text:
Dear members,
Thank you, NarutoBase Staff
look at his right eye it is dark like an edos
its called shadow
Thats the shadow.
i dont think so it may be the shadow of his mask or something.
You're right.
...Just kidding, it looks normal to me... =/
its normal I dont see what your talkin bout
his sharingan looks normal its white behind it not black?
don't wear sunglasses when looking @ that pic.
If he was a edo he would've regenerated after losin all them arms but he didn't
He only lacks the wrinkles under his eye due to a drawing error, nothing more.
not saying he is an edo peopel saying his eye looked jacked up is all
<LOL> What? No. He is not Edo Tensei nor is it a mistake, to my aware.
He's not edo, you just blew a shadow out of proportion.
Looks normal to me, could be your monitor color settings
Shadow bro
this is not worth the time to point out guys
ok thanks people still looks dark where it should be white to me
Originally Posted by p0002q
don't wear sunglasses when looking @ that pic.
imao this ^^
Originally Posted by FlareBlitz
its normal I dont see what your talkin bout
Originally Posted by Lamperouge
i dont think so it may be the shadow of his mask or something.
Originally Posted by -S-
Thats the shadow.
Wat they have to say is what i have to say
Not an Edo.If he was an Edo,who Edo-ed him?Kishi?
he is not an edo tensei ...... it is just a shadow of his mask
Originally Posted by onimusha madara
this is not worth the time to point out guys
know one asked you to comment there douchey you had no obligation to answer so if it wasnt worth your time simply dont reply lol why are people so ****ing stupid
Forum Rules


text:
The Filibuster
Strasburg is looking pretty good in the minors but the Nationals are
putting together a surprisingly decent season so far. How long before
he comes up to join the club and what kind of impact will he have?
Frankenmuth, MI
Before I say anything, I just gotta ask: are you the same Ashley from Frankenmuth that my nefarious and oft sedated colleague Mr. Krause used to usher in and out of our college dormroom at odd hours back in the day, so as not to draw attention to his haphazard extracurricular activities?
If you're not, then just pretend this piece starts… now:
Okay, Stephen Strasburg. Fine. But please realize I ain't no analyst. I am not an insider. I don't have an ear within the organization nor do I claim to know what any of the higher-ups are actually doing. I only have access to the same information you do… and considering that, I can tell you this:
Stephen Strasburg is wicked sick.
Believe me, I did not want to like this kid. At all. I cannot stand the overhyping of a young someone who has never faced any serious Major League competition, ever, in his life. Sure, every once in a while the media gets it right. But rarely. For every Jason Heyward there are a bazillion Todd Van Poppels, Bill Pulsiphers, Brien Taylors. And that's not even including the fizzlers who succumb to injury like Mark Prior and lackluster primadonnas like Pete Incaviglia.
But this Strasburg fella… I think he's the real deal.
His motion is mechanically fluid. His ball has jump. He makes hitters look silly.
And his current line at AA Harrisburg reads as such:
Uh… wow.
AND the Nationals are actually holding their own right now among the NL East hogs. To hear the talking sports heads tell it, if the Nats continue to compete and Strasburg continues to dominate, we could very well see him this season. And if we do, I would bet he'd destroy everyone he faces.
The first time around.
After that, it's anyone's guess.
But I do know one thing: when Strasburg does make it to the Bigs, he'll be the most loved man in all of Washington, D.C. since January 20, 2009.
And we all know how loved POTUS is now. Jeesh. We US Americans… we're a tough crowd.
Hate me 'cuz it ain't illegal yet, just don't hate me 'cuz I'm right.
Something on your mind? Want to see Jeff and Al sweat (separately, not
together, eww)? Think you got a real stumper? Send us your Filibuster
question(s) by commenting or emailing them to us at
***Nancy Pelosi's original face also welcome. I wanna scare one of my neighbors.
9 Comments
Strasburg is wicked nasty, agreed. Those oversized ears probably help him produce wind gusts to clock it over 100MPH.
I think the clock is ticking louder and louder for him to get a nice "bump" up maybe near the All Star break.
I have a weird feeling the Nats do not want to make a "Elijah Dukes" mistakes with "Stras" and might make him pay a bit of dues via the long bus rides for a bit.
But if the team become a bit more competitive do you risk that additional service year or throw caution to the wind the kid will re-up down the line before he prices himself out of Washington…..
But with my luck he is already on a slow boat to DC, with a sandspur stuck somewhere for motivation.
Rays Renegade
Homer — Good point. I was afraid to come out and say it, but you did it for me anyway. Good call!
RR — "Sandspur"… is that what the kids are callin' it these days?
I think I've said it before, but Strasburg looks like a Vulcan/Ferringi hybrid in that particular pic.
He is, like you said, looking really good, as are the surprising Natinals. We shall see…
Jonestein — Good point. I think that's the first time I've ever seen "Ferringi" referenced in a baseball conversation. NICE!
I guess with Ashley's silence to your question, we know the answer.
Red Sox Ramblings: http://thevendahhh.mlblogs.com
I'm going with the others and saying it's his ears that are responsible for his pitching talent. Can't wait to see him in a game one of these days, except that it would mean watching the Nationals.
Greg — I'm positive it's her. I'm willing to sacrifice one reader if it means making all the others smile🙂
I believe he was just promoted to AAA

subset: commoncrawl


text:
The Phillies lost their fourth straight series Thursday 2-1, despite a stellar outing from Cole Hamels. The Phillies held a 1-0 lead entering the ninth, but Jonathan Papelbon blew the save, allowing two runs in the inning en route to his sixth blown save of the season.
Hamels brilliant start wasted
Cole Hamels churned out his best start of the season on Thursday night. The lefty held his opponent scoreless for the first time this year, tossing eight strong innings in which he scattered seven hits and struck out five. It was the third time in his last five starts that he has gone eight innings, after accomplishing that feat just twice in his first 18 starts.
Hamels also delivered the only run for the Phillies in the game in the fifth when his two out single off Matt Cain drove home Laynce Nix to put the Phillies ahead.
But Hamels started was wasted on just three batters into the ninth inning. Papelbon allowed singles to Hunter Pence, Brett Pill and Roger Kieschnick, promptly blowing his sixth save of the year. Those six blown saves are the second most in all of baseball. He then allowed another run, which put the Phillies behind by one.
Offense slow yet again
The Phillies managed just the lone run on seven hits, and squandered several chances to score. They were just 2-for-7 with runners in scoring position in the game, and one of those hits did not even translate to a run.
Perhaps the most frustrating blown scoring opportunity came in the ninth, when the Phillies had the bases loaded with nobody out. It would not have even taken a hit to tie the game or even to win it. But Nix and Carlos Ruiz flied out and could not get the run home, and Erik Kratz grounded into a fielders choice to end the game.
Up next…
The Phillies will play host to the Atlanta Braves tomorrow looking to win their first series since before the All-Star break. Right-hander Ethan Martin (11-5, 4.12 ERA in AAA) will make his major league debut, and he will be opposed by Kris Medlen, who is 7-10 with a 3.74 ERA. First pitch is at 7:05.
74 Comments
I think it was Nix who flied out. Speedster D Young reached on an error. Either way we have to be in the bottom five for hitting with the bases loaded, especially when there aren't any outs. Hoping Martin has a solid outing tomorrow.
You're correct it was nix…
Maybe we should give lidge a chance before he retires?? Just a thought
a bunch of hard working guy have trusted this organization and guess what? The owners and management failed!
Got it!
%*$&^*## $(*&%^&^ $&%3(#^%@
Pardon my language.
The Braves just beat up a pitcher making his major league debut tonight
did the writer even watch the game. The bases were loaded with no outs in the 9th. On two errors and a hit batsman. They are hard to watch. I bet espn is happy they put this team on prime time. If we cant trade any of these guys can we please just release them.
I mean it's not like they're going anywhere this season, but for some reason, this one really hurts.
Uh…yea. I am with you now about getting rid of Pap. After his post game comments last night, I cringe at seeing him in another game. Unfortunately I'm going to the game tomorrow – maybe we will have a blowout win. LOL
To me, the reasons last night's game hurt are (1) Hamels deserved the win and (2) the continued decline of our overpaid, loud-mouthed closer who becomes harder and harder to trade. People (wrongly) attach a lot of meaning to a pitcher's W-L record, so it hurts to see Hamels pitch so well and not get a W if only for his own psyche and to reduce the amount of criticism I read about his season. Now, I really don't care about a pitcher's W-L record nor about what the fans think of said pitcher and I am encouraged that Hamels has rebounded and has his ERA down to 3.87 and it's 3.32 following his disastrous first 2 starts of the season. For comparison purposes, Hamels's 3.87 ERA is 0.70 < the 7-6 Matt Cain's ERA and the exact same as the 12-5 Lance Lynn's ERA.
The reasons it hurt in regards to Papelbon are obvious.
Great post. Couldn't have said it better.
Agreed, rellis.
@Johanna- The guy is like poison ivy, he bothers you and you just can't make him go away. Again last night with the missed spots, I used to count- 60-70% misses, now he's got Ruiz so crossed up that he doesn't seem to know what's coming. If there was an excuse for not trading Chooch as many wanted to do, that's it. They need someone capable of catching Papelbon.
@hk- Agreed, and more frustrating is the fact that Hamels had to create the only run he got. So if he's pitching great and producing the only run, you'd think that maybe, just maybe after a max effort like that, Paps could give the guy a break and close out the damn game.
Mitch Williams was on WIP this morning and he was asked if Papelbon had "lost" it and Williams said he hasn't. He just needs adrenaline in order to pitch well. If only Cole Hamels would have know that! Perhaps Charlie should put in someone else if it's not an adrenaline moment. I cannot believe this guy!!
That and $1.09 will get you a Wawa coffee (typical of a Mitchie comment). If adrenaline was low last night, he's got bigger issues. And by the way, despite last year when he struggled some, for his career he's been as good in non-save situations as in save situations (doesn't apply to last night, but speaks to pitching without the adrenaline boost).
I'm sorry …but if you're paid what Paps is being paid then you need to rely on a lot more than just adrenaline in order to do the job. And why wasn't THIS game one of those "moments"?? A 1-0 lead at home and you can't muster up enough adrenaline? Please.
Papelbon, upon retirement, will probably become the next Mitch Williams. They both say assinine things.
The 9th inning was the condensed 2013 (and I guess 2012) Phillies. The 9th inning was horrible bullpen and terrible hitting with runners on base. Add a dash of Ryne Sandberg continuing to be the worst 3rd base coach in the league. And you have the worst Phillies game of the year.
On Sandberg, there is no defending last night's play. With one out you can't take that chance.
However most of his risky sends this year have been with two outs, when taking a chance and forcing the other team to make the play is a good gamble. The chance that the next batter will get the run home are somewhere south of 30%, so it makes sense to force the other team to make the play rather than strand an all-too-precious run on 3rd base, even if it means some runners get thrown out.
I have no reason to think he will be anything special as a manager (or much different from Manuel, for that matter), but his 3rd base coaching shows prudent risk taking, IMO.
If Sandberg is going to be a great manager, why does nobody else in the league want him? Why was he in Lehigh Valley last year and 3rd Base this year? Why don't the Cubs want any part of him?
Sandberg had 3 mistakes last night- sending Martinez who was out by 10 feet, sending Rollins who was out by 15 feet and then not having Chooch run when Hamels was caught in the rundown.
I can understand if the guy isn't a great 3rd base coach, but do you think you would do better?? He makes a lot of gambles that don't work but whose to say if he doesn't send those runners that they would score on the next guys base hit?? Highly unlikely this is the same team that loads the bases with no outs and can't score one run, poor Sandburg has to be aggressive and send anyone he can when they get to third cause that's the only chance they have to score….
When I watched the Martinez play I honestly thought he was gonna score until I realized that was francouer throwing the ball, he's got a cannon… and Sandburg should know that, but he might have felt that was there best chance to score, who knows…
And it's not Sandburgs fault that this team sucks and can't score, lets not pile the blame on him…
Morris, I thought Chooch did run, but Hamels couldn't stay in the rundown long enough.
Chooch eventually did run. But it took a few seconds. Cain left the mound and threw to first and the run down to begin for Chooch to run. Keep in mind, it was Cain and Hamels in the beginning- wasn't exactly the fastest moving run down I have ever seen. Chooch should have ran the second Cain went after Hamels.
Phillies are tied for 2nd most outs at home with 14. That's some horrible risk-taking on Sandberg's part. Like Buttermaker mentioned, a few from last night weren't even close. Some of these outs at home just look like piss-poor decision-making.
Just counting the number of outs at home doesn't tell you much without knowing the situation.
…and the NL average is 12, so the Phillies are 2 over that.
Context would shed some more light, but just the raw numbers alone tell us the Phillies/Sandberg have made some poor decisions trying to send runners home. Add in the fact that this Phillies team is also one of the worst offenders at making baserunning outs and it just is further evidence this team isn't much good at anything.
Mark, the numbers really tell us no such thing.
To illustrate the point: let's say there are 100 2-out situations throughout the year where Sandberg could decide to send the runner.
If he doesn't send the runner, there is less than a 25% chance on average that the next hitter will get the run home (i.e. hits as a % of plate appearances). Let's say the run scores 25 times, and the other 75 the inning ends with the runner stranded at third.
If he DOES send the runner, than the other team has to make the play to get him out: pick it up cleanly, transfer to the throwing hand, throw accurately, catcher grabs cleanly, and applies the tag. If the defense gets all of that right say 1/2 the time, then you have 50 runners thrown out at home, but you also have 50 runs scored.
If those 100 "sends" get the team 25 more runs, I certainly wouldn't call them bad decisions.
A few thoughts about Ruiz and Sandberg: Ruiz can't run until he's certain that a rundown is in progress. If he goes too soon, the player with the ball simply throws home instead of to the 2nd baseman, and Ruiz, being slow, would be out. No player cares if a runner advances if he can prevent a run.
As far as Sandberg being a bad coach, I can't say for sure. Being aggressive doesn't always equal "bad." But even if he IS bad at 3rd doesn't mean he'd be a bad manager. The two have somewhat different job qualifications.
One more thing, if they had scored twice in the ninth as it appeared they would do, after the baseball gods gave them every possible break in the world, Papelbon would have earned his third win on a blown save.
I say there needs to be a rule change- pitchers that blow saves, or do not hold leads in earlier innings should never qualify for a win. I know that W-'s and L's are no longer the measure we are using to rate our pitchers as those are really team attributable things, but the fact is MLB still does count it, so at least we could do it sensibly and fairly.
If that game had been won in the ninth last night, give the win to Hamels- so what he was not in the game- He's the one that got them there. "Psychotron" to borrow my friend Big Ed's nickname, deserves nothing in situations like that.
Years ago, the official scorer could decide who to award the win to, and sometimes in a situation like you mentioned (blown save overcome by 9th inning heroices) the starter was given the win. In fact, I believe Denny McClain won one of his 30 games that way, or at least in a similar manner.
I've always wondered why that is no longer done. Obviously, a closer who blows it should never get the win. Especially if it's that butthole Papelbon who refuses to alter his approach because he's only giving up singles and not home runs and doubles. Just his postgame remarks should warrant his being benched, or sent down to work on his pitch selection. I don't care what he's paid, that attitude is not going to win ML games.
I think they changed the rules because of incentives in contract. You can't have millions of dollars resting on the judgment of the official scorers. It's easier if they just stick to the rules plain and simple.
Morris, if that's therule, then it needs to be changed again. In a situation like Lefty describes, you're robbing incentives from the starter and giving them to morons who blow saves. Who really deserves to get credit, a starter who might have contract incentives for victories or Cy Young votes (it's rare when voters give the awards to people with poor W/L records) or do you give it to a closer, whose incentives and awards are usually based on saves and not wins? I think it's pretty obvious, and the rules should reflect that.
How about this.
A pitcher who blows a save cannot be eligible for the win.
Unless he has a walk-off hit in the bottom of the inning.
Solution: Eliminate pitcher wins, and eliminate pitcher saves.
No, because that would be too easy, and make so much sense, that most old timers heads would explode.
But then at least 1/2 of baseball fans wouldn't know who is a good starter and who is a good reliever.
Can someone explain to me just why Laynce Nix is still on this team???
LH bat off the bench, can field LF/RF/1B competently, and CF in a pinch. And while he hasn't hit at all this year, his track record says he should eventually hit some. Is there anyone in particular you'd like to see instead?
Yeah, I know all that. I'm just frustrated with his lack of anything this season. Not really sure at this point who would be better as a LF bat off the bench.
Not that he did anything in his 2 day stint here to earn a longer look, but they should have kept Susdorf just to see what he can do. Nix has been terrible, is a FA at the end of the year, and I doubt they're bringing him back, so why not give release Nix now and give Susdorf that time?
Where oh where is Ender Inciarte and Ezequiel Carrera when you need them, huh?
Yes, I had to look up the spelling on both. But an old man should get points for just for remembering them, no?
I would like to see Nate Schierholtz instead, schmenk.
Nate scheirholtz.
I'd like Bobby Abreu in his prime, but point taken.
Susdorf, he has been a steady performer for the Phillies minor league teams. If they are not going to try moving Asche to the outfield they need to give Susdorf more of a chance. Other options could be free agents, Brennan Boesch or Grady Sizemore. Both are working on returning from injury but would be much better options than Nix.
Because RAJ gave him a 2-year contract before last season and RAJ is reluctant to admit another of his mistakes. RAJ probably fears that eventually, ownership will catch on to all of the mistakes that he's made if he admits to them.
Sometimes two games is enough. There are other things caoches look at besides production. I'm reminded of when Casey Stengel was asked in Spring Training about two 22 year old prospects and what they might be like in 5 years. He replied that one, Ed Kranepool, had a chance to be a decent ballplayer, and the other had a chance to be 27.
I've watched a lot of ballgames, and while I'm no real scout, even I can usually tell who's got a chance and who's soon to be selling Lady Kenmores.
Here I was responding to Mike's comment concerning Susdorf.
Honestly I hope papelbon can blow another 15-20 games this year maybe give us the worst record and we can get 1st pick in the draft might as well get something after this Shit show season
Pretty much this. The worst thing this team could do is win just enough games to finish in 11th worst place, meaning they wouldn't get a protected draft pick next year. Just lose, and lose with vigor from here on out. #EmbraceTheTank
I feel ya on this one, Eric. I really do. But as a fan I just can't root for them to lose….especially with vigor. Just can't do it.
I could not agree more. Unfortunately, I fear that RAJ and Charlie are going to go all Doug Collins on us and hold onto and play Michael Young (in the role of Damien Wilkins) and Chooch in an effort to win as many games as possible on the theory that it's easier to sell tickets coming off a 77-85 season than coming off a 72-90 season.
Chuck A.,
Serious question…why not? If you know that some short-term pain (if you consider a bad team losing meaningless games in August and September pain) should lead to some long-term gain (better draft position in every round and a protected 1st round pick), what's wrong with hoping the team loses games, especially if those games are lost because they are allowing some youngsters to get their feet wet? I wonder how much better off the Eagles could be right now if they didn't win their last 4 games in 2011 or how much better of the Sixers could have been if Doug Collins had played the young guys last year instead of Damien Wilkins and other veterans over the last ~20 games.
hk – Let me clarify. I'm all for playing the youngsters. See what we have and basically concede that the remainder of the year is a fact-finding mission. I get that and support that. Wholeheartedly. And if they lose they lose …then fine. But I don't want it to be without them trying to win when they are on the field. Let the kids play and try to win. They'll win some for sure but probably lose more. And that's cool and supports the argument that Hogey suggested yesterday. I just don't want them losing on purpose or being told to lose on purpose when they're on the field just for draft pick's sake. That would not be sending these kids the right message.
What Chuck A said makes sense to me as well. Sometimes you have to let athletes do what they do best- compete. Even when it's not in your best interests, you can't hold them back, you have to let them go full bore. If you don't, you take the serious chance that the kids become the bad habits that you teach them. Then you're in for 10 years of trying to turn the thing around instead of 2 or 3 even if you get the best picks.
Here's a serious question that I really don't know the answer to-
In basketball for instance, early first round picks mean everything to floundering teams, most are great players that help the team instantly. Obviously you don't get instant help in the baseball draft, most take at least a year or two of seasoning. But how often do the first rounders have impact in baseball compared to other sports? Is it really worth tanking?
Chuck A.,
I agree. They, or any other team for that matter, should never lose on purpose.
The issue with wanting them to lose games has more to do with the draft pick being protected if they sign a free agent who received a qualifying offer than it does with improving their draft position. Put differently, there's little difference between having the 8th or the 9th pick in most drafts, but the difference between having the 10th and 11th picks is huge – and it's even a little bigger this year because Toronto is going to pick in between the teams that finish 10th and 11th from the bottom.
hk, I see now. That does make a difference.
I'm still uninterested this strategy until – let's say maybe a week left in the season is left. If they are close then, okay, maybe play scrubs. For right now, just play the games and let the chips fall where they may. Also, there may be players they want to keep with contract incentives to meet that may make it unfair to sit them, that ruins attitudes going forward.
I'm not totally against the idea, I just feel it's way too early. For instance, I was rooting for the Phils to allow Atlanta to win that final series in 2011. Tony LaRussa gave high marks to Charlie for sportsmanship, then came in here and booted a 102 win team out of the playoffs. I could have lived without LaRussa's compliment if you know what I mean.
To add to that a little bit, the difference between drafting very high in the first round (say, top 10 or so) and below that is stark. You're MUCH more likely to land a stud in the first handful of picks than you are in the middle of the first round and below.
Here's a little research on it: http://viewfromthebleachers.com/blog/2012/08/23/success-rate-of-mlb-draft-picks-by-slot/
(There's more, I just don't remember the other places I've read the studies)
So the benefit is two-fold. First, you have your first round pick protected, which means you can immediately go out and sign a qualified FA without losing your most valuable pick in the draft. This is important for a team like the Phillies that has a lot of money to spend to improve immediately, but also has a relatively thin minor league system and cannot afford to lose their first round picks.
Second, you have the added benefit of picking in a higher draft position which increases the likelihood that you end up drafting someone that turns into a contributing player.
So, in this sense, losing now benefits the Phillies in multiple ways and they can reap the benefits of this as quickly as next season. So lose now (although you don't have to root for losses with vigor, I suppose. Regular rooting should probably suffice!)
Papplebon needs to shut his mouth. He doesn't blow all these games the Phile would've been buyers at the deadline.
I would have been only a 2 win difference, actually, since they ended up winning 3 of the 5 blown saves before the trade deadline (now 3 of the 6 total).
Then we should thank him for ensuring that the GM did not do something stupid.
My biggest gripe with this game was the postgame comments by Papelbon. He seems oblivious to the fact that his Ks are way down and he's blown 6 saves. He instead insists that he's okay because no one is hitting him hard so he doesn't need to change his approach. He fails to realize that three singles can blow a save and four can cost a victory, or that even two hits coupled with a groundout or sac fly can allow a run to score. He fails to comprehend that if he still had strikeout stuff he could escape some of the jams he gets himself into with poor location or walks.
The man is a jerk. He's always been a jerk. He claims he's facing the facts when he opens his big mouth, but he certainly doesn't when it comes to his own shortcoming. He only sees those of what he claims are the poorly positioned or badly fielding players and management's supposed inability to build the team HE wants.
I say "Ochenta Seis" that cretinous "Cinco Ocho."
At this point I'd take a scrub, or a PTBNL, if someone would take him and some portion of that salary off our hands.
How I prayed they'd trade him back in late May, early June when Valverde was still struggling, and he still had some perceived value. It was clear that he wasn't hitting spots and the velocity was going, but I don't think the world knew yet because he was still saving games. I hold out hope, but I think it's too late now.
I'd take absolutely nothing and still pay most of his contract. Those comments last night tell me that he's not going to change anything. Besides, he's a bleeping turd, and always has been.
I'll admit that I tried not to care too much when they signed him because he was a proven closer, and even attempted to justify it out loud. But I mostly hated the signing because I never liked his personality. Even in Boston, his antics rubbed me the wrong way.
Now that his performance seems to be slipping, I really hate the signing. And with the attitude he took last night, I can see no adjustments, no admission of not producing, and no concern for his teammates. I might hold out hope, as you do, but I can't after his clueless post game comments yesterday.
I think that Pap still has value to some team, honestly his performance and velocity drop could be from the team not doing well. Now before you go and attack me on this realize that Pap is one of those players that thrives on the adrenalin from pitching in the 9th and if he is not completely fired up he likely will not be as effective. He still has good numbers overall and is better closer than most in the league. I think that he would fit well in Arizona they need a closer and have a good deal of prospects. I would ask for Putz and prospects Jake Barrett and Evan Marshall. It would give the Phillies a replacement for Pap plus a $5M savings for next season and two young relief prospects. If the Phils do not get at least a couple prospects RAJ will not move Pap.
Alex M. You really are optimistic. Why would anyone bash you for it? I want you to be right!
I know I am but if I am not then Papelbon will be wearing red pinstripes for the next couple of years. I have actually lowered my expectations, in my blog I wrote my predictions of where players may go and the expected return. I had the Phillies sending Pap and Lannan to Arizona for Putz, David Holmberg, Barrett and a PTBNL. But I was also in fire sale mode, everything must go (note I did have Lee staying in Philly).
I'm actually kind of glad they didn't win the game in the bottom of the 9th, because he would have gotten the win and he didn't deserve it. I wanted him to stew on blowing the game…course after his comments it sounds like he's clueless.
Of all the crap games maybe the crappiest.
Paplebomb should have been moved for a bag of condoms and a slurpee.
The bottom of the 9th with bases loaded was something.
We have to be the only team that you know wont score bases loaded no out. They even concede the run. And the Phillies cant get it.
Nix Ruiz Kratz.
Thanks DAJ
Once again snatching defeat from the grips of victory.
Next time, Could you spare us your 7-11 shopping list? 🙂
Just want the Phils to get full value for Paplebomb.
Since DAJ reads here maybe that will help him in future negotiations.
Myabe DAJ could get some lottery tickets and or scratch offs included too !
What ever happened to "IF IT AIN'T BROKE, DON'T FIX IT"??? Why doesn't Charlie take a hike along about the sixth inning and leave the game to those playing it??? Also, what is this 100 pitch thing all about… I'll bet Charlie wouldn't dare approach the mound if some of the real Phillies pitchers like Jim Bunning or Robin Roberts or Steve Carlton were pitching a shutout. They would've run his butt off the field.
Personally, my wife and I think the players should ante up and buy Charlie's contract out. They couldn't do any worse.
Oh, PapelBUM! You've done it again!


text:
This is Carsen Cavileer. He was playing outside with his brothers and friends and decided he was too hot and he got in the bucket filled with water. Carsen is 3 and the youngest of 4 brothers and always keeps me on my toes..His dad is currently deployed to Afghanistan and this pic gave him a good laugh!
A 3yr old and a 5 gallon bucket
By: tashaleeSubscribe Channel: Summer Location: Evans Mills, NY
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Mon., 7:08am: Property owners forced to lease land for drilling
LISBON – Several Columbiana County property owners unwilling to lease their land for horizontal drilling were recently forced to do so under a nearly 50-year-old state law, and at least two other such applications in the county remain pending.
The so-called "unitization" law, which dates back to 1965, is a legal process by which companies drilling for oil and gas in Ohio can force unwilling or reluctant property owners to become part of a drilling unit.
Unitization and the more commonly known term of "mandatory pooling" are the same thing, according to Mark Bruce, a public information officer for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, except unitization applies to horizontal drilling permits, while mandatory pooling refers to vertical drilling.
Nearly 100 horizontal drilling permits in the county have been issued since the Utica shale boom in eastern Ohio took off in 2010, and the unitization applications filed with the ODNR have likewise increased. Approximately 27 unitization requests have been filed statewide to date, eight of which were approved. Until 2011, the law had only been used twice.
Under the unitization law, at least 65 percent of a proposed horizontal well unit's mineral rights must be owned or leased by the applicant. Applications to create a forced unit must be to enhance the unit's profitability through increased production and for the purpose of either achieving a 640-acre unit or to meet minimum distance requirements from non-unit properties.
The only approved unitization application to date involving county property owners was for the Leslie North unit that encompasses portions of Hanover Township in this county and East Township in Carroll County.
The applicant was Chesapeake Exploration LLC, which is the largest oil and gas leaseholder in the county. The proposed Leslie North unit was for 615 acres, plus another 32 acres that were not under lease, and Chesapeake was requesting those remaining five property owners be forced into the unit. Following the required public hearing, the ODNR approved the application on Oct. 3.
The group included property owned by county commissioners, the Ohio Department of Transportation, Ohio Edison, and two residential property owners who chose not to lease their land.
The decision can be appealed to the Ohio Oil and Gas Commission, a state board comprised of governor appointees, and then to Franklin County Common Pleas Court in Columbus.
The forced property owners will not go away empty handed. The ODNR order requires those forced into the Leslie North unit be paid 12.5 percent royalties for any oil and gas production that occurs within the unit, which the ODNR's Bruce said is often based on what the lease landowners are receiving. Unlike those who willingly entered into leases, the forced property owners will receive no lease bonus payment, however.
Anyone forced into a unit is afforded a certain level of protection: State rules prohibit any surface well operations, roads, or pipelines from being located on any of the land forced into a unit.
Bruce said the law encourages larger drilling units as a way to prevent multiple property owners from each drilling individual wells into the same deposit. This was done to not only reduce the blight created by the sight of numerous wells located in the same vicinity but to maximize production, which is driven by underground pressure and diluted when there is more than one well in the same unit.
"Maximizing the recovery of the oil and gas resources, that's the nuts of an bolts of it," he said of the unitization law.
The following is a list of the other unitization applications involving county property owners:
– Firestone Unit A in Fairfield and Unity townships.
Status: Awaiting hearing.
The applicant is Atlas Noble LLC and it encompasses 666 total acres, 589 acres of which are leased by Atlas, and most of those parcels are owned by Meadowbrook Development, The Links at Firestone Farms, and Firestone Homestead. Chesapeake and its partners hold the leases on the 77 acres Atlas is seeking to add to the unit.
– Huffman Trust South Unit in portions of Butler, Hanover and Center townships.
Status: Under review.
The applicant is Chesapeake and encompasses 483 acres, 411 of which are under lease to Chesapeake and its partners. There are four parcels encompassing 72 acres that Chesapeake has asked be added to the unit.
– Leona South unit in Franklin Township.
Status: Application withdrawn.
The applicant was Chesapeake and it encompassed 521 acres, of which 455 acres are under lease to Chesapeake. The remaining 66 acres are owned by four property owners, mostly by the Norfolk & Southern Railroad and county commissioners.


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View a county-by-county breakdown in Wisconsin of the 2012 Presidential Election.
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Welcome to the Legendary Times Magazine / A.A.S. R.A. Forum! Discuss controversial topics with Ancient Aliens fans and like-minded truth-seekers from all over! Have fun, and always be courteous to each other. Don't Die Wondering! Crack the Code...
Moderators: siren13, Giorgio Tsoukalos, Essence
Bob137 wrote:Some other scientists have stated though that increased radiation can actually cause humans a lot of harm, and maybe even kill, whether NASA will acknowledge that or not, to me is irrelevant.
Guess it can only harm moons with no atmosphere?A NASA study says that solar storms and Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) can erode the surface of a body and also strip it of its atmosphere. The study says CMEs might have caused loss of atmosphere by some planets unprotected by magnetic field.
CMEs are massive bursts of solar wind, plasma and magnetic fields rising above the solar corona and released into space. They are often associated with other forms of solar activity, including solar flares.
Science Daily says that a strong CME could contain about a billion tons of plasma traveling in a cloud many times the size of the Earth, at up to a million miles per hour.
The research led by Rosemary Killen at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md., says our moon has a very sparse atmosphere called an exosphere, and it is very vulnerable to CME activity. When a plasma from a CME impacts on lunar surface, atoms from the surface of the moon are ejected in a process scientists call "sputtering."
The research team says their study, published in the Journal of Geophysical Research Planets, is the first attempt at studying the impact of CMEs on the lunar surface. According to William Farrell, leader of the team at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center,
Read more: http://digitaljournal.com/article/315710#ixzz1gLGWBuhy
maxmercury wrote:That is what they suspect happened to Mars (and possibly Mercury if it had an atmosphere at one time) in the distant past.
Venus, Earth, Jupiter and the other gas giants all have strong magnetic fields to protect them from the Sun. I would imagine Mercury gets the worst of it as it is so close to the Sun.
maxmercury wrote:So Mars being tiny had more of a role to play for its thin atmosphere than its core cooling down.
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Police have released body-camera video from an incident in September when two officers opened fire on a man who was attacking his girlfriend with a knife in a Daytona Beach home, police said.
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March 13, 2013 —
On Sunday March 10, 2013, God needed a special angel so He came and took my mother, my best friend.
My mom was the mother of five, grandmother of five, great-grandmother of seven and great-great-grandmother of one. She gave a new name to the "Fighting Irish." At the age of 85 and with over nine hospitalizations in one year, she had enough. On February 4, she was taken to the hospital. When she came home on the 8th, we were sitting on her bed and she said to me "it's not fair that when I die you are going to have a party after the funeral and I will not be there."
As I said in my last column, we had a cousins' party and she had the time of her life, and then two days later, in the hospital again. One after another her organs started to shut down; it was a very long two weeks. On Saturday, the day before she died, there were 16 of us in her room. She took each one of us and told us how much she loved us and she was ready to go to be with Daddy.
On Sunday, we knew she was near the end and we all joined hands and said a Hail Mary. She took a breath at the beginning of the prayer, then a little breath, and as we were saying, "now is the hour of her death, amen," she sighed and passed away. It was very peaceful, no more pain and suffering. She is with my dad and I am blessed with another guardian angel. I love you, Mom.
So many people loved her and want to do something for the family, we decided that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Tusten Volunteer Ambulance Service, 650 Route 97, Narrowsburg, NY 12764. They were always so good to her on her many trips to Wayne Memorial Hospital. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers, The Laffin Family.
Have a great week and email firstname.lastname@example.com [2] or call 845/252-3568 if you have news.


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By Eric Butler: Freedom Newspapers
LAS VEGAS, N.M. — When the Class 3A North-South all-star basketball games took place Friday night, five recent Portales seniors were there to represent the South squad. It seemed only right that Brenda Gomez, who coached them throughout their high school careers, was also honored.
Prior to the girls contest, a 91-67 victory for the North, Gomez was acknowledged in a long introduction before the crowd at New Mexico Highlands University — which was duly informed that she was selected as Coach of the Year and the winner of the Ralph Bowyer Character award.
This was not only a night in which players Briana Hernandez, Montana Russell, Amanda Terry, Sabrina Villanueva and Kaycee Quick would represent Portales one last time, it was also the last time for Gomez. Recently, Gomez decided to take the coaching position at Waco (Texas) Robinson High.
"I didn't expect it at all," Gomez said. "It was a good ending to have all these kids here. It's special to have them all at the all-star game."
The girls game itself was a somewhat forgettable experience for the southerners as the North squad jumped out to a 19-7 lead with an 11-0 run eight minutes into the game. The North's lead, extended to 16 points in the first half, was trimmed to nine when Ruidoso's Hailee Bob hit a pair of free throws with 6:34 left in the game.
The North, led by Kara Tafoya's 17 points, responded with a back-breaking 17-3 run to push ahead 81-58. Bob led the South with 19 points, while Hernandez paced the Portales contingent with 10 points.
It was the first of what may be many appearances for Hernandez on the floor at the John A. Wilson Complex. She plans to walk on at Highlands.
"I think this was one of the greatest experiences, playing with people you don't know and see how they play," Hernandez said. "I mean, playing with Treva (Riley of Laguna-Acoma), oh my gosh, that girl can play."
Quick scored eight points and grabbed four rebounds. Villanueva added five points, Terry tallied four and Russell scored one basket as all Portales players got into the scoring column.
"It's a real honor to have this many girls at the game," said Gomez, watching as the contest came to an end.
However, coaches will be coaches.
"Nobody played up to their potential," she added. "They acted like they hadn't had a ball in their hands for months."
A somewhat similar train of thought came from one of her players about the festivities.
"I liked her as a coach," said Quick. "I was very proud to have her as my coach. But I really wanted to win the game. I like to win."
In the boys contest, Portales representatives Cruz Ontiveros and Chance Sherburne were on the winning side as the South earned an 86-74 victory over the North.
Holding a 19-18 lead, a 3-pointer from Hope Christian's Ryan Gladwell kicked off a 13-0 run and the South led by at least 10 points the rest of the way. Gladwell earned Most Valuable Player honors for the South while Robertson's Isaiah Archuleta, who had 10 points, won the award for the North.
The South now holds a 4-3 series advantage in the boys basketball event. Sherburne had four points while Ontiveros added three in the victory.


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Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)
The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) was signed by President Obama on December 10, 2015, and represents good news for our nation's schools. This bipartisan measure reauthorizes the 50-year-old Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), the nation's national education law and longstanding commitment to equal opportunity for all students.
Getting America's Schools Covered: It Begins with You!
Applying for Healthcare is only a click, phone call or visit away. Please log on to: http://www.healthcare.gov/ to learn more about the affordable health coverage options under the new Health Insurance Marketplace.
The Health Insurance Marketplace is coming October 1, 2013….Share this great news with your schools, students, and communities……. A new way to get affordable coverage launches October 1.
ESEA Program Activities/Updates/Plans
Equitable Services Implementation Plan Webpage: ESIP is the U. S. Department of Education's plan to assist State and local educational agencies (SEAs and LEAs) to improve the implementation of the equitable services requirements under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) for eligible students enrolled in nonprofit private elementary and secondary schools and, as applicable, their teachers and parents.
Annual Reports to Congress
Federal Monitoring Process for Title I, Part A Webcast April 29, 2004
School Improvement
These webcasts highlight strategies that support improving student achievement, making AYP, and sustaining school improvement, April 2006
Effective Schools
Identifying, Recognizing, and Learning from Effective Schools October 14, 2004
Fiscal Issues
Key Title I Fiscal Issues Webcast Title I, Part A requirements for maintenance of effort, comparability, supplement not supplant, carryover, and reallocation, October 2004
Parental Involvement
Parental Involvement: From the Practitioner's Perspective Webcast focuses on the Title I, Part A requirements for meaningful parental involvement, August 2004
Supplemental Educational Services
Supplemental Educational Services Webcast, focuses on the implementation of Supplemental Educational Services, April 2004
LEA and School Improvement
LEA and School Improvement Guidance Webcast focuses on continuous improvement and school improvement requirements and plans, January 23, 2004
Publications and Links
- Dear Colleague Letter on College Scorecard
- A guide to Using the College Scorecard
- BRIEF: Forging a New Framework for Professional Development
- Office of Planning, Evaluation and Policy Development Publications
- Comprehensive School Reform Publications web page
- OSDFS Publications web page
- Healthy Start Grow Smart Series
- Teaching Our Youngest: A Guide for Preschool Teachers & Child Care & Family Providers
- EDPubs On-line Ordering System
- National Center for Education Statistics (NCES): Find statistical publications, fast facts, survey and program areas, the Encyclopedia of ED Stats, and education related resources.
- Guide to the U.S. Department of Education Programs
- ED Priorities: Up to date information about new initiatives.
- Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC)
- The Education Resources Organization Directory (EROD)
Booklets on NCLB
Labs, Centers, and Clearinghouses
The National Evaluation and Technical Assistance Center for the Education of Children and Youth Who Are Neglected, Delinquent or At Risk (NDTAC)
Comprehensive Assistance Centersestablished cto help low-performing schools and districts close achievement gaps
Equity Assistance Centers provide assistance in the areas of race, gender, and national origin equity to public school districts
National Clearinghouse for English Language Acquisition & Language Instruction Educational Programs
Regional Educational Laboratories: are educational research and development organizations supported by contracts with the U.S. Department of Education.


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Eighty-nine percent of Americans want to stay as long as possible in their current houses. What's more, for many older Americans, the prospect of going to a nursing home is a constant fear. But across the country, networks are popping up that allow individuals to stay in their neighborhoods longer.
My Generation's Carolyn Presutti introduces us to Palisades Village, a community group named for the Washington, D.C., neighborhood that it serves. The nonprofit helps residents 50 and older remain in their homes by providing assistance with household chores and transportation. We meet Betty Hays, an active 96-year-old who continues to live on her own with a little help from her children, grandchildren and other neighborhood "village" volunteers. We also meet Sonia Crow, executive director of Palisades Village, as she confers with visitors from the Midwest who want to establish a similar neighborhood organization in their hometown.
"A lot of us, I think, when we began, thought of this as something to help frail, elderly people somehow get by," says Andrew Mollison, president of Palisades Village. "What we found instead was that the chance to volunteer was, if anything, an even bigger draw than the chance to be helped by a volunteer."
… Back to Article
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ECS | CeRTS | IWAS | Teachers
| Students | Administrators
| Student Assessment
| IL Learning Standards
| Programs | Forms
| Glossary Skip
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Springfield, Ill. State Board of Education Interim
Superintendent Randy Dunn unveiled an agreement between
the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and the Venice
Community Unit School District for a charter high school
in Venice. Dunn made the announcement in Venice, following
a meeting with community leaders there.
The agreement follows the Governors call to action
last week for the State Board to approve a charter school
in Venice.
This community has worked hard to make a charter
school in Venice a reality, said Dunn. The
State Board heard the Governors call to quickly
end a long bureaucratic struggle for this community. Following
his direction, we have worked closely with the Venice
community on an innovative plan grounded in common sense.
Its the right thing for the kids and what they deserve.
Dunn announced the agreement for Lincoln Charter School
(LCS) today, following intensive work over the last few
days with Madison County Regional Superintendent Harry
Briggs, Venice Schools Superintendent Mary Hagan, and
a number of community leaders.
Specifics of the agreement include:
LCS Board members will include: Elliot Lessen, Southern
Illinois University at Edwardsville; Starsky Wilson, Madison
County Urban League; Regional Superintendent Harry Briggs;
and Venice Schools Superintendent Mary Hagan.
The remarkable work of the Venice community in
the struggle to do the right thing for their children,
and the strong support of so many community leaders has
led to a plan that will move quickly to get students into
the classroom, said Dunn. They will now have
a good school. They deserve that.
Last month, when the Governor appointed seven new
members to the State Board, he made it clear that the
Board was accountable not just to him, but, to you and
all the people in every community in Illinois, said
Dunn. What happened here shows how accountability
can bring about positive change. When I reviewed the proposal
that had been stalled for so many months, I felt that
many of the reasons cited earlier as deficiencies werent
truly problems.
Uprooting kids to send them outside their community
to schools facing similar challenges as their hometown
school doesnt make sense, said Dunn. The
community knew it was unacceptable and so did our Governor,
who has made education a top priority for his administration.
Working with a new team in place at the State Board, under
the Governors leadership, we now have a plan that
addresses the Venice communitys needs while meeting
the intent and letter of state and federal law.
Illinois State Board of Education
100 North First Street
Springfield, IL 62777


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Directed by Robert Day
Marshall Thompson
as Commander Charles (Chuck) Prescott
Marla Landi as Tia Francesca
Bill Edwards as Lt. Dan Prescott
Carl Jaffe as Dr. Paul von Essen
Lieutenant Dan Prescott seeing the stars (Bill Edwards - First Man Into Space, 1959)
Dr. von Essen and Commander Prescott (Carl Jaffe and Marshall Thompson)
Tia and the commmander (Marla Landi and Marshall Thompson)
Brothers in the chamber (Bill Edwards and Marshall Thompson)
The Good Stuff, Part I: The MonsterThe space-encrusted monster in this movie is a particularly interesting and well thought out creation. The concept of a universe alive as a corporate whole, networked by an interactive web of functioning parts (the asteroid dust that finds and covers unprotected life) is a real piece of brain candy. The coating allows Dan to survive the hardships of space by its hard exterior, and it even provides a system of defense (the shard-like particles that leap off and slice away anything that comes too near). This protection allows his violent return to Earth, but once in Earth's gravity and atmosphere, it begins to kill him by denying him oxygen. The only way he can oxygenate his blood is to consume blood, but he can never really get enough. Under this grotesque, space shell; his body is burning out, consuming itself - nearly somnambulant. Only Dan's will keeps him struggling for survival. The science of this construct is wobbly, of course, but that really doesn't matter a damn. It's multi-layered, imaginative, and interesting - and that's worth a bushel more than scientific accuracy any day.
Dan recognizing his brother (Bill Edwards)
The Good Stuff Part II: The Ying and Yang of Brotherhood
The relationship between the two Prescott brothers, Chuck and Dan, provides the First Man with a rich, emotional core that steadily pays dividends throughout the picture.
For starters, the brothers are perfectly cast. First Man producer, Richard Gordon, has commented more than once (on the commentary track for this film and several others) that he used Marshall Thompson so often because the actor was very easy and pleasant to work with - always a professional who came ready for a day's work; and a good actor into the bargain. Gordon has also made mention of the fact that Thompson was an extremely no-nonsense guy - a man who never drank, dallied ever with his female co-stars (he was a very devout family man); and - despite apparent prompting from the producer Gordon himself - never engaged in any after-shooting shenanigans. While his co-actors partied and carried on - Thompson would be in his room, speaking to his wife on the phone. In short - an admirable if straight-backed fellow right down the line. In other words, the part of the ramrod commander, Chuck Prescott, fit him like a starched, white glove.
Bill Edwards, with his crooked smile and space-age crew cut, does excellent work as well. Everything he says sounds like braggadocio and, although everything is said with loud good nature; every word also feels like a challenge or declaration. The two actors (and characters) really capture the Ying and Yang relationship of brothers necessary to make the picture hum. Edwards has the whipcord lean look of an astronaut where Thompson is shorter, more solid. Where Chuck (Thompson) is too cautious, Dan (Edwards) forces things forward. Where Dan would blunder politically or choose his battles poorly, Chuck levels him off. Working in symbiosis, this team of two has become the stars of the fledgling space program. One without the other would either become a competent, reliable functionary (Chuck); or a washout burning his wick too hotly for a sustained career (Dan).
The Prescott brothers (Marshall Thompson and Bill Edwards)
The final moments of the film provide the most vivid evidence of the brother's light/dark relationship: As the atmosphere of the chamber rises, Dan thrives while Chuck becomes weaker. Even here, their relationship is twined - reciprocal. And it is in the chamber that the brothers' relationship is stripped away of all peripheral sibling detritus, leaving only the devotion of blood - a bond between big and little brothers that is universal. As his thinking clears, Dan is asked a series of questions about his flight, which he answers, struggling for air and starring at Dr. von Essen through the window. How high did you go? he is asked finally. Suddenly his voice becomes strong, nearly happy with enthusiasm, and his single eye brightens: "About 250 miles! Maybe 300!" for the first time he turns painfully in his chair to face his brother, who is close to passing out in the simulated atmosphere. "Chuck!" he asks plaintively. "Did you hear that?" "Yeah, Dan. I'm listening," says Chuck soothingly through his oxygen mask. And for a moment, the universal relationship of siblings has been stripped to the essence: Dan is simply a little brother seeking approval from his older brother; and Chuck is just the older brother, letting him know he's done well - that he's proud of him.
But even as Dan continues to talk, we hear his heart faltering on the monitor; the beats growing softer - further apart. Dan's voice has become a crackling, piteous whisper. "He can't breath," says Chuck, motioning upward with his hand. "Take him higher." Chuck says this knowing a higher, simulated altitude will cost him his own life. Dan locks his eye on his brother - waits for his big brother to look at him. "Chuck," he says simply. "It's no good. I'm finished." Loving brothers to the end.
The Good Stuff, Part III: The #1 Most Unscientific Beautiful Scientist
As I mentioned last post, atomic age sci fi has more than its fair share of gorgeous, female scientists and lab assistants - Mara Corday (Tarantula, Arnold 1955): Joan Weldon (Them!, Douglas 1954); and Barbara Lawrence (Kronos, Neumann 1957) come immediately to mind. In this long tradition, Marla Landi as Dr. Tia Francesca is easily the least comfortable in a lab coat; which is just fine because the film makers are never foolish enough to put her in one anyway. In fact, despite being a rocket scientist, she projects absolutely nothing in the way of scientific curiosity or acumen (by contrast, Mara Corday in Tarantula genuinely enjoys herself, dressed in a lab coat - and actually seems interested in things scientific). Landi is dressed in nothing but fine, stylish outfits throughout; even in the final scene when she is asked to run the heart monitor (the single technical duty she performs in the movie). She does so by standing next to the machine and placing her hand on a control, looking like a - well, a fashion model touching a stage prop.
None of this is to suggest that she is not good in her role; which she is. Landi was, and is, a beautiful woman who as Tia projects a sincere warmth that adds a great deal to the picture. Her love for hot shot Dan seems completely believable; as does her gradual melting toward Chuck (and, not for nothing, she delivers one world class scream during the proceedings that nearly made me jump out of my chair). Still, the award of Least Scientific Beautiful Scientist must be given to someone, and it goes to Ms. Landi going away.
There is a great deal to enjoy in First Man Into Space. One important thing the film nails is the "right stuff" attitude of the fictional first man in space, Lieutenant Dan Prescott. "Dan couldn't exist unless he was risking his life," says Chuck of his little brother after his presumed death. The same might be said of the real first man in space, Yuri Gagarin. After returning safely from his historic flight, the young cosmonaut became an international celebrity and a hero of the Soviet people. Afraid of losing their "new Soviet man," authorities tried to forbid him from flying anymore. Gagarin wouldn't go for it. In March of 1968, after a three month enforced grounding, Gagarin took off in a MiG-15 in bad weather. He was killed when his plane went down in the woods north-east of Moscow, an adrenaline junky to the end.
Think of an evening spent watching First Man Into Space as a popcorn tribute to those early space pioneers who, with a lust for adventure and glory, first ventured to that part of the map filled with unknown dragons.
** Jeff Lyttle, "John Glenn: An American Story" Columbus Monthly, August 1998
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Medical terminology is my new muse. It's almost poetic. "Mass, mobile and firm" was the caption on one of the snapshots my doctor handed me of my recent endoscopy, while I was still woozy from the Propofol (reportedly Michael Jackson's drug of choice).
A Schatzki's Ring surrounds my esophagus, but not so much that I can't breathe. An old hiatal hernia was reignited by the endoscope that squiggled its way to my abdomen, a paparazzi to my polyps and the mass, "suspicious of a GIST." As I understand it, a GIST, short for Gastro-Intestinal Stroma Tumor, is rare. Malignant and benign at once, it is a good metaphor for life.
My abdominal discomfort continues, not wholly explained by the recent battery of tests. My internist said, "That's the trouble with those tests—they find things that are better left alone." I guess that's why he's an internist and not a surgeon. He was trying to lessen my fear, I suspect. For a few days after the endoscopy I was in denial. It was a pleasant state. But then I made the mistake of consulting the god Internet. Before bed. I had an awful night full of significant dreams and woke early, frozen in place while I pondered mortality.
I considered not sharing my new knowledge with my spouse. But who am I kidding? I share everything. Witness this column. It was good that I did. Together we decided it was too early to divvy up the silver and the art.
Soon, there will be more tests. An endoscopic ultrasound is next, to determine how or whether to extract the mass, which I am told can be done laparoscopically. Amazing.
Then there will be the dread colonoscopy. I will try, dear Reader, not to share it with you. I encourage you to get your own, especially if you're over 50. And what are you doing reading a newspaper if you're not over 50?
I suspect that the reason people retire at 65 is so they have time for all the doctor visits required for longevity. Between Physical Therapy and Ultrasound, Endoscopy and Therapy, I barely have time to read the paper, let alone work. But time is what I have and it's getting more dear every day.
As friends and relatives pass on, sometimes much too soon, my everyday gripes pale. My friend Sheila has a few years on me. As a lawyer she spends her time defending political prisoners. On her own time, she travels far and wide. In a recent missive from India she quoted a line from the movie "The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel"—"Here, people view life as a privilege, not an absolute right."
In my last column, I made a promise hastened by the shock of the sudden death of Peter English at age 48. In the month that has ensued I realized it was best to leave his family in peace to work out their enormous grief. Peter was well-loved by Cathy Maguire and their children Liam and Oona and by a large family. He was liked by everyone, it seems, and especially by those who did business with him, which included most of the artists in the river valley. Peter's last profession was as a framer of fine art. He was self-taught and had an artist's eye, evidenced by the handsome house he left his family. His death was sudden, but his life was full of purpose and love—a good road map for the rest of us.


text:
Welcome to California Cooperative Snow Surveys Website
Water Conditions in California
DWR Bulletin 120
Water Conditions in California
DWR Bulletin 120
Bulletin 120 is a publication issued four times a year, in the second week of February, March, April, and May by the California Department of Water Resources. It contains forecasts of the volume of seasonal runoff from the state's major watersheds, and summaries of precipitation, snowpack, reservoir storage, and runoff in various regions of the State.
Water Supply Conditions
Comparisons with previous years in this month.
The Bulletin120 are available in PDF format starting in 1990.
Years 2016 - 2003
Years 2002 - 1990


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The word "viral" means very little nowadays. Everyone is clamoring to get their "content" front and center, but they're not very concerned about what that content contains. When there's a new music video of Miley Cyrus playing with her vagina's tongue through the sheets, every "content" site posts the same thing: the name of the video, a detailed paragraph stating that the video exists, and an embed of the video. And that's it. Check it out on BuzzFeed or Crushable or Hypable or Funbizzer or Yesclick or Roflshare or whatever fucking place.
I am legitimately surprised that no one has scooped up this domain yet.
Everyone tried so hard to go "viral" this year that the word barely has any meaning anymore. Virality didn't just jump the shark. It ate Henry Winkler, shit him into the underground oceans of Europa, and then did a kick-flip over the frozen turds. Going viral has looked into infinity, and it cannot return. Here is how and why ...
4. Everything Is Literally the Most Hyperbolic It Could Possibly Be
I want it first to be clear that I'm not talking about adjectives like "mind-blowing" or "terrifying" or "baffling." As prevalent as they are and as much as they may bug you, these words are helpful to readers. If there's an article called "5 Horrifying Truths About Being a Medical Doctor," the word "horrifying" tells you what kind of truths will be covered. Without that word, readers have no idea what to expect other than "something about doctors". Again, I get that "mind-blowing" and "horrifying" are used a lot on the Internet, but these words are not the problem.
I've got 99 problems and all of them are this.
There is a desperation to get clicks now, and it's apparent in the language used. It's not enough to post 14 hilarious interviews from Ellen in 2013. We have to post "14 Ellen Interviews From 2013 That Made Us Literally ROTFL." Next year, we'll be posting "The 14 Most Hilariously Funny Ellen Interviews That Made Us Laugh Until We Laughed Even Louder and We Never Stopped Laughing, Seriously, We're Still Laughing, Help Us, We Can't Even Eat Food." Hyperbole is helpful, but use it too much and it means nothing.
For the purposes of this article, I'll say I wouldn't mind scrolling through a list of old Saved by the Bell characters. However:
Things like this baffle (yes, "baffle") me, because it doesn't even sound like someone exaggerating in order to really hammer home how great this stuff is. When you're this hyperbolic, you move into sarcasm territory. I can't tell if you want me to think this article is worth reading, or if you want me to see that it's obviously a bullshit waste of my time and you didn't even want to write it in the first place.
The hyperbole gets worse when celebrities are involved. The time used to be that you could pick up an US Weekly or StarZone Power Magazine and you'd read about how celebrities are just like you. They go to the bread place at the block of stores just like you. They carry that bread in shopping carts as they walk out of those stores, just like you. Celebrities walk near stores.
S-Mez gets her armpits scrutinized via digital photograph enhancement just like you!
But on the Internet, that attitude is on the complete other end of the spectrum. On the Internet, celebrities aren't just like you, because they're more than amazing and you're worse than just fucking terrible.
Sorry, people with families, but you're not as cute as this family in particular. Because you don't have moments like this:
Yep, look at the cutest thing ever: kids sitting on their parents' laps! Holy shit adorbz I am squee-ing cum out of my emojis right now that's so fucking cute. Not like you and your shitty family, because you don't sit down at [some place] with your kids on your lap. You probably just lie down at home doing nothing while your kid deposits turds onto your lawn.
And wait... "When the fam was caught in this adorable moment just being cute together?" That's so vague I could have some kind of reaction to it. As proof that this family is cute, you're citing an "adorable moment just being cute together"? That could figuratively mean literally anything.
Like taking your kids to Disneyland:
Ignore the blurry families in the background. They're not cute, and they are not at Disneyland.
Or like:
Yes, exactly. Like the adorableness of reading out loud on a plane.
Oh, and by the way, you and your brother are actual garbage ...
And in 2013, Emma Watson had 28 flawless moments that were the most flawless of her many flawless moments, because apparently there are varying degrees of flawlessness.
Sure, this moment had no flaws, but this other moment had more no flaws.
Sometimes things get so hyperbolic that no one actually knows what their opinion is:
Please note that all of these are written by the same fucking person.
But one thing's for sure: In 2013, Jennifer Lawrence was the Master of the Universe.
And let's talk about Jennifer Lawrence real quick. Google "Jennifer Lawrence perfect (or 'flawless')" and you'll find tons of articles from the BuzzFeeds and Crushables and Popuclicks of the world. Now, I understand that she is The Internet's Sweetheart right now, deservedly so. She's extremely talented, beautiful, and honest and real. But here's the thing about Jennifer Lawrence in particular: She is not even close to flawless, and that's actually the entire fucking point.
Aside from all of her strengths, she's also awkward, clumsy, maybe not super bright, and she apparently shit her pants at least several times before the Catching Fire premiere. And she's also open and honest about it, which is great. People love her because of her flaws, because she's completely not perfect. Because she reminds us of our own shitty selves who maybe don't bother putting on pants some days. She admits that she thinks acting is actually kind of stupid (and so is she). Jennifer Lawrence is just a regular piece of shit like us who got into a car accident because she thought she saw Honey Boo-Boo. By lifting her up on a pedestal, you're defeating the message that her existence creates. You're ignoring the fact that she's "just like us," and you're ignoring how words work. No matter who you're talking about.
No, Beyonce's album did not redefine perfection. You did. You redefined it. Because ...
3. No One Knows How to Use Words Good
A popular trend over the past year or so is that people are always assuring me that something they tell me will restore my faith in humanity. I won't bother posting an example, because you absolutely know what I'm talking about, and we've done a few of them ourselves. There are also many people who assure me that they can destroy my faith in humanity. But actually ...
No matter what GIF you show me, no matter how many funeral selfies I see, my faith is unshakeable. That's the thing about faith. You have it even in the face of reason, and it is often strongest during times of darkness. If I have faith, despite being aware of humanity's shortcomings, my mind is certainly not going to be changed by this ...
... Partly because they're all works of fiction, but also because Oldboy was dope. If anything, this list would restore my faith in humanity, because look at what we're capable of: creating heart-wrenching, disturbing, thought-provoking films. That's pretty cool, humanity. Good job. Even though you don't always know how to do words great.
"Definitive" followed by "Might Possibly" (aka "Maybe Probs," aka "I Mean I Guess, I Don't Know, Yeah?"). Here we've used one of the most vaguely indecisive phrases coupled with one of the most aggressively decisive words. Why, Internet, are we using words in this way? Just call it "42 Armenian Stereotypes" and get it the fuck over with. It's like people don't know how to say what they may not even know they're trying to say.
Whether it's overabundantly adjectival, redundantly repetitive, or bizarrely and unnecessarily vague, talking this way makes you sound fucking stupid. I'm sorry, but this apology is sarcastic. I'm completely not sorry, because of things like ...
"The whole interview thing." Or, you know, "interviews." I can't tell if the person writing it is stupid, or if the person writing it just thinks we're all stupid.
Aaaand I still can't tell. I'll breeze through the part where I point out that it should be either "If you think ... you're wrong" or "If you thought ... you were wrong," and go straight to the part where this should have actually been called "If You Think Words and Images Haven't Been Used to Convey Complex Ideas for Thousands of Years, You're a Fucking Idiot and How Are You Even Reading This Right Now?"
When you post an article called "23 Problems Only Parents Will Understand", you really mean "23 Problems Parents Can Relate To," because I'm not a fucking two-year-old, and I easily understand how getting up at 6am to take your kid to soccer on a Saturday wouldn't be fun. Now, I know it seems like I'm nit-picking at this point, and you can think this entire article up to this point has basically just been one long Grammar Nazi rant, but I'm not correcting some dickhead's remark in a reblog of a Dr. Who GIF, or pointing out the errors in some Reddit comment thread. These are professional websites staffed by (I can only hope and assume) a lot of smart people. It's like no one even cares.
That's not made up. It's a real post. I've changed my mind. It's not like no one cares ...


text:
Cancer Treatment Centers of America: Revisiting the epitome of "integrative" cancer care
Three weeks ago, I mentioned in a post that the week of October 7 to 14 was declared by our very own United States Senate to be Naturopathic Medicine Week, which I declared unilaterally through my power as managing editor of Science-Based Medicine (for what that's worth) to be Quackery Week. One wonders where the Senate found the time to consider and vote for S.Res.221, which reads:
S.Res.221 – A resolution designating the week of October 7 through October 13, 2013, as "Naturopathic Medicine Week" to recognize the value of naturopathic medicine in providing safe, effective, and affordable health care.
I know, I know, it probably took all of five minutes to consider and vote for this, thanks to Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), who sponsored it. In any case, as October 7 approached, I thought about how I could keep my promise to blog about naturopathy this week, and I came up with a way to do it. It's a bit roundabout, but I think it fits. The idea derives from a discussion I was having a while back about one of my "favorite" hospitals, namely the Cancer Treatment Centers of America, in which a colleague of mine questioned why there were so many CTCA ads on NPR and why CTCA is sponsoring shows on PBS such as the upcoming The Emperor of All Maladies by Ken Burns. Although I can't wait to see this particular series, I am a bit worried that the infiltration of quackademic medicine will make an appearance, given that CTCA is a major sponsor. (more…)
Posted in: Cancer, Homeopathy, NaturopathyLeave a Comment (51) →


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Summer/Winter Programs
Summer/Winter Study Abroad Programs
Select the links below for more information on summer and winter study/intern abroad options:
- MU Programs
MU has partnership agreements with multiple international institutions located around the globe. These programs have been site visited and are based on longstanding institutional relationships. Several of these MU partner universities offer summer and/or winter program options. Students will work with a Program Coordinator from the Office of Global Education to guide them through the study abroad process.
- Non-MU Programs
Students who are interested in summer and/or winter programs other than those offered by Millersville's partners have the option to study abroad through a Non-MU program in almost any country. This option requires students to research programs that best suit their academic, personal, and financial needs.


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Foodservice chain operators and trade publication editors sampled Avocado Risotto, Avocado-Lime Tart, Grilled Avocado and Drunken Lobster Salad and Avocado Smoothies and other colorful specialties during the recent foodservice grove tour conducted by the California Avocado Commission (CAC). The tour, held at the height of the state's propagation and harvest cycle in late April, brought 20 operators and editors to San Diego County—home of the Avocado Highway and an annual festival ...
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Submit News
Goatse Security iPad Hacker Found Guilty, Faces up to Five Years in Prison
Jason Mick
November 21, 2012 2:42 PM
Recipient E-mail
Sender E-mail
Irreverent cyber "troll" may face hard prison time for his actions, continues to fight for his innocence
A New York security "researcher" faces the prospect of spending five years behind bars and being forced to pay up to $250,000, after a federal jury of his peers
found him guilty
of cybercrimes involving his 2010 exploitation a flaw in the security of iPad service provider AT&T. He allegedly used the flaw to
expose the email address of over 100,000 individuals
I. A Leaky Hole
The story began in June 2010. Apple, Inc. (
) had just released
the first generation iPad
, a tablet computer that transformed the form factor from overlooked to
in vogue
. And the service provider du jour for iPads with 3G data connectivity was AT&T, Inc. (
But AT&T's iPad support services had a relatively minor, but notable security flaw. AT&T's iPad-related servers ran a script that accepted an ICC-ID (
integrated circuit card identifiers
), an identifier unique to each device.
If sent a valid ICC-ID, the script served up the personal email of the subscriber associated with that device. AT&T had planned to use the feature to generate a slick AJAX-style response on its web applications for the iPad.
AT&T left a gaping hole in their iPad web scripts. [Image Source: DailyTech/Jason Mick]
But Andrew Auernheimer, Daniel Spitler, and other hackers with the profanely named "troll" hacker collective Goatse Security identified the vulnerability when they were probing AT&T's servers. They quickly wrote a so-called "data slurper" -- a script that performed a brute force attack, working through tables of ICC-IDs and recording the ones that received a response.
apologized for the breach
and took down the script, closing its hole.
II. Investigation, Trial Conclude in Guilty Verdict
But the damage was already done. Goatse Sec. had published its results to the blog site
, revealing parts of a data set that contained roughly
114,000 email addresses
. Among the high profile figures exposed were ABC News anchor Diane Sawyer, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, and current Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel.
Soon after the data loss
U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation
agents, investigating the incident, conducted a raid on the home Mr. Auernheimer who had moved from New York to a residence in Arkansas. Mr. Auernheimer, aka "weev" or "Escher Auernheimer" was arrested by federal agents on suspicion of computer crimes. Authorities also allegedly found
cocaine, LSD, and ecstasy
in his residence. Lawyers for Mr. Auernheimer contend that the raid was unnecessary and illegal. The security "researcher" has yet to face charges on the drugs found.
However, he
was charged
with one count of conspiracy to access servers without permission and one count of identity theft. These offenses -- spelled out in the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act of 1986 (
) -- carry a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 USD.
Goatse Security "researcher" Andrew Auernheimer was found guilty of two counts of computer crimes and may be sentenced to up to five years in prison, pending appeal. [Image Source: AP]
Mr. Auernheimer was charged in
U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey
, the location where his co-defendant (Daniel Spitler) was charged. Initially, federal authorities had planned to charge the two members separately, which would have resulted in a trial of Mr. Auernheimer in an Arkansas District Court. However, the case was eventually shuffled to the New Jersey District Court.
In June 2011, Mr. Spitler, aka "JacksonBrown"
pled guilty
to the two cybercrimes counts, in hopes of receiving a lighter sentence. He is currently awaiting sentencing.
Mr. Auernheimer has fought the charges, and the trial concluded this week with the jury finding Mr. Auernheimer guilty of both counts.
III. Appeal is Pending
The hacker's attorney, Tor Ekeland, disputes the verdict, arguing that the jury and judge misinterpreted the cybercrimes statute and the nature of Mr. Auernehimer's data grab. The hacker is currently free on bail. His attorney is appealing the case to the
3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals
in Philadelphia.
Mr. Auernheimer's attorney argues the guilty verdict is the result of technical ignorance on behalf of the jury. [Image Source: Steffie Keith/Flickr]
A Goatse Sec. spokesperson in a previous interview with
defended the disclosure and data grab, emphasizing that Goatse Sec. researchers did not try to profit off the emails they grabbed. The spokesperson writes:
While plenty of jokes about selling the list to Chinese spammers or using it to screw with the stock market circulated #gnaa, the truth of the matter is that disclosing this vulnerability let customers know how their data was being mishandled. As it was widely reported, the data was only released to Gawker to provide proof of the vulnerability. Considering the circumstances, it was the most ethical thing they could do.
The spokesperson, like Mr. Auernheimer's attorney, chalks the possibility of a conviction up to technical ignorance on behalf of the jury, remarking:
As for the "hacking" itself, describing the activities of GoatSec as "hacking" or "unauthorized entry" is a gross overstatement and dramatization. If you examine what actually took place, it was simply enumerating account IDs by using the API exactly as it was designed. There was no authentication to bypass, no warnings about prohibiting access or anything else of the sort. The only hope the DOJ has of prosecuting them is based on the likely technical ignorance of the jury, sad to say.
You can read my full interview with the Goatse Sec. spokesperson
"Folks that want porn can buy an Android phone." -- Steve Jobs
Related Articles
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July 29, 2011, 12:16 AM
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January 19, 2011, 6:42 AM
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January 18, 2011, 10:31 AM
Goatse Security Researcher Arrested After FBI Raid Reveals Blow, X
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One woman recently drew question marks about a park fee, a fire fee and a waste administration fee she found on her utility bill.
She said she should have the right to delete the total of those fees, $4.50, from her bill.
"I'm not going to pay a bill if I don't know what it's for," the woman said. "I'm refusing to pay that portion."
Another resident had the same questions.
"Park fee, $1," the man asked. "A fire fee, $1."
"They reduced the number of trash pickups from twice a week to once a week and raised the fees," the southside resident said.
That resident complained that $327.42 already is going to the city every year in his property taxes. "For what?" he asked. "I feel like I'm being taxed twice!"
"I just think that the fire fee, the park fee and the waste administration fee is something I've already paid," he said.
"I just want to know what I'm paying and if I'm paying more than once," the resident complained.
"I would like to know what authority they have," the woman who is refusing to pay the unexplained portion of her bill said.
"I've paid my water bill. They can't cut me off," she said.
The woman said she called City Hall to find out about the new charges and the employees at the front desk where the utility bills are collected said they knew nothing about the new charges.
"This is my third bill," she said. She also said that a call to the city manager did not help.
Deborah Ballí, city manager, was in a meeting when she asked to speak to her.
Ballí provided some answers this week. She said the City Council approved the new fees last October during its budget review procedure.
The fees were supposed to take effect in January but the city had some problems implementing them in its computer system. Ballí said the city began charging them in March. It is possible that some residents forgot that the new fees were coming.
The park fee is designed to create a pool of funds that the city can use to provide additional amenities in some of the neighborhood parks. She said residents who use the smaller parks in the city have asked for improvements like volleyball courts and playground equipment.
Creating a fee and a dedicated account for those projects will allow the city to provide those amenities as the funds are accumulated.
The fire fee is similar to the park fee, only that fund will be used to replace deteriorating equipment that the Beeville Volunteer Fire Department needs.
Ballí said an example would be the air bags that local firefighters use to lift heavy objects off victims in accidents and fires.
The special bags can be inflated with air compressors installed on some of the BVFD's vehicles. They can lift entire walls that may have collapsed during fires.
The bags the department has used for years simply gave out, Ballí said.
The waste administration fee is necessary for the city to pay the costs of preparing, mailing and collecting utility bills.
"The city is only a pass through entity for Republic Services," Ballí said. That is the Corpus Christi company that collects and disposes of solid wastes here.
"The city makes very little money off that," Ballí said. The administrative fee will allow the city not only to recoup its costs, but it will help the city to pay the costs of implementing a new billing system.
Ballí said the city will quit using the small card bills it currently uses and will go to a full-size statement. That means the city will need to invest in some additional equipment to print and fold the statements.
Money raised from the waste management fee will help pay those costs.
Also, not everyone is seeing an increase in the monthly bill from the city.
The base rates for water and sewer service have been reduced to offset the new fees for senior citizens. In most cases, utility customers over the age of 65 have experienced a reduction in their monthly utility bills.
Gary Kent is a reporter at the Bee-Picayune and can be reached at 358-2550, ext. 120, or at firstname.lastname@example.com.