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When will the administration honor Daniel Pearl's memory with real action on global free press?
There was an emotional ceremony at the White House on Monday when President Obama welcomed slain journalist Daniel Pearl's surviving family members to witness the signing of the Daniel Pearl Freedom of the Press Act.
Pearl, a reporter for the Wall Street Journal, was brutally murdered in Pakistan as he was following up some leads on al-Qaeda financing in early 2002. Four Pakistanis were convicted in Pearl's murder in July of that year. The mastermind of the kidnapping and murder, however, may have been Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, who confessed to the murder under interrogation by the CIA.
According to the New York Times, the Freedom of the Press Act "requires the State Department to expand its scrutiny of news media restrictions and intimidation as part of its annual review of human rights in each country. Among other considerations, the department will be required to determine whether foreign governments participate in or condone violations of press freedom."
This is certainly good news. According to Freedom House's annual surveyof press freedom in 196 countries, the indicators fell for the 8th straight year:
- Significant declines outnumbered gains by a 2-to-1 margin. Notable regional declines were registered in Sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America, as well as the Middle East.
- Declines in important emerging democracies demonstrate the fragility of press freedom in such environments. Namibia and South Africa, two of the new democracies, dropped from Free to Partly Free. Worrying declines were also registered in Mexico, the Philippines, and Senegal.
- The only area to show overall improvement was the Asia-Pacific region, spurred by notable gains in South Asia that included status changes in Bangladesh and Bhutan from Not Free to Partly Free and a numerical score jump for the Maldives.
- Governments in China, Russia, Venezuela, and other countries have been systematically encroaching on the comparatively free environment of the internet and new media. Sophisticated techniques are being used to censor and block access to particular types of information, to flood the internet with antidemocratic, nationalistic views, and to provide broad surveillance of citizen activity.
- Journalists are increasingly the victims of assault and murder, a trend fueled by impunity for past crimes.
We give Egypt billions of dollars in aid every year and yet, President Mubarak and his security services have gotten into the very bad habit of arresting journalists and even bloggers who write on subjects that the state deems "dangerous." It's certainly dangerous to the journalists but beyond that, there doesn't seem to be much rhyme nor reason to the practice except to clamp down on dissent.
Of course, you take your life in your hands if you write anything against the regime in Iran. Entire newspapers have been shut down by the mullahs since the disputed election last year and there is no sign that they are letting up in their campaign to silence critics.
Perhaps President Obama will want to do something about his friend Hugo Chavez, President of Venezuela, who has shut down opposition TV stationsand engaged in media intimidation. Freedom House lists Venezuela as "Not Free," ranking it a dismal 163 our of 196 nations. Just don't let Sean Penn hear you call Hugo a "dictator," though. He favors having journalists arrested who call Chavez the "D" word.
Mexico, South Africa, India, and Italy are all listed as "Partly Free." Freedom House uses a broad range of criteria to determine it's rankingsbased on a point system. The legal, political, and economic environment for the press in each country is given a numerical score of 0-40 in each. The totals reveal whether a country is "Free," "Partly Free," or "Not Free." Only 69 countries are judged as having a "Free" press in their 2010 survey.
While a welcome addition to our criteria for giving aid and adjudging a level of support our State Department can offer a nation, one has to wonder how seriously the president and his appointees will actually take this new law. As Jennifer Rubin points out in a piece in Commentary's Contentions blog, this administration has fallen down in its support for press freedom in countries where the weight of our words is desperately needed:
Has Obama done anything about the suppression of media critics in Egypt (other than prepare a lucrative financial package for the Egyptian government)? Has Obama made this a priority with any thugocracy? No. And when signing a bill in the name of someone who elevated and personified the freedom of expression, Obama at least could have departed from his campaign to delete the name of our enemies from the public lexicon.
Meanwhile, at the United Nations, it's business as usual for the enemies of the free press. Anti-blasphemy measures are being pushed by the usual suspects in the Muslim world in a clear effort to stifling criticism of Islam.
In addition, the UN Human Rights Council has drafted rules designed to "protect" Islam from "political cartoonists and bigots." This attitude seems widespread at the United Nations, who recently celebrated "World Press Freedom Day" on May 3rd. How devoted the UN is to press freedom is a matter open for debate. UNESCO, sponsor of World Press Freedom Day, defines "Fundamental Principles concerning the Contribution of the Mass Media" in what must be considered a novel manner:
2. Access by the public to information should be guaranteed by the diversity of the sources and means of information available to it, thus enabling each individual to check the accuracy of facts and to appraise events objectively. To this end, journalists must have freedom to report and the fullest possible access to information. Similarly, it is important that the mass media be responsive to concerns of peoples and individuals, thus promoting the participation of the public in the aggregation of information.
3. With a view to the strengthening of peace and international understanding, to promoting human rights and to countering racialism, apartheid and incitement to war, the mass media throughout the world, by reason of their role, contribute to promoting human rights, in particular by giving expression to oppressed peoples who struggle against colonialism, neo-colonialism, foreign occupation and all forms of racial discrimination and oppression and who are unable to make their voices heard within their own territories.
We Americans prefer the simple, "Congress shall make no law..." found in the First Amendment. It would appear that UNESCO has narrowed that definition considerably.
This is important because of the Obama administration's clear preference for bending to the will of the United Nations on a variety of issues, most recently when Iran was given a seat on the UN Commission on Women's Rights and President Obama remained silent. If we acquiesce on this, what other nonsense will the Obama administration put up with?
Despite its noble goals, it would seem to be a pipe dream to expect the State Department to do more than go through the motions when it comes to fulfilling the requirements of the Daniel Pearl Freedom of the Press Act. Given the large number of states who routinely violate that freedom, we should expect a business as usual attitude, especially from this president, whose outreach to thugs and tyrants around the world regardless their treatment of journalists – or their people - continues.


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Capital punishment, meaning death by hanging is in the statutes and is the law of the land. In a society governed by the rule of law, is capital punishment justified?
To answer this question based on the nation and its people is going to be my endevour. This punishment has been now explicitly reserved for the gravest of crimes. It takes decades of hearings and sifting of evidence before a case is decided in our system. After that , appeals and multiple benches, end up with a mercy petition which goes through layers of state government, central government each taking their own sweet time before opining on the petitions. While all this is going on under trials or those on death row spend their lives in abysmal conditions, known as jails in this country. I wonder if this is not defined as a punishment almost making a living man dead.
Man is a paradoxical animal. Potentially, a single great man can alter the destiny of his country or that of the world, but a single misguided person can destroy everything around. A criminal act like murder, terrorist act, destruction or waging war against a nation are all the handiwork of a diseased mind. All of us are products of our minds. Quoting the Dhamma pada Buddha says "Our life is shaped by our mind; we become what we think.
Suffering follows an evil thought as the wheels of a cart follow the oxen that draw it. Our life is shaped by our mind; we become what we think. Joy follows a pure thought like a shadow that never leaves." The difference between a terrorist and a criminal and us is that, he who physically hurts has brought into action that which he has thought, whereas we out of fear or lack of courage do not do what we have thought. If we examine the mind chatter and look at it as an outside witness, we would notice that we commit crimes against many persons very often and keep them inside. So in one sense there is a criminal element hidden in all of us.
Then comes the question of socio-economic class caste and ability to use the system. There is absolutely no doubt that the rich and influential can and will escape death row using foul means, in a system where the state acts as an instrument of terror and wars are created and waged by vested interests, it is but natural that only some will get this punishment. Mobs kill in riots and nobody is arrested or even investigated has been the refrain of independent India cutting across the whole political spectrum. Examples of destruction of evidence, terrorizing witnesses, eliminating witnesses and simply crushing protest abound. However, this cannot mean that one can get away with a lesser punishment cause many are able to escape despite being criminals.
The other aspect of capital punishment which rankles my mind is when in the specific instance of Afzal Guru and his involvement in the attack on Parliament, the then Chief Justice of India in his judgement stated "The incident, which resulted in heavy casualties, had shaken the entire nation and the collective conscience of the society will only be satisfied if the capital punishment is awarded to the offender. The challenge to the unity, integrity and sovereignty of India by these acts of terrorists and conspirators, can only be compensated by giving the maximum punishment to the person who is proved to be the conspirator in this treacherous act. The appellant, who is a surrendered militant and who was bent upon repeating the acts of treason against the nation, is a menace to the society and his life should become extinct. Accordingly, we uphold the death sentence." The invoking of the collective conscience of society as a reason for awarding a death sentence goes against all tenets and norms of justice. Judge must go purely by evidence and proof and collective conscience cannot be invoked as a justification for capital punishment.
The nuances of the Karmic laws and their operations over the multiple rebirths of a human soul seem to give a rationale for the suffering which befalls persons who have been good and the good fortune of those who have been bad. However the concept of an eye for an eye and life for life is ingrained as a concept of justice and also karma in the Indian psyche and the judge was referring to that feeling among the masses. For all our drawing room debates and discussions on capital punishment my bet is that if the common man on the streets is asked about capital punishment for heinous barbaric crimes and acts of terror, the majority will want the severest punishment given and that will be hanging to death. So all this talk of mercy, non-violence and compassion are forgotten in the hurly burly of life and in times where life is cheap and even floods, accidents and daily deaths on the roads of India are mere statistics and change nothing on the ground.
Is capital punishment a deterrent and have crime rates increased in countries where capital punishment has been abolished? Well the answer is generally, it makes no difference, however, the fact that mercy petitions are filed by almost every person on death row and a hard life in prison is accepted in the hope that there will be life after the long years means that life is dear. The inordinate delays and time taken means that deterrence due to capital punishment is never likely, since in the game of political roulette, if you happen to be beneficial to the powers that matter, your petitions will be inordinately delayed and you can live almost happily ever after.
In conclusion, capital punishment must go, for the right reasons that no one except God or the supreme power has the right to take away life. It must go for the wrong reason that our esteemed rulers and opposition politicians will at least not have an instrument to incite the masses for their political gain.
Disclaimer: I hold no brief for any party nor criminal, this is just a view point to be taken as such.
By Vispi Jokhi

subset: commoncrawl


text:
I make jewellery from my riverside studio at Jubilee Stores along Newport Quay on the Isle of Wight, just a few minutes walk from the town centre & Quay Arts.
I make custom made jewellery to order, this can incorporate existing stones and gold or silver. I can melt down and re-model your vintage pieces into something more contemporary. I work in gold, palladium and silver and can make brand new items too, either using your design and ideas or mine, or a combination of both. I can source competitively priced diamonds and precious stones for your creation.
Quotes are free, and if you are not sure about whether you'd like something or not, please pop in to my studio for a chat - there is no obligation to go ahead and purchase.
Please look on my facebook page for some before and after pictures and weekly updates.


text:
A couple of Charleston venues are offering free admission to the public to bring some joy into the lives of locals suffering through the WV American Water ban/Freedom Industries chemical spill/licorice-scented toxic tap water extravaganza.
The Clay Center is offering "Pay What You Wish" (including free) admission to their museum gallery January 18th through February 14th. Clay Center CEO Judy Wellington said: "This is our way of giving something positive and enjoyable to our community, after the stressful week everyone has had."
Sunday night's Mountain Stage concert featuring Bettye LaVette, David Broza, Matrimony, Declan O'Rourke and Noah Gundersen will also be free. Mountain Stage is general admission and often quickly sold out even when they charge, so I recommend getting there early if you want a seat. Host Larry Groce's announcement for the event emphasizes what a gem Mountain Stage is to the local community: "After the water disruption and the extreme weather, we all need a chance to re-boot and I think an evening of good music seems like a fine way to do it."


text: On 09/04/2008, martin f krafft <email@example.com> wrote: > every once in a while, I am stuck in a crap wifi network and often > cannot even establish SSH connections. What happens is that the > socket connection is established, but the client then just waits for > a server reply during the DH key exhchange: [snip] > In the tcpdump output, I see a lot of duplicate packets, but > otherwise can't figure out what's going on. I can see only one duplicate packet: > 14.908203 192.168.254.246 -> 188.8.131.52 SSHv2 [TCP Retransmission] Client: Diffie-Hellman GEX Init Have you filtered the tcpdump (Wireshark?) output? > 22.576404 192.168.254.246 -> 220.127.116.11 SSH Encrypted request packet len=560 And this is an encrypted packet, so the Diffie-Hellman exchange should be completed. > 23.876222 126.96.36.199 -> 192.168.254.246 TCP [TCP ACKed lost segment] 22 > 59447 [ACK] Seq=1 Ack=586 Win=54 Len=0 TSV=747577555 TSER=4288622 This packet is very strange. It's an ACK for a previous connection, with sequence number 1, i.e., the server has not sent any byte, while acknowledges 585 bytes sent from the client. This is strange because even if you tenet to an Ssh server you get a response containing the version of the server. Do you remember if you have done something in particular to get that? > Does anyone have any clue what's going on here? Is > SSH2_MSG_KEX_DH_GEX_INIT so complex that it manages to screw over > crap networks? I don't understand what's happening, but maybe some packet has been filtered from the dump. Do you have a firewall? Does it reject any packet? Ciao, Bernardo


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The friend of a young man who died suddenly in Vietnam has had her phone charges refunded as a gesture of goodwill.
Thousands of people signed a petition to get Katie Benefer a refund after her friend Jake O'Grady from Lancaster died on new year's day.
Within 24 hours of the petition being launched phone company EE confirmed that all of Katie's expenses would be refunded.
Katie was the main point of contact for Jake's family and made numerous calls home and to the embassy in both the UK and Vietnam.
Her phone bill had been expected to reach £800.


text:
2017 WORKMATE ALLOY 3 TONNE PLANT TRAILER for sale $9,990
Trucks / Truck Trailers / Plant Trailer
|AUD $9,990 Plus GST
|Listing Type
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2017 Workmate Alloy 3 Tonne Plant Trailer.
Carrying Capacity - 2,550 kg
Standard Features:
L.E.D. Lights
Corporate Colours
Light Truck Radial Tyres
Alloy Wheels
Fold up Ramps by Ausramp
Load Restraint Kits
Registered in Victoria
All Trailers VIN Plated
4 Wheel Electric Brakes
Brakeaway Brake Unit Fitted
Tare - 450 kg
GTM - 3,000 kg
$9,990 Plus GST
Delivery Available Australia Wide
Why buy your next truck at Retail Pricing ?
Call today On 0433 22 33 00 or 1300 22 33 00 for a Direct to the Public Wholesale Price!
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Related Articles
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text:
P-0027 - The genetic background of pancreatic cancer: Genes that might be biomarkers or indicators of metastasis to the lung
|28 June 2014
|World GI 2014
|Poster Session
| Pancreatic Cancer
Translational Research
|Panagiotis Apostolou
|Annals of Oncology (2014) 25 (suppl_2): ii14-ii104. 10.1093/annonc/mdu165
P. Apostolou, M. Toloudi, E. Kourtidou, I. Vlachou, G. Mimikakou, M. Chatziioannou, I. Papasotiriou
Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer deaths, being responsible for 6% of all cancer-related deaths. Pancreatic cancer is difficult to be diagnosed in its early stages. One major problem is that it metastasizes to regional lymph nodes and later to the liver or to the peritoneal activity and other organs, like lungs. The discovery of new biomarkers for early prognosis, or for predicting metastasis to lungs is essential. The present study aims to determine genes that are correlated with pancreatic cancer, as well as their correlation with other types of malignancies, including lung cancer.
DNA Microarrays were performed in a human Caucasian pancreatic cell line (PANC-1) and in a human primary pancreatic adenocarcinoma cell line (BxPC-3). PBMCs from a control sample (non-cancer) were used as reference. Then, RT-qPCR experiments, with specific primers, were performed for the genes that were over-expressed in both cell lines (LogRatio >7) to confirm the above data (microarray). The expression of the these genes was also studied in cancer stem cells representing lung, colon and breast cancer, as well as in differentiated cell lines, representing the same types of cancer (COLO699N, HCT-116 and T47D respectively). Mann-Whitney U tests were performed on qPCR data, which were then analyzed according to Livak method.
The microarray experiments demonstrated 9 different genes that are over-expressed in pancreatic cancer. Among them, the TLR8, LYZ and PF4 are expressed only in pancreatic and differentiated lung cancer cell lines. The QPCT, PLEK and CELF2 genes are expressed in all cell lines as well as in normal samples. The MNDA gene is expressed only in primary pancreatic cancer and in T47D cell line. Furthermore, the C3AR1 is expressed in all cases apart from breast and lung CSCs. Finally, SH2D1A is not expressed in colorectal cancer, lung CSCs and in normal samples.
According to literature and experimental data, there are many biomarkers for pancreatic cancer. PF4 and LYZ are two of them. It has been shown that among toll-like receptors, many of them have been correlated with this type of cancer. However there is no correlation with TLR8. It is remarkable that the above genes are expressed only in pancreatic and differentiated lung cancer cells, demonstrating the common features displaying both types of cancer, as well as the common therapeutic approaches. It is also noteworthy that the above genes are not classified as lung cancer biomarkers. Therefore, they might be considered not only as pancreatic cancer biomarkers, but as potential indicators of metastasis to the lung. It is essential to perform further studies in other cancer cell lines and in more samples, so as to be used clinically. However the first results are quite encouraging.


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Chapter 33 : When the Sun Goes Down
|Rating: Mature
|Chapter Reviews: 20
Background: Font color:
Despite the odds, the wedding had turned out beautifully, everything ran smoothly and Bridgett even managed a few smiles. In fact they both even managed to muster the odd look of 'undying affection'. Despite knowing they would, I couldn't help how I'd breathed a great sigh of relief when it was over. Sure they'd probably be as miserable as hell but I couldn't be too sure exactly what Bridgett would have done if he'd done a runner.
Send the cruciatus curse after him I expect.
My bags had been taken up to my room for me, which was most probably a very good thing considering there were now 6 of them and each had at least doubled in weight. I therefore went straight to the hospital wing where I knew Hemera would be, possibly the others too.
I hummed to myself as I climbed the stairs, unable to contain my euphoria.
He'd asked me out.
Admittedly the proposal had taken a while to come out considering the amount of time he stalled, stammering, clearing and reclearing his throat (he did that when he was nervous...I'd noticed) then finally coming out with an unintelligible mumble.
He'd managed it eventually though...at an audible level too...in a restaurant overlooking the water (...I know...a view of the water in Venice isn't exactly hard...), the sun setting slowly into the horizon, breaking across the glittery water...it was every cliché out there...and I loved it.
I arrived absently, firmly wrapped in my blissful euphoria...that was until I rounded the corner.
Hemera seemingly rippling with anger as she stood opposite her father and Cane, the second of whom had his wand out, a dark look splayed across his face.
Aloysius however, calmly lowered his wand.
"You can't blame him for this...accident," Aloysius said calmly, looking at Hemera intently.
"HE COULD HAVE KILLED HIM!" She cried.
He shook his head.
"I did warn you...it's your fault, you could have avoided this," He told her quietly, gazing into her eyes.
Hemera faltered slightly, her eyes widening as she looked up at him before they promptly narrowed.
"Is that how you get yourself to sleep at night? Do you tell yourself what happened to mum was her fault," She hissed.
Her father paused; looking a great deal like she'd just slapped him...and perhaps a great deal like he wished to return the favour too.
"How dare you," He growled.
"That's why you don't wear your ring," She told him, facing him squarely.
He looked at her, his face twisting before he strode towards her, pulling her towards him by the scruff of her neck, bringing his face close to hers.
"Don't mess with me, I've given you everything and I can take it away, just as easily," He said softly.
She didn't say anything, her eyes wide as his probed hers. There was a moment of utter silence before he deflated somewhat, relinquishing his grip.
"Fine," He said, evenly and calmly.
There was a another stretch of silence, the fight seeming to leave her like a great sigh, making her appear suddenly small.
"If that's what you want; I want nothing to do with you," He said coolly, his expression perfectly composed by now, simply cold.
"I..." She began, struggling to speak.
"I want nothing to do with you or your half blood, contact me again and I'll have him killed. You're right, you are your mother's daughter, you're weak," He said, his face pitiless as he spoke and she seemed to just...crumble beneath his gaze.
"I..." She began again but apparently he didn't want to hear it because mere seconds later, he'd begun to walk off with that usual purposeful stride.
Not even a backwards glance.
I moved forward as Hemera just watched him blankly, my arms slipping round her shoulders, giving them a slight squeeze.
She turned her head towards me, breathing a great shaky breath but I continued to watch Cane, the triumphant smirk playing smugly on his lips before he too turned and walked away.
Nothing was said for a moment before Hemera spoke.
"I'm never listening to you again," She said.
I looked at her in surprise (admittedly somewhat worriedly) until she turned to me and I saw the tiny smile playing on her lips despite the almost tired look in her eyes.
"Me and boys...we're just really not supposed to mix," She said.
I looked at her before I gave a slight laugh.
"Don't be like that," I said, nudging her slightly.
"...he's getting better now...his parents hate me though," She said grimly.
"You can't help that," I said giving her a slight pat.
"Thanks Iris...for the warning," She said softly.
I shook my head.
"Don't worry about it," I said dismissively.
"So...what's happening now?" I asked.
She made a face.
"I don't think it's really fair to put him through that again," She grimaced.
"...you were just disinherited...again, you can do whatever you like," I said.
She gave a loud snort.
"Unlikely. He's still going to have someone 'looking out' i.e. Cane, who, much to his delight has already proved his usefulness," She said sarcastically, perhaps a little bitterly too.
"Well...maybe let Andy decide?" I asked.
"Iris I'm not you," She said flatly.
"Which is probably a good thing because we both know how much he loves me," I said raising an eyebrow.
She laughed slightly.
"I just mean I wouldn't fight for me so why would..." She began.
"Oh don't go into that bullshit Hemera, don't make me go into 'self help book' mode," I said sternly.
Her lips quirked gently.
"Plus, I'm sure there are plenty of girls across the world with dictatorial fathers, I mean that in the nicest way possible, I'm sure they find ways," I said.
"I'd really rather not...and his mum seriously LOATHES me, like she just looked at me and KNEW it was my fault," She said.
"It wasn't your fault, it was Cane's wand, Cane's hand, Cane's twisted mind...not you," I said.
"It wasn't his wand," She said grimly.
I frowned, opening my mouth to speak.
"I tried to prove it, that it was him but he must have taken up a temporary wand because it wouldn't show up," She said miserably.
"I'm sure Dumbledore..." I started.
"Dumbledore couldn't prove it either...plus even, in the unlikely event it reached the ministry or the courtrooms, my father knows all of them, unless he wanted to get rid of Cane, there's no way he'd be prosecuted. He's untouchable now," She told me simply.
"...Oh," I said.
"I know," She said grimly.
Nothing was said before a moment or two before I interrupted it.
"...come on, you're obviously in need of a drink or something," I said.
"...you know me and alcohol..." She began but I let out a laugh.
"I meant a hot chocolate love," I told her.
"Oh...yeah, that sounds good...then you can tell me about Antony or something," She said casually as she began walking.
"...you saw it didn't you?" I asked somewhat disappointed.
You see this is the problem when you're best friend is also psychic, they stalk you, then know all your news before you can bloody tell them.
"Not really, just Marie and Francesco talking about it," She said over her shoulder.
"Oh...good! I mean Jesus Hemera, we're making a rule now! You're not allowed to look unless I bloody tell you, ok?!" I cried as I moved to her side.
She gave her usual tinkering laugh.
"Fine," She said.
"But you never write! You promised to send a postcard!" She complained.
I raised my hands in mock defence.
"I'm horrible at keeping in contact, I'm sorry, ok?" I said.
"Should be," She sniffed childishly.
I laughed.
We spent most of the afternoon randomly walking round the frozen grounds and for once I felt...really normal. I know it sounds stupid but despite everything, despite the fact that Hemera had such huge problems and we both shared the common thread of seeing...unpleasant things, it felt good to just be able to...giggle and gossip about the stupidest and most irrelevant of things.
Funny how small things make you smile.
I don't know whether it was just leftover from my trip but I remained in a good mood for the rest of the week...which was simply improved after meeting up with Antony in The Three Broomsticks, we spoke, that was all really but still, the idea that it'd been PLANNED, that it wasn't something that could just be put down to chance felt good.
...although I did probably spend about 4 hours getting ready...which of course drove Katy absolutely crazy. I hadn't told any of them other than Hemera, I can't be quite sure why but...I liked it being quiet, I liked how it felt like the outside world was just...nonexistent when I was with him. Franny and Lily and that lot knowing would mean that Sirius would find out and...I didn't want to turn it into something it wasn't, I had no idea what Antony really wanted and I LIKED it like that. Sirius quizzing me about it would mean I'd feel like I had to give answers, at the moment, there were none, there was no pressure or expectations and everything was...really slow.
Every guy I'd ever been out with had felt more like some kind of...business package. We got together, knowing absolutely nothing about the other...perhaps with the exception of how good looking they were, we went out, we were seen together, we were talked about and then it ended and it was onto the next one. We both knew what was going to happen, there was no anticipation and yet...despite being the most uneventful events ever, there was anticipation, I spent my time hoping something happen and that was probably half the reason I enjoyed it so much; the pretence.
...On the other hand I think I was probably getting on with Sirius better than I had since...well...since early last term.
I guess it's because I spent less time centred on my absolute loathing of the fact that Mary still pranced around all over the place...and the fact that he still appeared with the occasional lip gloss stain on his cheek or jaw or something...ugh.
Ok so I'll admit, it did still bother me, especially the fact that she no longer simpered all the time.
I know, sounds like an odd thing to say but... her simpering was irritating and dislikeable, exactly how she should remain.
Without, she could almost be branded as normal...and you know much to my horror
I'm rather sure I saw her laugh with Lily. I can't tell you just how much Mary claimed to loathe Lily, not really for anything she'd done, more for what she was; Little Miss Perfect.
I watched with increasing fury as she managed to worm her way into 'the group'.
Of course, they then suddenly decided that we should get along too...WHAT PLANET WERE THEY FUCKING FROM?!
I hated her! I hated her fucking guts!
My good mood therefore, rightfully soured until it was pretty much nonexistent.
"You look like you're trying to shoot razar beams out your eyes...what's wrong?" Sirius chuckled as he sat down next to me at Lunch.
My eyes narrowed ever so slightly, pretending to remain absorbed in the essay I was trying to get done before Transfiguration, our next class.
"...you should eat something," He supplied after a moment when I remained silent.
"I am," I ground out irritably, despite the fact that the plate of pasta was still sitting untouched besides my book.
"...what's wrong?" He frowned.
I pursed my lips before I gave an aggravated cry setting down my pen.
"Are you fucking blind?!" I cried irritably.
"Err..." He began uncertainly.
"Mary is doing her upmost best to isolate me!" I snapped.
He looked at me before he frowned.
"...really?" He said.
"Yes!" I cried.
"She doesn't even like you!" I snapped furiously.
He just looked at me, an infuriating smile starting to play on his lips.
"Iris..." He started.
"If you say she's changed I'll hex you," I growled.
"Don't you think you're being a little unfair? You changed didn't yo..." He started but I cut him off abruptly.
"Oh yes, thank you Saint Sirius," I said, my voice dripping with biting sarcasm.
I think that was enough because it was at that point Sirius began to laugh.
...oh that bastard.
"Ah come on Iris, don't be like that," He chuckled.
I felt my eyes narrow dramatically.
"Maybe you should just try talk..." He began.
"Don't. You. Dare," I said looking at him in disgust.
"Don't be so cold," He chuckled.
"You know I'm not kidding don't you?" I said flatly, thoroughly unimpressed.
"You're just jeeeaaalous 'cause you luuuurve me," He grinned.
"Don't start that," I said flatly.
He waggled his eyebrows.
...I hated it when he was in a good mood...
"Piss off," I grumbled, picking my quill back up and returning to my work.
...then again I also hated it when he was in a bad mood...
He chuckled slightly to himself under his breath and I set down my pen against, scowling as I flexed my aching fingers.
"I don't know why everything can't just be like it used to," I muttered.
He turned back to me, a slight frown on his face but he didn't comment and neither did I because it was then that everyone else arrived.
The remainder of the week was...eventful to say the least. Tupps gave birth in my fucking trunk (in other words at least 10,000 galleons worth of clothes were 'damaged').
4 kittens in total, all happily sitting in the carefully compiled mounds of cashmere jumpers.
The plan of course, had been for her to stay in the Marauders room where we'd set up all kinds of nice nests and hidey holes for her...she obviously had other ideas. In other words, this meant uprooting a disgruntled Dog and depositing him in them in their room (although I have to say, I wasn't too sad to see the back of his unusually large, furry behind...bloody cat).
The second came one evening as I was walking through the cloisters a little after school, looking for the pencil case I'd dropped when I came across Cane, Severus Snape, both the Carrows and a few others whose names I didn't know.
Curiousity of course, got the better of me and I eventually moved silently towards them.
"Where's Ace?" the squat round girl wheezed, the only girl out of a fair number of boys.
"Probably shagging something," Severus drawled coldly.
...maybe he hadn't changed that much then...
Cane turned to him, his jaw clenching.
"He'll be here," He said.
"We can't wait around all day for your 'special friend'," Severus said coolly.
Cane's eyes narrowed into slits of anger.
"This job was entrusted to me, I'm in charge and you'll listen to what I say...or has that little red head impaired your hearing too?" Cane sneered.
The same look of fury flitted across Snape's face as he stalked forward.
"Don't forget, Cane that simply because you're now related to power, doesn't mean you own it," He told him.
"Really? And who are you? What are you other than a tool?" Cane smirked, facing up to him squarely, the air of self importance growing and stretching further.
Severus didn't back down though.
"I am anything I want to be, I think you'll find occlumency can be very useful," He murmured softly.
Cane stiffened slightly
"Well then you know not to mess with me," He replied in the same low voice.
"OR I know exactly what to do with you," He told him.
Cane looked at him for a moment before a smirk spread across his lips, his eyes seeming to glitter and Severus recoiled sharply, as if he'd burnt him, eyes wide before they narrowed furiously, his wand drawn within seconds.
"If you touch her I'll kill you," He spat.
Cane smirked, relaxing as the unbearable smugness grew before he gave a chuckle.
"She's not my type anyway," He said.
The fury etched onto Severus' face deepened, if looks could kill, Cane would be very much dead.
It was just about then however, that Ace appeared, his usual cocky trot looking somewhat out of place among the sombre style of the rest of them.
"You're late!" Severus snarled as he turned on him.
Ace looked at him, raising his eyebrows before he shrugged.
"I was busy," He said, shirt of course appropriately rumpled and what looked like a love bite against his jaw.
Severus simply looked at him for a moment, muttering something under his breath before he turned, his slightly too large robes swirling around his feet as he stalked off, the majority of the group following.
"What is wrong with you?" Cane snapped turning on the taller boy when the others were out of hearing range.
"I'm sorry ok?" Ace said rolling his eyes.
Cane glared at him, eyes narrowed as he opened his mouth to speak when a impatient shout sounded from the front.
Cane threw Ace a look before starting off, the latter following seconds later.
I hesitated slightly, watching the stream of dark figures move off before I pulled out my wand, casting a quick disillusionment charm and following them.
"We need to be out by sunset," I heard Severus say as I drew closer to him, levelling to Ace's side.
"Why?" Cane immediately questioned.
"Because," Severus said irritably.
"There are things in the forbidden forest," He said.
Cane looked at him before he chuckled.
"You're scared?!" He mocked.
"No, I just think I have better things to do with my time then be mauled or shot at," He answered flatly.
"Washing your hair obviously isn't one of 'em," I heard Ace mutter beside me under his breath, low enough not to be heard.
"So...Ace," came a high pitched wheeze beside him.
I looked round him to see Alecto Carrow...my god was she wearing...no let's make that 'attempting' to wear make up?
"Yeah?" Ace said unenthusiastically.
"I was thinking how funny it was, us being in the same house and never really..." She began.
I can only suppose she was trying to flirt with him...
I therefore really couldn't help the loud snort from sounding from the back of my throat, pausing when Ace immediately turned towards my direction.
"What's wrong?" Alecto asked.
"...nothing...thought I heard something," He said vaguely before turning back.
I held back for a few moments, deciding it best to trail behind instead, watching the two at the front carefully as they wound their way down the path to the forbidden forest.
...you know I'd never understood exactly why they'd named 'The Forbidden Forest' the Forbidden Forest, am I the only one who thinks that screeched 'come one and all!', you stick 'forbidden' on something and it's at least 100% more attractive.
It was snowing again, just as it had for the most part of the week, of course it had been great for prancing around but it did get old...especially when it came up to your knees.
They'd obviously purposely added a charm to stop their footsteps being seen and it was only after a little while that I thought to do the same, applying the spell to my shoes and quickly erasing the ones behind me, unfortunately this meant I didn't notice the tell tale gleam of the ice batch and made a rather spectacular fall, giving a nice shriek to accompany it which would have alerted even the hardest of hearing.
They all stopped and I sat there, wide eyed for a moment, hardly daring to breathe, my ankle throbbing furiously as I watched Cane and Severus turn, talking to the others before they began winding there way up.
With a great deal of effort I got to my feet, deciding to use the advantage of still being somewhat invisible, to locate an appropriate hiding place.
It didn't take long to find the small break in the seemingly endless brilliantly white snow, thankfully fairly close too.
I ignored the pain it caused, starting towards it before I'd even really thought about it.
I just knew that them catching me couldn't be a good thing.
As I drew closer I recognised it.
...funnily enough it was the shed that had earned me my oh so precious reputation as a slag, I'm pretty sure it was 5th year, my boyfriend at the time...can't quite remember what his name was, decided that I may like to go for a 'quick snog'...which was all well and good apart from the fact that disappearing in a shed looked exceedingly dodgy to certain onlookers.
Being a prat he'd of course done NOTHING to right these assumptions and after repeating for the 20th time that we 'really hadn't done anything' I'd simply given up and let them think what they bloody well wanted.
I managed to pull the door open just far enough to slip inside, pulling it gently to after me.
I waited for a moment or two, gritting my teeth slightly until I heard something behind me. I paused, my heart giving a few pathetic pounds before I turned to see...
"What the hell are you doing here?!" I demanded in a hiss as my eyes focused on Sirius.
"What are you doing here?" He frowned in response after pulling on the short cord, turning the naked light bulb on above our heads.
"...you're waiting for someone, aren't you?" I said.
"Urm..." He said uncertainly.
"...you're waiting for Mary," I said, my gaze flattening.
He didn't say anything.
"I take that as a yes then," I scowled.
"I..." He began.
"Don't care. You're just going to have to wait," I cut across him smoothly.
He didn't say anything for a moment.
"I was going to break up with her actually," He said in a small voice.
I looked round at him before I gave a scoff.
"So you come to a secluded little shed in the middle of the grounds, really believable," I said sarcastically.
"Well it's private," He said defensively.
"And has a real reputation for a break up spot, I totally understand," I agreed condescendingly before turning back to the key hole.
"Oh for...will you just listen to me for once?!" He snapped causing me to jump slightly.
I turned towards him, looking at him in surprise before he moved forward.
"Look..." he began when I heard a heavy dull thud. I paused, my eyes widening slightly before I pushed against the door.
It didn't budge.
I tried again.
Again, nothing.
"What's wrong?" He asked.
I didn't say anything for a moment before I let out a horrified moan.
"We're snowed in," I said.
"I really should have thought about this," I groaned.
"We can't be locked in," He said moving round me.
"What happened to 'we can make anything fun?'," I scowled.
"It's full moon tonight," He said flatly.
I paused.
"Shit," I breathed.
"James can't handle him by himself especially if he catches your scent," He said, pushing at the door with his shoulder.
...my scent...great.
"B...he'd have to dig through the snow and then..." I started but Sirius simply turned to look at me.
"Well I have my wand...no I don't," I said as I felt the waistband of my skirt.
"I left mine in the dorm," He said.
I didn't mean to sound pessimistic but...
"We're fucked," I said flatly.
He paused.
"Err...yeah," He said.
I just looked at him for a moment, racking my brains for a solution.
"I could go into a vision and try and get through to Hemera...but that won't work...because I can't go directly into one of hers," I said before turning and sitting down, trying to think about this calmly, I mean Jesus, I'd probably seen enough examples of survival...
"Wait! You have that mirror thing, right? You know with you and James..." I began.
"...how do you know about the mirrors?" He asked.
"I'm a seer, I see things," I said shortly.
"Oh...well that would be great...but it's in the castle...with my wand," He said.
"...and I have no idea where mine is...this is dandy," I said.
Don't get me wrong, we tried all manner of things...you know I'd always thought Nearly Headless-Nick was simply stupid for not having his wand on the day he just so HAPPENED to be found and executed...I was now beginning to have more sympathy.
"Have I ever mentioned I'm not a great fan of remaining in small spaces for too long?" I said as I sat on one of the crates, all of which we'd already been through...and the most useful thing we'd found was a whole crate of chocolate bars from a decade or so ago.
Sirius turned to look at me.
"...oh ," He said.
"Mmmhmmm, not so much the small places just the whole, 'not having the freedom to walk out when I feel like it' thing," I said.
"Right...well...let's try not to think about it then," He said.
"Good idea...so let's see, something we could talk about...oh yes, your awful lying, you weren't going to break up with Mary were you?" I asked.
He didn't say anything for a moment before he gave a sigh, sitting down beside me.
"I was," He told me.
"You do realise we've all been keeping a running total of how many times you've said that, don't you?" I said irritably.
"...thanks Iris," He said, his gaze flattening.
"You know, depending on if she can still see this place or not...she's going to think you stood her up," I said absently as I shuffled round, leaning my head back against the wall.
"I know," He said grimly.
"Which could always qualify as a breakup notice...I'd break up with any guy who stood me up," I said pleasantly.
He breathed a sigh, pinching the bridge of his nose.
"I want to do it properly," He snapped.
"Or not at all," I muttered.
"...you know you have to be THE most difficult person I know," He ground out irritably.
I shrugged.
"Call it a hobby if you will," I said sarcastically.
He rolled his eyes, muttering something under his breath as he leant his head back.
There was silence for a moment, although I had plenty to say on the matter, I couldn't be sure how long we'd be stuck in here for and therefore thought it best not to voice too many of my thoughts.
"So...what are you going to do about Remus?" I asked.
He looked down at me before he returned his head back against the wall with a dull thud.
"I dunno...I just hope James'll keep him inside," He said, his voice tight with anxiety.
"Let's hope he does, Severus and..." I began.
"...who's Severus?" He said looking confused.
I looked at him for a moment.
"...Severus...you know the greasy haired bloke you share a particularly soft spot for," I said.
"...Oh...oh yeah!...Snivellus...s'been ages since I heard his name," He said.
I decided not to comment.
"...Wait...what?" He said pausing, sitting bolt upright.
"They were making their way to The Forbidden Forest, Ace and Cane were there too, I was following them but I slipped, they started coming towards me so I came and hid in...what are you doing?" I asked as Sirius jumped off the box, restarting his attempts to shove the door open.
"Shit," He said gritting his teeth.
"He knows about Remus, he'd be an idiot to stay there until night fall," I said.
He paused momentarily, turning to me.
"...you know...how do you know..." He asked slowly.
"I'm a seer Sirius...I don't know how many times I have to tell you," I frowned.
He didn't say anything for a moment.
"So...so you know about..." He started.
It was only then that it occurred to me that he was talking about exactly how Snape had learned of Remus'...condition.
"...you can't keep beating yourself up about that Sirius," I said quietly after a moment.
He just looked at me before he breathed a sigh, sitting himself down against the door.
"I nearly murdered someone Iris," He said quietly.
I didn't say anything for a moment before I moved across the cramped space, settling beside him.
"And I've watched thousands of people die and done nothing about it," I said simply.
He turned and looked at me, his eyes searching mine.
"...but...but it wasn't your fault," He said.
"You could say that, or you could say I could have tried harder. There's someone dying somewhere, right now, and I could probably stop it. You made a mistake Sirius, you were mad and...nothing happened, it could have and you should remember that but...sometimes you just have to learn from your mistakes...even if they're huge whoppers," I said evenly.
"A HUGE whopper," He said.
I gave a small smile.
"Everyone makes them," I shrugged.
There was a moment of silence before I reached forward, plucking one of the boxes of chocolates nearest and bringing them towards us.
"Come on, let's not be miserable, we're stuck in a shed with no water, no wands and no obvious escape!" I said before picking up one of the bars, holding it out for him.
"Do you dare eat the decade old chocolate?" I asked, allowing a small smirk to capture my lips.
He looked at me, surprise colouring his expression before he grinned.
"It's chocolate Iris, 'course I do," He grinned.
I laughed, handing him one while I took the other.
"...you know this could be seen as exceedingly stupid," I said as I undid one.
"There could be anything in them," He nodded.
"Poison for example," I agreed.
We both looked at each other before he grinned.
"What's life without some adventure?" He grinned.
I rolled my eyes.
"I'll remind you of that when we're dying horrible untimely deaths," I said before taking a bite.
"They taste ok," I shrugged.
"Pretty good actually," He agreed.
"It should be pretty sunny tomorrow, it might melt some of the snow...if no one comes until then," I said.
"...so you're a weather seer as well?" He asked.
"Not really, doorbells are a specialty actually, I can tell you who's going to ring, what time, who and why at least an hour before hand, drives me mental," I shrugged.
"Wow...never heard of one of them," He chuckled.
"Admittedly I haven't either...other than those bints who do the weather on the radio," I said.
"...what's wrong with the weather girls?" He frowned almost indignantly.
I snorted, taking a deep breath before speaking.
"And right up there in the north there's going to be a huge storm," I said in the same breathy 'seductive' voice they used...it just pissed me off.
"...you know you really shouldn't do that," He said.
I turned to look at him, raising an eyebrow.
"Why?" I pouted, the same irritating tone still in place.
"Because it reminds me of the weather girls," He muttered before shifting slightly.
"Charming," I said with an eye roll.
"It'll be getting dark soon," He said randomly after a moment or two.
"Moon'll rise in a bit," I said.
"We should probably put something in the way of the door...just in case," He said.
"He'd probably come from the top...plus all you have to do is turn into an animagus...then again if that's a familiar scent...oh if the worst comes to the worst and he appears I'll probably end up going into a vision anyway," I shrugged.
"...what would that do?" He asked.
"It would mean I wouldn't feel anything," I said pleasantly.
"...don't be stupid Iris, I wouldn't let him hurt you...even though you do drive me mental, I still like you," He teased, wrapping his arms around me.
"You like me?" I said, a childish grin beginning to play on my lips.
"Well...yeah, I care about you," He said.
I grinned before shifting and leaning back against him.
"Believe it or not, I care about you too...I just think you're a moody pain in the arse sometimes," I said pleasantly.
"I dunno quite what you do Iris but you really piss me off," He said, scratching his chin. I couldn't help but grin.
"You piss me off too," I told him pleasantly.
"And the 'it's been said before'...you use that all the time, as if it being 'said before' makes it better, it doesn't, it's annoying," He told me with a frown.
I smirked.
"It's been said before," I said innocently.
He looked down before he chuckled as we unconsciously curled up against one another.
"There's a good reason I didn't like dating before," He said.
"My god you were awful," I agreed.
"It wasn't, it was great," He said.
"If you're the guy. You know when we were in first year and you went through like 4 girlfriends in a week...at the age of 11, Bridgett specifically warned me against you," I said giving him a slight poke.
"That was nothing, it's not like anyone ever did anything in 1st year," He snorted.
"You're missing the point," I said flatly.
"Well you can't talk," He said.
I gave a laugh.
"I was with Josh Porter for nearly a year," I said.
"...But you dated his best friend before him...do you just have a thing for a older guys? In 2nd year you went out with a third year...5th year you went out with a 6th year..." He told me.
"Do you chronicle all my boyfriends?" I said raising an eyebrow.
"Only 2nd and 3rd year because that was when I fancied the shit out of you," He grinned.
I looked up at him before I laughed.
"Did you?" I said.
"Yeah," He grinned.
"...then I discovered you were a bit of a bitch," He said.
"Oh god no, I was an awful bitch in 3rd year," I agreed.
"You were..." He nodded absently.
"Then again I've also heard that by now you're a walking mass of 'disease'," I said.
"Oi!" He said indignantly, turning to look at me.
"No I'm not!" He said.
I grinned at him.
"You're a slag Sirius, this year though, I mean this is in the nicest way possible, but you're really letting the side down. You know before I actually knew you, I thought you were an utter hormone ravaged rogue, now I just think you're pathetically nice...and oddly moody, it's disappointing," I said pleasantly.
"Well it must be running round, trying to stop you fucking up everyone's lives," He grumbled indignantly.
I chuckled.
"That's an awful excuse, admit it, you've lost your touch, you've lost your touch and handed it over to Ace, and you know the sad thing is that every girl loves a bad boy and you're now classed under the horrifying banner of 'Mr Nice Guy'," I said with a 'sigh'.
He just looked at me for a moment, seemingly speechless.
"I didn't shag all of my girlfriends," He supplied eventually.
I shrugged.
"Still a slag," I said.
"...Ace used to look like a prude anyway," He scowled.
I snorted.
"My god he did...now I think about it, he's actually a newbie. He used to wear his shirt buttoned up to his neck and his robe done up...then he became suddenly gorgeous..." I said.
"...he's not gorgeous," He responded, wrinkling his nose.
"You don't swing the right way to appreciate it, he's gorgeous," I said matter of factly.
I smirked slightly as I felt Sirius scowl beside me.
"You're winding me up aren't you?" He said.
"Of course," I replied lightly.
"I still can't believe you thought he got me pregnant," I said as I opened my 3rd bar of chocolate...the stuff was addictive.
"Well I dunno," He shrugged.
I tilted my head back to look at him.
"You're still not sure are you?" I said amusedly.
"...well...he spent all his time with his hands all over you! What the hell was I supposed to think?!" He snapped.
"Ooo you were jealous," I grinned.
He breathed a great sigh, looking rather irritated but I of course continued anyway.
"Because you luuuurve..." I began in a sing song voice when something happened I REALLY hadn't been expecting.
Sirius kissed me.
He just...kissed me.
...just like that.
...when I just so happened to have an inconvenient mouthful of chocolate...oh my god.
It was awful. You know those moments that SHOULD have been perfect, where there should have been fireworks and sparks? Instead I just ended up pretty much shoving him off, coughing rather unattractively.
It was NOT how I'd fucking planned this!
The worst part of course was when my coughing had subsided.
There was a moment where we just sat opposite each other in total silence before somehow lips collided once more.
His lips danced over mine as my hands slid to either side of his jaw, leaning into him as his lips came to part my own, arms moving to encircle my waist, the warmth of his mouth sending me into a dizzy spiral as all thoughts came to a natural halt, every sense concentrated on the him and only him.
Author's Notes:
Bleh, I am SO SO SO sorry for the wait and...it's such an awful chapter too...*hides in shame corner xD*. My muse is completely shattered and I've got scary amounts of revision to do because they're randomly decided that I'm doing a few of my GCSE's now even though I'm supposed to be retaking the year because I haven't been to school for the past year...at all (hence all the lovely quick updates :P), so revision time = goodbye muse D:
Right so now onto the actual story, I promise you, I have not forgotten everything else, this chapter was random and I'm aware of it but I just got bored and decided to move things along a little more quickly. I'll make a confession, Sirius and Iris weren't actually going to get together...like...at all in this book but I changed my mind xDDDDDD
Speaking of which! After looking over things I've found we have another 10 or so chapters left of this story and then the next will be 20 or so chapters...so far...if I actually stick to my planning. So that's my rant done, reviews appreciated!
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Indianapolis Colts' Advanced Stat of the Week: Win ProbabilityMay 23, 2012
This week, we turn our attention to stats that measure the odds that a team will win a given game.
Win Probability and its player-driven cousin Win Probability Added (WPA) are stats advanced by Brian Burke of Advanced NFL Stats. Win Probability calculates the likelihood that a team will win the game before each and every play. WPA adds up the impact that an individual player has on those odds.
For instance, a team with a 40-point lead with 45 seconds to play has a Win Probability of 100 percent. Win Probability is a stat that explains what happened after the fact. Swings in Win Probability illustrate which plays had the most impact on a game.
These plays can be charted to produce a graphical representation of the swings of NFL games. For games with twists and turns, these charts can be dynamic.
The Colts' most embarrassing loss of 2011 illustrates that nicely.
Against the Chiefs in Week 5, Indy jumped off to a lead. After sacking Matt Cassel to end the first quarter, the Colts had a seven-point advantage and the ball. At this point, they were 75 percent favorites to win.
Curtis Painter pushed the lead 17 points with a 67-yard strike to Pierre Garcon with 11:23 to play in the half. Teams with 17 point leads at home win 93 percent of the time.
The teams traded touchdowns and after the Colts scored to go up 24-7 with just over a minute to play in the half, their Win Probability still hovered at better than 90 percent.
The game would start to unravel from there. The Indianapolis offense stalled, and the Chiefs methodically put up points. Their comeback wasn't punctuated by big plays, but rather a slow and total collapse by Indianapolis. Still, after three quarters of play, the Colts had a three-point lead, the ball, and a 69 percent chance of pulling out their first win.
What's interesting about the graph is that it illustrates a counter-intuitive truth about NFL games. Teams trailing by three mid-way through the fourth quarter are more likely to win than teams that are ahead. The reason is that most NFL coaches are too conservative with the lead and make sub-optimal decisions. Coaches that are behind get desperate and tend do things that help them win like pass more and go for it on fourth down. In this case, the Chiefs crossed the 50 percent threshold with 8:04 to play, down three, and with the ball.
After Kansas City scored to take the lead, they had a Win Probability of 77 percent with five minutes on the clock and a four-point lead. The Colts would push that number down to 60 percent after a long pass to Austin Collie, but Painter would not complete another pass the rest of the game.
Unlike other games with a big swing in probability, Painter wound up with a solid WPA score for the game. He was at 0.2, in part because the Chiefs' comeback was so gradual. He had a good passing day, and the Colts should have been able to win based on the things he did. The collapse fell squarely on the defense, rather than a big turnover by Painter.
WPA isn't necessarily predictive, but it is a fun way to look at how big of an impact each play has on the final outcome.


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- Product and services research, assessment and strategy development
- New (international) market entry strategy development and execution
- Interim CEO, CMO services
- Ongoing quarterly or annual strategy review facilitation
- Advisory, coaching, networking and market intelligence services
- Specialist international executive recruitment and services outsourcing
- Trade sale, fund-raising, merger and acquisition, and overseas company set-up services.
Service Mosaic provides software development and managed enterprise applications and services to school and university systems, including:
- Software needs analysis and functional specification development
- Software design, development, prototyping, configuration/customisation, localisation, installation and support
- Technology integration services, including hosting, local support, backup and software localisation services
- Our 'edtech' SaaS (Software as a Service) portfolio for learning, teaching, operations and analytics
- Business process engineering and consulting
- Training services, including train-the-trainer, onsite and remote training
- Project Management
- Account Management, contract management and software vendor management
- 'Edtech' Pilot and Proof of Concept management.
Marketing Mosaic provides high-end marketing strategy and execution services to education technology companies of all sizes, worldwide. Mosaic can work with your existing marketing unit or externally. Mosaic's strong suite in education technology and digital publishing includes:
- Brand marketing strategy
- Marketing plan development
- Market entry strategy
- Marketing communications
- Events
- Product marketing
- Partner strategy
- Marketing organisation restructures
- Marketing services outsourcing.
Yahki is World' Mosaic's Web platform company committed to enabling people to collect, mash-up and express their interests, passions, and learning for life. Yahki is a digital story-telling environment that safely connects learners and teachers locally and globally, building greater international understanding, authentic audiences and academic rigour. Find out more.
mme moe is the world's first teacher and principal coaching app, based on reflective practice, a growth mindset and local professional standards. mme moe was commercialised by World Mosaic assisting inventor and education coach, Paul Williams, founder of Kidmap. Find out more.
Flash Factory is our Flash-to-App and Flash-to-HTML5 conversion service available to Flash content owners. Our processes and special utilities enable flash content to be converted at a fraction of the usual cost. We also ensure all content is enhanced pedagogically and in terms of mobile enablement and user experience. We also adapt content, including learning objects to suit different curriculum and cultural settings and for different languages. We also develop HTML5 learning content, including immersive, scenario-based learning objects from the ground up to address curriculum needs. Either way, we manage the entire process.
BigBox is World Mosaic's app repository and online store that delivers interactive HTML5 education content from Flash Factory and other sources. BigBox loads on all devices and provides both online and offline access to mobile and desktop interactive learning content and tools. Read more.
With WOW! school students become budding computer scientists. WOW! incorporates the integrated Computer Science practices of highly effective schools worldwide, applying backward design to guide students from PreK through elementary and middle school to peak in Computer Science and wider studies by high school, best positioned for career, education and life skills pathways.
Our corporate profile
World Mosaic is registered as World Mosaic Pty Ltd, incorporated in NSW Australia (ACN 612 570 582, ABN 476 125 705 82) with operations across the world. World Mosaic subsidiaries are Yahki, registered as Yahki Pty Ltd, incorporated in NSW Australia (ACN is 616 130 584) with operations in Australia, EMEA and North America; mme moe Pty Ltd, incorporated in Australia (ACN 608 861 070) with operations in Australia, the UK and USA. World Mosaic's private edtech business and market consulting unit trades as Private Mosaic. Our professional services business to government education departments and agencies trades as Government Mosaic. Our Software and Education as a Service product portfolio is marketed as Services Mosaic, including BigBox, Flash Factory and Inspire along with Yahki and mme moe.


text:
Amazon Collates Kindle Fire HD With iPad
Amazon is not sheepish about collating its Kindle Fire with iPad. Amazon compared the Kindle Fire HD with iPad mini, and said that Kindle has 193 percent more pixels than iPad mini. Also its latest ad for Kindle Fire HD 8.9 inch is up against the iPad with Retina display. It tells that both offer "stunning HD" display "you may not be able to tell the difference," It ended its ad by mentioned its price $299 compared to the $499 of the iPad with Retina Display. Now it also offers and additional $30 to $50 discount this week for the Kindle Fire HD. Its price is less that $250 less than an iPad 4.
Though the price might be attractive but its software is not is keeping it away from iPad and other tablets of its genres.


text:
Playing an All-Star version of Nine Innings while appreciating this legend ...
... without inexplicably ignoring this one ...
1. Hey, I did warn you that Fox was going to turn this into the Derek Jeter Living Memorial Featuring Some Other Random Baseball Players Who Better Get Out Of The Way And Worship Derek Jeter Or Else.
Not that you expected anything different -- Fox habitually feted Jeter every postseason, at least back in the days when Jeter was a constant deep into the postseason. His trademark fist-pump has shown up in more Fox promos than Cleatus the Robot.
Because of Jeter -- who handled the players' ovation with typical stoic grace and went out of his way to acknowledge everyone in the dugout when he came out of the game -- it all came off well. It was as classy as he is said to be, even if Fox's coverage made me wonder if he was going to exit by walking out to a cornfield. Hell, I was almost bummed the guy is retiring.
But then I remembered all the times he tormented the Sox, and all the times we were told he tormented the Sox when he really didn't, and suddenly I wished John Farrell hadn't removed him from the game, but instead had forced him over to third base 10 years after he should have made the move.
2. The whole Jeter-is-this-generation's-face-of-the-game baloney. It's one more reason why some of us have groaned for years about how the electronic media exaggerates his many strengths as a player and a person until the truth is stretched beyond recognition.
No, he is not the face of a generation to me. He's the face of the New York generation, which makes him the face of network television -- hell, his rookie season was the first year Fox carried Major League Baseball. Of course they love him. He's helped make the network millions.
3. But the face of my generation? Well, I saw it again earlier yesterday, on that channel where Fox hides its Tony Gwynn tributes.
Fox Sports 1 replayed the 1999 All-Star Game at Fenway Tuesday afternoon. The face of my generation was a composite from that unforgettable evening -- the cold-eyed stare of Pedro, Nomar's beak, Junior's smile, Sammy Sosa's expanding forehead.
You can throw Jeter's smirk in there as well if you want. Just spare me the rest of it, especially the calm-eyes nonsense.
He's the apple of the Big Apple's eye. The rest of us recognize so much more worthy of celebration and enjoyment. I think that played into the frustration with the Gwynn oversight, as Jon Couture expressed perfectly:
Not only was Gwynn a better player than Jeter, he was also, based on all I've read, the type of person the world wishes Jeter is but isn't.— Jon Couture (@JonCouture) July 16, 2014
4. If Fox is going to continue with the Face of Baseball nonsense after Jeter goes -- and didn't you get the impression they'll treat last night as the passing of the torch to Mike Trout? -- might I suggest they go plural and have a few players share the crown?
Trout is awesome. We're lucky to watch this kid to the point that I worry that he's too good to last, that he'll get hurt. But isn't Andrew McCutchen just as talented and charismatic and fun? The Home Run Derby and some of the All-Star festivities also revealed Giancarlo Stanton to have a personality as good-natured as his home runs are long. I think the Red Sox should try to acquire him.
And how can you not get a kick out of Yasiel Puig? He's the closest thing to Bo Jackson I've ever seen.
The All-Star ratings might just be blah. They are stagnant and mediocre. But the sport itself is in remarkable shape if this new generation of stars -- faces, if you must -- is any indication.
5. I'll always wonder -- and we'll never know -- how Jeter would be perceived had the Houston Astros called his bluff about attending college and drafted him No. 1 overall in 1992.
Would he be perceived as better than Barry Larkin? Craig Biggio?
Jeter's career adjusted OPS is 116 -- the same as Larkin's, and four points higher than Biggio's. Jeter has obviously more than earned his status as an all-time great, but that he landed in New York surrounded by that cast of teammates is one of the reasons that he, not Lou Gehrig, should be the Yankee associated with the phrase "Luckiest man on the face of the earth."
I'm not sure the Astros' orange would have had the same effect as the New York pinstripes on the ol' image, you know?
6. If the insistence on comparing Mike Trout to a Yankee is going to continue, please eliminate Jeter from that conversation. Trout's lowest adjusted OPS in two full seasons is 168 in 2012. Jeter's best in 20 seasons was his 153 in 1999, which was the same as Nomar Garciaparra's that season. Trout isn't Jeter. He's Mickey Mantle without the damage.
7. From this Boston (and Maine) perch, I'll admit some envy regarding Jeter's longevity, especially because he's remained a high-caliber player for one team the entire time. Watching that '99 game yesterday, and seeing the genuine warmth with which Nomar and Ted Williams conversed, it remains a bummer that it ended as abruptly as it did.
In some alternate universe, Nomar was feted at last night's All-Star game after a 19-year run with the Red Sox, while Jeter's career ended years ago and he was off broadcasting Mariners games while married to Hope Solo.
8. The only reason there's an uproar about Adam Wainwright's "pipe shots" to Jeter is because this game, designed as an exhibition, foolishly counts for something meaningful. I don't blame Wainwright, who was gracious and respectful of Jeter. I blame Bud Selig and his overreaction to being embarrassed on his home field 12 years ago. This time it counted, again. But it never should.
9. As for today's Completely Random Baseball Card:
This is Don Reynolds. He has a brother named Harold. Don Reynolds played in the Padres system a few years before Tony Gwynn, and played against him in the Pacific Coast League. If Don Reynolds, and not his brother Harold, made an inexplicably successful living as Fox's high-profile baseball analyst, I bet he would have thought to share a warm anecdote of appreciation about Tony Gwynn last night. What's particularly odd is that Harold Reynolds did play with Tony Gwynn, if only for a moment during spring training 1994. You'd think he'd have a good story to tell. Tony Gwynn seemed to leave everyone with a good story to tell. At least if they were paying attention.


text: greggt at copland.udel.edu (Thomas R. Gregg) writes: > Please reply via email. Thank you. I am posting because your questions may be of interest to other people. > 2 projects in our lab: > > 1) recording cortical auditory evoked potentials. We want to > record from awake rats, but we need to keep them very still, to > avoid changes in stimulus volume (etc.) as the rats move. We > want to find a paralytic drug (such as Flaxedil, curare, > methocarbamol) which does not cross blood-brain barrier, that > will reduce the rat's movements but not increase its > stress/arousal level. Would methocarbamol be good for this? > References are appreciated. You might want to check with your institutional animal care committee before you go any further. My understanding is that protocols involving total paralysis of conscious animals are rarely if ever approved nowadays. In any case, there are good reasons to expect that paralysis itself would cause changes in cortical evoked potentials. If you're worried about stimulus volume, you might try using headphones or a hearing aid. > 2) recording rat hippocampal AEPs. any problems with using > urethane anesthetic? Yes, in my experience urethane causes dramatic changes in hippocampal activity patterns. It greatly reduces the activity of CA1 pyramidal cells, and I would bet that it has strong effects elsewhere as well. I would be suspicious of any generalization from the urethane state to the conscious state, without additional data to back it up. -- Bill


text: Jessica Jones invented Zipper Genie with a goal of making zipping and unzipping easier. After a series of events she became determined to make zipping a dress effortless. One instance was on a Sunday when she was getting dressed she asked her husband to zip her dress while he was shaving. She became frustrated waiting on him to stop shaving to zip her dress, because she knew she did not have much time to get their two sons dressed. After he zipped her dress did not reflect on it again. The second instance was not a coincidence she was in the dressing room of a department store when a stranger said she was embarrassed then asked her politely to zip her dress. At that moment she knew this was a problem, and was determined to find a solution. Jessica spent nearly a year researching and developing a solution that not only made zipping a dress easier, but effortless. While developing Zipper Genie she learned that over 50% of people choose not to purchase dresses with zippers due to they can not zip them. Jessica believes you should not be limited to what you wear based on your ability. She is determined to provide people with a solution,so they confidently wear the clothes they love and allow them to have fashion without limits.


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Cars > Tony_Mustang's Garage > "Sliver"
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2002 Ford Mustang GT (Sliver)
Last updated Jul 19, 2009
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This is my 2002 Mustang GT. After deciding that I wanted something different I gave my 2001 V6 to my little brother and found this. I have had the car for almost 3 years now and I love it. I have had a lot of things done to the car and cant wait to do more. These cars are amazing and just so much fun to drive.
No speed limiter.
Cold air intake, flowmaster exhaust, Superchips tune, and all StreetGlow lights.
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Data Center Program Manager
Seattle , Washington
February 08, 2017
Data Center Program Manager
Job Description:
Oracle Cloud currently has an opportunity available for a Data Center Program Manager to support infrastructure design, build, deployment, and operations in data center facilities.
The Data Center Program Manager will responsible for creating executable project plans with clearly defined milestones, reporting project status, issues/risks, mitigation plans, and creating operational documentation for deploying and maintaining data center facilities.
Experience in project management for data center operations and migrations.
Good understanding of data center cabling design and standards.
Ability to apply independent and sound business judgment to solve complex issues.
Works independently with minimal supervision required and can lead cross-functional teams to complete projects and major initiatives using judgment, experience, and leadership skills.
Effective communication skills with all levels of management.
Effectively manage project scope, timelines, and customer expectations.
Partner with internal IT operations teams to ensure successful transition from delivery to day two operations.
Ability to travel up to 25% domestic and international.
7 years of experience working in an IT Enterprise organization.
Successful track record in completing multiple infrastructure projects.
Must have a strong technical knowledge, which encompasses data center technologies and design.
Ability to succeed through collaboration and working through other internal and external organizations and individuals.
Strong leadership capabilities and strong interpersonal skills required.
Ability to learn quickly and adjust to changing priorities while maintaining a positive, can-do attitude.
Manage the development and implementation process of a specific company product.
Manage the development and implementation process of a specific company product involving departmental or cross-functional teams focused on the delivery of new or existing products. Plan and direct schedules and monitor budget/spending. Monitor the project from initiation through delivery. Organize the interdepartmental activities ensuring completion of the project/product on schedule and within budget constraints. Assign and monitor work of systems analysis and program staff, providing technical support and direction.
Work is non-routine and very complex, involving the application of advanced technical/business skills in area of specialization. Leading contributor individually and as a team member, providing direction and mentoring to others. BS or MS degree or equivalent experience relevant to functional area. Seven years of project management, product design or related experience preferred.
Oracle is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability and protected veterans status or any other characteristic protected by law.
A little about us:
Oracle is shifting the complexity from IT, moving it out of the enterprise by engineering hardware and software to work together—in the cloud.
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Return to The Sin Bin
What about Canadian college hockey?
February 23 2005 at 5:52 PM
DaBroons (
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Rain, rain go away
Was it your team, or maybe it was Rob's, that made to the finals last year?
The rain and mudslides are a direct results of advanced global warming, caused by Octo in a thread down below.
Sorry...couldn't resist.
Respond to this message
Beaten to the punch...
- Octopus on Feb 23, 2005, 7:54 PM
University hockey up here
- BigE on Feb 24, 2005, 11:36 AM
That was mine....
- Rob on Feb 23, 2005, 9:15 PM
Woohoo, Axemen on a tear
- BigE on Feb 24, 2005, 11:25 AM
Acadia is in the finals
- Rob on Feb 26, 2005, 8:03 AM
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Myrkskog lyrics— 17 lyrics total Lyrics → Artists: M → Myrkskog lyrics
About MyrkskogMyrkskog is a death metal band formed in 1993 from Drammen, Norway. Usually their music consisted of thunderous high speed double-bass with rapid blastbeats and fills. Read more...
Myrkskog lyrics
|Bleeding Wrist lyrics
|Detain The Skin lyrics
|Over The Gore lyrics
|Sinthetic Lifeworm lyrics
|The Hate Syndicate lyrics
|Trapped In Torment lyrics


text:
Hi all
I really would like a pond in my garden. I am looking to have a relatively small pond, enough for pond life to survive and a few goldfish but would like it to be inexpensive, has anyone ideas of how I can do this for a relatively small amount of money. I have a south south east facing garden, with clay soil
hollie hock Posts: 3,294
A small pond was added to my garden last year with the idea that I had a few goldfish and wildlife. It just didn't work for me, all my fish died probably because of the lack of a pump or oxgenting plants.
Since then I've just the pond do it's own thing, Apart from cleaning out the leaves/netting it ( wrong position under two trees) I've got a few grasses around the edges, it does have different heights so things can get out of it and a few days ago I saw a frog/or toad in it. Made my day
The pond itself was cheap in materials, used some stones to edge it, some pond liner and a couple of grasses. I'm no expert but I would advise choose the spot carefully. I did do a little research and found that a wildlife pond & goldfish don't often go together. Thats certainly been my experience.
Oh I forgot about the digging!0
martin longhurst Posts: 27
I developed a pond about a year ago. It was with the intention of being a wildlife pond only. Within a year I've had frogs and toads in the pond along with many invertebrates such as pond skaters and water boatmen. I also had a dragonfly visit recently. The soil type can be immaterial as you can line throughout and place different soil on top, even creating a part bog garden as I have with pitcher plants being evident. My pond is nearly fully south facing but has some shade at certain times in the day.
I would recommend you go ahead as it will enrich your garden no end.0
How much is a small amount of money ? 50, 200, 1000
A few things to bear in mind when locating your pond.
NEVER locate it under trees, total shade or total sun ;-
- Under trees - falling leaves
- Total shade - plants can't photosynthesis
- Total sun - problems with green water
Lets face it, building ponds is expense, I know because I've spent thousands of pounds building them. If your into recycling, I have made a pond at my allotment from an old bath, dig a hole, drop it in, put the plug in lol and plant around the sides.
If a bath is not to your liking, do what my neighbour done. Lined it with black pond lining probably bought from argos to disguise the fact it's a bath - it works !! I've checked on the Argos site and there is 2 sizes to choose from.
If your thinking about keeping fish, a pond this size would house 2 pond fish nicely - do keep in mind that pond fish and aquatic plants grow bigger then indoors. Oh, and remember to put in steps, should any wildlife wish to visit your pond they'll be able to climb out, you'll be surprised how many people overlook this very important detail.0
You can make a small pond out of anything watertight. A friend of mine used one of those kiddies shell-shaped sand-pits and it worked well. If it's for wildlife, leave out the fish as you'll need a pump, which will hoick the price up, and generally fancy fish and wildlife don't mix. Ideally it should be a metre deep at it's deepest to prevent it freezing totally, otherwise you'll be out with pans of hot water thawing the ice! One side at least should be gradually sloping as hedgehogs and baby birds like to make a habit of falling in and need some way of getting out again. You can do this by adding stones if you have a high, smooth sided pond (like a bath-tub) but the easiest method is to dig out the shape you want and use pond liner. Alternatively you can have an above ground pond (better if you have children and/or pets) made out of something like a half-barrel. Again, make sure that you include a way for wildlife to get in and out0
Following Botticelliwoman suggestion, I thought I'd take a pic of the pond I'm creating in my yard - wildlife only. Exposed to full sun from 1-5pm approx a day in summer, non in winter.
Looks a bit messy at mo, but what the photo doesn't show is all the plants ready to go in those pots on the left handside, which will hide the edges making the pool look more natural. They are 2 trays inside one another for strength, as the pool had to be lifted off the ground.0
Looking good Marshmello! It really doesn't matter what form you have water in the garden, as long as you have it! It is probably the single most important thing for wildlife0
Tim Burr Posts: 344I put in a pond last year - its small - 1.6m x 1.8m, and for ease of installation I used a preformed pond. I put in small pump to help the water circulate. I stocked it up with plants and within a very short space of time, it was looking very established, and filling up with wildlife. Heaven knows where it comes from because I am in the middle of a modern housing development, surrounded on all sides by houses and by gardens covered in grass. The birds love it - using it for bathing and drinking, the hedgehogs that frequent the garden (another surprise in my urban environment) use it for drinking, and this year I have tadpoles. I sit it the garden and see damselflies darting around the pond, and around my garden. It is bliss.0
Very true Botticelliwoman, and thanks.0
Wintersong Posts: 2,436
Tim Burr wrote (see)
...within a very short space of time, it was looking very established, and filling up with wildlife. Heaven knows where it comes from because I am in the middle of a modern housing development, surrounded on all sides by houses and by gardens covered in grass.
Its remarkable to think that concrete spaces would grow over in just ten years whilst 100 yrs would see a wood! Nature is supreme.
There are self contained free standing ponds that are simplest. No digging, just place on your patio, plant up, and fill with water. An example is LifePond from expert Dr Neville Carrington. It's designed to provide a viable habitat in the smallest space. It's free standing http://www.carrington-ecoproducts.co.uk/ www.carrington-ecoproducts.co.uk is where to go I checked the site and it's about £80 delivered to your door and you can position it and fill it with water and marsh plants straight away. @Tim Burr It is amazing how the wildlife find your pond isn't it?!0
Try a freestanding wildlife pond. No digging, just position on your patio, plant some marsh plants and fill with water. The wildlife will soon come. Google 'small raised wildlife pond' and you'll find what you need. Enjoy it!0
Thanks all. I've checked them out, it doesn't seem to say how big they are,0
@mdw84 If you google 'small raised wildlife pond' you'll find a free standing pond - no digging, and the wildlife is easier to watch - that's Width: 76cm, Length: 96cm.
Height: 20cm , Water Volume: 38 litres, with a Marsh Area: 730 sq. cm.0


text:
AGENCY: BROAD-PARK DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION617 Park StreetHartford, CT 06106
INTERNSHIP CONTACT: Raquel Rivera, 249-0649, ext. 1002,
AGENCY FUNCTION: Non-profit developer of affordable housing and commercial revitalization projects in Frog Hollow and South Green. Agency engages in real estate development and property management. Broad-Park is currently expanding its commitment to the physical, economic and social revitalization of the neighborhood.
INTERN ACTIVITIES: Assistant to Project Manager: interns would assist manager with various housing and rental development projects. Duties would include research and field work, with some project responsibility.
INTERNSHIP AVAILABLE: FALL: Yes; SPRING: Yes; SUMMER: Yes
STIPEND: No


text:
Current Events & Hot Topics
Featured Posts
Poll: 85 Percent of Muslim Voters Picked President Obama
(WASHINGTON, D.C., 11/9/2012) -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today released the results of an informal exit poll indicating that more than 85 percent of American Muslim voters picked President Obama in Tuesday's election.
[NOTE: A similar CAIR exit poll in 2008 showed that 89 percent of American Muslim voters picked then-candidate Barack Obama. Two percent of respondents said they voted for Sen. John McCain.]
CAIR's email survey of more than 650 American Muslim voters indicates that just four percent of respondents cast their ballots for Mitt Romney.
Poll findings:
"The fact that more than 95 percent of Muslim respondents went to the polls is a clear indication that they are fully participating in our nation's political process and are part of the fabric of America," said CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad. "Muslim voters in swing states such as Florida, Virginia and Ohio seemed to have played a critical role in tipping the balance in the president's re-election victory."
These results support the findings of a pre-election CAIR survey of 500 Muslim voters that rated jobs and the economy, education, health care policy, Medicare and Social Security, and civil rights as the top issues. That survey indicated that 1 in 4 Muslim voters remained undecided about their presidential pick.
"It appears that undecided Muslim voters broke decisively in President Obama's favor at the polls," said CAIR National Legislative Director Corey Saylor.
Saylor also expressed appreciation that a number of anti-Muslim candidates were rejected by voters nationwide.
CAIR: American Muslims Celebrate Defeat of Congressional Critics
CAIR is America's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.
by muslimahNovember 10, 2012 at 1:22 PM
I am not surprised. Most Muslims would have liked to see Ron Paul in the white house but of course that is not going to happen because he is anti Zionist. They just felt like they had to pick the lesser of 2 evils.
by BookGirl06November 10, 2012 at 1:24 PM
by radioheidNovember 10, 2012 at 1:36 PM
Hey, if they liked Ron Paul, they'd love Gary Johnson. He doesn't bend over to Israel either.
; )
(I hear there's a great chance he is running again in 2016).
by Sweet_BrittNovember 10, 2012 at 1:52 PMTotally understand why they'd vote for the party who DOESN'T view people of that religion as someone to fear.
by kidlover2November 10, 2012 at 1:53 PMAnd 90% of Mormons voted for Romney
November 10, 2012 at 1:54 PM
You didn't read this board much in the last month. People were terrified of a Mormon being President.
But that bigotry is okay.
Quoting Sweet_Britt:
Totally understand why they'd vote for the party who DOESN'T view people of that religion as someone to fear.
by Sweet_BrittNovember 10, 2012 at 2:09 PMI had no problem with Romney being a Mormon whatsoever.
I didn't say that bigotry is ok. I said I don't blame them for voting the way they did....? Do you?
When a huge part of the Republicans scare tactics is that he's Muslim and use that as a reason to hate him, you expect them to vote for that party?
I'm an Atheist and voted for a Christian.
Quoting Claire-Huxtable:
You didn't read this board much in the last month. People were terrified of a Mormon being President.
But that bigotry is okay.
Quoting Sweet_Britt:
Totally understand why they'd vote for the party who DOESN'T view people of that religion as someone to fear.


text:
A man accused of committing the second murder in the history of the nation's most secure federal prison repeatedly stomped on the victim's head, a prison guard testified today.
Dominic Stewart is accused of beating and kicking to death Gregory Jointer, a fellow inmate at the Supermax prison in Florence in May 2005.
His trial opened Monday in federal court in Denver.
On the witness stand this morning, former Supermax guard Michael Vail testified that he saw Stewart punch, kick and then stomp on Joiner during a fight in a prison common area. At one point, Vail testified, Stewart appeared to stop to catch his breath before continuing with the assault.
When demonstrating the stomping motion to the jury today, Vail jumped into the air then landed with such force that the courtroom's floor vibrated.
"It looked to me as if he was trying to kill him," Vail said of Stewart.
"There was blood everywhere," Vail said later of Joiner, "and his face looked like hamburger meat. It wasn't good."
Stewart is charged with premeditated murder in Joiner's death. He is already serving a life sentence in federal prison for a second-degree murder conviction from Washington, D.C., according to a court filing. He has also previously been convicted of being a prisoner in possession of shank — a homemade knife.
An inmate indicted along with Stewart, James Duckett, earlier this month pleaded guilty to assault in connection with Joiner's death.
According to Duckett's plea agreement, Duckett agreed to help Stewart in the fight with Joiner and held Joiner in a headlock while Stewart beat Joiner. When Duckett let go, prosecutors allege Stewart continued to attack Joiner.
Duckett has not yet been sentenced for his role in the attack.
Supermax houses the most dangerous inmates in the federal prison system, and most inmates are kept on 23-hour-a-day lock-down. Duckett, Stewart and Joiner, however, were held in a specialty "step-down" unit, where inmates prove they can behave well enough to be transferred to less-secure prisons.
Vail testified that the men were being held in a unit that is the last step before being moved out of Supermax.
The first homicide in Supermax history occurred in April 2005, a month before Joiner's death. Two inmates have been charged in that case, and federal prosecutors are seeking the death penalty against one, Richard Santiago.
John Ingold: 303-954-1068 or firstname.lastname@example.com