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An Evaluation of Behe's Edge of Evolution, Chapter 9—The Cathedral and The Spandrels
This series of posts has been going through Michael Behe's book, The Edge of Evolution, chapter by chapter. This penultimate chapter focuses on the findings of one of the most fascinating new topics in biology today, evolutionary developmental biology (evo-devo). In essence this is a field that couples two sub-disciplines, evolutionary biology and developmental biology using the tools of molecular biology. Chapter 9 is moving on to "higher levels of biological organization," and Behe readily admits that things are now a bit less well-defined, and "the arguments in this chapter will necessarily be more tentative and speculative than for previous chapters" because now the subject will be dealing with more complicated things—plants and animals, and "much less is known about what it takes to build an animal than to build a protein machine" (pages 172-173).
As often happens in science when one examines a phenomenon through a different window, many new and often surprising insights come into view. In 1940, for example, few people studying genetics imagined that DNA would be the genetic material; most everyone thought it would be proteins. However, soon afterwards the tools of microbiology began to reshape how biologists viewed the genetic material, and that in turn opened the window for Watson and Crick to see the gene's true molecular nature. With that, the now-famous double helix came into view for the first time.
Examining the surprises that appear when one looks at a phenomenon from a new vantage point is what makes science so engaging. Scientists love surprises. In this chapter, Behe focuses on one of the most exciting scientific discoveries of the past thirty years, and implies that because evolutionary biologists were surprised, that evolutionary theory had reached the edge of its scientific limits. Let's examine the basis of the surprise and then explore whether Behe is justified in concluding that the scientific surprises discussed in Chapter Nine correspond to a cliff-edge. Is Behe correct in concluding that going beyond that edge, one enters into territory that can only be explored by inserting a [supernatural] Intelligent Designer into the scientific "equations?" Is Behe's edge simply a window of opportunity to see where mainstream biological tools will take us, or is it a blank wall? Behe believes it is a blank wall. Why?
In an earlier post our colleague, David Kerk, described the tinman gene, the gene required for making a heart. It is one of the many conserved "master" genes whose functions are now understood, through the new perspectives afforded by evo-devo. These genes serve as genetic switches that have the capability of activating particular developmental programs. A given switch (i.e. a master gene) is often structured quite similarly throughout the animal world even when comparing widely disparate species like flies and frogs. This high degree of conservation shocked evolutionary biologists. It was startling, for example, to realize that the same gene that served as a switch to turn on eye development in flies was found in humans, because if you think about it, the eyes of flies are a lot different than human eyes! Indeed, the mouse master gene for making eyes has been transplanted into fruit flies where it still works. Fly cells respond to the mouse switch by making eyes—fly eyes, not mouse-like eyes—but eye tissue nonetheless. Biologists didn't expect genes to be conserved through the greater than 550 million years since mice and flies had a common ancestor. However, even though it was a surprise, it is extremely consistent with evolutionary theory. Despite the surprise, the finding is completely consistent with natural selection and common descent. Master genes are conserved through the parade of life. Like the hour hand on a ticking clock, they change, but only at a crawl.
Actually, the surprise comes from just how beautifully consistent the view is from this vantage point. Scientists were expecting consistency, but certainly not in such an eye-popping, mind-boggling manner.
Behe chooses to view things differently. This is evidence, he says on page 190, that:
... the best minds in science have been misled. They justifiably expected randomness and simplicity…
These scientists were NOT expecting randomness and they were most certainly NOT expecting simplicity. What they were expecting was greater complexity—not the degree of simplicity they found. The same genes are being used to build insects as what are used to build mammals. What could be simpler than that? So from this perspective, it is difficult to even begin to grasp Behe's point about expected simplicity.
Let's go back though to his statement regarding the notion that the scientists' "expected randomness." Why would he tell a general audience that? Natural selection is the very converse of a random process with an unanticipated outcome. They knew it would be non-random—natural selection is by definition non-random. What surprised them—what shocked them actually—was just how foundationally simple and non-random evolutionary mechanisms turn out to be. Evo-devo is not inconsistent with the core of evolutionary theory. Quite the opposite actually—natural selection is by definition a non-random process.
It is important to be fair to Behe here. He has stated clearly that the data as a whole are consistent with common descent. This is not in question for him. Indeed, it would probably have been good for him to emphasize in this chapter that these data are beautifully consistent with his own premise—common descent. One can track the lineage of the "genetic toolkits." The toolkits get modified slightly and one can trace their modifications as one examines the tree of life. But there is a tree—one tree—Mike agrees with this! Indeed his entire approach to intelligent design is grounded in common descent. So in that regard Behe is in total alignment with mainstream biology. In that regard BioLogos and Behe are truly at one. We wish he would say that more often. There is a sense in which Mike Behe is more closely aligned with BioLogos than with many of his colleagues at the Discovery Institute including Bill Dembski and Stephen Meyer, who, although they waffle on occasion, have come out against common descent. Neither Bill nor Steve are biologists. It would be great if they would listen to their own biochemist. If they would, then perhaps Mike Behe's statement on page 191 would take us to a whole new day:
Let's acknowledge that genetics has yielded yet more terrific (and totally unanticipated) evidence for common descent.
Do you hear that, members of the ID Movement? Perhaps the single most important figure in the ID movement over the past fifteen years has called for an acknowledgement that common descent has occurred. Implied in this statement is evidence for common descent all the way from single cells to human beings. If the leaders and followers who do not have credentials in biology and biochemistry would get on board with their expert who does, then half of the concerns with the ID movement would be over.
Behe goes on from there to demonstrate the complexity of the genetic circuitry needed to build various cell types. Vertebrates, for example have B lymphocytes to help fight off infections; invertebrates, he says, do not. The genetic circuitry to build any cell type is exceedingly complex. Organisms are placed into classification groupings, based on somewhat subjective human ideas. Vertebrates are member of the phylum, Chordata. Invertebrates are members of other phyla. Behe proposes that the differences between phyla are so large, that they require the invention of whole new cell types. Since new cell types require new protein interactions and since he believes he has already shown that new substantive protein interactions won't occur without intervention, new phyla as he sees it cannot arise without intelligence.
Let's be clear, there is an Intelligence behind all of life. So, even here we don't disagree. The question is why Behe wants to draw a line (an edge) between presence of God and absence of God in life's history—presence of intelligence and absence of intelligence. Perhaps it is because of the necessary "absence of intelligence" to serve as an experimental control for "presence of intelligence?" If so, this sounds as though his theology is flying free. It is not grounded in Scripture. The Bible asserts that "by him all things were created…He is before all things and in him all things hold together." (Colossians 1:16, 17). It also says, "Through him all things were made, without him nothing has been made that has been made" (John 1:3).
Further, one could build a case that he has now floated free of his scientific roots as well. Based on the data available so far, Behe may be correct that we cannot successfully trace the step-by-step lineage of new particular cell types in certain phyla. Behe's assertion that for scientific reasons, however, we must now insert an Outside Architect is deeply flawed. The only scientific evidence he lays out to support the scientific hypothesis of the need for this architect harbors back to the same sort of calculations on the probability of new protein/protein interactions. We have already demonstrated that those calculations are off by many orders of magnitude.
What are those calculations that show no new protein/protein interactions have occurred? What is the data he analyzes? On page 200 Behe suggests that out of a billion rats subjected to warfarin in the past 50 years, we might have expected "many new regulatory regions; none seemed to have helped against warfarin." Did anyone check these billion rats to see if some had undergone changes in regulatory regions? It seems that this is really a premature conclusion to put forward to the public without vetting it before the scientific community first. From there he goes on to fruit flies that have been studied in the lab for 100 years. During this time "no new, helpful, developmental-control programs have appeared." Is there some reason why we might have expected some new "helpful" program in flies? What sort of "new help" would Behe have envisaged for fruit fly development? How would it have been detected? Was anyone actually looking for such a thing?
In the chapter, Behe then goes on to report that the malaria parasite has evolved no new reported "cell forms or regulatory systems" in a hundred billion billion chances. How does he know this? It is true that no one reported new regulatory systems. But was anyone looking for them? For all we know the parasite might have been evolving and even changing elements of its regulatory system. A careful analysis might even have been able to show this.
Based on analyses like these, Behe ends his chapter by discussing spandrels, the space between the arches that hold up a great cathedral. The arches, he says are clearly designed by a great architect. The artwork that decorates the spandrels were added after the fact—after the architect had left the scene. Now moving towards a metaphor, he states that science, his science, has now shown that the major classification groups of animals are like the arches of a great cathedral—they have been designed by God, the Greatest Architect. Darwinian evolution comes in and decorates the spandrels with all sorts of species and maybe genera and families—but the existence of phyla requires an Architect. This is Professor Behe's cathedral and although one has to give him credit for being creative, this is based on his claim that rats that don't evolve new systems (for which no one was carefully looking, to be honest). It is based upon fruit flies that don't seem to be developing new and better body plans than they already have, and it is based on billions of billions of malaria parasites that are not being analyzed for changes at the molecular level. Surely ID is now floating free of scientific data. A theology based on a God whose Presence in creation comes and goes is equally problematic. Is not ID also floating free of Scripture?
It doesn't have to be this way. Professor Behe, since he accepts common descent, is already half way home towards accommodating the scientific community. As imperfect human beings, we are all wrong on occasion. As mentioned early on in the chapter, "the arguments are more tentative and speculative" here. But there's also a danger that perhaps the arguments have strayed far from solid science as well as sound theology. It doesn't have to be this way.


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- > Do-It-Yourself Appliance Repair Help > The Kitchen Appliance Repair Forum > GE Triton Drying light blinks and beeps
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|GE Triton Drying light blinks and beeps
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|Posted: Tue Mar 14th, 2006 06:30 am
|1st Post
|I have a model GDS5940 GE Triton dishwasher that started a cleaning cycle and then the drying status light started flashing and the dishwasher is beeping. I have tried to push the reset button and when I do this the machine starts the clean cycle again for about 20 seconds and then the light starts flashing and the beeping starts up again. The machine is about 4 years old. HELP.
|Posted: Wed Mar 15th, 2006 02:05 am
|2nd Post
Jedi Appliance Guy
|Grasshopper, If you wish to learn the ways of the Force and repair your dishwasher then this is what you must first do. It might help if you print this page so that you may refer to these instructions while you are in close proximity of your dishonorable dishwasher.
First you must turn off the circuit breaker or unplug the dishwasher. Do whichever is easiest for you. It is most important that you stay focused and remember to breath if you are to achieve oneness with the Force. You'll need a 1/4" nut driver or a phillips screwdriver to remove the service panel at the bottom of the machine. You must now lie down on the floor on your left side in front of your dishwasher.
With your left hand reach up under the right side of your machine toward the front near the underside of the tub and pull out the sacred scrolls (tech sheet) placed there by the Great Satan of appliance manufacturers. If you are pure of heart and at one with the Force it will guide your hand right to it. Otherwise you may need a mirror and a flashlight. After you find the tech sheet, photograph it and post the images here so that we all may gaze upon it and glean appliance knowledge from it. Then we can interpret the true meanings of these beeps and flashes. May the Force be with you.
|Posted: Wed Mar 15th, 2006 08:33 pm
|3rd Post
Samurai Appliance Repair Man
Fermented Grand Master of Appliantology
|Amen, Brother Jedi. Surely the Force doth ooze from thy pores just as the metabolites of the sacred fermented grain beverage exudeth from my own. May the Force continue to dwell in you richly. Hanta yo!
Need parts? Call our Parts Department now! 877-803-7957
|Posted: Sat Mar 18th, 2006 06:10 pm
|4th Post
Senior Apprentice Appliantologist
|is the dishwasher draining??
|Posted: Sun Mar 19th, 2006 05:21 am
|5th Post
|Have not been able to get up into the tech sheet. Not draining.
|Posted: Sun Mar 19th, 2006 04:20 pm
|6th Post
Senior Apprentice Appliantologist
|you might want to ask some experienced techs on here. I had this problem about 6 months ago and put a new piston and nut on the Triton (GE) and once it drained the blinking light stopped. That part is a very simple fix Maybe another tech will have more specifics about this??
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subset: commoncrawl


text:
|Data Dictionary:
|Census 1930
you are here: choose a survey survey data set table details
Survey: Census 1930
|Data Source:
|Digitally transcribed by Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research. Edited, verified by Michael Haines. Compiled, edited and verified by Social Explorer.
Data set: Social Explorer Dataset (SE)
|T165. Farms By Tenure [7]
Universe: Total Number of Farms
Table Details
|Farms By Tenure
|Universe: Total Number of Farms
- Bristol, VA, Danville, VA, Fredericksburg, VA, Hampton, VA, Martinsville, VA, Yellowstone National Park, MT, Yellowstone National, WY, and Second Judicial Dist, AK do not have any counts for this table.


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Uncharted TV Submissions
A lot of questions about where you can submit videos for Uncharted TV have popped up lately. We want to centralize all requests so this will be the thread where it all happens. Submit all your AWESOME Uncharted 3 videos here.
1) Your video must be no longer than 3 minutes. (We may make exceptions to this rule only in very rare instances.)
2) All content in your video must be from Uncharted 3 and use no other intellectual property, people's likenesses, PSN friend lists or any such nonsense that's not Uncharted 3.
3) If you post more than one YouTube link in this thread...just please don't. Also, the title of your video and a link is enough, we don't need an explanation about why your video should be on UTV. You can post here multiple times but don't be a spammer.
4) Most importantly, we have final say on what videos will go onto Uncharted TV or not. If your video isn't on UTV we have decided that it doesn't fit
Happy editing!
Solved! Go to Solution.
Re: Uncharted TV Submissions
I agree with the other rules but isn't 3 mintues a bit short? Especially for Plays of the Week videos?
Re: Uncharted TV Submissions
Here is my submission Eric
Re: Uncharted TV Submissions
Blooddrunk123 wrote:
I agree with the other rules but isn't 3 mintues a bit short? Especially for Plays of the Week videos?
Hmmm... Maybe there won't be as many...
Re: Uncharted TV Submissions
Uncharted 3: Grenade Tricks 1 - Plunder Hero's Chest (Chateau)


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In his 10th year at Appalachian State University, director of athletics Charlie Cobb has spearheaded perhaps the most successful and ambitious period in the University's decorated athletics history.
Of Cobb's many achievements in his nine years at Appalachian State, the most notable came in March 2013 when Appalachian accepted an invitation to join the NCAA Division I FBS Sun Belt Conference. For many of the University's most ardent supporters, when Appalachian State officially joined the Sun Belt on July 1, 2014, it capped a years- and even decades-long quest for all 450-plus Mountaineer student-athletes to compete at the highest level of intercollegiate athletics.
However, the Sun Belt invitation is just the tip of the iceberg with regards to Cobb's many accomplishments at Appalachian State. The achievements enjoyed by Appalachian athletics during Cobb's tenure also include:
• Three NCAA Division I football national championships — marking the first time that any program has ever won three-consecutive NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS — formerly Division I-AA) titles and the first NCAA football championships ever won by a team from the state of North Carolina at any level.
• Shattering football attendance records at Kidd Brewer Stadium with crowds surpassing "The Rock's" permanent seating capacity for each of Appalachian's 51-of-52 regular-season home games since Cobb's arrival in 2005.
• A 298-percent increase in football season-ticket sales.
• Nine-consecutive Commissioner's Cup championships — recognizing the top overall men's sports program in the Southern Conference.
• Four Germann Cup championships — recognizing the top overall women's sports program in the SoCon.
• Sweeping the Commissioner's and Germann Cups in the same academic year four times — a feat never achieved by any other SoCon school.
• Thirty-five percent of the athletics department's students making the Academic Honor Roll (minimum GPA of 3.25).
• Student-athletes achieving a combined 3.0 grade point average for each of the last four semesters.
• Seven of 20 varsity programs (football, men's basketball, men's cross country, women's cross country, field hockey, women's indoor and outdoor track and field) earning public recognition awards, based on ranking among the top 10 percent nationally in their respective sports in Academic Progress Rate (APR) scores.
• The Yosef Club, which provides scholarship and facility support for student-athletes, setting fundraising records each of the past eight years. Annual Yosef Club donations, which never topped $700,000 prior to Cobb's arrival, have climbed steadily over the past decade and surpassed $3 million each of the last two years.
Besides the move to the Sun Belt Conference and FBS, the most visible of Cobb's many achievements at Appalachian State has been the addition of first-class facilities that give the Mountaineers the opportunity to be successful across the athletics spectrum for years to come.
App State has undergone a wave of facility enhancements totaling $50 million over the past decade, headlined by the 120,000-square-foot Appalachian Athletics Center, which was completed in 2009. The seven-story complex, located behind Kidd Brewer Stadium's west stands, includes new football offices and locker room, a strength and conditioning center, training facilities, academic study space and computer lab for all student-athletes, as well as revenue-generating premium seating in the form of 600 club-level seats and 18 luxury suites.
The facility enhancements also included other significant renovations to Kidd Brewer Stadium, most notably the addition of nearly 7,000 seats, the bulk of which are located in an upper deck that was erected on the stadium's east side in 2008. Other renovations at The Rock include a widescreen videoboard that doubles the size of the old video display on the scoreboard in the south end zone, substantial upgrades to the public-address system and concourses around the stadium, a new ticket plaza, which serves as a grand entrance to the stadium at the corner of Stadium Drive and Jack Branch Drive, and ornamental fencing that replaced the chain-link barriers that used to surround the stadium.
In addition to the renovations at Kidd Brewer Stadium, the unprecedented surge of facility enhancements has also produced new homes for Mountaineer baseball (Jim and Bettie Smith Stadium), softball (Sywassink/Lloyd Family Stadium), soccer (at the Ted Mackorell Soccer Complex) and field hockey, as well as the Apps' first-ever indoor practice facility (Sofield Family Indoor Practice Facility) and renovations to Varsity Gym that have upgraded the facility to a premier practice and competition venue for Appalachian basketball, golf, indoor track and field, volleyball and wrestling.
With the $50 million in facilities enhancements, all 20 of Appalachian's intercollegiate sports teams now practice and compete in facilities that have either been built or renovated since the turn of the millenium.
While Cobb is quick to point out the "total team effort" put forth to achieve the many successes that have been enjoyed since he began his tenure as Appalachian State's director of athletics on July 1, 2005, it is the experience, vision and work ethic of the 46-year-old Cobb that has steered the Mountaineers to new heights.
Cobb's peers recognized him for his efforts when the National Collegiate Athletics Directors Association (NACDA) named him the NCAA Division I FCS Southeast Region Under Armour Athletics Director of the Year in 2011.
He also serves on numerous NCAA and Southern Conference committees, most notably the NCAA Division I Football committee that he currently chairs.
Prior to his arrival in Boone, Cobb was a member of the athletics department at North Carolina State University from 1998-2005. A four-year football letterwinner at NC State from 1987-90, Cobb served as the Wolfpack's senior associate athletics director for external operations for the seven years prior to his arrival in Boone. In that role, he oversaw NC State's marketing, ticket operations, media relations and student-athlete development operations, as well as serving on the department's compact strategic planning initiative, gender equity and facilities committees.
During his tenure, NC State increased football season-ticket sales by 87 percent and men's basketball season-ticket sales by 121 percent. The combined ticket revenues accounted for an annual increase of over 86 percent for Wolfpack athletics, generating more than $6 million for the department.
In addition, Cobb served as NC State's administrator for baseball and women's soccer, tournament manager for the 2004 NCAA men's basketball first and second rounds at the RBC Center and the chair for the southeast region of the NCAA women's soccer committee.
Prior to returning to his alma mater in '98, Cobb spent six years in Atlanta, Ga., where he held positions with the Atlanta Sports Council, the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl and the Georgia Dome. As an assistant executive director for the Atlanta Sports Council and the Peach Bowl, he helped coordinate Atlanta's bid for the 2002 NCAA men's basketball Final Four and handled all game and event operations for the Peach Bowl.
As sales manager for the Georgia Dome from 1994-97, Cobb helped procure events such as the Southeastern Conference football championship, the SEC and Atlantic Coast Conference men's basketball tournaments, NCAA men's basketball championship events, Georgia High School Association football playoffs, major concerts and other college and amateur sporting events.
Cobb graduated with honors with a B.A. in business administration from NC State in 1990. A second-team all-ACC honoree at center as a senior, Cobb was an academic all-ACC selection and collected the prestigious Jim Tatum Award, presented to the ACC football senior with the highest grade point average, and the Bob Warren Memorial Award, given to the Wolfpack football player that displays the highest integrity and sportsmanship.
After receiving postgraduate scholarships from both the ACC and NFL Charities, Cobb earned a master's degree in sports administration from Ohio University in 1992.
Cobb is married to the former Lindsay Brecher, who was an all-ACC goalkeeper for NCSU women's soccer from 1988-90 and serves as an assistant coach for Appalachian State's women's soccer program. The Cobbs have a 16-year-old son, Harrison, and a 13-year-old daughter, Branan.
|Director of Athletics
|Alma Mater:
|NC State
|Graduating Year:
|10 Years


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Stylish apartment Dolce Vita I - AP37
Vendégek száma8
Hálószobák száma2
Méret100 m²
Floor No.2(with elevator)
- Családi / Gyerek barát
- Konyha
- Légkondicionálás
- Mosógép / szárítógép
- Lift az épületben
- Internet/WiFi
- Kisállat megengedett
Accommodation summary
|Via Francesco Crispi, 00187 Roma, Olaszország
|Ingatlan típusa
|Ingatlan azonosító
|Acceptance rate
|Response time
|A few hours
|Calendar updated
The flat is entirely decorated with bespoke modern furnishings such as top quality marble floors, leather headboards and double glazed windows framed in lacquered wood, all of which are really comfortable for the guests. The apartment is also served by state-of-the-art gas, electricity and water systems.
The living area is very spacious and furnished with an antique wooden table, an LCD television with Sky Cinema, a double sofa-bed (160 cm x 190 cm) and two single sofa-beds.
The separate kitchen area is furnished in a modern functional style and is fully equipped with a dishwasher, a washing machine and a microwave.
The sleeping area is composed of two bedrooms: one furnished with a double bed and en suite bathroom with shower; and the other supplied with two large single beds (120 cm x 190 cm). in total, the flat has two bathrooms, both finished in pink marble.
the apartment include central heating that can be controlled by the guests, while the boiler provides a continuous supply of hot water. The apartment may also be air conditioned with the temperature of each room being controlled separately and free wi-fi Internet connection.
You will enjoy your vacations for sure in our apartment, excellently located in the Rome modern city center. Piazza di Spagna, Piazza Barberini or the presidential Palazzo Qurinale is stunning architecture masterpieces, but among them you cannot leave Rome without visiting the amazing Fontana di Trevi. Enjoy the best holidays in Spagna Deluxe 1!
HázirendAt the arrival a deposit of Euro 300 is required, which will be returned at the end of the stay except in case of any damage caused to the flat.
On request it is possible to sleep a further two guests on the single sofa beds in the sitting room.
Prices include linen, utilities, cleaning, VAT
|Ár >4 vendégre
|13 € /fő/éj extra
|Érkezés legkorábbi időpontja
|Check-in before
|Távozás legkésőbbi időpontja
|Lemondási feltétel
Az ingatlan értékelései
A házigazda egyéb ingatlanjainak értékelései
the apartment was nice . what was minus was that the drain in the bathroom sink was clogged, drain the same bathroom in the shower was almost clogged. in one bedroom was doorframe broken and loose when we came . Apart from this , we will be happy again .
We were 7 persons staying 5 days in Rome. The apartment was perfect for us, spacious and well equipped. It was very quite with no trafikk noise and the location was perfect, walking distance from many atractions and Bernini metro stadion very close.
Very nice apartment, small but stylish, very well organized and extremely friendly check in person, everything fine!! Very recommendable.
Even Colosseum within walking distance, nice restaurant district round the corner.
Thank you Daniela and staff!
Our group of seven family members stayed in this property about two weeks ago. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay. The apartment was very large and easily accommodated our group. It was very clean, and the wine and cake provided on our arrival were most appreciated. The apartment was only a few blocks from the Termini station and so was an easy walk for us. It was also not very far from Rome's major historic attractions. It is ideal for a large group. I would stay here again in a heartbeat if we were travelling in a large group to Rome.
What a great stay!! Fine apartment with beautiful roof terrace with plenty of space, however, we feel that the apartment was just small enough to 9 people. We were 6 girlfriends and it was adequate. There was one large sheet for each double bed and if you are not lovers, this is not good; we had wished that there had been one sheet per person. Booking company, hostess and apartment can be recommended, very good contact all the way from order to arrival / departure. Fine agreement with the pick-up taxi to and from the airport. We could stay there again; just 2 minutes from the Spanish Steps. Thank you for the stay and the experience ..
(not recommended for people with walking difficulties, there are many stairs up to the penthouse - however, elevator to the 3rd floor) ...
We had four lovely days in Rom. The Palazzo Massimo near Piazza Navona is very beautiful and central so we could walk to all attractions of the city. We can suggest this nice little place for a small holiday in Rom.
We had a very nice stay in the apartment. Everything where fine and excellent service at arrival with food and drinks in the fridge.
We can all recommend this place.
Best regards from Denmark
Great place. The apartment was really good and spatious. For foodlovers the location is perfect since it's just a short walk to Testaccio. It's also close to the new Eataly house.
Excellent service.
The only minus (and that is a small one) is that we kitchen could do with a chef knife.
- Minőségbiztosított szállás
- Minden házigazda hitelesítésre került telefonon keresztül
- Biztonságos fizetés SSL titkosításon keresztül


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Home › Forums › Campfire › Post-Trip Reports › Dick's Creek Gap to (oh well) Home: A Trip Gone South!
Dec 13, 2007 at 11:33 am #1226282
As I look back over my adult life I can remember saying I would do one thing or another one day. Somehow that day never quite gets here or I simply forget about it and move on to something else. I read somewhere that "Life is like a roll of toilet paper, the closer to the end you get, the faster it goes". Lately that is how I have felt. There is so much left to do, and time is running out. My wife calls all this a mid-life crisis. She could be right but I prefer to look at it as waking up and facing the fact that if it is going to get done in my lifetime, the time to do it now.
One of the many things I have started over the years is hiking the Appalachian Trail. Now I have to admit I'm not the oldest on the trail, but then again I'm not the youngest. When I started the trail I estimated it would take between twelve and fifteen years to finish it in sections. At that time I was fifty-three and with simple math you can see how reality has hit me square between the eyes. Each year will be a little harder and I will be a little slower until I finally climb that last summit in Maine. This has made each chance to hit the trail an important part of my yearly goal. In the spring I have a great time hiking with the new "Class" of thru-hikers. Some are faster and put in a lot more miles a day than me but I can hold my own with most and that gives me a chance to meet new friends and enjoy their company as we advance up the series of hills that make-up the "Green Tunnel". After all one of the biggest attractions to the AT is the social aspect.
In the fall, the trail is a little lonely. I can hike for miles on the footpath that is crowded in the spring but now is all but deserted. Yet I still go with a couple of friends or my son and mark off another section of the trail towards one of my life long goals. This fall had a number of disappoints for me. The first was when my favorite hiking partner, my son, called from school and backed out on me. I understood his reason. He had a chance to certify as a backpacking instructor at the Appalachian State University for their outdoor program. He wanted to start carrying crews on weekend treks and pick-up a little change for doing something he would be doing anyway. How could I argue with that? I spent the last twenty years as a firefighter because it was job I would have gladly done for free if someone had paid my bills. Heck that's the Nantahala Outdoor Center motto, "find a job you love and you will never work a day in your life".
Okay I still had a trip planned in November with Gary (my boss) and Brian (my son-in-law). Well that's how it started out until Brian got tickets to an App. State football game. One down and one more to go.
So Gary and I began to plan our trip. Now this trip was originally an extra. We were hiking a section I had already hiked at least once and some parts twice. Gary had tried twice to do this area and both times came home unsuccessful. The first time it was foot problems. His feet looked like rats had gnawed on them. To top it off, a tendon in the bottom of his foot became inflamed. The second time his hiking partner, T-bone bailed after one day. That was when I offered to hike the section with him. I assured him I would make the entire trip from Dick's Creek Gap to Fontana. Even if it was a repeated section I was excited about the hike. After all I could try out some new gear that had been collecting dust for too many months.
As the big day approached I hurried to get my gear ready. I packed and rearranged gear several time to make sure my new ULA Circuit was balanced and as light as I could get it with food for six days. I applied fresh waterproofing to my boots and checked the condition of my rain gear (the mayor in Atlanta was praying for rain). As extra insurance that nothing would go wrong I told Gary to just carry his food, sleeping gear and clothes. I'd haul the rest. Even at five years his senior I hike more and can handle the extra weight. My pack with food and water came in at twenty-eight pounds. Heavier than I wanted but about half of that was food and water giving a base pack weight of under 15 pounds. I was expecting each day to get a little easier as I ate my way through all the vittles I was carrying.
I checked Gary's pack and I got the shock of my life. He was bursting at thirty-four pounds. "I don't know what I can leave out", he said as I shook my head and headed home to tell my wife good-bye. He did find a couple of things to dump because when he stopped at the house to pick me up he was at twenty-eight pounds also.
The trip to the Hike Inn near Fontana was interesting. First we had to stop at REI in Greensboro, NC. Gary had a broken valve on his water bladder. Fortunately I had purchased it on my membership and the store simply gave us another one. Later when we decided to stop for a burger, I suggested Wendy's. I pointed to the up coming exit and told Gary I ate at that one a couple of weeks ago. As we approached the restaurant it looked closed. It was. Closed due to fire. I would think at this point any sane person could see that this trip was headed south and I'm not referring to us going to Georgia.
At last we make it to the Hike Inn. Nancy met us at the door. "Eleven-o-clock, just like you estimated", she said to Gary. We settled our bill for the room and shuttle to the trailhead and then dove in the bed for some much-needed sleep.
Six AM came all too quick. I boiled some water and made oatmeal while Gary ate a pop tart. We checked to make sure all our gear was packed and met Jeff in the parking lot for the hour-and-half ride to Dick's Creek Gap. Jeff was a lively talker and I enjoyed our conversation. He gave us the latest information on water in the area. He even explained how the hostel was cutting water consumption. Then he got to my favorite subject, bears. I told him in all the miles I had hiked in the area including the Smoky Mountains I had never run into a bear on the trail. His response was "be careful what you wish for". We all laughed and continued talking about how mountain life was changing with all the land developers taking over.
At last we arrive at Dick's Creek Gap. It's a crossing on Georgia 76 just east of Hiawassee. The weather was clear and cold for this time of year. Jeff cautioned us that the lows were expected to be in the teens over night. I felt confident we would be fine even if my bag was only rated at 20 degrees. We hoisted our packs on our backs and began the climb toward the NC state line.
I quickly set my normal pace and made a decent size gap between Gary and myself. I can never stand to have someone walking on my heels. I was also hoping Gary's stair master walking would help pick up his pace but I soon discovered I was going to have to slow down. I turned to check on him and he was nowhere in sight. Just then I heard a rustling in the bushes up ahead. Jeff was right about wishing. There was a 250-300 pound black bear running as hard as he could – away from me. No time to get a picture so you'll just have to take my word for it. As Gary caught up I told him about the bear. I said, "My trip is complete, I've seen a bear in the wild". At the time I didn't realize that would be the high point of the trip.
The morning hours were mainly uphill. We took a quick side trip to Plumorchard Shelter. It's a really neat post-and-beam structure built by the Georgia Trail Club and air dropped by the US Army. Having three separate levels for sleeping a lot of hikers can be accommodated. However the shelter has the worst infestation of mice of any I have ever seen. The night I slept here there were so many mice just the sound of their little claws on the wood was loud enough to keep five warn out hikers awake most of the night. One by the name of Pete, a former army ranger, decided at three A.M. he had enough, packed up and started hiking in the dark.
As we approached the shelter I took note of the flow of the stream. It was a fraction of what I remembered from my last visit. In the shelter someone had left some gear and a book they had been reading. We took a short break and started back to the trail. Another hiker was coming to the shelter and we exchanged greetings but continued north without really stopping to talk. My goal was to make Bly Gap by lunch. That way we could rest a little before climbing Sharp Top and Courthouse Bald.
At Blue Ridge Gap we met two SOBOs who were headed to Hiawassee for the night. Their trail names were Lunar and Solar. Turns out they had spent an evening with two friends of ours that had completed a north bound trip in October. They remembered Ox and Nuclear and were glad to hear the two had made it to Katahdin. It turns out Lunar and Solar were newly weds on their honeymoon. They made it to Springer a few days later.
As we walked up the final hill in Georgia I suddenly turned and told Gary we were in two different places. He looked at me puzzled and asked what I was talking about. I replied, "You're in Georgia, and I'm in North Carolina". He had finally after four trips completed the Georgia section of the Appalachian Trail.
We walked up to a small camping area for lunch. The spring was bone dry. I was glad we had not counted on it for water. I unpacked a lunch of dried tuna and red beans. With a little mayonnaise and relish it's tasted a lot like tuna salad. It also has a load of carbs to help with the afternoon hike. Along with a piece of string cheese, crackers and crystal light tea mix it made a hefty lunch. I glanced over at Gary as he downed a milk and cereal bar. It was feeling colder so I added a jacket and quickly packed up so I could get moving again. In the Gap there is a rather distinctive tree. I climbed part the way up and got Gary to snap a picture.
Now we started the first climb in North Carolina. Sharp Top was steep but did not take very long. The bugger was Courthouse Bald. The trail was one switch back after another. It seemed that each one was steeper than the last. I remember yelling down to Gary, "Even the switch backs need switch backs". Just before the top there was a tree across the trail. As I straddled it I removed my jacket and drank some water. I called out to Gary a couple of times but got no response. I figured he had stopped to take a quick breather. When I was re-shouldering my pack I heard him calling, "Are you at the top?" "No, not yet!" was the reply.
While the distance from Bly Gap to the top of Courthouse Bald is only a mile-and-half it seemed a lot longer. At the top I dropped my pack and pulled out a Milky Way bar while I waited on Gary. He took a short break with me and ate some dried pineapple. He also mentioned his calves were starting to cramp. Soon we headed out with a break planned at Muskrat Creek Shelter.
I decided to let Gary set the pace since I kept getting so far ahead. He was getting slower and slower as the afternoon progressed. About a half mile from the shelter he asked me to go ahead and I did. I told him I would have water filtered by the time he got there. When he arrived it was about 2:30 PM. I was drinking another bottle of tea and had collected water for his bladder. Gary showed up saying he was still cramping and wanted to spend the night here.
Now to be honest I am one of those hikers who likes to set goals and then hikes until the destination had been reached. Besides stopping before 3:00 P.M. was going to make for a long evening. After discussing all this with Gary he agreed, especially about the long night. So we decided to go on to Standing Indian Shelter just 5 miles farther up the trail. Looking back may be I should have given in. Gary was having a rough time of it and I knew the next part of the trail was a rocky walk. But I had been looking forward to pushing myself a little on this trip and extending my daily mileage. I had spent a lot of time evaluating my gear and cutting weight as much as I thought I could safely for this time of year.
The rest had helped. Gary set a good pace for the next couple of miles. I was impressed at the ground we were covering especially for late in the day. But as we started the climb over the Yellow Mountains, Gary started to slow down. The trail became cluttered with loose rocks and exposed roots making walking difficult even for a rested hiker. I was okay but would be glad to get off my feet. Gary was really fatigued. When we reached the ridge I decided to check for a phone signal. There was a weak one so I attempted to call home. Wouldn't you know it? There was no one there. I did receive a message that I had voice mail. I caught up with Gary and started looking for the forestry road into Deep Gap. As soon as I saw it I pointed it out to Gary hoping it would encourage him to keep moving. When we got in the Gap I stopped to dump my trash in a can supplied by the forestry service. We also read the warnings about an aggressive bear that had been stealing packs. Then we started the climb up Standing Indian Mountain to the shelter for the night.
With less than a mile until we reached the shelter, I was getting really optimistic about how the hike was going. The first day is always the toughest for me and I was feeling pretty good after seventeen miles of some of the roughest terrain on the whole trail. As we approached a little bridge I started coming back to reality. Gary stopped suddenly and said, "You go on ahead and I'll catch-up with you at the shelter. I just need a short break."
I didn't argue but I thought about it. I mean it was not that far to the shelter. Why stop now? Just make it to where we are spending the night and collapse. So I hiked on without a word and made my way up to the shelter. I was surprised that there was not a sole around. I didn't expect a crowd but had thought there might be one or two other hikes spending the night here. I dropped my pack on the wooden platform and got busy preparing for the over-night stay. The first project was a bear bag. I went behind the three-sided lean-to and surveyed the trees for a suitable limb. I spotted one about twenty feet off the ground and with two throws had a cord in place to hang the food bags after supper. Next was to arrange my sleeping area. I have a Nunatak Back Country Blanket and have found that the longer it lays out, the higher the loft. The way the temperature was dropping I had a feeling I was going to need every bit of the 20-degree rating.
Soon Gary showed up. I could tell he was exhausted. I told him to get warm and watch the packs while I went for water. He volunteered to go but I told just to rest. As I walked down to the small creek that runs nearby I started to worry. All I could find were a series of puddles. I was thinking it's going to take a while to soak up these mud holes to fill my empty bladder. I walked farther down hill finding more puddles and finally a spring running into a tiny stream. The PVC pipe coming out of the ground was frozen with a chunk of ice hanging on the end where water should have been flowing. I slid the pipe out of the ground and broke off the ice. After a couple of tries I got it in a good position and weighed it down with a couple of rocks. I filled my water bag/filter and made my way back to the shelter, my home for the night.
By the time I got back Gary had changed clothes and had crawled into his sleeping bag. He pointed to a pile of wet clothes and asked, "How can I get them dry?" Gary is cold natured and had worn a jacket all afternoon. As he sweated the vapor collected under his jacket and soaked everything he was wearing. Fortunately everything was polyester or nylon so we laid them out hoping they would dry before the sun went down. But because the temperature was already below freezing all his clothes froze. I had hiked the last few miles without a jacket and had only a damp spot where my pack rode against my back. My shirts where dry in a very short time. Gary attempted to dry his clothes by placing them between his sleeping bag and pad but they would still be wet in the morning.
I started filtering water with my gravity filter and curled up on my sleeping pad to rest before supper. It wasn't long before I heard Gary snoring and I was sure I was not far behind him. So I got up and measured out two and a half cups of water in my MSR kettle and poured 20 ml of alcohol in the stove. The stove primed and I warmed my hands over the pot as the heat rose above it. A few minutes later I poured the boiling water into a mixture of freeze dried chicken, peas, gravy and stuffing (one of Sarbar's recipes). Gary pulled out a single serving bag of freeze-dried lasagna. We both downed our meals and I hung everything on the bear line (PCT style) headed to bed.
I checked my cell phone since I was curious about the voice mail. It was my sister wishing me a great trip. She also asked me to keep an eye out for her son but his location was up near Asheville, NC. I called home again and this time my wife answered. She was glad to hear everything was going well in spite of the cold weather. I told her goodnight and I would call in a couple of days.
I emptied the water filter and put it down in the sleeping bag with me. I blew air into the tube of my hydration bag to keep it from freezing and wrapped the bladder to minimize the effects of the cold. I pulled on long john bottoms, dry socks, a thin fleece shirt and a fleece cap for the night. I woke-up a couple of time a little chilly but never shivering. I found if I put my whole head in the bag the warm air I exhaled helped. At first light I heard Gary stirring around in his bag. I got up and started getting dressed. I was anxious to hit the trail. I had a vision of twenty miles and it would take most of the available daylight to travel that far. We would be on a ridge along the Standing Indian Basin and except for Albert Mountain the hiking would be much easier today.
It was still very cold. I spilled some water while getting breakfast ready. It froze in a matter of a couple of minutes. The hot oatmeal with raisins and walnuts tasted great and warmed me inside out. Gary had a couple of packets instant oatmeal. I finished up breakfast and packed my cooking gear. Moments later I had my pack ready to go but Gary is still in his sleeping bag.
"Did you get a signal last night on your phone?" inquired Gary.
"Yea, why? Do you need to call Gail (his wife)?" I replied.
"Joe, do you think Jeff would come pick us up at Deep Gap?" asked Gary.
"I think Jeff would do most anything for $100.00, why do you ask?
"My clothes are still frozen and I'm so cold. I just can't take the cold like you. I need to go home. I think I'm getting a chest cold." Gary said with a few coughs thrown in.
"Well, we have other options. We can hike part of the day and have Jeff meet us at the Standing Indian Campground or we can hike to Rock Gap and have him pick us up in the morning. Let's give it another day and see how it goes. It's suppose to warm-up today." I said hoping to change his mind.
I told him to think about it awhile as I headed to the privy. When I got back I heard the tail end of a cell phone conversation that went something like "we'll see you in two hours." My heart sank. While the thoughts of spending the weekend at home with a warm fire sounded good, I had so looked forward to hiking this challenging section of trail. Well at least I had not elected to do a mail drop at the NOC. I left Gary at the shelter while I hiked part the way up the mountain. That was mostly to get the blood flowing in my feet and warm them up. I was cold too, but I knew the more I moved the warmer I would be. When I had gone far enough I returned and Gary and I started down to the service road in Deep Gap. I killed the extra time filling the trashcan with litter left by other hikers. When Jeff arrived there was some talk about how we might of packed too light for conditions. I didn't buy a word of it. I was already evaluating the performance of what I carried and how to make it even lighter.
About halfway home I looked at Gary and said, "If I could of figured out a way home I would have stayed on the trail and hiked by myself."
He replied, "I would have come to pick you up."
Now he tells me!
So what worked on the trip?
1. The ULA Circuit with 28 pounds total was very comfortable. I don't think I would push it over 30 pounds.
2. Breathable jackets do not breathe. I think another thin fleece for a third layer would have kept me warmer and allowed the sweat to migrate easier to the outside. I've been experimenting with layers at night when my dog and I go for walks. So far the best combination is a micro fleece shirt under a wool sweater in temperature down to the upper 30's.
3. Wear the minimum amount of clothing you can stand. You can add clothes when you stop to eat but start shedding them to avoid wetness. Sweat is designed to cool the body and it works well in the 35 to 45 degree range.
4. I keep seeing where other hikers swear by long pants. I'll stick with zip-offs with the legs reserved for camp. It cuts down on moisture in that most sensitive area.
5. A 20-degree bag supplemented with thermals works adequately in cold weather down into the teens.
6. Make hanging the bear-bag a priority before dark. Looking for a good limb at the right height with a headlamp is near impossible. I'm glad I didn't wait.
7. Black bears for the most part are more scared of us than we are of them. Make enough noise so you don't surprise them and they will not surprise you.
8. There is a lot of truth in "Eat to hike; Hike to eat". Where else can you load up on fats and carbs and not feel guilty?
9. Going home before reaching your destination is a drag. Especially when it's someone else's idea.
So you're probably asking if Gary and I are on good terms yet. Sure we are. However the next time we go hiking I'm driving and he can wait on me to finish the section if he bails early. One of our co-workers has dubbed Gary with a fitting trail name. He will now and forever be known as "Day Pack". As Chad said when he came up with the name, "no longer than he stays on the trail at a time a day pack is all he needs."
Day Pack and I will be hiking from Hot Springs, NC to Damascus, VA starting May 13th until the 24th. May be we'll see you there!
Captain JacDec 14, 2007 at 8:47 am #1412532
Steven EvansBPL Member
@steve_evansLocale: Canada
Captain Jac,
That's a good post. I enjoyed reading it. Sounds like a big push…I applaude your dedication in section hiking the AT – I wish you the best of luck!
I actually pulled a bail on my buddy 2 years ago after pushing too hard on day 1 of a 5 day trip (park rec. 10 days)- day 1 was supposed to be the easy day and I knew I had bit off more then I could chew. Was he bummed? Yep – Where we alive and safe – sure were…after hitch hiking back to the car!
SteveDec 14, 2007 at 11:22 am #1412544
Thanks Steve
My son and I have decided that in 2010 we are going to start over and hike all the way to Maine. He will out of college and I will have just retired. In the mean time we just keep knocking out sections.
That section is a big push but I hiked it in 06 with a 42# pack. After dropping 14# it was still a challenge but much easier. Last spring Martin (my son) and Brian (my son-in-law) hiked 25 miles in one day from Standing Bear Farm to the north side of Bluff Mountain. I find the best way to keep doing this is to keep doing this. I just got back from lunch where I hiked 2 miles in a pasture in piedmont NC. I try to get in an over-nighter at least once a month. Next month will be the Uwharrie Mountains for a 24 mile loop. I'll do 12 – 15 miles on the Saturday I'm out.
After the AT I am planning to hike the Mountain to Sea Trail in NC. They are in the process of moving the trail and the route will pass 300 yards from my house.Dec 20, 2007 at 12:42 pm #1413251
bobby cMember
@bobbycartwrightLocale: i don't need no stinkin badges!
gary sounds like the worlds' biggest wuss.Dec 20, 2007 at 2:49 pm #1413281
Well, it might appear that way from the previous post. However keep in mind that everyone has their likes and dislikes. Gary's just happens to be the cold.
Last summer he and I hiked the length of the Smokey Mountains in 90 degree temperatures. The second day of the hike over Thunderhead and Rocky Top is about as rough as it gets on the east coast (except for the section just north of the NC border). He did 12+ miles each day with a pack that failed (broken shoulder strap).
Besides calling a US Marine a wuss usually is not a wise move.Dec 21, 2007 at 12:50 pm #1413404
bobby cMember
@bobbycartwrightLocale: i don't need no stinkin badges!
i don't know, wuss may be kinda harsh, but i've had people drop out on group hikes and it's just like the biggest let-down in the world. if you don't even think that you can make it, don't leave the house. there is no excuse, especially for a marine, to not have the common sense to stay dry and not get soaking wet from sweating in the winter. while all marines do go through boot camp in semi-tropical locales (s.california and barrier island south carolina), they do teach them proper clothing maintenance, common sense, etc….
next time, leave gary at home. sounds like his equipment isn't up to par either.Dec 21, 2007 at 1:58 pm #1413412
JASON CUZZETTOBPL Member
@cuzzettjLocale: NorCal - South Bay
Personally I love the whole narative. Thank you. You might take a few short, 'hard push', weekends with Gary and push him hard and talk gear. He needs to lighten up. Did he eat before he fell asleep that night. Get him to eat more.
Get him to lighten that gear up!
Keep on going. Sounds like fun.Dec 21, 2007 at 5:47 pm #1413434
Frank PerkinsMember
@fperkinsLocale: North East
Great narrative Captain Jac. I really enjoyed reading it. There is nothing worse than a canceled hiking trip. I know I have had to deal with that a few times and after all the planning, it's a real drag to have to reschedule.Dec 21, 2007 at 6:33 pm #1413435
He did eat a freeze dried meal, but IMHO it was not enough. We talked about his eating habits and I think next time he will plan to eat more. I loaned him a copy of TravelLight; Eat Heavy but I don't think he read more than a few pages. He stopped when he got to the 3,000 calories a day. He gets really hung up on how much he eats. Last summer I packed all the food for the trip in the GSMNP. I also ate all his leftovers. I still lost weight on the trip.Dec 28, 2007 at 2:14 pm #1413965
Frank DelandMember
@ramblerLocale: On the AT in VA
Great report. Congratulations in sticking by your friend even when you wanted to push on. You definitely should read "A Walk in the Woods" by Bill Bryson.Dec 31, 2007 at 4:39 am #1414246
I have read it and enjoyed every page. So has Gary and has told me I never should make him sound like Katz.
I am presently reading "Awol on the Appalachian Trail". It resembles life on the trail a lot better than "A Walk in the Woods". However it caused numerous periods of laughter followed by a "been there, done that". I have also learned a number of small hiking strategies I plan to try out prior to my hike in 2010.
Thanks for you comments on the post.
You must be logged in to reply to this topic.


text:
In Britain, as Alan Bennett famously wrote in An Englishman Abroad, you need only reach 90 and be capable of eating a boiled egg to be reckoned worthy of the Nobel Prize. One hates to argue with a uniquely perceptive observer of national life, but try telling that to the nonagenarian that screened his glorious TV play about the traitor Guy Burgess back in 1983.
This week marks the BBC's 90th anniversary of its inaugural broadcast, and the only Nobel-related birthday presents anyone appears to have in mind are a cake studded with sticks of dynamite in place of the candles, a box of Swan Vestas and a very short fuse.
Bennett put his scornful insight in the mouth of the actress Coral Browne, an Australian with sneering contempt for what she saw as the smug decadence of the British establishment. With Rupert Murdoch seizing on the BBC's embarrassment with classically ruthless opportunism, it certainly rings a bell.
There is, of course, no mistaking an air of ageing, from the Alzheimerish amnesia about the most basic journalistic good practice and George Entwistle's befuddlement over the duties that go with the title of editor-in-chief. But unlike every other ancient trout whose callous younger relatives (in this case, Murdoch's BSkyB) want to shove her off into a home, and get their hands on the dosh while she dribbles towards the grave, this great Auntie will recover her wits to see them off.
In recent decades, many wrote premature obituaries to the Labour and Conservative Parties and the monarchy when they were perpetually engulfed by chaos, forgetting that old whores like those only live to become old whores because they are, at their core, a representation of an idea. And you can never, as cliche teaches, kill an idea.
The idea that underpins the modern BBC is that of a state-funded broadcaster so large and strong it has the powers both to withstand political pressure and to foster that fragile sense of shared national identity. Its independence guarantees sporadic warfare with government, and its sheer size makes mistakes of the kind fixating us now inevitable. But the obsession with these horrendous journalistic failures, and how it came to swamp interest in the pedophilia that led to them, tells a story. If people are furious with the BBC, it is that especially ferocious and ephemeral anger that emanates not from raw hatred, but from disappointed love.
Whatever current opinion polling says about the Beeb being mistrusted by a majority for the first time, the loathing will remain reserved for a Murdoch empire that cannot or will not learn humility.
To hear Trevor Kavanagh of the Sun, tell John Humphrys yesterday that Newsnight's misdemeanours were worse than those that infected the Murdoch tabloids would have been shocking had it not been so wearyingly predictable. The refusal to draw a distinction between gross incompetence and systemic criminality told us what we knew already. The BBC agonises over its flaws. News International dismisses its own as too trifling to be worth the attention.
In the BBC's eagerness to allow Kavanagh air time to distort and derange the self-evident truth, just as it allowed Humphrys to put Entwistle out of his misery, lies the seed of its certain redemption. The rigorous independence of its journalism not only far outweighs the occasional fiasco. It is the immune system that will fight off this nasty virus.
A full cure will also require some surgery. The scalpel must also be taken to the bloated layers of necrotic management. Elements of the output have stagnated through complacency, and need refreshing.
The flaws are multiple and serious, and if this crisis forces the next editor-in-chief to address them, the BBC will emerge stronger from this nightmare than it entered it. In another piece of espionage fiction, George Smiley reflected on the treachery that brought the Circus to its knees in Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy, and with hindsight judged it a blessing in disguise because it compelled the organisation to reform before it was too late.
There is no institution of the BBC's magnitude that does not face apparently existential crises from time to time, and those with the will to face and learn from them survive. The BBC will come through this, not just because if the only alternative monolith is News Corp, there is no alternative.
For all the imperfections, its perspective expresses the values of tolerance and decency, fairness and humanity, to which this country likes to lay claim, and that expression resonates around the world. This may be a muted and despondent 90th birthday for Auntie, but there will be many happier returns.
- Independent


text: I won't have a chance to start on this until tomorrow afternoon, but I wanted to get a thread started, and give a quick rundown: The concept: A fairly modern (1996-present) take on a classic Monark. Aluminum tanker-esque frame (1998 Diamond Back Voyager MTB), linkage-style suspension fork with vertical springs (original Lawwill Leader), coaster brake wheels with 12-gauge stainless spokes and downhill hoops (Weinman DH39's), and some color-accent rubber (red ST 26x2.125's donated by Ed Twisted). Some parts may change in the next few weeks, but with a shave and a haircut, and a few hand-fabbed aluminum panels, I think this thing will really harken back the Monark Tankers and late '50s century-series fighter planes that always looked resplendent in their bare metal finishes.


text:
On March 8, a big spelling e-r-r-o-r was made at the Selma Unified School District's spelling bee, in Selma, California. The mistake was made not by one of the competitors, but by the judges. Even though 12-year-old Sierra Shoemaker spelled her final word correctly, she was disqualified because the judges thought she had it wrong. "I didn't want to say anything because if the word master tells you you've got a wrong word, you don't really argue with him," Sierra told local California news station KMPH.
Word Whiz
The word Sierra was told to spell was "braille," referring to the written language for people unable to see. Sierra spelled it out correctly, but the judges' master sheet had the word written down as "b-r-a-i-l-e," with one 'l' missing. Spelling bee spectators immediately recognized the judges' mistake. So did Sierra. "I looked around at the audience, half of them were looking at each other, murmuring," said Sierra, speaking to KMPH. She went home with a second place trophy, but was frustrated, realizing that perhaps she could have won the first place prize.
Determined to move on to the next level, Sierra appealed her disqualification. At first, the county denied her appeal. But with the support of her school district, Sierra will now advance to the Fresno County Spelling Bee. If she wins Fresno, she will then go on to represent her county in the California State Spelling Championships.
Beyond each state's individual spelling bee is the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Winners from state championships move on to compete against each other, as well as against students from countries outside the United States. With her spirit of determination, we just might see Sierra on stage.


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****Guests with 'Fantastica' balcony cabins or 'Fantastica' suites as well as guests on the "Wellness" experience can enjoy the My Choice dining style on board the MSC Opera, MSC Sinfonia and MSC Armonia.
*****Available on the MSC Meraviglia, MSC Seaside and MSC Seaview
*****From Summer 2017, unlimited beverage selection will also be available in all bars and restaurants of the ship according to the drink selection available in each venue
MSC YACHT CLUB - Exclusivity and privacy in a world of choice
MSC YACHT CLUB WELLNESS DELUXE SUITE - Available only on MSC MERAVIGLIA
* In addition to the standard MSC Yacht Club benefits
⁰ Adults only
Size, layout and furniture may vary from that shown (within the same cabin category).
The image is representative only.
Available Experience
The epitome of elegance and luxury at sea
from your minibar and exclusive access to The One Sun Deck and Top Sail Lounge are just some of the other privileges.
So, if you're looking for exclusivity and privacy in a world of choice, the MSC Yacht Club is the ultimate solution.
*From Summer 2017, unlimited beverage selection will also be available in all bars and restaurants of the ship according to the drink selection available in the each venue
Available experience
In addition to all the privileges of our "MSC Yacht Club ", the MSC Yacht Club Wellness powered by Technogym offers a variety of other exclusive features. Privileged access to dedicated, modern fitness equipment and amenities supported by the Technogym Platform & Wellness Experience App**, a one-to-one health check-up with the MSC doctor**, our exclusive shore activities** and a personal Inbody analyser test with your personal Technogym-trained Master trainer** are all waiting for you onboard. Not to forget the selection of fresh, healthy food and drink options available!
We've even included a laundry service for your gym gear** to guarantee a totally stress-free cruise!
**Availbale for adults only
Size, layout and furniture may vary from that shown (within the same cabin category).
Designed to offer reinvigorating, all-inclusive comfort
Bask in the exclusivity of a private sun deck. Best of all, take advantage of a fantastic spa package including a spa welcome cocktail, one massage of your choice from the spa menu, tanning shower, private wellness consultation and unrestricted use of the Thermal Area
throughout your cruise (available only for adults). Set sail for pure relaxation.
Size, layout and furniture may vary from that shown (within the same cabin category).
Designed for even greater comfort and flexibility
Enjoy room service with free delivery 24 hours a day and choose between Classic or Flexi dining style with a preferred sitting time or time slot*.
Have fun with dedicated educational and recreational activities for children, like foreign language games and Doremi Chef cooking sessions with our staff. And earn MSC Voyagers Club points to take advantage of discounts on your next cruise and a variety of other benefits.
* Guests will be able to select both a dining style and a sitting time (Classic first or second sitting) or a time slot (Flexi early or late) during the booking process. Guests who selected Flexi will be able to choose the exact time slot among those available from 30 days to 48 hours prior to the departure date. Guests will be allocated the same sitting time or time slot for the entire cruise, but will be able to change their dining sitting, time slot or dining style once on board, subject to availability.
Available Experiences
Designed to ensure a pleasant stay on board
Take advantage of the pool, cutting-edge panoramic gym and open-air sports facilities to stay in shape. Make use of the freedom to change your booking details if necessary. And earn MSC Voyagers Club points, so you can enjoy even more benefits on your next cruise!
*On the MSC Meraviglia, MSC Seaside and MSC Seaview, guests will be able to express a dinner sitting preference during the booking process; sitting preference is subject to availability and reconfirmation on board.
Details will be communicated once on board and guests will be free to change their dining time or dining style, subject to availability.
Make the most of a personalised fitness program in various indoor and outdoor locations, supported by the Technogym Platform & Wellness Experience App* and take advantage of our exclusive shore activities* dedicated to the care of your body. And finally, we've even included a laundry service for your gym gear*, for a totally stress-free cruise.
* Availbale for adults only
* This size range includes both standard cabins and cabins for guests with disabilities or reduced mobility, which are larger.
Size, layout and furniture may vary from that shown (within the same cabin category).
Booking number


text:
Who should I start at flex Lamar Miller or Bradshaw
Last edited by Broadway Blue; 09-05-2013 at 06:00 PM.
OK..should I flex Redman or Kenny Britt?
"Typical Morehead!"..................and he didn't even mean that as a compliment..
this isn't a start/sit question but a comparison questions.. Who do you think has the better year Stafford or Kaepernick? (4 pt passing TDs)
I'm second guessing my draft..


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Charming Apartment in Marais (321)
Size45 m²
Floor No.1(with elevator)
- Family/child friendly
- Kitchen
- Washer/dryer
- Elevator in building
- Internet/WiFi
Accommodation summary
|Rue Sainte-Croix de la Bretonnerie, 75004 Paris, France
|Property type
|Property ID
|Acceptance rate
|< 50%
|Response time
|A few hours
|Calendar updated
|A few months ago
The bright and spacious apartment features a living area with a comfortable double bed and a double sofa bed. There is also a dining table. The modern open-plan kitchen is fully fitted, and includes a coffee maker. Guests will find a tub and a shower in the bathroom.
Boasting an excellent central location within 10 minutes' walk of the River Seine and the bridge leading to the Notre Dame Cathedral, guests have the pick of numerous excellent restaurants and bars in the surrounding streets.
Hotel De Ville Metro Station is just 5 minutes' walk from the apartment and offers direct connections to the Bastille, Arc de Triomphe and La Defense. The famous Champs-Élysées shopping street is just 20 minutes away via metro.
House rulesNo smoking.
Check-in and check-out between 9pm and 8 am can be arranged for an additional fee of €30.
A refundable security deposit of €500, via credit card or in cash.
|Weekly rate for up to 3 guests
|Monthly rate for up to 3 guests
|Check-in after
|Check-in before
|On arrangement
|Check-out before
|Cancellation Policy
Reviews for this host's other properties
The appartment has an unusual but interesting and smart floor plan. Lots of rustic and old feel mixed with modern stuff.
We were missing a pair of scissors and a coffee mug or two, but after a mail to John we got the stuff the same day.
A faint odor from the very bottom of the stairs connecting the loft with the rest of the apartment but it wasn't too bad.
Overall we were very happy with our stay.
The Hollmark family from Stockholm, Sweden.
We must say that the attention of John has been excellent throughout expeditious consultation was very picturesque place quickly and within expectations excellent department.
Adrian Govoni
Debemos decir que la atención de John ha sido excelente en toda consulta realizada fue expeditivo rápidamente el lugar muy pintoresco y dentro de lo esperado el departamento excelente.
Adrian Govoni
Sweet little apartment.
Clean, quiet despite central location.
Everything is there, what you need ...
Great central location.
Metro, supermarket and great bakery around the corner.
We will be back !!!
Regards, M & M
3rd floor, narrow stairs and no elevator.
Süßes kleines Appartement.
Sauber, ruhig trotz zentraler Lage.
Alles da, was man braucht...
Super zentral gelegen.
Metro, Supermarkt und toller Bäcker um die Ecke.
Wir kommen wieder !!!
Grüße, M&M
3.OG, enge Treppen und kein Fahrstuhl.
Perfect location near the Marais by metro, bus, taxi and supermarket 100 meters. Pretty apartment, complete with everything. Welcome from the contact person caring and satisfying.
Posizione perfetta a ridosso del Marais con metro, bus, taxi e supermercati a 100 metri. Appartamento grazioso e completo di tutto. Accoglienza del referente premurosa e soddisfacente.
Nice, clean and perfectly located. Highly recommended!
Handing over of apartments has worked quite well, ext. was clean and in very good condition.
Everything in its place, any time :-)
Übergabe des Apartements hat ganz gut geklappt, App. war sauber und in sehr gutem Zustand.
Alles in bester Ordnung, jederzeit wieder :-)
I went to Paris to spent four days with my sister and I found a very dirty flat. Anyway the neighborhood was very nice. We had to change the sheets because they had stains. Under the table there were some dirty socks. Wifi was available only for first 24 hours. I had to contact with the owner five times and the only answer was "how can I solve the problem?, in most places of Paris there was free wifi."
I wouldn't recommend this flat because it's was a unpleasant experience with it.
A very nice accommodation with all the trimmings. In one of the nicest streets of Latin Quarter. Many shops selling fine wines, cheese, meat, fruit, bread and chocolate. Perfect start for a nice break. A nice walk to the Seine or wander around the streets in the district.
In the loft is really everything, himself a vaatwassertje, washing machine and iron.
A small disadvantage is the sound of the supply carts from the shops on the street. But who would want to stay long in bed in town this gift?
Een zeer nette accomodatie met alles erop en eraan. In een van de leukste straatjes van Quatier Latin. Veel winkeltjes met lekkere wijnen, kaas, vlees, fruit, brood en chocolade. Perfecte start voor een mooie stedentrip. Een mooie wandeling naar de Seine of lekker struinen door de straatjes in de wijk.
In de loft zit echt alles, zelf een vaatwassertje, wasmachine en strijkbout.
Een klein nadeeltje is het geluid van de bevoorradingskarren van de winkeltjes op straat. Maar ja, wie wil er nu lang in bed blijven liggen in deze gave stad?
The stay was very satisfactory. they have adapted very Bioen our early arrival time, and we were waiting on the porch.
the house is correct and well situated. No complaints about that.
Missing some things like toilet paper, coffee filters, they very kindly brought in 15 minutes.
Address to recommend.
On the negative side, I did not like that the last day will not get the OK to exit, and stay with the guarantee of 500 € for 48 hours, in case they find any fault !!
La estancia ha sido muy satisfactoria. se han adaptado muy bioen a nuestra hora de llegada temprana, y nos estaban esperando en el portal.
la casa está correcta y muy bien situada. Ninguna queja al respecto.
Faltaban algunas cosas, como papel higiénico, filtros de café, que muy amablemente nos los trajo en 15 minutos.
Dirección a recomendar.
Como aspecto negativo, no me gustó que el último día no te dan el OK a la salida, y se quedan con la fianza de 500€ durante 48h, por si encuentran alguna anomalía!!
We had a wonderful time in Paris and mostly because of our quite small but very comfortable and convenient apartment. It's situated in a strategic position: Although it's really close to any kind of shop and many good restaurants and bars, it's in the internal part of the building so it is very silent. Absolutely suggested.
- Quality assured accommodation
- Every host is verified by telephone
- Secure payment via SSL encryption


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School cleared for employee use
Pequot Lakes Schools Superintendent Chris Lindholm said Monday night, Aug. 26, that new facilities at the middle level and high school building have been cleared for staff use, and clearance for student use is expected within the week.
Tim Robertson, construction project manager from ICS Consulting, said the building has gained temporary occupancy, which will allow staff and teachers to prepare their rooms. The school is still not open to the public except in the gym and middle level areas, where sports practice and summer school have already been taking place.
Lindholm said certificate of occupancy is a document that shows that all other inspections have passed, including kitchen inspections from the department of health and other life safety inspections.
The Pequot Lakes School Board met Monday night, Aug. 26, to review the school construction project as a whole and tour the facilities. The board acknowledged that the project has been a six- to seven-year process that's coming to completion.
Scott Johnson, superintendent for ICS consulting, told the board that $6 million in construction is a typical amount for a summer season, but more than $20 million was completed in the district over two summers.
Wold architect for the project, Vaugn Dierks, said the project was bid at a good time, and since that bidding construction costs have risen. Dierks also told the board of the highlights of the building design.
The media center, he said, has a lockdown system that allows books, materials and electronics to be locked after hours but keeps meeting room facilities open for use. He said the new gym is quite possibly the largest in the region, and the school was built with numerous commons areas.
Dierks said every middle school grade area is connected to the media center, and daylight was brought into interior rooms as well as exterior rooms. Hallways create a loop all the way around the school, and the new brick used on the exterior was designed to be cohesive with the existing look.
The district plans an open house and dedication for the school Thursday, Sept. 12. Admission to that night's volleyball game will be free and free popcorn will be provided.
School board members will lead tours through the entire facility from 6-7 p.m. and a dedication ceremony will be held at 7 p.m.
Admission to the football game will also be free Friday, Sept. 12, with popcorn and tours provided from 6-7 p.m.


text: Umm, Quaker State is part of SOPUS, which also has Shell and Pennzoil Brands (among others)...Really? The whole argument about sludging was from years ago when they used Pennsylvania crude almost exclusively. Pennsylvania crude has a very high paraffin wax content, both Pennzoil and Quaker State suffered sludging because of this; Pennzoil offset the issue with massive amounts of detergents IIRC. The wax issue has been remedied by a dewaxing process during the refining. I would not hesitate to run any oil with "dexos" on the label as that is a pretty rigorous standard, and I want to remember it has a sludging component.


text:
Whether pursuing a career in the forensic sciences, building professional experience toward management or sampling a course, you have several ways to learn the language of forensic sciences with OSU:
Master of Science in Forensic Sciences
M.S.F.S. Thesis for specialization features first-year classes online with remaining classes and research on campus.
M.S.F.S. Non-thesis Options with all courses online
M.S.F.S. Non-thesis Option with most courses online and some hybrid courses
(Hybrid courses have both online sessions and on-site activities.)
All Forensic Sciences programs feature online classes that tap the power of the Internet and computers to engage students. In comparison to traditional graduate programs, the learning activities place greater responsibility on students to prepare them for the self-reliance and collaboration required in the profession.
Copyright © Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences | 1111 W. 17th St. | Tulsa, OK 74107 | 918-582-1972
Campus Map | Non-Discrimination Statement | Contact Webmaster


text:
Eco-Journey is the blog of the Environmental Ministries Office of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). It includes a wide array of environmental topics: upcoming environmental events, links to interesting articles and studies, information on environmental advocacy, eco-theology topics, and success stories from churches that are going "green."
Author Rebecca Barnes is the Associate for Environmental Ministries at the PC(USA). She is a graduate of Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary with an MDiv and Master of Arts in Religion (MAR) dual degree.
The House Farm Bill now does not have the conservation focus nor the SNAP benefits that are so clearly needed for environmental and economic care. Please read this Action Alert from our Office of Public Witness, and take action!


text:
Stay connected with us to get the latest health and fitness news, innovative workouts, healthy recipes and wellness tips.
Change Location
ACE Fit Share
This delicious Chinese-inspired salad is crisp, crunchy and cool with shredded cabbage, carrots and chicken breast tossed with toasted ramen noodles and slivered almonds. The dressing is an addictive orange, sesame, ginger and soy combination—you may want to double the dressing and save some for a salad the next day.
Nutrition Profile:
Diabetes Appropriate
Healthy Weight
Heart Healthy
High Fiber
High Potassium
Low Calorie
Low Cholesterol
Low Sat Fat
Low Sodium
Serves 4
Prep Time 30 min
Total Time 30 min.
Step 1
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Step 2
Crumble ramen noodles onto a large rimmed baking sheet (discard seasoning packet). Add almonds, sesame seeds and canola oil; toss to coat. Bake for 10 minutes. Stir, then bake until the noodles are golden brown, about 5 minutes more. Let cool on the pan on a wire rack.
Step 3
Meanwhile, place chicken in a medium skillet or saucepan with water to cover. Add ginger and salt; bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer gently until no longer pink in the center and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the meat registers 165°F, 10 to 15 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a clean cutting board to cool. Using forks, shred into bite-size pieces. (Discard the poaching liquid.)
Step 4
Meanwhile, combine orange juice, vinegar, soy sauce, sugar and sesame oil in a small bowl or jar with a tight-fitting lid. Whisk or shake until the sugar has dissolved.
Step 5
Just before serving, combine the shredded chicken, cabbage, carrot and scallions in a large bowl. Add the toasted noodle mixture and the dressing; mix well.
Featured Workouts
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Flatten your stomach and build strength in the muscles that provide stability and mobility for the spine, pelvis, ribs and hips.
Focus on pulling, rotating and building strength with workouts created alongside Olympic Gold Medalist Dominique Dawes.
This workout provides a challenging total-body workout that can be done from the comfort of home with no equipment other than bodyweight and space.


text:
I had the opportunity to test-drive a very well-kept, low-mileage, 2009 Rabbit 2dr hatchback a few days ago which is being sold at a remarkable price. It was my first time driving a VW, and first time driving a German car.
And what can I say, I was VERY IMPRESSED---by the build quality, the crisp handling, comfortable ride, thoughtful features, simple yet elegant and classy style both inside and out, and the general "solid" feel of the whole car.
HOWEVER, the only reason I restrained myself from forking over the money and buying iton the spot---was because I have all these lingering questions/doubts about:
1. VW long-term reliability: not so much the engine itself but everything else except the engine. I keep reading about how expensive it is to maintain VWs due to silly little stuff going bad like door locks, window motors, etc. Especially when compared to the likes of Honda and Toyota.
2. VW service & parts cost: since VW is not nearly as common in the US as Europe, do you really pay an arm and a leg at the dealer for routine maintenance, let alone periodical repairs?
3. The Rabbit is rated at 21city/30hwy by the EPA. Could such a quite conservative and light-footed driver like myself hope to ever surpass those numbers by say, 3-5mpg?
4. Resale value: is it really difficult to find buyers willing to pay a fair price for this car used, due to #1, 2, & 3 above?
Please share your personal (or anecdotal) experiences with the upkeep of this beautiful-looking car. I am hoping that you all will be able to talk me out of buying a boring 'ole Civic or Corolla or Hyundai Accent, please! I really want to, and I know that I'll be happier than a pig in s**t for the next 23K miles...but the 23K miles after that, and the one after that?


text:
one possibility is that a heavier diesel engine could be required for those ordering the special "urban agility" wheelbase along with the extended body on the Ford Aerostar, y'know, so more stuff could be carried aft of the rear wheels
wheelie-bars would be sold and installed at dealerships
an "SHO" model is anticipated, albeit with traditional front steering input replaced by "tank tread" direction-change controls based on rear differential controls
I'll take one with tank treads!
That's almost as bad as the Avalon.
I can only imagine what would happen if you place a big enough load in the back edge of that van, can you say see-saw. Real funny, but anyone with a good eye cn see this is a photoshopped picture. If this was graded like a school exam, I will give the guy a -C. The front and back have a different shade of white. The lines behind the C pillar don't line up, especially near the wheelwell. The shadows are also wrong, look behind the wheel and right next to it, duplicate shadow.
The automobile, object of lust and pride, of great rivalries and great kinsman-ship alike. Revered by all in each there own way.
The IIHS has gotta love that rear crumple zone.BTW stealthraven, I don't know if your familiar with Ben's previous work, but this is one of his better efforts (technically speaking...)
and I did it with Powerpoint, copying and pasting chunks of the picture, and then I saved the presentation as a batch of JPEG files, it was neat!one I did of a Chevy pickup was onscreen when kids were coming to class after lunch, and they actually liked my rendition of it better than the original.either that or I was being sassed.
You were probably being duped. Fall for the apple trick, too?
_____If you don't look around you'll never knowIf you don't step up you'll never knowIf you don't jump off you'll never knowand you'll never find another lifeBroken Circle-Sam Phillips
in 9th grade, I put a rotten apple on my teacher's desk


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| » 3-alarm fire destroys Burbank market
An apparent electrical fire early this morning damaged a classroom building at James Monroe High School in North Hills.
The fire on Haskell Avenue was in a building south of the main school, Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman Brian Humphrey said.
Principal Chris Rosas said the building houses about five classrooms.
The fire was reported by a passerby at 2:41 a.m. and took 45 minutes for firefighters to get under control, Humphrey said. No one was hurt.
Rosas said firefighters believed the blaze, which damaged a woodshop and other rooms, started in the electrical system and was not set intentionally.
The principal said the building will likely need "extensive rebuilding of the roof and the foundation." In the meantime, he said, students have been sent to the main school, where there are open rooms.
The library and auditorium also could be used for classes, Rosas said.
email@example.com 818-514-5610


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2014: A true test of labor's power
Labor is confronting the same challenges as Republicans—its core voters are aging and its mission for much of the 20th century doesn't match the necessities of a changing America. The new economy, filled with workers regularly switching jobs, isn't the same as a generation ago, when most employees stuck with the same firm for life and negotiated benefits accordingly. Labor badly needs a retooling, to focus as much toward building worker-education programs to train employees for service-sector jobs as on fighting laws designed to crack down on their political power, which has been declining without any external involvement. Historian Walter Russell Mead argues that we're undergoing a sea change in American life, the demise of what he calls the blue economic model: "The core institutions, ideas and expectations that shaped American life for the 60 years after the New Deal, don't work anymore. The gaps between the social system we inhabit and the one we now need are becoming so wide that we can no longer paper over them."
One glaring irony about the 2012 presidential election is that unions were able to provide a bulwark of support to President Obama in many battleground states, even as their numbers dwindled sharply. In Ohio, union households made up only 22 percent of the electorate, down 6 points since 2008. In Michigan, labor households made up just 28 percent of the electorate, a steep drop from 34 percent four years earlier. Even outside the Rust Belt in Nevada, the labor proportion of the vote dropped from 23 percent to 16 percent…
Over the next two years, the AFL-CIO will be focusing its involvement on six states, all with high-profile gubernatorial races: Florida, Michigan, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. The stakes are high: If labor wins, there will be serious second-guessing over Republicans' aggressive agenda and the results could cost the GOP its base of working-class whites. But if Republicans emerge from 2014 with their governors largely intact, they'll enter 2016 with a rallying cry, unafraid to call for deep-seated economic reforms as a major element of the party's future platform.


text: I was actually impressed with some of Caroline Zhangs's improvements in her first GP outing even though she still has a way to go to regain better placings in competition. Long term I think some of them could pay off for her. What do you think her career high mark will end up being if you were to project now, especialy seeing as that she is now doing to work to fix her jump technique.


text:
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Thankful: Update
15 comments :
- Rebecca said...
Oh, how scary!! I hope she is okay, and can come home really soon! Poor thing! Isn't it amazing how things like that can develop so suddenly?!?!
- November 8, 2011 at 7:38 AM
- the workaholic momma said...
Oh my goodness - I hope Emma Kate gets better soon. Praying for you guys and sending hugs:)
- November 8, 2011 at 7:59 AM
- Melissa at Tall Blonde said...
Poor baby! I hope she gets better soon. Sending prayers your way!
- November 8, 2011 at 8:20 AM
- Rach (DonutsMama) said...
Oh no!! Hope she gets better soon.
- November 8, 2011 at 10:50 AM
- Megan said...
Oh goodness. It's so sad when our little ones our sick. I'll keep your family in my prayers!
- November 8, 2011 at 10:53 AM
- Megan said...
(when are little ones ARE sick. oops)
- November 8, 2011 at 10:53 AM
- Ali - My Suitcase Full of Tricks said...
Poor little thing. Hope she's feeling better soon.
- November 8, 2011 at 11:08 AM
- Ashley said...
I hope Miss Emma Kate gets to feeling better. And please keep us updated on how she's doing.
- November 8, 2011 at 11:58 AM
- Carrie said...
Oh my goodness! I'm glad to read she's feeling better and will be home soon! What a relief!
- November 8, 2011 at 5:59 PM
- Crafty Newbie said...
She's so adorable. it's good to hear she is doing well! Bless you and your family. :)
- November 9, 2011 at 10:34 AM
- Jen said...
My thoughts and prayers are with you guys. What a scary thing to have endured.
- November 9, 2011 at 2:19 PM
- Jodi said...
oh my goodness im glad she is doing better and gets to come home soonest!
- November 9, 2011 at 3:32 PM
- Crystal Posey said...
Hoping for a fast recovery!
- November 9, 2011 at 5:20 PM
- Katie said...
It's amazing the big smile Emma Kate can muster under the circumstances. It almosts breaks my heart more! On another note, congrats on the new sweing machine- can't wait to hear all about it!
- November 9, 2011 at 6:13 PM
- Natalie said...
Awww I hate to see your little cutie sick...I really hope she's better soon and that you guys get to go home.
- November 10, 2011 at 9:51 AM