text:
Creating A Renovation Budget Plan Before Buying A HomeThose who say a kitchen sells a home are absolutely correct. What is it exactly about a kitchen that makes it desirable though? Being a room that gets a lot of use is the main reason.
Most people will gather here on a daily basis, from morning to night. When people are over, gathering around the table is common. For just about everyone, the kitchen is the most important room in the house, whether they realize it or not.
When it comes to must-haves in a kitchen, there are many ideas that grace the list. Different people will have different ideas on what they will add to this list. While granite countertops are a popular choice for Concord residents, they are usually on the wish list rather than the need list. Other materials are equally as desirable. The most common must have items actually involve practicality and convenience.
Storage and Space
The top of the list for kitchen must-haves include the available storage. Pantries offer room for storage when it comes to making meals, and many people want theirs to be quite large. With couponing and discount items becoming more and more popular, people are buying in bulk now more than ever. A large pantry inside the house is great, however, if this room is not near where a person cooks, the convenience is not ideal.
For cleaning supplies, people also want convenience. Storing these items under the sink may our website seem traditional, but it can be a hassle. Rather, a storage area with shelves and hooks make these items more accessible. Small appliances also deserve their own space. Having them crowded on the countertop can be an annoyance and not appealing to the eye. A separate space for these adds style to the room as well as convenience.
Falling into a similar category, cabinets add much-needed space to a kitchen. Everything should have a place. Besides being important for storage, the design should make everything easy to reach. Fold out cabinets offer more organization to those who need it, and long drawers give even more versatility. Lazy Susans are popular because they make finding objects easy while also closing to conceal all of the items.
Counter space can easily become overcrowded, and having Related Site a lot of it is important. The must-have in this category is versatility. People like to have separate spaces to do all their work, an organizational tool in its own right. Having granite countertops for the main surface is beautifully contrasted by a wooden kitchen island. This island can be a space divided into a seating area and a prepping area. People should be sure to make sure both materials are properly treated to meet their individual needs.


text:
Python package for working with Adobe Photoshop PSD files
Project description
psd-tools is a package for reading Adobe Photoshop PSD files (as described in specification) to Python data structures.
pip install psd-tools
There are also optional dependencies:
docopt for command-line interface:
pip install docopt
and PIL (or Pillow) for accessing PSD layer data as PIL images:
pip install Pillow
In order to extract images from 32bit PSD files PIL/Pillow must be built with LITTLECMS support.
Load an image:
>>> from psd_tools import PSDImage >>> psd = PSDImage.load('my_image.psd')
Read image header:
>>> psd.header PsdHeader(number_of_channels=3, height=200, width=100, depth=8, color_mode=RGB)
Access its layers:
>>> psd.layers [<psd_tools.Group: 'Group 2', layer_count=1>, <psd_tools.Group: 'Group 1', layer_count=1>, <psd_tools.Layer: 'Background', size=100x200, x=0, y=0>]
Work with a layer group:
>>> group2 = psd.layers[0] >>> group2.name Group 2 >>> group2.visible True >>> group2.closed False >>> group2.opacity 255 >>> from psd_tools.constants import BlendMode >>> group2.blend_mode == BlendMode.NORMAL True >>> group2.layers [<psd_tools.Layer: 'Shape 2', size=43x62, x=40, y=72)>]
Work with a layer:
>>> layer = group2.layers[0] >>> layer.name Shape 2 >>> layer.bbox BBox(x1=40, y1=72, x2=83, y2=134) >>> layer.width, layer.height (43, 62) >>> layer.visible, layer.opacity, layer.blend_mode (True, 255, u'norm') >>> layer.as_PIL() <PIL.Image.Image image mode=RGBA size=43x62 at ...>
Export a single layer:
>>> layer_image = layer.as_PIL() >>> layer_image.save('layer.png')
Export the merged image:
>>> merged_image = psd.composite_image() >>> merged_image.save('my_image.png')
Why yet another PSD reader?
There are existing PSD readers for Python:
- psdparse;
- pypsd;
- there is a PSD reader in PIL library;
- it is possible to write Python plugins for GIMP.
PSD reader in PIL is incomplete and contributing to PIL is complicated because of the slow release process, but the main issue with PIL for me is that PIL doesn't have an API for layer groups.
GIMP is cool, but it is a huge dependency, its PSD parser is not perfect and it is not easy to use GIMP Python plugin from your code.
I also considered contributing to pypsd or psdparse, but they are GPL and I was not totally satisfied with the interface and the code (they are really fine, that's me having specific style requirements).
So I finally decided to roll out yet another implementation that should be MIT-licensed, systematically based on the specification (it turns out the specs are incomplete and sometimes incorrect though); parser should be implemented as a set of functions; the package should have tests and support both Python 2.x and Python 3.x.
Design overview
The process of handling a PSD file is split into 3 stages:
- "Reading": the file is read and parsed to low-level data structures that closely match the specification. No PIL images are constructed; image resources blocks and additional layer information are extracted but not parsed (they remain just keys with a binary data). The goal is to extract all information from a PSD file.
- "Decoding": image resource blocks and additional layer information blocks are parsed to a more detailed data structures (that are still based on a specification). There are a lot of PSD data types and the library currently doesn't handle them all, but it should be easy to add the parsing code for the missing PSD data structures if needed.
After (1) and (2) we have an in-memory data structure that closely resembles PSD file; it should be fairly complete but very low-level and not easy to use. So there is a third stage:
- "User-facing API": PIL images of the PSD layers are created and combined to a user-friendly data structure.
Stage separation also means user-facing API may be opinionated: if somebody doesn't like it then it should possible to build an another API (e.g. without PIL) based on lower-level decoded PSD file.
psd-tools tries not to throw away information from the original PSD file; even if the library can't parse some info, this info will be likely available somewhere as raw bytes (open a bug if this is not the case). This should make it possible to modify and write PSD files (currently not implemented; contributions are welcome).
- reading of RGB and RGBA images;
- 8bit, 16bit and 32bit channels;
- all PSD compression methods are supported (not only the most common RAW and RLE);
- image ICC profile is taken into account;
- most important (imho) 23 image resource types and 12 tagged block types are decoded;
- there is an optional Cython extension to make the parsing fast.
Not implemented:
- reading of CMYK, Duotone, LAB, etc. images;
- many image resource types and tagged blocks are not decoded (they are attached to the result as raw bytes);
- this library can't blend layers together: it is possible to export a single layer and to export a final image, but it is not possible to render e.g. layer group;
- the decoding of Descriptor structures is very basic;
- the writing of PSD images.
If you need some of unimplemented features then please fire an issue or implement it yourself (pull requests are welcome in this case).
Development happens at github and bitbucket:
The main issue tracker is at github: https://github.com/kmike/psd-tools/issues
Feel free to submit ideas, bugs, pull requests (git or hg) or regular patches.
In case of bugs it would be helpful to provide a small PSD file demonstrating the issue; this file may be added to a test suite.
Unfortunately I don't have a license for Adobe Photoshop and use GIMP for testing; PNG screenshots may be necessary in cases where GIMP fails.
In order to run tests, install tox and type
from the source checkout.
The license is MIT.
Thanks to all guys who write PSD parsers: I learned a lot about PSD file structure from the source code of psdparse, GIMP, libpsd and psdparse C library; special thanks to Paint.NET PSD Plugin authors for deciphering the "32bit layer + zip-with-prediction compression" case.
0.5 (2012-11-05)
- Support for zip and zip-with-prediction compression methods is added;
- support for 16/32bit layers is added;
- optional Cython extension for faster zip-with-prediction decompression;
- other speed improvements.
0.2 (2012-11-04)
- Initial support for 16bit and 32bit PSD files: psd-tools v0.2 can read composite (merged) images for such files and extract information (names, dimensions, hierarchy, etc.) about layers and groups of 16/32bit PSD; extracting image data for distinct layers in 16/32bit PSD files is not suported yet;
- better Layer.__repr__;
- bbox property for Group.
0.1.4 (2012-11-01)
Packaging is fixed in this release.
0.1.3 (2012-11-01)
- Better support for 32bit images (still incomplete);
- reader is able to handle "global" tagged layer info blocks that was previously discarded.
0.1.2 (2012-10-30)
- warn about 32bit images;
- transparency support for composite images.
0.1.1 (2012-10-29)
Initial release (v0.1 had packaging issues).
Project details
Release history Release notifications
Download files
Download the file for your platform. If you're not sure which to choose, learn more about installing packages.
|Filename, size & hash SHA256 hash help
|File type
|Python version
|Upload date
|psd-tools-0.5.tar.gz (100.7 kB) Copy SHA256 hash SHA256

subset: commoncrawl


text:
|2007-04-02, 06:48
|Link #1
Silver Hair Pouncer
[PC] Guild Wars 2 & GW:EotN
"With the thought process on designing campaign 4 it suddenly became Guild Wars 2. Which will be more of an MMO. Not just any MMO however, an MMO that will highly require YOU as a players involvement. Your choices will highly effect the world and environment that surround you..."
This is more or less what ANet has said in one of their paragraphs in the May 2007 issue of PC Gamer. Every Guild Wars fan should pick this up by the way. I was blown away!
Guild Wars the campaigns have come to an end. Guild Wars: Eye of the North (code name GWEN* to all the players that know what this means*), which will be a REAL expansion meaning that you do need one of the other games to play this, will be the conclusion for Guild Wars 1 and will give you the introduction to GW2.
While the idea and sudden event that GW 1 is ending saddens me greatly, the outcome of Guild Wars 2 sounds very promising however. More classes to choose from (including the Charr!), massive PvP battles that can last for hours, even WEEKS at a time, and environments that depend on you. What do I mean by this? Well for instance, say if you walk outside of a house and you see a dragon fly by...do you ignore it or attack? Everyone in the area can choose to ignore it. So the dragon is ignored and it swoops down and causes a bridge to collapse. A group of workers then is off guard and begins to collect wood to rebuild a bridge, and a bunch of thieves come and attack those workers. People in the area will be asked again to help. You will be rewarded for your deeds. Think of it as quests, but they are open and effect an area. They are calling these chain-events. A 100+( or no level) cap. While, you cannot transfer your GW1 characters to GW2 since it takes place hundreds of years in the future. However, gain titles in GW 1 and get your name on the hall of monuments at the end of GW:EN and your GW2 character will get special items from your GW1 characters including mini pets, weapons, and more. Lastly, it will still be FREE!
Even though they are finishing off GW1 they will continue to update it and give the players plenty of weekend events and surprises. So, how do the AS Guild Wars fans feel about this?
Expected release dates
Guild Wars:Eyes of the North- Holiday season 2007.
Guild Wars 2 in 2009-2010
I personally feel psyched and you can bet Ill be playing Beta which comes out in 2008!
|2007-04-04, 18:05
|Link #2
Sounds shitty enough to me. Or, at the least, it doesn't sound one bit like Guild Wars. Level cap 100+, PvP battles for hours, more classes and races... For me that just means that the concept that made GW original will be destroyed and replaced by a standard MMORPG one. Competitive PvP will be impossible with 100+lvls and even more classes and skills (balance anyone?). Seems like they'll be concentrating on PvE which was the least interesting part of part 1 if you ask me.
Maybe it'll just turn out to be a cool game all the same, you never know without having played it but with my current PC I can't even dream of running it.
|2007-04-04, 18:33
|Link #3
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Does this mean A.Net will be dropping further development of the Guild Wars "sell standalone releases every 6 months and free online play"? If so, I guess the marketing model isn't working too well for them.
In any case, I always thought it'll be nice to have a MMo in the Guild Wars setting. They probably have to change alot of gameplay mechanics, but I'll wait for them to finish it and then judge it on its own merits. I'm pretty confident in ArenaNet, so let's see how this goes.
|2007-04-13, 14:22
|Link #5
Gobble Gobble
http://wiki.guildwars.com/wiki/Guild_Wars_2 - Official Guild Wars Wiki
http://www.guildwarsguru.com/forum/s...php?t=10133090 - Gaile Grey
May Issue of PC Gamer - Eric Flannum
Last edited by GATX207_Blitz; 2007-04-13 at 14:27. Reason: The first post sounded funny to me :X
|2007-04-15, 10:11
|Link #6
Join Date: Jan 2007
Age: 19
The fact that Guild Wars had REALLY crappy PvE combat, and no random drops (aside from trash you salvaged for raw materials) made it a loss for me. How anyone could play that after experiencing World of Warcraft (which itself has tons of flaws) is beyond me.
|2007-04-15, 13:22
|Link #7
Gotta kill 'em all!
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Denmark
WoW is horrible. I loathe that game. Full of 12 year old racists. Unbalanced PvP, pure grinding, retarded cookie cutter PvE and a boring fantasy world.
|2007-04-16, 11:04
|Link #8
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Beside a road, next to a tree
|2007-04-16, 13:26
|Link #9
Gobble Gobble
That statement refers specifically to the leveling that will be present in GW2. Before quoting me like this I would appreciate it that you don't take my words out of context.
It was in no way related to farming for greens or capping a rare pet in the UW. Also if you wish to own weapons with certain stats it is very easy to just collect common drops to trade with a collector for weapons with the same stats as a green. You can also cap common pets which will in no significantly horrible way put you at a disadvantage to someone who capped a black widow.
The free treasure chests that are in nightfall also guarantee you a gold weapon or a rare crafting material like a ruby, sapphire, or diamond. In addition you get 1-2k. Although that may not last long there are several chests throughout all of elona that all drop the same things. In addition to this they replenish every 30 days so you do have a source of quick money.
I will agree that even with these chests you do have to farm a little for gold, which can feel like grinding, but again the need for a high amount of gold soley rests with the skins you wish to have as armor and as weapons. There are armors that are worth 1-1.5k a piece with about half the requirements in total crafting materials. These cheaper armors have the exact same stats as an armor that would cost you 2.2 million gold in the end.
|2007-04-17, 00:47
|Link #10
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Beside a road, next to a tree
Back in D2 days, I love doing Meph runs because 1) the skills are fast and fun to spam, 2) the barb skill WW was fun to spam, sure I got my share of pwn, but at least it made me feel like a man.
GW just messing with the good stuff, at least make the WW skill in GW a lot more interactive. I yelled out "WTF is this?!?" when I used it in GW. I mean both games were made by the bunch team of people, but why one is such a master piece yet the other is something that you use to wipe your butt with after pooping?
If they made GW2 something like the system in D2, where things are more faster and more spamable, I would give it a try, but for now, I gave up on GW.
|2007-08-15, 18:37
|Link #11
Well I Played WOW for some time well all i wanted to see is why is WOW Rated Higher Then GW And WHy People Say Its Better. To Me I think GW Is As Good As WOW The PVE part is awsome {Come On U have The Deep,Urgoz,FOW,UW,DOA etc} People Say The PVP Part is great{i only do HOH}
|2007-08-15, 19:28
|Link #12
Know who you are
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Resides within the depths of Ned infested Glasgow
Didn't know this thread was here
I actually think GW's PvP is one of the best there is, as most ppl say its more skilled based than alot of other games. altho I'm more of a PvE peep myself
One thing I will say is I think GW interface, and Chat channel system is the great, it works so well compared to so many others, I get put off alot by bad chat channel systems. but maybe thats down to the fact that I've played GW more than any other MMO.
can't wait for GWEN to come around, gonna be awsome
@gummybear: GW is skilled based, its not about spamming spells, its about timing ur spells properly in a correct order. anyone can bash buttons
|2007-08-15, 21:37
|Link #14
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: In line to confess his sins.
Age: 30
Sounds like it has some potential, no monthly fee is definitely a great aspect of it. I did enjoy Guild Wars for a while, but I never really got into it because leveling up didn't feel that good. When you gained a level in WoW, you felt like you had gained something, I didn't get that same feeling from Guild Wars. The same goes for items.
Instant level 20s for pure pvp, and unlocking skills with the points you won was a nice feature, though.
|2007-08-15, 22:11
|Link #15
Senior Member
Graphic Designer
The new elementalist skills in GWEN sound amazing.
time to get the last 2 bits of FoW for her now...
I mostly play GW for the PvP. PvE is always a nice break from it all though, and if all that gets repetitive [as PvP/farming sometimes does]
Time to watch anime
Ahhh its a good life
anyone want to contact me ingame my IGN is 'Angelic Flame'
|2007-08-16, 08:28
|Link #16
Know who you are
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Resides within the depths of Ned infested Glasgow
I'm not really one for farming. I tend to get bored of it very quickly in which half way through the farm I'll most likely just get naked and dance for bit before heading back to a town to do it for everyone to see Thats what I spend alot of my time doing danicing naked.
which reminds me I lent 20k to a friend and since he's a noob don't think I'll see it anytime soon, guess I better get my finger out and make it back for GWEN. Gonna need some instant spending money
on me ele mostly atm, Ai Cortana <--huge Halo fan
|2007-08-16, 20:54
|Link #18
Angeloid Type β - Nymph
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Canada, Ontario
I used to play Guild Wars and stopped and seeing how they balance and update the skills effect and duration. I got back in once again.
Monthly payment plays a role in which to why I play this game but that isnt really the main reason why I went back in. Guild Wars is a game that requires skills *PERIOD*. You combine skills and play it in a way that it is very effective in certain situations. Different combinations of skills can overcome the other. Forget the level capping and equipment for abit. Think of why Guild Wars give us so many skills to fiddle around with. It is to make use of them in a way where it suits our playing style.
I quitted play diablo 2 like 1 year ago. Spamming skills, getting godly equipment and owning the hell out of everyone is not really my thing anymore. I want to play competitively. I want to play in an environment where I can find challengers and challenges everytime. It forces you to keep getting smarter in combining skills.
Why competitive is good? why, if someone beats the crap out of you, you would want to beat the crap out of him next time you see him. Same theory applies in Guild Wars. If a Guild beats another Guild, they will have an on-going war.
Finally, Guild Wars is all about teamwork NOT solo. I really like cooperating and figure things out with players online on how to overcome the TOP 2 Elite missions in Guild Wars: Factions. Those missions takes time and patience....but hey if you overcome it, great stuff are there waiting for ya.
But this is just my type of playing style. If you're one of those people who likes to own and dont want to get owned....than this game is not really for you.
Last edited by Shikimori Kazuki; 2007-08-16 at 20:56. Reason: spelling errors
|2007-08-16, 21:24
|Link #19
I played Guild Wars for about a year and a half (quit back in April). It's quite a good game, I loved the PvP and I enjoyed the PvE (even though it's all pretty much the same). I overplayed it though, and I just kept losing faith in ANet over and over.
Lately I've been playing a bit.. a good friend of mine is still into it so I'll play whenever he is on.
|2007-08-16, 21:40
|Link #20
Yummy, sweet and unyuu!!!
Join Date: Dec 2004
Hee hee I love GW, I just rerolled my main character so she would have the LS title. This isn't because of HoM, but because all of my chars are at least tier 1 apart from her and most are contending for tier 3. All of that effort and I thought why not the same effort into my main character?
After 2 weeks she is now tier 2 survivor and nearly protector in cantha (she won't do the last mission until she is tier 3). This time around, I am only getting standard armour until she makes her goal... Well I did break from that and she does have the 15k lux bra
Not too sure should I bother farming for the obsidian eye candy, it is rather hard work especially when I get a glob or shard and then I die before I can pick it up , I'll probably farm to help my guildies and then when they are half way to getting theirs I'll give them the rest as a present.
My char name to true anime fandom style is Hina Mashimaro , look forward to not pugging with you until she gets to tier 3
|Thread Tools


text:
Golfers Named All-Academic Teamby Brent Harris • August 12, 2011 Share:
The Wabash College golf team has been honored by the Golf Coaches Association of America as an All-Academic Team.
The Little Giants are one of 22 men's Division III teams recognized by the GCAA for earning a team grade point average of 3.00 or higher. To be eligible for GCAA All-Academic Team honor,s a college or university must submit the grade points earned and hours attempted for each player on its official squad list for the academic year.
A total of 104 teams across Division I, II, and III, the NAIA, and NJCAA Division I and Division II were named All-Academic Teams. Wabash also earned the honor in 2010.


text:
For those who were not following the live #FlightVsBike hashtag updates yesterday, our little race of bikes against a JetBlue aircraft blew up in a way that far exceeded any of my initial expectations. It was an idea borne out of the Twittersphere, and carried into reality thanks to help from the infamous Roadblock and the racers of Wolfpack, Joe Anthony of Bike Commute News, and a supporting cast of volunteers from L.A.'s bike culture. It drew attention from a lot of blogs and internet news as I had expected, but it also attracted a lot more mainstream media attention than I had anticipated. Thanks in part to the behind the scenes work of my wife Meghan Kavanagh working media contacts and sending out press releases.
The idea from the very beginning was to demonstrate the viability of bikes as a real mode of transportation, poke a little fun at the delay of going through airports, and the unnecessary fear of being told to stay home as though life could not go on without cars with the 405 was shut down. At the last moment I decided to throw in a twist as well. I took a combination of bike and public transit to get to the race start at Chandler Blvd and Cahuenga Blvd, and it got me thinking that we could make it 3 way race and commuter challenge by having a public transit user in the race. L.A.'s public transit system may be behind some of the other mega cities of the world, with needed improvements on the way, but it often does not get enough credit for what it is already able to do. As well as how many people already ride it.
I thought it would be a great opportunity to really highlight all the transportation alternatives with this event, and Metro is offering free fare on many lines for this Carmageddon weekend. The route of North Hollywood and Burbank to Long Beach is ideally suited to both bicycling and transit. There is train service, with heavy rail subway, and light-rail above ground, all the way to Downtown Long Beach. There is also the often overlooked L.A. River, which reaches down into Long Beach and features a bike path with miles and miles of smooth riding and no traffic signals.
|(I took the Red Line subway from the NoHo station and transferred to the Blue Line to Long Beach at the DTLA 7th St. Station)
|(Once I was above ground again I started catching up with Twitter updates and plotting walking route)
|Wolfpack victory toast after the race.
I''ll be posting more on this later, my experience as the transit racer, and going through some of my photos and video, as I'm sure many others involved will be doing. Joe over at Bike Commute News is hard at work putting together more info, and Ted Rogers of BikingInLA, always a master of linking things, has a compilation of links of some of the media coverage (P.S. the event was also hyped on the Rachel Maddow show as well). Bicycle culture magic maker and photographer Richie Thomassen assembled a team of cinematographers and gear to capture footage of the Wolfpack racers, and I can't wait to see the final cut of what comes out of this, but that may take some time.
So while the political figures of Los Angeles urged staying in our homes, we went out and had a blast traveling all across this great sprawling Metropolis on an absolutely gorgeous day. For us and many others in L.A., the dreaded Carmageddon became a holiday, one that never produced the feared traffic jams, and something I wish we could do again sometime. As the comedian Thomas Lennon put it on Twitter, "Apparently the 405 operating normally was the thing that was ruining LA. #nicestdayoftheyear". A sentiment that seem shared by a lot of folks, since it was retweeted and commented upon by many. Here's to hoping as we move forward in L.A., we can move past freeway expansion projects like the one expanding the 405 right now (a billion dollars for a few miles of carpool lane), and start having a rational discussion of transportation choices beyond cars.


text:
Madam Speaker, I would once again like to thank my colleague. He always asks good questions. By carefully examining the issue, we can improve our understanding of the bill being studied.
It seems obvious to me that this bill amounts to de facto recognition of that country. Therefore, we do not have a choice. Colombia, which is one of the three countries in question, is part of the agreement and could benefit from clarification in terms of revenues.
However, this will not prevent us from strongly criticizing the lack of respect for human rights that prevails in Colombia. It is exactly for that reason that there were many discussions during examination of the bill on free trade with that country. We would like to impose stricter rules on that country in order to ensure greater respect for human rights.


text:
(Reuters) - Boeing is in advanced talks with its machinists' union to assemble the company's new 777X jet and build its wings in the Seattle area, several people familiar with the negotiations told Reuters.
Where the jet should be built is one of the most keenly awaited decisions in global aerospace. Workers at Boeing's commercial base in Washington state are competing with non-unionized workers in southern states where wages are lower. Washington state officials are also working on incentives to keep the work local.
Union officials with the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, which represents workers at Boeing's Washington state factories, confirmed that they are talking with the company. Boeing declined to comment.
Under the proposed deal, final assembly of the 777X would be at Boeing's Everett plant near Seattle, home to all its wide-body production except the 787 Dreamliner, whose assembly is split between Everett and North Charleston, South Carolina.
The plane's expansive wings would be built in the surrounding Puget Sound region, the sources said, asking not to be identified because the talks remain confidential.
Talks are "in the final stages, but are not done yet," one source said, adding that the negotiations, which were initiated quietly around a week ago, were "intense."
The timing of the talks suggests Boeing wants to lock in a labor deal before formally launching the 777X, which is expected at the Dubai Airshow that starts on November 17.
Industry sources say there is pressure on all sides to make concessions. Boeing is keen to control costs on its new 777, as it faces competition from the all-new Airbus A350-1000.
The talks are aimed at a multi-year extension to the existing machinists' contract expiring in 2016, said one source familiar with the talks. Another source said the contract would run until the middle of next decade.
Under the deal being discussed, machinists could receive a bonus payment if an agreement is approved by union membership, one of the sources said. However, Boeing has warned union leaders it will open talks with other potential locations if the discussions break down, the source added.
Boeing has told the union that in the absence of a deal "all bets are off" as to the location of final assembly and wings production, the source said.
A union official confirmed that the talks are taking place and had intensified recently, but declined to be specific.
"There are and have been discussions about the 777X," said Frank Larkin, national spokesman for the machinists. "I'm unaware of any proposed deal at this point and what shape that deal may or may not take."
Designed to carry up to 406 people on some of the world's longest routes, the 777X is due to enter service in 2020 and is expected to be produced well toward the middle of the century.
The U.S. planemaker is expected to launch the latest version of its popular 777 mini-jumbo jet with at least 100 orders from Gulf carriers at the Dubai Airshow this month.
Boeing has signaled recently that it was diversifying beyond the Seattle area where the current 777 was designed and is being built. In an internal memo obtained by Reuters last week, Boeing told employees it would place a significant amount of engineering design work for the 777X in a handful of cities around the United States and overseas.
The dispersal of engineering work was seen as putting pressure on Everett, and Washington state, to prove they could handle the project at low cost compared with other locations.
Washington state also is working on tax cuts and other incentives to help win the 777X work.
"We've been led to believe the incentives are just as important" as the labor deal, said Alex Pietsch, director of the Governor's Office of Aerospace for Washington State.
Incentives include a 16-year extension of tax breaks passed in 2003 and set to expire in 2024, and funds to improve roads and transportation to reduce traffic congestion. Boeing says its drivers cover 8.5 million miles a year in Washington state, or close to the Earth's circumference every day.
Boeing's decision on where to build the plane and its advanced composite wings will have long-term implications for the aerospace industry, including its chain of suppliers.
The location talks also suggest Boeing wants to bring more design and construction under its direct control after costly mistakes from outsourcing much of the 787 Dreamliner.
Rob Stallard, an analyst at RBC Capital Markets, said the moves suggest "a broader trend from Boeing towards more make/less buy in order to control production better, and potentially capture more aftermarket revenue."
After a revamp of its smaller 737, the 777X will be the last major new commercial project on Boeing's drawing board for at least 15 years, and the final choice could determine the location of high-tech composites work for decades to come.
Building the 777X close to the production site for the existing model has advantages in streamlining both existing infrastructure and supply chain logistics, an industry source familiar with Boeing's production methods said.
The 777X will include the longest wing developed by Boeing. The 233-foot wingspan is so large that its wingtips are expected to fold upwards when on the ground, in order to fit in the same airport parking spaces as existing 777s.
Industry sources say the carbon-composite wing alone may cost at least $2 billion to develop and the total development cost for the 350- to 406-seat 777X could exceed $5 billion.
Influential plane lessor Steven Udvar-Hazy, founder of Air Lease Corp, told Reuters in July that it would be important for Boeing to produce the plane "as efficiently as possible" to keep ownership costs down.
Wings for the current generation of 777s are prepared in Boeing's Frederickson plant near Tacoma, Washington, which also has a composites manufacturing centre.
Wings for the 787 Dreamliner are built in Japan, which has also been mentioned as a possible production site for the 777X wings. Sources said Boeing's decision to give Washington workers first shot at building the new wing is unrelated to a major setback the company suffered when long-time customer Japan Airlines rejected the 777X in favor of the A350-1000.
Everett faces competition for the final assembly from South Carolina and Texas among others, according to reports.
Editing by David Gregorio


text:
Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) is home to the PlayStation® family of products, including the PlayStation®3 (PS3™), PlayStation® Vita (PS Vita), PlayStation® Mobile and PlayStation®Network. Founded in 1994, SCEA has grown into a leading global computer entertainment brand and continues to redefine interactive consumer entertainment. Since the original PlayStation® first revolutionized the world of gaming, SCEA has repeatedly set the benchmark for innovation in home and portable entertainment through amazing gameplay experiences that inspire people across the world. Based in Foster City, CA, SCEA serves as headquarters for all North American operations and employs over 2,104 people in offices located in Foster City, CA, San Diego, CA, Santa Monica, CA and Bend, OR.
Aucune publication ne correspond aux critères saisis


text:
Fashion model by day & copywriter by night! Chuck Lewis has been at Performance since nearly the beginning of our company, so we asked him to write up a few memories about the Fall/Winter 1984-85 catalog:
"Back in the early days Richard Snook and I shared copy writing responsibilities, frame prepping and wheel building skills, and even provided the occasional talent for catalog photos."
"On page 34 Richard donned a shop apron to give an old world nostalgia look to the custom assembled bike-in-process. He also wrote the copy below the picture. What you don't see in the picture is the box of Chips Ahoy cookies he always had close at hand!"
"Pete Walther and I shared the local talent responsibilities along with a Carolina Co-ed for the shot of rain gear taken in the Coker Arboretum on the UNC-Chapel Hill campus (that's me hiding under the rain hood). I'm pretty sure we got the picture you see in one take. After all we had to rush back to work and get the last of the orders packed and shipped out for the day."
"I wrote the full page of copy for the two Performance frames one night after work. This was done on a vintage Smith-Corona portable manual typewriter (try Googling that one!) I brought all my skills as a former English major to bear on the labor of love to bring the bike frames to life on the page. Richard came up with the name Campione for the racing frame and I chose Blue Ridge for the touring frame. I've visited the parkway all my life and the name was a natural fit. I remember picking out the colors and script for the logos and name badges at a graphics design studio in Raleigh. It was exciting to be involved in so many different aspects of the business from its early beginnings."
Here's a photo of Chuck today, still the proud owner of his custom-built Performance bike (with a few updates added along the way).


text:
With the kids back to school, how worried should you be about the upcoming flu season, especially in the year of H1N1, also known as swine flu? You may have heard -- and been frightened by -- the "plausible scenario" from the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) that 30 to 50 percent of the population could contract this flu, with up to 90,000 deaths possible. Already, experts estimate more than 1 million people in the United States have contracted the virus.
It's easy to freak amid the scary-sounding stats, but take a deep breath. Many experts think the worst case scenario outlined by PCAST is unlikely, and that swine flu is still pretty much acting like seasonal flu. "The southern hemisphere is completing their flu season, and the virus hasn't mutated to become more virulent and it's still susceptible to the drugs we have to treat it," says Neil Fishman, M.D., director of the department of healthcare epidemiology and infection control at the University of Pennsylvania Health System in Philadelphia.
There's a good chance more people will get infected, but the percentages of mortality should remain the same as in previous years," says Dr. Fishman. About 36,000 people die each year due to the regular flu. But the most encouraging news so far: An effective vaccine is on the way.
What's more, you're probably already doing everything you need to do to protect your family. "Parents should be aware of what public health officials are saying, and then just be extra vigilant about the precautions they'd normally take to prevent the spread of germs," says Joseph Bocchini, M.D., chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics committee on infectious diseases and pediatrics chair of the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in Shreveport. Number one on the list: washing hands more frequently. Read on for all information you need to know now.
• All About the Vaccine
• Signs & Symptoms
• How to Talk to Your Kids about It
• Easing Symptoms & Treatment
• Prevention 101
• How to Get Your Kids to Wash Up
• Is It Allergies, a Cold or the Flu?
• Swine Flu and Halloween
All About the Vaccine
The vaccine is expected to be available in mid-October. Encouraging early clinical trials indicate that the shot offers effective protection from H1N1, and that one dose might be all it takes for adults and kids ages 9 to 18. Kids under 9 may require a booster, says Anthony S. Fauci, M.D., Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at the National Institute of Health, which is conducting clinical trials for the vaccine. "Whether kids need the second dose will depend on their prior vaccination record and the results of clinical trials in kids, expected in about a month," says Dr. Fauci. Immunity kicks in 8 to 10 days after the shot.
Parents who are worried about the vaccine being rushed to the market -- and thus not properly tested, risking unforeseen side effects later -- can rest assured, says Dr. Fauci: "The process is exactly the same as that of the seasonal flu vaccine. No corners have been cut."
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, some groups are higher-risk than others, and should receive the vaccine first: health care and emergency workers, pregnant women (for more on the specific risks to moms-to-be, see Swine Flu and Pregnancy), everyone aged 6 months to 24 years, along with adults up to age 64 with medical problems that put them at risk for flu complications. "To protect babies younger than 6 months old, parents and caregivers should get the shot themselves to create a cocoon effect," says Dr. Fauci. "Also, separate child from anyone who has flu symptoms." Although the regular flu shot won't protect you against H1N1, it's still a good idea to get one.
Signs & Symptoms
Indicators of swine flu are not unlike those for regular old run-of-the-mill flu. What makes this virus different from typical flu is that more serious complications, like pneumonia, might occur more often. Also, says Dr. Bocchini, this is a new strain of flu, and only people who have already contracted swine flu would be expected to be immune. Your job is to know how to spot the signs. If you or your child is experiencing any of the following, call your doctor.
• fever (above 100.4 for babies 3 months and under and 101.1 for everyone else), plus
• cough
• sore throat
• intense body aches
• headache
• chills
• fatigue
Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting, too.
Pregnant women are at extra risk for complications even with regular flu, according to Dr. Bocchini, and small children have a higher rate of hospitalization. Both expectant women and moms of kids under 2 should be extra careful about taking action quickly.
When to Head to the ER
If your child demonstrates any of the following symptoms, it's time to seek emergency care:
• Fast or troubled breathing
• Bluish skin color
• Refusal to drink fluids
• Difficulty waking up and/or interacting
• Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
• Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough
• Fever with a rash, especially one that does not blanch
In adults, the following symptoms deserve an ER trip as well:
• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Pain or pressure in the chest
• Abdominal pain
• Sudden dizziness
• Confusion
• Severe or persistent vomiting
How to Talk to Your Kids About It
While school closings are largely being dismissed as an effective way to curb the spread of the virus, in some cases they may still happen. If your kids are worried about the flu, it's important to project an image of calm (even if you're internally flipping out) and make them feel safe. You'll want to explain to kids that germs can make us sick, and that's why it's important to wash your hands. You can say, "Soap and water rinse away the little buggers so they can't make us feel bad." Small kids should be soothed with a simple explanation that there are different kinds of flu, and we should just keep up with washing up. Older kids, who may be scared but hide it, can be given a few more details but should still be reassured that their parents and our health officials are on top of it.
Easing Symptoms & Treatment
If you come down with the flu, swine or otherwise, there are a few things you can do to keep yourself comfortable.
• If you or your child feel at all flu-ish, skip work and school. Stay home until you feel 100% better.
• Try to stay in a separate area of the house to limit the risk of passing the virus.
• Rest up -- consider it your free pass to catch up on your DVR list.
• Push clear fluids, like water and soup.
• Ease body aches with acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or naproxen. If your child is under 2, check with your doctor before giving them medication.
• Using a humidifier can ease a stuffy nose. Saline drops followed by suctioning with a nasal syringe can bring additional relief to small children.
• There is treatment for swine flu. Antiviral medications like Tamiflu and Relenza can lessen your symptoms make you feel better faster and prevent swine flu-related complications if taken early on. Consult your doctor about a prescription, especially if you're pregnant or have a small child.
Prevention 101
You probably already know all about how to prevent the spread of germs, but in an outbreak like this, it can't hurt to be a little more vigilant. Here's a rundown of easy things you can do, starting today.
At home:
• This one's a no-brainer but bears repeating: wash your hands frequently, and make sure your kids do the same. It's a good idea to get into the habit of doing it as soon as you walk in the door, before meals and food prep, post-potty and after touching pets. Some experts question the effectiveness of hand-washing in preventing swine flu, which is primarily transmitted by inhaling particles in the air. But it certainly can't hurt, especially for kids, known to wipe their nose with their hand and put anything and everything in their mouth. And it can prevent you from getting other nasty bugs.
• Take a moment to clean germ hot spots, like tables, doorknobs, desks and kitchen counters, with a disinfectant. Look for products that contain bleach or alcohol.
• Keep your family's immune system strong with regular sleep, and lots of fruits and veggies. If you know anyone who's been sick, stay away for now.
Out and about:
• Try to keep up the frequent hand-washing, especially after trips to the playground.
• If you don't have a sink handy, use an alcohol-based sanitizer gel or wipe. Look for ones that contain at least 60% alcohol.
• Try to avoid crowded areas. Consider wearing a mask if you're in a public place where lots of germs are being transmitted, like doctor's offices or public transportation.
• Wash your hands or use sanitizer after handling money.
• Use your own pen when signing credit card slips.
• Cover your mouth with your elbow when you cough or sneeze, and remind your kiddos to do the same.
• Throw your used tissue in the trash instead of stuffing it in your pocket.
• Try to avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth, which give germs a fast track to infection.
• Remind kids not to share cups, utensils and plates with friends.
Getting Kids to Wash Their Hands
Yes, you know they should wash those dirty mitts often, but what you really need to know is how to get them to do it sans whining. We've got some tips and tricks for making washing up fun:
• To get them to soap up for the required 20 seconds (or more), belt out "Happy Birthday" twice. Everyone sounds better in the bathroom anyway, right?
• Fill the sink with water, and let them go to town with foam soaps and bath toys. (Ignore the water on the floor.)
• Lather up, Mom! Be a good example for your kids, and encourage them to "teach" their dolls to wash up, too.
• Make sure they can reach the sink easily. If you don't have one already, get a colorful stool to give them a boost.
• Keep their fingernails clipped -- less real estate for germs!
Is it Allergies, the Flu, or a Cold?
Here's how to tell.
Cold Symptoms
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Muscle aches (slight)
• Cough
• Fever (occasional, and mild)
• Sore throat
• Sneezing
• Chest congestion (mild to moderate)
Flu Symptoms
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Muscle aches (often severe)
• Cough (can become severe)
• Fever (usually high)
• Sore throat
• Chills
• Chest congestion (can become severe)
• Extreme tiredness (especially at the beginning of the illness)
• Headache
• Diarrhea and vomiting
(especially in kids)
Allergy Symptoms
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Coughing
• Itchy throat
• Sneezing
• Headache
• Hives
• Itchy, bloodshot or dry eyes


text:
PKsurroundings is your Residential and Commercial design team, specializing in the most functional and well equipped kitchens and baths.
We begin with the design, work directly with the builder and/or architect, bring you the best products and stay with you until completion!
Our consistent follow through and great design has allowed us the opportunity to be the preferred team in many superb New England homes.


text:
Messi signs new Barcelona contract
Barcelona forward Lionel Messi has signed his two-year contract extension which ties him to the Nou Camp until June 2018.
The Argentina superstar put pen to paper on his new deal at the Nou Camp on Thursday afternoon.
Messi follows in the footsteps of fellow club stalwarts Xavi and Carles Puyol, both of whom signed their extensions last month.
Barca announced in December they had agreed new contracts with the trio.
Barca defender Jordi Alba is delighted Messi, who will be 31 when his new deal expires, has committed his long-term future to the club.
"I can't imagine what Messi will be like in 2018, but it's great news for Barca fans that he's staying," said the Spain international.
"He is the best player in the world and as long as nothing happens, he'll be the best ever. We'll try to make him feel as comfortable here as we can."
Messi, 25, came up through the youth ranks at Barca before making his competitive debut against Espanyol in 2004 at the age of 17.
Since then he has established himself as one of the best players in history, breaking numerous records in the process.
He won his fourth straight FIFA World Player of the Year award last month following a remarkable 2012 in which he scored 91 goals – smashing the world record of 85 in a calendar year set by Bayern Munich and West Germany striker Gerd Muller in 1972.
While setting that record, Messi became the first man to score five times in a Champions League game as Barca crushed Bayer Leverkusen 7-1 last March.
Three weeks after that he became Barca's all-time leading goalscorer after a brace against Granada moved him on to 233 official goals, one more than the previous record set by Cesar Rodriguez during the 1940s and 50s.
He has been in similarly stunning form in 2013 and his goal in Sunday's 1-1 draw at Valencia was a league-record 12th consecutive game in which he found the net.
During his time at the Nou Camp, Messi has also helped Barca win a host of silverware, including five Primera Division titles, three Champions Leagues, two Copa del Rey crowns and two FIFA Club World Cups.


text:
Kanye West, Kim Kardashian Attend Givenchy Show in Paris
All eyes were on Kanye West and Kim Kardashian as they made their debut Sunday (March 3) at Givenchy's fall 2013 fashion show during Paris Fashion week.
According to Stylelite, the parents-to-be sat in the front row and wore matching suits with a twist -- Yeezy in all white and Kimmy in all-black -- and looked happily in love. West is friends with Riccardo Tisci, who runs the Givenchy fashion house. Tisci is the guy who suggested that 'Ye wear a leather kilt for his performance at the Hurricane Sandy benefit concert in New York last year, which caused many critics to side-eye.
Meanwhile, reports have surfaced that Kimye will be moving to Paris permanently. West is said to be planning to move to the city of love so he can work on his music and budding fashion line. Kardashian would most likely follow her baby daddy to France while she awaits the birth of their baby, which is due in July. Considering that both have a love a fashion and culture, Paris wouldn't be a bad place to start a family.
In the meantime, you can catch Kimye in a semi-risque cover for French magazine L'Officiel Hommes. The couple appears to be in the nude holding each other in a loving embrace.


text:
Cops in Cannes, France tell TMZ Lindsay Lohan did NOT report her "stolen" passport to them ... contradicting what LiLo's lawyer said today during the hearing.
According to French cops, they have no record of any police report filed by Lindsay as far back as Tuesday, when the passport mysteriously and allegedly went missing.
During the court hearing this morning, LiLo's lawyer Shawn Chapman Holley said LiLo reported the missing passport to authorities.
CommentsClick To View
Hot Video


text:
turf (someone) out(redirected from turfed you out)
turf (someone) out
To eject, evict, or otherwise forcibly remove someone (from someplace). Primarily heard in UK. The bouncer turfed the drunkard out of the bar after he started a fight with another customer. I just found out that the landlord is turfing us out at the end of the month because he wants to move back into the house himself.


text:
You are hereHome ›
Narrow Search
Earth and space science
Filters: Your search found 1 result.
Sort by:
Per page:
Now showing results 1-1 of 1
Learners will visit a sequence of stations to discover how the dark and light areas and craters we see on the Moon's face today record major events of its lifetime. While they may visit the stations in any order, the stations trace the Moon's... (View More) 4.5-billion-year history from "infancy" to the imagined future. The children tie together major events in the Moon's geologic history as a series of comic panels in their Marvel Moon comic books. At each station, the children identify the lunar features that were produced during that era on a Moon map. This activity is part of Explore! Marvel Moon, a series of activities developed specifically for use in libraries. (View Less)
Audience: Informal education


text:
Happy summer everyone!
Summer is only five days old and we have already had the best and the worst of the season. The best was one day in the upper 70s, no humidity, and the smell of flowers, earth, and greenery in the air. The worst has been this spell of hot, humid days with violent thunderstorms crashing in and whimpering out. Yesterday's storm brought flash flooding and lightning damage to our area. A giant tree in our front yard was partially skinned by lightning. Yoshio and I, along with our guests and staff, huddled and hovered (not too) near the windows in anxious fascination.
All of us at Ormsby Hill have worked very hard over the last (almost) year to make this inn a place you can feel special, yet comfortable. We learn something new everyday that helps us help you relax and enjoy your stay. We have also replaced and repaired, planted and painted, welcomed and well-wished…and we don't see the end of any of these endeavors in the near future.


text:
Matthias Grunewald, Isenheim Altarpiece (1510-1515), Unterlinden Museum at Colmar, Alsace, France
Last time, I presented three implications and conclusions concerning Theistic Evolution. There is much more to say about this, so we continue the same thread—and we will pick it up yet again in two weeks, coming back once more for an historical look in about a month.
Some implications and conclusions of Theistic Evolution--continued
(4) Several leading TEs have advanced a strongly Christocentric theology of creation—stressing the idea (from the prologue of John's gospel) that the Maker of heaven and earth is the crucified and resurrected second person of the Trinity. Especially when theodicy is the topic, they like to speak about "the crucified God," or "the theology of the cross," or "divine kenosis."
On first glance, some readers might be a bit perplexed: isn't this column supposed to be about evolution, not the crucifixion? What could those topics possibly have in common? The answer lies in theodicy, or the problem of evil and suffering in the world. As I stressed in my column about the YEC view, creationism is ultimately about theodicy—it's not only about theodicy, to be sure, but the belief that animals must not have suffered and died before Adam and Eve committed the first sin is crucial to the "young" in Young Earth Creationism. To a significant degree, Theistic Evolution is also about theodicy. In one of the best books on science and religion that I could name, Catholic theologian John Haught explains the atheist's view of theodicy (which he does not share) as follows:
"Evolution is incompatible with any and all religious interpretations of the cosmos, not just with Christian fundamentalism. The prevalence of chance variations, which today are called genetic 'mutations,' definitively refutes the idea of any ordering deity. The fact of struggle and waste in evolution decisively demonstrates that the cosmos is not cared for by a loving God. And the fact of natural selection is a clear signal of the loveless impersonality of the universe." (Science and Religion: From Conflict to Conversation, p. 52)
Proponents of TE have responded to the issues raised in the latter two sentences in a variety of ways. I agree with Christopher Southgate's analysis of the overall situation. Like several of the writers I mention this week,Southgate is a theologian with a doctorate in science; he's also an accomplished poet. The text he wrote with many others, God, Humanity and the Cosmos: A Textbook in Science and Religion, is really much more than a textbook. I recommend it for anyone seeking a wide-ranging introduction to the principal issues.
Southgate and his collaborators see just two "possible theologies of divine action in respect of evolution," considering that "the problems of theodicy are severe." Option ONE: "to posit God merely as the passive, suffering companion of every creature, a view self-consistent but dubiously faithful to the Christian tradition." Option TWO: "to mount a defence of teleological creation using a combination of [certain] theological resources," namely these three—
- "we must adopt a very high doctrine of humanity and suppose that indeed humans are of very particular concern to God." This is linked with the Incarnation.
- "we must take very seriously the cross as costly to God, as part of God's hugely costly way of taking responsibility for the creative process."
- "we must give some account of the redemption of the non-human creation …" This is linked with the Trinity. (p. 279 in first edition, 1999)
Given limited space, I'll focus almost exclusively on the second idea, though we may want to discuss all of them below.
The Crucified God
We start with something that arose in a context entirely unrelated to evolution, Jürgen Moltmann's (read more here and here) notion of The Crucified God. The theological point and the emotional impact of Moltmann's conception is aptly captured in this stark passage, written in response to Elie Wiesel's dark story of a child who was publicly hanged at Auschwitz: "like the cross of Christ, even Auschwitz is in God himself. Even Auschwitz is taken up into the grief of the Father, the surrender of the Son and the power of the Spirit." (p. 278) A recent sermon by Matt Bates, pastor of Centenary United Methodist Church in Richmond, fleshes this out for us in a very accessible way; please read the whole sermon before going any further.
Repeat: please read the sermon. It's a vital part of what I'm trying to say.
Now that you see more clearly what the "Crucified God" is about, let's see what John Polkinghorne says about it:
"This profound and difficult thought meets the problem of suffering at [the] level which its deep challenge demands. The insight of the Crucified God lies at the very heart of my own Christian belief, indeed of the possibility of such belief in the face of the way the world is. But this can only really be so if God is indeed truly present in that twisted figure on the tree of Calvary. Only an ontological Christology is adequate to the defence of God in the face of human suffering. God must really be there in that darkness." (Belief in God in an Age of Science, p. 44)
Be sure to notice two things in this passage. First, Polkinghorne confesses that his own Christian faith depends on such a conception of God, but there are only two very brief references to evolution in the entire eloquent chapter from which I've quoted. There's plenty of science there, but almost all of it is modern physics, not biology. (I'll leave it as an exercise to "students" to get a copy of this excellent little book and fill in the blanks.) In other words, evolution doesn't shape Polkinghorne's theology nearly as much as his theology shapes his view of evolution.
The second thing to notice is that in the last three sentences Polkinghorne is doing something subtle, but extremely important—something that I don't want anyone to miss. Contrary to some of the most influential voices in the science and religion "dialogue" (some examples would be Haught, Ian Barbour, and the late Arthur Peacocke), Polkinghorne affirms the full divinity and humanity of Christ, in a classical Chalcedonian sense. Read those sentences again a couple of times, and you should see what I'm driving at. As he says a bit later on, "Unless there really is a God who really was 'in Christ reconciling the world to himself' (2 Cor. 5:19), then the cross is no answer to the bitter problem of the suffering of the world." (p. 45) In other words, one can only take this approach to theodicy unless one actually believes in the reality of the Incarnation; only an orthodox Christian can speak meaningfully of the "Crucified God." In the final part of this column, when I'll present Polkinghorne as a contemporary exemplar of a theologically "orthodox" TE, it's partly this aspect of his thought that I will have in mind.
Finally, I should note that the term "crucified God" is not actually modern. Although Moltmann wrote an influential book about it, the language comes from Martin Luther. Another physicist-theologian, George Murphy, writes in a highly Lutheran way about The Cosmos in the Light of the Cross, advancing the view that a "theology of the cross" in which God sets aside power to become a participant in the universe, even to the point of death, takes priority over a "theology of glory," in which we seek God first in the power behind nature, not in the powerlessness of the cross. For a short version of Murphy's ideas, go here.
Once again, we need to stop mid-stream. These ideas are deep and perhaps too new for many readers, and it's best to reflect on them before we go further and even deeper.


text:
Jul Free 0
Posts Tagged Color Drips
Jul Free 0
Color Drips
Jul Free 0
home is where i am
Win a paid android app today!
browse the different categories of apps
advertise with us and reach millions
Want to know about the best android apps? Find out great reviews and video reviews of the top Android apps. We bring you the best user reviews and video reviews for the top apps for your mobile android devices. Reviews are added by users of the Android apps like you and those are the real reviews you need. We also add video reviews you will not find anywhere else all in one plase so you can see the apps in action just as you see the reviews by users like yourself. Stay in touch with us today by following us on twitter, facebook or subscribing to our feed by either rss or email.
APPSBYTES ::: Best Android Apps, Top Android Apps, Android Apps Reviews Apps rights reserved.


text:
UltiMod Low Noise Power Supply
Excelsys Technologies is the leading designer and manufacturer of high efficiency, low noise power supplies providing power solutions from 200W-1200W. The UltiMod series of USER configurable power supplies offer system designers greatest flexibility, highest efficiency and highest reliability for their application.
UltiMod power supplies are ideal for Acoustic sensitive environments such as Audio and Broadcast equipment, Patient Monitoring and Medical equipment. The high efficiency range of power supplies carry full safety agency approvals including UL and EN60950 and EN60601-1 (medical) and meet EMI limits, including FCC Class B and EN55022 Class B as well as all relevant Immunity limits simplifying the system integration.
|The New UltiMod Designers Manual is now available for download containing:
Click on the pdf to get your copy
Applications Include:
The Xgen series, with full safety agency approvals and a 3 Year Warranty, offers industry specific solutions from 200W to 2KW. Samples are available in 24 hours from stocking distributors worldwide.


text:
Ian Somerhalder: Cree Energy Saver!
Ian Somerhalder is handsome while posing for pics with the new Cree LED light bulb.
The 34-year-old actor helped introduce a brand new LED light bulb that is affordable, guaranteed for 10 years, and saves 84% more energy than the standard incandescent bulbs.
PHOTOS: Check out the latest pics of Ian Somerhalder
As an environmental activist, Ian is no stranger to LED lighting as he is involved with Go Green Mobile Power – a maker of portable energy and illuminating devices.
Last week, Ian was dashing while attending the Natural Resources Defense Council Game Changer Awards in the Big Apple.


text:
Apologies for not getting this in sooner. School, brother hogging the computer, etc...
Plenty of carnage this turn...
The Minifig Liberation Army's flyer tries to shoot my troops again, and fails.
Their infantry are more lucky, and cause four points of damage to the Elves' flyer. Flyers have as many HP as their size in inches; 5 more damage points will kill it.
The Black Hat Men fire their fighter's rockets at the Elf sniper. One hits, and the last Elf ground unit is killed.
My fighter gets behind the UCD's fighter and fires. The grenade launchers do three points of damage.
The Urban Combat Division troops fire on the Black Hat bazooka men.
Their Hero fires on the elf fighter, but misses.
Their fighter makes a wide turn across the battlefield and ends up attacking the Elves' fighter, but does no damage.
It uses the rest of its move to accelerate away.
Minifig Liberation Army: 0
Black Hat Men: 1
Santa's Little Helpers: 0
Urban Combat Division: 2
Minifig Liberation Army: 0
Black Hat Men: 2
Santa's Little Helpers: 1
Urban Combat Division: 0
Vehicle Damage Points given:
Minifig Liberation Army: 4
Black Hat Men: 0
Santa's Little Helpers: 3
Urban Combat Division: 0
Vehicle damage points taken:
Minifig Liberation Army: 0
Black Hat Men: 0
Santa's Little Helpers: 4
Urban Combat Division: 3
Awaiting orders for day 5. Silvadream and I have only our fighters left.


text:
Irish tourism officials have accused Gabriel Byrne of engaging in a "precious little rant" after he slammed the Gathering initiative as a money-making "scam".
Eamonn McKeon, chief executive of the Irish Tourism Industry Confederation, advised Byrne to "stick to the acting," the Irish Independent reports.
"He's a wonderful actor and I greatly admire him but what a rant. Why do people immediately jump on any initiative and call it 'fleecing tourists'?" McKeon said.
Based on a similar tourism initiative in Scotland, The Gathering aims to increase tourist numbers with special events throughout 2013 throughout the country. During an interview with TodayFm earlier this week in New York, Gabriel Byrne was highly critical of Tourism Ireland's efforts.
"I wish The Gathering the very best of luck but they have to understand that the bridge between the Diaspora and the people is broken and I tried to fix that for two years and it's still broken," Byrne said.
He added: "Most people don't give a s**t about The Diaspora except to shake them down for a few quid."
In his remarks, Byrne described Enda Kenny's speech launching the initiative as "slightly offensive".
In rebuttal, Kenny described the tourism drive as a "very credible" proposal.
"I admire the work of Gabriel Byrne. He has been a fabulous ambassador for Ireland, but respectfully I disagree here," Kenny said.
Joe Byrne, Tourism Ireland Executive Vice President for North America, also came out in defence of The Gathering.
Speaking to IrishCentral he stated, "Respectfully I have to disagree with nearly everything Gabriel says: Visitors from the U.S. to Ireland do not feel "shaken down" - far from it, in fact Irish people don't laugh at U.S. visitors but welcome them sincerely and warmly.
"Irish Americans do not feel the Gathering is a scam, most have bought into it enthusiastically. I do agree with Gabriel that many in the Diaspora have a deep spiritual connection to the island of Ireland."


text:
With VMart due back at DH in 2013, Tigers have no place to play ALCS MVP Delmon Young
DETROIT -- For months, when he was struggling -- on and off the field -- fans couldn't wait to get rid of him.
Then, after another stellar postseason run, when he heated up at just the right time, the sentiment shifted, with folks wondering why exactly the Detroit Tigers would want to let Delmon Young go.
Truth is, it has nothing to do with performance, either way.
The Tigers won't try to re-sign the first-time free agent, simply because they don't have anyplace to play him anymore.
"Delmon did a tremendous job in the postseason. That's a little no-brainer (decision), so to speak, because we're going to have Victor back," manager Jim Leyland said of the return of the Tigers' main designated hitter, Victor Martinez, who missed the entire 2012 season after knee surgery. "We knew that at the beginning."
It has nothing to do with what Young may or may not provide as a hitter or a player.
It's not because Young struggled to produce for much of the regular season as the Tigers' primary No. 5 hitter and DH, earning criticism from one ESPN commentator as the American League's "Least Valuable Player" in the first half of the regular season.
Not because he got himself into trouble in New York in April -- an altercation which some argued at the time should cost him his job, but in actuality won't cost him more in baseball terms than the five-game suspension he already served.
No, it's simply a numbers game.
You can only play one DH at a time, and the Tigers no longer see Young as an outfielder.
"There's really not a spot open for Delmon Young at this time. I'm sure somebody could look at him as a left fielder, perhaps so, but for us, right now, we looked at him more as more of a DH situation," Tigers president and general manager Dave Dombrowski said at his season wrap-up news conference two days after the conclusion of the World Series, delineating which of the team's free agents they would or would not pursue a continuing relationship.
"With all of these guys, very thankful for things that they have done for us, but also, you have to make some business decisions, and in Delmon's case, we will not be pursuing to re-sign him. We look at him as primarily a DH at this time. He understood because we have Victor Martinez coming back. It's an automatic, Victor sliding into that. We feel Victor will be ready to go next season."
Martinez was the team's primary DH in his first season with the Tigers in 2011, providing protection for eventual AL batting champion Miguel Cabrera. While VMart's devastating January knee injury spurred the franchise to sign Prince Fielder to fill his role in the lineup, in reality, it was Young who filled the positional spot at DH vacated by the injured Martinez.
Of the 149 regular-season games in which Young played in 2012, 118 of them were at DH. Despite spending his entire seven-year career in the AL, Young had only played 21 career games at DH before last season.
At this point, though, it's pretty likely that he'll spend a lot more there.
Considering the defensive struggles of the former No. 1 overall pick of the Tampa Bay Rays in 2003, Young's first foray into free agency may be limited by teams looking for a designated hitter.
He welcomes the process, though.
"I'd like to see how the process plays out. It's my first year on the free agency market so I'm just going to see how it goes," Young said after the conclusion of the World Series, later asked if he'd like to stay in Detroit. "It'd be cool but I'd like to see what's out there. I'm not going to marry my first girlfriend."
Whatever teams might think of Young's value as a hitter, and whether that's diminished by how those teams feel about his defensive prowess (or lack thereof), those teams won't likely be scared off by any legal proceedings.
Young's court case from the April incident ran its course this week, concluding with a plea agreement in New York. The 27-year-old Young plead guilty to aggravated harassment Wednesday, with the agreement that if he finished 10 days of community service and a program at the Museum of Tolerance, it would be reduced to a lesser, non-criminal charge.
"Delmon clearly regrets what happened and took the necessary steps to put this issue behind him today," said his attorney, Daniel J. Ollen. "He has learned from this experience and will continue to do everything he can to improve himself as a person and player."
While Young has his place in the Tigers' record books -- holding the all-time mark for postseason home runs -- it's still unlikely that he'll be back with the team.
He's being replaced by the much-anticipated return of Martinez, a career .303 hitter who dazzled in his first year in Detroit: .330, with 40 doubles and 103 RBI.
Nearly every player who discussed the team's prospects for next season brought up Martinez's name.
"Yeah, that, and we have the experience now, more experience. Same team's going to be here. So that's a positive. ... With more," Fielder said. "We'll see what happens."
It'll be more or less the same as long as Martinez is more or less the same.
Will he be, after a 15-month hiatus from baseball? No one knows how he will be after microfracture surgery on his left knee in January 2012.
"That's a great a question. That, to me, is the question of the day. Everybody is just assuming. I want to make sure I say this right, because I don't want to put a negative thought in anybody's mind: I don't really know the answer to that," Leyland said.
"Victor hasn't played for a year. I don't really know that. Everybody's just assuming, well you got Victor back -- and believe me, I'm thrilled to have Victor back. We get the Victor back we had two years ago, we're really good. But who knows that? The guy hasn't seen a live pitch in -- it's going to be quite a while.
"So I don't know how it's going to come out. Everybody's just assuming."
The Tigers at one point thought there was an outside chance VMart could return by the end of 2012, but his recovery of the strength in the repaired limb did not progress quickly enough to allow that. Having slowed down his rehabilitation process after that realization, the organization at least believes Martinez -- who turns 34 at the end of December -- will be healthy, if not game-ready.
"From the injury perspective, I think he'll be fine. I'm not worried about that part of it," said Dombrowski, who no longer considers Martinez a viable backup at catcher. "Guys' skills, how long do they stay? It's like anybody else, it's tough to take a year off but I also know he's a very good hitter. He's not one of those swing and miss power hitters so I would anticipate that he would be fine. Is he going to hit .330 and drive in 100-plus? I don't know that but I think he'll be a good hitter."
Awards continue to trickle in
Miguel Cabrera (third base) and Fielder (first) won American League Silver Slugger Awards for their respective positions, it was announced Thursday night.
For Fielder, it's the third time he's been honored in his career, and his first in the AL.
For Cabrera, it's the fourth time he's won a Silver Slugger, second time as a third baseman (2006, Marlins). Earlier in the day, Cabrera was announced as a unanimous selection for Tiger of the Year by the Detroit Chapter of the Baseball Writers' Association of America.
To keep up with all of the awards garnered by Tigers this offseason, follow the Awards Tracker post at OPOutofLeftField.blogspot.com.
Email Matthew B. Mowery at firstname.lastname@example.com and follow him on Twitter @matthewbmowery. Text keyword "Tigers" to 22700 to get updates sent to your phone. Msg & data rates may apply. Text HELP for help. Text STOP to cancel.


text:
Five questions entering Sunday's game against the Titans
1. How will all the injuries affect the performance of a defense that has allowed 68 points in the last two games?
The Texans have stockpiled impressive depth that's being challenged, especially in this game. Whitney Mercilus replaces Brooks Reed. I expect Brice McCain to start opposite Kareem Jackson instead of the injured Alan Ball, but I could be wrong. With Darryl Sharpton and Barrett Ruud at inside linebacker, I don't think there's a huge dropoff. Like the injured Bradie James, Ruud has started in the NFL for years. On offense, Derek Newton is expected to be replaced by Ryan Harris, a veteran who played in a lot of big games at Denver. He's been rotating with Newton, anyway.
2. Do you think the defense, with new starters at linebacker and cornerback, will play better than the last two games?
In the overtime victories over Jacksonville and Detroit, the defense was terrible until it allowed a touchdown early in the fourth quarter of each game. From then on, the defense was terrific. On 10 subsequent series, the Texans allowed only three points. They need the defense to play like that from the start and not wait until their backs are up against the wall. Quarterback Jake Locker is going to run around a lot and throw on the run. Routes will break down. The defensive backs have to be disciplined. It will help if the Texans can get a pass rush from someone other than J.J. Watt.
3. What kind of offensive philosophy will coach Gary Kubiak use against the Titans?
The same one he used last year when the Texans won 41-7 at LP Field. The same one he used this season when the Texans won 38-14 at Reliant Stadium. Matt Schaub will throw 25 to 30 times, depending on the score. Arian Foster, Ben Tate and Justin Forsett will combine for 30 to 35 carries. Ideally, Foster rushes for 100 yards in a seventh consecutive road game, and Andre Johnson has a third consecutive 100-yard game. Kubiak says when times are tough, he's going to rely on Schaub, Johnson and Foster even more than usual. The right side of guard Ben Jones and tackle Ryan Harris must hold up on run blocking and pass protection. I expect Schaub to throw early to establish the pass before going to the run.
4. Running back Chris Johnson has played well against the Texans. Do you expect him to be a factor?
Johnson must always be accounted for whether he's running well or not. He's sixth in the league in rushing. He still has the breakaway speed. He's also a dangerous receiver. The Texans have done a good job of containing Johnson but not in the first game. He carried 25 times for 141 yards. The Texans said he did most of his damage when the game was out of reach, but the truth is he was running well against them before the score didn't matter. Even though he doesn't run as hard between the tackles as he used to, Johnson is capable of scoring from any place on the field every time he touches the ball.
5. What did you think about Titans offensive coordinator Chris Palmer being fired, and what do you know about the guy who took his place?
Palmer's one of the all-time nice guys. I hated to see coach Mike Munchak fire him during the season. Palmer will land on his feet. He's a survivor. Dowell Loggains replaced him. Loggains has been with the organization for seven years, the last three as quarterbacks coach. Munchak promoted him to see if he can get the Titans in the end zone. They've been terrible in the red zone. If Loggains fails, he came blame it on Palmer's players and system. If he succeeds, he can take all the credit for getting results at a time when Palmer couldn't. I think he'll have quarterback Jake Locker throwing more on the run. Locker is very mobile but not very accurate, so Loggains needs to maximize his strength and minimize his weakness.
Texans players to watch
Andre Johnson, Receiver
Johnson has averaged 8.6 catches and 129 yards over the last six games. He's been getting open all over the field. Expect the Titans to use a cornerback on top of him and a safety behind him. They'll want anybody but Johnson to beat them.
Antonio Smith, Defensive end
It's time for the leader of the defensive line to renew his assault on the quarterback. Smith has four sacks, second on the team. Smith has to take up the slack from the linebackers who aren't getting to the quarterback.
Titans players to watch
Jake Locker, Quarterback
Locker hurt his shoulder in the first game with the Texans. Rather than stay in the pocket, a now healthy Locker wants to use his mobility to throw on the run and run for yardage. The defense must be disciplined to contain him.
Kamerion Wimbley, Defensive end
Wimbley has converted from a 3-4 outside linebacker to a 4-3 end. He has become the Titans' best pass rusher and owns a team-leading five sacks. Wimbley is working hard against the run but still can get caught out of position.
Texans leaders
Matt Schaub
2,855 yards
Arian Foster
1,064 yards
Andre Johnson
1,058 yards
J.J. Watt
14.5 sacks
Titans leaders
Jake Locker
84.5 QB rating
Chris Johnson
942 yards
Nate Washington
537 yards
Kamerion Wimbley
5.0 sacks


text:
Mtroniks High PowerMicro Switcher
The HP Switcher allows two accessories to be controlled in a momentary or latching action from one radio channel. This allows you to control either two auxilliaries from a sound module or even two stand alone items like LED lighting from one radio channel on your transmitter. 15amp capacity
Lightcraft Slimline Illuminated Magnifier
Lightcraft Slimline Illuminated Magnifier
A round 16w daylight lamp with glass lens, featuring longer arms with sturdy joints for extra flexibility & positioning. Ideal for close-up intricate work.
Key Features
16 watt energy saving fluorescent tube (LC8076/T)
Cable length 1.5m
Electronic ballast - more energy efficient
Includes table clamp with cone holder foir extra stability
Long Reach Slim Line Magnifier Lamp
Quality 125mm (5") lens, 3 dioptre (1.75x mag.)
Removable sun protector cap
Shadow free light with low heat emission
Fife. Scottish Drifter 1:32 scale 700mm
The Fifie is a type of fishing vessel developed on the east coast of Scotland. The kit has been designed specifically for any type of model maker, and as such it is a perfect kit for those who want and expect a little more. All fittings, masts and rig have been researched using contemporary sources and the most up to date reference material available to make the kit as accurate and as detailed as possible.
Planet 2+2 4 Channel Transmitter and Receiver Set
Planet 2+2 4 Channel Transmitter and Receiver Set
Single-axis throttle (up/down) and steering (left/right) sticks
Proportional steering and throttle control with adjustable dual rates
Digital trims on steering and throttle channels
Servo reversing on steering and throttle controls
Auxiliary channel with rotary dial (CH4)
Auxiliary channel with 3-position switch (CH3 )
2.4GHz AFHSS Proteus radio protocol
Tx charge port for rechargeable batteries (not included)
What's in the Box
1x Planet 2+2 transmitter
1x Planet Proteus 6-channel receiver
1x User manual
Type VIII/IXC Ammo and Food Supplies (38 various parts)
Type VIII/IXC Ammo and Food Supplies (38 various parts)
Type VIII/IXC Ammo and Food Supplies, designed to be used with Revell kits) During the war, German submarines often stayed at sea for very long time and supplies of food and ammunition had to be taken aboard in large quantity, either when the submarine was in the port or even at sea from other supply ships or even supply submarines.Now, we are bringing these food and ammo crates in the form of a nicely detailed resin set, which can be used with other models too.
Type VIII/IXC Stern Torpedo with loading winch and cart
Type VIII/IXC Stern Torpedo with loading winch and cart
Yet another of the worlds best resin cast sets tailored for German submarine models. This set is made for the U-Boot Type IX and enables the modeller to open the deck hatch which was used for loading rear torpedos into the submarine using an onboard winch. The master patterns were 3D designed, large parts are cast from resin and tiny parts which could not be produced by the means of resin casting are injection moulded into metal type moulds.
Radiolink 8 channel Transmitter and two Receiver Set
Radiolink 8 channel Transmitter and two Receiver Set
Equipped with FHSS frequency-hopping spread spectrum protocol that offers a superior transmission rate, enhanced interference rejection and a secure full range capability. Perfect for all R/C disciplines from aircraft to quadcopters, through boats, cars and even trucks and locomotives, this is one transmitter that wont be collecting dust. Take a look at the full feature-set and make special note of its low power consumption, ease of use, and, crucially, the fact that its supplied with two R8EF 8-channel receivers.
What's in the Box
1 x T8FB 2.4GHz 8-channel transmitter.
2 x R8EF 8-channel receivers.
1 x Throttle stick spring retainer.
1 x USB (standard) to USB (micro) lead.
Needed to Complete
4 x AA-size batteries for transmitter.
1mm Plasticard Sheet 534mm long x 203mm
1mm Plasticard Sheet 534mm long x 203mm
Online Catalogue | Ship Fittings | Amati Fittings | Sail Sets & Sail Material
Online Catalogue | Ship Fittings | Amati Fittings | Sail Sets & Sail Material


text:
MSHA Expands Use of Injunctive Relief
- Details
Will Injunctions Become More Commonplace As Enforcement Tools?
By Adele Abrams
Despite press reports in non-mining media to the contrary, the Mine Safety & Health Administration (MSHA) has always been a strong agency, with many enforcement weapons in its arsenal. In addition to mandating inspections at least twice a year (surface) and quarterly (underground), the 1977 Mine Act also provided MSHA with warrantless search authority, no statute of limitations on violations, personal prosecutorial power under Section 110, and a strict liability framework for adjudication. None of these powers, by comparison, are possessed by MSHA's sister agency, OSHA.
There is another power that MSHA also holds under the Mine Act, but one which it has rarely used … until now: the injunction. On Dec. 22, 2010, the US District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky denied a mine operator's Motion to Dismiss and held that MSHA could go to court to seek a preliminary injunction and close a mine when, in the Secretary of Labor's judgment, it had a "pattern of violations" that constituted a hazard to the health or safety of miners. Moreover, the court held that a formal "pattern of violations" finding under Section 106 of the Mine Act was not a prerequisite to obtaining such injunctive relief.
On Jan. 5, 2011, shortly after the court issued its order in Solis v. Freedom Energy Mining Co. and Sidney Coal Co., Inc., the agency announced in a press release that it had reached a "settlement" with the company (which is owned by Massey Energy, the parent company that also owned and operated the Upper Big Branch Mine, where 29 miners perished in 2010). Massey announced plans to idle the Freedom Energy Mine No. 1 permanently.
Had the injunction actually taken effect, the operator would have had to close the mine temporarily, and take specific actions before it could reopen. In addition to correcting all hazardous conditions, MSHA also sought to require Freedom Energy to establish a safety and health management program for approval by MSHA, before it could resume production. That program would be required to establish an effective training and communications program, ensure that high-level mine officials conduct additional examinations, take additional air readings in critical areas, withdraw all miners when any violations were found in the future, and to pay miners who would be idled by such withdrawals.
Heightened Interest
This case has heightened interest in MSHA's injunctive powers, which few fully understand. First, let's examine the authority asserted in the case above. Section 108(a)(2) of the Mine Act, 30 USC §818(a)(2), states:
The Secretary may institute a civil action for relief, including permanent or temporary injunction, restraining order, or any other appropriate order in the district court of the United States for the district in which the coal or other mine is located or in which the operator of such mine has his principal office whenever the Secretary believes that the operator of a coal or other mine is engaged in a pattern of violation of the mandatory health or safety standards of this chapter, which in the judgment of the Secretary constitutes a continuing hazard to the health or safety of miners.
A temporary (or preliminary) injunction is an order issued after a hearing, with both parties present, pending a full hearing. The requesting party (MSHA) must show that irreparable damage will occur if a Preliminary Injunctive Order is not issued to prevent the other party from engaging in, or continuing, illegal actions under the Mine Act. The case remains active, even if the preliminary injunction is denied, until a final decision is reached on the subject of a permanent injunction. In some circumstances, MSHA could also seek a temporary restraining order (TRO), which is also available upon a successful argument of irreparable harm that would occur before the case could be fully argued in court. MSHA can obtain a TRO ex parte, which means without the mine operator being present. If the matter proceeds to a permanent injunction, this constitutes a final order directing the other party to do what the court orders, and it is issued only after a full trial or hearing. In many cases, the record prepared in the preliminary injunction hearing bears heavily on the ruling for a permanent injunction.
The Freedom Energy case marks the first time in 33 years that MSHA actually sought to shut down a mine entirely because of safety and health infractions, although – as discussed below – it is not the first time that MSHA has obtained injunctive relief against a mine operator. MSHA filed against Massey's Freedom Mine No. 1 because, in the words of MSHA chief Joe Main, "Freedom Energy has demonstrated time and again that it cannot be trusted to follow basic safety rules." During its eight regular inspections from July 2008 through June 2010, the mine operator received 1,952 citations and 81 orders (including 53 under Section 104(d)(2) of the Act) for violations involving mine ventilation, roof support, combustible dust, electrical infractions, and failure to properly examine work areas. During the same period, seven miners were injured by falling roof at the mine, which had six major roof falls just since August 2010. MSHA certainly found the proper target in selecting this mine as the poster child for injunctive relief!
But could this happen to a metal/nonmetal operator? Surely those mines, which rarely exceed 100 violations in a year, would be immune from having MSHA – via an injunction – seize control of the mine and shut down production until all safety hazards are remediated. Not so fast … Patricia Smith, the Solicitor of Labor, commented, "Although this is the first time the department has utilized this legal remedy, it will not be the last. The solicitor's office will work closely with MSHA to ensure that we use every tool possible to keep miners safe."
The critical issue is that the language of the Mine Act is unclear what type of "pattern" of violations is sufficient to warrant the issuance of an injunction. The US District Court, in its December 2010 Memorandum Opinion and Order, explained:
"Whenever," the statute says. "Whenever" the Secretary "believes" that a mine operator is engaged in a "pattern of violation" of safety standards – a pattern that, in her "judgment," constitutes a "hazard to the health or safety of miners" – she may come to court for relief. The defendant mine operators nonetheless insist the Secretary must first exhaust her own administrative remedies. But the text of §818(a)(2), whether considered alone or alongside the rest of the statute and regulations, is clear. The Secretary can come to court now. [emphasis in original]
What Does This Mean?
The defendant mine operators in the case had argued that the use of the term "pattern of violation" in Section 108(a)(2) referred back to the Mine Act's previous provisions on "pattern of violations" (Section 104(e)), which was ultimately codified at 30 CFR Part 106 and which has been the subject of varying MSHA policy pronouncements over the years including a recent iteration in 2010, as well as being the focus of the 2010 mine safety legislation that failed in the lame duck session of Congress. The company argued, in its Motion to Dismiss the injunctive action, that the Secretary of Labor had gone to court pleading an assortment of "vague, speculative and conclusory allegations, unsupported by reliable factual assertions" and therefore the pleadings were impermissibly vague. The court quickly shot down that argument.
The more substantive argument, which was resolved by the court, was that MSHA was asserting that Freedom Energy had a "pattern of violations" but that this was a term of art under Section 104(e) of the Mine Act and that the mine operator had never been determined by MSHA to meet the POV criteria in that section (or MSHA policy), nor had MSHA sought to place Freedom Energy under a POV before seeking the assistance of the court. The company noted that a "pattern" determination subjects the mine operator to heightened scrutiny and gave the Secretary a unilateral enforcement tool that did not require the court's approval before the agency could carry out its POV authority. Because the Secretary failed to go through the POV process under Section 104(e), it could not meet a prerequisite needed to obtain injunctive relief under Section 108(a)(2).
Not so, the court ruled. It found the language in Section 108(a)(2) plain that "the Secretary can come to court to eliminate the 'continuing hazard' without trudging through a series of administrative procedures." MSHA can come to court "whenever." The grant of standing to get an injunction is based entirely on "the Secretary's good-faith belief that a suspected continuing pattern of violations is being committed by one she believes to be an operator."
Scary Stuff
This is potentially scary stuff, because it obviates the need for a mine to meet the POV criteria (which, to date, have applied largely to underground coal mines and a few unlucky large metal/nonmetal operations) and therefore eliminates any objective criteria as a necessary basis for such a "good faith belief." Simply put, virtually any mine operator who has the bad luck to get a lot of citations in a single inspection could be at risk of being shut down and required to implement any programs that MSHA demands in order to reopen.
Whether MSHA will use this tool wisely, in the wake of the court's ruling, or experiment with it to push the limits of what a U.S. District Court will view as a "pattern," remains to be seen. But it is worth noting that having a bad history of violations is not the only thing that can trigger injunctive relief. While the Freedom Energy case was still pending, in December 2010, MSHA also obtained a court order imposing requirements on the Sullivan Granite Co. of Maine, which operated a small quarry. The US District Court judge granted a TRO and ordered the mine owner/operator to cease operating the mine until all cited and outstanding safety and health violations were corrected and were verified as such by an MSHA inspector. The operator was also ordered not to take any action to impede or interfere with MSHA inspectors during their inspection activities. The mine had problems with MSHA dating back to the summer, when the company allegedly violated withdrawal orders issued by MSHA, denied inspectors entry, failed to abate violations, refused access to equipment at the quarry, and rejected requests to produce documents and information.
Section 108(a)(1) of the Mine Act also provides for injunctive relief whenever the mine operator:
(A) violates or fails or refuses to comply with any order or decision issued under this Act,
(B) interferes with, hinders, or delays the Secretary or his authorized representative, or the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare or his authorized representative, in carrying out the provisions of this Act,
(C) refuses to admit such representatives to the coal or other mine,
(D) refuses to permit the inspection of the coal or other mine, or the investigation of an accident or occupational disease occurring in, or connected with, such mine,
(E) refuses to furnish any information or report requested by the Secretary or the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare in furtherance of the provisions of this Act, or
(F) refuses to permit access to, and copying of, such records as the Secretary or the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare determines necessary in carrying out the provisions of this Act.
Another use of injunctive relief relates to payment of delinquent penalties. In the 2006 MINER Act, Congress gave the agency new authority to request an injunction and shut down a mine in cases where the mine refuses to pay a final order MSHA penalty. Following enactment of that law MSHA quickly set precedent by seeking an injunction against several operators who owed money – in one case, as little as $5,000 in civil penalties from citations.
Will injunctions become more commonplace as enforcement tools? The evidence would indicate that MSHA is enamored of this approach and the courts will readily defer to the Secretary's "judgment" of who is a bad operator in need of sanctions. It certainly is a more viable way to bring a mine into compliance than the Byzantine approach currently encompassed in the agency's POV criteria. E


text:
Adonis Blue
A small, widespread butterfly that occasionally visits gardens. Females similar to Brown Argus, which lack blue dusting near body, and to female Adonis Blue, which have dark veins extending into white fringe on wing edges. The male Chalk Hill Blue is paler and, apart from the Large Blue, larger than other blue butterflies seen in Britain and Ireland.
At some sites many hundreds may be seen in August, flying just above the vegetation, searching for females. Large numbers of males may also congregate on animal dung and other sources of moisture and minerals. Females are much less conspicuous, being duller in colour, more secretive in their habits, and spending less time than the males in flight.
The butterfly is confined to calcareous grassland in southern England and has declined in some areas during recent decades.
Size and Family
- Family: Blues
- Size: Small/Medium
- Wing Span Range (male to female): 38mm
Conservation Status
- Butterfly Conservation Priority: Medium
- European status: Not threatened
- Protected in Great Britain for sale only
Caterpillar Foodplant
The sole foodplant is Horseshoe Vetch (Hippocrepis comosa).
The foodplant and the butterfly are restricted to chalk and limestone grassland.
- Countries: England
- Restricted to southern England, but not in far south-west
- Distribution Trend Since 1970's = -36%.