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Expert: Rep. Jesse White 'can't have it both ways' in drilling debate
HARRISBURG — State Rep. Jesse White isn't a familiar face at Capitol news conferences, but his messages fill online social media almost around the clock.
A relatively obscure House member since 2007, the Cecil Democrat remains unknown to many analysts who watch the Legislature. Yet White, 34, gets dozens of responses to his tweets, blogs and posts to Facebook and news sites from supporters energized by his sharp critiques of the booming natural gas industry.
His profile in Western Pennsylvania has risen, and the spotlight on him is as hot as ever.
White's public spat with Range Resources Inc., an $11 billion company leading the Marcellus shale gas rush in Washington County, erupted last week when the company released emails the lawmaker had exchanged with Range executives involving campaign fundraising, and letters asking White not to imply that Range hires illegal workers from Mexico.
The fundraising requests, specifically one that mentioned legislation, led a Republican House leader to suggest the state attorney general should investigate White.
Such a public profile can hurt White as much as it helps, especially if his message is not clear and consistent, experts said.
"You don't put stuff on email you can't erase, and on Facebook and other stuff. I don't know, for an educated man ... ," Washington County Democratic Committee Chairman George Vitteck mused. "You've got to stay in the background. Take your hits and go down the road."
White wrote a 2,911-word essay in his defense on his campaign website. As he has done many times, he claimed Range is attacking his character. He espoused his support for gas drilling but explained his critiques of the industry.
"He can't have it both ways," said Jerry Shuster, a professor of political communications at the University of Pittsburgh. Shuster heard White making his case on KDKA Radio and thought he lacked facts.
"He doesn't bother to do his homework to any great depth," Shuster said. "If you look in total at the things he said, it does raise a red flag as to the timing" of White's break with Range, Shuster said — whether that happened when Range cut off campaign donations in 2011.
White said that's not the case. He maintains he made principled decisions, based on problems he saw accumulating as shale gas drilling increased in his district.
House Minority Leader Frank Dermody, D-Oakmont, said White is an intelligent and valued lawmaker.
"He is a strong voice for the people he represents, and he wants a sensible approach to shale gas development, in which state and local governing bodies have all the tools they need to protect landowners and the environment," Dermody said.
Building a name
White's change of heart started in 2010 when employees from Range business partner MarkWest Energy Partners LP boycotted businesses in Mt. Pleasant over a disagreement with township officials, he said. As he talked with municipal officials during the next year, White said, he heard common problems: Most felt pressure to cooperate with Range, the region's most visible driller, thanks to an aggressive advertising campaign.
"For people who say they want to be good neighbors, this was not the right approach," White said. "What we really saw was the bullying attitude (toward) our local governments. ... When we tried to bring everyone on the same page, Range became increasingly hostile toward that."
Range spokesman Matt Pitzarella said no single incident prompted the breakup between company and lawmaker.
"We remain prepared to work with anyone," he said, denying the bullying allegations.
Pitzarella claims White is trying to build his political reputation by falsely attacking Range and the Marcellus shale gas industry.
Philadelphia media strategist Larry Ceisler said Range's strategy of releasing email exchanges with a lawmaker is unusual.
"I have never heard of information like this being leaked and having the source take credit for it," Ceisler said.
Longtime political analysts said White rarely shows up on their radar.
"I don't know anything about him," said G. Terry Madonna, a pollster with Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster.
"I've heard of him" through literature from the Marcellus Shale Coalition, a pro-drilling association, said Christopher Borick, political science professor at Muhlenberg College in Allentown.
"I can't remember anything specific," Borick said. "I haven't heard of him being a major presence in the (House Democratic) caucus. He wouldn't be a name that comes to mind as someone prominent."
If White had a low profile, "a lot of people know who he is now," Ceisler said.
Political roots
Not many people in his district knew White when he first ran for state representative about 10 years ago, Vitteck said. White's grandfather, Pete Cassidy, an organizer for the United Steelworkers, had political connections in Cecil and introduced White to show him "the ins-and-outs of politics," Vitteck said.
Hard work and a sharp intellect took White, then a recent law school graduate, the rest of the way, Vitteck said.
Municipal officials got to know him as an accessible advocate for their needs in Harrisburg. He took their calls and arranged state grant money for sewer and road projects and public safety equipment, said officials from Cecil, Cross Creek, Mt. Pleasant, Robinson and South Fayette.
A big help for some occurred in 2010 when White organized the Marcellus Municipal Co-op, a group to unite local officials with concerns about the growing gas industry.
It took courage and commitment to bring the group together, said George M. Lucchino, a three-term supervisor in Robinson who retired last year. Members met on Saturdays, and White helped them devise a united front to enforce local rules for drill sites, Lucchino said.
"I thought it was fantastic, because he got everybody together so we could hear what our problems were," Lucchino said. "When he started that co-op, I felt like he did more for the communities than anyone else I'd ever seen."
Range officials questioned the group's usefulness from the start. Yet several of the communities later became central to legal challenges over land use and local control of drilling operations. Cecil, Robinson, South Fayette and Mt. Pleasant — along with Peters, which is not in the co-op — are among plaintiffs in a lawsuit to overturn a February 2012 law that set fees for drilling wells but stripped municipalities of authority over drill sites. The state Supreme Court will decide the case.
White built a reputation as an expert in such matters and began to receive widespread attention as he dispensed advice to communities. He became a regular critic of the industry and of oil and gas policy suggestions from Republican leaders in Harrisburg.
That helped his constituents, Lucchino said, and gave White some political influence. Lucchino thinks White probably held certain principles from the beginning and became more outspoken when he realized it could help him politically.
White has said he supports drilling but questions some company practices, especially Range.
It's impossible to know White's motivation, but his positions today fit his past political strategy, Vitteck said.
"What he's always done, he's taken a populist view," Vitteck said. "And when you take a populist view, you put yourself ... on the razor's edge."
Brad Bumsted and Tim Puko are staff writers for Trib Total Media. Bumsted can be reached at 717-787-1405 or email@example.com. Puko can be reached at 412-320-7991 or email@example.com.


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The Gold Coast MP who quit the Liberal National Party this week has savaged Queensland Premier Campbell Newman, predicting the downfall of his leadership team.
Alex Douglas, the member for Gaven, has also forecast the rise of a new conservative party in Queensland.
Dr Douglas was among three MPs who quit the party this week.
"I think this current leadership team will be expunged and will go," he told the ABC's 7.30 Queensland program on Friday.
"Ultimately there will be some sort of structural realignment and we will resume normality of democracy here in Queensland," he said.
"The premier does not believe in teamwork.
"The premier talks about teamwork; he does not practise it."
Dr Douglas said Mr Newman thinks loyalty has to be written down and pledged, and people have to be "terrified into it".
"You earn loyalty, you earn respect and you set good examples," he said.
He said he might join a new party which mining magnate Clive Palmer, another newly divorced LNP member, is considering establishing.
But Dr Douglas said he would also consider creating a party of his own, based on LNP values.
Acting Premier Jeff Seeney dismissed Dr Douglas's attack as "absurd".
Mr Newman flew out of Brisbane on Friday with a business delegation on a trade mission to India.

subset: commoncrawl


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Thursday, May 3, 2012
Call Of The Wild-What Do You Think?
14 comments:
- Lindsey Anne | pinklet and c said...
I like it! Definitely because of the colors. You almost don't realize it's zebra. I would love to know if you use it!
- May 3, 2012 at 7:04 AM
- cyndi said...
I think it looks fantastic! I'd probably only be able to take in in a semi-small space but definitely LOVE it!
- May 3, 2012 at 7:37 AM
- lizziefitz said...
I really like it! The color way makes it:)
- May 3, 2012 at 7:49 AM
- Barefoot in the Park said...
i say its a go. especially in a subtle color scheme!
- May 3, 2012 at 8:45 AM
- squeebury said...
I agree with the above comments- I really like it, especially in that neutral color scheme! I also like what you said regarding checking your "style compass." I think it's important for all of us to do from time to time. I wish many of the designers on TV would; so many of them I start out really liking, but after a time they start to get so "out there," as if trying to justify their presence on the screen. Oh well!
- May 3, 2012 at 11:02 AM
- MarenCAve said...
Ok in one, small space only in a home - maybe a powder room?
- May 3, 2012 at 12:45 PM
- Ella said...
I would for sure use this one. Really love it, but honestly not in such a small space. Maybe a home office, or a dining room that needs to be kept on the lighter side or even better yet in a lovely dressing room!
- May 3, 2012 at 3:10 PM
- Jenna said...
I like it in the muted palette- The pattern is more subdued but still very fun.
- May 3, 2012 at 4:32 PM
- Melissa said...
Definitely hot in the grey tones-- but will also be way over in a couple of years. Wallpaper is such a commitment, better to go classic on the walls, go nuts on the floor/pillows. I actually love the gold zebra print cowhides that run around $500, and sometimes show up on Overstock for a couple hundred.
- May 3, 2012 at 6:02 PM
- jess said...
i'm surprised to find myself really liking it in neutral tones - I also think it might make a nice pattern for a headboard or panel.
- May 3, 2012 at 8:19 PM
- Dana said...
It *is* fun, and this look has been growing on me, much to my surprise. In this muted color, the pattern reads very differently than if it were black and white -- more like a chevron or a computer-generated pattern. I think that is what makes it work so well.
- May 3, 2012 at 8:40 PM
- kayce hughes said...
I have been wanting a bit of zebra in my life.
- May 3, 2012 at 8:56 PM
- Sherri Cassara said...
LOVE it.
- May 4, 2012 at 11:19 AM
- Sincerely Sara Cate said...
I think it's fabulous. Subtle yet bold.
- May 10, 2012 at 4:23 PM


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Although selling chocolates online are very important, advertising and customers service is also important at Godiva.com
Although selling chocolates online is very important, advertising and customer service is also important at Godiva.com[/quote]
Note, the subject is 'selling chocolates' (it), so it requires a singular verb (is):
It is very important.
What is very important?
Selling chocolates.
"Selling" functions as a verbal noun, a gerund, and it takes as its object the noun "chocolates". "chocolates" is not the subject, so the verb shouldn't be plural "are".
Also note, "customer service" is a noun phrase. "customer" functions as an adjective modifying the noun "service". It tells us what kind of service.


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Design a Logo
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text:
North American IRONMAN Transfer Program
New pilot transfer program allows athletes to transfer to open races in North America.
IRONMAN has launched a pilot program in the United States and Canada that will allow athletes to transfer their entries to other open North American events.
"This program was designed in response to athlete feedback we've received over the years," says IRONMAN CEO Andrew Messick. "We understand that athletes want to race with us, but sometimes life gets in the way–injuries happen, weddings pop up or a job takes them across the country. With the transfer program we hope to address these issues by allowing IRONMAN athletes to transfer to another open race in North America. If they have a simple date conflict, they can move sooner or later in the calendar. If they have an injury, they can move down to a 70.3 distance or postpone to a later race. We're trying to give our athletes every opportunity to get in a race with IRONMAN."
A slightly altered version of the program has been available to IRONMAN athletes in Europe for a few seasons. The North American program includes many of the same elements.
North American IRONMAN Transfer Pilot Program


text:
Selecting your vehicle's make, model, and year allows us to display only parts and items specific to your car's model and year.
Part# L240727
5 Reviews
OPGI Price: $15.99
Part Type: (R) = Authentic reproduction of the original GM product
Years: 1964-1973
Sold As: EACH
2018 GTO Catalog Page: 240
Keep the fluid in your power steering pump with this replacement cap from OPGI. The cap features embossed lettering for an authentic appearance and the correct fluid level dipstick allows for easy checking.


text:
North of Cabo Blanco Absolute Nature Preserve and south of Tambor Bay, along a forested sandy bay, Montezuma has numerous beaches, waterfalls, good fishing, seafood, surfing, snorkeling, horseback riding, hiking, and bicycling. But many days it is more than enough to simply stretch out and relax in a spacious, money-saving Montezuma holiday rental surrounded by lush jungle vegetation listening to howler monkeys, parrots, and toucans sing and play. Drink fruit smoothies, feast on fresh-picked mangos from the garden, and barbecue or grill freshly caught fish, perhaps poolside with an ocean view, in your Montezuma holiday rental villa, house, or cabin. No luxury hotel, whatever the price, can compete.
Relax or snooze as ocean breezes bathe your resting body in a hammock on your Montezuma holiday rental verandah. Take a break from travel, touring, and eating in restaurants. Cook dinner at home, perhaps fish that you caught or bought from the fishing fleet. Relax in the evening watching movies in surround sound in your holiday rental family or living room. Whether you are part of a family, a business group, on spring break, or indulging in a romantic getaway or honeymoon, your money-saving Montezuma holiday rental offers advantages hard to come by in expensive luxury hotels.
Playa Las Manchas is popular for snorkeling, though you need to be mindful of riptides as you gaze at the parrotfish, rays, puffers, and needlefish. The kids will like exploring the colorful rocks and tide pools at Playa Rocas. Beachfront cantinas, bars, and restaurants are plentiful in Montezuma. Playa de los Artistas on the Montezuma beachfront serves sushi, pizza, and vegetarian dishes by lantern light at driftwood tables on smooth sand floors beneath bamboo lattice ceilings.
Playa Montezuma hosts the fishing fleet. Hike half an hour to the endless sands of Playa Grande to swim, surf, boogie board, or sunbathe nude where the waves are big and the currents less strong. Horseback ride, bike, or hike the beachfront path north towards Playa Cocolito, where El Chorro waterfall tumbles into the rocky ocean. Follow the river upstream from the beach to find more waterfalls for swimming.
Playa Los Cedros, a small scenic beach flanked by a waterfall and large banyan tree near Cabuya, has a right-handed point break favored by experienced surfers when the south swells get going good. The beaches and tropical forests at the southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula in Cabo Blanco Absolute Nature Preserve are protected as a national park. Surf at nearby Mal Pais, Playa Santa Teresa, or Playa Carmen. Surf camps can teach you the basics.
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2011-01-12 / Obituaries
Michael Stephen Fields, U.S. Air Force Veteran and self-made millionaire
Michael Stephen Fields, a 1963 graduate of Amityville Memorial High School and a self-made millionaire, died of cancer in California on Oct. 24, 2010 following a brief illness. He was 65 years old.
You must be an online subscriber to view this story.


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Accommodations for All
Point Sebago offers a variety of accommodations to meet every taste and budget.
All the comforts of home, space for everyone, all in a beautiful Maine setting - from backwoods to beachfront, overlooking the Lake, lodging on the 9th hole, or nestled among towering pines…
Guests can choose from one of our Vacation Homes or Resort Cottages many of which are located on or near the Golf Course. Or a Standard or Equipped Park Home on or near the Lake.
We have beautiful wooded RV sites complete with three way hook-ups. For those bringing their own larger units - we have 50AMP service available on many sites.
Convenient, Carefree Vacationing
All units are maintained and cleaned prior to your arrival by our housekeeping and maintenance crews. For standard Park Homes be sure to bring your own linens. Linen packages with towels, sheets, pillows and blankets are available to rent for the week for a nominal fee. Although they are clean when you arrive, daily housekeeping is not included in any of our units. Please make your linen arrangements one week or more prior to your arrival.
Vacation Homes, Resort Cottages and Deluxe (Equipped) Park Homes do have basic cooking utensils, linens, blankets, sheets, towels (you will still want to pack beach towels), pillows included.


text:
Doctor of Education in Instructional Leadership
Our Focus
The EdD in Instructional Leadership at WestConn has three major components:
- Leadership Theory and Foundation. In one of our first courses of the program, students participate in a leadership exercise and construct an individualized Leadership Development Plan with a faculty advisor. This plan acts as a blueprint for the acquisition and enrichment of leadership behaviors and skills. Additionally, students develop individual, group, and organizational competencies through planned study in these areas.
- Area of Specialization in Curriculum and Instruction. Students investigate cognitive-developmental theories and data-based strategies to design and modify classroom curricula as well as to create professional development experiences in schools.
- Inquiry Strategies and Dissertation Sequence. Doctoral students interpret and apply a full complement of in-depth research strategies to educational settings. Students develop skill and knowledge in the areas of evaluation, interpretation, and research implementation.


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Innovative Garage-to-Home Renovation in Bordeaux
This is an amazing renovation project I stumbled across on the Slow Home Studio website. A stable turned garage turned single residency home in the historic district of Bordeaux, France... and then it gets really cool.
Using site-specific innovations, architects Fabre de Marien renovated an old, dilapidated garage into a beautifully efficient home that doesn't feel cramped or cluttered. They maximized space by building upwards rather than creating a single layer of tiny subdivisions, and by emphasizing all sources of natural light.
Now here's the part that's so interesting: the wooden furniture piece featured in the living area is more than simply a wall. It contains drawers and doors that serve as closet space and cabinet space, and in the back of the structure is a door that leads into a hidden bathroom within the structure. There are also stairs that lead up to a bedroom, which is perched on top of the structure. Maybe it's all the Chronicles of Narnia I read as a kid, but the idea of a secret door that leads into another space seems beyond cool to me, even if it is a bathroom and not a snowy forest with a mystical lion, but I digress. The only area of the home that feels a bit claustrophobic is the bedroom, but the creative use of space and streamlined storage ideas are inspiring.
There are additional photos of this project and pictures of Fabre de Marien's other unique renovations on their website (please note that the website is in French, but I've selected the "English" option for readers, so there are some language glitches).
The Slow Home Studio has a great 5-minute video describing the renovation process if you're interested in learning more about it.
(Images: as linked)


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Cambium PTP 5.4 GHz 600 Series solutions bring together the speed and reliability of licensed wireless with the flexibility of the unlicensed space. With aggregate throughput to 300 Mbps, PTP 600 links can deliver up to 99.999% availability in virtually any environment, including non-line-of-sight, long-distance line-of-sight, high interference, water and desert.
The Cambium Point-to-Point 600 Series of wireless Ethernet bridges includes licensed solutions in the 4.5, 4.8, and 4.9 GHz bands which are dedicated to the license holders for NATO/Federal agencies and Public Safety. With data rates up to 300 Mbps and reaching distances up to 124 miles, the PTP600 series of high-performance and secure wireless bridges make cost-effective connectivity and backhaul a reality for a wide range of enterprises, transportation agencies, and public safety organizations. The PTP600 series is optimal in any application such as business enterprises, government agencies, and service providers where high throughput and/or T1/E1 capability are major requirements. The PTP600 links can deliver 99.999% availability in virtually any environment including non-line-of-sight, long-distance line-of-sight, high interference, water and desert. An ideal solution for building to building and campus connectivity as well as disaster recovery, distance learning, and telemedicine.


text:
Object #1026267 from MS-Papers-0032-0659
2 pages to Sir Donald McLean in Patea
From: Inward letters - Surnames, Wor - Wye, Reference Number MS-Papers-0032-0659 (23 digitised items). Correspondents:Harriet Worgan, Napier Athenaeum, 1869-1871 (3 letters); Catherine Wray, Malta, undated (2 letters); E Wray, Patea, undated (1 letter); Captain Thomas Charge Wray, Napier & Sydney, 1869-1870 (5 letters); Caroline Wright, Taranaki, undated (4 letters); Thomas Wrigley, Tauranga, 1870 (1 letter); A Wyatt, Wanganui, 1850, 1862 & undated (6 letters); W Wye, Limehouse, undated (1 letter)
Download alow-resolution PDF or high-resolution PDF
Part of:
Inward letters - Surnames, Wor - Wye, Reference Number MS-Papers-0032-0659 (23 digitised items)
Series 1 Inward letters (English), Reference Number Series 1 Inward letters (English) (14501 digitised items)
McLean Papers, Reference Number MS-Group-1551 (30238 digitised items)
Usage: You can search, browse, print and download items from this website for research and personal study. You are welcome to reproduce the above image(s) on your blog or another website, but please maintain the integrity of the image (i.e. don't crop, recolour or overprint it), reproduce the image's caption information and link back to here (http://mp.natlib.govt.nz/detail/?id=1026267). If you would like to use the above image(s) in a different way (e.g. in a print publication), or use the transcription or translation, permission must be obtained. More information about copyright and usage can be found on the Copyright and Usage page of the NLNZ web site.
External Links:
View Full Descriptive Record in TAPUHI


text: We're expanding our best-selling comedy series with this great comedic score, "Comedy Playful Driving". It features shakers and percussion, pizz strings and small orchestra to complete this hilarious backing track perfect for any comedic production. Each section is easily extendable by music editing so you can make it any length you wish.


text: Hello I have a question regarding my PHP-APACHE configuration. I have already set up and confugured apache-php which is in windows btw. When I run the http://localhost, my index.php works fine but when I started running several scripts, it's not running at all. Instead it opens up my dreamweaver app. I also have a guestbook.php the one that when I click the submit button, the add.php is bing asked by my browser to download it or open. I'm quite confused on those parts. Can you guys help me. Thanks in advance.


text: ive tried installing this mod like 3-4 times, the game launches every time but when i pick a faction taht i wanna play with and when the world is supposed to be created the game just crashes. sometimes it doesnt say anything and sometimes it says im missing some files and the how to install text file is horrible.. can someone PLEASE make an easy step by step on how to install this mod? thanks


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Executive Branch Lobbying
This page contains information pertaining to executive branch lobbying activities by persons who are executive branch lobbyists and executive branch lobbyist clients.
Beginning July 1, 2011, lobbyists engaged in lobbying activities before the office of the governor or any state agency are no longer required to register with the Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board. Instead, all lobbyists shall only register with the General Assembly and their clients shall only file reports with the General Assembly.
Visit http://www.legis.iowa.gov/Lobbyist/reports.aspx for more information
|Filing Reports
|View Filed Reports
|Registered Executive Branch Lobbyists and Clients* archives only
|Chapter 68B Ethics/Lobbying Laws
|All filing is now done with the legislature on their online site here
|Lobbyist Reports (2003-2009)
|Lobbying Firms with Lobbyists* archives only
|Administrative Rules
|Client Reports
|*current information is available at the legislature's website.
|Advisory Opinions
|Session Function Pre-Registrations & Reports
|Lobbying Total Amounts (2003-2009)
|Lobbyist Client Totals
|10 Things to Avoid
|Session Function Totals
|House Ethics Committee Advisory Opinion
|General Assembly Lobbying Link
Note: You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your system to view some pages. If you are visually impaired, there are special tools from Adobe that will allow you to read these files. Click on the "reader" graphic to download the reader or click on the "adobe" graphic to learn more about accessibility.


text:
- Inside Athletics
- Tickets
- Fan Zone
- Media Zone
- Social
- Shop
- Donate Now
ETSU to begin home season at Bristol Racquet Club
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (Feb. 22, 2012) – Director of ETSU Tennis Yaser Zaatini announced the ETSU men's tennis team will be playing its first home matches of the 2011-12 season at the Bristol Racquet Club in Bristol, Tenn., with the Bucs set to face Appalachian State on Saturday at 4 p.m. and Tennessee Tech on Sunday at 10 a.m.
ETSU (0-8) has played each of its first eight matches on the road this season. The Bucs opened the year in Lexington, Ky. against then-No. 22 Tulsa and then-No. 57 NC State as part of the ITA Kickoff Weekend. ETSU then headed for Georgia to battle Georgia State and then-No. 4 Georgia, before taking a trip to the central plains region to take on then-No. 73 Drake, Denver and then-No. 38 Nebraska. The team's most recent trip was to Murfreesboro, Tenn., which wound up in a 4-3 loss to MTSU.
For more information on ETSU tennis, please visit ETSUBucs.com and click on the tennis links.


text:
Getty Images
Giants offensive tackle David Diehl pleaded guilty to drunk driving charges, after crashing into two parked cars last summer.
According to the New York Daily News, Diehl pleaded guilty to aggravated DWI and impaired driving in Queens Criminal Court.
Diehl received six months probation, has to pay $1,500 in restitution and fines, and has to wear an alcohol monitoring bracelet for 90 days.
The 32-year-old tackle faces an uncertain future with the Giants anyway, with a $4.475 million base salary which could make him a candidate for release or a pay cut.


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By Jay Brown Coil Guys For Life, Handmade Tattoo Machines and Their Builders, by Dano Collins is a compilation of 34 tattoo machine builders and their stories, or bios if you prefer, their art, their tattooing and of course their tattoo machines. This hardbound book covers a wide array of machine builders from the old-schoolers to the new generation of machine builders. This book contains a broad spectrum of builds from practical, to absolutely wild, to fine art. Every page shows great work from these fine craftsmen of the electric coil-type tattooing machine…
The machine builders that are covered in this 102 page book are from the US and beyond, featuring 11 builders from Europe to New Zealand. Builders featured in this book are:
- Joe Agamemnon (Ireland)
- Baltzar Bauer (Portugal)
- John Black (USA)
- Pierre Bong (Suriname)
- David Brassart (France)
- J.A. Brown (USA)
- Chuck Byfeild (USA)
- Rick Cherry (USA)
- Dano Collins (USA)
- Chris Dewitt (USA)
- Mike DePisa (USA)
- Rich Fisher (USA)
- Rusty Gordon (USA)
- Larry Hanks (USA)
- Scott Hepworth (USA)
- Rickie Lee Hoover (USA)
- Jordan Kiel (USA)
- Jimbo LeBoeuf (USA)
- Fabio Mendez (Spain)
- D.J. Neuendorf (USA)
- Peter Daniel Nilsson (Sweden)
- Richie Pan (USA)
- Rob Patterson (USA)
- Jeff Reilly (Tasmania)
- Jason Romair (USA)
- Justin Sain (USA)
- Svilen Somlev (Bulgaria)
- Mike Stratton (England)
- Bill Strickland (USA)
- Eddy Svetich (USA)
- Rodney Tribe (New Zealand)
- Andy "Jo" Villapando (USA)
- Tobie Warren (USA)
- Danny Williams (Canada)
Each featured artist has their contact info included with their bios in the book, so if you see something you like…
Dano Collins put the book together from builders from his "Old School Irons Builders Forum" which was started in 2007 and is an invitation only forum to custom machine builders, where they can share techniques, talk theory and history, etc. In the forum there are currently 135 members from all over the world.
Some of the members are veterans in tattooing as well as worthy novices, all share a common love for the coil-type electric tattoo machine. With over 600 photos of tattoo machines, this book is a great addition for any tattooer's or enthusiast's book case. As stated on the back cover the book, "Takes you on a journey through the creative minds of some of the tattooing industries most creative and innovative machine builders…"
The book is available through Dano Collins website at www.oldschoolirons.com for $50 dollars plus postage. Make sure to put this great reference to some of today's finest builders on your list of books to buy… you won't regret it!
(Jay Brown is a tattoo artist, machine-builder and contributing blogger for Tattoo Artist Magazine. Jay can be found at A Fine Art Tattoo Studio, in Moscow, Idaho.)
Read more from Jay:
Jay Brown: Fred Marquand – The Story of an Unknown Northwest Tattooer
Jay Brown: The Rosini Award and The Ink Travelers Tattoo Convention
Jay Brown: Mi Vida Loca – The Life & Times of Crazy Philadelphia Eddie Vol. 4 (Pre-Order Available Now)
Jay Brown: 28 Machine Builders Part I of IV
Jay Brown: 28 Machine Builders Part II of IV
Jay Brown: 28 Machine Builders Part III of IV
Jay Brown: 28 Machine Builders Part IV of IV


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|Vasteras, Sweden
|High School:
|De La Gardiegymnasiet
2013: Named to the America East Conference Women's Tennis Second Team in singles… Posted an impressive 11-3 mark during the 2013 regular season at the No. 4 position…Finished with a doubles record of 3-0 against conference opponents and registered a doubles record of 4-1 in the month of April… Recorded a key singles victory against Binghamton University (6-2,6-4) on "Senior Day"… Added a doubles win against the University of Albany (8-4) in semifinals action.
2012: Selected as the program's Most Improved Athlete and earned a student-chosen "Gritty Award" for "Breakthrough Athlete of the Year"… Compiled a singles record of 19-10 and had a nine-match winning streak snapped in the America East Championship match… Solidified the No. 6 singles slot, but did go 3-0 when playing at Nos. 4 or 5… Named America East Conference Women's Tennis Player of the Week on March 27 after winning five of six matches during the prior week… Combined with Shalini Sahoo to win 17 doubles matches at the No. 2 position, including a win in the aforementioned championship contest.
2011: Played at No.3 with teammate and countrywoman Heidi Danielsson to capture a 3-5 doubles record … Posted a 7-9 singles at the No. 6 position.
Background: Majoring in financial economics... Competed in one international match for Sweden… Has been ranked as high as No. 3 for her age ground in her native country… Excels in doubles with three golds, three silvers and three bronzes in Swedish championship competition from 2003-2010… Earned the Erik Ahls Award in 2006… Considering financial economics as her major… Lists favorite food as tacos… Daughter of Katarina Stange-Sunesson and Birger Jonsson… Born Aug. 1, 1991.


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Both Mayor Weiss and Judge K.J. Montgomery perform weddings.
At least one of the engaged couple must be a Shaker resident, and provide proof of residency before the ceremony. Either a driver's license or utility bill is acceptable. The Mayor performs weddings at City Hall as his schedule permits, Monday through Thursday; he does not go off-site. There is a $100 fee for weddings.
Marriage Licenses may be obtained at the Probate Court of Cuyahoga County in downtown Cleveland, or by appointment at a Marriage License Satellite Office, including the Shaker Heights Municipal Court. Pre-register online for a marriage license, then submit the license and the $100 fee two weeks prior to the wedding date. City Hall is open Monday - Friday from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, and there's a mail drop by the front door off the parking lot.
To make arrangements for Mayor Weiss to perform your wedding, please call his assistant, Angela, at 216-491-1410. You are welcome to bring guests, but we must know how many ahead of time so we can reserve a room of the appropriate size. Smaller weddings are performed in the Mayor's office.
For information on Judge Montgomery's policies and availability, please call her assistant, Tina, at 216-491-1326.
Sample Ceremonies:
Biblical Quotation
Visit the online home of Shaker Life magazine.


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The Kresge Foundation Troy, MI
- Client: The Kresge Foundation
- Architect: Valerio Dewalt Train Associates
- Photos: © Justin Maconochie Photography
- Date::07 Jan 09
26,000 SF overall
State-of-the-art facilities that serve as a model of sustainable design and an educational resource for the community. The headquarters integrates a 19th century farmhouse and barn with a new contemporary two-level 19,500 SF glass and steel building.
The architectural design reinforces their mission of strengthening nonprofit organizations that advance the well-being of humanity.
The lighting design capitalizes on daylight, minimized electric light and accentuates harmonious balance of warm and cool textures through a rhythm of fixtures specific to the orientation of the building.
The creative use of basic fluorescent fixtures work in concert with halogen incandescent accent lighting, and a detailed control system, creates a comfortable paradigm shift from the previous facility's all manually switched incandescent lighting design.


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The Ultimate Fighter
Season Three - Episode Descriptions
Episode 6 - "Team Jones vs. Team Sonnen - Path to Greatness" (Airs February 26, 9:00 pm e/p) - Uriah's attitude ignites a blowup at the house, causing a major rift in Team Sonnen. While the fighters battle it out in a night of bowling, Jon and Chael raise the stakes in a game of their own. Then Josh Samman takes on Tor Troeng in the fifth preliminary fight.


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I am trying to install MySQL, Apache, and PHP on my Red Hat Linux 6.1 box, I downloaded all tar.gz sources to a temp directory '/tmp/download'. Now I am trying to execute 'make' from the mysql directory as stated Here , but I get the following error message:
make: *** No targets specified and no makefile found. Stop.
Anyone have any idea what to do, Id sincerely appreciate any help.


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Governor right to take fight to feds
It was clear before Gov. Sean Parnell wrote the secretary of Interior in May asking about seismic exploration in a portion of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge that the answer would be "no."
As Interior Secretary Sally Jewell put it, the Obama administration opposes drilling in the refuge and believes the exploratory activity proposed by Parnell requires congressional approval.
With White House opposition and no chance of getting Congress to approve any exploratory activity, the governor's proposal to begin exploration may seem like a pointless action.
But it is not.
There is a provision in the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act that outlines how applications for exploration plans are to be handled by the federal government. The Obama administration argues that this provision expired in 1987, though the law does not make a flat declaration to that effect.
The Parnell administration says the provision did not expire in 1987. There is detailed language in the law that directs the federal government to decide, within 120 days of the receipt of an exploration plan, if that plan is consistent with the guidelines in federal law.
The question of whether this authority expired in 1987 could become the central point in a future court fight between the state and federal governments, an argument that we believe is worth pursuing.
It is important for the state to keep making the case that oil exploration on a portion of ANWR is in the nation's interest and that we really ought to understand the size of the potential resource. There are competing national interests at stake, and it is inaccurate to contend that this is either all about oil or all about wilderness values.
The 1.5-million-acre coastal plain of ANWR, which is part of the 19-million-acre refuge, contains the largest unexplored geologic basins in the nation. The underlying rocks are similar to those found to the west at Prudhoe Bay, the largest oil field ever found in North America.
We can't possibly make an informed decision about ANWR oil development until we know for sure how much oil exists. The governor's course of action is a sound one.
— Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
July 11


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In "The Other 1 Percent," Paula Stephan provides no evidence that income inequality positively affects scientific output, as she argues. As she mentions, the U.S. pours more than 0.3 percent of its (very large) GDP into science, and there are 100 other reasons—social, economic and historical—for high U.S. publication rates. The only evidential statement made, about Saudi Arabian output, goes against the article's main point (illustrating that high pay has not correlated with top research rankings), but even here it is difficult to discern the relative contributions of size, geographic location, and so on.
Adrian Robert
Spafford, N.Y.
STEPHAN REPLIES: Robert's point is well taken. In my book How Economics Shapes Science, I explore a number of factors that contribute to scientific productivity and provide a considerable amount of quantitative analysis.
Although I can appreciate Arizona State University's efforts to redefine the boundaries of existing departments to develop synergies (such as by combining cosmology with geology), as described by Michael M. Crow in "Citizen Science U.," I can't help but remember my experience as an undergraduate computer science major at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Geology 105 taught me many basic premises about fossil fuels—gross availability, practical aspects to extraction, and application of the various products. I am skeptical that recasting the topic of geology into a larger department spanning from coal production to the formation of gas giants would lead to a similar depth of classroom content.
Eric Mann
Hillsboro, Ore.
In Stephen S. Hall's interview with Ewan Birney ["Journey to the Genetic Interior"], Birney deprecates the term "junk DNA" for sequences whose function we do not know, but he is conservative on how much of nonprotein-coding DNA may be functional ("between 9 and 80 percent"). The fact that the entire genome is copied at every cell division suggests that close to 100 percent of DNA must be functional. Had any significant portion of DNA been nonfunctional in the past, evolutionary pressure to develop an editing-out mechanism to increase the cell's energy efficiency would have been tremendous.
Birney also uses the conservative term "regulation" to describe how the 98.8 percent of nonprotein-coding DNA interacts with the 1.2 percent of protein-coding segments. It is more useful to describe the entire genome as software: instructions for cells to build copies of themselves and assemble cells into life-forms. In this view, the protein-coding segments are thought of as fixed-value strings within the code.
If we could send a personal computer with Microsoft Excel and a copy of its source code back in time to Alan Turing, it seems unlikely that on comparing the screen output with the source code, Turing would conclude that fixed values such as "File," "Edit" and "View" were the essence of the software and that the other 99 percent merely "regulated" the operation of the fixed values.
Malcolm Hamer
New York City
In "Culture of Creativity," Fred Guterl interviews Paul Nurse, who concludes, "Scientists speak the same language." This may be figuratively true of the language of science, but verbally, they speak many different languages. It might thus be interesting to read an article on the language barriers to scientific communication and how they are overcome. Because American science predominates, is English the lingua franca of global science? Do our schools promote STEM students learning foreign languages?
David W. Briggs
Marion, Mass.
In "Why Germany Still Makes Things," Stefan Theil points to the use of new technology and manufacturers and researchers working closely as major reasons German manufacturing remains competitive.
Both the U.S. and Germany still excel at making complex, high-tech items, but it seems that the former can no longer economically produce simple items, such as Keck clips (plastic clips used to hold pieces of glassware together), whereas the latter still can. Perhaps Germany has something to teach us in this sort of manufacturing as well.
Howard J. Wilk
"The Wisdom of Psychopaths," excerpted from a book by Kevin Dutton, refers to a lack of empathy as a psychopathic trait that can be beneficial. Yet the term "psychopath" refers to a person whose behaviors are habitually amoral and antisocial.
The intensely focused individuals cited by Dutton are engaged in prosocial activities, which is moral, not psychopathic, behavior. Principles such a rationality, identity, group or creedal loyalties, fears of punishment/consequences and long-range self-interest direct their morality even though they lack empathy. Lack of empathy does not a psychopath make. Dutton's "wisdom" of psychopathy is a misnomer.
Andrew D. Whitmont
via e-mail
DUTTON REPLIES: No one defining feature separates the psychopath from the nonpsychopath. The characteristics that mark psychopaths out from the rest of us, like any other personality characteristic, are evenly distributed across the general population as a whole. Just as there exists no official dividing line between someone who plays the piano and a concert pianist, the frontier between a "pure" psychopath and someone who merely "psychopathizes" is blurred. One individual, for example, may be ruthless, fearless and demonstrate a sublime lack of empathy but at the same time act neither violently nor antisocially nor without conscience.
Scoring high on three psychopathic characteristics, such an individual might rightfully be considered further along the "psychopathic spectrum" than one scoring low on those three traits but wouldn't be anywhere near the "danger zone" of someone scoring high on all of them.
Taking such a dimensional perspective on psychopathy, there is indeed "wisdom" to be found in possessing various combinations of psychopathic traits, at various levels, across various professional contexts.
"The Language of the Brain," by Terry Sejnowski and Tobi Delbruck, raises several philosophical questions. The phrase "the brain makes sense of our experiences" spurs the question of where the implied "I" comes in. Later, I read that "a neuron fires a spike after deciding…." So neurons do the deciding! And further on, we have: "the brain takes such synchrony to mean that the signals are worth noting."
The question is: What is the difference between brain and mind, and how much control does my brain or mind (or I) have over my actions and thoughts?
Andrew Milne
Dunstable, England


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Which Luxury Upgrades Are Worth Paying For?
Dawn Wotapka joins Lunch Break with a look at the many costs involved in upgrading from a builder's basic model--how much extra you'll pay for various finishes and amenities--and which ones are worth it. Photo: Jessica Klewicki Glynn for The Wall Street Journal.
This transcript has been automatically generated and may not be 100% accurate.
... I ... I ... anyhow the thinking of big ticket in full and that the high-end thinness is don't come cheap Dama taka is here with more welcome back to ... the beest live on Lunch Break I'm Kelsey covered now these custom hope this is can cost a pretty penny ... so after building a mom in law lesson in what is driving down a lot of this I need to have custom finishes when you're filling your thing ... are you know the hot housing market is coming back and people were to spend a lot of money on the whole thing no one to house to look like the one next man and every house on the street ... so they're willing to spend the money to make their home up to me ... and a big part of his mortgage rates rate now mortgage rates are near record lows and you can add that Korean kids and you can add a pull shot a little bit of money every month ... people think it's the to do it now that meant a lot of friends in the past it would buy a home and say will make some ... upgrades as retell on but in everything it's cheaper to get it cheaper and are now money is on the screen why we and continue investments or how to save up and you know save money for these upgrades many can do it ... and how people going about taking a lot of the finish of a new home builders make a really easy for them on mine in width and technology that makes me the weekend ... to agree that one hundred thousand dollars ... make a little QEP I think one of the company Toll Brothers really planning to ... meet their model home fame when you walk in there and here I want everything in this house and some people actually do that we are looking at now that none of the statement that its pretty nice too if you don't realize that they throwing a lot of upgrades the home you get your to me like ... a ... holiday for the little plane compared to the model home but they didn't read this because ... consumers don't realize what they can see and actually ... into the house a few block anything I want this kitchen I wanted ask you like best they can be they can do it for you ... and you can see what it actually looked like and what kind of money were talking that we talk about this kitchen and bathroom upgraded we're talking big box here I mean granted ten minute tens of thousands of dollars that dream kitchen can have a preteen Price Tax Cliff that's what you want everybody I interviewed know some people like me entertain a lot market and ... that's where we wanted to spend our money ... media wanna have a relaxing like so we invested a lot of money in the backyard barbeque and holier ... than many people think the staircase built this come up that that's ... not necessarily true you can actually upgrade that the new king ... the creek and we did in your house and you can even upping the upgrades I think on some people I interviewed were up reading the staircase spending big money one woman one of her staircase to Courtney with her kitchen cabinets ... the builders will do it for you and interior designers in this picture interior designers a lot of the home builders have physical Center store you can go can touch the granting can feel the card they ... can pull things next to each other to make sure that they matched ... interior designers become either marriage counselors today have watched here they have watched fights ... they have helped couples figure out what they really want ... and are often see for yourself if you are doing something that can be like gently professionally ... who don't like nothing in my now won a match the card to what the floor it's not going to work in the long run yet ... if anything a lot of love with the release of the economy they have seen it all the ... divine present something is the Mustang thinking on the path of money to pay extra for it


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My blog used to be called Nappy Valley. But now I've moved to the dizzy heights of Crystal Palace (via a spell as an expat on Long Island, New York). And my Littleboys are long out of nappies.
Tuesday, 10 January 2012
A taste of things to come?
This morning we heard about a tiny hamlet in New Hampshire where there were only 9 voters. Newt Gingrich and someone else got one vote each, Romney and Huntsman got 2 each. Wow, hold the front page! If this is a taste of things to come, I might have to start listening to Radio 4 on 'Listen Again' every day, not just at the weekend.
Meanwhile we are dealing with the US government in our own little way. We need to renew our visas this summer, which means a trip back to the UK as you can't do it from within the US. Trying to be organised, we booked the flights ages ago, and The Doctor has assembled all the many pieces of paperwork ready to make our appointment. The other day, he rang up the US embassy in London (at vast cost as they have a premium rate line), paid $16 to even give his name, then gave them all our passport numbers and visa numbers, names, ages, dates of birth, star signs.....only to be told that the only available appointments were in February. Seeing as we are there in April, this is not particularly helpful. They could not tell him when the April dates would come through, so we now have to have the embassy on speed-dial and just have to keep ringing and checking - and eventually paying another $16 to re-register. The last thing we want is to miss the date we want, as the visas take up to two weeks to come through, and of course we need our passports back to return on our booked flight back to America. Sigh.
All in all, January 2012 is shaping up to be a pretty dreary month. For the last two years here, January has been cold and snowy, which although difficult to deal with has been quite pretty, and exciting for the kids. But this year we've had no snow as yet, and the grey, intermittently chilly weather is reminding me distinctly of England. The Doctor and I are also on a health kick, so cutting back drastically on the booze and fatty foods - although I'm still enjoying running, which I guess is something.
The only comfort is a new season of Downton Abbey on PBS, plus a box set of The InBetweeners that my brother-in-law sent us for Christmas (labelled by him as 'The anti Downton Abbey). I'm also excited about seeing The Book of Mormon on Broadway in February thanks to a Christmas present from The Doctor (for UK readers who haven't heard, it's a smash hit musical written by Trey Parker and Matt Stone of South Park fame).
Plus there's the thought of seeing family and friends in April, and spending some time in the UK after a break of nearly two years. At the moment, sitting soberly in my study on Long Island, the idea of a night out with the girls in a Soho cocktail bar seems like a distant fantasy in a far off land. I can't wait until it becomes a reality.
11 comments:
- Almost American said...
Many years ago I had to get a US visa in a relative hurry and found there were agencies near the embassy that for a fee would take the passport in for me. They got to go to the front of the queue (see a long time ago - there was a queue to get in the embassy!) and then express mailed my passport to me in the northwest of England so I could get it in time for my flight back to the US. I was nervous waiting for it to arrive though - especially when the local postman decided not to deliver it to my parents' house because he knew no one would be home, and delivered it to my mum's work instead!
I hope you get the appointment sorted out for the date you need and have a great trip back home!
- 10 January 2012 at 21:44
- Expat mum said...
I'm a citizen and I still get the stomach heaves when the word "visa" comes up. I hope it doesn't get too stressful. I thought you just had to leave this country? Not necessarily go to the UK? Perhaps weekend in Canada or Mexico?
- 10 January 2012 at 23:03
- MsCaroline said...
Argh, bureaucracy! Having just jumped through hoops for my Korean teaching visa, I have great sympathy for you - hope it's sorted out with minimum anguish and the trip home is wonderful! If it's any comfort, I completely sympathize with the grey and miserable winter - I'm dreading the return to Seoul, where 'grey' and 'freezing' are the operative words - apparently until April, I'm told....
- 11 January 2012 at 07:08
- Iota said...
Visa issues *shudder*
We submitted all the info on their website, which is the most unbelievable pain. You have to keep saving the information, or it times you out, and then when you've saved it, it sends you back to the beginning of the form. Feels like you're in an endless loop. It took - literally - hours.
We also uploaded photos, which it accepted, but when we got to the embassy, they didn't accept them. The two systems don't connect with each other, so just because you've spent hours and hours fiddling around getting the photo accepted by the website, it DOESN'T mean it's accepted by the embassy. It probably said that in some small print somewhere.
It makes you feel very powerless, and yes, you're right, it's hugely expensive.
By the way, try and get an appointment as early in the morning as possible, if there's a choice - that way the queue isn't so long and with luck you get through the process quicker.
- 11 January 2012 at 09:15
- Nota Bene said...
I've seen various friends fall foul of the US visa system. All seems a bit third world to me.
As for the Republican primaries...the more lack-lustre the Republican candidate the better as far as I venture an opinion...
- 12 January 2012 at 08:46
- Lynn said...
Yes, even NPR, usually the one island of sanity.
Your take on the Dixville Notch returns cracked me up. Hearing those first returns every election year is a long-time New England ritual that the national media picked up on because they have to have something to blab about, but I do enjoy it - kind of like having NORAD track Santa's progress every Christmas eve - not essential, pretty silly, but reassuring in its familiarity.
- 12 January 2012 at 16:41
- nappy valley girl said...
Almost American - I'm not sure, but I think you almost certainly have to go in person now - given the tightness of their security....and yes, the delivery options are another whole story!
Expat Mum - yes, could go to Canada but we are overdue a visit to UK anyway, and need to take a look at our house....
Ms Caroline - In previous years I preferred winter here - now I'm not so sure! At least snow means skiing and sledding, but now it's just cold.
Iota - we will try. Luckily we don't have to take the boys with us, which would be even more hellish.
NB - totally agree, in a way I hope they pick the worst possible one. But then what if that person gets elected in some tragic mishap?
Lynn - yes, I can see why it's a tradition - a bit like groundhog day! I am sure we have similar rituals in UK elections.
- 13 January 2012 at 12:19
- Michelloui | The American Resident said...
I dread going to the Embassy as there's always so much paperwork and threats if you get it wrong and blah blah blah. I can make an appointment in an online system, perhaps that's available to you too? I doubt if it's just US citizens who are allowed to.
Anyway, I've started an Expat Roundup over at BritMums and you're one of the inagural bunch :)
- 14 January 2012 at 12:21
- Tanya (Bump2Basics) said...
I too wondered about the online system....worth checking out. Embassy/visa/paperwork = nightmare - what a weight will be lifted when it is sorted.
I love the Inbetweeners by the way, did you enjoy?
- 15 January 2012 at 18:54
- nappy valley girl said...
Michelloui, Tanya - we have now got our appointment, but you do definitely have to telephone them to get it (if you're British at any rate). Now comes the submitting the information online part - which, as Iota says, takes hours.
- 17 January 2012 at 15:08
- nappy valley girl said...
Tanya - yes, we like The Inbetweeners, (and I've just discovered it was written by someone I was at Uni with!)
- 17 January 2012 at 15:09


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|Birth Date:
|Oct. 22, 1986
|Jacksboro, Tenn.
|High School:
|Campbell County
|Business Management
TEE TALK: Jake heads into his final season with
the team as one of the most experience members...ability to qualify
for every tournament...calm under pressure...has a solid
swing...originally a walk-on...has been a tremendous asset for this
team for the past three years...highly dedicated to the game.
AT TECH -- In 2008-09: Jake played 22 rounds for Tech in his eight tournament qualifications...averaged 77.1 strokes on the year...finished the seaon with 2 TOP 20 tournament finishes...shot two sub-par rounds, with his season best coming at the Big Blue Invitational where he shot 74-73-70--217 and finished tied for 12th...best finish of a tie for sixth coming at the Pizza Hut/AT&T Invitational...
In 2007-08: Jake played in eight of the team's
nine tournaments as a junior, and averaged 76.5 strokes through his
22 rounds in competition ...shot three sub-par rounds, including
low of 70 on the opening day of the Murray State Invitational in
April...best finish was tie for eighth at the Grover Page Classic
in March, shooting 72-75--147...two other Top20 outings had him
tied for 13th at the Pizza Hut Invitational and 17th at the Murray
State event...
In 2006-07: Jake developed into a strong contributor for the Golden Eagles in his second season, compiling the fourth-best average on the squad...played in four tournaments and fired 12 tournament rounds, posting a 75.9 stroke average....two sub-par rounds...low round was a 69 in the final round of the 54-hole Belmont Invitational (April 3)...helped him climb to 19th place finish, carding 73-70-69--212 for one-under total.
In 2005-06: Did not qualify for tournament play as a freshman.
AS A PREP: A 2005 graduate from Campbell County High School, Jake lettered four seasons in golf, one season in basketball and one season in tennis...as a member of the Cougar golf team, Jake helped lead the team to two district titles, earning three all-district team nods.
PERSONAL: Son of Jenette Heatherly...birthdate is October 22, 1986…full name is Jacob Gamble Heatherly...majoring in business management.


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Rock Ride
Sizes: 20"
Weight: heavy
Volume: medium to very loud
Stick Sound: strong
Intensity: lively
Sustain: long
Bell Character: separated
Sound Character: Bright, powerful, clear, sharp. Narrow range, clean mix. Heavy feel. Piercing clear ping over a controlled wash. Very strong, cutting bell sound. Assertive ride for loud situations.
Sound Room:
Click the icons below to hear them.
Download MP3 Sound Files PST 5
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Click to add a size of this model to the soundroom: 20"
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Home > Products > Cymbals > PST 5 > Rides > Medium Ride | Rock Ride | Ride Crash |


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To see adult content (Parental Act), confirm you are over 18 years old
Caterina Baldi
She was selected by Bologna children's book fair 2011 and by Annual Illustratori 2011 (2009, 2010). In 2011 her works was exibited in Japan at Ishikawa Nanao Art Museum,Takahama Kawara Museum, Otani Memorial Art Museum and Itabashi Art Museum.
Caterina Baldi (03/06/1983) graduated from the School of the Book of Urbino, with a degree in Literature at the University of Milan and Visual Arts Academy of Brera, Erasmus University of Leeds (UK). Try to travel and to read as much as possible. Ranging from illustration to graphic design. She works in Italy and abroad. During the Hight School, she has received several awards for the animated short film The Train (2002).
All works by Caterina Baldi


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Sean Davies 2012 Extreme Mustang Makeover Fort Collins. Horse #2 "Serenity" 5 yo mare [10:01]
Serenity is my big mare for this years Fort Collins makeover. This is unloading day through week three. Both horses came in with pretty snotty noses that the...
Guy gets annihilated by hot sauce extract, fire, nutshot, pepper spray Taser & More! [03:33]
Warning extremely dangerous! DO NOT TRY! Horse in his 2nd attempt to find out what is the most painful thing you could put your body through.. takes on Icyho...
Ray Woodside - Extreme Cowboy Race @ Washington State Horse Expo 2013 [09:59]
Ray Woodside's rides in the Extreme Cowboy Race held on February 16 & 17, 2013 at the Clark County Event Center in Ridgefield, WA during the annual Washington State Horse Expo. Video by MovingImagesNW
Extreme Sports 2013 - Экстремальные виды спорта 2013 [01:50]
Вот что значит жить на полную!!! о такой жизни мечтает каждый!!! That's what it means to live a full!!! of such a life everyone dreams!!!
Lee Hart Extreme Cowboy Race World Championships [03:10]
Clips from Lee Hart's runs at the Extreme Cowboy Race World Championships 2012


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No Croutons Required - Breads
Our first entry comes from Akheela of Torviewtoronto. She served up this mouthwatering Coconut Roti consisting of coconut, flour, chili flakes, onion and curry leaves alongside this unique Sweet Semolina Sago Porridge. Akheela suggests that when making the coconut roti to go with this dish that you omit the spices. So many serving possibilities for the roti and I am sure it is especially delicious with any number of curry dishes. (Toronto, Ontario, Canada)
Our next submission comes from my co-host and good friend Jacqueline of Tinned Tomatoes. These beautiful Yogurt Scones with a Trio of Three Cheeses are made up of Greek yogurt, flour, mustard powder, cayenne pepper, butter, cheddar cheese, feta cheese, Parmesan cheese and one egg. Indeed these would be perfect for dunking into soup, such as this tempting Carrot, Cumin & Yoghurt Soup. (Scotland, UK)
Our next entry comes from Priya. She made this lovely Whole Wheat Multi-Seeds Bread that includes whole wheat flour, a homemade seed mixture of pumpkin seeds, flax seeds and sesame seeds, olive oil, yeast and a wee bit of sugar. I can imagine how wonderful Priya's kitchen smelt as this healthy bread was baking in the oven. Serve with this Velouté De Poireaux (Leeks N Potato Creamy Soup) for an especially comforting meal. (Paris, France)
Janet of Taste Space is up next with this gorgeous Dill and Cheddar Beer Bread that she made without any yeast. Included amongst the ingredients are of course flour, dill, sharp cheddar cheese, beer and you can glaze the top with egg if desired. This rather dense bread is easy to make and best served with a simple soup Janet tells us because of the complexity of the flavours. I am thinking this would be a perfect use of the fresh dill I have growing outside and know I would especially enjoy it with this Roasted Red Pepper and Squash Soup. (Toronto, Ontario, Canada)
Sunita enters this month with these stunning but easy to make Cheesy Potato and Rosemary Scones. Whole wheat flour (atta), mashed potato, fresh rosemary, english mustard, olive oil, Red Leicester cheese (or cheddar), a bit of milk and an egg are combined here to perfection. Certainly these colourful scones would be an ideal accompaniment to this Mixed Beans and Lentils Broth. (UK)
Ashley of Eat me Delicious contributes these oh so tempting Sun Dried Tomato, Feta and Oregano Muffins. Who could resist this combination of flour, freshly ground black pepper, oregano, butter, eggs, milk, feta cheese and a whole cup of sun-dried tomatoes. These scrumptious savory muffins would go very well with this Mediterranean Pepper Salad. (Vancouver, BC, Canada)
Next up is Radhika of Food for 7 Stages of Life with this moist and healthy Carrot Mango Pecan Bread. Delightful mangos, that invoke fond memories of her grandfather, add a nice touch to this bread made with whole wheat flour, carrots, pecans, some sugar, eggs and cinnamon. I am sure this soft bread wouldn't last long, especially if served with Dixie Stampede Homestyle Cream of Vegetable Soup. (New Jersey, United States)
Eleanor from BrownievilleGirl is on a scone mission and she submits this easy, but incredibly tasty, slightly crumbly Honey and Sunflower Ginger Scones recipe. I have a ginger fan in the house who would be sure to enjoy this combination of spelt flour, ground ginger, finely grated carrot, butter, fresh ginger, honey and sunflower seeds. Imagine how delightful these scones would be served with Butternut Squash Coleslaw and a hunk of Dubliner cheese? (Ireland)
Johanna of Green Gourmet Giraffe digs into her archives and serves up this plump yeast based Zucchini Loaf made up of zucchini, yeast, a bit of honey, bread flour and glazed with some olive oil. This most delightful bread would be wonderful with this Tomato and Lentil Soup. Your dinner guests will be asking for seconds. (Melbourne, Australia).
My submission this month are these Apple Cheddar Scones that I made for friends. Spelt flour, cornmeal, cinnamon, butter, an egg, buttermilk, apple juice, red wine cheddar cheese, dried apple and freshly grated apple make for a most delightful combination. My friends gave them rave reviews. I would suggest serving them with Fresh Fruit and Berry Soup. (London, Ontario, Canada)
Mango Cheeks of Allotment 2 Kitchen offers up these most appetizing Vegan Parsley Shortcakes that she describes as slightly crisp on the outside and soft on the inside. Flour, fresh parsley, olive oil, white wine vinegar and soya milk are combined to serve alongside homemade chutney. These would also be a most satisfying side to dip into this Chickpea and Sun-Dried Tomato Soup. (West of Scotland, UK)
Vanessa of Sweet Artichoke experiments for the first time with these cute and appetizing Mini Focaccia. Flour, yeast, a pinch of sugar, some olive oil, fine semolina and olive oil make up these delights that can be garnished with a variety of ingredients, including cherry tomatoes, herbs, Parmesan cheese and olives. These would go well with any Mediterranean dish, such as this Tunisian Salad with Grilled Veggies. (Switzerland)
Sweatha of Tasty Curry Leaf makes her first attempt at a rustic Pane Toscano -Saltless Tuscan Bread and it turned out beautifully. The first step is to make a sponge with flour, water and yeast and then a dough made with more flour, water and yeast. An interesting step in the process is that you spray the baking bread with water to ensure you get a nice hard crust. This bread would certainly go well with Roasted Tomato Soup. (Bangalore, India)
Reshmi of A Feast to the Eyes and Stomach participates in our event for the first time and submits this lovely Potato Bread that she describes as the softest she's ever had. A mixture of flour, mashed potatoes, yeast, chives and dry milk powder are divided into balls and then given an egg wash and garnished with sunflower and pumpkin seeds. Serve this with Red Gram (Red Lentil Soup) and you will have one satisfying and filling dinner. (Germany)
Last, but certainly not least, we have these absolutely gorgeous Cloverleaf Rolls with Honey Lavender Shallot Butter Glaze from Susan of The Well Seasoned Cook. A dough of flour, some sugar, yeast, milk, butter and an egg is left to rise in the fridge for up to 24 hours, then cut into balls, left to rise in a warm place for another 30 minutes and then glazed with butter, poached shallot, lavender flowers and honey. A special benefit for cooks in humid climates is they only take 15 minutes in the oven to bake. How elegant, especially when served with Lima Bean and Artichoke Soup. (New York, USA)
Jacqueline will be hosting the next edition of No Croutons Required. Check back at the beginning of August for the theme.
Serve it up in No Croutons Required
18 comments:
- Torviewtoronto said...
Lovely roundup I am happy to have participated
check out the events in my site
- July 21, 2010 at 5:32 PM
- saveur said...
Everything looks delicious - so flavourful! Sunita's Cheesy Potato and Rosemary Scones gets my vote, though!
- July 21, 2010 at 5:37 PM
- Jacqueline said...
Wow, such brilliant submissions Lisa. This is a fab round :)
- July 21, 2010 at 6:29 PM
- Susan said...
Thank you, Lisa, for putting together this carb-y collection. They all look so marvelous and moreish!
- July 21, 2010 at 6:35 PM
- Kiersten said...
Everyone did a lovely job! As hard as it is to pick just one, the mini focaccia gets my vote.
- July 21, 2010 at 6:54 PM
- MapMaster said...
Soup or no soup, I'd gladly eat any of these breads, but Sunita's Cheesy Potato and Rosemary Scones get my vote.
- July 21, 2010 at 7:40 PM
- BangaloreBaker said...
I bake so many kinds of bread that I am feeling stupid to have missed it. Lovely collection though. My vote goes for Carrot Mango Pecan bread by Radhika.
- July 21, 2010 at 9:26 PM
- Johanna GGG said...
I love all of these - can just imagine a lovely plate piled with a slice of each - will try and get hard hearted and choose one to vote for but it wont be easy :-)
- July 22, 2010 at 12:27 AM
- Priya said...
Beautiful breads to enjoy with soups...my vote goes for Curry leaf's Pane Toscano bread
- July 22, 2010 at 3:04 AM
- Sweet Artichoke said...
A great round-up! I would love to have a crunchy bite of each of these yummy breads :-)
- July 22, 2010 at 3:51 AM
- Nupur said...
Ah, this post is making me hungry. I'll vote for Sunita's cheesy scones- they look oh so good.
- July 22, 2010 at 7:06 AM
- Nini said...
This is amazing how all of these breads look fantastically tasty!! Congratulations to everybody. And I vote for the Mini-Focaccias.
- July 22, 2010 at 10:14 AM
- Curry Leaf said...
Sunita's scones- they steal the show.I too would vote for the scones
- July 22, 2010 at 10:54 AM
- madge @ vegetariancasserolequeen said...
Well, they all look extremely delicious! But my vote is for the Dill & Cheddar Beer Bread. What a great combination of flavors.
Good luck to everyone who participated!
- July 22, 2010 at 2:11 PM
- bellini valli said...
A fantastic lineup up delicious breads to try ladies:D
- July 22, 2010 at 6:34 PM
- Anonymous said...
they all look yummy but the mini focacios look like the yummiest of them all!
- July 23, 2010 at 4:28 PM
- eatme_delicious said...
Yummm I loved this month of NCR!! :) It's hard to choose but my vote goes to Sunita's cheesy potato and rosemary scones.
- July 23, 2010 at 4:57 PM
- sunita said...
Thanks Lisa for the wonderful roundup; so many perfect accompaniments for soup.
And another big thank you to all those who voted for my scones :-)
- August 1, 2010 at 5:46 PM


text:
RB26DETT 1,000-Plus Horsepower Block WorkOver the past five months, seven teams have waged a war in building the ultimate engine in a head-to-head battle. The challenge was based upon a points system (190 points total) consisting of the highest possible numbers in each category. Horsepower and torque (30 points), power under the curve (30 points), 30-minute drive cycle (100 points), and build quality (30 points). The Castrol Syntec Top Shop Challenge set the stage for eurotuner, Import Tuner, Lowrider, Modified, Sport Compact Car, Super Street, and Turbo & High-Tech Performance magazines to join forces with a tuner/engine builder while selecting an engine of their choice to build and compete. The highest combined points total will be declared the winner; this isn't a dyno competition based only on monster horsepower. Each team will build an engine to deliver horsepower and torque figures upon horsepower per liter. Larger displacement engines, like theNissan VQ35DE (3.5L), are known to develop bigger power figures but will be at a numerical disadvantage compared to the smaller-litered engines, like the Nissan SR20DET (2.0L).
The Castrol Syntec Top Shop Challenge is nearing its grand finale as all the teams, including Turbo & High-Tech Performance magazine/Sp Engineering will be sending each engine to Speedomotive in West Covina, Calif., to begin power testing using their engine dyno. Final tabulations will take place prior to this year's SEMA Show and the winner will be declared at the Source Interlink booth, along with the award's ceremony. You can bet we will be holding the coveted trophy along with whatever prize that is included for all the hard labor that was put into building this engine.


text:
"Won't an Alaska cruise be like seeing the B.C. coast from the ferry, only colder?" asked my warm-weather loving husband.
"Shouldn't we spend our honeymoon going somewhere more different, more interesting, more exotic?"
His opinion changed a few weeks later when we came "face to face" with the Hubbard Glacier.
Well sort of.
My face is about 15 centimetres across and 22 centimetres high.
Hubbard Glacier's face is 11.26 kilometres across, and 106 metres high. From the deck of the recently renovated Celebrity Millennium — one of the ships that uses Vancouver as its summer home port — we tried to grasp the sheer size, scope and scale of North America's largest tidewater glacier.
And we both agreed that time in Alaska is something every Vancouverite should take advantage of. After all, for many of us, getting there is as easy as hopping on the SkyTrain to Canada Place, from where you can catch any number of boats.
We intentionally chose a one-way cruise (we flew to Anchorage, and sailed home), as we wanted to experience the Alaska "interior" in addition to seeing the ports, which are mostly along the state's "panhandle."
From feeling like our float plane wing might scrape the face of Denali to the unexpected magic of Ketchikan's bear sanctuary, an Alaska cruise and the ports it offers truly make for a different call of the wild every day.
Prior to the sailing, I researched excursion options for each port to ensure we didn't repeat.
Many of these experiences are pricey, but they're worth it, so save ahead.
Few cruise ships actually go to Anchorage, a sprawling mess of a city. Instead, they use the ports of two tiny towns, Whittier and Seward, both reachable by car or rail. But flying into Anchorage a couple of days before your cruise departure allows you to go flightseeing to the highest point in North America: 6,196 metres-high Denali (a.k.a. Mount McKinley).
There is no guarantee the mountain will show itself; it's a moody one, often shrouded in clouds.
But Peter, our seasoned float plane pilot from Rust's Flying Service, promised we'd see spectacular scenery and amazing glaciers, just no peak promise.
During the flight toward the mountains, reports from other pilots were encouraging.
Our pilot chose an approach above the 58 km-long Kahiltna Glacier, allowing us to see the distinct markings of a glacier's slow flow, as we steadily climbed toward the clouds. And suddenly, as we soared around 2,743 metres, the clouds parted allowing clear views of the entire mountain faces and summits of Denali and several other nearby peaks.
Seeing just one of these peaks from this angle would have been awesome ($385/person, flyrusts.com).
After a four-hour morning ride on the famed Alaska Railroad ($79/adult, alaskarailroad.com) from Anchorage to Seward, we checked in with Celebrity, and then took a cruise of a different kind: Tandem sea kayaking.
If you're like me and have previously only tried this in False Creek, the waters of Resurrection Bay will seem daunting.
But the guides of Sunny Cove Kayaks will train you and put you at ease. If you're in the front seat, make sure your back seat paddler (husband, in my case) paddles!
Suddenly, you're floating along at sea level with Bear Mountain lording above you and Godwin Glacier visible across the bay.
If you're as lucky as we were, the water will be right for you to paddle gently into an active salmon spawning stream. Later in the day, as we sailed through Resurrection Bay on the Millennium, I felt a special connection to this paradise.
At Hubbard Glacier the fascination of sailing through "bergie bits" of ice into Disenchantment Bay is plenty enchanting.
On Millennium, a lecturer provided frequent commentary about what we were seeing — size of the glacier, how glaciers work, and all that.
We stayed nearly a mile back, which still felt incredibly close when the glacier started repeated calving. The massive chunks of ice create a three-part show: You see it, then hear its boom, then a few minutes later its gentle waves reach your ship.
Compared to Glacier Bay, relatively few ships include Hubbard, so if experiencing this monster is important, make sure yours does.
As the largest Alaskan port on most Alaska cruises, the capital city of Juneau presents many options, starting with a mountaintop sightseeing tram that greets you right at the pier — the views from its top are sweeping. This port also has a great reputation for whale watching, and a few hours on the jet boat with Dolphin Tours delivered multiple orca sightings along with spectacular views of the area's scenery ($110/person, dolphintours.com).
Back at the pier, resist the cheap-o temptation to dine on the ship, and find your way to Tracy's King Crab Shack to chow on the "best legs in town." I closed my eyes and imagined TV's Deadliest Catch guys catching the king crab who gave his leg for the very shareable Combo #1 ($35, kingcrabshack.com).
Skagway holds special interest for Canadian passengers: The only Alaska shore destination from which you can realistically cross the border.
Many ships have a long visit there. We enjoyed an entertaining day trip on the historic, narrow-gauge White Pass & Yukon Railway.
A ride on this circa 1898 engineering marvel teaches you tons about Canadian the Klondike gold rush — the reason the railway was built — as the train slowly climbs 873 metres through breathtaking scenery over 32 kilometres of track, eventually crossing just into Canada before reversing the route ($115/adult, wpyr.com). Back in town, a silly Klondike theatre performance rounds out the historic fun ($22/adult, thedaysof98show.com).
You don't expect a theme park in coastal Alaska — especially one owned by a local Natives — but that's essentially what the smart band of Tlingit people have created from the ruins of the once-booming fish cannery at Hoonah.
By branding it Icy Strait Point, the tribe turned the buildings into a museum, restaurants and theatre, and added various forest excursions and one of the world's longest and highest zip lines, they've creatively managed to get many cruise ships to visit.
The zip line is an OMG experience — I nearly lost my glasses and camera during the 1,524 metre-long, 396 metre-drop ride which reaches speeds of 100 km/hr. (About$130/adult, must book via cruise line, icystraitpoint.com).
My husband grew up in Prince Rupert, so he thought he knew what nearby Ketchikan would be like. Wrong! This rainy, seaside village is postcard-perfect, with art galleries tucked into colourful buildings.
Just outside town, the Alaska Rainforest Sanctuary is the show-stopper.
Due to a running salmon stream, the four-hectare, privately-owned reserve on the edge of the wilderness is a favourite spot for many black bears and cubs, and a walking tour of this forest is a study in teddy-bear magic blended with a bit of human terror as you realize there's nothing between you and the bears.
The guides know how to safely manage these forest walks for both you and the bears ($199/adult includes town tour and transfers, alaskarainforest.com). Back in town, prepare for one of the best seafood meals of your life at the Alaska Chef's Table — a backroom of Alaska Fish House overlooking the harbour serves as the haven for a multi-course meal of goodies pulled from the water your cruise ship is sailing through.
Cruising Alaska exceeded our expectations.
So much, in fact, that we're taking another Alaska cruise this August to celebrate our anniversary.
See you on board?


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text:
Are you really a liberal?
By Selwyn Duke
Writers such as myself devote a lot of ink to the species known as liberals. And when you carry your banners openly on the field of battle, you define yourself and relinquish any pretense at that most illusory quality, impartiality. This places you in the crosshairs, although you can take solace in knowing that your adversaries will always miss left.
Some of the liberals who contact me spew callow vitriol, at times peppered with language that would make a guttersnipe blush. But there's another type of "liberal" respondent. This person is almost always civil, even when indignant. He'll query me and wonder how I could ascribe all the qualities I do to liberalism, mystified that I would impugn an ideology possessed of but the most ethereal of virtues. Then, either confused or fancying me so, he'll provide a dictionary definition, something always to the effect of:
Okay, so you've read the above definition and it sounds like what you would like to be. So you've got it all figured out. Are you sure?
First, understand that the meaning of the word liberal is fluid. In the World Book Online Reference Center, 2006 it states:
The exact meaning of liberalism varies with time, place, and circumstance, and with who is using the term. The term can apply to government, social behavior, religion, economics, or other areas. It can refer to a set of personal values or to a system of political beliefs. Ideas regarded as liberal in some cultures may not be considered liberal in others.
In fact, it even varies on the same page of a dictionary. While Dictionary.com does have a definition equivalent to the aforementioned, it also has,
"a movement in modern Protestantism that emphasizes freedom from tradition and authority, the adjustment of religious beliefs to scientific conceptions, and the development of spiritual capacities."
In fairness, that's also similar to the first definition, but then there's this,
"A 19th-century Roman Catholic movement that favored political democracy and ecclesiastical reform but was theologically orthodox."
Now, today's liberals don't exactly cotton to theological orthodoxy, so we're starting to see separation. "But this isn't the 1800s," you say? True enough. Of course, though, the real world isn't a dictionary, either. But let's take the next definition.
"An economic theory in favor of laissez-faire, the free market, and the gold standard."
Well, hell's bells, what have we here? I, oft-described as a wingnut by some of my un-fans, embrace this principle enthusiastically. Yet, those liberal critics eschew it. Hmm, are they the true liberals or am I?
Are you still sure you know what liberalism is? I'm not done yet.
Truly ironic is when you find that in real life, in keeping with the World Book quotation, the definition of liberalism varies depending on location. For instance, while conservatives in cold war America were ardently anti-communist, their philosophical soulmates in the Soviet Union were known as liberals. Behind the iron curtain, the conservatives were the communists.
The reason for this is as simple as the issue it raises is complex. More constant definitions of "liberal" and "conservative" inform that, simply put, a conservative believes in "maintaining the status quo" while a liberal believes in changing it. Thus, Joseph Stalin and Joseph McCarthy both were conservatives – in their respective environments, that is. Moreover, each one had liberal opponents in his country and liberal allies elsewhere.
But this raises very interesting questions. If a liberal succeeds in implementing his changes to the point where they become the status quo, doesn't he, by definition, become a conservative? And doesn't the erstwhile conservative, after losing this cultural war and assuming that he endeavors to change the new status quo, in a way become a liberal?
And this phenomenon can be seen clearly if we examine our political history. The ideology that animated the hands of the Founding Fathers and became prevalent in the young United States was known as "Classical Liberalism." Embraced by Thomas Jefferson and the other signatories to the Declaration of Independence, it espoused limited government, property rights, laissez-faire economics and freedom from government intrusion. And inherent in it was the belief that man derived his rights not from government but from God.
What's important to realize, however, is that the designation "classical" was only added to this original liberalism upon the subsequent emergence of modern liberalism. This was to distinguish it from the latter, which had become a different ideology altogether.
Much different.
Today's liberalism prescribes government action – in the form of a law, mandate, regulation or program – in every sphere of life, from child-rearing (anti-spanking laws) to hiring (EEOC) to school admissions (quotas) to sports (Casey Martin in golf, Title IX) to diet (banning trans-fats).
Its adherents on the Supreme Court gave us the Kelo decision, an attack on property rights. It preaches that government has a place in religion (forcing Catholic hospitals to provide contraception), but religion has no place in government, quite the opposite of Jefferson's conception of the separation of church and state. Now its minions have gone so far as to attack freedom of speech with hate crime/hate speech laws and even seek to redefine marriage and allow homosexuals to adopt children.
Because of this transformation, today's rough equivalent of classical liberalism is Goldwater conservatism. (Note: I believe it is a myth that these ideologies are the equivalent of today's libertarianism, as is commonly held.) And it should surprise no one that individuals of the latter stripe have long embraced the former's principles. Once the founders' liberalism became the status quo, it was no longer revolutionary. Then its proponents quite naturally became known as the protectors of the status quo, or, conservatives.
Of course, some liberals would say they're evolving. But as I have demonstrated, both liberals and conservatives evolve; the question is, how are they evolving and is some atavistic adjustment in order? Let's examine this with a parable.
Imagine America as a ship. The people aboard are a motley crew, liking different positions and forever arguing over whether it's best to place the helm in the right, middle or left portion of the vessel. Now, in this tug-of-war, the helm shifts left and right as the strength of one side or another waxes and wanes. Of course, a passenger can occupy any area he wishes. But the further you stray to either side, the lonelier you become, so most stay within earshot of the band and buffet table. Overlooked by virtually all, however, is that the ship is off course and steadily drifting left because engineers working below, out of plain sight, are manipulating the rudder.
What this means is that those who wanted to be on the left still do, oblivious to the fact that the "left" is now further left than before the ship left its previous position. And those who wanted to be on the right are still happy to be there, not realizing that the "right" is now also further left than before. For each group to be closer to where it initially thought prudent, the left would have to move to the right side, and the right would have to untether a life boat and go over the side.
This explains the so-called "neo-cons" and "compassionate conservatives." On the starboard side of a boat whose latitude and longitude have changed, they're just the liberals of twenty-five years ago.
And this is why I'm ever more reluctant to brand myself a conservative. Conservatives are satisfied to occupy the "right" side of the political spectrum, not realizing the spectrum has been positioned by the "positioned" (Antonio Gramsci). Liberals are never happy unless they're on the left side of the spectrum, even though, had they lived a generation before, arrival at society's present center would have been their greatest ambition. In other words, conservatives tend to be defined by a defense of liberals' previous conquests, while liberals are defined simply by a desire to change what conservatives are defending.
And this is the problem with modern liberalism: It is an ideology bereft of principle. Because nothing is sacred to liberalism, not even its own provisional principles, it may change society but then is changed by it. When will liberals ever say we have enough laws, regulations, mandates, taxation, bureaucracies, programs, and rending of tradition? Conservatism's limitations are obvious. Even if it sought to, it couldn't reduce government to less than nothing. But liberalism in our time has no fixed platform, no end game. It forever seeks to alter the status quo but is always defined by its opposition to it. It is not an ideology as much as it is a process, one by which change is effected but never cemented. It is a rebel without a cause, having long ago forgotten that change is meant to be a means to an end, not an end in and of itself. Thus, it is perennially in flux, with its only constant being change itself.
Party affiliation or ideological orientation is not synonymous with ethnicity. Some people are so wedded to the word liberal that they behave as if being so labeled is an immutable characteristic. Often very traditional, it's as if these folks are saying, "Ma' pappy was a liberal, and ma' gran'-pappy was a liberal, and ma' great-gran'-pappy was a liberal. . . ."
But being married to liberalism is to be with a woman who changes with the fashions. One year she's an alabaster complected flower holding a parasol, then she's burning her bra. Later still she's dressing like a pop-tart with her midriff exposed. Then she's frequenting a workout gym, a tanning salon and a martial arts dojo. Finally you receive divorce papers and learn she's living with her friend "Rosie" in San Francisco. In the end, as you wonder what happened to the lady you married, you realize that she was never really a lady at all, but a chameleon.
Now, if you are a person this piece is aimed at, don't misunderstand me. You don't have to abandon your ideology – it abandoned you a long time ago. This is not your grandfather's liberalism.
Of course, you may not listen to me. But just know that if you misunderstand what liberalism has come to represent and are loyal to the designation, you may vote for a candidate billed as liberal in the thinking that he is one of your number. But invariably this means voting for leftist politicians who you may, quite correctly, associate with liberalism. Your mistake is that you don't associate "liberalism" with liberalism.
The end result, however, is that you find yourself ruled by leaders who don't truly reflect your values.
As for me, I will echo the sentiments of late Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, "He who marries the spirit of the age will be a widower in the next." One thing you can be sure of is that the next age's liberalism will be different yet again, an imposter that cannot boast any consanguinity with Jefferson's brand, which still exists but bears a different name. Perhaps it's time to say, its name is my name too?
[1] Webster's Third New International Dictionary