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'The Simpsons' Says Goodbye to Edna Krabappel
Last night's The Simpsons paid tribute to Marcia Wallace and her character Mrs. Krabappel. Wallace passed away in October and the show immediately announced it planned to retire her character. The episode started with Bart writing "We'll really miss you Mrs. K" on the school chalkboard.
The episode then ended with Mrs. Krabappel on her desk, screaming her signature laugh one last time.
[lead image and GIF courtesy of Uproxx]


text:
NEW YORK (AP) — In its 23rd year on TV, "The Simpsons" could be on the endangered species list.
The show's producer said Tuesday that the show can't continue under its current financial model.
That follows a report that big pay cuts are being sought for the actors who provide voices for Homer, Marge and Bart Simpson and the other characters.
Chris Alexander is a spokesman for 20th Century Fox Television. Alexander says the producer hopes for an agreement that allows the show to continue.
The Daily Beast reported that producers are demanding a 45 percent pay cut from the six voice actors.

subset: commoncrawl


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Benny, 07/09/2010 12:37
Warfare - Benny Edition¶
- AI: Group Size (AI Teams)
Define how many units will AI Teams Leader be able to have in their squads.
- AI: Group Size (Player)
Define how many units will Players be able to have in their squads.
- AI: Keep units on JIP
Decide whether units shall be kept over Join in Progress or not.
- AI: Teams
Decide whether AI Teams Leader shall be operational or not.
Artillery- Artillery: Calls
Decide whether Artillery Calls (Special Menu) is enabled or not.¶
- Artillery: Interface
Decide whether Artillery Interface is enabled on Artillery units or not.
- Artillery: Range
Define the Artillery firing range.
- Base: AI Commander
Decide whether AI Commander shall be enabled or not.
- Base: Allies
Decide whether Allies base shall be spawned at start or not.
- Base: Anti-Air Radar
Decide whether Anti-air radar shall be enabled or not, this will spot enemy air units above x meters.
- Base: Areas Limit
Decide whether bases shall be restricted to x areas or not.
- Base: Areas Limit Max.
Define the amount of possible base areas.
- Base: Auto Defenses
Decide whether defenses shall be automatically manned in range of a barrack or not.
- Base: Buildings Limit
Define the maximum buildings limit per type (Service Points = Limit * 2).
- Base: HQ Deployment Cost
Define the HQ Deployment cost.
- Base: Start Near towns
Decide whether East or West shall use spawn points near towns (spawn points further than 2km of a town range won't be used).
- Base: Starting Distance
Define the minimal distance between East and West spawn points.
- Base: Starting Locations
Define a special spawn scenario (West north | East south...).
- Economy: Income System
Decide whether the income shall be full or half.
- Economy: Starting Funds
Define the starting funds.
- Economy: Starting Supply
Define the starting supply.
- Economy: Supply System
Decide whether the game shall be using Supply Trucks or a Time-based supply system.
- Environment: Fast Time
Decide whether the game shall be running fast or not (Day-Night cycle within 4 hours).
- Environment: Time of Day
Define the starting Time of Day.
- Environment: Weather
Decide whether weather shall be enabled or not.
- Gameplay: Airport Hangars
Decide whether Airport hangars shall be available or not.
- Gameplay: Balancing
Decide whether the game shall use a balance system or not.
- Gameplay: Bodies deletion Delay
Define the amount of time required to delete an object (units/vehicles) after it's death.
- Gameplay: Empty Vehicles Lifespan
Define the amount of time that a vehicle can remain alive before being destroyed.
- Gameplay: Fast Travel
Decide whether fast travel from town/base to town/base shall be available or not.
- Gameplay: Friendly Fire (Buildings)
Decide whether base buildings shall be sensitive to friendly fire or not.
- Gameplay: Grass Distance
Define the Maximum Grass clutter distance.
- Gameplay: Kick Teamswappers
Decide whether teamswappers shall be kicked or not.
- Gameplay: Limited Boundaries
Decide whether the players can go outside of the map borders or not.
- Gameplay: Show Player UID
Decide whether player UID shall be shown upon Teamswap / Base Teamkills.
- Gameplay: Spacebar Scanning
Decide whether spacebar identification shall be available or not.
- Gameplay: Track AI on Map
Decide whether AI purchased units shall be displayed on map (Beside your owns).
- Gameplay: Track Players on Map
Decide whether AI Team leaders or Players shall be displayed on map.
- Gameplay: Upgrades
Decide whether upgrades shall be enabled or not.
- Gameplay: Victory Condition
Define the victory condition (Assassination = HQ Killed / All Towns, Annihilation = Total destruction, Supremacy = All factories destroyed / All Towns).
- Gameplay: View Distance
Define the maximum player view distance.
- Module: High Command
Decide whether High Command module shall be available or not for commanders.
- Module: ICBM
Decide whether Nuke shall be available or not.
- Module: Injury System (ISIS)
Decide whether the Injury System shall be available or not.
- Module: Volumetric Clouds
Decide whether the Volumetric clouds shall be available or not.
- Respawn: Camps
Decide whether camp respawn shall be eanbled or not.
- Respawn: Camps Rule
Decide if someone is able to respawn after being killed near a camp while an enemy was near or not.
- Respawn: Delay
Define the respawn delay.
- Respawn: Gear Remains
Decide whether the player shall keep it's loadout after respawning or not.
- Respawn: MASH
Decide whether MASH Respawn / Deployment shall be available.
- Respawn: Mobile
Decide whether mobile respawn shall be enabled or not (Ambulance).
- Respawn: Towns Range
Define the range needed to respawn in a friendly town.
- Restriction: Advanced Aircraft
Decide whether Advanced aircraft shall be enabled or not.
- Restriction: Camp Gear
Decide whether some gear shall be restricted or not in camps.
- Restriction: Kamov
Decide whether Kamov shall be available or not.
- Towns: Amount
Define the towns amount.
- Towns: Assault Teams
Decide whether Assault Teams shall be enabled or not (They'll attack both east and west bases, they spawn in resistance towns).
- Towns: Assault Teams Max.
Define the maximum amount of Assault Teams to be spawned.
- Towns: Occupation
Decide whether east or west town shall be defended or not.
- Towns: Occupation Difficulty
Define the difficulty of the occupation forces spawned in towns (Also affect the amount).
- Towns: Occupation Reinforcements
Decide whether occupied towns shall be reinforced or not.
- Towns: Patrols
Decide whether resistance patrols shall be spawned or not (patrols will spawn in resistance towns and patrol from town to town).
- Towns: Patrols Max.
Define the maximum amount of resistance patrols.
- Towns: Protection Range
Define the range in which HQ cannot be deployed from the depot.
- Towns: Purchase Militia
Decide whether Militia units shall be available to purchase in depots or not.
- Towns: Resistance
Define whether resistance shall be available in towns or not.
- Towns: Resistance Difficulty
Define the difficulty of the resistance forces spawned in towns (Also affect the amount).
- Towns: Resistance Reinforcements
Decide whether resistance towns shall be reinforced or not.
- Towns: Starting Mode
Define the town starting mode, it can either be normal, splitted or nearby.


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Here's Michael J. Fox (pro) and Martin Sheen (con), both exclusive to Deadline. See the previous videos from Ed Harris (con) and Modern Family (pro):
Here's Michael J. Fox (pro) and Martin Sheen (con), both exclusive to Deadline. See the previous videos from Ed Harris (con) and Modern Family (pro):
Martin Sheen is clearly speaking to a different generation of "working" actors. His terribly produced video here carries no useful information. He is speaking in arbitrary terms with no definitive facts and uses silly analogies. M.J.Fox is a terrific poster child for the merger!
the fellow people whom said that Michael J Fox said something important with the "strength in numbers" quote while Martin Sheen said nothing of value missed the whole point. Of course there is strength in numbers… No one is denying that. I can only assume that you have not read the whole proposal. They want us to merge without ANY IDEA of how our insurance, pension, etc will be distributed, calculated, etc. What if it is worse? Don't you want to know first? And there will not be an increase in jobs. Think about it… The same amount of movies will still be made, the same amount of TV shows will be made, so if they raise the background workers from 21 to 24… Oh! That makes it worth it! Come on! Michael's argument was we should be joined because then you don't have to read your paper work of whom your working for, we will all be the same. You should ALWAYS read your contract or have your agent / manager do so. Martin is not trying to sway you at all, he is simply challenging you to read for yourself and I do as well. And as Martin said, if you read it all and then still want to vote yes, then okay, but I bet you will end up voting "NO" as I did twice, because I am in both unions.
What these respected actors both encouraged was reading the info sent with the ballots. I attended the first NY meeting, watched a subsequent streaming meeting and read the package info. If the package answers all of your questions, read it again. The "Statement in Opposition" in the packet raises concerns that were not addressed at either of the merger meetings I saw.
Compare the health plans, as they exist today. How can an actor with a family who is lucky enough to qualify for the AFTRA health plan, turn around a pay more than half of those earnings back as a premium? A merged union health plan premium would certainly be higher than the SAG one is now. Why was so much work done to lower minimum dues, instead of lowering P&H qualifications so more members can actually benefit from their benefits? What working actor wants to pay the minimum dues? Was this done to appeal for the votes of those who act as a hobby, haven't worked since Bonanza or have abandoned any hope of ever qualifying for P&H?
I would rather merge with a stronger union, like the Teamsters who understand member benefits & aggressive negotiations, than with a group that allows broadcast members to work non-union. A SAG vote NO & an AFTRA vote NO.
I agree. I want a strong ACTORS union. This agreement is bad for actors. Removal of direct vote. Removal of majority vote. Earnings capped at a rate 400% great than broadcasters. Its a lie to state this merger will end split earnings- it wont unless they can also merge the plans- which is doubtful given the lack of an ERISA compliance report.Broadcasters will be allowed to continue working non union.I heard Roberta state in the "informational" meeting they they have repeatedly failed to organize the broadcasters because every time they do their employers offer them higher pay not too. So much for solidarity and Global Rule One. Size does not make us stronger. Strength makes us stronger. Merge with weak you will get weak. Vote no.
"M. J. Fox is a terrific poster POSTER CHILD for the merger!"
Mr Shalansky's unfortunate designation of Fox as a "child" — a "poster child" — calls attention to Unite for Strength's shameless exploitation of Mr. Fox's advanced Parkinson's Disease to make a false point about merger.
Unite for Strength has made pension-and-health-plan merger the centerpiece of its campaign, alongside the equally false claim of "more bargaining strength." We have been promised that all our pension & health contributions will be going into ONE bucket.
But, as the AFTRA H&R Trustees said loudly and clearly, there is absolutely NO GUARANTEE that the SAG & AFTRA plans can or will be merged; and there is no guarantee whatsoever that SAG members will not LOSE benefits by having their superior plans fused with the vastly inferior AFTRA plans.
And please stop telling SAG members that the Federal government (PBGC) will pick up the tab for any shortfall in their pension benefits. How many other retirees, who have been robbed of their pensions, are getting 100 cents on the dollar in replacement funds?
Unite for Strength should apologize for misleading Michael J. Fox — an admirable MAN — and for using him as their propaganda "poster child."
Michael j. Fox has always been such an advocate for so many important causes and people. He is an inspiration who gets that we need to move forward as a UNION of ONE, to help all actors bargain with strength and continue to get benefits. Thank you Michael, I am proud to be in a union with such thoughtful actors and humanbeings such as yourself.
Martin Sheen uses a lot of metaphors but didn't say anything useful about why you should vote against it.
Sheen is clearly a consummate politician: He said essentially nothing. "I'm against it and you should be to, so research it yourself!" What? That's leadership? That level of "reasoning" wouldn't pass muster on a high school debate team. Pass.
Did you know that SAG will not let the anti- merger side place any ads on the website or send out cards to the members? Why not? Is our union supposed to be doing what is right for us? Why would they hide stuff? Why would they not let both sides be out spoken so we can decide? Can't you see they are deciding for us? Doesn't this alone tell you to vote NO? Did you know they can give themselves salaries if we vote yes? Maybe that's why they are pushing this so hard? If you vote yes on this merger and it goes through then please remember me Anne elect me to the new board so I can get paid to make decisions for you. HA! What a crock! Vote NO and make them get it right!
I agree. It is just wrong. Sheen is correct to point out the pension issues. They are very real. Vote No.
Vote No
Sheen's analogy about buying a house without a professional inspection gets to the heart of this matter. Continuing in that vein, I would say it's precisely like buying a home without knowing if you can afford it.
This current merger proposal with absolutely no financial information is akin to the banks handing out all those "terrific" home loans saying "don't think about the numbers. We'll worry about that." How did that work out for us, America?
Where will SAG's current health and pension money go? Will it be combined with AFTRA's anemic funds? Will both SAG and AFTRA's separate funds simply be frozen as separate with no new contributions? Will the new plan be to pay anyone owed a SAG or AFTRA pension money from those individual funds until the money runs out. The plan being the new union, SAGAFTRA, could instead create a brand new SAGAFTRA fund from the ground up paying out benefits only to those vesting in SAGAFTRA– the NEW union– and offering no new SAGAFTRA credits to those vested in the old separate funds of SAG or AFTRA because those pensions are not receiving any of the new monies?
You can stamp your feet and say, "that's crazy! They'd never create an entirely new fund for the entirely new union!" But without them letting us know what their plan is we just can't have ANY idea what they are planning.
Logic dictates they have a plan–at least a loose plan–but they're not sharing it with the membership. You HAVE TO ask why? It's your money, future, pension, and health care.
And let's don't forget, AFTRA President, Roberta Reardon rather quietly made her historically voluntary stint as a President of that Union a PAID position as of late. In an unprecedented move she withdrew $42,000 of your contributions to pay herself for the rigors of being a VOLUNTARY elected official in your Union. Will this move set a precedent? Is the plan that in the SAGAFTRA with BOTH presidents will draw a salary?
Look, we all want one Union. And we all want to live in a lovely home. But in order to make either or both of those work we need to do it with a PLAN– a FINANCIAL PLAN.
As with all financial decisions, if you make a decision without any information you will likely lose your shirt, home, pension, health care, or whatever it is you don't care enough about do some number crunching.
We don't have any numbers. We can't crunch them. We can only hope that Reardon– the salary creator– and her good friends have our best financial interest in mind unlike all those smiling bankers who gave you the home loan followed by the eviction notice.
And remember, the membership, if it votes up this merger, is giving up its right to any of the future financial decisions in the creation of the new SAGAFTRA. I'm not comfortable leaving my hard-earned money in a pile in the middle of Hollywood hoping it's spent in my and my fellow Union sisters and brothers best interest. We've worked too hard to be that trusting with our future.
Demand a plan. Peruse the plan. See if it works. Then let's do this.
Without a plan: Vote No.
You express your side extremely well. Unfortunately, it will probably pass because of people liking the idea but not really seeing the possible consequences. I plan to vote against it since I don't want it said that people voted overwhelmingly for it, and I hope that others who don't want to vote on what will lock us in with no guarantees of protection of SAG health care plans & pension. The first rule of negotiation is to get what you want the most first, and then give away the littler things. This is being done "butt" backward.
Hoo boy, this post is full of so many innacuracies it's hard to know where to start. First of all, both P&H plans are entirely separate legal entities from the unions, so he's confusing the "financial plans" of three entities – the new union and both pension & health plans.
Second, The financial plan for the new union is in the documents that were mailed to membership with their ballots. It spells out many things – including cheaper dues for dual cardholders.
Third, Management occupies 50% of the Boards of Trustees of both p&h plans. They aren't "hiding" the financial plan. They don't have one. Management doesn't want the unions to merge. Management-appointed trustees won't vote to come up with a plan because they are against merger.
AFTER we merge they will be forced to vote to come up with a plan. And if you've seen any similar plans (like the leaked Mercer report, which did NOT contain the scare tactics that anti-merger folks said it did), you will see that each plan has multiple contingencies. That's why they're called PLANS.
The fact is, with 45,000 dual-card-holders currently splitting contributions into 2 plans, it is hard for me to see how a single plan will be any less safe than the current two-plans are.
But it's all besides the damn point – The ONLY relevant issue is that there are two unions jockeying for jurisdiction, and there is only ONE solution – merger. Decertification? It's been tried. It didn't work. Hell, I'd be for it if it would work.
Imagine what kind of a monopoly on consumer goods there would be if TARGET merged with WALMART. We have the opportunity to merge TARGET and WALMART, for GREATER MARKET SHARE.
Vote YES.
Actually- you are the one who is inaccurate. To say that they will be forced to come up with a plan is patently untrue. You can merge the unions and never merge the plans. Without an ERISA compliance report this is undetermined.AND- unless they can merge the plans there will be no end to split earnings.
As far as jurisdiction- SAG can end this buffoonery by going to the NLRB and demanding the encrochment stop. There is no real shared- jurisdiction here. This was determined in the 1960s- but has been disregarded. It is likely that the NLRB would say exactly the same thing it did in 1951: "live TV – AFTRA," – "all scripted programming for television – SAG" and "digital – 'method of capture' is not a determining factor in jurisdiction"
Michael J. Fox is a true Actors' Actor. He is right on about merger. He gets it.
no he doesn't. he is ill informed and so are you. you like the idea of the merger but you will be the first one who complains when 15% of your residual check is taken out. or the board does something to screw you out of your money and you can't do anything about it.
the idea of one union is great. just not under this proposal.
When two tired old leftists like Martin Sheen and Ed Harris oppose the merger, you know that voting YES is the way to go.
I respect the opinions of both actors, but it's time for our unions to merge, I voted yes.
Fox is right. Our work is distributed differently now. Hulu pays zero to use our work. Internet re-runs pay zero. Non-union actors are making commercials for nothing. AFTRA Cable runs pay nothing and all aftra deals have eliminated any livable reuse payments for netwrok runs. In fact, the ONLY way to make a living now as an actor is to produce your own work (like Clooney, Hanks & Fox)or work in news as a reporter or anchor. If you are an actor working under an AFTRA contract you are the reason so many SAG members are starving. I don't blame actors for taking aftra work, I blame aftra for stealing SAG work, but it seems Fox wants one union because he doesn't even know who he works for or why… Well, that explains a lot Mikey, but it doesn't mean SAG members should roll over and die just because aftra wants us dead and you don't know what contract you signed… SAG Members deserve much better than AFTRA can provide. That's just a fact.
The producers are always going to take the cheaper option. As long as AFTRA exists as an alternative to SAG, SAG has no leverage. Merge. Otherwise you're going to die out on principal.
An contract agreement means nothing if not enforced. Seems to be our contract says that actors get paid some pittance – was it $20.00 – a year for webbites Intentional misspelling) like Hulu playing actor's movies/tv shows. Anyone every even get that amount? Not my husband.
I'm presumming that a merger would be permanent? If so, then the time should be taken to get it right.I have many questions, few, if any answers were presented in Michael or Martins videos. Where cn i go to get objective sensible and complete explanations re: the "Main objective" of this proposed merger? With Regards, adam sheppard : )
I've been a working actor for almost 20 years now. This is a VERY "in the shadows" dealing. Why aren't we aware of what our future holds as far as health plans. pension and insurance? I was told we have to MERGE first, then and ONLY then can we find out. WTF?!? It's after it's too late and THAT is why I voted NO. If we were informed BEFORE, I could fall in line like others but I ask…HOW can you vote on something that you don't even know the outcome? One union sure, but WHO benefits?
Who benefits? SAG/AFTRA employees. They're guaranteed no layoffs, whether no union needs them or not. Also, highly paid newscasters don't have pay in. Then why do actor stars need to pay in?
What really rankles me is hearing that SAG officers/members who wanted to speak against the merger were asked to leave by Central Casting, but pro-merger people were allowed to stay and talk with actors. I don't care what side someone's on; in America everyone should be allowed to express it, within reason of course.
Every column I read by an anti-merger person is very well thought out, while the pro-merger seem to just be gabbing… Is anyone else seeing this? Vote "NO".
To my mind, it's very simple, and all the arguments "against" do not address the core problem: These guilds/unions have been jockeying for jurisdiction at least the last 40 years.
In that time we've seen SAG put caps on union background in a successful effort to get multi-cam sitcoms from AFTRA in the 80's. Who got hurt? Members.
We've seen AFTRA give away concession after concession to producers to "organize" basic cable. Who got hurt? Members.
We've seen SAG forced to sign the latest TV Land deal with those same concessions, or risk seeing the work go to AFTRA. Who gets hurt? Members.
We've seen the debacle of the 2008 negotiations, leaving us with competing contracts in prime-time. Literally showing us what happens when we DON'T negotiate together. Who gets hurt? Members.
And with the advent of digital we've had weaker and weaker contracts. Who gets hurt? Members.
It doesn't matter who started it. If you are blaming one or the other union you're part of the problem, not part of the solution. If you're blaming one or the other institution you're forgetting that, as members, we ARE the union. Do you want to learn from history or be doomed to repeat it?
The only way to change the outcome is to change the equation. Do something different. Vote YES. Vote NO and we'll have more of the same.
Let's not forget that actors used to be burned at the stake. Not so long ago they had to sneak Moliere's body into the cemetery at night because the church and the "nobility" didn't want an actor buried among the "good people." This for one of the most famous actor/playwrights in history… Actors have had to fight for any and all the respect we now take for granted, and that includes every single benefit in union contracts – including bathrooms on set. Why would we give up that power by giving the Producers the ability to continue pitting us against each other?
I voted YES.
Very well put Michael and completely possible… in an ideal World. The reality is, AFTRA is run by a total and complete incompetent who has proven over and over again her vile disgust for SAG Members. I too believe there is strength in numbers, but if you believe for one second going to war with Roberta Reardon in charge is a smart move, you are flat out wrong. I'll go to war with my fellow actors against any and all enemies,but the problem is, Reardon IS the enemy. A Merger would be a wonderful situation if all parties involved had nothing but good intentions, but I can assure you Michael, Reardon does not. Merger yes, but not now, not like this and certainly not with a very self-serving, back stabbing aftra leadership. We can do better. We must do better and I believe we will. I voted, "No"… Peace.
Thank You, Michael J. Fox!
He recognizes that these 2 unions have more in common than the opposition would have us think, and that to remain relevant in a changing landscape we have to merge! Yet another voice of sanity and leadership on why it is time for these unions to become ONE.
Martin Sheen speaks so generally, and it's the same old same old we heard from his out-of-touch cohorts in 2003. I know very few actors who would say things have improved since the last merger attempt was only narrowly defeated in SAG, and Martin and his band that are suing SAG have no real regard for what the membership has been asking for in the last 3 SAG elections. And they use fear as a means of getting people to vote it down.
Michael J. Fox speaks passionately and with conviction as to why this needs to happen, and what a GOOD thing it will be for all union actors. I applaud his coming forward to deliver this message. Vote YES on merger!
How could Martin Sheen, a man I know to be thoughtful and honorable, sit in front of a camera and babble on so fruitlessly? There are MANY reasons to resist merger, and he failed to enunciate any of them clearly (and touched on only one in fairly indecipherable fashion). What a waste. What a damaging clip. Isn't there anyone who can help these men make a decent video statement?
I voted no.
Nice to watch Michael J Fox nail it. Merger is what is needed now. The work has changed incredibly since I shot my first job in 1960. Move forward or die.
Thank you Michael J. Fox. It's heartening to see someone with so much skin in the game do what's right for actors.
I'm not even sure what Sheen's message is, except vote no because he is. Pretty bad video Martin.
Too many questions unanswered. Too many reasons not to incorporate in Delaware. Too many people stretching what little truth we've been given. Not enough time taken to figure out what will really happen to our pension and health (and please give me a break on telling us that that will all be figured out AFTER the silly merger idea merger passes. God forbid).
I voted NO X 2.
The no people seem to be older LA area SAG members who are either paranoid about pension issues or have nostalgia for the past. It's 2012, not 1955.
Vote Yes!
Vote Yes.
See comments from Michael below. Thank you for that post.
I meant see ABOVE! Voting Yes.
Maybe it's time for AFTRA to get with the times and become a real union instead of undercutting it's actors and then we merge under strength.
If my decision was based on persuasive influence alone, I would have to say Michael J. Fox would have swayed my opinion to vote yes in approval of the merger, if I were against the Union merger that is.
Mr. Sheen's banter did nothing but express as one other person stated, a political agenda. He said nothing that informed, in fact he said nothing at all.
Michael J. Fox stated all of the sound logical reasons the two unions should merge; strength in numbers. To Mr. Sheens response I say that if we wait until all avenues are balanced we will never merge, because they shall never be balanced. We must take action now and tie up the ends of the two unions once they have merged.
I don't know. Vote YES sounds like a lot of Obama "win the future" "hope" "change" claptrap. A lot of buyers' remorse on that score going around.
Most of the people voting yes, are non working AFTRA members who are merely in the business as a hobby. None of you actually make a living in the business, and are what is really wrong with our current union in the first place. You want to merge the unions, but have no plan. You don't care about the pension, because you have none. You don't care about the dues increase, because you don't make any money and it won't effect you. There is no plan for anything other than to merge. You don't want to listen to Martin Sheen's advice, because you would actually have to spend some time and read to educate yourself so you could make an informed decision. Something sheep don't do. They just do as their told. Go ahead and vote your union down the toilet, Fools!
Vote No.
Firstly, we could rightly see the end to AFTRA – a.k.a The Ship of Fools – go down really quickly if all the actors in it would simply stop paying their dues for just one quarter! AFTRA is anemic and the yes votes on anything from that union aren't coming from the non-actors … those yes votes are stemming mostly from the vapid EXTRAS who have been told a whole bevvy of lies, mostly from the idiots who work at Central Casting. Go poke your head in the door at one of Central's visiting days and see for yourselves what they're drilling into these moronic background "actors" heads! The P.A.'s and A.D.'s on sets aren't helping either. They, too, have encouraged the dumb little sheep to ignorantly following the big bad wolf.
Secondly, I am against this merge, but I have to agree with nearly all the above posters that BOTH Fox and Sheen have clearly rambled on and said absolutely nothing at the same time. Have some balls and start stating what's really on your minds! Fox obviously can't function without the health insurance either way and is scared if they don't merge, that there still won't be enough contributions to the SAG P&H Fund and thus, damning his future. But he doesn't seem to get that merging without clearly defined answers make obliterate his pension and health overnight! And Sheen simply hasn't out right said what's missing in this mess: What contracts will the actors be working under and where will their monies be contributed to, effective immediately as well as tomorrow and into the great beyond. Those behind the merge don't care to share with you what they are planning to do, they just simply want you to say yes, even if that means they're planning to give you a lump of coal for your retirement and a $1400 medical voucher to use at your discretion per year. State the facts, people!
Thirdly, the issue is not IF we should or should not merge. The issue is if we want to blindly merge without any definitive parameters guiding us the entire way through or not. These particulars must be clearly defined from the get-go because once a merge goes through without those parameters being set, the actors of both unions stand to get screwed carte blanche from those controlling the movement who aren't composed mainly of actors, but rather common day idiots who joined AFTRA, because AFTRA will accept members who make donuts for a living. One doesn't even have to work in the entertainment industry to join AFTRA. Consider that they want actors to merge with a union with people who work in real estate, gas stations or in government, but aren't necessarily out to be entertainers. What kind of a useless union is that and why should any of us be forced to join hands with them?
So this isn't AT&T looking to swallow T-Mobile and create a monopoly or a "stronger network". This is AT&T nitpicking apart the fact that they are half composed of piss-off Barnes and Nobles employees who need a life preserver to grab onto so they can have some company while drowning in their own futureless misery. Sorry to say, but AFTRA has been a dying union for a very long time, and had it not been for the mostly brainless extras who handed away television contracts to them, we wouldn't be in this quandary.
The answer is quite simple: Quit paying your AFTRA dues and let this rotten tank of stink go under already. Then if they are really serious about the entertainment industry they can join the true actors union: Screen Actors Guild. Don't associate with AFTRA scum and agree to crawl in bed with them. Vote NO on this ill-advised pile of nothingness!
The central question I hope members are asking themselves before they get sucked into voting "yes" by some slogan, or some simplistic rendition of why we are where we are, is, is this in the best interest of screen actors.
No, it is not.
The idea that defending the jurisdiction of SAG, which has clearly been stolen by AFTRA, with the complicit allowance of that, by the pro-merger forces in our SAG leadership, to produce a producer-friendly union that never strikes – is somehow supposed to bow down to the "we must merger, there is no other way" LIE of the pro-merger SAG and AFTRA leadership?
Is the result of a sustained, carefully considered and executed propagandized political strategy foisted on the membership of SAG, by, among others, Ned Vaughn, SAG's 1st VP.
In 1951, in a remarkably similar set of circumstances, The Television Authority, or, the TVA, had seized upon the explosion of actors work in a new and seismic shift in the technology and possible profit stream for the industry, television, to cut a series of deals with producers of television that was all emanating from New York City.
At first it was "live," as in "we are broadcasting this as it is happening, real time." The existing technology only permitted that at the time. then fairly quickly, it became apparent there would be rapid upgrades in the technical advances in television. It soon became possible to "capture the image" then, edit in post production, and broadcast the show at a later date.
the Screen Actors Guild decided to ask the National Labor Relations board if they would hear a debate over whether or not, this "scripted programming for television" was properly assigned to a new bargaining agent (TVA), or, as SAG contended, an infringement of the jurisdiction of the Screen Actors Guild.
the central question asked of the producers who signed shows with the TVA was "why do these actors, these "workers" need a different bargaining agent for this work?" what is different about this work, or unique, that requires a different union?
Long story short, the answer was "nothing" and the subsequent definitive ruling by the NLRB so decimated the TVA, they effectively disbanded, giving their "T" to the radio union, AFRA, hence, AFTRA.
The decision was, SAG – all scripted programming for television, TVA (soon AFTRA) – "live TV" or "television performed in a live manner."
Why? The "workers" – the actors, were, despite the best efforts of the producers to keep their shows with the TVA (because it was vastly cheaper, and they didn't have to deal with the established tough negotiating Screen Actors Guild) clearly demonstrated to be doing the same "work." Get script, memorize script, rehearse script, block for camera, shoot. Same as in movies.
The television industry, for all intents and purposes, moved to Hollywood in short order. The core resentment in this 17th attempt to "merge" (this will be the third full referendum, there were 14 previous moves that never made it out of the SAG boardroom) is the anger, an anger so powerful it still fuels many of the top pro-merger advocates to this day, that snobby "Hollywood" took NY's television ball and went home.
And I say that as a NY SAG and AFTRA division member of over 25 years in both unions. I relocated to Los angeles and became Hollywood division member of both unions for around 6 years at one point.
This dynamic, despite the testimony of so many Hollywood-based, (career wise at least) A-list actors, including Michael Fox in this video, has metasticized over the years to include the "regions" – all the SAG branches in everywhere, including Peoria (I'm not kidding), and, of course, the cabal that keeps a close watch over the 25,000 odd NYC division SAG members.
With the addition of Unite for Strength, our current leadership of SAG and AFTRA, and the aMPTP, we are witnessing the Screen Actors Guild as it fights for its life. it is on life support, let's call it what it is.
Why? Well, the votes, that's why. Hollywood, foolishly, SAG Hollywood, over the years, tried to be "friendly" with AFTRA, with the NY division, it allowed the "regional branches of SAG" a supposed "national union" (that was, in fact, a California incorporated, not for profit, entity, clearly Hollywood based and clearly intended to remain so) to mushroom, until one day, it turned around, and found itself outvoted, on a national scale. That was a grievous mistake, and the former SAG leaderships, over the years, too sheepish to nip this in the bud, too worried about offending AFTRA, their "sister union," if SAG does not survive, bear the ultimate responsibility.
the simple truth, however, is thart AFTRA realized from day one, that, if it didn't focus on getting as much acting jurisdiction as it could, it would not survive. And it's important to remember, AFTRA is, and always has been more a "business" than a "union." They have and have always had a core mission – "survive." It became evident after the 2003 defeat for merger, that AFTRA was going to have to seriously increase their raiding of SAG jurisdiction, and so, they did.
They poached,, they created deeply inferior contracts, they set up direct competition, despite being "partners" in "Phase One to merger" bargaining with SAG, to allow, whenever AFTRA could swing it, producers to "choose" AFTRA, because, AFTRA was cheaper.
When, in 2008, AFTRA bolted "Phase One" bargaining, afger 27(?) years of negotiating side by side with SAG across from the AMPTP, AFTRA understood this was it's single best chance to not ony finally achieve merger, but to achieve a merger at the expense of SAG, an AFTRA-centric merger, if you will. AFTRA signing the worst contract in the history of its largest contract, Exhibit A, forced SAG's hand, and because former SAG president Alan Rosenberg and NED, Doug Allen would not be the ones to put their signature to what they knew may very well lead to the destruction of SAG,, exactly where we are today, wouldn't sign.
The support for the SAG government went from 100% of the SAG national board to get a fair contract, to the complete turnaround of the vote of the same SAG national board, voting Rosenberg and Allen out, via an obscure and never before used for anything approaching such importance, political maneuver, "written assent" to remove Rosenberg from being allowed to speak for SAG any longer and the firing of Doug Allen.
UFS led SAG takes over, signs the worst contract (TV/theatrical) in the history of SAG, gives away new media with a terrible, terrible, deal – despite shouted warnings of many who have an awareness of the 2 looming precedents of giving away contracts on huge tech leaps: Home-video/DVD (a 5 billion dollar loss for SAG to date) and cable (a series of disastrous SAG-allowed, AFTRA contracts of lower minimums and free windows, often leading to less, and at times, no, residuals. Again, AFTRA's parasitic, never-ending quest to keep the "business" – the staff, the large salaries of the leadership staff, the 1.9 billion dollar pension fund, running. The "business" of AFTRA is worth a nice chunk of change, and they will do anything and everything to preserve that money, which is what this is all about, including destroying SAG as a legal entity, creating a Delaware incorporated and therefore based (Delaware? Hmmm. Do some research into that choice) entirely new "union" called SAG-AFTRA.
And all it has supporting it? Slogans. "Strength in numbers," "strongest union possible," "we can't be divided," and so on. Here's is what it all is:
It is TOTALLY about the 2.9 billion dollar SAG pension fund and the 1.9 billion dollar AFTRA pension fund. It is TOTALLY about delivering to the AMPTP, a producer-friendly union that never strikes, hence the support of the A-list, who no longer feel particularly connected to, or interested in, whether or not the VAST majority of the membership of the union that ALLOWED those very stars to have a career with vital union protections in the first place, get a fair deal, or not.
The A-list does not give a rat's ass about the 99.5% of the union they could get a fair contract for if they simply, as ALL A-lists of the past in the entire history of SAG, did, insisted management give the union a fair deal. Many of them know EXACTLY what they are doing, like Tom Hanks, who PRODUCED the classic "Band of Brothers" NON-UNION in 1999 – 2000 BEFORE Global Rule One came into play. Think ALL those actors saw anything but dirt low up front salaries and haven;t seen a DIME in the millions of dollars in residuals? No, they haven't. Ask one.
Many stars simply have absolutely no idea what they are talking about, but they know one thing: GET ON THE SAME SIDE AS TOM HANKS.
SAG is going to die, unless this is stopped in court, which it very well may be. there is currently a lawsuit pending saying there was lack of due diligence done by SAG, which is an obvious truth. SAG did not do a pre-merger actuarial (you know, with numbers?) study of the possible impact on the P&H SAG plan and the AFTRA H&R plan and what may, after a thorough actuarial report, be most likely to happen. Membership has been left in the dark. Why. The merger-enthusiasts know, if a study, a proper study is done? Merger will not pass. there are simply too many negative trying to combine two plans of such differences.
If they had nothing to hide? If they thought it would be a net-positive to win the merger vote? They would have done it IMMEDIATELY. they did not. there is your single biggest red-flag as to why this merger is a TERRIBLE idea.
They, both leaderships, have nothing but guess-work – and ill-informed guess-work at that -regarding this vital issue, the MOST vital issue in merger. the new union will allow an entire wing, broadcasters to work non-union. and yet, somehow, the actors will be expected to work union.
And the most offensive propaganda of all, is "we have no choice but to merge." That is simply a LIE. SAG has perfectly legal steps it can and will take, very similar to the last NLRB jurisdictional ruling from the NLRB, to regain ALL SAG's rightful jurisdiction, re-gain the full health of its far superior P&H plan, and distance itself from the predatory and parasitic actions of AFTRA, once and for all, NEVER to threaten the Screen Actors Guild EVER again.
Thank you Matt for that well-informed and expressed post. As the old saying goes: those who disregard history are doomed to repeat it.


text:
Elvis On CD │ RCA/BMG/Sony CDs
Elvis Presley
Came with a 24 pages booklet with twenty-two pictures, old RCA, BMG Direct logos and liner notes by Colin Escott.
Old RCA and BMG Direct logos on backside. BMG Direct logo on spine. Double jewel case.
Plus bonus track on CD 4: A LITTLE LESS CONVERSATION
Disc 1, 2 & 3 are made by Disctronics, England - Disc 4 is made by Universal M & L (Distronics)


text:
This post was originally published on Mashable.
How many apps have you installed on Facebook? More importantly, how many of them could post something in your name right now, without your knowledge? Chances are, it's more than half of them.
Privacy protection company Secure.me analysed some 500,000 Facebook apps, and shared the results with Mashable. The biggest takeaways: 63 per cent of those apps ask for the ability to post on your behalf - and 69 per cent of them can grab your email address.
"It has become second nature to connect various apps like Instagram, SocialCam, AngryBirds, CityVille, and Spotify to your Facebook ID," says Secure.me founder Christian Sigl. "You just click 'agree' without even really knowing what you are agreeing to. What you don't realise is that social apps linked to your Facebook profile can pretty much track your and your friends' whole life.
"It doesn't matter what your privacy settings are, the apps still get this information."
What the app makers could do with that information beggars belief. Not only could they effectively hack your Timeline and sell your email address to any unscrupulous buyer - they're also potentially well on the way to stealing your identity. Some 30 per cent of those apps know their users' birthdates, which would in theory allow them to uncover their social security numbers.
The permission puts your friends at risk, too. According to Secure.me, 21 per cent of apps - one in every five - can access the personal data of the user's friends including friends' birthdays, education and work history. Some 12 per cent of the apps can grab your location information at will.
Of course, few of us are concerned about the big name apps - the Instagrams, the Spotifys. These are companies that have won our trust. But big-name apps make up just a small portion of the 500,000 total. What do you really know about the maker of that personality test or music quiz you just posted to your Timeline?
Part of the problem, as Sigl suggests, is the fact that there's no granularity here. You can't decide which permissions the app really needs, and which go beyond its remit. You can't give an app limited permission for a day or a week. And you can't impose your privacy settings as overarching rules that apps may never break. App permissions, right now, are one-size-fits-all.
Mashable is the largest independent news source covering digital culture, social media and technology.


text:
Thursday Halloween Schedule:
6am-9am-11am-12pm-430pm-NO EVENING CLASSES
Workout of the Day
A. For time:
Murph, or, Team Murph
Perform the following on your own, or grab a team mate and challenge another pair Whatever is most fun to you, just bring it.
For time:
1 mile run
100 pull-ups
200 pushups
300 squats
1 mile run
*Teams must run the miles together, but can divide the reps in any way they choose.
**partition the reps any way you choose.


text:
MERCED, CA — During their regular meeting in January 2004, UC regents endorsed the facilities bond act of 2004 that, if ratified by California voters in March, would pave the way for some $10.8 million in facility construction at UC Merced and billions more in improvements to public schools across the state.
The bond act, known as Proposition 55, is the second half of a two-part statewide bond package approved by the Legislature for funding K-12 and higher education facility needs during the next four years.
In 2002, California voters approved the first half of the measure, Proposition 47. It provided $13 billion to construction and repair projects, including state-supported capital projects at UC. The proposition passed with 59 percent of the vote. Specifically, it authorized some $11.4 billion for K-12 and $1.65 billion for higher education capital projects.
Proposition 55, also known as the Kindergarten-University Public Education Facilities Bond Act of 2004, will provide $12.3 billion in bonds to further fund state-supported capital projects – including $10 billion for K-12 and $2.3 billion for higher education. The 2004 bond would provide $1.15 billion each year for two years.
In all, the legislation which placed both bond measures on the ballot (AB 16) authorizes a total of $27 billion in general obligation bond funds over four years to help fund K-12 and higher education facility needs.
UC would receive approximately $345 million per year for capital outlay for the four-year period covered by the two bond acts. The California State University and the California Community Colleges would also receive capital projects funding.
Over the next four years, UC's projected capital needs total $600 million per year; and the university expects enrollment growth of approximately 63,000 additional students between 2000-2010, according to the UC Office of the President.
Approximately $10.8 million is expected to be allocated to UC Merced over 2004-05 and 2005-06, if the 2004 bond act were to be passed by voters in March. It would provide:
- Logistical Support/Service Facilities— funding would provide a facility to house campus facilities personnel, and environmental health and safety operations in shop, warehouse and office space along with a small corporation yard to accommodate university vehicles and maintenance equipment — $9.29 million (in 2004-05).
- Social Sciences and Management Building— funding would provide for preliminary planning for the academic building, which would provide new instruction and research space for selected social and behavioral science programs, such as economics and political science, and programs with emphasis in public policy, human institutions, economic activity and global resource management. The facility would include offices, labs and case study rooms. (Future State costs would be funded from a subsequent higher education bond acts.) — $1.53 million (in 2005-06)


text:
An Extensible Markup Language (XML) file created in BIRT 360 that supports visualization of data or provides data selection on a BIRT dashboard. The two supported types of gadget files are:
An Actuate gadget, using the Actuate specification, is rendered using Actuate JSAPI, accesses Actuate BIRT data objects and files, and is either embedded in the dashboard page or shared as a separate file. An Actuate gadget can render web content such as a BIRT report, a BIRT Reportlet, an external web page, or HyperText Markup Language (HTML) code.
|Copyright Actuate Corporation 2013
|BIRT iHub 2


text:
A passionate developer's track
After reading this post from Steven Smith I thought I should write something about it.
Sorting a generic List<T> is pretty straightforward if you know how to do it. With C# 2.0, anonymous methods come at hand, as well as the little known Comparison<T> delegate (check out this post for more information about this class as well as other useful classes new to C# 2.0).
Ok, let's suppose we have a product class (let me save some space by using C# 3.0 syntax).
class Product{ public int ProductID { get; set; } public string ProductName { get; set; } public decimal UnitPrice { get; set; }}
When we have a list of products we may want to sort it on the ProductName property before displaying it to the user. This can be accomplished with the Sort method of the List<T> class, which defines several overloads. The most handy in this case is the Sort(Comparison<Product>) method and the result is easily achieved with a couple lines of code.
List<Product> products = new List<Product>();products.Sort(delegate(Product p1, Product p2) { return p1.ProductName.CompareTo(p2.ProductName); });
So far so good, but what if we need to sort our list in several places during the execution of our program? Do we have to write that code each time? Actually no, since we can use the parameterless Sort() method of our list class. What this method does is use the "default comparer" to sort the list. So what's this default comparer? It's the comparer that's automatically created if we implement the IComparable<T> interface. This way we can centralize the sorting logic into our class, and just call the parameterless Sort() method on it whenever we need it sorted on the ProductName property.
public class Product : IComparable<Product>{ [...] public int CompareTo(Product other) { return ProductName.CompareTo(other.ProductName); }}
Ok, now what if we want to be able to sort it on the other two properties, ProductID and UnitPrice? Do we have to write an anonymous method each time as we did in the beginning? Of course no, since there's a useful trick which prevents us from needing to do that. We can define two static Comparer<Product> properties in our product class, and supply them as parameters to the Sort(Comparer<T>) method of our list whenever we need it sorted on something which is not the default sorting logic.
public class Product : IComparable<Product>{ [...] public static Comparison<Product> PriceComparison = delegate(Product p1, Product p2) { return p1.Price.CompareTo(p2.Price); }; public static Comparison<Product> IDComparison = delegate(Product p1, Product p2) { return p1.ProductID.CompareTo(p2.ProductID); }; [...]}
Since they are static they can be used simply like so: products.Sort(Product.PriceComparison) or products.Sort(Product.IDComparison), which will respectively sort the list by price and id.
Below is the full code of the Product class.
public class Product : IComparable<Product>{ private int id; private string prodName; private decimal price; public static Comparison<Product> PriceComparison = delegate(Product p1, Product p2) { return p1.price.CompareTo(p2.price); }; public static Comparison<Product> IDComparison = delegate(Product p1, Product p2) { return p1.id.CompareTo(p2.id); }; public int ProductID { get { return id; } set { id = value; } } public string ProductName { get { return prodName; } set { prodName = value; } } public decimal UnitPrice { get { return price; } set { price = value; } } public Product(int id, string prodName, decimal price) { this.id = id; this.prodName = prodName; this.price = price; } #region IComparable<Product> Members public int CompareTo(Product other) { return ProductName.CompareTo(other.ProductName); } #endregion public override string ToString() { return string.Format("Id: {0} Name: {1} Price: {2}", id, prodName, price); }}
You've been kicked (a good thing) - Trackback from DotNetKicks.com
Glad you found it useful!
Here it is:
Public Class Product Implements IComparable(Of Product) ' Methods
Shared Sub New() Product.PriceComparison = Function (ByVal p1 As Product, ByVal p2 As Product) Return p1.price.CompareTo(p2.price) End Function
Product.IDComparison = Function (ByVal p1 As Product, ByVal p2 As Product) Return p1.id.CompareTo(p2.id) End Function
End Sub
Public Sub New(ByVal id As Integer, ByVal prodName As String, ByVal price As Decimal) Me.id = id Me.prodName = prodName Me.price = price End Sub
Public Function CompareTo(ByVal other As Product) As Integer
Return Me.ProductName.CompareTo(other.ProductName) End Function
Private Shared Sub Main() End Sub
Public Overrides Function ToString() As String
Return String.Format("Id: {0} Name: {1} Price: {2}", Me.id, Me.prodName, Me.price) End Function
' Properties
Public Property ProductID As Integer
Return Me.id End Get
Set(ByVal value As Integer) Me.id = value End Set
End Property
Public Property ProductName As String
Return Me.prodName End Get
Set(ByVal value As String) Me.prodName = value End Set
End Property
Public Property UnitPrice As Decimal
Return Me.price End Get
Set(ByVal value As Decimal) Me.price = value End Set
End Property
' Fields
Private id As Integer
Public Shared IDComparison As Comparison(Of Product) Private price As Decimal
Public Shared PriceComparison As Comparison(Of Product) Private prodName As String
End Class
Thanks Peter, glad I helped.
I'm sorry Philip, I am not good at coding in vb and did the conversion using Reflector. You should try another conversion tool if it isn't working, you can find many online.
@jbluedelta: just invert the order of the comparison.
Public shared PriceComparison as Comparison(of Product) = AddressOf PriceComparisonSort Public shared IDComparison as Comparison(of Product) = AddressOf IDComparisonSort Private shared function PriceComparisonSort(p1 as Product, p2 as Product)as integer return p1.price.CompareTo(p2.price) end functionprivate shared function IDComparisonSort(p1 as Product, p2 as Product) as integer return p1.id.compareTo(p2.id) end function
Collections Best Practices
Hi mister, I've tried sort my List<Entity> but I get error: Failed to compare two elements in the array.
I use this code:
List<TareaWFAsignada> datos = Session[SESSION_SOURCE] as List<TareaWFAsignada>;
delegate(TareaWFAsignada t1, TareaWFAsignada t2)
return t1.Nexpedval.CompareTo(t2.Nexpedval);
Nexpedval is string.
And another question, What happened if I have nullable property like "int?" ??
Thanks in advance
You should check the kind of exception you get. If you have a nullable type you need to implement a custom compare method.
Saved my life. This eliminated code that was growing longer and uglier by the second with less than 10 lines of "That was easy".
Great job.
Glad you found it useful DBeahm, with lambda expressions this is going to be even more straightforward.
Your story was featured in GeekThings.org! Here is the link to vote it up and promote it: www.geekthings.org/.../How_to_sort_a_generic_List_T
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Sarnath is 10 km northeast of Varanasi. Buddha achieved his enlightenment from Bodhgaya then later came to Sarnath to preach his message. Sarnath once disappeared from the map because of muslim invasion after Buddhism decline. British archaelogists rediscovered it around 1600s.
Though I stayed in Varanasi, I traveled to Sarnath daily to attend the holy teachings of His Holiness The Dalai Lama. I met Andi from UK with Jinpa, a monk from Dharamsala and Angelika from Germany. We shared a rickshaw daily to deliver and fetch us back.
Approaching near the entrance, I saw the two kilometers long line queuing in. There were three lines, the monks, male and female. Cameras, phones, cigarettes, alcohol were not allowed. Therefore I have to photos to share with you. Along the long lines came a parallel line of beggars and pendicants. There were many kids and I saw a young girl who looked like 12 or 14 nursing an infant and 3 other little kids around her. I could not comprehend and absorb this. It is very difficult to understand. Some of these people also looked like they were self mutilated just so they can beg in the streets. I heard the Boghgaya was the same way. There were also vendors of all sorts, from katags to thangkas, fruits, sweaters and silk fabrics.
By the way, one time while I was in Mysore, there was one day when I saw many kids with their tin cup and were begging from everybody. It was an unusual day as I was swarmed with panhandlers. I curiously asked the locals and I was told that Buddha taught them to beg one day to teach them humility. I am sure there is more to the thought than just the humility side. But for me, begging is not humility. It is rather humiliating if you can not move yourself above and beyond making the right choices of sacrifice, working hard and getting educated.
His theme for his teachings is about "Kamalashila's The Middling Stages of Meditation (gomrim barpa) and Shantideva's A Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life (chodjug). The teachings began at 9:00 until 11:30 am then reconvened at 1300 until 1500 hours. He said it is very important to practice religious tolerance for a peaceful world and that all religious faiths preach the same goals. At the beginning of each session, the monks distributed loaves of bread and tea with milk. The Dalai Lama is a very powerful human being who can move the earth. He spoke in his native tongue but there were translators for many languages. You have to bring (or buy) your ipod, tune into a FM station for your appropriate language, English, French, Japanese, Spanish, Russian and so on. I was only able to attend four days of the week long teachings. I also bought a couple of his books, Universal Responsibility and the Good Heart and Awakening the Mind, Lightening the Heart and did my karma yoga with Tashi Lunpo Monastery. I met a very nice cute girl and her parents from Bhutan. They invited me to go and I would have gone but I was told that it costs $250 to visit their country for a maximum of seven days. So I decided to continue with my travel plans to Rishikesh. I also got to meet other monks and Lobsang from Berkeley.
On second to the last day, after the teachings, we proceeded to the town of Sarnath and had lunch under the banyan tree by the Chaukhandi Stupa. We were enjoying a vegetarian lunch with fresh fruits when we noticed the entourage and His Holiness went into the stupa, then around the yards. I got to see him within a foot distance in one of the sermons and again on this visit to the stupa.
On the last day, he spoke about social responsibilities and taking care of mother earth. He asked that people should be mindful and really soak in all that was taught the past few days. That faith is not enough. It should be studied. This is the same message I have heard from the Pope of the Catholic religion.
You can probably imagine that there were not enough chairs to seat all these people. We all sat on the ground. Imagine what it's like to be on padmasana for four days. My meridians are so open that my legs do not hurt anymore. I was also able to get three katags to keep and wrap around my Buddha for my home.
Rishikesh, Here I come.


text:
Uncyclopedia:Pee Review/Why?:Did the Chicken Cross the Road
From Uncyclopedia, the content-free encyclopedia
edit Why?:Did the Chicken Cross the Road
This is my first article. Comments, thoughts? --Qua 15:46, 12 May 2008 (UTC)
- I got this one! Since, ya know... But sorry I'm quite busy at the moment so the review may take a day or two. Can you cope with that? - 16:55 12 May Sir FSt. (QotF BFF NotM) YTTETalk!Read!Sign!Whore!CMC!Pee!
- Hey, I'm so sorry I wanted to take this one, but I've just realised: I have a whole load of exams coming up and I'm going to be bogged down with work. I've already held this longer than I probably should have, so I don't think Qua should be made to wait any more. Sorry Qua! So I'm opening this up to other people... I'd be very grateful if someone could take this review...I don't want Qua's confidence in Pee Review to be shattered! - 20:25 19 May Sir FSt. (QotF BFF NotM) YTTETalk!Read!Sign!Whore!CMC!Pee!
|I was pretty disappointed actually. In the context of an Uncyclopedia Why? article the title was probably the funniest bit of it. Though I can see where you were coming from with the rephrasing of the same question and the philosophy angle it just didn't have enough (for want of a better phrase) oomph to last a whole article. You spent a long time saying nothing and and then the punch-line was little better than the original joke's. You could have had something a little more absurd like "to see that nice man in the van that doles out chicken feed." Though that terminates the joke pretty quickly and I may be the only one that associates men in vans with paedophilia.
|This has the potential to be a really good "Why?" and be a prime example of being serious about silly things, it just needs a more original idea behind it as the punch line to your joke was essentially that the chicken was exploring. Even "gods will" would have given you more material as you could further it into why does god want the chicken to cross the road. Though that isn't brilliant either. Maybe you could have several different groups that are (violently) arguing about why the chicken crosses the road. Like what religions do. Make up their different arguments, and explain them in a serious philosophical tone, that'll give it a lease of life. And emphasises the seriousness of the question.
|Prose and formatting:
|What you wrote was written well enough, but the repetition got very boring very quickly. Though the prose should improve if you re-do the ideas. The formatting was good though it looked like a proper article and had enough links.
|the images were exceptionally meh. The first one was ok, I guess, but the caption was plagued by the same boredom from the rest of the article. The second one had no chickens and one car (on a road going into LA unless I'm very mistaken) try photo shopping in loads of chickens and cars and make it look chaotic. And you can maybe use that in any theme you could expand into. What you do image wise really depends on what you decide to do with the article should you choose to re-write it (and I sincerely hope that you do)
|(averaged the score of the other fields)
|Final Score:
|like I said this article needs a lot of work, solely because the direction of the article was too weak. I'd like to see you take my advice in the concept section and re-work this article as I think it has potential if it's pushed hard enough in the right direction.
If you'd like to thank/ask/insult me about anything please visit my talk page.
|Have Fun! MuCal. Orian57|Chat|Chuckle|PEE List|Awarded|UnBlog| 07:09, 21 May 2008 (UTC)


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Drew Macias went 2-for-5 with a walk, two runs scored and five RBI. The outfielder, batting leadoff, hit a two-run double with the bases juiced in the fifth inning and added a three-run bomb – his first of the season – in the eighth. Macias opened the season with San Diego, going 0-for-2 in two pinch-hit appearances. It was his highest RBI total since August 12, 2007 while with San Antonio. Macias hit .294 in 51 at-bats with the Padres this spring, adding five extra base hits.
Cesar Ramos earned the win, tossing five-plus innings of one-run ball. The left-hander yielded four hits and a walk while fanning a half-dozen. Ramos has allowed two earned runs over his first nine innings of the season. Last season in Portland, the southpaw held the opposition to two earned runs or less in 12 of his 27 starts.
Chad Huffman added three hits in six trips, notching two singles and hitting his second homer of the year – one of four homers on the day for Portland. Huffman's shot was of the solo variety and he ended the day with two RBI and two runs scored. Huffman hit two homers over his first 29 games in San Antonio and has a pair through seven games this year. Huffman had 13 games with three or more hits a year ago.
Peter Ciofrone and Will Venable hit back-to-back homers – the second time this season Portland has accomplished the feat. Portland drew 14 walks and only one regular did not play in that reindeer game.
San Antonio (3-3) had a scheduled day off
Lake Elsinore (1-6) lost 7-1 to High Desert (Mariners)
Jeremy Hefner allowed three runs – equaling the number of hits the Storm offense managed. The right-hander dropped to 0-2, giving up six hits while striking out nine. Five of the hits he surrendered went for extra bases. He had not given up an extra base hit in his first outing. Hefner had three games with nine or more strikeouts a season ago with Fort Wayne and 30.8 percent of the hits he allowed last year went for extras.
Robert Perry accounted for the lone Storm run. The outfielder hit a solo homer, his first, and drew a walk in four plate appearances. Perry hit three homers last season in Fort Wayne across 72 games and did not go deep in 38 California League games. He hit just .165 with the Storm a season ago in 115 at-bats while hitting .251 with Fort Wayne.
Aaron Breit was on the hook for three runs on three hits and a walk over two innings. The right-hander saw one ball leave the park, accounting for two runs. Breit surrendered just two bombs all last season across 51.2 innings with Fort Wayne. He had just three relief appearances where he yielded more than one earned run a year ago in 22 overall contests.
Fort Wayne (6-0) won 6-0 over Wisconsin (Brewers)
Anthony Bass was efficient over six scoreless innings, never allowing more than one base runner in an inning. The right-hander yielded three hits, did not walk a batter and struck out six - a career-high. Bass has given up just six hits in his first 12 Midwest League innings without a run. Bass held the opposition to a .197 average against a year ago in the Northwest League and held righties to a .169 mark. The TinCaps have allowed four earned runs in seven games and boast a 0.65 team ERA with three shutouts. The bullpen has yet to allow a run across 25.2 innings.
Allan Dykstra went opposite field to crush an RBI double in the top of the seventh, breaking a scoreless tie. It was just his second hit of the year, as he opened the season with one hit in his first 19 at-bats. The RBI was his first of the season. Dykstra, the top pick in the 2008 MLB Draft, had 10 RBI in seven games with Lake Elsinore last season, hitting .292 in 24 at-bats.
Matt Clark's sky-high ball into left field was lost in the sun by the outfielder and dropped for an RBI double, scoring Dykstra. The first baseman ended the day with three hits in four trips and two runs scored. The first 14 TinCaps were retired without a fight before Clark broke through with a fifth inning single. Fort Wayne would put runners on in every inning thereafter. Clark hit .279 across 38 games with Eugene, smacking 13 extra base hits and plating 32.
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"Sing unto the Lord, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness…weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning" Psalms 30: 4-5 Play: Oh What A Beautiful Mornin' "Wherever you live on this earth and whatever your life's situation may be, I testify to you … Continue reading
Tagged with sing …
Come To Jesus
Come, Sing, Fall, Cry, Dance, Fly… … and Live! I thank Chris Rice for writing such a beautiful song, and tferise69 for this lovely video
Always Remember
Today is Easter Sunday. A little trivia: It is the earliest calendar date that Easter will be celebrated for nearly two centuries. The Christian world is commemorating


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Central New Yorker Wonders What Happened to the Hofmann Hot Dog?
One of the most iconic summer traditions for people in Central New York is picnicking with the main course being burgers and a delicious Hofmann hot dog. These delicious dogs come in many varieties, but all have one thing in common. They were made fresh close to home in Syracuse, NY. Their flavors are unmistakable and set a standard for summer dining, and one concerned citizen is asking "What happened to Hofmann hot dogs?"


text: Alerted by the Guernsey County Sheriff's Department, Liberty Township Trustees responded to road damage caused by a vicious thunderstorm on Candy Road around 9:30 pm June 4th. Of the trustees who responded were Sandra Adams, Bob Kennedy, and Liberty Township employee Larry Beatenhead. Also, were volunteers Aaron Lowry of Wheeling Township, Rick and Angie Durben, and Ty Adams. Following up on the call it was apparent there was heavy damage to the road including flooding, mudslides, and downed trees blocking the roadway. After hours of work well into the am of the 5th Candy Road was passable but will need continued attention when weather permits. Thank you Liberty Township Trustees.


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Carnival Dream...big ship, small ship feel.: Carnival Dream Cruise Review by bigreid07
Overall Member Rating
Carnival Dream...big ship, small ship feel.
Destination: Western Caribbean
Embarkation: New Orleans
I LOVED our dining room staff and food. I thought it was better than my previous Cruise on Conquest (which I had no problem with either). I will say our head Waiter (Divan) was overwhelmed with too many large tables, but he did an amazing job, as did our assistants Toki and Adi. Toki is probably in training to become a Head Waiter, and will be great. The buffet food kind of seemed sparce…I feel like there used to be more options than there were. The Pizza was UH-MAZ-ING!!!!! Cant tell you how many I ate. The Pasta Bar was pretty nifty, too. I really really really missed Guys Burger joint though.
Our room steward on the other hand was atrocious. She never introduced herself to us, and our first conversation was More basically consistent of her telling us when she worked and that she didn't know if she could get me an extra ice bucket. They few times we saw her, she never talked or smiled, unlike the guys who had the next block of rooms. They were great. I almost tipped them extra solely because of that. I don't really want much out of a room steward, but I really just didn't care to have the feeling that we were bothering her. She needs some re-training.
We did the Discover Mexico tour in Cozumel, and I highly recommend it for $25. My mom has MS, and was struggling a bit walking, and our tour guide volunteered to get her a wheelchair and push her. (which was amazing that she agreed, because in the 9 years she's had MS she has NEVER agreed to get in one).
Faster to the Fun as probably the best money we spent all week. Well worth $50 per room.
I love Embarkation and Debarkation in New Orleans. We've been through there twice, and it was awesome both times.
All in all, it was a great cruise. We're looking at booking the Eastern leg on the Dream next year. Less
Published 04/27/14
Cabin review: 7448
This is an L-Shaped balcony with a double long balcony, and I absolutely recommend it!!!!
Read Cruise Critic's Carnival Dream Review >>
Lots of winners and few losers...
Great first cruise !
Date night every night!
Ideal for college kids and par...
Caribbean is TOO hot in June, ...
Lots of winners and few losers...
Not bad for what it is
Sponsored Links


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Wanderlust Dictonary Definition: noun a strong desire...
2:36 || h.s
- by Curly Cupcake☁
- Rating:
- Published: 22 Apr 2014
- Updated: 14 Jul 2014
- Status: In Progress
2 A.M is not for the lovers asleep in each other's arms. It's for the lonely, the ones who are in love with the loved But are not loved in return.
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text: X-Speed is a Battle Item that raises the speed of a Pokémon by one stage for one battle, or until it is withdrawn. An X-Speed can be used up to 6 times on one pokemon per battle, giving up to a boost of 4x the pokemon's speed. Other similar items are X-Attack, X-Defend, X-Special, X-Accuracy, Dire hit and X-Sp.Def., Raising by one stage attack, defence, special attack, special defence, critical hit ratio and accuracy.


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Accommodation, Transport, Car Hire, Malta Tourist Attractions
Landscape and Nature
Mostly the list that follows, describe areas of natural beauty, ideal for walks. To note that during the hunting and bird trapping season, one must make efforts to avoid the immediate vicinity where these activities are taking place. The following areas are coded as follows: W = Good for walking/trekking; V = Good views; P = Photographic opportunities; H = Pay particular attention to hunting activities.
Delimara Point, Marsaxlokk W/V/P/H
Preferably take the high ground from Tas-Silg area, and walk to Delimara Point, and where possible follow the coastline, which can take you all the way to St. Thomas Bay.
St Thomas Bay, Marsascala W/V/P/H
The route mentioned above, can be done in reverse starting from here. Walk towards the point known as Il-Munxar where waves can often be seen breaking on the shallow offshore reef, and where high white cliffs (not visible from the bay) offer a spectacular sight.
Ghar Hasan and Cliffs, limits of Birzebbugia V/P/H
Ghar Hasan, site of a popular legend, may or may not be open, but the cliff area is worth a drive and a short visit anyway.
Blue Grotto and Zurrieq Valley, Zurrieq W/V/P
A very beautiful coastline where one finds the Blue Grotto, and the rugged valley walls. Apart from walking to the valley from Zurrieq, which is pleasant enough, further walks can however be rough in places.
Mnajdra, Limits of Qrendi W/V/P/H
Apart from the temples, the surrounding area lends itself to a scenic coastal walk, which could for the more adventurous take you all the way to Ghar Lapsi.
Ghar Lapsi, Limits of Siggiewi W/V/P
There is a good walk to be had walking along the coast towards the South/Mnajdra/left when facing the sea.
Fawwara, Dingli W/V/P
Approach either from the road starting from a little before the "Dar Tal-Providenza" area (you need a map) or else from the left-most side of Dingli Cliffs.
Dingli Cliffs W/V/P
Walk along Malta's highest point, which overlooks the sea for miles, you may walk to (or from) Buskett Gardens, and Mtahleb.
Buskett Gardens W/P
A small forested area, with mature trees and a small stream which runs during the wet season. Also a good place to start walks along country roads.
Mtahleb, Limits of Rabat W/V/P
A beautiful, tranquil place, one may also walk along the spectacular cliff edge (caution required in places) if you start your walk from the parking area at Migra il-Ferha. Coves and sea-caves may be seen, and you may also descend to the water's edge via a narrow passageway in the cliff face just by the parking area. Popular dive spot.
Bahrija, Limits of Rabat W/H
You may get to Bahrija Valley from Mtahleb, either along the cliff-top road (recommended) or underneath the cliffs, not an option during the hunting season. Or just drive there from Rabat.
Fomm Ir-Rih Bay, Limits of Rabat W/V/P
The downhill road to Fomm Ir-Rih offers a straight-ahead option (walk to the point, where some temple remains may be found) or take the right half way down the hill, and walk all the way down to the little beach via a narrow passageway.
Kuncizzjoni, Limits of Rabat W/V
Walks along country roads and paths.
Gnejna Bay, Mgarr W/V/P
Short walks in this picturesque bay area, alternatively walk towards the tower overlooking the bay (from the high ground, take the road on your left just as you have come up Gnejna Hill, past a gate) and you may walk all the way to Ghajn Tuffieha and Golden Sands along the cliff edge.
Ghajn Tuffieha and Golden Sands Bay W/V/P
Reverse the route above, or walk in the opposite direction (northwards) behind the new hotel (take narrow passageway on the right hand side hotel boundary wall) and take a cliff edge walk which may take you all the way to Mellieha, or even further.
Anchor Bay, Mellieha W/V/P/H
More of the beautiful rugged coastline to walk.
Qammiegh Point, Cirkewwa/Mellieha V/P/H
Vantage point, which you can walk to or drive to, tricky to take walks here as the right route (to Paradise Bay) is not so obvious, but if discovered, well worth while.
Paradise Bay, Cirkewwa W/V/P
Beautiful bay nestled under cliffs, reverse the previous route on the cliff edge ortake a short walk North towards Cirkewwa.
Cirkewwa to Ahrax Point Promontory area W/V/P
You may walk all around the coastline, by the little sandy beaches of Armier, to the promontory point where the little chapel and statue of the Madonna is located, all the way to Ghadira (Mellieha) Bay.
Mgiebah Bay W/V/P
From Selmun, by the chapel, watch out for the easy to miss sign for Mgiebah Road, as you get to the clay slopes overlooking the bay, you may take a left and walk towards Ghadira (Mellieha) Bay, or just go down by the beach.
Selmun and St. Paul's Islands W/V/P
Walk the clay slopes downhill towards St. Paul's Islands, you may walk all the way round to Mistra Bay.
Mistra Bay and Valley W/V/P
You may start this walk from Xemxija, behind the hotel situated at the northern corner of the bay, walk up a Roman road past some ancient remains, and directly down again via a pathway, to the valley floor, following the path towards the sea.
Mizieb Wooded Area (Hunting Reserve) W/H
A pleasant walk, not much of note otherwise, but to avoid completely during the hunting season.
Coast Road, Bahar Ic-Caghaq W/P
The coast road is quite busy, but makes for a pleasant, comfortable walk with no hills of note all the way from Qawra to Bahar Ic-Caghaq, staying by the coast just before the hill to St Julians, the walk gets a bit rougher, but can take you all the way to Pembroke/St Julians.
Pembroke, limits of St Andrew's/St Julians W
A coastal area allowing for a walk across natural rock and scrubland.
Ghargur/Madliena Victoria Lines Area and Valleys W/V/P
The view from here stretches towards Gozo on a clear day, and the Victoria Lines hug the sides of this natural fault line at the steepest of places.
Mosta Valley, Mosta W/P
Start the walk either from by the school/Markiz Mallia Tabone Farmhouse behind and to the right of the Mosta Dome, and walk down to the valley floor. The walk may be rough in places. Alternatively walk down from by the bridge further along the valley, opposite Fort Mosta, for an easier walk. The valley leads to the Burmarrad area, via country roads you may walk all the way to Salina, the Coast Road or Qawra.
Wied il-Kbir, Qormi W/P
A steep-sided valley, which may be walked from Qormi end to Qrendi, or taking the right hand side fork in the valley, towards Zebbug/Siggiewi.
Gozo, Comino
Apart from the places and walks listed below, Gozo offers a myriad of quiet country lanes, especially suitable for walks during the cooler season.
Xatt L-Ahmar to Xlendi W/V/P/H
This is a long but very beautiful walk, which may even be started before Xatt L-Ahmar (Start from Mgarr Harbour and walk westwards along the coast, although this option can get quite rough), which takes in beautiful cliff edge views of Comino and Gozo, the stunning creek at Mgarr Ix-Xini, and Ta' Cenc Cliffs. You may start this walk at any of the following points and walk in any direction, if you wish to make it shorter. Optional start points, east to west: Mgarr Ix-Xini; Sannat (Ta' Cenc); Xlendi (cross the little footbridge towards the tower, and walk east). In some places, during the hunting season, you may be asked to take an alternative route, as much of the land is private.
Dwejra/Azure Window/Inland Sea W/V/P
The area is highly picturesque, with numerous natural and man made features. Walks tend to be limited to the general area, but are highly rewarding all the same.
Wied il-Mielah to Marsalforn W/V/P
There is another, little know natural rock "window" here maybe not as beautiful as the one at Dwejra, however this is an ideal start point for a coastal walk along the country track and pathways which you can take all the way to Marsalforn.
Ramla Bay W/V/P
There are some interesting but rough pathways to both sides of the bay, and also country roads leading to this bay. A beautiful area, although not recommended to use the pathways to attempt to reach any other place, as in places even some climbing skills are required.
Hondoq Ir-Rummien W/V/P
Walk eastwards along the coast (some places caution required) all the way to Mgarr Harbour. Possibly the best views of Comino from this walk.
Comino W/V/P
Pretty much a "free" walk, to start depending on your landing place, the coastline is probably the most rewarding option. Can be rough in places.
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Hickory Hills Mobile Home Park, Bath, PA
Current Listings in this Community:
Hickory Hills is one of the most picturesque communities in the Lehigh Valley area. From the streets lined with beautiful sycamore trees to the stocked fishing pond, residents are close to nature but just ten minutes from Route 22. Hickory Hills is a large community with each home having a spacious lot and paved parking area. The park sits North of the town of Bath, in Northampton County. The park is near the intersection of Route 512 and 946, making the location very accessible to Routes 33, 191 and 248.
The park is located in Moore Township and is within the Northampton School District. Residents can find shopping and amenities within the nearby town of Bath. If you are looking for gourmet groceries and great produce, Wegman's market is located about 10 minutes South on Route 512. For those of you that enjoy what nature has to offer, be sure to check out the nearby Graver Arboretum, featuring over 150 species of conifer trees. The 63 acre arboretum is owned by Muhlenberg College, but is open to the public and has walking trails.
Lot rent in Hickory Hills is $648.50/month and includes water, sewer, trash collection and plenty of amenities. The park has a large swimming pool, clubhouse, walking paths, basketball court, and a stocked fishing pond. There are often organized events like ice cream socials in the summer. Pets are permitted in the park with management approval. The homes in Hickory Hills are a mix of single and doublewides, and vary in age from late 1970's to new models.
Please refer to the map below for location.
From Route 22 in the Lehigh Valley, take Route 512 North for exactly 8.2 miles to Hickory Hills Drive on the right. You will see the park sign on the right hand side of Route 512, just as you crest a hill.


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Browns sign punter
(Berea) - The Cleveland Browns signed punter Jake Schum as a free agent.
Schum spent two seasons as at the University at Buffalo (2010-11), where he booted 119 career punts for 38.7 average, while landing 24 inside the 20-yard line. He transferred to Buffalo after spending one season (2007) at Buffalo State College.
Born January 11, 1989, the 5-10, 210-pound Schum is a native of Hamburg, New York and attended Frontier High School.
Get breaking news sent to your mobile phone.Text "news" to 21095.
(Copyright 2013 Clear Channel, all rights reserved.)


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Target: Daniel M. Ashe, Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service
Goal: Remove toxic lead from hunting ammunition to save bald eagles from lead poisoning
Many hunters use lead ammunition because it is the standard type they're used to buying. However, after hunters make their shots, small particles of lead are left scattered in the various organs of the hit animal. Bald eagles, as well as other types of eagles and birds, naturally come to pick up what's left behind by hunters, ingesting bits of poisonous lead with each bite. We must remove toxic lead from hunting ammunition to save bald eagles from lead poisoning.
Plenty of preventative measures have been taken to keep lead out of our paint, foods, and children's toys. Why should wildlife be excluded from these protections? Some experts have stated that around 130 species of wildlife are at risk of being poisoned by lead ammunition. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has already banned lead ammunition for goose and duck hunting, and there are requirements for non-lead ammunition in various state parks around the country. However, lead ammunition is still being used and sold, destroying wildlife species in many places.
Sign the below petition to urge the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, state and local governments, and the National Rifle Association (NRA) to put the welfare of wildlife above the need for lead-based bullets for hunting.
Dear Director Ashe,
The bald eagle is a symbol of America's freedom, however this species is not free to live without the risk of lead poisoning. Bald eagles, golden eagles, and other types of birds and mammals regularly feed upon the portions of killed animals that are left behind by hunters. Since lead bullets reach the organs of the target animals upon impact, eagles are ingesting lead bits and suffering ill health.
Although lead ammunition has been banned in many wildlife refuges and parks, lead bullets are still used in many parts of the country. Meanwhile, there are plenty of alternative ammunition types available to hunters.
I am urging you to work with the NRA, state and local parks, and environmental groups to implement a nation-wide ban on lead bullets for the sake of wildlife. More than 100 species are at risk of being poisoned by lead ammunition right now. Hopefully, the bald eagle, our national symbol, won't face further risk of extinction because of our own hunting habits.
[Your Name Here]
Photo credit: Carl Chapman via WikiMedia Commons


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Dance Theatre Northwest is knows to produce a most excellent "Nutcracker" every year, and this year the tradition returns to Mount Tahoma High School Auditorium. Showtimes are 2:30 and 7 p.m. on Dec. 17 and 4 p.m. on Dec. 18.
Two of the main roles in this production, the Sugar Plum Fairy and the Cavalier, are played by Katie Neumann and Chhay Mam respectively. Neumann has been dancing in "The Nutcracker" ballet for more than a decade. Having performed nearly every female role in the ballet, she is dynamic and confident. However, each season as Dance Theatre Northwest moves into its tradition of producing a few new roles, new costumes, sets, and freshening up the choreography, Neumann, now a professional dancer, gets emotional about her new found strengths and her accomplishments.
Mam initially joined Dance Theatre Northwest as a scholarship student. He not only dances in some of this season's leading roles in DTN's "Nutcracker," Chhay has also been actively involved in producing new sets for the Party Scene and Land of Snow.
Tickets are available on line at www.dancetheatrenorthwest.org, at Dance Theatre Northwest studios (2811 Bridgeport Way W., #24, in University Place); and by calling (253) 778-6534. Mount Tahoma High School is located at 4634 S. 74th St. Parking is free and the theatre is handicapped accessible. Tickets are $21-$26 for adults, $11-$13 for seniors over, children and students, and Dream Passes are $45 for adults and $25 for seniors. Military discounts and group rates are also available.


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Heidi Klum to pop out Baby No. 4
- Heidi Klum has confirmed she's pregnant with her fourth child. If this one grows up to look exactly like Heidi, I call dibs. I'll look hot in 18 years. Don't worry. [PopSugar]
- Candy Spelling blames Tori for Aaron Spelling's death. Wow. Jesus. And here I thought Dina Lohan was the worst mother ever. — Okay, I still do. But, wow. [Jezebel]
- John Madden is retiring and apparently once drew a penis on the telestrator. Talk about the stuff of legends. [Best Week Ever]
- Billy Corgan reduced to making tracks for TNA Wrestling. That's the most hilarious thing I've read all week. And I read this site! Hahaha! I love me. [Vulture]
- Britney Spears' fans in Vancouver are demanding a refund after she walked off-stage for 30 minutes due to "poor ventilation." You paid money to see Britney Spears and are complaining she had to pause the show for safety issues? Just be thankful you didn't get a vagina in the eye. Man, some people. [Allie is Wired]
- Drew Barrymore shows David Letterman her tongue ring which is a far cry from the time she flashed him in 1995. I'd sue. That's just me. [Videogum]


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IDoWED McCall
Helping link you to planning resources for weddings and events in the McCall Area. IDoWED is a style-savvy resource magazine devoted to the growth and development of the wedding and event industry in and around McCall, Idaho. IDoWED thoughtfully shares a commitment to couples to guide, inspire and connect them through their planning adventures founded with the heart of the local in mind. IDoWED believes in supporting local resources, offering a discount to local vendors to assure IDoWED stays primarily in the local payette river corridor from Riggins to Cascade. Carefully selected Idaho vendors outside the region are featured because of their unique love and understanding for the McCall community.