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Tea Party sympathizers??
Today is tax day here in the good ol' USA. The Tea Party has organized many demonstrations throughout the country to protest big government and what they say is high taxes.
I personally don't have a problem with people assembling and disagreeing with how government is doing things.
I don't think that in and of itself is a bad thing.
The racism, talking points, and perhaps the extremists of the group??? have made it difficult for me to respect much of this group. I'm sure there are individuals who are not racist, who have well-thought out arguments, and are very mainstream, who will be demonstrating at these events.
Today, on Sirius/XM, the AP news was being broadcasted. I did a double take...a "wha?" moment. I think I heard them say that the education/income level of the average Tea Party protester is above average. Ummmm, really? Did I hear that right?
Anyone else hear that?
I have to admit. As a group (again, I know there will be individuals that do not fit this), I thought they were less intelligent, crazier/more racist, and possibly and ironically living off of government assistance (and using government funded programs).
I'm really trying to understand what I think is an over-emotional reaction in our country...whether it be the republican congress saying "no" to everything Obama wants (just because they can), calling Obama a liar during his presidential address, the Tea Party movement which was organized only months into Obama's administration, the recent pro-Confederate proclamation in Virginia, the organizing of the 2nd Amendment rights demonstrating with guns, death threats, misinformation about Obama wanting to outlaw fishing to stir up people, the popularity of Glenn Beck, Sarah Palin.
Can someone please give me another explanation than our country has gone batsh@t crazy? I would like to think there's some logical and positive things to be said about all this.
Education and intelligence doesn't necessarily mean someone can't be racist or a hate monger. Hate transends everything else, because hate can make people blind.
The tea baggers are being played. This is not an organic grass roots movement. It's a carefully orchestrated movement, and these suckers are playing right into the hands of the organizers, who are making a mint off their blind hatred.
Thats because what you see here is people posting pictures of people holding racist stupid signs and some people claiming they saw/heard things at rallies (they have no proof on video or pictures). Of course you are going to assume these people are the majority. Have you actually ever gone to one? I'm assuming not. I have and I never saw anything like what's being shown here or on the news. Most people were just there laughing, talking, listening, singing, etc. People were all just frustrated. Not angry racist. Of course people are when only 47% of the population is paying taxes. I'm sure my post will be slammed as a racist, Obama hater but whatever I'm used to it. But instead of taking what people say here and on the news as absolute truth go look for yourself before passing judgment on a lot of people.
Plenty of people feel very uncertain because of the recession and/or the first Black president (which is a blow to White privilege). Of course, this being America, a lot of these people haven't voted very often -- if ever --- and don't really follow politics. Now that they feel scared, they want an easy answer. And people like Glenn Beck and Rush Limbaugh provide a very easy answer: We have to protect America from the forces of evil and extremism! So now people who used to be uncertain and uninformed are now certain and uninformed. There's a concrete, well defined enemy that can be targeted and defeated. And once the enemy is defeated, all their problems will be solved!
Also, a lot of these people are just plain don't care about people who are less privileged. "I worked hard to be born into a nice middle-class family. Why were those other people so lazy?" These are the people who complain about the homeless just sitting around all day and not working, while they have to work at jobs.
DH is not a Tea Partier, but he doesn't think the government should be involved in anything that isn't spelled out in the Constitution. Our first argument was about Marbury v. Madison and the Supreme Court's "slight of hand" that gave courts the ability to decide when laws are unconstitutional. I was so angry at DH, I almost left him in the restaurant that night.
Anywho, DH doesn't get all bent out of shape about whether Obama is a U.S. citizen, or that nonsense. He just doesn't want the government involved in anything that isn't in the Constitution. He doesn't think there should be a federal department of eduation or health and human services.
DH has a bachelor's degree and makes good money, so he isn't one of the stereotypical tea baggers. He thinks Sarah Palin should be quiet and go away. He doesn't like Glenn Beck. Unfortuantely, he DOES listen to Rush Limbaugh, but he sees it as entertainment, not gospel.
ETA: I mention DH because he might go to the Tea Party demonstration today.
I actually understand the minimalist (Constitutionalist) approach and being fiscally responsible.
I don't fully agree with it, but I can respectfully understand and agree to disagree. I'm fine with that point of view, actually.
However, we are already part "socialist" and have been for years...public schools, libraries, road construction, Medicaid, Medicare, Social Security, funding wars, etc.
Where were they when Bush Jr was raising our taxes? When congress passed the Patriot Act?
And I do feel like they are being played, as well. They seem to praise Sarah Palin. Palin? Really? Glenn Beck as well.
The rich who have loopholes and do not pay their fair share do not like to have a more progressive tax that Obama proposed. They'd rather it be that the Middle Class pays more than their fair share but yet do not get the goodies attached to it.
Now the rich and poor benefit most from our taxes, while it's the middle class that pays the largest chunk. Now that there will be more benefits for middle class, everyone is now screaming?
I think fundamentally, I undestand why someone might be attracted to the fiscally conservative message the Tea Party sends. Unfortunately, we're being taxed up the wazzoo no matter who is in power, so why not get some goodies along the way, rather than always favoring the rich (with scraps given to the poor)?
Don't they see that?
Or am I still not getting it?
Basically, these people combine paranoia with classism (often with racism mixed in, since class and race are so tied together in this country).
If you (gy) think that the system is fair, then of course you don't want those crazy liberals changing that up.
If you think that people pretty much get what they deserve in life, then a minimalist approach makes the most sense. Let the cards fall where they may.
It's hard to argue with someone that doesn't think racism or sexism exists. or that mental illness is not a choice. or that homosexuality is not a choice.
We as a society have become less racist and sexist because of the left fighting for our rights. The Civil Rights movement, the Women's Movement. We have all benefited (well, not the rich white man...he's not benefiting...LOL).
I have heard people say (and believe) that we are in a new era in which racism and sexism doesn't exist or is so rare that it doesn't need to be addressed. They actually believe that.
I was naive enough when I was a teenager to think that sexism was almost non-existent. I heard sexist remarks, but I wrote that off as those older, ignorant people. I didn't understand how systemic sexism was...even though I was living right in the middle of it. My father is sexist, but because I was smarter than my brothers, he favored me. However, his remarks and joking about others were very sexist. The way he treated my mom...sexist. My church was sexist...but it was always rationalized.
So, I think I can understand why someone might come to the conclusion of getting angry when "liberal" programs are being proposed and wanting a more minimalist approach.
Only 47 percent of the population is paying taxes-- taking what you said. You do realize that I'm angry that I pay more than my fair share of taxes, while the rich get loopholes and big corporations get deals to fatten their wallets. I don't mind helping the poor. I would hope that if I'm ever down and out, that I would get help too.
It seems like people are screaming more when it's to help the poor and sick. There wasn't an outrage by the conservative side when Bush Jr put us in two wars-- one of which many (including the conservatives now...hindsight being 20/20) would say shouldn't have happened. There wasn't this outrage like there is now.
I understand we are in a recession. I understand we need to either cut spending or pay more taxes. We cannot keep borrowing from foreign nations. I respect the fiscal conservative side. I do.
I just think the anger is directed in the wrong place, that's all.
I was very angry about how the bail outs for our major financial institutions took place. I hesitantly agreed that something needed to be done, but little ol' me thought they needed accountability. It was passed without really thinking it through. Before they passed the bail out, I thought "they need to put restrictions; they need to investigate what happened. give them money if you must (to avoid more problems), but don't just hand it to them." What did they end up doing? They pretty much gave them the money without any strings attached. That pissed me off to no end!!!!
I'm angry that corporate America gets a pass and that we are left paying the bill. The last thing I want to do is to support the Republican party that caters to this crowd. Both parties were responsible for this mess...but let's face it...the repubs are in alliance with corporate america even more so.
Quite opposite of the Tea Party, I'm angry about what happened BEFORE Obama took office (under Bush), I'm angry that the poor are being abandoned while the rich prosper in quite unethical ways. By the way, I'm all for people doing well, getting rich...if it's done ethically. I'm not anti-capitalist. Just to be clear.
But we as a society pay taxes to better our society. The rich do not need more toys (yachts) while the poor are suffering. The health care system with the insurance companies profiting and turning down their own paying customers...that's unethical. Why fight against the sick and fight for the insurance company? That's what I didn't get about the Tea Party.
I understand you don't want a "government take-over." Actually, I don't either. I'm not supporting a single payor system. However, something needed to be done. The repubs weren't going to do squat. I'm happy with what got passed. It isn't perfect.
I just don't understand. It seems like the Tea Party is fighting against their own best interest. And they are being played by the very people that are oppressing all of us, including them.
Bekkapoo, that is the poll that the AP was referring to. Thanks. The blog made sense in explaining it. I too know that repub party is behind it all. It makes sense that those on top are more educated/more wealthy. It makes sense that they are having the less educated/ less wealthy do their dirty work for them. Somehow the twisted logic of Glenn Beck really made it where they are willing to fight tooth and nail against their own best interests.
I don't doubt that there aren't intelligent people out in the trenches too. I think it's probably a mixed crowd of poor/rich; smart/not so smart; racist/blind to racism kind of people. Again, the basic argument that we need to be fiscally conservative doesn't offend me. I can understand why smart people, well meaning people can believe that. I understand that...but the Tea party is more than just arguing for that alone.
There is an over-reaction after Obama went into office. Not saying the average Tea Partier is racist. But I think there are some racists in the group that are riled up. I think this riled up energy is attractive to some people who are already angry and don't know what to do with their anger. The non-racist (or blind to racism) people probably overlook or rationalize the racist side of the movement. But there is this energy that goes beyond anger at our economy. Most of us, liberal and conservative, republican and democrat, are angry at the economy. It's the way the anger is being directed that concerns me. How they are being directed (riling up the basest part of the group) concerns me.
I think if we can get beyond the emotionalism, there could be some dialogue. And I know there is emotionalism. My husband isn't a Tea Partier...but he sympathizes with them. He watches Fox News and I can tell he gets a little riled up. He isn't racist (he's just ignorant about racism). His best friend really is black (not just saying it)...that's the irony. His best friend is a conservative black man. Yes, he and I have had discussions too. (but I digress)
There's something that's getting riled up. It's like the Repub party is using people to get them riled up to try to intimidate others. Get enough people angry, direct that anger at the wrong source, and add a little bit of crazy-o to the mix...and voila!
I understand the anger, I understand wanting fiscal conservatism. I hope I'm clear what I'm having a problem with.
Boomygrrl, your point is clear to me, very much so.
But of course this "movement" was a false one from the beginning-- they have great marketing for a "grass roots" movement, dontcha think? In the end a real revolution would be if the bottom 99% of us were ganging up on the top 1% instead of the other way around.
The next rally, I think I'll go. Orlando recently had one and one of the speakers: That Doctor Cassel jag who put up a sign telling patients that voted for Obama were not welcomed.
Trenell, let us know how that goes.
I'm not going to call you racist, but I am thinking that you are not very well informed. Yes, "only" 47% of people pay federal income taxes, but that doesn't mean they don't pay any taxes. They are for sure paying payroll taxes (FICA/social security). They are paying state and local taxes. They are paying sales taxes. We as a country happen to run a lot of programs through our tax system, so people who bought homes this year (and paid taxes on them) were able to take deductions that negated their taxes-owed. We get tax deductions for all sorts of reasons, and we pay taxes and then get some of them back because we're eligible for those deductions. We are taxed every time we turn around, so to say "only 47% of people pay taxes" is so far beyond ignorant as to be laughable. PLEASE...get your information from something else besides Fox News. They are lying to you. Just because they repeat their lies over and over again, doesn't make them true.
The demographics of the Tea Party movement are startling...90% of them are white males. If that's not racist...well, it's pretty darn close.
I'm so upset that people with lots of extra money pay federal taxes, and people who are really poor don't pay federal taxes!!
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Beginner Beekeeping Workshop
This is a workshop to learn the basics about beekeeping.
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Search 257 parcels of Asherville Township, Kansas for Parcel Number, Site Address, Owner, Acreage (calculated), Perimeter, Municipality, School District, Zip Code, Census Tract, Census Block Group, and Census Block.
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With a specially commissioned work by Peter Child8:00pm May 31, 2013 Jordan Hall
Never finished by Mozart but still a beautiful and fascinating work, Mozart's great Mass in C minor is performed by Chorus pro Musica with full orchestra and soloists. Also performed is the world premiere of a specially-commissioned work by MIT professor Peter Child.
In performance with the New England Philharmonic and Kristen Watson, soprano; Krista River, mezzo-soprano; David Won, tenor; Andrew Garland, baritone.
W.A. Mozart's C minor Mass is his only liturgical work written without commission. He began it as a work of thanksgiving for his marriage in 1782 to Constanze Weber—and to help win his father's approval for that marriage. The Mass was to be premiered in Salzburg upon their first visit to his father, and, though incomplete, it was indeed performed on that occasion, with Constanze as the soprano soloist. It includes some of Mozart's most distinctive religious music, in which his remarkable creativity sparkles with reflections of Handel and Bach, both of whom Mozart was discovering at the time of composition.« Return to list


text: I collect everything I see at the range. I de-prime them and clean them along with my own. I sell these to my local gun shop for an average of 5¢ a piece. I bag them in 100ct ziploc bags, and they work toward my ammo purchases. I do find the occasional odball caliber. I remember the 41AE. Rare indeed.


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June 26, 2017 Disclaimer: Please read.
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The End of the Road for George W. Bush
Posted on Jan 13, 2008
By Chris Hedges
The Gilbert and Sullivan charade of statesmanship played out by George W. Bush and his enabler, Condoleezza Rice, as they wander the Middle East is a fitting end to seven years of misrule. Despots stripped of power are transformed from monsters into buffoons. And this is the metamorphosis that is eating away at the Bush presidency.
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He may yet rise again to torment us with an attack on Iran, condemning more innocents to slaughter. He and his cigar-smoking soul mate Ehud Olmert would like to go out with one more flash of mayhem and violence. But even this will not ultimately save him. Bush will soon be reduced to the cipher he once was, left to spend the rest of his life trying to salvage a legacy of shame and deceit. In a just world he would be put on trial, if not by the International Criminal Court of Justice then by the U.S. Congress. He would be forced to face up to his lies and wars of aggression. But the moral rot that infects the nation has seeped into the bowels of the legislative as well as the executive branch.
World leaders, including those whom Bush desperately wants to intimidate, now dismiss him. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said a few days ago that relations with the United States are of "no benefit to the Iranian nation. The day such relations are of benefit, I will be the first one to approve of that."
Bush will have flown from Israel to Palestine to Kuwait to Bahrain to the United Arab Emirates to Saudi Arabia to Egypt in search of a legacy, one that he hopes will lift up his name in history. But, isolated and deluded, he has yet to grasp that he and the United States are reviled and detested for our violence, arrogance and greed. The bands played on the tarmac. He was toasted at state dinners. But even our allies, including Kuwait and Egypt, know Bush is a danger to himself and others.
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When Bush met with the Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah he blithely defended the patchwork of Israeli roadblocks that have turned the West Bank into a series of ringed Palestinian ghettos. The roadblocks, he told Abbas, are necessary for Israeli security. He announced that the 1949 Green Line, the borders established by the United Nations, would never be restored. There would be no discussion, he said, of the status of Jerusalem. And the plight of Palestinian refugees would be solved by setting up an international fund, meaning, of course, that none would ever return. In short, he offered an unequivocal endorsement of right-wing Israeli policy with not a murmur of dissent. And the Palestinians can either have it rammed down their throat or rot. Bush will be back, he has promised, in May to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Jewish state. Olmert, no doubt, will again be fulsome in his praise, which is probably what Bush's trip to the Middle East is, at its core, really about. Bush desperately wants someone to pretend with him that he is an agent for peace and statesmanship. Olmert, who knows the callow American leader will give him everything he desires, is happy to oblige.
But as Bush basks in the glow of his own fantasy, the suffering in Gaza, one of the world's worst humanitarian disasters, along with the savage occupation of Iraq, continues to fuel widespread anger and rage. Bush has spent his time in office bolstering the Middle East's most despotic regimes, including that of Gen. Hosni Mubarak in Egypt. He approved a $20-billion arms package for these states. He has backed efforts to crush mainstream Islamic groups that have electoral legitimacy and popular support. He has stood by as these regimes have stifled democratic dissent, and he has, with Israeli encouragement, isolated governments, even friendly governments, in the Middle East that raised feeble protests. But his day is past. There is open revolt. Opinion polls show that two-thirds of Palestinians, and three-fourths of Israelis, do not believe Bush can affect events in the Palestinian territories.
The agenda of the Bush White House is exposed as irrelevant, myopic and counterproductive. Most Arab countries are in open defiance of Washington and are actively reaching out to Iran.
"As long as they [Iran] have no nuclear program ... why should we isolate Iran? Why punish Iran now?" Arab League Secretary-General Abu Moussa told The Washington Post.
The chief of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Mohamed ElBaradei, is in Iran for talks. President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad attended December's Gulf Cooperation Council summit. The Iranian president attended the just-completed hajj in Mecca at the invitation of the Saudi monarch, King Abdullah. Tehran is exploring the resumption of diplomatic ties with Egypt, cut since the 1979 revolution, and has offered to cooperate with Cairo in the production of nuclear energy. And the Syrian and Lebanese governments have ignored Washington's warnings to sever ties with Hezbollah and Hamas.
It is the end of the road for George Bush. The world takes less and less notice of him. He strutted and swaggered across the stage. He bellowed and raged. He plundered and murdered. And now he wants to be anointed as a peacemaker. His presidency, like his life, has been a tragic waste. But he at least he has a life. There are tens of thousands of mute graves in Gaza, Lebanon, Iraq and Afghanistan that stand as stark testaments to his true legacy. If he wants to redeem his time in office he should kneel before one and ask for forgiveness.
Chris Hedges, the former Middle East bureau chief for The New York Times and author most recently of "American Fascists: The Christian Right and the War on America," can be found every other Monday on Truthdig.
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By weather, January 14, 2008 at 12:58 pm Link to this comment
Nothing happens to America, because if they didn't help engineer 9/11 - they sure as hell were the cause of it.
By weather, January 14, 2008 at 12:54 pm Link to this comment
ill-a-manzer's scatologic teething ring slips down another notch.
By jojo, January 14, 2008 at 10:43 am Link to this comment
Who is the real us?—the Jews in the camps were distant to Palestine. Like USA's media and Government,then Germany was pro-zionist.
By dick, January 14, 2008 at 10:10 am Link to this comment
The power elite (see Mills' book of the same name) run this country. Israel lobbys and their wealthy loyalists are part of the power elite, as is all of Washington. They want continuous wars and will have them. the masses have no influence. The next president will be worse than Bush.
By Koop, January 14, 2008 at 9:11 am Link to this comment
How can a man be so into killing in the name of peace when that man has never held peace in his hands ?
By weather, January 14, 2008 at 8:38 am Link to this comment
The Media made the madness possible.
Without Fox/CNN/PBS/NPR/ and a auditorium of full of publishers, sycophants, stage props and anthrax-cum-oxycotin cocktails.
This Stephen King moment in time may have been defanged.
By GW=MCHammered, January 14, 2008 at 8:33 am Link to this comment
"Maybe they plan to kill him themselves and blame it on Iran."
Makes sense in the scheme of happeings. And Bush is so blind he couldn't hear it coming. I'm certain he believes 'the elders' that it will earn him rewards in (their) heaven. Extreme fundamentalists by any other name.
By John Borowski, January 14, 2008 at 8:31 am Link to this comment
To illustrate how cunning the right wing lackeys can be, here is an example. They will inculcate the weaker minds into believing it was only Bush and Cheney that brought down the Republic and installed a right wing dictatorship in this country. (Destroying the quality of life and living standards of the American people) No people, without the ardent support of the Republicans (Aka Conservatives right wingers) and the pseudo Democrats (Right wingers in Democratic clothing) infesting the Democratic Party, Bush and Cheney couldnt even get to first base in their betrayal of this country. These human devils will infest the Democratic Party so regardless who will win the election the human devils are in full control of this dictatorship. Any Republican nominee will continue to F the American people.
By John Borowski, January 14, 2008 at 8:10 am Link to this comment
To illustrate how cunning the right wing lackeys can be, here is an example. They will inculcate the weaker minds into believing it was only Bush and Cheney that brought down the Republic and installed a right wing dictatorship in this country. (Destroying the quality of life and living standards of the American people) No people, without the ardent support of the Republicans (Aka Conservatives right wingers) and the pseudo Democrats (Right wingers in Democratic clothing) infesting the Democratic Party, Bush and Cheney couldnt even get to first base in their betrayal of this country. These human devils will infest the Democratic Party so regardless who will win the election the human devils are in full control of this dictatorship. Any Republican nominee will continue to F the American people.
By dsmith, January 14, 2008 at 5:42 am Link to this comment
Wolcott in this month's Vainty Fair says Bush will go out with a boom, literally, by bombing Iran. Look for oil to go to $200 a barrel.
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Harris is currently serving as a weapons officer aboard the USS Ponce and will deploy to sea later this year, but today's agreement guarantees the 6-4, 215-pound pitcher a place in the St. Louis organization once he completes his military service.
"We are pleased to have reached an agreement with Mitch," said Cardinals' Vice President, Scouting and Player Development Jeff Luhnow. "We feel that he can make a strong contribution to our organization once his service to our country is complete."
Harris completed his four-year career at Navy as one of the best pitchers in the program's history. He averaged 11.78 strikeouts per nine innings over his career - the highest mark in school history – finishing with a 20-13 record and 2.51 ERA over 222.1 innings. Harris fanned more batters than innings pitched over each of his four seasons to rack up 291 strikeouts - the second-highest total in school history.
In addition to his exploits on the mound, Harris also was a big contributor with the bat, hitting .295 with 16 home runs and 112 RBI over his four years. The 23-year old North Carolina native became the second highest draft pick in Navy history and the first player in program history to be drafted twice (Atlanta Braves - 24th round in 2007).


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One of the main reasons I went with SiG is the fact there is NO external safety. Nothing else to get caught on clothing and NO extra step before engaging. It may sound stupid or unsafe to some, but you have to cycle the trigger before it will go bang. The design of the internal safety features is what got me interested in them and the fit and feel got me hooked. YMMV, but I have absolutely NO issues with not having an external safety mucking things up.
Perhaps a matter of preferrence or training, but it's really a non-safety issue as I carry mine chambered all the time. Always have.
Specifically abbout the retrofit, I'm not sure but I lean toward the probably not side. More info may be found on Dr. Lunde's site: http://lundestudio.com/SigProFAQ/ or you may contact SiG and ask. Installing a manual safety isn't as simple as changing a Classic "P" series from DA/SA to DAO or vice versa. There is milling involved to the slide itself, not to mention the SP2009 has been out of production for quite some time.


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The prospect of another nerve-jangling byelection battle for Labour against the SNP in Scotland has sparked fresh speculation about Jack McConnell's plans to become a diplomat in Africa.
The former Scottish first minister has got his malaria tablets and sunscreen on order for Malawi, where he expects to take up the post of high commissioner next year - his pay-off for relinquishing the Scottish Labour leadership last year.
But some political observers suggest he may want to leave his bags empty for now. The question is: will Labour relish a byelection for McConnell's Holyrood seat of Motherwell & Wishaw so soon after fighting Glenrothes, the seat vacated by the death this week of John MacDougall?
Glenrothes is very vulnerable - the SNP sees itself as favourite to win. So one senior figure who also happens to be a friend of Gordon Brown's has suggested not. McConnell may already feel a comradely hand gently gripping the back of his neck.
"If I was Jack, I wouldn't go buying any tropical uniforms," he said. "If you hand them another seat at parliament, it gives them further legitimacy."
These things are far from simple, of course. If Labour wins Glenrothes - and they will fight it tooth and nail - then the issue becomes less fraught. And if they lose, Labour's future could be so obviously dire that losing Motherwell to the Nats may not ultimately matter.
But here's the thing: despite all the SNP's artful and often brilliant propaganda about their successes - which this week saw the Nats releasing their own polling results showing a 19% lead in Holyrood over Labour - the arithmetic at Holyrood is still very tight indeed.
For our source, the issue turns on the SNP's slim single-seat lead over Labour. For any of its core policies - such as the abolition of council tax and its Scottish Futures Trust to funding multi-billion pound capital projects - it must have support from either the Tories or Lib Dems, and probably Margo MacDonald (independent) or the Greens.
Indeed, the arithmetic is so tight that Holyrood inmates joke grimly about the informal death-watch: looking for the frail constituency MSP whose sudden death could flip the balance of power.
But a win in Motherwell would see Alex Salmond's lead over Labour stretch to three seats, giving him a bigger cushion and a further boost to his as yet unchallenged ambitions of winning the 2011 Holyrood elections by a far wider margin.
The candidates fighting for the Scottish Labour leadership insist that Salmond's spending plans and manifesto promises are close to collapse. Labour MSPs are diligently digging with freedom of information requests and parliamentary questions for the proof they insist is there of sly massaging of spending figures and dodgy policy announcements by SNP ministers.
But they also admit that Salmond is a wily and gifted operator - in the top six of British parliamentarians said one. The SNP's political machine is often brilliant and much of the media is in thrall.
And the SNP, never shy of rubbing Labour's face in its problems, has just published vainglorious opinion polls - which it commissioned - claiming that Salmond's public awareness rating is 89% while Labour's leadership candidates Iain Gray is at 19%, Andy Kerr at 34% and Cathy Jamieson, now the outsider, at 58%.
So, faced with the party's steep slide in the polls, Labour officials may already be running their slide-rule over the numbers and their prospects of derailing the SNP significantly enough to ensure they can safely defend Motherwell & Wishaw.
It used to be one of the toughest fights facing the SNP: before last May's Scottish elections, it needed an 18.25% swing to win it. It was 61 on their target list. But last year, the Nats whittled down McConnell's lead from 9,259 to 5,928 votes, leaving with a distinctly achievable 11.35% swing.
So the question for Jack may become: how badly does he want a new career as a diplomat?


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Sentencing has been delayed for Martin MacNeill, the former Pleasant Grove doctor recently convicted of killing his wife in 2007.
On Nov. 9, a jury convicted MacNeill, 57, of first-degree felony murder and second-degree felony obstruction of justice in the death of his wife, Michele MacNeill.
He was scheduled to be sentenced Thursday, but after a telephone conference Tuesday, 4th District Judge Derek Pullan cancelled the sentencing and set another telephone conference for Jan. 16.
The delay comes after MacNeill's attorneys filed a motion asking for Pullan to arrest judgment in the case or grant a new trial. They argue in the 30-page motion that a federal inmate lied on the stand about a possible early release he received in exchange for his testimony, and that prosecutors did not disclose that a deal was in the works.


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USPS: Mail Taxes Early!
The U.S. Postal Service advises taxpayers filing their tax returns the old-fashioned way to mail those returns early, if possible.
To assist last-minute tax filers on Monday, April 15th, the federal and state deadline for filing income tax returns, the U.S. Postal Service will offer late mail pickup. Post offices will have blue collection boxes in front of the Portland Main Post Office, 715 NW Hoyt St., until midnight.
For Salem and Eugene area customers, mail deposited in blue collection boxes in front of the Salem Main Post Office (1050 2550 25th St. SE) and Eugene Gateway Station (3148 Gateway St., Springfield) will also be collected until midnight on Monday, April 15th.
As an additional service, selected Post Offices in the Portland area with blue collection boxes in front will have mail collections until 9 p.m. These locations' (listed below) collection boxes will be marked with a special yellow sign indicating the added collection time.
(* = Self-Service Ship and Mail Center locations):
- Airport Mail Facility*
7640 NE Airport Way, Portland, OR
- Creston Station
5010 SE Foster Road, Portland, OR
- East Portland Station*
1020 SE 7th Avenue, Portland, OR
- Eastport (Lents) Annex*
3850 SE 82nd Avenue, Portland, OR
- Forest Park Station
1706 NW 24th Avenue
Portland, OR
- Holladay Park Station
815 NE Schuyler St., Portland, OR
- Kenton Station
2130 N Kilpatrcik St., Portland, OR
- Midway Retail Store*
400 SE 103rd Dr., Portland, OR
- Milwaukie Station
11222 SE Main St., Portland, OR
- Multnomah Station*
7805 SW 40th Avenue, Portland, OR
- Oak Grove Branch*
3860 SE Naef Road, Portland, OR
- Parkrose Station*
4048 NE 122nd Ave., Portland, OR
- Piedmont Station
630 NE Killingsworth St., Portland, OR
- Rose City Park Station
2425 NE 50th Ave., Portland, OR
- Sellwood/Moreland Station
6723 SE 16th Ave., Portland, OR
- St. Johns Station
8420 N. Ivanhoe St., Portland, OR
- Tigard Branch*
12210 SW Main St., Portland, OR
- Waterfront Station
101 SW Madison St., Portland, OR
- West Slope Station*
3225 SW 87th Ave., Portland, OR
Customers using the Postal Service's blue collection boxes elsewhere are urged to double-check the label on the box to ensure they deposit their envelopes prior to the last posted collection time. A reminder: IRS forms are not available at postal locations.
The USPS urges customers to avoid last-minute crowds and mail tax returns well before April 15th, or at least early that day. All Post Offices statewide will be open regular retail business hours on April 15th.
Customers should ensure they have the correct postage affixed to their returns. First-Class postage is 46 cents for the first ounce and 20 cents for each additional ounce. In addition to being available at Post Offices, stamps can be purchased at dozens of locations, including supermarkets and contract postal units. Locations may be looked up online at usps.com/taxes.


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Offer is subject to change. Does not apply to sale items.
From the Artist
- Tell us a bit about this design and what is the message or meaning you're trying to convey.
- 3, 2, 1...Let's drink. Every bounty hunter knows the best end to a long day are the flavors of organically grown Martian corn sour mash bourbon. Enjoy over several ice cubes. Too many and it's "See You Later Space Cowboy" so please drink responsibly.
- Who are you?
- I'm Barrett Biggers, geek tra-digital artist super fun guy who loves art. I focus on geek art that is very unique that really is a collectable tribute to my favorite fandoms. Follow me on facebook.com/barrettbiggersartist
- Any shout outs?
- Huge thanks to artist J.P. Perez for helping on this artwork, couldn't have done it without ya buddy! All the buyers and supporters of my art, thank you!


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Each day we offer a selection of headlines that appeared in the world press along with our comments.
Finland, Helsinki Times: "Estonian Island Retreats"
If I was an island and getting closer to Putin Russia, you are darn sure I will move away.
Denmark, Copenhagen Post: "Send Criminal Kids To Boot Camp"
Sure, teach them how to use guns and military ideas.
Egypt, Egyptian Daily News: "I Am A Survivor"
I survived Bush, Cheney, and Rumsfeld. I can survive anything.
South Africa, Argus: "Northern Dogs Nosiest"
Yeah, but they don't growl with a southern accent!
UK, The Independent: "I'm No Thug Says Burger"
I let myself get broiled and tanned and never put up a fight.
Australia, West Australian: "How Would You Spend $190 Million?"
Slowly and carefully.
UK, Guardian: "How Are You Keeping Your Cool?"
By not listening to Fox News.
USA, NY Daily News: "Mugged By A Bear"
When you are in Missouri, don't drink Coors or you will get mugged by bears.
Australia, Canberra Times: "Porno For Educators"
Any standardized test.


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Slip and fall on sidewalk: the notice states the fall was in December and the letter is dated and I just received it in March. I can't remember that far back if there was snow , so I really don't have an idea how the person fell. There has never been a prior complaint since I've owned the property (over 20 yrs). What level of liability do I face if any, and what are the right steps to take?
Immediately put your property insurance carrier on notice in writing and contact an attorney.Ask a similar question
How do you know it was a slip and fall on snow and ice? Maybe it was due to a defect in the sidewalk. If you live in the City of New York, the New York City Administrative Code passes liability on to you only if you're an owner of a commercial property or a residential property that is more than a two-family dwelling.
If it's just a one-family dwelling, then unless you made some sort of "special use" of the sidewalk, such as having your driveway cross it or planting a tree whose roots lifted up a flagstone, or unless you shoveled negligently leaving it icier than it was before you touched it, you would not be responsible.
That still doesn't change the fact that you may be sued, so fax a copy of the letter to your insurance company and, if you have one, your broker, IMMEDIATELY, so when the axe falls, they hire you a lawyer. You can't be worried that your rates are going to go up. This is why you have insurance (if you have insurance).
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Posted by Tom Grant on July 30, 2009
Which business problems will Google Wave address?A few weeks ago, I watched the Google Wave launch video with a mix of interest and nervousness. A big part of my reaction was shaped (warped?) by my experience doing product management and product marketing for collaboration and content management products. While I didn't launch myself at the screen yelling "Noooooooo!" (in slow motion), I did worry that Google might walk straight into an all-too-familiar minefield of competing solution areas.
Collaboration and content management pose a classic problem in requirements and design: Which solution do you want to target? If you build a product without prioritizing among all the different business problems that it might address, you'll build a very "horizontal" product that satisfies no one. Or, worse, it makes perfect sense to you, but everyone else struggles to see how it will best work for them.
Posted by Tom Grant on July 20, 2009
The recession has sharpened the points of a dilemma that technology vendors were already facing: Do cleave closely to our existing customers, or try to expand outwards? Do we try to sell more into existing account in familiar markets, or do we look for new markets where people are struggling with business problems that look congruent with the ones we're solving for our existing customers?
With no obviously correct choices, vendors experiment, to the point where they see real opportunity, or decide that the exercise is going nowhere. But how do you know if you've invested enough into the experiment to get a reliable result?


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Juniors Matt Frank (Billings, Mont.) and Alex Spezia (Farmington Hills) along with sophomore Cody Chupp (Big Rapids) were named assistant captains.
Welch becomes only the fourth skater in the program's history to serve as team captain for more than two seasons. Ed Turner (1976-80), Jim Baker (1979-82), and Jim File (1981-84) are also members of the elite group.
Welch compiled eight points on two goals and six assists with one multiple-point game performance in 39 outings this last season. He was a co-recipient of the team's Blueline Competitive Award in 2006-07 and was also a 2005-06 co-winner of the award. As a sophomore in 2005-06, Welch recorded a career single-season best 13 points with two goals and 11 assists in 40 contests.
As a freshman walk-on in the 2004-05 season, Welch achieved Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) All-Rookie Honorable Mention Team honors and was selected as FSU's Rookie of the Year after posting six points with one goal and five assists in 36 games. Welch's 2004-05 season points total tied for him for top team honors among the Bulldogs' defensemen. In 115 career outings to date, Welch has totaled 27 points on five lamplighters and 22 assists.
Frank, who was an assistant captain on the 2006-07 squad, produced one goal and three helpers for four points in 33 games a season ago. The former walk-on presently has 17 career points on five goals and 12 helpers in 71 outings. The center-right wing was bestowed with the 2005-06 FSU Most Improved Player Award following a career single-season high 12 points on four goals and eight assists to go with a plus nine efficiency rating in 34 appearances.
Spezia equaled his career season high with five points (all assists) in 29 appearances during the 2006-07 campaign. The defenseman was a co-honoree of the squad's Blueline Competitive Award for the 2005-06 season after generating five points on a marker with four assists and a plus three efficiency rating in 34 appearances. Spezia has accumulated 14 career points with a goal and 13 assists and a plus two rating in 100 contests.
Chupp received the team's Rookie of the Year Award this past season after producing 23 points which was tops among Ferris State's rookies and represented the team's third-highest points total. Chupp notched eight goals and had 15 assists to go with a plus five rating in 37 games. The center-right wing's five multi-point games ranked tied for the second most among the 2006-07 team statistical leaders, which included a three-point game effort on a squad-leading three occasions. He shared top team honors in game-winning tallies (two) and netted at least one point in 15 encounters.
Ferris State registered a 14-22-3 overall record for the 2006-07 season, which included a ninth-place 10-16-2 mark (22 league points) in CCHA play.


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The planned merger between US social TV start-ups Viggle and GetGlue has been called off, with the latter saying that it will remain independent.
In a brief blog post announcing the decision, GetGlue CEO Alex Iskold said that though the merger will now not happen, the "two companies remain friendly and think highly of each other."
"We are moving forward as an independent company, and all of us at GetGlue are excited about growing our social network and the leadership position on the second screen," said Iskold. "We have a strong product and partnership pipeline for 2013, and look forward to delighting our users and expanding the relationships with major networks, studios and brands."
Viggle, the social TV start-up created by American Idol entrepreneur Robert FX Sillerman, first announced plans in November to pay US$25m and 48.3 million shares to acquire rival GetGlue – at the time putting a value of some US$70m on the deal.
However, the arrangement was contingent on Viggle securing US$60m of additional financing, and as of last week it had still not managed to do so.
In a filing to the US Securities and exchange commission dated January 8, Viggle said it is in the process of "discussing an extension" with GetGlue for the deadline of the merger, which was originally set for December 19 last year.
Two days later Robert Sillerman, through his affiliate firm the Sillerman Investment Company, extended Viggle's credit line from US$15m to US$20m. The SEC filing said this was to "fund working capital requirements and for general corporate purposes."
No further details were given by either firm about the reasons behind the scrapped deal.
GetGlue has raised US$24m in funding to date, with investors including Time Warner, which contributed to the most recent US$12m round in January last year.
For in-depth profiles of both Viggle and GetGlue, as well as analysis of the latest trends, strategies and players in this fast-evolving sector, download C21′s Social TV report here.


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|Patriots Look Poised For Another Super Bowl Run
|Bruins Trade For Drew Stafford
|Black and Gold Bruins Turn Yellow On Parade Day
|Inconsistency Will Continue For Bruins Unless A Change Is Made
Game 7.
These two words can change millions of lives across the globe. Two teams that carry the hearts of millions of fans on their back, face off against each other and only one can move on. This is what hockey is all about: the do or die moments where one small piece of circular rubber can change history.
If you walked towards the TD Garden Thursday night, you would have sensed that something great was about to happen. Once inside the building, the electricity was felt by every fan both Bruin and Canadien fan alike. Game 7 was going to be epic for one team, and heartbreaking for the other. The "Lets Go Bruins" chant rang louder than ever before because fans knew this is where history would happen.
Finally, the puck was dropped.
The Bruins controlled the tempo early on and cashed in on great scoring chances. Johnny Boychuck lifted the fans out of their seats at the 3:31 mark in the first period with the game's first goal. Less than two minutes later, the ageless wonder Mark Recchi lit the lamp to give the Bruins a 2-0 lead.
Yannick Weber of the Canadiens scored about halfway through the period to cut the Bruins lead to one, a lead they held until the end of the first period.
The second period went exactly as Montreal planned. The Habs defense played flawlessly and didn't give the Bruins a chance at good quality scoring chances.
Tomas Plekanec then scored a shorthanded goal 5:50 into the period to tie the game at 2-2. The second period came to a close and once again, Bruins fans couldn't help but remember a much similar 3-0 lead lost to the Flyers one year ago.
The third period brought on the cowardly play by the Habs that we are so accustomed to seeing. This time however, the refs weren't buying it. Roman Hamrlik was checked into the boards by Andrew Ference and stayed down on the ice to attempt to draw a penalty. Chris Kelly picked up the loose puck and deposited it into the net promptly to give the B's a 3-2 lead.
Thank you Roman, maybe you can take diving lessons from P.K. Subban.
Unfortunately, P.K. Subban scored the game-tying, power play, goal with less than two minutes left in the game to tie it at 3.
The high-sticking penalty on Patrice Bergeron, upon instant replay, revealed that once again, the Bruins were the victims of the diving act the Habs play. James Wisniewski, while controlling the puck, saw Bergeron's stick riding a little high towards his shoulders and immediately, through his head back and held his face to draw the high sticking penalty. At no point did Bergerons stick come into contact with Wisniewski's face.
Regardless, the scoreboard remained tied at 3-3 and overtime was about to unfold.
Now I'm no priest, but the hockey gods must have been watching the game. Nathan Horton's deflected shot snuck behind Carey Price's body and in just under six minutes into the overtime period. As Boston's spirits were lifting, Montreal fans were left to facepalm.
In just seven playoff games, Nathan Horton has scored two game-winning goals that have resulted in Bruins wins and Canadiens losses. Its safe to say that Horton has earned the "B" on his chest and and all of Boston hopes he can continue his hot hand into the Philadelphia series next week.
Montreal played a great series but it just wasn't enough. Carey Price was phenomenal in net and will be a force to be reckoned with eventually. He just couldn't get the job done when it counted. Maybe it was his mustache . That thing should have been shaved off from the beginning. Just saying…
Just a reminder, Montreal had a 2-0 series lead going back HOME and surrendering it must be killing not only the team, but the fans as well (honestly, I don't care).
I may be extremely radical when it comes to the Habs, but my love for the Bruins fuels me to hate them. Sure, beating the Yankees is a great feeling, but New York has plenty of other professional sports teams they can shift their focus to. Montreal only has one team, and that one team will be playing golf, curling, cricket, or whatever Montrealers play in the offseason. I'm sure their fans will drink their crappy Molson Beer to try and fill the void in their hearts the Canadiens ripped out of them.
I will sleep soundly tonight knowing that the Montreal Canadiens fans will be tossing and turning in their beds.
Alas, we must move on to the Flyers, but honestly, I'm not worried about them either. We were 3-0-1 against them in the regular season and are riding high off our victory over evil Wednesday night.
On a closing note, I would like to thank the Montreal Canadiens for giving a much needed momentum boost to our Bruins. We will take that energy and heart into our series with Philadelphia and play even better. You are more than welcome to watch our Bruins, the more the merrier. At least this will make you feel better.
P.S. Where was Max Pacioretty on Twitter after the game? Don't worry, I got one for him:
"@MaxPacioretty Your Hab's defense broke in half in overtime just like your body did from Chara's hit. Hmmmm, too soon?"
P.S.S Ham Cubes aren't Bacon. So can we all stop pretending? Enough of the Canadian bacon routine.
Tags: Boston Bruins, Carey Price, Game 7, Montreal Canadiens, Nathan Horton, P.K Subban
Don't count on it buddy! Nobody here in Montreal is losing sleep over this. We are extremely proud of our team. In the end, they deserved a better fate, they outplayed and outskated the Boston Goons. They never gave up…all this with 5 of their key players injured.
In the end, they played more for the logo in front of their shirts, than the name in back of them. Can't say the same thing about the Bruins. Your team is a bunch of individualists that your coach can't seem to control. Another hit into the Stanchion? A high stick late in the 3rd? WTF?
See, in the end, the city where you play and your fans do make a ton of difference. Bostonians just love the violent stuff…so your team just loves to show that on the ice, it's good entertainment, like a Hollywood movie lacking any soul or script, but full of action.
Well, you're about to play another team that plays the same way. Who knows (or cares) what the result will be.
But I can tell you this – They play real hockey in the Western Conference. Even if you beat the Flyers, any team in the West will destroy the Bruins in 5 games, just like the Habs would have done if they had Markov, Gorges and Pacioretty back.
So you better enjoy this ride now, because next year, your 36 y/o goalie will be 37, while ours is just starting to mature now at 23 y/o, and oh yeah, we'll have those injured guys back in the lineup too.
Funny how sometimes the losing team gets all the admiration and respect from the hockey community.
Oh boy was I waiting for you GT, I was hoping you would come back to this wonderful site and not bathe in defeat like the rest of your fans. Truth is, you have been great and your fans should try and be like you.
your right, our Goaltender is going to be 37. Its a good thing we have a 24 (going to be 25) year old, starting playoff goaltender, right behind him. I guess you must have forgotten about Tuukka Rask. Im pretty sure he faired well in his rookie season last year and will for many years to come.
As for that high sticking penalty, I give that dive a 9.8. Sweden gives it a 9.9, England gives it a 9.9, and Canada gives it a 10. Stick didnt hit him in the face at all. Look it up.
And lets go all the way back to my "Why I hate Montreal" article…
I said that when ever your team loses, you will always find an excuse and cry about it. Well looky here. A sad Habs fan telling me his team would have won if they had their "5 key players back from injury".
Thank you GT for proving my statement.
Finally, that little statement about your losing team gets all the admiration and respect from the hockey community. Last time I checked your own country doesnt even respect your team. Maybe it was that time you wanted to be your own country. How did that go?
I hope to hear from you again GT. Maybe next year you will have some insults that wont get spun completely around like Carey Price in net.
http://www.motifake.com/montreal-canadians-hockey-greg-montreal-canadians-suck-sport-demotivational-posters-4886.html sums it up pretty nicely
"Funny how sometimes the losing team gets all the admiration and respect from the hockey community"- GT
What respect are you talking about? The respect that the hockey community gives to floppers? The high stick didn't even touch him, but got the call anyway.
The guy who skated into Ferrance AFTER the whistle was blown, and flopped on the ice, you think you have respect?
After Subban held onto a stick, looked at the ref, and then Light-As-A-Feather-Stiff-As-A-Board flopped onto the ice to try and get a penalty.
Sure, he may be a good player, be him self is a joke. This was his second year and he was rated #15 among the world of sports most HATED players.
Also, if they skated and outplayed the Boston Goons, why did Montreal have to shave?
And I do give you this, Price is a great goalie, and is only going to get better. Thomas might not have that much time left, but this season isn't over for us. Why should we be talking about next year when we have more teams to play?
You guys can talk about your next years team all you want, but Bruins need to focus on now. (Just rubbing it in your face because it makes me laugh a bit)
And lastly, to be a bit more of a jerk…
"May the best team win tomorrow!! "wink""-GT
Yes sir, they sure did!
Love always,
Btw, GT. You are a good man. I enjoy going back and forth with you because you have a higher IQ than anyone else in your nation. But thats not saying much since your still a Habs fan! 😀
Its all in good fun, and I can't wait til next year to see Boston and Montreal go at it again.
You must tell me the name of the acting school all the canadiens attend together up there. Retired habs players aswell as deceased ones would cringe at the way the current montreal team acts and dives to win games, integrity for the game and their franchise is something the coaching staff and some players know nothing about, I used to respect and cheer for the habs when the bruins would be knocked out of the playoffs but I CAN'T say the same now, and I find it sad and MOST DEFINATLY PATHETIC. Enjoy the rest of the playoffs though! 😉
PK is an embaressment to his team and the nhl…BYE BYE DIVING BITCHES!!!
Wow – no biases evident on this blog …. Glad to see some mature, objective opinions are being expressed. How about one from someone who doesn't like either team, but will certainly acknowledge it was a great series. Hold on Boston fans, you won't like this … It simply came down to whoever got the last lucky bounce – in this case it was Horton's shot off an ankle to win it. Despite all the tough talk Boston fans, that's what it came down to. And Montreal fans, stop whining – you have no right to complain. You've had far more than your share of lucky bounces over the years. Now let's all just move on.


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Consignia, formerly known as the Post Office, is seeking to cut costs and lose 30,000 jobs. It has admitted that it missed all its service targets from last April to December, and last week it signalled a future without a second postal delivery.
Despite all this, generous pay rises are in the pipeline for Roberts and Jerry Cope, the head of mail services. Roberts earned £216,034 last year, including benefits, while Cope was paid £149,659.
'The broad strokes of the rise are true but nothing has been implemented yet,' said a company spokesman. Acting chairman Allan Leighton is thought to oppose the rises but they have been approved by the Department of Trade and Industry.
Conservative spokesman Nigel Waterstone said: 'It is bizarre to reward failure like this. It is insensitive and provocative for the Post Office workers while their pay negotiations are going on.'
- More about:
- EDF Group
- Intel Corporation
- Lexus
- Transport


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The Role of IT in Digital Transformation: Access to Data is KeyAnalytics & Automation
With the adoption of data virtualization, IT can become more agile in delivering required data to business users.Read More
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With organizations all over the world striving to make lasting connections with both their workforce and customers, mobile communications have fundamentally changed the way business works. And when you factorRead More
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Cloud is changing the way businesses deploy and manage IT and business services. Industry analysts estimate that by the end of 2014, four out of 10 companies will have deployedRead More
Cisco: Your Strategic Cloud PartnerData Center
Cisco's cloud software is a hot topic. First Cisco UCS Director was voted the SVC award winner for best virtualization management software. Then Forrester released a new Private Cloud WaveRead More
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On June 20th, Cisco and MapR will join with Forrester Research Big Data analyst Mike Gualtieri to discuss "productionizing" Hadoop. But what does it mean? Mike has developed a listRead More


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Calling Ideas for March 31, 2012
This is:
Dance Marathon DayThe first dance marathon in the United States was held in New York City in 1923. Alma Cummings set the first record by dancing 27 hours.
You could try a marathon tip...obviously not 27 hours, but maybe keep it going for 30 minutes or so.
See this page for info about a teen dancer square dance marathon that lasted for 18 hours.
March is:
Optimism MonthEncourage and inspire each other to be optimistic about the future of square dancing.
Here are some songs that come to mind:
- Zip-a-dee-do-dah (Chaparral 414)
- Joy to the World (Chaparral 515)
- Put on a Happy Face (DJ 24)
- Something Tells Me I'm Into Something Good (Solid Gold 503)
- Smile Medley (ESP 133)
- New Attitude (Rhythm 198)
- Hold On Partner (ESP 173)
- I Feel Lucky (Red Boot 3033)
- Pack Up Your Troubles (ESP 906)
- Blue Skies (Silver Sounds177)


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What could I have possibly done that was so careless that I had to switch around the order of my posts? It's something kind of silly, and I couldn't believe it happened. I completely forgot to grease the dutch oven I used to bake the bread....yuuupppp. Silly me.
I'm not sure how I managed to forget something as important as greasing the pot I was baking in. I've been baking for so long, that lining my baking sheets and greasing cake pans has become automatic, so this was just silly. I baked the bread in the dutch oven pulled it out of the oven, got super happy because it looks SO GOOD, let it cool for a bit, and then went to take the bread out...and I realized that I had derped. Sigh. No matter how much I tried to shake the dutch oven, or how often I ran a knife along the edge of the pot, that loaf of bread was just not going to come out. I called in for reinforcements (aka my sister and my mom) and they failed at getting the bread out too. We gave up, just tore a piece off the top, and it was delicious. My mom eventually managed to somehow get the bread out, and of course, it was only one tiny sport that was actually stuck to the bottom of the dutch oven. Ugh. Oh well. That bread was so good, that it will definitely be re-made and the recipe posted sometime in the future. My dad loved the bread anyway!
But for now, here are some spiced brown butter waffles. I made these when I went home for Thanksgiving (along with lots of other treats!), because my sister and I had a serious craving for serious breakfast food. We made all kinds of yummy breakfasts while I was at home, like chocolate chip pancakes, scrambled eggs with brown sugar bacon (check the pic out on Instagram!), and of course, these waffles. This recipe came about because we wanted to make something other than plain waffles, but our pantry was running low on yummy ingredients to mix into the batter. Good thing spices are always in my kitchen! Waffles with brown sugar and spices are a perfect late-fall/winter breakfast treat, and they can be made even better by doing one small change to the original recipe.
Brown the butter. Oh yes.
Brown butter is such a wonderful thing, and I am so happy I finally got around to baking with it. I made these lovely blueberry muffins a couple of months ago, and a couple of weeks ago, I made an amazing hazelnut cake with brown butter for a friend's birthday (which I'm planning on making again, it was so good!). Brown butter really enhances the flavor of whatever it is you are preparing, and since it takes so little effort to make brown butter (you literally just let the butter cook on its own for a couple of minutes), so it's totally worth the extra step. The butter develops a nutty taste and just smells amazing; if you haven't experimented with brown butter yet, I'm really not sure what you're waiting for!
This may not have been the birthday post I was planning on, but in any case, Happy Birthday dad!!!
Spiced Brown Butter Waffles
adapted from Williams Sonoma
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
pinch ground cloves
3 large eggs, separated
1 3/4 cups buttermilk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/3 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
maple syrup, for serving
Preheat a Belgian waffle maker (any waffle maker will work, though) according to the manufacturer's instructions. Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F.
Melt the butter in a small saucepan or skillet set over medium heat. Melt and cook down the butter until it begins to form little brown bits, and begins to turn a rich shade of brown. Keep an eye on the butter as it will begin to brown quickly! Once it has browned, remove the butter from the heat.
Over a sheet of parchment paper, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. In a large bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, and then whisk in the buttermilk, brown butter (make sure to get all the little brown bits!), and vanilla, whisking until blended. Add the flour mixture and brown sugar to the yolk mixture, and whisk until smooth.
In a separate small bowl, beat the egg whites with a hand-held mixer until stiff peaks form. Fold in about a third of the egg whites into the waffle batter, and then carefully fold in the remaining egg whites until just combined.
Ladle the waffle batter into the preheated waffle iron (I found that 2/3 cup of waffle batter made a perfectly even waffle, but this amount may vary among waffle irons), close the lid, and cook according to your waffle iron's instructions. Transfer the finished waffle to the oven to keep them warm and crisp as you prepare the rest of the waffles. Repeat with the remaining batter. Serve the waffles with maple syrup, and enjoy!
Makes about 8 waffles (will vary among waffle irons)


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Captain America (1979): The Slideshow Review
Was there a worse time to make a Captain America movie than 1979? Jimmy Carter's malaise speech was six months away, the Iranian hostage crisis 10 months away. In between we had gas lines and "Americathon," a movie about the U.S. going broke and resorting to a telethon. That was the mood then. Patriotism was at a low ebb and superheroes were something geeky kids like me read. So how to do make a story out of Captain America?
At least there were more muscle-bound actors like Reb Brown populating Hollywood. The question remained: Could he act?
Or draw? This is what Steve Rogers does here. He's an ex-Marine, sure, but he's through with that shit, man. Now he wants to roam the highways and biways of the land on a never-ending mission. Wait. Wrong 1970s superhero. No, he just wants to be. Dig? He just wants to find himself. He ain't interested in being no superhero.
That's what he tells Dr. Simon Mills (Len Birman, the best thing in the TV movie). Mills is basically Cap's Oscar Goldman: the bland, benevolent government man who guides the protege along. He also injects him with the super serum (FLAG: Full Latent Ability Gain) that Steve's father invented from his own adrenal gland. That's why only Steve can use it. Everyone else dies of cell rejection.
Here, Steve is told all about FLAG and rejects the idea.
Here, he realizes he's been injected with it anyway.
Here he's just realizing ... something. Like maybe he should've taken acting lessons.
But the suit is delivered.
And the clear plastic shield ... which is also the windshield to his bike ... which he keeps in his Chevy van ... and that's all right with me.
But they really should've really rethought the helmet.
I get it. They were trying to tap into the popularity of Evel Knievel, which led to shots like these, which are pretty cool.
But the helmet ain't flattering.It makes him look like the Great Gazoo.
Yes, we get some nice shots.
But they must have shot their wad on these stunts. Because the grand finale?
Is this: reviving an asphyxiated oil baron with a neutron bomb tied to his pacemaker.
If he dies, all of Arizona, and most of LA, will die with him. Will it work?
It works! But little else in 1979's "Captain America" does. Full review here.
Movie Reviews, Slideshows, Captain America, Captain America 1979, Reb Brown
Posted at 08:01 AM on Sat. Mar 29, 2014 in category Movie Reviews - 1970s
Posted at 08:01 AM on Sat. Mar 29, 2014 in category Movie Reviews - 1970s
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Grilled Eggplant and Tomatoes with Parmesan-Basil Crumbs
Fresh bread crumbs are an underrated way of adding fabulous crunch to recipes. Here Francis Mallmann uses bread crumbs tossed with fresh basil and lots of Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese to create a great topping for tender grilled vegetables.
Plus: F&W's Grilling Guide
Slideshow: More Amazing Vegetarian Dishes
- Total Time:
- Servings: 10
- 2 cups coarse fresh bread crumbs
- Extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 cup chopped basil
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
- 3 pounds eggplant, sliced lengthwise 1/2 inch thick
- Salt and freshly ground pepper
- 10 tomatoes, sliced 1 inch thick
How to make this recipe
Preheat the oven to 400°. Spread the bread crumbs on a large rimmed baking sheet and drizzle with 1 tablespoon of oil; toss well. Bake for 8 minutes, until the bread crumbs are crisp and golden brown. Transfer the bread crumbs to a medium bowl and toss with the basil and cheese.
Light a grill. Brush the eggplant slices with oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill over moderate heat until charred and tender, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer the eggplant to a platter, fanning them out. Brush the tomatoes with oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill over moderate heat until charred and hot, about 1 minute per side.
Arrange the tomato slices over the eggplant and drizzle with oil. Sprinkle the bread crumbs over the top and serve right away.


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Pumpkin Pancakes
Wake up to spicy Pumpkin Pancakes hot from the griddle! Serve with Pumpkin Maple Sauce for a special breakfast.
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 1/4 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 can (12 fl. oz.) NESTLÉ® CARNATION® Evaporated Milk
- 1/2 cup LIBBY'S® 100% Pure Pumpkin
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- Pumpkin Maple Sauce (recipe follows)
- Chopped nuts (optional)
Directions, Reviews, Nutrition
HEAT griddle or skillet over medium heat; brush lightly with oil. Pour 1/4 cup batter onto hot griddle; cook until bubbles begin to burst. Turn and continue cooking for 1 to 2 minutes. Repeat with remaining batter. Serve with Pumpkin Maple Sauce and nuts.
HEAT 1 cup maple syrup, 1 1/4 cups LIBBY'S 100% Pure Pumpkin and 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice in small saucepan until warm.
What did you think? Share Your Review »
176 Reviews
Thank you for reviewing this recipe.
Pumpkin Pancakes
They're delicious. They taste like autumn. We'll definately make them again. There's nothing like homemade goodness straight from your own kitchen and you know exactly what went into them. The recipe is in my card file.
Rave reviews!
Occasionally, we like to have sausage & pancakes for the evening meal. I used this one....family gave it rave reviews.
Pumpkin Pancakes
My family loves this recipe !!! They are a huge hit...Never any leftovers.I replace the egg w/ Egg-Beaters for a better consistancy.Another good way to get this Superfood !!!
Pancakes good anytime!
I am a fan of pumpkin and pancakes. Put them together and they are delicious. This is a great recipe to try.
fall pancakes yummy
This was an easy recipe to make and we all loved it--we have even eaten them for dinner
Nutrition Information
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size: 1/8 of Recipe
Servings Per Recipe: 8
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories: 340
- Calories from Fat: 70
- Total Fat: 8g (12% of DV)
- Saturated Fat: 3g (15% of DV)
- Cholesterol: 30mg (10% of DV)
- Sodium: 470mg (20% of DV)
- Carbohydrates: 60g (20% of DV)
- Dietary Fiber: 2g (10% of DV)
- Sugars: 30g
- Protein: 5g
- Vitamin A: 170% of DV
- Vitamin C: 4% of DV
- Calcium: 25% of DV
- Iron: 15% of DV
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.


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I'll have it up tonight
side note: i dont really like the to format of the 405th i find it to be more complected
Edit: ok i have it up
I'll have it up tonight
side note: i dont really like the to format of the 405th i find it to be more complected
Edit: ok i have it up
Last edited by lunarlord; Jun 23, 2010 at 9:51 PM.
Thanks for getting that up Lunar did you see Rundowns message on the Clone Helmet in the index that it needs removed? If not I believe it's the animated one not sure about Rex though.
i just seen it today I'll take it down
edit: its down and the stormtrooper is goign back up i pmd dung a while ago and said i could use it im just getting time to repost it
edit 2: all the ones are up that dont have unfold issues
Last edited by lunarlord; Jun 24, 2010 at 1:01 AM.
What are the unfold issues on Dung's Stormie armour?
I'm pretty sure the files Dung has on his blog are the ones I unfolded. I did it in a bit of a rush but I've actually built most of the parts with no major issues. But please let me know what the problem is - I'll avoid it next time or even fix it up if you want.
...incidently you can ignore my avatar's body language I'm not grumpy about it.
Last edited by Aussie Phantom; Jun 24, 2010 at 8:33 AM.
well i might have an old copy idk but the shoulders are in .obj and heres screencaps for the chest its seems not possible to build and the legs arnt unfolded
edit: the 405th insider youtube channel has earned its first medal
Last edited by lunarlord; Jun 24, 2010 at 2:12 PM.
That's not the version of the chest that's on Dung0beetle blog.
Got to http://pepprops.blogspot.com/2010_05_01_archive.html scroll to the bottom of the page and you'll find all the parts scaled, unfolded and ready to go. Except the shoulder bells...
I'll PM you a link for the Shoulder Bells.
No need for you to have to redo work that's already done
Last edited by Aussie Phantom; Jun 25, 2010 at 2:52 AM. Reason: typos... as always
ok thank you and the chest is now up
edit: is SW forced unleashed ultimate Sith edition for pc worth the $30???
Last edited by lunarlord; Jun 24, 2010 at 5:24 PM.
I have been looking the the rest of the RC Armor. I have the Helmet and the Torso but, can't seem to find the rest. I thought that I had other files before and can't seem to find them. I doubt Skip has them for sale right now and I have been looking for two days. I do thank everybody for there work on the costumes already provided. So far I have seen some very cool stuff. I plan on doing the Stormtrooper here soon. Keep up the good work!
Well A1TD on the 405th made some RC files like the Torso, Forearms, and I think the Helmet but that may have been Rundown that did the Helmet, I have the Forearm 3D files but I don't think A1TD made any other files yet for the RC files he has done.
Ok. Thanks for the help. I tried to find A1TD on 405, I am a member there too, I could not find him. I have also tried to find 3d models of the RC and have not had any luck. Thanks again for your help.
A1TD has the chest, forearms, and backpack. Skip's RC files ARE up for sale (at least as of last month) so yeah, you can get those. I'm currently working on making a set of my own, but it will probably take until late august to finish them. That's all there is available at the moment.
I guess I will have to finish other projects then and be patient. Thanks for the assist.
Last edited by Scrufynerfhrder; Jun 25, 2010 at 3:34 PM.
405thinsider new video up later today with our brand new opener !!!!
Hello every one,
This is my first post here. There is a change that the pep files in the star wars pep files page be configured to use A4 paper?
Thanks averybody...
I've searched for a couple of hours... but i aint find some prep-Templates of the recent TCW DeathWatch stuff. Especially the Helmet.
Is there something in work or already done? I would be jump in circles for Temps
Thanks for sharing these files with the community. Good job!
this is hot..
Hey guys,
Just curious did anyone ever come up with solid scout armour?
Sorry if this is considered a necro post but I'm trying to get the stormtrooper files however all Dung0beetle's files point to a S2mirror link that's been taken over by OpenDrive so none of them work now is this just a temporary problem or has something happened to Dung0beetle as I can't get any information about his files from here or any of the other places I've signed up to?
I've got a question.
I'd never taken on a pepakura project until I started the Phase I Clone Trooper Helmet and it turned out (mostly) alright. Except that I can't put it on
Is it supposed to be a one part helmet, is my head too big or have I somehow shrunk the templates while printing?
What's your best guess?
Thanks in advance.
My best guess is you didn't scale the file correctly, most people have different size heads and with all pepakura files (unless your lucky to have the same size body part as the file creator) you need to use the Designer software to alter your files before you print them.
Can somebody please PM the password for a few of these files. I want to try making a clone helmet but it won't let me open in designer as it is password protected. I need to scale it to hopefully fit.
Thanks in advance
I know there are a couple of different pep files for a revan mask, but does anyone have any advice on getting a revan helmet file, similiar to that in the comic?
I have looked around and haven't had much luck. Any help would be greatly appreciated.


text:
Game #81 vs. Nationals
PNC Park | 1:35 | Maholm vs. Mike Bacsik | Box
Paul Maholm might be the first to 20. Losses, that is. Randy's studied 20-loss seasons. According to him, Murry Dickson was the only player to lose 20 games while playing for the Pirates---he did so in 1952. Join the club, Paulie?
Sad thing is, Maholm's been pitching well. He's developing into a solid, back of the rotation starter. Littlefield wasn't expecting David Price when he took Paul in the first round of the 2003 draft. He wanted a low-risk innings eater, and that's what he's gotten.
Maholm (4-11) has thrown seven innings or more in six of his last eight starts. His ERA in June was 3.74.
On Sunday, Paul allowed 9 hits and 1 walk in 7 innings, striking out 5 and yielding 3 runs. That's a pretty solid line from him, but it won't...
This content is for Pirates Prospects subscribers only. Subscribers get access to all of our daily articles on the Pirates and their minor league system, with live coverage throughout the system on a daily basis. Our lowest rates are $2.22 per month under our Top Prospect Plan, which also gets you a 40% discount on the 2017 Prospect Guide. Subscribe today to access all of our daily coverage of the Pirates' system.
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Randy is currently living and thriving in suburban Dayton, OH with his wife and two kids. He was raised in Cincinnati, OH and attended Anderson High School. He went to Miami University (Ohio) and received a degree in Paper Science Engineering from MU. He is a devout Christian and a pop culture buff. He coaches his son's baseball and basketball teams and his daughters softball and basketball teams. Randy has been a Pirates fan since the late 1970s and has fond memories of the 1979 World Series team. He began blogging for Most Valuable Network in 5/2004 after stumbling across a help-wanted sign for a Pirates blogger. He wrote for Pittsburgh Lumber Co. until the site merged with Pirates Prospects in 2/2011.


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STUDENT OF THE MONTH: Kassidy Wyman
Kassidy Wyman was named the Ligonier Valley High School BPW Student of the Month for October.
A senior, she is the daughter of Mickey and Kim Wyman, of Ligonier.
She is on the volleyball and track and field teams and is a member of SADD, One Road, Alliance of Student Athletes and performed in the school musical.
She is a member of the Valley Youth Network and Primetime.
Kassidy previously was named Student of the Month.
She plans to attend the University of Pittsburgh to major in business.


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Just curious if anyone has or uses any of these.
I had two dozen given to me by a buddy from work a few years back. They have come in handy a few times as fillers or when I go mobile. These are next to get painted this summer. I am not even sure what brand they are.


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The Dimond Branch Library is temporarily closed for remodeling and will reopen on July 15, 2017. For more information see our updated announcement.
Columbus Day Kids Clothing & Crop Swaps
Bring clothes for school-aged children, along with shoes & toys to the Temescal Branch Library's meeting room to exchange for clothes that others bring and while you're at it, bring the surplus bounty from your garden to swap with other urban farmers on the lawn in the rear of the building. Barter is NOT required so don't stay home if you have nothing to exchange!


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Dos de cada tres niños sufren los efectos de la pobreza en Honduras, uno de los países más desiguales de América Latina. [...]
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What is Service Integration and Management (SIAM)?
SIAM is a tower based IT service delivery model that is being rolled out across Government and within some Private sector organisations.
By adopting a SIAM approach, public sector agencies can now select and procure services, products and technologies, in a more controlled and structured approach, moving away from the more traditional procurement of end to end services selection. Used effectively, SIAM's "mix and match" approach can not only free up public sector agencies from vendor lock-ins, but also enable the retained IT organisation to procure from smaller suppliers who may offer niche but market-leading products and services. SIAM can introduce process excellence and clear, multi-level governance that can transform public service delivery. This allows public sector agencies to gain greater agility to enable them to be responsive and adaptable in their operating models, these multi-vendor sourcing arrangements can be tailored to meet the specific needs of government departments.
Find out more about SIAM
Transforming service delivery - SIAM White Paper
How public sector IT departments can employ Service Integration and Management (SIAM) to enhance operations and achieve agility in a digital world. View the SIAM White Paper Transforming Service Delivery >>
Innovative adoption of a Service Integration and Management (SIAM) approach - Case Study
Atos, has successfully enabled Enfield Council to become the first in local Government to move their ICT delivery model to become Service Integration and Management (SIAM) based. View Case Study Enfield Council - Transforming the IT landscape in local government >>
Benefits of SIAM
- By playing to supplier strengths, SIAM organises the 'best fit' services for the business.
- Frees up your retained organisation to drive more strategic aspects of service delivery— such as developing a customer-centric approach—and better manage the relationship with the business.
- Offers clear lines of responsibility for greater control—playing to the different strengths of each supplier.
- Introduces a 'best-of-breed' approach by selecting the most appropriate mix of services or solutions within a flexible "plug-and-play" environment—avoiding supplier, brand or timescale "lock in" and the potential for end-to-end service silos.
- Increases healthy competition to encourage "value for money" pricing and terms, so that public sector agencies can be more cost effective.
- Meets the need for greater transparency and accountability in public services.
- Takes responsibility for building a collaborative framework between the underlying eco-system of suppliers that encourages the right behaviours to support the contracted outcomes.
Atos experience
Atos delivers SIAM services to a number of UK and international customers. Many of our larger accounts are characterised by their complexity, challenging operating environments and over-arching requirement to deliver mission-critical services to demanding deadlines.
Our approach as SIAM partner ensures services are designed collaboratively, existing operating models are tested for adequacy and a multi-tower delivery model is constructed that meets the future state vision of the customer.
Typically this includes adoption of enterprise architecture and services portfolio approach, target supply chain model, target operating model, as well as a delivery programme, focusing on delivering more for less cost, with better integration of the customer's end-to-end ICT services and greater agility. Atos SIAM experience includes:
- Enfield County Council - selected Atos as their adviser to identify what the future IT landscape could look like for Local Government. Working with Enfield over the past 12 months has included a review of ICT and BPO options across the whole Council, development of Business Requirements, refresh of the IT Strategy and design of a new ICT Delivery Model – SIAM based
- MOD Strategic Partner – the Atos team will work jointly with the ISS Programmes to enable the MoD's DCNS programme transition to a SIAM and Service Tower model. Atos will help the MOD to meet the objectives of the UK Government's ICT strategy; enabling more cost effective information solutions whilst maintaining services for the end user and increasing flexibility.
- Highways Agency – designing and implementing a full SIAM and tower service based on the Cabinet Office model and new generation tooling.
Contact us
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Moxibustion is the technique of applying a moxa roll ember above the skin. Moxa rolls are either packed dried Ai ye, an herb cousin to the Chrysanthenum, rolled into a stick, or a compressed Ai ye charcoal. The roll is lit or heated until an ember is formed at the tip. The tip is then held inches above the skin to apply heat to the area. It is used to remove cold, and to promote circulation in stagnant tight areas. The acrid smoke is also soothing and slightly mentholated.
Moxibustion is used for Breech, Dysmenorrhea, Arthritis, Diarrhea, Abdominal pain, and Muscular pain.


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City Leaders
Receive timely updates.
my daily ride in Ankara, Turkey : '13 Scarabeo 200ie
I ride to work every day with my '13 Aprilia high wheel scooter for 26kms/15miles a day. It is fun to ride work and I wish safe ride and much fun to everyone who rides to work :)


text:
Recently I have been doing a lot of time-series analysis (cryptocurrency trade histories). After the first week of trying 20 things before breakfast, I settled upon using discrete, deterministic finite state machines to call features, such as peaks, troughs, slides, spikes and so on.
The ddfsm API that I've evolved towards has surprised me a bit so I thought it would be worth sharing. Before you ask, at this time the code is all tied up in a commercial code-base and I've not had time to extract it into a library.
State machines consume a stream of input tokens and emit a stream of emission tokens. The intuition is that a state machine is related to the type:\(M : T^* \rightarrow E^*\)
We will leave aside the religious war between More and Meale by treating transitions as dumb animals and treating states as things which when challenged cause a transition to be fired and an emission to be emitted, making them related to the type:\(S : T \rightarrow E \times (S \rightarrow S)\)
So where has this typy intuition got us? Well, let's write some concrete code (in scala, of course!) and see how it plays out.
trait StateMachine[T, E] { def initialState: State[T, E] } trait State[T, E] { def transition(t: T): StateUpdate[T, E] } case class StateUpdate[T, E](nextState: State[T, E], emission: E, log: List[String]) def parse[T, E](tokens: Stream[T], m: StateMachine[T, E]): Stream[E] = ???
The parse function is implemented the obvious way, by taking the initial state and then using the states to build up a stream of emissions as the stream of tokens is consumed.
Let's implement a concrete state. This one is going to spot when the current value is lower than the previous one.
trait DropSpotter[E] extends State[Double, E] { ds => def previous: Double def onDrop: Double => StateUpdate[Double, E] def noDrop: State[Double, Boolean] => StateUpdate[Double, E] def transition(d: Double): StateUpdate[Double, Boolean] = if(d < previous) { onDrop(t) } else { val nextState = new DropSpotter () { val previous = t val onDrop = ds.onDrop val noDrop = ds.noDrop } noDrop(nextState) } }
There are several important features of this trait. Firstly, the transition method is encapsulating the decision logic, the bit of code where we spot the drop. It essentially doesn't do anything else. Next, notice that we have a structured way to encode the transitions. The onDrop method encapsulates the behaviour of the transition when there has been a drop, and the noDrop method encapsulates the behaviour of the transition where there has not been a drop. The logic of this state is that it will transition back to itself while there has been no drop and will transition to something else when there has been.
Whatever is gluing this transition into a state machine will fill in these values to supply the actual transition behaviour. The onDrop method maps Double to a state update. This allows this transition to initialize the next state with the 'zero' token for that state. The noDrop method maps a state to the update. We will let the state machine choose what emission we have but we're going to control the next state. In this case the next state will track the new previous value but have the same actions.
This is all well and good, but it is unusual to actually have a stream of doubles. In my application, we actually have a stream of trades. Now, we could map the stream of trades into a stream of doubles, but then it is a PITA to work backwards to which emissions relate to which trades. It would be much better if we could convert a State[Double, E] into a State[Trade, E].
This is where our earlier intuition about how states are related in form to functions from tokens to emissions comes in handy. The analogous operation on a function is comap. So, let's define this for states and see where it gets us.
def comap[T1, E, T2](s: State[T1, E], f: T2=>T1): State[T2, E] = new State{T2, E]() { def transition(t2: T2): StateUpdate[T2, E] = s.transition(f(t2) match { case StateUpdate(nextState, emission, log) => StateUpdate(comap(nextState, f), emission, log) } }
Well! That was remarkably pain-free, and didn't involve violating State in any way. I think we're on to something here. Now, if comap was so easy to implement, then how about its ying-yang twin map? If we go back to our intuition again, map on the function analogy for a state would transform the emission value and type.
def map[T, E1, E2](s: State[T, E1], f: E1 -> E2): State[T, E2] = new State[T, E2() { def transition(t: T): StateUpdate[T, E2] = s.transition(t) match { case StateUpdate(nextState, emission, log) => StateUpdate(map(nextState, f), f(emission), log) } }
Again, entirely painless and with no encroachment on personal boundaries.
As well as these functor combinators for state, I have the same for StateMachine. I also have combinators that run states in parallel in various ways, state machines which run on the emissions of other state machines, and lots of other fun things. I have a truly composable deterministic discrete finite state machine library, by designing everything to be functional and read-only.
This is such a clean and sane abstraction that I find it impossible to believe that this wasn't published before I was born and then forgotten and rediscovered and reinvented multiple times since. So, please, if you happen to know the original literature for this, or if you where the original author for this, write a comment and put me right.