text:
Review of small press and independent books.
You are not logged in.
This is the Quickest Way Down
by Charles Christian
Proxima (Salt Publishing)
£8.99 | $14.95
One of the basic rules of novel-writing states that if you set something up in chapter one, dont let it slip away and be developed no further. Finish it. Give it a conclusion, ideally at the end of the novel so that the gestalt is complete. Short story collections are different of course. Or are they? On finishing the last story in Charles Christians new collection, This is the Quickest Way Down, I suddenly had a light bulb moment and went back to re-read the first story. Yes. I was right. Im saying no more on that subject for fear of spoilers, but I salute whoever it was, whether editor or author, who decided on the order of the stories in this collection.
Re-reading the first story has got me hooked once again. These are magnificent short stories by a master of the genre, and they beg to be read many times. What genre, though theres the question. Short story in itself isnt a genre. The settings in these tales range from Norfolk to Aldebaran; from Nottingham to Villefranche; and all points in-between. These stories are fantasist but not fantasy youll find no elves and goblins. Sci-fi then? Yes, but firmly rooted in reality the Klingon warrior maid, complete with fearsome batleth blade, actually hales from Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Magical realism? Not really. Slipstream? Yes. Thats it. Slipstream with ghosts, but such a firm grip on reality anything paranormal becomes essential and unsurprising; an integral part of the world that requires no further explanation.
There is a lightness of touch in these tales, but there is no superficiality. There are many familiar tropes, but theyve been turned on their heads and given a stunning reworking. Cataclysms lead to a weird sort of utopia. Redemption is found unexpectedly. Murders, sexual encounters, tsunamis, explosions and foiled suicide attempts are played out against the backdrop of a cup of mocha slowly cooling.
I love these stories. Absolutely love them. There are hints of Asimov, of Hemmingway, of I dont know, everyone from the Strugatsky brothers to Neville Shute via James Joyce and Evelyn Waugh. They are stories overflowing with intelligence, with wit, and with keen observation of human foibles. I want to know when the next collection is coming out, and the novel preferably the series of novels. How about it, Charles?


text:
O.U.R. System
(Objective, Unified, Real-time)
Judging System O.U.R. System is a sophisticated web-based program that scores B-Boys in real time as they compete in professional battles. It is designed to represent, standardize and unify all views of the dance, while basing results on observable facts rather than subjective opinions.
The system focuses on maintaining the true essence of the dance, encouraging evolution and self expression, as well as pushing the skills to higher levels.
The scores are displayed and updated in real time on a projection screen for the spectators to see and implements features such as: web and broadcast integration, archived printable scores, customized timer and competitor names, mobile integration and much more.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
"In the Event of a Water Landing": What Flight Training Says About Ditching
Photo: Mark Greenberg/World Picture News for Blue Streak
Barbara S. Peterson underwent flight attendant training while reporting for her 2004 book on JetBlue, Blue Streak. Yesterday, Barbara dipped into those memories as she, and the rest of us, came to grips with the "Miracle on the Hudson."
Jan. 15: Here are some thoughts written as I sit in the Oasis lounge at JFK Terminal 4, looking at a tarmac that is still covered with a dusting of snow--a reminder of how today, the coldest day of the season, saw the unreal spectacle of 155 passengers and crew ditching US Airways flight 1549, bound for Charlotte, in an ice-cold Hudson River just minutes after it had taken off from LaGuardia. As it happened, I bumped into two people I know at JetBlue, which flies the same type of plane--the Airbus A320--that landed in the drink earlier today. (And wouldn't you know it, apparently the JetBlue PR department is getting calls from TV people interested in talking to one of its own pilots, who made a heroic landing a few years ago--under very different circumstances.)
Speaking of the media, lots of people in this lounge are hunched over laptops or are watching TV for the latest news of this bizarre episode. As my JetBlue acquaintances put it, the mood in aviation circles is of amazement and relief over the chain reaction of events: a jet lost two engines, which is almost unheard of, followed by a successful ditching in the water with no casualties--an even rarer (if not totally unprecedented) event.
So what was it like aboard that plane as it descended into the water?
From what we can gather, the pilot radioed controllers about three minutes into the flight reporting a "double bird strike" that took out both of its engines; the controllers made preparations for the plane to return to LaGuardia, and then New Jersey's Teterboro, which caters mainly to private jets. Reportedly, it came within 900 feet of the George Washington Bridge as it headed for landing in the river--coincidentally, right near the aircraft carrier Intrepid near 42nd Street.
Fortunately, it was also near midtown Manhattan and its never-ending stream of ferries and tour boats. These craft played a major part in pulling the passengers off the plane. Having been through a few emergency drills myself while reporting on training for pilots and flight attendants, I'm amazed that everyone got off. As one of my airline manuals describes it, when a ditching is imminent, the crew essentially yells at the passenger to "prepare for landing" and "assume the brace position," which had, of course, been demonstrated in the pre-flight safety briefing, if anyone paid attention.
As soon as the plane "lands," flight attendants are to "assess the conditions of exit doors" and then guide the passengers out. Interestingly, the manual I have is for an A320, the same plane. The manual notes: "over wing exits are not to be used in ditching except as a last resort." Apparently, that's just what it was today.
Further reading:
* New York Times updates from the plane rescue, including a slide show of reader-submitted photographs
* This site hosts an FAA-USDA report on wildlife strikes to aircraft
* On the Fly: The airline industry


text:
Dr Sofia Massa
Departmental Lecturer
+44 (0)1865 282862 (Direct) massa at stats.ox.ac.uk
Biographical Sketch
I received a Master degree in Mathematics from the University of Udine (Italy) and a PhD in Statistics (with Doctor Europaeus mention) from the University of Padua (Italy).
My research interests are in the area of graphical models and the study of the combination of evidence from different sources. I also collaborate on research problems in bioinformatics.
I joined the Department of Statistics in September 2010.
Research interests
Graphical models, structural meta-analysis, algebraic statistics, bioinformatics.
Selected publications
Massa, M.S., Lauritzen, S.L. (2010). Combining statistical models. In Algebraic Methods in Statistics and Probability II, Contemporary Mathematics Series, vol. 516, American Mathematical Society, Providence, RI, pp. 239-259.
Massa, M.S., Chiogna, M., Romualdi, C. (2010). Gene set analysis exploiting the topology of a pathway. BMC Systems Biology, 4:121
Risso, D., Massa, M.S., Chiogna, M., Romualdi, C. (2009). A modified LOESS normalisation applied to microRNA arrays: a comparative evaluation. Bioinformatics, 25, 2685-2691
Chiogna, M., Massa, M.S., Risso, D., Romualdi, C. (2009). A comparison on effects of normalisations in the detection of differentially expressed genes. BMC Bioinformatics, 10:61
Personal home page


text:
Paul Reiser
Paul Reiser, with opener Kellen Erskine
Saturday, March 23, 8pm
$30 / $35
As a seasoned actor, writer, musician, and stand-up comedian, Paul Reiser continues to add to his list of accomplishments. In addition to co-creating and starring in the critically acclaimed NBC series, "Mad About You," which garnered him Emmy, Golden Globe, American Comedy Award and Screen Actors Guild nominations, his successes also include his most recent book, Familyhood, the long awaited follow- up to Babyhood and Couplehood, his first book, which sold over two million copies and reached the number one spot on The New York Times bestseller list .
Reiser's most recent music project was the release of Unusual Suspects – an album of original songs he wrote with celebrated British singer/songwriter Julia Fordham, on which Reiser also arranged and played piano. Previously, Paul co-wrote (with Grammy-winning producer Don Was) "The Final Frontier" – the theme song from "Mad About You" which has the distinction of having been broadcast on Mars. (It was chosen by NASA mission directors as the "wake up call" for the Sojourner Rover there.)
Reiser film roles include "Diner," "Bye, Bye Love," "The Marrying Man," "Aliens" and "Beverly Hills Cop" ("I" and "II") and "The Thing About My Folks" – which he wrote and starred in with the Academy Award winning actors Peter Falk and Olympia Dukakis.
Mr. Reiser and his family live in Los Angeles.


text:
- RV Business - http://www.rvbusiness.com -
ASA Electronics' Wireless 'Back-up Camera'
Posted By Bruce Hampson On January 14, 2011 @ 2:28 pm In Breaking News,Supplier Showcase | 1 Comment
Vehicle observation systems — referred to by many as "back-up cameras" — have been available for several years. Elkhart, Ind.-based ASA Electronics ramped up the technology at the recent National RV Trade Show in Louisville, Ky., as the company unveiled its new Voyager wireless camera-and-monitor system.
"This is new digital wireless — we're calling it Wi-Sight technology — where there is no cabling or wiring between the camera and the monitor, both of which run on 12 volts," noted Pat McCullough, vice president of sales for the Elkhart, Ind.-based supplier. "The camera is simply mounted on the back of the unit and you would run your 12 volts from your vehicle running lights or wherever to the camera to give it power. Inside the vehicle, the 5.6-inch LCD monitor plugs into a 12-volt accessory plug which makes it very portable from vehicle to vehicle."
Realizing, perhaps, that the unit's wireless technology might have some expressing concerns about interference, ASA rigged the system's camera to a remote support and mounted its monitor inside the company's exhibit.
"We're running more than 100 feet between the camera and monitor — a much farther distance than between a tow vehicle and the rear of a trailer or fifth-wheel — and there's no interference whatsoever," McCullough pointed out. The camera and monitor are locked-in to one another, but according to McCullough, if they ever are mismatched each has a reset button. The system goes on sale in April.
For more information, contact ASA Electronics, 2602 Marina Dr., Elkhart, IN 46514; (877) 305-0445, www.asaelectronics.com.
1 Comment To "ASA Electronics' Wireless 'Back-up Camera'"
#1 Comment By Charles Derfler On April 22, 2011 @ 9:22 pm
Two years ago I bought a Voyager AOM56XSYS and had it installed on my 5th wheel. The power cord wires broke apart and I would like to purchase a replacement for the power cord and the fitting that the power cord fits into.
Any help that you can give me would be appreciated.
Sincerely CFD
Article printed from RV Business: http://www.rvbusiness.com
URL to article: http://www.rvbusiness.com/2011/01/asa-electronics-wireless-observation-system/
Click here to print.
Copyright © 2009 RV Business. All rights reserved.


text:
Big changes have come to Genealogy.com — all content is now read-only, and member subscriptions and the Shop have been discontinued.
Learn more
Home Page
Surname List
Index of Individuals
Giles Franklin Parman, Sr. (b. October 21, 1758, d. October 1832)
Giles Franklin Parman, Sr.
was born October 21, 1758 in Wyoming Valley, Northampton County, PA, and died October 1832 in Corbin, Knox County, KY. He married (1)
Elizabeth Penn
on 1780 in Believed to be Pennsylvania. He married (2)
Phoebe Gilbert Woolsey
on Abt. 1798 in Greene County, TN.
Notes for
Giles Franklin Parman, Sr.
1. Giles took part in what is known in American history as "The Pennymite Wars", a dispute arising from claims to territory in the Wyoming Valley of Pennsylvania by the people of Connecticut. This dispute was finally resolved in 1788.
2. During the Revolutionary War, Giles, Sr., served four different enlistments with the Northampton County Militia, Continental Line. He served as a Private on his first and second enlistments. His third enlistment was as a Sergeant in Captain Conrad Reder's Company, Sixth Battalion, Fifth Class, Northampton County Militia. His fourth enlistment was served as a Sergeant in Captain Frederick Sechler's Company, Sixth Class, Sixth Battalion, Northampton County Militia.*
3. Following the Revolution, Giles and Elizabeth moved to Greene County, TN, in 1793 where they bought 222 acres from John and Agnes Lee, part of which was watered by the Nolachucky River. In 1794, he was appointed overseer of the road construction between Dry Branch and Cove Creek. It was on Cove Creek where John Crockett, father of the renown Davy Crockett, operated a lumber mill.**
4. Following Elizabeth's death in 1830, Giles remarried the widow, Phoebe Woolsey, and shortly thereafter, immigrated to Knox County, KY, upon receiving a land grant for 50 acres. He died there in 1832 and it is said he is buried on his farm.***
*Archives Division, Pennsylvania State Library, Harrisburg, PA, Series 5, Vol 4, ppg 339 & 661; and Vol 8, ppg 438, 461, & 485.
** Greene County, TN, Minutes, Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions, Book #1, 1783-1796, pg 226.
***Book A2, Chapter VI, Kentucky Land Warrants, pg 678.
*Archives Division, Pennsylvania State Library, Harrisburg, Series 5, Vol 4, ppg 339 & 661; & Vol 8, ppg 438, 461 & 485.
**Minutes, Greene County minutes, Court of Pleas & Quarter Session, Book #1, 1783-1796, pg 226.
*Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Dept. of Publ;ic Instruction, State Library, Harrisburg; and Archives Division, State Library, Harrisbug, PA...series 5, Vol 4, ppg 339, 661 & Vol 8, ppg 438, 46l & 485.
More About
Giles Franklin Parman, Sr.
Burial: Unknown, Corbin, Knox County, KY.
More About
Giles Franklin Parman, Sr.
Elizabeth Penn
Marriage: 1780, Believed to be Pennsylvania.
More About
Giles Franklin Parman, Sr.
Phoebe Gilbert Woolsey
Marriage: Abt. 1798, Greene County, TN.
Children of
Giles Franklin Parman, Sr.
Elizabeth Penn
Emanuel Parman
, b. December 12, 1776, d. date unknown.
Mary Catherine Parman
, b. Abt. 1779, d. date unknown.
Rachel Parman
, b. Abt. 1780, d. date unknown.
Elizabeth Parman
, b. August 17, 1784, d. date unknown.
Eve Parman
, b. Abt. 1789, d. date unknown.
Susannah Parman
, b. March 15, 1790, Northampton, Lucerne County, PA, d. September 21, 1869, Greene County, TN.
Joseph Parman
, b. Abt. 1792, d. date unknown.
Frethias Parman
, b. Abt. 1786, d. date unknown.
Giles Franklin Parman, Jr.
, b. February 25, 1786, d. date unknown.
Jacob Parman
, b. Abt. 1784, d. date unknown.
Children of
Giles Franklin Parman, Sr.
Phoebe Gilbert Woolsey
Mabel Parman
, b. Abt. 1800, d. date unknown.
About Us
Site Index
Terms of Service
© 2009 Ancestry.com


text:
Back In Time
King George Becker and Queen Margaret Senger reign for 2003 at the Strasburg Care Center. State raises Emmons County ag land values by 7.75%. Char Heer of Hazelton is appointed National Dairy Council Ambassador.
Pat Malone to step down from the Linton City Council seat after 16 years in office. The August Vetter family of Linton were chosen as 1987 Family of the Year by St. Anthony's Council 5955 of Linton.
Fort Yates asks for an access road in Emmons County wherever the ferry landing is to be located. County Red Cross board to be organized at Linton. Fox hunt to be held at Westfield.
Committee men favor corn as best crop for Emmons County. Parity price of wheat is set at $1.16 bu. but doesn't affect 1938 crop. Red Owl: Coffee 2 lb. can 53¢; Sugar 10 lb. 59¢; Lettuce two heads 9¢.
- Login to post comments


text:
Lady Gaga Stinks Like FAME: An Extremely Detailed Breakdown
Categories: Extremely Detailed Breakdown, Video
Lady Gaga is tormented by something. And it might be all this attention she's getting.
The heavy burden of being famous has been a running theme throughout her career, evidenced by the video for "Paparazzi" as well as album titles like The Fame and The Fame Monster.
Now she invites us into the creepiest hollows of her tortured-artist's soul with her black-liquid perfume, FAME, and a seriously unnerving five-and-a-half-minute promotional mini-film.
Directed by Steven Klein, also behind the video for "Alejandro," we've only got one question after watching this creepy clip: "So, when do you think Gaga is going to kill herself?"
0:00 - 0:34
It begins with a non-descript warning, followed by title credits, a roaming eye and a chilling scream. This whole mini-film is a warning to everyone out there who thinks stardom is all glitz and glamour. Gaga wants you to know there's a dark side. Oh, and buy her new perfume, in stores now for anywhere from $55 to $80.
0:35 - 1:01
We see a masked, golden goddess, lying naked and holding the eau de toilette's voluptuous bottle. Some slave boys stand in line around the deity. The statuette is larger than life and very beautiful. Some alien mechanics come poking around, inspecting the object of lust with cold, unloving light. The music is like the score of a horror movie.
Sponsor Content


text:
Hummus 101
by Robin Miller in Robin's Healthy Take, November 28, 2012We adore hummus in our house. The traditional Middle Eastern dip is a staple in my boys' lunchboxes and a regular afternoon snack. While we like the classic version, we're more drawn to the flavored varieties like roasted red pepper and roasted garlic.
Classic hummus is made by pureeing chickpeas with ingredients like garlic, lemon juice and tahini (sesame seed paste). The garlic and lemon add a burst of great flavor and the tahini helps create a smooth consistency. But, you know me, I can't leave well enough alone because I like things better, bolder and brighter. My hummus recipe below is jacked-up with roasted jalapenos and roasted corn. I love the smoky heat from the jalapenos and the caramelized sweetness of the corn. Plus, the corn adds a unique texture. I also added cumin and smoked paprika for incredible depth of flavor. I think you'll agree it's amazing!
Nutritionally speaking, chickpeas (also known as garbanzo beans) are crammed with thiamin and vitamin B-6, two vitamins that convert food into energy. They also contain generous amounts of folate, vitamin E, calcium and potassium (1 cup of chickpeas has as much potassium as a small banana).
Serve the hummus with fresh vegetables, pita chips, warm pita wedges or whole-grain crackers. Refrigerate leftover hummus in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Hummus With Roasted Jalapenos and Corn
Cooking spray
2 fresh jalapeno peppers
1 cup frozen corn, thawed
15-ounce can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 tablespoons tahini (sesame seed paste)
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
3-5 tablespoons water
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/4 teaspoon salt
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Coat a large baking sheet with cooking spray
Place the whole jalapeno peppers and corn on the baking sheet (spread the corn out into a single layer). Roast 15-20 minutes, until the jalapenos and corn are golden brown, stirring the corn and flipping the jalapenos halfway through cooking.
When cool enough to handle, halve the jalapenos and scoop out the seeds, leaving only the flesh. Finely chop the flesh and set aside.
In a food processor, combine the chickpeas, garlic, tahini, lemon juice, 3 tablespoons of the water, olive oil, cumin, paprika and salt. Process until smooth, adding more water if necessary to create the desired consistency.
Transfer the hummus to a serving bowl and fold in the diced jalapeno and roasted corn. Serve the hummus with vegetables, crackers and/or pita wedges on the side.
Makes 2 cups
Nutrition Info Per Serving (serving size: 1/4 cup)
Calories: 140
Total Fat: 6 grams
Saturated Fat: Total Carbohydrate: 18 grams
Sugars: 3 grams
Protein: 6 grams
Sodium: 67 milligrams
Cholesterol: 0 milligrams
Fiber: 4 grams
Similar Posts
Pantry Raid! 10 Healthy Ingredient Swaps
Which ingredients to choose — and which to lose? Here's a quick guide to revamping the pantry and sizing up other common kitchen staples. ...Comments (
1,283 )-
[…]one of our guests lately suggested the following website[…]…
[…]Sites of interest we've a link to[…]…
cash for gold locations in california…
[…]here are some hyperlinks to internet sites that we link to mainly because we believe they're really worth visiting[…]…
[…]Sites of interest we've a link to[…]…
[…]very couple of web sites that transpire to become detailed below, from our point of view are undoubtedly properly worth checking out[…]…
[…]the time to read or check out the content or web pages we have linked to below the[…]…
[…]below you will discover the link to some internet sites that we assume you need to visit[…]…
Third Flower…
My wife and i have been now delighted that Albert could perform his scientific tests due to the strategies he had through your web content. It's every so often perplexing to just normally be gifting away measures which many people might have been mark…
[…]we {like to|prefer to} honor {many|numerous|several|a lot of|quite a few|lots of} other {internet|web|world wide web|net|world-wide-web|online} {sites|websites|web sites|internet sites|web-sites|web pages} {on the|around the} {web|internet|net},…
[…]Here are some of the websites we advocate for our visitors[…]…
Retractable Barriers…
Crowd control bollards, safety bollards and retractable barriers make managing the crowd easy without risking a riot or any untoward incident….


text:
What is a charism? That's what I wanted to know, too. And now I do. The writing charism is among my strongest gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Here are my other top five charisms:
Music, Wisdom, Knowledge, Pastoring and Prophecy
And those least likely to be special spiritual strengths/gifts of mine:
Administration, Discernment of Spirits, Healing, Giving and Hospitality
(Sorry to all those who come to my home expecting gifts and an extra plate of food. I'm more Mary then Martha, apparently!)
To read more about this fascinating topic, please visit today's post on Peace Garden Writer!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)


text:
27th November 2013
Alec Baldwin rants that GLAAD 'killed' his show following homophobic slurs 14
11:21 AM — Actor Alec Baldwin has blamed GLAAD, describing them as "the fundamentalist wing of gay advocacy", for the decision of MSNBC to cancel his weekly show after he used homophobic language to a photographer.
26th November 2013
Olly Murs gives James Arthur 'benefit of the doubt' over use of anti-gay slurs 19
12:00 PM — Singer Olly Murs has defended James Arthur following his use of homophobic slurs against another artist in a "rap feud".
25th November 2013
Ugandan President pays funeral tribute to anti-gay bishop 15
7:02 PM — At the funeral of a bishop who died earlier this month, Uganda's President, Yoweri Museveni, has offered praise to a man who campaigned against homosexuality.
Scotland: Gay football referee claims he was axed for speaking out against homophobia 2
2:05 PM — A gay football referee claims he was expelled after speaking out against homophobic abuse.
19th November 2013
X Factor winner James Arthur quits Twitter after homophobic row 8
1:09 PM — X Factor star James Arthur has left Twitter following criticism for using homophobic language against another artist in a "rap feud".
15th November 2013
Lithuania: Homophobic politician delivers trousers with anal zip to LGBT group 72
11:28 AM — A pair of sexually provocative trousers, featuring a zip directly where a male's buttocks would meet, has been delivered to an LGBT group by a Lithuanian Member of Parliament who equates homosexuality with paedophilia.
14th November 2013
Comment: Northern Ireland's Health Minister will only be remembered for homophobia 8
4:23 PM — Writing for PinkNews.co.uk, Levi Greene says Northern Ireland's Health Minister, Edwin Poots, is an example of someone with "distasteful views" being in a position of power.
12th November 2013
Liverpool University was prepared to host cleric who says gays are 'filthy' 15
1:49 PM — The University of Liverpool has confirmed that it was prepared to allow an Islamic cleric with extreme anti-gay views to conduct a speech in front of students.
5th November 2013
Saudi cleric who says consenting gay sex is as bad as 'rape' due to visit UK universities 83
7:30 PM — An Islamic cleric who says gay people are worse than "animals" and believes consenting gay sex is as bad as "rape" is visiting several British universities this month.
28th October 2013
Bishop blasts Archbishop of Canterbury for being 'sympathetic to homosexuals' 72
2:14 PM — An Anglican bishop in Nigeria has launched a furious attack at Justin Welby for being "sympathetic to homosexuals" and says the Archbishop of Canterbury's position on gay rights is "pathetic".
25th October 2013
Northern Ireland DUP politician tells children homosexuality is 'an abomination' 69
6:16 PM — A Northern Ireland DUP Assembly Member has told children at a school that homosexuality is "an abomination".
18th October 2013
US: Republican politician brands school 'failure' due to students supporting Spirit Day 12
6:56 PM — A state representative in Missouri has called a school a "failure" on Twitter after seeing pupils wearing T-shirts promoting "harmony" between gay and straight people.
David Haye says boxer Tyson Fury went 'too far' with his anti-gay tweets 6
1:44 PM — David Haye has criticised fellow British boxer Tyson Fury who last week made a series of homophobic tweets.
Boy George suggests boycott of Eminem's homophobic single 41
1:09 PM — Boy George has criticised US rapper Eminem for using violently homophobic lyrics in his latest single "Rap God".
17th October 2013
US mayor: 'God is against queers and don't ram gay marriage down my throat!' 41
3:41 PM — The mayor of a small town in South Carolina is under fire for responding to the arrival of equal marriage elsewhere by saying "I don't want it rammed down by throat", and for repeatedly using the word "queer".
2nd October 2013
US: Anti-gay preacher Scott Lively announces run for Massachusetts governor 37
6:05 PM — Evangelical anti-gay preacher Scott Lively has announced that he will run for Governor of Massachusetts in 2014.
27th September 2013
Gambian President: 'Homosexuality more deadly than all natural disasters put together' 63
5:49 PM — Gambia's President has used his address to the United Nations General Assembly to attack gay people, calling homosexuality one of the three "biggest threats to human existence".
26th September 2013
Video: Lieutenant Governor nominee: 'Homosexuality destroys families and gays are perverted' 97
7:46 PM — Virginia Republican Lieutenant Governor nominee EW Jackson, who has previously said the minds of gay people are "perverted", and that homosexuality is a "horrible sin", was asked about his views in a live TV debate this week.
Head of Barilla pasta says 'We won't include gays in our ads' 68
3:09 PM — The president of Italian pasta company Barilla is under fire for saying he would never sanction an advert featuring a gay family.
Police release CCTV image after homophobic abuse on Leeds-Huddersfield train
11:28 AM — Police have released an image of a man they want to trace in connection with an incident of homophobic abuse on a train between Leeds and Huddersfield on 10 September.


text:
About this blog
KPMG's leadership blog brings you insight, opinion and debate from our senior partners and industry experts. We'll be discussing the issues that matter to your business and the trends that could shape your future decision making. Feel free to post your own comments on any of the topics discussed and further the debate.
3D printing accounting standards audit audit reform Autumn Statement boardroom budget climate change cloud corporate governance corporate reporting cyber security davos diversity economy efficiency employee environment EU eurozone financial crisis funding GDP government green growth healthcare IFRS inflation localism manufacturing public sector recession recovery regulation retail risk SME supply chain sustainability tax technology wef women world economic forum-
Recent Posts


text:
Your Local Store
Narrow your results
Looking for a computer that packs a serious punch and aren't concerned with portability? Then a desktop is the best computer for you and you'll find a fantastic range to buy online. PCs are no longer the clunky, monstrous things of old and now you'll find sleek and compact desktop computers. Browse the All in One PC range with models like HP and Acer. The majority of the PC also features the latest in operating systems with Windows 8.


text:
Miguel or others, I am building a spreadsheet that documents my annual fruitless attempt to guess the Patriots 53 man roster. Question - I was wondering if anyone has details on the number of players per position the Patriots have had on their opening roster for the past 5 years. This helps me determine where key battles or "competition" will occur. Initial pass for 2006 and comments 25 - Offense - WR - 5, OL - 9, QB - 3, RB - 5, TE - 3 25 - Defense - LB - 9, DL - 6, CB - 5, S - 5 3 - Special Teams = P -1, PK - 1, LS - 1 Comments versus 2005 team - stronger overall offense and better special teams coverage - pass coverage is weak, LB, S and CBs are adequate in coverage - WR is thin - Punt returner is a question mark LWR Branch, BROWN, Childress RWR Caldwell, Jackson LT Light, Kaczur LG Mankins, Tucker C Koppen, Hochstein RG Neal RT Gorin, Callaghan TE Watson, Graham, Thomas QB Brady, Cassel, XXXXXXX FB Pass, Mills RB DILLON, Faulk, Maroney LDE Warren, Hill NT Wilfork, Sulllivan RDE Seymour, Green LOLB Colvin, Banta-Cain LILB BRUSCHI, IZZO RILB Beisel, Claridge, Alexander ROLB VRABEL, Mincey LCB Samuel, Warfield, Hawkins SS Jones, Mitchel FS Wilson, Sanders, Andrews RCB Hobbs,Gay P MILLER PK Gostkowski LS Paxton PUP SS Harrison, Rodney Practice OG Dan Stevenson DT Smith, LeKevin LB Roach, Freddie S Ventrone Raymond Cuts LB Davis, Don DE Klecko, Dan S Scott, Guss FB Evans, Health CB Scott, Chad
Here's my advice. Don't worry about the numbers from pervious years because there are no patterns. First, try to figure out who the 45 actives would be - that means figuring out the starters on special teams. The actives are typically made up of: 2 QBs, 3 specialists (K, P, LS), 7 OL and 5 DL. That makes 17. The other 28 (WR, RB, TE, DB, LB) also make up the special teams units. Next, figure out the final 8 - 1 or 2 additional OL (probably 2), 1 or 2 additional DL (probably 2), any rookies picked in the top 5 or 6 rounds who won't be making the active day roster, and whatever positions seem to need depth and have a lot of bodies in camp. One of the things that makes it so hard to predict is BB's secrecy with regard to injuries. Those have a major impact on the final roster, but we have no idea how serious most injuries are.
(These numbers don't include any PUP/IR players that were on their respective reserve lists for the first game, even if they came off the PUP later in the season) 2005: QBs - 3 RBs - 3 (Dillon, Faulk, Pass) WRs - 6 TEs - 3 OTs - 4 OG/Cs - 4 DEs - 4 NTs - 3 OLBs - 6 (Vrabel, McGinest, Colvin, Banta-Cain, Chatham, Mallard) ILBs - 4 (Beisel, Brown, Izzo, Davis) CBs - 6 Ss - 4 K - 1 P - 1 LS - 1 2004: QBs - 3 RBs - 4 (Dillon, Faulk, Pass - Abdullah signed when Cobbs went to PUP) WRs - 6 TEs - 3 OTs - 4 OG/Cs - 5 DEs - 4 NTs - 4 OLBs - 4 (Vrabel, McGinest, Colvin, Banta-Cain) ILBs - 5 (Bruschi, Johnson, Phifer, Izzo, Davis) CBs - 4 Ss - 4 K- 1 P - 1 LS - 1 2003: QBs - 3 RBs - 4 (Smith, Faulk, McCrary, Centers - Cloud was suspended until Week 5) WRs - 5 TEs - 3 OTs - 4 OG/Cs - 4 DEs - 5 NTs - 3 OLBs - 4 (Vrabel, McGinest, Colvin, Chatham) ILBs - 5 (Bruschi, Johnson, Phifer, Izzo, Davis) CBs - 3 (Law, Poole, Samuel) Ss - 6 (Harrison, Wilson, A. Harris, Cherry, Akins, Aric Morris) K - 1 P - 1 LS - 1 2002: QBs - 3 RBs - 5 (Smith, Faulk, Redmond, Edwards, Pass) WRs - 5 TEs - 3 OTs - 5 OG/Cs - 5 DEs - 4 DTs - 4 OLBs - 4 (Vrabel, Phifer, Chatham, Brigance - cut in Week 2, CB Hitchc-o-c-k added) ILBs - 3 (Bruschi, Johnson, Izzo) CBs - 4 (Law, O. Smith, Buckley, Ben Kelly - Myers was on PUP) Ss - 5 (Milloy, Jones, Green, Cherry, A. Harris) K - 1 P - 1 LS - 1
Pretty close but... Hard to see how Mincy (Long term conversion project) and Alexander (has had 2 chances already) make this team while a 2nd round draft choice (Hill) who as a role (goal line defence) doesn't. And what does Bam Morris bring to the table that you can't get out of Mils?
All fair comments... - Mincey and Alexander speak to the general lack of depth at the LB positions. You can replace their names with Roach, Gardner, Davis or any other of the 4th stringers they have.In my opinion we still don't have a pure run stuffing LB (Ted Johnson) or pass covering LB (Roman Phifer), if any of the top 3 (Vrabel, Bruschi, Colvin) go down it will not be pretty - Hill is listed as a reserve DE (although in my opinion he hasn't shown anything, because he is a 2nd round pick he sticks around) - Mills versus Childresss - Childress is a wide receiver and possible return specialist, Mills is a hybrid fullback, TE, not really filling the same role. In a perfect world we find someone to fill the 5th receiver spot - practice squad - 4 spots out of 8, give me time I will fill all 8, the practice sqaud is largely irrelevant as the Patriots prefer to find people at car washes to fill needs (Hank Poteat, Hawkins, etc.) Thank you for the feedback. Keep it coming. P.s. great job with the year by year roster breakdown.
I did this exercise for a couple of years and was almost 100% accurate, but not because I know anything at all. I simply took my favorite players and pencilled them in, and all the spots were filled. This is not going to happen this year, I believe! I don't have a clue, to be honest, who makes the team at back-up linebacker, secondary, or perhaps even D-line if Sullivan shows up for work. I mean, pick between Sullivan, Hill, Wright and Klecko... Wide reciever may be too easy, with no depth. Tight end and running back could have a couple surprise cuts, like Pass or Mills, even Faulk fumbled his way through an injured season last year. Back-up O-Line may be tough as well, Gene Mckrowski, Gorin, the rookies, some of the practice squad projects. I'm not even gonna push my luck and try this year!


text:
parish council leader discriminates
by andrew
on Friday 30 Oct 2009
type: Announcement
topic: Local Government
region: Somerset
Dear Local News Editors
You may be interested in the following.
Mr Brian Cannell, Chair of Walton In Gordano Parish Council seems to be pedantic with his use of English - but lacks social graces and good manners. Some people have disabilities that interfere in their use of the English Language - but not their manners. Mr Cannell may wish to note that. Perhaps he could learn from the example of others.
Mr Cannell's conduct reveals just how Disabled People are treated by those with Supposed Authority, Titles and lack of Social Graces - every day - 365 days of the year!
Politeness is a factor in everyday life - but here is an example of what gets meted out! - and the response to Mr Cannell and his Lollipop are well deserved!
Mr Brian Cannell - Chair of Walton-in-Gordano Parish Council, has still to acknowledge receipt or respond - or render up the richly deserved apology to Mr Peacher. Maybe you will also agree that Mr Cannell has been less than polite and should be responding both promptly and in a moderate and temperate manner.
The relevant contact details - including phone numbers are:
Walton-in-Gordano Parish Council
Clerk: Mr Donald Hill, 12 St Clements Court, Hallam Road, Clevedon, Somerset, BS21 7SQ
Tel: 01275 876 171
E-mail: email@example.com
Chair: Mr Brian Cannell, Silverburn, Moor Lane, Walton-in-Gordano, Clevedon, Somerset, BS21 7AH
Tel: 01275 874 291
This is also forwarded to the Clerk of the Parish Council ( Mr Donald Hill ) for his attention. Mr Hill should be able to render up the requested information concerning Complaints Procedures - Equality Duties and Statements - the full identities and contact details for all Parish Council Members - and the dates, times and locations of Parish Council meetings.
PoliticalCripple would post the lollipop for Mr Cannell's consumption - but there is a postal strike - and it does make far better newspaper copy and photo opportunity for it to be presented in person in a public forum!
You may also find this video of interest - given it's content - It's location at Westminster - and just how articulate some are when it comes to dealing with rudeness, speaking in most negative ways from a position of perceived authority - and just how amusing it can be for some folks to be Publicly Lollipoped.
-------- Original Message -------- Subject: Your response to Mr Andrew Peacher
Date: Thu, 29 Oct 2009 20:41:16 +0000
From: firstname.lastname@example.com
To: andrew peacher bt internet , firstname.lastname@example.com, firstname.lastname@example.com, firstname.lastname@example.com, firstname.lastname@example.com, firstname.lastname@example.com
29 October 2009 20:41:07
Mr Brian Cannell,
Walton-in-Gordano Parish Council
Moor Lane,
Dear Sir
Being Pedantic or a Pedant? You are hereby Notified that you have been Lollipoped for rudeness, discrimination and open contempt - and you can "Suck On It and See"
I have had forwarded to me, for my explicit attention, a copy of an email you sent to Mr Andrew Peacher - your response was in red italic letters below. I see that you are pedantic with your use of English - but not with your manners. Some people have disabilities that interfere in their use of the English Language - but not their manners. You may wish to note that. Perhaps you could learn from their example.
Commas, full stops and even Capital Letter are truly wonderful things - and rudeness, small mindedness and open contempt are not!
I do note that your response to Mr Peacher failed to address the specific content of the communication. Perhaps it was to inconsequential for you to be bothered with? It was important enough for Mr Peacher to contact you on the subject.
Perhaps you would give me the courtesy of your opinion on the future of care, disability right, the rights of disabled people to be included in all aspects of society, and if pedantry over punctuation can be linked to Disability Discrimination? I can publish it on my website and multiple blogs for the world to read!
One has to wonder if you would be more polite when you are aware that your missives are shared with others for critique - no Italics required!
As chair of Walton-in-Gordano Parish Council, one would expect you to ensure that you comply with relevant Disability Equality Duties as set out in your relevant public statements on Equality. Perhaps you should re-read them, and if by any chance you are not aware of them, or you have failed to ensure they are in place, may I cordially recommend that such an issue be addressed promptly. You can find full details of who to speak to at http://www.n-somerset.gov.uk/Contacts/contacts-equalityanddiversityteam.htm
- and by return, kindly provide a full copy of your statutory complaints procedures, so that your pedantic attitude to punctuation and less than pedantic compliance with certain Disability Equality Duties may be fully addressed!
I would also like the dates of your next three parish Council meetings so that I can attend and ensure that all issues are addressed personally. It may take some time to be able to get to one, and it may need a tad of strategic planning due to disability - but I can assure you it will be a blast!
Please also supply the full contact details of all members of the Walton-in-Gordano Parish Council, so that they can all be explicitly and directly made aware of how you respond to punctuation issues and disability. They may wish to show if they have confidence in your views - or they may even wish to vote that they do not.
Alternately you could render up an immediate apology to Mr Peacher without further delay, and in doing so fully respond to his original e-mail in a far more appropriate and temperate manner.
Yours faithfully
PoliticalCripple -
Mr A Peacher
Customer Services North Devon Council
The Equalities Team North Devon Council
andrew peacher bt internet wrote:
andrew peacher bt internet wrote:
> would you like to attend a petition signing event ?
> SUPPORT PEOPLE/* */(before its 2 late)/*
> press call is at 230 friday 6th november details below
> i guess you will be 2 busy let us hope not councillors in bristol took
> time to visit us in the city council building during september showing
> their support sue o donell lib dem was a star and gave us exellent
> help with the ideas and aims of the lib dems
> but bruton and frome need your support now
> */we need all partys to turn up/* and support the wide issue of why
> dla and aa are being scrapped for the over 65s it seems not fair as
> the under 65s get their benefit due to the pressure of people like me
> and save dla somerset old people have worked all their life now they
> are robbed of financial support david heath mp is supporting us you do
> also as somerset needs you
> andrew peacher
> */Tel 01749 812041 andy orginizer and marie 01749812511 host/*
> we are holding a petition signing event at */34 burrowfield bruton
> ba10 somerset at 230pm on friday the 6th of november/* a week before
> the consultation period ends to save disibility living allowence for
> the over 65s and for the people over 65 getting attendence allowence
> your presence would be greatly appreciated as we need this news to
> stay in the press and the papers and the radio also to reassure the
> under 65s that the goverment has made a statement as below
> Thursday 22 October 2009
> Health Secretary clarifies Government position on disability benefits
> The Secretary of State for Health has made it clear that Disability
> Living Allowance for the Under 65s will not be affected by Government
> plans to create a National Care Service.
> Speaking at the National Children and Adult Services Conference in
> Harrogate, Andy Burnham MP said: "I am encouraged by the response to
> our Big Care Debate and welcome the fact that other political parties
> are beginning to put their ideas on the table. There are big
> differences between what we are saying but we are beginning to create
> what I wanted to see - unstoppable momentum for legislation in the next
> Parliament.
> "But, while the debate is moving quickly, I do want to stress that the
> door is wide open for discussion. We are still in a consultation
> period. No decisions have been made on funding options. We are still
> listening – about funding, about structures, and about how to build a
> forward-looking system of care.
> "One avenue I do want to close down, however, is the debate and
> controversy over Disability Living Allowance.
> "We recognise that this is an important benefit for disabled people,
> and I can state categorically that we have now ruled out any suggestion
> that DLA for under-65s will be brought into the new National Care
> Service.
> "This is because, whilst there will be increases in the numbers of
> disabled people of working age who need care, the majority of the
> people needing care in the future will be older people.
> "However, we do think there may be a case for bringing together
> elements of some disability benefits, such as Attendance Allowance,
> with social care funding, to create a new care and support system to
> provide for the needs of older and disabled people.
> "But the important principle is that people receiving any of the
> relevant benefits at the time of reform would continue to receive an
> equivalent level of support and protection under a new and better care
> and support system.
> "And let's not forget, everyone - regardless of wealth or asset base –
> will benefit from the protection and piece of mind that the National
> Care Service will provide."
> The Government is currently carrying out a consultation – the Big Care
> Debate - on the new National Care Service, a vision for which was set
> out in July's Green Paper Shaping the Future of Care Together. The Big
> Care Debate continues until 13th November.
You may get more support from your email if you format it with some
correct spelling and grammar.
There are wonderful little things called capital letters (used for the
first person 'I' and the first letter of proper names, as well as at the
start of sentences and abbreviations). Also you will find comma's,
apostrophes and full stops are there to ensure a series of words makes
sense to the reader. Colons and semi colons are also available to keep
everything in order. All these funny little signs are freely available
and just waiting to be used on both computer keyboards and mobile
phones. Using them will go a long way to making the message meaningful
and intelligent. Not using them does not do the writer any favours at all.
Brian Cannell
As your original email was sent to my private address without any
request from myself, this can be construed as unsolicited mail. I
sympathise with your now declared dyslexia and a learning disability, if
you had mentioned it in the first email (no real reason why you should
though), I probably wouldn't have bothered replying at all and just
deleted the mail as junk. If you cannot take constructive criticism then
that is your issue, not mine. There is no need to use abusive language.
Please do not threaten me, it will get you nowhere.
This email correspondence it at an end.
Brian Cannell
<< Back to archive


text:
Prayer Circles
Read Prayers. |
Dear Lord, I come to you tonight to ask for a healing for Jodie. Lord, give her the relief from the unbearable pain that she is going through and the strength to come through this sickness and be stronger than she was before. For with what men cannot do, all things are possible through you God. I send this prayer up to you in Jesus name...Amen |
Has problems James J 02/12/2008
My Uncle Dennis Worthington 02/12/2008
My marriage Kat Mounce 02/12/2008
A good friends mother, who has cancer everyone who needs prayer universal 02/12/2008
Pray for Michelle and Carlos N. 07/08/2008
"This prayer is to help us sell our home."
Pray for Donald H. 07/07/2008
"The love of my life has cancer."
Pray for Amanda B. 07/06/2008
"Please pray for my daughter and her unborn child."
Pray for Janice A. 07/05/2008
"One of my most favorite people in the whole world needs your prayers today. Please spread this and include Janice in your daily prayer."
Sign up to receive a daily feed of the prayer circles that need your prayers the most, delivered directly to your Beliefnet community profile. Sign up now! Not a member yet? Register here.


text:
Translate this page MWD approves design of two Lake Mathews rehabilitation projectsFriday, February 21st, 2014 Issue 08, Volume 18.
The MWD board action February 11 authorized the preliminary design to perform repairs and replace the Howell-Bunger valves at the lakes forebay facility and authorized the final design to repair the structure at the hydroelectric plant. The action also appropriated $1.94 million for the two design projects and adopted findings that the project is categorically exempt from California Environmental Quality Act review. MWD constructed the Colorado River Aqueduct in the 1930s which allows water to be transported from the Colorado River into Lake Mathews, which is the western end of the aqueduct. Untreated water stored in Lake Mathews is withdrawn through the lakes forebay and hydroelectric plant and then conveyed through the upper feeder to MWDs Weymouth Treatment Plant in Laverne and through the lower feeder to MWDs Diemer Treatment Plant in Yorba Linda. The original Lake Mathews facilities included the main dam embankment, the main outlet tower, and the forebay with its own outlet tower. In 1961 the main dam embankment was raised and two dikes were constructed to increase the lake volume to its current storage capacity of 182,000 acre-feet. The hydroelectric plant adjacent to the facility was constructed in 1980 and can generate up to 4.9 megawatts of electricity each year, which equates to annual revenue of up to $1.3 million. The forebay and the outlet tower have been in continuous use for 75 years. The forebay itself is a reinforced concrete reservoir with a storage capacity of 31 acre-feet. The outlet tower is a 60 foot tall concrete structure with steel walkways and a steel control building at the top of the tower. The discharge facility has ten Howell-Bunger valves, each 32 inches in diameter, which control flow from the lake into the forebay to dissipate the excess energy. The water exits the forebay through the outlet tower and enters the upper and lower feeders The water exiting the discharge values into the forebay creates moist conditions above the forebay water surface and thus produces a corrosive environment. Over the years damage has occurred to the concrete, the reinforcing steel, the steel walkways, the control room, and the lining of the forebay. Although the structural integrity of the facilities is currently still sound, the rate and extent of concrete deterioration has increased during the past decade and repairs are needed to maintain reliable deliveries into the central pool. The ten Howell-Bunger valves have also deteriorated gradually due to continuous use. A 2013 assessment concluded that a planned replacement program would be more cost-effective and less disruptive to water deliveries than replacing or refurbishing the valves as they fail. The forebay outlet tower also has five butterfly valves, each 54 inches in diameter, and four large slide gates which have been recommended for refurbishment or replacement. Due to the long lead time to manufacture the Howell-Bunger valves, MWD staff recommended procurement prior to the actual rehabilitation so that the prepurchased valves could be provided to the repair contractor for installation during that future contract. The planned scope Advertisement walkways, sandblasting and coating the steel control room, replacing the Howell-Bunger valves while installing valve discharge deflectors to reduce the fog-like conditions, and refurbishing or replacing the butterfly valves and slide gates. The estimated cost of the entire project, including the design funds requested and past expenditures, is between $5.5 and $7.5 million. The preliminary design phase activities include conducting a three-dimensional survey of the discharge facility, forebay lining, and tower to create record drawings, mapping the extent of surface-damaged concrete, shutting down the facility for field inspection to assess existing conditions of the piping, Howell-Bunger valves, butterfly valves, slide gates, and other ancillary equipment, determining the strength of the existing concrete through concrete coring and laboratory testing, testing for hazardous material, preparing conceptional layout drawings and environmental documentation, developing the final design criteria, developing valve procurement specifications and the receipt of bids for the new Howell-Bunger valves, and developing a more refined construction cost estimate. The $1.75 million authorized for preliminary design covers $895,000 for the design work itself, $270,000 for a shutdown of the facility, field investigations, and a three-dimensional survey, $180,000 for preparation of design documents and receipt of bids for the procurement of the new valves, $142,000 for environmental documentation and project management, $100,000 for material testing services to conduct concrete coring, laboratory testing, and analyses, and $163,000 for contingency. MWD staff will perform the preliminary design activities while HDR Engineering will perform the material testing. MWD staff expects to return to the board in mid-2015 to request the award of the valve procurement contracts and to authorize the final design. The turbine at the Lake Mathews hydroelectric plant uses cooling water, and chlorine has been added to that water to prevent algae growth. That chlorine, however, has damaged portions of the building over the years. In an effort to reduce further damage, the chlorine injection system was removed in 2008 and a cooling water system using potable water now reduces the turbine temperature. The scope of the hydroelectric plant repairs includes removing the damage concrete down to sound concrete, replacing reinforcing steel which has lost at least 20 percent of its cross-sectional area, repairing less-corroded reinforcing steel by sandblasting and applying a corrosion inhibitor, installing a cathodic protection system to inhibit additional corrosion of the steel reinforcement, and replacing damaged concrete with new concrete. The planned final design phase activities include conducting field investigations and material testing of the existing structure, preparing drawings and specifications, receiving competitive bids, and developing a construction cost estimate. The total project cost, including the design funds requested and past expenditures, is estimated at $1.15 to $1.5 million. The $190,000 appropriated February 11 covers $124,000 for final design, $44,000 for bidding and project management, and $22,000 for contingency. MWD staff will perform all final design activities. 0 comments Be the first to share your opinion on this article!
The Valley News has tightened its' policy regarding comments. While we invite you to contribute your opinions and thoughts, we request that you refrain from using vulgar or obscene words and post only comments that directly pertain to the specific topic of the story or article. Comments that are derogatory in nature have a high likelihood for editing or non-approval if they carry the possibility of being libelous. The comment system is not intended as a forum for individuals or groups to air personal grievances against other individuals or groups. Please, no advertising or trolling. In posting a comment for consideration, users understand that their posts may be edited as necessary to meet system parameters, or the post may not be approved at all. By submitting a comment, you agree to all the rules and guidelines described here. Most comments are approved or disregarded within one business day. |
The Village NewsAnza Valley OutlookFallbrook.orgSourcebookPDF VersionCoupon CornerSign up for iNewsEarthquake Info Most Commented 359 Medical marijuan... 267 Arrests now numb... 175 Authorities seek... 168 Man hit, killed ... 125 Mother-in-law ar... 122 Camp Pendleton a... 122 Bikers steering ... 121 Authorities dist... 118 22 suspected ill... 117 Double fatality ... 114 Temecula mosque ... 114 Murrieta Mayor A... 110 Governor Brown s... 107 Bonsall man (lon... 105 Preliminary hear... |
The Valley News All contents copyright ©2015 |
About Us Earthquake Information Business Listings |
Contact Us Letter to the Editor Report a website error |
Sitemap Online Digital Edition RSS Feeds Login |


text:
Read movie reviews, check movie showtimes, and find film events near you
The best new movies on Netflix in March 2015
The streaming service announces a trove of lucky Irish titles for St. Patrick's Day and much more
Ten things we learned at the 2015 Oscars
Birdman flew to win Best Picture and the speeches got political
The 100 best sex scenes of all time
Cinema's most innovative, groundbreaking sex scenes, from controversial classics to daring silent films
10 things we learned watching Fifty Shades of Grey
Will overheated fans of the explicit literary sensation be satisfied with the big-screen translation?
Jamie Dornan interview
The actor talks about landing the role of Fifty Shades of Grey's sexy hunk
New movies we love
Abderrahmane Sissako is today's leading director from Africa. His latest is a small-town terrorism thriller
The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water
This belated sequel is, in some ways, even better than the first film
Still Alice
The rare film possessed with the courage required to shine a light into the abyss of Alzheimer's
American Sniper
Only Clint Eastwood could make a movie about an Iraq War veteran and infuse it with doubts, mission anxiety and ruination
A Most Violent Year
An ambitious cast brings Chandor's strained labor issues to life with utter believability
New movie releases
Neill Blomkamp amps the weirdness factor for a lovably scattershot cybernetic satire
Hot Tub Time Machine 2
Jury duty, head lice, chlamydia—just a few of the things we'd hoped to get before a sequel to Hot Tub Time Machine
McFarland, USA
The story unfolds with more patience and grace than the genre demands
Kingsman: The Secret Service
Never less than slick, precision-tooled multiplex entertainment
Movie-going in Chicago
Movie lists you love
Best sex scenes in film
Outside of porn flicks, these are the lustiest lovemaking scenes on film
23 things we learned about Chicago from the movies
The landscape and lifestyle of Chicago is a little suspect in the eyes of Hollywood
The 43 best fictional Chicagoans
We consult our favorite Chicago-set fiction to find the greatest fake people to ever hail from our city
The 100 best animated movies
World-famous animators pick the best animated movies ever


text:
Continuing the look at Frank Miller for David Brothers' Booze, Broads, & Bullets week. Go check out the index, it's all pretty good.
– – –
Frank Miller and Bill Sienkiewicz's Daredevil: Love And War has been relegated to "interesting exercise" territory, which sells it extremely short. There are probably a few reasons for this – one is being overshadowed by the unquestionably better collaboration between the two, Elektra Assassin which came out in the same year. The other being its a pain in the ass to find a copy, unless you want to go diving for back issues or buy an expensive hardcover. For years before I read Love and War, I had an Ecko long sleeve teeshirt with Sienkiewicz's cover on it, its the kind of book that hides in plain sight. When I eventually did get around to reading it, I thought it was a forgotten masterpiece. It isn't, but I do think it's more interesting than it gets noted for.
I love it whenever Frank Miller writes for other artists. Partially because he's usually worked with people either at or above his skill level – Sienkiewicz, Darrow, Gibbons, Mazzuchelli – or artists he can use for a specific effect – Todd McFarlane never looked better than he did when Frank Miller made fun of him, and Jim Lee finally hit a hyper-Neal Adams sweet spot somewhere around issue 5 of All-Star. Miller is as much as writer as he is a cartoonist, and there's a real good argument to be made that Millers greatest contributions have all been as a writer (also interesting – Miller as artist on other people's scripts, which from what I understand he had considerable stake in plotting and rewriting). Martha Washington is perfection of Miller's Dark Knight Returns style, for example. Born Again and Man Without Fear are refinements of Miller's own aesthetic, but work in ways that he didn't or couldn't. John Romita Jr's figures breathe, they have real weight. Simple things like coats flapping in the breeze or glasses slipping down Elektra's face as she plays the piano, details that are filmic in a Scorsese way not a bombastic big screen way. David Mazzuchelli's Born Again figurework slides into abstraction without ever calling attention to itself, recalling both John Carpenter's framed simmering tension and stained glass windows. Geof Darrow – well I'll be talking a lot more about Geof Darrow later. And of course, Bill Sienkiewicz who we're talking about today. Sienkiewicz, at this period between New Mutants and Big Numbers, was an artist at the peak of his skills. For five year, Billy the Sink was the standard bearer for what could be done, in mainstream comics, in surrealist personal works, in realism, in adaptations of classical fiction. Sienkiewicz could go cartoony or photorealistic or expressive, could use multimedia collage or sketchy black and white, could take the layouts and gridwork Miller used and incorporate it into his own stlye, who could make you care about talking heads and not cheat on the action scenes. Unlike many of his peers, the comics artist as painter wasn't an easy slot for Sienkiewicz to slide into and he proved himself as an innovator on the comics page rather than just an innovative stylist.
On top of that, Sienkiewicz is the one of the few things that link Frank Miller and Alan Moore (the others – Dave Gibbons, Batman, Spawn).
If you want to simplify the creative conversation of the 80s was between Frank Miller and Alan Moore, Love and War and Killing is a great example of the "oh, yeah can you do this?" competitive nature of the two artists (The biggest problem with that? Alan Moore doesn't draw). It's interesting to compare because Moore's work is very sophisticated and complex, but Miller has done leagues more for the language of comics. Of course, some of Moore's earliest work was a parody of Miller's original Daredevil run, so the antagonism is there. Miller and Moore are so interesting to compare because what they have in common is that they were both young guys in their early 20s who started off on soon-to-be-canceled superhero books and announced themselves as immensely talented and willing to throw away anything they couldn't use. Of course, Moore got onto Swamp Thing just as Miller was finishing up his Daredevil run, and you wonder if he felt the need to do what Miller had done in making something old and immature into something current and personal. There is a competitive tone between the two creators, partially because of mutual respect clearly. But you get the feeling that it was because despite the almost completely disparate approaches, Miller and Moore were the only two people who could say was the other's peer at the time (for the sake of this piece, lets forget that Howard Chaykin and Eddie Campbell exist). No one else was doing this kind of significant work at this large a scale, and examining form AND content while they did it. There was an interview a few years back where Moore spoke about enjoying Millers work but felt that his tone got ahead of him a lot of the time. Miller has described the difference between the Dark Knight Returns and Watchmen (and therefore their approaches) that DKR was a eulogy and Watchmen was an autopsy.
Alan Moore is famous for his novelistic, meticulous scripts. Frank Miller, when writing for other artists is hard to nail down. He's spoken of working with Sienkiewicz and Darrow as "riding a bucking bronco", and playing to their strengths. "Bill's facility overwhelms me. It does seem to flow right out of his fingers, and sometimes he makes so many of the rest of us look like we're slowly nailing two by fours together, while he's just throwing things in the air and they're landing all in the right place. Now, I know theres a lot of discipline behind that. He makes it look deceptively easy. But even when he's drawing, he makes it look deceptively easy. He's a pretty scary guy that way."
Love and War, now that we've have a substantial preamble, seems to prefigure several of Moore's later writing. Actually it seems like a strange transitional piece, showing some influence of Moore's psychological approach to narration from his Swamp Thing. So here is the rare piece of work between the two where we feel the artistic conversation in action. It's not just "these two guys were both in Rolling Stone magazine at the same time", it's a call and response. There aren't many of those, possibly the only other one being Killing Joke as a response to DKR.
For a story ostensibly about Daredevil, he has very little to do. His absence is even pointed out several time (by Turk, who is the key element to every good DD story), that he's not there on the page.You wonder if that was in the script (and the way the scenes are laid out with Turk just talking to nothing, its a question), or if the dialog was rewritten to make the pages read better. When he does show up his body is elongated and grotesque, with huge arms as he climbs his way up a skyscraper. He's a bit of a bystander in his own book, which uses him as a plothammer. Its nice to see Miller, who had defined Matt Murdock as a whole character years before, deflate him a little bit. The Kingpin is written in the formidable wrath-of-a-thousand-devils style he has in the Miller/Janson DDs, Born Again, and Man Without Fear, but Sienkiewicz's depiction of him as massive and infantile. Equal parts intimidating and ridiculous. The Kingpin's voice is quiet and deep in the reader's mind, simply because Sienkiewicz draws him without a mouth. It's details like that, or of the block patterns and screen frames used in the Kingpin's scenes, that show Wilson Fisk's state of mind. His need to see everything from a distance, to cover up problems with unnecessary ornamentation.
Love and War's best element is Victor, the schizophrenic hired by the Kingpin to kidnap a psychiatrist's wife. There's nothing special about Victor as a character. He is a crazy guy who kidnaps a lady, fixates on her, takes lots of drugs, kills some people. He is boring, the kind of minor psychopath that began popping up in every superhero comic six months after Miracleman hit. Superheros fighting random guys with knives, like Zsasz. Victor isn't like that, though, because you get the feeling that Miller and Sienkiewicz had actually researched schizophrenia before they did this book. Love and War is okay as a Daredevil/Kingpin story, but its amazing as a portrait of Victor. The narration starts off stilted and repetitive, fixating on obsessive, specific details and repeating lines already on his first page – "Not monday. Mondat." over and over. Victor is already massively damaged when he first shows up, but seeing a beautiful woman helpless in front of him makes something snap. He goes from managing his insanity with drugs to complete lack of control, spurred on by not being able to act on his sexual feelings "For no reason at all the shakes start". Then his narration starts competing with itself, equally in the moment ranting and heroic, completely detatched fantasy of Victor as a knight in shining armor. Victor gets on the subway, bleeding, starts narrating about "those black people" who are so terrified of the bleeding psychopath with a knife they stop feeling each other up. Victor then goes see his sister, who is a nurse who hooks him up with pills. Sienkiewicz shows Victor's eyeline going straight for a knife. Then we see Victor sitting in a closet, in pitch black, speaking to nothing, screaming at nothing. The shakes start again, and Sienkiewicz shows him shuddering so bad he barely get the words out, a horrific image of blured mouths and eyes. Victor is smart, and while his mind is clearly diseased, he figures out the Nelson/Murdock=Daredevil connection, even if he's a step or two off. The cycling between lucidity and gibberish is pretty fantastic too – even keeping with the night/day divide that those cycles often stick to. After killing his sister, Victor is as close to fine as it gets, and its in broad daylight. Cut to Victor popping pills at dusk, wandering into traffic, his narration slipping back into Miller-ian caption boxes "And/Right/Out/Of/NOWHERE/COMES/THIS TAXI". The staccatto halting narrative voice is as close to real madness that I've read in a comic like this (later he uses the same technique to show Matt Murdock's faltering mental state in Born Again). The details, the names, the times, egg salad, Cheryl. Towards the end it's so chaotic some of the boxes are just sounds, fragments of thought haphazardly falling around the panels instead being a part of them. It's not perfect, it's not even particularly fun to read, but it feels true in a way no other crazy-guy-with-a-knife comic I've ever read does. Thats the thing about Frank Miller as a writer, probably more than him as a writer-artist, it's that he can put you inside a characters head. Sometimes it is terrifying. Sometimes Alan Moore has to sit down and say, damn that Frank Miller guy.


text:
In a closed thread on Epic's forum, Cowley stated that Epic, whose Gears of War 3 saw unauthorized pre-launch leaks of game code and media, "supports efforts that would stop overseas websites profiting from pirating our games," and that it remained a member of the ESA, which continues to support the bill. However the association, said Cowley, was "working with legislators to refine the bill," which has drawn criticism from experts and the public alike.
While Cowley didn't go into detail on Epic's issues with SOPA, its concerns about freedom of speech and legal due process echo criticisms raised elsewhere. Experts have questioned the Act's First Amendment validity and the website Stop American Censorship has gathered quotes from individuals across a range of sectors and political affiliations opposing the move. Comparable legislation in other countries has been criticized for potential human rights violations and for handing too much power to governments and corporate bodies.
While companies such as Nintendo, Sony and EA have removed their names from the list of companies supporting SOPA, Epic's is the first statement from an industry body of its caliber openly distancing itself from the legislation as it stands. Indie developer Nathan Fouts points out that "as long as the ESA is still listed [as supporting the Act], the game industry as a whole is supporting SOPA." Fouts' post closes by inviting players and developers alike to contact the ESA, requesting the Association acknowledge prevalent opposition to SOPA by removing its support.
Log in using Facebook to share comments, games, status update and other activity easily with your Facebook feed.


text:
LYNNHAVEN, Va. - Some consider Ron Hamilton to be the luckiest man alive.
It's the No. 1 comment from those who hear Hamilton's story about the chain of events that led to saving his life on Feb. 10.
When he woke that day, the 60-year-old Kings Grant resident felt out of sorts.
"It's still a complete blank - I have no memory of this," Hamilton said. "My wife, Martha, was going to work and wondered why I was still in bed. She told me it was time to get up, so when she left I went out for a walk. That's when I collapsed on King's Grant Road."
Jogging past Hamilton's house was Steve Hartz, a retired Navy helicopter rescue pilot and former EMS volunteer.
"He started CPR immediately and called 911," Hamilton said. "That got some oxygen to my brain."
Driving through the neighborhood to check on his vacationing parents' home, Virginia Beach police office Michael Melnyk assessed the scenario and jumped out to help.
In full cardiac arrest, Hamilton was in real trouble when Melnyk used an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) to shock his heart back into action.
An ambulance rushed Hamilton to Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital.
"They said I kept asking them what day it was," Hamilton said, shaking his head as if to jar loose memories that still escape him.
Dr. Deepak Talreja, cardiologist, and other emergency department staff and physicians acted quickly to stop ongoing heart damage.
"I just happened to be the doctor on call," said 36-year-old Talreja, a Great Neck resident. "Mr. Hamilton was disoriented, disheveled and terrified, but when someone called me by my first name, he sat up and said, 'Deepak? I was your sixth grade English teacher at Cape Henry Collegiate School.'\"
After almost 27 years, Talreja didn't recognize him initially.
"He was just a little more gray, and still looked fit," Talreja said.
Talreja determined that Hamilton needed open-heart surgery within the hour.
Now - nearly four months after his ordeal - Talreja has declared his former teacher's heart healthy and strong.
"He looks so good - he's a real success story," he said. "The city made a very wise decision to put AED units in police cars. They're kind of expensive, but the fact Mr. Hamilton is alive is a tribute to what the city did."
Hamilton and Talreja met recently to discuss the incredible events that gave Hamilton a second chance. Looking at catheterization videos, Hamilton remarked that Talreja always was a good student, always happy and eager to learn - especially about science.
"My wife believes I was not meant to die, that all the men who saved my life were guardian angels," said Hamilton, who's slowly getting back to teaching. "After this happened, another doctor said to me, 'You know, you should be dead right now.'\"
Talreja put his hand on Hamilton's arm. "He was a great teacher to me, and we are what we are because of our teachers," he said.


text:
Antarctica has a fascinating history. This section covers the discovery of Antarctica and beyound with a chapter by chapter account as well as special sections on explorers, and other themes.
- Belgium and Antarctica Belgium may be a small country in the centre of Europe, but it played an important role in the exploration and discovery of Antarctica. Belgium was one of the early signatories to the Antarctic Treaty and after a long absence, now has an summer station in Dronning Maud land. To this day several Belgian's are active explorers in the Polar Region's.
- Terra Australis Incognita The name Antarctica was found by the ancient Greeks. They were convinced that the earth was round and, in that way, consisted of a northern and a southern hemisphere. According to the philosopher, Aristotle (384-322 BC), nature was symmetrical. If there was a cold zone in the North of the world, then there must be a cold area on the other side as well. The North Pole is located under the constellation of the great bear ('arktos' in Greek). Antarctica means: opposite the bear.
- Closer and closer In 1642 Abel Tasman left port to search for the legendary southern continent under the order of the governor-general of the Dutch East India Company in Batavia, Anthonie van Diemen. Tasman sailed around Australia without seeing the continent, but nevertheless discovered Tasmania and the west coast of New Zealand, which, of course, he thought was part of the Antarctic continent.


text:
In Illinois, the law states that each driver and front seat passenger of a motor vehicle must wear a properly adjusted and fastened seat safety belt.
Provides that whenever a person is transporting a child under age 8, the person is responsible for properly securing the child in an appropriate child restraint system, which includes a booster seat. Every person, when transporting a child 8 years of age or older, but under age 16, is responsible for properly securing that child in a seat belt. If the vehicle used to transport children under eight years of age is equipped with lap belts only in the back seat and the child weighs more than 40 pounds, the child may be transported in the back seat wearing a lap belt only. If a combination lap and shoulder belt is available, the child must be secured in a booster seat.
The Illinois Graduated Licensing System requires all passengers under 19 years to buckle-up when riding in a vehicle being driven by a person under the age of 18. Any person under the age of 18 who receives a graduated driver's license, for the first six months of the license or until the person reaches the age of 18, whichever occurs sooner; the person may not drive with more than one person in the vehicle who is under the age of 20 unless they are siblings, children, step-siblings, and step children of the driver.
Also, no person may operate any 1965 or later model vehicle unless the front seats are equipped with two sets of safety belts.A child must be protected under these Child Passenger Protection Act guidelines:
Any child restraint system sold at the many department and discount stores are approved seats that meet the U.S. Department of Transportation Standards. Make sure to send in the seat registration card so the manufacture can reach you in case of a recall. Avoid buying seats at second hand shops and garage sales as you do not know the history of the seat.
"Approved child restraint systems" refers to any device which meets the standards of the United States Department of Transportation.


text:
Legal recourse: Taking action against defamation on physician-rating sites
- Posted March 23, 2011, 10:42 a.m.
- 6 comments
This article is the second installment in a series on Web-based physician rating services. The first installment explored DOs' overall views of such websites.
Physician-rating websites, many of which allow anonymous postings, make it easy for angry patients, unscrupulous competitors and anyone bearing a grudge "to engage in aggressive character assassination," notes Al Turner, DO, an osteopathic manipulative medicine specialist in Portland, Ore. Although physicians face more hurdles than do many other types of professionals, DOs and MDs can proactively protect and defend their online reputations, say lawyers with knowledge of Internet libel and health care law.
Because of patient privacy provisions in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996, as well as state patient-confidentiality laws, physicians generally cannot publicly repudiate false and injurious comments posted by patients on rating sites.
But if those negative comments meet the criteria for defamation—specifically libel, which applies to the written word—DOs and MDs can and should seek legal recourse, says Gary D. Nissenbaum, JD, the managing principal of the Nissenbaum Law Group, which has offices in Union, N.J., New York City, Philadelphia and Dallas.
"The First Amendment gives Americans the right to free expression in a healthy public debate," Nissenbaum notes. "But there is no First Amendment right to defame someone." However, because First Amendment protections are so broad, the courts impose rigorous requirements on individuals to prove they have been defamed, he says.
To satisfy the legal definition of defamation, comments need to be false, communicated to a third party and damaging to the injured party's reputation. But it isn't always necessary to prove damages. Victims of one category of defamation—known as per se—do not need to demonstrate that they've actually been harmed, points out Nissenbaum, whose firm runs an Internet defamation law blog.
Although the law differs from state to state, variations of libel per se include false allegations that someone committed a heinous crime or is infected with a loathsome disease and false attacks on a person's professional character or status. False attacks generally are the most actionable for physicians, Nissenbaum observes.
Public figures additionally have to prove malice (willfulness or intent) to make a case for libel, including libel per se. "A physician might be considered a public figure in the community depending on the extent to which that physician has injected himself or herself into the public eye," Nissenbaum says.
Opinion versus defamation
In his third year of a St. Joseph Mercy Health Center residency in dermatology in Royal Oak, Mich., Christopher A. Messana, JD, DO, points out that courts generally do not consider negative opinions to be defamatory. To be labeled libel, false adverse statements must include verifiable factual errors. "If someone says on a rating site that a physician is a jerk, that would be considered opinion," Dr. Messana says.
The background of the person disparaging another also comes into play when assessing a case for libel, Dr Messana notes. For example, if someone erroneously posts online that a physician "is schizophrenic," that statement likely would be considered opinion if the poster is a layman rather than a mental health expert or physician. A layman would not be expected to have a medical understanding of the term schizophrenic, he explains.
Dr. Messana asserts that most of the negative comments he has seen on physician rating sites are not worth redressing. Remarks pertaining to physicians' lack of punctuality, abrupt bedside manner and rude staff should be considered wake-up calls rather than defamation, he says. "We need to do a better job of recognizing that we are in a customer service profession," Dr. Messana says. "Such comments are reminders that we need to have excellent communication skills and keep wait times reasonable."
Physicians should also assess the proportion of their negative and positive reviews, advises Jeffrey Segal, MD, JD, the founder and chief executive officer of Medical Justice, a legal advocacy organization that specializes in protecting physicians from Internet defamation and frivolous malpractice suits. "Don't freak out over a single negative post on a physician rating site," Dr. Segal cautions. Having only positive comments on a rating site can look suspicious, as if the reviews were planted by the physician, he notes.
It is the more egregious assaults on physicians' medical knowledge and integrity that should be addressed, according to Dr. Messana. "If someone falsely assails a physician's clinical acumen or falsely accuses a physician of molestation or another reprehensible crime, that would be defamation," he says.
"The first step [after getting slammed online] is to evaluate the comments and the amount of publicity they are likely to receive and make a judgment about how harmful they are and what should be done," suggests Mitchell L. Marinello, JD, a partner with the Chicago law firm Novack and Macy, in a Q-and-A in the March issue of Smart Business Chicago. "Overreacting to negative comments can create more bad publicity or cause a disgruntled critic to become even more vocal."
The next step, according to Marinello, is to ask the rating site if it will remove the defamatory comments because sometimes such comments violate a site's policies.
6 Responses
// php echo get_avatar( $comment, 32 ); ?>
Stephen Blythe, D.O.
on April 4, 2011, 6:45 a.m.
The idea of a consent or waiver might be the only protection. Even if someone posts false information online, how do you prove it is false without violating patient confidentiality? A waiver as part of a consent to treat should perhaps not only give you the copyright of any online postings, but authorize you to use the patient's medical records to rebutt any public complaints. The good news is that if you are punctual, polite, and caring and your staff is the same, you will get lots of positive reviews on these sites. Most of the negative reviews, as noted, ate not statements about competency or claims of malpractice, but comments on arrogant or abusive behavior on the part of the physician or staff. As noted, these should serve as a wake-up call. If you have lots of negative postings, you are dong something wrong, and leaving patients unhappy – which means you have a higher risk of being sued. We have to be top notch clinically, but we also have to offer good customer service.
// php echo get_avatar( $comment, 32 ); ?>
Court Watch
on Oct. 19, 2012, 3:16 a.m.
State Supreme Court Hears Online Doctor Rating Defamation Suit SEP 2012
Excerpted from Star Tribune, September 4, 2012, Maura Lerner
Two years ago, a Duluth neurologist, Dr. David McKee, sued the son of an elderly patient for defamation over some negative comments that were posted on rate-your-doctor websites.
On Tuesday, the state's top court was asked to decide whether the lawsuit should finally go to trial, after the case was thrown out by a lower court and reinstated on appeal. The lawsuit is one of a growing number of legal battles testing the limits of free speech on the Internet.
A good portion of the oral arguments were devoted to the meaning of the words that Dennis Laurion, 65, used to describe his family's encounter with McKee in April, 2010, when Laurion's father, Kenneth, then 84, was hospitalized with a stroke.
John Kelly, Laurion's attorney, noted that Internet sites are a "free for all" for people to share opinions and that his client's comments were perfectly appropriate. "We have a word, the word 'tool,'" Kelly told the justices. "When you look at the word, you have to ask: Is it defamatory?" He argued that the phrase, while "it clearly is not a compliment," is no worse than "calling someone an idiot or a fool."
During questioning, some of the justices seemed to agree. "Saying someone's a 'real tool' sounds more like an opinion than a statement of fact," Justice Christopher Dietzen said. Chief Justice Lorie Skjerven Gildea had a similar reaction. "The point of the post is, 'This doctor did not treat my father well,'" she said. "I can't grasp why that wouldn't be protected opinion."
Full Article:
http://www.startribune.com/printarticle/?id=168552176 -
// php echo get_avatar( $comment, 32 ); ?>
Trying Our Patients
on Sept. 18, 2013, 5:18 a.m.
Minnesota high court says online post legally protected
By STEVE KARNOWSKI, Associated PressMINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A man's online post calling a doctor "a real tool" is protected speech, the Minnesota Supreme Court ruled Wednesday. The state's highest court dismissed a case by Duluth neurologist David McKee, who took offense when a patient's son posted critical remarks about him on rate-your-doctor websites. Those remarks included a claim that a nurse called the doctor "a real tool," slang for stupid or foolish.
// php echo get_avatar( $comment, 32 ); ?>
Content Scraper
on Sept. 22, 2013, 1:54 a.m.
Doctor David McKee, a neurologist with Northland Neurology and Myology, practicing at St. Luke's Hospital, told the Duluth News Tribune he was disappointed and frustrated. "We need to change the law so someone with a personal vendetta who is going to use the Internet to make defamatory statements can be held responsible," he said.
McKee's lawyer, Marshall Tanick, told the Associated Press that he and McKee plan no further appeals and that they were disappointed with the ruling. "We feel it gives individuals undue license to make disparaging and derogatory statements about these people, particularly doctors and other licensed professionals, on the Internet without much recourse," Tanick said.
Marshall Tanick told the Star Tribune that the ruling could present a slippery slope. "This decision gives individuals a license to make derogatory and disparaging statements about doctors, professionals and really anyone for that matter on the Internet without much recourse," he said.
In reply to an e-patients.net article "Minnesota Supreme Court sides with patient on social media defamation suit," Attorney Marilyn Mann said, "I think McKee's lawyer is incorrect. The case turned on standard principles of defamation law and doesn't really break new ground."
Jane Kirtley, a professor of media ethics and law at the University of Minnesota School of Journalism, told the Star Tribune that the ruling stems from "an elementary principle of libel law." She said that this isn't a blank check for people to make false factual statements. She said, rather, that it's "an endorsement that statements of opinion are protected under the First Amendment."
According to the Duluth News Tribune, Minnesota Newspaper Association attorney Mark Anfinson, who watched the oral arguments before the Supreme Court in September, said that the justices made the right decision. Anfinson also told the News Tribune, "What this case really exemplifies is not so much legal precepts in libel law, but the impact of the Internet on the ability to publish unflattering comments about people."
Anfinson was also interviewed by Minnesota Lawyer. He said, "Anyone who knew about the case, who observed the oral arguments, and who knows something about libel law is about as unsurprised with this result as they can be. It's about as perfunctory and routine as the Supreme Court ever gets. It was a completely straightforward application of long-settled libel-law rules."
Anfinson said the case is more significant for social commentary purposes than for its legal analysis, noting that perhaps the justices only accepted the case to fix an error of the Court of Appeals.
Laurion's attorney, John D. Kelly, said the fact that Laurion's speech was made online was inconsequential to the ruling, which treated it as a standard defamation case. "It's almost as if things were said around the water cooler or perhaps posted in a letter to the editor," he said. "I think the principles they worked with are applicable to statements made irrespective of the medium."
Commenting about this case on his own blog, February 8, 2013, Aaron Kelly, internet law & defamation law attorney, said "Thanks to the First Amendment, free speech is the law of that land, and that means being able to communicate our views publicly – no matter how offensive."
The Mankato Free Press said in February 2013: "It's puzzling why McKee's defamation lawsuit — filed nearly four years ago — was still in court. It's long been established that people may spout any opinion they want without fear of being sued . . . It's unsettling that the Appeals Court earlier ruled to allow the suit to continue."
Mark A Fischer of Duane Morris LLP, a full-service law firm with more than 700 attorneys in 24 offices in the United States and internationally, said on February 11, 2013, "For those who are under criticism, one of the practical consequences of bringing a defamation action is that more publicity for the accused statements is almost an inevitable result, whether the statements are ultimately found libelous or not. In other words, in weighing the pros and cons of initiating a lawsuit, all potential defamation and privacy claim plaintiffs should consider the rule of Hippocrates applicable to physicians, 'First do no harm.'"
In his Technology & Marketing Law Blog, Eric Goldman said on February 4, 2013, "I've been tracking doctor v. patient lawsuits for online reviews. . . doctors usually lose or voluntarily drop these lawsuits. Indeed, with surprising frequency, doctors end the lawsuit by writing a check to the defendant for the defendant's attorneys' fees where the state has a robust anti-SLAPP law. Doctors and other healthcare professionals thinking of suing over online reviews, take note: you're likely to lose in court, so legal proceedings should be an absolute last-resort option–and even then, they might not be worth pursuing."
Dan Hinmon, the principal of Hive Strategies, wrote for Health Care Communication, on March 21, 2013, "According to the Star Tribune, McKee is now ticked off at the people who posted hundreds more negative comments about him after the story went viral. Incredulously, the story reports that McKee 'hasn't ruled out a second lawsuit stemming from these posts.' Yes, you read that right. After spending 'at least $50,000 in legal fees and another $11,000 to clear his name online after the story went viral,' McKee is considering suing the rest of the people who, exercising their right of protected speech, chimed in. I'm speechless."
// php echo get_avatar( $comment, 32 ); ?>
Chicago Brick
on Jan. 2, 2014, 10:28 p.m.
The Top Lawsuits Of 2013 by Steve Kaplan, December 20, 2013
Dr. David McKee, a Duluth neurologist, was not laughing when he saw what one former client wrote about him on a doctor-rating website. The reviewer, Dennis Laurion, complained that McKee made statements that he interpreted as rude and quoted a nurse who had called the doctor "a real tool." As these statements echoed through the Internet, McKee felt his reputation was being tarnished. He sued, and so began a four-year journey that ended this year in the Minnesota Supreme Court.
Laurion was unhappy with the way McKee treated his father, who was brought to the doctor after he had a stroke. Laurion went to several rate-your-doctor sites to give his opinion. That's just free speech, isn't it?
It sure is, says Laurion's attorney, John D. Kelly of the Duluth firm Hanft Fride. "The court held that what my client was quoted as saying was not defamatory," he says. "I do think the Internet makes it much easier for persons exercising poor judgment to broadcast defamatory statements, however… a medium… doesn't change the quality of a statement from non-defamatory to defamatory."
But McKee's lawyer, Marshall Tanick, of Hellmuth & Johnson, says no matter where it was said, defamation is defamation. "The thing that's often misunderstood is that this was not just about free speech, but about making actual false statements," Tanick says. "The problem is today's unfettered opportunity to express opinion, whether or not the substance of what's said is true or not. We need some boundaries."
But boundaries were not on the minds of the Minnesota Supreme Court. Free speech was. Chief Justice Lorie Gildea wrote, "The point of the post is, 'This doctor did not treat my father well.' I can't grasp why that wouldn't be protected opinion." As to referring to the doctor as "a real tool," Justice Alan Page wrote that the insult "falls into the category of pure opinion because the term … cannot be reasonably interpreted as a fact and it cannot be proven true or false."
The takeaway from this case might be the knowledge that behind any rating service lie real people with real feelings. McKee spent more than $60,000 in the effort to clear his name, as he saw it. Dennis Laurion told the Star Tribune he spent the equivalent of two years' income, some of which he had to borrow from relatives who supplied the money by raiding their retirement funds.
// php echo get_avatar( $comment, 32 ); ?>
on Jan. 4, 2014, 2:38 p.m.
Marshall Tanick is STILL saying "The thing that's often misunderstood is that this was not just about free speech, but about making actual false statements. The problem is today's unfettered opportunity to express opinion, whether or not the substance of what's said is true or not. We need some boundaries."
From the American Health Lawyers Association: In this case, the court found the six allegedly defamatory statements were not actionable because the "substance, the gist, the sting" of plaintiff's version for each of the statements as provided in deposition and defendant's version essentially carried the same meaning, satisfied the standard for substantial truth, did not show a tendency to harm the plaintiff's reputation and lower his estimation in the community, or were incapable of conveying a defamatory meaning (e.g., when a nurse told defendant that plaintiff was "a real tool") based on "how an ordinary person understands the language used in the light of surrounding circumstances."
From the Business Insurance Blog: The Minnesota high court said, for instance, that Dr. McKee's version of his comment about the intensive care unit was substantially similar to Mr. Laurion's. "In other words, Dr. McKee's account of what he said would produce the same effect on the mind of the reader," the court said. "The minor inaccuracies of expression (in the statement) as compared to Dr. McKee's version of what he said do not give rise to a genuine issue as to falsity."
From the Duane Morris Media Blog: The doctor said in his deposition that with regard to finding out if Mr. Laurion was alive or dead, "I made a jocular comment… to the effect of I had looked for [Kenneth Laurion] up there in the intensive care unit and was glad to find that, when he wasn't there, that he had been moved to a regular hospital bed, because you only go one of two ways when you leave the intensive care unit; you either have improved to the point where you're someplace like this or you leave because you've died." The court said the differences between the two versions of the statements about death or transfer by both plaintiff and defendant were so minor that there was no falsity in the website postings. In other words, the court indicated that the allegation about the statement was true.


text:
Possibly the best Cocktail Bar and Venue in the City of London - Neo Barbican
"Classy & Stylish" Square Mile Magazine
"Stunning design and you have a venue that will impress whoever you decide to share it with" View London
"An excellent choice for corporate drinks or celebrations" Square Mile Magazine
Neo is a stylish cocktail bar and events venue located in the City of London. Opening its doors in 2010, Neo is now recognised as one the City's leading venues when it comes to hosting corporate drinks, celebrations and events.
Corporate Events for clients as well as internal events form a core offering for Neo, ideally suited for both, Neo is able to host client events when first impressions are paramount, including existing company client hospitality requirements. Team events and key celebrations of various sizes are tailored to specific needs and personalised accordingly.
Milestone birthdays and Engagement celebrations, Neo has become an increasingly popular venue to host celebrations in the city and continues to be dedicated to hosting memorable and stylish personal events.
Cocktails, at Neo we pride ourselves on the basic philosophy of using the best quality ingredients and world class spirits in our range of sublime cocktails.


text:
Kahlua Snickers Delight
From snerd2123 Report abuse
This recipe was submitted by a reader and has not been tested in our kitchen.
A decadent trifle layered with Chocolate, whipped topping, snicker bars and bit size piecs of Kahlua soaked devils food cake.
Be the first to rate this recipe
Save this recipe
Submit your version
You must be logged in to use this feature.
Username: | |
Password: | |
Forgot your username or password? |
Not a member? Register
Serves: 10
Yields: 10-12 servings
Total Time: 1 hr
Prep Time: 24 hr
Cook Time: 1 hr
U.S. | Metric | Conversion chart |
- 1 package(s) Devils Food Cake Mix
- 1 cup(s) Kahlua
- 2 container(s) Cool Whip 16 Ounce
- 1 can(s) Hersheys Syrup, 24 ounce can
- 6 bar(s) Snickers
- Bake cake per package directions. When done and cooled poke holes with stick end of a wooden spoon and pour Kahlua over cake. Cover and refrigerate overnight. (can use in about 4 hours but overnight works best. In large glass bowl place 1/2 tub of cool whip, Break up 1/4 of the cake into large bite size pieces and place on the cool whip. Pour on half the syrup and add 2 cut up Snicker bars. Repeat with cool whip, cake, syrup and Snickers, layer about 3-4 layers ending with the snickers bars. bake time of cake plus prep time 24 hours to marinate cake in the Kahlua but takes only 10 minutes once cake done to assemble.
Loading photos...
Here are some alternate versions of this recipe created by our wonderful community of chefs!
More from Delish


text:
1,314 views, 3 0 by Zoe's Fancy Cakes
I'm just wondering what people think to having a stand at a wedding fair....
© 2011-2015 CakesDecor.com. All Rights Reserved.
DISCLAIMER: Any posts on CakesDecor.com (CD) are posted by individuals acting in their own right and do not necessarily reflect the views of CD. CD will not be held liable for the actions of any user.