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Simple concepts sometimes yield great art. Getaway doesn't. The plot puts Brent Magna (Ethan Hawke), a washed-up race driver, in a race against time.
Simple concepts sometimes yield great art.
The plot puts Brent Magna (Ethan Hawke), a washed-up race driver, in a race against time.
His wife has been kidnapped. To save her, he must steal a car and drive like a maniac through Bulgaria under orders issued by an austere presence who spies on Magna via cameras installed in the car.
The mysterious voice seems to be playing a video game with Magna at the wheel, making him crash through crowded parks and smash into squadrons of police cars.
The hero is mortified by the chores but willing to do them for the sake of his beloved.
Fortunately, his driving skills are sharp enough not to leave a huge body count.
Magna is eventually joined by a reluctant young adult known simply as the Kid (Selena Gomez), who, like every other teenager depicted in the movies, is tech-savvy beyond belief.
The heroes bicker predictably before bonding during the course of one night of careening through the city. What is the villain�s plan? How can they thwart said plan when their every move is being monitored?
If the screenwriters really wanted to mimic something, is Speed(1994) the best choice?
The baddie is framed only in suffocating close-ups featuring his yellowing teeth and two-day beard growth.Anyone could have played him, but producers landed Jon Voight, who might as well have sent in his performance via tweets.
Ditto for Hawke, whose acting chops have been lauded for decades. He gives the hero the requisite rage, anxiety and helplessness, but his character is woefully underwritten.
He mumbles, �I did things I�m not proud of.�
Cars smash and explosions shower the night sky with needed color, but they can�t obscure the fact that director Courtney Solomon and the script treat viewers like idiots.
The baddie says, �You�re running out of time.�
Thanks for reminding us � as if the numerous shots of the dashboard clock weren�t sufficient.
The real game is whether audiences can retain interest in the endless chase scenes until they learn the point of the game.
If you have the patience, a late chase features a terrific bumper�s-eye view of two vehicles weaving in and out of danger � the only shot worth watching closely. It�s striking because it�s different and cohesive.
It also takes advantage of the wide screen, making it seem � if only briefly � that the director isn�t creating something intended for a tiny screen.
Too late, simplicity works in the film�s favor.

subset: commoncrawl


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LeBron James: Finally fulfilling his potential?
When LeBron James left the comforts of Cleveland to move to Miami and join Chris Bosh and Dwayne Wade to form a star studded triumvirate, many questioned him.
There were those, who called him a coward for not staying with Cleveland and winning the NBA title with them. He was after all, Cleveland's all-time leading point scorer and was already a living legend. But as he walked onto American Airlines Arena on Thursday, he silenced all his critics.
For the second successive year, LeBron had entered into the NBA finals and walked out with MVP and the NBA title in hand. After achieving a triple double in Game six to take the series into the final game, he came into this match against the San Antonio Spurs, averaging 33.8 points in Game seven, already the best in NBA history.
By the end of it, he went one better by scoring 37 points and grabbing 12 rebounds and a team high four assists and added yet another a feather to his already glittering cap.
After helping Miami finish the regular season with their best record ever and put together a 27-game winning streak, LeBron came into these Playoffs with just one thing in mind, get his second ring.
And right from the start of these NBA Finals, LeBron seemed like a man, who was determined to right the wrongs. After all, it was only in 2007 that he was swept aside by this same trio of Spurs stars - Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili, in his first ever Finals appearance with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Even in his first year at Miami, LeBron was nothing more than a passive onlooker as the Heat lost the 2011 Finals to the Dallas Mavericks. But this time around, he ensured that there was no repeat of the finals blues. With an average of 25 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists in the NBA Finals, he almost single handedly ensured that the Heat became the first team after the Lakers in 2010 to win back-to-back NBA titles.
LeBron Arrived in Miami, full of pompousness and a sense of entitlement and well on his way to becoming one of NBA's greatest villains. Back then, although he did have the skills, many questioned his temperament, his resolve.
But now, there's no doubting his championship mettle now. Not after the past 12 months, that he has just had. 12 months, two NBA titles and an Olympic Gold medal later, LeBron James has gone from public enemy number one to one of the most respected basketball players around.
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When a series of storms brought devastation to residents of New York and New Jersey last month, Jacksonville and Onslow County residents upheld their creed as a caring community with 60,000 pounds of donated goods.
When a series of storms brought devastation to residents of New York and New Jersey last month, Jacksonville and Onslow County residents upheld their creed as a caring community with 60,000 pounds of donated goods.
Local businessman Chris Luna, a member of Knights of Columbus No. 3574 from Infant of Prague Catholic Church, initiated a Hurricane Sandy relief collection drive that prompted residents, churches, civic groups, businesses to contribute in a variety of ways. He named the effort �Neighbors helping Neighbors.�
�I was inspired by the late Richard Ray when he took a U-Haul truck full of items to Florida with his own money after Hurricane Andrew hit,� Luna said. �His widow Debbie and her sons were overwhelmed to help contribute to this drive.�
Luna began soliciting bulk items from large retail stores within the county and asked residents to donate until a large portion of items was collected. Collection points also were set up around Jacksonville for items to be taken to New York and New Jersey.
Luna was encouraged to approach Elijah Morton of Morton Trucking Company to donate the use of a trailer to collect items. Morton agreed and also added eight new tires for the truck�s safe travel to distribute the items.
�He asked me why I was doing this and I said I felt that I needed to do something to help these people out,� Luna said.
Luna said the response to the collection drive was overwhelming. Sam�s Club Store Manager Steven Searcy waived required membership to create an at-cost price list for residents and local businesses to purchase humanitarian disaster relief items. The City of Jacksonville set up designated drop off points at the Jacksonville Commons Recreation Center, City Hall and Fire Station 3. Churches also contributed in big ways, including Sandy Run Missionary Baptist Church�s contribution of eight van loads of clothing for residents. Camp Lejeune Marines spent Veteran�s Day weekend helping the Grand Knight Ed Blizzard and the Knights of Columbus group to load collected items onto the trailer.
�There were so many good stories that came from all of this,� Luna said. �It seemed like the people who had the least to give were the ones who gave so much. Some of those Marines had just come home from deployment and could�ve spent their weekend anywhere else.�
With thousands of donations collected in several weeks, the trailer still lacked a driver who was available to transport the items to New Jersey and New York. Retired Sergeant Major E.L.B. Mayfield introduced Luna to truck driver Nels Larson, who worked at Pie Sano Restaurant near his martial arts studio. Larson was currently searching for truck driving employment, but felt that this mission was meant just for him. Luna and Larson also discovered that their fathers were best friends when they served together in the Marine Corps decades ago.
�I don�t think we could�ve found anyone better suited to take that truck up there,� Luna said. �Everyone was anxious to get those items there and it couldn�t have happened in a better way. It was almost like a divine intervention.�
The next day, Larson was headed on a 600-mile journey to deliver the trailer load of items to be distributed at the Roxbury Fire Department in Breezy Point, N.Y. and at New Hope Baptist Church in Elizabeth, N.J. Larson said residents were pleased to learn that members of Onslow County were ready and willing to send aid water, clothing, food and school supplies for children.
�The people there were so surprised that all of that stuff came from North Carolina,� Larson said. �They were happy to have it.�
Larson also saw the significance of how disaster brought people together in Breezy Point, including dozens of families were displaced after a massive fire destroyed 117 homes in the town.
�Everyone needed help, but especially the families of those 117 homes that burned down because they had nothing left but ashes,� Larson said. �Other than some minor injuries and scratches, none of the residents in those homes were hurt.�
In three days, Larson delivered the trailer of items for needy residents and headed back to North Carolina. Luna said that the small and large efforts of local residents helped to bring neighbors in different states together in the midst of hard times.
�Whether you gave a whole pile of bottled water or just one canned good, if you brought something it was thought behind it and it says a lot about our community,� Luna said. �I couldn�t have done any of this by myself. This was truly a community effort.�
Contact Daily News Features Reporter Aniesa Holmes at 910-219-8473 or email@example.com.


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As the Scottish independence referendum looms (18 September), renewable energy in general — and wind power in particular — remains a key battleground for both campaigns.
Scotland's population makes up only 8.4% of the UK total, but the partly devolved country provides more than a third of the UK's renewable electricity generation and its 4.44GW of operating onshore wind makes up 64% of the UK onshore wind total. In the pipeline is around 11GW more onshore wind.
Scotland's share of operating offshore projects is smaller, at just 190MW of the total 3.65GW and only another 7MW currently under construction in Scottish waters. However, of the 5.51GW of consented but yet to be built offshore projects, 1.94GW is off Scotland.
UK capacity: Operating wind farms in Scotland and England
Recent opinion polls have shown the gap between the independence "yes" and "no" votes narrowing and the emotional temperature rising. The profound political differences between Scotland — an energy exporter - and the London-dominated south are reflected in attitudes towards renewable energy. The Conservative-led UK government has become less favourable towards onshore wind and more pro-nuclear. But Scotland wants 100% of its electricity to come from clean non-nuclear sources by 2020. Indeed, the governing Scottish National Party (SNP) sees Scotland as a "Saudi Arabia of renewable energy" within an integrated UK-wide electricity market.
Politicians and civil servants on both sides of the border have been staking out their bargaining positions should the referendum result in Scotland seceding from the UK. But even if the Scottish people vote to stay within the union, which dates back to 1707, further devolution of powers looks inevitable.
Economic conundrums
According to the unionists, Scotland cannot simply go it alone after more than 300 years of integration. Pricey renewables and declining oil production will undermine a central plank of a new Scotland's economy - energy, they say. Moreover, a UK shorn of Scotland may choose not to buy Scottish electricity, the British government's Department for Energy and Climate Change (Decc) warned in April.
Much is uncertain regarding fundamental economic and monetary issues such as whether a separate Scotland would have the British pound, how much of the UK's debt it would assume, and even whether Scotland would remain in the European Union.
For many businesses, the vote and any subsequent transition is indeed risky. "Whatever happens in the referendum this September, there's a huge amount of uncertainty around the framework that will underpin the future development of renewable energy," says Niall Stuart, CEO of trade body Scottish Renewables.
Kirsty Macpherson, who heads the energy and climate change group at Edinburgh law firm Gillespie Macandrew, says "a good chunk" of any meeting with their London-based clients these days is about Scottish independence. "People are starting to get more twitchy," she says. "No one really expected it to be a yes vote, but suddenly it's a lot closer than anyone anticipated."
Back in February 2012, energy giant SSE, one of Scotland's largest companies and a major wind player, acknowledged the obvious. "The forthcoming referendum increases the risk of regulatory change and legislative change with regard to the electricity and gas industry in Scotland," it said. Unionists trumpeted the statement as proof that independence would be bad for the economy. Similarly, banking giant Citigroup noted the uncertainty of public funding for renewables and that subsidies to meet Scotland's renewables target would be "at grave risk" with independence.
Others have been more guarded, publicly. "We do believe the Scottish government is very supportive of offshore wind," notes Jinho Paik, UK representative for offshore wind development at Samsung Heavy Industries, which is considering an offshore manufacturing hub in Fife, Scotland. "Independence itself is not a big issue for manufacturers," he said. However, Samsung has yet to select a Scottish site.
Last October, Gamesa executive chairman Ignacio Martin conceded that independence could alter the company's plans to build a factory in Scotland. "(But) we believe that in the end, there won't be any macro-economic change (if Scotland secedes)," he said. "If Scotland isn't part of the European community ... If Scotland doesn't use the pound ... If, if, if. For sure it will affect the offshore business, but I don't think there will be a major change."
Few precedents
So can Scotland, or the UK without Scotland, keep the lights on if there's a yes vote? If the UK electricity market remains integrated, what would happen to renewables incentives, given Scotland's smaller population base, as well as trading, system operation and regulation?
There are few relevant parallels whereby a country with a major penetration of variable renewable energy has seceded, notes David Toke of the University of Aberdeen. Nor has the SNP been specific about its vision of an integrated electricity market. If there is a yes vote, the structure would be subject to complex political negotiation as Scotland separates over the 18 months following the September referendum.
Has there been a lull in wind investment? Kieron Stopforth, an analyst at Bloomberg New Energy Finance in London, scrutinised the consultancy's data. "There's no discernible slowing in investment in Scottish wind at this point," he told Windpower Monthly. "More important factors driving UK renewables investment are the renewables obligation and the upcoming transition to the contracts for difference scheme" under the UK's electricity market reform (EMR). The reform is seen as less favourable for green energy than the current set-up.
"(But) this could all change if there is a 'yes' vote," says Stopforth. "We'd expect to see a drop in investment until the UK-Scotland independence settlement was worked out. If Scotland becomes independent, it unleashes this massive negotiation that has to take place - currency, business arrangements, Scotland's share of oil and gas. At this stage it's impossible to know what the energy sector would look like." Negotiations could include a plan tailored for renewable energy, or the sector could just become a bargaining chip.
The British government's report, Scotland Analysis: Energy, argues that consumer bills would rise in an independent Scotland partly because of renewables. "The Scottish consumer would see their energy bills rocket if they have to pay for Scottish renewables alone, without contribution from the rest of the UK," warned UK energy secretary Ed Davey in April.
Consumer cost
Toke disagrees. He and the other authors of the report Delivering Renewable Energy Under Devolution (Dreud) now believe that an independent Scotland could achieve its 100% renewables target more cheaply than if it stayed in the UK. From mid-2020, electricity could be delivered more cheaply to Scottish consumers than to those south of the border, they say.
The report first concluded, in early 2013, that reaching the Scottish government's 100% renewables target would be more expensive for an independent Scotland than if it stayed part of the UK. The authors made their U-turn, said Toke, based on the EMR 2017/8 renewables incentive levels and the projected cost of the UK government's new nuclear reactors, announced later in 2013.
Regarding who would pay for renewable projects installed before independence, Toke said that it would be "fanciful and legally dubious" to have an independent Scotland do so alone. "More practically, it's the British electricity majors who would suffer," he argues. The majors would want a "grandfathering in" of renewable obligation certificates (ROCs) for existing Scottish investments, he suggested, and probably for all projects installed prior to independence.
Peter Strachan, of Aberdeen's Robert Gordon University and a co-author of the Dreud report, points out that the UK has an electricity crisis, but Scotland has a surplus. "For the first time in ages, (the UK) is facing the very real prospect of blackouts, or a significant spike in electricity prices," he says. Indeed critics of London's scaremongering argue that an independent Scotland is likely to continue selling electricity to the UK precisely because much of it will be onshore wind, and cheaper than imports from Iceland or the continent.


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Whew! It's been a while since I've published a free pattern. Our family is getting ready for a big move, and most days it's all I can do to keep up with the packing and planning!
This pattern is one I've "seen" in my mind for a while now, and I finally had the chance to work it out on paper and make a sample. Ever since I created the Sweet Ocean Breeze Baby Blanket pattern, I've known that the stitch combo would make a beautiful scarf. And now that summer is winding down and I'm starting to think about Christmas presents, I've decided it's time to start shifting my focus to my favorite time of year. Because one thing you'll learn about me, if you're new around here, is that I. Love. Scarves. I LOVE them! But enough about me.
This elegant cowl is made with 2 strands of Vanna's Choice Glamour in Platinum, held together.
You'll need 4 skeins total. Vanna's Choice Glamour yarn has a reflective thread running through it, which gives this cowl a gorgeous, sparkly finish. It's a fun, beginner-friendly sport weight yarn, and you can purchase it here! Throw the finished cowl over a dark-colored shirt or dress and you're ready to go.
Click here to show this cowl some love on Ravelry!
Also, here's a helpful video demonstrating how to actually wear the cowl. Sometimes it's just easier to see someone put it on. 🙂
Pattern Permissions
This is a FREE pattern, and by using it, you're agreeing to the following legally-protected conditions. You're welcome to sell what you make with it; for online listings, please link back to my blog using something like this:
- Do not resell the pattern, altered or in its original form.
- Do not copy and paste the pattern onto your own blog, in a Facebook group, or anywhere else. Simply link to this page instead. Anything beyond this is copyright theft, regardless of what your pattern-sharing buddies tell you. 🙂
- Do not pull any of my photos from this site (or any of my other sites) for your own use. The exception to this is if you want to share my article link(s) on your own blog; in this case, you are welcome to take one photo per post for use on your site as long as it is accompanied by a direct link back to my post.


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Holds 20 1/2 oz silver coins per tube.
These official tubes are direct from the mint and come complete with lids.
Organize your stack and make it easy to store.
Perfect for storing your investment!


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Definition of nucleoid
: the DNA-containing area of a prokaryotic cell (such as a bacterium)
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to move or obtain by small maneuvers
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The third and final presidential debate featured an early discussion on immigration. Republican nominee Donald Trump, who has favored deporting those who have arrived in the U.S. illegally, said, "We have some bad hombres here, and we're going to get them out."
Twitter users quickly responded to Trump's dip into bilingualism (hombre is Spanish for man).
Well, now we know Trump's Spanish vocabulary is all of 2 words: "hombre" and "taco". I'd gladly teach him a few more choice words... https://t.co/rgBq0Yyi3J— Ana Navarro (@ananavarro) October 20, 2016
This is the bad hombre Donald Trump wants to get rid of. #debates pic.twitter.com/B8VAYCMzN5— Dana Weiss (@Possessionista) October 20, 2016
The president of Mexico is a very nice hombre, as opposed to a bad hombre. State Department, please take note.— Jeffrey Goldberg (@JeffreyGoldberg) October 20, 2016
@mattklewis it sounds like something Will Ferrell as GWB would say— Daniel Abernathy (@dabernathy89) October 20, 2016
Is "bad hombre" Spanish for deplorable? #debate— Michael Malice (@michaelmalice) October 20, 2016
Please, Chris Wallace, ask Trump if Putin is a "Bad Hombre."— Nicholas Thompson (@nxthompson) October 20, 2016
We're seeing a spike for both 'ombre' and 'hombre'. Not the same thing. https://t.co/O2o9C3gTja #debatenight— Merriam-Webster (@MerriamWebster) October 20, 2016


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Code: Select all
You overhear a stooped and wrinkled, grey-haired woman whispering to someone
"There . . . no . . . to . . . treatment."
Hell, I'd be all for the old geezer keeling over entirely. One of the things I never missed that Atonement/Parallel got rid of were healing NPCs.
I'm not seeing any crafting NPCs or combat NPCs, eliminating your role entirely. Not sure why we have medical ones.


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Translation Disclaimer
Used motor oil can be cleaned and recycled directly into new lubricating oils. Disposing of it in sewers or garbage pollutes the land or Bay, and carries substantial fines. The oil and metal in oil filters can also be recycled.
There are 9 convenient recycling locations in Berkeley for people who change their own oil. Each of them will pay you for your oil, or provide a coupon for new purchases. Your oil must be in containers of 5 gallons or smaller, and have a screw-top lid. Some centers also accept oil filters and anti-freeze.
Please bring only motor oil or hydraulic fluid: no brake fluid, antifreeze, solvents or other substances. Use these facilities only if you change oil in your own vehicles or for your own business' vehicles. If you are in business changing oil for others, you must contract with a private hauler, listed under "oil" in your phone directory.
Alameda County residents and small businesses can use the Alameda County Hazardous Waste Disposal facility. There is no charge. Batteries, paint, pesticides, solvents, cleaning fluids, and other hazardous materials do not belong in household trash or down the drain, because they can pollute water supplies. To properly dispose of these materials call 800-606-6606 or www.stopwaste.org to find out when you can bring your items to their North Oakland location.
Non-Hazardous Alternative Products: Call The Berkeley Ecology Center at (510) 548-2220 for information on alternatives to using hazardous products.


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The Scion lease specials are cars offered with incentive, the incentive is a significant rebate for taking over the Scion lease in short term. When you take over a Scion lease with incentive, you get paid an amount of money offered by the current lease holder, who wants to get out of a lease in a short time, so this opportunities are really special for buyers looking to take over a lease in a short term contract after lease swap.
Search at LeaseTrader.com all Scion lease deals for owners who are getting out of their current lease contract, and find the best lease deals on used Scion cars. All these Scion lease deals selected below are cars with less than 12 months remaining in the lease contract so you can get a Scion car in a very short term lease, that makes the following Scion lease deals to be the best deals on Scion used cars.
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Scion lease specials offers listed on LeaseTrader.com are originally listed by owners of the Scion lease program, who want to get out of the current Scion lease contract. And offer his Scion lease deal to another user who wants to take over a lease of a used Scion paying less than the current Scion lease rates.
Copyright © 2019 LeaseTrader.com. All rights reserved.


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Maine Gov. Paul LePage is facing intense scrutiny this week after his office confirmed details of an investigation that claims the Republican official met with several members of an anti-government network that the FBI has called a "domestic terrorist movement."
Relying on documents obtained through a Freedom of Access request, journalist Mike Tipping says LePage held eight meetings with individuals connected to the sovereign citizens movement, a loosely affiliated group of individuals who challenge the authority of state and federal governments. The FBI says individuals connected with the movement have been responsible for the murder of six police officers since 2000.
On Monday, LePage's office confirmed that the governor had held meetings with individuals connected to the movement. However, LePage's press secretary told the Maine Public Broadcasting Network that criticism of the governor was politically motivated and timed to hurt his re-election efforts.
"We're not even into the month of July and we're hearing this political rhetoric from Democrats, and clearly they have already jumped the shark," Adrienne Bennett told MPBN.
Bennett added that LePage meets with "hundreds" of individuals, including Democrats and progressive leaders, to discuss public policy issues and that a meeting does not constitute an endorsement of issues raised.
"The governor meets also with lawmakers, including Sen. [Justin] Alfond and Speaker [Mark] Eves," Bennett said in a statement. "Those meetings do not constitute agreement with their views, as well. Lawmakers and constituents do not speak for the governor."
Individuals connected to the sovereign citizens movement also confirmed the meetings to MPBN, saying they spent a total of 16 hours discussing issues with LePage.
In his investigation, Tipping points to a February broadcast of the Aroostook Watchmen in which hosts Steve Martin and Jack McCarthy, who have ties to the Constitutional Coalition, a group reportedly connected to the sovereign citizens, described alleged details of the meetings between LePage and sovereign citizens movement representatives. According to the hosts, details of the conversation included whether Maine state Democratic officials should be hung for acts of "treason."
"And we also discussed this there, that as far as I know, the penalty for high treason hasn't changed in a hundred years, and I didn't say it, but the governor said it — I never opened my mouth and said the word — the governor looked at us and looked at his buddy and said, 'They're talking about hanging them,'" McCarthy said during the broadcast.
"I said, 'Praise the Lord — we'll hang a few and be done with this crap,'" McCarthy said when discussing how he allegedly followed up LePage's comments.
LePage denied the claim in an interview with the Bangor Daily News, saying, "I was never in the room where 'execute' was used. It never happened. We did not discuss execution, arrest or hanging."
The Maine Constitutional Coalition also denied details of Tipping's report and said any allegations of the group's ties to domestic terrorism are false.
"We're not terrorists," Phil Merletti, a group member, told the Bangor Daily News. "If I had the money, Mike Tipping would be in court right now. This is a travesty to my rights as a human being."
Alfond, who is the state Senate president, said Maine State Police officials were notified of the alleged threat of violence made against him and Eves but that no public record of the remarks exists.
Regardless of what was discussed, in his report, Tipping says LePage's own staff unsuccessfully lobbied him against meeting with members of the Constitutional Coalition.
"It's interesting looking through these Freedom of Access documents and seeing his staff trying to convince him not to meet with and believe these people," Tipping told MPBN. "I mean, it's just very strange, disappointing and a little scary all around."
Follow Eric Pfeiffer on Twitter (@ericpfeiffer).


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Syrian opposition fighters appear to be making significant gains on the battlefield this week, following an offer by their top political leader for negotiations with the regime of President Bashar al-Assad.
This military and diplomatic news may appear positive. But Syrian sources caution that the battlefield advances may accelerate movement toward a breakup of the country, as Alawite supporters of the regime retreat to their ancestral homeland in the northwestern region around Latakia. And there's no sign that either Assad or his Russian patrons are paying any more than lip service to a political settlement.
One potential game-changer is a request for U.S. help in training elite rebel units, which has been drafted by Brig. Gen. Salim Idriss, the new commander of the opposition Free Syrian Army. In a letter dated Feb. 4, he seeks U.S. assistance in "training for: (1) special operations; (2) international humanitarian law; and (3) . . . in chemical weapons security."
Idriss requested various supplies for these elite units, including: "(1) combat armor; (2) night vision goggles; (3) hand held monocular and longer range spotting equipment; (4) strategic communications; (5) winterization packs; and (6) tactical communications."
This request for assistance was made just after the Assad regime had rebuffed an offer by Sheik Ahmad Moaz al-Khatib, the head of a new opposition coalition, to negotiate with government representatives.
The rebels' recent military successes have come mostly in northern Syria; the attacks were made by different battalions that appear to operate with little central command and control. The gains include:
●The al-Jarrah air base, about 30 miles east of Aleppo, which appears to have been overrun by fighters from Ahrar al-Sham, a battalion based in Idlib. Videos posted Tuesday by the rebels showed them walking past derelict Syrian warplanes and inside a fortified hangar containing what appeared to be two Czech-built ground assault planes. On camera, the rebels displayed dozens of bombs racked in a warehouse, and other ammunition and spoils of war.
●The Thawra hydroelectric dam on the Euphrates, which is one of Syria's biggest power-generating facilities. Rebel sources said the Syrian army gave up the strategic dam after army positions there were overrun. The rebels negotiated a surrender with regime loyalists who remained. These sources said the dam continues to operate and provide power — a positive sign for those who worry that Syria's infrastructure would collapse if the rebels took over.
●The Aleppo International Airport, southeast of the city, is close to falling. Free Syrian Army sources said Tuesday that their fighters, including allies in the extremist al-Nusra Front, had captured an access point near the airport known as "Liwa 80." Syrian sources said rebels there had seized large amounts of ammunition, including some shoulder-fired anti-aircraft missiles.
●Damascus and its suburbs, where the rebels are tightening their squeeze on access points to the capital. Syrian sources said fighters are converging on Damascus from different parts of the country, expecting a decisive battle there soon. "Regime forces are suffering from very low morale, whereas FSA soldiers have been encouraged by recent positive developments," asserts one FSA report from Damascus.
The al-Nusra Front has been a catalyst and beneficiary of the rebels' success. According to Syrian sources, al-Nusra is gaining strength in Homs, a city in central Syria where the group was never strong. One Syrian source told the State Department: "They have money, they are helping people with everything including daily living supplies. I heard that some fighters are leaving their [former] brigades and joining [Al-Nusra], some of them selling their weapons to feed their families."
One Syrian who works closely with the Free Syrian Army explained how creating an elite commando force could help check Syria's drift toward becoming a failed state: "We still believe FSA on the ground is still needed badly to tip the power and support other parallel solutions, including the political one. But FSA [has] become a jungle. . . . My recommendation is . . . to start working on elite [forces that can] . . . initiate key attacks plus help as a buffer from potential warlords and fights among fragmented FSA factions. Plus, this unit can handle other key tasks, like securing chemical weapons."
This Syrian strategist argues in another memo that the rebels must "speak to the silent majority, many who did not care about the revolution, and they want their life back." He said that such a negotiated settlement requires more pressure on the United States, Russia and the United Nations "to find a way out of the deadlock."
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