text:
Did the president commit an impeachable offense?
It is asinine to compare the impeachment trial of Renato Corona to a case pending before a court of law.
An impeachment is a political process exclusive to the legislative branch of government while a court trial is a judicial process exclusive to the judicial branch of government.
Second, guilt beyond reasonable doubt is the bar in a court of law, while Aye and Nay votes that may or may not have anything to do with the guilt of the accused and do not even require an explanation from the senator/judges determine the outcome of an impeachment.
Third, the penalty for conviction in an impeachment trial is removal from office. There is no imprisonment or fines that go with it whereas conviction in a court of law can carry a sentence of imprisonment plus fines.
Fourth, what is absolutely forbidden is to try to influence a proceeding in a court of law. It is a crime. But it is okay for anybody from the president on down to try to influence the outcome of an impeachment because it is a political process and the entire body politic has a stake in its outcome.
And so those who say that Pres Aquino committed an impeachable offense because he tried to sway senator/judges into voting to convict Corona are confusing a political process with a judicial proceeding, it is akin to mistaking a hole in the ground for one's ass.
Father's lament
Sen Bong Revilla's futile attempt to clear his name
Sen Bong Revilla delivered an hour-long privilege speech at the Senate claiming politics was behind the plunder charges filed against him in connection with the PDAF scam. After listening to his protestations of innocence, he convinced me that he is guilty.
In fairness to Makati Mayor Junjun Binay
"The guards volunteered to go with the police. The video bears this out," said Joey Salgado, Binay's spokesman and chief information officer.
Mayor Binay passed through the Banyan Gate because he wanted to personally invite the gate guards to a Christmas party at Makati City Hall.
0:45 seconds, you see the mayor alighting from his tinted SUV to invite the guards.
1:39 The security guards do not recognize the mayor so some of the mayor's bodyguards try to convince the guards that the man talking to them is who he claims he is.
1:55 One of the mayor's bodyguards goes to the SUV and gets the party invitations for the guards. He tucks one invitation in his waistband.
2:44 Two Dasmariñas Village security guards arrive in motorbikes asking if they can come to the Christmas party too.
3:05 The mayor's bodyguards tell them to wait for the mayor to invite them. "Kortesiya lang po kay mayor, hintayin ninyo ang imbitasyon niya," they said
3:35 The mayor approaches the late arrivals and apologizes for not inviting them to the Christmas party. He promises to invite them to the New Year's party instead.
3:55 Sen. Nanct Binay gets impatient. "Junjun, kung ayaw nila sumama sa party, let's go na lang, we're late."
4:20 Makati cops arrive to give the invited security guards a ride to the party.
Let's be fair to the Binays. Stop the hate.
Gold fever
Is Gold Worth the High Costs?
By Robin Broad and John Cavanagh
"An engine of growth & prosperity," announces the OceanaGold sign that greets us in Didipio, Nueva Vizcaya. We've come a long and windy twelve-hour drive up the Maharlika highway, through seven provinces from Metro Manila into the clouds of the Sierra Madre. We stand at the base of what remains of a hill that the Australian mining executives call Dinkidi, Australian slang for "the real thing." Just years ago, this was a green hill dotted with trees and farmers' modest homes.
Today, with the homes demolished and successive layers of land blasted away by high powered explosives, it is a giant pile of rocks, with the valuable gold and copper – "the real thing" — being extracted for the profits of a firm headquartered far away in Australia.
We sit with Didipio community members of the Didipio Earth-Savers Multipurpose Association Inc. (DESAMA), with a bird's eye view of the plundered site that's just outside the window.
To the public and executives of OceanaGold, we invite you into the room.
Listen to the weary and distraught mother as she tells us that her family lives so close to the enormous conveyor belt that carries rock to be crushed that she and her four school-age children cannot study or sleep. They hear the loud droning noise 24 hours a day. When the mining company blasts rock, it feels like an earthquake. But it is her house and her land, and what is she to do?
Listen to the cracking voice of Lorenzo Polido, a farmer who moved from Ifugao to this fertile land decades ago, as he recounts the demolitions of homes several years ago. He tells us of a neighbor who suffered a heart attack watching his home demolished to make way for the mine. During the demolitions, many in the community set up barricades to try to stop OceanaGold. Allies from the national Alyansa Tigil Mina (the Network Against Mining), the Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement, and other groups lent support.
Carmen Ananayo, her voice breaking and eyes tearing, talks about the 2012 murder of her daughter, herself the mother of two very young children, along with another DESAMA member. No one suggests that the mining company shot the two, but OceanaGold's presence has brought conflict and death to this previously peaceful municipality
As to the economic benefits from the gold mine, Carmen tells us that many of the mine's workers – often hired as irregulars to avoid minimum wage and benefits — earn a meager P248 for a long 12-hour shift, less than P21 an hour (US$.50 an hour). It would take these workers many lifetimes to approach the US$ 1.3 million compensation package of OceanaGold CEO Michael Wilkes in 2012.
Moreover, any economic benefits from this mine's projected 16-year-life will be more than outweighed by the environmental devastation. We hear of "dirty water" downstream from the mine and of dead fish washing up on the shore. What is the cause? What is in the four massive vats that can be seen amidst the mine's machinery beside the piles of rocks? Is OceanaGold, like other global mining firms, using cyanide to separate the gold and copper from the surrounding rock? Are there sulfides in the rock now exposed by the mining — sulfides that are transformed into sulfuric acid every time it rains, creating "acid rock drainage" of toxins — as there are at roughly half the mine sites around the world? And why don't the affected people in this area have access to this information?
Another farmer, hesitant to speak up until now, pipes in: "It pains us to see this destruction. We have nowhere to go. What pains us even more is that our children are witnessing this destruction."
It may be hard for mining proponents to believe, but these farmers tell us that their dream is simply to end the mining, to have their community and clean rivers back, to be able to farm in peace and to build a better tomorrow for their children. They are proud to be the producers in Luzon's "fruit and vegetable bowl" of Nueva Vizcaya, and they want to keep it that way.
For the mining executives, the bottom-line seems to be the yearly 100,000 ounces of gold that OceanaGold projects to extract from this once-verdant mountainside, most of which will be shipped overseas. Left behind will be but pennies on each dollar extracted, a trivial sum that does not nearly compensate for the social, environmental, or economic chaos.
Back in Manila, Philippine Human Rights Commissioner Loretta Ann Rosales tells us of the motion that the Commission filed against OceanaGold in 2011.
Citing the forcible and illegal demolitions, the harassment of residents by the police, and the indigenous community's right to culture, the Commission recommended the revocation of the mining license of OceanaGold. Rosales is discussing with her counterparts from other countries a stronger framework to protect the rights of people and their environment from the plunder of mining firms.
OceanaGold is but one of dozens of mining companies now in the Philippines that have celebrated the skyrocketing gold, copper and other mineral prices since 2000. Collectively, these companies are blasting up and down the Philippine archipelago, and opening mines all over the world. In the Philippines as in other countries, a broad set of groups – beginning with the affected communities like those at Didipio — has come together to protect land, water, and life in the face of this mining onslaught and they have proposed an alternative mining bill that would protect these basic rights. These groups, like the people of Didipio, deserve a broad hearing.
Robin Broad is a Professor at American University and John Cavanagh is director of the Washington-based Institute for Policy Studies. They are co-authors of Development Redefined: How the Market Met its Match.
Not all pork is bad?
Not all pork is bad?
by Mario M. Galang
I hope I got it wrong – I mean my reading of the Supreme Court ponencia declaring the Priority Development Assistance Fund as unconstitutional. But, is the Court saying that not all pork is necessarily bad, even if it says PDAF is truly bad?
By implication, yes; and that much is implied when the Court defined its key terms. (Without even intending to, the definition has also put an end to the "confusion of meanings" that attended the pork debate. No more are we in pork Babel.)
"Pork barrel" is not defined explicitly, but "pork barrel system" is, and in so doing the Court hints strongly at what it means by "pork barrel."
"Pork barrel system" is "the collective body of rules and practices that govern the manner by which lump-sum, discretionary funds, primarily intended for local projects, are utilized through the respective participations of the Legislative and Executive branches of government, including its members."
I've taken note of the reference to "funds" that are: 1) lump-sum discretionary; 2) primarily intended for local projects; and 3) used through the participation of the Legislature or the Executive, including their members. All these three features combined describe or define our controversial "pork".
This pork variety is proudly Pinoy, not so unlike our adobo. It bears the marks of "local concept and legal history," as the ponencia acknowledges. Unique unto its own, it distinguishes itself from the universally understood lexical "pork barrel" that such authority as the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) accords entry, as: "The state's financial resources regarded as a source of distribution to meet regional expenditure; the provision of funds (in U.S., Federal funds) for a particular area achieved through political representation or influence."
OED's pork shares with pork barrel adobo at least one common feature: the use of funds for local or areal projects. Otherwise, OED's pork hardly cares if the central funds are lump-sum or used by whoever in congress or the executive branch. In that sense, the adobo variety is restrictive and covers a narrower scope.
Definitions are only as good as the function they do in your scheme of things. Since the Court wants to establish the constitutionality of PDAF, "pork barrel" defined at this level lacks the precision to serve the purpose.
Hence, the term "congressional pork barrel" – "defined as a kind of lump-sum, discretionary fund wherein legislators, either individually or collectively organized into committees, are able to effectively control certain aspects of the fund's utilization through various post-enactment measures and/or practices."
Note that the use of fund is further qualified with "through various post-enactment measures and/or practices." The operative word is "post-enactment"- meaning, after the budget bill is enacted into law, or the stage at which the president executes the budget.
The description has now taken the unmistakable shape of PDAF. Defined as such, congressional pork barrel is intrinsically illegal, as if it was born with unconstitutional genes. Now, here's the catch.
Any salient point missing disqualifies an item for the "congressional pork barrel" label. PDAF qualifies, not because it is lump-sum per se; but, as Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno pointed out, its "infirmity is brought about by the confluence of (1) sums dedicated to multiple purposes; (2) requiring post-enactment measures; (3) participated in, not by the Congress, but by its individual Members."
Point 1 is precisely the lump-sum nature of the fund. The "post-enactment measures" cited in Point 2 are those that require, say, the agency implementing a PDAF-funded project to submit to Congress a priority list of beneficiaries 90 days from effectivity of the budget law – thus allowing Congress to join in the execution of the budget, in violation of the principle of separation of powers as the Constitution provides. For Point 3, one example is when individual lawmakers identify projects under PDAF, which become binding to the implementing agency.
The flipside of precision is exception or exclusion. Limiting modifiers in a definition may tend to stretch the list of exemptions. A few pages into the ponencia, the Court writes: "In a more technical sense, "Pork Barrel" refers to an appropriation of government spending meant for localized projects and secured solely or primarily to bring money to a representative's district." This pork looks more like OED's pork as cited above. By definition, it "fails" the Court's congressional pork barrel test – is it legal?
The Court defined PDAF into extinction. It was swift and easy and just. What is there to replace it? Trust our lawmakers to come out with innovations of their own. With the Court's doctrinal definitions, the bounds of constitutionality are now clearer. They would know from this experience what to heed, and not among these is greed.
Galang is a fellow of Action for Economic Reforms.
My colleague Manuel Buencamino calls it the biggest reconstruction project in the Philippines after World War II. President Noy Aquino (PNoy) calls it a "comprehensive rehabilitation program."
Typhoon Yolanda has brought incalculable, terrible costs. Two weeks after the most powerful storm in more than a century ripped central Philippines, more than 5200 people have died, more than a thousand are still missing, and scores of thousands are recuperating from physical injury and emotional trauma.
The calculation of economic losses brought about by Typhoon Yolanda's devastation varies widely. The International Business Times (UK edition) provides some information on the economic impact:
CEDIM Forensic Disaster, based in Germany estimates that losses will range between US$8 billion and US$19 billion.
Another group, Kinetic Analysis Corp. places the economic costs at between US12 billion and US15 billion.
Economic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan estimates that the reconstruction costs can reach US$5.8 billion.
In short, the amount for rehabilitation is staggering. But as I will explain later, the resources can be mobilized without necessarily overburdening the economy. The important point is this: The rehabilitation program is an opportunity to lay the foundation for post-Yolanda all-round, sustainable development.
In this context of recovering from the devastation brought about by the super typhoon, we can apply loosely (even literally!) Joseph Schumpeter's "gale of creative destruction." Yolanda destroyed the old, and it is up to us as a people, not only the policymakers, to create a new one. We hope that what we rebuild, to quote Schumpeter again, will "revolutionize the economic structure" and bring in "the new methods of production or transportation, the new markets, the new forms of industrial organization."
The PNoy administration has created a "task group" for the comprehensive rehabilitation program, composed of Cabinet members and coordinated by Energy Secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla. The priority programs consist of shelter and reconstruction, power restoration, livelihood and employment, resettlement and psychosocial care, environmental protection, and resource generation and allocation. In the same vein, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) is tasked to prepare a unified plan, which will integrate the rehabilitation programs and projects of different agencies.
From the description above, we can observe that the "task group" is basically made up of the whole Cabinet. That is, the Aquino administration for the remainder of its term will focus its energy and attention on the post-disaster program.
The administration has correctly identified the core programs. Of course. they are general categories that are part of any template on recovery and rehabilitation. And any program cannot offer sure-fire solutions,
Allow me, nonetheless, to identify and emphasize some areas, which are essential for the success of the rehabilitation plan.
First, the plan is an opportunity not only to rehabilitate and rebuild the provinces that were hard hit by Typhoon Yolanda. The reconstruction plan must be a national one. To repeat, now is the moment to "revolutionize the economic structure."
In addition, tens of thousands of victims have left their homes and have become internal refugees, evacuating to urban centers to start life all over again. This suggests that the scope of the plan cannot be limited to the damaged areas.
In another area, the restoration of power is not a quick fix. The power shortage extends to many parts of the archipelago. Further, we cannot discount a national energy crisis in the medium term. This entails hard decisions that will address the market failure in the energy sector.
Second, jobs have to be created. In the near term, giving cash to victims to do relief and rehabilitation work is a good step. The massive infrastructure rebuilding will also result in creating jobs, skilled and unskilled. But why stop there? After all, the administration is committed to inclusive growth, in which the creation of quality jobs is the cornerstone.
Third, employment generation—creating jobs of higher productivity and expanding the number of wage-workers—is linked to industrial and technology policy. The government through the Department of Trade and Industry has a program on expanding and diversifying manufacturing through new forms of industrial policy. This program, however, remains low key. It is high time we placed prominently on the national agenda industrial and technology policy, which is tied to job creation. In this regard, we welcome the technical assistance of multilateral organizations and donor countries,especially those in East Asia, towards doing industrial policy right.
Fourth, industrial and technology policy has new substance and forms. It is not just about picking winners; it is also about putting in place the disciplining mechanisms to prevent abuse of discretion. It is also about collaboration between government and the private sector to jointly diagnose problems, coordinate actions, and discover new ways of doing things.
Moreover, industrial and technology policy must adapt to an unfortunate reality in the Philippines—that we will continue facing horrible natural disasters. In this sense, developing local green technology to address disaster reduction and management and climate change can be the lynchpin of such policy. The advantages of indigenous green technology include its labor intensiveness and its dynamic comparative advantage (given that the technology is relatively new, even to advanced countries).
Last but not least, the rehabilitation plan will obviously entail huge resources. This can strain the government's fiscal capacity, but this problem is not a binding one. The Department of Finance and the Bureau of Internal Revenue have performed well in steadily increasing the tax effort. The combination of Kim Henares's tax administration reforms and the passage of the sin tax reforms symbolizes confidence in government's revenue performance.
To be sure, more revenue measures have to be put in place, all the more made pronounced by the expenditure demand for rehabilitation. It is thus an imperative for Congress to pass the bill on reforming mineral taxation and another bill on rationalizing fiscal incentives. On top of this, depending on PNoy's political capital, he may ask Congress to reform the specific tax on petroleum, which has been eroded through the years because of non-aadjustment to inflation.
Notwithstanding the increase in tax effort and the proposed tax reforms, government cannot avoid borrowing to finance the rehabilitation program. A word of caution though: It is better to borrow domestically than externally. A heavy inflow of foreign loans leads to a currency appreciation, which in turn weakens the real sector and thereby undermines the goal of inclusive growth.
We have heard it many times, but it has been recently articulated by Kim Henares, that slow development in the Philippines is attributed to our weak sense of nationhood. Typhoon Yolanda has moved the Filipinos, rich and poor, to act as one. Let us seize this moment to sustain national action. Let us turn disasters like Yolanda into a "gale of creative destruction."
What ought to be
What ought to be
Filomeno S. Sta. Ana III
Some of us are dismayed over the behavior of blaming and bitching government for the slow, disorganized, or powerless response to the Typhoon Yolanda devastation.
Here's a sample of Facebook comments that I liked:
• Please, if you are not doing anything to help, just shut up. We are all hurting, especially those in the affected areas. Let us unite in helping in any way we can. Criticizing, spreading false stories, predicting failure and all that negative stuff have got to stop.
• I hope all those know-it-all critics of the typhoon relief efforts sit down together and produce a magic master plan for the survivors. I've been waiting days for them to stop bitching and to come up with an alternative to what the government is doing.
• The damage from Yolanda is incalculable. The worst is psychical. The aftermath has made bitching a national pastime.
Don't get me or us wrong.
First, everyone is not faultless. Even PNoy. Recall that he criticized the local government of Tacloban, expressing doubts over its preparedness. In times of great distress and disaster, emotional outbursts are difficult to control. In fact, they are better released.
Second, criticisms are necessary. Government is not omniscient. Criticisms make government awake and responsive.
But the type of criticism we have to avoid is one that weakens the collective effort to provide relief and rehabilitation to the suffering millions.
Some criticisms or complaints stem from the thinking of what ought to be. Government must or should do this or do that. Dapat ganito, dapat ganyan.
What ought to be is the best situation; it is the ideal. But the ideal is not the real world. We face too many constraints to achieve our objectives. Apply this to the response to the devastation caused by Typhoon Yolanda: The information and logistics failure overwhelm the people on the ground. Without information, infrastructure, and logistics, we can expect chaos.
Thus, attributing the absence of government's presence as a cause of the worsening situation is misplaced. Government's invisibility in some areas is but the effect of an objective problem—information and infrastructure facilities having been knocked off, leading to inefficiency and miscoordination.
It is also true that in remote areas, government cannot be found. But this has been the case since time immemorial. It is thus a constraint in the context of the ongoing relief and rehabilitation.
Another example of the "what-ought-to-be syndrome" is the tendency of some, particularly the foreign commentators, to compare the Philippines' poor response to that of advanced countries like Japan. In other words, we ought to be doing what Japan is doing. Again, that is the ideal, but far from real. How can we become a Japan that soon?
This reminds me of the weakness of the most incisive analysis of Douglass North on the role of institutions, which earned him the Nobel laureate. North and his colleagues distinguish between countries (developing ones) that have limit access orders—characterized by corruption, rent-seeking and oligarchic rule—and countries (the advanced market economies) that have open access orders. So what ought to be for developing countries is to achieve open access orders. But North et al. so far cannot provide the concrete answers how to get there.
When next time, we say government must do this and must do that, we better exercise prudence and caution. Let us be sensitive to the constraints. Let us also acknowledge our own constraint that we ourselves do not have enough information that will be the basis of the most appropriate response.
But below is one example where our commentary can be most helpful to the relief and rehabilitation effort. Note that the writer EJ Galang, a young, internationally awarded creative professional, avoids saying we must do this or must do that.
To my friends in government, I know it's a tall order, but can we expect a transparency report, an accounting of the donations that are meant for relief. I know it's a hard task but this recent expose made the people lose its confidence on how the government keeps track of the people's money. It will do the government good if you can restore a little bit of that trust.
The final solution
"It is tempting, if the only tool you have is a hammer, to treat everything as if it were a nail." – Abraham Maslow
Mama gave her 12 year old child a laptop because he needs it for school. One day she catches him watching porn. She freaks. So she installs all sorts of parental controls in the laptop. But the kid is a horny techie and breaks through mama's walls easily.
Mama catches the kid again. This time she is super freaked and takes the laptop away.
"Absolutely no more internet for you until you are 18," she says.
"But I need it for school, mama."
"Not anymore," she replies, "I'm moving you to another high school where they don't use the internet."
"You're moving me to Flintstones High?"
"Yes, because as far as I'm concerned that's the only way to keep you away from porn," she said with finality.
Later that evening mama is watching the news and she learns about Janet Napoles. She is aghast.
"My God! Those crooks should be jailed!"
Cynical papa who is sitting beside her on the couch replies,
"Honey, you can jail those crooks but others will just take their place."
"But we cannot tolerate corruption. We have to do something," she protests.
Papa replies, "You could ask the government to put in stricter controls."
"Good idea," she says.
She gathered her friends the following day.
"I'm sure you saw the news. You must be as outraged as I am by the Napoles scam," she said.
"Yes, how awful," they replied. "We have to do something about it. We can't have our children growing up in that kind of world."
Someone stood up and said, "Let's make our voices heard. Let's march. Let's call for plugging the leaks and jailing the crooks." And they all began to chant, "Plug the leaks, plug the leaks, jail the crooks, jail the crooks."
The problems of the world were solved and they all went home happy. Over dinner, mama told papa about the meeting.
"But you've been overtaken by events," he said
"What do you mean?" she asked.
"The administration announced it is adding stricter controls," he told her.
"That's great news!" she exclaimed.
He replied, "I hate to be the one to tell you this but I'm pretty sure crooks will still find a way to get their hands on the money."
Mama was appalled. She called another meeting to tell her friends the ugly reality she learned from papa.
"It seems that we can't eliminate stealing just like that," she told them.
"What do we do now?" they asked each other.
"We need to learn more about the issue," one observed.
"Let's invite experts to explain it to us," another proposed.
And so experts were invited to a series of merienda lectures. Scholars from academe, political analysts, economists, lawyers, politicians, clerics, business and civil society leaders, communists, columnists, and anybody who had an opinion on anything showed up. And they lectured. And they ate. Between bites, one said this, the other said that, and on and on and on. There were so many opinions expressed and so many nuances pointed out that no one came out any wiser, only fatter from gorging on too many meriendas.
Halfway through the merienda lecture series, mama told her group, "No more lectures! I have a simple solution. Let's just take away the money!"
"That's right!" the group replied. And they began to chant,
"Take away the money! Take away the money!"
At long last the final solution to the problem of corruption was found. Take away the money. Everyone would be going home happy and self-satisfied. And then it happened.
There is always, in any gathering, someone who has to say the most uncomfortable thing at the worst possible time. She said, "Take away the money, take away the laptop. That's how we solve problems?"
Scrapping pork
Scrapping pork
By Mario M. Galang
The second Million People March held last October 4, 2013 at Ayala Avenue had all the looks of rage reined in. The scrap-pork marchers have far little to show by way of numbers, but there is some to offer in terms of reason. The riftt among them was real, but restrained – for how long, that is the question.
It started as an overwhelmingly spontaneous action on August 26 at the Luneta, sparked by a 10 billion-peso scam involving a pork barrel item named Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF). The crowd was without a leader, individual or group, and it was largely unorganized. Ground rules governed the event, ensuring that no one ruled over anybody: imaginary cordons confined each organized group within its assigned area, and kept the organized from the unorganized; you could speak to a crowd but only in your group. You raised your own call, brought your own demands, showed your own placards—all about pork. Nobody could speak on behalf of the whole crowd.
Festive and playful but never flippant, it was an action of Filipinos flying into a rage. The arrow flew as the bow released its tension, but it was an arrow without a head.
The second, October 4 event saw the ground rules changed, lending it the features of a unified action, a political rally in the classic sense. Speaker after speaker took center stage in their turn addressing a common crowd. Its number would depend on your bias, but falling within the range of 3 to 10 thousand.
After more than a month since August 26 the pork busters have finally come around to agreeing on what they want – the arrow has seemed to find its head. Put forward during the rally was the #ScrapPork Network's "consolidated" set of eight demands.
Looking quickly at the list, four demands address the Congress (as taken up below); one addresses presumably the Ombudsman, "To have all cases against the lawmakers involved in the pork barrel scam filed no later than 5 pm on Dec 6, 2013;" another one the COA (Commission on Audit), "to release its audit of presidential funds under Aquino's term;" and one addresses civil society organizations, "to be involved in the budget process of local government units."
Let me take up selectively those demands that I feel are most problematic.
One of the four demands addressed to the Congress calls on the "Senate to remove all forms of pork barrel from the 2014 budget." "Pork barrel" as used here, may mean, in its narrow sense, the ex-PDAF item. But the #ScrapPork Network's definition covers a far broader meaning, as set out in its Unity Statement 2.0, like this: "We define pork barrel as all state funds subject to discretionary use and/or allocation by officials in all branches and in all levels of the government."
The definition singles out "discretionary" fund because it is assumed vulnerable to corruption, which is correct. But correcting for vulnerability does not instantly demand scrapping the fund altogether; clarifying accountability, transparency, or stricter monitoring may in fact do the job. (The demand for the Congress "to pass the People's Freedom of Information bill" is relevant here.)"Discretion" is given to allow for management flexibility. Which of the funds serve the purpose and which do not, will never be known by looking for all discretionary funds, labeling them "pork", and throwing them all into a pit.
Another demand asks the "legislative branch of government to create an independent commission to review all laws and orders creating lump-sums in the government budget for specific purposes, and check the efficiency of these allocations." Like discretionary fund, lump-sum fund is singled out because of vulnerability, but this demand avoids arbitrariness by merely calling for a "review" of all laws creating lump-sums. Its problem lies elsewhere. Both Houses of the Congress have respective permanent committees in charge of the annual budget, so what's the need for an "independent commission" to do the job? Besides, unless you need a law to create this commission (in which case, why?), the "legislative branch" is not the proper body to do it.
Presumably addressed also to the Congress is the demand to "realign the President's Social Fund and Special Purpose Funds to line agencies." Why zero in on these funds? I think for at least three reasons, each known by its key word: presidential, discretionary and lump-sum. If so, why waste time going through the motion that the two preceding demands are expected to set into? This demand suffers again from the indiscriminate habit of some budget experts to shovel all funds into one heap because these are lump-sums and under the discretion of the President, and call them "presidential pork". They confuse propaganda with policy.
Finally, calling on "the Aquino administration to open the bicameral budget deliberations to the public," is a good one but misplaced: "bicameral" is bicameral, not presidential.
The arrow head looks blunt.


text: If you rupture your achillies you will not be doing much for a year. I would let your legs heal. My gf had it from running, the answer she got from a doc, a chiro, and anyone else i asked in all fields was to pretty much let the tendonitis get better. The risk/reward is not on your calves side right now.

subset: commoncrawl


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I hate that shop bought jeans never fit so decided to make my own. These have front, back and a pencil pocket oh yes! I covered the buttins with the same fabric I lined the front pockets with.
I did a trial run using a built-by-wendy pattern and it was such a trauma it took me months to work myself up to do the real thing! It was worth the effort though. I worked out how to put in front pockets as the pattern LOOKs like it has them…but dosent, mine gape a bit but are VERY deep and functional : )
Mystery fabric that looks like denim, but feels more like polyester or something?
Pretty cotton to line pockets and cover buttons.
Oct 13, 2009, 06.08 PMby jen78200514
These are great! In the third pic the fabric even looks like pinstripe – love it!
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FGCU Men's Soccer Implements Elementary School Values Project
The program is divided into four segments: exercise, teamwork, sportsmanship and nutrition. The FGCU student-athletes run each of the four stations and spend time with groups of students discussing the importance of each topic and participating in activities that reinforce those topics. The program takes roughly an hour, and all participating students get to work with each station and get to know each of the FGCU players.
If you are interested in having the FGCU men's soccer team work with a group of youngsters, contact the men's soccer office at firstname.lastname@example.com.
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I looked at him with his short haircut and his particular stance. His iphone was trained on my face. Undercover someone was taking my picture. "Hello, police" I mouthed and when he looked at me, I knew it was true. That's not a good feeling.
I'm like most people. I want a calm, quiet life. I want to change things from the inside. I walk arm in arm with a friend. She's an attorney who does in fact, work on changing the world through normal channels and yet, here we are, marching in support. Some people take to the streets and not the sidewalks, the reprisals are swift and the tension mounts in seconds, in heartbeats.
We make our way around City Hall and we chant slogans saying "Another world is possible." I know it is. I know I want it to be. I know a voice of the people is growing. I don't think a lot about what I'd do or what I wouldn't. I just go with this tide and step and chant and keep away from those few who seem to be very, very angry. I am not angry. I am a believer in rights. I believe the public space belongs to me just as much as it does to Coca-Cola and Bloomberg; all those who can afford a billboard.
My friends and I get separated from each other here and there and in fact, we don't really practice civil disobedience. We practice Public Assembly. But when a cop starts to throw someone down I scream "Courtesy, Professionalism, and Respect" from the top of my lungs. Words are powerful and the power to manipulate words is partially why I'm here. Civil disobedience? It is obedient to the idea of civility to voice a concern, openly and with vigor, if necessary. Civilized society requires that before we slide any further into habits of inequality and silence that those of us who truly believe in ideals of justice and liberty say something. "If you see something, say something" is what the New York MTA drills into every commuter's brain since 9/11. I believe they've gone so far as to copyright it. I'm opposed on both levels. One I oppose the ownership of such instructive statements. Two, I oppose their constant intrusion on my commute. I paid my fare, now let me think in peace.
Civil disobedience is the term we have but as Slavoj Zizek has pointed out, we've lived passed some of our terms. We need new ones. As we find those new words and build a new paradigm I look at this moment as one full of fortune. We can reform our ways. We can reimagine our system without the blood and pains of revolution. We can reform to evolve and therefore revolutionize our world. Or, of course, we can wait until things get so bad that everyone will either literally or figuratively, lose our heads. I learned this by listening to Nobel Laureate Shirin Ebadi speak earlier this year at a Peace in Education Summit in Newark, NJ. Ms. Ebadi can not live in her home country for what she says. Her work for peace and human rights put her in exile. I do not relish her loss.
Words are troubling me now and I think as writers I want us to engage as we can in a type of civil disobedience to our own structures of mind, our own internal police force of conditioning. When Oakland police slam a protester to the ground is he a protester or a veteran? Is he a protestor or is he a citizen? How he is defined determines so much about whether or not you'd have the guts like one woman I witnessed; to storm through the crowd, with her dry cleaning on her back, screaming at us that we were just a bunch of "Deadbeats!" How exactly does she reconcile inflation and a jobless recovery with the idea of deadbeats? It's all very easy when you've still got work, I guess. But still, easy does not mean it's true. And inconvenience is part of living.
The Civil Rights Movement of the US required us to look at basic human rights and see where we were failing. The Occupation Movement also requires us to look at the human rights thrown aside by inequitable and unsustainable economic pratices and policies. Like one friend I know said, "At the GA, I'm a fiscal conservative!" Yes, he occupies and picks up trash in between working two jobs and he doesn't believe in spending each dime just because the donations are rushing in; you see, it takes all kinds. What are your rights in this world today? I don't know ever since the Patriot Act.
I know that Bush signed it and Obama re-signed it and ever since then I've been nervous because the Patriot Act can be interpreted to place me in jail, ignoring my basic rights under the Constitution...just for writing this. Now, I don't think I'll be perceived as a threat or a domestic terrorist, but I can't forget that undercover's eyes and I can't forget the sneer on that annoyed woman. In some people eyes, yes, even I am threatening. What we need now is compassion and if I have to do some things I'd rather not, risk some part of my safety to get there, then I'm going to, because that's how we reform and that's how we avoid moving into a world I don't want to see. I still believe I am free. And for now I'm going to act like I'm free, not because I am or am not a patriot; or because I am or am not any particular thing other than human. Human rights are civil rights and it's time, for all of us, to take one day, maybe just one march, to make it our own and to feel the tensions and to face the power. If you're even a little scared when you consider this option then, well, you know I'm right.
Long time!
I see you're still at it...good for you!
I've been consumed by life, almost eaten alive by it.
What a funny thing life can be..it's good it's bad, it's good it's bad, it's good it's bad...
Slowly I will make myelf blog again, engage in my favorite passed time.
I hope everything is good with you!
About Mariette
View all »
Causes Mariette Papic Supports
Electronic Frontier Foundation, https://www.eff.org/


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The Church & Sunday Morning
Heaven will not be boring.
"Heaven begins where sin ends" In heaven there shall be no more sin!!!
"The njoyment of God is the only happiness with which our souls can be satisfied"
Revelation 5:9-14 ESV
And they sang a new song, saying,
"Worthy are you to take the scroll
and to open its seals,
for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God
from every tribe and language and people and nation,
and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God,
and they shall reign on the earth."
Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!" And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, "To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!" And the four living creatures said, "Amen!" and the elders fell down and worshiped.
Were it not for Jesus we would not be able to enjoy heaven or get there at all.
Do we have to wait until we die to get to heaven? Can we experience a forestaste of heaven?
Hebrews 10:19-25 ESV
Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
1) When we gather we have great priveleges granted to us by grace equally throughout all the churches.
Hebrews 9:24 ESV
"For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf."
When we gather with our local church we are experiencing heaven on earth; we expereince heavebs presence on earth. Sinful people like us have no right to have communion with God. By Christs blood we can go to a place of direct communion with God.
What should amaze me most about my local church?
Jesus atitude is sympathetic. He identifies with our needs as one who has experienced our troubles, and experienced them without sin. When not going to church you miss the opportunity to enjoy a unique presence Christ has given to the church.
2) We have great responsibilities
Noww that Jesus has sacrificed himself do we need go make sacrifices any more? We show our thanksgiving by praising Christ for his sacrifice.
Hebrews 4:16 ESV
"Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." Wwe have CONFIDENCE to draw near to Christ."
Psalm 40:17 ESV
"As for me, I am poor and needy,
but the Lord takes thought for me.
You are my help and my deliverer;
do not delay, O my God! "
We gather to get a firmer grip on the gospel.
We gather to look for ways to serve. God works through our wwork, loves through our love, cares through our cares. We go with needs and give with serving.
1) What do you look forward to the most when you gather with your local church?
2) How should gathering with local church make us look forward to heaven?
3) When is the last time I recal God caring for I through the care of someone else? Thank God and them for that care and seek to care for others?
Created almost 2 years ago


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17 Jan 0 22 Like Reblog Brewster - Emails have custom headers based on your contacts' avatars. # brewster apps ios email web photos contacts avatars design ux faces ui submission
6 Jul 0 62 Like Reblog Tumblr - When an ultra wide image is uploaded, Tumblr labels it as a panorama instead of a photo. /via Hi-Res Reset Read more here. # tumblr panaroma blog photos size submission
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12 Sep 0 358 Like Reblog Mac OS X Lion - Understands your photo album titles and places and assigns appropriate icons to it. Read more here /via Brajeshwar # osx lion icons photos recognize places topics submission


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Home & Garden
College Team Canopy
Official school color canopy (does not include tent frame). Durable water resistant canopy made of 200 denier polyester with school logos on all four sides. Fits only Logo Brand tent frames (sold separately).
Select a team from the drop-down box.$99.95 -
Home & Garden
Get ready for the holidays with holiday decor, or create an outdoor oasis with garden and patio furniture and fashions that are fun and functional.
Extend the life of your watches and keep them organized in style.
It's 10pm, do you know where your watches are? The answer is simple when you keep your finest timepieces safe and secure inside the Stauer Luxury Watch Case. Extend the life of your watches by preventing nicks, scratches and scuffs. Proper storage also reduces exposure to harmful dust and dirt which can damage the delicate mechanics of complicated timepieces. Organization also means that you'll never have to go hunting for your favorite watch again! Each Luxury Watch Case protects your collection with a plush micro-fiber lining and individual watch pillows. The pillows keep your watch in perfect shape and holds each unique case firmly in its place. The handsome black design fastens shut with a gold-toned snap latch. This classic 8-watch case also features two smaller compartments for holding rings and other jewelry.
Measures 12"L x 8"W x 4-1/2"H.$199.005.0/5 (1) -
Home & Garden
Get ready for the holidays with holiday decor, or create an outdoor oasis with garden and patio furniture and fashions that are fun and functional.
Collegiate Rolling Cooler
Cooler measures 24" L x 12" W x 13" H. Exterior made of heavy-duty nylon. Foam insulated interior keeps food or beverages cold. Holds up to 36 twelve oz. cans with ice. Cooler's inside has a heat-sealed, leak-proof lining. Smooth rolling inline wheels make for extremely easy transport. Two bale handles for extra carrying options. Exterior zippered storage compartment. Adjustable strap attaches for shoulder carry or can be attached to one end to pull cooler on wheels.
Select team in the drop down box.$59.955.0/5 (1) -
MLB Sphere Chair
Measures 30" in Diameter and stands 29" tall. Comfortable foam filled 27" round seating area. Made of durable 420 denier polyester. The frame is made of 1.2 mm powder coated steel and holds up to 250 lbs. Folds flat for easy storage. Polyester carrying case includes handles.
Select team from drop down box.$59.95


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Rented a copy and watched a couple of nights ago in 16:9. First off, I'm not sure why this movie got such a low rating. Sure it's a grindhouse B movie, but the 3D had good depth with few issues, and the cg spiders weren't bad--I"ve seen worse. All in all, a good pace with lots of action. Sound was okay. They kept the pop outs to a minimum, and scenes had good depth-of-field considering many were underground in a subway track. Actually shot in 3D so no conversion or ghosting issues that I could see. Acting was tolerable. It had a made for TV quality to it, but kept my interest.
or Connect


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Price: | 2.88 |
Shipping: | Free Shipping To UNITED STATES |
Dispatch: |
Ships within 7-10 business days
Size | Size fits all |
Gender | Unisex |
Best use | cycling |
material | Seamless breathable fabric |
Quantity | 1 |
Color | Black,Red |
Suitable for | Adults |
Length | 1 cm |
Sleeve Length | 1 cm |
Chest Girth | 1 cm |
Suitable for Height | 1 cm |
Packing List | 1 x Head Scarf |
All packages from DX.com are sent without DX logo or any information indicating DX.com. Due to package variations from suppliers, the product packaging customers receive may be different from the images displayed.
To enable volume discounts on this site, use coupon code: BULKRATE during checkout. You will see a discount applied at the bottom of the shopping cart. Competitive pricing is available. Contact us for details.
Quantity | 3+ units | 5+ units | 10+ units |
Rate | USD$ 2.55 shipped | USD$ 2.54 shipped | USD$ 2.53 shipped |
What is Bulk Rate? BulkRate is a semi-wholesale system with items priced separately from retail. When you use bulk rates, a flat $1.70 registered air mail fee will automatically be added to your cart to ensure delivery of package. While BulkRate's intention is to offer cheaper prices when you buy in bulk, because it is priced separately it on occassions show a higher than retail price. That's why we ask you to enter BULKRATE as a coupon code to manually activate the rates. You can always opt not to use the bulk rates. If you are looking for wholesale prices please feel free to contact us.
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100% of customers would recommend this product to a friend (1 out of 1)
Involvement Level: Expert (understands the inner workings)
Pros: Nice to use, when it is cold outside. Protects the neck, and many other possibilities with the head scarf! I use it as a rule that hat, and it fits nicely under the helmet!!
Cons: Could been a little thicker, then it would have been even more heat... Been nice if one could choose the color yourself! Are not all the colors that are fine, but I've been lucky!
Other: Nice, and i like it! I have several pieces of it, and I use them every time I go out to bicycles!.. I like it, and I also believe you will do the same!
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This is a tumblelog, kinda like a blog but with short-form, mixed-media posts with stuff I like. Scroll down a bit to start reading, or a bit more to read more about me.
Source: thisbedisonfire
21,364 notes
A nice image
18 notes
Awesome video
River Road By Hughes Umbanhowar Architects
12 notes
Casa Selva by Luis Velasco Roldan
684 notes
Source: maedullz
54,052 notes


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Come on in! Join Pinterest today...it only takes like a second or so.
Claudia Rivas
• 1 year ago
How to draw...
Related Pins:
Draw a bird! How cute and simple, even I can do this!
things you need to draw (www.flickr.com/...)
How to Draw Animal Cartoons = GREAT site - step by step tutorials on how to draw!!! not only animals
Draw Graffiti Names - step by step guide


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We're Independent Content. We are a full-service digital studio and advisory. We specialize in launching and growing digital businesses and products. That means we provide our clients with complete, end-to-end digital strategies and execution designed specifically to help them achieve their goals.
We love to be creative and take risks – but we know that what matters most is delivering ROI. Take our website for example. We built it on WordPress, for free, because it's the most efficient and cost-effective way for us to give you a sense of who we are, talk about what we do, and show some of our work - and because we don't believe in excess; we believe in using what works.
We also have a Facebook fan page — please Like us!
And we tweet—
please follow us at
@jordankurzweil and @jamesluria
Oh, and we're on LinkedIn.


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Gretna Auto Sales - a used car dealer in Omaha
Quality Selection of Used Cars, Trucks and SUVs
- Used Trucks (We're a used truck superstore!)
- Used Cars
- Used SUV's
- Pre-owned Vehicle Inspections
- Vehicle Financing Available
- Highest Rated Used Car Dealership in Omaha
- Knowledgeable Staff
- No pressure, no hassle car dealer
Why choose us for your next car dealership?
Gretna Auto Outlet, a family-owned car dealership, treats all of our customers like family. Purchase your car, truck or SUV from a car dealer willing to help you find the right vehicle, for the right price, with a no pressure, no hassle sale. We want to make your next car or truck purchase a moment to remember. The Gretna Auto Outlet family is at your service! Our vehicle inventory is hand-selected by our car experts and every car, truck and SUV has unsurpassed quality and value. Let Gretna Auto Outlet get you into a car to remember, a car that will be around for the life of your vehicle ownership, a car that you're proud to own!
Located in Omaha, NE
Our car and truck dealership is located in Omaha, Nebraska, an automotive dealership with more than 20 makes and models of used cars, trucks and SUVs, including used domestic and import vehicles. Come see us, conveniently located in Gretna, Nebraska.
Why Buy a Used Car from Us?
Family owned and operated for over 23 years, Gretna Auto Outlet is a used car dealership located in Gretna, NE. We have the selection you are looking for, at a price that is right.
- Family owned and operated for over 23 years
- We offer aggressive auto finanicing
- Open 7 days a week for your convenience
- Superior selection of pre-owned vehicles
No Pressure, No Hassle, No-Haggle Used Car Dealer
When you buy one of our car, truck or SUVs, know we have a "no-haggle" used car pricing guarantee. Avoid unpleasant price negotiations and a high-pressure car salesman, at our Gretna Auto Outlet used vehicle dealership we care about our customers car buying experience. We won't pressure you to buy a car, and hope you find what you're looking for on our car lot. If you would like a vehicle and we don't have it on our lot, ask us to find your next vehicle through our powerful car-buying network!
View Used Cars, Trucks and SUVs on our website!
Search our inventory online or visit our car dealership in Gretna, NE and browse a wide selection of used trucks, autos, SUV's, and vans. Go to our Contact page to view a map of our dealership, or get our address, phone or email.
Contact Information
(402) 332-5868
11808 Standing Stone Drive
Gretna, NE 68028


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From a simple piece of lumber to the most advanced floor truss system on the market to countless other innovative materials, Universal's subsidiaries supply builders with products for creating remarkable homes. Our engineering and manufacturing capabilities are second-to-none and our structural components—like trusses and wall panels—enhance the integrity and efficiency of every build and structure. Single-family home construction and multifamily homes alike, the companies of Universal help contractors build efficiently and cost-effectively. Attention to detail and superior just-in-time service extends to custom builders of luxurious homes and to production builders, alike. Because everyone deserves the peace of mind that comes from a home built of the best materials available. And all builders deserve the reliability of suppliers that are focused on customers' unique needs and success. Like the companies of Universal.
The companies of Universal Forest Products combine to create the nation's leading manufacturer and distributor of wood and wood-alternative products to the retail building materials, industrial packaging/components, manufactured housing, residential construction and commercial construction and concrete forming markets.
©2014 Universal Forest Products, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Internet Disclaimer | Site Map


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(via erinq17)
One day at school my really cool geography teacher wore a tie with pigs on it
- Annoying girl in my class: Sir, are those pigs on your tie?
- Teacher: No, it's a mirror
(via erinq17)
(Source: 0cean-depths, via erinq17)
(Source: luvdesire, via haydenevanssays)
what do you mean you can't hang out i showered for this
i shaved for this
i put a bra on for you.
i got off tumblr for you
i am wearing real pants
I went outside
i got out of bed
i woke up
(Source: zackisontumblr, via erinq17)
(via erinq17)
(via erinq17)


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James NOVIS
James NOVIS
Death Notes: Y James married Alice Mary Ann Elizabeth COOKSLEY, daughter of John Henry COOKSLEY and Elizabeth HINES, in 1910. (Alice Mary Ann Elizabeth COOKSLEY was born in 1886.) |
The GENEALOGICAL RESEARCH SiteRing This site owned by Graeme Adams | |
Home | Table of Contents | Surnames | Name List
This Web Site was Created 10 Oct 2013 with Legacy 7.5 from Millennia


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Break Picture Gallery: October 23rd, 2012 Edition Posted by philtraum on Oct. 23, 2012 1,262,496 0 0 (27 of 28) Next image Download
dry-bummage 5pts oooh. A big boat sank and people just won't stfu going on about it. Enough. Shit boat, shit movie, shit everything. Yes I'm mad.
Tony-Santoro-799 5pts Why does everyone put FTW (F*%# The World?) after EVERYTHING online these days? Doesn't even make sense!!??? F.ailed T.itanic W.atercraft?


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The Leading eBooks Store Online
for Kindle Fire, Apple, Android, Nook, Kobo, PC, Mac, Sony Reader ...
Grant Morrison
Combining the Worlds of Contemporary Comics
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This ebook is available for the following devices:
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Download: EPUB or secure PDF.
You can also read this ebook online in eb20 format without having to download anything.
You can also read this ebook online in eb20 format without having to download anything.
Read Aloud
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One of the most eclectic and distinctive writers currently working in comics, Grant Morrison (b. 1960) brings the auteurist sensibility of alternative comics and graphic novels to the popular genres-superhero, science fiction, and fantasy-that dominate the American and British comics industries. His comics range from bestsellers featuring the most universally recognized superhero franchises (All-Star Superman, New X-Men, Batman) to more independent, creator-owned work (The Invisibles, The Filth, We3) that defies any generic classification.In Grant Morrison: Combining the Worlds of Contemporary Comics, author Marc Singer examines how Morrison uses this fusion of styles to intervene in the major political, aesthetic, and intellectual challenges of our time. His comics blur the boundaries between fantasy and realism, mixing autobiographical representation and cultural critique with heroic adventure. They offer self-reflexive appraisals of their own genres while they experiment with the formal elements of comics. Perhaps most ambitiously, they challenge contemporary theories of language and meaning, seeking to develop new modes of expression grounded in comics' capacity for visual narrative and the fantasy genres' ability to make figurative meanings literal.
University Press of Mississippi; December 2011
256 pages; ISBN 9781617031366
Read online, or download in EPUB or secure PDF format
256 pages; ISBN 9781617031366
Read online, or download in EPUB or secure PDF format


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Taking some reader questions about next year's quarterback situation, how to use Dennis Norfleet, where Michigan gets its pass rush, and the quality of Michigan's 2014 class.
Thanks in part to the early production of tight end Jake Butt, stud tight end Isaac Nauta has a growing interest in the Wolverines. He has already been on campus and will look to return -- potentially as soon as this Summer.
Michigan has set their sights on a nearby 2016 running back who is set to receive a visit shortly after the Dead Period expires.
MGoBlue goes behind the scenes as coach Nuss gets introduced to his new home at UM.
Various outlets offer opinions on Michigan's hiring of Alabama offensive coordinator, Doug Nussmeier.
Looking at Doug Nussmeier's time in Tuscaloosa by talking to SB Nation's Roll Bama Roll.
Michigan's football program took a massive step when it reached out to Alabama offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier.
Michigan's hire of Alabama's OC says something about the direction of the program.
Doug Nussmeier spent three years coaching at the University of Washington under Steve Sarkisian. Two of the guys from UW Dawg Pound answered a few of my questions about his time there.
Michigan reportedly will hire Alabama's Doug Nussmeier as its next OC.
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These semiaquatic rodents are distinguished by their large size, webbed hind feet and large, horizontally flattened tail that is covered with leathery scales.
Learn to identify, prevent, and control beaver damage on your Missouri property.
MDC protects and manages Missouri's fish, forest, and wildlife resources.
We also facilitate your participation in resource-management activities, and we provide opportunities for you to use, enjoy and learn about nature.
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XaoS is a fast, portable, real-time, and interactive fractal zoomer. It displays the Mandelbrot set (among other escape time fractals) and allows you zoom smoothly into the fractal. Various coloring modes are provided for both the points inside and outside the selected set. In addition, switching between Julia and Mandelbrot fractal types and on-the-fly plane switching is provided.
xgrk provides the possibility to change keyboard mapping with alt-shift or meta-shift combinations or by clicking on the flag image. You will be able to write greek in X programs like netscape or xedit. Keycodes are auto-loaded on startup so it should work with all unices and keyboard layouts. Fonts are not included.


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thanks for visiting build a little biz! as you may have figured out, i am on a mission...
i don't just want to help you build your micro-business (there are plenty of 'business tips' out there, right?) i want to help you make it SHINE. to not just sell a product but to find your passion, to share it with the world in a way that is authentic, to be of genuine service to others, to have FUN doing biz.
and if you are here i hope that means you want that too. we can start a little biz revolution! though we may be building micro-businesses, often on our own from home, the work we do is not *little*. it matters. and it is our job to share it with the world. to let it SHINE.
be a biz STAR. show your customers that you care deeply and genuinely about serving them. share with your fans the passion that you have for your work. believe in your own value and celebrate your purpose! invite other business owners to join you in building something so much bigger than a little biz.
here's how:
grab this button...
right click to save it.
post, print, and display this as a reminder to stay on your path, to keep marching on!
share it with your fans along with your personal story. try starting with: i am on a mission to... my promise is... i believe that...
tweet these...
be awesome. do what you love. kick ass. don't just build a little business... make it shine! click to tweet
ignite your spark! the world needs your unique combination of purpose & passion & service. click to tweet
i'm on a mission to do what i love & to love what i do, to share my passion & purpose with the world! click to tweet
grab these manifestos...
share them with your fans & supporters. print them & park them next to your workspace!
click for the printable 'i am a little biz builder' and the printable 'i love my little biz'
grab other inspiring images. ..
have a look through the image gallery. these are here for you to use. plus i would love it if you would visit the facebook page & pinterest page for easy sharing of these images online.
want more freebies? you got it! grab these...
2014 vision worksheet and image templates
click for the FREE quick start guide to using mailchimp plus the tutorial for creating your own custom banner using FREE picmonkey
click for a printable blank "online marketing plan"
click for a printable blank 'biz framework plan"
become an affiliate...
are you already telling your friends about build a little biz? why not earn some extra money at the same time! earn a 50% commission on workbooks and 25% commission on workshops that are purchased through your unique link. click here to sign on as an affiliate.


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Vaxcel Lighting OM-CHB006RZ Royal Bronze Transitional Six Light Up / Down Lighting Chandelier from the Omni Collection
Item #:
Vaxcel Sale!
Save 10% on ALL Vaxcel. Use VAXSALE10 at checkout.
Offer Ends 3/15/2014
Technical Specs
Bulb Base | Medium (E26) |
Bulb Type | Compact Fluorescent, Incandescent |
Collection | Omni |
Finish Application | Satin |
Genre | Traditional / Victorian |
Height | 26.25 |
Light Direction | Up / Down Lighting |
Number of Bulbs | 6 |
Number of Tiers | 1 |
Style | Traditional |
Suggested Room Fit | Foyer, Kitchen |
Theme | Transitional |
Wattage | 600 |
Watts Per Bulb | 100 |
Width | 28 |
- Six light up / down lighting chandelier featuring brushed cognac glass shades
- Requires 6 100w Medium base bulbs (not included)
- Features a center down light
Additional Vaxcel Lighting Links
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- Shop All Vaxcel Lighting Omni Collection Products
Our SKU: OM-CHB006
This product is listed under the following manufacturer number(s):
Royal Bronze - OM-CHB006SN
Satin Nickel
*Denotes a finish or option that has been discontinued
4 Questions from the Community
Does the center downlight work independently from the up lights?
can the center down light be turned on by itself?
A. The lights on the Vaxcel Lighting OM-CHB006 fixture must all be on or off at the same time. Unfortunately, there isn't a feature that would allow you to just turn on the middle light. If you have any other questions I would be happy to help.
How long is the chain and wiring?
How much does the light fixture weigh?
Vaxcel Lighting
Vaxcel Lighting has been a premier manufacturer of residential lighting for over 20 years, and there is something to say for experience. If you are looking for quality based on decades of constant growth and improved designs Vaxcel will be one of the last fixtures you ever purchase. Coupling classic design with functionality, Vaxcel Lighting has shown the industry that lighting doesn't have to be boring.
Vaxcel Lighting Omni Collection
Other Products In The Vaxcel Lighting Omni Collection
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Transitional Single Light Up Lighting Wall Sconce from the Omni Collection
$67.20$56.00 -
Vaxcel Lighting OM-CHD003
Transitional Three Light Down Lighting Chandelier from the Omni Collection$99.90(1)
Vaxcel Lighting OM-CHU009
Transitional Nine Light Up Lighting Two Tier Chandelier from the Omni Collection


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2 Oz. Seal-Lube O-Ring Lubricant
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Size: 2 ounces in plastic bottle with cap


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Thursday, 07 June 2012 02:23:45 (GMT+2) -
On Wednesday, the US Department of Commerce (DOC) announced the preliminary results of its administrative review of the antidumping order on light-walled rectangular pipe and tube from Turkey.
The review covers one Turkish producer/exporter--Noksel Celik Boru Sanayi A.S.--during the period from May 1, 2010 through April 30, 2011.
The DOC has calculated a preliminary dumping margin of 0.00 (zero) percent for Noksel. Noksel's current dumping duty deposit rate is also 0.00 percent.
The DOC plans to complete this review and issue its final results by October 2012. Until the final results are published in the Federal Register, Noksel's current dumping duty deposit rate will remain in effect. Any change in the deposit rate as a result of this review will become effective only when the DOC's final results are published in the Federal Register.


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Loved the one hour tracking and delivery system from their couriers.
It came on time and was exactly what I ordered and needed
I only bought bulbs but it was easy to do, the price was reasonable and the delivery was on time.
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Why I am a Christian Why I am a Christian The 3 questions: Where did I come from? What am I doing here? Where am I going? Came from nothing - Going to nothing Life has no purpose Life alone has purpose Came from something - Going to something Life has purpose, But for what? If we have come from nothing, then… How do we differentiate between honor & horror? The answers begin… "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." Genesis 1: 1 But, how about the non-believer? "what may be known about God is plain to them." Romans 1: 18-20 The whole universe testifies "The heavens declare the glory of God." Psalm 19: 1-6 Does the Creator have anything to do with me? "What is man that You are mindful of him?" Psalm 8: 3-9 Do I have any responsibility toward the Creator? "The law of the LORD is perfect." Psalm 19: 7-10 Then sin is going against the Laws of the Creator "By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward." Psalm 19: 11-14 Then where do I learn more about this Creator? "all Scripture is God breathed." II Timothy 3: 16 The Holy Bible The Holy Bible The word gives life Deuteronomy 8: 3 The word is flawless Psalm 18: 30-31 The word is true, right, power for creation Psalm 33: 4-6 The Holy Bible The Holy Spirit's inspiration II Peter 1: 19-21 The word power for creation & destruction II Peter 3: 5-7 The New Testament is Scripture II Peter 3: 15-16 The Holy Bible Is the Bible really what it claims to be? The Word of God? How can we be sure? The Holy Bible 3500 years of preservation Written over ~1500 years From Moses (~1400BC) to John (~100AD) ~40 different writers – one Author! The Holy Bible Is the Bible we have today the same as God's original revelation? Were the words Jesus spoke accurately recorded as the NT? The Holy Bible "No archaeological discovery has ever contradicted a Biblical reference." Nelson Glueck – Jewish archaeologist If Bible is accurate historically & archaeologically, then spiritually… The Holy Bible Originals – papyrus, parchment, vellum Manuscripts – copies of originals NT – more manuscript evidence than for any book in history The Holy Bible Time gaps – NT – Christ, 33AD – MSS, 300AD OT – Malachi, 400BC – MSS, 900AD (until 1947 – then MSS, 200BC) The Holy Bible Are we confident in the translations of the Bible? -Letters of early church fathers -Look at your Bible's preface to see the method of translation The Holy Bible What about other 'revelations?' -If revealed by the same God, then what should be evident? The Holy Bible If the Bible is God's Word, then: •It is ALL God's Word •It is eternally applicable •It can never be contradicted by "new" knowledge •We can't pick & choose which parts we want to live by "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Heb 11:1 If I can accept "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." Then… God's story in the Bible A perfect creation A fallen world A separation Romans 5: 12 Original sin Original grace God's story in the Bible God continually reaching out to bring us back to Him How do we fix this separation? Job 9: 33 Job 16: 18-21 Job 19: 25 God's story in the Bible Who will bridge the gap? WE can't do it, it HAS to be FROM God TO us The prophecies begin A virgin birth – Isaiah 7: 14 Mighty God - Isaiah 9: 6 In Bethlehem – Micah 5: 2 Line of David - Isaiah 9: 7 Isaiah 11: 1-3 Jeremiah 23: 5 The prophecies begin Father/Son – Psalm 2: 7 Yet equal – Psalm 110: 1 Proverbs 30: 4 Suffering Servant - Isaiah 52: 13-14 Punished for us - Isaiah 53: 2-12 The prophecies begin In an unheard-of manner Psalm 22: 1 Psalm 22: 6-7 Psalm 22: 14-18 The Messiah, Anointed One Savior, Redeemer, God with us Perfect sacrifice The prophecies fulfilled Jesus – Yeshua - Salvation John 1: 1-5, 14 A Son - John 3: 16 Yet, the Father – John 14: 9-10 Mighty God – John 8: 58 The perfect sacrifice – John 1: 29 "Are you the one…?" Is Jesus of the Bible real? Validity of the Bible Extra-Biblical evidence "or should we expect someone else?" Matthew 11: 1-15 The fulfillment of – Isaiah 61: 1-2 John the Baptist Even the prophecies of the prophet were true! Malachi 3: 1, 4: 5 Matthew 3: 1-3 Isaiah 40: 3 "Are you the one…?" Discountable events Jewish laws & culture Rejection, then belief Testimony of women OT prophecies fulfilled Food doesn't matter??? Romans 14: 17-21 Jesus of the Bible •Born of a virgin •Born without sin, lived a sinless life John 8: 46 II Corinthians 5: 21 Hebrews 4: 15 Hebrews 2: 14-18 Jesus of the Bible •Jesus – fully God, fully man Isaiah 45: 5 Mark 2: 5-7, 8-11 Colossians 1: 19-20 Colossians 2: 9-10 •And here's the test… I John 2: 22-23 I John 4: 2-3 Jesus - Crucified It was prophesied Luke 24: 45-49 Psalm 16: 9-11 To all nations Isaiah 49: 5-6 To overcome the impossible Colossians 2: 13-15 Jesus – the way to God "Unless I go away…" John 14: 28 John 16: 7 Another step back to God's original plan Revelation 21: 1-3 Jesus – Resurrected! "I am the resurrection and the life." Philippians 3: 10-11 Christianity hinges on the resurrection Romans 10: 9 I Corinthians 15: 13-22 Jesus – Resurrected! "If only for this life we have hope in Christ..." I Corinthians 15: 19 Jesus – is coming again! "I will come back and take you to be with me..." John 14: 1-4 Why I am a Christian The 3 questions: Where did I come from? What am I doing here? Where am I going?
views: | 33 |
posted: | 8/30/2012 |
language: | English |
pages: | 42 |


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Excellent shopping experience from finding a washing machine to purchasing it on credit.
Excellent service, ordered a hard to find cable for my New iPad which was in stock and arrived next day. Will use Execspot.com again.
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North Face TriClimate
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Reducing Your Risk of Celiac Disease
- Home
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At Redmond Regional, you can rest assured that our focus is on you. To show our commitment to our community, we have provided tools to help you and your family live happier and healthier lives. These resources include an in-depth health library and numerous calculators that will help answer everyday health questions.
The more you know about your health, the better prepared you are to make informed healthcare decisions. Our health library gives you the information you need to take charge of your health.
American Academy of Family Physicians website. Available at: http://www.aafp.org/ . Accessed March 9, 2006.
Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research website. Available at: http://www.mayo.edu/ . Accessed March 9, 2006.
The Merck Manual of Medical Information. 17th ed. Simon and Schuster, Inc.; 2000.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases website. Available at: http://www.niddk.nih.gov/ . Accessed March 9, 2006.


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Register | Gallery | FAQ | Calendar | Links | Search | Today's Posts | Mark Forums Read | Members List | Vendors | Garage | Auto Escrow | Advertise | Store |
Topic Review (Newest First) |
kbeck983 |
Manifold Bolt Hello there, I hope I'm in the right area for this. I have read and monitered this website for ever and found it to be very helpful most of the time. I found that the previous owner had broken off the exhaust manifold bolt into the head. Is there anyone in the Columbia, Lexington, Irmo area in South Carolina who would like a few bucks and thier favorite beer to complete this job. I have thousands of dollars worth of tools and an air compressor, but know guts to attempt this job. Kevin 1997 TJ 4 banger with 107,000 on the clock. My cell is 803-318-4183 |


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since i had fios installed i never unplugged the ONT from the ac outlet, this afternoon i noticed that the ONT was running on battery power killing TV and internet service. When i unplug the battery, the ONT turns off completely which means that the issue could be a problem with the AC outlet. When i plug the ONT into another outlet, the ONT works perfectly and the battery is not in use. What could be wrong with the original outlet that the ONT was plugged in? I tested the outlet, and there is no problems since it can power everything except the ONT that was plugged in there for yearsI have the newer all one ONT with the battery built in.edit: i only had fios since sept of 2012, so the battery should be new
I would check the actual voltage of the AC outlet in question. There might be a small deviation in the output voltage and the ONT believes the utility is out. The other devices you plug into the outlet operate properly because they might not be as sensitive to voltage variations as the ONT is.Hope this helps...JL
sometimes an outlet can go bad
If you're on Tellabs ONT you could have a faulty OPSU/BBU.--Fiber Network TechnicianPomona, CA
i tested the outlet with a volt meter and the outlet is fine
check the power cord, does it fit tightly in the rec? if you jiggle it around will the ONT see power? If so the cord could be bad.
Call the FSC....a truck roll is needed!!
I have finally found the issue:it is something kind of small adapter that the installer used to plug the ont into the outlet. I think it is a grounding adapter or something. That adapter is no longer getting power. Is that this something that verizon has to replace or that i can replace? Right now, the ONT works fine without being connected to that thing.
You could call out and have them replace it.--Fiber Network TechnicianPomona, CA
You should call and have them replace it. It is the grounding adapter. When this is used the internal ground is not connected.


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"Pink Floyd" - "Wearing The Inside Out" Cm Eb Bb F Didn't recognize I'd become Cm Eb No more than alive I'd barely survive Bb F In a word...overrun Gm Won't hear a sound F Gm I've spent too long F On the inside out Gm My skin is cold F To the human touch Gm This bleeding heart's F Not beating much Cm Eb I murmured a vow of silence and now Bb F I don't even hear when I think aloud Cm Eb Extinguished by light I turn on the night Bb F Wear its darkness with an empty smile Bridge: [ G# | Cm | Gm | G# ] Fm I'm creeping back to life G My nervous system all awry G# Bb I'm wearing the inside out Bridge with Solo: [ Cm | Eb | Bb | F ] 2x Cm Eb Look at him now, he's paler somehow Bb F But he's coming round Cm Eb He's starting to choke, it's been so long since he spoke Bb F Well he can have the words right from my mouth Gm And with these words F I can see Gm Clear through the clouds F that covered me Gm Just give it time F then speak my name Gm Now we can hear F ourselves again Gm I'm holding out F For the day Gm When all the clouds F Have blown away Gm I'm with you now F Can speak your name Gm Now we can hear F Ourselves again [ Gm | F ] 8x [ Bb ] 4x Comments
Popular Pink Floyd tabs & chords Song lyrics. Pink Floyd lyrics
↑ Back to top | Tablatures and chords are parodies/interpretations of the original songs. You may use it for private study, scholarship, research or language learning purposes only |


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Hey everybody! I've just started battling on shoddy, and after battling with a few unsuccessful teams, I wanted to make a team that can win a lot (Who doesn't? haha). I started this team and worked around Jirachi, the first poke I put on this team. I tried to set it up so each weakness is covered by multiple resistances. I originally designed this team around the ParaFlinch strategy, and it evolved into what I think is a pretty balanced team. I win more often than I lose, but I would appreciate any advice to make this team better. Team Synergy at a Glance A Closer Look Heatran (M) @ Shuca Berry Ability: Flash Fire EVs: 4 HP/252 Spd/252 SAtk Timid nature (+Spd, -Atk) - Stealth Rock - Earth Power - Flamethrower - Explosion This lead is meant purely to use SR, then switch out. This way the opponent thinks he is sashed, and may be in for a nasty surprise later in the battle. I've noticed that even with the Shuca Berry, Heatran can still be OHKO'd by some ground attacks. I originally had HP Ice, which I replaced with Explosion, but now I have no ice moves on my team. Is this a problem? Flamethrower is very powerful after Flash Fire. Because fire attacks are often aimed at Jirachi and Breloom, it is relatively easy to switch Heatran in for Flash Fire. --- Suicune @ Leftovers Ability: Pressure EVs: 252 HP/252 Def/4 SAtk Bold nature (+Def, -Atk) - Calm Mind - Surf - Rest - Sleep Talk I chose Suicune to add to the overall synergy of this team. It resists the fire attacks that hurt Jirachi and Breloom. The Crocune set adds overall bulk. Rotom resists the electric attacks that hurt him, and my steel types resist the grass attacks. After battling a few times with this new set, I decided I love the Crocune set. It has brought me out of a few tight spots. --- Salamence (M) @ Life Orb Ability: Intimidate EVs: 84 Atk/208 Spd/216 SAtk Mild nature (+SAtk, -Def) - Draco Meteor - Fire Blast - Roost - Brick Break I originally had Umbreon in this spot, but I barely ever used it, so I replaced it with this Mixmence. I used the New Mixmence EVs with the classic moveset from Smogon. Is this the best way to go? Roost is to heal off damage from SR. It also helps by taking away the 4X ice weakness. Brick break helps against blissey, although I have to watch out for Ice Beam. Brick break also helps against the steel types that aren't weak to Fire Blast. The flying type helps support my ground-weak steels. I have had a lot of success with this Mixmence. Is there anything that would make it better suited for my team? --- Breloom (M) @ Toxic Orb Ability: Poison Heal EVs: 44 HP/252 Atk/212 Spd Adamant nature (+Atk, -SAtk) - Substitute - Leech Seed - Focus Punch - Spore Breloom was originally meant to take out dark types that could stop Rotom-w from setting up for Jirachi. It has turned out to be an excellent threat in the late game though. Once its counters have been removed it is hard to stop this SubPunching set. Leech Seed helps take down walls, as well as adding survivability. Once the opponent is seeded, Breloom is very difficult to take down. I like to bring this in on something that will do little damage to it, causing a switch. this way I can get a Sub up, and save spore to hit it's counters, such as ghost types that would usually screw this set over. --- Rotom-h @ Leftovers Ability: Levitate EVs: 248 HP/168 Def/88 Spd Bold nature (+Def, -Atk) - Thunder Wave - Overheat - Confuse Ray/???? - Thunderbolt/???? Originally, this was a Rotom-w with HP Fire, so steel types wouldn't switch out right away, allowing me to do some damage. I switched Rotom-w to Rotom-h in order to better counter some threats to Jirachi. Its typing gives it an imunity to EQ and a resistance to Magnezone's electric attacks. Overheat is for steel types that resist Jirachi. T-Wave and Confuse Ray are to support Jirachi's ParaFlinch. I can switch Rotom-h into the ground attacks that are often aimed at Heatran, giving me a free turn to start statusing. I only really meant for Rotom to Paralyze opponent's Pokes, and take out steel types, which is accomplished with T-Wave and Thunderbolt. Is there anything else that would work better in the last two moveslots? --- Jirachi @ Leftovers Ability: Serene Grace EVs: 80 HP/252 Atk/176 Spd Jolly nature (+Spd, -SAtk) - Body Slam - Iron Head - Wish - U-turn This is the poke that started the whole team. With Serene Grace, Body Slam and Iron Head, Jirachi is an excellent ParaFlincher. I decided to use Jirachi over Togekiss because of its superior typing and stats. It has to be wary of other steel types, which resist this whole set. Magnezone in particular is dangerous because of its trapping ability. --- So in summary, this team is meant to back up the ParaFlinching Jirachi and the SubPunching Breloom. All these pokes work pretty well together, but I am open to any suggestions from battlers that are more knowledgeable than myself. Thanks!
hahaha Jirachi is a total bastard. I hate fighting him. I just have one quick question. If Magnezone is a big problem for Jirachi, why not give it a Shed Shell? Then it wont be trapped by that stupid lil bastard magnet (bastard is my word of the day), and it can be back for more! Also...instead of U-Turn, howz about Protect? Its amazing for scouting, and it turns Wish into a better version of Recover (bar losing a move slot). I'll probably post more on this team tomorrow but Im feeling super lazy tonight.
um yeah u might want an ice attack. Ice is the most effective attacking type in the current metagame. No rapid Spin?????? If SR or spikes become a problem you might want to switch suicune out for starmie as it is still a really usefull fire resist and can spin since you have no other way of dealing with entry hazards. Also for rotom use will-o-wisp over thunderwave or electivire will use you for motor drive way to easy. Also id suggest shadowball over confuse ray as confuse ray doesnt really work well on rotom. Definitely get rid of confuse ray but if u really want to keep t-wave then u should have will-o-wisp with it or ground types will destroy u.
Hi, your team is not bad, I'd just suggest some moveset changes: 1) give Heatran a naive nature to power up your explosion; 2) on Salamence feel free to run max special attack to maximize the damage output from draco meteor, so run an EV spread of: 80 Atk / 252 SpA / 176 Spe. You'll still outspeed adamant Lucario, and it's enough in my opinion. 3) On Rotom use a moveset of: W-o-W, thunderbolt, shadow ball, overheat. It's your best Gyarados counter, so thunderbolt is a must. Will o wisp is for TTar and other physical threats. Overheat for Jirachi and Scizor. 4) Onto Jirachi: it definitely needs fire punch. Lost Salamence, Lucario is free to sweep this team, hence why fire punch is necessary to at least revenge kill it. You may remove body slam, which may determine a status conflict with Breloom's spore, or even wish, as you don't really need wish passing having several ways of recovering health on your pokemons.
Hello! Looking at your team, you have a few big weaknesses. The first most evident one is your Dragon Dance Salamence weakness. After one DD, Salamence is faster than everyone on your team and threatens to at least 2HKO everyone on your team. Here are some damage calculations to help you see this. All of these calculations include Stealth Rock. +1 Salamence Earthquake vs. 4 Hp/0 Def Heatran w/ Shucca: 125.93% - 148.77% +1 Salamence Outrage vs. 252/252 Bold Suicune: 63.12% - 74.26% +1 Salamence Outrage vs. 0 Hp/0 Def Salamence (intimidate included): 188.52% - 221.75% +1 Salamence Outrage vs. 44 Hp/0 Def Breloom:171.32% - 201.84% +1 Salamence Outrage vs. 248 Hp/168 Def Bold Rotom-H:94.06% - 110.89% +1 Salamence Earthquake vs. 80 Hp/0 Def Jirachi: 119.11% - 140.72% Suicune is the only one on your team who stands a chance against a DD Salamence, and it could only handle it after Salamence had OHKO'd another pokemon, and thats assuming it was locked into Outrage. If it wasn't, it could switch out and come back to fight another day. Some other pokemon your team has trouble with. Once Suicune dies (though I understand as much as you do Suicune is a tough pokemon to take down), Substitue Rhyperior (Subperior) and Rock Polish Rhyperior can do a lot of damage to this team. Rock Polish Rhyperior outspeeds everything, much like the DDMence, and the Substitute can do a lot of damage to everything on your team behind a Substitute while most of your pokemon fail to be able to break it, especially if Rhyperior is in a Sandstorm. Similarily, Dragon Dance Tyranitar can have a field day on this team once Suicune is out (though he still manages to 2HKO your Suicune). CroPert and Mixpert with wish support could also give this team a lot of problems. First, I recommend you change your Heatran. Heatran isn't doing a whole lot for this team from what I see. Theres not a lot of fire attacks you soak up, and Suicune is great at doing that anyway. A better lead for this team is Bronzong. Bronzong @ Leftovers EV's: 252 Hp / 86 Atk / 80 Def / 92 SpDef IV's: 0 Spe Nature: Sassy ~Stealth Rock ~Gyro Ball ~Earthquake ~Explosion Bronzong is almost guaranteed to get Stealth Rock down for you, thanks to his bulk, and more than likely come back several times during the game to do it again, should they be spun away. He is a great switch in to all Salamence and helps you deal with DD Salamence a lot better. You can fire away Gyro Balls or if you are really desperate to get rid of him, you can just explode. Often times you can scare Salamence away by just bringing him in, which alone is a good enough step towards dealing with him thanks to Stealth Rock damage. Bronzong also serves as a check against Tyranitar, rock Polish Rhyperior, and makes your life against Latias a bit better. I think your team would benefit from changing your Suicune set. Crocune can be a scary threat, but he really becomes a threat with Toxic Spikes, something your team does not have nor is it built around. Instead, I think a Calm Mind Shuffle set will work better. Suicune gains more coverage, and gains Roar, to not only switch out Suicunes counters, but also gives you the ability to stop things like Baton Pass chains that haven't made it to their Smeargle/Suction Cups pokemon. Suicune @ Leftovers EV's: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 SpA Nature: Bold ~Calm Mind ~Surf ~Ice Beam ~Roar Just having Ice Beam will make denting your opponents team that much easier. Suicune will still be capable of taking a sleep with a few Calm Minds under its belt, assuming the opponents big physical hitters are out of the way. Bronzong can also take a sleep and be okay at least after you have Stealth Rock setup if you'd rather not have Suicune asleep. Your team would probably gain more from running New MixMence as opposed to Old MixMence. You'll gain a lot more from running Earthquake/Outrage, Brick Break will really only help you against Blissey, whom will be dealt with much easier (once you see my Jirachi change). Salamence @ Life Orb EV's: 84 Atk / 216 SpA / 208 Spe Nature: Mild ~Draco Meteor ~Earthquake ~Fire Blast ~Outrage/Roost I really think Outrage will do you better, but if you think you don't stay alive long enough (especially since I am recommending you change your Wish Jirachi set), you can try going with Roost. Either way, Earthquake provides much more purpose to your team than Brick Break. Going back, I think you should Scarf your Rotom-H. If you do decide to change your Heatran to Bronzong, you are more vulnerable to letting Lucario getting a Swords Dance. To remedy that, Changing Rotom-H to a Choice Scarf set can make sure Lucario doesn't sweep your team. Rotom-H @ Choice Scarf EV's: 252 SpA / 252 Spe / 4 Def Nature: Modest ~Thunderbolt ~Overheat ~Shadow Ball ~Trick If you do make this switch, you will be able to take out a boosted Lucario before he sweeps your team. Rotom-H can also now act as a revenge killer, and perhaps even a late game sweeper. You can also cripple a defensive pokemon that relies on being able to use a lot of moves like Skarmory by tricking your Scarf onto them. However, your ability to effectively counter Scizor and Gyarados is worse, as you don't have as much bulk as you did before. I think you would greatly benefit from changing your Jirachi set. Right now he serves as half flincher, half wish support. If you changed to a Substitute + Calm Mind set, he would become a whole lot more dangerous, and would benefit your team a lot more. Going Substitute Calm Mind ends your Blissey problem that you would otherwise have with this team, and gives you a reliable, powerful sweeper that KO's by raw power as opposed to flinching! Jirachi @ Leftovers EV's: 252 HP / 80 SpA / 176 Spe Nature: Timid ~Substitute ~Calm Mind ~Flash Cannon ~Thunderbolt Despite you hitting not hitting Magnezone as hard, I think you'll do better with Flash Cannon, as you can hit Latias and Celebi harder. Blissey cannot break these subs and many other things will have a hard time breaking the subs, giving you turns to set-up. Blissey staying in will actually help you, and after a few Calm Minds Blissey can be easily taken out while you're behind a Sub. Your sweeping capabilities with this set is much greater and your overall threat to your opponets team is much greater. I hope this info helps your team and your battling! edit: Thanks to sot for showing me the Rotom change.
Correct me if I'm wrong but can't U-Turn let Jirachi get away from Magnezone? Or will Magnet Pull prevent U-Turning out?


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Wildlife of Mauritania
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This article is in a list format that may be better presented using prose. (August 2009) |
This article needs attention from an expert in Mauritania. (November 2008) |
The wildlife of Mauritania is composed of its flora and fauna.
Main article: List of mammals in Mauritania
Main article: List of birds of Mauritania
This Mauritania-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |