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MASS Range
- Ultra-compact 5.1 channel home cinema speaker system
- Similar and stylishly curved MASS 10 Satellite and Centre speaker for excellent imaging
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Our diminutive MASS multi-channel home cinema system delivers sculpted space-efficient design, packed with technology and easy-installation features. It offers jaw-dropping audio dynamics with décor-friendly styling, making the introduction of high quality home cinema sound into any living space a simpler and more satisfying experience.
The two main system models: a compact satellite speaker and active subwoofer are ground-up designs, involving the specification of wholly new signal path components. Computer simulation, exhaustive testing and in the final analysis, dedicated listening have re-defined the performance possible from low-profile cabinets.
Optimised for truly compelling home cinema entertainment, the MASS system became a 'red dot' product design award winner in 2013 and has been acclaimed by the specialist music AV press for its excellent design and sound quality.
View awards
Product lineup
Award winning
- Stylish Compact Satellite Speaker
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Award winning
- Stylish Compact Centre Speaker
- 4" C-CAM® bass/mid driver
- 1" C-CAM® gold dome tweeter
- HiVe®II port technology
- Wall/shelf/rack mountable
MASS Centre
Award winning
- Compact, powerful subwoofer
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Award winning
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MASS Stands
- 4 x Mass 10 speakers and a Mass centre complete this compact and suprisingly powerful surround sound system
- 4" C-CAM® bass/mid drivers
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Award winning
- 4 x Mass 10 speakers, a Mass centre and sub complete this compact and suprisingly powerful surround sound system
- 10" C-CAM® subwoofer driver
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BrochuresMass Brochure
Other documentationMA Insider Issue 1 Speaker Safety Instructions Subwoofer Safety Instructions MA Speaker Mount
Professional reviews
BBC Music Magazine
October 2013
5 Stars for Mass from BBC Music Magazine
"The power produced by the diminutive satellite speakers is nothing short of breathtaking-this level of sound seems to have no business emanating from a system of this size...This is, pound for pound, one of the finest 5.1 systems I have across and one that is equally at home with music as it is with full movie surround."
Sound & Vision Magazine
August 2013
Sound & Vision Magazine: MASS Test Report
Sound & Vision magazine has examined Monitor Audio's own MASS 5.1 speaker package in a detailed Test Report. Esteemed reviewer Al Griffin gave his opinion of the system:
"Monitor Audio has distilled the know-how that informs its higher-end speaker lines into a compact speaker package aimed at home theater newbies, I can't help but envy them."
"With MASS, not only will they get a full 5.1 system at an affordable price, but...the experience is sure to exceed their expectations"
Read the full review in the September 2013 issue of Sound & Vision magazine.
Home Cinema Choice
February 2013
MASS Review in Home Cinema Choice Magazine
Mark Craven, editor of Home Cinema Choice magazine, is not one to hand over awards lightly. He's seduced however by the MASS package: perfectly formed and priced, and complete with a mule's kick in the bass department. He says "put into action with film soundtracks, the MASS system simply shines…the sound is crisp, detailed and utterly immersive. Overall, Monitor Audio's newest product lineup is the perfect partner for a mid-range AVR in a living room cinema setup. Everything from the build quality and design to movie and (sub assisted) music performance impresses."
Read the full review in Home Cinema Choice magazine issue 217.
What Hi-Fi? Sound and Vision
October 2012
Small system, big sound, massive achievement.
It shouldn't be possible for such room-filling sound to come from so space-friendly a system – yet it does! The experts at What Hi-Fi? have experienced a few unlikely outcomes in their time, but nothing as downright astonishing as the performance of our latest miracle of precision engineering: the highly bijou MASS AV system. And they've taken it to their hearts, awarding it five stars and price-class winner at this year's What Hi-Fi? Awards. The team says:
'What struck us immediately was the sense of scale and power - for such petite speakers, we were blown away by the big and confident output of sound. And they're certainly capable of filling a decent-sized room as well; our testing rooms were engulfed in seamless, controlled soaring dynamics.'
AV Forums
September 2014
"It sounds bigger than it actually is."
AV Forums tried Mass out, and asked "Can this unusually styled set of speakers take the fight to the category champions?"
Well, with a shiny 'AV Forums Recommended' award, it would appear that MASS certainly can! "MASS manages the most important achievement of any sub/sat system - it sounds bigger than it actually is."
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User reviews
Ramesh M V
June 2015
A great product. Ultimate sound quality. The Sub W200 is the masterpiece. At half its capacity from the living, the effect is so good that it vibrates the doors of the study room and the entrance to the extent that my daughter wants me to reduce. Having said that... the sound quality is so perfect.
The 5 Monitor speakers are so cute and trendy. Adds value and power to the Living Room ambience.
For the price we paid, it is the best buy one could ever imagine. No other brand boasting of 'ultimate sound quality' is anywhere near Monitor, in my humble opinion.
"Must buy" for any one with an ear for Pro-Audio.
Glyn Raisey
MASS Stands
June 2014
You might also like
Suggested accompaniment
MASS Stands
- Dedicated stand for MASS 10
- Integrated cable management
Suggested alternative
- Fully active, high performance soundbar system
- AirPlay®/Airstream DirectTM/DLNA®/uPnP wireless music streaming
- Proprietary 3D spatial effects
- Digital coaxial (SP/DIF) and optical (Toslink) inputs
- 3 HDMI inputs
Suggested upgrade
Radius R90HT1
- Superb Compact AV Package
- 4 x Radius 90 speakers
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- 1 x Radius 390 subwoofer
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What's happening?
Our award-winning Bronze 2's feature in @T3dotcom roundup of the best bookshelf speakers available today… twitter.com/i/web/status/9…

subset: commoncrawl


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Glad to know my daughter enjoys reading decorating magazines as much as I do!
See you back here tomorrow for Simply Klassic Sunday! Get those fabulous posts ready!!
Have a great weekend everyone!
Easy family recipes and more!
Adriana says
Super cute, I can only imagine what she is thinking!
Leslie says
That is stinkin' cute!
Does she like to rearrange and paint things?
CAS says
She's starting early! So cute!
Linda says
I just backed up my blog, took a peek into your Pinterest pages, and am now following you. Maybe you would like to come and follow back? Best wishes, Linda


text: Very true, didn't see how old this thread was. Still, I find it hard to believe anyone is surprised the Champ smokes.jsun3thousand wrote:that post was from two years ago. "the iron leaf" came out last year.jubuttib wrote:This is news to you? He wishes he had two cigarettes.thuracine187 wrote:Damn, the champ smokes!


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NEW YORK ( TheStreet) -- Apple ( AAPL) traded below $500 per share Monday on reports of cuts in orders for LCD screens on weaker than expected demand for the iPhone 5. Amazon.com ( AMZN) traded to an all-time high at $274.26 on continued Wall Street upgrades. Google ( GOOG) traded lower Monday alleviating an overbought condition on its daily chart and is trading between its all-time high at $774.38 set on Oct. 5 and its Nov. 16 low at $636.00.On Jan. 3, I wrote
Even after Monday's price break Apple is still up 20.6% over the last 12 months and now has a 12 month forward price-to-earnings ratio of just 9.6. Apple reports its Q4 quarterly results on Jan. 23 and Wall Street analysts project that the company will earn $13.43 per share. It will be important to track whether or not this EPS estimate is lowered over the next week. Despite a price decline from above $700 to below $500 most analysts stubbornly keep their lofty ratings and price targets with a median price target of $745 and 21 strong buy and 28 buy ratings, six hold ratings, and only two underperform and one sell rating. The daily chart for Apple ($501.75) is negative and the weekly chart shows oversold Mojo with the stock below its five-week modified moving average at $530.44. My semiannual and annual value levels are $470.21 and $421.05 with my annual pivot at $510.64 with weekly, monthly, and semiannual risky levels at $538.18, $604.86 and $651.60. Amazon remains "three-engine" hold rated according to ValuEngine with fair value at $208.84, which makes the stock 30.6% overvalued in the retail-wholesale sector, which is 11.6% overvalued.


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Conservative or Liberal, Deist or Pagan, Jersey transplant or Lehigh Valley native, we're all in this mess together. Let's talk. Let us do no harm. Today's one-liner: "The shortest way to the distinguishing excellence of any writer is through his hostile critics." Richard LeGallienne
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Is Willie Reynolds Pushing Too Hard For LGBT Rights?
At a news conference last week that I unfortunately missed, Willie Reynolds chose to make "equal rights for our LGBT brothers and sisters" a major theme of his campaign. He pledged that, as Mayor, he would insist on "diversity training for City employees, particularly our public safety personnel." Same sex domestic partners "would be provided with the same health care benefits as all other city employees." Finally, he vowed he would perform no marriages at all until he could do so for same sex as well as heterosexual couples.
Although Willie's stand should just about lock up the gay vote (and they contribute), this is not exactly what I would call a high priority in a City afflicted by a revenue-sucking pension crisis. In fact, as gay employees add their domestic partners for health benefits and pensions, this can only make that problem worse. It will cost the City money at a time when it should be trying to trim costs.
If Willie had proposed benefits for prospective city workers in same sex relationships, this pill would be easier (and cheaper) to swallow. Those pension agreements are much more reasonable, thanks to negotiations by the Callahan administration. But under Willie's plan, he will add significantly to the City's pension crisis.
I could understand diversity training, so long as it can be done at no municipal expense. But why did Willie add that public safety personnel need it more than most? I would think police officers and firefighters, who see same sex unions night and day, could probably give Willie some diversity training.
Another point, and I one I find unnecessarily divisive, is Willie's pledge to refuse to perform any marriages at all until he can marry same sex couples. That is insulting to numerous innocent heterosexual couples who have nothing to do with the state's marriage laws. It is also insulting to many people like my brother, who for religious reasons, are offended by same sex couples. Who's to say my brother is wrong? Willie Reynolds? LGBT activist Adrian Shanker?
Worst of all is that, in the name of political correctness, Willie is diminishing the sanctity of the special relationship between man and woman. That is the only relationship that can actually produce new life. It deserves a special place and name for that if for no other reason. No same sex couple can produce children. To call their union a marriage diminishes the miracle of new life that is often produced by a real marriage. My objection here is mostly definitional. I would agree that same sex partners should have the same rights (and obligations) as heterosexual couples, but the union of man and woman deserves its own special word in our lexicon.
Willie is a progressive candidate with many good ideas, including district seats on City Council. Same sex couples certainly should have the same rights and protections as everyone else. But in a City with many other real problems, this should be a back burner item that needs to be approached with a little more sensitivity than Willie has displayed. You can't just force people to accept gay rights. You need to persuade them. And that takes time, not mandatory diversity training for cops.
I know I have several gay readers. Please tell me if you thing I'm wrong. It would not be the first time.
75 comments:
Gayness aside, having district seats is not a good idea and I believe Bob answered that well the other night at the debate. It would pit a us versus them neighborhood, it's not broken so don't try to fix it...
- April 24, 2013 at 12:17 AM
- Bernie O'Hare said...
Bob had a good answer, but I like Willie's idea.
- April 24, 2013 at 12:29 AM
It is broken. Your majority is white middle class. no reps from the southside. I expect that you are scared of the southside having a voice, southside/northside - it's bethlum.
if willie gets all his gay friends equal rights will he give the straight partners the same?
BO is right. adding costs is not a winning platform.
having said that I predict that booby d wins but wee willie is the less of the 2 evils
bethlums loses either way
- April 24, 2013 at 12:31 AM
We already lost so much with Johnny Callahan. Willie or Donchez can be no worse.
- April 24, 2013 at 12:53 AM
What Willie is doing is the right thing. But from a political stand-point, it smacks a little bit of desperation. Kind of a hail mary.
Nonetheless I applaud him
- April 24, 2013 at 6:24 AM
Reynolds is going too far. Many Libertarians who don't want the government involved in theses issues still think homosexuality is a disgusting predilection practiced by the nihilistic and mentally unstable. Regardless, it's not the government's business to tell those who would make love to the body's exit point (hetero or homo) how disgusting they may be. Homos are sick and twisted. But they deserve rights like the rest of the sick and twisted.
- April 24, 2013 at 6:46 AM
If the Inuit can come up with 50 different words to describe snow we should be able to come up with a few to describe relationships. I'm in favor of unions with all the rights and benefits hetero couple have. However, let's call those unions something other than marriage.
- April 24, 2013 at 7:08 AM
Did you ever hear of the term "he's a walking rectum"? Well that comes from babies being born from the wrong canal. These people even smell a little different. There noses are shaped differently because of the tight squeeze. I look at our elected leaders to see how their noses are shaped. Willies is quite different the normal nose. I think he is a walking rectum on this issue.
- April 24, 2013 at 7:10 AM
In defining marriage you refer to its intent is to produce new life, and, lacking that, same sex marriage does not fit the definition. Balderdash. How about a 60 yr old geezer marrying his 59 yr old soulmate ? Think about it BO, call your bro and then get back to us. Thanks for your blog.
- April 24, 2013 at 7:33 AM
The hidden problem with gay marriage is that it will make all clergy open to discrimination law suits. If a minister (o Chaplain) refuses to perform such a marriage, they will be open to the law suit. I for one beleive that gays forcing religious clergy to disobey their beleifs is
impingiing on the clergy's 1st amendment rights. If you look at the records, it is getting very difficult to get Catholic Chaplains these days for just this reason
- April 24, 2013 at 7:41 AM
I think Willie will make a fine mayor, but I do disagree on the marriage issue. I too think marriage is between a man and a woman. I know the new generation sees things in a different light. I do appreciate him saying what he believes. He still has my vote, because he just doesn't sit back like Bob who does nothing. Mr. Donchez is really a republican hiding behind a democrat. Look at his records. What has he alone brought to the table of Bethlehem.
- April 24, 2013 at 7:46 AM
rdcaser and7:46,
actually, he has been part of the problem for 17 years
- April 24, 2013 at 7:55 AM
- Ron Beitler said...
Two things. I am supportive of districts in Lower Macungie Township. We are a large township. At 24 square miles and up and over 31,000 residents we are larger then Easton. All 5 commissioners live in subdivisions within about a square mile of each other.
The focus on gay rights for a Bethlehem Mayoral candidate is no different then Julian Stolz running for Emmaus Mayor to protect Americas gun rights.
They are both taking the spotlight off of important local issues with a focus on mostly irrelevant national issues.
- April 24, 2013 at 8:06 AM
Marriage used to be that special heterosexual relationship that usually resulted in children. It was given societal and legal protection for the sake of children.
Now, birth control permits more childless marriages, and babies can be easily produced without heterosexual copulation. Serial marrying heterosexuals made a joke of marriage a long time ago. Homosexuals are either sincerely late to a table that's been largely abandoned, or they simply want to annoy conservative heteros by forcing them to accept what they consider sinful and disgusting. I suspect a bit of both motivations. Marriage died a long time before homosexuals showed demanded the right to make it a farce.
- April 24, 2013 at 8:15 AM
- donmiles said...
Bernie, human rights cannot be denied because they "raise costs". We don't put a price on human rights.
Nor can they be denied because it "forces" people to accept the denied group: didn't we force racists in the South in 1964 to allow African-Americans the right to vote?
Nor can they be denied because some believe a group is "sinful". Do we deny human rights to to adulterers because that's "sinful"?
Human rights aren't negotiable and they don't depend on majority vote: see: Declaration of Independence, second sentence.
- April 24, 2013 at 8:48 AM
First, Reynolds is not making this a focus of his campaign. He is focusing on keeping Bethlehem's neighborhoods strong, and continuing moving Bethlehem forward.
Second, this became news because Reynolds was endorsed by Equality PA and at the news conference for the endorsement, made some statements in support of GLBT issues.
Reynolds is the true Democrat running in the race. Donchez is a middle of the road Democrat in name only, much like DiGiacinto, Schweder and Leeson. If you looked at his "fiscal responsibility" mailer without seeing a name on it, you would think Pat Toomey wrote it.
- April 24, 2013 at 9:04 AM
What do non white's bring to the table that is different than the white middle class you speak of?
They are free to run for office but choose not to.
Bethlehem population is 51 - 49 female, 76% white, 24% hispanic, 7% black and 3% asian. Has that ever been represented on council? No it has not and never will be, by choice!
- April 24, 2013 at 9:08 AM
I believe that there is a minor problem with Willie's idea. Until gay marriage is legalized in Pennsylvania, same-sex couples do not have anymore protection than unmarried heterosexual couples. So, if I am a live-in partner to a worker in the City of Bethlehem, I want to have access to the same rights and benefits afforded to the same-sex couple. As more and more of us live together without the legal fetters of marriage (because of economics, convenience, or love), you can see where this would lead to a disaster of proportions with more and more partners (and perhaps even their children) getting access to medical insurance, pensions, and other benefits. How would we pay for all of this down the road, when we can't even pay for this now?
Sufficed to say, I believe that the statistics will show there are many, many more heterosexual couples living together who would be City employees than homosexual couples so I don't see same-sex partners necessarily being a problem with benefits and the like. But it opens the door for a host of other non-traditional families gaining access to publicly funded benefits that, coupled with the rising costs of Obamacare and the resulting rise in medical costs across the board to deal with socialized medicine, a host of municipalities will suffer and face the same fate as municipalities in California that are forced to declare bankruptcy in order to deal with the pension liabilities.
To answer Don Miles (whom I like and respect), while marrying someone of whatever sex could be declared a "human right," it certainly isn't a human right for society to pay for the partner (same sex or otherwise) of a municipal employee's benefits. I have a right to enjoy my life, liberty and property too. I have my own insurance and benefits and things to consider for my children.
So, why not require the municipal employees to pay for spousal/partner and children health insurance benefits like most private sector companies require? If you have a pension or life insurance through the municipal plan, give it to whomever you desire to benefit from it. But in terms of insurance, put these dependents back into the marketplace.
- April 24, 2013 at 9:28 AM
- Bernie O'Hare said...
" I'm in favor of unions with all the rights and benefits hetero couple have. However, let's call those unions something other than marriage."
- April 24, 2013 at 9:46 AM
- Bernie O'Hare said...
"First, Reynolds is not making this a focus of his campaign. He is focusing on keeping Bethlehem's neighborhoods strong, and continuing moving Bethlehem forward."
Willie has conducted two press conferences since announcing. This is one of them. I think it is safe to say there is a LGBT emphasis.
- April 24, 2013 at 9:49 AM
"Willie has conducted two press conferences since announcing."
Actually this was his 4th press conference.
- April 24, 2013 at 9:59 AM
Judging by that diatribe, you obviously don't understand the issue.
- April 24, 2013 at 12:17 PM
" I'm in favor of unions with all the rights and benefits hetero couple have. However, let's call those unions something other than marriage."
This desire to further suppress equal rights for gays is over. The arguments have been heard and denied. Calling it something "different" would not be equal rights.
- April 24, 2013 at 12:19 PM
- Bernie O'Hare said...
I'm not calling it something different. It is something different. You cannot equate them. It is only the union of man and woman that leads to new life, and that deserves its own name and own recognition, if nothing more.
- April 24, 2013 at 12:24 PM
- Bernie O'Hare said...
"Actually this was his 4th press conference."
I stand corrected. But one out of 4 to deal with LGBT rights indicates it is a major theme in a city with bigger problems.
- April 24, 2013 at 12:26 PM
- Bernie O'Hare said...
"Judging by that diatribe, you obviously don't understand the issue."
Obviously. I'm willing to be enlightened. But I am not going to take a position just bc it is the correct thing to do.
- April 24, 2013 at 12:27 PM
When babies can be conceived rectally or through female-to-female sex, we shall call homosexual unions marriage. Calling red blue doesn't make red blue. Both are lovely colors. Both are most assuredly different. Let's have civil unions and eliminate any tax benefits to cohabitants of any sexual persuasion. Heterosexual shacker-uppers using reliable birth control have civil rights, too.
- April 24, 2013 at 2:12 PM
- Bernie O'Hare said...
I think Willie will make a fine mayor, but I do disagree on the marriage issue. I too think marriage is between a man and a woman. I know the new generation sees things in a different light. I do appreciate him saying what he believe"
Maybe we are just too damn old, eh? Like you, I just don't consider a same sex union "equal" to the union between a man and woman. I believe the word "marriage" should be reserved to that special union. I believe that people in same sex unions should be afforded the same rights. Benefits at the City, in my view, should be phased in. And the diversity training with an emphasis on police officers and firemen in my view is insulting to them.
- April 24, 2013 at 2:15 PM
don't need no stinking diversity training. I already hate everybody.
- April 24, 2013 at 3:16 PM
who cares if you call it marriage or something else? That's not important... being viewed equally in the eyes of the government is whats important.
- April 24, 2013 at 4:11 PM
As a heterosexual male I would not deny a gay couple the same protections under the law. The problem I have - and I think most heterosexuals have - is the use of the word, "marriage" to describe a gay couples bond. Gays would get a lot more acceptance from the heterosexual majority if they didn't insist on it being described as a marriage. Call it a union, bonding, or anything else other than marriage and there would be far less resistance. I don't care if two bros bend each other over, or if two gals eat carpet all day, but a marriage is between a man and a woman.
- April 24, 2013 at 4:47 PM
Straight reader here chiming in to tell you I think you're wrong.
Equality is equality and we know that separate but equal is a doctrine from another, more shameful time (not to mention that we don't even have separate but equal now).
Do I think that the Mayor of Bethlehem will be the American leader on this issue? No. But I think Civil Rights changes don't have to come top-down, and there's no harm in leading from the front on an issue that affects many people in Bethlehem, both gay and straight.
Maybe this isn't a deciding issue for most voters, and maybe people like yourself or your brother who oppose gay rights will vote another way because of it, but I think its off point to criticize a candidate for addressing an issue in the campaign - better to talk more policy than less.
- April 24, 2013 at 5:51 PM
Then we should call a childless union between heterosexuals something else, too, no matter what the reason: infertility, choice, age, etc. That would be discrimination, right? Calling a marriage between two gay people something else is, in itself, discrimination. Wake up people! Just because two guys or two girls choose to be married, that has nothing to do with my marriage to another heterosexual and our children. Who others choose to love and what they call it is none of my, or anyone else's, business.
- April 24, 2013 at 6:01 PM
Call it whatever you want. It will never be marriage - a mocking facsimile, perhaps, but not marriage. Be serious.
- April 24, 2013 at 8:04 PM
Another indication of how low you will go to gin up readership.
- April 24, 2013 at 8:33 PM
Serial marriers like Newt Gingrich and Donald Trump are a mocking facsimile and should not be allowed to be called marriage at all but we allow it because they are straight. That is ridiculous but it doesn't affect my marriage at all, so it's not my business. These are basic human rights and should not be debated! And I am completely serious. This is 2013. Get a hobby!
- April 24, 2013 at 8:44 PM
Who speaks up for equality for children? They have a right to their natural parents. Gays deny them this. How is that right or fair? Where are the adults here? Gay couples seek to deny children at least one natural parent. If this were truly about children then gay people would accept our differences and would not put their own emotions ahead of the welfare of children. They just don't get it or they don't care. This is where we will always have severe disagreements.
- April 24, 2013 at 8:56 PM
@ 8:56
What twisted piece of logic!
Get a grip my friend.
- April 24, 2013 at 9:09 PM
856 is twisted. The American Academy if Pediatrics supports legalization of gay marriage officially for its effect on the children im those marriages. Single parents who adopt are denying children love then as well then by your logic, right? As are parents who can not conceive and chose to adopt and give a child a home? Children who learn love know how to give it and receive it and children who learn hate learn how to give it and receive it as we'll. I am guessing your children unfortunately know hate as well.
- April 24, 2013 at 9:19 PM
- Bernie O'Hare said...
Capri, I do not oppose gay rights, although my brother does think homosexuality is immoral. My chief objection is the use of the word "marriage" to describe same sex unions. I also don't like the notion of a mayor who refuses to perform any marriages at all. Finally, the "diversity training" by the thought police, who will probably be paid.
I should add that I have come to learn that my pension argument is flawed. I will address and correct my mistake tomorrow or Friday.
This might be one of those issues where older folks like me have more problems than younger folks like you.
- April 24, 2013 at 9:25 PM
- Donald said...
- This comment has been removed by the author.
- April 24, 2013 at 10:18 PM
- Bernie O'Hare said...
Donald, I heard from another gay friend and will consider what he says. I did have my pension argument wrong.
- April 24, 2013 at 10:21 PM
- Donald Flad said...
I removed my previous comment due to spelling and grammar error -
Was this a serious entry? It reads like you being sarcastic and or mocking. I am not quite sure how to respond until I know whether you are serious or not.
- April 24, 2013 at 10:23 PM
- Bernie O'Hare said...
Donald, If you have to ask me whether this is a serious entry, I know I'm in trouble. I thought about this matter for several days before writing this post. It could be that my Catholic is showing.
I have since spoken to a gay friend (or perhaps former friend) who set e straight concerning my pension argument. I had that wrong, and will be correcting it.
In my world, words have meaning. A marriage to me has always meant the union of man and woman, the only union that can produce children. In the course of my discussion, I was told that same sex couples have children, too, though it seemed contrived. I was also reminded that parents have adopted children and that now is no problem, although there once was a stigma associated with it.
Suffice it to say that I need to think about this a bit more, and I promise you that I will.
I do not like the idea of "diversity training" so people can be taught the correct way to think. I also still disagree with Willie's refusal to perform any marriages at all.
But I am going to rethink this and do some more reading.
- April 24, 2013 at 10:31 PM
- Donald Flad said...
Bernie - I am a little stunned here.
I am not sure how to argue with someone who considers me unworthy of full citizenship. That I am not entitled to the same rights, benefits, privileges and tax breaks as others in this country.
If I died tomorrow and if I did not have a will nothing that is in my name pension, benefits, property would go to my "partner". It would go to another relative or to the state. Is that fair? Is that the America you believe in?
What you are saying is that my 29+ year relationship is not as valued or as valid as Elizabeth Taylor's 11 different marriages or Brittney Spears 55 hour marriage or........
You mentioned your Catholic upbringing - Read the bible you will find very few 1 man 1 woman relationship in it. That notion is a fairly modern development and mostly borne out of economic issues - 1 wife is cheaper.
The old campaign manager in me would have cautioned Willie that he was going to far with the no wedding pledge. The 53 year gay American in me was extremely proud of him and grateful for his support and courage.
Clearly he believes in the American Dream more than you do.
I can only imagine the comments that will follow - You know how to contact me if you want to discuss further
- April 24, 2013 at 11:00 PM
- Bernie O'Hare said...
U already have, Donald. I certainly think you and your partner are entitled to the same rights and benefits as everyone else. But I am rethinking as a result of another email.
- April 24, 2013 at 11:04 PM
".....although that seems contrived...."
Are you serious about any of this BOH? I just don't get.
It's too late for April Fools dude.
- April 25, 2013 at 2:11 AM
- Will Bloom said...
You have it absolutely wrong on marriage Bernie. The argument that marriage is limited to hetero couples because it exists for the production of children was trotted out by the anti-equality side in the Prop 8 case, where the pro-equality lawyers tore it to pieces. Is it OK to forbid post-menopausal women from marrying, or requiring all prospective spouses to have a fertility test and keep out those that don't pass? I suggest you watch this (http://bit.ly/ZOzVRK) excellent play, based on the Perry case, it'll resolve some of this for you. And if Reynolds had run in 1953, would you have written "Is Willie Reynolds Pushing Too Hard for Civil Rights?"? IN 1913, "Pushing Too Hard for Suffrage?" Whatever your personal beliefs, there is just no logical or sane argument against marriage equality.
- April 25, 2013 at 4:51 AM
Yes, he is, and he will lose from this one issue
- April 25, 2013 at 7:33 AM
I don't see the black community agreeing that this is a civil rights issue. They above all should know. Gays had rights they did not have. The color of their skin will always be black while the gays sleep with anyone and everyone who will connect with them for the moment. The few with long lasting relationships should see how the majority of them hurt their cause more then we can. A good parent is just that. They teach and show their children what a foundation is. It isn't built on chaos, lack of self control and absolutely no compass. Watch Rome or Spartacus. You want to go backwards? My children deserve every bit of parenting and help that I can give them. Gay is about who you have a sexual relationship with. Straight is about who you love and then who becomes the other parent of your child. Even adopted children are welcomed into this. Marriage has always had restrictions and they do not take away human rights or civil rights. You can't marry more then one person. You can't marry your brother, father, mother, sister or your dog. Should we now allow all of this, yes people remarry but on average I bet gays have many more relationships and therefore would have many more marriages. So that is not an argument. Kids still do best with their own parents involved in their lives. That is their roots. BO stick to what you know is true.
- April 25, 2013 at 8:05 AM
- Jerry Kott said...
A few years ago, my partner and I were invited to a Heterosexual Wedding. Weeks before the wedding we had dinner with the couple. Durning the dinner, we were friends of the bride to be and not the groom, the groom spend his time boasting about how when he married her, he would have FREE health insurance for the rest of his life. He also gloated that he would receive her pension if she dies etc. We just listened to his gloating out of respect for the bride to be. The bride, a life time Lehigh County Employee, had retired at 55 years of age. No babies in the Stars for this childless couple.
So all these shell games in trying to rationalize and justify bias are just another diversion. Looking for grey areas will just produce more grey areas.
It has been my firsthand experience as an Out Gay Senior who has had a successful relationship with the same man for 42 years ( do we score any points for that) that teaching diversity among Government is a full time job and requires maintenance. As a man who has spend some time on the battle field, we have a long way to go. I still have heterosexual men telling me that they know Homophobia when the see it. They dismiss totally my perspective and experience as irrelevant to the challenge towards full Equality and understanding. You always don't have the last word by entitlement. That somehow, they have the litmus test as to what is real and what is imagined.
You do give the impression that the Equality struggle is a source of humor. That the challenges of LGBT folks are a low calorie version discrimination. The discrimination is just a flesh wound. Laugh with us and not at us. It is one big Cosmic Joke anyway.
I don't know if the Reynolds announcement will get him any votes but it sure has gotten your and other's attention.
- April 25, 2013 at 9:19 AM
I'm not calling it something different. It is something different. You cannot equate them. It is only the union of man and woman that leads to new life, and that deserves its own name and own recognition, if nothing more.
Who said the term marriage defines a procreation arrangement? You? It's a bigoted statement. I suppose two people over 50 shouldn't be allowed to call their marriage "marriage" either.
- April 25, 2013 at 9:23 AM
Who speaks up for equality for children? They have a right to their natural parents. Gays deny them this. How is that right or fair? Where are the adults here? Gay couples seek to deny children at least one natural parent. If this were truly about children then gay people would accept our differences and would not put their own emotions ahead of the welfare of children. They just don't get it or they don't care. This is where we will always have severe disagreements.
Oh please. Many of us were raised by a single parent. Don't try and invent nonexistent harms.
- April 25, 2013 at 9:26 AM
I do not like the idea of "diversity training" so people can be taught the correct way to think.
Sounds like you had diversity training through friends that made you rethink your position. That's what diversity training is - no one forces you to do anything. It raises issues perhaps you never thought about.
That's the problem with this country. Everyone digs into their preconceived notions and refuses to see the other side of the argument.
The equality argument is OVER. It doesn't matter what old, straight people like me think any longer. I've definitely considered the arguments and come down solely on the side of gays and lesbians on this issue.
- April 25, 2013 at 9:31 AM
- Donald Flad said...
8:05 - you know the "Black Community" so well.. The NAACP has endorsed Marriage Equality as well as folks like Corey Booker, Michael Nutter, The Black Caucus in Congress, Barack Obama, Colin Powell - but you're right Black people do not support it
- April 25, 2013 at 9:42 AM
- Bernie O'Hare said...
"Sounds like you had diversity training through friends that made you rethink your position. That's what diversity training is - no one forces you to do anything. It raises issues perhaps you never thought about. "
Thats right. It is via people I happen to respect and admire, and is voluntary. Nothing will be gained by mandatory sessions with people who are unknown. It is then just the thought police.
- April 25, 2013 at 10:07 AM
- Bernie O'Hare said...
"Who said the term marriage defines a procreation arrangement? You? It's a bigoted statement. I suppose two people over 50 shouldn't be allowed to call their marriage "marriage" either. "
I get that heteros past the child bearing age are unable to procreate, but it is the special relationship between man and woman that does. There is nothing bigoted about noting that. It is just being honest. Perhaps you need some diversity training bc you seem too eager to throe out the bigot word.
As I have maintained from the onset, words have meanings.
I also agree that legally, there should be no distinction of any kind between permanent couples.
- April 25, 2013 at 10:12 AM
- Bernie O'Hare said...
"I don't know if the Reynolds announcement will get him any votes but it sure has gotten your and other's attention"
Of course it will get him votes. The gay community is very strong, votes and makes contributions. Not a bad special interest to have on your side. Ask Obama.
It has made me think. I believe my original post on this topic was premature. But as I need to hear what the gay community thinks, they probably need to be a little more understanding and sympathetic to the concerns of the hetero community. I'm not sensing much of that, just a blanket disdain for anyone who does not accept that mindset carte blanche.
- April 25, 2013 at 10:20 AM
- Bernie O'Hare said...
Will Bloom, Your points are well taken, I confess.
- April 25, 2013 at 10:27 AM
- Bernie O'Hare said...
"".....although that seems contrived...."
Thus pay be an inartful way of putting it but there is no way that same sex couples an naturally have children. It requires other methods.
- April 25, 2013 at 10:29 AM
805 is unbelievable! All gay relationships are only sexual?! You are completely wrong and a vile human being. I suppose no one who is straight ever had a relationship for sex and that only?! Get your head out of your ass! Meet some of the amazing same-sex couples out there who are in love, who have children, and don't have children, who are better human beings than you could ever hope to be. This is a civil rights issue as they are people. Period! But hey, I am just a straight catholic woman who is married with two biological children.
- April 25, 2013 at 3:51 PM
In California the blacks voted against gay marriage. In many states the blacks come out and vote against it. Most black pastors are against it and preach about it so no the blacks are not for it they are split like the rest of us. A single parent household can raise a good kid but to set out to deny a child a relationship witha natural parent or 2 is nothing to brag about. It usually makes for a poorer house in more ways then one. Gay woman either hate or dislike men. They raise their boys in pink just to lead him away from being too boyish. The girls they teach to dislike men. Kids have enough angst to deal with and these type of parents just load it on. No reasonable person can believe say they would not have wanted 2 parents in the house to love and provide for them. Gay men love their mothers and want to be woman in many cases. They are not as bad about raising gay children but they average much higher then heters. Just because u call a skunk a cat does not make it one. We are different. We have a history of men loving woman and woman loving men. Stray from that and it goes downhill fast.
- April 25, 2013 at 6:10 PM
- Donald said...
Do you have cold hard numbers & actaul studies from real legit sources to back up your statements?
- April 25, 2013 at 6:37 PM
I do not believe 610 could find a legitimate source if it hit her or him in the face. One who has to attempt to devalue someone else's love or relationship obviously has an issue with their own. Describing ridiculous and old stereotypes does not strengthen the argument, it makes you seem foolish and antiquated. No one wants a child to be without a parent but our definition if a parent is what differs. Gender roles began with society, they are not set in stone. A patent loves, guides, nurtures, feeds, clothes and loves a child and we all know that men and women can do that. Kids in this world would have less angst if everyone was taught to worry about themselves and that the way others lead their lives is none of their business. Experts on children in the AAP have already made their statement about this but by all means, you know better. Come up with a legitimate, non-religious hard core stats, please.
- April 25, 2013 at 9:28 PM
- Jerry Kott said...
Understanding is a two way street! There is a big difference between a reason and an excuse. You seem to toss the hot potato back in your perception that LGBT folks don't have the patience in this dialogue. Using words like "distain" only widen the divide. It does require patience to read post that are simply meant to be a fly in the ointment. In this challenge towards full Equality, Gay folks stopped waiting for the crumbs to fall off the table that we can't sit at. When you read some of the post here, it gives the impression that many adversaries to Equality don't want to see the bigger picture . Yet many post have been inspiring. You can't teach something to someone who doesn't want to learn.
When people act like adults, more often they get treated that way. There has been this privilege that exited that Homosexuality use to be discussed as if LGBT folks are not even in the room-some subspecies. LGBT folks have been listening all their lives to the excuse and insults meant to berate rather than build a bridge.
Now it is your turn to listen.
- April 26, 2013 at 7:14 AM
Thats right. It is via people I happen to respect and admire, and is voluntary. Nothing will be gained by mandatory sessions with people who are unknown. It is then just the thought police.
That's a very Archie Bunker view of the world. I was required to take a multicultural issues course in grad school. If you go into something with an open mind and have some level of respect for the professional presenting the program, it's nothing to be afraid of. The worst that can happen is you become a better person.
- April 26, 2013 at 3:12 PM
But as I need to hear what the gay community thinks, they probably need to be a little more understanding and sympathetic to the concerns of the hetero community. I'm not sensing much of that, just a blanket disdain for anyone who does not accept that mindset carte blanche.
Just like the black folks need to be sympathetic to the white folks in Selma. They needed time to adjust.
No, these people don't need your approval for equal rights.
- April 26, 2013 at 3:16 PM
As long as people put children first the gay community will not ever be seen as people who would do a good job raising the next generation. Sorry. When I saw Obama speak to all of the baby killers what did I see???? Gay woman. Many of them. It is okay to them because children are somewhere behind them and that is where they remain. Natural parents mostly do not do that. Why do we want more people who don't give or can't put children first. This is about the emotional needs of the most emotional among us. The gay community. Kids don't thrive with adults like that. They mimic it. They fight to be first with someone. And again as it was said many times what is next.? Lesbians wanting to marry some oversexed weird guy. Not a question. It is happening in Canada. Married people have a lovable devotion to each other and their children that gays rarely do. That is why they "make love" it is not just having sex which is where 90% of the gay community is. Heters know the difference and if they do marry for sexual attraction it does not last. At least most of them figure it out, because they can. It is just the way it is. That is what we all need to know and accept and many of us do. Reality is not hate. Force is hate which is what all of these fringe emotional groups are doing.
- April 27, 2013 at 8:45 AM
Where do you get your facts? How many same-sex couples do you know? You sound like a right-wing hate-monger without a clue. Read up on the ACTUAL source I suggested. You are flat out wrong about children and same-sex couples. I don't expect you to change as it is your twisted perogitive to feel that way but you can't ask someone to stop loving the person they love either.
- April 27, 2013 at 11:02 AM
I know many gays and haven't met more then a couple who are different then the rest. They have long time devoted partners own businesses and don't need to marry to just pick a fight. They are homosexual and not lesbians. They do not have children and don't want any. They have a respect for the institution of marriage and love both parents as well as both sexes. They don't carry a cross like the lesbians and many of them do not even like lesbians. I have witness children being raised by lesbians and I don't see a thing good about it. We learn by our experiences and I've had enough to form my opinions which were formed and formed by what I see. Young girls are shown and taught that boys are worthless just like their fathers even if he was the better parent. Boys are feminized so as not to make them too boyish. It's tough enoug on kids without more confusion a nd hatred. I do not care about what a gay person does or wants but when it comes to the children I do care. Gay men do love their mothers and do know a kid deserves to have their mother. And they do not think men are worthless. So the need for the father is there too. It is just a bunch of 40 year old teens who want their way regardless of anything else. We all know this. They hate herers. because we put children before them. See the pro abortion group O spoke to. Many many lesbians. Thats how much they put kids first. Why would they even care???? And why do men marry lesbians. They have children and the lesbian takes the kids and leaves and many times hates the father of the kids. Guess they are sickened by having had sex with them. it is just sex and was just sex for them. Maybe real woman can see they are not man enough for them. What do these guys expect??? I live in realville and it sure isn't pretty any longer.
- April 27, 2013 at 2:57 PM
Look up the source-I dare you. Hiding behind the idea that same sex marriage is bad for kids doesn't fly-read what the EXPERTS have to say.
- April 27, 2013 at 11:13 PM
I know what I see and no expert can take the place of experience. You're arguement is wrong and once again it is about you , the gay so called adult. It really is never about the kids for you live a self centered emotion me first life I want to hook up life. Many of us do but we grow up when we have our own for the most part natural children. You seek to deny children this so how can anyone agree with you except more of the same. I just found a list of female teachers who are up on charges for molesting and raping girls. This and the gay priest is what we have come to expect. Pedophiles may be the next protected class. You really expect society to embraced all of this??? Don't think so. Just leave kids alone and we might all get along.
- April 28, 2013 at 7:20 AM
Boy, this post sure brought out the bigots and the haters.
It's important to remember how many of them still live amoung us.
Thanks BOH.
- April 28, 2013 at 11:35 AM
No tolerance for those who oppose your views. No one else bothered to support your views. People know the gay community has pushed things way too far with their demands, and special treatment. You expect respect but you know nothing about giving it. I sure don't see gay ads on TV or on highway billboards or anywhere. Could it be people have had enough? Could it be you can't get the support you demand? Good parents raise children better then this. Has nothing to do with hate just sick of your demands. I live in the real world and it doesn't have you everywhere I look except with this president. He will not be there forever and maybe then the special treatment will stop. Hey the squeaky wheel does get the oil.
- April 28, 2013 at 12:38 PM
I rest my case. Ignorant haters.
- April 29, 2013 at 3:08 PM


text:
ChromePlus has all the functionalities that Google Chrome has. More, ChromePlus added some useful features such as Mouse gesture, Super drag, IE tab, etc. Meanwhile, ChromePlus is free with no function limitation and you can use ChromePlus to surf the internet in any case.
Release Notes:
Bug fixed: Conflict with the speed dial extension.
Bug fixed: Bug fixed: The black flash when switch to IE mode.
Bug fixed: Other crashed bugs.
Hardware accelerated 3D CSS.
New Safe Browsing protection against downloading malicious files.
Ability to delete Flash cookies from inside Chrome.
Launch Apps by name from the Omnibox.
Integrated Sync into new settings pages.
Improved screen reader support.
New warning when hitting Command-Q on Mac.
Removal of Google Gears.
Some other bugs fixed.
Download: ChromePlus 188.8.131.52 | 23.5 MB (Freeware)
Download: ChromePlus 184.108.40.206 Portable | 34.8 MB
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View: Homepage


text:
Seven CRNAs at Gateway Surgery Center in Concord, N.C., were honored by their colleagues during National Nurse Anesthetists Week with a custom decorated cake.
The cake was created and decorated by OR nurse Kristin Gurley, RN (pictured above), and her husband Kris. "We hated to cut into the masterpiece, but it was delicious, and perfectly presented."
CRNAs at the center include (from left to right): Rosita Loo, Becky McCall,Lisa Barbee, Karyl McClellan, Jason Espada, Jane Brown, and Donna Wall.


text:
I don't care how many times you have seen the fight between former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Forrest Griffin and Stephan Bonnar at The Ultimate Fighter I Finale, it never gets old.
Throw in some fantastic commentary from guys like Randy Couture, Joe Rogan and Urijah Faber and it makes it even more exciting. Roots of Fight is on the rise and has produced incredible videos featuring Mike Tyson and Bruce Lee. Check them out on YouTube.


text:
Think you have what it takes to be an Us Top Cop?
Write a snippy one-liner for this photo of actress Ali Larter, who attended the premiere of Bachelorette on Aug. 23 in Los Angeles. If you want your joke to appear in a copy of Us Weekly, please leave your full name in your comment.


text:
"Follow your bliss."
Joseph Campbell
There is no path, there is no way, there is only awareness. A deep and profound wisdom of thyself. A wakefulness that immerses you totally in this moment and the presence of your own magnificence.
The beauty of your unfolding lies within the courage you have to accept your power and embrace your responsibility for your thoughts, words and actions. Your journey will be joyful only if you allow yourself to come into alignment with your silence. For silence is the still point from which all things can be known.
But it's not your duty to know all things, all you have to know is one thing and that is yourself. And once you come to know your own radiant awareness all things will be known
The secret key to your life lies within the wisdom of your heart. For it is through your emotional frequency that you know if your a moving closer to greatness or destruction.
The unfolding of your life is a creative process. For you're creating, giving life to, and bringing into existence joy itself. So joy is the marker and as you make decisions that bring you joy and move you closer to bliss you step ever further into the glory of yourself.
From Your Imagination Springs Forth All The Possibilities Of Your Potential
There are two great secrets in this life; Life is to live and Love is to give. These two secrets are for you to explore in your own unique way. Use your imagination to journey forth into yourself.
From your imagination springs forth all the possibilities of your potential. An unlimited potency whereby you may be, do, or have anything that you set your thoughts and mind upon. Because once you let your mind come to rest within itself you will become aware that you are all things.
Know Your Own Greatness
Form and formlessness is your truth. While in the process of creating form be determined to see your dreams manifest into reality.
I won't lie to you and tell you that all of life is magic, splendor and ease for in doing so I would be speaking to you from a place of lies.
I speak to you now of the truth.
The path is long. The struggle is hard. You will stumble and you will fall. You will be left to face your fears alone. You will want to give up. You will lose friends and family. You will doubt yourself. You will doubt the world. You will be angry with God. You will wonder if God exists. You will question whether anything you do is actually making a difference. You will feel alone. You won't feel at all. You will experience all these things and more. And it will be through these moments that you will be free, and be given the amazing opportunity to know your own greatness.
Positive Emotion Expands Your Field Of Influence
For this journey is really a path to your own playfulness. A process of which will continue until the end of time. You will give birth to countless forms of yourself. Be joyful and have fun. Be at ease with yourself and the world. Seek out further opportunities to express the bountiful love that overflows from your heart.
Life is about contrast. Like's and dislikes. Yes's and no's.
It's in these moments that you are blessed, for each time you encounter these situations you come face to face with a moment of truth. A magical moment whereby you're given the blessed chance to create yourself and a new chapter of your life. Each choice leads you further into the joyous journey of your own pure potential.
This Whole Process Is About You
Say Yes! to those moments that bring you joy. Steer yourself toward those people and experiences that make you feel good. For that positive emotion expands your field of influence and strengthens your will to give life.
Your ever increasing happiness, love and joy are the clear indicators of your own magnificent expansion. Seek out those choices and experiences that bring you into alignment and harmony with these emotions.
Variety and contrast gives rise to your preference. That preference, or liking, gives rise to your desire and passion. Your passion gives your intentions and desires their fuel, their power, their energy. Your emotions of thankfulness and gratitude brings the energy of your goals or dreams into your quantum reality.
This whole process is about you. Your preferences. Your desires and passions. Your power and energy. Your emotions of thankfulness and gratitude. Your great connection to the process of life. This is what it means to be selfish. To be fully present to yourself. For within you lies all the magic and wonder of the universe.
Enter now into the dark woods of your life, that sacred and blessed journey into yourself. For within the darkness and mystery of your own hidden potential, is the greatest adventure that you shall ever take. For it is a quest for your own immortality.
The Path Exercise
One of the most amazing movies in my opinion is an independent film called "What The Bleep Do We Know." If you haven't seen it yet do yourself the favor and go rent it tonight.
There's a scene within the movie where one the experts that is interviewed talks about creating his day. It is an amazing piece and the transcript of it is below but the process that I want you to start integrating within your life is to become more and more comfortable with your power to consciously create your own reality.
A little exercise that I do everyday as I leave my home is this:
"I gaze around at the trees, the grass, the blue skies. I listen to the birds chirping, to the sounds of the cars on the street, and my footfalls on the pavement. I become aware of life and my presence within it. Then when I feel at peace and in oneness with life I create my day how I want it to happen.
So if I want people to be supportive of me I throw that out to the universe. If I want to experience joy I'll throw that out to the universe. If I want an answer to a problem that I'm tackling I'll throw that out to the universe.
The key is that everyday I choose to actively participate in the creation of it. I don't decide the details I just decide the basic parameters and I let the universe fill in the rest."
And here's the Transcript from the movie:
I Create My Day
The most often referenced interview in the film What The Bleep Do We Know is Dr. Joe Dispenza's comments on creating his day. In response to the numerous requests, the following is the transcript of that part of the interview.
"I wake up in the morning and I consciously create my day the way I want it to happen. Now sometimes, because my mind is examining all the things that I need to get done, it takes me a little bit to settle down and get to the point of where I'm actually intentionally creating my day. But here's the thing: When I create my day and out of nowhere little things happen that are so unexplainable, I know that they are the process or the result of my creation. And the more I do that, the more I build a neural net in my brain that I accept that that's possible. (This) gives me the power and the incentive to do it the next day.
"So if we're consciously designing our destiny, and if we're consciously from a spiritual standpoint throwing in with the idea that our thoughts can affect our reality or affect our life — because reality equals life — then I have this little pact that I have when I create my day. I say, 'I'm taking this time to create my day and I'm infecting the quantum field. Now if (it) is in fact the observer's watching me the whole time that I'm doing this and there is a spiritual aspect to myself, then show me a sign today that you paid attention to any one of these things that I created, and bring them in a way that I won't expect, so I'm as surprised at my ability to be able to experience these things. And make it so that I have no doubt that it's come from you,' and so I live my life, in a sense, all day long thinking about being a genius or thinking about being the glory and the power of God or thinking about being unconditional love.
"I'll use living as a genius, for example. And as I do that during parts of the day, I'll have thoughts that are so amazing, that cause a chill in my physical body, that have come from nowhere. But then I remember that that thought has an associated energy that's produced an effect in my physical body. Now that's a subjective experience, but the truth is is that I don't think that unless I was creating my day to have unlimited thought, that that thought would come."
Source: Dr. Joe Dispenza in What the BLEEP Do We Know!?


text:
" Brand: Little Tikes / Type: Toy Ride-Ons - Rocker "
We were given one of these rockers by a friend of ours for our youngest daughter when she was about 9 months old. To buy now the Little Tikes Rocker costs about £20 and you can buy them in many places such as Toys R Us and Argos or if you would prefer to buy online then they are available from Amazon.
The toy comes in a couple of different colours however as the one we were given was from a boy it is blue in colour. The toy is made for ages 1-3 years but Emily is very tall and could manage to use it from about 10 months old. The maximum user weight is 23kg which equates to about 3 stone 8 which is a good weight limit.
The toy didn't have any packaging as we were given it although I have seen it in shops and it comes in a heavy duty looking cardboard box.
The toy is made of hard plastic, it is curved at the bottom to allow the toy to rock from front to back. There is a dip in the middle of the toy for your child to sit in and it has a friendly looking head with 2 bright yellow handles for your child to grip on to. The toy has mane and tail detailing and I think it is probably meant to look like a horse although it doesn't look very accurate to the animal.
My daughter loved this toy when she first got it and she was able to climb on and off herself from standing and also manage to rock it back and forth without help. This toy is one that was played with everyday whilst it was in the house and even my elder daughter would be caught on it every now and again. Once the toy was moved outside Emily lost interest a bit which I think is because there are so many other toys outside that she likes but it was still well used.
The toy is very stable when in use as it is pretty wide giving it a good base. The toy rocks gently with the power of a young child but can rock more vigorously with a little more weight but still gets nowhere near tipping. Emily managed to stay on the rocker no problem and we had very few slipping off incidents once she had realised that it was a good idea to hold onto the handles.
We initially had this toy in the house although it was moved outside last summer and has been outside ever since, there has been a bit of fading due to the sun but that it the only signs of wear on the toy and I will be passing it down to another child shortly and imagine it would see them outgrow the toy too.
My mum bought this Little Tikes Rocker (or Rocking Horse, depending on where you purchase it from) nearly four years ago for my daughters first birthday, it's now her sixteen month old brother that's clambering on it each and every day so I think I can start the review by saying how well played with this toy has been! It's basically the younger childs version of the Teeter Totter; looking very similar in design (despite the Teeter Totter obviously being a whale rather than a horse), being constructed of the same chunky plastic and even having the same colour. It's a very basic rocking horse, only because it's made by Little Tikes it's been designed to be practical AND fun for very young babies - although I think it actually looks more like a Rocking Sheep than a Rocking Horse!
Both Hollie and David have loved this toy, it has been kept outside ever since we received it and other than a very small amount of fading to the plastic it's still in tip top condition. The fading has happened a little patchily so it's never going to look new again, but to have been braving the elements for four years (rain, sun and snow) I'd say that's pretty impressive!
The design is done cleverly to allow even very young babies to use this toy independantly. The seat is very low so providing your little one can clamber into something resembling a standing position they should be able to figure out a way of getting their bum onto the seat. I remember Hollie worked it out very quickly, but David (an infinitely lazier baby) would cock his leg half over the seat and then just kind of perch on the edge side-saddle style until I picked him up and plonked him in the correct position. It's a roomy seat, with a high back to help keep baby in the correct position - at a year old they should be stable enough in their sitting abilities to stay upright on their own, but the back of the seat does help to keep the child where (s)he should be even during a fairly strong rocking motion.
Due to the fact that the seat is so low and the rockers are extremely wide in relation to the body of the horse, the centre of gravity is perfect and therefore the toy is very stable. As Hollie got older she would rock herself very forcefully, to the point where I was absolutely convinced that the toy was going to fly backwards - this never happened though, which I found hugely surprising, and I class this as one of the safest outdoor toys in our collection. The rockers are wide enough to act as 'shelves' for the feet, giving the child purchase to rock themselves and also allowing them to keep their balance while it's in motion. David worked out very quickly that the further forward he put his feet the faster he could rock himself, it's really comical to watch him get himself into position and suddenly start throwing himself backwards and forwards to get the horse rocking! Hollie, being a girl (haha!), was altogether more composed when playing on the rocker and would daintily get her speed up - troublesome David simply throws himself into it and risks whiplash each time he sits on the rocker!
The handles are well designed and in the perfect place for small hands to grip while they're playing, actually these handles also help David to keep his balance while sitting on the rocker. He's realised that if he lets go of the handles he'll eventually fall off sideways, so hanging onto these chunky pieces of plastic help him to stay in an upright position - and also help the little daredevil to coax the rocker to go even faster as he heaves his (not insubstantial) weight against them!
I have nothing but praise for this Little Tikes Rocker. It might not be the most exciting looking toy your child will own, but to get four years use from something that only cost a little over £20 is incredible in my opinion - especially in these days of the 'throwaway toy' where even an item costing double this may only last for one or two summers. The same toy is also available in a dark (and very dull) pink, but I personally prefer the more classic blue in this instance as the pink really isn't a particularly nice shade. Cleaning is a doddle; a quick blast with the hosepipe is usually all it needs to remove any dirt or muck from the garden, although sometimes I'll give it a good going over with a bucket of hot soapy water and a strong cloth to bring it back to its best - which considering the age and the fact it's left outside all year round is pretty damned impressive.
My boys have a huge toy collection and not only do we find our family and friends buying gifts for them, we also find they are keen to give us their old toys. At my aunties house my boys were attracted to her collection of Little Tikes garden toys. After Mr Lools took them to visit one day they came home with the Little Tikes Rocker.
***Little Tikes Rocker***
The Little Tikes Rocker is a hard plastic rocking horse suitable for indoor and outdoor use. This has a wide plastic base which then has a horse on top with a seat moulded into the horse. This has handles for a child to hold onto. The base of the rocker is 91cm long and 58cm wide. The rocker is 74cm high at its highest point although the seat position is around 40cm from the ground.
Little Tikes state the rocker is suitable for children aged 18 month + and for a weight up to 45kg.
The rocker is available in 4 colours; pink, red, blue or green. We have this in green.
As this was a gift we did not go out and purchase this however the rocker is available from a wide number of retailers which include Toys R Us, Argos, Smyths and Tesco. The price of the rocker varies however all of the retailers listed sell this for £20-£25.
***Playing with it***
Even when bought from new the toy is fully assembled therefore it is quite bulky. On the occasion Mr Lools brought this toy home I spotted the rocker in the front seat with him as we had a double pushchair in the boot plus the children in the back of the car. Although the rocker isn't at all heavy it is bulky so carrying for long distances would also be a pain.
My boys loved to sit on the rocker and rock back and forwards singing and giggling. Initially I did find myself placing them on the seat of the rocker but even at 13 months they understood to hold onto the handles and rock back and forwards. The handles are well designed and even for small children easy to hold onto. Within weeks my boys had mastered how to climb on and off the rocker themselves. You do need to take care with children (young and older) that they do not stand on the seat, holding the handles and trying to rock. My friends 3 year old has done this, and my boys attempted to copy. The height of the seat is less than 40cm so not a high seat to fall off (especially as we put this on the grass) but if you are using indoors on hard flooring or outdoors on concrete it could be more of an safety issue which is why you need to supervise use of this toy.
Rocking wise the Little Tikes rocker moves back and forwards very easily. The low position of the rocker and the fact it has a wide plastic base means little ones can rest their feet on the top of this base which helps build up a rocking rythym. Even my boys at 13 months could rock quite fast, but because the base is so sturdy and wide I was confident that the rocker was not going to tip over as they rocked.
The rocker states it is suitable from 18 months plus. However my boys were given this toy at 13 months when they could stand unaided and within 2 weeks they were able to climb on and off the rocker on their own. We also have the Little Tikes Teeter Totter rocker which is suitable for more than one child and I feel this smaller Little Tikes Rocker is much more suitable for younger toddlers compared to the Teeter Totter. The Little Tikes individual rocker is firstly lower to the ground which is why my boys had no issues climbing on and off. In fact we own a Fisher Price Bounce and Spin Zebra which is a similar concept to this rocker and that is suitable from 12 months and in fact higher off the floor than this rocker. Secondly the Little Tikes Rocker has a back on the seat that is moulded into the horse. The back of this seat supports a child even if they decide to let go, whereas the Teeter Totter and the bounce and Spin Zebra a child could fall off backwards as there is no seat support. Obviously with children this young I always fully supervised them playing on the Little Tikes Rocker but I definitely feel the 18 month age guide is a little misleading.
Older toddlers and children play on the Little Tikes rocker and I feel my friend's 3 year old prefers to play on this rocker when he comes to visit as opposed to the Little Tikes Teeter Totter because he can rock faster. For children over 4 years old they probably will lose interest after a quick rock as the toy is quite tame and not quite the same speed or height that they get from a see saw or a similar toy. My auntie who gave us this as a gift said her 5 year old would describe the Little Tikes Rocker as his "see saw for babies".
Durability wise this is an excellent toy and made to a high quality. The rocker we have was bought almost 4 years ago and has been played with by my cousin for 3 summers and my boys have also spent since March this year playing with it. The green plastic is slightly lighter than when it was first bought due to it being outside in the sun, however this is not massively bleached in colour. The plastic is so strong and sturdy that there are no dents or chips. Because the plastic wipes down it is very easy to wash down. I keep this in our garage but on occasion the rocker has been left in our garden for a week or so and I just wipe down with water and antiseptic cleaning cloths.
This is a great toy for under 4's which can be used inside or out. The rocker is fun and another example of a Little Tikes toy which is made to a high quality and is durable. Even after 4 years of use the rocker is still in excellent condition even after numerous summers of rough play.
My main criticism of the rocker is it's bulky. For those limited by space you may find storing outdoors is the only option as you can't dissemble the rocker at all.
A great toy that my boys are learning to share!


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Dante has Sonny's number
Why is it that Dante is the only one who understands how dangerous Sonny is? And suddenly Sonny is offended that Jax broke the law. Sonny is a freaking maniac and a hypocrite.
Let's review – Sonny went to Robin's house with a loaded gun, knowing there were young children there. Then poor Robin got shot, and Emma almost saw what happened. Even though she didn't witness the shooting, Emma certainly understood what happened. This should be a
wakeup call for Robin. She needs to cut Sonny out of her life the same way Brenda did. I don't see any remorse in Sonny. But I'm very surprised Patrick didn't rip his head off.
I completely agree with Dante for arresting Sonny. Really, I believe Sonny should be committed. At the very least he should spend a large amount of time in jail. Thanks to Dante, that might just be the case, one of these days.
I loved this "You're whole life is an abuse of power," Dante to Sonny. Doesn't that just sum up Sonny for all the years we've known him?
Side Bar – I love Maurice Benard (Sonny). He's truly one of the best actors on daytime television.
Prior to Jax's 'accident,' Carly was all for Sonny stopping Jax. Carly knows Sonny well enough to know he would go to extremes. But Carly went to Sonny for help anyway. Now she's all angry and remorseful – another hypocritical move. But it was nice to see Carly finally call Sonny out on his outrageous behavior.
I'm thinking Diane and Mac may hook up. And what about Alexis and Coleman? Those could be some interesting pairings. Mac certainly needs a woman. I think Coleman is a bit broken hearted over his break up with Kate. And aren't we all right there with him? For Alexis, Mac is the safe choice. But Coleman is most likely more to her liking.
Speaking of some potential pairings, here are a couple more for you to think about:
Ethan and Siobhan
Elizabeth and Matt
This week should be interesting – the ABC promo is asking an interesting question: 'Who will Jason be?' What do you think? Jason Morgan or Jason Quartermaine?
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The staff of the Center for International Education is poised to help you and your family discover the world through studying abroad. Every step of the way, the staff is available to aid you in the decision making process, finding the study abroad opportunity best suited for you. Contact our staff to get started today!
As director of international education, Ryan collaborates with students, colleagues and international partners to enact comprehensive internationalization at SAU so the university can faithfully adhere to its mission, values, and guiding principles.


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A few thoughts on the Antoine Winfield contract
Published: July 23rd, 2009 | Tags: Antoine Winfield, Ashanti Webb, Brett Favre, contract extension, Minnesota Vikings
Antoine Winfield is a 32-year-old cornerback, and certainly one of the best in the game, as evidenced by the payday he received from the Minnesota Vikings today.
Winfield had one year left on his existing contract, and the sides reworked 2009 and added four more years to the deal. It's rare for a corner of that age to land such a deal, but I understand why the Vikings would do it, and both sides made some compromises.
Often, in contracts for older players (sometimes considered "third contracts," as in the third NFL contract a player has signed), things get touchy in a year or two if the production slips or the players fall into more of a secondary role. This deal has some buffers for that built in, according to Winfield's agent, Ashanti Webb, in that after the third year of the deal, the salaries will either escalate if Winfield is still starting or decrease if he is a nickel or dime back.
In return for that, at least to some degree, Winfield gets more security beyond just the 2009 season left on his deal and avoids having to sit there in 2010 wondering about the CBA talks, whether the year will be uncapped and whether or not those 2005 and 2006 draft picks are going to unrestricted free agents or restricted free agents (the size and quality of that free-agent class always plays a role in the kind of money that's thrown around).
Seems like a win-win. Winfield receives $16.1 million guaranteed, according to Webb. That's the key figure, especially with players of older age. Winfield could earn another $1.5 million in easily attainable bonuses, should he stay healthy.
So the Vikings have their business done and all their ducks lined up … oh yeah, except for that whole quarterback saga. I'm not sure when I will ever believe Brett Favre is retired at this point. He could sit out a year, and I'd still be thinking this time a year from now that he was pondering a return — again.


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I hesitated on buying these boots because I didn't trust that they'd be truly waterproof...but I've worn them all winter and they've been great. I take my dogs out every morning off in the woods & fields and while I don't ford rivers or deliberately step in puddles, I do encounter sloppy mud and wet grass. My feet have stayed dry & warm. They fit fine, I pair them with fairly lightweight Smart wool socks. I switch to snow boots when the snow is over a few inches so can't comment on that.
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I've used these for the past 2 or 3 years for work only when it was raining. I am a mail carrier who walks almost 10 miles per day on my route. They have been very good to me in keeping my feet dry. At first they were a little tight but they gradually stretched out to be very comfortable. I wear thick socks with them and don't have a problem with them being too tight. I just wish these shoes had a non slip sole. The ankle height is perfect for walking long distance and the stitching and construction of this boot is great.
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If you're used to buying Ariat Terrains, or similar Ariat boots, and find those to be wide enough, while other more traditional Ariat boots are too narrow, be aware that these are on the narrow side.
My feet fit great in a 7.5 Terrain or Terrain H2O. I've worn through at least half a dozen of those. I ordered 7.5 in these Camrose boots, and they are way too narrow. I'm going to have to send them back.
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I love these boots. I'm on my feet all day at work and barely notice thanks to these boots, I even walked around NYC for 8 hours straight and it barely felt like it! They're super comfortable, look great, durable, and have great traction in the snow; hardly even felt the cold with these on. Only complaint I'd have is prolonged wear they make my feet sweat.
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This product is very sturdy in the snow this is why I brought these boots.I made a good choice
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Well, shoot.
Sorry to disappoint you, but this item sold out faster than we ever expected.
But if we can be so bold, there's plenty more great stuff available:
Shop Duluth's Top Picks for Men
Shop Duluth's Top Picks for Women
Women's Ariat Camrose Waterproof Insulated Boots
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|Rediff India Abroad Home | All the sections
Issues in electricity governance in India
M Govinda Rao | May 01, 2007
Although the industry continues to be dominated by the public sector, the system has created scope for a significant participation of the private sector. In the prevailing situation, regulation has assumed urgency. There is significant public interest due to the technological characteristic of the good--of simultaneity of supply and consumption, and other issues of lumpiness of investment and potential to create oligopolistic tendencies. At the same time, developing the capacity to regulate the market to ensure fair competition, protect consumers' interest, prevent predatory behaviour and dealing with asymmetric information in a technologically complex environment is truly challenging.
Setting up independent regulation has been an essential component of reforming electricity supply. The state of Orissa was the first to set up a regulatory commission, in the early 1990s, and the Central Electricity Regulatory Commissions Act (1998) broadly followed the Orissa model.
Subsequently, regulatory commissions have been put in place at the Centre and in the states. The experiences of these have been varied and this is an opportune moment to assess their strengths and weaknesses. Thus, the study by Navroz Dubash and Narasimha Rao on electricity regulation in Andhra Pradesh, Delhi and Karnataka, completed at the NIPFP and Centre for Public Policy, IIM, Bangalore, is timely.
This study goes beyond the legal framework and attempts to unravel the political economy elements in regulatory processes and its implications on regulatory outcomes, and analyses the scope and content of stakeholder engagement in regulation. The findings of the study were discussed in a seminar last week attended by an impressive list of experts. Hopefully, in the coming days and months there will be considerable discussion on the issue to help improve the regulatory governance.
An important aspect of regulation is the independence and capacity of the regulators. Complexities in the nature of the industry require that the regulators should have specialised knowledge and experience in the industry, should be independent and impartial, and should not have conflict of interest.
Thus, qualification, experience, independence and objectivity should be the core criteria for the choice of regulators. It should not matter whether the persons come from public or private sectors.
Almost a year ago, in one of the columns in this newspaper, I had lamented that the regulatory commissions were used to extend patronage to retired bureaucrats. In the case of electricity regulators, the requirement that Chairmen and Members should have "adequate knowledge, experience or shown capacity in dealing with problems of law, economics, commerce, finance or management" makes every retired senior bureaucrat eligible for the positions.
Limiting remuneration to government pay scales and mandating that after their term, the regulators cannot take further employment with the government and should not accept commercial employment for a period of two years virtually rules out young and suitably qualified persons from the commercial sector. As regards independence and impartiality, we only seem to trust retired government officials.
Indeed, there is nothing wrong with retired bureaucrats and there are many who are extremely competent and suitable for the job. The problem is with the barriers to the entry of young and qualified professionals from the commercial sector, which is important to bring new perspectives in as yet a nascent system of regulation.
Indeed, I had the audacity to bring up the issue in the seminar. Former Power Secretary R V Shahi was quick to point out that the regulatory commissions headed by former officials had performed better and therefore, this was a non-issue. Another important former official and electricity regulator, Jagmohan Lal Bajaj, was more emphatic.
His contention was that there was no substance in the argument because bureaucrats constituted just 16 per cent of the total number of regulators. He went on to state that a lie spoken repeatedly was assumed to be the truth and the overwhelming presence of bureaucrats in the regulatory system is one such case.
Indeed, it is important to nail the lies. While my earlier column on "bureaucratic capture" related to regulatory systems in general, we are now referring to the electricity sector. A quick analysis of electricity regulatory commissions in 17 states from their websites provides interesting information.
First, let us see the composition of chairmen. In one of the states, there was no chairman, and information was not available for three states. Of the remaining 13 chairmen, 11 were retired senior IAS officials, one from the IAAS and one a technical person. Indeed, the qualifications of these ranged from postgraduate degree in philosophy and economic history to physics and electrical engineering. Surely, we know who the chairmen of the regulatory commissions are.
An analysis of the composition of all commissioners is equally revealing. Of the 46 commissioners, information is not available on 11. Of the remaining, 12 are from the IAS, one from the IRS, one from the IAAS, one from the Indian Railway Accounts Service, two from commercial entities, and the remaining are retired officials of electricity utilities.
Another notable feature is that every regulator is more than 60 years old. As far as the performance of regulators is concerned, we do not have any indicators to judge them and in any case, as almost all chairpersons are retired government officials, there are no counterfactuals to compare.
I must clarify that my intention is neither to deride retired senior officials nor to belittle their contribution to governance in the country. I do consider that their contribution has been immense. The issue is of developing a framework for developing effective regulation as part of the reform to ensure adequate and quality supply of power so that increasing demand is met in a cost-efficient manner.
Effective governance is critical to creating an enabling environment for efficient electricity supply industry. Therefore, the choice of suitably qualified personnel as regulators is important for electricity governance. Hopefully, this will not become a hostage to special interest group politics.
The author is Director, National Institute of Public Finance and Policy. Comments at email@example.com
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Booz Allen Hamilton planning for an IPO
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Booz Allen Hamilton, a McLean-based government consulting firm and one of the Washington region's largest private-sector employers, filed papers Monday with regulators announcing its intent to make an initial public offering of stock.
The company, majority-owned by the Carlyle Group, plans to sell up to $300 million worth of shares to the public, according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. A share price has not been set.
Carlyle does not plan to sell any of its stake as part of the offering. It will use the proceeds to reinvest in Booz Allen and pay down debt, according to the SEC filing.
The stock sale is part of a recent trend by Carlyle and other private-equity firms to take the companies in their portfolios public, further evidence that the economy is strengthening and that credit markets may be healing from the financial crisis.
"The fact that they are able to go public is an indication that capital markets are receptive to new public companies," said William Walton, former chairman of District-based Allied Capital, which bought and sold companies before it merged with a New York firm this year. "It's healthy."
Booz Allen, which employs about 15,000 people in the Washington region, provides consulting services in strategy, operations and information technology to major firms, government agencies and institutions, according to Carlyle's Web site.
Its major clients include the Defense Department, including all branches of the military, as well as the departments of Energy, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, and the Treasury; U.S. intelligence agencies; and the Environmental Protection Agency.
"It's good for the area to have a prominent, public international firm headquartered here," Walton said. "It adds prestige to the area, and it's a sign that Washington is a place that's good for business. They will want to stay close to their customers."
The consulting firm, founded by Edwin G. Booz in 1914, went public in 1970 and taken private six years later. It had been owned by 300 top executives and had about $4 billion in revenue before the Carlyle purchase. About half of that came from the government.
In August 2008, Booz Allen Hamilton completed the separation of its government and commercial businesses, selling a majority stake in the government unit to Carlyle for $2.54 billion.
The split had its roots in the vast differences that developed between the firm's two units earlier this decade. The goal of the spinoff was to create a company focused solely on its government contracting business, refining the culture and aligning the interests of its management.
The commercial unit, now known as Booz & Co., grew, but not at the same pace. The majority of the firm's revenue during the past 10 years had come from its government business.
Carlyle, which usually buys companies, shakes them up and then tries to sell them for a higher price, had said at the time of purchase that it would leave Booz Allen largely alone.
Carlyle is now one of the largest asset-management firms in the world, managing $90.5 billion in 67 funds in 19 countries in 260 companies in three asset classes (private equity, real estate and credit alternatives), according to its 60-page annual report.
A marriage between Carlyle and Booz Allen made sense for the private-equity giant, which has a long and lucrative history of owning and doing business with government defense contractors working on aerospace and ground-based military programs.
Booz Allen had enjoyed rapid growth because of increased government spending after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The firm has pioneered some of the top ideas in consulting, including supply-chain management, now broadly used by others to manage the flow of goods and people.
Booz Allen sponsors high-profile events and spent $1 million to support the Edward Hopper exhibit at the National Gallery of Art in 2007 and early 2008.
As a measure of the company's size, when Booz Allen rented the National Air and Space Museum's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center near Dulles International Airport for its holiday party in December 2007, employees were not allowed to bring guests because of concern that the building's capacity would be exceeded.