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Joined: 22 Apr 2012
Posts: 20
Location: Spain
Posted: Mon 11 Feb 2013, 12:35
Post subject: LPS Firewall???
I didn't want to start a new topic for this LPS related question but where is the firewall in LPS??, I tried to write iptables -L and ipchains -L but the result was nothing or not found, I'm new to Linux written commands but looking at that result makes me think that there's no firewall at all in LPS and I suppose that is a backdoor no mater how many times you reboot your OS, isn't it?, with all ports open, it's not important how secure are your browser settings as anyone can spy what you are doing typing or whatever, is that correct??, I read somewhere that Linux has the firewall built in its kernel, is this correct for the LPS distro too??, if so, is there a way to install iptables or any other GUI for adding or changing firewall settings??.
One last question, I was trying both LPS 1.3.6 and 1.3.5 and found that strangely the 1.3.5 you can still download at the LPS site has a different md5 than the md5 value I found in another site which kept the 1.3.5 hashes data (LPS site doesn't keep an archive of md5 sums), can anybody confirm the correct md5 for LPS 1.3.5 Public iso??
Thanks in advance for any answer and sorry for my poor English.
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Joined: 05 Sep 2006
Posts: 13129
Location: Stratford, Ontario
Posted: Mon 11 Feb 2013, 12:46
Post subject:
Open a terminal and type
lsmod | grep iptable
That may tell you if the firewall is already running.
[Edit] I looked in LPS and it does not appear to have the kernel modules for the firewall, which sounds counter-intuitive for a security Linux.
But if LPS is not running any services and has no open ports, then maybe it's smart enough to know that it doesn't need a firewall.
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Joined: 29 Jun 2008
Posts: 10548
Location: SwedenEurope
Posted: Mon 11 Feb 2013, 13:51
Post subject:
this being for the Military personal of US Army or Navy or any Military
would it not be logical to expect them monitor each usage for to find out
if anything bad is going on among themselves?
So sure the OS is very safe but maybe also very nosy to find out
whom are doing what?
Just me wild guessing.
I use Google Search on Puppy Forum
not an ideal solution though
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Joined: 22 Apr 2012
Posts: 20
Location: Spain
Posted: Mon 11 Feb 2013, 19:54
Post subject:
Thanks rcrsn51 for your fast reply, then I suppose it's impossible or very difficult to install those missing kernel modules for the firewall?
LPS has Java, Flash and others and those are "running services" so a firewall is mandatory, correct?, how do I know if LPS has all ports closed except the one/ones needed for Internet?, is it possible to create a distro with all ports closed without the need for a firewall?, I thought the task for opening or closing ports was done by the firewall.
Is there any online test for checking ports like the acid tests for the browser?
LPS Public it's just that, a public version just made by the U. S. Air Force, anyways, there's nothing suspicious in its licence agreement, in fact, it's a short and clear licence agreement, but if LPS has no firewall means that anyone can see what you are doing, correct?.
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Joined: 05 Sep 2006
Posts: 13129
Location: Stratford, Ontario
Posted: Mon 11 Feb 2013, 20:04
Post subject:
mollo wrote:
Is there any online test for checking ports like the acid tests for the browser?
I booted LPS on Machine A and Puppy on Machine B. From B, I ran PeasyPort and scanned all 65535 ports of A. There were no open ports.
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Joined: 22 Apr 2012
Posts: 20
Location: Spain
Posted: Tue 12 Feb 2013, 00:01
Post subject:
Thanks for that test but how is that possible, I mean, don't you need port 80 to be open to access Internet??, if there are no open ports how can you access www or send mails?, thanks again.
Do anybody have the correct md5 value for both public and public deluxe isos of LPS 1.3.5??
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Joined: 05 Sep 2006
Posts: 13129
Location: Stratford, Ontario
Posted: Tue 12 Feb 2013, 00:13
Post subject:
It's the web server that has port 80 open, not the client. LPS is not running a web server.
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Joined: 22 Apr 2012
Posts: 20
Location: Spain
Posted: Wed 13 Feb 2013, 00:44
Post subject:
Your desktop or laptop with Puppy, Windows or any other OS is also a client but you need firewalls in all of them to open or close ports, if your pc (client) had all ports closed then you won't be able to access Internet (server), send/receive mails and so on, correct?, then no matter if your pc runs LPS or Puppy, you need a firewall yes or yes so noone can invade your pc through one of its open ports, correct?
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Joined: 05 Sep 2006
Posts: 13129
Location: Stratford, Ontario
Posted: Wed 13 Feb 2013, 09:40
Post subject:
Murga-linux.com runs a web server. It advertises its presence to the rest of the world on Port 80. Knowing that, an attacker could bombard the server with specially-crafted data aimed at Port 80 in hopes of confusing the server and making something bad happen. Hopefully, the software running on the server is smart enough to prevent this, or it is running a firewall that rejects any strange-looking data.
When you run the web browser on LPS, you are NOT opening Port 80. Instead LPS opens a temporary port from a pool of 65535 choices. This is why you can have two different browsers running at the same time - each one gets a temporary port to communicate with a server.
An attacker has no idea that your computer is temporarily using Port 12345. And even if it did, what would your own firewall do? Block Port 12345? Then you would lose your connection to the remote server!
And how would you set up your firewall in advance to block a randomly-chosen port?
Things like Java and Flash are NOT services. They do not advertise their presence on your computer to the rest of the world.
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Joined: 12 Jul 2015
Posts: 2
Location: California
Posted: Sun 12 Jul 2015, 14:49
Post subject: LPS firewall
Subject description: How to check if LPS has a firewall
Hi All,
I enjoyed reading this LPS thread. I booted LPS (today) 1.4.1 (public deluxe) for the first time in a long time (I see LPS is now at version 1.5.7). Also booted Puppy (last weekend) for the first time in a long while too.
Regarding the subject (LPS firewall - Mollo asked about a firewall). GRC.COM has a firewall "checker". I went there today, selected the Services tab, then selected "ShieldsUp!". Appears that other than a ping response, LPS is running a firewall.
I know Puppy runs a firewall, but haven't checked it at GRC yet. I'm not too concerned, suspect it works just fine (smile).
Regarding browser updates: I was happy to see that the firefox browser now updates for puppy (select help, about firefox, then update, if you want (very cool)).
LPS does NOT allow the firefox browser to update. It would be cool if LPS did allow an update.
How/who created the puppy firefox update? What would it take to do the same for LPS? Maybe that function is there in the most recent LPS version?
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Joined: 22 Apr 2012
Posts: 20
Location: Spain
Posted: Sun 26 Jul 2015, 01:01
Post subject:
Hi Bob
It's fun to remember that after asking for a firewall in LPS here and IIRC in another forum (a military one), the next LPS version included one firewall so it was a nice coincidence.
I know that ShieldsUp site, I know it can be obvious so sorry for that but are you sure the firewall ShieldsUp is detecting is the one built in LPS and noth the one built in your router?, I said because that thing happened to me but I didn't try to disable the router firewall to test the software one.
Again IIRC, I think LPS allowed to update the browser pressing Help and then About Firefox but if that was so, it was many versions ago, now you can't do it that way but if you go to Tools and then Options you can mark the feature Install Updates Automatically but I didn't try that so don't know if it works, also don't know if the manual update can be re-enabled through the hidden Firefox config menu.
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Joined: 04 May 2005
Posts: 15588
Location: Paradox Realm
Posted: Sun 26 Jul 2015, 23:10
Post subject:
Thanks guys. This was a fascinating thread to reread and visit. Security I find fascinating but only need so much ...
So for example the CAC direct communication channel used by the military ... might there be an open source dropbox/openleaks where encrypted info can be left for a limited time?
I don't use Puli or even GROWL or even encrypt my data. Just not paranoid enabled.
However from the vulnerbility of monitoring by public wifi in coffee shops, libraries etc an idea for open source communication that may already exist?
A push type honeypot.
In other words an unencrypted or minimally secured top channel giving the impression of standard internet usage, whilst ones latest kickstarter recipe for the ideal tin foil hat is sent to Mr Robot ...
Puppy Raspup 8.2
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Last edited by Lobster on Tue 28 Jul 2015, 11:41; edited 1 time in total
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Joined: 05 Sep 2006
Posts: 13129
Location: Stratford, Ontario
Posted: Mon 27 Jul 2015, 08:55
Post subject:
mollo wrote:
but are you sure the firewall ShieldsUp is detecting is the one built in LPS and not the one built in your router?
Exactly. If you are running LPS or Puppy on a LAN behind a router with an IP address like 192.168.2.100, how could an attacker find your machine among the millions of other computers in the world with that same internal IP address at any given moment?
And suppose that your router has some vulnerability that lets it be compromised. Once an attacker can see inside your network, running a firewall on individual machines won't get you much. Either you have open ports for things like filesharing or you don't.
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Joined: 22 Apr 2012
Posts: 20
Location: Spain
Posted: Thu 30 Jul 2015, 23:51
Post subject:
I suppose that if that vulnerability isn't found in your software firewall then that second firewall would be able to keep your computer still safe/invisible depending on if it answers or remains silent to questions (or whatever they are called) received from that attacker. I think firewalls can answer open, closed or not to answer at all to questions received depending on firewall AI, am I correct?.
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Joined: 12 May 2008
Posts: 2190
Location: N.E. USA
Posted: Fri 31 Jul 2015, 21:15
Post subject:
have you taken a hammer to your Google/android Smatphone yet?
Or did you patch the StageFright?
Or is a smartphone TOO open ?
Linux user #498913 "Some people need to reimagine their thinking."
"Zuckerberg: a large city inhabited by mentally challenged people."
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Comparing SEO & Social Media as Marketing ChannelsBlog Post: November 16, 2010
Those people who insist that search is dead are about as well studied on the matter as those who once insisted that the earth was flat were well studied on that matter. This argument is what I call a parrot argument, which is an argmuent not founded on research, rather it is spread by one person repeating what another person said.
I recently wrote a blog series in which I compared the top search engines to the top social networking sites according to Alexa. My study showed that search and social have become intertwined in such a way that the Internet has become a type of ecosystem in which they must coexist.
Here are the links if anyone's interested in reading them.
Furthermore, the idea of social search is useful, but it is in its infancy. Just because I have friends from high school on my friends list doesn't mean we have anything in common 15+ years later. The only use for social search, in its infancy, is in helping people make better shopping decisions when shopping for friends.
I hope anyone who reads my blogs finds them useful.


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Click here to sign a petition to find out where Steve Whitmire is and why he's not performing his character.
Also, don't forget to submit your answers to The Great Muppet Survey by next Monday!
Now, on to our featured Mindset...
The Muppet Show Comic Book Issue 3 of 4:
Gonzo's Story
By Ryan Dosier - Continuing BOOM! Studios' four issue arc of The Muppet Show Comic Book written and drawn by Roger Langridge is the third installment of the series: Gonzo's Story (released May 2009).
The Muppet Show returns to the comic page once again in the third story of the series. This time, the focus of the story is that beloved weird whatever, Gonzo the Great.
While the plot is Gonzo-centric, he is surprisingly not the main character. Even more surprising is the fact that the Muppet Show's resident go-fer, Scooter is the main character—a role that wasn't even given to him when the show was at the peak of its popularity. That's the beauty of these comics, characters like Scooter or Rowlf can move to the forefront without the worry of finding a performer for them—let alone one that would please the fans.
In the comic, insurance agent Osbert J. Smedley arrives at the theater to conduct routine risk assessment (it's a big enough risk even entering the theater). Kermit, in order to get the annoying agent off of his back, directs him to Scooter. Scooter is more than happy to oblige when Smedley asks for a list of all the species hired at the theater. The list runs smoothly until Gonzo walks by… and then Scooter is in trouble.
The rest of the story follows Scooter around as he observes, investigates, and interviews Gonzo and the rest of the Muppets in an attempt to learn the bizarre creature's genus. The madness of a classic Muppet Show continues onstage with acts including "Chicken Lake" (a dance number starring chickens… and Gonzo), "Gumshoe McGurk, Private Eye!" (starring Gonzo), "Twinkle Twinkle Little Rat" (also starring Gonzo), and "ExtravaGonzo!" (starring… well, just guess who); along with classic acts, Bear on Patrol and Pigs in Space.
By the end of the story, Gonzo reveals to Scooter exactly what he is—and it's a terrific answer I honestly didn't see coming, but it works and it's great.
The tone of Gonzo's Story seems a little more off the wall than the first two issues—which is to be expected from a story focusing on Gonzo. I assume that Kermit let Gonzo take the reins for this show (especially considering the number of utterly strange acts the weirdo is a part of). It's like the themed episodes of The Muppet Show—this week's theme? The Great Gonzo.
Once again, Langridge impresses all-around with his writing styles. Every character is written spot-on—even Pops, who hasn't had a real speaking role since The Great Muppet Caper. Scooter is also written exceptionally well in this issue. He has the Richard Hunt "voice" to him throughout the whole thing—I could easily hear his voice as I read through the story.
The only complaint I have is a very small one. In the Bear on Patrol sketch, it seems Fozzie is written as the dumb cop, being distracted by cakes and éclairs, while Link accuses the criminal. It just seems to me that these roles should've been switched, but that's just my opinion.
Other than that all of it comes across perfectly. Rizzo has a few awesome scenes, and everything Gonzo says is delightfully weird. Langridge should be immensely proud of the job he's doing here.
The art in this one is especially interesting, considering the fact that the one main character fans have gripes about the design of is Gonzo. I've personally grown to love Langridge's Gonzo by this go around. His expressions all scream Gonzo, and although he doesn't look exactly like the weirdo we know and love, the character is there and easy to see.
Again, I have one very small nit-picky annoyance that only an obsessed fan would find annoying. Langridge draws Camilla and the rest of the chickens to the same height as Gonzo. Anyone who has seen Gonzo associate with his chicken lover knows that she's about a head shorter than him… but again, this is a very small complaint. It doesn't affect the quality of the wonderful artwork at all.
Roger Langridge hits it out of the park once again with Gonzo's Story. Ranking up among the previous two issues, I'd say this one is better than Fozzie's Story, but doesn't quite match Kermit's Story.
Be sure to pick up your own copy of The Muppet Show Comic Book Issue 3/4: Gonzo's Story today! Or buy the first trade paperback, The Muppet Show Comic Book: Meet the Muppets, containing Issues 1-4.
The Muppet Show Comic Book Issue 4/4: Miss Piggy's Story was released in June 2009. Will Miss Piggy's annoyance with a shady fortune teller who visits the theater end in distress—or just a broken bone or two?
The Muppets featured in this issue include: Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Gonzo, Scooter, Statler, Waldorf, Rizzo, Pops, Osbert J. Smedley (Insurance Agent), Sam Eagle, Sweetums, Robin, Thog, Boppity, Gloat, Dr. Teeth, Floyd Pepper, Janice, Animal, Zoot, Lew Zealand, Crazy Harry, Camilla, a Platypus, Link Hogthrob, Dr. Strangepork, the Masked Phantom, her Masked Nephew, Bunsen, Beaker, Swedish Chef, Uncle Deadly, Rowlf, a Bug Person of Grazz'But IV, Rats, Chickens, Monsters, Pigs, and more random Muppets than you can think of.


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Anyone know who makes this ancient dust collector?11/6
I inherited this when I moved into my new shop a year ago. It's just not sucking what it should be judging from the size of it? We mainly use it for a sliding table saw. We close all blast gates to dedicate suction to one machine at a time. My suspicion is that the lousy and excessive ducting with sharp 90's doesn't help. Still, you would think by the size of it, it would suck my arm off. The connection to the slider in pic was removed to see if there was something clogging the duct. It was taped before. Also, the air is pulsing recently as it sucks Thanks.
There is no photo but the first place I would look is at whatever filter arrangement is on it. They do not last forever.
Chris - if you can send me the image via email, I will add it to your post. Send to email@example.com.
To carry Bill's point a bit further, a fan can only suck if has somewhere to blow. Other wise it is like trying to suck smoke out of a beer bottle. Open the other end, and it will flow out. If you have clogged filters or no air return to the area that is being exhausted, the fan will spin but move little or no air. If doors are blown open or shut, this tells you that you need air return.
Then make sure all the ducts are wide sweeps, no sudden changes of direction, no inside corrugations, and tight joints.
another attempt at attaching the pics
Make sure that it's wired correctly and that the fan is turning the correct direction.
Electrician wired mine backwards, still sucked but only about a 3rd of what it should.
Wasn't aware you could wife if backwards. I'll have an electrician look at it. Then again, how would he know? I guess wire it opposite of what it is now and hope for the best.
As large as it is I'm assuming (I know better) it's 3 phase. 3 hot wires which any 2 and it reversed the motor, but better have an electrician do it.
Chris - I do not see where the air that is coming out of the shop is either returned to the shop or exited out the collector anywhere.
If the air is not returned, then the collector will suck doors closed in the shop (if they swing out), or suck them open if they are inswing. It must be a loop, free flowing.
The sequence appears to be Inlet, Fan, heavy separator, some sort of fine separator, then a cyclone oddly used (backwards), then some sort of box apparatus with hanging filters. Not logical at all, from what I see. Should be fan, cyclone, filters, then return to the shop. Heavy dust should fall below the cyclone, and the fines below the filters, with some sort of clean out at the base of the filters.
It looks like an old Murphy Rogers that has been 'fixed up' if you know what I mean. If those box affairs to the left and above are tight, then air will not exit the filter bags, and the whole thing will hardly suck up a shaving.
I think I would look for a local dealer of systems and ask him to come over and examine, diagnose and let you figure out where to go from there. His first response will be 'whole New System..." - you just need to tell him you are committed to making this work, you just need to know how.
Agree with David - It looks to me like the whole thing is backwards.
Your system was made by AAF/American Air Filter and is a well made unit. The blower is a true vane turbo charger style design that is balanced and extremely well made. These systems were sold to Voc schools all over the country and most have been removed since bringing them up to compliance was too costly.
The blower is coupled to a ' Rotoclone ' a proprietary separator that spins the mix similar to a cyclone and pulls the heavier chips into the bigger hopper. Anyway they run from about 15-20hp and 55-7000 CFM depending on how they are set up. Very nice units and worth keeping if they meet your needs. Because of the efficient blower design they pull air quite a bit more efficiently than most paddle wheel type blowers out there today and subsequently have a very flat performance curve
Wow! Thanks Rick! How exciting to learn I havent inherited a piece of junk. I will call them tomorrow to see if they have a tech that can come by to have a look. I really appreciate your input. Thank you! Ia had a look at the moter and it is only 5 horse 3 phase. Could I replace it with a 15 horse motor? Would it make a difference? I know zip about mechanics.
If it's not sucking the way it should be, take a look at the fan rotation.
There is a chance it could be spinning the wrong direction.
Checked that. Spins correctly. My suspicion is its in the lousy ducting. Any idea if I can put a bigger motor on it?
Is that 10 or 12" coming off the collector and going into the building ? Is that an 8 reduction in the door ? Maybe to many reducers along the main and then reduced again too much going down the wall
If the collector is pulsing as it collects you may have too much restriction open a gate
That looks like an awfully large blower for a 5hp motor. My Oneida is a fraction of the size of that and has a 7.5 hp motor. From the look of the system I'd think a 15hp motor would be an absolute minimum. It will be interesting to see what you find out.
BH Davis


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How do I install Ubuntu to a USB key?
I want to know if it is possible to install and run Ubuntu completely off a flash drive without using my computers hard drive. I want to be able to plug in a USB and boot Ubuntu off it. I can't get passed the install screen, and I'm using version 11.10. If this can be done, please help me.


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The talent behind "The Kids Are All Right" are very all right with their Oscar nominations today.
First, PopcornBiz heard from Annette Bening, the Best Actress nominee who also demonstrates a talent for brevity:
"Four nominations and four kids. I am damn proud!" says Bening.
U.S. & World
Then it was Mark Ruffalo's turn, celebrating his first nomination for Best Supporting Actor:
"It is with great honor and humility that I receive my Oscar nomination," says Ruffalo. "I have been included with a group of top-notch actors who I respect and admire. I am humbled to be in their presence. I also would like to acknowledge the power of ensemble acting. The kind of acting that happened in this movie does not exist in a bubble. Any honor that I receive must be shared with Julianne Moore, Annette Bening, Josh Hutcherson, Mia Wasikowska, the rest of the cast, and of course the inimitable Lisa Cholodenko. Thank you to the Academy. This nomination is a win for Marriage Equality and that is the most I could hope for."
And finally, we got a note from filmmaker Lisa Cholodenko, enjoying the film's Best Picture nom as well as a personal nod for co-writing the Original Screenplay:
"It's incredible to think that this morning's Oscar nominations go back seven years to the fateful day Stuart Blumberg and I crossed paths in a Los Angeles coffee shop and agreed to write KIDS together," notes Cholodenko. "If luck is preparation meeting opportunity, then that was the opportunity, hands down! I'm thrilled that I'll be at the Kodak Theatre next month with Stuart, Mark Ruffalo, Annette Bening, Jeff Levy-Hinte, and my other producers who worked so hard to get this film made."
"I only regret that Julianne Moore didn't get the acting nomination she so richly deserved," says Cholodenko. "But the Picture nomination is as much hers as ours. We couldn't have made this film without her heart, smarts and loyalty, not to mention her outstanding performance."


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"When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged
to change ourselves."
– Viktor Frankl, Man's Search for Meaning
"If we want a different future, we cannot remain the same today."
– David Anderson Hooker, Restorative Justice Training
Please contact me to set up a free in-person consultation.
Periods of struggle and suffering in your life can provide you with important opportunities to cultivate inner-strength, fulfilling relationships, and lasting meaning. However, if these struggles become too big then this can damage your mental health and leave you with depression or anxiety. If this happens, it's important to seek help from a professional. Of course, who you go to depends on the individual that is struggling. For example, Honey Lake Clinic is a great place for Christian teenagers to go and get treatment for their mental health issues while also practising their faith. However, everyone takes a different approach to treatment so this route might not be best for you. You may find you would prefer a more holistic treatment. If this is the case, I can help you develop a personal framework that will foster nourishing joy and holistic health. If you struggle with issues connected to fulfillment, life satisfaction, depression or difficulty during life transitions, you will find resonance with my approach. I work best with clients who seek to ease suffering and who aim for personal transformation.
I support individuals and couples who experience social marginalization due to race, ethnicity, gender identity, and sexual orientation. I assess for historical harms and multigenerational trauma, and address the suffering caused by social oppression head on. Oppression is real and you do not have to remain silent.
Therapy with me is a collaborative process. I will assist you in gaining greater self-awareness and provide a safe space to explore your negative emotions and unhealthy patterns. In my practice I draw from mindfulness-based, transpersonal, existential, family systems and Gestalt therapies. Together, we will find solutions that create lasting change.
I work with older adolescents, emerging adults, adults, couples and families.
To schedule a free in-person consultation and for more information about my professional counseling services in the Bay Area, please email: email@example.com OR call 24/7: 510-292-4002. (Note this voicemail line is for non-emergencies. In case of an emergency, please call 911.)
Office Location: My office is conveniently located 1/2 block north of Ashby BART, at the beautiful Anam Cara Therapy Center – 2915 Martin Luther King Jr Way in Berkeley, CA.
Payment and Insurance Information: I charge $100 per 50 min. session. I reserve a limited number of spots in my case load specifically for lower-income clients. Please contact me if you have any questions about my fees.
Currently, I accept Aetna insurance. If you have out-of-network benefits from a different insurance carrier, you may be reimbursed a certain percentage of the fee per session, depending on your coverage.
For more information about my scope of practice and your rights and responsibilities as a client, please feel free to review my Informed Consent Pamphlet.
I am a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor in California (LPCC). My license number is LPC 37 and can be verified online on the Board of Behavioral Science website.
USA National Suicide Hotlines
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No.1 Kabuki-za Theatre Regular tour (Ticket handling included)
【Tour dates】March 2nd-26th
【Ticket type】Advanced ticket included
The best choice of seat depends on the show or programs. We provide guests the best available seats in each grade for the show.
【Package contents】40 minute pre-performance "About Kabuki" talk (including visual presentation) over Japanese tea and sweets, Kabuki advanced ticket, ticket- handling, English summaries, useful map of the Kabuki-za theatre and its attractions, suggestions for the intermission
【Kabuki-za Gallery tour】Not included
【Note】All tickets are not refundable. Please do not change your schedule after we purchase your tickets.
We like to buy our guests' tickets during presale in order to provide them with better seats. So please contact us at your earliest convenience.
The best choice of seat depends on the show or programs. We provide guests the best available seat in each grade for the show.
【Ticket cost breakdown】Box seat: 20,000 yen, First grade: 18,000 yen, Second grade: 14,000 yen, 3A grade: 6,000 yen, 3B grade: 4,000 yen


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A ridiculous amount of clips from "Machete" have found their way online and they're pretty much what you would expect. Lots of blood, lots of strippers and some serious bad acting. I mean all three of those things in the best way possible. Check them out below and look for "Machete" this Friday in theaters.
Machete - Clip Two
Uploaded by dreadcentral. - Check out other Film & TV videos.


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North West Gardens to Visit for Autumn ColourPosted by David Andersen at Tuesday, February 12, 2013
1) Bodnant: www.bodnantgarden.co.uk
Bodnant Garden is easily one of the most beautiful gardens in the UK, spanning some 80 acres situated above the River Conwy in North Wales on ground sloping towards the west and looking across the valley towards the Snowdonia range.
The Garden has two parts. The upper garden which is quite formal around Bodnant Hall consists of the terraced gardens and informal lawns shaded by trees. And the lower area, known as the "Dell" formed by the valley of the River Hiraethlyn which contains the Wild garden.
There are tree and shrubs here which originally came from China, North America, Europe and Japan, but which are suited to the Welsh climate and soil. The planting has been done sympathetically with care taken and dramatic plant associations.
Image above: Autumn colour at Bodnant, photograph by Gillian Dromey
Autumn Colour at Bodnant
I know, it's been a bit wet of late, but a glimpse of sunlight shining through russet leaves is just the thing to lift the heart. The garden is well and truly being transformed by the colours of autumn now; there are still flowers to be enjoyed but it is foliage, berries and fruit which catch the eye and when the clouds clear away the mountain backdrop provides some breathtaking panoramas.
The wild garden is in its full full glory, with rowan, prunus and many other deciduous trees, native and exotic. Exotics which will stand out include the pink-leaved Katsura Tree, Cercidiphyllum japonicum, with its heart shaped leaves which smell of burnt sugar, the flame red oak Quercus coccinea, a Prunus cerasifera 'Pissardii' (Purple Leaved Plum), the acer like Sweet Gum, Liquidambar styraciflua, and Hamamelis x intermedia 'Ruby Glow'. Berries with wow factor include the Sorbus hupehensis 'Pink Pagoda', the pale green Styrax japonica (Japanese Snowbell), the aptly named Sapphire Berry Symplocos paniculata and a red fruiting Viburnum lobophyllum.
As herbaceous plants wane, the eye is drawn upwards again to the towering evergreen conifers including firs, cedars, hemlock and the redwoods.
2) Ness Gardens: www.nessgardens.org.uk
This incredible garden set on the Wirral peninsula has extensive herbaceous borders and a victorian style potager. It also has the UK's largest collection of sorbus (Rowans) and a beautiful and impressive collection of magnolias, rhododendrons and camellias.
Plants of interest in Autumn:
colchicum (naked ladies/ Autumn crocus/ Meadow Saffron)
potentilla dahurica 'Bright Ness' (cinquefoil)
parrotia persica (persian Ironwood)
euonymus phellomanus (winged spindle / cork tree)
humulus lupulus 'Aureus' (golden hop)
heptacodium miconoides (Seven son flower tree)eupatorium maculatum (spotted Joe pyeweed)crocosmia 'lucifer' (montbretia)rudbeckia fulgida var.sullvantii 'Goldsturm'
3) Arley Hall: www.arleyhallandgardens.com
Situated near Northwich in Cheshire, these lovely gardens are famous for their outstanding herbaceous borders. A visit at this time of the year reminds any gardener of the design value of seed heads and twig and stem interest, elements which can all play an important (yet often forgotten) part in the garden designers palette.
In addition the woodland walk reveals many fine views as the trees display their incredible autumn hues of reds, golds and purples.
Image above: Echinacea purpurea, featured on the Rhone Street Gardens blog
"A plant is only worth growing if it looks good when it is dead"
-Piet Oudolf, Dutch garden designer
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Sustainable, entrepreneurial, web-able, sociable: The life and Blogs of Nick Horslen
Welcome to an eclectic mix of links that matter the most to me. They represent things in my life and work as a portfolio worker, an employer, employee and mentor: An investor in the widest sense. I hope you find the links thought provoking as I make my journey. Thanks for joining me!


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Warriors face many hurdles in building S.F. arena
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The man who produced such edge-of-your-seat movies as "Batman" and "Midnight Express" cautioned Tuesday that his efforts to build a new Golden State Warriors basketball arena atop San Francisco's Piers 30-32 are in the very earliest stages.
"This is the beginning of the beginning of the beginning," said Peter Guber, co-owner of the Warriors and CEO of Mandalay Entertainment. "We're at the opening credits."
It's yet to be seen whether this particular production will be a feel-good story, as the Warriors and city officials pledge, or a heartbreaker like so many previous efforts to develop the 13-acre patch of crumbling concrete and pilings just south of the Bay Bridge.
Lack of money and frustrations with the politics of San Francisco have sunk at least five previous efforts, some with major players behind them like Oracle billionaire Larry Ellison, who backed out of a plan this year to build on the piers as part of the America's Cup sailing race deal.
Supervisor Sean Elsbernd, known as a pragmatic fiscal hawk, said this time around, the Warriors' owners' intense enthusiasm in the face of the piers' structural problems and the city's politics may prove the difference.
"There's no question the ownership is really walking out on the plank," Elsbernd said. "It's not just a toe in the water. They've jumped in."
Potential condemnation
The Port of San Francisco estimates the piers will be condemned in 10 years if not dramatically overhauled, but that's exactly what the Warriors have in mind to support their new stadium: a $75 million to $100 million repair job on the pilings supporting the piers and a brand new surface on top of it.
An iconic, high-tech arena, retail center, restaurants, parking garage and public park space is estimated to cost an additional $500 million - all to be privately financed except for the handover of the piers and an adjoining lot across the Embarcadero from the city to the team on long-term leases. The combined value of those properties - with Piers 30-32 in usable condition - was about $55 million, according to city officials. But in its current state, the piers have a negative value, they said.
Ellison's loss may prove beneficial to the Warriors because the team now has access to the Oracle co-founder's extensive engineering studies done on Piers 30-32, which were provided to the port, and to thousands of pages of public documents produced last year for the environmental impact review of the America's Cup regatta that include analyses of the piers' physical condition, animal species in the water and traffic issues. Guber and Warriors co-owner Joe Lacob say they're fully aware of the condition of the piers and will soon be putting out a bid to fix them.
A game of politics
Still, the project, whenever it is committed to paper, will have to be approved on its own merits and face the rigor of San Francisco's political process. While the mayor and all 11 members of the Board of Supervisors sent a letter to the team this month urging it to move to San Francisco, community support is far from unanimous.
Aaron Peskin, chairman of the local Democratic Party and a frequent critic of waterfront developments, said he was surprised that all the supervisors voiced support for a plan when they know virtually no details.
"People should wait and see what the financial details of the project are before they start cheerleading and falling victim to a lot of hype before anybody knows any details beyond some pretty watercolors," he said, referring to artist renderings of the new arena.
Neighborhood groups, too, are likely to have major concerns. Count Jamie Whitaker, a member of the board for the South Beach| Rincon| Mission Bay Neighborhood Association, among them.
He acknowledged a new arena would be "a boon to businesses" in the area, but said he has significant concerns about adding to traffic where cars already back up for blocks to get on the Bay Bridge. Adding a major construction project on top of others in the area, including the new Transbay Transit Center, compounds the problem.
"It's a mess right now," Whitaker said. "Over the next five or six years, it's going to be a challenge not to feel trapped in our homes."
David Lewis, executive director of the nonprofit Save the Bay, said, "They just announced that they're going to do this. That is definitely the easiest part."
Even with City Hall's support, the Warriors' owners will need to convince the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission and the California State Lands Commission, which both oversee waterfront development on public land.
Winning their approval could be difficult. State law has strict "public trust" requirements for building on the waterfront that prioritizes open space, the maintenance of views of the water and maritime usage. Lewis said a basketball arena doesn't fit any of that and could easily be built farther inland.
Gunnar Lundeberg, president of the Sailors' Union of the Pacific, said Piers 30-32 are among the few in the bay that sit next to deep water and that they should be preserved for usage by ships.
"Although I'm not opposed to an arena, why put it there?" he said. "It's just like another nail in the coffin of maritime San Francisco, whatever's left of it."
Jennifer Matz, the head of the city's Office of Economic and Workforce Development, thinks neighborhood groups and other initial opponents will come around because of the team's promise to build a beautiful, unique arena. "It has the potential to be as iconic and memorable as Coit Tower or the Transamerica Pyramid," she said.
But not everybody's so sure. Fred Blackwell, Oakland's assistant city administrator, knows San Francisco's intense politics around development as the previous head of its redevelopment agency.
"San Francisco has given the Warriors a waterfront offer that they could not refuse," Blackwell said Tuesday. "And in the end, we will leave a space for the Warriors after they are exhausted from the (California Environmental Quality Act) litigation and cost increases required to be on the San Francisco waterfront."
Piers 30-32: Where development plans falter
Built as separate piers in 1912, Pier 30 and Pier 32 were both extended in 1926 and then linked together in 1950 to form a single pad called Piers 30-32. Since then, multiple plans to develop the 13-acre site have foundered.
1993: Scandinavia Center Inc.'s plan for a cruise terminal, exhibition hall and other uses failed because of a lack of financing.
2006: The Bryant Street Pier Project, to include a cruise terminal, state-of-the-art retail, residential development and a public park, fell apart after the cost of retrofitting the pier proved prohibitive. The $360 million project was a joint venture of Lend Lease Development US Inc., the Port of Singapore, Chinese Maritime Transport Inc. and Whitney Cressman LLC. Former 49ers owner Eddie DeBartolo then tried revising the project, but the Port of San Francisco rejected his plan.
2008: Shorenstein Properties LLC considers an office development at Piers 30-32 to pay for building a cruise ship terminal at Pier 27. That plan also fell through.
2012: Oracle billionaire CEO Larry Ellison's America's Cup Event Authority pulls out of a $111 million deal for waterfront upgrades in exchange for long-term leases. Piers 30-32 were the centerpiece of the deal. The dramatically scaled back plan now has the port paying about $8 million to partially fix up Piers 30-32 for use as some racing team bases for the 2013 regatta.
Source: Port of San Francisco, Chronicle research
John Cote and Heather Knight are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. E-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com, email@example.com


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FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS McDONALD OBSERVATORY, AS HEARD ON KCBS RADIO WEEKDAYS @ 9:52 A.M., 7:35 P.M. & 2:52 A.M.
STARDATE 5/29/2014: Most of the stars that you see in the night sky aren't alone — they consist of two stars or more. They're so far away, though, that their light merges into a single pinpoint.
But it can be tough to tell which stars are single and which aren't. Consider Denebola, the star at the tail of Leo, the lion. It's high in the southwest at nightfall, well to the upper right of bright orange Mars.
Seen through a telescope, Denebola has several close companions. Detailed study, though, shows that none of the stars are bound to Denebola — they just happen to line up in the same direction.
Astronomers use several techniques to figure out which stars have true companions.
The simplest is to track the stars over a period of years and see how they move. Stars that are gravitationally bound stay close together, and make a loop around each other.
Another way is to look for eclipses. If a system's orbit happens to line up along our line of sight, then the stars may periodically pass in front of each other, causing the system's light to fade a bit.
And for stars that are especially close together, astronomers use spectroscopy — they split the light of the target star system into its individual wavelengths. Each star's spectrum produces a unique pattern, like a barcode. If two or more stars are orbiting each other, then the astronomers see two or more barcodes that shift back and forth a bit — the signature of close companions among the stars.
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You've seen them play the Buffalo Sabres. Now you get to rate them.
We're encouraging fans to rate each Canuck player's performance after every game this season, and we're keeping a running tally of who's performing best. Just click on the link below to get started. If a player you see on the list did not actually play, you do not have to leave a rating. We will publish the results on Sunday.
See the latest Canucks player ratings.


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Oh peoples.
I need more sleep. I need more days. I need more height.
As I said recently, I've take up yoga. (Time suck, but it's good for me, so it's allowed.)
I've committed to reading a book a week on Goodreads. Hard to argue with that--I need to read and I want to read. (Please come friend me if I haven't friended you by the way--I love reading my friend's TBR lists!)
The writing workshop work continues. And work. And writing. And family stuff. Not necessarily in that order.
But this week? I started getting involved in Pinterest. At first, I scoffed at it. What, a place where you virtually tack up pictures? So? So what?
So what is right. So awesome! I started pinning with the vehemence of a woman on hi-caffeine chocolate mixed with espresso powder and a dash of Tabasco. And so I pinned.
Stuff I want in my home (including ideal writing caves...*drool*)
THE FOUNTAIN characters, in flesh and blood.
Stuff for my MG novel, THIRD LAW OF MAGIC.
Heaven help me, I'm a lost girl!
Have you discovered Pinterest?


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Minister lists foreign policy priorities for year ahead
Ambassadors' Week – Closing speech by M. Jean-Marc Ayrault, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development
Paris, 2 September 2016
Members of Parliament,
Ladies and gentlemen,
As we wrap up the 2016 edition of Ambassadors' Week, I want to review its main lessons. I hope you found the variety and depth of our discussions to be illuminating, and that they gave you the information you need to convey the message that France sees the state of the world with clarity and is actively seeking solutions to the major challenges we face. I would like to thank this week's organizers, beginning with Secretary-General Christian Masset, Hervé Dejean de La Batie, his entire staff, and all the staff members who worked on this event.
Foreign policy
When President Hollande put me in charge of our diplomacy last February, I was very mindful of the difficult time we were going through. 2016 brought its share of tragedy and exposed our country to the devastating effects of terrorism. Of course, our thoughts – like yours – go out to all the victims, and to all their family members who are living with the emotional and sometimes physical consequences of this tragedy. The past year has also driven home the deep-seated turmoil in our world, at a time of mushrooming crises. I will not go into each one, as President Hollande has already elaborated on how France is coming to grips with them.
What I will note is their diversity and the variety of their origins. Some are deeply rooted in the societies and political systems of various nations; others stem from social tensions against a backdrop of economic problems and the abrupt adjustments they generate, raising the spectre of downward mobility. Globalization is overturning traditional structures and exacerbating ethnic concerns. Populist movements in Europe, the United States and elsewhere are feeding off of this and posing a challenge to our representative democracies. Traditional geopolitical conflicts are reawakening; they sometimes offer the nostalgic illusion of regained power. Yet power relationships have deeply changed, with state power weakening and the emergence of actors that seek to undermine regional orders – think Boko Haram – or constitute a more global threat, like Daesh [so-called ISIL]. And technology offers them a more effective way of spreading their message.
Shifting power relationships are generating confusion and blurring the usual points of reference. The rise of emerging countries is less linear than might have been imagined a few years ago; it is not filling the vacuum left by the US withdrawal from the scene, particularly in the Middle East.
Our traditional mainstays of support have been undermined, making the world a more unstable, less predictable place. The appeal of European integration has been tarnished by doubts coming from the Europeans themselves, and the BRICS – some of which are in crisis – are not really managing to unite. In the United States, a presidential candidate is proposing radical shifts that are troubling to the entire world.
Human rights
The norms and institutions on which the international order is based are being weakened by unprecedented protests. Collective security mechanisms no longer play a sufficiently protective role – this is tragically the case in Syria. The universality of human rights is being called into question, populist trends foster authoritarian and even autocratic abuses, as well as a form of legitimacy by plebiscite, leaving little room for opposition. They promote an absolute concept of sovereignty.
Finally, our world is a world of inequalities. In Europe and in the United States, the pursuit of an economic model that increasingly rewards capital over labour is expanding the gap between rich and poor. Combined with a digital revolution that creates few jobs, this development is hurting the middle class and the poor, who are left vulnerable to the temptation of extremes.
In emerging countries, the slowdown in growth is hindering the process of political modernization and social transformation. While continuing to deal with the dual challenges of inequality and poverty, Africa has an economic model that is still too dependent on the export of its raw materials. All these aspects add up to an uncertain world, but in the face of uncertainty, there is no room for discouragement or resignation. Never giving up, even in the most difficult circumstances, is France's true strength. As you know, it is precisely for this reason that our country is relied upon and respected. It is because France's relationship with the world is characterized by solidarity that when France itself is struck in the heart by the despicable barbarity of terrorism there is a global wave of sympathy for our country.
Your mission, ladies and gentlemen, is to be true to our country's commitment to peace; to be true to its commitment to rebuild a more just and compassionate world, giving all nations the opportunity to embark on the path of sustainable development; to be true to our country's commitment to the universal values of freedom that, despite a trend towards relativism, remain as meaningful as ever. This was the spirit in which, a few days ago, you received guidelines on strengthening our efforts to promote human rights, something that is in no way incompatible with defending our interests, including our economic interests.
For I'm convinced that our identity is strongly tied to the Enlightenment values that are also the values of our Republic. Throughout the world, many have adopted the three words of our national motto – liberty, equality, fraternity – which are a beacon of progress. Remembering this, in our internal discussions, is a sign of responsibility. Some of you have witnessed the devastating impact that our political excesses have had abroad. Restoring a degree of calm is a matter of urgency. I am calling for a return to reason and good behaviour. That is how we will get back to basics and engage in a discussion of ideas. Instituting bans can create stigmas that end in rejection. That is not France. When France rejects others, it does not solve any problems, particularly the problem of integration. It is no longer in sync with its own values.
European Union
In an uncertain world, our values are of great help, as I just noted. They are our strength, and they inspire us to move forward with a great initiative: Europe.
Over the past few years, Europe has been confronted by a "polycrisis," to use Jean-Claude Juncker's term, that has put it to the test: a financial crisis, an economic crisis, a security crisis, a refugee crisis and a humanitarian crisis. It has always found a response, although what with last-minute summits, the process has sometimes obscured the result.
Likewise, its decision-making abilities have considerably improved. Who would have guessed that an agreement would be reached in less than six months on the creation of a European Border Guard Corps, a subject that was first broached, particularly by France, 10 years ago?
But there's still a long way to go. Implementation must become a real political priority, because for all too long Europe has made decisions without a concrete impact, giving the impression of collective impotence. So it's not surprising that over time, people's confidence has been eroded.
The British referendum revealed the magnitude of this loss of confidence. The British people's decision is a grave one. In view of our historic friendship with the United Kingdom, France would have preferred to continue building Europe with the UK, but the British people have spoken and their decision must be respected. Nothing would be worse for Europe and for our democracies than to let uncertainty drag on. That's why the British authorities must accept the consequences of this vote by activating the process provided by the treaty to initiate the UK's orderly exit from the European Union.
In this way, in a manner characterized by clarity and mutual respect, Europe will overcome a difficulty that is weighing first and foremost on the UK. Naturally, we must look at how to preserve, in a new configuration, the contribution of our two countries to Europe's place and role in the world. This is a task that France is preparing for.
By the same token, as I told the German ambassadors in Berlin last Monday, I don't think our analysis of the EU's status must be overdetermined by the result of the British referendum – first, because for many, this vote hinges on factors specific to the UK and its domestic politics. And second, because, despite the prognostics, this decision wasn't accompanied by a rejection of the idea of Europe, but on the contrary, made many Europeans aware of their fundamental attachment to Europe. It would therefore be a mistake for the EU to overestimate the impact of the UK's departure, and it would be in its interest to stand firm on its principles, and to revive the desire for a common ambition. For Europe, the main challenge in fact is making sure that the 27-member EU is stronger than when it had 28 members minus one.
Even before the British referendum, my work with my German colleague Frank-Walter Steinmeier was motivated by the need to reinvigorate the European project, and that issue is indeed at the heart of the discussions that got under way and will give rise, on 16 September, to the adoption of clear guidelines at the Bratislava summit. That's another thing we're working on. President Hollande spelled out our objectives: to protect the EU's external borders; monitor European territory in the face of threats; give a new impetus to a European defence system; doubling the Juncker plan, making it a model of growth based on investment in the industries of the future; strengthen social justice and tax fairness; implement programmes fostering mobility and youth employment.
By focusing on these priorities, Europe will meet the aspirations of its citizens and will regain their trust. In that way, Europeans will once again fully realize that our continent's integration is a unique historic experience that will continue to safeguard peace and prosperity.
I deeply believe that changes in the world, the threat of terrorism, the fear of decline, call for building "a Europe that protects." I know that's not a new slogan, but these aren't just pious words, nor should they translate into a desire to turn inwards. We must now show that they go hand in hand with our continent's ongoing unification, and – most important – we must take action.
Europe must first protect its citizens by giving itself the means to guarantee its security, to retake control of its external borders, and respond to turmoil in the world. That doesn't mean closing the borders and questioning Schengen. It's a historic achievement in the building of Europe. We are well aware that, on the contrary, our common counter-terrorism effort requires strengthening cooperation with our partners.
The EU has just adopted a comprehensive security strategy. It is up to us to implement it, through our capacity to conduct operations and institute mechanisms for that purpose, through the investments of member states in their defence systems, and by expanding our industries. But most important, we need a Europe whose political will is strong enough to help resolve the conflicts that threaten it. That is how we will build a true security and defence union.
Transatlantic partnership
The "Europe that protects" is also a Europe capable of promoting its social model, and thus its interests. To expand internationally, our companies need rules deriving from a multilateral framework, or trade agreements negotiated with third countries. They must be solidified, but Europe cannot pay the price alone. A transatlantic partnership can therefore be conceived only if it is based on balanced concessions and full reciprocity, otherwise there will be no treaty with the United States. The example of the treaty with Canada shows that when we give ourselves the means, it is possible.
Within the EU, the free movement of workers can and must be compatible with the fight against social dumping. As Prime Minister Valls reminded us yesterday, this issue lies at the heart of current negotiations on the posting of workers. We must move forward on all these issues. With Germany first, because our two counties transcended their pasts to bring about the integration of our continent, and they retain their strong momentum. And with our other partners as well, because Europe needs unity, and we have everything to gain by strengthening our dialogue with all Europeans. Harlem Désir and I are counting on you to contribute to this effort, whether you are posted in an EU member state or in a third country.
Fight against terrorism/Daesh
In an uncertain world, our commitment to peace is our compass. As a permanent member of the Security Council, France contributes to this aim through its ability to speak to everyone. That is of course the case in North Africa and the Middle East, whose proximity makes turmoil there as existential for France as for Europe.
Let's face it: security in that region is our security, and this security is being threatened by Daesh, which prospers in areas of instability and frustration. We will win the war that Daesh has declared on us, and not only because we are part of a coalition with close, robust allies. But if France is a particular target and has paid such a heavy toll, it is precisely because it is France, because it embodies a certain idea of tolerance, dialogue, and coexistence. We will never renounce these values of which we are so proud, and which are the opposite of that organization's deadly obscurantism.
With Daesh losing ground, the challenge is also to prepare ourselves to win the peace. We will succeed not by military means alone, but by seeking political solutions and negotiation. This is particularly the case in Syria, Libya, and between Israel and Palestine.
In a devastated Syria where Daesh and Bashar al-Assad's regime rival one another in horror, weapons will not resolve this conflict. No one will win this war, and whatever happens, after five years of atrocities and more than 300,000 dead, the Syrian regime will not be able to survive this tragedy. Bashar al-Assad will no longer be able to govern the country in peace because, despite the glimmer of hope elicited by the announcement of a cessation of hostilities, the regime and its backers are locked in a spiral of violence that prevents the ceasefire and hinders the delivery of humanitarian aid.
Russia and Iran are fuelling this effort, which will lead to a dead end. This already complex civil war is about to take on a new Kurdish dimension. The sacrifice of the people of Aleppo is a tragedy that shocks consciences and must at all costs be stopped.
Let's be consistent, persistent and determined.
The UN report on the use of chemical weapons requires us all to face up to our responsibilities and to return to a political solution. Let us give peace a chance; that is what France wants to achieve at the Security Council. We want these crimes to be strongly condemned within the framework of a resolution under Chapter VII which would impose sanctions on the perpetrators.
In Libya, the terrorist threat and the proliferation of trafficking also pose pressing challenges. Despite the scepticism, the Government of National Accord has been established under the leadership of Fayez Sarraj, whose courage I applaud once again.
In order to eradicate Daesh, it must now take control of all institutions and the entire territory. But it must reach a compromise with its Parliament in Tobruk and General Haftar. France is ready to support its efforts, notably in conjunction with the regional powers, starting with Egypt.
In the Middle East, some believe that the situation between Israel and Palestine, which continues to deteriorate every day, is not the current priority; this is a mistake because there can be no peace in the region without resolving the conflict that is fuelling the violence and propaganda of radicals on all sides. We have a duty not to give up. We therefore had to take the initiative. And the fact that 30 or so of our partners came to Paris on 3 June proved we were right. Of course, there is still a very long way to go. The most difficult thing – bringing the Palestinians and the Israelis together around the same table – remains to be done. But France has already managed to put the peace process back on the agenda. Thanks to its efforts, it has managed to mobilize the international community once again, and the initiatives of some partners – at times modest but real – like the United States, Egypt and Russia, bear witness to this. France will not give up and will do everything possible to achieve the goal of holding a conference with the parties by the end of the year.
I want to say once again to our Israeli and Palestinian friends: if you really believe that the two-state solution is the only possible solution, dare to implement it, take the risk of peace. It's a difficult choice that involves painful compromises. There are no other alternatives, France and the international community will stand alongside you.
There are many other conflicts to discuss, notably the tensions in eastern Ukraine which Germany and France are trying to resolve within the framework of the Normandy format. In this respect, the ceasefire agreement reached at the end of the summer must be upheld and could serve as a basis for making progress towards implementing the political component of the Minsk agreement.
In the Donbass region and elsewhere, our ability to establish dialogue with Russia is at stake; Russia is a partner of France and a major country that has legitimate aspirations to play a role on the international stage. We want to ensure that our efforts are in line with each other and when that's not the case we should not shy away from accepting our differences in order to work more effectively towards reconciling our points of view. There is no alternative, especially if we want to find a solution in Syria. But we have to be aware that forming an alliance with Moscow is not enough to bring about a miracle. We also want sanctions to be lifted; this can only be achieved if Russia implements the commitments it made within the framework of the Minsk agreements.
And I would like us to pursue the major partnerships that we've developed over the last few years on the American and Asian continents. With the long-term interests of France in mind, the economic and political emergence of these regions may appear to be constrained by a slowdown in growth and the slow pace of change in the areas of democracy and human rights, but I remain convinced that the economic opportunities and the political role that Asia and Latin America are destined to play at the global level justify our efforts to continue developing solid partnerships with these two regions over the long term.
Lastly, a few words about Africa, which is a region that is witnessing growth, innovation and an expanding middle class, but which is also frequently undermined by demographics that put a strain on the economy and society; on top of this the continent has some chronically weak states. Terrorist groups are taking advantage of this in the Lake Chad Basin, in the Sahel and in the Horn of Africa. In Mali and the Central African Republic, France has assumed its responsibilities. It has done so in many other countries, as was recently the case in Burundi, by playing its full role at the Security Council.
Our efforts to demonstrate that there can be no development without security are beginning to bear fruit, especially at the EU level. However, beyond that, I believe that the fates of Africa and Europe are inextricably linked. Europe will not succeed if Africa fails. We must therefore support our African partners in achieving their aspirations: aspirations for democracy and respect for human rights; aspirations to catch up economically and to create opportunities that will make it unnecessary for their young people to follow the migrant routes in order to leave their countries; aspirations to benefit from globalization and, in general, kick-start economic and social development.
This shows the importance of relaunching our development policy, which is underpinned by the historic success of the summit on sustainable development goals and COP21. Our diplomatic corps did its utmost in this respect; it must remain fully mobilized. Last year, President Hollande called for funding for the French Development Agency's operations to be increased by a further €4 billion per year between now and 2020, half of which will be allocated for the climate. At the same time, in order to give substance to our priority to support the most vulnerable, he decided to allocate €400 million in additional funding per year over the same period in the form of grants.
André Vallini and I are happy to confirm that we have started to implement these commitments. Thanks to the reform of the AFD, implemented under the energetic leadership of its CEO, and thanks also to €85 million in additional funding for official development assistance, which I achieved through the 2017 finance bill. I believe these changes fully justify, as announced by President Hollande, a new meeting of the Interministerial Committee on International Cooperation and Development (CICID).
Foreign Ministry reforms
World developments and the resulting challenges to our diplomatic policy have a direct impact on the women and men who support it. These challenges are changing the work of diplomats, require the development of new skills, and demand ongoing commitment. I know, and as you see every day in your interactions, at headquarters as well as within the diplomatic network, that this commitment is shared by all members of our ministry and is based on a sense of dedication, professionalism and passion.
Over the last few years, the Ministry has undergone major reforms in order to adapt to new challenges, modernize the civil service and contribute to the efforts to control public spending. More than half of the measures identified within the framework of the MAEDI 21 project have, for example, been implemented under the leadership of the Secretary-General. Our agencies have been reformed in order to ensure greater coherence and increased effectiveness. The critical importance of transparency will be reaffirmed at the Open Government Partnership Global Summit, which France is due to host at the end of the year.
The Ministry will be strengthened by all of these reforms. The expansion of its scope will provide us for the first time with the whole range of instruments of external action. And the proposals that arose from the White Paper on partnerships with regional authorities are aimed at enhancing the coherence of France's international action beyond the role of the state. The fact that our interlocutors – and companies in particular – recognize the impact of these changes is also a source of satisfaction.
Economic diplomacy
Economic diplomacy remains the priority, as you know, since you devote 40% of your time to it on average.
The second session of meetings with entrepreneurs provided another opportunity to build direct relations with SMEs, very small businesses and mid-caps; I hope these will lead to business opportunities, contracts and jobs.
Despite a relatively unfavourable economic environment, marked by a slowdown in the global economy, the stabilization of the euro and rising oil prices, our foreign trade is recovering. It was worth €75 billion in 2011, and our deficit fell to €45 billion in 2015. This is the result of the reforms initiated in 2012 which helped improve the competitiveness of French industry. It is also the result of our efforts to restructure our industrial sectors and take positive action to promote exports.
Matthias Fekl is leading efforts to ensure that Business France facilitates the internationalization of SMEs and mid-caps by simplifying our support mechanisms and making them more understandable, in close collaboration with all stakeholders, chambers of commerce and industry and foreign trade advisors. More companies should therefore receive support for their projects allowing more of them to enter the export market. 117,000 firms exported goods and services in 2011, and 125,000 firms did so in 2015. I am counting on you to enthusiastically pursue all of the efforts that have been initiated.
As we all know, the sector that has suffered the most as a result of the attacks is tourism in particular. After 2015, when the number of tourists exceeded 85 million, 2016 will undoubtedly be marked by a drop in the number of international visitors. This is also due to a combination of factors, including the downturn in the economy of several countries of origin. But does that mean we should stop trying to attract 100 million tourists per year by 2020? I believe otherwise. First of all because our country is demonstrating exemplary resilience, with broadly stable results at the regional level, despite the attack in Nice. And because the level of French and European visitors remained stable in many places, some overseas markets grew and some activities were extremely successful. The best response is therefore to mobilize our efforts.
And in order to address the worrying situation in Paris, I established an emergency economic committee on tourism which I will reconvene in the next few days. Together with the Mayor of Paris and the region, I launched a campaign to promote the destination of Paris, which has just been extended to other regions and allocated additional funding. Our ambitious efforts to streamline this sector will continue beyond the emergency phase and at the second annual tourism conference which I will chair in the autumn alongside tourism professionals.
Your role is obviously essential. Thanks to your networks you have the ability – in collaboration with Atout France – to prevent a distorted image of reality in our country from being spread abroad. I am counting on your dynamism and your enthusiasm. France's commitment to addressing the great challenges of civilization is essential in a world facing fanaticism and violence. President Hollande mentioned the international conference in Abu Dhabi on the protection of endangered heritage, whose success you will help ensure.
External action/culture
Our soft power helps to promote dialogue among cultures on a daily basis. Our external cultural action has undergone considerable changes, especially over the last few years. In the face of competition, we have developed a comprehensive approach that is part of a new vision of the correlation between cultural, scientific and economic challenges. The remit of our departments and institutes has been expanded to include creative industry exports, gourmet cooking, sports diplomacy and the promotion France's appeal to students in collaboration with CampusFrance. Like the conductor of an orchestra your role was to make sure all of our efforts abroad are in harmony.
I want to resolutely continue to promote the values of tolerance, humanism and openness within this remarkable cultural network which includes the schools managed by the Agency for French Education Abroad (AEFE). The success of a large number of initiatives within our network and in Paris aimed at promoting the discussion of ideas reflects the vitality of international intellectual dialogue. I therefore urge you to invite intellectuals, researchers, artists and engaged citizens, French citizens and French speakers all over the world to take part in the second Night of Ideas organized by the Institut français on 26 January. Culture is key to promoting France's influence and raising its profile. You can count on my total commitment.
Cultural reaffirmation also contributes to the fight against radicalization. The Ministry has a responsibility to contribute to this effort, and this is the goal of the international strategy that we just presented and which must now be implemented. We can take pride in the fact that a female diplomat is playing a key role in this area.
Given the expansion of international collaboration, I would like to task an ambassador with coordinating our efforts to combat terrorism and to represent France in the meetings devoted to this issue.
In each of your countries, you must therefore provide feedback on all experiences that we might be able to draw on and, conversely, you must explain our best practices.
Foreign Ministry/resources/reforms
Ambassadors, before I conclude I would like to talk about our resources.
I am aware of the efforts that our ministry has made in order to help – as is reasonable – control public spending. Further savings will be required in 2017 but at a level consistent with the streamlining, modernization and sound management initiatives already introduced. My main goal with respect to the budget process was to not to exceed the job cuts that we had already approved within the framework of the three-year budget period, and I succeeded. This will notably help avoid – as the Secretary-General announced – another round of personnel changes in our embassies.
Furthermore, I secured an additional €62 million in funding for security. This will be used to ensure the security of our networks abroad, including our schools and lycées, the security of French communities and will contribute to the fight against terrorism. It will lead to the creation of 67 jobs.
For the first time in many years, the funds managed by the Security and Defence Cooperation Directorate will increase. The resources of the crisis and support centre – which, thanks to its recognized expertise, has been tasked with managing the Interministerial Victim Support Unit, which is activated in the event of an attack – will also be strengthened. Giving priority to security is in my view justified: the Department of Diplomatic Security will become a full-scale directorate. I will ask the Secretary-General and the Administration and Modernization Director-General to start working on this immediately. All in all, for the first time in several years, the increase in funding for security and official development assistance will allow the Ministry to increase its budget.
It just remains for me to express my appreciation for the work you and your teams do every day, on every front, sometimes in difficult conditions. You deserve the nation's gratitude.
In the face of turmoil and the complexity of the world, you have an increasingly difficult task. The best way to tackle this is by setting a good example. This is a collective imperative first of all, because that's what the members of this ministry expect: our working methods must evolve further, notably with a view towards achieving a better work-life balance. Significant progress has been made and I am particularly delighted to note that our heads of mission now include 48 female ambassadors, i.e. twice as many as five years ago. We must keep working tirelessly to combat all forms of discrimination, all outdated notions, whatever they may be.
Leading by example is also an individual imperative because we represent France and embody its values. This must go hand in hand with an attitude of openness to society which will help us gain a better understanding of who we are and what we do. This will help our compatriots understand the incredible work that all personnel members of this ministry do day after day in the service of France. Because what unites us is our love of France, this sense of pride in what our country stands for, this passion to serve it wherever you represent it. Long live the Republic and long live France!./.


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I've watched "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" a couple times, but I can never buy into the show because I'm constantly thinking about what happens after the disadvantaged people move into their ludicrous new McMansions.
Great, you now have an enormous house. But what about property taxes? Increased insurance premiums? The cost of upkeep? Who's gonna clean that bowling alley every week?
And what do the neighbors think about someone sticking a house fifty times the size of everyone else's in the middle of the neighborhood? They just gloss right over this stuff, like you'd never think about it. Well, I do. It's troubling.
And now, it appears those questions are starting to be answered, and not in a good way. The Wall Street Journal published a report about beneficiaries of the show defaulting on their mortgages, and quickly finding out that owning a giant home with a fully functional merry-go-round isn't all it's cracked up to be.
U.S. & World
In many cases, the bigger, more lavish homes have come with bigger, more lavish utility bills. And bigger tax assessments. Some homeowners have tapped the equity of their super-sized homes only to fall behind on the higher mortgage payments.
The show's producers say they are aware of the problem and are making changes appropriate to current economic reality: downsizing.
ABC will now scale back the redesigns to give the people a more modest makeover. No more shark tanks. No more full-size roller coasters in the playroom.
That's all well and good, but it doesn't solve the core problem, namely that the houses will still come with an increased cost of living, and that some of the beneficiaries will take out giant home equity loans against them that they really shouldn't.
Obviously, this show has its heart in the right place. It's hard to argue with doing something to help those less fortunate. But giving someone a big house without giving them the resources and knowledge to LIVE in that big house makes the whole enterprise feel hollow. Turns out the "Extreme" part of the makeover is the most unwelcome part.
Next time, perhaps they should just fix the sink.


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"How can you not savor the flag-embossed poker chips with Uncle Sam as the king, Miss Liberty as the queen and Adolf Hitler as the joker?"
–Washington Post Book World, Inaugural Issue
"…a little gem of a table-topper, a fine host or hostess gift for any flag-waving friend this holiday."
-Houston Chronicle
"…wonderful and eccentric book"-Louisville Courier-Journal


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NFL VP: Wes Welker's hit on Aqib Talib was legal
New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick says Denver Broncos receiver Wes Welker's pick on cornerback Aqib Talib was a deliberate act and "one of the worst plays I've seen."
NFL vice president of officiating Dean Blandino acknowledged Wednesday that although Welker appeared to be trying to run into Talib, it was still a legal play – at least for now.
Talib was covering Demaryius Thomas when he collided with Welker, suffering a rib injury that knocked him out early in the Patriots' 26-16 loss in Sunday's AFC Championship Game.
"You'll see Welker run the route, and he does appear to angle back towards Talib and come into his path, creating that contact," Blandino said in his weekly appearance on NFL Network.
"Now, we have to look to see when was the ball touched in relation to the contact? You'll see here the contact occurs, the ball is touched almost simultaneously – we don't have a foul for pass interference. The other thing – is it unnecessary roughness? Under the current rules it isn't."
Pick plays are common in the NFL. Most just don't have that much contact.
Given the injury, Blandino said he expects the NFL's competition committee to examine the play in the offseason. He also said he has spoken with Belichick.
"There was communication with Bill and we talked about the situation and the play," Blandino said, "and obviously, there's a difference of opinion there and something that we'll continue to look at during the offseason."


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Monday marks a holiday that in Canada is known as Thanksgiving. Any American will recognize the basic outlines of the day: Get together with friends and family and eat until you can compare stretchmarks and then succumb to naps. That doesn't mean it's the same holiday. Care to (U) guess (S) which (A) is superior?
The harvest season up north is of course shorter, so this holiday of plenty actually works in October. Its dates floated for some years (for a long stretch it resided on a November Thursday) until 1957, when Canada nailed it down to the second Monday in October—conveniently overlapping with Americans' observance of Columbus Day. This means bankers and mailmen on both sides of the 49th parallel can get shithoused on the same Monday without worry that they're missing voicemails from their counterparts.
It's a fine holiday, but even most of the folks I know here in British Columbia implicitly regard it as the junior-circuit version of the greatest of all American holidays, referring to theirs as "Canadian Thanksgiving." Part of that is to distinguish it for an American audience such as myself, but it's also an acknowledgement that the Yanks' version has grown to a mythological proportion. Part of that involves the ritual of sport, certainly: Thanksgiving simply wouldn't be the same holiday if the NFL were still in preseason at the end of November, as the NHL (usually) is in early October. Americans are fat and love to get fatter; the gluttony of their Thanksgiving takes on a self-righteous urgency. Thanksgiving proper is also Black Friday Eve, speaking of mentally healthy American rituals.
But the critical feature of Thanksgiving, its enormous advantage over the Canadian version, is hidden in plain sight: It's on a Thursday. Superficially this doesn't appear to make as much sense as a three-day weekend. Realistically a huge swath of American workers, outside of essential sectors such as movie theater ticket-takers and Walmart cashiers, leverage that Thursday across Wednesday and Friday to build a four- or five-day weekend. Hell, play your boss right and you can shrug off the preceding Tuesday, as well. All that's left is Monday, when no one feels like doing much of anything. Weasel out of that pointless workday and a single holiday Thursday can beget an effective nine-day weekend—spring break in November. With football. And your family on-hand, all stoned on turkey and carbs.
Canada's Thanksgiving is just afternoon snacktime by comparison. But it still clobbers a mere Columbus Day. Adopt Canadian Thanksgiving as your own, and lo, you shall have two Thanksgivings to celebrate each year. Think of the first one, Monday's, as a starter Thanksgiving. Slather maple syrup onto a Canadian bacon crepe, eat with gusto and then say "sorry" when you reach for seconds.
Then, in the spirit of cross-border brotherhood, enjoy a Canadian beer that doesn't taste like imitation Budweiser. The recommendation this week is Blue Buck, a hoppy, malty pale ale out of a Victoria, B.C. brewery called Phillips. It's something of a magical beer, actually, combining the lazy sipability of a lager with the depth of an ale. It does such a good impression of a lager, in fact that it won silver in the 2012 Canadian Beer Awards' North American Amber Lager category. No, that doesn't make sense. Yes, it's a peculiar beer.
Tasters tend to find apple and citrus notes, as well as caramel and honey that match the color of the pour. Overall, it's not the most challenging beer you've ever had, and on a Thanksgiving, that's fine. To buy it, you'll have to set foot in British Columbia or Alberta; Phillips hasn't yet begun to distribute south of the border, alas. Mitigating that sucky state of affairs, the brewery has published a recipe for Post-Thanksgiving Turkey Corn Soup that it says pairs well with Blue Buck. Swap out a similar English Pale Ale (e.g. Boddingtons or Old Speckled Hen) if you must. Happy Starter Thanksgiving, one and all.
Beer-game pairings
Detroit and Dallas both have byes, totally thwarting my Thanksgiving hopes. Substitute Buffalo at San Francisco to see Canada's adopted NFL team at work. The Monday night game is a holiday must: Houston at the Jets. And for Saturday afternoon, we're looking West Coast: No. 23 Washington at No. 2 Oregon.
(Note: Because Phillips' website is too cute for its own good, reading the corn soup recipe is a pain in the ass. Unless you read it below. Sub-note: I have no idea if this recipe is even edible. If it's not, blame Canada.)
Post-Thanksgiving Turkey Corn Soup
• 1 pound leftover turkey meat, diced bite-size
• 2 oz. hard Spanish-style chorizo, diced small
• 2 tbsp. olive oil
• 1 large onion, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 1 carrot, diced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 6 cloves garlic, minced or pressed through a garlic press
• 2 medium tomatoes, diced
• 3 ears fresh corn, shucked and cleaned
• 2 large yellow potatoes, cubed
• 6 cups chicken stock
• 1 tsp. dried thyme
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 heaping tsp. turmeric
• 2 tbsp paprika
• 1 tbsp smoked Hungarian sweet paprika (can substitute regular paprika, totaling 3 tbsp.)
• 1 tsp. cayenne pepper
• 1 tsp. red pepper flake
• 1 tsp. chipotle pepper
• 1 tsp. chili powder
• 1 tbsp sugar or honey
• 1 tbsp rice or white wine vinegar
• Salt and pepper
Cut the ends off the fresh ears to provide a flat surface and stand them upright, shaving the kernels off. Heat the oil and cook the diced chorizo until crisp and its fats are released, about three minutes. Add onion, celery and carrot, stirring until sweated, about four minutes. Add garlic and cook two minutes more. Add tomatoes and all the dry spices and herbs, toasting for two minutes. Stir into thickened sofrito and spice mixture the potatoes, red bell pepper, and chicken stock. Bring to a boil; then cover and simmer gently for 10 minutes. When potatoes are nearly done, add corn and leftover turkey. When corn and turkey are cooked and tender, about four minutes, turn off heat. Add sugar or honey and vinegar, adjusting to taste and adding salt and pepper as needed.
Serves 8-10.


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Arts & Entertainment
Optic-Herald 2008 coloring contest
- Details
- Category: Arts & Entertainment
- Published on 25 December 2008
- Written by Mount Vernon Optic-Herald
Jami Reed, age five, was the third place winner of the Optic-Herald Coloring Contest.
She won $5 in cash as a prize. See the Dec. 25 edition of the Mount Vernon Optic-Herald for the details.


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ROME (Reuters) - Enrico Letta was sworn in as Italy's new prime minister on Sunday and immediately faced an emergency after an unemployed man shot two police officers outside his office.
The 49 year-old gunman, from the poor southern region of Calabria, told investigators he had planned to attack politicians but had found none within range.
One of the officers was shot in the neck, hitting his spinal cord, and he was in a serious condition, surgeons said. The other was shot in the leg.
In a surreal scene, outgoing Prime Minister Mario Monti received the official trumpet salute in the courtyard of the renaissance Chigi palace before walking across the cordoned-off square, past police crouching over the scene of the shooting, looking for evidence.
There were immediate calls for parties to try to calm a heated public mood that has been exacerbated by deep political divisions as Italy languishes in its longest recession for 20 years and has been without a proper government for months.
"Our politicians have to start providing solutions to the social crisis and to peoples' needs because the crisis transforms victims into killers like the man who shot today," said lower house speaker Laura Boldrini.
"There's a social emergency that needs answers and our politicians have to start giving them."
Letta, 46, who will set out his programme in parliament on Monday, has said his first task will be to tackle the economy which has contracted for six consecutive quarters and pushed youth unemployment close to 40 percent.
Official data this month showed that alongside Italy's 2.7 million officially unemployed in 2012, there were 3 million more who were so demoralised they had given up the search for work, a far higher number than in any other EU country.
The gunman's home town of Rosarno has a jobless rate far above the national average and is renowned for the activities of the local mafia, the 'Ndrangheta, and riots by African immigrants paid a pittance to collect the local fruit harvest.
Having fired several shots at the police on duty outside the prime minister's office, the man, dressed in a suit, shouted "shoot me, shoot me" to other officers nearby, police said.
Letta, on the right of his centre-left Democratic Party (PD), ended two months of stalemate that followed an inconclusive general election by uniting political rivals in a broad coalition government.
The mix of centre-right and centre-left politicians and unaffiliated technocrats has a record number of seven female ministers and is made up by relative youngsters in an attempt to respond to public disillusion with the political elite.
But the continued risk of political instability was spelled out by an ally of centre-right leader Silvio Berlusconi.
Renato Brunetta, lower house leader of Berlusconi's People of Freedom party (PDL), said the government would fall unless Letta promised in his maiden speech to swiftly abolish an unpopular housing tax and repay the 2012 levy to taxpayers.
"If the prime minister doesn't make this precise commitment we will not give him our support in the vote of confidence," following the speech, Brunetta told daily Il Messaggero.
He said that during negotiations for the formation of the government Letta had "given his word" on the abolition and repayment of the tax, which would gouge an 8-billion-euro hole in public accounts.
New Economy Minister Fabrizio Saccomanni, formerly deputy governor of Italy's central bank, said he wanted to cut public spending and taxes, but made no reference to the housing tax.
In the election, Italians vented their anger at a discredited political class by giving 25 percent of votes to the anti-establishment 5-Star Movement led by former comic Beppe Grillo, which refused to join any coalition.
Divisions have deepened since the vote, with millions of centre-left voters upset, first by a bad split inside the PD and then by the party's decision to govern with Berlusconi after its leadership, including Letta, had ruled out that possibility.
Berlusconi, widely written off after being forced from office in 2011 at the height of a debt crisis, is now a vital part of the ruling majority and has placed several ministers in the cabinet, including the PDL's national secretary Angelino Alfano as deputy prime minister and interior minister.
Recent polls give him a lead of between five and eight percentage points over the centre-left, and many commentators believe he may bring down the government as soon as he is fully confident of winning an election.
Additional reporting by James Mackenzie and Antonella Cinelli; Editing by Robin Pomeroy


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State FOI and privacy panel facing deadline
HARTFORD — A deadline is fast approaching for a Connecticut task force charged with finding ways to balance victim privacy with the public's right to know.
The group must report its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly by Jan. 1. However, the legislation creating the Task Force on Victim Privacy and the Public's Right to Know says the panel terminates on Jan. 1 or when it submits its report, whichever is later.
The panel has yet to reach consensus on any recommendations. Hartford state Rep. Angel Arce (AR'-say) has offered some initial ideas, including a possible compromise for handling 911 audio tapes. That has been a key issue in the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting.
Task force members are meeting Wednesday morning and are expected to discuss Arce's recommendations.