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Roundup / IDB, the Bare Facts
Israel's biggest holdings group is teetering on the edge of default, auditors say.
It's not news that IDB, once the biggest holdings group in the land, has a liquidity crunch, but the going-concern warning in its second-quarter financial statement was news. In other words, its auditors think the IDB Holding Corporation, the company at the top of the holdings pyramid, could default on its debts in the foreseeable future.
* As last week rolled to a close, acting some six months after yields on IDB bonds began to climb (attesting to investor worry), Standard & Poor's Maalot downgraded IDB Holding debt to CCC, one grade above D for Default, and put the company on negative outlook to boot. In other words, Maalot thinks another downgrade within the next 12 months is more likely than not.
* The downgrade to CCC could trigger heavy sales of IDB Holding bonds by institutional investors, Maalot points out, if only because mutual funds for instance aren't allowed to invest in bonds below BBB grade.
* IDB Holding owes its bondholders NIS 1.7 billion. Banks are owed NIS 300 million more.
* Given the going-concern warning, as a precondition for giving IDB Holding three months to work out its problems in peace, the trustees representing bondholders demand that the company pay the NIS 35 million owed this week from external sources, not the company's resources. In December IDB Holding is supposed to pay them NIS 65 million.
* IDB Holding posted a loss of NIS 1.27 billion for the second quarter of 2012. In the corresponding quarter of 2011 it lost NIS 883 million.
* Subsidiary IDB Development posted a loss of NIS 1.25 billion for the last quarter, compared with a loss of NIS 821 million in the parallel quarter of 2011. It has an NIS 183 million shareholders equity deficit (more liabilities than assets). It owes bondholders NIS 4 billion, and banks NIS 2.2 billion. While its financial statement doesn't sport a going-concern warning, it does have an auditor's caution drawing attention to uncertainty about the company's ability to meet its liabilities on time.
* Discount Investment Corporation, which owns Maariv and Super-Sol, reported a net loss of NIS 1.3 billion for the second quarter, compared with losing NIS 703 million in the same period of the year before. Discount Investment also controls Koor, which has been losing money on its speculative investment in the Swiss bank Credit Suisse.
* Koor owns 2.3% of Credit Suisse's stock. During the second quarter, Credit Suisse lost 33% of its value on the Zurich stock exchange. Koor admitted to losing NIS 1 billion in the second quarter of 2012, compared with losing NIS 995 million in the same quarter of yesteryear. Note ye that while Koor hasn't realized its loss on the bank's stock – meaning it is holding onto the shares – its loss is on paper, but it still had to write down the value of its holding. One reason for Credit Suisse tanking on the market is a three-notch downgrade to A2. Note ye also that Koor had planned to invest NIS 7 billion in Credit Suisse's stock and it's only invested NIS 6.1 billion so far. Koor says it will continue to invest in the Swiss bank.
* Apropos Maariv, it means to ask the antitrust commissioner for special permission to collaborate, possibly with arch-rival Yedioth Ahronoth, in publishing.
* A top source in the banking system said Sunday morning that the banks have taken an ounce of prevention, and classified most of the debt owed by Nochi Dankner's private companies, and of the IDB group companies, as impaired. Even if the IDB group implodes, says the source, the banks won't suffer heavy losses beyond the charges they have already booked. "The banks were not surprised by the going-concern warning," he remarked.
* Nochi Dankner, controlling shareholder of the group and chairman of IDB, says that under the circumstances, he will forgo half his pay, from about NIS 200,000 a month, for a year starting now.
* IDB Development CEO Haim Gavrieli and other executives said on Friday they would forgo 10% to 15% of their pay for a year starting now. Over at Discount Investment Corporation, the executive pay cut is 15% to 25%.
* Obviously the government has a beady eye on developments at IDB, said a source there, adding that "several meetings" had been held over the sprawling business concern over the last six months. "The main conclusion of our discussions was that a fall by IDB would theoretically lead to the fall of its subsidiaries but not to a macroeconomic event," the source added.
* Said source in government points out that under the terms of IDB's bank loans, if Nochi Dankner sells control over the group to somebody the banks don't like, they can recall their loans.
With writing by Michael Rochvargerm, Sivan Aizescu and Eran Azran.
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GPS Fleet Tracking
Whether you're looking to improve your fleet visibility, productivity, fuel efficiency, or mobility, we have the right fleet GPS tracking solution for you. Choose from several Shaw Tracking products to find the right solution for your fleet management needs.
Truck Tracking – Mobile Computing Platform
The Mobile Computing Platform is a wireless fleet GPS tracking system engineered to improve your transportation company's operations. The platform enhances the efficiency, productivity and safety of your fleet, and can be combined with any number of Shaw Tracking services and applications – fully customizable to provide solutions based on the unique needs of your business.
Freight Tracking – Shaw Mobile
Shaw Mobile combines rugged handheld technology with an electronic onboard recorder to capture and calculate valuable performance data. This enables you to increase the productivity of your delivery schedules, as well as manage driver performance and vehicle assets. It's ideal for less-than-truckload, pickup and delivery, courier, and private fleets.
GPS Vehicle Tracking
Our wireless electronic onboard recorder offers GPS fleet tracking, activity and incident recording, and automated IFTA fuel and mileage reporting to your transportation company. It even provides a day-by-day summary of what your fleet is doing, including detailed information on wait times, fuel consumption, and idle times.
Trailer Tracking – Trailer Tracks
Trailer Tracks automatically reports the location and status – unloaded or loaded, tethered or untethered – of all your fleet's trailers. This enables fleet managers to boost workforce productivity, improve trailer utilization and increase freight security.

subset: commoncrawl


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The Alfred Sung Style D520 bridesmaid dress is simply classic. A cocktail length sleeveless peau de soie bridesmaid dress with square neckline and matching inset midriff is pure elegance. Dress has a natural waist and full shirred skirt has pockets at side seams. Bridesmaids love options check out the full length as style D521.
Coupon Code: MODEL10
This coupon code can only be used ONCE per customer.


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Williston Basin Interstate Pipeline Co.
Second Revised Volume No. 1
Contents / Previous / Next / Main Tariff Index
Effective Date: 07/01/2002, Docket: RP00-463-004, Status: Effective
First Revised Sheet No. 225A First Revised Sheet No. 225A : Effective
Superseding: Original Sheet No. 225A
GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS (Continued)
8. ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION MECHANISMS (Continued)
8.1.3 The information to be displayed on the Website will
include, but not be limited to, the master receipt/delivery point
list, Index of Customers, discount notices, pipeline news,
critical and noncritical notices, affiliate information, the
availability of storage injection and withdrawal capability, the
availability of firm and interruptible capacity at receipt points,
on the mainline (as described further in Section 10 of these
General Terms and Conditions), at delivery points, and in storage
facilities, whether the capacity is available from Transporter
directly or through Transporter's firm capacity release mechanism,
(The rest of this sheet has been intentionally left blank.)


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Meghan Puvogel and Michael Lynch are wed in Buffalo
Meghan Puvogel and Michael Lynch were married at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 12 in the Hamlin House, where a reception was held following the ceremony. Uncle of the bride, Jeff Perlee of Albany, heard the couple's vows. The bride's parents are Lisa and Stephen Puvogel of Albany. The bridegroom's parents are Michael Lynch and Lori Lynch of Rochester. The bride is a graduate of Guilderland High School. She earned a bachelor's degree in psychology from the University at Buffalo and a master's degree in social work from the University at Buffalo. The bride is a social worker at Catholic Charities. The groom is a graduate of Rush Henrietta Senior High School. He earned a bachelor's degree in sociology from SUNY Genseo and also earned a master's degree in social work from the University at Buffalo. The groom is a site facilitator supervisor at Say Yes Buffalo. After a trip to Los Angeles, the couple will make their home in Buffalo.


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Mitt Romney Knows Your Favorite Porn Sites And Wants Your Vote
As our lives become more intertwined with the digital world, the amount of information about ourselves that gets recorded in ones and zeros is growing dramatically. All that data helps us reconnect with friends, run relevant Google searches and better manage our health. It also, as it turns out, helps politicians persuade us.
With the next U.S. presidential election weeks away, both campaigns are using personal data about would-be voters on a scale "never before imagined", according to The New York Times. This large-scale, unprecedented data mining by the Obama and Romney campaigns includes the type of information long available from sources like Acxiom and Equifax. To an increasing extent, it also includes data gleaned from our online habits.
Much like advertisers use browser cookies to track users across the Web for marketing purposes, political campaigns use the same technology to collect browsing histories on voters. Writes The Times:
The campaigns have planted software known as cookies on voters' computers to see if they frequent evangelical or erotic Web sites for clues to their moral perspectives. Voters who visit religious Web sites might be greeted with religion-friendly messages when they return to mittromney.com or barackobama.com.
Indeed, after visiting BarackObama.com, my browser had stored 31 cookies from that domain, including its subdomains. MittRomney.com dropped about half as many cookies on my machine, but it was still more than the average site, which typically installs one or two cookies.
Most of these cookies are likely used for routine, perfectly harmless purposes. But some of them are undoubtedly following users around the Web and keeping track of what kind of sites they visit, all in an effort to build out an evermore robust profile of who voters are.
Granted, this sort of thing happens all the time. It's at the heart of the "Do Not Track" fight going on between the government, public interest groups, Internet marketers and tech companies. When my browser loads a banner ad served up from 24/7 Real Media, for example, a cookie from their servers follows me around the Web and helps inform their ad network about what to show me next. This can actually be quite useful, as I've argued in the past.
What the presidential campaigns are doing is a little different. For one, they're trying to persuade people to cast a ballot for the next leader of the free world rather than buy a new toaster. And unlike digital ad networks such as 24/7 Real Media – who explicitly vow not to collection personally identifiable information – the data collected by these campaigns is not anonymous. In fact, their sites are designed to encourage people to identify themselves immediately, usually by signing up for an email newsletter and providing their ZIP code. In its privacy policy, the Obama campaign acknowledges that it may tie one's identify to data collected via cookies. Romney's policy is far less detailed, but nothing in the fine print explicitly forbids them from doing the same.
The voter profiles built by these sites get a lot more detailed when visitors register, especially when they sign in via Facebook or Twitter. Connecting one's Facebook account to MittRomney.com, for example, opens up a whole new set of personal data to the campaign. This includes your name, email address, gender, networks to which you belong, and list of your friends. Depending on how diligent you are about your privacy settings, the app might be able to access much more than that. By comparison, the Obama campaign's Facebook app grabs even more data, including your likes, location history (insofar as you've provided it to Facebook), photos and basic information about each of your friends.
Both campaigns are combining these data points with consumer information purchased from private providers in an effort to understand as much as possible about who voters are, what their lives are like and how the details might inform their decision on Nov. 6. This insight, which can get pretty personal, helps guide campaign workers in their conversations with voters.
This year, as The Times reports, campaign strategists are actually holding back in their usage of this personal data for fear of freaking voters out. Among themselves, political operatives debate things like whether to publicly shame citizens for not voting and how personal to get on cold calls. If that last campaign caller sounded a little too informed, just wait until 2016.


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A cover letter for Spa Massage Therapist resume initiates your contact with a prospective employer and allows you to correspond in a gracious and personal way that is usually unattainable in a resume. A Spa Massage Therapist Cover Letter should be brief, well-structured and clear.
Before building your letter, carefully read the advertisement and job description so you can shape the letter accordingly. Don't simply repeat the contents of your resume in the cover letter. Use the letter to tell a company why you're a perfect candidate and to persuade hiring manager to select you for an interview.
Sample Cover Letter for Spa Massage Therapist Resume
5th Example Street
Houston, TX 32666
January 21, 2016
Ms. Sara Chris
Manager (Admin and HR)
Woodhouse Day Spa
222 West Windsor Road
Lubbock, TX 65999
Re: Spa Massage Therapist (Job # 3266)
Dear Ms. Chris:
I would like to be considered for a Spa Massage Therapist position at Woodhouse Day Spa. Utilizing my 50 hours of massage training and six months' hands-on experience, I could be of worth to your company and customers.
As the enclosed resume indicates, I have hands-on experience in assisting guests with massage treatment and ensuring that guest request are being accommodated in a pleasant and polite manner. In addition, I am very expert in performing massage treatments per daily schedule, helping in operation of spa facilities, maintaining massage rooms and supplies and ensuring massage place is clean and safe at all times.
As a competent and friendly spa massage therapist, I would welcome an opportunity to meet with you to discuss this position in detail. I am available for an interview at your earliest convenience. I will call you next week for follow-up. In the interim, you can reach me at (000) 676-7390.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Anna Smith


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The See, Trauma Harness, Times Beach
The Firebird
2706 Olive St
Saint Louis, MO, 63103
Doors 7:30 PM / Show 8:00 PM
This event is all ages
Without a distinguishable understanding of the pop and intensity, a silent video of a Lemuria show would appear to be that of a blistering hardcore trio. To the viewers surprise, turning the audio on they'd find the stage diving mania and screamers are really chanting "Maybe I should wear lipstick too" or "You fit in my skin, softest I've let in" as guitarist/vocalist Sheena Ozzella's dynamic, melodic voice guides the unlikely chorus.
Lemuria might not sound like they are from Buffalo, NY, but the band was proudly birthed there, following the legacy of an oddly eclectic, if not eccentric, music scene. When you loosen your ears to the sugary indie-pop, you'll discover discordant notes, odd time signatures, and brutal riffs creating menacing yet catchy music.
Releasing their early 7" EPs and splits on drummer/vocalist Alex Kerns' label 'Art of the Underground', they landed their debut full length 'Get Better' on west coast pop-punk label Asian Man Records. Following their debut, and worked into an ambitious DIY touring schedule, they sprinkled 7" releases around on labels such as Hex, No Idea Records, and Suburban Home. Eventually, they would settle in with the Boston-based, notoriously hardcore oriented Bridge 9 Records with their 2011 sophomore album, 'Pebble'.
Since 2004, Lemuria has developed a cult following of fans who have found a branch to grab onto. Their lyrics have been carved into their fans skin permanently. Their songs have become personal anthems, game changers, wedding vows and breakup manifestos
Entering the studio soon, expect a triumph from indie darlings Lemuria in 2013.
"It's just about inarguable: The See are the kings of Little Rock's current landscape of bands, spreading their infectious indie-rock fight songs to anyone who can holler along. If any local outfit deserves its own own Guitar Hero song-pack, it's them." -The Arkansas Times
Fitting into no immediately recognizable category, and perhaps as much in step with their New York and L.A. counterparts as with their Little Rock brethren, the See create cathartic pop rock anthems with sing-along choruses that don't let you go. The See's first full length album, Pretending and Ending, will be released March 24, 2012 on the band's own label.
Calling to mind bands as disparate as Joy Division, Sunny Day Real Estate, and Built to Spill, with obvious referencing to hallowed Little Rock heroes Ho-hum, the See have been carving out their own space on Little Rock's music scene since 2008.
Tickets Available at the Door
Upcoming Events
The Firebird
Sun, November 19
(Hed) P. E. (Show at Fubar Concert Venue)
Sun, November 19
Real Friends
Tue, November 21
Fri, November 24
Sat, November 25
Wage War


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Map 3: Washington's Map of the Frontier
This map of the western frontier, drawn by the 21-year-old Washington in 1754, reveals something about his character, as well as his ability as a draftsman. "This shows his toughness, as well as his skills," Schecter says: "That he was willing to go out and trek through rain and snow in the wilderness and come back with an accurate map."
Washington's map was also influential. It shows the forks of the Ohio and its confluence with the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers (site of modern day Pittsburgh), and helped convince Virginia authorities that this strategic site—where a fort was planned—was vulnerable to attack and needed to be defended.
Guess who was appointed to lead the mission to defend the new settlement?


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Emerald Catron
Emerald Catron has written for Asylum, Lemondrop, MyDaily and Daily Fill. She is one half of rap duo Dem Shortybooz and is a comedic performer around NYC. Follow her on Twitter @emeraldcatron
The problem with having your sousaphone players march backwards is that if one goes down, they all go down. A fact clearly evidenced by this video of seven marching band players piling one on top of the other during a halftime show.
There's a chill in the air, brandy is slowly edging out rum as the drink of choice, and the skin around our eyes is brutally chapped -- must be Autumn! And you know what that means -- time for some laughs courtesy of perennial favorite Nightmares Fear Factory, a haunted house in Niagara Falls with a hidden camera that takes pictures of people while they're having the crap scared out of them. Hilarious! (As long as it isn't us.)
When BatDad's not fighting crime, he drives a Honda Odyssey. And yells at his kids for hiding under rugs...and tells his wife to wash his pajamas...and is genuinely hilarious.
Like it or not, fall is here, (pretty much, let's not get technical about it, okay?). We all know what that means -- hot apple cider, digging out your sweaters from the back of the closet, and people going on and on about how much they love pumpkin spice lattes.
Everyone likes to capture a perfect moment. These are those perfect moments caught right before everything goes wrong. We like to think of them as classier versions of 'America's Funniest Home Video,' mostly because of the lack of sound effects. Feel free to add your own. Thanks, cameras for all the comedy!
Yup, Bill Nye the Science Guy is going to be on season 17 of 'Dancing With the Stars.' We think he's going to win. Not just because we're looking for some sort of 'Revenge of the Nerds'-type fantasy to play out (well, mostly that), but also because Nye has got some moves. Don't believe us? Fine, we're used to that. Check out these GIFs.
Want to be a hit at parties, or at least know what to say when the silent anger builds up to a point at the dinner table where everyone is just seething and glaring at each other? Have we got a Tumblr for you!!
We will be the first to admit the internet is a weird place: to prove our point, here is Skateboarding Parrots, the Tumblr of birds on skateboards.
With enough money, you can pay two famous stuntwomen to reenact the epic chicken fight scene from 'Family Guy.' That's what happened here.
Dash the skateboarding dog is probably better at skateboarding than most humans. He's certainly better than we are.
This Vine made Yoeslan Alfaro will make you happy pretty much every six seconds, and he didn't even plan it.
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Because no one wants to fix their own lawnmower!
Let us know how it goes and I might give it a whirl myself!
How tall are you Private???!!!!
Great thread. I started out many years ago as a Sears tech and you would be amazed at what people do with their mowers. I had a guy that had to mow behind his fence and tossed the mower over the fence and broke the deck in half. He wanted a warranty repair! Another bright person had a tree fall on his riding mower, wanted a warranty repair. So you see, run ins with brilliance doesnt stop with HVAC, no matter what you do as a proffession, homeowners and the like will try to take from you in order to save a buck. Good Luck
Proud supporter of Springfield Millers and Oregon Ducks.
I was waiting for a lawn mower repairman to voiuce his opinion of WHAT ARE YOU DOING? thats something you should hire a profesional to do. Might even see that word HACK come into use. LOL I just had to add this being I guess when I listen to people come on complaining at us for not answering DYI questions it gives me a chance to look at it from their point of view. Guess the only way Im taking my mower in for repair is if there is no way in hell I could figure out whats wrong with it. I had a weed eater break down once and took it in for repairs at a new shop in town. I was supprised at how many used mowers ,weed eaters and other small engine they had for sale there. When I went back to pick it up the bill was about 2 dollars less then the price of a new one. I told them thats crazy to put that much in it if you know I would be better with a new one. Quickly I relized that about half the people in their office were unsatisfied customers and all the used equipmet they had for sale were ones that peopl just left instead of paying the bill. I let them have my weed eater being it needed new line put on it and being I had seen one a few days before that was a way better model with a new spool of line and other features,. they could have mine. Oh ya they went broke about 2- months later.......they deserved it lol
[Edited by dec on 02-24-2005 at 12:11 PM]
You will starve in MD, everyone just throws them away when a plug gets fouled. Lawn mower sales,......now thats an idea!
"The meek shall inherit the earth"
"he that's walking with wise persons will become wise, but he that is having dealings with the stupid ones will fare badly" Proverbs 13:20
"Pressure is something people feel when they don't know what their doing". Peyton Manning-superbowl MVP
A few years ago I bought a Lawn Boy at a yard sale a couple of blocks over from my house. He was real disgusted with it and I got him down to $10. I took it home and fixed it in about 30 minutes and went back to his house and offered to mow his yard for $20 with his mower.
.......He wasn't very happy.
Originally posted by wolfdog
A few years ago I bought a Lawn Boy at a yard sale a couple of blocks over from my house. He was real disgusted with it and I got him down to $10. I took it home and fixed it in about 30 minutes and went back to his house and offered to mow his yard for $20 with his mower.
.......He wasn't very happy.
BWAAA HAAA HAAA, thanks for the great laugh you made my day.
On a service call last year the hatch was open on the back of her SUV. Inside was a big Honda box. I offered to help her unload the box and she took me up on it. Said she had to replace her Craftsman mower cause it stopped working. Her son had disassembled it and it couldn't be fixed. She wanted to know if I wanted it. I took it home, reassembled it and used it all summer. Runs like a champ!
There is nothing more frightful than ignorance in action....Mark Twain
I found a brand new lawn mower in front of a dumpster. I loaded on the van and took it home. I pulled the start cord and engine was locked up. I checked the oil in it and it was filled to the brim (this is one with a dipstick). I replaced the oil and removed some out of combustion chamber. Took me less than 20 minutes to fix.
This was 4-5 years ago. I still use that mower.
Karst means cave. So, I search for caves.
Well I guess i was wrong
DIY . com they're taking over, They can fix anything
even their own lawnmowers
Forum Rules


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Heirloom Cucina at the Student Life Pavilion
- 5998 Alcalá Park, San Diego, CA 92110 | Directions
- 619-260-4600
Mickey Gonzalez is lookin' at me, and you just know he's from back East 'cause he speaks in that big "You talkin' to me?" voice.
"I've got a fresh one in the oven right now," he says. "Trust me, this one has gone dry. Nothing worse than dried-out pizza." He picks the last third of a pepperoni pizza up and is about to throw it off its tray into the waste bin.
"I'll take that," says the student standing next to me. "I don't have three minutes."
"Ho-kay." Mickey holds the pizza like it's a piece of road kill. "Your choice."
Seems like fresh is everything to Mickey. He was brought up in Hoboken, half a block away from the house Frank Sinatra grew up in. In Hoboken, a pizza ain't a pizza, it's a pie. "Back home," says Mickey, "they're very particular. What you gonna have?"
This is happening inside the way-big eating complex they call Pavilion Dining, part of the Student Life Pavilion of the University of San Diego. Ten minutes ago, I got off the 44 bus on Linda Vista Road outside Marian Way. That's the main artery through the hilltop cluster of the school's halls. Looks like the Prado in Balboa Park. Very romantic, very Spanish.
Related Links
- Tin Fork: "Pizza Ain't a Pizza" · June 8, 2011
- Feast: "Secret Eats at USD" · June 2, 2011


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Energy conservation
In the last decade, the University has taken several major steps in an ongoing energy conservation initiative. These steps include (but are not limited to) replacement of old light fixtures with more efficient newer-generation fixtures, installation of automated systems in numerous buildings to allow temperature setbacks while unoccupied, placement of motion sensor controls on building lighting, and the installation of a chilled water loop across campus to replace 16 old, inefficient chiller units with five highly efficient chiller units. These combined actions are calculated to result in roughly $2M in annual energy cost-avoidance as compared to the previous operating systems. Prior to the installation of the chilled water loop Missouri State was Springfield City Utilities' largest consumer of natural gas; since completion the University has dropped to the fifth largest position.
Material recycling - Recycling programs for selected waste products are currently in place, although these programs are somewhat fragmented, being operated autonomously through Facilities Management (Custodial), Environmental Management, the Print Shop, and Residence Life, Housing and Dining Services departments. Materials currently being recycled include office/mixed paper, cardboard, aluminum cans, plastic bottles, electronic waste (e-waste), metal, toner cartridges, fluorescent bulbs, batteries, smoke detectors, silver from photographic processing, and tires. A telephone directory recycling event is also held annually. All yard wastes are composted by the Grounds Department and reused on the University grounds.
A Solid Waste Audit was completed at Missouri State University by Waste Reduction Strategies in 2005. The audit reviewed solid waste generation and handling practices at the University, and provided some basic recommendations on reducing the volume of waste generated on campus. These recommendations included:
- Completion of a longer term review of dumpster use to better match the frequency of pickup to need, as the audit showed that nearly half of campus dumpsters were emptied before they were half full, and a significant majority were emptied prior to reaching the optimum fill level of 80%,
- Expansion of the cardboard recycling program to include on-site baling and subsequent selling of the baled cardboard, and
- Implementation of a program to promote increased recycling on campus, including a signage campaign spearheaded by marketing students or other student groups.
Chemical Exchange Program – Environmental Management maintains a chemical exchange program by collecting and storing chemicals determined to be surplus by the original purchaser and making them available to other departments at no cost.
In addition, office paper purchased by the University contains 30% recycled fiber content.
Purchasing Practices
While there is currently no specific campus-wide policy, several departments have implemented purchasing strategies to minimize chemical inventories and to replace traditionally used products with more environmentally friendly products.
Curricular and Co-Curricular Aspects of Sustainability at the University
Numerous courses and academic programs exist at Missouri State University that have a bearing on sustainability. A partial list of such courses and programs is attached (Appendix B). Most of these are courses/programs whose themes are overtly related to sustainability or the environment.
Co-curricular activity in the area of sustainability has spawned several student groups and initiatives to promote sustainability on campus. Most of these groups and initiatives have centered around recycling practices. Some of the student organizations with commitment to promoting sustainability include the Sierra Club, 2020 Vision, and the Students for a Sustainable Future.
Alternative Transportation
The university has a shuttle service to connect the main campus with off-campus buildings and locations to minimize the number of cars driven and subsequent need for additional parking, and has established specific bike paths and racks across campus to facilitate and promote bicycle usage.
The University has four electric vehicles used on campus (Receiving and Maintenance Depts.) and is preparing to acquire an additional electric vehicle.
Other Related Developments in Support of Sustainability:
- The University's Public Affairs theme for the 2008/2009 year will be "Sustainability", culminating in the Public Affairs Conference on the theme in the spring of 2009.
- Missouri State University faculty and units are collaborating with other community groups to plan for the Ozarks New Energy Conference (ONE Conference) slated for February 2008.
- Sustainability was the theme of President Nietzel's radio phone-in program on Friday, October 19, 2007.
- Three student organizations (Students for a Sustainable Future, the Sierra Club, and 2020 Vision), all involved in sustainability issues, have recently banded together to form the "Campus Coalition for our Environment" in order to undertake joint initiatives. Recent and upcoming events include the "Eco-Palooza" concert and sustainability fair on November 6, 2007 and "Focus the Nation" on January 31, 2008.


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Re: [Hammock Camping] Re: Chinese made Hammocks
Expand Messages
> Nightwalker, I find it interesting that your HH UL Backpacker is madeI ordered it special with the heavier ropes for a 200+ pound person. They
> in the USA. I purchased mine (current model HHULB) about June this
> year and
> it says 'Made in China'. How old is yours? Admittedly I did buy mine
> through an eabay store, but nevertheless it has all the registered
> trade marks attached to it. It also came with printed material with
> the Hennessy contact information on it. I must say, I was surprised to
> see the 'Made in China' tag on it as I too, was of the understanding
> that it was made in the USA.
> Julie
told me that it was made in the US before I bought it. My other HH, an Exped
Asym, is made in China and says so on the bag.
BTW, they didn't charge me more for the heavier-roped version, and it only
added 3 ounces to the whole thing. So, those of you who want to carry
ultralight, but aren't very light yourselves, you might keep this in mind!
I don't see how we can expect someone from another country to make their
products in our country. But I guess that's just me.
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Themes are the fundamental and often universal ideas explored in a literary work.
Edmond Dantès takes justice into his own hands because he is dismayed by the limitations of society's criminal justice system. Societal justice has allowed his enemies to slip through the cracks, going unpunished for the heinous crimes they have committed against him. Moreover, even if his enemies' crimes were uncovered, Dantès does not believe that their punishment would be true justice. Though his enemies have caused him years of emotional anguish, the most that they themselves would be forced to suffer would be a few seconds of pain, followed by death.
Considering himself an agent of Providence, Dantès aims to carry out divine justice where he feels human justice has failed. He sets out to punish his enemies as he believes they should be punished: by destroying all that is dear to them, just as they have done to him. Yet what Dantès ultimately learns, as he sometimes wreaks havoc in the lives of the innocent as well as the guilty, is that justice carried out by human beings is inherently limited. The limits of such justice lie in the limits of human beings themselves. Lacking God's omniscience and omnipotence, human beings are simply not capable of—or justified in—carrying out the work of Providence. Dumas's final message in this epic work of crime and punishment is that human beings must simply resign themselves to allowing God to reward and punish—when and how God sees fit.
A great deal separates the sympathetic from the unsympathetic characters in The Count of Monte Cristo. The trait that is most consistently found among the sympathetic characters and lacking among the unsympathetic is the ability to assess one's circumstances in such a way as to feel satisfaction and happiness with one's life. In his parting message to Maximilian, Dantès claims that "[t]here is neither happiness nor misery in the world; there is only the comparison of one state with another, nothing more." In simpler terms, what separates the good from the bad in The Count of Monte Cristo is that the good appreciate the good things they have, however small, while the bad focus on what they lack.
Dantès's enemies betray him out of an envy that arises from just this problem: despite the blessings these men have in their own lives, Dantès's relatively superior position sends them into a rage of dissatisfaction. Caderousse exemplifies this psychological deficiency, finding fault in virtually every positive circumstance that life throws his way. Caderousse could easily be a happy man, as he is healthy, clever, and reasonably well off, yet he is unable to view his circumstances in such a way as to feel happy. At the other end of the spectrum are Julie and Emmanuel Herbaut—they are fully capable of feeling happiness, even in the face of pressing poverty and other hardships. The Dantès of the early chapters, perfectly thrilled with the small happiness that God has granted him, provides another example of the good and easily satisfied man, while the Dantès of later chapters, who has emerged from prison unable to find happiness unless he exacts his complicated revenge, provides an example of the bad and unsatisfiable man.
Dantès declares himself an exile from humanity during the years in which he carries out his elaborate scheme of revenge. He feels cut off not only from all countries, societies, and individuals but also from normal human emotions. Dantès is unable to experience joy, sorrow, or excitement; in fact, the only emotions he is capable of feeling are vengeful hatred and occasional gratitude. It is plausible that Dantès's extreme social isolation and narrow range of feeling are simply the result of his obsession with his role as the agent of Providence. It is not difficult to imagine that a decade-long devotion to a project like Dantès's might take a dramatic toll on one's psychology.
Yet Dantès's alienation from humanity is not solely due to his obsessive lust for revenge but also to his lack of love for any living person. Though he learns of his enemies' treachery years before he escapes from prison, his alienation from humanity begins to take hold only when Abbé Faria dies. Until Faria's death, Dantès's love for Faria keeps him connected to his own humanity, by keeping the humanizing emotion of love alive within him. When Dantès learns that his father is dead and that Mercédès has married another man, his alienation is complete. There are no longer any living people whom he loves, and he loses hold of any humanizing force.
This humanizing force eventually returns when Dantès falls in love with Haydée. This relationship reconciles Dantès to his humanity and enables him to feel real emotion once again. In a triumphant declaration of emotion, he says to Haydée, "through you I again connect myself with life, through you I shall suffer, through you rejoice." Dantès's overcomes his alienation, both from society and from his own humanity, through his love of another human being.
Motifs are recurring structures, contrasts, and literary devices that can help to develop and inform the text's major themes.
The constant changing of characters' names in The Count of Monte Cristo signifies deeper changes within the characters themselves. Like the God of the Old Testament, Dantès assumes a host of different names, each associated with a different role in his schemes as the agent of Providence. He calls himself Abbé Busoni when standing in judgment, Lord Wilmore when engaging in acts of excessive generosity, and Monte Cristo when assuming the role of avenging angel. That Dantès possesses so many identities suggests that he lacks a true center.
Villefort also changes his name, though for different reasons: he refuses to adopt his father's title of Noirtier, a name closely associated with the despised Bonapartist party. Villefort's choice of names signifies both his political opportunism and his willingness to sacrifice ruthlessly those close to him for his own personal gain. Fernand Mondego's change of name to Count de Morcerf is, on one level, merely a sign of his ascent into the realm of power and prestige. Yet, since Mondego pretends that Morcerf is an old family name rather than merely a title he has purchased, the name-change is also a symbol of his fundamental dishonesty. Mercédès also undergoes a change of name, becoming Countess de Morcerf. This change in name, however, as we learn when Mercédès proves her enduring goodness, does not accompany a fundamental change in character. Instead, her name-change merely emphasizes her connection to her husband, Dantès's rival, and, by association, her disloyalty to Dantès. Only Benedetto's change of name, to Andrea Cavalcanti, seems to signify nothing deeper than the fact that he is assuming a false identity. All of the other name changes in the novel are external signals of internal changes of character or role.
Many characters in The Count of Monte Cristo—Dantès, Monsieur Morrel, Maximilian Morrel, Haydée, Fernand Mondego, Madame d'Villefort, and Albert de Morcerf—contemplate or even carry out suicide during the course of the novel. Dumas presents the act of suicide as an honorable and reasonable response to any devastating situation. As in much Romantic literature, suicide in The Count of Monte Cristo is most closely linked with failed romantic relationships.
In fact, eagerness to take one's own life for the sake of a beloved is held up as one of the only sure signs of absolute devotion. Monte Cristo is convinced that Maximilian loves Valentine, for instance, only when he sees that Maximilian sincerely wants to die when confronted with her loss. Likewise, Monte Cristo believes that Haydée loves him only when she swears that she would take her life if he abandoned her. The frequency with which suicide is mentioned or contemplated by characters might seem to reflect a cavalier attitude toward this most serious of acts. However, suicide is clearly regarded as a serious action: Dantès gravely warns Maximilian not to take his life if there is anything in the world that he regrets leaving. The characters in the novel are not arrogant about life—they simply live it melodramatically, finding the world devoid of hope and meaning on a fairly regular basis.
The Count of Monte Cristo is a historical novel, with key plot elements drawn from real historic events. Politics, therefore, play a significant role in the novel, particularly in branding certain characters good or bad. All of the major sympathetic characters are somehow connected to the democratic ideals of the Bonapartist party, from Morrel and Noirtier, who were once ardent fighters in the Bonapartist cause, to Dantès, who emerges as a champion for individual rights. Likewise, in his wooing of Valentine, Maximilian fights for social equality, another Bonapartist ideal. Many of the major unsympathetic characters, by contrast, are overwhelmingly associated with the oppressive, aristocratic royalists, such as Morcerf and Villefort. Others are simply self-serving capitalist opportunists, such as Danglars, responsible for ushering in the soul-deadening age of the Industrial Revolution. In this sense, Dumas does not assign political allegiances arbitrarily, but uses them as windows into the souls of his characters.
Symbols are objects, characters, figures, and colors used to represent abstract ideas or concepts.
When Dantès escapes from prison, he plunges into the ocean, experiencing a second baptism and a renewed dedication of his soul to God. He has suffered a metaphorical death while in prison: the death of his innocent, loving self. Dantès emerges as a bitter and hateful man, bent on carrying out revenge on his enemies. He is washed in the waters that lead him to freedom, and his rebirth as a man transformed is complete. The sea continues to figure prominently in the novel even after this symbolic baptism. Considering himself a citizen of no land, Dantès spends much of his time on the ocean, traveling the world in his yacht. The sea seems to beckon constantly to Dantès, a skilled sailor, offering him perpetual escape and solitude.
First used by Monsieur Morrel in his attempt to save the life of Dantès's father, Dantès later uses the red silk purse when he is saving Morrel's life. The red purse becomes the physical symbol of the connection between good deed and reward. Morrel recognizes the purse and deduces the connection between the good deed performed on his behalf and the good deed he once performed himself. Morrel concludes that Dantès must be his savior, surmising that he is working from beyond the grave. Morrel's daughter, Julie, then emphasizes the symbolic power of the purse by keeping it constantly on display as a relic of her father's miraculous salvation.
Dantès's potent potion seems to have the power both to kill and to bring to life, a power that Dantès comes to believe in too strongly. His overestimation of the elixir's power reflects his overestimation of his own power, his delusion that he is almost godlike, and his assertion that he has the right and capacity to act as the agent of Providence. It is significant that, when faced with Edward's corpse, Dantès thinks first to use his elixir to bring the boy to life. Of course, the elixir is not powerful enough to bring the dead to life, just as Dantès himself is not capable of accomplishing divine feats. The power to grant life—like the power to carry out ultimate retribution and justice—lies solely in God's province. It is when Dantès acknowledges the limits of his elixir that he realizes his own limitations as a human being.
The Sultan of Monte Cristo is a return to the great classic writing of
the late 19th century.Written as a sequel to the long time loved and
treasured adventure novel The Count of Monte Cristo,Sultan of
Monte Cristo pays great tribute to the original by remaining full of
intrigue and adding more seductive romance with the harem of the
The many exploites of the Sultan leaves you wondering how could
this astonishing work of literary art be so captivating while keeping
to the ... Read more→
26 out of 94 people found this helpful
This for the full version if your not reading the full version this will get you even more confused than the book does. The Count of Monte Christo is a good book but not when your confused about the Plot i'm in the middle of reading it and think the spark notes really help.
6 out of 12 people found this helpful
Keep track of the many characters in this novel - the notes so far are far off from the chapter notes. Chapters listed here are incorrect. wait for further notes.
12 out of 18 people found this helpful
Take a Study Break!


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Judicial Accountability Will Bring Police Accountability
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- J.A.I.L. News Journal
Los Angeles, California May 23, 2005
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______________________________________________________Judicial AccountabilityWill Bring Police AccountabilityArrested Man Dies After Two Taser Shockings
May 19, 2005
A 55-year-old man arrested Monday on suspicion of being under the influence of a controlled substance died Tuesday after being shocked twice with a Taser stun gun by San Bernardino County sheriff's deputies, authorities said.
Leroy Pierson was seen acting strangely near an intersection, officials said, and was shocked when he became combative. He was taken to Kaiser Foundation Hospital in Fontana, where he died.Copyright 2005, The Los Angeles TimesTape shows 5 Taser shocks in 1 minuteLATEEF MUNGINAtlanta Journal-ConstitutionHis last words were: "Don't kill me, man. Don't kill me."
A videotape of the struggle between Frederick Williams and Gwinnett County Sheriff's deputies shows he was struck with a Taser stun gun five times within one minute. Within four minutes, the 31-year-old Lawrenceville man had lost consciousness.
The tape, filmed at the Gwinnett County jail, was part of an 11-month investigatory file that District Attorney Danny Porter's office released this week. The file became public after Porter announced he will not press criminal charges against deputies involved in the incident. Porter asked the grand jury to consider the case this week.
"The evidence and particularly the videotape raised questions that were most appropriately answered by the grand jury," Porter said. "The grand jury declined to go forward."
Melvin Johnson, an attorney representing Williams' wife and four children, has seen the videotape.
He said he disagrees with the district attorney's decision. He has asked the FBI to investigate.
"He was pleading for his life," Johnson said. "They claim they were trying to immobilize him but he was already in handcuffs. They were clearly trying to inflict pain on a person they thought had injured one of their fellow officers."
Williams was arrested May 25, 2004, during a domestic disturbance at his home.
According to police reports, Williams' family said he refused to take his epilepsy medication and was acting violent and irrational.
Williams got into an altercation with the first officer arriving on the scene, Gwinnett police Officer R.E. Kenyon. According to an incident report, Williams charged the officer and grabbed his baton as Kenyon tried to strike him. The two struggled over the baton and Kenyon lost his balance, falling to the ground, bloodying his nose.
Kenyon called for backup over his police radio. Several officers arrived and tackled and subdued Williams.
He was taken to the jail, where deputies were alerted that they had a "delta," Gwinnett law enforcement slang meaning a combative inmate.
About 11 deputies were standing at the back door of the jail as an officer dropped Williams off, including a deputy who was videotaping the episode.
Williams, his arms handcuffed behind his back, his feet bound, was rocking back and forth in the back of the police car as deputies approached. The deputies grabbed him out of the car and carried him into the jail. As they were carrying him, Williams pleaded with deputies not to kill him. It was his last audible comment.
They carried him through the jail entrance to an area where restraint chairs are located. They placed him in a chair that resembles an adult-sized car seat used to immobilize combative inmates.
Williams appeared to be attempting to free himself from the chair, surrounded by deputies.
One deputy wrapped his arm around Williams' head and chin. Others were holding his arms and legs as Deputy Michael Mustachio applied the Taser to his chest.
One deputy commands Williams to stop resisting.
"Do you want another one?" Mustachio said, referring to the stun gun.
Within one minute, Williams was shocked a total of five times.
His handcuffs were not removed until after he lost consciousness.
Once it was clear that Williams was unconscious, deputies began to administer aid. Someone called for an ambulance.
Williams never regained consciousness and was pronounced dead two days later.
Gwinnett police Detective Steve Shaw investigated the incident and concluded that deputies did not violate the Sheriff's Department policy or any laws.Several years ago, Mr. Branson, the founder of J.A.I.L., was tasered three intervals by L.A.P.D. for a constant thirty seconds each interval (which LAPD admits), while Ron was locked up behind bars, for refusing to give up his rights guaranteed by the Constitution when officers demanded that he undress himself naked before them for a strip search. (At no time was the warrantless arrest examined for probable cause.) After each interval, Ron was asked if he "now submits" to which he responded each time that he stands on his constitutional rights. It's nothing short of a miracle that Ron lived through that minute and a half of electrical torture which was considered within department policy and done with impunity! And this policy will continue until the People put an end to rule by "policy" and enforce the Rule of Law.When Mr. Branson was brought out of the cell six days later for so-called "arraignment," never having had a probable cause determination for the arrest as guaranteed by the Fourth Amendment, the first words out of the mouth of the court Commissioner --not a judge-- was "I hear you gave the police a hard time!" Standing upon one's God-given unalienable rights is interpreted as "giving the police a hard time."When J.A.I.L. becomes law, we should see an end to this, and other barbaric police policies that are routinely covered up by the judiciary. A judiciary accountable to the People will make a difference!--------------------------------J.A.I.L.- Judicial Accountability Initiative Law - www.jail4judges.org
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|You are in: World: Europe
Thursday, 21 February, 2002, 19:39 GMT
Italy set for business law clash
Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi is a multi-billionaire businessman, but he has refused to sell off his own business interests - which include all the main private TV channels as well as extensive publishing activities - while he is prime minister.
His government proposes that a commission of nominated politicians should monitor potential conflicts of interest and have the power to report them to parliament.
But the opposition claims the proposed law is too weak to be effective.
On Thursday it was approved by the constitutional committee of the Chamber of Deputies, the lower house of parliament.
It will be debated by the whole house next week.
Opposition anger
The opposition has condemned the draft law, claiming that the proposed commission would be biased in favour of Mr Berlusconi, that it has too narrow a focus and that it lacks any real penalties.
In 1994 Silvio Berlusconi's first government was brought down amid arguments about conflicts of interest and criminal investigations into his business dealings.
Since he regained power last year Mr Berlusconi has had to fight more corruption charges in the courts.
He said he would introduce new rules to settle the conflict of interest argument within 100 days. That has not happened.
And in the past few months he has blocked plans for a common European arrest warrant, which could have meant Spain, for instance, could extradite him for the charges he faces.
See also:
21 Feb 02 | Europe
Italy's new superboss
15 Feb 02 | Europe
Storm gathers around Italian TV
15 Aug 01 | Business
Berlusconi deadline nears
18 Jun 01 | Europe
Berlusconi replies to critics
14 May 01 | Europe
Berlusconi: The billion-dollar question
23 May 01 | Europe
Berlusconi 'threatens democracy' in Italy
24 Jan 02 | Europe
Q&A: Berlusconi's battle with the courts
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Wednesday, June 30, 2010
If the Right Don't Get You Then the Other One Will
Today's Belmont Park feature is an interesting turf sprint, for three-year-olds and up racing six furlongs.
The Michael Dubb-owned entry of Tahoe Warrior and I've Got Speed are coupled as the 5-2 early favorite. Either will be very tough to beat.
Tahoe Warrior's performance figures are fairly competitive, but what does that matter when you're claimed into the barn of Rudy Rodriguez, who's won with five of his nine recent claims. Veteran runner has a very good turn of foot and breaks from the rail.
I've Got Speed, meanwhile, is the fastest of these, on balance, is 5-for-7 on Belmont turf and 5-for-6 at the trip. He's trained by Tony Dutrow, 31 percent effective with repeaters and horse's last five victories came beneath Ramon Dominguez, re-riding here. With different jockeys named, it is likely that both will run.
Taking the entry to win with no price restrictions, although demand at least 2-1 if only one starts.
Further, key first and second in super-exotics with Southern Exchange (6-1), for Rick Dutrow, a profitable 27 percent with turn-backs, Kingsdale Ocean (20-1), another old pro turning back to his best distance, Academy Run (3-1), who's never run badly when sprinting on grass, and the in-form Istishaary (9-2) for Team McLaughlin/Garcia.
Running Totals: (679) 218-137-95 Total Dollar Return: $1,528.40 [win selections only]
Written by John Pricci


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There's nothing like high oil prices and a shrinking economy to make most investors thoroughly uninterested in transportation and distribution companies as investments. Transports of all shapes and sizes have sold off, and some for good reason…business stinks.
Yet a couple of my favorite trannies are now selling at interesting prices, in my opinion. UPS ($66.7) and Sysco (SYY, $28.8) may fall further, but are priced at very low valuations given their track record of high returns on capital and growth.
While most people are familiar with UPS, Sysco is the type of company that very few people interact with directly. Their business is delivering food to restaurants (64% of sales), hospitals, schools, and hotels. Clearly, the restaurant business is suffering for a number of reasons, but Sysco has the benefits of market leadership and cost advantage, to go along with a very conservative balance sheet. These strengths should work to Sysco's advantage in a business downturn, as food distribution has high fixed costs and is very fragmented. The company has raised dividends for 37 straight years, in a number of economic environments, and has historically been very successful at passing inflation through to its customers.
A business risk facing Sysco is the state of independent restaurants. Independents are the majority of Sysco's customers, and are faced with dwindling customer counts but higher operational costs. It is likely that some restaurants will shut their doors, and that others will order less food in this environment, but Sysco should also see new customers who switch from higher-cost suppliers. This is a good example of a case where recessions are good for strong businesses in the long run, as it is much easier to become stronger when competitors are floundering. Sysco estimates it has 15% market share of the $225 billion "meals eaten away from home" category; each share point is worth over $2 billion or 6% growth to Sysco's $35 billion revenue base. In my opinion it is certainly feasible that Sysco gains some share in the next few years, either from organic growth or by acquiring distressed rivals, adding long-term value. A 1-2% market share gain would likely more than offset any recessionary weakness in the business.
At first blush a distributor with a 17 multiple may not seem interesting, but Sysco's free cash flow growth history (FCF has grown from $300 M/year to $800 M/year this decade) indicates a cheap and safe stock.
UPS' current valuation is very similar to SYY's and the business faces some of the same issues. I am generally skeptical of massive stock buybacks, but UPS' recently announced $10 billion buyback financed by debt makes sense to me given low interest rates and UPS' steady income history, along with a discounted stock.
Since its IPO almost 10 years ago, UPS stock has done nothing will sales and profits have climbed steadily. That UPS has been able to maintain returns given a sluggish economy and high oil prices speaks to the resilience of its business, yet the stock market has not given the company any credit. The company at around 16X earnings trades at a discount to the market, yet has significantly better earnings quality, stability, and visibility than the average company. I think the stock is significantly undervalued, even if we are in a recession and over 75% of UPS' business is domestic. Much like Sysco, UPS will likely be presented with interesting, discounted acquisition possibilities in this environment.
If stocks are cheap, safe, understandable, and boring, I feel pretty good being long, even in a period of weak economic performance, and recently bought shares in both companies.
Mike Rubsam is President of Liberty Steward Capital (http://libertystewardcapital.com)
There's nothing like high oil prices and a shrinking economy to make most investors thoroughly uninterested in transportation and distribution companies as investments. Transports of all shapes and sizes have sold off, and some for good reason…business stinks.


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Who is making all the weapons used in disputes from neighbouring countries?
Asked by talljasperman (21739) August 12th, 2014
In the middle east who is making all of those rockets being launched to civilians? Who is arming Isis? ect.. I think most of the weapons are imported from U.S.A. and Russia, maybe China. Which idiot thought it was o.k. to sell weapons to criminal states without checking to see if they would be using them responsibly?
Using Fluther


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Nail 'im: Regarding "If We Did It" (November 23): If I saw O.J. Simpson, I'd stab him myself. It would be worth it to go to jail for taking his fed-up @$$ off the face of this earth. I ask myself all the time: What in god's name is this world coming to?
Renée O'Brien
Miami Beach
"If We Did It"
Let him be: There are a couple of facts everyone seems to forget about O.J. First, his SUV never moved from its parking place the night of the murders. Didn't anyone remember the first witness at the trial? Second, Mr. Simpson was acquitted by a jury of his peers. Third, O.J.'s ex-wife allegedly had oral sex with his best friend in front of his children. She deserved what she got.
Johnny Ellis
Irving, Texas
But get your life jacket: "Surf, Reggae, Roll" (November 30) by Julienne Gage was a great piece about a fine band with two exceptional people and musicians. I had the pleasure of performing with Kayak Man for much of 2005 and loved every minute of it.
Tato and Nano are the Argentine reggae-roll Lennon/McCartney. The music flows from them like water in a spring; timeless, calm, melodic.
It's about time Kayak Man gets a serious writeup and the "respek" it deserves.
Ricardo Mazzi, member of Tereso
Journalists stink: I read about Casimir Wrobel, a suspect in the hit-and-run death of Sammy Render, in Francisco Alvarado's story "Crash Dummies" (November 2). It's appalling that someone would drink himself into oblivion, get behind the wheel, run into a human being, and continue for two miles until pulled over by a cop and then claim he thought he hit a dog. But it upsets me even more to see how Mr. Alvarado highlighted Wrobel's demise. What is this, a pity party? He got fired from ADT! He can't see his kids! He hasn't paid his $1000-a-month child support! Who cares?! Where is the compassion and sympathy for the real victim and his family?
Nothing is stated about Samuel Render except he was a resident of your city, was pedaling his bike, and is a Vietnam vet. What about his family? Ohhh, I get it, there was no information available prior to this story being printed. Did anyone do the research to discover anything about him or his family? Does anyone know his family and if he has any surviving children? Has anyone made any attempts to interview his family, not just friends who roomed with or grew up with him?
Has anyone inquired as to where Wrobel had been in that company van to get so drunk? Hmmm, is the establishment he was patronizing being protected because they continued feeding him alcohol instead of cutting him off ... and now they could potentially be liable for contributing to this incident? I trust New Times is staffed by some halfway decent investigative reporters who could've gotten the answers to these and many other questions. I was pretty upset when I read this story because all I could think about is: How would I feel if that was a member of my family? How would you feel if that was someone in your family?
Larry Lynch
Las Vegas, Nevada
Drunk drivers stink: I do not want to sound insensitive toward the victims in Francisco Alvarado's story "Crash Dummies." Saying that a tragedy has happened to them and their families is an understatement. I do, however, want to point out that the accidents brought up in the article were mostly caused by drunk or careless drivers. I am a true believer that Miami pedestrians are the worst in the country. We do not look both ways when crossing, we jump out in front of cars, we ignore the "do not walk" signs. Stand on SW Eighth Street for fifteen minutes, and you will see all of these and more rules broken by pedestrians. In order to help solve this problem, we must not blame just one side; we need to educate both the driver and pedestrian. We need to learn how to respect each other's right of way.
Name withheld by request
Sammy's with God: My cousin sent me Francisco Alvarado's article regarding my uncle's death, "Crash Dummies." I cried, got angry all over again, yet I could not feel any sympathy for the man who hit my uncle. My uncle was not a dog, and if the man had not been drunk, maybe he would have known that.
Uncle Sammy Render was the baby in the family, and I am glad my grandparents are not alive to feel the pain and loss my family has suffered. I am glad they are not here to hear how little my uncle's life meant to anyone. I am glad they did not have to see another son murdered.
The next time you write an article about my uncle, please express that he had a family who loved him and misses him. He was not a dog! He was a disabled vet who served his country just like the offender did.
Daphne Jones
Palo Alto, California
Who'd have guessed?: In reference to Carlos Suarez De Jesus's story "Maya, How You Haven't Changed" (November 2): The title of this article gives the impression that Mayan people are stuck in some ancient past and have not progressed like those people we consider modern. Nothing could be further from the truth. The Maya are both modern and traditional like all of us. And their weaving has changed. Mayan weavers have been enthusiastic about the rich colors available through aniline-dyed threads, for example.
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Marvin Cohodas
Vancouver, British Columbia
An item titled "Rockstar Righteous" in the November 23 "Wrappin'" guide improperly identified the designer of a line of jewelry at J.W. Cooper in the Bal Harbour Shops. He is Bon Jovi drummer Tico Torres. A story called "Velvet Gold Mine" in the November 30 issue mischaracterized an appearance by the New York Dolls. Two band members will DJ at performances this week; they will not appear at Churchill's. (See the item about Silvain Silvain and Sam Yaffa in this issue's Livewire.)


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BARCELONA, Spain -- Barcelona forward Lionel Messi could miss out on Saturday's clash at Villarreal because of an adductor injury.
The 23-year-old sustained the injury in training while away on international duty with Argentina, and it forced him to miss Tuesday's friendly with Costa Rica, which ended in a 0-0 draw.
Messi's injury is not considered to be serious, but the club is expected to be cautious with the FIFA Ballon d'Or winner, who has 27 goals in La Liga this season.
Barcelona enters the weekend five points clear of second-place Real Madrid.


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Moe has finally managed to crush American liberty! Just look at the GJ Club @ visual for evidence. The 46-minute TTV anime special sequel to the 12-episode 2013 TV anime adaptation of Shin Araki's light novel series is slated to air this spring and a new promo offers an early look.
The two-disc BD/DVD set containing the TV special and the "GJ-Bu no Ongakusai (GJ Club's Music Festival)" event will be released on May 14. The event featuring the main voice actor and actresses (Hiro Shimono, Maaya Uchida, Yume Miyamoto, Suzuko Mimori, Chika Arakawa) was held at Science Museum in Tokyo on May 19, 2013. The set also comes with a 36-page booklet (including a new novel by Araki), illustrated box by the novel's original illustrator Aruya, and photo cards.
Scott Green is editor and reporter for anime and manga at geek entertainment site Ain't It Cool News. Follow him on Twitter at @aicnanime.


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Vegetables are one of those foods people either love or hate. The problem with hating vegetables is that they are arguably the most health-promoting food group on the planet. If you aren't eating vegetables, you aren't getting all their amazing components like fiber, antioxidants, and other powerful phytochemicals.
So what's a veggie-hater to do? People who think they hate vegetables can definitely learn to embrace this colorful food group. But before we talk tips, we need to understand what causes some people to scatter when broccoli is served.
Are veggie haters born, or made? The answer seems to be both. Some of us have negative veggie experiences from our childhood that come back to haunt us as adults. Maybe you were forced to eat vegetables, or had to plow through a stack of green beans to get to dessert. Maybe you were served overcooked, mushy vegetables. Or perhaps some time in your life, you were on a fad diet where all you could eat were certain vegetables.
If you want to know more about how you can start loving vegetables, click here


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Kim Kardashian $750,000 'Push Present' From Kanye West Revealed, Did Rapper Propose?
Kanye West reportedly gifted Kim Kardashian with a lavish ring for giving birth to their daughter and new reports suggest the rapper may have proposed to his girlfriend.
On June 15 Kardashian, 32, gave birth to a healthy baby girl, reportedly named North, and West is rumored to have spent in excess of $750,000 on a rare black diamond as a push present for the reality TV star. The "New Slaves" rapper reportedly also popped the question however he is yet to present Kardashian with an official engagement ring, according to The Sun UK.
"He has spent half a million on a ring as a push present and had it designed months ago in preparation," a source told The Sun adding "He's even more in love with her now than ever and they can't wait to get married."
The pair, who has been dating for over one year, is now said to be planning a wedding in Paris to take place in September, however these reports are yet to be confirmed.
Kardashian reportedly delivered their first child naturally at Cedars Sinai Hospital in Beverly Hills and West, 36, is believed to have spent more than $150,000 on the reality TV star's medical bills.
"Kanye wasted no money in making sure Kim had the best of everything while she's in hospital," the source said.
On Wednesday an alleged birth certificate for the couple's daughter surfaced on social networking sites and it appeared to confirm that they had in fact given their child the unique moniker, North West.
"They're not totally sure about it. Kanye loves it, Kim is okay with it," a source previously told InTouch magazine.
"They will call her Nori for short," another source told Us magazine.
The couple will reportedly move in with Kardashian's mother, Kris Jenner, until renovations on their Bel Air mansion are complete.


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Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is the fairest of them all?
Fans of the Lunar Chronicles know Queen Levana as a ruler who uses her "glamour" to gain power. But long before she crossed paths with Cinder, Scarlet, and Cress, Levana lived a very different story - a story that has never been told - until now.
Marissa Meyer spins yet another unforgettable tale about love and war, deceit and death.
©2015 Marissa Meyer (P)2014 Macmillan Audio
"Not as sexual as other reviews imply"
I listened to this book out of order, I listened to Cinder and then Fairest. This is the story of how Levana came to be the vicious ruler that we hear about Cinder, Scarlet and Cress.
Queen Levana didn't have very loving parents, and she had a truly pathological sister. We learn the sad tale of how Levana came to have the scars she had, and about her ruthless rise to the thrown, and what she was willing to do in order to never lose it.
A lot of reviews talk about the sexual aspect of this book; I feel that it's worth mentioning that, just like in Harry Potter, you grow with the book. As you move further into the series, the age of the reader is presumed to have grown as well. I don't think the book was overly sexual; but if the reader hasn't learned anything about sex, then you won't want them to learn about a 16 year old girl losing her virginity.
Remarkably, the sex wasn't the part of the book that I found upsetting. I was more upset/disturbed by the story of Levana's accident, and the things that she did to secure her role as queen.
**Possible spoiler; but related to sexual aspects of the book**
The only sexual events in this book include: the older sister sleeping with many men, in no detail other than you know that the relationship is sexual. Levana (at age 16) using her glamour to get a man to take her virginity, and then a brief sentence where she mentions the blood on the post coital sheets. Otherwise, Levana talks about wanting a baby, and sharing a bed with her prince, in little to no detail.
*I hope this information helps listeners decide if this appropriate to share with younger listeners/readers.
"For fans only"
This should really be called The Lunar Chronicles 0.5, not 3.5, because it is a prequel that takes us up to the start of events in Cinder. It's an interesting backstory on Queen Levana. As a fan of the series, I'm glad to have listened to it, although you can easily give it a miss and not lose any momentum of the main story arc.
However, my primary criterion for an audiobook's success is 'Will I listen to it again?', and by this measure, Fairest fails completely. I never intend to listen to this book again. It has no humor, no light moments at all. It is unrelievedly dark and sad, as Levana first experiences horrible physical and mental abuse as a child, always feels unloved, and grows up quietly turning into a sociopath. How many times would you want to listen to a child being forced into a fire, or a absolute monarch deciding to cut off a servant's feet so she'll have nothing better to do than sew the queen's clothes? See what I mean? It's ALL like that.
Rebecca Soler's narration is fine, but it's not going to redeem a story like this for me.
Also, buyer beware that this book really only clocks in at around 6 hours, which I generally feel is not worth an entire credit. A full 30 minutes is given to the beginning chapters of Winter, which is supposed to complete the series and is not due out until the fall. I got more enjoyment out of those few chapters than I did from the entire story of Fairest.
"Don't Waste a Credit"
I love this series, but Fairest is a waste. An entire story devoted to a sociopath. We already knew Levana was awful. Now we get to see how she got there. The story is unusually short for listening purposes and has not one happy or amusing moment. It does nothing to advance the saga. Wait for Winter.
"Fantastic depiction of a villain's rise"
I've become a huge fan of the Lunar Chronicles. I didn't know what to expect from this story, which is for Queen Levana what the Star Wars prequels were for Darth Vader in that it shows how she turned from a sympathetic and well-meaning teen into a fearsome villain. And thankfully, Marissa Meyer handled the gradual twisting of her villain much more dexterously than George Lucas did. Watching Levana's gradual transformation into the terrifying force of evil she is in the first three Lunar Chronicle books is like watching a burning building. It's kind of horrible, yet perversely entertaining, and you just can't look away.
I'd recommend reading this story only after reading the first three Lunar Chronicles books, as there are many references to (and perhaps mild spoilers for) Cinder, Scarlet, and Cress. Reading Fairest after those three added a lot of color to the world Meyer has built. Whereas the first three take place mostly on Earth and offer only glimpses of Luna, Fairest shows us what's happening on the other side of the war.
Anyway, loved this book, love this series, and can't wait for the next installment!
"Not for me"
This is a matter of preference. No matter how good the story, the writing, the narration, I don't like to spend time with unpleasant characters. This is a story about an unpleasant character. Spoiler alert: What I term as a 'dating at the funeral' situation was unpleasant, showing a true sociopath with no empathy resulting in bizarre behavior. I was really looking forward to this book, but was unable to enjoy it. Nothing wrong with the story at all, just too dark. I am looking forward to the next book, but I will try to forget this one. Up to this point I had really enjoyed the series.
"Disturbing and in my opinion not suitable for children"
What is it like to be in the mind of a psychopath? It seems we find out in this novel. It was kind of disturbing overall and not really relevant to the series. Well written and well performed but I hated it nonetheless.
"Not for me"
People have called this. More than "dark", this goes into sexual coercion in a way that left me uncomfortable.
"Needed to be Told"
Listened for Fun (Audible)
Overall Rating: 4.00
Story Rating: 4.00
Character Rating: 4.00
Audio Rating: 4.50
First Thought when Finished: Fairest by Marissa Meyer is a story I felt needed to be told!
Overall Thoughts Did I feel bad for L after this story? Nope! Granted her back story did have me pitying her just a bit. Everything she does is for one reason only: it is what she wants! She is very self-tunneled visioned (I know not a thing but it is the best way I can describe it)
Did I like getting her history? Sure! She is an evil queen and Marissa did a great job of showing that there are layers to even the most evil of characters. Granted they may just be more layers of evil but they are layers!
Did I like the sneak peak at Winter? You BETCHA! Can't wait! Though I am going to have to do a total re-listen before the final book! That will happen closer to release time.
Audio Thoughts:
Narrated by: Rebecca Soler /Length: 6 hrs and 36 mins
The series is narrated by Rebecca Soler and she does a wonderful job. The only one I did not listen to in audiobook was Cress. I missed Rebecca's narration while reading. She adds layers and emotions to the wonderful words that Marissa Meyer has written. If you have not given these a whirl on audio, you should!
Now We Wait
"Waste of a credit...disappointment"
The reader's performance was good, as usual, but the story was depressing. I guess that's to be expected, given what we already knew about Levana, but in my anticipation of another Lunar Chronicles book I set my hopes too high. I wish Marissa Meyer had just skipped this book and released Winter instead. This offers nothing to the story except to see how Levana went from a selfish brat to a crazy queen. There's not a happy moment in the book.
"Totally disappointed"
If you are looking for a background story of where the primary characters of the story line came from...then you might be satisfied.
The previous books have wonderful balance of story, character development, drama and action. If this book had those qualities, I would be writing a different review.
This is soooooo weighted toward the drama of Levana... the story is very slow.. and the only action is a fire.
so, for me this was disappointing because it does not fit into style of the other books.
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By Al Greenwood
HOUSTON (ICIS)--As companies increase shale oil production in the US, they will also produce natural gas liquids (NGLs), offsetting declines that could result from a slowdown in natural gas activity, consultants said.
Gas production is important because NGLs are produced in conjunction with it, and NGLs are the feedstock for the majority of the crackers in the US.
However, another source of NGLs is from associated gas, a by-product of oil production.
Because associated gas is a by-product of oil, companies will continue producing it regardless of prices for NGLs – as long as crude production remains profitable.
"Everything that comes out of the ground has to be sold," said Dan Lippe, president of Petral Consulting. "Even if it is sold at something close to zero, it has to be sold."
As it stands, crude prices have justified increased production, as illustrated by North Dakota, the home of much of the oil-rich Bakken shale formation.
The state produced 243m bbl of oil in 2012, more than four times its total in 2007, according to the North Dakota Department of Mineral Resources, Oil and Gas Division.
"There is so much crude in North Dakota, what happens to gas just doesn't really matter," Lippe said. "The Bakken is enormous."
Of course, other states such as Texas also have substantial reserves of shale oil. Altogether, overall oil production in the US rose to 6.50m bbl/day in 2012, up 28% from 5.08m bbl/day in 2007, according to the Energy Information Administration (EIA).
The increased oil production has likewise led to an increase in associated gas.
"Now that we have growing production of associated gas, it almost doesn't matter what happens to non-associated gas," Lippe said. At the least, NGLs derived from oil production should compensate for any slowdown in gas production.
Producers have several reasons to pull back on gas drilling.
Power companies are a major consumer of natural gas, and total retail sales of electricity in the US have yet to return from their high in 2007, according to the EIA. As a result, power companies have little incentive to expand capacity and consume more natural gas.
In fact, electricity sales actually fell both in 2011 and 2012, the EIA said.
Moreover, US regulators have adopted policies to encourage energy conservation, another cap on electricity consumption and thus natural gas demand, Lippe said. Other regulations favour renewable-energy production such as wind farms and solar plants.
Liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports are not a panacea for the industry, even though they are considered another potential source of future demand, Lippe said. The world has a limited number of large LNG consumers, so exporters will be competing for a limited number of customers, he said.
In Europe, LNG will compete with coal, which is coming increasingly from the US, as power plants abandon it in favour of natural gas, Lippe said.
The prospect of LNG exports assumes that US regulators will approve export terminals. Those terminals face opposition from chemical producers and manufacturers, who are fearful of unrestricted LNG exports.
For now, natural gas production is starting to flatten out, said Peter Fasullo, principal at En*Vantage.
Petrochemical companies, though, are focusing on future supplies of NGLs, he said. Given the outlook for rising shale oil production, companies are confident that they will have the feedstock to pursue ambitious expansion plans in North America.
"Nobody can dispute the resource base that we have right now," Fasullo said.
In fact, Fasullo sees the US becoming a major exporter of heavier NGLs such as propane and butane.
By 2015, the expansion of the Panama Canal should be completed, and that will allow the passage of very large gas carriers, Fasullo said. Once the expansion is completed, the transit time to Asia will be cut by almost half.
Likely markets include Japan and China, the latter which is building several propane dehydrogenation (PDH) plants, Fasullo said.
China will need to import propane to provide feedstock for those plants.
The US could even begin exporting ethane, Fasullo said.
Already, INEOS has announced such an arrangement in September 2012, reaching a supply agreement with Range Resource-Appalachia.
Under a 15-year agreement, Sunoco Logistics will ship the ethane through its Mariner East pipeline to Marcus Hook, Pennsylvania, delivering the ethane to INEOS' European crackers in the first half of 2015.
Fasullo said there are a couple of companies that are considering ethane export terminals on the US Gulf Coast. However, before such a project can proceed, those companies will have to find customers willing to commit to buying ethane and shipping it to their operations overseas.
That will remain a viable option as long as NGL remains competitively priced below naphtha.
"The US will remain a very competitive low-cost producer going forward," Fasullo said.


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Macworld | iWorld Announces Special Media-Only Events
Pre-Show Innovation Showcase and Preview Reception Give Media Sneak Peek of What's New for 2012
Jan 23, 2012, 14:12 ET from IDG World Expo
FRAMINGHAM, Mass. and SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 23, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --
What: Macworld | iWorld, the ultimate iFan event for those who use, create and love Apple products, announces two exclusive events designed to give members of the international media an exclusive sneak peek at new products launching at Macworld | iWorld before the show opens to the public.
(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20111025/NE93114LOGO )
On Wednesday, January 25, media are invited to attend a daytime Pre-Show Innovation Showcase taking place in the lobby of the Moscone Center West. At this media-only event, print, online and broadcast reporters will have an opportunity to preview, learn about and try more than 30 of the coolest and newest consumer technologies and gadgets for the Mac, iPod, iPhone and iPad that will be on display at Macworld | iWorld this year. Hand-selected from First Looks, a program that puts the spotlight on the newest and coolest solutions for every iFan, many of the products featured in the Showcase are making their debut at the show and aren't yet generally available to the public. Exhibitors will be on hand to demo the products and answer questions.
Later that evening, reporters can see an entirely different collection of new products at the Media Preview Reception and cocktail party held in the Media Center. Here, more than a dozen inventive, independent developers and companies—including VIPorbit, Parallels, Gavio, iGrip, WebIS, MokaFive, Crestron Electronics, Global Delight, Fujitsu Computer Products of America, Phatware, Liftstil and FlyGrip—will give media a first look at some of the hottest new products for the marketplace. Additional details can be found at: http://www.macworldiworld.com/media-preview-reception/.
In total, both these media-only events will give members of the media access to more than 50 brand new products before the doors of the Macworld | iWorld exhibit hall open on Thursday.
For more information on either event, please contact Schwartz MSL at: firstname.lastname@example.com or (415) 512-0770.
Who: All registered Macworld media are invited to attend both the Pre-Show Innovation Showcase and the Media Preview Reception.
For complete details on media qualification guidelines and to register for a media badge, please visit: http://www.macworldiworld.com/media/. Please note that all media are required to submit media credentials for Macworld | iWorld.
Where: The Moscone Center, West Hall, 800 Howard Street, San Francisco, CA 94103-3188.
The Pre-Show Innovation Showcase will take place in the Lobby directly across from Registration Area 2. The Media Reception will take place in the Media Center – Room 2002.
When: Wednesday, January 25, 2012. The Pre-Show Innovation Showcase will take place from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. The Media Preview Reception will take place from 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Macworld | iWorld—taking place January 26 – January 28, 2012 at the Moscone Center in San Francisco—is the world's ultimate fan event for those who use, create, and love Apple products. Attendees will encounter a unique celebration of Apple technology-infused art, music, and film, as well as learning opportunities, and a shopping mecca in our expo hall filled with products and services for Apple users of all skill levels and interests. From home users, to artistic hobbyists and professionals, and the true Technorati, Macworld | iWorld gives attendees the chance to experience all that the amazing world of Apple-related tools can offer.
SOURCE IDG World Expo


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Wolverine Kit X-Men Origins - Marvel Ref.: 19125
Roll-Over Image to Zoom | See Large Image
Customer Reviews
Overall Rating Write a review
- Reviewed by: Jimmy B
- Date: 23 Apr 2013
- Location: Bradford
- Ok, overpriced for quality
- Pros: Comfortable, Lots of Fun, Fits Well
- Cons: Poor Design, Cheap Looking
- Best Uses: Trick Or Treating, Just For Fun, Costume Party
- Bottom Line: It homes in a packet so very flat and hard to shape. Theird a kink in the front of the forehead where its been folded. Had to use eyelash glue to hold the sideburns to my face. A good fit and fun to use.
- Reviewed by: Al
- Date: 21 Jun 2011
- Location: Reading
- What you see is what you get
- Pros: Fits Well, Comfortable, Authentic Looking, Lots of Fun
- Best Uses: Costume Party, Trick Or Treating, Just For Fun
- Bottom Line: The wig was great fun, and does look pretty authentic. However it needed a bit of grooming after taking out of its packaging to achieve the right shape. The Dog tag was great as well, baring wolverine's name and number. I still feel it is possibly a little overpriced for what it is, but what you see is what you get, and it certainly did the job + was a lot of fun!


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At first, Bretton Stamler wasn't sure of playing his final year of junior hockey with an expansion team.
Then he began to consider the perks of suiting up with the Edmonton Oil Kings.
For an aspiring professional, it's the perfect fit.
"Definitely, being in Edmonton is big," Stamler said yesterday.
"There'll be a lot more attention, a lot more exposure than there was in Seattle. It's just a hockey market and Seattle was not a hockey market at all."
There's a good possibility Stamler will be the Oil Kings first captain when the puck drops on their inaugural season.
The Beaumont native was selected by the club in the WHL Expansion Draft after being left unprotected by the Seattle Thunderbirds.
Yesterday he and the rest of the hopefuls took to the ice at Millennium Place in Sherwood Park for the first day of training camp.
"I was a little bit surprised he was left unprotected," said Oil Kings general manager Bob Green.
"But Seattle was in pretty good shape as far as their 20-year-olds were concerned. Sometimes teams just have too many.
"It was good for us and it was probably a good situation for Bretton as well. This gives him a chance to have a fresh start and make that final push to try and play at the professional level."
Moving home has already paid dividends for Stamler.
Shortly after becoming property of the Oil Kings, the six-foot-one, 207-pound defenceman was offered a free-agent tryout with the Edmonton Oilers and will attend the parent club's rookie camp in the Northwest Territories.
The Oil Kings hope to have him back by the time they open the regular season Sept. 20 against the Kootenay Ice.
"It was a nice surprise," Stamler said. "I was hoping to get a tryout somewhere, I never really expected to get one from Edmonton. But it was really nice, especially now that I'm playing with the Oil Kings."
A four-year WHL veteran, Stamler is the most experienced player on the Oil Kings roster. Last season he scored eight goals and added 24 assists playing all 72 regular-season.
In his four years with the Thunderbirds, Stamler amassed 17 goals and 52 assists in 261 regular-season games.
"He's a guy that competes hard and knows what it takes to win," said Oil Kings head coach Steve Pleau. "I thought that Seattle team down the stretch was as good as any team in the league last year.
"He can play a lot of minutes which is what we need. He can play in all situations, power-play, penalty-kill, five-on-five against other teams' top units. A lot is expected out of Bretton and I think he's ready to handle it."
Stamler was selected by the Detroit Red Wings in the seventh round (214th overall) of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft, but was never offered a contract. He went back into the NHL draft this year but was passed over.
"He's a solid player at both ends of the rink and can be a physical presence," Green said. "He plays with a lot of intensity, he's a focused kid and I think he'll teach the younger kids how to prepare for games and how to prepare for practice.
"He's really worked hard this summer and made the commitment to become a better player."


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It started out as a promising night for the Busch brothers at Darlington Raceway.
Kurt started on the pole and led early, and then Kyle took over and dominated most of the race.
But in the end, Kurt was fuming and Kyle could only hang his head and walk away after both left with disappointing finishes.
MORE: Scanner chatter | Kenseth runs down Kyle | Darlington results | Cup standings
They wound up on the wrong end of our Darlington Winners & Losers.
Matt Kenseth — Kenseth has won three of his first 11 races with Joe Gibbs Racing, but this one was the most impressive. Not only did he win without his suspended crew chief but Kenseth won one of NASCAR's most grueling races on a night when teammate Kyle Busch was dominant. In typical fashion, Kenseth hung around the front all night, waited for his chance and pounced when it was time to go.
Denny Hamlin — How tough is Denny Hamlin? In 2010, he raced just 10 days after knee surgery and won in his second race back. Saturday, he ran 500 grueling miles at Darlington and finished second in his first full race since breaking a vertebra in his lower back. Hamlin showed at Darlington that he has what it takes to battle back and make a run at the Chase.
Jeff Gordon — Gordon, a seven-time winner at Darlington, complained about his car all night, but when it was go-time, he got it right to finish third.
Juan Pablo Montoya — On a night when some of NASCAR's biggest names fell a lap down, Montoya finished on the lead lap and scored his second top-10 finish in three races. Montoya showed that he can get it done on even the toughest tracks when his team gets his car right.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. — After a strong start to the season, Earnhardt had struggled for the past six weeks. He ran strong at Darlington and scored just his second top-10 in the past six races.
Kyle Busch — He finished sixth after three bad races, but that is a big loss on a night when he dominated the race. A night after winning the Nationwide Series race, Busch led 265 laps only to lose to his teammate when he cut a tire late in the race. His run-in with Kasey Kahne also did him no favors, especially after he just apologized for wrecking Kahne at Talladega.
Kasey Kahne — Had it been any other driver, Busch would have gotten ripped for (accidentally?) forcing Kahne into the wall during a battle for the lead. The mild-mannered Kahne let Busch off the hook verbally, but he likely will remember their recent problems the next time they go door to door. Kahne's impact with the wall led to an 17th-place finish on a night when he could have won. Just like at Daytona, and just like at Talladega, the other two races where Busch wrecked him.
Kurt Busch — The old Kurt Busch is back — the good one, and the bad one. Busch won the pole and led 69 laps at Darlington. Then he lost the handle on his car, got lapped and began to complain bitterly and berate his team. Such is life when you've been banished to a mid-pack team that struggles more often than not and is not good enough yet to finish off good runs.
Brad Keselowski — Unlike Kenseth, Keselowski had problems without his suspended crew chief. Keselowski had to pit for a vibration early in the race and fell two laps down. Then he got collected in a wreck with Casey Mears while running near the rear of the field. His adventurous night resulted in a 32nd-place finish — his second poor finish in the past three races.
Danica Patrick — Danica had another tough night on an intermediate track, which has given her trouble all season. She got lapped early and wound up finishing five laps down in 28th. That's actually minor progress — she was six laps down in 31st last year at Darlington.
David Ragan and David Gilliland — The two Front Row Motorsports teammates found out that Darlington is no Talladega. A week after finishing 1-2 at Talladega, they finished 29th (Gilliland) and 39th (Ragan).