text:
As I alluded to in my last post, even though I haven't blogged in a while, I haven't stopped sampling the brewski. Today's sampling comes from our recent trip to Victor's Italian Restaurant in York, PA[1]. First on tap today, we have my first Sun King beer, Ring of Dingle, which is a 4.7% ABV dry Irish stout. Coming to us from Indianapolis, this stout was very smooth to drink, as a stout should be. Regarding the flavor: what can I say but wow! This amuse bouche was a delight, even with the bit of a bite in aftertaste. I'd drink it again. Surprisingly, there are no ratings on BeerAdvocate or RateBeer at this time.
Next up, I tried Roy Pitz Brewing's Lay Down Stay Down. Ah. May. Zing. Seriously. This local brew (Chambersburg, PA!) was extremely smooth, yet bright. Weighing in at 9.0% ABV, this Belgian strong ale was an instant favorite of mine. I loved the deep, dark flavor profile that jumped from the glass. It was very much like a brown ale (think Newcastle), but it was "bubbly" like the Belgian it is. I was super-impressed with this one. While BeerAdvocate doesn't have a rating for this yet, I was surprised that RateBeer gave "Lay Down" the smack down at a low 58 points (and only 30 points for style!). Regardless, Mr. Pitz, I'll be back.
|One of these will bring you out of the Pitz, regardless of its moniker.
(Three or four is a different story.)
That concludes this post. I look forward to bringing you some more brew reviews in the not-nearly-as-distant future, relatively speaking. I've missed this! Hope you enjoyed the post. If you've got any comments on this post or have any ideas that you'd like to see me write about for future posts, leave me a comment below. And as always, you can get me on my Twitter handle: @BrewReviewMann. Prost!
[1] If you live in the area, you should make it a point to stop by Victor's. We loved the food and ambiance! The restaurant is in an old church, so there's definitely a lot of character. They have live music all the time. And they have a better-than-decent selection of beer...but you don't have to take my word for it!


text:
CONCORD — A motorcycle rider was killed in a crash on Sunday night in Concord, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Officers responded at 6:27 p.m. to Kirker Pass Road at Hess Road for a report of a solo motorcycle crash, said Officer Eric Anderson.
The Contra Costa County coroner was also called to the scene, Anderson said.
The crashed motorcycle blocked at least one lane of traffic for about one hour, authorities said.
Authorities did not release the name of the motorcyclist who died and the crash remained under investigation Sunday night.
Check back for more details.
Contact Natalie Neysa Alund at 510-293-2469. Follow her at Twitter.com/nataliealund.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
The world's attention has moved quickly past President Bush's final State of the Union Address, and I will do the same. While the speech was under way, I was taking copious line-by-line notes. How can he say that?? Ah, look how he maneuvered the Democrats into applauding for this.
State of the Union 2007
"When talking about domestic policy, his words and ideas were sometimes interesting—but everything about his presentation said, 'I am bored.'"
State of the Union 2006
"As a matter of rhetoric and political positioning, this was an effective speech."
State of the Union 2005
"This was a startling inaugural address. The surprise was not its style or delivery..."
State of the Union 2004
"Much more than the president's typical speeches, parts of this one are structured as actual arguments, or responses to criticisms of his policy."
After previous State of the Union addresses, I'd appended nearly all of these blow-by-blow accounts. This time, there's no point – we'll never hear this kind of speech from George W. Bush again, and I've added a limited number of illustrative comments.
The main thing to be said about this speech is that it was a big surprise—and not in a good way. Only three times in the last 50-plus years has a president given a final State of the Union address knowing, in the way Bush did, that it was his final address. These were, of course, Dwight Eisenhower in 1960; Ronald Reagan in 1988; and Bill Clinton in 2000. (Inside-baseball detail: Eisenhower actually gave a bonus, "final-final" State of the Union address, a week before John Kennedy's inauguration in 1961. Bush could theoretically do the same thing a year from now, before he sees President-elect McCain or Clinton or Obama etc sworn in. Little in Bush's body language suggested that he is rarin' for that chance; and even for Eisenhower, the 1960 speech, when he knew he was leaving but didn't know who was coming next, was the more gracefully valedictory address.)
The Forgotten Homefront
It is startling how out-of-date and out-of-touch our official politics has become. "The State of the Union address has evolved into the main kabuki-like ceremony in our national politics." By James Fallows
On those three previous occasions – Ike '60, Reagan '88, Clinton '00 – the presidents appeared to be trying for something a little different from the standard State of the Union blather of legislative ambitions and topic-sentence comments about the world. ("And turning now to agricultural policy…") In previous reports I've spelled out the reasons why these addresses are often so hard for citizens to listen to – and even harder for a president's staff to put together. Summary of the problem: every part of the government is scheming to get a sentence in the speech that will justify its budget requests for the next year, so barring a miracle the speech becomes very long and very catalogue-like. The "farewell" speeches are long and cataloguey too – Clinton's ran 89 minutes! – but these last three had more coherent thematic shape than the same president's other speeches, and they were quite consciously designed to steer the historians in the right direction in their understanding of the era coming to its end.
(This was true even of Ronald Reagan's 1988 speech, which began by denying that it cared about the historians at all:
Mr. President, and distinguished members of the House and Senate, when we first met here seven years ago—many of us for the first time—it was with the hope of beginning something new for America. We meet here tonight in this historic Chamber to continue that work. If anyone expects just a proud recitation of the accomplishments of my administration, I say let's leave that to history: we're not finished yet. So my message to you tonight is, put on your work shoes—we're still on the job. )
((And by the way: to illustrate the weird eloquence of Eisenhower in his 1960 speech, what about this !!:
The fissure that divides our political planet is deep and wide.
We live, moreover, in a sea of semantic disorder in which old labels no longer faithfully describe.
Police states are called "people's democracies." Armed conquest of free people is called "liberation." Such slippery slogans make more difficult the problem of communicating true faith, facts and beliefs.
We must make clear our peaceful intentions, our aspirations for a better world. So doing, we must use language to enlighten the mind, not as the instrument of the studied innuendo and distorter of truth.
And we must live by what we say.
Studied innuendo and distorter of truth! Whoa!))
The point is, this time Bush didn't even try. This was like a speech he might have given in Year Three of a standard presidential term. First half of the speech on domestic policy; then, after the standard creaky transition, second half about foreign policy, including Iraq.
(Creaky transition, if you're interested: "This is the business of our nation here at home. Yet building a prosperous future for our citizens also depends on confronting enemies abroad and advancing liberty in troubled regions of the world." When speechwriters aren't trying, they plug in something of this sort: "America cannot be strong abroad unless it is strong at home. And therefore tonight I say..." and so on)
Then the long ponderous list of legislative initiatives, and the similar arguments about Iraq that would be equally suitable for a Congressional subcommittee hearing. Then – tacked-on sounding in the delivery, and even more obviously tacked-on in the written text – the big finish, about the alleged "theme" of the speech, "trusting the people." The best-known of the writers who have helped President Bush express his message, Michael Gerson, said on some talk show that he thought the speech had one coherent theme, trusting the people. Puh-leeze – maybe he was just being gracious to his successors. ("I thank the Congress for approving a good agreement with Peru. And now I ask you to approve agreements with Colombia and Panama and South Korea." Thematic!) Yes, the word "trust" is dotted throughout the speech. But no one will ever look at this document – as they will look at, for instance, Bush's second inaugural address, or the State of the Union that followed that three years ago, or his magnificent speech to a Joint Session of Congress nine days after the 9/11 attacks – and say: This was a speech to remember.
I will say this for the president: he has learned to be a much, much more accomplished formal speaker than he used to be, and congratulations to him for that. Not every president does so.
And now, in full awareness that this is the last such treatment of a George W. Bush State of the Union address, some notes:
THE PRESIDENT: Madam Speaker, Vice President Cheney, members of Congress, distinguished guests, and fellow citizens: Seven years have passed since I first stood before you at this rostrum. In that time, our country has been tested in ways none of us could have imagined. We faced hard decisions about peace and war, rising competition in the world economy, and the health and welfare of our citizens. These issues call for vigorous debate, and I think it's fair to say we've answered the call. Yet history will record that amid our differences, we acted with purpose. And together, we showed the world the power and resilience of American self-government. [Some place in every SOU speech, the president has to say "And so this evening, the state of the union is…." followed by some synonym for "good." "Strong," "resolute," "challenged but determined," etc. I suspect that "cautiously optimistic" wouldn't cut it. Usually the magic phrase appears in the first minute of the speech, or the last minute. Bush took the last-minute approach.]
All of us were sent to Washington to carry out the people's business. That is the purpose of this body. It is the meaning of our oath. It remains our charge to keep.
The actions of the 110th Congress will affect the security and prosperity of our nation long after this session has ended. In this election year, let us show our fellow Americans that we recognize our responsibilities and are determined to meet them. Let us show them that Republicans and Democrats can compete for votes and cooperate for results [Yeah, yeah. No one in the hall is believing this.] at the same time. (Applause.)
From expanding opportunity to protecting our country, we've made good progress. Yet we have unfinished business before us, and the American people expect us to get it done.
In the work ahead, we must be guided by the philosophy that made our nation great. As Americans, we believe in the power of individuals to determine their destiny and shape the course of history. We believe that the most reliable guide for our country is the collective wisdom of ordinary citizens. And so in all we do, we must trust in the ability [To give them credit: this is the set-up for the "theme" of the speech. See next paragraph too.] of free peoples to make wise decisions, and empower them to improve their lives for their futures.
To build a prosperous future, we must trust people with their own money and empower them to grow our economy. As we meet tonight, our economy is undergoing a period of uncertainty. America has added jobs for a record 52 straight months, but jobs are now growing at a slower pace. Wages are up, but so are prices for food and gas. Exports are rising, but the housing market has declined. At kitchen tables across our country, there is a concern about our economic future. [At this point I realized – the speech really is going to be all about the economy, for quite a long time, before getting to Iraq etc.]
In the long run, Americans can be confident about our economic growth. But in the short run, we can all see that that growth is slowing. So last week, my administration reached agreement with Speaker Pelosi and Republican Leader Boehner on a robust growth package that includes tax relief for individuals and families and incentives for business investment. The temptation will be to load up the bill. That would delay it or derail it, and neither option is acceptable. (Applause.) This is a good agreement that will keep our economy growing and our people working. And this Congress must pass it as soon as possible. (Applause.)
We have other work to do on taxes. Unless Congress acts, most of the tax relief we've delivered over the past seven years will be taken away. Some in Washington argue that letting tax relief expire is not a tax increase. Try explaining that to 116 million American taxpayers who would see their taxes rise by an average of $1,800. Others have said they would personally be happy to pay higher taxes. I welcome their enthusiasm. [Delivered nicely] I'm pleased to report that the IRS accepts both checks and money orders. (Laughter and applause.)
Most Americans think their taxes are high enough. With all the other pressures on their finances, American families should not have to worry about their federal government taking a bigger bite out of their paychecks. There's only one way to eliminate this uncertainty: Make the tax relief permanent. (Applause.) And members of Congress should know: If any bill raises taxes reaches my desk, I will veto it. (Applause.)
Just as we trust Americans with their own money, we need to earn their trust by spending their tax dollars wisely. [Two problems with this sentence. One: the creakiest sort of transition, relying on the "just as." Two: oh sure! This is what the current Congress will be known for???] Next week, I'll send you a budget that terminates or substantially reduces 151 wasteful or bloated programs, totaling more than $18 billion. The budget that I will submit will keep America on track for a surplus in 2012. American families have to balance their budgets; so should their government. (Applause.)
The people's trust in their government is undermined by congressional earmarks—special interest projects that are often snuck in at the last minute, without discussion or debate. Last year, I asked you to voluntarily cut the number and cost of earmarks in half. I also asked you to stop slipping earmarks into committee reports that never even come to a vote. Unfortunately, neither goal was met. So this time, if you send me an appropriations bill that does not cut the number and cost of earmarks in half, I'll send it back to you with my veto. (Applause.) [All the Democrats are thinking: what about the earmarks over the previous seven years?]
And tomorrow, I will issue an executive order that directs federal agencies to ignore any future earmark that is not voted on by Congress. If these items are truly worth funding, Congress should debate them in the open and hold a public vote. (Applause.)
Our shared responsibilities extend beyond matters of taxes and spending. [Another creaky "best we can do at the moment" transition.] On housing, we must trust Americans with the responsibility of homeownership and empower them to weather turbulent times in the housing market. My administration brought together the HOPE NOW alliance, which is helping many struggling homeowners avoid foreclosure. And Congress can help even more. Tonight I ask you to pass legislation to reform Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, modernize the Federal Housing Administration, and allow state housing agencies to issue tax-free bonds to help homeowners refinance their mortgages. (Applause.) These are difficult times for many American families, and by taking these steps, we can help more of them keep their homes.
To build a future of quality health care [on the other hand: no transition at all!], we must trust patients and doctors to make medical decisions and empower them with better information and better options. We share a common goal: making health care more affordable and accessible for all Americans. (Applause.) The best way to achieve that goal is by expanding consumer choice, not government control. (Applause.) So I have proposed ending the bias in the tax code against those who do not get their health insurance through their employer. This one reform would put private coverage within reach for millions, and I call on the Congress to pass it this year. (Applause.)
The Congress must also expand health savings accounts, create Association Health Plans for small businesses, promote health information technology, and confront the epidemic of junk medical lawsuits. (Applause.) With all these steps, we will help ensure that decisions about your medical care are made in the privacy of your doctor's office—not in the halls of Congress. (Applause.)
On education, we must trust students to learn if given the chance, and empower parents to demand results from our schools. In neighborhoods across our country, there are boys and girls with dreams—and a decent education is their only hope of achieving them.
Six years ago, we came together to pass the No Child Left Behind Act, and today no one can deny its results. Last year, fourth and eighth graders achieved the highest math scores on record. Reading scores are on the rise. African American and Hispanic students posted all-time highs. (Applause.) Now we must work together to increase accountability, add flexibility for states and districts, reduce the number of high school dropouts, provide extra help for struggling schools.
Members of Congress: The No Child Left Behind Act is a bipartisan achievement. It is succeeding. And we owe it to America's children, their parents, and their teachers to strengthen this good law. (Applause.)
We must also do more to help children when their schools do not measure up. Thanks to the D.C. Opportunity Scholarships you approved, more than 2,600 of the poorest children in our Nation's Capital have found new hope at a faith-based or other non-public school. Sadly, these schools are disappearing at an alarming rate in many of America's inner cities. So I will convene a White House summit aimed at strengthening these lifelines of learning. And to open the doors of these schools to more children, I ask you to support a new $300 million program called Pell Grants for Kids. We have seen how Pell Grants help low-income college students realize their full potential. Together, we've expanded the size and reach of these grants. Now let us apply that same spirit to help liberate poor children trapped in failing public schools. (Applause.)
On trade, we must trust American workers to compete with anyone in the world and empower them by opening up new markets overseas. Today, our economic growth increasingly depends on our ability to sell American goods and crops and services all over the world. So we're working to break down barriers to trade and investment wherever we can. We're working for a successful Doha Round of trade talks, and we must complete a good agreement this year. At the same time, we're pursuing opportunities to open up new markets by passing free trade agreements.
I thank the Congress for approving a good agreement with Peru. And now I ask you to approve agreements with Colombia and Panama and South Korea. (Applause.) Many products from these nations now enter America duty-free, yet many of our products face steep tariffs in their markets. These agreements will level the playing field. They will give us better access to nearly 100 million customers. They will support good jobs for the finest workers in the world: those whose products say "Made in the USA." (Applause.)
These agreements also promote America's strategic interests. The first agreement that will come before you is with Colombia, a friend of America that is confronting violence and terror, and fighting drug traffickers. If we fail to pass this agreement, we will embolden the purveyors of false populism [??? Is "false" meant to be emphatic – as in "Godless Communism?" Or is it meant to distinguish this from real populism?] in our hemisphere. So we must come together, pass this agreement, and show our neighbors in the region that democracy leads to a better life. (Applause.)
Trade brings better jobs and better choices and better prices. Yet for some Americans, trade can mean losing a job, and the federal government has a responsibility to help. [Umm, a Democrat would not have to explain why the second half of the sentence is true. But how does it fit with the rest of the president's program or platform?] (Applause.) I ask Congress to reauthorize and reform trade adjustment assistance, so we can help these displaced workers learn new skills and find new jobs. (Applause.)
To build a future of energy security, we must trust in the creative genius of American researchers and entrepreneurs and empower them to pioneer a new generation of clean energy technology. (Applause.) Our security, our prosperity, and our environment all require reducing our dependence on oil. Last year, I asked you to pass legislation to reduce oil consumption over the next decade, and you responded. Together we should take the next steps: Let us fund new technologies that can generate coal power while capturing carbon emissions. (Applause.) Let us increase the use of renewable power and emissions-free nuclear power. (Applause.) Let us continue investing in advanced battery technology and renewable fuels to power the cars and trucks of the future. (Applause.) Let us create a new international clean technology fund, which will help developing nations like India and China [This is the only mention of China in the speech. I'm just saying... ] make greater use of clean energy sources. And let us complete an international agreement that has the potential to slow, stop, and eventually reverse the growth of greenhouse gases. [I don't rememberPresident Bush ever using these two words before in a speech. He doesn't seem to have used them in previous SOU addresses. Interesting ] (Applause.)
This agreement will be effective only if it includes commitments by every major economy and gives none a free ride. (Applause.) The United States is committed to strengthening our energy security and confronting global climate change. And the best way to meet these goals is for America to continue leading the way toward the development of cleaner and more energy-efficient technology. (Applause.)
To keep America competitive into the future, we must trust in the skill of our scientists and engineers and empower them to pursue the breakthroughs of tomorrow. Last year, Congress passed legislation supporting the American Competitiveness Initiative, but never followed through with the funding. This funding is essential to keeping our scientific edge. So I ask Congress to double federal support for critical basic research in the physical sciences and ensure America remains the most dynamic nation on Earth. (Applause.) [If I were in Congress, I'd be cheering here.]
On matters of life and science, we must trust in the innovative spirit of medical researchers and empower them to discover new treatments while respecting moral boundaries. In November, we witnessed a landmark achievement when scientists discovered a way to reprogram adult skin cells to act like embryonic stem cells. This breakthrough has the potential to move us beyond the divisive debates of the past by extending the frontiers of medicine without the destruction of human life. (Applause.)
So we're expanding funding for this type of ethical medical research. And as we explore promising avenues of research, we must also ensure that all life is treated with the dignity it deserves. And so I call on Congress to pass legislation that bans unethical practices such as the buying, selling, patenting, or cloning of human life. (Applause.)
On matters of justice, we must trust in the wisdom of our founders and empower judges who understand that the Constitution means what it says. (Applause.) I've submitted judicial nominees who will rule by the letter of the law, not the whim of the gavel. Many of these nominees are being unfairly delayed. They are worthy of confirmation, and the Senate should give each of them a prompt up-or-down vote. (Applause.)
In communities across our land, we must trust in the good heart of the American people and empower them to serve their neighbors in need. Over the past seven years, more of our fellow citizens have discovered that the pursuit of happiness leads to the path of service. Americans have volunteered in record numbers. Charitable donations are higher than ever. Faith-based groups are bringing hope to pockets of despair, with newfound support from the federal government. And to help guarantee equal treatment of faith-based organizations when they compete for federal funds, I ask you to permanently extend Charitable Choice. (Applause.)
Tonight the armies of compassion [remnant of the old days, a phrase that was part of his "compassionate conservative" earlier identity] continue the march to a new day in the Gulf Coast. America honors the strength and resilience of the people of this region. We reaffirm our pledge to help them build stronger and better than before. And tonight I'm pleased to announce that in April we will host this year's North American Summit of Canada, Mexico, and the United States in the great city of New Orleans. (Applause.)
There are two other pressing challenges that I've raised repeatedly before this body, and that this body has failed to address: entitlement spending and immigration. Every member in this chamber knows that spending on entitlement programs like Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid is growing faster than we can afford. We all know the painful choices ahead if America stays on this path: massive tax increases, sudden and drastic cuts in benefits, or crippling deficits. I've laid out proposals to reform these programs. Now I ask members of Congress to offer your proposals and come up with a bipartisan solution to save these vital programs for our children and our grandchildren. (Applause.)
The other pressing challenge is immigration. America needs to secure our borders—and with your help, my administration is taking steps to do so. We're increasing worksite enforcement, deploying fences and advanced technologies to stop illegal crossings. We've effectively ended the policy of "catch and release" at the border, and by the end of this year, we will have doubled the number of border patrol agents. Yet we also need to acknowledge that we will never fully secure our border until we create a lawful way for foreign workers to come here and support our economy. (Applause.) This will take pressure off the border and allow law enforcement to concentrate on those who mean us harm. We must also find a sensible and humane way to deal with people here illegally. Illegal immigration is complicated, but it can be resolved. And it must be resolved in a way that upholds both our laws and our highest ideals. (Applause.)
This is the business of our nation here at home. Yet building a prosperous future for our citizens also depends on confronting enemies abroad and advancing liberty in troubled regions of the world. [Again, this is how you write a "here begins the second half of the speech" transition if you're really tired and just can't face another draft of the speech.]
Our foreign policy is based on a clear premise: We trust that people, when given the chance, will choose a future of freedom and peace. In the last seven years, we have witnessed stirring moments in the history of liberty. We've seen citizens in Georgia and Ukraine stand up for their right to free and fair elections. We've seen people in Lebanon take to the streets to demand their independence. We've seen Afghans emerge from the tyranny of the Taliban and choose a new president and a new parliament. We've seen jubilant Iraqis holding up ink-stained fingers [Again a reference to glorious days of past SOU addresses, only three years ago] and celebrating their freedom. These images of liberty have inspired us. (Applause.)
In the past seven years, we've also seen images that have sobered us. We've watched throngs of mourners in Lebanon and Pakistan carrying the caskets of beloved leaders taken by the assassin's hand. We've seen wedding guests in blood-soaked finery staggering from a hotel in Jordan, Afghans and Iraqis blown up in mosques and markets, and trains in London and Madrid ripped apart by bombs. On a clear September day, we saw thousands of our fellow citizens taken from us in an instant. These horrific images serve as a grim reminder: The advance of liberty is opposed by terrorists and extremists—evil men who despise freedom, despise America, and aim to subject millions to their violent rule.
Since 9/11, we have taken the fight to these terrorists and extremists. We will stay on the offense, we will keep up the pressure, and we will deliver justice to our enemies. (Applause.) [This sentence really deserves some examination. It is striking that in the whole discussion of Iraq and terrorism, the president's rhetoric is much less sweeping than in the days of yore. When the second sentence of this paragraph was delivered, it sounded as if it should naturally end, "and we will win." It didn't end that way, of course. The ending it has is a reference to the president's memorable September, 2001 speech with its line: we will bring our enemies to justice, or we will bring justice to them. But striking here and elsewhere that the president was not predicting clear-cut victory in the way he had done before.]
We are engaged in the defining ideological struggle of the 21st century. [Just one man's opinion (ie, mine): This preceding sentence is false and foolish and depressing. Islamic extremism is a big problem now – but even now it's not the only or even the most important problem in the world. To think that this will be the struggle of the next 92 years is presumptuous in the extreme. What could you have said in 1908 about the main ideological struggles of the 20th century – long before Nazism or Stalinism had come into anyone's mind?] The terrorists oppose every principle of humanity and decency that we hold dear. Yet in this war on terror, there is one thing we and our enemies agree on: In the long run, men and women who are free to determine their own destinies will reject terror and refuse to live in tyranny. And that is why the terrorists are fighting to deny this choice to the people in Lebanon, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and the Palestinian Territories. And that is why, for the security of America and the peace of the world, we are spreading the hope of freedom. (Applause.)
In Afghanistan, America, our 25 NATO allies, and 15 partner nations are helping the Afghan people defend their freedom and rebuild their country. Thanks to the courage of these military and civilian personnel, a nation that was once a safe haven for al Qaeda is now a young democracy where boys and girls are going to school, new roads and hospitals are being built, and people are looking to the future with new hope. These successes must continue, so we're adding 3,200 Marines to our forces in Afghanistan, where they will fight the terrorists and train the Afghan Army and police. Defeating the Taliban and al Qaeda is critical to our security, and I thank the Congress for supporting America's vital mission in Afghanistan. (Applause.)
In Iraq, the terrorists and extremists are fighting to deny a proud people their liberty, and fighting to establish safe havens for attacks across the world. One year ago, our enemies were succeeding in their efforts to plunge Iraq into chaos. So we reviewed our strategy and changed course. We launched a surge of American forces into Iraq. We gave our troops a new mission: Work with the Iraqi forces to protect the Iraqi people, pursue the enemy in its strongholds, and deny the terrorists sanctuary anywhere in the country.
The Iraqi people quickly realized that something dramatic had happened. Those who had worried that America was preparing to abandon them instead saw tens of thousands of American forces flowing into their country. They saw our forces moving into neighborhoods, clearing out the terrorists, and staying behind to ensure the enemy did not return. And they saw our troops, along with Provincial Reconstruction Teams that include Foreign Service officers and other skilled public servants, coming in to ensure that improved security was followed by improvements in daily life. Our military and civilians in Iraq are performing with courage and distinction, and they have the gratitude of our whole nation. (Applause.)
The Iraqis launched a surge of their own. In the fall of 2006, Sunni tribal leaders grew tired of al Qaeda's brutality and started a popular uprising called "The Anbar Awakening." Over the past year, similar movements have spread across the country. And today, the grassroots surge includes more than 80,000 Iraqi citizens who are fighting the terrorists. The government in Baghdad has stepped forward, as well—adding more than 100,000 new Iraqi soldiers and police during the past year.
While the enemy is still dangerous and more work remains, the American and Iraqi surges have achieved results few of us could have imagined just one year ago. (Applause.) When we met last year, many said that containing the violence was impossible. A year later, high profile terrorist attacks are down, civilian deaths are down, sectarian killings are down.
When we met last year, militia extremists—some armed and trained by Iran—were wreaking havoc in large areas of Iraq. A year later, coalition and Iraqi forces have killed or captured hundreds of militia fighters. And Iraqis of all backgrounds increasingly realize that defeating these militia fighters is critical to the future of their country.
When we met last year, al Qaeda had sanctuaries in many areas of Iraq, and their leaders had just offered American forces safe passage out of the country. Today, it is al Qaeda that is searching for safe passage. They have been driven from many of the strongholds they once held, and over the past year, we've captured or killed thousands of extremists in Iraq, including hundreds of key al Qaeda leaders and operatives.
Last month, Osama bin Laden [Interesting that President Bush would mention him. Odds are that OBL will remain in power longer than GWB does.] released a tape in which he railed against Iraqi tribal leaders who have turned on al Qaeda and admitted that coalition forces are growing stronger in Iraq. Ladies and gentlemen, some may deny the surge is working, but among the terrorists there is no doubt. Al Qaeda is on the run in Iraq, and this enemy will be defeated. [This is the "we will win" sentence whose absence was notable above.] (Applause.)
When we met last year, our troop levels in Iraq were on the rise. Today, because of the progress just described, we are implementing a policy of "return on success," and the surge forces we sent to Iraq are beginning to come home.
This progress is a credit to the valor of our troops and the brilliance of their commanders. This evening, I want to speak directly to our men and women on the front lines. Soldiers and sailors, airmen, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen: In the past year, you have done everything we've asked of you, and more. Our nation is grateful for your courage. We are proud of your accomplishments. And tonight in this hallowed chamber, with the American people as our witness, we make you a solemn pledge: In the fight ahead, you will have all you need to protect our nation. (Applause.) And I ask Congress to meet its responsibilities to these brave men and women by fully funding our troops. (Applause.)
Our enemies in Iraq have been hit hard. They are not yet defeated, and we can still expect tough fighting ahead. Our objective in the coming year is to sustain and build on the gains we made in 2007, while transitioning to the next phase of our strategy. American troops are shifting from leading operations, to partnering with Iraqi forces, and, eventually, to a protective overwatch mission. As part of this transition, one Army brigade combat team and one Marine Expeditionary Unit have already come home and will not be replaced. In the coming months, four additional brigades and two Marine battalions will follow suit. Taken together, this means more than 20,000 of our troops are coming home. (Applause.)
Any further drawdown of U.S. troops will be based on conditions in Iraq and the recommendations of our commanders. General Petraeus [The big surprise: Gen. Petraeus's name appears only once in this address.] has warned that too fast a drawdown could result in the "disintegration of the Iraqi security forces, al Qaeda-Iraq regaining lost ground, [and] a marked increase in violence." Members of Congress: Having come so far and achieved so much, we must not allow this to happen. (Applause.)
In the coming year, we will work with Iraqi leaders as they build on the progress they're making toward political reconciliation. At the local level, Sunnis, Shia, and Kurds are beginning to come together to reclaim their communities and rebuild their lives. Progress in the provinces must be matched by progress in Baghdad. (Applause.) We're seeing some encouraging signs. The national government is sharing oil revenues with the provinces. The parliament recently passed both a pension law and de-Baathification reform. They're now debating a provincial powers law. The Iraqis still have a distance to travel. But after decades of dictatorship and the pain of sectarian violence, reconciliation is taking place—and the Iraqi people are taking control of their future. (Applause.)
The mission in Iraq has been difficult and trying for our nation. But it is in the vital interest of the United States that we succeed. A free Iraq will deny al Qaeda a safe haven. A free Iraq will show millions across the Middle East that a future of liberty is possible. A free Iraq will be a friend of America, a partner in fighting terror, and a source of stability in a dangerous part of the world.
By contrast, a failed Iraq would embolden the extremists, strengthen Iran, and give terrorists a base from which to launch new attacks on our friends, our allies, and our homeland. The enemy has made its intentions clear. At a time when the momentum seemed to favor them, al Qaida's top commander in Iraq declared that they will not rest until they have attacked us here in Washington. My fellow Americans: We will not rest either. We will not rest until this enemy has been defeated. (Applause.) We must do the difficult work today, so that years from now people will look back and say that this generation rose to the moment, prevailed in a tough fight, and left behind a more hopeful region and a safer America. (Applause.)
We're also standing against the forces of extremism in the Holy Land, where we have new cause for hope. Palestinians have elected a president who recognizes that confronting terror is essential to achieving a state where his people can live in dignity and at peace with Israel. Israelis have leaders who recognize that a peaceful, democratic Palestinian state will be a source of lasting security. This month in Ramallah and Jerusalem, I assured leaders from both sides that America will do, and I will do, everything we can to help them achieve a peace agreement that defines a Palestinian state by the end of this year. The time has come for a Holy Land where a democratic Israel and a democratic Palestine live side-by-side in peace. (Applause.)
We're also standing against the forces of extremism embodied by the regime in Tehran. Iran's rulers oppress a good and talented people. And wherever freedom advances in the Middle East, it seems the Iranian regime is there to oppose it. Iran is funding and training militia groups in Iraq, supporting Hezbollah terrorists in Lebanon, and backing Hamas' efforts to undermine peace in the Holy Land. Tehran is also developing ballistic missiles of increasing range, and continues to develop its capability to enrich uranium, which could be used to create a nuclear weapon.
Our message to the people of Iran is clear: We have no quarrel with you. We respect your traditions and your history. We look forward to the day when you have your freedom. Our message to the leaders of Iran is also clear: Verifiably suspend your nuclear enrichment, so negotiations can begin. And to rejoin the community of nations, come clean about your nuclear intentions and past actions, stop your oppression at home, cease your support for terror abroad. But above all, know this: America will confront those who threaten our troops. We will stand by our allies, and we will defend our vital interests in the Persian Gulf. (Applause.)
On the home front, we will continue to take every lawful and effective measure to protect our country. This is our most solemn duty. We are grateful that there has not been another attack on our soil since 9/11. This is not for the lack of desire or effort on the part of the enemy. In the past six years, we've stopped numerous attacks, including a plot to fly a plane into the tallest building in Los Angeles and another to blow up passenger jets bound for America over the Atlantic. Dedicated men and women in our government toil day and night to stop the terrorists from carrying out their plans. These good citizens are saving American lives, and everyone in this chamber owes them our thanks. (Applause.)
And we owe them something more: We owe them the tools they need to keep our people safe. And one of the most important tools we can give them is the ability to monitor terrorist communications. To protect America, we need to know who the terrorists are talking to, what they are saying, and what they're planning. Last year, Congress passed legislation to help us do that. Unfortunately, Congress set the legislation to expire on February the 1st. That means if you don't act by Friday, our ability to track terrorist threats would be weakened and our citizens will be in greater danger. Congress must ensure the flow of vital intelligence is not disrupted. Congress must pass liability protection for companies believed to have assisted in the efforts to defend America. We've had ample time for debate. The time to act is now. (Applause.)
Protecting our nation from the dangers of a new century requires more than good intelligence and a strong military. It also requires changing the conditions that breed resentment and allow extremists to prey on despair. So America is using its influence to build a freer, more hopeful, and more compassionate world. This is a reflection of our national interest; it is the calling of our conscience.
America opposes genocide in Sudan. (Applause.) [Personal note: during the Carter administration, I got in a fight with a policy guy who wanted the president to say something like, "We support democracy in South Africa." I wanted him to say "We support democracy in Africa" or "We support democracy." Similarly, it is interesting that this sentence does not say (a) "America opposes genocide, including the horrors underway in Sudan," or (b) "America opposes the genocide in Sudan." Logically leaves the possibility that we might not oppose genocide everywhere but we oppose it in Sudan.]
We support freedom in countries from Cuba and Zimbabwe to Belarus and Burma. [Amen for not saying Myanmar!] (Applause.)
America is leading the fight against global poverty, with strong education initiatives and humanitarian assistance. We've also changed the way we deliver aid by launching the Millennium Challenge Account. This program strengthens democracy, transparency, and the rule of law in developing nations, and I ask you to fully fund this important initiative. (Applause.)
America is leading the fight against global hunger. Today, more than half the world's food aid comes from the United States. And tonight, I ask Congress to support an innovative proposal to provide food assistance by purchasing crops directly from farmers in the developing world, so we can build up local agriculture and help break the cycle of famine. (Applause.)
America is leading the fight against disease. With your help, we're working to cut by half the number of malaria-related deaths in 15 African nations. And our Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief is treating 1.4 million people. We can bring healing and hope to many more. So I ask you to maintain the principles that have changed behavior and made this program a success. And I call on you to double our initial commitment to fighting HIV/AIDS by approving an additional $30 billion over the next five years. (Applause.)
America is a force for hope in the world because we are a compassionate people, and some of the most compassionate Americans are those who have stepped forward to protect us. We must keep faith with all who have risked life and limb so that we might live in freedom and peace. Over the past seven years, we've increased funding for veterans by more than 95 percent. And as we increase funding—(applause.) And as increase funding we must also reform our veterans system to meet the needs of a new war and a new generation. (Applause.) I call on the Congress to enact the reforms recommended by Senator Bob Dole and Secretary Donna Shalala, so we can improve the system of care for our wounded warriors and help them build lives of hope and promise and dignity. (Applause.)
Our military families also sacrifice for America. They endure sleepless nights and the daily struggle of providing for children while a loved one is serving far from home. We have a responsibility to provide for them. So I ask you to join me in expanding their access to child care, creating new hiring preferences for military spouses across the federal government, and allowing our troops to transfer their unused education benefits to their spouses or children. (Applause.) Our military families serve our nation, they inspire our nation, and tonight our nation honors them. (Applause.)
The strength—the secret of our strength, the miracle of America, is that our greatness lies not in our government, but in the spirit and determination of our people. (Applause.) When the Federal Convention met in Philadelphia in 1787, our nation was bound by the Articles of Confederation, which began with the words, "We the undersigned delegates." When Gouverneur Morris [I would have liked to have seen the session when GW Bush said, "You're telling me this fella's name was Gouverneur???"] was asked to draft a preamble to our new Constitution, he offered an important revision and opened with words that changed the course of our nation and the history of the world: "We the people."
By trusting the people, our Founders wagered that a great and noble nation could be built on the liberty that resides in the hearts of all men and women. By trusting the people, succeeding generations transformed our fragile young democracy into the most powerful nation on Earth and a beacon of hope for millions. And so long as we continue to trust the people, our nation will prosper, our liberty will be secure, and the state of our Union will remain strong. (Applause.)
So tonight, with confidence in freedom's power, and trust in the people, let us set forth to do their business. God bless America. (Applause.) [Please, merciful God, let the next person who gives a State of the Union address choose final words other than these three. "God Bless America" is a wonderful song. It is a lame, mindless, and terrible way to end a speech – especially a final one.
On the other hand, maybe I'll just end all articles this way. God bless America.]
We want to hear what you think about this article. Submit a letter to the editor or write to email@example.com.


text:
A course record was set in the 17th annual Surf City USA Marathon on Sunday.
Reigning champ Carla McAlister, 39, of San Clemente finished in a time of 2:56:28, beating the old mark set in 2006 of 2:57:19 by Nadia Noorzia. That's right, she's 39.
Tyler Sewald, 30, of Greeley, Colo. won the men's marathon with a time of 2:29:38, 13 seconds ahead of runner-up Tim Harder, age 27, of Aliso Viejo.
The event includes a full and half marathon with more than 21,000 pre-registered runners from around the world. According to a news release, 50,000 spectators visited the Active Lifestyle Expo on Friday and Saturday on Pacific Coast Highway.
Winners of the half marathon were Nicholas Arciniaga, 29, of Flagstaff, Ariz., with a time of 1:06:59, and Chantelle Wilder, 27, of Monte Sereno, Calif., with a time of 1:18:52.
The event is also a fundraiser for the Free Wheelchair Mission, an Irvine-based nonprofit group that builds and delivers wheelchairs to people in developing nations. The fundraising group Run for Mobility has raised more than $1.7 million for that cause in the past seven years. For more information, visit http://www.runsurfcity.com.
H.B. man to Alzheimer's group's board
The Alzheimer's Family Services Center has named Huntington Beach resident Richard Milo to its board. Milo, a principal at Deloitte LLP, is a leader of enterprise risk and control services, according to a news release.
"I have seen that Alzheimer's Family Services Center provides a very valuable service to families suffering with this disease," Milo said in a prepared statement. "Participating on the board will allow me to give my time and experience to a cause I care about, help my community, and learn more about the ways that families and communities facing this affliction can be supported."
Milo lives in Huntington Beach with his wife and two children. He volunteers at educational events, AYSO and Little League.
Get the man his fan cave
Thomas Aaron Roberts of Huntington Beach has asked us for a little favor. The Huntington Beach Union High School District substitute teacher has been chosen as one of the 52 finalists in the 2013 MLB Fan Cave competition out of more than 20,000 submissions, and he wants our vote.
According to the mlbfancave.com site, viewers can vote now through Wednesday, Feb. 13. From the finalists, 30 contestants will be invited to spring training to audition to be the 2013 Fan Cave Dwellers.
In case you have no idea what the MLB Fan Cave is, it is a place in New York City where the nine winning contestants will live. The venue will also be a place for events, concerts, and player and celebrity appearances.
The Cave Dwellers will attempt to watch all 2,430 games of the season and chronicle their experiences online through videos, blogs and social media, according to the website. They will also compete with each other in a series of challenges. Online fans will help decide who gets to stay.
Roberts is seeking votes for his video, which can be found by following the links at http://www.mlbfancave.com.
Gala for 9/11 Memorial
The 9/11 Memorial Committee is hosting a Gala to raise money for a monument at Huntington Beach Civic Center.
The event will be Sunday at the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort and Spa Grand Ballroom.
It may be too late to attend — the deadline to sign up was Monday — but if you want to donate, contact Dennis Hashin of the HB Police Officers Foundation office at (714) 842-8851 or visit http://www.BuildingtoRemember.com. There are also sponsorship and underwriting opportunities.
Casino Night for H.B. High
Huntington Beach High School will host a Viva Las Vegas Casino Night fundraiser.
The event will be 7 to 11 p.m. Feb. 22 at Meadowlark Country Club, 16782 Graham St. in Huntington Beach.
There will dinner, drinks, dancing, a live and silent auction and casino games.
Cost is $42.50 before Feb. 10, $50 after and $60 at the door. Tickets can be purchased online at hbhsedfoundation.com.
The foundation is a volunteer, non-profit corporation comprised of parents, students, alumni, staff and representatives of business and the community to raise funds for the benefit of all students at HBHS.
AROUND TOWN is a weekly column about people and events in Huntington Beach and Fountain Valley. Please submit information about your fundraiser, charity event or a person deserving attention to firstname.lastname@example.com or firstname.lastname@example.com.


text:
Hack Day Produces Oculix, a Mind-Blowing Trip Through the Netflix Catalog
Aug 21, 2014 6:23 PM PT
A team of Netflix programmers merged the company's videos with the virtual reality capability offered by the Oculus Rift headset as a fun project on Netflix Hack Day.
The Oculix media app lets users browse a floating 3D Netflix video catalog using head turning movements and hand gestures. Once a selection is made, the user can watch the video in a VR theater setting.
"This new user experience is potentially a very compelling differentiator for a mature [over-the-top] service such as Netflix as it seeks to stay on top of the market," Eric Smith, an analyst at Strategy Analytics, told LinuxInsider.
However, it might not be suited for general use, because users can get disoriented.
"I can personally attest to disorientation after ... five- to 10-minute sessions," Smith said. "With TV shows and movies going beyond the one-hour mark, this would be my biggest concern."
Motion sickness also could be an issue, Smith cautioned, although advances in VR technology are constantly mitigating that problem.
See Me... Feel Me...
Netflix "has not shied away from the cutting edge of technology, having been a pioneer in streaming exclusive content over broadband in the last decade and launching a 4K video service in 2014," Smith remarked.
Being an early champion of new technology could further differentiate Netflix from its rivals, he added.
However, "while watching and interacting with video using VR could be really interesting, navigating through [a] large collection may not be any better or easier than using the traditional remote control," suggested Brian Blau, a research director at Gartner.
"Given there are no VR devices in use in the consumer market, I don't see Netflix doing this any time soon," he said. "They will most likely wait to better understand how to build effective 3D user interfaces before they go off and make something that people can't or won't use."
Hack Day "is blue sky for engineers. We have nothing to add beyond what's in the videos," Netflix spokesperson Jonathan Friedland told LinuxInsider.
Take Me to the Movies
"Given the immersiveness offered by VR, it just makes sense that having a more intimate experience with the content will change -- and challenge -- our perceptions," Gartner's Blau told LinuxInsider. "Movie makers and game developers want the opportunity to provide these new types of experiences and they can accomplish this through VR."
Hollywood studios already are testing ways of implementing VR for watching movies, and Facebook's acquisition of Oculus Rift "portends a social aspect," Strategy Analytics' Smith suggested, "such as VR chat rooms or VR calls."
VR Got Game
From Sony, there likely will be "a mid-generation introduction of VR technology for the PlayStation 4 via its Project Morpheus development, and Microsoft could certainly harness its Kinect camera for VR gaming on Xbox One as well," said Smith.
Virtual reality "has compelling use cases in many other markets [apart from games] ... but won't catch on until one important thing happens, and that is simply gaining experience in developing these immersive environments at a mass scale and then seeing how people use these devices and how they react," said Blau.
We are still several years away from VR being a consumer product, in Smith's view.
The Edge of Tomorrow
The future may already be here.
Cyberith has launched a Kickstarter project for the Virtualizer, which lets users move about while in virtual environments instead of sitting at a desk.
The virtualizer consists of a handheld console, a light headset, and a frame with an omnidirectional treadmill.
"Staring at a screen was not enough for me," said Cyberith CEO Tuncay Cakmak, explaining why he came up with the idea.
"For us," he remarked, "immersion is the most important thing in virtual reality."


text:
For the past four months, I've discussed various calculations involving datetime data. This month, I conclude the series by introducing techniques to calculate working days, age, and next birthday date. Later in the article, I also point you to additional resources where you can find more information about temporal data manipulation.
- DATETIME Calculations, Part 1
- DATETIME Calculations, Part 2
- DATETIME Calculations, Part 3
- DATETIME Calculations, Part 4
Calculating Working Days
To tackle this problem, we can write a function called fn_workingdays that calculates the number of working days in an input period. The function accepts three input parameters:
- @from_dt: start date of period
- @to_dt: end date of period
- @datefirst: first working day of the week (e.g., 1 for Monday, 2 for Tuesday, 3 for Wednesday)
The output of the function is an integer representing the number of working days in the input period. Working days are weekdays 1 through 5, based on the input first working day of the week (@datefirst). For example, if @datefirst is set to 1 (Monday), Monday through Friday are considered working days, whereas Saturday and Sunday are considered nonworking days. If @datefirst is set to 7 (Sunday), Sunday through Thursday are considered working days, whereas Friday and Saturday are considered nonworking days.
Note that the recommended approach to handle such calculations is to maintain an auxiliary table of dates, with attributes signifying whether a certain date is a working day. This approach is flexible because it can also take holidays and other special cases into consideration. However, for the purpose of this discussion, we'll narrow the problem to a simpler case in which you need to take into consideration weekdays 1 through 5 (based on the given first working day of the week)—not weekdays 6 and 7. We won't handle holidays and other special cases. This problem is solvable with a single expression that doesn't involve the need to query any auxiliary tables.
You can find my suggested solution—which is, of course, only one of many options—in Web Listing 1. (You might try solving the problem on your own before looking at my solution.) The logical approach I've taken is as follows:
- Calculate the number of whole weeks in the period and multiply by 5 (working days)
- Add the number of remaining days in the part of the week left at the end of the period (can be 0 through 6 days)
- Subtract 1 day if weekday 6 is within the remaining part of the week
- Subtract 1 day if weekday 7 is within the remaining part of the week
As for the more technical description of the function's definition, I'll start with the query defining the innermost derived table D1 and go outward. The query defining D1 calculates two columns— days, which is the number of days in the input period, and from_weekday, which is the weekday number of @from_dt based on the input first working day of the week (@datefirst). The calculation of days is straightforward: using a simple DATEDIFF function that calculates the difference in terms of days between @ from_dt and @to_dt, plus one. As for the calculation of from_weekday, by now you should be comfortable with this calculation of a language-independent weekday number, which I explained in "DATETIME Calculations, Part 2."
The purpose of the query defining D2 is to calculate the to_weekday column: from_weekday plus the number of days in the remaining part of the week, minus 1. Note that to_weekday can be higher than 7, allowing for simpler calculations in the outermost query. For example, if from_weekday is 5 and there are 4 days in the remaining part of the week, to_weekday will be 8. Therefore, figuring out whether days 6 and 7 are within the remaining part of the week at the end of the period is simple.
The outermost query then performs the final calculation of the number of working days. As I described earlier, the result amounts to the number of whole weeks times 5 (days/7*5), plus the number of days in the remaining part of the week (days%7), minus 1 if 6 is within the input period (6 between from_weekday and to_weekday), minus 1 if 7 is within the input period (7 between from_weekday and to_weekday).
To verify that the calculation is correct, let's test the function. Run the code in Web Listing 1 to create it. (Make sure you're connected to the database in which you want the function to be created—for example, tempdb.) Next, run the following code:
SELECT dbo.fn_workingdays ('20070212', '20070223', 1)
This period covers 12 days (starting on a Monday and ending on a Friday), two days of which are nonworking days. (Monday is set as the first working day of the week.) You get 10 working days back, as expected. Next, run the following code:
SELECT dbo.fn_workingdays ('20070212', '20070223', 7)
It's the same period as before, but now three days within the period are nonworking days. (Sunday is set as the first working day of the week.) You get nine working days back, as expected.
Calculating Age
The next problem is calculating the age of a person, given an input birth date (@ birth_date). Of course, when you want to calculate age, you also need an event date. We'll use today (GETDATE) as the event date. Web Listing 2 shows an age-calculation technique that I learned from SQL Server MVP Aaron Bertrand.
The expression first uses the DATEDIFF function to calculate the difference in terms of years between the birth date (@ birth_date) and the event date (GETDATE, in our example); call this difference diff_years. Note that DATEDIFF will simply subtract the birth year from the event year, so if the event date is earlier than the birthday date in the event year, you'll need to subtract 1 year from diff_years. You do this in the second part of the calculation—subtraction of 1 year from diff_years if the event
To test the calculation, you can play with different dates for both the birth date and the event date. For example, I ran the code in Web Listing 2 on Feb 16, 2007, providing my birth date (i.e., February 12, 1971) for the @birth_date variable, and got my correct age (i.e., 36) back. I ran it again, setting @birth_date to '19710216' and still got 36 back. I ran it again, setting @birth_date to "19710217," and got 35 back.
You can also use this calculation in a query against a table, in which each row holds the birth date of a different person. To demonstrate this method, first run the code in Web Listing 3, adding two employees to the Employees table in the Northwind database—George Leaping, born on Feb 29, 1972, and Mary Today, born today. Then, run the query in Web Listing 4 and verify that the ages of the employees are correct. I ran this code on Feb 16, 2007, and got the output that Table 1 shows. Of course, you'll get different output because you're running the code on a different date.
Calculating Next Birthday Date
The third and final problem is calculating a person's next birthday date (in respect to today's date, assuming the birth date is today or earlier). I should define the term "next" accurately. If the person's birthday date already occurred this year prior to today, the calculation should produce that person's birthday date next year; otherwise, it should produce this year's birthday date. For example, I was born on February 12, 1971. If the current year is 2007, running the calculation after February 12 should produce February 12, 2008; if I run the calculation on or before February 12, it should produce February 12, 2007.
Also, you need to consider the special case of someone born on February 29 in a leap year, like our George Leaping, who was born on February 29, 1972. Naturally, if the target year is a leap year, the calculation should produce February 29 of that year. The question is how you want to treat a case in which the target year isn't a leap year. Note that if you use the DATEADD function to add a certain number of years to such a date, SQL Server's default behavior is to produce February 29 if the target year is a leap year, and February 28 if it isn't. If your application is such that you're supposed to produce March 1 if the target year isn't a leap year (e.g., for legal purposes), you'll need to identify this special case and adjust the target date. (I'll make that assumption for this article's technique.)
I'll use the Employees table in the Northwind database, with the two additional rows that we added earlier by running the code in Web Listing 3. The query in Web Listing 5 demonstrates how to calculate the next birthday date for each employee. The code defines a CTE called Args1, which queries the Employees table and calculates two result columns. One is a column called Diff, which holds the difference in terms of years between the birth year and the current year. The other is a column called Today that holds today's date at midnight.
The code defines a second CTE called Args2, which queries Args1 and calculates two result columns called BDCur and BDNxt. BDCur is calculated by adding Diff years to BirthDate, and BDNxt is calculated by adding Diff + 1 years to BirthDate. In more logical terms, BDCur represents the employee's birthday date in the current year and BDNxt represents the employee's birthday date in the following year. Remember that the default behavior of the DATEADD function—in a case in which the source date is February 29 in a leap year and the target year isn't a leap year—is to produce a target date of February 28. If you need to produce March 1 in such a case, you need to add logic to perform the adjustment. This is the purpose of the CTE called Args3; the code defining Args3 queries Args2 and adjusts BDCur and BDNxt if they need adjustment. This adjustment happens through CASE expressions that add one day if the special case is identified. (The source day part is 29, and the target day part is 28.)
Finally, the outer query simply checks which of the two values (BDCur or BDNxt) is the one that really represents the employee's next birthday date. If the current year's birthday date (BDCur) is greater than or equal to today, BDCur is returned. Otherwise, the next year's birthday date (BDNxt) is returned. I ran this query on February 16, 2007, and got the output that Table 2 shows.
As you can see in the output, Nancy Davolio, born on December 8, 1948, will celebrate her next birthday on December 8, 2007. Laura Callahan, born on January 9, 1958, will celebrate her next birthday on January 9, 2008. George Leaping, born on February 29, 1972, will celebrate his next birthday on March 1, 2007. Mary Today, born today, celebrates her next birthday today. After you're done experimenting with these calculations, run the following code to delete the rows for George Leaping and Mary Today from the Employees table:
DELETE FROM Northwind.dbo. Employees WHERE EmployeeID > 9;
Now It's Up to You
There are so many other datetime-related calculations that I haven't covered—so many that I could continue covering the subject for quite a few more months. But five datetime articles in a row should give you enough tools to continue the explorations yourself.
For those of you who can't get enough of temporal calculations and queries, you can download the PDF version of the book "Developing Time-Oriented Database Applications in SQL" by Richard T. Snodgrass (Morgan Kaufmann Publishers, July 1999). Mr. Snodgrass made the PDF version of his book available for download for free at his website. Enjoy!
Corrections to this Article
(Diana May - June 1, 2007)
Table 2 contains a typo. The correct date for George Leaping should be as follows:
|1972-02-29 00:00:00.000
|2007-03-01 00:00:00.000


text:
The Newport-Mesa Seahawks Clinic football team (ages 9 through 10) scored another convincing victory over the Huntington Beach Oilers, 33-6, Saturday.
Quarterback Spencer Hook connected with Sachin Gokhale on two 25-yard touchdown passes, the first being completed with a stunning catch by Gokhale in the end zone.
Leading 14-0 at the start of the second half, HB squib kicked, which was picked up by Tahlal Benamed, who promptly ran over and around six tacklers and scored on a 50-yard run. After another fine defensive stand by the Seahawks, Hook reeled off a 75-yard touchdown run himself. The final Seahawk touchdown was courtesy of tailback Nick Meisenheimer, who cracked off a beautiful cutback run threw the middle of the field for a 35-yard score.
Hugo Aviles Jr., had another solid game at receiver, linebacker, and outstanding kickoffs. Simon Hall booted what appeared to be a 40-yard punt. Luke Fisher and Parker Susolik were again rock solid on defense. Parker Ruiz, Logan Rockwell and Brian Bailey, among others, were exceptional in the trenches. The entire team looked ready for the start of playoffs this Saturday at Sage Hill School.
— Reader submission
Pee Wee Seahawks end regular season 8-0
The Newport-Mesa Pee Wee White team, ended the regular season a perfect 8-0, with a 32-14 victory over the Huntington Beach Oilers.
On offense the Seahawks scored early. After a nice pass play from quarterback Chase Garbers to tight end Kobe Benter, tailback Anthony Battista carried the ball for a touchdown. Wingback Adam Freeman added a second score with a 50-yard sprint to the end zone.
To open the second half, Battista ran the kickoff back 70 yards to open up a big lead. For the last touchdown of the day, Sutton Barbato carried the ball 25 yards. Kicker Carson Poivre added three more to the point total with a 23-yard field goal. Stephen Menzia and Jonathon White also carried the ball racking up yardage.
On defense, linebacker Jack Genova forced a fumble and Barabato made the recovery. Lineman Mitch Haly recovered another fumble and safety Rich Vanis made several tough tackles. Blake Kormos, Connor Brazeel, Will Gehl, Will Karambelas and Jake Jones kept the Oilers running backs from making any big gains on the ground. Poivre, a cornerback, made two interceptions, running one back to the two-yard line and setting up a Seahawk score.
On special teams, Kormos and Poivre both kicked two-point conversions, and Freeman on a fake kick after the touchdown, rolled out and threw a pass to Battista.
After an unbeatened regular season, the Pee Wees look forward to continued success in the playoffs.
— Reader submission
Pee Wee Blue ends strong
The Newport-Mesa Pee Wee Seahawks Blue team came close to winning its last regular season game against the Chiefs from Orange, losing, 35-26.
William Hunter made two spectacular touchdown catches of 45 and 18 yards. Jason Simaan took a flea-flicker toss and then lobbed a 27-yard pass to Noah Linkon for a touchdown. Running back Nick Yi had multiple carries for gains and Vik Ghadi had three first-down catches.
On defense, Brandon Fryer, Conner Bass, Max Duncan and Max Peterson made great stops, while Riad Benahmed recovered a fumble near the goal line.
Offensive linemen Jack Beeker, Nikolas DeKeyzer, Michael Brown and Garrett Cleary gave quarterback Stephen Von Der Ahe time to complete 14 of 23 passes for 208 yards and one rushing touchdown.
"I am so proud of what our boys have learned and accomplished during the year," said head coach Toney Naranjo.
— Reader submission


text:
Are you ready to make a positive change in your life? Antonelli College can offer the career education you need to pursue a better future for you and your family. You can take the first step in the admissions process today!
If you're interested in applying, we encourage you to complete and submit the application form below. After you have submitted your application, a member of our admissions team will be in contact with you as soon as possible. They will be happy to address any of your concerns, walk you through the admissions process and help you get enrolled in your program of interest.
Cincinnati, OH. – Antonelli College will offer transfers for students affected by the sudden closing of ITT Technical Institute.
Antonelli College has been approved by the State of Ohio as a school who is willing to assist these displaced students to transition from their program at ITT Technical Institute to Antonelli College. ITT Technical Institute's sudden closure displaced more than 35,000 students from their programs nationwide.
Displaced students who want to explore their educational transition options should call our Antonelli College Community Relations Specialist, Michele Anderson, at (513) 824-7004 or send a text message to (513) 300-0669. She will be able to answer questions about the application process, financial aid and other special situations students may have.
ITT Technical Institute announced Sept. 6 it was shutting down all of its campuses, citing sanctions from the U.S. Department of Education that barred the school from obtaining federal student loans and grants for ITT students. This decision came from findings that ITT was out of compliance with its accreditation standards.
Apply for Free Financial Assistance!
Antonelli College offers the Perfect Attendance Grants, Community Service Grants, and more.


text:
I really wanted to believe 18-year-old Tallulah Willis when I heard her credit mom Demi Moore for her "positive body image." According to Willis:
"My mom was very much like 'Love your body, love yourself, run around naked' ... whatever we wanted to do, it was very accepting."
As the mother of a daughter, I really really wanted to believe it was possible -- that a mom like Moore with obvious body image issues (to put it mildly) could somehow manage to raise daughters who didn't starve themselves or do drugs to stay thin or turn into plastic surgery junkies.
But deep down, I know that's probably not the case. "Do as I say, not as I do." Has that ever worked on any kid in the history of history?
More from The Stir: Lady Gaga's Controversial Tweet Reveals Secret Body Issues
No, of course it hasn't. Kids need role models. And while I'm sure Demi Moore did tell her daughters to love their bodies and was probably incredibly careful about not criticizing their appearances or doing anything to give them the same head baggage she's been carrying around her entire life, she's setting the opposite example.
I'm not blaming Moore; I feel bad for her, really. She doesn't want her daughters to hate their bodies. She just doesn't know how to show them any other way of existing. It's sad.
More from The Stir: Super-Skinny Victoria Beckham Thinks She Looks Like Average Women -- Scary!
But there's still hope. Demi Moore might still get well. She might still get rid of those self-destructive demons, and if she does? She'll be setting an amazing example for her daughters: Don't quit. It's never too late. You can beat anything if you fight hard enough.
Here's hoping.
Do you think it's possible for a mom with body image issues to raise daughters who love their bodies?
Image via David Shankbone/Flickr


text:
Low-speed Free-flight Stability and Drag Characteristics of Radially Vented Parachutes
NASA, 1964 - Aerodynamics, aircraft - 15 pages
A drop-test investigation has been conducted to determine the stability and drag characteristics of radially vented (duplex) parachutes. Parachutes of two different designs were tested: a large parachute with high geometric porosity and a small parachute with low geometric porosity designed for the same descent velocity with the same load. The results of the tests show that the large high-porosity duplex parachute was very stable in descent, oscillations averaging about [plus-or-minus]3.40; and the average drag coefficient based on the total canopy area and based on the fabric area alone were approximately 0.38 and 0.55, respectively. The small, low-porosity duplex parachute was also very stable in descent, oscillations averaging about [plus-or-minus]4.50; and the average drag coefficients based on the total canopy area and based on the fabric area alone were approximately 0.62 and 0.79, respectively. The oscillations for the cluster of three solid flat circular parachutes, tested for comparison purposes, were [plus-or-minus]7.10. The average drag coefficients based on the total canopy area and the fabric area alone were approximately 0.64 and 0.65, respectively.
From inside the book
7 pages matching flat circular parachutes in this book
Where's the rest of this book?
Results 1-3 of 7
What people are saying - Write a review
We haven't found any reviews in the usual places.
Common terms and phrases
17.0 Parachute type Aeronauics and Smce approwmately 002 approximately 0.38 area and based available on request average drag coefficients avereging abou 70..4 Burk camera CHARACTERISTICS OF RADIALLY chute cluster of three clustered parachutes descent velocity determine the stability DRAG CHARACTERISTICS drag tests dreg coefficients bared Dropline DUPLEX AND CLUSTERED duplex parachute showing ea0h fabric porosity feet filling Film supplement L-817 flat circular parachutes geometric porosity gore constructed gores of fabric gores of parachute high-porosity duplex parachutes high-porosity parachutes Langley Research Center large high-porosity low-porosity duplex parachutes LOW-SPEED FREE-FLIGHT STABILITY Ob0rver opening shock loads oscillations arereging abou oscillations averaging parachute based parachute design PARACHUTES By Sanger RADIALLY VENTED PARACHUTES rate of descent resmct0.el rotated shown in figure Smce Admincttration solid flat circular stability and drag stability characteristics stable in descent supplement L-817 available tested f commriwn tests the payload three solid flat total canopy area type of parachute types of duplex


text:
Great Design Tools to Help You Rock
83MUNKIS is the DIY design tools arm of Blixa 6 Studios, an award winning identity development and design firm based in Berlin. Our mission is to provide excellent designs systems for you to present your ideas, your business or important message. We can also provide customization services for the tools and templates you find here. Or, let's really rock your message with one-of-a kind strategic design solutions to build your own unique brand identity. Give us a shout to find out more. We'd love to hear from you!
Download our FREE eBook The 5 Key Things Every Entrepreneur Should Know About Branding, a powerful tool for creative entrepreneurs to build an authentic and lucrative business – from Blixa 6 Studios.
Check out some of our top rated template collections:


text:
Imagine if Alec Burks were entering his senior season at Colorado.
Even Buffs fans will admit that, professionally speaking, Burks made the right decision when he entered the NBA draft following a spectacular sophomore season. The dynamic 6-6 shooting guard was selected 12th overall by Utah and played in 59 games as a rookie during a lockout-shortened campaign.
This season Burks could emerge as a star for the Jazz.
"I want to improve on everything," Burks told the Deseret News. "I want to get a consistent 3-point shot. I want to get better on defense. I want to improve in all areas of my game and be a complete player. I think I can be a very good player in this league and I'm willing to do the work to get there."
On the recruiting trail, Tad Boyle and his staff used the story of Burks winning the NBA lottery, as well as the consistent success of recent CU seniors, while putting together impressive 2012 and 2013 classes.
"What we've sold is the fact that we've had seven scholarship seniors in the last two years. They've all graduated and six of the seven are in the pros," Boyle said. "The other one is in law school. And that doesn't even include Alec."
Trey Eckloff, who graduated from CU in May with a finance degree and a $3,000 Pac-12 postgraduate scholarship for his academic achievements, is currently studying law at the University of Denver.
Carlon Brown, the most valuable player of the Pac-12 Tournament in March, was signed by Golden State last week and is attempting to fulfil his NBA dreams at the Warriors training camp.
"I'm extremely excited for him," Boyle said. "The thing about Carlon is he has passed on some extremely lucrative overseas deals to give the NBA a shot. Obviously, I hope that it all works out. He's certainly capable."
The other two seniors from last season's NCAA Tournament team, forward Austin Dufault (Czech Republic) and point guard Nate Tomlinson (Australia), are playing professionally abroad.
Cory Higgins is trying to make the Charlotte Bobcats roster again after playing in 38 games as a rookie.
Levi Knutson (Poland) and Marcus Relphorde (Lithuania), the other two seniors from Boyle's first CU team, are entering their second professional seasons.
Boyle started a new tradition for the program this summer when he invited all of the above and other ex-CU players in the pros back to Boulder to compete with the 2012-13 team.
"It's an awesome idea," said Knutson, who was unable to play in the pick-up games due to an injury sustained while averaging 13.8 points for a team in Spain. "I'm hoping we can do it every summer."
Chauncey Billups, the most famous CU basketball face, is attempting to come back from last year's Achilles' tendon surgery at the age of 36. Mr. Big Shot is the veteran point guard of the young and explosive Los Angeles Clippers.
Chris Copeland, who played for Ricardo Patton from 2002-06, is fighting for a spot in New York after turning heads during the NBA's Summer League. After taking the road less traveled -- Copeland played in the D-League, Belgium, Germany, Holland and Spain since leaving Boulder -- the 6-8 forward signed a non-guaranteed contract with the Knicks.
"It's a dream come true," Copeland told ESPNNewYork.com. "At the end of the day, nothing is guaranteed, I still have a lot of work to do ahead of me. I'm just super thankful that they gave me the opportunity in the first place. I'm going to go out there and just work hard, and hopefully make sure I stick."
Some other pre-Boyle Buffs still playing are Dominique Coleman (D-League, Sioux Falls), Marcus Hall (Turkey), David Harrison (D-League, Reno), Richard Roby (Argentina) and Dwight Thorne (Greece).
Follow Ryan on Twitter: @RyanThorburn


text: Hello, I setup a radius server at my house and can use it to authenticate my users, however there is a long and short-term goal that I want to achieve. Currently I use mac filtering to grant access to my network for my clients, however I have a list of mac addresses with no connection to who they belong to. I would like to somehow have my radius server authenticate these clients and grant them access as usual, but I would like to have new users require username and password to be able to access the wireless. Currently I have a testing access point which is able to authenticate with radius based on username and password, but this is of no use for my current clients who connect just by mac filtering. the long-range goal is to be able to connect names to the mac addresses I have listed, this might require some LDAP involvement and possibly a PHP form to be able to connect names to mac addresses, but at the moment I'm looking to auto-authenticate my current users based on mac address. Thank you, Lucas


text:
Worldwide Great Commission Fellowship
In Memory of
Melinda Bauman
Article about Pastor Bauman
Invite Melinda to speak at your church or event
Bible College
Revival Services
Ministering in the Spiritual Gifts
Prophetic School
Healing Services with Crystal Scott, April 2007
Deliverance Services with Tina Pearl, February 2008
Cleveland Revival Fire Conference, March 2008
Christ in the Passover 2008
Possessing the Gates Conference, July 2008
Revival Services with Wes Geiger, September 2008
What is God Saying for 2009? New Year's Services
Prophetic Destiny Conference, March 2009
Ohio Ablaze with Wes Geiger, April 2009
Revivalist Wes Geiger ordains Michelle Haas
Info Center
Smell of Fragrant Oil during Worship
Vision of a Ladder during Sunday Service
Glory Report from What is God Saying for 2009
Testimony from Prophetic Blast with Adele Gray and Londa Bowling
Hanukkah 2008 Worship Videos
New Membership Class
End Times Bible Study
Prophetic Destiny Conference March 2009 Videos
Revival Report with Wes Geiger, April 2009
Vision of Cloud of Witnesses during Jack Coe Jr. service
Signs of Revival in Eastlake, Ohio August 2009
Our Beliefs
Sermons and Articles
Be Filled With the Holy Spirit
The Baptism of the Holy Ghost
The Day of Pentecost
Speaking in Tongues
Why You Need the Holy Ghost Part 2
The Azusa Street Revival
The Spiritual Gift of Prophecy
Living Under An Open Heaven
The Power of Prophetic Decrees
The Third Wave is Here!
The Beginning of the Third and Final Apostolic Reformation
The Apostolic-Prophetic Movement
The Religious Spirit is an Enemy of the Apostolic
Abusers in the Church
The Raw Spirit of Revival, Part 1
The Raw Spirit of Revival, Part 2
Birthing Revival Through Intimacy
Five Highways of Revival
30 Reasons Why Miracles Happen, Part 1
30 Reasons Why Miracles Happen, Part 2
Submit your prophetic word
Submit your prophetic word
Gulliver Prophecy by Bob Jones
A Swing State to Lift the Nation Back into Place!
I Saw a Move of God Being Birthed in Cleveland, Ohio
I Saw Revival in America
Open Heavens over Ohio
Cleveland is on Fire
A Word from the Lord to America
America the Prodigal, it is Time to Come Home
Church, This is your Hour to Shine Brightly
Principalities are Falling
A Prophetic Word for Pennsylvania and Ohio
Cleveland, Go Through the Gates
There's an Earthquake in Eastlake
Angels Dispatched over Northeast Ohio
Revival Fire in Cleveland, Ohio
Ohio is the Heart of it all
Ohio the Swing State will Swing towards the Lord
A Shift in the Cleveland, Ohio Region
I've Quickened the Ohio Valley with a Great Unction in this Hour
Cleveland, Your Breakthrough is Here
Online Store
Healing Services with Crystal Scott, April 2007
View Slideshow
Image #2
Image #3
Image #4
Image #5
Image #6
Image #7
Image #8
Image #9
They believe they received their healing
site administration
site map
Contents © 2019 Worldwide Great Commission Fellowship |
Church Website Provided by mychurchwebsite.net
Privacy Policy


text:
William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare (26 April 1564 - 23 April 1616 / Warwickshire)
» Click to list general statistics » OR, select a date :
Sonnet Cxi: O, For My Sake Do You With Fortune Chide
O, for my sake do you with Fortune chide,
The guilty goddess of my harmful deeds,
That did not better for my life provide
Than public means which public manners breeds.
read more >>
- Hits: Number of visitors who read the poem on the given date.
- Posts: Number of visitors who posted the poem to a friend (via e-mail) on the given date.
- Dates that have "0" hits may not be shown on the list.
- Dates, poems and poets that have "0" hits may not be shown on the list. Statistics are generated daily.


text:
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. --- There were plenty of hits to go around Saturday afternoon in game two of Tennessee Tech's Ohio Valley Conference series against Murray State, but it was TTU's Ben Burgess who would have the biggest hits, including a walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth to give Tech the 12-11 win.
Trailing 11-10 with one out in the eighth, Burgess stepped into the batter's box and cranked his third home run of the season on the first pitch to knot up the score at 11.
Still tied at 11 in the bottom of the ninth with one out, TTU pinch-hitter Tevis Sherfield singled to center and advanced to second after Austin Wulf walked. A fielding error loaded the bases for Burgess who then drove in the game-winning run with a single to left field.
Cullen Park (2-3) earned the win as he threw four innings, while giving up three runs, two of which were earned. Will Handlin (3-1) took the loss as he gave up the winning run after throwing 0.2 of an inning.
From the start of the game, the batters on both teams tallied hit after hit as both starters were eventually chased from the game by the fourth inning.
MSU starter Cameron Finch threw just 1.1 innings as the Golden Eagles posted a seven-run second inning, in which gave up five earned runs on four hits and three walks.
TTU starter Matthew Shepherd gave up five runs in 3.1 innings while striking out two. Murray State opened the game with a two-run first inning, and managed to add two more in the third and one in the fourth to pull within two of TTU at 7-5.
Tech responded with a three-run fifth inning, only to see MSU answer right back with a three-run inning of its own in the sixth inning to pull back within two at 10-8.
Murray State was able to muster another three run-inning in the top of the eight to regain the lead at 11-10, but the late-inning heroics of Burgess rallied Tech past MSU for the 12-11 win.
Five Golden Eagles recorded at least two hits in the game including Michael Morris and James Abraham who each tallied three. Wulf and Burgess each drove in a team-high three RBI.
Six Murray State batters posted a multi-hit game as well, including Travis Isaak and Jacob Rhodes who each notched three. Rhodes, along with Dylan Wheeler, each drove in a team-high three runs.
The Golden Eagles will look to complete the sweep Sunday at 1 p.m.


text:
fgnofo needed a new logo design and created a contest on 99designs.
A winner was selected from 7 designs submitted by 3 freelance designers.
Data Analytics
Large data users.
We had the design done here, but the vectors are much too complex. In the design you will see some minor tweaks that need to happen. Also, there's a section that is white, which should be transparent.
Basically, it's either a re-draw or clean up job.
If you know Illustrator well, you'll see what needs to be done.
The attached file is a CS3 file. If you need another format, please let me know.
Looks like you need to save as .ai to use the file.
Find out how a design contest works or learn more about our logo design services.


text:
Members of the U.S. bishops' subcommittee overseeing the Catholic Campaign for Human Development reassured their fellow bishops and donors that grant recipients in the antipoverty campaign comply with Catholic precepts.
"We pledge our ongoing efforts to ensure that all C.C.H.D. funds are used faithfully, effectively and in accord with Catholic social and moral teaching," said Bishop Roger P. Morin of Biloxi, Miss., subcommittee chairman, and the five other bishops who sit on the subcommittee in a statement to the fall general assembly of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops on Nov. 17.
The campaign has come under attack from a coalition of Catholic groups pushing for a boycott of this year's C.C.H.D. collection, the weekend of Nov. 21-22. They claim some groups that receive funding are not in line with church teaching.
The group, online at www.reformcchdnow.com, is urging Catholics to place a specially designed coupon in the collection basket instead of contributions during the C.C.H.D. appeal. The coupon explains that the user's financial support will be withheld because of concern that some C.C.H.D.-sponsored programs do not fully support church teaching.
In their statement, Bishop Morin and his fellow bishops said all grants are "carefully reviewed at both the national and diocesan levels and are approved by the local diocesan bishop.... No group that opposed Catholic social or moral teaching is eligible for C.C.H.D. funding."
The statement said that funding is terminated immediately for any group that violates the conditions of a grant and "acts in conflict with Catholic teaching." The statement cited three cases during the last year—out of 250 funded groups—in which funding was terminated and the groups were asked to repay grant funds.
"However, one case is one too many and we are committed to strengthening C.C.H.D.'s review and monitoring processes," the statement continued. The bishops pledged to "seek to strengthen C.C.H.D.'s unique and essential efforts to practice charity, seek justice and pursue the common good as taught in the social encyclicals of the church, most recently by our current Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI in 'God Is Love' and 'Charity in Truth.'"
In an interview with America, Bishop Morin emphasized that no campaign money has been used to fund directly any activity or advocacy contrary to church teaching. He said C.C.H.D.'s small national staff relies on local recommendations, since "we don't have the wherewithal to be a presence nationwide."
The hundreds of community organizations that receive C.C.H.D. grants are often engaged in a variety of activities. Despite C.C.H.D.'s local review, Bishop Morin said, "It's quite possible for a local group to do something they are not supposed to do, and when that comes to our attention, we cut off funding."
Despite such instances, Bishop Morin remains confident that taken as a whole "the system works well." He called C.C.H.D.'s role in promoting self-sufficiency among the nation's low-income communities a "vital and critical piece of the overall work the church is doing for the poor."
Rob Gasper, president of Bellarmine Veritas Ministry, one of the groups calling for a reform of C.C.H.D., said on Oct. 28 that he was trying to shed light "not only on the C.C.H.D." but to also promote groups that serve the poor "in a way that is consistent with Catholic teaching."


text:
"Oh so creamy and just dreamy!"
"Jelly jelly bo belly, banana fana mo belly, fe fi fo felly - jelly!"
Custard and Jelly Moehog
For discussion of new pet colours- speculation and discussion of colours in general should be placed in New Features or Misc.
Post Reply
2 posts • Page 1 of 1
- Nogitsune
- Colourmeister
- Posts: 1106
- Joined: 21 Jan 2006 01:52 am
- Gender: Male
- Location: My mind, but I leave it frequently.
- Contact:
Custard and Jelly Moehog
Faster than a speeding cheeseburger, but not by much.
- Jazzy
- Devil's Advocate
- Posts: 1946
- Joined: 04 Jan 2006 06:06 pm
- Gender: Female
- Location: a g-orbital
- Contact:
Re: Custard and Jelly Moehog
The Moehog has a lot of orange-yellow colours even when that isn't the default - Robot, Sponge, Jelly, etc. Wonder why.
Putting the two above together reminds me of the grandfathered Sponge:
Putting the two above together reminds me of the grandfathered Sponge:
Post Reply
2 posts • Page 1 of 1
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: Google [Bot] and 2 guests


text:
Sunday, November 18, 2012
A Whole New World
9 comments:
Org guy - you must be about the same age as myself (how are your knees? Mine are ruined) and my memories of the early 90s are much the same as yours. Although I've subsequently moved very, very far away the last couple of years has seen my interest and knowledge of the game grow in leaps in bounds - and thank goodness. It means I've been able to follow the last week and a half with my heart bursting out of my chest while my Irish fiance wonders what the hell I am talking about. Best. Week. Ever.
- November 19, 2012 at 3:53 AM
It's been a pretty surreal week. Maybe about as bizarre as being an accountant at Woodstock when it comes to the Jays and opening the purse strings of late.
It doesn't even seem too weird to think of the Jays and playoffs now. I don't feel like Jim Mora when I do.
- November 19, 2012 at 10:41 PM
And now the manager is... Gibbons?
I think I'm done trying to figure all this out. I'm just going to wait for the season to start and cross my fingers hoping he doesn't deck Reyes.
- November 20, 2012 at 5:41 PM
When I heard that the new manager is going to be Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top, I was against it. ZZ Top hasn't been relevant since the 80s, so I wonder what Anthopolous thinks in hiring the bearded axe man to manage the Jays. If this is strictly a move to get more hirsute managers in the game, then I think there are better avenues to promote prospector-esque beard awareness.
- November 20, 2012 at 6:08 PM
- brainiac said...
well, He's got legs....
- November 21, 2012 at 3:49 PM
Is this the Tao of stieb or the Tao of org guy really terribly confused. Fuck Dave it's rhetoric craziest week in jays history since the last parade. Take a hour and give your thoughts or hang em up good sir and say goodnight dick.
Goodnight dick.
- November 22, 2012 at 4:20 PM
I suppose one explanation for the lull could be in trying to wrap one's head around the current organizational shift in stockpiling Izturises. It's an easier task than acquiring a gaggle of Molinas. And it is also cheaper. Plus, on average, an Izturis weighs less than a Molina, so the odds of two Izturises clogging the basepaths with their lumbering 'running' style is next to remote.
It's been a good last 9 days or so. I just hope that Gibbons doesn't reclaim Brad Arnsberg from the scrap heap. About the only good thing Arnsberg did was make AJ Burnett tradeable.
- November 22, 2012 at 10:47 PM
- Dian Ardi said...
That is a really good tip particularly to those fresh to the blogosphere.
Simple but very accurate info… Thank you for sharing this one.
A must read article! Bahaya Merokok Bagi Kesehatan Tubuh
Also visit my web blog Obat Iritasi Usus
- July 28, 2015 at 3:01 AM
- Toko Green World said...
Thanks for the information, maybe I'll go back again to your website to read the latest news other, because the news contained in this website is very informative once
Obat Diabetes Melitus Herbal Cara Mudah Supaya Cepat Hamil
- August 9, 2015 at 2:37 AM