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"…and lo, I looked, and the Pale Horseman did pick up a few bucks on the side…"
Okay, I'm going to go a bit off-script here, and throw out a rant. A rant that, despite truly heroic efforts on the part of my inhibitory circuits, I simply cannot withhold. I normally like my posts to be more polished than this, but what the hey. Consider this a brief follow up to my earlier post about how to handle Facebook. A personal aside, if you will.
One of my relatives just posted this link on their FB page, that showed up in my newsfeed: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j321v_3dwUM.
It shows a scene from the recent unrest in Egypt in which, due to either a lens-flare or Photoshop prankster — and really, who the hell cares which, the ghostly image (well, kinda sorta, if you squint real hard) of a horse and rider appears to move through the crowd.
Needless to say, the people posting this and commenting on it are getting "goose bumps" and "chills" declaring for all to know that "God is REAL!!" It is, they are quite sure, one of the Horsemen of the Apocalypse. These are very nice people, and they are not kidding.
Oh, dear me.
All I can say is that its striking, unsettling, and not a little scary just how credulous people can be. I've been a skeptic so long I tend to forget that. I tend to hang around atheists and agnostics, or at least fairly nonreligious people. I read nonreligious books and blogs. It's easy to loose touch with how almost indescribably, painfully eager some people are to believe. I mean criminy — even from within the framework of an evangelical Christian worldview, there is nothing whatsoever that requires one to believe that this video is real. It's a Horseman of the Apocalypse? Seriously? Is that really the best explanation here — even if you are a Christian, does that even make sense? Wouldn't one expect a Horseman of the Apocalypse to be more, well, apocalyptic than that? What, is he the Horseman of Crowd Control? Conquest, War, Famine, and uh, Teargas? Are they moonlighting, maybe?
(For the record, I did not myself comment on this FB thread. That would be an unpleasant experience for all, shall we say.)
It is times like these that I am very grateful for online communities such as this one. It can be very lonely out there. Skeptics are still, despite everything, a rare breed. More than that, critical thinking itself is a rare skill. Their interpretation of this video is nonsensical even from within their worldview. It just packs an emotional punch, so it must be true. It's kind of amazing our species has made it this long.
Okay, <whew> I feel better. Thanks for indulging! I can wipe the spittle off my computer now!
– Richard
On Certainty, part II: Behind Good and Evil
That certainty is a function of psychology is also the conclusion of Dr. Robert Burton, a neurologist has written an entire book on this phenomenon (On Being Certain). His suggestion, to summarize briefly, is that the feeling of certainty, what he calls the feeling of knowing, is simply a mental state, a kind of unconscious mental self-assessment. We don't really have a good word for what this is, but it's more like an emotion than anything else. The closest analog would be the feeling of familiarity, the mental sensation of recognition that we have all the time but only become aware of when it misfires: déjà vu. Déjà vu is a feeling that something (like a situation) is familiar when, in fact, we know it is not. He suggests the brain creates these sensations as a kind of self-assessment, to help guide behavior. The feeling of knowing – certainty – is the mind's unconscious assessment of its confidence in its conclusions. It is something like the way some search engines give you a list of results with a percentage estimate of how close it calculates the match to be (yet, of course, can often fail to turn up what you're looking for, despite a high-probability assessment). Certainty, then, is a feeling. It is not, somehow, some epistemological guarantor of truth.
Burton has a lot more to say about this, including the neurochemical basis for this sensation. He suggests that similar to the way some people are more prone than others to getting a mental "high" from gambling that makes it, for them, very rewarding/reinforcing (and for some, even addicting), perhaps some people are just wired to be more rewarded by, or even addicted to, this feeling. Maybe some people are just wired to "need" the feeling of certainty more, or at least, to find it more irresistible. It's a fascinating idea, and I think the core of his explanation here is excellent.
To me, though, it does leave some important connections unexplored. I can't help but notice that certainty seems to come part-and-parcel with strong ideologies, like religion, or "purist" political movements. I don't think this is accidental. So I will here add my own suggestion to account for this and then let the matter alone. In the next article, the third of three, I want to talk about practical issues involved in dealing with uncertainty, which is more straightforward and more directly germane to de-conversion. Learning how to manage uncertainty anxiety does not directly depend on understanding where such certainty came from in the first place. But for what food for thought it might provide, here is my suggestion about the origin of this striking phenomenon of certainty within fundamentalism:
Many observers have noted the phenomenon known as splitting, or (in cognitive psychology) dichotomous thinking that seems pervasive in fundamentalism: the division of the world, and the self, into good parts and bad parts. In fundamentalism, such divisions are rampant. The world is a battleground between Good and Evil, there are clear good guys and bad guys, there are clear moral Absolutes, and "spiritual warfare" is often taken quite seriously. And importantly, one's own self is understood in pre-conversion and post-conversion terms. Before conversion, corruption, sin and death were rampant. Post-conversion, the self is purified, regenerate, and redeemed. The contrast is sharp and clear.
(Notably, this is not unique to fundamentalism or even religion. Those on the extreme right or left, those that have been part of political ideologies such as Marxism, or Nazism, and those that partake of conspiracy theories all "split" every bit as much.)
The organization of experience by drawing stark good/bad distinctions is common, and it seems to be built into our psyche, at least to a degree. Young children almost universally do this, and it is only gradually that they come to realize – and, importantly, be able to tolerate – the idea that the world is more complex and nuanced than that. It has been suggested that beneath even our "primary" emotions (love, fear, anger, etc), are two even more basic ones: good/bad, and important/unimportant.
Nuance, complexity, and ambiguity create anxiety. They are thus difficult to tolerate. It is difficult to be faced with a complex moral issue about which there is no good, clear, unambiguous answer, only a set of tradeoffs and gray areas. Without a world full of good guys and bad guys it is hard to know who to trust. Without moral absolutes it is hard to know what is right. It means that one has no choice but to fall back on one's own resources, to think it through as best one can, and make an imperfect decision, fully aware that it may turn out to be wrong. It is frightening, and not to mention very sad, to realize that all we have is a world full of struggling, imperfect people, not larger-than-life Heroes.
Splitting (which is, obviously, unconscious) alleviates all this confusion and anxiety. It means that even if you are faced with mixed, contradictory, confusing, or complicated information, if you can just figure out who to trust – or, as works equally well, who not to trust – you can proceed with confidence. It means you never have to be unsure about whether there is a morally right answer or not. Even if your decision turns out to have undesirable consequences, at least you can rest assured you did the right thing.
Splitting/dichotomous thinking is thus a way to quickly sort out two of the most fundamental questions in living: (1) What is true? (2) What is good? It is thus a way to make sense of a complex and uncertain world. It is in part, however, that very uncertainty that is in the world – knowing what is true, or what is right – that is the problem. Retreating to this more primitive (developmentally) way of experiencing the world is an extremely effective solution to this problem. Splitting eliminates doubt, fear, confusion, and the need to autonomous decision making (also a source of anxiety) – and thus creates, or at least allows, feelings of certainty: the world makes sense again.
A corollary to this idea is that splitting thus explains the way ideologues view their opponents. Think of the way Pat Robertson sees secular humanists, or the way Rush Limbaugh sees liberals. They do not see them as reasonable, conscientious, well-informed people with whom they happen to disagree. They see them, instead, as at best stupid, more likely actively malicious. Haters of the Good.
This is no accident. If the world has been rendered stark and clear, then there must be some reason why not everyone agrees with you. It can't be because the issues are complex and there is room for rational and moral disagreement, because there isn't; that's the point. It can't be because reasonable people differ. To see someone else disagree with your most passionate beliefs, and conclude that this person must have reasonable cause to do so, implies that your passionate belief is not as clear and certain as you want it to be, as you are trying to make it be, as you need it to be. Splitting thus involves an inability to truly step inside the worldview of another and see what might be valid reasons for their conclusions. You cannot see other's complexity, because, simply, it makes the whole world too threatening. This explains the cartoon quality that characterizes the worldviews of religious extremists – their worlds are filled with Heroes and Villains – Villains who must be defeated, because they are enemies of the Good. Someone who has, with certainty, banished all complexity from the Cosmic Order can see the world no other way.
Thus, my stab at the certainty question is to suggest that certainty is the intellectual and cognitive concomitant to the splitting that is basic to the way fundamentalism deals with the anxieties of being human. Fundamentalists must deal somehow with the anxiety that is due to being frail, limited human beings in a world we cannot control, and they do so by dividing the world into good and bad – or, more accurately, Good and Bad. To be uncertain is to feel vulnerable and potentially guilty of wrongdoing or morally directionless. To split the world into a Manichean battleground, and then to align oneself with the forces of Good, is to no longer feel vulnerable or fear violating group norms. And hence, is to be certain.
So much for armchair models. That an $4.95 will get you a Venti iced vanilla mocha at Starbuck's. Now, let's look at what someone in the midst of deconversion can actually do to start making her or his peace with this grayness and uncertainty that is, despite our sometime best efforts, an inescapable part of human life.
Are You Sure You're Sure?
Ask any former fundamentalist Christian what was the hardest thing about giving up the faith, and many of them are likely to tell you that at least part of it was the loss of certainty: a fundamentalist knows, not believes, but knows, beyond all possibility of doubt or error, what the Truth is. Those who have never been tempted by fundamentalism are often mystified by this aspect of it, for nowhere else in human experience is this degree of certainty thought possible or even necessary. For them, this way of thinking is probably so alien as to be unable to be taken seriously as an option. We can all be wrong, about anything. Everybody knows that.
But not everybody. Certainty is near to the heart of most if not all fundamentalisms, and it's intuitive appeal is not hard to see. To know for sure what is true about the world and where it is headed, and moreover, where oneself is headed, to know for sure one's purpose in life, and to know with perfect knowledge that one is loved and adored and will be protected in perfect bliss forever – all this needs no apologist to make it appealing.
For those of us who leave fundamentalism, learning to deal with doubt and uncertainty – which suddenly and in a most unwelcome way take up permanent residence in our psyches – can be wrenching indeed. It is a much harder way to live. Why is it harder? Well, for one, it is not exactly galvanizing to raise up ones fist with a crusader's fervency and chant: "We're Not Sure!" But there is an even better answer, I think. Certainty is, I suggest, at the center of the fundamentalist psyche because it serves to ward off the primal dread, helplessness – the gut sense of human limitation and vulnerability that is our biological heritage as physically weak and therefore interdependent social primates. This anxiety, basic to life, is both ordinary and terrifying. We are frail creatures, really. Each of us knows this. What better way to prop up our flagging courage than telling ourselves extraordinary stories of Specialness and Rescue? And what good are the stories if they are mere stories, or, just as bad, if they are merely probable? When one is alone in the dark, the prospect of probable rescue doesn't steel the nerve much. Only certainty can do that.
So how does one learn live with uncertainty about life? How do we make our peace with our vast limitations, individually and collectively, in what we can know, predict, accomplish, or ward off? How do we accept the horrifying and everpresent possibility of being wrong, even and especially about things that are important – our ethics, our meanings, our ultimate fate? These are the questions I want to explore here.
I have my own proposal for why certainty exists in fundamentalism. It has to do with the basic psychology that I think drives the fundamentalist psyche. This model is my own construction, though it is drawn together from various other (perhaps more reputable…) psychological sources. From what I can tell, no one really knows why such rigid and weird certainty is claimed by so many adherents of so many different religious fundamentalisms.
Its not epistemological, that much is clear. Certainty exists very infrequently within most accounts of knowledge. Generally speaking, it occurs only within what is formally known as deductive logic, the kind of logical reasoning wherein the conclusion is in a sense "contained" within the premises. For instance, consider the classic syllogism: "Socrates is a man, all men are mortal, therefore Socrates is mortal." If the first two statements are true, you know that the third, the conclusion, must be true. It is certain because it is essentially just a rearrangement of the premises.
The overwhelming majority of everyday and scientific reasoning is not like that. Most of the time we employ what is known as inductive reasoning, where the conclusion is supported by the premises, but not guaranteed by it. "The early bird usually gets the worm, here is an early bird, therefore he is likely to be well-fed" would be a (somewhat silly) example. The conclusions follows, but only probabilistically – not certainly – from the premises. Perhaps there have been no worms available recently.
Again, it is important to emphasize that virtually all scientific and historical theories overwhelmingly use inductive reasoning. Few scientific theories could ever be properly said to be certain, no matter how much evidence accrues in their support. Not even Newton's Laws are certain – any honest scientist will tell you they are open to empirical revision if such data comes in.
Moreover, certainty has been claimed by many religious and ideological adherents, as well as every conspiracy theorist on the planet. Logically, they can't all be right. Logically, in fact, it must be the case that the majority of people who claim perfect certainty in their conclusions, are in fact wrong, and their feeling of being certain must be just that – a feeling. A feeling, that does not feel like a feeling; that feels, rather, like an accurate assessment of the world.
So, it is not epistemological, it is a psychological. Believers have something going on inside their emotional and psychic lives that makes them feel so strikingly sure. But whatever it is, its not rational. In the next installment of this three part series, I'll look at some possible explanations for this psychological curiosity.
– Richard
Peace or the Sword?
"Dear Abby"
I want to take a moment to put before our community here an issue that has come up for me recently. It's a small question, but I think ties into something bigger. I'd love to hear everyone's thoughts.
I just recently entered the 21st century, and joined Facebook. The last filaments of my SNL (Social Networking Luddite) resistance eroded away as I decided that, [huffily] okay fine, it really is a pretty good way to keep up with friends and family whom I would otherwise rarely see.
So, now I'm on Facebook. My family, too, is on Facebook. My saved, Bible-believing, churchgoing, Christian-rock-listenin', Sarah-Palin-lovin', Obama-can't-standin', fundamentalist family. And you can be sure of that, because their profile (not to mention "status" updates) say so.
Me…. well, now, not so much. Now, my FB profile could – could – if written for full disclosure, accurately say something like (one could mix and match here, so take your pick): secular, atheist-leaning agnostic, humanist, religious naturalist, and liberal/progressive, existentialist, militant agnostic ("I don't know and neither do you"), and, of course, Arrested Development fan.
There are more contrasts to be had, too, when you get to the likes and dislikes sections. I do not have a favorite book of devotionals or apologetics. I do not watch Fox. Ever. I do not write "Happy Birthday Jesus" on Christmas day. I dislike C. S. Lewis and have no favorite scripture. Instead, my favorite quote (or one of them) would be from Nietzsche:
But I am one who can bless and say Yes, if only you are about me, pure and light, you abyss of light; then I carry the blessings of my Yes into all abysses. I have become one who blesses and says Yes; and I fought long for that and was a fighter that I might one day get my hands free to bless. But this is my blessing: to stand over every single thing as its own heaven, as its round roof, its azure bell, and eternal security; and blessed is he who blesses thus.
My profile could say these things. But it does not. Nor do I put up posts and updates about something exciting I just read from Carl Sagan or Richard Dawkins, or something interesting I learned from Bart Ehrman or Robert Price. I deliberately stay away from anything strongly religious or political. I do not link to anything I write on this blog. I know that, essentially, when on FB you are in mixed company. Many people will see what you write. Given the intensity of their views, and, frankly, the prickliness of their views, many of my family and friends would be very upset indeed at the sort of things I have to say. So I restrain myself. I try to keep it light, try not to offend. Even if it means downplaying who I am and what I really think. I hold back.
But they don't. My family and extended family put up religious (and political – strongly conservative) posts all the time. They make not the slightest pretense of holding back.
Now, it doesn't bother me so much what their views are. It's not the content, in other words. I know what they believe and I expect lots of Jesus-this and Jesus-that. The rub for me is that it does not seem even to occur to them to refrain, as I do, for the sake of not ruffling feathers. They know, broadly at least, what I think and what my opinions are, and in person we have an unspoken agreement to simply not talk about sensitive matters. But on FB, it's damn the torpedoes, full creed ahead.
So my question is simply this: they do not make any effort to downplay or even tone down their views for my sake. Should I? So far, I am of two minds about this. One the one hand, part of me feels I shouldn't tone down, anything, at all, beyond what one might normally do in a public forum. Just be me and write whatever I think, whether it's religious, anti-religious, political, gallows humor, or none of the above. It may cause friction, and if so we'll either work that out or we won't, but regardless, being a secular humanist, atheist/agnostic, or whatever is nothing to be ashamed of and I should not treat it as such.
On the other hand, just who am I trying to model myself after here? Why should I aim deliberately to mimic this wear-one's-ideology-on-one's –sleeve mentality that I, frankly, can't stand? Being an atheist is not the most important thing about me. It is the absence of theistic belief, not an organizing theme for a life. Besides, I kind of suspect that those who feel the need to publically, and over and over, affirm their beliefs are too wrapped up in (and insecure about) their own identity. Why go around declaring yourself to be this or that? That's insecurity, and it's off-putting to others, and it's kind of pointless. It's like saying, "Don't forget – I'm a Christian!! Don't forget!!" And moreover, I do think it's kind of incumbent upon liberals – valuing tolerance and pluralism as we do – to be more sensitive to these matters and to make a greater effort to avoid pointless, arbitrary divisiveness and tribalism.
Now, I know that FB is not such a big deal. It doesn't really matter whether I put a Nietzsche quote in my profile or not. But it does have to do, I think, with how we present ourselves, as atheists, agnostics, and humanists, as nonbelievers, as deconverts, to our families and to the world. If we hold back for the sake of peace, are we confident and mature, with a healthy dose of perspective, or merely lacking in resolve? Conversely, if we let it all hang out, are we simply being true to ourselves and claiming our rightful place in this pluralistic society, or are we being somewhat self-centered jerks, more interested in spouting off about me, me, me, than we are in our lives and our relationships and the things that really matter?
I don't know the answer. What say you?
"Perplexed About His Profile"
What Would Yoda Do?
Some time ago I wrote an article for this blog discussing my take on the issue of who, "really", is a Christian. This comes up when you are told, as we all have been at one time or another, that you never really were a Christian in the first place – because if you de-convert, it somehow proves the alleged falseness or insincerity of your prior belief.
My basic argument was that there is no answer to the question. The reason is that "Christian" is an arbitrary human group designation that is used with different (implicit) definitions by different groups. Since none of those groups has accepted authority to establish a (or the) correct definition, and since "Christian" does not (as we used to believe) refer to anything divine or supernatural, it follows that there can be no final, ultimate, "correct" definition. There is no right answer to whether "I was a Christian" is true or not, independent of context and a pre-chosen definition.
I still think my answer is substantially correct. But its not exactly punchy. It takes a bit of explaining, and that won't always do in the heat of an argument. When faced with confrontation and criticism from friends, former friends, and others who challenge us, it helps to have an answer at the ready that doesn't depend on delving into philosophical issues of "natural kinds" vs "nominal kinds". I wanted something more memorable – compact & colorful, more visual and less abstract.
So after continuing to chew on this, I think I've come up with one. So, let me share it here and you all can tell me what you think.
Here's the setting: you are telling a friend, coworker, or stranger on the web that you used to be a Christian, but you deconverted. She scoffingly replies that that means you never were one in the first place; true Christians remain faithful and never leave. (Or, as a variant, as was said to me once, that you cannot lose your salvation, so you are still a Christian whether you think you are or not.)
I think I will call this Kenobi's Fallacy...
Agnostic, Atheist… or Bullsh*t?
Much ink has been spilled in the skeptical community over the issue of labels. What should we call ourselves: atheists, or agnostics? Which term is more "justified"? Here, I toss my own hat into the ring on this question… and then I will argue that this issue is unimportant, distracting, and, potentially, divisive.
There is at least a small upside to this issue, which is why I'm including my own reasoning. The only potentially serious function it has, in my view, is that it provides a convenient arena in which to explore some epistemology. "Epistemology" is that branch of philosophy that deals with knowledge – how do we know what we know? Hashing out the atheist vs. agnostic question can be an entry way into how we approach questions of knowledge. We can sharpen our critical thinking skills and learn some philosophy to boot. To the degree that they serve that purpose, such debates can be informative, maybe even useful. There's a serious downside, though, but I'll save that for the end. So, for what intellectual exercise it's worth, here's my take on this question:
I start by defining terms: theism, of course, refers to belief in god(s). Atheism, then, obviously refers to a lack of belief in god(s). Agnosticism is the assertion that it is not possible to know the answer, and thus a refusal to opine (with any confidence) on the existence of god(s).
Now, some atheists define atheism broadly. They suggest it can mean one who asserts, "there is no god", but also one who simply lacks (by choice or happenstance) any belief in god. This is a rather fine distinction, but real enough, I think. The former position is sometimes called "hard" atheism, the latter, "soft" atheism. However, since a "soft" atheist (a) does not assert "there is no god", and also (b) does not assert "there is a god", for my part I do not see any difference between this position, and agnosticism. So, for my usage of these terms below, I will restrict the word "atheism" to the "hard" variety: an atheist is one who asserts "there is no god."…
How can the nontheist be thankful on Thanksgiving?
To many in the fundamentalist world, Thanksgiving is an especially difficult day to be a nonbeliever. It lays bare, they believe, the clear hypocrisy of a belief system they regard as one giant exercise in willful denial. It brings out with rather embarrassing clarity, they cluck, the God-shaped hole they presume sits at the core of our worldview. After all, we don't believe in their god, so by our own rebellious logic, we have no one to thank. So why don't we just sit around and mope on Thanksgiving Day?
So: either celebrate the holiday and admit you're a hypocrite, or have the courage of your convictions to do nothing this Thursday, admitting that thankfulness without the fundamentalist God is irrational. Gotcha!
As always, these sorts of facile, black-and-white polarities obscure a whole lot of thoughtfulness and real human nuance. But today, let's thank them for spurring us to think it through, and answer their challenge: why does it make sense to be thankful, if you don't believe in a providential god?
I will even grant – because I think it's entirely true – that gratitude is a salutary emotion. And I think this is true (mostly) for the reasons fundamentalists themselves lay out: it impels us to "count our blessings." Gratitude makes us attend to, and hence appreciate, what we have. That's a good thing…


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subset: commoncrawl


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The Home Aide Diagnostics Easy Plus Blood Glucose Monitor is a simple to use way of reading your blood glucose levels. It's memory feature enables you to monitor your glucose levels for the last 90 days. Easy Plus Blood Glucose Monitor Features:
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How to Buy
Solutions Overview
This script is Copyright (C) 2013-2016 Tenable Network Security, Inc.
Synopsis :
The remote security device is missing a vendor-supplied security
Description :
According to its self-reported model and version number, the remote
Cisco ASA 1000V may be affected by a denial of service vulnerability.
When H.323 inspection is enabled, processing malformed H.323 transit
traffic can result in a device reload. A remote, unauthenticated
attacker could exploit this to cause a denial of service.
See also :
Solution :
Upgrade to Cisco ASA Software 8.7(1)3 or later.
Risk factor :
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CVSS Temporal Score : 6.4
Public Exploit Available : true
Family: CISCO
Nessus Plugin ID: 63644 ()
Bugtraq ID: 57432
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Brake pad replacement
I used ceramic brake pads last time. Are they the best?
The warning light just went on. I read in some threads that that gives you several thousand miles before you need to replace the brake pads.
I will do the job this weekend (of course) but ..is that true?
I also read that you can lay a bead of solder on the old brake pad sensor and it will work fine.
Is that true?
That is a pretty open ended question. There are tons of pads on the market pushed on the public using key words like ceramic. Ceramic pads by who and for what application? Pads from autozone? no thanks. Pagid, Performance Friction, Hawk all make premium pads for diferent applications from street to hardcore track. All pads are some compromise between rotor wear, noise, cold/hot performance.
For 99% of people a basic pad that meets oe specs is more than enough. The brakes on the car are overengineered for US driving speeds. You do not need special pads for braking performance sake. You may want quiet, dust free pads though. I don't have a specific reccomendation, I am sure others will chime in.
They looked good the last time I changed the pads. I will not see the car until next Saturday. The brake warning light supposedly comes on with 3mm left out of an original 8mm so I am hoping that no warping from heat or scoring from worn out pads has occurred.
What about the soldering of the brake pad sensor?
Don't know if soldering the sensor will work, but they aren't very expensive, even at the dealer.
You could try the soldering technique and let us know if it works.
7mm Alan key, rubber grease and anti seize. Soldering should work, +1 on giving a result
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- Stylist:
- Giselle
Dec 20, 2011 - I had a wonderful visit to Curltopia. The atmosphere and the salon itself were both very nice. I received fast and efficient customer service and was even offered a beverage upon arrival. My stylist, Giselle, was very knowledgable and taught me a lot about my hair and my specific hair type that I had never even heard before. I got a deep condition treatment and a steam hydration followed by a color gloss, haircut, and finally a blowout. By the end of my appointment, Giselle suggested a number of helpful products to maintain good treatment of my hair and saved me from an absolute disaster! Transitioning from relaxed to natural hair can be a very frustrating process, but Curltopia definitely helped me find peace of mind.


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May 22, 2011 11:06 AM|hoyty|LINK
Some explination and background on why I did this first. For fun I setup a live stream of a web cam recording a robin's nest to my server for others to watch. I was using EE4 Pro and after some false starts got H.264 for silverlight / iOS devices working. One thing that I could never get working was a good dual encoding of an archive version of the stream. I tried a couple of different things but couldn't get EE to output simultaneously to a usable format. As a result I ended up relying upon the IIS Media Archive ISMV files. These included 3-4 video streams (I tweaked it a few times due to load on encoder) and an audio stream. I knew the ISMV files had what I needed in them but I had a lot of trouble finding out how to get them into useful format (for editing and merging). I finally figured out a workflow I think and I wanted to share it with others in case they get stuck in the same way.
Tools I used:
MP4Split from Code Shop latest version 1.4.24.
MP4Box from GPAC latest version 0.4.6-rev2735.
MP4Split.exe -o output.mov input.ismv - This will give you a file with all audio and video streams combined. You can view this with VLC to verify which streams are available.
MP4Box.exe -add output.mov#video -add output.mov#audio output.mp4 - This will pull out the first found audio and video streams. In my case this was always the higest resolution version which is what I wanted. If you want to you can use MP4Box -info to list tracks and then #trackID=ID in place of #video above to select a different track.
At the end I had a clean H.264 / AAC LC MP4 file that I could use with almost any editor. The benefit of the two above tools is they are fairly quick since they aren't doing any re-encoding just muxing.
Hopefully this saves someone else some time in the future. I am sure if I could have been better with EE in the beginning I might have been able to save myself some of this work on the backend.
Jun 21, 2011 11:07 PM|nicolas.drouin|LINK
You should have been able to go directly to .mp4 with CodeShop's mp4split:
-o outputFile.mp4 inputFile.ism
We use it, in fact, I am the one who made the feature request to CodeShop.
The mp4 should play in QuickTime, VLC, Windows Media Player and back in Silverlight as plain mp4's.
If that's not the case, send me an email/private message.
Aug 26, 2013 10:17 AM|devendra_sipl|LINK
Hello Nick,
I am trying to create MP4 from ISML/CMS. I have full access of Fragmented MP4.
I am working on an Smooth streaming project and I want to create MP4 file from the CSM (http://blogs.iis.net/vsood/
I found this helpful: http://stackoverflow.com/questions/11899247/rebuilding-mp4-file-from-fragmented-mp4-mdat-atom/12143537#12143537
Aug 26, 2013 04:13 PM|Jbutson|LINK
Sounds pretty technical...i am in college for medical admin. specialist, so I am just learning!


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By Heather Staible, special for USATODAY.com
If you don't have tickets to Reliant Stadium — and let's face it, you probably don't — there are still plenty of great places in Houston to watch the Super Bowl. Forget about layered dip, your living room sofa. The following spots are sure to please both die-hard football fans and those who are just looking for a super excuse to party.
Hotel Derek
You may find it hard to believe that an actual sporting event is going on if you hang out at The Maverick, Hotel Derek's stylish and celebrity-laden bar. Rock bands, movie stars and many other famous faces call the hotel home and the Super Bowl will certainly be no exception. Of course, if you actually do want to watch the Super Bowl, you can do that on the multiple televisions and the 8-foot projection television in the bar's adjoining restaurant. Special menus and drinks, including signature martinis and even a raffle for a weekend package at the hotel add to the fun. And regardless of how your team performs, you will go home a winner with a gift from the hotel. 2525 West Loop South; 713-961-3000; www.hotelderek.com.
Griff's Shenanigans Cafe and Bar
The team you are rooting for may need a little Irish luck, but you won't if you watch the Super Bowl at Griff's Shenanigans Cafe and Bar. The faithful simply call it Griff's and the owners are pulling out the gigantic St. Patrick's Day tent and all the stops for Super Bowl Sunday. Two massive projection screens will accompany seven 50-inch televisions placed throughout the tent. Besides drink specials and the always good pub food, football fans will have a chance to win a trip to Jamaica or a 56-inch HDTV. One of the best parties around, Super Bowl Sunday at Griff's just might be the next best thing to being at the game. 3416 Roseland St.; 713-528-9912; www.griffshouston.com.
Do they ever sleep at Hush, west Houston's new über-club? Super Bowl week is one long party, each night filled with celebs such as P. Diddy, Ashton Kutcher, LL Cool J. So what does any of this have to do with watching the game? Well, it just so happens that on Super Bowl Sunday, the DJs stop spinning just in time for Evander Holyfield to host boxing matches, including Reggie Johnson's battle for his third world title. And then, after the last bell rings, the 26,000-square foot club will transform once again into a sprawling Super Bowl watch party. With 76 plasma and video screens and even a video ceiling, fans won't miss a minute of the game. An emerging celebrity hot-spot, Hush will dim the lights and turn up the music after the game, and pull an all-nighter. Boxing and football fans can expect a sporting menu and drink special throughout the day and night. Doors open at 11 a.m. Sunday and will stay open until the last reveler heads out the door. 15625 Katy Freeway; 713-330-HUSH; www.hushonline.com.
Alamo Drafthouse
Talk about a win-win situation. The Alamo Drafthouse Cinema is making it easy for couples to spend Super Bowl Sunday together, even if one of those people involved isn't all that interested in the game. While the Patriots and Panthers face off on one big screen, My Best Friend's Wedding and Bridget Jones' Diary will be playing on another. Already a unique dinner and a movie experience, the Alamo Drafthouse will be serving up its usual fare of pizzas, salads, buckets o' beer and other dishes that pair well with a movie or football. Go early for a seat because they will fill up fast and although admission is free, there is a charge for meals. West Oaks Mall, Westheimer at Highway 6; 281-556-5621; www.drafthouse.com.
Sky Bar
It may be hard to concentrate on the football game with the gorgeous view of Houston's skyline beckoning from the rooftop of Scot Gertner's Sky Bar. A jazz and R&B hot spot, Sky Bar is teaming with HP Digital Entertainment Network to create a sophisticated take on your usual Super Bowl watch party. The celebrity guest list includes Mya, Ashanti, Alicia Keys and a host of other sports and musical stars. Not bad for an afternoon of football watching huh? A lavish buffet, prizes and of course, Scott Gertner and his band make this one party nothing less than super. The doors open at 3 p.m. and the party continues until 2 a.m. Tickets are $50 per person. 3400 Montrose Blvd. at Hawthorne; 713-520-9688; www.scottgertner.com.
Champps Americana
With a name like Champps Americana you may think this is a Denny's knockoff of the past. This Champps, however, bears no affiliation to a greasy spoon and instead is an upscale place to watch the game, grab a bite and win big prizes. The restaurant/sports bar has four massive video walls with 110-inch screens strategically placed so that no cushy leather seat has a bad view. Saturday, Jan. 31, Champps will kick off the weekend with a Newcastle Beer happy hour and begin giving away sports memorabilia until the last pass on Super Bowl Sunday. Scoring big points in our book is Champps' location within a stone's throw of the Galleria area, an exciting shopping and dining area. Word to the wise, despite its size, Champps is expected to fill up early Super Bowl Sunday so get there two hours before the game. It is also not a bad idea to keep a pen and a bar napkin handy. Word is more than a few well-known athletes may be stopping by during Super Bowl week. Do Michael Jordan and Ricky Williams ring any bells? 1121 Uptown Park Blvd.; 713-627-2333; www.champps.com.
Sam Houston Hotel
While the Panthers and the Patriots battle it out on the football field, stay above the fray and soak up a little history at the same time at the Sam Houston Hotel. This downtown hotel is pulling out all the stops for its Super Bowl watch party, turning the hotel's spacious veranda into a sky-high party locale. Two 42-inch plasma screens, a menu perfect for a football game and the Sugar Baby, the quintessential Sam Houston drink mix, will make for a super downtown getdown. Admission is free, but there food and drinks are not. 1117 Prairie St.; 832-200-8888; www.samhoustonhotel.com.
Houston Raceway Park
There won't be any horse races Super Bowl Sunday, but you can still get your blood pumping watching the Super Bowl on 1,400 screens at Houston Raceway Park. Promising to be northwest Houston's biggest tailgating party with live music, best tailgating awards and plenty of good old southern cooking. Throw in the Hooter's Cheerleader Contest and free truck give away and you may just want to stay into the post-game show. Admission is free, but there is a charge for food and beverages. 7575 N. Sam Houston Parkway West; 281-807-8700 or 800-807-7223; www.shrp.com.
Wild West
What could be better than barbecue, beer and football? Since a Super Bowl in Texas just wouldn't be complete without a touch of country style, Wild West nightclub on the Richmond Strip is hosting a party and raising money for the Red Cross on Super Bowl Sunday. A popular two-stepping spot, Wild West will show the game on numerous screens throughout the club and serve up generous portions of authentic barbecue. Doors open at 4 p.m. and tickets are $35 online and $40 at the door. A portion of the money from ticket sales will benefit the Red Cross. 6101 Richmond Ave.; 713-266-3455; www.wildwesthouston.com.
St. Agnes Church
When the game is down to the wire, where better to watch than in a church, where you can call for a little divine intervention on the five-yard line? Just a few miles down the road from Reliant Stadium, St. Agnes Church is throwing a party inside their 5,000-seat sanctuary, complete with two-big screen televisions. For a small fee, the church is also serving up a heavenly host of food fit for a king including smoked turkey legs, gumbo, hot dogs and barbecue. There is no admission for the party and the seating is first come, first served, but do grab a ticket when you go. The church is giving away a wide range of door prizes. The party starts at 2 p.m. Sunday. Can I get an amen? 3730 South Acres Dr.; 713-733-0146; www.marchoffaith.com.


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Pecan Chip Tube Cake Recipe
This is a fun recipe you can make with kids. They will love sprinkling the pecans, chocolate chips and marshmallows over the batter, and they'll be so proud of the final result. Plus, the cake comes together in minutes and feeds a crowd. -Janet Keppinger, Salem, Oregon
- 1 package yellow cake mix (regular size)
- 1 package (3.4 ounces) instant vanilla pudding mix
- 4 eggs
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup (8 ounces) sour cream
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- 1 cup (6 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup miniature marshmallows
- 1. In a large bowl, combine the first five ingredients. beat on low speed for 30 seconds. Beat on medium for 2 minutes.
- 2. Pour half of the batter into a greased and floured 10-in. tube pan. Combine pecans and chocolate chips; sprinkle half over batter. Top with marshmallows and remaining batter; sprinkle with remaining pecan mixture.
- 3. Bake at 350° for 55-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes; invert cake onto a serving plate. Yield: 12 servings.
Nutritional Facts
1 piece: 438 calories, 29g fat (7g saturated fat), 63mg cholesterol, 314mg sodium, 42g carbohydrate (27g sugars, 2g fiber), 5g protein.
Reviews for Pecan Chip Tube Cake
Average Rating
Reviewed Aug. 9, 2013
"Great easy recipe! Everyone enjoyed it and asked for seconds! It is a keeper!"
Reviewed Apr. 3, 2012
"Yummy. Made it per the recipe and it came out amazing. I took it to an Easter picnic and it was a hit!"
© 2017 RDA Enthusiast Brands, LLC


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In addition to providing people with compelling stories and photography, magazines supply the raw materials to piece together ransom notes demanding more magazine subscriptions. Demand to be informed with this voucher.
Choose Between Two Options
- $9 for a one-year subscription with one city guide (a $17.95 value)
- $12 for a two-year subscription with two city guides (a $24.95 value)<p>
Pittsburgh Magazine
Pittsburgh Magazine fills subscribers' mailboxes with 13 annual issues detailing the city's food, business, sports, and culture. In featured issues, writers highlight recent local human-interest stories, guides to weekend getaways, and spotlights on eclectic spots, famous cemeteries, or the place where Fred Rogers became Mr. Rogers after donning a radioactive sweater. Each year, the Best of the 'Burgh poll lets readers anoint their favorite city eateries, entertainment, and other local merchants.


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Megan Fox Says Robert Pattinson Is a Pretty Stranger
Relax, Robsten fanatics; Megan Fox is apparently no threat to the alleged romance between Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart.
Transformers star Fox, who declared her single status earlier this week, tells MTV.com that, contrary to popular reports several months ago, she's never had designs on Twilight hunk Pattinson—in fact, she doesn't even know him.
"I've never been in a room with him, though, so those rumors aren't true," Fox notes.
Back in March, word had it that Pattinson and Fox partied the night away at the bar/bistro located in the Palihouse Hotel in West Hollywood, and were spotted at the same bar the next day.
Later, in an interview with Elle, Fox clarified, "I just randomly asked someone for a light and it was him. That was the extent of our 'relationship.' "
Apparently, Pattinson has now been downgraded to "never met the guy before in my life" status as far as Fox is concerned.
How long before Megan claims that she's never even heard of the world's sexiest vampire?
Fox does admit, however, that Pattinson is "outrageously attractive, he's like a very pretty man."
Hmm; mabe K-Stew better keep her eyes peeled after all…


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The following is the eleventh of a series of articles, "This Fascist Racket," by Mr. McGrady, exposing, from the inside, the workings of a typical Fascist organization here, and revealing, through publication of the Fascist "chieftain's" correspondence, how and in what manner these racial rackets are operated. The series appears daily in the Jewish Daily Bulletin.
It is not impossible that at some future date America will find itself with a Fascist problem on its hands. Fascism has become the vogue throughout all Europe, and an increasing number of intellectuals in this country, impatient with the failure of the present administration to dissolve the depression overnight, are advocating Hitlerite powers for the president.
At present, there are a number of Fascist forces operating in the United States, which, if united, might even now wield political influence. The real Fascist leader has not emerged as yet, but he is being hatched by hundreds of petty chieftains now heralding American Fascism.
George W. Christians, White Shirt commander-in-chief, while possibly the strongest of the Fascist leaders, gives little promise of cutting any figure in politics. He is too capricious to demand great attention from the Fascists, who must perforce be cranks; too unsound economically to gain favor with intelligent persons, and too disloyal to such comrades as he has had to inspire faith in his following. His disloyalties may be interpreted as being an effort to gain personal publicity at the expense of his henchmen rather than as a "purging of the party" as in the recent case of Chancellor Hitler.
Christians's correspondence files indicate some patronage being given his movement by Washington politicians who are alert to the emergence of Fascism, and this evidence has been revealed. It also testifies to the close contact maintained by petty political prophets, and samples of this I am prepared to give promptly. There appears to be a continual process of barter and trade of policies among minor leaders in an effort to secure unity, and gradually the religious and social prejudices of certain groups are being blended with economic and political concepts of others in narrower, stronger fields of Fascist enterprise.
There is, for instance, the contact maintained between Christians and Mrs. H. H. Lund. According to Christians, Mrs. Lund held an influential and lucrative position with the Hoover administration. When the Republicans went out, she lost her job, and is now in a bad way financially, as her correspondent reveals.
It is interesting to remark here that a large majority of the petty leaders of insurrectionary groups are Republicans. They recognize, perhaps, the unwisdom of attempting to oppose a strong, progressive, and popular Democratic administration under the banner of the defeated party. Hence, they swing into new armies created to attack the administration.
Mrs. Lund has a financial interest in William Dudley Pelley's Silver Shirt enterprise. Through her Christians was once introduced to Pelley. The White Shirt commander-in-chief later described the Silver Shirt commander-in-chief as a "little dried up shrimp, who will never get any place, because he goes in for a lot of occult non-sense." He considers Pelley "smart but cuckoo."
On May 16, 1933, Mrs. Lund wrote Christians in part as follows: "Yes, the Silver Shirts are our Mr. Pelley. He has a plan now to offset yours and it is reported to be the same as Socialism only that the RIGHT men run it. Of course RIGHT men die and what comes next? Well, I expected that if he continued along the occult lines he was pursuing when we listened to him that he would send out JUST this program … same as the one he thinks he is fighting you see.
"His people think it comes down from Heaven as the Moses tablets and the Mormons did. Wonderful to have such faith but dangerous as I see it."
The dangerous part of the Pelley program did not later deter her from taking an interest in it. Christians, meanwhile, asked her to agitate for his organization, and on August 20, 1933, she replied:
"Just how can I help when I am so pronouncedly anti-Jew? I am amazed that you, knowing what you know, can risk having them in your organization. It is dangerous for them when they Are sincere, and I admit they can be, but seldom are reachable when in things where their operations are troublesome to the few.
"The London Patriot recently published a long letter by a German Jew of great erudition and culture in which he said that the Hitler actions were justified by the behavior of a few Eastern Jews who made themselves objectionable and proceeded to itemize. I shall try to have it reprinted and sent to you."
Again on Oct. 22, 1933, Mrs. Lund wrote as follows: "Yours came over by a friend. I thought I told you that I was at Hotel Endicott. I was far too worried over this and that to write to Mr. Van today. I do not know how to make appointments for you when you are so far away. The Hitler men are busy and must know exactly when. If you want my other German friends to have a number of guests for you to speak to I can arrange it, But . . . when I am so troubled it is all very hard. I shall give Mr. Van your telephone number and address and let him summon you if and when he pleases."
There is much more correspondence in which Mrs. Lund makes it quite clear that she is not too well off financially and would not object to being paid for her organizing efforts in Christians' behalf. Christians has probably sent out a few of her letters to friends as a hint that they might help her if they are so disposed. He referred her to Royal Scott Gulden, leader of the Order of #76, a rival Fascist and anti-Semitic organiztion in New York, as a possible source of aid. She replied on October 31, 1933:
"Once I thought that you knew something about organizations and their personnel; yet today you advise me to see #76 and G. and the Germans. . . . Amusing. If one is broke one is ignorant too? The secretary of the Stahlhelm is my friend and he and his wife are with me every few days. I know all about that and other German organizations. They have so much that he had a $55 telephone bill to meet because he had guaranteed their bill. And as for Gulden and his #76—it is to laugh. I know several of his charter members—there is no money—never has been and never will be in my opinion.
"Gulden himself is as broke as I and living on his friends, as I have been. So to say go there is funny. Again F. gets his information from a dangerous source and no one can get him to go to right places. He is losing his friends now because of this and other things.
"I told the Hitler people where they were heading and to whom to turn for protection. What do Germans know about our channels? And with the particular enemies they had—it was just certain that trying to run their own show that they would soon head for the Atlantic. Even the German leaders they chose were tinsel ones."
There was a p.s.: "The German who is staking G. thinks things will go—but the foundation is not theirs."
These are scraps of information gleaned from a small part of Mrs. Lund's correspondence with Christians. The balance of it indicates that she is an apt student of the "Protocols of the Learned Elders of Zion" and believes implicitly in the "Jewish plot" to overthrow the governments of the world. The unfortunate woman indicates her belief that Jews are responsible for every slight misfortune that has come her way.
Harold Loeb, now promoting a Technocracy scheme, has had considerable correspondence with Christians. His attitude is summed up in a communication sent on November 20, 1933:
"Your economic theory seems to me on the road to Technocracy. I can't see how you can stop half way in this age of plenty. Once you release production from its bondage to finance, the battle's won. Therefore, I'm for it. Fascism is to me a return to Barbarism, as using of mass gullibility by the money power to maintain itself. I'm not for it, Jewish question or no Jewish question."
Largely on the strength of this Christians likes to consider the Technocrats, and Loeb particularly, in his movement.
There are many types of organizations that seek to align themselves with the growing Fascist movement. They ferret out the most prosperous organizations and offer to lend their following and services for definite sums or percentages of the income incumbent upon the movements.
There is, for instance, the Mutual Broadcasting Company of America, professing to have a radio station in Washington, D. C., which has sent its matter to Christians with a view toward serving him. It appears to be foraging for a paying sponsor or paying sponsors.
Any of the petty politicians can vent their spleen over this station and advertise their philosophies and publications for a not exorbitant sum.
To the general public the following application blank is sent together with a solicitation. It is believed that both the broadcasting company and the organization sponsoring the broadcast split the proceeds of "the beg."
"Mutual Broadcasting Company of America.
"The Voice of The People.
"Free Speech: Not Subsidized by Capital. Unmuzzled by Politics.
"Box 1826, Washington, D. C.
"Here is my donation for $…You are authorized to pool this fund for the maintenance and promotion of the Independent Broadcasting Station of the Mutual Broadcasting Company. I am to become a shareholder in the company when incorporated. Donors of $5 or more will receive one year's subscription to the Silver Ranger."
While the Silver Shirts happened to be in on this particular deal, "The American Progress' was advertised over another broadcast, and, it is understood the proposition is open to any cult or sect wishing to tie its fortunes to the scheme.
To be continued tomorrow


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CMU Fund seeks HK and mainland listings
China Mining United Fund (CMU Fund), the mainland's first private equity fund focusing on resources and mining, says it is preparing for listings in Hong Kong and on the mainland next year.
CMU chairman Zheng Zhi said assets in the potash, precious metals and new energy sectors could be included in the company's H- and A-share listings.
Established in 2009, Beijing-based CMU now has 200 million in US dollars and 700 million in yuan, provided by a group of Chinese coal-mine owners.
Zheng himself is also president of a Jilin-based company whose operations are mainly in real estate and mines exploration.
'We have several plans for the planned IPO,' he said. 'One is to find a listed company with gold production as a key business.'
He said CMU had acquired several gold mines and silver mines in the US and Mongolia, which provided the company with a platform aimed at going public. Last year, CMU bought five gold mines in China, all of which were expected to start producing this year and the next.
In two years, the fund has invested in more than 10 projects. Besides gold, it has potash projects in Brazil and Ethiopia.
'We are looking for new acquisition opportunities such as high-quality potash projects,' Zheng said.
Although the Hong Kong stock market is increasingly accepting of mining companies, some insiders think it unpractical for small projects or miners at the exploration stage to seek initial public listings here.
Gilbert Chan, president of Vancouver-headquartered NAI Interactive, a matchmaker between North American companies and Chinese capital, said he had increasingly focused on the resources sector. 'That is what China needs. We have seen how active the capital market was in the past two years,' Chan said.
He said his clients were mostly small or medium-sized miners for whom listing in Hong Kong was not a practical choice, although some were already listed in North America.
Chan said that compared with stock exchanges in Australia, Canada and Britain - bourses that natural resources companies traditionally favour - Hong Kong was still growing. 'For example, we need more industry analysts in this sector,' he said.
Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing wants to build its strength in the resources sector to take advantage of the mainland's huge energy demand, but it needs to protect investors from risk.
Resources companies that cannot meet the three-year profit track record requirement to list on the main board will be allowed to list only if they have 'adequate economically exploitable reserves' backed up by expert opinion. They must also provide estimates of the time and investment needed to bring their projects into revenue-earning production.
Rich resources
CMU has gold and silver mines in the US and Mongolia, gold mines in China and potash assets in Brazil and Ethiopia
In two years, the number of projects the fund has invested in exceeds: 10
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Private equity firm CVC Asia Pacific has agreed a deal with Wall Street giant Goldman Sachs that could slash the $3.7 billion of debt sitting in Nine Entertainment Co by about $1 billion.
Under the deal, a fund run by Goldman Sachs will convert its $975 million of Nine's mezzanine, or second-tier, debt it holds into equity in the media group, which includes the east coast Nine Network television stations, ACP Magazines, Ticketek and stakes in internet businesses ninemsn and Cudo.
The value of Goldman's debt – like CVC's $1.9 billion equity holding – is under water. Both parties will record a large loss on Nine regardless of the outcome of what have become lengthy and often tense negotiations.
The deal comes as CVC yesterday abandoned a proposal to "amend and extend" the terms of Nine's $2.7 billion senior debt. The proposal, which was put to lenders less than three weeks ago, was effectively killed by a rush of hedge funds snapping up Nine debt in recent weeks.
The buying spree continued this week, with US hedge fund Apollo Global Management on Tuesday night grabbing another parcel of debt as original lender Credit Agricole sold its $104 million holding at a discount of about 15 per cent.
Last night, two more banks put their Nine debt on the market.
Hedge funds led by the Future Fund-backed Oaktree Capital now hold close to half of Nine's senior loans. These new lenders are trying to seize control of the company by forcing a debt-for-equity swap.
CVC, realising its extension proposal was doomed, is now asking lenders to consider splitting the senior debt into two classes. The first, which CVC is proposing to allocate to the few remaining original bank lenders, is of $1.8 billion and will rank first in the event of default. CVC wants to set the maturity date for this debt in 2017.
It wants to convert a second tranche of debt, of $900 million, into high-yield warrants. The warrants will have a 14 per cent coupon rate on a "pay if you can basis", meaning the company will only have to pay in cash if it has enough. They will also mature in 2017.
CVC has proposed allocating the high-yield warrants to hedge funds, with traditional bank lenders to hold the rest of the debt. The $1.8 billion of debt would rank ahead of the high-yield warrants.
But banking sources said that structure was unlikely to be accepted by hedge fund lenders, and CVC could be forced to devise another proposal.
Goldman, which owns a fifth of the mezzanine debt and manages the rest on behalf of a large collection of investors, was understood to have written down the book value of the $975 million of mezzanine debt to about $200 million, or about 20¢ in the dollar.
Converting the debt into an equity stake in Nine would give Goldman the potential to see some return on its money.
Under Nine's current capital structure, the senior debt ranks ahead of the mezzanine debt. The $1.9 billion of equity CVC has sunk into Nine since late 2006 – when it started buying the company from
Under the "amend and extend" proposal CVC made on November 18, lenders were offered a fee and a higher interest rate if they agreed to extend the deadline for the refinancing of the senior debt from February 2013 to August 2015, and the deadline for refinancing the mezzanine debt from April 2014 to October 2016.
The lenders had until December 16 to respond to the proposal. But by late November, several were understood to have told CVC they would reject it.
Over the past 2½ weeks, BNP Paribas, Commonwealth Bank of Australia and Credit Agricole have sold a total of $234 million of Nine's senior debt to hedge funds for between 86¢ and 88¢ in the dollar.
Hedge funds started taking positions in Nine in 2007 and are understood currently to hold about 50 per cent of its senior debt.
Earlier this week, The Australian Financial Review reported three funds – Canyon Partners, Anchorage Capital and Oaktree – owned more than $500 million, or about 18 per cent, of the senior debt. Canyon was understood to have sold $118 million of its Nine debt to Apollo on Tuesday night.
Executives from Oaktree, which holds an estimated $400 million of Nine's debt, met with CVC's local managing partner, Adrian MacKenzie, and Nine chief executive
Nine had negative equity of $264.4 million at June 30 this year and lost $427.8 million in 2010-11, thanks to impairment charges of $775.8 million.
Mr Gyngell recently said the company's debt and refinancing were "a shareholder issue, not a management issue".
The Australian Financial Review


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Oregon Department of Education
Teacher Quality - Title II-A
Educator Effectiveness
Educator Effectiveness Toolkit - Observation & Evidence
Educator Effectiveness Toolkit
Oregon Framework
FAQs & Guidance
Standards for Practice
Student Learning & Growth
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Toolkit Home
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Friday, 19 August 2016
Guidance on Educator Evaluations for 2016-17
Multiple Measures - Observation & Evidence
A comprehensive evaluation system must include a variety of evidence-based measures to evaluate teacher and administrator performance and effectiveness, based on standards of professional practice. Multiple measures provide a more comprehensive view of the educator's practice and contribution to student growth. Due to the complex nature of teaching and administrator practice, a single measure does not provide sufficient evidence to evaluate performance. When combined, multiple measures provide a body of evidence that informs the educator's evaluation resulting in a more accurate and valid judgment about performance and professional growth needs.
The evaluation system must include a variety of evidence-based measures to evaluate teacher and administrator performance and effectiveness, based on the Oregon Model Core Teaching Standards and the Educational Leadership/Administrator Standards. To provide a balanced view of performance, evaluations of all teachers and building administrators must include evidence from the following three categories: (A) Professional Practice, (B) Professional Responsibilities, and © Student Learning and Growth.
Sample Rubrics
Examples from Oregon Districts
Observation Evidence Collection Tool
This template is provided for the purpose of collecting evidence during a classroom observation.
Templates for Gathering Artifacts (Teachers)
Salem-Keizer LEGENDS
Templates for Gathering Artifacts (Administrators)
Oregon Administrator Rubric
CCSS Evidence Guides: CCSS Aligned Practice Made Clear
These tools provide specific guidance for what the CCSS for ELA/literacy and math looks like in planning and practice. They are designed as developmental tools for teachers and those who support teachers.
Sample Artifact Rubric (Missouri)
This sample rubric represents a method of examining a teacher's professional artifacts to determine how effective that teacher's planning and preparation have been, and to determine whether the teacher has obtained the necessary credentials to serve in his or her role. Please note that the following rubric does not explain how a district might incorporate a teacher's performance on the rubric into his or her overall evaluation results. This is merely an example of one way to measure a teacher's preparation and credentialing.
Training Materials
Artifacts 101: The Role of Artifacts in Educator Evaluation
This PowerPoint provides basic information on the kinds of evidence that are considered artifacts and the role of artifacts in the evaluation cycle. Facilitator notes are included.
Artifacts 101 Webinar
Module - Evidence and Artifacts
This PowerPoint outlines the three categories of evidence required by the Oregon Framework and has participants engage in a simulation using sample artifacts from a fictional middle school teacher.
Teacher/Administrator Artifact Handout
Participant Data Packet
Educator Effectiveness Regional Workshops 2012 - 13
In the spring of 2013 two series were offered around the state, providing guidance to districts on designing their evaluation and support systems, as well as a first look at goal setting and conducting observations. Training modules including video, facilitator guides and handouts are included.
The materials listed here are designed to provide background information on this piece of the educator effectiveness system and include reasearch-based resources that have been vetted at the national level.
Seven Keys to Effective Feedback (ASCD)
Whether feedback is just there to be grasped or is provided by another person, helpful feedback is goal-referenced; tangible and transparent; actionable; user-friendly (specific and personalized); timely; ongoing; and consistent.
Leadership for Learning: A Research-based Model and Taxonomy of Behaviors
In this article the knowledge base of leadership for learning is captured under eight major dimensions: vision for learning, instructional program, curricular program, assessment program, communities of learning, resource acquisition and use, organizational culture, and advocacy.
Learning Focused Leadership and Leadership Support in Urban Systems
This publication synthesizes three reports on the role of the central office, and principals and other school leaders in improving instruction. Among the key leadership practices it cites: making it clear that improving instruction is the "main business of the school and district."
Guiding Questions For Professional Practice
Guiding Questions For Professional Responsibilities
Educator Effectiveness Toolkit
Oregon Framework
FAQs & Guidance
Standards for Practice
Student Learning & Growth
Observation & Evidence
Performance Rubrics
Professional Learning
Charter Schools
Oregon Matrix
Peer Review Process
District Collaboration Grants
District Examples & Models
Toolkit Home
Ed Effectiveness Home
Tanya Frisendahl
(503) 947-5754
District and School Effectiveness - Education Specialist
Sarah Martin
(503) 947-5668
District and School Effectiveness - Ed. Specialist, Instructional Resources
Brian Putnam
(503) 947-5806
District and School Effectiveness - Educator Effectiveness Specialist
Timothy Boyd
(503) 947-5621
District and School Effectiveness - Director


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Ithink it's 4:20 up in here!
Pitkin County leads Colorado toward the nation's most significant step to end our nation's decades-long debacle known as the war on drugs. Although I must profess that legalization may take some of the outlaw fun out of one of my favorite past times (er, lifestyle) it's about damn time. But no one can argue that this venue, this battleground state, is one of the best places to get high. Whether you are dropping through a forest full of endless sublime white powder puffs above town on a bluebird day; hiking through blazing aspen glades on a harvest-like afternoon, or soaking up the stars at a remote hot spring, we love to bless the movement with a sacred toke — whether passed back and forth with a buddy, or sent 'round the circle, on our day off or in the back of the restaurant after a crazy night.
So here's what I've been getting into lately.
Blue Dream. Clouds no more and what a creative, Kevin Spacey-like high. Colors of silvery and blue, with flavors of powdery bathroom blue, blue fruit, sweet vanilla and nutmeg. Hailing from Santa Cruz, Calif., by 2009 it had become the strain of the year, so to say. It grows big and it gets chunky. The sativa-dominant dream-thinker also relieves minor aches and pains, with its twenty percent or so of indica — thanks be to the parents, and Blueberry and Haze. I love it because it erases writer's block... like the dream where the alphabet letters fall from the ceiling and land in perfect paragraphs. How do you think I get this done every week!?!?
Want to meet her tall, exotic, slighty better looking cousin, who likes to go all night long? Try Cindi99, a high class girl with humble roots: JackHerrer crossed with ShivaSkunk.
Sour Diesel. Like sticky fingers? Don't mind a little paranoia, anxiety or minor heart palpitations? This one's for you. Have a project to complete? A task to accomplish? A house to clean? With Sour D, you'll be sure to get it done. Pure sativa, straight to and exploding out the top of your dome piece. Be careful with the edibles and concentrates made from this mountain girl. She grew up in Montana and proliferated in Colorado during the '80s. A dozen seeds (two females to be exact) made their way to Massachusetts where the grower/breeder known as ChemDog grew a girlie that he named ChemDog '91, a blend of SuperSkunk and the venerable Northern Lights, (like we used to grow or get in Wisconsin waaay back in the day.) Right?!?! Here's a great story about Northern Lights. I was in school at the University of Wisconsin at the time, a homey from down the street (East Mifflin) came over and I gave him a fat sack of NL out of my brother's secret stash. My brother comes home and he's like, "Where's my weed, man?" I guess I gave the dude the whole ounce.
Bubba Kush. East coast now returns back to west coast. Old world meets new world. This is Massachusetts' ChemDog plant again — this one a cutting done in 1993 — makes its way to California (from Grass Valley all the way to Orange County) and gains the male additions of LemonThai and Pakistani Old World Kush. This would become the iconic OG Kush (OG is for "Ocean Grown," bro). The OG Kush, laced with just a little skunky starry Northern Lights, becomes Bubba. With her lemony, hazelnut and butterscotch fumes and flavors, Bubba will have you seeing stars and feeling like you are wrapped in a warm and fuzzy wool blanket. Like going out and watching a meteor shower, only you can do it from the couch. Fight that urge to couchlock, for the real thing is starting up here soon with the Leonids coming on to race across the skies this week.
Since this is (cough-cough) a wine column, want a great wine pairing? Roll a fat joint with a nice fluffy layer of frosty Pineapple Express, adding a nice dose of the mutant Grape Ape — pure Indica (as pure as the slightly overbred ganjashpere can offer these days) with light yet dense giant sticky purple buds flecked by elegant green leaves. If and whence properly cured, the Grape Ape will remind you of, well, grapes. The absurdly sweet and fruity smoke will become downright purplicious after you have washed it down your slightly dry mouth and throat with a sip of plush, velvety old vine alicante bouschet or petite sirah. And, after a day of pounding bumps or hucking cliffs, this girl will have you safely locked into the couch, contemplating the fire and the next day's magic on the mountain.
This all makes me think of the music of Peter Tosh ("Legalize It"), Ziggy Marley ("One Good Spliff"), Michael Rose ("I appreciate the herb you brought for me, Natty Dreadlock"), Ben Harper ("I want to burn one down"), Widespread Panic ("A cup of warm coffee, some vitamin C, a bowl for the cat, a bowl for the dog, a bowl for me") Beastie Boys (too many to list) Grateful Dead ("We can discover the wonders of nature") and the Kottonmouth Kings with DJ Bobby B ("Each of us, the two of us, stronger than the ganja on the back of the bus"). In the words of our great master, Bob Marley, "The more people smoke herb, the more Babylon fall."
Cheers! Remember, weed (and wine) reveal truth.
Drew Stofflet lives in Carbondale. Correspond with him at firstname.lastname@example.com.


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Reader: Queso and Cool Ranch Doritos aren't the prettiest girl at the party, but need love, too
Queso dip: When the chips are down...
Last week Jenn Wohletz served up a heaping helping of the appetizers she hates seeing at parties -- including the dreaded queso dip.
But some readers thought that Jenn's list was the real party-pooper. See also: - Five appetizers I hate seeing -- and eating -- at parties - First look: Cool Ranch Doritos Tacos Locos land in Denver - Top five onion appetizers (if you don't want to get lucky)
Says spmarx:
I recently threw a party (with RoTel queso in a crock pot I admit) and someone brought Cool Ranch Doritos. I probably made a snotty mental footnote about that, but (after much alcohol, it goes without saying) I'll be damned if at 1:00 a.m. we weren't all huddled around the table, telling stories and laughing while eating queso skin WITH the CRDs. Sure, they're the prettiest girl at the bowling alley, they need love too.
What are your favorite party appetizers? And how do you feel about queso? Post your comments below, or join the cocktail-party conversation already under way here.
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The first crime scene processing in Charlottesville was conducted by retired Capt. M. W. "Mannie" Norford. A detective at the time, he was instrumental in procuring the department's first crime scene processing van in 1973.
In 1974, the state legislature authorized what was then called the Bureau of Forensic Science to open the Forensic Science Academy in Richmond, Virginia. The first Charlottesville officer to attend the initial session was Ron Webster. Ron Webster was followed by J. Richard Ward, Ron Willis, Charlie Wade, Phil Thacker, Ralph Barfield, Bobby Lowry, Karl Sprouse, Mel Bishop, Steve Dillon, Steve Upman, Mark Fields, Michael Flaherty, and Jeremy Carper.
The Evidence Unit remained one full time officer from the mid 1970's until 1989. A second detective position was added at that time. In 1990, the unit had two full-time detectives until the spring of 1995.
In May of 1994, Captain (Retired) John E. "Chip" Harding formed the Evidence Advisory Group. The group consisted of a cross-section of officers from the department with a mandate to look at every aspect of the Evidence Unit and make recommendations for changes which would improve the unit's quality and productivity. On March 1, 1995, the Forensic Unit was formed. In September of 1996, the Forensic Unit was authorized their first civilian clerk, titled Forensic Support Specialist.
In October of 1999, the unit obtained its' first DNA Data Bank Hit in a rape/robbery case. In the same year the unit worked the Spinner homicide which was solved because of DNA and has received international recognition. In October of 2000, the unit opened their first archive evidence room. By the end of the year the unit was leading Virginia in NIBIN shell casing identifications and had an additional 10 Cold DNA Data Bank Hits. Between 2000 and 2007, four serial rapists were identified, arrested and convicted from data bank hits.
In 2004, the unit moved to new facilities complete with space saver storage shelves and security video and alarms. In 2006, members of the Forensic Unit received a unit commendation from Chief Longo for their dedication to crime scene processing. In early 2007, members were instrumental in the successful prosecution of a man for the murder of his wife, whose body had been deposited in a local motel. Their work, along with detectives from our department and the Jacksonville Florida Sheriff's Department led to two consecutive life sentences and 67 additional years. In late 2007, a new archive evidence room was added to augment the need for keeping state mandated DNA evidence and other evidence on cold cases.


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The beer police • Just what form of grievous harm were Utahns being protected from when stormtroopers acting on behalf of the Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control lowered the boom on a Salt Lake City neighborhood bar called The Spot? Apparently, someone at that small watering hole had dared to sell to customers and to undercover agents a couple of brands of beer that aren't handled by the state's liquor monopoly and are, thus, verboten in the Beehive. OK, rules are rules, and a citation and small fine might be in order. But the state apparently considers the sale of bottles of unapproved beer not toxic rotgut homebrew, but bottled beer from major brewers a "grave" violation that could result in a revoked license and/or fines of up to $25,000. The place was, the other day, padlocked awaiting more legal proceedings. Once again, when it comes to sane liquor regulations, Utah has gone dry.
Not the place for animals • This Is the Place Heritage Park officials say they have remedied poor conditions for animals at the park after receiving warnings from USDA inspectors last spring. We hope that is the case. Park managers admitted they let things get out of hand, leaving animals without proper veterinary care and in poor living conditions. That is not acceptable for a place that invites young children to participate in its activities, many involving young lambs, goats, rabbits and cows. The federal Animal and Plant Heath Inspection Service (APHIS) reported a long list of violations in April and May. The park will be inspected again, and if violations continue, it could lose its license. We hope that doesn't happen.
A brighter outlook • American consumers are feeling better about their financial status now than at any time since the Great Recession in 2007. The University of Michigan's annual reading of consumer confidence in July was 85.1, a gain of one point from June but nearly 13 points higher than a year ago. Rising home prices and steady gains in jobs across the country are making Americans feel more secure and could prompt them to spend more money. That's important since consumer spending accounts for about 70 percent of the American economy. Americans even seem to be able to ignore or at least take with a grain of salt the shenanigans of its representatives in Washington. Threats of government defaults or shutdowns and refusals to compromise and actually govern aren't as important as the improvements many of us are seeing in our everyday lives. And it feels darn good.


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The Gillard government has seized on allegations made in Federal Court documents that former political staffer James Ashby secretly met former Liberal Party minister Mal Brough, Queensland government minister
A brawl broke out in parliamentary question time yesterday over the Federal Court documents after the manager of government business,
Damning text messages show Mr Ashby, when working for Mr Slipper, sent confidential extracts of his diary to both Mr Brough and Mr Lewis, in a clear contravention of his duties.
Mr Slipper, the federal parliamentary Speaker, who has been forced to stand aside while allegations of sexual harassment are heard, has accused his former adviser of engaging in a "calculated, duplicitous and deceitful scheme to undermine [him] to the advantage of the LNP and Brough, and thereby to secure his own prospects of advancement or preferment with the assistance of Slipper's political opponents".
Mr Albanese said in Parliament it was vital that the media took seriously its responsibility to report the facts with honesty and integrity.
"The media's main role is to report the news, not to make the news – I note that the vast majority of the press gallery here do their jobs with integrity each and every day right across the spectrum," he said.
But there were some examples that should serve as cautionary tales.
"In 2009, the Godwin Grech affair broken by Steve Lewis of News Ltd, also known as Utegate, showed that certain parts of the media were involved in the attempted sabotage of a democratically elected government," Mr Albanese said.
"Time and the truth ultimately brought out the real story in that and now we're seeing another example that should be taken extremely seriously and members will recall the splash again by Steve Lewis on April 20 about allegations against the Speaker, allegations of sexual harassment."
The manager of opposition business,
Defence Minister
Deputy Speaker
Mr Albanese cited articles published on Tuesday as a result of documents publicly released by the court.
"People in the media need to recognise whether they're reporters or they're participants, whether they're observers or they're activists, and there's an important distinction."
The salacious documents were released by the Federal Court yesterday, and form part of Mr Slipper's and the government's abuse of process claim. Both have argued that Mr Ashby filed the claim as part of a"calculated and orchestrated political and public relations campaign" designed to take down Mr Slipper and help his opponents.
Yesterday, Mr Ashby was also accused of being "grossly disloyal" and betraying Mr Slipper's trust and confidence.
Mr Ashby's dealings with Mr Brough, Mr McArdle and Mr Lewis were also calculated to enhance the impact that Mr Ashby's claim would have, it is argued, after Mr Ashby "carefully cultivated" Mr Slipper's trust for almost a year.
Mr Brough will contest preselection for Mr Slipper's Sunshine Coast seat of Fisher at the next federal election. Texts released yesterday show Mr Ashby secretly met with Mr McArdle more than two months before his claim was filed.
He also met with Mr Brough in late March, and Mr Lewis in early April to help discuss his claim, long before he had lawyers briefed. Both the commonwealth and Mr Slipper have accused Mr Ashby of misusing the media to obtain "significant national and international media coverage" which, Mr Slipper claims, was intended to "expose Slipper to the maximum degree of vilification, opprobrium, sensation and scandal, and to cause maximum damage to his reputation".
The loss and damage suffered by Mr Ashby, the government argues, is "out of all proportion" to the serious damage suffered by both Mr Slipper and the commonwealth.
The Australian Financial Review


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Port of Los Angeles
The Port of Los Angeles is located
in the San Pedro Bay at the southernmost point of Los Angeles County, approximately
20 miles from downtown Los Angeles. Because of its proximity to the Pacific Ocean,
the San Pedro Bay has a long history of maritime activity and is home to the World
Cruise Center. Cruise ships from all over the world embark to the Mexican Riviera,
South America, Asia and the South Pacific.
©2006-2015 Metro Cruise Services