text:
As expected, the latest cabinet reshuffle and its implications to the present and future development of our land of apparent peace and harmony continue to be among the hot issues preoccupying the citizens of this country. Reaction to the new cabinet was instant and intense, and the development is likely to keep us busy for quite some time.
Views on the new cabinet are diverse. You have those who hail it and tend to entertain the idea that the new brooms in the new outfit will sweep clean and consequently improve efficiency in the management of public affairs. There are critics who openly opine that what we have witnessed is a game of musical chairs and a semblance of old wine in a new bottle.
This school of thought believes that the approach being taken to address the problem of poor administration and mismanagement of national resources, that is ditching a few ministers and replacing them with new faces, is not only naïve but also ineffective. They refer to the whole exercise as mere cosmetic change.
My interest is in this category of critics. They seem to make an important point and there is much sense in their arguments. Their case is that the unstable country's economy characterised by double digit inflation, now above 20%, a huge nation debt estimated to be about Sh20 trillion, inadequate utilities, energy blues, transport crisis and you name it, can simply not be attributed to non-performance of a few individuals in a complex system responsible for propelling the wheels of the state machinery. Only accomplished escapists, witch hunters, as well as those lacking tools of social analysis can entertain the "blame individuals" approach.
It is true that the mess is a combination of many things which went wrong in the past, are still going wrong today, and may continue to go wrong in future - unless strategic actions and plans are undertaken with deep commitment from the top leadership and other actors in society. At this juncture we may as well revisit some of the observations made by the "overhaul the system "proponents in regard to what ought to be done to put the management of both national affairs as a whole and the economy back on the right track.
First, honest economic analysts will tell you that socio-economic planning, which is vital in managing the economy and providing social services in a fluid local and international economic environment is, to put it mildly, poor - that is in the sense that at times the process is influenced by the political considerations, failure by some leaders to look beyond their noises, as well as the preoccupation with "politics of the stomach".
Second, some observers will tell you that the public - private sector partnership unveiled a few years back seem not to be working as envisaged, and its modus operandi urgently need to be revisited, much as the principle and motives behind it may be genuine.
It seems the implementation of this arrangement has been a victim of conflicts of interests, where some key public officials mandated to make decisions on public-private sector deals happen to have stakes in a public companies involved, either directly or by proxy.
In short, the corruption bug eating our society to the core has found fertile ground in the public-private sector partnership experiment. This scenario cries for a thorough investigation.
Then there is the question of how top officials in the government and public sector as whole are appointed to key posts, whose holders happen to have much say on the allocation of the nation's resources.
Obviously the systems and procedures of appointing these bureaucrats are either flawed or badly implemented, resulting into having incompetent as well as officials of questionable integrity in some of these offices. In any case, most of these fat cats are appointed by the President whose word, according the power he yields under the current constitution, is law in itself.
Talk about the culture of accountability, where top functionaries are expected to be responsible for failure to spot and act on mismanagement practices taking place in their dockets, and you will discover that we tend to believe the whole concept is a foreign one! Some of the disgraced former Ministers said so without mincing words when they were told to resign after the Auditor General had discovered some financial skeletons in their ministerial cupboards.
All said, it is obvious that the patient, in this case our country of peace, needs surgical treatment not palliative drugs. The question is: can the envisaged new constitution handle this complicated case?
Henry Muhanika is a media consultant
Email: [email protected]


text:
See All Contributors »
Obviously, there have been disappointments for us as Cyclone fans over the years...both on and off the field/court.
However, the reactions of some Cyclone faithful over the past couple of years on this site have really been eye opening and disappointing to me.
The way many of you treat these 15-22 year old kids that are either being recruited by ISU or are playing for ISU is nearly unbelievable. While they are either considering playing for ISU or playing for ISU they are pumped up beyond reality...they are smart, classy, ultra-talented. As soon as they either choose elsewhere or leave ISU they are castigated by many on this site as total losers. This has happened a lot...Bates, Wesley Johnson, Staten, HB just to name the primary examples. One day they are classy...the next they are a total slimeball loser.
Then there is the constant ridicule we get of any coach/program that beats us on or off the court/field. They are immediately accused of being slimy, cheating, and not doing things the right way...all with no evidence whatsoever with respect to any of the allegations.
I understand frustration and anger...and believe me, I get frustrated and angry...but to place this on 15-22 year old kids or on our opponents is misguided in my opinion. I would really like to see this fanbase start holding the adults more accountable for the results in our programs. Ultimately, these coaches are in total control of the program they run and getting paid quite handsomely by ISU to run it.
I think we need to start looking in the mirror rather than out the window when trying to understand why a particular Cyclone program is struggling.
I cheer for two teams, Iowa State and whoever is playing the hawkeyes.
This is, of course, about, HB, and I think most ISU fans understand that he had a lot of choices, good choices, and he took UNC over ISU even though his connections to ISU were much stronger. It all comes down to you win some and you loose some. Because HB lived in Ames and was so close to the current player and coaching staff this one hurt pretty bad, but in the end , it is his life and his decision. ISU MBB will move on.
what programs are struggling???? seems like cpr is righting the ship for football. wrestling seems to be in good hands. coach mac seems to be putting together a very good basketball team.
basketball was left in bad shape by wayne morgan. gmac has had some struggles in the men's basketball due to the loss of some primadonnas.when the primadonnas have left ,the boys that want to play basketball are shoring up the ship and are loooking pretty good in the games which we have played. our ladies basketball and ladies volleyball plus gymnastics seem to be doing very well.
as the old lady that used to advertise for wendys used to say""""""where's the beef????""""
Bates and Wesley Johnson quit on us. That's not the same as HB. I think that had HB removed us from the running weeks ago, when he knew he wasn't coming here, there would be a lot less negative feelings. Instead he dragged us a long and invited the Ames public to his signing to let us down like that. I think that's what the negative feelings are about.
This is very important:
2014-15 KenPom AdjO (rating)
116.3 (11)
2015-16 KenPom AdjO (rating
120.7 (3)
Fans of every team tend to claim the aer the classy fans and the other team fans are not. It is human nature down to a basic level. So evertying needs to be taken with a grain of salt.
And if this is about HB, in my opinion, no one should be criticising him on where he decided to go. He has to make that decision for himself.
However, how he did it, announced, and the ramifications and effects are fair game. He orchestrated this from a public relations and marketing perspective. I posted early last week from a PR perspective this would create the potential for risk and it did.
There seems to be be almost a professional branding campaign underway and frankly, they are not doing very well for how it impacts the image.
I think an argument can be made that HB made the safe choice in picking NC. He will be one of many highly recruited players on a team with a history of final fours and national titles. If they don't win a title or make the final four it is not all on him. Like many of you, I wanted him at ISU. I respect his choice but I really disliked the big show he put on in Ames on Friday.
Originally Posted by Gizmo
I think an argument can be made that HB made the safe choice in picking NC. He will be one of many highly recruited players on a team with a history of final fours and national titles. If they don't win a title or make the final four it is not all on him. Like many of you, I wanted him at ISU. I respect his choice but I really disliked the big show he put on in Ames on Friday.
This right here. I, like many, was not all that upset with hb's choice. The problem is with the manner in which he made it. If one is honest and looks back at the whole hb thing, it is easy to see how he really used the whole ISU community, and I mean bad. He had every right to go wherever he wanted, for sure. I just think he should have cut ISU loose earlier, instead of playing up ISU's chances in order to get more attendance at the production in the gym for ESPN.
That being said, hb is gone. No problems here. I want team players, and Cyclones on the field and on the court. I am not going to be told that I have to wish him well or cheer for him however. I am a Cyclone fan. Let his Ames groupies take care of continuing to puff up his ego. Don't worry, they will show up here in a hurry.
Me? I cannot wait to see Melvin Ejim hit the court.
"Dog Eat Dog"
Read the news
Someone win,
Someone lose
Melvin Ejim is going to be something!
Kansas Must Be Destroyed
Sic Semper Jayhawks
Originally Posted by yaman3
Bates and Wesley Johnson quit on us. That's not the same as HB. I think that had HB removed us from the running weeks ago, when he knew he wasn't coming here, there would be a lot less negative feelings. Instead he dragged us a long and invited the Ames public to his signing to let us down like that. I think that's what the negative feelings are about.
- this
Like many folks, I don't fault HB's choice, I just fault the way he manipulated the whole Ames/ISU community for his own benefit. I'm sure it made for great TV and it made the family feel great, but it the Cyclone faithful feel like they were used. But I've already moved on. I have absolutely no interest in HB anymore.
I know I'm stretching for a silver lining in this, but at least we won't have to deal with all the distractions that his presence on the team would have undoubtedly brought. Next year, we will have a roster of guys who are all on the same level, not a roster with one superstar and the rest members of the supporting cast. Next year, it will all be about the TEAM'S success.
I think it is only natural for those of us who are disappointed, to vent our frustrations to others who understand our pain. Its called coping.
And there is nothing wrong with these youth realizing that their decisions do impact other people. They shouldn't make their decisions for other people, but they should learn to be respectful of others. HB's show this week, was not. It was painful. It was going to be painful no matter what, but the ostentation display was like rubbing salt into a wound. Perhaps he might learn from this experience not to play with people's emotions like that. I don't think it was intentional, but it came across as selfish marketing that even top media people have said has set a new "over the top" standard for how to announce commitments. WJ may have had legitimate concerns to go elsewhere, but how he handled it was not in a very upstanding manner. All stars must deal learn how to handle themselves cautiously. Its not fair, but in the end fan appeal makes them money, if they are not liked, they make less money. If we didn't buy tickets and watch sports on TV, this would not occur, but we are all fanatics in the end.
The past is the past. Move on.
ISU Grad 1997.
ISU Fan for Life.
Not in CO anymore but I'm not changing my name :)
Originally Posted by yaman3
Bates and Wesley Johnson quit on us. That's not the same as HB. I think that had HB removed us from the running weeks ago, when he knew he wasn't coming here, there would be a lot less negative feelings. Instead he dragged us a long and invited the Ames public to his signing to let us down like that. I think that's what the negative feelings are about.
Don't forget all the petty little boys who left when Morgan got booted (Taggart, especially) Rashon was the real only man from that team. At least the football players got it right by sticking around.
All you negative little whiners should be glad you have a team on the rise instead of one like EIU headed for mediocity. A lot of you weren't around when we had Nance coaching. Talk about laughin stock.....
For all the years I've been coming to the site...the way some of the cyclone faithful carry hate on their sleeves is really eye opening to me. It seems no matter what happens they are always unhappy and always try to take out their hate on coaches/ads. No matter what happens or what the state of the program is they always seem to be very vocal on their feelings of a coach or AD.
It gets really really old always hearing the same old thing from them. We get it, you don't like the coach. I don't think there is one single coach that we have ever had that could have gotten HB to come play for us next season. If we were continually in the post season and considered a top-tier program I think we may have had a shot. I look in the mirror and I see a program that is finally having some stability and the future looks very bright. When I look in the mirror I'm very happy with where the program is right now and have no reason to get upset or angry. I finally feel that we are establishing ourselves as a program to be trifled with for years to come.
"If you can't hear me, it's because I'm in parentheses."
1. Thank you for telling ME how to feel about it. I was very confused and didn't know what to do or what to think. You have shown me the way.
2. Thank you for starting your own thread, because obviously your take on the situation is very unique and wise, and it is important that everyone sees it. If your opinion had gotten lost in one of the other hundreds of threads since the decision had been made, it would have been a great tragedy.
Forum Rules
All content owned by CycloneFanatic.com - All rights reserved 2005-09. By viewing this website you agree to the Terms of Service, Site Rules and Legal Disclaimer. The words, views, images and opinions expressed or provided by users do not reflect the opinions or views of CycloneFanatic.com or Iowa State University. The names, words, symbols, and graphics representing Iowa State University are trademarks and copyrights of the University protected by the trademark and copyright laws of the United States of America and other countries and are used on this web site under license from the University. Original site design, premise & construction by Jeremy Lind.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
You may have missed the following stories, because I never had a chance to report them. According to Willamette Week, Roe, a "back room" of Trent Pierce's Wafu, will be opening sooner than expected. In an article for Portland Monthly, Michael C. Zusman says "The game plan will include a chef's counter, tasting … [Read more...]
You are here: Home / Archives for Katie Poppe


text:
US President Barack Obama meets with Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai in the Oval Office in 2010. (AP)
President Obama and Afghan President Hamid Karzai have a full schedule Friday at the White House, where they will discuss ongoing negotiations about how rapidly to withdraw remaining U.S. troops in Afghanistan, and what the United States' role might be in the nation after 2014.
The day will begin in the Oval Office, which Obama will open to Karzai and his delegation for bilateral meetings to discuss "our continued transition in Afghanistan, and our shared vision of an enduring partnership in the United States and Afghanistan," according to a White House press release. Vice President Joe Biden will then join an expanded bilateral meeting in the Cabinet Room.
A "working lunch" in the president's private dining room is on tap for the afternoon, followed by a joint press conference with Obama and Karzai in the East Room.
In a conference call with reporters Tuesday, the White House's deputy national security adviser Ben Rhodes said the president and Karzai are "not going to finalize that decision" with regard to how many troops, if any, will remain in Afghanistan following the war's official drawdown at the end of next year. Rather, they plan to "reach a common understanding of how we can achieve" mutual objectives for the post-2014 relationship."
Karzai will end his day at Georgetown University, which he will visit for the third time, delivering a speech on the future of Afghan-U.S. relations at 5:30 p.m. EDT.
On Thursday, Karzai met with Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, who said in a Pentagon press conference later in the day: "We have poured a lot of blood and treasure into this war. We have made a lot of progress as a result of sacrifice by our people, and we're not gonna walk backward." Karzai then had meetings at the Pentagon, followed by a sit-down at the State Department with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
In a dinner that followed, hosted by Clinton - "a great opportunity for us to attempt, in a very humble way, to repay some of the hospitality I've enjoyed over the years," she said during a photo-op before the dinner - the secretary of state could be heard telling Karzai about President Obama's recent nomination of former Sen. Chuck Hagel, R-Neb., to replace Panetta.
KKTV firmly believes in freedom of speech for all and we are happy to provide this forum for the community to share opinions and facts. We ask that commenters keep it clean, keep it truthful, stay on topic and be responsible. Comments left here do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of KKTV 11 News.
If you believe that any of the comments on our site are inappropriate or offensive, please tell us by clicking "Report Abuse" and answering the questions that follow. We will review any reported comments promptly.powered by Disqus


text:
NEW YORK (21Alive) – Oscar-winning actor Philip Seymour Hoffman was found dead Sunday in his New York City apartment, according to New York City Police.
Police say a concerned friend found Hoffman in his bathroom, fully clothed.
When police arrived, they found Hoffman still had a syringe in his arm. Bags believed to contain heroin were also found.
Hoffman, 46, won the Academy Award for Best Actor for 2005's "Capote," and was most recently seen in the "Hunger Games" sequel, "Catching Fire."
Hoffman was nominated for Oscars three other times, including for 2012's "The Master."
Hoffman is succeeded by his girlfriend, costume designer Mimi O'Donnell, their son, Cooper and two daughters, Tallulah and Willa.
What are your thoughts CLICK HERE to leave us a "QUESTION OF THE DAY" comment.
TextCaster alerts from 21Alive.com are your defining source for instant information delivered right to your cell phone and email. It's free, easy and instant. Sign-Up Now!
Powered by Summit City Chevrolet
© Copyright 2015, A Granite Broadcasting Station. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


text:
On the upside
Peru authorized the amendment to add Pacific Rubiales to BPZ Energy's (NYSE: BPZ) Block Z-1 license agreement.
American Airlines pilots approved a memorandum of understanding related to a possible merger with US Airways (NYSE: LCC).
On the downside
Ford (NYSE: F) is poised to sell over 2 million vehicles in 2012 but the stock price fell. TheStreet expects Citigroup (NYSE: C) to outperform its peers in 2013 but the stock price slipped.
Wunderlich Securities initiated coverage of Marvell Technology (Nasdaq: MRVL) on Friday with a Hold rating.
In the broad market, advancing issues outpaced decliners by a margin of more than 2 to 1 on the NYSE and by more than 5 to 3 on Nasdaq. The broader S&P 500 index added 4 points to 1407.


text:
Military Watches
Shop Dexclusive's collection of Military Watches that have been worn by Special Ops, Special Forces, SWAT Teams, Army Rangers, Navy Seals, Air Force Pilots, and military watch enthusiasts, just like you, worldwide.
Military Watch Brands
Bell & Ross, U-Boat, Casio, Citizen, Suunto, Swiss Army, Swiss Military
- | Compare
Military Watches
Whether you are shopping for yourself or looking for a great gift, Dexclusive.com provides you with an excellent selection of products at unbelievable prices. We also have a team of friendly customer service personnel available to assist you if you have any questions about any model you see at Dexclusive.com. Please call our Toll Free Number 1-866-537-3953 or you can click on the Live Online Chat button located on the right panel and one of our agents will be happy to assist you with any questions or concerns you might have. Don't forget to follow us on Twitter @dexclusive or become a fan on Facebook for the latest news and deals from Dexclusive.com.


text:
Saint Palaemon of Thebaid
- Palamon
- Palemon
During the persecutions of Diocletian, he sought refuge in the deserts of Upper Egypt, and became one of the earliest Egyptian desert hermits. Friend and spiritual director of Saint Pachomius of Tabenna. Worked to develop the spiritual lives of other desert hermits by bringing them together; this was part of the foundation of Christian monasticism.
- old hermit carding fleece
- with Saint Pachomius of Tabenna
- Abbé Stéphane Ansart
- Book of Saints, by the Monks of Ramsgate
- Catholic Online
- Heiligen 3s
- Katherine Rabenstein
- Our Sunday Visitor's Encyclopedia of Saints
- Santi e Beati
- "Saint Palaemon of Thebaid". CatholicSaints.Info. 8 January 2010. Web. 5 May 2016. <>


text:
Baroque Pan Pipe - Albinoni, et al / Simion Stanciu Syrinx
2 CD / Cascavelle / 2006-05-01Works: Domenico Cimarosa: Concerto for Oboe in C major; Antonio Vivaldi: Concerto for 2 Flutes in C major, RV 533; Tomaso Albinoni: Concertos à cinque (12), Op. 9; Luigi Boccherini: Concerto for Flut...
Performers: Rampal, Jean-Pierre; Stanciu Syrinx, Simion
Conductors: Berlingen, Jean-Pierre; Stoutz, Edmond de; Graf, Hans; Scimone, Claudio
Ensemble: I Solisti Veneti; Normandy Orchestral Ensemble; Salzburg Mozarteum Orchestra; Zurich Chamber Orchestra
Ever since childhood Simion Stanciu, aka Syrinx, dedicated his life to music, playing the piano and violin. Then, at 14, he discovered the panpipe, and...continue...
read more Login or Create an Account to write a review


text:
this wiki
- For the superhero in GTA IV, see The Brown Streak.
The Brown Streak is a fully interactive passenger train featured in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. It is only available in gray (unless with use of the pink or black traffic cheat or with the use of trainers where custom vehicle colours can be set), and runs on the Brown Streak Railroad. In addition to the locomotive itself, the Brown Streak comes with two to four passenger coaches.
The Brown Streak bears a striking physical resemblance to the EMD F40PH. The player can either ride in the train as a passenger (free of charge) by entering through one of the passenger entrances on the rear coaches. The player can also steal the train by entering the locomotive up front, assuming control of the train themselves. When riding as a passenger, the player may exit the train at any stop (or during travel, if so desired). When driving the Brown Streak, the player has the option of engaging in cargo delivery missions (after unlocking the entire state), which require reaching each station in San Andreas within certain time limits. Small cash rewards are given for each successful stop, and a large reward is given at the end of the mission (after a complete loop of the state).
The train has some realistic effects, particularly the ability to derail it at high speeds. The train begins to shake above 190 km/h, at which speed it will derail upon turning (higher speeds are possible while travelling in reverse). Trains are immune to all forms of damage, including weapon damage, fire and any physical obstruction, however derailment will render them useless.
There are no first/third person views when driving or traveling in the train, and the cinematic view mode is the only view available. Some third party trainers can create different viewpoints. Another way to get a different viewpoint is to peform the 3rd Person Train Driving Glitch seen in the Freights trivia, although this isnt recommended.
Mission appearances
Although it does not appear much throughout the storyline, it appears prominently in several missions.
- During Big Smoke's mission Wrong Side of the Tracks, the player is required to use a Sanchez to chase the engine carriage so Big Smoke can shoot some Los Santos Vagos gang members who are riding on top of the train. During the mission, other trains use the track next to the train.
- A Brown Streak engine makes a cameo appearance in the mission Reuniting the Families, unintentionally aiding the escaping Carl, Sweet, Smoke, and Ryder by hitting several pursuing police vehicles.
- During the mission Snail Trail for Frank Tenpenny, the player is required to follow a train with a journalist on board, who is going to meet a reporter. Much like the earlier mission, other trains use the tracks next to the train.
- The train makes another cameo appearance during the final storyline mission, End of the Line. When pursuing the Fire Truck on the train tracks, only the engine carriage will appear. Unlike the other trains, which are locked, this one can be stolen, although stealing it will result in mission failure, as you will lose Sweet. Driving the train will cause a glitch, where other trains still use the track the player uses, and when they hit the player's train, they will drive through it as if it wasn't there.
- In the sixth Quarry Mission, the player is required to clear explosives off the tracks before a train reaches them. Once the player has cleared the line, or the timer has run out, a Brown Streak train will rocket through, traveling much faster than any other train in the game.
- The name is a reference to fecal stains, particularly in the pants.
- If the train's engine happens to end up in water, it will stay afloat indefinitely, with the sound of the engine audible above and below water. The player can climb atop the unsinkable engine as if it were a stationary platform, a testament to the train's indestructibility.
- Strangely, although the train cannot be damaged (or even moved) by other objects when on the tracks, it becomes as light as a feather once it derails, and can be pushed by the character easily.
- If one were run over by train at a station and the train parks on them to let passengers out, they can see that the passengers just sit in the middle of the train (it is possible to see "inside" it if one is stuck underneath it) as if they were the passengers of a car.
- If the player is stuck underneath a moving train, their health will gradually decrease until they die, or the train turns a corner.
- When departing Cranberry Station towards Tierra Robada, The Transfender's door nearby opens as the train passes underneath.
- It is not possible to derail a train while you are travelling through a straight and/or covered (e.g. tunneled) track. Thus;
- It is not possible to derail a train in San Fierro, as there are no uncovered sharp turns.
- While playing in multiplayer, a player can lock onto any of the trains cars and see that there is health for each car. The health of the cars can be drained to zero but there is no effect of this at all, compared to normal vehicles that explode with zero health.
- If in 2-player mode on a console, if both players get into the train, they both have control over it. This applies to all controllable trains in the game.
- It is not possible to derail trains that have more than six cars (including the locomotive), since they cannot reach 190 km/h (the speed at which the train begins to shake).
- Shooting the Brown Streak is a easy way to raise weapon skill, as the train cannot be destroyed by gunfire, and it is often stationary.
- Saving a derailed Brown Streak in a garage will crash the game when the door is reopened.
- If you haven't unlocked all of San Andreas and walls are in the way of the train, it is possible to pass through them by driving the train very fast. The train will not brake on time before reaching the wall and thus you will pass through it (as the train cannot be stopped by any objects). You will receive a 4-star wanted level for trespassing into the locked area.
- A glitch on the PS2 version sometimes sees the train stopping short of Unity Station, forcing Carl to get off in the tunnel if it's his destination (and apparently letting off other passengers as well as several other people will be seen in the tunnel, too).
- If the 3rd Person train Driving Glitch is performed on this train, the player will get knocked off the roof when going through a low tunnel. For the working glitch, see the Freight's trivia.


text:
Suppliers will deploy over 900 NFC-enabled advertising displays on 75 U.S. college campuses for the fall, hoping to capitalize on the high penetration of smartphone ownership on U.S. campuses.
NFC-enabled digital advertising screens will be available in 140 malls starting next month, and some major advertisers are interested, according to the NFC tag provider for the displays.
Such nonpayment applications as marketing campaigns and loyalty programs are more likely to drive adoption of NFC than payments, panelists told attendees of a recent "NFC Goes Social" event in Boston, organized by the MIT Enterprise Forum's NFC Cluster.
NFC Times Exclusive Insight – ANZ is the first bank in Australia to launch with Apple Pay, with Apple able to crack into the big four banks, which had been balking at signing up for the payments service mainly because of Apple's demands for transaction fees.
NFC Times Exclusive Insight – Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi is the latest OEM to announce plans to join the "Pays" club, working with payments network China UnionPay to launch an NFC-enabled mobile payments service in China, although giving no details on a launch date or participating banks.
NFC Times Exclusive Insight – It is perhaps a measure of just how big of a hit SIM suppliers took from the closing of the Softcard wallet in the U.S. early last year that their SIMalliance vendor trade group is refusing to release NFC SIM shipment figures publicly for either the North American market or globally for 2015.
NFC Times Exclusive Insight – Three of Singapore's largest banks will soon launch mobile payments with Apple Pay, Apple disclosed Tuesday, as it launched Apple Pay in its sixth country.
NFC Times Exclusive – Few industry sources agree on the size of the contactless-acceptance footprint in the U.S. that enables merchants to accept Apple Pay and other NFC-enabled wallets; but one thing most of them do agree on is that contactless acceptance is not sufficient to support any kind of significant adoption of the wallets.
NFC Times Exclusive Insight – Germany-based Giesecke & Devrient turned around its financial results in 2015, including its money-losing banking and SIM card unit, thanks mainly to restructuring and higher shipments of EMV bank cards to China and the U.S., the privately held company disclosed Tuesday.
NFC Times Exclusive Insight – Singapore's three major mobile operators are giving SIM-based NFC services another try, hoping that the offer of mobile transit fare collection will encourage more consumers to use their NFC phones to tap to pay, following the flop of the country's NFC retail payments rollout that began in 2012.
NFC Times Exclusive Insight – France's domestic debit scheme Cartes Bancaires has been gearing up for the past year to launch a tokenization service for French issuers, with commercial service expected in coming months, including in support of HCE apps launched by banks and possibly for "OEM Pay" services.
NFC Times Exclusive Insight – Samsung's announcement today of its move into China with Samsung Pay helped the OEM make good on its objective of launching in China by the first quarter, though the launch has happened well after rival device makers Apple and Huawei launched their own mobile payments services in China.
NFC Times Exclusive Insight – Six months after taking the helm of Israel-based On Track Innovations, CEO Shlomi Cohen is seeking to convince investors he can turn around the contactless reader and NFC vendor, which has been struggling despite greater global demand for the company's main product, contactless readers.
NFC Times Exclusive Insight – While Poland has among the highest concentrations of contactless point-of-sale terminals globally, NFC mobile payments has not yet taken off.
NFC Times Exclusive Insight – Chinese payment network China UnionPay has announced support for Huawei Pay, a deal that could substantially expand the number of banks and payments cards that Huawei could enable for its NFC payments service as it seeks to compete with Apple and Apple Pay.


text:
What is cholecystitis?
Cholecystitis is inflammation of the gallbladder, a small organ near the liver that plays a part in digesting food. Normally, fluid called bile passes out of the gallbladder on its way to the small intestine. If the flow of bile is blocked, it builds up inside the gallbladder, causing swelling, pain, and possible infection.
What causes cholecystitis?
A gallstone stuck in the cystic duct, a tube that carries bile from the gallbladder, is most often the cause of sudden (acute) cholecystitis. The gallstone blocks fluid from passing out of the gallbladder. This results in an irritated and swollen gallbladder. Infection or trauma, such as an injury from a car accident, can also cause cholecystitis.
Acute acalculous cholecystitis, though rare, is most often seen in critically ill people in hospital intensive care units. In these cases, there are no gallstones. Complications from another severe illness, such as HIV or diabetes, cause the swelling.
Long-term (chronic) cholecystitis is another form of cholecystitis. It occurs when the gallbladder remains swollen over time, causing the walls of the gallbladder to become thick and hard.
What are the symptoms?
The most common symptom of cholecystitis is pain in your upper right abdomen that can sometimes move around to your back or right shoulder blade. Other symptoms include:
- Nausea or vomiting.
- Tenderness in the right abdomen.
- Fever.
- Pain that gets worse during a deep breath.
- Pain for more than 6 hours, particularly after meals.
Older people may not have fever or pain. Their only symptom may be a tender area in the abdomen.
How is cholecystitis diagnosed?
Diagnosing cholecystitis starts when you describe your symptoms to your doctor. Next is a physical exam. Your doctor will carefully feel your right upper abdomen to look for tenderness. You may have blood drawn and an ultrasound, a test that uses sound waves to create a picture of your gallbladder. Ultrasound may show gallstones, thickening of the gallbladder wall, extra fluid, and other signs of cholecystitis. This test also allows doctors to check the size and shape of your gallbladder.
You could also have a gallbladder scan, a nuclear scanning test that checks how well your gallbladder is working. It can also help find blockage in the tubes (bile ducts) that lead from the liver to the gallbladder and small intestine (duodenum).
How is it treated?
Treatment for cholecystitis will depend on your symptoms and your general health. People who have gallstones but don't have any symptoms may need no treatment. For mild cases, treatment includes bowel rest, fluids and antibiotics given through a vein, and pain medicine.
The main treatment for acute cholecystitis is surgery to remove the gallbladder (cholecystectomy). Often this surgery can be done through small incisions in the abdomen (laparoscopic cholecystectomy), but sometimes it requires a more extensive operation. Your doctor may try to reduce swelling and irritation in the gallbladder before removing it. Sometimes acute cholecystitis is caused by one or more gallstones getting stuck in the main tube leading to the intestine, called the common bile duct. Treatment may involve an endoscopic procedure (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, or ERCP) to remove the stones in the common bile duct before the gallbladder is removed.
In rare cases of chronic cholecystitis, you may also receive medicine that dissolves gallstones over a period of time.
Other Places To Get Help
|American Gastroenterological Association
|4930 Del Ray Avenue
|Bethesda, MD 20814
|(301) 654-2055
|(301) 654-5920
|Web Address:
The American Gastroenterological Association is a society of doctors who specialize in the digestive system (gastroenterologists). This Web site can help you find a gastroenterologist in your area. They also have patient information on many gastrointestinal diseases and disorders.
|American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy
|1520 Kensington Road
|Suite 202
|Oak Brook, IL 60523
|1-866-353-ASGE (1-866-353-2743) toll-free
|(630) 573-0600
|(630) 573-0691
|Web Address:
The American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy is a group of doctors who have special training in using endoscopy to look at the digestive tract. On the website you can find a doctor in your area who does these procedures. The website also has patient education videos and patient information about endoscopic procedures.
|National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
|Building 31, Room 9A06
|31 Center Drive, MSC 2560
|Bethesda, MD 20892-2560
|(301) 496-3583
|Web Address:
The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) is part of the U.S. National Institutes of Health. It conducts and supports research on many of the most serious diseases affecting public health, particularly the diseases of internal medicine. NIDDK sponsors the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NKUDIC). It has information about diseases of the kidneys and urologic system for people with these diseases and their families, health professionals, and the public.
Related Information
Other Works Consulted
- Friedman LS (2012). Liver, biliary tract, and pancreas disorders. In SJ McPhee, MA Papadakis, eds., 2012 Current Medical Diagnosis and Treatment, 51st ed., pp. 644–698. New York: McGraw-Hill.
- Halpin V, Gupta A (2011). Acute cholecystitis, search date April 2011. BMJ Clinical Evidence. Available online: http://www.clinicalevidence.com.
- Persley KM, Jain R (2008). Gallstones and biliary tract disease. In DC Dale, DD Federman, eds., ACP Medicine, section 4, chap. 6. Hamilton, ON: BC Decker.
|Healthwise Staff
|Primary Medical Reviewer
|E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
|Specialist Medical Reviewer
|Arvydas D. Vanagunas, MD - Gastroenterology
|Last Revised
|July 10, 2013
- Top of Page
Next Section:Other Places To Get Help
Previous Section:Overview
- Top of Page
Next Section:Related Information
Previous Section:Other Places To Get Help
- Top of Page
Next Section:References
Previous Section:Related Information
- Top of Page
Next Section:Credits
Previous Section:References
- Top of Page
Last Revised: July 10, 2013
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review: E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine & Arvydas D. Vanagunas, MD - Gastroenterology
This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
To learn more visit Healthwise.org
© 1995-2013 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.


text:
Cold Avenger
1 Item(s)
Cold Avenger: Black PolarTec Wind Pro CAEX-REG-BLK
$79.95 Free Shipping 2 Reviews 40
The number of Rewards Points earned by Rewards Program members when purchasing this product.
Rewards Points can be used to redeem gift codes that are used as currency on a future order.
1 Item(s)
My husband works with a lot of hot steel all year round, and his feet were deteriorating fast. I ran across your website one day looking for boots for him, and found the Thorlos socks. He loves them! His feet don't hurt and aren't blistering, cracking and peeling any longer. Along with the socks we bought the Badger Balm for foot repair and he uses it daily! His feet feel better, he's happier and much more comfortable. I can't thank you so enough and we recommend your site whenever we can!! Thanks!!"
Robyn C. from Mount Perry, Ohio


text:
Shikkotsu Forest (湿骨林, Shikkotsurin, Literally meaning: Damp Bone Forest) is a legendary place that is equally famous as Mount Myōboku and Ryūchi Cave.[1] It is the home of the slugs such as Katsuyu,[2] which are summoned by the Fifth Hokage and at least one of her disciples, Sakura Haruno.
- While both Mount Myōboku and Ryūchi Cave have shown multiple residents, the only known resident of the Shikkotsu Forest is Katsuyu.


text:
Events Calendar
Mass of the Children, Sage Singers and Capital District Youth Chorale
Bringing together the voices of adults and children, John Rutter's Mass of the Children is scored for mixed choir, soprano and baritone soloists, orchestra, and the irresistible charm of a children's choir.
Date: Sunday, April 6th, 2014
Time: 3:00 pm
Duration: 2 hours
Location: St. Augustine's Church, Troy
Rutter's skillful writing for these forces together with his sensitive interweaving of both the Latin Mass texts and Thomas Ken's renowned morning and evening hymns for Winchester College, gives the whole work the framework of a complete day, from waking to sleeping, This has resulted in one of his finest and most moving works to date.
The Sage Singers is directed by Michael Musial and accompanied by Barbara Musial and is composed of Sage faculty and students as well as area community members. For more, visit www.sage.edu/singers


text:
Stoney Sept is a large town in the Riverlands, the region controlled by House Tully of Riverrun. The town is located south-east of Riverrun, near the border of the Westerlands and close to the source of the Blackwater Rush.[1]
In the books
In the A Song of Ice and Fire novels Stoney Sept refers to a sept and its surrounding town. The sept itself sits on a hill. Below it is a holdfast made of grey stone that seems undersized for the town that surrounds it. The heart of Stoney Sept is a market square with a fountain in the shape of a leaping trout. Stoney Sept isn't nearly big enough to be considered even a minor city, but it is a fairly large market town. Arya Stark is brought there after she encounters the Brotherhood Without Banners, and notes that it is the biggest town she's seen since she left King's Landing.
Stoney Sept was the site of one of the most important battles of Robert's Rebellion. Robert Baratheon, with the aid of Lords Eddard Stark, Jon Arryn and Hoster Tully defeated a royal army under the command of Lord Jon Connington, the Hand of the King to Aerys II Targaryen. Connington was disgraced by the defeat, stripped of his post and exiled to the Free Cities.
See also
- Stoney Sept at A Wiki of Ice and Fire (spoilers from the books)
|Regional Capital:
Seagard · Wendish Town · Fairmarket · Riverrun · The Twins · Harrenhal · Raventree Hall · Stone Hedge · Crossroads Inn · High Heart · Acorn Hall · Maidenpool · Pinkmaiden · Stoney Sept
|Rivers and Lakes:
|Geographic Features:
The Neck · Ironman's Bay · Cape of Eagles · Whispering Wood · Isle of Faces · Hollow Hill


text:
This T-Shirt from 200 Nipples is called RIP RIAA which I'm sure is a sentiment that many of us can get behind, and it's intereresting that as this T-Shirt rails against an old business model, is being sold using a rather novel business model. Essentially 200 Nipples sell individually numbered limited editions of a T-Shirt with each number being sold from between $1 for number 1 to $100 for number 100. Here's a screenshot of the buying page, as you can see lots of the spots have been sold, and some have a countdown running, which means it's in someones cart right now.
This is similar in many ways to the web phenomenon from a couple of years ago called onethousandpaintings.com where someone sold 1000 paintings each of an individual number painted on a white canvas. These were dynamically priced so the price of remaining canvases went up as more of the paintings sold. The remaining canvases are selling for around $700 and on a secondary market are selling for as much as $3000.


text:
VIENNA, Va. (WUSA9) -- U.S. Senator Mark R. Warner (D-VA) will be part of a new production called America the Beautiful at Wolf Trap on Saturday, according to Wolf Trap representatives.
Representatives say Senator Warner will be featured as the narrator in Lincoln Portrait. Lincoln Portrait is an orchestral work by composer Aaron Copland. Representatives say that it was written as part of a patriotic war effort during World War II. Senator Warner will read excerpts from Abraham Lincoln's speeches and letters, including the Gettysburg Address.
The America the Beautiful program also includes "Ansel Adams: America" by Chris and Dave Brubeck. More than 100 striking photographs of or by Ansel will be shown on huge screens, in-house and on the lawn. It will also be paired with George Gershwin's "An American in Paris" and excerpts from John Williams' score to the award-winning film "Lincoln."
For tickets call 1.877.WOLFTRAP or purchase online at www.wolftrap.org


text:
this wiki
- "We've had vicious kings, and we've had idiot kings...but I don't know if we've ever been cursed with a vicious idiot for a king!"
- ―Tyrion Lannister, summarizing King Joffrey.
Joffrey Baratheon is a major character in the first, second and third seasons. He is played by Jack Gleeson and debuts in the series premiere. Joffrey is the current ruler of the Seven Kingdoms, having claimed the Iron Throne after his father, King Robert Baratheon, died. However Joffrey is actually the bastard son of the incestuous relationship between Ser Jaime Lannister and Queen Cersei Lannister. Because of this, his claim to the Iron Throne is challenged by Robert's younger brother, Stannis Baratheon. He is formally styled as Joffrey of the House Baratheon, the First of His Name, King of the Andals and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms, and Protector of the Realm.
Joffrey was originally betrothed to Sansa Stark, whom he kept captive in King's Landing after he beheaded her father for treason, as Eddard Stark tried to reveal the truth about his parentage. However, he later set Sansa aside in favor of Margaery Tyrell, as part of the new alliance between House Lannister, the primary supporters of Joffrey, and House Tyrell, the ruling house of the Reach whose support helped save King's Landing from Stannis Baratheon's attack.
Joffrey is believed to be the oldest son and heir of King Robert Baratheon and Queen Cersei Lannister. In reality, his father is Jaime Lannister, the queen's brother. He has a younger sister, Myrcella, and a younger brother, Tommen - both also the children of Jaime and Cersei. Cersei and Robert made a political marriage alliance after Robert took the throne by force from the Mad King Aerys II Targaryen.[1]
Joffrey takes after his mother in terms of looks and personality, his blonde hair being a subtle clue that he isn't really a Baratheon, who famously always possess black hair even when one of their parents possesses blonde hair. He is usually accompanied by his sworn shield, the formidable Sandor Clegane, who is better known as the Hound. Joffrey is spoiled, arrogant, cowardly, and sadistic.[2]
Season 1
Prince Joffrey accompanies his parents to Winterfell and is betrothed to marry Sansa Stark as part of King Robert's plan unite House Baratheon to House Stark by blood. Both seem happy with the prospect, and Joffrey is charming and polite towards Sansa.[3] However, he shows no sympathy when Bran falls from a tower and is severely injured, and has to be physically chastised by his uncle Tyrion before he will pay his respects to Bran's parents.[4]
While on the Kingsroad to King's Landing, Joffrey is walking with Sansa and chances upon her sister Arya practicing sword play with a commoner, Mycah. Joffrey sees a chance to have some fun with Mycah, who is too scared to move. Joffrey accuses him of assault on a noble girl and makes a cut on his face with his sword, but Arya hits Joffrey, allowing the butcher's boy to get away. When Joffrey turns on Arya, her direwolf Nymeria overpowers Joffrey, injuring him, and Arya throws his sword in the river. Joffrey begs for his life. Sansa offers aid, but Joffrey is angry at her because she saw him weak and defeated. Later, he lies about the incident and says he was attacked in an unprovoked manner. King Robert knows Joffrey is lying, and is disgusted that Joffrey let a little girl disarm him, but agrees to forget about the incident in return for the death of Nymeria. When she cannot be found, Sansa's direwolf Lady is executed instead.[4]
In King's Landing, Joffrey tells his mother about how he would handle the people of the North as she treats his injury. He suggests capturing Winterfell, taxing the people hard and forcing their warriors to join a "royal army". Cersei elucidates the flaws in his plan and warns Joffrey that a king needs to be more careful in choosing his battles. Cersei tells her son that, "Everyone who isn't us is an enemy". She also urges Joffrey to do something nice for Sansa to win back her goodwill.[5]
Eddard Stark discovers that Joffrey isn't King Robert's son and rightful heir, by examining the family history and realizing that black hair is a dominant trait in the Baratheon line. Eddared realizes that Joffrey's true parentage can be attributed to the incestuous relationship between his mother and his "uncle" Jaime Lannister. Meanwhile, Joffrey wins back Sansa's affection by giving her a pendant.[6]
When King Robert Baratheon is grievously wounded in a hunting injury, he talks to Joffrey on his death bed and says he could have been a better father. Joffrey ascends the Iron Throne. He orders that preparations be made to crown him within the fortnight. Eddard refuses to recognize Joffrey's claim to the Iron Throne. He presents a proclamation from Robert making him Regent and Protector of the Realm to enforce his authority, but Cersei tears up the document. Eddard expects Lord Petyr Baelish and Commander Janos Slynt of the City Watch to take Cersei and Joffrey prisoner, but is betrayed. Eddard is taken into custody and his remaining guards and household are murdered[7].
Sansa is taken captive as well, but Arya manages to escape into the city. Joffrey dismisses Ser Barristan Selmy from the Kingsguard and names his "uncle" Jaime as the new Lord Commander. Barristan is shocked, as the Kingsguard are sworn to serve for life, and it is legally impossible to dismiss one of their members. Joffrey listens to Sansa's pleas for her father, and he agrees to show mercy to Lord Eddard if he admits treason and recants his claim that Joffrey has no right to the throne. Sansa is sure that he will.[8]
Joffrey is present at the Great Sept of Baelor for Eddard's public trial where, due to threats to Sansa's life, he confesses to treason and acknowledges Joffrey as the true king. Joffrey, playing to the crowd, reveals that his mother and his betrothed have both urged him to spare Eddard's life and exile him to the Wall (this deal had been worked out involving Queen Cersei, Varys, Grand Maester Pycelle, the High Septon, and Yoren waiting in the crowd to take him in custody). Joffrey had been told to spare him, but surprises everyone by saying that his mother and betrothed have the weak hearts and constitutions of women, whilst he has no mercy for traitors. He orders Ser Ilyn Payne to bring him Eddard's head. Payne carries out the order, whilst Sansa faints from shock and Cersei - aware this will fuel the war with the Starks - angrily tries and fails to overrule her son.[9].
Days later, Joffrey holds court. Marillion sings a song he wrote about King Robert and Queen Cersei, which includes lyrics saying that the boar may have disemboweled Robert, but the "lion in his bed" (the Lannisters' sigil is a lion) was the one who tore his balls off. Joffrey is displeased by the song and its insults against his parents. He forces the minstrel to choose between having his hands or tongue removed, then orders Ser Ilyn to instantly carry out the order, ripping out his tongue in front of the entire horrified court. Joffrey and his guards escort Sansa out of the courtroom and he states to her that she will be kept captive there and will still marry him; he also casually mentions that his mother said he should "put a son in you" as soon as Sansa has had her blood. They arrive at the castle's wall, where there are several heads mounted on long spikes - one is revealed to be Ned's. When Sansa is appalled, Joffrey angrily points to another spike carrying the head of Septa Mordane, revealing that he also needlessly killed Sansa's own Septa. She confronts him about his promise to show mercy to her father, but he says it was mercy, as he gave him a quick death. Then Joffrey forces her to look at the severed heads, and he says that he will give her Robb's head on a spike, too, but she retorts, "Or maybe he'll give me yours." Joffrey is infuriated, but restrains himself from striking her as he says "Mother tells me a king should never strike his lady" - so he simply calls on Ser Meryn Trant to strike her for him, and the knight slaps Sansa hard across the face twice. Sansa comes up behind Joffrey on the walkway, obviously thinking of pushing him, though it would mean her death. The Hound realizes this and stops her, under the pretense of wiping the blood off her lip.[10]
Season 2
Joffrey rules with cruelty and arrogant whims while his grandfather Tywin Lannister fights to secure his position.[11] Joffrey celebrates his name day with a tourney and continues to torment the captive Sansa Stark. He is perturbed when his uncle Tyrion Lannister is made acting Hand of the King. Rumors about his parentage begin to circulate and he confronts his mother, Queen Regent Cersei Lannister with them. He asks her about King Robert Baratheon's bastard children and she slaps him. He threatens her life and then arranges for a city wide massacre of the bastards.[12] Tyrion responds by exiling Janos Slynt and installing Bronn as the replacement Lord Commander of the City Watch.[13]
Robb Stark continues to win victories against Joffrey's supporters in House Lannister. Joffrey has Sansa Stark brought into the throne room and before the whole court, threatens to kill her with a crossbow. Instead he orders her publicly stripped and beaten as revenge. Tyrion interrupts the proceedings and criticizes Joffrey, as Sansa is his future queen. When Joffrey says that he is a king and may do whatever he wants, his uncle reminds him that Aerys thought he could do whatever he wanted as well, a thought that led to him being overthrown.
Talking to Bronn, Tyrion decides that Joffrey is at an age when sexual frustration might be an issue, and this could be one reason for his torment of Sansa. He then sends Joffrey two prostitutes, Ros and Daisy, as a belated nameday present. Joffrey forces one prostitute to beat the other as a message to Tyrion that he will tolerate no further interference.[14]
Joffrey attends the departure of his sister Myrcella Baratheon for Dorne as part of a marriage alliance pact. Joffrey is confronted by an angry populace as he makes his way back to the Red Keep. He is struck by thrown cow excrement and triggers a city wide riot by ordering the deaths of hundreds of citizens in response, despite being escorted by only a dozen of his own guards. He barely escapes the riot under the protection of his Kingsguard and Tyrion publicly berates him for his vicious idiocy. He is also dismissive when it is revealed Sansa has been lost in the chaos, demanding she be left to the mob; Tyrion has to point out that the Starks will kill his uncle Jaime in retaliation if she comes to harm.[15]
King Stannis Baratheon sails on King's Landing with a fleet of over 200 ships. Joffrey is determined to fight personally, scaring his mother. Cersei suspects that Tyrion is encouraging Joffrey and plots to blackmail him into ensuring Joffrey's safety by imprisoning his lover. Joffrey tours the sea wall of the city with Tyrion and insists that he will kill Stannis himself. His bravado is undercut by his woeful lack of appreciation of the danger he is in; he stupidly suggests that they should be planning to assault Robb rather than defending their capital.[16]
Joffrey procures a new sword for the Battle of the Blackwater, naming it "Hearteater." He forces Sansa to meet him in the Throne Room before going to the city walls, making her kiss the blade and claiming that when he returns it will have Stannis' blood on it. Sansa carefully undermines his claim by questioning if he will fight in the vanguard. Joffrey is frustrated by not being made aware of Tyrion Lannister's plans to defend the city and angrily threatens his uncle. The absence of the Royal Fleet frightens Joffrey. He is pleased when Tyrion's wildfire explosion decimates Stannis' fleet. However, his courage wanes when he sees the size of the landing force that comes ashore. A sortie led by the Hound fails to drive the attackers back. The Hound then deserts his place on the Kingsguard rather than go back out. Joffrey is relieved when Ser Lancel Lannister tells him that the Queen has ordered him back to the Red Keep and ignores Tyrion imploring him to stay and lead. His cowardly exit damages the morale of the men but Tyrion is able to rally them into a further sortie, protecting the gates from a battering ram. Tyrion is wounded during the fighting but the battle is won by the arrival of a host of House Lannister and House Tyrell soldiers under the command of Lord Tywin Lannister.[17]
Joffrey rewards Tywin by naming him Savior of the City. He also grants a favor to House Tyrell for their aid and Ser Loras asks Joffrey to unite their houses in marriage. Joffrey balks at setting aside his betrothal to Sansa, but is easily convinced in a sham dialogue with his mother and courtiers and agrees to marry Margaery Tyrell.[18]
Season 3
King Joffrey is passing through Flea Bottom in a heavily guarded palanquin. The Riot of King's Landing recently occurred in this part of the city. His convoy suddenly stops moving because his betrothed Margaery Tyrell insists on interacting with the smallfolk and visiting an orphanage. Later that night, he has dinner with Margaery, her brother Loras, and his mother Cersei. Cersei tells Margaery that the king barely survived the recent riot, but Joffrey explains that they were not in any real danger. He also defends Margaery's actions, to Cersei's discomfort. [19]
While fitting clothes in his chambers, Cersei asks Joffrey what he thinks about Margaery, and he says the alliance with the Tyrells will help them defeat the northern rebellion. Cersei asks what he thinks about her personally, but Joffrey dismisses her questions. Later, Joffrey summons Margaery to his chambers. Joffrey is holding his new crossbow and asks why she was married to traitor Renly Baratheon and why she failed to give him a child. Margaery tells Joffrey that she doesn't believe Renly was interested in women. Joffrey says he is considering making homosexuality punishable by death. He then demonstrates to Margaery how to use a crossbow. [20]
Joffrey, Margaery, Cersei, and Olenna Tyrell are visiting the Great Sept of Baelor, where the royal wedding will be held. Joffrey tells Margaery about the history of the dead Targaryen kings. Margaery feigns interest, then they hear a crowd of smallfolk outside. Margaery suggest they greet them, and Joffrey is reluctant but has the doors opened. Joffrey and Margaery step outside to a happy, cheering crowd, while Cersei looks on angrily.[21]
Ros is caught spying on Lord Petyr Baelish, so Lord Baelish gives her to Joffrey, who brutally kills her in his chambers with his crossbow.[22]
Joffrey summons his Hand Tywin Lannister to the throne room. Joffrey asks for a report of the small council meetings, and Tywin invites him to attend the small council meetings. Joffrey complains that Tywin holds the meetings in the Tower of the Hand, which requires him to climb many stairs. Joffrey squirms as Tywin approaches the throne, and Tywin tells him that he can be carried to the tower. Joffrey then asks for information on the rumors about Daenerys Targaryen and her dragons. Tywin confirms the rumors are true, and Joffrey demands to know what is being done about it. Tywin tells him it is not his concern, and he should leave such matters to his advisers.[23]
At the wedding of Tyrion Lannister and Sansa Stark, Joffrey escorts Sansa to the altar. He then removes Tyrion's stool, so he cannot reach Sansa's shoulders to cloak her. Joffrey laughs when Tyrion is unable to cloak her. When Sansa excuses herself from her table during the feast, Joffrey follows her, and suggests he might pay a visit to her chambers that night after Tyrion passes out. Joffrey then calls for the bedding ceremony, and Tyrion insists there will be no bedding ceremony. Tyrion threatens the king, which infuriates Joffrey. Tywin says they can do without the bedding ceremony, and Tyrion says he was only joking.[24]
At a meeting of the small council, Joffrey gleefully informs Tyrion of the deaths of Robb Stark and Catelyn Stark. He tells Grand Maester Pycelle to thank Walder Frey for his service and wants to serve Robb's head to Sansa at his wedding feast. Lord Varys and Tyrion take offense to this, and Tyrion threatens the king again. Tywin interjects by saying that he has won Joffrey's war for him. Joffrey angrily states that his supposed father won the real war, while Tywin hid in Casterly Rock during the fighting. Tywin orders that Joffrey be put to bed, and given Essence of Nightshade to sedate him. Joffrey is taken to his chambers by Cersei.[25]
Joffrey is cruel, arrogant, sadistic, and a tyrannical ruler. However, he is also incompetent, unintelligent, naive, cowardly, and prone to rash outbursts of violence. Much like earlier Targaryen kings, it is suspected that Joffrey's incestuous bloodline has resulted in severe defects in his sanity. Nonetheless, Joffrey is consumed by megalomaniacal delusions of grandeur. Even though he is absurdly unskilled at ruling, making far more problems than he solves, he is convinced that he deserves praise and utter devotion from everyone around him. Despite the fact that at the start of the War of the Five Kings most of the realm rises in rebellion against him, to the point that his faction essentially controls only the Westerlands, the Crownlands, and a narrow strip of the southern Riverlands between them, Joffrey is convinced that he is the greatest king in the history of the Seven Kingdoms. Added to what was an unstable personality to begin with, Cersei utterly spoiled and indulged Joffrey his entire life, resulting in him possessing a massive sense of entitlement which knows no logical bounds.
Joffrey is deceitful, but shows even less tact than his mother. He was willing to take advantage of the trust that Sansa Stark initially placed in him, when she was blinded by fantasies of marrying her handsome prince. In general, however, Joffrey is usually too short-sighted to bother lying, often simply committing various atrocities in public, without concern for the consequences.
Joffrey is obsessed with the self-conception that he is a great warrior like King Robert, but displays no martial skill whatsoever. Even the young Arya Stark was able to overpower him. Particularly, despite the fact that his faction was losing the war and bracing for a siege in King's Landing, Joffrey insisted that now was the time to "strike" against Robb Stark, at which Tyrion had to point out that his own city was on the verge of attack by Stannis' superior forces.
Despite his noted incompetence, Joffrey does successfully analyze the key weaknesses of the feudal levy system used to raise and train armies in the Seven Kingdoms, and proposes the radical idea of raising a standing Royal Army to address them, although his proposal that the army also be used to subjugate rebellions even when the army might be drawn from those rebellious regions confirms his lack of military experience.
|Season One appearances
|Winter is Coming
|The Kingsroad
|Lord Snow
|Cripples, Bastards and Broken Things
|The Wolf and the Lion
|A Golden Crown
|You Win or You Die
|The Pointy End
|Fire and Blood
|Season Two appearances
|The North Remembers
|The Night Lands
|What is Dead May Never Die
|Garden of Bones
|The Ghost of Harrenhal
|The Old Gods and the New
|A Man Without Honor
|The Prince of Winterfell
|Valar Morghulis
|Season Three appearances
|Valar Dohaeris
|Dark Wings, Dark Words
|Walk of Punishment
|And Now His Watch is Ended
|Kissed by Fire
|The Climb
|The Bear and the Maiden Fair
|Second Sons
|The Rains of Castamere
Image gallery
Family tree
- "Killing you would send your brother a message."
- ―Joffrey Baratheon to Sansa Stark
- "You're here to answer for your brother's treason."
- ―Joffrey Baratheon to Sansa Stark
- "The king can do as he likes!"
- ―King Joffrey I
- "Everyone is mine to torment!"
- ―Joffrey to Tyrion and Tywin
Behind the scenes
Actor Eugene Simon had also auditioned for Joffrey Baratheon before later being cast as Lancel Lannister.[26]
Gleeson's naturally dark hair needed touching up every single day he shot to keep it Lannister blonde. His hair was also kept short because it makes him look younger.[27]
Gleeson used Received Pronunciation while playing Joffrey while he has a strong Cork accent in real life accent. In the Blu-ray commentary for "Lord Snow", Sophie Turner mentioned that for amusement between takes, ahs and Gleeson would imitate the other's accent.
Gleeson said his performance was influenced by numerous Hollywood villains, in particular Joaquin Phoenix's performance in the movie "Gladiator."[28]
In the books
In the A Song of Ice and Fire novels, Joffrey is twelve years old when the story begins. He is described as a handsome young man, taller than average for his age, but not especially skilled at arms. His uncle Tyrion occasionally tries to teach him something of politics and learning, but he is uninterested in such matters. He and Robert have a distant relationship, but his mother dotes upon him. Throughout the books, Cersei is willfully blind to Joffrey's insane and homicidal behavior, no matter how ridiculous. Rather than recognize the monster that she has unleashed on the Seven Kingdoms by putting Joffrey on the throne, Cersei embraces the fantasy that he is a great king, or at worst "willful", and chides her younger son Tommen that he should try to be more like Joffrey. Later books also retroactively reveal that Joffrey's siblings Prince Tommen and Princess Myrcella have lived in terror of Joffrey their entire lives.
The reason for Joffrey's sociopathic, borderline-insane behavior is suspected to be due to his incestuous parentage, much like some of the earlier Targaryen kings. Joffrey had a distant relationship with his "father" Robert, and his mother spoiled him, but he grew up as a pampered crown prince, thus there does not seem to be any non-biological cause for his mental instability. From a strict technical standpoint Joffrey is not "insane" in the sense that King Aerys II Targaryen was, in that he doesn't have hallucinations or hear voices. Otherwise, Joffrey is a megalomanical sociopath by any measure.
In the second book, A Clash of Kings, Joffrey at several points shoots and kills peasants with his crossbow, for largely imagined insults. When crowds of refugees from the war he started come to the castle gates to beg for bread, he picks them off with his crossbow from the battlements, for daring to consider him "a baker". He then brags about doing this in open court, before having Sansa stripped and beaten in front of everyone. When Sansa asks if he killed any of the peasants, Joffrey matter-of-factly states that of course he did, he was trying to kill them.
Fans sometimes derisively assume that "Joffrey Baratheon" should really be called "Joffrey Lannister", because of his status as the bastard offspring of the incestuous relationship between Cersei Lannister and Jaime Lannister, and not the son of King Robert Baratheon at all. This is actually in error, as according to the customs of bastardy, Joffrey doesn't even have the right to use the surname "Lannister". As Jaime's bastard son, given birth to by a woman from the Westerlands (Cersei), Joffrey would have to use the bastard surname for the Westerlands: "Joffrey Hill". There's also the possibility that he might be called "Joffrey Waters" given that both Jaime and Cersei had been living in the Crownlands for many years, and Joffrey lived his whole life there. All of this, of course, would only happen if Jaime were to openly acknowledge Joffrey as his son, which is an impossibility given the disastrous political fallout this would create. Further, as the product of not merely bastardy, but incest, the Faith of the Seven would want to outright kill Joffrey as an abomination before the gods if his actual parentage were ever revealed. Therefore from a strict legal standpoint, given that Jaime will never acknowledge his children with Cersei, Joffrey has no right to any surname, and should properly just be called "Joffrey" as if he were a lowborn commoner.
See also
- Joffrey Baratheon at A Wiki of Ice and Fire (MAJOR spoilers from the books)
- ↑ HBO viewer's guide, season 2 guide to houses, House Baratheon of King's Landing entry
- ↑ HBO viewer's guide, season 2 guide to houses, House Baratheon of King's Landing - Joffrey Baratheon entry
- ↑ "Winter is Coming"
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "The Kingsroad"
- ↑ "Lord Snow"
- ↑ "A Golden Crown"
- ↑ "You Win or You Die"
- ↑ "The Pointy End"
- ↑ Baelor"
- ↑ "Fire and Blood"
- ↑ HBO viewers guide, season 2 map, special features - Areas of Control, Joffrey Baratheon entry
- ↑ "The North Remembers"
- ↑ "The Night Lands"
- ↑ "Garden of Bones"
- ↑ "The Old Gods and the New"
- ↑ "The Prince of Winterfell"
- ↑ "Blackwater"
- ↑ "Valar Morghulis"
- ↑ Valar Dohaeris
- ↑ Dark Wings, Dark Words
- ↑ And Now His Watch is Ended
- ↑ The Climb
- ↑ The Bear and the Maiden Fair (episode)
- ↑ Second Sons (episode)
- ↑ Mhysa
- ↑ Eng, Jared (October 26, 2011). Eugene Simon Interview - Exclusive Just Jared.
- ↑ Wischhover, Cheryl (June 4, 2012). Game of Thrones' Hair and Wardrobe Secrets Revealed Fashionista.
- ↑ Hill, Logan (June 2012). Jack Gleeson GQ June 2012 The Bad Guys Portfolio GQ.
|King Tommen I
|Red Keep, King's Landing
|The Crownlands
|King of the Andals and the First Men · Lord of the Seven Kingdoms · Protector of the Realm
|Current members:
|Queen Mother Cersei Lannister · Queen Margaery Tyrell
|Deceased members:
|King Robert I · King Joffrey I · Princess Myrcella Baratheon
|Lord Mace Tyrell · Grand Maester Pycelle · Ser Jaime Lannister · Ser Gregor Clegane · Ser Preston Greenfield · Ser Arys Oakheart · Ser Boros Blount · Ser Balon Swann · Ser Osmund Kettleblack · Ser Ilyn Payne · Lord Gyles Rosby · Ser Aron Santagar · Qyburn · Septa Eglantine
Rulers of the Seven Kingdoms
King of the Andals and the First Men · Lord of the Seven Kingdoms · Protector of the Realm
|Targaryen Dynasty:
Aegon I, the Conqueror · Aenys I · Maegor I, the Cruel · Jaehaerys I, the Conciliator · Viserys I · Aegon II · Aegon III, the Dragonbane · Daeron I, the Young Dragon · Baelor I, the Blessed · Viserys II · Aegon IV, the Unworthy · Daeron II, the Good · Aerys I · Maekar I · Aegon V, the Unlikely · Aerys II, the Mad
|Baratheon Dynasty:
Robert I, the Usurper · Joffrey I · Tommen I


text:
32850 Ford Road
Directions Garden City, MI 48135
At Suburban Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM of Garden City we are proud to offer new 2016 car models along with our inventory of affordable used cars. Our car dealership is located in Garden City and proudly serves the areas of Dearborn, Westland, and Livonia. Our professional staff is prepared to help you find your next car, new or used. Our goal at Suburban Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM of Garden City is to provide you with a stress-free car buying experience to ensure you get exactly what you're looking for in your next new car.
We offer the latest 2016 car models of Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and RAM cars including the new 2016 Chrysler 300 , 2016 Jeep Patriot , 2016 Dodge Journey and 2016 RAM 1500 to name a few. Our new car showroom is designed to make your car buying experience easy and enjoyable. Start by visiting our online showroom, then stop in for a test drive at our Garden City location. Our special programs and vehicle incentives allow our expert staff to offer you special pricing to fit your budget. Visit Suburban Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM of Garden City, also serving Westland, to learn more.
Our Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and RAM dealership, serving the city of Dearborn, also carries a wide variety of reliable used cars. View our used car inventory online and contact Suburban Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM to check on the availability of a vehicle. At Suburban Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM of Garden City we will offer you a competitive value for your trade-in to put towards purchasing a new or used car from our Garden City car dealership.
Stop by today! Suburban Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM of Garden City is located at 32850 Ford Road in Garden City; or call (888) 229-7510 for more information on any of our vehicles, services, or specials.


text:
The updated standings for the TriOKC Du Series are attached! Remember, you must complete a minimum of 2 of the TriOKC Du's to qualify for awards; you have 3 opportunities. Your 2 best scores will go toward your final points. Those who have now qualified for awards are highlighted in RED, so you all know where you stand; train hard, plan on having a stellar Fall Classic, & climb up those rankings! Awards will be M/F Overall, Master's, & Grand Master's. This series is open to anyone. Membership in Tri-OKC is not a requirement to qualify for awards, but it will get you nice discounts on all Tri-OKC & Redman races! The qualifying events are:
* March in Okarche Du (complete)
* Draper On-Road Du (complete)
* Fall Classic Sprint Du
* Fall Classic F1 Du (State Championship)
The Fall Classic F1 will be worth an extra 5 points, being the state championship! Train hard, race smart Tri-OKCers!
Beau Lee
TriOKC Board


text:
Events Calendar
Men's Hockey vs. Vermont
Friday, January 24, 2014 @ 7:30 PM
With five NCAA Division I national titles (tied for the most among Eastern schools) and 29 Beanpot championships, Boston University has long established itself as one of the top collegiate hockey programs in the country.
The storied program enters a new era in 2013, as former Terrier David Quinn takes over the helm following the retirement of legendary head coach Jack Parker, who amassed 897 wins in his 40-year career at BU. Parker made a record 24 appearances in the NCAA tournament as a head coach and led the Terriers to seven Hockey East titles in addition to three national crowns.
The 2013-14 squad will be paced by senior defenseman Garrett Noonan (2012 Hockey East All-Star) and junior forwards Evan Rodrigues (2013 Hockey East All-Star) and Cason Hohmann, who both turned in 34-point seasons last year. Sophomore Danny ORegan is back after becoming the first BU freshman in 21 years to lead the team in scoring. He and defenseman Matt Grzelcyk were named to the Hockey East All-Rookie Team last spring. They will join a talented group of incoming freshmen, including three newcomers who were selected in last years NHL Entry Draft.
Ticket Information
Tickets on sale through Ticketmaster.
Ticket prices*: $16.00-$25.00
*Prices are subject to a facility fee and service charge.
Agganis Arena Ticket Office Hours
Located at 925 Commonwealth Avenue, Agganis Arena Ticket Office hours are from Monday through Friday, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Please contact us with any questions or concerns that you may have at 617.353.GOBU (4628).
Weekend On Sale Ticket Office Hours
For events that have an initial on sale day of Saturday or Sunday, the Ticket Office will be open beginning at the on sale time and remain open for approximately 2 hours.
Event Day Ticket Office Hours
Event Day Office Hours begin at 10:00 am for concerts and family shows and run until the headliner takes the stage.
For Terrier athletic events, the Ticket Office opens at 12:00 pm for will call and ticket sales and is open through the second period of hockey games and half time of basketball games.
Ticket Outlet, Phone, and Internet Sales
Purchase tickets using Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.com, by calling 800.745.3000, or at all Ticketmaster locations.
Terrier Athletics Season Tickets
Season Tickets for Terrier Men's Ice Hockey, Women's Ice Hockey, Men's Basketball, and Women's Basketball are available by calling 617.353.GOBU (4628).
Parking Information
For parking information at Agganis Arena, click here.
Seating Information
Floor sections are subject to change based on a specific event so the seating charts are to be used as a general reference. Please verify at the time of your ticket purchase the proper floor set up for the event you are purchasing tickets for. Click here to view seating diagrams for events at Agganis Arena.
Group Sales
Groups of 15+ are invited to experience the excitement of Terrier Hockey at discounted prices. Tickets are limited. Please contact the Agganis Arena Group Sales Office at 617.353.GOBU or email firstname.lastname@example.com for additional information or to reserve your tickets today.


text:
Birdday Party
this wiki
|Birdday Party
|General Info
|Release Date:
|December 11, 2011 (Updated with new levels on the same day in 2012 and the same thing happenned in 2013)
|30 levels
|Episode No.:
|7 for Classic
|Previous Episode:
|Mine and Dine
|Next Episode:
|Bad Piggies
|Angry Birds
Birdday Party is the seventh Angry Birds episode. It celebrates the 2nd anniversary of Angry Birds 2011, the 3rd anniversary of Angry Birds 2012, and the 4th anniversary in Angry Birds 2013, taking place in a fantasy world filled with candy, birthday cakes, and other sweets, as opposed to the realistic environments seen in previous episodes. The episode itself serves as the eighteenth and nineteenth themes of the original game, and marks the 300th level mark with 18-15.
In this chapter, the Pigs steal the eggs as per usual, but decide to put them in a piece of the birds' Cake, which they snatch as well.
New Birds
- Bubbles
- Stella
Theme 18
- Theme 18-1
- Theme 18-2
- Theme 18-3
- Theme 18-4
- Theme 18-5
- Theme 18-6
- Theme 18-7
- Theme 18-8
- Theme 18-9
- Theme 18-10
- Theme 18-11
- Theme 18-12
- Theme 18-13
- Theme 18-14
- Theme 18-15
Theme 19
- Theme 19-1
- Theme 19-2
- Theme 19-3
- Theme 19-4
- Theme 19-5
- Theme 19-6
- Theme 19-7
- Theme 19-8
- Theme 19-9
- Theme 19-10
- Theme 19-11
- Theme 19-12
- Theme 19-13
- Theme 19-14
- Theme 19-15
- This is the first theme in Angry Birds that is considered abnormal.
- This is the first Angry Birds episode that involves an anniversary.
- This episode had the fewest amount of levels in the game, with only 15, before the extra levels were added on December 11th, 2012.
- The title is a reference to the saying "Birthday Party", when the birds are having their birthday party.
- This is also considered the first of the episodes to have its pun-based title on a Bird, rather than a Pig, Eggs, or eating.
- This is the first time the Bubbles the Orange Bird and Stella the Pink Bird appear in the original Angry Birds game. Stella, though, never had her sound effects from Angry Birds Seasons when she was updated in Classic. That issue was fixed in Version 3.1.0.
- Updating this episode not only provided players with all the episodes that are now unlocked without having to clear the first episode, but all the cutscenes were updated to the design shown in the Google Chrome Verison of Angry Birds.
- This episode was launched for the game's second anniversary.
- This is the first Angry Birds episode that is based on food with the second being Utopia in Angry Birds Space.
- On level 15 of cake 3, there is a rainbow-colored slice of cake. Getting it will display a new achievement called "Cakemonger".
- This episode received an update on December 11, 2012, that shows 15 more levels, and chapter 19 is moved from Bad Piggies to this episode. Also, 15 more levels of the Bad Piggies episode have been added.
- It is possible that in December 2013, they will have even more Birdday Party levels for Angry Bird's 4th anniversary and Theme 20 will also be from Bad Piggies to this episode.
- This update shows the White Bird's and the Boomerang Bird's new sprites. It also shows the corpse sprites for the Birds from the Rio, Fuji TV and Chrome games. Also, the white spot on Bomb's forehead is removed.
- Birdday Party was updated with 15 new levels to celebrate Angry Birds' 3rd anniversary in 2012. These new levels feature the Pink Bird (appearing for the first time in the original Angry Birds), changes in Birds' sprites, and new features like TNT Cakes. These levels have the number "19" for the theme number, so the Bad Piggies episode was renumbered accordingly. Also, there is a new hidden golden egg in level 19-14. Also, the update now includes the shaking background when the Black Bird, the White Bird's eggs and TNT crates explode, and when the Orange Bird inflates. To extend the story, Birdday Party gets a new cutscene in 18-15, where the Birds defeat a Mustache Pig whose cover in cake crumbs and continue chasing after the Bad Piggies. So the ending cutscene has been moved to level 19-15.
- Of all of the Classic episodes, the new birds from Seasons appear in this episode.
- In world 19, Bubbles only appears in 19-3.
- With V. 3.1.0, Stella has her voice and sound effects from Angry Birds Seasons fixed in Angry Birds Classic.
- This is the second episode to have background music with the first being Mine and Dine.
- It is unknown why birds would eat cake, since cake needs eggs as an ingreidient for cake. although it could be a vegan recipe
- With V.3.4.0, the numbering is now in cake depending on which anniversary, for ex;2011 anniversary is labeled as cake 2, 2013 as cake 3,and 2013 as cake 4.
http://www.rovio.com/en/news/blog/109/happy-birdday http://www.angrybirdsnest.com/angry-birds-happy-birdday-update-coming-december-11th/


text:
An agouti (rodent), one of over two-hundred animal species recorded by indigenous people hired as technicians to work on an animal population study in the Amazon basin region of Guyana. Researchers from Stanford University conducting the study found that native people were just as capable of systematically recording accurate data as trained researchers. (Date of Image: 2007-2010) [Image 6 of 7 related images. See Image 7.]
More about this Image
Researchers from Stanford University, working on an environmental study in the Rupununi region of Guyana, found that native people who participated in the collection of research data were just as capable of systematically recording accurate data as trained scientists. This finding disproves a theory held by some scientists that the cultural and educational differences between trained scientists and native peoples are too great for data collected by the latter to be reliable.
The purpose of the 5-year study, which covered a 48,000-square-kilometer area of the Amazon basin, was to determine the state of the vertebrate animal populations living there and how they are affected by human activities. The area, a forest-savanna ecosystem, is occupied by the Makushi and Wapishana peoples.
Jos� Fragoso, an ecologist at Stanford and lead for the study, and colleagues knew it would be difficult to gather necessary data over such a large area alone--particularly in remote locations, so they enlisted some of the local population to help. "If I had tried to use only scientists, postdocs and graduate students to do the work, it would not have been accomplished," said Fragoso.
The researchers hired and trained more than 340 villagers as technicians, to collect field data in a consistent and systematic way. They were shown how to walk a transect through an area, record sightings and signs of animals, and note which plants the animals fed on, then mark their observations on a map.
To validate the accuracy of their data, the researchers had a different team of technicians or researchers walk a transect a second time, checking to be sure that the recorded data was correct and the animal sightings credible. Technicians also filled out monthly questionnaires about their work and performed statistical analyses for patterns of discrepancy in the data.
Fragoso found that data collected by technicians living in communities with strong leadership, and who were part of a larger indigenous organization such as an association of villages, were the most consistently accurate. Technicians from villages unaffiliated or loosely affiliated with such an association, where there was less oversight, fabricated data more commonly. Also, whether or not a technician was interested in the actual research as opposed to just a salary was a factor in accuracy.
In the end, Fragoso found that on average, the indigenous technicians were just as capable of systematically recording accurate data as the trained scientists. In fact, their ability to detect animals and their signs was probably even better.
"This is the first study at a really large scale that shows that consistently valid field data can be collected by trained, indigenous peoples and it can be done really well," Fragoso said. "We have measured the error and discovered that 28 percent of villages experienced some data fabrication. This originated from about 5 percent (18 out of 335) of technicians fabricating data, which may not be much different than what occurs in the community of scientists."
This research was supported by a Biocomplexity Coupled Human-Natural Systems grant from the National Science Foundation. The grant, titled "Biodiversity Dynamics and Land-Use Changes in the Amazon: Multi-Scale Interactions Between Ecological Systems and Resource-Use Decisions by Indigenous Peoples," awarded to Fragoso, the principal investigator. Further information about the study is available in the Stanford University news story, Can indigenous peoples be relied on to gather reliable environmental data that meet the standards of science?