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Fifty-nine House Republicans voted against the budget to fund the government from April through September of this year. But many more of them, including some members of their leadership, know that the deal Speaker John Boehner's office struck was a poor one. They voted for it for two main reasons: to avoid a government shutdown and to avoid weakening Boehner. Most of them like him personally. They consider him a fellow conservative who is doing the best he can, rather than a sell-out. Even among those 59 Republicans there were few critical remarks about the speaker — on or off the record.
But that affection goes only so far. As House Republicans enter their next budget battle, over raising the debt ceiling, a lesson an increasing number of them are drawing is that Boehner cannot negotiate for the whole conference. The debt-ceiling debate was always going to pose a challenge to the leaders of the House Republicans. They favor raising the debt ceiling because they do not want to impair the government's credit and roil credit markets, because they know that their backers in the business and financial worlds strongly favor it, and because they know that almost nobody in America wants the kind of sudden, sharp changes that eliminating the deficit immediately would require. But the public does not favor an increase, and many conservatives are dead-set against it.
The leaders have sought to keep both Wall Street and conservatives happy by saying that they will vote to let the federal government borrow more money, but only if at the same time they get tough new spending cuts and reforms to the budget process. But there is not yet any consensus on what cuts and reforms, specifically, should be included. And the fallout from the budget deal has only made the leaders' task harder. Any deal they make on the debt ceiling will encounter additional skepticism: Are the spending cuts real, or phony? Many conservatives concluded that a large proportion of the $38.5 billion in cuts supposedly achieved in the last deal were fake.
It appears that we are going to hit the debt ceiling by mid-summer at the latest, so Republicans do not have much time to decide what they want and start negotiating. And there's another complication. In their opening bid, Republicans have to ask for more than the minimum they can accept. Otherwise, they'll get less than they can accept. But to reach a deal they will have to abandon some of their demands. Which means the leadership will have to prepare backbench Republicans to live with the fallback position, without spelling out their strategy in public. This feature of large-group negotiations is exactly why it is so important for the group to trust its negotiators.
The first question conservatives who want a debt-ceiling deal ought to ask is what spending cuts or reforms are both meaningful and achievable. One suggestion that should be dismissed peremptorily is that the bill should be paired with a vote on a balanced-budget amendment to the Constitution. Leave aside the reasons for skepticism about the amendment's substance. (Chief among them the question of its enforcement: Do we want to let judges raise taxes or decide where to cut spending? And if not, would the amendment be enforced at all?) The amendment, especially in its current form, which in addition to mandating a balanced budget requires a two-thirds majority of Congress to raise taxes, is not going to get the 67 necessary votes in the Senate, let alone overcome the other hurdles to formally changing the Constitution. Holding a vote on it would merely give Harry Reid a chance to let his vulnerable members feign fiscal conservatism.
Another idea is achievable but may not be meaningful: a law imposing automatic remedies if the government exceeds some target level for spending or for deficits. Sen. Bob Corker (R., Tenn.) has a plan to impose spending caps in this way. These schemes have been tried before, notably in the late 1980s, and Congress generally loosens the caps before spending cuts take place. Democrats ran the House and the Senate for almost all of that time, though, so Republicans might make the case that this time the caps would work. If they go down this route, Republicans should certainly pledge that as long as they control either chamber of Congress they will not lift the spending caps.
President Obama's version of an automatic remedy — a "failsafe" that imposes both spending cuts and tax increases if deficits do not decline — would be especially vulnerable to nullification. If the failsafe ever threatened to come into effect, it is likely that a bipartisan majority would vote to prevent it: Republicans would vote to stop defense cuts and tax increases, Democrats to stop domestic-spending cuts.
Sen. Marco Rubio (R., Fla.) has set out his own version of a deal: "I will vote to defeat an increase in the debt limit unless it is the last one we ever authorize and is accompanied by a plan for fundamental tax reform, an overhaul of our regulatory structure, a cut to discretionary spending, a balanced-budget amendment, and reforms to save Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid." He is, in other words, going to oppose any increase unless it is tied to a larger portion of the conservative economic agenda than the last six Republican presidents achieved put together. And this mega-deal, recall, has to happen by mid-summer. Rubio is certainly right to suggest that Republicans should approach the debt-ceiling debate as part of a larger argument about government reform and economic growth. But to lay out goals this ambitious is to rationalize a "no" vote rather than to advance the prospects of a deal including conservative policies.
Grover Norquist, the influential anti-tax activist, thinks that Republicans should increase the debt limit a little bit at a time, getting concessions every time the limit approaches. The trouble with this approach is that it creates an opportunity for Democratic challengers to run ads saying that the incumbent Republicans "voted ten times to raise the debt limit." No politician wants to have to respond to that criticism. That goes double for politicians who ran hard on opposing federal profligacy.
But Norquist may be on the right track. There probably isn't enough time to reach the kind of deal conservatives should be seeking. So the best course may be to pass a small debt-limit increase that buys time to make a better deal — or to pass a large debt-limit increase that is contingent on reaching a deal by a specified time.
There are two arguments, apart from necessity, for this strategy. One is that it has history on its side: Previous debt-limit deals including reforms have followed short-term extensions. Washington does not achieve debt-limit deals on the first pass. A second is that it preempts what looks like President Obama's strategy to avoid meaningful spending cuts and reforms. In mid-April he announced yet another bipartisan deficit commission. It seems tailor-made to enable Obama to announce in a few weeks that the commission is making progress and that Congress should enable further progress by raising the debt ceiling. Other than helping Obama get a higher debt ceiling, it is hard to see what the commission could achieve.
So, for example, an opening bid on a debt-limit increase could include five components. First, caps on discretionary spending set at the levels in Rep. Paul Ryan's budget plan (which are lower than the ones Corker is seeking). Second, reductions in the federal workforce and in its benefits. Third, an end to some of the administration's most onerous regulatory initiatives — which would help remind voters that jobs and growth are the point of this exercise. Fourth, a law ending government shutdowns: If the parties cannot agree on a bill to fund the government, there should be automatic spending cuts from the previous year's level. Fifth, and most important, Medicaid reform. The debt-limit extension could stipulate that a law to save $750 billion from Medicaid over ten years must be passed by December, or the debt limit would again kick in.
Once the negotiations are over, Republicans should heed one more lesson from the recent budget deal: Don't oversell your accomplishments. The House Republican leadership kept touting the "historic" nature of its deal with Obama, which grated on people familiar with the details. Then again, if Republicans drive a hard enough bargain, they won't have to oversell it.


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FBI reportedly installed a panic button next to Kanter's bed.
Portland Trail Blazers center Enes Kanter continues to use his platform to speak out against the Turkish government and president Reccip Tayyip Erdogan, regardless of how many death threats he receives. The 27-year old big man recently told ESPN's Tim Keown, "I have a voice, and I'm trying to use it to be the voice for all the innocent people who don't have one."
Because of all the threats he receives, Kanter made a point to meet with Portland's FBI agents upon signing with the Blazers in February. After the meeting, agents installed a panic button next to Kanter's bed, and he was encouraged to press it if he ever believes there's a real threat.
According to the report by ESPN's Tim Keown:
He [Kanter] says the agents listened and wrote down Kanter's words and asked a few more questions. Not once did they ask if he was taking the threats seriously, and before they left, they installed a device next to his bed. "If you're uncomfortable with anything, just push that button," they told him. "If you hear something you don't like or have a reason to believe there's a threat, push the button and someone will be here within minutes."
Kanter, who would be arrested if he ever returned to Turkey, has told the FBI he has no intentions of toning down his criticism of Erdogan even as it puts his family in danger.
"I will never stop talking," he says. He laughs again, at the absurdity of that statement, and the need to employ it. "I understand my mother and father and sister are in Turkey, but if I stop talking, who is going to speak for the thousands and thousands of innocent people in jail? People are getting tortured and killed, so I have to talk about these issues. I'm not a journalist or a politician, so this is my platform."
Kanter and the Blazers will look to avoid elimination tonight in Portland, as the Warriors hold a commanding 3-0 lead. Game 4, airing on ESPN, is scheduled to tipoff at 9:00pm ET.

subset: commoncrawl


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"A varsity official also refuted the media reports that the students pelted the forces with stones"
Srinagar, April 26: IUST Awantipora students protest against forces high-handedness IUST Awantipora students protest against alleged forces high-handedness. The students of Islamic University of Sciences and Technology (IUST) Awantipora on Thursday staged a peaceful protest demonstration against the alleged high-handedness of the government forces. The protesting students who have assembled on the varsity campus said gunshots triggered panic and that they went out of their class rooms to see what was happening.
They alleged that the forces fired several tear gas shells inside the campus, which caused suffocation. Demanding action against the forces, the students said tear gas was fired inside the campus without any provocation.
A varsity official also refuted the media reports that the students pelted the forces with stones. "Normal class work was going on, some gunshots were heard that led to panic and fear among the students and the staff. As students tried to learn what happened, the security forces resorted to teargas and PAVA shelling inside the campus," he said.
In a statement, Vice Chancellor IUST, Prof Mushtaq Siddiqui said "there was no provocation from the students as the normal classwork was on in the varsity and protests started only after firing incident led to tear gas shelling in the campus."
However, the police said that the students hurled rocks at the army men fixing telephone lines outside the varsity. The army men, an official said, fired few rounds in the air to chase away the stone-throwing youth.


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tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16457920.post5803526645800625214..comments2020-07-28T04:41:47.980-07:00Comments on FLOYD'S UNEDITED VIEWS!: THE ANC HAS NO PLAN FOR JOBS! Nyiko Floyd Shivambuhttp://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-16457920.post-29292578929921839282019-01-20T05:37:35.364-08:002019-01-20T05:37:35.364-08:00that is the reality ANC failed us its time for a c...that is the reality ANC failed us its time for a change lets stop this looters figheters eff kwa pele@fighter Buti i am not a coward to hide myself✊💪Anonymoushttps://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-16457920.post-11951678917759056362019-01-16T10:40:03.014-08:002019-01-16T10:40:03.014-08:00Very insightful, 2 Feb we are ready, to build a co...Very insightful, 2 Feb we are ready, to build a country a new
Anonymoushttps://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-16457920.post-74262020245640907882019-01-16T09:18:40.780-08:002019-01-16T09:18:40.780-08:00So much brains and analysis from one man I give up...So much brains and analysis from one man I give up.

Amandla firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-16457920.post-37937847063119362852019-01-16T01:48:23.826-08:002019-01-16T01:48:23.826-08:00Our Floyd!!!Our email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-16457920.post-70812536693792771192019-01-15T09:39:11.226-08:002019-01-15T09:39:11.226-08:00My vote is not A secret I vote EFF✊My vote is not A secret I vote EFF✊Anonymoushttps://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-16457920.post-84969892017855561602019-01-15T03:51:45.147-08:002019-01-15T03:51:45.147-08:00I don't know if you chose to read selectively ...I don't know if you chose to read selectively or it is your nature to be like that. He clearly stated that all the way forward shall be unveiled at the Manifesto Launch on the 2nd of February, so it is absurd for you to currently assume that he's just pointing flaws with no alternatives, don't rush him, wait for the 2nd of firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-16457920.post-59960318077033378802019-01-15T03:29:33.652-08:002019-01-15T03:29:33.652-08:00I will wait for your manifesto and re-read this ar...I will wait for your manifesto and re-read this article. We all know that the ANC has failed at all levels of governance. I will wait and read what your proposals are.
What I can categorically say though is that this country is sitting on a ticking time bomb.Anonymoushttps://email@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-16457920.post-19037840871478192692019-01-15T02:58:09.406-08:002019-01-15T02:58:09.406-08:00You are quick to criticise a fact driven critique ...You are quick to criticise a fact driven critique of the failure of the ANC to fulfill its promises to the masses. Since 1994, the ANC has been building pie in the sky for the black masses with promises of a better Life for all whilst on truth the people who have been and continue to benefit are the leadership of the ANC and those with close proximity to them .Nothing sustainable has ever been Thabang Sankara firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-16457920.post-86767482193502411722019-01-15T01:05:39.921-08:002019-01-15T01:05:39.921-08:00The EFF is our last hope for the creation of jobs....The EFF is our last hope for the creation of jobs. ✊Anonymoushttps://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-16457920.post-52139315551220152792019-01-15T00:40:49.748-08:002019-01-15T00:40:49.748-08:00ANC does not have plan for sustainable growth. Onl...ANC does not have plan for sustainable growth. Only EFF can create sustainable jobs where a security officer will have a decent salary.not ANC slave salary. I am pleased by the way eff is doing things. I wish it can get more votes in 2019 because you are not lazy thinkers. Anonymoushttps://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-16457920.post-43583448892059014022019-01-15T00:29:21.820-08:002019-01-15T00:29:21.820-08:00Insightfu n smartInsightfu n smartAnonymoushttps://firstname.lastname@example.com:blogger.com,1999:blog-16457920.post-44443337628869014832019-01-15T00:06:26.258-08:002019-01-15T00:06:26.258-08:00This is a diagnostics made by many seasoned politi...This is a diagnostics made by many seasoned political scholars, problems and short comings of the ANC have been extensively been dealt with at length, the masses are at one with the ANC has done, what informes them not Giving the opposition power is because nothing tangible is offered by the opposition in the name of both The Da and Eff.

In this well written critic, though it's notAnonymoushttps://email@example.com


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Mobile engagement campaigns for Merrell, Five Points & Greater Anglia
Our mobile engagement format, the Interscroller, provides an immersive yet non-intrusive experience.
Recently, we launched three new mobile campaigns for Merrell, The Five Points Brewing Company and Greater Anglia, engaging audiences across the retail, FMCG and travel sectors.
Five Points were crowdfunding to raise £750,000 to treble their capacity and open their very own taproom. We promoted their campaign and helped them achieve their goal with this creative, which featured their investment video.
You'll see we also utilised video in this campaign for Merrell, promoting the benefits of their new walking boot.
And our creative for Greater Anglia invited people to find their 'spring adventure' by downloading the Greater Anglia app.


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Turning iconic (and sometimes forgotten) movies into TV series has been a major TV trend in the last few years, but success has been a crapshoot. Of all of those projects, though, I somehow feel the most positively about Crackle's TV show version of Guy Ritchie's 2000 film Snatch. In the new 10 episode series, we get a new gang of hustlers (played by Rupert Grint and Luke Pasqualino) and a new group of villains (Dougray Scott, Ed Westwick). Though Ritchie has a very distinct visuals, writer and showrunner Alex De Rakoff looks like he has found a sleekness and style all his own.
From the first trailer, Snatch looks fun and full of action, which is really exactly what you want from a series like this (the cast is also super good looking, which helps — and you can actually understand what they say!) As a huge fan of Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels and Snatch, I feel like we haven't had a show with that kind of heist-humor in awhile, so I'm looking forward to what this new show brings, especially with such a great cast. Check out the new trailer below:
One of the best things about Snatch movie that this series seems to capture is the balance of humor and violence. There's an inherent absurdity to these stories, and so long as the script plays up to that with wit and style, it should do just fine.
Snatch premieres March 16th on Crackle (a free streaming service); here's the official synopsis:
Inspired by a real life heist in London, "Snatch,"centers on a group of twenty-something, up and coming hustlers who stumble upon a truck load of stolen gold bullion and are suddenly thrust into the high-stakes world of organized crime. The boys must quickly learn to navigate the treacherous waters of London's underworld as rogue cops, gypsy fighters, international mobsters and local villains descend.


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You will discover various people today who're unable to acquire any type of credit history thanks to your domain name bad credit record for no fault of their personal. The simple truth is that there are many people who definitely have bad credit history background. The great information however is usually that even when you are particular person who's got a lower than attractive credit history heritage, there are actually continue to many strategies by which you'll have the capacity to get credit rating. A kind of approaches is by heading to the logbook financial loans. These loans are basically loans that will demand protection or collateral. The logbooks are generally V5 registration forms which the operator of an car is supposed to acquire. The logbook may have info like the registration marks, motor range, VIN variety, car or truck design as well as other such pertinent info.
The logbook loans are essentially loans provided to the proprietor from the auto versus the logbook of your vehicle. The financial institution of your cash will maintain the logbook as collateral right up until the complete financial loan amount of money is repaid. The one that can make use of the logbook financial loans must surrender the authorized possession of the auto into the loan provider exactly where as the use operator ship with the car or truck will rest with all the genuine owner in the car or truck. In these financial loans, the owners should be able to get secured financial loans by offering the collateral.
The very best factor in regards to the logbook financial loans is always that even when you possess a poor credit history, you will be eligible to have these loans. Even CCJs, defaults, arrears, late payments and IVA circumstances won't make you ineligible with the logbook loans. Even though you have declared personal bankruptcy, you will be able to make an application for these loans by just submitting the logbook.
You can find several spots from where you should be able to get these logbook loans. You can try out in certain in the banking companies as well as other financial institutions for these loans. You may also make an application for these financial loans on the web as you will discover a lot of on the web dollars lenders who provide logbook financial loans to the individuals. You will just must fill in a very simple kind that may include somewhat of private information and also your credit background will never even come into your image. You are able to even look at out various lenders that are current on the internet.


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XSEED Games have published a new trailer for Story of Seasons: Trio of Towns.
Featured above, the new trailer showcases the game's planned Nintendo-themed downloadable content.
The costume DLC includes various Super Mario Bros. character outfits for: Mario, Luigi, Peach and Toad. These are not simply cosmetic upgrades, they also give you various upgrades, pending what costume you don.
Here's a breakdown on the DLC, via XSEED:
In a rush? Mario's signature red and blue uniform gives your running speed a boost. Reeling in nothing but boots? Turn your fishing luck around with Luigi's outfit and hat that'll make others green with envy. Feel like your pal is more of a stranger than a friend? Princess Peach's regal dress and shiny tiara will give you some of the heroine's limitless charm, helping you make friends with residents of the trio of towns faster. Farming is exhausting, isn't it? Like the tireless character himself, Toad's outfit and hat will recharge your stamina automatically.
Story or Seasons: Trio of Towns launches for the Nintendo 3DS on February 28th.


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Canstar Blue's 2019 rangehood review has seen Miele, Smeg, Omega, Bosch, Electrolux, Westinghouse and Fisher & Paykel rated on customer satisfaction.
See our Ratings Methodology.
While you might enjoy the sweet aroma of food cooking in the kitchen, you're still producing a lot of heat, smoke, moisture and grease during the process. Not only can this damage your kitchen cabinetry and walls, it's not ideal for your health either. Thankfully, rangehoods are designed to remove the bad odours and provide ventilation so that these fumes are replaced with fresh air, making it a worthwhile installation in your home.
Rangehoods are not typically the first appliance that many consider when upgrading their kitchen, but they're important to help keep your kitchen smoke free. From traditional rangehoods to modern canopy designs, they can be a stylish addition to your kitchen aesthetic. So, which brands are keeping Australian families happy and which… suck? To find out, we surveyed more than 600 households and asked about the rangehoods they have in their home.
In the second year of our rangehood ratings, Miele has bumped Electrolux off top spot and earned five stars for overall customer satisfaction, adding to its impressive reputation among the Aussie consumers who have also rated the brand No.1 for its cooktops, dishwashers, front loader washing machines and vacuum cleaners this year. That's some record!
Canstar Blue's latest rangehood review has seen seven big brands compared and rated in the following order for overall customer satisfaction:
Smeg, Omega and Bosch all received four stars apiece for overall customer satisfaction, while Electrolux, Westinghouse and Fisher & Paykel were left with three stars. Other results of note included five stars for Smeg and Omega on performance and ease of cleaning – the two key categories that Miele fell behind in with four stars. Alongside this year's winner, Smeg also received a five-star review on design, Omega got top marks on features, while Bosch was another brand to get five stars on quietness.
To help you make an informed decision, read on as we review what each brand currently has to offer in the rangehoods department, followed by some of the things you'll need to consider before making that final purchase.
Miele has a reputation as a high-end brand, with its premium prices boasting German craftsmanship. It offers four standard rangehood designs including wall, island, built-in and downdraft to accommodate for a variety of styles, sizes and functions to suit any kitchen. Miele's units are said to be made for those who are looking for something a little out of the ordinary, with their eye-catching designs. Its motorised rangehood can be built into the bench, so it's out of sight when switched off to save space, making it a possible solution for minimalist kitchens. You'll find features such as automatic operation, where the required fan output is automatically controlled by the cooktop settings, plus an automatic switch off system for safety.
Don't expect to find many of Miele's rangehoods for under $1,000 though. Prices for its wall and island units range from about $1,999 to $5,299, while for its built-in line up, prices start from $999 and go up to $3,999. Its current model within the downdraft range comes with a retail price tag of $4,399.
Miele's range includes:
Miele was rated best for overall customer satisfaction in our latest review, as well as for design, features and quietness. It also received four stars on performance and ease of cleaning.
Smeg is an Italian appliance manufacturer providing "elegant contemporary living solutions" for Aussie kitchens. Smeg's rangehoods reflect the elegance and style you'll find with a number of its appliances, including ovens, dishwashers and dryers. There is a wide selection of rangehoods available categorised by design – Classic, Linear, Victoria and Portofino. Installation types include telescopic, downdraft, wall mount, under mount and island mount. On top of this, Smeg offers a variety of colour options whether you're looking to add a pop of red or a trendy black to your kitchen. Smeg also boasts super-quiet performance with some models stated to have a noise level of 53dB. When ducting is not possible, active charcoal filters are also available.
Smeg doesn't foray into the budget end of the rangehood segment. For the brightly coloured models (Victoria Aesthetic Canopy Rangehood, pictured), expect to pay $2,390 RRP, with the full line-up sitting between $650 and $6,590 RRP. While these might not be for every budget, if you're looking to add a standout appliance into your kitchen, Smeg might be the way to go.
Smeg's rangehood models include:
In this year's review, Smeg was rated four stars for overall satisfaction, quietness and features, with five stars for performance, ease of cleaning and design.
Check Latest Prices at Appliances Online^
The Omega range of appliances is aimed to combine classic design elements and quality workmanship with affordability and versatility. Offering a range of appliances from ovens and cooktops, to washing machines and dryers, its rangehood line features fixed, slideout, canopy and under cupboard designs to suit a variety of households. Expect stainless steel finishes and different sizes from 52cm all the way up to 90cm. The slideout range features two aluminium filters, stated to be easy to remove and clean in the dishwasher.
Most of Omega's rangehoods can be had for less than $500, so if you're looking for a budget option, you may like to keep this brand in mind. Its fixed rangehoods are the cheapest of the lot with prices starting from as low as $199 RRP. Slideout units are priced between $250 and $550 while the canopy models go up to as much as $899.
Omega's rangehood models include:
Omega was rated top for performance, ease of cleaning and features, but received four stars for overall satisfaction and design, plus just three stars on quietness.
Check Latest Prices at Appliances Online^
Bosch is a well-renowned name in the home appliance world, with the German manufacturing giant synonymous with both quality and technology. Featuring wall-mounted canopy rangehoods, slideout rangehoods and integrated rangehoods, each model is separated in a specific series – Serie 2, Serie 4, Serie 6 and Serie 8. Both the 6 and 8 series are equipped with electronic operation displays and boast a quiet operation.
The full range starts from a low of $449 and you won't find any prices above the $2,000 mark. Its most expensive model, sitting at $1,949, is boasted for a low noise level of 66dB, as well as intensive speed settings. Bosch states all you can hear is a swishing sound generated by the motor itself and the air flow where 50% of the noise is ducted to the outside (with the ducted models).
Bosch's rangehood models include:
Bosch was rated four stars overall in this year's rangehoods review, as well as for ease of cleaning, but earned five stars for quietness. It scored three stars for performance, design and features.
Check Latest Prices at Appliances Online^
Perhaps best known for fridges and washing machines, Electrolux is a Swedish brand with a focus on technology and sophisticated designs. In terms of rangehoods, it features integrated under cupboard, island canopy, slideout and wall-mounted canopy rangehoods with 11 models in total across all types. Expect sleek and stylish touch on glass controls and removable filters for an easy clean. Some models also boast Hob2Hood technology that features sensors to automatically adjust the hood when cooking heat increases.
The Electrolux range starts off at around $500 in price for the under-cupboard models, maxing out at about $1,500 for large glass canopy units. Its most expensive 90cm canopy hood is stated to provide a maximum airflow of 1000m3/hr, while its 60cm slide out unit is boasted for a low operation noise of 47dB.
Electrolux's rangehood models include:
Electrolux received three stars for overall satisfaction and quietness this year, but received four stars on performance, ease of cleaning, design and features.
Check Latest Prices at Appliances Online^
Part of the Electrolux Group, Westinghouse is a long-standing Australian brand covering more budget friendly options than most. It features fixed, integrated under-cupboard, slideout and wall-mounted canopy rangehoods. All models have one to two fans, as well as various speed options. There are basic design features such as inter-locked push button controls, LED lighting and just white and stainless steel finishes.
Westinghouse has by far some of the cheapest rangehoods, with prices starting from $149 for a 60cm fixed rangehood. While it might not come with many bells and whistles, if you're on a budget, this might be one to consider. The rest are around $200 and $400, but it could go up to $1,099 RRP for the canopy rangehoods.
Westinghouse's rangehood models include:
Westinghouse was another brand to be rated three stars for overall satisfaction, with three stars for performance, quietness and features, but was also rated four stars for ease of cleaning and design.
Check Latest Prices at Appliances Online^
Founded in New Zealand, Fisher & Paykel is a company that has been around for more than 80 years. It has emerged as one of the most technologically-advanced appliance brands and often a popular choice in Aussie kitchens. Boasting intuitive controls with touch panels, Fisher & Paykel rangehoods are stated to be easy to use and built to perform. There are 15 products in total with built in options, as well as slideout rangehoods and integrated rangehoods on offer. If you would prefer an exposed option, you can choose from box, pyramid and glass chimney style rangehoods, designed to add to the aesthetic of your kitchen.
The Fisher & Paykel range is 'middle of the road' when it comes to prices, with retail tags between $299 and $1,449. Its slideout rangehoods are the cheapest of the lot, and most of its canopy range sits above the $1,000 mark.
Fisher & Paykel's rangehood models include:
Fisher & Paykel rounds out this year's review of rangehoods with three stars for overall satisfaction as well as performance, quietness, ease of cleaning and features, but it did score four stars for design.
Check Latest Prices at Appliances Online^
Aside from the major rangehood manufacturers rated in this year's review, there are several other brands worthy of your consideration, including:
Combining precision engineering and stylish good looks, Blanco rangehoods aim to make a statement in your kitchen. Founded in Germany, Blanco has a focus on innovation and design. The rangehood line-up features under cupboard, slide-out and canopy models.
Expect some models to come equipped with touch control operation, various speed options to suit the type of cooking, as well as a timer that switches the rangehood off automatically after 15 minutes. The Blanco Clean Air function is also boasted to 'activate' the rangehood for 10 minutes every hour to help reduce those lingering cooking odours. Most Blanco rangehoods sit between $400 and $600, giving you various budget friendly options. The most expensive is its canopy model – BWCG90X – that can be found for just over the $2,000 mark.
Chef is part of the Electrolux family, so you might find a few similar aspects to those featured in the Westinghouse range mentioned above. Chef is also one to offer some of the cheapest prices yet and it has just over 10 models in the full range.
There are three different styles to choose from – fixed, canopy and slideout – so you can find what looks and functions best in your kitchen. Expect up to three fan speeds, push button controls and some with slide controls. In terms of noise levels, the Chef rangehoods are stated to produce 62dB when working. The range starts at $129 and maxes out at $539, boasting simple and straightforward solutions.
Check Latest Prices at Appliances Online^
Robinhood is an Australasian brand, offering both kitchen and laundry products. Robinhood's products are claimed to be sourced globally from leading manufacturers, and are well-designed boasting modern technology. The range features laundry tubs, ironing centres, waste disposers as well as rangehoods and ducting solutions.
Styles include all canopies, island canopies, compact canopies, tilterhoods, slideout rangehoods and powerpack rangehoods. Expect touch-screen switches and dimmable lighting, stated to generate very little heat. Robinhood rangehoods can be found from as little as around $209 for a 60cm slideout rangehood and can go up to approximately $2,200 for the island curved glass models.
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Ilve offers rangehoods for the passionate home cooks, as well as professional chefs. It's dedicated to bringing the versatility and performance of its unique Italian brand to Australian kitchens. Renowned for continuous technological research and innovation, every Ilve rangehood is stated to be hand-assembled with care, ensuring each one is a work of culinary art.
Styles include BBQ/outdoor, canopy, concealed, island and slideout hoods with streamlined electronic control panels. Some are also equipped with a maximum air consumption capacity of 1200 m3/hr. This additional air consumption will cost you $4,580 but you can also score a 90cm slideout model for around $499. A unique style Ilve offers a cylinder island hood, boasted to be the visual focal point or discreetly integrated, as per your kitchen style.
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Now that we've wrapped up the different brands you might like to consider, there are several other aspects to think about when buying a rangehood, in particular your budget. On average, consumers spend $669 on new rangehoods, our research shows. Our most recent survey also found that:
More than half of survey respondents (54%) indicated that they have a ducted rangehood, while 28% own a recirculating type. The difference between the two is that ducted rangehoods – also referred to as extractor rangehoods – offer better performance by extracting the cooking fumes from the kitchen and expelling them to the outside via ducting. Non-ducted or recirculating rangehoods, on the other hand, are designed for kitchens where there is no external vent, thus the rangehood extracts cooking fumes and passes them through active charcoal filters, recirculating the cleansed air back into the room. Once you know which option is suitable for your home, you can consider other key factors such as style, size, power settings and features.
Deciding on which type of rangehood to choose from will depend on your kitchen set up. All rangehood types are typically available in 60cm and 90cm widths, covering off the most common sizes of cooktops. Different styles include the following:
Depending on the type of rangehood, many models come with different lighting fixtures. You can choose from incandescent, florescent, halogen and LED. Some rangehood brands boast dimmable lighting, so you can select the level of light that works for you. It can also be used as mood lighting when you finish cooking!
Noise levels are also an important consideration, with just two brands recording five-star reviews for quietness. According to our survey, a quarter of respondents (23%) said they often refrain from using their rangehood because it's just too noisy, down from 33% last year, perhaps suggesting brands are improving in this area. Noise level is important because you should still be able to hold a conversation when it's on.
Typically, there are sliding, push-buttons and touch control panels, which are easy to reach and operate. Some retractable models will feature controls on the underside of the hood, and others increase the fan speed the further you pull the hood out. Consider what would be most comfortable and suitable for you when buying.
Rangehoods often have from three to six fan speeds, with some models also offering an automatic variation of speeds. The higher speeds are used when cooking, while the lower speeds can be utilised once finished. Generally, you shouldn't need more than three speeds, although this will come down to what you plan on cooking for dinner.
Whether you're after a simple rangehood or one with all the bells and whistles, we hope this guide has been a useful tool to help with your rangehood purchase.
This report was written by Canstar Blue's home & lifestyle journalist, Tahnee-Jae Lopez-Vito. She's an expert on household appliances, grooming products and all things grocery and shopping. In addition to translating our expert research into consumer-friendly ratings reports, Tahnee spends her time helping consumers make better-informed purchase decisions on all manner of consumer goods and services, while highlighting the best deals and anything you need to be aware of.
*Prices taken from retailer websites, correct as of January 2020
Our latest customer satisfaction research saw a number of brands rated best in different categories:
Canstar Blue surveyed 3,000 Australian adults across a range of categories to measure and track customer satisfaction, via ISO 26362 accredited research panels managed by Qualtrics. The outcomes reported are the results from customers within the survey group who have a rangehood installed in their home and have used it in the last 3 months – in this case, 637 people.
Brands must have received at least 30 responses to be included. Results are comparative and it should be noted that brands receiving three stars have still achieved a satisfaction measure of at least six out of 10. Not all brands available in the market have been compared in this survey. The ratings table is first sorted by star ratings and then by mean overall satisfaction. A rated brand may receive a 'N/A' (Not Applicable) rating if it does not receive the minimum number of responses for that criteria.
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^By clicking on a shop online, compare now, buy online, more details, go to site or check latest prices button, you may leave Canstar Blue and be taken to a referral partner to compare. Canstar Blue may be paid for this referral. You agree that Canstar Blue's terms and conditions apply to this referral. If you click on a brand that is not a referral partner, you will be taken to a brand page on Canstar Blue.
Canstar Blue may earn a fee for referrals from its website tables, and from sponsorship of certain products. Fees payable by product providers for referrals and sponsorship may vary between providers. Generally, sponsorship fees are payable in addition to referral fees. Sponsored products are clearly disclosed as such on website pages. They may appear in a number of areas of the website such as in comparison tables, on hub pages and in articles. Sponsored products may be displayed in a fixed position in a table, regardless of the product's rating, price or other attributes. The table position of a Sponsored product does not indicate any ranking or rating by Canstar. The table position of a Sponsored product does not change when a consumer changes the sort order of the table. For more information please see How Are We Funded.
*Prices correct as of publication date.


text:
A new environmental satellite resource center on the web
Wendy Abshire, UCAR/COMET, Boulder, CO; and B. Guarente, P. Parrish, and P. Dills
The COMETÛ Program has developed an Environmental Satellite Resource Center (known as the ESRC), a searchable, database-driven Website that provides easy access to a wide range of useful information training materials on polar-orbiting and geostationary satellites. Primarily sponsored by the NPOESS Program and NOAA, the ESRC is intended for users seeking reliable sources of satellite information, training, and data. Published in September 2008, the site is freely available at: http://www.meted.ucar.edu/esrc. Additional contributions to the ESRC are sought on an ongoing basis from the global satellite community. This site has been developed and populated with its initial set of resources in response to a broad community request first made in May 2006. The COMET Program was asked to create a site that would consolidate and simplify access to reliable, current, and diverse information, training materials, and data associated with environmental satellites. The initial launch of ESRC includes many significant resources from NRL, CIMSS, CIRA, NASA, VISIT, NESDIS, and EUMETSAT, and improves access to the numerous satellite resources available from COMET's MetEd Website. The ESRC is intended to be a community site where organizations and individuals around the globe can easily submit their resources via online forms by providing a small set of metadata. COMET's role is threefold: 1) maintain the site, 2) populate it with our own materials, including smaller, focused learning objects derived from our larger training modules, and 3) provide the necessary quality assurance and monitoring to ensure that all resources are appropriate and well described before being made available. Our presentation will demonstrate many of the features and functionality of searching for resources using the ESRC, and will outline the steps for users to make their own submissions. For the site to reach its full potential, submissions representing diverse interests and intended for diverse audiences are strongly encouraged.
Recorded presentation
Joint Session 11, Satellite Forecaster Training
Tuesday, 13 January 2009, 3:30 PM-5:30 PM, Room 224AB
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text:
Season 1
In a desperate effort to bring harmony to Videoland, Princess Lana has invited Mother Brain to the Palace of Power to sign a treaty of peace.
Within the Conference room in the great Palace of Power, Kevin knelt before his dog, Duke, and rubbed his head. The Game Master was definitely in high spirits this morning. "We've done it, Duke." he said. "Peace in Videoland at last!" The dog suddenly leapt up, placed his forepaws on his master's shoulders, and licked his face. Kevin laughed lightly. Lana approached them, and Duke looked up and barked at her in a friendly manner. "Mother Brain will be here any minute." Lana said to Kevin. "Is everything ready?" Kevin stood up, eliciting a frown from the ever-vain Simon Belmont. "I think - " Kevin began, but then Simon shoved him out of the way, causing him to fall to the floor. Simon wasn't about to pass up an opportunity to show off. "It's all here, Your Adorableness." Simon said with a curt bow. He removed a scroll, tossed it in the air, and caught it. Then, he unfurled it in front of the table. "The official document, awaiting your beautiful signature," Then he caused a pen to fly up from one of the ink wells on the table, and he caught it smoothly in his right hand and showed it to her, "the official pen, awaiting the delicate grasp of your lovely fingers," Then he laid down the pen and grasped all six of the ink wells, "and the official ink wells!" He juggled the wells expertly. Unfortunately, a certain dog named Duke barked at him and broke his concentration, and one of the ink wells crashed onto the vampire hunter's head!
Meanwhile, a short distance from the Palace...
Dr. Wily, Eggplant Wizard, and King Hippo were manually carrying their "magnificent" ruler like some sort of sultan. Four handles were protruding from her tank; two were pointed backwards, and two were pointed forwards. Wily had the front right handle, Eggy had the front left handle, and Hippo had both of the back handles. The three minions grunted as they bore the heavy Mother Brain's jar towards the Palace. She had a white curtain completely encircling her jar. "Princess Lana is a fool to think I'll accept peace on her terms." the evil brain said. She took out a handheld mirror and gazed into it. However, as soon as she did this, the mirror began cracking. "The only 'peace' I'll accept is a piece of Videoland - " Suddenly, the mirror broke, surprising her. " - a very big piece!" She laughed heinously as they neared the Palace gates.
In the Archery room of the Palace, Kid Icarus was firing off arrows. He didn't believe for a minute that Mother Brain was serious about peace, however Lana felt about the matter. "Why are you taking target practice, Kid Icarus?" Mega Man asked curiously. "We are at peace." After preparing one arrow, Kid Icarus looked down behind himself at the small android. "I need to be ready in case Mother Brainicus is planning another trick." he told his friend. Simon Belmont entered the scene. However, he was unaware that he had stopped just in Kid Icarus' line of fire, because he was too busy gazing into his handheld mirror and combing his hair. After he had admired himself and primped sufficiently, he put his mirror and comb away, but suddenly, a red arrow flew straight into his hair! This surprised him, and then he got angry. "Hey!" he shouted at Kid Icarus. He walked over to the small archer. "Watch where you're shooting those things!" He grabbed the arrow from his hair and tossed it to the floor. "Sorry, Simonius." Kid Icarus said apologetically. "I can't seem to hit the bull's eye today." Simon held up his right hand. "Here, let me show you how a skilled archer does it." he said as Kid Icarus handed him the tiny bow. He took a red arrow with a heart-shaped point from Kid Icarus' quiver, and he strung it and prepared to shoot at a target. "Stopicus!" Kid Icarus cried. "That's my love-at-first-sight arrow! When you shoot someone with it, the first person they see, they fall in love with." As Simon regarded the arrow, he suddenly realized that this was his opportunity, and he was too ignorant of the danger to pass up this opportunity. "This is just what I need to make Princess Lana fall in love with me." he said. Kevin would trouble him no longer. He turned to Kid Icarus. "Would you mind if I borrowed this for a minute?" He didn't even wait for the archer's answer, but returned quickly to the Palace's entry hall. For his part, Kid Icarus was shocked. If Simon missed and shot the wrong thing, the results could be disastrous. "Simonious!" he called urgently. "Wait!"
In the entry hall of the Palace of Power, trumpeters were playing a lively fanfare. As they played, the doors opened to admit Mother Brain and her servants, and Kid Icarus, Mega Man, Princess Lana, Captain N, and Duke walked toward the doors to greet the guests. However, Simon was trying to stay hidden. He hid behind one of the large lavender plants. He split it at its middle and looked through at Lana and the rest of the team. Lana and Kevin were both quite surprised to see the kind of style in which Mother Brain was making her entrance. As Dr. Wily, Eggplant Wizard, and King Hippo brought Mother Brain into the Palace of Power, Simon prepared the bow and the precious little love arrow. "You shall soon be mine, my little Princess." he said. Mother Brain's minions set down her jar, to the trio's great relief. Eggplant Wizard took in his right hand a cord hanging from the top of Mother Brain's curtain. "All those present shall bow to Her Royal Magnificence, Mother Brain!" the vegetable sorcerer proclaimed. He pulled the cord, and the curtain opened, revealing the evil Mother Brain, who stared down at the astonished N Team. Simon chose this moment to strike. He pulled back the arrow, aimed, and shot. However, the arrow flew right past Lana and struck Mother Brain's jar, above and to the left of her face. It deflected off and went up to the ceiling, where it deflected off a chandelier. Then it deflected off the wall behind Simon and found its new target: his rear end! "Yow!" he cried, sealing his eyes and jumping out while holding both hands on his injured bottom. When he opened his eyes again, the first person they focused on was none other than Mother Brain herself. The arrow went to work immediately. "Mother Brain?" he asked quietly and with infatuation. He smiled eagerly, and his heart seemed to pop out of his chest with excitement. As he continued to gaze at her, each of his eyes seemed to take on a heart shape. "My little Princess!" "Attack!" Mother Brain commanded suddenly, to the surprise and dismay of the N Team. Dr. Wily pulled a lever on the base of her tank and went swiftly behind her. The tread of an army tank appeared underneath her, and two large guns popped out the front of her tank to her right and to her left. Then, two similar guns came up out of the tank on either side of her, and she fired a shot at the N Team. "It's a double cross!" Mega Man cried. The N Team dodged the blast. Kevin and Lana were quite concerned about Simon, who was walking towards Mother Brain as if in a daze. "Simon, what are you doing?" Lana asked. Mother Brain fired two blasts simultaneously from two of the guns. "Get down!" Kevin commanded, and all the N Teamsters except Simon did this. The blasts went right by Simon. "Get him!" Mother Brain commanded her servants, meaning Simon. She was quite bewildered by his continued advance. "Get him!" Simon crouched as King Hippo and Eggplant Wizard ran towards him; then, as they lunged, he leapt over them and landed in front of Mother Brain, his eyes closed and his mouth in a great big grin. He walked right up to Mother Brain's tank. "Get away from me!" she snapped, drawing her face back. She extended her left tentacle. "But I love you, my dearest Mother Brain." Simon said, taking her tentacle and kissing it. "Oh, noicus!" Kid Icarus said. He knew that letting Simon take that stupid love arrow would lead to big trouble! Everyone else was very confused. "What's gotten into Simon?" Lana asked. Duke whined. "He's freaking out!" Kevin exclaimed. "You can't fool my super brain." Mother Brain said. "Nobody loves me. This is just some kind of trick to catch me off guard!" Simon looked genuinely hurt. "Moi? Trick the most beautiful brain in the world? Unthinkable!" "Would you get him, you idiots?" Mother Brain snapped irately. King Hippo and Eggplant Wizard came up behind Simon as he knelt before her. "No!" Simon cried. "Mother Brain! I can't bear being separated from you!" The two minions took him and carried him off. "In that case, you can stay close by me - in a prison cell!" she replied. "Quick! Get us back to Metroid!" With his free hand, Eggy, snapped his fingers and conjured a small head of lettuce, which flew away from him and exploded into some sort of green smoke, leaving behind a warp to Metroid. "But what about the peace treaty?" Lana asked desperately. The reply was Mother Brain's wicked laugh as she backed herself through the warp zone. Dr. Wily followed the brain through the warp, then King Hippo, who brought Simon with him. Last and least was Eggplant Wizard. "Stop!" Kevin shouted. Duke growled, and just as Eggy went through the warp tear, but before he passed through the threshold, Duke grabbed his red cape and anchored him momentarily. "Hold on to him, Duke." Kevin ordered as the dog struggled with the vegetable. Kevin came and pulled Duke backwards, but the strain proved too great for Eggy's cape, which tore and allowed the sorcerer to escape while Kevin and Duke fell backwards. "Whoa!" Kevin grabbed his Zapper and shot the warp, sealing it. Lana, Kid Icarus, and Mega Man ran over to Kevin and Duke as the two got up. "I don't understand it." Lana said. "I've never seen Simon react that way before!" "It's my fault, Your Highnicus." Kid Icarus admitted without reservation. "Simonius borrowed my love-at-first-sight arrow to shoot you." Lana's expression indicated clearly that she did not like that. "Only he shot himself, then looked at Mother Brain." Mega Man said. "And if I don't shoot him with an antidote arrow soon," Kid Icarus finished, "his love will become permanent!" "I don't believe this!" Lana cried. Kevin also was not too pleased with this situation. He stepped over to the nervous archer. "Sounds like you'd better go find Simon and shoot him pronto." he said, gently poking the small archer in the chest twice with his right index finger. "But I can't!" Kid Icarus said with dismay. "I don't have an antidote arrow. The only place to get one is from the old arrow-maker who lives at the top of Mount Icarus." "The top of Mount Icarus?" Kevin cried. "I've played the game enough to know that's almost impossible to get to!" "You must try, Kid Icarus," Lana said, "for Simon's sake - and for the sake of Videoland." "I will do my besticus." Kid Icarus replied. "Go with him, Mega Man." Lana said. Mega Man bowed respectfully. "Yes, Your Highness." As Mega Man and Kid Icarus turned towards the warp to Mount Icarus, Kevin, Lana, and Duke turned away to go towards the Conference room. "I've got to go to Metroid and find Simon." Lana gently put her right hand on Kevin's back, near his right shoulder. "You don't have to come if you don't want to, Kevin." she told him, knowing Kevin probably didn't want to risk his neck for someone who had been so rude and inconsiderate to him ever since he arrived in Videoland. "Hey," Kevin said, "it's either that or go back home and clean up my room!" Duke looked up at him and whined. The dog knew Kevin definitely didn't want to do that!
Within Mother Brain's lair on Metroid, Simon was chained up in a doorway. Each of the four chains was at a right angle to the circular curve of the doorway and was tied either to one of his wrists or to one of his ankles so that he was suspended upright in front of Mother Brain. Currently, hearts were swimming round his head, and his eyes even seemed to be like hearts. "How do I love thee?" he asked. "Let me count the ways. One is for your little button-nose. Two is for your cute little twinkle-toes." Mother Brain had been listening to this kind of obnoxious nonsense and had grown weary of it - so weary that she yawned when he commented about her "toes". But now, she had endured it for too long. "Three is - " "Enough!" she interrupted sharply. "I want the truth this time!" She extended her tentacles, wrapped them around his body at the belly, and pulled him forwards so that he was right in front of her face. "What is your real plan?" He grinned. "All right, I'll tell you." When he paused, one of his upper left teeth glinted in the light. "My plan is to hug and kiss those cute little wrinkles on your brain!" he said with clear infatuation. He kissed her jar. His eyes appeared to turn to hearts with each kiss. After he had kissed her three times, she let him go, and he snapped back to his original position. "Aw, this is a trick, Mother Brain." King Hippo said incredulously. "No one could possibly love you! You're too ugly!" Two seconds too late, he realized his grievous error and, as his eyes went wide, he covered his mouth with his gloved hands. "I'm what?" Mother Brain demanded angrily. She extended her left tentacle and grasped King Hippo about the belly. "Yow! Ooh! Oh!" he cried as she squeezed him and lifted him into the air. "You're beautiful! Uh, no! You're gorgeous! Uh, you knock me out!" he finished with a nervous smile. "I certainly will." she said and released him. The fat boxer cried out. He did hover for a second, but when he flapped his arms, they didn't help him fly. He crashed on the floor between Simon and Mother Brain. Dr. Wily stepped up to a platform next to the circle where Mother Brain stays most often and tapped on her jar. "Hello?" Mother Brain turned to him. "What is it?" she asked in annoyance. This had not been her day so far. However, Wily whispered to her a wonderful plan. She grinned. "Yes! That's a wonderful idea, Dr. Wily." She turned back to Simon. "How would you like to prove your love for me,...you fine thing?" she asked him. "Oh! I cherish the thought." Simon said with delight. "Good! All you have to do is help me capture Castlevania." She extended her tentacles and snapped both of the chains holding Simon's arms, and the enamored vampire hunter fell to the floor. He brought his hands together and looked at her with growing infatuation. "Your wish is my command, you radiant, pickled brain, you."
Meanwhile, back at the Palace of Power...
Kevin, Lana, and Duke were in the Conference room. A map of Videoland's warp systems was on the screen, identical to the one Simon had deployed earlier when the vampire hunter intended to find the warp to Metroid but instead found the warp to Kongoland. Kevin pointed to the correct warp for Metroid. "The most reliable warp zone to Metroid is right here." Suddenly, the map disappeared from the screen, replaced by the face of a man with small, goggly glasses, a green alpine hat, a huge chin, a white mustache, and white, bushy eyebrows. The man was frantic. "Your Highness," he said to Lana, "Castlevania is under attack by Mother Brain! The townspeople are being imprisoned! Come quickly!" He disappeared, and the screen turned off. "We've got to go to Castlevania immediately." Lana said to Kevin. "But what about Simon?" Kevin asked. "He'll have to take care of himself for a while." Her Highness replied. "This way!" She pointed to her right and led the way to the proper warp. Kevin and Duke followed. They stopped in front of a circular red door in the wall. "This door is a warp zone to Castlevania." she said. Automatically, the door slid open noisily. Lana leapt right on in. Afterwards, Kevin jumped in. However, Duke was somewhat reluctant to follow. Kevin's right hand emerged from the warp, though, and grabbed the dog by his collar and pulled him through the warp with a yelp. After they were all through, the door closed.
Castlevania was a dark, mountainous land overshadowed by the castle of the Count, for which it earned its name. It was a world haunted by supernatural evil monsters that fed off all good life. The warp that Lana had chosen led into a dreary circular room within the castle keep. The gloomy place all seemed designed merely to haunt the hearts of all but the stoutest of trespassers and make them easy prey for the villainous monsters haunting the place. Kevin took this all in when he arrived with his two friends. "This place is sure creepier in person than on my TV screen." he commented. He didn't even notice the large spider that descended onto his left shoulder, for it disintegrated into video dust the instant he turned to face Lana. Suddenly, they heard cries of suffering. Lana turned to her left. "Kevin, look!" she said, pointing at the prison doors. There were people in the cells, and their hands were at the doors. They were begging for escape. "Stand back!" Kevin said, coming up behind Lana. He went to stand behind her but slightly to her right so that his right arm could go past her and he could zap the doors. "I'll zap them free." Suddenly, they heard a voice to their right speak to them: "I wouldn't do that if I were you." The two looked and saw the voice's owner: a pale-skinned, black-haired slender man with a yellow tuxedo and pants, a purple tie, a black cape, - and, of course, blood-red lips. "It's the Count!" Lana cried. "Your powers don't scare us." Kevin said, aiming his Zapper at the owner of the castle. Lana stood behind him now, and Duke's fur bristled at the vampire. "I'm so happy to hear that." the Count said. "You know, fear makes the blood taste terrible!" He spread out his cape, and when he swung the right part of it around himself, he turned into a huge, hideous bat. He charged at the heroes. "Kevin!" Lana cried. As the Count swooped by, he grabbed Kevin's Zapper with his feet! "My Zapper!" Kevin cried. The Count swooped over a circular hole in the floor, a watery warp, and dropped the Zapper into it. Then, he swooped up into the sky. "Where'd he go?" Lana asked, looking around as Kevin and Duke looked into the pool-warp. Suddenly, the bat flew down to her. Lana crossed her arms in front of her face and neck so he couldn't nip her neck. "Aah! Get away from me, you bat-breath!" Suddenly, Simon swung down from the ceiling with a cry. He landed in front of Lana and whipped the Count out of commission with his whip, and he laughed as he put his whip back where he kept it when not using it. "Simon! I knew you'd come to your senses." Lana said happily. He looked dreamily upwards. "Yes." he said. "I came to my senses as soon as I realized how much more beautiful Mother Brain is than you, Your Ordinariness." Lana had been blushing, but she gasped with shock when he told her this. Suddenly, he picked her up and carried her over to the pool-warp. "I think it's time you took a little trip." This alarmed Kevin. "Simon, no!" he shouted, running with Duke to the pool-warp. "That's the warp zone to the Forest of Forgetfulness!" However, they didn't get there before Simon had dropped Lana into the warp. "You traitor!" Simon went to a door, unlocked it, and swung it open, revealing an animate skeleton within. It had striped pants that ended just below the knees, a yellow scarf, and a red baseball cap. "Captain N, meet Mr. Bones." Simon said. "Mr. Bones, Captain N." Mr. Bones turned around to face Kevin. The skeleton leaned back and then spat blue fire while laughing at Kevin. The Game Master used his Power Pad to zip to the right, out of the line of fire, just in time. Kevin knelt down to his doggie. "Duke!" he commanded. "Fetch the bone!" Growling, Duke leapt forth and grabbed Mr. Bones's lower left leg and yanked it off. Screaming, the skeleton fell to pieces and vanished, and all that remained was his red hat, which fell to the floor. "Way to go, fella!" Kevin said when Duke returned to him with the bone. Simon took the hat and examined it. "That was a friend of mine." he said. His voice sounded quite calm, but his facial expression indicated that he was quite put out. He dropped the hat and grabbed his whip, with which he wrapped up Kevin and pulled him towards the warp zone. "Simon, don't!" Kevin begged. Duke grabbed the whip with his teeth, but he was nowhere near as strong as a human was. "You're making a terrible...mistaaaaaaake!!!" Kevin cried as Simon pulled him and Duke into the pool-warp. Simon looked back at a door, which slid open. Mother Brain, with her tank treads, and her minions were waiting there. She led her trio of do-badders into the room. "Well, you luscious lump of gray matter," Simon said dreamily when she stopped in front of him, "what do you think of your Simon now?" "I - I can't believe it!" she said, on the verge of tears of joy. "You really do love me!" For the first time, she was really happy. "I not only love you." he said as she retracted her tank treads. "I want to marry you!" "Ooh!" she cried happily. She turned to her three minions with her normal evil look. "King Hippo! Eggplant Wizard! Doctor Wily! Prepare the castle for a hundred ghostly guests." Her bemused servants looked at each other with incredulous expressions before they went off to do her bidding. "There's going to be a wedding! Heh, heh, heh, heh!" She smiled at Simon and then looked up dreamily with heart-shaped eyes and puckered lips. Yes, Kid Icarus's love arrow had definitely caused a big mess.
And so, Mother Brain and Simon prepared for their "white wedding" in Castlevania. With Simon seated on the front of her tank, Mother Brain rolled by the castle fence. King Hippo watched as the castle cook prepared a huge, four-part wedding cake. King Hippo "inspected" by snatching a piece of the cake and devouring it, but he looked up at the top of the cake and saw the figure of Mother Brain that had been placed there. This spooked him, and he ran away. Simon and Mother Brain stopped by the jewelry shop and looked at wedding rings in various sizes, including huge. Happily, Simon decided, and he and Mother Brain smiled at each other. Soon afterwards, they strolled down a hall in the castle. This hall had caskets containing zombies on each side. Simon happily indicated one with orange hair and a light blue suit and snapped his fingers, and the zombie came alive. It got up and stepped out of its casket.
On the other side of Castlevania, Kevin and the Princess search desperately for the way out of the Forest of Forgetfulness.
Kevin, Lana, and Duke made their way through the dark Forest of Forgetfulness and came at last to a wide canyon. The walls of this canyon on either side were perfectly straight and at perfect right angles to the ground. There were, however, windows, lights, and doorways on the walls, as though this canyon were a split between two towers of a castle. However, the canyon appeared to have no bottom; all that one could see when looking down from the edge was an infinite dark blue sky and some clouds. As Duke looked down the chasm, he grew dizzy; but Kevin gasped. "Whoa!" the Game Master exclaimed. "I've played Castlevania before, but I sure don't remember this canyon." He put his right hand to his head. The forest had affected his memory. "Come to think of it, I don't remember where we're going." He turned to Lana. "Where are we going?" "We're trying to get out of the Forest of...uh...I can't remember!" she replied. The forest had caused her, too, to lose some of her memory. "Say, have you seen Kevin anywhere?" "What are you talking about? I'm Kevin." He turned to Duke. "Aren't I?" The dog whimpered helplessly, himself unable to remember. Kevin looked at where the ground ended. "I think there's an invisible bridge around here, but I can't remember where." He pointed down in front of him with his left index finger. "It should be right here - " He hesitated and pointed down to his right. " - or maybe here." He cautiously extended his left foot and felt for a solid bridge, and he found it right away. Very carefully, he started to cross. Lana cautiously followed him onto the bridge, and then so did Duke.
Meanwhile, across the vastness of Videoland, Kid Icarus and Mega Man struggle to reach the summit of Mount Icarus, and the home of Pernicus, the arrow-maker.
As he and Mega Man ascended the tall central mountain of the land, Kid Icarus had to shoot their way through many monsters. On this world, his arrows were far more effective than Mega Man's plasma weapon. Kid Icarus shot an advancing green Mick. He and Mega Man then went up through a temple-like area, where they were attacked by a slug-like creature whose eye was on some sort of extension from the rest of its body. Kid Icarus quickly shot this creature, and then another of the same sort. After the two had jumped up to a high cliff and then back to slightly lower ground, a large Hewdraw appeared and barred their way. To distract the beast, Mega Man leapt onto its face and in its eyes and stayed there. The beast was unhappy about this. Kid Icarus prepared an arrow for the Hewdraw, but suddenly he noticed a Snowman appear on the cliff behind him. The archer reacted just in time to dodge the ice chunk that the Snowman tossed at him, and before the Snowman could toss another, Kid Icarus had shot him with an arrow. The Snowman disintegrated and left behind a heart. Kid Icarus flew up and took the heart, which was absorbed into his body with red energy waves and gave him some additional strength. He landed in front of the Hewdraw, still struggling uselessly with Mega Man, and shot it with an arrow. The archer flew over to Mega Man, picked him up by the arms, and carried him upwards. Finally, they arrived at the home of Pernicus. Within the house, Pernicus was busy with his arrow-making. On his bald head, he wore an "arrow" that appeared to go through his head, but there was a yellow curved portion that actually went around his head and touched it on both sides. He had a blue outfit and white eyebrows, a white mustache, and a long white beard, as well as a long nose. He picked up a yellow arrow and shot it upwards into the sky. The arrow returned to him and went in a red circle above his head as Kid Icarus and Mega Man entered the house. The arrow created a red magical field, and pizza dough was formed above his head. However, when the arrow finished, it was just sloppy, uncooked pizza dough, and it landed on Pernicus. "Darnicus!" he exclaimed to himself, wiping off the dough. "I've been trying to invent the pepperoni pizza arrow all day." "Hello-icus?" Kid Icarus asked. "Go away!" Pernicus snapped inhospitably. "Can't you see I'm busy?" "I need your helpicus, O wise arrow-maker." Kid Icarus pleaded. "My friend was shot by a love-at-first-sight arrow, but I have no antidote arrow." Pernicus thought. Love arrows were definitely not something to fool around with, and so he had to help. He turned to his bin of arrows and looked through it. "I must have something around here that can help you." he said. He withdrew one arrow. Carelessly, he shot this towards Kid Icarus and Mega Man, and they ducked with a gasp, and the arrow hit the metal wall behind them. "No, uh, that's my super grass-grow arrow." Pernicus said. Kid Icarus and Mega Man were surprised when grass suddenly grew up around them. Pernicus took another arrow and shot it upwards. The arrow stopped at the beginning of the new lawn and transformed - into a cow! The cow began munching contentedly. "And that's my cow arrow." the arrow-maker said. Then, he took a red arrow and aimed this upwards. Unlike the other two arrows, though, this one flew in all sorts of crazy curves around the room! Kid Icarus and Mega Man had to dodge to avoid being hit. "Hey!" Kid Icarus cried. "Watch out! What are you doing?" The arrow then found its target: the rear end of the cow! She turned and saw the arrow-maker, and she got as angry as an enraged bull. She rubbed the ground with her right front hoof and snorted, and then she charged at Pernicus, who ran. "That's it!" he exclaimed. "My angry arrow! Just shoot your friend with one of these, but make sure he looks at the same person." As Pernicus ran outside to lead the angry cow out, Kid Icarus and Mega Man looked at each other and shrugged with disbelief. Then, he ran back inside and shut the door, sealing out the cow. "Whew!" He walked over to his arrow bin. "He won't love her any more." He withdrew the three red arrows that were in the bin and turned to Kid Icarus. "Better shoot straight, though. I've only got three of them!" He handed the arrows to Kid Icarus, who received them gratefully. "Thanks a loticus." Kid Icarus said. He went back over to Mega Man, who was checking his clock. "We've got to hurry!" Mega Man said urgently. "There isn't much time left." The pair left Pernicus' house quickly.
A short while later, back in Castlevania...
"I'm getting married in Castlevania; all the ghosts are going to scream; life won't be the same for Mrs. Mother Brain, so get me to the wedding on time." Mother Brain sang softly to herself. While she was doing this, King Hippo was busily buffing her jar clean with a cloth. She looked to her right and assumed her normal, imperious tone of voice. "And how are you coming with my gown?" "Fine, Mother Brain, eh, just fine." Eggplant Wizard said. Currently, Mother Brain's wedding gown was attached to the end of a rope, and Eggy was using this rope fed through a system of pulleys to lower the dress onto its wearer. As Eggy spoke, Dr. Wily entered Mother Brain's dreary dressing room and went over to a stepladder. The evil scientist picked up the ladder and, when he turned to go towards Mother Brain, he accidentally smacked Eggy in the back of the head. The veggie sorcerer let go of the rope, and as King Hippo stepped back from Mother Brain to observe, the gown fell on top of him, and the pulley that the gown had been roped to fell on the boxer's head! "Hey!" the boxer cried. "Oh, no!" Eggplant Wizard exclaimed. Dr. Wily walked over to Mother Brain's jar and placed the ladder up against it, but he didn't see that his right foot was in a loop of Eggy's rope. So, when, Eggplant Wizard picked up the rope and pulled it, the gown did indeed rise up above King Hippo, who was currently on his hands and knees, but the rope caused Dr. Wily to fly across the room, pass between King Hippo and the gown, and crash into Eggy! Wily and Eggy crashed onto the floor together, and the gown again crashed on the irritated King Hippo. Mother Brain was annoyed. "You have exactly one minute to get that dress on me, Eggplant Wizard." she warned. Eggy was facedown on the floor, and Dr. Wily was on top of him. "Y-y-yes, Mother Brain." Eggplant Wizard stammered. "Yes, Mother Brain." Wily said. They both got up and moved their legs to start running, but then they turned so that they faced each other and ran into each other once more. Mother Brain sighed and took out her handheld mirror. "I wonder how my darling Simon is doing."
Simon was doing much better. He finished putting on his blue-gray tuxedo, and when he held out his arms, the Count came up behind him and put a cape on him. "I think the sleeves are a bit too long." Simon commented. "Don't you, Count?" The Count took Simon's arm and examined the sleeve. Then, he chewed off a small piece of fabric, and voilŕ, the suit fit perfectly. "There." the Count said. "It's perfect." Simon adjusted his bow tie. "I'm going to have a wonderful family, Count. Can't you just picture it?" He imagined a quaint cottage in the hilly countryside. Within, he imagined himself and Mother Brain, who was wearing a pink, motherly dress about the bottom of her bottle. Simon was rocking a series of at least four baby rockers that were all linked together, and within each was a baby version of Mother Brain, and each one had a pacifier and its own jar. Each brain-baby was hooked up to a central life support system. They looked both cute and ugly. "Mother Brain and I, living in a cottage in the country, raising a family of cute little baby brains." He returned to the present. "When they grow up, they'll all be doctors - better yet, brain surgeons!" he finished happily.
Meanwhile, as Kevin and the Princess continue across the deadly invisible bridge...
When the three passed the middle of the bridge, Duke barked nervously. "Stay close." Kevin said. "I think the bridge goes this way." "What if you're wrong?" Lana asked. "Then we'll be getting some free skydiving lessons - parachutes not included!" He continued carefully, but not carefully enough. "I think we're going to make it. Just one more - " Suddenly, his foot hit air, and he couldn't regain his balance, so he fell off. "Aaah!" Lana gasped. "Kevin!" she cried, but as she came up to where he had begun to fall, she also lost her balance. "Whoa! No!" She fell backwards past Duke. The loyal dog bent his head down and tried to stop her by grasping the lower part of her dress with his teeth. He tried his hardest, but he was pulled off with a yip. As all three fell screaming down the chasm, Kevin pressed the Pause button on his Power Pad and cried "Pause!" Fortunately, this stopped their fall...for the moment. "Oh! Kevin, you saved us." Lana said with relief. But Kevin was still quite worried. "Not yet I haven't." he said. "This pause is going to wear of any second." To his left was a doorway in the castle-like canyon wall, and there was a warp in this doorway. "If I can press my Power Pad the instant it does, we might make it into that warp zone." Duke whimpered worriedly, with good reason. "But if I can't, this game's going to end at the bottom of the canyon." Judging the duration of the pause, Kevin pressed his Power Pad at just the right second. "Kevin!" Lana cried the second they began to fall again. However, they zipped right into the warp.
They came up through the other end of the warp in the middle of the graveyard a short distance from the castle. "Wow! We're back!" Kevin said. "I remember now." Lana said. "We've got to find Simon. To the castle, quickly!" They ran to the Count's castle.
Within the castle's great hall, the ghoulish organ began to play the traditional wedding entry march, the Bridal Chorus from Wagner's opera "Lohengrin". Simon and the Count, as well as the ghostly guests, were awaiting the entry of Mother Brain. Three skeletons, done up as bridesmaids, came forward. "Here comes the Brain, dressed in medrain!" Dressed in a suit that was a few sizes too small for him, King Hippo rolled the bride down the walkway to the altar. She had a dreamy look in her eyes as she carried yellow flowers in her tentacles, and a happiness that she had never had before. Simon laughed quietly in delight. He blew her a kiss, and when it hit her jar, she grinned and blushed happily. "Dearly departed," the Count said, serving as minister, "we are gathered here today to join this man and this brain in marriage." Kevin, Lana, and Duke were in the doorway to the hall. "I don't believe it." Kevin said quietly with dismay. "He's marrying her!" "We've got to stop him!" Lana said. "But we can't," Kevin replied, "not without the antidote arrow." Lana looked down the hall at Mother Brain and Simon. This situation was an utter disaster. While he was evil, the Count definitely was licensed to conduct weddings. "Then we'll have to slow him down," Lana said, "and give Kid Icarus time to get here!" Meanwhile, Simon was holding up the large wedding ring. "Simon," the Count said, "would you place the rings on her,...uh,...we'll skip this part." Suddenly, everyone heard Lana's voice from the back of the room. "Stop the wedding!" Startled, everyone looked there and saw her and Kevin. "Simon doesn't really love you, Mother Brain." Lana said. "Yeah." Kevin said. With his right index finger, he pointed at his head. "He's been fooled by a love arrow." Mother Brain looked at her bridegroom inquisitively. Simon gasped with shock. "That's not true!" he exclaimed. He put his arms around her jar as if trying to hug her. "I do love her!" Mother Brain grinned. She liked his response, but she was understandably upset at the N Team's presence. "King Hippo!" she instructed. "Get rid of those party-crashers!" "Ha, ha!" King Hippo laughed as he advanced on the N Team. "All right, big mouth! Put up your dukes!" "You heard him, Duke." Kevin said to his growling dog. "Up!"


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New Research in Communication
In each issue of NCA Inside & Out, we highlight a few recently published articles from NCA's journals. Please note that members have free online access to all articles in NCA's 11 journals.
"Here Comes Honey Boo Boo: A Cautionary Tale Starring White Working-Class People" in Communication and Critical/Cultural Studies June 2015.
This analysis of the popular reality series, Here Comes Honey Boo Boo, highlights the featured family's inability—because of its working-class status—to conform to an "ideal whiteness" that the author says displays dominant cultural standards bolstered by neoliberalism, such as wealth, rationality, personal responsibility, and self-control. The family members consequently become exemplars of "inappropriate whiteness," a marginal identity presented as humorous and, through the use of surveillance and spectacle, authentic. (Author: Tasha R. Rennels)
"Performing Landscapes of/and Loss" in Text and Performance Quarterly August 2015.
This study focuses on the geography of ruined landscapes as metaphors for our personal interior lives. The author examines the landscapes of September 11, Hurricanes Katrina and Sandy, and others as palimpsests for the events themselves. As barren landscapes and decomposed architecture speak to physical and geographic trauma, they can be powerful embodiments of the emotional gravity of loss that exists within all of us. They can also be tools that contribute to healing and even transformation. (Author: Patrick Santoro)
"Open BUK: Digital Labor, Media Investigation and the Ukrainian Civil War" in Critical Studies in Media Communication July 2015
This article considers the revolutionary power of online digital labor, which emerged remarkably in the wake of the Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 disaster in July of 2014. The Ukrainians took an unconventional, open-source approach to counteracting the Russian narrative that Ukrainians were responsible for downing the commercial airliner: they released key pieces of video evidence on social media and asked for help. The result has serious implications for future online, transnational investigations. (Author: Matt Sienkiewicz)
"Communication Behaviors Associated with Competent Nursing Handoff" in the Journal of Applied Communication Research August 2015.
This quantitative study used data from 286 nurses responding to an online survey to identify specific communication behaviors associated with a communicatively competent patient handoff at nursing shift change. The results suggest that the best nursing handoffs are those in which both the incoming and the outgoing nurses made frequent use of information exchange (information giving, seeking, and verifying) and socioemotional communication behaviors. (Authors: Anne Ray Streeter, Nancy Grant Harrington, and Derek R. Lane).


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I live on an island. Granted, its a pretty good sized island, but an Island nonetheless. I have lived here for more than a year, and I am still adjusting. One of the things I am adjusting to, is the fact that all gas stations close at ten pm. With the exception of one Irving Station in downtown Sydney. The other thing is the wind, and its propensity to knock out the power. You might think that these are two entirely unrelated facts.
You would be wrong.You see, Monday evenings I teach until 10 pm in Sydney, about 20 km away, give or take. There are a few gas stations in Sydney, but I was tired last night, there was rain, and I thought, oh I'll just get gas in the morning at Mullins, (my local Gas /grocery/liquor store/pizzeria/ bakery/hardware store/postoffice and Sears Catalogue depot.)
You can buy ANYTHING there, and rent movies! And it is the only place for purchasing anything between Louisbourg and Sydney.
So I ignored the little yellow feed me light on my gas gauge and went on my merry way home, safe in the knowledge that I could visit Mullin's in the morning. But disaster struck in the night. It got Windy, and a bit windier, and then.... no power. At first I thought, meh, no biggy, I am a tough chick, I'll rough it til the power comes back. Then my charming son pointed out that making COFFEE requires electricity. I whimpered a bit, but, again I am tough. I thought, I'll drive to Mullins for coffee, surely they will have a pot on (did I mention they sideline as a place to get a steaming cup of joe?)
Being all neighbourly, I wandered over to the big house to see how they fared without caffiene. It was suggested to me that I might try calling Mullins to see if they had a pot on so we could get there before the rush. There was no answer. They too had no power, and no Coffee.
It was then that Seonaid pointed out that they also could not pump gas with no power. This was crunch time, I needed to take action. Should I take to my bed with a case of the vapours? Should I eat coffee beans whole? Or, take my unshowered self (pump doesn't work without power either....) out to the car and try to make it to town on fumes for a Timmy's extra large double double?????
Being Brave, and a good Canadian, I chose to take my grubby self to town, and visit the holiest of Canadian coffee temples, er, shops-Tim Hortons.
I made it, I got my coffee and spent the day mixing glaze tests at the Centre for Craft and design, cause they had power, and coffee. And its ok, to be grubby while mixing glaze.
The hero in al this is my Trixie, she's a good little car, runnin on empty so her mama could get her fix.