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Reflections on the Veterans Committee Vote
Dying Cub Fan, the author of the three-part series on Ron Santo's Hall of Fame merits, returns with a look at the flaws of the Veteran Committee vote.
From Ron Santo's standpoint, it's hard to see how the 2008 Veterans Committee voting could have gone any worse, particularly when you compare the results to the voting results announced in February 2007. Due mostly to rules changes, there were 18 fewer ballots cast in 2008 than in 2007. Santo's vote total this year decreased by 18 votes, perhaps not entirely a coincidence. In 2007, 25 electors that returned ballots did not vote for Santo. In 2008, the same number of ballots did not vote for Santo, again perhaps not entirely a coincidence. From 2007 to 2008, Santo went from being five votes short to being nine votes short, and his voting percentage dropped from 69.5% in 2007 to 60.9% in 2008.
There would seem to be a number of possible explanations for this. One would be that Santo had a lot of support among the writers and broadcasters no longer eligible to vote. In 2007, the VC electorate consisted of 84 members: 61 living Hall of Famers (players and managers), 8 writers (Spink award winners), 14 broadcasters (Frick award winners) and one holdover (John McHale) from the previous veterans committee. In 2007, 82 ballots were returned out of the possible 84, making 62 votes the magic number (the rule for induction is 75% of ballots cast). (I assume that one of the persons who did not return a ballot in 2007 was Murray Chass, a Spink winner who has said that the rules of his employer, The New York Times, prohibited him from voting.) In 2008, the writers and broadcasters were excluded from voting (as was John McHale) and the electorate consisted of 64 living Hall of Famers. All 64 living Hall of Famers returned their ballots, meaning that 48 votes were necessary to meet the 75 percent standard for election. Since the 2007 election, one Hall of Famer then living has passed away (Phil Rizzuto), and there have been inducted four new Hall of Famers, Ripken, Gwynn, Gossage and Dick Williams, all of whom are living.
Of course, it is not necessarily the case that the reason Santo got 18 fewer votes was the loss of the 18 ballots from 2007.
One of the rules changes from 2007 that I did not focus on prior to the election, but which may have had a big impact, was a new limit on the number of candidates that could be voted for, which was set at four for the 2008 election. In 2007, the limit was ten. In 2008, an average of 3.33 votes per ballot were cast. This means that at least 21 electors voted for all 4 out of the possible candidates (assuming the other 43 voted for 3; if any of the others voted for less than 3, that would increase the number that had voted for 4). In 2007, voters could choose up to ten candidates, and an average of 5.96 votes were cast per ballot. The four vote maximum seems arbitrary. It's difficult for me to see voting for anyone in preference to Santo from this year's list of candidates, much less four players in preference to Santo, but it is possible that this limitation held down his vote total. It is possible, too, that one or more voters that voted for Santo in 2007 changed his mind. It is also possible that one of Santo's 2007 votes was Rizzuto's.
At this point, I do not see the Veteran's Committee, as currently constituted, electing Santo or any other player from the current slate of candidates. The players at the top of the list in terms of votes, Santo, Kaat, Hodges and Oliva, have been more or less the same since 2003 (in that year, Kaat was still on the writers' ballot), and do not seem to be making headway. The number two votegetter, Kaat, lost 14 votes from 2007. Hodges lost 22, making him a likely victim of the four vote maximum. The number of people omitting these players from their ballots is not going down in a meaningful sense.
If no change is made to the voting members of Veterans Committee, the electorate will still change over time, but only due to deaths in the membership and additions of new living players and managers to the Hall. Turnover in the electorate is likely to be gradual and is unlikely, in and of itself, to enable Santo to make up nine votes by the next election two years from now. Of course it is possible that another candidate could emerge from the BBWAA, such as Jim Rice or Bert Blyleven, and he could be elected by the VC (if Rice is somehow not elected by the BBWAA this year, and appeared on the VC ballot in 2010, I think that would be very bad for the current candidates). Outside of that, having the same electorate consider the same candidates would seem to be pointless. Unlike in the BBWAA elections, where players have improved their voting totals over time, in the case of the VC elections some candidates have improved somewhat, but the top vote-getters have seemed to hit a bloc of voters who do not pick them that they cannot seem to overcome.
Clearly, it is harder now to get elected to the Hall of Fame than it has ever been before. This year's failure to elect anyone other than Gordon (who for reasons set forth below, almost doesn't count) means that the VC will go at least 10 years without really letting anyone in. During the ten years ending in 2001 (the Mazeroski election), eleven non- Negro League players were elected by the VC. During the ten years prior to that, 9 were elected. During the ten years prior to that, fifteen were elected. During the ten years prior to that, twenty-four. During the ten years prior to that, eight. During the ten years prior to that, twenty-one. Since 2001, there have been four elections and one person (Gordon) elected, and that person by a separate, much smaller committee specially formed following the 2007 election to consider pre-WWII era players.
Following the 2001 induction ceremony, Joe Morgan, who is on the Hall's board, was quoted as saying he'd heard another Hall of Famer say that it was becoming too easy to get into the Hall of Fame. Thereafter, the board announced sweeping changes to the procedures and constitution of the Veterans Committee, which had been more or less the same in form and procedures since 1953. While Jerome Holtzman at the time saw the changes as likely making it easier for qualified candidates to be elected, others, such as Jack Lang, the former BBWAA secretary, and Jack O'Connell, the then current BBWAA secretary, correctly saw them as likely making election by the VC much harder. Bob Feller was quoted at the time as hoping the changes made election by the VC much harder.
There are currently six living members of the Hall that were elected by the Veterans Committee: Jim Bunning, Orlando Cepeda, Bobby Doerr, George Kell, Bill Mazeroski and Red Schoendienst. I have difficulty seeing how any one of them would be elected by the full VC membership under the current system. While the old VC was justly criticized for a number of weak picks, they did make some excellent ones, such as Arky Vaughan, Johnny Mize and Home Run Baker. I have a hard time seeing how even these excellent selections would be elected by the entire membership of living Hall of Famers, much less past VC selections that were not of the caliber of the best selections, but were nonetheless very good, such as Earl Averill, Richie Ashburn, Sam Crawford, Pee Wee Reese, Enos Slaughter, Ernie Lombardi, Hal Newhouser, Nellie Fox or Tony Lazzeri.
One of the results of this is a demographic trend that may be unintended. Currently, Orlando Cepeda is the youngest VC-elected member of the Hall of Fame. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999 and was born in 1937. I would be very surprised if there were another VC selection for some time, meaning that if you were born after Cepeda, and retired from the mid-'70s onward, or came off the writers' ballot at any time after about the mid-'90s, your chances of being selected by the VC are practically nonexistent, or at least much smaller than they had been for people born prior to that time. Kaat (who was born in 1938 and who retired nine years after Cepeda) and Santo and Torre (each born in 1940) are simply on the wrong side of that line. This means that players born after 1937 or so will be less honored by the Hall of Fame than players who were born before that time. They need to be elected by the writers or they are very unlikely to get in at all.
There were 21 Hall of Fame players born between 1910 and 1919, three of whom are still living (Monte Irvin, Bob Feller and Bobby Doerr). There were 17 Hall of Famers born in the '20s, 24 in the '30s, 17 in the '40s, 12 in the '50s and 3 in the '60s. There were 30 from the 1890s and 40 from the 1900s (all these numbers include Negro League honorees). What the VC is in effect saying is that the '30s and '40s are now closed to further honorees once they fall off the BBWAA ballot. I do not believe there are any candidates born in the 1940s still on the writers' ballot with a serious chance of being elected by the BBWAA (Tommy John (born in 1943) is in his 15th year on the writers' ballot, but has not yet exceeded 30% of the vote). The writers are now considering players born in '50s and '60s (e.g., Henderson (1958), Blyleven (1951), Rice (1953), Dawson (1954), Raines (1959), Trammell (1958), Morris (1955), McGwire (1963) and Cone (1963)). Given that most living Hall of Famers (34) were born in the '30s and '40s, the failure by the VC to elect anyone may justly be seen as punishing their own contemporaries.
In this light, the pick of Gordon by a separate committee is particularly ironic, because it indicates that it is easier for someone of a prior generation, one that has already gathered more Hall of Fame members and whose living contemporaries on the VC are small in number, to be elected than a player from Santo's generation, who has more contemporaries on the VC. More Hall of Famers played in the era from 1920-45 than any other era. In Bill James's piece on Santo in the most recent Historical Baseball Abstract, one of the things he said was that the only real advantage that older players had on Santo in terms of Hall selection was that they had played so long ago that everyone had forgotten their flaws. Gordon's election, while Santo continues to be left out, is consistent with this notion.
In fact, a good argument can be made that more recent generations should get higher representation in the Hall of Fame than older ones. For one thing, there are more major leaguers playing now than ever before. Up until 1960, there were eight teams in each league. At the end of the '60s, there were twelve teams in each league. Now there are 16 NL teams and 14 AL teams. Also, I believe that play has become much more competitive over time, and the game today is played at a higher level than was ever the case before. In The Politics of Glory, Bill James's 1994 book on the Hall of Fame, he noted that in most years in baseball about 10% of total at bats had been taken by Hall of Famers. If current trends hold, that percentage will almost certainly go down.
Jane Forbes Clark, the chairperson of the Hall, was recently quoted as saying "The process was not redesigned with the goal of necessarily electing someone, but to give everyone on the ballot a very fair chance of earning election through a ballot of their peers." As a defense of the VC's four election span of electing no one, this is nonsense. The Hall of Fame is a business and has a vested interest in ensuring that new members continue to be elected. A Hall of Fame that does not elect anyone is not very interesting or relevant, and without induction ceremonies will not make much money. If the living Hall of Famers want to keep the VC vote, they need take responsibility for making sure they elect people every once in a while; it's not enough to simply submit ballots every year. Much like a political party trying to get legislation passed, somebody on the committee needs to drive one of the current candidates through the process by lobbying the other members to ensure that someone is elected. I doubt this will happen.
Joe Morgan has drawn a lot of criticism for this state of affairs. I believe that he has supported Santo, but I also believe he is deserving of criticism for being an architect of the current system and a defender of it.
I think they will continue to tinker with the VC procedures in an attempt to come up with a process where the VC will finally elect someone from the post-1943 period. I think they will try to stick with the current structure, despite evidence that it is just not working. I think that they may increase the four vote maximum to five or six prior to the next election. I also think that if that is all they do, they will not elect anyone in 2010 either.
The members of the Veterans Committee are engaged to some degree in the process, as is evidenced by their 100% participation in the voting (although it is rumored that some players have sent back blank ballots) and the relatively high number of votes cast by them. Despite this, it would seem that they are not changing their minds, at least in a way that would elect someone. This article from Chris Jaffe on THT, suspects that there is some dysfunction on the committee, with little interaction and exchange of views. I do not know if this is the case. One of the criticisms of the old VC was that there was too much logrolling; it may be that now there is not enough.
The principal function of the VC is to honor those that have been overlooked by the writiers. The writers are not infallible; they have made mistakes before that the VC has corrected. The VC has now become just a rubber stamp of the BBWAA, refusing to correct any errors that the writers have made.
Perhaps after the VC goes oh-for-five in 2010 people will finally say that enough is enough. A committee that does not elect anyone serves no real purpose.
Here are some other pieces on the recent VC election:
"The Decision of Hall of Famers" by Rob Neyer
"The Veterans Committee Post-1942 Players Electorat" by Chipmaker
"Hall Falls Down" by Murray Chass
Re: Reflections on the Veterans Committee Vote
If most of the players are voting for the maximum possible number of candidates, increasing the number seems it would be more likely that they'll elect too many people. Keeping it the same almost guarantees that votes will be split by allegiances and a limited number of votes.
Tough quandary. Maybe a good alteration would be to keep the current system but raise the ballot limit to five players, then see what happens.
Re: Reflections on the Veterans Committee Vote
Thanks for the piece, DCB. Very thoughtful. I think Santo's numbers, both the raw stats as well as his All Star appearances (voted on by players back then) and ranking in MVP voting, support my feeling that he was the finest 3B in the 1960s, and deserves to be in. Outside of Eddie Mathews from 1960-62 and one season of Ken Boyer, I don't think any other 3B compares as the total package. I am almost thoroughly confused by the machinations of the Vets Committee and can only assume that they as a whole are just plain arrogant. And right or wrong, Joe Morgan and Mike Schmidt seem to be at the head of that "class".
Re: Reflections on the Veterans Committee Vote
Didn't Mike Schmidt say something along the lines of "Why would I use my vote to vote someone in that didn't make it with the writers"? Basically saying that voting someone in by the VC somehow dilutes how great Mike Schmidt is.
Zaun to the O's
on a 1-yr deal...
Re: Zaun to the O's
Good for Zaun, good for the O's. He should be a stable backstop, a good mentor to Weiters, and not the sort of player who could really block the young guy nor one who would mind splitting time with him in the second half.
Re: Zaun to the O's
as good as weiters is with a bat i dunno how long he'll last at catcher. he's a really bulky/tall dude...not the type of guy you'd want squating behind the plate for too many years, i'd imagine.
are they planning on letting him try to break with the team as starting C?
Re: Zaun to the O's
"are they planning on letting him try to break with the team as starting C?"
The Greg Zaun signing would suggest not, but if he continues to hit, then he could be called up during the season and be mentored by Zaun.
Yeah, many people think Weiters will end up at 1B or DH, mostly because of his size, but so far he hasn't been moved, although that of course doesn't necessarily mean he won't be.
Re: Reflections on the Veterans Committee Vote
Speaking of catchers. Will the Cubs go get Hank White back?
Re: Reflections on the Veterans Committee Vote
I don't think they will. I think they want a LH/SH catcher. Bako has been floated, but I'd rather have Koyie Hill for what couldn't be worse production and similar money.
Re: Reflections on the Veterans Committee Vote
Hendry gave a sort of rundown on his roster a little before the Bradley signing was official, and he mentioned a catcher at about $500,000. All indications are that's Bako, as Hill has signed a minor league deal I believe. I am not sure why Blanco has not been snapped by anyone, much less the Cubs, unless it's his doing, but it's taking longer for free agents to shake out this year and I guess it will continue to drag into spring.
Re: Reflections on the Veterans Committee Vote
some report made it sound like Bako was signed for that much last week, but they never officially announced it.
Bears Blog
I enjoyed reading some of the Bears analysis and wanted to ask where everyone here goes to get their Bears blog fix. I was reading & posting at Windy City Gridiron, but I really don't like the site anymore. It's more of a "he sucks, no you suck" kind of discussion. I swing by there to see the news or to Football's future.
Re: Bears Blog
I still go to WCG by default, but I wish there was some place better. contemplated numerous times to start my own Bears blog, but just don't have the time...
anyone want to be a Bear writer?
Re: Bears Blog
I would love it if we had a Bears blog as well. That way I wouldn't be such an ignorant slut when I posted!
Re: Bears Blog
Rob... don't tempt me with something that I don't have the time for.
Re: Bears Blog
you're about to have a kid, you definitely don't have time to be starting anything new...trust me on this one.
enjoy the first couple of years, they fly by with exhaustion and it's tough to just stop and soak it in.
Re: Bears Blog
Big Dave's having a kid?
Mazel Tov! Please consider naming him Mister Whipple.
Re: Bears Blog
After watching some of the Ravens Titans game yesterday I was reminded how truly stupid Dan Dierdorf is. When it comes to idiotic statements, Joe Morgan has nothing on him. firedandierdorf.com anyone?
Re: Bears Blog
I would do it in a heartbeat, if only to warrant some good discussion. Do you think AZ Phil would figure out all the contract information?
Re: Reflections on the Veterans Committee Vote
Submitted by OakLawnGuy on Sun, 01/11/2009 - 2:42pm.
Hendry gave a sort of rundown on his roster a little before the Bradley signing was official, and he mentioned a catcher at about $500,000. All indications are that's Bako, as Hill has signed a minor league deal I believe.
I am not sure why Blanco has not been snapped by anyone, much less the Cubs, unless it's his doing, but it's taking longer for free agents to shake out this year and I guess it will continue to drag into spring.
OAK LAWN GUY: Koyie Hill is on the 40-man roster, so he was tendered a Major League contract on 12/12 with a minimum $400K salary. K. Hill could very well get dropped from the 40-man roster to make room for Paul Bako if Bako were to sign a Major League contract with the Cubs, but Bako signed a minor league contract with Cincinnati a year ago and then was added to the Reds 40-man roster at the end of Spring Training, and the Cubs might do it that way, too. Bako probably doesn't care, as long as he gets his money.
As for Henry Blanco, his brother was kidnapped for ransom & then murdered in Venezuela last month, so he may still be dealing with those issues.
Re: Reflections on the Veterans Committee Vote
Thanks, AZ. Maybe Bako will do or has done a minor league thing. And I forgot about Blanco's family issues, that would explain a lot.
Recent comments
A left-handed one...
lester going for #20...cubs haven't had a 20 game winner since d.ellsworth in 1963.
J-Hey not finishing with an offensive onslaught.
If Geoff Blum could be a Playoff hero, there is hope still...
Giants scare me. I think you're wrong about Bumgarner, he would pitch on short rest for Game 2 and then full rest for Game 5. Cueto would go Game 1, then short rest in game 4. Add in some really tough outs in that lineup and I want nothing to do with them. With that rotation they can easily steal a series.
Cards are a tough matchup. The rivalry evens out their comparable lack of talent. And like someone said, they love HRs, which is how to beat the Cubs. The upside is that I would feel really good about Lester twice against STL.
j.buchanan with a nice start...5ip 2h 1bb 3k, 0r/er
zobrist with 2HR and a double through 8
heyward 0-4 :(
Mark Gonzales @MDGonzales
Soler likely to return Sunday, Maddon says
Right now, I'd like to see the Mets first, Giants 2nd.
I believe that since most of the team from last years' NLCS is on the squad this year, they will really amp their game up even more to kick their ass in payback for 2015.
The Giants just do not have the depth in years past, and I think all things equal - and at Wrigley - they could handle them.
I do not want to see the Cards, period. Or their fans, media, or Joe Buck.
I don't want to play Braves in the first round. Any friggin team in the league can win 3 of 5..I hate the first round. Furthermore, I wanted to play the Marlins in 2003 and the Mets over Dodgers last year.
With that said in reverse order:
3. Cardinals: It will be devastating to lose in the first round, but even worse to their main rival. It is increased incentive for the Cardinals, especially after last year. Cards would have nothing to lose, Cubs have everything to lose.
2. Giants: Rotation in the playoffs scare me a bit, but what a lousy team.
1. Mets--because of the losses in the rotation
2. Giants--because they're not the team they were BUT they maybe have bullshit even-year magic?
3. Cardinals--because rivalry and not making the playoffs hurts them more than losing in the NLDS plus getting eliminated by them in the playoffs would make for horrible sports commentary next throughout next season.
Who's asking?
CLE/DET rained out last night already, possible rain-outs in New York (vs. Baltimore), Boston(vs. Toronto) and Philly(vs. Mets) this weekend too.
Not only games involving playoff spots that would need to be played, but any that involve home field advantage.
I got the first one! Second one I'm not even sure what even/odd betting is.
any opponent preference for NLDS?
Mets are down to 1 great pitcher instead of 4. Syndegaard may pitch Sunday which means if Mets win the WC game, he'd be set up for Game 1. There's a chance they clinch a spot by Sunday so he'd pitch the WC and then we'd probably get Colon for Game 1. They've certainly had the hottest bats over the last week and month out of the WC options.
A couple of Cub related puzzles.
Can't teach height and thinness
Hopefully Pirates don't call up A. Lincoln.


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I thought I was done with having to see Chan's sp again, getting kind of sick of it even tho it's a beautiful program.
Gold or Silver Japan:11+7+10+8+11+7=54
Gold or Silver USA: 8+5+12+7+10+12=54
Bronze Canada:12+4+3+3+9+11=42
4th France:10+9+4+1+7+10=41
5th Russia:3+2+9+6+12+9=41
6th Italy:6+1+11+5+8+8=39
This makes it look like US has a real shot at gold against Japan and everyone else is fighting for bronze.
My money's on Japan for the gold over Canada (who I think will get silver). I think Canada has more potential for first place finishes overall ( as well as what I'm guessing will be a good placement by the quickly improving Duhamel/Radford), but ladies singles will likely be a huge problem for us (though Japan has an equal downfall in the dance, singles counts for more here.) I'd guess USA for bronze (seriously lacking depth in pairs, and to some extent in ladies and mens as well), because I simply don't think the Russain team is strong enough. Unfortunately for the US and Canada, only having one entry for ice dance is gonna hurt.
Last edited by skatingfan04; 04-07-2012 at 03:01 PM.
Но ... does that suggest that Makarova chose not to have any WTT role? She is higher than Sotnikova in World Standings, and higher than Tuktamysheva and Shelepen on both lists.
ISU World Standings [2011/2012 season (100%) + 2010/2011 season (100%) + 2009/2010 season (70%)]
Rank Points Name
3 4245 Alena LEONOVA
12 2560 Ksenia MAKAROVA
14 2403 Adelina SOTNIKOVA
22 1998 Elizaveta TUKTAMYSHEVA
28 1606 Polina SHELEPEN
38 1264 Polina AGAFONOVA
44 1121 Polina KOROBEYNIKOVA
ISU Season's World Rankings (2011/2012 season)
Rank Points Name
3 2088 Alena LEONOVA
9 1303 Adelina SOTNIKOVA
14 1121 Polina KOROBEYNIKOVA
15 1100 Julia LIPNITSKAIA
17 992 Ksenia MAKAROVA
18 983 Elizaveta TUKTAMYSHEVA
24 860 Polina SHELEPEN
Japan sort of lucks out with this format. The focus is on singles skating which is their forte and in ice dance oddly enough they could be one spot away from say I and K or C and L realistically yet they are no where close score wise. Pretty lucky it is on ordinal points otherwise Japan might be more in trouble to say the US or Russia. Canada will be in trouble with the women and second men. USA will be okay now that they dumped Czisny. Who would have thought Czisny would place behind Lacoste at world's.
Go Team Japan! I wish Japan (Dai and Akiko) would close the season with a bang and win the World team trophy! Who knows they can also win in Sochi!

subset: commoncrawl


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A Windsor man died Wednesday afternoon in a Southern California paraglider accident.
The San Diego County coroner's office said 48-year-old Henry Ho was with an instructor and classmates when he crashed into rocks in Imperial Beach. According to U-T San Diego, the area's newspaper, Ho was working with an instructor when the wind took him about 30 feet in the air before drifting and plunging to the berm of rocks and sand. Witnesses called 911 while his instructor performed CPR until paramedics arrived.
He died shortly thereafter.
Ho was a founder of Financial Stewards Wealth Management, which is based out of Fort Collins, according to the group's website. He specialized in financial planning for upper-middle income families and enjoyed "the close relationships he had with his clients."
"As God enables … I hope to increasingly give back locally, regionally and globally in the years to come," he wrote on his profile.
Before joining the financial world in 2005, he started an IT business in Singapore and then led a Christian campus ministry. He has since become a member of the Rotary Club in Fort Collins after moving to Colorado from Singapore in 1999, according to his online biography.
He was married and had two young children.
The city of Imperial Beach near San Diego allows paragliding ground instruction but paragliders are not supposed to go airborne, according to U-T San Diego. Authorities are continuing to investigate.


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Bored out of my mind. Who are some expected medalists or favorites?
Bored out of my mind. Who are some expected medalists or favorites?
Though most of the predictions you'll get will be wildly off mark (ex: Sochi), I really want to see Park Soyoun on the ladies podium and I think she has a fair chance to if she continues to improve and stabilize.
Barring some unseen catastrophe in the upcoming 4 years, Yuzuru Hanyu will medal. Javier Fernandez should as well.
For the ladies, I think we need a few more years to see how they adjust to their bodies. IIRC Yuna was 19 when she won gold in Vancouver and was able to maintain her high level, but a lot of these top women are 16 or 17 and still have some growing to do.
Proklova I think.
Too soon to really know as skating can change a lot in four years.
Ladies: I like Gracie Gold to at least be on the podium in South Korea. Japan will probably have somebody lined up, though I think Miki Ando is getting too old. Don't count out Russia. Yulia was really young and might be able to handle the pressure better in four years time. You could also see Adelina make a come back to try to get Gold #2. I agree that their body development coming out of puberty/adolescence is huge in how they make the adjustment. Michelle Kwan and Sasha Cohen made the transition well, but Kimmy Meisner did not.
Men: I agree that Hanyu should still be good in four years and might be a lock for a second OGM but I like some of the younger skaters coming out of the US like Max Aaron and Jason Brown (if he can find a quad between now and then.) I think Chan is done and will be too old to make a push and Evgeny will definitely be too old to keep up with the younger crowd.
Pairs: Who the heck knows. Who knows who will be skating with whom in four years!
Ice Dancing: I think that both Davis/White and Virtue/Moir have fuel left in the tank and if either one of these teams returns to competition they will be the odds on favorite. If both return it could go either way and the competition will be for bronze as it has been for the past two Olympic cycles. If neither one of them come back I like the Italian team, or Weaver/Poje to medal and I am hoping for improvement from the Shibs or from Chock and Bates to step up into Davis and White's shoes. I would've said the Russians, but they have been on a partner swap carousel and that isn't good for building momentum during the Olympic quad.
Who the heck knows. A lot can change in four years.
I agree that puberty/adolescence and the transition into a more womanly body can wreak havoc on a young skater. Look at what happened to Kimmy Meisner. I like Gracie Gold to push for medals and Japan is always good for a medal contender though I think Miki Ando will be too old to really push for a medal. Don't count out Yulia (four years might make a huge difference in her ability to control her nerves) or Adelina making a comeback to try for OGM #2. I think Costner and Kim will sit this one out.
Hanyu will be an odd's on favorite in the Men's if he stays in the competitive ranks. I also like the young guns coming out of the US in Jason Brown (if he can find a quad) and Max Aaron. I think Chan may be done and Evgeny Plushenko is getting too old to keep up with the younger kids anymore.
Pairs is a game of who will be still partnered up in 2018. Hard to pick a favorite there.
If either Davis/White or Virtue/Moir come back they will be the odds on favorites for dance and both still have some left in the tank for the next quad. If both come back it will be like the last 4-5 years where they will go back and forth and it is a 50/50 chance for either team to win gold. The real competition will be for bronze. If neither of them come back, look for Italy, W/P of Canada, and I am hoping an emergence from the Shibs (with one on one Marina time) or Chock and Bates to step up. I would've said Russia, but they are on the partner swap carousel which is never beneficial to building momentum towards the Olympics in a quad cycle.
I think it's wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy too early to even make a guess. So much can happen between now and then. All the skaters will be 4 years older, there could be injuries, more break-ups, growth spurts, loss of interest, coaching changes that don't work out, etc. I guess I'm not bored enough yet to go down that road.
Of course it's too early but it's a yucky rainy day in NYC, so what the heck?
I won't venture any real predictions; will just say that I have very high hopes for Jason Brown & Polina Edmunds. Gracie too, but my gut says that Polina is going to develop into a much more interesting skater, especially on the artistic side. Among non-US skaters, Park SoYoun (sp?) and Javier Fernandez. Yulia isn't one of my personal favorites -- although that could change, too -- but there's no doubt in my mind that she will be a major contender. Right now, she seems like the lady to beat. And if Adelina decides to try for a 2nd OGM...
Heartfelt wish from a long-suffering American pairs fan: the US produces a duo that will at least be seriously competitive even if they don't end up on the podium.
In Ice Dance, if D/W and/or V/M keep competing, more power to them! I'll watch them both till you-know-what freezes over but would also love for new couples to emerge.
Let the drama begin!
I can see her being a medal contender, but I don't think she is going to have the consistency she has had in the past.
I wish Soyoun Park can be on podium. She has grace, and natural musicality. It is always pleasing to watch her skate. Also, her jumps are pretty good with correct edge technique. If she can practice 3lz3t and land it consistently, she might have real chance to be on the podium at worlds and GPF.
I think Gracie Gold will be on the top of the podium in following one,two years if she maintains her consistency. But at Olympics... Well, I don't know. In 4 years, many things can happen. In 2006, Who knew that Mao's jump would regress that much by the time of Vancouver?
1. Yulia
2. Gracie
3. Alaine Chartrand
1. Yuzuru
2. Kovtun
3. Nguyen
Men: Call me crazy, but I predict someone we don't know about/haven't paid much attention to will get the gold. Yuzu has a good chance to repeat, but no man has since freaking Dick Button. He'll also likely get screwed over, being Japanese and competing in Korea. If Patrick returns, he'll get either silver or nothing. Javi and Machida have chances to medal, but they won't be young come Pyeongchang, so a lot can happen.
Ladies: A Russian girl wins (hopefully Yulia!) if there's no Koreavengeance or if anonymous judging gets kicked out. A Korean girl could pull an upset otherwise. And then we'll get more fights and controversy. (USA will get a lady on the podium, but it's not going to be Gracie).
Pairs: Can't say. Don't know who will make it to 2018.
Ice Dance: Either one of the drama-inducing Russian teams that came out of I/K split, with the other taking second. I don't think D/W and V/M will return, sadly. Weaver/Poje third.
Team: Russia, Russia, Russia. The US can pull an upset for silver over Canada though.
Yuzuru and all the Russian girls will have to skate their lights out in order to even contend for Gold in Korea. Giving even a tiny bit of leeway to the runner up will equate to them losing the OGM.
Not so sure Yuzuru gets the same type of hate in Korea that other Japanese skaters would. The Korean girls LOVEEEE him.
But if he is penalized for being Japanese, that means Japan and Russia would be out of OGM contention, so the winner might be Javier, a Canadian, or an American.


text:
Welcome Back, Augie!
Man, when you see that Augie Ojeda is 36 you know it's getting late.
Last night my son was megabussing home from college when he e-mailed me the news about Augie inking a minor league deal with the Cubs. A decade ago Augie was our favorite player in Des Moines. Eventually he would hit three homers playing for the Chicagoans. We saw one of them in a game at Wrigley the only other aspect of which I can recall is that the Cubs lost. The rest of the details aren't important enough to go looking for. Later Augie came back to annoy if not exactly haunt the Cubs when he hit .444 for the Diamondbacks while they were sweeping us out of the 2007 playoffs. Ojeda's real first name is Octavio. His initials have more potential than he ever did.
Todd Wellemeyer is a yawn. But Augie Ojeda is like magic words that reopen a closed passageway.
His playing days are numbered. Mine are long gone. The kid's just hitting his stride. Hard to believe we were all part of the same ballclub in 2001. And now we are again.
Re: Welcome Back, Augie!
Re: Welcome Back, Augie!
When Cub sign Sam Fuld in 8 years the circle will be complete.
Re: Welcome Back, Augie!
The Augie signing tells me that the Cubs weren't willing to let Cabrera or any of the other available veteran middle infielders compete for the starting 2B job,only a back-up spot.
It also tells me that someone on the Cubs staff has a really weird sense of humor.
Re: Welcome Back, Augie!
more like any of the available middle infielders didn't want to compete for a bench job/possibl starter and wanted a guaranteed deal that the Cubs didn't want to give out.
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21 non-roster players invited to ST...
i keep forgetting angel guzman exists...
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slow day...
anyone wanna bitch about the bears or matt garza or something?
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He was faking the injury, obviously.
Photographic evidence:
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ken griffey jr. traded to the reds
i can't believe CIN gave up antonio perez in the trade...yow. you don't just give up a hotshot young middle IF'r like him.
Re: Welcome Back, Augie!
also, lol...antonio perez was traded with randy winn for lou pinella at one point...and he was traded with milton bradley to OAK for andre either.
Re: Welcome Back, Augie!
and he was traded with milton bradley to OAK for andre either.
why trade for Bradley when you can buy him for 3/30?
Re: Welcome Back, Augie!
Bruce Miles with some info on the Cubans:
The Cubs aren't commenting because all of the visa issues aren't finalized, but they're expecting outfielder Ruby Silva and catcher Yaniel Cabezas at their minor-league minicamp in February. Both players currently are in the Dominican Republic....
Cubs people I've talked with say Silva is a left-handed hitter who still could play some middle infield as well as center field. They like his athleticism, arm and speed. The Cubs seem to like Cabezas as a "catch-and-throw" guy, reminiscent of Yadier Molina, at least at this early stage and in that respect. The players' contracts have been approved by MLB, sources said.
... Expect both of the new players to break camp with Class A Peoria.
Re: Welcome Back, Augie!
One thing I have noticed with the Cuban defectors signed by the Cubs over the past five years (Sotolongo, Tuero, Sabates, Borges, and Serrano) is that they tend to be older and more set in their ways than other Cubs Latin minor leaguers, and they seem to believe that the best instruction they're ever going to get they got in Cuba, and now they just want to play and don't really want to be bothered by the Cubs coaches.
Re: Welcome Back, Augie!
Re: Welcome Back, Augie!
Help me Zonk ... you're my only hope.
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Thanks, that made my day. At least Plesac and Sutcliffe are out. Otto was much better on the radio in recent years when he filled in for Santo than he was with regular TV work. I do prefer Moreland, though.
Re: Welcome Back, Augie!
I may be dumb, but I ain't stupid: Have the Cubs released the date for individual ticket sales for the regular season? The 13-pack/whatever "deal" is a no-go here.Any info kind folks?
Re: Welcome Back, Augie!
Normally around the end/third week of February.
Re: Welcome Back, Augie!
Yeah, that much I know. They usually provide a date by now . Thankee all the same.
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Article says late Feb., IIRC, it's usually on a Friday; I'd bet 2/25 or maybe 2/18.
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It was 2/19 last year shrug
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Baseball America's Top 30 Cubs Prospects from their Handbook. (Someone posted it elsewhere, I don't have it.)
1. Chris Archer
2. Brett Jackson (1)
3. Trey McNutt (2)
4. Hak-Ju Lee
5. Josh Vitters (3)
6. Chris Carpenter (4)
7. Matt Szczur (5)
8. Hayden Simpson (6)
9. Rafael Dolis (7)
10. Brandon Guyer
11. Alberto Cabrera (8)
12. Darwin Barney (9)
13. DJ LeMahieu (10)
14. Scott Maine (11)
15. Jay Jackson (12)
16. Robinson Chirinos
17. Welington Castillo (13)
18. Marcos Mateo (14)
19. Robinson Lopez (15)
20. Kyle Smit (16)
21. Logan Watkins (17)
22. Ryan Flaherty (18)
23. Reggie Golden (19)
24. Ben Wells (20)
25. Aaron Kurcz (21)
26. Brooks Raley (22)
27. Junior Lake (23)
28. Jae-Hoon Ha (24)
29. Esmailin Caridad (25)
30. Dae-Eun Rhee (26)
31. Matt Cerda (27)
Re: Welcome Back, Augie!
Dolis, Cabrera, Barney, Mateo all rated too generously. Watkins, Golden and Raley rated too low (Golden would sneak into my top 10 post-Garza trade).
Dae-Eun Rhee, is he still around? I thought he blew out his elbow and was finished.
Re: Welcome Back, Augie!
Austin Kirk raped Jim Callis's wife and his dog.
Re: Welcome Back, Augie!
HAs Golden done anything to be rated that high besides his draft #?
Keep an eye on Jae-Hoon Ha and Junior Lake to move up...both making strides at young ages. Cabrera is a little high...but was solid at Daytona before faltering at AA. He's only 22..let's see what he does this year. I'd rather see Jackson or Carpenter in the pen than wasting time on Wellemeyer.
Re: Welcome Back, Augie!
Golden struck out 7 times in 15 professional league at bats, so I can see why people are excited. Seriously though, getting into the system gives him more exposure to more people who can give their opinions on him, so his highish ranking may be valid. I would want to see some more numbers though, and some better ones, since it will probably be a couple years before I get a chance to see him play.
Re: Welcome Back, Augie!
Submitted by The Real Neal on Sun, 01/30/2011 - 10:14am.
Golden struck out 7 times in 15 professional league at bats, so I can see why people are excited. Seriously though, getting into the system gives him more exposure to more people who can give their opinions on him, so his highish ranking may be valid. I would want to see some more numbers though, and some better ones, since it will probably be a couple years before I get a chance to see him play.
REAL NEAL: Although it's not a large sample size, here are Reggie Golden's numbers from AZ Instructs:
I can tell you from having watched him that he has plus-power to all fields, he isn't afraid to take a walk (or get called out on strikes), and he has a RF arm. On the negative side he strikes out a lot (although some of that is attributable to called third strikes as the result of the very inconsistent umpiring he has to deal with in A-ball), he has (at best) just average speed, he is a poor baserunner, and he is below-average defensively. The baserunning and defense can be improved with work, but the high K-total and speed are what they are.
Also, just last season alone he suffered from a hamstring injury (HS), a sore wrist (AZL Cubs), and a strained oblique (AZ Instructs).
That said, I ranked Golden #14 in my post-2010 Cubs Top 15, and he moved up to #11 after the Garza trade. I still think he has a good chance to open the 2011 season at Peoria (if he can stay healthy).
Re: Welcome Back, Augie!
Thanks Phil, I had forgotten that you keep track of the instruct games. What kind of swings is he taking to generate that power? You mention he has power to all fields, which makes it sound a little more controlled.
Re: Welcome Back, Augie!
Submitted by The Real Neal on Sun, 01/30/2011 - 5:29pm.
Thanks Phil, I had forgotten that you keep track of the instruct games. What kind of swings is he taking to generate that power? You mention he has power to all fields, which makes it sound a little more controlled.
REAL NEAL: Reggie Golden is the classic power hitter. He's a strong kid with an elevated swing and a really good pull stroke, but he will hammer the pitch to straight away CF or to RF (even down the RF line) if he is pitched that way. He also grunts (loudly) when he swings. And he knows the strike zone, too. He gets mad when umpires miss pitches.
Re: Welcome Back, Augie!
Sounds good - will be nice if the Cubs could actually develop a high power/OBP hitter...
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Plus, his name is gold!!
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Yeah, I can't help but wonder if he didn't have a HoF'ers first name and his surname if he'd be a little less well liked.
Re: Welcome Back, Augie!
You think he would be rated lower if his name was Fred Stinkbottom?
Re: Welcome Back, Augie!
Submitted by Dusty Baylor on Sun, 01/30/2011 - 9:29am.
HAs Golden done anything to be rated that high besides his draft #?
Keep an eye on Jae-Hoon Ha and Junior Lake to move up...both making strides at young ages. Cabrera is a little high...but was solid at Daytona before faltering at AA. He's only 22..let's see what he does this year. I'd rather see Jackson or Carpenter in the pen than wasting time on Wellemeyer.
DUSTY B: I like Jay Jackson more as a starting pitcher because he has four pitches in his arsenal (including an above-average fastball and a plus slider), he is a well-conditioned all-around athlete, and he is one of the best-hitting pitchers in minor league baseball. You can't take advantage of his bat if he works out of the pen. He's probably the one pitcher in the Cubs systenm who could be successfully moved to CF (a la Rick Ankiel) if things don't work out on the mound. I suspect J. Jackson might be used as a trading chip if the Cubs can't find a spot for him in the starting rotation.
Chris Carpenter throws about 4 MPH harder when working out of the pen than when he is used as a starter and he doesn't have J. Jackson's bat or athleticism, so I would say Carpenter's future (presuming he stays with the Cubs) is probably in the bullpen, although he could start if needed, and he probably will be used as a startter at Iowa in 2011 to get him more innings of minor league experience and to force him to keep using his secondary stuff (which he probably would not do if working out of the pen).
There are some pitchers who are developed as relievers from the git-go, either because they have one or two pitches with no likelihood that they will develop a third, or because they are effective but just don't have the stamina to throw multiple innings. Most minor league starters can work out of the bullpen at the big league level if necessary (and most MLB relievers were starting pitchers in the minors), the one exception being soft-tossing lefties, who make their bones pitching to contact and working hitters over the course of three ABs (this would also apply to some RHP, too). And then there are the good hitting pitchers (like Jay Jackson) who can give an N. L. club an edge by providing a 9th bat in the lineup. But most managers like relievers who throw hard and who can get strikeouts and pop ups, at least in the 7-8-9 inning roles.
Re: Welcome Back, Augie!
jay jackson can't get any love from the prospect list makers...a lot has to do with that whole "relief or starter?" thing i'd imagine.
i find the kid and his stuff pretty damn interesting, especially given his age.
though not similar in size or style (yeah, i know...i know), i see him as a guy who's value in the cubs system is/was similar to jeff neimann from TB. neimann's value was a bit lost in the shuffle of other arms once his round-1 "wow factor" wore off, but he had/has great middle-rotation stuff, imo.
Re: Welcome Back, Augie!
Another thing about Jay Jackson is that he is nearly two years younger than Chris Carpenter, and yet J. Jax spent the entire 2010 season at AAA (in what was just his second full minor league season), while Carp spent most of the year at AA after nursing a sore arm at Minor League Camp and EXST.
Re: Welcome Back, Augie!
I wonder if Burgess or Morris would crack that list. Probably so since it's a top 27 currently.
Re: Welcome Back, Augie!
via twooter...
"Braden Looper's deal w/ #Cubs pays him about $1M salary if he makes club. If he's fulltime starter, it can max out around $3M w/incentives"
Re: Welcome Back, Augie!
via rotowurld: "We like (Freddie) Garcia better than the recently-signed Bartolo Colon, but that isn't saying much. As of now, he'll compete with Colon, Ivan Nova and Sergio Mitre for one of the final two spots in the starting rotation."
man...$200 million don't buy what it used to, eh yanks?
Recent comments
Short rest for MadBum would be 2 days. WC game is Wed., Games 1 & 2 are Friday/Saturday.
A left-handed one...
lester going for #20...cubs haven't had a 20 game winner since d.ellsworth in 1963.
J-Hey not finishing with an offensive onslaught.
If Geoff Blum could be a Playoff hero, there is hope still...
Giants scare me. I think you're wrong about Bumgarner, he would pitch on short rest for Game 2 and then full rest for Game 5. Cueto would go Game 1, then short rest in game 4. Add in some really tough outs in that lineup and I want nothing to do with them. With that rotation they can easily steal a series.
Cards are a tough matchup. The rivalry evens out their comparable lack of talent. And like someone said, they love HRs, which is how to beat the Cubs. The upside is that I would feel really good about Lester twice against STL.
j.buchanan with a nice start...5ip 2h 1bb 3k, 0r/er
zobrist with 2HR and a double through 8
heyward 0-4 :(
Mark Gonzales @MDGonzales
Soler likely to return Sunday, Maddon says
Right now, I'd like to see the Mets first, Giants 2nd.
I believe that since most of the team from last years' NLCS is on the squad this year, they will really amp their game up even more to kick their ass in payback for 2015.
The Giants just do not have the depth in years past, and I think all things equal - and at Wrigley - they could handle them.
I do not want to see the Cards, period. Or their fans, media, or Joe Buck.
I don't want to play Braves in the first round. Any friggin team in the league can win 3 of 5..I hate the first round. Furthermore, I wanted to play the Marlins in 2003 and the Mets over Dodgers last year.
With that said in reverse order:
3. Cardinals: It will be devastating to lose in the first round, but even worse to their main rival. It is increased incentive for the Cardinals, especially after last year. Cards would have nothing to lose, Cubs have everything to lose.
2. Giants: Rotation in the playoffs scare me a bit, but what a lousy team.
1. Mets--because of the losses in the rotation
2. Giants--because they're not the team they were BUT they maybe have bullshit even-year magic?
3. Cardinals--because rivalry and not making the playoffs hurts them more than losing in the NLDS plus getting eliminated by them in the playoffs would make for horrible sports commentary next throughout next season.
Who's asking?
CLE/DET rained out last night already, possible rain-outs in New York (vs. Baltimore), Boston(vs. Toronto) and Philly(vs. Mets) this weekend too.
Not only games involving playoff spots that would need to be played, but any that involve home field advantage.
I got the first one! Second one I'm not even sure what even/odd betting is.
any opponent preference for NLDS?
Mets are down to 1 great pitcher instead of 4. Syndegaard may pitch Sunday which means if Mets win the WC game, he'd be set up for Game 1. There's a chance they clinch a spot by Sunday so he'd pitch the WC and then we'd probably get Colon for Game 1. They've certainly had the hottest bats over the last week and month out of the WC options.
A couple of Cub related puzzles.
Can't teach height and thinness


text:
Someon who is always drunk and suck dick all the time
Jon Hoffman is a shit face cock master who does it with Tim Alo every night
by Zach Garrison March 20, 2005
Trending Now
Can you define these popular missing words?
Top Definition
A term used in the South Park movie, first by Terrance and Philip. Used as an insult, meaning your face is shit and you are the master of cock
You are a shitface Cockmaster
by JV May 09, 2004
A person of the human race that is a piece of shit; also see Pancheri
Ms.Pancheri is a shit face cock master
by Rob August 22, 2003
someone who has shit on their face and is a master of cocks
Jonny your a shitfacecockmaster you know that?
by Andy Perry February 16, 2004
the act of being a shit face and loving cock at the same time(a homo asshole) that wont shut the fuck up
fuckin billy was being a shit face cockmaster so i slapped the shit out of him then teabag the fuck out of his face
by ed is awesome June 18, 2008
A person who is of course a real cockmaster.. who can and will take a good shit on someone's face. (As Needed)
Johnny! get out his way.. he's the shitface cockmaster I been telling you about.
by ChangWang April 30, 2003
Kevin- a guy that goes to high school with me. hes a real duche.
by J-Sizzle April 21, 2004


text:
The Truckee boys basketball team came up a point short, 42-41, in an overtime thriller at Whittell on Tuesday.
Whittell freshman Palmer Chaplin was the hero, as the 5-foot-9 point guard hit the game-winning shot, a floater in the lane with five seconds remaining, in a 25-point effort.
"This was the type of game we hoped for when we gave him the ball as the point guard back in November," Whittell coach Phil Bryant said. "We knew he had it in him to score, and he finally produced the type of game he is capable of."
It was a back-and-fourth game all night, with Chaplin leading the Warriors' charge.
The Warriors took a 23-19 halftime lead. They extended it by three more in the third, but hit a wall in the fourth as Truckee tied the game at 37-37 to force overtime. The Warriors outscored the Wolverines 5-4 in the five-minute overtime period to earn the win.
Truckee coach Patrick said the Wolverines shot only 35 percent from the field against the Warriors' zone, while the hosts were the more patient team on the offensive end.
Bryant said he appreciated the class that Truckee displayed, despite the tough loss.
"The sportsmanship was a great thing to see," Bryant said. "Even with a tough loss, the Truckee players were great sports in the line after the game and as they were leaving. It was nice to see that on the court all night long."
Kyle Mello led the Wolverines with 13 points.
Truckee fell to 10-10 overall and 3-4 in Mount Rose League play. Whittell is now 12-8 overall and 2-5 in league.
The girls, meanwhile, won 38-33. No other information was available.
UP NEXT: Truckee hosts Sparks on Saturday, girls at 2 p.m. and boys at 3:30. The Wolverines then end the regular season at South Tahoe on Tuesday and at home against North Tahoe on Friday, Feb. 8.


text:
Welcome to the City Attorney site at the City of Berkeley, CA.
The City Attorney's Office provides legal advice to City government to minimize liability and ensure conformance to legal constraints. The City Attorney determines the merits of claims and defends against suits filed, while also filing suits on behalf of the City.The City Attorney's office advises its client, the City Council of the City of Berkeley, provides advice to City departments, and represents the City in lawsuits where the City is a party. The City Attorney's Office does not provide legal advice to private citizens, nor does the City Attorney's office handle criminal matters. As the City Attorney's office does not provide legal advice to individuals, please click on the resource links on the left side of this page under Quick Links.


text:
Hello Mods,
I found a instance of a thread where the poster got full points after modifyng his solution based on another post.
Newer version of "points-gaming" i must say !!!
Suhas Saha wrote:
> after modifyng his solution
Any Examples of your saying would be highly appreciable.
And I donu2019t see reply with modifying their own solution from previous thread is any violation of rules!
Sometimes (Even Many times) modify in your own reply is must in case of below kind of threads:
Rob Burbank wrote:
> @MxG - I like your point total.
> Rob
A warm welcome to Rob as well, to help keep all the Canadian cowboys and Points prospectors under control
Ssshhhhhh. Today is really peaceful in ABAP forums..
Hello Mods,
I will like to bring to your notice about a user who gets a 10-pointer for answer a post & the very next day asks the same question himself.
[https://forums.sdn.sap.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1261671&tstart=0 ]
Please look into this.
Hmm... the plot thickens...
Perhaps Bathrinath took a bit of a guess at the answer the day before and was lucky, so then tried it himself for real and ran into a problem?
Anyway, I will keep an eye on it. Thanks for observing!
Hello Mods,
I feel this posting of "redundant answers" should really be stopped. Can you please look into this matter or add this to "Forum Rules".
Here's an [example|https://forums.sdn.sap.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1286647&tstart=0].
Any ideas will be appreciated.
The best solution is simply not to respond to basic questions.
Hello Rob,
That's fine Rob. But its OK is someone has responded. I really donot get the idea of repeating the same answers in the same post.
Anyways its definitiely encouraged to "Search" in SDN prior to asking.
Hope i am talking sense.
True, but if you look at the thread in question, all of the responses came within a few minutes of it being asked. In this case, it may have been a case of responders opening the question and while some were typing the answers, others opened the question while it was still unanswered.
But, it's usually the basic questions that get the most redundant answers. So...
Hi Rob,
I have posted the thread by not expecting that others will do my work but atleast I will get some suggestions on how to do it or how to go about.
I also wanted to add that not to lock the thread. But its just skipped from my mind. Anyways possible please unlock the thread once, so that I can modify my question.
Thanks & Regards
It would be better if you put some thought into your problem, changed the code as best you can and then get back to the forum if you have specific questions.
We are glad to help, but you have to take the first steps yourself.
Hi Rob,
I have already tried and worked a lot on it, still with no proper output. Then I decided to post it, but I didn't want to mess up with my code, that is the reason. I just kept the things fully, so that it could be clear. Anyways can you please unlock it, so that I have a very specific area to ask in the report that is displaying the report based on sales group and customer group.
I request you to unlock , so that I would modify and will keep the program which I tried and worked on.
I would really appreciate your help.
Thanks & Regards
I'll unlock it, but please ask a specific question about a specific portion of code.
Hi Rob,
I have given link for the program, Hope that is within the Rules of Engagement.
Because as the code is big and, I could not accommodate the complete code, I put the link to download code. Even in code, I put the same requriement as I posted in the thread.
Thank you very much Rob.
Edited by: Mythili sharma on Mar 30, 2009 6:25 PM


text:
TAHOE/TRUCKEE - Eleven propositions on the Nov. 6 general election ballot cover a broad range of political territory, with issues ranging from tax increases to school funding and public safety realignment, labeling of genetically engineered food products, a repeal of the death penalty and limitations of influence from unions and corporations on the election process.
The following is a list of the propositions and their impact if approved:
Proposition 30 - If approved, the proposition would increase taxes on annual earnings more than $250,000 for seven years and sales taxes by a quarter of a cent to fund schools, public safety realignment, while providing new revenue to balance the state budget.
Proposition 31 - The proposition would establish a two-year state budget while creating rules from new expenditures and Governor-led budget cuts in times of fiscal emergency. The proposition would further require performance reviews of all state programs and provides local government more latitude in the application of state-funded programs.
Proposition 32 - The proposition seeks to prevent unions from using their payroll-deducted funds for political purposes while applying the same prohibitions to corporations and/or government contractors. The law would further prohibit union and corporate contributions to candidates for political office and their committees.
Proposition 33 - If approved, the proposition would alter current law to allow insurance companies to establish prices based on whether the driver previously carried auto insurance.
Proposition 34 - The ballot initiative seeks to repeal the death penalty and replace it with life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. The law would apply retroactively to existing death sentences.
Proposition 35 - Approval would mean the increase of prison sentences and fines for individuals convicted of human trafficking. It would also require those convicted of the crime to be registered as sex offenders.
Proposition 36 - The initiative would revise the "three strike law" in California so that it would impose a life sentence only when the new felony conviction is serious or violent.
Proposition 37 - If approved, the proposition would require food and agricultural companies to label products sold to consumers made from plants and/or animals with genetic material changed in specified ways. It further prohibits marketing such food as "natural."
Proposition 38 - The proposition seeks to tax earnings using a sliding scale for twelve years. The revenues collected would go directly to K-12 public schools, bypassing state coffers and early childhood programs. The money collected would also be used to pay down state budget deficits.
Proposition 39 - The ballot initiative, if approved, requires multi-state businesses to pay income taxes based on the percentage of their sales in California. The revenues collected would be allocated to clean/efficient energy projects.
Proposition 40 - A "Yes" vote approves newly State Senate districts recently redrawn by the Citizens Redistricting Commission. A "No" vote would require the districts to be revised by officials supervised by the California Supreme Court.


text:
MARTINSBURG - It was bad enough finding out her sixth-grade son was being bullied, but the lack of concern by middle school officials - coupled with seemingly no communication on the problem once it was discovered- was equally upsetting for his mother.
Although she now feels that she has the situation straightened out, it only happened because of her "steel resolve" to make a difference - even though that meant at one point refusing to leave the school office until she was seen by an official and then going to county officials before action was taken.
Three other students had threatened and harassed her 11-year-old son. The bullying included calling him names, kicking him in the shins and hitting him in the back and on his head, she said.
Although her son tried to avoid contact, it was difficult because the boys were in class together.
Things continued to deteriorate as the fall semester progressed, with her son eventually retaliating when one of the problematic classmates called him a "faggot" and urged her son to hit him.
"That's when he punched my son and told him not to tell anyone. And if he did, he would kill him when he got back from being suspended," she said.
Even that shouldn't have come as a complete surprise since one of boys had caused problems for her son before at another school. The issue could have been addressed if the middle school officials had taken time to listen and act sooner, she said.
Ironically, their lack of action actually meant problems for another child, she said.
"The next day, that other student walked into a classroom and choked another student with some kind of a rope or string, so he was expelled. And yet that only happened after this additional violence, not based on what was already going on," she said, sounding incredulous as she added that her own son received two days of in-school suspension for "instigating violence."
Another one of the three bullies passed three hurtful notes to her son in class. One said "you're retarded," she said. She took that note to the school and gave it to the vice principal.
She believes there was a group mentality that contributed to her son being preyed on since all three bulliers were friends and repeatedly called him names like "fag boy" and "gay boy."
Her son didn't initially tell her what was going on, but his behavoir spoke volumes, she said.
"He would have a headache and upset stomach. That was the fourth or fifth week into the school year," she said.
He later started crying several nights a week before bedtime and begging not to be sent to school.
He also told his mother, "What good does it do to complain or tell someone, because it doesn't change anything. ... They just keep doing it after their suspension."
The bullying and related tension took its toll on her son's academic progress as well, she said.
"At the end of the first grading period, he was failing four major classes. But then again, how can he concentrate and learn when he's scared he's going to get his butt kicked when class is over or when the teacher steps out of the room or turns around?" she said.
An incident in November, when her son was "clawed" in the neck and shoulder area by one of the bullies, was witnessed by a teacher who stepped in to stop it, she said.
It was a changing point.
The following Monday, the mother went to the school at 8 a.m., determined to see someone in authority - undeterred even when she overheard a conversation that the officials she needed were busy and couldn't be disturbed.
"I just told them I didn't care how long it took and that I had already told my office I would not be in until I talked to someone at the school. And the vice principal did finally talk to me, but I still felt I wasn't getting anywhere. I felt like she was just blowing me off," she said.
Just two days later at a parent-teacher conference that had been previously scheduled for her son's poor grades, the mother's emotions got the best of her and she broke down.
"I told them we all knew he was failing but also what was going on with the bullying. And I broke into tears when I said my child is not going to be the second child lost to (bullying). ... The teachers were all visibly upset. ... Two looked like they wanted to cry, all of their faces dropped to the floor ... and during the conversation, several teachers apologized," she said, adding that they also urged her to go to Berkeley County Board of Education officials after hearing her story and viewing her written documentation of the alleged incidents.
They also urged the mother, who was accompanied by her husband to the conference, to speak to the school counselor. Upon doing that, the counselor said she'd spoken to their son but only knew about one incident.
"After that conference, I was even more upset because I couldn't understand how they couldn't know - this was happening right in their own school," she said.
The mother went to the Berkeley County Schools' office later that week and spoke to Veronique Walker, who was receptive to her pleas for help for her son. Walker called the school principal and asked her to speak with the parents, according to the mother.
"I had to go somewhere because the problem at the school was the overwhelming lack of communication. ... We weren't getting anywhere, and my son was suffering because the little bit that was done wasn't working," she said.
The mother said the principal spoke with her son and asked him what he thought the best solution would be.
"He just didn't want to be in the same class with the bully, and that's what happened - they won't be in the same class at the same time," the mother said.
He's now doing better since the change; he isn't resisting going to school and his grades have begun to improve, she said.
Although she feels like a solution has been reached, it was a "hard-fought victory" and it shouldn't have to be that way, she said.
School administrators should realize that "parents aren't going to put up with this treatment when their children have a real problem," she said.
Editor's note: This is the fourth segment in The Journal's series "Bullying: When growing up hurts." To protect the children involved, many articles have confidential sources and don't identify the schools or officials. Because official documents in such cases are not open to the public, the articles don't present a two-sided picture of any one incident but only the personal viewpoint of the family of the victim involved.
- Staff writer Jenni Vincent can be reached at 304-263-8931, ext. 138, or email@example.com


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Courtesy of Maureen Jennings
3 eggs
1-3/4 cups granulated sugar
1 cup oil
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
4 to 6 apples, peeled and diced
1 cup chopped walnuts
Powdered sugar, for dusting
oven to 350 degrees. Blend the eggs, sugar and oil. In a separate bowl,
stir together flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. Slowly beat into
egg mixture. Fold in apples and nuts. Pour into a greased jelly roll pan
and bake for one hour. When completely cooled, dust with powdered
sugar. Cut into squares and enjoy.
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Kerry Washington seems to be taking fashion cues from her husband.
"The morning after [PEOPLE's Best Dressed] issue was announced, I made sure to come to work in sweats," the Scandal star, 36, told PEOPLE at this week's Saks Fifth Avenue celebration for the show's season 3 premiere.
But they weren't just any old sweats. The show's costume designer Lyn Paolo said the happy newlywed came to set showing some home team spirit.
"She came in her husband [Nnamdi Asomugha]'s giant football player sweatshirt and said 'Look, I'm the best dressed!' It was pretty funny."
Added castmate Guillermo Diaz, "She comes in her comfy clothes, you know, but in an hour, she's looking totally, completely glamazon."
And glam she was at the event, which celebrated the return of her hit show with Scandal-styled mannequins in the Manhattan flagship Saks store windows.
Asked if it were to come down to a fashion face-off between Washington and her character, Olivia Pope, "Kerry would win. She pushes boundaries and is brave and bold," said the show's creator, Shonda Rhimes. "But I think Olivia lives within the Washington parameters of fashion."
As for how the actress plays such a troubled character on-screen, when her real life is full of newlywed bliss, "She knows how to go to work and deliver," said Diaz, "Then step away from it, shake it off and let it go, and go back home to her hubby."
Scott Foley returns this season as Pope's love interest. Being married himself, he described his love scenes with Washington as "enjoyably awkward."
"My wife watched our first love scene and said, 'Bring some of that home!' I'm sure [Kerry's husband] sees them. I haven't heard he's coming to get me or anything, which would be terrifying because he's a professional athlete," said Foley.
Washington, who wed 49er cornerback Asomugha in a secret ceremony this summer, is still mum on details about married life.
When asked how she pulled off the surprise nuptials, she joked with reporters, saying, "If I told you, I'd have to kill you."
Kerry Washington Sports Husband's Sweats on Scandal Set


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Sources: Reuters, Forbes
quote: Agree if you had one person mention Apple your conversation was dominated with all Apple talk now its but a whisper and they are either in denial or you can hear the retreat in their voice as they know there are products on the market that rival them or are flat out better. The confidence that Apple was way ahead of everyone is gone to but a few fans. I just read an article that Apple tablet sales are starting to slide in market share which now you have iphone 5 sales warnings, tablet sales warnings, and now you have comparable products at nearly half the price of Apple in an economic recession. Im a huge fan of Microsoft but I use an Android tablet and like it. I especially love that I get all the functionality I want without the hefty price. This is why I think Microsoft failed with Surface RT because the price should have been $300 or less at $500 for RT its not smart. Im also not sure I need another tablet either I don't want to play crisis on my phone or tablet. I want to play words with friends or something along those lines if I was to play graphic intensive games and get serious I want to do it on my PC.BTW Windows Phone is now 3.1% in the US. Doesn't sound like much but market share is increasing now even in the USA.I personally believe Android has the best Tablet OS just have to get a good hardware manufacturer. I still believe Microsoft has the best Phone OS and to me personally again the Nokia 920 is a slightly better device than the Samsung Galaxy S3. But were about to go another round so hit the reset button. To me if your considering an iPhone your old and looking for an entry level smartphone if your more serious your looking for the next Samsung with android or the nokia pureview camera for windows phone.
quote: Right, so declining share price is not a sign of floundering. I guess I've just learnt something new today.
quote: Share prices can rise and fall, and indeed do, for reasons that have no relationship to the business prospects of the business concerned.
quote: For example many companies lost a lot of share value when the markets crashed in 2008, almost none of which had anything to do with actual business prospects of the businesses concerned.
quote: Why has the share price declined? That is hard to say, using any usual objective calculation method employed to assess a companies worth Apple is woefully undervalued.
quote: Honestly, I only come here because I check Anand. I strongly wish Anand would repurpose the links, even for another - better - tech news site.
quote: It's odd to go from Anand's very in-depth articles to these seemingly arguement-inducing articles where commenters become mortally offended by tech-enthusiasts engaging in any sort of intellectual discussion that strays from what the few trolls demand must be true when often its just cheerleading.
quote: I like tech for tech. Microsoft doesn't get an auto-greenlight from me nor does Google Apple or anyone else. I have a preference based on my experience and your mileage may vary. So what.
quote: Especially now that anandtech has it's "pipeline" articles handling all the technical stuff.
quote: To be truthfull, if anandtech took off the news ticker to DT at the side i'd stop coming here after a short while.
quote: Pretty much. I go into some video card or case thread, dead zone. You figure people would love to talk about some cool PC parts but nope, hardly anything at all.
quote: You go into a troll Apple, environment, or car thread and its all the same chuckleheads.
quote: Well honestly, when is the last time a new video card or case actually interested you? I think the last big "WoW" in video cards was, what, the 9700 Pro? I mean something that wasn't just an iteration of last week's thing, with a bit more FPS or throughput.We're jaded, completely.
quote: *Sniff* hmmm.. *sniff* yup, picking up a strong scent of butthurt here.
quote: Because DailyTech makes money on all the anti-Apple people who come into the topics to mock the company, post drab and tired invective, and argue with Tony and "talkinyourpoints".
quote: You read the writing on the wall?


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Senior Adam Pegg was recognized for his accomplishments on and off the court on Thursday afternoon. He was named to the Capital One Academic All-District 4 Team, as announced by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).
Pegg leads the Stetson men's basketball team with 16.0 points and 6.0 rebounds per game this season. The center has scored in double figures in 15 straight games, and 18 of 19 overall in 2012-13. Pegg has recorded three double-doubles as a senior, including each of the past two contests.
An integrative health science major, Pegg has a cumulative GPA of 3.39. In order to qualify for the honors, all student-athletes must have at least a 3.30 GPA. Pegg will now be put on the ballot for Academic All-America, along with all of the other All-District honorees.


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Dave Campbell: SQL Server Data Services and the Future of Data in the Cloud
- Posted: Mar 06, 2008 at 11:56AM
- 6 comments
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With flexible SQL Server synchronization interfaces, storage location and scale matters might be resolved by database administration and deployment scenarios. Today's system analysts should hope for administrative import/ restore and export/ backup of data independently from scale of storage services. Valued business system has total product solution of secure and procedural storage management beside Windows system interfaces.
How could Microsoft cloud services replace today's data transfer solution along virtual business on Internet? Is only unique pricing value of SDSS?
Comments have been closed since this content was published more than 30 days ago, but if you'd like to continue the conversation, please create a new thread in our Forums, or Contact Us and let us know.


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"Thank you for your great witness and ministry to Christ and His Church. I have enjoyed listening to Catholic Answers Live and your apologists for a number of years now. It has been very formative and inspirational in my journey towards becoming a well versed and devoted servant of Christ and His people on earth via His Church."
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"The civil authority has been, ever from the days of Herod, the enemy of Christ. The question, now pending, is whether the Church shall admit to ministry those only who, according to the dictation of the civil power, are fit for the office."


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Online Lindy Hop Dance Lesson Video: 6-count To 8-count Transitions
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This lesson drills you with a series of moves focusing on transitions between 6-count and 8-count . Breakdown includes crucial body-positioning detail, advice about putting this movement in context, fascinating tips on how follows and leaders can both influence the end of a move which affects the transition to the next move, important suggestions for setting up this movement properly, plus an explanation of when to rockstep and when to bring the follow forward at the beginning of a move in order to create the best possible sense of flow.
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Evita Arce New York, NY, United States
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Instructor Bio
Evita Arce is a Swing dance phemon, known internationally for her endless energy, inspiring performances, and elegant, feminine movement. Whether on stage or leading a class, her vibrant persona inspires on-lookers to dance and live in the moment. She has taught all over the world at Lindy Hop events spanning the US to the UK, Japan to Australia, Canada to Europe.
As a teacher, Evita's patience and bright, friendly classroom manor belies the extraordinary depth of her technical knowledge. She is adament about understanding anatomy and efficiancy of movement. Her open, enthusiastic connection with people lends to her entertaining communication in the classroom. Evita has had the great privileged of partnering several amazing teachers including, Michael Jagger, Nathan Bugh, Joel Plys, Manu Smith, Steven Mitchell, and Ryan Francois!
As a performer, Evita has appeared on television, and on major stages in three different continents. Evita danced the feature Lindy Hop role in multiple tours of the Broadway musical "SWING!". At the landmark "Frankie 95" memorial, Evita was among the hand full of performers to appear before 2,000 Swing dancers from around the globe.
Evita is a member of Ryan's company, Swing Xtreme. With the company, she has performed at The Edinburgh Jazz Festival and the prestigious Lyric Theatre in London's West End. Evita is also a member of The Killer Dillers who won the team division at ILHC and are quickly appearing all over the world for their array of authentic jazz dances.
Evita has choreographed and danced for Wynton Marsalis and The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra at The Kennedy Center in DC, celebrating MLK and President Obama's inauguration. Evita choreographed "Sleigh Bells Swing," a 2 week show in Time Square with George Gee's Orchestra at the Edison Ballroom. Evita is exceptionally proud of her recent success directing the 2009 New Years Eve show, The Red Hot Rythnm Review, at Lindy Focus.
Commercials and television appearances have popped up frequently since Evita, with partner Michael Jagger, advanced to finals in season three of FOX's "So You Think You Can Dance"--the only Lindy Hop couple to do so.
Nathan Bugh New York, NY, United States
Nathan Bugh Demo Video
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Instructor BioNathan Bugh is known by his students as an insightful and thorough communicator. Nathan has been teaching dance professionally since 2002 and has taught at a wide variety of camps and venues, such as Swing Out New Hampshire, Providence Swings, the Rudolstadt Festival of Germany, Dance Flurry, The Fieldston School, and The Juilliard School. He has been a guest of several artist-in-residence programs and teaches weekly classes at Dance Manhattan, Columbia University Swing Club, Swing 46, and the Vanaver Caravan Institute.
Nathan performed with the Vanaver Caravan at the Rudolstadt Festival and in a televised concert in the Redlands, California. He danced Lindy Hop in Noemi LaFrance's site-specific odyssey, Agora II. He frequently performs for New York City organizations and has appeared in many of New York's exciting public venues, like Pier 54, The NYC Dance Parade, Lincoln Center, and Spiegelworld.
Nathan also holds 1st-3rd place awards in multiple Lindy Hop, Charleston, and Cabaret competitions. He began his Lindy Hop training in 1998 with Tina Morales and Carnell Pipkin, and studied Tap with Robert L. Reed. Nathan holds a bachelor's degree in music from Oklahoma City University and a master's degree from The Juilliard School. His extensive music training allows him to count ANYTHING.


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CUERNAVACA, Mexico, 15 April - Geothermal energy can help develop innovative productive activities in the rural areas of East Africa, said participants at an international seminar that ended in Cuernavaca today.
The five-day event, attended by representatives of the East African Rift Valley Region, was organized by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the Mexican Energy (SENER) and Foreign Ministries, the country's Electricity Research Institute, and the Federal Electricity Commission.
Participants examined Mexico's experience in geothermal energy development and use, and discussed Africa's needs and interests in the field. The event also marked the start of a trilateral cooperation programme between UNIDO, Mexico and East Africa on geothermal energy for productive use.
Noting UNDIO's support, Aldo Flores, SENER's Director-General for International Affairs, said: "The collaboration in the field of geothermal energy between East African countries, UNIDO and the Mexican institutions is a welcome beginning which, I am confident, will prove to be a useful mechanism".
Participants at the seminar agreed for the need to introduce an intra-regional programme that would focus, among other things, on human resource development, regulatory support, technical assistance on country level, and on clean energy access.
UNIDO has been actively promoting a South-South cooperation programme for African countries. To date, some 20 African countries have examined and benefited from the experience of Latin American and the Carribean countries in the field of bio-fuels, palm oil, and geothermal energy.
For more information, please contact:
Victor Hinojosa Barragan
UNIDO Head of the Latin America and the Caribbean Programme


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If Ahmad Rejal is trying to be constructive, he should not use any race label indiscriminately. He claimed that there are citizens who can't speak or understand the Malay language. The national secondary school system which adopted the Malay language as the sole medium of instruction was implemented in 1974. It is granted that those who finished their secondary school prior to 1974 may not be conversant in the Malay language.
A friend e-mailed me your half cock shoot from the hip comment about what I
Please read the whole article properly and not just bit and pieces of
it. And don't be crude about it. We can discuss this gentlemanly without
bringing in unrelated things.
So what was the crux of what I wrote?
I questioned why is it that even after 53 years of independence there
are still citizens of this country who can't understand and speak the national language, the language of this country?
I am not questioning the whole of the Chinese who are citizens of this country. Only those who still can't understand or converse in the language of the country which they call home.
Is that being an extremist?
I also questioned the propensity of some housing developers and products being advertised through flyers sent to homes including Malays homes and especially in Shah Alam where I reside and where the majority are Malays, only in English and Mandarin. What happened to Bahasa? Why such disrespect? Aren't these companies operating in Malaysia where the language of the country is Bahasa? Is that asking too much?
So don't cloud it with fact that Hokkien having some Malay words. So what about it? I am not questioning Hokkien but only question why can't the language of the
country be given the proper respect it deserves.
And don't go about the Malays not knowing Mandarin either. Is Mandarin the National language of this country?
It is good for the Malays to also learn Mandarin but even if the majority of them do so, BM is still the language of this country and should be accorded the respect it deserves where every citizens can understand and be able to converse in the language. Is that too much to ask?
Can we go to France, Germany, Japan or Korea and not see the languages of those countries not used at all - not even a word - in the menus of their restaurants.
But this is going on in this country. Go the White House coffee in section 13 Shah Alam and look up its menu. Its only in English and Mandarin. Why this disrespect for BM. Yet most of the clientele of the shop are Malays.
These people have scant respect for the language of their own country. If you are loyal to this country then you should also be loyal to the language of the country.
I am not questioning those who know the language and are able to use it and
understand it. But knowing alone is also not enough, but you must also be proud
to use it.
And don't cloud it with encouragement being made to learn English. Yes we should learn and be proficient in English. But does it mean that we don't need to use BM or know and be able to speak it.
That is all what I wrote about my friend. Is that being extreme? And what has that got to do with Umno?
And try not to be insulting. It doesn't show good breeding.
rejal arbee
Today, it is not possible for any Malaysian who has completed his/her six years of primary education, in both national or vernacular school, not to be able to understand or converse in the Malay language.
However, many of them (especially those above the age of 50) are able to converse and communicate in the language through socialisation with other Malays. In fact, it is not uncommon to find Malays being able to speak in Chinese dialects as a result of socialisation with their Chinese friends.
I would like to urge Ahmad to provide me with statistics of non-Malay citizens who are not able to speak or understand the language. I dare say that they belonged to the minority. If Ahmad hopes to see more people using the Malay language, he should sound more constructive and encouraging.
If Ahmad is trying to pick an issue with non-Malays not using the Malay language when socializing among themselves or with their family members, then I would say that he is just being discriminatory. Using one's own mother tongue when conversing with family members and friends of the same ethnic origin does not mean that he/she is unpatriotic or disloyal to the nation.
Is it trendy for editors or columnists of Malay mainstream newspapers to use the non-Malays especially the Chinese as punching bags? Is Ahmad hoping to make an editorial comeback with his unwarranted and unfair criticism of non-Malays or Chinese?
If Ahmad is not pleased with some property developers, retailers or restaurants not using the Malay language, he should just limit his criticism to these companies or persons. By using the race label, he not only being racist but also an opportunist.
I pray that he does not turn into a race extremist. I hope his statement is made out of ignorance and a lack of understanding of non-Malay Malaysians.


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Seth MacFarlane and the animators of Family Guy are poking some fun at the royal family, this time with a good-natured parody of the christening picture.
Instead of the adorable Prince George, we find troublemaking Stewie in Princess Kate's lap, with a grin on his face that suggests he's up to no good.
The Queen looks noticeably concerned (as she should be!) with Brian checking out one of her famous Corgis over a pint of beer.
The portrait corresponds with the season 12 episode "Chap of the Manor," which is a satire on all things British.
Can't get enough about the royal baby? Be among the first to know the news! Sign up below for our daily newsletter to find out about the new addition and other special offers – so you'll be the first to know everything about Prince George and how the new mom and dad are adjusting to parenting.


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05 December 2005
IVD 2005 Arts and Music Festival
Theme for UYFI/IVD2005: " A Collective Volunteer Pledge for Needy Children", by United Youth Front International, to mark the United Nations International volunteer day on December 5, 2005 in Nigeria.
The UYFI/IVD2005 Festival, offers an excellent opportunity for many young musicians who are looking to make a difference on a local, state, national and global scales; to showcase their talents to potential sponsors and establish themselves.
The festival, seen by many as the largest co-ordinated effort to help combat child abuse, neglect and trafficking, wishes to demonstrate that musicians and artists should be a part of any collective affort aimed at community based child abuse intervention and prevention activities in Nigeria.
Organizer: United Youth Front International
Venue: Millennium Park, Abuja
Costs: US$100/other fationalities N1000/Nigerians


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Source: Eurekalert
quote: As for Biofuels, I find it very disturbing that nobody addresses the problem that our fresh water supplies are already maxed out. There is no fresh water to supply the enormous requirements that growing biofuels on a significant scale would require. Nor is soil erosion losses addressed. To achieve economical yields per acre requires intensive tilling and soil loss rates at 1 inch per 10-20 years. Topsoil replacement rates are around 1 inch in 500 years. It's sacrificing our future farm land for fuel, it's not sustainable. If you go with covered aquaculture your infrastructure costs go up and you might as well go with solar panels. The only viable biofuels growth areas seem to be the oceans.
quote: Being cyclical is not enough.


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Just as with PQM and PQS, PQD is credited to the account of the member who travels, not the member who purchases the ticket.
Existing MileagePlus Presidential Plus Credit Card members can use the card to accelerate their progress towards Premier status. Cardmembers can convert their Flexible Premier qualifying miles (Flex PQM) into Premier qualifying miles that count towards Premier status. Please note that Flex PQM may only be used toward qualification for levels through Premium Platinum. Flex PQM may not be combined with Premier qualifying miles (PQM) to earn additional Premier Upgrades or to obtain Premier 1K status. You must earn 100,000 PQM exclusive of Flex PQM in order to qualify for Premier 1K status.
United Airlines reserves the right to exclude certain flights, fares, tickets, routes, products and/or programs from earning MileagePlus award miles and/or Premier qualifying credits.
*The MileagePlus Presidential Plus Credit Card is no longer available to new applicants.
The accrual of miles and Premier® qualifying credits, redemption of awards and provision of benefits through the United MileagePlus program, including the Premier Program, are subject to change and are subject to the rules of the MileagePlus program.
See the complete rules and details of the MileagePlus program