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Deeplinks Blog posts about Policy Analysis
A security flaw in New South Wales' Internet voting system may have left as many as 66,000 votes vulnerable to interception and manipulation in a recent election, according to security researchers. Despite repeated assurances from the Electoral Commission that all Internet votes are "fully encrypted and safeguarded," six days into online voting, Michigan Computer Science Professor J. Alex Halderman and University of Melbourne Research Fellow Vanessa Teague discovered a FREAK flaw that could allow an attacker to intercept votes and inject their own code to change those votes, all without leaving any trace of the manipulation.
with assistance from Rainey Reitman.
A year ago, President Obama made tepid promises to reform the NSA (check out our analysis of those commitments). Today, he followed up with more specifics.
What do you need to know? His reform plan:
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Take a Moment to Listen to the Trees
Trees don't have heartbeats. You can't put a stethoscope up to a tree trunk and expect to hear that familiar dull thumping that gently insists, "I am alive." At least I'm pretty sure you can't, no matter what hardcore LOTR fans say, Ents do not exist! However, this doesn't mean you shouldn't try putting a stethoscope up to a tree and listening.
What do you think you would hear?
Alex Metcalf knows.
Okay, so I know that silver trumpety thing isn't a stethoscope, but it would be really gross for a Museum to let thousands of school children and other visitors use the same stethoscope to listen to a tree. Since we're so considerate of our visitors and we really wanted everyone to be able to listen to the inner workings of a tree, we worked with British artist, ...

subset: commoncrawl


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i was prescribed a one time use yeast medicine by my doctor called fluconazole. i was given this medicine because i requested an oral medicine instead of the cream i had been given. this is for yeast in my nipples. but the info ive found about the medicine says its not recommended for breastfeeding. im confused about what to do -if i should take the medicine or not. does anyone know if there is a real risk to the baby if i use this medicine?
i also have one nipple that is split in 2 places. it is extremely painful and it wont heal. does anyone have any advice on how to help this nipple. and how to deal with feeding off of it.


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July 8, 2011 —
The Cole Bros. Circus of the Stars rolled into Monticello in the wee hours Tuesday morning, and it is already on the road again. It will tour the entire eastern seaboard before heading south for the winter.
Jumping at the opportunity to feel like a kid again, I joined a sold-out crowd last night and ran into friends and neighbors from all over the region.


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"I have been enjoying your program on my local Catholic radio station for many years and can happily give a large amount of the credit for my continuing spiritual growth to your offerings. You snatched up the banner many had laid aside and are marching bravely forward!"
~ Pamela, Portland, Oregon
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"No work of charity should be regarded as foreign to the Society, although its special object is to visit poor families."
~ In outlining the activities of The Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, an international association of Catholic laymen engaging systematically in personal service to the poor, the founders had an eye to the future needs of human kind.


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|DM Downrightamazed
First things first. Just so it's all in one place:
The Players:
Kelne, Human, a Fighter from the Forgelands, Van-Monnen to be precise
Karthan Zhosk, Half-Orc/Half-Dragon, a Sorcerer from Stormfare
Tanel Eppun, Human, an Oracle from the Plains of Bennalad
Agon, Human, a Monk from Goreme
Jorzan, Human, a Shadowdancer from the Unclaimed Lands
Sir Justal of NeoWald, Aasimar, from the Protectorate of the Lake
The map, and what you know about the world in general.
It is a beautiful fall day in Stormfare, which is to say it is like any fall day; chilly, and pouring rain. The sun has risen and already gone on to better things up behind the clouds, leaving the residents of the city -- yourselves included -- to deal with the rain on their own, as is usually the case. In the market district and shopping district Marketing Mages employ prestidigitation to cause flashing lights and other hallucinations to appear under the hoods of passersby, in an effort to get them to come into their employers' stores and spend some coin. Students hurry from class to home, home to class, or most frequently -- from anywhere to a coffee shop.
All the coffee shops, as always, are full.
A typical day in Stormfare, with only the arrival of a boat of refugees from the south to give the gossips something to talk about aside from the usual worried chatter about the state of the war, and how much danger the University might be in. The last group of refugees came up from Xai Xai via a quick stop in Mamban, and did not stay long in Stormfare. They hated the weather, they hated the wet, they hated the pale people and the grey sky. They all set off down the coast, sticking close to the ocean but seeking sun. This new ship, a beautiful and huge barquentine clipper called The Everdawn, has sailed from Mamban as well, though this time the ancient port was the origin of the journey. It is said the boat made a number of stops along the way, including one to drop off a curoius load of cargo under cover of night, but now it is here, and already the refugees are starting to infiltrate the city; their strangeness and lack of any idea at all where they are going, not to mention their complete lack of rain gear, causes them to stand out rather sharply.
Please take a paragraph or two to describe how it is you came to be in Stormfare. OR! For those who have already been in the city for a while, e.g., Karthan and Jorzan, please describe what you're doing this fine morning.
It is 9:00 AM, 46 degrees fahrenheit, and raining very hard.
|Karthan Zhosk
Karthan chose not to do the outbound caravan leg with Jollo, as the summer fled the rain; in part this was to humor his mother - he'd been gone for six months on the last run.
His father has been away on assignment, and while the nature of his work means there's some irregularity in scheduling reunions, the truth of the matter is, Karthan's growing a little antsy.
Since confronting Jorzan at the caravansarai on the other side of town, the two have kept in touch off and on, playing, for lack of a better term, "Hide and Seek". They're surprisingly well matched at this.
The rules of the game are to designate two or three places at the beginning of the week, and try to skulk on the other there. If one player can sit down next to the other, and give the code word without being seen, the other buys the next round of coffee and brandy.
It's been a close matched series; it's currently 16 to 19, in Jorzan's favor. Neither of them are used to having a peer at this. Karthan finds it novel and entertaining.
On this morning, Karthan has finished breakfast with Mother, before she goes off to doing academic work at the Library. He's noticed the strangers unprepared for the wet, and his costume is set to looking like a nice set of oiled canvas trousers, a mackinack coat and a wool sweater. Something that would blend in, truth be said. He's also changed his appearance to look human, though he's still a big man.
He's listening to snatches of conversation from refugees, as he heads to the Warbie outpost, dropping a message off for his Mother, and incidentally, checking to see if there's news from his Father. He's also planning his approach to his next meeting with Jorzan. He is not visibly armed.
1d20 + 4 ⇒ (6) + 4 = 10 Linguistics check to understand a bit of what the refugees are saying.
1d20 + 6 ⇒ (18) + 6 = 24 Diplomacy to gather some gossip as he makes his rounds.
Jorzan, by having played Hide and Seek with Karthan, it more or less comes down to "Who got unlucky that day". In some situations, you get the advantage (Hide in Plain Sight), in others Karthan does (Darkvision 120'). I'm assuming you know that Karthan can change his appearance more or less at will by this point.
Agon, if you want in on the Hide & Seek game, we can work you in. :)
DM-DRA, what does breakfast with a brass dragon entail? Her eating whole oxen, while he has oatmeal? Or do they eat in human form to reduce caloric demands and prevent themselves from eating every piece of livestock in the city?
All things considered, Kelne was surviving beautiful Stormfare with good humour. Certainly the place was wet, but you didn't tramp across a good chunk of the Forgelands without enduring the occasional week's downpour. At least here, there was the prospect of hot meals, a hot bath and a dry bed awaiting him at the end of the day. He'd only arrived in town recently, having spent a couple of weeks in Warbane undergoing some training with one of the many weaponmasters to be found in that city.
Here, he was seeking the other weapon in any sensible fighter's arsenal - knowledge. As one of the more infamous Denizens of the Night, everybody knew something about vampires, and a good chunk of what they knew was wrong. Disastrously so if a man were to rely on that knowledge in the heat of combat. He'd been pointed towards a copy of Albruck's Liber Necronum by a helpful librarian at the University, and was working his way though it, taking notes as he went. It was probably as good a primer on the undead as he was going to find without getting into Forbidden Knowledge territory, and Kelne had long since decided that any knowledge he was risking his soul for wasn't worth it.
Although he'd left most of his gear at his lodgings, he still wore sword and armour beneath his oilskin cloak. It served as a helpful reminder to any undesirables that he wasn't someone to be trifled with, and besides, he took a certain wry amusement in the image he presented of a hardened warrior sitting quietly engaged in study. It did the students good to have their preconceptions challenged, he felt.
Each day he took a different route to the University, getting a feel for the layout of the city and for its mood as well. As always, war loomed over the landscape, a boatload of refugees providing the latest unsubtle evidence of its long hand. Today he'd opted for a morning cup of coffee in one of the ubiquitous coffee shops, having found them to be an excellent source of gossip.
|Tanel Eppun
Tanel was not in a coffee shop. He wasn't even dry. His still dripping overcloak, a heavy all-concealing Stormfare garment designed for this weather, this city.
Tannel cradled his drink, seated in the far corner of a dingy bar nears Traitor's Hill. This city he had called home, there were one or two students among the clientele, there were students everywhere in Stormfare. Tannel wasn't one of them anymore, to them he would just seem a scowling, hard-faced man approaching thirty with no where to go. They might feel sorry for him. He certainly did as he took another big drink.
He had returned only two weeks ago, but he had seen almost no-one he knew from before, it'd been half a decade. He didn't want to have his colleagues and fellow graduates see him now. He wasn't a scholar anymore.
He couldn't stay had home, he had never felt at home in Bennelad, not even when his family were still living. Even less when he had returned to wage a personal war of vengeance. At least of all now that the ghosts, literal and metaphorical, haunted him. He wasn't a farmer.
He had travelled all the long distance back to Stormfare, but he hadn't discarded his weaponry and armor. It was all neatly packed into his magical sack. Though packing neatly never helped, when ever he put things down, they were moved. He sighed, reaching across the table for his now distant drink. Mother dissapproves of her son drinkin in the morning no doubt. He didn't want to be a warrior.
He was almost drunk and it was still a few hours to midday, not that it mattered to the weather in Stormfare. He wrung out some damp from his grey woolen jumper, and hoped his feet would dry out. He didn't pray, the a&%#+*!'s in the sky didn't care about him, and he had less time for them.
Noticing a stranger even more drenched than he was, he went to the bar to order another drink. Maybe, I'll give midday a miss today.
|DM Downrightamazed
Just gonna do these inline. If y'all would rather I hide these under spoilers I will, though I'm assuming you'll all play nice and not meta game. :-) Karthan, the effects from both of your rolls are included in the following...
Karthan: when dropping off your note, your mum tells you she picked up a bit of info you might find interesting; while there's still been no word from your father, another scout, en route to Warbane, let slip that an army has been formed in Hallas and is marching on the Great River City, Manaus (pronounced MAH-nus). Two enormous blasts of arcane power have -- magically speaking -- knocked mage's socks off for hundreds of miles around Hallas, and a bizarre and clearly magical snowstorm has been seen emanating out from Hallas, near the Mana river. The storm is so massive, and its effects so powerful, that one can see it (though granted a spyglass is required) from the guard tower on top of Traitor's Hill.
Bluff check by mum (assuming she's between adult and ancient). 1d20 + 25 ⇒ (6) + 25 = 31 Sense motive to see through it, if you wish.
She is much more worried about this than she's letting on.
Sadly, the refugees, while mostly easy to understand since they speak a southern dialect of Common, aren't a source of much interesting gossip, or at least the few you've encountered aren't.
Karthan, give me a perception check, please.
Kelne, give me a will save please, AND a perception check.
Tanel: as you drag yourself, sloshing, up out of your chair, your belongings suddenly shoot across the table and land with a splat and a clank on the floor. You hear a faint tittering giggle -- nothing new to you -- that ends in a short, sharp shriek -- THAT part is new -- and as you're retrieving your goods from the floor you hear a long, low, rasping shriek. Looking up, you see a massive owl sitting ON the bar, right where you were about to walk. It is nearly three feet tall, its eyes like obsidian, and it is looking right at you. A wisp of greyish smoke is dissipating from between its talons. No one else appears to notice it.
|Karthan Zhosk
|Tanel Eppun
Tanel stares at owl for a second, shock painted across his face.
Then his brow slants down into a grave, belligerent frown.
'...and what, ex-bloody-actly are you?' he addresses the bird, desperately hoping he's sober enough to defend himself if it attacks, a breif glance back to his table indicates that his hope might be ill-founded, but he stares as hard at the owl as he can.
|DM Downrightamazed
1d20+11 Perception
(There's no point in me trying to get past Mother's bluff check. She beats my best possible Sense Motive check by 10.)
You overhear a couple of the refugees, older ladies, talking about the "shocking state" of some of the other passengers. They make a particular fuss about a small girl they saw who has apparently traveling alone, with no guardian in sight, and who is terribly under-dressed. "I just hope" says one of them "that the poor thing is here to meet a relation. What is Mamban coming to when small children just get put on a boat and sent away?! What are those fools in the West Delve thinking?!"
Her friend nods sagely. "Well I heard that a Justice of Sarenrae put her on the boat, and that House del Solarian paid her fare."
"WHAT!" comes the incredulous reply "Why I'd sooner believe that the Ghost of The Fountain paid her way, wherever did you hear such nonsense?"
"The purser told me a laborer talked to a guard who heard from a guard of House del Solarion that he saw it happen."
"...well, anyway, did you try the sargassum soup? Disgusting, I thought..."
And they wander out of earshot.
|DM Downrightamazed
Tanel stares at owl for a second, shock painted across his face.
Then his brow slants down into a grave, belligerent frown.
'...and what, ex-bloody-actly are you?' he addresses the bird, desperately hoping he's sober enough to defend himself if it attacks, a breif glance back to his table indicates that his hope might be ill-founded, but he stares as hard at the owl as he can.
The owl bobs its head at you and flies over to the door, where it lands on a coat rack and lets out another low, rasping call.
give me a will save, please
|Tanel Eppun
|DM Downrightamazed
Not my forté!
Will: 1d20+5
You notice that your belongings have been still for a long time, a bizarre occurrence in your life. The owl, seated on the coat rack, bobs its head at you again. There is a shimmering in the air. You hear a dripping noise and now the owl is sitting on the head of a small girl. She is clad only in a cute sun dress, and is soaking wet. There is something wrong with her eyes. Suddenly the girl is replaced by a giant slab of metal. Solid, and driven through a mountain. Suddenly that is replaced by a hard-faced human female, a sun druid, clad entirely in gold dragonhide. She is on fire. The vision of the burning woman is replaced by a vision of a hairbrush, made of a strange, liquid-looking metal, this is replaced by two horrid, squat monsters, each with three overly-large eyes and a gait like an ungulate. They are replaced by a metallic insectoid, all legs and chittering jaws, striding towards you fast, too fast...
...the metallic horror fades from view. Your belongings remain where they are and the owl is still on the coat rack.
"Uh, sir?" You start slightly at the voice of the barkeep. "Sir,uh, can I get you somethin'? You've been standin' there with your empty mug staring at the door for ten minutes now." A few other patrons are looking surreptitously over their shoulders in your direction.
The giant monk Agon stood right there at the docks, arms crossed in front of his chest, as the rain dripped down his unprotected, shaven head and from there to his rock-like chin. His monk robe was utterly soaked, clinging tight to his huge frame. Eyebrows furrowed, he stared at the ship that so many had been talking about, a grim expression on his face as he inspects the thing; he had heard rumors as soon as it landed, but had arrived long after the passengers had disembarked. Still, the Goremean felt that he should have a look at this ship for himself.
His thoughts drifted back towards not so very long ago, to the time that had lead to his being here today. After the tragic fall of his home monastery, the archer had been forced into a dire state indeed, with no money and only the equipment he had had on him at the time -- which, admittedly, was impressive from a magical perspective, but he wasn't willing to part with any of these precious items. Agon, too, had arrived here as a stowaway, loathe of being driven to such a dishonorable act he had revealed himself to the Captain the following day and, since the man had been a little afraid of the grumpy but very powerful-looking Agon, had then served as another hand on deck. Scrubbing decks, to be more precise.
After they arrived in Stormfare the Captain had even paid him for his hard work, a kindness Agon had been very grateful for. Since then he had spent his days here in the city, waiting for an opportune moment to present itself. He has actually aided the city guard a few times since he has arrived, accepting small rewards to pay for the very spartan room he was renting.
His mind snapped back to reality when, close-by, a seagull cawed and he briefly reprimanded himself for being unfocused, for dwelling on the past when actions in the here and now were what mattered. He had come to know and appreciate that bit of wisdom, imparted early on by his teachers.
Agon is far too serious to play such a game, alas. Though I'd love it if there was a scene sometime with him just having already been in the room for a long time with nobody taking notice until he finally speaks up himself.
|Sir Justahl of NeoWald
Sir Justahl ducked behind a post, thanking the Lady that the miserable weather allowed him to wear a cloak; valuable in concealing his identitiy outside the Court. The two footmen who were clumsily following him passed by in persuit, then their splashing footsteps faded into the distance. Relieved, he stepped back out onto the street.
The whole situation was becoming increasingly dangerous...
Because of the Women.
Sir Justahl never understood why a large number of women became so obsessed with him, he never felt any different from any other man. But there they were, great ladies of the court actually starting to brawl in public over his favors. Soon the fathers and husbands would notice, and the scandal would cut off critical supplies to his order. Despite direct orders from his Knight Commander to serve as Ambassador here, staying would do more harm than good.
He needed a reason to get out of the city, at least for a while. An excuse, a figment of his imagination, Somthing!
Shaking his head at the dishonor, fleeing like that, he turned his steps toward the University Library. He could find concealment in the maze of stacks there, at least for a while. Though the Baroness Agatha persued him into the University yesterday, he didn't think she would find him for a while. He worried she might send footmen though.
He set off up the road, his boots splashing in the puddles...
|DM Downrightamazed
|DM Downrightamazed
@Justal: as you trudge up the street, your cloak pulled low over your head and face and your boots sending up great splashes of water, you hear a commanding female voice shout your name over the din of the rain on rooftops and rushing through gutters.
Perception check, please, to determine direction the voice is coming from.
Just a quick post. Am Bursting to begin this game, but, as it's my birthday today, I don't at present have the time, nor am I in a proper state, to be able to contibute to this game to the level it deserves. Will try to post last if possible. Otherwise early tomorrow 100%. Sorry! But Love it all so far! PS DM, as most of the poisons don't have prices listed, if you have the time, might you be so kind as to make a short list of what's available in Stormfare or thereabouts and the prices? Much appreciated if possible, no worries if not.
|Sir Justahl of NeoWald
You hear a commanding female voice shout your name over the din of the rain...
Sir Justal whirls around looking for the source of the voice...
Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
|Tanel Eppun
"Uh, sir?" You start slightly at the voice of the barkeep. "Sir,uh, can I get you somethin'? You've been standin' there with your empty mug staring at the door for ten minutes now." A few other patrons are looking surreptitously over their shoulders in your direction.
...not again... he mumbles, just as the barkeep interjects.
Tanel turns, slack-jawed to the barkeep.
'My tab, ten gold should cover it. Here,' he drops the shiny yellow coins on the sticky bar, and the barkeep quickly shoves them in his apron. This only draws more stares from the patrons.
Still shell-shocked, Tanel collects his gear, then walks out into the mudroom. He grabs his cloak, and throws it on. Bowing his head, he lets loose a pained breath. He remembers running with his sister in the local orchard in Autumn. Shaking his head, he opens the door and turns to face the owl.
'You bringing me somewhere featherball, or is it a figure it out yourself kind of deal?'
He reaches into his extra-dimensional bag, and eventually finds his halberd, the top bound and covered in cloth. It takes him longer than expected, which he expected. Blasted ghosts! Using it as a walking staff, he turns to look at the owl expectantly, before heading out into the pouring rain.
|DM Downrightamazed
Just a quick post. Am Bursting to begin this game, but, as it's my birthday today, I don't at present have the time, nor am I in a proper state, to be able to contibute to this game to the level it deserves. Will try to post last if possible. Otherwise early tomorrow 100%. Sorry! But Love it all so far! PS DM, as most of the poisons don't have prices listed, if you have the time, might you be so kind as to make a short list of what's available in Stormfare or thereabouts and the prices? Much appreciated if possible, no worries if not.
Hey man, HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Thanks for the heads-up, there's plenty to do until you arrive, so don't sweat it. Come in when you're ready to rock. I'll get poison stuff written up for you.
|DM Downrightamazed
@Agon: Amidst the screeching of the seagulls, you notice a different call; a low, raspy screech, and turning around you see a massive owl flying amongst the seagulls, causing no small amount of consternation amongst the seabirds. The owl is circling over a particular street a little ways up Traitor's Hill. Through the gloom, you see a man hurriedly dragging what looks like a small sack of potatoes, if potato sacks had legs, that is. He ducks into an alley, looking furtively about him all the while.
This guy is a few hundred feet away, up the hill. He's at the limit of your vision.
@Justal:You spin around, seeking the source of the voice, but see nothing. Then, as you whirl back in the other direction, you are brought up short by a black-haired woman possessed of terrible beauty, she is the one who called you; she says your name one last time, and is silent. She is standing in the middle of the street (how could you have missed her?), wearing gleaming plate mail and a clearly magical longsword at her side, a crimson cape at her shoulders (i mean, how could you have missed her?). She is in a military stance, arms behind her back, legs shoulder-width apart. Her bluntly-cut hair is as black as her flashing obsidian eyes, set off by the deep scar on her cheek.
You are standing not two feet from Iomedae. The Inheritor. The Champion. Your matron goddess.
What you do next is verrrryyyy important, my friend. :-D
Tanel: After gearing up, you look back at the owl. It has, perhaps unsurprisingly, vanished. Stepping into the rain, you are shocked at the incredible number of people in the street. Throngs, hordes, all in cloaks and hoods. As they pass, you hear their voices, low, growling mutters:
"Dogshank's alley's no place for a little girl"
"He's not fast enough"
"Never was"
"Too old"
"Too drunk"
"She'll be dead before he gets there"
"Dead or worse"
"Right down the hill"
The voices build in speed and intensity, a yammering chatter building in your head, right up to your threshold of pain, and suddenly cutting off. You are alone, cold and soaking wet, your breath chuffing out in wisps of white vapor, looking down the main drag of Traitor's Hill. You see a hunched and feral looking man, dragging what is clearly a small creature -- possibly human -- duck down an alley, some 300 or so feet away, towards the limit of your vision.
Agon's eyes follow the owl with a curious expression; he knows at least enough to be able to tell that such birds are usually found in forests, not in cities.
It takes a brief moment before the Goremean notices what exactly he is seeing as his gaze wanders from the bird to the man the animal is circling above. A heartbeat passes and the monk's eyes widen as he comes to a sudden, terrible realization, stifling a surprised gasp.
His reflexes are faster than any conscious reaction, though, and before Agon's righteous anger can even flare at this cruel sight, he is already breaking into a full run straight ahead towards the perpetrator.
For a moment he considers going for his bow as he runs, but we could say what this vile creature may do to her if startled and he would rather not cause harm to an innocent by acting rashly.
Instead, however, he concentrates on the movement of his legs, pushing himself beyond the barriers of an ordinary human and becoming a veritable blur as he speeds right towards the offending, little man.
Agon is fast -- 50 feet regular speed. However, in this case I'll actually use the Monk-Speed-Up Ability. Spend 1 Ki Pool for the Fast Movement ability, gaining a base Movement Speed of 70 feet for 1 round before he resumes his normal pace, so he can't possibly lose sight. 7 of 8 uses left for the day.
|Sir Justahl of NeoWald
You are standing not two feet from Iomedae. The Inheritor. The Champion. Your matron goddess.
For a moment Sir Justahl doesn't comprehend, and starts to flinch back from a suitor.Then, with the magnitude of her presence, he does.
Shooting through his mind is the fact the church sacred texts never covered this particular situation. Should he salute? Bow? Kneel? He ended up compromising and trying all three simultaneously.
"Lady! Uh... Blessed be the Inheritor for she..."
|Tanel Eppun
Are the visions cause I'm an oracle? If so, very cool!
Tanel shakes his head and starts to move, he casts shield of faith on himself, and unwraps the halberd before moving off at high speed towards the alley, trying hard to keep his balance in the wet.
He takes wide plodding steps, and the longest strides he can while staying balanced, his halberd clutched hard in his right hand, the protective magic doing little to dull the rain's assault.
I assume the alcohol leaves him sickened, so -2 to attacks rolls, etc.
|DM Downrightamazed
@Tanel:Man, if you're gonna be haunted in my game, you're gonna be HAUNTED. :-) Also, you're correct on the alcohol effect.
Moving as quickly as you can on the rain-soaked streets, you rush down the eerily-deserted hill. Your guts heave, protesting the sloshing spirits you forced upon them after a clearly-insufficient breakfast, and at one point you slip but right yourself before falling, a quick thrust against a nearby wall with the halberd providing you with aided balance.
As you charge, you see a veritable mountain of a man, blasting up the hill with superhuman speed. His legs are surrounded by a calming, beautiful blue-white nimbus of light. He does not slip, he does not pause.
@Agon: as you are charging up the hill, your legs pistoning up and down with immense, ki-enhanced speed, you see a flash of silvery light and can detect the halation of some sort of spell, faintly outlined in the rain, appearing as a large ovoid disc. The light of the spell seems dulled, somehow, and almost camouflaged in the monochrome city you're surrounded by.
Behind this disc of energy is another man, he moves quickly, but as if he is in pain; at one point he slips, but betrays his skill by quickly righting himself with his halberd in a single graceful motion the likes of which you have only ever seen trained warriors execute.
@Tanel AND @Agon: The two of you arrive at the alley -- Dogshank alley, of course -- at the same time and pull up in front of each other; Tanel was slower but closer, Agon was faster but farther. Both of you are breathing more intensely from your exertions, your breath making twin plumes of vapor that rise up to the roofs, where a 3-foot tall, snow-white owl is perched over a boarded-up window on the corner of the building. The boards have a curious symbol painted on them.
Dogshank alley is not wide -- spanning only 12 feet or so -- but it is long, stretching a fair distance along the side of Traitor's hill. It goes to the limits of your vision without turning, so it is difficult to say where or if it ends. There are doors every 30 feet or so on either side of the alley, most likely back doors into businesses or apartments; in most cases it's impossible to tell which, though some are helpfully marked as belonging to this business or that. The alley is mostly clean, though there is a foul stench of rotting flesh emanating from it.
K(Religion) and Perception (at -4 for heavy rain) checks, please, from both of you.
|DM Downrightamazed
@Karthan: While on your rounds, you begin to notice something odd in the air, a strange...greasiness, that while disquieting is not entirely out of character with heavy rains. However, you also notice the streets are oddly deserted, especially since it's not yet elevenses, and then, as you are trudging back up University Hill with some spell components Mother asked you to pick up (what does she need with the web of a kelpie hand? yuck), you are startled by the sudden appearance of a pair of what are essentially miles-long dashed lines, made entirely of light. They move over buildings and out past the docks, disappearing under water.
The dashed lines are perhaps 10 feet apart and perfectly parallel. Each "dash" in the lines is an oblong blob of sickly greenish light. Something about the shape of them looks agonizingly familiar. The two lines move with disturbing fluidness, like a giant cracking a whip of arcane power, then suddenly come to rest, passing over the city and into the university neighborhood. You realize that where they have come to rest, these lines -- whatever they are -- that seem to originate somewhere over the eastern horizon and stretch out into the ocean, would pass right over the Hec Salazar Memorial Library, where right about now your mother would be working.
K(Arcana) check, please
|DM Downrightamazed
@Kelne: as you are reading up on vampire lore and habits, you notice a group of terribly underdressed people -- refugees, obviously -- come in together in a small huddle. A couple of the snottier students start poking fun at them. Another group of students has been trying to study, but keep stealing glances at you, whispering amongst themselves, heads low, then looking back, taking in your large frame, thick shoulders, armor and sword.
Suddenly there is a loud *THUNK* and your head snaps up, alert; you see that all the students who were looking at you have fallen face-first onto the table and are snoring loudly. Another group of refugees has arrived, but something is off about them; they are walking strangely...and hunched...and your eyes...so...heavy...
The last thing you see is a glimpse of a gnoll paw peeking out from under one of the new "refugee's" robes before you pass into a sudden and heavy sleep.
Give me a fortitude save, please
@Sir Justal: The Inheritor shakes her head. "No time, my child. You have work to do. You must be my hands in an important matter, and I cannot have you wasting time dodging useless aristo harpies." Her right hand reaches under your hood and cups your left cheek. You feel divine energy coursing through you...
Iomedae has blessed you with the "Mark of the Inheritor." Once a day, as a Spell-like ability, as a swift action that does not cause an attack of opportunity, you can invoke this disguise spell; it changes your hair and eye color to black, shortens your hair, and gives you a magnificent scar on your right cheek. Sense motive or perception checks can be made to discern who you really are, but at a dc of 20+your current level.
Iomedae steps back. "Now. You are too late to help the girl in her current predicament, but perhaps you can help the others who are already there. Close your eyes, concentrate, let the light be your guide." She points back over your shoulder. Turning, you see a small smudge of silvery light in the sky, like a beacon or bullseye lantern. When you concentrate, it gets brighter. It is not exceedingly far away, but is back the way you came; away from the university and closer to the market district. "Find the girl, Justal, and do as she asks. You are to be her escort and protector. Choose whatever companions you need to assist you, but know that your road will be perilous, and you must not let her come to any harm. I charge you with this task, chosen one. Be swift, be pure, my blessing is upon you."
You whirl around, a thousand questions burning your mind, but she is gone.
|Karthan Zhosk
|DM Downrightamazed
1d20+9= Knowledge (arcana)
Karthan looks after the streaks. "That...that can't be good." He starts to jog along the direction the lines were going.
You realize as you make your way up University Hill that the shape of the light blobs looks exactly like the drawing of Arcogs you saw in Glia's Major Natural Arcana. Arcogs are little pieces of arcite sheared from cavern walls in those places that have underground ley lines. Arcite itself is largely useless, but as an arcog, it can be crafted into a magic amplifier of sorts. Though you recall also reading something about arcog use leading to insanity...
You arrive at the library door in time to see at least a dozen Gnolls and Hobgoblins, all clad in disturbingly high-quality (near masterwork) jet black platemail, charging through the door into the library.
|DM Downrightamazed
Fort save: 1d20+6
You suddenly come to, your natural instincts as a fighter preventing you from letting out a large gasp. Instead you allow your eyes to quietly and surreptitiously flutter open, and take stock of the situation around you. Six gnolls, much larger than they should be, are fighting the Warbanian guard who you noticed earlier standing by the door to a tower. The guard is obviously very skilled, but is badly outnumbered.
Six other gnolls are walking around the tables licking their chops and fingering the hilts of their blades while grossly caressing the students, studying them as one would study cuts of meat at the butchers.
Most distressingly, a twisted and bent figure in light brown robes, wielding a staff composed of spinal bones and with a skull on top, has a book open, and is in the middle of chanting a long spell. Two hobgoblins flank him.
You appear to be the only one conscious.
|Karthan Zhosk
I'm going to break this down into two 'rounds' of actions:
Round 1: Karthan casts Mage Armor, and sets the Vest of Comfort and Style to match the rough style of the Hobgoblins, who are about his size. He will make sure that the library crest is incised into the forehead of the helm of the false armor, but that in overall shape and silhouette, he looks like he belongs with the raiders. As it's a use activated item, that may allow me to do a move action (your call).
1d20 + 16 ⇒ (19) + 16 = 35 Disguise skill, hopefully with clues that will tell a Warbane mercenary that I'm a friendly if he thinks it through.
Round 2: Run up the hill (I'm moving 30' in 'plate mail'), and if I can get close enough or a line of sight (640') to someone, cast a spell.
Spell choice:
If I can see a group of enemies that aren't in a part of the library that'll light up like a tinderbox, say in the courtyard in front of it, it'll be fireball.
If I need to target a single person, it'll be acid arrow. I will prioritize any target that 'looks' like a caster first, followed by anyone who looks like they're giving commands.
If, on round 2, I do not get a clear shot, after doing the run, I'll cast shield on myself.
|DM Downrightamazed
I'm going to break this down into two 'rounds' of actions:
Round 1: Karthan casts Mage Armor, and sets the Vest of Comfort and Style to match the rough style of the Hobgoblins, who are about his size. He will make sure that the library crest is incised into the forehead of the helm of the false armor, but that in overall shape and silhouette, he looks like he belongs with the raiders. As it's a use activated item, that may allow me to do a move action (your call).
1d20+16 Disguise skill, hopefully with clues that will tell a Warbane mercenary that I'm a friendly if he thinks it through.
Round 2: Run up the hill (I'm moving 30' in 'plate mail'), and if I can get close enough or a line of sight (640') to someone, cast a spell.
Spell choice:
If I can see a group of enemies that aren't in a part of the library that'll light up like a tinderbox, say in the courtyard in front of it, it'll be fireball.
If I need to target a single person, it'll be Flaming Acid Arrow. I will prioritize any target that 'looks' like a caster first, followed by anyone who looks like they're giving commands.
If, on round 2, I do not get a clear shot, after doing the run, I'll cast shield on myself.
Roger-dodger on the Mage Armor
Er, checking my Bestiary it sez Hobgoblins are five feet tall, 160 lbs. Even these enhanced ones you see before you aren't more than 5'4". At 6'2", it seems a stretch for you to pass for one. The Gnolls, however, are close to your size. A couple are even bigger, which while convenient for disguise purposes is a bit troubling to think about.
After finishing your actions in round one, there are still two groups of six Gnolls each heading up the marble steps towards two of the front doors. There is also one hobgoblin per group shouting orders. To your eyes, the 'goblins are acting as noncoms here; no way are they the big bosses.
|Karthan Zhosk
I'll impersonate the armor of something roughly my size then. Gnolls walk funny and have snouts, which is harder to pull off. Even Dire Gnolls like these... While technically, I can change height by +/- a foot, Karthan has some vanity - and I want to say something spectacular after the spell goes off. :)
If the two groups are still within 40' of each other, fireball it shall be.
If not, I'll throw the fireball at the farther group after moving into range. Ahh, overconfidence.
6d6 + 9 ⇒ (1, 6, 6, 1, 6, 5) + 9 = 34 Fireball, Reflex Save, DC 20.
Though with rolls like that, not *entirely* without justification.
|Karthan Zhosk
|DM Downrightamazed
The Gnolls are close enough that you can drill all 12 with one fireball. The Hobgoblins, however, are out of range.
Twelve Gnoll reflex saves:
1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21
1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19
1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
1d20 + 2 ⇒ (13) + 2 = 15
1d20 + 2 ⇒ (6) + 2 = 8
1d20 + 2 ⇒ (2) + 2 = 4
1d20 + 2 ⇒ (10) + 2 = 12
1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9
1d20 + 2 ⇒ (4) + 2 = 6
1d20 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 2 = 9
1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16
One gnoll, a bit bigger than the rest, sniffs the air and lets out a bark before diving to the side. He catches some flames on his "disguise" cloak and howls in pain, but gets up and draws a pair of Kukri. The rest of the gnolls look around just in time to meet their fiery doom eyes wide open and screaming. With a massive detonation the fireball cooks them alive, their howls fading quickly into strangled mewls, and then silence.
Initiative time!
One gnoll: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (17) + 1 = 18
One hobgoblin:1d20 + 1 ⇒ (9) + 1 = 10
Other hobgoblin:1d20 + 1 ⇒ (15) + 1 = 16
Positioning: Each of the hobgoblins are standing off to the side of a large door at the top of the steps. So, they're roughly 10' above you, and standing 100' apart from each other. The right one yells to the left one "Go warn Fenx that there's a spellcaster out here in need of a lesson!" The Gnoll is directly in front of you, also at the top of the steps.
Also, can I get a K(Nature) check, please?
|Karthan Zhosk
1d20 + 14 ⇒ (13) + 14 = 27 Intimidate (aimed at the one that had orders barked at it)
"Do. Not. MOVE."
1d20 + 5 ⇒ (7) + 5 = 12 Initiative
0d20 + 0 ⇒ (-) + 0 = 0 Knowledge (nature) - Untrained. (I wasn't paying attention when Dad was talking about that. Too damned busy trying to pick leeches out of my shorts for that lecture.) :)
How far away are they from me? 640' feet or so? Or closer?
Are they remotely concerned or confused the 'armor' that I can tell? There aren't many things that can throw fireballs in full plate armor, and most of them are potentially much scarier than 'a caster in robes'.
When my initiative comes up, I will cast acid arrow at the hobgoblin that was about to move with information.
1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14 Ranged Touch Attack with acid arrow. Hope that's good enough.
If it is:
2d4 ⇒ (3, 3) = 6 acid arrow damage. He'll take it for this round and the next three.
|Karthan Zhosk
|Tanel Eppun
No ranks in K(religion)!
Perception: 1d20 - 2 ⇒ (18) - 2 = 16
@Agon: Tanel catches his breath for a second, then faces the giant of a man.
'You,' he takes a breath before continuing, 'You must be the hairbrush,' at this he smiles cryptically.
Standing up straight again he asks How good are your eyes man? Lets look for the little girl,' and at that he starts moving down the alley, trying to see if the doors have been opened recently.
|Sir Justahl of NeoWald
For a moment Sir Justahl just stares into the space where he had last seen Iomedae.
Well, he HAD prayed for a new mission; it's just that his prayers had never been answered so... directly before.
The mission!
He turned around and looked in the same direction, concentrating as he was taught. He picked up the silvery light again. Find the girl...
He spoke in ringing tones that could cross worlds; "Nouhves! Come! We are needed!"
There is a ripple in the air and a fully accoutered magnificent white warhorse trots up next to Sir Justahl. He catches up his lance and leaps into the saddle.
"Come my friend, Iomedae herself has given us a mission! That way!" He points with his lance, and they take off at a gallop down the streets.
Summon mount throught Divine Bond.
Options flickered through Kelne's head as he gathered himself. His first thought was to raise the alarm, but if the clash of weapons hadn't raised it by now, they were all in deep trouble. Bad as the situation was, if that figure with the bones completed his spell, it would get much worse.
Reinforcements might be on their way, but he couldn't wait for them. Skullstaff had to be stopped. Levering himself to his feet he ripped his sword free from its scabbard as he advanced on the macabre figure. At the last moment, he lashed out with the blade, intent upon removing Skullstaff's book from his hands. The retaliation, he knew, was going to hurt.
Kelne will be moving up to Skullstaff, drawing his sword as part of the move action and directing a disarm attempt at his book. Improved disarm, so no AoOs from doing so. Not sure if he needs to spend a move action getting up, but if so, he'll spend a hero point to do so.
Disarm: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (10) + 13 = 23
I think if anything, he's the iron slab. ;P
Knowledge: Religion 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11
Perception (-4 penalty already included in roll): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (7) + 10 = 17
The giant stares at Tanel briefly, his expression one of dismay. "Don't spout nonsense," he grumbles in a deep baritone that fits him well. His eyes dart around until he finds the owl again, and with quick and decisive steps, stepping through the small rain-puddles with a grace that belies his size, the archer moves towards that particular house.
Agon is a man who knows to trust his gut, and right now it's saying that he might as well continue to follow that bird's lead.
|DM Downrightamazed
@Tanel and @Agon: You both hear a door shut with a loud BANG! a little ways up the alley. It is followed by a loud oath, barked in a language you do not understand, though the frustration expressed is universal. Turning to look you don't see the door close, but you have a fair idea of where it was. There is no one else in the alley.
@Tanel give me a K(nature) check, please.
By your judgment, the noise came from about 200' away. There are four doors it could possibly be, two on the left and two on the right (as you're facing into the alley). At this distance, and through the pouring rain, you do not see any markings on any of the doors. The building with the symbol on it, btw, is on your left.
|DM Downrightamazed
@Kelne: Correct about move action to get up from seated position, you are now at six hero points. "Bones'" concentration check to finish the spell regardless (CL6, +3 CHA bonus): 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (16) + 9 = 25
Rising swiftly up from your chair, you vault one-handed over the table and rush the spellcaster. The gnolls cease their prowling and turn their heads as you make your charge, yelping and barking in confusion: "How is this possible?" "What of the spell?" "How did he...?"
The two hobgoblins step in front of the caster to guard him, but they are too slow. You swing a mighty overhand chop, cleaving the spellbook in two, and it falls from the mage's hands, pages scattering everywhere. His eyes, however, are unseeing and alit with a strange, arcane, sickly green light, and his mouth seems to be moving almost out of his control, his jaw slack. He releases his staff and it falls with a clatter to the floor. He is now gesturing with his hands. Bizarre nimbi of light arc and spit in the air before him.
The hobgoblins, still shocked, gather themselves, their innate military nature snapping them back to the moment. Meanwhile, your superb combat vision allows you to catch the other six gnolls gathering themselves into a formation, though they are currently too far to be an immediate threat. You also, to your dismay, notice the gnolls pulling off their "disguises" to reveal masterwork-quality black platemail covering their bodies, a stylized black dragon etched in the breastplate. All are armed with dual Kukris. From outside you hear a massive whooshing roar, and the screams of at least a dozen gnolls burning.
Here's the layout: Gnolls are either fighting the Warbanian, or scattered around the library. They are too far to threaten you until the next round. Immediately threatening your square are the two hobgoblins, also clad in platemail and wielding shortswords. The caster is behind them, and now out of your reach. Initiative for this round will just be you and the two 'goblins:
HG on your left: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21
HG on your right: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (20) + 1 = 21
Ahahahahaa, oh nice, critical intiative.
Also, can I have a perception check, please?
|Tanel Eppun
K(nature): 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14
Tanel starts to move, struggling to keep up with the suprisingly dextrous giant and his long legs.
'I am Tanel Eppun, I'm just going to warn you that once we open the right door we'll be jumping in the metaphorical river of fate. Cost me four years of my life last time I did. Just hope you have nothing pressing to do big ox.' He smiles widely at this.
'I do apologise for the nonsense by the way. Which side do you want to take, right or left?'
|DM Downrightamazed
I assume you're using Intimidate as a Standard Action to Demoralize, yes? Causing the 'Goblin to take the Shaken condition? Distance-wise, assuming you're at the limit of your fireball range, are indeed about 600' away.
The gnoll shakes its head and charges down the stairs at full speed, its dual kukri raised, its pawpads splatting in the wet path. He's taking a full run in platemail, so he covers 90 feet.
The Hobgoblin on your left, who was going in the door, freezes, his hand on the doorhandle, and looks back and forth unsuredly from you to the 'goblin on your right. "Who...he...is that...?" he stammers.
As he is standing there unsure what to do, a single arrow-shaped bolt of pure acid flies forth from your hand, drilling him in the side of the neck. He yells out in terrified pain, grabbing at his neck, which only increases the damage by burning his hand.
The other goblin is squinting at you, but then as the acid arrow comes streaking in through the rain and smacks his cohort, he yells at him: "Get moving, you idiot! I don't care what he looks like, he's not one of us!"
Hobgoblin attempt to "counter-intimidate:" 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (14) + 2 = 16
The 'goblin on your left is too confused and pained to do anything at the moment, and freezes. The gnoll continues to advance and is now a little over 400 ft. away.
...aaannndd your turn!
|DM Downrightamazed
|1 person marked this as a favorite.
@Justal:LOL Yeah, in my world the gods are all up in everybody's business, though not without reason, as you will learn. EsPECially as an Aasimar, boy will you learn. :-) Having raised your steed, you begin to gallop through the streets, your mount's hooves echoing mightily off the walls and roofs. The rain spatters in your face, reducing visibility, but you shake it off and charge toward the lone, clear light in the sky. It started as a smudge, but as you concentrate on it it lights up in the form of a crystalline orb, strengthened by the power of your bonds with the divine.
Perception check, please.
|DM Downrightamazed
|Sir Justahl of NeoWald
And by "Charging" I mean running at a maximum speed consistant with pedestrian safety and road conditions (rain on cobblestones can be slick).
Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (8) + 2 = 10


text:
Due to rain delay, the Kenedy Little League Invitational Tournament began Saturday evening, June 28, posting doubleheaders in all divisions, including Jr Girls, (13-15), minor boys, (9-11), and major boys, (12 yr olds). Despite the conditions, the fields were in excellent shape thanks to the hard work by Joe Gulley Park employees.
All games scheduled to Saturday night showed absolutely no sign of a "dampened" spirit by the team players.
In the Jr Girls' Division, only two teams came to vie for top honors and they were the Goliad Tigers, and the Karnes City Blazers. The Blazers All Stars consisted of players nominated from the Falls City Lady Beavers combined with the season's pennant winning KC Lady Badgers. Manager Jeff Allen, asst mgr, Philip Alaniz.
Opening game at Annadel Rogers Field in Kenedy's Joe Gulley Park, 6 pm the KC Blazers hosting the Goliad Tigers, the Tigers jumped out to a 7-0 lead for 3 innings til the Blazers mustered some key hits to push 3 runs across cutting the Tiger lead. Everything about this game ended in runs scored as the final result was Goliad, 26, the Blazers, 20.
In the nightcap, the game began at 9:20 pm due to time spent in the opener, the Blazers put together a stellar defense along with key hitting to out score the Tigers, 11 - 6. This action was packed with suspense as the Tigers mounted a rally in the 7th but with bases loaded and two outs, a bullet throw to homeplate with the tag ended the game in spectacular fashion as HP Umpire Tom Gutierrez pumped out the Tiger runner in mid-slide! Blazers tie the series.
Sunday night, 8 pm, the championship. Goliad Tigers hosting the KC Blazers, the visitors scored a run in the first, two more in the 2nd, 4 more in the 3rd, then it was "game on"! The Tigers rallied across 5 runs with a hitting streak and a few missed throws by Blazer defenders. The 4th inning ended with the score a close 7 - 6, KC and the lead.
Top of the 5th, KC Blazers whipped out their batting skills, elite base-running, and a determination to seal the victory with 14 runs and nearly batting twice through the line-up. But the Tigers didn't quit, the first batter hit an "inside-the-park" home-run using her speed to round the horn as the batted ball went to the fence. A couple of KC errors allowed for one more run, and two close plays at home-plate where Umpire Ed Griffin made the call to end the game, and the series, with the Karnes City Badgers 21, and the Goliad Tigers, 8.


text:
According to survey by Monster Worldwide Inc., 42 percent of employed job seekers are dissatisfied with their current job, with a surprising majority (81 percent) of the employed expecting to actively search for a new job in the next year.
Desire for higher compensation, seeking a better skills match, and personal fulfillment were listed by those currently employed as top reasons for seeking a new job. Conversely, over a third (36 percent) of participants are searching for a new job due to job loss.
The survey also indicated that job seekers, whether employed or unemployed, were generally confident of finding a job. In fact, 79 percent of the employed and 75 percent of the unemployed job seekers felt confident about acquiring a new job in the next year.
"Our survey revealed that an overwhelming number of job seekers are in search of a more fulfilling job experience," said Jeffrey Quinn, vice president of Monster's Global Insights. "Unemployed job seekers continue to visit Monster to identify their hiring opportunities, while employed job seekers appear to be expressing greater confidence in entering the job market in search of a fulfilling career."
While many job seekers express confidence in finding a new job, many are also frustrated. More than half (56 percent) report they are struggling to find a job matching their salary, title and location preferences. In addition, a sizable amount (47 percent) cannot find jobs for which they are qualified. More than one-third (38 percent) of respondents indicate employers do not understand their skills and experiences.
About the survey: Monster's "U.S. Workforce Talent" study surveyed nearly 6,000 job seekers who are currently employed or desire employment in the next 12 months via an online survey. The study was designed to be inclusive of all Monster job seekers who have actively used their My Monster account over the past 3 years. The survey ran from Jan. 4 to Feb. 18.


text:
May 2013
Dear Friends of Istituto Acton,
I just can't help it. Taking shots at the Italian political class is a habitual exercise in cynicism that anyone but the most blindly naïve can practice, and there's no virtue or talent required to do it. I sometimes get a guilty conscience for engaging in it, especially because so many of my Italian friends and acquaintances (which include members of the political class) are good and decent people, because I feel like I'm personally insulting them with my criticisms. It's not as if the politicians of the United States of America or anywhere else are doing much better, but somehow the Italians seem to take the prize for political mayhem and incompetence. So while the bond markets have welcomed the new government led by Enrico Letta by lowering the cost of Italian debt, it's hard to be encouraged witnessing the two-month process whereby the sausage was made.
Politicians as a rule tend to practice self-assertion and self-aggrandizement while preaching shared sacrifice and the common good. In fact, it's distrust of public exhortations to virtue that partially informs the modern republicanism of the Federalist Papers, which sought to enlarge the scope of the commercial society while limiting the government's power. With the separation of powers and a system of checks and balances, the United States Constitution attempts to solve the problem of faction by expanding the political union with more open competition and appeals to self-interest than had been considered appropriate in previous times and places. At the same time, America used to rely on strong religious impulses among the people to motivate and inspire them to sacrifice and work together, resulting in a more achievable type of common good where an individual's interest was made compatible with the public's, what Tocqueville called "self-interest rightly understood." It's not necessarily a lofty or noble concept, but it has proven to be more reliable and deserves more attention than it currently draws.
The difference between word and deed in the public realm has been especially on my mind after last month's trip to London. Istituto Acton helped organize a morning seminar on the morality of work, commerce and finance at a Catholic parish in the City of London on April 16, and was fortunate to be in town for the funeral of Margaret Thatcher the following day. The contrasts between London and Rome as well as between the British and Italian ways of holding religious and public ceremonies were striking. As a world capital of finance, London is certainly a much larger, more commercial, and more efficient place than Rome, which, by comparison, seems like a large village of ruins and wandering hordes of tourists. London is also much more international and does a better job of integrating immigrants, which is not only due to its colonial past in Africa and Asia since I met many Italians and other Europeans working there as well. People from all over the world go to London to work, and I can't help but think a big part of the reason for London's superiority (which, as David P. Goldman a.k.a. Spengler notes, is not the same as Britain's) is Thatcher's leadership.
Much has been written about the legacy of Thatcherism, with its free-market reforms, strong alliance with the United States, and anti-Europeanism, and there's no question of her important role in bringing down communism, as our friend John O'Sullivan highlighted in his book The President, the Pope and the Prime Minister (also available in Italian). O'Sullivan writes perceptively about the spiritual qualities of John Paul II, Reagan and Thatcher, something not often mentioned in political circles but that was also emphasized by the Anglican Bishop of London in his sermon at the Thatcher funeral in St. Paul's Cathedral. It was moving to hear him speak about her Methodist faith and determination to instill in others that same kind of "vigorous virtues" she'd been raised to practice, while still being a very kind, compassionate woman. As O'Sullivan notes, it was remarkable that all three were elected when they were, given how out of step each was with the prevailing opinions of the day, and how they were able to change the moods of their peoples for the better.
At the time of her ascendancy, Britain was widely considered the "sick man of Europe," suffering high inflation, high unemployment, crippling labor strikes, and general disorder and apathy. If there's any lesson in this for Italian politicians, it's that strong leadership can go a long way in bringing a nation back, especially if it is willing to confront the entrenched interests who benefit from the status quo. Alas, there are no permanent victories in politics, as the protests at Thatcher's funeral and the generally sorry state of the Tory party remind us, and promoting the virtues of faith, hard work, and free enterprise do not guarantee electoral success. But what made Thatcher successful was that she embodied and practiced these virtues, rather than just talk about them while expecting others to put them into effect.
My stay in London was instructive because I could see and feel how a nation can become great again, which goes a long way towards curing cynicism. Thatcher's greatness is something quite different than, say, Churchill's or Caesar's. She was able to revive and tap into the almost-religious devotion the British have for their nation and channel it into work, commerce and finance so that London is now a magnet for international talent and ambition. While I don't expect or desire Rome to become another London, there's something here about the connections between religion, freedom and hope for Sig. Letta and all Italians to learn. They're also fortunate to have a new bishop of Rome who is willing to practice what he preaches as well.
Kishore Jayabalan


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AN INTERACTIVE FAMILY ATTRACTION: The Virginia Sports Hall of Fame & Museum is a living, breathing example of the competitive spirit: a state-of-the-art facility reflecting, telling and re-telling the stories that sports legends aremade of. Since 1972, the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame & Museum has honored Virginia's contributions to the world of sports as the Commonwealth's official hall of fame.
Located at at 206 High Street in Olde Towne Portsmouth. Fall and Winter hours are 10 am to 2 pm Tuesday – Friday, Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm and Sunday from 1 pm – 5 pm. The museum is closed Mondays after Labor Day until Memorial Day and on select winter holidays. Summer Hours are 10 am to 5 pm Monday – Saturday and Sunday from 1 pm -5pm. Admission is $7 per person; $6 military; $6 seniors 65 and older and free for ages 2 and under. Parking is located behind the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame & Museum in the Middle Street Parking Garage. FREE parking is available on weekends and after 6 p.m. on weekdays.
Last Updated: 12/27/2012
Find out what's going on around Virginia. Subscribe to the Virginia eNewsletter.


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What about those five-way talks?
It looks like Republican lawmakers are putting a lot of pressure on a few Senate Democrats in hopes that at least one of them can be lured into voting for the budget package. Likely suspects include Sens. Albert Hale, Manny Alvarez and Richard Miranda. But …Read More


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Vanlandingham will perform safety, security, and emergency response work for Voestalpine beginning Sept. 1. His last day with the fire department will be Aug. 15.
"To be able to stay local is a huge benefit," the Portland resident said.
Portland's Voestalpine facility is currently under construction. Vanlandingham's initial duties there will include establishing an emergency response plan, and hashing out safety policies and procedures.
"Whenever it's more operational, everything will be in place," Vanlandingham said. "There will be a lot to do before it's fully operational."
Vanlandingham is a certified Hazmat tech, which will allow him to work with the natural gas materials which will be produced at Voestalpine. His fire department background has also allowed him to work with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, which will be beneficial in relation to Voestalpine's shipping initiatives.
"You get exposed to a lot as a fire chief," Vanlandingham said. "It's a good experience. It has prepared me well."
Vanlandingham's connections with the city will benefit him in his new role, as the Portland Fire Department will be the first responding agency for Voestalpine, he said.
Vanlandingham has been Portland's fire chief for three-and-a-half years, and has worked for the city for eight-and-a-half years.
Some initiatives the fire department has embarked on under Vanlandingham's watch include the expansion of Fire Station 2 – which is currently under construction – the purchase of a new fire truck, a more involved presence in the community regarding CPR training, and stronger relationships with neighboring fire departments. Support from the city, along with his staff, has played a major role in those accomplishments, he said.
"You're only as good as the people that work with you or for you," Vanlandingham said. "I wouldn't have been able to accomplish what I have without the staff here and the support of the city."
Vanlandingham is the second Portland public safety official to announce resignation plans this month. Police Chief Gary Giles' last day on the force was Friday.


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Roger D. Patterson
Roger Dan Patterson, also known as "Stompper," 74, of Marietta, passed away Wednesday (March 20, 2013) at Marietta Memorial Hospital.
He was born on Oct. 22, 1938, in Andrews, N.C., to the late Clifton H. and Hazel M. Patterson. Roger was a millwright at The Timken Co. until retirement after 30 years. He was a member of St. Mary Roman Catholic Church and The Ancient Order of Hibernians, loved Celtic music and Bluegrass, but his passion was clog dancing.
He is survived by loving wife of 55 years, Patsy Ann Patterson; and two sons, Roger D. Patterson Jr., Rory N. and Shelly Patterson and daughter, A. Kelly and Brian Bowman; six grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren; brother, Bob and Barbara Patterson; three sisters, Ruth and Darrell Mason, Betty Teffeteller and Kathleen Coats Packa.
A memorial will be held on Sunday (April 7, 2013) from 1 to 3 p.m. at The Knights of Columbus, 312 Franklin St., Marietta, OH 45750.


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Linux Articles listed under "zeros"
Permanently remove information from your USB Drive
The following tutorial explains how to permanently remove deleted information from your USB flash drive or any other partition making the deleted information (for the most part) non-recoverable. We are able to accomplish this task by zeroing out the empty space on the drive using dd. There are many great uses for dd, from forensic data recovery and data backup to zeroing out empty drive space.


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- Posted by CafeMom Team
on 9/28/12 at 4:59pm
Here are what some of our influencers are saying:
RADMomma says:
DD LOVED that we could just open the package and put the sugar cookies on the baking sheet. She could do this all by herself (shes 5) and thought it was the greatest thing ever. DD and I LOVE to spend time together in the kitchen baking goodies. Pillsbury made this time much easier and more fun as well.
Janet says:
We had such a wonderful time baking cookies together! It was my two boys ages 7 and 9 and I. They were so excited! I let them put the cookies put on the cookie tray and I put them in the oven and set it for 10 minutes. Then we all sat down to chocolate chip cookies and milk. What a wonderful treat!
Keep on reading for more great stories from our influencers.
( ) CafeMom Team
- Posted by RADmomma
on 9/28/12 at 5:12pm
I'm Sara. My daughter Raegan and I LOVE to bake. We like to bake cookies, breads and cupcakes the most.
We enjoy apple picking, pumpkin patches and being outside as the leaves change color in the fall.
We have tried Philsbury cookies before... and we are super excited to try the holiday ones this year thanks to the Philsbury influencer!!
Nothing like the smell of cookies in the oven while it warms up the house... Ok a glass of cold milk and fresh baked cookies are right up there too!!
- Posted by PEEK05
on 9/28/12 at 5:16pm
Mmmm yummy, too bad I wasn't a part of this influencer lol.
- Posted by charlene_kyle
on 9/28/12 at 7:14pm
Hi! I am Charlene and I have two wonderful children. DD who is 4 and DS who will be 6 in October. Our family loves to do all kinds of outdoor fall activities together. We love going to the pumpkin patch, to the apple orchards and all fun things that come with Halloween and Thanksgiving.
Both of our children LOVE to help in the kitchen. They love helping with cookies and cakes. They love helping with mixing and splitting up the cookie dough. We have not tried pillsbury cookie products yet.
We are so excited to try it out. Our kids favorite is chocolate chip so they will be thrilled to help.
- Posted by Rushn311
on 9/28/12 at 8:20pm
My name is Cindy. I have two kids. Caitlin is almost 10 come November. And my son conner just turned 5.
In the fall we love going to the pumpkin patch, and I think we will try to go to the apple orchard too. The kids and I have gone, but not my hubby. We also like picking costumes, decorating for Halloween inside/outside and finally carving the pumpkins. Can't forget about trick or treating too!
My kids love baking cookies for Christmas especially. They like to do the different shapes and of course eating them!!!
Pillsbury is the only brand of ready made cookies we buy and we love it. It's simple and sooooo good!
- Posted by .JuneDiva629.
on 9/28/12 at 8:59pmI know. me too:-)
Quoting PEEK05:
Mmmm yummy, too bad I wasn't a part of this influencer lol.
- Posted by Maries_Mom23
on 9/28/12 at 9:45pm
Hi! I'm Alice, mommy to Marie (age 8) and Madison (age 5).
Marie will initially tell you fall is her favorite season since her birthday is in October. LOL...
But, both girls LOVE the fall. They love watching the leaves change colors, carving pumpkins, painting pumpkins, hearing the leaves crunch under their feet. Their favorite thing to do comes up next weekend. The pumpkin festival is roughly 35 minutes away. They love the pumpkin patch and all of the yummy foods to try (apple butter, salsas, etc).
We have had Pillsbury cookies countless times in the past. We love their holiday sugar cookies. What kid can pass up cookies with hearts, Christmas trees, pumpkins, a bunny or any other cute shape in them?
I received my package this morning, right before I made a trip to Wal Mart and couldn't help but buy 4 boxes of sugar cookies! I bought pumpkins, spooky cats, ghosts and Cinderella shoes!
My girls LOVE helping me bake! They've always been a big help in the kitchen, so, they are psyched to bake these cute cookies!
- Posted by countrygirlkat
on 9/28/12 at 10:12pm
Hi everybody! My name is Kathleen and I am a 31 year old SAHM to three boys ages 7, 5 and 18 months and wife to my wonderful DH for the past 8.5 years. We are a very active family who loves to be outside and spend time together. Fall is one of our favorite times because it isn't too hot to be outside and it isn't too cold to be outside, lol. We love to hike, ride our horses, take walks, go to the park, and do just about anything else active we can find.
While we love being outside, another favorite time for me and my kids is the time spent inside the kitchen. My kids are at such a fun age still where they love to feel like they are helping me do things and cooking and baking is one of the most fun. While they enjoy helping with both, I do believe the kids like helping with baking the most because the finished products are always so yummy!
We have had Pillsbury cookies before but not for a few years probably because we have been on a tight budget and have just made cookies from scratch for awhile. I am really looking forward to trying them again though because with the kids older now I think they will be able to do most of it on their own(with my supervision of course, lol) and I think they will really think that is cool that they made them without help. I am so excited for this influencer and I already told the kids and they are excited as well! Thank you CM and Pillsbury for this chance to make memories with my family. I can't wait to come back and tell everybody all about it!
- Posted by alliesmom112
on 9/28/12 at 10:33pm
Hi I am Sandy and I have a 4 year old little girl named Allie. Allie is most gefinitely my little kitchen helper. Atleast once a week we are baking something cookies, cupcakes, cake, cinnamon rolls.
In the fall we love to spend lots of time outside. We like to pick apples, go on hikes, picnics in the park. We have a pumkin patch we visit every October.
We have tried Pilsbury cookies before and we love them. We just made the Minnie Mouse cookies for a back to school treat. I am so excited that we were chosen for this influencer. We love baking together, it is a great way that we bond and I use the time to teach Allie about giving when we make baskets and plates to give to our neighbors and friends.
- Posted by Madelaine
on 9/28/12 at 10:38pm
My name is Madelaine and my two oldest girls, Emily who is 13 and Sarah who is 9 LOVE to bake! My two year old son is just starting to help us and he loves to bake too.
We like to go to the pumpkin patch during the Fall months and look at animals and pick out pumpkins. We like to make cookies the most!
We love everything Pillsbury and are so excited to make cookies!!!


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Here's my list of favourites. What do you think?
Yanot is 24 and from Russia.
She was in my round up a few weeks ago and has such an arresting look that she was the first person that came to mind when compiling my top five.
She looks so cool but sweet at the same time; a difficult combination to merge and yet somehow she does it so effortlessly. I feel like she probably doesn't even know how cool she is. I'd love to photograph her for sure.
24 years old, Russian Federation
Iouanna is 15 and also from Russia.
There is nothing in her 'about me' section but really don't the pictures just say it all? She has such an intrinsically beautiful style; very gentle and ethereal. Love all these shots too. The pictures she has chosen to represent her style speak volumes. Everything just seems so soft and peaceful – I can almost hear a Norah Jones soundtrack in the background…
15-year-old girl, Russian Federation
She reminds me of Georgina Jagger with those red lips and Lou Doillon in the others; what more can I say! Again, I love the photos she has chosen to represent her style. It's all so French and chic.
26-year-old girl, France
How can you not love her! I don't think I've ever come across someone so groomed – it may not be to everyones taste but you've got to hand it to the girl, she looks immaculate.
No roots, not a hair out of place, beautiful clear skin, precise make-up etc. She looks fun.
20-year-old girl, Italy
There aren't many photos on her profile and the ones that are there are all quirky crops and sneaky peeks; it all leaves me very intrigued. I like the fact that she is only allowing us to see parts of her, a little glimpse here and a little look there. You can see that she is beautiful and then there is that giant tattoo – POW! I mean look at it. I'd love to know what it is.
30-year-old girl, Brazil


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[Editor's note: This letter, which opposes commercial cassino gambling in New York, was written by Anna Kay France of Buffalo, NY and is circulating as an online petition. A number of residents in the Upper Delaware Valley have signed it including some from Narrowsburg, Yulan and Callicoon.]
Casino gambling is not a harmless way to raise state revenue.
Here's the experience of one gambler now in recovery.
"I lost just about everything because of my addiction to gambling. I nearly lost my life.
"I was in my late 40s and had never gambled before. I had a good job, a happy marriage, and close relationships with my grandchildren. When a casino run by Native Americans opened in Niagara Falls, NY, near my home, I went there with a friend—just for fun, an evening of entertainment. But within a matter of months I'd become addicted to gambling, and casino gambling began to consume my life.
"I was one of the lucky ones. I finally managed to emerge on the other side after years of compulsive gambling, depression, bankruptcy, my own suicide attempt and the actual suicide of a friend who owed $2,000 to the casino and was being hounded by threats of legal action and jail.
"It has now been 15 months since I've placed a bet, and I'm putting my life back in order. But I know I'll remain susceptible to gambling for the rest of my life, and I'll never recover the years I lost when my grandsons were growing up—and I was in the casino.
"I don't buy the argument that we won't create new gamblers by creating new casinos—that we'll just 'capture' the gamblers who would otherwise cross state lines to gamble anyway. My own experience is that the proximity of a casino makes it far easier to start gambling and to develop and maintain a compulsive gambling habit. Research bears out this common sense observation.
"We need to realize that 'problem' or addicted gamblers like me provide a major percentage of the profits of gambling casinos—statistics range from 30 to 70%. Whatever lip service casino owners pay to promoting 'responsible gaming,' they make huge profits from people who gamble more than they can afford, whose lives are devastated by gambling addiction. Not only is this an ethically questionable way to raise state revenue, but there is a high economic cost to problem gambling and addiction—crime (embezzlement, fraud, etc.), business failures, bankruptcy, loss of economic productivity, addiction treatment, divorce, etc."—Birgit C.
We urge you to say no to the proposed amendment to Article 1, Section 9 of the New York State Constitution, authorizing up to seven commercial casinos in New York State.
Anna Kay France
Buffalo, NY
[To sign the petition, go to: tinyurl.com/cj2v5bj].


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VIEW LARGER > Rollover Photo to Zoom
Embellished Swimwear Cover Up
Pretty Crinkled Cotton Beaded Dress Is More Than a Swimwear Cover Up
Embellished Swimwear Cover Up
Pretty Crinkled Cotton Beaded Dress Is More Than a Swimwear Cover Up
This cool, comfortable 100% crinkled cotton swimwear cover-up has beautifully detailed gold embroidery along the placket, neckline, and cuffs as well as beading down the front, an added sparkle that makes it more than just something to throw on over a bathing suit. Swimwear cover-up is styled with three-quarter-length sleeves, side slits for ease of movement, 4-button placket, side-seam pockets. Approx. 48" long. Hand wash, line dry. Imported. Available in both Misses' and Women's sizes.
- Swimwear cover-up is lightweight crinkle cotton
- Detailed with beading and gold embroidery
- Side slits for ease of movement
Rated 4.3 out of 5Â by 6 reviewers.
Rated 4 out of 5Â by Peg Queen Cover-up needs more care I washed it - as I do all items especially those made out of the country. It required a lot of ironing because it is NOT crinkled cotton as advertised and needed to be ironed. A beach cover-up should not need so much care. However, the muumuu was fine and perfect for the Texas heat on my patio... July 12, 2016
Rated 5 out of 5Â by TJ.Kona Cool and comfy Moo moo is a lovely long dress that is casual or fancy for all occasions ...I love the cool fabric and the girlish design May 11, 2015
Rated 4 out of 5Â by Laurie W Very generous cut I thought this cover-up would also be nice to wear around the house. So much of the lounge wear available in stores is synthetics or blends, which feel hot and itchy in the hot, humid Texas climate. I appreciate that this cover-up is all cotton. The embellishment is beautiful, and the fabric is lightweight and crisp. I ordered the black, and have no problem with see-through. Perhaps with the white it is different. The sizing is very generous. I ordered an XL, and if I had know exactly how generous it would be, I would have gotten an L. Too big is always better than too small, though, especially with loungewear, so I will keep it. One odd thing, though--the fabric on mine is smooth, not crinkled. Perhaps there has been a change by the manufacturer? If so, the description and photo should be changed to reflect the actual item being sold. September 28, 2014
Rated 4 out of 5Â by Fuschia Pretty, but see-through Good quality, attractive, nice fit, but see-through is a problem for me. May 15, 2013
Rated 4 out of 5Â by Nindy nicely made I like the cover up. Seems to run a little small, but I ordered up in size. It was as I expected, the color I wanted was not available but I went with the blue and it is beautiful. August 30, 2012
Rated 5 out of 5Â by Charito Beautiful cool caftan for hot weather I bought this caftan in black, and was so pleased that I hope to order it in white. The fabric and design are excellent for entertaining outdoors and indoors in our Southern California summer weather, southeast of San Diego, which can change a lot: from very hot and dry to (occasionally) very hot and miserably humid tropical conditions, to very hot and windy (Santa Ana conditions. I agree that it is more than a great cover-up. August 8, 2012
1-6 of 6


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Receive our Travel Planner e-Newsletter and Special Offer e-mails.
Our hotels are located near most national attractions, from beaches to national parks.
Our friendly staff and clean, affordable hotel rooms make Americas Best Value Inn, Canadas Best Value Inn, and Value Inn Worldwide a great value for your money.
If you ...more


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Video/Audio Archives [ 77th | 76th ]
Interim Charges
The Senate Education Committee is charged with conducting a thorough and detailed study of the following issues, including state and federal requirements, and preparing recommendations to address problems or issues that are identified.
1. Study the implementation of SB 186 (relating to the computation of public school dropout and completion rates) and make recommendations for improvements to current statutes and programs. Explore opportunities for maximizing current resources and identifying additional state, federal, and privately-sponsored programs for at-risk students that offer innovative delivery of educational services that encourage students to finish school. Focus on mentoring programs, including, but not limited to Communities in Schools, and the use of technology to provide instruction.
2. Study the performance of high school students on TAKS, the new state assessment instrument. Make recommendations to improve any performance deficiencies that are identified by the review, including alternative school schedules, mentoring programs, technology-based applications, and other innovative solutions.
3. Study progress of implementation of SB 76 (relating to the provision of subsidized child-care services). Evaluate and make recommendations on opportunities for Texas to increase the educational component of the Head Start program. Examine and make recommendations relating to access to quality early education, including estimated costs, teacher availability, learning requirements, and access to services for students with special needs.
4. Evaluate opportunities and make recommendations on increasing the supply of qualified teachers and improving their working conditions. The evaluation and recommendations should focus on preparation, recruitment, certification, and retention of qualified teachers, while not restricting alternative certification. Conduct an assessment of the impact of teacher incentives, including mentoring programs and other creative options for retaining teachers, and develop recommendations for implementing incentive programs.
5. Study and make recommendations relating to the effectiveness of the current process of selecting, funding, and distributing textbooks. Identify areas where the current process can be made more cost efficient, including recommendations relating to innovative methods of providing instruction such as online distance learning, and the use of interactive software to address the specific challenges of remedial students and advanced readers. Identify costs and benefits of using technology to provide current and innovative instructional materials, including staffing and hardware requirements.
6. Study the TEA's implementation of the state's new accountability system and make recommendations to resolve any problems found. Examine the impact of the federal No Child Left Behind law on the state's accountability system and make recommendations for changes to state law to meet the federal legislation. Examine the ability of the current PEIMS database to meet future information needs and recommend changes, if necessary. Review and make recommendations on innovative alternatives for tracking student performance.
7. Study successful partnerships between school districts and the business community and make recommendations for maximizing the use of effective partnerships, improving the delivery of education services, and enhancing educational opportunities for Texas students, especially at-risk students.
The Committee shall submit copies of its final report no later than December 1, 2004. The printing of reports should be coordinated through the Secretary of the Senate. Copies of the final report should be sent to the Lieutenant Governor (5 copies), Secretary of the Senate, Senate Research, Legislative Budget Board, Legislative Council, and Legislative Reference Library.
The final report should include recommended statutory or agency rulemaking changes, if applicable. Such recommendations must be approved by a majority of the voting members of the Committee. Recommendations should also include state and local fiscal cost estimates, where feasible. The Legislative Budget Board is available to assist in this regard.
The following reports are available for download:
UPDATE: The final report for the Joint Select Committee on Public School Finance is available from that committees page at http://www.senate.state.tx.us/75r/Senate/commit/c880/c880.htm
Budget and Staff
Travel costs shall be paid from the operating budgets of Senate members. All other costs shall be borne by the Senate Education Committee's interim budget, as approved by the Senate Administration Committee. Due to overall budget constraints, it is recommended each interim committee budget include only critical expenditures and, where possible, reductions from previous spending levels.
The Committee should also seek the assistance of legislative and executive branch agencies where appropriate.
Interim Appointments
Pursuant to Section 301.041, Government Code, it may be necessary to change the membership of a committee if a member is not returning to the Legislature in 2005. This will ensure that the work of interim committees is carried forward into the 79th Legislative Session.
Committee Links
Joint Select Committee on Public School Finance.
78th Legislature's Senate Subcommittee on Higher Education.
77th Legislature's Senate Education Committee.
76th Legislature's Senate Education Committee.
76th Legislature's Senate Subcommittee on Higher Education.


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Portland Becomes First Salmon-Safe City
Mayor Hales issues Salmon-Safe challenge to other West Coast citiesRead More…
Phone: 503-823-4120
1221 SW 4th Avenue, Room 340, Portland, OR 97204
FRIDAY, OCT. 25, 2013 – The Spirit of Portland Awards recognize local individuals and organizations who have demonstrated an outstanding dedication to positive change in our community. Award winners are those who have not only worked to improve the community, but who also have gone above and beyond a dedication to civic engagement in order to make a lasting impact.
This year's Spirit of Portland ceremony is set for 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 12, at the East Portland Community Center, 740 S.E. 106th Ave.
Award winners are chosen from nominations submitted by fellow Portlanders to a selection committee of representatives from the Commissioners' offices, the Office of Neighborhood Involvement, Neighborhood Associations and other diverse community organizations. The mayor and each commissioner also selects special award winners to recognize specific works and achievements.
"Inscribed into Portland's Skidmore Fountain you will see these words: 'Good Citizens are the Riches of a City,'" Mayor Charlie Hales said. "I think that is also the message behind the Spirit of Portland Awards. For truly, where would we be without those citizens who step up, volunteer, lead and find solutions to problems in their community?
"So often, these people do so with no thought as to recognition or personal reward," Hales added. "Since the awards began in 1985, we have been able to, in some small way, show our appreciation for the work done by neighborhoods, small businesses, non-profits and so many individuals who make our city a better place to live. They truly are the Riches of a City, and we are grateful for them."
The categories and award winners for the 2013 Spirit of Portland Awards are:
Neighborhood Association of the Year:
MountScott– Arleta Neighborhood Association
ommunity Harmony:
Midge Purcell with Urban League of Portland
Emerging Community Leader:
Pedro Moreno with Verde
Independent Spirit:
David Hampsten with Hazelwood Neighborhood Association
Outstanding Organization:
Friends of Gateway Green (Non-Profit)
Business Association of the Year:
North-Northeast Business Association's Martin Luther King Jr. Dream Run
Community Stewardship:
Mark Lewis
Sandy Diedrich Environmental Stewardship Award:
Neighborhoods Community Garden
Outstanding Partnership:
Operation 305
Outstanding Organization:
Dennis' 7Dees (For-Profit)
Commissioners' Awards:
Mayor Hales Award:
Last Thursday Clean Up Dance Party
Commissioner Fish:
Individual: Steve Weiss
Individual: Briggy Thomas
Commissioner Fritz:
Organization: Right 2 Dream Too
Individual: Mary Ann Schwab
Commissioner Novick:
Organization: Disaster Relief Trials
Individual: Haven Wheelock
Commissioner Saltzman:
Organization: CASA for Children
Individual: Israel Bayer
This year, two posthumous awards will be given to recognize their outstanding lifetime achievements for community and neighborhood engagement:


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Information and Communication Technologies
Configuring Eduroam on Blackberry
published: 2012 | Handbook | Eduroam
Eduroam is a secure access service for members of the educational and research communities. It allows individuals from a member organization to securely access network services while visiting other member organizations using login credentials from their home organization without making special arrangements.
The WLU configuration has been tested and is known to work with BlackBerry devices. Please see configuration documentation below
Download: PDF (401k) Configuring_eduroam_on_Blackberry.pdf
revised Aug 13/14
View all Information and Communication Technologies documents


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A bit lower but with all the same sass, 'Hilda' from Pedro Garcia is one of spring's stylish favorites.
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