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Friday, August 29, 2014
This is Dixie. She lives with my in-laws. Tuesday, Aug. 19, at lunch time, Dixie was fine, barking from outside, at the ladies visiting my mother-in-law.
That evening mother-in-law became concerned for Dixie, went looking for her in the back yard and found her in a hole shed dug to cool off, but Dixie was barely alive. I wont get into the graphic nature of what my mother-in-law found but know that Dixie was VERY sick.
Even though the back yard is heavily shaded, if you recall, Aug. 19s temperature/heat index went into the 100s. So from noon until about 6 p.m., Dixie went from a very healthy dog to near death and I mean near death.
My mother-in-law had the presence of mind to call my husband. He went to their home, carried Dixie to the car and rushed her to the Emergency Vet Clinic on Montague Avenue where she stayed for 48 hours on IVs of antibiotics and gastro-intestinal meds. When my husband arrived with Dixie to the Clinic, he wasnt sure she would still be alive, but she was. The vets told him she more than likely would not survive the night, but she did.
The clinic concluded that while it COULD be another condition, the consensus was heat stroke. (Yes, dogs, and other animals, can and do get heat stroke, and it can be fatal). They quickly evaluated her immediate needs and administered the care she needed to survive if possible, thus assuring us that she was in good hands.
My husband brought Dixie to our home Aug. 21 with four prescription medications for us to administer. While he was enroute to pick her up, I was on the phone with the E-vet receiving exact instructions on Dixies care. The vet spent a good 20 minutes speaking with me and answering questions for which I am eternally grateful. Dixies condition was and still is listed as guarded. She is off the IV and will not eat, but is taking in small amounts of water. Her gastro-intestinal system is very compromised as a result of heat stroke. She is on two strong antibiotics to keep her from getting sepsis and her blood sugar has also dropped several times so we work to get it back up to normal levels.
Since Aug. 19 the cost of Dixies care has been $2,000 and it is not over, but what price do you put on a family member? Yes, we consider our pets part of the family. While none of us could afford to continue keeping her at the Emergency Clinic, we made the commitment to Dixie to care for her at home and the vets there gave us the tools we need to administer that care. Some would say we should have put her down but its not our nature. While she has improved, Dixie has a LONG way to go but we will be with her every step of the way and will also be under the watchful eye of her regular vet as needed.
So, why am I telling you this? It is in the hope that you will read this and pass it on. Heat stroke can occur at any time to anyone; not just humans, but to animals as well, and it can be fatal.
Please take care of your loved ones all of them two-legged as well as four-legged.
Lisa Kearney lives in Summerville.
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on February 20, 2013 - 1:03 AM
The third annual Penn Dixie "Think Ya Know" Trivia/Game Show Fundraising Event will be conducted at the Oakwood Manor, Post 1419, Veterans of Foreign Wars, 2985 Lake View Road, Hamburg, from 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday.
"The Quiz Master" Dennis George will conduct trivia contests throughout the evening.
This event will help support the programs, events and operations of the Penn Dixie Paleontological and Outdoor Education Center in Hamburg, including programs in astronomy, birding, fossil collecting, geology, wetland studies and investigations, wildlife, summer day camps, and other programs in the natural sciences.

subset: commoncrawl


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INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. — John Templeton said, "Bull markets are born on pessimism, grow on skepticism, mature on optimism and die on euphoria." With market averages approaching a five-year high, it feels like we are transitioning from skepticism to optimism.
When most investors are too bearish or too bullish a move against them is all but assured. For too long investors have been assuming that the problems we all know about have to lead to crises, if not catastrophes, even though avoiding them is in everyone's interest. In this column I've been saying, "Not so fast." I still say it. People who invest (or go short) as if a crisis is inevitable are taking a big chance. Same for all those who have been selling stocks and buying Treasuries, paying more and more for less and less while the market they left continues higher. Here are some of the reasons stocks are rising (these will sound familiar):
The news from Europe continues to be, if not positive, at least less dire than it had appeared months ago. The market rallied last week when the ECB announced its plan for bond purchases without limit and again last week when a German court okayed the country's participation. Collapse of the Eurozone is off the table ... at least for now.
While I have no way to measure it, I can't help but feel that underinvested hedge funds and money managers are putting cash to work, and those who have been short are folding amid the ongoing pain of a bull market. Just my feeling.
Earnings are growing, corporate balance sheets have never been stronger, and valuations are low compared to interest rates and historical levels. That was true when stocks were lower, it's still true because prices and earnings have been growing at the same pace. So even though stocks have more than doubled, they are not overvalued.
Alternative investments are unattractive. They have been for a few years, they are now, and they will be for the foreseeable future. I've been making that point again and again. People will buy stocks, especially those with good dividends. They'll have little choice.
As of last week we can add QE3 to the list. The Fed's balance sheet has grown from $800 billion to $3 trillion since 2008 and now will grow by $40 billion a month for years. In short, the Fed is flooding the financial system and economy with money as it buys mortgages and bonds, hoping some good will come of it. One good effect is obvious -- stocks are rising. Let's enjoy it. Someday the Fed will be selling.
— David Vomund is an Incline Village-based fee-only money manager. Information is found at www.ETFportfolios.net or by calling 775-832-8555. Clients hold the positions mentioned in this article. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Consult your financial advisor before purchasing any security.


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When you apply one or more routine sets of commands to your files, you can save time and keystrokes by using an action—a defined series of commands with specific settings and in a specific order that you apply in a single step. You can apply an action to a single document, to several documents, or to an entire collection of documents. You can even scan documents and combine several documents into a single PDF before running an action.
Acrobat DC provides some predefined actions. You can also create your own actions. You can access and manage the actions by clicking Tools > Action Wizard.
Adobe Acrobat DC also lets you export and import actions and commands so that you can share them with others.
The actions interface and architecture replace the batch script mode available in the earlier versions of Acrobat. Most of your Acrobat XI batch scripts can be imported as actions; some scripts require minor changes.
Acrobat DC includes several simple predefined actions that you can use to streamline your work. These actions represent common tasks that you routinely perform to prepare files for distribution. You do not have to open any of the PDF files before you begin to run these actions.
You can avoid password prompts when you run a sequence on PDFs that require passwords. Automate password entry, or specify a security method for these files in the Action Wizard panel of the Preferences dialog box. If you select Do Not Ask For Password, PDFs that require passwords are not processed.
- Choose Tools > Action Wizard. A list of available actions is displayed under the Actions List in the right hand pane.
- Choose the action from the list. The right-hand pane changes to display each task included in the action, as well as any instructions provided by the author of the action.
- Under Files To Be Processed, click Add Files to select the files that you want to run the action on. You can run the action on the currently opened file, or add more files, folders, or email attachments.
- When all the files you want to process are listed, click Start.
- If Acrobat prompts you, provide additional information, such as output location and settings.
A progress indicator displays the status of the currently running process or task. A check mark identifies completed actions or tasks. On successful completion of all tasks, "Completed" status is shown in the panel.
You can click Stop in the panel to stop processing an action. Acrobat saves any files that have already been processed as defined in the action. You can click Resume to continue the Action or click the cross icon before the action name in the RHP to exit from further processing of the action.
To make your action easier to follow, you can group steps into panels, add divider lines, and include instructions. You can limit the action to specific files, apply it to all files within a folder, or let the user choose a file from various sources such as a scanner, web page, or Clipboard.
Fine-tune the action using the buttons on the right. Add a new panel grouping, instructions, or a divider line, or move or delete items in the list.
Creates a new panel grouping at the bottom of the current set of tasks. When prompted, type the name of the panel, and click Save.
Adds instructions below the currently selected task. When prompted, type the instructions, and click Save.
Adds a divider line below the currently selected task.
Moves the currently selected item up the list. You can move a task, instructions, a divider line, or an entire panel grouping.
Moves the currently selected item down in the list. You can move a task, instructions, a divider line, or an entire panel grouping.
Deletes the currently selected item. Be careful what you select. You can delete an entire panel grouping.
Use the Manage Actions dialog box to edit, rename, copy, delete, reorder, import, or export actions.
You can duplicate an action, and you can modify the tasks in the action before you save the copy.
- Choose Tools > Action Wizard.
- In the secondary toolbar, click Manage Actions.
- In the Manage Actions dialog box, select an action and click Copy.
The Save Action dialog box is displayed.
- In the Save Action dialog box, enter the action name and description, and click Save.
A new copy of the selected action is created and added to the Select An Action list.
Before you run actions on PDFs that are encrypted or password protected, you can set your digital ID to enter required passwords automatically.
Specify a security method for these files in the Action Wizard panel of the Preferences dialog box. If you select Do Not Ask For Password, PDFs that require passwords are not processed.
- Open the Preferences dialog box.
- Choose Signatures in the Categories on the left.
- For Identities & Trusted Certificates, click More.
- On the left, open Digital IDs and select Digital ID Files.
- In the list on the right, select an ID and then select the following commands from the top bar:
Logs in using the specified digital ID. Type the password and click OK.
Logs out using the specified digital ID when you have finished running an action.
Custom commands allow you to preconfigure commands such as Watermark and Header & Footer to reduce the amount of time each command would take to set up. This saves time for repetitive tasks.
Custom commands are single-step and applicable to the current document, while actions are multi-step sequences and applicable to multiple files.
Use the Manage Custom Commands dialog box to edit, copy, rename, remove, reorder, import, or export commands.
Twitter™ and Facebook posts are not covered under the terms of Creative Commons.


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SaveME Batteries is an early stage Company based out of San Diego that has developed an innovative program for consumers to purchase and exchange batteries. By deploying several technologies that combines high end rechargeable batteries with automated kiosk management they are able to offer the public an affordable and high performance alternative to traditional, disposable alkaline batteries. The long term goal is to help communities create a new and sustainable consumption pattern that will benefit all of us for generations to come.
Because California, and in particular San Diego, provides "green" oriented companies a business friendly environment it made sense to headquarter the company here. In and around San Diego there is large pool of talent with a broad range of knowledge to support companies like SaveME Battery that are focused on sustainable energy. Being located in California makes it much easier to tap into a community that is rich with creative ideas to promote clean energy and sound sustainability practices. A strong educated network in the area will help to ensure the company's success in the short term and provide for the company's future growth.
Most household have multiple batteries in remote controls, toys, flashlights, and other consumer electronics. If the household has children, the amount of batteries used increases geometrically. All told, about four billion batteries are sold annually in the U.S. averaging around 32 per family or ten per person. Conventional single use batteries are considered hazardous waste in California and need to be disposed of properly by taking them to a State sponsored battery collection box, hazardous waste disposal facility, or an authorized recycling facility. Unfortunately even with the best intentions the large majority of these batteries still end up in our landfills.
The issue of battery disposal is completely eliminated under the SaveME program. The business model utilizes automated kiosks for consumer to purchase their batteries and then swap or exchange the "empty" batteries for "full" ones at a cost less than traditional throw away batteries. The used batteries are then "refilled", inspected, and re-distributed to the consumer.
SaveME batteries are longer lasting and more powerful than the best alkaline battery and can be refilled by the company and put back into service for consumer purchase/exchange hundreds of times. The environmental benefits of adopting the SaveME Batteries program go beyond just keeping battery waste out of our landfills considering the carbon footprint associated with the manufacturing of batteries as well as the excess packaging used to market and distribute.
"As a working mother, I found SaveME batteries to be the answer to all my battery needs. It's convenient, environment friendly and it 'saves me' when I need battery power for electronic toys and remotes."
Our Mapping tool is a great way to find business resources in your area.
Check out the maps


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mean mug: it is when you intensely stare someone down for a long-shorrt amount of time with your car window slightly rolled dowwn as if you are a black man hunting for a bucket of chicken or a house to rob but you are staring at a person
i walked down the street and this old lady was mean mugging me
dayummmmn dude
mean mug da bitch back!
dayummmmn dude
mean mug da bitch back!
od uživatele apossumlovingsonofabitch 26. září 2011
The sexual act during which the provider of oral stimulation momentarily removes the penis from her/his mouth to glare at it as though they are angry at, or absolutely loathe said penis. The stare down is completed when she/he spits on the penis and continues the fellatio in a vigorous manner.
"hey bobby, check out this hot blowjob scene. I love it when she mean mugs that stud's cock"
od uživatele Ray Bob 19. únor 2005


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A pure white freshwater pearl dangles from a matte sterling disk engraved with the sacred syllable OM which represents the original sound of the universe. In Buddhism, OM symbolizes the body, speech, and mind of the Buddha.
Sterling silver chain is 18". Made in the USA. 5/8" dia., 1" l.
*$8.95 shipping when your online order consists of any combination of jewelry, books, malas, incense, silk hangings, CDs/DVDs, and other select items marked "flat rate," ONLY. For standard shipping within the U.S. ONLY (Canada Flat Rate and 2nd Day Flat Rate orders excluded from this offer). If your order includes items in addition to the items listed above, our regular shipping rates apply (see chart).
Order any time: 800.794.9862 . FAX 978.620.1352 . www.dharmacrafts.com Contact Customer Service©2000 - 2016 DharmaCrafts, Inc.


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Friday, September 27, 2013
Arclabs – a welding school that provides a variety of training options – opened its doors to vendors and prospective students on Sept. 12.
The new 933 Commerce Circle, Hanahan campus is the third for Arclabs, joining Columbia and Piedmont, S.C. Opened in March, the school has 10 booths for hands-on training.
Arclabs plans to have 10 additional booths by the end of the year and 10 more in 2014, according to Paul Connerty, vice president of operations.
Classes are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and last 10 weeks. Night classes are also offered Monday through Thursday from 5:30 to 10:30 p.m., and take 20 weeks to complete, according to Arclabs admissions counselor Reagan Prozzi.
Prozzi said that the curriculum used is from the National Center for Construction Education and Research. An end-of-course welding test is required for certification.
According to Prozzi, prospective students are required to have a high school diploma or GED and must pass a drug test. There are four welding processes taught and there are payment options available.
Tuition for the 400-hour classes is $6,850 with a separate, advanced 900-hour class for $15,300.
"Some choose to pay upfront but there are payment plans available," Prozzi said. "We cater the payment plan for each individual."
At least 70 percent of graduates must be placed in new jobs for Arclabs to remain accredited; the new location's current percentage is in the high-80s.
One way that the location hopes to keep the numbers up is through the new Job Experience Training program.
JET is designed for companies to give Arclabs what tasks they need their future employee to perform, and in turn the future employee will begin training for those specific tasks, Connerty said.
"It works out well for everybody involved," he said. "We're very, very excited about it."
At the recent open house, some of the vendors that came were national suppliers who performed live demonstrations of new equipment.
Victor Tech was one of the vendors in attendance. The company displayed its oxy-fuel system as well as a three-in-one welding machine.
For more information contact the school at (843) 261-0044 or by email at firstname.lastname@example.com">firstname.lastname@example.com.
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Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service, Privacy Policy and Parental Consent Form.


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Sorry Deb, this is totally incorrect. The reason non-Catholics cannot receive communion in the Roman Catholic Church is because the Catholic faith teaches that communion becomes the body and blood of Christ. Non-Catholic chirches believe communion is a remembrance but doesn't become the body and blood of Çhrist.Originally posted by Deb Richardson:
I was once told by a long time Catholic and someone who had studied their faith, those outside of the Catholic faith are more aware than those inside the faith. Yes, aphephilia it is the Catholic church that denies Holy Communion by saying that certain sins are beyond forgiveness
Deb, this is another incorrect understanding of Catholic doctrine. A divorced person may receive communion. I know, I am divorced and am in good standing with the Catholic Church. Now a divorced person who has remarried outside the church or who is living with someone as if married cannot receive communion. A divorced person who has received a declaration of nullity, in which it is determined that a sacramental marriage did not occur, is free to remarry and receive communion. A divorced person who does not have such a declaration is still considered married in the eyes of the Church. As long as they are celibate they certainly may receive communion.Originally posted by Deb Richardson:
I was once told by a friend that attended church regularly, although denied the sacrament due to divorce
Oh Aphephilia, it's much more fun to hold on to misconceptions than to learn what things really mean.Originally posted by aphephilia:
If I may suggest a really good book by Dr. Alan Schreck. It's entitled, Catholic and Christian, an Explanation of Commonly Misunderstood Catholic Beliefs.
You know Broca, we are all free to believe what we want. You mentioned Bertrand Russell earlier. I have read his books. He taught at my mother's college. He may be an agnostic but he respected the beliefs of others. You could learn from his example.Originally posted by Broca:
I can imagine the catholic grade school banter on this. While strolling back from communion, Spike whispers to his friend, "Hey Joey, did you get a piece of nose or foot this time?"
LOL, I did notice that. Curious minds want to know who she/he is.Originally posted by aphephilia:
Hey Nell, did you see we have another Nel on the board?
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on January 9, 2013 - 7:12 AM
Fish fillets topped with melted Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese can be made in minutes using a microwave. Penne pasta tossed with fresh basil is a simple side dish. The secret to this recipe is using best quality Parmesan.
The recipe calls for cooking the fish in a microwave oven. It can also be sauteed on the stove. Simply place a layer of tomatoes in a nonstick skillet and place the fish fillets over it. Cover with a lid and cook 8 minutes for a 1-inch thick fillet. Alter the time according to the thickness of the fillet, counting 8 minutes per inch. This meal contains 561 calories per serving, with 29 percent of calories from fat.
Hints: Any short-cut pasta such as elbow macaroni or rigatoni can be used. The easiest way to chop basil is to cut it with a scissors. It is used in both recipes. Prepare at one time and divide accordingly. Shave the Parmesan with a potato peeler. Two crushed garlic cloves can be used instead of bought minced garlic.
Countdown: Place water for pasta on to boil. Prepare ingredients for pasta and place in a bowl. Make fish fillets. Boil pasta and toss with ingredients in bowl.
Shopping list: 2 medium tomatoes, 1 bunch fresh basil, 1 piece Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, 2 (6-ounce) fish fillets, 1 box penne pasta. Staples: Olive oil, balsamic vinegar, minced garlic, salt, black peppercorns.
Basil penne pasta
½ cup fresh basil, torn into bite-size pieces
2 teaspoons olive oil
2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
¼ pound penne pasta, about 1½ cups
Salt and freshly ground pepper
Bring a large saucepan with 3 to 4 quarts of water to a boil. Place basil, olive oil and balsamic vinegar in a large bowl. Add pasta to boiling water and cook 10 minutes or until al dente. Remove 2 tablespoons of the pasta water to the bowl and mix with sauce ingredients. Drain pasta and add to bowl. Toss well with salt and pepper to taste. Divide between two dinner plates and top with fish. Makes 2 servings.
Parmesan fish fillets
2 medium tomatoes, sliced
2 (6-ounce) fish fillets such as tilapia, snapper, mahi mahi or sole
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon minced garlic
Salt and freshly ground pepper
¼ cup Parmigiano- Reggiano cheese shavings
½ cup basil, torn into bite-size pieces
Arrange tomato slices in a microwaveable dish in one layer. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste. Microwave on high for 2 minutes. Place fish fillets over the tomatoes. Drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle with minced garlic and salt and pepper. Cover loosely with plastic wrap. Microwave on high 5 minutes or until center of fillet is opaque. (Test after 3 minutes, as microwave ovens have different powers.)
Remove from microwave, place cheese over fish and cover with plastic wrap. Let stand 2 minutes, covered, before serving. Sprinkle basil on top. Serve fish over cooked pasta. Makes 2 servings.


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Moorefield girls knock off Wildcats
Yellow Jackets advance to softball regional finals
May 10, 2013
FRANKLIN?— Moorefield pounded out 25 hits to roll past Pendleton County 24-0 Thursday in Class A regional semifinal action. The game ended after the fifth inning due to the mercy rule....
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text: quote: The problem with the HD channels is from the massive bandwidth that Analog channels eat up. I had a tech this fall tell me that they will be able to add a lot more HD channels after the DTV transistion (Feb 2009). He said that for every analog station they drop, they can either add 5 HD or 10 Digital channels.


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PFS Interview – Rupert Wyatt, Director of The Gambler
By Alex Gibson
In one of the many memorable scenes of The Gambler, Jim Bennett (Mark Wahlberg) weaves through a lecture hall lamenting the absence of genius in the world. He teaches his students that genius is born, not bred, and those who don't have it shouldn't even try. Though he does not call himself a genius, he will come to admit that three of his students are: the nationally ranked tennis-player Dexter (Emory Cohen), the school's all-star basketball player (Anthony Kelley), and a shy young writer (Brie Larson). By the end of the film, these three will also be the only people who see Jim in both halves of his life, the only ones who see both sides of the coin, or in his case, the casino chip.
A loose remake of the 1974 film of the same name, The Gambler stars Mark Wahlberg as Jim, an English professor who racks up over $260,000 worth of debt and is given seven days to repay it. Jim owes the bulk of his money to a Korean gangster Mister Lee (Alvin Ing) and Neville, a genial moneylender (Michael Kenneth Williams). After receiving and gambling away a payout from his mother (Jessica Lange), Jim later goes to Frank, played hauntingly by John Goodman, for another loan. While it seems that The Gambler centers around gambling addiction as the original film did, this version focuses more on a character who wants to get away from his life and finds an escape in casinos.
Earlier this month, The Gambler director Rupert Wyatt visited Philadelphia for a special screening of the film. The next day, I got the opportunity to discuss his film with him.


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Now more than ever, we need your support! Become a Supporting Subscriber today.
The Two Doctors
Fans were always in for a treat and a real blast when Colin Baker (left) and Jon Pertwee (right) appeared together. They got on famously together. Here Jon joins the current Doctor at the time, Colin in October 1985 at Whovent85. Photo by Louis Trapani.


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The Nexus 4, Moto X and how Google is changing Android perception from "high spec" to "high experience"
143 Comments
1. papss (unregistered)
Hence the reason I love WP. it just feels better for me
4. Potato. (banned) (Posts: 607; Member since: 14 Jun 2013)
Me too. Although I am a Android fanboy.
8. TROLL (banned) (Posts: 4851; Member since: 13 Apr 2012)
Lier your a Nokia Fanboy™
60. Potato. (banned) (Posts: 607; Member since: 14 Jun 2013)
Loyal to Nokia but I love Android.
And yes I am a NOKIA + HTC Fanboy.
114. Alex123 (Posts: 241; Member since: 17 Oct 2012)
I am also Nokia + HTC fanboy. but do you want Nokia to make some android phone, for me i really want. Samsung use both OS, HTC also and the rumor that Sony will also produce WP but why Nokia seem not clever like the others. If Nokia wants to keep business running, it should make some android phone along with Windows Phone so its customer will have choice to choose
74. akki20892 (Posts: 3901; Member since: 04 Feb 2013)
don't lie troll, u r a nokia fan too. lol
77. TROLL (banned) (Posts: 4851; Member since: 13 Apr 2012)
Yes but oldskool Nokia. Not nokiawp8®
130. AstronautJones (Posts: 303; Member since: 01 Aug 2012)
I had a N97 and it was the best build of a phone I have ever had.... even as some described it as plasticky at the time. Sliding keyboard was solid and never loosened up.
135. Mittal (Posts: 493; Member since: 14 Dec 2011)
MH, my man, what u have written here is cent per cent true!
To each his own. Buy what you need and dont be blinded by the specs.
I am happy with the lag free experience the S4 powered One S gives me.
And where HTC has made me happy is the great hardware + a very pleasant software. I have no need of the power of quad cores and hence saved up on some precious money!
My One S is a keeper for another year and a half!
59. MichaelHeller (Posts: 2703; Member since: 26 May 2011)
WP is a really nice platform. I'm a bit too deep into the Google world to make the switch, but I definitely want to pick up a Nokia as a secondary device.
71. papss (unregistered)
As a fellow N4 owner do you have a problem with the rate at which yours charges wireless? Mine seems to charge really slow on the Nokia pad. Maybe its my bumper?
80. MichaelHeller (Posts: 2703; Member since: 26 May 2011)
I have the official Nexus 4 orb charger, and ive had no problems with charging speed. My only issue is that the rubber gets dusty and causes my phone to slip off the charger. That can be annoying.
84. papss (unregistered)
Hmm maybe the charge pad and N4 just dont play great together. Maybe I should pick up an orb then
75. WHoyton1 (Posts: 1635; Member since: 21 Feb 2013)
Sure go for a second device Michael but I made the switch full time and I'm regretting it deeply, no where near as many features as I like on my android
78. ITEngineer (Posts: 54; Member since: 26 Mar 2013)
dont, i have the Lumia 920 from my job as a work phone, it's awfull, the nokia maps lags like a piece of code that renders from the 1990's, i had to install google maps, the market is not that great either, there is no way to close tasks in a multitasking view.
I tell you the fluidity is nice, but the rest is awful, IE is the worst mobile browser out there.
83. MichaelHeller (Posts: 2703; Member since: 26 May 2011)
Even if the experience isn't the best, I want one just for work purposes. I don't like writing about things I haven't tried. Between my wife and i , we have android and iOS covered, but I want to be able to test stuff on WP before writing about it
87. papss (unregistered)
I disagree with most of which you said actually.
1. I've never had any lag on nokia maps and truth be told they are actually one of if not the best maps out there. I've yet to experience any lag.
2. Closing windows, hold the back button, select the window you want to close and then hit back again.
3. Boy I'm not sure what to say here... What you feel about mobil IE is what I feel about chrome. I actually like IE (Mobil only) and think its pretty fast. What I do hate is no flash though.
109. hms2407 (Posts: 94; Member since: 25 Apr 2013)
a couple of weeks back i bought a lumna 520 and it was full of issues.sometimes the camera app would'nt open or bluetooth didnt turned on..sometimes the camera app would crash and this mostly happened before taking a snapshot,the browser for the most part was great but desktop pages like PA were laggy and same is said for the nokia maps,Wp8 store wasnt great either...my experience with wp8 wasnt good :(
2. SuperAndroidEvo (Posts: 4833; Member since: 15 Apr 2011)
Android was & is a VERY ambitious OS. When Android first came out the OS was limited by the specs of its time. A single core device couldn't handle what Android was giving. Android was that intuitive that people kept sticking with them because of what you can actually do with the Android OS.
Now the specs have caught up with the OS to the point that the experience is EXCELLENT & just purely awesome.
Yes there was a time when Android had some lag but people who knew about the inner workings of the OS knew Android was offering something others can't match & that is why Android has moved to the number 1 mobile OS in the world & soon to be the number one OS around. Today's specs make Android a dream to use & to multi-task with.
Apple knows Android is the future, you want to know why?!?!?
Ask iOS 7.
23. biophone (Posts: 1956; Member since: 15 Jun 2011)
For most people ios and android deliver a good experience. I don't see either one of them going away anytime soon. The future isn't going to be just android thats for sure. More then 1 os will exist.
27. Igneel (unregistered)
Maybe all those hardware that can eliminate bugs has been available after the early years of Android but was kept secret to gain more profit *sudden clarity clarence*
61. MichaelHeller (Posts: 2703; Member since: 26 May 2011)
I think your view is just slightly off. The more realistic description is to say that Google is a more forward thinking company and is more willing to take risks, and because of that they try a lot more things, even if they end up failing (as it looks like NFC will).
Apple doesn't take as many risks. Apple tries to perfect the features it deems worthwhile, and never ship anything that's half-baked. Even though its products (Maps/Siri) can't always live up to the hype, the products launch with a level of polish that Google doesn't work towards.
Google releases early and iterates often. Apple releases late but more polished. But, they're both going to the same place.
98. Whateverman (Posts: 3262; Member since: 17 May 2009)
I'm not ready to give up on NFC just yet. True, it's taking a lot longer than it should to take off because Apple is choosing not to support it, and we all know the iPhone fans will not question Apple's judgement. Not to mention all the carriers limiting its uses, ie: locking out Google Wallet so that a yet to be released ISIS can pad thier pockets. NFC is not getting the help it deserves, but I think if we "the techies" can show the benefits to the general consumer, it can do well.
All that said, once again... great article!
124. pkiran1996 (Posts: 166; Member since: 22 Oct 2011)
I'm an Android fanboy. But I'd rather have Apples AirDrop feature than Android Beam
125. Whateverman (Posts: 3262; Member since: 17 May 2009)
AirDrop looks cool so far, but really how much different is AirDrop from ShareShot. I'm thinking more about mobile payment and things like that. And we all know AirDrop will be iOS only, Apple never shares.
117. neutralguy (Posts: 1152; Member since: 30 Apr 2012)
Half baked=maps. They've actually release it just to take a shot to google even if it's not a perfect one. They've took the risk one time (maps) and ended up with their ceo apologizing.
120. MichaelHeller (Posts: 2703; Member since: 26 May 2011)
But, now no one even talks about Maps, which means it has gotten improved enough so people keep using it. It started out as a big joke, but now it's a really taking usage from Google Maps.
123. pkiran1996 (Posts: 166; Member since: 22 Oct 2011)
What if no one talks about it anymore simply because they switched to Google Maps?
126. MichaelHeller (Posts: 2703; Member since: 26 May 2011)
Possible but unlikely. If everyone were switching to Google Maps, it wouldn't have dropped to #9 on the top free apps list in iTunes.
A lot of people are using Google, but there are also a ton using Apple and having no issues.
3. Potato. (banned) (Posts: 607; Member since: 14 Jun 2013)
Too much lengthy article.
Ain't nobody got time to read that. xD
54. lallolu (Posts: 471; Member since: 18 Sep 2012)
But you did.
57. MichaelHeller (Posts: 2703; Member since: 26 May 2011)
If you don't got time to read, don't waste our time with a comment. Simple courtesy.
62. Potato. (banned) (Posts: 607; Member since: 14 Jun 2013)
Why so serious?
I was just kidding.
76. akki20892 (Posts: 3901; Member since: 04 Feb 2013)
Saying with seriously: no it's not.
85. androidfanboy (Posts: 162; Member since: 24 Jun 2013)
You got owned haha
86. TROLL (banned) (Posts: 4851; Member since: 13 Apr 2012)
That's what little kids do joke around and make them self look like a fool!
I believe this potato is ExperiaDroid cause he speaks and acts like him. ®
90. papss (unregistered)
I believe you have been many before too correct? Appleandroid ?
94. TROLL (banned) (Posts: 4851; Member since: 13 Apr 2012)
Smart boy Papss yes I agree. But that account was created cause of Chaoticrazor posting his usual bullying and picking on other users calling them kids.
But look at Experiadroid he uses tech2 polrt3 polrt2 I hate smart phones potato and thumbs his own comment that's so low. ®
Anyway papss how is you ....
99. papss (unregistered)
I'm doing well..still trying to adjust back into android with all the tweaking here and there. You have any suggestions for a good lock screen launcher?
100. TROLL (banned) (Posts: 4851; Member since: 13 Apr 2012)
Nova launcher
Apex and few others papss can't recall.
Papss where are you from bro?
I'm in UK London
Any plans for weekend?
113. papss (unregistered)
We throw a huge fireworks show every year so we are doing that Saturday night. :)
I would have owned the 808 had I been into phone tech like I am now.
103. TROLL (banned) (Posts: 4851; Member since: 13 Apr 2012)
Papss any plan of buying that Nokia Eos? I'm definitely will in a month or 2 months time. But won't be liking wp8, wish it was wp9 or S60 Symbian. But still it will be taking great superb pictures. Can't wait.
112. papss (unregistered)
If it really does take great photos then I will buy it right away. I just want a few previews first. I want the phone for soccer pictures of my son, im so tired of carring around my nikon. I live in the US
108. SleepingOz (unregistered)
Because it takes a lot of time and effort to write quality articles like this. And it's really annoying to have some stupid trolls like you to come and leave irrelevant and nonsensical comments in return. If you didn't want to read the article, at least show some respect to the author!
What's funny is that you said you don't have time to read that, yet you have plenty of time to create multiple accounts, log in/log out/switch between them to troll nearly every artcicle on here, like and reply to you own comments etc..
See the irony?
96. ihatesmartphone (unregistered)
101. TROLL (banned) (Posts: 4851; Member since: 13 Apr 2012)
Experiadroid you again™
104. SleepingOz (unregistered)
Lemme guess; Micheal hurt your feelings(as Potato), but you didn't want to publicly show your butthurt, so you logged into your other "anonymous" account(ihatesmartphone) to troll harder.
Get a life, dude!
128. darkkjedii (Posts: 21218; Member since: 05 Feb 2011)
Well said. Potato you are a techie rite?
5. smallworld (Posts: 484; Member since: 13 Jul 2012)
Sounds like an excuse to charge midrange specs at an premium price...
12. HASHTAG (unregistered)
Not really, I wouldn't mind paying a premium price to have a better experience on a smartphone vs. paying a premium price for phones with high specs, but horrible software.
48. Zero0 (Posts: 592; Member since: 05 Jul 2012)
Except that's not the direction Android is going.
The Nexus 4, at launch, had high-end specs at a low-end price. About eight months later, it's a mid-range device at a low-end price.
6. Smart (Posts: 76; Member since: 20 Aug 2011)
Michael every article you write takes me through a new ride of ideas and unique view points...
Completely agree with you on the argument that at the end of the day it is how one connects with the device that stands out much against the common expectation of beefed up hardware...
Nexus lines of devices are amazing piece of both art and technology....
What we all tend to forget is that there is hardly anything as a future proof device....if we keep fueling this wild debate of better specs equals better device then we will never be satisfied with any device......
Just as they say "best camera is the one you have with you".....so is this "the best smartphone is the one that you are holding right now....cause it connects with you"...
15. Commentator (Posts: 3685; Member since: 16 Aug 2011)
"...we will never be satisfied with any device..."
This sentiment is thrown around a lot, and frankly I don't agree. Whenever I get a new device, I am in awe of it (I wouldn't get it if I didn't), and yet even over time, when new technologies are being unveiled and my device is slowly becoming more and more outdated, I am still happy with it, as it has brought me joy and wonder throughout my days. That being said, I still dream of a future of ever more powerful smartphones and tablet, and rejoice when something that I deem beautiful is announced, no matter that it trumps my current device and that I don't have it and most likely won't (usually [aw heck, always] for financial reasons).
People just need to sit back, suppress their inclinations to envy and judgment, and bask in the glory and beauty of the industry, of this "mobile world." Whether you see this beauty in increased specs or increased user-experience, to me anyways, doesn't matter.
41. Smart (Posts: 76; Member since: 20 Aug 2011)
I perfectly agree with your point.....But kindly take this into consideration that I never said that technology must not progress.....
I am more than excited to explore a new high spec or a high feature "mobile device" on my own but that experience should not in any way discount the fact that current crop of smartphones(likes of S4,HTC One etc) are no less amazing on their own...
Just because we are on the anvil of future does not mean that everything from the past is boring and outdated...
46. Commentator (Posts: 3685; Member since: 16 Aug 2011)
I think we're both of the opinion that no phone can discount any other phone, in that they are all amazing in their own right, and I don't think many people espouse this idea.
I've seen so many instances of people being angry that their phone is outdated within a month of their purchase, and I don't understand that at all: how can you be anything other than elated that the industry is moving this fast? You have to have understood this to be a possibility. I understand it is "basic human nature" to always want "the best" of whatever it is, and people naturally will feel angered at no longer having "the best," but seriously, as paulyyd said below in Comment #25, "they're just phones." Take them for what they are. Nothing's being lost in having a less-than-perfect phone.
63. MichaelHeller (Posts: 2703; Member since: 26 May 2011)
I don't know about "never" being satisfied, but I could definitely get behind the sentiment that we will never "stay" satisfied. The mobile world moves too fast, and we trade in for new devices far too often to worry that much about future-proofing.
7. bigstrudel (Posts: 518; Member since: 20 Aug 2012)
Well written. It's unfortunate that most people on here are spec obsessed when the real issue is the software. Battery life is a constant complaint and its all because of this pathetic android spec race.
10. TROLL (banned) (Posts: 4851; Member since: 13 Apr 2012)
Really when using S600 on S4 and E4412 on S3 you can tell a big diffrene in speed. So it does really matter when using a Better much powerful CPU, tasks apps and other ruining things on Android will speed and load much faster.
Try putting a S800 on a Lg Nexus you will fly one apps to another in seconds with no stuttering and lag.®
Android laced cause it use to use crappy CPU, until S4pro S600 A15 came and demolished lag and stutters. Give credit to the CPU and Ram.
16. bigstrudel (Posts: 518; Member since: 20 Aug 2012)
It only matters because android software is not optimized for the hardware it runs on. Ios runs perfectly fluid and fast on single core and dual core processors. Same goes for windows phone.
Brute force processing power has helped mitigate the issue for Android; after years of lag. But at the cost of battery life. 2600 mah in the Galaxy S4 and it can still only can match the run time of the iPhone with a battery almost half the size.
19. TROLL (banned) (Posts: 4851; Member since: 13 Apr 2012)
Android is full OS running Linux.
It needs CPU power and lots of Ram.
Try put Android on IPhone, will lag like hell cause its still an unmatured os.
Wp8 needs just 140 mb to run its OS
JB needs 512mb Ram to run.


text:
I'm just dorky enough to love it. More importantly, I wonder what number he will wear, he wore 96 for EV Zug and the Swiss Olympic team, I dont see them giving him Homer's old number so soon after his retirement.
At least 666 is out of the question. But if he goes with 63 (or 36) I'm checking his mother's grave for jackal remains.


text:
INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. - The North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District plans on burning approximately 5 acres on Tuesday in the Tyner and Dorcey subdivision areas, officials said.
Smoke resulting from the pile burns will affect the surrounding areas for approximately 24 hours," according to an NLTFPD press release. "People who are smoke sensitive are advised to please stay inside and close their windows and doors as much as possible until the smoke dissipates."
Fire crews had initially planned to burn piles Tuesday in the Wood Creek area but moved to Dorcey and Tyner due to an excessive snow load in the Wood Creek drainage area.
For information, or to be added to the district's smoke sensitive notification list, call the district at 775-831-0351, ext. 0, or visit www.nltfpd.net.


text:
We Shall Rumor On...
- Ricky Nolasco got shelled versus the Padres last night, one of the teams rumored to be in on him in trade talks...whether that will stunt his value or not remains to be seen, but it certainly didn't help it in any way. After Garza got himself injured before the Cubs could deal him last season, you kind of hope a deal could be had before Garza's next start on Wednesday versus the A's.
- Buster says the Dbacks and Cubs did talk Jeff Samardzija and the Cubs asked for Archie Bradley and/or Tyler Skaggs and then the talking was done. I presume it must have been both, as he then tweets that the "perception" is that the DBacks would move Tyler Skaggs in the right deal.
- The Cubs were among many teams scouting Cuban pitcher Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez...rumors be it'll cost upwards of 4/40M (or more) to sign the 26-year old Cuban lefty. The Red Sox and Dodgers seem to be the main competition.
- Speaking of international signings, Baseball America has been big on suggesting the Cubs will look to add some international pool money in some of these trades. Theo said it's something that could happen, but the Cubs' international signing "plan" doesn't require it.
- Nick Cafardo says 3 teams are showing interest in Carlos Marmol. There's always the possibility the Cubs may get someone else's cast off while still paying Marmol the rest of his salary minus the pro-rated version of the minimum.
- Last and certainly least, the Giants are looking for a RH outfield bat...someone like Alfonso Soriano circa 2012.
Jon [email protected]
Jon [email protected]
#orioles are interested in garza now after being lukewarm earlier, but so far they believe price is 2 high. #cubs
Orioles not interested in including anything of real value. So no surprise.
I think the O's are nuts to
I think the O's are nuts to not take Garza and, say, Russell for Bundy, another decent prospect (maybe Josh Hader, maybe someone a little lower) and a few mid-level prospects. Bundy is now undergoing TJ surgery, there is never a guarantee he will be the same.
Personally if the Cubs could deal Garza, one (or more if needed) of Feldman/Wood/Gregg, Samardzija and Russell and end up with Bundy and Bradley (assuming AZ backed out because we asked for both), the upside would be amazing. Obviously teams don't give up Bundy and Bradley easily, but Samardzija is relatively young and performing well (and has some club control) relative to normal prospects traded and Bundy is undergoing TJ surgery. I don't actually think this is impossible and, if it were possible, our potential upside if Bradley hits his potential and Vizcaino and Bundy came back at full strength from surgery would be a mighty top 3 staff.
F the O's. Garza is a
F the O's. Garza is a difference-maker and needs to go to a team that has actual prospects to trade back - someone like Texas, Arizona, Tampa, Boston, San Diego.
I'm still waiting for that
I'm still waiting for that Brian Roberts deal to get wrapped up
Not sure the Cubs should make
Not sure the Cubs should make that trade. Pie is going to be a star!
The Orioles are shopping for
The Orioles are shopping for Garza with a Shawn Camp budget.
I still hate Saturday
I still hate Saturday blackouts. I'm still happy this is the last season for Saturday blackouts.
Anyone know why Sweeney came
Anyone know why Sweeney came out?
Sounds like he hit the wall
Sounds like he hit the wall making a catch. Cubs CF is a dangerous job.
Didn't look too bad.
Didn't look too bad.
per Roto...
per Roto...
Ryan Sweeney left Saturday's game against the Mariners with rib soreness.
Sweeney hurt his ribs when he crashed into the outfield wall in the third inning of Saturday's game. The Cubs say he's day-to-day, so it likely won't require a DL stint.
It really didn't look that
It really didn't look that rough.
Video for those who missed it: http://wapc.mlb.com/chc/play/?content_id=28461725&...
The Giants are looking around
The Giants are looking around for a RHed hitting outfielder.
when I first read the above I thought it meant red-headed hitting outfielder and immediately thought...
Matt Murton is available.
348/397/504 this season.
if DFA's Marmol for Francoeur
if DFA's Marmol for Francoeur happens, Jedstein will be criticized for collecting OFs. Collect em all!
Bogey throws out the ancient Mariner at the plate. On to the 9th.
Walk to Hank White? Extra
Walk to Hank White? Extra innings. At least they have to bat the pitcher and have no one left on the bench. What could go wrong?
I dunno who the Fox color guy
I dunno who the Fox color guy but he kept reaming Parker for not going after the hitters more. "Throw the fastball, throw the fastball!!!"
Hey, maybe Soriano is playing
Hey, maybe Soriano is playing his way into tradeable. Nice work.
A short section on Rizzo's
A short section on Rizzo's bad luck hitting balls at people later in the story here:
I also feel like his slump
I also feel like his slump started after his contract signing though haven't looked at #s to back it up.
He says all the right stuff
He says all the right stuff but you can't help but feel some added pressure -it's just human nature. I feel pretty confident he'll sort it out. I'm much more concerned about Castro than Rizzo. Having said that, Castro still is young, and his current metamorphosis into Neifi Perez is hopefully just a result of him trying a little too much night life.
Maybe Starlin needs a sitdown
Maybe Starlin needs a sitdown with Kane about growing up.
Nick Cafardo/Boston Globe,
Nick Cafardo/Boston Globe, Sunday baseball column...Quite a Large Cub related portion:
Epstein has the pieces to make things happen
Theo Epstein's Cubs may be in the best position to make deals at the deadline, but it appears he is ready to strike with Matt Garza sooner rather than later.
Given the way Garza has pitched lately (two earned runs in his last 22 innings over three starts), it appears he will be dealt well ahead of the deadline, according to major league sources. The Orioles seem to be a very good fit, given that Garza is battle-tested in the AL East.
The Cubs were hoping to trade Garza by spring training, but then he suffered an oblique injury and couldn't start the season on time. He had to go through rehab starts, and then go out and show he was healthy.
He's shown that, and it might behoove the Cubs to deal him before there's another setback.
One NL GM said, "There's a lot of competition for him. I think Theo is getting inundated with calls for him, so he's probably the hot name."
Garza should bring the Cubs three players, including two top prospects.
Besides Garza, there's been a lot of interest in Nate Schierholtz, who entered Saturday with a .284 average, 11 homers, 33 RBIs, and 19 doubles. Schierholtz also has played an excellent outfield. The Cubs signed Schierholtz to a one-year, $2.25 million deal last offseason, and it appears the flip price is going to work in their favor.
The Cubs also have veteran righthander Scott Feldman, whom they also plan to trade after signing him to a one-year, $6 million deal. Feldman is 7-6 with a 3.46 ERA. Look for the Orioles to be a bidder for his services. And there's always Alfonso Soriano and David DeJesus, and out of the bullpen, Kevin Gregg and James Russell.
You don't hear much about Soriano anymore, but he's in the mix if someone wants him. The Cubs are hoping to get pitching prospects in these deals. While they appear to be set for good positional players in the minors, they lack pitching depth, and that's where Epstein would like to score a bonanza with his veteran players.
Apropos of nothing
1. Ryan Sweeney has hit four homers for the Cubs.
Update on 9
2. Carlos Marmol, RHP, Cubs — The Cubs had received a few nibbles on Marmol after designating him for assignment. According to one National League GM, "A change of scenery would do him good. He was being booed quite a bit in Chicago and he had to get out of that environment. He still has very good shutdown stuff that could play well in another environment."
R.Sweeney fractured ribs...15
R.Sweeney fractured ribs...15 day DL...expected out 4-8 weeks.
borbon and bogus manning CF until dejesus/sweeney gets back...wonder who's gonna get called up...probably sappy.
Brittle bone disease.
Brittle bone disease.
Where is contract status info
Where is contract status info being stored now? I'm having trouble finding a link above...
Navarro is DH today. Any idea
Navarro is DH today. Any idea who backup catcher is? I vote for Borbon - maybe we can discover something he's good at.
it's all about doubles today.
it's all about doubles today.
cubs up 3-0, top 2nd.
Oh, I was thinking Phil had a
Oh, I was thinking Phil had a list somewhere. Specifically looking for years left (not some much money owed). Thanks.
this bullpen is dildos.
this bullpen is dildos.
7-6 game...bottom 8th, 0 outs.
s.camp is still a cub...c.marmol gets DFA'd because some drunk assholes won't quit boo'ing every time they see him.
they just brought on h.rondon
they just brought on h.rondon to put out this fire with a man on 1st, 1 out...fun times.
wild pitch, walk, popout, groundout...and the cubs escape the 8th.
...and gregg nails down the
...and gregg nails down the save.
c.marmol gets DFA'd because
c.marmol gets DFA'd because some drunk assholes won't quit boo'ing every time they see him.
And that was in the clubhouse.
Shawn Camp. Meet DFA.
Shawn Camp. Go DFA Go.
(lyrics by Steve Goodman)
m.bowden's last 6 AAA
m.bowden's last 6 AAA appearances...
8ip 3h 1bb 9k, 0er
overall... 14.2ip 12h 3bb 21k, 5er
...just saying.
Who want them?
Who want them?
Sale, Crain , Reed & Thornton
Anything with a bat? Keep it
From a Sullivan article:
From a Sullivan article:
The Cubs figure to keep right fielder Nate Schierholtz, who will be eligible for arbitration in 2014
I'd bet on them rethinking that, if the right offer came along.
Always good for a non
Always good for a non-contending team to hang onto a player having the best year of his career whose performance never indicated he will ever have these numbers or trade value ever again because he is eligible for arbitration next year.
Perhaps Sully got this from a source and is trying to justify it, but truly this makes no sense to me. If someone is willing to pay decent value for Schierholtz, I would hope that his arbitration in 2014 would not be a factor, at any level, as to whether we keep him or trade him; I would much rather see a decent prospect we get for Nate (perhaps a set-up man to fill Camp's role) and Brett Jackson/Junior Lake/anyone else playing Nate's OF role in August than Schierholtz putting up a fine season to drive the Cubs into a strong 4th place finish.
Wait, are you trying to say
Wait, are you trying to say that Todd Hollandsworth did not repeat his .939 OPS 2004 season in 2005?!?!? WHAAAAT?!?!?
That being said, I like Schierholtz. He won't repeat this performance next year, but he seems to play decent baseball without doing anything stupid on a daily basis. In other words, he feels like anti-Cubbery, and he is cheap, and it might be good to have that around next year as the Cubs continue to develop some of these young guys.
But if they trade him and get something, I have no problem with that either.
I just assume that it's all
I just assume that it's all posturing to try to get the most value they can for him.
I'd consider Sullivan's body
I'd consider Sullivan's body of work in evaluating his evaluation. Schierholtz seems like a great guy for a contending team to have around. He's the type of guy who might be one of those unknown playoff heroes that seems to pop up every year. If I had a contending team and I needed an outfielder, I'd definitely roll the dice on this guy.
Chris [email protected]
Chris [email protected]
Hearing from #Cubs source that they are talking to two teams about Carlos Marmol, trying to get a deal done.
Cubs pay all of Marmol's contract and get Internation Free Agent cap space in return?
Q-MAN: Yes. The Cubs could
Q-MAN: Yes. The Cubs could trade Carlos Marmol for another club's ISBP Signing Bonus Value (SBV) and agree to pay all of Marmol's remaining salary as part of the deal.
An SBV can only be traded for a player or players. It cannot be sold or exchanged for cash or other considerations. However, cash can be exchanged if it is used to offset the salary or salaries of players acquired in return for the SBV.
Tomorrow (Tuesday) is the first day that a 2013-14 SBV can be traded because July 2nd is the beginning of the new International Signing Period, and an SBV can be traded only during the International Signing Period (July 2nd through June 15th of the following season) to which it has been assigned.
BTW, the 2013-14 International Signing Period is the first one where SBVs can be traded, which is why there have not been any trades involving ISBP SBVs yet.
Remember, when a club acquires an ISBP SBV and increases its ISBP for that Intenational Signing Period, it only acquires the right to spend that money (the value of the SBV) without penalty, not the money itself.
Thanks Phil. I hope you're
Thanks Phil. I hope you're doing okay in all the heat down there.
Heyman saying the same thing as the kid reporter's tweet.
Jon [email protected]
heard there are "three or four" teams showing some interest in carlos marmol. actually wasn't terrible in non-closer role
Q-MAN: The biggest obstacle
Q-MAN: The biggest obstacle in trading Carlos Marmol is that he has a limited NTC that allows him to name (in advance) five MLB clubs to which he will accept a trade. So even if the Cubs find a trading partner, that club would have to either be one of the clubs to which he will accept a trade, or he would have to waive his NTC.
And there really is no reason for Marmol to waive the NTC, because having been Designated for Assignment, he knows (as a player with at least five years of MLB Service Time) that he can't be sent to the minors without giving his permission in advance (so outrighting him and hoping he will elect free-agency and give up what remains of his contract isn't an option), which means either he gets traded or he gets released (and if he is released, the Cubs are on the hook for what remains of his 2013 salary minus the prorated portion of the MLB minimum salary if and when he signs with a new club).
Also, if he gets released he can take his time and shop around and then eventualy choose which team to sign with (instead of the Cubs making the decision for him), and maybe even score a 2014 contract (not very likely but still theoretically possible) as part of the deal.
Recent comments
A couple of Cub related puzzles.
Can't teach height and thinness
Hopefully Pirates don't call up A. Lincoln.
j.buchanan going friday...should be...baseball...or something like it.
Wow. I didn't know they could do that.
Nice for Willson, not so much for Addy.
Game is officially called...also officially a tie.
Stats count, no make-up date of course.
Yeah -- seeing the weather -- I hope KB and Rizz are inside, wrapped in blankets and drinking hot chocolate.
rain delay...thanks obama.
Thanks again Phil. We actually were in Mesa and drove around. Hopefully, I am back for some Fall League. If not I have all of spring training (like the smart people who move here!)
What Rob G said. I can't speak for Piittsburgh, but the other end of the state has had absolute crap weather for two days. Perfect day to take it easy.
tarp came off 10 minutes ago...let's do this.
He will not pitch another game for Cubs
/Unless injury in playoffs
Today is bullpen day
10/450 if they win WS
Carrie Muskat [email protected]
Even though Hammel is missing start, don't assume he'll not be on #Cubs postseason roster. Maddon says elbow problem isn't that bad
Carrie Muskat [email protected]
Maddon on #Cubs postseason rotation: "I don't want to announce anything. We haven't talked to anybody yet"
Carrie Muskat [email protected]
Maddon hopes Soler can take BP in Cincy, play in sim game Tue. "All of that should give us some kind of indication of where he's at"


text:
New Book on Kickstarter: Say Hello to Baggywrinkles!
Hello, lovely Kickstarter family!
How've you all been this past year? Thriving, I hope. I continue to be so grateful for all of you taking a chance on my first... Read more
Another Year, Another Update: It's Patreon Time!
Hello hello, Kickstarter family!
Long time no see, right? I can't believe it's already been a year (almost to the day) since I penned my last update--so much has happened!... Read more
Old Friends, New Horizons!
Dearest Kickstarter Family,
It's been almost a year since we last spoke, and so much has happened that I can barely keep it all in my head at once. I... Read more
Baggywrinkles #3 APE Debut!
Darling Kickstartlets,
I'm incredibly excited to announce that -- thanks, once again, to your support and all-around loveliness -- I am at another convention! With a brand new comic! I... Read more
Closing Ceremonies
Dearly beloved Kickstarter backers,
It's been a few months since our last little chat, and as things begin to finally draw to a close on the campaign, I just wanted... Read more
The Aftermath
As you all may have guessed from my radio silence these past two weeks, things have been beyond hectic here at True Believer Headquarters, but now, at long last, I... Read more
T-Minus 24
Going to keep this one short and sweet, everybody.
In just under 24 hours, the True Believer Kickstarter will draw to a close. The campaign is hovering around $11,000 with... Read more
Week 3: The Final Push
Once again, Kickstarter team, you amaze me with your generosity. I had hoped to be at $8,000 by today and instead you've almost shot the numbers to $9,000. I am... Read more
Release Party this Friday, and you're all invited!
Hello everyone!
Just a quick note to let you all know that the True Believer release party and art show is slated for this Friday, May 4th! I would be... Read more
True Believer sees the light of day, the Campaign gets some new goals, and more!
Hello, spectacular Kickstarter team:
First off, I thought I meant it when I said you guys were awesome in the last update. Turns out you're all in a totally different... Read more
There Are No Words
Hello all you incredible people.
My phone has been buzzing off the hook (out of the pocket? What's the right phrase for cell phones?) ever since I pressed that "Launch"... Read more


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It's time for the spring version of 25 things. Twenty-five random thoughts on sports and other topics. Let's go:
1. It's always disappointing for me when our last baseball team bows out of tournaments, but it was especially so this year. Seneca East was a fun team to watch. Mason McWilliams is an excellent starting pitcher, and I've really grown to appreciate Gus Baldosser's defense at second base. The kid has the range of someone on a higher level.
2. After today, the state track meet is all that remains for area teams in the spring season. There's nothing like state track. It's about a 36-hour rush.
3. Watching the Indians and Reds play this past week was very hard for me, since I'm a huge fan of both. It's especially tough when Reds closer Aroldis Chapman throws at the Tribe's Nick Swisher,and then having to hear Tribe broadcaster Tom Hamilton say he hoped Swisher would line a ball back at Chapman's temple. I'm just glad the series is over, the teams split, and no one was seriously hurt. Play nice, guys.
3B. I hate interleague play, and always have. But even that's not as irritating as the unbalanced schedule. As I write this paragraph, the Indians and Rays are delayed in Cleveland by a storm that appears to be staying a while. If the game is postponed, there almost has to be a doubleheader this weekend. Why? Because this is the last time the Rays will play in Cleveland. Keep in mind the season isn't even eight weeks old.
4. The Browns having a big Bon Jovi concert makes sense. Both were really popular in the 1980s and have been living off that rep ever since.
5. Safe to say that Olivia Smith's 800 this week at the state track meet will probably be the most anticipated race for our staff in a long time. That happens when someone is going for a second-straight state title.
6. You never want to pull for an athlete when you're covering them, but Smith is one of the most modest and friendly people you'll meet. It's impossible not to be excited for her.
7. I'm not a huge hockey fan, but even I know I ... shouldn't write anything about the NHL for that reason.
8. The NBA playoffs are still going. Wake me up if somebody other than LeBron's team wins.
9. Morgan Shriver's hiring as Heidelberg's women's basketball coach will be good for the program. While Shriver is young - she was a player for HU only four years ago - she's got a vision of the type of program she wants to build, and she appears organized and ready. It won't be easy to turn the team around, but Shriver, who called it her "dream" job, won't be outworked by any coach in the Ohio Athletic Conference.
10. I have to give credit to the track athletes who competed Friday night. All three regional meets finished. The kids really had to battle through an ugly night of weather.
11. What Taylor Kirian did this softball season was remarkable. A state-record 18 home runs and 21 wins in the circle? And the New Riegel star is a junior? Again, remarkable.
12. "Baseball Prospectus" is an outstanding book, and there's merit in math equations forecasting the sport's results. I've come to regard people who believe in "Moneyball" as baseball's version of killjoys, who believe science can explain every one of baseball's oddities. I prefer to believe that baseball can create magic. I know it can. I saw it in the summer of 1995 at Jacobs Field.
13. Listening to Indians game has become unbearable, if only because they keep playing those Flo Progressive commercials. On Saturday they squeezed two into a three-ad set. Makes me long for the 1990s with the gruff-voiced man selling lawn mowers.
14. Over the last few years, I had some of the most interesting basketball conversations with new Tiffin University men's coach Jerry Buccilla. The guy knows his stuff, and was nice enough to make me feel like I did, too.
15. The Indians had an Albert Belle bobblehead day Saturday. For all of his issues, Belle was the biggest star on the team between 1991 and 1996. His best years were with the Indians and he is remembered as such. I'm glad there's some relationship between Belle and the organization, because he was a huge part of Cleveland's success in the 1990s.
16. Saturday marked the 46th anniversary of the release of the Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. It's remarkable in that nothing has ever sounded remotely like it. And other artists certainly tried.
17. The 49ers have brought in Eric Mangini as a consultant? I hope for their sake he's not consulting on the draft. That 2009 Browns draft he spearheaded still gives me nightmares.
18. We're two months into the baseball season and Jim Thome isn't playing. And yet, there was no retirement announcement. I wonder if Thome just wants to be a bat for hire for a contender. He should call Johnny Damon and ask how that strategy worked out for him.
19. Sure, Browns owner Jimmy Haslam is in all kinds of legal trouble, but it still doesn't scare me as much as Mike Lombardi being the team's general manager.
20. Does it ever not rain at the Memorial Golf Tournament?
21. Heidelberg's Nate Davis' NCAA Division III championship in the high jump - his second national title in three months - was a tremendous achievement, but it wasn't surprising. It may be a while before we see such a gifted athlete and competitor in this area.
22.The Tigers' Miguel Cabrera hit a grand slam Saturday in Baltimore. Probably the most expected grand slam in history.
23. It will be weird seeing Josh Cribbs in a Raiders' jersey. He'll always be a Brown to me.
24. Today marks the 23rd anniversary of a Beach Boys concert after an Indians game at old Municipal Stadium. The only thing I really remember from it is that the Tribe rallied to beat the Red Sox and my dad made us leave early because Mike Love was a no-show. Brian Wilson may have been the catalyst for the recordings and the songwriting, but Love - the primary lead singer - was and is the band's best performer.
25. All the best to the people in Oklahoma right now. It's been a horrible couple of weeks there.


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Tuesday, 1 May 2012
Choice is one of those issues that never leave the headlines for very long. The latest brouhaha began when Hilary Rosen, a Democratic Party advisor, claimed that Mitt Romney's wife, mother of five, grandmother to 16, "never worked a day in her life." What Rosen meant was that stay-at-home moms don't contribute to the world of commerce as a plumber, or a lobbyist, might. Put aside for a moment things like tact or facts; and consider why an advisor or strategist would sneer at the rigors of motherhood on national television, in an election year – just a few weeks before Mother's Day! The controversy echoes Hillary Clinton's wild shot at women who bake at home.
As is often the case in these matters, the follow-on apologetics made a poor choice worse. Ms. Rosen quickly took to the airwaves to change the subject, claiming that, unlike Ann Romney, most women couldn't choose between mothering and the workplace; asserting that wives are compelled to work outside the home. Rosen's claim was quickly endorsed by President Obama who insisted, on the one hand, that political spouses should be off limits; then with the other hand, dragged his wife, Michelle, into the fray; claiming that even the distaff half of a breeding pair of lawyers, with a mid-six-figure income, had to work outside the home to make ends meet. The president argued, like Rosen, that wives don't have choices; implying that they are victims - of economic circumstance. Never mind that claiming mothers (compared to fathers?) are not free to choose is at once condescending or patronizing. Indeed, the very phrase "working mothers" is at best a pleonasm.
Two of the four principals in this controversy are lawyers. You might think that litigators would have a better grip on facts, rhetoric, and precedent; but the real agenda here may be political, not economic or moral. The Rosen/Obama trope casts women working outside of the home as victims, not free agents. Or perhaps Rosen and the president merely confused no choice with poor choice.
Clearly, circumstances might mitigate a choice, but by tradition and common law, circumstances do not determine, control, or preordain. Unless the defense of poor choice is insanity, mothers are as liable for their selections as anybody. Custom and legal praxis does not support the Rosen/Obama twist on compulsion, on choice, on free will - or any related notions.
Arguments about free will and choice have an antique lineage. The decisive moment for Western culture came in the 16th Century when two Augustinian Monks, Desiderious Erasmus and Martin Luther, squared off in the middle of the Reformation. Luther landed the first blow by claiming that free will didn't matter in matters of salvation. Fra Martin argued that an omnipotent God knew and predestined the fate of all men; some were saved and others were destined to burn. No amount of good works could lead to salvation. Luther's argument is similar to what you might hear from empiricists today; just substitute biology, illness, or natural forces for God's omniscience – or the devil's grip.
(Flip Wilson, an American comedian with a finger on the pulse of modern absurdities used to justify his comedic antics with: "The devil made me do it!" Using the devil as an excuse for human frailties was given more than a little traction at the beginning of the modern era by Martin Luther.)
Back at the Reformation, Fra Erasmus replied to Luther that knowledge of good and evil was not destiny; just as a scholar's knowledge of planetary movements did not influence those motions. He further claimed that free will was a gift to humanity; the capacity to choose between good and evil and suffer the consequences; rewards or punishment. Erasmus also argued that there would be no need for God's commandments (or man's law) if men and women were not responsible for choices or behavior. Clear lines between church and state had yet to be drawn in the 16th Century. Still, the arguments of Erasmus had obvious civic significance.
Verily, these arguments were made in a day when morality was a serious issue in the public square, not the quaint historical artifact it has become. Nonetheless, over time, the views of Erasmus prevailed even in the secular world. Today, all notions of individual accountability, law, and democracy itself are based on an accepted understanding of free will. Indeed, the act of voting in a democracy is free men and women, freely choosing – and living peacefully with the consequences. Voting is true choice.
Political assaults on free will today, like those of Rosen and Obama, are not as convincing as they are selective. The contemporary understanding of "choice" is an example. Choice will usually be invoked when one or more options are inconvenient, burdensome, or selfish. Marriage, children, birth control, abortion, sexual proclivities, and even racial identity are examples.
Conversely, politicized notions of choice, or options, are seldom invoked when it comes to matters like: substance abuse, welfare, minimum wages, union membership, quotas, hiring, immigration, grade inflation, graduation standards, criminality, and now spouses in the marketplace it seems. In these cases, choice is often denied. A drunk, an addict, a dropout, or now a woman with two jobs is thought to be impaired, like a disabled veteran, as if choice had nothing to do with personal or even national destinies.
Indeed, many traditional cultures in the European Union, stimulated by generous welfare, labor, and immigration policies, are being displaced by primitive avatars. The no-go zones of France and northern Europe are egregious symptoms. Liberal immigration policies can be a value added, but when it morphs into colonization, the effects are far from salutary. Again, voting is choosing. Democratic choice in Brussels may be excising the adjective "European" from the noun Union.
Personal choices too, in concert, have enormous consequences. The correlation between selective notions of free will and poor choice has not gone unnoticed by science.
Take the cumulative impact of no marriage, late marriage, birth control, abortion, and same sex unions among citizens of the free world. As Dr. Charles Murray points out, such choices are not the conceits of a selfish elite or an oppressed underclass anymore; these choices in America are now made by largely white middle and blue collar classes. Individually, each of the above options might be defended as progressive choices, but collectively they amount to a kind of biological or cultural nihilism, if not national suicide. The worst collective choices are often made with innocuous personal motives. Free will does not warranty good choices.
As Erasmus might have said, individuals and nations are responsible for their choices, good or bad, nonetheless. Free will is destiny; consequence is the price of choice.
In spite of what empiricists, lobbyists, or presidents might claim; we are not controlled or compelled by gods, devils, natural forces, or economic circumstances. And we are not free because we reside in a place called democracy. We are free only if we believe in free will - not moral evasions or selfish notions of "choice."
Posted on 05/01/2012 9:18 AM by G. Murphy Donovan
1 May 2012
An excellent article. I've had some half-formed thoughts along the same lines, but this states everything well.
Part of the problem is that when politically-powerful groups or individuals decide that a certain policy is inconvenient to themselves (such as securing the border), they find that their propaganda is more effective when it's aimed at convincing people, not that something shouldn't be done, but that it can't be done. Of course their propagandists never offer a rational argument why the border can't be secured, but their purpose is sufficiently achieved by deceptive prattle about, e.g., "a vast nexus of sociological, economic, and logistical factors" that make any voluntary action all but impossible.
1 May 2012
Christina McIntosh
I would be careful about castigating 'late marriage' as an evil in and of itself. Some people just take longer to find their soul-mate. If one looks at, for example, the demographic of Jane Austen's day one discovers that quite a lot of women didn't marry, or married just as late as women do today. No matter how fervently religious and anti-contraception a society is, if you leave people free to marry when and whom they choose, quite a few people will end up marrying late, or not at all.
And as for 'no marriage' - in western society there have always been significant numbers of men and women who never married. I do family history and I can go back four and five generations on my and my husband's family and find the bachelor aunts and the bachelor uncles. In Catholic families, one would find in every generation the aunts and uncles who joined celibate religious orders, or in the case of men, the priesthood; and in both Catholic and non-Cahtolic families one would find the unmarried son or daughter who simply stayed at home to look after the aged parents when the other siblings had married and left.
The bottom line is this: once one accepts monogamy as the norm, and also rejects forced marriage, and once (for good and sufficient medical and moral reasons) one raises the permissible age of marriage for girls in particular (it was devout Christian women concerned by the prevalence of child prostitution and pedophilia in the Victorian era, who fought to raise the age of consent, for girls, from 12 to 16), and once one leaves both men and women free to choose their own partners, then it will be the case that some will marry late (perhaps even too late for childbearing, as was the case with one great-aunt of mine, a devout Christian, who simply didn't find a man she wanted to marry, until she was in her late forties) and some will marry not at all. And I don't think that giving couples the means by which to control the number of children they have is always and everywhere a bad thing, either.
Here's a sort of demographic case-study featuring my own family, four generations of devout church-going Protestant females.
I have just celebrated 25 years of marriage. I married at 23; I have four children, the eldest of whom was not 'planned', the other three of whom were deliberately invited. And may I just say that I disagree with my Catholic brethren on the subject of at least some - the non-abortifacient, non-chemical - methods of contraception; if I had not had access to the humblest method of barrier contraception, I would have had to either stay away from my husband altogether for substantial periods of time or else resign myself to the prospect of a baby every ten to fifteen months for more than twenty years - which any midwife will tell you is not really advisable for either child or maternal health. Furthermore, after the fourth child I had to have a hernia surgically repaired (a hernia caused by a greater than usual separation of the abdominal muscles down the midline, during pregnancy) and was not exactly inclined to test the repair job to the limit by any further pregnancy; so I stopped at four. Was that 'selfish' of me?
One of my sisters married at age 20 and has six children; I know that even so she deployed basic non-abortifacient contraception to 'space' those of her children that she 'planned' (though even so, one or two were happy accidents)..and to stop, after number six, at a time when (in her early forties) she could very likely have had more. There is only so much room in the average modern suburban house! Was she 'selfish' for not having ten, a dozen, twenty children?
The other two sisters simply didn't meet their husbands till they were in their late twenties, and married at around 27/ 28; they have three children each.
I would spit in the eye of any person who called those two sisters 'selfish' for not having had more kids. The second and third children of one of them were both born by C-section for strong medical reasons and doctors and midwives get jittery about repeated Caesareans. As for the other sister, she might well have had four or five children if things had happened differently; but after two rampantly healthy babies her third - a sweet little girl born with not one but three major medical problems - was at death's door for every month of the first four years of her life, undergoing multiple operations, and my sister and brother-in-law were pouring all of their resources, physical and spiritual, into helping keep her alive. It was hard enough for them to combine that with the care of their older two children; the thought of conceiving and trying to rear a fourth child any time in those years of non-stop medical appointments and long, long nights spent in ICU and hospital waiting rooms was an impossibility. And so they stopped at three.
My mother worked fulltime as a schoolteacher for nine years and did not meet my father until she was about 27; they married (early 1960s) just before her 28th birthday (my dad was 8 months younger than she, they always used to joke that she was a 'cradle snatcher'). That 'late start' didn't prevent them from having eight children in 13 years...four of whom, I am informed by my dad, were planned, and four were not. So even my parents, with eight kids, did something to avoid having, say, twelve or thirteen. Again, there is only so much room in the house, and we were struggling financially on a farm that could barely support us.
My dad's parents got engaged at the beginning of the Great Depression, when in their early twenties; they were simply not able to marry until 1934, by which time my grandmother was 29. (Again, the 'late start' didn't prevent them from having seven children; but I observe they did not have nine, or ten, or twelve, though they were themselves both from families of nine children; incidentally, none of their siblings, all married in the 1920s through 1940s, had more than four or five kids each).
My maternal grandparents were also in their late twenties when they met, and 30 when they married; they had five children, neatly spaced (my grandmother had worked for years before her marriage, as a nurse/ midwife and ultimately matron; I suspect she knew exactly how babies got here, and also knew how to make sure she didn't have her children too close together). She was from a family of seven and her husband the youngest of eleven; observe that their own family was smaller than their families of origin. And none of their siblings had more than four or five children either (some had fewer).
I have to go back something like five generations in my family tree to encounter routinely very large families (fourteen, fifteen, seventeen children), born to couples married in the late 19th century (1860s, 1870s).
None of the children of those very large late-nineteenth century families had families quite as large as those into which they themselves were born; and this drop in family size happened before the drop-off in religious affiliation, and before easy access to any reliable form of contraception. It does correlate, however, with improved public health measures and a resultant drop in infant mortality rates; the other drop in family size, a bit later on, happens around the time of the next big drop in infant mortality that resulted from widespread public immunisation against diphtheria, whooping cough, etc. It seems that once people in the Western world knew that there was a very good chance that any child they have will make it to adulthood, they...just had fewer children. Even when they didn't have access to reliable contraception, and even when any kind of contraception was frowned upon.
I will add that on my husband's side, his own parents were each from very small families: his mother because her father (having married in his mid-twenties) died at age 30, leaving his wife - who did not re-marry - a widow with two small children; his father because - way back in the early 1920s - his devoutly-Christian parents simply didn't get married until they were in their late 30s, and two children was what they had.
Final thought: I have a female cousin who identifies as gay and lives with her female partner. She has given birth to two children - by C-section on doctor's orders, because she is a very tiny little person. So - once one allows for AI and sperm donors, a 'same sex' partnership doesn't necessarily mean No Kids. One may object to the morality of the use of AI, etc, but the bottom line is that she's made her small contribution toward keeping Australia's fertility rate nearer to replacement level than some other countries..Her parents seem to take the view that a grandchild is a grandchild is a grandchild.
1 May 2012
John MJ
I must admit that whilst agreeing with some points that Mr. Donovan makes I prefer Christina's analysis of the situation as her experiences bear a resemblance to my own and to those of others whom I can think of.
I also fail to see why same-sex unions should contribute to lowering the birth rate - either the people involved follow the route that Christina's cousin did or they don't, but if they don't it has to borne in mind that they would not have procreated anyway, whether or not they were allowed a union, officially sanctioned or otherwise.
Further, speaking as a gay person I strongly resent Mr. Donovan's dismissal of gay pairings and officially recognised gay relationships as "a kind of ... cultural nihilism". In fact, the desire for official recognition of our relationships points not to gay people being nihilists, culturally or socially, but exactly the opposite. Gay people see value in social, moral and belief constructs and seek, by asking for recognition, to be part of them.
As for "biological ... nihilism", I simply have no idea what such a joining of words might mean. It would have been usefull if Mr. Donovan had defined this term since I suspect that he has coined the usage himself (perfectly acceptably, I hasten to add) and should therefore explain what he means.
Finally, I must take issue with Mr. Donovan's use of the words "Again, voting is choosing. Democratic choice in Brussels may be excising the adjective "European" from the noun Union", for there is no democracy in Brussels nor in the European Union's systems. One may point to the so-called European Parliament and claim that its members are elected democratically, but even the feeblest analysis of the Parliament's elections and electoral procedures would rapidly give the lie to such a contention.
The only people in Europe who wish to see the Union continue to exist are those on the political left and, needless to say, they are the very people who promulgate the blatant and incredible lie (a lie so vast and brutal that even Goebbels could never have thought of it) that the EU is a democracy, for they are the self-same people who are slowly draining all freedoms out of the countries of Europe in order to further their own nefarious ends. Opinion poll after opinion poll in country after country of the so-called Union shows time after time that the large majority of Europeans want the Union to be dismantled - and in countries like the UK the vast majority of people just want to leave the Union and never look back or be involved with mainland Europe ever again.
Our politicians promise us that they will do something about the EU but they never do - that is not democracy. The EU itself is democratically unaccountable to those of us who live here. The use of the words 'democracy' and 'choice' in the same paragraph as the words 'European' and 'Union' cannot be countenanced for such a piece of writing simply furthers the Left's great lie.
1 May 2012
Christina McIntosh
Further thought. If you want to see more of those who do get married having children, and just a few more of them, it might be an idea to make it a bit easier for people to get by without cars.
When he got his first job my then-fiance lived frugally. He rented a budget flat and instead of buying that First Car, he got a good bicycle. He lived in a bike-friendly city at that stage - and he cycled to church, to work, to choir...and all the money he was saving by NOT spending it on petrol, rego, insurance, and repayments of the price of a car, he...saved. That money, saved in 2 and half years of an entry-level white-collar job, was what became 25 % upfront down payment on the price of the - very small and somewhat dilapidated, only two bedrooms - inner city terrace house we bought just before marrying.
And because of where that house was, in our fist fifteen years of marriage we never even considered buying a car.
There was nowhere to park one anyway; and public transport was accessible and frequent. My husband kept on cycling to work (taking bus or train in bad weather). We could walk to the shops, post office, local hospital (yes, I even walked to the Birth Centre when in early labour), church and, in due time, primary school, ballet lessons, music lessons, etc. We could catch a bus or train to most anywhere else: to go to the beach, to the Show, or to visit friends. When our eldest started high school, he could get a bus from one block away that took him directly to the door of the school.
All the money we weren't spending on a car meant that even as a one-income family with young children we were able to pay off large chunks of the mortgage and also make very necessary health-and-safety repairs to the house...and in due time, put in an attic bedroom so we could have a Girls' Bedroom and a Boys' Bedroom. Had we stayed there, we would never have bought a car; and we wouldn't have moved, our two sons and our two daughters would have simply had to share a room with a sibling...as they do now, in our second house, also of modest dimensions, in another city to which we ended up moving in order to be nearer to aging parents and extended family.
Further point: for good and sufficient reasons, in Australia, all passengers in a car must wear approved safety restraints, and that especially applies to infants and young children. But the average car only seats five; so couples who do want more than three children - or have a fourth whether intended or not - are, if they live anywhere where they have to have a car, forced to - very expensively - upgrade to a people-mover of some kind. Not easy to make people-movers cheaper and more fuel-efficient.
Unfortunately, where we are now, we had to get a car (though I still walk our youngest child to primary school). And boy, do we notice the difference...in the budget.
Cars eat money: not just the petrol but the repairs, the insurance, the new tires... So even though we were - by selling the first house which had increased in value extraordinarily over time - able to free ourselves of mortgage payments altogether, life on my husband's - rather bigger than back then - income is still one of watching the dollars and cents.
Soo - you want couples in the western, modern, urbanised world to have more kids? Three or four rather than one or two? Figure out some way to make it easier for people to get by without cars. The money they save by not having a car they just might spend on children, or on more children than they might otherwise have had.
7 May 2012
G. Murphy Donovan
Thank you for your kind words, Christina. I appreciate that you took the time to comment with such vigor. My initial reaction was: "ouch!" You do fashion a tart riposte.
First, I would like to apologize to Martin Luther who didn't deny free will so much as think that it was irrelevant for salvation. May have been Calvin who ultimately threw the baby out with the bathwater. And I also must confess a bias for Erasmus, a tolerant life-long humanist who had an appreciation of his classical pagan ancestors and the Talmud. Luther and Calvin, in contrast, were vicious, if not "elect," anti-Semites. Might well be a legacy of moral arrogance – or cold climates. If Erasmus has a laptop, I'm sure he reads Dalrymple.
But, the purpose of my argument was not theological. I was trying to explore, with too few words apparently, some of the history, logic, and utility of personal responsibility as it has been absorbed by democracies. The Rosen/Obama colloquy merely provided the opportunity to suggest that selective choice is a road often taken by scoundrels to avoid responsibility. We always have a choice in all things optional. I can't choose to be taller; but, I can choose read to a child everyday. And yes, some choices are selfish. As for collective responsibility, I should hope the representatives in Brussels are chosen by somebody.
Although not mentioned in my piece, Ms. Rosen is a neighbor of mine a few doors down and she provides advice to the president on LGBT issues. Her life style is not an issue with me. I referred to it as a "progressive choice." But none of this excuses her ill chosen remarks about the rigors of biological mothers or choice either. The biological or demographic consequences of childless or late childbirth unions speak for themselves. The social price, of one-parent or fatherless families, is also self-evident at this point too. Some recent study in Europe and Canada even suggests that a fatherless home has neurological consequences for children, especially boys, as well. We ignore these unintended consequences at our peril.
But put aside science, it's the heart that rules. For most folks, how we feel is much more important than reason – or what we think. You shared your personal experience, Christina; so let me reciprocate with a personal narrative of my own.
My father was a function drunk; never missed a day of work nor a night at the pub. He abandoned his wife and four kids in the East Bronx. Today, he would be the victim; thought to be diseased, not simply irresponsible. We four kids ended up in an orphanage where we stayed until our majority. I then worked for four years in a similar institution while attending college. Early in my Air Force incarnation, I was a training squadron commander, working with teens mainly. In those years, I had a daily, curb level view of the flotsam and jetsam that is produced by many, not all, single parent or broken homes.
These personal experiences inform my judgments about behavior and blowback. And let's be honest, the casualties of unintended consequences are often children. All of which brings us to this question of selfishness. When children are part of the equation, it's not about adult singles, adult couples, or life-style anymore; it's about the kids. And any decision, which does not put the interests of children, first, is selfish. My sympathies are obviously with the kids; not careerists, drunks, or any other class of "victims." No one sits at death's door regretting they didn't spent more time at the office.
Some children survive and thrive in the midst of the worst. I like to think I was one of those. Yet, science and experience tell me that most do not thrive or survive. Were I to recommend a single change to clueless spending on social pathology, it would be this: I would study success not failure. We know all too much, and do too little, about social pathologies and causes. We know little or nothing about those few kids who overcome; the ones who crawl out of the gutter, over the curb, and up into the light.
Again, thanks for your interest. Nice to hear from generous souls who read critically.
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Prosecutors have charged a 16-year-old boy as an adult in connection with a shooting near Ruskin High School last fall.
Arieous K. Walton-Merritt of Kansas City is charged with assault and armed criminal action in connection with the Nov. 30 shooting.
According to court records, the boy told police he shot the victim outside the school because of a dispute over a stolen Xbox. Walton-Merritt said he bought the rifle used in the shooting with the intention of confronting the victim.
The victim was shot in the leg and was taken to a hospital.
Prosecutors asked that Walton-Merritt's bail be set at $150,000.
The shooting happened after school had been released for the day.