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FileMaker Pro is a database tool that enjoys wide usage across the Institute by administrators who need to effectively manage their department's information. With FileMaker, administrators can build custom databases, create data entry forms to streamline the collection of data, and design reports that deliver timely information.
FileMaker Pro courses
The FileMaker Pro courses are modular and 3 hours long. Taken in the following sequence, the courses build on each other to provide you with the skills you need to use, design, build, and maintain a FileMaker database that helps you manage and report on your department data.
FileMaker 12 New Features
FileMaker Pro: Basics
FileMaker Pro: From Spreadsheet to Database
FileMaker Pro: Making Effective Layouts
Duration: 90 minutes
Fee: No fee
Prerequisite: none
FileMaker 12 introduces the first file format change since FileMaker 7. In this new features class, you will have a hands-on opportunity to explore the process of file conversion, new layout themes, changes to layout mode, how to create charts, the enhancements to merge fields, new window script triggers and the enhancements to container fields.
Register for FileMaker 12 New Features at the MIT Learning Center.
Duration: 3 hours
Fee: No fee
Prerequisite: none
This class is designed for the person who has inherited a FileMaker database and needs to discover what data is stored in it, how to enter and update the data, and how to view and run reports of the data. This class will show you how to:
- Use FileMaker's four modes: Browse, Find, Layout, and Preview
- Navigate through the data records
- View reports that have already been built in the database
- Search for data by performing single and multiple criteria finds, use AND and OR searches, and reuse recent Finds
- Add new records and update or delete existing records, including container fields
- Sort records
- Print records
- Export records from a FileMaker database to an Excel spreadsheet or a PDF
- Get started with the creation of new layouts
Register for FileMaker Pro: Basics at the MIT Learning Center.
Course Manual: FileMaker 11 Basics [PDF]
FileMaker Pro: From Spreadsheet to Database
Duration: 3 hours
No fee
Prerequisite: FileMaker Pro: Basics or equivalent knowledge level.
If you've reached the point where it's too inefficient or difficult to maintain your data in spreadsheets, you should consider a FileMaker database solution. In FileMaker, you can store and share your data from one consistent source, simplify data input, control access to the data, and generate accurate and timely reports. In this course, you will learn how to:
- Convert an Excel spreadsheet to a FileMaker database
- Use FileMaker's report Layout tools.
- Choose the appropriate report type to communicate information clearly
- Create and use Value Lists to optimize data input and ensure data consistency
- Use FileMaker's calculation tools and scripts
- Understand when your data management needs might require a more complex, multi-table solution
Register for FileMaker Pro: From Spreadsheet to Database at the MIT Learning Center.
FileMaker Pro: Making Effective Layouts
Duration: 3 hours
No Fee
Prerequisite: FileMaker Pro: Basics or FileMaker Pro: From Spreadsheet to Database
Effective screen layouts make it easier to view, add, and update data quickly and correctly. Effective report layouts ensure that reports communicate information clearly. This class will teach you how to create effective screen and report layouts. Specific topics include:
- Creating sub-summary reports with breakout subtotals
- Designing tabbed layouts
- Using field options to control, validate, and monitor data
- Using buttons, scripts, and script triggers
- Use FileMaker's Web Viewer tool to display web-based information
Register for FileMaker Pro: Making Effective Layouts at the MIT Learning Center.
Tutorial lessons and sample files
Available with the software application (look for the folder English Extras within the Program Files (Windows) or Applications (Macintosh). Within English Extras is a folder called Electronic Documentation which contains two pdfs: the fmp10_tutorial and the fmp10_users_guide. In the Tutorial Folder, a second copy of the tutorial pdf can be found as well as the sample file that goes with the tutorial. Manuals and class files available for each of the courses
FileMaker 11 The Missing Manual, by Prosser and Gripman.
Available electronically via the MIT Libraries' VERA system. Specify "Safari" and then search on title.


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Dr Oz Recap August 21 2014 Dr Oz shared three ways to reduce your Cancer risk on the August 21 episode. Learn what you can do in your daily routine to stay healthier. Later, he discussed useful information for those thinking about taking diet pills. Plus, is your Pituitary Gland acting up? Then, get balance exercises and beauty […]
Posts Tagged ' Dr Oz Pituitary Gland '
Dr Oz: 3 Ways To Reduce Your Cancer Risk, Diet Pill Reviews + Balance
By Pat Howard on August 21, 2014
Dr Oz: Passionflower Tea Review & What Causes Mood Swings?
By Cathy Herard on September 11, 2013
Dr Oz: What Causes Mood Swings? Dr. Oz says that depending on your age, your mood swings could be happening for different reasons. He invited two women from his audience to be his "Assistants for the Day", one of whom is 25 years old and the other who is 43 years old, to help him […]
Dr Oz: Konjac Root, Fenugreek Tea & L-Arginine Metabolism Boosters
By Dr Oz Fans on January 6, 2012
Dr Oz: Pituitary Gland & Weight Gain Dr Oz did a show today with a Metabolism Plan to help all of us lose weight this year! The pituitary gland is the reason for some of your biggest body complaints. In this segment, Dr Oz brought up Renee, an audience member, who stated that she has […]

subset: commoncrawl


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25 Fun Things to Do with a Woman
By: Chris Connolly
- Overview
- Take Her to a Ball Game
- Climb a Volcano
- Go to Beverly Hills
- Take Her Shopping
- Get Naked
- Drive the Pacific Coast Highway
- Take a Home Pregnancy Test
- Run a Marathon
- Shoot Her Out of the Sky
- Dance
- Play in the Sand
- Build Something for Your Home
- Do Whatever She Wants to Do
- Crash a Luxury Resort Pool
- Go Diving in Sipadan
- Serenade Her
- Go to a Superfancy Restaurant
- Get Cooking
- Go to Barbados
- Challenge Her to Strip PlayStation
- Spend the Night in an Igloo
- Go to an Art Museum
- Make Your Own Art
- Make Out Under a Waterfall
- Just Make Out
More Sex Lists
Turn dancing into dirty dancing with an Audi-Oh vibrator (babeland.com), which pulsates to the speed and intensity of whatever beat is playing. Have your lady wear the discreet harness with butterfly vibe underneath her panties. Then bump and grind to throbbing music at a club, or as you play deejay at home. This is one remote you won't fight over.
Sign up for our FREE Daily Dose newsletter for the best fitness, health, sex, and nutrition tips delivered to your inbox daily.


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- Black Star Rising - http://rising.blackstar.com -
With Color, Less is More
Posted By Ellen Fisch On March 17, 2014 @ 9:00 am In Art of Photography | No Comments
I learned to develop black and white photography in my college darkroom decades ago. Back then, we didn't shoot or develop color photographs. Instead, we hand-tinted black and whites if we wanted to colorize our images. I learned a lot about values, composition, form and line in those days by using black and white rather than color to express my subject.
Some Photographs Are Stronger with Monochromatic Tones
I think that the architecture I remain focused on in my photography is well suited to the monochromatic palettes of black and white and sepia. There is a certain attention to architectural detail and structure when color is not a distraction. Figures that wander into my architectural photographs also benefit from sole focus on form without color distraction. However, once in a while, a small spot of color is the exclamation point I'm looking for in certain images.
Color Can Add Drama to Photos
The addition of a color accent or punch to a photograph must be done with infinite care. Just as light contributes to form, color may add to a monochromatic composition. Architecture as well as figures in an architectural setting may be strong in their lines and form, but the composition may be overpowered by colors that demand attention. I have created a practical system of addressing color in my black and white and sepia photography that is highly compatible with my workflow:
1. Working with RGB raw files, I create a folder for my project/image.
2. In Adobe Bridge I look at the multiple images of one building I shot to decide on the photograph(s) I would like to use in postproduction.
3. Using a selected shot I "fix" any distractions in the color image using Adobe Photoshop, such as straightening, cloning out dust spots, aligning windows or moldings, etc.
4. Once the raw image is corrected, I desaturate it.
5. Using plugins (Nik, Tiffen, and others) and/or Photoshop, I pop the whites, darks, or crunch values.
6. At this stage I decide if I want the photograph to be black and white or sepia and develop it in that hue/tonality.
7. When everything else is completed, I slowly bring in the touches of color that I think will really punch up the photograph by going back through my layers and masking.
8. If I add color, I might revisit steps 5, 6, 7.
[3]Personally I find color a powerful addition to a black and white or sepia image. Although I rarely use color, I find it can give my architecture photographs and the occasional figure in an architectural setting more by using much less.
Article printed from Black Star Rising: http://rising.blackstar.com
URL to article: http://rising.blackstar.com/with-color-less-is-more.html
URLs in this post:
[1] Tweet: https://twitter.com/share
[2] Image: http://rising.blackstar.com/with-color-less-is-more.html/p1070818-bsr
[3] Image: http://rising.blackstar.com/with-color-less-is-more.html/windowbox-bsr
Click here to print.
Copyright © 2010 Black Star Rising. All rights reserved.


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Find a financial professional in your area. Click here
Federal retirement seminars for agencies. Learn more.
1. TSP Roth option2.
GS pay scale 20153.
Best dates to retire4.
Latest TSP returns5.
Discount dental plans
Most FERS employees become vested in their agency automatic (1%)
contributions after completing 3 years of federal civilian service. FERS
employees in congressional and certain noncareer positions become vested in
their agency Automatic (1%) contributions after completing 2 years of civilian
All federal civilian service counts toward vesting in your TSP account -- not
just your service while you are a TSP participant. Service covered by
USERRA also counts toward vesting. If you are a FERS participant, your
agency reports your TSP Service Computation Date (TSP-SCD), which is used by the
TSP record keeper to determine whether you are vested. Your TSP-SCD is
shown on your participant statement; if you believe it is incorrect or have
questions about it, contact your personnel office. (Your TSP-SCD will never be
earlier than January 1, 1984.)
If you leave federal service before satisfying the vesting requirement for
your agency automatic (1%) contributions, those contributions and the earnings
on them will be forfeited to the TSP.
If you die before separating from service, you will automatically be
considered vested in your TSP account.
Featured ColumnistRead
federal retirement articles written by federal benefits expert and Certified Financial Planner, Edward Zurndorfer


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Just imagine the hen party! According to reports, Lily Allen has asked Miquita Oliver to be chief bridesmaid when she gets hitched to Sam Cooper on 11 June, with a source revealing:
"Lily and Miquita have been friends since childhood so there was always going to be a good chance she would be the maid of honour.
"Miquita knows Lily inside out and is bound to put on a great party for the hen do.
"They've grown up a bit now but both of them still know how to hit it hard."
We'd love an invite to that bash even more than the royal one….
However, one party girl who will be missing from Lil's day is Kate Moss, who according to the Daily Mail, has been snubbed from the g-list. Talking to the paper, a source revealed:
"Lily and Kate are more like 'frenemies' these days. Lily was upset when she heard that Kate was throwing her own hen night on the same weekend as hers. Lily then brought hers forward to May, but the whole thing has left a bitter taste.
"Kate hasn't received a proper invitation to the wedding and she won't be sending Lily one to hers in July, either. It's awkward as they have mutual friends who may feel divided."
Looks like Miquita will have to drink enough for the both of them!


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The Rally is designed to be an adventure for the participants, and not a traditional rally race. The organisers are careful to point out that racing on highways is illegal, and that no recognition is given to the first finisher. There are other differences from mainstream rallies, particularly the fact that no support team is provided and no other arrangements are made such as for accommodation.
The inaugural rally took place in 2004, in which 6 teams started and 4 completed the course. The second rally, in 2005, was entered by 43 teams, and 18 automobiles arrived intact in Ulan Bator. The 2006 Rally began on July 22 with 167 cars setting off. 117 teams made it to Ulan Bator.
The Mongol Rally was run as a charity event from 2004 to 2006 with all of the proceeds from the entry fees used to organise the event with the remaining donated to charity. From 2007 the event is organised by the League of Adventurists International Ltd, a UK registered company.
The 2007 rally left Hyde Park, London on the 21 July and was limited to 200 teams. Registration for 2007 was far more popular than the organisers could have foreseen, with the first 100 places being allocated in 22 seconds. Due to this popularity, the final 50 places were awarded on the result of a ballot.
In 2007 places were awarded for 2008 in two sign ups with places assigned on 1 November and 7 November. The entry fee is £456 per team.
There are an array of suggested routes that teams may take, all beginning in Hyde Park, London. Participants then generally proceed, via Prague, to Moscow, Kiev, or Istanbul, though teams have travelled as far north as the Arctic Circle and as far south as Iran, Turkmenistan and Afghanistan. Many teams then reconverge upon Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
The final leg of the rally takes any remaining vehicles into Mongolia and on to finish in the capital Ulan Bator. None of the available routes are comfortable or safe: damage to cars, robberies and minor injuries are common. As of yet, nobody has been seriously injured taking part in the Mongol Rally although there have been several car accidents and participants have required hospital treatment. Depending on the route taken the total distance driven is around 8000-10,000 miles (12,800-16,000 km) and most teams complete the rally within 3 to 4 weeks.
Participating automobiles are allowed to have an engine displacement of no greater than one litre (1000cc). Motorbikes with an engine displacement of 125cc or less are also permitted. Exceptions to this rule "may be considered for vehicles of notable unusualness with high comedy value". The Rally's rules have traditionally stipulated that a participating car must "generally be considered to be crap." The choice of vehicles, therefore, is limited to those apparently unsuited to rallying. Seemingly unlikely cars such as the Citroën 2CV, and Fiat 126 are common. The 2cv is more suitable than most of the other vehicles for the event - providing it isn't rotten. It has an air cooled engine, height adjustable long travel suspension designed for poor roads and 15 inch wheels. Other unusual vehicles that have participated in the Mongol Rally have included a Bedford Rascal motorhome, an Austin Mini, Daihatsu HiJets, a Morris Minor Traveller, a Morris Minor saloon, a Ford Granada Hearse and a London Taxi. The best vehicles for the event are low-tech and can be easily fixed by the roadside.
Many of the cars do not make it to Mongolia; they are abandoned or sold when they break down, or left behind due to time pressure. Previous rally vehicles can now be found operating throughout Central Asia thanks to enterprising local mechanics who have repaired abandoned vehicles.
The organisers make arrangements for all of the cars to be imported into Mongolia without any import duties. From 2004-2006 they made use of a standard procedure used by non-profit making organisations, charities, and non-governmental organisations in Mongolia that provides exemption from the most significant taxes of 1000USD or 2000USD levied on older vehicles. Under Mongolian law the importing organisation in Mongolia is then prevented from selling the vehicle for 3 years.
In 2007, the organisers have set up an agreement with the Mongolian Government based on an existing law which allows exemption from the recently increased import duty of around $4000. The organisers are also collaborating with Mercy Corps to make the necessary arrangements. The cars will be sold and the money donated to a project as chosen by the drivers of the rally. All administration costs for both the sale of the vehicles and those incurred by Mercy Corps for overseeing the project will be borne by the organisers not the charity.
The organisers have faced some concerns, including within Mongolia, that the event has the effect of importing old and worn out cars from Europe into Mongolia. However, the high import taxes on older vehicles has created a car market in Mongolia where even an old, high mileage, Hyundai Excel, a common car in Mongolia, can be sold for US$2000. There are many organisations in Mongolia who are grateful for vehicles that are more affordable. Furthermore, the low cost of labour in Mongolia makes it economical to repair and run old cars that would be scrapped in Europe. Nevertheless, due to the concerns, the organisers of the Rally stipulated in the contract with teams in 2006 that they should not remove components from the car, such as the rear seats, to ensure that the vehicles can be fully utilised by the charities after the Rally.
In 2004 there was no entry fee, although the 6 teams had to raise a minimum of £500 each, to be paid directly to the rally charity Send a Cow.
In 2005, an entry fee of £50 per person was paid to the organisers to cover the expenses of the rally and the Mongol Rally website "About us" page stated:
"The Mongol Rally is an entirely non-profit making organisation. This means that any monies raised that are not used in organising the event either get put towards next years run or given to the charities. All those involved in organising the event do so as volunteers."Teams were also required to raise a minimum charity donation of £1000 per team split equally and paid directly to the chosen Charities Send a Cow and Save the Children.
In 2006, the entry fee payable to the organisers was increased to £227. The Mongol Rally website stated that "The Mongol Rally is now part of the mighty Institute of Adventure Research, a not-for-profit organisation striving to make the world less boring and raise huge amounts of cash for charity in the process." Teams were required to raise a minimum of £1000 per team: £250 payable to Send a Cow with the remaining £750 payable to either Mercy Corps, CAMDA, Wild Cru or the Christina Noble Children's Foundation. In 2006, the teams taking part in the Rally together raised in excess of £200,000 for the Rally charities.
More recently, the Mongol Rally has been organised by the League of Adventurists International Limited a UK registered private company limited by shares (number 05995303) incorporated on the 10 November 2006.
The company now also organises the Rickshaw Run, the Ruta del Sol, and the Adventurists Rally Africa. The company states that its goal is for teams taking part in their adventures to raise at least £1 million pounds a year for charities that support sustainable development projects around the world.
Jack Osbourne, son of Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne, took part in the 2007 rally with Amaryllis Knight, the daughter of the former editor of The Economist and News Corporation director Andrew Knight, in a 1991 750cc Fiat Panda; their journey was aired on a television show named "Jack Osbourne, Mongol Rally".
In 2001 Mr Tom and Mr Joolz found themselves staring in awe at their slightly dishevelled Fiat 126 wondering what to do with it. After not very long they came up with the only sensible plan - to drive to the most ridiculous place they could think of. Mongolia was chosen, being 10 000 miles away as the drunk crow flies and sporting a fine selection of the world's worst roads it seemed perfect. So with no changes of clothes, a packet of cheap cigars and a hunting knife, they set forth. Although they didn't quite reach Mongolia because of visa and border trouble they enjoyed themselves so much that they swore to return and try again. From this premise the great Mongol Rally was born.
The idea later formed part of Tom Morgan's BA degree in Sculpture and was displayed at the Winchester School of Art BA Degree Show in 2003. After graduation he enlisted the help of friend and fellow Students' Union officer, Stephen Edwards, a website was created and the first teams left in summer 2004.


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Bolts' Erne Apologizes For Hit
Content Coordinator
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Tampa Bay Lightning youngster Adam Erne caught St. Louis Blues forward Vladimir Sobotka with a hit to the head, sidelining the 26-year-old with an upper-body injury. It might be slim solace for St. Louis, but Erne apologized after the game, according to the Tampa Bay Times' Damian Cristodero.
"It was a total accident," Erne said.
To little surprise, the Blues weren't pleased with that check (more on that soon). Blues head coach Ken Hitchcock thinks that Erne will receive supplemental discipline for the hit, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch's Jeremy Rutherford reports.
Source: James O'Brein, Pro Hockey Talk
Tags: Tampa Bay Lightning


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Last year I used Baccto Professional Planting mix, which was suggested by a local nursery. My lettuce grew like wildfire, but my tomato plant was a giant leafy plant that only yielded 1 small and 3 tiny tomatoes. My strawberry plant didn't do all that hot either, and my carrots barely rooted. Please advise on the best kind of soil to use for tomatoes, berries and root veggies. Thank you very much!
That's too bad. Keep this in mind:
Plants' primary nutrients are nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). These are available in chemical/synthetic (nonorganic) fertilizers (on the package, the numbers of each nutrient indicate the percentage of net weight contained) or as organic additives suggested here.
• Nitrogen (N) promotes strong leaf and stem growth and dark green color. Think broccoli cabbage, greens and lettuce, and herbs. Add aged manure to the soil, and apply alfalfa meal, or fish or blood meal to increase available nitrogen.
• Phosphorus (P) promotes root and early plant growth, including setting blossoms and developing fruit, and seed formation. Think cucumbers, peppers, squash, tomato—any edible that develops after a flower has been pollinated. Add (fast acting) bone meal or (slow release) rock phosphate to increase phosphorus.
• Potassium (K) promotes plant root vigor and disease and stress resistance, and enhances flavor. Think carrots, radishes, turnips, and onions and garlic. Add green sand, wood ashes, gypsum, or kelp to increase potassium.
Avoid applying excess chemical/synthetic fertilizer. It can damage roots and/or reduce the availability of other elements. It is virtually impossible to overdo organic fertilizers. Always use aged manure. Plants can not distinguish between synthetic and organic fertilizers.
Check your soil for pH, too; different plants have different requirements. And some do not like to be together. Search "companion plants" on Almanac.com for more information on that; you will find several articles.


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Portable pompeii oven
I'm experimenting with a mold based portable pompeii oven designed to be ultra light. I'm curious if anyone tried fire clay mixes designed for extreme lightness.
I'm not really concerned with durability or heat retention.
The project is detailed here: bambino
But basically looks like this http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_E5Efnkcyea...final_mold.JPG
It's really small- 26" wide and 13" high.
Any thoughts appreciated.
Re: Portable pompeii oven
what's the progress on your oven? I have been researching this topic for the past month or so and would very much like to know your answer.
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Washington WeekEpisode Guide »
Gwen Ifill and a group of journalists analyze the major stories from the nation's capital.
Victories for Obama Help Fight "Lame Duck" StatusNationwide Same-Sex Marriage, Latest Clinton Email ReleaseObama Eulogizes Charleston Pastor and The Race Card ProjectSupreme Court Upholds Obamacare & Same-Sex MarriageHostage Policy Review, Defense AuthorizationCharleston Church Shooting, House Revives Trade BillISIS Bride Captured, White House Press EvacuatedHouse Votes Down Trade, More Troops to Iraq and 2016Privacy vs. Security Debate, Supreme Court Decisions & 2016Fmr House Speaker Indicted, DOJ Probe of Policing PracticesISIS Victories in Iraq & Syria, Congressional Debates & 2016Marco Rubio's Foreign PolicySenate Compromises on Trade BillISIS Recruits Through Social NetworkingCourt Rules Against NSA Data CollectionNew GOP Candidates Set to Enter 2016 RaceJustice in Baltimore for Freddie GrayTwo Republican Candidates from FloridaAl Qaeda Captives Killed in Drone StrikeTrade Authority Deal & GOP Cattle Call in NHCongressional Review of Iran Deal
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text:
More pics: Range Rover Sport
Need some pics, figures and pub ammo on the fastest Rangey ever? Click this way
Posted: 03 Apr 2013
Peel back all the New York glitz, glam and double agents, and it turns out the all-new Range Rover Sport boasts a pretty damn impressive set of statistics in its own right. Here are the figures you really need to know...
420kg - Weight saving of the new RRS over the previous-generation V6 diesel. The new version weighs just 2115kg


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Mission 66
Neglected during World War II, the infrastructure in national parks continued to deteriorate as visitation soared afterward, leading to widespread complaints. In 1955 Congress funded an improvement program for completion by the NPS's 50th anniversary in 1966. The use of modern materials and prefabricated components were encouraged to quickly and inexpensively construct low-maintenance buildings. This architectural style was a deliberate departure from the rustic buildings associated with national parks, which was considered outmoded and too labor-intensive for the needed scale of construction. Mission 66 revitalized many national parks; in Yellowstone, intended to be the program's showpiece, its legacy includes some regrets.


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November 29, 2005 5:05 PM PST
Senators target 'graphic' video games
- Related Stories
Adult-oriented video games prosperingSeptember 30, 2005
Rockstar throws cold water on 'Hot Coffee'August 10, 2005
Sex content leads to adult rating for 'Theft'July 20, 2005
Hackers behind sex change, says 'Grand Theft' makerJuly 13, 2005
ESRB to investigate 'San Andreas' sex contentJuly 8, 2005
What's behind the video game witch hunt?June 13, 2005
More states target violent gamesMarch 4, 2005
Sex and violence in video games has spiraled out of control, the two Democratic senators claimed, pointing to a recent flap over whether Rockstar Games embedded a sex-themed scene in its popular Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas video game.
Parents should be able to make "sure their kids can't walk into a store and buy a video game that has graphic, violent and pornographic content," Clinton said in a statement saying the actual bill will be introduced when the Senate returns from vacation on Dec. 12.
The announcement coincides with Tuesday's release of a report by the National Institute on Media and the Family, which called the industry-operated rating system for video games "beyond repair."
Pressure on the video game industry also came from a third political front: Sen. Ted Stevens, an Alaska Republican, who convened a full-day hearing Tuesday on the topic of "decency" in TV and radio broadcasts and through computer games. America lacks "the kind of moral compass the country should have for our young people," Stevens warned.
The political net effect was to put the industry, already reeling from a series of state laws targeting video games, on the defensive. (It had hoped to defuse criticism with an announcement a day earlier that Microsoft, Nintendo and Sony will include parental controls in their next-generation consoles.)
Douglas Lowenstein, president of the Entertainment Software Association who testified before the Senate hearing, said in a statement sent to CNET News.com that the Clinton-Lieberman bill was unconstitutional and unnecessary. "If enacted, the bill will be struck down as have similar bills passed in several states," Lowenstein said. "So while this bill is positioned as a pro-family measure, in truth it will leave parents no better off."
The "Family Entertainment Protection Act"
Details on the measure, tentatively titled the Family Entertainment Protection Act, remains scarce. Lieberman's office refused to provide details, a sign that the proposed legislation may not been finalized.
But a summary that the two senators distributed says that the bill will prohibit the sale of "mature" video games to anyone younger than 18 years old; order the Federal Trade Commission to "investigate misleading ratings" on video games; solicit public complaints about video games; and require an "annual, independent analysis of game ratings" separate from the one currently created by the Entertainment Software Rating Board.
The ESRB already rates games based on categories including alcohol, blood, violence, sex and nudity. In addition to a detailed description typically found on the back of a video game box, the board also creates a general seven-level rating indicating the game is appropriate for ages including "early childhood," "teen," or "adults only."
Those ratings are the ones that have regularly come under fire by the National Institute on Media and the Family, a Minnesota-based advocacy group that has been publishing a "scorecard" on the video game industry for the last decade.
Its most recent edition gives the industry a "D-" for retailers' real-world enforcement of sales to minors, an "F" for ratings accuracy, and a "B" for retailers' stated policies. "This year it appears that retailers are actually more negligent in enforcing their policies than last year," the scorecard says. "It seems that retailers would rather appear as if they care about children than actually take simple steps to protect them."
Clinton has been a critic of video games even before the sex-scandal involving Rockstar Games' Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas erupted in July. Clinton said in March, for instance: "Probably one of the biggest complaints I've heard is about some of the video games, particularly 'Grand Theft Auto,' which has so many demeaning messages about women and so encourages violent imagination and activities and it scares parents."
Rockstar, a subsidiary of Take-Two Interactive, has said the so-called "Hot Coffee" modification--which permits a player to simulate sex with a woman--was based on a "determined group of hackers" who performed "significant technical modifications and reverse-engineering" of the game. It was subsequently slapped with an Adults Only rating.
Criticism of the video game industry has been a bipartisan phenomenon. The House of Representatives voted 355 to 21 for a resolution calling for an investigation of Grand Theft Auto, and a similar resolution was introduced in the Senate.
11 commentsJoin the conversation! Add your comment
- Its about sex
- Grand Theft Auto has always been a little controversial, but Hillary Clinton didnt take notice until the locked sex game was unlocked by third party mods.
This to me, shows that they prioritize censorship of sexual things, and dont care about violence.
Look at television these days, watch any channel at a primetime hour and youll see shows about crime scene investigation, with intricit murder plots. No doubt these have helped people who are mentally insane enough, murder people.
On a sidenote, Texas has decided to not teach anything about prevention of STD's, and only aknowledging abstinence as the lone method of staying safe. Look at how many of our (conservative) representitives in higher government come from Texas, and bordering southern states.
- Like Reply Link Flag
- Americans are So obsessed with anything sexual
- I am an American. Born and raised here for generations. But, I have traveled abroad and I have found that the American attitudes regarding sex are so over the top. Most other countries around the world have very lazy attitudes toward sex. Almost anything goes on television and right on city streets! People have been known to run through downtown streets in Germany, France, and England totally naked, with children around, and everyone just points and laughs! It's no big deal. Right on a busy corner in London, I witnessed a television game show being taped where a woman had to smell men's bare butts while blindfolded to see if she could tell her husbands odor from another man's! No one thought anything of it. If that had happened on a busy corner in New York, we would have the government and lame "family entertainment police" all over it.
The bottom line is, sex is natural. It's in video games. Its on television. It happens everyday in millions of bedrooms around the world. Relax people, it's just sex.
- Like Link Flag
- law suits
- you know when wrestling became big 2 little boys were pretending to be wrestling and one of the boys was killed.. a law suit was filed...now that there is more sex and violence in video games i am sure it is just a matter of time before one of the manufacturers of video games will have a law suit slapped against them..on another note they now have video games like vtech and etc.. to help enhance childrens learning abilities. has vtech or any other learning video game ever had this much public attention? no bc that doesnt matter. i am willing to bet that most kids have an xbox at the age of 6 instead of a learning video game system such as vtech or etc...
- Like Link Flag
- Mediawise has no creditability.
- "This year, every new study and all the latest research pointed to the same fact: video games are excellent teachers. Just as activity simulators can help train players for real-world tasks, violent video games coax players into actual aggression and antagonistic attitudes. If there was ever any doubt about the impact of video games on children it has finally been laid to rest. Everyone in the scientific community agrees, whether an ally of the industry or a critic of its practices - whether or not they realize they agree - because every bit of research we have seen has shown, in one way or another, that video games are powerful in potential and effect, for good and for ill."
Obviously they're selective in what research they pay attention to (only the research that supports their position). The scientific community is by no means in agreement on the effects of violence on children. For every report they cite that says there is a link one can find one saying there isn't.
One their "Video game fact sheet" they state:
"Violence (homicide, suicide, and trauma) is a leading cause of death for children, adolescents and young adults, more prevalent than disease, cancer or congenital disorders (American Academy of Pediatrics, 2001)."
By it's inclusion and without any clarification it would appear they are trying to imply that video games are the cause of this.
- Like Reply Link Flag
- Sen. Ted Stevens & Decency
- Now correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't Sen. Ted Stevens the one who wanted to spend 500 millions dollars to build one bridge between a 3,000 pop town and 50 pop town and build another between a small town and almost deserted dock. Decency is not spending half a billion a pork. Then you can bad mouth games.
- Like Reply Link Flag
- Rating system is fine
- no rating system will work if Parents who don't want their children to watch certain Media, simply dont pay attention or dont care.
GTA is rating Mature, 17+ right on the box, its not the industrys fault that parents dont watch what Media their kids consume.
Even though I'm fairly young, I don't have a huge problem with not being able to sell M games to pre 17 people without parental consent (although I know their would be many ways around that, not like it would stop much, but that a different story)
However I honestly don't get the problem people have with the rating systems, sure their was the whole GTA fiasco but that is Rockstar fault, not the ESRB, (and as others have pointed out I cant help but find something so utterly wrong with parents who are "OK" with their kids acting out gang violence, but be utterly and totally revolted by the fact that their is a hidden sex minigame)
I'm strongly of the sentiment that the government should butt out of regulating content/deceny and leave that up to the parents.
If a parent doesn't have the time to monitor or block access to media they dont approve of, or teach their children basic morals, quite frankly they shouldn't be parents in the first place.
- Like Reply Link Flag
- You know, the government needs to be worried about things like health and jobs NOT pleasure, its the parents job to moderate what there children do NOT the governments and im sick of them thinking it is. WE LIKE VIOLENT GAMES, would they rather us do it for real?
- Like Reply Link Flag
- Political Positioning
- Can anyone say 'running for office'? This is 100% political positioning. The government needs to leave the parenting to the parents. If they really wanted to take a step forward, they could accept responsibility for the 'results' that they have created by continually taking steps to erode family morals and religious beliefs. Their actions are politically motivated and downright hypocritical, plain and simple.
- Like Reply Link Flag
- American Pregidous Is Spiraling Out Of Control....
- Every form of entertainment has to go through a time of pregidous, TV, radio, even books. It's video games turn, in a few years some new form of entertainment will come out and some new senators will fight it and the government will forget all about it, we've got nothing to worry about. As long as the gamers keep fighting they'll eventually give up and move on to something else and than we can sit back and relax. It's all a matter of time.
- Like Reply Link Flag
- GTA already Mature rated
- How come people still buy their kids M rated games when they know its going to turn out bad. Grand Theft Auto was a Mature rated game and the younger type gamer are still getting their hands on them. I say not only should retail stores pay more attention to this but rental stores too. Especially parents, gardians, and older siblings.
sign, The King of Advanced Virtual Arts
- Like Reply Link Flag


text:
What is the difference between Positional
Plagiocephaly and Craniosynostosis?
Plagiocephaly is strictly the flattening of the skull due to
some sort of external pressure. It can be caused prenatally
by cramped quarters, or postnatally through back sleeping,
or encouraged by a case of torticollis (tight neck muscle).
Plagiocephaly can be treated with helmet therapy, usually
along side a physio therapy regimen.
Craniosynostosis is the premature fusion
of one or more cranial sutures. This condition will cause
the head to take an abnormal shape as it grows.
Craniosynostosis can only be helped with surgery. A CT scan
may be required to properly diagnose this condition. [See
Differential Diagnosis.]
Q: How do I know my
baby has plagiocephaly?
A: Plagiocephaly can
range from mild to moderate to severe. The average head
shape that will likely require treatment will show the
following symptoms. Please note that although many
doctors can tell the difference between
plagio and
by sight. CT scan or
x-rays may be required. NOT ALL DOCTORS WILL DO THESE TESTS if baby
shows all of the "classic" symptoms.
moderate to severe flatness at the back/back-side of
the head.
Scaphocephalic head shape (long and narrow)
Brachycephalic head shape (entire back of head is
the forehead on the affected side may be more
prominent than that of the unaffected side.
the ear on the affected side may be pushed more
forward than the ear on the unaffected side.
one eye may appear larger than the other.
the nose may appear pushed to one side.
one cheek may look fuller than the other.
the baby may tilt the head to one side and lack
range of motion (due to
torticollis - tightness of a
neck muscle)
Q: Does the odd shape
of my baby's head hurt her? Is it effecting her
A: It is unlikely that
the shape of your baby's head is hurting her. This is a
common question, and as many times as it has been asked,
there has been a dozen responses testifying that these
babies are generally very happy. Happy babies aren't
hurting babies!
As far as
plagio. affecting development, well, yes and
no. The deformation itself is not hampering brain growth,
nor is it causing any sort of mental disabilities (as far as
studies can claim to date), however the torticollis that is
commonly coexistent with the
plagio. my be slowing
development. It is important to find a good children's
physical therapist. It may take several months to correct
torticollis, and rarely a simple surgical procedure is
necessary to loosen the tight muscle. Please read more
torticollis by clicking the link to the left.
Please keep in mind that one short study came to the
conclusion that children that were left untreated showed
lower grades in school. It was inconclusive as to whether or
not it was the
plagio. itself that was the main factor in
this, or the self esteem of the child due to his/her
Q: Do I need to seek
treatment, or will my baby's head round out on it's own?
This is a difficult question to answer. Many factors are
involved here.
What is the age of the child? If your baby is under 3
months of age, aggressive positioning techniques may help
round out baby's head. After this point, you should talk
to a doctor about a timeline in which intervention may be
necessary. Remember, the earlier you start treatment, the
faster you will see results. Treatment should be
started before 1 year of age and can be started up
to 24 months of age (*depending
on the type of helmet used - check with your orthotist!!*)
What is the severity of the deformity? Very mild cases
are likely going to either heal on their own (if no
torticollis is involved, and positioning methods are
used), or will "hide" once the child has grown a
full head of hair.
What is the age of the child? If your baby is under 3
months of age, aggressive positioning techniques may help
round out baby's head. After this point, you should talk
to a doctor about a timeline in which intervention may be
necessary. Remember, the earlier you start treatment, the
faster you will see results. Treatment should be
started before 1 year of age and can be started up
to 24 months of age (*depending
on the type of helmet used - check with your orthotist!!*)
What is the severity of the deformity? Very mild cases
are likely going to either heal on their own (if no
torticollis is involved, and positioning methods are
used), or will "hide" once the child has grown a
full head of hair.
If the case is moderate to severe, treatment is likely
Ultimately, it is a decision the family must make
together with the guidance of a doctor that is well versed
on the topic of plagiocephaly. The well being of the child,
both present and future is obviously the goal here.
Q: My doctor says that
this condition is strictly cosmetic and that treating it
would be like giving my baby a nose job!!
This is not true. A cosmetic treatment would alter a normal
looking appearance. Therapy with a cranial molding
helmet/band is considered to be reconstructive, thereby
normalizing the appearance of the anomalous head shape.
Q: What will happen if
we don't treat this condition?
A: Studies are still
few and far between on this topic. It is still somewhat
unclear as to what may happen, as this is still a relatively
"new" condition.
Many doctors state that if left untreated, the child
would develop normally, but there is evidence suggesting
that vision and jaw alignment problems may occur in moderate
to severe cases (keeping in mind that plagio. is not just a
flattened head, but the shifting of all cranial bones).
Please also consider the self esteem of the child in
future years. I have read statements from adults who
suffered as teens because of their deformed head shapes.
Q: Which doctor should
I have my pediatrician refer me to?
A: There are a handful
of doctors that will diagnose and prescribe treatment.
craniofacial plastic surgeons
When seeking out a specialist, try to find one that
focuses on infants.
Q: If we decide to go
with helmet therapy, how long will it take to round my baby's
A: It depends. If you
go with the "DOC Band", Cranial Technologies gives
an average treatment time frame of 4.5 months. There are
also several different individually made helmets and bands
out there. Each of these devices are made by private
manufacturers, so to get an accurate time frame, you should
talk to the orthotist who makes that particular device.
Age and Severity are also major factors in the
amount of time it will take. The younger the child, the
faster you will see results. Same goes with severity - the
flatter the head, more asymmetric the features, etc., the
longer the treatment time.
Q: My baby is already a
year old. Is it too late?
A: Treatment is all
dependant upon the growth of the child. Babies grow the
fastest in the first 7.5 months of their lives. After this
point, growth slows some, and then slows even more after
their first birthday. This is why treatment is the most
effective in the first year. Some helmet manufacturers
will start treatment after the first birthday, while some
stand firm that it is too late. Cranial Tech. will
"band" a child up to 24 months of age in most
cases. Check with your local helmet program.
Q: How much does
treatment cost? Will my insurance pay?
A: The cost all depends
on where your baby will receive treatment. Even "Name
Brand" bands/helmets vary in price from location to location. I have heard
of helmet prices as low as $500.00, ranging all the way up
to $3500.00 (average DOC Band price seems to range in the
$3000 area). But don't get your hopes up for that $500.00
Insurance companies can be very stubborn. Call and ask
your provider if this is something they cover. If they give
you a flat-out "no", ask them to check under
"durable medical equipment". If they still say no,
prepare yourself for a fight. It may take some time, and you
might consider starting treatment before approval, if you
have an older child. On your part it may take several
appeals, and hours of research, but these fights have been
won over and over in the past. Please check our insurance
Q: What is better, the
DOC Band, the STARband,
or the helmet?
A: There is no fair
answer to this question. The DOC Band,
STARband and several helmet
styles have been proven to work. The best thing for you to
do to answer this question is to talk to your closest
Cranial Technologies clinic, contact Orthomerica,
and talk to your local helmet
provider. Ask about casting procedures, how that specific
helmet works, estimated time that your child will have to
wear the helmet, how often they do adjustments to
accommodate the growing head, how many babies they have
treated in the past, etc. Some parents have found that the
local helmet maker recommends using the DOC Band because
his/her experience is inferior to that of Cranial Tech.'s.
My child's head and band/helmet stink! How do I get rid of
the smell?
A: Perspiration is
normal and can be excessive in the first couple of weeks. Be
sure to maintain a daily cleaning schedule. Ask your
orthotist for any cleaning suggestions. Here are some
general guidelines:
Remove the band/helmet for the recommended time. Wash the
child's head using a fragrant shampoo (L'Oreal for Kids,
Head & Shoulders). Scrub the inside of the band/helmet
with the recommended cleaning agent. (DOC band users note:
Use only isopropyl alcohol on the inside of the band. Other
products can leave a residue and cause skin damage to your
child's head). Place the band/helmet in direct sunlight
for the remainder of the time off period. This will
help to reduce smell, and to "sun bleach" any
Q: People are staring
when we go in public. How do you handle this?
A: People are curious
about what they do not know about. Keep a smile on your face
and talk to your child. Decorate the band/helmet to make it
look less medical. Use paint, stickers, rub on transfers,
Velcro bows, etc to make it look more kid friendly. Think of
your time in public as an opportunity to educate others
about plagio. Consider creating a flyer to hand to
people. See the Let's
Decorate link.
Q: What is
"repositioning"? How do I do it? Will it help?
A: Repositioning is
your effort to keep the child's head off of the flat spot.
Any external forces (floor, car seat, swing, crib
mattress.....)should be applied to the area that
"sticks out". Aggressive repositioning in young
infants can help reshape the head.
When lying down or sitting, use a rolled towel under the
shoulder of the effected side so that the head will
naturally fall to the opposite side. When sleeping, use the
rolled towel under the bed sheet. Also, mini "Boppy
pillows" or other neck rings can also be helpful to
change the baby's position. *Always
be careful of the items you put in your child's crib so
they do not cause a suffocation risk.*
Repositioning may help to reshape the heads of very young
babies. If your doctor suggests repositioning, ask him/her
for a "timeline" at which point other intervention
may be necessary. Remember that repositioning does not
always work and the earlier treatment is started, the sooner
you will see results. I would recommend taking photos of
your baby's head (both sides, front and top views) the day
you start repositioning. This will help you make a fair
assessment as to whether or not positioning methods are
helping. Compare photos in 4-6 weeks time. See the Repositioning
Techniques link. [Also see
www.Repositioning.info &
Q: What is torticollis?
Do all babies with plagiocephaly have
A: Torticollis is a
condition where the neck muscles on one side of the child
are tighter and therefore do not allow a normal range of
motion. Many, but not all children with plagio have tort. If
your child shows a preference in which way she turns her
head, this may lead to the flattening of the skull behind
that side. Seek help from a physical therapist to stretch
the neck muscles to gain full range of motion. Check
the Torticollis
Q: Where can I find more information about
head shape deformities?
A: Please see the FAQs pages and 'Get Real Help' pages at
This information
is not meant to replace your child's physician's input.
Views expressed in the
Plagiocephaly Parents Support website are not necessarily the
views of the
Plagiocephaly Discussion Group or the
webmaster of


text:
By NATHAN GREGORY
Mississippi State University Career Center Director Scott Maynard announced Tuesday he will run as a Republican for Ward 5's alderman seat in this year's municipal election.
Maynard, a 42-year resident of Starkville, has been in his current capacity for five years and has been an MSU Career Center employee for 24 years. He is a five-year resident of the ward.
In 2009, Maynard ran against current Ward 5 Alderman Jeremiah Dumas and lost by 17 votes. Dumas announced Friday that he would not seek a second term.
Alderman Wayne McCool said if elected, an objective of his would be to attract broad-based industry to the city as a means of expanding the tax base and diversifying Starkville's industrial foundation.
"It's very important that we continue to attract high-tech industry that can go out into the (Thad Cochran) Research (Technology and Economic Development) Park and those areas, but we also need some sustainable employment opportunities for the high school educated, community college educated (and) those who want to work in that type of environment. High-paying, high-skill jobs that can help expand our tax base here in the city," Maynard said. "There's a lot of money in grant opportunities and funding opportunities for industry to take advantage of workforce development and workforce recruitment opportunities where companies can partner with high schools, community colleges (and) Mississippi State to develop a highly educated, skilled labor force that can only help our community."
Maynard said he believes what the city has to offer in the retail sector is healthy and more marketing and promotion are needed to sustain and build on that success.
"I think if you look at our tax base over the past four years and that trend versus a lot of cities and a lot of communities in the Southeast, we have held our own really well. The 'Mississippi's College Town' promotion that is pushed out by the Starkville Convention and Visitor's Bureau and the Main Street Association … has done an excellent job of informing the citizens of Starkville to shop local and attracting outside individuals to come to Starkville to shop," Maynard said. "I think what we need to do now is market what we have: the fact that we have a strong tax base. We have a large and growing student population with hopes of growing that population even further. Communitywide, we have a large base that comes in Starkville to shop as well. I think we just need to continue to do a better job of marketing Starkville to potential retailers that are out there."
Maynard is a past chairman of the Starkville Parks and Recreation Commission. During his tenure, he oversaw the use of grant money to build tennis courts and score towers at McKee Park and the opening of Patriots Park. Helping enhance the quality of Starkville's recreation and serving in his current leadership role at MSU are points of pride and experiences that can be beneficial for the city if he is able to bring them to the table, he said.
"We were able to turn land that was a junk yard over by the Green Oaks subdivision ... into Patriots Park. We were also able to build the new Sportsplex, which is just a fantastic facility," he said. "It's a great multi-purpose building that houses our basketball now, but it also can house any other type of events. That was a building type that did not exist in Starkville, and now that building is used constantly."
Another priority of his would be capital and storm water improvements, he said.
"For roads and streets, I think (the current board has) done a good job as far as now going in and setting a priority list and working from that priority list. I think the same with storm water drainage issues as well," Maynard said. "You have to prioritize those and I think you have to look at opportunities for outside money, whether it's community block grant money or some other type of agency funding to help offset those costs."
Maynard said he's taking his second run at serving Ward 5 seriously and hopes to represent his constituents well if he receives the opportunity.
"Jeremiah did a fantastic job in his campaign and got elected. I have a lot of people that supported me then that have called and encouraged me to run again. I appreciate the citizens of Ward 5 that have supported me already and just providing me with the initiative to run," he said. "I appreciate their phone calls and letters of support starting out, and I look forward to working for the citizens of Ward 5 and representing them in city government."
Maynard and his wife, Sandy, have two sons.


text:
4th December 2014
Missouri: Family of black gay man urge for killing to be treated as hate crime 1
1:43 PM — The family of a young black gay man shot dead in his car are appealing for it to be treated as a hate crime.
25th September 2014
Judge prepares to hear arguments in challenge to Missouri gay marriage ban
3:38 PM — A judge in Kansas City is set to hear arguments in a case challenging the state of Missouri's same-sex marriage ban.
7th August 2014
US: Kansas healthcare group opens PrEP-specific clinic
9:07 PM — A Kansas healthcare group has created a PrEP-specific clinic one day a week meant to expand access to PrEP drug Truvada.
18th July 2014
US: Westboro Baptist Church releases homophobic Panic! at the Disco parody 5
3:10 PM — Members of the Westboro Baptist Church have released a homophobic parody song of a Panic! at the Disco hit, ahead of a planned picket of the band's upcoming Kansas City concert.
17th July 2014
US: Missouri parish worker sues after being fired over her same-sex marriage 4
11:09 PM — A food pantry worker is suing the Diocese of Kansas City, St. Joseph after she was fired from her position with the parish in May over her same-sex marriage.
18th March 2014
Lorde tells fans to 'wear rainbow clothes and make out' when Westboro Baptist Church pickets show 6
9:44 PM — Singer Lorde has struck out at the Westboro Baptist Church, after learning they plan to picket one of her shows.
29th January 2014
US: Kansas bill would allow religious business owners to refuse service to same-sex couples 5
3:21 PM — Politicians in the US state of Kansas have considered a bill which would pre-emptively allow those with "sincerely held religious beliefs" to discriminate against gay couples wishing to get married.
31st October 2013
Hallmark changes lyrics of Deck the Halls, omitting the word 'gay' on sweater for fear of 'misinterpretation' 9
2:58 PM — US greetings card company Hallmark has come under heavy criticism for including lyrics from Christmas song Deck the Halls on a jumper, but omitting the word "gay".
25th October 2013
US: Waiter receives anti-gay message on Christian couple's bill – 'Your fag choices made you lose out' 77
6:10 PM — A Christian couple in Missouri have stirred up controversy recently, when instead of providing a tip for a gay waiter's "excellent service," they left him a homophobic note on their bill, which condemned his "lifestyle choices" and called him a "fag."
28th June 2013
Westboro Baptist Church to picket One Direction concert for being 'fag-enabling peverts' 27
5:48 PM — The adamantly homophobic Westboro Baptist Church (WBC) has said it will picket the concerts of boy band One Direction, deeming them "fag-enabling", because they "think it's funny... to grab each other's asses on stage".
21st November 2012
US: Gay 'cure' cult leader accused of arranging wife's murder 14
2:43 PM — A religious cult leader who claimed he had gone from being gay to straight is under investigation following the death of his wife.


text:
Shop Collections
The Shokmalli' Collection explores celestial themes within Chickasaw culture. Shokmalli' means lightning in Chickasaw and the sky serpent is a powerful deity who controls lightning, wind, and rain. Each piece reflects the different facets of the Sky Serpent ranging from soft to bold. The designs capture the deity's ethereal beauty as well as it's immense power. Both are qualities that the Kristen Dorsey Designs woman embodies.


text:
Sales skills for financial and insurance professionals: Ask provocative questions
By Sandy Schussel
Sandy Schussel, LLC
To be truly successful at getting clients, your passion for your work must be accompanied by the mastery of three skills:
1. The ability to ask provocative questions
2. The ability to listen with total focus on your client
3. The ability to relate compelling stories and metaphors
The ability to ask provocative questions
If you've found that your prospects are backing away, it is likely that you have made the common mistake of cutting the questioning process short. You may have jumped to the solution you want to provide too early. If you're like most professionals, then you probably ask your prospects informational questions before talking about your services — who, what, where, when, how and why. While you need this information to understand how you can help your prospects, it is more valuable to you than it is to them. Your prospects already have this information.
Situational questions are more likely to help you get to the bottom of your prospects' deeper needs. Sometimes, your simple informational questions will bring up a relevant concern — maybe even one that a prospect didn't know he or she had. Maybe the prospect is already working with someone in your field and is having some problems with that relationship or with the results he or she is getting.
Well, there they are: problems. And that's what we do, isn't it? We solve problems. So, we're done here, right? Isn't it time to move on and into the solution?
As soon as you identify this little bit of trouble in paradise, you will, more than likely, want to pounce with your offer of services ... but if you do, more often than not, your prospect will start squirming. Here's an example of a conversation my client, Lisa, a financial advisor, experienced with a prospect who had already been working with another advisor:
Lisa: So, you haven't heard from him in over a year, and he didn't return your call the last time you tried to reach him? He also hasn't explained any of these things we've been talking about today, right? It sounds like you're not getting the service you need from him. I can promise you that I'll check in with you once a quarter, and I always return calls immediately. How about we go ahead and transfer your accounts.
Prospect: You know, actually, I've been working with this guy for almost eight years. I think I should try to talk to him again first and if he doesn't return my call, I can get back to you.
One reason this conversation may have ended as it did — with the prospect's objection — is that the problem Lisa identified is also one that she had to imply. Your prospects are always weighing whether or not their need for change is explicit and urgent enough for it to be worth their while to do all the work required to make that change. When there's only a vague sense of a problem, the scale tips in favor of leaving things as they are. To avoid running into a brick wall, you need to move from implied problems to explicit problems. And you can only get your prospects to see explicit problems by asking more situational questions first.
Here's how Lisa learned to handle her next conversation, after working on asking better questions:
Lisa: So you haven't heard from him in over a year and he didn't return your call the last time you tried to reach him? He also hasn't explained any of these things we've been talking about today, right? How is this level of service affecting you?
Prospect: It's a little annoying that he doesn't return my calls, but I guess I'm doing OK.
Lisa: Does it worry you that there's no one reassuring you about your retirement or letting you know the status of your accounts?
Prospect: Well, actually, that's the reason I agreed to sit down with you. I am concerned that there might be more I should be doing, or that I might need to change my strategy.
Lisa: And if you try him again, and maybe he responds this time but doesn't respond again the next time you have a concern, will that be OK?
Prospect: Well, no. I need to feel like someone is watching out for me. Maybe my account is just too small for him.
Lisa: Well, how small is it? What's at stake here?
Prospect: I mean, this is my life savings we're talking about.
Lisa: Yes, it is. So, I guess the only question is, does it make more sense for you to wait and see what happens with this guy — or to start working with someone who definitely has availability for you and who does not think your life savings is no big deal?
Prospect: I probably shouldn't wait around to be disappointed again. Can you tell me more about how you work?
To get more clients, ask provocative questions.
See also:
Ask, "What's my value to you?"
Insurance sales: If you don't ask, you don't get
Questions advisors should never ask


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How to Configure a Global Group to Be a Member of the Administrators Group on all Workstations
Article ID: 320065 - View products that this article applies to.
This article was previously published under Q320065
This article describes how to create a global group so that it is a member of the local administrators group on all workstations and member servers by using group policy restricted groups.
It may be useful to allow certain users to automatically become local administrators on your Windows 2000-based workstations or member servers. To allow that type of access to a controlled set of users and computers by using a group policy:
Article ID: 320065 - Last Review: March 1, 2007 - Revision: 3.2


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1/7 previous photo next photo Football Season Party Inspirations
Football Party Snack Boxes
You will most definitely score a touchdown serving these at your party. Place freshly popped popcorn inside or keep it healthy and serve some vegetables. Either way everyone will love the look of these football themed snack boxes.


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News of Riverton, Lander and Fremont County, Wyoming, from the Ranger's award winning journalists.
New license rule good if speed limits are enforced
Sep 10, 2013 - Raellen Cloverfeld, Riverton
This new city rule which says you have to have a driver's license is pretty strange. You had to have a driver's license before anyway, but now the city gets to collect the fines because it has the rule on the books? I wonder how that will go over with the county government.
Something good that could come out of it if more speeders are pulled over in town.
Speed limits mean almost nothing in Riverton. If it is supposed to be on the "honor system," it doesn't work very well.
I say, "Make more money, City of Riverton. Enforce speed limits."


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The spirits of players, fans, sponsors, officials and transmission crew of pan-African Pay-TV channel SuperSport were literally dampened on Saturday at the Nairobi Gymkhana when heavy rains led to the abandonment of finals of the Crown Berger East Africa Cricket Competitions.
On Saturday, Ugandan sides Rwenzori Warriors and Nile Knights were meant to meet in the final of the T20 East Africa Premier League, while on Sunday, Kenya's Kongonis were scheduled to play Nile Knights in the final of the 50-overs East Africa Cup. There were four Kenyan franchises in the tournament.
Even though there was just an intermittent little drizzle at the time the Saturday match was supposed to start, the outfield was soaked, thanks to heavy rains that had fallen for two consecutive days.
That also led to the cancellation of the Sunday match after it became clear the outfield would not be dry enough even the following day.
That was an anticlimax to a twin-tournament that had not only given hope of a revival of regional cricket, but had also brought in sponsors which included Kenya Airways which is the main sponsor of the Seven's rugby team.
All is not lost though, and Cricket Kenya CEO Tom Sears who was one of the people behind the regional tournament meant to help Kenya select a national team, said the finals would be played in December.
Even tough there was only one Kenyan side in the finals, Sears remained upbeat it was not all in vain, considering that the Alpesh Vadher-led National Selection Panel had picked out two sets of players for the national team.
Team selection
In the process of selecting the national team, CK also gave a lifeline to former players who had been dropped when they refused to sign contracts due to terms and conditions which they considered unfavourable.
For several months, CK and players fumbled and bumbled and flip-flopped over the contractual terms and when some players pulled out of the EACC hours before their departure to Uganda, they were dropped by CK and their franchises.
"We want to put the past behind and when they apologised, we brought them back to the fold," Sears said.
"Our aim is to build a strong national side and that is why we have appointed a national coach, put in place a selection panel and effected changes to have a good team for the remaining ICC Intercontinental Cup matches and other fixtures going forward."
Kenya's coach, Mike Hesson, a New Zealander appointed after an international search which involved a long-drawn short-listing process and a spate of interviews, tasted defeat in Holland on his first international innings and needs to work harder for his charges to qualify.
So far, Kenya has registered only one win in four of its ICC Intercontinental Cup matches and for it to qualify for the 2015 World Cup, it needs to pull up its pads what with the ICC Executive Board resolving that the Intercontinental Cup-playing sides which finish in the top two by October 2013 are the ones which will automatically qualify for the CWC in 2015.
Players recalled and named in the national training squad include former national skipper Morris Ouma, Alex Obanda, Nehemiah Odhiambo, Alex Ngoche, Shem Ngoche and Elijah Otieno.
Much time gets wasted in solving non-issues and a strong team can only be constituted when CK and players stop fighting and concentrate on their core businesses.
With the selection of the National Training and Emerging Players squads, it is time for CK to stop its one-upmanship, players to end their antagonism and other stakeholders to be impartial if the impact of the changes effected are to be felt and positive results realised.
But considering past experiences, that is easier written than done.


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The root of the problem as I see it lies in the weak attacks that are commonplace in aikido dojos nowadays. Students are seldom given training in how to execute an effective attack, be it in striking, grabbing or the occasional choking or kicking techniques. The situation is further exacerbated by a lack of committed intent or focus during attacks. This absence of firm intent on the part of the attacker affects his mental state and that of the person executing the technique. Both sides are aware—at least subconsciously—of the minimal risk of injury in training under these circumstances. Accordingly, the focused mind-set needed to develop realistic self-defense skills is absent from training…
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Elephant's Breath
No. 229
Elephant's Breath with its hint of magenta will read as a warm contemporary grey but can become almost lilac in west facing rooms. To make it less lilac it is best not used with All White, but with the softer Strong White. For fashionable interiors, offset it with Charleston Gray and London Clay as slightly more intense accents. Mid Tones Undercoat
Elephant's Breath 81 81
I do like this colour, but I prefer Pigeon which has more depth. I sent for the sample pot as I was not sure that the Pigeon which I had already bought from you might be a bit dark. But in the end I preferred the Pigeon. 05 June 2015
Goes perfectly with my furniture, despite its strange name! Wonderful service. Arrived very promptly, beautifully packaged. Easy to apply. 13 May 2015
Lovely Beautiful colour, good coverage, wonderful finish. Kitchen cabinets look marvelous. 13 May 2015
Best paint I have ever used My entire house is (where painted of course)painted in Farrow and Ball Estate Emulsion /Estate Eggshell or exterior Gloss - in 2 rooms I have used F&B Wallpaper - can't say more than that!! 22 April 2015
Great for walls - unsure about it for woodwork! Great colour for walls, as I have it in my home, - so disappointed in it as eggshell for wardrobe I've just had painted. So much so, I've now painted it again in my trusted friend, Slipper Satin! Very boring of me, I know, but I'm sorry - it was just too dull and just looked drab. I know it can work, but not for me. I've now chosen Charleston Gray for another bookshelf and it looks fab. Really pleased with the richness of the colour - very smart. 17 April 2015
Although a light colour it gives a warm effect. Delivery service was very quick. Pleased with the top quality paint. Easy to apply and leaves a smooth finish. Would highly recommend this product to anyone.Steph 08 April 2015
Beautiful neutral I have painted bedside cabinets and a chest of drawers in Elephant's Breath Estate Eggshell. It's a luxe alternative to white in a neutral room without being too imposing. It looks beige under fluorescent light and warm grey under natural light. It complements my dark wood furniture. 17 March 2015
Sample pot I have had to order this product twice as the first order did not arrive. This sample pot has now cost me £10 17 March 2015


text: No recent wiki edits to this page. Jamie Madrox comes face-to-face with the thing that terrifies him the most: having to make a decision. The divisiveness of Civil War has spread to his own team: Half of them want to cooperate with the government; the other half wants to take a stand against it. It's Jamie's choice that may well decide whether X-Factor stays together or cracks apart. And matters aren't being helped by Quicksilver, who offers Rictor the opportunity to get his powers back -- but at what price? Plus: They've been a thorn in X-Factor's side since the beginning, and now things are coming to a head. X-Factor's newest assignment causes them to again cross paths with their arch rivals, Singularity Investigations. The result is revelations that strike to the very core of who and what Jamie Madrox is.The series has been collected in the following paperbacks:X-Factor: The Longest Night - (#1-6)X-Factor: Life And Death Matters - (#7-12)X-Factor: Many Lives Of Madrox - (#13-17)X-Factor: Heart Of Ice - (#18-24)Messiah Complex - (#25-27)X-Factor: The Only Game In Town - (#28-32)X-Factor: Secret Invasion - (#33-38)X-Factor: Time And A Half - (#39-45)X-Factor: Overtime - (#46-50)X-Factor: Invisible Woman Has Vanished - (#200-203)X-Factor: Second Coming - (#204-206)X-Factor: Happenings In Vegas - (#207-212)X-Factor: Scar Tissue - (#213-219)X-Factor: Hard Labor - (#220-224)Super Unnatural (#224.1, #225-228)They Keep Killing Madrox (#229-232)


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In an unprecedented development in the history of the impasse between Zimbabwe and the European Union (EU), a leading member of the EU Parliament has strongly criticised the bloc for employing double standards by maintaining punitive economic sanctions on the Southern African state.
The lawmaker also condemned the grouping for reneging on its undertaking to recognise the outcome of the July 31 harmonised elections, which Zanu-PF ultimately won thunderously after seeing off the MDC formations.
In a priority question written to the European Council, Portugal's representative in the Seventh Legislature, Mr Mario David, said other countries were more deserving of sanctions than Zimbabwe whose human rights record was uncontestable.
Mr David, who is also the co-chair of the Foreign Affairs Working Group in the Parliament, challenged the grouping to appraise Harare's human rights and democratic principles record against that of other nations, which are not under similar sanctions.
He said the EU should "lift the sanctions against Zimbabwe" during its annual review meeting next month, adding that allowing the country to sell Marange diamonds in Antwerp was a selfish decision meant to benefit the European industry.
He concluded by demanding to know whether the council agreed that it was time to lift the sanctions. The council has up to the end of this month to respond.
The European Council is an institution of the union and consists of all EU heads of state and government; the president of the European Commission and the council president. It defines the general political direction and priorities of the EU.
Mr David also posted an abridged version of his arguments on his personal internet website and official Facebook page, attracting several "likes".
"The grave economic and social consequences of the sanctions have caused deep suffering among the Zimbabwean people, in particular among the poorer members of society, by restricting employment, social services provision and development opportunities," said the Angolan-born parliamentarian in a note made on January 9.
"When the EU reviews the subject in February 2014, it will be time for it to lift the sanctions against Zimbabwe and to restart mutual political and economic co-operation in all fields, which will only prove beneficial to both sides.
"The EU should not employ double standards in dealing with its partners. If the EU were to appraise respect for human rights, democratic principles and the rule of law seriously and coherently, how many countries would face sanctions? No matter what kind of 'excuses' are found to justify the lifting of sanctions on the export of diamonds, no one would understand it to be anything but a hypocritical decision taken in the interests of the EU industry."
Mr David, who was elected by the Portuguese Social Democrat Party (PSD) into the European Parliament, questioned the EU's negative stance against the outcome of Zimbabwe's national elections despite having earlier undertaken to recognise it. "Council Decision 2012 / 97/CFSP of 17 February 2012 recognised that the creation of the GNU afforded an opportunity to re-establish a constructive relationship between the EU and Zimbabwe," he said.
"More recently, the EU has given an undertaking to respect both the outcome of the 31 July, 2013 harmonised elections and the assessment of those elections by the ACP Group, Sadc and African Union observation missions.
"The elections that were deemed by most international observers as the most free, fair and peaceful to have been held in Zimbabwe's history, were, to the surprise of the international community, those that gave President Robert Mugabe and Zanu-PF the largest and most credible victory."
The EU, along with the United States, imposed illegal economic sanctions on Zimbabwe after the latter embarked on a land reform programme to correct colonial land imbalances that saw a minority white population owning over 70 percent of arable land.
Zimbabwe has been reeling from the effects of the debilitating embargo after former colonial power Britain internationalised its bilateral dispute with the country over land.
The sanctions have continued to inhibit the Southern African state's ability to develop economically and stifled new investment and access to multilateral finance institution support.
The punitive measures combined are estimated to have cost Harare over US$42 billion in potential revenue over the past 13 years.
The country's trade with much of the Western world has been curtailed despite the sanctions having been imposed in contravention of the Cotonou Agreement, which governs relations among the EU, African, Caribbean and Pacific countries. Zimbabwean-owned companies are also unable to conduct telegraphic transactions with any international financial institution.
Last year, the EU made a piece-meal revocation of the embargo by withdrawing the Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation (ZMDC) from a lengthy sanctions list after facing mounting pressure from Belgium.
The development saw Zimbabwe carry out its first auction of diamonds mined in Marange in Antwerp from December 11 to 16 following high-level meetings between senior Government and Antwerp World Diamond Centre officials.
Pressure to scrap the sanctions has been mounting within the EU with several countries speaking against the embargo. Zimbabwe has a pending case at the General Court of Justice of the European Union where it is challenging the sanctions. The case was brought before the court by then Attorney-General Johannes Tomana.
Trinity Engineering founder and chief executive Cde Aguy Georgias was the first to challenge the sanctions legally.
His case is still pending at the bloc's General Court where he is seeking compensation for damages against the European Commission and the Council of the European Union.


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Health Information Technology/Coding Associate in Applied Science (AAS)
Locations: eCampus
The health information technician is an important member of the health care team who secures, analyzes, integrates and manages health information for patient care, International Classification of Diseases and Current Procedural Terminology coding, reimbursement, planning, marketing, legal aspects and research. This information steers the health care industry. The program is designed to combine general education courses with the technical courses for a well-rounded and functional education. To further the student's classroom coursework with practical hands-on experience, time is spent in health care facilities.


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Courtesy: GoMocs.com
Sophomore outside Jennifer Kuroski posted a match-high 14 digs.
Chattanooga (5-24, 3-11 SoCon)
Elon (16-13, 5-9 SoCon)
|Match Notes
ELON, N.C. - The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga volleyball team dropped its match at Elon in straight sets, 3-0, in Alumni Gym. Junior outside Heather Parman (Ootlewah, Tenn.) registered a match-high 13 kills, while sophomore outside Jennifer Kuroski (Acworth, Ga.) paced the contest with 14 digs.
"When Heather swings for kills and stays aggressive, she can be our most consistent attacker." Said head coach Travis Filar. "Those are the type of nights that she has had recently for us, which has helped to pick up our offense."
Contributing seven kills each for Chattanooga (5-23, 3-10 SoCon) was junior middle blocker Christina Teter (Signal Mountain, Tenn.) and Kuroski. The offense was run by sophomore setter Bridget Camacho (Cumming, Ga.), who tallied 31 assists at Elon (16-13, 5-9 SoCon)
Freshman libero Melissa Green (Boca Raton, Fla.) added 11 digs for the Mocs during the contest.
Leading the Phoenix was Celia Eddy with 11 kills and Danielle Smith with nine. The duo of Meagan McMahon and Nickie Halbert combined to total 44 assists. Alie Deatch paced the defense with 13 digs.
In the first set, the teams traded the first 17 points before Elon stretched its lead to four. An ace from the service line by Parman brought the Mocs to within two, 15-13, but the Phoenix would go on to build a 24-20 lead.
Following a kill by Kuroski, a service ace by Teter and a kill by Parman the Mocs fought back to within win one before Elon closed out the frame, 25-23.
The Mocs opened the second set with a 5-2 lead as Teter, Kuroski and Parman each tallied a kill and the duo of Christie and Camacho registered a block. Three-straight kills helped Chattanooga build a 10-8 advantage, but Elon would tie it at 10.
Then, the teams traded points until Elon appeared to take control of the frame with a 20-17 lead, but the Mocs would fight back to knot the score at 23-all by taking advantage of mistakes and a service ace and kill by Parman. Back-to-back kills for the Phoenix clinched the second set, 25-23.
"The second set we were in control for a good chunk and just couldn't finish it," said Filar. "Earlier on in the year, we were in some close sets. We just had players that weren't stepping up and making plays. Tonight was different because we lacked focus and discipline at the end when we needed to it, which is the most important time to be focused and disciplined."
During the third set, Elon's offense started strong as it rallied to a 14-4 advantage and easily finished off the frame and match, 25-13.
"We told the student-athletes that eventough our main goal heading into the season of going to the SoCon Tournament is now out of reach," said Filar. "We are still going to work hard to get better and start setting the tone for this spring. It is a process of getting better and building the program."
Chattanooga returns to Maclellan Gym for the final two matches of the season hosting Appalachian State and Western Carolina. The match with the Mountaineers is set for 7 p.m., while the Catamounts come to the Scenic City on Sunday at 3 p.m.


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Private Prison Blog
Since March 2007 Justice Strategies, in cooperation with Grassroots Leadership, has operated Texas Prison Bid'ness, a blog that keeps Texans and others around the country informed of developments in the private prison capital of the world.
Children of Incarcerated Parents Blog
The first national blog dedicated to exploring the impact of parental incarceration on children and families.
- 06/30/15 - Let Our Families Have a Future: A mother's story #1
- 06/23/15 - What It's Like To Spend Father's Day In Prison
- 06/12/15 - A Family Locked Apart
- 05/21/15 - Family: The most cherished of American institutions
- 05/11/15 - They took her child away
- 04/23/15 - Parental Incarceration's Destalizing Impact on Family and Community
- 04/15/15 - Time for change: Jazree's story of parental incarceration
- 04/12/15 - Where is the 'best interest of the child' at sentencing?
- 03/30/15 - Advancing Family Integrity for All: Listen to the Experts I
- 03/17/15 - Sesame Street Made a Video, But It's Not Cute and It's Not Funny


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YET more evidence is in that the Ebola virus is spreading in a wave across Africa - putting the world's last big populations of lowland gorillas directly in its path.
In 2003, an outbreak of Ebola struck gorillas living in the Congo. Bats in the area at that time were also carrying the virus, researchers recently discovered (New Scientist, 3 December 2005, p 20). That meant either the virus had always been lurking in bats, and spread to the gorillas, or that the bats were newly infected as the epidemic crossed their territory.
Now researchers have found that the bat viruses all descended recently from a common ancestor, confirming that the virus was new to the bats and is on the march (PLoS Pathogens, vol 2, e90).
If you would like to reuse any content from New Scientist, either in print or online, please contact the syndication department first for permission. New Scientist does not own rights to photos, but there are a variety of licensing options available for use of articles and graphics we own the copyright to.


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Miscellaneous issuesWilliam, Bladensburg: What do you think are the chances the state will pass the bill to not tax military retirement pay? Thank you.
Nitkin: The chances are excellent. I'd call it as close to a done deal as we see in Annapolis. Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. submitted such legislation a year ago, but it did not pass, facing a General Assembly roadblock that the governor says -- with some justification -- was entirely political. But this year, with Ehrlich resubmitting his legislation, key leaders in both the House and the Senate have signed on and said they back it. Legislative analysts say that providing a state income tax subtraction credit for military retiree income would cost the state $4.5 million in the budget year that begins July 1, rising to $46 million in the budget year beginning July 10, 2010.
Medicaid in January 2007 will affect Maryland politics in any way? Specifically, how do you think Annapolis will fill in the huge gaps in coverage for Maryland residents caused by these two pieces of federal legislation?
Nitkin: I haven't delved into the details yet, but gaps in Medicaid coverage are certainly a topic for discussion in the General Assembly. I don't know what the ultimate solution will be, but I'll say this: In an election year, politicians like to take care of constituencies that are active voters and who pay attention to issues. Senior citizens certainly fall into that category.
Chris, Baltimore: What is the status of the smoking ban being considered?
Nitkin: A hearing is scheduled for Tuesday before the House Health and Government Operations Committee on the Clean Indoor Air Act of 2006 (HB 375), which would ban smoking in bars and restaurants in Maryland. For the bill to become law, it must be approved in identical form in both the House and the Senate and then sent to the governor, who could veto it. I'd put the chances for passage this year at less than 50 percent.
Dennis T. Byrne, Baltimore: The resolution for the paper trail in 2006 is quite easy. Eliminate all restriction for absentee ballots. Allow any voter who's concerned about the accuracy of their vote to have an absentee [ballot], which they fill in and copy, thus [having] his or her choices in print.
Nitkin: Indeed, the General Assembly this year passed a bill -- overturning Ehrlich's veto -- that allows voters to get absentee ballots for any reason. Chances are there will be an increase in the usage of absentee ballots this year. And you are right: Any voters who use them have bypassed the electronic voting machines and have created a paper copy of their selections. It could be unwieldy for elections officials to count so many ballots if everybody followed your suggestion, and we journalists who try to report on results on election night would also have a problem. It takes days if not weeks for all absentee ballots to be tabulated.
Brian King: Is it possible that Sheila Dixon may have crossed the legal boundaries (and common sense ones) with her recent actions in the Comcast hearings?
Nitkin: The Baltimore City Ethics Commission will be examining this matter. Here's the first paragraphs of a story by Doug Donovan that ran last Friday:
"Baltimore's Board of Ethics will investigate City Council President Sheila Dixon's involvement in several official meetings that appear to have benefited the firm that employs her sister Janice, the board's chairman said yesterday.
The five-member ethics board is scheduled to meet Feb. 21 and will begin examining whether Dixon acted properly during a City Council committee hearing last week and three Board of Estimates meetings over the past two years."
Tyler, Salisbury: I was hoping that you would comment on this year's budget. Looking at it at face value, looks like the governor is helping everyone from higher education to senior citizens to the environment. But when you look deeper, you see that the 14 percent increase in higher education funding is just getting their funds back to where they were three years ago when the governor slashed funding two years in a row. So, how can the governor say that he is saving higher education when in reality, he is giving them money that they should have had all along?
Nitkin: The governor can say whatever he wants, and then voters have to decide whether he's providing the full picture. You accurately state what is now happening: Ehrlich has been touting "historic" increases -- measured in both dollar terms and percentage increases -- in higher education, public schools and some other areas in his proposed budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1. In public school education, the increases are mandated by a law that was passed in 2002, and which Ehrlich opposed -- because the mandate did not come with a funding source attached to it.
Ehrlich cut heavily from the higher education budget during his first two budget years: He had to find a way to balance the state budget, and higher education is the largest area of discretionary spending. Plus, state funding cuts can be made up through tuition increases -- something that some of his key supporters back. I don't think the governor has ever said he is "saving" higher education, but he is certainly paying attention to reversing some of the political damage done in 2003 and 2004 through budget cuts and tuition increases.
Eric Stevenson, Baltimore: What have you heard about a deal cut between the governor and the Prince George's County delegation to move the Department of Planning from Baltimore to Prince George's? Is this about buying votes? The move will cost over $3 million. Is this even legal?
Nitkin: We have some more reporting to do in this area before I can provide a definitive answer. I know of no illegality. Certainly, the governor has plenty of strong Prince George's supporters in his administration -- notably Lt. Gov. Michael S. Steele and state Planning Secretary Audrey E. Scott -- and Prince George's County leaders have long demanded their share of state buildings. The county is the second most populous in Maryland and heavily Democratic. It's not hard to imagine that there are a lot of politics at play behind the decision to move the state planning office.
Julia Persky, Bel Air: Where on the Internet can I find how my delegates and senators vote on each and every bill? Also, committee members' votes? Thanks.