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The 12 in '12 series celebrates the fact that the London 2012 Olympic Games are just two years away. The series previews 12 athletes who have proven themselves as true competitors in past Games and look to win medals for Team USA in London. The sixth part of the series features silver and bronze medalist water polo player from Sydney, Athens and Beijing, Brenda Villa.
Two Olympic silver medals. One Olympic bronze medal. FINA player of the decade.
Water polo superstar Brenda Villa has played in every Olympic Games since women's water polo was added to the Olympic Program in 2000. She helped the U.S. team win three Olympic medals and countless other international titles. The one thing missing from her resume is that elusive Olympic gold medal. In what she said will be her last Games, Villa hopes to help Team USA bring home the gold in London.
One of the Guys
Before Brenda Villa was born, her parents, Rosario and Ines, moved from their hometown of Tecalitlan, Mexico, to Commerce, Calif., in search of a better life.
When Villa was 6, she began swimming competitively and two years later, she followed in the footsteps of her brother, Edgar, and started playing water polo.
"I did swimming and water polo simultaneously, and I just had more fun playing a team sport," Villa said. "I think water polo really called to me because when I was 10-and-under, I was just as good as the boys, if not better. I was just as big, probably bigger than most of them. So it was fun to really be an equal in the water for them."
Villa went to Bell Gardens High School and wanted to continue competing there, but the school did not have a girls' water polo team. But that was not a problem for headstrong Villa, who played on the boys' team instead.
"I grew up playing with boys," Villa said. "I went into high school and most of my teammates were my teammates from forever, so it was easy to play with them. It wasn't always comfortable to play against other boys, who didn't play with girls. There were a lot of egos on their part, and pushes and shoves."
The ignorance and superiority complexes Villa experienced from her competitors turned out to be beneficial.
"It made me a better player," Villa said. "Because at that point they had gone through puberty and were so much stronger than I was, and I needed to be smarter.''
Water polo was first played in 1900 at the Games of the II Olympiad in Paris and for the next century water polo would remain in the Games, but only for men.
When Sydney was awarded the 2000 Olympic Games, the women's water polo teams from Australia, Canada, Netherlands and United States fought hard to get women's water polo added to the program. It has been reported that Australia's teammates even greeted members of the International Olympic Committee in nothing but their swimsuits at the airport during a pre-Olympic visit.
Women's water polo was eventually added for the 2000 Olympic Games. Villa remembers that moment vividly and how greatly Olympic status helped her sport.
"After that there were more college programs and more scholarships," Villa said. "That was the time that I was entering college, so before then I don't think I realized what a big deal it was. Once it did happen I was like, 'Wow, I can't believe that it happened a hundred years after the men,' and then I really saw everything that it took to get women's water polo into the Olympic Program."
Villa, who turned 20 in 2000, was determined to make it to Sydney and become one of the first 13 American women to compete in water polo at the Olympic Games.
"No spots are ever secure," Villa said. "But just the opportunity to compete to be a part of history was something that was really cool."
Guy Baker was head coach of the Senior National Team from 1998-2008 and has been Director of Olympic Development since then, and has worked closely with Villa now for more than a decade.
Baker said the two did not get off to a great start. Villa did not care for training and if she had it her way, would have played scrimmage games all the time. Eventually, Baker was able to recognize Villa's abilities as a player and with his help she developed and matured into a better player.
The U.S. team was a true underdog in Sydney and was not even expected to qualify for the Games, let alone have a shot at a medal. Baker said those Games turned into a magical ride for the team.
"We were the last team to qualify for Olympic Games," Baker said. "We had to fight hard to qualify and we improved a lot in the year to be in a position to win a gold medal. That was pretty amazing."
The gold-medal game was between Team USA and the golden favorite, host country Australia. "That was unbelievable just because no one expected us to even medal," Villa said. "And here we are in the final game against Australia in probably the biggest game in history. I don't think there's ever been a women's game that's had that many spectators, before then and after that. It was a crazy game, but very fitting for it being the first one ever, for women."
The final score of the game was 4-3. Australia's Yvette Higgins had scored the final goal with only 1.2 seconds remaining.
Two More Attempts at Gold
Villa used that experience she gained in Sydney and built on it for the next two Olympic Games.
"She's a great passer and she's always shot well, but she has a great vision and a great feel for the game," Baker said. "With her it's all about game awareness and her intelligence. That part separates her."
Villa was an essential part of the team that won gold at the 2003 FINA World Water Polo Championship, an event that is held every two years. This win made Team USA the gold-medal favorites at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games.
After winning two of its three preliminary games in Athens, the U.S. suffered a devastating loss to Italy in the semifinals. The team had lost any hope of grabbing gold and would go on to the bronze-medal game, where it succeeded in defeating Australia, 6-5.
"That was a special medal for us," Baker said. "We had to regroup and come back to beat Australia, so that group I look at real proudly because it was tough coming back but we had to dig deep and we did a good job to make sure we left that Olympic Games with a medal."
Following the Olympic Games in Athens, Villa and her teammates earned a silver medal at the 2005 FINA World Water Polo Championship. In 2006, they had their most disappointing season to date when they finished in fourth place at the FINA Water Polo World Cup, which takes place every four years.
The group rallied back the following year and resumed its place as gold medalists at the 2007 FINA World Water Polo Championship.
Of course this meant Team USA once again was the gold-medal favorite for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, and after its bronze and silver, the team was thirsty for gold. Villa was selected as team captain for those Games and a decade after initially meeting her Baker had full confidence that she was ready to fulfill that role.
"You can be on the national team and have good leadership and experience,'' Baker said, "but to be a captain I think you've got to have a sense of what your teammates are doing and you've gotta have a sense of what the coaches want and how they want it. I don't think at that stage that Brenda was able to do that (in Sydney).
"But she grew and developed. She's the veteran of the team and she has the most experience. She's definitely a leader now and she's really, really good in that leadership role."
Once again, Team USA won two of its three preliminary games, tying with Italy in the other. Villa and her teammates were up against Australia for their semifinal game. And just like the women did in Athens, they came out on top with a 9-8 victory over the Aussies, and moved on to the gold-medal game against the Netherlands.
Baker said the Beijing Games will be the most memorable for USA Water Polo, but not for the reason he would like.
"Beijing's probably the toughest of all of them," Baker said. "It was a great Olympic Games and the team did well, but we got upset by Netherlands in the final. So that'll be the Olympic Games that's gonna stick with us more as far as not quite accomplishing what we wanted.''
Regardless of another failed attempt at Olympic gold, Villa's immigrant parents could not have been more proud of her accomplishments at that point and the way their daughter had represented Team USA.
"I don't think they ever expected their daughter to be a three-time Olympian," Villa said. "But they've gone with it. They had no clue what the sport was, they just wanted their kids to learn to swim. They're probably the biggest water polo fans now. It's awesome to see my mom waving the American flag at an Olympics, or being so gung-ho and patriotic.''
Retirement? Not Quite Yet
Entering the London Olympic Games, expectations once again are high for Team USA. "The great thing about the women's program is there could be some disappointment about winning a medal," Baker laughed.
"It's a high standard and it's a high bar, but I feel proud that we've created that."
Although much of the international water polo world thought (and hoped) Villa would retire after Athens, she proved everyone wrong then by captaining the Beijing team four years later. And once again, after the 2008 Games, Villa decided she was not ready to retire yet.
She continued as captain in the 2009 season, fueled by the burning desire to finally win an Olympic gold. It was a desire that helped the team to succeed last year, as she and Heather Petri became the only two women in the world to be three-time World Champions, when Team USA won the 2009 FINA World Water Polo Championship.
This season, the U.S. proved it had no thoughts of backing down when the women won the 2010 FINA World League Super Final by defeating Australia, 12-11. This was the fifth win in seven years at this tournament for the team, and Villa as well.
World League Super Final was especially exciting for Villa, who was chosen as Most Valuable Player by the opposing coaches. Just a few months before that tournament, she received what some would consider the highest honor in her sport when FINA Aquatics World Magazine named her the female water polo player of the decade. At 30, Villa still manages to be at the top of her game.
"Everybody's been trying to get Brenda retired since Athens and she's kept playing after Athens," Baker said. "She did a great job in Beijing and she's still playing at a great level and like I said, her biggest strengths are her intelligence and what she does. And the smart players are usually the ones who play for a long time and keep going. There's no one out there that knows the game better than Brenda, so it'll be interesting to see how much longer she keeps going."
But ask Villa and she knows exactly when she plans to retire: after the London 2012 Olympic Games.
"Definitely!'' she said. "After two more years, I feel like I need to do other stuff, give back, be married, have kids."
Villa has already started giving back to the water polo community. Last month she accepted a job as head coach of the water polo team at Castilleja, a school for girls ages 6-12 in Palo Alto, Calif.
Just what was Baker's reaction to seeing his student become a master?
"Welcome to the dark side,'' Baker said. "I would actually pay money to get in the pool and have her coach me. I have a few things I'd like to pay her back for. There's no way that I thought back in Sydney that Brenda would be anywhere close to being a coach on a pool deck. It's gonna be fun to watch."
Villa will continue to play with the Women's National Team while she coaches and has her eyes set on redemption at its next big tournament: 2010 FINA Women's Water Polo World Cup, Aug. 17-22, in Christchurch, New Zealand.
"That's my focus," Villa said. "The last time we played in the World Cup [2006], we got fourth. And that was a big wakeup call for us. We knew that that would be unacceptable for us and not up to our standards, not to win a medal. The next year, we came back and won a World title in Australia. For me, it's just one step at a time, one summer at a time. And yes, London is in my head, but I'm not letting it dominate my thoughts for now."
As far as London is concerned, Villa said winning a gold medal is "the ultimate," but if Team USA misses out on the gold once again it would not take away from the team's accomplishments.
"They always make it all about the gold medal," Villa said. "But we just need to get away from that and focus on playing water polo. In Beijing, that's how it was and we accepted it. We were going in as the number one team, but sometimes you've got to pretend you're the underdogs."
In spite of which color hardware the team comes home with next time, Villa hopes the nation supports her and her teammates and enjoys watching how much fun they have together.
"They will see a great group of women leaving their hearts in the pool, playing the sport that they love,'' Villa said.
Complete 12 in '12 Series:


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It's not a question of whether you'll face trials. It's just a matter of when. It could be that even today you're discouraged as you struggle uphill, with more mountain ahead of you than behind, wondering when things will get easier.
Take heart. No matter what you're facing today, or what you may have to face tomorrow, if you belong to God you can be confident there's a powerful purpose in your pain. An illness, unemployment, a fractured relationship—even the death of a loved one—happens for specific reasons, all wrapped up in God's sovereign, loving, nurturing embrace.
In Benefiting from Life's Trials, John MacArthur helps you understand why a loving God allows bad things to happen, and how you can know real joy—and grow through the struggle—even in your darkest days.
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Here you will find listings for diabetes support groups, diabetes camps and diabetic friendly products and services.
All you have to do is input your zip code into the advanced search to find a support group in your area. If using the Distance Search ONLY enter ZIP CODE.
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Bitters-Making Kit
- Summary
Bitters are an essential ingredient for converting cocktails from workaday to wonderful, adding complexity and depth of flavor. We've partnered with New York artisan distillery Dutch's Spirits to create this kit that includes everything you need to make two types of craft bitters at home. Just follow the directions and in 15 days you'll be rewarded with an aromatic infusion to enhance your own cocktails. You can also use the tools and your creativity to branch out and make endless variations.
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NEMAH brings relief to delinquent property tax owners
ROGERS CITY – Presque Isle County residents who are behind on their property taxes may have a reprieve.
Step Forward Michigan now has a loan rescue property tax assistance program, and Northeast Michigan Affordable Housing can help those who qualify apply for them. Micki Hurren, NEMAH housing counselor and foreclosure specialist, said it's aimed at homeowners who have suffered a financial setback.
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While another Michigan's Hardest Hit Funds program helped homeowners late on their mortgages, the program was expanded effective Jan. 15 to those who are behind on their property taxes as well, Hurren said.
The program is federally funded and administered through the Michigan State Housing Development Authority, according to the organization website. Homeowners can get a maximum of $30,000 in assistance.
The program is for people who are behind due to temporary or involuntary hardships, Hurren said. Examples are medical conditions, or falling behind due to a death in the family. Others are divorce and job loss, according to the program website.
Those seeking the funds can get them only for a primary residence, Hurren said. Homeowners can only get help from one Michigan's Hardest Hit program, among other restrictions listed on Step Forward Michigan's website. Other restrictions state the house must not be condemned or abandoned, and rental properties are only eligible if they have four units or less and the owner makes it their primary residence.
Homeowners get assistance through an interest-free, forgivable loan, Hurren said. They must remain in the home for five years, after which anything still owed is forgiven. The amount owed goes down by 20 percent each year, and if the homeowner leaves the house before the five-year period ends, they must repay whatever remains.
To apply through NEMAH, call their Rogers City office at 734-4822, Hurren said. Applications are available online at www.stepforwardmichigan.org or by calling 1-866-946-7432.
The program helps participating counties by saving the cost of going through the forfeiture process, Hurren said. It also saves them from being stuck with the tax-foreclosed homes in a sluggish real estate market.
Presque Isle County has to borrow against any unpaid property taxes, so the program could help the county recoup some of those funds, Treasurer Bridget LaLonde said.
Cheryl Franks, Alcona County Treasurer, said her office is looking into participating with the program in the future. Montmorency County Treasurer Karen Weiland-Tyler said her office will be getting more information as well today from a seminar. Alpena County does not participate in the program at this time, Treasurer Kim Ludlow said.
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"If they want to discuss it, we're open to the discussion," said Darek Braunecker, Lee's agent. "That ball's in their court, in that regard."
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd ... Id=rss_cle
With that in mind, this opens up some discussion. Do you actually negotiate an extension coming off a career year that he will probably never repeat? Which Cliff Lee are we most likely to see, '05 and '08 or '06 and '07? Are we sold on him being an ace of this staff, and will he settle for a 4 year deal at age 32?


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32Flags.com is a Professional Soccer fan web site and is in no way affiliated with any Professional Soccer League, or any of its Teams, Organizations, or Properties. This site is for informational and entertainment purposes only. 32Flags.com is not an official web site for any Professional Soccer league or organization.
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Overcast ~
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Thursday, Jan. 19, 2017
eBay Chatter - Feedback changes, etc.Posted Saturday, February 2, 2008, at 7:55 AM
Part of the changes that were announced this week involved how feedback is given, how it is valued and how it will benefit both sellers and buyers. As with most changes, there are pro's and con's but overall, my opinion is that they are positive.
For the full release go to http://pages.ebay.com/sell/update08/rewa...
The high points to me are that buyers will no longer be able to GET negative feedback. The reason? Too many sellers were abusing the system by holding the buyer's feedback as hostage until they received a positive from the buyer. I sometimes get disagreement in my classes when I say that feedback is due when the customer pays. It is no longer an option. The seller either leaves no feedback or it must be a positive.
I used buyer feedback infrequently, so it will not make a big difference to me, but it does cause some to be concerned that buyers will now mis-use their position, but time will tell. We do not ship until the buyer's payment clears, so.....
How feedback is counted has been changed and the time period used to calculate percentage rating. It is 12 months, so those who got off to a rocky start can look forward to improving their rating. The feedback comment will stay, just the percentage calculation will change.
There will be added benefits for sellers who maintain high scores. Their listing will have higher priority in the search process, so they will be seen by the buyer before lower rated sellers.
There are also discounts to sellers who have high DSR ratings (Detailed Seller Ratings) and are Power Sellers. I was never too concerned if we were a Power Seller or not, but with discounts up to 15% of selling fees, I will work a little harder to maintain it.
eBay Live will be in Chicago this year on June 19-21 at McCormick place. Hotels are expensive in the downtown area but Chicago has a decent Transit system so you can stay further out and still get in without too much trouble. Boston was a mess last year. Southwest Airlines has advanced tickets down around $90 round-trip on the internet. Here is a discussion board where you can get the details as well as follow chat about the conference. http://forums.ebay.com/thread.jspa?forum...
Showing comments in chronological order
[Show most recent comments first]
We do not ship until the buyer's payment clears, so.....
Good luck with that, seeing how paypal is now allowed to HOLD YOUR FUNDS FOR 21 DAYS... Of course that's only if you fall into that "5% dissatisfied customer catagory". Which of course will be very,very easy now due to buyers ALREADY STARTING to threaten negative feedback for the sellers.
The other side to look at is, as a buyer, you are simply buying ONE ITEM from a seller. Buy your item and move on. A buyer is not as protective to his/her feedback as a seller. Sellers on ebay, sell because it's HOW THEY MAKE A LIVING. It's extremely important to them to protect their livelyhood. Just a thought.
-- Posted by danachris on Sat, Feb 2, 2008, at 1:57 PM
It is important to protect their livelyhood and eBay feels that this will encourage even better customer service to do just that. We are very protective of our 100% not only because we are a seller but also an Education Specialist.
Apparently eBay has seen numbers that say the buyers are dissatisfied with the way we sellers have been conducting ourselves. From what we have seen and experienced with our students, I tend to agree.
PayPal has always reserved the right to hold money in the case of a claim. We have had them do that twice over the years, but it has always been resolved to our satisfaction. We just have to cross out t's and dot our i's to make sure we have done it PayPal's way. At least so far, that has worked well.
Grant you, the first time it happened, it was like a cold bucket of water. Luckily it was always small dollar and not one of our thousand dollar items. That would make a MUCH bigger impact.
If a seller has 5% or more dissatisfied buyers, there IS a problem somewhere. That tells PayPal that there is more chance of a claim and they are going to protect the buyer first.
Some categories seem to have more issues. Electronics, jewelry and clothing comes to mind. There are many new buyers who do not understand the system and more sellers who are less than reputable. It is a mix just right for disputes.
eBay encourages us to notify them of buyers who threaten negatives in order to gain better pricing or other concessions. Save your correspondence for future proof.
-- Posted by stevemills on Sat, Feb 2, 2008, at 4:22 PM
I bought a laptop about 2 weeks ago, the seller, stated it was a T42P. Excellent Shape, with a bad hard drive. I recieved it, NONE, the corner was cracked, it had the incorrect cpu, wrong amount of ram.
I was ticked. I filed a claim after he wouldn't even say sorry. He then emailed me saying there was nothing I could do and to cancel the dispute. I replied, "The account I used was my personal account, my main account has over 400 feedback at 100%. I have used ebay and paypal for over 7 years and I know how to get my money after getting screwed. Have a nice day and remember, you can always resolve this sooner or I can just make sure that hold goes on indefinately."
-- Posted by Evil Monkey on Sat, Feb 2, 2008, at 6:37 PM
I've been selling constantly for the past 9 1/2 years on ebay. In all that time I amassed plenty of return customers and have a perfect feedback record. That will change now. You see, I never gave feedback first - and that's because I wanted NO surprises. I guarranty my items 100 percent and have given plenty of refunds including shipping. I've bent over backwards to satisfy these customers so that they would return again and again and feel comfortable dealing with me. That will all be gone now because we all know there are bad sellers AND there are equally bad buyers. Honest sellers, like myself, will be punished along with the bad. To that end, I've closed my ebay store. My items are down to only 9 from the usual 50+. I've opened stores on Blujay, ePier, Etsy, eCrater and beefed up advertsing to my own website. This is not rare - this has been going on for awhile now among most sellers. They have seen the writing on the wall and so they are diversifying and becoming less and less dependent on ebay. As they leave, buyer traffic drops because 1) most sellers are also buyers and 2) many buyers will follow their favorite sellers. Instead of just looking at the surface of this problem - which is what I see you doing...get down in the trenches with us sellers - the ones who bend over backwards trying to satisfy customers...then give us an honest assessment of your thoughts!
-- Posted by Patricia013 on Sat, Feb 2, 2008, at 10:52 PM
EM, I hope you not only get you money back but hopefully shut down a seller like you described. There should be no tolerance for that.
Patricia, First let me say that we have sold over 2600 items on eBay, so I would think I qualify as a seller, "in the trenches with us sellers". We have a 100% feedback and always given our feedback FIRST!
You sound emotional about this so I will not beat this to death, but AS A SELLER we see issues with this, but overall nothing that is going to make us close our accounts.
We certainly agree that it is not good to put all your business in one marketing effort, and mentioned some of our efforts in other posts. Thank you for the other sites to research.
I am not sure what you mean by looking at the surface. By no means was this post intended to cover all the aspects of the changes. That is why we listed the links for other to look at and decide for themselves.
Again as a seller, this is my 'honest' thoughts. Even though I am an Education Specialist, it does not mean that I always agree with eBay or that I am required to talk the company line.
I have been in business for over 36 years and eBay expenses are minimal compared to doing this through a brick and mortar store. However, if you see no value in the eBay trading platform, I understand the action you have taken. It still has too much value for sales, internet search benefits and my marketing efforts for me to walk away.
-- Posted by stevemills on Sun, Feb 3, 2008, at 5:48 PM
Not yet, it is still in the process with paypal. Only $316.00, but it was the principle of his poor sales.
-- Posted by Evil Monkey on Sun, Feb 3, 2008, at 10:57 PM
Apparently you sell as a hobby - I cannot believe you depend on sales from ebay or anywhere else. I've been selling for 9 1/2 years constantly on ebay. I've gone thru price changes and took it because that's business. I've gone thru site changes - so be it...but now they are manipulating sellers like sheep! Yes, I'm emotional about it. I'm a retired woman who makes everything I sell online. Still, I've managed to accumulate almost 3,500 perfect feedbacks. I have good customers and a small following. The problem is not my customers - it is not even the majority of buyers on ebay...it IS that one nutcase that comes along and looks for something for nothing. In giving feedback last, I've run across some of them - even ate a LOT of money by giving refunds. I won't have that opportunity if my feedback power is taken from me. You don't seem to understand the whole crux of the problem...its not the raise in fees - its the fact that ebay is taking away a seller's ability to give a neg when a neg is due! If they want to weed out bad sellers as they say then why aren't they going by the rating system THEY instituted? Why the DSRs and why now take away the ability to give earned negatives to a buyer? THAT is the crux of the problem and it is why so many people are up in arms and why its not about to calm down anytime soon. I am just wondering what ebay will do to try to get the next quarter looking good because its very obvious that people are closing stores and cutting down on listings just like I am. They are all out looking elsewhere. I'm sure they'll cool off and come back but in the meantime it has got to hurt ebay's revenue. Even the sellers who don't sell much are going to be in for a terrible shock when Paypal holds their money for 21 days. One hard and fast rule I've always had as a seller - nothing leaves here that isn't paid for!
-- Posted by Patricia013 on Sun, Feb 3, 2008, at 11:14 PM
Patricia, I understand your being upset about the inability to leave neutral or negative feedback for a customer who has earned it. That was one of my first questions to eBay University. I agree that this opens the possibility for buyers to abuse their position, but it will adjust and as I mentioned, we always give feedback first and have not had a problem. To my knowledge, we are still able to respond to their negative or neutral.
After working so hard, that first negative burns like a hot iron. We had one that was given to us by a person who did not know how to use the e-mail system and wanted to let us know that they had not received the item. THAT certainly got our attention, but we had tracking that showed it was delivered. As you can probably guess, it did not matter to them.
Their first reaction was one of distrust and that we were sticking them. You can also guess what we had to do to get it withdrawn, but we did because we believe she really did not get the product AND we wanted our 100% back.
At the time we had insurance as 'optional', but now we make it a requirement unless they send us an e-mail specifically asking us to remove it AND the item is under $10.00. We want to be reasonable, but we can not take the hit for the delivery service either not really delivering or the item was left outside where someone could steal it.
What type of products to you sell? There are some categories that seem to have more problems arise. Some of our best Education Specialists, who have feedback above 6,000, still have a negative or two from customers who I refer to as 'angry folks'. They suspect the worst right away and are quick to throw out the negative. That was even before this new system.
Evil Monkey has an lousy seller and is one reason we have 'angry buyers'. But does that not occur in person as well? I know I have been upset when I bought a defective product and returned it within hours of the purchase to hear, "That will have to go back to the manufacturer", or sorry we don't accept returns on that item. Even though it is local, we still have little recourse, unless we go by 'wild west' rules. Hmmmm.
While I would not call our eBay sales a hobby, we are not dependent on that income alone as you appear to be. As far as sales elsewhere, that is what I do, I sell products and services worldwide.
Unless you have very strong sales avenues outside eBay, I would not pull away until they are developed. eBay is still one of the major platforms searched by search engines. I use it to pull business to other sites, and promote services, in addition to making sales.
I too am concerned about the statement" In a small number of cases (fewer than 5% of all payments on eBay), PayPal will hold payment funds until either the buyer has left positive Feedback or 21 days have passed without a claim." I have put in questions on boards as well as contacted PayPal directly to understand how this will be administered. I will let you know when I find out, but if you find out before then, please let us know here.
One weak aspect of eBay is their communications, but PayPal is usually better, so I hope to get answers. I agree that if they are holding funds, then I will not release product either. Therefore, how can a customer leave a positive, if we have not sent their product? Something is missing in their brief description and I will work to find out what it is.
EM, I agree, any amount would drive me crazy with that kind of customer service. It is not just the $316 but also the lack of use or resale deprived by the misrepresented product.
-- Posted by stevemills on Mon, Feb 4, 2008, at 6:28 AM
Patricia, From reading more details about PayPal withholding payment http://pages.ebay.com/sell/update08/rewa...
I don't see how this will affect you much, if ever. Your feedback rating and customer satisfaction should insulate you from this type of action.
Please re-consider leaving the eBay fold.
Bad buyers who abuse the system will be removed from eBay, and when they are removed, so is there feedback. A violated seller will regain their original rating.
-- Posted by stevemills on Mon, Feb 4, 2008, at 9:21 AM
Please read the first two posts here if you are concerned with the feedback change. http://feeds.feedburner.com/ebaychatter
-- Posted by stevemills on Mon, Feb 4, 2008, at 4:50 PM
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Steve Mills and his wife have one daughter. They previously owned two coffee/ice cream shops, currently operate an internet sales company and teach classes, but his primary job involves the paper industry worldwide. Hobbies and interests lie in gardening, photography, recorded music and of course, their pets.
Hot topicsHas every presidency been judged like Trump's, before it ever starts?
(89 ~ 10:25 PM, Jan 18)
Calling all people who like to fish.
If you have a creative bone, believe in recycling, repurposing and need a good read
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Daylight is growing once again!


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CORE Pilates on Tower Trainer DVD
Product Information:
Dig deeper and push harder with the CORE® Pilates on Tower Trainer DVD. This exercise DVD utilizes the new Tower Trainer™ for that extra push in a versatile workout. Develop your core and gain stability and flexibility through this intense workout DVD that utilizes biomechanical principles of STOTT PILATES® and promotes an exercise system that improves strength, flexibility and endurance.
- Pilates on Tower Trainer DVD
- Increases strength, flexibility and coordination
- Shape a stronger, more coordinated athlete
- Helps prevent sports injuries
- Increases energy and improves strength
- Model: DV-81255
Country of Origin: CanadaWeb ID: 13342283


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Welcome to the Plant Art Gallery. This
collection is original artwork from members of the department. The goal is
to create or capture the wonderful world of plants as art and have a
creative outlet for our students, staff and faculty. You'll find this
artwork hung on the department's hallway walls. A competition is held each
year with the public voting on selected entries at Purdue's annual
SpringFest in April.


text: Tired of always having to comb and maintain your hair? If you can pull it off why not chop it all off. Amber Rose paved the road for ladies around the globe with natural beauty to just shave their hair off and still feel sexy and attractive. This cut doesn't suit everyone but does look amazing on a women with beautiful facial features and a crazy sense of fashion.


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Here's how RW members rated this race in the past (72 votes).
In short: Tough Hills but got a PBIn full: Great Local race, Didnt do last years race, but from the sounds of it, as improved a lot with no viewable bottle necks and better organization.Beat my personal best by 1 min 47 sec. Will run in 2008.Date of review: May 20, 2007
In short: good race bar the fiasco at the end, couldn't face waiting anymore for the free doughnut I was looking forward to!Date of review: May 24, 2006
In short: Chaos at the start, middle, and finishIn full: Very poor organisation, started by having to push your way through a crash barrier, what with the confusing KM markers and the number of bottle necks meant you were never quite sure how far you had travelled. Can someone tell the man with the hose pipe that spraying water in your face is really not required at the one and only drinks station as we were already wet enough thank you.As for the finish, tip for next year bring your own watch because thats the only way you'll know your correct finishing time. Didnt bother to queue for the donought as it felt like I'm mght have ended up in the line for the portaloo. All that said really enjoyed it...must be a sadist at heart.Date of review: May 23, 2006
In short: Unfortunate weather throughout, not helped at all by the poor organisation and the difficult routeDate of review: May 22, 2006
In short: Spoilt by bottlenecks and amateur organisationIn full: My first event and one that I hope is not indicative of 10k events. Would have appreciated at least another water station - if the weather had been sunny it would have been desperate. The finish was particularly shambolic with runners getting mixed up making a nonsense of their final positions. Then a queue before marshalls entering runner numbers into a computer that was unprotected from the rain - inevitably things went wrong! Finally a complimentary fruit or isotonic drink might have been better than a doughnut. Boy did that sit heavily. If these kind of events are supposed to inspire young athletes for 2012 then we're doomed. Or do I just expect too much?Date of review: May 22, 2006
In short: Shambolic start and finish.Date of review: May 22, 2006
In short: Narrow and twisty.In full: Narrow course with quite a few bottlenecks. Need to be right up front if you want any chance of a PB. Poor organisation at the start/finish meant a slow start and for some people a VERY slow finish (having to que BEFORE crossing the finish!). Good value for money and good atmosphere. Shame about the weather!Date of review: May 22, 2006
In short: UnbelievableDate of review: May 22, 2006
In short: The organisation at the finish was dreadful, not very professional at all. Date of review: May 22, 2006
In short: All good. Probs at the end perhaps due to it getting bigger and bigger?In full: Maybe better next time to work out a start/finish in Ally park somewhere (more room).And get a decent PA!Date of review: May 22, 2006
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text:
Thursday, January 5, 2012 - Story by Don Hearn | Photos by BadmintonPhoto
Jan O. Jorgensen's career has been on a roller coaster ever since he moved into the first tier of international men's singles badminton in the bottom half of 2009.
He has been to world #8 and back and he is no stranger to the top of a Superseries podium, either. But recently, his track has entered a tunnel, as he puts it, and he now feels he has come to the end of it.
In the second round of the 2012 Victor Korea Open, an OSIM BWF World Superseries Premier event, he came back from a game down to score his second ever win over China's Chen Jin (pictured left).
The first time Jorgensen got the best of Chen was in the semi-final of the 2009 China Open when Chen was obviously bothered by a thigh injury late in the match.
"He started to do something with his toe as well this time," said Jorgensen afterward, but the Dane denied that this took anything away from his accomplishment.
"This was a hard-fought win. I just kept to the plan, playing him around the court. My coaches kept telling me physically I was in better condition and to just keep doing what I was doing and it would work out.
"The physical aspect of my game is one of my big strengths but to believe that from the beginning is very difficult, mentally, to do against the Chinese because you know you have to play at least an hour and ten to beat them.
"I could see that in the second game. You believe in yourself when you see that he's struggling more than you."
With this promising win coming after his second Copenhagen Masters title last week, Jorgensen is making a promising start to 2012 after a year that did not see him in one semi-final past the International Challenge level.
"At the beginning of 2011, I had a toe injury. I was struggling with that for a while. Then I got going for the early summer tournaments and had a second and first round against Lin Dan and Chen Long. You have to get the draws, too, when you're not seeded. I was feeling good but then had to get out and play against two of the top players in the game.
"Then I got the hamstring injury just before the Worlds. A tough summer – my mom died as well, just before the Worlds.
"Many things have happened in 2011 – a bad year! - many bad things, both personally and professionally.
"It gives you a kind of a tough skin. You have to break down and I think that's where I am now, I'm reaching the end of the tunnel."
Jorgensen is now just over 5000 points out of the crucial top 16 where he needs to be to qualify for the Olympics. He is actually third amongst Danes in Olympic qualification points but his total comes from only 8 tournaments.
"This win means a lot. When you're down there in the 20 to 15 range, a quarter-final at a Superseries can really help a lot.
"I'm pretty confident that I will be in the top 16. I know I have the game, I just need to get the right draws - that's very important – and when you get a chance like this, you have to take it.
"I think I have been pretty good at that. Going into Japan and China, I was in really bad form - I hadn't trained at all - and I reached the quarter-finals. I'm good at performing when I have to.
"Now I have to get something to eat and get my body going again because that was a really tough game. And I think I'll ask my coach who I'm playing next and we'll take it from there."
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Should i get a dynasty stryker or a stryker raider?
Started by blackraven700, Nov 28 2011 07:47 PM
2 replies to this topic
Posted 28 November 2011 - 07:47 PM
Spyder Pilot F/S
Put this in your sig if you have never played a game of paintball in your life.
Posted 29 November 2011 - 07:58 PM
very good question kwissy kwis kwis, i would get the dynasty beacause of its smooth shot
Ever seen a sharks eyes before, chief?
Posted 01 December 2011 - 10:08 PM
Get the cybrid
Techpbs #1 furry was here....
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February 14 - 17, 2006 WIC Update
SUBJECT: Food Package Changes: ProSobee, Pregestimil, and Specialty Milk
SUBJECT: University of Alabama Pediatric Nutrition Satellite Training
SUBJECT: State WIC Staff Pictorial Directory
- Please see the attached regarding food package changes that will be taking place. If you have any questions, please contact Takako Tagami at 1-800-392-8209 or e-mail email@example.com.
- University of Alabama Pediatric Nutrition Satellite Training - The University of Alabama at Birmingham and the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, WICNS, Nutrition Training Institute is sponsoring this educational opportunity on Wednesday, June 7th from 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.: When Nutritional and Activity Changes Are Not Enough: Weight Loss Surgery in Teens. This satellite training will be held at health offices throughout the state. Registered dietitians, nutritionists, WIC agencies, and other health care professionals will strengthen their knowledge of bariatric or weight loss surgery in children. This teleconference will address interventions to possibly prevent the need for surgery, review the criteria for surgery, and examine the nutritional and psychological concerns before and after surgery. This is an annual pediatric update conducted by the University of Alabama at Birmingham. They will arrange for all continuing education for Dietitians and Nurses. Please see the attached site registration form for details or contact Michele Bailey at 800-392-8209 or email@example.com with questions.
- The State WIC office has developed a pictorial directory of its staff. Each staff person in the State office is pictured with their title and a brief description of their area of responsibility. Since we do not always have the opportunity to meet each other face to face, we hope this will help you put a name to a face when you call our office. If you have any questions, please contact Kathleen Davis at firstname.lastname@example.com.


text: Berkson Interview & SpeechAn interview with Mark Berkson (Religion Department, CLA) was posted online by Compassionate Action for Animals. Berkson talks about religion and animals, animal ethics and vegetarianism. Berkson will be speaking at the Twin Cities Veg Fest on July 14. You can see the interview on the Veg Fest website.


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I want to explore the notion of people 'trimming the fat'. I think we are increasingly seeing people explore different avenues and ways to improve their lives, and 'trimming the fat' provides a good platform for people to do so.
There's no denying that times are tough – the current economic climate has impacted us all in one way or another… some stronger than others. Trimming the fat helps people declutter and space-save in order to regain a sense of control over their lives. This can be a cathartic experience.
People are trimming the fat with regards to 'self'. There has never been more low-fat food options on the market, nor have we seen more weight-loss clinics and services popping up around the world (think Jenny Craig, Lite 'n' Easy etc…).
With reference to the 'home', people are decluttering their personal space to free up space in their lives. Spring cleaning has become a more regular year-round activity rather than a seasonal one. Minimalist home design and decor is also becoming increasingly popular.
With regards to 'work', the latest technologies (gadgets, applications, hardware and software) are helping people trim the fat and stay connected to the things that matter (friends, family, colleagues, work).
Trimming out the fat in the workplace helps people work smarter and faster – ultimately encouraging more productive work practices.
Technologies such as smartphones, new ultra-thin notebooks and wireless Internet connectivity are making it easy for us to trim the fat at work – minimise downtime and remain connected.
I'm keen to explore this further. If anyone has any thoughts, please drop me a line.
Are people doing anything else to trim the fat in their lives?


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Simple store-bought English muffins or prepared naan bread make the dough for these frightful faces! Use mini eggplants, black olives, mission figs and/or mushrooms for the eyes, nose and mouth!
Kids love these silly and spooky mini scream face pizzas! Either surprise them with a tray or get them and their friends involved in the prepping and cooking! If using English muffins, the sauce and melted cheese after baking will secure the two cut out pieces that form the face.
Yields 4 mini English muffin pizzas or 2 mini naan pizzas
If using a mini eggplant for the face, since you'll be using the skin of the eggplant, you'll want to slice very thin. You may want to consider brushing the eggplant eyes, nose and mouth lightly with olive oil and then placing in the oven for about 5 minutes for a quick roast. This will initially soften the eggplant skin before placing on the pizza and baking.
Low carb Halloween recipes
Tasty Halloween-themed drink recipes
How to make a graveyard cake
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Carolina Tailwinds leads this six day bicycle tour of the best of North Carolina's coast, including Ocracoke Island, "the Pearl of the Outer Banks." Enjoy bicycling on flat terrain, ferry rides, the best local seafood, and charming waterfront inns.
George Vanderbilt knew the power and beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains - he chose this region for his extraordinary estate, calling it a "gracious escape from everyday life." Experience your own "gracious escape from everyday life" on this adventure
Thanks to preservation efforts in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park and the Nantahala National Forest, this biking and hiking adventure allows us to enjoy the yet upspoiled natural beauty of western North Carolina.
Find exciting North Carolina bike tours for your vacation. Hit the pedal to the metal and experience the excitement of our bicycle tours. Our bicycle trips can be guided for beginner riders or self-guided for experienced bikers. Bike trips are a fun physical activity that can be enjoyed by anyone. Go off-road and take your wheels into the woods on our North Carolina mountain biking tours. Enjoy speeding down trails and ripping through the forest on our mountain biking trips. Browse our North Carolina bike tours and plan your vacation today!


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As pilots and aircraft owners, all of us are acutely aware of the benefits of general aviation, not just to us, but to our local communities, our states and our nation. And as we all know, we do exceedingly well at talking with each other about these benefits, but what about the larger non-flying public? How do we help them understand how important aviation is?
Many of us are familiar with statewide aviation appreciation proclamations or resolutions, formal actions taken by officials acknowledging the importance of aviation in their state, typically signed by a state's Governor. Each year, more Governors issue these proclamations, and through mid-June, nineteen Governors have issued such proclamations, five more than at the same time last year.
Even more notable, however, is the proliferation of such aviation appreciation proclamations and resolutions at the local level, where we all know garnering support for our community airports can oftentimes be challenging. So far in 2014, the AOPA-supported Alliance for Aviation Across America reports that 62 cities, counties and townships have issued aviation appreciation proclamations or resolutions. Many times these proclamations come with great media coverage, which can of substantial value to aviation in local communties, making them valuble tools for promotiing your airport.
So as you and your fellow aviators work to educate your local community and non-flying public about the value of aviation and your airport, consider promoting a local aviation appreciation proclamation or resolution as an effective, no-cost way to accomplish that. The links above provide some great examples, and when it comes to such proclamations, there is no pride in authorship- all can be easily tailored to reflect the unique character of your community.
So if your local elected officials have not officially recognized the importance of aviation in your community, get out there and get one done! And be sure to send a copy to [email protected] if you do!


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I just ordered a Dan Kong and a Wuyi Rock tea. Not top of the line stuff, but mid-teens for 100grams, so not bags either.
How have you found that you enjoy brewing it? I will be playing with a gaiwan of course, but what about iron? Yixing zini, hongni, or duanni?


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Wanna help me?
Posted 21 March 2013 - 12:42 AM
My stomach is pretty hard, I currently run about 3 times a week plus 150 crunches a day (monday through friday) and rest on the weekends.
What are some at home exercises I could do to get a 6 pack?
I'm 155-160 pounds 6 foot to 6 foot 1
Follow me on Twitter: @Gtcgabe12
Posted 21 March 2013 - 10:45 PM
I also do leg lifts, you can do them at home too.
Doing these two core exercises (and losing a bit of weight) got me a decent 6 pack. I'm about 5'10'' 155lbs.
Edited by SilentButDeadly, 21 March 2013 - 10:46 PM.
Posted 22 March 2013 - 07:17 PM
Posted 23 March 2013 - 11:42 AM
Eat correctly. End of discussion. Abs are made in the kitchen not the gym.
this ^^^
Posted 24 March 2013 - 11:44 AM
This. And fat burning isolation exercises don't work.
Eat correctly. End of discussion. Abs are made in the kitchen not the gym.
Feedback 10/0/0
Posted 24 March 2013 - 12:11 PM
Follow me on Twitter: @Gtcgabe12
Posted 24 March 2013 - 03:38 PM
"spot training" does not work. You can't be at 20% body fat, and still have 6 pack abs. Once you get to about 10 to 12% percent, you will start to see definition in your abs
If you want to do a quick workout, doing crunches does NOTHING to reduce body fat in your abdomen. You need to think "bigger", you need to work a much bigger muscle group, which burns more calories, which helps reduce body fat, which will eventually help you start to see definition in your abs
Doing squats, which uses considerably more muscle than crunches, is a MUCH better movement that burns more calories than crunches do. You need to think "calorie burn", not spot training.
The chart above should help make this more clear. You need to reduce your body fat percentage over your ENTIRE body, you can't have 25% body fat but doing 3,000 crunches a day, and have a 6-pack abdomen section
You need to reduce the fat that is COVERING your abs, Scooby makes a great video on this too-
Posted 25 March 2013 - 08:29 AM
So would running a mile a day
3 x 25 Burpee
150-350 (going up 50 a day) M-F
150 Crunches
every day would be beneficial?
Edited by gtcpaintball, 25 March 2013 - 08:51 AM.
Follow me on Twitter: @Gtcgabe12
Posted 25 March 2013 - 06:12 PM
Edited by G4paintballer, 25 March 2013 - 06:13 PM.
Feedback 10/0/0
Posted 07 September 2013 - 03:08 AM
NO holy hell. I know you people are bombarded with false info but ill try to help you understand a few things.
First what they mean by spot reduction is you cant lose body fat in just one place gut, arms, legs, etc. Your genetics are were the weight will fall of first. I dont know anyone in 20%bf that has abs. But my buddy can get to 15% and still have a 6 pack. I personally wont have one until 3 months before show were I cut down from 12-14bf to low4-5%bf. At 12% you can see them but movie star and front cover abs dont come in for me until about 7-8%
You can however work out an area and make it look less fat because of the muscle underneath. Abs, arms, and legs are great at doing this. It is not getting rid of any more fat then it normally would but if does appear that way to the naked eye because muscles are budging through.
As for ab training abs are one of the workouts I used to struggle the most in. But personally for my mileage you have to switch it up. Also those excises are only working your upper abs which are the easiest abs to get.
you should add in
leg lifts
masion twist
ab rollers
v ups
CLA is the only supplement I would recommend. It has pretty good studies showing to be one of the few supplements that can do spot reduction. But it really only helps your body use more storage fat when your on a very tight and locked down diet plan. Taking CLA and eating normal you might as well flush money down the crapper.
Also just a word of advice if your looking for movie star abs get ready to become a very boring person. To maintain a 6-8% bf range isn't easy. I sit at 9-10 I have abs but they arnt what Id call cut up but then again I prolly have a little higher standard. Some people I know who stay at 6-8%bf all the time a great guys and gals but just become such a bore to be around. Wont grab a drink for social times, wont grab a late night meal, won't do a lot of cheat day stuff because the track their macros to the .0005 grams of protein fat and carb intakes.
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text:
School Rumble
2nd Semester: At El Cado...In America (26f)...With America (26h).
Episode 40 | TV-MA
Tenma takes the cake as queen for a day, but she's bummed when her honey isn't around. Harima has a secret, but decides to cheer her up instead of spilling the beans. Besides, he has similar work of his own to finish before the deadline!
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Here is the best and here is the worst story of the day. . . . Here is the wrong of the day; here is the injustice that needs to be righted; here is the best editorial; here is a brilliant paragraph; here is a bit of sentimental trash; here is a superb 'beat'; here is a scandalous 'fake,' for which the perpetrator ought to go to Sing Sing; here is a grossly inaccurate and misleading headline; here is an example of crass ignorance of foreign politics; here is something 'crammed' from an almanac by a man who does not know the meaning of figures when he sees them. —Joseph Pulitzer, on how to evaluate newspapers, in "The College of Journalism," The North American Review, May 1904.
In 1960, the faculty of Columbia's Graduate School of Journalism found itself talking about putting out a magazine. Many of its members, perhaps all, were hesitant—not just because it was to be a magazine but because it was to be a magazine devoted to criticizing journalism. By and large, journalism schools and journalism professors did not criticize journalism. Indeed, Columbia's longtime dean, Carl W. Ackerman, had devoted himself to just the opposite—defending the press, even, for example, joining the American Newspaper Publishers Association in opposing legislation to get newspapers to pay a minimum wage.
A new dean, Edward W. Barrett, had taken charge in 1956. A former State Department official and Newsweek editor, he was also, of all things, a dropout from the journalism school's class of 1933. He soon woke up the school from a long period of stasis, adding new programs, hiring new professors as the budget allowed, and seeing to it that the school got a lot of favorable publicity. He also began to use his speaking dates and periodic reports to assess and even disparage American journalism for shallowness, triviality, and stodginess.
At the time, I was doing odd jobs as Barrett's assistant, and I noted the healthy reaction to his sallies: considerable praise, a little grumbling. I realized that there was a modicum of press criticism already available, but scattered and sporadic. We could feast on "The Wayward Press" of A. J. Liebling in The New Yorker, of course, and could listen to the critiques on cbs outlets started by the tragically short-lived Don Hollenbeck. There also was Nieman Reports, from the mid-career program at Harvard, and a new media section in the Saturday Review. But there was no nexus, a continuing intake for a flow of criticism from varied sources. I sent the dean a memo proposing something called the "Columbia University Journalism Review."
The proposal might well have died on the desk of a more cautious dean, but Ed Barrett was adventurous, and saw a glimmer of a way to perform a service for American journalism (whether American journalism liked it or not) and at the same time to add a new dimension to the school of journalism. We soon had the faculty—in those days, a mere handful—chewing on the possibilities and dangers. In summing up, the secretary, Richard T. Baker, proposed a somewhat kind, gentle publication, a friendly voice that might seduce the press into virtue. Maybe not exactly what the dean and I had in mind, but there was consensus enough at least to permit us (even underexperienced as I was, I was designated acting managing editor) to start assembling a trial issue and a staff that was at first minuscule, tiny enough to fit in a former darkroom.
It would be retro-mythologizing if I said we even thought about whether this step would be consistent with the founding vision of the school of journalism. In 1960, the school was forty-eight years old. It had opened in the fall of 1912 under the mandate of an unusual charter—a 1904 essay by the publisher Joseph Pulitzer, who had died in 1911, setting out in detail his vision for the school he had endowed—as a new kind of institution that would not only train but educate students as journalists, to make them not only skillful but thoughtful, ready to play a greater part in the functioning of American democracy and the preservation of the republic.
Much like its author, the essay was masterly but impossible. In the school's early years, a strenuous effort to follow Pulitzer's dicta exhausted both faculty and students (there was even a brief strike), and the Pulitzer vision began to give way to budgetary and human realities. The school—and the university—reined in the program. Its scope diminished, settling after two decades into a compact single-year graduate curriculum, tailored to the demands of the Great Depression, aimed less at a broad education—a task to be left to undergraduate institutions—than at giving students skills that would make them immediately employable. As this plan played out, it meant the admission of no more literary types and very few women. As for Pulitzer, he was rarely mentioned beyond obligatory references in the school's catalog. His name was neither on the school nor on its building, which remained just plain "Journalism."
Such was the dim status of the founder of the school that once celebrated his birthday annually. By 1960, when we set off to create the Columbia Journalism Review, so far were our minds from Pulitzer that the magazine's opening policy statement failed to mention him. Nor did we give much thought to the possibility that we might be imposing a substantial burden, lasting for decades, on the school that he founded. The unasked question was: Would the Columbia Journalism Review be an enterprise consistent with the founding goals of the institution? Unasked, it was unanswered.
Perhaps now, when CJR is—incredibly to me—publishing its fiftieth-anniversary issue, and as the school approaches its centennial, we can look at the matter more closely.
The prima facie case is easy to make. Pulitzer's 1904 essay, "The College of Journalism," abounds in references to criticism, evaluation, or improvement of journalism, albeit in a classroom context, rather than in a magazine. The
quotation at the start of this essay is the most extended, but there are others:
Every issue of a newspaper represents a battle—a battle for excellence. When the editor reads it and compares it with its rivals he knows that he has scored a victory or suffered a defeat. Might not the study of the most notable of these battles of the press be useful to the student of journalism as is the study of military battles to the student of war?
As yet the journalist works alone. . . . But if the future editors of the city had . . . a recognized professional meeting place in which they could come together informally and discuss matters of common interest, would they not eventually develop a professional pride that would enable them to work in concert for the public good? . . . Such a spirit would be the surest guaranty against the control of the press by powerful financial interests—not an imaginary danger by any means.
By far the largest part of the American press is honest, although partisan. It means to do right; it would like to know how. To strengthen the resolution and give its wisdom the indispensable basis of knowledge and independence is the object of training on journalism.
And there are more. Pulitzer made clear that he not only would allow but would advocate frank discussion of the press. The only means he specified for recognizing merit was his provision for the Pulitzer Prizes, which are still administered out of the journalism school. But almost all of the rest of the evaluation he had advocated had all but vanished with the shrinking of the curriculum. The Columbia Journalism Review can be said to have filled that vacuum.
Can be said, indeed; but has it? In recent years, Dean Nicholas Lemann has refocused the school on the Pulitzer ideals. So it is more than an abstract question to ask whether the Review has helped carry out Pulitzer's vision.
Many of the dozens, perhaps even the few hundreds, of people who have been associated with the Review can confirm that the Review's relations with its parent institution have not always been smooth. The seven deans who have served in the life of the Review have had to be conscious of the substantial resources that must go into sustaining even a small magazine, as the Review has been and remains. At least one dean feared that stories in the Review were reducing financial support for the school; another dropped hints that the ax was at hand. And it is hard not to believe that any dean did not think, at least momentarily, how much simpler life might be without CJR.
Still, over five decades the institution's support for the Review has been strong. The first year or two would have been impossible without a line of credit extended to the Review by Columbia's president, Grayson Kirk, before his time of troubles. Deans labored to keep a flow of financial support coming to the magazine, which was destined rarely, until recent years, to break even. Ed Barrett in particular continued to seek backing for the Review even after he stepped down from the deanship, while he served a decade as publisher. But many others have scrambled to gain for the magazine the support it now receives, advertising and circulation revenue having fallen well short of sufficiency.
By my count, the Review has had ten editors (counting my own two terms as two people), an average tenure of five years. The incumbent, Mike Hoyt, has outlasted us all. The round figure fails to suggest the turbulence that has frequently enveloped the position. My successor, Al Balk, found the school and its faculty so little to his liking that he proposed severing the magazine's ties with Columbia. His successor, Ken Pierce—encouraged by Fred Friendly's suggestion that CJR could be the Atlantic Monthly of journalism magazines—had a vision of a bigger, more ambitious CJR, broader in scope and influence. There were multiple redesigns and fresh starts, each costly. Editors fought with deans (I did) and deans by and large won. One editor even obtained a treaty of non-interference before he took the job.
From the beginning, the underlying strength of the Review was the community that gathered around it. In the early years, we were bolstered by a cluster of faithful stringers scattered across the country. Members of the faculty pitched in—Louis M. Starr as books editor, Larry Pinkham and Penn Kimball as writers and manuscript readers, and others as well. A stream of support came from faculty at other journalism schools. Professionals seemed to come out of nowhere, attracted by the opportunity to speak out. We were especially lucky in Washington, recruiting Ben Bagdikian to do a "letter" in each issue, a task later ably taken up by Jules Witcover.
Most of all, we benefited from the urgency of the issues of those decades; topics for stories fell into our laps—the Kennedy administration and its abrupt end, Vietnam, newspaper strikes, the civil rights movement, antiwar upheavals. Journalism's involvement in each of these issues demanded unblinking evaluation, and by and large we found writers who could do the job.
There was static. When we made errors—and there were more than I like to remember—we were treated with deep scorn. More often, adverse reactions came from those who simply didn't like what CJR had printed. We published letters to the editor, of course, but a standard tactic was for the offendee to go over our heads to the president. The university's support, at least in that era, was unwavering. We got sometimes grudging acknowledgment from the various professional associations and a very cold shoulder from the American Press Institute, which in those days had its headquarters a few floors below us. Wes Gallagher, who had just become general manager of The Associated Press, raised the most serious challenge—a contention that a journalism school had no business criticizing the press, and he and the dean carried on a lively debate. Neither convinced the other.
The striking thing to me is how the basic character of the Review has persisted through earthquakes, external and internal. I still believe that I can see artifacts of the Review of my era in today's issues. And I flatter myself that what the Review was doing in its first decades would still, I think, be recognized as the same kind of work CJR is doing now, given allowance for our quaintness of approach and false starts. We tried to grasp the essentials of what journalism is doing, tried to determine whether it is being done well or ill, how it might do better, how it is to survive and maintain its freedom in our social and political system. CJR remains a serious magazine without scholarly apparatus, aimed at generalists rather than specialists. The biggest change, of course, is the online edition of CJR, which gives the publication a timeliness and responsiveness that I could only dream of back in the 1960s.
Although there have been lapses, a lot of what the Review has published would, I hope, meet Pulitzer's standards. In its earlier decades I think of Ben Bagdikian's dissection of DuPont ownership of the Wilmington, Delaware, newspapers; Richard Reeves's article on the closing of the Newark Evening News, for which CJR had to withstand a libel suit; the series developed by senior editor Jon Swan on coverage of occupational safety and health issues. These are arbitrary examples from my own experience. The important point is that there has now been a fifty-year flow, and it shows no sign of ceasing.
Having left as editor for the last time when I was in early middle age, I used to resist the notion that the magazine would be the most singular item in my obit. Now, looking at how it has flourished for all these decades, I am willing and pleased to have CJR writ next to my name. I would hope that, were he in communication, Joseph Pulitzer might assent to being linked to CJR as well, although, given the man's temperament, he would no doubt be driving its editors crazy.


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Toshiba Corp. has announced an adjustment to production of NAND flash memory at its Yokkaichi Operations plant in Mie Prefecture, Japan. The adjustment will cut production by approximately 30%, effective from January 2009.
Recession in the global economy and the slowdown in consumer spending are having a significant impact on demand for semiconductors. This is particularly notable in NAND flash memories, where decreased demand for applications such as memory cards and MP3 players has generated excess supply. Toshiba has fully considered this situation and decided to reduce output at Yokkaichi.
Yokkaichi Operations has four fabs. Fab 3 and Fab 4 produce NAND flash memories on 300mm wafers, Fab 1 and Fab 2 on 200mm wafers. Prior to the January production adjustment, the 300mm wafer lines will suspend operation for 13 days, and the 200mm wafer lines for four days, during the year-end and new-year period.
Toshiba will continue to monitor the NAND market and will review operation plan in Yokkaichi as needed.
As system LSI and discrete are also facing weak demand for digital consumer products, Toshiba has also reviewed operating dates for its other semiconductor plants during the year-end and new-year period, and the details are as attached.


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A Guide to Canyon Country
America's promised land for adventure is singular in its ability to reinvent itself, and the ancient wonders of the Four Corners region have never seemed fresher. In our annual homage to red-rock country, discover where to rappel through hidden canyons of the Colorado, bike Moab's latest king trail, and drive the Wild West along a new scenic byway—plus 11 more adventures sure to refresh and inspire.
Best of the Southwest
Family Trip: American Southwest
Play hide-and-seek deep in the U.S. Southwest.
Raft a Class IV river in the desert, hike into the Grand Canyon for some yoga, get tipsy on Sedona's new wine trail.
Rappel hidden canyons of the Colorado, ride the only heli-accessed skiing in the Lower 48, raft the Southwest's best runs in one trip.
Bike Moab's new king trail, kayak Lake Powell from a houseboat, cruise the newly open Navajo Nation.
Southwest Photos
Four Corners Map
Adventure News
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Bike Across America
A coast-to-coast bicycle ride is just one of our favorite 10 classic adventures.


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PRINCESS ANNE, MD – (Feb. 1, 2011) – The University of Maryland Eastern Shore is among a group of two- and four-year colleges across the state publicly pledging to be more responsive to the unique needs of students who served in the U.S. military.
Senior administrators from public colleges gathered Monday in Annapolis at the invitation of Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown to sign the Maryland Campus Compact for Student Veterans. Its aim is improving on-campus services for student veterans.
"Signing this compact is something UMES gladly – and proudly – did," said Anthony Jenkins, vice president of student affairs and enrollment management at UMES.
Brown, an officer in the U.S. Army Reserves who has served in Iraq, has made helping veterans with the transition to civilian life one of his initiatives. He has been working to bring veterans' advocates and higher education officials together to identify challenges former soldiers face when they enroll in college.
"Veterans bring a unique maturity and life experience to the classroom – an experience that in most cases enhances classroom discussions and benefits every student's learning. But as each war is different, so is every generation of veteran," Brown said.
The state, Brown said, has "an obligation to serve those who served and we must do more to ease student veterans' transitions from combat to campus."
Brown praised college administrators for their willingness to "work together to improve the services we provide to the men and women who served on our behalf."
UMES has a long history of producing graduates who go on to serve in the military as well as educating veterans returning to the civilian world.
# # #
Bill Robinson, director, UMES Office of Public Relations, 410-621-2355, email@example.com.


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Inarguable reasons why cool gazpacho is summer's favorite serving�with recipes included.
Gazpacho may hail from Spain, but it sure spends a lot of time in our backyard June through August. This light, vegetable-based, chilled soup makes the perfect refreshing companion to cookout fare on hot summer days and nights, not to mention an unexpected alternative to any salad. If you're not convinced, we've got four inarguable�reasons why gazpacho rules summer, plus four recipes to try asap. The WOW Factor. The vibrant colors of gazpacho are a knockout, and by its very nature, gazpacho is versatile when it comes to presentation. Serve in shot glasses if you're planning on hors d'oeuvres, or offer larger servings buffet style in cocktail glasses in any size, shape or color that suits the occasion. This brightly hued soup begs for a garnish�we like cucumber and chive for a traditional recipe, but the possibilities are endless. Bikini Season. Traditional gazpacho consists mostly of nutritious pureed veggies, while the addition of bread to the mix makes for a more filling course. This Gazpacho�from the Andalusia region of southern Spain contains a mere 110 calories per serving. Summer Comfort. In the blistering summer, gazpacho retains the traditional and comfortable vibes of warm soup, but trades piping steam for cool refreshment. Laced with peak-season veggies like tomato and cucumber and chilled to perfection, gazpacho just can't be beat when it comes to relaxing in the sun. Not Just for Tomatoes Any More. While the gazpacho game is traditionally dominated by the tomato, it's easy to find any number of gazpacho recipes these days featuring less traditional�but equally refreshing�main ingredients. Take our Watermelon Gazpacho with Herb Oil, for example. It still contains tomatoes, but fresh melon is without a doubt the main attraction in this sweet and savory soup. Or try�Gazpacho Blanco�on for size, which ditches tomatoes entirely in favor of white grapes and almonds. Any way you slice it�or puree it, we should say�gazpacho is the always cool and perfectly refreshing standout star of summer. �By Alissa Harb Brought to you by: Relish


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Paul C. Weiler
Paul C. Weiler
Henry J. Friendly Professor of Law, Emeritus
Paul Weiler is the Henry J. Friendly Professor of Law (Emeritus). He earned a Bachelor and Master of Arts from the University of Toronto in 1960 and 1961 respectively. He received his LL.B. from Osgoode Hall Law School in 1964 and his LL.M. from Harvard Law School in 1965. Professor Weiler joined the Harvard Law School Faculty in 1993. He is a widely published expert in labour law, sports law, and tort.
Areas of Interest
- Comparative and Foreign Law: Canada
- Entertainment Law
- Law of the Workplace


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Issue Brief #3846 on Economy
January 30, 2013
January 30, 2013 | Issue Brief on Economy
It may be back to the beginning for the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). The agency, under the direction of Richard Cordray, had just built up a full head of steam, releasing some 16 regulations in the past year. But a court decision on January 25 may not only stop this train, but send it back to the station. Such a reversal would be good news for consumers, and possibly lead to welcome reform of this ill-considered agency.
The controversy stems from several appointments made in January 2012 by President Obama, intended to fill three vacant seats on the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) and appoint Cordray to be the first CFPB director. To sidestep opposition in the Senate, the President declared these to be "recess appointments, invoking his prerogative to fill vacancies without Senate confirmation when that body is not in session. The action was roundly criticized on the grounds that although the Senate was not actively conducting legislative business, it was formally still in session.
Addressing the NLRB picks, the D.C. Circuit ruled in its January 25 decision that the appointments were invalid. The decision was quite broad, ruling not just that the Senate must be in formal recess, but that it must be a recess between annual sessions. Moreover, the vacancy must arise during such a recess. [1]
Although the court case did not include the CFPB appointment, there is little legal difference between the appointments. At least one challenge to Cordray is already pending, and unless Cordray is confirmed by the Senate or the D.C. Circuit decision is reversed, it appears that he will have to leave the director's chair. [2]
This will impact the agency in several ways. First, the new rules adopted by the CFPB under Cordray will likely be invalidated. [3] There are at least nine of these, ranging from newly announced mortgage servicing rules to loan originator compensation requirements to controls on remittances abroad. Pending proposals by the agency for other rules would also be stopped. Also in jeopardy are other actions by the CFPB, such as settlements of enforcement actions.
But the bad news for the bureau does not end there. Until a new director is confirmed by the Senate, the agency cannot use any of its new authority—meaning authority created by the 2009 Dodd–Frank Act as opposed to authority previously held by other agencies and transferred to the CFPB. This will prevent the agency from re-adopting most of the invalidated rules until Cordray or another director is confirmed by the Senate.
It also will prevent the CFPB from exercising other newly created powers, such as the power to define "abusive acts or regulate non-bank institutions until a director is confirmed. [4]
There are some scenarios in which the CFPB's regulations would remain in place. There is a possibility that the D.C. Circuit sitting en banc or Supreme Court will review the appeals court panel decision. This would take a year or more even if it went straight to the Supreme Court, but the Court could issue a stay of the NLRB decision. Nevertheless, there are several grounds for either the full D.C. Circuit Court or the Supreme Court to sustain the original decision, including a narrower ground that the Senate was not in fact in recess when the appointments were made. The Administration must prevail on all issues, based on constitutional theory and in fact, for the appointment to be upheld.
One other alternative is for the CFPB to try to invoke the "de facto officer doctrine. This doctrine holds that a decision by an officer of the government may still be valid even if that officer's authority to act is later found to be invalid. That doctrine, however, is generally not available in cases with constitutional appointment defects, and when a timely objection to the constitutional appointment of the official is at issue. [5] It also was implicitly rejected by the court in the NLRB case.
The odds are that this imbroglio will stall the CFPB's regulatory agenda for some time. That, however, is no bad thing for consumers. The rules adopted by the CFPB, by limiting lender activity, decrease options for consumers and increase costs for mortgages and other loans. Reining them in could actually be a boon for consumer welfare. [6]
Structurally, the CFPB is riddled with problems as well. It is perhaps the least accountable entity in the federal government. Formally part of the Federal Reserve, it is outside the Executive Branch, leaving it beyond presidential supervision. It is funded through revenues from the Federal Reserve, meaning it is outside the power of congressional appropriators. At the same time, however, the Federal Reserve itself is barred from interfering with the activities of the CFPB. This structure defies all concepts of accountability and oversight, as well as the constitutional principles of separation of powers.
These problems were the primary reason that the Senate failed to confirm Mr. Cordray in the first place. The President's illegal recess appointment was an attempt to bypass these concerns. Last week's court decision blocked that effort.
The question of Cordray's nomination—and the future of the CFPB—should now go back to the Senate, where it should have been all along. [7] The Senate should then take the opportunity to conduct a full review of the consumer bureau's regulatory powers and its accountability. It should confirm Cordray—or any new director—only when the flaws of this new agency are fixed.
James L. Gattuso is Senior Research Fellow in Regulatory Policy in the Thomas A. Roe Institute for Economic Policy Studies at The Heritage Foundation.
Show references in this report
[1]For a discussion of this decision, see Todd Gaziano, "Hoist on His Own Petard," National Review Online,The Corner, January 25, 2013, http://www.nationalreview.com/blogs/print/338896 (accessed January 30, 2013).
[2]The pending case is being challenged on the grounds that the plaintiffs—a Texas bank and two nonprofit groups—lack the legal standing to sue, since they have not suffered the requisite harm. However, it is widely expected that if that case should fail based on lack of standing, other plaintiffs will be in a position to challenge the appointment.
[3]Actions taken before Cordray's purported appointment are not at issue. Mandates or restrictions in the underlying statutes would of course remain on the books.
[4]The limits on the CFPB's powers were outlined in a joint letter from the Inspectors General of the Department of the Treasury and the Federal Reserve Board to Representatives Spencer Bachus (R–AL) and Judy Biggert (R–IL), January 10, 2011, http://www.federalreserve.gov/oig/files/Treasury_OIG_Posted_PDF_-_Response_CFPB.pdf (accessed January 30, 2013).
[5]Ryder v. United States, 515 U.S. 177 (1995).
[6]Diane Katz, "The CFPB in Action: Consumer Bureau Harms Those It Claims to Protect," Heritage Foundation Backgrounder No. 2760, January 22, 2013, http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2013/01/the-cfpb-in-action-consumer-bureau-harms-those-it-claims-to-protect.
[7]Cordray's nomination was sent to the new Senate for confirmation just one day before the D.C. Circuit ruling.