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The Kinston High School boys� and girls� basketball teams will be playing for 2A state championships today. The school held a pep rally for the teams Friday afternoon.
In the midst of an unforgettably historic Kinston High School basketball season, the school�s administration hosted a pep rally to remember.
The bleachers in the school�s gymnasium were flooded with audible student and community support. The audience was pumped up by cheerleaders, band music and, of course, the stars of the show: the boys and girls basketball teams.
Both are headed to North Carolina High School Athletic Association championship 2A games today, albeit with a new entry in the Kinston High basketball annals. The boys � in the state championship game for the fifth time in seven years � will defend their title. However, the girls are in their first title game appearance.
�It�s a history-making event,� said Angela Bryant, Kinston High principal. �Our boys and girls have never been here at the same time. This is our girls� first time ever, (and) we really want to celebrate everything about Kinston High School. Our basketball teams are a great way to do that.�
After the two teams were introduced one player at a time before a full gym, Bryant led the Vikings in the viral �Harlem Shake� dance routine � the final bang before the teams square off today in Chapel Hill�s Dean E. Smith Center.
�It�s a dream come true,� said guard Monique Lofton, Kinston�s leading scorer in her senior year. �It feels so good. My emotions are everywhere right now. I�m not sure if I should be nervous or excited � I don�t know.�
In their first championship run, the Lady Vikings (26-4) will play Pisgah High Schoolof Canton. After Friday�s livened pep rally, head coach Hubert Quinerly said the girls can�t change how they�ve played this season.
�They have to do everything that we normally been doing,� he said of how to win today�s game. �The nerves will get to them a little bit early, but I think they�ll settle down. They�re ready.�
He said many people have sent emails, text messages and made phone calls to show their support for the team.
�Our community is our backbone,� Quinerly said. �They just want it for our ladies. � Our girls have worked extra hard to get to this point.�
Lydia Rivers, a sophomore forward, also said her team needs to play smart today and is glad to be part of this year�s team.
�Just to make it this far is awesome,� she said. �I just thank God for this opportunity and to be able to be in the team.�
Brandi Coples, a Kinston High School alumna came out to the mid-afternoon rally to show her support for both teams.
�For the boys, I�m going to be excited,� Coples said about a championship victory. �But for the girls, I�m going to be ecstatic because it�s their first time making it there.�
She said hosting a pep rally is a way to get Kinston fired up for today�s games.
A Kinston High cheerleader, Qyteisha O� Neal, said when the teams see how strong the community and school rallied behind them, it can heighten their victory chances.
�(Pep rallies) are a part of our school spirit and getting the school hyped,� she said after a floor performance with her team.
The boys� team (27-2) is squaring off in a rematch against last year�s contender: the Waxhaw Cuthbertson Cavaliers, a team who handed the Vikings one of their only two losses this season.
�I think their team is the same team coming back,� said head coach Perry Tyndall, who is in his first year leading the team. �For the most part, we�ve got some of the same returners, so I don�t think there�s going to be a whole lot of differences. They know a lot about us, we know a lot about them.
�I think it�s going to come down to execution and some of the simple things.�
He was an assistant coach the past eight years and said he was able to coach the team to a championship because of his dynamic players.
�I had guys that came in and were willing to work hard and give everything they had,� he said, adding that some guys already knew the hard work it took to get to that level.
�Getting to the state championship is very, very hard,� Tyndall said. �For both teams to get there, our community is extremely excited. � It�s good for our school, it�s good for our students, and it�s good for our community.�
While supporters exited from the gymnasium where both teams went undefeated this year, it opened up the practice floor to some Vikings who�d be spending their last day in the Kinston gymnasium.
�The whole gym means a lot,� said senior guard Josh Dawson, who�s played on the varsity for four years. �The fact that I�ve been here since ninth grade, the fact that I�ve been getting better and better every year, and the fact I can lead my team to a state championship this year just means a lot.�
Dawson, who won state championships with the team in 2010 and 2012, said he�d miss his teammates when he moves on this year, but winning a title two years in a row would be a grand way to exit the team and end his four-year Kinston High basketball career.
Dawson is one of the team�s eight seniors.
�They are very important to this year�s team,� said junior guard Andrew Lopez of key seniors Dawson and forward Denzel Keyes. �We�re just gonna have to be able to step up � next year and play their role. We�ve had the opportunity to have a good team two years in a row.�
Tyndall said to win today, the team has to play through adversity.
�I believe in our guys, I believe in our abilities, but with this game, you never know,� Tyndall said of today�s matchup. �But I believe � and I�m very, very happy to have the team that I have.�
Jessika Morgan can be reached at 252-559-1078 or at firstname.lastname@example.com. Follow her on Twitter @JessikaMorgan.
2013 NCHSAA prep basketball championship:
Unable to attend today�s games but want to keep up with the teams? Visit Kinston.com for live play-by-play of both contests.


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Here you can find answers to questions about how the board works. Use the links or search box below to find your way around.
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General Forum Rules: These rules apply to all Forum categories.
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subset: commoncrawl


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ALVIN Constant 2mm Drawing Leads. Top-grade imported 2mm refill drawing leads, superior in both quality and strength.Uniform in texture and time-tested under rigid standards.Can be used with any standard lead holder. Supplied in a 12-pack tube.
9 points will be rewarded when you are logged in to your account and buy this item.Learn about our rewards program here.
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Tip for N900 users: Save battery using Autodisconnect tool
The N900 is the cellphone that I'm using since last December and I simply love it. No I'm not a Nokia fun boy, I let this kind of behavior for those who loves design despite of usability, connectivity, reliability, etc..
Well, but as the title suggests this post is just for the N900 users
As you should know the weakness of this device is the battery when you use so much 3G, wifi, bluetooth and GPS. I have to recharge my device every single night to be sure that I'll have enough power for the whole next day.
At least I had, before to find out the Autodisconnect tool. You configure it to disconnect everything that is not really being used and is saves battery.
Well it doesn't do any miracle but at least nowadays I can forget to recharge one night without being worried during the next day.
OBS: I'm not a Autodisconnect tool developer and to be honest I've never seen its code. This is just a tip for the users.


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Ericsson Diversity Matchmaker Event | Process steps and tips
Our mission and commitment
A message from Niklas Heuveldop, President & CEO Market Area North America
"Ericsson is committed to the utilization of diverse supplier partners. This pledge is part of Ericsson's commitment to transform lives, industries and society through our ideas, technology and leadership. The foundation of our supplier diversity program consists of a holistic approach to inclusive diversity with deliverables that enable success for our customers, team members, communities and shareholders."
In 2019, Ericsson's focus will continue to be on growing its award-winning Supplier Diversity program. To accomplish our goals and to source diverse suppliers, Ericsson team members will participate in outreach events including workshops, panel discussions, round table and matchmaker events on a national and North Texas regional basis. Additionally, on November 7th, 2019, Ericsson will host its seventh annual Supplier Diversity Matchmaker Event. This signature event provides opportunities for diverse suppliers to meet with Ericsson category managers. It also offers informative general sessions where attendees have the chance to hear first-hand from Ericsson leaders about the current and future state of the telecommunication industry.
In support of its program, Ericsson partners with the following best-in-class Supplier Diversity organizations:
- National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC)
- Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC)
- Dallas/Fort Worth Minority Supplier Development Council (D/FW MSDC) *
- Women's Business Council Southwest (WBCS)*
- Technology Industry Group
*Ericsson serves on the Board of Directors
If you are a certified diverse supplier and would like to partner with Ericsson, please click here.
Catch us on the road! Below is a list of events Ericsson will attend in 2019:
WBCS Parade of Stars Gala, January 31, Dallas TX
WBENC Summit & Salute, March 11-13, Houston TX
WBCS Connections to Contracts, April 10, Irving, TX
D/FW MSDC BTTBU, April 26, Dallas TX
D/FW MSDC Access Business Expo, May 6-7, Dallas TX
WBENC Conference, June 25-27, Baltimore MD
WBCS Harvesting Partnerships, September 5, TBD
NMSDC Conference & Business Opportunity Exchange, October 13 – 16, Atlanta GA
Ericsson Supplier Diversity Matchmaker Event, November 7, Plano TX
D/FW MSDC E Awards Gala, Dallas TX, November 22, Dallas TX
Our Supplier Diversity Program is part of the MANA Strategic Sourcing function. Please click here to contact the Supplier Diversity Manager.
- Small Business Administration (SBA)
- Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC)
- Women's Business Council Southwest (WBC-S)
- National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC)
- Dallas/Fort Worth Minority Supplier Development Council (MSDC)
- National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC)
- National Veteran Business Development Council (NVBDC)
- National Veteran Owned Business Association (NaVOBA)
- Technology Industry Group (TIG)
About Ericsson
Ericsson is one of the leading providers of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to service providers, with about 40% of the world's mobile traffic carried through our networks. We enable the full value of connectivity by creating game-changing technology and services that are easy to use, adopt and scale, making our customers successful in a fully connected world. For more than 140 years, our ideas, technology and people have changed the world: real turning points that have transformed lives, industries and society as a whole.


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Vertex Enters Agreement with Bristol-Myers Squibb for Phase 2 All-Oral Studies of VX-135 in Combinat
Vertex Enters Agreement with Bristol-Myers Squibb for Phase 2 All-Oral Studies of VX-135 in Combination with Daclatasvir for the Treatment of Hepatitis C
-Two Phase 2 studies to evaluate once-daily combination of Vertex's investigational nucleotide analogue VX-135 and BMS' investigational NS5A replication complex inhibitor daclatasvir-
-Study in people with genotype 1 hepatitis C planned to begin in second quarter of 2013-
-Study in people with genotypes 1, 2 and 3 hepatitis C, including people with cirrhosis, planned for second half of 2013-
CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (NAS: VRTX) today announced it has entered into a non-exclusive agreement with Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYS: BMY) to conduct Phase 2 studies of once-daily all-oral treatment regimens containing Vertex's nucleotide analogue hepatitis C virus (HCV) polymerase inhibitor VX-135 and Bristol-Myers Squibb's NS5A replication complex inhibitor daclatasvir for the treatment of hepatitis C. As part of the agreement, Vertex plans to conduct two Phase 2 studies of the combination, including an initial study in treatment-naïve people with genotype 1 HCV infection planned for the second quarter of 2013. Vertex plans to begin a subsequent study in treatment-naïve people infected with genotype 1, 2 or 3 HCV, including those with cirrhosis, in the second half of 2013, pending data from the initial study.
"With more than 170 million people infected worldwide, there is a critical need for new hepatitis C medicines that can offer people simpler and more tolerable treatment regimens that provide high cure rates," said Robert Kauffman, M.D., Ph.D., Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer at Vertex. "These studies with daclatasvir will provide the first opportunity to evaluate VX-135 as part of all-oral regimens in people with multiple hepatitis C genotypes and in people with cirrhosis."
Clinical Development Plans for VX-135 with Daclatasvir
Under the terms of the agreement, Vertex will conduct two Phase 2 studies of VX-135 in combination with daclatasvir. The first study will enroll approximately 20 non-cirrhotic, treatment-naïve people with chronic genotype 1 HCV infection and is expected to begin in the second quarter of 2013. In the second half of 2013, Vertex plans to conduct a subsequent study in approximately 250 treatment-naïve people with chronic genotype 1, 2 or 3 HCV infection, including those with cirrhosis. Each of these studies is expected to evaluate safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and viral cure rates (SVR4 and SVR12) of multiple all-oral regimens of VX-135 and daclatasvir dosed once daily, pending regulatory discussions. Vertex will also conduct co-formulation activities to evaluate the potential for development of a once-daily fixed-dose combination regimen. Further clinical development activities beyond the Phase 2 studies are not covered as part of this agreement.
About VX-135
VX-135 is a uridine nucleotide analogue pro-drug designed to inhibit the replication of the hepatitis C virus by acting on the NS5B polymerase. In people with genotype 1, treatment with a 200mg once-daily dose of VX-135 in a 7-day viral kinetic study was well-tolerated, with no discontinuations due to adverse events, and resulted in a 4.54 log10 median reduction from baseline in HCV RNA. Data from a 7-day viral kinetic study of VX-135 in people with genotypes 2, 3 and 4 were consistent with data observed in people with genotype 1 and have been submitted for presentation at a future medical meeting.
Vertex gained worldwide rights to ALS-2200, known as VX-135 in Phase 2 studies, through an exclusive licensing agreement signed with Alios BioPharma, Inc. in June 2011. The agreement also includes a research program that focuses on the discovery of additional nucleotide analogues that act on hepatitis C polymerase. Vertex has the option to select additional compounds for development emerging from the research program.
About Daclatasvir
Daclatasvir is an NS5A replication complex inhibitor that is being extensively studied as a key component of potential DAA-based hepatitis C treatment regimens. Studied in more than 4,100 patients to date, daclatasvir is in Phase 3 development.
Daclatasvir is part of a portfolio of investigational compounds with different mechanisms of action that Bristol-Myers Squibb is developing for the treatment of hepatitis C. These compounds are being studied as part of multiple novel treatment regimens with the goal of increasing SVR rates across diverse patient types and geographies.
About Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C is a serious liver infection caused by the hepatitis C virus, which is spread through direct contact with the blood of infected people and ultimately affects the liver.1 Chronic hepatitis C can lead to serious and life-threatening liver problems, including liver damage, cirrhosis, liver failure or liver cancer.1 Though many people with hepatitis C may not experience symptoms, others may have symptoms such as fatigue, fever, jaundice and abdominal pain.1 Unlike HIV and hepatitis B virus, chronic hepatitis C can be cured.2 If treatment is not successful and a person does not achieve a viral cure, they remain at an increased risk for progressive liver disease.3,4
More than 170 million people worldwide are chronically infected with hepatitis C.5 In the United States, up to 5 million people have chronic hepatitis C and 75 percent of them are unaware of their infection.6,7 Hepatitis C is four times more prevalent in the United States compared to HIV.7 The majority of people with hepatitis C in the United States were born between 1945 and 1965, accounting for three fourths of people with the infection.8 Hepatitis C is the leading cause of liver transplantations in the United States and is reported to contribute to 15,000 deaths annually.9,10 By 2029, total annual medical costs in the United States for people with hepatitis C are expected to more than double, from $30 billion in 2009 to approximately $85 billion.11
About Vertex
Vertex creates new possibilities in medicine. Our team discovers, develops and commercializes innovative therapies so people with serious diseases can lead better lives.
Vertex scientists and our collaborators are working on new medicines to cure or significantly advance the treatment of hepatitis C, cystic fibrosis, rheumatoid arthritis and other life-threatening diseases.
Founded more than 20 years ago in Cambridge, Mass., we now have ongoing worldwide research programs and sites in the U.S., U.K. and Canada. Today, Vertex has more than 2,000 employees around the world, and for three years in a row, Science magazine has named Vertex one of its Top Employers in the life sciences.
Vertex Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, without limitation, Dr. Kauffman's statements in the second paragraph of the press release and statements regarding Vertex's expectations with respect to the timing and structure of studies evaluating the combination of VX-135 and daclatasvir. While Vertex believes the forward-looking statements contained in this press release are accurate, there are a number of factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements. Those risks and uncertainties include, among other things, that the initiation of planned studies may be delayed or prevented, that the outcomes of Vertex's planned clinical studies may not be favorable and other risks listed under Risk Factors in Vertex's annual report and quarterly reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and available through the company's website at www.vrtx.com. Vertex disclaims any obligation to update the information contained in this press release as new information becomes available.
1 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Hepatitis C Fact Sheet: CDC Viral Hepatitis. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/HCV/PDFs/HepCGeneralFactSheet.pdf Updated June 2010. Accessed September 21, 2012.
2 Pearlman BL and Traub N. Sustained Virologic Response to Antiviral Therapy for Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection: A Cure and So Much More. Clin Infect Dis. 2011 Apr;52(7):889-900.
3 Morgan TR, Ghany MG, Kim HY, Snow KK, Lindsay K, Lok AS. Outcome of sustained virological responders and non-responders in the Hepatitis C Antiviral Long-Term Treatment Against Cirrhosis (HALT-C) trial. Hepatology. 2008;50(Suppl 4):357A (Abstract 115).
4 Veldt BJ, Heathcote J, Wedmeyer H. Sustained virologic response and clinical outcomes in patients with chronic hepatitis C and advanced fibrosis. Annals of Internal Medicine. 2007; 147: 677-684.
5 Ghany MG, Strader DB, Thomas DL, Seeff, LB. Diagnosis, management and treatment of hepatitis C; An update. Hepatology. 2009;49 (4):1-40.
6 Chak, E, et. al. Hepatitis C Virus Infection In USA: An Estimate of True Prevalence. Liver Intl. 2011;1096 -1098.
7 Institute of Medicine of the National Academies. Hepatitis and liver cancer: a national strategy for prevention and control of hepatitis B and C. Colvin HM and Mitchell AE, ed. Available at: http://www.iom.edu/Reports/2010/Hepatitis-and-Liver-Cancer-A-National-Strategy-for-Prevention-and-Control-of-Hepatitis-B-and-C.aspx Updated January 11, 2010. Accessed September 21, 2012.
8 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Recommendations for the Identification of Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection Among Persons Born During 1945-1965. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. August 17, 2012; 61(RR04);1-18.
9 Volk MI, Tocco R, Saini S, Lok, ASF. Public health impact of antiviral therapy for hepatitis C in the United States. Hepatology. 2009;50(6):1750-1755.
10 Ly KN, et al. The Increasing Burden of Mortality From Viral Hepatitis in the United States Between 1999 and 2007. Ann Intern Med. 2012;156:271-278.
11 Pyenson B, Fitch K, and Iwasaki K. Consequences of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV): Costs of a Baby Boomer Epidemic of Liver Disease. Milliman, Inc. May 2009. Available at: http://www.vrtx.com/assets/pdfs/MillimanReport.pdf
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated
Zach Barber, 617-341-6470
Michael Partridge, 617-341-6108
Kelly Lewis, 617-961-7530
KEYWORDS: United States North America Canada Massachusetts
The article Vertex Enters Agreement with Bristol-Myers Squibb for Phase 2 All-Oral Studies of VX-135 in Combination with Daclatasvir for the Treatment of Hepatitis C originally appeared on Fool.com.Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
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Our exclusive for GaloreMag.com sheds light on some of the challenging and more bittersweet realities of models. We believe spreading awareness and making these issues real will help unite our industry.
---> Our Photo Story w/ K A Y S L E E C O L L I N S :
How has modeling changed your life?
Changed my life? Hmm... well... I've been doing this for so long that I can't see myself doing anything else. It's when I feel most comfortable but I live a different kind of life.
When I took some time off modeling I realized a few things. I could have easily lived a very normal life in San Diego. You know, get married maybe, I was even thinking of becoming a yoga instructor.
It's changed my life in that way. At the same time I've attracted this my whole life. It hasn't really changed, it's always been there.
And how long have you been modeling for?
I've been modeling for 10 years... Woah. WOAH.
10 years. Wow and how old are you?
I'm 22.
So, what type of girl does it take to be successful as a model?
I'm a firm believer that you have to put in the effort.
There's a lot of people in our industry who take our work for granted. They just sit there and complain that they're not where they want to be in life.
That's because your agent can't do everything for you. YOU have to make it a point to work your freakin' ass off!
Be creative and develop new ideas. There's only so much they can do for you.
You get what you put in.
What are some of the biggest challenges you face overall and on a daily basis as a model?
It's hard to have the confidence you need because you're surrounded by beautiful people every single day.
Social media can be a good thing, but it can also be a really, really bad thing.
I have to literally take time to separate those two worlds because it can really affect me. I don't even realize it... it just hits me one day and I don't want to get out of bed.
It's so easy to get into that "social media spiral." I've learned to NOT do that anymore.
So how do you deal with it?
I have great friends that can relate and great parents I can call and they'll help me.
But... it's a really sensitive subject. It's kind of embarrassing.
For example, I was dating someone who was so "anti this industry" and I was in a very dark place at the time. I had body issues, dealing with acne, and just things come up.
I'm human, you know?
Sometimes it's just hard. So I write. I journal. Or I'll go to a yoga class. Something to release. I'm also really into water. Music helps me a lot too.
And like I said earlier, having good friends that can relate really helps.
I live with an actress/model so she deals with the same things. The thing is, I don't think anyone really talks about it out loud. So it's important that we tell people how we feel.
What, in your opinion, needs to change in order for models to be properly recognized?
This whole 'celebrity thing' has evolved into a bigger issue.
It used to be supermodels on the covers of magazines. Now it's fucking Beyonce on the cover of Sports Illustrated. Don't get me wrong I LOVE Beyonce but you know...
At the same time more models need to DO more.
It would be RAD to see other creative aspects of these beautiful girls. Whether it be making a beauty line like Miranda Kerr, or writing a book, or doing a fucking workout video, I don't know...
There needs to be the "whole package" with models. I feel like our culture is very into the '"do it all" mentality.
Let's encourage girls to do more. We need to recreate ourselves.
Don't look at yourselves like just a pretty face. If you have other dreams and goals then DO them while still modeling. It's hard to balance but worth it.
Some days though, I just want to be normal and eat gluten.
Model: Kayslee Collins @ TWO Management, Elite Miami
Makeup / Hair : Ash Mathews
Photographers : Joe Villanueva and Katie Stone


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mamahicks on Family Tree Circles
sort: Date Alphabetical
view: full | list
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Journals and Posts
How do I track what religion a family practiced after leaving the family religion?
The Martins came over from England w/ the Quaker group who immigrated to Pennsylvania. They then migrated to NC, VA, KY, and then throughout the U.S. in the 20th century. At some point in the 1800s, they blended in w/ the religion of the local region where they were living. How do you go about accessing that information? The Canadian census listed "religion" but ours does not.
- Displaying 1-1 of 1 Journals
- 1
- of1


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As you might know, Youtube has a time limit for movies. They only allow a max. duration of 10 minutes each movie you upload. There is also a 100MB limit foreach movie but that wasn't my problem here.
After some searching I found out that it's pretty simple doing this with Sabayon Linux without installing any additional packages.
Given my movie (full_movie.avi) is a length off 00:18:49 I would need to split this.
create the first part:
mencoder -endpos 00:10:00 -ovc copy -oac copy test-001.avi -o part_1.avi
create the second part that starts at 00:10:00
mencoder -ss 00:10:00 -endpos 00:20:00 -ovc copy -oac copy test-001.avi -o part_2.avi
From here you can obviously continue until you split up the entire movie.
and there you have it.
joost@xbox-360 ~/dvdrip-data/test/avi/001 $ ls -lh
total 152M
-rw-r–r– 1 joost users 77M May 21 19:59 full_movie.avi
-rw-r–r– 1 joost users 41M Jun 9 13:50 part_1.avi
-rw-r–r– 1 joost users 36M Jun 9 13:51 part_2.avi


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By Carey Candrian
Guest Commentary
I co-facilitated a disclosure communication training last week with a small group of medical residents. The session is designed around two case studies, each involving a medical error. The cases are "real." By that I mean they were adapted from actual clinical experiences. At the beginning of the session, we brainstormed with residents about what communication skills are necessary to disclose error and furthermore, how to take ownership for their behavior.
"Empathy is really important," they quickly said. "Yes, empathy." As facilitators, we followed up: "Okay great, tell me more, what does empathy look like? How will you know you've been empathic?"
"Telling someone you understand what they are going through," one resident said.
"Having good nonverbals," another expressed.
"Apologizing, definitely apologize so they trust you again," said a third resident.
Read more…


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|Doctor Who Eleven Doctors Minifigure Tardis Box Set
|Google Android Phone Mascot Mini Figures Series 2 Case
Seriously creepy:
|Living Dead Dolls Thirteenth Anniversary Series Set
|Dexter Dark Defender 3 3/4 inch Comic-Con Exclusive Figure
|Kubrick Bearbrick Series 22 Mini-Figures
Look at this adorable Pullip Dal Steampunk Ra Muw Doll. She is the cutest Pullip I've seen in a long time. Of course I want her - or maybe just her outfit.


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New York, June 21, 2011--On the heels of an attack on Agence France-Presse's Amman offices, the Committee to Protect Journalists calls on the Jordanian government to hold to account those who threaten or attack journalists.
Ten men in plainclothes attacked AFP's offices on Wednesday, destroying furniture and equipment, said AFP journalist Kamal Taha, who was on duty at the time, according to international news reports. The assault came just three hours after an unidentified caller made threats of physical harm against AFP Amman bureau chief Randa Habib and the agency's office, local and regional media reported. Although Habib relayed the threats to authorities, they failed to take measures to prevent that attack, The New York Times said.
The threats and the assault came two days after a June 13 AFP story that referred to an incident in which men threw bottles at King Abdullah's motorcade during a visit to the town of Tafileh. Officials denied that the motorcade was attacked. The next day, some 300 government loyalists demanded the closure of AFP's offices for "inaccurate reporting," news reports said.
"Vows by Jordanian officials to find and bring to justice the perpetrators of every recent attack on the media have come to nothing," said CPJ Middle East and North Africa Program Coordinator Mohamed Abdel Dayem. "These unfulfilled assurances amount to a tacit endorsement of violence against the press."
Local journalists held a protest in solidarity with AFP in which they demanded accountability for the attack. Emmanuel Hoog, AFP chairman and chief executive, denied in a letter to Jordanian Prime Minister Maaruf Bakhit that the outlet had perpetrated "subversive intrigue" by publishing its story. Noting an official condemnation of the attack and a swiftly launched government investigation, Hoog added that he expected "immediate" and "concrete measures" to be taken to prevent additional attacks.
Today, Information Minister Taher Adwan resigned, citing laws that he viewed as "restrictive for freedom of expression" and "the repeated attacks on journalists who are doing their professional duties." Adwan, a veteran journalist and the former editor-in-chief of a popular daily, Al-Arab al-Yawm, had issued a prompt condemnation of the attack on AFP.
CPJ has documented multiple attacks on media in Jordan since March, including threats against Al-Jazeera staffers, assaults on journalists covering pro-reform demonstrations, and the hacking of news websites.


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Adding a Couple of Electrical Relays Can Make a Hot Situation Safer
When it comes to today's classic trucks, the amount of creature comforts being installed seems endless. Air conditioning, power windows, power seats, door poppers, and everything else one can think of all require more electrical power than most electrical systems and switches were designed to handle.
The big push to install relays to overcome the excessive loads on wiring and switches is a much-needed trend. Relays allow the power-consuming load to receive the current required without overloading the circuits and switches. These accessories will also perform at greater efficiency due to the increased power available.
Much of this is illustrated by Bill Marcom's '54 Chevrolet pickup. He was having starting problems and when the air conditioning was on, he smelled wires burning. Bill contacted John Roberts, a local wiring guy, to find the problem and make repairs.
Roberts examined the pickup and quickly realized that some relays and a little rewiring would have Bill on his way with much more confidence in his pickup's electrical system.


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Welcome to the Lincolnshire Cooper Club shop.
Note: Standard postage is via Royal Mail second class. Please allow up to 7-10 working days for despatch and delivery from order. Often we will deliver well within this time as we despatch as quickly as possible. Please contact us should you require anything urgently.
Note: Items are personalised garments and can not be returned if size is incorrect, please refer to size guide against each product or contact us if you are concerned.
Beanie Hat with Pom Pom. Reflective strands on the Pom – Very cute! 7-13 years
Black, Navy


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Brendan Maclean, Antoinette O'Halloran and More Set for Famous Spiegeltent's 2013 Season, Beg. Feb 5
Sydney songwriter Brendan Maclean, soon to star on the silver screen in the upcoming film The Great Gatsby; opera star and Spicks and Specs regular Antoinette O'Halloran; a new dance show from So You Think You Can Dance's Jason Coleman and his Ministry of Dance Production House; Melbourne theatre favourites Bernadette Robinson and Lucy Maunder; everyone's favourite moog-meister DJ Barry are among the shows added to The Famous Spiegeltent Season at Arts Centre Melbourne Forecourt from Tuesday 5 February to 21 April 2013.
New to the Spiegel Season:
• Starring in the soon-to-be-released Baz Luhrmann film The Great Gatsby, indie-pop singer Brendan Maclean will debut new material alongside a star-studded line-up of guests
• Antoinette Halloran - otherwise known as the girl who brings sexy back to the opera - bringing her burlesque sensibility to opera with her sensual arias of desire, lust, and longing
• Melbourne theatre favourite Lucy Maunder who will unplug and reboot the decadence and danger of last century's greatest songwriter, Irving Berlin• For lovers of dance, Diamonds!, a new show created especially for the Famous Spiegeltent by Jason Coleman and his Ministry of Dance Production House in their first appearance - promises to be a hot ticket at The Famous Spiegeltent • Award-winning, genre-defying, multi-instrumentalist Tom Dickins, will give an exclusive first full performance of his upcoming debut album, A Brief Case Of Madness; the album which has already broken records by becoming the most successful crowdfunded music project in Australian history • The tent will also be home to the best soul-infused gospel acts in town, including Melbourne Singers of Gospel who take audiences on a journey from gospel to soul, from Motown to funk and rock in Higher and Higher and St Paul's Lutheran Church Choir and Melbourne Samoan Choir who will take to the stage for an uplifting afternoon event in The Gospel Hour • To add to the already impressive line-up at Club Spiegel, DJ Barry aka Barry Morgan will bring his groovy tunes to the tent, electrifying his 1980 Farfisa organ to create some 21st century dancefloor beats in DJ Barry's Organ Beats Explosion before house band the Shuffle Club and guests take over to dance the night away • Indigenous music pioneer Bart Willoughby will perform, best known for his fusion of reggae and rock, he has created anthems for his Indigenous and broader Australian fan base. • Ireland's "Prince of Pipers", Finbar Furey, from legendary Irish band The Fureys, will bring his famed melodies and new songs from his latest album Colours to The Famous Spiegeltent • Novalima, the Peruvian four-piece will play their blend of traditional Afro-Peruvian rhythms, dub reggae, chilled-out electronica and funky Latin beats. • The vintage1920s interior of The Famous Spiegeltent makes it the perfect location for Antique Treasure Trove, newly confirmed for 'Other Adventures'- a new program featuring quirky interactive events to inspire, intrigue and educate. For two days over six sessions, audiences will be able to bring along their collectibles, heirlooms and treasures to have them appraised by the crème de la crème of experts from the Australian Antique and Art Dealers Association • As part of the 2013 L'Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival Cultural Program, The Famous Spiegeltent hosts the Indigenous Fashion Runway, a unique event which promotes Indigenous fashion blending together culture, tradition and style. Aboriginal and Maori fashion designers, models, makeup artists and hairstylists will have the opportunity to showcase their skills, in an initiative which empowers them to reach their goals in the fashion and arts industry. Arts Centre Melbourne presents The Famous Spiegeltent Season 2013 Arts Centre Melbourne, The Famous Spiegeltent on the Forecourt 5 February - 21 April 2013.
For information of all confirmed shows at The Famous Spiegeltent's Season 2013, visit http://spiegel.artscentremelbourne.com.au. For more information about what's on at Arts Centre Melbourne, visit artscentremelbourne.com.au or phone 1300 182 183. Become a fan of Arts Centre Melbourne on Facebook or follow @artscentremelb on Twitter.


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Luc-Roger Mbala-Bemba, Ellis Mnyandu, Dzifa Bampoe and Peterson Thiong'o in the Swan Valley near Perth
Ellis Mnyandu inspecting the wreck of the Batavia, on display in the WA Maritime Museum's Shipwreck Gallery after hundreds of years on the sea floor.
The journalists toured the WA Shipwreck Museum's conservation area.
WA Maritime Museum Executive Director Dr Ian MacLeod spent an afternoon taking the journalists on a tour of the museum.
Australian Olympian Jane Moran with Ellis Mnyandu
Peterson Thiong'o, Dzifa Bampoe, Ellis Mnyandu and Luc-Roger Mbala Bemba with kangaroos at Caversham Wildlife Park, Swan Valley, WA.
The journalists met members of the Australian Olympic team who were on their way to a 'welcome home' celebration. Back row, l to r: Dzifa Bampoe (Ghana), Luc-Roger Mbala Bemba (Democratic Republic of Congo), Peterson Thiong'o (Kenya), Olympians Amy Cure (cycling), Blake Gaudry (gymnastics – trampoline), Jane Moran (waterpolo), and journalist Ellis Mnyandu (South Africa). Front l to r: Joshua Jefferis (gymnastics), Jessica Fox (kayak).
Dzifa Bampoe with a koala at Caversham Wildlife Park, Swan Valley, WA
The journalists visited the Maalinup Indigenous Art Gallery in the Swan Valley, where they tasted bush tucker. Ellis Mnyandu plans to take Maalinup's bush tucker entrepreneurship story back to regional communities in South Africa
Bush tucker on display at Maalinup Indigenous Art Gallery.
Indigenous Elder Dale Tillbrook hosted the journalists for the afternoon at Maalinup Indigenous Art Gallery, demonstrating weapons and giving a mini-lecture about valuable local rocks and minerals.
Dale Tillbrook and the journalists spent a lot of time discussing kinship and culture, finding many resonances and shared stories
Mining machinery on its way to the Pilbara. The journalists were interested in mobile infrastructure and the support industry, stopping to take photos at the huge Westrac yards in outer Perth.
Foreign Minister Senator Bob Carr met the journalists, and Luc-Roger Mbala Bemba gave him a copy of the newspaper where he is Chief Editor: L'Observateur.
Murdoch University's School of Media Communications hosted a meeting with the journalists: back row l to r Associate Professor Chris Smyth, Dean; Andrew Porter, lecturer in journalism; and Emerita Associate Professor Gail Phillips. Front l to r Peterson Thiong'o, Ellis Mnyandu and Luc-Roger Mbala Bemba.
No photos were allowed inside the Rio Tinto "nerve centre" when the journalists visited. The centre manages workflow and runs driverless trucks and trains in the Pilbara, remotely. In the foreground, Olivier Caslin is talking to Rio Tinto communications manager Gervase Green following the visit.
Ellis Mnyandu and Luc-Roger Mbala Bemba met the Joondalup Cubs in downtown Perth.
A chance meeting with renowned Italian set designer Edoardo Sanchi led to an invitation to tour backstage at His Majesty's Theatre in Perth, and view preparations for the world premiere of the WA Ballet's production of Pinocchio.
Ellis Mnyandu and Luc-Roger Mbala Bemba at the "Tree of Life", a sculpture marking a children's peace project launched at CHOGM in 2011.


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Home ›
Archive - Jul 2013
Trevon Bluiett cuts list, talks about his seven finalists
On Wed, 07/31/2013 - 3:28pm.
Indianapolis Star/Kyle Neddenriep
Related Players:
Flare-up in right foot to sideline Oklahoma's Buddy Hield for European trip
On Wed, 07/31/2013 - 3:09pm.
NBC Sports/Raphielle Johnson
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What Jesse Morgan decision means for Memphis' Michael Dixon
On Wed, 07/31/2013 - 2:34pm.
Sporting News/Roger Kuznia
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Kameron Chatman to officially visit Michigan on September 6th
On Wed, 07/31/2013 - 2:29pm.
UM Hoops/Dylan Burkhardt
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Ballard basketball's Quentin Snider - long a lock at Louisville - will look at other schools
On Wed, 07/31/2013 - 1:09pm.
Louisville Courier-Journal/Steve Jones
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Stan The M A N Mater's Dei's Stanley Johnson is already the best Monarch Ever!
On Wed, 07/31/2013 - 1:06pm.
Los Angeles Sentinel/Kenneth Miller
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Malik Monk and Arkansas Wings win 16u AAU National Championship
On Wed, 07/31/2013 - 1:03pm.
KATV/Robert Burton
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Rashad Vaughn's narrowed list includes North Carolina, which reportedly offered 2015 recruits Luke Kennard, P.J. Dozier, Brandon Ingram a day earlier
On Wed, 07/31/2013 - 12:56pm.
Fayetteville Observer/Bret Strelow
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Paul VI G/F Franklin Howard to have knee surgery
On Wed, 07/31/2013 - 12:54pm.
The Washington Post/Brandon Parker
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Paul VI's Franklin Howard could miss 5 months after knee surgery
On Wed, 07/31/2013 - 12:51pm.
MaxPreps/Dave Krider
Related Players:


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Baton Rouge Police Hope They've Cracked 28-Year-Old Murder Case
(NEW YORK) -- Investigators in Baton Rouge, La., say they may have cracked a 28-year-old cold murder case after re-arresting two suspects who were originally linked to the 1984 disappearance of a Louisiana businessman.
Leila Mulla, 57, was arrested by Louisiana investigators in New York City, and Ronald Dalton Dunnagan, 64, was arrested in Bossier City, La., Monday. The missing man, Gary Kergan, was last seen alive at Mulla's Baton Rouge home Nov. 29, 1984, police say.
Mulla, who, according to the Queens (N.Y.) District Attorney's office is now a registered nurse, was seen with Kergan, 29, on that night in 1984 at a Baton Rouge nightclub. Kergan was seen wearing flashy jewelry and carrying a significant amount of cash when they left in his Cadillac, police say.
Kergan and his brother owned a string of Sonic fast-food restaurants in Louisiana.
Baton Rouge Police Lt. Don Kelly, who was then a reporter in the city before joining the police force, said Kergan was specifically targeted by Mulla and Dunnagan.
"[Kergan and Mulla] met at the strip club. They [Mulla and Dunnagan] were robbing him of jewelry and cash," he told ABC News. "He [Kergan] flashed jewelry and money, drove the big Caddy....I don't know about their [Mulla and Dunnagan's] relationship, whether they were dating...or mentor-mentee."
Kelly said that when investigators searched Mulla's apartment at the time, there was blood and signs of an effort to clean it up.
Kergan's car was later found abandoned in Metairie, La. A significant amount of blood was located in the trunk of the car, Kelly said, but it could not be determined at the time whether it belonged to Kergan.
"Of course, speculation was that [the blood] was Kergan's. But the technology didn't exist, with DNA testing, to establish that. And his family didn't know his blood type. It made it almost impossible," Kelly said.
Mulla, an exotic dancer at the time, moved out of the apartment within a few days of Kergan's disappearance, Kelly said. She and Dunnagan went to Las Vegas, where they were arrested weeks later.
Investigators had also obtained Mulla's diary, in which she outlined a plan to rob Kergan, Kelly said.
After their arrest in December 1984, Mulla and Dunnagan were charged in connection with Kergan's death. Although they had a timeline of events placing Mulla with Kergan on the night he was last seen, and evidence of a possible crime in her apartment, it wasn't enough, Kelly said. With only circumstantial evidence against the two, the district attorney opted not to prosecute.
Kergan's body has not been found. He was declared legally dead by the courts in 1986. But investigators were able to make an arrest in the nearly 30-year-old murder case when, as part of cold case review, the blood in the car was re-examined.
In March of this year, Baton Rouge police placed Det. John Dotchier in charge of re-examining the department's hundreds of cold cases. Kergan's death became the first one in which the enthusiastic detective got a break when blood from Kergan's Cadillac was re-tested at the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab. DNA analysis showed that the blood belonged to Kergan.
"We've got hundreds of unsolved cases, and this one was looked at this year," Kelly said. "When he saw this one with the blood, he could have swung and missed. It's the first one he's solved."
Kelly said he district attorney's office believes that it now has enough evidence to convict Mulla and Dunnagan.
He has been charged with first-degree murder, she has been charged with second-degree murder and both have been charged with criminal conspiracy and simple robbery. They won't be arraigned until they are returned to Baton Rouge to face formal charges.
Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio


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The IAS Nominations and Appointments Committee is looking for candidates for the following positions on the 2014 IAS Executive Board:
- Up to five members-at-large (elected by the Society Council)
- Society treasurer (elected by the Society Council)
- Chapters and membership department chair (appointed position)
- Meetings department chair (appointed position)
If interested, please send a brief description of your relevant experience to [email protected] with a copy to [email protected]. In your response, please specify for which of the position(s) listed above you would like to be considered as a candidate. The deadline for applications is February 10.
IAS department chairs, as well as the treasurer and president/president-elect/VP, must be IEEE senior members or fellows at the time they join the board. For other positions, the only requirement is to be an IAS member. Board members are expected to attend, in person or electronically, at least three of the board meetings held each year. The board meetings are held approximately once per calendar quarter. The first three meetings are typically held in conjunction with an IAS Technical Conference. The meetings usually last one and a half days, with a full day on Sunday and a half day on Monday.
Members filling elected positions hold two-year terms and can serve a maximum of two consecutive terms. Members filling appointed positions serve one-year terms that can be renewed up to four times.
Summary of duties of members-at-large:
- Members-at-large should bring balance to the executive board by championing the interests of technical and/or geographical segments of the society that are not otherwise represented on the board. Members-at-large sometimes assist in the implementation of selected projects on behalf of the board.
Summary of duties of society treasurer:
- With the assistance of the financial planning committee, the treasurer prepares the annual society budget for approval of the execboard. The treasurer assists the various department chairs in preparing and administrating their department budgets.
- The treasurer is responsible for regularly reporting to the board concerning the collection and disbursements of society funds.
- The treasurer approves the actual disbursement of funds, making sure that such payments were approved by the board, and properly budgeted.
- The treasurer is expected to attend a one-day workshop at IEEE headquarters (typically in March), where he/she meets with IEEE staff and other society treasurers to discuss financial matters of interest to IEEE as a whole, and to the IAS in particular.
- The treasurer should advise the IAS board of any IEEE-level financial matter that could impact the IAS, such as the state of IEEE finances, updates concerning IEEE savings and investments, or budget-rule changes.
- The treasurer is assisted in his/her duties by a staff of financial analysts from IEEE.
Summary of duties of chapters and membership department chair:
- Provide policy and guidance to assure the success of the local chapters and membership development.
- Establish and maintain effective two-way communication between the IAS and IAS chapters and other members of the chapters and membership department.
- Monitor chapter operation through a review of committee chair reports, area chair reports and chapter meeting reports.
- Implement the Outstanding Chapter recognition program: work with the awards committee chair to analyze chapters activities rating forms for selection of the awards recipients; once recipients are chosen, inform the chair of the IAS awards department, the annual meeting general chair, and the chapter chair of the selected Outstanding Chapters; present the awards during the awards luncheon at the annual meeting.
- Maintain the chapter officer database.
- Organize and host the chapters and membership department workshop during the annual meeting.
- Maintain and update the chapter orientation package for chapter officers.
- Prepare the chapters and membership department operating budget by May 1.
- Update the chapters and membership department strategic plan annually.
- As a member of the executive board, the chair shall submit chapters and membership department status reports at the executive board meetings and attend as a member, the financial planning and long-range planning committee meetings.
- Appoint chapters and membership department officers. These include: chapters committee chair, membership committee chair, technical and professional outreach program committee chair, regional workshop committee chair, leadership training committee chair, awards committee chair, chapters electronic communication committee chair, and distinguished lecturer and regional speaker program committee chair.
- Within the regions, the chair of the chapters and membership department shall appoint an area chair to assist selected chapter chairs within the assigned area of the region.
Summary of duties of meetings department chair:
- Approve dates, locations, memoranda of understanding, and budgets of technical meetings.
- Provide a master schedule of all conferences and meetings for the use of the executive board and for publication in the IAS magazine.
- Provide timely information to IEEE headquarters and IEEE technical activities conference services for updating the IEEE technical activities guide, which is published twice yearly, and the meeting schedule published monthly in Spectrum.
- Obtain timely financial reports of all IAS technical meetings and ensuring that loan advances and meeting surpluses are returned promptly to IEEE headquarters for credit to the IAS account.
- Submit meeting status reports at the executive Board meeting.
- Coordinate the activities of the meetings department with the treasurer and with other department chairs.
- Develop, with the help of the board, a strategic view of where and how the IAS should develop its conference portfolio.


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- Description
DetailsThe Carragh Carport is built from Norwegian Spruce and represents one of the most robust wooden carport constructions on the market. The Carragh 2.5 measures 2.5m by 2.5m.
- Additional Information
Additional Information
Standard Front Roof Overhang 700mm Standard Cabin Height - Standard Number of Windows - Standard Number of Doors - Standard Roof & Floor Boards T&G 19mm Roof Boards. Standard Roof Cover Felt Shingles
- Reviews


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We are so glad to be exhibitors at the Licensing Show in Las Vegas this week, thanks to our partner Alita Friedman!
Today was already a day filled with fun, excitement, live drawing and many fantastic encounters. More to come tomorrow!
Come visit us at booth G171 and get your own personalized live drawing by Pixopop creator Ali Sabet. Every day at 11am!


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What Were the Most-Watched Shows of the 2016-2017 Season?
May 26, 2017 4:39 PM EDT
The final numbers for the 2016-2017 television season are in, and guess what? America still loves its football. NBC's Sunday Night Football remained the most-watched "show" for the sixth-straight year with an average of 19.6 million viewers, accord… Read more


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Microsoft Access Builder
Since 1999 over 500 businesses have hired me to be their Microsoft Access Builder. Needs are always different but my focus is the same - help your business increase productivity by building a database around your unique business workflow. Get a free consultation and price quote and find out how I can help your business be more productive.
Joe Richardson - Founder Just Get Productive LLC
Built For Your Workflow
Teach me your business processes and I will build your database to work like you do. You run your business the way you do because it makes you more competitive. Correct database workflow is key to productivity in your business. Let's build a database around your workflow and existing business rules instead of building something that makes you change the way you work.
Your Personal Microsoft Access Builder
You will work directly with me. Your own Microsoft Access database builder. I will be working with you at every step of your project and giving you personal service for many years down the road. You will not have to deal with being handed off to different people. I also have a team of coding experts who help with more complex coding, but you will always be working directly with me.
Get it right the first time!
I follow 7 fundamental steps to design and build an Access Database customized for your business. Each step is essential in order to build a database that fits your needs properly.
Free Consultation & Price Quote
Show me what you need and I'll prepare a detailed fixed rate price quote for your Microsoft Access database. I will also suggest features that will solve the business challenges you face while supporting your business workflow.
Make Your Business More Productive
Increasing productivity means getting more work done in less time with the same number of people. A good Microsoft Access Programmer doesn't just code - he builds a solution that automates and speeds up your business processes. I'll design your database around your business workflow making your business more productive - and thus more profitable and competitive.
Fixed Rate Pricing
I do NOT charge by the hour. I charge a fixed rate for each of the features in your Microsoft Access database - regardless of the time it takes me to do the work. If it takes me longer than I anticipated it will still cost you the same. Most of my clients have limited budgets who cannot risk paying someone estimated hourly fees.
Modern Design & Features
Your database will have professionally designed forms (screens) and reports which are built to be user friendly. Fields placed where you want them, screens that stretch to fit all the different monitors and laptops in your organization, buttons that are coded to automate your work; importing data, exporting data, splitter bars, saving as PDF, generating email messages and many many more.
Structure & Simplicity
Your Access Database will be built using the best practices in the industry. Tables, fields, forms, reports and code are named in a consistent way. Relationships are all established and enforced. Your database will be "split" so that the data file (back-end database) and your application file (front-end database) are separate but linked making it simple to apply upgrades and fixes.
You Will Own Your Database
You will completely own your database. It becomes your property. You pay me to build it and afterwards I don't have any royalty fees or licensing fees or any other rights to your database like too many other programmers will do. It's open code so you can make programming changes yourself if you decide to.
Long-term Support
I continue to serve you years after your database is up and running. A good Access Programmer does upgrades, has a lifetime guarantee and provides emergency support. I still do upgrades for many of my first clients from when I started in 1999.
Future Upgrades
Upgrades make up about 1/3 of my workload. I will be available for you when you decide you need to add new features to your Access database.
Lifetime Guarantee
Any field or feature that does not function according to your approved design, will be corrected at no charge for as long as you own the database.
Emergency Support
Most of my clients use their database to run critical business operations. I will be here if something keeps your database from working properly.


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In its 2017-2018 College Salary Report, Payscale.com recently ranked Pacific Union College as second in the country for having the highest earning alumni with two-year degrees.
This summer, Pacific Union College is embarking on a creative, yet ambitious educational initiative to raise awareness and funds about the global water crisis and water poverty. The college is partnering with Water for Good and private donors to launch the 5,000 Drops campaign.
To the sound of enthusiastic cheers of thousands in attendance, for the 115th time on its campus, Pacific Union College celebrated its annual commencement exercises on Sunday, June 18, with 392 students graduating.
Copyright © 1996-2019 Pacific Union College | All Rights Reserved.


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Hot Offer*
*Offer valid 01/09/19 - 31/12/19, or while stocks last, at participating Husqvarna Servicing Dealers only.
Li-ion Power
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Choose savE™ for maximum runtime.
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|Collector type
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|6.69 inch/8 inch / 170 mm/203.2 mm
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- you can then use our unique 'Create Your Own Cover©' system of selecting simple choices to give you the cover you need.
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A Little Help From Our Friends
We live in a world of corrupt radio, concert ticket price-gouging, product placement in songs, Wal-Mart censorship—not to mention war, poverty, corporate bailouts, and the collapse of our health care system.
Music keeps us going through it all. Music makes us feel good. Music carries us past the stress. Music inspires us. Music makes the connections between people that give us hope for the future. Music insists that a better world is possible and music makes us believe that this can be true.
Rock & Rap Confidential is in the middle of all this, not just reporting but making those connections. We can do this because our musical taste has no boundaries and because we have a foot in every camp. We—RRC's staff and its readers—are on this journey together. Our love for music and our desire for a better world bind us together.
RRC has never accepted advertising. Now we don't even charge for the publication, which has enabled us to reach a broader and steadily growing audience. Every once in a while, we could use a little help.
Won't you please contribute what you can to RRC? $25, $50, $100, $250, $1000 (or any amount). You can make your contribution via PayPal.com (send to email@example.com) or send by regular mail to RRC, P.O. Box 341305, Los Angeles CA 90034.
Thanks for your support. Thanks for our past, our present, our future. We really appreciate it.
Enclosed please find….
Please make checks out to RRC and send to RRC, Box 341305, Los Angeles CA 90034. Thanks!
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Revenues and operating income are for the 2004-2005 season and converted into U.S. dollars based on June 30, 2005 exchange rates.
1 Forbes estimates based on past transactions, enterprise values (market value plus debt) of publicly traded teams and current stadium deal (unless a new stadium is pending).
2Includes stadium debt.
3Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization.
4G14 is a business association to advance the interests of 18 leading European football clubs.
NA: Not available.
Sources: Deloitte & Touche; Company Documents;Forbes;Photos top to bottom © FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/AFP/Getty Images; FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/AFP/Getty Images
Rank |
Team |
Value |
Value Change |
Revenues |
Operating Income


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Consulting Firms Kingwood TX :: How to Corp Business Solutions
Companies and organizations featured in the Kingwood Consulting Firms section usually offer small business consulting, management strategies and sales consulting alongside the full suite of Consulting Firms to local and, in some cases, national clients.
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Richmar Group
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Discount Businesses
From ConsumerWiki
Businesses which buy and sell products in large volume need a city or county business license. The owner must secure a bond with an insurance company and file it with the California Secretary of State. Provisions of Civil Code 1812.100-1812.128 seek to restrict false advertising, unfair contracts, and harmful financial practices relative to discount buyers.
To file a bond:
Secretary of State
1500 Eleventh Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 653-3984
Publications available: Refunds and Display of Refund Policy Fact Sheet


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Glen Grunwald is off to a great start as interim-general manager. Adding Tyson Chandler was a great move. Getting rid of chronic three-point brickman Chauncey Billups was an even greater move. Grunwald's first mistake however is a huge one. Knick free agent forward Shawne Williams has signed a 2 year $6 million contract with the rival New Jersey Nets. The importance of Shawne Williams should not be understated. This was a guy who played with a chip on his shoulder and gave his full effort every game. He's not a perfect player by no means but for this team he would have been a near perfect role player.
What are the biggest needs of the team right now? Shooters and big bodies to boost the defense. What is Shawne Williams? A 6'9 shooter who hit 40% of his 3's last year and can play 3 defensive positions. He was the ideal fit for this team. He brings defense, 3 point shooting and toughness. So why wasn't he brought back?
The Knicks waited and waited and waited to bring Williams back. Getting Chandler was great but I believe their next move should have been to re-sign Williams. Instead, the Grunwald-led Knicks pursued luxury free agents. Free agent guards JJ Barea and Jamal Crawford were both offered contracts while Williams sat on the back burner. As he sat and waited, other teams offered him more lucrative contracts. Clearly Williams, if you look at his twitter account, wanted to return to the Knicks but he was forced to wait and wait. Are Barea and Crawford more dynamic bench scorers? Absolutely. Does this team need scorers over defenders? Absolutely not. And Williams is not inept offensively. He shot 40% from 3 last season. We need shooters. You hear talk about guys like Michael Redd and you hear that the Knicks need more shooters. You hear about Mo Evans (who we also struck out on) and Troy Murphy and how we need big defensive bodies. We could have kept Shawne Williams who fills both roles. Instead the Knicks failed to land Barea, Crawford and Williams and now are left with Renaldo Balkman and Billy "No Skills" as the backup small forwards.
Shawne Williams absolutely deserves a bit of blame. If he wanted to return so badly, he would have accepted less money to come back to the Knicks. However, I place 90% of the blame on the Knicks. Williams was a low salary project last season. He was coming off a season in which he hit an emotional high between getting a second chance in the league and playing a key role on a contender. It was a great story in every aspect. But Williams isn't a multi-million dollar earning star. He played on a vet minimum last season. 2 million dollars is a lot of money to anyone but especially to a guy like that. By having Williams sit around and watch the team pursue free agent after free agent, the Knicks set themselves up to lose him. How can the Knicks claim a commitment to him when potentially they would have asked him to take another vet minimum? I can't blame Williams fully because I believe he felt a bit betrayed and he had a better offer on the table. The Knicks should have made him a top priority and now they are left with a big void on the bench.
There is not a clear path for the Knicks go to here. I really have trouble believing they will go into the season with Balkman and Walker as the backup small forwards. I think Williams can be replaced but there does not seem to be a viable option out there right now. Losing Williams can be overcome but I really do believe he was a perfect fit for this team. The Knicks are now in free agent limbo at the small forward position and the hated Nets now have Williams. Glen Grunwald has done a great job so far but he really dropped the ball on this one.


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Tatyana McFadden wins first Paralympic Games gold
LONDON – American Paralympic track star Tatyana McFadden (Clarksville, Md.) had to wait five days before her first event of the Games, but when the time for her race finally came she showed it was well worth the wait, winning gold in the 400M (T54) with a personal best time of 52.97.
The win marks McFadden's first Paralympic gold medal and the seventh of the three-time Paralympian's career (one gold, four silver, two bronze from Athens and Beijing).
For McFadden, winning gold tonight is one of the more significant highlights of her career thus far.
"This is definitely one of my highlight moments….it's definitely a moment I won't forget," said the smiling gold medalist.
McFadden put together a complete race in her eyes, which for her meant not singling out any one portion of the race, but rather focusing on all three phases.
"I knew I had to focus on my start, focus on my transition and focus on my finish and just take it all in," said McFadden.
McFadden was dominant right from the start. After coming out fast, she made the turn look easy as she breezed past the competition. By the second turn the nearest competitor was nearly 10 meters away, which is how it would remain until the final straight-away where McFadden took it into another gear to leave no doubt in the race.
"I knew this was going to be a tough race and that it would be an all-out sprint," said McFadden. "When I was going down the stretch I was telling myself to go, to push with my heart and just fly."
And fly she did. So much in fact that second place finisher Hongjiao Dong of China, finished nearly three seconds behind McFadden with a time of 55.43.
Although McFadden had to wait five days before competing in these Games, her schedule now becomes significantly more grueling as she will compete in at least one event a day for the remainder of the Games.
This does not faze McFadden who is going to relax as much as possible, which for her includes resting up and focusing on the task at hand.
"I need to get as much rest as possible and as much sleep as possible because I know when I start I will not get any sleep," stated McFadden. "…so that has been my main focus, trying to get that all in and focusing on the races."
McFadden's next event is the 800m (T54) which begins Tuesday morning.
McFadden was not the only U.S. team member to win their race in convincing fashion tonight.
Also collecting gold for the Americans tonight was 18-year-old Raymond Martin (Jersey City, N.J.) who, like McFadden, smashed the competition in the 400m (T52) final, with a time of 58.54. He was more than two seconds faster than Japan's Tomoya Ito who finished second with a time of 1:00.80.
Martin's win is his second in as many days after collecting gold in the 100m (T52) final Sunday.
Martin was quick out of the gate; something he knew would be key in his win.
"I came out of the blocks with a good start and kept a good pace for the first 200," said the first-time Paralympian.
After the first turn Martin wasted no time picking off his opponents as he pulled away from the pack and built a sizable lead.
Although Ito gave a slight challenge just after the 200m mark, it was short lived as Martin quickly closed the race out for good on the final straight away.
"I felt really good coming into the turn and so I just booked it from there," said Martin.
Martin continues to impress in these Paralympic Games and hopes to build on the success of his first two days in his final two events, the 800m (T52) which is his next event and the 200m (T52), an event he holds the world record in.
Because he holds the world record, Martin feels as though the 200m will be his next best chance to medal.
"I am very confident going into that race," said Martin. "I spend the end of my training sessions doing 200s so I feel good at that distance right now."
Also competing in the 400m (T52) final tonight were Martin's U.S. teammates, Josh Roberts (Morris, Ala.) and Paul Nitz (Edina, Minn.). Roberts barely missed the medal stand, finishing fourth with a time of 1:05.76 while Nitz placed seventh, finishing in 1:15.15.
In the men's 100m (T53) final earlier in the evening, Americans Brian Siemann (Millstone, N.J.) and Zach Abbott (Portland, Ore.) finished in sixth and eighth place, respectively.
Sprinter Elexis Gillette (Raliegh, N.C.) competed in the final event of the night, the prelims of the men's 200m (T11). Competing in heat four, he finished third with a time of 25.42 and will not advance to Tuesday's final. David Brown (St. Louis, Mo.) also did not qualify for the final.


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At first glance, it looks a political no-brainer. A cost-cutting, revenue-raising win. A proposal with populist appeal, bipartisan philosophical roots and enough media magnetism to land a few lucky lawmakers on the evening news, the better to take a deserved -- and increasingly rare -- victory lap for:
(a) Doing the people's work;
(b) Doing any work that does not involve mouthing lobbyist-penned talking points in exchange for campaign contributions.
A few weeks ago, Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK) introduced legislation that would revoke the tax-exempt status of the National Football League, the National Hockey League, the Professional Golfers' Association Tour and other sports leagues currently considered nonprofits by the Internal Revenue Service. (And yes, you read that correctly: in the eyes of America's tax code, the NFL and the Red Cross are largely the same. More on that in a bit.) Dubbed the "PRO Sports Act" -- PRO being an acronym for Properly Reducing Over-exemptions -- Coburn's proposed law would save the federal government nearly $100 million annually, enough to cover sequester-related cuts to national parks and military base schools. It would allow Republicans to brag about closing unpopular loopholes and Democrats to boast about preserving popular services. Most importantly, it would strike a tangible blow against Sports Welfare -- the billions of dollars in local, state and federal subsidies for the private sports industry. This is money pick-pocketed from taxpayers year after year, an astonishingly inappropriate, maddeningly unnecessary payout that feathers the overstuffed, already-profitable nests of entities like the NFL and individuals such as Miami Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria, adding to the nation's maxed-out charge card bill all the while.
Naturally, Coburn's proposal has no chance of becoming law. Or coming up for a vote. Or even being publicly debated by Congress.
For now, at least, it's politically stillborn.
"Try to go after corporate welfare," says a frustrated Capitol Hill staffer. "No one wants to do it. Nobody will pull the trigger. They won't put their name on anything specific. It all comes down to money. [Lawmakers] are all beholden to various people who raise money for them. Or their lobbyists. Who even knows?"
The awful truth about Sports Welfare? Like cockroaches and John McClane, it dies hard. Even when politicians and voters try to kill it. A few weeks ago, Florida lawmakers declined to vote on a bill that would have cleared the way for nearly $400 million of public financing for renovations to the Miami Dolphins' Sun Life Stadium. Given that the state's taxpayers will ultimately spend an estimated $2.5 billion paying off the Marlins' new ballpark -- an epochal municipal heist that contributed to former Miami mayor Carlos Alvarez suffering the worst recall defeat in the history of American elections -- the bill's death was predictable.
It also was highly unusual.
Just this year, the Minnesota Vikings have
ransomed lobbied their way into $498 million of public funding for a new stadium that looks like a "Star Wars" Sandcrawler, sans Jawas. The Sacramento Kings have pulled the same trick in their home (for now) city, fleecing taxpayers out of as much as $334 million. Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel has announced that his cash-strapped city will contribute roughly $100 million toward a new DePaul University basketball arena that's located just 50 blocks from the school's campus. (Also: DePaul?) The NFL has demanded that Super Bowl bid cities exempt its employees from a broad range of state and local taxes … oh, and throw in free parking to boot. An ESPN investigation of 115 athlete-founded charities discovered that many are ineffective, unethical or both, converting otherwise taxable sports star income into things like Lamar Odom's cancer charity -- which reportedly funded two Amateur Athletic Union basketball teams and paid Odom's high school coach and best man $72,000 a year, but never gave a penny to actual cancer-related causes.
Sports Welfare is not a one-off summer blockbuster. It's an all-encompassing franchise, complete with sequels (the Atlanta Falcons getting $554 million to replace the 20-year-old Georgia Dome), spin-offs (the Philadelphia Eagles gearing up to ask for public money to upgrade 10-year-old Lincoln Financial Field) and reboots (the new "College Football Playoff" being just as tax-exempt as the old BCS Championship). And this, in turn begs a question -- an incredulous one, the same question posed by McClane in "Die Hard II."
How can the same s--- happen to the same guy twice?
The NFL's non-profit status -- and Coburn's dead-in-the-water effort to nix it -- is illustrative. The league, its teams and various subsidiaries earn roughly $9 billion in revenue per season. They will collect a guaranteed $27 billion in television money over the next decade. They exist to make money. They are very, very good at their jobs.
Under federal law, however, the league office is classified as a tax-exempt 501(c)6 organization - essentially, a nonprofit business league -- just like your local chamber of commerce.
"I was flabbergasted when I learned that," says Mario Hankerson, a former Baltimore Ravens player who now works as an attorney and technology consultant. "I thought it was a joke. When I was a player, I had no idea."
According to the IRS, 501(c)6 organizations must be "associations of persons having some common business interest, the purpose of which is to promote such common interest and not to engage in a regular business of a kind ordinarily carried on for profit." (Italics added). In addition, Coburn says, business that conduct operations for profit on a "cooperative basis" do not qualify. Yet somehow, the NHL, PGA Tour, Ladies Professional Golf Association and even Major League Lacrosse do. So does the NFL, which is a 501(c)6 thanks to specific language covering "professional football," quietly tucked into an unrelated 1966 Congressional bill covering investment credits and property depreciation.
How much does this loophole cost taxpayers? Due to accounting vagaries, no one knows for sure. Given that the standard corporate tax rate is 35 percent -- and that the NFL and NHL collectively received about $260 million in membership dues from their teams in 2010 -- Coburn estimates that sports leagues are sheltering at least $91 million annually. But the actual amount is likely higher. After all, the PGA Tour and LPGA had combined gross receipts of more than $1 billion in 2010. A 2010 law review article by Vermont-based attorney Andrew Delaney notes that individual pro teams also can write off their league membership dues -- a bit of what Delaney calls "creative asset priority reallocation" (read: perfectly legal money laundering) that amounts to an estimated $5 million-plus annual deduction for NFL clubs.
"As a lawyer, I have a certain admiration for what the NFL is doing," Delaney says. "It's smart. They're basically taking something legal and using it in a way that it probably shouldn't be used. Taxpayers are paying for it. That's not a good thing.
"It would be like if we took a company like [General Electric] and said, 'Hey, since you employ all these people and your corporate profits are only several hundred billion dollars a year, here's an extra $500 billion bonus because we just like you guys.'"
But wait. There's more. As Delaney's article notes, the NFL's non-profit status subsidizes the astronomical salaries of executives like commissioner Roger Goodell ($11.6 million in 2010), media vice president Steve Bornstein ($12.2 million) and former commissioner Paul Tagliabue ($8.5 million). It also allowed the league in 2009 to pay 296 salaries over $100,000; fork over $7 million-plus for legal fees; spend nearly $1 million a month for office space; shell out $6.25 million for "travel services"; and pay 135 total independent contractors at least $100,000 apiece.
More infuriating still -- or clever, depending on your perspective -- is what the NFL does with the rest of its tax-deductible (by teams), tax-exempt (for the league) cash. According to Delaney, much of it goes to fund the NFL's stadium construction financing program, which provides team owners with ultra-low interest loans. To obtain said loans, owners are required to secure public stadium funding; to pay back said loans, Delaney explains, personal seat licenses are sold tax-free through public agencies.
Now, suppose you're Dolphins owner Steve Ross. You somehow convince Florida taxpayers to give you roughly $400 million to refurbish your stadium. (Welfare check No. 1.) You then get the NFL to cover about $150 million of the $191 million you've pledged to the project with a loan that has a lower interest rate than you could otherwise obtain on the open market, a loan made partially possible by the league's tax exempt status. (Welfare check No. 2.) Following construction, your loan is largely repaid through the tax-exempt sale of PSLs. (Welfare check No. 3.)
All in all, it's a pretty good deal for NFL owners. And a pretty good deal for the league, too, which essentially uses Sports Welfare to fund … more Sports Welfare.
"It's kind of like ethanol," Delaney says. "I don't know why society is paying the NFL to make money."
Coburn's legislation would tighten the spigot, both by prohibiting sports leagues in general from qualifying as 501(c)6 organizations and by amending the 1966 law that benefits professional football. Problem is, the bill can't find a co-sponsor. The Senate won't bring it to the floor. Lawmakers don't want to vote for it -- not when the NFL's political action committee and its owners, players and employees donated more than $2 million to Republicans and Democrats alike in 2012. The same lawmakers don't want to be seen voting against it, either. Not when corporate welfare is deeply unpopular.
And so it languishes, adrift in political limbo.
"You hate to embarrass people, but that's what it takes with something like this," says a Capitol Hill staffer. "If [Congressional members] were pushed on this publicly, they couldn't side with rich lobbyists or their special interest buddies in the NFL who give them free tickets."
None of this is new. The history of legislative Sports Welfare reform is akin to the history of the electric car, a string of well-intentioned failures. In 2008, former Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) held a series of hearings about public stadium financing. He claimed his probe into the construction of new Yankee Stadium uncovered "substantial evidence of improprieties and possible fraud." Nothing came of it. In 1999, former Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA) co-sponsored with former Sen. Joe Biden (D-DE) a bill that would have required MLB and the NFL to pay up to 50 percent of construction costs for new stadiums. Not the entire cost. Not even two-thirds. Just half. Nothing came of that, either.
Thirteen years earlier, former Sen. Pat Moynihan (D-NY) tried to close a loophole for federal tax-exempt private revenue bonds being used for stadium construction. He succeeded. Professional teams promptly began convincing municipalities to finance their stadiums with tax-exempt general purpose bonds, which stiffed the federal government and shifted more of the cost burden onto the public -- prompting former Sen. Byron Dorgan (R-ND) to quip: "It looks to me like the only healthy public housing program in America today is the one that builds sports stadiums with luxury skyboxes with public funds to house professional sports teams with private ownership."
In 1996, Moynihan introduced a bill to eliminate the second loophole. It fizzled, leaving America stuck with the bill. According to a must-read Bloomberg report, the loophole currently costs the U.S. Treasury $146 million a year -- about the annual cost of the federally funded Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children in the state of Pennsylvania -- while the $17 billion of tax-exempt stadium debt issued since 1986 will cost American taxpayers a total of $4 billion through 2047.
"People say the problem is greed," says Arthur Rolnick, a University of Minnesota economist and former vice president of the Minneapolis Federal Reserve. "Well, we've always had greed. Greed is not what is going on here. It's bad policy."
Why do cities and states cough up Sports Welfare in the first place? Typically, it's for the same reason they provide an estimated $90 billion in annual subsidies and tax break to companies like Microsoft and General Motors: Said companies threaten to move somewhere else, ginning up bidding wars between local politicians. Rolnick calls this phenomenon "the economic war among the states." He has studied it for decades. Observed it up close. In 1991, Minnesota-based Northwest Airlines lobbied local lawmakers for roughly $1 billion in subsidies; in exchange, the company promised to build a maintenance facility in the state. Rolnick crunched the numbers. The deal was a dud. The airline was in deep financial trouble. Its bonds were junk. Meanwhile, Minnesota was in a recession. It needed money for schools and roads. In newspaper editorials and on public radio, Rolnick advised against the plan. Why, he asked, should the state essentially bail out a private company? This doesn't make any sense. It's a poor investment. A prominent state politician pulled him aside.
This is about Northwest's headquarters, the politician explained. If we don't do it for these guys, they'll leave. And we'll lose jobs.
"What happens is that from a national economic perspective, you get a zero-sum game," Rolnick says. "Not a single job created. You're just moving them around. So these subsidies make no economic sense. But at a local level, they're very seductive. You're a mayor, a governor, you attract a business like this, you get a win. But if you think about it like a war, you're just winning a battle. Then the next state or city comes along and bids below you.
"The sports teams are the best at playing this game by far. No pun intended. And my criticism isn't really against the CEOs or the owners of the teams. I would do the same if I was them. My criticism is of Congress. They can fix the rules of the game."
In a 1995 article written for the Minneapolis Federal Reserve, Rolnick and co-author Melvin Burstein came up with an ingenious way to end the interstate economic giveaway race -- a 100 percent federal excise tax on all state and local subsidies designed to benefit individual corporations. Including sports teams.
Again: Pretend you're an NFL owner. And pretend you wring $500 million out of local and state governments to build a new stadium. Under Rolnick and Burstein's plan, all of that money counts as income. Worse still, the IRS slaps you with a half-billion dollar tax bill.
A single federal law. The end of most Sports Welfare as we know it. Just like that.
"If you're the owner of the Vikings, why bother coming to the city or state for anything?" Rolnick explains. "You'll just have to turn it over to the federal government. Overnight, all of the bidding wars end. The [Cleveland] Browns never move to Baltimore. And the real beauty is that it's a tax you'll never have to collect.
"It was a simple idea. And it scared the hell out of [sports owners]."
Indeed. In 1999, then-Rep. David Minge (D-MN) introduced a bill that essentially would make the Rolnick-Burstein proposal law. It died in committee. The Senate held a follow-up hearing in 2007. Words did not produce action. Never mind that the European Union has similar, successful rules that prevent inter-country bidding wars. Never mind that the North American Free Trade Agreement has language prohibiting the United States and Canada from going after each other's businesses.
As former baseball owner Bill Veeck once quipped: "Look, we play the Star-Spangled Banner before every game -- you want us to pay income taxes, too?"
"The sports teams got it killed," Rolnick says. "I got to testify. But I was going against George W. Bush. How did he make his fortune? With his clout in Texas, he got the local government to build him a stadium. He wasn't going to turn against that."
Rolnick argues that municipal and state corporate subsidy bidding wars violate the Commerce Clause. No one listens. Time and again, he has testified against public stadium funding, in Minnesota and across the country. He shows up alone. Maybe brings a few poor people who actually need government help. He presents cold, hard, academic facts: Numerous studies have shown that the local economic impact of stadium construction is nil. Teams bring dozens of lawyers and lobbyists. They wear nice suits. They bring fans, too, their faces painted in bright colors. They present warm, fuzzy fantasies: New stadiums are a boon! Jobs! Jobs! Jobs! After the public hearings, the lobbyists work the hallways and side rooms, whispering in private.
Vote for this, and we'll support you in your next electoral campaign. Don't vote for this, and … well, that's a real nice legislative seat you have. It would be a real shame if something happened to it.
"These guys are good," Rolnick says. "They're really good. And it's an old problem. Look at the subsidies that go to farmers. Looks at the billions they get. You have a small number of people with a huge potential gain going against a large number of people with a small potential individual loss. Who is going to fight harder? That's what were up against.
"Say you invest a million dollars a year for 10 years, and at the end, there's a very good chance you'll get a billion dollars in subsidies. Why not hire a few lobbyists and be there in the state capital or with the city council, year after year? You have almost nothing to lose."
And everything to gain. Minneapolis law requires a voter referendum for sports subsidies larger than $10 million. After intense lobbying, the state legislature granted the Vikings' new stadium an exemption. Shocker: Taxpayers already are facing a reported $33 million annual shortfall toward funding their share of the project. In 2006, Seattle voters passed a measure forbidding the city from financially supporting sports teams unless the investment yields a profit -- for taxpayers, not the team owner -- on par with the yields from 30-year U.S. Treasury bonds; as Seattle Times columnist Bruce Ramsey explains, prospective NBA owner Chris Hansen nearly landed the Kings by devising a clever way around the prohibition.
Just last week, longtime Associated Press sports columnist Jim Litke blasted Dolphins owner Stephen Ross and the NFL for attempting to get taxpayers to "foot the bill" for Sun Life Stadium renovations. In a full-throated, yippie ki-yay defense of Sports Welfare, league spokesman Greg Aiello fired back, pooh-poohing Litke for both "ignoring the extraordinary amount of private financing that is going into NFL stadium projects" and incorrectly implying that Ross wanted the public to pay the entire bill.
Sports Welfare persists because its beneficiaries are persistent. And persistently shameless.
"I have some very close CEO colleagues," Rolnick says. "I cornered them and said, 'Look, guys, you're saying the Vikings stadium is important for your business to attract good talent to this area. So what about a corporate surtax to pay for it?' Oh, no no no. We can't do that."
Rolnick sighs. He wishes Coburn luck. But he isn't optimistic. Back in the 1990s, he says, a national newspaper reporter told him that unless Congress decided to do something, he would be talking about this issue forever.
"She was right," he says. "It's gaming the government. And it's déjà vu every time."


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Lost - Episode 1.01 - Pilot - Read the Script
Posted by DarkUFO at 7/29/2012 03:13:00 pm 3 CommentsPilot Episode , Scripts
Welcome to DarkUFO, one of the most popular Lost sites on the net! We hope to have everything that a Lost fan wants: Spoilers, Theories, Screencaps, Recaps, Contests and lots of other great things to keep a dedicated Lost fan occupied. Please have a look around, post a comment, and interact with other Lost fans. Have fun, and namaste!
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