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By Greg Dean
In my previous article, Stand Up Comedy Teachers 1, I gave a brief explanation of how the end of the comedy boom of the 80's and early 90's created the stand up comedy teachers' market with two major groups: Comic-Turned-Stand Up Comedy Teacher and Club Owner/Booker-Turned-Stand Up Comedy Teacher. I showed how each type of stand up comedy teachers has several weaknesses and strengths depending on what one wants from stand up comedy classes. I concluded with the proclamation that teachers need to be taught how to teach and the necessity for a stand up comedy teachers' curriculum.
This article is dedicated to exploring two different approaches used by stand up comedy teachers: Opinion-Based Instruction and Technique-Based Instruction . Opinion-Based Instruction is founded on the stand up comedy teachers' sense of humor, personal preferences and what the stand up comedy teachers thinks is funny or acceptable. Technique-Based Instruction is based on a curriculum of fundamental principles and techniques the students can learn and practice as a series of skills they can then apply to their own style of being funny. These two approaches are diametrically opposed ways of teaching and they are discussed in terms of their effect on stand up comedy students.
Opinion – Based Instruction Is Inconsistent
Since all stand up comedy teachers have radically different senses of humor, it naturally follows that their opinions about what is funny will be inconsistent, if not outright contradictory. Stand up comedy teachers who give their opinions in place of techniques create confusion in their students because the students are faced with the dilemma of figuring out which of the conflicting opinions is correct.
For instance, if two stand up comedy teachers tell a student which jokes the stand up comedy teachers thinks are funny and which ones they think are not funny, what happens when the opinions of the two stand up comedy teachers disagree? Which stand up comedy teacher is right? The answer is neither. Students need to keep in mind that the stand up comedy teachers' opinions about what is funny is only that one person's opinion, and that opinion is no better or worse than anyone else's opinion on this planet. This inconsistent information can frustrate students and discourage them from continuing to study stand up comedy.
Technique – Based Instruction Maintains Consistency
The reason stand up comedy teachers should only teach comedy techniques and skills is to remove the stand up comedy teachers' opinions about what is funny or acceptable from the process. Instead, these opinions can be replaced with consistent fundamental techniques and skills of writing and performing. If the comedy techniques are truly fundamentals they'll always be relevant. Therefore, teaching techniques creates clarity when a reoccurring problem arises because the stand up comedy teachers can offer consistent solutions.
For instance, I teach the joke structure fundamental that all jokes shatter an assumption . Then, when students ask me if a joke is funny, I answer by asking, "What assumption is shattered by your punch?" This keeps my opinion out of the equation and puts the responsibility back on the students to determine if the joke is properly structured. No one can tell if a joke is funny until it is performed for an audience. The technique-based approach to instruction allows the students to trust their sense of humor and learn a series of tools and skills they can apply throughout their comedy career.
Opinion – Based Instruction Discourages Individuality
When stand up comedy teachers offer opinions about what's funny, this is what is really being said: "If I were to do that, this is how I would do it. Therefore you must do it that way too." Since students usually wish to please an instructor, they'll negate their own comedy instincts to defer to the stand up comedy teachers' advice. Soon the students no longer trust their own comedic judgment, but instead become dependent on the stand up comedy teachers' opinion of what's funny. This approach creates clones of the stand up comedy teachers as the students stop seeking their own comic voice and adopt the stand up comedy teachers' sense of humor.
Technique – Based Instruction Encourages Individuality
The reason stand up comedy teachers should teach fundamental techniques is so that students can learn, practice, and apply these techniques to their individual senses of humor. When my students experiment with these techniques, I am always amazed at the originality of some of their material. After showcases, I often have an audience member congratulate me, "They were all so different. How do you do that?" The answer is: technique. Stand up comedy teachers need to get their sense of humor and preferences out of the teaching process so the students can develop their own.
For instance, here is a principle I teach my students to help them find their individual comic voice: Style=Honesty. I encourage them to be blatantly honest about their personal judgments about their topics. These judgments are expressed as opinions and emotions in the performance. The audience gets to know the comic's beliefs and values when the comic expresses his or her opinions and emotions. The more honest a student is about a subject, the more unique their comic voice.
Opinion – Based Instruction Is a Form of Censorship
Stand up comedy teachers practice creative censorship when they state their own opinions about what they find offensive or inoffensive, what they think is funny or unfunny, or what the student can or cannot do in their show. Some stand up comedy teachers go so far as to list the topics students cannot address in the workshop. (By the way, I do support the right of the instructors to do this—even though I don't agree with the practice—because it is the stand up comedy teachers' business, after all and they do have the right to set the rules of conduct. As the student, however, you get to vote on this practice by taking or not taking the class.) I firmly believe censorship restricts the student's creative horizons. Students shouldn't be restricted to the topics the stand up comedy teachers agree with or find inoffensive. The irony is that those "offensive" topics might be infantile bodily function jokes, or might even be the basis for a unique comedic perspective. The students, not the stand up comedy teachers, should make these decisions.
An even more subtle form of censorship is how stand up comedy teachers pass on their own personal limitations. This is not a malicious act, but an unconscious one with good, but misguided intentions. You can see what I mean if you attend several stand up comedy teachers' classes. You'll quickly observe that the stand up comedy teachers who are primarily writers are turning out students who are primarily writers. The stand up comedy teachers who are one-liner comics are turning out students who are one-liner comics. Without a curriculum, stand up comedy teachers will impose their own likes, beliefs and values because they can only teach what they know. And what they know is being themselves.
Technique – Based Instruction Fosters Creative Freedom
Since Lenny Bruce, stand-up comedy has had a history of being at the forefront of pushing socially acceptable boundaries. As I have asserted, I believe that the purpose of technique-based instruction is to get the stand up comedy teachers' personal tastes and limitations—and therefore censorship—out of the classroom. When students are encouraged to freely experiment with finding their own comic voices, I've discovered that they come up with a variety of uniquely funny ideas. Some of these ideas are offensive, some are ingenious, and as I mentioned earlier, I believe students must learn to discern the parameters of these matters for themselves. After all, it's the students, not the stand up comedy teachers, who are getting on stage to test their shows. Therefore, the stand-up comedy classroom-environment needs to be a safe place where students feel free to present and test all ideas without the stand up comedy teacher's instant condemnation about the nature of their material.
If the material is offensive, I want it in my classroom for three primary reasons: 1) the students can get feedback about how offensive it is before presenting it publicly, 2) a fix can be suggested that will remove the offensive aspect so the funny concept can emerge, and 3) the students can realize that it is offensive and decide to perform it anyway and prepare themselves to deal with the audience's response and practice making that funny. For these reasons, I truly believe Sam Kinison, Bo Burnham, or other unorthodox comedians could have developed in my comedy classes. They would have had the support and freedom to push the comic envelope.
Even though my students openly exercise their constitutional right to freedom of speech, I do draw one line of unacceptable conduct. I do not allow personal threats or attacks that constitute clear and present danger. That is to say, freedom of speech ends when someone endangers others or incites violence toward others. This is stand up comedy, not the World Wrestling Federation. Short of that, the sky's the limit.
Opinion – Based Instruction Creates Teacher – Dependent Students
Allowing the students to become dependent on the stand up comedy teachers to write, edit, routine and/or approve their shows is the most egregious long term effect of opinion-based instruction. The problems arises when students leave the classroom and need to put together another show on their own. If the stand up comedy teachers have done much of the work for the students, and they won't have had to struggle through the trial and error process of learning to write, edit, and routine for themselves. To complicate matters, the students often blame themselves and believe they're untalented or didn't learn anything in the class—where in fact, the fault lies with the stand up comedy teachers, because they didn't teach anything. People rarely learn by watching others perform a task; rather, they learn best by doing that task for themselves.
Technique – Based Instruction Creates Teacher – Independent Students
The purpose of creating a curriculum is to teach a consistent set of principles, techniques, and skills. To truly learn, the students must apply and practice these principles, techniques, and skills until they become competent with them. Ultimately, this produces students that are so capable they no longer need the stand up comedy teachers.
For instance, the process of ordering a routine can be a perplexing dilemma for students. To assist, I teach the technique of B, C, A . This is to say, I suggest they open their routine with their B material, put their C material in the middle, and close with their A material. With this technique, the students can experiment and eventually figure out for themselves how to order a routine. Once they've done it for themselves, this technique gives them the confidence to do it on their own the next time they need to arrange their routine. This approach creates students who can function independently of the stand up comedy teachers. After all, isn't this the whole point of teaching?
In Conclusion
In the first part of this article, I discussed the two different types of stand up comedy teachers: Comic-Turned-Instructor and Club Owner/Booker-Turned-Instructor. In this second part, I showed the two contrasting teaching approaches: Opinion-Based Instruction and Technique-Based Instruction as a way of illustrating the differences in what stand up comedy classes have to offer to the students. Depending on what you want from a workshop, this information should help you decide what kind of teacher and approach best suit your needs.


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Sampling error occurs because a sample, rather than the entire population, is surveyed. It reflects the difference between estimates based on a sample and those that would have been obtained had a census been conducted. One measure of this difference is the standard error. There are about two chances in three that a sample estimate will differ by less than one standard error from the figure that would have been obtained if all businesses had been included in the survey, and about nineteen chances in twenty that the difference will be less than two standard errors.
Another measure of sampling error is the relative standard error, which is obtained by expressing the standard error as a percentage of the estimate to which it refers. The relative standard error is a useful measure in that it provides an immediate indication of the sampling error in percentage terms, and this avoids the need to refer also to the size of the estimate. Relative standard errors of key estimates are available in the Explanatory Notes of Accommodation Services, Australia (cat.no. 8695).
The ABS has been conducting surveys of accommodation services periodically since 1979-80. While the ABS seeks to maximise consistency and comparability over time by minimising changes to the survey, sound survey practice requires ongoing development to maintain the integrity of the data, its relevance to the changing needs of users and the efficiency of the collection. Additionally, the irregular frequency of the surveys mitigates against designing them to produce reliable estimates of change over time.
Changes made to the Accommodation Services Survey over time include changes in sampling methods, estimation methods, concepts, data item definitions and classifications. In introducing such changes the ABS has revised previous estimates whenever feasible to maximise consistency and coherence with current estimates. For a full list of changes made between the 2003-04 and to 2006-07 cycles of the Accommodation Services Survey refer to the Explanatory Notes of Accommodation Services, Australia (cat. no. 8695.0).
The estimates from the Accommodation Services Survey are only available as original series and are not seasonally or trend adjusted. Although financial data estimates in this publication relate to the full twelve months, employment estimates relate to the last pay period ending in June 2007, or the last pay period of the month specified, and business counts reflect only those businesses that were operating at 30 June 2007. As such, estimates of values per person employed or per business can be affected by any fluctuations in employment or business numbers during the reference period.
Further information on the terminology and other technical aspects associated with statistics from the Accommodation Services Survey can be found in the publication Accommodation Services, Australia (cat. no. 8695.0), which contains detailed Explanatory Notes, a Technical Note and a Glossary.
Data from the 2006-07 Accommodation Services Survey are available in a variety of formats. The formats available free of charge on the ABS website are:
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State Park
Mailing Address:
701 Almond Road
Pittsgrove, NJ 08318-3928
(856) 358-8616
GPS Coordinates
Size: 2,092
From Route 55 north or south, take exit 35 and
follow signs to the park.The Park is located between
Centerton and Vineland on Route 540 (Almond Road).
Hidden in the southwestern
part of the state is Parvin State Park, a park whose history
is as varied as its wildlife. Situated on the edge of the
Pine Barrens, the park not only has pine forests typical to
the area but also a swamp hardwood forest. Spring bursts out
in bright colors and rich fragrances with blossoming dogwood,
laurel, holly, magnolia, wild azalea and over 200 kinds of
flowering plants. Thundergust Lake, Parvin Lake and Muddy
Run are popular for fishing and boating. Swimming is allowed
in Parvin Lake only.
This park served as home for the Civilian
Conservation Corps from 1933 to 1941, a summer camp for the
children of displaced Japanese Americans in 1943, a POW camp
for German prisoners in 1944 and temporary housing for the
Kalmycks who fled their homelands in Eastern Europe in 1952.
Through the Carry-In/Carry-Out Program you can help us keep the parks clean and beautiful by carrying out the trash you carry in. Please bring a biodegradable bag with you when visiting to take your trash home. Thank you for your cooperation and remember to recycle.
Visit https://njparksandforests.org/sps_covid.html and follow www.facebook.com/newjerseystateparks for the most recent information on park operations — some amenities may not be available due to COVID-19.
Open daily sunrise to sunset
Park Office: Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Park Maps
Parvin State Park Area Map
Parvin State Park Trail Map
Parvin State Park Trails General Guide
Reserve a campsite at camping.nj.gov. Please note tent and trailer family campsites are available to reserve until December 15, 2020. Cabins, group cabins, shelters, lean-tos, group lean-tos, wilderness campsites, group campsites, primitive campsites, and primitive group campsites remain closed until further notice.
Alcohol is prohibited. Pets are prohibited in overnight facilities.
A non-refundable service fee of $5.00 will be charged to the customer for each reservation.
Changes to the reservation that occur prior to the Start/Check in date will incur a non refundable fee of $5.00.
Changes made after the start/check-in date will be chargerd a service fee according to the following:
If the total fee is greater then or equal to $50.00 then a fee of $5.00 will be charged.
If the total fee is less then $50.00 then the fee of $2.00 will be charged.
Campsites: 56 tent and trailer
sites with fire rings, picnic tables, lantern hooks and a
playground available. Six people and two vehicles per site.
Flush toilets, showers, and laundry facilities are within
walking distance. Facilities available for people with disabilities.
Trailer sanitary station. Located on the south shore of Parvin
Lake. Open April 1 to October 31. Fee: NJ Residents: $20 per night;
Non Residents: $25 per night.
Pet Friendly Campsites
Group campsites: Four group
sites with flush toilets,
water, fire rings, picnic tables, one shelter. Located on
south shore of Parvin Lake. Each campsite accomodates up to 25 people. Open April 1 to October 31. NJ Resident $50 per night; Non Resident $100 per night.
Cabins: 18 cabins each with furnished living room with a fireplace or woodburning stove; outdoor campfire rings; two bedrooms to accommodate 4 people; kitchen with running water, electric stove, refrigerator; bathroom with sink, toilet and shower; electricity; brick patio with table and grill. Two of the cabins are accessible for persons with disabilities and offer accommodations for 6 people. Playground available. Cabins are located on the north shore of Thundergust Lake. Cabins are available for rental for a 7 night minimum from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Open April 1 through October 31.
Fee: Four-bunk cabins: NJ Resident: $55 per night; $385 per week;
Non Resident: $65 per night; $455 per week.
Fee: Six-bunk cabins: NJ Resident: $75 per night; $525 per week;
Non Resident: $85 per night; $595 per week.
Campground Map (Low resolution for viewing purposes)
Cabin Map (Low resolution for viewing purposes)
Cabin Map (High resolution for printing purposes) File Size: 240 KB
Special Use Permit Application
Special Use Permit Application Package
A Special Use Permit is utilized to accommodate a specific activity or event being conducted over a short duration. There are two types of special use permits: Non-Commercial and Commercial and fees are based on NJ residency and Non-residents. A completed application must be submitted to the park/forest area where the activity or event is being held at least 90 days prior to the event. If the special use or event is extremely large or complex, at least one-year's prior notice is recommended.
Situated at the edge of the New Jersey Pine
Barrens, the Parvin Natural Area combines many of the characteristics
and species of southern New Jersey and the Pine Barrens. Several
trails run through the hardwood and Atlantic white cedar swamps,
pitch pine lowlands and upland pine and oak forests. Parvin
is home to the state-threatened barred owl and the endangered
swamp pink.
Closed for season.
A lifeguard staffed swimming beach is provided
at Parvin Grove, which is located on Parvin Lake. Parking
areas, bathhouse, first-aid station, canoe rental and a concession
offering refreshment, novelties and beach supplies are all
conveniently located nearby. Picnic Groves with tables and
grills and playgrounds are located on either side of the beach.
Swimming in the designated swimming area while lifeguards are on duty. Please check our swimming schedule prior to your visit. Inner tubes, rafts and other flotation devices are not permitted
in the swimming area. Only Coast Guard approved life jackets are permitted. Pets are prohibited on the beach.
A public boat launch ramp is located at Fisherman's Landing. The launch ramp is available from sunrise to sunset year round. Parvin Lake is electric motor only. From Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day, required permits can be purchased at the park office.
New Jersey Resident $12 per launch
Non-Resident $20 per launch
New Jersey Resident $60
Non-Resident $80
Several picnic areas with table and
grills are located throughout the Park. For larger groups,
we also offer two reservable picnic areas at Thundergust Lake,
100 people per pavilion; total capacity 200. Flush toilets,
water, grills, picnic tables, activity and ball fields available.
Group picnicking reservations are required for weekday events.
A party of 20 or more people constitutes a group. They may
be reserved for a fee:
New Jersey Resident $125
per day
Non-Resident $175
per day
• Groups of 20 or more people shall
reserve picnic facilities at least five days in advance.
Such group use is not permitted on Holidays except as authorized
by the Superintendent. Reservations for picnic areas are
handled by the individual park area offices.
Reservations can be made over the telephone using a credit card, or by mail using the Group Picnic Reservation form* downloadable here. Payment in full of the appropriate group picnicking fee must accompany this application.
*To view this form, please download the most recent version of Adobe Acrobat
State Park Service areas open to hunting
Hunting is permitted in designated areas within the park and is subject to Division of Fish and Wildlife regulations.
The Parvin State Park Appreciation Committee was organized to promote the use of the park by the public and to educate visitors on its rich history and by providing volunteer support of labor and equipment to help maintain the park in a safe manner.
regarding our parks and forests can be directed
to the park at firstname.lastname@example.com
parks and forestry: find
a park | forestry |
forest fire | natural
lands | education | historic
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department: njdep
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Copyright © State of New Jersey, 1996-2020
Department of Environmental Protection
P. O. Box 402
Trenton, NJ 08625-0402
Last Updated:
September 9, 2020


text:
Play Free Mobile Games on 2FlashGames.Com
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Racing Games


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new 12 1/4''tricone three cone button tci tricone roller drill bit for oil natural gas water well drilling
K Hard plastic formation cutting structure
Unique designing parameters and wider insert crest enlarge rock-breaking volume on bottom hole and increase bottom hole coverage. At the same time, shear sliding distance of inserts at bottom hole is made larger and ROP of the bit in hard plastic formation is increased.
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Toll free: 1800 425 4484
Health & Wellness
Wholesome Health
Mainstream medicines, hk-honghui.cn公车掀起老师裙子进入 hk-honghui.cn
The universally accepted definition of immunity is the ability to resist diseases. This resistance may be passive like the transfer of antibodies from a mother to her baby through breast milk or active like the immunity acquired through inoculation. Any lessening in the activity of the immune system can lead to diseases like inflammations and cancer. A hyperactive immune system is also dangerous as it attacks healthy tissues as in diabetes mellitus type 1. Supplying antioxidants to fight free radicals is the essential function of wellness preparations that boost immunity, because antioxidants protect cells from free radicals that damage cells and repair the cells that are already damaged. Fruits and vegetables and traditional herbal supplements are generally recommended as good sources of antioxidants.
Life Style
As countries became more developed and people got more money, they began to eat more sugary foods, meat preparations, oily foods, dairy products, cooking these themselves or getting these from fast food outlets. Alcoholic beverages also became more affordable as people were financially better off and they began to consume more of such drinks. Coupled with this, more and more people succumbed to sedentary habits, discarding regular exercises and relying more and more on machines that saved them from manual labour. As a result, diseases like diabetes, heart diseases, osteoporosis, obesity, depression, atherosclerosis, renal failure and hypertension, called lifestyle diseases, became widespread. Change of life style, with less junk food, more vegetables and fruits, abstention from smoking and drinking and regular exercises are generally recommended to protect oneself from these diseases and to control them if not completely cure them. There are also good herbal preparations that help in protecting from lifestyle diseases and in reducing the damages caused by such diseases.
When excess body fat accumulates in a person to such an extent that it reduces life expectancy and increases health problems, obesity has set in. Excessive energy-intake through food, less physical activity and genetic susceptibility are the three main causes, though there are a few other causes like psychiatric illness, endocrine disorders, some medications and genes. The increasing cases of obesity in young adults and even children have made obesity one of the leading preventable causes of death worldwide. Some doctors and health authorities view obesity as a serious public health problem of this century. This year, in 2013, obesity has been classified as a disease by the American Medical Association. There are several herbal extracts, like the extract of Noni fruit, that have the ability to reduce weight and fight obesity without having to starve for long periods or engage in exhausting exercises.
About two thirds of the approximately 150,000 deaths that take place each day in the world die of diseases that are age-related. In industrialized or developed nations the proportion reaches 90%. Biologically, cellular senescence is the limitation or declining of the ability of the cells to divide and organismal senescence is the ageing of organisms. There are irreversible series of changes like the increased risk of disease and lessening of the ability to respond to stress which finally culminate in death. Bio-gerontologists treat ageing as a disease and more and more scientists are considering senility a potentially treatable genetic condition. There are several herbal extracts that slow down the process of ageing and reduce the disabilities associated with it. Some of these have been traditionally used by several generations of old people with reliable efficacy.


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Back to Dog Parks in South Carolina
Birthstone charm. Celebrate the birthmonth of your pet. 12 different stones set in a cute doggy bone.
Be sure to check out the pet businesses near you!
Be sure to check out the dog parks near you!
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Bethel College Radio
All about
KBCU-FM 88.1 is a 24-hour non-commercial, not-for-profit radio station that broadcasts from the campus of Bethel College in North Newton, Kansas. A long-standing Bethel College tradition rooted in the 1930s, KBCU has a wide range of student programming, including rock, hip-hop, alternative, Latin, contemporary Christian and sports talk shows, and reaches all of Newton and much of Harvey County.
The radio station is operated and staffed by more than three dozen Bethel students and a faculty advisor and allows Bethel College students the opportunity to receive academic credit for their radio participation. Excellent facilities for broadcast and production give students a real-world experience in broadcast media that serves as the first mass-media broadcast experience for many Bethel alumni who have gone on to successful careers in the mass media and broadcasting industries.1
KBCU is affiliated with the Pacifica Radio Network.


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Yeah, it's nice that college football is taking steps to reclaim its special relationship with New Year's Day, but let's not forget why this is noteworthy to start with. If down the road the money becomes more attractive for spreading the bowl games out again, does anybody think they won't grab it?
Happy New Year!
Filed under BCS/Playoffs, It's Just Bidness
5 responses to "Happy New Year!"
The loss of New Years day was my biggest gripe with the BCS era. It really was something special and just got evicerated by the BCS and TV demands. It is hard to imagine how TV does not demand spreading it out. However, it would be impossible to retain competitive balance going into the following week play-off game, if the games get spread out. There is no way you can give one team an extra day or two or three of rest and preparation and still maintain fair championship. So, perhaps they will be foreced to give us back New Years day?
For all of you as old as dirt like me, here is a sight about when January 1 was the holy grail of football.
I don't like the idea of 3 BCS-quality games on both NYE and NYD. There should be two per day on the 30th, 31st, and 1st with one more time slot for multiple games.
30th would be 1pm multiple / 4pm BCS / 8pm BCS.
31st would be 1pm BCS / 4pm Semi / 8pm multiple.
1st would be 1pm multiple / 4pm Rose / 8pm Semi.
As a Senior Citizen and a conservative, I am not one to part with traditions easily but I don't understand the complaining about spreading games out from New Year's Day. There is plenty of CFB on NYD, in fact, too much conflict with 3 SEC games in the same time slot. It isn't like NYD isn't still "the" day for CFB, and the best day for bowl parties. It is the only one of those late season dates guaranteed to be a holday and offer something for all CFB fans.
I understand it is different from what we have known for decades but the change insures us we can see more CFB, some of which are quality match-ups. I just don't understand why fans don't want to see more games, not have them overlap so you can only see snippets of some, or miss some all together. Change isn't necessarily bad, especially when it milks a few more quarters of CFB just before we go "dark" for several months.


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Education is the great equalizer
NEA president responds to National Urban League's annual report
WASHINGTON - March 26, 2010 -
The National Urban League annual report issued this week measures disparities in economics, education, health, civic engagement and social justice. The State of Black America detailed significantly higher rates of unemployment for Blacks and Hispanics. The report says that whites over the age of 25 were more than one and a half times as likely as Blacks and two and a half times as likely as Hispanics to hold a bachelor's degree. The National Urban League's publication also recognized drop out rates and achievement gaps as road blocks on the path to success.
The following statement can be attributed to NEA President Dennis Van Roekel:
"Education is the great equalizer…opening doors of opportunity for all. As a nation, we must be committed to providing education equity and resources all students need to succeed.
"It is unacceptable to allow inadequate and inequitable distribution of resources to many predominately minority schools. The lack of resources fuels the disparities. Too many of our neediest children lack access to programs that are essential to closing achievement gaps. Early childhood education, afterschool programs, the arts, innovative curricula and extended learning time programs are keys to future success.
"NEA has demonstrated its long-standing commitment through grants, programs and teacher training. We stand with the National Urban League in efforts to apply continued pressure to realize the human and civil right every student has to a quality public education.
"A solid K-12 education paves the way for college, which prepares students for jobs. You cannot effectively solve the jobs crisis without addressing the gap in educational attainment. We must create jobs, but also ensure people have the proper education and skills to fill those jobs. College accessibility and affordability are critical.
"NEA will continue to advocate for sound federal policies that address education issues and spur job creation and retention."
Follow us on twitter at www.twitter.com/NEAMedia
# # #
The National Education Association is the nation's largest professional organization, representing 3.2 million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support professionals, school administrators, retired educators and students preparing to become teachers.
CONTACT: Ramona Parks-Kirby (202) 822-7823, email@example.com


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(may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon them all)
Mas'ud ibn Zahur ibn Hamid'ullah Ahmed Khan al-Jarral al-Hanafi
Abu'l Ala Maududi (1903-1979) was probably the most well known leader of the various "Salafi" movements in his time. He founded the political party known as Jama'at al-Islami in 1941 with the aim to revive Islam in the Indian subcontinent as well as establish a true Islamic state. The aims seemed to be noble initially, but as he gained prominence through his writings and speeches (many of which have been translated into various languages), he lost the confidence of the majority of the Ulama in the Indian subcontinent; be they Deobandi/Tablighi or Barelvi.
A number of religious edicts were passed on him and his Jama'at due to some ideas championed by Maududi , and subsequently backed, funded and published by a section of the government appointed scholars of "Salafi-Saudi" Arabia. We will mention some of his famous declarations by the aid of Allah below.
Despite facing a number of setbacks, this political party is still active today in the subcontinent, as well as in the Western world; where it has managed to proselytize its activities and ideas by channeling it through a number of well funded Saudi-backed umbrella groups.
The names of these groups may be different but the aims and intentions are practically the same; and generally it is at core a wing of Salafiyyism in its many divisive and sub-divisive forms that exist in the Muslim lands today. To name but a few of these groups based in the occident may enlighten the reader to some extent.
Here in England the Jama'at al-Islami has been represented to the best of my knowledge in the shade of some of the following groups: UK Islamic Mission, Young Muslims (YM), Young Muslim Organization (YMO), and most notoriously the academic and cultural representative of the Jama'at has been expressed and promoted by the Islamic Foundation based in Leicester, UK.
Needless to say, the above groups are all in one form or another admirers of Ibn Taymiyya, Ibn al-Qayyim, Ibn Abdal Wahhab; as well as having some members who respect al-Albani to a certain degree.
Our aim is not to belittle or dishonor the members of the above named groups, but to warn and advise its unsuspecting members as well as the "Salafi" movements in the West who never condemn Maududi in general,[157] the true nature of Maududi and his party's beliefs to the best of our knowledge and sincerity.
We have derived most of the following quotes from a work compiled by Shaykh Muhammad Yusuf Ludhianvi,[158] entitled: Differences in the Ummah and the Straight Path.[159] To the introduction of another book written by Ludhianvi,[160] there is a brief review of Maududi's life and works, by the late Muhaddith of Pakistan: Shaykh Muhammad Yusuf Banuri,[161] in the following words[162] :
I admired many things about Maududi Saheb and detested many. For a long time I did not wish to degrade him. I felt that from his innovated style of presentation the modern generation could benefit. Although at times such compositions appeared from him that it was not possible to endure it, but taking into consideration the Deeni (religious) well being, I tolerated and kept silent. I did not foresee that this fitnah (mischief) would spread worldwide and have a detrimental effect on the Arab world; that every day from his master pen new buds would keep on blossoming, and indecent words would be used regarding the Sahabah kiraam Ridhwanullahi Alayhim and the Anbiyya (Prophets) Alayhimus Salaam. Later on, such things appeared daily in the Tafhimul Quraan. [163]
Now it has become known without doubt that his writings and publications are the greatest fitnah of the present time, notwithstanding a few beneficial treatises that have appeared. It is the case of, 'and the sin of them is greater than their usefulness.'[164] Now that stage has been reached where to keep silent seems to be a great crime. It is regretted that for forty years an offensive silence was kept. Now the time has dawned, where without fear of rebuttal and censure all his writings from A to Z should be thoroughly studied with a view to fulfill the demands for the preservation of the Deen with Haqq (truth) and justice.
Shaykh Ludhianwi said[165]:
You are aware that Prophethood is a very sensitive issue. Any expression which debases a Nabi is inappropriate. Examine the entire treasure of ahadith of Nabi (peace be upon him) and you will not find the minutest doubt regarding any Nabi (peace be upon them), but Maududi's pen, even after reaching the sanctuary of Prophethood, remains unacquainted with respect. Without compunction he mentions:
(a) The example of Musa (peace be upon him) is that of a hasty conqueror who continues marching without reinforcing his authority. Behind him in the captured land a revolt spreads like fire in a jungle.[166]
(b) Hadrat Dawud (peace be upon him) was influenced by the general custom of the Israeli society of his era and requested Urya to divorce his wife.[167]
(c) There was a carnal desire in the act of Hadrat Dawud (peace be upon him) and he misused his authority. It was an act which did not suit any acquiescent person in the government.[168]
(d) Hadrat Nuh (peace be upon him) was overcome by his human deficiency and he became prey to the emotions of ignorance.[169]
(e) The statement of Hadrat Yusuf (peace be upon him), 'Appoint me as a treasurer of the land' according to him was not merely a request for the post of treasury, as some people presume, but it was a demand for dictatorship. As a result of this, the position which Yusuf (peace be upon him) achieved was very much similar to the position Mussolini [170] held.[171] (f) Hadrat Yunus (peace be upon him) was negligent in the duty of Prophethood. Presumably he left his place before time after loosing his patience.[172]
After analyzing the severe consequences of the above statements made by Maududi , Shaykh Ludhianvi noted on the hundred and twenty first page of his above named work:
Whoever has read Maududi's book Khilafat wa Mulukiyat[173] will testify that the Sahaba (may Allah be pleased with them all) are openly degraded in it, and the author's animosity for the Sahaba (may Allah be pleased with them) is quite apparent.
Under the title "Termination of the superiority of the law", Maududi writes:
(a) "Another abominable innovation that originated in the rise of Mu'awiyah is that he and the governors under his command used to vilify and swear at Hadrat Ali (radiallahu anhu) from the pulpit, to such an extent that even in Masjidun Nabawi[174] on the minbar of Rasulullah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) right in front of the Rowdah-e-Nabawi, the beloved cousin of Nabi (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used to be vilified. The descendants and relatives of Ali (radiallahu anhu) used to bear this abuse. To swear at any person after his death, besides the Islamic illegality is ethically despicable. To pollute the Jummah (Friday sermon) with this filth was an extremely repulsive act.[175]
(b) Hadrat Mu'awiyah (radiallahu anhu) openly violated the Qur'an and Sunnah in the matter of the distribution of the booty. According to the Qur'an and the hadith, one fifth of the total spoils of war were to be given to the public treasury and the remaining four portions were to be distributed amongst the army that participated in the battle. But Mu'awiyah gave the order that the gold and silver were to be first taken out for him and the remaining distributed according to the Shari rule." [176]
(c) The enrolling of Ziyad ibn Sumayah was also one of the acts of Mu'awiyah which he perpetrated for political aims and thereby contravened an accepted law of Shari'ah. This was a completely unlawful act.[177]
(d) Hadrat Mu'awiyah regarded his governors as above the law and openly rejected Shar'i proceedings against their violations."[178]
If one wishes to discover more vile slanders and attacks (which are diametrically opposed to the beliefs of the Ahl-us-Sunnah wa'l Jama'ah), made against great Companions like Aisha, Hafsah, Abu Bakr, Uthman, Amr ibn al-Aas (may Allah be pleased with them all), and not to mention the great Prophet's (peace and blessings of Allah be upon them all) of the past - then please refer to Shaykh Ludhianvi's works mentioned above for a detailed analysis.
So far, we have provided Maududi's attacks on the past generations, but to finish of this section we will quote what he says of the awaited Imam al-Mahdi; without any direct proof from the sources of the Shari'ah - but rather from his own arrogant imaginations!
He said in his book: A Short History of the Revivalist Movement in Islam[179]:
"In my opinion the coming one will be a most modern leader of his age possessing an unusually deep insight in all the current branches of knowledge, and all the major problems of life. As regards statesmanship, political sagacity and strategic skill in war he will take the whole world by surprise and prove himself to be the most modern of all the moderns. But I am afraid that the people who will be the first. So called to raise hue and cry against his "innovations" will be the Ulema and the Sufis.
I also do not expect that his bodily features will be any different from the common man so as to render him easily recognizable. Neither do I expect that he will proclaim himself to be the Mehdi. Most probably he will not be aware of his being the promised Mehdi. People, however, will recognize him after his death from his works to be the one who was to establish "Caliphate after the pattern of Prophethood", as mentioned in the prophecies.
As I have indicated above, none but a Prophet has any right to start his work with a claim, nor does anybody except a Prophet know with certainty the nature of his mission. 'Mehdi-ism' is not something to be claimed, it is rather something to be achieved. People who put forward such claims and those who readily accept them, in fact, betray a serious lack of knowledge and a degraded mentality.
Moreover, my view of the nature of the Mehdi's mission is also different from the views cherished by these people. I do not find any room in his work for supernatural acts, divine inspirations and ascetic and spiritual exercises. I believe that the Mehdi, like any other revolutionary leader, will have to struggle hard and encounter all the obstacles common in this way. He will create a new School of Thought on the basis of pure Islam, change mental attitudes of the people, and initiate a strong movement which will at once be cultural and political. 'Ignorance' will muster all its forces and strength and come out to crush him, but he will eventually put it to rout and establish a powerful Islamic state..."
Despite Maududi's protestations, many people in his time accused him of having aspirations for the title of Imam ul-Mahdi! We leave it to the reader, and most importantly to a section of "Salafi's" who regard him as their "leader-reviver of the Deen", to decide what they think of one who during his life time openly cast such nefarious aspersions on the great personalities of Islam.
Mawdudi's Ideas - Dr. G.F. Haddad
[157] Simply because as one observer put it: "He shares a large proportion of their ideas on Salafiyyism as well as having the same Middle Eastern paymasters!"
[158] Presently a teacher of Hadith and other Islamic sciences at Madrasah Islamiyya Arabiyyah Binnoriah, New Town, Karachi, Pakistan. Besides writing a number of well known books in Urdu, he regularly answers questions via a prominent Pakistani newspaper.
[159] Published by Zam Zam Publishers, 2 Junaid Mansion, D'mello Rd, Off Burns Rd Karachi, Pakistan, 1995.
[160] The Maududi Calamity, Madrasah Arabia Islamia Azaadville 1750, South Africa. This book mentions a number of vile statements made by Maududi against the Prophet's (peace be upon them all) and Companions (may Allah be pleased with them all).
[161] He died in 1978. A district of Karachi (Allama Banuri Town) has been named in his honor. Rahimahullah.
[163] This is a commentary by Maududi on the Holy Qur'an. It is also available now in English.
[164] Surah al-Baqara: 219
[165] See Differences in the Ummah and the Straight Path (p. 114).
[166] Maududi's Tarjumanul Qur'an, vol. 29, no. 4, p.5.
[167] Maududi's Tafheemat, vol. 2, p.42, 2nd edition.
[168] Maududi's Tafheemul Qur'an, vol. 4, ch. 38, p.27, 1st edition.
[169] Tafheemul Qur'an, vol. 2, p.344.
[170] The corrupt fascist Italian dictator who supported Adolf Hitler in the "Second World war."
[171] Tafheemat, part 2, p.122, 5th edition, 1970.
[172] Tafheemul Qur'an, Ch.11, footnote no. 312-13.
[173] The reader may note that this book has been praised by the Shi'ite regime in Iran, as well as being a book that is essential reading on certain college curriculums in Iran!
[174] The Holy Prophet's (peace be upon him) Mosque in Madinah.
[175] Khilafat wa Mulukiyat, p.124.
[176] Ibid, p.124.
[177] Khilafat wa Mulukiyat, p.175.
[178] Ibid.
[179] 1st edition, June 1973, Markaza Maktaba Islami, Delhi, India, pp.40-1, section "al-Imam ul-Mehdi."


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Joined: 24 Jun 2002
Posts: 8385
Location: at a computer
Posted: Thu Oct 14, 2010 2:02 pm
Post subject:
I am both mortified and stupified that our favorite Winger is using false data to imply that liberals online are subhuman. SHOCKING. My only explanation is that ISO has a man crush on George Clooney , and Alec Baldwin, and they are both liberals.
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Joined: 07 Mar 1999
Posts: 15707
Location: Berkeley, California
Posted: Thu Oct 14, 2010 2:20 pm
Post subject:
Over 6300 posts, how many of them, like the last, are threats? I think Mike is really a punk who won't threaten anyone to their face so he does it over the internet. I could be wrong, but the evidence ...
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Joined: 08 Nov 1993
Posts: 9896
Posted: Thu Oct 14, 2010 2:38 pm
Post subject:
When isobars casts himself as a mellow mild mannered character just trying to stimulate a rational discourse, one has to laugh. Nothing could be further from the truth. I have to wholeheartedly agree with mo.
Also, I don't believe the following for a second.
"Ive never physically assaulted anyone in my life..."
I recollect isobars has bragged many times here how he physically took out a skier on the slopes based on situation involving his wife. I guess that situation simply slipped his mind.
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Joined: 26 Oct 2009
Posts: 3929
Posted: Thu Oct 14, 2010 7:31 pm
Post subject:
Mac said
It is not just fire protection that incurs a loss in these circumstances--frequently other public services--flood protection, sewerage, and police service--all cost more to provide than are generated in a post-Proposition 13 world. The fire-prone scenario is widespread through California and other parts of the west, but is also repeated in flood prone and erosion prone areas.
Now, back to the subject:
Similar here. Avalanches, rockfalls, mudslides, fireprone areas have all been developed with the idea that if damage occurs, someone else will pay. This is being addressed better now than in the past. Often, the laws are crafted by the anti-development folks. But, the results have been beneficial. We are designing buildings now that withstand these events, and in a lot of cases not allowing building in haz. zones.
Yes, it does diminish personal property rights. But, what zoning doesn't?
I understand Feusers comments. In a perfect world, I would agree that emergency services should be available across the board for all to receive. In reality, so difficult to achieve!
I have a philosophical problem with taking one more thing and giving it to the Fed's to manage to provide a consistent level of service. Unfunded mandates to do this are spineless government (ie health care plan under GW Bush).
This means there will be, and maybe should be, variations in what is expected from emergency services. Local communities and govenments should step up (and more often than not DO) to decide what services they can provide with the resources that are available.
Yeah this might mean a New Yorker is in more danger in Utah than vice versa; but Utah doesn't have the US Coast Guard either! I do assure you that if one gets lost or injured in my county, they will be taken care of. WE made that decision.
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Joined: 10 Jul 2005
Posts: 3598
Posted: Fri Oct 15, 2010 2:45 pm
Post subject:
Who does he fake the evidence for? What's the point?
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Joined: 10 Jul 2005
Posts: 3598
Posted: Sat Oct 16, 2010 1:18 pm
Post subject:
"Not only was Paul's post not responsive to the topic of Brian's in particular but it could not have been in response because Paul's post was earlier in time than the post of Brian.
Paul addressed Brian's comments regarding Justice Alito and it was posted on Jan. 12, 2006 at 2:40 Google time as post No. 30 in a thread of 72 posts. The post of Brian Foster quoted by Mike was made 3 days later, on January 15, "2006 at 10:48 as post No. 34.
I thought iso was just a tool of talk radio, but this post is an entire fabrication. Changes my mind about the guy. At times he is just flat lying.
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Joined: 12 Dec 1999
Posts: 20007
Posted: Sat Oct 16, 2010 2:50 pm
Post subject:
If you want to play word games with your little buddies, KC, you're on your own, but I suspect that all but the most juvenile ones see how desperate your attempts look. As I stated, I snipped parts of the long thread for brevity. Here's a cut and paste of part of the dialogue, including the specific post in which Paul responded to several of Brian's posts. Anyone who thinks the whole damned 72-post thread is relevant to this present discussion has a bad case of OCD and deserves to read the OTHER several hundred such posts and/or threads of a similar vein.
* From: "Brian Foster" <brianfoster@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
* Date: Sun, 15 Jan 2006 14:48:43 GMT
We can agree that I'm not a bad guy.....
What was the crack about shrimp & lobster. Lots of shrimp caught here on the
gulf coast and aside from buggering up the occasional turtle in the trap
what is so "bad" about them.
BTW, they put things called TEDs in the nets that do a pretty good job of
letting the turtles out.
And Red Lobster? The New England coast is full of lobstermen and I'll admit
it's a tough life but so is fishing in general.
I like Alito just like I like Roberts. They are there to interpret the law
not make it and think these guys get it. Not like the dimwit in VT who gives
a multiple rape convict 60 days because he doesn't believe in punishment
anymore. WTF is up with that. SF has some of the most liberal and often
overturned judges in the country.
The politicians make the laws and the judges interpret/enforce them. That's
the way the system works.
We can all agree that pollution sucks. I'm getting pretty fed up because
I've been seeing it with my own eyes since the late 70s and it looks like no
one has made progress toward it. There have been Reps and Dems around the
whole time and NO ONE did the job.
Abortion, gay marriage, taxes, they make great headlines and serve to divide
the population pretty quickly but I think they pale in comparison to the
issue that we are putting really toxic disgusting stuff in our waters. I
write letters to politicians and maybe that's just pissing in the wind.
I don;t support the extreme environmentalists either because they are too
anti progress and anti business. There is usually a place in the middle we
can agree on. Gotta have business, gotta have progress, need new technology,
lets use some of the new technology to help clean the place up. Don't let
the P&L *** stop if you are putting tons of toxic crap in the air or
water. There is more work to do.
"Paul Braunbehrens" <bakaliteatmacdotcomignorethispart@xxxxxxxxx> wrote in
> No need Brian, most politicians pledge to "clean up the environment",
> but quickly realize that in order to stay in power they can't piss off
> the corporations too much, so then they enact some bill that "looks
> good", while actually gutting the current law. Can you say "clean
> air"?
> I really don't think you're a bad guy, Brian, I just think you don't
> get it.
> Look at Alito's record, he's helped many times when big corporations
> got caught polluting or wanted to pollute. Yet you think he's great.
> It just doesn't make much sense.
> It's one thing to gloat because you're on the winning team, but when
> that team starts laying tracks over your kids future, maybe it's time
> to get off the bandwagon. Just a suggestion.
> In article <pVcyf.12636$SD1.6214@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>, Brian Foster
> <brianfoster@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>> One party keeps pollution alive and well?
>> Paul, has anyone ever sat you down for the Santa Clause/Easter Bunny
>> talk?
>> You gotta take a look at some of those core beliefs....
>> Three cheers for Sam Alito!!! Stunning defeat for Kennedy, Biden and the
>> rest of the idiots.
>> Wow, an evil president, evil corrupt politicians, a stacked supreme
>> court..........
>> Man we are on a roll! Bring on Hillary!
>> Paul, ......... what was that noise? Are you packing up the truck and
>> moving
>> to Alec Baldwinia?
>> Don't go yet. Calm down and get your wits about you.
>> I'll make you a deal. You run for office and make cleaning up pollution
>> your
>> campaign promise and I will vote for you.
>> Hell, I'll even contribute to your campaign fund. Until you play the
>> Barbara
>> Streisand music....
>> "Paul Braunbehrens" <bakaliteatmacdotcomignorethispart@xxxxxxxxx> wrote
>> in
>> message
>> news:120120061040592726%bakaliteatmacdotcomignorethispart@xxxxxxxxxxxx
>> > First you help the party that keeps pollution alive and well. Then you
>> > bitch about pollution.
>> >
>> > Grow up, Brian. Your action have consequences. Deal with it. No
>> > amount of polemic is going to change that.
>> >
>> > As for Alito, are you kidding? This guy comes down 8 times out of 10
>> > on the site of Corporate America, when it is challenged by individuals
>> > or even the EPA. His excuse? Well, the lower courts were right, judges
>> > usually are.
>> >
>> > So then it is pointed out that the average for judges is 50%, or 5 out
>> > of 10. His excuse for being so much more biased than other judges?
>> > Well, *I* follow the law. Meaning, those other judges are wrong.
>> >
>> > So which is it, are most other judges right or wrong most of the time?
>> >
>> > Wait, I know the answer. When they are for Corporate America, they are
>> > right, when they are against Corporate America, they are wrong.
>> >
>> > Phew, that was easy.
>> >
>> > Your buddy Alito has already proven that he will defend big polluters,
>> > yet here you are, complaing about pollution in the same thread that you
>> > defend him.
>> >
>> >
God damn, Brian. I really think you should just STFU
And what the hell your "Who does he fake the evidence for? What's the point?" refers to escapes us altogether.
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Joined: 10 Jul 2005
Posts: 3598
Posted: Sat Oct 16, 2010 3:12 pm
Post subject:
"Who does he fake the evidence for? What's the point?" refers to escapes us altogether."
By "us "do you mean all of your other screen names?
Those few who read this find your posts mostly nonsense.
Why do you post to them??
Because you want to be a talk radio host, but can't understand why we don't want to hear anything you have to say. Reason is simple- they are polling nonstop as they speak without any regard for the facts. They have become expert at giving angry old people the "facts" that they want to hear. You are getting a clear message from your listeners that they don't want to hear extremist nonsense, so you just continue. This is your chance to understand why TR has adoring listeners like yourself and your TR program gets heaps of critics.
Same applies in ordinary conversation at any gathering. Endlessly repeating talk radio at any social function and you won't get invited back.
All the other posters here are steering away from talk that bores and insults others. It can work for you as well and is the road to respect in all human interaction.
Children didn't always learn this in your day either but it isn't too late for you and us all to start.
Last edited by keycocker on Sat Oct 16, 2010 5:25 pm; edited 1 time in total
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Joined: 03 Apr 2006
Posts: 1307
Location: SF Bay
Posted: Sat Oct 16, 2010 4:16 pm
Post subject:
isobars wrote:
And what the hell your "Who does he fake the evidence for? What's the point?" refers to escapes us altogether.
It refers to your massaging and manufacturing information to suit your position. Particulars include fabricating/falsifying personal information about other forum users. Youve done it to me. Mac, schwandler and keycockers posts suggest youve done it to them. And now youve besmirched Paul and he isnt even participating in the current discussion. Calling people subhuman hardly sets you above.
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Joined: 26 Oct 2009
Posts: 3929
Posted: Sat Oct 16, 2010 5:24 pm
Post subject:
So, why bother and respond to these posts?
I am starting to question whether anyone wants to continue with a serious discussion.
Its all funny, till someone gets hurt!
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Sports could use D.J. Fluker's voice
D.J. Fluker, we need your voice, and if we can't have yours, we need someone similar.
We can all understand that, when your family is living in a car after losing its home to Hurricane Katrina, accepting improper benefits isn't a difficult choice – it's the only choice.
The NCAA may very well be broken. The financial hardships surrounding college athletes may very well be unjust. But change won't come as a result of silence. It can only come by way of sacrifice, or at the very least – speaking out.
Lately, there has been a very dangerous message associated with every NCAA violation involving money. Someone gets caught breaking the rules, and instead of chastising the offender, the public majority cries, "well, he should be getting paid anyway!"
You know what? Maybe he should be getting paid. Maybe schools making millions off athletes who are not allowed to profit is a face-slap to the American way. But you know what's even less American? Softening the laws simply because there are too many crooks.
Think, for a second, about all of the historical figures who helped change the world for the better – a Rosa Parks, Gandhi, or Martin Luther King. Did they make their dent by trying to get away with something before eventually getting busted? No, they did it by taking a stance, and afterward, taking their lumps.
Imagine the impact the football coach of a Division I power would have if he said "I'm giving up 95 percent of my salary until my players are fairly compensated. We're both bringing in gobs of cash for the school, so why should I be the only one seeing it?"
Try to fathom how eyes would open if a 5-star recruit said "Sorry -- no football for me until this corrupt system is fixed. I'm not going to contribute to this inequality."
And think about the chatter Fluker would create if, assuming the accusations were true, he confessed "Yeah, I took the money. Of course I took the money. My family was living in a car and lacked life's bare necessities, and since the NCAA limited the amount of hours I could work – that was the only way I could help."
This is not to suggest that college athletes – even the revenue-generators – necessarily should be paid. It's not to imply that the NCAA should be any more lenient toward rule-violators from impoverished families, either.
But clearly, there are some imperfections in the world of college sports. Wouldn't it be nice for someone in the middle of it all just to come out and say it?
Fluker, unfortunately, did no such thing Thursday. After Chargers practice wrapped up, the right tackle entered the locker room through an alternate door so as to avoid reporters, and never appeared during the 40 minutes or so of media availability.
Can you blame the kid? Not really. He is a 22-year-old rookie who was just accused of accepting more than $33,000 worth of expenditures from agents and financial advisers while at Alabama, and he realizes that any verbal slip-up could cost him and his former Crimson Tide teammates last season's national championship.
If the allegations are accurage, Fluker was put in one of those rare situations where morality outweighed legality. When your family is miles below the poverty line, you do whatever you can to assist.
But we can't keep calling for reform after these athletes get caught. It's the equivalent to raising the speed limit because everyone's doing 90 or legalizing steroids because half of baseball is juiced.
No, what this issue needs is an honest voice from someone whose personal sacrifice could lead to posterity's benefit. What do you say, D.J.?
May seem counter-intuitive for a right tackle, but letting your guard down could do a wealth of good.


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text:
Hello Captain obvious here..!
Seriously - this years sales illustrate the point so well, I wanted to detail the four towns closest to the Loon Mountain ski resort. The highest selling prices on homes in these towns didn't set any new records...but they prove the theory. A great view sells...and in my opinion, the buyers that find these homes are happy to buy even with a few flaws..because hey - they got that view.
...Case in point Closed Friday October 10th 2014.
Sellingham Road Thornton New Hampshire...Closed at $295,000 the highest priced home to sell this year in the town of Thronton New Hampshire. (Alpine Lakes Real Estate co inc Listing).
Upper Grandview Drive Woodstock New Hampshire...Closed August 2014...for $460,000 - the highest selling price of the year in the town of Woodstock. (Alpine Lakes Real Estate co inc. Listing)
South Station Road Woodstock New Hampshire...May 2014 closed sale $370,000 second highest price sale in Woodstock NH. (Alpine Lakes Real Estate co inc Listing)
South Mountain Road - Lincoln New Hampshire- Spring 2014 closing for $760,000 (Alpine Lakes Real Estate Co inc listing) there where two other homes sold at higher prices in Lincoln...that had nice views as well...but this one was slope side on the ski area.
_Campton New Hampshire July 2014 closed sale Price $384,000 Highest selling price this year in Campton NH
Listed by Alpine Lakes Real Estate co inc...Campton Office.
So when a seller asks me what can I do to improve my chances of a quick sale, at top dollar?...If there is any way to improve the view - I say go for it.
There are a lot of other items we can suggest to a seller that are proven ways to sell a home at the most money they can get...and in the above case for more than any one in town has gotten so far.
Your-White Mountain New Hampshire real Estate Expert
email@example.com toll free 800-926-5653 /cell 603-381-7898
MLS search and Realtor web site: www.alpinelakes.com
My outside Blog: www.steveswhitemountainblog.com
Lincoln NH & Local interest site: www.localism.com/nh/lincoln


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Men of Music
Charles E. Lutton Men of Music
In memory of Casey Lutton, Sinfonia's Supreme Secretary-Treasurer from 1919-1949, the Charles E. Lutton Man of Music Award was created by the Executive Committee at its March 17, 1951 meeting and intended to be presented to a Sinfonian who, through significant musical activity, has distinguished himself, furthered the cause of music in America, and brought honor to Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.
Although it was at first envisioned as an annual award, the pattern was established to make the award a regular feature at National Convention. Since its inception and subsequent awarding to Thor Johnson, conductor of the Cincinnati Symphony, at the 1952 Convention, the Man of Music award has been awarded 24 times.
1952 – Thor Johnson (Alpha Rho)
One of the first projects given to the Public Relations Committee of 1952 was the choice of a "Man of Music." The award, named in memory of Charles E. Lutton, was first presented to Thor Johnson at the 1952 National Convention in Cincinnati, Ohio. He was given the award during his tenure as conductor of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and led the 52' Convention "Sinfonia Sinfonette." Originally a collegiate member of the Alpha Rho chapter at the University of North Carolina, Johnson was made a National Honorary member in 1948, just one year after he was appointed music director of the Cincinnati Symphony. At the time, he became the youngest American-born conductor of a major American orchestra. During his time at the CSO, he helped premier over 120 American and European compositions, half of which he commissioned. In addition to his CSO experience, Johnson was also the founder of the Peninsula Music Festival, established in 1952.
1954 – Howard Hanson (Iota)
Dr. Howard Hanson received the next "Man of Music" award at the 1954 National Convention. Hanson was initiated as a collegiate member of Phi Mu Alpha at the Iota chapter at Northwestern University in 1916. Hanson was also a charter member of the Alpha Nu chapter at Eastman School of Music at the University of Rochester in 1925. Five years later he became a National Honorary member of the fraternity. Hanson became the director of the Eastman School of Music in 1924, transforming the school into one of the most prestigious music schools in the country. He brought in better teachers, improved the curriculum and refined the schools ensembles. He served as guest conductor of most major American and Germanic symphonies in addition to be a champion of American composition. While at Eastman, he premiered over 2000 works by over 500 American composers.
1956 – Earl V. Moore (Epsilon)
An alumnus of the University of Michigan, in addition to being a member of Phi Mu Alpha at their Epsilon Chapter, Earl V. Moore was awarded the "Man of Music" award at the 1956 National Convention. Moore served as director of the U of M School of Music from 1923 to 1960, before it officially became part of the university. It was in 1946 that he became the dean of the school of music, soon after it had joined the University. In his honor, Moore had the music school building named after him, and still stands as the Earl V. Moore music building at the University of Michigan. In addition to his accomplishments as director of the music program, he was also the university organist starting in 1915. Moore also composed several of the fight songs that the University of Michigan Marching Band still plays to this very day.
1958 – Sigmund Spaeth (Iota)
The 1958 "Man of Music" Award was given to Dr. Sigmund Spaeth, whose name was interwoven with American music for several decades. Dr. Spaeth was initiated into the Iota Chapter of Phi Mu Alpha at Northwestern University in 1910. He was a music critic on several newspapers such as the "New York Times", composer, arranger, conductor, performer, educator and editor of the "Music Journal."Dr. Spaeth was also the author of several novels such as "A History of Popular Music in America" and "The Common Sense of Music." These novels helped show the ties between popular songs of the time with old American folk songs. Spaeth's knowledge of music lead to the premier of his NBC programs "Keys to Happiness" and "The Tune Detective."
1960 – Joseph E. Maddy (Epsilon)
An alumnus of the Epsilon Chapter of Phi Mu Alpha at the University of Michigan, Joseph Maddy was given the "Man of Music" Award at the 1960 National Convention. Maddy was famous for being a champion of music for the youth of America. With this passion Maddy founded the National Music Camp, known today as the Interlochen Center for the Arts. This camp, located in Interlochen, Michigan, is internationally known for being the summer center for students of all ages to receive instruction in music and the arts from some of the finest teachers in the world.
1962 – Van Cliburn (Alpha Chi)
Van Cliburn, eminent pianist and Sinfonian of distinction, was awarded the Fraternity's "Man of Music" Award at the 1962 National Convention. His speech was well received, playing two selections at the piano at the conclusion of his address. In 1958, he was initiated into the Alpha Chi Chapter at the University of Tula, the same year he participated in the International Tchaikovsky Competition in the former Soviet Union. At this contest, designed to boast the musical genius of the Soviet Race, Cliburn took home the first prize, arriving home to New York City with a ticker-tape parade in his honor. He's the only musician in history to have this honor in his name. Due to his award, he was known as the "Texan who beat the Soviets."
1964 – Archie N. Jones (Alpha Mu)
Dr. Archie N. Jones, Past National President of Sinfonia and Dean of the University of Missouri at Kansas City Conservatory of Music gave the address at the banquet of the 1962 Convention. Dr. Jones was elected "Music Man of the Year," receiving the Charles E. Lutton Award. He served as President of Phi Mu Alpha from 1950 to 1960, and holds the record for the most years as Sinfonia's president. During his tenure as President, great emphasis was placed on the Fraternity's role in the advancement of music in America.
1967 – Price Doyle (Gamma Delta)
Awarded the "Man of Music" Award in 1967, Price Doyle was an initiate of the Gamma Delta chapter of Phi Mu Alpha at Murray State University and former Executive Secretary of Phi Mu Alpha. Awarded posthumously, he was notified when he was decided on the award and accepted after serving Phi Mu Alpha for eighteen years. Doyle has had a lasting impression on his Alma Mater's school of music. In addition to be an alumnus, his name has been attached to the fine arts building at the university. In addition to this, Doyle was also the dean of the Music School for some time. Doyle also served as the president of the National Association of Schools of Music. Formed in 1924, it established national standards for undergraduate and graduate degrees at music schools.
1970 – Aaron Copland (Alpha Upsilon)
Aaron Copland received the "Man of Music" Award in 1970. Copland had a prolific career as a composer, being deemed "the Dean of American Composers." He served as the head of the composition department at Berkshire Music Center from 1940 to 1965. In 1957, he was made chairman of the faculty. An alumnus of the Alpha Upsilon Chapter of Phi Mu Alpha at the University of Arizona, Copland created a vast portfolio of music that many consider to be standards in American music. His pieces "Fanfare for the Common Man", "Lincoln Portrait", "Rodeo" and "Appalachian Spring" are all standards in describing the American attitude. In addition to his pieces, Copland didn't stray from promoting other American composers and their music. He was instrumental in bringing performances of new American works and their composers by supporting the Copland-Sessions Concerts in New York, the American Festival of Contemporary Music and the American Composers Alliance.
1973 – Pablo Casals (Epsilon Iota)
A world renowned cellist, composer, and conductor, Pablo Casals was named Phi Mu Alpha's Man of Music in 1973. An honorary member of the Epsilon Iota Chapter at Florida State University, Casals founded the Prades Festival and served as its first music director. He also conducted many of the great orchestras of the world. We cannot forget his compositions, as Casals wrote many oratorios, symphonies, masses, choral works and string quartets. He even conducted one of his favorite pieces, "El Pessebre" (The Manger), all over the world as a personal request for world peace. In 2000, the Pablo Casals Celle Competition was created in his name and still helps to discover and further the careers of future elite cellists.
1976 – William C. Warfield (Delta Lambda)
A celebrated concert artist and actor, William Warfield was named "Man of Music" in 1976. Warfield was considered to be one of the world's experts on Negro spirituals and German Lieder, and held the title of "America's Musical Ambassador." Long recognized as a master performer, most people remember him for his roles as Joe in the 51' movie Showboat, Porgy in the 52' production of Gershwin's Porgy and Bess, as well as De Lawd in the TV show Green Pastures. This popularity led to his honorary initiation into the Delta Lambda Chapter of Phi Mu Alpha at Ball State University in 1961.
1979 – James L. Levine (Alpha Omega)
The first American music director of the Metropolitan Opera, James Levine was bestowed the honor of "Man of Music" in 1979. Making his musical debut playing piano at the age of ten with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Levine later joined the conducting staff of the Cleveland Orchestra at the age of twenty one. He was the youngest assistant conductor in the orchestra's history. He was initiated into the Alpha Omega chapter at Carnegie Mellon University in 1949 and was awarded initiation into the honorary Alpha Alpha class in `1979. In 72', he became the principal conductor of the Metropolitan Orchestra and Chorus, a post created especially for him. Over the course of his career, Levine conducted more than 2,456 Met performances. He transformed the Met orchestra and chorus into one of the world's most elite operatic ensembles, stemming from his regular concert series of both ensembles he started at Carnegie Hall in New York City.
1982 – Sherrill Milnes (Alpha Beta)
Internationally acclaimed operatic baritone Sherrill Milnes was named Man of Music in 1982. Milnes is renowned for his performances in every major opera house with virtually every leading orchestra in every music capital of the world. He was a leading baritone of the Metropolitan Opera, La Scala, the Royal Opera House at Covent Garden, the Vienna Staatsoper, the Chicago Lyric Opera as well as opera companies located in Paris, San Francisco, Berlin, Hamburg, Salzburg, London, Milan and Buenos Aires. An initiate of the Alpha Beta Chapter at Drake University, Milnes helped found the V.O.I.C.E. program in 2001. This program is meant to help young operatic singers train themselves and experience the real world obstacles in the opera world.
1985 – Clark Terry (Beta Zeta)
Clark Terry is passionate about music, and his efforts to advance jazz and to support the exposure that young musicians have to jazz help exemplify the ideals Sinfonia holds dear. An initiate of the Beta Zeta Chapter at the College of Emporia, Terry received the "Man of Music" Award in 1985 at the National Convention. He gained world-wide recognition for his originality, versatility, virtuosity and wit on the trumpet and flugelhorn, and is recognized as one of the most complete trumpet players in contemporary jazz. During his career, Terry became the first African American staff musician on NBC, holding a spot in the Tonight show band on the "Tonight Show" for ten years.
1988 – W. Francis McBeth (Alpha Iota)
Sinfonia's Man of Music for the 1988 Convention was WilliamFrancis McBeth, resident composer and professor and chairman of the theory-composition department at Ouachita University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. He has been awarded the Presley Award from Hardin-Simmons University, the ASCAP Special Award, the American School Ban Directors Association's Edwin Ranko Goldman Award, and the Howard Hanson Prize from the Eastman School of Music. An initiate of the Alpha Iota Chapter at the University of Texas, McBeth remains one of the most performed American symphonic wind composers. His works, including such pieces as "Kaddish", "Joyant Narrative", and "Masque", are considered to be standard repertoire for most wind ensembles.
1991 – Dave Grusin (Beta Chi)
Academy Award-winning composer Dave Grusin was honored with the title "Man of Music" in 1991. Beginning with the study of classical piano, Grusin turned to jazz and toured with Andy Williams. His touring led him to his first role as a musical director when William's show, named after him, took off. After William's show, Grusin teamed up with Larry Rosen to form GRP Records. It was named the top contemporary/traditional jazz label of the 1990s by Billboard Magazine. Following the success of his record label, Grusin was awarded his first Academy Award for his Film Score from Milagro Beanfield War in 89'. He later went on to gain six Oscar nominations, one of which being for his score from the The Fabulous Baker Boys. The same score awarded him two Grammy Awards. In addition to movie scores, Grusin also composed for several TV shows, including programs such as Dan August, Maude, and Columbo:Prescription:Murder.
1994 – William Revelli (Alpha Lambda)
William D. Revelli, an alumnus of the Alpha Lambda Chapter of Phi Mu Alpha at Illinois Wesleyan University, was awarded the Charles E. Lutton "Man of Music" Award in 1994. "Bill" Revelli served as the director of the University of Michigan Marching Band from 1935 to 1971. During his term he reinvented the way the university band played and performed, elevating the standard for collegiate marching bands. He was a dedicated, albeit strict director who believed the best way to coach a band was like coaching a football team. He moved college marching bands away from rigid military formations and was the first to make college marching bands synchronize music and movement. Revelli's method gained him international acclaim for this new style of precision.
1997 – Leonard Slatkin (Alpha Alpha)
An American composer and conductor, Leonard Slatkin was granted the title "Man of Music" at the 1997 National Convention. Born to a Russian family gifted in music, Slatkin has traveled across the world conducting dozens of ensembles. In school, Slatkin studied under Jean Paul Morel. His start with conducting came when he was given the opportunity to conduct the New York Youth Symphony. Since then, Slatkin has conducted the San Francisco Symphony, the St. Louis Symphony, the Cleveland Orchestra, the National Symphony Orchestra in Washington D.C., the BBC Symphony Orchestra and currently sits as the music director of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. Starting in the 2011 season, Slatkin will be the principal music director of the Orchestra National de Lyon located in France.
2000 – Colonel John R. Bourgeois (Zeta Pi, Alpha Alpha)
Colonel John R. Burgeois was given the "Man of Music Award" at the 2000 National Convention in Dallas, Texas. Col. Bourgeois served as the conductor of the United States Marine Band from 1979 to 1996. His start with "The President's Own" came in 1958, when he joined as a French Hornist and arranger. As the ensemble's director, Col. Bourgeois was the Music Advisor at the White House. He selected all the musical programs there and directed the band for four Presidential Inaugurations. He regularly conducted the marine band and marine chamber orchestra at the White House appearing there more frequently than any other musician in the U.S. It was also under Col. Bourgeois that the marine band performed for the first time overseas. They traveled to the Netherlands in 85', where for the first time in history "The President's Own" performed with the Marine Band of the Royal Netherlands Navy.
2003 – Frederick Fennell (Alpha Nu)
At the 2003 National Convention in Washington D.C., the "Man of Music" award was given to Frederick Fennell. An internationally recognized conductor, Fenell was one of the big figures who promoted the legitimacy of the wind ensemble as a major performing group. Primarily a percussionist, he participated at Interlochen as well as studying at the Eastman School of Music. Fennel has been music director of several notable orchestras including the Tokyo Kosei Symphony Orchestra. In addition he has also made several recordings with prominent wind ensembles including the Cleveland Symphonic Winds and Dallas Wind Symphony. With the Cleveland Symphonic Wind ensemble, he recorded a rendition of Gustav Holst's "Two Suites for Military Band."
2006 – Maynard Ferguson (Xi Chi)
A Canadian band leader and jazz musician, Maynard Ferguson was awarded the "Man of Music" Award in Cleveland, Ohio at the 2006 National Convention. An initiate of the Xi Chi Chapter at Tennessee Tech University, Ferguson rose to fame while a member of Stan Kenton's orchestra. After his time with Kenton, he formed his own jazz band in 1957. Ferguson was known for his accuracy with the trumpet's higher register and helped many up and coming musicians step up into the spot light through his numerous ensembles. Ferguson had the misfortune of dealing with the big time shift when most big bands fell the way side. Unlike most, he was able to survive the change and has survived the changing times by evolving with them, changing his musical style from big band swing, to cool jazz, to Latin, to jazz/rock and fusion and more.
2009 – Jamey Aebersold (Gamma Omega)
A member of the Gamma Omega Chapter at Indiana State University, Jamey Aebersold was given the honor of "Man of Music" at the 2009 National Convention in Orland, Florida. An American jazz saxophonist, Aebersold authored the "Play-A-Long" series, a world renowned series of jazz instructional books that are considered standard for most jazz educators. In his books he touches on techniques that are considered basic building blocks for most jazz musicians. In addition to his books, he taught musical improvisation at the University of Louisville, where he also runs a summer jazz workshop that he has headed up for forty years. At his camp, young jazz students are exposed to master classes, ear-training sessions, jazz theory and concerts put on by the faculty and guest artists.
2012 – Carlisle Floyd (Epsilon Iota)
Brother Floyd is one of the most admired and widely performed opera composers and librettists of the last century. Known as the 'Father of American Opera,' he is credited with helping to create an American idiom in opera. Floyd's most popular work, Susannah, has become one of the most performed American operas in history. Having debuted in 1956, in 1957 it won the New York Music Critic's Circle Award and subsequently was chosen to be America's official operatic entry at the 1958 Brussels World's Fair. It has gone to achieve fame both in the United States and internationally. Other well-known works by Floyd include Of Mice and Men and Cold Sassy Tree.
2015 – Ellis Marsalis, Jr. (Delta Epsilon) - biography coming soon.


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Oakland, Berkeley, And East Bay News, Events, Restaurants, Music, & Arts
Maybe it's the mark of a great film that it can affect an audience member even when he sleeps through the entire thing. Such was the case with my father at a recent preview of David O. Russell's I Heart Huckabees, a philosophy lecture masquerading as a comedy in which shrill Lily Tomlin and mop-topped Dustin Hoffman play existential detectives looking for meaning in the life of Jason Schwartzman, playing an environmental activist trying to save marshland from a retailer's encroachment. The old man dozed throughout the whole film, waking only when prodded and even then only for as long as it took to close his eyes again. Yet the next day he rang and insisted, through the phone's receiver, "You owe me for that fucking movie," and then explained the movie that put him to sleep one afternoon kept him awake that night, but only after a series of nightmares that led him to question his own existence. He couldn't recall exactly what his dreams had been about, only that he awoke from his restive slumber soaking in his own cold sweat. The movie had somehow seeped into his subconscious and was now trying to escape, one freezing drop at a time. I, on the other hand, slept like a baby that night, confident that while I existed, I Heart Huckabees barely did, if at all. Perhaps this is just another case of my father's vote canceling out mine.
Certainly I Heart Huckabees will reach a certain portion of the audience that sees it; they will find truth and beauty in its theoretical pronouncements and see something of themselves in the characters who are desperately yearning for some kind of spiritual-physical-emotional connection in the mundane chaos and vapid coincidences of their everyday existences. Russell covered this ground in his far superior Flirting with Disaster, in which Ben Stiller sought out his birth parents to find the roots that would anchor his rudderless existence. But with co-writer Jeff Baena, the filmmaker is certainly into some deep and heady shit here -- or just full of shit. And for that he is to be applauded, if not lauded; blessed is the filmmaker who uses the medium to do more than shill soundtracks and provide us with empty escapes into never-never lands of dull, dumb explosions.
But Russell, a former student of Buddhist monk-philosopher Robert Thurman's, is reaching too far, straining too hard, saying too much that adds up to so little after all the mumbos and jumbos tallied up by film's end. The movie skitters along at a pace frenzied enough to maintain the illusion that it's moving toward some Grand Conclusion, but it gathers only steam that evaporates like smoke. In the end you're left caring nothing for the movie's characters because they're merely cutouts presenting the two sides of one man's inner debate. This is moviemaking at its most personal -- a student thesis performed by top-notch players (also including Mark Wahlberg, Naomi Watts, and Jude Law) rounded up by a director who asked them to act out ideas disconnected from any real emotion. You don't feel for any of these folks, because they don't feel anything themselves. They whine plenty, kvetch till they're blue in the face, and piss and moan till they're empty. But feel? Not even with their fingertips.
Schwartzman is Albert Markovski, head of environmental activist group the Open Spaces Coalition, trying to keep Huckabees, a sort of hipper Wal-Mart, from building a new store out in some beautiful woodlands. Albert is seduced by Huckabees exec Brad Stand (Law, all grins and golden hair) into working with the company: Albert will stop protesting Huckabees, which in return promises to not only stop construction but to hire Shania Twain as Open Spaces' new eco-friendly spokeswoman. Of course Brad is a liar, but Albert is just as liable: He wants to believe Brad, maybe even to be Brad, who has everything Albert doesn't, including Huckabees model Dawn (Watts), who pitches product in TV commercials sporting only a radiant smile and bikinis the size of Band-Aids.
In the midst of this crisis Albert suffers an existential breakdown, prompted by three run-ins with a tall Sudanese man, and hires Bernard and Vivien Jaffe (Hoffman and Tomlin) to spy on him all the time, since maybe the truth about him is revealed in how he brushes his teeth. The Jaffes try to convince Albert that everything in the universe is connected, but he is being torn apart by the Jaffes' rival, nihilist Caterine Vauban (Isabelle Huppert), who screws Albert in a puddle of mud and makes him confront the mother (Talia Shire, Schwartzman's real mom) who always treated him like an afterthought. And with that we're back in Flirting territory -- it always comes back to the parents. Also tossed in there is Wahlberg as the fireman terrified of petroleum: He rides a bike to a fire, which may be the funniest joke in the whole movie.
Eventually they all collapse into a heap of spiritual crises, with Watts donning dirt makeup and Amish bonnets, Brad watching his primo gig slip away, Albert moving further toward nihilism, and the Jaffes confronting Caterine in a subplot that suggests theirs is a failed love triangle from way back. But what does it all mean? Dunno and don't care, because there's nothing here to care about. It's as though Russell once more is that philosophy student trying to impress his old professor, looking for that good grade, at the expense of the good movie this might have been had the director had anything to, ya know, say.
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News - November 25, 4:00 AM


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(Pocket-lint) - The TH1 is aimed at those on a budget who still want to benefit from HD recording. It's 720p rather than Full HD, but that's still more than adequate for most applications.
The 3in widescreen LCD screen is impressive as is the 30x optical zoom. The TH1 uses SD or SDHC cards though it does have an internal memory capacity of about 40MB, which should be enough in an emergency, for images at least. That internal storage will give you 38 seconds, 57 seconds and 1:49 in the three video modes.
The top resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels at 30 frames per second isn't bad, however the only other resolution available is a 640 x 480 option at 30 or 60 frames per second. You can capture still images at 1600 x 1200 pixels, which makes this a rather unimpressive 2-megapixel camera. Sanyo bill the TH1 as a dual camera, suitable for both video and still photography, but with just 2 million pixels you'll probably want a regular stills camera too.
The short body of the Sanyo might not appeal to everyone, but it's not too bad to use. At first we found the button placement a bit odd, however, over time it became less of an issue. The menus are a simple affair, however, you can put the camera into super simple mode if you so wish.
The Sanyo has a mini sized HDMI connection for you to hook-up directly to an HD TV or amp though the cable isn't supplied with the camera. The supplied cables will allow you to connect to a TV with a Composite connection.
Rarely does a camera do so badly that we'd warn against using it, but sadly the idea that you might be able to use the TH1 as a stills camera as well as a camcorder is a poor claim. The stills shot with the Sanyo are terrible. Five years ago we'd have been disappointed with quality like this: today it is inexcusable. Rather than suggest you can use this as two cameras in one, Sanyo should have left off the photo function altogether.
Video was better than the still performance, but to be honest that wouldn't be difficult. Here the Sanyo provides much more acceptable results, but they are only that, nothing more. Video was a touch soft and colours ok, but we've seen similar performance from cheaper camcorders.
This is essentially a stripped down version of the Xacti VPC-FH1, which offers more options and Full HD recording. Importantly the VPC-FH1 has a 1cm CMOS chip wile this model has to do with a 0.4cm version. If you're not bothered about the true HD capture or can cope with a smaller range of features then the TH1 is certainly a nice camera to use. However, the real problem for the TH1 is that it sits uncomfortably in the middle of a range, neither one thing nor the other.
It's more expensive than the Flip Mino HD and Kodak Zi6 yet cheaper than its full HD brother the FH-1. It doesn't offer a massive step up in video quality from the budget models and isn't close to the quality of the full HD version.
There are some advantages over the lower end recorders such as the 30x zoom and large, bright LCD screen, but the end product doesn't differ massively. If you can afford the extra go for a Full HD and model you'll be much happier with the results; as for the still performance don't even bother.
If the Sanyo was positioned as a video camera alone it would have recorded an average score; not bad, but not great. However, you're supposed to be able to use the TH1 as a stills camera too and in this respect the quality just isn't good enough.


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