text:
In a so-called Religion of Peace, I would not expect to see this: (Thanks Debbie)
or This: (thanks to "Silent Majority No More!")
In a so-called Religion of Peace, I would not expect to see this: (Thanks Debbie)
or This: (thanks to "Silent Majority No More!")
Wonderful. As if the gray lady did not have enough trouble. Some Ann Coulter wanna-be is filing a lawsuit for getting smeared by the New York Times:
Washington lobbyist Vicki L. Iseman has filed a $27 million defamation lawsuit against The New York Times for a February article about Iseman and her relationship with Sen. John McCain.
The suit, filed in U.S. District Court in Richmond on Tuesday, alleges the article falsely communicated that Iseman and McCain had an illicit "romantic" relationship in 1999 when he was chair of the Senate Commerce Committee and she was a lobbyist representing clients before Congress.
The suit also names the executive editor of the Times, its Washington bureau chief and four reporters who wrote the story as defendants.
William Keller, the paper's executive editor, did not respond to an e-mail requesting comment on the suit.
The New York Times has responded:
"We fully stand behind the article. We continue to believe it to be true and accurate, and that we will prevail. As we said at the time, it was an important piece that raised questions about a presidential contender and the perception that he had been engaged in conflicts of interest."
Roger L. Simon says this could spell trouble:
I have no direct knowledge of the case or of Iseman, but if I were the Times, I would be afraid. I would be very afraid. They have a lot more to lose than the 27 million bucks in the suit. Their reputation is already tarnished and their bottom line diminishing. If Iseman can prove her case to the public's satisfaction, it will constitute yet more bruising and a serious humiliation for the sometime "newspaper of record". Those who have been accusing them of being nothing more than a scandal sheet – and a biased one at that, unlike the National Enquirer – will be vindicated. Indeed, if Ms. Iseman wins her case, the Times' editors and publisher will be revealed to have been simultaneously boneheaded and despicable – an ugly combination indeed.
I just wonder, if she happens to win and takes over ownership of the paper, whom will she make the Editor? Ann Coulter?
Way I see it, if she wasn't bobbing the knob. Then honestly, what is the problem?
Can you say, cashing in? I knew you could! 😀
(Via Memeornadum)
More at www.diversitylane.com
Or blog at www.diversitylane.wordpress.com
I say reluctantly, because quite frankly, I find all this quite stupid, if you want to know the truth about it. AllahPundit has the videos, if you care to watch it.
Originally, I had planned on coming on here and really laying it to the Democrats; But I just stopped and thought, "Why Bother?" I mean, this is what the American people wanted, when they elected Barack Obama and the Democrat Congress in 2006. So, why should I sit here and write a disparaging blog posting about it? I mean, Indentity Politics is what the Democrats do. They've done it for years, not like it is going to change anytime soon.
Anyhow, according to what I've seen, even they did go to court, they would win the right for Burris to keep his seat.
Adding to the Stupidity, Blago's General Council is gone. I assume to help the feds.
So, stay tuned, it could get quite interesting here over the next few weeks. I'm sure ol' Barry is just farking thrilled shitless over this one. I know I would be. Because really, Obama can basically do zero about it. Blago knows this too. He might be a crazy man on the take, but he ain't stupid, that's for sure. I mean, he had enough sense to do the black man political cover thing and knows what he do legally, he ain't dumb. Ain't no legally insane guy that damned brilliant. If that's the case, Charles Manson belongs at farkin' Harvard. 😀
Anyhow, there it is, my opinion on that. If you ain't noticed; I have not been feeling my normal self. My body clock is seriously foobarbed at this point. Sleeping when I should be awake, Awake when I should be asleep. It's just farking beautiful. So, yesterday was not a good day. I ended up not going with the old man shopping, I just did not feel like it. I did help him bring the stuff (Food) in the house though. So, I should avoid the abyss; this time. 😉
Hold on to your hats, because this one is huge.
Gov. Rod Blagojevich is expected today to name former Illinois Atty. Gen. Roland Burris to replace President-elect Barack Obama in the U.S. Senate.
The action comes despite warnings by Democratic Senate leaders that they would not seat anyone appointed by the disgraced governor who faces criminal charges of trying to sell the post, sources familiar with the decision said.
Shortly after Obama's Nov. 4 victory, Burris made known his interest in an appointment to the Senate but was never seriously considered, according to Blagojevich insiders. But in the days following Blagojevich's arrest, and despite questions over the taint of a Senate appointment, Burris stepped up his efforts to win the governor's support.
Though he is 71, Burris has said that Obama's replacement should be able to win re-election and he has noted that despite a string of primary losses in races ranging from Chicago mayor to governor and U.S. senator, he's never lost to a Republican.
Blagojevich, who has sole authority to name a replacement senator, scheduled a 2 p.m. news conference at his downtown Chicago office.
Of course, Harry Reid is having none of it, at all
The Senate will not seat Roland Burris if Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich attempts to appoint him, a Democratic leadership aide said.
Majority Leader Harry Reid views Burris as "unacceptable," the aide said.
Oy. I bet that presser is going to be, um, Interesting. Allah Pundit calls it a "Total Clusterfark." Indeed. However, one could argue that this election cycle was a "cluster fark" from the word go. Especially the stuff with Hillary. She was like the child that just would not take no for an answer, funny thing is, she going to be the Secretary of State. Retreads Change you can appoint?
The neat part about all this, that it puts Reid in a spot. If he does not accept the appointment it could be, but most likely won't be; viewed as racist by some. Which I think was quite the slick move by the Governor.
However, I most likely will not be around to see the whole thing go down. My Dad and I are supposed to go shopping. So, my blogging for the remainder of the day will be scattered. Lovely.
Have I ever mentioned how much I despise shopping? Especially with my dad? Oy. I'd rather be water boarded. (Well, Sorta…)
Others: The Campaign Spot, Don Surber (Via Memeornadum)
In 1975, when liberalism was on the march around the world, Reagan called for the rebirth of the GOP as a party "raising a banner of no pale pastels, but bold colors which make it unmistakably clear where we stand on all of the issues troubling the people." A few months later, he declared that "I believe the very heart and soul of conservatism is libertarianism" — that is, the belief in small government.
Reagan's stated beliefs made him the object of ridicule among those who considered themselves intellectuals, but he stuck to his guns. And then, in 1980, when the failures of Big Government were evident to all Americans, the people turned for leadership to the presidential candidate who had been right all along.
Over the last eight years, President Bush sought to tame Big Government and turn it to conservative ends. The administration experimented with the belief — as expressed by Huckabee, Gerson and Kristol — that Republicans and conservatives would do better by rejecting small-government conservatism and accepting Big Government. For generations, Democrats had bribed people to vote for them with one Big Government program after another, so Republicans did the same (No Child Left Behind, the Medicare prescription drug benefit, endless deficits and, finally, the bailouts). The results of the experiment are now in: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Majority Leader Harry Reid, President-elect Barack Obama.
The Gang of Idiots
The Clueless Leader
The Executive turned behinds the scenes power broker
The insolent and grossly incompetent old man
The token negro
The Resident Tool
Vanity Fair gives these group of idiots the proper send off that they deserve. Unlike some of the morons of the Neo-Conservative Right, I will not sit here and act like the last 8 years did not happen. If this past President did anything at all. It was the fact that because his, and his administration's gross incompetence, that I am writing today. 8 years ago, I could have given two flips about Politics and the Washington D.C. crowd. The only time that I even remotely cared about politics was either on or near election day.
Bush and his idiotic nonsense cured that, I'm more political aware and active than anyone even remotely near me. I follow it like a rabid dog. I will continue to do so, until I feel that I can safely leave it to the experts. I am hoping that somehow, by some sort of magical fate, that I am able to work myself into a syndicated column or something to that effect.
Admittedly, at first, I made some serious missteps, thinking I was a hardcore liberal; Which I am not, nor could I ever be, considering my background. I did finally figure out my place in the political world, and it sure as hell is not in the same realm as the Neo-Conservative idiots like Bush and Co.
Thankfully, I am comfortable with the title of Paleo-Conservative or the old right. Which suits me fine. I am not an Ron Paul bot. I did read his latest book. I am a agreement with much that is within that Book. I think some of his ideas could be implemented in moderation. However, for America to implement it too fast would cause other problems, like rapid deflation, which could make things only worse.
I think I can speak for those who have suffered, and believe me, I've done my share of suffering; through the last eight years of gross incompetence… that George W. Bush and his group of Neo-Conservative thug goons cannot leave the damned White House fast enough.
Thank God it is just about over!
Others: danieldrezner.com, No More Mister Nice Blog
I cannot believe it, but it is here again. Another stink over the Rush Limbaugh inspired "Barack Magic Negro" parody song. Seems the washed up hippy, who wrote the song is having a fit over the fact that it was even made. He calls it "racist."
Well, I have a problem with that. As someone who knows what racism really is, and not this "knee jerk" politically correct nonsense, created by the fascist, free speech hating far left.
I am showing this videos and the respective songs with Lyrics to show you something, the absurdity of this so called controversy.
First up, the "Magic" video":
Barack the Magic Negro lives in D.C.
The L.A. Times, they called him that
'Cause he's not authentic like me.
Yeah, the guy from the L.A. paper
Said he makes guilty whites feel good
They'll vote for him, and not for me
'Cause he's not from the hood.
See, real black men, like Snoop Dog,
Or me, or Farrakhan
Have talked the talk, and walked the walk.
Not come in late and won!
Oh, Barack the Magic Negro, lives in D.C.
The L.A. Times, they called him that
'Cause he's black, but not authentically.
Oh, Barack the Magic Negro, lives in D.C.
The L.A. Times, they called him that
'Cause he's black, but not authentically.
Some say Barack's "articulate"
And bright and new and "clean."
The media sure loves this guy,
A white interloper's dream!
But, when you vote for president,
Watch out, and don't be fooled!
Don't vote the Magic Negro in –
'Cause —
'Cause I won't have nothing after all these years of sacrifice
And I won't get justice. This is about justice. This isn't about me, it's about justice.
It's about buffet. I don't have no buffet and there won't be any church contributions,
And there'll be no cash in the collection plate.
There ain't gonna be no cash money, no walkin' around money, no phoning money.
Now, Barack going to come in here and ……..
…and now a real racist song and video:
L.B.J. was a-flyin' one morn'
Over south Louisiana…feeling forlorn
When he looks down below, and what does he see?
Two cajuns pullin' a nigger on ski's!
So he lands, and says, "Thanks for helping your black brother!"
And them two cajuns just looked at each other
And said, "He might be smart, but I'll tell you something…"
"He don't know a thing about alligator huntin'!"
Who likes a nigger?
o-wop-bop-bam-bam (CHORUS)
Who likes a nigger?
Who likes a nigger?
And the hatin', everybody, is a-gettin' much bigger
Rich man travelin' down thru the South
Stopped in Mississippi to get a tooth pulled out
When he paid the doctor the charges due
He said "My nigger chauffer's got a bad tooth, too"
"Well, I'll pull it…", said the doc, "but you'd better not holler!
Cause I'll have to charge you $200.00
Cause here in Mississippi he can't open his mouth
We'll have to go thru his bottom, to get the thing out!"
There ain't much difference 'tween a nigger and a donkey
'Bout as much between an ape and a monkey
Ones a little bigger, but you gotta agree
There's not very much more that you can see.
But a mule earns his livin' by the sweat of his neck
While a nigger sits down and draws a gov't check
The nigger should be smarter, as a general rule
But in a spelling contest, I'd pick the mule!
Now obviously, the second song is quite racist. Do you see the point that I am trying to make here? The first song is a light-hearted attempt at Humor and nothing more. Anyone who tries to paint it as anything other than this, is basically being a race baiter and someone who's business is identity politics.
Update: Michelle Malkin makes a very good point: (H/T Macsmind)
All of sudden — after eight years of "F**k Bush" bumper stickers and "Kill Bush" assassination chic and Bush-or-Chimp parodies — the left is concerned about insulting the office of the Presidency?
Now, they are concerned with protecting the dignity of the office and with forging "commong ground and mutual respect?
Not to mention, when someone like me, tries to makes a point of all the race baiting and identity politics and the hypocrisy, when it comes to racism and intolerance on the left, I get death threats. So, I ask again, what is racism? Whatever happened to free speech? Who are the real haters? The answer, I think, is quite obvious.
Others: Hot Air, Political Punch, Riehl World View, The Strata-Sphere, Jezebel, JammieWearingFool, Michelle Malkin, Blogs and Stories, BrothersJudd Blog, Commentary, The Hill, Wake up America and Real Clear Politics
Total counter state:
Hits: 89108
Hosts: 50945
Visitors: 58305
Sessions: 63190
From the beginning of the month:
Hits: 7355
Hosts: 4188
Visitors: 4742
Sessions: 5245
Last week:
Hits: 1550
Hosts: 1057
Visitors: 1087
Sessions: 1175
Not too shabby! 😀
This is sick and sad.
Via AP:
It's the latest story that touched, and betrayed, the world.
"Herman Rosenblat and his wife are the most gentle, loving, beautiful people," literary agent Andrea Hurst said Sunday, anguishing over why she, and so many others, were taken by Rosenblat's story of love born on opposite sides of a barbed-wire fence at a concentration camp.
"I question why I never questioned it. I believed it; it was an incredible, hope-filled story."
On Saturday, Berkley Books canceled Rosenblat's memoir, "Angel at the Fence." Rosenblat acknowledged that he and his wife did not meet, as they had said for years, at a sub-camp of Buchenwald, where she allegedly sneaked him apples and bread. The book was supposed to come out in February.
Rosenblat, 79, has been married to the former Roma Radzicky for 50 years, since meeting her on a blind date in New York. In a statement issued Saturday through his agent, he described himself as an advocate of love and tolerance who falsified his past to better spread his message.
"I wanted to bring happiness to people," said Rosenblat, who now lives in the Miami area. "I brought hope to a lot of people. My motivation was to make good in this world."
Rosenblat's believers included not only his agent and his publisher, but Oprah Winfrey, film producers, journalists, family members and strangers who ignored, or didn't know about, the warnings from scholars that his story didn't make sense.
The bad part about this is, it does true make those who did suffer from the evils of Hitler look bad. As I would expect the true Nazi's in America are quite amused by this story and are now saying that the whole holocaust was a lie.
Make good in this world, by lying?!?! What a Jerk! I'm steamed, because I just recently saw the last part of "Band of Brothers", and now to learn that two Jews lied about being involved all that???! Oy.
They owe the world and the Jewish Community a big apology.
Others: The Other McCain and Vox Popoli
Steve Sailor over a V-Dare.com gives a reasonable review on Tom Cruise's Movie.
I will be the first to admit, that every time that I think of Tom Cruise, I think of this:
The Forth Estate continues it's assault on citizen media, or as it is commonly known as; The Blogosphere.
It seems that Paul Mulshine of the Newark Star Ledger is coming out swinging against us. However, instead of sounding like a legit reporter, he comes off sounding more like grumpy old man, full of sour grapes.
Of course, Glenn Reynolds, the Conservative Blogosphere's God Father is having none of it. Glenn Says something that I totally agree with here:
That, of course — as Mulshine should have known then, and now — is exactly what J.D. Johannes does — along with Michael Yon, Michael Totten, Bill Roggio, and others in the blogosphere. Mulshine, meanwhile, brags about having once covered the Toms River Regional Board of Education in New Jersey. That's worthy work, of course, but if his reportage there was as poor as his work in the Wall Street Journal, then — oh, who am I kidding? "If"?
Anyway, it's certainly true that bloggers as a class are more competition for careless pundits like Mulshine than for go-getter reporters who find out things that people don't know, and report them truthfully. It's also true that those go-getter reporters who put the truth first are pretty scarce in the world of Big Media reporting, and that management shows no sign of wanting more of them, and many signs of wanting attitude-mongers like, well, Mulshine. This is, as I've noted before, a dumb business strategy, which explains in part why newspapers are doing so badly.
The awesome thing about the Blogosphere is this. We Bloggers; Yes, I do mean Conservative and Liberal, keep the press and Washington D.C. and dare I even say it? The White House honest. Gone are the days of the Nixon era, when you could pull the preverbal wool over the eyes of the American people. Bloggers are there, pointing out the half truths, lies and outright distortions.
Need I remind anyone, that it was the Liberal Blogosphere and the Libertarian and Paleo-Conservative Blogosphere, that basically pointed out the fact that George W. Bush was, quite frankly, full of crap, when he tried to say that there were weapons of mass destruction in Iraq? Something that the Republican Blogging world is still to acknowledge to this very day. Even after the White House is fully conceded that fact. This was well before the time that the Main Stream Media even tried to start questioning the tactics of the Bush Administration.
So, basically, either the Forth Estate can learn to work with us or die. But the way things are looking, they'd rather die first. This might just be a good thing.
Others: Jules Crittenden, Wake up America, The Other McCain, Ed Driscoll.com and Fausta's Blog
For some reason or another, I just don't believe it at all.
The full report is over at Politico, if you care to read such stuff. Patterico also has a good take on it as well.
Quotable Quotes:
"Parties become much more pragmatic when they've won," says Joe Trippi, who heads the media firm Trippi Multimedia, and who managed Howard Dean's 2004 presidential campaign and advised John Edwards in 2008.
"At least in the initial stages, they're going to try to work together [with Obama] to see what parts of their agenda they can get through," he says. And they recognize, he adds, that they will get more of their agenda passed if they don't start trouble when they don't need to.
For his part, Pariser says he will do what his members want, no matter which way it takes the organization or what the implications are for its future. "I believe the fact that we hear something from all over the place at the same time means it probably is what we should do with the country," he says. "I maybe drank the Kool Aid in civics class a little too much, but I think if you put your faith in that, you really don't go wrong. People gravitate very quickly to the big things that are at the core of their problems."
"It also makes our jobs easier," he adds, "because we just do what we're told."
Okay, here's why I don't buy this line of bunk for one minute. Because I know how Liberals think. President-Elect Obama is not in office yet, nobody, not even me; knows how he is going to Govern. The so-called experts say he will run from the Middle; and based upon his cabinet picks, this might be true. To me, however, it looks more like a Clinton retread White House. So much for the "Hope & Change" mantra throughout the campaign.
Anyhow, however; you let Barack Obama let one of his big campaign promises slip, like Nationalized Health care. The very minute that Barack Obama begins to make noises like he is not going to be able to pass Nationalized Health Care, and MoveOn and DailyKos will turn on Obama on a fucking dime. I know how Liberals are, They lack something that is pretty much a norm in the Conservative circles; and that's Loyalty. Loyalty to Party, Loyalty to principles; this past election being a perfect example of that, and loyalty to a leader. Oh, they'll be loyal to him, as long as Obama performs for them, and carries out their agenda. But the very minute he strays; it's over man. The far left will turn on a dime and it will be Bush Derangement on the other foot in full force. Sorry Trippi, I don't buy the B.S. line of Liberals being Pragmatic. If 1968 was proof of anything, it was proof that the far left or the rank and file within the Democratic Party is nowhere near Pragmatic.
So, to sum it up; while this might sound nice and pretty and all. It is nothing more than some sort of a "Dog and Pony Show" to appease those within the Democratic Leadership that might worried that groups like this may try an turn popular opinion against Obama. While the mindless sheep might buy it, I do not; because I know the mindset, I know how they act. Loyal, until you slip up and then BAM! It's over.
Nice try guys, but we're just a bit more smarter than that.
Personally, I hope Israel mops the floor up with them bastards. They've been bullying Israel for years, and they've taken enough from them idiots.
I just hope the United States stays out of it, and let Israel deal with thier own.
(fixed massively stupid typo….Ooops!)
When president-elect Barack Obama chose evangelical leader Rick Warren to lead a prayer at his inauguration the cultural Left threw the predictable fits. Said Kathryn Kolbert, president of People for the American Way, "this decision further elevates someone who has in recent weeks actively promoted legalized discrimination and denigrated the lives and relationships of millions of Americans," referring to the recently passed anti-gay marriage referendum, Proposition 8 in California. Said Joe Solmonese, president of the Human Rights Campaign, "by inviting Rick Warren to your inauguration, you have tarnished the view that gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Americans have a place at your table." Added Democratic political consultant Chad Griffith "Rick Warren needs to realize that he is further dividing us at a time when the country needs to come together."
In light of the Rick Warren controversy, such "coming together" rhetoric, so often mouthed by champions of "diversity" has one again proven to be a farce. For a true "coming together" of any sort on social issues, one might expect political opponents to either agree-to-disagree, yet still join and work together where they can, or for both sides to at least concede some principles as a compromise. In this case, as in most cases, the champions of diversity simply do not want an evangelical of Warren's stripe to even be allowed a seat at the table. And while Warren hasn't budged from his stance on gay marriage, neither will the Left anytime soon. It seems that the oft-desired "coming together" means not any new, warm embrace, but unconditional surrender, where only conservatives are always expected to wave the white flag.
The rise of social issues in American politics has as much to do with campaign strategies as the issues themselves. Gay marriage has become for the Democrats what abortion has long been for Republicans – issues that are better left unresolved because they are too useful in controlling certain voters. Any liberal or moderate Republican worried about shoring up his evangelical base can do so by mouthing just the right amount of pro-life rhetoric during his campaign, knowing full-well he has no intention of seriously revisiting the subject after the election. Just ask John McCain. To woo the cultural Left, the tiniest illustration by Democrats that they are at least favorable to gay-marriage is enough to garner those votes, even if it's practically invisible on their actual agenda. Just ask Barack Obama.
Social issues like gay marriage and abortion remain trivialities not because they aren't important – but because neither are likely to be solved precisely because neither party benefits from doing so. Why do mainstream Republicans or Democrats not demand states' rights solutions, where individual states would be free to legalize or outlaw gay marriage or abortion according to the popular will? Because neither party really wants any real solutions. The purpose of a Republican supporting something like the Defense of Marriage Act is not to protect marriage per se, but to protect your office by signaling to voters that you stand on the right side of an issue that you and your successors hope never goes away. Likewise, in standing against the Defense of Marriage Act, Democrats benefit for the exact opposite reason.
Rick Warren's invocation at Obama's inauguration will not be a brighter, sadder or even different new day in the culture wars – but a symbolic gesture by the president-elect whose very rise to power has been more symbolic than substantive. Leftists who believe Warren's mere presence at the inauguration represents anything tragic are as naïve as those on the Right who might believe it represents promise. And in both satisfying and enraging both sides of the social issues fence by inviting Warren to his swearing-in, the president-elect may indeed be introducing a new symbolic style, if only to cover-up the same old lack of substance.
When president-elect Barack Obama chose evangelical leader Rick Warren to lead a prayer at his inauguration the cultural Left threw the predictable fits. Said Kathryn Kolbert, president of People for the American Way, "this decision further elevates someone who has in recent weeks actively promoted legalized discrimination and denigrated the lives and relationships of millions of Americans," referring to the recently passed anti-gay marriage referendum, Proposition 8 in California. Said Joe Solmonese, president of the Human Rights Campaign, "by inviting Rick Warren to your inauguration, you have tarnished the view that gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Americans have a place at your table." Added Democratic political consultant Chad Griffith "Rick Warren needs to realize that he is further dividing us at a time when the country needs to come together."
In light of the Rick Warren controversy, such "coming together" rhetoric, so often mouthed by champions of "diversity" has one again proven to be a farce. For a true "coming together" of any sort on social issues, one might expect political opponents to either agree-to-disagree, yet still join and work together where they can, or for both sides to at least concede some principles as a compromise. In this case, as in most cases, the champions of diversity simply do not want an evangelical of Warren's stripe to even be allowed a seat at the table. And while Warren hasn't budged from his stance on gay marriage, neither will the Left anytime soon. It seems that the oft-desired "coming together" means not any new, warm embrace, but unconditional surrender, where only conservatives are always expected to wave the white flag.
The rise of social issues in American politics has as much to do with campaign strategies as the issues themselves. Gay marriage has become for the Democrats what abortion has long been for Republicans – issues that are better left unresolved because they are too useful in controlling certain voters. Any liberal or moderate Republican worried about shoring up his evangelical base can do so by mouthing just the right amount of pro-life rhetoric during his campaign, knowing full-well he has no intention of seriously revisiting the subject after the election. Just ask John McCain. To woo the cultural Left, the tiniest illustration by Democrats that they are at least favorable to gay-marriage is enough to garner those votes, even if it's practically invisible on their actual agenda. Just ask Barack Obama.
Social issues like gay marriage and abortion remain trivialities not because they aren't important – but because neither are likely to be solved precisely because neither party benefits from doing so. Why do mainstream Republicans or Democrats not demand states' rights solutions, where individual states would be free to legalize or outlaw gay marriage or abortion according to the popular will? Because neither party really wants any real solutions. The purpose of a Republican supporting something like the Defense of Marriage Act is not to protect marriage per se, but to protect your office by signaling to voters that you stand on the right side of an issue that you and your successors hope never goes away. Likewise, in standing against the Defense of Marriage Act, Democrats benefit for the exact opposite reason.
Rick Warren's invocation at Obama's inauguration will not be a brighter, sadder or even different new day in the culture wars – but a symbolic gesture by the president-elect whose very rise to power has been more symbolic than substantive. Leftists who believe Warren's mere presence at the inauguration represents anything tragic are as naïve as those on the Right who might believe it represents promise. And in both satisfying and enraging both sides of the social issues fence by inviting Warren to his swearing-in, the president-elect may indeed be introducing a new symbolic style, if only to cover-up the same old lack of substance.
Jack Hunter Blogs at The Southern Avenger and Taki's Magazine
It seems that Bambi made it to see the vets. How nice. Pretty funny, seeing he hasn't served a damn day in the Military.
I also have an e-mail to share, that I got this morning, I was wondering what it was about. Now I know.
President-elect Obama stopped by the Marine Corps base in Hawaii Kaneche Bay where servicemen and -women were eating Christmas dinner in Kailua Thursday evening.
"Just wanted to say hi, hey guys," Obama said as he walked into the Anderson dining hall which was decked out in Christmas decorations.
The diners represented seven military units — Marine and Navy — some of whom were joined by their families for Christmas dinner.
As Obama entered the room, it was absent of the regular fanfare of cheering and clapping. The diners were polite, staying seated at their respective tables and waited for the president-elect to come to them to stand up.
Obama, dressed casually in a blue polo shirt and dark khaki trousers, worked his way around the room — table by table — and took pictures with the service members. He slapped them on the back at times, shook hands, and signed some autographs.
"Hey guys, Merry Christmas," The president-elect said as he walked from table to table.
The servicemen and -women were already seated at their holiday dinner when the president-elect made his impromptu visit. They were dining on salad, candied sweet potato with marshmallow topping, cream of mushroom soup, mashed potatoes, beef, ham, turkey, broccoli and corn.
The president-elect spent about an hour with the troops. Obama transition aides say that Obama did not eat with the uniformed men and women — he ate at his beach home with his family and friends Christmas night.
I think it goes without saying, that Obama was not among friends.
Others: Atlas Shrugs, Sister Toldjah, RedState, BLACKFIVE, Gateway Pundit, Hugh Hewitt, Power Line
A stunning admission from the far left, but not a huge surprise.
Via The L.A. Times:
I don't love America. That's what conservatives are always telling liberals like me. Their love, they insist, is truer, deeper and more complete. Then liberals, like all people who are accused of not loving something, stammer, get defensive and try to have sex with America even though America will then accuse us of wanting it for its body and not its soul. When America gets like that, there's no winning.
But I've come to believe conservatives are right. They do love America more. Sure, we liberals claim that our love is deeper because we seek to improve the United States by pointing out its flaws. But calling your wife fat isn't love. True love is the blind belief that your child is the smartest, cutest, most charming person in the world, one you would gladly die for. I'm more in "like" with my country.
A rather mind-numbing statement and a rather frank admission. That is the whole problem with Liberals, they would rather focus on America's flaws, than focus on it's greatness. He goes on to blather on about Sean Hannity and Glenn Beck.
But this is what bothered me:
Conservatives feel personally blessed to have been born in the only country worth living in. I, on the other hand, just feel lucky to have grown up in a wealthy democracy. If it had been Australia, Britain, Ireland, Canada, Italy, Spain, France, Luxembourg, Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Japan, Israel or one of those Scandinavian countries with more relaxed attitudes toward sex, that would have been fine with me too.
Hell, why stop there? Why not just move to somewhere more inline with your beliefs, like say, Iran, Russia or maybe North Korea?
The Communist Blathers on:
I wish I felt such certainty. Sure, it makes life less interesting and nuanced, and absolute conviction can lead to dangerous extremism, but I suspect it makes people happier. I'll never experience the joy of Hannity-level patriotism. I'm the type who always wonders if some other idea or place or system is better and I'm missing out. And, as I figured out shortly after meeting my wife, that is no way to love.
Stop The ACLU agrees with my assessment:
And yeah, I understand the point of the column. It's a criticism. We're "blinded" by love to the point where we don't even see America's flaws. But that's not quite true. I see them, as do many conservatives. But unlike liberals, that's not all I see. I look at America and love her for everything she is, both the good and the bad. I look at my country, and despite the mistakes we have made and inevitably will continue to make, still know that this is the freest, best country on the face of the Earth, know that anyone from anywhere in the world can come here and build a good life for themselves if they're only willing to work hard and play by the rules, that America will always stand for freedom and justice and democracy.
Liberals look at America, and have a hard time feeling the love and patriotism that conservatives feel because they can't get get past the flaws. They can't love America unless she is perfect. Conservatives, however, don't require perfection to know that America is, indeed, a special, blessed place. It doesn't mean that the rest of the world is a terrible, terrible place. It doesn't mean that no one can possibly have a great life anywhere else. However, despite what many Little League coaches and PC teachers may believe, not every runner can finish the race in first, and while the rest of the world may be great, it's just not the USA.
I could not have put it better myself. However, I'll take it a step further, if the Communist is dissatisfied with America and all of it's supposed "Flaws", he can always leave, there is not a law forcing him to live here.
Indeed, Toyota claims losses for the first time in 70 years—though how Toyota's management was able to keep sales up in 1945, when Gen. Curtis LeMay's B-29s were conducting their nightly visits, escapes me.
Bush may believe he has sinned against free-market principles, but he is following the path of his great free-market predecessor. Ronald Reagan, too, was not prepared to see Japan take down the U.S. auto industry, or steel industry, or computer chip industry, or Harley-Davidson.
Believing Japan was dumping to destroy U.S. companies, Reagan put patriotism before ideology and imposed quotas on Japanese imports. He, too, was castigated by the same commentariat that is berating Bush.
Vice President Cheney, too, has endorsed the bailout of Detroit. Of the senators who voted to pull the plug on General Motors, Cheney is said to have remarked, "It's Herbert Hoover time" up there in the GOP caucus.
Like Prohibition in Hoover's phrase, globalism is "an experiment, noble in purpose, that has failed."
I must confess, I laughed, quite hard when I read this. 😛
Via the Washington Post:
The Afghan chieftain looked older than his 60-odd years, and his bearded face bore the creases of a man burdened with duties as tribal patriarch and husband to four younger women. His visitor, a CIA officer, saw an opportunity, and reached into his bag for a small gift.
Four blue pills. Viagra.
"Take one of these. You'll love it," the officer said. Compliments of Uncle Sam.
The enticement worked. The officer, who described the encounter, returned four days later to an enthusiastic reception. The grinning chief offered up a bonanza of information about Taliban movements and supply routes — followed by a request for more pills.
For U.S. intelligence officials, this is how some crucial battles in Afghanistan are fought and won. While the CIA has a long history of buying information with cash, the growing Taliban insurgency has prompted the use of novel incentives and creative bargaining to gain support in some of the country's roughest neighborhoods, according to officials directly involved in such operations.
In their efforts to win over notoriously fickle warlords and chieftains, the officials say, the agency's operatives have used a variety of personal services. These include pocketknives and tools, medicine or surgeries for ailing family members, toys and school equipment, tooth extractions, travel visas, and, occasionally, pharmaceutical enhancements for aging patriarchs with slumping libidos, the officials said.
"Whatever it takes to make friends and influence people — whether it's building a school or handing out Viagra," said one longtime agency operative and veteran of several Afghanistan tours. Like other field officers interviewed for this article, he spoke on the condition of anonymity when describing tactics and operations that are largely classified.
After a long conversation through an interpreter, the retired operator began to probe for ways to win the man's loyalty. A discussion of the man's family and many wives provided inspiration. Once it was established that the man was in good health, the pills were offered and accepted.
Four days later, when the Americans returned, the gift had worked its magic, the operative recalled.
"He came up to us beaming," the official said. "He said, 'You are a great man.' "
"And after that we could do whatever we wanted in his area."
Hey, Whatever works I say. Although, I'm not sure what is more funny. The story itself, of some of the hilarious comments over at WaPo's Site.
America has lost another legend
AP Video: (via Breit Bart)
Story Via AP:
Eartha Kitt, a sultry singer, dancer and actress who rose from South Carolina cotton fields to become an international symbol of elegance and sensuality, has died, a family spokesman said. She was 81.
Andrew Freedman said Kitt, who was recently treated at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital, died Thursday in Connecticut of colon cancer.
Kitt, a self-proclaimed "sex kitten" famous for her catlike purr, was one of America's most versatile performers, winning two Emmys and nabbing a third nomination. She also was nominated for several Tonys and two Grammys.
Her career spanned six decades, from her start as a dancer with the famed Katherine Dunham troupe to cabarets and acting and singing on stage, in movies and on television. She persevered through an unhappy childhood as a mixed-race daughter of the South and made headlines in the 1960s for denouncing the Vietnam War during a visit to the White House.
Kitt was plainspoken about causes she believed in. Her anti-war comments at the White House came as she attended a White House luncheon hosted by Lady Bird Johnson.
"You send the best of this country off to be shot and maimed," she told the group of about 50 women. "They rebel in the street. They don't want to go to school because they're going to be snatched off from their mothers to be shot in Vietnam."
For four years afterward, Kitt performed almost exclusively overseas. She was investigated by the FBI and CIA, which allegedly found her to be foul-mouthed and promiscuous.
You do not speak evil of the dead. Just that simple. If this woman is to be remembered for anything at all. It is for having the guts to stand up in the White House and denouce an unconsitutional war. Which is what Vietnam was. I give her props for that. Plainly put, the broad had balls.
May she rest in peace, a true class act, all the way.
I do believe that I've heard it all now!
Via Breit Bart:
Whatever happened to just good old fashioned salt? I mean, Seriously!
Exit Question: Beet Juice?!?!?!?!?
There's always something like this to make one go, "Ouch!" after the Holidays.
Raw Video from CNN: (thanks to Breit Bart)
Back Story at WTOP.com
I don't think offering a Prayer or two for those involved in this would be out of order.
Some good news from Iraq.
Via FOXNews.com:
Iraq's Christians, a small minority in the overwhelmingly Muslim country, quietly celebrated Christmas on Thursday with a present from the government, which declared it an official holiday for the first time.
But security worries overshadowed the day for many, particularly in the north where thousands of Christians have fled to escape religious attacks.
Overall security in Iraq has improved markedly in the past year, but a fatal car bombing in Baghdad on Christmas morning was a gruesome reminder that serious problems remain.
The bombing outside a restaurant frequented by police killed four people and wounded 25 others in the Shiite neighborhood of Shula, said a police officer speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to give information to news media.
Also Thursday, an oil official said attackers blew up a pipeline in the city of Kirkuk. The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the attack occurred Wednesday and pumping was expected to resume within three days.
In his homily on Thursday, Chaldean Cardinal Emmanuel III Delly praised the establishment of Christmas as an official holiday as a step toward easing tensions.
"I thank it too for making this day an official holiday where we pray to God to make us trust each other as brothers," he said at the Christmas Mass before several dozen worshippers in the small chapel of a Baghdad monastery.
A senior Shiite cleric, Ammar al-Hakim attended the event, flanked by bodyguards, in a gesture of cooperation with Christians.
"I thank the visitors here and ask them to share happiness and love with their brothers on Christmas. By this they will build a glorious Iraq," the cardinal said.
Unlike some liberals, who only want to look on the bad side of everything, (No wonder Sean threw you off of his show, idiot.) I think that this is proof that the surge is working. There is no doubt, that there is much work to do in Iraq. But this is a sign that there is some progress in Iraq.
What pisses me off, about the Liberals is this; they refused to admit that we won the overall war on terror in Iraq. Granted, we went there on bad information, I do admit that, as do many Conservatives; but the Liberals continue to repeat that dead fucking tired line of, "We cannot win, we have to leave and let these people fight their own battles." Further more, they are the most irresponsible people ever. If we just pack up and leave, without fixing what we broke, without making DAMN sure that the Iraqi's can defend themselves from attack from another Nation, we would be responsible for the worst case of genocide ever.
The Liberals refuse to see that Muqtada al-Sadr is all but irrelevant and hiding in Iran. The insurgency over, other than the spurious car bomb, things are back to normal. It sad that the Communist Liberals won't give our Military the credit it deserves for accomplishing that enormous feat.
I just wonder how long it will be, before the Magic One will just remove all of our troops from Afghanistan and say, "Oh well, we deserved 9/11 anyhow, so, we're not going to fight no more!" It would not surprise me at all.
The Moderate Voice, Scared Monkeys, TigerHawk, Gateway Pundit, and Don Surber
Not to make light of this, but man, it must be nice!
A family facing foreclosure is anything but a unique story in these troubled economic times.
But this is a happier story of one family whose financial ruin was averted by the actions of a friend, the compassion of strangers, the networking power of the Internet and the holiday spirit of giving.
"This is our Christmas story," said Ebony Sampson. "It's going to be told for generations and generations to come."
Sampson, who lives in Aberdeen, Maryland, with her husband, Daniel, and their two young children, has overcome more hardship than one person should ever have to face. When she was in the 10th grade, she lost her entire family in a horrific car accident. Raised by a grandmother in New York, Ebony eventually used some life-insurance money from her parents' death to buy the home in Aberdeen, near where she grew up.
But in June, Daniel got sick. After several tests, his doctors concluded that he was suffering from salmonella after eating a tainted tomato. As a new employee of Bank of America, he had not accrued enough paid time off to keep his job as a credit-card account manager.
Suddenly, the sole breadwinner in the Sampson household was out of work. Though the Sampsons received unemployment checks from the government, the money wasn't enough to make ends meet.
First came the shut-off notices from the electric company. Then one of their cars broke down. One morning, Daniel woke up and looked out his bedroom window and saw his truck was missing. It had been repossessed.
With no job, no car and no income, the Sampsons got another surprise: Ebony Sampson learned she was eight weeks pregnant.
The Sampsons returned home from church, where they are practicing ministers, on a Sunday in November to find a stranger knocking on their front door. He wanted to put a bid in on their house. Ebony told him their home was not for sale. The next day, the Sampsons were notified that they were facing foreclosure unless they could come up with $10,000 in the next two weeks to bring their mortgage up to date.
"Once we received that letter, it was like, 'Oh my God, what are we going to do?' " Daniel Sampson said. "I don't think anyone in their right mind would receive a foreclosure notice and not be rattled by it."
Somehow, the couple maintained their sense of humor. Ebony Sampson called one of her oldest friends, Jaki Grier, and jokingly asked her if she had $10,000. Jaki told her, "Sure, just let me open up my invisible purse!"
But then Grier got an idea.
A self-described geek, Grier started blogging years ago. Since then, she's contributed to a magazine's Web site and regularly posts thoughts and life happenings on her LiveJournal page. So, she published Ebony and Daniel's story, along with a link where people could make a donation.
Pretty bad when you gotta use a Blog and the internet as a tin cup. They were ministers, why didn't the Church take up a collection for them?
Some Church.
Of course, when a white man like me says anything about it. I'm a raaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaccccciiiiiist!
Update: For those who think I am being cruel or just being an asshole. Let me tell you something, ok? I used to be in over my head in debt. Finally, I filed for backruptcy. I filed for chapter 7, I lost it all, and started over. I had a Paypal account myself, did I get on the internet and cry, "Please send me money!"? No, I didn't; I would never ask anyone else to help "Bail me out" of a sitution I put myself into. The facts are, they could have filed for backruptcy, even reaffairmed some of thier debts, like the house and could have been able to keep it. But no, they took the beggers route. It just steams me when I see people do that, I never did, I delt with my own problems and did what I could, I could have taken the route these people did, but I did the right thing and, as they say in the ghetto, "Delt with my own."


text:
Describe the Universe with as many poetic adjectives as you can find in a crystal bowl of candy hearts, but the one word that truly encapsulates the depthless vessel is "ironic." While we were singularly focused on 2012 DA 14, the cricket-pitch-wide asteroid that swept across our sights Friday, another unseen interloper passed below the radar and exploded above the Chelyabinsk region within Russia's Ural mountains. Now, ordinarily, such a bait and switch parlor trick would be ripe fodder for humor (or our clumsy attempt at humor). However, this surprise attack is no occasion for mirth: more than 900 people were injured; four dozen seriously enough to be hospitalized. Two very unfortunate people have been committed to intensive care. Windows shattered; car alarms sounded and a powerful shock waves propagated radially away from the ground's detonation point -one that might have been as much as 20 miles below the actual explosion. Fragments fell around a wide area not yet measured.
Witnesses reported observing a fiery display as the "meteor" entered the comparatively thicker layer of the lower stratosphere. Video footage shows thunder-cloud thick contrails extending across the sky in the asteroid's wake: eerily reminiscent of the doomed Challenger contrails that trailed off into nothing. The blast was reported at 9:20 a.m. local time (10:20 p.m. EST Thursday night.)
This undetected asteroid weighed 10 tons and roared through the atmosphere at speeds exceeding 33,000 miles an hour. That it went unnoticed is not surprising: its diameter is estimated to have been about 10 meters, a fraction of DA 2012's size. NASA's aim to detect such Potentially Hazardous Asteroids started in earnest only a few years ago. And, those researchers involved in the project concede that they do not expect to find all of the "small ones," i.e., asteroids with diameters equal to or smaller than 10 meters. At least not straight away.
Today's catastrophe, however, will likely provide a greater impetus for the world's space agencies to locate and track any body capable of inflicting such damage. As was true in 1908, when another celestial body (identification not yet established) exploded over Tunguska (in Siberia), these minor asteroids can wreak havoc and destruction without any warning whatsoever.
Southworth Science Lecture Series 2015-2016
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- Art and Space: A Celestial Art Event! July 18 - 21; July 25 - 28
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Rainy Day? Sunny Day? See a show! We allow same-day group show reservations. Call today and see a show today!
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subset: commoncrawl


text:
The BBC report that Labour councillors in Caerphilly have apologised for pay rises awarded to the authority's top officials after protests by trade unions. And the council's Labour leadership are now taking legal advice on whether it is possible to revoke the award:
Union members lobbied a meeting of Caerphilly council's Labour group on Tuesday night at the council's headquarters in Ystrad Mynach.
They demanded the council rescind a decision to increase council chief executive Anthony O'Sullivan's pay grade from a maximum of £131,000 to £158,000.
In a statement issued after the meeting, Labour councillors said they "apologise, accept and wholly understand the concerns expressed by staff, trade unions and members of the public for the recent senior remuneration pay decision by a unanimous vote of a cross-party delegated committee".
The group agreed it would arrange an urgent meeting before Christmas with unions to discuss the decision-making process that led to the pay rise.
It said the council leadership would "investigate the possibility of rescinding the decision based upon independent legal advice".
In future, the full council will decide on remuneration levels for senior managers, it added.
Is this the fastest political u-turn in history? And will it be enough to limit the reputational damage to the Labour Party in Caerphilly?
Related posts:


text:
This beautiful dog is looking for her forever home, Facebook reported March 27.
Carmel is a 2-3 year old yellow lab mix located in upstate South Carolina. She's been at the Foothills Humane Society/Animal Shelter in Liberty since December, and the staff there are anxious to find her a family of her own to love.
Carmel is very sweet, and enjoys playing with other dogs, as well as kids. She enjoys being outside, and loves to be walked on her leash.
For some reason, she's been overlooked by those coming into the Foothills shelter in search of a dog to love and take home with them. Carmel will need a back yard to play in, or to be an indoor dog.
Please share Carmel with friends who are looking for a new four-legged family member, especially those in the Liberty, South Carolina area. Contact information is listed below.
Foothills Humane Society/Animal Shelter
500 Five Forks Road
Liberty, SC 29657
(864) 843-9693
Email firstname.lastname@example.com
You can follow Carmel on her Facebook thread.


text:
The Shorty Awards are a hilarious networking event and award show recognizing the best in social media across thousands of categories. The 6th Annual Shorty Awards, held at the TimesCenter (41st and 8th) in NYC on Monday, featured raunchy, uproarious comedian Natasha Leggero as host, and was off to a crazy start from the moment she opened her mouth.
The presenters were awesome this year, with comedian Gilbert Gottfried, "Parks and Recreation" actress Retta, hilarious actor/comedian Matt Walsh, the "King of Partying" Andrew W.K., and many more taking the stage.
Also in attendance were reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, actor/comedian H. Jon Benjamin, Miss USA Erin Brady and Miss Teen USA Cassidy Wolf, Tumblr CEO David Karp, Domo, and Vine Editor Jason Mante.
Musical married couple "US" performed a medley of '90s television theme songs, including "Full House," "90210," "All That," and "Pokémon," and photo booth/.gif specialists Bosco were in the building again supplying free evidence of our fun time.
Some of the 6th Annual Shorty Award winners were:
- Nature Conservancy- Social Media's Best Charity
- Paulo Pirula- Social Media's Best in Education
- "My reflection is cooler than me" by Chad Jaxon Perez- Vine of the Year
- Sir Ian McKellen- Social Media's Best Celebrity
- Patton Oswalt- Social Media's Best Comedian
- @SeinfeldToday- Best Fake Account
- GoPro- Best Brand on Instagram, Best Facebook Page
- NASA Goddard- Social Media's Best Government
Social media has become an integral part of a company's marketing strategy, and the insights they provide allow brands to better serve their target audiences. For instance, eco-friendly jewelry retailer Alex and Ani were able to increase their ROI by 80% by utilizing eBay Enterprise and adopting cutting-edge technology such as the Kenshoo social platform. Alex and Ani was nominated for the Shorty's Best Facebook Campaign Award.
Greg Galant, CEO and co-founder of Sawhouse Media (the company behind the Shorty's), stated that the awards will continue to grow as social media develops.
"Social media is always changing," Galant told Examiner.com. "Last year, Vine didn't exist, Instagram Video didn't exist. This year, they were both centerpieces of the ceremony. On the one hand, we know it's going to keep growing. Social media only gets bigger and bigger. We also know it's going to keep changing. We're working now to adjust it."
To see Jerry Seinfeld accept his award for Best Web Show, Will Ferrell give a hilarious acceptance speech for the Lifetime Achievement Award, and other on-camera gems, visit Youtube.com/ShortyAwards. The full list of winners is available on ShortyAwards.com.


text:
TC TO JOHN STERLING ; 6 September 1842; DOI: 10.1215/lt-18420906-TC-JOST-01; CL 15: 67-69
Ely, Cambridgeshire, 6th Septr, 1842—
Dear Sterling,
In this sacerdotal City my thoughts revert to you; and from the Bagmen's room of the White Hart Inn, I employ Rowland Hill1 to convey a word from me. On the opposite side of my table, scribbles and counts assiduously a Norwich Bagman (happily in total silence otherwise); I have ridden all day, and walked all evening: you cannot expect much coherency in what I say.
Your Letter found me at Reginald Buller's Parsonage of Troston in Suffolk; whither I had followed my wife; whence I departed this morning, on a pilgrimage to Cromwell-land,—successful thus far. My paths thro' the whole forenoon, indeed all the way to Soham,2 were utterly complex; my Syntax-steed is of the completest Rosinante species:3 nevertheless we plodded along thro' boundless flat cornfields of reclaimed bog; and in the yellow evening sunshine, a little after five, got landed at the foot of the Cathedral, which had hung venerable and majestic in the air all along for some five miles before. Ely has veritably once been an Isle, at least in winter time; a kind of chalk or limy sandstone hill, of no considerable height, rising amid the infinite of swamps, and very conspicuous now with its noble Pile on the crown of it,—one of the most impressive buildings I have ever in my life seen.
I ran over even before tea; and got admittance, happily in total solitude: some agencies, supposed to be human, were blowing the organ, making it discourse deep solemn music; a poor little sparrow was fluttering far aloft in the topmost windows of the lantern (top of the main tower, which is almost all of glass); this sparrow, and a poor country lad, who had plucked up courage to follow on seeing me enter,—were my only fellow worshippers. I declare it were a good arrangement, if they would but keep the music going, in all such places, and sweep away the rest of the living lumber; and leave one alone in these enormous towering spaces, with one's own thoughts and the spirits of the Dead! I believe this Ely Cathedral is one of the "finest," as they call it, in all England, and from me also few masses of architecture could win more admiration; but I recoil everywhere from treating these things as a dilettantism at all; the impressions they give me are too deep and sad to have anything to do with the shape of stones. Tonight, as the heaving bellows blew, and the yellow sunshine streamed in thro' those high windows, and my footfalls and the poor country lad's were the only sounds from below, I looked aloft, and my eyes filled with very tears to look at all this, and remember beside it (wedded to it now, and reconciled with it for me) Oliver Cromwell's, "Cease your fooling, and come out, sir!"4 In these two antagonisms lie what volumes of meaning!—
But to quit the sentimental and vague (in spite of Bagmen), know, dear Sterling, that I have clearly discerned the very House where my Friend Oliver dwelt and boiled his kettle some two hundred and two years ago; nay half an hour ago I actually sat and smoked a pipe upon his Horse block, the very stone, which still lies at the entrance to the stables, split in two and shoved a little aside to make room for a piece of pavement, but left lying as too unmanageable still for removal, in a place so stagnant as Ely! I think there are few better pilgrimages left possible for a man at present. Oliver's House stands close by St Mary's Churchyard; a mean shrunk-looking aged house, with "the biggest tithe-barn except one in all England": the Mr Page who occupied it in Noble's time died only two years ago; a new arrangement has been made about Cathedral tithes, and the Oliver House now stands vacant, not like ever to be occupied again, and will soon probably vanish from the Earth.5 Could you persuade no Cambridge acquaintance who sketches to go up and take a portrait of it while there is yet time? Really it were well worth while. Soon, soon, or else never!
Tomorrow early I go for St Ives, for Huntingdon, and if possible Cambridge; next day I go homewards (Trostonwards) by Newmarket; may probably get as far as Bury St Edmunds where there is a man I know.6 About Monday next we return to Chelsea. How many guineas would I give to have Sterling beside me even now! Alas,—and I sit among Bagmen and sinners of the Earth: one never can get Sterling.— Well, good night any way, my much loved Friend; much loved, tho' ever-quarrelled with, and indeed deserving dreadful hatred now and then! These accursed Bagmen have actually driven the wits out of my head, and I add no word more Yours ever & ever
T. Carlyle
Your Letter followed me to Troston,—thanks for it. A small Note of mine, accompanying a Letter from Emerson for you, had crossed it, I think, on the road.— My first still Bagman has rolled off, and a new noisier one has rolled in. I will out for another view of Oliver's Ghost, and then to bed. Adieu.


text:
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MENLO PARKMenlo Park's assessed property value up 12.5 percent
The assessed value of property in Menlo Park grew by 12.5 percent in 2105, a faster rate than that of any other city in San...Original post made on Jun. 24, 2016
Last comment by Peter Carpenter, 29 minutes ago | 10 comments | 2707 Views
MENLO PARKPolitical committees pump cash into Assembly campaigns
With the crowded race to succeed Assemblyman Rich Gordon in the 24th District heading into the final stretch, independent...Original post made on May. 24, 2016
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PORTOLA VALLEYPortola Valley home burglarized Monday morning
Someone burglarized an unoccupied residence on Granada Court in Portola Valley at about 11:45 a.m. Monday (June 27), the...Original post made on Jun. 27, 2016
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OTHER TOPICSTrump hails Rumsfeld endorsement despite criticizing Iraq War, The Hill
You can't make this stuff up, folks. http://thehill.com/policy/defense/284606-trump-hails-rumsfeld-endorsement-despite-criticizing-iraq-war...Original post made by Stop the Trolls on Jun. 23, 2016
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AROUND TOWNHow locals voted in presidential primary
In the 62 precincts in the Almanac area, presidential candidate Hillary Clinton won 72 percent of the Democratic vote in...Original post made on Jun. 22, 2016
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SCHOOLS & KIDSSeven locals receive Merit scholarships
One Woodside High senior, three seniors from Menlo-Atherton High, and three from Menlo School were among the recipients nationwide...Original post made on Jun. 27, 2016
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MENLO PARKFacebook expansion could exacerbate housing issues, report says
Facebook's expansion – a project that would add two office buildings and a hotel, totaling more than a million square...Original post made on Jun. 26, 2016
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MENLO PARKUpdate: Burglars hit Dish parking lot again
Burglars got away with personal items and cash valued at $7,100 in a series of auto burglaries on Friday and Sunday, Feb....Original post made on Feb. 14, 2012
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MENLO PARKSuspected home burglar nabbed after police see strange activity
An attempt by Menlo Park police to talk to the driver of a vehicle whose occupants appeared to be scoping out homes to burglarize...Original post made on Jun. 24, 2016
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OTHER TOPICSPolitifact: Trump lies 6 times out of 10, almost 2 of 3 claims are lies
TRUMP LIES: Hillary Clinton "is a world class liar" The facts: According to PolitiFact, 59% of Trump's checked claims...Original post made by 26 year old voter on Jun. 23, 2016
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AROUND TOWNDr. William Ayres is denied parole- but DA's office never notified victims of hearing
Dr. William Ayres- one of the most prolific child molesters in recent California history, was denied parole on March 4, 2016....Original post made by Truth on Mar. 9, 2016
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ATHERTONPG&E to covert 229 Atherton street lights to LEDs
Pacific Gas & Electric will spend two or three weeks converting 229 utility-owned street lights in Atherton to LEDs this...Original post made on Jun. 20, 2016
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AROUND TOWNFAA approves Surf Air route to take planes over Bay
Commuter airline Surf Air has received permission from the Federal Aviation Administration to start flying a new approach...Original post made on Jun. 23, 2016
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WOODSIDEReporter's Notebook: Respect for the cows and the horses, but the pigs? No.
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AROUND TOWNSchool district says budget has $900,000 in cuts
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AROUND TOWNBREAKING: Trump in 3,500 lawsuits (USA Today)
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The growth of SandForce powered SSDs continues, which is definitely a good thing when you discover the performance advantages that come with it versus competing controllers on the market.
G.Skill has just announced its new Phoenix line-up of performance SSDS which make use of the SF-1200 controller.
Like other SF-1200 based line-ups from competing manufacturers, the Phoenix series of SSDs come in capacities starting at 50GB, moving up to 100GB and 200GB models. Read the writes speeds are a very respectable 280 / 270MB/sec respectively.
G.Skill gives buyers of its Phoenix series of SSDs a two year warranty period. No word on pricing just yet.


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Northern California Dixieland fans are gearing up for two March festivals, both of which are held in lovely seaside communities.
Jazz Bash by the Bay is back for another edition in Monterey from March 7-9. The festival site is Portola Hotel & Spa and Monterey Conference Center, right where downtown meets the waterfront. Organizers proudly boast that they have been "presenting the best in early jazz, big band, swing, ragtime, blues, zydeco and Gypsy jazz for over 30 years."
This year's performers include Au Brothers Jazz Band, Big Mama Sue Quintet with Jim Buchmann, Bob Schultz' Frisco Jazz Band, Carl Sonny Leyland Trio, Crown Syncopators, Ellis Island Boys, High Sierra Jazz Band, Ivory&Gold, Le Jazz Hot, Old Friends, Pieter Meijers Quartet with Brady McKay, Rebecca Kilgore (above), Royal Society Jazz Orchestra, Side Street Stutters with Meloney Collins, Stephanie Trick Trio, Tom Rigney & Flambeau, and Yve Evans & Company.
Later in the month (March 27-30) head north to Eureka to take in the 24th annual Redwood Coast Jazz Festival. As with the Monterey bash, Redwood is rooted in Dixieland but offers a wide variety of genres. This year's performers include Bob Draga and Friends, High Street Band, Blue Street Jazz Band, Rigney and Flambeau, Gator Nation, Red Skunk Band, Stompy Jones, Sister Swing, Le Club de Rue Blue, Tommy Castro and the Painkillers and Sherri Colby's New Orleans Racket Makers.
Want to keep up with the best in Bay Area jazz and blues?
Subscribe to us: Have our jazz and blues Examiner columns sent to your inbox. Click the SUBSCRIBE button on this page. It's free. (And we won't spam you or give out your information.) Bookmark us: http://www.examiner.com/jazz-music-in-oakland/brian-mccoy. CONTACT ME FOR YOUR JAZZ AND ARTS GRANT WRITING NEEDS


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Readers Are Fickle, Learn to Embrace Us
by Jane Litte
Publishers are starting to dip their toes into the social media water and are trying to learn more about the end user of their products, the readers. I have to tell you right away, publishers, that readers are fickle.
What readers want today will not be want they want even twelve months from now. One speaker at Tools of Change said that readers are always complicating the situation by buying new devices and wanting new things. This was said with affection, though, not disdain.
It's important to remember that readers are fickle and that there is no one set of tools that will work for every reader, all the time. When Sarah, Angie and I were preparing for our own talk at the Tools of Change, we engaged in a heated discussion over whether the cover blurb should be included at the front of an ebook or in the metadata to be pulled up at the reader's convenience. Angie and I are both avid book readers and in some ways we are a lot alike but our own preferences in how we consume the book can be quite different.
Take a look at the iPhone/iTouch as a reader. Some people believe it is too small. Others find the convenience of the size perfect for their reading needs. Some readers like the flat readable aspect of the eink screen and others clamor for a backlight. Everyone likes the convenience of the one click shopping.
What's the answer to the reader fickleness? It's not to denigrate the reader for being fickle. You just have to accept it. This behavior will not change. You have to embrace it. It's reader fickleness that allows you to take advantage of our impulse buying purchases. It's reader fickleness that makes us take chances on new authors. It's reader fickleness that will open new markets and new opportunities.
Embrace us readers, warts and all, and we will buy your books and be your evangelists. Denigrate or talk down to us and we will be fierce adversaries.


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Not knowing what I wanted to be when I "grew up," I was playing around on my parents old PC with a program called PrintShop. My mom, and my inspiration, told me that I could make a career out of the greeting cards, posters, etc. that I was making! I've always enjoyed art -- even back in 4th grade when I won the class vote on a book cover, to when I won a CIML (Central Iowa Metro League) award in high school, to a holiday card the president of my college choose to mail out. Though I never really got into art classes in my high school days until my junior year, I knew that this was really what I wanted to do. I immediately began taking college courses after high school at dmacc and now I'm employed for a print and web design company EDJE Technologies, www.edje.com. Follow my blog about being a modern day working woman, designer, wife and friend... www.designtlf.blogspot.com.
Comment posted.
lmeechan says Was it hard to change the format? I made a nice color cookbook and would like to maybe make a b+w too. Color is pricey for some of the younger family members.
posted at 09:26AM Jun 10 PST
lmeechan says Great idea to do the cookbook in color and black and white!! What a price difference! It's a darling cookbook!!
posted at 09:25AM Jun 10 PST
Log in or create an account to post a comment.
Recipes (color) Published June 09, 2011
Family Cookbook Published December 07, 2009


text: In April 1977, less than a year after Apple I launched, Jobs debuted the new and improved Apple II computer at the first West Coast Computer Faire in San Francisco, shown here. A great improvement over its older sibling, Apple II included both a keyboard and a monitor and came ready to run out of the box, per Jobs' insistence. This is the computer that changed the face of home computing and arguably set the first real bar for home computer design.


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Dear Bossip: My Friend Keeps Asking For My Advice About Her Relationships & I Want To Knock Some Sense Into Her
Dear Bossip,
First I want to say that I L-O-V-E all of your advice.
And at this point, I could really use your brutal honesty.
My friend is being dumb (although I know she isn't, she is acting like an idiot). She keeps asking me for advice about her current love dilemma, but I want to make sure I give her the right advice.
She and her husband are young, and her husband is a Marine currently deployed overseas. He visited his ex-boo before he deployed and wondered if there was anything still there, and decided to tell her. She decided right then and there to get a divorce, saying that she respected his honesty but didn't know if she could trust him.
Now here is where I feel conflicted: She met another man, and he is a looser in every sense of the word. And I'm not even exaggerating. He told my hubby that he was (at one point) addicted to prescription medication, and my hubby swears that he's homeless. I made my hubby dinner when my friend brought him to our house and my man swears that the man looked like he was ready to tear into his bowl of chili! Plus, I think it's a little too weird that he is suddenly facing deportation back to Denmark if he doesn't get his citizenship together before the end of the year. Hmmm…
Anyway, after talking with my hubby, I think that it would be a good idea for her to give some effort in trying to work out her marriage, as opposed to getting into a new relationship with someone she obviously does not know. Plus, she made the decision to divorce her hubby while he was deployed. I want to tell her to stay with her hubby, but then again, I want to just stay out of it. But it's hard to do that when she keeps asking for my opinion.
So, before I slap some sense into her, can you give me some advice that I can give to her that would follow up my reality smack? Thank you in advance for your time. – Conflicted Friend
Dear Ms. Conflicted Friend,
Honey, mind your business. Mind your business. Mind your business.
I learned a long time ago to stay out of my friend's relationships. Chile, they will come to you with all their problems, issues, and challenges concerning their relationship. How much they hate their mates, and they don't know why they don't treat them well. And, how come they bend over backwards to make it work, and yet their mates are running the streets, or treating them dirty. And, don't let their mate curse them out and call them everything but a child of God. You are ready to fight their mate for them! They will have you so invested in "their" side of the story that you will be giving their mate the side-eye every time they come around.
And, guess what happens after you console your friend, keep giving them advice time and time again, letting them know that you have their back, and you tell them that they should leave their mate? Them two fools are back together, in love, and working out their issues. Oh, yeah, and your friend will tell you that you don't know their mate like they do. You don't understand them. SMDH! So, my advice to you is stay out of her relationships. She will work it out, and she will learn her lessons.
You've already given her some advice, and she hasn't heeded. Therefore, she is not interested in your opinion or thoughts. If she wants to be a donkey, then let her be a donkey. Don't you get in that pen with her. She'll have you grazing and running around that field looking like a big ole' jackass. Besides, she just wants someone to justify what she is doing. But, I'm sorry, and you should be too, but I don't co-sign bull-ish. If you're wrong and trifling, then I'm going to tell you that you're wrong and trifling.
I give my friends one time to vent about their mate. I listen, take in what they are saying, and I encourage them to work it out. Although I love my friends, I also know that they are giving me their side of the story. I am not with them and their mate 24-hours a day, or hanging out with them all the time. So, I don't know what my friend's could be doing to instigate something, or over-blowing a situation. And, I know my friends, so, therefore I listen very cautiously, and tread with ease. Because I know that every relationship has rough patches, and it's not always easy being in a relationship. It takes lots of work. Lots of listening, lots of communicating, lots of understanding, and lots of patience. And, when folks get upset in relationships they run to their friends for consoling and advice, all while they are sharing their mate's negatives. They may throw in some positives, but that one negative can be SO OVER THE TOP! And, then you become wrapped up in it and their relationship.
Don't do it! Don't get involved! It will come back to bite you in the ass. Mind your business. Mind your business. Mind your business.
When my friends don't work it out, and they want to keep running back to me asking for my advice, I stop them in mid-sentence and let them know: "I love you dearly, and I truly appreciate our friendship, and I hope you do as well. And, in order for us to remain friends I don't want to hear about your relationship problems, challenges, and issues. I gave you some advice before and you didn't listen or take into consideration what I had to say, so therefore, I am not going to waste my time or yours by repeating myself, or getting wrapped up in your drama. Y'all are some grown ass folks, and I am sure you can work out whatever it is. Now, unless your mate is going upside your head, or threatening you with violence, then I don't want to hear it. But, I love you, though! Now, did you watch Basketball Wives last night?"
You see how easy that is? You see how you can control the situation, and not get caught up in someone else's drama and mess? We all want to have pity parties, and want a house full of folks sipping on bottles of Pignot listening to Mary J. Blige and Keyshia Cole. But, after that first pity party, I am done! Chile, you're not going to keep inviting me back and getting all sad and depressed, and falling out crying and –ish! No ma'am!
So, let your friend do her, and you continue to do you! I know it's hard watching people you love do crazy, ass backwards, and stupid –ish, especially when they know better, but sometimes you just got to let them fall and bump their big ass heads. It's their lesson. It's their journey, and it's up to them to learn from their mistakes. You can't keep bailing them out, and trying to rescue them every time they come running to you whining, and complaining. Especially, when it comes to relationships because you'll become so invested and wrapped up in their drama and bull-ish that you'll take that mess home, or neglect your own relationship. Then, when they get back together with their mate, you'll be going through things with your mate and your friend won't be nowhere to be found. MIND YOUR BUSINESS. MIND YOUR BUSINESS. MIND YOUR BUSINESS. – Terrance Dean
Hey Bossip Fam, what do you think? Share your opinions and thoughts below!
Also, e-mail all your questions Terrance Dean: firstname.lastname@example.com
Follow Terrance Dean on Twitter: @terrancedean
"LIKE" Terrance Dean on Facebook, click HERE!
Make sure to order my books Mogul: A Novel (Atria Books – June 2011; $15), and Straight From Your Gay Best Friend – The Straight Up Truth About Relationships, Love, And Having A Fabulous Life (Agate/Bolden Books – November 2010; $15). They are available in bookstores everywhere, and on Amazon, click HERE!


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There is a MODERATE RISK of severe weather today. Locally, the area of greatest risk will generally north of a line from Baton Rouge to McComb. Elsewhere, there will still be a SLIGHT RISK of severe weather.
Showers and thunderstorms are expected ahead of an approaching cold front. Some of these storms could become severe, with the main threat being damaging straight-line wind gusts. Louisiana
For southeast Louisiana and southern Mississippi, severe weather will be most likely late this afternoon and through the overnight hours across.
The overall thinking has not changed. SPC has a "moderate risk" of severe weather up for much of North and Central Mississippi, West Tennessee, Northeast Louisiana, East Arkansas, and the northwest corner of Alabama.
THE DAYTIME HOURS: We do not expect any severe weather during the day today; it will be warm and windy with a high in the low to mid 70s, right at record levels for late December. Our record high today of 73 (set in 1923) is in danger. A few passing showers are possible, but a decent part of the day will be dry.
A wind advisory is in effect for much of Mississippi today, as winds will average 12-25 mph with higher gusts.
Strong to severe storms will break out today over parts of Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, and West Tennessee. If you are traveling west be aware that there is a significant severe weather risk in these states during the day; be sure you can receive severe weather warnings while you are on the road; Tune into.literocklesstalk.com as I will to on the air with updates.
The overall weather pattern for the eastern half of the nation is very, very messy today with snow and ice issues in the cold air sector of the storm from Oklahoma to the Great Lakes.
There is no need to compare this threat to historic threats like April 27, 2011. Those are rare events and are generational. I am reading way too much hyperbole on some sites about this threat. This is not unusual… this is the core of our fall tornado season in Alabama. Severe weather threats like this are common in November and December in Alabama. Just have a way of getting warnings, and have a plan, and you will be fine.
CALL TO ACTION: Be sure you and your family have a way of hearing severe weather warnings late tonight and during the pre-dawn hours tomorrow. NEVER rely on outdoor warning sirens; they are pretty much useless in homes, businesses, schools, and churches. They reach only a small number of people outdoors.
A NOAA Weather Radio is the baseline, but you need multiple ways of receiving warnings. Good smart phone apps like MyWarn and iMap WeatherRadio work very, very well.
Don't forget you can get the latest watches and warnings on LiteRockLessTalk.com, on Picayune's New Internet Radio Station.


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Sonoma Wine Country Weekend
Sonoma Harvest Wine Auction Shatters All Records Raising $4.5 Million. More...
See Suggested Tasting Routes
Get maps and directions, amenities, tools to get your trip to wine country started. Save plans for later and share. More...
Visa Signature Perks
Sonoma County Vintners offers Visa Signature cardholders year-round exclusive benefits at over 60 wineries. More...
SANTA ROSA, CA, November 11, 2009 – 'Tis the season for entertaining across the United States. As friends and family plan their holiday festivities, Sonoma County's celebrated culinary personalities are offering quick and easy entertaining tips and wine and cheese pairings to elevate the ubiquitous holiday party season from now through the New Year.
With more than 60,000 acres of growing possibilities within Sonoma and Marin counties, the destination yields some of the world's most renowned wines and tantalizing cheeses. According to Bruce Riezenman of Park Avenue Catering, one of Sonoma's top chefs and creator of the iPhone application PairIt, the key to throwing a memorable holiday fete is to blend exceptional product with eye-catching presentation.
"Sonoma is known for its casual sophistication in its approach to food and wine which parlays quite well in entertaining," says Riezenman. "Some simple tips include bringing nature in; mixing and matching colors, styles and patterns; serving foods creatively; buying local whenever possible; and thinking through wine and beverage pairings in advance. A wine and cheese presentation is a great place to start."
The depth of Sonoma County's climate and terrain is ideal for growing multiple grape varietals, many of which become the best in domestic wines. In addition, a new generation of Sonoma and Marin cheesemakers are continually developing new product to showcase the area's exceptional milk and to feed rising consumer demand for artisan cheese. Sonoma County's Wine & Cheese Guide, assembled by award-winning author Laura Werlin, offers these pairings:
Sparkling Wine
Balanced acidity and sparkling bubbles complement rich and creamy soft-ripened cheeses and salty blue cheeses. The sparkling wine's effervescence dances with the richness and salt to create a mouth-filling and refreshing sensation.
Andante Dairy Acapella Pyramid (goat's milk), Cowgirl Creamery Mt. Tam, Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Company Original Blue, Redwood Hill Camellia (goat's milk)
Sauvignon Blanc
The clean, crisp, melon, apple and grassy flavors that distinguish Sonoma County Sauvignon Blanc makes this wine a natural pairing for a tangy goat cheese as well as other fresh cheeses such as feta. Blue cheeses are also compatible with this varietal.
Cowgirl Creamery Fromage Blanc, Laura Chenel's Chèvre Pure Goat Milk Cheese Log, Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Company Original Blue, Redwood Hill Farm Goat's Milk Feta
Full-bodied Chardonnays are a natural pair with butter soft-ripened cheeses because of their rich mouth feel and buttery, creamy characteristics while medium-bodied wines go well with semi-hard and some blue cheeses because of the wine's bright fruit and firm structure.
Bellwether Farms San Andreas (sheep's milk), Joe Matos Cheese St. George, Marin French Cheese Company Triple Crème Brie, Marin French Cheese Company Le Petit Bleu
Pinot Noir
Of all red wines, Sonoma Pinot Noirs are the most cheese-friendly. Their relatively light tannens and bright fruit accompany just about any cheese. The cheeses that pair best have nutty, earthy, herbaceous and/or buttery components.
Cowgirl Creamery Pierce Point, Redwood Hill Cheese Gravenstein Gold (goat's milk), Vella Cheese Company Mezzo Secco
The softer tannins and voluptuous fruit of Merlot make this wine a natural companion for a wide variety of cheeses, particularly aged surface-ripened cheeses. These savory and earthy cheeses perk up the presence of the fruit from the wine. Also excellent are semi-hard cheeses, which are mellow enough to not overpower the wine yet bold enough to hold their own.
Joe Matos Cheese St. George, Redwood Hill Farm California Crottin (goat's milk), Vella Cheese Company Dry Monterey Jack
"Big" and "bold" are synonymous with Zinfandel. The addition of berries and black pepper are features of Sonoma County Zinfandel. The same types of cheeses will make a perfect pairing, including semi-hard cow's and sheep's milk cheeses.
Bellwether Farms Pepato (sheep's milk with peppercorns), Bellwether Farms San Andreas (sheep's milk), Vella Cheese Company Daisy Cheddar
Cabernet Sauvignon
The king of the red grapes, Sonoma County-grown Cabernet Sauvignon, achieves unparalleled elegance. It's characteristics are assertive yet soft, fruit-forward yet earthy with dominant flavors or red and black cherries and dark plums, all with an underlying structure. Aged semi-hard and hard cheeses are the best to stand up to the wine's complexity and power.
Achidinha Capricious (goat's milk), Vella Cheese Company Romanello, Vella Cheese Company Dry Monterey Jack
Syrah is found in many parts of the world and captures the character of each place it is grown. In Sonoma County, that means black currants and black cherries with a black pepper finish. These elements point to cheeses that are spicy, assertive, yet well-rounded. Semi-hard and hard cheeses make the most memorable pairing.
Joe Matos Cheese St. George, Vella Cheese Company Asiago Pepato, Vella Cheese Company Dry Monterey Jack
The full guide is available at www.sonomawinegrape.org/winecheese. Most of the listed cheeses can be purchased online at www.cowgirlcreamery.com. Sonoma County wines can be purchased at local wine purveyors across the country.
~ Sonoma County Wine, Grapes and Tourism ~
Sonoma County, California, located just 30 miles north of San Francisco, offers world-class wines from over 350 wineries in 13 designated wine regions, cuisine featuring locally grown and artisan products, and destination resorts including 40 spas and 21 golf courses. It is the birthplace of premium California wine more than 150 years ago. As leaders in sustainable farming, two thirds of the 62,000 total vineyard acres follow the California statewide guidelines. Family heritage, community and dedication to the land are what make Sonoma County a friendly first-rate wine and food destination.
www.sonomacounty.com –Sonoma County Tourism Bureau
www.sonomawinegrape.org –Sonoma County Winegrape Commission
www.sonomawine.com –Sonoma County Vintners
Media can also visit www.louhammond.com for latest press releases and images. Follow on Twitter at LouHammondPR or find us on Facebook.
Contacts: Susannah Gregory / Emily Santos
Lou Hammond & Associates
(212) 891-0246 / (212) 891-0241
Keri Hanson
Sonoma County Tourism Bureau
(707) 522-5815


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The iBooks 2.0 Textbook Format
Baldur Bjarnason does a fantastic job dissecting the innards of Apple's new iBooks 2.0 Textbook format.
He writes the following comment on Asymco:
Most of the output of iBooks Author is non-standard CSS and non-standard interactive widgets. I've written about the CSS… And I'm planning on writing about the widgets later today, but the short version is this: The interactive widgets are a combination of custom object tags and data- attributes that are then rendered using proprietary code in iBooks 2.0. Any browser or ePub reading system that wanted to implement support for those widgets would have to reverse engineer them first. So, iBooks Author is not an HTML5 authoring tool, its output is decidedly non-standard, and it's far from being cross-platform. It's a proprietary tool for creating proprietary files.


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This is from 2009, but still deserves a bit of (dishonorable) mentioning.
Seriously, what does knowing the fact that one is using Linux help? Is it going to suddenly make one immensely more productive? Is it going to make a B-movie play like a cinematic masterpiece? Is it even going to make a made-in-China piece of junk any more than what it says on its tin? No? Figures.
Anyone with experience purchasing a piece of software, on the other hand, knows exactly why there is a practical meaning to putting the name "Windows" on a desktop/laptop system. This is, of course, unless you are a Linux enthusiast who, for some wretched reason, believes that the repository is the next (il)logical step to the desktop evolution. In that case, your idea of packaging a piece of software is probably along the line of wrapping random binary files from a baffling loon-o-cratic process of selection in rpm/deb archives by someone who knows nothing beyond the rudimentary about them. But, hey, if you are crazy enough to think that there is nothing wrong with an OS built from parts supplied and maintained by unaffiliated third-parties, then the real world is probably too complicated for you to comprehend anyway.
• "And that you remember there are those out there who wouldn't even have a computer if it wasn't for Desktop Linux."
No, Ken. The fact that "those out there" are now proud owners of your dumpster-dived PCs has absolute jack squat to do with the OS they run. In fact, if you so wish, you could even license Windows XP at around $10-15 a pop like some other charity organizations do. The only reason you are not doing that is that you don't want to. There is just no loving excuse.
"And that you remember there are those out there who wouldn't even have a computer if it wasn't for Desktop Linux."
I think he refers to Linux being Unix, the "ancestor of most operating systems".
What a jack ass.
OMG, that (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XG9HhXBFDUM&feature=player_embedded) was Helios, was it? I didn't spot it at the time.
Funny how Ken takes "immense pride" in that video, and the rest of us look at it as some poor dumb loser being given a surprisingly polite bum's rush by the IBM and HP guys. The look of wry amusement on their faces at the end is worth watching the whole thing. (I liked the pointless Perens interlude to, where the Savior of Austin drags him in as an Unimpeachable Authority.)
Wow. Watch it for the lulz. Then re-read this here's link.
Good grief: I followed that link. Apparently you can sit on your arse (like I do), write £10,000 off to charity, and somebody else will go to all the hard work of shipping a 20 ft containing 250 (yes, that's 250) fully-functioning computers, plus printers, plus networking stuff, to the needy.
Or you can devote your spare time to signing the local poor up to cable plans that they can't possibly afford and provide a broken bit of sh1t on the end, like Helios does.
What exactly is his point?
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Join Dulux and receive FREE eNewsletter, exclusive invites to Dulux webinars, plus periodic Giveaways!
Dulux Specification and Project Services offer comprehensive coatings specifications to Architects, Specifiers, Engineers, Builders and Developers. Dulux provides total product and colour solutions to ensure every project is perfect according to specifications.
The Dulux Specification and Project Service team is committed to supporting architects, specifiers, engineers, builders and developers at every stage, from design to completion. No matter your project size, our team will write a comprehensive coatings specification for all substrates on your project.
As the Australian pioneers of low Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) paints, Dulux can offer low VOC paint solutions. Our low VOC solutions can help you achieve world class Green Star indoor environment quality (IEQ) requirements for buildings, without compromising product durability performance.Our service includes complete Green Star specification and documentation, along with access to Green Star Accredited professionals.Dulux is a member of the Green Building Council of Australia.
Dulux provides A4 size colour and texture samples as well as Acra-Tex, Protective Coatings and Timber coatings product samples.
This service is only available to design professionals with a registered ABN. To access this service log onto register your details on the Dulux Shop.
From decorative finishes to powder coating and flooring finishes, Dulux offers the widest range of protective, high performance and corrosion resistant finishes ensuring your vision becomes a durable reality.
Dulux can offer a detailed Dulux Material Warranty in conjunction with painters and allied contractors to cover all paint and coating requirements. Details on how to care for painted surfaces and term-term maintenance needs will be included within ant Dulux Material Warranty.
Dulux offers Architects two one hour modules that are both accredited with 1 Formal CPD point. To find out more click here.
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