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|Cabinet and Chassis Restoration and Refinishing For help with cabinet or chassis restoration (non-electrical), please leave a message here.
|Thread Tools
|31st Dec 2018, 11:44 am
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: County Meath, Ireland
Posts: 232
Atwater Kent 206 - delamination advice?
Whats the best approach to deal with this case de-lamination?
The case seems to be made from plywood (made in 1934).
So not only is the outer laminated layer separating but some of the inner layers too.
Do I just try to get a much wood glue inside the layers as possible and clamp?
Or are there any clever ways ?
|31st Dec 2018, 3:53 pm
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Bristol, UK.
Posts: 924
Re: Atwater Kent 206 - delamination advice?
Hi Ray, I'm by no means an expert on this subject but here's my common sense solutions. If the existing veneer is still present then using a small blade or scraper slide PVA glue as far under as you can. Then clamp up inserting a piece of wood (spacer) between the clamp and the veneer to spread the clamp load and protect the veneer surface. It's a good idea first to cover the spacer in clingfilm to reduce the risk of its adherence to the veneer. If the clingfilm does stick to any PVA oozing out at the edges it is normally simple to remove it with a scraper or sharp knife after the glue has set. If the veneer is missing, then the problem is finding matching replacement. Remove the varnish or lacquer from an area of remaining veneer using a paint stripper and allow to dry. Sometimes re-wetting with white spirit gives a clearer view of what the veneer will look like when re-varnished. Then it's a case of looking online to find matching samples of replacement veneer. Craftshops are a good source for small quantities. I tend to avoid the pre-glued iron-on types of veneer because I have never been able to achieve a decent finish; it always seems to turn out lumpy. Then there's always the issue of getting glue residue stuck to the iron which doesn't go down well with SWMBO. If you cannot find a close match then go for something with similar-looking grain and match the colour when you get it with toner. Hope that helps. Practice does too! Cheers, Jerry
|31st Dec 2018, 4:10 pm
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Middlewich, Cheshire, UK. & Winter in the Philippines.
Posts: 3,897
Re: Atwater Kent 206 - delamination advice?
The delamination is due to stress in the layers being unequal and failure of the glue with drying out. The ply started out flat and was steamed and soaked until it became pliable, bent around a former and left to dry.
Taking this as correct, if you get the plywood damp through the layers with dilute wood glue, pva, and maintain the correct shape whilst cramping the layers together, it will hold its shape once dried out again.
So I think you have to be brave. Cover the outside veneer with cling film that will not take pva and soak the whole thing right through with well diluted pva and deionized water.
Arrange as many clamps and formers as possible to hold the correct shape and leave it many days to dry.
|31st Dec 2018, 4:46 pm
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: County Meath, Ireland
Posts: 232
Re: Atwater Kent 206 - delamination advice?
Thanks chaps, it seems logical. Dilute PVA and let it soak for a while, then clamp it up good and tight under cling film.
The sound board and speaker can be removed to leave flat surfaces on both sides of the grill holes.
There is only one 3 " peice of veneer missing and i reckon I can source something in dark wood.
and Happy New year to all.
|4th Jan 2019, 9:07 am
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Olympia, Washington, USA.
Posts: 459
Re: Atwater Kent 206 - delamination advice?
That is a solvable problem, per one of my other antique restorer friends, who repairs many radio cases.
He coats each piece with Elmers brand white glue.
Then lets it dry.
He then says he takes and positions the piece in place then takes a hot iron- steal the XYL's if you need to- and heats the glue with it. The glue apparently becomes thermally activated and acts like contact cement, with the MAJOR exception: If you don't position the piece right, take the iron & re-heat it. The glue then becomes soft and you can move the piect to the correct position.
Yes, you will need to clamp it, and likely will need several go's to cure delamination in several layers.
I have several cabinets delaminating so will try this. I would practice on scrap first though.
|9th Jan 2019, 7:47 pm
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: County Meath, Ireland
Posts: 232
Re: Atwater Kent 206 - delamination advice?
Thanks Frank, that's a good technique. I will try it out.
|Thread Tools


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Updated: 11/09/2019 09:40, Counter: 848
A business trip of HCMUT delegation to the University of Illinois in the USA
A delegation of Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HCMUT) paid a visit to the University of Illinois (the USA) for academic cooperation agreement renewal from 24-31 August 2019.
(the 5th, 6th and 7th from the left are HCMUT Rector Prof. Mai Thanh Phong, Vice Rector HCMUT Prof. Nguyen Danh Thao, Director Office of International Study Programs Dr. Dang Dang Tung respectively in the University of Illinois – the USA).
The delegation consists of HCMUT Rector Prof. Mai Thanh Phong, Vice Rector Prof. Nguyen Danh Thao and Director Office of International Study Programs Dr. Dang Dang Tung. The delegation paid a visit to the campuses Springfield (UIS) and Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), which have academic cooperation agreement with HCMUT to offer international study programs in Business Administration and Electrical and Electronics Engineering. Particularly, students are required to pursue the first two year program in English at HCMUT, then transferred to the University of Illinois to complete the program and are conferred upon the bachelor's degree by HCMUT's partner – the University of Illinois.
A commemorative photo with the leadership of the School of International Studies in UIUC.
The UIUC with the field of Electrical and Electronics Engineering in are ranked among "Big Four" in the USA after Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Stanford University and University of California-Berkeley and UIUC (ARWU 2015). Meanwhile, the UIS given the field of Business Administration is among the top 15 best universities in the West Central region in the USA (US News 2018).
The Office of International Study Program (OISP) at HCMUT has been launched since 2006 with a partner university network from different parts of the world, like Australia, the USA, Japan, New Zealand and so on. Up to the present, thousands of students from HCMUT have exchanged to the partner universities and vice versa for a variety of purposes of either non-degree or fulltime programs with degree recognition.
As part of the trip, the delegation also came and saw HCMUT's students, who have pursued the International Study programs studying at the University of Illinois.
A visit to HCMUT's student accommodations, those who are studying at the University of Illinois. The 2nd, 3rd and 5th from the left are Nguyen Giang, Adella Nguyen – alumni of the intake K2013 and Vu Nguyen Cao Nguyen – intake K2016 – Business Administration.
By the end of the trip, the delegation had expressed the appreciation to the leadership of the University of Illinois for their hospitality during the visit, at the same time, wanted to open up the international study programs in other engineering fields of the Bachelor degree programs as well as promote co-research projects for Postgraduate Study programs.
Other news:
© All Copyright 2011. HoChiMinh City University of Technology.
Email: email@example.com

subset: commoncrawl


text: If you are the head of an association or are part of one, you've found the right section. As an association, it makes sense to choose a preferred credit card processing company for your group. You can collectively negotiate a better deal that you would probably not be able to get on your own. You can also make sure the processing company you choose knows your business type and can quickly get your members approved and know that they'll be on track to save money and have the most up to date payment solution that will help them succeed in the market place. Rocky Mountain Credit Card can do all of this for you. We will make sure you get the best deal possible for your association, get personalized customer service that you won't find in most places and a wide array of cutting edge solutions that you won't be able to find with a processing company that just sells one type of solution or set up. Rocky Mountain Credit Card works with numerous processing companies and has no exclusivity agreement with any POS company which means that you don't have to go searching everywhere on the web and beyond for a solution. We've already done all the heavy lifting for your association.Set up your Association Today!


text:
9 ideas to ensure your team away-day actually works. Most business owners with a team want to improve the communications within their team and encourage "different thinking". Generating a new perspective on an issue can be powerful for one person, imagine what it can do for a team.
The average "team away-day" is badly structured and not really about generating alternative thought; so it fails.
Some have taken their team out of work for the day (or half day), in the hope that it would generate new life into the team, the firm and be a beneficial experience….only to find it didn't work and they wasted money and a whole day of chargeable time.
There's the problem! If you thought "hope that it would generate new life" sounded vague, you're right. Most team days I analysed did not achieve the desired results, because the objective was too vague and not possible to achieve.
The case for a team away-day
Taking your team out of their normal environment to benefit from their experience, knowledge and get them to think differently as a result of being away from the normal routine can quite literally change results for your firm.
- Thinking differently: Getting the team to think differently can make a huge difference to performance. People may be more willing to adopt new ideas, or create them.
- More effective team: Spending time away from the normal environment, doing something different, can bring the team closer. Afterwards they become a more effective team.
- Changed routine: A different routine will often generate different ideas, which can create powerful new strategies or willingness to tackle a task.
- Motivation: Helping them to take time out from their normal routine, sharing future company issues with them can motivate and inspire.
Providing a different environment with no interruptions can allow the team to focus on each other and the task. What are the objectives for your team awaydays, are they clear and shared with the team?
Where do team awaydays all go wrong?
Having seen hundreds of team awaydays, I've interviewed delegates, organisers and facilitators. These are the things that go wrong time and time again, fix these and you'll have a great team away-day.
The trouble is that the average "team away-day" is badly structured and not really about generating alternative thought; so it fails.
- Objectives: Unless you are clear what you want and how you will know if you achieved it, it won't work.
- Congruence: Imagine a team believing that they are badly treated being taken out for a day and told that they are now going to be well treated (yes, this does happen). Most delegates will immediately switch off. Your behaviours before the session need to be congruent with what you hope for.
- Follow up: Everybody had a great day; listened to a presentation from the boss, split into groups, discussed ideas and by the end of the day filled up a big flipchart with the ideas. Excitedly people return to work, but in the days that follow they hear……nothing.
- Done it all before: Some teams have been on similar events many times, to them it ceases to be different. This is made worse if they have previously seen no real benefits.
- Communication: The team know that there is an event, but don't really know what it is about or for. Some of them are already thinking "waste of time, I have work to do". Springing lots of new ideas on them sends it down like a lead balloon.
- Facilitation: The person managing the discussion doesn't do a good job. Perhaps some people don't get heard, while others have too much "air time". Perhaps the facilitator doesn't understand what's going on!
Have you run a team away-day that worked well? I'd love to hear about it.


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Wearable Experiments
Fri Oct 11 2013
This morning I had the privilege of listening to Ben Moir of Wearable Experiments talk about the future of the wearable electronics industry. Getting up this morning for Geek Breakfast AU, I had no idea that I'd be watching a video about helping people grab boobs and crotches over the internet (#hashtag #theinternetisforporn)!
I've been playing with electronics since I was about 5. My office is filled with XBees, Arduinos, sample chips and components. Sadly, the time never seems to be balanced right. I'm either working on awesome apps doing nothing with electronics or I'm working on boring apps that require me to vent my creative urges with electronics.
Ben's advice to apps makers is to get into the hardware industry. The reason the iPhone has grafted itself into our lives, he says, is because it's filled with all kinds of sensors (accelerometer, gyroscope, compass etc) that tap into real life. He encourages developers to reach out and connect to other hardware devices. The tangible market is where it's at.
So what more excuse do you need to buy that tinker toy? Arduino, XBee, Spark Core, Melon Headband - now they're all business expenses. Go forth and make apps with things, Ben says, that detect the temperature in your house, that detect when you enter the front door, things that augment experiences - that share another person's heartbeat or vision. Go forth and integrate with people's lives for real.
I think that be best kind of inventions and advances in technology stem from a new way of looking at an existing problem. If you want to start your journey over the software-hardware bridge, I say solve a problem in your own space. Is there something that you do regularly that takes more time than it could? Some menial task that you'd rather pay for in batteries? Something that your spouse has been nagging at you to fix? If your creation solves a problem that is relevant to you, you are making something that shows insight and understanding of the core issue. You're making something that you will want to maintain and make better because it serves you. And because human beings tend to share problems and habits, everyone else who has that problem will benefit should you decide to make your creation public.
You can follow Wearable Experiments on Twitter or check out their site. If you're interested in chatting about software-hardware projects or any of the tech mentioned here, hit me up.
EDIT: Here's the wearable market breakdown graphic used in this morning's talk (thanks, Ben!).Return to list


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Osler Special Advisor Brad Wall says he is "optimistic" about the future prospects of Canada's energy sector and that we should be "very excited about Canadian agriculture." In a video interview, Brad, the former Premier of Saskatchewan, discussed a wide range of topics including Canada's energy and agricultural sectors; navigating the public consultation process; the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA or USMCA) and more.
On energy, Brad explains the importance of Canada having a plan to get its oil to tide water and of Canadians becoming more engaged on the issue, particularly as oil demands are projected to increase.
"So if oil demand is growing, and Canada decides to not be a part of supplying it because we can't get a pipeline built, well the demand will be met, but it will be met by countries arguably that don't care as much about the environment as we do, whose industries aren't as responsible as ours," Brad says. "Some countries will meet that demand that don't even believe in basic human rights."
He adds that he believes the federal government understands how important this issue is to Canadians as support for pipelines increases, which is one of the reasons why he's "optimistic" for the energy sector.
Brad also says there is cause for optimism in Canada's agricultural sector, which he says can take advantage of the growing trend of plant-based protein, for example. He says that Saskatchewan, for instance, is a leader in pulse crops — which include plant-based proteins such as field peas, lentils and chick peas — which he says "don't just have a great potential for new markets and growing markets in Asia, but actually in the West as well, as people want more plant-based protein options.
"So that's just one segment of agriculture – of course there's cereals, which are very strong, there's diversification happening into other crops; soy bean, corn."
He says that Canadian agriculture, in part, is why free trade across North America is so "vital," as was coming to an agreement on the USMCA. "We have a large country with great resources, and not a huge population, and we need to trade," Brad says. "If you're right next door to a country that's got a huge population, it just makes sense to make sure you always are erring on the side of freer trade with that jurisdiction."
For more of Brad Wall's views on trade, energy, agriculture and Osler, watch Brad's full interview:
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.


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Thursday, November 18, 2010
Thanks on Thursday
We received a beautiful award from our special friend Jenny at a beautiful website called J. Gaffney Cards.
According to the rules, we have to name three things that make us different. Since there are three of us, we will each share one thing.
Phantom - There are lots of things about me that are different. The one thing that makes me different from Thunder and Ciara is my tail. It has longer fur and it is very full and fluffy. I usually carry it high over my back.
Thunder - I don't know what makes me different. Mom says I am a really sweet boy who likes everypup and everypeep, who loves to eat everything, and who is very tolerant of the pest. I guess one thing that makes me different is that I don't destuff stuffies, but I did try to grow a stuffie tree once. I still don't know what I did wrong.
Ciara - That's easy. I am Ciara - that's what makes me different, right? There isn't another pup here like me:) I love my brothers, I love treats, I love stuffies - OK, I love to destuff them, I am a great gardener, and I am the only sibe here with golden brown eyes.
Thanks, Jenny, for this very nice award, and now we want to offer this award to our special furiend Dennis the Viszla. We think he will be very excited because he has been searching for awards for his Sunday Meem and Awards show. We think he has a wonderful attitude - so this one's for you, Dennis.
Thunder also wants everyone to know that he was not displaced yesterday from HIS throne by the pest. He prefers the "loveseat" - this is where he dream sweet dreams of his girl Kat.
We hope you are all enjoying a wonderful Thursday and hope you will come back here Saturday for a special celebration.
Woos ~ Phantom, Thunder, and Ciara
53 comments:
- Cyndi and Stumpy said...
We think your Sibe-atude is perfect! congratulations on your award!
- November 18, 2010 at 10:36 AM
- Barbara said...
A special celebration? How could it be more special than today's edition, with all the gorgeous pups?
- November 18, 2010 at 10:39 AM
- Unknown said...
We think yall are all so perfect and special, hahaha stuffie tree!!
Congrats on the awards guys!!
- November 18, 2010 at 10:42 AM
- Two French Bulldogs said...
Congratulations on your award. A stuffie tree! BOL good one
Benny & Lily
- November 18, 2010 at 10:51 AM
- Gus said...
You are all special because you have one another, and your special hoomans.
gussie and teka
- November 18, 2010 at 11:14 AM
Congratulations on your awardie! I liked reading how you all are different. It's for sure that there's no other doggies in the whole wide world like any of you!
Wiggles & Wags,
PeeS. Um, would you let me know if you gets that stuffie tree to work?
- November 18, 2010 at 11:59 AM
- BeadedTail said...
Congratulations on your award! We think you are all very special and unique and gorjuss!
- November 18, 2010 at 12:06 PM
- Remington said...
Congrats on your well deserved award! Great shots!
- November 18, 2010 at 12:12 PM
- doyle and mollie said...
we have to say fuffy tails, soft nature and golden brown eys do it for us and our momma just wanted to tell your momma the squares will be back but the only gold she could think of about them was the $$ spent and thats best not talked about arf arf - loves and licks xxx
- November 18, 2010 at 12:27 PM
- Stella said...
Congrats you beautiful Sibes, you!
How wonderful you are sending it on to Dennis the Viszla too, who is quite desperate for some awards.
TD, lets give that Stuffie tree another go, shall we? I have lots of stuffies and I don't de-stuff them but it'd nice to have a bigger supply and I'd be willing to try it if you tell me what I need. If it works you could get a patent on it that would keep your pack in treats 4-ever.
- November 18, 2010 at 12:30 PM
- The WriggleButts said...
Congrats on the award - well deserved. Nice pix, too!
- November 18, 2010 at 1:09 PM
- Sagira said...
Congrats on your cool award and yes...I am sure Dennis will be VERY happy with the awards considering he does have his very own awards show. :)
- November 18, 2010 at 1:30 PM
- Mollie Jo and Bobo said...
Hmmm...You grew a stuffie tree? I think I just might try that!
Love the new header!!!
Wags and Licks,
Mollie Jo & Bobo
- November 18, 2010 at 1:34 PM
- Wyatt said...
Congrats on your award! You all have a great attitude!!
- November 18, 2010 at 1:47 PM
- jen said...
Congratulations on your award!
So glad to hear that Thunder was not dethroned:)
- November 18, 2010 at 1:59 PM
- Baby Rocket Dog and Hootie said...
Congrats dear friends! Fun to see all your diffences. And what a great attitude you all have!!(Can hardly believe that Ciara has grown into such a young lady.)Snowwww is on the ground up in the panhandle of Idaho. Bet you are getting excited!
Smooches from pooches,
BabyRD and Hootie
- November 18, 2010 at 2:00 PM
- ♥I am Holly♥ said...
Congratulations on your award!!! We love the pictures and all of the stuffies!! A stuffie tree...wow!! Every single one of you is simply beautiful!! Lots of love, Holly and mom
- November 18, 2010 at 2:19 PM
- Sue said...
Our Mom thinks growing a stuffie tree is a great idea. She says that way she wouldn't have to buy anymore for us to kill. If you figure out how to do it, will you share the method?
We'll be back to check out your celebration. We like celebrations.
Morgan, Tsar and the Porties
- November 18, 2010 at 2:48 PM
- Teddy Westlife said...
I think you are all special!
- November 18, 2010 at 3:34 PM
- Mrs. JP said...
We like learning what makes each one different. Nice post.
- November 18, 2010 at 3:39 PM
- The Luke said...
Funder! I fink you're on to some fing wif that Stuffy Tree!
And Phantom, you wear the manly FT well!
O and Miss Cutey, Ciara... I adore your golden eyes!
Congrats on the award... what a fun post!
wif love from the Luke
- November 18, 2010 at 3:52 PM
- Gus, Louie and Callie said...
You are all unique in your own way.. Hey aren't all dogs?
Congrad's on your wonderful award..
Big Sloppy Kisses
Gus, Louie and Callie
- November 18, 2010 at 4:39 PM
- White Dog Blog said...
Congratulations on the award! You are each uniquely special and we love you for it...but we cherish you all for the things you have in common...generous hearts, caring souls, and sharing attitudes.
- November 18, 2010 at 4:41 PM
- Molly the Airedale said...
Congratulations on your award, guys!
I'm like you, Thunder - I don't destuff stuffies anymore either!
Love ya lots
Maggie & Mitch
- November 18, 2010 at 4:50 PM
- Soggibottom said...
How can I not smile at this beautiful post and photo's of such beautiful babies
- November 18, 2010 at 5:09 PM
- Frankie Furter and Ernie said...
Phantom, Thunder, and Ciara you did a wonderful job of telling how your are "different". an A+ job.
Did you know that Dennis' dad is not feeling well? He has a Kiddie Stone butt I don't know what that is or why he has it or even why it made him not feel well. My mom said he has a problem with his pee shooter plumbing. Butt that is not what he said. Very much confusing.
sooooooo anyway Dennis said that he might not be around for a day or so.
- November 18, 2010 at 5:11 PM
- Candylei said...
You three huskies are beautiful!
I'll be back to check on you. Love your stash of toys.
Candylei and Sir Salty
- November 18, 2010 at 5:19 PM
- 3 doxies said...
A stuffie tree????? Well what on earth happened? I thinks we needs to look into dat...we could makes some monies.
And Phantom, there is nuttin purtier (other than me) than a Sibe tail.
Caira, you just gorgeous anyways.
Congrats on da award...dat is one cool award!!!!!
- November 18, 2010 at 5:24 PM
- Unknown said...
im glad you like your award, your photos are lovely, i love your differences too, :)
TD i love your Stuffies tree, and Phantom your bushy tail is beautiful, and i love Ciara's pretty golden eyes,
Jenny :)
- November 18, 2010 at 5:25 PM
- Clive said...
Congratulations on the award - very well deserved!
take care
Clive and Murray
- November 18, 2010 at 5:31 PM
- BRUTUS said...
Never see that award before! What a fun one! We liked reading new things about each of you :)
Brutus & Carmen
- November 18, 2010 at 7:12 PM
- Huskee and Hershey said...
Each of you are unique and special in your own ways... and Miss Ciara, our mom says that if you post any more cute pics of your lovely face, she will fly over and puppy-napp you!! Hehehe...
- November 18, 2010 at 7:55 PM
- Lorenza said...
Congratulations on your Award!
I know you three are different and special!
Dennis is going to be very happy!
Take care
Kisses and hugs
- November 18, 2010 at 7:57 PM
- The Daily Pip said...
What a great award. I never noticed your extra fluffy tail, Phantom. It sure is cute!
Your pal, Pip
- November 18, 2010 at 7:59 PM
- Doris Sturm said...
I enjoyed learning something special and unique about each of your three beautiful dogs. You are so photogenic and I alway enjoy looking at your sweet faces.
Congratulations for receiving the award!
Happy Thursday to you too and a happy rest of the week,
Gizzy and his mommy, Doris :-)
- November 18, 2010 at 8:34 PM
- K9 Katastrophie said...
- November 18, 2010 at 9:25 PM
- KB said...
Congrats on the award. Growing a stuffie tree is a very creative enterprise. I'm impressed!
- November 18, 2010 at 11:31 PM
- NAK and The Residents of The Khottage said...
A trifekhta of khongrats!
- November 19, 2010 at 12:05 AM
- White Dog Blog said...
What do you think: Still Another White Dog (SAWD)or Yet Another White Dog (YAWD)?
- November 19, 2010 at 12:11 AM
- tula monstah said...
don't look now, but i think that squirrel stuffie was having an attitude with Thunder! just sayin.
Great Award!
- November 19, 2010 at 12:20 AM
- Mr Koda said...
That tail is very Khyra-esque!
Nonstuffing stuffies should be an offence! Why else would they fill them with stuff, however I suppose there is now more stuffies for Ciara to hide in her garden...
Happy Friday!
- November 19, 2010 at 2:43 AM
- Sonic said...
How did that Stuffie Tree not grow? Did you water it?
Love you guys (and gal)!
- November 19, 2010 at 7:33 AM
- Jack & Moo said...
We think woo are all special because woo are woo!
jack & moo
- November 19, 2010 at 8:34 AM
- AFSS said...
Ciara, you are welcome to come eats my food anytime; although you will have to beat Artemisia to it. I also think you are a very special girl. ~Fenris
Thunder, we are not sure why the stuffie tree didn't grow. It sounded as if you did everything right to us.
Phantom, we loves your tail. ~AFSS
- November 19, 2010 at 9:21 AM
- Cheryl, Indiana, Shingo and Molly said...
Congrats on your lovely award!!
Woofs and Kisses!
The Fiesty Three
- November 19, 2010 at 9:29 AM
- Sally said...
Congrat on your award.
You looks always so cute.
Nice woooh
- November 19, 2010 at 9:53 AM
- Lacy said...
w00fs, congrats to u on your award...me likes to sleep on the couch tooo...
b safe,
- November 19, 2010 at 11:48 AM
- the booker man said...
gratsers on your shiny awardie! of course ya'll are special and full of the uniqueness!
TD, you have the bestest stuffie collection evarrr! i can't believe you don't even have the teensiest tiniest urge to destuffify? not even one? hmmm.
phantom, your tail is totally awesome 'n impressive! keep carryin' it high!
and miss ciara, i always liked that your pretty eyes kinda match your furs!
the booker man
- November 19, 2010 at 12:53 PM
- Kari in Alaska said...
Congrats on the awesome award
- November 19, 2010 at 1:43 PM
- Tweedles -- that's me said...
you are all so deserving of this award.
We celebrate your likeness, your differences,,, we celebrate,, the beauty of your blog!
- November 19, 2010 at 11:23 PM
- sprinkles said...
Congrats on your award! You all are so deserving of this one and so many more.
I wish my dogs didn't destuff. Well, Chico doesn't but that's probably just because Shiver steals any toy he's playing with within minutes.
- November 20, 2010 at 8:50 PM
- The Oceanside Animals said...
hello woos its dennis the vizsla dog hay thank yoo for this award i hav ben hoping to git wun for the nekst sunday awards and meem show!!! and i think dada is feeling better so maybe i wil even be bak in bizness tomorrow!!! ok bye
- November 20, 2010 at 11:39 PM
- Deborah said...
Congratulations on your attitude award!
- November 24, 2010 at 8:11 PM


text:
Junior Sales Administrative Assistant Location London, UK Company Background The Dreamtek Group is a dynamic and innovative company that specialises in enhancing communications through creative design in video and web,
At Dreamtek, we're a video production company who live and breathe video. Our international team of experts work side-by-side with every customer, to provide the most innovative broadcast solutions for your needs. Driven by passion for what we do, we are dedicated to delivering the best in creative video production, live event streaming, and social broadcasting.


text:
In our latest Band Spotlight, we chat to Newcastle alternative rockers, Swine Tax.
What are your biggest challenges for you as a band?
We have a very short attention span when it comes to practicing our existing set of songs – it can get a bit dull. We'd much rather keep our eye in by playing regularly to a crowd of perplexed faces, and instead use our practice time to write new material and jam.
What motivates you outside of music – think specific people and places?
Boredom is a good motivator – we find that life can seem a bit unfulfilling when we're not creating anything. We're also lucky to know a few people in the North East who effectively dedicate their lives to making art. It's inspiring to be surrounded by people who pursue their own creative interests and don't wish to conform to societal pressures and expectations about what constitutes a 'successful' life.
Talk to us about your plans for the rest of the year?
On 9th November we're supporting Brix & the Extricated in Newcastle. We're all massive fans of the Fall, so it's a very big deal for us! Beyond that we've got another single release, some further live dates, and hopefully we'll stop at some different service stations.
How do you define success as an artist?
Good question. I suppose that for us it's really about making music that we're proud of and interested in. We don't really have many expectations for ourselves, but we have enormous admiration for enduring and uncompromising artists like the Nightingales, the Fall and Yo La Tengo. We put a lot into our music, so hopefully our playing and songwriting will continue to improve. And, of course, we want people to listen to our music and want to play gigs with bands whose tunes we like!


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UPSC IES / ISS 2019 Final Result & Marks 2020 Download Merit List PDF
Description – Union Public Service Commission UPSC Uploads Final Result, Marks, Merit List for the Post of Indian Economic Service, Indian Statistical Service Recruitment 2019. Check Selected Candidate List at SarkariRojgar.com
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UPSC IES / ISS 2019 Final Result & Marks 2020
(Union Public Service Commission UPSC)
Exam Name – IES / ISS
Important Dates
Registration Strats: 20-03-2019
Union Public Service Commission Conducted Indian Economic Service, Statistical Service Recruitment 2019
Exam Date
IES/ ISS Exam Date: 28-06-2019
UPSC IES, ISS Final Result with Marks 2019
UPSC IES, ISS Marks 2020
Short Details of Notification
Emp Notice No.: 06-07/2019-IES/ISS
Exam Name: IES/ ISS
Total Vacancy: 65 posts
IES – 32 Posts
ISS – 33 Posts
Eligibility Detail –
Indian Economic Service IES – Candidate Passed / Appearing Post Graduate / Master Degree in Economics/ Applied Economics/ Business Economics/ Econometric from Recognized University.
Indian Statistical Service ISS – Candidate Passed / Appearing Bachelors Degree with Statistics/ Mathematical Statistics/ Applied Statistics as one of the subjects or a Master's degree in Statistics/Mathematical Statistics/ Applied Statistics
Selection Process – The examination shall be conducted according to the following plan –
Part I – Written examination carrying a maximum of 1000 marks in the subjects.
Part II – Viva Voce of such candidates as may be called by the Commission carrying a maximum of 200 marks.
How to Download Result
1. Candidates have to open the official website of upsc.gov.in
2. Applicant Click on UPSC IES, ISS 2019 Marks 2020
3. After that Select any of the given option 1. Roll No. wise | 2. Name wise.
4. And then downoad PDF file to check Result.
5. Applicant can also check Result with Merit List
6. UPSC IES, ISS Marks 2020 Released on 10-01-2020
अगर आपको यह लेख पसंद आया है, तो UPSC Sarkari Result के लिए सब्सक्राइब करें। आप हमसे Twitter और Facebook पर भी जुड़ सकते हैं।
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The best phones for gaming (November 2019)
You could argue that almost every smartphone is a gaming phone of some kind, but what if you want the smoothest performance? Maybe you need physical-style buttons or a display with a high refresh rate? Either way, that's where gaming phones come in, and there are loads of devices that fit the bill. We've got you covered with our list of the best gaming phones you can buy.
Best gaming phones: Asus ROG Phone 2 OnePlus 7T/7T Pro Samsung Galaxy S10 series LG G8X ThinQ Razer Phone 2 Nubia Red Magic 3S Samsung Galaxy Note 10 series Xiaomi Mi 9T Pro
Editor's note: We will be updating this list as more gaming phones hit the market.
1. Asus ROG Phone 2
The Asus ROG Phone 2 represents a rather notable leap for gaming phones, as it's the first Snapdragon 855 Plus smartphone. The slightly upgraded chipset delivers a marginal CPU and GPU clock speed increase, which means you should enjoy slightly better performance in theory than Snapdragon 855 phones.
Opinion: Asus made a Nintendo Switch and I'm not even mad
Asus' latest gaming phone is extremely beefy elsewhere, offering 12GB of RAM as standard, along with 256GB or 512GB of UFS 3.0 storage, and a massive 6,000mAh battery. The device also stands out as one of the few phones packing an OLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate.
The ROG Phone 2 also offers air triggers that act as shoulder buttons, a 48MP+13MP ultra-wide rear camera pairing, a 24MP selfie camera, and an array of accessories. The ROG Phone 2 is only available in China as of writing, but it's definitely a beast.
Check pricing ROG Phone 2 specs: Display: 6.59-inch, FHD+ (120Hz) SoC: Snapdragon 855 Plus RAM: 12GB Storage: 256/512GB Rear cameras: 48 and 13MP Front camera: 24MP Battery: 6,000mAh Software: Android 9.0 Pie 2. OnePlus 7T/7T Pro
The OnePlus 7T and 7T Pro might not be branded as gaming phones, but they definitely pack a couple of features that make them more suitable for video games than your average devices.
Editor's PickThe OnePlus 7T might still be a better phone than the OnePlus 7T Pro We're only three years removed from OnePlus' first ever T-series phone, but you can almost set your watch to the tick-tock of the company's annual release schedule — and the OnePlus 7T Pro is the …
For one, both have 90Hz AMOLED displays, with the 7T Pro offering a larger 6.67-inch QHD+ panel. It's not quite as slick a refresh rate as the ROG Phone 2 or Razer Phone series, but it's better than most phones out there. It also means that you can enjoy slightly higher frame-rates in games that support refresh rates higher than 60Hz.
Both devices also deliver a Snapdragon 855+ processor, 8GB of RAM, 128GB to 256GB of storage, and a sizeable battery (3,800mAh and 4,085mAh, respectively). Toss in a triple rear camera (48MP, 16MP ultra-wide, 12MP telephoto) and a 16MP pop-up selfie shooter (waterdrop notch on the cheaper model), and you've got some well-rounded high-end phones.
Buy OnePlus 7T from Amazon Buy OnePlus 7T Pro from Amazon OnePlus 7T specs Display: 6.55-inch, FHD+ AMOLED SoC: Snapdragon 855 Plus RAM: 8GB Storage: 128GB Rear cameras: 48, 16, and 12MP Front camera: 16MP Battery: 3,800mAh Software: Android 10 OnePlus 7T Pro specs Display: 6.67-inch, QHD+ AMOLED SoC: Snapdragon 855 Plus RAM: 8GB Storage: 256GB Rear cameras:48, 16, and 12MP Front camera: 16MP pop-up Battery: 4,085mAh Software: Android 10 3. Samsung Galaxy S10 series
Samsung's early 2019 flagships aren't branded as gaming phones either, but the company offered gaming-related features before almost every other player out there.
All three Galaxy S10 models offer Samsung's Game Launcher and Game Tools options, allowing you to tweak performance in individual games. The Game Tools suite also lets you easily adjust resolution, take screenshots, record videos, and more.
Read more: Samsung Galaxy S10, S10 Plus, and S10e specs: Memory overload
As for actual hardware, Samsung's Galaxy S10 series offers either the Exynos 9820 or Snapdragon 855 flagship processors. The S10e is the cheapest of the lot and offers 6GB/8GB of RAM, 128GB or 256GB of storage, dual rear cameras, and a 5.8-inch full HD+ screen. The S10 Plus is the top model, and you can expect 8GB to 12GB of RAM, up to 1TB of storage, and a 6.4-inch QHD+ display.
Buy Samsung Galaxy S10 from Amazon Buy Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus from Amazon Buy Samsung Galaxy S10e from Amazon Galaxy S10e specs: Display: 5.8-inch, Full HD+ SoC: SD 855 or Exynos 9820 RAM: 6/8GB Storage: 128/256GB Rear cameras: 12 and 16MP Front camera: 10MP Battery: 3,100mAh Software: Android 9.0 Pie Galaxy S10 specs: Display: 6.1-inch, QHD+ Chipset: SD 855 or Exynos 9820 RAM: 8GB Storage: 128/512GB Rear cameras: 12, 12, and 16MP Front camera: 10MP Battery: 3,400mAh Software: Android 9.0 Pie Galaxy S10 Plus specs: Display: 6.4-inch, QHD+ SoC: SD 855 or Exynos 9820 RAM: 8/12GB Storage: 128/512GB and 1TB Rear cameras: 12, 12, and 16MP Front cameras: 10 and 8MP Battery: 4,100mAh Software: Android 9.0 Pie 4. LG G8X ThinQ
The LG G8X ThinQ isn't exactly a dedicated gaming phone, but it has one major feature that separates it from the rest of the pack: two screens.
This Nintendo DS-style setup makes the device perfect for retro gaming by setting up a controller on the bottom screen. Combined with a Snapdragon 855 processor, a respectable 6GB of RAM, 128GB internal storage and a microSD card slot, you're looking at an all-around great performer.
Read more: LG G8X ThinQ review: A more practical — and affordable — "folding" phone
The folding phone also sports a sizeable 4,000mAh battery and both Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0 and wireless charging to keep your gaming sessions going long into the night. LG phones have long been lauded for their great audio performance, and the LG G8X ThinQ is no different.
But the real kicker is the price. With folding devices costing up to $2000 or more, the LG G8X ThinQ comes in at less than a third of the price.
Buy the LG G8X ThinQ from B&H Buy the LG G8X ThinQ from AT&T LG G8X ThinQ specs: Display: 6.4-inch OLED, FHD+ SoC: Snapdragon 855 RAM: 6GB Storage: 128GB + microSD Rear cameras: 12 and 13MB Front cameras: 32MP Battery: 4,000mAh Software: Android 9.0 Pie 5. Razer Phone 2
The original Razer Phone resurrected the gaming phone concept, following Nokia's N-Gage and the Sony Xperia Play devices of years gone by. The Razer Phone 2 doesn't differ too much from the original device, retaining that 5.7-inch 120Hz LCD screen (QHD), and customizable RGB strips.
Otherwise, the new phone delivers a Snapdragon 845 processor, 64GB to 128GB of storage, and 8GB of RAM. Toss in a 4,000mAh battery, 12MP+12MP telephoto rear setup, and an 8MP selfie camera, and you've got a pretty solid combination.
The Razer Phone 2 also has wireless charging, an IP67 water/dust resistant design, front-facing speakers, and Game Booster software for performance tweaks.
Check pricing Razer Phone 2 specs Display: 5.7-inch, QHD (120Hz) SoC: Snapdragon 845 RAM: 8GB Storage: 64/128GB Cameras: 12 and 12MP Front camera: 8MP Battery: 4,000mAh Software: Android 9.0 Pie 6. Nubia Red Magic 3S
The Nubia Red Magic 3S is the latest in the former ZTE sub-brand's gaming line, and there's more to it than a stereotypical, garish design.
Editor's PickRed Magic 3S review: The perfect gaming phone?Gaming phones typically offer high performance, fast displays, big batteries and some kind of advanced cooling system. The Red Magic 3 offered all of those and more. Can its successor, the Red Magic 3S, bring …
Nubia's latest flagship device packs a Snapdragon 855 Plus processor, 8GB to 12GB of RAM, and a 5,000mAh battery with 18 watt fast charging. In other words, you should expect great gaming performance and better than average endurance. You've also got a 6.65-inch 90Hz OLED screen and capacitive shoulder triggers, making its claim as a gaming phone more concrete than many other devices.
The Red Magic 3S isn't perfect, as it only offers a single rear camera (48MP IMX586), while rival devices offer telephoto or depth cameras too. Other noteworthy specs include a 16MP front-facing shooter, and 8K video recording.
Check pricing Nubia Red Magic 3S specs: Display: 6.65-inch AMOLED, FHD+ (90Hz) SoC: Snapdragon 855 Plus RAM: 8/12GB Storage: 128/256GB Rear cameras: 48MP Front cameras: 16MP Battery: 5,000mAh Software: Android 9.0 Pie 7. Samsung Galaxy Note 10 series
The Samsung Galaxy Note 10 lineup is the latest in Samsung's lineup of ultra-premium smartphones, so it should come as no surprise that they are among the best gaming phones available. This year there are two models, a smaller Note 10 and a larger Note 10 Plus, but both will perform equally well when it comes to gaming.
Read also: Samsung Galaxy Note 10 vs Galaxy Note 10 Plus: Which should you buy?
The smaller Samsung Galaxy Note 10 sports a still-sizeable 6.3-inch AMOLED display with a small hole-punch camera to give it a seamless feel. The larger Note 10 Plus has an even larger 6.8-inch display, which is among the largest phones you can buy in 2019. Even so, both are only 60Hz, and more and more devices nowadays have 90Hz or even 120Hz displays.
You don't really need to worry about other specs, because they are pretty much top of the line across the board. They also feature the fan-favorite S Pen, which can come in handy for ultra-high precision taps and swipes while gaming on the go.
The camera is also a solid performer with a triple rear camera setup (16MP/12MP/12MP) and a 10MP selfie shooter. The only missing feature is a headphone jack, which unfortunately is par for the course for 2019 flagships.
Buy the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 on Amazon Buy the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus on Amazon Samsung Galaxy Note 10 specs: Display: 6.3-inch Dynamic AMOLED SoC: Samsung Exynos 9825/Snapdragon 855 RAM: 8GB Storage: 256GB Rear cameras: 16, 12, and 12MP Front cameras: 10MP Battery: 3,500mAh Software: Android 10 Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus specs: Display: 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED SoC: Samsung Exynos 9825/Snapdragon 855 RAM: 12GB Storage: 256/512GB Rear cameras: 16, 12, and 12MP Front cameras: 10MP Battery: 4,300mAh Software: Android 10 8. Xiaomi Mi 9T Pro
We were sure that the Redmi K20 Pro would end up being the Pocophone F2 when it hit Western markets, but instead it ended up being called the Xiaomi Mi 9T Pro.
Don't let the name fool you though, because this phone packs a punch. With a Snapdragon 855 chipset, 6GB to 8GB of RAM, 64GB to 256GB of storage, and a 4,000mAh battery, it has what it takes to hold its own against the best gaming phones around.
It even sports a triple rear camera set up (48MP, 13MP wide, 8MP telephoto) and a 20MP pop-up selfie camera, so your photography chops don't have to suffer because of your gaming addiction.
Despite all of this, the Mi 9T Pro is one of the cheapest options on the list. Xiaomi really went all out on the Mi 9T Pro, and you won't regret picking one up at such an attractive price point. The only downside is MIUI, which might not be for everyone.
Buy the Xiaomi Mi 9T Pro on Amazon Xiaomi Mi 9T specs: Display: 6.39-inch AMOLED SoC: Snapdragon 855 RAM: 6/8GBGB Storage: 64/128/256GB Rear cameras: 48, 13, 8MP Front cameras: 20MP Battery: 4,000mAh Software: Android 9.0 Pie
These are our picks for the best gaming phones you can get your hands on right now. We'll add more as new phones hit the market.
Read more: androidauthority.com


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"It takes world class stupidity to foul the entire planet." Derrick Jensen
After watching Hurricane Katrina and the aftermath, and knowing it had all been predicted, sometime after that, I stumbled onto Endgame. One lone copy sat on a table at the bookstore, in the environmental section.
It rocked my world. Entirely.
Suddenly, everything coalesced.
Here was a person describing the loss, the theft, of the world in the big numbers (topsoil, forests, ocean life…..going, going……) and saying "we're fucked."
"No population can support infinite demand. No population can survive a global economy. The problem is inherent, not soluble by any amount of tinkering." (Endgame)
Wait, an environmentalist who isn't telling me I just need to recycle, use cloth bags at the grocery store and buy a Prius?! (I dutifully did all of those things. This is the same guy who told me the Prius is actually even worse than regular cars, because of the rare earth mining that must be done, and the manufacturing process uses even more fossil fuels.)
Well, he's written a new book, called The Myth of Human Supremacy. It's very good.
One of the things I love about Derrick (and yes, I'm calling him that since we have actually met once and he's two years younger than me, and I don't think he'd mind) is that he doesn't sugar coat much. In this new book, he calls both Elon Musk and Stephen Hawking what they probably are: Sociopaths. Both of these men are big on colonizing space because they are correct in thinking that the human race, the wise ape, is headed for extinction. Instead of using their big brains to suggest we find a different way to live, you know, one that won't kill the planet, we need to colonize a new one.
"Gosh, the real tragedy of the murder of the planet is that if the planet is dead, it will no longer be able to support our way of life."
"Unquestioned beliefs are the real authorities of any culture. A central unquestioned belief of this culture is that humans are superior to and separate from everyone else."
The vast majority of the book is demonstrating how other life here on the blue marble is intelligent, how other life communicates, how other life deals with problems. It's fascinating reading.
"The Great Chain of Being has long been used to rationalize whatever hierarchies those in power wish to rationalize. It has been and is central to the notion of the Divine Right of Kings, to racism, to patriarchy, to empire. It is a very versatile tool.
The Great Chain of Being also underlies modern belief that the world consists of resources to be exploited by humans.
Our perception of evolution is infected with this belief in the Great Chain of Being, as so often other people, including scientists, think and write and act as though all of evolution was about creating more and more perfect creatures, leading eventually to that most perfect creature yet: us."
"It's much more convenient to live in a world where your morality is based on a clearly defined hierarchy, with you at the top."
Isn't it, though? It explains practically every corporate action, every land grab, every resource grab, every genocide. And if what you exterminate isn't human, why, it's not genocide at all, now is it? Good thing, because the list of "things" that the human race has exterminated is pretty fucking long and getting longer every single day.
(I wish I believed in karma or some life after death retribution. It would be so satisfying to know that Rex Tillerson, Dick Cheney et al, will get what they have earned.)
Derrick believes that civilization, and specifically, industrial civilization is the central problem and that we must dismantle it now, by any means necessary. He also knows that it's going to crash of its own volition eventually. But he wants to speed the crash up to save other species (200 go extinct every day). As you might expect, he has lots of critics. Some expect him to blow up dams himself. Others say that violence is never acceptable. Thomas Paine took a lot of shit for his writing, too. People don't change much over the centuries.
I am not a big brain. I think Derrick might be a little too generous, though. People created civilization, people created agriculture, people created all of the things wrong with our world. The problem, in my very humble opinion, is with people. From our earliest beginnings, we wanted more. We walked out of Africa and hunted and gathered our way around the world. This is a level of living that is sustainable, if human population is kept in check. The proof is in the time frame; people lived on the earth for thousands of years and it sustained them.
Which is not to say that we didn't alter the world. We did. Other hominids walked out of Africa before and after us and they are no longer here. We used fire and made tools to cut trees down. Large creatures like the wooly mammoth and the cave bear became rarer and rarer until they no longer existed.
There are those who believe that Homo sapiens killed them all. I don't know. The climate was changing, Toba had erupted, I tend to think Homo sapiens was one of several factors. However much I might not like to admit it, though, people have been violent since our very beginnings. I think it's in our DNA. And our technology has been an essential part of our lives from the start. I think our end can be seen from our beginnings.
Which has huge implications for the whole notion of free will, doesn't it?
These are fun things to debate on the Internet, but I can't, I won't dismiss Derrick's work because of what are, essentially, details.
"Such is the poverty of our discourse that mere mention of the biggest problem the world has ever faced can be enough to make me, well, happy isn't the right word…..perhaps grateful, like a starving dog thrown the tiniest crust of bread."
Oh yes! Pathetically grateful, even. It's so incredibly lonely to see what we see and not be able to even talk about it. Because few will see.
From The Culture of Make Believe…."One of the curses of being remotely aware of the effects and trajectory of our civilization is that it's increasingly difficult, especially for those who maintain touch with their capacity to spontaneously free associate, to feel unalloyed happiness, even in the presence of great beauty."
Dang, dude. I love that he appreciates the ability to free associate! I love that he acknowledges the pain involved in being a bit more alive on the planet as we watch it die.
"If your experience of the world is at variance with what this culture inculcates you into believing should be your experience of the world, what do you do? Many people respond by denying their own experience.
Of course. That's the point of a supremacist philosophy."
He affirms the rest of us. We very very few people who, not only acknowledge that the world is being killed, but feel some kind of duty to bear witness to it. To feel the guilt (holy schmoley, the guilt!), to feel the pain of loss, to try to do whatever we can to mitigate our presence, to live with the knowledge that there is no future. I can count on one finger the person I can actually talk to about all of this in person. One. My husband. Otherwise, it's all cyberspace. Which is killing the planet.
"In short, people protect what's important to them, and human supremacists have shown time and time again that their sense of superiority and the tangible benefits they receive because of their refusal to perceive others as anything other than inferiors or resources to be exploited is more important to them than not destroying the capacity of this planet to support life, including, ironically, their own."
The destruction continues.
(All quotes are from The Myth of Human Supremacy unless otherwise noted.)


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By now you know that I destroyed my treasured Le Creuset Dutch oven last week while trying to learn to cook "Southern". My girl friend, Brenda, helped me locate a replacement and gave me a few tips on cooking "the Southern way" which I never bothered to learn in my young and flighty days.
On one of our flea-market excursions, we stumbled across this wonderful cast iron Dutch oven ($25 as opposed to $275 for the Le Creuset). The black iron version had never been used, so it required some seasoning, but I'm back in business.
On its maiden voyage, ole Dutch boy was the vessel of the Gods – simmering to perfection sweet corn fresh from the field.
I can't think of anything I could do to destroy this sturdy beauty. Sitting beside my Le Creuset (which is now my garbage bowl) the black iron Dutch oven looks stoic and impervious to my tendency to destruction.
I guess I'm a black iron skillet wench of a girl instead of a Le Creuset debutante. Today, Brenda is teaching me how to cook turnip greens in my new pot. Le Creuset would never look comfortable wearing a mess of greens anyway.


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Reading Noelle's latest article on Teruhiko Saigo(西郷輝彦)earlier today had me deciding to talk a bit about his and actress Mari Henmi's(辺見マリ)daughter, tart-tongued actress/tarento Emiri Henmi(辺見えみり). Except for the last number of years of my time in Japan, the second generation of entertainer was a frequent presence on variety shows and commercials...and no surprise on that since she was a pretty fetching young lady when I first saw her, such as in the above ad.
As was often the case with many a young TV personality back then, Henmi contributed her vocal cords at the recording studio as well, She released 10 singles (the first 3 of which are now out of print) and 3 albums during the 90s, one of which was her 2nd single from June 1994, "Kirei ni Narou yo" (Let's Be Beautiful). Although I knew that she did release her fair share of records, I had only known her as the tarento. But listening to this song...well, I thought she acquitted herself quite well here.
Written by Henmi herself and composed by prolific composer/arranger Mitsuo Hagita(萩田光雄), "Kirei ni Narou yo" may be pretty light pop and Henmi's vocals didn't have Hiromi Iwasaki (岩崎宏美)losing any sleep, but I think it's still arranged slickly enough that some of the more mainstream female singers along the lines of Miki Imai(今井美樹)and Takako Okamura(岡村孝子)could have taken it on earlier in their careers.
It was used as the ending theme for the video game variety show, "Super Mario Club" on TV Tokyo at 6 p.m. on Thursdays. Considering that the show ended its run in September 1993, the song took its sweet time becoming a released single. I never caught the show myself since it would be over a year until I would get back to Japan to start my second life as a teacher, but I remember that there were similar programs at the dinner hour on TV Tokyo that I would catch from time to time as I munched away on my karaage bento.
Now that I've been back in Canada for a few years now, my chances to see Henmi are even smaller but recently she has popped up as an occasional guest on NHK's weekday morning variety show "Asaichi"(朝市...Morning Market).


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September 22 has been designated International Hobbit Day. The purpose of International Hobbit Day is to mark the bithdays of the Hobbits Bilbo and Frodo Baggins. Hobbit day is perhaps the oldest running day celebrated by fans. There is some debate on the date that Hobbit Day should be celebrated on, due to the differences in the Gregorian and Shire calendars and the fact that the novel The Hobbit was actually published on 21 September 1937.
Hobbits, are typically between two and four feet tall and are nothing like your usual 'hero', but nonetheless manage to accomplish great feats and amazing acts of courage During the course of The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings. It is in honour of these creatures and those acts that the day is celebrated with events not unlike the birthday party described in the beginning of "The Fellowship of the Ring". Tolkien once said that the Shire calendar is ahead by about ten days depending on the month. A suggested alternative date by hardcore fans is September 14th. Although the day was not officially designated until 1978 and has had many names and designations, it has been celebrated since 1973, shortly after J.R.R. Tolkien died on September 2nd of that year.
J.R.R.Tolkien's exciting epic fantasy novel The Hobbit was published 21 September 1937. The Hobbit is Set in a time "Between the Dawn of Færie and the Dominion of Men", and follows the sometimes dangerous, but at all times exciting quest of home-loving hobbit Bilbo Baggins who joins the Wizard Gandalf and a company of thirteen dwarves including Nori, Ori, Dori, Bifur, Bombur, Bofur, Fili, Kili and led by Thorin Okenshield on a dangerous journey to the Lonely Mountain, to reclaim the kingdom of Erabor and the many treasures which have been stolen by the dragon Smaug. They first venture to the Elf kingdom of Rivendell, home of Lord Elrond and the Noldor elves, to consult with Lord Elrond, Galadriel and Saruman the wizard. However Thorin Oakenshield and the rest of the dwarves have serious misgivings and do not trust the elves.
Along the way they encounter many hazards including Cave Trolls, Giant Spiders, Hordes of Orcs led by Azog the Defiler, Goblins led by the Goblin King and Imprisonment by the Elves of Mirkwood Forest led by Thranduil, as if that wasn't enough something decidedly dodgy is also stirring in the supposedly abandoned Fortress of Dol Gulder, to the South-East of Mirkwood where an ancient evil long thought to have perished is once again trying to take over Middle-Earth. Meanwhile Bilbo nearly manages to fall foul of the sinister machinations of a certain ring bearer named Gollum while negotiating the misty Mountains
Eventually The company of Dwarves manage to reach Erabor where they confront the Evil dragon Smaug who is unwilling to share his ill-gotten gains, gets very angry and decides to incinerate Lake Town in retribution. With Smaug otherwise engaged, the Company of Dwarves, led by Thorin Oakenshield reclaim the vast wealth of their homeland. However Having reclaimed their Homeland the Dwarves of Erabor must now face the consequences of having unleashed the terrifying Dragon, Smaug, upon the defenseless men, women and children of Lake-town. What's more, having seen all the treasure, the King Under the Mountain Thorin Oakenshield succumbs to greed, sacrificing friendship and honour in his search for the legendary Arkenstone. Unable to help Thorin see reason, Bilbo, makes a desperate and dangerous choice, not knowing that even greater perils lie ahead and Soon everyone heads to the mountain of Erebor including the dwarves of the Iron Hills led by General Dain Ironfoot the Woodland elves headed by Thranduil and the humans, who look for guidance to Bard the Bowman following the departure of the Master of Lake town.
Meanwhile An ancient enemy has returned to Middle-earth from the fortress of Dol Guldur, and the Dark Lord Sauron, sends forth legions of Orcs in a stealth attack upon the Lonely Mountain. As darkness converges on their escalating conflict, the races of Dwarves, Elves and Men must decide whether to unite or be destroyed by an ancient evil who has legions of Orcs at his command. Bilbo finds himself fighting for his life and the lives of his friends as five great armies comprised Of Elves, Men of Dale, Dwarfs from the Iron Hills, The Eagles and Hoards of vicious marauding Orcs under the command of Azog the Defiler, go to war and soon Even the wizard Gandalf finds himself powerless to intervene.
In the United States Hobbit Day has gained some measure of legal dignity due to the elected officials who support the day and the goals of the American Tolkien Society. The Day has also attracted Bipartisan Support from places as the U.S. County Courthouse, to the White House, to the U.S. Capitol. Fans celebrate by anything from going barefoot all day and having seven meals, to Literary discussions and readings, Lord Of The Rings Movie Marathons, and throwing parties in honour of the 'Long Awaited Party' at the start of the Fellowship Of The Ring with events such as feasts, games, costumes and fireworks. An animated version of The Hobbit has also been made and Director Peter Jackson also turned The Hobbit into an exciting film trilogy, starring Martin Freeman as Bilbo, Sir Ian Mckellen as Gandalf, Sylvester McCoy as Radagast, Richard Armitage as Thorin Oakenshield, Hugo Weaving as Elrond, Cate Blanchett as Galadriel and Barry Humphies as The Goblin King. They have managed to expand the story by including some of the related material in the appendices of The Lord of the Rings and Unfinished Tales, in order to tell more of the tale of Bilbo Baggins, the Dwarves of Erebor, the rise of the Necromancer and the Battle of Dol Guldur.


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Currently Browsing: Giveaways
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In Case You Missed It
We should name today "Taxmageddon 2015!"
By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
The modern Republican Party has been built on the principles of lowering taxes and fighting the growth and expansion of government in to all aspects of Americans lives. That said there are two camps within the GOP: the freedom wing that believes strongly in those principles and the establishment wing that is not so opposed to big government as long as they are the ones in charge of it.
On Thursday, September 10 the Republicans in the Alabama House of Representatives chose which side they wanted to be in and most sided with the old guard establishment wing of the party: personified and led by Speaker of the House Mike Hubbard (R from Auburn). Hubbard (outside of his 23 indictments) is best known legislatively for leading the charge on Governor Bob Riley's Amendment One debacle in 2003. Hubbard and his key allies in the legislature steamrolled the conservatives. Most of the Democrats joined the Tea Party GOP in attempting to block the tax increases.
Representative Ed Henry (R from Hartselle) voted against every proposed tax increase. An exasperated Henry said, "I think we should name today "Taxmageddon 2015!"". "The tax man cometh! Very sad day for Alabama voters who expected promises to be kept."
The House passed taxes on nursing home beds, pharmacies, cigarettes, car rentals and car titles. The more controversial increase in the business privilege tax was carried over and is likely to come up on Friday along with the excise tax on porn.
House Minority Leader Craig Ford (D from Gadsden) told the 'Alabama Political Reporter' that the legislature should, "Do the lottery before we raise taxes on the people of Alabama."
Ford said that the Democratic Caucus will not support tax increases unless there is also a lottery on the table. The Democrats also favor an expansion of Medicaid.
State Representative Phil Williams (R from Huntsville) said, "I am not totally an anti-tax guy. There are times where I would vote for tax increases." "But we are just kicking the can down the road."
Rep. Phil Williams said, "Trying to slow down all the tax bills that have passed today. Taxes are a necessary part of life and my family has paid a ton of them, but when we have an incredibly UNFAIR system of taxes in our state I will not vote to raise a few extra bucks to "pay the utility bills in the ivory towers of Montgomery". So many of the political class do not even participate and work out "tax credits" for themselves. The Legislature knows this. In September 2012 we were told that if we could borrow the funds to deal with that years crisis we would make tax reform measures a priority so today's crisis would not come. We did not, and here we are."
State Representative Allen Farley (R from McCalla) said, "Before we can talk to the people of the state of Alabama about increasing the revenue we have to talk about how we are spending the revenue that we already have."
Farley said that the cigarette tax is a regressive tax and as a former Sheriffs deputy he went into neighborhoods where people smoked who did not have the money to smoke. Raising the tax on those people is not going to make them quit smoking.
Rep. Farley said that the state has billions of dollars tied up because of earmarks. Lots of that money is federal dollars but "We also have $3.991 billion in state earmarked bills." "In the last special session the Governor proposed un-earmarking $397 million of that. With the help of the Speaker's budget we increased that to $501 million." That passed the House but was defeated in the Senate. Farley objected to un-earmarking not being part of the call in this session. "I can't vote for any tax until we are serious about how we are using the revenue we already have."
Representative John Rogers (D from Birmingham) said that he opposed the plan because it, "Was just a patchwork solution." "We have the lowest property taxes anywhere in the country." "We need to working on a short term and a long term fix and don't need to do a patchwork plan where we will be back here again next year." "Close corporate loop holes."
Rep. Will Ainsworth (R from Guntersville) said that the legislature should consider instead transferring money from the much more flush Education Trust Fund, "Education has a reserve that is just staggering to me."
Ainsworth said, "The Cigarette tax is dead in the Senate. "We have an obligation to find a consensus." Ainsworth said that the 78/22 plan would not be just a short term solution and would mean $163 million this year for the general fund. "I introduced that in the regular session as well as the special session and could not even get a committee hearing."
Ainsworth suggested backfilling the use tax transfer by raising the tuition on out of state students at Alabama Universities, which he said is lower than in neighboring states. "51 percent of the students going to the University of Alabama are out of state students." "We could raise $100 million by raising the tuition on out of state students."
A visibly angry Speaker Mike Hubbard told Rep. Ainsworth to go back to "Go sit down." Ainsworth was trying to introduce an amendment when Hubbard said that he had used up too much of his time. Ainsworth formally challenged the Speaker's ruling on the rules. In a rare showdown over the rules, the House sided with Hubbard 74 to 4.
Rep. Mike Holmes (R from Wetumpka) said that he had serious concerns about the revenue stream. That the wholesalers had already bought tax stamps for the current cigarette tax and those products were already on the shelves. It could be weeks or months before the new stamps could go out. "It feels like we are legislating morality. We are making personal choices for our citizens by penalizing them for their choices."
Rep. Connie Rowe (R from Jasper) carried the cigarette tax bill for the establishment. Rowe said, "I feel like this is part of the solution to keep our state government operating," but admitted, "I don't feel good about raising taxes." Rowe justified the cigarette tax because, "I understand that this one polls well in the state."
Rep. Henry said, "No one in my district told me to go to Montgomery to take more of their money to grow government."
House Ways & Means Committee Chairman Steve Clouse (R from Ozark) praised the "Very vigorous debate"; but said that, "The vote was a little closer than I thought it would be."
Clouse said that if the business privilege tax does not pass then we will have to cut another $22 million out of the budget.
Henry said on Facebook, "House passes another tax on your title fee this time. They pushed another vote 51-49 to almost double the price of your car title."
The 33% increase to the car rental tax passed just 50 to 49. People who rent or lease cars will see the tax increase from 1.5 percent to 2 percent of their rental/lease.
The legislature also raided $37.5 million from the Education Trust Fund (ETF) to assist the troubled SGF.
State Representative Tim Wadsworth (R from Winston County) explained; "HB30 being debated . Bill transfers $222,500,000 in use tax funds from Education Trust Fund to General Fund. Bill moves obligations of the Education Trust Fund which is about $185,000,000 to the General Fund. It results in a Net loss to the Education Trust Fund and a net gain to the General Fund of $37,500,000 -I VOTED NO. Bill passed."
The tax proposals will have a more difficult time in the Senate.
State Senator Paul Bussman (R from Cullman) said, "Committee votes overwhelmingly to REJECTS my proposal to use rolling reserve funds to help support the general fund needs. Majority of committee is Republican – only one voted in favor. We will continue to have one part of government thriving and the other part will continue to suffer. In my opinion, the State will never be successful as long as we continue to allow haves and have nots. I will not support any new taxes and will actively fight to prevent my constituent from paying more taxes when the legislature is unwilling to make the tough decisions to correct the problems."
Senator Paul L. Sanford (R from Huntsville) said, "My Scaled back Multi-State Lottery Bill (aka Powerball) did not make it out of committee today. Solutions are slim and far between in Montgomery. Please know I have offered two opportunities at solving General Fund Revenue problems on a long term basis:
1) Alabama Shared Revenue Fund (Sanford 78/22 Plan)
2) Alabama General Fund Lottery
Both have failed so now I will stop any taxes that come to the Senate."
In Case You Missed It
House passes General Fund Budget
By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
The Alabama House of Representatives passed the state General Fund Budget on Tuesday.
The General Fund Budget for the 2019 fiscal year is Senate Bill 178. It is sponsored by Sen. Trip Pittman, R-Montrose. State Rep. Steve Clouse, R-Ozark, carried the budget on the House floor. Clouse chairs the House Ways and Means General Fund Committee.
Clouse said, "Last year we monetized the BP settlement money and held over $97 million to this year."
Clouse said that the state is still trying to come up with a solution to the federal lawsuit over the state prisons. The Governor's Office has made some progress after she took over from Gov. Robert Bentley. The supplemental we just passed added $30 million to prisons.
The budget adds $50 million to the Department of Corrections.
Clouse said that the budget increased the money for prisons by $55,680,000 and includes $4.8 million to buy the privately-owned prison facility in Perry County.
Clouse said that the budget raises funding for the judicial system and raises the appropriation for the Forensic Sciences to $11.7 million.
The House passed a committee substitute so the Senate is either going to have to concur with the changes made by the House or a conference committee will have to be appointed. Clouse told reporters that he hoped that it did not have to go to conference.
Clouse said that the budget had added $860,000 to hire more Juvenile Probation Officers. After talking to officials with the court system that was cut in half in the amendment. The amendment also includes some wording the arbiters in the court lawsuit think we need.
The state General Fund Budget, SB178, passed 98-1.
Both budgets have now passed the Alabama House of Representatives.
The 2019 fiscal year begins on Oct. 1, 2018.
In addition to the SGF, the House also passed a supplemental appropriation for the current 2018 budget year. SB175 is also sponsored by Pittman and was carried by Clouse on the floor of the House.
SB175 includes $30 million in additional 2018 money for the Department of Corrections. The Departmental Emergency Fund, the Examiners of Public Accounts, the Insurance Department and Forensic Sciences received additional money.
Clouse said, "We knew dealing with the federal lawsuit was going to be expensive. We are adding $80 million to the Department of Corrections."
State Representative Johnny Mack Morrow, R-Red Bay, said that state Department of Forensics was cut from $14 million to $9 million. "Why are we adding money for DA and courts if we don't have money for forensics to provide evidence? if there is any agency in law enforcement or the court system that should be funded it is Forensics."
The supplemental 2018 appropriation passed 80 to 1.
The House also passed SB203. It was sponsored by Pittman and was carried in the House by State Rep. Ken Johnson, R-Moulton. It raises securities and registration fees for agents and investment advisors. It increases the filing fees for certain management investment companies. Johnson said that those fees had not been adjusted since 2009.
The House also passed SB176, which is an annual appropriation for the Coalition Against Domestic Violence. The bill requires that the agency have an operations plan, audited financial statement, and quarterly and end of year reports. SB176 is sponsored by Pittman and was carried on the House floor by State Rep. Elaine Beech, D-Chatham.
The House passed Senate Bill 185 which gives state employees a cost of living increase in the 2019 budget beginning on October 1. It was sponsored by Sen. Clyde Chambliss, R-Prattville and was being carried on the House floor by state Rep. Dimitri Polizos, R-Montgomery.
Polizos said that this was the first raise for non-education state employees in nine years. It is a 3 percent raise.
SB185 passed 101-0.
Senate Bill 215 gives retired state employees a one time bonus check. SB215 is sponsored by Senator Gerald Dial, R-Lineville, and was carried on the House floor by state Rep. Kerry Rich, R-Guntersville.
Rich said that retired employees will get a bonus $1 for every month that they worked for the state. For employees who retired with 25 years of service that will be a $300 one time bonus. A 20-year retiree would get $240 and a 35-year employee would get $420.
SB215 passed the House 87-0.
The House passed Senate Bill 231, which is the appropriation bill increase amount to the Emergency Forest Fire and Insect and Disease Fund. SB231 is sponsored by Sen. Steve Livingston, R-Scottsboro, and was carried on the House floor by state Rep. Kyle South, R-Fayette.
State Rep. Elaine Beech, D-Chathom, said, "Thank you for bringing this bill my district is full of trees and you never know when a forest fire will hit.
SB231 passed 87-2.
The state of Alabama is unique among the states in that most of the money is earmarked for specific purposes allowing the Legislature little year-to-year flexibility in moving funds around.
The SGF includes appropriations for the Alabama Medicaid Agency, the courts, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, the Alabama Department of Corrections, mental health, and most state agencies that are no education related. The Alabama Department of Transportation gets their funding mostly from state fuel taxes.
The Legislature also gives ALEA a portion of the gas taxes. K-12 education, the two year college system, and all the universities get their state support from the education trust fund (ETF) budget. There are also billions of dollars in revenue that are earmarked for a variety of purposes that does not show up in the SGF or ETF budgets.
Examples of that include the Public Service Commission, which collects utility taxes from the industries that it regulates. The PSC is supported entirely by its own revenue streams and contributes $13 million to the SGF. The Secretary of State's Office is entirely funded by its corporate filing and other fees and gets no SGF appropriation.
Clouse warned reporters that part of the reason this budget had so much money was due to the BP oil spill settlement that provided money for the 2018 budget and $97 million for the 2019 budget. Clouse said they elected to make a $13 million repayment to the Alabama Trust fund that was not due until 2020 but that is all that was held over for 2020.
Clouse predicted that the Legislature will have to make some hard decisions about revenue in next year's session.
In Case You Missed It
Day Care bill delayed for second time on Senate floor, may be back Thursday
By Samuel Mattison
Alabama Political Reporter
The day care bill, which would license certain day care centers in Alabama, was once again delayed on the state Senate floor after one lawmaker requested more information.
Its brief appearance Tuesday ended with state Sen. Gerald Dial, R-Lineville, saying a compromise had not yet been worked out with the bill's detractors.
Alabama's Senate has been hesitant to act on the legislation because of complaints of state Sen. Shay Shelnutt, R-Trussville, who has been an opponent of the bill since its introduction last year. The bill's delay on Tuesday marks the second time its been taken off the Senate's agenda.
The bill has had a rocky time in this year's session, but the bill's sponsor state Rep. Pebblin Warren, D-Tuskegee, said she is still confident about its passage out of the Legislature.
Warren, D-Tuskegee, filed the bill this session with the support of influential lawmakers including Gov. Kay Ivey, who told reporters last year that she though all day cares should be licensed.
Mainly sparked by the death of 5-year-old boy in the care of a unlicensed day care worker, the bill had great momentum coming into this year' session.
Despite the growing support from lawmakers, Religious groups had concerns that the bill would increase state-sponsored reach into religious day cares in churches and non-profit groups.
Spearheading the dissenters was Alabama Citizens Action Program, a conservative religious-based PAC.
Warren, proponents, and ALCAP announced a compromise to the bill while it was still in the Alabama House.
Announced by ALCAP originally, the new bill was a weaker version in that it did not require that all day cares in the state be regulated. Instead, religious-based day cares would only need to be registered if they received federal funds. At a Senate committee meeting in February, Warren said a similar requirement was about to come from federal law in Congress.
The bill moved through the House in a overwhelming vote in favor of the proposal and passed unanimously out of a Senate committee a few weeks ago.
Warren, speaking to reporters after its passage from the House, said she was unsure if the bill would encounter resistance in the upper chamber.
It was the Senate that killed the daycare bill last year amid a cramped last day where senators took the bill off the floor. The bill may face similar complications this year, as lawmakers seem to be preparing to adjourn within a few weeks.
In Case You Missed It
Fantasy sports bill fails on Senate floor
By Samuel Mattison
Alabama Political Reporter
Would-be Fantasy Sports players in Alabama will have to wait to legally play in the state following a Senate vote on Tuesday.
The Alabama Senate decisively killed a bill to exempt fantasy sports from the state's prohibition on gambling.
Not even entertaining a debate on the Senate floor, the proposal was killed during a vote for the Budget Isolation Resolution, which is usually a formality vote preluding a debate.
Fantasy sports are contests where participants select players from real teams to compete on fantasy teams using the real-world players' stats.
Since 2016, the practice has been illegal in Alabama following a legal decision by the Attorney General's Office that categorized it as gambling.
The bill's sponsor, state Sen. Paul Sanford, R-Huntsville, predicted the bill's failure during a committee meeting two weeks ago, where the bill passed unanimously.
- Sen. Paul Sanford speaks to reporters after a Senate Committee meeting on Feb. 28, 2018. (Samuel Mattison/APR)
Speaking to reporter's after the committee meeting, Sanford said the decision to file the bill was mainly a philosophical belief that the practice shouldn't be illegal.
Sanford, a fantasy sports player before its ban, said that fantasy sports are a way to bring people closer together and not a means to win money. The Huntsville senator is not seeking re-election.
The bill's failure in the Senate follows its trajectory last year too. A similar version of the bill, also sponsored by Sanford, failed in the Senate during the final days of the 2017 Legislative Session.
Since Sanford is retiring, it is unclear if the bill will even come back next session, or if it will even have a Senate sponsor.
In Case You Missed It
House OKs bill to clarify consulting contracts by state legislators
By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
Tuesday, the Alabama House of Representatives passed a bill to try to clarify how legislators accept consulting contracts under Alabama's 2010 ethics law. Some pundits have suggested that House Bill 387 is actually designed to weaken the existing ethics law.
Sponsor state Rep. Rich Wingo, R-Tuscaloosa, argues that the legislation is merely a clarification and is intended to prevent legislators from inadvertently crossing the line into illegality.
Wingo said that his bill would require legislators to notify the Alabama Ethics Commission that they have entered into a consulting agreement in an area outside of their normal scope of work.
State Rep. Paul Beckman, R-Prattville, said, "I have never understood why members of this body were allowed to take contracts as consultants or counselors."
Wingo said, "Never do I use the word counselor in my bill; it is consulting."
Beckman asked, "Are we going to be getting into an area where every time we turn around we create a bureaucratic nightmare where we have to go get an opinion. These opinions whether it is orally or written don't hold up in a court of law." Beckman said, "We are serving the people here but we get this admonition that we can still be a consultant if we get an opinion."
Wingo said, "This does not apply to professions where a member is currently licensed."
Beckman said, "I would like to see more opinions coming out of the Ethics Commission. Right now we have the Ethics Commission competing with the Attorney General's office over who has more authority."
State Rep. John Rogers, D-Birmingham, said,"This happened to a friend of mine. He just got out of prison. He was a state senator and had a written letter from the Ethics Commission which his lawyer read at trial and the jury convicted him anyway."
Rogers never named his friend, but reporters think he was talking about former state Sen. Edward Browning 'E. B.' McClain who spent over 22 years in the legislature until he was convicted on 47 counts of conspiracy, mail fraud, bribery, and money laundry in 2009.
A federal jury found that McClain and the Rev. Samuel Pettagrue were guilty in a scheme where McClain would secure public funds for Pettagrue's community programs and then receive a kickback once the funds were in hand. McClain was sentenced to five years and ten months in prison. McClain was not prosecuted under the Alabama ethics law as the state has a much weaker ethics statute then. The current ethics law was passed in 2010.
Rogers said, "If they offer me a consulting contract for a field like aerospace engineering that I know nothing about they are trying to pay me off. If you can already be a consultant for something you know about why would you seek a consulting contract for something you don't know about.
Rogers this is how they can pay you off for your vote."
State Rep. Artis "A.J." McCampbell said, "I don't like making changes to things like this because we get into things called unintended consequences."
McCampbell was reading from the bill and Wingo said, "You are reading from the original version it has completely changed." "We worked tirelessly on this bill with the Ethics Commission this is not a fly by night bill."
"If a member of the legislature enters into a contract to do a consulting contract outside of their normal field of work this bill requires that they consult with the Ethics Commission first," Wingo said. "It is up to the member to notify the Ethics Commission not to the company or person offering them the money."
State Representative Pebblin Warren, D-Tuskegee, said, "Everybody but legislators are allowed to do contract work up to $30,000."
Rep. Wingo said, "This is not intended to be a roadblock."
State Representative Arnold Mooney, R-Indian Springs, said, "The whole purpose of this is not to prevent members from doing work in your field." "What you are doing is offering to protect me."
State Representative John Knight, D-Montgomery, asked Wingo what the Alabama Attorney General said about this legislation.
Wingo replied, "I have not contacted the Attorney General."
Knight responded, "Something from the Ethics Commission does not carry a lot of protection from the Attorney General. We have seen that in the past. I think the Attorney General and the Ethics Commission should be in agreement in the working on this."
Wingo answered, "Maybe this is a first step."
Rep. Laura Hall, D-Huntsville, asked, "Do we have anybody doing work outside of their regular scope of work?"
Wingo answered, "Yes I think so."
Wingo said, "If we had had this bill four or five years ago maybe we could have been spared the embarrassment that this body experienced with the former Speaker."
Wingo was referring to former Speaker of the House Mike Hubbard who was convicted of 12 counts of felony ethics violations in June 2016. Ironically, Hubbard is largely responsible for creating the ethics law that he was found guilty of violating 11 times in his relentless pursuit of outside contracts and personal wealth.
Unlike McClain, however, Hubbard has not yet served any of this sentence.
House Bill 387 passed 67-0 with 26 legislators abstaining.
The bill now moves to the Senate for its consideration.
(Original reporting by the Alabama Media Group's Lisa Osborn in 2009 was consulted in this report.)


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News for the Region
Economic Outlook January 2020
In this month's Economic Outlook, Chief Investment Officer Greg Sweeney gives perspectives on Federal Reserve policies, expectations for interest rates and inflation, and what's going on in national and global markets.
January 2020 Market Outlook
There is an entire industry built around forecasting the economy and investment markets. Such forecasts are intended as the basis for structuring investor portfolios for the coming year, with the aim of maximizing performance. Unfortunately, while these predictions are grounded in good intention, history has shown they are no better than a shot in the dark – encompassing a range of possible outcomes so wide, they become nothing more than a guess.
Last year around this time, Bank of America forecast Fed Fund rates would rise to 3.25% to 3.5% by year end (actual 1.75%). Morgan Stanley believed the credit bear market would continue into 2019 with high yield and loans underperforming (high yield was up 14% and was one of the best performing areas of the bond market). Deutsche Bank said increasingly tight Fed policy would push bond yields higher (the Fed eased, and yields moved lower throughout most of last year). Citigroup saw both equity and bonds having the potential for positive returns in 2019, with overall return levels likely to remain subdued (last year saw some of the best equity returns ever, while bond returns also were attractive). Black Rock predicted equity eking out a positive return in 2019, with asymmetric downside as the economy enters its late-cycle phase (equity returns were great, and the market ignored that stage of the business cycle). PIMCO was cautious on generic corporate credit, but saw relative value in financials and mortgages, while underweighting duration (financials did fine, while overweight duration was the place to be). Fidelity saw fertile conditions for complacency and real risk of inflation spiraling if central banks pulled back from further monetary tightening (the Fed pulled back materially and began cutting rates, while inflation remained below Fed target ranges).
We must admit to having held many similar beliefs about the markets due to recent higher-than-average market returns, late stages of the economic cycle and the direction of the Federal Reserve. How do we get around the pitfalls of using forecasts that could be completely wrong?
First, we look at long-term market average returns to structure portfolio allocations aimed at meeting client goals over their investment horizons. The idea is that a market gravitates to its mean. After all, it is the high-return years combined with the low-return years that create averages in the first place. Next, we structure allocations using a core-and-satellite approach. The core portion captures the theme of mean reversion mentioned above, while the satellite portion captures styles, sectors or categories that currently offer added the return potential of rising back to their longer-term average. (A diversified allocation might not be the best performing portfolio each year, but it is never the worst.)
For all of our efforts last year, here is how the returns stack up:
Ironically, the return on this last strategy gives us some insight into last year's market as a whole. Last year's stock market was defined by an all-inclusive theme. This theme is seconded by the equal-weighted S&P 500 return of 29.22% being close to the capitalization-weighted S&P 500 return of 31.48% –which was also close to the S&P 1500 capitalization-weighted index return of 30.89%. This suggests broad-based market performance last year, rather than just a few companies dominating performance (there was not much mention of the FAANG stocks last year).
It seems as though investors are thinking stocks rule the roost. From a shorter-term point of view, they would be correct. Many of us can remember "partying like it's 1999," which also overlapped the Y2K transition at the time. Now that we are 20 years into the 21st century, it may be interesting to compare stock and bond performance for the millennium so far:
Many readers may be surprised to see that bonds had a better return than stocks for nearly the first 17 years of the millennium. It's only recently in the 21st century that stocks overtook bonds on a total return basis. Now, after 20 full years, stocks are less than 1% ahead of bonds. One thing to note is that a $100 investment in stocks lost 50% of its value twice in this 20-year time frame.
Bonds had a good year, but yield was muted. As previously mentioned, the 2019 return on the Bloomberg Barclays Intermediate Gov/Credit index was 6.80%, while the longer-duration Bloomberg Barclays Gov/Credit index was 9.71%. The yield on the 10-year U.S. Treasury bond started the year at 2.65% and went up as high as 2.78% and as low as 1.46% before finishing the year at 1.92%. Readers might be wondering how such low-interest income yield generated returns of 6.8% or 9.7%. That's because interest income is only part of a bonds return. Just like stocks, bonds have a fluctuating market value. As yields decline, the price of bonds with fixed coupon payments rises. As yields rise, the market price of the bond declines. Since interest rates declined last year, the market value of bonds went higher, adding market value appreciation to the coupon yield.
Here's where we provide our outlook for 2020. Our opening paragraph suggests this is nothing better than a guess – so let's call it "expectations for the coming year," rather than an official forecast. We anticipate several themes in 2020:
The U.S. election, trade, geopolitical events, elevated stock valuations, low interest rates and a host of other market themes could combine to exert elevated volatility throughout the year. We expect solid flows from passive investing into the equity market to act as buffers to potential volatility, reducing the prospect of a long-tailed event. An equity market sell-off in the range of 10% at some point during the year would not come as a surprise. For the year overall, we look for top-line corporate earnings to rise 5% to 8% and for stock market returns of 6.5% to 9.5%. For fixed income markets, returns in the range of 2% to 4% look the most probable, with interest rates range-bound barring some sort of sustained-risk, off-market shift – which would push bond returns a bit higher.
For our part, we will move through the year day by day – evaluating opportunities as they present themselves, while focusing on the long-term objectives of our clients.
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Bell Bank has received another great honor from Forbes! As an offshoot of our recent recognition by Forbes as the #4 bank in the U.S., Bell has been named the #1 bank in North Dakota!
Some days, the emotions become too raw. When that happens, Alex Nelson takes a break. She catches up on her work – extremely busy these days – as a Bell Bank Mortgage lender officed in the Twin Cities suburb of Lilydale, Minn. She goes for a walk. She makes time to enjoy the vivid colors of her flower garden.