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It isn't just people who are dying in Afghanistan. So is an entire concept of war.
John Nagl is the kind of guy who brings to mind F. Scott Fitzgerald's wicked line in The Great Gatsby about people who succeed at such an early age that "everything afterward savors of anticlimax." A star at West Point and a Rhodes scholar, the native Nebraskan was only 37 when he landed on the cover of The New York Times Magazine in January 2004. In that article, Nagl offered an inside-the-Sunni-Triangle tutorial on what he came to call "graduate-level war." Nagl's mantra: "We have to outthink the enemy, not just outfight him." In an era when small but wily bands of nonuniformed insurgents could stymie America's mighty military machine with stealthy guerrilla attacks and roadside bombs planted in the night, the U.S. had to figure out how to hunt down the bad guys and cut off their support from the local population. Nagl, after studying the British and French colonial experience, as well as America's handling of the Vietnam War, helped to develop what has since become famous as U.S. "counterinsurgency doctrine," or COIN. As his celebrity grew, Nagl proselytized about it everywhere, even on The Daily Show With Jon Stewart.
By the late 2000s, the precocious Army major had become part of a brain trust around America's uber-general, David Petraeus, the commander who implemented the Iraq troop surge. Commissioned by Petraeus, Nagl helped to author the official counterinsurgency manual that has since reoriented American military doctrine, shifting the center of gravity from rough-and-ready conventional war fighters to cerebral specialists in irregular warfare and targeted response. After retiring from the Army as a lieutenant colonel in early 2008-even though he seemed to be on the fast track to four-star fame-Nagl took over a little-known think tank, the Center for a New American Security, and turned it into what journalist Tara McKelvey called "counterinsurgency central in Washington."
Brilliant and brash as ever at the advanced age of 45, Nagl delivers a sober endorsement of the military's current COIN strategy in Afghanistan, which, because it was adapted from Iraq, is partly his brainchild. It is a strategy that many experts believe is not working-and the skeptics may now include President Obama himself. "I think any sane person would be disillusioned," Nagl says over a lunch of mussels and mozzarella salad at Finemondo, a lushly decorated restaurant around the corner from his office. Even some of those around Petraeus (who is retiring from the military to run the CIA) are losing heart. But Nagl says that the Janus-faced core of COIN strategy-winning over the Afghan population with kindness, aid, and a multibillion-dollar policy to "clear, hold, and build" towns and villages while ruthlessly killing off insurgents-is just starting to succeed. He laments that the debate in Washington is dominated by critics who complain that the war is almost 10 years long and already more hopeless than Vietnam.
What they don't fully appreciate, according to Nagl, is that Washington, distracted by Iraq, had mostly neglected Afghanistan until two years ago. "We took a little eight-year goddamn vacation." Grabbing a piece of paper, Nagl quickly sketches a map that shows how solvable the problem in Afghanistan is as long as COIN is applied. The mostly non-Pashtun (and therefore mostly non-Taliban) north largely takes care of itself; the strategy is working in the south under the Marines; and so the only task left is to secure the east. Meanwhile, Petraeus's "Anaconda strategy" of attacking the Taliban and choking off its resources is sowing doubt among the insurgent leadership. "I think we're on the verge of breaking the insurgency," Nagl says. "It's exactly the wrong time to change horses."
Yet a surprising number of military experts seem sure that COIN is failing; that it is not even a real strategy; and that guys like John Nagl, who are perhaps a little too smart for their own good, have been snowing us all along. The newly vocal doubters include some of those who helped develop counterinsurgency in the first place. They run the spectrum from those who think COIN is pretty much a crock to those who still believe in the idea but doubt Washington's ability to implement it. Among the latter is Lt. Gen. John Campbell, who just handed off command of Afghanistan Regional Command East, the most recalcitrant part of the country but the one Nagl has hopes for. Campbell notes that COIN typically takes a decade or more to work. "I think it's the way to go, but I don't think we have time," he told National Journal in a June 14 interview. "If we don't show progress, we're not going to have the money."
Already, Washington is losing patience. On Wednesday, Obama announced a faster-than-expected drawdown, saying he would bring home the entire 33,000-troop surge by the fall of 2012 and end the war by 2014. "It is time to focus on nation-building at home," Obama said. As the 2012 presidential campaign gets under way and the political debate centers on the debt ceiling and the deficit, the mounting cost of the war has eclipsed the casualty rate as Topic A. A new poll by the Pew Research Center for the People and the Press shows that nearly 60 percent of Americans believe that the cost of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan has contributed "a great deal" to the nation's debt-more than, say, increased domestic spending or the tax cuts enacted over the past decade. The public is clearly growing disenchanted with COIN's expense and incremental progress. Even traditionally hawkish Republicans, particularly in the House, have begun to balk. "The budget math has caught up to the theory," says retired Gen. David Barno, who once commanded U.S. forces in Afghanistan but now works for Nagl. Counterinsurgency, the theory goes, can work only with the right balance of war-fighting to take down the bad guys and nation-building to win over the people. It seems suddenly clear that America doesn't have the patience and cash for both.

subset: commoncrawl


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Habitat: Native to the Mediterranean region and parts of Asia, cultivated worldwide.
Collection: The roots are unearthed in the late autumn. Clean thoroughly and dry.
Part Used: Dried root.
Indications: Liquorice is a traditional herbal remedy with an ancient history and world wide usage. Modern research has shown it to have effects upon, amongst other organs, the endocrine system and liver. The triterpenes ofGlycyrrhiza are metabolized in the body to molecules that have a similar structure to the adrenal cortex hormones. This is possibly the basis of the herbs anti-inflammatory action. As an anti-hepatotoxic it can be effective in the treatment of chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis, for which it is been widely used in Japan. Much of the liver orientated research has focused upon the triterpene glycyrrhizin. This inhibits hepatocyte injury caused by carbon tetrachloride, benzene hexachloride and PCB. Antibody production is enhanced by glycyrrhizin, possibly through the production of interleukin. Glycyrrhizin inhibits the growth of several DNA and RNA viruses, inactivating Herpessimplex virus particles irreversibly. It has a wide range of ises in bronchial problems such as catarrh, bronchitis and coughs in general. Liquorice is used in allopathic medicine as a treatment for peptic ulceration, a similar use to its herbal use in gastritis and ulcers. It can be used in the relief of abdominal colic.
Kings Dispensatory describes it thus: "Liquorice root is emollient, demulcent and nutritive. It acts upon mucous surfaces, lessening irritation and is consequently useful in coughs, catarrhs, irritation of the urinary organs and pain of the intestines in diarrhea. It is commonly administered in decoction, sometimes alone, at other times with the addition of other agents and which is the preferable mode of using it. As a general rule, the acrid bark should be removed previous to forming a decoction. When boiled for some time the water becomes impregnated with its acrid resin; hence, in preparing a decoction for the purpose of sweetening diet drinks or covering the taste of nauseous drugs, it should not be boiled over 5 minutes. The efficiency of the root in old bronchial affections may be due to this acrid resin. The powdered root is also employed to give the proper solidity to pills and to prevent their adhesion; the extract for imparting the proper viscidity to them. The extract, in the form of lozenge, held in the mouth until it has dissolved, is a very popular and efficient remedy in coughs and pectoral affections. An excellent troche or lozenge, very useful in ordinary cough, may be made by combining together 6 parts of refined Liquorice, 2 parts of benzoic acid, 4 parts of pulverized alum, and 1/2 a part of pulverized opium. Dissolve the Liquorice in water and evaporate to the proper consistence, then add the powders with a few drops of oil of Anise and divide it into 3 or 6-grain lozenges. The bitterness of quinine, quassia, aloes and the acrid taste of senega, guaiacum, mezereon and ammonium chloride are masked by Liquorice."
Preparations & Dosage: Decoction: put 1/2 - l teaspoonful of the root in a cup of water, bring to the boil and simmer for l0-l5 minutes. This should be drunk three times a day. Tincture: take l-3ml of the tincture three times a day.
Caution: There is a small possibility of effecting electrolyte balance with extended use of large doses of liquorice. It has an ACTH like effect causing retention of sodium thus raising BP. The whole herb has constituents that counter this but it is best to avoid Liquorice if the patient has hypertension, kidney disease or during pregnancy.


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High-Speed Rail
Amtrak, California join to cut cost of high-speed rail
California high-speed rail officials allied themselves with Amtrak on Thursday, forming a politically attuned partnership designed to ease the purchase of similar trains.
In a new effort to wed West Coast and East Coast transportation interests, officials will formally request information from manufacturers about their ability to build "train sets" that can service different regional needs. A train set consists of a number of cars linked together, one of a rail system's many expensive requirements on which planners hope to save money.
"The potential is there, if we can come up with a common set of specifications," Jeff Morales, the chief executive officer of the California High-Speed Rail Authority, told reporters gathered in Union Station. "It's like going to Costco: If you buy it in bulk, you can lower your price."
California plans to initially buy 27 high-speed rail train sets, for a system that's supposed to start running by 2022. Officials anticipate breaking ground in Fresno this summer on the first 130-mile segment, connecting Bakersfield and Merced.
Separately, Amtrak is planning to buy about 32 high-speed train sets to serve the Northeast Corridor, connecting Washington and Boston via New York.
Train sets can cost anywhere from $35 million to $55 million each, Joe Boardman, Amtrak's president and chief executive officer, estimated Thursday. Unlike conventional trains, on which locomotives propel inert passenger cars, the new trains proposed for use by Amtrak and California would have power distributed through each car.
Rail-wise, the regions have differences and similarities.
Amtrak officials need trains that start with high speeds of about 150 mph and could move faster eventually as tracks are improved. California officials anticipate a system in which trains will travel at up to 220 mph.
Along the urban Northeast Corridor, Amtrak officials need a train whose undercarriage can handle a lot of curves and complications. California officials, whose proposed route shoots like an arrow through the rural San Joaquin Valley, don't need that. Amtrak wants train sets that can seat 400 to 600 passengers, while California seeks smaller packages carrying 450 to 500 passengers.
"Our common goal here is to drive toward as much uniformity as possible," Morales said.
The kickoff of the rail alliance Thursday is supposed to lead to a formal request for proposals from manufacturers by September, with manufacturing orders for the train sets placed next year.
"California is with us on this," Boardman said, adding that "this is a way to bring high-speed transportation to the United States."
The rail announcement occurred a day after high-speed rail skeptic Rep. Jeff Denham, R-Turlock, was elevated to the chairmanship of the House of Representatives rail subcommittee. Morales and Dan Richard, the chair of the California High-Speed Rail Authority, met with Denham on Wednesday morning. The meeting might be one of many to come, as Denham and other Republican lawmakers press California officials on everything from estimates to ridership projections.
"He has questions, and he has concerns," Morales said Thursday, "and it's our responsibility to answer those questions and address his concerns."


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I have written entrance test for Diploma in Accesories in NIFt and awating for results. when i will get my results and when the admission process...
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21 Quotes on Aging Well
What's the secret to aging gracefully? We can't stop the clock, but we can keep our spirits young with humor, gratitude, and creativity.
The following quotes from people like Sophia Loren, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Mark Twain will help you see the upside of the golden years. They prove that love, humor, and wisdom are ageless.
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Science Friday® is produced by the Science Friday Initiative, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Science Friday® and SciFri® are registered service marks of Science Friday, Inc. Site design by Pentagram; engineering by Mediapolis.
He's invented everything from an insulin pump to the Segway Transporter. He started the FIRST Robotics competitions for students. And now, he has his own television show, 'Dean of Invention.' We'll talk with Dean Kamen, inventor and educator, about bringing science, engineering, and the thrill of discovery to the public.


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29th March 2017
Chief Client Officer, Danica Ross looks for lessons from United Airlines' misfortunes.
United Airlines had a pretty bad week this week, when a minor issue blew up into something much bigger. The incident that became known as #LeggingsGate launched a huge response on Twitter and the wider media. Colleagues in the office agreed that not only were they glad not to be staffing the United Press Office at that moment, but also that the incident could have been handled better.
There are myriad lessons to be learned from the United experience:
1. What might have been an under-the-radar customer relations issue at a gate became so so much bigger because of who was within earshot – in this case, Shannon Watts, founder of Moms Demand Action. It was Ms Watts' live tweeting of the episode to her substantial following that brought it to the wider world's attention.
1) A @united gate agent isn't letting girls in leggings get on flight from Denver to Minneapolis because spandex is not allowed?— Shannon Watts (@shannonrwatts) March 26, 2017
Lesson #1: Never say or do anything that you don't want to be all over Twitter, because you never know who is behind you in line.
2. United's social media team responded quickly… but as important as speed is in these situations, tone and content are even more important. And United's response that this was a matter of company policy, using language and a tone completely inappropriate to social media, only served to make them look more foolish.
The passengers this morning were United pass riders who were not in compliance with our dress code policy for company benefit travel.— United (@united) March 26, 2017
Lesson #2: Use some common sense and judgment when responding, especially via social media. Even if it is company policy (which is a whole other issue) a simple 'Oops, looks like one of our colleagues was over-zealous' followed by a call to the gate, would have defused the situation.
Hours later, even with the time to put it right, United compounded the issue. United eventually clarified that customers with leggings were welcome… but still not their 'pass riders', which left them looking mean-spirited and, frankly, old-fashioned and out of touch.
To our customers…your leggings are welcome! Learn more about our company's pass travel privilege: https://t.co/5e3euG1H9G.— United (@united) March 27, 2017
Lesson #3: Be self-aware enough to know when you look like chumps - and be prepared to review any policy that is actually doing the opposite of what it was intended for, and is damaging your reputation.
But the big one, and one that applies to any large organization, is Lesson #4: Create a culture in which everybody, from the C-suite to the shop floor, everybody recognizes that the reputation of their company is everyone's responsibility.
PR is not a department, it's a mindset.
Danica Ross
15th November 2016
Will Kunkel, Executive Vice President for Creative and Content in Grayling New York, on the final of our #7for17 trends, Live and Uncut'Timing is everything' has been a favorite line to many but...Read More
8th November 2016
Danica Ross, Grayling San Francisco US Executive Vice President, on how brands can guide themselves through the 'the new space race' – part of our #7for17 trends series.In an era where brands...Read More
3rd November 2016
Russell Patten, Chair of Grayling's European Public Affairs practice, looks at one of the major political trends as part of our #7for17 series. It's been a turbulent year in politics, with the...Read More


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text: Sijun Forums :: View topic - Concept Art? Log in to check your private messages Sijun Forums Forum Index >> Archive : Sep99 - Dec00 View previous topic :: View next topic Author Topic : "Concept Art?" jnsiebjunior memberMember #Joined: 27 Dec 2000Posts: 2Location: normal, IL us Posted: Wed Dec 27, 2000 10:26 pm Does anyone know of any good sites or books that have good tutorials or text on how to learn to draw Concept art style, like with the shading markers and whatnot? Thanx ------------------ -=Sieb=- Back to top yoshimemberMember #Joined: 29 Sep 2000Posts: 122 Posted: Wed Dec 27, 2000 10:47 pm http://www.dchiang.com/ (check TIPS) hehe, anyone feels like sharing ? how about scanning Kronovecta and putting it on some web site, so maniacs like me could take a look ? The book is out of print/stock everywhere anyway. Syd's a naughty man, he deserves it. Back to top BlitzmemberMember #Joined: 04 Oct 2000Posts: 752Location: Sedro-Woolley, WA Posted: Wed Dec 27, 2000 11:53 pm I am not to sure there is a certon style for concept art. It is more or less drawing and designing a character or enviroment. You can draw it in what ever style you think gets your idea across. It is mostly sketching and such. Sometimes you will do a finished pic. Stick with the style you like. It is sometimes the style of the concept artist that makes them so good and unique. Good books I have are... Art Of Star Wars Ep.1 The art of Final Fantasy 9 Back to top General ConfusionmemberMember #Joined: 13 Apr 2000Posts: 365Location: NJ Posted: Thu Dec 28, 2000 10:51 am Hey Blitz, do you have an ISBN number on the final fantasy book, or some more info. I have never seen that one, but would like to check it out. Thanks ------------------ State of Confusion Back to top FlinthawkmemberMember #Joined: 14 Oct 2000Posts: 415Location: Los Angeles Posted: Thu Dec 28, 2000 11:11 am Hey GC, I think you can get the book at your local video game store like Electronics Boutique or Software Etc. I was just browsing through that FF9 art book when I was at Software Etc. the other day...good stuff in there. Back to top General ConfusionmemberMember #Joined: 13 Apr 2000Posts: 365Location: NJ Posted: Thu Dec 28, 2000 11:44 am Thanks Flinthawk I'll take a look ------------------ State of Confusion Back to top Display posts from previous: All Posts1 Day7 Days2 Weeks1 Month3 Months6 Months1 Year Oldest FirstNewest First Sijun Forums Forum Index -> Archive : Sep99 - Dec00 All times are GMT - 8 Hours Page 1 of 1 Jump to: Select a forum Digital Art----------------Digital Art DiscussionWork in ProgressGallery/Finished Work Miscellaneous----------------Random MusingsArchive : Sep99 - Dec00 You cannot post new topics in this forumYou cannot reply to topics in this forumYou cannot edit your posts in this forumYou cannot delete your posts in this forumYou cannot vote in polls in this forum Powered by phpBB © 2005 phpBB Group


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No. 91,631
No. 91,667
1. When the facts material to a trial court's decision on a motion to suppress evidence are not in dispute, the question of whether to suppress is a question of law over which this court has unlimited review.
2. On a motion to suppress, the State bears the burden of proving the lawfulness of the conduct in question by a preponderance of the evidence.
3. When the prosecution seeks to justify a warrantless search by proof of voluntary consent, the State may show that permission to search was obtained from a third party who possessed common authority over the premises, or other sufficient relationship to the premises or effects sought to be inspected.
4. Under the facts of this case, the State established by a preponderance of the evidence that a recently released parolee had common authority or sufficient relationship to the searched residence to give valid consent to a search of the residence.
5. A consent to search is valid when the facts available to an officer would warrant a person of reasonable caution to believe the consenting party had authority over the premises to be searched.
6. Under the facts of this case, a recently released parolee was held to have apparent authority to consent to the search of a residence where he had resided with his mother and defendant for several years prior to incarceration, his preapproved parole plan required that he reside at the residence upon his release, and he returned to the residence immediately upon his release.
Appeal from Reno District Court; TIMOTHY J. CHAMBERS, judge. Opinion filed August 5, 2005. Affirmed.
Sandra Carr, assistant appellate defender, and Sam S. Kepfield, of Hutchinson, for appellants.
Thomas R. Stanton, district attorney, and Phill Kline, attorney general, for appellee.
Before GREENE, P.J., CAPLINGER and BUSER, JJ.
CAPLINGER, J.: Defendants Sandra Porting and Kim D. Angel appeal the trial court's denial of their motions to suppress. They contend the trial court erred in finding that a recently released parolee had authority to consent to a search of the residence in which the evidence was found. We affirm, finding the State established by a preponderance of the evidence that (1) the parolee had common authority or sufficient relationship to the property to give valid consent to search the residence; and (2) the searching officers had reasonable grounds to believe the parolee had apparent authority to consent to the search.
The facts were stipulated to by the parties. On December 27, 2003, Eugene Hanson was released from the custody of the Kansas Department of Corrections at the Hutchinson Correctional Facility after serving approximately 18 months in prison. Prior to his imprisonment, Hanson had lived with his mother for several years at a residence located at 1130 West 20th Avenue in Hutchinson. Hanson's former girlfriend, defendant Porting, also resided at the 20th Avenue residence, and she and her children continued to reside there while Hanson was imprisoned.
Hanson's preapproved release plan required Hanson to reside at the 20th Avenue residence upon his release. Prior to his release, Hanson requested that his parole officer, Edward Mora, accompany him to the residence. Hanson did not want to jeopardize his parole status and was concerned because of rumored drug use by Porting.
Mora requested that Hutchinson police officers accompany Mora and Hanson to the residence to assist with clearing the residence for parole. When they arrived, Hanson entered the home and Mora followed. The two police officers remained outside. Hanson gave Mora consent to search the residence.
Hanson led officers to the northeast bedroom of the house, which Hanson had occupied with Porting prior to Hanson's incarceration and would occupy again upon his return. There, they encountered Porting and two men in the bedroom. One of the two men was defendant Kim Angel, an absconder from parole. Angel had personal belongings at the residence, had spent the prior night with Porting, and had been at the residence all day.
Porting and Angel filed motions to suppress the evidence against them, arguing Hanson was not a resident as he had spent the last 18 months incarcerated and, therefore, did not have the authority to consent to the search. Following a hearing, the trial court denied the motions.
Porting and Angel were convicted separately, pursuant to bench trials on stipulated facts. The defendants preserved their objections to the admission of the physical evidence that resulted from the search of the house.
Authority to Consent to Search
In these consolidated appeals, the defendants contend the trial court erred in finding Hanson had authority to consent to a search of the residence.
When, as here, the facts material to a trial court's decision on a motion to suppress evidence are not in dispute, the question of whether to suppress is a question of law over which this court has unlimited review. State v. Boyd, 275 Kan. 271, 273, 64 P.3d 419 (2003). The State bears the burden of proving the lawfulness of the conduct in question by a preponderance of the evidence. State v. Kriegh, 23 Kan. App. 2d 935, 937, 937 P.2d 453 (1997).
Before considering the parties' arguments, we initially note that the parties stipulated that defendant Angel was an overnight guest. Angel thus had standing to object to the search. See Minnesota v. Olson, 495 U.S. 91, 109 L. Ed. 2d. 85, 110 S. Ct. 1684 (1990) (overnight guests have expectation of privacy in home).
The defendants initially argue that although Hanson was a past and prospective resident of the 20th Avenue residence, he was not a resident at the time of the search. Thus, they conclude he lacked access to or control of the property and could not have agreed to the search.
The trial court found Hanson had authority to consent because he was both physically present at the residence and intended to remain permanently. Although the trial court did not cite legal authority or support for its ruling, it appears the court analyzed the issue as one of residency of the defendant. See K.S.A. 2004 Supp. 77-201, Twenty-third (establishment of permanent residence requires physical presence in location and intent to remain there).
While we agree with the trial court's determination that Hanson was a resident of the 20th
Avenue address, we affirm the trial court's ruling for a different reason. We find the State proved
by a preponderance of the evidence that Hanson's consent to the search was a valid third-party
In United States v. Matlock, 415 U.S. 164, 171, 39 L. Ed. 2d 242, 94 S. Ct. 988 (1974), the Supreme Court held that when the prosecution seeks to justify a warrantless search by proof of voluntary consent, it is not limited to proof that consent was given by the defendant. Rather, the State may show that permission to search was obtained from a third party who possessed common authority over the premises, or other sufficient relationship to the premises or effects sought to be inspected. See State v. Savage, 27 Kan. App. 2d 1022, 1026, 10 P.3d 765, rev. denied 270 Kan. 903 (2000).
Matlock was applied by this court in State v. Ratley, 16 Kan. App. 2d 589, 594, 827 P.2d 78 (1992). Although not entirely analogous, Ratley's holding is instructive. There, the defendant's wife left the parties' marital home for a "safe house" after being physically abused by her husband. Planning to return to recover personal belongings, she met with law enforcement and signed a written consent to search the marital residence. During the subsequent search, agents seized marijuana and marijuana plants. The trial court granted the defendant's motion to suppress, finding the wife had abandoned the marital home by no longer occupying the premises jointly with her husband.
This court reversed, finding the issue was not whether the wife and husband jointly occupied the premises but whether the wife had mutual authority or other sufficient relationship to the premises at the time she gave the consent to search. 16 Kan. App. 2d at 591. Citing Matlock, the Ratley court noted: "Recent United States Supreme Court cases appear to be decided [based] on whether the third party had common authority to consent, not on whether the third party jointly occupied the premises." 16 Kan. App. 2d at 591.
Because the defendant's wife had fled to a "safe house," the court found she did not voluntarily surrender her control or access to the residence. Additionally, the court noted there was no evidence the husband had done anything to restrict or control access to the residence. The Ratley court thus concluded the defendant's wife had the authority to consent to a search of the residence. 16 Kan. App. 2d at 594.
Unlike Ratley, Hanson's absence from the residence for a period of time was due to his own actions rather than the violent actions of a spouse. Nevertheless, as in Ratley, there was no evidence that Hanson voluntarily and permanently surrendered control or access to the premises. Nor was there any evidence that anyone had changed the locks or attempted to restrict Hanson's access to the premises in any way.
Arguably, we are presented here with even more compelling evidence upon which to find authority to search than that relied upon by the court in Ratley. The defendant's wife in Ratley did not intend to return permanently to the marital residence but rather returned only to obtain her belongings. Hanson, on the other hand, indisputably intended not only to return to the home, but to reside permanently at the residence. In fact, he was required to reside there as a condition of his release. Moreover, Hanson had lived at the residence for several years prior to his incarceration, and his parole plan had been approved based upon his residing at the same location upon his release. Finally, upon his release, Hanson immediately returned to the residence.
Under these circumstances, we conclude the State established by a preponderance of the evidence that Hanson had common authority or sufficient relationship to the property to give a valid consent to a search of the residence.
Apparent Authority to Consent to Search
The trial court's holding can also be affirmed under the apparent authority rule, "'which makes valid a consent to search when the facts available to an officer would warrant a person of reasonable caution to believe the consenting party had authority over the premises to be searched.' [Citation omitted.]." 27 Kan. App. 2d at 1026.
In Illinois v. Rodriguez, 497 U.S. 177, 188-89, 111 L. Ed. 2d 148, 110 S. Ct. 2793 (1990), the Supreme Court determined that a consent to search is valid when the facts available to an officer would warrant a person of reasonable caution to believe the consenting party had authority over the premises to be searched. In Ratley, 16 Kan. App. 2d at 595, our court applied Rodriguez, finding that since the officers knew the parties were married and there was no evidence that the husband had moved to revoke the wife's authority or the wife had given up her authority, the officers could reasonably rely on the wife's apparent authority.
Several factors in this case support a finding that Hanson had apparent authority to consent to the search. He resided at the 20th Avenue residence with his mother and Porting for several years prior to his incarceration. His preapproved parole plan required that he reside at that address following his release, and he immediately returned to the residence upon his release. Moreover, there was no evidence whatsoever to suggest that Hanson was not welcome or permitted to return to the residence after his release. Given these factual circumstances, we conclude the State proved by a preponderance of the evidence that Hanson's parole officer could reasonably rely on Hanson's apparent authority over the premises to be searched.
Search of the Bedroom
Defendants argue that even if Hanson did have the authority to consent to the search of the house, he did not have the authority to consent to a search of Porting's private bedroom. They argue the door was closed at the time the officer entered the house and was opened by Hanson, who was acting as the State's agent. Because the room contained Porting's personal, private belongings, the defendants argue Porting had an expectation of privacy in the room. They point out that courts have repeatedly recognized that parolees do not have the authority to consent to search of another's private areas in a residence. United States v. Cantley, 130 F.3d 1371, 1376-77, (10th Cir. 1997); State v. West, 185 Wis. 2d 68, 94, 517 N.W.2d 482 (1984); State v. Johnson, 748 P.2d 1069, 1073-74 (Utah 1987), abrogated on other grounds by State v. Doporto 935 P.2d 484 (Utah 1997).
We are not persuaded. There is no indication Hanson was acting as an agent of the State, given that Hanson requested the search. Further, the record indicates Porting did not have exclusive control over the bedroom. Porting and Angel were found in Hanson's mother's home in the room Porting shared with Hanson prior to his incarceration and the room Hanson intended to occupy upon his return.
Finally, Porting argues that Mora, Hanson's parole officer, acted as a "stalking horse" for law enforcement officers, allowing them to evade the usual warrant requirements such as probable cause. We find this assertion equally unpersuasive. There is no indication that Mora collaborated with Hutchinson police to circumvent probable cause. Instead, Mora requested the police accompany Hanson and Mora to the residence. The police did not initiate any action and stood by outside during the search.
We thus find the district court did not err in denying the defendants' motions to suppress.
GREENE, J., dissenting: I respectfully dissent, principally because I believe that the majority has unduly extended the "common authority" and "apparent authority" rules to validate a third-party consent to search a residence by someone who had no more than a hope or intention of resuming residence at that location after an 18-month absence, knowing that there were now others living there who may be doing drugs and with whom he did not wish to reside. Those "others" possessed a reasonable expectation of privacy under the Fourth Amendment that could not be waived by a future occupant who lived there 18 months ago and merely "hoped" to reside there once again.
The facts here are critical. The parties stipulated as follows:
"Eugene Hanson lived at 1130 West 20th Street prior to serving a sentence with the Kansas Department of Corrections of approximately a year to a year and a half. He lived there at that time with his mother and with Sandra Porting. So both Miss Porting and the defendant lived there prior to him going to the Department of Corrections.
"When he was released from the Department of Corrections there was a proposed release plan developed by the Kansas Department of Corrections which identified his primary residence as 1130 West 20th Street. That was his mother's residence, and Miss Porting was still a resident of that house. When Mr. Hanson was released from the Department of Corrections he . . . went straight to the custody of Ed Mora who was to transport him to his primary residence; that primary residence being listed on his parole plan as 1130 West 20th.
"Mr. Hanson indicated he had concerns about possible drugs in the house and asked the [parole] officer, Ed Mora, to search the house for drugs in order to make sure . . . there were no drugs there as he entered the home. Upon entering the home the officer encountered Mr. Angel, who was an absconder from parole, and Miss Porting. Neither [Hanson's] mother, who . . . [had] passed away, nor the defendants gave consent to enter the home. It was only on the consent of Eugene Hanson that the home was entered. And drugs were subsequently found either on or in the proximity of both defendants."
Additionally, the parties stipulated that "Officer Mora entered into Miss Porting's private bedroom within the residence, which was the start of the finding of the drugs," and that "Mr. Angel was an overnight guest and he had been . . . there all day and that he had personal belongings with him at the residence." (Emphasis added).
The only other facts were established through the testimony of Officer Mora, who confirmed that "Mr. Hanson had some concerns that there was possibly some drug usage going on at the home and that there [were] people . . . living at the residence that he did not want living there any more and was afraid that when he went to the home that there may be some problems." Regarding Hanson's designation of the home as his intended residence, Mora had no reason to dispute that Hanson had been incarcerated for 18 months and designated the residence in his parole plan, but was concerned about people "living at the residence that he did not want living there." Regarding Hanson's designation of this residence for purposes of his parole plan, Mora testified:
"Q. And isn't it true that if in fact you had gone over there and there was something wrong with the house that made it, in your opinion, inappropriate for Mr. Hanson to live there, you had the authority to deny him living in that house?
"A. Ultimately that would be his assigned parole officer, but, yes.
"Q. In the interim, if you would have gone there and you would have seen something that caused you grave concern about Mr. Hanson's welfare, safety, and potential for success on parole, you had the authority to tell him at that time you can't live here until we make other arrangements?
"A. Yes."
Moreover, the record is entirely unclear that Hanson's mother was living at the time of the search. Whether she died during Hanson's incarceration or during the pendency of proceedings against the defendants is unknown, but the parties' stipulation at trial gives no indication that any inquiry was made upon Hanson's mother at the time of entry into the residence or at any other time.
Highly summarizing other obvious omissions from these facts, the record does not indicate that Hanson had any interest in the property, does not indicate how long Hanson lived at the residence prior to incarceration, does not indicate whether his mother had approved his return, does not indicate whether he had personal effects at the residence, does not indicate whether he had conferred with the current occupants of the house regarding his hope or intent to return, does not indicate any spousal relationship with Porting, does not indicate whether Hanson had a key or how entry was otherwise obtained, and certainly does not speak to the extent of investigation by the parole officer into these issues. Instead, it is clear that Hanson was aware of potential "problems" with his return to this residence because of other occupants, and used his unique situation to press the parole officer into effectively evicting those "unwanted" occupants from the home by means of a warrantless search revealing their anticipated drug usage. I respectfully depart from the analysis and outcome of the majority opinion because I do not share the belief that validating such consent can be squared with the Fourth Amendment.
First, I believe that the majority's analysis cannot be squared with United States v. Matlock, 415 U.S. 164, 170-71, 39 L. Ed. 2d 242, 94 S. Ct. 988 (1974). Although the court in Matlock validated a search based upon the consent of a spouse, the court's "common authority" or "sufficient relationship" test is limited. The court stated:
"The authority which justifies the third-party consent does not rest upon the law of property, with its attendant historical and legal refinements, . . . but rests rather on mutual use of the property by persons generally having joint access or control for most purposes, so that it is reasonable to recognize that any of the co-inhabitants has the right to permit the inspection in his own right and that the others have assumed the risk that one of their number might permit the common area to be searched." (Emphasis added.) 415 U.S. at 171 n.7.
Here, it simply cannot be said that Hanson had mutual use of the property after his 18-month absence without apparent arrangements to resume his occupancy, but most importantly, the "others" now living at the residence certainly had not assumed the risk that he would permit a search, since he was hardly "one of their number." The majority has departed from the "common authority" rule of Matlock.
Second, I believe that the majority's analysis cannot be squared with State v. Ratley, 16 Kan. App. 2d 589, 827 P.2d 78 (1992). Relying on Matlock, our court in Ratley adopted a case-by-case approach to the "common authority" test, but provided factors to be considered in determining if common authority exists:
"(1) the non-occupying spouse's retention of a key to the premises, (2) the non-occupying spouse's access to the property, (3) changed locks, (4) the length of time the non-occupying spouse is away from the premises, (5) whether the non-occupying spouse left personal property on the premises, and (6) the reason for the non-occupying spouse's departure." 16 Kan. App. 2d at 594.
Here, the record is silent as to many of these factors, i.e., Hanson's retention of a key is unknown, whether the locks had been changed is unknown, and whether he left personal property in the premises is unknown. What is shown by the record is that he had not been in the property since being incarcerated, the length of time he was away was 18 months, and the reason for his departure was indefinite incarceration. Clearly, these factors weigh against Hanson's "common authority" rather than support it, especially when it is considered that Ratley involved husband and wife, which the court specifically noted "ha[ve] been treated differently than [the relationship] between non-spouses," stemming "from their unique relationship which gives them a common authority and sufficient relationship arising from the marital bonds affecting all aspects of their lives." 16 Kan. App. 2d at 592. Hanson had no such "bonds" with Porting or the other occupants of this residence.
Third, the majority's alternative reliance upon the "apparent authority" rule is misplaced. This rule has its genesis in Illinois v. Rodriguez, 497 U.S. 177, 111 L. Ed. 2d 148, 110 S. Ct. 2793 (1990), in which the Court validated a search where the officers entering without a warrant reasonably–though erroneously–believed that the person providing consent was a resident. But the Court carefully restricted its holding, stating:
"[W]hat we hold today does not suggest that law enforcement officers may always accept a person's invitation to enter premises. Even when the invitation is accompanied by an explicit assertion that the person lives there, the surrounding circumstances could conceivably be such that a reasonable person would doubt its truth and not act upon it without further inquiry." (Emphasis added.) 497 U.S. at 188.
Precisely. And when Hanson told the authorities that he wanted them to accompany him to the residence because there were people living there with whom he did not want to live, I believe that any reasonable person would have made further inquiry regarding Hanson's degree of authority over these premises. The search cannot be validated on the "apparent authority" rule.
Fourth, I am concerned that the majority has shifted the burden of proof by presumptions based purely on lack of evidence. The State bears the burden of proving the lawfulness of a search by a preponderance of the evidence. State v. Garcia, 250 Kan. 310, 318, 827 P.2d 727 (1992). The burden cannot be met if agents, faced with an ambiguous situation, nevertheless proceed without making further inquiry. If the agents do not learn enough, if the circumstances make it unclear whether the property about to be searched is subject to common authority, warrantless entry is unlawful without further inquiry. See Rodriguez, 497 U.S. at 188-89. The government must therefore come forward with persuasive evidence in order to support third-party consent. Rodriguez, 497 U.S. at 181. The majority relies in part on the fact that "there was no evidence that Hanson voluntarily and permanently surrendered control or access to the premises. Nor was there any evidence that anyone had changed the locks or attempted to restrict Hanson's access of the premises in any way," and "there was no evidence whatsoever to suggest that Hanson was not welcome or permitted to return to the residence after his release." (Emphasis added.) I would not construe these evidentiary omissions in favor of the State. The State has the burden to show affirmatively that objective facts support Hanson's apparent or common authority, and the majority errs in "presuming" such supportive facts from a silent record.
Fifth, even if the case is closer as to entry into the residence, it is less close as to entry into the closed bedroom. The stipulated facts state that this was the "private bedroom" of Porting. There is absolutely no showing in the record to support Hanson's apparent or common authority over Porting's "private bedroom."
Finally, I fundamentally disagree with the concept that apparent authority is sufficient to support a search under these circumstances. Focus on "reasonableness" of the officer's belief rather than the voluntariness of a person's license to others to forfeit his or her expectation of privacy is not consistent with Fourth Amendment jurisprudence. What a person knowingly exposes to the public, even in his or her own home or office, is not a subject of Fourth Amendment protection; thus, an individual's decision to grant to another some degree of "authority" limits that individual's reasonable expectation of privacy and to that extent limits his or her Fourth Amendment protections. If an individual has not so limited his or her expectation of privacy, however, the police may not dispense with the safeguards established by the Fourth Amendment, notwithstanding the "reasonableness" of their belief of common authority. See Rodriguez, 497 U.S. at 189-90 (Marshall, J., dissenting). Although a panel of our court has embraced the apparent authority rule of Rodriguez in Ratley, I would not extend it to the facts of this case. Here, the occupants of a residence had their Fourth Amendment protections trampled as a result of Hanson's mere designation of his prior residence in his parole plan, which the majority holds somehow clothed him with purported apparent authority to consent to search of the premises he had not occupied for 18 months and knew were occupied by "others." With all due respect to my colleagues, I would not consider this outcome consistent with current Fourth Amendment jurisprudence; the majority has taken away some of the liberty that the Fourth Amendment was designed to protect.
I would reverse the district court.


text:
Reporters snapped photographs of Swedish Minister of Culture Lena Adelsohn Liljeroth cutting a cake depicting a naked black woman, sparking allegations of racism at a Stockholm museum on April 15.
The cake was part of a World Art Day celebration and meant to protest female circumcision, according to the Moderna Musset museum. The cake was created by artist Makode Aj Linde, who also played the cake's head.
According to Swedish English news website The Local, the artist commented on his Facebook page, "Before cutting me up she whispered, 'Your life will be better after this' in my ear." Incidentally, the artist is black.
However, photos of the smiling Adelsohn Liljeroth cutting the cake have stirred an uproar among black Swedish residents, who accuse the government and public of ignoring the problems of racism in the country.
The Local elaborates, citing commentary from Kitimbwa Sabuni, a spokesperson for the National Afro-Swedish Association:
According to Sabuni, the mere fact that the minister participated in the event, which he argued was also marked by "cannibalistic" overtones, betrays her "incompetence and lack of judgement".
"Her participation, as she laughs, drinks, and eats cake, merely adds to the insult against people who suffer from racist taunts and against women affected by circumcision," he said."We have no confidence in her any longer."
..."To participate in a racist manifestation masquerading as art is totally over the line and can only be interpreted as the culture minister supporting the Moderna Museet's racist prank."
Adelsohn Liljeroth has defended her participation in the cake-cutting, saying the artist "claims that it challenges a romanticized and exoticized view from the west about something that is really about violence and racism." She added, "Art needs to be provocative."
According to FriaTider.se, the Culture Minister has supported plans to ban tax benefits for the only nationalist newspaper in Sweden, and has proclaimed herself "anti-racist."
Watch a video of the cake-cutting below:


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Recounts the life and career of John Lennon, from his youth in Liverpool, through his years with the Beatles and his marriage to Yoko Ono and the new artistic directions to which it lead, to his murder and the legacy he left
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MOSCOW, June 19 (UPI) -- Directors at Russian energy company Gazprom said work was under way on designs for liquefied natural gas terminals tied to the Shtokman field.
Last year, partners to Shtokman -- Gazprom, Total and Statoil -- postponed investment decisions on the project in part because of market considerations brought on by shale natural gas developments in the United States.
The board of directors at Gazprom said they reviewed the progress of the field during their latest meeting in Moscow.
"It was emphasized that the design and survey operations for the offshore infrastructure and the marine port with LNG storage facilities were to be completed between late 2013 and early 2014," a company statement said Tuesday. "Design work continues on onshore facilities."
Preparation for front-end engineering and design documents should be released as early as next year.
The field, which is in the Barents Sea, has an estimated 134 trillion cubic feet of gas. Gazprom said some gas was designated for markets in the Atlantic basin, including the Nord Stream pipeline to Germany.


text:
"The most important experiences in your life are the ones that change how you look at the world."
~ Jimmy Chin, alpinist and filmmaker
Books change our world too-even those innocently read ones, coveted under childhood blankets with flashlights illuminating far away worlds. Pilgrimages to the local library were a Saturday staple–and we always left with arms nearly out of their sockets carrying our marvelous cartel to the Pinto.
I've said this before here, and I probably will again, because, it's probably the most important thing that was ever said. "Just be interesting." My parents didn't force-feed us academia or insist on Tiger Mom pursuits in law, teaching or doctorates. Though, Dax did get the fancy credentials, and Dr. Dax was in that scholastic vein early on.
Though I appreciated the curricula of the registered massage therapy program I enrolled in four score and seventeen years ago, I couldn't wait to resume my recreational reading habit. The text books were shelved and I was able to submerge back into the sublime–creating my own life curricula via books.
"Only boring people get bored," was another mantra of my mother's. And, if you are a reader by default, then, it's difficult to get to a bored state unless you are bookless in Seattle. When I was in highschool I remember my mom asking me to have my hyper-intelligent English teacher create a list of her favourite books. Joan was in the know and a culturally literate wundermind. Surely, given the way she spoke (she was the one who introduced me to such 25 cent words as "surreptitious" and told me my writing was like a white-water rafting adventure instead of a smooth paddle on a calm lake), many books were behind her insights, and her undiluted passion left me spellbound. Joan laboured over the list, though, I know a hundred titles came easily to her mind, and handed it to me a few days later. (*Mom, do you still have that list?)
I too am constantly asking reliable sources for their favourites. You can easily identify your reading soulmates after a few shared titles. I drift all over the genres but always gravitate towards quirky, memoirs, travel junkets and anything Africa.
Which led me to this. A book curriculum for life, in general. The books that you should read as a human. I'm not listing Shakespeare (snore) or those imagery lessons like The Great Gatsby or any of the others that we're pushed upon us in highschool. No, this is my bespoke list, and, if you are a friend of mine, clearly we share some love and common ground.
I do believe in responsible reading, sometimes–you know, those important books that shaped a time. I'm talking about Love in the Time of Cholera, Keruoac's Dharma Bums, Hemingway's Green Hills of Africa, Theroux's Mosquito Coast and stuff about urban gurus like Jane Jacobs and bike-pushers like David Byrne.
Books that have found media fame like Eat, Pray, Love completely annoyed me. I never did finish The Celestine Prophecy. And, I'm definitely not going to read 50 Shades of Grey.
My bookshelf is mood-obvious and decade-indicative. Like a walk through the Van Gogh museum in Amsterdam. Van Gogh's shift in spirit and palette between the decades (from cheery sunflowers to utter gloom and miserable skies) is so evident.
Yes, I have beach-y, cotton candy mindless reads that sit beside soul sandwiches like Siddartha, Leo Buscaglia and Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist. Those searching books–those were the Vancouver years of 18-23. Living with a bohemian lot of artists, writers and activists, my book choices eclipsed that time period: Salinger, Tom Robbins, everything Douglas Coupland, How to Live on Nothing and a cannonball into the gay world. I found Sappho, Ruby Fruit Jungle and the world of Jane Rule.
The Virgo in me reflexively makes lists, for everything–especially books to read and books that have been read. I have the years well-chronicled. I could probably list my entire bookshelf as each title has been critical at a particular time for growth, inspiration or (ugh, loathe the world), closure.
My brother reads depressing books as they always make him feel better about his own life (*note, he is not depressed, he just likes how books can consistently do that). I like the sob-inducing ones more out of writerly respect. If an author can make you break down with words–that's a powerful skill. I've cried over so many dying dogs in books (Emily Carr's sheepdog, Marley & Me), and had to take a crying jag break from Jane Goodall's account of her favourite chimp, David Greybeard, dying of polio and his inability to climb up trees as the disease strangled him.
*Note: do not read the last 50 pages of Marley & Me in a public space. I made this error on a Westjet flight. Read it in the safety of your own home, preferably with cucumbers and Visine at the ready. And gin, probably.
So, this is my list–and, of course, it will be never-ending and constantly evolving with every book I read. However, as of this very moment, at age 39, these are the books I think everyone should read to build a foundation of gratitude, inspiration, awe and fuel fireside conversation and intimate and intelligent dinner talk.
1. A House in the Sky, Amanda Lindhout.
I was disappointed when Oprah described Lindhout's terrifying memoir as "juicy." Being kidnapped and held captive by Islamic militants for 15 months is nowhere near juicy. But, the account of her time in Somalia and her inherent will to survive will shake up how you live your life. A life free from the nightmares and stronghold that such an experience must have on a person. It's raw, agonizing and a remarkable display of resilience.
2. The Art of Racing in the Rain, Garth Stein.
I initially thought the book would be too Disney, too schmaltzy. Afterall, it's narrated by a dog. And, worse, the dog is dying. I remember standing in Indigo on Bay, already hot-eyed and swallowing hard a few paragraphs in. The dog, Enzo, is aware that he is on his last legs–but he's okay with this. He is beyond eager to come back to earth as a human. He has been carefully observing his human for communication skills to navigate his next life. Enzo's insights are comical, heartrendering and beautiful. If you've ever loved a dog, you'll squeeze them even harder after this one.
*Also, do not read the last chapters of this book in public.
3. Still Alice, Lisa Genova.
When Alice, a Harvard professor learns that she is experiencing symptoms of early-onset Alzheimer's, the awareness and slow ride into the grips of the disease is nearly unbearable to read. Life's fragility is evident in being witness to a seemingly perfect life suddenly shook-up by the diagnosis. The only comfort I found in this book was learning that, at some point, you don't remember that you are losing your mind. There is a period of time when you are aware, but, as the words and memories slip, so does the awareness. For those surrounding Alice, it's like watching a living death but the family rallies to keep the grace and spirit of Alice present.
4. The Glass Castle, Jeannette Walls.
I read a very yellowed,mothbally copy of this in Entebbe, Uganda. It was one of few books on the shelf at the Jane Goodall Institute that was in English. Pages fell out as I turned them–and now I know why. This is a memoir, not some fantasy childhood of eccentricities. The anchor of poverty and mentally unstable conditions that she and her siblings endured is shocking. It's a reminder of the turbulent past that so many are trying to resurrect themselves from.
5. The Chimps of Fauna, Andrew Westoll.
Well, as a chimp crusader, this choice is a no-brainer. But, even if your only knowledge of chimps is that chimp lady, Jane Goodall (or even if you still mix chimps and gorillas and monkeys up), Westoll's memoir shares an intimate experience–his time at a retirement facility for chimps rescued from biomedical facilities. The abuse and neglect is unnerving–and your blood will boil repeatedly–but hang on for the touching encounters and relationships that develop in this rescued family. The dynamics and personalities of a severely wounded bunch and their recovery is a shining promise of hope.
6. Into the Wild, Jon Krakauer.
I've read this book a few times and still get sucked in like quicksand. Christopher McCandless was a well-groomed academic–all his stars were in line for a promising career in law. Instead, he donated his entire bank account ($24,000 to Oxfam), ditched his Datsun pick-up and, walked "into the wild." Eager to live off the land and escape the poisons of society, he left the conveniences and familiarity of life as he knew it with a bag of rice, a rifle and a few books on plant identification. If you've seen the movie (directed by Sean Penn–bravo), there's no spoiler in learning that he dies only 100 days into his dream. What he etches into the table of the makeshift bus shelter he calls home is an affirmation of why we are here.
7. Falling Backwards, Jann Arden.
Memoirs are a natural source of inspiration, and, a deep behind-the-scenes look at lives we are curious about. The genesis of Arden's career wasn't all lollipops, sunshine and unicorns. But, her grace, her insightful way of being—and that inherent humour, makes for a riot of a read. The hot dog in the thermos is a passage you will want to read out loud to whoever is near you. Even if it's a stranger–do it. Her honesty and what she shares of her life in Falling Backwards adds such a dimension to her lyrics. You will laugh like there is a laughing gas leak in the room— and cheerlead for her beating heart and continued, deserved success.
8. The Five People You Meet in Heaven, Mitch Albom.
It's a natural reflex when you hear the title of this book to think of your five. Mine are all dogs, but…who you think you will meet could be entirely unexpected. Albom really spins the idea of heaven on its side–and, religious or not, you'll find yourself re-examining your life and all the lives you've crossed and uncrossed. As his book explains, you may have changed a complete stranger's life in a way that you will never know about. Until, maybe, heaven.
7. The Poisonwood Bible, Barbara Kingsolver.
I read this on my way to Africa–and as the plane descended it was like landing in those very pages. Though the book is set in 1950s Congo, not a lot has changed over the decades in regards to tribal tensions, wayward ministers trying to "tame the natives" and a population continually struggling for independence and survival. This is quintessential Africa, and the story of a shiny, white family plunked down in the jungles of the Belgian Congo. It's hairy, frustrating (ugh, the father!) and delightful (young Ruth's narrative is pure charm). If you want a glimpse into why Africa gets in your bones after just one visit, you'll see why in the Poisonwood Bible.
8. Land of a Thousand Hills, Rosamond Carr.
My sister found this book on the shelf of a store on our way to Lake Louise. She said, "Have you heard of this woman? She was a friend of Dian Fossey?" I was hooked–who knew Dian Fossey even had any friends (that weren't gorillas). Carr's determination to stay and make a life out of her circumstances (a failed marriage to a big game hunter), is proof of an indominable spirit in the harshest climate and unforgiving world of farming. Her attempts to maintain a flower plantation in Rwanda against stampeding elephants and bankruptcy is a far cry from her world as a fashion illustrator in New York in 1949. And what she does with her plantation after the bloodbath of the Rwandan genocide in 1994 is a beautiful transition. Hers was a life lived large and unselfishly.
9. Bridget Jones Diary, Helen Fielding.
I love the reckless and feckless life of Bridget Jones. Though the latest, Mad About the Boy, was a bit of a lunchbag let-down, Bridget Jones is still brassy, fiesty and a fine example of what not to do. But, her character (probably not far from fiction) is reassurance that someone else out there is smoking 158 cigarettes a day while packing back 18 croissants and 3 bottles of vino. And that true love does conquer all–once you land the true love and pin them down.
10. The Lovely Bones, Alice Sebold.
The first chapter made me want to throw up. It was so graphic and terrifying that I didn't know if I had the steel guts to continue. But, Sebold takes the unsettling event of Susie Salmon's kidnapping and murder by a neighbour in 1973 Pennsylvania and braids it into a supernatural-laced novel of coping, understanding and possibility.
Okay, that's 10 off the top. I didn't even get around to Chuck Thompson, Farley Mowat or Douglas Coupland's biography on Terry Fox. Then there's the Sand County Almanac, Pilgrim at Tinker Creek and the unbridled adrenalin of Colin Angus. Oh, and anything Anne Lamott, David Sedaris or Burroughs and the clever Let's Pretend This Never Happened by Jenny Lawson. And, I really, really loved Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close. And, if you've lived at more than 10 addresses in your life, you'll really lean into Isabel Huggans Belonging.
See? It's a run-away list. But, I promise the ten books I listed will change your life is some unexpected way. You'll see. Let me know–and please, share your favourite with me. Like I said, I'm a Virgo, and I like lists.


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- Premier League round-up
Suarez the star but Liverpool held by 10-man Toon
This season ESPN Goals is completely free. It's the first place to see every goal from every Premier League game, all season long
Luis Suarez was once again the centre of attention as Liverpool came from behind to claim a 1-1 draw against 10-man Newcastle on Sunday - in a game they were unlucky not to win in the closing stages.
Yohan Cabaye gave Alan Pardew's side the lead at Anfield on the stroke of half-time with a beautifully-struck volley, as Newcastle started the game brightly. An outstanding piece of individual skill from Suarez then levelled matters with just over 20 minutes remaining - before Fabricio Coloccini was dismissed for a horrible attempted challenge on the Uruguayan that set up a tense finale.
Handed the numerical advantage Liverpool had a number of great chances to win the match - but Suarez, Raheem Sterling and substitute Jonjo Shelvey were all unable to beat Tim Krul with decent opportunities as the points were shared.
Ahead of kick-off there was a celebratory mood on Merseyside, as Steven Gerrard was presented with an award for reaching 600 appearances for the club. But events on the pitch did not go quite according to plan, as speculative attempts from the home side failed to truly threaten Krul.
Newcastle then took the lead as both managers were preparing their team talks, Cabaye taking advantage of some lax defending in the penalty area to turn and fire a volley from an acute angle that a partially unsighted Brad Jones was unable to deal with.
Liverpool grew into the ascendancy when the teams returned for the second half, but an equalising goal failed to materialise until the 67th minute. A deep ball from Jose Enrique found Suarez, who took the ball down on his shoulder under the close attentions of Coloccini and prodded it around the onrushing Krul before turning home to restore parity.
From that point it was an end-to-end encounter, until Newcastle were forced to scale back their ambitions with ten minutes remaining after Coloccini was deservedly given his marching orders for an ugly, late challenge on Suarez - who had infuriated the Argentine all day with his trickery.
Liverpool rushed forward in hopes of finding a winner, but one would not be forthcoming as a draw left Newcastle far the happier side.
In the day's early kick-off, Reading and QPR shared the points in an entertaining 1-1 draw that did little to help either side's early season troubles.
Both enmeshed in the bottom three of the table, it was Reading who took the lead early in the first half at Loftus Road - Kaspars Gorkss volleying home against his former club after Ryan Nelsen's improvised header had ricocheted away off the crossbar.
QPR enjoyed the majority of the chances in a contest that was notable for its open nature, but it took until midway through the second half for Mark Hughes' side to grab a much-needed equaliser, Djibril Cisse showing some belated quality to turn home Jose Bosingwa's pinpoint cross.
The Frenchman was one of a number of players to have chances to win the match late on - Adel Taarabt also seeing a great chance turned wide by Alex McCarthy - but in the end the match finished 1-1, leaving both sides with work to do to escape from the relegation zone.


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Michael "Monty" Widenius was the creator of the MySQL database, and founder of Monty Program Ab. He recently spoke with Dr. Dobb's Jonathan Erickson
Dr. Dobb's: What's the Open Database Alliance?
Widenius: The Open Database Alliance is a vendor neutral consortium of vendors and individuals commercially supporting or delivering services around MariaDB and MySQL. Open Database Alliance partners will support each other's open source initiatives, and resell each other's services. This makes it possible for customers to get all services they require around their database issues through any vendor in the Alliance.
Dr. Dobb's: What's MariaDB?
Widenius: It's a community developed branch of MySQL with bug fixes and new features developed by the MariaDB community, of which Monty Program Ab is an active member. We will keep MariaDB in sync with MySQL development to ensure all bug fixes and features in MySQL also exists in MariaDB. At this time MariaDB 5.1 should be notable faster, have more features and have fewer bugs than the corresponding MySQL 5.1 release.
Dr. Dobb's: Is SQL adequate for 21st century computing?
Widenius: Yes. SQL will be around for a long time because it's a very expressive language that is very easy to embed in web-based applications. As long as people are developing web pages with programming languages like PHP, Perl, Ruby, and Java, SQL will have it's place.
Dr. Dobb's: What will the biggest change in data storage in five years?
Widenius: SSD (solid-state drive) memory will force a paradigm shift in how data is stored and accessed and a lot of old proven database algorithms have to be changed because there is no seek time anymore.
Dr. Dobb's: What's the most exciting development in DBMS technology today?
Widenius: On the software side, the usage of Memcached and Gearman to do inexpensive "cloud like" computing is of course interesting. We are also seeing dedicated inexpensive machines that provides Memcached interfaces which will notable speed up and simplify any setup that uses Memcached (which is a standard component for most busy web sites).
Dr. Dobb's: Will operating systems ultimately be successful in converting their filesystems into SQL-managed organizations of data?
Widenius: I think that is a stupid idea. Most data people store is not suitable really suitable for SQL. SQL will only notable slow things down when accessing things and will create a lot more fragmentation compared to modern file systems without providing anything really critical for the end user. Another problem is that SQL managed data is very bad of application that wants to have their own access to the part of the data (like another database server running on a SQL managed filesystem).


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Even though Ron Paul's views are different from the other Republican candidates in almost every aspect, there's one area where he has agreed with his rivals: Abortion.
But in an interview with Piers Morgan, the Texas doctor-politician proved that even on abortion, his views are more complicated than your average politician.
On Friday's "Piers Morgan Tonight," Morgan presented Paul with a hypothetical situation: If one of his daughters or granddaughters were raped, would he tell her that she must have the child?
The Texas Republican replied, "No. If it's an honest rape, that individual should go immediately to the emergency room," CNN reported.
Paul went on to explain the complexity of the situation. If someone arrives in an emergency room, he said, and there is no medical or legal evidence of a pregnancy, it's in a sort of limbo. When someone has been raped and there may or may not be a life, medical procedures like administering a shot of estrogen would be okay.
"If you talk about somebody coming in and they say, well, I was raped and I'm seven months pregnant and I don't want to have anything to do with it, it's a little bit different story," he added
Paul clarified that he believes life begins at conception. However, it wasn't clear what Paul meant by "honest rape" (as opposed to a dishonest one).
Paul's stance on abortion has been influenced by the years he spent as a doctor, delivering many babies. As a student, he observed a delivery, where a two and a half pound baby was discarded into a bucket. Paul said the "lack of respect for life" had a profound affect on him.
Morgan pointed out what he thought is an apparent contradiction in Paul's stance: He promotes the people's right to make their own choices in almost every area except this one.
Paul said he didn't see the inconsistency, stating that the unborn child has just as much of a right as any other person, including the mother: "To me, the one minute before birth and one minute after birth isn't a whole lot different."


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Marketing Tips« Back to Ideas Collection
More Marketing Tips
- • How Magnetic Marketing Cements Customer Loyalty
- • How to Persuade Prospects to Say Yes
- • How to Make Your Idea Stick
- • How to Perfect Your Sales Copy
- • The Power of Simplicity in Marketing
- • Funnel Your Efforts in the Right Direction
- • Only As Strong As Your Weakest Touch Point
- • Smart Companies Get People Talking
- • 6 Steps To Customer-Centric Writing
- • Sell With Words That Inspire
- • Creating a Category of One
- • Four Keys to Building Customer Relations
- • Eye-Stopping Headlines
- • Powerful Business Cards
- • Design Direct Mail That Sells
- • Create a Great New Logo
Create the Need
John Patterson, known as the father of American salesmanship, is responsible for many of the modern sales practices used today. His work with the National Cash Register Company (NCR) changed the way salespeople think about marketing and selling their products. In his book entitled The Patterson Principles of Selling, modern sales expert Jeffrey Gitomer unpacks some of Patterson's most powerful tactics.
Patterson's greatest sales accomplishment didn't lie in selling cash registers, but in creating a demand for his product. He knew that sparking a desire would increase demand, and he focused his sales and marketing efforts on convincing consumers of the importance of obtaining a sales receipt. When consumers began to ask for a receipt from store clerks, the store managers felt obligated to purchase a cash register that would produce such receipts, and Patterson was poised to sell them one of his machines.
The same can be done in your business. Gitomer says in his book, "You must create a balance between the emotion to trigger the sale, and the logic to justify the purchase." What is one thing your company could do to create a demand for your products or services?
The Patterson Principles of Selling
by Jeffrey Gitomer
People don't like to be sold, but they love to buy," Jeffrey Gitomer likes to say. And he's been saying it for years. When Gitomer began his research for this book, he discovered a quote by John Patterson, founder of National Cash Register, that was amazingly similar-"If the prospect understood the proposition, he would not have to be sold; he would come to buy." After discovering the similarities in their philosophies, Gitomer developed 32.5 principles of selling based on Patterson's ideas. These principles capture the essence of what Patterson preached 100 years ago, with twenty-first-century adaptations and concepts for implementing his sales strategies.
Each principle includes a quote from Patterson, one quote from Gitomer, and an occasional quote from another relevant person. Icons after each principle help readers understand how to think about the concept and adapt it to their needs, and how to turn that concept into action. The Patterson Principles of Selling are easily understood and just as applicable today as they were when Patterson developed them to sell cash registers. They offer a proven, commonsense approach to the sales process that will give salespeople the key to success today, tomorrow, and forever.


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Double click on above image to view full picture
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Welcome to Wine Country Kitchens
Wine Country Kitchens in Napa, CA is a gourmet food manufacturer that has been serving the Napa Valley and beyond with delicious, all natural products since 1995. We are a family owned and operated business that is proud to belong to the Napa Valley Chamber of Commerce, Specialty Food Association and the PLMA. We hold Licenses from the State of California Department of Public Health Food and Drug Branch for Cannery, Olive Oil, and Processed Foods. We are also Organic Certified.
Get to Know Us
Learn more about our company and then try our products out for yourself.
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Superfood Pasta Sauce 24oz
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Napa Jack's Sweet & Smoky Bar-B-Q Sauce 17.0 oz.
Vanilla Fig Balsamic Vinegar 8.45 oz.
Vanilla Fig Balsamic Vinegar 11.8 Fl oz.


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Cultural Settlement - Feudal JapanDismiss Notice
Arising from the Sengoku period of Feudal Japan, the clan of Akechi Mitsuhide has requested your help.
As the Daimyo of his village, it is your task to lead the Feudal Japan to prosperity! Detailed information here!
Changelog 1.153Dismiss Notice
Hello Queens and Kings,
The update to 1.156 will take place on Wed, July 10, 2019. There will be a short period of downtime during the update, we apologize for any inconvenience caused during this time.
For the detailed description of the upcoming changes, please see the details here.
GvG ImprovementsDismiss Notice
Hello Queens and Kings,
We'd like to keep you updated on what we're planning to do, as we're about to get started on implementing the following improvements, and would love to hear some community insight into if you feel these additions address some of the fundamental issues GvG faces.
For the detailed description of the upcoming changes, please see the details here.
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Disney Cars Inflatable Bounce House - Large
- $ 1,999 00 1999.00
- Shipping
- Price includes shipping
About this itemLightning and his convoy rev up the party as brilliant graphics provide a life-size experience!
Lightning and his convoy of Carburetor County friends rev up the party! The memories of Lightning's journey to the Piston Cup and his unexpected detour in a small, unassuming town along the road called Radiator Springs are captured in Ninja Jump's Cars line. Brilliant graphics of Lightning, Flo, Doc, Mater and all the other big screen residents of Carburetor County provide a whole new life-size experience for their fans! Bright and lively, our jumps offer more fun per square foot than any other. This unit provides over 220 square feet of pure bounce. High visibility mesh around all sides allows spectators to view easily. This unit is manufactured with Lite N' Strong™ 15 oz. fire-resistant, heavy-duty, commercial grade vinyl.
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For questions or concerns regarding this product, please contact the Manufacturer's Customer Service Department at 1-800-888-8148.
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- Dimensions: 16'4"L x 15'4"W x 12'8"H
Component Country


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Here are the minutes of the server team meeting. They can also be found online
with the irc log here.
Meeting Actions
- sommer and j1mc to look at doc presentation – carried forward
Review ACTION points from previous meeting
- sommer and j1mc to look at doc presentation – carried forward
Oneiric Development
See http://status.ubuntu.com/ubuntu-oneiric/group/topic-oneiric-server-overview.htmlfor detail.
- Merges and syncs going great
- New bugs manageable
- Need to focus on new feature delivery
MIR's for OpenStack – loads of them; all team to help out where possible – ideally all MIR's should be raised by the end of the week.
Ubuntu Server Team Events
- zul – Linuxcon Augst
- SpamapS – OSCON, Portland next month
Weekly Updates & Questions for the QA Team (hggdh)
- SRU verification for TGT and NBD
- Automated testing toolsets will need updating for A2 to accommodate installer changes
- Ubuntu QA Lab setup continues.
Weekly Updates & Questions for the Kernel Team (smb)
- Xen support – query around which kernel should be uses; must support blkback and netback; will be added to init.
Hardy AMI (https://launchpad.net/bugs/705562) – solution identified – see bug report for details.
Weekly Updates & Questions regarding Ubuntu ARM Server (NCommander)
- NCommander not present
Weekly Updates & Questions from the Ubuntu Community
- No updates or questions
Open Discussion
- SpamapS: call for more ensemble formulas to be written.
adam_g: OpenStack in Oneiric needs more testing – find time to try it out.
Agree on next meeting date and time
- Next meeting will be on Tuesday, June 28th at 16:00 UTC in #ubuntu-meeting.


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The Su Casa 36 in. x 42 in. Window Guard offers enhanced security for your home. Welded 1/2 in. tubular steel construction maximizes forced-entry deterrence. Available accessories allow you to protect oversize windows and create an interior quick release to enhance fire safety. Mounting brackets are sold separately. Choose from 3 in. projection brackets, flush-mount brackets, or inside-mount brackets. See Planning guide on "More Info" tab for More Information and specifications. A foot-operated release may be required by local fire codes.
- 36 in. x 42 in.
- Black powder-coat finish
- Traditional spear points and decorative scrollwork add beauty
- Welded 1/2 in. tubular-steel construction helps keep out intruders
- Installation instructions included
- Can be either surface or inside mounted
- Mounting brackets required for installation (not included)
- A foot-operated release kit may be required by local fire codes
- Use the Unique Home Designs one-way screw drill bit driver for easier installation (not included)


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What we're thinking and learning about right now and the news and issues that matter to nonprofits.
Mar 25 2019 | By Lori Manzelli, Associate, Communications
Given the national discourse around LGBTQ+ rights and the #MeToo movement, many nonprofits are exploring how they can create more inclusive environments and foster greater gender equity in the workplace. → More
Categories: Diversity and Inclusion, Human Resources
Nov 14 2018 | Cate Reynolds, Learning and Evaluation Coordinator
In October, Equity in the Center hosted their 2018 Summit in Baltimore where they highlighted organizations that were successfully building a race equity culture and the leaders driving that work. TSNE MissionWorks staff were there to bring lessons learned... → More
Categories: Diversity and Inclusion
Sep 21 2018 | By Owen Berson and Ning Jun Yuan
Millennials of color are feeling the pinch and in order to attract and retain talented staff, companies — especially in the nonprofit sector — need to develop strategies to make working in the sector a viable option. → More
Categories: Diversity and Inclusion
Apr 24 2018 | By Ning Jun Yuan, Associate, Digital Communications
TSNE MissionWorks and the NonProfit Center are proud to join over 100 other organizations in YW Boston's Stand Against Racism. → More
Apr 23 2018 | By Trina Jackson, Senior Facilitator, Programs
Reflections on the release of a new report by The Hyams Foundation Racial Inequities, Policy Solutions: Perceptions of Boston's Communities of Color on Racism and Race Relations. The report assessed attitudes on race, policies, and quality of life among... → More
Categories: Diversity and Inclusion, Public Policy and Advocacy, Social Justice
Apr 02 2018 | By Ning Jun Yuan, Digital Marketing and Communications Specialist
Building Movement Project releases their Massachusetts report on the nonprofit racial leadership gap. → More
Categories: Diversity and Inclusion, Governance, Leadership, Social Justice
Mar 15 2018 | By Maya Zeigler, Program Associate for Inclusion Initiative, Leadership & Learning Program
On February 28th, Gloria Namugaya spoke at the third event in the Grassroots Speakers Series. Gloria is the Executive Director of Women Encouraging Empowerment Inc., an organization that supports immigrant and refugee women and their families. → More
Feb 07 2018 | By Maya Zeigler
As a part of the Grassroots Speaker Series, community leader Anh Vu Sawyer spoke in late January at the NonProfit Center in Boston. → More
Categories: Diversity and Inclusion, Public Policy and Advocacy, Social Justice
Nov 03 2017 | By Trina Jackson, Senior Facilitator
The Inclusion Initiative brings together its grantee networks to share stories and strategies. → More
Jun 28 2017 | By P. Stewart Lanier
There is nothing like a good set of data to help us confront what is real, versus what we assume. The Building Movement Project recently released its Race to Lead: Confronting the Nonprofit Racial Leadership Gap report based on data from over 4,000... → More


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Pirates stay hot with edging of Brewers
Milwaukee, WI – Starling Marte drove in the eventual deciding run in the sixth inning and Jordy Mercer had three hits, including an RBI triple, as the Pittsburgh Pirates held on for a 5-4 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers in the finale of a three-game series at Miller Park.
Pedro Alvarez had a two-run double and Garrett Jones added an RBI for the Pirates, who won for the 10th time in 12 games.
"We're getting a little bit better," Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said. "We got on top and we stayed on top. Good way to finish this series, and to win this series."
Wandy Rodriguez (6-2) tossed five innings and allowed three runs on seven hits to go along with four strikeouts to win four straight starts for the first time since July of 2009.
"He didn't have his best stuff and we made it a little bit tougher on ourselves than we needed to, but we got it done," Hurdle added of Rodriguez.
Ryan Braun hit a three-run double and Carlos Gomez drove in one run to account for Milwaukee's offense. Starter Yovani Gallardo (3-5) gave up four runs on five hits and fanned seven over four frames in the setback, the first in 10 career home starts for the right-hander versus the Pirates.
"His stuff was good," Milwaukee manager Ron Roenicke said of Gallardo. "I thought he was down in the zone with it. It surprises me that he had good stuff but was in trouble getting through four innings like that."
Pittsburgh made it a 1-0 game in the second inning thanks to Mercer's run- scoring triple. The righty batter ripped a line drive just past the shortstop that reached the outfield wall, and was aided by Carlos Gomez's bobble in center, easily scoring Michael McKenry.
"I knew I hit it good and I just kept running until they told me to stop," Mercer said. "To come out of here with two our of three is special because we haven't played well here. It was fun today, we had some key hits."
The Pirates added to their lead with three runs in the third. Marte and Neil Walker reached base with a double and a hit by pitch, respectively, before Andrew McCutchen's fielder's choice to third put runners on the corners. Jones followed with sacrifice fly to make it 2-0.
Gallardo's struggles continued. He issued a walk to Gaby Sanchez and Pedro Alvarez, who homered twice in Saturday's 5-2 win, smacked a two-run double into the right-field corner to make it 4-0 Pittsburgh.
The Brewers finally figured out Rodriguez in the fifth. After issuing an opening single to Rickie Weeks, the lefty got two quick outs. The next two batters, though, kept the inning alive. Norichika Aoki ripped a single up the middle and Jean Segura reached on an infield single to load the bases.
Braun then came through and brought all the runners home with a double just over third base down the left-field line, bringing the Brewers within one, 4-3.
Marte added some breathing room for the Pirates in the sixth with a one-out sacrifice fly to center, scoring McKenry, who doubled to lead off the frame and moved to third on Mercer's base hit, for a 5-3 lead.
Milwaukee made things interesting in the eighth with Pirates reliever Mark Melancon on the hill. Jeff Bianchi smacked a rare triple down the first-base line, as it hit off a corner before heading into the outfield. Gomez brought him home with a warning track sacrifice fly that made it 5-4.
Jason Grilli, however, shut down the Brewers in the ninth, pitching a scoreless frame for his major league-leading 20th save of the season.
"It's baseball," Rodriguez said. "Things happen. I have a lot of confidence in him (Grilli) doing his job."
Game Notes
Milwaukee fell to 4-17 versus left-handed starters this season ... The Pirates are now 8-2 in Rodriguez's 10 starts this season ... The Pirates have not allowed more than four runs in 12 straight games. The club record is 15 straight games without allowing four runs, occurring in 2005 ... Rodriguez last won four straight starts with Houston from July 2-12, 2009 ... The Brewers selected the contract of pitcher Donovan Hand from Triple-A Nashville Sunday to fill the spot of Jim Henderson, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list Saturday with a right hamstring strain. The team also transferred pitcher Mark Rogers from the 15-day disabled list to the 60-day disabled list.


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2012 map could be deja vu for Obama
Some political scientists and Democratic strategists believe it's now possible that President Barack Obama could replicate his break-out Electoral College map from 2008, with the exception of Indiana, even if the popular vote is closer than four years ago.
Based on a recent spate of public polls, Mitt Romney is currently trailing by as much as 10 points in Ohio (18 electoral votes), 9 points in Florida (29) and 8 points in Virginia (13). A loss of any of those three states — but especially Florida — would be a big blow and make the GOP nominee's path to 270 electoral votes much narrower.
Story Continued Below
( Also on POLITICO: 2012 swing-state map)
Democratic strategist Tad Devine thinks Obama could win an Electoral College blowout if Romney doesn't turn his campaign around in the first debate this Wednesday in Denver.
"He's in a position to get close to 350 electoral votes, without a doubt," said Devine, who played key roles for Al Gore in 2000 and John Kerry in 2004. "The president and his campaign successfully identified states where they could beat Romney, set out to define Romney in those places and did so well through the course of the spring and summer."
"It ain't pretty for Romney right now," Devine added. "He's in a precarious position."
Republicans, and the Romney campaign, fiercely dispute the public polling, insisting that it oversamples Democrats and that the race will tighten before Nov. 6. But after the nail-biter elections of 2000 and 2004 — and polls all year showing a close 2012 contest — there's now a plausible scenario in which the incumbent garners a healthy Electoral Vote majority.
( Also on POLITICO: Right blogs challenge poll findings)
"The bad news for Romney is his core states keep him under 200 electoral votes," said Carleton College political science professor Steven Schier. "It may well be that the time and investment both in shoe-leather, get-out-the-vote efforts, in media, in candidate visits, in advertising that Obama invested this summer in the key states may produce a firewall for the Electoral College in November."
In 2008, Obama carried nine states that George W. Bush won four years earlier. They are: Colorado (9), Florida (29), Indiana (11), Iowa (6), Nevada (6), New Mexico (5), North Carolina (15), Ohio (18) and Virginia (13). These are worth a total of 112 votes.
Ohio, Florida and Virginia amount to the lion's share of those votes at 58 and are a big part of Romney's current problem.
One of the nine Bush states Obama carried, New Mexico is so solid for Obama that the Republican National Committee recently diverted staff elsewhere. Indiana, meanwhile, looks safe for Romney.
( Also on POLITICO: 2012 polling center)
Of the remaining seven, the more historically conservative North Carolina is Romney's best pick-up opportunity. Obama won the state in 2008 by less than one-half of one percent — just 14,000 votes of 4.2 million cast — on a surge of African-American turnout. But two polls conducted last week — including one by a Republican-aligned firm — gave the president a slight lead.
"I'm pretty confident if the election were held today, [Obama would] win everything but Indiana and North Carolina," said Tom Jensen, a Democratic pollster who runs Public Policy Polling. "He's got a cushion in all of them."