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The principles of a DevOps approach emphasize people and culture above tools and processes. But their implementation inevitably rests on a technological foundation. DevOps will evolve from a niche to a mainstream strategy and strong growth opportunities are expected for DevOps toolsets. By 2020, Gartner estimates the market size for DevOps Ready toolsets to be over $2 billion (five-year CAGR of 26 percent)1.
But alongside its clear benefits, DevOps brings unique challenges when developing and operating a mobile environment. Leaders in mobile app development face a unique set of requirements relating to collaboration, testing, release, and analytics.
These challenges are holding most organizations back from realizing the full benefits of the approach despite a favorable business environment in which mobile app development is exploding and mature organizations are each building and deploying numerous custom apps every year.
There are four challenges in particular that test leaders in mobile. They are:
Technology fragmentation. The continuing proliferation of different mobile devices, and the rapid fragmentation of the market for management tools and operating systems, both act to adversely impact DevOps' ability to keep pace with mobile app releases.
Back-end systems. Mobile app development inevitably drives changes to an enterprise's back-end systems, requiring better collaboration between mobile and traditional development and operations teams.
Releases and updates. Mobile brings challenges in releasing and updating apps. Unlike the web environment, users must actively download updates. Not every user will, and rollbacks are usually not an option.
Instrumentation. For mobile apps, instrumentation can sometimes be poor, and the visibility of production use low. This will hinder continuous delivery—one of the core DevOps principles.
Success in a mobile environment means overcoming these additional DevOps challenges. As the volume of work in enterprise app development increases exponentially, IT operations face being put under tremendous stress if DevOps is not used or implemented properly. The risk of those operations becoming a critical bottleneck is a real one.
That's why adopting best practices is crucial. This means embracing a mix of mobile app development tools and common collaboration and continuous integration tools. It means employing mobile test automation to enable continuous delivery. And it means implementing app instrumentation to foster continuous monitoring and analysis. These principles are the key to success in mobile DevOps.
Mobile DevOps is a fast-paced mobile application development approach that focuses on communication, integration, deployment, automation and measurement. It's a collaborative approach that fosters close working between app developers, testing and QA teams, and IT operations. It emphasizes an ability to prepare, install, and launch mobile applications and test scripts across all target devices. And it offers an easy-to-use set of commands that automate mobile app management and mobile device management operations.
This makes it possible to remotely use real mobile devices to:
Install or remove a mobile application and its different versions
Select an appropriate variant of mobile device
Conduct automated mobile app tests on particular features
Run trusted test scripts on one or more variants of mobile device
There are three rules of thumb when it comes to adopting mobile DevOps:
Continuous integration and continuous delivery against a real environment is key Emulators and simulators are acceptable in the earliest phases of development. But as an app becomes more sophisticated, and as the features that end-users will ultimately see are developed, getting the app thoroughly and comprehensively tested across real devices in real-world environments becomes far more important.
Continuous integration and delivery can be measured with various metrics. The most important for mobile app development and testing include:
The frequency of deployment and the frequency of tests executed against each regression
The number of new features, new lines of code or other integrations deployed in each build
The actual time taken between development starting and test finalization
The percentage and total number of failures against successful tests
Decisions about automation vs manual testing
Test applications, test infrastructure, and deploy frequently
There are many open source and commercial tools which can help organizations build, deploy, test and release their apps. The most meaningful value-add in mobile DevOps is a mobile test automation suite that can accommodate frequent builds (that is, several times daily) to test use in context and enable instant bug-hunting.
Frequent deployment and testing also enhances an organization's ability to automate the functional, compatibility and performance testing of its application. With a mobile app this needs to accommodate not only the binaries deployed on each device, but also, and more frequently, the large number of dependencies on other applications, back-end systems, and networks.
Developing, deploying and testing in the infrastructure context will also offer key insights into how well the entire environment, and the application within it, performs. In this way, it's also much easier to drive iterations to make usability, user-interface and user experience aspects better. If something lags or performs badly in the environment it will have an impact on all other pieces of the system.
Monitoring mobile apps, APIs and other relevant parts is also important. While an app may appear to perform just fine when seen in isolation, there may be other entities that don't necessarily provide the same level of performance. Accurate performance analysis with real data will help improve the overall development flow.
Continuous validation of quality
"Continuous everything" are the bywords of modern mobile DevOps. The approach should always strive to improve things, processes and culture. The continuous evaluation of efficiency and productivity can offer real insights into performance issues and solutions for making each successive regression smoother and more seamless.
The approach should even include reconsidering from time to time which DevOps tools should continue be used. This is especially true if there are any doubts about the current environment, its capacity to deliver and whether it works as efficiently as possible. The characteristics of a quality mobile app are set from the very first line of code right through until it's in hands of its end-users. Everything that happens in-between should be measured, validated and fixed when needed.
Agile development is at the heart of today's mobile app development processes and culture and it should be reflected in the tools used by developers. Agile development sprints that include test automation will be faster. And adopting the right tools, methods and technologies will enable an organization to develop and test a mobile application at pace.
The challenges in using DevOps for mobile development are real, but they can be overcome. Organizations should consider partnering up to ensure they maximize the wealth of knowledge and experience available to them. DevOps represents the future of mobile development, and businesses need to ensure they're capable of realizing the full benefits of the methodology. The continuous roll out of new capabilities will be the differentiator between organizations that thrive and those that stagnate. That's why it's time to make sure DevOps is part of the future for your business.


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subset: commoncrawl


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Take Credit Card Payments : Best Reviews of 2018
Merchant account is a contract between a business and a bank or a financial institution. This contract ensures that the bank accepts payments for the products or services on behalf of the business. These Take Credit Card Payments acquiring banks ensures that a merchant or company can accept payment from international customers for the products or services they deliver. Thus merchant accounts form a vital part of any E-commerce business.
There are two types of merchant accounts. First is the normal account, where the Take Credit Card Payments can directly access the card and ensure that it is a legitimate customer, thereby the risk involved is minimal. The second type of Take Credit Card Payments involves the accounts where it is not possible to visually testify the customer. These types of accounts include adult entertainment merchants, online tobacco merchants, replica merchants, online gambling merchants, pre-paid calling merchants, VOIP merchants, multilevel marketing merchants, or any transaction that takes place with the customer physically not present. Thereby, the possibility of fraud activity is much greater with this type of business which results in classifying these types of accounts as "high risk" ones. Naturally, these high risk merchant accounts present the risk of the dreaded charge backs for the banks in question. It has been proved by various researches that these high risk processing transactions are more susceptible to fraudulent transactions.
Take Credit Card Payments : Things to Note and Avoid
The primary costs to a merchant of merchant accounts are discount rate and transactions fees. The merchant account provider has a lot of latitude in the pricing structure.
Three tier pricing is one of the most common pricing schemes. Using 3 tiers pricing, the merchant account provider groups the transactions into 3 groups (tiers) and assigns a rate to each tier. The three tiers are qualified, mid-qualified and non-qualified rates.
1. A qualified rate is the lowest tier. It is what a merchant is charged when processing a consumer credit card in a way that has been defined as standard by the merchant account provider. The qualified rates is what is usually quoted by merchant account salespeople. A mid-qualified rate is what the merchant is charged if processing a transaction outside of standard parameters. A mid-qualified rate may apply to rewards or corporate cards, which can comprise up to 40% of the cards used for purchases. The merchant, of course, has no control over what card a consumer uses.
3. A non-qualified rate is the highest percentage rate a merchant will be charged whenever they accept a credit card. A common reason for non-qualified transaction is not providing all pertinent information on a transaction. Non-qualified transaction fees may also be assessed if a merchant doesn't settle batches within a specified amount of time.
Non-qualified rates can cost merchant 150-300 basis points more for the transaction. Another excellent profit stream for merchant account providers. And one that is frequently hidden from the merchant
TheGrandFoundation.com Specializes in Reviewing Merchant Accounts


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While there were 1274 registered voters here at 7 a.m. on Nov. 6, by day's end there were 146 more: same day registrants. And of the total, 1165 voted.
Nov. 6 was the first time here that the polls had been opened so early - 7 a.m. - and Town Clerk Kitty Cornwell reports that there was a line of people waiting to vote that early. "It was busy, early on," Cornwell said, and there was a steady stream throughout the day, so "we closed at 7 p.m. with no need to keep the polls open later."
According to Cornwell, "There were a couple dozen volunteers who helped make Election Day very successful...We're very grateful for their help,"
Once again State Representative Janet Wall garnered the highest number of votes among the five successful candidates for House seats from District 6.
Two new lots off Cherry Lane received comditional approval from the Planning Board on Nov. 7.
Chuck Goss' plan will create two three-acre lots from a 138-acre parcel. He is required to get the state dredge and fill permit; a letter from the witness to the test pitting; and a letter from his wetland scientist to the effect that there will be no adverse impact due to driveway crossings. Goss said the wetlands permit is now under technical review at the state level.
As voted by the board, once these documents are received by Chairman Bob Sterndale he will sign the mylar.
The board will not meet on Nov. 21, but will meet on Dec. 5.
With that white stuff already having shown up in town, everyone needs to know that our Winter Parking Ordinance is in effect until April 1.
Parking on streets and roads is prohibited during snow plowing and removal operations. Parked vehicles will be towed at the owner's expense.
Also, placing snow in the town right-of-way when removing one's individual share is a NO-NO.
Residents are urged to use the Dover Recycling Center at 265 Mast Road since the town's transfer station has been closed until spring. Those in the know say that it's wise to call 516-6450 or visit dover.nh.gov to ascertain hours of operation.
There were at least 10 Girl Scouts from Troop 22916 raking leaves at the library on Nov. 10, along with a couple dads and moms.
These girls will be visiting the library more formally on Nov. 19 to obtain library cards, have a guided tour and learn about library careers.
The library will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, but it will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Nov. 21.
On Nov. 29, the last in a series of presentations relative to nitrogen issues in Great Bay will take place in the Town Hall from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
Durham's Town Engineer, David Cedarholm, will discuss the formulation and the potential implementation of an integrated watershed management program for Durham and the University of New Hampshire. Ostensibly, the proposed plan will comply with federal wastewater discharge requirements and address the concerns of the EPA with regard to the poor water quality in the Great Bay estuary.
All are welcome to attend.
On Dec. 1, two presentations of the musical "Las Posadas" are scheduled for 4 and 7 p.m. at the Madbury Church. This adaptation of Tomie DePaoli's children's book is by Tom Dunn and William Ogmundson.
On Dec. 2, from 5 to 6 p.m., all are welcome to join the group "EarReverence" in carol singing. This sing will take place at the home of Ian and Melissa Walker on Perkins Road.
On Dec. 10 at 7 p.m. at the library there will be a reception featuring the drawing of the winning raffle ticket for a green and purple quilt. This quilt was crafted by the Quilter's Group which meets twice monthly at the library. It is a benefit for the library Building Fund. Tickets, available at the library, are $1 each or 6 for $5. Everyone is welcome to the drawing reception, to visit friends over a cup of cider and a cookie.


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Fluor Corporation
December 15, 2003
Jonathan G. Katz
Re: File No. S7-19-03
Dear Mr. Katz:
On behalf of Fluor Corporation, a Delaware corporation with approximately $10 billion in annual revenues and more than 30,000 employees worldwide, I appreciate this opportunity to provide comments on the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") proposal to require companies to include shareholder nominees for director in company proxy materials under certain circumstances (the "Proposed Rules").
Fluor Corporation has long been a strong supporter of good corporate governance. We supported enactment of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, and we appreciate the SEC's efforts to implement the Act. We also support the newly revised New York Stock Exchange and NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. corporate governance listing standards, which we believe will foster sound corporate governance. At Fluor Corporation, we have strengthened independence requirements for our directors; appointed a lead independent director; appointed fully independent audit, compensation and nominating committees; specified committee responsibilities in written committee charters; and implemented company codes of ethics and corporate governance principles, among other things.
Based on our experience, we believe that the Proposed Rules will not represent an improvement in corporate governance. Instead, they will result in divisive, contested director elections and the consequent need to expend significant corporate resources in support of board-nominated candidates. They also could lead to the nomination and election of "special interest directors" who further the agendas of the shareholders who nominated them, rather than the interests of all shareholders and the company's long-term business objectives. Moreover, the Proposed Rules could lead to the creation of divisive boards that have difficulty functioning well as a team. Such management by referendum could stifle the innovation that is an essential characteristic of American business.
For all of these reasons, we oppose the adoption of the Proposed Rules. Instead, we believe that the SEC should permit the significant corporate governance reforms enacted by Congress, the SEC, the NYSE and NASDAQ to become fully operational. If the SEC nevertheless proceeds to consider adoption of the Proposed Rules, we strongly urge it to consider significant modifications in the rules to better accord with the SEC's stated intent of targeting a small number of unresponsive companies. As proposed, the rules would impact many U.S. public companies - regardless of their corporate governance practices or their responsiveness to shareholders. In particular, the trigger based on a majority-vote shareholder proposal to activate shareholder access would apply to any company, not merely those companies that have failed to respond to shareholder concerns. In addition, the possible third trigger discussed in the release, a company's failure to implement a majority-vote shareholder proposal, also would apply to any company and does not take into account the board's fiduciary duty when considering its response to a shareholder proposal.
Finally, the Proposed Rules do not adequately consider the realities of the proxy process, including the considerable influence of proxy voting guidelines of institutional investors and Institutional Shareholder Services ("ISS"). It is likely that ISS, as well as many institutional investors, will revise their proxy voting guidelines to support shareholder access proposals, and many shareholders will vote in favor of such proposals at all companies, if for no other reason than to make access available in case a company is not responsive in the future. If access to company proxy materials is to be required, the SEC must revise the Proposed Rules to account for these realities and to target only those companies where shareholders have not had adequate access to an effective proxy process.
In conclusion, we urge the SEC to permit the existing corporate governance reforms to work before proceeding with the Proposed Rules. If, however, the SEC determines to move forward with the Proposed Rules, we believe the rules should be significantly modified to address the concerns outlined above. Finally, we urge the SEC to extend the comment period for the Proposed Rules, as we believe the existing 60-day comment period is insufficient for interested parties to comprehensively review, comment and provide requested information on the Proposed Rules.
Thank you for considering our concerns. If you would like to discuss these comments or any other issue, please do not hesitate to contact me at (949) 349-6775.
cc: Hon. William H. Donaldson, Chairman, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission


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Filling the Gap: The Postal Service and the Financially Underserved
Could the U.S. Postal Service help the nearly 70 million Americans who are cut off in some way from the mainstream financial system? We're talking about people who, because they lack ready or full access to normal banking services, paid $89 billion in fees and interest to alternative financial service outlets such as payday lenders and check cashers in 2012 alone. They are the financially underserved – also known as the underbanked or unbanked – and many of them are one unexpected expense away from bankruptcy or homelessness.


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Astros announce non-roster invites to Spring Training
HOUSTON, TX - The Houston Astros announced their 2014 non-roster invites to Major League Spring Training today, which includes a group of 20 minor leaguers and four minor league free agents. The announcement was made by Astros General Manager Jeff Luhnow.
The minor league players invited to Major League camp include IF Japhet Amador, RHP Mark Appel, RHP Jake Buchanan, IF Carlos Correa, RHP Rhiner Cruz, RHP Jorge De Leon, OF Delino DeShields, RHP Bobby Doran, RHP Mike Foltynewicz, C Rene Garcia, C Tyler Heineman, OF Leo Heras, OF J.D. Martinez, IF Jonathan Meyer, C Carlos Perez, OF George Springer, RHP Jason Stoffel, IF Ronald Torreyes, RHP Nick Tropeano and OF Preston Tucker.
HOUSTON, TX - The Houston Astros announced their 2014 non-roster invites to Major League Spring Training today, which includes a group of 20 minor leaguers and four minor league free agents. The announcement was made by Astros General Manager Jeff Luhnow.
The minor league players invited to Major League camp include IF Japhet Amador, RHP Mark Appel, RHP Jake Buchanan, IF Carlos Correa, RHP Rhiner Cruz, RHP Jorge De Leon, OF Delino DeShields, RHP Bobby Doran, RHP Mike Foltynewicz, C Rene Garcia, C Tyler Heineman, OF Leo Heras, OF J.D. Martinez, IF Jonathan Meyer, C Carlos Perez, OF George Springer, RHP Jason Stoffel, IF Ronald Torreyes, RHP Nick Tropeano and OF Preston Tucker.
The four minor league free agents are OF Adron Chambers, IF Cesar Izturis, RHP Peter Moylan and IF Gregorio Petit.
Seven of the Astros top 10 prospects, per MLB.com, will be in attendance at Major League Spring Training, including Correa (No. 1), IF Jon Singleton (No. 2), Springer (No. 3), Appel (No. 4), Foltynewicz (No. 6), DeShields (No. 7) and OF Domingo Santana (No. 9).
With Houston's 24 non-roster invitees scheduled to attend camp, the overall Spring Training roster total is at 64 players (33 pitchers, 31 position players). The 40-man roster is currently full at 40. The report dates for Spring Training are Feb. 15 for pitchers and catchers and Feb. 19 for position players.
The Astros 2014 non-roster players are listed below:
Amador, 26, was acquired by Houston on Aug. 18, 2013, from Los Diablos Rojos del Mexico of the Mexican League. He was assigned to Triple A Oklahoma City and went on to hit .302 (13x43) in 10 games for the RedHawks. Following the regular season, Amador played for Peoria in the Arizona Fall League and hit .284 (19x67) with four homers and 12 RBI in 18 games. Prior to his acquisition, Amador hit .368 (147x400) with 22 doubles, 36 home runs, 121 RBI and a .419 OBP in 104 games for the Diablos Rojos in 2013. He led the Mexican League in RBI, while ranking second in homers and third in total bases (277).
Appel, 22, was the No. 1 overall selection in the 2013 MLB Draft out of Stanford University. After his selection, he made 10 starts combined for Class A Quad Cities (8g) and Class A Tri-City (2g), combining to post a 3-1 record and a 3.79 ERA (16ER/38IP). This followed his 2013 senior season at Stanford, where he went 10-4 with four complete games and a 2.12 ERA (25ER/106.1IP). He recorded 130 strikeouts in his 106.1 innings pitched and allowed just a .203 opponent's batting average in his final season at Stanford.
Buchanan, 24, posted a 12-7 record and a 2.96 ERA (52ER/158.1IP) between OKC (12g) and Double A Corpus Christi (18g) in 2013. He began his season with the Hooks, where he was named a Texas League All-Star after putting up a 2.09 ERA (19ER/82IP) with nine walks in 82.0 innings. At OKC, he went 5-5 with a 3.89 ERA (33ER/76.1IP) to go along with 55 strikeouts and 13 walks.
Chambers, 27, played in 25 games for the St. Louis Cardinals last season, his third straight year to play in the Majors. He spent the majority of his season at Triple A Memphis, hitting .252 (84x333) with 13 doubles, eight homers, 43 RBI and 16 stolen bases. He has appeared in 84 Major League games in his career, all coming with the Cardinals from 2011-13.
Correa, 19, who was the first overall selection in the 2012 draft, played his first full professional season at Quad Cities last year, posting a .320 (144x450) batting average with 33 doubles, nine home runs and 86 RBI in 117 games. Defensively, he led all Midwest League shortstops in fielding percentage while playing the entire season at the age of 18. According to MLB.com, Correa is the Astros No. 1 prospect and ranks as the No. 3 shortstop prospect in all of baseball.
Cruz, 27, was outrighted off of the Astros 40-man roster on Dec. 23, 2013, after having two stints in the Major Leagues with Houston last season. Over those two stints, Cruz posted a 3.38 ERA (8ER/21.1IP) in 20 appearances. The right-handed reliever has made 72 appearances with the Astros over the last two years after being selected with the first overall pick in the 2011 Rule 5 Major League draft.
De Leon, 26, posted a 5.40 ERA (6ER/10IP) in 11 games across two stints for the Astros in 2013. He was one of 10 Astros pitchers to make their Major League debut last season, making his on Aug. 9 vs. TEX. The former minor league infielder converted to the mound in 2010 and has pitched the last four seasons in the Astros system. He was outrighted off the Astros 40-man roster following the season on Oct. 17.
DeShields, 21, will be a non-roster invite at Major League Spring Training for his second consecutive season. In 2013 at Lancaster, DeShields hit .317 (143x451) with 100 runs scored, 25 doubles, 14 triples, five homers, 51 stolen bases and a .405 on-base percentage. The eighth-overall selection in the 2010 draft will come to Spring Training as an outfielder after playing second base in each of his last three professional seasons.
Doran, 24, combined to go 11-2 with a 3.51 ERA (54ER/138.1IP) in 31 games with OKC (8g/gs) and Corpus Christi (23g/13gs) last season. The 6'6" right-handed starter was originally drafted by Houston in the fourth round of the 2010 draft out of Texas Tech. The 2014 season will be his fifth in the Astros organization.
Foltynewicz, 22, went 6-3 with a 3.06 ERA (44ER/129.1IP) in 30 games combined with Corpus Christi (23g/16gs) and Lancaster (7g/5gs) last season. The hard-throwing, right-hander registered 124 strikeouts in his 129.1 innings pitched last season, while allowing just a .226 opponent's batting average, including a .207 mark at the Double A level. He was originally the 19th overall selection in the 2010 draft.
Garcia, 23, will be making his fourth consecutive appearance as a non-roster invite at the Astros Major League Spring Training camp. He spent his 2013 season between OKC (18g) and Corpus Christi (73g), combining to hit .293 (108x368) with 20 doubles, five home runs and 42 RBI. Known as a strong defensive catcher, Garcia caught 29 of 63 attempting basestealers (46%) in 2013.
Heineman, 22, hit .286 (106x370) with 23 doubles, 13 home runs and 71 RBI in 104 games with Lancaster last season. The switch-hitting catcher is entering his third professional season, and just his second full season, after being selected out of UCLA in the eighth round of the June 2012 draft.
Heras, 23, like Amador, was acquired by Houston on Aug. 18, 2013, from Los Diablos Rojos del Mexico of the Mexican League. After his acquisition, he played in 10 games for Corpus Christi, posting two doubles, one triple, one home run and five RBI for the Hooks. In 91 games for the Diablos Rojos last season, Heras hit .310 (104x335) with 19 doubles, nine triples, 11 homers, 42 RBI, 14 stolen bases and a .398 OBP.
Martinez, 26, hit .250 (74x296) with 17 doubles, seven home runs and 36 RBI in 86 games for the Astros last season before being outrighted off of the club's 40-man roster on Nov. 20, 2013. Following the 2013 regular season, Martinez played in 24 games for Caracas in the Venezuelan Winter League, posting a .312 (29x93) average with six doubles, six home runs and 18 RBI. He has appeared in 252 games for Houston over the last three seasons (2011-13).
Meyer, 23, hit .260 (126x484) with 24 doubles, 15 home runs and 68 RBI en route to being named a Texas League All-Star in 2013. He was the Hooks everyday third baseman, making 123 starts at the position. Following the season, Meyer played for Peoria in the Arizona Fall League, hitting .286 (14x49) with three doubles, one homer and seven RBI.
Moylan, 35, made 14 appearances across two Major League stints with the Dodgers last season. He spent the majority of his 2013 campaign at Triple A Albuquerque, posting a 4-1 record with four saves and a 2.74 ERA (14ER/46IP) in 38 appearances. Moylan has pitched in the Major Leagues in each of the last eight years with Atlanta (2006-12) and Los Angeles (2013), making 309 career relief appearances and posting a 21-9 record and 2.80 ERA (86ER/276IP).
Perez, 23, will be making his second straight appearance at Astros Major League Spring Training. He split his 2013 season between OKC (75g) and Corpus Christi (16), hitting .271 (86x317) with 18 doubles and 37 RBI. The 2014 campaign will be Perez's second full season in the Astros system after being acquired in Houston's 10-player trade with Toronto at the 2012 trading deadline.
Petit, 29, is joining the Astros from the Padres organization, where he hit .292 (147x503) with 26 doubles and 61 RBI in 134 games at Triple A Tucson last season. He also had a solid winter league season, hitting .312 (48x154) with 12 doubles, 10 homers and 27 RBI with Caracas in the Venezuelan Winter League. Petit has some Major League experience, appearing in 25 games with Oakland in the 2008-09 seasons and hitting .278 (15x54) in those contests.
Springer, 24, was named the Astros Minor League Player of the Year after combining to hit .303 (149x492) with 106 runs scored, 27 doubles, 37 home runs, 108 RBI and 45 stolen bases with OKC (62g) and Corpus Christi (73g) last season. He became the first Astros minor leaguer to ever reach the 30-homer, 30-steal plateau and fell just three home runs shy of reaching the 40-40 mark, which hasn't been accomplished in minor league baseball since 1956. He was originally the 11th overall selection in the June 2011 draft.
Stoffel, 25, posted a solid season in 2013 while pitching in relief for OKC (44g) and Corpus Christi (7g). He combined to go 8-1 with five saves and a 3.23 ERA (25ER/69.2IP) in 51 appearances, while allowing just a .232 opponent's batting average. A Triple A All-Star in 2013, Stoffel was one of two players acquired by Houston from San Francisco in exchange for IF Jeff Keppinger on July 19, 2011.
Torreyes, 21, was originally acquired by Houston on July 2, 2013, from Chicago (NL) in exchange for international signing pool space. On the season, Torreyes combined to hit .269 (101x375) with 19 doubles and 37 RBI for Corpus Christi (38g) and Double A Tennessee (65g). Over his four minor league seasons, the middle infielder has recorded more walks (98) than strikeouts (96) in 376 career games.
Tropeano, 23, spent his third professional season at Corpus Christi and led the Texas League with 130 strikeouts last season. In what was his first taste of the Double A level, the fifth-round selection in the 2011 Draft posted a 7-10 record with one complete game, five saves and a 4.11 ERA (61ER/133.2IP) in 28 games, including 20 starts. Tropeano has posted 359 strikeouts in 345.0 innings in his career in the Astros minor league system.
Tucker, 23, split his first full professional season with Lancaster (75g) and Corpus Christi (60g) after getting drafted by the Astros in the seventh round of the 2012 draft. He combined to hit .297 (159x535) with 32 doubles, 25 homers, 97 runs scored, 103 RBI and an .872 OPS in 135 games between the two levels. Tucker finished his season ranking tied for seventh in all of minor league baseball in RBI.


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Introducing, the hottest pinup calender ever to hit the shelves -- about death!
This 2008 calender from cofanifunebri.com uses a bevy of hot, living bodies to show off their latest line of postmortem studio apartments. Schedule your rest!
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|View Poll Results: Nisemonogatari - Episode 07 Rating
|Perfect 10
|9 out of 10 : Excellent
|8 out of 10 : Very Good
|7 out of 10 : Good
|6 out of 10 : Average
|5 out of 10 : Below Average
|4 out of 10 : Poor
|3 out of 10 : Bad
|2 out of 10 : Very Bad
|1 out of 10 : Painful
|Voters: 93. You may not vote on this poll
|Thread Tools
|2012-02-21, 02:25
|Link #81
Professional Hikkikomori
Join Date: Feb 2009
|2012-02-21, 02:42
|Link #82
Bittersweet Distractor
Join Date: Nov 2007
Age: 27
If the ride becomes tougher, oh well. I still enjoy Nise overall, just not nearly as much as Bake. Just because I criticize it doesn't mean the experience was painful or anything.
Your advice is unneeded.
|2012-02-21, 04:40
|Link #83
Critical fanboy
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Anywhere with anime and anime discussion is fine
I never said that Koyomi is an uninteresting harem lead. Actually, its just as you said, I find him to be one of the most interesting male protagonists I've ever seen. I just prefer Oshino more in terms of a character because he is the odd one out if he happens to get his own harem. For one thing, unlike Koyomi, he is no high school student, and doesn't live an ordinary life. Why he keeps on traveling endlessly and saving people from oddities? Does he even have any goal in life? Not much is known about him which gives him an air of mystery. He guides people so they can save themselves, but in the end of the day Koyomi gets all the girls. Oshino deserves a taste of heavens and hells of having an unwanted harem, abet a more mature set of females than Koyomi harem, around twenty something. Nonetheless, he could've made a more unique harem lead than Koyomi IMO.
|2012-02-21, 04:51
|Link #84
Join Date: Oct 2006
I dare not question that night...
Because an accident may fall under me... (like suddenly 30k++ pencil suddenly fall out of nowhere on my top of my bed)
In the end, sory, i am a heavy Araragi x Hitagi shipper...
So i am not questiong that...
|2012-02-21, 05:08
|Link #85
I like Oshino too, and its a shame he left after Kizu/Bake; but the thing is that he served his purpose as Koyomi's mentor, and its time for Koyomi and his harem to move on. Also the way he was presented he wouldn't make an interesting couple with anyone, except Shinobu, and that would distract even more some viewers than the current ecchi/morality levels
For Hitagi, she is not admitting anything, just realizing when reflecting upon her former self, when facing Kaiki, how and why she was thinking the way she was then and now. My understanding is that she came to realize that relying on the crab was a mistake, and now that she can compare Koyomi to Kaiki, that her fear of sex, is not only unfair but limiting her more than her lover.
In any case, that's my understanding of her character development (she pretty much behaved like Kaiki was in town for her, and tried to hide it from Koyomi, didn't care about his sister, and even got agitated when Kaiki played around with her countless insecurities). Generally, it's not like the characters in the Monogatari series are flat like other shows, they are presented more realistically and progressively, so it's not easy to attribute behaviours clearly.
|2012-02-21, 05:25
|Link #86
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Then again, talking about it in terms of manga may not be fitting. For whatever the reason, the novels started having over 300 pages each. You have to just get used to it, this is the rhythm of a LN adaptation (a decently written LN, at least). It is the same for Mouretsu Pirates for example. Truth to be told, I used to watch old anime, so I fail to see this kind of rhythm as slow. I think movies should provide better adaptation than TV series though.
And I think the story about spreading chara development too thin is misguided. There is a limit to the chara development a chara can receive. Once a character has fully developed, it must be cut.
If we deduct your personal view on the length of the arc, Karen Bee has objective merits. 1) a valid human antagonist 2) non linear storytelling 3) juggles all the characters in the series (which for me is a merit)
I repeat, I personally rank Nise better than Bake.
|2012-02-21, 07:51
|Link #87
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Australia
Damn you Araragi!!
Anyway, anyone know how Karen and Tsukihi address each other?
|2012-02-21, 09:05
|Link #88
Knowledge is the solution
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: St. Louis, MO
Age: 34
In my opinion *mongatari has always been about the character dynamics rather than character development or exploration, so the more characters the better I say.
|2012-02-21, 10:10
|Link #90
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
My doubt is because that line I mentioned is long after koyomi's question... ,hitagi was talking about how she fell for him and that's why when she dropped this line.. I was like.. First what?
But yes.. I think the same as you.
|2012-02-21, 10:45
|Link #91
Senior Member
Given the slower pacing of Nise compared to Bake, I decided that I would wait for this arc to finish off before commenting on it again (after my last comment a few episodes back). Now that the arc is over, I do have a few comments to make.
1) Kaiki was an excellent antagonist. His scenes were consistently golden, and he gave the overall narrative some much-needed heft and purpose.
2) The dialogue in most scenes was very good, as usual. This was especially true of any scene involving Hitagi and/or Kaiki.
3) Some scenes dragged more than what was necessary, in my opinion. If Nise had trimmed some fat here, so to speak, then I think we'd have an excellent, tight, well-executed 6-episode arc. I'd only have some minor nitpicks to make then. As is, though, I'm inclined to agree with some of Reckoner's broader criticisms.
4) I honestly had no problem with the main conflict of this arc being resolved purely through a face-to-face conversation. In fact, it's kind of fitting for this series. But with that being said...
5) I get the feeling that Shinbo himself likely thought "This final episode is going to be awfully anti-climatic if we don't have a great fight scene in it, so let's make Karen vs. Koyomi seem like DBZ meets a deserted city!" As fun as that is, it did feel a bit overdone to me. A case of trying too hard, imo.
6) As with Bake, Hitagi is the key indispensable character. As with Bake, my appreciation and rating for an episode would consistently end up higher if Hitagi had a lot of screen-time than if she had none or very little. The other female characters are good, but they generally can't carry scenes, imo (Koyomi himself can sometimes carry scenes, thankfully, but not always). Hitagi consistently carries scenes.
7) Koyomi's sisters received some decent development here, although it was a bit less than I had hoped for. The same is true of Hitagi. Tiny tidbits of new info came out on most of the characters, but not much. Ultimately, I find the overall level of character development pretty disappointing for a show as dialogue-driven as this one is. With all of this dialogue, it would be nice if more of it could be directed to characters talking about themselves in more detailed fashion, letting us learn more about them.
8) With all of the above in mind, I personally rank Bake better than Nise, but Nise is still a good anime overall.
|2012-02-21, 10:54
|Link #92
EDIT: After reading 3xR's post, needless to say I agree in everything except the length of the scenes (many felt compressed to me), and the overall ranking, for me its more like this:
Last edited by Malkuth; 2012-02-21 at 11:05.
|2012-02-21, 11:01
|Link #93
Kamaboko smash & grab
Join Date: Nov 2009
Since we're comparing, for me Shinobu's been a highlight of Nise so far, and her first appearance was as good as Bake's episode 12 car conversation. Araragi's conflict with his sisters up to the resolution with Karen this episode was great too. Araragi X Hitagi has been a bit disappointing though, their parts never end satisfyingly even if the book supposedly leaves the good stuff out as well.
|2012-02-21, 11:17
|Link #94
Senior Member
Oh, one thing I forgot - Superb seiyu work in this.
SHAFT has done a great job with getting excellent voice talent for its two franchise properties of Monogatari and Madoka Magica (Chiwa Saito, Eri Kitamura, and Emiri Kato playing key roles in both).
|2012-02-21, 11:28
|Link #95
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: CO, USA
As much as I found the dialogue between our protagonists and Kaiki interesting and confusing, I was still hoping on Shinobu coming out and getting him good, or something along those lines of beating up Kaiki. Especially with all the insult Gahara took, I'm surprised nothing happened. Or perhaps it was important that they do nothing, to show Gahara's control over her trauma and fears, to prove to Gahara herself that she is strong enough to not fall for such petty temptations.
I LOLed when Shinobu mentioned about letting Araragi pet her breasts, and despair followed. Oh Araragi, where did your noble pedophile heart go? On a different note, is it impossible for Shinobu to go back to her original form, even if its just in shape?
Oh yea, and congrats to Araragi and Gahara for graduating from the virgin status.
|2012-02-21, 12:55
|Link #96
Join Date: Aug 2004
Age: 32
Of course, that doesn't mean Nise is perfect. Related to the pacing issues, it's been kind of repetitive. We learn the same things about Araragi and Karen over and over and over again before finally getting to climax where they put a slight twist on it to create the resolution. I suppose we learn these things while Araragi is talking to different people, but that makes the conversations... half useless? One third useless? I think the story could have been better served by being more focused and not spending so much time on reintroducing the old characters like Sengoku and Kanbaru.
|2012-02-21, 13:42
|Link #97
Have some salt
And yea, I pretty much agree with your story hierarchy. Though Koyomi Vamp I don't know of.
|2012-02-21, 14:12
|Link #98
Bittersweet Distractor
Join Date: Nov 2007
Age: 27
Whether or not Nisio Osin was thinking this might be the last novel for Monogatari is irrelevant to me. It doesn't change the fact that what I'm seeing here is less enjoyable to me.
There's also the idea that all good things must come to an end. Forever extending a franchise with countless introductions of characters, leaving behind the old cast to rot and decay, is bad storytelling. I don't think Monogatari is at this point btw, just a general statement.
In any case I never said Nise was worthless, just not as good as Bake from my POV.
|2012-02-21, 14:14
|Link #99
Senior Member
People generally like to express themselves, and share their experiences and important background details about themselves, with their friends and loved ones. That's perfectly realistic, in-character (in at least some cases), and not jarring.
It would be perfectly natural for Kanbaru to talk about her favorite foods or sports or recent accomplishments, for Tsubasa to talk about her best subjects and some of her personal interests, for Nadeko to talk about her favorite types of shows and games (well, I guess we at least found out she likes Twister ), etc..., etc...
We get so few details of this nature on either of the characters, and these are the sorts of things that, in my opinion, can breath some welcomed life and realism into a character while adding to their distinctiveness. These are also the sorts of specific character details that often can't be inferred from unrelated conversation or dialogue.
Now this is certainly not the only way to develop characters, but for a show that is as dialogue-driven as this one is (hence not allowing for many instances of 'actions speak louder than words'), I think it's a way that should be used more.
Well-written character development leaves a few things to viewer interpretation (since viewers tend to like to have some flexibility in how they perceive their favorite characters) but at the same time gives enough clear-cut development so that pretty much every viewer can spot some character development and appreciate it.
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JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (Oct. 3, 2012) – The ETSU baseball team displayed their talents in front of a handful of scouts from several major league organizations last week as the Bucs held their annual Scout Day at Thomas Stadium.
The Bucs showcased their baseball skills in several drills on the field. First, players ran a 60-yard dash for the scouts in attendance, followed by the outfielders throwing from right field to third base and to home. From there, the infielders took pregame infield practice, while the hitters finished with batting practice. In the end, the scouts were able to take a look at several Buccaneer pitchers go through different pitch selections.
"Today was a great day for both the scouts and players," said head coach Tony Skole. "We realize every young man who puts on a glove has dreams of playing in the big leagues, and these guys are pursuing those dreams. We had some guys who performed admirably and we're excited about those performances. Now we can move on and get finished with the rest of our fall season."
ETSU – who wraps up its fall season next week with the annual Blue/Gold World Series – will hold intrasquad scrimmages this weekend at Thomas Stadium. The scrimmages are open to the public, and will start at 3:30 p.m. Friday and 1 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
ETSU fans wanting to receive Buccaneer news, score updates, in-game promotions and much more sent to their mobile device can do so by signing up for "Buc Updates." Click here to sign up today!
For more information on Buccaneer baseball, visit ETSUBucs.com.


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Behind every fashion designer is a muse; for Gosha, it's teenage skateboarders.
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LINCOLN — The Addison County-Ghana relationship will thicken this year as Lincoln's Ruth Polishuk lifts ECHO off the ground. ECHO — which stands for Education, Culture and Health Opportunities — is a nonprofit nongovernmental organization (NGO) based out of Lincoln and Ghana's southeast Volta Region.
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"Sensational, I have to view that house!" This was the reaction that one Engel & Völkers client in Essen, Germany, had while watching the TV programme "Faszination Wohnen – Engel & Völkers exklusiv".
He had been interested in a mansion in the exclusive Essen neighbourhood of Bredeney for a long while. He then happened to see this exact property on 6 November, featured in the second episode of E&V's television programme shown on Germany's N24 channel. "It was this television appearance that finally released the trigger. Our client called us and arranged a viewing appointment," reported Sales Director Susanne Fromm.
The buyer of the mansion in the Bredeney district of Essen first saw the property in an advertisement in the "Welt am Sonntag" newspaper. "His interest had been aroused. Later he then saw the mansion several times on a large poster in our shop display window. He couldn't stop thinking about it and came into the shop to receive more detailed information about the property. It didn't go any further than this however," said Ms. Fromm. Only with the broadcast of the TV programme did he decide to make a decision. "Once our client had seen the property on the television he phoned up straight away and arranged a viewing appointment. Owning a property that has been featured on television is something quite special. And this special something is what the client was looking for," Ms. Fromm summed up.
You would like to watch our TV programme "Faszination Wohnen – Engel & Völkers exklusiv" again? Here you can find all dreamhomes out oft he programme!


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12:30 pm
McLaughlin Group NULL
1:00 pm
Painting and Travel with Roger & Sarah Bansemer "Wooden Boat School" Sarah and Roger are invited to the famous Wooden Boat School in Brooklin, Maine where the director takes us inside the classroom to see boatbuilding and design up-close. Roger sets up his easel to capture an early morning beachscape. D
1:30 pm
Sew It All "Boy's Toys, Angela Yosten" Sew a messenger bag for schoolbooks. D
2:00 pm
Quilting Arts "Modern Quilting and Modern Stitching Explored" The modern quilt aesthetic has many elements that identify its style and we'll take a look at a few of them today. We begin with Penny McMorris and AnneMarie Chaney, and a project that interprets modern quilts and offers a design challenge. Then Angela Walters demonstrates traditional quilting designs with a modern twist. D
2:30 pm
Hometime "Creekside Home Trusses" The HOMETIME team installs trusses and sheathing and visits the timber framers. D
3:00 pm
Woodsmith Shop "Pocket Screw Joinery Projects" When it comes to assembling a project, nothing is quicker than pocket screw joinery. In this episode, the editors of Woodsmith show you how to build two projects with pocket screws. The first is a small outdoor table with a tile top. D
3:30 pm
This Old House "Cambridge 2012/Swedish Details" Tom shows Kevin how he's installing Southern yellow pine board accents in key spots for architectural interest and to coordinate with the prefinished maple flooring that Norm is installing. Tile's going in the master bath, and the roof deck gets PVC porch boards and a custom rail treatment. D
4:00 pm
Ask This Old House "Properly Mulching Garden Beds/Installing A Natural Gas Line" Landscape contractor Roger Cook shows a homeowner how to properly mulch his garden beds. Then, Roger, along with host Kevin O'Connor, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey and general contractor Tom Silva, asks, "What is it?" Afterward, Richard installs a natural gas line for a barbeque grill. D
4:30 pm
P. Allen Smith's Garden to Table "A Feast for the Season" Allen is getting ready for a feast at the farm! But he wants to spend time with his guests. In this episode, he shows viewers how to prepare some recipes in advance so there is more time with family and friends. Plus, Chef Capi Peck prepares a delicious Butternut Squash Gratin and Allen shares tips on how to decorate an elegant table without going overboard. D
5:00 pm
Moyers & Company "Taming Capitalism Run Wild" Modern American capitalism is a story of continued inequality and hardship. Even a modest increase in the minimum wage faces opposition from those who seem to show allegiance first and foremost to America's wealthy and powerful. Yet some aren't just wringing their hands about our economic crisis; they're fighting back. D
6:00 pm
Fake Or Fortune? "Spoils of War" The finale focuses on a possible Rembrandt painting that's being sold by a South African auction house. The terms of the sale trigger an investigation into whether the painting may have been stolen by the Nazis during World War II.G
7:00 pm
Outdoor Idaho "Idaho's Scenic Byways" Cameras capture scenes from the state's system of more than 2,400 miles of official Scenic, Historic or Backcountry byways. The routes crisscross the state to reveal natural wonders, geologic and historic sites, and the varied topography of Idaho.G
7:30 pm
Oregon Field Guide "Christmas Bird Count, Forest Park BioBlitz, Llama Backpacking" One hundred and forty wildlife experts and volunteers converge on Forest Park to document as many wildlife species as they can find.G
8:01 pm
Call The Midwife "S1 E2" As Jenny Lee settles into her role, there is a new arrival at Nonnatus House - Chummy, a welcome pair of extra hands. But her overwhelming desire to please and her inability to ride a bike prove obstacles in gaining the respect of Sister Evangelina. Meanwhile, a chance encounter with Mary, a pregnant young runaway, forces Jenny to see an unfamiliar, darker side of life. Part 2 of 6G
9:00 pm
Masterpiece Mystery! "Inspector Lewis, Series V: The Indelible Stain" When controversial American academic, Paul Yelland, is invited to speak at Oxford's Department of Criminology, it stirs up a lot of deep-seated emotions. And when he is found strangled in his room later that night, Lewis and Hathaway quickly have several suspects. Motives include politics, ambition and vengeance.G
10:30 pm
New Tricks "Dead Poets" The UCOS team re-opens the case of Sean Docherty, a talented young poet, whose burnt body was discovered 10 years ago in the scrapyard of a known gangster. While Standing is convinced that the murder is related to Docherty's criminal connections, Lane is sure that the answer lies in his poetry.G
11:30 pm
British Antiques Roadshow "Tatton Park 2" Fiona Bruce and the experts return to the Cheshire location. They uncover a silver inkstand reputed to be given to Admiral Nelson by his lover, Lady Emma Hamilton, in 1805, and an oak coffer that arrives via an unusual mode of transport.G


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Wow, that moccassan telegraph you city folks listen to is something. Before I even finalize my return you all have me pegged. I hate being so predictable.
I would love to do a meet an greet and then watch out if you all let me loose in the city with so many caches. Imagine this might be one time I will actualy be able to find my way to and from while in the city.
I will email you once my plans are finalized again.


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Looking for a simple, stable and significant VPS as your web hosting? Check out DigitalOcean, only $5 per month, and you can get $10 in credit just for signing up now.
Like Canada free PPTP VPN services? You can check out these 5. UK ones? Use these 3. Romania ones? These 2 will be good.
And USA? The following 5 are the best for your reference:
1. SecurityKISS
On the SecurityKISS download page, you can enter your email address and get 2 PPTP/L2TP VPN accounts, one of which is from USA, and the other one is from UK.
Besides, you can also log in your SecurityKISS account with the client ID and password you received to get more free PPTP VPN services from USA, UK, France and even more on the "Servers" tab. And besides PPTP and L2TP, SecurityKISS also offers OpenVPN services for Windows, Mac and Linux systems.
By the way, no matter which or how many VPN services you are using, the free usage will be 300 MB/day.
For Super Free VPN, the login data will be the following:
- Server: superfreevpn.com
- Username: free
- Password: (Which will be changed in maximum 8 hours.)
And you can also change "superfreevpn.com" to "126.96.36.199" as the server address.
3. JustFreeVPN
The following is the free USA PPTP VPN account offered by JustFreeVPN:
- Server: us.justfreevpn.com
- Username: justfreevpn
- Password: (Which will be changed in uncertain times.)
And you can also use "220.127.116.11" as the server address.
By the way, besides USA, the website also offers UK and CA free PPTP VPN services, which accounts you can see on the same page.
4. UFreeVPN
The login data of UFreeVPN is fixed and you don't need to change the password later, as what you can see from the following:
- Server: usvpn.ufreevpn.com
- Username: ufreevpn.com
- Password: free
For the server address, you can also change it to "126.96.36.199".
5. NewFreeVPN
Same as UFreeVPN, the NewFreeVPN website also offers a free USA PPTP VPN with the following fixed account data:
- Server: usvpn.newfreevpn.com
- Username: free
- Password: 1234
And you can also replace "usvpn.newfreevpn.com" with "18.104.22.168".
Among the above 5 sites, SecurityKISS is my favorite, which one is yours? Or do you have any other free USA PPTP VPN services? Share with us by leaving a comment.


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Ben de la Cruz
Multimedia Editor, Science Desk
Ben de la Cruz is an award-winning documentary video producer and multimedia journalist. He joined NPR as the multimedia editor for the Science Desk in June 2012. In this role, he serves as the visual architect for NPR's coverage of health, science, environment, energy, food and agriculture.
De la Cruz began his career as a multimedia journalist at washingtonpost.com in January 2000. During his 12-year career there, he helped create the newspaper industry's groundbreaking multimedia site, Camera Works. Along the way, he managed the dozen-person multimedia and documentary video departments, overseeing feature and news reporting.
While at washingtonpost.com, de la Cruz's series of 12 profiles about racial identity for the Being a Black Man project won the prestigious George Foster Peabody Award. The award marked the first time a newspaper won what is widely considered as the Pulitzer Prize of broadcast journalism.
His reporting on the multimedia project Under Suspicion: Voices About Muslims In America work has been recognized with a National Edward R. Murrow Award. He has also received three National Emmy Award nominations for his work on Top Secret America (2010), Living with PTSD (2007) and Being A Black Man (2006).
Prior to joining The Washington Post, de la Cruz worked as an independent producer for public television, a print reporter covering the Internet industry, and a freelance photography reviewer for Photo District News magazine. He has also co-produced and written songs released by Sony Music, Dischord and DCide Records.
De la Cruz is also a sought-after speaker and has won numerous awards for his documentary video editing and cinematography from The National Press Photographers' Association, The White House News Photographers' Association, Pictures of the Year International and the Webby's to name a few.
Born in Manila, de la Cruz grew up in Baltimore.


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If Rafa's trying a new "adult" look to complement his matured tennis kit, like he did at this Liverpool vs. Real Madrid soccer match yesterday, can we offer our two cents?
Buy a sports jacket that's the right size. (I know volume is back, but, as Nick would say, those sleeves are ruffffffffffffffff). Follow that up with a trip to your tailor.
You can ask your buddy Roger for some tips. He knows how it's done! Or perhaps your buddies at Lanvin?
(rafa image via Getty Images)


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mydiet necesitaba un nuevo diseño de logotipo y lanzó un concurso de diseño en 99designs.
Un ganador ha sido elegido entre 126 diseños de 27 diseñadores freelance.
I am a qualified nutritionist and provide diet and weight loss advise to thousand of people in the UK.
The email provide one to one help, support and encouragement.
I have a strong email following and now want to create something online.
I am looking for a designer for the site, but first I need a logo.
I have the following qualifications;
Business Studies BSc (Hons First)
Dietician and Personal Trainer (IFAA)
Journalist (NCTJ)
My professionalism, experience and up to date knowledge is the message I want to send out.
The website is mainly directed at women in there 30's and 40's who find it difficult to lose weight.
They need to be assured the advice they are receiving is professional.
I need a logo for the website and to place on to printed letterheads.
Simple and eye catching, using simple subtle colours. Ideally it would also work in black/grey.
I have access to, and have seen hundreds of stock designs that I can work on myself, however I want something a bit different. I have entered into this competition so my logo avoids that 'stock image' look.
It does not have to contain anything but the name. i.e. there is no need for an image unless it works very well.
To avoid copyright issues, please check your submission against current existing logos using appropriate search software and reviewing EU and US copyright websites.
Many thanks
Descubre cómo funciona un concurso de diseño u obtén más información sobre nuestros servicios de diseño de logo.


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Michelle Leinfelder-Miles Ph.D.
Farm AdvisorCooperative Extension San Joaquin County
2101 East Earhart Avenue, Suite 200
Stockton, CA 95206
Also in:
Contra Costa County
Sacramento County
Solano County
Yolo County
Capitol Corridor MCP Cooperative Extension
Michelle grew up on a farm in San Joaquin County. She received her B.S. in Crop Science and Management from U.C. Davis and her M.S. and Ph.D. in Horticulture from Cornell University. At Cornell, her research focused on soil management in apple orchards. Michelle has also done research in Spain, Chile, and New Zealand studying olives, wine grapes, and kiwifruit, respectively. As the new Delta crops farm advisor, she serves San Joaquin, Sacramento, Yolo, Solano, and Contra Costa counties addressing issues related to crop production and water and soil quality.
Ph.D. Horticulture, Cornell University. 2010
M.S. Horticulture, Cornell University. 2005
B.S. Crop Science and Management, University of California, Davis. 2001
SpecialtyCrop Production, Soil and Water Quality, the Delta
Areas of Expertise (click to see all ANR academics with this expertise)
- Field Crops - General
- Fruit Crops - General
- Water
- Soil
- Plants and Their Systems
- Plant Management Systems
- Appraisal of Soil Resources
- Soil, Plant, Water, Nutrient Relationships
- Water Quality, Quantity, and Security
- Sustainable Food Systems
Peer Reviewed
- Espe, M.B (2017). "Point stresses during reproductive stage rather than warming seasonal temperature determines yield in temperate rice." Global Change Biology
- Leinfelder, M. M.; Merwin, I. A., et al. (2012). "Soil health indicators, apple tree growth, and carbon sequestration differ among orchard groundcover management systems." Acta Horticulturae 938: 333-340.
- Leinfelder, Michelle M.; Merwin, I. (2007). "Management strategies for apple replant disease." New York Fruit Quarterly Spring 2006: 4.
- Leinfelder, M. M.; Merwin, I. A. (2006). "Rootstock selection, preplant soil treatments, and tree planting positions as factors in managing apple replant disease." Hortscience 41(2): 394-401.
- Fazio, G.; Robinson, T., et al. (2005). "Traits of the next wave of Geneva® apple rootstocks." The Compact Fruit Tree 38: 5.
ANR Workgroup Associations
- Alfalfa and Forage Systems - Member
- Rice - Member
- Weed - Member


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If I bear witness to myself my testimony is not true; there is another who bears witness to me and I know that the testimony which he bears to me is true.
Humility is a curious virtue because the real thing never looks humble. Putting yourself down, self-consciously letting others dominate, seeking humiliation, may all earn you the approval of others - usually the hypocritically inclined religious types. Those who are always playing a game and don't know what real life is.
True humility is unusually self-confident. It can be assertive when needed and it risks, almost invites misinterpretation.
The humble, like Jesus, are those who know who they are, where they have come and where they are going. Self-knowledge of this kind make is easier to accept rejection because you have nothing to lose. You are not hiding behind the mask of your persona. If you are not controlled by the way others see you, you have the freedom of real solitude.
Yet in that solitude of self-knowledge and humility you are not alone. 'There is another', as Jesus said. From this otherness which is our deepest intimacy arises the affirmation we need – the testimony that is true.
To be humble we must first transcend the ego. Affirming yourself without another (bearing witness to yourself) is inherently untrue, inauthentic. You will always be looking for recognition of your martyrdom. You will demand a feats day for it. But we can only know ourselves because we know we are known. Knowledge of this kind also means the experience of acceptance. Someone has to know the games our ego plays and not be deterred by them. Love is this.
You may be prepared to drive down a one-way street in the opposite direction if it is really necessary. You might even get a kind of kick out of it. You against the world. But it will always feel the wrong way as well as potentially dangerous. If you meet a car coming the other way you will be in immediate conflict. Self-knowledge (the psychological term for humility) requires a two-way traffic.
The self is a channel of communion realised in truthful communication. It is not enough to give things, even time, even your life. To love, to be a friend, to be fully alive means to give your self. Only those who know themselves, and know they are known can do this.
Laurence Freeman OSB


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Still Another Tuna/Pasta Salad.......(Mom's Tuna Salad)
A tasty tuna salad which is easy to prepare. I frequently make it during the Summer for a light supper, after a day at the pool. Also works well for picnics....
celery, +elbow macaroni, +eggs, +mayonnaise, +salt, +red pepper flakes, +tuna, +vidalia onions
Where's the Tuna? (Tuna Burgers) Longmeadow Farm
Life can't be about all beef. "Where's The Beef?" questions are fewer nowadays due to an influx of health concerns, as well as those that are...
celery, +cheddar cheese, +dijon mustard, +egg substitute, +breadcrumbs, +green onion, +green pepper, +hamburger bun, +mayonnaise, +old bay seasoning, +sweet pickle relish, +cherry pepper, +hot sauce, +tuna
Tea Room Tuna Salad
Tuna salad recipe from a tea room in Missouri. Not your average tuna salad--it's delicious used on tuna melts.
celery, +french dressing, +green onion, +mayonnaise, +pecan, +tuna
Atomic Tuna Salad
"Broccoli, cauliflower, onion and celery combine with tuna and fat-free mayo for the perfect tuna salad. Best tuna salad you've ever tasted!"
celery, +broccoli, +cauliflower, +mayonnaise, +pita bread, +red onions
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LAST year a total of 1,460 victims of crime across Oxfordshire were helped with coming to terms with what happened to them.
Today the charity which supported them – Victim Support – is celebrating its 40th anniversary.
The national charity has an office in London Road, Bicester, as well as witness support bases in Oxford Crown Court and Oxford Magistrates' Court in St Aldate's.
The charity has now helped more than 30 million victims nationwide since it started in 1974.
To recognise the landmark, a 40th anniversary conference is being held at Oxford's Kassam Stadium for the Thames Valley division of Victim Support.
Police and Crime Commissioner Anthony Stansfeld, Victim Support's homicide team volunteers, and representatives from Her Majesty's Courts and Tribunals Service will be among the speakers.
The main branches of the charity are the victim service, which supports people in the community, and the witness service, which helps victims and witnesses give evidence in court.
Retired legal executive Sheila Spencer, 81, above, from Cowley, has been a witness service volunteer based in Oxford Crown Court for 16 years.
She said: "I get so much satisfaction knowing that what we do has lessened the trauma of someone coming to court.
"The biggest change I have seen is that we have become more and more appreciated and respected over the years. There is an awareness on the part of court staff and those in the legal profession of the value we offer."
There are 11 volunteers who live in Oxfordshire and give support to victims of crime in the county and across the Thames Valley.
Another 32 witness service volunteers are based at Oxford Crown Court and Oxford Magistrates Court.
Mrs Spencer added: "There is no-one else but us who can give victims and witnesses the support they need to make what can be a daunting experience more comfortable to them.
"It is not something you are doing every day like going to Tesco. It is the unknown.
"A lot of victims feel they are on trial themselves. You have to try to make them appreciate it is not like television, because that is where a lot of people's pre-conceived ideas of court come from. They think they are going to be tricked by the defence barrister."
A new short film, featuring six victims of crimes including murder and domestic violence from across the UK, will be shown at the conference today.
Victim Support chief executive Javed Khan said: "We know from speaking to millions of people over the last four decades the devastating impact crimes can have.
"We can offer help and support to those affected and would encourage anybody who has been a victim of crime to contact us.
"The people who took part in this film have shown real courage in seeking help and support after they suffered awful crimes.
"They are playing a huge part in raising awareness of Victim Support and the difference our staff and volunteers make to people's lives, and I thank them for their help."
The conference starts at 10am and finishes at 3.30pm.
'We match the right people to those who need us'
Leanne Lewis, left, service delivery manager for Victim Support at its base in Bicester, with Sabine Griffiths, volunteer
As the manager of the victim service based at Victim Support's Bicester office in London Road, Leanne Lewis runs a team of 13 volunteers.
Victims across Oxfordshire who want help from Victim Support are referred from the charity's south east headquarters in Sussex.
Miss Lewis then matches the victim with the volunteer most suited to helping them.
Of the 13 volunteers, three are trained in supporting victims of serious crime, two work with people affected by murder, one is trained for relatives of victims of road deaths, three work with victims of sexual violence and one for domestic violence.
In January this year, 42 referrals of victims asking for help were dealt with in Bicester.
Miss Lewis said: "Some people just want one visit from the volunteer to unload and talk through what happened, but others we might support through the criminal court system to the end of a trial and beyond.
"It is so important. People say it really helps and they are glad they have someone to talk to.
"For the volunteers too, some of the details they hear can be quite harrowing so we make sure we support them too."
Victim Support's Bicester office launched a drop-in session in January, so every Wednesday from 10am until noon, a volunteer or staff member will be available if victims want to attend without booking an appointment.
Murder trial: 'A relief to have someone with me'
TWO years ago Aaron Buron, above, was murdered by teenager Haydan O'Callaghan outside his own home in Rose Hill, Oxford.
O'Callaghan, of Saunders Road, Cowley, stabbed 29-year-old Mr Buron three times after the hip-hop artist tried to stop the teen from beating his girlfriend on March 31, 2012.
O'Callaghan, who was 18 at the time, was given a life sentence for the murder of Mr Buron at Oxford Crown Court in October 2012.
His mum Eden Buron, 56, above, of St Martin's Road, Rose Hill, was helped by both the victim and witness service volunteers.
She said: "It was murder, and how it affected his two sons, and eight nieces and nephews is still with them today.
"But they did help – they showed us around court during the trial. I did feel as much at ease as was possible at a time like that.
"However at ease one tries to be, it is a very harrowing experience. It wasn't easy.
"I was there for the whole trial, and it was nice to have someone there. I will say that. I had never been to court in all my life before and for me and my husband it was a relief to have someone there who knew what was going on."
Mrs Buron also said Victim Support, as well as the police, visited after his death and before the trial numerous times to prepare them for what was coming next.
She added: "It will be two years at the end of this month. The crazy thing is he died two days before his birthday, so we are remembering his death as well as his birth."
Proud to make a difference
Linda Darrell, Victim Support manager for the Thames Valley, meets the Princess Royal
I really enjoy my job, writes Linda Darrell, Victim Support's manager for the Thames Valley, covering Oxfordshire.
No day is ever the same and when I look back on my working week each Friday, I feel that I have made a difference to people's lives.
I am lucky enough to work for Victim Support, the independent charity for victims and witnesses of crime in England and Wales.
As divisional manager I am responsible for the delivery of our support services across the whole of the Thames Valley – Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire.
This includes the witness service and the victims' service. In Oxford itself we have teams of volunteers in the Crown and Magistrates' Court at St Aldate's supporting witnesses who come to give evidence and their families. At our office in London Road, Bicester, we manage the victims' service side of work for Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire.
This includes sending cases out to our volunteers, running a drop-in centre for victims and hosting meetings with partner agencies.
This year is a very special one for Victim Support as we celebrate our 40th anniversary. It's an exciting time and we have been busy pulling things together for today's conference in Oxford at the Kassam stadium, where we held the SpeakingUp4Children conference in October 2012 which was attended by our President, HRH The Princess Royal.
- The first Victim Support scheme was set up in 1974 in Bristol by Chris Holtom, who died last year.
- The group began visiting victims of crime to offer help and in the following years more local independent Victim Support branches sprang up across the country.
- By 1978 there were 30 similar schemes across England and Wales.
- In 1981 Victim Support had 67 schemes and police referred 18,000 victims to them.
- In 1994 the Crown Court Witness Service was launched and the 20th anniversary of the first Victim Support branch in Bristol was marked by the introduction of a new 'sun and clouds' logo and the launch of the first Victim Support Week in February that year.
- In 2007 local branches merged to form a single charity covering England and Wales.
- In 2008 the local offices moved to London Road in Bicester, from Slade Road, Oxford.


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Did you read today's front page stories & breaking news?
Cloud Standards
Centrify Wheels Out Identity-as-a-Service
Claims IT can reduce helpdesk calls by up to 95% for SaaS account lockouts and password resets
By: Maureen O'Gara
Dec. 17, 2012 07:30 AM
Centrify, the ISV that makes its living leveraging Microsoft's Active Directory, has got some new cloud-based widgetry that lets organizations centrally secure and control access to their Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) deployments.
The adoption of SaaS apps combined with the Bring-Your-Own Device (BYOD) trend means that IT organizations don't own the endpoint devices or back-end application resources. (Pass the aspirin.)
Centralized management of users' digital identities across on-premise and cloud resources provides the visibility and control organizations need to achieve compliance, reduce costs and mitigate risks while enabling secure access and productivity for their user-centric mobile workforce.
Centrify's announcement of comprehensive SaaS and cloud services support - coupled with support for more than 400 operating systems, dozens of on-premise apps and rich support for mobile devices - lets its customers leverage their existing Active Directory investment across what the ISV figures is the industry's broadest range of systems, mobile devices and apps deployed both on-premise and in the cloud.
Its new Identity-as-a-Service (IDaaS) offering - Centrify DirectControl for SaaS - was unveiled and demonstrated for the first time at the Gartner Identity & Access Management Summit in Las Vegas last week.
"As organizational boundaries continue to erode under the pressure of federation and outsourcing, and as enterprise control over IT continues to weaken through increased adoption of mobile devices and cloud services, identity is more important than ever, and more problematic," Gartner research VP Ian Glazer said in a statement.
"Identity teams must strengthen federation capabilities to properly connect Software-as-a-Service to the enterprise... Identity teams should also consider an identity bridge to connect to Identity-as-a-Service (IDaaS) offerings."
Centrify DirectControl for SaaS lets users securely use their existing Active Directory credentials to get single sign-on (SSO) to their SaaS apps from a web browser running on any system, laptop or mobile device whether the endpoint is on the corporate network or not.
And because mobile devices are fast becoming the dominant endpoint, if they aren't already, Centrify is also offering so-called Zero Sign-On (ZSO) from mobile devices running iOS or Android, supporting both browser and native rich mobile apps through a secure certificate delivered to the mobile devices enrolled with the multi-tenant Centrify Cloud Service.
That cloud is built on Microsoft Azure and leverages the existing on-premise Active Directory infrastructure rather than providing a directory in the cloud, a dicey move.
Centrify DirectControl for SaaS customers can use the Active Directory-integrated and cloud-delivered MyCentrify portal, accessed through the Centrify Cloud Service, for one-click access to all their SaaS apps. Its self-service features let them locate, lock or wipe their mobile devices, and reset their AD passwords or manage their AD attributes.
Centrify's cloud-based service and seamless integration into Active Directory means IT doesn't sacrifice control of corporate identities and can leverage existing technology, skillsets and processes. Unlike other products, no intrusive firewall changes, changes to Active Directory itself or appliances in the DMZ are needed. Corporate identity information remains centralized in Active Directory under control of the IT staff and is never replicated or duplicated in the cloud.
Centrify claims IT can reduce helpdesk calls by up to 95% for SaaS account lockouts and password resets.
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Interest Rates, Facebook Headline Trading Day
Polya Lesova previews the day on Wall Street, where traders will have an eager eye on Facebook's earnings and the Federal Reserve's decision on interest rates. Photo: Getty Images
This transcript has been automatically generated and may not be 100% accurate.
... the the ... now it's a big day for economic data and oh by the way the Fed governors are meeting to discuss monetary policy Polya Lesova for MarketWatch is here good morning yes and isn't the ADP employment is the first ... bought me says God that I so I you know solace by the company a hundred and nineteen thousand The number that hour so that was below expectations for the above amount of time than fifty thousand ... the mice number was also if I it's like you know where ... I saw slightly disappointing numbers here ... aam you know that they have points to some golf and enable market but well below peak decided he didn't give us ... any clues as to whether as a howl of course read the jobs report in twenty airports ... nonfarm payrolls on Friday ... yes what that that that uses appeal but it's not the full picture because nonfarm piano Spinco's hole Friday ... I and probably heroes but it does give us some indication that we may get the weaker number on Friday when we get an empty house ... and of course it's a it's a busy day for my kids but still I have ... had their Institute for Supply Management's manufacturing index ... I mean at ten am and then treasurer and general economic index effectively exactly I and and the Fed's a month upcoming act at two p m Eastern today and we should mention that we will have live coverage and analysis of the Fed's decision on interest rates that starts at one fifty five ... Simon Constable will be hosting a panel of experts and Wall Street Journal reporters ... I let's move over to three stocks you're looking at the Palais Facebook reporting after the bell yes ... Facebook always draws a lot of interest I ... there will be a big focus on the revenue number of Facebook is expected to report a huge jump ... in quantity or having ... anyone specifically on the mold while adds that every number ... out because you know so many people today Tech Facebook with immobile phone was ... not so coming immobile as a link on is a very important metric for Facebook ... I think that's what investors will be focused on Angelina Kisen is for ... good health I didn't that Netflix so ... aam called sleeper cells from Facebook I will see after the closing bell and we will have full coverage of Facebook's earnings on the four o'clock news on so check back for that ... Merck ... did already reported results as another step in this morning I did the Dow component based ... company ... I this and be disappointed so the shares are down about thirty percent in the market today ... because the revenue fell short of expectations ... the company is basically Studley Inglewood they tend to expectations for some of its drugs ... and that basically ... if the farmer released yesterday and insular that put revenue ... on the company also announced a big share buyback program up to fifteen billion dollars ... but that doesn't seem to be helping each in Sandy's this morning and Time Warner is another one of that that one of the media company pointed to twenty two percent rise in first-quarter earnings ... I was I help of bites I met with the pace and hostile for example I it's it's getting a ball was wrong ... more on domestic HBO subscribers ... on so all in all offended


text:
Just a few days ago, I made a commitment over at Cation Designs (see link on side bar) that I would use up fabric already in my stash this year and that I would do my best to limit any new acquisitions to just what is needed to complete the project that I am making from my stash. I cheated! We were out of town to see a Doctor for my husband and I went to the fabric store and purchased three fabrics. Two tiny pieces that will go into an art quilt that is rattling around in my brain and then 10 meters of fabric for chair covers for my daughters school. So guilty!
So, to make myself more accountable, I took pictures of my stash to post in hopes that it would help me follow up with my commitments on the stash busting sew a long. If it is all here in colour, maybe I'll remember to use it! I am also posting the fabrics that I pulled to make projects with in the near future.
So here goes:
In the cutting room,
|The batiks underneath
|Shelf ONE
|Shelves TWO and THREE!
|Bins of Fabric Under the Cutting Table
In the Laundry Room!
Every spare surface is covered! And, I'm not done!!
There is more in the room where I actually sew, which is also the kids play room.
It is bad, really bad! And I didn't pretty it up for this confession!
So here is my stack of very soon to be sewn, fabrics from my stash.
If you need to get in control of yours too, go click the button and check out the program, I'd be happy to have more company!
Have a great day!


text:
Since the Jan. 15 Evergreen Park and Recreation District public board meeting was incoming executive director John Skeel's first, it's just as well that it was fairly routine.
A brief rundown of 2007's budget picture topped the evening's agenda, along with a look at financial prospects for the coming year, and both topics contained more good news than bad.
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Volunteering is fun, big time.
Being a Big Brother or Big Sister is one of the most enjoyable things you'll ever do. Not to mention, one of the most fulfilling. You have the opportunity to help shape a child's future for the better by empowering them to achieve. And the best part is, it's actually a lot of fun. You and your Little can share the kinds of activities you already like to do.
Play sports together. Go on a hike. Read books. Eat a pizza with extra anchovies. Or just give some advice and inspiration. Whatever it is you enjoy, odds are you'll enjoy them even more with your Little—and you'll be making a life-changing impact.
Think you want to be a Big Brother? Learn more >
Volunteering just a few hours a month with a child can start something amazing. So why not apply to be a Big today. There are kids out there ready to get started. Are you? Please contact 216.452.5238 for more information.
Volunteer to start something
What if every child fulfilled their potential? Think how amazing that would be. Now, you can start more Littles on the path to big things. If you have already completed an online application, please do not fill out another. Contact Samantha Holmes at 216.452.5216 to check the status of your application.
Anything is Possible
81% of former Littles surveyed agree their Big gave them hope & changed their perspective of what they thought possible.
Real Life Story
See how we forge strong, long-lasting relationships.
Read Story >


text:
What a hypocrite, County Judge Dean Fowler called Commissioner Crittenden "stupid," multiple times, in a commissioners meeting and tried to forcefully turn off Crittendens tape recorder. I remember reading about Fowler when he told the Texas Rangers that he "trusts" people and that is why he wrote Robert Bennett multiple checks for the same bill that was submitted to him for payment multiple times. Most likely, we the taxpayers paid for Fowlers "stupid" mistake in trusting Robert Bennett and Fowler just being incompetent, or rather "stupid," in his position as County Judge. If Fowler had done his job and kept proper records he would not need to "trust" people and would not make "stupid" mistakes. By the way, what happened to this issue? Fowler and everyone else have seemed to dodge the issue hoping it will go away. Why is Fowler not being made responsible for his "stupid mistakes?" At least Commissioner Crittenden is keeping a recording of the meetings to verify what is actually occurring in the commissioners meetings. I'm glad Crittenden is not making "stupid" mistakes like Fowler continues to do in his position.
Hmmm, this name calling sounds like the one Fowler gave Crittenden. Oh well, I'm not a small town county judge in an elected position and opposition comes with the territory as they say.
Fowler, a supposed adult acting in the position of county judge, is stooping to the level of child like name calling and bullying those not in agreement with him. Is this the normal behavior of a county judge? A judge is suppose to be someone in control of their emotions and their position as they make life altering decisions for individuals in a courtroom? If Fowler is unstable, as he clearly demonstrated in this meeting, does he need to be making legal decisions on individuals? Does he demean people in court by calling them names? Fowler is not performing his job duties adequately or professionally as a "county judge" and clearly is not a good representative of the church, as a "bishop," with his high school level name calling and bullying in the commissioner's court being broadcast in the news. As a judge, Fowler should not be performing in-mature children's antics. Clearly Fowler is in the wrong job as a "county judge" and as a "bishop" in the church and needs to be removed from these positions. Fowler is not performing as he should as shown by past actions and those of recent. As Crittenden told Fowler, Fowler needs to keep his hands to himself and Fowler should not have tried to forcefully turn off Crittenden's tape recorder. Also, why didn't the deputy give Fowler the same warning as he did Crittenden, when Fowler was trying to forcefully turn Crittenden's tape recorder off? Fowler should have also been threatened with "going to jail in a heart-beat" for forcing himself on Commissioner Crittenden. I guess the deputy did not want to get on the bad side of the Fowler. As we all know, "justice" is not fair in Gilmer for big titles, for small people in small town positions, seems to impress some more than others.
Clearly Fowler likes playing his role as the big fish in the small fish bowl. After a number of years in this position his law degree has gone to waste. Unfortunately for Gilmer, Fowler continues to make Gilmer the joke of East Texas in the newspapers and on the local television stations. Gilmer is now known for having an in-mature, name-calling, County Judge that bullies commissioners, rather than just having a judge that is incompetent in his position. To make matters worse, Fowler is an attorney, someone that should know better and have been trained to not lower himself to child like antics of name-calling and bullying. Is it any wonder as to why Fowler was not available for comment to The Gilmer Mirror on this incident? If I were Fowler, I would stop dodging the press and publicly apologize for this embarrassing misconduct in the commissioners meeting and apologize face to face with Commissioner Crittenden.
So what do you bet Fowlers apology doesn't happen? What do you bet Fowler will stay quiet and hope this matter will die down in the press as he has done on many other issues? What do you bet Fowler will continue to make the same "stupid" mistakes as he has done in the past?
Vote Fowler out in the next election, otherwise the joke is on you, the public, for allowing Fowler to be another "Gilmer Good Old Boy" whom doesn't adequately perform his job and continues to run Gilmer into the ground, as so many other well known Gilmerite's have done in their elected positions.