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WASHINGTON -- A constant refrain repeated lately by President Obama and the Democrats is that the wealthy need to pay their "fair share" of taxes and they don't.
"This jobs bill is fully paid for by asking millionaires and billionaires to pay their fair share," Obama said.
"Republicans will be hard-pressed to explain why they'd let teachers and firefighters to be laid off rather than have millionaires and billionaires pay their fair share," Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said
But no matter how often they make those claims, Pete Sepp, vice president of communications for the National Taxpayers Union, said the facts show the opposite is true.
Weighing the Numbers
"The top one percent of earners in America pay almost 40 percent of all federal income taxes, yet they account for about a 20 percent slice of the earnings," he said.
"That means they're pulling about twice their share of the tax load relative to what they earn," Sepp explained.
The actual number: the top one percent earn 20 percent of the nation's wealth, but pay 38.2 percent of the total taxes.
Expanding that figure to the top 10 percent and they pay about three-fourths of all the federal income taxes paid.
Compare that to the bottom 50 percent.
"The bottom half of income-earners in America account for about 13 percent of the earnings but less than three percent of the federal income taxes," Sepp said.
"The statistics show that the federal tax system is already sharply skewed toward the wealthy paying more," he pointed out.
Soaking the Rich
However, top Democratic leaders want to increase that tax level.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., is pushing for an additional 5.6 percent surtax on millionaires.
The taxes would be placed on top of current tax rates, which are soaring back up to what they were before the Bush-era tax cuts.
The proposal would also sharply reduce deductions for things like charities and surtaxes to pay for Obamacare.
"Put all those together and you have top tax rates of over 50 percent," Sepp said.
Discouraging Wealth & Jobs
Colin Hanna, president of Let Freedom Ring, Inc., said history shows the rich won't put up with it.
"They are very mobile. And if you were to substantially increase the tax burden on the rich, guess what? They would either change their behavior or they would up and leave," Hanna explained.
"Over time they will be discouraged from creating that wealth," Sepp said.
"And that would be completely counterproductive," Hanna agreed.
If the Democrats plans to soak the rich somehow do become law, critics say it's likely to send the already high jobless rate even higher.
"If they have less money to create jobs, what's going to happen? Fewer jobs," Sepp explained.
Fomenting Class Warfare
Polling shows to reduce the deficit, 68 percent of Americans would raise taxes on the well-to-do.
But Matthew Spalding, vice president for American studies at the Heritage Foundation, said all-in-all, Americans are pro-prosperity and not anti-wealth.
"I think it's important to understand the extend to which the concept of class warfare goes against the whole grain of how Americans think about these things," Spaulding told CBN News.
"The American dream is about achievement. Class warfare is attacking achievement," he said.
"I think there's a lot of demagoguery going on here and not a lot of good economic thinking," Hanna said.
Little Money? Live Rich on Simple Financial Wisdom
Tax Cuts Still an Issue in Obama's Deficit Plan
Experts Prefer Cuts to Reduce Deficit
Wealthy or Not: Live Debt Free, Retire Rich
National Taxpayers UnionHeritage Foundation
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A caring friend will be there to pray with you in your time of need.
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The "Trump train" was derailed in Wisconsin as voters in the Badger State gave Ted Cruz a major victory over "The Donald." The big question now is – are the Republicans headed for a contested convention this summer?


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No easy way out
Join Date: Jan 2010
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Not to mention how networked this fight is, If this fight was announced it would be billed as the fight of the century and everybody would hop on and talk about it on facebook and twitter- all devices oscar and floyd didn't have.
This is the fight every single fight fan wants to see and has been waiting for. On top of that, it's going to be the most hyped fight of all time. Even if it's not the fight of the century, that's what it's gonna be called, and people are going to eat it up.
I see pacquiao ads in malls, the nike store, buses, I even see him on commercials. And I havent seen anything about floyd at all. Maybe Pacquiao's more famous than floyd.
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Floyd is smart enough to make unreasonable demands cause he will never fight pacquiao. He's pretty smart cause if Floyd took a 50/50 split or even 60/40 split to the winner he would be the one taking the 40% or even the 50%. His IQ is if ima lose ima get paid for that loss a **** load of money. Everybody know he can't deal with southpaw fighters and pac is the best p4p southpaw. That shoulder roll makes floyd dip to the right and open for all left punches. u can't take nothing from Floyd cause he's undefeated so why don't he get off his high horse and do a fair purse between the 2 best fighters? This fight will NEVER happen. Pacquiao agreed to all his terms except for the money and everybody knows that money ain't right! Would y'all work for not the right amount of money?
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Floyd beats Pac easy at any age but this fight wont break MAYWEATHER vs oscar.
Floyds bum is yummy!
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Pac beats them at a weightdrained catchweight and when they are more faded then when Floyd fought them.
When Pac fought a fighter in Marquez whose not washed up or wieghtdrained,Pac lost but Floyd beat Marquez easily.
No easy way out
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easy work. Floyd says not all work is easy but I think it is.
Pac smashed my mom
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ducquiaos statement "i always want to fight him as long as tyhe ppv is 50-50" shows that he does'nt want to fight mayweather.when it comes to numbers pacquiaos ppv is no where near mayweather. arum has already picked pacquiaos check apart for the bradley fight.this is sad on pacs part to lose $40million guaranteed because of arum.
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That must be the dumbest most deluded fanboy vomit I have ever read.
First of the if you dont think that the Pac/manny fight transcends the past prime oscar vs less know mayweather fight your brain is simply not functioning properly and you should seek medical help.
Secondly Pac agree to all he test protocols mayweather demanded 2 years ago, so that cant be used against him in enyway or form.
Thirdly floyd AGREED to the 50/50 split but after manny agreed to the tests floyd suddenly comes up with the most degrading offer in recent boxing history.
Look I admire floyd as a boxer but its glaringly clear that its him that keeps ****ing up this fight from happening
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Isn't Floyd undefeated...he dropped chop chop Corley 4 times...he knocked sharmba Mitchell out and beat the breaks off of zab Judah not to mention he knocked out victor Ortiz...stop letting bob arum tell u he doesn't deal with southpaws it makes I sense at all
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Floyds bum is yummy!
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I already mentioned in another post that if Floyd would go 50 percent with anyone it would only be with Arum so as long as Arum provides 50 percent of the finances of the fight.*******ed i mean Pac-r-o-i-d-s i mean Pacquiao does`nt seem to understand that.
And Floyd does not give any cut to no promoter cause he promotes his under his own promotional company,he just pays goldenboy a flat fee before PPV to handle the logistics.
Last edited by boxingfeind; 05-10-2012 at 09:26 AM.
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Since welcoming her new kitten last week, Kim Kardashian has been happily showing off her beloved ball of fur, most recently posting a photo of her and the Persian sharing a smooch.
But she's not the only family member getting in on the action.
"He loves her," she wrote on Twitter of 2-year-old nephew Mason Disick, who giddily cuddles Mercy in the accompanying photo.
Following her cat's debut, Kardashian revealed the Choupette look-alike was a gift from beau Kanye West.
"With me being in Miami, Kanye knew I would need some company when he wasn't around," she wrote on her blog, "so he surprised me with her."
Courtesy Kim Kardashian


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Street Eatin'
A New Food Truck Pod For Downtown Seattle
More than a dozen trucks will rotate through the parking lot at Second and Pike.
Amy Novak, who helped wrangle the wildly popular pod in South Lake Union, is organizing something similar for the downtown intersection. She's tapped more than a dozen trucks to park there starting next month for shifts both day and night. Up to three of them will serve at any given time alongside Dog Japon, a longtime occupant of the lot. The development is an exciting one, considering food trucks (aside from the ones above and Fusion on the Run) have largely steered clear of the central core. Update 11/5: Novak says the pod begins Thursday, November 8.
The roster is a reliable mix of cuisines and experience—familiar names such as Buns and Here and There plus more recent additions like Urban Nomad and Lucky Devil Doughnut Co. Also be on the lookout for the yet-to-debut 314 Pie. Visit 2ndandpikeeats.com for the full list and schedule.


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My favourite nickname: "Three Me-Egos".
newsnet5 dot com.
Dan Gilbert's message to fans regarding LeBron James
Started by Hockeytown0001, Jul 09 2010 09:25 AM
21 replies to this topic
Posted 17 July 2010 - 03:13 PM
"Mess up tomorrow, don't mess up now".
- Harry James Benson, CBE.
Posted 18 July 2010 - 07:12 AM
My favourite nickname: "Three Me-Egos".
newsnet5 dot com.
"All done? Five bucks." - Pavel Datsyuk after an interview
"Very few cities in the NHL have the history or the following of the Detroit Red Wings." - Steve Yzerman
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Skip to comments.Rod Blagojevich sentenced to 14 years in prison for corruption
Posted on 12/07/2011 1:39:37 PM PST by DoughtyOne
Rod Blagojevich, the ousted Illinois governor whose three-year battle against criminal charges became a national spectacle, was sentenced to 14 years in prison Wednesday, one of the stiffest penalties imposed for corruption in a state with a history of crooked politics.
(Excerpt) Read more at guardian.co.uk ...
Both he and his wife were placed on reality shows to try to rehab his image. Looks the the jury didn't fall for any of that.
You could literally arrest and give life sentences to everyone involved in Chicagoland politics. Obama, Axelrod, Emmanuel and all those other gangsters should be in jail serving life sentences.
He will get a pardon from obama, you watch.
Poor ole Sheppie Smith must be in mourning. I think Sheppie had a big crush on ole Rod.
He should stay in until the taxpayers make back every cent he cost them... only counting their tax rebates.
I grew up in Chicago and it didn't take long to learn that the politics in that city (and the whole state for that matter) are among the most corrupt in the nation. Blago's antics were business as usual. It really irks me that out of this political cesspool comes our Chief Executive..
Can't wait till November.
And BTW, this is not a knock on the city or the state. The politics there stink, but I have many friends in Illinois and Chicago is a great city - politics aside.
Don't forget Ayers. I agree with you.
Works for me...
Corruption exists in places you wouldn't believe. Good people cannot eradicate it. They can try to keep it at a minimum. I agree with your comments related to this administration too.
Since Rod fell on his sword for Obama (and his ilk), I certainly think there will be a pardon before the Present leaves office.
My wife and I had a good friend that was old Hollywood. Every once in a while he would invite us to go to an event he was MCing.
One night he took us to a small community in Southern California where he was going to MC the birthday party of a man who ran a local utility.
We liked this guy (the MC) and wanted to support him. He was a good man. There at the event we met Montie Montana, and if I am not mistaken, Iron Eyes Cody. I know Montie was there, but I am a bit hazy now whether Iron Eyes Cody was. I believe he was or I wouldn't mention it.
At any rate, the guy whose birthday everyone from town was celebrating, proceeded to drink heavily. He got so blitzed that he disrupted the evening, making it very difficult to manage the appearance of people who came to say nice things about him.
At one point he actually shoved my friend (the MC) off the stage because he wanted to make a small speech. My friend was mortified. He felt humiliated in front of the people he had asked to attend.
The honoree then proceeded to recite for the whole gathering how he had engage in criminal behavior to take over the business he was doing for the city. The guy gave out enough personal accounts that a city attorney could have brought him up on charges with little effort.
He gave names and dates.
We're talking about a very small town here, but small towns do have lucrative city business. This guy had tapped in.
I'll never forget it.
Close as I could get. Rod!!!
Heh heh heh... much nicer than mine. Excellent.
If you apply Newt's logic, Rod should not have to suffer the consequences of his law-breaking, as it is not good for families.
I'll knock the drones that elected these losers. I lived in the district that first
put Blago in as Congress then Rahm Emmanuel.
It was known that Blago was a shady character, accused of taking money from known gang leaders. But he was a democrat. That's all that mattered.
Pull the lever for all Democrats because they give you things. They're for the
little guy.
Now Illinois is dead broke. But they still pull the lever for the Democrat!
I'm not sure exactly what Newt said to justify that comment, but knowing Newt I'm reasonably sure he found a way for the comment to fit like a glove. He's very very good at stuff like that.
I'm not sure exactly what Newt said to justify that comment, but knowing Newt I'm reasonably sure he found a way for the comment to fit like a glove. He's very very good at stuff like that.
Oh I get it. Immigration, deportation, being harsh to families...
Good point.
That Blago may or may not be one guilty SOB has nothing to do with it. He was denied the opportunity to call U-No-Hoo as a witness, not to mention that tutu-wearin' anus-probe Rahm Emmanuel who was U-No-Hoo's chief henchman, along with Axelrod, Valerie Jarrett, et al ... all from the Mombasa MF's Chicago posse.
14 years? Talk about "Under the Bus!" What about Holder, the other Affirmative Action Anus, and the "Fast and Furious" murders? What's he get, a medal? No matter what Blago did, and I am sure it was plenty. The DOJ massacred him.
Or given immunity to nail JJJr, Rahm and Zer0.
Probably should've read the entire article, but why in the world did the judge not feel he deserved the 20 yr max? Is it because of all the contrition he's shown up to now?
I wasn't one of them. I knew he was a sleazy self-involved jerk back in 1999 when he spit on his own heritage for political brownie points & publicity, before he was ever elected Governor.
Chig Trib columnist John Kass did a good article on The Blagojevich Sentencing, last night before the sentence was handed down:
Don't ever tell the sons (or daughters) of immigrants that they "come from nothing".
Blagojevich's 18 convictions included allegations of trying to leverage his power to appoint someone to President Barack Obama's vacated Senate seat to raise campaign cash or land a high-paying job... ...Blagojevich had told the judge that he made "terrible mistakes" and acknowledged that he broke the law when he tried to sell an appointment to the Senate seat.
Blagojevich's attorneys admitted for the first time Tuesday that he is guilty of corruption and accepts the verdicts against him, but said the sentence of 15 to 20 years prosecutors wanted was too harsh. The defence also presented heartfelt appeals from Blagojevich's family, including letters from his wife Patti and one of his two daughters that pleaded for mercy.
Eighteen felony convictions: The jury bought off on them, and it seems nobody was saying they did a bad job. To the contrary, they were eating the humble pie Blago should have been eating for the last nearly ten years.
Should Obama and company have been drawn into this? I believe so. Is it unfair to take down Blago for what he was trying to do? I don't think so, and when a jury buys into what the prosecutors is saying these days, it's a fairly reasoned thing to think there was good reason. Look at the cases these days that wind up exhonerating the guilty, because the jury acts in an almost unbelievable manner.
Emanuel and Hussein should be his cell mates.
That's looks like Cinerama.
It would seem the deal would have to have been made before sentencing.
The guy really screwed up. I honestly don't mind politicians getting the book thrown at them. I just wish justice was being delivered to our leaders in the White House, Senate, and Congress.
Stolen, LOL.
H0lder Bingo! (the List is long)
There was no contrition prior to the verdict and sentencing.
This guy played hardball all the way, even tried to get big name celebrities to plead on his behalf by he and his wife participating on Celebrity Apprentice and one other reality show.
He guested on all sorts of programs tying to build sympathy despite his criminality.
The judge stated he thought Blago lied on the stand.
I just don't know how much more time you give a guy for this sort of thing. Hell, for second degree manslaughter, you probably get little more than this.
The range was 15 to 20, and the judge gave him 14. He'll probably be out in seven to ten, but his life is done. He'll never live this down IMO.
I'm curious as to which prison Rodney will be going to. His predecessor George Ryan is in the Terre Haute Federal Correction Institution which is a medium security facility. I saw the movie "Horrible Bosses" last weekend and the two main characters were worried about going to prison and they began arguing about which one was the more rapeable. I wonder if Rod is looking in the mirror thinking he needs to shed some hair and get a more manly fierce look going on. I would imagine there's someone where Rod is going that would love to score an ex-governor as his bitch.
Thank you for mentioning that and linking it. Blago didn't come from nothing. His parents provided very well for him. They gave him every advantage anyone can get. If he had kept his nose clean, he could have made a run for Washington.
Despite this, he used his education and position for evil purposes.
What a shame really. Although I didn't like Blago and thought he deserved what he got, I don't like to see anyone wind up like this. Nothing he stood to gain was worth this risk, this loss, this self-inflicted ruin.
I agree that there are others who should go down for some of what took place. No doubt about it.
Hey, good one.
They sure did, but I'll bet there's little laughing in Mudville tonight. ;^) You didn't intimate otherwise either.
Trouble for guys like Rod is, they are plump softies. This was the last thing this guy should have taking a chance on having happen to him.
It would seem they would probably put him in a place where he would be less likely to be exposed to the things you mention.
Of course, I have no way of knowing for sure.
He didn't act alone, D1. I heard it straight from a Chicago Dem operative this morning on radio, he didn't share the spoils as expected.
In this case it's warranted. Blago is one arrogant SOB.
To be honest, I'm not sure he was successful in getting the spoils he sought. Perhaps I'm forgetting something, but he didn't realize any gain as I understand it.
As Blago awaits sentence, trouble remains for Jesse Jackson Jr.
That was yesterday's headline, of course, but apparently a congressional ethics investigation of JJJr is pending. And it seems to me the FBI should be interested too.
Caught dead to rights, it had been my thought that this guy should have been contrite from day one, and sought a plea deal that would have spared him and his family from the full force of multiple penalties for multiple convictions.
I've never seen a guy try to manipulate public opinion like this guy did, and it was actually shocking how many big names allowed him to use them to manipulate that public opinion.
Yes, if anyone deserved to have the book thrown at them, this guy is the poster boy.
Every public figure that allowed themselves to be used, should be outed for it. They deserve to be seen as people who allowed this level of a crook to use them. Shameful.
Yes, you're right. I had forgotten about that.
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Isis King is a model, fashion designer, actress and America's Next Top Model's only transgender contestant. The cycle 11 vet wrote about returning to ANTM, where she was branded as an "inspiration" and blogs exclusively for PEOPLE about Cycle 17: All Stars.
In her farewell post, King sounds off about posing on stilts, Camille McDonald's insensitive comments, being judged by Kristin Cavallari, and saying farewell to Tyra Banks and ANTM – again.
– Janet Mock
Fool me once shame on you; fool me twice shame on me. Here we are at the dreaded episode of my elimination. I never in a million years saw this coming.
The episode kicked off with reality TV star Kristin Cavallari stopping by our home to speak about her experiences in branding and how she stretched her reality TV fame into a career. She was very sweet and savvy, and later served as our guest judge at panel.
For our challenge, we were split into two groups of six, competing to deliver a stellar interview with Extra host Mario Lopez. While I just so happen to be drafted into the losing group (the winning team was immune from elimination), what you didn't hear in my critique from judge Nigel Barker was that I was the most "on brand" in my group when it came to my interview with Mario.
And being that this season of ANTM is about branding, you'd think that Nigel's comment about my performance would carry some weight. But I digress.
Continuing with the episode's team theme, we posed in pairs for our photo shoot, where I was paired with cycle 2's Camille McDonald, who seemed to have some insensitive things to say about me in this episode.
During cycle 11, I had to deal with ignorant comments about being a transgender woman, so I'm used to people having things to say about my transition. Yet it surprised me to hear Camille's comments about having to show me up in the photo shoot because she'd be embarrassed that "somebody who's transgender do better than an actual real woman."
The world may never know what Camille's intentions were by saying what she did. Although there is a lot of editing that goes on in the show, words can't be placed in your mouth!
Anyway back to business: The shoot saw us all getting a view from the top on stilts! I must admit that I was a little nervous at first, but quickly achieved balance and became very ambitious in my posing. I even shot some poses with one leg up in the air – clearly you can see that I delivered a wide variety of fearless frames which I got to see for the first time on a huge monitor during the shoot.
So the low energy final photo they showed during panel was another thing that really surprised me during this episode.
I wore another of my own designs during panel: a simple, yet elegant black dress with a gray hat that I soon realized made me look like the black swan! When it came to judging with Camille, Tyra mentioned that my film got weaker and weaker. Hmmm, sounds familiar, right?
That was the exact same thing she said to me the first time I was on Top Model in cycle 11. And this time, like the last, her comments led to my elimination. But I hope you guys don't actually think I lost a spark or didn't deliver because as we saw in the footage that just isn't true!
Overall, I had a pleasant experience the second time around on ANTM: All Stars: I made friends with almost every girl in the house; got to show off my fashion designs; and prove that I am more than my transition. I am disappointed that this season was supposed to be about your star quality and brand, yet the judges sent three of the biggest personalities and brand-worthy models (Brittany Brower, Sheena Sakai and myself) home first.
So what's next for me? I am going abroad to film my first full-length film, Hello Forever, this winter. I'm excited about that because acting is apart of my life and hopefully the world will see more of that. In the meantime, stay in touch with me on Twitter @MsIsisKing and Facebook.
Bye bye (for now!),
Isis King
America's Next Top Model: Isis King Says She Never Saw Elimination Coming
Jaimie Trueblood/The CW


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Inside Erie signs off
I'm sure many of you can relate, but time gets away from you as you get older. That's why I was surprised and then some when I checked and realized I've been writing this weekly newsletter for about seven years now.
My former colleague Peter Panepento launched it in 2006 as our news organization really started to focus on becoming a force online. I stepped in the next year after Pete left Erie for another career opportunity.
At the time, it was kind of a natural extension of work I was doing already. My main gig over the past 16 years or so has been helping to manage our newsroom, which feeds the Erie Times-News and GoErie.com, but for the past 25 years I've also written an opinion column about everything Erie.
Inside Erie provided a second outlet for that voice. And for much of my run with the newsletter, it generated a lively conversation with its readers.
My first reaction upon realizing I'd been at it for seven years was the aforementioned amazement that it had been that long. The second was amazement at how much has changed in that time in how we consume news and information.
Consider, for instance, that the now-ubiquitous iPhone debuted the same year I started writing Inside Erie. Now a lot of folks practically manage their entire lives via smart phone.
We've covered a lot of ground together via this newsletter -- mostly looking at community, political and economic issues affecting the Erie region, with even a little sports mixed in here and there. There's always a lot to talk about in our town.
I also learned there's a considerable appetite for word of goings on in Erie from people who are from here and now live elsewhere. It turned out that Inside Erie's voice carried far outside Erie, and I've heard from folks all over these United States and from others as far away as Brazil and France.
A few of them have been prone to snubbing their noses at their hometown and touting how the place they landed has more to offer. I got a lot of that in particular when the subject turned to Erie's challenging winters and readers felt the need to point out that things were balmy where they were.
More often the messages from afar relayed an abiding affection for Erie and a sense that it's a special place, which is what has kept me here all of these years. A few even wrote to say that while they wouldn't trade their current locale during winter, you couldn't beat Erie's glorious summers -- once they get here.
But I've had a growing sense over the past year or two that Inside Erie has run its course. And as our news operation takes a variety of steps into our digital-first future, I need to turn my time and attention to other things.
So this will be the last Inside Erie to arrive in your inbox. Thanks for reading, sending along your thoughts and sharing my love for and fascination with this special community.


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Twin Flame recognition
Dear Family of Light!
Because of all the labels that are present now, I still see a lot of confusion in regards to many topics, especially the topic of Twin Flames. That is especially due to the lack of discernment. So many individuals are now coming at this from an angle that lacks awareness of the Absolute Reality. So many define the experience through what is being communicated by the media. When we define something, we already negate it.
Can You be radically honest with yourself and ask yourself this: "Where is the desire to label your Twin Flame experience is coming from? Within or without? Internally or externally? Is it truly coming from You or what You have heard, read or been told by others and the New age media? Can You move beyond these beliefs and start anchoring the Truth through your own Heart space? Because the Truth knows its Source no matter what these labels and different opinions are, as the Absolute Reality remains. The Truth is known to those who are willing to become the initiates of the sacred, of the holy ... for Divinity is only be found there!
Many individuals ask me about their love life, and most of the questions are based on finding their partner and how to recognize their true Beloved. Why don't we instead, turn the focus inwardly, and realize we are the Beloved? And when we do anchor that awareness and bring it into our Earthly experience, we can fully become the Spark of Divine Love that we truly are. When we internalize the experience, the external reality can more easily match this vibration up. It's about Divine Love and the Truth of how we are created through our Source. The Twin Flame experience is basically an inner remembrance of your true Self as a Spark of God/Goddess, a perfect bubble of Divine Love, so it's therefore not an external projection, which so many wish to make. Remember your true Source, embody your Divinity, know your true Twin Flame Essence within Creation!
Only our true Beloved, who is our ultimate mirror, can mirror everything to us. These are all the aspects of our shadow and light, so that in the end ... we can see that only Love is real. And then ... we can become Love embodied, in all of its Truth!
Love has its own course, and it flows like a river. It takes us where we need to go and where we need to be in every Now moment. Sometimes it takes us in a whole other place, an unexpected territory, uncharted waters so to say. This is because in order to embody Divine Love, we have to completely surrender in all ways, and only this way can we love unconditionally. Sometimes challenges are a part of this experience, but true Love for another never goes away when it is shared and eternal.
In Twin Flame relationships in particular, Love is so strong and the bond is eternal, so nothing can ever sever it. When the Soul recognizes itself in the exact mirror of another, it instantly knows, for it remembers its Divine Source. Such is the recognition of Twin Flames, and no matter what, it always remains in the Heart. Only we can recognize our true Beloved, no one else. The recognition of Twin Flames occurs in the sacred space of our Heart center, which connects Spirit and matter. And so it is with this reunion, which brings Spirit into Life in all ways!
Many times, this experience will also bring many trials and tribulations, which all serve a purpose of further recognition of Twin Flames. These are deep initiations, that only each and every individual couple is aware of, as they go through the direct experience on their own. Every Love story is unique. Every Love story is precious and Divine. And every Twin Flame Essence is a Divine Spark of Creation!
Within Divine Love, Polona
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The 'In Arms' Relationship
What a baby biologically 'expects', and what today's environments provide, can often be far apart. Human infants need constant attention and contact with other human beings because they are unable to look after themselves. Unlike other mammals, they cannot keep themselves warm, move about, or feed themselves until relatively late in life. It is their extreme neurological immaturity at birth and slow maturation that make the mother-infant relationship so important.
In his film 'Kangaroo Care' Dr Neils Bergman clearly demonstrates the effects of early stress responses at mother and baby separation. The stress hormones having a negative impact upon the child's fundamental physiological and psychological needs. Which would suggest that limbic regulation through mother and child body contact can, at times, be vital to the health and survival of her baby. That human babies have underdeveloped physiological systems which are easily destabilised by stress hormones being released in response to being to the baby being separated from their mother.
In their book, 'A General Theory of Love' (2000) Dr's Lewis, Amini and Lannon, make central the premise that our brain chemistry and nervous systems are measurably affected by those closest to us,( limbic resonance); that our systems synchronize with one another in a way that has profound implications for personality and lifelong emotional health, ( limbic regulation). That limbic regulation can have a profound effect upon the physiological and emotional well-being of our children.
In "A handbook of Psychology" (2003) a clear path is traced from Winnicott 1965 identifying the concept of mother and child as a relational organism or dyad and goes on to examine the interrelation of social and emotional responding with neurological development and the role of the limbic system in regulating response to stress.
Limbic resonance is also referred to as "empathic resonance", as in the book Empathy in Mental Illness (2007), which establishes the centrality of empathy or lack of it thereof in a range of individual and social pathologies.
The authors Farrow and Woodruff, cite the work of Maclean, 1985, as establishing that "Empathy is perhaps the heart of mammalian development, limbic regulation and social organization", as well as research by Carr et al., 2003, who used MRI to map brain activity during the observation and imitation of emotional facial expressions, with the conclusion
"we understand the feelings of others via a mechanism of action representation that shapes emotional content and that our empathic resonance is grounded in the experience of our bodies in action and the emotions associated with specific bodily movements"
Human babies have good sensory development of touch, smell, taste, sight and sound, but being unable to cling to a care-giver and so rely on being carried in arms to remain close Human babies have a long period of development after birth, which takes place at a very fast rate, and requires a lot of energy. They need to feed often and on-demand on high-calorie, low-fat milk which is quickly digested.
All of which show how tightly bound together the physiological and social aspects of the mother-infant relationship really is. The 'in arms' relationship also allows mothers (and fathers) to respond quickly to the infant if he cries, chokes, or needs his nasal passages cleared, body cooled, warmed, caressed or rocked.


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Studio Teacher Hits Union with Federal Labor Board Charges After Being Fired for Not Paying Union Dues
Union bosses retaliated against studio teacher for non-membership despite her efforts to join the union
Los Angeles, California (May 13, 2009) – With free legal assistance from the National Right to Work Foundation, a Venice-based employee of Hesher Productions, LLC has filed unfair labor practice charges against the company and the International Association of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 884 union for her illegal termination.
Mandy Diassellis was formerly employed as a studio teacher by Hesher Productions in Santa Monica. Thinking she had an obligation to do so, she tried to join IATSE Local 884, but she was refused membership and subsequently fired for not joining the union. The charges will now be investigated by the National Labor Relations Board.
Because California does not have a Right to Work law making union membership and dues payment voluntary, workers are routinely forced to pay union dues or lose their jobs. However, federal labor statutes do not impose a forced dues requirement until workers have been employed in the same bargaining unit for at least 30 days. Further, under federal law, when an employee is barred from union membership for a reason unrelated to nonpayment of dues, the union loses its special legal privilege to compel any dues payment whatsoever.
Diassellis was not a member of IATSE Local 884 and had not been employed by Hesher Productions for more than 30 days, and therefore could not yet be legally forced to pay union dues or join the union. However, Diassellis did attempt to join the union, not understanding that formal membership was not required by law, but was then rebuffed by IATSE union officials anyway. After rejecting her attempt to join the union, union officials ordered her employer to fire her for not having joined the union or paid dues.
The charges filed by Foundation attorneys seek the immediate reinstatement of Diassellis to her job, as well as payment of back pay owed her since the day she was fired.
"For whatever reasons, union bosses wanted Mandy Diassellis fired, and they flagrantly broke the law in doing so," said Stefan Gleason, vice president of the National Right to Work Foundation. "Union bosses in the entertainment industry have routinely ignored federal labor laws in an effort to maintain monopoly control of who is hired and who is fired. We intend to challenge and stop this flagrant violation of employee rights."


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For the second year in a row, David Zinczenko and Matt Goulding, bestselling authors of Eat This, Not That!, have called out several restaurant industry leaders with the release of their "20 Worst Foods in America" list. Seven items that appeared on last year's list have since been excised from menus, including Chili's 2,710-calorie Awesome Blossom. Others have reported a decreased calorie count, suggesting a change in portion size.
"Do I think that we had an influence on the removal or the altering of some of those dishes? Absolutely," says Goulding, recalling an admission from Jamba Juice that it removed its Chocolate Moo'd Power Smoothie after customers complained about its inclusion on the 2008 list. "Can we claim victory in every case? No."
Despite the Chili's menu change, Brinker International, parent company of Chili's, Romano's Macaroni Grill, Maggiano's Little Italy, and On the Border Mexican Grill and Cantina, was the leading offender for the second year in a row. Chili's menu items were cited in two categories this year, while Romano's Macaroni Grill dishes were listed in three—more than any other single restaurant.
Other chains on the list include T.G.I. Friday's, Uno Chicago Grill, Outback Steakhouse, Quiznos, and Hardee's, among others. Baskin-Robbins, however, landed the title of worst food of 2009. Its large Chocolate Oreo Shake clocks in at 2,600 calories and 135 grams of fat—"more than a day's worth of calories and three days worth of saturated fat," according to the list.
The dramatic comparison is typical of Eat This, Not That!'s style. Chili's Smokehouse Bacon Triple-The-Cheese Big Mouth Burger with Jalapeño Ranch Dressing, which makes the list for being the "Worst Burger of 2009," is compared to the dietary setback of about eight 6-ounce steaks. Meanwhile, Macaroni Grill Dessert Ravioli, dubbed the "Worst Dessert of 2009," is cited as the caloric equivalent of having four Quarter Pounders in addition to the main course.
In a move unrelated to the release of the 2009 list, Baskin-Robbins removed its Chocolate Oreo Shake from the menu. It was a seasonal item featured only in summer 2008, says Scott Colwell, Baskin-Robbins Worldwide Brand Marketing Officer.
"Baskin-Robbins offers a variety of frozen treat options which are all part of a balanced lifestyle," he says in a prepared statement. "Prior to the Eat This, Not That! announcement, Baskin-Robbins had already committed to phasing out the premium shakes line from its menu, beginning this summer."
But Zinczenko and Goulding will continue to publicly flog unhealthy menu items—and to compliment healthy ones.
"People don't fully understand how much they're taking in when they're eating out," Goulding says. "It's important for people to be informed. ... The bottom line isn't that eating out is bad. It's that making one decision over another on a restaurant menu can be incredibly impactful."
Goulding says one of the book's main points is that consumers can make nutritious decisions at any restaurant so long as they are informed.
"We're not trying to take down individual restaurants," he says.
Both on the list and in the books, Zinczenko and Goulding suggest a healthier alternative from each restaurant. The book also includes a list of the best and worst restaurants in terms of nutritious menu offerings. Brinker International performed poorly in this category, as well, with Chili's receiving a C overall and Macaroni Grill being the only restaurant to receive an F. Maggiano's, while not officially graded, was one of several restaurants to be chastised because of its failure to disclose nutritional information.
"One of the major goals within the restaurant side of what we do is nutritional transparency," Goulding says. "We will continue to harp on those restaurants who don't provide it until they do."
The Eat This, Not That! brand, which touts itself as a no-diet weight-loss solution, has evolved from a book to a cultural phenomenon. In addition to new editions of the book, the brand also has a Yahoo! Health blog, a Web site, and a twice-a-week e-newsletter. Most recently, the Eat This, Not That! Supermarket Survival Guide, the third book in the series, became the No. 1 Nonfiction Book in America the same week it debuted. The original Eat This, Not That! book has sold more than a million copies.
"We'll continue to put out worst lists because those educate the consumer and it keeps restaurants on their toes," Goulding says. "We like restaurants to be on their toes, to be conscious of the fact that Americans are watching and in some cases you have to take some accountability with the dishes that you serve."
Brinker International declined to comment.


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quote: so you think Apple will reverse the trend of declining marketshare over the past 10 years and triple growth?
quote: They now have less than 3% global market share of all personal computers sold.
quote: And they achieved this near oblivion how?
quote: By continuing to launch superior products at a competitive price points?
quote: you MAC clones crack me up


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Illusions of Democracy: When Is It Not Free or Fair?
From Women's Empowerment collection, lesson plan 5 of 8
(90-120 minutes + assignments)
Grade Level: 9-12, College
Subject Areas: Social Studies, Civics, Government, Geography, Global Studies, Sociology, Political Science, Language Arts, Economics, World History
Purpose of the lesson: In this lesson, students look at the "free, fair and regular" principles that might make an election democratic. Conversely, they investigate ways in which elections can be inefficient, manipulated or abused. They apply these lessons toward understanding the 2005 election in Egypt, and then research the electoral process of a country of their own choosing.
Students will:
- Understand the criteria for democratic elections
- Investigate stymied or failed elections
- Examine and discuss the 2005 election in Egypt
- Role play different constituencies and voices in the election process in Egypt
- Research the electoral process in other countries, especially the abuses in countries that are not democratic, and the safeguards in the countries that are democratic
Skills: Stating and supporting opinions in class discussions and in writing; analytical reading and viewing; note taking; interpreting information and drawing conclusions; critical thinking; identifying cause and effect; identifying relationships and patterns
- Computers with an Internet access and/or with DVD capability
- LCD projector or DVD player
- Flip chart (adhesive backed)/markers, whiteboard/markers or chalkboard/chalk
- Shayfeen.com Discussion Guide
- Shayfeen.com "Egypt's 2005 Elections" Film Module
- Teacher Handout A: Vocabulary
- Teacher Handout B: Assignment Rubric
- Student Handout A: "Egypt's 2005 Elections" Note Taking Guide
- Student Handout B: Shayfeen.com Quotes
- Student Handout C: Panel Note Taking Guide
Use Teacher Handout B: Assignment Rubric to assess students' projects. Students should receive the rubric to guide them in their article writing.
National Teaching Standards Addressed:
Grades 9-12
National standards from the following organizations were used in developing this lesson plan. See Recommended National Standards for full descriptions of standards employed.
Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning (McRel)
Center for Civic Education
National Council for the Social Studies
National Center for History in the Schools
National Geographic
National Council for Teachers of English/International Reading Association
North American Association for Environmental Education
Writer: David Maduli
David Maduli is an independent educational consultant who has contributed many curriculum guides and conducted various workshops for PBS programs. He has a master's in teaching and curriculum from Harvard Graduate School of Education and continues to work as a veteran Bay Area public school language arts and social studies teacher.
Previewing Activity
Introducing Democratic Elections: Have students read and copy down this quote from the whiteboard or projector:
"Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives... The will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government; this will shall be expressed in periodic and genuine elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret vote or by equivalent free voting procedures." — Article 21, Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948
Direct students to circle or highlight the keywords in the quote that describe what qualities would make for a truly democratic election. After they have indicated a few, allow students to "shout out" words as you list them to the side of the quote (i.e. periodic, genuine, universal, equal suffrage, secret vote, free voting). Have them discuss in their own words what these terms mean and add additional words to the list (e.g. fair, true, regular)
What is Electoral Abuse?: Pre-teach the vocabulary for the article "Free, Fair, & Regular Elections: Essential Principles" from the Democracy website using Teacher Handout A: Vocabulary. You can then guide students in reading the article or have them break into pairs to read. Direct them to use the reading to create a list of scenarios and situations in which elections are abused, inefficient, failed or otherwise not meeting the essential principles for a democratic election. Discuss together as a class, using the following guiding questions:
- Are elections free, fair and regular in the United States? Explain.
- In what ways are elections abused?
- Why would a dictatorship or a country that is not necessarily democratic hold elections?
- What is the impact of electoral abuse on the public? On the government?
- What can the public do to expose and/or prevent electoral abuse by the government? What can politicians do? Why should they want genuine elections?
- How does freedom of the press help promote free, fair and regular elections?
Provide Background Information on Egypt and Shayfeen.com: Briefly introduce the film Shayfeen.com. Note that the film module will cover a movement in Egypt that was organized after the country's first multicandidate presidential election in 2005 was marred by various electoral abuses. Have students read pages 2-4 of the Shayfeen.com Discussion Guide particularly The Film, which provides an overview of the 2005 election and the controversy surrounding the issue of an independent judiciary. You can also have students read the article "Egypt's Ugly Election," from the Washington Post as another source of background information.
Viewing the Film
Viewing the Film Module: Instruct students to take notes on Student Handout A: "Egypt's 2005 Elections" Video Module Note Taking Guide as they view the "Egypt's 2005 Elections" Video Module, and examine the fairness of Egypt's elections as they're doing so.
Reflecting on the Film
Review and Discuss: Debrief the module and notes by discussing together as a class, using the following guide questions:
- What factors can increase or decrease voter turnout in an election?
- Should the responsibility for insuring free, fair and regular elections fall on the government (including an independent judiciary), the political parties, the media or the citizens? Explain.
- What are effective ways for citizens to safeguard the election process?
- How effective do you think protests and demonstrations are in impacting the election process? (Compare the U.S. and Egypt.)
- What are the major differences between elections in the U.S. and the 2005 election in Egypt?
Panel Discussion: Moderate a panel in which you select several students to take on roles from the module (i.e. the women of Shayfeen.com, judges, demonstrators, bystanders, police, parliamentary candidates). Allow students time to prepare by reviewing the quotes in Student Handout B.
Have the student panelists respond to these questions by expressing views from the perspective of their roles in the 2005 election:
- What do you know about the election process in Egypt?
- Is changing the election process something you feel is necessary or desirable? What changes to the government do you support that would impact the election process?
- How do you feel about the election this year? How fair and free are the elections in Egypt?
- What questions or statements do you have for other members of the panel?
While watching, have students in the audience take notes on Student Handout C: Panel Note Taking Guide. Open up the questions to the rest of the class as audience members. Debrief by having audience members share the panel member they agreed with the most and why.
Assignment: Research Project: Students should identify a country to research and evaluate its electoral process. They can select a country using the [Map of Freedom on the Democracy website] (http://www.democracyweb.org/ newmap/). While most students would select a country in the Not Free or Partly Free categories, it would also be interesting for some students to select Free countries to see what their electoral processes look like and how they safeguard their elections. Students can use the Country Profiles on the BBC News website (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/country_profiles/default.stm) as an additional resource site. They should present their research using visual elements, along with factual information and analysis. They should consider using PowerPoint slides, a blog or other Web 2.0 tools, a display board or a pamphlet.
Information to include:
- Type of government
- Description of election process
- Level of freedom of the press, especially in reporting on elections and the government
- Safeguards and monitoring for elections
- Participation level in elections from the electorate
- Comparison with the U.S. electoral system
Students can:
Investigate the 2000 U.S. presidential election. What were the elements and causes of a breakdown in the electoral process? How was the controversy resolved and what was the role of the Supreme Court?
Research the 1876 U.S. presidential election. How was the president chosen? What impact did this election have on Southerners, both Black and white? This election was essentially a backroom deal that allowed the Republicans to win the election—provided they ended Reconstruction in the South after the Civil War.
Research the history of Egypt's judicial system and the political role of judges.
Examine Egyptian women's roles in politics and civics. Research other notable women or organizations in which women play a vital role in Egypt and other countries.
Film module:http://cdn.itvs.org/shayfeencom-edu-election.jpgshayfeencom-edu-election-1024_senso.mov
Shayfeen.com: Egypt's 2005 Election


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Twister deemed unlikely
June 27, 2013
LISBON —Tuesday's thunderstorm that passed through the area caused little damage despite packing 70 mph winds and dumping up to four inches of rain in parts of Columbiana County....
Spanks to a county ommissioner who hasn't got a clue on Emergency Management but continues to help "Lead The Way". Good luck Mikey, your doing a fine, fine job of showing the electors how great the county government is working......
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I can't imagine why........ "He said Perry Township never requested anything from the EMA or the Local Emergency Planning Committee, which is the state agency whose specific responsibility is to respond to hazardous material accidents in the county, including gas line incidents."
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So Luke better have Halleck proof read his press releases first. "Columbiana County Emergency Management Director Luke Newbold said some damage was reminiscent of a tornado, with twisted damage" Sounds like a "POORLY" trained basic weather spotter to me. LEARN LUKE LEARN. OR IS HALLECK TELLING YOU, LUKE I AM YOUR FATHER, COME TO THE DARK SIDE.....
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Poor Luke. Stop fretting the small stuff, that pompous****that hired you screwed you in anything you do. You are just the puppet on the string. Look at this way dear, if a major disaster hits this county and the Feds come in to run the show, you will be shuffled to directing traffic and waving a flash light!
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This Month's Learning Innovation: Clairton Robotics
Clairton High School is known for its football team, the Bears, which put together an amazing 66 game win streak. They get a lot of publicity. Lesser publicized -- but growing -- is a program introduced by Industrial Arts Teacher Dennis Beard. Four years ago he introduced what he calls a "smart sport" to the school: Robotics, and especially the BotsIQ program.
"It was something new and exciting for the kids to do to get involved in things other than sports," Dennis explains. "It's a smart sport because it helps further their education in math and science – and it's fun to do because they get to beat things up."
The robotics program was inspired by the BotIQ summer camp Dennis' son had attended. There the students learned to build robots, specifically "battle bots," that compete against each other in gladiator-style combat. In the process of creating these battle bots, students use science, engineering, math, even English. His son loved it, and Dennis, as a long-time industrial arts teacher, thought it would be a great fit for Clairton.
"It started out as an experiment," he says, with Dennis purchasing the parts he needed on the internet with his own money. When he connected with Southwestern PA's BotsIQ program, he found guidance and a good fit. The program oversees competitions between schools and offers help in developing curriculum and much more.
At Clairton, Dennis' students design and build "battle bots," taking them from the earliest phases through a wooden prototype and then a metal creation. Everything that goes into making the robot is done right there in Dennis' classroom. But it's not just about creating the best battle machine: Dennis explains that his students are "Straight A's and not straight A kids, but they all participate. They're all going above and beyond, bringing something to the team, some energy."
In the process they learn how to use metalworking equipment, computer design programs, utilize engineering skills and even get experience in writing and public speaking, because they have to document everything and present their work at each competition. The class has two teams, which work during school time and as an afterschool club.
Senior Eliza Sopka heads one of the two teams. "I began in my freshman year and was hooked," she says. She likes the competition, explaining that they meet local schools in the arena, like Plum, South Park and West Mifflin. "It's a friendly competition to see who builds the best robot and has the best binder" containing all the documentation of the building process. "We learn teamwork, hard work, compile data and paperwork," Eliza adds, "and we gain some real world experience."
That's one plus: another, according to Dennis, is the culture in the class. "I see a big improvement with the students. They're taking leadership. I step back and have the students learning the wiring, how to run the machines in the shop, and I see them learn and teach each other. It's a big step because now it's not that they sit in a classroom and get lectured to all the time. It's hands on, and the rest of the world is hands on. They face challenges and they find ways to overcome them. Every robot is a little bit different."
Clairton develops winners – and not just on the football field. The robotics team has fielded winners nearly every year since Dennis brought the program to the school. In the second and third years of the program, the Clairton teams went to the local competition held at California University and won such awards as "king of the ring," coolest robot, sportsmanship and then Grand Champion.
In the process of winning those awards, the team gets judged on everything, including the documentation of the process. "So when I say it's a smart sport, they have to hit on every one of those aspects and be at the top on everyone to win Grand Champion," Dennis observes.
Last year, because the team won "Grand Champion," they were given the opportunity to go to the national competition held in Indiana. But because Clairton is one of the region's smallest and poorest school districts, money just wasn't available for little things like parts and big things like money to take the winning team to the nationals. Though Dennis was able to find sponsors, including local companies like Ace Wire Spring & Form and Vangura Tool Co., it just wasn't enough. Dennis and the school administration put out the call to the community – and their story was picked up by the local media. The team needed $4,000 to attend the nationals; in just a few days, the public responded to their story and sent in nearly $60,000 in donations.
The kids got to go to the competition, and with the money that was left over, we were able to purchase more supplies for the program. We're hoping to go back this year," Dennis says, explaining that later this month his class takes their two "battle bots" to the Cal U. competition.
And, he proudly notes, his robotics team is the only Clairton team that participates in national competition, in this "smart sport."


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|Boxing Champions | Boxing Schedule | Boxing Video | Boxing History | Pound For Pound | Lounge | The Wire | Arcade
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Conditioning Routines
Anybody got some good routines for conditioning that can be done at home or a park? Im running out of interesting ideas and need one for tonight.
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i sent you some that i use. check your messages.
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Well, why nort post them here so everybody can see them?
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seriously..this is a forum not myspace
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well its cuz i have them saved to my youtube page but idk why i didn't post them..i must of not thought about it, anyways................ here they are: http://www.youtube.com/user/817boxing
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heres what I use (my opponents would always tire before I do when I'm prepared with this method and it's so simple.)
this involves a small incorporation of interval training into your regular roadwork. say you are going to run 3 miles. alright.
whatever you'd call a fast jog, do that for 2 mins and 30 seconds, the last 30 seconds, break into a medium run, for every ten seconds (until the 3:00 mark) you need to sprint for at least 2-3 of those seconds....At 3:00, you can slow down to a slow jog, for 30 seconds.
Make sure that after 3:30 you are back into a medium jog, and not shuffling around.
You repeat this, over and over, until the 3 miles is up. takes a while to learn and get down, but once you learn it it's like second nature. remember that the last 30 seconds when you're running is supposed to simulate the end of a round where alot of energy is being expended in bursts and youre good...
u run by that law all the time and I guarantee you, you will outlast anyone in a fight.
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Congressman Clay Aiken? It Could Happen!Dresden Shumaker
The Claymates almost made him the 2003 American Idol, but does Clay Aiken still have the support to win his bid for Congress? This morning the singer announced his run and launched the "Doorway" campaign. In a deeply personal video, Clay shares stories from his childhood of domestic violence and poverty. He says, "And if you only know the part of my story that begins with the golden ticket, something that still seems unbelievable to me even to this day, you might wonder what would qualify me to run."
He continues to explain his dream has always been to teach and give hope. This morning he has been sharing part of his vision online through social media networks. His Twitter account is especially active:
For most Americans, there are no golden tickets — not like those on TV. We must increase opportunity: http://t.co/LXdJCIzLPn
— Clay Aiken (@clayaiken) February 5, 2014
Clay is seeking the Democratic nomination in North Carolina's extremely Republican second congressional district. He is challenging Republican Rep. Renee Ellmers and is considered to be a long shot.
Being a long shot doesn't seem to slow Clay down, though. Being the Not Winner in the 2003 American Idol competition could have stalled out his career (hi, Justin Guarini) but Clay seemed to launch into great success. I think the guy has some pretty amazing teflon qualities.
When Clay came out in 2008 he did so with such grace and yet there was a lot of boldness there. Nothing like being on the cover of a national magazine holding the baby you helped your best friend conceive with the words: "Yes, I'm Gay!" In the interview with People he explained the cover: "I cannot raise a child to lie or to hide things. I wasn't raised that way, and I'm not going to raise a child to do that."
I think it is great that Clay wants to dedicate his life to service and helping his community. Running for office isn't a picnic or glamorous at all, and I suspect he knows this. His intentions seem clear and honorable and I wish his campaign much luck.
Watch Clay Aiken's Campaign Announcement Video
Image Credit: YouTube
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FREE Download of U2²s Newest Song "Invisible" Today = $1 Donation to (RED)


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It's the end of the world as we know it this week, with three films examining various scenarios for destruction. First up is the ultimate disaster film, '2012,' Roland Emmerich's treatise on end time via earthquakes and tidal waves. Next comes 'Ponyo,' an animated family fantasy about a little fish who turns into a little girl and threatens the balance of nature. And, finally, there's 'Where the Wild Things Are,' a live-action-puppetry-CGI version of the children's book about a strange land where rampage reigns. a href="http://www.moviefone.com/movie/2012/30165/main">'2012'
What It's About: The end of the world. And it's not a mystical or religious end -- simply put, giant solar storms have caused the Earth's core to heat up, unbalancing the planet and causing massive earthquakes and tidal waves. Writer John Cusack finds out about the imminent doom, and makes a gigantic effort -- staying one step ahead of various disasters -- to save his loved ones from destruction.
It's Kinda Like: 'When Worlds Collide' meets 'Independence Day' and 'Earthquake' and 'Deep Impact' and ... well, you get the picture
What We Say: Breathtaking visuals of the destruction of Los Angeles, Paris and the rest of the world overshadows a weak story line about Cusack trying to get his family to China, where the world governments have prepared several Arks -- populated with the best and the brightness of the human race to restart civilization -- to ride out the tidal waves engulfing the planet. Don't think about logic here -- four stars for great fun.
What It's About: A five-year old boy named Sosuke finds a beautiful fish trapped in a bottle, releases the tiny creature and, sure that she is no ordinary fish, names her Ponyo. Ponyo, it turns out, is the daughter of a powerful wizard and a sea goddess, and transforms herself into a human girl, unfortunately creating a dangerous imbalance in nature. The two children must then figure out a way to avert disaster and save the world.
It's Kinda Like: 'The Little Mermaid' meets 'My Neighbor Totoro'
What We Say: No one in the world can do animation like the Japanese Studio Ghibli and director Hayao Miyazaki. The best of their previous works -- 'My Neighbor Totoro,' 'Kiki's Delivery Service' and 'Spirited Away' -- puts to shame in sheer breadth of imagination and execution almost anything created recently on this side of the Pacific (only 'Beauty and the Beast,' 'The Lion King' and 'Toy Story' come close). This outing -- though a tad watered down in it's story line -- is a visual and visceral delight. Watch it with someone you love.
'Where the Wild Things Are'
What It's About: Maurice Sendak's classic book comes to the big screen in a very unusual adaptation by director Spike Jonze. The film follows the adventures of Max, a mischievous young boy who gets himself in trouble with his mother and, in a fit of anger, runs away. He finds himself in a boat on a stormy sea, transported to an island inhabited by a group of giant Wild Things, where mischief and destruction reign and Max gets to be in charge.
It's Kinda Like: 'Sesame Street' meets 'Lord of the Flies'
What We Say: Although Sendak's 1963 children's book had 10 sentences, 37 pages and 338 words, it beautifully captured the innocence and imagination (and, yes, anger) of childhood, and though Jonze expands on the story by keying in on further issues of rebellion, forgiveness, violence and identity (and uses puppeteers inside nine-foot creature costumes for the astounding Wild Things), we found it difficult to get involved in the story. And, to top it off, no one here is very likeable; not Max, his mom or any of the creatures. Nice try, but no cigar.
Other New March 2 DVD Releases:
'Bitch Slap'
'Cold Souls'
'Gentlemen Broncos'
'The Private Lives of Pippa Lee'
'We Live in Public'
Check out other new March 2 DVD releases at OnVideo.
categories Dvds


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Erin Hill is a New York City harpist & singer with a #1 album on the Billboard world chart. She plays for all types of events in the NYC area, Long Island, New Jersey and beyond: weddings, corporate functions, cocktail hours, concerts, house concerts, parties, etc. She has played & sung with Enya, Kanye West, moby, Cyndi Lauper, a-ha, Levon Helm, Randy Newman, Sinead O'Connor, Jewel, and has played solo at The Royal Albert Hall. She is also known as The Pretty White Girl from Comedy Central's Chappelle's Show.
Erin is known at the Ritz-Carlton on Central Park South in NYC for her rock 'n' roll arrangements on solo harp, playing and singing everything from David Bowie, The Beatles, Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Wonder, and Neil Young to Prince, U2, Radiohead, Rihanna, and Lady Gaga. She is also a Celtic harpist and singer; her Celtic album Four Leaf Clover hit #1 on the Billboard World chart in 2009.
For events, Erin can play either solo harp or she can sing and play, whichever is needed. She also plays often as a duo, trio, or group with other instruments (flute, cello, violin, pedal steel guitar, drums, etc.). She plays (and sings) all styles of music (including classical, of course), with specialties of celtic, jazz, opera, and pop (50's, 60's, 70's, 80's on up to Lady Gaga). Her concert harp is electro-acoustic, and can be played with a small amp for intimate events, or plugged into a sound system for large venues.
Erin has played harp at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and she also played harp for the US Open Tennis Championships. She was featured in an HBO "Game of Thrones" promo, playing the "Game of Thrones" theme on her harp, and she's been featured on Bravo's "Million Dollar Listing." She is the voice & harp of Tafne for the upcoming Android video game "The Legacy of Barubash." USA Today and Elysa Gardner premiered Erin's music video "Lookout, Science" as an exclusive, and she won an Independent Music Award for her album "Girl Inventor." Erin did Original Music and Sound Design for the Drama Desk Award-nominated "That Play: a Solo Macbeth."
Erin toured with the Lincoln Center South Pacific as harpist and pianist, and is the harpist on the new soundtrack for The Fantasticks, on Martha Wainwright's self-titled debut album, on various commercials (Dunkin' Donuts, etc.) and on MTV2's Wonder Showzen. She's a singer, songwriter and musician on the Dream Jam Band's major label debut on EMI. As a voice-over artist she's been heard on commercials from Coca-Cola, Comcast, and Match.com to Play-Doh, Walmart and Dunkin' Donuts.
In the film Clear Blue Tuesday, she is a composer, screenwriter, and actor. The New York Times said: "Erin Hill, as a giddy, harp-playing Trekker, is a standout… The best and funniest scene in the film is Ms. Hill's, a first date that looks promising until the conversation turns to the relative merits of Star Trek: Voyager….." Erin was also in the Tim Robbins film Cradle Will Rock (and appears on the soundtrack alongside Eddie Vedder & PJ Harvey); HBO's The Chris Rock Show; Comedy Central's Chappelle's Show; and PBS's American Masters.
Erin's band has been a Dragon*Con house band, playing her original pop music at the world's largest Science Fiction & Fantasy convention, and both of her sci-fi music videos, "Giant Mushrooms" and "Lookout, Science," were part of the Dragon*Con Independent Film Festival. Erin has also worked with The Peter Ulrich Collaboration; Erin co-wrote, sings lead on, and plays harp and bass on the single and music video "Dark Daddy."
As a stage actor, she was in the original Broadway casts of Titanic, Sam Mendes' Cabaret, and Urinetown and has twice been part of the Sundance Theater Lab in Utah, originating the role of Ilse in Spring Awakening with Duncan Sheik, and as musical director for Lil's 90th (also at the Long Wharf Theater) with Jo Bonney. She was seen most recently in A Midsummer Night's Dream at Classic Stage Company in NYC alongside Bebe Neuwirth and Christina Ricci (Newsday called her "the dangerously enjoyable Erin Hill").
Erin toured with and opened for a-ha in 2008 in Europe and London, where she played solo at the Royal Albert Hall (see the a-ha.com interview with Erin on a-ha's official site). Erin is also a huge Beatles fan, and performs regularly with Jimmy Vivino (of Conan O'Brien) and Will Lee (of Letterman) in The Fab Faux. And lastly, she also juggles and is an expert at walking on her hands (one of which can be seen in the film Clear Blue Tuesday, and the other on The Rosie O'Donnell Show, the 52nd Annual Tony Awards, and Late Night with David Letterman).


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