart grapefruit fruit flavor with a bit of creaminess and complexity from the lies aging. Bone dry with good acidity making this a nice, simple white for seafood on a hot summer's day. Score: 7.5/10. 12% ABV, synthetic cork closure (easily removed).
Domaine Pichot, Vouvray 2004 ($15) – Bright straw in color with aromas of pear and melon. Pineapple and green apple flavors with a touch of minerals. Off-dry, but nicely balanced by acidity making this a very good summer selection and a great value. Score: 8.5+/10. 12% ABV, natural cork closure.
I liked the Vouvray best tonight but I like the exploration of a new varietal and this underrated region more. Thanks to Alder for hosting once again and for Lenn for the coming up with this idea over 2 years ago. I'm in for next time and will produce a podcast timed with my post. Stay tuned for my more comprehensive podcast on the Loire soon.


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Our creamy blend of Speyside and Highland whiskies with a touch of West Coast embers. Renowned for its delicate honey notes, and gentle 'oak and smoke' finish.
Johnnie Walker Gold Label Reserve is known for its creamy smoothness. It opens with a luxurious burst of delicate nectar and gentle smokiness that develops into sweet fruits and deeper, velvety, honeyed tones before giving way to sublime, lingering whispers of smoke and oakiness in the finish.


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New earthquake, magnitude 6.1, shakes jittery Mexico
MEXICO CITY (AP) — A strong new earthquake shook Mexico on Saturday, killing at least two people, toppling already damaged homes and a highway bridge, and causing new alarm in a country reeling from two even more powerful quakes that together have killed more than 400 people.
The U.S. Geological Survey said the new, magnitude 6.1 temblor was centered about 11 miles (18 kilometers) south-southeast of Matias Romero in the state of Oaxaca, which was the region most battered by a magnitude 8.1 quake on Sept. 7.
It was among thousands of aftershocks recorded in the wake of that earlier quake, which was the most powerful to hit Mexico in 32 years and killed at least 96 people.
The government of Oaxaca state reported that some homes collapsed. A woman died when a wall of her home fell on her in the town of Asuncion Ixtaltepec, and a man died after a wall fell on him in San Blas Atempa.
Four people were injured in Juchitan and three in Tlacotepec, but none of their lives were in danger. Another person suffered a broken clavicle in the town of Xadani. Three hotels and two churches were damaged and a highway bridge collapsed. The Federal Police agency said the bridge already been closed due to damage after the Sept. 7 quake.
Bettina Cruz, a resident of Juchitan, Oaxaca, said by phone with her voice still shaking that the new quake felt "horrible."
"Homes that were still standing just fell down," Cruz said. "It's hard. We are all in the streets."
Cruz belongs to a social collective and said that when the shaking began, she was riding in a truck carrying supplies to victims of the earlier quake.
Nataniel Hernandez said by phone from Tonala, in the southern state of Chiapas, which was also hit hard by the earlier quake, that it was one of the strongest aftershocks he has felt.
"Since Sept. 7 it has not stopped shaking," Hernandez.
U.S. Geological Survey geophysicist Paul Caruso said the new temblor was an aftershock of the 8.1 quake, and after a jolt of that size even buildings left standing can be more vulnerable.
"So a smaller earthquake can cause the damaged buildings to fail," Caruso said.
"At the moment the greatest damage has been to the Ixtaltepec bridge, which should be rebuilt, and structures with previous damage that collapsed," President Enrique Pena Nieto tweeted. He said government workers were fanning out in Juchitan to provide help to anyone who needs it.
Jaime Hernandez, director of the Federal Electrical Commission, said the quake knocked out power to 327,000 homes and businesses in Oaxaca but service had been restored to 72 percent of customers within a few hours.
Buildings swayed in Mexico City, where nerves are still raw from Tuesday's magnitude 7.1 temblor that has killed at least 307 across the region. Many residents and visitors fled homes, hotels and businesses, some in tears.
And the Popocatepetl volcano near Mexico City spewed a cloud of vapor with some ash about a mile (2 kilometers) into the air Saturday, but experts said it was not related to the quakes. The 17,797-foot (5,426-meter) volcano has been periodically erupting since 1994.
And late Saturday, Tropical Storm Pilar formed close to Mexico's western Pacific coast. Pilar was expected to remain a tropical storm and brush the coast near the resort of Puerto Vallarta, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center.
Pilar had winds of 40 mph (65 kph) and was located about 70 miles west-southwest of the port city of Manzanillo. It was moving north at about 5 mph (7 kph).
At Mexico City's Xoco General Hospital, which is treating the largest number of quake victims, workers ordered visitors to evacuate when seismic alarms began to blare Saturday.
That included Syntia Pereda, 43, who was reluctant to leave the bedside of her sleeping boyfriend. Jesus Gonzalez, 49, fell from a third-story balcony of a building where he was working during Tuesday's quake and was awaiting surgery.
But she controlled her emotions, went outside and came back when the trembling was over.
"We are getting used to this," Pereda said. "Every so often we hear the alarm ... you say, well, it is God's will."
Alejandra Castellanos was on the second floor of a hotel in a central neighborhood of Mexico City and ran down the stairs and outside with her husband.
"I was frightened because I thought, not again!" Castellanos said.
Mayor Miguel Angel Mancera said there were no reports of significant new damage in the capital, and rescue efforts related to Tuesday's quake were continuing. He reported that two people died of apparent heart attacks during the new temblor.
At the site of an office building that collapsed Tuesday and where an around-the-clock search for survivors was still ongoing, rescuers briefly evacuated from atop the pile of rubble after the morning quake before returning to work removing cement, tiles and other debris.
As rescue operations stretched into Day 5, residents throughout the capital have held out hope that dozens still missing might be found alive. More than half the dead — 169 — perished in the capital, while another 73 died in the state of Morelos, 45 in Puebla, 13 in Mexico State, six in Guerrero and one in Oaxaca.
Along a 60-foot stretch of a bike lane in Mexico City, families huddled under tarps and donated blankets, awaiting word of loved ones trapped in the four-story-high pile of rubble behind them.
Lidia Albarran, whose niece was buried in the collapse of an office building a block away, heard the alarm and worried that the latest quake could endanger those under the pile of rubble.
"You feel fear. Before, earthquakes did not make me afraid, but now ... thinking about all that could have happened in the building," Albarran said.
In a city still on edge, many residents have spoken of lingering anxiety: imagining the ground is moving when it isn't, hearing a police siren wail and thinking it's a quake alarm, breaking into sobs at unexpected moments.
"There is collective panic. I feel afraid even when a car passes by," said Dulce Bueno, who came Saturday morning with her husband and daughter to the hard-hit Condesa neighborhood. They brought suitcases to collect the belongings of their daughter, who lived in a damaged building beside one that collapsed and who is now moving in with them.
"They have told us it is well constructed, that it's a bunker," Bueno said of her own home. "But if the tremors continue, will it hold up?"
Vicente Aparicio, 76, gazed at the building where he lived in southern Mexico City as his wife listened to an engineer explaining the damage it had suffered. He vowed never to return; his family is fortunate enough to have another apartment to go to and the means to go on with their lives.
"But what about those who do not?" Aparicio wondered.
He added: "How does a city recover from a shock like this?"
Associated Press writer Christine Armario contributed to this report.


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BAGHDAD/HILLA (REUTERS) - Bombs exploded in predominantly Shi'ite Muslim districts of the Iraqi capital and in the southern city of Hilla on Tuesday, killing at least 49 people, police and hospital sources said.
No group immediately claimed responsibility for any of the attacks, but Shi'ites are a target for Sunni Islamist insurgents who have been regaining ground in Iraq over the past year and overran several towns in recent weeks.
Hilla police chief, Major General Abbas Abid, blamed groups linked to al-Qaeda.
"Al-Qaeda terrorist groups stand behind today's attacks in Hilla to confuse the security forces and cause high casualties among civilians," he said. "They are criminals and they never get enough of innocent blood".
Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki has appealed for international support and weapons to fight Sunni Islamist al-Qaeda, but critics say his own policies are at least partly to blame for reviving an insurgency that climaxed in 2006-07.
Many in Iraq's once-dominant Sunni minority deeply resent Maliki and feel they have been sidelined in the Shi'ite-led political order that took shape following the US-led invasion in 2003.
Some fellow Shi'ites also accuse Maliki of abusing his power. Powerful Shi'ite Muslim cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, who withdrew from politics at the weekend, said Iraq was governed by "wolves thirsty for blood and money".
"Politics has become a door for injustice and recklessness, despotism and abuse, so that a dictator and tyrant can take over and seize control in order to plunder money, break necks, fight cities and divide sects."
Sadr, who led revolts against US forces in Iraq before their pullout and went on to become a major influence in the government, said he had decided to retire in order to distance himself from a "failed, corrupt and unjust government".
"Whenever a Shi'ite, Sunni or Kurd objects to them, they accuse him of sectarianism or being a terrorist".
In Tuesday's attacks, 35 people were killed in seven car bomb explosions inside Hilla, 100km south of Baghdad, and the nearby towns of Haswa, Mahaweel and Mussayab.
At least 90 people were wounded.
"I was sitting in my shop when suddenly a powerful blast smashed the front window," said Ali Mousa, whose mini-market was near the site of one bomb in central Hilla. "I went out to see what happened and saw bodies on the ground and wounded people bleeding and shouting for help".
Fourteen people were killed in explosions in mainly Shi'ite districts of Baghdad. In one, a bomb inside a parked vehicle exploded near a bus station in the Bayaa district, killing five people, the sources said. There were also blasts in the Amil, Ilam and Shurta districts.
Last year was Iraq's bloodiest since sectarian violence began to abate in 2008.
The city of Falluja in Iraq's Sunni-dominated province of Anbar has been under siege by the army since early January, when militants overran it after security forces cleared a site where Sunnis were protesting against Maliki.
In northern Iraq, troops are fighting to wrest control of Sulaiman Pek from Sunni militants who took over parts of the town last Thursday and raised the black flag of the Islamic state in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) over it.
ISIL is active in neighbouring Syria and seeks to establish a Sunni state spanning the border into Iraq. The group also has a presence in the city of Falluja, along with other Sunni militants and anti-government fighters.
Deteriorating security in Anbar has raised doubts that parliamentary elections can be held nationwide in April as planned. Sadr encouraged people to vote but said he himself would not take part or back any side.
"All should widely participate in election in order not to let the government fall into untrustworthy and malicious hands".


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There are lots of Mexican restaurants here in Southern California and I love Mexican food but I don't always feel good after eating it. And tacos are my favorite so I decided to create something of my own that's healthy, low fat, easy to serve, and really good! Most taco casseroles use tortillas chips but corn tortillas are a healthier choice and they make a taco casserole that's soft and with more flavor than using tortilla chips. This easy dinner is high in fiber and protein. it has two vegetables, and it's gluten free.
Quality matters so look for corn tortillas with the shortest ingredient list and not too much salt. I always look for low sodium products including the pinto beans (I use S&W brand). You can always add salt later or even some cayenne pepper if you like it spicy. And do not use pre-shredded cheese because it won't melt like freshly shredded cheese. And when drizzling the bean liquid be sure to get the edges.
It's really easy to put this delicious casserole together in layers and and it's never dry because I reserve the liquid from the drained beans and pour some over each layer. Depending on the brand, I sometimes get 3/4 of a cup of liquid and other times it's only 1/4 cup so I just add water to bring it up to one cup. Here's how I layer it:
3 Tortillas + Meat + Drained Beans + Bean Liquid + Cheese. Repeat this two more times to make 3 layers and then add remaining 3 tortillas on top. I like to tear and scatter them over the top in smaller pieces for easy serving. (It's okay to have some openings in the tortilla layers).
You can serve this taco casserole two ways: Either top it with the shredded lettuce and tomatoes or serve them on the side. It's fun for everyone to put on as much as they want and you can even use some chopped white onion as an extra topping, or even some sliced jalapeno peppers.
If you like soft tacos and fun, easy family meals, you will love this easy taco casserole. Click here for the recipe. – Jenny Jones


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Wednesday, September 1, 2010
A Princess Pool PartyJacqueline September 01, 2010
Chocolat - French for Chocolate. I adored chocolate from a young age when I had to sneak in the cupboard to find where my mother had hidden the Nestle's Chocolate Chips. Having read about the famous chocolat shoppes in Paris, when I finally got there I was determined to try a chocolate from every Paris shoppe. I invite you to share my adventures in creating, in travel, and in life.
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22 comments:
OMG I can't wait to learn how to do those cookies! They are seriously amazing. She should start a business cause I would totally buy them :)ReplyDelete
Perfection! Thank you for sharing the darling design. Cherry KayReplyDelete
Perfection! Thank you for sharing the darling design. Cherry KayReplyDelete
Some great ideas here, I will be storing these away for my little girl's next birthday!ReplyDelete
wow everything look so awesome!!ReplyDelete
Looks like a great time, everything was so pretty! I'm looking forward to hearing about the cookies!ReplyDelete
Happy Birthday London!! Aren't little princess grand-daughters just wonderful?! :)ReplyDelete
xoxo Pattie
Gorgeous pool party! What a lucky little princess to have such a talented Momma! I will definitely be back to see how to do those cookies. I have done lots of cake and cookie decorating but not with the swirl design built in the icing. If it is done like I'm thinking, whew, that takes patience! I love all of this!ReplyDelete
What a lucky little girl! She is just adorable! Mom is talented and loved the design, cookies are amazing! Grandma, you must feel so blessed to have such an amazing family!! I have fond memories of those days when my now 21-year old was 'our little princess!' Thanks for sharing!ReplyDelete
What a darling table for London's party! Those cookies are amazing! Yes, it's great fun to have grandkids!ReplyDelete
Fun filled setup- loving those cookies!! Love the name Adele!!! Of course - I am biased- my grandmother's and daughter's middle name is Adell.ReplyDelete
so glad you were able to be present for the party. grandparents are wonderful to have close.
This party looks absolutely darling! Makes me wish I had a little girl to have a princess pool party for...lovelyReplyDelete
the 3's on the cookies are adorable!ReplyDelete
You have a gorgeous family :)
Happy Birthday to London
Dear Jacqueline.. what a beautiful family and how lucky for you. The pool party looked like very much fun. those cookies.. well they make me weak to my knees. they are so gorgeous. Wow what talent. What a delightful table. I sure looks like it was fun for all!ReplyDelete
What a perfectly beautiful party! I love the dessert table and I can't wait to see your cookies! Beautiful family and I love the name London!ReplyDelete
What a great party for Princess London -- she is a real cutie! What great cookies. They are so cute! JoniReplyDelete
Who could not resist this little princess, She is adorable. Hope she had a nice birthday? Love the cupcake and cookies. Take care!ReplyDelete
What a delightful birthday party...the cookies are awesome!ReplyDelete
uhhh so you can adopt me and have a princess party for me! :) yea anytime! lol..ReplyDelete
that is just adorable!!!!! what a fun and cute party!
I love every pink detail about this and miss the days of little girl pink parties. Your little granddaughter had a perfect one!ReplyDelete
Love those cookies the best, I think!
It's all so beautiful! Thank you for sharing!ReplyDelete
She is extremely creative and talented! The party looks like a professional came in ~ and it all looks "fit for a Princess". Thanks for sharing!ReplyDelete
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Street View is online in Germany and it includes — or rather, excludes — 244,000 addresses that Germans have demanded be pixelated. They have, in their word, demanded their Verpixelungsrecht.
It is more offensive than I had imagined, a desecration of the public demanded and abetted by German politicians and media on a supposed privacy frenzy.
See this building on Hugo-von-Königsegg-Straße in Oberstaufen, Germany.
Ugly, isn't it? As someone in the audience said when I spoke on the topic at a meeting of the Green party in Berlin a few weeks ago, it is as if they are digitally bombing the German landscape.
Now you can drive to Oberstaufen and stand across the street — between the Edele bookstore and Dr. Fassnacht's building — and look at the building all you want because you would be exercising your right to be in public. But not online, not in the land of Deutschnet, you can't. Germany has now diminished the public. It has stolen from the public.
This is not a matter of privacy. And don't tell me it has a damned thing to do with the Nazis and Stasi; that's patently absurd. If anything, the Stasi would have exercised their Verpixelungsrecht to obscure their buildings from public view, taking advantage of the cloak of secrecy the idea provides. That's the danger of this.
This is an issue of publicness. These are public visions now obscured. This is why I am writing a book about protecting the public, from assaults such as this. I can't write it fast enough.
MORE: Here's Der Spiegel (in German) under the headline: So Google pixelates the Republic. Don't blame Google, folks, blame yourselves. It notes that the mayor of Oberstaufen, however, welcomed Street View. With a cake.
: UND AUF DEUTSCH: Zeit Online translated a version of this post — a message to Germany — into German, guaranteeing that the next time I visit Germany, I'll get hit over the head with a mass of cameras. If you care, I've pasted the English original after the break.
What have you done, Germany?
You have digitally desecrated your cities. You have diminished and devalued your public space. You have thus robbed your own public. And you have set dangerous precedents for your future.
All that with a few pixels obscuring buildings on Google Street View.
In the mania over privacy among government and media in Germany, Google was pressured to pixelate not just people's faces and cars' license plates but also buildings. Suddenly buildings themselves gained a new Verpixelungsrecht.
Those buildings are fully visible and photographed from public streets. Anyone exercising Germany's Panoramafreiheit may photograph them. But not Google, not if the owner requests pixelization, and 244,000 German buildings have.
I thought pixelating buildings was mostly just silly until I saw it. Now I am saddened and angered. Look at this scene from your own streets, from Hugo-von-Königsegg-Straße in Oberstaufen. You may drive there and stand across the street and take your own picture of the Edele bookstore and Dr. Fassnacht's building to the right. You may see and photograph the building inbetween. But on Google Street View, this is what you see instead:
Ugly, isn't it? Embarrassing, I'd say. When I spoke recently about privacy and publicness (Datenschutz und Öffentlichkeit) at an event organized by die Grünen in Berlin, someone from the audience asked whether with all this pixelization, Germany is digitally bombing its own buildings and visual history. At the time, I thought that was a bit strong. Not so much now.
Why is this happening?
I do not believe this is a matter of privacy. How is one's privacy violated by taking a photo of a public view from a public street?
Neither do I believe this is a matter of Germany's unique history. At the Grünen event and elsewhere when I've spoken about this topic in Germany, Germans have raised the Stasis and Nazis (I didn't). Now that they've mentioned it, I find the argument illogical, even dangerous. If anything, the Stasi would have been the most eager to exercise their Verpixelungsrecht to obscure their buildings and actions from public view, taking advantage of the cloak of secrecy this idea provides. That is the dangerous precedent that is set here. If Google can be told that the public is not public, who else can be told this: Journalists? You?
So why the German mania? I hear some complain that Google is daring to make money for its effort mapping and photographing the streetscape. Well, German governments photograph the land and sell the data. T-Mobile's Telefonbuch.de not only lists names and phone numbers of citizens but shows images from above of their homes and backyards—from four angles. Sightwalk.de does what Google Street View does. Where is the protest against them? Is that Google is an American company? I hope not.
Is it that Google is a technology company? There lies another danger. If this is how the nation reacts when new technologies bring change, then the technologists may choose to work elsewhere. Germany's privacy chief has already decreed, for example, that combining geo technology with facial recognition is taboo—before it is even used. What if such technology could be used to help find people after a disaster such as Katrina or the Haiti earthquake? How can one politician be so quick to decree how everyone should not use new technology?
Is this perhaps a trend without teeth, a fiction created by media who resent Google, and politicians who see an opportunity here to get attention? Considering that Google has a higher marketshare in Germany than in most any other country on earth, I think that's possible. I'm not the only one who has been ridiculing the pixel bombs. Jens Best has promised to take pictures of the pixilated building and link to them from Street View. Ulrike Langer wrote on Twitter: "Seit heute machen wir uns in aller Welt lächerlich." On Twitter, there's a conversation underway under the hashtag, the label, #blurmany. But even if the Verpixelungsrecht is merely politicians' and media's folly, the danger and damage are the same.
I say this is an issue of publicness, of the value of the public and the public's ownership of it. This is why I am writing a book to be called Public Parts in the U.S.—and das Deutsche Paradoxen in Germany—about protecting the public from assaults such as this. For publicness is our precious tool of democracy.
I write this as a friend of Germany. I urge you to consider the consequence, the precedent, the meaning of what you have done to your own digital world and the society we are building there, to your own Deutschnet.


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Here are 4 simple leaf shapes that can be cut out of paper or used as digital templates for digital scrapbooking or card making. The file is a 8.5″ X 11″ PDF that is ready for printing or can be saved to your computer and opened in Photoshop Elements.
Free Printable Leaf Patterns
Posted by November 8, 2010on


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Bill could move legal notices from newspapers to the Internet
In several counties in Western North Carolina, a showdown between the printed word and the digital age could soon take place. A bill has passed the N.C. Senate that allows some town and county governments in the region to opt out of placing legal and public notices in the community newspapers of record and instead put them on a government website.
The debate has fiscal conservatives and proponents of local government autonomy pitted against skeptics who believe the losers will be residents who will no longer be able to keep a watchful on their elected officials.
Sen. Jim Davis, R-Franklin, is a staunch supporter of the bill and included in it five of the seven counties in his district — Graham, Macon, Swain, Haywood and Jackson. Davis said towns and county governments statewide spend $11 million combined on printing such public notices, which they are required to do by law to advertise public meetings, tax matters, election notices, bids for government contracts and more.
Taking away the requirement of printing the notices in the local newspaper of record and giving towns and counties the cheaper alternative of posting the notices on the Internet was a no-brainer for Davis.
"Anytime I can give local government options to save money, I'll do it," Davis said.
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The bill is of the local variety, which means it will only affect the counties that are named in it. Originally, all seven of the counties in Davis' district were named in the bill, but Cherokee and Clay counties were left off the final draft because government officials there did not contact Davis in time to be included.
Local bills are limited to 14 counties. The N.C. House of Representatives must still pass the measure.
Davis gave up the two counties in order for another lawmaker jump on board. But he said he plans to add Cherokee and Clay counties in a future bill.
Although Davis acknowledges that perhaps some of the counties and towns named on the bill are not willing participants, he said the bill only gives them the option of switching to a web-based announcement system. If county commissioners or town alderman decide to keep paying for a newspaper to print their notices, then that is OK as well.
The key is that they'll have a choice, Davis said. To go digital, governing boards will have to adopt a resolution, according to the bill.
"Right now, they don't have the option, but if it passes, they will have the option," Davis said. "If they chose not to do it, that's their business."
Opinions are split on the matter among municipal and county governments in the region. In Franklin, Alderman Bob Scott asked whether the mountainous reaches of the state, where Internet is sometimes scarce, would be a good location to do away with print notifications and rely on an all-digital format. He disagreed with Davis' move to include the mountain region on a bill with the likes of Mecklenburg, Wake, Durham and Forsyth counties, where Internet access is easier to come by.
"I don't understand why he's doing this," Scott said. "We've got so many people in the western part of the state that don't have Internet service."
In prior years, Scott has pushed the town to expand its printed notifications and said he plans on introducing a preemptive resolution at the Franklin Town Board's meeting in May. The resolution would ensure the town keeps publishing print notices regardless of the state bill. In 2011, the town voted to oppose a similar bill that was making its way through the legislature.
Although savings to the larger municipalities covered in the bill could be significant, Scott pointed out that the savings the town of Franklin would realize by going digital would be inconsequential, even more so when compared to the potential consequences of leaving residents in the dark on public matters.
Since July, the town has spent just under $1,500 in legal advertising with the Franklin Press, the Macon County's newspaper of record. However, $7,500 had been budgeted for the year for printing such notices.
"The whole things just makes no sense at me to all," Scott said. "It's not a major savings, and it denies the public's right to know through newspapers what their government is doing."
It's without question that community newspapers would see a considerable drop in revenue without the reliable money they collect from public notices. But civic engagement, not revenue, was the focus of an editorial printed recently in the Franklin Press, a newspaper which has been in publication since 1886. The opinion piece protested the Senate bill because of its possible consequences.
Rachel Hoskins, the newspaper's publisher, said the Macon County publication still reaches readers who aren't connected to the Internet. Hoskins said if notices go digital, the public would be getting the raw deal.
"I think that anytime government makes it more difficult for the general public to engage in their activities, the public loses," Hoskins said.
But there are also supporters of the bill, many of whom have lobbied for its passage into law. One of the bill's proponents is Jackson County Manager Chuck Wooten. Jackson County spends an average of more than $13,000 on legal notices each year with the Sylva Herald, the county's newspaper of record. It regularly prints notices on public hearings, meetings, delinquent tax lists, grant programs and more.
Nevertheless, Wooten said the costs are not the driving factor behind the county wanting a digital alternative. If the bill passes, Wooten said the county will most likely continue to pay to print certain public notices but avoid them when the cycle of the weekly newspaper in Jackson County becomes cumbersome to public business.
"With one local paper, then you're kind of at the mercy of your paper," Wooten said. "Like it or not, we're heading toward the electronic age."
For example, when the county seizes property for unpaid taxes and then auctions it off, it must follow a certain schedule for accepting bids. If the paper's print deadline doesn't line up correctly with the auction cycle, a process that should only take 10 days can take two weeks or more. If the county goes online, the process could be streamlined.
Furthermore, Wooten said the county could set up a public notification page, email alerts and post fliers for citizens interested in receiving the notices. However, he did acknowledge that there are readers who scan the pages of public notices in small print, tucked away in the back of the paper, and many may not have Internet access.
"I guess we'd have to deal with that in some way. We don't want anyone to ever feel that we're trying not to be transparent." Wooten said. "There are people who actually do read those legal ads."
Mark Swanger, chairman of the Haywood County Commission, is one of those people.
"If you're sitting reading a newspaper ands see the legal notices, you might be prompted to catch something you wouldn't normally catch," Swanger said. "That happens to me sometimes — I see something in the newspaper and take an interest in it."
Conversely, there may not be much draw for normal folks to go out of their way to review the latest legal postings on the county's website, Swanger said. As one of the largest counties in Western North Carolina, Haywood County may stand to save the most from switching to digital notification. During the past two years, the county spent just under $50,000 in legal advertising.
Nonetheless, Swanger contended the county's demographics might not be the best suited for digital notifications.
"I would discourage the broad use of it for the most part," Swanger said. "Not everyone can just go online to a website to access information."
The argument of limited Internet access is one of the primary reasons the N.C. Press Association has staunchly opposed the bill at the state level. According to Beth Grace, executive director of the press association, presenting the changes to the laws about public notices as just another option for local governments is disingenuous.
"This bill takes public notices and hides them in plain sight on government websites," Grace said. "It's making people search for something they don't even know exists."
And the bill has caused quite a stir. After it was voted on in committee, a dispute allegedly transpired between newspaper publishers, the press association members and the senate committee chairman Tommy Tucker, R-Waxhaw. The newsman questioned how Tucker declared a clear winner in a 6-5 voice vote.
Tucker allegedly told some in the group something to the extent of, "I am the senator. You are the citizen. You need to be quiet."
Although Tucker has publicly disputed the quote, the debate highlights the heated opinions on both sides. Grace said there is no recording of the exchange.
The association will now take the fight to the N.C. House of Representatives to try and stop its passage there. But it is just one of many the association has taken up this year. There are currently a handful of bills in different stages of the General Assembly that chip away at the notification requirements for everything from storage unit liens to the environment.
Grace speculated that part of the push is motivated by legislators unhappy with the news coverage and looking to affect the checkbooks of their local newspapers. Small, family-owned publications will most likely be hit the hardest by a drop in printed public notices, Grace said.
"We think this is mostly about lawmakers that don't like their local papers and want to hurt them," Grace said.
However, the association has at least one ally in the House. Rep. Joe Sam Queen, D-Waynesville, said he is not on board with the changes proposed for his district. Queen said the newspapers have been publishing notices for so long they know how to do it right, and predicted that the added costs of maintaining a current website with all the notices might negate the savings from not advertising for smaller governments.
"I'm all for adding Internet notices but not for eliminating or substituting Internet notices for the newspapers ones," Queen said.


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WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Democrat-turned-independent Sen. Joe Lieberman managed to keep his Senate committee chairmanship in part because President-elect Barack Obama didn't want to punish him for supporting Sen. John McCain, Lieberman said Tuesday.
Sen. Joe Lieberman speaks Tuesday after Democrats allowed him to keep his committee chairmanship.
The Senate Democratic caucus, following a lengthy and often heated debate, voted 42-13 Tuesday to let Lieberman continue chairing the Senate Homeland Security Committee.
The caucus did, however, strip Lieberman of his spot on the Environment and Public Works Committee.
A Democrat in the Senate for 18 years before going independent, Lieberman criticized Obama, the Democratic nominee, during the race for the White House.
"I know that my colleagues in the Senate Democratic caucus were moved not only that Sen. [Harry] Reid said about my longtime record, but by the appeal from President-elect Obama himself that the nation unite now to confront our very serious problems," Lieberman said in the Capitol as those colleagues nodded in agreement behind him. Watch Lieberman express regrets over past statements »
Democrats were angered by Lieberman's speech to the Republican National Convention, where he praised his longtime friend McCain and criticized Obama for not reaching across the aisle to work with Republicans during his time in the Senate.
Reid, the Senate majority leader, said Lieberman's criticism of the Democratic nominee had angered him.
"I would defy anyone to be more angry than I was," he said Tuesday. "But I also believe that if you look at the problems we face as a nation, is this a time we walk out of here saying, 'Boy did we get even'?"
Obama urged Reid privately to let bygones be bygones, sources said.
Reid dismissed vehement criticism of the decision from elements of the party's more liberal base, which insisted Lieberman be punished.
Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, the Senate's other independent who regularly caucuses with the Democrats, told CNN's Dana Bash he was one of the 13 who voted against Lieberman because while millions of people worked hard for Obama, Lieberman actively worked for four more years of President Bush's policies.
But Sen. Tom Carper of Delaware, one of four Democrats who proposed the motion to allow Lieberman to keep his chairmanship, said the caucus decided that it could forgive if Obama could.
"If Barack can move on, so can we," Carper said.
Lieberman, of Connecticut, and Sanders consistently vote on most issues with the Democrats, who hold a 51-49 majority in the Senate including them.
Democrats picked up six more seats in the election two weeks ago. Three more still are being contested in Alaska, Georgia and Minnesota.
Winning those three seats and counting Lieberman and Sanders could give Democrats a 60-seat, filibuster-proof majority, which would allow them to advance legislation at will and prevent Republicans from blocking it from getting to the floor.
After serving three terms as a Democrat, Lieberman lost Connecticut's Democratic 2006 primary to Ned Lamont, who was helped by bloggers and others angered by Lieberman's support for the Iraq war. But Lieberman ran in the general election as an independent and was re-elected.
Lieberman was the Democrats' 2000 vice presidential nominee, running with Al Gore.
Along with McCain, Lieberman co-sponsored the 2002 resolution that authorized the U.S. invasion of Iraq and has resisted removing troops. On the campaign trail with McCain this year, Lieberman strongly defended the Republican presidential nominee's call for staying the course in Iraq.
He endorsed McCain's bid in December 2007 before the first nominating contest of this year's election cycle.
Before the convention speech, Lieberman angered Democrats when he said Obama was choosing to lose the Iraq war by planning to withdraw American combat troops.
"If Barack Obama's policy in Iraq had been implemented, he couldn't be in Iraq today," Lieberman said, referring to a trip Obama was about to make to Iraq. Lieberman added that Obama "was prepared to accept retreat and defeat."
CNN's Dana Bash, Ted Barrett, Evan Glass, John Helton and Alan Silverleib contributed to this report.
All About Joseph Lieberman • U.S. Senate • Barack Obama • John McCain


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She is beautiful and she deserves to be celebrated beautifully. With her birthday just around the corner, plan a beautiful celebration for her and include this ecard too. Watch her smile beautifully at you upon reading this ecard.
If they're feeling a little "bittersweet" about turning 60, this fun card will remind them that things only get "sweeter" with age! Featuring a festive pink background with confetti everywhere and a candle-topped cupcake with those two special numbers burning bright, it's the perfect reminder to embrace turning another year older and look forward to the many exciting adventures still to come.
Everyone deserves a cake on their big day, but when someone is turning 50, it should be an extra special cake! This birthday card features a spectacular cake with fancy ribbons, decorative frosting, and of course, candles that form the number 50! It will certainly bring a smile to their face. Turning 50 is a big deal so they will be so happy you sent this special greeting card in honor of their birthday.
Get someone's 50th birthday celebration started with this exciting rainbow colored greeting card! Sparkles are bursting around the number 50 in honor of this big occasion. When he or she receives this birthday card they will be so happy that you remember their big day! The vibrant colors add a festive element that represents the excitement a big milestone such as this can create! Send this 50th birthday card over to someone today to make sure they have a fabulous day!
Make sure someone is focusing on the positive side of turning 50 by sending this inspiring birthday card their way. It will let them know that they are even more special then they were the year before. It will be sure to get their day off to a great start. This dazzling birthday card showcases a beautiful number 50 made with pink glimmering lights! The fancy happy birthday lettering adds to the wonderful design of this greeting card, and the message is very thoughtful. This birthday card is perfect and they are going to love it!
This 50th birthday cake looks amazing! It contains fancy pink and white frosting and spells out the words Happy Birthday. It also displays candles that form the number 50 and is surrounded by gold star confetti and a shimmering pink balloon! This birthday card will certainly add joy to someone's day! Let them know that you feel this big 50th milestone is worthy of acknowledgment and a special cake by sending this great birthday card out soon.
If you have a friend or loved one that looks great at age 50, then this birthday card would be perfect for them! It has wonderful vibrant colors and a bright white number 50 that is surrounded by celebration confetti. It looks fantastic! The best part is that this greeting card will let them know that you think they look fabulous at any age. This will make their day! Send this sensational birthday card out today to make someone smile on their special day!
Its got the pile of gifts, its got the fancy balloon bouquet, and yes! Its even got the giant number 21! This Have a Blast happy birthday card has everything you need to make somebody's big day even more special! Perfect for a close friend or relative, or even a new acquaintance! Send a smile with this jaunty birthday card!
A bouquet of red, red roses peek perkily out of a pink, gift-wrapped box over a soft red background. The pearl pink number 21 stands proudly in the foreground underneath a warm, happy birthday message. This charming red rose birthday card will have the 21 year old recipient seeing hearts and brimming with happiness and love after you send it to them!
This happy birthday card is perfect for the total sweetheart in your life! The large, festive number 21 is made out of cheerful pink flowers guaranteed to make the receiver smile wide with pleasure! Sending this card is also kind of like sending them a bouquet of flowers! Complete with a wish for that special 21 year old to have a day of heartwarming surprises and joy.
Vibrant colors of pink, green, and yellow, as well as sparkling gold balloons set the stage for this incredible birthday card! It represents just how exciting and important a 30th milestone birthday really is. This birthday card explains that this is an extra special birthday so they should have the time of their lives! This eye-catching birthday card will add joy to any 30th birthday. Send it out today if you want to brighten someone's day!
This celebration cupcake looks incredible! It makes this birthday card a must send! It features perfect pink frosting and chocolate numbers that form the milestone age of 30! The numbers are covered in colorful sprinkles which makes this cupcake extra special. Send this impressive birthday card on its way to someone that is turning 30 today! They are going to absolutely love this greeting card!
Turning 40 isn't so bad, in fact, it's a great milestone to celebrate! Reaching this age is even more exciting when you still look fabulous, so be sure to remind them of how great they look with this pretty birthday card! It showcases the number 40 as two birthday candles decorated with white stars. It looks terrific and will add some joy to their birthday! Send this sensational greeting card out today to make some feel special on their big day!
It's finally here, your friend or loved one's 40th birthday! This means it's time to send the most exciting birthday card their way. Colorful celebration confetti fills this exceptional birthday card and perfectly frames an impressive cupcake with candles that form the number 40! These special candles are lit in honor of this big milestone birthday so be sure to send them now while they are still bright!
Send a little humor to someone on their 40th birthday with this vibrant cupcake greeting card! It displays a delicious cupcake with sprinkles and candles that represent a 40th birthday milestone! It tells them that they can eat as many cupcakes as they want now that they are 40 years old! This will give them a little laugh on their big day! Send this fun orange and pink birthday card out today to make sure someone has a special day!
If you know someone who is turning 40 then help celebrate this exciting milestone by sending this spectacular birthday card their way! It features vibrant colors of pink and green, along with champagne glasses for toasting! Your friend or family member will feel very special after receiving such an exceptional birthday card such as this! Remind them how important turning 40 really is and let them know you are thinking of them by sending this awesome happy birthday card today!
Turning 40 is certainly a reason to celebrate and a classy birthday card will get this special day started off with joy! It will remind your friend or loved one that this milestone is definitely something to get excited about! This delightful birthday card showcases beautiful candles that form the number 40 against a pretty background. Fancy cupcakes are displayed and will have him or her looking forward to the festivities of this very big birthday!
Nothing says a big milestone is here more than a fancy decorative birthday cake! That's what makes this birthday card so awesome! In addition to this, it will allow you to celebrate someone's 40th birthday with a greeting card that will have them feeling fantastic on their big day. It features vibrant happy colors, exciting celebration confetti, a beautiful birthday cake, and candles that are lit and ready for someone to make their big 40th birthday wish!
Someone's 21st birthday is a very big milestone. Give them a reason to celebrate big with this festive birthday card, featuring the 2 decorated like a gift box to help them usher in this special day in sophisticated style. Even if you can't be there, this cheerful greeting will relay your best wishes in the best possible way!
Pinks and purples and bright lights, oh my! We dare you to look at this one-of-a-kind birthday card without smiling and feeling excited. It's just not possible! The colors are gorgeous, and the fireworks add a fun and whimsical element to the birthday card, sure to make the birthday guy or girl even more enthusiastic about their birthday. This fun card is a can't-miss!
When you turn 60, you enter the golden years of your life. Some people see 60 as old, but your loved one shows that age is just a number. After six decades of life, your friend or family member has celebrated dozens of birthdays, so you need the perfect card to make it memorable. The bright, sparkling fireworks on this Happy Birthday card will help make this a gift and day that they will always remember with joy!
No birthday is more exciting or important than a 50th birthday. Five decades, fifty years, and half a century lived - this birthday is definitely cause for celebration. As your loved one celebrates this incredible milestone, use the fireworks on this Happy Birthday card to show your love and excitement for their special day! Every birthday is better when spent with loved ones, so celebrate with them today!
Birthdays are the one day a year that you can celebrate the individual people you love. Like the fireworks on this bright Happy Birthday card, birthdays should be filled with light, explosion, and color. Celebrating four decades of life is a big accomplishment, so use a gift like this Happy Birthday card to make the most of this special day!
Every princess deserves a birthday celebration that is just as fun and awesome as they are, so send this Happy Birthday card to your favorite birthday girl! The bright pink color, sparkling fireworks, and glittering gold text create the perfect look for the best gift you can give. Your loved one is one of the best people in the world, so give her the best celebration with this Happy 30th Birthday card!
What's the best way to celebrate your best girl's birthday? With as much pink, hearts, and fun as you can find! Turning 21 is one of the best days of a person's life, so use this Happy Birthday card to help make this day even better. With the romantic design and celebratory message, you can give the birthday girl a day she will never forget!
If you have a friend or family member who is a diva, you've found the perfect birthday card to give her on her special day. No one is more beautiful or full of life and you know that no one will ever be more special than she is. With this beautiful and exciting Happy Birthday card, you can show her that you love her more than anything!
Looking for the perfect birthday card for someone special turning 80? We've got you covered. In the midst of all those overrated, overused cards that joke about getting old, we have this gorgeous floral number. This is a one-of-a-kind card with beautiful shades of pink and red and a subtle touch of greenery for good measure. This one's sure to be a hit!
Let's celebrate this 80th birthday with a disco! Ok, maybe we won't go that far, but this bright birthday card is a fabulous substitute! The pink background will make the recipient feel like they're right back in their younger years, beneath the disco lights, while the geometric-patterned gold letters make this card even more fun. 80 has never looked so good!
Turning 70 deserves a fantastic celebration, and what better way is there to kick it off with a bang than with this exciting birthday card?! The party hat on the zero is both fun and hilarious, while the fireworks add a unique flair. For the person in your life turning 70, be sure to snag this bright, electrifying birthday card.
Isn't there something just something so lovely about pairing maroon and gold together? The abstract paint strokes behind the number 70 add an artistic element while also incorporating the gorgeous gold color into the card. This birthday card is simple but still gorgeous, and would make a great choice for any parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, or friend celebrating the big 7-0!
What is the best way to celebrate your sweetheart's birthday? With beautiful red roses that show the depth of your love and affection for her! Every woman loves to receive red roses on special occasions, so the floral design on this gorgeous Happy Birthday card is the best way to celebrate her special day. Your sweetheart is the most incredible and beautiful person you know, so give her the birthday she deserves!
Is your best gal pal turning 30? Then this is the best Happy Birthday card to send for a fun celebration! The bright pinks and celebratory balloons will start the party for this special day and show your loved one how excited you are to celebrate! She is the most beautiful, caring, and amazing person you know, so use this Happy Birthday card to give her the day she deserves!
Birthdays are always an important day, but they are even more important when you are celebrating the start of a new decade. If your friend or family member is celebrating her 30th birthday, use this bright and colorful birthday card to share your birthday wishes and love! The pretty and yummy cupcake and sparkling candles will get them excited for their special day and show how much you care!
What is the best part of a birthday celebration? The birthday cake, of course! When you have a birthday that is as special and important as an 18th birthday, one cake is not enough. For your loved one's birthday, use the variety of three different birthday cakes on this fun Happy Birthday card to make this the best day ever!
Do you know someone who is glamorous, cool, and about to celebrate an important birthday? Then send them this hip Happy Birthday card! Turning 21 opens the door to many exciting new adventures, like going to clubs and finally having the legal ability to enjoy alcohol. For your loved one's birthday, send this Happy Birthday card to help make great memories of such a special day!
Birthdays only come once a year and 21st birthdays only happen once in a lifetime, so it's important to make sure that your loved one's 21st birthday is the very best day. With the elegant design and luxurious colors on this Happy Birthday card, you can show your loved one how important they are to you. Birthdays should be filled with love and joy, so use this card to show your affection today!
Do you have a special lady in your life who is about to turn 21? Whether it's your sweetheart, sister, or friend, this Happy Birthday card is the very best gift to give for the greatest celebration. The bright colors and beautiful floral design will delight the birthday girl and show how much you love her. She deserves the best, so make sure she gets a Happy Birthday card she will love!
Everyone knows that flowers are the perfect gift to give to the women in your life who are most important to you. Birthdays are the best time to give gifts, so use the beautiful pink flowers on this Happy Birthday card to wish your loved one the happiest of birthdays. By sending this card and a message that offers celebrations and an expression of your great love for the birthday girl, you can give her a wonderful birthday!
For the person in your life turning forty in the fall, this birthday card is a definite winner! The reds and browns and oranges of the flowers and fruits really make this birthday card stand out, and the colors combine to make a magical background. Whether you're searching for a birthday card for a sibling, friend, or co-worker, this birthday card surely fits the bill!
Is there anything a birthday girl could possibly want for their sixtieth birthday more than lots of pink roses?! If you can't afford to buy a few dozen roses, this fabulous birthday card is the next best thing. The birthday card is a gorgeous balance of colors and simplicity, simple enough that you can customize it for anyone special in your life.


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Internet Explorer still dominates the browser landscape by a wide margin, but it has been slowly but surely losing share for years. Firefox, once thought to the be the future, has stalled at roughly 20-25 percent usage share and is, in fact, slowly declining too. Chrome, however, is on the rise, with steady gains since its release a few years back.
These are simple (and accurate statements). But sometimes a picture helps tell the story better. And in this case, Net Applications obliges with a graph showing the relative usage share of each of the major web browsers over the past few years.
Credit: Net Applications
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4 Steps to Better Gut Health
This blog does not intend to provide diagnosis...
By Taz Bhatia, MD
You know the importance of what you eat and how it impacts the rest of your body. But what you might not realize is how your food is digested in your body. The process is important, as your digestive system isn't only responsible for breaking down food, but also absorbing important nutrients in the body. This is the part that's often overlooked, and what research is showing to be the catalyst for many digestive diseases, such as leaky gut, acid reflux, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and Crohn's disease.
What Are Digestive Enzymes?
Digestive enzymes—some of which are produced naturally in our body from the pancreas—help us break down the food we eat into smaller, absorbable particles. But there's another way to score key enzymes—through the foods and plants we eat—and these enzymes play a different function. They help us absorb vital nutrients that we need to stay healthy. When you consume a few nutritious foods, such as vegetables, fruit, and herbs, and chow down on too many processed foods, you don't obtain the digestive enzymes you need. This is problematic, because, without these enzymes, the body spends too much energy digesting what you eat, leaving you exhausted, depleted and, worst of all, inflamed inside. This inflammation plays a role in many chronic illnesses, such as diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol.
What Is Leaky Gut Syndrome?
A lack of digestive enzymes can cause leaky gut syndrome—another unfortunate result of chronic inflammation in the digestive system. There are many culprits that cause leaky gut, including stress, medications, poor food choices or quality, alcohol, cigarettes, and even hormone changes. What does the term "leaky" really mean, you might be wondering? Essentially, a healthy gut absorbs nutrients, but an unhealthy gut "leaks" nutrients, which in turn triggers an inflammatory response in the body.
6 Steps to Healing Your Gut
- My general recommendations for treating leaky gut—and boosting gut health in general—begins with food. I often suggest patients first remove gluten and dairy from their diet, as these proteins can be tough for your body to break down, worsening an already-inflamed digestive lining. Another tip is to cut back on alcohol and sweets, as these also upset your gut. Stick to no more than four drinks each week and keep your refined sugar intake to no higher than 40 grams each day.
- Adding in foods that naturally contain digestive enzymes is a great strategy for improving digestive health and leaky gut. Avocados contain lipase, an enzyme that helps with digestion of fat, while pineapple and papaya are rich in amylase, which breaks down starch. Bananas and kiwi also contain digestive enzymes and ginger acts as a digestive aid as well.
- Certain supplements can assist in healing leaky gut, including probiotics, live bacteria, and yeast. I recommend taking a high-quality probiotic supplement to help balance the microbiome (the environment in which these bacteria thrive) and improve digestion and your body's absorption of nutrients. I suggest looking for a high colony count (above 20 billion CFUs).
- For a probiotic-rich beverage, sip on kombucha! It's one of my family's favorite drinks—even the kids love it. You can buy kombucha pre-made or make your own at home. Nondairy kefir, bone broth, and fermented vegetables are additional food-based sources of probiotics.
- L-glutamine is an amino acid that has shown benefits in healing leaky gut or malabsorption. Adding 1-2 grams of glutamine into your favorite morning smoothie is another trick to improving digestive health.
- Lastly, supplementing with digestive enzymes can improve the critical issue of absorption of nutrients from food. Choose an enzyme that has amylase, lipase, and protease. Some digestive enzymes also contain hydrochloric acid or HCL, to further help with digestion of food.
The state of your gut is key to your entire health picture! From digestion to immune function, energy levels and hormone balance—if you take the time to repair, balance and nourish your gut, you have the potential to see an impact on your whole body.