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Artwork by Dave MacDowellSpoke Art Gallery in San... ...poke Art Gallery in San Francisco's upcoming show Kubrick features the work of 67 artists, all inspired by... ...67 artists, all inspired by the films of director Stanley Kubrick . The show runs from September 6th to September 27... ...ee reign to re-int...http://www.neatorama.com/2014/08/29/San-Francisco-Art-Show-Pays-Tribute-to-Stanley-Kubrick/
Legendary film director Stanley Kubrick was famous for being a perfectionist. Kubrick took being exacting to extremes, sometimes shooti... ...arch was thorough to the point of being obsessive. Kubrick 's preferred level of control extended beyond the... ...ming and movie s...http://www.neatorama.com/2014/08/13/Art-for-iThe-ShiningiThat-Didnt-Pass-The-Kubrick-Test/
Stanley Kubrick had a young lady overseeing productions such as 2... ...ot until she grew up.The she we're speaking of is Stanley 's daughter Vivian, and her photographic doc... ...films give us a rare glimpse behind the scenes of Kubrick 's films and into his personal l...http://www.neatorama.com/2014/04/15/Stanley-Kubricks-Daughter-Photographs-Life-With-Her-Famous-Father/
The one thing most people know about the 1968 Stanley Kubrick film 2001: A Space Odyssey is that it's inc... ...as abstract art. According to Arthur C. Clarke, Stanley Kubrick wanted an insurance policy from Lloyd's of... ...sheet of glass, suspended in front of the camera. *strong class="matched-k...http://www.neatorama.com/2014/04/07/25-Things-You-Didnt-Know-About-2001-A-Space-Odyssey/
[http://vimeo.com/48425421] (vimeo link) Stanley Kubrick was a master of the one-point perspective shot, a...http://www.neatorama.com/2012/08/30/Stanley-Kubricks-One-Point-Perspective/
Mr Whaite made this animated image of Stanley Kubrick and his films patterned after a Rubik's cube. Kubrick 's films are meticulously pieced together li... ...reat director - hidden within his own work. Also, Kubrick rhymes with Rubik and I'm a sucker for word...http://www.neatorama.com/2011/06/28/rubik-kubrick/
Remember the scene in The Shining where Jack Nicho... ...he door, smashing it to pieces. The film inspired Stanley Kubrick to recreate the scene for his film The Shining.To...http://www.neatorama.com/2010/09/02/iconic-film-scenes-and-their-original-inspirations/
(Video Link) What is the meaning of a double... ...remixed the double rainbow video with scenes from Stanley Kubrickhttp://www.neatorama.com/neatogeek/2010/08/17/a-double-rainbow-in-2001-a-space-odyssey/
This is a fun example of how the marketing of movies was done in the decade I was born. Media sent the interviewees questions that they would ask, and the actor would give responses while being filmed in split-screen sty...http://www.neatorama.com/2010/04/20/split-screen-marketing-for-dr-strangelove/
Let Hollywood Saloon take you back to a time befor... ...t Hollywood Saloon take you back to a time before Stanley Kubrick was " Stanley Kubrick ", before Spielberg was "Spielberg"... ...'s biggest and most acclaimed names, ranging from Stanley Kubrick and...http://www.neatorama.com/2009/02/16/early-works/


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The 2003 Old Dominion University Film and Video Festival, titled "Soundtracks: Music in Film and Television," will be held March 30-April 4. All events are free and open to the public and will take place on the Old Dominion campus in room 102 of the Mills Godwin Jr. Life Sciences Building unless noted.
Today's events include:
March 31-----------
9 a.m.
"Animated Music: Cartoons as Concertos," a presentation by Terry Lindvall, distinguished chair of visual communication, president emeritus and professor, Department of Communication Studies, Regent University. An event highlighting the classic art of "mickey-mousing," or matching music to animated images, made popular by studios such as Disney and Warner Brothers.
12 p.m.
"Moulin Rouge" (2001) Introductory remarks by Jenn Sloggie, instructor of English, Old Dominion University. Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor star in this film, where modern rock music catapults a love story between the two actors during the Paris of the late 1890s. Set in the bohemian underworld of Montmartre, the film offers beautiful costumes and a lively unfolding of its story. Running time - 127 minutes.
3 p.m.
"Sex, Drugs, and Classical Music: The Composer Biopics of Ken Russell and Tony Palmer," a presentation by John Tibbetts, associate professor, Department of Theatre and Film, University of Kansas. This is a program of composer biographies on film that challenge traditional methods and ambitions of historiography. Through a lecture and film clips, the audience will see that these films reveal the relevance of classical music and music making to today's popular music scene.
7 p.m.
"My Father, the Genius" (2001) Introduction and discussion by filmmaker Lucia Small and composer Kaoru Ishibashi. Director and daughter Lucia Small recounts the story of her father's struggle between his work, his genius mind, and his familial relationships; soundtrack by Kaorie Ishibashi. Running time - 84 minutes.
Parking is free. More information is available by calling 683-3828; via email at firstname.lastname@example.com; or via the Web at www.odu.edu/filmfest.
This article was posted on: March 28, 2003
Old Dominion University
Office of University Relations
Room 100 Koch Hall Norfolk, Virginia 23529-0018
Telephone: 757-683-3114
Old Dominion University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution.

subset: commoncrawl


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A shooting in Scott County kills a Morton man.
It happened on Ratliff Street in the City of Morton.
38-year old Marvin Thomas was shot in the leg according to the Scott County coroner.
Thomas was taken to the hospital where he died.
Police have arrested two men in connection with the shooting death.
They're 18-year old Devin Clark and 18-year old Devarius Ragsdale.
Paula Thomas tells us her brother, Marvin Thomas was visiting his stepbrother Friday evening.
Police say that's when 18-year olds Devin Clark and Devarius Ragsdale showed up outside the home on North Ratliff drive.
An argument broke out inside the home, then made its way outside.
That's when thomas was shot.
His family rushed to be by his side.
"I packed up my kids and I came on down here. When I got down here, I seen the ambulance, the police had it all blocked off." says Thomas
"I had to turn all the way back around from Canton to get here. By the time I made it here, my cousin had text me and told me he was dead." adds Marvin Thomas' son Charron Bilbro
The shooting suspect. Devin Clark is Thomas' son, according to his family.
Bilbro says the relationship with his brother, the shooting suspect can never be the same.
"It won't be no love lost, but It'll be hard for me to just actually just look him in his eyes and just let us have the same conversations we had when we were younger."
The family says they know their loved one is in a better place, they're just hoping justice is served.
1820 TV Road
Telephone: 601.372.6311
Can't find something?
All content © Copyright 2000 - 2014 Media General Communications Holdings, LLC. A Media General Company.


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Tag Results
37 posts tagged alternative
37 posts tagged alternative
#comingsoon #sneakpeak #alternative #boho #tribal #animal #hipster
Check out the beautiful alt-model Mary Tsunami in her Rat Baby Trapper Hat!
Photo by Adam Avid Photography
Check out alt model Hope Smith pairing different Too Fast pieces together!
Photographer: Lady Lux Productions
MUA: Nika Zewinski (MAC)
Hair: Jocelyn Wood
This bombed at the tradeshows. Should we make it anyway?
This year, we're all about reinvention. Too Fast is moving forward with a new focus on hand selecting the best alternative fashions for each season. We're scouring the internet, tradeshows, and fashion districts of the world to find new and old favorites just for you. To show off what we find, we're introducing all new Too Fast lookbooks! Check out our Fall 13 edition now!
J Michael Kent
Katie Buehl
Check out these wonderful pics of Miss Mischief in our Vintage Octopus dress!
Photo by Kev Cool.
The beautiful vanyvicious in our Zombie Anatomy and Amadeus tops.
Photos by NX Photography
Check out model @officialvanyvicious in her Too Fast Up Yours socks! Courtesy of @nxphotography. #punk #toofast #upyours #socks #fall #skeleton #goth #alternative #fashion #rockabilly @tattoosgetyoulaid
Sweet pic from the photoshoot we recently did with Maxim Hometown Hottie semi-finalist Amy Kate!
Check out this sweet interview with the lead designers behind our Fall 13 Collection.
Catalogs in today! So excited. #SS14 #wwdmagic #toofast #ratbaby #alternative #fashion #style
We had a lot of fun doing the pajama photo shoot with alt model Morgan Joyce last week :)
Get this specific pair here.
Modeling outside today with @ilymorgannn! #fun #sun #tattoos #alternative #loungefly #toofast #jersey #summer
Check out alt model Natasha Neurotica in our Bone Heart Sequin Dress!
Photo by: Jpan OveRide Photography
Jewelry by: Charcoal Designs
Youtube star The Cherry Dollface gave us an awesome review and tried on some of our stuff in her new video. Check it out!
You can find the items below:
Barbie Pleated Bra Dress - Eternal


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RUBE'S RULES OF LEADERSHIP: Rule14: "A Thousand Fathers"
At about 7 o'clock on a cold January evening, I was driving east on Ponce de Leon Avenue in Atlanta, GA. I was headed to a South Trust Bank ATM. I had just left fire headquarters when my cell phone rang. I pulled into the bank's parking lot, saw the...
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At about 7 o'clock on a cold January evening, I was driving east on Ponce de Leon Avenue in Atlanta, GA. I was headed to a South Trust Bank ATM. I had just left fire headquarters when my cell phone rang. I pulled into the bank's parking lot, saw the call was from the 202 area code and answered, "Hello, Chief Rubin here, how can I help you?"
The caller identified himself as a member of Washington, DC, Mayor Adrian Fenty's transition team and said he was reaching out to me to discuss my applying for the open job as DC's fire chief. I was skeptical that this was a legitimate offer. In fact, I was sure a close friend was playing a practical joke on me. After five successful years at Atlanta Fire Rescue, the last thing I expected was a call from my hometown fire department. But the call was genuine, and I started work in the District of Columbia on April 16, 2007. The job gave me dozens of learning opportunities to apply Rube's Rules and demonstrate leadership. Upcoming installments in this series will discuss case-study incidents that had a big impact on the organization and the community.
After just 12 days as DCFD's 25th fire chief, we experienced our first fire fatality with me at the helm. The victim was a 5-year-old girl and the fire investigation revealed that the house she died in did not have a working smoke detector. To add controversy to this very sad event, the address dispatched for the fire was incorrect. As I recall, there were six 911 calls for help to extinguish the fire that night. Each citizen calling in this raging fire provided the DC Office of Unified Communications with a different street address. The first caller was off by about a half-mile from the actual address.
Thankfully, DCFD dispatches five engines on the first alarm of a structural fire. As fate would have it, Engine 15 (Anacostia Firehouse) had to drive directly past the rowhouse that was ablaze. The company officer corrected the address and rearranged our order of response so that rescue and extinguishment operations could start immediately. Five minutes into the response, Engine 15 was starting a ladder rescue of the child's parents, who were trapped at a window on side D. The quick and brave actions of this engine company saved the parents from traumatic injuries from a 20-foot fall or worse. Given the complication of this incident, it was amazing that the two adults were rescued without harm. Just a minute or two behind the engine, Truck 8 (Congress Heights Firehouse) arrived at the well-involved dwelling. The truck company initiated a primary search on the first floor to find the 5-year-old girl, who died of thermal and smoke injuries.
The next day, a press conference was held in front of the house where the fire occurred. The mayor described the valiant efforts that DC firefighters put forth to save lives at the fire. Next, the mayor asked me to detail the rescues and report on the status of the fire investigation. As I stood before the cameras as the new fire chief, I wasn't prepared for the media frenzy that. The media seemingly wanted to discuss the response to the wrong location, but had little interest in the valiant rescues. The address issue was expected, but I would have guessed as a side note, maybe a subscript, not the headline. Instead of highlighting the great work of our firefighters, the media's primary focus was the address issue. Attempting to explain that 911 callers must provide correct locations did not satisfy the thirst for a controversy. So, the day before I received my first DCFD paycheck was a wakeup call for how issues would be handled during the next four years. It was not a very nice welcome home.
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The original of this picture is quite boring. But I liked the angle. So I started playing a little bit and this is the outcome.
I think the mood is now quite apocalyptic. The shot was taken at a building site in Egypt.
Tags: clouds, sky, wall, stone, plank, planks, surreal


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Alexander Schimpf, Pianist
Sunday October 07, 2012
Alexander Schimpf's success at the Cleveland International Piano Competition was just part of the significant rise to prominence for this young German pianist. He won the 2008 German Music Competition, and also earned First Prize at the 2009 International Beethoven Competition in Vienna . Since winning these notable awards, his career has gained momentum with regular appearances at important music centers around the world. In 2011 he gave debut recitals at the Vienna Konzerthaus , Berlin 's Konzerthaus and in Zankel Hall at New York 's Carnegie Hall. He is currently on a U.S. tour, performing on both solo recitals and concerto appearances.
Arts & Culture, Music, Performing Arts
Starts at 3:00pm
Admission Fee/Ticket Price:
- Augusta State University: Maxwell Performing Arts Theatre
- 2500 Walton Way
- Augusta, GA
- Summerville


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|Mr. and Mrs. Dale Derrow
|Sunday, May 04, 2014 8:00 PM
A party is being given by their children.
Dale and the former Beverly Vondran were married on May 23, 1964, at St. Peter Lutheran Church, the Rev. Fred Zangmister officiating.
They are the parents of four daughters, Julie (Doug) Fitch, Kathy (Steve) Vorst, Shelly (Fred) Hasting and Cindy (Kevin) Weitzel. They also have 12 grandchildren, one granddaughter-in-law and one great-granddaughter.
Dale is retired from Ohio Northern University. Beverly is retired and is a housewife and childcare-giver.


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Community Voices is a regular gathering of parents and guardians to explore relevant topics. In the past, we have alternated open discussions with more formal presentations. This year, we are happy to announce that we'll be adding a social/craft component to kick off most meetings. We will not be devoting entire meetings to open discussions since the span of ages GRS now serves. Instead, Christina Beck , Head of School, will be holding some coffee mornings throughout the year. Watch the GRS Newsletter for dates and times. Please contact Christina if you have any concerns or questions about Community Voices.
Meetings will begin at 6:30 pm
October 25 – Presentation by Damon Coyne of Intentional Environment Consulting & Design
November 15 – Book Club begins (title TBA)
January date – TBA Montessori speaker
February 21 – Technology
March 21 – Celebrating our Students
April 24 Annual meeting of the Board of Directors
May 16 Book Club, cont.


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PEORIA, Ill. -- Party officials say there are several reasons people choose not to vote in the primary election.
Some choose not to vote in the primary because you must pick a political party.
Others feel this election is not important and wait to vote in the general election in November.
Those that did make it to the polls today say there are many reasons to vote in every election.
"I think it's very important because a lot of people have died for us to express that right," said voter Carolyn Little.
"There are candidates who are obviously voting against each other in the major election so if you don't vote in it you get what everyone else decides on," said voter Susan Leighty.
Party representatives says over the years voting has become a lot more convenient.
"The accessibility has become a lot better, you can vote by mail, you can early vote there's so many different ways to do it," said Billy Halstead from the Peoria County Democratic Party.
"It's a great opportunity to be part of narrowing down that field of candidates so we can put forth our best team for the election in November," said Katherine Coyle from the Peoria County Republican Party.


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What is this?
A link? Click, dear reader! The blogging excitement moves again!
moving forward. in theory.
What is this?
A link? Click, dear reader! The blogging excitement moves again!
Dual screen support is made of fail on Linux. In this post, you will learn why. I reference Ubuntu 9.04, but it applies to other distributions also. It is my hope that by documenting some of the problems, I will add intangible weight to the issue and make whoever fixes it feel good about their work.
Let's walk through setup, shall we? First, you are required to log out after initially adding a second monitor to the system. I understand why this is, but it's lame. I hoped that Ubuntu 9.04 would have had some magic way of fixing this. Apparently not.
Now, suppose the user is actually using the secondary monitor which has a smaller vertical resolution . One very nice feature of many window managers is edge resistance — when a window is close to the edge of the screen, it will sort of cling to the edge a little. This is usually what the user wants. As it currently stands, this is broken. The screen is treated as a big rectangle with smaller rectangular views overlayed on top of it — the monitors. The edges windows resist are on the big rectangle, not the smaller ones. This means that an edge on the smaller secondary monitor will not have resistance. This is inconsistent with the larger monitor, which is bad.
Finally, let us think about laptops. A large number of dual screen users are also laptop users, because laptops don't usually have very big screens, and because pretty much all laptops (even low end ones) support dual screens. Laptops, being as portable as they are, have a tendency to be used in multiple locations. Some of these locations might have dual screens; some might not. When you leave a location which has dual screens, your first inclination is to unplug the second screen. Unfortunately, any windows which were visible on the second screen are now not visible at all. They now exist in a magic imaginary space off to the side of your primary screen. If you put the laptop into a power-saving mode like sleep or hibernate before pulling the second monitor out, you will have the same problem. The only solution is to end your session by shutting down the computer or restarting X11.
Advanced users will overcome this quirk by either moving all their windows off the secondary screen before unplugging it, or holding down a meta key and making blind grabs into the void in hopes of fishing out a desired window. Meanwhile, Microsoft Windows handles this issue easily. It simply moves all the windows that were on the secondary screen onto the primary screen. Why can't X, xrandr, or the window manager do that?
I've had a few ideas recently about improving the usability of AbiWord on netbooks. Abi is already fast and small (always a good thing on a low power machine), but my general impression of netbooks is that they usually have fairly small, low resolution screens and small, somewhat imprecise input devices.
To this end, I've started making mockups of various interface concepts and ideas. Here are two of them.
(I've used the Windows XP taskbar because it's easier to work with than the transparent Windows 7 one. Please excuse typos. Paint.net does not allow editing previously entered text. ;-) )
On the one hand, I'm somewhat hesitant to break a lot of platform specific human interface guidelines. On the other hand, they probably weren't written with netbooks in mind. The gray interface seems like it would provide better contrast between the interface and the text in a brightly lit environment than the default grayish color.
Note also that my tabs are clearly better than the ones in Microsoft Office 2007 because they can be accessed from the side of the screen (even if the mockup does a really poor job of showing the idea). I may be treading close to the MS patent here though; I'll need to check out the exact details of what that covers.
I do not yet know if I'll be applying for a summer job realizing a few of my concepts in Summer of Code 2009, but I thought they were interesting enough to toss up here.
Speaking of which, does anyone know of a crossplatform way to break HIG standards on all platforms? ;-) Most of the cross platform libraries I've seen seem to empahsize uniformity with the host operating system.
Gamers can be classified into several categories. I happen to fall into the "Exploration gamer" stereotype, meaning that although I enjoy a challenge, I'd rather face an easy, interesting boss and stroll through lots of interesting locations than have to analyse the strategy of a ridiculously hard (yet dull) boss to proceed. There's not necessarily anything wrong with this preference either; I just happen to really enjoy games like Seiklus and Knytt Stories more than others might. Even in World of WarCraft or the Elder Scrolls games, my default gameplay activity is to actively avoid combat and just wander around to see everything. (Why yes, I do enjoy playing as a rogue. Thank you for asking.)
The gaming habits of others may differ. (Yes, this post is in response to that one. Go read it.)
The problem with being an exploration gamer is that I'm quite likely to give up way too soon on a challenge and play something else or use cheat codes if I just can't get past a certain point in the game. This tendency is exacerbated by my sudden decrease in time upon arriving at college. It doesn't make me any less of a gamer, it just means I want something different out of a game than you do; "the scenery, the story, the poetry of movement", if you will. I watch intro movies, for goodness sake. ;-)
This being said, while the Nintendo patent for scene based gaming mentions the "experience", I don't really think it's aimed at exploration gamers. No, the patent seems to be aimed at casual gamers who would be unable to complete the game otherwise. At certain points, Zelda really is just a lot of fun to watch. The puzzles can be/are frustrating for the casual market they're trying to cater to, though. This video walkthrough system sounds very similar to what was implanted in the puzzle game Professor Fizzwizzle, which was loved by both casual gamers and hardcore puzzle solvers. Hopefully this is a sign that Nintendo is going ahead with what aging Zelda fans have wanted for a while: much harder puzzles.
Think about it. Miyamoto has said the franchise "does need some big new unique ideas." With new ideas will hopefully come an increase in difficulty; an important factor which seems to have been declining in recent releases. Whether the reduced difficulty is perceived or actual is up for discussion (repeated use of common metaphors and concepts may make new titles seem easier to players who have been through several installments in the series already), but people who like a series are likely to play multiple installments of it.
But I digress. If scene based gaming means that Nintendo can make games significantly new, different, and harder without loosing the casual audiance they currently cater to or the old school gamers they attracted in the first place, so much the better.
So what if casual gamers want to watch Zelda like an overpriced DVD? As long as the core gameplay is intact for everyone else, I don't really see the fuss about scene-based gaming as anything more as elitism.
Every year, Retro Remakes runs a video game remake competition. There are typically about fifty completed entries or so, all in a handy list with download links. It's like Christmas in July! I mean, December.
New this year there were two new categories which allowed for mashups of existing classics and "remakes" of games which didn't actually exist. In my humble opinion, some of the best entries this year fell into those categories. Allow me to present three of my favorites.
Blast Passage
Very little to say about this one; it's exactly what it looks like. It's Gauntlet mixed with Bomber Man, complete with LAN play. Tell me that's not an amazing concept. It's Java and runs in a web browser, so it should be fairly cross platform.
Download: Page 4
Metroid meets Tetris. The heart of the game is classic Metroid, but all the powerups are now tetris pieces. You have to fit them into block segments which seal off new areas in order to advance. It's rather clever; I especially like how some sections require the player to shoot the right piece into the wall to serve as a platform. The music is also brilliant.
Download: Page 4
This is an extremely interesting entry. It's very simple; just a run and jump platformer with one enemy type and simple graphics. The genius is that each individual enemy unit is more powerful than the player, and it has an AI system. If the player opens fire, the enemy will either retreat and take cover, or jump and counter attack. If the player starts running away, enemies will emerge from cover on lower platforms and pursue their target like carnivorous rabbits. Yet, the AI is just unpredictable enough to keep things interesting. I love all the applications of game theory here.
Retroman is relatively difficult. An individual enemy, while comparatively easy to outwit, takes several hits to destroy and can kill the player in a single shot. I spent twenty minutes or so attempting to pass the first level; I've got no idea if there are any others.
Download: Page 5
Of course, your tastes will certainly differ from mine, and I haven't had the time or inclination to play all of the entries. If you find something exceptional, feel free to call it out in the comments. :-)
So, I've signed on as the third developer of Project Daydream.
Project Daydream will be an open source, cross-platform, networked physics simulation sandbox. We'll be implementing the base layer and online support. Users will be able to script and extend the sim with LUA. The (extremely) longterm goal is to make it an MMO.
Since we're all busy students, this obviously isn't going to be complete anytime soon. But we'll hopefully have something interesting to demonstrate sometime in the next few months.
Attention internet! If you have an ATi Xpress 200, Xpress 200m, Xpress 1100, or Xpress 1100m graphics card affected by the OpenGL firmware bug, this is for you. I stumbled across it randomly; it's called GLDirect. It converts system calls to OpenGL into DirectX calls. So, if you can run DirectX games fine but you've been having trouble with horrible (read: completely unplayable) performance in Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, Neverwinter Nights, Savage, or another OpenGL game, give it a whirl.
I'd love to test it, but I no longer have the time or the affected hardware in question. If you try it, let me know how it works for you in the comments. Thanks!
So, I'm trying to buy access to MyTechCommKit, an online service required for one of my classes this semester. The typical process for this sort of thing usually involves going to a secure web page (yay HTTPS), entering some payment and billing info, and checking email every ten seconds for a an automated confirmation.
Unfortunately, online stores hate me. The feeling is mural (although I make special exceptions for NewEgg and Amazon, for reasons which will become clear presently). When the time came for me to enter my credit card verification number, authentication failed. Which was OK; because my card was on the verge of expiring and I just got an updated card yesterday with a different security code. The system must not have updated for the new card. Merely trying the old code should work. Except that it doesn't.
The priority of the issue suddenly jumped several levels on my internal bug tracker. This is An Issue.
I tried to contact support. For some reason, they decided that it was way too hard to maintain an 800 number, so they have live chat instead. Cheapskates. I spent several minutes figuring out how to classify my issue in their arbitrary category system, entered my name and contact info, double checked the hours of operation, and hit "Chat." A window appeared, the chat interface popped up… and then it all closed again. A message informed me that my chat had been disconnected. Well, that's just wonderful. I love you too, impersonal buggy javascript application.
Look, if you're going to have a system which will randomly fail, either by your fault, your customer's, or some random middle man, it's good to have a backup. Like, a real person for your customer to sort things out with. Perhaps a phone number someplace? It really feels like you don't want to talk to me and/or don't care that I want to give you money. Work that out, ok?
I took a brief break from coding to try out KDE 4.1 in Ubuntu 8.04. I used the procedure to install outlined on the Kubuntu page. This release was billed long ago as the one which would be ready for users. Observe my amazing stream of cosciousness, typed in real time as I explored the basic KDE 4.1 desktop.
All the hotkeys on my laptop's keyboard have been disabled. I can't adjust the screen brightness, which defaults to "solar flare."
Ripping off the Vista search-as-you-type style menu is only a good thing.
No Tango in the icon switcher? I thought one of the big deals about Tango was that it was one of the first complete icon themes to use the new-two-years-ago FreeDesktop.org icon naming system?
The plasmoid whatever it is method of resizing the taskbar confused me for a while. Also, am I missing something? I messed around with these wierd tabstops and justification buttons that pop up when you want to resize the toolbar, but nothing happened. Don't know what they're supposed to control, but the UI metaphor isn't working for me.
No obvious way to turn off text labels on toolbars
The menu that pops up when a flash drive is inserted is extremely nicely done. There is a my-computer style device icon persistent on the taskbar, and the popup dialog is attached to this icon. I don't know. It takes up valuable space on the taskbar, but I like it. It would be nice if my home folder was in there, maybe with a separator to distinguish it from the devices or something.
Window compositing!
Alt-tab highly meh.
Can be replaced with Aero win-tab rip off or what looks like an itunes coverflow clone.
No compelling reason to use KWM with composite over compiz. Or even over KWM with no composite. Aside from shadows and the window becoming a little transparent when you move it, I'm not seeing a big difference.
The mouse pointer theme is under Keyboard & Mouse, not appearance. Which makes sense I guess, except that that icon is under the Computer Administration category. Even though every option in the mouse section easily falls under Look & Feel.
I don't like single clicking to open folders. I don't care if it's more efficient, I want my double click back. Where is the option? It was around in previous iterations of KDE, but I can't find it now.
If there are enough items for the scrollbar to kick in on the k-menu, the last one will be halfway off the screen.
Does this have integrated desktop search? Deskbar in Gnome hooks into tracker. The k-menu search should do something similar.
What is the deal with Lost & Found? Why did it just dump everything from my neatly organized Wine folder on the Gnome menu in there?
Why does the "Desktop theme" affect the taskbar, not the desktop? I went looking for the taskbar theme by right clicking on the taskbar first.
I installed some desktop theme using the "New Theme…" button and nothing happened. I thought I'd misclicked because the progress bar went by, but nothing happened.
Oh, you have to install it, then back out and select it on the list. I'd like to at least preview it though. The screenshots are too small, and going back and forth is annoying.
I *think* I installed the Haron theme using the interface, but it's not in the list for some reason. Hey, it didn't work twice in a row.
How can I get rid of that annoying button on the end of the taskbar? Oh, I can hide it by locking stuff.
Why is there an annoying button in the top right corner? Can I get rid of it? What the heck? Why would anyone want to zoom out their desktop like this? Is this for if you've got like 20 virtual desktops and they all need different widgets or something? Weird.
Gah. I'm going back to Gnome. My eyes can't stand the glare anymore.
Ok, why are there choices for log out/standby/shutdown/restart on the menu, if they're just going to pop up again as a seprate dialog when I click one of them?
Verdict: Kubuntu 8.04 with KDE 4.1 feels funky and unpolished. This isn't nearly as usable as I expected. I'll check back around 4.2.
Please don't flame me. Gnome is good, Windows Vista is good UI-wise (until you need to configure something), but KDE feels pretty meh.
Dearest Facebook,
You have no Linux users in your UI testing groups. Either that, or you ignore them. Or they don't actually test. It's one of those. I state this merely because Firefox 3 on Linux is not compatible with your new design. This has been tested in Arch Linux and the version of Ubuntu that came out back in April.
So anyway. The links on the main page don't work. You must click a link, then refresh the page to be taken to your destination.
On a completely different note, it's somewhat disappointing to see that you switched from one fixed-width style to another. I used to be able to have a web browser on the left sode of my desktop and IM windows on the right side. Now my browser needs to be about 170 pixels wider, so it overlaps. The worst part is how much seems to be dedicated to ads (a large number of which are either completely irrelavent to me or offensive. I shamelessly block them) and whitespace. Yeah, the new layout seems a lot cleaner, but a lot of that is because you bought the whitespace by making the user resize the window larger. And what's up with 1/3 of the viewable area not being used while looking at wall-to-wall conversations? It would have been a lot more nifty if the layout flowed depending on how wide the window was.
Just some thoughts.
P.S. Oh, just remembered. That you know that guy Joe Minifeed? Why are you calling him "Mr. Wall" now?
P.P.S. Try loading the main page with the window not full length. Scroll to the right. Note the fun redraw issues. I'll bet we see Firefox 3.0.2, "Facebook Edition" pretty soon.


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Press Release MSSU:
The MissouriSouthern football team will head out of the MIAA this week when the Lionstravel to Rapid City, South Dakota to take on South Dakota School of Mines thisSaturday.
Game5: Missouri Southern State University Lions (3-1, 3-1 MIAA) vs. South DakotaSchool of Mines Hardrockers (4-1)
Date: Saturday, October12, 2013 Kickoff: 2 pm CT/1 pm MT
Location: Rapid City, SD. • O'haraStadium (4,000)
Media: Radio (97.9 FMBig Dog - Mike McClure (Play-by-Play), Tom Cox (Color) Streamed live on www.mssulions.com or via the Big Dog Appfor iPhone and Android
LiveVideo: viaAmerica One Sports
TheSeries:This is just the second meeting of the two schools. Missouri Southern won lastyear 47-20 at home for homecoming where the Lions.
Avictory vs. SD Mines would: be the second in a row against theHardrockers. It would be the first timce since 1996 the team had started theseason 5-1. The Lions would also be 11-1 in their last 12 non-conferencegames.
NationalLeaders: After five games, the Lions rank third in rushing offense and fourth infewest sacks allowed. They also rank 19th in passing efficiency, 24th inpunting and 27th in pass sacks. They rank 28th in total offense, averaging473.8 yards per game.
MIAALeaders: The Lions lead the MIAA in fewest sacks allowed, defensive sacks andrushing offense, while ranking third in both punting and rushing defense, andfourth in defense and passing efficiency.
Playerof the Week: Lions quarterback JayMcDowell was named the MIAA Offensive Player of the Week this past week.McDowell rushed for 225 yards on the night, becoming the first Southernquarterback to rush for over 200 yards since Josh Chapman had 246 againstMissouri-Rolla in 2002. He was 5-10 through the air for 69 yards.
SackNation: The Lions are leading the MIAA in sacks this year and had five in thegame against Southwest Baptist, including three on three concecutive plays.Southern has 14 sacks through five games and is on pace for 31 sacks in theseason. The school record for sacks in a season is 30, set in both 1991 and2005.
TheCoaches: Daryl Daye is in his second season as the head coach at MissouriSouthern. Last year, he led the Lions to a 6-5 record, the first winning seasonsince 2007. After installing a triple-option offensive attack, the Lions setschool records for rushing yards and rushing attempts, while tying a schoolrecord for rushing touchdowns. Daye came back to Southern after serving twoseasons with the NFL's Buffalo Bills as Assistant to the Head Coach. Heassisted Defensive Coordinator Dave Wannstedt in coaching the insidelinebackers and also helped to coach the special teams units. Prior to hisstint with the Bills, Daye served for four years with the Lions as the team'sdefensive coordinator.
In 2008, theLions led the MIAA in pass defense. Southern held its opponents to 172 passingyards per game and recorded 58 tackles for a loss, 15 sacks and recovered all15 fumbles the team forced.The 2007 MSSU defense helped the Lions to theirfirst winning season in 12 years. The defense led the MIAA in total defense forthe 1st time in school history and also led the MIAA pass defense, opponents'first downs, passing efficiency and were ranked second in Opponents third andfourth down conversions. The Lions' defense was ranked 21st nationally in totaldefense and also broke a 17 year old division II school record with 21interceptions.
Prior toSouthern, Daye worked as special teams coach for the Southern University andalso served as head coach at Nicholls State University in Thibodeaux, La., from1999-2003, and as an assistant at Liberty, LSU and Southern Miss.
StacyCollinsis in his second year as a head coach at South Dakota Mines. He previouslycoached at Division I Portland State, as well as spending three seasons atCentral Washington University. His career also included stops at SouthernOregon University in 2007 (defensive coordinator), Idaho State from 2005-06(linebackers coach), Western Washington from 2003-04 (linebackers coach) andWestern Oregon from 1998-2002 (special teams coordinator and linebackerscoach). In addition, he spent time in Europe on the coaching staff of theVienna Vikings (Austria) European League football team as the defensivecoordinator and interim head coach from 1999-2001.
Full Game Notes
KOAM - Licensed to Pittsburg, Kansas
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Organizers of an annual campus charity event are close to reaching their goal of raising $35,000 and recruiting 700 volunteers to package more than 142,000 meals for the nonprofit group Stop Hunger Now. You can help them by volunteering and/or donating to the cause on their website.
The event, sponsored by Service NC State, takes place 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 9, in the Carmichael Gym.
Stop Hunger Now works to alleviate hunger around the world by providing packaged meals to schools, vocational training programs, early childhood development programs, orphanages and medical clinics. NC State students and employees have packaged more than two million meals for the organization in the past five years.


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Any fellow colts fans who are also card collectors? i have a huge a variety of colts and other teams, not gotten my hands on a luck auto yet but i do have a rg3 die cut super fractor autograph number 1 of only 25 made, check it out on ebay if ya want, http://www.ebay.com/itm/RG3-1-1-Auto-Rookie-Redskins-RARE-High-BV-/251289963529?pt=US_Autographed_Trading_Cards&hash=item3a820c8c09, and feel free to add me on facebook if your looking for any colts cards! im pretty sure this will link ya to my facebook but if doesnt, www.facebook.com/scull3
thanks guys! GO COLTS!


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Home > Skateboarding > Nike SB Dunk High Dark Oak
There's just something about these buttery Dunk High Dark Oak's from Nike SB that make us want to skate in the cold and house an extra large chocolate bar at the same time. Maybe we're just high. Get them now at DQM. More looks after the jump.
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During its six-month time span, the region-wide art exhibit "Pacific Standard Time: Art in L.A. 1945-1980" generated several thousand jobs and $280.5 million in new economic activity, according to an economic study out Friday.
The Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation found the exhibit supported about 2,490 jobs and generated $19.4 million in tax revenues for state and local governments.
"Pacific Standard Time" was staged at more than 60 cultural institutions from October 2011 to March 2012. The exhibit took a comprehensive look at the birth of Los Angeles' art scene.
The Getty Trust and institutions that participated spent about $29 million to put on the exhibit, which brought about $111.5 million in direct spending by visitors. Using economic models, the LAEDC's economists estimated the net economic gain for the region was $280.5 million.
J. Paul Getty Trust President Jim Cuno called the study "confirmation of a truth that is well-known to cultural institutions, civic officials and corporate supporters of the arts - that investments in cultural activity can yield major economic benefits."
With grants from the Getty Foundation for archives, research, exhibitions, publications, and programs totaling more than $11 million, what began as a collaborative effort to preserve the historical record of the milestones in this region's artistic history expanded into a great creative landmark.
Within its multitude of simultaneous exhibitions and programs, each participating institution in "Pacific Standard Time" made its own contribution to a grand-scale story of artistic innovation and social change. The exhibit has encompassed developments from L.A. Pop to post-minimalism; from modernist architecture and design to multi-media installations; from the films of the African-American L.A. Rebellion to the feminist activities of the Woman's Building; from ceramics to Chicano performance art; and from Japanese-American design to the pioneering work of artists' collectives.
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said "Pacific Standard Time" solidified the city's place in art history and celebrated the region's artistic contributions to wider society, "but it provided Angelenos more tangible benefits as well, through creating jobs, driving tourism to the region and increasing the economic activity that generates revenue to fund public services."
Interviews with exhibit-goers found that about 16 percent were from out of state. About 41 percent of the almost 1.8 million people who attended the exhibit went to the museums and galleries specifically for "Pacific Standard Time."
For information visit The Getty Center's website.
- New Getty Exhibit Chronicles L.A. Art Scene
- Getty Kicks Off Arts Festival With Butoh Dance [VIDEO]
- The Getty Archives Rapper Ice Cube's Love for L.A. Architecture
- Can You Build the Eames House Out of Legos?
- Last Chance to See Major Getty Exhibitions


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Here's to hoping that a change of scenery will shake the Blues out of this malaise. The daily routine here at home led to more and more inconsistency. Maybe, the shake up from traveling will allow the Boys in Blue to sharpen their focus. They sure seem to have trouble with that lately.
I never thought I'd ever say this, but thank God that homestand is over ....
If they need any more motivation, they can just look at the game film from our last meeting with the
North Stars. I'm sure Carlo and BJ are licking their chops to face Cheap Steve Shot Ott again.
Ultimately, we need the win more than we need Ott to bleed. But then again, why can't we have both?
Everybody wants to score. Everybody wants to win. Everybody wants a piece of Ott.
Simply put, Everybody Wants Some!!
Van Halen / Everybody Wants Some!!
This is also your pre-game party, also. Gather, plot new and exciting methods of retribution, debate Van Roth vs Van Hagar, etc etc etc. Remember, tonight's game is on VS, so plan accordingly. The GDT will come shortly before the puck drops.
Lets Go Blues!


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Concert review and set list: Lyle Lovett strikes up the Large Band at Peabody Opera House, Saturday, August 25
Singer-songwriter and Texan Lyle Lovett is a consummate and versatile performer, drawing great musical power from the strength of the musicians backing him in his Large Band.
The band opened the show with an extended intro jam, showcasing its talent and flexibility as individual members traded licks and solos for several minutes. Lovett then took the stage as the band launched into a cover of "Release Me," the title track from Lovett's current record. After 27 years with Curb Records, "Release Me" is Lovett's final recording for the label. Like Saturday night's show at the Peabody Opera House, the album mixes eclectic covers and originals that run through nearly all of the musical styles and eras that Lovett has visited throughout his career.
With the assistance of vocalist Arnold McCuller, Lovett and his Large Band played a selection of songs from the new album, including a rollicking version of the single "Isn't That So," written by Jessie Winchester. "We're playing some new songs," Lovett said, "because when you've got a new record out, that's what you're supposed to do."
Lovett then exited the stage momentarily, handing over the reigns to McCuller, who performed "Gods and Monsters" from his record "As Soon As I Get Paid." Lovett then returned for "Well…All Right," a song written by fellow Texan Buddy Holly. The first part of the show mixed material from the new record with both older and recent originals such as "Penguins" and "Cute as a Bug."
Lovett later handed over the lead vocal to fiddle player Luke Bullock, whose self-titled solo record is also out now. Always the Southern gentleman, Lovett is obviously happy to showcase the talents of the members of his group, and is himself grateful to the people who have helped him in the past. For example, Lovett spoke highly of another great, but unfortunately lesser-known, Texas songwriter, Eric Taylor. Taylor was instrumental in helping Lovett in the early days of his career, when he was playing gigs at the renowned Anderson Fair Retail Restaurant in Houston. The band then played Taylor's "Understand You," which Lovett also recorded for "Release Me."
Casual and soft spoken, Lovett is, of course, an excellent storyteller, conversationally and in song. The wry sense humor reflected in his work was on display in his banter as he frequently adjusted the tuning of his guitar between songs, keeping the audience entertained with his occasionally rambling anecdotes. "Looks like I've brought things to a stop here," he remarked at one point.
Midway through the show, most of the band left the stage, while Lovett, Sean Watkins (Nickel Creek) and Bullock played a couple of songs as a bluegrass trio, the three players sharing one center stage mike. On the second song "Up in Indiana" the band slowly rejoined the mix, and, once reunited, then launched into a wonderful version of Lovett's classic wedding song/murder ballad "L.A. County." That song was followed by "Private Conversation" from 1996′s, "Road to Ensenada," a record released in the wake of his much-publicized romance with Julia Roberts. It's a shame that Lovett's brief relationship with a movie star is his biggest claim to fame for many Americans, because he is truly one of our greatest living songwriters.
With a sharp lyrical sense that brings a twist to many of his songs, Lovett is also a master of many musical styles — a great performer and a true country traditionalist. He and his Large Band are always impeccably attired and a joy to hear. Composed of legendary players such as Leland Sklar (bass), Russ Kunkel (drums) and younger players like Sean Watkins (mandolin and acoustic guitar), the Large Band is undoubtedly one of the great configurations of musicians touring today. And the Peabody Opera House is a perfect venue for the Large Band. More formal than the Pageant yet more intimate than the Fox, the Peabody is just big enough to house the band, unlike the Sheldon, where the size of the Large Band threatened to overrun that small stage in 2010.
The latter portion of the show, predictably, focused on many of Lovett's best-know songs. This is no criticism, however, as a Lyle Lovett concert is never a rehash of "greatest hits." Full, lush versions of these tunes delighted the audience as the band played favorites like "If I had a Boat" and "She's No Lady." The latter had McCuller returning to the stage to interject a scat solo. Moreover, these songs all featured embellishments from the other Large Band members as well, including a great piano solo from Jim Cox on "North Dakota" and a John Hagen cello solo on "I've Been to Memphis."
Following the extended jams of "I've Been to Memphis" and "That's Right (You're Not From Texas)" the band briefly left the stage before returning to close the set, and the evening, with a raucous version of "Church" that had the audience clapping along.
Lovett is one of the great voices of country music. "Release Me" may be his last record for his current label, but we certainly haven't heard the last of this great American songwriter. Hopefully he'll be bringing his Large Band back to town again soon.
Set list:
Release Me (Miller/Pebworth/Yount)
White Boy Lost in the Blues (Michael Franks)
Isn't That So (Jessie Winchester)
Cute as a Bug
I Will Rise Up
Gods and Monsters (Arnold McCuller song and vocal)
Well…All Right (Buddy Holly)
Understand You (Eric Taylor)
Brown Eyed Handsome Man (Chuck Berry)
One Way Gal (William Moore)
Dress of Laces (Grimaudo/White)
Remember Well (Luke Bullock song and vocal)
Girl With the Holiday Smile
Night's Lullaby (Song written for "Much Ado About Nothing")
Up in Indiana
L.A. County
Private Conversation
Anyhow I Love You (Guy Clark)
Nobody Knows Me
If I Had a Boat
She's No Lady
North Dakota
I've Been to Memphis
That's Right (You're Not From Texas)
White Freightliner Blues (Townes Van Zandt)


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'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the bar
Not a drink was being stirred, not even a sidecar.
The neon lights were hung by the windows with care,
In hopes that more regulars soon would be there.
The bottles were nestled all snug in their coozies,
While double vision plagues those who were boozie.
And the bartender in her hoodie and I in my wrap,
Had just ordered another round for a long winter's nightcap.
That's all I got … drop the mic.


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Absurd? Crazy? Beyond discussion? Wrong, it is discussed. The Government of Israel wants to join the supranational European Union.
When in May 2003 a European Union delegation visited Israel, the Israeli Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom said, Israel was considering applying for membership of the bloc. The Israeli newspaper Ha'aretz: ""Shalom said he is not excluding that this government will ask for full membership in the EU," said Marco Pannella, an Italian member of the European Parliament…" (1) And a spokesman for Shalom confirmed the comment:
"In principle, the minister thinks a possibility exists for Israel to join the EU since Israel and Europe share similar economies and democratic values." (1) The Italian Pannella spoke to Reuters of growing support in the European Parliament for Israel to join the EU but "that it could take up to a decade to complete the process." (1)
Early in November 2003 Ariel Sharon visited the Italian Prime Minister (and current EU President) Silvio Berlusconi, said to be spearheading Israel's membership. And on November 24, 2003 Italian Vice Prime Minister Gianfranco Fini – former neofascist and current leader of the ultra right-wing Allianza Nationale – received a hearty welcome from the Sharon Administration when visiting Jerusalem. With a kippa on his head the man who once called Mussolini "the greatest politician of the 20th century" visited Yad Vashem – much to the outrage of Israelis.
So, one day we may live to see a (temporary) EU President named Ariel Sharon. Brace yourself for the debate. It has already started – behind closed doors. The citizens of Europe are not asked if they favour Giscard d'Estaing's new neoliberal EU Charta (May 9, Actionday!) and we won't be asked if we want the Middle Eastern State of Israel in the EU either. Perhaps they won't even ask the Israeli people – far less the occupied Palestinians.
"There is, however, little enthusiasm among EU member states for Israel to join," Ha'aretz writes, "The EU is frustrated by Israel's reservations about the road map peace plan. It has also expressed concern at Israel's treatment of Palestinians and its military measures intended to quell the intifada." (1)
The EU has always viewed Israel "as a country deeply anchored in democratic values and institutions," said Italian Foreign Minister Frattini, in representation of the EU Presidency, when a survey, ordered by the EU Commission, brought shocking results (Eurobarometer, Oct. 2003):
Asked, which state posed a main threat to world peace (you were free to choose among 14 non-EU countries), most of the asked EU citizens chose Israel; the U.S. came second – together with North Korea and Iran. (By the way, 68% thought the military intervention of the U.S. and its allies in Iraq "not justified". Only 29% thought it justified.) Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Syria, or Libya were regarded as less threatening. The least afraid are Europeans of India, China, Russia and Somalia. The poll's astonishing results angered Israel and shocked the EU leadership to the point of dissociating from their own study.
The gap between the not so democratic, bureaucratic supranational State EU and its citizens is ever widening.
Since there is no public debate about Israel joining the European Union, we have to start one of our own.
Here some arguments pro Israel joining the European Union: EU membership might stabilize the critical economic situation in Israel. There are many Israelis with Western/Eastern European roots and family. So, perhaps, a majority of Israelis might find it quite natural to join the European Union and perhaps many people in the EU think so too: no passports required when visiting friends in Israel/Europe, open borders. EU institutions will have to deal with the status of the Palestinians in the Occupied Territories. What about the EU Fundamental Rights Charter? What about the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms? By the way, are the malnourished (2) occupied Palestinians to become EU citizens too?
Economic ties between EU and Israel are already as tight as can be (too tight, in regard to weapons' exports to Israel). The EU will have more influence on the "peace process"
On the contra-side you may ask yourself if a EU (formerly EC/EEC) incapable of solving the conflict between Northern Ireland/Britain in decades is likely to solve the bloody Israeli/Palestinian conflict, and help bring about an independent Palestinian State. One thing's for sure though: If at this point in history Israel becomes member of the European Union the EU will become part of Israel's occupation regime – and of Israel's conflicts with its Arab neighbors (there are discussions about Israel joining Nato too).
And won't Israel, fully integrated in a political and economic union with Europe, be further alienated to its geographic neighbors? What about EU courts, institutions, organizations? How will they deal with the occupation situation? All this has to be discussed. But, perhaps, the people of Israel themselves shrink back from the idea (of joining in a political union with Germany, for example). If you know people in Israel, if you know people in Palestine discuss these issues with them. What are their hopes, what are their fears in regard to such possibilities?
To be part of a progressive globalization movement means to be active. Not to let things happen, but to get involved. Discussion is the key. Discuss with the Turkish people how they regard the likely possibility of Turkey finally joining the EU, discuss with Kurds their point of view. Discuss with people from Poland, Czechia or the Baltic States how they view their upcoming EU citizenship.
"Bella gerant alii, tu felix EU nube!" (3)
Remember the motto of the Austrian Emperors? Let others fight wars for territorial extension, we extend our Empire by marrying the right persons. The EU expansion project is not as altruistic as it may seem at first glance. The EU is an economic power comparable to the U.S.. With the Baltic States on board we extend a greedy hand towards the Russian oil and other resources in the East. To bring on board Israel may be the European route to the Middle East. Europe is in no ways military comparable to the U.S. The 'Solana Doctrine' (to be accepted by the EU in December!), the European satellite system Gallileo, and the planned European Rapid Reaction Force – a dangerous development though for Europeans – won't change this disparity.
The EU has a different imperial approach: Let the U.S. fight its wars, we extend our territory by "marrying" new member states (but time and our people permitting, some of us will be good chums too, and help America fight its wars).
"Fair is foul and foul is fair" (the three witches in Shakespeare's 'Macbeth')
The second part of this commentary is about the "anti-Semitism debate", and why Europe's progressive movements are in desperate need of a clearing house. A good example for the topsy turvy situation when it comes to the question, who is "anti-Semite" and who's not is this year's 'Distinguished Statesman Award' of the Jewish Anti-Defamation League (ADL) – a conservative Jewish organization in the U.S.. The prize went to no other than Italian right-wing Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi – not the least for his "active role in fighting anti-Semitism".
Well, some of his Government allies, like Mr. Fini, have played an active role in furthering anti-Semitism. Berlusconi has stood firm with Bush's war against Iraq. "I like Bush. I like Sharon. And Silvio Berlusconi, we are delighted to have you here tonight", Abraham Foxman, the ADL national director said at the prize dinner in New York.
The organization proclaims itself as the "nation's premier civil rights/human rights agency" in deference to the interests of the United States and Israel. Only three weeks before the award Silvio Berlusconi had uttered the remark that Adolf Hitler's chief ally and ideological mentor Benito Mussolini was a "benign" dictator, "Mussolini never killed anyone. Mussolini sent people on holiday in internal exile".
Well, those sent "on holiday" might disagree. Three Nobel Prize winners – Paul Samuelson, Franco Modigliani and Robert Solow – protested the award in a letter to the New York Times. But the sharpest reaction to Berlusconi's insensitivity came from the Italian Jews. Former President of the Union of Italian Jewish Communities, Tullia Zevi, said: "To celebrate a man who has said these things is insulting the memory of these people who suffered under these times". Others, like Jack Rosen, President of the American Jewish Congress, defended Berlusconi.
You shy away from the debate? Well, the debate won't shy away from you
If you are antiracist (and support the rights of the Palestinians) "noveaux réactionnaires" (as Daniel Lindenberg calls them) like Alain Finkielkraut are quick to call you "anti-Semitic". If you argue by leftist, antifascist standards you are informed by Alain Finkielkraut that you are part of "a radical left that has been untouched by the antitotalitarian discourse. It washes its hands off the Stalinist crimes and believes in revolution and utopia. It is not against the use of violence. Noam Chomsky is their leading intellectual figure." (4) In the same interview Finkielkraut claims in all earnest, right-wing extremist anti-Semitism and racist anti-Semitism "has no future in Europe… Dangerous is the anti-Semitism of the alert, of the antifascists. I'm afraid, it has a great future among the opponents of globalization. They have replaced the 'Judenstern' by the sign of equality between 'Hakenkreuz' (Swastika) and 'Davidsstern.'" (4)
Finkielkraut throws them all in one bucket – Noam Chomsky, the brilliant, open-minded Jewish scholar, José Bové, the brave French farmers' activist, our European globalization movement – and let's his black soup of slander boil to acid.
The Finkielkraut interview was first published in the conservative German newspaper 'Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung' (FAZ) – a media that puts the 'b' in biased.
But, why listen to polemics of that sort? We all know Finkielkraut, the neocon French "intellectual", don't we?
The problem: the acid conservatives like Finkielkraut are brewing has already sipped into the left camp and the social movements and is threatening to burn away the fabric between us. Leading up to the European Social Forum in November 2003 in Paris (with over 50 000 people from 60 countries) there was angry debate about an essay written by Tariq Ramadan that some perceived as "anti-Semitic" (5). Debate is always positive. (Selfimposed) silence is danger.
Bewitched we stand when someone hurls the magic word at us: "anti-Semitic" – Shell shocked, barely able to utter a word of defense, we coil away. We can't even think of arguments.
And the islamophobic (rather progressive-phobic) conservatives use this reflex to split us up – the antitotalitarian left, trade-unions, the antirassist and social movement. Being a German is especially difficult. But rest asured, those conservatives, or so-called "liberals", who call the European social movement anti-Semitic, or José Bové, in the same breath call Arundhati Roy a fascist, Walden Bello an America-hater, and the WSF a fascist conspiracy. It's not about Europe, it's about slander.
In Germany we live through sad times: We are losing our Social Democratic Party and our once so promising Green Party to hardcore neoliberalism. And the remaining left is fighting over whether we should be allowed to criticize either America or Israel (antiamericanism was nothing but antisemitism in disguise, some European leftist or liberal "intellectuals" have argued and cite Dan Diner or Leonard Zeskin as their chief witnesses).
"Is it for reasons of antiamericanism that you are so successful in Germany?"
When Michael Moore visited Germany in November 2003 this was the opening interview question a leading "liberal" newsmagazine ('Der Spiegel' 47/2003) posed him. 'Antiamericanism' – and hypnotized we Germans stand, like the rabbit before the snake, till the snake eats us up. Not so eloquent Mr. Moore: "If my books were antiamerican then most antiamericans lived in America," he answered.
The German LEFT is paralyzed, unable to debate. But we can't avoid debate. We can't avoid to have an opinion.
What will we answer, if Israel officially knocks on the door of EU? Or of Nato? Many once promising leftist media projects in Europe (like 'jungle world' or 'konkret' in Germany) go down the drain of self-annihilation:
If you critise America, you're antiamerican, they claim. And antiamericanism was just some sort of anti-Semitism. Antiracism was anti-Semitism. Criticizing the war in Iraq was antiamericanism and antisemitism, to talk of an US Empire, about corporate globalisation, and acting against it was antiamerican and anti-Semitic. Rubbish. Instead, ask yourself what it is to be leftist. What it is to be progressive. What it is to be part of a globalisation (altermondialisation) movement.
It's a fight against HATE, against intolerance, prejudice, rassism, oppression, injustice and inequity, a fight for pluralism, for community, for social progress, equality, for another and a better world. It's the fight for people's rights everywhere on this planet. You know, you're not anti-Semitic, and you're not prejudiced against the American people. So relax. You have nothing to fear, but fear itself, like one great American said (though in a different context). Take courage. Make your point. Defend leftist ideas and don't let no neocons split up your movement.
Here's my personal pledge: I have publicly fought and will always fight Holocaust Revisionism. 'Holocaust' was the worst crime against humanity – so was Hitler's unprovoked and criminal war against the world. I, as a German born in the 1960s, believe, it is part of our heritage to live up to our moral responsibility towards the victims, their families and all oppressed people in the world. I will always argue against those who say, enough is enough, close the book on what Germans did to other humans between 1933 and 1945. Instead, I will work that those things can never happen again – nowhere.
Israel in the EU? Why not? Provided it is Israel living next to an independent Palestinian State – and provided, the people of Israel really want to join an undemocratic, neoliberal project called EU.
(1) "Shalom considers asking to join the EU", Ha'aretz (by Reuters), 05/21/2003 (2) Brave Jean Ziegler, UN special rapporteur on the right to food, published a most dramatic report on the hunger in Palestine:
(3) "Let others fight wars; thou, fortunate Austria, marry!" the motto of the Austrian Empire in which – for centuries – "the sun never set". The Habsburg dynasty extended their territory (mainly) by ways of dynastic marriage
(4) 'Feind aus besten Absichten' (Jürg Altwegg interviews Alain Finkielkraut), FAZ, November, 12, 2003
(5) Make up your own mind; here's Tariq Ramadan's criticized internet essay: www.naros.info/imprimersans.php3?id_article=258


text:
Not a very impressive performance for Werdum or Overeem. The winner of this fight was Cain Velasquez and Junior Dos Santos
Here's one thing that I always find funny about Joe Rogan. More often than not, he has a tendency to be dead on when it comes to this sport. Well, maybe that's not true, but I often times prefer hearing what he has to say about the sport as opposed to some of the bloggers out there. I found this quote to be particularly accurate (in my opinion, anyway), so I figured I'd discuss it a bit while I've got some downtime here at work.
(Note: This post has a 25% chance to piss off Memitim and anyone who dislikes me in general)
More often than not, I don't really understand rankings, especially when it comes down to the Heavyweight rankings. My theory for why they can be devoid of common sense is because Fedor Emelianenko is a Heavyweight, and many MMA bloggers and fanboys go fucking bonkers whenever they see his name. You'd think he's the Justin Bieber of MMA or something. Anyway, the most comical ranking I've seen as of late had to have been Fabricio Werdum being ranked number two on several MMA sites, and I believe he held that spot on the USA Today/SB Nation rankings as well. You know, the same Fabricio Werdum who had this happen to him:
Also, before you go "If Werdum would have connected, he would have hurt JDS!" No, he wouldn't. Anyone who knows anything about striking can tell you that Werdum is throwing a lazy overhand with no power behind it, and his form is off. In fact, he made three mistakes here, all of which I think show that he's not that deserving of a high ranking in any worthwhile ranking system.
1. Came in fat.
2. Had awful striking technique while striking with a striker
3. Took his opponent lightly, making him a bit of a doofus in hindsight.
But, for a moment, I'll give the Brazilian the benefit of the doubt. Tonight, did he perform like the second best heavyweight in the world? No. He was dropped, would flop to his butt every time a small breeze came past him, and generally turned in a terrible effort. His strikes? Pathetic and without power. His attempts at takedowns? Not very good. Werdum simply didn't show up for this fight, and lost a decision. In fact, I think the person who scored it 29-28 is off. At the beginning of round 3, Werdum looked tired, and he looked a little out of it, like he had taken quite a few too many blows.
Of course, Overeem didn't look that great either, but he's also someone who has set some lofty expectations for himself. Since bulking up, he's rarely had a fight that goes to decision in either K-1 or MMA. In fact, all of his MMA fights may have been finishes since his permanent move to heavyweight. As fans, we expect his Herculean monster to come out and destroy everyone until he faces down Cain Velasquez and we get a massive battle. Instead, we get a bad night from Alistair as well. He clearly won, but he can do better.
Any way you slice it, this was by no means a fight that would determine the number one heavyweight in the world.
That is where Rogan understands how things should honestly work. If you're a top name prospect and you lose to someone that's supposed to be beneath your level, you should drop quite a bit in the rankings. Also, those who make rankings may want to keep past bouts in consideration when making those rankings. If people had remembered Werdum had dropped fights to Big Nog and JDS, maybe things would be a bit more sensible. Or maybe not. Either way, there is one thing for certain:
The reason Rogan is dead on is because there will be no debate after the proverbial dust settles when JDS and Cain fight. After that bout, either Cain Velasquez or Junior Dos Santos will be the best heavyweight in the world, bar none.
On the other hand, the winner may be destined to face down whoever wins this tournament.
-Micah C


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Staples News
News on Staples continually updated from thousands of sources around the net.
Tuesday Aug 26 | GuruFocus.com
What Did Staples Q2 Results Reveal?
The largest U.S. office supplies retailer, Staples Inc. , released its second-quarter earnings on August 20, and though the numbers took a downturn it matched analysts' expectations.
Staples: Is A Meltdown Coming?
As a value investor who is not new to controversial stories I have established a position not once but twice in Staples.
Katy Perry 'Makes Roar Happen for Minneapolis Teachers
Staples and global pop music superstar Katy Perry continue to "Make Roar Happen" in Minneapolis today by announcing 48 local classroom projects in Minneapolis Public Schools have been funded as part of Staples' $1 million donation to DonorsChoose.org.
Staples, Inc. Announces Second Quarter 2014 Performance
Second quarter 2014 total company sales growth was negatively impacted by approximately one percent due to changes in foreign exchange rates and store closures in Achieved Staples.com sales growth of eight percent driven by increased business customer acquisition, improved customer conversion, and an expanded assortment beyond office supplies.
Staples' (SPLS) CEO Ron Sargent on Q2 2014 Results - Earnings Call Transcript
Good day, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to the quarter two 2014 Staples, Inc. earnings conference call.
Staples Back to School Center with Teen Vogue have it all to get organized
Back to school season is early this year, and Staples has all the school and office supplies needed to get students organized for back to school! Back to School season for Staples is as exciting as holiday season, because Staples isn't just for school, and also has great supplies for preschoolers and the office and home office.
Staples pushes turnaround bid as sales fall
Staples Inc. said its fiscal second-quarter profit and sales declined, while the struggling office-supplies retailer pushed ahead in its plans to close underperforming stores and spark sales growth online.
What To Expect When Staples Reports Earnings
Comparable store sales are likely to continue to decline, and the company is closing hundreds of stores as demand for office supplies wanes.
Staples Advantage Partners with ERI to Enable Enterprises to Reduce...
Staples Advantage , the business to business division of Staples, today launched a Technology Recycling Service , making it easy for businesses to recycle old electronics.
Press Release: Fundable and Staples Team Up to Crowdfund Next Great Innovation
Fundable, the largest business crowdfunding platform, and Staples have teamed up to launch the first Crowd2Shelf Contest.
The start of school is less than a week away for many students in the Sioux Empire! As they head back to the classroom, it's important they have all the essential supplies, and the cool stuff as well, to help them perform at their best.
Heading back to school again can be fraught with mixed emotions. Summer was hopefully a time for tweens to lay back and enjoy themselves, pursue interests, and interact with friends.
Google, Staples Fulfill Every Chicago Teacher's Classroom Dream On DonorsChoose.org
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced today that Google and Staples have fully funded every Chicago-based project on the education crowdfunding site DonorsChoose.org.
Adding Multimedia Staples and Katy Perry a oeMake Roar Happena for...
Staples fully funded the balance of every project that was on DonorsChoose.org in the Boston Metro, Cambridge and Metrowest communities today.
Ninety Nine event benefits firefighters
Ninety Nine event benefits firefighters WORCESTER - The Ninety Nine Restaurant Pub at 11 East Central St. celebrated its 10th anniversary July 15 with team members, guests and members of the community with an event that generated more than $900 for the Worcester Fire Department's Box 4 Special Services Canteen.
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Do you consider yourself to be pro-law enforcement?
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Could You Pass a US Citizenship Test?
Updated: Tue Aug 26, 2014 11:41 am
Copyright © 2014 Topix LLC


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I know what everyone is thinking. "Angrykitty your a EJ Manuel homer". Maybe a little. I promise to give the "GOOD and BAD" on EJ Manuel. But I did watch every single one of his games every year. Been to most of his home games too. My brother went to FSU 90's. My son next year is choosing between UNLV and FSU for golf. FSU PLEASE!!! So I'm a huge FSU fan. Also been sitting with friends and family saying "Why don't they start EJ Manuel over Christian Ponder" back in the early years of 2009 and 2010. But who knows. Christian Ponder was a good QB, but EJ Manuel got the offense to ramp it up when he was in the huddle. Well lets take a look "outside the box" and maybe draft the player that fits the system. Not the "best overall QB available" said by experts. A player that fits the mold of KC Chief head coach Andy Reid is looking for.
EJ Manuel
Position: Quarterback
Age: 22
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 240 pounds
Freshman season:
Manuel started against Wake Forest a away game. EJ Manuel completed 15 of 20 passes for 220 yards with one touchdown, beating Wake Forest, who at the time had won three games in a row against Florida State. Manuel struggled in his game against Maryland but still managed to pull out a much needed win making FSU bowl eligible. Florida State with a injured Christian Ponder entered the Gator Bowl 6-6 and in serious danger of letting legendary coach Bobby Bowden leave with a losing record. Manuel led Florida State to a 33-21 victory and won the Gator Bowl MVP honors.
Sophomore season:
Manuel started twice in the 2010 season for Christian Ponder. He also led the Seminoles to a victory in the 2010 Chick-fil-A Bowl against South Carolina.
Junior Season:
EJ Manuel finished the season with 2,666 yards passing on a 65% completion rate. He also finished with 18 passing touchdowns, 4 rushing touchdowns, and 8 interceptions. He helped lead the Seminoles to a comeback win against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the Champs Sports Bowl.
Senior season:
Manuel led the Seminoles to an ACC Championship and an Orange Bowl win against Northern Illinois for a 12-2 finish to his senior season.
2012 Stats: Passed for 3,392 yards, 23 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Rushed for 310 yards and four TDs.
Career Stats: Passed for 7,736 yards, 47 touchdowns and 28 interceptions. Rushed for 827 yards and 11 TDs.
Manuel finished his career with a record of 25-6 as a starter, shared time with Christian Ponder and was just the second player in NCAA history to take the majority of the snaps in four bowl wins. Manuel did show at times that he does have the ability to take over a game when he's in a rhythm. Manuel won five out of six games against intrastate rivals Miami and Florida in his career at FSU.
Manuel has been developed by one of the best quarterback coaches and offensive minds in college football in Florida State head coach Jimbo Fisher. Jimbo Fisher coached QB's under head coaches of Nick Saban at LSU then Les Miles. Who helped turn former Seminole quarterback Christian Ponder and LSU JaMarcus Russell into a NFL first round picks. It's not Jimbo fault what Russell did what he did in the NFL. All Russel's fault. But made him into one of the best college QB's.
EJ Manuel is a player that seems to have all of the talent in the world and has shown flashes of true brilliance. Manuel has had an up-and-down senior campaign. But after the Orange Bowl win. Also earned Senior Bowl MVP honors in Saturday's college all-star game, completing 7-of-10 passes for 76 yards and 2 touchdowns, one rushing another over the shoulder pass to the tight end. Manuel's South topped the North 21-16. Yes Manuel's South only scored and moved the ball when he was in.
What do the experts think today?
E.J Manuel: "Although Manuel's effort earned some headlines, winning Senior Bowl MVP is not indicative of NFL success in the slightest. Recent MVPs include Charlie Frye (2005), Sinorice Moss (2006), Tony Hunt (2007), and Pat White (2009), all of whom are now out of the league."
True very True.
Also Philip Rivers (2004) Christian Ponder (2011) winning Senior Bowl MVP.
But EJ Manuel showed that he can improve and that his ceiling even got higher than before.
Manuel is an interesting case, a guy who has only 31 starts but still has plenty of question marks about his performance. What scouts know is that he's a big kid with a strong arm and an athletic body who can move in and out of the pocket and is comfortable on the go.
In addition to his athleticism, Manuel's intangibles are perhaps his biggest asset. Manuel was the consummate leader during his career and showed tremendous toughness as he played with an (injured shoulder) and even a (broken leg) in the Champs Sports Bowl. What a broken leg!!!
What you do not see often enough from EJ Manuel is the consistency that helps make a player a franchise-caliber quarterback. But in the senior bowl he has shown that he can learn to get better. Again he's ceiling just keeps going up.
But large-scale inconsistencies such as completion percentages and overall game performances are merely amplifications of more nuanced inconsistent play. Changing release points and dedication to proper mechanics are the micro issues that scouts will be looking at when they watch his tape. Wow really he did play with an (injured shoulder) one year.
It might seem strange consider he completed 68 percent of his passes this season, but accuracy is likely what NFL scouts won't like about his game. Manuel was never erratic with his throws, but he did have a tendency to overthrow receivers more than a few times per game. It also wasn't uncommon for receivers to have to slow up to adjust to his throws.
EJ Manuel reminds me of a Donovan McNabb or a Daunte Culpepper both largely overshadowed by Tim Couch, Akili Smith, and Cade McNown in the 1999 draft. EJ Manuel, Donovan McNabb and Daunte Culpepper all three with great arm strength, accuracy, mobility, play action, touch, pocket poise. But EJ Manuel has good footwork and steps into his throws really well and EJ Manuel can play under center that Donovan McNabb and Daunte Culpepper never really were known for in their 1999 draft reports (MCNabb draft report below).
With only 31 starts EJ Manuel is surely adapting to the mental part of football, and when he figures that out, he is going to be really hard to stop. As shown in the 2012 Orange Bowl and the Senior Bowl.
But all these deficiency that EJ Manuel has (very little) can be coached in the NFL. Andy Reid is great with quarterbacks. Also Offensive Coordinator Doug Pederson a QB himself also coach QB's in 1999, helping rookie QB Donovan McNabb transition into the starting role. Just look at what Jim Schwartz of the Detroit Lions and his coaching staff got out of EJ Manuel with a short amount of time. The South offense didn't do anything unless EJ Manuel was in running the show. That tell you something about EJ Manuel with the other players team he never played with.
I understand everyone wants Geno Smith! Or maybe still Tyler Wilson even after the Senior Bowl or whoever.
But all should remember 1999 draft.....
Tim Couch was 1st overall....
Donovan McNabb 2nd...
Akili Smith 3rd....
Daunte Culpepper...11th
Donovan McNabb Scouting Report:
This is kinda interesting....
Age: 22
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 245 pounds
Played in a freeze-option offense, which means he faced mostly man-on-man coverage and did not have to do that much reading of defenses. Generally, when he did have to read defenses, he just had to read half the field. Can still be a streaky and erratic passer. Needs work on his drop-back techniques. Still must improve timing, touch and anticipation of receiver. Tends to hold on to the ball too long and must learn when to unload. Gets sloppy with the ball at times and is very sloppy when he comes up under center to handle the exchange, leading to unnecessary fumbles. Played in a domed stadium in college and has not had to play in a lot of bad weather. Needs to work on his deep passing. May not be tough enough with his teammates and may be too nice of a guy.
And Look at what Andy Reid got out of Donovan McNabb at the #2 overall pick in 1999. To me this report above on Donovan McNabb doesn't sound like a #1 or even #2 overall pick at all. More like a 2nd or 3rd rounder. (like EJ Manuel). And with Daunte Culpepper going 11th overall. Just because stats and the experts say that (Geno Smith, Matt Barkley, or even Tyler Wilson) is the best choice at #1 overall. Might not be the best choice for KC Chief's offense.
With todays NFL rookie salary cap. Taking the 3rd, 4th or even 5th best QB at #1 won't break the bank. Because who knew that Russell Wilson picked (75) in the 3rd round 2012. Colin Kaepernick (36) in the 2nd round in 2011 would play just as good as the top rated QB's in their draft years. Looking at it now if Russell Wilson or Colin Kaepernick would of been picked earlier than the experts would of said those teams were reaching. I understand that when there are QB's like Luck and RG3 you don't pass them up. But this year there is not much difference between them all. So why not get the QB that would fit the system and mold that the KC Chief's head coach Andy Reid uses (Donovan McNabb, Michael Vick or even Kevin Kolb).
Bet you didn't know that Kold was known in reports like this "Kolb has great potential. He has good size (6-3, 220 pounds) and arm strength and is a surprisingly adept runner considering his size. Kolb is a real threat to beat defenses with both his arm and his legs."
Sometimes you need to think outside the box. If taking a chance on any of the QB's in this years draft. Why not take the best QB that fits the mold and system that head coach wants to run. With a big athletic body with a strong arm who can move in and out of the pocket.
Because Andy Reid is going to run the offense the same way he always has. Andy Reid is 130-93-1 W-L with his system. But now with the a more complete and balanced team in KC.


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The elephant in the room
Commerce Minister Lianne Dalziel announced her high powered taskforce to investigate "deepening and broadening" the country's capital markets on Monday. But there was an elephant in the room nobody wanted to mention. (It was quiet and orderly, after all, and not making anywhere near the racket going on outside, which sounded like a stampede of bauble-covered racehorses chasing down Winston Peters.) That elephant was the possible sale of state owned enterprises.
The grandly named – and eminently qualified – Capital Market Development Taskforce is charged with looking at regulatory impediments, savings issues, and anything else material to the problem of New Zealand's rather emaciated equity and bond markets. That will almost certainly mean examining the possibility – and desirability – of bringing state-owned enterprises into the public New Zealand equity and debt markets.
This of course is a guess. But it is a guess based on the membership of the aforementioned eminently qualified panel, which contains many of the most eloquent advocates of (at least) partial privatisation of SOEs as stock opportunities for "mum and dad" investors.
Chairman Rob Cameron was an architect of the SOE model in Treasury in the 1980s, and in 2006 produced a paper recommending (among other things) partial floats of those companies still in state ownership. NZX chief executive Mark Weldon has also publicly argued for listings of Crown companies. Rob McLeod is a former chairman of the Business Roundtable and Fletcher Construction's Jonathan Ling is a current member of the small-government lobby group.
Earlier in the year the government declared it would make asset sales a "defining" feature of the election, with the same kind of conviction that Winston Churchill announced his policies around the issues of beaches, landing fields and streets. No matter that "asset sales" was itself a phrase so poorly defined that the government included under its umbrella privately owned airport share transactions, possible partial share floats for SOEs, and public-private partnerships. But the government's efforts to lump together so many different issues as one homogenous mass are awkward given the sharp delineation it tries to maintain between National's tentative policy positions on SOE sales and its own.
That's because differences between the policies the parties have publicly promoted – in the case of Labour and National, gingerly – are fairly insubstantial. But quietly Labour has adopted a harder line against private sector involvement. Officially, the government encourages SOEs to expand their businesses into adjacent areas, and develop subsidiaries that may be eventually sold off or floated on the stock market. It's part of the "economic transformation" agenda.
State-owned Enterprises Minister Trevor Mallard confirmed on TV One's Agenda last month this was still official policy. But he said that was in contrast with National – while Labour would allow, say, a float for Meridian Energy's Whisper Gen company, the National Party would "sell off [Meridian's] windfarms." Labour's position, as stated by Mallard, therefore also contrasts with his own launch of the policy in August 2006 where he said that "this could extend to the sell-down or sell-off of discrete new investments by SOEs, for example a new wind farm or new technology company."
In other words, a new wind farm could be sold down to the public but not an existing one. The difference is obscure, and probably irrelevant to investors (not to mention power consumers, so far as the "national interest" in state ownership is concerned). National, for its part, hasn't discussed selling particular (for example) windfarms, but was considering sell-offs of say 25% of a company onto the NZX. Those plans have been abandoned though.
Another option the party is believed to have investigated would be to sell non-voting shares, or to sell bonds from SOEs to retail investors to finance investment (say, in new wind farms). The government's so-called "long-term hold" strategy for state-owned enterprises has been shrouded in secrecy since its launch in 2004. The plan is to move toward "more appropriate capital structures" for SOEs given the government's strategy, a fairly question begging exercise about what that strategy will be.
As far as the government will reveal, the strategy is essentially the opposite of having SOEs more involved in capital markets. It's more of a move back to being departments of the government, with dividends flowing back to the Crown and ministers handing back cash for new investment and expansion like pocket money to the grateful petitioning boards. It also probably means plans to take on increased debt – one of the sure ways to get a company like New Zealand Post, with an AA- credit rating, down to the government's inexplicable target of BBB.
So when investment decisions are taken, it will entail negotiating more with government (the shareholding ministers) to get approval for an increased capital injection. That binds the SOEs more tightly to the government. Moreover, it also signals clues as to where the government may look for its pre-election spending spree, given that Finance Minister Michael Cullen boasts of having almost "cleaned out the cupboard."
The Treasury's notes to the budget state dryly:
"One possible outcome of these reviews is that some capital could be returned to the Crown. This may be in the form of a special dividend, which would decrease gross debt."
Of course, the government has signaled it has no real objections to the level of gross debt it's carrying (around 20% of GDP), which means no qualms about sending any dividends to the consolidated fund for spending. Some SOE dividends could be tagged to specific expenditure – such as Meridian funding a low income electricity user rebate, should the emissions trading scheme pass.
That's not so much selling the family silver to pay off debt – it's more like packing the kids off to work and sending their brother to university with the money. But it does signal a cleanout of SOEs that is at variance with any plans to get them involved in the capital markets.
National, of course, has committed to not selling any of the state's companies in its first term. If it ends up in government, it may face the same searching questions about what to do for capital markets that Labour would, but would also face much greater internal temptation when its natural allies – appointed by a Labour government – come back and tell it what it wants to hear.
That's assuming the government hasn't cleaned out that cupboard as well by November.


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This is a pretty cool story about a US Army NCO recognized by the Ganghwa Island Mayor for his public service in regards to maintaining trails on Koryo Mountain:
The mayor of a South Korean island recognized a U.S. Army staff sergeant for helping to keep the trails of a landmark mountain open for hikers.
Ganghwa Mayor Yu Cheon-ho presented a service award to Staff Sgt. Ryan Hayes, the noncommissioned officer in charge of Detachment J, for clearing the trails on Koryo Mountain.
Ganghwa's most prominent peak, Koryo Mountain towers over the island and provides commanding views of the Yellow Sea, the Han River Estuary and the North Korean border. It is the site of an Azalea Festival every Spring when the entire mountain turns purple and more than 20,000 tourists take in its scenic vistas.
"Our site is located on some of the most beautiful scenery in Korea," said Hayes. "We take pride in the area and take the extra time to make sure that all roads that lead to the site remain clear and serviceable to both our vehicles and the many hikers that visit the area.
"The area is known for its hiking trails, many of which begin near our site," Hayes continued. "We take the time to cut the grass at the beginning of the trails, around the lookout platforms and around the many signs in the area."
Hayes said a South Korean hiker noticed him at work and put him in for the Ganghwa Mayor's Award for Service.
A six-year U.S. Army veteran with two tours in Iraq and two tours in Afghanistan, Hayes arrived at Detachment J in July 2012.
"I quite simply could not have asked for a better assignment," said Hayes, who is originally from Alexandria, La. "I have grown as a Soldier and as an NCO."
Hayes' company commander also sang his praises.
"Hayes and the Soldiers of Detachment Juliet worked in their spare time to keep the road to Koryo Mountain clear in all weather," said Capt. Gregory Galstad, Company Commander of B Company, 719th Military Intelligence Battalion, 501st MI Brigade.
"They shoveled snow, cleared brush after any typhoons or storms and kept the road open for traffic," said Galstad. "Additionally, they regularly weed-whipped the road to the site, the photography platform and trailhead to the hiking trails on the mountain."
According to Galstad, a native of Sleepy Eye, Minn., the Ganghwa Island award ceremony was similar to an event in small town America.
"Everybody knew everyone," said Galstad.
Galstad said the service award was somewhat unprecedented.
"Staff Sergeant Hayes, if not the first, is one of the few foreigners ever recognized for their contributions to the community," said Galstad, a 16-year Army veteran who began his career as an enlisted Korean language linguist. [Army.mil]


text:
I have tried QML Text with rich text, placing <img> inside <p>, and tried using various combinations of attributes or style definitions listed on
No luck so far. Wrapping works, but I can not get proper margin between image and text. Including white space in the image file is not an option.
Is there any way to do this in QML/Qt?