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Countries to watch
2010 Preview | Here are seven countries in particular to watch in 2010
With wars and rumors of wars dominating international headlines in 2009, the year ahead promises more of the same. Dozens of hot spots all over the world will likely breed trouble, but some of the most difficult places on earth also hold out fragile hope for real progress. Here are seven countries in particular to watch in 2010.
If Afghanistan dominated U.S. foreign policy in 2009, the new year may bring a new fixation: Iran. The Islamic regime continues to taunt Western powers with refusals to curb its nuclear ambitions and with fantasies about wiping Israel off the map. With the country's nuclear capabilities growing-along with political unrest within its own borders-2010 may prove a turning point for a regime that seems to thrive on buying more time.
On some fronts, time may be running out. After an October revelation that Iran was building a secret uranium-enrichment facility, international leaders warned the regime could face UN sanctions as early as this month if Iranian leaders don't relent. Iran's reaction: Leaders said they would build 10 more uranium-enrichment plants.
U.S. officials have spoken of tougher penalties that could follow if sanctions fail, but few have offered specifics. Meanwhile, the international community will keep an eye on Israel, where leaders have hinted at the possibility of preemptive strikes to cripple Iran's capability to attack the nation that Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad loathes.
Back in Iran, leaders will grapple with homegrown problems: After students and dissidents flooded Tehran's streets this summer to protest an election they believe was stolen by Ahmadinejad, the entrenched leader will likely face growing opposition that could undermine the stability of his iron-fisted rule. Late into 2009, protesters were still filling streets, chanting slogans like: "Iranian Republic, Not Islamic Republic!" They also looked for signals of support from the United States, with slogans like: "Obama, Are You with Us or with Them?"
In a December interview with The Wall Street Journal, Gen. James Jones, President Barack Obama's national security adviser, was frank about his uncertainty over how Iran would respond to sanctions and penalties: "They think they can withstand anything the U.N. or the coalition of like-minded nations can put together. They might be right. They might be wrong."
If Iran thinks it can withstand international pressure, Israeli leaders are worried they can't withstand the consequences of Iran's unchecked nuclear capabilities. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who has famously and defiantly denied the Holocaust, has also called for the eradication of Israel and has predicted that the nation will "soon be erased from the geographical scene."
Israeli leaders won't rule out a preemptive strike and will likely spend 2010 anxiously eyeing Iran's response to international calls to scale back its nuclear program. So far, the response isn't encouraging. Ahmadinejad told an Iranian crowd in December: "The Zionist regime and its [Western] backers cannot do a damn thing to stop Iran's nuclear work." In the background, crowds chanted: "Death to Israel" and "Death to America," according to the Reuters news service.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has another problem closer to home: a relentless conflict with the Palestinian Authority. The prime minister called for a 10-month freeze on new Israeli construction in the West Bank in November, but Palestinian leaders said the move didn't go far enough. Netanyahu rebuffed their complaints and didn't offer new concessions, leaving international observers wondering how-or whether-the peace process will progress in 2010.
Much of that outcome depends on Palestinian politics. An internal conflict between members of the dominant party, Fatah, and members of Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, leaves Palestinian direction uncertain. Fatah leaders postponed elections scheduled for January after Hamas warned it wouldn't allow voting in the Gaza Strip. And Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has said he won't run again. Without a clear successor to Abbas, members of Fatah wonder who will fill the vacuum in an ongoing struggle with no end in sight.
The grueling war in Afghanistan enters its ninth year. The world will be watching to see if President Barack Obama's order for an additional 30,000 U.S. troops to deploy to Afghanistan can bring the kind of success gained by a surge in Iraq, and whether Afghan leaders will take on more responsibility for protecting their own population.
U.S. Gen. David Petraeus-architect of the troop surge in Iraq-believes a similar surge in Afghanistan can succeed, but he warned that conditions will likely grow worse before they grow better. U.S. military leaders predict an outburst of insurgent attacks during the spring and summer and are preparing returning soldiers for more difficult conditions.
Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, said he told troops heading to Afghanistan from Camp Lejeune, N.C., to "steel themselves for more combat and more casualties." He told soldiers bound for a second deployment to the country to "expect Afghanistan to be a different place than it was when they were last here. The insurgency has grown more violent, more pervasive, and more sophisticated."
U.S. Gen. Stanley McChrystal-commander of U.S. and NATO troops in Afghanistan-says a key part of his strategy will be training Afghan police and military to match the insurgency's sophistication. Step one will be matching their numbers: Afghan officials will push to expand the number of their own soldiers to 134,000 (from 97,000) by August.
In the meantime, Petraeus said the United States should wait until the end of 2010 to judge whether the surge is working, and he offered dark-edged hope: "Afghanistan is no more hopeless than Iraq was when I took command there."
For even the most optimistic foreign policy expert, Iraq's sweeping to-do list for 2010 is daunting: The country plans to hold its second post-Saddam elections, prepare for the end of U.S. combat operations by the end of August, and say goodbye to some 60,000 U.S troops by the end of the year.
The looming question: Will Iraqis pull it off?
Though violence has dropped sharply in the country in the last 18 months, ongoing ethnic and political tensions and a handful of brazen attacks underscore the country's deep vulnerability and highlight the challenges to establishing order that will last.
For now, elections originally scheduled for January won't happen until at least March. Bitter disputes among Iraq's rival political factions left some wondering if the contest would go on at all: Tension remains high among once-dominant Sunnis, majority Shiites, and minority Kurds. But leaders reached a last-minute deal to hold elections that will determine whether Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki will retain his post, even as militants stepped up attacks on government targets.
As Iraqi officials prepare for elections in March, the U.S. military will prepare to halt combat operations by Aug. 31 and to begin a steep draw-down of troops ahead of a full withdrawal planned for the end of 2011. If security conditions remain manageable, some 60,000 troops will pull out of Iraq, leaving around 55,000 U.S. soldiers in the country.
A devastating attack by an al-Qaeda group in December raised questions about security conditions in Baghdad: Militants infiltrated deep into the capital, detonating car bombs that killed 127 people and injured over 500. It was the third major attack on government targets since September.
U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said while a troop reduction remains on schedule, the Baghdad attacks were a sobering reminder of the security risks. "The bombings are a tragic reminder it's not over yet," said Gates. "There's still work to be done."
Hope remains tenuous for South Sudanese leaders marking the fifth anniversary in January of a Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) signed with leaders in the predominantly Islamic North. The 2005 CPA ended two decades of civil war waged by Muslims in the North against Southern Christians who refused to submit to Islamic law. The war left more than 2 million people dead and some 4 million Southerners displaced.
The CPA promised autonomy to the South, with guarantees that the North would share the country's vast oil wealth. Southern leaders say the Northern government has failed to abide by many of CPA's terms, and the South continues to struggle to provide basic services in its frontier towns.
Still, both sides say they are tentatively ready to proceed with nationwide elections scheduled for April. Voters will choose a president, governors of states, and members of assemblies in the North and South. Many fear the elections could be corrupted: The Northern president-Omar al-Bashir-is a wanted war criminal who perpetuated genocide on Sudanese in the country's western region of Darfur. Despite his promises of fair elections, many believe Bashir would never allow a rival to win the presidency or threaten his National Congress Party's (NCP) power. But NCP remains unpopular with many Northerners, leaving some election observers wondering what would happen if they voted for a Southern president.
Election results are critical for another reason: They could affect a referendum scheduled for January 2011 to decide whether the South will declare its independence. And experts say the April contest will be another critical test of Bashir's willingness to abide by the agreements he signs. That may be an unlikely prospect: So far, the defiant leader hasn't shown much intention of keeping his word.
Though Russia ended 2009 in the throes of an economic crisis that gripped most of the world, the largest country on earth exerted its might through a natural resource that left many of its European neighbors beholden to the regime: oil.
Russia remains the world's second-largest producer and exporter of oil, and while Russian leaders proved their willingness to exercise military force in Moscow's 2008 invasion of nearby Georgia, many experts expect the giant to rely on economic and psychological prowess to continue to build a regime with abuses that often escape Western scrutiny.
The U.S. State Department has noted that human-rights conditions in Russia remain poor: Stories of murdered journalists and human-rights attorneys draw attention to the country's tight-fisted grip on media and free speech. Churches report increased attention from authorities, and they fear that more harassment could follow in the year ahead.
Human-rights and religious freedom advocates will watch the nation closely in 2010 to see if conditions worsen, and to see how the United States will respond to any deterioration, as well as Russia's willingness to aid the belligerent nation of Iran.
Handfuls of both conservatives and liberals have criticized the Obama administration's soft approach to nations like Russia, a complaint Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has dismissed, saying the administration is practicing low-key diplomacy that is "pragmatic and agile."
Still, Clinton couldn't deny that Russian leaders remain impervious to human-rights complaints, and she offered a brief criticism that perhaps doubled as a warning: "With Russia, we deplore the murders of journalists and activists and support the courageous individuals who advocate at great peril for democracy."
Human rights may prove a central issue for Vietnam in 2010, as the Asian nation seeks more prominence and influence on the international scene. In January, the country assumes the presidency of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), an organization billed as promoting economic and political cooperation and regional stability. The United States retains good relations with the organization, which may put pressure on the Obama administration to look more closely at the head country's human-rights record. Though the State Department notes improvements in Vietnam, Christians and Catholics in the country's Central Highlands report a significant level of ongoing persecution in the communist nation. The adoption of Vietnamese children remains closed to Americans, after a report of severe corruption in the nation's system for orphans.
Religious freedom advocates will watch to see if the U.S. State Department returns Vietnam to its list of Countries of Particular Concern for religious freedom violations, a move the administration has resisted but may find difficult to withstand as violations continue.


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The University
Registration, Fees, and Deposits
Academic Policies and Procedures
Student Affairs
Libraries and Other Academic Resources
Ex-Students' Association
Student Financial Services
The Office of Student Financial Services offers financial assistance to students who might otherwise be unable to attend the University. Financial aid awarded through the office may be gift aid, which includes grants and scholarships, or self-help aid, which includes student employment programs and long-term loans. Most financial aid is based on documented financial need. Financial need is the difference between the cost of attending the University and the financial resources available to the student.
To apply for financial assistance, a student must complete a need analysis form each year. The office requires the student to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be evaluated for financial need. The need analysis assists the office in assessing available family resources and determining eligibility for specific aid programs.
Students who attend the University only in the summer session are not eligible for financial aid through the Office of Student Financial Services.
Estimated costs. The following are
estimated typical costs for tuition, fees, room, board, and books for a single
student living in University-owned housing for the long session (fall and spring
semesters) 1998-1999. The tuition and fee amounts included in these figures are
based on an average course load of thirteen semester hours for undergraduates and
nine semester hours for graduates.
Expenses for clothing, travel, recreation, and personal and miscellaneous items vary based on individual lifestyle. The Office of Student Financial Services estimates that reasonable expense for these items is approximately $2,598 for undergraduate students and $3,042 for graduate students. Summer costs are estimated to be about one-third of those for the long session.
Application dates. Although there
are no deadlines for submitting financial aid applications, priority is given to
students who apply by the dates given below.
A student may apply for financial aid before being officially admitted to the University, but the awarding of aid is contingent upon admission. Disbursement of funds is not made until the student is officially enrolled.
Course load requirements. Most financial aid programs are based on full-time enrollment (twelve hours for undergraduate students, nine to fifteen hours for graduate students depending on the program). Students may receive financial aid for less than full-time enrollment with the approval of their financial aid counselor. Some aid programs require that assistance be reduced proportionately for less than full-time enrollment. To receive financial assistance for the summer session students must enroll for both six-week terms or for the nine-week term.
Changes in financial circumstances. Students are responsible for reporting any change in their financial situation that occurs after the initial application for aid is submitted to the Office of Student Financial Services. A documented decrease in resources may provide for an increase in financial aid if funds are available; likewise, an increase in resources may result in a reduction or cancellation of financial aid funds or a requirement to repay awards already disbursed.
Satisfactory progress. To be eligible for financial assistance, a student must maintain a satisfactory academic record. A satisfactory academic record is measured by quality, progress, and quantity. Quality refers to maintaining a cumulative 2.00 grade point average for undergraduates and 3.00 for graduates. Progress means completing the number of hours in a semester for which the student received aid (e.g., initial enrollment and completion of twelve hours for undergraduates). The quantity measurement allows a maximum of 150 hours for an undergraduate degree (175 hours for majors in pharmacy and architecture) and between 40 and 160 hours for a graduate degree, depending on the program.
Types of Financial AidA student who submits a Free Application for Federal Student Aid to the federal processor is considered for all funds available through the Office of Student Financial Services. A student's award package usually is a combination of gift aid and self-help funds. The composition of the aid package depends on the characteristics of the student, including program eligibility and degree of financial need, as well as on the availability of funds.
Gift Aid
Students who apply for financial help by the appropriate priority deadline are considered for all gift aid awards administered through the Office of Student Financial Services. A student must be an undergraduate and must not have received a bachelor's degree to be considered for a Federal Pell Grant. Most scholarships and grants awarded through the FAFSA process are based on financial need. The office also administers a few programs based on merit.
In addition to specific qualifications for competitive undergraduate scholarships and fellowships awarded by the University, the committee or agency responsible for selecting recipients for a given scholarship or fellowship may consider such factors as the following in designating recipients:
Self-Help Funds
Long-Term Loans
Federal loan programs are available to assist students who show financial need. These programs have low interest rates that may be adjusted annually and do not require repayment of principle or interest until the student has graduated or is no longer enrolled at least half-time. In addition, the loans offer a grace period between the time the student leaves school and the time repayment begins. Deferment or cancellation of repayment is available for situations such as military service, periods of unemployment, or teaching service in designated schools.
Federal and state loans are also available both to students and to the parents of students who do not show financial need. Interest rates on these loans are variable and are adjusted annually. Under certain conditions, repayment of loans to students may be deferred while the student is enrolled in school.
The student employment program provides jobs for students who show financial need and want to earn part of their educational expenses while attending school. The majority of federal work-study jobs are on campus though some may be with off-campus nonprofit agencies. Students may choose from a variety of employment opportunities depending on their education and experience. Most jobs require fifteen or fewer hours of work a week.
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Contents | Next File | Previous File
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Course Schedules
Office of the Registrar
University of Texas at Austin
1 August 1998. Registrar's Web Team
Comments to firstname.lastname@example.com

subset: commoncrawl


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May 27, 2016
SANTIAGO, Chile (AP) -- A strong 6.1-magnitude earthquake has struck off Chile's central-north area, but authorities say no injuries or damage are reported.
The U.S. Geological Survey says the quake's epicenter was 55 miles (88 kilometers) north of Coquimbo, Chile, and had a depth of 37 miles (61 kilometers). It struck Wednesday, shortly after 4 p.m. local time.
The Interior Ministry Emergency Office says no damages to infrastructure have been reported but some phone lies in the region are down.
The quake was mildly felt in the capital Santiago, where it shook buildings and in the port of Valparaiso.
Click Here to access the online Public Inspection File
Viewers with disabilities can get assistance accessing this station's FCC Public Inspection File by contacting the station with the information listed below. Questions or concerns relating to the accessibility of the FCC's online public file system should be directed to the FCC at 888-225-5322, 888-835-5322 (TTY), or email@example.com.


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have a Zimbra Ver2 Mail server setup behind a firewall.
Mail keeps getting stuck in the postfix mail queue
The server is on a private IP address the firewall is on a public ip address.
The following ports are forwarded to the private ip,
Zimbra_Admin 7071
Zimbra_HTTP 80
Zimbra_HTTPS 443
Zimbra_SMTP 25
Zimbra_SSH 22
Zimbra_IMAP 143
Zimbra_IMAPS 993
Zimbra_POPS 995
Zimbra_POP 110
Zimbra_LDAP 389
Zimbra_Contr 7777
Zimbra_?? 7025
The /etc/hosts file has
127.0.0.1 for the ip address of the domain name
when the server is first started, everything works as expected.
after a couple hours running, the local mail stops getting delivered, with this error message in the zimbra.log
status=deferred (connect to domain.com[123.123publicip]: read timeout)
'zmcontrol status' shows everything as running.
server shows 200~300 mb free memory
when I try to do a postqueue -f (Flush queue) get the same timeout errors.
Only way to fix it is to do a zmcontrol stop, zmcontrol start, then postqueue -f this then delivers the mails
I don't understand why this is happening.


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International Services Home > International Students > Current International Students > Renewing a Student Visa
If you are traveling outside the U.S. and your visa has expired, you will need to schedule time to renew your student visa before returning to the U.S. (Exceptions include Canada, Mexico, and some adjacent islands through a process known as automatic visa revalidation.)
REMEMBER: You cannot renew a visa inside the U.S.
Refer to the website of the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your home country or in the country that you will be visiting for specific application instructions. It is always recommended that you apply to renew your visa in your home country.
Remember to plan ahead for any necessary visa appointment and processing time.
Prepare the following documents (confirm required documents with the embassy or consulate through which you are renewing):
Form I-20 signed on page 3 or your DS-2019 on page 1 by the staff at the Office of International Services.
Passport valid for at least 6 months in the future
Your photograph -- see requirements here
Receipt for visa processing fee
Evidence of financial support equal to or greater than the amount indicated on the Form I-20 or DS-2019
Current transcript in a sealed envelope from the Office of the University Registrar
Any diploma that you have received since your initial entry into the U.S. (if applicable)
For students on OPT or Academic Training: Letter verifying employment (and EAD card for F-1 students)
Learn more about U.S. visas from the U.S. Department of State


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See All Contributors »
A conversation with Jamie Pollard | News | Football | Cyclone Fanatic
Twitter: @ChrisMWilliams
Facebook: Cyclone Fanatic
One of the greatest hires in ISU history.
Fantastic stuff Chris!
Live to work...
Best interview I've seen in some time. We have a rare leader here with genuine humility. Great stuff CW.
How can you not like Jamie. Does anyone know which poster that is that he was referring to from 2005. Just trying to get the full picture
Great interview!
Most interesting thing to me was Jamie's comparison of Dan Beebe to Greg McDermott as the "wrong leader[s] at the wrong time."
Originally Posted by ShankinPATs
How can you not like Jamie. Does anyone know which poster that is that he was referring to from 2005. Just trying to get the full picture
That billboard was up on I-380 southbound on the edge of Cedar Rapids heading toward Iowa City. The Hawkeye football team would stay at a hotel in Cedar Rapids the night before home games and would drive past the billboard.
Awesome thanks
Hey guys I added a photo of that billboard to the article. I meant to do that yesterday but forgot. Thanks for the reminder.
I enjoy reading your conversation series of articles. Great interviews!
Great interview, Chris. But could you have found a worse picture of JP? He looks drunk! Or maybe he is... =)
Chris, I love the questions you asked - very insightful and not just the standard questions. Keep up the good work.
Love this quote from JP
Think about it. That is half of everything that we have done. Everything that we have done going back to the Hilton scoreboard, the concourse, every project that we have done, which is 100 and some million dollars. That project is half of all of that stuff combined. That puts it in perspective as to how big that is. Truth be told, that one doesn't have a direct impact on how well the football team plays. If you were to ask Paul, that's why we did the football building. The football building could have been the endzone but that was more valuable. That (the football facility) in the long run will help us do that (bowl in the endzone). That (the endzone) probably wouldn't have helped us do the football building.
I think it really puts into perspective how well JP is planning for future success, not just in football, but across the board for our athletic programs. Once we can be performing at a high level across the board, then all the fluffy feel good stuff can start being built (here's looking at you SEZ).
Also think it should be a top priority with some of the new TV $ to make sure JP is properly rewarded to stay at ISU and keep him from going elsewhere. If he is like CPR and wants the $ better spent elsewhere than on him, that's fine but make sure to at least offer to pay the man to keep him here longer.
nice work CW getting a couple wrestling questions in there. It is very reassuring to hear JP say that even if the Olympics drop wrestling, he will still support Cyclone Wrestling.
Edit: CW I posted the link to your interview over in the Wrestling forum in a new thread so all the wrestling guys will see it.
Last edited by isuska; 06-19-2013 at 09:38 AM.
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Prodigal party
Campaign 2008 | What party of secularists? Five political strategists have '08 Democrats talking old-time religion
"Prodigal party" Continued...
Burns Strider. Joshua DuBois. Shaun Casey. Eric Sapp. Mara Vanderslice. Not household names, these five professed evangelicals may hold the key to Democratic victory in the 2008 presidential election. Their mission: Convince white evangelical voters that a liberal agenda is consistent with the Bible and that the expressed Christian devotion of Democratic candidates is authentic.
Three of the five are official religious outreach advisors to prospective presidential candidates Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, and John Kerry. The other two run a consulting firm that advises those hoping to quarry evangelical votes. Their goal is to turn the 74-25 advantage among white evangelicals that GOP candidates for the House of Representatives had in 2004-a margin that slipped 7 percentage points in 2006-into a 50-50 proposition. Their method is to equate federally-funded poverty, health-care, and foreign-aid programs with biblical mandates to help the poor.
Burns Strider, 40, the son of a longtime Grenada County, Miss., sheriff, grew up connecting his father's Democratic politics to the Sunday school lessons of the Southern Baptist and Nazarene churches his family attended. "My belief in the Democratic Party and my belief in the lordship of Christ moved forward together on the same line," he told WORLD.
Recently hired to direct religious outreach for Clinton's probable presidential run, Strider cited Scripture with ease as he explained his political convictions. He quoted the prophet Micah's call to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God, one of many texts that pushed him to the mission field a decade ago for a two-year stint in China. He recalls sitting in a Hong Kong flat reading of how Mother Teresa saw the eyes of Christ in the faces of hungry and hurting people on the streets of Calcutta: "Reading that story had a very profound impact on me. What we do, we do to Christ. That puts feet on love. It gives it a direction to take."
For Strider, that direction is the political left, though he struggles to explain why such a personal directive to care for the needy necessarily requires government funding. His answer begs the question: "I contribute to the government, therefore I have a stake in the government and how it carries out its business. And I would like to see it carrying out the mandate to be part of the solution when it comes to poverty and when it comes to disease and when it comes to climate change."
Poll numbers hint that most Bible-believing Protestants remain skeptical about tax-funded charity but some are wavering-and Strider aims to convince them that the governmental budget is "where our priorities and our values are put into action."
He must also convince greater numbers of evangelicals that Hillary Clinton shares their faith. The New York senator has long sought to connect to religious values voters. Speaking to the United Methodist General Conference in 1996, she called on the audience to spread "the message of the gospel as well as the example of our works. We'll do more to change lives than any program that could be passed by any legislative body." Such a charge for personal responsibility might resonate with even the nation's most conservative congregations, but Clinton surrounded that gospel commission with laundry lists of government solutions to societal ills.
As the former first lady now readies for another run at the White House, most evangelicals remain skeptical of her faith and politics. Strider hopes her involvement with two distinctly conservative prayer groups might help change that. Clinton has participated in the woman's group of Holly Leachman since the mid-1990s. Leachman, wife of Washington Redskins chaplain Jerry Leachman, is connected to McLean Bible Church in Virginia, a conservative evangelical body committed to biblical inerrancy.
Clinton also spends Wednesday mornings praying with a small group of fellow senators, including such religious conservatives as Sam Brownback of Kansas, Mike Enzi of Wyoming, and Jim Inhofe of Oklahoma. During one such meeting, Brownback reportedly asked Clinton's forgiveness for having hated her, a confession that helped forge a friendship between the pair of political enemies.
But such Christian reconciliation in no way necessitates a political or even a religious alliance. Brownback and Clinton remain committed political rivals, and Clinton avoids using the language of a born-again believer. Her speeches on faith emphasize the principles of kindness rather than a personal relationship with Jesus. During her White House days she attended Foundry United Methodist Church, a D.C. congregation with a Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgendered Group, and has attended UMC churches throughout her life. Asked what church Clinton currently attends, press secretary Sam Arora said he did not know.
Strider shares similar theological commitments: His family of four attends Metropolitan Memorial United Methodist Church across town. When given an opportunity to express his stance on abortion, the former lead staffer of the Democrats' Faith Working Group said he has "never supported criminalization." He believes politicians should work to reduce the number of abortions without making them illegal, a position many Democrats share.
Joshua Dubois, Sen. Obama's director of religious affairs, is guarded in discussing his personal positions. The stepson of an African Methodist Episcopal minister, he did not offer his view of abortion during a WORLD interview, but he spoke readily of his college conversion to Christianity. He said a childhood spent going through the evangelical motions turned into a robust and genuine faith: "I am saved by the grace of God. I'm a strong believer in Jesus Christ."
Such explicit born-again language is more likely to resonate with Bible-believing evangelicals. DuBois, who maintains membership at a United Pentecostal Council Assemblies of God church in Cambridge, Mass., intends to use such credibility to vouch for the authenticity of Obama's faith. "He's also a Christian, a very strong one at that," DuBois said of his employer.
Unlike Clinton, Obama entered the fray of speculation over the 2008 presidential race largely undefined in the minds of American voters. Tapping DuBois to manage the faith outreach of his prospective campaign fits well with the Illinois senator's consistent efforts to project an evangelical image. Obama raised eyebrows on both sides of the political aisle when he spoke at the AIDS conference of evangelical megachurch pastor Rick Warren last month. The charming Democrat also has broadcast his faith in numerous interviews and speeches since taking national office in 2004.
But does such behavior merit surprise? Many evangelicals contend that Obama does little more than support liberal politics with liberal theology-hardly ground-shaking conduct. His adult conversion to Christianity took place in Chicago's Trinity United Church of Christ, where he and his family remain members. Trinity is an African-American congregation fiercely committed to liberation theology and income redistribution. Such doctrines have largely shaped the faith of a man with little prior religious experience. The stepson of a Muslim, Obama split his early primary education between Islamic and Catholic schools in Jakarta before moving to Hawaii at age 10 to spend adolescence with his white middle-class grandparents, who did not attend church.
DuBois admits that Obama's outspoken faith only appears novel in light of Democrats' recent deference to the party's avowed secularists. In reality, Obama's brand of religiosity amounts to a social gospel, emphasizing the humanitarian example of Jesus over the way His death and resurrection solves humanity's sin problem. "The progressive movement in the early part of the last century was infused with Christian values and people of faith-same with the civil-rights movement," DuBois said. "So this isn't a new thing, but it's a good thing that it's happening now."
Significant portions of the Democratic Party disagree, decrying such an open discussion of faith from their leaders. Many left-leaning bloggers responded to Clinton's and Obama's hiring of religious outreach specialists with the literary equivalent of rolling eyes. "Some folks on the left are uncomfortable with these topics," DuBois said. "There is a constitutional and clear separation between church and state embedded in the fabric of our country. And some folks think that means we have to be separate not only in our legal approach to policy but also who we talk to, who we engage with, whose concerns we can listen to."
Some pundits question whether the chance to scrape off evangelical votes from the GOP is worth the risk Democrats face of deflating their secularist base. But religious consultant Shaun Casey believes political pragmatics will soften any resistance to evangelical outreach: "Even the most hardened secular Democrat can count."
Casey, an associate professor of Christian ethics at Wesley Theological Seminary, advises Kerry, among other Democrats, and has helped the Massachusetts senator move beyond the awkward Bible quotes of his 2004 presidential run. Casey wants Kerry to articulate his Catholic sensibility without apology for his many disagreements with official church teaching.
The former minister's theology is often far more conservative than the political candidates he coaches. Casey, 49, attends the evangelistic Fairfax Church of Christ in Virginia. He considers himself more of a theologian than a political operative, telling WORLD that no party platform can compare to the gospel of Jesus and His work to save sinners.
Casey argues that the scale of human suffering and worldwide injustice demands government efforts to fund and organize sufficient relief. He dismisses the objection of religious conservatives that government-funded charity excludes spiritual elements, stating that employees and volunteers of such organizations may always share their faith off the clock.
Casey also rejects the conservative idea that compassionate citizens should be the arbiter of their charitable dollars rather than having to pour taxes into secular programs they do not support. "It's not our money, anyway," he said in reference to the biblical teaching that all things ultimately belong to God.
Should Kerry run for president a second time, such values-based defenses of Democratic policies would no doubt play a greater role than in 2004 when the candidate paid little attention to Casey or evangelical adviser Mara Vanderslice-despite the pair's involvement with the campaign.
Vanderslice has since proved her counsel is worth heeding. From her new role as director of Common Good Strategies, an independent consulting firm she founded in 2005, the born-again strategist significantly boosted the Democrats' midterm landslide. Exit polls showed that the candidates she advised pulled in an average of 10 percent more evangelical voters than other Democrats.
Fellow Common Good Strategies consultant Eric Sapp told WORLD such results could signal the beginning of a grand reshaping of the political landscape: "My hope would be that Christians become a perennial swing vote."
Like Vanderslice, Sapp's political involvement goes along with his evangelical faith. He attends Heritage Presbyterian Church (PCUSA) in Alexandria, Va., calls himself a Calvinist, and believes fallen humanity requires government action to alleviate suffering: "The social justice side of the gospel has to be front and center in what you are as a Christian. Government is definitely not the only solution, but if you're trying to solve things with private means and it's not working, you have to figure out another way."
Compassionate conservatives argue that government means have worked poorly and that groups offering challenging, personal, and spiritual assistance help the poor much more. Evangelical voters have two years to decide which view they will follow.
Presidential hopefuls
Kansas Sen. Sam Brownback
Former Virginia Gov. Jim Gilmore
Former NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani
California Rep. Duncan Hunter
Arizona Sen. John McCain
Texas Rep. Ron Paul
Former Mass. Gov. Mitt Romney
Colorado Rep. Tom Tancredo
Former Wis. Gov. Tommy Thompson
Delaware Sen. Joe Biden
New York Sen. Hillary Clinton
Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd
Former N. Carolina Sen. John Edwards
Former Alaska Sen. Mike Gravel
Ohio Rep. Dennis Kucinich
Illinois Sen. Barack Obama
Former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack


text:
Writer Darryl K. Taft does a good job of providing an overview of IBM's software business in this interesting eWeek article, "Software: The Driving Force Behind IBM's Business Transformation"
While this article has been posted numerous times on Twitter and the like, I felt it was worth a post here on the Service Management blog in case folks missed it.
In particular, it's worth noting how IBM Software Group follows the Glengarry Glen Ross (IMDB) mantra of, "Always be closing."
By that, I mean that we continue to look at the market and the requirements of our customers, and we continue to innovate how we build our products, how we manage internally and how we do business.
We rest. But not much... :-P
Senior Vice President and Group Executive Steve Mills said it best in this article:
"Businesses today want technology to solve their business problems and make them leaders within their own industries. In response, we have been moving our middleware portfolio into new, higher-value opportunities, growing our core capabilities, strengthening our portfolio and building solutions that support IBM's Smarter Planet agenda. Now we have the opportunity to take advantage of our middleware leadership and differentiated offerings to accelerate the growth of our business. By better aligning our organization to marketplace requirements, we can focus across our broad portfolio more effectively, ensure the right levels of investment to grow our business exponentially and deliver new levels of innovation to our clients."
Later in the article, Stephen Stokes an analyst at AMR Research said:
"This is the most significant organizational transformation in IBM's history. They're setting themselves up to really win big in the new economy."
Our customers and the market will ultimately decide the outcome, but I would agree with Stephen and think we're positioned FTW on this one.


text:
News and Announcements
|23 January
|Charts and Sequences Update January 2015
With APASS data release 8 filling in most of the remaining areas of sky with reliable secondary standards, the sequence team has been busy filling the remaining standing requests. This latest batch of new and revised sequences also has many newly discovered CVs from ASASSN, as well as sequences for RCB, NR and ZAND objects in the AID and VSX. You can downoad the list as either an .xlsx or .csv file.
|21 January
|AAVSO Newsletter for January 2015 is published
AAVSO Newsletter 63, January 2015 is now available to members
The AAVSO Newsletter is a periodic, general forum that supports our various observing programs with lists of new targets, observing programming ideas, and general information that spans a wide area of interest. Guest writers contribute pieces that can range from current events to book reviews.
|20 January
|New eJAAVSO preprint: An eclipsing symbiotic nova in outburst?
The Curious Case of ASAS J174600-2321.3: an Eclipsing Symbiotic Nova in Outburst?
Stefan Hümmerich
Sebastián Otero
|19 January
|Special Notice #396: Blazar PKS 0716+71 in very bright outburst
January 19, 2015: The blazar PKS 0716+71 == S5 0716+71 is currently in a very bright active state, at a visual magnitude of 12.1 as observed by G. Poyner on 2015 January 19.212 (JD 2457041.712). The object was first noted in outburst by Arkharov et al.
|19 January
|Two new eJAAVSO preprints: Maxima of 67 SPPs; Longterm monitoring of semiregulars
Recent Maxima of 67 Short Period Pulsating Stars
Gerard Samolyk
P.O. Box 20677, Greenfield, WI 53220
Received January 8, 2015; accepted January 8, 2015
|16 January
|Special Notice #395: Alpha Com campaign cancelled
January 16, 2015: We have been informed by PI Dr. Matthew Muterspaugh that his campaign on alpha Com (AAVSO Alert Notice 506) has been cancelled. Position measurements published a century ago contained errors that affected the predictions for the time of eclipse.
More information will be coming from Dr. Muterspaugh and we will disseminate it to everyone in an Alert Notice, but he asked that the observer community be informed now so that observing efforts might not be wasted.
|14 January
|Solar Bulletin - Volume 70, Number 12
The December 2014 Solar Bulletin is now available. Please visit the Solar Bulletin web page to download your copy: http://www.aavso.org/solar-bulletin
|14 January
|New eJAAVSO preprint: Revised elements of 78 southern EB systems
Revised Light Elements of 78 Southern Eclipsing Binary Systems
Margaret Streamer, Jeff Byron, David J. W. Moriarty, Tom Richards, Bill Allen, Roy Axelsen, Col Bembrick, Mark Blackford, Terry Bohlsen, David Herald, Roland Idaczyk, Stephen Kerr, Ranald McIntosh, Yenal Ogmen, Jonathan Powles, Peter Starr, George Stockham
|12 January
|Special Notice #394: Observations of b Persei urgently requested
January 12, 2015: Photometry by P. Benni (AAVSO observer code BPAD; Massachusetts, United States), D. Collins (CDK; North Carolina, United States), F. Campos (CFRA; Catalunya, Spain), and F. Melillo (MFR; New York, United States) suggest that b Persei may have entered eclipse around JD 2457033.6 (2015 January 11.1 UT). Time-series photometric observations of this bright star are urgently requested beginning immediately, and continuing for the next two weeks (through at least 2015 January 26 UT) and possibly beyond.
|07 January
|JAAVSO Vol. 42, No. 2, 2014 printed copies available
Paper copy from createspace.com is available for $12 plus shipping.
|06 January
|Alert Notice 507: Observations of the eclipsing binary b Persei
January 7, 2015: Dr.
|04 January
|2016 CHOICE Course Schedule
We are pleased to announce the return of many of your favorite CHOICE courses this year.
The tentative schedule is listed below. Click on the course name to read its description. Dates and classes may change due to availability of instructors for the courses.
|30 December
|The last fundraising letter
Dear AAVSO Supporters,
This is the last fundraising letter you will get from the AAVSO in 2014, I promise.
15 December
Solar Bulletin - Volume 70, Number 11
The November 2014 Solar Bulletin is now available. Please visit the Solar Bulletin web page to download your copy: http://www.aavso.org/solar-bulletin
|11 December
|JAAVSO Vol. 42, No. 2, 2014 is published
Journal of the American Association of Variable Star Observers
Does the Period of a Pulsating Star Depend on its Amplitude?
|11 December
|Special Notice #393: Correction to Special Notice #392 [ASASSN-14lp]
December 11, 2014: In AAVSO Special Notice #392, the name of the supernova discovered in NGC 4666 was given as ASASSN-141p. It should have been ASASSN-14lp. That is to say, the text following the dash should
Please create charts and submit observations using the name ASASSN-14lp.
Sincere apologies for the error!
|11 December
|Special Notice #392: ASASSN-14lp = Type Ia Supernova in NGC 4666 (Virgo)
December 11, 2014: T. W.-S. Holoien et al. announce in The Astronomer's Telegram (ATel) #6795 (http://www.astronomerstelegram.org/?read=6795) the discovery of a transient in NGC 4666 at magnitude 14.3 V on 2014 December 9.61 UT. The discovery was made in the course of the All Sky Automated Survey for SuperNovae (ASASSN) search, and the object assigned the name ASASSN-14lp. ASASSN-14lp was not seen (<15.3 V) in poor-quality ASASSN images obtained on 2104 Dec. 08.35 UT.
|09 December
|2016 JD Calendar
The 2016 Julian Day calendar is now available for your viewing or downloading pleasure.
|03 December
|Datos de la BAAVSS ahora disponibles a través de la AAVSO
La American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO) y la British Astronomical Association Variable Star Section (BAAVSS) tienen el agrado de anunciar que el archivo de observaciones de estrellas variables de la BAAVSS ya está disponible a través del sitio web de AAVSO. Los archivos de la BAAVSS cuentan con más de 2,5 millones de observaciones de estrellas variables realizadas en su mayoría por astrónomos aficionados de todo el mundo durante los pasados 150 años.
|02 December
|Special Notice #391: Targets Remaining in Northern Dwarf Novae Campaign
December 2, 2014: AAVSO Alert Notice 505 (http://www.aavso.org/aavso-alert-notice-505) announced the campaign on several northern dwarf novae by Deanne Coppejans and colleagues. This campaign, searching for radio jets in dwarf novae, has been moving very quickly! Thanks to your observations and timely notifications, three of the five sets of VLA observations available for the targets have been used on Z Cam, RX And, and YZ Cnc. The PI is extremely appreciative and thanks you all for your excellent work.
|02 December
|BAAVSS data now available through the AAVSO
The American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO) and the British Astronomical Association Variable Star Section (BAAVSS) are pleased to announce that the variable star observation archive of the BAAVSS is now available through the website of the AAVSO. The BAAVSS archives comprise over 2.5 million variable star observations made mostly by amateur astronomers world-wide over the past 150 years. These data now join the archives of the AAVSO in the AAVSO International Database, which consists of over 25 million variable star observations made
|02 December
|New eJAAVSO preprint: Recent minima of 161 EB stars
Recent Minima of 161 Eclipsing Binary Stars
Gerard Samolyk
P.O. Box 20677, Greenfield, WI 53220
Received November 1, 2014; accepted November 1, 2014
|24 November
|New eJAAVSO preprint: Observations of novae from ROAD
Observations of Novae From ROAD
Franz-Josef Hambsch
Oude Bleken 12, B- 2400 Mol, Belgium
Presented at the 103rd Spring Meeting of the AAVSO, Big Bear Lake, CA,
Received August 11, 2014; revised September 9, 2014; accepted September 10, 2014
|24 November
|New eJAAVSO preprint: Pulsating star period-amplitude relation
Does the Period of a Pulsating Star Depend on its Amplitude?
John R. Percy
|21 November
|New eJAAVSO preprint: V1073 Herculis and the Possible Detection of a Dwarf Companion
First Photometric Study of the Short Period Solar Type Binary V1073 Herculis and the Possible Detection of a Dwarf Companion
Ronald G. Samec


text:
Thursday, September 20, 2012
* Re-Cycled Colored Pencils Trivet
5 comments:
- Kristin Dudish said...
I love this idea (and I think it's very funny that you call them "Voldemort pencils" - I totally hear ya)!
- September 20, 2012 at 10:07 AM
- Sheri said...
Funny! My oldest is just now in kindergarten, but I remember that brand from when I was little as never working well - crayons, markers, and pencils. Funny little story - I was recently school shopping with a friend whose kids are in 7th, 4th, and kindergarten. I guess she has been buying the Voldemort brand all these years and her oldest finally told her, "Hey mom, you know that that brand never works." She had no idea all this time. I had a good laugh at her - I mean with her! It is definitely worth paying a few more cents for the good quality brand, which I will not name, but we all know what it is ;)
- September 20, 2012 at 2:14 PM
- Beach Mama said...
What is a good brand of colored pencils? The last I bought were Koh-i-noor solid colored pencils and they broke too easily. I am looking for a really good set for my son for Christmas.
- September 20, 2012 at 3:36 PM
- pink and green mama MaryLea said...
@ Beach Mama,
My kids like Crayola colored pencils and we also use Faber Castell. I like Caran D'Ache as my "fancy" pencils.
- September 20, 2012 at 3:40 PM
- HawaiianLibrarian said...
Amazing transformation of useless pencils into a colorful useful trivet. Maybe these are the pencils that folks turn into jewelry. I like your upcycle. Mahalo for sharing.
- September 20, 2012 at 7:26 PM
Blog Archive
- ► 2013 (75)
- * Fall Apple Theme Sensory Box. * Again.
- * How to Make a Tree Out of a Toilet Paper Tube
- * Check Out the Newest Issue Kids Crafts 1-2-3 Mag...
- * Re-Cycled Colored Pencils Trivet
- * Klutz Sticker Design Studio Fun!
- * Giveaway and Review of the Draw Write Now Series...
- * What Kind of Volunteer Are You At School?
- * Leave A "Space" Writing Sticks For Kindergarten
- * Setting Up The Kindergarten Classroom: Reading P...
- * Where Do I Buy Washi Tape?
- * Making Over Boring School Supplies With Colorful...
- * Back To School Anxiety Busters: Helping Your Chi...
- * Homemade Fairy House
- ▼ September (13)
- ► 2011 (152)
- ► 2010 (172)
- ► 2009 (161)


text:
I want to connect to my zimbraserver trough outlook. It works all good. I can send email etc. But my problem is now, my inbox is empty. And when i try contact the server this is the error that I get:
A problem occurred when logging onto your mail server. Your Password was rejected. Account: 'mail.group.*******.**', Server: 'mail.group.*******.**', Protocol: POP3, Server Response: '-ERR login failed', Port: 110, Secure (SSL): No, Server Error: 0x800CCC90, Error Number: 0x800CCC92


text:
Stanford, CA (Sports Network) - Led by 25 points from Shabazz Muhammad, the
UCLA Bruins held off the Stanford Cardinal, 88-80, in a Pac-12 Conference
showdown at Maples Pavilion.
Jordan Adams added 20 points on 7-of-9 from the field for UCLA (19-7, 9-4
Pac-12), while Kyle Anderson tallied a double-double with 18 points and 13
rebounds. Larry Drew II chipped in 14 points and seven assists for the Bruins,
who have won three of four.
For Stanford (15-11, 6-7), Dwight Powell recorded 22 points and eight
rebounds, Aaron Bright scored 19 points, Chasson Randle netted 17 points, and
Josh Huestis logged 11 points and 12 rebounds.
UCLA was red-hot in the first half, shooting 16-of-30 from the field and 7-
of-8 from the foul line, as it took a 43-38 lead into intermission. Stanford
shot less than 42 percent from the floor in the opening 20 minutes but managed
to keep the game within striking distance by forcing the Bruins into eight
Stanford tied the game, 58-58, with 11:35 to play on a Bright 3-pointer, but
it would never overtake the lead. The Bruins continued their impressive field
goal shooting in the second half (.556) as they outlasted the Cardinal.
Stanford lost despite committing just six turnovers and winning the rebounding
battle, 41-38.
The Sports Network


text:
December 31, 2012 | 917 views
Malverne topped in tourney opener
1 2 Next page >
Port Washington's boys' basketball team was able to make use of an effective full-court press, while simultaneously exploiting the holes in Malverne's en route to a 67-51 victory in the opening round of the Hank Williams Memorial Holiday Tournament at Malverne High School on Dec. 27.
"We like to press, and any time you press a good team is going to go back door," Malverne Assistant Coach Walter Askinoff said. "Sean [Dooley] did a god job of that and we should be able to defend it."
Dooley, Port Washington's coach, had a bit of inside information as to what he was facing since he's a Malverne graduate.
While the final margin may not appear as such, the game was very competitive. Up until the final minutes it seemed that whoever would go on the latest run would be victorious.
The game started with an 8-0 Port Washington fury fueled by point guard Matt Siegal, who orchestrated a potent offense all night, and Ryan Kriftcher. The latter made plays on both sides of the court, ultimately compiling a game-high 17 points. Making use of that run the Vikings ended a dominant first quarter doubled up on Malverne, 22-11.
The Mules had no thoughts of laying down however as they roared back with a 10 point run of their own led primarily by Jarmel Richardson and Aaron Jackson, who had a team high 14 points in the tilt. Malverne was able to bring the halftime score to a less-menacing four-point deficit at 35-31.
The Mules biggest chance to grab a lead came midway through the third quarter when a bucket from James Wheeler (14 points) cut the Vikings' lead to 42-40. With its back against the wall Port Washington responded by rattling off 10 unanswered points and never looked back, resulting in the 16-point victory.
"We shouldn't have another team get 10 points straight without stopping and that's what hurts, because it's hard to battle back," Askinoff said.
The battle on the boards was tough between the teams all night; Kevin Young of the Mules made his presence felt while contributing 12 points. On the opposite side of the floor Al Ashmawy fought hard under the rim and added nine points to the effort.
1 2 Next page >
KeywordsMalverne, Mules, basketball, Port Washington, Vikings, Hank Williams Tournament
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Property Information
|Location: san-juan-del-sur
|Community: central-san-juan-del-sur
|Property Type: House
|Bedrooms: 2
|# of Beds: 3
|Bathrooms: 2
|Sleeps: Up to 6
Low Season:
Sept 17 - Nov 9
Regular Season:
Christmas Holidays and Easter
Christmas Holidays and Easter
Booking process / Requirements
* Remember that Piedras y Olas is a walking property with MANY stairs, not suitable for all guests.
* All rates based on double occupancy. Two guests are included in the cost of each accommodation. Each additional adult will be charged US $20 plus tax per night (children 3 -12 years old, US $10 plus tax per night). No charge for children under 3 years old.
* Prices include one full breakfast per registered guest served d
Cancellation policy
* Cancellations made after confirmation will result in a 10% administrative fee charged on the TOTAL VALUE of the reservation.
* Cancellations made within 21 days of projected arrival will result in a 25% penalty on the TOTAL VALUE of the reservation;
* Those made within 7 days of projected arrival will result in a 50% penalty of the TOTAL VALUE of the reservation.
* No shows will be charged 100% of costs.
Piedras y Olas is arguably Nicaragua's best all around hotel. Located in San Juan del Sur the hotel offers the best accommodation option for those looking for an upscale Nicaraguan experience. The resort features beautifully crafted homes and studios offering expansive views of San Juan Del Sur and the Pacific Ocean. Three swimming pools, a spa and an onsite bar/rest. make it possible to spend your whole vacation with ever leaving the resort. However, should you choose to explore, there are plenty of restaurants, shops, bars, cafes and discos within walking distance. Since you are located in the heart of SJDS, there are also plenty of activities to enjoy including: Surfing, Diving, Fishing, Canopy Tours, Turtle Tours, Hiking, Horseback Riding and Beachcombing.
- Poolside bar and dining service with an ocean view and infinity swimming pools, as well as a half-Olympic size lap pool
- Ocean views
- Satellite TV, DVD
- Fully appointed kitchen (microwave, stove, refrigerator, toaster, blender, coffeemaker etc)
- 3 bedrooms, each with generous queen sized beds, ceiling fans, closets, and if needed AC.
- Bath towels and linens (bring your own beach towels).
- Daily maid
- Laundry service (per item based fee)
- Stereo
- Coordination of local and regional excursions
- Transportation coordination and guidance
- Bistro La Canoa open for breakfast and lunch (bar closes at 6:30 pm)
- La Cascada Bar & Restaurant gourmet dining, serving international cuisine; open for breakfast, lunch and dinner daily (Pool menu available between lunch and dinner)
- Security Back up power system
- Surfboard / Bodyboard rentals available by request
There are several transportation options once you arrive in Nicaragua. In the dry season (Nov. - May), you can often get by with a taxi or shuttle to the Tola area. In the rainy season (June - Oct.), a 4wd vehicle is recommended. Nicaragua has all the major rent-a-car companies at MGA International and reservations can be made in advance, online or upon arrival. If you decide to drive on your own, please be aware that Nicaragua has regular police checkpoints. If you prefer not to drive, we can arrange private transportation for you and your group. We operate a fleet of vans and 4wd vehicles which will can accommodate virtually any need you may have.
Groceries and Restaurants
Meal Plan
- Surfing
- Fishing
- Snorkeling
- Horseback riding
- Golf at Hacienda Iguana
- Fun local restaurants
- Yoga
- Visit the Las Salinas Hot Springs
- Beach Combing
- Sunset beach walk
Side trips for:
- Shopping in Masaya
- Visit Granada
- Check out San Juan Del Sur
- The island of Ometepe


text:
Meanwhile unemployment in Cincinnati dropped to 7.5 percent in August, down from 8.2 percent in July. Unemployment in Hamilton County dropped to 6.8 percent in August, down from 7.3 percent. The Greater Cincinnati's jobless rate for the month was 6.7 percent, putting it below that of the state (7.2 percent) and the nation (8.1 percent).
Speaking of numbers, a new poll released today shows Obama leading Romney in Ohio – the third such poll in the last four days. The Quinnipiac University/CBS News/New York Times Swing State Poll shows Obama leading Romney 53 to 43 percent in Ohio, and by similar large margins in the battlegrounds of Florida and Pennsylvania.
The typically media-shy Republican Ohio Treasurer and Senate candidate Josh Mandel proposed three new rules for members of the U.S. Congress in a rare Tuesday news conference. He said he wants members of Congress to lose their pensions if they became lobbyists, be limited to 12 years in the House and Senate and not be paid if they failed to pass a budget. Mandel says his opponent, sitting Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown, broke his promise to voters that he would only serve 12 years in Congress. Mandel himself promised to fill his entire term as state treasurer, but would leave halfway through if he wins the Senate race.
The governors of Ohio and Kentucky continue to move toward jointly supporting a financing study for a replacement of the functionally-obsolete Brent Spence Bridge, and both governors favor a bridge toll to fund construction. The Kentucky Legislature would have to approve a measure to allow tolling on the bridge.
Forty percent of Hamilton County's septic systems are failing, and homeowners and utilities are arguing over who should foot the $242 million bill. The Enquirer has an analysis of the ongoing battle.
The Associated Press reports that Andy Williams, Emmy-winning TV host and "Moon River" crooner, has died.
The Enquirer is still doing all it can to keep the Lacheys relevant instead of letting them die off like all bad 90s trends like Furby and Hammer pants. The paper blogged that Lachey finished in the bottom three in the first week of the new Dancing with the Stars: All Stars.
Speaking of those replacement NFL refs, apparently some of them were fired by the Lingerie Football League for incompetence. Yes, there are totally unrelated pictures of women playing football.
Some Democratic lawmakers want answers from Republican Gov. John Kasich.
A group of Democratic state representatives has put forth a bill that would require Kasich — and every governor after him — to come before the Ohio House of Representatives 10 times per year for 45-minute question and answer sessions where the governor would have to take at least five questions from each side of the aisle.
Rep. Mike Foley, D-Cleveland, is the bill's sponsor. He did not return CityBeat's call for comment as of Wednesday afternoon.
Cincinnati Democratic Rep. Denise Driehaus is one of the bill's co-sponsors. She said Foley had the idea while visiting Canada, where their parliament has a similar procedure.
"I think it's a great idea where the governor interacts with the legislature and we have the opportunity to question him and really engage on some of the issues and get his opinion on things," Driehaus says.
She said the Legislature doesn't currently have a whole lot of opportunity to interact with the governor, except for the State of the State address, but even then they can't really engage Ohio's chief executive.
The Ohio Democratic Party has recently filed suit against Kasich for what it says is a failure to comply with open records laws for redacting parts of his public schedules when responding to a public records request.
The ODP has called Kasich opaque and secretive for failing to respond or only partially responding to records requests.
However, Driehaus said the bill isn't meant to apply only to Kasich, but would apply to every governor after him. She said she didn't think it was in reaction to her party's spat with the governor.
"This is much broader and much more forward thinking than that," Driehaus says.
A new website called Cuts Hurt Ohio shows the impact of the state government slashing budgets. It gives a glimpse into how each county has been affected by cuts in education and local government aid programs.
For Hamilton County, the website shows cuts of $241 million in
the 2012-2013 budget. Education funds in Hamilton County were cut by a
total of $136 million, while other funds have been slashed by $105
million. The website also reports budget-related news headlines for
Hamilton County: "Cincinnati superintendent salary to be cut in half,"
"Townships may not have any police presence when they lose sheriff
patrols" and "Report: Children services in Cincinnati stretched."
For all of Ohio, cuts total $2.88 billion. Education programs were cut by $1.8 billion statewide, and aid provided to local governments was reduced by $1.08 billion.
Innovation Ohio and Policy Matters Ohio opened created the website to raise awareness and show the differences between former Gov. Ted Strickland's 2010-2011 budget and Gov. John Kasich's 2012-2013 budget. The numbers are based on data provided by the Ohio Department of Taxation and Ohio Department of Education.
Since some cuts are due to the loss of federal stimulus funds, not all the cuts are directly linked to the state government slashing its budget. But the 2012-2013 budget will pull funding to the Ohio Department of Education down to $9.8 billion in the 2013 fiscal year, which is lower than the amount of funding education received before Ohio obtained federal stimulus dollars.
To check out the website, go to www.cutshurtohio.com.
During a midnight screening of The Dark Knight Rises in Aurora, Colorado last night, a gunman walked into a theater, threw tear gas, and opened fire. Police identified James Holmes as the suspect in the shooting. Twelve were killed and at least 50 were wounded. On Twitter, one witness lamented that "there is no dark knight, no hero, that could save us from anything like this."
Cincinnati Police Chief James Craig will learn later this summer if he'll be required to undergo additional training and take the state police exam. Craig and his attorneys yesterday told the Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission about his 36 years of policing experience.
This summer, Ohio families will receive health insurance rebates as part of President Barack Obama's Affordable Care Act. The average family will receive $139. In total, Ohioans will be getting back $11.3 million.
Ohio's unemployment rate dropped to 7.2 percent in June, down from 7.3 percent in May. That's the lowest unemployment has been since 2008.
An Ohio Supreme Court task force approved changes that will help prevent racial bias in death penalty cases.
Gov. John Kasich can't get even his own people to agree with him on his tax plan. An Ohio Tea Party group came out against the plan yesterday.
Speaker of the House John Boehner called the issue of Mitt Romney's tax returns a "sideshow" and said that Americans don't care about it. But Romney apparently disagreed with Boehner's perspective in 1994 when he asked then-Senator Ted Kennedy to release his tax returns.
First giant mirrors, then volcanoes. Now, scientists want to use plankton to help fight global warming.
The Enquirer today offered a dramatic headline on its front page story, asking the figurative question, "Who will blink first on Music Hall deal?" Although Mayor Mark Mallory is able to literally blink, such involuntary action will not directly affect his stance on giving away Music Hall, which he is still opposed to.
Cincinnati's outstanding stadium tax
bonds were downgraded by Moody's Investor Services, partially as a
result of the county's sale of Drake Hospital last year and its
unwillingness to cut the property tax rollback that helped convince
rich people to vote for the tax in the first place.
Gov. John Kasich this week signed an executive order allowing the Ohio Lottery Commission to expedite new rules allowing slot machines at racetracks. The state's seven racetracks are expected to begin submitting applications for the 17,500 machines within the next few months.
Condoleeze Rice endorsed Mitt Romney, as the Republican presidential candidate struggles to differentiate his foreign policy from Obama's.
A Seattle man yesterday killed five people before shooting himself as authorities closed in on him. Various security cameras caught footage of the suspect entering a cafe, where he allegedly shot and killed four people. He reportedly killed another person during a carjacking. According to The Seattle Times, the suspect is Ian Lee Stawicki, 40, of Seattle, whose brother says he is mentally ill.
Florida Democrats are wondering what's up with Republican Gov. Rick Scott's effort to purge illegal voters from the state's rolls before this year's elections, partially in response to legal voters being booted.
Job creation: light. Unemployment
claims: slightly up. Economy: growing a little slower than expected. Details here
Ever ordered a medium soda only to realize that the giant cup doesn't fit in a normal car cup holder? New York City could soon ban large sodas and other sugary drinks.
The Ohio Supreme Court late last week dismissed a legal challenge by the Campaign to Protect Marriage, which had filed a motion challenging the attorney general's authority to verify a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow same-sex marriage. The Freedom to Marry coalition is collecting the necessary signatures to put a repeal of the state's 2004 amendment that only recognizes marriage as between a man and a woman on the ballot in 2013.
City Councilman Wendell Young says there's nothing secret about a plan to combine the region's water and sewer agencies even though most people assumed to be needed for approval know little about it. The Enquirer today detailed a plan to integrate the Metropolitan Sewer District, Stormwater Management Utility and Greater Cincinnati Water Works, potentially by September, in an attempt to save money. The plan will reportedly be shared with Council June 20.
Mitt Romney's campaign plans to go after the stimulus, while Dems want to know why he won't renounce questions about Obama's citizenship (maybe because they came from Donald Trump?).
Seems like the John Edwards trial is never going to end. Day seven of deliberations begins today.
The U.S. could be one of the countries to benefit from the growth of natural gas use during the next 20 years, potentially reducing the importance of Middle East energy production.
Common painkillers might help protect against skin cancer. Bring on the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory painkillers such as aspirin and ibuprofen!
There was a face-chewing attack in Miami over the weekend. And the chewer was naked. Seriously.
Google Chrome was the world's top browser in May. Thought you knew.
If commercial space flights are going to be basting up onto the moon, NASA says they'll have to stay off the spots where historical things happened.
Since 2006, the Ohio Smoke-Free Workplace Act has banned indoor smoking at public establishments and places of employment, making Ohio the first Midwestern state to enact a state-wide ban. Despite controversy and contestment, that ban will continue to be enforced statewide.
The owner of Zeno's Victorian Village in Columbus who attempted to combat the law was shut down by a unanimous 7-0 vote in the Ohio Supreme Court today, which ruled that the state's six-year smoking ban is constitutional.
Ohio's ban affects some 280,000 establishments across the state of Ohio, according to the Ohio Department of Health (ODH).
According to the Supreme Court of Ohio's case summary, Zeno's was cited 10 times for violations of the ban from July 2007 and September 2009, receiving multiple fines, none of which were paid. In protest of the violations, the director of the ODH filed a complaint against Bartec Inc., the corporate entity that owns Zeno's, requesting the bar to pay all outstanding fines.
Bartec and legal representative 1851 Center for Constitutional Law, a nonprofit legal center, asserted that the smoking ban was unconstitutional, a violation of the state's policing powers and that prohibiting smoking in an adults-only liquor-licensed establishment such as Zeno's is "unduly oppressive," according to the case summary.
The ban and its enforcement, argued Bartec, constitutes an unlawful taking of property, meaning an improper confiscation of the owner's control of the indoor air.
"The goal of this legislation is to protect the health of the workers and other citizens of Ohio. ... It does so by regulating proprietors of public places and places of employment in a minimally invasive way. We therefore hold that the Smoke Free Act does not constitute a taking," wrote Justice Lanzinger in her opinion.
In her written opinion, Justice Judith Ann Lanzinger also cited 2002 Supreme Court decision, D.A.B.E., Inc. v. Toledo-Lucas Cty. Bd. of Health:
"We have previously stated that the General Assembly has the authority to enact a public-smoking ban. ... Although the Smoke Free Act was ultimately passed pursuant to a ballot initiative, the voters of Ohio also have a legitimate purpose in protecting the general welfare and health of Ohio citizens and workforce from the dangers of secondhand smoke in enclosed public places. By requiring that proprietors of public places and places of employment take reasonable steps to prevent smoking on their premises by posting 'no smoking' signs, removing ashtrays, and requesting patrons to stop smoking, the act is rationally related to its stated objective."
According to the Columbus Dispatch, the bar owes the state approximately $33,00 in violation fines, and the state has threatened to seize and foreclose the bar if the fines aren't paid.
See how Ohio's public smoking laws compare to those in other states across the U.S. here.
We Are Ohio, the organization that helped repeal SB5 last year, says it will team up with nonpartisan Ohio Voters First to help put on the November ballot a constitutional amendment that would change the way legislative and congressional districts are drawn. The effort is in response to Republican-drawn redistricting maps that attempted to create 12 solidly GOP districts and four Democratic districts. The proposal calls for a nonpartisan commission to redraw legislative and congressional boundaries rather than letting politicians and anyone who gives them money do it.
The University of Cincinnati has released a study showing a considerable economic impact from construction of The Banks. Between construction contractors, new residents and visitors to the area's restaurants, the development reportedly will impact the local economy by more than $90 million a year.
The parent company of Cincinnati's Horseshoe Casino will host two informational sessions this week to offer local vendors information on how to bid on contracts for supplies and services the entertainment complex will need. The first takes place 6 p.m. tonight at Bell Events Centre near the casino site at 444 Reading Road, and the second is 9 a.m. Thursday at Great American Ball Park.
The Enquirer on Tuesday reported that the University of Cincinnati and Xavier University have agreed to move the Crosstown Shootout to U.S. Bank Arena for two years in response to last year's massive brawl. NBC Sports today reported that the presents of both universities issued a press release in response, stating that no final decision had been made.
The University of Cincinnati and Xavier University were both surprised to see today's announcement concerning the future of the Crosstown Shootout. While both schools are committed to the future of the Crosstown rivalry, specific discussions are ongoing and no details have been finalized. We look forward to sharing our plans with the community at an appropriate time in the coming weeks.
If it does happen, The Enquirer's Bill Koch says it's reasonable, while Paul Daugherty says that's fine but kind of dumb.
President Obama is finding it rather difficult to even win primaries against nobodies in the South. Not that it's surprise or really matters, though.
Of course, there are reasons for these kinds of returns. Few Democrats are voting in these primaries where Obama faces only token opposition; only protest voters are truly motivated.
There's also the fact that Obama is an underdog to Republican candidate Mitt Romney in the states of Kentucky, Arkansas, and West Virginia; Obama lost all three in 2008 to John McCain.
Another potential factor: Race.
Just when you thought Sarah Palin was super reliable, she goes and backs a Utah Republican incumbent over a tea party supported candidate.
The John Edwards jury entered its fourth day of deliberations today because they need to see more prosecution exhibits.
A white supremacist was sentenced to 40 years in jail by a federal judge for a 2004 package bomb attack that injured a black city administrator in Arizona.
researchers say they can figure out if Bigfoot really existed, if
they can just get one of his hairs.
The film version of On the Road premiered at the Cannes Film Festival today, 55 years after Jack Kerouac's Beat Generation-defining novel was published. London's The Guardian says the "handsome shots and touching sadness don't compensate for the tedious air of self-congratulation in Walter Salles's road movie."
The House Health Committee heard testimony from bill supporters and opponents. "If PP is defunded, we will still offer a full range of options for care, but the working poor will have no way to pay for them," testified Beth Lonn, Chief Operating Officer of Planned Parenthood of Central Ohio, according to a tweet from Planned Parenthood Affiliates of Ohio.
Opponents of HB 298 express concern that the reprioritizing of funds would deny high-need women, particularly those of low income, access to preventive, affordable health care services. "More than 96% of what we do is to provide essential lifesaving cancer screenings, breast exams, birth control, sex education and counseling to nearly 100,000 Ohio women and families, regardless of one's ability to pay," reads a segment on the Planned Parenthood Affiliates of Ohio website.Rep. Nicki Antonio (D-Lakewood) expressed her concern for bill supporters' motivation, noting, "The proposed defunding bill is is a move based on ideology, not on practical needs of Ohioans...There are many counties in Ohio without alternatives to PP. It's a 'Health Care Desert.'"
Supporters of the bill such as Ohio Right to Life tout the measure as a way to steer funds away from the "abortion industry." The bill is now awaiting a committee vote.


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The GOP's Phenomenal Record On Civil Rights
The Grand Old Party, the party responsible for the vast majority of civil rights legislation, began in a little schoolhouse in Ripon, Wisconsin, in 1854. A small assembly of abolitionists came together to bring an end to the institution of slavery. This tiny group of individuals eventually gave way to a political party dedicated to freedom, equal opportunity and civil rights. The name "Republican" alludes | Read More »


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Padres Insider: Gyorko, Liriano top Padres prospect list
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Infielder Jedd Gyorko heads the UT San Diego's fourth annual list of the Padres top minor league prospects.
When colleague Tom Krasovic started the list, Kyle Blanks was in the No. 1 spot and the rankings went only 10 deep -- partially due to the state of the Padres farm system.
We've doubled the list the past two years and changed the criteria a bit. Reach the majors and you're off the list. I don't know if this is important to Casey Kelly, but he would have been in the top five under the old rules.
Without further delay, our list of top Padres prospects:
1.2B-3B Jedd Gyorko: Some scouts question his athleticism and defensive skills. But no one has questioned the bat. Gyorko, 24, hit .328 with 24 homers and 83 RBI in 92 games at Triple-A Tucson the second half of last season.
2.RF Rymer Liriano: The Padres believe the 21-year-old has five-tool potential and could be in the major leagues by the end of this season. Hit .357 in the Arizona Fall League after finishing 2012 as one of the younger players in Double-A.
3.C Austin Hedges: 2nd-round pick in 2011 draft hit .279 with 10 homers and 56 RBI while turning 20 at low Single-A. Midwest League All-Star. Defensive skills said to be close to Major League ready.
4.LHP Max Freid: Padres 1st-round pick (7th overall) last June had 3.57 ERA in Arizona Rookie League. He turns 19 next month and is 6-foot-4 with 95-mph fastball plus advanced curve and developing changeup.
5.RHP Walker Weickel: Padres view him as right-handed version of Freid only two inches taller. He was the 55th overall pick in the 2012 draft.
6.RHP Matt Wisler: The 7th-round pick in 2011 rocketed up the rankings this season. As a 19-year-old, was 5-4 with a 2.53 ERA in 23 starts at low Single-A Fort Wayne with 113 strikeouts against 28 walks in 113 innings.
7.LHP Robbie Erlin: An elbow strain slowed his progress this season, but he was sharp in the AFL and could bid next spring for a spot in the Padres rotation. He turned 22 in October.
8.SS Jace Peterson: Drafted on raw talent more than performance out of McNeese State, 22-YO former two-sport star is ahead of where the Padres thought he would be. Hit .286 at Fort Wayne.
9.2B Cory Spangenberg: 10th overall pick in 2011 reached high Single-A at age 21. But concussion cost him almost two months at Lake Elsinore, where he hit .271.
10.RHP Donn Roach: Acquired from Angels with INF Alexi Amarista in trade that sent Ernesto Frieri to Angels, Roach, 23, was 11-2 with 1.88 ERA at A-AA last year before being shut down to innings.
11.RHP Joe Ross: 25th overall pick of 2011 had 2.03 ERA in eight starts at short-season Single-A Eugene after struggling at Fort Wayne while turning 19. Brother Tyson also a Padre now.
12.RHP John Barbato: A starter out of high school, went 6-1 with 1.84 ERA in 48 relief appearances at Fort Wayne in 2012. Turned 20 last July.
13.OF Yeison Asencio: Caught in an identity sweep last year, Asencio is 23 not 21. But he can hit. Batted .323 with 8 HRs and 61 RBI at Fort Wayne last season to earn spot on 40-man roster.
14.RHP Adys Portillo: Struggled at AA (2-5, 7.20 ERA in eight starts) after promotion from Fort Wayne (6-6, 1.87 ERA in 18 starts). But he's not 21 until next week.


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|Parking structure replaces bowling alley
|Written by Holyoke Enterprise
The new county parking facility is going up quickly east of the Phillips County Courthouse. Standing on the north side of the lot where the Scormor Lanes bowling alley once stood, the parking facility will be used to house vehicles for the Sheriff's Office, maintenance vehicles and other county vehicles.
Construction began Thursday, Aug. 15 in the 200 block of South Campbell Avenue, and the project is expected to wrap up in the next few weeks.
—Enterprise photo
Holyoke Enterprise September 5, 2013


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I would like to see a map that has a before and after stage.
A building before and after it's been put to the torch.
A small village sacked or overgrown after being deserted.
A small natural cave carved into a keep.
A castle to ruins
A dry area before and after being flooded.
A settlement or camp that becomes a small town.
The basic idea is that an adventuring party sees a place, then many years later have a reason to revisit it and the changes that would make it a new experience.


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Sure, I've dreamt about being a supermodel. Who hasn't? But these photos make me thankful for the fact that I'm stuck behind a computer screen, at a safe distance from pirate sharks and wolves.
Gallery: Photoshoots I Don't Want To Be In
- 6 years ago by Julia Friedman
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Reblogged this on INDIAN FEMALE MODELS.
If you've ever checked out our Sneak Peek + Behind the Scenes posts, you know we love us some models. And we're extending our love of all things models to talk about some of the ladies currently in the industry that are making us swoon. Take a look at our inspiration gallery of some of the baddest bitches in the game, and make sure to let us know what you think.
Lindsey Wixon
Beauty Tip: Fake a luscious, Lindsey-inspired pout with high shine gloss
Liu Wen
Beauty Tip: Try a bold stained lip like Liu with a swipe of a bold berry hue
Joan Smalls
Beauty Tip: Get Joan's signature smooth skin by applying pore filling primer before you put the rest of your face on
Karlie Kloss
Beauty Tip: Pluck your eyebrows with a stylish pair of tweezers to snag arched brows worthy of Karlie
Daphne Groeneveld
Beauty Tip: Fake lush eyelashes like Daphne with an eyelash curler and a few layers of mascara
Who is your fave model? Why?
Photos courtesy of Pinterest


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|Schneider earns AP Scholar Award
|Written by Holyoke Enterprise
Rachel Schneider, a 2013 HHS graduate, has been presented with the AP Scholar Award in recognition of exemplary college-level achievement on Advanced Placement Program examinations.
The distinction of AP Scholar is granted to students who receive scores of three or higher on three or more AP exams.
Want the full article? Subscribe to our e-Edition. Call 970-854-2811.


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WASHINGTON (WUSA9) -- Wall Street is open for business. Investors in the U.S. aren't the only ones with a vested financial interest.
The International Monetary Fund and World Bank have been holding their annual meetings in Washington. Top finance officials and economists from all over the world have had a front row seat to what's happening on Capitol Hill.
Congress only has until Thursday to pass a debt ceiling increase or face default on its loans.
International Monetary Fund chief Christine Lagarde says a lot hinges on the US's next move. "They are concerned because the U.S. is the biggest economy in the world because it trades with all of them because it has massive financial consequences for them as well. It was an international concern that was expressed," said Lagarde.
Lagarde has been warning if the US doesn't resolve the debt ceiling issue, American lawmakers risk causing a massive disruption round the world. That could tip the global economy into another recession.


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Barossa Events
Monthly Jam Night @ The Clubhouse
2 October 2014, 6:00pm-9:00pm
Location: Cnr Basedow Rd & MacDonnell Street, Tanunda.
Open Mic Night - or Jam Night - happens at The Clubhouse in Tanunda once a month. It's a great opportunity to listen to some fantastic local talent and soak up the casual atmosphere at this relaxed community venue. Held on the first Thursday of the month and starting at around 8pm, you are invited to come along and be entertained. Buy your drinks from the bar and be sure to include a red or two from the great Barossa wine selection.
The regular 'Jammers' have even done a version of a great little song to sing along to... 'Litte Ole Wine Drinker Me'... showing why the 'locals' love living in the Barossa and enjoying great company, great music, and a drop of the local product! Please share it with friends:
The Clubhouse
An award winning licensed Community Club with Bars, Gaming, Dining & Function Rooms, trading since 1891.
45 MacDonnell Street, Tanunda, Barossa Valley
Enquiries: Phone 08 8563 2058


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Thursday, June 26, 2008
Quote of the Day: Alla on Maria
Labels: Alla Kudryavtseva, Maria Sharapova, player quotes, tennis, Wimbledon
11 comments:
Do you think she was joking or trying to say "Maria's a media ho-bag!"?ReplyDelete
I'm bummed, I wanted to see her take on a Williams sister or two.
I'm glad Roger takes his cardigan off while he's playing.
- AnonymousJune 26, 2008 at 6:39 PM
damn. is it me or does every pro tennis player whose last name end in -ova hate Maria? Sheesh, homegirl coulda gone a lil easy on the venom even if i totally agree that sharapova (or at least her image) is an attention-loving, whiny beyotch.ReplyDelete
ff - the state of her game right now, masha would've gone down hard to either sisterReplyDelete
yeah apparently she's not the most personable girl in the locker room
- MercedesJune 27, 2008 at 12:15 AM
Can I say that I actually love Alla's comment? It's like a dark-side revelation of the locker room.Woo..ReplyDelete
Most of all, her interview is much better than the Masha-Humor laugh. (I just hate the fake Ha-ha-ha)
Hey Rich,ReplyDelete
You're right, she would have gone down easy, but I'd still get a sick thrill watching a Williams beat her into the ground a la Serena in the '07 Aussie final.
That said, I really do like Maria. Love her fight.
- AnonymousJune 27, 2008 at 5:35 AM
LOL I saw that on ESPN and it was funny the way she said it. The whole interview room laughed.ReplyDelete
I like her hahaha :)ReplyDelete
She is not the first one that says that Maria is not the nicest player in the locker and I guess she won't be the last so ....
- AnonymousJune 27, 2008 at 10:06 AM
Love the comment! Not catty at all. It's hilarious.ReplyDelete
>>apparently she's not the most personable girl in the locker room<<
She's no the most personable girl on the court, either.
Well, Maria has only won 3 grand slams and been No1. And she's what- a year older than this little shit? I'm guessing Maria's winning this cat fight.ReplyDelete
She might not be "sociable", which no one should mind because you're not out there to make friends on tour, but atleast she always has class- win or lose.
- AnonymousJune 29, 2008 at 5:03 AM
ya i agree with maitai.ReplyDelete
notice how most top players aren't very friendly or sociable.
that's b'cos you are out there to play tennis, not make friends.
of course if you want to make friends you have the option to, but its not compulsory or anything like that.
Yeh that outfit was awful!ReplyDelete


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Aztecs need to walk the walk entire game
LAS VEGAS Jamaal Franklin stalked half the court, bumped chests with Chase Tapley and then continued to preen.
Y'know, the way kids do.
Based on what had just transpired and the point in the game at which it did, Franklin's peacock pride and oversized exuberance were expected and acceptable.
He had just taken an inbound pass and thrown half the court to Tapley, who headed for the basket before abruptly altering his body and dishing the ball back to an incoming Franklin, who slammed down an on-the-fly dunk.
Seven-point lead with 43 seconds to play.
Game over … as it should have been several minutes prior.
The San Diego State men's basketball team can talk all it wants — and legitimately so — about the difficulty of the Mountain West Conference.
But the Aztecs' inability to simply put away a decent team because they spend too much time screwing up is troublesome.
OK, so our expectations are high with this team. That's how it is when a program has averaged 25 victories over the past seven years.
A win is a win. But when using recent results as a barometer, this SDSU team seems to not quite measure up to its own lofty designs on having many games left to play in this season.
Unless the Aztecs play longer stretches of games at a higher level than they have in the past month, they not only won't beat top-seeded New Mexico in tonight's Mountain West Tournament semifinal game, they'll fall far short of their expectations in the NCAA Tournament.
The answer of whether or not the real Aztecs would show up now that the tournaments have started seemed a clear "yes" on Wednesday night.
That does not exactly provide the desired confidence.
They did play frenetically effective defense, especially in the first half. They did lead comfortably for all but a few minutes and trailed just one time (19 seconds in all).
They beat Boise State, 73-67, on Wednesday because, despite the teams' identical 21-9 records going in, the Aztecs are the superior team in virtually every way — primarily in athleticism and experience.
But, as has been the case throughout the season, SDSU could never turn a big lead into a win going away against an above average opponent.
"We just got to make sure we keep matching our intensity and never give up," Franklin said on Thursday. "Like, when we're up in big games, we got to make sure we keep our foot on the gas."
Give 'em credit. Wednesday was the 91st consecutive time SDSU has won when leading with five minutes to play.
Wednesday, that lead was two points with 4:58 remaining.
A 14-0 run had given Boise State a 50-49 lead exactly 2½ minutes prior.
During that streak by the Broncos, over a 3:20 stretch, SDSU turned the ball over four times and missed all three of its field goal attempts (all of them threes) and was 0 of 2 from the line.
In all, the Aztecs turned the ball over 19 times on Wednesday.
Coach Steve Fisher chose to focus on the positives afterward. And there were plenty, as there often is with this gifted group.
Tapley had a season-high four steals to go with 17 points. Thames played a season-high 37 minutes in his seventh game truly back from his back ailment, and scored 18 points.
But, too, they (and we) are thinking run in the NCAA Tournament.
Time for some self-examination.
Guys, you're just not as good as the way you carry yourself portrays.
Oh, at times you are a marvel of moving limbs.


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Episode Guides
About the Show
Musical comedy series following an optimistic teacher attempting to inspire a diverse group of teenagers to realise their potential and restore the school's show choir to its former glory
Series 2 Summary
As term starts, the Darwinian fight for survival begins, old rivalries are cast aside, new alliances are formed and hearts are broken all over again. The arrival of the boys' new football coach, Shannon Beiste, presents a problem. As funds from both Glee Club and the Cheerios are diverted to the revitalised team, Will and Sue form the unlikeliest of alliances when they attempt to bring down 'The Beast'; no mean feat when she stands at 6'1, is a former maximum security prison officer and can dead lift a Cadillac...
Episode 1 - Audition
The kids discover they are still school outcasts, Will tries to recruit more members, and Sue has a new enemy
Episode 2 - Britney/Brittany
Will is reluctant to allow the gang to perform a Britney Spears song. Finn and Rachel come to blows when Finn rejoins the football team.
Episode 3 - Grilled Cheesus
Finn has an existential crisis when he sees the face of Jesus on his sandwich, the kids rally around Kurt, and Will raises the subject of theology
Episode 4 - Duets
As the glee club works on a competitive duet assignment, Finn and Rachel conspire to help a new member win. A love triangle develops between Mike, Tina and Artie, and Puck gets himself in trouble.
Episode 5 - The Rocky Horror Glee Show
Will decides that the Glee Club should perform The Rocky Horror Show for the school musical. Later, Emma's boyfriend confronts Will.
Episode 6 - Never Been Kissed
Kurt is encouraged by Blaine, a pupil from Dalton Academy, to stand up for himself but, when he does, there are unforeseen results.
Episode 7 - The Substitute
A substitute teacher, played by Gwyneth Paltrow, fills in for Will when he is struck down by 'Monkey Flu', and wins over the whole New Directions clan
Episode 8 - Furt
Rachel rallies the boys to stop Karofsky bullying Kurt, Kurt tells his dad that he wants to change schools to Dalton Academy, and there are a few surprise weddings.
Episode 9 - Special Education
The New Directions go head-to-head with Kurt and the Warblers in the sectionals competition, while Will ruffles some feathers in the choir
Episode 10 - A Very Glee Christmas
Will encourages the kids to be more charitable. Later, the teachers pick their secret Santas but one manipulative coach rigs the draw.
Episode 11 - The Sue Sylvester Shuffle
Karofsky gives the kids a hard time so Will comes up with a drastic solution. Sue asks the Cheerios to choose between Glee and cheerleading.
Episode 12 - Silly Love Songs
Finn sets his sights on an old flame, the kids organise a kissing booth to mark Valentine's Day, and Kurt learns some surprising news about Blaine.
Episode 13 - Comeback
Rachel launches a social comeback with Brittany's help, Sue takes her defeat badly, Quinn's love life is in a muddle, and Sam seeks Justin Bieber's advice.
Episode 14 - Blame it on the Alcohol
Rachel throws a party at which the revellers play a game of spin the bottle, Will worries that he is getting out of touch, while Blaine and Rachel hit it off
Episode 15 - Sexy
Substitute teacher Holly Holliday - Gwyneth Paltrow - returns to tell the teens about sex education. Sue lets some Glee secrets slip to Kurt and Blaine.
Episode 16 - Original Song
The New Directions decide to write and perform their own songs, Quinn is hell-bent on getting Finn back, while Blaine and Kurt land a duet
Episode 17 - A Night of Neglect
The glee club members help another of McKinley's struggling societies to raise vital funds, but when Sue hears about the show of support she quickly moves to put the kibosh on it
Episode 18 - Born This Way
Will teaches the kids a valuable lesson about self-acceptance through the music of Lady Gaga, and Rachel struggles with a life-altering decision
Episode 19 - Rumours
Sue revives the school newspaper so that she can plant disruptive rumours in it, the Glee Club discover some interesting gossip about Sam, and April returns.
Episode 20 - Prom Queen
Principal Figgins asks the New Directions to sing at the prom when the hired entertainment cancels without warning. The competition for prom king and queen heats up.
Episode 21 - Funeral
The New Directions work on their set list for Nationals - with a little help from Jessie St James. An unexpected loss rocks the world of one of McKinley's own.
Episode 22 - New York
In the series two finale, the Glee Club go to New York to compete in the Nationals. Will makes a tough decision, while Finn takes a daring shot at winning Rachel back.


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|Release Date: December 31, 2008
|Running Time: 137 mins.
|MPAA Rating: R
|Box Office: $28,622,873.00
|Genre: Action, Adaptation, Drama
Daniel Craig
Liev Schreiber
Jamie Bell
Alexa Davalos
All Cast & Crew >>
Summary:The year is 1941 and the Jews of Eastern Europe are being massacred by the thousands. Managing to escape certain death, three brothers take refuge in the dense surrounding woods they have known since childhood. There they begin their desperate battle against the Nazis. At first it is all they can do to stay alive. But gradually, as whispers of their daring spreads, they begin to attract others - men and women, young and old - willing to risk everything for the sake of even a moment's freedom. Tuvia is a reluctant leader and his decisions are challenged by his brother, Zus, who worries that Tuvia's idealistic plans will doom them all. Asael is the youngest - caught between his brothers' fier... Full Summary >>
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