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Saturday, 22 January, 2000, 09:14 GMT
Two arrested over Guatemala bishop murder
By BBC correspondent Mike Lanchin
Police in Guatemala have arrested two army officers, a father and a son, in connection with the 1998 murder of a leading Roman Catholic bishop and veteran human rights campaigner.
Retired Colonel Israel Lima Estrada and his son, Captain Byron Lima Oliva, were taken into custody in what is the most important development in the lengthy investigation.
The two had long been mentioned as possible suspects in the killing of Bishop Gerardi, who was bludgeoned to death on the doorstep of his parish home.
The veteran human rights campaigner had released a damning report into widespread army abuses during the country's long civil war two days before his death.
His murder is widely believed to have been a reprisal from army officers angered at his work.
But until this week the 20-month investigation into the killing had floundered against innumerable obstacles - a lack of clear evidence and a wall of silence from within the military.
Witnesses in exile
In the course of the inquiry, a judge, a prosecuting attorney and several key witnesses were all forced to flee for their lives into exile abroad.
But when he took office just a week ago, Guatemala's new President, Alfonso Portillo, made a special point of promising to solve what he termed a national outrage.
Although no-one expected him to move so quickly, observers believed that Mr Portillo's right-wing party's links to the army would help him flush out the culprits.
But Colonel Lima and his son obviously did not act alone.
Among the four other people named in arrest warrants are other serving army officers and, curiously, a Roman Catholic priest who shared the dead bishop's house.
The priest had been detained for six months but was released last year for lack of evidence.
Now, having made a new breakthrough in this test case for Guatemalan justice, analysts say that this time round the authorities must make their charges stick.
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ZumaPress, Getty Images
ZumaPress, Getty Images
Does Kirstie Alley have some harsh words for a former friend?
The 62-year-old devout Scientologist posted a heated tweet on her Twitter page Wednesday, and many are speculating the social media blow was directed toward Leah Remini.
The former King of Queens star announced her decision to leave the Church of Scientology last week.
"When faced w malicious gossip I take a moment to experience the loss of the person I thought was my friend... Then I say f--k em..:)" Alley wrote Wednesday morning, just one day prior to Remini's announcement.
"The sweetest poison is often served with a smile...beware syrup," she cryptically added hours later.
While Kirstie's rep could not be reached for comment, speculation is running rampant the criticism was aimed at Remini, given the curious timing of the tweets in question.
Alley also tweeted from fellow Scientologist Melinda Brownstone's home (who is reportedly Remini's former best friend) the same day she lashed out on the social media site. "I'm at my friends gorgeous house @minmin1008 love hangin here," Kirstie wrote.
The following day, the New York Post reported Remini decided to quit the controversial religion, claiming the 43-year-old actress had been subjected to years of "interrogations" and "thought modification" after questioning the leadership of David Miscavige.
When asked for comment, the Church of Scientology told E! News, "The Church respects the privacy of parishioners and has no comment about any individual Church member."
The Church later added allegations of "interrogations" and "thought modification" are "absurd and pure nonsense."
Remini has since issued a statement thanking fans for their support, telling People mag, "I wish to share my sincere and heartfelt appreciation for the overwhelming positive response I have received from the media, my colleagues, and from fans around the world. I am truly grateful and thankful for all your support."
Alley has always been an outspoken supporter of the religion, and she's even credited Scientology with freeing her from her former cocaine addiction.
Despite the telling tweets, Kirstie took to her Twitter page Sunday to post another puzzling message, writing, "you're so vain..You probably think my tweets are about you ..don't you don't you don't you ? .....they're not."

subset: commoncrawl


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Effort aims to cut down on C-U energy use
Champaign-Urbana property owners have a chance to compete in an energy saving contest.
The Urbana-Champaign Energy Star Challenge kicked off Monday as a way for buildings to track and improve energy performance through the end of next year.
Urbana's Environmental Sustainability Manager Scott Tess said buildings will use this year as a benchmark for their energy performance. He added that one of the biggest benefits of the competition is to save money on energy as a business expense by paying closer attention to wasted resources.
Tess also said there won't be a major award for groups that improve their energy performance, but he did say there are bragging rights to be had.
Tess added that he hopes to come up with a challenge between the University of Illinois and Parkland, as well as one between the cities of Champaign and Urbana
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text: [ Tiny Hamsters Eating Tiny Burritos Is As Adorable As You Think By TheFW Staff April 30, 2014 | TheFW Tiny hamsters. Tiny burritos. Huge cuteness. Read More Category: Bozeman News Tags: Hamsters Send to a friend! Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Pin it! Reddit This! Share on Tumblr!


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ANALYSIS / Maybe Netanyahu Really Does Understand Arabs
After apologizing for anti-Israel jibe, Egypt minister has learned his peers don't appreciate favors from Israel.
Enough said. Netanyahu really does understand Arabs. Especially Egyptians. Look what happened to Farouk Hosni, the Egyptian culture minister who longed to head UNESCO.
The beginning of the story is well-known. All of Israel's ambassadors and attaches wasted no effort to sabotage the Egyptian minister's appointment to the desirable post. Every anti-Israeli remark, every word he mouthed critical of Israeli books and writers and every pronouncement against normalizing ties with Israel were meticulously gathered in a file of evidence against him. Indeed, how could an Egyptian minister, a painter and intellectual, be awarded this international post when he had announced he would burn Israeli books?
While it is difficult to find an independent Egyptian intellectual, as opposed to those in the establishment, who would put in a good word for Hosni? His declarations had made him a local hero for building a wall, with his own hands, against normalization. That is, until Netanyahu came along to fix things for him in a conversation with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. Haaretz political correspondent Barak Ravid uncovered the fact that Netanyahu agreed to drop Israel's objections to the appointment in exchange for a gesture of normalization on Egypt's part. The gestures followed immediately.
Hosni apologized for his remarks and even announced he had ordered the translation of books by David Grossman and Amos Oz into Arabic. Heaven forbid, not from the original Hebrew, but from English and French versions. Such translations have, by the way, existed for years in Egypt's university libraries, and Egyptian scholars have written numerous research papers on Israeli authors.
But then there was an uproar. The culture minister became the object of derision. "Hosni will not stop short of courting Zionist influence to reach the UNESCO seat," wrote the critic Wael Kandil. MP Abbas Abd al-Aziz, representing the Suez region, called for Hosni to be removed from office and his way to UNESCO blocked, because he was willing to do anything to get the position, even at the expense of the history of the city of Suez. Aziz was angry; Hosni had agreed to invite Israeli representatives to a literary festival in Suez, nicknamed "the city of opposition."
Intellectuals and academics from Suez announced they would campaign against the invitations and even created an Internet site detailing Hosni's crimes and submission to Zionism.
But the Egyptian opposition contains several voices, and one of them is particularly original. The translator and Hebrew scholar Mohammed Aboud wrote his doctoral dissertation at Ain Shams University on Hebrew literature. Israeli poet and writer Almog Bahar turned my attention to an article by Aboud last week in the Almasry Alyoum newspaper in which he explains why he opposes translating Hebrew works into Arabic through the Egyptian Culture Ministry:
"I personally have great appreciation for those who reject translating Hebrew literature into Arabic through the offices of the Culture Ministry, because this is the apparatus that inherited the slogan 'know your enemy,' under whose shadow Hebrew language departments at Egyptian universities developed. These departments participated and still take part in anti-Israeli efforts on the information, ideological and military fronts. They swallow every piece of paper translated from Hebrew so as to be armed with the knowledge to continue the confrontation with the enemy from the east.
"I understand the reason for the Culture Ministry's haste to translate Hebrew literature at this moment in time," Aboud writes. "Rather than taking this important step in the framework of a national undertaking - to become familiar with Israel, and methodically and intensively gather information on the ideological and cultural currents there - it aspires to attain an international office, which may or may not be reached."
Aboud's voice isn't enough to change the official, ideological allegiance to opposing normalizing ties with Israel. Farouk Hosni now understands very well he will pay too high a price in public opinion for what is seen as reconciliation with Israeli literature. The national hero directly fighting the Zionists has turned into a traitor, according to the principles of those intellectuals warring against normalization.
The army's trick against the government
The plan was ready down to the smallest detail. The Turkish army would see to it that explosives and arms would be found in the homes of supporters of Fethullah Gulen's Islamic movement, so they could be accused of terrorist activities. A publicity campaign would decry army officers said to be "reactionary" (i.e. overly religious) so they would have to resign. And a network of agents working for the army would get busy inside the ruling Justice and Development Party of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
These are the principles of last April's plot. Its details were published two weeks ago by the Turkish newspaper Taraf, after documents were seized in the home of attorney Serdar Ozturk. Ozturk is also linked to a different entanglement, the Ergenekon affair: Former Turkish army officers, politicians and intellectuals were arrested last summer on suspicion of having worked for years to overthrow the government.
These revelations led to clashes between the army and the government. Erdogan pledged to investigate the affair, saying the goal of its instigators "was to harm Turkish democracy." The army denies any such plot was hatched or was known to army commanders.
The recent affair seems a direct continuation of the Ergenekon one, which is coming to light in a Turkish court. The army's denials have failed to convince the Turkish media, which sees the affair as proof the army has not given up its ambitions to be a player in Turkish politics and to direct the civilian government. This is in clearly counter to Turkey's promises to the European Union (and the army's stated stance) that the Turkish army would stay within the confines of its bases and exert only a minor influence on Turkish politics.
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Davies - Clough deserves deal
Derby midfielder Ben Davies believes Nigel Clough deserves a new contract following the team's impressive start to the season.
Last Updated: 26/09/11 9:04am
Derby County midfielder Ben Davies believes manager Nigel Clough deserves a new contract following the team's impressive start to the season.
A 3-0 victory over Millwall on Saturday took the Rams into third spot in the Championship table and just a point behind leaders Southampton.
Clough has been praised for his role in Derby's current form, but his contract at Pride Park is due to expire at the end of the season.
Davies believes the club have a bright future under Clough and is keen for the Derby board to tie down the former Burton boss to a new deal.
"For the work he has done and how well we are playing, the gaffer deserves everything he gets and that should be a new contract," said Davies.
"It would be great for the board to sort out his future and it would give a lot of stability to the lads too.
"The players want to see it and I think the fans do as well. So, hopefully, it will get done.
"He can take this team as far as he wants.
"When we're playing well, we can beat anyone in this league and we can achieve anything. The gaffer had a massive job last season sorting out the squad.
"So he deserves all the credit for making a new team and he also deserves to be where he is in the table."


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of ruins or something (studio practice), 2012
body, sheet, kitchen timers (4), chairs (2), Dimensions Variable, Duration Variable
Videos from a rehearsal on July 7th, 2012 at Eden's Expressway, Soho, New York.
1. difficult postion(s) 2. shifting space 3. ghosting ( woman / self / other ) 4. an infinite number of ways to get down and get back up again
I am interested in this phrase "or something" because it references a moment of excess, a moment where an experience cannot be quantified by language.
It's like this "or something."
"Or something" is my body. It is what happens when my body meets, exceeds, fails, fucks with the plan, the score I've laid out for myself. My studio practice lives in this else-where space of not knowing, a space embedded with but not bound by language, a space dedicated to the intuitive wisdom of the body and the fraught relationship of self to self and self to other.


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I had an LG Nexus 4 and while it was spec'd nicely for the time, when the phone got hot it was very bad, and LG set the thermal throttle way too low on that phone. Have they since fixed that in this phone?
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Sure, we cover alot of the more popular items, however that is only a part of CES. If you dive deeper into the halls you will come to some smaller booths and *some* interesting gadgets. That being said, one of those that we spied on the show floor (and found interesting) was the Octa Tablet Tail. This is a gadget that can be used with a tablet or ereader (or something else of similar shape and size) and allows you to hold the device or prop it up on the table. The Octa stand features a suction cup Vacuum Dock that you pump to secure to the device. The Whale Tail portion can be used or removed depending on whether you are planning to hold or stand the device. The Whale Tail portion is flexible and can bend around to sit in different positions on the table or to fit a little tighter around your hand when holding. Anyway, while we only had a minute or two to sit and play, it seems like a system that works rather well. The Octa Whale Tail + Vacuum Dock is priced at $59.99 and is currently available for pre-order from Octa.com.
CES 2012: Hands on with the Octa Whale Tail for tablets and e-readers [Stuff we liked]
by Robert Nelson on January 13, 2012 at 6:46 pm
Sections: CES, Computers, ebooks, Gadgets / Other, Miscellaneous, Mobile Computers, Peep Shows, Trade Shows
TAGS: ces, ces 2012, ces2012, consumer_electronics_show, gadgetell, gadgetell news, news, octa, octa tablet, octa tablet tail, octa tablet whale tail, octa whale tail, tablet, tablet tail, whale tail
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text: OK folks, following on from my (some say very lucky!) fantastic first smoke... Newbies MAD BeefShorties Weekend Roller coaster ATGNI I have been supplied yet again by an amazing piece of beef from my local butchers. G. N. Badley They have once more said I can take it back to them to have it cut/butchered in any way I like. It is just under 5kgs, so about 11 pounds. Following this High Heat Brisket info I am after advice on if I should alter the shape/trim the fat on this fantastic bit of meat. Can anyone make any suggestions please? Original full brisket: This section I have had is about 30cm x 40cm x 2-7cm: Little bit of fat coverage A little bit thin on the left hand side. Nice bit of fat... Muscle looks good! Hoping it may shrink a little, so it fits better!!! Not bad for £25! Which is probably about $3 after the news from today Your ideas please gents?


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Detail Information
- Assertion modeling and its role in clinical phenotype identificationCosmin Adrian Bejan
Biomedical and Health Informatics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195 7240, United States
J Biomed Inform 46:68-74. 2013..Furthermore, we confirm the intuition that assertion classification contributes in significantly improving the results of phenotype identification from free-text clinical records...
- Pneumonia identification using statistical feature selectionCosmin Adrian Bejan
Department of Biomedical and Health Informatics, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195 7240, USA
J Am Med Inform Assoc 19:817-23. 2012..Based on the information extracted from the narrative reports associated with a patient, the task is to identify whether or not the patient is positive for pneumonia...


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Today is the fourth anniversary of Change the Equation's launch and we've got a lot to celebrate.
Since 2010, CTEq member companies have been working alongside us to improve STEM literacy across the country. Here are a few of our exciting milestones:
It's been a busy four years for Change the Equation and our members! And while we're excited to share CTEq's accomplishments, we're not done yet. We still have a long way to go until every young person in the U.S. has a strong foundation in STEM, but we know that our coalition of corporate leadership is equal to the task. We can't wait for all that's to come!
Leave a comment or send a tweet and tell us your favorite CTEq accomplishment so far – and what you want to see us do next!
This week, CTEq member Motorola Solutions announced the awardees of its Innovation Generation grants for 2014. The total funding to the 92 STEM-supporting organizations amounts to a whopping $4 million! What's more, the list of national and local partnership grant recipients includes five STEMworks programs: Girlstart, Science Buddies, STEM Equity Pipeline, Techbridge, and Ten80 Student Racing Challenge.
As a Commitment to Excellence Charter Signatory, Motorola Solutions has pledged to support effective STEM education programs like those in STEMworks that both foster STEM literacy and offer students a chance to explore what a future STEM career path has to offer.
Matt Blakely, director of the Motorola Solutions Foundation puts it best: "Organizations awarded these grants are teaching tomorrow's workforce that careers in engineering and technology are not only fun, but also within their reach."
We applaud Motorola Solutions for this incredible contribution to elevating STEM literacy for K-12 students and look forward to seeing great work unfold at these organizations in the coming year!
Last month, CTEq members and STEMworks programs gathered in Arlington, Va to discuss their roles in helping students to both achieve and sustain STEM literacy. The program featured sessions on the business stake in K-12 STEM education, how to sustain positive changes in the state of STEM through effective programming, and a keynote address from Vice President Joe Biden.
We also kicked off the new Commitment to Excellence in STEM initiative and celebrated its charter signatories. Check out all of the event pictures on our Facebook page!
Last week, we learned that rocket science isn't rocket science. That is, it is not an abstract, narrow field reserved for an elite group of devoted brainiacs who don't get out much. Quite the opposite: it's one of the coolest fields there is.
How do we know? CTEq was invited to spend much of last week rubbing shoulders with rocket scientists—a.k.a. "aerospace engineers"—at the 30th annual Space Symposium in lovely Colorado Springs. CTEq member company and Commitment to Excellence Signatory United Launch Alliance (ULA), which sends more satellites into space than any other American company—more than one a month this year alone, invited us to attend as their special guest. The event as an eye-opener for us, and everyone we met there made clear, they're having a lot of fun doing it.
It's not hard to see why. After all, it is ULA that launched the Mars Rover into space, and the satellites they send into orbit bring us our GPS, television signals, critical data about our natural resources, and many other things besides. ULA engineers are constantly devising new ways of breaking boundaries in space travel. One told me how ULA and a company that makes race car engines were collaborating to design revolutionary new rockets that go much farther on less fuel.
What's more, space might travel might come within reach for many more people in the decades ahead. Companies and even metropolitan airports are working together to make commercial space flight a reality. At $250,000 a pop, the cost of a ticket is a tad steep these days, but the day may come when flying into orbit might be every bit as easy as flying to Orlando.
All this could spell opportunity for enterprising young people in search of exciting careers. Many other companies are space business, including CTEq members like The Aerospace Corporation, Boeing, BAE Systems, and even Booz Allen Hamilton. Yet the aerospace industry remains the province of mostly white men: roughly 25 percent of aerospace employees are female, and about the same share are Black or Latino. As white men dwindle as a share of the population, and more rocket scientists edge towards retirement, that's hardly a strong recipe for the future.
One of CTEq's founding Board members was Sally Ride, whose early dreams of space made her a pioneer in space flight and one of the nation's most passionate advocates for getting many more young people hooked on STEM. Her message could hardly be more timely. As impressed as we were with the Space Symposium, we can't wait to see what's next -- and the new generation of aerospace engineers who will bring it to fruition.
Needless to say, things have been very exciting around CTEq during the past few weeks! Aside from the launch of our redesigned website and our National STEM Summit, we've got another huge development that we're thrilled to announce: the Commitment to Excellence in STEM.
At launch, twenty-six companies became Charter Signatories to the Commitment to Excellence, a reaffirmation of the promise they made when joining CTEq: to help ensure that every U.S. high school graduate is STEM literate and on the path to a productive career. These corporate leaders have united to advocate for high-quality STEM opportunities for all students.
The Commitment, the first of its kind, has four core beliefs:
The belief that the corporate community can mobilize in new and more effective ways to advance STEM literacy.
Together, companies can have more impact as a collaborative force than they could alone.
The belief in the transformative power of higher standards for STEM education in the U.S.
Signatories believe in and advocate for a high bar in math and science so we can maintain our innovative edge.
The belief that data should inform STEM advocacy at the state-level.
Signatories are using data like in Vital Signs to promote STEM policies and practices that have significant impact.
The belief in data-driven corporate philanthropy that funds STEM programs that work.
Signatories will use resources like STEMworks to ensure that CSR is effective in helping all students graduate with STEM life skills.
The Commitment was announced during last week's National STEM Summit, and featured a keynote address from Vice President Joe Biden.
In his remarks, Vice President Biden reiterated that "educating our young people is the most critical responsibility we have as a nation." Through the Commitment, Signatories have solidified their dedication to CTEq's mission and made STEM literacy a business priority. Representatives from the companies rallied support around last week's launch and helped to spread the crucial message about strengthening STEM literacy.
Visit the Commitment to Excellence section of our website to learn more. Also, follow the conversation on Twitter using the hashtag #Commit2STEM and let us know what you think in the comments. Are you a member company who'd like to sign on? Contact us!
Charter Signatories to the Commitment include:
CA Technologies
Carolina Biological Supply Company
Dow Chemical
Exxon Mobil Corporation
Hitachi High Technologies America, Inc.
Intel Corporation
LMI Aerospace, Inc.
Motorola Solutions
PASCO Scientific
Sally Ride Science, Inc.
State Farm
Texas Instruments
The MITRE Corporation
Time Warner Cable
United Launch Alliance
Valen Analytics
Xerox Corporation


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The Observer Photo of the Week features the long overdue sight of the sun which has been conspicious in its abscence in recent weeks.
It was taken outside Bexhill Sailing Club and was taken by James Knight just after a spell of particularly bad weather.
If you have a photo you would like to contribute, simply email the image to firstname.lastname@example.com


text: If you want to be impressed, however, you merely need to listen to the sounds of Atlantica Online. The voice acting is rare, but offers some flavor, the sound effects are pretty good and the music... the music is amazing. Most games suffer from having too little music, and having music that is too repetitive. The music in Atlantica Online is varied in different areas, and is a variety of epic adventurous ballads and ethnic ambiance. In-game fights are accented with blood-pumping, fast-tempo songs that help to affect a feeling of urgency and importance in the player.


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Despite the nation's serious financial woes, it seems MSNBC's Chris Matthews has more pressing concerns on his mind — namely that it would be unthinkable to have a president that doesn't believe in evolution or climate change.
During Friday's interview with Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus, Matthews recalled a statement made by Jon Huntsman, in which the presidential hopeful stated he believed in evolution. That's when Matthews launched in, asking Priebus:
"Aren't you worried, though, that in a world where we have to compete with science, in science and technology with Chinese and Indian young geniuses, and some of them move here, and some that are still over in their countries around the world, we're competing in a world of science and technology to be a country that might be led by someone who doesn't believe in evolution? Who doesn't believe in climate change? Who doesn't believe in the scientific community of his own country, the National Academy of Science, for example, on climate change? Wouldn't that be kind of scary to have somebody who is so anti-intellectual as president?"
The banter between the two polar opposites continued for nearly ten minutes, getting rather heated at certain points. Priebus criticized President Obama for taking a vacation in Martha's Vineyard during a time when the nation's finances are in ruin, while a typically irate Matthews pressed Priebus to admit that Obama "walked into hell."
Watch the fiery Harball exchange below.
(H/T: Mediaite)


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An Illinois man on his wedding honeymoon in Florida was arrested last week and charged with soliciting an undercover cop posing as a prostitute.
Mohammed Ahmed, 21, allegedly answered an online ad and was arrested when he showed up for his rendezvous, authorities said.
Ahmed was also charged with possession of marijuana.
When the 21-year-old did not return to the hotel, his wife reported him missing, the sheriff's office said. His wife was later notified that he had been arrested and charged, NBC affiliate WTVJ reported.
Others arrested included 12 "pimps" who brought prostitutes to the undercover location, a youth minister, 39 prostitutes, 39 people who were willing to pay for sex from prostitutes and two others who went with suspects to the undercover location and were arrested on other charges, the sheriff's office said.
The four-day undercover investigation targeted prostitution websites on which men and women advertising prostitution or soliciting prostitution, the sheriff's office said.
The investigation took place from May 8 through May 11. Among the charges filed are aiding and abetting prostitution, deriving proceeds from prostitution, possession of illegal drugs and resisting an arrest.


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1/2 bunch fresh sage
1/2 bunch fresh thyme
1 large Spanish onion, thinly sliced
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
3 Granny Smith apples, peeled and diced
1 1/2 cups raw pecans
2 eggs
3/4 cup heavy cream
1 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken stock
5 cups sourdough bread (crusts removed), hand-torn into 1-inch pieces
1/4 bunch fresh flat-leaf parsley, roughly chopped
Set a large saute pan over medium heat and add olive oil, sage and thyme sprigs.
As the oil heats up the herbs will crackle and fry, infusing the oil. Remove the sage and thyme and set aside on a paper towel to drain - these can be as a garnish, if desired.
Add onions to the pan and cook over medium heat for 15 minutes until caramelized. Season with salt and pepper. Remove onions from pan and add apples.
Crush the pecans and add to the pan. Add more oil, if needed and season with salt and pepper.
Gently saute until pecans are lightly toasted and apples are just cooked slightly - about 3 to 5 minutes.
In a large mixing bowl whisk together egg, cream, chicken ststock, and salt and pepper, to taste. Add torn sourdough, caramelized onions, apples, pecans and chopped parsley. Using a wooden spoon, mix the stuffing until well combined. Scoop stuffing into cavity of pork crown roast and cook accordingly with roast.
1/2 bunch fresh sage


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One politically difficult but critical role of the President of the United States is to draw the line in budget debates when Members of Congress buckle under constituent pressure and attempt to open the spending floodgates. The President provides the essential check in the legislative system, acting on behalf of the nation to enforce budget discipline.
President George W. Bush recently played this unenviable political role by issuing a firm veto threat against Congress's attempts to add billions of dollars in extra spending as a response to the September 11 attacks. By standing firm, the President appears to have given responsible lawmakers the support they needed to prevent understandable emotion from overwhelming good budget sense.
Given this example of White House firmness, it must be very confusing for many Americans--perhaps especially World Trade Center widows and bankrupt small businesspeople in Manhattan--that the President has failed to show the same determination in the case of farm subsidies. A farm bill (H.R. 2646), cynically if adroitly renamed the Farm Security Act of 2001 to take full advantage of the response to the September 11 attacks, would add $69 billion in extra farm subsidy spending over the next decade compared with current law--even though most subsidies today do not go to low-income farmers.
If ever there were an open-and-shut case for presidential firmness on unnecessary spending, this farm legislation is that. But the President in effect has merely given nuanced signals of displeasure. Some observers surmise that, with control of the House next year perhaps resting on the rural vote, President Bush is under pressure to put party before country on this issue. To avoid that presumption, he must do one simple thing--issue a clear and unequivocal threat to veto the farm bill. He must then back that up with strong support for lawmakers and Administration officials trying to rein in the runaway bill and enact real reforms in America's ruinous farm programs.
The legislation's supporters paint a heart-rending picture of a good-neighborly bill helping America's hardscrabble small family farmers. Some even make the fatuous argument that the huge bipartisan package is needed to strengthen national security in these difficult times. But this farm legislation in reality would be one of the worst raids on the pocketbooks of ordinary Americans in recent years. In fact, over 80 percent of the handouts go to the biggest landowners, who make up less than one-fourth of the nation's farmers. Moreover, farm income appears headed to an all-time high this year. Yet large subsidies go to household names in Hollywood, the media, and the sports world--people not exactly known for poverty or dedication to the land. Healthy sums also go to many lawmakers who are eager to cast a vote for the extra billions.
The farm legislation Congress is so speedily considering is not actually required until next year, when the package of agricultural programs is due for reauthorization. But supporters of the legislation mapped out a strategy well before September 11. This was to be the first major reauthorization bill out of the blocks in order to take political advantage of the then-bulging surplus.
After the terrorist attacks, one might have thought that the farm lobby--whose members could hardly be thought of as victims of the assault--would be willing to curb its appetite and allow more pressing needs to take precedence in the line to eradicate the budget surplus. Instead, the bipartisan backers of the bill, together with the congressional leadership, seem determined to force the bill through Congress as quickly as possible while the money is still there. As Senate Budget Committee Chairman Kent Conrad (D-ND) explained with refreshing honesty, "The money is in the budget now. If we do not use the money...it is very likely not going to be available next year."
The President needs to block this unseemly haste to pass a bill that is bad policy and an outrageous giveaway. He needs to demand a careful and measured review of America's farm programs and a final bill that will institute real reform and restrict the handouts to the needy.
The last farm bill, enacted in 1996, included important reforms to change the incentives so that farmers would grow crops in response to market conditions rather than try to maximize their subsidies from the taxpayer. Since then, Congress has eroded many of these reforms. The current bill would erode them further with a 65 percent increase in subsidies from the taxpayer. The aim seems to be to create an industry that is uniquely protected from downside commercial risk while allowing some large landowners to receive huge subsidies--in many cases, for literally doing nothing with their land.
Ranking Senate Agriculture Committee member Richard Lugar (R-IN), with the support of Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman, introduced legislation that would have steered the structure of commodity support programs toward need rather than acreage. Senator Lugar also included a form of insurance that would encourage farmers to make sensible, more market-based decisions to curb their own business risk. But a bipartisan collection of farm belt members sidelined his reform proposal.
Meanwhile, the overwhelming percentage of subsidies continues to go to the largest, and generally more profitable, agribusinesses, not to struggling small farmers. Money also goes to affluent "hobby" farmers who dabble in farming or who profit from shrewd investment advice on securing the taxpayer subsidies. For example, Portland Trailblazers basketball star Scottie Pippen, whose salary will top $18 million this year, has pulled in over $100,000 in subsidies over the past five years for not growing crops on land he owns in Arkansas. Other celebrities who have utilized the subsidies include Sam Donaldson, Ted Turner, and David Rockefeller. Many of the Members of Congress on the farm committees who are voting for the huge increases in subsidies also have significant farm interests and will do very well if the programs are expanded.
The scale of the routine excesses in the proposed farm bill dwarfs even the most questionable demands of New Yorkers, Washingtonians, and Virginians hard hit on September 11. Moreover, there is nothing temporary about the "help" being sought in the misnamed Farm Security Act. If the President is truly determined to speak for all Americans in these difficult times, he must send a message to Congress that is loud and clear: Without real reforms in farm programs and a sharp cutback in costs, this farm bill will never become law.
Stuart M. Butler, Ph.D., is Vice President for Domestic and Economic Policy Studies at The Heritage Foundation.


text:
Baking with Betty
This week's column is dedicated to all the athletes who have worked hard all summer. Enjoy your winter break!
Ravioli Lasagna
2 cups pasta sauce, divided
16 ounce container ricotta cheese
10 ounce package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
2 eggs, beaten
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 cup grated Romano or Parmesan cheese
18 ounce bag frozen cheese ravioli
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Spread 1/2 cup pasta sauce in a 5-inch deep, 8-by-8-inch baking dish. In a bowl, blend ricotta, spinach, eggs, salt, pepper and Romano or Parmesan cheese. Layer one-third of the ravioli in the baking dish; top with half of the ricotta mixture. Repeat layering, ending with remaining pasta sauce over top; sprinkle with mozzarella. Cover with aluminum foil and bake at 375 degrees for 40 minutes. Remove foil and continue baking an additional 10 minutes.
Sugarless Cake
2 eggs, beaten
32 ounce can applesauce
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 1/2 tablespoon liquid calorie-free sweetener
1 teaspoon cloves, ground
1 teaspoon allspice
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup butter, softened
8 ounce box chopped dates
1 cup chopped pecans
Combine all ingredients in order given. Mix well. Spread in a greased and floured Bundt pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.
Sweet Onion and Zucchini Bake
3 cups sweet onion, thinly sliced
3 cups zucchini, thinly sliced
1/4 cup butter
2 eggs, beaten
1/4 cup milk
1 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon dry mustard
1 cup shredded Swiss cheese, divided
Saute onion and zucchini in butter until tender. Arrange in a shallow 1 1/2 quart baking dish. Combine eggs, milk, salt, pepper, mustard and 1/2 cup cheese. Pour egg mixture over vegetables; sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake at 375 degrees for 20 minutes or until center is set.
Almond Grahams
12 whole graham crackers
1/2 cup butter
1 cup brown sugar, packed
1 cup sliced almonds
Place crackers in a greased 15-by-10-inch jelly-roll pan; set aside. Bring butter and brown sugar to a boil in a saucepan; stir constantly for 2 to 3 minutes until sugar melts. Pour over crackers, spreading evenly. Sprinkle with slice almonds. Bake at 400 degrees for 5 minutes; break or cut into pieces. Makes 8 cups.
Our thought for the week: "We are all faced with a series of great opportunities brilliantly disguised as impossible situations." — Charles Swindoll


text:
President Barack Obama has signed legislation that overhauls the U.S. patent system for the first time in nearly 60 years. He said it was a move to help entrepreneurs bring inventions to market faster and create jobs.
"We should be making it easier to turn new ideas into new jobs and into new businesses," Obama said before signing the bill at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Alexandria, Va., on Friday.
After six years of negotiations and lobbying by every industry, Bloomberg Businessweek reports, the House passed the legislation in June and the Senate approved it, 89-9, on Sept. 9.
According to CNN:
Among other things, the measure, dubbed the America Invents Act, will transition the country to a "first-to-file" system, instead of the current "first-to-invent" approach. Issuing patents to the first person or company to file will help provide clarity in the patent-granting process, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office says. It will also prevent inventors from coming out of the woodwork to challenge pending patents.
The first-to-file system is the predominant method used by the vast majority of industrialized countries throughout the world.
The reforms will also permit the patent office, which is self-funded, to set and keep its own fees. Currently, the patent office is required to send all patent-filing fees to Congress, which awards the office a budgeted amount each year, regardless of how many patent applications come in.
This has slowed down the number of applications the patent office can review each year, leading to a 700,000-patent backlog and a three-year waiting period for the average patent to receive final approval, CNN reports.
With more money on the table, the office plans to hire as many as 2,000 more patent examiners in the coming fiscal year, Bloomberg Businessweek reports.
"Pace is really critical here," Ellen Kullman, DuPont CEO and a member of the President's Council on Jobs and Competitiveness, told Bloomberg Businessweek. "If you can get the pace of the patents going, you can accelerate the pilot launch; you can accelerate the production."
"I don't think this means a lot of jobs next year, but it may mean a meaningful number of jobs over the next decade or two," Mark Zandi, an economist who has advised the White House, told the Los Angeles Times.


text:
wrestling / News
Various News: Three Names Removed From NXT Roster, David Otunga Goes On Hostess Run
– TMZ reports that David Otunga went on a Hostess run after hearing that Hostess is closing.
Otunga (who is married to Weight Watchers spokeswoman Jennifer Hudson) said he was upset by the news that Hostess was going out of business, so he went to an outlet to stock up on snake cakes. The entire story was empty, so he went to a local supermarket instead. His shopping cart appears to be filled with mostly Coffee Cakes, and contains about 80,000 calories.
Otunga said: "I don't want my son to go without Twinkies."
– Chase Donovan, Lincoln Broderick and Nick Rogers were removed from the NXT roster page, so it's very likely t hat they have been released from their development contracts. (Credit: PWInsider)
– The NXT house show at the Osceola Heritage Park in Kissimmee, Florida has been moved to January 9, 2013. It was originally scheduled for December 7. (Credit: PWInsider)
More must-read wrestling news:
* Steve Austin comments on potential WWE return
* Booker T talks about separating Chris Benoit's accomplishments from his death
* HHH hoping to lure Sting away from TNA
* 411 PPV Roundtable Preview – WWE Survivor Series 2012
* 411's WWE Smackdown report


text:
Need sunroof troubleshooting help!
Well decided to re-do my headliner as well as fixing my sunroof motor or whatever is wrong with it. I just got my headliner off and now I'm messing with the sunroof motor. I tested to see if I was getting current from my motor inlet and I'm getting it but not every time that I threw the switch. I notice that the sunroof only really works when it's very hot inside my Jeep but the solders on the board that has the wires that go into it from the sunroof motor look okay. Sorry, don't know the technical name for it... I don't have a way to separately check the motor, so what should I do next? Oh and on a side note, how do you get the sunroof cover off, gotta re-do the material on that too...
best write-up I found: http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f13/h...unroof-317929/ Think it's my motor, but how do I get the sunroof cover off?
Apply battery voltage directly to the motor. If it turns, it's good of course.
If intermittent, then could be bad solder joint(s) inside the black box (controller). Sometimes they are difficult to spot and it takes a trained eye. I used to do MILSPEC soldering, so I use a 10x lens. That makes it easy to see defects.
no idea how to get the cover off
PM me if you want to send the controller to me to look over. FREE :rofl:
Just pay ship to and fro.
Polarity doesn't matter on that motor. It should run either way. Sounds like you found the culprit.
Okay so I believe it's the electrical part of my motor and not anything to do with wear and tear on the mechanical parts. I only found a 99 grand cherokee sunroof motor at the jy and it all looked identical to my 98 except the extra plug on the end of the motor with the gear showing. Could I just take the end with the plug and put it on my motor? Trying to find the cheapest way of doing this since you don't see a lot of Zj's with sunroofs.... Is there also anyway of repairing my motor rather than junking it?
Never heard of one of these motors failing. They really don't get much use.
I think the last owner did work on this Jeep, when I got it the radio, a few dash lights rear windshield motor and all four speakers were not working, shortly after the two driver side door actuators stopped working and the sunroof motor worked on and off. My guess is he did some welding on it without disconnecting the battery? Anyways I'll look around for someone who can rebuild it, and checkout another junkyard since they are pretty cheap at the jy. Thanks for the input, much appreciated.
The cover can come off from above. Open the sunroof all the way and close the sliding cover(forward).
From above, you will see four clips on the sliding cover, two on each side. Using a small screwdriver, pop each clip in and lift up.
The material will peel off. The handle pops off, but it will be fragile.
The edge around the opening just pulls off. I peeled the material off, sanded it as smooth as possible, and painted it a matching color.
You need to redo it to match or it will look like crap. And the sunshade is very easy.
If you want to get really industrious, I have a thread on this forum on how to re-upholster your sun visors..
Hey Football, LOL Can I get a pic of where the motor is located? I'm having same issue but don't want to remove my HL. Thought maybe I could cut out a section to work on motor. So if I use a heat gun on it I might be able to get it to run? It's stuck open in the first positon where it kinda resembles a fish fin. LOL
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Riyad El Mezouar4 Self rated
derb el Hammam - Issebtinne, Marrakech, 40000
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About the hotel
Located in the medina of Marrakech, Riyad el Mezouar is an emblematic riyad, a luxurious hideaway, constructed in a historic mansion. It is an intimate address, with the feel of an elegant private aristocratic house, in an authentic atmosphere and style, unostentatious and highly refined, reminiscent of the universe of the ancient Moroccan palaces. Its interior courtyard is a peaceful garden retreat.
All the feel of a thoroughly charming traditional home… Riyad El Mezouar was built in the XVIIth and XVIIIth centuries. Its name originates from the official function of the "Mezouar", the head of the Alaoui royal family to whom the Riyad belonged. The hotel opened in 1999 after a complete renovation.
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text:
Channel 4's first product placement deal is with high street chain New Look, for a new show in youth strand T4.
New Look clothes will feature extensively during a series of catwalk competitions on the live entertainment show. The show is being partly funded by New Look, which will also have sponsorship branding in the title sequences.
The programme, which will launch in the summer, will involve a nationwide hunt for fashion-savvy girls, who will then compete to put together catwalk shows. The winner will get a job at New Look.
The government relaxed rules on product placement in TV shows last month, but broadcasters have been tentative in tapping in to the market – some believe it could be worth £100m a year – with the only confirmed deal to date Nescafé planting a coffee machine in ITV's This Morning.
New Look's T4 show is being made by independent producer Twofour, with involvement from the brand's ad agency Mother. The New Look group chief marketing officer, Nick Cross, said that show was a "natural next step" and a "celebration of 'real–time' fashion as it's lived on the high street".
The Channel 4 head of sponsorship, David Charlesworth, said that product placement is "integral to squaring the circle of measurable value within the funded content arena".
Agency Monterosa co-own the new format and are developing a live game that will run in conjunction with the TV show when it launches.
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Robert Hall (
Chapter 4 in Government Policies and the Delayed Economic Recovery, 2012 from Hoover Institution, Stanford University
Date: 2012
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text:
HashiriyaMeterWidget 2 FREE
by: Siruba • 355
All Android applications categories
by: Siruba • 355
*Machine translation is used.
It suddenly became a cancellation of the public version of the popular pay per, let me publish the free version at all!
Please expect no future, so we plan to add additional functionality! !
A design also improves and the visibility of a text numerical value also improves.
And parenthesis merit rose by leaps and bounds.
On an information screen, a present battery situation, the charge method, etc. can be indicated by a bar, and the past residual quantity record etc. can be seen in a simple graphical representation.
- Widget
- Battery residual quantity
- Battery temperature
- Battery voltage
- Internal memory
- Wi-Fi switch(4/15 added)
- Bluetooth switch(4/21 added)
- Beightness switch(5/1 added)
- Widget size
- 1x1
- 2x2(BETA)
- The lighting conditions of the warning lamp of various meter.
- Switch on the light with 20% or less of battery residual quantity.
- Battery temperature is 15 degrees or less and 45 degrees or more, and lights up.
- Below the battery voltage 3.75v switches on the light above 4.20v.
This figure is not carried out now [ Onza ] for the numerical value which the terminal maker etc. have advocated.
- Memory usage lights up at not less than 80%.
- Color change
- Indicator(16,777,216 colors)
- Language
- Japanese
- English(Machine translation is used)
- directions for use (please be sure to read!) -- this application -- a widget -- since it is an application, it can be used by arrangement of each widget after installation.
The arrangement method can be arranged, if a long shank tap is carried out at the place where the widget of the home screen is not arranged, a menu is opened and I have a widget chosen.
In part, at a terminal, although the directions by the side of an application can be disregarded and it can install in SD card, this application can operate only installation to a terminal.
Those who are not displayed need to confirm an installation place.
- Checking of operations
- Android terminal
Xperia X10 OS2.1
Xperia arc OS2.3
Galaxy S2 OS2.3
Tags: hashiriya meter pro , hashiriya meter widget 2 pro , 三連メーターウィジェットpro , 気温表示三連メ-タのアプリ
from 355 reviews
by Brian Matthews
Oct 18, 2017 | "Great"
I like the widgets except for the temperature being in Celcius.
Download HashiriyaMeterWidget 2 FREE
Free - 2.3.8 - 1M
Share this app


text:
EUROLINE Stainless Damascus Collection - Kramer by ZWILLING J.A. Henckels 7-pc Knife Block Set
Item # 34952-003
Bob Kramer EUROLINE Stainless Damascus by ZWILLING J.A Henckels unites premium knife craftsmanship with sleek elegant designs. The exquisite Chevron Damascus blade is complemented by a stunning black-brown linen Micarta handle with the signature Bob Kramer mosaic pin.Consist of:
  � 3.5-inch Paring Knife
  � 5-inch Utility Knife
  � 8-inch Chef's Knife
  � 9-inch Slicing Knife
  � 9-inch Bread Knife
  � 12-inch Sharpening Steel
  � Bob Kramer Traditional Block
Features & Benefits
  � Made in Seki, Japan
  � Designed to Bob Kramer�s exacting specifications
  � SG2 super-steel core results in extreme sharpness and long lasting durability
  � 101-layer Damascus
  � Ice-hardened to 63 Rockwell
  � Water resistant linen micarta handle
  � Full tang tapered to Bob Kramer�s precise specifications
  � Triple riveted handle provides exceptional strength and control
  � Decorative mosiac pin
  � Traditional 3-step hand finishing on each edge
  � 15� angle on each side for scalpel-like sharpness
  � Ergonomic design


text:
How the Hatters respond to their record 27 league game unbeaten ending on Monday night is vital to their Skrill Premier title charge according to Town's players and management, writes Mark Wood and Mike Simmonds.
Luton's incredible sequence was ended by an impressive Woking side who triumphed 1-0 at Kenilworth Road as Town were beaten for the first time since September 13.
Recalled midfielder Matt Robinson said: "I think it's important how we bounce back, that's how you'll learn the true character of a winning team.
"If we slack off it and the same thing happens again there would be questions, but I don't think that's in our make up to do that."
Midfielder Andy Parry was of the same view too as he said: "Saturday is massive, as hopefully this was a little blip.
"We've got to bounce back, we had that before when we got beaten by Wrexham."
Town have gone from scoring 20 goals in their last four games to only one in three, picking up just two points from a possible nine, but boss John Still wasn't about to start panicking though.
For the full story, see the Luton News/Dunstable Gazette on sale now, while for all the latest Luton Town FC news, reports, stats, player profiles, live match updates, MOM poll, prediction table and a complete fixture list, visit our Hatters Microsite.


text:
From the best-selling author of the famous Mrs. Pollifax series comes another delightfully eccentric and sage female sleuth - the exotic Madame Karitska. Although she is a genuine countess, Marina Elena Provovnitchek Gaylord Von Domm Karitska is foremost a psychic. When one of her clients turns up dead, Madame Karitska makes the acquaintance of Detective-Lieutenant Pruden, and an uncanny partnership is born. Madame Karitska forms images with the psychic vibrations she picks up from personal objects. Her shocking visions are at odds with outward appearances and Detective Pruden finds it difficult to believe in them. But as Madame Karitska uses her amazing powers to help him solve case after dangerous case, even the skeptic becomes convinced. With The Clairvoyant Countess, Dorothy Gilman has used her own amazing powers to create a character who is both awe-inspiring and lovable. Ruth Ann Phimister's keen sense of timing and characterization let you too believe in the wonder that is Madame Karitska.
©1975 Dorothy Gilman Butters (P)1999 Recorded Books
"Very very Cozy"
First off: WHY exactly is there no "Cozy" subcategory for mysteries in Audible???? Makes me very cranky. I do go outside the genre but there are times that only an actual cozy will do. Have written Audible to suggest they correct this oversight but so far no go. Perhaps others could do the same (hint hint)?
Now, to the book: charming and light, not a real mystery but more like a string of stories with many of the same characters and a bit of an overall arc. Not brilliant or evocative or fabulous writing, but totally the mystery version of comfort food, sweet and soothing, without being too hard to digest. Exactly what you'd expect from Dorothy Gilman, bless her soul.
"Sorry the sequel's not available"
This one had been sitting on my Audible purchased shelf for a while so thought I'd tackle it. Interesting protagonist, and well-crafted stories, and one that might be better heard than read as the narrator does a good job with the voice of Madame Karitsa. Since the sequel isn't available as an audiobook, I've ordered a print copy. Written in the 60's, so folks call from pay phones with urgent messages, as well as mention of a guest bring a "portable television set" to a party for a special viewing (Madame doesn't own one herself).
"enjoyed this book!"
The main character Mme Karitska is a bit unusual, but very likeable. I enjoyed her method of approaching a problem and the humanness she exhibited in helping others resolve their problems.
Would like to see more books about Mme Karitska.
"Good, but not as good as Mrs. Polifax"
I didn't enjoy this as much as Dorothy Gilman's Mrs Polifax novels, but it was good enough that I'm sure I will read others.
"Lots of twists and turns, insights into resilience"
Depth and courage of characters and how usually they sit next to us, if looking!
"Exactly what one would expect from Ms Gilman"
Average with a plus: it is a good listen, pacing is steady, the story line is dynamic and the characters are endearing.
"I love Dorothy Gilman's writing style!"
I have read all of her books now. Nice, simple - yet deep meanings on many levels.
"what a great author!"
Love a Dorothy Gilman book and this one does not disappoint! entertaining, interesting. a good listen!
This book did not grab me. I'm 15 minutes until the end and I still am dissatisfied. This reader doesn't have the range to do both men and women, in my opinion. it's my second listen after the Mrs. Polifax series which I LOVED. Thales Folly and A Nun in the Closet both equally as entertaining with great characters. I am not enamored with any of the characters of this book, at all. The story is all over the place and I'm still not sure what's going on. My opinion is give this one a pass.
"Good stories, poor recording?"
Fun stories, but unless one listens for periods of time, it is difficult to realize these stories are linked.
I prefer the continuity of Mrs. Polifax stories
The reader was good. She has a rich voice and is good with accents and pacing
I believe the problem might have been technical. The recording was not smooth. I had to rewind to get segments to make sense.
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text:
We had the pleasure of printmaker Chloe Cheese's company last week - she was staying with us whilst working on a print for our St. Jude's In The City exhibition in Edinburgh in July.
The week before we'd received of Chloe's mother Sheila Robinson's illustrated book of the Brothers Grimm's fairy tale, The Twelve Dancing Princesses.
This was never published in her lifetime but The Centre for Children's Book Studies at Anglia Ruskin University have worked with the Fry Art Gallery in Saffron Walden (who hold the original artwork in their archives) to publish the book for the first time, instigated by Professor Martin Salisbury with additional design and retouching by Brian Webb of Webb & Webb Design.
The illustrations - with skilfully varied weight of line and texture - are just beautiful. Where she has applied colour it is in a simple printmakerly way and the delicate script text and drawings are combined to fit a landscape format. The dust jacket is lined with spreads from her original sketchbooks. It's a beautiful piece of print.
Printmaker Chloe Cheese says of the book…
"The beautiful pen and ink drawings and delicate text of this book fascinated me when I was a child and drew me into the enchanted world of the fairy tale.
Although she hoped for publication at the time, she was still a young woman and I think other things, such as working on The Festival of Britain, marrying and having children, took over her life so that this book was put to one side.
The princesses in the boats rowing across the lake in particular is an image that fired my imagination and inspired me to emulate my mother to become an illustrator myself. Looking at this illustration now I admire the lightness of touch and the use of light and shade. The picture still takes me to the edge of the lake and into the story."
Copies can be ordered direct from Anglia Ruskin University. You might also like to visit the Fry Art Gallery website to see more of Sheila Robinson's work.


text:
Madieu Williams was born in Sierra Leone, a war ravaged nation which endured 10 years of civil war. Their infrastructure was destroyed, and more than half of its citizens live on about one dollar per day. Blessed by opportunity, Williams is a star football player now, number twenty on the Minnesota Vikings, but never far from his roots.
Williams went back to visit a school he built, in a poor community in Sierra Leone where he handed out basic school supplies because most classes often don't have books. In this small country, most students never finish grade school, sometimes never make it past the age of five .
"I see a lot of myself in these children, and give them an opportunity, and the sky is the limit," says Williams. On his trip, he brought volunteers from a group called Healing Hands, and a friend and fellow football player, D'Qwell Jackson. "At the end of the day, I have a lot of interests outside football," he continues.
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Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
WIlliams left Sierra Leone for the United States when he was nine. He says his family, especially his mother, who was a nurse and whom he lost at just 45, taught him compassion. He named his school for her. "To keep her memory alive, I know that's something she would have wanted," says Williams. He further honored her by giving two million dollars to the University of Maryland, his alma mater. "The Madieu Williams Center for Global Health honors my mother's wishes to make a lasting change," he continues.
Inspired by Williams, and moved by the suffering, friend and Cleveland Browns Linebacker D'Qwell Jackson makes a promise to a little girl, "I'm going to make it my personal business when I get back to make sure that girl has an education, and that's my word," he says. This is essentially the same promise Madieu Williams has made to the children of Sierra Leone.


text:
|2,880 sq. ft.
|Property type
|Minimum Stay
|2 - 3 nights
Listen to the sound of breaking waves as you lose yourself in the most amazing views sparkling water, passing yachts and verdant green islands from the terrace of this stunning 3 bedroom townhouse. Laze by the lovely 40 metre infinity-edge swimming pool or frolic in the warm Andaman Sea by day, then sip champagne as you watch some of the most spectacular sunsets in Asia before walking down the beach to one of the two great beach restaurants (open in high season) where you can enjoy good Thai or western food at bargain prices. Located in the lovely Ao Yon area, adjacent to the ultra exclusive Cape Panwa headland, you are spoilt for choice when it comes to beaches and tranquility yet just minutes away from the vibrant bars and fantastic local and international restaurants. Some of Asia's finest golf courses are only 30 minutes away whilst the islands of Koh Phi Phi, Koh Lon and Koh Racha are just a short boat ride away. Ideal for families or couples seeking that perfect getaway.
Our Waterside townhouse is located on the beautiful Ao Yon beach, One of the most peaceful and exclusive areas of Phuket where you will find a series of soft, sandy beaches and calm, safe water. Away from the hustle and bustle of the west coast yet offering vibrant day and night time activities, especially swimming, diving, sailing, windsurfing, fishing and boat trips to neighbouring islands. The local restaurants offer mouthwatering seafood dishes as well as Thai and western food, whilst just 10 minutes away in Phuket Town are fantastic world class restaurants and bars to suit every taste and mood. Baba, the ultra chic bistro and bar in the exclusive Sri Panwa estate is just 10 minutes away, and Rawai, with it's eclectic mix of local and western food and bars is 20 minutes away by car. There really is something for eveyone.
Other Activities: Big game fishing
The house was better than we imagined it would be and Marc was really helpful during the booking process. Noi,who manages the house locally and her team were brilliant in looking after us and very attentive during our stay, helping us out with cars etc. On that note driving was easy as long as you slowed down and took it easy amongst the swarms of scooters.
The house is airy, spacious well equipped and overlooks the bay with its ever changing vista as boats come and go. The pool is fantastic and many times we were the only ones there. (this might be something to do with mad dogs and englishman....)
We ate at the first beach bar you come to as you walk down the beach on our first night and returned there many times during our stay as it provided good simple Thai food. We travelled round the island and ate in a mixture of restaurants and never had a bad meal. Restaurants in the large resort towns are catering for their tourist audience so were not as good as others we found.
I would recommend the Sunday night market in the centre of Phuket Town (there is one on the outskirts too) for street food and trinkets. It was Chinese New Year whilst we were there so it was very lively.
I would highly recommend staying at Waterside as it is a fantastic base away from the crowds but they are not too far away if you want them.
The condition of the house is exceptional. Spacious. Beautifully designed and decorated. Fully equipped with all things you need to live in a home. The staff is very helpful in a lot of ways and willing to help out as requested. The area is safe and peaceful, which sometimes can be very hard to find in Phuket these days. The pool is awesome. The view is SPECTACULAR. No doubt we did have a great time.
However, for benefits of future travelers I need to make the following feedback:
- I don't personally like the method of payment, which is a wire transfer. Besides the fact that it will cost you quite a bit, esp. if you do international transactions, I get nervous when I don't promptly hear from the receiver of the money. I probably ended up paying $150 in total for bank fees.
- The beach directly in front is not really swim-able because it's full of rocks and hard corals. Bring your beach trekking shoes.
- The villa is situated on the 3rd floor of a 5-story villa complex. To get to the pool or the beach, you will have to take about 30 steps downstairs. To get to the parking lot, it's 20 steps upstairs. If you have elderly people with you, make sure you are aware of this fact.
This villa meets and exceeds our expectations in many ways. So, thank you!
We would "second" what has already been said in other reviews... The owner and his local property manager were incredibly helpful in setting up everything we needed - in our case: nanny, chef, groceries, transport, masseuses, and 2 baby cribs + high chairs - all with top quality and reasonable prices. And the apartment, the pool, the beach, the views, and the daytrips/activities were absolutely delightful. Made it easy to relax and enjoy, even with 2 babies, and it was soooo hard to leave! We hope to go back again soon.
We spent a wonderful 10 days at waterside, the duplex apartment was wonderful and spacious and a great place to spend christmas with plenty of space for all the family. The pool was fantastic for swimming lengths, and the apartment is very well equipped to accommodate a new born baby. The manager noi was extremely helpful and organized a cook for three nights who cooked up delicious food.
If you want a peaceful, deeply renewing holiday, this is your spot. The apartment has stunning ocean views from every room, is very well equipped, and extremely spacious. The décor is a very tasteful country Asian style, and there's a feeling of lightness and comfort in each room. We were there during the peak Christmas holiday season, and even then the pool area was often completely empty. At low tide the beach is long enough for a 2-mile round trip walk or run, and there are some charming restaurants at one end if you want to pause for a drink or a meal. Best of all, the owner's apartment manager, Noi, is a huge asset; she will arrange for inexpensive Thai massages in the apartment, coordinate meals, book reservations, and help in every way imaginable. The owner also has a car and driver that you can use, which I highly recommend; cost us about 25% less than renting a Hertz car with none of the hassle of finding our way around in a new area. We enjoyed being away from the intense tourist crowd on the west side of the island, although it was only a 30-min drive to get there for dinner on a couple of evenings. Marc Singleton, the owner, is also extremely helpful, and this place is every bit as lovely and peaceful as the photos on the website.
We have just returned from a wonderful two week holiday spent at B4, Waterside. The accommodation was perfect for three couples. It rained more than usual during our stay, so we had to stay in quite a bit, but the apartment was large enough for us not to be in each other's hair! We even managed Yoga lessons, three times a week, on the terrace.
Waterside is a non-pretentious modern property with breath-taking views. It is well maintained and decorated, with all the amenities one would need away from home. We also enjoyed the fact that the area around it is still not over-developed and retains its authentic island-life like quality.
The owner, Marc, was extremely helpful and and responded immediately and positively to any queries we raised. We cannot praise enough the staff responsible for looking after us - especially Khun Noi - who was there 24/7 to ensure that all our needs and requirements be taken care of. She is a wonderful cook and organized a couple of wonderful meals for us.
B4 Waterside is definitely to be recommended to anyone wanting a perfect holiday in Phuket. A car is definitely necessary.
|Rental Period
|Minimum Price
|Additional Nights
|Weekend Night
|Event Price
High Season
1 Nov 2017 - 17 Dec 2017
3 night minimum stay
for 3 nights
Peak Season
18 Dec 2017 - 2 Jan 2018
3 night minimum stay
for 3 nights
High Season
3 Jan 2018 - 29 Apr 2018
3 night minimum stay
for 3 nights
Shoulder Season
30 Apr 2018 - 31 May 2018
3 night minimum stay
for 3 nights
Summer Season
1 Jun 2018 - 2 Nov 2018
3 night minimum stay
for 3 nights
My Standard Rate
2 night minimum stay
for 2 nights
|Cleaning fee
|Refundable Damage Deposit
Discounts: (only one to apply)
Early bird discount: 10% if booking confirmed more than 270 days prior to arrival.
Long-stay discount: 7.5% for bookings of 21 days or more.
A refundable US$500 security deposit is required in cash on arrival and will be returned upon departure after checking the property.
Airport transfers in our 15 seat minibus are Baht 1,500 each way.
We require a booking deposit of 25% to secure your reservation, the balance to be paid no later than 6 weeks prior to holiday commencement day. Cancellations more than 6 weeks before commencement date will have 85% of monies received refunded, between 6 weeks and 4 weeks 50%. Less than 4 weeks no refund will be given. In addition, we require a refundable $500 security deposit which will be returned (nett of transfer fees) 1 week after departure (subject to no damages). Payments are by wire transfer.
A security deposit of US$500 must be paid together with the final balance. This will be refunded in full in the event of cancellation, and one week after the end of your stay, assuming no damages.


text:
It's that time of year again. Time to plan and book a spring or summer vacation. Paris is always a popular destination, and for good reason. The weather is great in May and June, and there's lots to do.
If you don't know where to start, I found this helpful guide for how to plan your trip to Paris.
As for me, I've already been to the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and Versailles, so I'm more inclined to do something off the beaten path. The French Bakery Tour and Macaron making class look really cool.


text:
The news is not good for desktop PC or Mac. Both face a more rapid encroachment by these microcomputers than expected.
It is pretty simple really. For the past 20 years, it has all been about Moore's law (typically, where computing power doubles every 18 months for the same cost). More power, more memory, bigger screens, faster, cheaper, better and bigger and more complex programs, drove the uptake of PCs. Yet, Windows XP running on ageing Pentiums, not dual or quad Core processors, still accounts for nearly 40% of the PCs in use today.
More recently, consumers began to see that an iPad or an Android tablet made a good content consumption device and, if you do not care about Microsoft Office file/format compatibility and add a Bluetooth keyboard, they can make a good creation device too.
Where the home market first bought PCs, then notebooks, it is now cheaper tablets for all. Both Windows and Mac OSX have lost the home front.
In the corporate arena, they remain the staple of corporate users but tablets and hybrids - particularly Windows full featured ones - are encroaching at a rapid pace.
IDC say that tablets are set to overtake desktop PC/Mac sales by mid-2014. That will change the world forever, presaging an always connected, mobile computing environment.
Tablet shipments in 2013 are expected to reach 227.4 million – 57.7% up on 2012. Such growth is to be expected as the iPad had little competition until this year. Samsung has built on Apple's creation of this niche market.
PC shipments are expected to be 315.4 million units, recently drastically cut from 438.5 million. What is worse for PC's is that there is no predicted growth over the next few years, and more likely a decline.
And that is ok. Not everyone needs a Rolls Royce to do the shopping, or uses a sledgehammer to crack a nut.
It is clear that both Apple. via its Mac OSX, and Microsoft Windows/Office, have to evolve or face irrelevance as operating systems. To be clear, both have mobility options - e.g. iOS and Windows Phone/RT - so we will not see these behemoths disappear.
I am more concerned at the hardware makers and retailers who relied on higher priced, higher profit, PC products. Dell, HP, Acer, Lenovo, and more need to adopt dual strategies for mobility as well as bigger screen desktop experiences. These need to include more dock-able devices because users will just want one environment regardless of screen size.
IDC also predict that wearable devices will take about 2% of the tablet market this year and really take off next year. Smart phones may become pocket computers with a host of device-agnostic Bluetooth connected devices like glasses, earrings, bracelets, lanyards, wristbands, and more, bringing computing to the user.
This strategy reflects the increasing popularity of programs like Parallels – see iTWire's Alex- Zaharov-Reutt article on 'running' Windows on a Mac - and soon an iPad or Android, I suspect. Virtualisation software will overcome all barriers for device interoperability. It also reflects an increasing tsunami towards cloud storage and virtual computing – a completely new playing field that Microsoft, Apple, Google and Amazon will do battle over.
To finish with a quote from IDC
IDC repeated its previous criticism of Microsoft's Windows 8 usability - and the parallel rise of tablets - for driving some of the changes. "The days where one can assume tablet disruptions are purely a First World problem are over," said Jay Chou, senior research analyst at IDC. "Advances in PC hardware, such as improvements in the power efficiency of [Intel Haswell] x86 processors remain encouraging, and Windows 8.1 is also expected to address a number of well-documented concerns. However, the current PC usage experience falls short of meeting changing usage patterns that are spreading through all regions, especially as tablet price and performance become ever more attractive."


text: Chaddaï Fouché a écrit : > 2008/9/16 Mauricio <briqueabraque at yahoo.com>: >> Hi, >> >> I would like to write a Haskell pretty-printer, >> using standard libraries for that. How can I >> check if the original and the pretty-printed >> versions are the same? For instance, is there >> a file generated by GHC at the compilation >> pipe that is always guaranteed to have the >> same MD5 hash when it comes from equivalent >> source? > > There is not, though I have a suggestion : > Am I correct in assuming that you mean "equivalent source" in the > sense that only the formatting (and eventually {;} as a layout format > consequence) differs ? Exactly! And with comments removed, since the last time I checked Language.Haskell.* used not to preserve that. > > Then the sequence of tokens from the source ought to do the trick as > long as you delete location information (map unLoc) and transform > ITvocurly ("virtual" braces for layout induced blocks) into ITocurly > (real braces for no-layout blocks) (and same for ITvccurly) (it's just > another map). If only the formatting differs, those two should be > identical. Good idea. I think that's all that I need. I can write a hash function that filters and transforms like that. Thanks, Maurício


text:
RepairPal is your advocate for car care advice and guidance
Q: i have a 1990 mercury cougar its having a weird issue on 1990 Mercury Cougar
i have a 1990 mercury cougar 3.8 v6 its having a weird issue its like it surges when driving at higher speeds you feel a small push pull feeling, also going up hill its like i loose throttle at about 20mph then i feather the gas for a second and it comes back and this repeats at about 40mph or when i i need to pass or speed up in general i took it into my ford dealership they plugged it in told me it was the egr valve the dpfe senor and the tpi sensor wich all have been replaced still having the same issue took it back in he told me it was my altenator and fuel relay switch both replaced brand new as well still having the same issue most of my family is all mechanics and there completely stumped and this didnt come on slowly i noticed it last week on the way back from work o ive also replaced spark plugs properly gapped fuel filters hell replaced the suspension air filter oil change the works and im still confused
| |
have you ck'd fuel pressure under load?
no how would i go about doing that pressure gauge on what ? and i just replaced the fuel pump this morning took it back up the hill still having the same issue even on flat ground 20mph when then again if i get on it or 55 ish it still does this weird push pull
Have you looked to see if there is any slack in the throttle cable? Maybe throttle stuck a little open, check it at idle and see how much it's open then check with engine off to see for slack, moe
Didn't find what you were looking for?


text:
CRANS-MONTANA, Switzerland (Mar. 26, 2017) — U.S. junior freeskiers earned a pair of silver medals in halfpipe on Sunday at the FIS Junior World Championships. Svea Irving (Winter Park, CO) was second for the ladies and Sammy Schuiling (Steamboat Springs, CO) took second for the men.
It was a huge result for Schuiling, marking his first major podium appearance after multiple top-10 finishes on the Toyota U.S. Revolution Tour this season. Rafael Kreienbuhl of Switzerland won the event and Robin Briguet, also from Switzerland, was third.
It was the third podium finish this season for Irving, who is following in the footsteps of older brother Birk, a member of the U.S. Freeskiing halfpipe team. Estonia's Kelly Sildaru won the event and Valeria Demidova of Russia was third.
Jaxin Hoerter (Breckenridge, CO) finished just off the podium in fourth; Cassidy Jarrell (Aspen, CO) was fifth; Brynn Wedlake (Avon, CO) was sixth; Nikita Ruboki (Boise, ID) was seventh; Dylan Ladd (Lakewood, CO) was seventh; Hanna Blackwell (Hailey, ID) was eighth.
The halfpipe contest was the first of three for the freeski juniors—slopestyle and skicross will be contested in Valmalenco, Italy April 6-7.
RESULTSMen's halfpipeWomen's halfpipe


text:
The Raleigh Hotel
1775 Collins Avenue
- Baby Ready
- Toddler Fun
- School Age Action
- Cool for Teens
It can be hard to find a great family hotel in Miami, but The Raleigh rises to the challenge. It's an intimate place that allows both stress-free time for parents and a safe and secure environment for the kids. Its South Beach location, on a private stretch of shoreline, affords beautiful views of the ocean and the city of Miami. Service is exceptional and personal – the staff remembers repeat guests and their preferences. A helpful concierge can suggest fun activities for the whole family.
Our Reviewer's Favorite Features
- Baby Ready: Crib and highchair available
- Toddler Fun: Open, safe areas for running around
- School Age Action: Near age-appropriate sights and activities
- Cool For Teens: Near age-appropriate sights and activities
- Family-friendly public areas
- Variety of room options for families
- Fantastic atmosphere and views
- Well-appointed accommodations
- Value-oriented pricing
- Intimate and personalized hotel and service
Families Should Know
- Variety of room types and views
- No spa facility, but in-room and cabana treatments available
- No kids' pool, but main pool has shallow area for kids
- Main swimming pool is heated in winter months and unfenced
- Private beach area is good for kids
- Babysitting starts at $US 15+ per hour
- WIFI is free
Sports + Activities
- beach
- swimming
- boating/water sports
- fishing
- swimming with dolphins
Local Excursions
- South Beach
- Jungle Island
- Everglades National Park
- Miami Kids Museum
- Miami Seaquarium
- Alligator Farm
- rooms and suites
- air-conditioning
- TV/DVD player/stereo
- hair dryer/safe
- private balcony or terrace for some units
- mini-fridge upon request
- WIFI in rooms and public areas
- 24-hour room service
- swimming pool
- private beach area and service
- restaurant and bar
- concierge
- babysitting on request
- private parking
- disabled access
- housekeeping
Guest Rooms
|# of people
|Starting at
- D - daily pricing
- W - weekly pricing
- T - tax included
- B - breakfast included
- I - all-inclusive
Preferred Room
Guest Room Highlights
- Well-appointed
- Good configuration for sleeping
- Comfortable beds
- Beautiful view
- Convenient location on property
- Safe for babies/toddlers
Booking Conditions
- Deposit required
- Cancellation: <72 hours, 1 night forfeit
- Crib and highchair: free
- Extra person fees: <15 free, >15 $US 50 per person per day
- WIFI: free
- Babysitting: $US 18+ per hour
- Parking: fee-based
- Check-in is 2p and check-out is Noon


text:
Last month, I reported on the national availability of at-home DNA Paternity tests at Rite Aid pharmacies. Well, looks like the affordable kit has already been changing lives.
Take Suliemon Clemens of Philadelphia, for example. Two weeks ago, Clemens wanted his twins to know that he was their father. He hadn't seen them in 14 years: "I remembered these twins when they were toddlers, and I was amazed at how they had grown up," said Clemens. "I told their mom, I just believe the children need to know the truth." As a result, Clemens marched on in to his local Rite Aid, and the lab results proved with 99.99 percent certainty that he was the biological father. "I have plans for them to meet my wife, mother, father, and my son in New Jersey. Identigene, please do not stop helping people in similar situations who may be able to build bridges within their family."
In another case, David Cabrera of Carson, California discovered that he was not the father of his alleged son, who's mother he had a fling with while serving in the military. He had received a call from a 23-year-old man who believed Cabrera was likely his father. "He had his own child and was on a quest to find the grandfather of his son for his own peace of mind," said Cabrera. After taking the test, Cabrera felt relieved, "but of course, mad I had been deceived by his mother. I wish the Identigene DNA Paternity Test Kit was available to me years ago, but thanks for finally bringing me closure."
The Identigene DNA Paternity Test Collection Kit is available now for $29.99 at Rite Aid drug stores in over 30 states throughout the U.S.


text:
The Raptors weren't the only team to overlook Danny Granger, who entered last night as the NBA's fourth-leading scorer.
Granger had the world-class athleticism and the necessary length to play on the game's biggest stage, but a troublesome knee raised red flags.
As a result, Granger fell to Indiana at the 17th slot in 2005, one pick after Toronto selected Joey Graham.
Raptors interim head coach Jay Triano helped work out Granger in Toronto when the small forward began to audition for NBA teams in the weeks leading up to the draft.
"He's playing with a lot of confidence,'' Triano said of Granger. "He's doing it all."
Jermaine O'Neal is well aware of Granger's talents.
Granger visited O'Neal at O'Neal's off-season home in Las Vegas and the former Pacers teammates have spoken on the phone a few times this season.
O'Neal attracted quite the media crowd, at least by Indy standards, as the one-time face of the Pacers franchise made his return.
The Pacers team website and a gaggle of print and electronic newshounds descended upon O'Neal.
The Raptors arrived in Indianapolis early Thursday evening and were greeted by bone-chilling temperatures.
When he arrived at Conseco Fieldhouse for yesterday's shootaround, O'Neal said it felt odd walking toward the visitors dressing room for the first time.
"I was looking around not knowing where to go,'' he said. "It was strange."
O'Neal became a household name in the NBA during his days as a Pacer.
"I appreciate everything the franchise has done for me and my family,'' he said. "Indianapolis will always have a special place in my heart."


text:
Bookshop owners don't like to talk about it. Publishers grow reticent when it is raised in conversation. Authors don't want to dwell on it, and many readers probably don't even know it exists. But from the moment you enter a modern bookstore, the mysterious practice of discounting is influencing your shopping experience in countless subtle ways.
Take that attractive display shelf thrusting the Book of the Month into your face: the publisher's reward for knocking another few thousand pounds off the cost to the bookseller of that particular batch. That colourful cardboard unit of holiday titles, "perfect for the beach", three for the price of two? The result of fevered financial negotiations between publisher and retailer. The stacks of Harry Potters placed just within reach of the in-house café tables? Prime real estate, priced accordingly. The geography of the chain retail bookshop, calculated to give the impression of randomness, is replete with hidden commercial meanings.
With more and more titles chasing shelf space in a tiny number of huge, centralised chains, bookshops have never been fiercer in their pursuit of discounts and of "promotional spending" by publishers in return for in-store prominence - ie, discounts again. "They're being much more aggressive - they're playing hardball now," says one publishing executive who, like all the others, prefers not to be named. "Although if I were them I think I'd be playing hardball, too." Not even the most staid crannies of publishing are immune. "The classic case was when Collins decided to buy the whole of WHSmith for back-to-school dictionaries, and Oxford University Press didn't shell out, so they weren't anywhere to be seen," says industry analyst Christopher Gasson. "They decided they would have to agree to whatever Smith's asked for, so the next year both sides ended up with exactly what they used to have in the first place."
The nightmare scenario to which some critics fear this might be leading has already arrived in a different sector. It is Blockbuster: walls of the same romantic comedy, supplied at a heavy discount, and if you're looking for something independently produced, or foreign, you're probably out of luck. The bookshop version goes like this: though more and more titles are published every year - around 116,415 in 2000 compared with 110,155 in 1999 and 104,634 in 1998, according to the Book Sales Yearbook - the majority will grow more and more bland and undifferentiated as they fight to land one of the small number of book-of-the-month slots or similar promotional positions on which sales success will increasingly depend. (Other, more obscure titles will simply grow harder and harder to obtain.) And the chain accused of leading this blandifying frenzy is the one originally lauded for rescuing Britain's reading culture.
Since it was sold in 1998 by WHSmith to HMV (owned by EMI), Waterstone's has been busy destocking, reducing its range of titles and increasing the prominence of a smaller number of big promotional initiatives - its Book of the Month slot, currently occupied by Salley Vickers's Instances of the Number Three, and its three-for-two range. Susan Limb of Waterstone's says the chain is still "committed to being a range bookseller, without any question. Reducing range is not what we're about". But the result is much closer to WHSmith than the chain ever was when Smith's owned it. "They're no longer restrained by trying to define a difference between themselves and WHSmith, and their new owners are culturally inclined towards WH Smith," says the anonymous executive. "And one imagines EMI are teaching them a lot of lessons about how to be aggressive in negotiation."
Booksellers didn't always wield so much power over publishers. In the days before conglomeration and centralisation, it wasn't a philanthropic urge that prompted retailers to buy in a wide range of titles in small quantities: it was the only commercially viable option. But centralised buying is cheaper. New technologies allow sales data to identify which books are likely to be bankers. Better stocking methods allow booksellers to demand vast numbers of titles on sale-or-return (the majority of Waterstone's stock is obtained like this, and almost the entirety of Borders'.) Meanwhile, bookshops face ratcheting pressure from music, video and computer-games outlets, forcing them to compete on price. There is one view of what publishers do, says Gasson - though he doesn't hold it himself - "which is that they basically write cheques to authors and lend books to retailers, and have no power: that agents control what gets published and retailers control what space they get, and publishers are the mugs in the middle who just write the cheques." The result is Blockbuster bookshops.
And yet more books are being published than ever before. Publishers are making profits. Liberal intellectual types who normally condemn the perils of corporatisation find it hard to object to the arrival of a vast, lavishly stocked branch of Borders in their town, open late and serving coffee.
Authors and publishers are fond of pointing out that the book trade is unlike any other kind of retail market. This is an argument usually marshalled in support of smaller retailers against the corporate giants - but it could also explain why the spread of big chains in bookselling may be less of a problem than elsewhere. The chronic, central fact of the business is that public taste remains massively unpredictable. Hyping the "bankers" - carpet-bombing storefronts with the latest Tony Parsons or Stephen King or Danielle Steele, depending on your target demographic - can force some short-term predictability into the system. But what happens when their stars fade? Identifying sure-fire replacements is impossible. The only profitable route is to risk money on a range of young authors.
"People have realised they have to be prepared to lose money," says Gasson. "When you pay a large amount for a first-time novelist, you've got to support them in the trade, or you'll waste your hundred grand and get them no shelf space or publicity." "If we don't choose [to promote] what turn out to be a few failures each year, I get worried we're not taking enough risks," says Nick Prior, marketing director of regional chain Hammicks. Sometimes taking a risk can mean blindly promoting a title the store's buyers liked, crossing one's fingers, and hoping for the best. "The best example in my memory was Terry Pratchett: you'd be selling four or five books a a week and suddenly you'd feel something change."
The other problem with the Blockbusterisation thesis is that stocking a vast range of interestingly obscure titles is a market niche. The knowledge that there is an astronomy section and a literary theory section available for browsing is part of what lures people into Borders, even if they do end up buying Nigella Lawson or Nick Hornby. ("If you're going out in the evening, we want to be your destination," says Borders' UK marketing manager, Matt Taylor. Internet retailers, meanwhile - unable to offer cosy surroundings - compete even more on the basis of choice.)
The phenomenon of the word-of-mouth hit - the Corelli-Longitude Syndrome - is often used to show that chain retailers were hyping the wrong books. But it could just as easily prove that riskier, unhyped, less heavily discounted titles were still being published and stocked in the first place.
Perhaps the most insightful analysis of the likely future in Britain came in a report last year on the US market, conducted for the Authors Guild by American reporter David Kirkpatrick. "The chains have put a price on every aspect of bookselling and charged it to publishers," Kirkpatrick reported. "Big publishers, obliged to pay up, have to divide their lists internally into a few books in which they invest and a lot in which they don't. Midlist books wind up being printed," he wrote - "but not really published."