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I've been there for breakfast just about monthly since they opened, and I love, love, love their bagel sandwiches and breakfast burritos. The portions are large, and they don't skimp on the more expensive parts of the recipe (lox, et cetera).
My only knock on them is that the ordering/service flow isn't logical and sometimes that means a while before your order is taken. But it is never really a "problem."
Overall: big fan.
Both of the shrimp sandwiches here are fantastic, and they make some really fun condiments (sweet potato-garlic kimchi, sweet onion-mustard relish, etc.). I also like their green beans and their macaroni salad with pineapple and green chilies. I haven't been as impressed with their fries or chips so far (too soggy one time, too dry another), but I imagine they'll work out those kinks, soon, if they haven't already. This place is a great option on Johns Island.
This one of the better joints in town. They have a handful of very well prepared and creative gourmet sandwiches. Duck fat fries are pretty hit and miss, unfortunately, but I don't mind rolling the dice on them. Good beer selection as well.
I've been to Bon Banh Mi three times so far. Consistently tasty every time. I prefer the tacos over the sandwich
Just had the Fried Chicken Banh Mi Sandwich for lunch. It was the BEST THING I've eaten this year. $10 for the sandwich + $1 for tax and a cup of water. Pricey, but well worth a visit at least once a month. I didn't like the hummus appetizer.
This is the best bagel in Charleston. Whoever is behind the baking definitely knows what they're doing and consistently cranks out perfect bagels every time. In addition to the bagels, they make all their own flavored cream cheeses in house which have all been delicious. They have a menu of amazing breakfast and lunch sandwiches or you can build your own out of their deli case. I also love that they offer Taylor Ham which I had never tried before a friend recommended it to me and now I cannot turn back. Give it a try griddled with an egg and cheese on a bagel - you will thank me. Also they offer fresh Nova lox which is nearly impossible to find at a bagel shop around here.
They have a full espresso bar as well as delicious Intelligenista house coffee and fresh squeezed orange juice. The only critique I would offer is the size of the dining room is rather tiny. So if you go doing a prime time, I would probably plan on getting your food to go. But wherever you sit down to enjoy your food, you will not be disappointed!
The food is very good, but since they charge for tea refills, i don't go very often. It can get very pricey if you have a couple of refills of tea. You might as well go to lunch at Snob and get full service fine dining at the same price.
I've had the turkey and the ham and brie paninis and both were great


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Although milk is not toxic to cats, it can cause digestive upset in many felines. Look instead for special cat milk, which has been treated with an enzyme that prevents stomach problems.read more
Cats reach full skeletal development when they are this old:
It's important to keep your cat active by providing her with stimulating games. Here are some of the best.Read More
Don't leave your furry feline friend behind the next time your family hits the road. Use these five easy tips to make traveling with your cat a snap.Read More

subset: commoncrawl


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Mack-Cali Realty Corporation (CLI - Free Report) recently disposed a commercial office property in Connecticut. The deal helped the real estate investment trust (REIT) to gain about $16.5 million, which it aims to redeploy for other strategic growth prospects.
The Connecticut property located at 40 Richards Avenue in Norwalk is a 7-story building and spans 145,487 square-feet. It was sold to The Davis Companies. With an occupancy level of just 64%, the vending of this property marks a strategic fit.
As a matter of fact, declining occupancies and average asking rents are plausible concerns for Mack-Cali due to the tough office market environment in many states. Hence, amid the unimpressive demand for office space at present, Mack-Cali has been focusing on expanding its multifamily apartment portfolio.
In the recent past, Mack-Cali sold a NJ-based property – situated in Branchburg in Somerset County – for around $6.2 million. Moreover, it divested 2 of its Pa.-based office buildings – 16 and 18 Sentry Park West – for about $19.3 million.
Additionally, the company divested a Clifton-based office building to a joint venture (JV) of Gottesman Real Estate Partners and Mountain Development Corp. (MDC) for $5.8 million. It also sold a Little Ferry-based asset – Mack-Cali Airport property – for approximately $32.3 million.
At the same time, Mack-Cali has been inking various acquisition deals to expand its multifamily apartment portfolio. Among the recent acquisitions, Alterra IA and Alterra IB at Overlook Ridge in Metro Boston are noteworthy. Mack-Cali acquired the properties from a JV of Prudential Insurance Company of America, an operational arm of Prudential Financial Inc. (PRU - Free Report) .
Additionally, the company entered the D.C. multifamily market through the buyout of Crystal House. The property was acquired through a JV with a fund advised by UBS Global Asset Management of UBS AG (UBS - Free Report) . We believe that such restructuring efforts will ultimately help the company to diversify its assets and ride high on growth.
Mack-Cali currently carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell). However, another REIT that is performing better and deserves a look is Winthrop Realty Trust with a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).
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Rethinking consumption:
Fashion conscious with an environmental twist
How can clothing consumption in western countries be made more environment-friendly? Researchers in Norway are seeking ways to use fewer resources while keeping people well-dressed.
An interdisciplinary project drawing from the natural and social sciences as well as cultural studies will allow researchers to examine how to extend the life of clothing and how to reuse and recycle textile resources.
Raising environmental and social awareness
Clothing prices in countries such as Norway are dropping even as the average income is rising. However, this has not led consumers to buy higher-quality or higher-priced clothing. Instead, they buy more – and then use it for a shorter time and discard it more quickly.
"The objective of our project," explains Ingun Grimstad Klepp, "is to figure out how to use fewer resources while keeping consumers just as well-dressed. We are examining areas such as reuse, alteration, the need for washing and other care of clothes in terms of their uses, and how higher production quality may affect the life cycle of clothing." Dr Klepp heads the project Textile Waste (2009-2013) and is Head of Research at the National Institute for Consumer Research (SIFO).
Together with a number of partners, SIFO is also studying how the textile industry can become more environment-friendly. One of these partners is the Nordic Initiative, Clean and Ethical (NICE), an initiative by the Nordic fashion industry to raise environmental and social awareness within its own ranks.
Reverse life-cycle perspective
The SIFO researchers have chosen to study textiles in a "grave to cradle" perspective –starting with textiles as waste, then backtracking to the production phase. At each phase they assess what can be done differently to reduce the environmental footprint.
In the project's initial phase, the researchers are reviewing publicly accessible data about waste in light of information compiled through interviews with waste disposal managers, businesses, the textile industry, consumer organisations and the authorities.
The project will then shift its focus to individual household attitudes and consumer habits pertaining to clothing and its care and recycling. The researchers will follow a sampling of Norwegian households for one year, studying what these people do with clothing no longer being used in its original form, and examining their everyday routines for washing and drying their clothes.
Designers seeking solutions for the future
Students and teachers at design schools in Norway, Sweden and England will then take the researchers' findings and devise scenarios for textile use and create garments that address the challenges identified in the investigations. Finally, says Dr Klepp, "the creative results are to be presented to the textile industry as well as the recycling industry."
|From waste to material resources in a grave to cradle perspective
Project: From waste to material resources in a grave to cradle perspective: A stakeholder approach within the textile value chain
Project period: 2009-2013
Funding: The Research Council of Norway's programme Norwegian Environmental Research Toward 2015 (the MILJO2015 programme)
Participating institutions: National Institute for Consumer Research (SIFO) in collaboration with Fretex (Norwegian Salvation Army), Lilleborg AS, London Design School, Nordic Initiative, Clean and Ethical (NICE), Norrøna Sport AS, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Oslo National Academy of the Arts, Swedish School of Textiles (University of Borås), Humana People to People (UFF Norge)
Project Manager: Ingun Grimstad Klepp, email: firstname.lastname@example.com
More information
- Published:
- 20.04.2010
- Last updated:
- 20.04.2010


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Iowa trial continues in case of woman's death
MOUNT PLEASANT (AP) — A pool of about 100 people was narrowed down Monday during jury selection in the trial of a former Iowa jail guard charged with first-degree murder in the killing of his pregnant wife.
Jury selection will continue Tuesday in the second trial of Seth Techel, local media reported. Opening arguments could start as early as Tuesday afternoon. Prosecutors and defense attorneys must first agree on 12 jurors and four alternate jurors.
Techel, of Agency, is charged with first-degree murder and non-consensual termination of a human pregnancy in the May 2012 death of Lisa Techel and their unborn child. His wife was shot at the couple's home near Agency in southeast Iowa.
A judge declared a mistrial in March after an Ottumwa jury failed to reach a unanimous verdict. Prosecutors alleged Techel killed his wife because he wanted to pursue a relationship with another woman. The defense argued a neighbor might have killed her. They also said he wanted to end his marriage but feared alienation from Lisa Techel's father, a sheriff's deputy.
Both Techels worked in law enforcement. Seth Techel was a jailer for Wapello County and Lisa Techel was a reserve deputy.
Techel's trial was moved from Ottumwa to Mount Pleasant because of media coverage and publicity surrounding the first trial. He remains in custody.


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One of the worst things Cindy Klassen could ever suffer through might, ironically, prove to be a blessing.
It's been a year since the Winnipeg speed skater badly cut her right arm in a training accident at the Olympic Oval. And while she returned to the World Cup circuit at the end of last season, Klassen said the time she was forced to take off did a world of good.
"The rest kind of helps sometimes and, coming back, I didn't know what to expect. But there was no pressure at all, so I was just able to enjoy it and that really helped a lot," said the 25-year-old who yesterday qualified for the Canadian women's 3,000 and 5,000m fall World Cup teams.
Despite coming back from the injury, when it looked like her season might be over, Klassen still won four medals at the end of the season. She continued her good form yesterday, winning the women's 3,000 in the fall World Cup qualifer at the Oval.
Klassen's time of four minutes 05.72 seconds was 10 seconds faster than Michelle D'Amours of Quebec. Tara Risling of Medicine Hat finished third in 4:18.47. Both D'Amours and Risling join Klassen, Glen Sutton, Que.'s Clara Hughes and Ottawa's Kristina Groves, who were pre-qualified.
As for Klassen, she is still getting over some flashbacks from the accident.
"Mentally, sometimes it's hard when we're doing the shorter distances which are a lot quicker. Sometimes in the corner I'll think about it but it's getting a lot better," said Klassen, who won bronze in the 3,000m at the 2002 Olympics. "It was pretty hard at the end of last season but it's pretty good now."
In the men's 5,000m, Calgary's Arne Dankers won in 6:33.00. He pre-qualified and will be joined by 19-year-old Denny Morrison of Fort St. John, B.C.
Morrison, a junior skater, finished second in 6:40.29.
Finishing third and rounding out the World Cup squad was Calgary-based Jamie Ivey, who had a time of 6:40.49.


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Long time readers of this blog will recall the famous banana argument for the existence of god put forward by an evangelist named Ray Comfort, accompanied actor by Kirk Cameron. The design of the banana is so exquisite, he said, that it could not have evolved according to Darwinian natural selection. He asserted that the existence of the banana was the 'atheist's nightmare.' (This clip has to be seen to be believed. Move the cursor to the 3:25 minute mark to get to the good stuff.)
Well, another 'atheist's nightmare' has surfaced, this time to show why life could not have originated naturally by the action of energy on inorganic matter. The evidence? To appreciate it, you have to move from the fresh fruit section a few aisles over to where the peanut butter is.
(Thanks to MachinesLikeUs.)
Oddly enough, the argument used in this video is the very same 'absence of evidence is evidence of absence' argument that I wrote about before, but used incorrectly. There is so much wrong in how this reasoning is used here that one scarcely knows where to begin.
But what I would like to warn the person in the video who is making the case based on peanut is that this kind of argument can be fatal, not for atheists (unless they get a heart attack and die from laughing), but for religious beliefs, because it falls into the trap of ad hoc thinking which can be so easily demolished.
From back when religious believers realized that they could not assume that the idea of god was obviously true and needed some supporting evidence, they have cast around for things that they thought 'proved' some religious idea. Initially they have sought to provide evidence of things that could not have occurred except for the action of god.
First it was "Look, the human being! It is so perfect that it has to have been created in the image of god." Then later it was "Look, the eye! It's so perfect it cannot have evolved!" And when that fell apart, it was intelligent design creationism with its more sophisticated "Look, the bacterial flagellum!" Now it is degenerating to "Look, the banana!" and even "Look, its Skippy extra smooth peanut butter!"
The flaw is that the proposers of these ideas never seem to explore the implications of their ideas and this is where they differ fundamentally from the scientific approach. All scientists realize that any idea to explain anything has consequences that extend well beyond the thing being immediately explained, and that these consequences must be investigated.
Charles Darwin's idea of evolution by natural selection is quite simple and the main argument can be stated in a few hundred words. But his groundbreaking book On the Origin of Species consists of nearly 500 pages where he carefully explores a huge number of the possible consequences of that idea, looking both for corroborating evidence and for weaknesses in his theory. He examines animals, birds, insects, fish, and plants from all over the world, looking for patterns. It is an exhaustive and encyclopedic effort, of which I will write more later.
The person making the peanut butter argument has obviously not thought things through. If he thinks that finding an organism in a peanut butter jar or in any other processed food item is evidence of how life originated without god, then he has lost the case because I think almost everyone has at some time bought some item of food that seemed to be 'spoilt', i.e., contaminated by some bacteria. We put this down to a fault in the manufacturing process. It is not unknown for foreign matter to creep into food products, and court cases resulting from such events are legion. But for this person, such an event would be a sign of life being created by the action of energy on matter, without the need for god.
I wish it were that easy to show how life originally came into being. Then all scientists would have to do is fan out into the world's supermarkets and systematically examine each jar of processed food to see if any living organism is found. But instead scientists continue to do it the hard way, in the laboratories, under controlled conditions.
POST SCRIPT: Evolution in cartoons
Here's a quick summary of Darwin's ideas from The Simpsons.
And while we're at it, here's a compilation of religion related clips from The Family Guy.
And here's another clip from The Simpsons.


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No glass allowed: Why spaces will ban Google Glass
Google Glass can be characterized as futuristic, innovative, and nerdy. If you haven't seen it, you must check out the unveiling video featuring of ice skaters, skydivers, and proud parents all using the head-mounted display. Google Glass is basically a smartphone you wear in front of your eyes. It can check email, take pictures, video chat, and of course, make calls.
But as we've learned from many great sci-fi movies, we should question how this technology could impact our lives negatively.
Google is currently just selling Glass to a limited number of customers. Ultimately, Google is attempting to introduce a revolutionary product that could dramatically change our culture and behavior. Despite its bells and whistles, security experts are raising red flags. What about the serious privacy and security risks? How can we protect personal information and sensitive spaces from the all-seeing Glass?
"You're taking a picture right now!?"
Google Glass can take photos or videos without a subject noticing. Much of the privacy debate stems from this capability. Does Google Glass empower the wearer to record others in compromising or private positions, like a bathroom or dressing room? It would certainly be easier than walking into a bathroom with a cellphone poised to take a video.
A new app called Winky lets you take a photo with Glass by simply winking. While there is obvious a convenience and quickness factor, it also brings with it an element of secrecy and invasiveness.
Very Real Security Concerns
Video recording and chat with Glass are very cool. They allow a viewer to see through another's eyes. You can take a tour of the MoMa with a friend who is 1000 miles away. You can experience a roller coaster in real-time from your couch. But then again, "with great power comes great responsibility."
We don't know exactly how or what a Google Glass hack would look like, but conceivably a malicious hacker could transmit video of everything you see. That could include passwords, usernames, door codes, or where you hide that extra set of keys. If you experience it, Glass could record it. Android and iOS hacker Jay Freeman recently explored security exploits on the device saying, "Sadly, due to the way Glass is currently designed, it is particularly susceptible to the kinds of security issues that tend to plague Android devices."
He also goes on to warn of real world consequences: "A bugged Glass doesn't just watch your every move: it watches everything you are looking at (intentionally or furtively) and hears everything you do. The only thing it doesn't know are your thoughts."
But what are your thoughts on Google Glass: Awesome new technology to experience? Or end of privacy?
Category: News, Surveillance, Trespassing


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Judd Winick
Hilo Book 1: The Boy Who Crashed to Earth Review
There seems to be a resurgence in "all-ages" storytelling, and I applaud this development! Let me be clear about something – just because something is "all-ages," that doesn't mean it's been dumbed down for the kiddies. I often find the opposite to be true – these stories are often well done because they need to appeal to children and the adults who are likely to pick them out for their kids. That's the case with this wonderful book, just out this week!
A Town Called Dragon #1 Review
A Town Called Dragon #1 tells the story of a small town in Colorado with ties not only to ancient Vikings, but mythical creatures as well.
REVIEW: Batwing #0
Batwing #0! African Batman with a jet-pack! Herein, a once regular Batwing reader reviews the zeroth issue for Major Spoilers.
REVIEW: Green Arrow #0
Judd Winick returns to Green Arrow to tell the origin of a character he helped shape prior to the relaunch in Green Arrow #0! But will his writing and Freddie Williams II's pencils be enough to save a title that's been floundering in The New 52? Major Spoilers finds out!
REVIEW: Catwoman #12
Batman returns to the pages of Catwoman, but how will he and Selina's new boyfriend, Spark, get along? Major Spoilers squares the love triangle for you right here as Judd Winick's run on Catwoman comes to a close!
REVIEW: Catwoman #9
The Night of the Owls has come to the world of Catwoman and Spark, as they try to poach from the Penguin on the same night a Talon tries to take the life of Oswald Cobblepot.
NEW 52 REVIEW: Catwoman #1
We catch Catwoman in the midst of donning her form-fitting garb, but just how long will it take her to put it on? And how long will it take before she undresses again? Judd Winick manages to catch this reader's intrigue, despite the risque art on nearly every page.
NEW 52 REVIEW: Batwing #1
Batwing #1 introduces the latest addition to the Batfamily, bringing one of Batman, Inc.'s franchisees into the new DCU. But just who is Batwing, really?
DC Comics Sneak Peek: Power Girl #21
DC Comics released a sneak peek of Power Girl #21 that goes on sale today.
REVIEW: Red Hood: The Lost Days #4
Jason Todd's training continues, but this time he may have bitten off more than he can chew. Does Judd Winick serve up a winner, or drop a bomb in Red Hood: The Lost Days #4?
DUELING REVIEW: Power Girl #15
A big purple monster wants to trash New York City. The only thing standing in its way is Power Girl. Of course she has her own problems she's trying to deal with as Karen Starr, but that will have to take a backseat for now. The Major Spoilers duo of Matthew and Stephen return for another Dueling Review as they take on Power Girl #15.
REVIEW: Red Hood: The Lost Days #3
When offered a chance to bring down his mentor, Talia al Ghul sends Jason Todd around the world to train with some of the best killers in the world. But even filled with hatred, rage, and bent on revenge, will Jason Todd turn a blind eye, or do the right thing when encounter those doing something really wrong?
REVIEW: Batman: Under the Red Hood
You know the story, it's been 20 years in the making. If you've been reading DC Comics over the last five years, you know the outcome. But how does it translate to an animated movie?
Review: Red Hood: The Lost Days #2
Now that Jason Todd is both among the living and back behind the wheel in his head, it's time for Batman to pay for not avenging his death. But can this former sidekick kill his idol?


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Last night at Fenway, Kelly Shoppach hit a home run.
This was naturally a little weird, because Kelly Shoppach is Kelly Shoppach. The second inning blast was only his fourth of the season and the 63rd of his eight-year career.
But what wasn't weird is that Shoppach's homer came against Mark Buehrle, a typically-solid pitcher who the typically scant-hitting catcher has absolutely owned over his career. How owned? This owned: After last night, Shoppach's a lifetime 8-18 with four home runs against Buehrle.
Anyway, it got me thinking: How rare is it to see one batter so ruthlessly dominate a particular pitcher?
Answer: It would take much longer than one afternoon to figure out.
So instead and with a little (OK, a lot) of help from Baseball-Reference I went through the hitting history of the Red Sox should-be starting nine (only with Youkilis in for Middlebrooks for history's sake) and picked out the pitchers who each guy has dominated the most during his career.
Does anyone hold a candle to Shoppach?
The answer lies ahead (with a helping hand from Drunk Chris Berman):
Jarrod Saltalamacchia has 51 career homers, and there are only three pitchers against whom he's hit more than one. But it's interesting to note that in all three cases, Salty's two homers have come in a tiny, dominating span of at-bats. He's 4-4 with two homers and a double against Arizona's Jensen Lewis Can't Lose. He's 3-5 with two homers against the White Sox Philip Humb and Humber and 2-3 with two homers against now-retired Mike Bacsik Instinct, who's much better known as the guy who served up Barry Bonds' record 756th homer.
Going around the infield, Adrian Gonzalez is 4-5 with two homers against Rich Jean Claude van den Hurk. For a large sample size, Gonzalez is 7-10 with two homers and three RBI against Colby College Lewis and 7-10 with with two homers and five RBI against Ramon A the Pest Ortiz.
Dustin Pedroia has four homers in 17 at-bats against David "I'm Keith Hernandez" Hernandez, but those are his only hits. He's also 4-7 with two homers and seven RBI against Rafael Betancourt Room Drama and 11-21 with one homer and four RBI against Joba the Hut Chamberlain.
Mike Aviles is 9-16 with a home run against Freddy Got Fingered Garcia.
Like Salty, Kevin Youkilis has had his way with Jensen Lewis Can't Lose to the tune of 7-10 with a homer and three RBI. He's also 5-7 against now-retired Todd Williams-Sonoma and is an impressive 4-7 with two homers against current Red Sox teammate Alfredo "I'm not going to give him a nickname for fear of him devouring my unborn children" Aceves.
In the outfield, Jacoby Ellsbury's 8-16 with three homers and eight RBI against Brandon Just Thinking Aout To Morrow and 2-5 with two homers against Orioles hurler Jake Arrieta Huffington. For pure average, Jacoby is a perfect 5-5 against Detroit's Rich Porcello Pudding Pop and 5-7 against Toronto's Scott Brand Paper Towels Richmond.
Carl Crawford hasn't been especially dominant of any pitcher, but he does have two homers in three at-bats against retired-Royal Shawn Sedlacek Eye Surgery. As far as guys who are still active, Crawford greatest success has come equally against Brad Take a Penny Leave a Penny and Livan La Vida Loca Hernandez. CC is 7-11 with a homer and three RBI against each. (He's also 21-69 against CC).
For the third Sox outfielder, let's go with Cody Ross, who's a ridiculous 6-6 with a homer and seven RBI against Mark St. John's Redman.
Lastly, the DH. David Ortiz loves him some Seth Mayor McClung. Ortiz is 4-8 with four homers and seven RBI against the former Raycurrent Brewer. In terms of average, Papi has two favorites (although both have since retired): He was 8-12 against former Indian Chuck Nagy Bragy Heart and 11-18 with a homer and three doubles against former White Sox left Jim Parque Floor.
And that's a wrap.
I'd like to thank Kelly Shoppach and Mark Buehrle for inspiring this post. Baseball-Reference for all the awesome info. And of course, Drunk Chris Berman for his valuable time and effort.
Rich can be reached at email@example.com. Follow Rich on Twitter at http:twitter.comrich_levine


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February 24th, 2010
HI , i had umprotected sex and within 72 hours i recieved antiretrovirals just for incase. 3 months after that I went for a HIV test and it was negative. I got tested again ( months after the incedent again and it was negative aswell. Is there any way a blood test could be wrong after 9 months? and can the antiretrovirals influance the test results???
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Harpreet Singh
replied March 4th, 2010
HIV and AIDS Answer A10403
Hi, welcome to the ehealth forum and I am glad to help you.
You seem to be concerned if the HIV testing is not able to detect the infection 9 months after the risk exposure.
No test is 100% sensitive and none is 100% specific either but still in HIV testing when the tests are repeated , sensitivity approaches 100% though actually never reaching 100%. For all practical purposes it seems highly unlikely that you cannot detect HIV infection after 9 months of risk exposure. If a test result is negative at 9 months well beyond the window period of HIV taken to be 3 months, you can, for all practical purposes, say that person is not infected with HIV.
Postexposure prophylaxis with antiretroviral drugs has been shown to lower the risk of seroconversion following occupational exposure to HIV by 81%, but has not yet been evaluated following sexual exposure. Though scientific data are limited, victims of sexual assault should be given the best information available to make an informed decision regarding postexposure prophylaxis. When the choice is made to take medications to prevent HIV infection, treatment should be initiated as soon as possible, but no later than 72 hours following the assault, and should be continued for 28 days.
Hope this helps. Take care.
Note: This post is not to emphasise final diagnosis as the same cannot be made online and is aimed just to provide medical information and no treatment suggested above be taken without face to face consultation with health care professional.
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text: Make your guests homemade fruity and boozy centerpieces #Food DIY#diy centerpiece#gay#non-floral centerpiece#steal-this-idea August 29 | Catherine Clark bijouxandbits Photos by Jenny Heath Kyle and Drew had a decidedly boozy take on centerpieces by preserving fruit in different kinds of liquor. The result was a sweet and strong centerpiece ripe for eating and taking home. Here's how they did it: Two months prior to the ceremony, we bought a variety of fruit at the local farmers' market and a bunch of booze (whiskey, gin, vodka, and rum) and made about 20-25 mason jars of alcohol-preserved fruit. We stuck bamboo skewers on the top of the jars we placed in the middle of the tables, and let guests pick at it as they pleased, and take home whatever jars they liked. I also had to snag what they wrote as the Flickr caption on this one — hilarious. Boozy fruit: it gets right to ya. Two+ months of preservation techniques made 20 pints of various fruit and booze and spice and sugar and … yeah. Tasty take home centerpieces that are both fabulous and functional, and will fu…feel good after eating. If this doesn't make you want to read more about Kyle and Drew, I don't know what will. Get your daily dose of Offbeat AWESOME Reporter Name * Reporter Email * Original text Enter the original text here. Edited text* Enter your suggested copyedit here. Notes You can add a note for the editor here. * Required information. Fix Typo Catherine Clark Catherine Clark is Offbeat Bride's Senior Editor. In her spare time she loiters at her local library, makes art, watches movies en masse, plays video and tabletop games, poorly cooks healthy things, cuddles with her feline fur baby, and blogs at BijouxandBits.com. @enidjcoleslaw @bijouxandbits @bijouxandbits PREVIOUS Shelley & Erik's crafty DIY and bluegrass wedding NEXT A Musician's guide to having live music at your wedding Show/Hide comments [ 2 ] Boozy fruit is a great idea, I make it as gifts (and for the home) often, the booze ends up being the best part (in my opinion) because it becomes deliciously infused with fruit (it ends up tasting fruitier than the fruit bits do often). Perfect for cocktails. If one is having a fall wedding, I high recommend trying apples and/or peaches preserved in a honey whiskey (Jack Daniels Honey Reserve is what I use), with a cinnamon stick (or a piece of one, it gets pretty strong) thrown it. The combination is perfect for crisp fall nights (especially added to hot apple cider), and the apple bits taste great over icecream or baked with uninfused apples into an apple crisp! 5 agree Reply What a great idea! makes a change from the norm, i have a Halloween party coming up and maybe i could integrate this idea with a Halloween twist, what would you suggest? Reply Join the conversation Cancel Reply Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *Comment Participate in this conversation via emailGet only replies to your comment, the best of the rest, as well as a daily recap of all comments on this post. No more than a few emails daily, which you can reply to/unsubscribe from directly from your inbox. No-drama comment policy Part of what makes the Offbeat Empire different is our commitment to civil, constructive commenting. Make sure you're familiar with our no-drama comment policy. Biz owners & wedding bloggers Please just use your real name in your comment, not your business name or blog title. Our comments are not the place to pimp your website. If you want to promote your stuff on Offbeat Bride, join us as an advertiser instead.


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Artist, designer and illustrator Ed Kluz opens his home in Brighton this weekend with a selling exhibition of paintings, prints, drawings and paper collages inspired by local history and landmarks. His screen-printed fabrics designed for St Jude's will also be on show with cushion covers available for purchase. A range of Christmas decorative papers and items will also be on sale.
The exhibition is on the third floor of an 1820s townhouse on Norfolk Square. Be prepared for stairs. Find out more


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CERGY-PONTOISE, FRANCE - 27 April 2010 - Leading video game publisher and developer NAMCO BANDAI Games Europe S.A.S. announced that a new action-packed"GAC Pack" downloadable content (DLC) will be available in PAL Territories on May 26 for Xbox LIVE? Marketplace for Xbox 360 and PlayStation?Network. This new premium DLC pack will include two all new gameplay modes in addition to the"Jack Pack" and"Shadow Pack" DLC, which were previously only available to pre-order customers.
Dead to Rights: Retribution is a ground-up reinvention of the multi-million unit selling crime action series. Thrusting players into a mature neo-noir crime drama as vice cop Jack Slate and his canine companion Shadow, the game introduces an innovative new hybrid combat system that seamlessly blends third-person shooting with hand-to-hand brawling and AI partner. For the first time in the series, players will also be able to play as ferocious canine Shadow with his own unique gameplay style and feel. Deadly on their own, Jack and Shadow are even more formidable as they team up to defeat the threats they uncover in Grant City.
"We've completely rebooted the Dead to Rights franchise to deliver a satisfying, visceral and action-packed gameplay experience for existing fans and new gamers," said Olivier Comte, VP Marketing, sales and publishing, NAMCO BANDAI Partners SA.S.."We're boosting the action up another notch with an accessibly priced DLC pack filled with all new missions and game-enhancing bonus content."
The"GAC Pack" will include two new completely different modes of gameplay as well as exciting bonus options to enrich the player's experience with the core retail game."Assault on the 87th Precinct" is a new mission that reveals a flip side to the story, allowing players to experience the action from the GAC (Grant City Anti-Crime) enemy's side of the battle. Players step into the boots of the GAC Sniper, Brawler and Tank characters as they converge upon the GCPD (Grant City Police Department) stronghold under orders to contain all police officers so they can secure a tactical advantage. In"Riot Control Mode," Jack and Shadow fend off increasingly difficult waves of GAC forces to earn points and achievements based on speed and style, with high score bragging rights on international leaderboards. In addition, the previously exclusive"Jack Pack" and"Shadow Pack" are also included in the"GAC Pack" allowing players to access armor for Jack, stealth camouflage for Shadow, an"action mode" with explosive rounds gunplay, and a"noir mode" with a black, white and red graphic filter.
Developed by Volatile Games the"GAC Pack" DLC add-on content will be released on May 26 for Xbox LIVE Marketplace and on PlayStation Network. Players must have the retail game in order to access the"GAC Pack" content. For more information, please visit http://www.deadtorights.com or www.namcobandaigames.eu.
# # #
About NAMCO BANDAI Games Europe:
NAMCO BANDAI Games Europe S.A.S., is a leading interactive entertainment software publisher based in Cergy-Pontoise, France. The company is a part of the NAMCO BANDAI group of companies known for creating and publishing many of the industry's top video game franchises including the RidgeRacer™, Tekken™, SOULCALIBUR™, Tamagotchi™, Digimon™, Dragonball? and Naruto™ brands.
About Volatile Games
Volatile Games specializes in the creation of games for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 system. Based in Leamington Spa in the UK, Volatile Games is dedicated to the creation of high-quality and high-profile boxed console games for a mature gaming audience. Volatile Games is a division of Blitz Games Studios, founded in 1990 by games industry veterans Philip and Andrew Oliver and currently one of the largest independent games developers in the world.
"PlayStation" is a registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Xbox, Xbox 360, and Xbox LIVE are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. All other trademarks are properties of their respective owners.
Dead to Rights™: Retribution&? 2010 NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Press Release? 2010 NAMCO BANDAI Games Europe S.A.S.


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Shaking things up, some BRUINS for trade!
09-13-2012, 06:25 PM (This post was last modified: 10-18-2012 07:26 PM by bruinsfan08.)
Post: #1
Shaking things up, some BRUINS for trade!
You read it right, BruinsFan08 is thinking about possibly trading up some of the Bruins PC cards. These are available, and I'm looking for Neely and Ovechkin cards in return...
2010-11 Pinnacle Rookie Team Pinnacle Signatures #1 Taylor Hall/Tyler Seguin, #46/50.
2008-09 ITG Ultimate Memorabilia Jerseys-Emblems #11 Milan Lucic #9/9.
2007-08 Between The Pipes First Round Goalies Jerseys #FRG04 Tuukka Rask, one of 90 made.
2009-10 ITG Heroes and Prospects Game Used Jerseys #M25 Tyler Seguin, one of 100 made.
I am NOT in any hurry to move these cards, so please don't waste time with lopsided offers for players I don't want. Neely or Ovechkin, or even both, but nothing else interests me for these. They are still PC cards, I'm just considering them movable for equal value cards of my main PC players.
Thanks for taking a look, have a great one!
Collecting Cam Neely & Alex Ovechkin
Photobucket: http://s15.photobucket.com/albums/a372/p...or%20Sale/
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Meeting with the bishops of Scandinavia this morning on the occasion of their "ad limina" visit, the Holy Father placed particular emphasis on the centrality of the family to maintaining a healthy society. As "the first and indispensable teacher of peace," he said, it is of interest to the entire population "to defend and promote stable family life."
Pope Benedict told the Scandinavian bishops that "one of the most important messages that the people of the Nordic lands need to hear from you is a reminder of the centrality of the family for the life of a healthy society."
He expressed his sadness that, in recent years, there has been "a weakening of the commitment to the institution of marriage and the Christian understanding of human sexuality," the very ideals that "for so long served as the foundation of personal and social relations in European society."
Benedict XVI then underscored children's rights to life and to being brought up "within marriage."
For children, he continued, "it is through their secure and recognized relationship to their own parents that they can discover their identity and achieve their proper human development."
The Holy Father expressed that this "fundamental right is one that one would expect from societies "with a noble tradition of defending the rights of all their members," and that it would trump "any supposed right of adults to impose alternative models of family life."
Quoting from his 2008 Message for the World Day of Peace, he added, "Since the family is 'the first and indispensable teacher of peace,' the most reliable promoter of social cohesion and the best school of the virtues of good citizenship, it is in the interests of all, and especially of governments, to defend and promote stable family life."
In the rest of his message to the bishops of Sweden, Denmark, Iceland, Norway and Finland, Pope Benedict urged continued commitment to conveying Church teaching on social and ethical questions to the people, thus influencing decisions on matters that regard the common good.
He also encouraged support for priests, who are often rather isolated from one another in the expanses of northern Europe and paid tribute to the "enormous contribution" of religious in the life of the Church in Scandinavia. He then asked for the continued promotion of vocations among immigrant and native populations.
Pope Benedict XVI met with bishops from the five countries that comprise the Nordic Bishops' Conference just after noon on Thursday.


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Text in PDF with photos
SST is a government agency that provides support for faith communities in Sweden. The aim of this support is to enable congregations to work actively with a long-term focus on worship, education, and spiritual and pastoral care. This means that:
SST allocates the funding provided by the state
The Government decides which faith communities are to receive state funding. Each year SST allocates this state funding to these communities in the form of organisational grants, operational grants and project grants. SST does not allocate funding to the Church of Sweden.
SST provides general support for the faith communities
This general support takes the form of training, advice and administrative support for the faith communities. This is particularly important for newly established faith communities that need extra assistance to find out how Swedish society is organised.
SST coordinates the role of the faith communities in contingency planning and encourages cooperation between faith communities and the public sector
Faith communities play an important role in civil society when crises occur. In recent years many municipalities have had their attention drawn to the importance of contacts with civil society and in particular with faith communities that have unique experience of helping people during crises and catastrophes. These contacts can be strengthened at an early stage through dialogues with the faith communities. In several parts of Sweden this cooperation is arranged through interfaith and intercultural councils.
SST is a forum at which issues relating to social values can be discussed
The collaboration between SST and the faith communities enables discussion of issues relating to values, respect and tolerance. Within this framework SST organises discussion and dialogues about freedom of religion and the role and responsibilities of the faith communities in a democratic society.
SST is an agency with expertise on general issues relating to faith communities
SST is consulted when proposals are made that affect belief and faith communities in Sweden and acts as the agency with expertise on these issues.
Most of the financial support provided for the faith communities takes the form of Organisational grants and is allocated primarily for local activities. Allocation is based mainly on the number of members reported by a faith communities and the numbers of people it serves.
Operational grants mainly take the form of support for spiritual care in the health services. There are individuals working with spiritual care at every major hospital in Sweden who receive financial support from SST. Smaller amounts are also granted to theological colleges and seminaries.
Project grants are mainly offered to support the building or rebuilding of places of worship or their purchase and also for their adaptation for people with functional disabilities or to improve their security. Smaller amounts are also granted to students from faith communities which have no educational institutions of their own in Sweden who seek theological training abroad.
When individuals are afflicted by sickness spiritual and social care is needed. In Sweden this is often referred to as pastoral care and has been provided by the Church of Sweden and the minority churches. As Sweden is changing and has a greater diversity of faiths, pastoral care needs to include representatives from more faith communities. SST provides support for this process. SST does not deal with support for other forms of institutional pastoral care (in the prison system, police, armed services, education).
In recent years SST has also received several specific assignments from the Government that have, for instance, involved measures for further training of the leaders of local faith communities as well as longer assignments involving promoting dialogue between the faith communities intended to enhance their work with democracy and democratic values.
The commission for Government Support for faith communities (SST)
Postal address: Box 14038, SE-167 14 Bromma, Sweden
E-mail: email@example.com
Visiting address: Ekumeniska centret
Gustavslundsvägen 18, 2 tr, Bromma, Sweden
Tube, Tvärbana: Alviks torg
Webpage: www.sst.a.se
Bankgiro: 781-7364
Swichboard: + 46 (0)8 453 68 70
Fax: + 46 (0)8 453 68 29
Corp. reg. no.: 202100-5141
Act on religious communities, pdf
Act on support to religious communities, pdf
Act on Fees to Registered Religious Communities, pdf
Ordinance on Registration of Religions Communities, pdf
Act on Church of Sweden Act, pdf
Fact sheet about state-church relations, pdf
Besöksadress: Gustavslundsvägen 18, 2 tr, Bromma / Postadress: Box 140 38, 167 14 Bromma
Telefon: 08-453 68 70 / Fax: 08-453 68 29 / e-post: firstname.lastname@example.com


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A right-wing think tank has urged Chancellor George Osborne to bring forward plans to raise the state pension age to 68 in an effort to meet the costs of the country's ageing population.
The Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) also suggested replacing state pensions with compulsory private schemes, and cutting employment regulations aimed at protecting older employees.
The IEA said the state pension age for men and women should rise to 68 by January 2023, around a decade earlier than that set out by Mr Osborne last year.
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After 2023 the state pension age would be linked directly to increases in life expectancy, but, in its report, the IEA added: "Individuals should be encouraged to save for their own retirement and thus bear the costs of earlier retirement themselves. To achieve this aim, in the long term, a privatised pension system, such as that in Australia, would ensure stronger incentives to work."
It also said older people should be exempted from employment protection legislation not mandated by the European Union, and suggested allowing no-fault compensated dismissal for those recruited within five years of the state pension age, making it easier for firms to fire workers.
A spokesman for the Department of Work and Pensions said: "This Government abolished the discrimination of a default retirement age and is reforming state pension age to ensure it reflects changes to life expectancy."
He added: "Automatic enrolment means millions more people will be saving for a pension with a contribution from their employer."


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We are a community of enthusiasts for a Legacy console system, the Atari Jaguar.
Atari Jaguar - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The system needs a C compiler retargetted for its GPU. Our community would like to get some price estimates on what this would cost to do. We would then begin fundraising this amount. Being a small community it would be fantastic to find someone willing to understand the monetary constraints of a small community and work out a good bargain with us and to use this for a sidejob and a personal challenge.
Our research indicates that LLVM would be the best candidate for retargetting to the Jaguar's architecture.
Reputations of anyone interested will be thoroughly checked for obvious reasons and there will be some legal paperwork.
Thank you for your time.


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ACParadise Network: American Cosplay Paradise American Cosplay Experience American Cosplay Snapshots
Cosplayer Lizzie > Costume of Sebastian Michaelis (Black Butler)
- Most Recent Photo
- 09-06-2012
- Series
- Black Butler
- Character
- Sebastian Michaelis
- Special Variation:
- Circus Arc
- Year Completed:
- 2012
- Construction Difficulty:
- Normal
- Costume worn at:
- FanimeCon 2012
- Kumoricon 2012
About this Costume
- Personal Thoughts:
- I've wanted to make Sebby for YEARS. When my friends called me up asking if I could make it for Fanime I figured why not, I already had the wig. I have really interesting chemistry with Kayla who was Ciel - it's like she's a Kobe beef steak I tenderly take care of, or my delicious apple pie.
Add a Comment


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University of New Mexico Football Player Arrested for Wearing Baggy Pants on Plane
University of New Mexico football player Deshon Marman's trip to San Francisco was already sad enough before police got involved.
Marman, who was in the city to attend the funeral of a high school friend, was arrested at San Francisco International Airport Wednesday after he refused to pull up his saggy pants while on a plane heading to Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Top 10 List Explains Why There Are So Many Top 10 Lists
Top 10 lists used to be the domain of David Letterman and the FBI's Most Wanted, but they're now popping up on the internet with the frequency of Subway restaurants on street corners. There are so many lists, in fact, there's a whole website dedicated to it.
What's behind this trend? So glad you asked.
Robber Forced to Buy Gum to Get Money in Cash Register [VIDEO]
It takes money to make money. That old adage applies even to those on the wrong side of the law.
A robber in Fort Lauderdale, Florida had to buy a pack of gum in order to get a cash register to open when he tried to hold up a discount store earlier this month.
US Birth Rate Drops For Third Straight Year
The nuclear family is shrinking.
For the third-consecutive year, births in the US have decreased.
Boston Bruins Defeat Vancouver Canucks to Win Stanley Cup
So much for home ice advantage.
The Boston Bruins defeated the Vancouver Canucks, 4-0, on the Canucks' home ice Wednesday night to win the Stanley Cup, the first time the franchise has claimed hockey's holy grail since 1972.
Minor League Baseball Team to Honor LeBron James' Non-Existent NBA Title
LeBron James has been accused of not showing up in crunch time of the NBA Finals. He may want to consider not showing up in Peoria, Illinois on Thursday, as well.
The Peoria Chiefs, Class A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs, will hold a "LeBron James NBA Championship Replica Giveaway Night" on Thursday when they host the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers.
LeBron James Congratulates the Mavericks on Winning NBA Championship
There's no off-season from being under the microscope.
That's what LeBron James is finding out in the wake of his Miami Heat losing to the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA Finals.
New Bill Could Make It a Crime to Upload Lip-Synced Videos [VIDEO]
Sure, gas prices are high and people are hurting for jobs, but Congress wants to put a stop to an issue that's tearing this country apart.
That's right – a new bill would make it illegal for people to upload videos of them lip-syncing their favorite songs.
Kansas City Chiefs TE Leonard Pope Saves Boy From Drowning [VIDEO]
The NFL lockout may be killing fans, but it may have saved a little boy's life.
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Leonard Pope, who would normally be in training camp were it not for the league's work stoppage, rescued a six-year-old boy from drowning last Saturday in his hometown of Americus, Georgia.


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Once a darling of fund managers and retail investors alike, Cleveland-based Cliffs Natural Resources Inc (NYSE:CLF) has suffered an epic share-price collapse as well as a number of strategic setbacks. Buffeted by low market prices for its core iron ore and coal products and slackening demand from emerging-market customers in China and elsewhere, the company has had to implement several painful cost-control measures to shore up its finances.
Even worse, its much-touted acquisition of the Bloom Lake mine complex in Quebec has thus far provided disappointing results. Cliffs Natural Resources Inc (NYSE:CLF) has delayed a key expansion at the mine and has given only vague guidance about when these activities might resume. Given the high hopes that the company expressed for Bloom Lake as recently as June of 2011, this comes as a serious setback. Shareholders have punished the firm by pushing its price-to-book ratio below 0.6. If Cliffs cannot turn around its fortunes soon, more drastic steps may need to be taken.
Financial Comparison with the Competition
As a major producer of basic raw materials like iron ore pellets, coking coal and lump ore, Cliffs Natural Resources Inc (NYSE:CLF) competes with some of the largest and most recognizable names in the mining industry. These include London-based Rio Tinto plc (NYSE:RIO) and Melbourne-based BHP Billiton Limited (NYSE:BHP).
Both Rio Tinto plc (NYSE:RIO) and BHP Billiton Limited (NYSE:BHP) are substantially larger than Cliffs. With a market capitalization of $2.6 billion and gross 2012 revenues of less than $5.9 billion, Cliffs Natural Resources Inc (NYSE:CLF) pales in comparison to Rio's $85.2 billion market cap and $51 billion revenue haul. For its part, BHP has a $176.2 billion market cap and $67 billion in revenues.
Although Cliffs' profitability is in the gutter, Rio Tinto plc (NYSE:RIO) is having its own set of problems. In 2012, Cliffs lost about $935 million to Rio's loss of about $3 billion. These figures produced negative profit margins of 6.1% and 15.3%, respectively. Meanwhile, BHP Billiton Limited (NYSE:BHP) was broadly profitable with after-tax 2012 earnings of $9.6 billion and a positive margin of 14.4%. All three of these companies are highly leveraged, but Cliffs Natural Resources Inc (NYSE:CLF) is by far the worst off. The company has under $200 million in cash and a debt load of $4.3 billion. It also bled $500 million in cash during the last fiscal year. BHP Billiton Limited (NYSE:BHP) and Rio Tinto plc (NYSE:RIO) both have at least $5 billion in cash to fall back on.
What Went Wrong?
There is no easy scapegoat for Cliffs' woes. Broadly speaking, the company is invested in two categories of basic materials that have fallen in price as a result of excessive supply and slackening demand. Many observers point to China's weaker-than-expected economic growth and sudden emphasis on growing its economy's service sector.
The Bloom Lake acquisition has also produced an unending series of headaches. Even before announcing its decision to delay the expansion of Bloom Lake Phase II, Cliffs Natural Resources Inc (NYSE:CLF) had warned shareholders that it would need to invest another $400 million to achieve full production at the facility. Shareholders who had taken the company's promise of 8 million tons of consistent annualized production at face value were not expecting to hear of these setbacks. At this point, Cliffs's shareholders are simply hoping that the company will be able to complete its expansion within the next 18 months. For some examples of more promising investments in the metals sector, click here.
Potential Solutions
Cliffs Natural Resources Inc (NYSE:CLF)' management team is clearly in crisis mode, and it has taken some concrete steps to shore up its balance sheet. It has partially or fully stopped production at two under-performing U.S. iron ore mines and halted operations at a key pellet-producing facility as well. Although its coal operations continue apace, further furloughs at its mines in West Virginia and Alabama are not out of the question.
Although Cliffs recently beat market-watchers' reduced earnings expectations, it has run into a snafu at another of its Canadian facilities. Indeed, a dispute with Ontario's premier over their Black Thor property threatens production there on a permanent basis.
Long-Term Outlook and Possible Plays
It remains unclear whether these important cost-cutting measures will be enough to turn around Cliffs' fortunes. Most industry observers do expect iron ore prices to make a meaningful recovery during the next two years however out-year price forecasts remain soft due to unclear levels of demand for structural steel. Coal prices are another matter entirely. Since environmental regulations and competition both weigh heavily in this space, things could go either way.
If it proves unable to arrest its stock-price decline and provide shareholders with some indication that it has a clear plan for the future, Cliffs Natural Resources Inc (NYSE:CLF) could soon become a takeover target for a larger mining company. Given their size and relative health, Rio Tinto plc (NYSE:RIO) and BHP Billiton Limited (NYSE:BHP) look to be the two most likely buyers. Both companies operate in the iron ore space and enjoy substantial operational overlap with Cliffs. Regardless of which giant ultimately absorbed the smaller firm, consolidation would surely follow.
In sum, it is by no means assured that Cliffs will become an acquisition target for a larger firm however its current financial path is unsustainable. Although investors may wish to play its stock for a short-term bounce, such a move would be risky in light of continuing unease about the state of the global market for steel. Indeed, investors may wish to wait to buy in until receiving some definitive news about whether Cliffs Natural Resources Inc (NYSE:CLF) intends to remain independent.
Cliffs Natural Resources has grown from a domestic iron ore producer into an international player in both the iron ore and metallurgical coal markets. It has also underwhelmed investors lately, especially after its dramatic 76% dividend cut in February. However, it could now be looked at as a possible value play due to several factors that are likely to remain advantageous for Cliffs Natural Resources Inc (NYSE:CLF)' management. For details on these advantages and more, click here now to check out The Motley Fool's premium research report on the company.
The article Poor Decisions Are Sending This Company Downhill originally appeared on Fool.com.
Copyright © 1995 – 2013 The Motley Fool, LLC. All rights reserved. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.


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The Walker Art Center says vandals spray painted the iconic "Spoonbridge and Cherry" sculpture, as well as two other objects in the Walker sculpture garden over the weekend.
The vandals wrote messages about Joseph Kony, a Central African warlord. Kony's guerrilla group, the Lord's Resistance Army, has been responsible for thousands of child abductions and widespread killings over the last 25 years.
Walker spokesman Ryan French says it's not clear if the graffiti was tied to an official Twin Cities protest against Kony or if a fringe group was involved. The incident is under investigation.
French said spray paint was found on the spoon, a steel artwork by Tony Smith and the wall of a sculpture pad in the garden.
The spray painted objects are getting cleaned up, French said. The cost of the restoration is not yet known.
"We do have a contingency fund for this type of maintenance that happens whether it's accidental or intentional vandalism like this," French said. "We bring in some of the best conservators to take care of our artwork, so we're hoping we can get it back to its original state."
A video about Joseph Kony went viral last month, drawing millions of viewers on YouTube and Vimeo.
Someone vandalized Spoonbridge and Cherry with "Kony." twitter.com/darthmauly/sta...— Edwina (@darthmauly) April 23, 2012


text: Hi, I was wondering if anyone knew where I could get some M3 flash bulbs other then looking on Ebay? I have a Polaroid 250 with a flash gun that uses the M3 flash bulb and I was lucky enough to get a box set of 12 of GE's M3 flash bulbs. The problem is, it had came with my Polaroid when I bought it and I just can't seem to get myself to use them. So I thought it'd be easier on me to buy another box set even though it's going to set me back some (quite a lot) bucks. Whatever advise you can give me will be helpful. Thank you.


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Rebuilding Manhood
Should I leave an empty seat between me and my buddy when we go to the movies?
What does it mean to "man up"?
Will I get my Man Card revoked if I don't like sports?
How am I supposed to flirt with someone without coming off like a creep?
What kind of mustache best suits my face?
When is it acceptable for a man to show vulnerability?
Explore these questions and more through Rebuilding Manhood. Students will discuss gender roles, norms, and variations and will learn to build a healthy, multifaceted masculinity in a safe space with other UMBC men. Through the primary facilitation of male staff members, you will discuss topics related to being a man parallel to other important social identities and explore ways you can be an effective leader and ally for yourself, women, and others.
Rebuilding Manhood is an 11-week commitment. The group will meet weekly on Fridays from 2-3:15pm beginning Friday, September 11th, 2015. Group members are expected to attend all meetings and are asked to commit to some outside reading (15-20 minutes a week).
Apply online here or contact the Women's Center for more information.
Fall application deadline: Friday, September 4th, 2015 at 4pm.
Still not sure If Rebuilding Manhood is for you?
Here's a quick Q&A:
What is Rebuilding Manhood?
Rebuilding Manhood is a Women's Center initiative that gathers UMBC undergraduate men together over the course of 11 weeks during the semester to explore manhood and gender in order to promote a healthy and multifaceted masculinity for oneself and throughout UMBC's campus community.
Gender is a social construction and both manhood and womanhood in American have been constructed in ways that can be restrictive and damaging. In the Women's Center, we talk about how these restrictions hurt women and box us into unrealistic expectations, but rarely is there a space for men to do the same. Rebuilding Manhood was created to provide that opportunity to men at UMBC. Through creating a supportive peer environment, Rebuilding Manhood is a space to deconstruct restrictive notions of masculinity that keep men boxed into prescribed ideas of what it means to "be a man." Over the semester, the group works together to rebuild individual and collective definitions of manhood that promotes strong relationships, makes room for self-definition, and challenges all forms of violence. Moreover, Rebuilding Manhood provides important tools for leadership development, becoming a social change agent, and developing healthy relationships.
What does Rebuilding Manhood focus on?
Over the course of 11 weeks, group members discuss the issues that are most important to college men today. Topics include but are not limited to masculinity, relationships, consent, gender roles and stereotypes, pop culture and media, and social justice. Each week, we explore manhood, masculinity, and gender through an intersectional lens at individual, interpersonal, and systemic levels to encourage a better understanding of one's own experiences as a man and provide skills to foster a healthy culture of masculinity on campus.
While each week has a set agenda and the group facilitators follow a sort of curriculum, each cohort's experience is also totally different from the others. We allow for flexibility for group members to contribute to the curriculum and bring up topics or questions they might have. We have the ability to change the flow of the semester's agenda to meet the needs of the group as needed.
Who can be a part of Rebuilding Manhood?
Over 50 UMBC men have participated in Rebuilding Manhood over the past three years. Former participants have included fraternity men, gamers, student athletes, gay men, trans men, SGA members, resident assistants, STRiVE participants, and more. You don't have to be a Gender and Women's Studies major to apply, in fact, we've had over 25 majors represented in Rebuilding Manhood to include: biochemistry, health administration & policy, political science, social work, theatre, economics, math, ancient studies, information systems, media communication studies, and mechanical engineering. They have come from racially diverse backgrounds, have various different religious identities, and were born and raised throughout the country and world. We have students complete an application of interest to ensure selected group members will be willing to engage in conversations, be accountable to themselves and each other, and offer a range of diverse experiences and perspectives.
So long story short? Any undergraduate student who identifies as a man and wants to spend time discussing manhood is welcome to apply!
Do I have to attend every meeting to be a part of Rebuilding Manhood?"
Yes, the curriculum is designed to build on material from the previous weeks and to ensure a rich/meaningful dialogue we ask that students commit to attending every week.
What is this outside reading you keep mentioning?
Eleven weeks sounds like a long time but when you add it up, each Rebuilding Manhood cohort only has less than 17 hours for the whole semester to be together. There simply isn't enough time to introduce new topics and discuss them. The outside reading allows group members to be exposed to new topics and issues so that more time face-to-face time can be devoted to talking about those topics and issues. The required readings are brief and accessible, including selected chapters from books like Michael Kimmel's Guyland and Shira Tarrant's Men Speak Out. We're also a big fan of sharing blogs and YouTube videos to bring in current and ongoing events related to gender and masculinity.
Is Rebuilding Manhood another leadership program?
The issues and concepts discussed each week will prepare participants to develop a healthy concept of masculinity and healthy relationships with others which can translate into an enhanced ability to lead others, but Rebuilding Manhood is not exclusively a leadership program.
How is this different from Green Dot or the Advocate Program?
While a lot of the content of Rebuilding Manhood deals with violence against women, gender-based violence, consent, and bystander intervention, this initiative is grounded in a social justice and intersectional feminist framework. By spending most of the time engaging men about issues related to traditional masculinity, male privilege, and manhood as an avenue to prevent gender-based violence and object to violence-supportive culture. Men who have gone through Green Dot training or have been a part of the advocate program have also done Rebuilding Manhood and we certainly recommend checking out these experiences as ways to complement the Rebuilding Manhood experience.
Still have questions?
That's okay! If you still have questions or want to make sure Rebuilding Manhood is the right fit for you, there are plenty of other people you can talk to. Email or stop by the Women's Center and we can get you connected to the Rebuilding Manhood facilitators and former Rebuilding Manhood group members.


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Uniqlo is the new sponsor of Free Nights at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMa). The free admission program is every Friday from 4PM to 8PM, throughout the year, offering access to the museum's exhibitions, permanent collections, and film screenings.
SLIDESHOW: Sneak Peak at Uniqlo LifeWear Collection Fall/Winter 2013
Since the Free Night program launched in 2004, over three million visitors have been able to enjoy the MoMa free of charge.
"Uniqlo Free Friday Nights" launches tomorrow May 3. That evening, the first 1,000 visitors will receive a special Uniqlo tote bag. Make sure you get there early!
Museum of Modern Art (MoMa): 11 West 53rd Street, New York (212-708-9400)


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Knitting podcasts intrigue me. The Knitting Yarn posts have been both audio and video podcasts for a couple of years now. And what other folks do with knitting podcasts is inspiring and interesting. Recently, I read the following post with recommendation for knitting podcasts, and thought you'd like to see the recommendations too. W.I.P.S and My Favorite Knitting Podcasts I have a few w.i.p.s going at the moment, namely one I have been working on for some time now and which I seem to drag my feet on getting done. It is my first foray into the sweater world, well actually it is a jacket... (Read More ...)
Knitting Podcasts: What Knitting Sock Patterns Work Best For Caregivers? Caregivers are often stressed and have many interruptions, often unexpectedly. While giving care, they often don't know how much time they'll have to work on a project before being called back. It can be frustrating to need to drop a knitting project in the middle of a row. Especially when coming back to it and forgetting where you are in the pattern! I know this from experience, and designed my "Carer Sock" pattern especially for caregivers. And I'm delighted to announce it has been accepted... (Read More ...)


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All the information you need in one place! Each Study Brief is a summary of one specific subject; facts, figures, and explanations to help you learn faster.
List price: $18.00Copyright year: 2004Publisher: Beacon PressPublication date: 4/15/2004Binding: PaperbackPages: 272Size: 6.00" wide x 9.25" long x 1.00" tall Weight: 1.100
Mary Oliver was born in Maple Heights, Ohio on September 10, 1935. She attended Ohio State University and Vassar College, but did not receive a degree. Her first collection of poems, No Voyage and Other Poems, was published in 1963. Her other works include White Pine, West Wind, Why I Wake Early, Thirst, Red Bird, Swan: Poems and Prose Poems, A Thousand Mornings, and Blue Horses: Poems. She has won numerous awards including the Pulitzer Prize for American Primitive, the Christopher Award and the L. L. Winship/PEN New England Award for House of Light, and the National Book Award for New and Selected Poems. Her books of prose include A Poetry Handbook, Blue Pastures, Rules for the Dance: A Handbook for Writing and Reading Metrical Verse, and Long Life: Essays and Other Writings. She held the Catharine Osgood Foster Chair for Distinguished Teaching at Bennington College from 1995 to 2001.
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August's Pies are the snack that can multi-task!
Think about it, what other tasty snack is perfect for breakfast, as a treat with lunch or in the afternoon, and is a great dessert after dinner? August's Pies can do all that and everyone in the family loves them!
All August's Pies are made right here in Lubbock. From their location at 50th Street and Avenue Q, August's Pies has been making pies since 1952, and today they still use the same basic recipe that August Moeller created more than 72 years ago.
Tim Moeller says it's the old-fashioned quality which makes August's Pies so tasty. "Our pies have old-fashioned goodness," he says. "We still make the pies the same way we have from the beginning."
In a world of automation, August's Pies still relies on the old-fashioned methods that grandma used in her kitchen. Tim uses much of the same equipment his father used. It's the care and time that goes into making August's Pies which makes them so good!
The flavors of August's fruit pies are apple, pineapple, cherry, apricot and peach. Creamy lemon, rich-tasting chocolate and yummy coconut round out the August's Pies lineup. Pies are fried in only soybean and cottonseed oil and contain less than one-tenth of one percent of preservatives. And just as they have for seven decades, August's Pies are made with real sugar - not artificial substitutes.
August's Pies are delivered fresh to area stores daily. Look for the pies in the bakery aisle of your favorite market or convenience store. August's Pies freeze well, so you can buy them now and keep them in the freezer for later.
August's Pies does not sell wholesale to the public; they do, however, sell to businesses, schools, churches and non-profit organizations for fundraising, meetings or parties. Tim needs two or three days advance notice on wholesale orders, and remember the pies are only produced Monday through Thursday. Call 744-1918 for pricing information or to place an order.
Hungry yet? Then it's time to get to the local grocery or convenience store and get yourself an August's Pie!
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An accident at work has inspired a father-and-sons team of cyclists to take on a 100-mile ride to raise money for Help For Heroes.
Tom Haley and his brother Adam decided to take on the gruelling challenge with their father, Wayne Haley, who lost the fingertips of his right hand while lifting a heavy piece of machinery.
Tom, 27, said: "Having seen the amount of support Dad needed after his accident we were inspired to help the men and women who come back from military tours with missing limbs.
"The amount of support Help for Heroes gives these guys is amazing and it gives them something to look forward to.
"We have met former soldiers who have had both legs blown off, and take part in longer bike rides than this."
Tom and Adam, 21, and Wayne, 51, from Bedford, are embarking on a serious training regime to get fit for the overnight Dawn Raid Ride, on June 8.
They will be setting off at 2am from the Help for Heroes recovery centre at Tedworth House, in Wiltshire. It follows a route through Wiltshire, Hampshire and Surrey, via the London 2012 Olympic ride on Box Hill.
When they hit Blackheath, south London, more riders will join them for the final stretch to central London.
If you would like to make a donation for their fund go to www.bmycharity.com/Tri pleH2014


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The comprehensive .NET Framework is able to keep up with Java's prowess and equally suited for the development of web solutions, desktop applications and Windows 8- as well as Windows Phone apps. Anexia provides you with a cumulative 100 years of experience with these technologies.
Whether a web portal developed in C# and HTML5, or a desktop application developed in VB.NET and WPF - Anexia gets your project online safely, on time and on budget. Large as well as small companies have found a reliable partner for the implementation of their projects in us. You already have a matured concept for your software project, or maybe just a vague idea? Whichever applies, contact us today and benefit from our expertise!
Anexia masters different development paradigms: desktop development with WPF and WinForms, or web development with MVC or WebForms; object-oriented in C# and VB.NET, or functional in F# - we have the experience and expertise for your project.
Scrum is the epitome of agile project management: extremely flexible, yet structured enough to keep deadlines and budget goals in mind. Many of our project managers are certified Scrum masters and ensure optimal efficiency for the implementation of your project.
Software is best developed in teams, if and when they are practiced and perfectly geared to each other. Anexia has many experienced teams with a finely-tuned skillset ready to work on your .NET project.
40% of all software projects worldwide are based on Microsoft's .NET technology.
.NET is one of the most popular programming languages on the web.
.NET is an advanced modular technology from Microsoft that integrates a number of complementary, contemporary programming languages. C# has had the largest growth in recent years and is currently in 5th place among the most popular programming languages.
Users are won over by .NET's performance and security. Programs can be published as executable files with significantly higher execution speeds than those in pure scripting languages. The comprehensive security concept includes both code- and role-based protective functions.
For developers, Microsoft Visual Studio 2013 represents the most sophisticated development environment currently on the market. This toolbox covers everything from needs specification to software design as well as development and automated testing at all phases of software development, all with a user-friendly interface and pioneering innovations such as automatic adding of methods and functions during the source input phase. For you, this means a low-risk and readily predictable development phase.
Well-known applications based on .NET are for instance Microsoft Dynamics CRM, Visual Studio, Expression Blend and Windows Media Center.
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And to show that this is not an empty promise, we've provided the evidence. ANEXIA is ISO 9001:2008 and ISO/IEC 27001:2005 certified. Our Creditreform credit rating from 2017 is 179, well above the industry average.More


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Like Apples and Pears
Chinese Taipei reasserted its dominance in Sunday's Little League Baseball World Series Consolation Game, topping Pearland, Texas, 14-2
Source: South Williamsport, Pa.
Date/Time: Sunday, August 29, 2010, 11:00am ET
Chinese Taipei slugged out eight hits in the first inning, driving in nine runs and going through a pair of Southwest pitchers before even taking the field in Sunday's Little League World Series Consolation Game at Howard J. Lamade Stadium, ultimately taking a mercy-rule 14-2 win over a Texas side that couldn't overcome the early deficit.
The Pearland White Little Leaguers were no match for a potent Chinese Taipei side, as Asia-Pacific's bats woke up for 14 hits after getting just four off Japan in Saturday's International Championship.
"It was a great game other than the top half of the first inning," said Southwest manager Mike Orlando.
Texas stepped to the plate for the first time more than 20 minutes into the contest already in a 9-0 hole and could never recover facing Taiwanese pitcher Wei-Chih Chen, who threw a complete-game four-hitter after being lifted with just one out in the first in Saturday's extra-innings loss to Japan.
"Before the game [yesterday] in the bullpen, he was actually pitching well. But yesterday after he pitched about 19 pitches, I called a time out to ask if he was OK," said manager Tung-Yu Ho through interpreter and coach Cola Yeh. "He said he was feeling nervous, so I took him out in preparation for either the championship game or the third-place game."
Hsun-Hao Shih's no doubter highlighted Asia-Pacific's first-frame outbreak, giving the visiting side a one-out 3-0 lead with a towering home run that landed two-thirds of the way up the hill in left field. Chinese Taipei would score the next six runs with two outs, aided by three wild pitches, a pair of errors and a passed ball in the inning.
In the bottom of the third, the Texas All-Stars cut into Asia-Pacific's then 13-run lead by a pair when Chris Legey legged out a triple from the nine-spot with one down. Beau Orlando trumped his teammate's three-bagger seconds later, taking Chen deep to right. The two-run shot cut the score to 13-2.
Chinese Taipei tacked on another run in the fourth to make it 14-2, needing to keep the Southwest champs to just two scores to complete the mercy-rule victory. But Texas would get just a single baserunner in the final half-inning, unable to score him as the Southwest champs saw just four hitters come to the plate.
"Obviously, [Texas] can play in the top four teams, [so] they're always strong, you can't ever count them out," said Ho. "You never know, especially a USA team, [if they can come back]. They have a really strong hitting lineup… so we tried to get a big lead."
Pearland got just four hits and five baserunners in the loss, while 10 of 12 Chinese Taipei batters recorded at least one hit. Chen-Wei Chen went 3-for-4 on the day, while Shao-Fei Huang and Hsun-Hao Shih both went 2-for-2 with a pair of runs scored. Wei-Chih Chen struck out four in the shortened affair – fanning the side in the bottom of the first – and issued a single walk to get the win for Asia-Pacific.
"They had some good sticks, we knew that," said Orlando. "I thought we were gonna see some more bunts. The Taipei team is very aggressive, and we knew that they're all fast kids, so they take advantage of any small miscue where a player bobbles the ball… but they were definitely fast and they had some power."
And now, for both these teams, it's time to watch the championship game – and then head back home and back to school, friends and normal life.
"It's meant a tremendous amount to me and team, the support we've had since we started this thing," Orlando said. "Every team that we beat while getting here, they were all very gracious losers and let us know that they were now our fans. And through districts, regionals – our fan base grew larger and larger. I heard from a lot a lot of people, and that means a lot.
"I don't know how they adjust to being regular kids again, though," he added, "but they'll figure it out."


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Cottage Grove council delays tobacco license vote after shop's drug paraphernalia raid
The Cottage Grove City Council has delayed issuing a tobacco sales license to a smoke shop cited earlier this year for allegedly carrying more than 3,700 pieces of illegal drug paraphernalia.
Cottage Grove police seized glass pipes, water pipes, grinders and cocaine snifters -- items not legal for resale under city ordinance -- following a March inspection at the Cottage Grove Smoke Shop, formerly Smokes 4 Less, at 8461 East Point Douglas Rd.
Cottage Grove police issued the shop's former owner, Omar Wazwaz, 20, a misdemeanor citation following the inspection. But he has not been convicted, said Public Safety Director Craig Woolery. Nor is he listed as the shop's owner. Yassin Wazwaz is now listed on the store's tobacco license renewal application.
That, Woolery and the city attorney told council members, makes it difficult to deny a tobacco sales license without opening the city to a legal challenge from the shop's owners.
"We're treating them as separate issues," Woolery said of the paraphernalia seizure and pending tobacco license application. The Public Safety Department has recommended approval of the license renewal.
A split city council voted 3-2 on Wednesday, however, to table the application until a meeting next month, with some council members saying they wanted City Attorney Corrine Heine to further explore the city's options.
Council members Derrick Lehrke, Justin Olsen and Jen Peterson voted to table it. Dave Thiede and Mayor Myron Bailey voted against delaying a decision.


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9 September 2009
Carrots better than sticks when it comes to cooperation
WANT cooperation? Try rewarding the helpful rather than punishing wrongdoers.
In the public goods game, players choose whether or not to contribute money to a common pool, which is then redistributed equally. As playing groups change after every round, the temptation to freeload – to reap the rewards without contributing anything – often leads to a loss of cooperation. Previous research found this could be overcome if players were able to punish freeloaders.
David Rand and colleagues at Harvard University wanted to see if rewarding players had a similar effect. Participants were split into three experimental groups: one had the option of punishing freeloaders, another to reward contributors, while the third could choose to reward or punish. Each volunteer played with the same people every round.
Rand found that rewarding people always gave the largest return, but if the players had the choice to punish or reward and chose to reward, they


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We have recently reported that Nobel Price Laureate Nelson Mandela has just – after years of diplomatic quarreling – been removed from the infamous US List of terrorist suspects.
Now this week ACLU is reporting another record related to this "list" – the list has just hit the size of one million records. Put this in relation to numbers reported on various other crimes from burglary to official war crime numbers together with the complete swipe of human / civil rights linked to that list and even a blind man should be able to see that there is something wrong here.
From the GAO report (see below for link):
"…Since the events of September 11, 2001, agencies within the Departments of Homeland Security, Justice, and State, as well as state and local law enforcement organizations and the intelligence community, have implemented enhanced procedures to collect and share information about known or suspected terrorists who pose a threat to homeland security and to track their movements. One important tool used by these agencies is the terrorist watch list…"
From ACLU:
"…The ACLU's focus on the number clouds the success of the program, he added. Screening and law enforcement agencies encountered the actual people on the watch list (not false matches) more than 53,000 times from December 2003 to May 2007, according to a Government Accountability Office report last fall…"
With that amount of false positives it will be a tough job for those in charge to make this list useful besides the most prominent cases of (suspected) terrorist. To make things even worse those "terrorist groups" who are "working together" with certain "parts / agencies" of the current administration e.g. in typical terrorist activities like destabilising foreign countries are not even included. It's often only a very thin line that those groups turn against their "former masters" and their countries – may that be for not being paid or for being put into an ambush to be "terminated" or whatever other reason (sorry for this word in that context). A now prominently known Saudi name comes to mind with such groups.
As the situation looks for now the list seem to be mostly used as a Kafkaesque vehicle / Catch-22 to excuse even the most extreme activities by some government agencies that otherwise would be massively illegal within any democracy.
More information:
ACLU press release
ACLU on the topic
GAO report on Terrorist Watch List Screening
Note: We are not aware if the Millionth record entry was welcomed with a bunch of flowers, gift voucher (free body examinations at a public building / airport of choice) or a box of chocolate.
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Yesterday Russia has suspended the activities of more the 90 foreign non government organizations (NGOs) including Amnesty International, Doctors Without Borders and Human Rights Watch, saying they failed new registration requirements recently introduced with a controversial law. The law that was signed by President Putin earlier this year allows authorities to ban financing of specific [...]
What BBC's popular political TV magazine Panorama yesterday night called the greatest heist in history or Daylight Robbery seems now to be going into another round of new discoveries.
In the more than one hour long broadcast Panorama's Jane Corbin tells us some of the stories of those who became rich from the war and those who stood up against the crimes and "got burned".
…If you believe that such corruption happens by pushing around brown envelopes with money under the table, sorry, but that might just be a very small part of it. We have compiled a short list of the most common activities identified within Iraq below. Some of them have also been mentioned in the report of Panorama yesterday night…
Continue reading…
The New Yorker in his next issue (July 7 – available online) includes an excellent editorial on the preparations for another war by the Bush administration.
This time its
Iraq and based on a Presidential Finding signed by G.W. Bush the congress has already approved 400 Million USD for covert, sabotage and all sorts of other shady activities to "destabilize Iran"…
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From Binary Numbers via Steiner Trees and Finite State Automata to the Turing Test – teaching people computer science without computers.
That's what "Computer Science Unplugged" does. They use a series of activities to explain basic concepts of…
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Published on October 30th, 2013 | by Jules Yap7
Antonius kitty window seat
Materials: Antonius wire basket
Description: My kitty needed some fresh air; and so did we. Problem was, our ghetto-ass apartment has no screen in half the windows. See, our kitty Po Boy likes to escape when he gets the chance. Jump on the roof of the neighbor's car and spend a fine evening courting the ladies. Well that just ain't how a civilized kitty ought to behave, so we looked around the apartment for a good solution. We had too many of these Antonius baskets kickin' around anyway; add a tea towel and you've got a perfect window seat for old don gato. I'd say this compromise is a win-win.
~ jen chapman, United States
7 Responses to Antonius kitty window seat
Brilliant idea!!! Ur cat looks exactly like my Isabella…hmmmm… i wonder. Lol. Jackson Galaxy would love this idea, "my cat from hell," show. He is all about keeping our babies indoors and safe. Ur idea gives ur cat the ability to still feel like he is outside, keeping him less bored. Great thinking!
Most cat staff realize the impossibility of turning Monsieur Chat into a gentleman and instead convert him into an 'it'. For anyone with limited funds, most local humane societies have vouchers for reduced fees. Hopefully Antonius just karaokes "The Way We Were" when the opportunity allows.
Oh Ali. It's just slang. There are worse things in this world to get upset over.
Clever idea Jules!
1. ghetto ass. a big ass, a large ass.
And in the picture that cat does appear to have a rather healthy sized posterior. Seems like a perfectly apt use of the phrase.
Cute idea, cute cat and cute writing style! I particularly apreciate that the cat looks like he is soulfully serenading the cute kitties who are doomed to never again know his love.
I don't think that "ghetto ass" is either a technical term or appropriate for this post. Please remove.
I don't think this violates ant PC rules….. why are you offended?