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December 4, 2015 - News Post Today's comic was meant to go out a couple weeks ago, but in a rare change of pace, I completed it a day or two early. I happened to show it to Adam (my only friend besides you) who pointed out that it was waaaaaay too similar to a joke made by some webcomic I had never heard of. He saved me a great deal of potential pain, with the exception of having to write a new comic. I didn't want to waste the art (I don't redo ANYTHING for these comics), which meant it took a couple weeks to come up with something that works. I'm still not 100% satisfied, but at least I'm not ripping anyone off (that I know of). I hope you like it. If not, well, there will be a new one on Tuesday. Maybe you'll hate that one less.. In other news, did you see that Samurai Jack is coming back to Adult Swim?!? I would make some sort of snide remark about how modern entertainment is all about recognizable properties (possibly something about Terminator Genisys, Jem and the Holograms, or that Star-something movie coming out in a few days), but I'm too damn excited. Just like everyone else, I enjoy a bit of nostalgia every now and then. How else would movie studios get my money? I have enough experience to know in my heart that these things rarely work out well, but I always enjoyed the music and unique style of that show. I'm hoping the revival turns out to be one of the good ones. -Jeff
The Colorado Supreme Court refused to hear the case of a Christian baker who cited his religious beliefs. The decision is letting a lower court ruling stand: the Denver bake shop owner Jack Phillips cannot cite his Christian faith when refusing service to gay couples. The AP reported: Phillips declined to make a cake in 2012 for Charlie Craig and David Mullins, who were married in Massachusetts and planned a celebration in Colorado. The couple filed a complaint with the Colorado Civil Rights Commission, which ruled in December 2013 that Phillips discriminated against them and ordered him to change his store policy against making cakes for gay weddings or face fines. The Colorado Court of Appeals also ruled against him. Craig and Mullins were represented in their action by Ria Tabacco Mar, an attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union’s LGBT Project. Tobacco said in a statement: “We all have a right to our personal beliefs, but we do not have a right to impose those beliefs on others and discriminate against them.” [image via shutterstock] Have a tip we should know? tips@mediaite.com
France’s government has banned three Islamic organisations that ran a mosque that was shut down following November’s Paris attacks - the first ban on NGOs since the declaration of the state of emergency was declared after the attacks. The government accused the leaders of the three cultural groups of inciting hatred and calling for jihad over a period of several years. “There is no place in the French Republic for groups that call for terrorism or for hate," Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said on Wednesday. "The government and my ministry will take this opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to protecting French Muslims who respect the rules of the republic from the corruption of their religion by Click here to read more articles on Paris attacks individuals led by a discourse of hate in violation of the republic’s values.” The three organisations ran a mosque at Lagny-sur-Marne, in the Paris region, which was closed as part of a huge security crackdown after the 13 November Paris attacks that left 130 people dead. Officials accused imam Mohamed Hammoumi of playing a "major role in the indoctrination and recruitment of volunteers for jihad in Syria". Hammoumi, a 34-year-old French national, left for Egypt at the end of 2014. The finance ministry, which froze his property in April, said that some of his pupils were close to the perpetrators of the Paris attacks. Kalashnikov magazines and propaganda videos and other material were seized when the mosque was closed. Other mosques and prayer halls have been closed for the duration of the state of emergency, which should end in February, but these are the first NGOs to be shut down.
If you’re on the water off Cape Cod, you’re going to need a bigger paddleboard. On Friday afternoon, paddleboarder Terence Roche was photographed only feet from a great white shark while out on the water off of Nauset Beach in Orleans. Roche didn’t know the shark was there, and he had only been out for about 20-30 minutes, he said. “But then I saw the spotter plane, and the plane isn’t out there looking for me,” he said. “I was in the center of the plane’s circle, so I got out of the water.” Advertisement He sounded remarkably relaxed for a man who almost came into contact with a shark. Get The Weekender in your inbox: The Globe's top picks for what to see and do each weekend, in Boston and beyond. Sign Up Thank you for signing up! Sign up for more newsletters here “To be honest,” he said, “I had had my first-ever encounter with a shark about a week prior to this in that same area... It was like time slowed down a little. I tried to stay calm, but I definitely got out of the water.” This time, he didn’t know how close he was until his wife, Susandra, showed him the photos the non-proft Atlantic White Shark Conservancy had posted to their Facebook page on Saturday. The pictures show Roche standing on his board with a paddle as the shark is seen swimming through the clear water below. In one, Roche approaches the shark from behind as he paddles to the shore. wayne davis The photos were taken by aerial photographer Wayne Davis. Davis commented on the conservancy’s post to say he worried that the person was going to crash into the shark. “I was quite certain that the surfer was about to run into the shark,” he wrote Davis. Although [great white] sharks swim w/little apparent effort, they are moving @ a fair rate.....so luckily they didn’t rendezvous. Even thought the water was fairly clear @ this spot, the shark paid no attention to the surfer.” Advertisement Davis said he had been out with the conservancy as part of their ongoing project to study the shark population in the area, as he’s done with them since 2014. The team works from Nauset Beach to Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge. Davis spots the sharks, and alerts a boat with marine biologist Greg Skomal and a crew from the conservancy, who thenID the sharks and tag them when able. Friday, Davis had seen at least four other sharks nearby where Roche was paddleboarding. While the number of sharks in local waters decreases as the water gets colder in the winter, in October, there’s still a lot of sharks around. “I saw many sharks right near Nauset Beach,” said Davis, a retired fisherman. “But they’re not looking for people. They’re looking for their next high calorie meal, and here that’s seals.” Roche, who grew up in Eastham and now lives in Orleans, said the photo of him paddling toward the shark made him a little nervous, but it’s not going to stop him from going into the water. “I may think twice about getting in there until the water is a little colder,” he said, adding that if a shark decided to bite him, he wouldn’t have much say in the decision: “If they were interested in me, it would have definitely happened.” Advertisement Davis, who said the conservancy just recently tagged its 100th shark, was also pretty chill. “We were just out on a regular day.” Steve Annear contributed to this report. Heather Ciras can be reached at heather.ciras@globe.com . Follow her on Twitter @heatherciras
I’ve been a Joss Whedon fan ever since Sarah Michelle Gellar staked her first guest star. And for almost as long, I’ve been exasperated by Whedon’s moronic political opinions. But what you’re about to see is surprising, even for him. Warning: His Avengers movies are PG-13, but this tweet is a hard R. Violence solves nothing. I want a rhino to fuck @SpeakerRyan to death with its horn because it's FUNNY, not because he's a #GOPmurderbro — Joss Whedon (@joss) January 14, 2017 I think maybe Joss is in the middle of a new script. It’s called Avengers: Age of Bourbon. Can a rhino even be trained to do something like that? Wouldn’t an elephant be easier to work with? Well, Joss is the expert, I guess. Or is it a play on “RINO”? I know a lot of Trumpkins throw that one around when they’re talking about Ryan. Which is dumb, but whatever. And I’m not sure what he means by “murderbro.” Is that really a thing, or did Joss make it up? I don’t remember Paul Ryan ever murdering anybody, and I’m pretty sure he disagrees with Joss about killing babies. “Murderbro.” Weird. Here’s a screencap, in case Joss deletes that tweet and/or his account: Enjoy your weekend, Joss, ol’ buddy ol’ pal. Make sure to stay hydrated! P.S. Just a week ago, Martin Shkreli was banned from Twitter for this: Within hours of Duca’s complaint, Shkreli was banned. I don’t think Whedon should be banned for this, but the double standard is glaring. One set of rules for their friends, and another set of rules for everybody else. P.P.S. Before the election, Joss wrote and directed this. Maybe he blames himself for driving even more people away on Nov. 8?
It’s a hard time to be part of our LGBTQ Asian Pacific Islander community. As queer and trans Asian Americans, South Asians, Southeast Asians, and Pacific Islanders, we are facing a moment of repression and rollbacks that we have not experienced since the Reagan years. In his first week in office, Donald Trump has already begun to implement the extremist campaign promises he ran on. We hold our Muslim members close as Trump enacts the promised Muslim ban. For 90 days, individuals from Syria, Yemen, Somalia, Sudan, Iraq, and Iran will be barred from entering the U.S., simply because they live in a Muslim-majority country. According to Trump’s executive action, one of the reasons for this ban is that foreign nationals from these countries “would oppress members of [marginalized] gender or sexual orientation.” As queer people, we need Trump to know, you are not protecting us. Instead, you are putting members of our community at grave risk. This ban affects ourselves, our families, our loved ones, our communities. What happens now to the lesbian asylum seeker in search of a semblance of safety in the U.S.? What happens to the bisexual student who came here on a visa and now does not know if they can return? What happens to the parents of a transgender child, who can no longer come to the U.S. even to visit? For the next four months, no refugees from any country will be allowed to enter the U.S. Trump claims that “deteriorating conditions” are causing refugees to use “any means possible” to enter the U.S. What Trump fails to acknowledge is that the U.S. has created those conditions. In Yemen, U.S. drone strikes have killed more civilians than al Queda. The Iraq war is the U.S.’s third-longest war, at nearly nine years, surpassed only by Afghanistan and Vietnam. Refugees from these countries are our families; many are part of our queer and trans communities. In our #RedefineSecurity April 2016 week of action, we told the stories of institutional Islamophobic and xenophobic hate violence against our LGBTQ API communities. We told the stories of an Indian trans woman harassed by immigration officials; of a Pakistani traveler being invasively examined by TSA, in her body and belongings; of a queer South Asian organizer whose home was raided; of a Bangladeshi traveler who has been on the no-fly list since she was a child. The National Coalition to Protect Civil Freedoms routinely publishes “Portraits of Injustice,” detailing the plight of Muslim political prisoners unjustly incarcerated for their religion. In its last report, “Power, Pain, Potential: South Asian Americans at the Forefront of Growth and Hate in the 2016 Election Cycle,” South Asian Americans Leading Together documented the increase of state and hate violence in our communities since the beginning of Trump’s campaign. Last year, in the midst of this national uptick in hate and vigilante violence, the National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance submitted a model of guidance to the Department of Homeland Security, urging the department to adopt protections against profiling on the basis of gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, national origin, and religion. Trump is doing the opposite — he is choosing to embolden the white nationalist, Islamophobic, and xenophobic elements of his campaign. The National Security Entry-Exit Registration System implemented after 9/11 did not lead to a single terrorist conviction; neither did the PATRIOT Act. Trump is continuing to enact policy that simply does not work, while actively inciting the recorded biggest extremist threat facing the U.S.: white nationalists. To our LGBTQ API and people of color family: We are still here. We are still fighting. We are still resisting. Our communities have survived war and torture; asylum and resettlement; migration and displacement; hate crimes and violence; trumped up walls and arbitrary borders; and daily attacks against our bodies, minds, and spirits. Here at NQAPIA, we are committed to continuing to fight over these next four years. And, we will always have your back. SASHA W. is the organizing director at the National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance.
Several weeks ago, Cumberland Island National Seashore's Chief Ranger announced that park administrators had given final approval for motorized vehicle tours in the park, some months after an environmental impact study indicated that motor vehicle tours would cause little damage. Russ Bynam of the Associated Press explains: "that means the tours can start rolling as soon as Cumberland Island gets funding for extra staff and to buy tour vehicles -- likely trolley trailers towed by Jeeps capable of handling the island's rugged and narrow dirt roads." While on the surface this might sound like a fairly benign event to some readers, it's a profoundly big change for visitors who go to the island. It could ultimately demean the spirit of the national park in my opinion, and take away what makes the island special. If you've never heard of Cumberland Island, it's a beautiful place located in southern Georgia. Considered to be the most undeveloped barrier island on the east coast of the United States, it is rich in wildlife, well-known for wild horses, and also sports a layered history that among other things has left a crumbling, overgrown Vanderbilt Mansion. About 25% of the Island is designated as a wilderness area, and the only way to get onto the island is by boat. The National Park Service allows a limit of 300 visitors per day to the 18 mile long island. Despite having such a high level of protection, some private residents still live on the island because they or their relatives owned land prior to the creation of the National Seashore. Several dirt roads are present on the island for extremely limited use of vehicles-- but that will now change. In 2004, U.S. Representative Jack Kingston (Republican-GA) pushed through legislation to mandate motorized tours to the northern parts of Cumberland Island under the rationale of "opening up" the island for everyone to see historical sites like the "Settlement," a freed slave community from the late 19th century, and also a church where John F. Kennedy Jr. was married in 1996. Kingston complained that it was too challenging for people to walk the long distance to these sites. The Atlanta Journal Constitution quoted him as explaining: "The way it was, only an 18-year-old backpacker could walk the 13 miles up the trail to see some of these historical sites. This island is not paid for by some of the taxpayers for some of the people. I don't think John Q. Taxpayer should have to walk 13 miles to see Plum Orchard." Just out of curiosity, anyone know an 18-year-old who would be interested in seeing where John F. Kennedy Jr. was married? I don't. Despite Kingston's success at pushing for legislation to allow motor tours on Cumberland Island, there was one problem. The main road on Cumberland Island traveled within the park's wilderness area-- an area where motor vehicles are legally banned. To "fix" this problem, the road was removed from the wilderness area under which it had previously been designated. Many people protest this move and ask that the wilderness protection remain intact. Motor tours should not be allowed on Cumberland Island they say. These protests have so far not been effective. Meanwhile, Representative Kingston and his supporters have dismissed the protests as those of "elitist environmentalists." So just who are these elitist environmentalists? In the public scoping process for the island's new transportation plan, 40% of the 2,227 comments received from individuals and organizations were against the motor vehicle tours. Only 14% of the comments voiced approval for the tour idea. 41% agreed to motor vehicle tours conditionally, and 5% were undecided. Just what were these conditions that were tied to some commentors' approval? The park's final report from the public scoping process does not offer much elaboration, but one detail is glaring. From the official document: "Commentors were both for and opposed to the use of buses, SUVs or other gasoline powered vehicles. However, commentors opposed to the use of gasoline powered vehicles outweighed those in favor by 13: 1. Support for electric vehicles was given almost as often as people expressed their opposition to gasoline powered vehicles." So, we are getting jeeps, huh? Gasoline powered vehicles were therefore a mode of transportation only favored by an elite group in the public scoping process. Why has the one condition (using electric vehicles) that seemed clearly articulated by the masses at a ratio of 13 to 1 been disregarded? I haven't taken time to study the Environmental Impact Study that occurred on Cumberland Island, but I am somewhat skeptical of its certitude for one good reason. Gordon Jackson of Jacksonville.com provides us with a troubling tale: "The island has been without a full-time superintendent since July 2007 because former superintendent Jerre Brumbelow was reassigned to an administrative position in Atlanta while the Park Service investigated an unauthorized construction project on the island. Brumbelow was later dismissed for allowing the construction to proceed without telling his superiors." Wow! So it sounds like the park was in good hands when these decisions and studies were being made (If you can't tell, I'm being sarcastic). While it might be accurate that there would not be an ecologically significant impact on Cumberland Island because of motor tours, there will most definitely be a significant impact on the experience. As a person who has spent much spent of my career working as a ranger and researcher in national parks, I can attest that this will be so. Now visitors will need to contend with noisy jeeps, large groups making more noise, and the sight of tours going back and forth along the park's main road constantly. There will be an effect. If the motor tours are effective in attracting more visitors to Cumberland Island, who is to say that there won't be pressure to increase the 300 person daily limit? If the number of people visiting the island each day were to increase, this change would be a definitive environmental impact directly related to the motor tours. I don't think it's a stretch to imagine this happening. So tell me, why don't we start motor vehicle tours to other places in our national parks that require some hiking? Walking takes too much time, right? Representative Kingston, looks like you have some work left to do. The best part, you don't have to worry about spoiling your 0% rating from the League of Conservation Voters. As a final note, I should mention that I've personally enjoyed the privilege of camping overnight on Cumberland Island. I have pleasant memories of strolling its beaches with a friend and recall studying the horseshoe crab shells that had washed ashore. The lush mossy forests left me content and seeing the wild horses was delightful. Most of all, I still remember thinking about the utter primitiveness of armadillos, odd creatures that jump straight into the air and then run only a short distance away when scared. They really are fascinating. Let's hope that the wild experience that I and many others have had on Cumberland Island remains intact. The tranquility and natural beauty that can be observed by walking on the island does not need to be enhanced by motor tours so that a handful of people can see the rather insignificant spot where John F. Kennedy Jr. was married. There's still time -- and always will be. Please contact your Representatives and Senators and tell them that you don't want for motor vehicle tours to be allowed on Cumberland Island. Nothing is set in stone.
LOS ANGELES — A tentative deal was reached between screenwriters and producers Tuesday, averting a strike that could have crippled TV and film production and inflicted harm on the wider California economy. The three-year agreement, which requires ratification by members of the Writers Guild of America, was confirmed by the guild and producers’ spokesman Jarryd Gonzales shortly after the current contract expired early Tuesday. Further details weren’t immediately available. The two sides held to a media blackout during negotiations that began March 13 and centered on compensation and health care. The agreement spares the late-night shows that would immediately have gone dark without writers, and allows the networks to pursue their schedules for the upcoming TV season without interruption. Movie production would have felt a strike’s sting more gradually. Guild members voted overwhelmingly last month to authorize a strike, and the WGA could have called for an immediate walkout Tuesday absent a deal. The previous writers’ strike extracted an estimated $2 billion toll on the state. After the 2007-08 strike, the two sides reached agreements in 2010 and 2013, but TV writers in particular have seen their earnings slide since then and want to claw back some of those losses. Driving the dispute were changes in how television is distributed, with streaming platforms including Netflix and Amazon joining broadcast and cable TV and rising in importance. More outlets have led to more shows, but the TV season model is greatly changed. Despite the fact that there are more series than ever — 455 this season, more than double the number six years ago — shows run for fewer episodes than the traditional 22- to 24-episode broadcast series. Short seasons of eight, 10 or 12 episodes means less pay for writers whose payment is structured on a per-episode basis. The 2007-08 strike played out in true Hollywood style. Writers took to social media to make their case, entertainingly. Stars including Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Tina Fey joined picket lines, and then-“Tonight Show” host Jay Leno brought doughnuts for strikers. Before Tuesday’s deal was announced, writer-actress Lena Dunham said she would back a strike this time. “I would never have had the health coverage I had without the union, and that’s one of the main points in this,” Dunham said at the Met Gala on Monday night. Actress Debra Winger said she would support any reasonable job action by the writers, but was mindful of the damage it would cause. “I’m thinking of all the businesses that I work with at Warner Bros. for several months out of the year and (the) restaurants, shoe repair, dry cleaners,” Winger said during an interview promoting her new film, “The Lovers.” ”The last writers’ strike affected the city of Los Angeles in a devastating way.” At the Met Gala, CBS chairman and CEO Les Moonves said he was guardedly optimistic that a deal would be reached without a strike.
XAU USD Gold Price Analysis ( March 2017 ) Please follow the link bellow to read our XAU USD analysis history for the month of Jan and Feb 2017. Gold Trading Price \| Gold Price Forecast \| Gold Price Chart Gold Price Today \| Today Gold Forecast Good Morning XAUUSD Lovers In our previous week XAUUSD analysis, we expected a little bit more upward movement towards 1271 before a reversal.It didn’t happen, price moves up but fails to touch the resistance and reverse back with bearish pressure and break the major support level.Closing below the support and weekly bearish engulfing candle indicating possible bearish move for a couple of next days. I am sharing three different time frame XAUUSD chart analysis to deliver my technical thoughts for next possible movement. XAUUSD Weekly Forecast Upward movement rejection before a resistance level invalidates the bullish ideas for short term.We believe gold is in correction mode now.Weekly bearish candle closing was indicating more bearish move this week towards the next support level minimum 1217 and maximum 1190-91 level which is also the weekly main support area.Gold may give little bit upward movement before a new low.The upward movement may end around 1243-45 level which is the broken support area that becomes resistance and watching area for bears.Please have a look at weekly XAUUSDchart below. Weekly XAUUSD Chart XAUUSD Daily Forecast The yellow metal already break its major support in the previous daily session.Support was forming around 1239-41.According to the technical rules , “the support become resistance when it breaks” . I am expecting more downward movement towards minimum 1217 and 1201-03 in case of extension.MACD is also in favor of selling pressure which is giving more confidence towards our bearish thoughts.The best area to look for sell entry is the resistance area which was previously support.We will look for Hourly charts to get the exact entry point.Please have a look at XAUUSD daily chart below. Daily XAU USD chart 4-Hour XAUUSD Forecast Gold was moving in a higher high direction with a rising channel formation in 4-hour and hourly charts.The break of support in previous week days invalidates the mounting structure and confirm the bearish signal for next couple of days.The rising support was around 1243-45 level which becomes resistance now.Our main thought for this week is bearish, and we will look for bearish entry from the resistance level at 1243-45. It is also possible gold may not touch the resistance level, and it can move lower without small correction towards minimum 1217 support level and maximum 1201-03 level for this week. Alternately: If gold move higher and break the trend resistance around 1253-55 in daily frame.It will invalidate our bearish thoughts. Please have a look at XAU USD chart below to get the logical trade idea. 4-Hour XAU USD Chart Support & Resistance Weekly Support: 1191-93 Weekly Resistance: 1253-55 Daily Support: 1201-03 Daily Resistance: 1243-45 Hourly Support: 1217 Hourly Resistance: 1243-45 Note: Never risk more then 2% of your account capital in single trade.Always trade with proper risk management plan. Feel free to comment below if you have any concern regarding charts and analysis.Your feedback is always welcome and help us to improve. Wish you good luck and happy trading Mati Ur Rehman Gold Analyst @ Dailygoldanalysis.com —————————————————————————————————————————————- —————————————————————————————————————————————- Below is the XAUUSD Analysis History 2016 Daily Gold Analysis 24th Oct 2016 XAU USD Today Daily Time Frame Analysis We spot a break of triangle in previous analysis , it was expecting that price will move upward towards 1281-83 minimum and 1295-96 in extension. Gold move high yesterday and close around 1275-76 which give more confidence towards our first target 1281-83.I believe this target may met today.We will look for the confirmation either price will give more upward movement for 1294-96 or it may give reversal.We will look for the reversal from 2 major areas 1281-83 and 1295-96.We will not enter in bearish position unless we get any proper reversal signal.This week closing may clear the picture for next movement diagram.I am sharing update daily chart below.Please have a look. XAU USD Daily Chart XAU USD 4 Hour & Hourly Time Frame Analysis Gold is moving upwards after touching the hourly support around 1259-60 , current market price is 1275-76 and we are expecting more upward movement for minimum 1283 and maximum 1296.Price is moving in a rising channel direction in 4 hour chart.It is also possible price may touch 1271 ( support ) and then bounce back again.I am sharing 4 hour and hourly chart below with two different expected movement diagram.Both charts are indicating upward movement, but patterns are different.Please have a look in 4 hour and hourly chart below. 4 Hour XAU USD Chart XAU USD Hourly Chart Alternate Analysis : Movement and closing below yesterday low will invalidate today analysis Support & Resistance Hourly Support : 1269-71 Hourly Resistance : 1276 Daily Support : 1259-60 Daily Resistance 1281-83 Note: Never risk more then 2% of your account capital in single trade.Always trade with proper risk management plan. Feel free to comment below if you have any concern regarding charts and analysis.Your feedback is always welcome and help us to improve. Wish you good luck and happy trading Mati Ur Rehman Gold Analyst @ Dailygoldanalysis.com
Few voters expect the debate will change their minds about who to support Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton maintains her narrow national lead over Republican Donald Trump in the latest Economist/YouGov Poll, as the two candidates – and the public – prepare for the first presidential debate of 2016. It’s a debate that voters are very interested in, though relatively few say it will be very important to their vote – perhaps not surprising when 85% of voters already say they have a good idea who they’ll vote for and only 11% admit they are still making up their minds. Clinton now has the support of 44% of registered voters in the four-way contest, Trump the votes of 41% (when those supporting another candidate are asked to choose among the both major party candidates, the overall results become 48% Clinton and 44% Trump). Clinton leads among women, among those under the age of 45 and with those whose family incomes are $50,000 or more (though it should be noted that the race is close among the more than one in ten voters who refuse to state their incomes; Trump holds a three-point edge with this group). There is little difference in the level of support partisans give to their party’s nominee this week: 81% of Democrats will vote for Clinton, 82% of Republicans for Trump. More of Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders’ primary supporters are now moving towards Clinton: this week, 70% of them will vote for her in the four-way race, up 13 points from last week. The small Clinton edge among registered voters has been consistent over the last month. The debate is, as might be expected, on voters’ minds. But it might not be decisive. Sixty-seven percent of registered voters expect the debates this year to be more interesting than usual. Nearly half claim they definitely will watch all of it. But far fewer (22%) of those not yet committed to the major party candidates (and potentially moveable) say they will definitely watch. And relatively few overall think the debates are important to their votes. Nearly half claim the debate won’t matter at all. One in five describes it as “extremely” or “very” important. And those not currently supporting Clinton or Trump are no more likely to say they debates matter. In some previous elections, more voters claimed the debates would matter. Four years ago, with an incumbent running for re-election, slightly more of the likely voters interviewed in a Politico/George Washington University Poll said the debates would matter, while fewer claimed they wouldn’t matter at all. In this Economist/YouGov Poll, far more voters describe a candidate’s position on each of ten issues as “very” important to their vote than said that about the debates. Despite the fact that since her bout with pneumonia, fewer than half (45%) of registered voters believe Clinton is in good enough physical condition to serve effectively for the next four years, she is still seen by more as likely to perform better than Trump in the debate – and seen that way by the public overall, by registered voters, and by those who expect to watch the debate. Nearly twice as many believe Trump is the candidate more likely to misstate facts during the debate as name Clinton. Clinton supporters think it is the moderator’s job to correct those errors; Trump voters say the candidates should do that themselves. Although there is little evidence in this poll that the debate will change minds, it can affect the enthusiasm voters feel for their choice. That is one area where Trump has a lead: half (51%) of his voters describe themselves as enthusiastic about their choice, an opinion just 38% of Clinton voters hold that opinion about her. See the rest of this week's YouGov/Economist Poll YouGov/Economist Poll archives
The Centre’s decision to provide Z security to Mukesh Ambani drew flak from the Supreme Court on Thursday which asked why such persons are given security cover by the government when the common man is feeling unsafe. “We read in newspapers that Ministry of Home has directed providing for CISF security to an individual. Why is state providing security to such person,” a bench headed by Justice GS Singhvi said without taking the name of Ambani. But a deeper look, tells a story of inconsistent and irrational allocations across the political spectrum, that certainly surprised us. A bed-ridden politician who hasn't been seen in public for seven years. A party chief, her son and son-in-law who hold no public office. Politicians currently facing trials for various crimes. Do these people deserve to be protected at the cost of several hundred crores to taxpayers? Especially when their own personal wealth and their parties' incomes are capable of providing adequate protection to their leaders? Given the Indian state's poor record in protecting ordinary citizens, there is a strong moral case for asking rich politicians to either pay for their own security or get their parties to bear the costs. Under the Central government, 400 VVIPs get different levels of security on the basis of their `positions’ or threat perceptions. The list of such VVIPs is fattening each day, as Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde is apparently sanctioning security at the drop of a hat to MPs from Kashmir and those who come from the Naxal-affected areas on the ground that there is a threat to their lives. SPG cover, however, is not only for the PM. Every year, the Parliamentary Committee on Security passes and ratifies a resolution to provide SPG cover to Atal Behari Vajpayee and Sonia Gandhi as exceptions. According to the law, SPG is only meant for the PM. Until 2003, SPG cover was also provided to former prime ministers up to 10 years after they left office. The UPA government withdrew the SPG from providing security to all previous PMs, but it still continues for the ailing Vajpayee, who has not been seen in public for nearly seven years now. What is the logical threat perception in case of Vajpayee, who is more or less bed-ridden? He did not even come out for political campaigning during the last Parliamentary elections. Why is SPG cover required to secure an ailing person and shouldn't the Z+ security be revoked in Vajpayee’s case? This defensive approach legitimises the UPA government’s own efforts to sanction SPG cover for Sonia Gandhi and her immediate family – Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi. Her son-in-law Robert Vadra, a millionaire property sepculator, also gets Z+. Why can't Vadra, a millionaire property speculator, and rich political parties – BJP and the Congress - fund their own security and that of their top leaders? Neither Sonia Gandhi nor Vajpayee holds any Constitutional position. The Congress received Rs 2,008 crore during the last seven years and the BJP Rs 994 crore through political donations. Even Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati can use party funds to pay for her security; BSP had got Rs 484 crore through political donations. Mayawati is worth Rs 100 crore worth and has Rs 15 crore cash in bank deposits. Sukhbir Singh Badal has Rs 25 crore stashed in bonds, debentures and shares in companies. He earns Rs 73 lakh every year and is worth Rs 91 crore, while his wife makes Rs 3.85 crore a year. The common thing among these rich politicians is that all of them enjoy 'Z+' category security at taxpayers’ expense. In fact, there are 34 such VVIPs enjoying Z+ security. Forty-five security personnel drawn from premier para-military forces provide each of them and their family members round-the-clock escort and static security at their respective houses. Each one of them is provided a BMW bulletproof car along with escort cars wherever they travel in the country. Earlier the VVIPs with Z+ security used to get Ambassador cars. But Atal Behari Vajpayee replaced them with BMWs during his stint as the Prime Minister. If each of these 45 personnel is paid Rs 25,000 a month on average, the total cost to taxpayers come to Rs 11.25 lakh. To this you can comfortably add another Rs 5 lakh for security paraphernalia, including the hiring/financing cost of BMW bulletproof car, then we, the taxpayers, pay a minimum of Rs 16 lakh every month towards the security of each of these 34 VVIPs! Do they deserve such costly security at taxpayers’ expense? There is a provision in every state police act, that you can avail yourself of police protection at your personal expense. But none of the state governments invoke it. Many of these VVIPs are super rich and can pay for their security. Mayawati’s income tax returns for 2010-2011 were Rs 6.51 crore. In fact, the interest our politicians earn on their fortunes is enough to pay for their security. Yet the high-profile security provided to them is given absolutely free of cost. To look at it another way, the aggregate cost of the security budget for 2013-14 is Rs 400 crore. To this, if the budget of the Special Protection Group (SPG), which is exclusively meant for the PM's security (though it is not) is added, the 'free' security expenditure escalates to Rs 679 crore (SPG’s budget was Rs 279 crore for 2011-12). The VVIPs security apparatus, with its headquarters at Chanakyapuri, New Delhi, has drawn 7,500 personnel from the Delhi Police alone. And in addition, they borrow manpower from para-military forces, like CRPF, ITBP and even BSF and special police forces like Tamil Nadu Special Police and Rajasthan Armed Constabulary. Not only this, state governments have to provide territorial security to all these VVIPs, when they visit their states. Besides, the prestige attached to the presence of commandos around you, has a trickle down affect on these states, who have drawn their own list of VVIPs. Uttar Pradesh has a list of 1,500 VVIPs for high level security, while Andhra Pradesh has 900 VVIPs. In an affidavit to the Supreme Court, the Rajasthan government came out as the number one state spending on VVIP security (Rs 1,056 crore). Bihar spends Rs 492 crore, Madhya Pradesh Rs 252 crore, Jharkhand Rs 864 crore, Chhattisgarh Rs 636 crore and Delhi Rs 234 crore. A lot of the money goes to protecting 'invisible' people who no longer appear in public life. In addition to Vajpayee, there are two more such 'invisible' political or social leaders, who have not been seen in public for the past many years and who still get disproportionate security. Priya Ranjan Das Munshi of the Congress, and former international president of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Ashok Singhal, continue to get Z and Z+ cover respectively. Munshi had a stroke in 2008 and has been terminally ill since then. He is completely bed-ridden and doesn’t recognise anyone. But politically, his name is important in West Bengal and his wife Deepa has taken over his mantle by contesting and winning the Lok Sabha election from Raniganj in 2009. Ashok Singhal isn't active in the VHP due to ill health and has not been seen much in public since 2011. But he still has 45 police personnel around him! If it can spend Rs 22 crore on the Ram Temple, why can't it take care of its former boss' security? George Fernandes, another ailing politician who is completely bed-ridden, has 'Y' security cover. Interestingly, most of the 34 VVIPs with Z+ security do not even hold any ministerial or chief ministerial post. It is also not known what kind of threat perception each one of them has, excepting in the case of the PM’s son-in-law Ashok Patnaik, who gets Z+ cover because of his father-in-law being the PM. Among the 34 VVIPs are former Presidents Abdul Kalam and Pratibha Patil, Baba Hardev Singh Nirankari, Beni Prasad Verma, Army Chief Bikram Singh, BSP MPs (Rajya Sabha) Brajesh Pathak and SC Mishra, Buta Singh, Jagdish Tytler and Sajjan Kumar of the Congress, Union Minister and Kashmir MP Ghulam Nabi Azad, Union Minister P Chidambaram, MS Bitta, KPS Gill, LK Advani and MM Joshi of the BJP, Lalu Prasad Yadav, Mulayam Singh Yadav, Jammu and Kashmir CM Omar Abdullah and his son Zahir Abdhullah, NSCL (National Socialist Council of Nagalim) Leaders Isak Chishi Swu and Isak Muivah, the ex-president of Afghanistan M Najibullah’s wife, who has taken political shelter in India, and the US Ambassador. Many of them can afford to pay for their security. Baba Hardev Singh Nirankari heads a very rich religious sect, which has over 100 branches outside India, most prominently in Britain and North America. And politicians can ask their parties to pay. Even tainted politicians get high-profile security at the taxpayers’ expense. There are criminal cases against Jagdish Tytler, Sajjan Kumar (who was recently acquitted, though), Mulayam Singh Yadav and Mayawati. Jagdish Tytler and Sajjan Kumar are accused of instigating mobs for killing Sikhs during the 1984 riots. And Mulayam and Mayawati have cases of disproportionate income. Even A Raja, prime accused in the 2G scam, has `Y’ category security cover. He has three police security officers and three static guards for round-the-clock security. Raja’s former assistant private secretary Asirvatham Achary, who had given evidence against Raja, is the latest addition to Y cover security. There are a total of 230 persons, including a TV stringer Joginder Solanki, with Y security cover. Advocate Ajay Srivastava, who dared to buy Dawood’s property many years ago, is still enjoying Y security cover. Other prominent VVIPs of Y category level are SAR Gillani, Sanjay Joshi of the RSS, Supreme Court Advocate Vishwanath Chaturvedi, several high court judges, ministers, the IB chief and the attorney general. `Z’ category security cover has only 51 VVIPs so far. In this cover, a VVIP gets 40 personnel, a bulletproof car and static guards for round-the-clock security. Ashwini Kumar Minna, owner of Punjab Kesari, Rajya Sabha MP Amar Singh, former CBI Director and Member, UPSC, A P Singh, Lok Sabha MP Dhananjay Singh, former PM Deve Gowda, Union Minister Kamal Nath, Dr Karan Singh, Shahi Imam Bukhari, Maulana Mehmood A Madani, PM’s grandson Madhav, Mamata Banerjee, Meira Kumar, Janardhan Reddy, former Chief Election Commissioner Navin B Chawla, former BJP President Nitin Gadkari, Venkaiah Naidu and Shatrughan Sinha of the BJP, Sharad Yadav and Delhi CM Shiela Dikshit figure prominently in this category of security. Ashwini Kumar Minna’s case is quite interesting. About 20-25 years ago, Bhindrawale had apparently killed Ashwini Kumar Minna’s grandfather. The family promptly got Z category and since then the family enjoys the security. And no other attacks have targeted the family so far. Now it seems Lashkar-e-Taiba is threatening Minna’s family. His son Aditya Chopra apparently got a threat letter in Punjab Kesari’s Jaipur Office. The letter threatened his father and the family for putting out anti-LeT stories in Punjab Kesari and speaking against Muslims on an RSS platform. 'X' category security cover is mostly taken by MPs, diplomats and sons and daughters of VVIPs. Vajpayee’s granddaughter Niharika Bhattacharya has got X cover. Minor son of expelled Congress MP Matang Singh, Mayurath Singh, was provided with X cover because his mother Manoranjana apprehends a threat from her husband, who allegedly subjected her to 13-year of domestic and physical violence, verbal, economic and sexual abuse and emotional torture. Under X cover, you get only two personal security officers for day-time security and not for round-the-clock duty. The Indian Constitution promises to provide security to every individual, but in this country of 1.22 billion people, only a few chosen elites get security. Priydarshini Mattoo, a Kashmiri girl who was stalked and killed by the son of a senior police officer, had complained at least three times about her killer. In thousands of such cases, people are still losing their lives. Shouldn’t the police security shrug the VVIP tag and becomes available to everyone? Firstpost is now on WhatsApp. For the latest analysis, commentary and news updates, sign up for our WhatsApp services. Just go to Firstpost.com/Whatsapp and hit the Subscribe button.
Windows 10 is as much an exercise in efficiency as anything else. A single operating system that runs on every conceivable device means that Microsoft has much less complexity to manage and support, and they can concentrate on making a single platform as powerful and easy to use as possible. That’s the dream, of course. And so it should come as no surprise that one of the least efficient aspects of Windows 10 will be addressed at some point. Today, Windows 10 has a much more user-friendly Settings app that provides access to some of the most-used configuration options. At the same time, the old-style Control Panel still exists, in all of its Windows 7-like glory. Control Panel tends to offer a deeper dive into various settings, and the Settings app typically refers to the Control Panel whenever more options are available there, but it remains a disjointed and potentially confusing setup. According to Microsoft Windows Insider guru Gabe Aul and Senior Program Manager Brandon LeBlanc, Control Panel will eventually be going away, deferring to the Settings app. The discussion happened over on Twitter, and here are the pertinent tweets (via Neowin). @billybobjoe2211 @GabeAul Settings will eventually supersede Control Panel. Some stuff not moved over. But haven’t had to use CP in months. — Brandon LeBlanc (@brandonleblanc) October 4, 2015 @billybobjoe2211 @brandonleblanc Having two separate implementations means more code complexity and disk/mem usage. Getting to one is leaner — Gabriel Aul (@GabeAul) October 4, 2015 Some interesting questions are raised in the Twitter thread, such as how to handle Control Panel applets that are added by applications and hardware drivers. These will need to be addressed, of course, as will the vast number of configuration options that make Control Panel such a powerful and vital tool. But of course, that’s precisely why such a transition to a standalone Settings app is taking such a long time. Regarding @billybobjoe2211’s suggestion that the Control Panel be retained rather than the Settings app, I think the answer is simple–the Control Panel isn’t a Windows 10 app, and of course Windows 10 is the future. We don’t have an ETA on when Control Panel will officially fade into history, but we’ll be sure to let you know when we do. Until then, keep providing your feedback to Microsoft, because that’s how decisions like this get made. Share This Further reading: Control Panel
Commentary Why Students Can't Google Their Way to the Truth Fact-checkers and students approach websites differently Did Donald Trump support the Iraq War? Hillary Clinton says yes. He says no. Who's right? In search of answers, many of us ask our kids to "Google" something. These so-called digital natives, who've never known a world without screens, are the household's resident fact-checkers. If anyone can find the truth, we assume, they can. Don't be so sure. True, many of our kids can flit between Facebook and Twitter while uploading a selfie to Instagram and texting a friend. But when it comes to using the Internet to get to the bottom of things, Junior's no better than the rest of us. Often he's worse. In a study conducted by Eszter Hargittai and her colleagues at Northwestern University, 102 college students went online to answer questions about things that matter to them—like how to advise a female friend who's desperate to prevent pregnancy after her boyfriend's condom broke. How did students decide what to believe? One factor loomed largest: a site's placement in the search results. Students ignored the sponsoring organization and the article's author, blindly trusting the search engine to put the most reliable results first. —Getty Research we've conducted at Stanford University supports these findings. Over the past 18 months, we administered assessments that tap young people's ability to judge online information. We analyzed over 7,804 responses from students in middle school through college. At every level, we were taken aback by students' lack of preparation: middle school students unable to tell the difference between an advertisement and a news story; high school students taking at face value a cooked-up chart from the Minnesota Gun Owners Political Action Committee; college students credulously accepting a .org top-level domain name as if it were a Good Housekeeping seal. One task asked students to determine the trustworthiness of material on the websites of two organizations: the 66,000 member American Academy of Pediatrics, established in 1930 and publisher of the journal Pediatrics, vs. the American College of Pediatricians, a fringe group that broke with the main organization in 2002 over its stance on adoption by same-sex couples. We asked 25 undergraduates at Stanford—the most selective college in the country, which rejected 95 percent of its applicants last year—to spend up to 10 minutes examining content on both sites. Students could stay on the initial web page, click on links, Google something else—anything they would normally do to reach a judgment. "For every political question swirling in this election, there are countless websites vying for our attention." More than half concluded that the article from the American College of Pediatricians, an organization that ties homosexuality to pedophilia and which the Southern Poverty Law Center labeled a hate group, was "more reliable." Even students who preferred the entry from the American Academy of Pediatrics never uncovered the differences between the two groups. Instead, they saw the two organizations as equivalent and focused their evaluations on surface features of the websites. As one student put it: "They seemed equally reliable to me. ... They are both from academies or institutions that deal with this stuff every day." Ironically, many students learned so little because they spent most of their time reading the articles on each organization's site. But masking true intentions and ownership on the web has grown so sophisticated that to rely on the same set of skills one uses for print reading is naive. Parsing digital information before one knows if a site can be trusted is a colossal waste of time and energy. See Also To read more opinion on what this election means for K-12 schools, please visit: “Commentary: Election 2016” This became clear to us when we gave our tasks to professional fact-checkers. Three strategies separate checkers from the rest of us: • Landing on an unfamiliar site, the first thing checkers did was to leave it. If undergraduates read vertically, evaluating online articles as if they were printed news stories, fact-checkers read laterally, jumping off the original page, opening up a new tab, Googling the name of the organization or its president. Dropped in the middle of a forest, hikers know they can't divine their way out by looking at the ground. They use a compass. Similarly, fact-checkers use the vast resources of the Internet to determine where information is coming from before they read it. • Second, fact-checkers know it's not about "About." They don't evaluate a site based solely on the description it provides about itself. If a site can masquerade as a nonpartisan think tank when funded by corporate interests and created by a Washington public relations firm, it can surely pull the wool over our eyes with a concocted "About" page. MORE OPINION • Third, fact-checkers look past the order of search results. Instead of trusting Google to sort pages by reliability (which reveals a fundamental misunderstanding of how Google works), the checkers mined URLs and abstracts for clues. They regularly scrolled down to the bottom of the search results page in their quest to make an informed decision about where to click first. None of this is rocket science. But it's often not taught in school. In fact, some schools have special filters that direct students to already vetted sites, effectively creating a generation of bubble children who never develop the immunities needed to ward off the toxins that float across their Facebook feeds, where students most often get their news. This approach protects young people from the real world rather than preparing them to deal with it. After the vice presidential debate, Hillary Clinton's campaign tweeted, "Unfortunately for Mike Pence and Donald Trump, Google exists (and we aren't stupid)." Yes, Google puts vast quantities of information at our fingertips. But it also puts the onus for fact-checking on us. For every political question swirling in this election, there are countless websites vying for our attention—front groups and fake news sites right next to legitimate and reliable sources. We agree with the tweet from the Clinton campaign. We're not stupid. But when we turn to our screens for information and answers, we need to get a lot smarter about how we decide what's true and what's not. Vol. 36, Issue 11, Pages 22, 28 Published in Print: November 2, 2016, as What Students Don't Know About Fact-Checking Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. Back to Top
Edit to an image vectored from episode 2x17: Hearts and Hooves Day. All pony characters and My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic are the property of Lauren Faust and/or Hasbro and/or others. * No, you can't. I made that up. "CUTIE MARK CRUSADER SUPERHEROES YAY!"This was a request from ShadowMark-182 . I hope you like it!Bonus exclusive content! If you can open the SVG file in Inkscape and hide the Mare Do Well suit layers, you can see the Cutie Mark Crusaders' cutie marks!* Individual pony versions . An SVG file is available here: Mare Do Well (Resources) You are free to reuse this vector, in whole or in part, and make any edits you wish. You are not allowed to reuse anything I do for commercial purposes, including dA points and making prints available. If you reuse it or post it on another site, I ask that you include a link back here.
His record will soon stand among the very greatest drivers of all time, his speed is beyond any doubt and he has achieved perhaps the most difficult task in motorsport, that of shaping an entire team around him - and him alone - to produce lasting success. But to many people, some of them F1 experts whose opinions are worth listening to, Sebastian Vettel is not a great champion. How is that so? Did you cheer Vettel's first win? Still cheering? Did you cheer Vettel's first win? Still cheering? I ask this as a Vettel agnostic - an admirer of his precocious talent, but someone who has never sat in front of a telly and urged him on to victory. Except perhaps that stellar weekend at Monza in 2008 when he drove the wings off his Toro Rosso. What is it that people don't like about Vettel? The obvious answer is the perceived monotony of his success, but any F1 statto can dismiss this and show that he has faced far stronger competition during his frontline career than the other German who dominated the sport a decade earlier. But monotony does breed dissatisfaction in motorsport. Which is odd because tennis fans never seem too bothered if Federer is winning everything. The nature of the victories is perhaps more important then. I think few of us begrudged Schumacher his podium leap if he'd just out-scrapped Hakkinen. But that statement now leaves me open to the Bridgestone conspiracy theorists who state, with some validity, that MS's extra test mileage on his favourite rubber made for an entirely unfair playing field. But that's another blog entirely. Talent at wheel not in doubt; popularity though? Talent at wheel not in doubt; popularity though? The notion that an unfair advantage has been exercised or a technical superiority has rendered a championship a non-contest remains a salient point though. This template of creating an autocratic machine working for one driver alone is perhaps the great irony of Schumacher's legacy in F1. In that the very process he shaped undermines the legacy of the driver's record because it leaves behind it a suspicion that his role was diminished. Vettel is currently suffering the same fate. In fact he has it worse in this current era of strict technical regulations and superstar car designers. Even the casual F1 observer now apportions as much credit to Red Bull's success to Adrian Newey as it does the man who is about to become a four-time world champion. Another victory but why don't we love him? Another victory but why don't we love him? 10 years ago only Autosport reading nerds knew the names of such people, even though Murray gamely reminded us every Sunday. Even in a perfect car, Sebastian (Christian name this time, you can see I'm softening) has to execute a great weekend to win the race. It's the tedium aspect I find interesting. Did people think Fangio's dominance was all a bit dull? I presume some did, although not to the extent that they harangued him on the podium. And Prost, what about his championships? Take away the rivalry with Senna and you could accuse the good Professor of making a less than inspirational show for the paying public. So maybe that's the core issue here? The most successful champions, the statisticians' dreamboats, are by definition less exciting and therefore Vettel is simply a victim of his own success? Not everyone's a fan of Vettel's success... Not everyone's a fan of Vettel's success... There's certainly something in the theory. Gilles Villeneuve is the classic example of a driver with an almost evangelical following whose record viewed in Microsoft Excel doesn't justify the hype. Brought forward to recent times were you as sad as me when Kobayashi left F1? Rousing emotions in armchair pundits like us and winning races appear to be different disciplines. Unless your name was Ayrton Senna. Viewed according to this little deconstruction you could argue that Senna's greatest achievement was to dominate Formula 1 but never to have left people feeling his victories were tedious. Lest we should forget, Ayrton wasn't universally popular at his peak and his untimely death probably meant some of his conduct is posthumously viewed a little more kindly than it deserved. It goes without saying that he was my favourite driver of that generation. Relationship with Newey considered vital Relationship with Newey considered vital So why doesn't Vettel grab the imagination the way Senna did? His talent shines as brightly, his record will soon be better, his racecraft is magnificent and he is good mates with Kimi. I'm probably not alone in thinking that last fact tells us more about the real Sebastian Vettel than any nonsense emanating from the Red Bull PR machine. But he gets booed on the podium. I absolutely hate that and, being an arch contrarian, find myself thinking the surest way I'll become a Vettel fan is if the podium abuse continues. But the nagging suspicion remains that Hamilton has more raw speed and somehow always makes things more exciting and that Alonso is still the best combination of speed and nous. That looks absurd written down, doesn't it? A young man is about to be crowned world champion for the fourth consecutive year and yet the majority of experts still reckon he's the second best driver. Schumacher model has worked for Vettel too Schumacher model has worked for Vettel too Surely this needs de-bunking now. Four championships, Newey-assisted or not, in an era of Hamilton, Alonso, Raikkonen, is perhaps the most remarkable run of success in the history of the sport. Perhaps I'm thinking too deeply about this. Maybe it's the index finger that rouses the hatred, or some rank xenophobia, Anyways, please tell me why I'm wrong about 'Seb'. Photos: LAT Photo, Red Bull/GEPA Pictures
For any kid growing up, there really is no place like home. It’s the safest place in the world — or it should be — and your job as a parent is to make sure it is. The first things parents do when kids are small is childproof everything in the house — covering electrical outlets, putting childproof locks on toilets, cabinets and drawers (so kids don’t get into things they shouldn’t), installing the right safety gates to stop small children from falling down stairs or into a swimming pool or hot tub, as well as installing anti-scalding fixtures. (Some faucets have colour-changing LEDs that let you know when the water gets hot.) Then there are the bigger projects that will affect their health and safety in the long term. For example, using low- or no-VOC paints — especially in areas where the kids will be spending most of their time, like in their room or basement; making sure you have safe stairs with secure handrails, safe electrical (i.e. GFCI-protected outlets), and not to mention healthy indoor air. These are the essentials, and whether you have kids or not, your top priority should always be making sure your home is safe — for you or anyone that might be stopping by. There are products out there that can help create healthier indoor environments for your kids and help maintain their safety. That can include mould-resistant and fire-resistant lumber, VOC-absorbing drywall, mould-resistant drywall, mould- and moisture-resistant insulation that’s also fire-rated, and top-of-the-line furnace filters that help stop your kids from breathing in allergens, dust and mould spores; in some cases even viruses. You can even get LED lights installed on your stairs, so if there’s ever a power outage or a fire the stairs light up and you can get out safely. But as the kids grow up, so does the house, and if you’ve got your safety bases covered you can go from childproofing your home to doing fun projects that your kids will remember forever. Who doesn’t remember their childhood tree house or forts? Now that the kids are back in school, maybe you’ve got some time to put together fun spaces for them to play in for their next break, or maybe something that will keep them entertained at home during winter when it’s too cold to go outside. Imagine that — kids who want to stay at home because it’s as much fun as a playground. On past jobs we’ve built secret playrooms in the basement with chalkboards, hidden below stairs. Also state-of-the-art home theatres, properly insulated with Roxul’s Safe ’n’ Sound. It’s fire-resistant and mould- and moisture-resistant, which you need in the basement. Plus, it absorbs sound, so the kids can crank up the stereo or TV without bothering anyone upstairs. But one of the coolest projects we’ve done for kids recently was building an artificial hockey rink in the basement. The basement we were working in was big, so we had enough space to create two areas: one for Mom and Dad and their friends, and one for the kids and all of their friends. On one half we built a bar area (under lock and key), home theatre and a gym. We also added an electric fireplace, so we wouldn’t have worry about combustibles or CO in the basement.
Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders speaks at a rally March 23 at the Wiltern Theater in Los Angeles, California. \| Getty Poll: Sanders surges in California Bernie Sanders is surging in California, according to a Field Poll of likely Democratic primary voters released Friday. Hillary Clinton still leads the Vermont senator in the state, 47 percent to 41 percent with 12 percent undecided, but the former secretary of state has seen only a modest, 1-point uptick since the last survey was conducted in January. Sanders, meanwhile, has jumped 6 percentage points. Democrats favor Clinton by an 11-point margin, which is nearly equivalent to the 10-point advantage Sanders holds over Clinton among independents. As exit polls have suggested throughout the primary, Sanders also performs best among younger voters. The poll shows Sanders has more support among voters younger than 40, while older voters prefer Clinton, who also has the overwhelming support of African-American voters. Sanders has a net favorability of +59 percent (75 percent favorable, 16 percent unfavorable), while Clinton’s net favorability is +43 percent (70 percent favorable, 27 percent unfavorable). Clinton supporters, however, view Sanders much more favorably (+35 percent) than his voters see Clinton (+3 percent), which could call into question their willingness to vote for Clinton in a general election should she win the nomination. The survey of 1,400 likely voters — 584 of whom are likely to vote in the state’s June 7 Democratic primary — was conducted March 24-April 4 via landline and cellphone. The margin of error is plus or minus 4 percentage points.
It has been quite a while since the US Army last made an attempt at a clean-sheet rotorcraft design. The story behind the previous effort with the RAH-66 Comanche hardly needs to be recounted here – although in hindsight the decision to terminate the programme was a sensible one. Cancelling development after nearly $7 billion had already been spent is never going to garner positive headlines, but this step allowed the army to pump funds into an upgrade of the current fleet, a vital necessity given the nature of the Afghan conflict. This time around, with the Future Vertical Lift (FVL) programme, the army is taking a very deliberate approach in an effort to avoid the pitfalls of projects such as Comanche, and more recently the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. The selection of Bell Helicopter and a Sikorsky- Boeing team for the next phase of the Joint Multirole – Technology Demonstrator (JMR-TD) effort was predictable enough not to require too much further examination – although I outline the plans of both teams in the latest issue of Defence Helicopter. Bell Helicopter is offering its V-280 Valor, which it describes as a third-generation tiltrotor, while the team of Sikorsky and Boeing is extolling the virtues of its SB>1 Defiant co-axial design. The two teams can now begin to prepare their candidate aircraft for a first flight in 2017, in what is shaping up to be a protracted battle of tiltrotor versus co-axial compound configurations. While this provides a hint of what might eventually be fielded, some intriguing aspects of the programme remain – to quote that well-known philosopher Donald Rumsfeld, we are dealing with many ‘known unknowns’ when it comes to FVL. FUTURE ROLES The JMR-TD is not a ‘fly-off’ in the traditional sense, and only aims to better inform any future FVL decision, of which acquisition activity beyond this point is yet to be funded. The future role of the other two contenders for JMR-TD – AVX Aircraft and Karem Aircraft – was unclear at the time of writing, although the technology investment agreements (TIAs) signed with all four venders may allow funding to be allocated to take their designs forward. Dan Bailey, the army’s programme director for JMR-TD/FVL, revealed earlier in 2014 that 100 flight hours for each of the two selected vendors had been built into the programme, so if this amount wasn’t required it could open up additional funding. ‘These are TIA agreements, not procurement contracts fully funded by the government, therefore using the term “downselect” is improper. Each party, government and vendor, has rights to rescope the agreement or stop efforts under the agreement. That is the beauty of an S&T effort,’ Bailey told me in clarification. It would certainly be worth advancing aspects of the designs by AVX and Karem to help inform FVL, in particular the latter’s optimum-speed tiltrotor technology. ‘What makes it different is the rotors are very lightweight, very rigid, they are not articulated and they are capable of wide-range speed variation, which gives it the ability to build in efficiency both in hover and forward flight. This removes some of the design compromises that traditional tiltrotors have between the need to be an efficient hover rotor and an efficient forward flight rotor,’ Ben Tigner, JMR programme manager for Karem Aircraft, told an audience in July. OPEN COMPETITION? The other pertinent question is how open any future FVL competition will be to European rotorcraft manufacturers. Bailey has been careful to specify that not being selected for the flight demonstration phase of JMR-TD does not mean companies are ‘out of the game in any way’. Certainly the US team at Airbus Helicopters is outwardly confident that its internal S&T efforts will keep it in the running when any FVL solicitation finally rolls around. Such uncertainties must be frustrating for an industry that is used to chasing ‘winner-takes-all’ procurement competitions. However, despite previous acquisition disasters, there is some evidence that the army is taking a more sensible approach this time around. The multirole and joint nature of the plan is aimed at addressing long-term life-cycle costs, a sensible move given that more than 70% of a platform’s cost comes from operation and sustainment after it has been fielded. According to Bailey, the FVL effort gives the army ‘an open door’ to think about how it maintains its aircraft, rather than being restricted by legacy systems and processes. The Pentagon is also attempting to ‘cross boundaries’ and take a mission-centric approach to the way today’s helicopters will eventually be replaced under FVL. For example, the USN chose the H-60 as its SH-2 replacement in the mid-1970s largely because it was already in production for the army and had a cabin big enough for the racks needed for the mission systems. As plans evolve to replace the current Seahawks and Black Hawks, it is unlikely that the successor for each will be in the same weight class, given the differing mission and payload requirements of the two services. So some grounds for cautious optimism then, although there is still plenty of time in the lead-up to the full FVL procurement for requirements to snowball out of control or for efficiencies to be lost in the pursuit of commonality. One thing is certain, however – with the FVL programme expected to replace between 2,000 and 4,000 medium-class utility and attack helicopters, it’s all to play for.
Come this Friday, Gahanna residents will have a new restaurant to kick back, watch some sports, and enjoy a craft beer. The GastroPub at Pigskin Brewing Company, located at 81 Mill Street, is having its grand opening this Friday Feb. 19, with a menu that provides twists on classic pub fare designed to be paired with beer brewed on-site. From the beer-battered appetizers to the “flat iron” marinated flank steak with goat cheese, the menu focuses on rich, savory flavors, with most appetizers and salads priced at $5 to $10, and most entrees, sandwiches, and flatbreads hovering around $12 to $15. To celebrate the opening on Friday, the restaurant is offering free “warm up” appetizers, ranging from roasted cashews to “5-star” beer cheese soup made with the Pigskin IPA. Read More
NETFLIX AND JUDD APATOW TEAM UP TO BRING THE WORLD PEE-WEE HERMAN’S NEXT BIG ADVENTURE Pee-wee’s Big Holiday, A New Feature Film By Paul Reubens and Paul Rust, Available Exclusively To The Global Membership of Netflix John Lee Makes His Feature Film Directorial Debut, Beginning Production in March 2015 Beverly Hills, Calif., February 24, 2015–Netflix, the world’s leading Internet TV network, will premiere exclusively in all of its territories the new feature film, Pee-wee’s Big Holiday, starring Paul Reubens as the beloved fun-loving hero of TV, stage and film, Pee-wee Herman. Judd Apatow (Anchorman, Bridesmaids) and Reubens, who worked together to bring the project to fruition, will produce the film. Reubens and Paul Rust (Comedy Bang! Bang!, Arrested Development) wrote the film. John Lee (Broad City, Inside Amy Schumer) makes his feature film directorial debut with production beginning in early 2015. In Pee-wee’s Big Holiday, a fateful meeting with a mysterious stranger inspires Pee-wee Herman to take his first-ever holiday in this epic story of friendship and destiny. “We didn’t hesitate for a moment knowing that Pee-wee’s Big Holiday was such a passion project for Paul and Judd and we are delighted by the opportunity to introduce such a beloved character to a new generation,” said Netflix Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos. “We are thrilled to bring our viewers around the world the wonder of Pee-wee Herman.” “As a fan of Pee-wee Herman since he first appeared on The Dating Game, I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work with the brilliant Paul Reubens on this film. It is a dream come true,” said Judd Apatow. “Judd and I dreamt up this movie four years ago. The world was much different back then— Netflix was waiting by the mailbox for red envelopes to arrive. I’ve changed all that. The future is here. Get used to it. Bowtie is the new black,” said Pee-wee Herman. For more information, please read Pee-wee Herman’s log (that’s blog without the “b”) at: https://peewee.com. Paul Reubens created the iconic character, Pee-wee Herman, while a member of the famed Los Angeles improv group The Groundlings. The Pee-wee Herman Show premiered at The Groundlings Theatre on February 7, 1981 at midnight. It quickly moved to The Roxy on Sunset Strip where it ran for an unprecedented five months. The HBO broadcast of the show introduced Pee-wee to a national audience. Pee-wee Herman was brought to the big screen in the hit 1985 comedy Pee-wee’s Big Adventure, which Paul Reubens co-wrote and marked Tim Burton’s directorial debut. Reubens went on to create, co-write and co-direct Pee-wee’s Playhouse on CBS where the series earned 22 Emmy® Awards during its five year run. Reubens has been nominated for 14 Emmy® Awards, winning twice. In January of 2010, Reubens starred in, produced and co-wrote The Pee-wee Herman Show which completed a critically acclaimed four week run at LA Live’s Club Nokia in Los Angeles. With the incredible success in Los Angeles, Reubens brought The Pee-wee Herman Show to Broadway which opened November 11, 2010 to rave reviews with The New York Times calling the show, “Yummier than chocolate;” New York saying, “Welcome Back, Pee-wee! You were sorely missed;” and the New York Post saying, “the audience screams for joy!” Three decades after his first HBO special, Reubens returned to the network with an exclusive version of the hit Broadway show. Reubens has starred in a number of diverse film and TV roles, including 30 Rock, Pushing Daisies, Reno 911, Everybody Loves Raymond and Murphy Brown which earned him an Emmy® nomination. His film credits include Mystery Men, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Blow, David O. Russell’s dark comedy, Nailed, and Todd Solondz’s Life During Wartime. In the world of animation, Reubens has lent his voice to many projects including The Nightmare Before Christmas, Star Wars Rebels, Robot Chicken, Family Guy and Smurfs. He is currently developing a variety show for television and appears in a recurring role on NBC’s hit drama The Blacklist. About Netflix Netflix is the world’s leading Internet television network with over 57 million members in nearly 50 countries enjoying more than two billion hours of TV shows and movies per month, including original series, documentaries and feature films. Members can watch as much as they want, anytime, anywhere, on nearly any Internet-connected screen. Members can play, pause and resume watching, all without commercials or commitments. John Lee is making his feature film directorial debut with Pee-wee’s Big Holiday. He is the co-creator (with Vernon Chatman), writer, director and star of Wonder Showzen. He is also the co-creator of the Adult Swim mini-series starring Patton Oswalt, ‘The Heart, She Holler‘. photo by Paul Reubens Actor, writer, producer Paul Rust, co-writer of Pee-wee’s Big Holiday. He’s co-creating (with his fiancé Leslie Arfin) a tv series he’ll star in at Netflix, produced by Judd Apatow, called ‘Love‘.
Bradley Associat es Madrid News On Us Do llar Loses Followin g Poor Info Bradley Associates Madrid News On Us Dollar Loses F ollowing Poor Info; eu ro nevertheless susc eptible. Bradley Associates has developed an extensive network of professional resources. We select from among an array of carefully chosen managers to structur e portfolios that meet the needs of our clients. We help our clients stay competitive in the constantly changing markets of the modern world. The greenback slid on Thursday since poor U.S. financial information confirmed anticipat ion, the Federal Reserve could keep financial policy ultra-loose for a time, maintaining rates of interest for that dollar minimal in contrast to high profits of foreign currencies. The Fed can be broadly anticipated to avoid increasing prices this current year, and when monetary information is constantly on the let down it might force away Fed steps till effectively within 2012 or possibly later on. "The Fed can't increase prices in a very delaying economic environment," claimed Douglas Northwick, managing director for Trading in Stamford, Connecticut. "Granted the U.S. Treasury says currencies ought to reveal financial basics, we view the sluggish (dollar) moving forward." Information exhibiting the downturn in production rise in the U.S. Mid-Atlantic area with an unpredicted drop on current residence selling in April brought on dollar offering as well as put into increasing indications that U.S. monetary leads have been hardly positive. Many worldwide central banks previously set out on the route for financial shrinking, producing their own resources more desirable as well as raising their own currencies. The European Central Bank recently increased prices the first time si nce July 2008. Rate of interest differentials get securely preferred the euro, using the single-currency up 7 % year-to- date contrary to the dollar. The euro rose to some time high of $1.4326 on trading platform EBS. At the end of daytime New York dealing, the euro a number of the profits however had been up 0.4 % at $1.4304. The really uncertain financial debt restructuring problem in Greece, nevertheless, ought to reduce this dollar cuts contrary to the euro, even though single-currency continues to maintain over the 55-day shifting average, presently close to $1.4295. Jane Caron, main financial strategist at Dwight Asset Management Company in Burlington, Vermont, stated in spite of vulnerable financial information, this June judgments on the Fed's 2nd set of quantitat ive easing, known as QE2, might be employed in preference on the dollar.
Mercedes-Benz O405G Other names Merc, O405G Manufacturer Mercedes-Benz Buses Bodywork Hispano Carrocera Volgren Year 1996– Local Operators SMRT Buses Technical Data Length 18m Width 2.55m Entry High floor Engine Mercedes-Benz OM447hLA Gearbox ZF 4HP590 ZF 4HP600 Voith DIWA 863.3 Emission Standard Euro I, II The Mercedes-Benz O405G is a rear-engined articulated transit bus built by Mercedes-Benz from the mid-1980s to the early 2000s. As part of the Mercedes-Benz O405 line of chassis, it was the successor of the Mercedes-Benz O305 chassis, which also offered an articulated version (the O305G). Trans-Island Bus Services (TIBS), the predecessor of SMRT Buses, acquired a total of 315 units between 1996 and 2004 over four main variants of bodywork. Being the first high capacity buses in Singapore, the O405G is one of SMRT’s flagship bus models. Singapore Bus Services (now SBS Transit) acquired one demonstrator unit that was subsequently rejected. Technical Information: The Mercedes-Benz O405 was the successor to the Mercedes-Benz O305, which stopped production in 1987. Many units were sold around the world, and to several bus operators in Europe, Australia and Singapore. An articulated version of this chassis was also produced, the Mercedes-Benz O405G. The “G” stands for Gelenkbus, or articulated bus in German. A low-floor version of the O405G was also produced, known as the O405GN. The O405G was a ‘pusher‘ bendy, meaning that the rear-mounted engine powers the trailer drive axle which then ‘pushes‘ the bus forward. Longitudinal stability of the vehicle is maintained by active hydraulics mounted under the turntable. The O405G is available with the Mercedes-Benz OM447hLA engine (11967cc) similar to the O405s, but rated at a higher torque output. Various Voith and ZF gearboxes were compatible with the engine. The Mercedes-Benz O405G was later superseded by the Citaro G. Jump to: Hispano Carrocera Mark 1 demonstrator Hispano Carrocera Mark 1 Hispano Carrocera Mark 2 Hispano Carrocera Habit Volgren ———————————————————————————————————————————— SMRT Mercedes-Benz O405G (Hispano Carrocera Mark 1 (Demonstrator): TIB838H During the mid-1990s, there was a growing need for high-capacity buses to cope with population growth in Singapore and the ever-increasing ridership. In 1996, Trans-Island Bus Services (TIBS) brought in an articulated bus for evaluation purposes. It was registered on 14 Mar 1996 as TIB838H and ushered in a new era of articulated buses in Singapore. Basic Specifications: Mercedes-Benz OM447hLA engine Turbocharged, 299 hp (220 kW) @ 2200 rpm Torque rating of 1250 Nm @ 1000 – 1300 rpm engine Turbocharged, 299 hp (220 kW) @ 2200 rpm Torque rating of 1250 Nm @ 1000 – 1300 rpm ZF Ecomat 4HP590 gearbox Four-speed automatic . gearbox Four-speed automatic . Hispano Carrocera Mark 1 bodywork Chassis built in Germany, bodied by Hispano Carrocera in Zaragoza, Spain. Shipped completely-built-up (CBU) via cargo plane to Singapore. bodywork Chassis built in Germany, bodied by Hispano Carrocera in Zaragoza, Spain. Shipped completely-built-up (CBU) via cargo plane to Singapore. Konvekta underfloor air-conditioning underfloor air-conditioning Hanover Electronic Display Signage (EDS) Green flip-dot matrix similar to the previously introduced non-air-conditioned (now CAC) O405s. The introduction of TIB838H scored several firsts. It was shipped in completely-built-up from the Hispano plant in Spain via a Spair Airlines cargo plane, the first bus in Singapore to be delivered by air. It was also the first high-capacity bus in Singapore, a unique addition to the rigid buses of the past. The bus made its debut on 16 March 1996, running on service 171 between Yishun and Marina Center. Pictures of the delivery are courtesy of SMRT Moving Stories. Additional Specifications: TIB838H had a licensed carrying capacity of 143 passengers, comprising 54 seated and 89 standing passengers. TIB838H’s original Volgelsitze seats were unique, with slanted handles. They were later replaced with Arianne Fainsa bucket seats, transferred from the Scania L113CRL ELBOs which underwent early retirement. In 2012, the flip-dot EDS was replaced with a new full-LED unit from Gorba; however the bus never underwent mid-life refurbishment. As its 17-year statutory lifespan approached, its last day of revenue service was on 11 March 2013 and the bus was scrapped. A MAN A24 demonstrator was acquired shortly afterwards (SMB388S) and seen as a direct replacement for this bus. ———————————————————————————————————————————— SMRT Mercedes-Benz O405G (Hispano Carrocera Mark 1) Production Batch: TIB849B – TIB904A After the successful trial of TIB838H, Trans-Island Bus Services (TIBS) placed an initial order of 56 units, built with the Hispano Carrocera (Mark 1) bodywork identical to the demostrator unit. They were registered between 16 Jul 1997 and 19 Nov 1998 as TIB849B – TIB904A. Basic Specifications: Mercedes-Benz OM447hLA engine Turbocharged, 299 hp (220 kW) @ 2200 rpm Torque rating of 1250 Nm @ 1000 – 1300 rpm engine Turbocharged, 299 hp (220 kW) @ 2200 rpm Torque rating of 1250 Nm @ 1000 – 1300 rpm ZF Ecomat 4HP590 gearbox Four-speed automatic . gearbox Four-speed automatic . Hispano Carrocera Mark 1 bodywork Chassis built in Germany, bodied by Hispano Carrocera in Spain. bodywork Chassis built in Germany, bodied by Hispano Carrocera in Spain. Konvekta underfloor air-conditioning underfloor air-conditioning Hanover Electronic Display Signage (EDS) Green flip-dot matrix similar to the previously introduced non-air-conditioned (now CAC) O405s. The design of the Hispano Mark 1 bodywork was of high resemblance to the other Mercedes-Benz O405s, earning them the nickname “box bendies”. Additional Specifications: Mark 1 O405Gs have a licensed carrying capacity of 142 passengers, comprising 53 seated and 89 standing passengers. All Hispano Mk1 O405Gs were originally fitted with two seats abreast between the front and middle door, to accommodate more standing space. Some of the buses were later refitted with additional seats, restoring the conventional four seats abreast design. TIB890E is the first public transit bus in Singapore to have headrests, which was likely part of a trial. It retained the headrests even after refurbishment. Retirement: All buses of this batch underwent mid-life refurbishment, which included repainting of interiors and changing of seat covers, from the original green fabric the modern blue, purple and red coloured scheme of SMRT’s choice. Despite refurbishment, their 17-year statutory lifespan were not extended by two years (most likely due to LTA’s disapproval of keeping bendy buses on the roads), and are expected to be fully retired by 2015. All buses have had their original Mobitec flip-dot matrix replaced with either Gorba imotion or Mobitec MobiLED EDS units. ———————————————————————————————————————————— SMRT Mercedes-Benz O405G (Hispano Carrocera Mark 2) Production Batch: TIB973A – TIB1001Z After the intake of the Hispano Mark 1, Trans-Island Bus Services (TIBS) placed an additional order for 29 units; however the Mark 1 bodywork was out of production. Hispano devised a new bodywork largely based on the Mark 1 and fitted it with a new front design; hence the Hispano Carrocera Mark 2 bodywork was born. These 29 buses were registered between 11 Jan 2000 and 8 Mar 2000 as TIB973A – TIB1001Z. Basic Specifications: Mercedes-Benz OM447hLA engine Turbocharged, 299 hp (220 kW) @ 2200 rpm Torque rating of 1250 Nm @ 1000 – 1300 rpm engine Turbocharged, 299 hp (220 kW) @ 2200 rpm Torque rating of 1250 Nm @ 1000 – 1300 rpm ZF Ecomat 4HP590 gearbox Four-speed automatic . gearbox Four-speed automatic . Hispano Carrocera Mark 2 bodywork Chassis built in Germany, bodied by Hispano Carrocera in Spain. bodywork Chassis built in Germany, bodied by Hispano Carrocera in Spain. Konvekta underfloor air-conditioning underfloor air-conditioning Transit Media Electronic Display Signage (EDS) TwinVision LeDot Green flip-dot matrix The design of the Hispano Mark 2 bodywork is distinctively different from the Mark 1, featuring more curved edges and improved aesthetics. It is sometimes nicknamed “smiley bendy” for the curved metal design at the front. Only 29 units were acquired, all of which were registered in 2000. Additional Specifications: Mark 2 O405Gs have a licensed carrying capacity of 149 passengers, including 59 seated and 90 standing passengers. New features on the Mark 2 include electronically controlled wing mirrors, and thicker, more comfortable seats. TIB984T and TIB986M have modified fronts, with slight resemblance to the Volgren front. TIB986M received the modified front after an accident, while the cause of TIB984T’s modification is unknown (see Gallery at bottom of page). All buses of this batch have upgraded to Mobitec MobiLED EDS units, an orange LED matrix. TIB994P is an exception, with a LAWO Benefit EDS unit (see Gallery). All buses of this batch underwent mid-life refurbishment, which included repainting of interiors and changing of seat covers from the original green fabric to the modern blue, purple and red coloured PVC covers of SMRT’s choice. Despite refurbishment, their 17-year statutory lifespan were not extended by two years (most likely due to LTA’s disapproval of keeping bendy buses on the roads), and are expected to be fully retired by 2017. ———————————————————————————————————————————— SMRT Mercedes-Benz O405G (Hispano Carrocera Habit) SMRT’s 208 units of the O405G with Hispano Habit bodywork are split into two batches, namely: Batch 1: TIB1019Z – TIB1177A (excluding TIB1024H) (158 units) Batch 2: TIB1198P – TIB1247G (50 units) Batch 1: TIB1019Z – TIB1177A (excluding TIB1024H) In 2000, Trans-Island Bus Services (TIBS) introduced a third series of the Mercedes-Benz O405G with the ‘Habit’ citybus bodywork by Hispano. A first batch of 158 units were acquired, and were registered between 10 Jun 2000 – 30 Dec 2000 as TIB1019Z – TIB1023K and TIB1025E – TIB1177A. TIB1024H breaks the sequence and was reserved for the Volgren demonstrator (below section). Basic Specifications: Mercedes-Benz OM447hLA engine Turbocharged, 299 hp (220 kW) @ 2200 rpm Torque rating of 1250 Nm @ 1000 – 1300 rpm engine Turbocharged, 299 hp (220 kW) @ 2200 rpm Torque rating of 1250 Nm @ 1000 – 1300 rpm Voith DIWA 863.3 / ZF Ecomat 4HP590 gearbox Three or Four-speed automatic gearbox Three or Four-speed automatic Hispano Carrocera Habit bodywork Chassis built in Germany, bodied by Hispano Carrocera in Spain. bodywork Chassis built in Germany, bodied by Hispano Carrocera in Spain. Hispacold underfloor air-conditioning underfloor air-conditioning LAWO or Transit Media Electronic Display Signage (EDS) LAWO ALUMA or TwinVision LeDot Green flip-dot matrix, featuring better visibility at night. The first batch is unofficially comprising of two separate specifications. TIB1019Z – TIB1147L (excluding TIB1024H) have Euro I engines and TIB1148J – TIB1177A have Euro II engines. Hispano had engaged renowned Italian design company Pininfarina for the bodywork design. TIBS was the ‘launch customer’ for the Hispano Habit bodywork, purchasing the first batch of buses with this new bodywork. The design of the Hispano Habit was iconic, and soon became TIBS’s flagship bendy bus, as well as being the most common on the roads. The new Hispano Habits featured wider legroom with its cantilever seats, adjustable air-con louvres, and more vertical stanchion poles. The Hispano Habits were also fitted with different gearbox models. TIB1025E – TIB1060C & TIB1062Y were fitted with three-speed Voith DIWA 863.3, and the remaining units have the four-speed ZF Ecomat 4HP590 instead. An interesting note is that TIB1019Z – TIB1023K were registered very late, on 30 Dec 2000 together with the last few buses of the Mark 1 type. This has roots going all the way back to the Dennis Lance. Originally, TIB1002X – TIB1021R was reserved for the 20 UK Lances, TIB1022M & TIB1023K was reserved for the Volgren Lance, and TIB1024H was reserved for the Volgren O405G demonstrator. However, due to the expansion of SMRT’s charter division Busplus which required 12-metre buses, five UK Lances were transferred and registered PA-plated. As a result, only 15 UK Lances were registered under the TIB sequence (TIBTIB1002X – TIB1016G) , pushing forward the Volgren Lance (TIB1017D & TIB1018B), and leaving five unused numbers between TIB1019Z to TIB1023K as TIB1024H was already registered. TIBS was keen to fill up the missing numbers rather than leaving them empty, and as such, the last few Batch 1 (Mark 1) Hispano Habits were registered to fill up those unused numbers. Batch 2: TIB1198P – TIB1247G In 2000, Trans-Island Bus Services (TIBS) introduced a third series of the Mercedes-Benz O405G with the Hispano Habit bodywork. A final 30 units were from the Batch 2, registered between 28 Sep 2001 – 04 Mar 2004 as TIB1198P – TIB1247G. Hispano Habits of this batch were technically identical to the other Mark 2 Habits, except they came in a mix of three-speed automatic Voith DIWA 863.3 or four-speed automatic ZF Ecomat 4HP 590 gearboxes. The first 10 buses use ZF gearboxes, while the last 40 buses use Voith gearboxes. One curious feature of this batch is the extended period of time needed for registration. While the first 20 units (TIB1198P – TIB1217T) were delivered in three months (28 Sep 2001 – 21 Dec 2001), the last 30 units (TIB1218R – TIB1247G) took around two years (05 Jul 2002 – 04 Mar 2004). The slow registration is attributed to space constraints: At the time, Kranji Depot had not been completed, and Woodlands and Ang Mo Kio Depots were experiencing shortage of parking space and maintenance capabilities. As such, they had to delay the bringing in of buses. On a whole, the Hispano bodywork is of superb build quality unparalleled even in the buses of today. That might explain why assembly and shipment of these buses were slow as compared to other models. Additional Specifications: The Hispano Habit has a licensed carrying capacity of 149 passengers, comprising 59 seated and 90 standing passengers. All buses were upgraded with a Mobitec MobiLED EDS unit, an orange LED matrix. Exceptions are: Hanover: TIB1034D TIB1034D LAWO BENEFIT: TIB1105H TIB1105H Gorba imotion: TIB1132D, TIB1133B, TIB1242U TIB1105H: The rebuilt Habit On 20 August 2008, at around 6:18am, TIB1105H (WLDEP 187) was down-routing (without passengers) to Boon Lay Interchange where it caught fire along Marsiling Lane, near the junction of Admiralty Road. By the time the fire was extinguished, the bus was reduced to its bare skeleton. The incident was featured in the news. Despite the fire damage, the chassis survived the accident. The bus was subsequently deregistered and rebuilt from scratch. After a two year absence, it was back on the roads, appearing on Service 962 on 23 August 2010. Much of the bus was rebuilt with new parts, bearing a resemblance to SMRT’s OC500LEs, and red/purple leather seats were used, identical to the ones found on early refurbished O405s. Two Konvekta air-conditioning pods were mounted on the roof, and a new set of LAWO Benefit EDS units (of an orange LED matrix design) made it the most unique Hispano Habit on the roads. ———————————————————————————————————————————— SMRT Mercedes-Benz O405G (Volgren) Demonstrator – TIB1024H In 2000, Trans-Island Bus Services (TIBS) brought in a demonstrator Mercedes-Benz O405G with a Volgren bodywork. It was registered on 14 Jul 2000 as TIB1024H. Basic Specifications: Mercedes-Benz OM447hLA engine Turbocharged, 299 hp (220 kW) @ 2200 rpm Torque rating of 1250 Nm @ 1000 – 1300 rpm engine Turbocharged, 299 hp (220 kW) @ 2200 rpm Torque rating of 1250 Nm @ 1000 – 1300 rpm Voith DIWA 863.3 gearbox Three-speed automatic . gearbox Three-speed automatic . Volgren bodywork (modified CR221) Chassis built in Germany, bodied by Volgren in Australia bodywork (modified CR221) Chassis built in Germany, bodied by Volgren in Australia Konvekta underfloor air-conditioning underfloor air-conditioning LAWO ALUMA Electronic Display Signage (EDS) Green flip-dot matrix, featuring better visibility at night. The bus was registered shortly after the start of Hispano Habit registration. A later 20 more units were ordered in the Production Batch. Additional Specifications: TIB1024H has a licensed carrying capacity of 132 passengers, including 59 seated and 73 standing passengers. A newer orange LED Mobitec MobiLED EDS unit replaced its old flip-dot LAWO Aluma EDS. ———————————————————————————————————————————— SMRT Mercedes-Benz O405G (Volgren) Production Batch – TIB1178Y – TIB1197S Following the successful evaluation of the Volgren demonstrator TIB1024H, Trans-Island Bus Services (TIBS) brought in 20 additional units of the Mercedes-Benz O405G with Volgren bodywork. They were registered between 8 Aug 2001 – 5 Jul 2002 as TIB1178Y – TIB1197S. Basic Specifications: Mercedes-Benz OM447hLA engine Turbocharged, 299 hp (220 kW) @ 2200 rpm Torque rating of 1250 Nm @ 1000 – 1300 rpm engine Turbocharged, 299 hp (220 kW) @ 2200 rpm Torque rating of 1250 Nm @ 1000 – 1300 rpm Voith DIWA 863.3 or ZF Ecomat 4HP600 gearbox Three or Four-speed automatic . or gearbox Three or Four-speed automatic . Volgren bodywork (modified CR221) Chassis built in Germany, bodied by Volgren in Australia bodywork (modified CR221) Chassis built in Germany, bodied by Volgren in Australia Hispacold underfloor air-conditioning underfloor air-conditioning Transit Media Electronic Display Signage (EDS) TwinVision LeDot Green flip-dot matrix, featuring better visibility at night. The buses were registered after the complete delivery of the first batch of Hispano Habits. The intake of a small number of Volgren O405Gs is reminiscent of the O405, where TIBS also purchased a small number of Volgren-bodied buses in addition to a majority of Hispano-bodied buses. The first 10 units (TIB1178Y – TIB1187X) were built with slightly different specifications than the last 10 units (TIB1188T – TIB1197S): TIB1178Y – TIB1187X TIB1188T – TIB1197S – ZF 4HP 600 gearbox – Normal window line (smaller windows) – Voith DIWA 863.3 gearbox – Lower window line (larger windows) Additional Specifications: Volgren O405Gs have a licensed carrying capacity of 132 passengers, including 59 seated and 73 standing passengers. As of July 2013, these buses are in the midst of undergoing mid-life refurbishment, with new blue/purple/red seat covers. All buses have a newer orange LED Mobitec MobiLED EDS unit replaced its old flip-dot Transit Media EDS. TIBS/SMRT Mercedes-Benz O405G Registration Units Engine Gearbox Introduced Retired Bodywork TIB838H 1 Mercedes-Benz OM447hLA ZF 4HP 590 1996 2013 Hispano Carrocera Mark I TIB849B – TIB904A 56 1997-1998 2015 TIB973A – TIB1001Z 29 2000 – Hispano Carrocera Mark II TIB1019Z – TIB1023K 5 2000 – Hispano Carrocera Habit TIB1024H 1 Voith DIWA 863.3 2000 – Volgren TIB1025E – TIB1147L 123 ZF 4HP 590 (86) 2000 – Hispano Carrocera Habit Voith DIWA 863.3 (37) TIB1148J – TIB1177A 30 ZF 4HP 590 2001 – TIB1178Y – TIB1197S 20 ZF 4HP 590 (10) 2001-2002 – Volgren Voith DIWA 863.3 (10) TIB1198P – TIB1247G 50 ZF 4HP 590 (10), 2001-2004 – Hispano Carrocera Habit Voith DIWA 863.3 (40) Total 315 Underlined registrations indicate demonstrator units. ———————————————————————————————————————————— Gallery: (click for larger image) SMRT Mercedes-Benz O405G (Hispano Carrocera Mark 1) — — SMRT Mercedes-Benz O405G (Hispano Carrocera Mark 2) — — — SMRT Mercedes-Benz O405G (Hispano Carrocera Habit) — SMRT Mercedes-Benz O405G (Volgren) — ———————————————————————————————————————————— Detailed EDS Specifications: – Mercedes-Benz O405G (Hispano Mk I): Gorba imotion: TIB849B – TIB852R, TIB855H – TIB860S, TIB862L, TIB864G – TIB871K, TIB873E – TIB877U, TIB879P – TIB885X, TIB887R, TIB888M, TIB890E – TIB892A, TIB894U – TIB904A TIB849B – TIB852R, TIB855H – TIB860S, TIB862L, TIB864G – TIB871K, TIB873E – TIB877U, TIB879P – TIB885X, TIB887R, TIB888M, TIB890E – TIB892A, TIB894U – TIB904A Mobitec MobiLED: TIB853M, TIB854K, TIB861P, TIB863J, TIB872H, TIB878S, TIB886T, TIB889K, TIB893Y – Mercedes-Benz O405G (Hispano Mk II): Mobitec MobiLED: TIB973A – TIB993S, TIB995L – TIB1001Z TIB973A – TIB993S, TIB995L – TIB1001Z LAWO Benefit: TIB994P – Mercedes-Benz O405G (Hispano Habit): Mobitec MobiLED: TIB1019Z – TIB1033G, TIB1035B – TIB1104K, TIB1106E – TIB1131G, TIB1134Z – TIB1177A, TIB1198P – TIB1241Y, TIB1243S – TIB1247G TIB1019Z – TIB1033G, TIB1035B – TIB1104K, TIB1106E – TIB1131G, TIB1134Z – TIB1177A, TIB1198P – TIB1241Y, TIB1243S – TIB1247G Hanover: TIB1034D TIB1034D LAWO BENEFIT: TIB1105H TIB1105H Gorba imotion: TIB1132D, TIB1133B, TIB1242U – Mercedes-Benz O405G (Volgren): Mobitec MobiLED: TIB1024H, TIB1178Y – TIB1197S (All units) ———————————————————————————————————————————— Detailed Gearbox Specifications: – Mercedes-Benz O405G (Hispano Mk I): ZF 4HP 590: TIB838H, TIB849B – TIB904A (All units) – Mercedes-Benz O405G (Hispano Mk II): ZF 4HP 590: TIB973A – TIB1001Z (All units) – Mercedes-Benz O405G (Hispano Habit): ZF 4HP 590: TIB1019Z – TIB1023K, TIB1061A, TIB1063U – TIB1147L TIB1019Z – TIB1023K, TIB1061A, TIB1063U – TIB1147L ZF 4HP 600: TIB1148J – TIB1177A, TIB1198P – TIB1207Y TIB1148J – TIB1177A, TIB1198P – TIB1207Y Voith DIWA 863.3: TIB1025E – TIB1060C, TIB1062Y, TIB1208U – TIB1247G – Mercedes-Benz O405G (Volgren): ZF 4HP 600: TIB1178Y – TIB1187X TIB1178Y – TIB1187X Voith DIWA 863.3: TIB1024H, TIB1188T – TIB1197S ———————————————————————————————————————————— Accidents and incidents: (retrieved from sgwiki.com) TIB900K was de-registered and scrapped due to fire in 2000 while on Service 67. TIB986M met into an accident while on Service 190 years ago, and back with new front without the ‘Smiley’ front. TIB984T has a new front without the ‘Smiley’ front as well, it is unknown what happened. TIB992U met into a freak accident fatally killing an Indonesian maid while on Service 302, and was back on service. TIB997G met into an accident involving a taxi while on Service 960, and back with a new front. TIB1063U caught fire from the engine area at Boon Lay Temp Int in the morning of 17 March 2008, and is back on service. TIB1067J fitted with a new rear after having a damaged rear previously. TIB1074M was burnt in May 2011 as it caught fire while operating on Service 61 and subsequently de-registered. TIB1105H caught fire at Marsiling in the early morning of 20 August 2008. It has been refurbished and back on service as of 23 August 2010. TIB1110S was scrapped in December 2003 as it caught fire while operating on Service 903 and subsequently de-registered. TIB1172M met into an accident in 2008 involving SMB15T, and was back on service. ———————————————————————————————————————————— Additional section SBS/SBS Transit Mercedes-Benz O405GN (Volgren) Demonstrator – SBS999U In 1996, Singapore Bus Services (SBS) brought in a demonstrator Mercedes-Benz O405G with a modified Volgren CR221LD bodywork. It was registered as SBS999U. Back then, SBS was solely operating double-deck buses as high-capacity buses, and was exploring the possibility of having bendy buses in its fleet. SBS999U was one of two bendy buses brought in for eavluation, the other being SBS998Y (a ‘puller’ Volvo B10MA). SBS999U was equipped with the 288-horsepower turbocharged Mercedes-Benz OM447hLA engine, fitted to the four-speed automatic ZF Ecolife 4HP590 gearbox. The chassis were built in Germany and bodied by Volgren in Australia (a modified Volgren CR221), and shipped to Singapore completely built up (CBU). Roof-mounted air-conditioning was supplied by Denso, while the Electronic Display Signage (EDS) was a Mobitec, of a flip-dot design. The trail was unsuccessful and no further purchases were made. The two articulated buses were sold to New Zealand in 2006. ———————————————————————————————————————————— References: Back to Bus Models Back to Bus Articles All images with the page watermark are licensed under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 3.0. All other images are copyrights of their respective owners. Advertisements
The US Dept. of Agriculture (USDA) has long maintained that genetically engineered (GE) crops can co-exist with traditional and organic agriculture. According to this 'co-existence' narrative, if neighboring GE and traditional farmers just sort things out among themselves and follow 'best management practices', transgenes will be confined to GE crops and the fields where they are planted. The latest evidence refuting USDA's co-existence fairytale comes from a recently published study by a team of USDA scientists. The study involved Monsanto's Roundup Ready alfalfa, which, like most GE crops in the US is engineered to survive direct spraying with Roundup, Monsanto's flagship herbicide. In 2011 and 2012, USDA scientist Stephanie Greene and her team scouted the roadsides of three important alfalfa-growing areas - in California, Idaho and Washington - for feral (wild) alfalfa stands. Because alfalfa is a hardy perennial plant, it readily forms self-sustaining feral populations that persist for years wherever the crop is grown. Greene and colleagues found 404 feral alfalfa populations on roadsides. Testing revealed that over one-quarter (27%) of them contained transgenic alfalfa - that is, plants that tested positive for the Roundup Ready gene. They believe that most of these feral populations likely grew from seeds spilled during alfalfa production or transport. Transgenes spread by bees could contaminate crops However, the researchers also found clear evidence that the Roundup Ready gene was being spread by bees, which are known to cross-pollinate alfalfa populations separated by up to several miles. Their results suggested that "transgenic plants could spread transgenes to neighboring feral plants, and potentially to neighboring non-GE fields." While they did not test this latter possibility, there is no doubt that non-GE alfalfa has in fact been transgenically contaminated - not just once, but on many occasions. In 2013, a Washington State farmer's alfalfa was rejected by a broker after testing revealed transgenic contamination. In 2014, China rejected numerous US alfalfa shipments that tested positive for the Roundup Ready gene. Alfalfa exports to China, a major market that has zero tolerance for GE alfalfa, fell dramatically. US hay prices fell, and at least three US alfalfa exporters suffered many millions of dollars in losses. Both the Washington State farmer and those who sold to the exporters intended to grow only traditional alfalfa. It is not clear how their produce became contaminated. Besides cross-pollination from GE feral or cultivated alfalfa, possible explanations include inadvertent mixing during harvest or storage, or (most insidiously) transgenic contamination of the conventional alfalfa seed they planted. Another problem highlighted is that weed control practices may give the feral GMOs a selective advantage: "Glyphosate resistant GE feral plants may increase through selection if glyphosate-only regimes are used in weed management, and may necessitate the need to change these practices." A little GMO alfalfa can go a very long way What makes the high (27%) GE contamination rate found in this study so remarkable is how little GE alfalfa produced it. USDA first approved Roundup Ready alfalfa in 2005, and it occupied just 1% of national alfalfa acreage in 2006. A federal court prohibited new plantings starting in 2007, but allowed what had already been planted to remain in the ground (an alfalfa stand is typically grown for about five years). Because this study was conducted just a few months after the re-approval of GE alfalfa in 2011, all of the feral GE alfalfa the researchers detected arose from the comparatively few fields planted in 2005 and 2006. There is much more GE alfalfa being grown now (Monsanto says 30% of alfalfa seed sold is GE). So there is likely much more feral GE alfalfa today than is suggested by this study. It's important to note that the study's major finding - that feral GE alfalfa is present and poses a contamination risk - has been known for at least six years. Oregon alfalfa seed grower Phillip Geertson presented USDA with documented evidence of feral GE alfalfa in Idaho and Oregon in 2009, but was ignored. More broadly, USDA exhaustively discussed this and other modes of transgenic contamination in its voluminous 2010 Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on 'Roundup Ready' alfalfa. In fact, buried in that EIS is data showing still earlier episodes of transgenic contamination of alfalfa dating back to the crop's first commercial introduction in 2005. USDA fails to protect non-GMO seed stock What's needed now is not more studies to tell us in finer detail what we already know, but regulatory action. Yet the USDA - which is embarrassingly subservient to the biotechnology industry - has failed to voluntarily enact a single restriction on GE crop growers. This forces traditional farmers to bear the entire burden of preventing transgenic contamination. The ineffectiveness of this policy is shown by contamination-induced losses of billions of dollars in corn exports to competitors like Brazil. It is also suggested by the absurd spectacle of the US (the world's leading corn and soybean producer) importing organic corn and soy from countries like Romania and India. Fear of transgenic contamination is one factor deterring more US farmers from meeting America's growing demand for organic foods. Because of federal inaction, citizens have taken action to protect their traditional agriculture at the county level, and Center for Food Safety (CFS) has provided critical assistance to these efforts. For instance, in 2014 voters in Jackson County, Oregon, overwhelmingly passed an ordinance prohibiting cultivation of GE crops in their county. CFS helped the County and its farmers fend off a lawsuit seeking to invalidate the Ordinance brought by two GE alfalfa growers with financial backing from the biotechnology industry. Similar 'GE-free zones' have been created with CFS assistance in at least seven other counties in California, Washington, Hawaii and a second county in Oregon. CFS is also proud to support a new ordinance introduced in November of last year in Costilla County, Colorado, that would establish a GMO-Free Zone to protect locally bred heirloom maize from transgenic contamination. The study: 'Occurrence of Transgenic Feral Alfalfa (Medicago sativa subsp. sativa L.) in Alfalfa Seed Production Areas in the United States' is by Stephanie L. Greene, Sandya R. Kesoju, Ruth C. Martin, & Matthew Kramer, and is published in PlosONE. Bill Freese is Science Policy Analyst at the Center for Food Safety. This article was originally published by the Center for Food Safety.
BARCELONA, SPAIN — Five lugs good, four lugs better! The first two generations of Mazda MX-5 (nee Miata) made do with four wheel lugs in classic small-car fashion, but the bulkier third-generation car and its seventeen-inch rolling stock required the addition of a fifth. When early photos of the 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata showed a return to wheels with just four lugs, the theories among the Miata fan base ranged from "that's some sort of base model" to "it's just for the auto-show displays." Not so. There will be two major variants of the MX-5—one with a 1.5-liter engine that will be Japan's only choice and one with a 2.0 that will be an option in Europe and the sole available engine in the states—and both are four-bolt cars. Hitoshi Takamatsu, the Deputy Program Manager tasked with the chassis and running gear of the 2016 MX-5, is quick to emphasize that the weight savings from doing so amount to more than just a few steel lugs. Virtually every part of the running gear is lighter. The transmission loses about 15 pounds. The differential sheds 22 pounds as part of a comprehensive program of lightweight material choices that accounts for 30 percent of the over 200 pounds the "ND" has managed to lose compared to its predecessor. The thousand-kilogram (2205 lb) curb weight of the new MX-5—a figure that will increase for the U.S. market by the additional heft of the 2.0-liter but will decrease by a minor amount courtesy of a missing pop-up hood mechanism that lets the dramatically sloped nose meet European pedestrian safety regulations—is such a staggering achievement that it's going to dominate the discussion about the new car for months to come. Think of it as the MalcolmX-5: lighter by any means necessary. The seats: a composite "web" replaces springs, for a savings of seventeen pounds. The roll hoops and supporting structure are aluminum, and Mazda's added three different kinds of high-tensile steel in the A-pillars and sills to cut weight and improve crash safety. Even the styling saves weight: the rear corners of the car are "chopped" off to narrow the rear bumper beam and support structure. Masashi Nakayama, the MX-5 designer, is careful to point out that the new standard LED headlamps were chosen because they permit a much more compact front end, which further reduces weight and leads to this surprising fact: this 2016-model MX-5 is shorter than the 1990 original. This new Mazda, therefore, amounts to a master class in how to do what nearly every other manufacturer in the business seems quite unable to accomplish: cut the size and weight of your product while improving crash safety and structural rigidity. (It should be noted that Mazda declined to provide specifics about chassis rigidity compared to the previous car, but even our pre-production test cars acted as if they had a roof when they hit bumps. The company expects top scores in both NHTSA and Euro NCAP crash testing.) When pressed to name the primary obstacles overcome by the design and engineering teams, Kiyoshi Fujiwara, Mazda's Managing Executive Officer, chuckles nervously before answering: "Weight, of course—and the business case!" It's obvious that both goals were accomplished admirably; the MX-5 is light, but more important, it's here. The phrase "MX-5 Forever" popped up a few times during the media briefing, along with the occasional reminder that Mazda is unique in its twenty-five-year commitment to the affordable-roadster segment. Think of it as the MalcolmX-5: lighter by any means necessary. As impressive as the MX-5's crash diet is, the way in which the proportions of the car have been completely re-imagined is arguably more so. The A-pillar has been moved back 70 mm (2.8 in) and the driver has been lowered 20 mm (0.8 in), 15 mm from the aforementioned "web" seat design and 5 mm from new brackets. The fenders are high and sharp above the wheels, giving the driver the same kind of view enjoyed by anybody who still owns a Seventies-era Corvette. While the quoted weight balance remains 50/50, there's an important change: the engine now sits entirely behind the front axle. That's right. The MX-5 is now a front-mid-engined car. Yet the wheelbase is shorter than in the third generation. As with the McLaren 650S, the driver and passenger have been moved closer together to reduce the polar moment of inertia. The single cupholder, a casualty of that decision, sits uneasily in the passenger footwell. The result of all these changes is an MX-5 that respects its predecessors yet owes little to them. While that first-gen Miata took styling and conceptual inspiration from the Lotus Elan, this new car is sort of a mini-Viper in proportion and mechanical layout. The second and third generations addressed driver space by expanding and growing heavier; this one manages to both wrap around the driver more tightly yet leave enough room for a six-foot-two American driver. It's fearless in styling and execution, wearing its Japanese identity on its sleeve in a way the first three cars could never quite bring themselves to do. Our preview drive day starts with a thirty-mile stint behind the wheel of a mechanically flawless 1.6-liter first-gen car. It's refreshing to be confronted again with the original Miata's singular excellence, and it's brave of Mazda to let us drive it right before the new one, but it's also a subtle way to align our expectations for the event. Come May, we'll have the chance to try the 2.0-liter 2016 Mazda MX-5 on American soil, but for this Barcelona global preview we're provided with right-hand-drive 1.5-liter models in Japanese specification. This SKYACTIV engine is thoroughly revised for longitudinal-mount duty, including equal-length exhaust headers and a steel crank, but with just 131 horsepower it's not going to raise any eyebrows at a dragstrip. The MX-5's thousand-kilo (2205 lb) mass allows it to be slightly quicker than the first-generation car, but we'll have to wait to drive the 2.0-liter, with its 155 horsepower and 148 lb-ft of torque, to see how it stacks up when confronted with an American on-ramp and a highly motivated Yukon XL driver in the other lane. After two hours on the winding mountain roads above Barcelona, however, it's plain that not even a Euro-fashionable diesel engine ("There are no plans for that," Mazda told us, "the additional weight would unbalance the car") could ruin the joy of driving this thoroughly brilliant roadster. Start with the steering. It's a rather unconventional EPAS arrangement where the motor is mounted below the rack instead of on the steering shaft. That increases weight a bit but it's lower in the car, so it's worth the tradeoff. The angle of the universal joint connecting the wheel to the rack has also been sharply reduced, for more consistent feel. While the resulting feedback isn't the equal of that found in the first-gen car, and the anti-kickback geometry is perhaps a bit too aggressive, there's still plenty of information available about the available traction. There's a pronounced but progressive lessening of the effort as the front tires scrub into understeer... ...of which there is less than in pretty much any other production car money can buy. Should this suspension tuning survive its journey to the United States, it will be a revelation for the average Miata owner. Even the original Miata wasn't as defiantly neutral as this MX-5—and it turns in with enough bite to step the back out in steady-state cornering. It's enough to make you whoop with joy. A street car, in factory tuning, that really handles and treats its drivers like adults. The transmission is so sure and precise that even in right-hand-driveform we never missed a shift or chose a gear we didn't want. Ratios are closeand even sixth will allow the center-mounted tach to buzz up past three grandat moderate speeds, but the payoff is steady progress on the mountain roads andplenty of chances to run the 1.5-liter up to its very smooth 7500-rpm redline. We found it impossible to create fade in the brakes—another payoff of the relentless focus on cutting mass. Engagement into ABS was predictable and manageable. Out of consideration for the cyclists and fellow motorists on these narrow Spanish two-lanes, we didn't step the tail out very often, but on a roundabout it proved to be easy to toss, and easy to catch. This is where the very consistent steering effort really pays off, because you can get a solid sense of when you've regained the back through your hands. In transitions, such as fast lane changes, the MX-5 is absolutely unflappable once you learn that you'll get exactly what you ask for in terms of steering angle, and a very quick, low-inertia change. If you don't like it, try a GTI. It truly is a bit shocking for a generation raised on cars with the engine ahead of the front wheels. It's more than a great Miata. It's a wake-up call to the people who build cars around the world. This is a very fast car on twisty roads. Even the famously enthusiastic Spanish drivers in their hot hatches and entry-luxury sedans might as well be bolted to the ground by comparison. The MX-5 is deceivingly quick; more than once we started to gripe about lack of grip and then noticed that the speedometer was indicating perhaps a third more pace than we'd thought we had. As a pure driving proposition, it's entirely superior to nearly every other sporting vehicle on the market. You'll become a better driver from learning how to hustle it, too; it teaches with subtle feedback in the hands and seat of the pants and it rewards at all speeds. With that said, the additional shove from the 2.0-liter will only improve the felicity with which the MX-5 shreds back roads. There's enough grip here to handle quite a bit more power. It will make a hell of a race car, which is why drivers are lining up to participate in the global MX-5 Cup program. Is it the best Miata ever? Clearly—but that's like calling What's Going On "a really great Marvin Gaye record." It's more than a great Miata. It's a wake-up call to the people who build cars around the world, a flag thrust defiantly in the faces of the people who consider porcine heft business as usual and power-to-weight ratios a problem best solved by hiking both to irresponsible levels. But it's also a wake-up call to drivers around the world. As the purest mass-market car in decades, this MX-5 is a chance for customers to reward that purity. Were this car half as good as it is, it would be good enough—but instead, it's truly great. They built it; will you come?
"We believe there should be no impunity for the sexual and gender based violence, and there must be arrests and punishment because that runs counter to peace."—Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, in Congo today, where she "unveiled a $17 million plan on Tuesday to fight the widespread sexual violence in eastern Congo, a problem she said was 'evil in its basest form'." "The Mugunga Internally Displaced Persons Camp sits in a land of volcanoes and great lakes on the edge of Goma, a provincial capital in the eastern Congo. The camp is now home to 18,000 people seeking refuge from a cycle of violent conflict that has left 5.4 million dead since 1998. … Women and girls in particular have been victimized on an unimaginable scale, as sexual and gender-based violence has become a tactic of war and has reached epidemic proportions. Some 1,100 rapes are reported each month, with an average of 36 women and girls raped every day. … I came to Goma to send a clear message: The United States condemns these attacks and all those who commit them and abet them. They are crimes against humanity. These acts don't just harm a single individual, or a single family, or village, or group. They shred the fabric that weaves us together as human beings. Such atrocities have no place in any society."—Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, in a piece for People magazine called "What I Saw in Goma." U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on Tuesday Guinea's military leaders should quit after soldiers went on a rampage at a protest rally, killing more than 150 people and raping women. ...Clinton said U.S. diplomats had spoken to Guinea's leaders in the "strongest possible terms." The State Department said U.S. officials had expressed "deep outrage" and "condemned the massacre and egregious human rights violations." …Clinton said she was particularly appalled by the violence against women. "In broad daylight in a stadium, it was criminality to the greatest degree," she said. "Those who committed such acts should not be given any reason to expect that they will escape justice." U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton votes to adopt a United Nations Security Council resolution addressing sexual violence in armed conflict at U.N. headquarters September 30, 2009 in New York City. Clinton chaired a Security Council session on 'Women, Peace and Security.' "So-called women's issues are stability issues, security issues, equity issues. The World Bank and many other analyses have proved over and over again that where women are mistreated, where they are denied equal rights, you will find instability that very often serves as an incubator of extremism."—Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, in a great interview in the New York Times about the "gender agenda" of the Obama administration's State Department under her leadership. And next week at the Security Council, we're going to be taking steps to improve the United Nations' response to sexual violence committed during armed conflict. I will be speaking next Wednesday on behalf of a U.S.-sponsored resolution to better implement the commitment that we should have to the role that women and girls should play in their lives, in their communities, and their countries, and in particular, to appoint a special representative of the Secretary General to lead, coordinate, and advocate for efforts to end sexual violence in armed conflict. I think we have to elevate that no matter what country we're from. Those of us who have traveled, as I think all of us here have done, have seen the consequences, and some of you have lived the consequences and your families have suffered the consequences as well. So we intend to make this a centerpiece of my term as Secretary of State. There are people who say, well, women's issues is an important issue, but it doesn’t rank up there with the Middle East or Iran's nuclear threat or Afghanistan and Pakistan. I could not disagree more. I think women are key to our being able to resolve all of those difficult conflicts, as well as provide for a better future. The most extraordinary day of the entire trip was a testament to this very idea, what Clinton calls "smart power," and it is something she is very passionate about: that the micro-economies of the poor are deeply important, and when the so-called soft issues—violence against women, food safety and agriculture, sustainable development—are not tended to, the result is chaos, instability, conflict, and war. Women's participation in [peacemaking, peacekeeping, and peace building] is not a "nice thing to do." It's not as though we are doing a favor for ourselves and them by including women in the work of peace. This is a necessary global security imperative. Including women in the work of peace advances our national security interests, promotes political stability, economic growth, and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. Just as in the economic sphere, we cannot exclude the talents of half the population, neither when it comes to matters of life and death can we afford to ignore, marginalize, and dismiss the very direct contributions that women can and have made. [Content Note: War; violence; sexual assault.]So, because I support and defend Hillary Clinton, I am routinely accused of not caring about certain parts of her record, and one of the most common refrains is that I don't care that she's a "warhawk."I don't think it's any secret that I have disagreements with Clinton on foreign policy, given that I've written about them a number of times, but okay. Let's talk about Clinton and foreign policy.Clinton is more inclined to support military intervention than I am. As examples: She voted for the Iraq War, which she concedes was a mistake. Her advocacy for intervention in Libya is often criticized, but, as far as I can tell, that was a "best of all terrible options" situation, given that our foreign policy was never going to include not doing something. She has supported the US policy on using drones, to which I have repeatedly objected.But military intervention hardly represents her entire foreign policy record, which is far more complex.For a start, Clinton has often said, including during debates during this primary, that she prioritizes diplomacy whenever possible over military intervention, and I believe that.The same thing could be said for President Obama, of whom I've sometimes had strong criticisms regarding his foreign policy. But I don't think there's a single case where hehave exclusively used diplomacy and chose instead to rely on military intervention as his first approach.A "warhawk" does not prioritize diplomacy. A "warhawk" does not even consider strategic and targeted military intervention, when they have determined, rightly or wrongly, that military intervention is the last resort.Hillary Clinton, even if she is more inclined to support military intervention in cases where I might not, is not a warhawk.Most importantly, a warhawk doesn't spend her tenure as Secretary of State doggedly advocating on behalf of women and children who are victimized by rape as a weapon of war:Nor does a "warhawk" talk about violence against women as a security issue Nor does a "warhawk" repeatedly talk about how women are key to peacekeeping Those are but a few examples of Hillary Clinton's powerful and unrelenting advocacy on behalf of women and children in war zones and destabilized nations and, frankly, everywhere around the world—and a few examples of her highlighting how mistreatment of women and children creates the instability from which armed conflicts emerge.No other candidate so passionately and eloquently tries to address this source of instability and warfare. None.Calling Clinton a "warhawk," or talking about her record as disproportionately and"militaristic," is dependent on ignoring all of this incredibly important and specialized work that she's done.(Of course, she's done it on behalf of women and children, so it's pretty easy for lots of Very Important People Who Care About Serious Issues to ignore, because who gives a fuck about women and kids.)It also requires ignoring, as but one example, an entire diplomatic career of facilitating peace, stretching all the way back to her tenure as First Lady, when she played a crucial role in the Irish peace process.The point is not to say that my areas of disagreement with her don't matter to me, but to say that I view her record as complex. Because itcomplex.That is, naturally, not the narrative we get care of the corporate media, who talk about her Iraq vote in one day more than they have ever talked about her diplomatic successes or work on behalf of women and girls in war zones.But its concealment doesn't mean it doesn't exist.She has a long foreign policy history, which includes some things with which I disagree and some things I strongly support. On balance, I find enough to warrant my support of her candidacy. People draw their lines in different places, and there are certainly people who are familiar with the entirety of her record who don't feel there's enough. That's valid.But it's a rare day indeed when I interact with someone who accuses me of "not caring" about her hawkishness who's evenof any of the things mentioned above.If there's a lack of care being taken with regard to Clinton's foreign policy experience, it isn't with the people who are familiar with and appreciate the breadth of that experience, but the people who haven't bothered to report or research anything but that which serves the mendacious narrative that she loves war.
Season of Giants: 1961-62 NBA.com celebrates the 50th anniversary of a legendary season • Complete Season of Giants coverage *** The hair and beard are white, the voice is considerably softer now and it takes a little bit longer to settle into a chair. But just a week past his 78th birthday, a smile practically leaps up and fast breaks across Bill Russell's face at a mention of the name. "Wilt," he said, "was my friend." It's not the first word that most would use to describe Chamberlain vs. Russell, the greatest individual rivalry in the history of the NBA, if not all of American sports. "That's always the first mistake," Russell said. "We were never rivals. We were competitors. A rivalry means there is a victor and a vanquished. In this case, there was never either a victor or a vanquished, just competitors. A lot of times I've heard people tell what they thought they knew. Well, they don't know (spit)." What the numbers show is a decade of head-to-head battles from 1959 to 1969 during which Chamberlain shattered virtually all of the NBA's scoring and rebounding records while Russell collected championships. Over 10 seasons, they played 142 games against each other with Russell winning 85 and Chamberlain 57. The stats show that in those games, Wilt averaged 28.7 points and 28.7 rebounds while Russell averaged 14.5 points and 23.7 rebounds. Chamberlain scored 50 or more points seven times against Russell, including a high of 62. Russell's highest scoring game against Chamberlain was 37. And, of course, in that decade of squaring off, Russell won nine championships to Wilt's one. "People on the outside want to make snap evaluations, judgments about what makes a player, an athlete, a man based on criteria that is viewed through their own perceptions," Russell said. "What I know is that from the very first time I ever stepped onto a court and had to play against Wilt, I knew that nothing less than my very best would ever be enough. "The first time we played, I realized he was bigger, stronger, faster, quicker, more athletic than me, so it was going to take some kind of plan just to survive. Later on there was the night that he set the NBA record by getting 55 rebounds against us. As we used to say back then about the Houston police: He was kicking asses and taking names. And you know he did that a lot." Chamberlain never did it more than during the 1961-62 season when he averaged 50.4 points, 25.7 rebounds and set the all-time single-game scoring record with 100 points on March 2 against the Knicks at Hershey Sports Arena. It was a year when Oscar Robertson -- 30.8 points, 12.5 rebounds and 11.4 assists -- became the only player ever to average a triple-double for an entire season. It also saw Walt Bellamy break into the league by averaging 31.6 points a game, the most ever by any rookie not named Chamberlain. Yet in the end the Celtics won the fourth of their eight consecutive NBA championships and Russell was named MVP, the third of five times he would be so honored. Your browser does not support iframes. "He was such a great competitor," said teammate Tom Heinsohn. "I still think Russell was the greatest player to play the game because of his impact. What he did couldn't be recorded in statistics. He changed the game and he made people change their offense. Other teams actually had a 'Russell offense.' How do you measure a guy not wanting to take a shot against him? It's not a block. It's not a shot attempt. It's not a miss. But that's what was going on. He intimidated the other team and he was the consummate winner. "Wilt would get his points when we played them. He had the ball on almost every possession trying to score. He was a terrific offensive player. You would try to make him take the shots that you wanted him to take. Instead of the dipper dunks and roll-ins, try to force the fallaway jumpers so if he missed, he was out of the play. Of course, there was his weakness at the free-throw line. Long before there was 'Hack-a'Shaq,' we had 'Whack Wilt.' Wilt was changing the game with his scoring and dunking and above the rim play, no doubt. But we were playing a team game because of Russell. "When you talk about the great player, it's got to be Russell. Wilt's got the stats. Russell's got the championships. What he gave our team couldn't be quantified. He just destroyed and ran guys out of the league. Neil Johnston was the league's leading scorer when Russell came in as a rookie and drove him right out of the league. "He totally revolutionized the game. They are still trying to emulate what Russell did today. All of the team concepts right now on defense were formulated out of the idea of what Bill Russell was doing 50 years ago." The debate has often revolved around whether Russell or Chamberlain had the more complete set of teammates. What if Wilt had played for the Celtics and Russell in Philadelphia, San Francisco and Los Angeles? Would Wilt have been the one collecting the championship jewelry? "If Red Auerbach was coaching him, it might have happened," Heinsohn said, "because Red knew how to handle guys. Red knew how to handle Russell." Your browser does not support iframes. Russell and Chamberlain had a personal relationship that was vastly different from the public perception. On the court, Russell was always portrayed as the giant-killer, the slayer of the monster named Wilt. But the two big men first met when Chamberlain was in his first year at the University of Kansas and drove to St. Louis on an off-day to meet Russell, already playing for the Celtics. "He was a polite young man," Russell said. "He just introduced himself and we spent the day together and were friends ever since." Even during the peak of their on-court duels, Russell and Chamberlain often ate dinner at each other's homes. "We never talked about the last game or the next game or what might happen tomorrow," Russell said. "We were just a couple of guys who truly enjoyed each other's company and then the next night we'd both go out there and try our best to kick the other guy's ass. We never tried to get into each other's head." The only one who did that was Auerbach, according to Sam Jones, another Hall of Famer Celtic teammate. "Red could get in just about anybody's head," Jones said. "I think he was the one who got to Wilt and affected the games we played against him more than anybody in a uniform. He was always sending messages, using the media. Wilt and Russell just did battle and played. I think they really brought out the best in each other. "From a competition standpoint, it would have been interesting to see what Red could have done with Wilt. Because I think if Wilt would have put it in his mind that he could be the best player ever in NBA -- defensive, assists, help my teammates -- there's no telling how far he could have gone. He could actually do it all." Of all his contemporaries on those Celtics' teams, it is, perhaps surprisingly, Russell, who champions Chamberlain the most. "I hear guys say that he couldn't have played in a different time, done the things that he did then today," Russell said. "That's bull(...). If Wilt were playing today, he would be even more dominant than he was then. I don't see a center out there now that could play against him. "The reason people don't believe that is because Wilt's numbers were so big, they seemed so impossible that they almost don't seem real. So they try to diminish the era and those he played against. People can't comprehend numbers like that, things that he did every night in just about every game. So they try to find a way to dismiss them or devalue them and try to make them not real. "You talk about a guy that averaged 50 points a game for the whole season. Now a guy averages 29 points or 30 points and he leads the league and everybody says he's the greatest scorer. Well, Wilt was 20 points a night better. How do you compare [with] that? "When I played against Wilt I used to assess how I was gonna play. He knew that I guarded him different every game. I had five sets, five different ways that I played against him. The main agenda was never to stop him. The agenda was to make him less efficient, so that if he got 40 points, he had to take 40 shots to get it. He was always the first option. So if he's taking 40 shots, then none of the rest of the guys on his team could ever pick up a rhythm. So their shooting percentages would go down. Because when you're shooting once every five minutes, there's no way you can consistently be a good shooter. You can't maintain any kind of rhythm. So I would never try to stop him and he knew that. Your browser does not support iframes. "I had different ways of guarding him and the key was never trying to block his shots. For example, he had a fadeaway jump shot and he liked to take it from a particular spot left of the key. So I would try to move him one step to the left or one step to the right, so they he's shooting at a different angle. His angle changes without really looking like it's changing and so the shot would hit the rim and go off. That's making him less efficient. But if I were to block all those shots, he was also the smartest player I ever played against -- not even close -- and he would constantly be adjusting. That's why I had to have five different ways of guarding him. "We had a stretch one time where he made like 10 in a row on bank shots. I said to myself, 'There's something wrong with this picture.' What he had done was get into his crouch and rub me off and throw my timing off. So he's getting his shot off with no obstruction. So I figured it out and the next time he went to rub me off, I turned my body so that when he tried to rub me off he'd miss. So we would go through this dance, back and forth, me and him, action and reaction. When he's counting on rubbing me off and there's no contact that throws him off. It's those things we were always doing to each other. "On the night I heard he scored 100 points, I just said, 'I'm sure glad he wasn't playing against us.' Because he was always capable. It wasn't a complete surprise. It wasn't like he shocked everybody in the league by doing that. A lot of us always thought that it could happen." The pair of giants did not speak for two decades after Russell criticized Chamberlain for taking himself out in the fourth quarter of Game 7 of the 1969 NBA Finals -- the last game of Russell's career -- with an ankle injury. Russell eventually apologized to Wilt privately and the two then remained close. Chamberlain died on Oct. 12, 1999. "I was devastated," Russell said. "I went to the memorial service and one of his nephews said to me, 'Mr. Russell, this is something you might want to know. Yesterday I cleared off my uncle's desk. He had one of those things, a spike, where you keep notes or reminders. He had a stack of phone calls he was going to make that day, the day that he died, and you were second on the list of guys he was going to call that day.' That made me smile." Who knows what was on the mind of the one big man who wanted to phone the other to whom he was inextricably linked? Something big? Something small? Something serious? Something silly? "We talked a lot in our post-career lives," Russell said. "One of my favorites is one time he called me up and he was so mad. I said, 'What's the matter, man?' He said Sports Illustrated did a story and they asked the question: 'Was Dennis Rodman the best rebounder ever?' "Wilt was beside himself. He said, 'I averaged more in a half than he did in a whole damned game and they're gonna tell a story that he was the best? "Well, Wilt and I are the only two guys that had over 20,000 rebounds and nobody else is even close. So I said, 'Yeah, Wilt. It's obvious you were the best rebounder ever, because I averaged 22.5 for 13 years. You averaged 22.9 for 14 years. So that makes you the best rebounder.' "He says, 'Well, I disagree with you.' I asked how he could, and Wilt said, 'In the playoffs, you averaged 24.9 a game and I was 24.5, and that's where the toughest rebounds are, because you're always playing against the better teams. That makes you the best rebounder.' "So you know what we decided between the two of us? Was Dennis Rodman the best rebounder ever? Man, that ain't worthy of discussion. And we had a great laugh. "That was our friendship. I miss it." Fran Blinebury has covered the NBA since 1977. You can e-mail him here and follow him on twitter. The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the NBA, its clubs or Turner Broadcasting.
KCR Eyes Prime City Land Telangana Rashtra Samithi president, Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao seems to have set his eyes on prime land in and around Hyderabad, apparently to make big money. According to highly placed sources, KCR is planning to bring pressure on the Centre to shift the Cantonment areas within Hyderabad to the outskirts of the city and take over those prime lands. He is likely to meet Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Thursday and request him to hand over the Secunderabad Cantonment lands and also the prime lands at Golkonda to the State government. In return, the State government would allocate huge area of land to the military outfits on the outskirts all around the city. The argument of the TRS chief is that the present Cantonment areas were created when the city was small and the population was less. Now, that the city is expanding fast all over, the Cantonment areas have now come into the middle of the city. This is causing inconvenience not only to the people but also the military. So, the best way is to push the military to the outskirts. This will help KCR to get hold over prime city properties, which would fetch huge revenue to the State!
Simplified Shoulder Solutions Written on July 20, 2017 at 6:42 am, by Eric Cressey I've devoted a lot of my articles to shoulder assessment, training, and programming over the years. Some have been lengthy articles (like my lat strain feature), others have been quick hit posts (like this bear crawl vs. crab walk one), and some have been video technique tutorials and common mistakes, like this: When you've been at something a long time, the natural tendency is to chase increasing complexity. The more complexity you chase, the more novelty you encounter - and that novelty is what keeps folks engaged when they "specialize" in the same joint over an entire career. One thing I've done well in this regard is to chase complexity in my own education, but kept our application of these principles simple in the way we evaluate and coach athletes. Because, at the end of the day, this is what it comes down to: Shoulder health is about keeping the ball on the socket. Period. Click To Tweet Keep in mind that we're speaking specifically to the glenohumeral (ball and socket) joint, when in reality the entire shoulder girdle is comprised of many different articulations). As I mentioned, though, the point of this blog is to simplify this discussion. There are a lot of factors that impact how well one is able to do that. It could be cuff strength, scapular control, ligamentous laxity, previous injury, bony changes, faulty thoracic positioning, tissue density, core control, and a host of other issues. These things all - in one way or another - impact how the ball and socket interact. As strength and conditioning and rehabilitation specialists, you still need to understand the most common injuries incurred at the shoulder. You must appreciate population specific norms. And, you need to understand the assessments that determine whether static posture and movement quality are where they need to be. However, you should never get away from always bringing these concepts back to the fact that they all have to do with ball-and-socket interaction. As Einstein once said, "If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough." That's both the goal of this particular blog, and also in my resource, Sturdy Shoulder Solutions. You can learn more at www.SturdyShoulders.com. Sign-up Today for our FREE Newsletter and receive a four-part video series on how to deadlift! Name Email
Members of the committee often skitter away from journalists who wait outside their meetings, held up to seven hours a day. “The American people deserve to know what is happening in this committee,” said Senator Kelly Ayotte , Republican of New Hampshire , noting that the panel’s recommendations would go directly to the floor of the House and the Senate. “These negotiations should be fully open. “We don’t get a better result for the people of this country when things are done behind closed doors.” Senator Patty Murray , Democrat of Washington and co-chairwoman of the committee, said the panel would vote publicly on its final recommendations, but needed to deliberate behind closed doors so members could be “open and honest with each other.” “I remember well one time when I was very little and I was fighting with my brother every other minute, and my mother put us in a back room and said, ‘Don’t come out until you got it figured out,’ ” Mrs. Murray said. “We stared at each other for a while, but we came out friends.” Panel members resent invasions of their privacy. “We like to eat breakfast without having cameras in our face,” Representative Jeb Hensarling, Republican of Texas and co-chairman of the panel, told reporters last month. The panel, officially known as the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction , has been dubbed the super committee by many because it has extraordinary authority to recommend changes in any spending or tax laws, and its recommendations cannot be amended before the House and the Senate vote on them this year. Advertisement Continue reading the main story Senator Dean Heller, Republican of Nevada , said it should be called the “super-secret committee.” “We are opposed to inside baseball,” he said. “That’s what we are seeing in this super committee.” Newsletter Sign Up Continue reading the main story Please verify you're not a robot by clicking the box. Invalid email address. Please re-enter. You must select a newsletter to subscribe to. Sign Up You will receive emails containing news content , updates and promotions from The New York Times. You may opt-out at any time. You agree to receive occasional updates and special offers for The New York Times's products and services. Thank you for subscribing. An error has occurred. Please try again later. View all New York Times newsletters. Senator Mike Lee, Republican of Utah , said: “I understand the argument that the secrecy will facilitate robust discussion. But the American people have come to expect openness and transparency in the legislative process. I am not aware of any situation where a legislative committee responsible for matters of such profound sweeping importance operates in secret.” Some panel members have met with lobbyists for groups trying to protect the benefits, contracts and tax breaks they receive from the government. Advocacy groups like the Sunlight Foundation and the Brennan Center for Justice have urged the panel to disclose such meetings, saying voters have a right to know who is lobbying for special treatment. And they want panel members to disclose campaign contributions within 48 hours of receipt. “The secretive activities of this committee fly in the face of all the promises of transparency by Republicans and Democrats over the last few years,” said Brian H. Darling, a fellow at the conservative Heritage Foundation . Republicans excoriated Democrats for writing much of the 2010 health care law and the 2009 economic stimulus law in private. Among the Democrats demanding more openness are Representatives Jan Schakowsky and Mike Quigley of Illinois and Dave Loebsack of Iowa . “I’m concerned that we are going to be handed a set of recommendations and asked to cast an up-or-down vote with no chance for amendments,” Ms. Schakowsky said. “The American public, and those of us who represent them, deserve to have these questions debated openly.” Mr. Quigley said the panel needed to be more open to ensure that its recommendations would be accepted by Congress and the public. Advertisement Continue reading the main story Pressure is growing. Some Congressional leaders have raised expectations for the panel, saying it should recommend 10-year savings of $4 trillion. The momentous nature of the committee’s work increases concern about its secrecy. “I am dying to know what they are doing,” said Max Richtman, president of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare , which represents beneficiaries of the programs. “Members of the super committee should have the courage to face the people who will be affected by their decisions.” Some lobbyists for military contractors expressed similar frustration. “The super committee and its staff are being very guarded, holding their meetings and deliberations behind closed doors,” said Cord A. Sterling, vice president of the Aerospace Industries Association, a trade group. He said he had met with one panel member, Representative James E. Clyburn, Democrat of South Carolina . The industry has employees in every Congressional district and is encouraging them to lobby lawmakers who will eventually vote on the panel’s recommendations. “Decisions of the super committee will affect what weapons systems we build, what research is conducted, what factories are kept open, what people we employ and how many people we have to lay off,” said Michael H. Herson, president of American Defense International, a lobbying firm.
Advertisement FBI: NC teen was arming himself for US terror attacks on behalf of ISIL Justin Nojan Sullivan faces multiple terror-related charges Share Shares Copy Link Copy A Morganton teenager is facing multiple terror-related charges in connection with attacks planned in the United States on behalf of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, according to federal prosecutors.Justin Nojan Sullivan, 19, was arrested Friday at his home, according to a release from the North Carolina U.S. Attorney’s Office. Morgantown is approximately an hour and a half north of Spartanburg, and about an hour and 20 minutes northwest of Charlotte.“Justin Sullivan intended to commit violent acts against innocent people in the U.S. to support the terrorist organization, ISIL,” said Special Agent in Charge John A. Strong of the FBI’s Charlotte, North Carolina, Division.To read, in his own words, what Sullivan planned to do, click here.The criminal complaint was filed Monday in federal court. Sullivan is charged with attempting to provide material support to ISIL, transporting and receiving a silencer in interstate commerce with intent to commit a felony and receipt and possession of an unregistered silencer that was unidentified by a serial number.“The defendant was planning assassinations and violent attacks in the United States and is charged with attempting to provide material support to ISIL and federal firearms violations,” Assistant Attorney General Carlin said.The criminal complaint says the FBI became aware of Sullivan’s plans to buy a semi-automatic AR-15 rifle Saturday at the Hickory Gun Show in Hickory, which he planned to use to kill a large number of U.S. citizens on behalf of ISIL.According to the criminal complaint, an FBI undercover employee made contact with Sullivan beginning on or about June 6. Sullivan described himself as “a mujahid” and as a Muslim convert living in the eastern United States.Sullivan told the undercover agent that “the war is here,” and gave the FBI agent the opportunity to join what he called the Islamic State of North America, whose “doctrine is guerrilla warfare in and out,” according to the complaint.The criminal complaint alleges that over the next few days and during various conversations, Sullivan discussed with the agent, among other things, his various terrorist attack concepts and instructed the agent on how to obtain weapons, specifically “an AR-15 .223 with split ammo” at a gun show.According to the complaint, on or about June 9, Sullivan discussed with the FBI agent the possibility of making homemade silencers and asked the agent whether he would be able to make one.When the agent said that he thought he could make a silencer, Sullivan told the agent “I’ll need to have one built by next week.”The complaint alleges that Sullivan also told the agent that he needed the silencer mailed to him “before the end of next week,” because he planned to use it this month in “minor assassinations before the big attack for training.”Sullivan told the agent that he planned to send a video to ISIL, the complaint says.The FBI arrested Sullivan with the support of the Hickory, North Carolina, Police Department, the Burke County, North Carolina, Sheriff’s Office and the North Carolina State Highway Patrol.A release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office said that when Sullivan was arrested, the silencer that he received earlier in the day was found in his home.Sullivan made his initial appearance in federal court Monday in Charlotte. He is in federal custody.If convicted of all charges, Sullivan faces up to 50 years in prison and up to $510,000 in fines.
SimCity 4 is a city-building simulation computer game developed by Maxis, a subsidiary of Electronic Arts. It was released on January 14, 2003. It is the fourth major installment in the SimCity series. SimCity 4 has a single expansion pack called Rush Hour which adds features to the game. SimCity 4: Deluxe Edition contained the original game and Rush Hour combined as a single product. The game allows players to create a region of land by terraforming, and then to design and build a settlement which can grow into a city. Players can zone different areas of land as commercial, industrial, or residential development, as well as build and maintain public services, transport and utilities. For the success of a city, players must manage its finances, environment, and quality of life for its residents. SimCity 4 introduces night and day cycles and other special effects for the first time in the SimCity series. External tools such as the Building Architect Tool (BAT) allow custom third-party buildings and content to be added to the gameplay. SimCity 4 was praised for being the second game in the SimCity series to primarily use a 3D engine to render its graphics, the first being SimCity 64 for the discontinued Nintendo 64DD. It received widespread acclaim, won several awards, and was one of the top ten selling PC games of 2003.[3] However, it was criticized for its difficulty and its demands on computer performance. Gameplay [ edit ] Regional gameplay [ edit ] A collection of neighbouring cities, as seen in the game's regional view. As with previous SimCity titles, SimCity 4 places players in the role of a mayor, tasked with populating and developing tracts of lands into cities, while fulfilling the needs of fellow Sims that live in the cities. Cities are now located in regions that are divided into segments, each of which can be developed. The player has the option of starting the city in a segment of any of three area sizes. In real measurements, the smallest has a length of one kilometer on a side, and the largest has a length of four kilometers on a side.[dead link][4] The size of a region and its layout of segments can be changed in a bitmap file provided for each region. Neighbor cities play a larger role than in the previous versions of the game. For example, neighbor deals can be established, where a city can exchange resources such as water, electricity and garbage disposal with other cities for money. Players may develop several inter-dependent cities at the same time, eventually populating the entire region. Game modes [ edit ] Upon selecting a specific segment in a region, gameplay is divided into three "modes": god mode, mayor mode, and MySim mode. Mayor and MySim modes become available after establishing a city. The god mode is available before establishing a city, as well as after, but with fewer functions. The unavailable functions can be re-activated by obliterating the city. God mode [ edit ] The first mode is god mode, which allows players to design or terraform a selected tract of land where the city will be built. God mode also allows players to trigger disasters, including tornadoes and earthquakes among several others. Players can select an area where a disaster will occur and even control the direction of certain disasters. Most terraforming tools are disabled after the city is named and founded. The player still has some terraforming tools made available in mayor mode, although they become very limited and expensive, and they can still trigger disasters at will. In addition to these abilities, god mode also gives the player tools to reconcile the borders of the cities, so as to fix any discrepancies created during the terraforming process, and a day/night cycle adjustment, so that one can make it always day, always night, or alternate between day or night in accordance with the in-universe game clock. Both the ability to reconcile the city edges and the ability to modify the day/night cycle are available even once the city has been established. Mayor mode [ edit ] A densely populated city including third-party modifications, The second of the modes is the mayor mode, where the actual city building is conducted. Several advisors may give advice to the player on how to best manage a city. Players can build transportation networks, which include roads, streets, avenues, highways, railways, subway lines, and bus stations. Players can also terraform and plant trees in this mode, but in a much smaller scale than in god mode. Terraforming in this mode costs money. Zones are conducted building plots that are empty at first but then controlled buildings pop up in these spaces depending on the density of the zone type. Areas of land in this mode can be zoned as residential, commercial or industrial areas in various densities where the city will begin to grow. Agriculture is now a separate industrial zone-type, unlike previous versions of SimCity, enabling farms to grow regardless of high land value, so long as demand exists for agriculture and agricultural zones have been provided. Zones are now automatically aligned towards roads and most buildings must be adjacent to a road in order to function properly; streets are automatically created when zoning on large tracts of land.[5] Buildings are now classified into several wealth levels, zone types, and building size stages, which are affected by the region's population and the city's condition. The game simulates urban decay and gentrification with buildings deteriorating and refurbished accordingly. Buildings originally constructed for occupation by higher wealth tenants can now support lower wealth tenants in the event surrounding factors forces the current tenants to vacate the building; this allows certain buildings to remain in use despite lacking its initial occupants.[6] Buildings and lots can now be constructed on slopes. Other activities that players can do in mayor mode include building civic buildings that need constant funding to work properly, such as schools, hospitals, parks, police stations, jails, and fire stations. These buildings now come in two or more sizes compared to the single, universal types that were used in previous games. Settlements also need public utilities such as electricity with more or less polluting and more or less expensive types of power stations, water pumps, water purification plants, and waste management services. Facilities that had previously provided citywide coverage, such as educational facilities and medical facilities, have now been modified to provide a more limited coverage, as it has been with police stations and fire stations in previous SimCity titles.[7] Funding can now be adjusted for individual buildings rather than having to change the funding to all buildings, allowing users to specify how much money should be spent to supply a service in accordance to the local population. Maintenance expenses for public utility facilities will increase as they age. The maximum output of facilities also decreases as they get older. The rate at which facilities age is dependent on the percentage of its capacity being used and the level of funding being given to it.[8] MySim mode [ edit ] The final mode is the MySim mode which enables players to create user-defined Sims, which will live and work in the city the player has created. When moving a Sim into a city, the player can choose from a selection of characters or import others from The Sims. Sims can be killed by certain disasters or catastrophic events, leave the city if conditions are unfavorable, or die of old age. After they die, their "child" sometimes takes over for them by taking their name, house, and job. Building designs [ edit ] Buildings in SimCity 4 borrow heavily from early 20th century architectural styles, particularly Art Deco and Romanesque Revival, while houses can appear in a traditional American Craftsman style. However, there is an additional, more modern, architectural style similar to Houston's architectural style, and a European style that is based on the skyline of Frankfurt, Germany. The construction of new buildings on zoned areas is now animated. There are a number of buildings based on those found in San Francisco, including the Shell Building (appearing as "Wren Insurance"),[9] 450 Sutter Street (appearing as "Vu Financial"),[10] and the Pacific Telephone & Telegraph Building also known as 140 New Montgomery Street (as "The Galvin Corp").[11] The May Company store in Los Angeles, now LACMA West, also appears as "Dennis Department Store." The game also includes famous landmarks from various cities, such as the Empire State Building from New York City. Development [ edit ] Graphics [ edit ] Unlike its predecessors, which used an engine based on 2D isometric graphics and sprites, SimCity 4 primarily uses a 3D engine to render its graphics. The landscape and moving props such as vehicles are modeled as fully polygonal and rotatable 3D objects. Small buildings and props are drawn as flat images, which are pasted onto billboards; polygons with their surface normal facing into the camera. Larger buildings are modeled using a hybrid approach; a simple polygonal model defines the shape of the building, then textures are added to create detail such as doors, windows and rooftop clutter. Although a 3D engine is used, the camera in SimCity 4 is restricted to a fixed trimetric orthographic projection for performance reasons.[12] Additionally, a simulated city can now be seen at nighttime as well as during daytime. The time of the day does not affect the gameplay. Audio [ edit ] The game includes over three hours of background music in MP3 format, ranging from three to eight minutes in length.[citation needed] The music is divided between that used in region mode and god mode, and that used in the city view in mayor mode and MySim mode. In addition, the game has a facility for players to use their own music in the game, also divided between the two views. The music, largely composed by Jerry Martin, was also released separately as a soundtrack. Add-ons and modifications [ edit ] Maxis releases [ edit ] Following SimCity 4's release, several add-ons and development kits were made available on its official site. New landmarks, including Rockefeller Center, the Brandenburg Gate, and Stonehenge were made available online.[13] Later, landmarks were primarily used to demonstrate the capability of Gmax and the Building Architect Tool (BAT) around the time of the BAT's release.[14] The Terrain Generator tool allowed users to create maps based on any of the 48 contiguous United States. The maps are based on data collected by the United States Geological Survey.[15] The Building Architect Tool (BAT) is a suite of tools developed for producing custom buildings. The suite consists of three applications: The Building Architect game pack for Gmax, which enabled users to render Gmax models into SimCity 4 sprites or props to be imported into the LE; an updated version of the LE; and the standalone Plug-in Manager, which enables users to modify simulation properties for new lots. Several modified versions have been released that have, in effect, served as bug fixes for various problems that had not been discovered before the initial release. First released on February 2004, it enabled the modding community to produce custom buildings and props for SC4. SimCity 4's Building Architect Tool is similar in function to SimCity 3000's Building Architect Tool and SimCity 2000's Urban Renewal Kit; however, previous programs of this kind were created from scratch by Maxis and used completely different interfaces. The SC4 BAT required a third-party application (Gmax) to function and was never bundled with SC4's or the Rush Hour expansion pack, as SimCity 3000 Unlimited had with its own BAT. The Lot Editor (LE) is a tool which allows users to edit or design lots for SimCity 4 using available props. Because it was released several months before the BAT as a stand-alone version, users at the time were only capable of producing lots that consisted of built-in props from SC4. The BAT provided users with an updated version of the LE, which rendered the original LE utility obsolete. However, the old version is still made available in the official site.[16] Third-party content [ edit ] In addition to official tools, third-party programs were released for further accessibility in editing SimCity 4 contents, potentially allowing users to change the nature of the game itself. Following the release of the Lot Editor, the Network Addon Mod (NAM) and the "BAT" (Building Architect Tool), the majority of add-ons in circulation consist of user-created content; most are buildings and lots, including real life landmarks, chain stores, extra houses, etc., while others include cosmetic changes for terrain, flora, custom vehicles and modifications in the game's behavior. Some even fundamentally change the mechanics of the game. In some cases, both the skills of lot building and modding are combined, producing lots that are capable of affecting a city in a variety of ways. Some third-party content is only available to those with expansion packs or another mod.[17] Reception [ edit ] Sales [ edit ] In the United Kingdom, SimCity 4 sold over 100,000 units during the first half of 2003. This made it the United Kingdom's third-best-selling computer game for the period, or eighth across all platforms. At the time, Kristan Reed of GamesIndustry.biz wrote that its performance proved "you can still have big hits on PC".[18] By the end of the year, British sales of the game had reached 105,000 units, which made it 79th-biggest seller across all platforms that year.[19] The game later received a "Gold" sales award from the Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association (ELSPA),[20] indicating sales of at least 200,000 copies in the United Kingdom.[21] Its Deluxe edition earned a "Silver" award from ELSPA,[22] for at least 100,000 sales.[21] Reviews and awards [ edit ] Shortly after its release, the PC version of SimCity 4 garnered mainly positive reviews, gaining 84/100 from Metacritic,[29] and an 85.09% overall score from GameRankings.[28] The game got a 9.2/10 rating at IGN, calling it a "major evolutionary step in the series".[26] The review commented that the addition of the region view mode adds more depth to SimCity 4 and that the gameplay has a "more accurate representation of city planning and maintenance" than of previous titles in the SimCity series. The game scored an 8.1/10 rating at GameSpot, stating that the game had a "sleek, attractive interface" and "great audio"; it added however that SimCity 4 was "rather rushed" and that the MySim mode "seems like an afterthought." The review concluded that it was a "complex and detailed strategy game," "though not as polished as it could have been."[24] GameSpy gave the game a score of 75/100, commenting that SimCity 4 is "graphically stunning"; the review also criticized the game for having issues "that will likely kill the game for casual players" including performance and difficulty.[25] 1UP.com rated the game at B+ and praised the region view feature as well as the detail of the graphics which create a "deeper sense of simulation." The review however criticizes SimCity 4 for suffering crashes and performance issues.[23] SimCity 4 received further reviews after the release of the Macintosh version. The game received a rating of 7.25/10 from InsideMacGames. The review commented that the regional gameplay was a "new and welcome addition" and that it had detailed and realistic graphics; it was also said however that the game was not "revolutionary," had "horrendous bugs," and that the tutorial and manual lacked information.[27] Awards [ edit ] SimCity 4 was chosen as one of IGN's "Editors' Choice" games for January 2003.[30] It was also given the Parents' Choice Award by the Parents' Choice Foundation.[31] Additional content and releases [ edit ] SimCity 4: Rush Hour [ edit ] On September 22, 2003, Maxis released an expansion pack for SimCity 4 dubbed Rush Hour. The expansion pack enhances the range of transportation facilities available to the player, such as being able to build four lane avenues and elevated rail networks, as well as allowing them to trace traffic flow, while also allowing them to construct larger civic facilities; some such facilities have greater capacities, but all have increased maintenance costs. Additional features with the expansion also included the ability to control vehicles, take on missions that can unlock reward buildings much faster, affect their rating with the city and sometimes acquire a cash bonus, and introduced the ability to change between four architectural styles - three of these focus on architectural styles of American cities of differing eras, while the fourth introduces a new range of contemporary European-inspired architecture. On the same day that the expansion pack Rush Hour was released, a bundle pack combining both the main game and the expansion pack was released, entitled SimCity 4: Deluxe Edition. On August 25, 2004, Aspyr Media released SimCity 4: Deluxe Edition for Mac OS X. A year later, the expansion was released for Mac OS X on September 4, 2004. Digital distribution release [ edit ] On July 20, 2010, Electronic Arts released the Deluxe Edition (SimCity 4 and its Rush Hour expansion) for digital download on Steam, a digital distribution service by Valve Corporation.[32] The game is also available on GOG.com, Direct2Drive and Impulse as well as EA's own Origin service. On April 10, 2014, Aspyr released an updated version of their port of the Deluxe Edition on the Mac App Store.[33] The updated version includes bug fixes and performance enhancements, native resolution support, and support for the latest versions of Mac OS X. SimCity kind of worked itself into a corner, [because] we were still appealing to this core SimCity group. It had gotten a little complicated for people who had never played SimCity. We want to take it back to its roots where somebody who had never heard of SimCity can pick it up and enjoy playing it without thinking it was really, really hard. Will Wright[34] Will Wright stated in an interview on May 16, 2003, that there would probably be more expansion packs after Rush Hour,[35] but none were ever released. In another interview on May 22, 2004, Wright stated that Maxis was attempting to work out a "new direction" for SimCity after new versions had become "steadily more complex".[34] Two SimCity games for PC have followed SimCity 4. The first was SimCity Societies, which was developed by Tilted Mill Entertainment and released on November 13, 2007.[36] The second was SimCity, which was announced on March 2012 and was released in March 2013.[37] In popular culture [ edit ] During the Republican presidential primaries of 2012, candidate Herman Cain's 9-9-9 taxation proposal was widely attributed to a similar tax structure presented in SimCity 4; the CNBC cable networks relayed the story of the linkage of the SimCity ideal parameters as a possible origin of the taxation proposal (the story itself may have originated in the technical press), but Herman Cain denied any link to the game.[38]
TE ATATU, New Zealand — New Zealand is as beautiful as it is isolated. We live a long way from anyone and anything, and we like it that way. We have almost four and a half million people and more than five million dairy cows. We have snow-capped mountains and deep dark woods where hobbits roam, as directed by Peter Jackson in his interminable “Lord of the Rings” movies. We sing (Lorde) and act (Russell Crowe) and throw stuff (rugby balls). The rest of the world rarely notices our country, but this month everyone — well, some people — seems to be taking note. Our green and pleasant archipelago is heading to the polls for a national referendum on whether or not to do away with our current flag and replace it with something that kind of looks like a beach towel. The redesigned flag — a white fern leaf laid over a black-and-blue background — looks happy and foolish, not unlike our prime minister, John Key. The head of New Zealand’s government likewise has a floppy, casual charm. This is the guy whose biggest scandal came after a waitress told the world about his strange, compulsive habit of pulling her by the ponytail every time he visited her cafe. Unlike the flag, the prime minister resonates with voters: He’s won the last three elections. Mr. Key has driven the flag-change proposal. It’s his passion, his grand project. But many people here loathe the prospect — he’s been in office almost eight years, and all we got was this lousy flag? — and wish the whole thing would just go away. It will soon. The referendum, which began March 3, ends March 24.
Stagefright is quickly becoming the bug that wouldn't die. First discovered in July, the vulnerability allowed attackers to target Android phones over text or MMS, exploiting a weakness in Android's multimedia preview function. Google, manufacturers and carriers scrambled to patch the bug, only to have another bug pop up two weeks later, requiring another round of patches. Now, three months after the initial disclosure, it's all happening again. Zimperium security a new way to exploit Stagefright that isn't covered by existing patches, first reported by Motherboard. The new vulnerability works by encoding a malicious program into an audio file, delivered over mp3 or mp4. Once a user previews the file or visits a page where that file is embedded, Android's audio preview will activate the program, infecting the device. Even more troubling, the virus can also be deployed by an attacker on a public Wi-Fi network, potentially enabling a self-replicating or wormed version of Stagefright. Because some version of the preview function exists in most versions of Android, nearly every Android device is susceptible to the bug, although specific implementations vary from version to version. That's particularly disconcerting since some of Android's mitigation strategies have proved to be not as effective against Stagefright as initially thought. Zimperium hasn't released a workable exploit for the new bug yet, so Google and its partners will have a head start in patching the bug, but it leaves Android users counting on carriers and manufacturers for yet another critical patch. Google is currently working to fix the issue in the core Android code, and says a patch will be included in the October Monthly Security Update, provided to partners on September 10th and rolling out to Nexus phones on October 5th. Android Security has had no reports of active exploitation of the bug so far. 11:11AM ET: Updated with more information from the Android security team.
Government cameras removed in protest to make locals aware PRINCETON, Ore. (INTELLIHUB) — The occupiers of the Malheur Wildlife Refuge removed government operated surveillance cameras from a power pole Saturday. LaVoy Finicum and others disassembled and took down a surveillance array as members of the press looked on. “Woooo! Let freedom ring,” one voice shouted as an armed man climbed an extension ladder propped against a power pole to remove the unit which was hooked to the power grid. While holding the uninstalled camera in his hand, Finicum told the press: “They come and said they puttin’ up cameras up there and so he said, ya know, I’m tired of the surveillance state and we’ll take them down and they can take them back to Washington D.C. and go use them somewhere to protect their nation and their borders like they should and not be spying up upon the citizens in the state and this county.” Another protester was filmed holding the uninstalled camera while passionately saying: “When you take this Mac address you are going to find that it’s Department of Homeland Security or the FBI–or some entity as such–in your community mounting surveillance cameras without your knowledge. How do you feel about that folks” “Wow those are nice cameras,” the man continued to say, as another was tossed from the pole. While the men are trying to inform the local community that the federal government is spying on them, removing the ‘federally owned’ equipment bay prove to be another mistake. Meanwhile, back at the local makeshift FBI command base, located at the Burns Airport, agent had another issue to contend with as a group of peaceful protesters gathered out front. It’s also important to note that despite the fact that the local Sheriff’s Department was requested to attend the protest to maintain safety, the department failed to respond, leaving the citizens to deal with the FBI face to face. During the confrontation the FBI considered the protesters First Amendment rights to be a ‘threat’. About the Author: Shepard Ambellas is an activist, journalist, filmmaker, film producer, radio talk show host and the founder and editor-in-chief of Intellihub. Established in 2013, Intellihub.com is ranked in the upper 1% traffic tier on the World Wide Web. Read more from Shep’s World.
Frank J. Zamboni 1901-1988 If necessity is the mother of invention, Frank J. Zamboni might be considered its father. This tireless inventor/entrepreneur never came across an obstacle he couldn’t tinker his way around. Frank J. Zamboni was born on January 16, 1901 in Eureka, Utah. Frank’s parents moved their family (with one year old Frank in tow) from Eureka to a farm in Idaho, where Frank developed his mechanical skills. For more information about the Zamboni family history, see “The Man Behind the Machine”. In 1920, Frank moved to Southern California with his brother Lawrence to join their older brother George in his auto repair business. After a short time tinkering on cars, the two younger Zambonis decided to open an electrical service business catering to the local dairy industry. The brothers installed many refrigerator units dairies used to keep their milk cool. When the demand for cooling expanded into the produce industry, the brothers expanded their business vision, as well: they built a plant that made the block ice wholesalers used to pack their product that was transported by rail across the country. But as refrigeration technology improved, demand for block ice began to shrink, and Frank and Lawrence started looking for other ways to capitalize on their expertise with ice. That opportunity came in the sport of ice skating. Popularity of the sport was growing, but there were few rinks in Southern California, so in 1939 Frank, Lawrence, and a cousin built Iceland Skating Rink in Paramount. The rink still operates today just blocks from the Zamboni factory. In fact, it’s not unusual to see Zamboni ice resurfacers driving down the neighborhood streets on their way to be tested at Iceland.
Despite Sen. Marco Rubio’s recent statements, government spending to fight poverty can be effective. Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images “Think of the children.” It’s a cliché, but at times it also serves as a powerful argument in debates over public policy. Welfare payments to the poor and jobless, for example, have often been unpopular in the United States because they are seen as subsidizing indolence or criminality. And even those most inclined to take a dim view of how poor adults ended up poor have to concede that poverty has blameless victims: children who had no role in deciding to have low-income parents. This is why protecting soldiers and mothers rather than childless civilians has long been the core focus of American social policy. And yet, while it’s easy to see that poverty is bad for children, it’s harder to know the extent to which anti-poverty programs succeed in ameliorating those ill effects. That’s in part because social programs are rarely designed to produce proper experiments. But it’s also because a human life takes decades to run its course. To really get a sense of long-term impacts, you need to wait a long time. That’s what makes new research into Mothers’ Pensions, one of America’s earliest welfare programs, so fascinating. These state-level programs for widows became popular in the early decades of the 20th century, before the financial strain of the Great Depression rendered them nonviable; later, the New Deal stepped in with the federal program Aid to Families With Dependent Children (AFDC; later replaced by Temporary Assistance for Needy Families or TANF). Anna Aizer, Shari Eli, Joseph Ferrie, Adriana Lleras-Muney, and a team of research assistants took a detailed look at kids who grew up in Mothers’ Pension households and drew some conclusions about the long-term benefits of modest cash transfers. The program is old enough that almost all the kids whose moms received money are dead now, allowing the researchers to conclude definitively that it increased life expectancy. What’s more, World War II draft records show that poor kids whose moms received pensions were substantially healthier, had more years of schooling, and earned higher incomes than similar kids whose moms didn’t get pensions. One key to the research is that Mothers’ Pension programs did not have the kind of bright-line eligibility criteria that we usually see in a more modest social assistance undertaking. States had different policies as to whether families disrupted by divorce or abandonment—rather than death or incarceration—were eligible. But beyond a broad directive that the money be directed to needy families, there was no sharp income cutoff. Since the eligibility criteria were vague and inconsistently implemented, the pool of families that applied for and got pensions turns out to be quite demographically similar to the pool of families that were rejected. As a result, Mothers’ Pension programs ended up with overlapping pools of accepted and rejected applicants. On average, the rejects were better off financially than people who were accepted—but only very slightly so. The economic similarities between the two groups allow for meaningful comparisons to be made between long-term outcomes for the sons of accepted mothers and those of rejected mothers. (Daughters are harder to track because of post-marital name-changing.) Using 1940 census records, draft records, and county-level death records, the researchers determined that the sons of the accepted had early adult incomes that were 20 percent higher than those of rejected mothers; these sons were also 35 percent less likely to be underweight as adults, lived a year longer, and had about a third of a year of additional schooling. Since the rejected sons’ families were, on average, somewhat better off, these figures should somewhat understate the real impact of the pensions. The benefits weren’t gigantic—but the sums of money involved were pretty modest as well. Benefit levels varied from state to state, but averaged out to about $260 a month (adjusted for inflation), or around half of a modern-day TANF check. It’s of course difficult to draw ironclad policy conclusions about the present from studies of the past. In particular, the large impact of early 20th century welfare on reducing the share of underweight young adults isn’t necessarily relevant to today’s nutrition issues. But the success of cash transfers in promoting long-term well-being for children is another suggestive piece of evidence that simply giving money to poor people may be the best way to fight poverty. Health outcomes in particular are impacted by many factors other than medicine or doctors’ visits, so giving people money to buy what they need—including, possibly, medicine—may often be a better way to improve health than specifically covering doctors’ bills. At the same time, this program’s results serve as a reminder that anti-poverty programs have in many ways been an underrecognized success. On Jan. 8, Sen. Marco Rubio marked the 50th anniversary of Lyndon Johnson’s war on poverty largely by proclaiming it a failure and deriding the notion “that government spending is the central answer to healing the wounds of poverty.” It is clear, however, that government spending programs have in fact substantially reduced the number of poor people over the decades. And one of America’s first welfare programs didn’t just temporarily cushion the blow of financial hardship; it led to sustained health and income gains for children. In the 1920s, a monthly check was no more a comprehensive solution to all the challenges associated with growing up poor and without a present father than it is today. But it turns out that the check helped quite a lot. Politicians who are talking about their commitment to the poor while cutting nutrition assistance programs should take note.
We were just in time to catch him before he headed off to frolic in Europe one more time before he left and had the opportunity to sit down, drink too much coffee and chat about the old, the now and the next. Mark Osborn, creator of the Windows Phone app Articles for Instapaper, is just in the process of uprooting from the UK and moving to the the US. We had been in touch with Mark for a while as he had shouted me on twitter to tell us about his Instapaper Client for Windows Phone. For those not familiar, Instapaper is a free web service that lets you save web pages and articles to read later. With Articles for Instapaper, you can tap into your Instapaper account from your Windows Phone to read your articles. Rob: Tell me about yourself, how you got into Windows Phone development. Mark: I have been a computer geek for as long as I can remember. I started on my first computer at age six and taught myself BBC Basic programming. My Mother was network manager for the school back in 1987 so she was able to get a RM Nimbus machine. Robert: Right, I used those in school, they weren’t quite a fully compatible IBM PC were they? Mark: They were labeled as 186 which is odd, as Intel only did 8086 and 80286, so beats me! So the machine had a very early version of BBC, I started to play about with it. I remember going to my local newsagent and at that time you could buy a magazine off the shelf, which had the entirety of the source code for a game or something in the back. The magazine I bought had the code to make a text based RPG, so I sat there and typed it all in, it took weeks and sods law, the thing didn’t work! I taught myself to code by fiddling and debugging that example code, I was totally hooked. My next computer was able to run Windows 3.1 and Visual Basic, I think it was version 3.0, it was the last of the 16-bit versions. I figured I could apply some of my BBC Basic skills to it, and was able to write simple Windows apps. Around 1995-96 we first got internet in our house. We got a modem for the computer and my Dad was saying, “This is going to cost a fortune!” because it was using the telephone line. So the first useful application I wrote was called Web Cost, which was an internet timer, it detected when you connected to the internet and started accruing how much you spent roughly. That was based on BT’s (British Telecom is like AT&T) call rates at the time. I iterated this software until it got the version four, which is when I was about sixteen. I put it up on various download sites and was amazed when I got an email through from Denis Publishing who put out Computer Shopper and various other PC orientated magazines. They wanted to put my little bit of software on the front of the magazine cover on one of those CDs at the time. From cover disc promotion, people then started to get in touch and ask for various features to be integrated into the program, I then turned that expanded feature set into a Web cost 5.0, which was shareware. At the time it cost £5.00 to unlock some features and remove the nag screens and went on to sell a couple of hundred copies. I was 16 years old and cashing in hundreds of pounds a month in cheques for my software! Rob: So that was the early years, bring us up to date Mark: I went to do Computer Science at University and then through the professional world doing .Net development for nearly 8 years. Going back to your original question on how I got into Windows Phone development. I was using the iPhone for the first four of its iterations but I got a little bored of it and the interface for iOS. I thought, I’d love to be able to use .Net that I use in my day job to write for this (his Lumia 800). I had never done Silverlight before but I had experience of coding with C#, so taught myself Silverlight. I thought I’d like to do an Instapaper client as I used it every day. There are competitors on the Marketplace but thought I could do my own interpretation of it. That is how I became involved. Rob: How have you found the development experience for Windows Phone? Mark: I think we have the best tools in the business, absolutely. I have played with iOS development and Xcode and it feels a bit out of date, 10 years out of date is what I would say. I can understand objective C as I did raw C when I was back in University but think that C# and Visual Studio are light years ahead in terms of the tools and the simplicity of the platform. In terms of dislikes, there are things that could be improved. I have already found myself writing behind the scenes frameworks that I intend to re-factor out so that when I do any future apps, I will be able to re-use them. Based upon that I think there could be richer stuff for devs out of the box, as maybe someone that does not have as much experience may struggle with some of the first hurdles. I do think that for people coming to a development platform we’ve still got the richest and easiest set of tools. Rob: Have you looked much at Windows 8? Mark: I have done a little bit of WinRT, I am working my way through Charles Petzold’s latest programming windows 6th edition book which focuses on WinRT. I feel I can adapt to it being a Silverlight and C# developer but I feel like at this stage the documentation is still not there. We are missing a few things and some things were broken between Windows 8 CP & RP. So I am holding back until final code appears. Rob: Let’s talk about Articles For Instapaper, what new things did you think you could bring to the table when you were developing an Instapaper client? Mark: I checked out Stacks for Instapaper, which is the app that’s been on the Marketplace for the longest and has good ratings. I played with it, whilst it worked pretty well I didn’t think it fully conformed to the Metro UI. That was one of my focuses, so I ensured that my app was properly aligned as you’d expect and basically ripped off as much as I could from the mail app that’s built into the phone because that’s is a perfect example of a reading app. The mail app is Fast, fluid, pivots and has minimal stuff on the application menu bar, which I mirrored as much as I could. Whilst my version v1 of the app won’t quite have all the features of Stacks For Instapaper, I wanted to get something out there. I needed to get the name Articles reserved, which you cannot do unless you submit an app. I wanted to get something out there that looked visually appealing and visually better and then later on drop in more features as I go on. Rob: Let’s talk about future updates to the app, what’s in store? Mark: The first two releases were designed to address a few bugs, mainly due to the app not being beta tested. Scott Hanselman who works on Microsoft's ASP.net team has helped with the testing as he’s a fan of Instapaper. Version 1.3 will be coming out in the near future and will include a more customisable reading view, choices of fonts and colours so you can invert the display. Down the line, I would like to add pagination, like that which currently exists in the iPad version. That has a more computer science like problem to solve before I can attempt that though, I would certainly like to do pagination, as I prefer it to scrolling. I’d also like to try putting in tilt to scroll, not because it’s something I’d every use but because it lets me play with the accelerometer stuff. Aside from Articles, I am working on another app now. It is an app called BringCast, my friend is the developer of that app so we’re joining forces on the next version. He actually works at Microsoft on the Windows team so he asked me if I would be interested in helping out with the next version which will be version 3, its going to be released fairly soon. After that, I hope to do something completely new on my own after that. Rob: What are your thoughts about Microsoft’s platforms now and their future product plans? Mark: I was excited about Windows Phone when it came out. Whilst I didn’t jump on the platform at the start, I was impressed Microsoft were doing something new and refreshing. At that time, Android and iOS just has a UI that consisted of having a simple grid of static icons. When the Windows Phone platform reached the 7.5 era specs, I vowed to myself that I would switch, as it was more comparable to iOS baseline specs of the time. The Nokia partnership for me sealed the deal. I had a HTC HD7 before I had the Lumia. Whilst I liked the HD7, I loved the Lumia. The Microsoft Surface is something I am super excited about, it looks like the first, true iPad competitor. I think it’s going to be a good competitive product and I think the touch cover is a great idea. What excited me about it was the coverage, the keynote event, I have never seen so much excitement about Microsoft in one week and two days later we had the Windows Phone 8 announcement. I was away and it was hard keeping up. They say it was the biggest week of Microsoft news, perhaps ever and that’s what excites me. I have always like Microsoft and whilst I have had a little foray into the Apple world, I think that Microsoft is fighting back now. Thanks for your time Mark, I wish you the best with moving to the US! If you would like to check out Marks App, Articles for Instapaper, it is available in the Marketplace here. There is a free trial available with the full version currently running $2.49.
Before you go, we thought you'd like these... X Ad will start in 5 Skip ad 00:00 100% Fullscreen Fullscreen is not supported on your browser Democrats Have a New 2020 Presidential Frontrunner and They Don't Have a Name Macaque Monkeys Could Talk, but They Don't Have the Brains 62 Percent of People Polled Said Clinton Shouldn't Run Again New Fathers Usually Gain Weight, But They Don't Have To! Carlos Slim: I Don't Have a Political Vocation Does Tobey Maguire Have A New Lady? The New ‘DuckTales’ Might Have the Best Cast Ever The New York Giants Have A Really Good Defense. Does Britney Spears Have a New Man? Senate Democrats' Have A Potential Showdown For #2 Job After Seeing a Trump Rally in October, VP Biden Said 'We May Lose' By Josh King for Veuer In a new USA Today/Suffolk University poll taken over a five-day period, voters have a new democratic favorite for the 2020 election. That person's identity, however, is still a mystery. The choice of "someone entirely new" on the poll received the majority of democrat and independent votes, with 66 percent saying they would be "excited" to see a new person in the race. When compared to the 23 percent who would be excited to see Hillary Clinton run again, the new candidate would have an overwhelming advantage from the start. Related: Possible Democratic 2020 candidates 11 PHOTOS Possible Democratic 2020 candidates See Gallery Possible Democratic 2020 candidates   Former Democratic U.S. presidential candidate Senator Bernie Sanders thrusts his fist in the air as he arrives to speak during the first session at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. July 25, 2016. REUTERS/Mike Segar FILE - In this Oct. 6, 2015 file photo, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass. speaks on Capitol Hill in Washington. Two people with knowledge of Warren's plans say the Massachusetts senator will formally endorse Hillary Clinton for president in the next week or two. They spoke on condition of anonymity Wednesday, June 8, 2016, because they were not authorized to publicly discuss the endorsement before Warren makes it. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File) Democratic vice presidential candidate Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., listens s Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton speaks during a campaign event at the Taylor Allderdice High School, Saturday, Oct. 22, 2016, in Pittsburgh, Pa. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer) U.S. Sen. Cory Booker, D-NJ, listens as fellow Senator Robert Menendez, D-NJ, describes the need for Booker's âRailroad Reform, Enhancement, and Efficiency Act,â at Newark Penn Station, Monday, June 22, 2015, in Newark, N.J. Booker introduced the bipartisan bill last week with Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., that would improve passenger rail safety, reauthorize Amtrak services, and improve existing rail infrastructure. (AP Photo/Mel Evans) Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-NY., speaks during the first day of the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia , Monday, July 25, 2016. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) Senator Al Franken (D-MN) is seen at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. July 27, 2016. REUTERS/Gary Cameron NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 08: Governor of New York Andrew Cuomo speaks at Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton's election night party at Javits Center on November 8, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Noam Galai/FilmMagic) California Attorney General Kamala Harris arrives to address delegates during the second session of the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, September 5, 2012. REUTERS/Jason Reed (UNITED STATES - Tags: POLITICS ELECTIONS) Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Julian Castro testifies before a House Financial Services Committee hearing on "Oversight of the Federal Housing Administration", on Capitol Hill in Washington February 11, 2015. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts (UNITED STATES - Tags: POLITICS REAL ESTATE BUSINESS) PHILADELPHIA, PA - JULY 28: U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) delivers remarks on the fourth day of the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center, July 28, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton received the number of votes needed to secure the party's nomination. An estimated 50,000 people are expected in Philadelphia, including hundreds of protesters and members of the media. The four-day Democratic National Convention kicked off July 25. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images) Up Next See Gallery Discover More Like This HIDE CAPTION of  SEE ALL  BACK TO SLIDE   SHARE    SHOW CAPTION Sign up for Breaking News by AOL to get the latest breaking news alerts and updates delivered straight to your inbox.  Subscribe to our other newsletters Emails may offer personalized content or ads. Learn more . You may unsubscribe any time. Vice President Joe Biden actually came in second as 43 percent said they would be excited to see him run, despite the fact that he would be 78 years old by the time he would be inaugurated in 2021. And former Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders and U.S. senator from Massachusetts Elizabeth Warren finishing behind the vice president. So despite all of the already well-known names, there is a real possibility that come 2020, the top democratic candidate will be someone we never thought of before.
No conference recruits football players like the SEC. It's commonplace for a fan of a school to celebrate a top-20 recruiting class on National Signing Day, and then soon after realize that his or her school was bested by more than half of the conference. Such is life in the SEC. Here, every school pulls in good talent. But not all pull in elite talents. One way to demonstrate this is with an all-conference recruiting team. The format is simple. Using the 247 Sports Composite of the four major recruiting rankings (Scout, Rivals, ESPN and 247), here are the top QB, two RBs, three WRs, TE, five OL, five DL, four LBs, and five DBs currently committed to SEC schools. We plan to update this team once a month or so through Signing Day in February. Note: Every effort was made to slot players at the positions they'll be playing in college. Analysis follows the table. Hello: LB Christian Miller (Alabama), DL Deondre Clark (LSU), DL Lamont Gaillard (Georgia), OL Roderick Taylor (Ole Miss), OL Isaiah Wynn (Georgia), WR Dominique Booth (Tennessee), WR Shaq Davidson (South Carolina) Goodbye: LB Bryson Allen-Williams (South Carolina), DL Dontavius Russell (Georgia), DL Denzel Ware (Kentucky), OL Joshua Casher (Auburn), OL Will Clap (LSU), WR Thaddeus Snodgradd (Kentucky), WR Jamoral Graham (Mississippi State) Player From Stars Committed to Quarterback Quite a few teams have quarterbacks rated four-stars or higher, and this race was very tight. Kyle Allen Scottsdale (Ariz) Desert Mountain 5 Texas A&M Allen is the most college-ready quarterback in the country, and will have a good shot to start as a freshman should Johnny Football leave early for the NFL. Backs The running backs haul for the conference is absolutely ridiculous. Two five-star talents were left off the list in Jalen Hurd and Bo Scarbrough. Sony Michel Ft. Lauderdale (Fla.) American Heritage 5 Georgia Michel is the consensus No. 2 back nationally. For more on Georgia football recruiting, visit Dawg Sports. Dalvin Cook Miami (Fla.) Central 5 Florida Cook is the consensus No. 4 back nationally. Wide Receiver The SEC has started a bit slow when it comes to receiver recruiting, and I would expect to see movement at this position. Shaq Davidson Gaffney (S.C.) 4 South Carolina Davidson is an explosive receiver recruit. Dominique Booth Indianapolis (In.) Pike 4 Tennessee Booth is a very solid receiver prospect who can make the tough catches. Derek Kief Cincinnati (Ohio) La Salle 4 Alabama Alabama landed Kief over Ohio State and Kentucky. The 6'5 receiver could be an immediate red-zone threat. For more on Alabama football recruiting, visit Roll Bama Roll. Tight End Jacory Washington Westlake (La.) 4 LSU Washington is a good athlete with a very good tight end frame (6'5, 220 pounds). For more on LSU football recruiting, visit And The Valley Shook. Offensive Line The five highest-rated offensive linemen, regardless of position (tackle, guard or center). Roderick Taylor Jackson (Miss.) Callaway 4 Ole Miss Taylor is arguably the top guard in the country. Andy Bauer St. Louis DeSmet 4 Ole Miss Bauer is a very solid tackle prospect at 6'6 and 300 pounds. For more on Ole Miss recruiting, visit Red Cup Rebellion. Garrett Brumfield Baton Rouge (La.) University Lab 4 LSU Brumfield is one of the best guards in the Southeast. Isaiah Wynn St. Pete (Fla.) Lakewood 4 Georgia Wynn is an incredibly athletic guard. Viane Talamaivao Corona (Calif.) Centennial 4 Alabama Talamaivao is one of the West Coast's best guards. Defensive Line These are the four highest-rated defensive linemen, be they ends or tackles. The SEC routinely recruits the best defensive linemen by an obscene margin. Lamont Gaillard Fayetteville (N.C.) Pine Forest 4 Georgia Russell is a massive and nimble interior defensive lineman at 6'3 and 310 pounds. Justin Thornton Mobile (Ala.) Vigor 4 Auburn Thornton is a great pass rusher at 6'5 and 222 pounds. He committed early to Auburn to focus on academics and ensure he qualifies. For more on Auburn football recruiting, visit College and Magnolia. Khairi Clark Hollywood (Fla.) Chaminade-Madona 4 Florida Clark has excellent athleticism for his size, though he needs to show up in Gainesville at around 300 pounds, not the 325 he was carrying at the Miami Nike Camp. Deondre Clark Oklahoma City Douglas 4 LSU Clark is a powerful end who plays with good leverage. Linebacker The competition here is very tight, and will grow even tighter if more five-stars commit to the SEC, as is likely. Hoza Scott La Porte (Tx.) 5 Texas A&M Scott is widely considered the top outside linebacker nationally. For more on Texas A&M football recruiting, visit Good Bull Hunting. Tre' Williams Mobile (Al.) St. Paul's 4 Auburn Williams is a thick 'backer who brings the big hits. Christian Miller Columbia (S.C.) Spring Valley 4 Alabama Miller is a dynamic athtele and edge rusher. Zach Whitley Houston (Tx.) North Shore 4 Alabama Whitley is extremely active. Defensive Back With teams playing more and more nickel and dime defense, it was appropriate to include five defensive backs. Edward Paris Arlington (Tx.) Mansfield Timberview 5 LSU Paris is an excellent safety recruit with great range. Nick Harvey Richmond (Tx.) Travis 4 Texas A&M The 5'9 Harvey makes up for his lack of height with excellent quicks. Todd Kelly Knoxville (Tenn.) Webb School 4 Tennessee Kelly is a very versatile safety. For more on Tennessee football recruiting, visit Rocky Top Talk. Dylan Sumner-Gardner Mesquite (Texas) West 4 Texas A&M Sumner-Gardner is excellent against the run. Malkom Parrish Quitman (Ga.) Brooks County 4 Georgia Parrish makes up for his 5'9 stature with quickness and agility. The 25-member team breaks down by school as follows: Team June July LSU 4 4 Georgia 3 4 Alabama 3 4 Texas A&M 3 4 Florida 3 2 Auburn 3 2 Tennessee 1 2 Ole Miss 1 2 South Carolina 1 1 Mississippi State 1 0 Kentucky 2 0 Vanderbilt 0 0 Arkansas 0 0 Missouri 0 0 It's interesting to see that Tennessee and Kentucky, which various recruiting websites designated with No. 1 recruiting class status in May and June, respectively, are behind the more traditional powers in terms of bringing in elite recruits. Kentucky doesn't even have a single player on the team! The SEC is, however, by far the most balanced league. Compare this list to that of the ACC, where three teams have 80-percent of the team members, or the Big Ten, where Ohio State and Michigan combine for 60-percent. Is this balance a good thing? How do you think this list will change? Will The top six schools on the list further separate from the bottom eight? Or will Vanderbilt, Arkansas, Kentucky or Missouri get on the board? Let me know in the comments section. I'll update the results next month, so be sure to check SB Nation's recruiting hub regularly. More from SB Nation: Follow @SBNationCFB Follow @SBNRecruiting
We recently reported that the developers behind the popular YouTube apps for Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8, PrimeTube, had a new one in the works titled InstaPic. The app was to be the very first, native Instagram client for Windows 8 devices, allowing you to see all of your images, activity, share images and more importantly, post directly through the app from your photo library or device camera. We’re happy to report that InstaPic is now live in the Store and ready to be downloaded to your Surface or Windows 8 machine. You can see in our video tour that a native app, as opposed to an inferior “web wrapper” app, provides a fast and fluid experience. Indeed the app is quite fun to use and for being a 1.0 release, it’s quite stable (we did occasionally have a loading issue here and there, but trivial). Now of course many of you should know that Instagram has been monkeying with their posting-API this week, causing havoc with third party apps. InstaPic is no different, although we were able to successfully log into our account without a problem. Instagram of course could change their API again (or rather, reinstate it), which will once again cause posting issues. Fear not as the developers behind InstaPic have a fix on the way, which should ameliorate any potential future problems.
Ottavia Bourdain is a serious student of Brazilian jiu-jitsu and a purple belt training with some of the top instructors in the world at Renzo Gracie Academy in New York City. Ottavia is also known as the wife of famous chef, author, and world traveler, Anthony Bourdain, and is responsible for getting him training in jiu-jitsu. Jiu-jitsu Times: Can you tell the Jiu-jitsu Times readers how you got started in jiu-jitsu? Who have been your main instructors and what have you learned from each of them? What got you addicted to Bjj? Ottavia Bourdain: I was studying Muay Thai and a couple of the instructors at the gym were also jiu-jitsu practitioners. They introduced me to the art, but they suggested that if I was serious about learning, I should enroll at Renzo Gracie Academy. When I started, I focused primarily on gi training with my main instructor, Igor Gracie. Under him, I earned both my blue and purple belt. I learned a lot about positional training and the basics of competition strategy. About a year and a half ago I transitioned to no-gi submission grappling under the tutelage of John Danaher. He opened my eyes on how deep the study of this art really can be. He taught me how to view BJJ not in terms of isolated techniques, but generalized principles. He taught me how to attack the whole body, introducing lower body submissions, of which I’ve become particularly fond. I mostly enjoy the problem solving aspect of jiu-jitsu: researching new movements and ideas and being able to test them immediately. What at first might have been an addiction is now a commitment, it’s hard work and sacrifice in the pursuit of excellence. Jiu-jitsu Times: Is your focus on learning jiu-jitsu with the kimono or training no-gi for MMA? Is it your plan to have an MMA fight in the future? What is a typical training week like for you? Being involved in food and travel is it tough to stay on your training diet? Ottavia Bourdain: I mostly focus on no-gi submission grappling, not because it might be more relevant to MMA (I have no plans whatsoever to have an MMA fight in the future) but because I think that if I want to truly be excellent at something, that’s where I have to focus all my resources. There’s plenty of depth in nogi grappling for a lifetime of study. Unfortunately I discovered jiu-jitsu in my 30’s. As much as I love training with the gi (and I occasionally still do), I don’t think at this point in my life there’s enough time to really be able to master both at the level I aspire to. Also, I get to wear cat spats! Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, I take two classes: one at 7:30am and one at 12pm. I also do a group private with John Danaher and the whole Danaher Death Squad at 11am. Every Tuesday and Thursday I take a class at 12pm, a group private at 1pm and strength and conditioning at 4:30pm. Saturday is strength and conditioning at 9am, a 2-hour group private at 12pm, and competition training in the afternoon. On Sunday, it’s a group private at 1pm and competition training right after. It’s a lot of hours on the mats, it’s exhausting and definitely not always fun, but as John Danaher always tells us, “You are not doing this to be happy; you are doing this to be great”. Eventually, the goal is to have my own academy and teach jiu-jitsu to others. My training diet is mostly meat and cheese with the occasional donut, so it’s definitely not hard to maintain! Jiu-jitsu Times: What are the obstacles that are unique to female bjj students? What obstacles must one overcome to get good at jiu-jitsu? What was the best training / jiu-jitsu advice that you have gotten? Do you have any advice for new female students to jiu-jitsu? Ottavia Bourdain: There are some real practical considerations being a woman in BJJ: in a sport that is still male-dominated, most of our training partners are men, so typically we are undersized and we lack the same strength and explosiveness of men. We have to be precise with our set-ups and technique and far more aware of using inside position and our power to weigh ratio advantage. I find that the heel hook, specially the inverted one, really is a great equalizer. I’ve had men peeling off my arms from a fully locked in RNC, or literally curling my body up in a fully extended juji gatame, but a precisely applied inverted heel hook is something everyone, no matter their size or strength, is going to respect. The best advice that John Danaher gave me is to continually have intentionality in jiu-jitsu; in the immediate term, intentionality of movement, every grip, every set up must have a clear purpose. In the longer term to always have focused goals for your skill. The advice I have for women new to jiu-jitsu is, take it seriously if you want to be taken seriously. Jiu-jitsu Times: What is the place of jiu-jitsu in your life? The ability to quickly problem solve in a stressful situation definitely helps in many aspects of my life. Ottavia Bourdain: Jiu-Jitsu is life my man (read in Portuguese accent)! Seriously, my life does revolve around jiu-jitsu, and my entire family practices it so we are always on the mats together. Jiu-jitsu Times: Your husband Tony Bourdain said before that he wasn’t interested in doing BJJ because “It didn’t help him with his job.” And now, he is a blue belt and medal winner at the New York Open! Tell us how you convinced him to put on the kimono and train? Ottavia Bourdain: I wanted to write a blog about my friends and family to try jiu-jitsu. I bribed him with Vicodin. The rest is history. Jiu-jitsu Times: Can Tony pass your guard? Tell the truth! 😉 Ottavia Bourdain: No way! But I used to let him play a lot and now I have to be careful because he’s becoming super sneaky! Welcome to the Mat: Jiu-Jitsu With Ottavia Bourdain Instagram: Twitter: @OttaviaBourdain
In 2013, the Super Smash Bros. Melee competitive community collectively raised a grand total of $94,683 for breast cancer research in a contest to be (re-)included as an official Evolution Championship Series (Evo) fighting game. After winning the contest, Melee found the birth of a new era at Evo 2013, shattering its own attendance records with 709 entrants to the singles tournament. Editor's Picks The evolution of the world's largest fighting game tournament Evo is the largest event that represents an era that many wistfully mourn: an era of brick and mortar, when the concern wasn't about how much you take home, but how many challengers you take out. The Evo Street Fighter V primer Who are the favorites and dark horses coming into Evo 2016? Will Infiltration keep his crown or will Tokido and Justin Wong look for an upset? Nairo looking to validate his status at Evo Nairo's path to greatness has been filled with ups and downs. Despite the inconsistencies, he's still one of the best Smash 4 players to date. He'll look to validate that fact at Evo 2016. 2 Related Now in its fourth consecutive year at Evo, Melee shows no signs of slowing down with an unprecedented 2,372 singles entrants, and the stage only continues to get bigger. On day three of the event, the top eight finalists will compete at the Mandalay Bay Events Center, where legends such as Manny Pacquiao and Amir Khan have fought before. The Contenders In the last two months, an aura of uncertainty has developed around the pantheon of top players. Adam "Armada" Lindgren and Juan "Hungrybox" Debiedma won the lion's share of events in the beginning of 2016. Then, William "Leffen" Hjelte surprised everyone to win Get On My Level 2016 in May and Joseph "Mango" Marquez took first at WTFox 2 in July after having lurked in the shadows of second place for months. At this point, who is the favorite? It's a tough question to answer. They're all coming in strong and have everything to gain. So what are they fighting for? 1. Validation Hungrybox has never had an extended reign throughout the course of his career as the greatest in Melee. He's had moments where he was debatably at the top, only for Armada or Mango to quickly take back the throne. A win at Evo 2016 would cement his place as best in the world, which is a title he's been craving for nearly a decade. 2. The Two-Time Tie Adam "Armada" Lindgren won Genesis 3 in January 2016. Robert Paul Armada would love to repeat his 2015 feat and earn his second Evo trophy. Having won two Evo trophies is one of the few accomplishments that Mango can boast over Armada. Winning the largest tournament of all time would safely give Armada the title of best in the world and possibly that of the most accomplished Melee player of all time. 3. The 3vo After Mango won his second Evo trophy, he immediately had his eyes on a third, which he called the "3vo." Last year, his run fell short in fifth place and he's been dying to come back to the Evo stage. A third trophy would establish him in very elite company, as very few in all of the fighting game community have ever accomplished such a task. Gunning for More Still, this short list doesn't include the momentum and stories that other players have cultivated in the past few months. Ever since he signed with Echo Fox this past May, Jason "Mew2King" Zimmerman has seen noticeable improvements in his mindsets and results. He swept Hungrybox 3-0 at WTFox 2, which may be the confidence boost he needs right now going into Evo. Players such as Justin "Plup" McGrath, Jeffrey "Axe" Williamson, and Weston "Westballz" Dennis have been knocking on the heaven's door of godhood for years. Can they work their magic and pull off some upsets? Additionally, some players recently resigned with new teams and others are still looking for one; good performances could mean the difference between earning a coveted contract with a new team and going home solo. The Evo tournament series has created classic moments, from Mango's "He read that roll!" bit on Hungrybox to Axe's dirty four-stock on Otto "Silent Wolf' Bisno. Plenty of new moments will be forged this year, but this time it will be on an even greater scale among a roaring, sold-out crowd in the Mandalay Bay Events Center.
I needn't belabor the news that Paula Deen, a celebrity chef on TV (that was news to me; nobody tells me anything...) "came out" with her Type 2 diabetes. Paula Deen's cooking has apparently long been a study in Southern-style indulgence, with an emphasis on the deep fryer and plenty of butter. From what I have gleaned, Ms. Deen has never met a nutrition fact she didn't like to ignore. But I'm not inclined to wag a finger at Ms. Deen. Nor do I want to wade into the debate about her advocacy for a particular diabetes drug to treat a condition she need not have developed in the first place. I want simply to talk about the opportunity to love food that loves us back, and the fundamental importance of making that the prevailing norm. First, food matters. We have incontrovertible evidence, reaffirmed many times over the past several decades, that the major determinants of premature mortality and chronic morbidity in modern society are tobacco use, dietary pattern and physical activity. Or, as I like to put it -- feet, forks and fingers. We have clear evidence that even moderate improvements of diet and activity can prevent Type 2 diabetes in nearly 60 percent of high-risk adults, and evidence that more fundamental improvements to lifestyle could prevent almost all of it -- and certainly more than 90 percent. We know that children now get Type 2 diabetes, while a generation ago it was called "adult onset" diabetes, because the condition in children was essentially unheard of. We know that diet can be and often is the difference between good health, and ill health. This is not controversial. The trouble is, we have propagated the view that we have to choose between food we love, and health we love. And since food provides immediate gratification, while good health is a long-term return on a long-term investment, the immediate gratification of food tends to prevail. We eat, drink and make merry -- and defer worrying about the cost. But the cost eventually comes due -- all too often in the form of a serious chronic disease that need not have occurred. As chronic diseases develop at ever younger age, while we live to ever older -- the percentage of our lives encumbered by that "cost" is rising. And, consequently, so is the cost itself. We pay dearly. In essence, then, we are mortgaging our health to pay for the pleasure of our palate. This may be hard to justify under any circumstances. But there would, at least, be a case to be made if the only way to enjoy food were to give up health. If the only food that tasted good were bad for us, we would have a tough decision to make. And some might say -- to hell with health! They might come to regret it, but we could all understand the choice. But there is no such choice to be made. There are variations on the theme of optimal eating available to us all. Among them is the Mediterranean diet, which is itself a dietary theme and parent to a number of variations. Important about them all is this: Many of us would go to Mediterranean countries and gladly spend our good money on the excellent food! Not because the food is good for us -- but because it's just plain good! But it is also good for us. It offers us the opportunity to love food that loves us back. To get pleasure in the pursuit of health, and health in the pursuit of pleasure. The Mediterranean diet offers this -- and so do many other cuisines around the globe. Whatever your palate, there is room for you where culinary pleasure and health converge. Given this possibility, why practice the brand of denial that seems to prevail? Those of us who advocate for healthful eating need not be culinary cretins. My wife, raised in southern France, is a fabulous cook. Catherine and I, and our kids -- love good food. We just love food that loves us back. And chefs need not fry butter to show they care about cuisine. In an age of epidemic obesity and diabetes, chefs can shoulder the responsibility of making food that is both good, and good for us. An analogy springs to mind. Cars can have incredible horsepower. They can also have great fuel efficiency. There was a time when great horsepower at the expense of lousy fuel efficiency was fine. But we now know the costs of that profligacy -- monetary costs, and more importantly, environmental costs. We are now inclined to demand both fuel economy and performance, or strike a balance between the two. But the world no longer condones a "to hell with fuel efficiency" attitude, because the stakes are too high. I suppose you might watch a car race for fun (I don't get that, actually, but different strokes...), but in doing so, you generally aren't planning on getting that kind of car, or driving that way. Car racing is not intended as an audience-participation experience. If cooking shows were a similar diversion, it might not matter much what the chefs are cooking. But if, as seems probable, the intent is "go ahead and try this at home!" -- then what's cookin' truly does matter. The stakes are every bit as high in our kitchens, as in our garages. Our health, the health of those we love -- is on the line. So maybe it's time for us all to draw a line in the sand and not cross. Chefs who can't make food both good and good for us don't really have enough expertise to warrant our attention. They don't have the full culinary skill set modern living requires. We should tune them out. Pretending that food doesn't matter to health is at best denial, at worst a serious delusion. We should not mortgage health to pay for culinary delight, any more than we should give up culinary pleasure to purchase health. We can love food that loves us back. Bring on the chefs talented enough and responsible enough to help us bake that particular cake, and eat it, too! -fin For more by David Katz, M.D., click here.
Located in the heart of Wujin, the burgeoning southern district of Changzhou, Jiangsu PRC, the Lotus Building and the 3.5 hectare Peopleâ€™s Park has been designed to act as a cultural anchor and civic landmark – establishing a symbolic commitment of the local governmentâ€™s ambitions and future aspirations. The physical form of the building has been determined by the need to create a structure which has a distinctive presence; a character piece in a city can be in parts anonymous like so many other rapidly developing Chinese cities. The development, ultimately, seeks to generate participation, to build an ownership of place that builds ties to the community and entices its people to stay and flourish and not to be drawn away. This landmark aims to bring longevity and depth to the community; to set a new standard for architectural ambition in the area and stimulate further urban development. Studio 505â€™s design creates a vibrant public realm; key to which is a night lighting system devised to hold a series of changing natural colour combinations for 20 seconds before slowly transitioning to the next scene over 10 seconds. The Lotus Centre and Peopleâ€™s Park has become one of the most popular landmarks in Wujin with a sustained contribution to the social and cultural life of the city.
Editor's Note: SB Nation's partner FanDuel is running a $1.25M fantasy football league on Sunday. First place wins $100,000. Join now! The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were missing a number of key players at practice today, including wide receiver Vincent Jackson and right tackle Gosder Cherilus, both with a knee injury. Lovie Smith declined to specify the seriousness of these injuries. Jackson missed a couple of games earlier this season with a knee injury, though he's played in the past two with no apparent problems, while Cherilus' knee injury is new. If they miss practice tomorrow, we can be seriously concerned about their participation against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday Cherilus' injury may open the door for Demar Dotson to return, though he told the Tampa Bay Times that his coaches hadn't talked to him about possibly starting. The veteran right tackle missed the first half of the season with a knee injury, and the Bucs did not want to disrupt the line's continuity by plugging him in the past couple of games. But Cherilus has been up and down this year, while Dotson's been one of the most reliable right tackles in the NFL over the past four seasons. Defensive end Jacquies Smith, linebacker Bruce Carter and tight end Luke Stocker were also absent with injury. Carter will have to pass the concussion protocol before he's allowed to return, while Smith left Sunday's game with a hamstring injury and Stocker's struggling with his back. In addition, Gerald McCoy was limited with a hand injury, which is news and may explain why his snaps were limited last Sunday. It's not clear how serious this injury is. George Johnson continues to be absent as well. In better news, Lovie Smith noted that right guard Ali Marpet looked good today and he was listed as a full participant, so it seems he's likely to return to play on Sunday after his two-game absence with an ankle injury. Austin Seferian-Jenkins continues to be limited and whether he'll play remains a guess every week.
Out of the Wind Adam T. Bailey Blocked Unblock Follow Following Jun 30, 2017 A cyclist’s memoir. I didn’t care about bicycles when I was a kid. My world wasn’t made for them. The house I grew up in sat on the outskirts of a small town in the Canadian prairies. Our driveway was steep and gravelly. The only road ran long and flat and boring through fields of wheat and canola. My parents bought me a 10-speed at some point (Christmas, probably). But I had no need for wheels; there were plenty of kicks to be had on foot, exploring the steep riverbanks and ramshackle barns that surrounded our acreage. It never occurred to me that riding a bicycle down our unending un-curving potted road could be more fun than clamoring through haunted hay lofts or hunting ninjas in shoulder-high grass. So my bike was banished to the corner of our garage, alongside the detritus of other short-lived hobbies and athletic false-starts; hockey nets, badminton racquets, a GT Racer, snorkel fins, a Skip-It (my brother’s), a Pogo Ball (mine). But thinking back, I always felt a pang of envy whenever I saw the suburban TV kids racing around curved cul-de-sacs on big colorful Schwinns. Elliot from E.T., Kevin from The Wonder Years, The Goonies. Those guys had it made. Bicycles didn’t get their chance in my spotlight until my mother announced she was leaving my father. The divorce was ugly. Our home life oscillated between bouts of stifling passive-aggressive silence and explosive emotional tantrums; not an ideal environment to be raising two pre-pubescent boys. My mother’s escape plan was to up and move 2200 miles east to Toronto. The glass towers and concrete sprawl of Canada’s financial and cultural center were about as far from the lifeless marriage — and metaphorically dull prairies — as she could get. And she was taking my younger brother and me with her. The change was sudden and painful. I was twelve. We arrived in Toronto in the fall. The following summer I returned to my childhood home to spend a month with my father, per the shared custody agreement. It was during that first tense visit that he did what I imagine many distraught divorcees do, he bought his kids expensive gifts. In my case, a 21 speed GT Tequesta; A rugged mountain bike with a double-butted chromoly frame, bullhorn handlebars, rapid-fire shifting, big black knobby tires, and a metallic purple flecked paint job. This was the beginning. “Tequesta” is both the name of a town in southern Florida and the Native tribe that once made the area their home. But neither seem like a good candidate to name a mountain bike after. Florida is essentially a flat plateau barely above sea level — noticeably bereft of the mountains required for mountain biking. And the Tequesta people were decimated by Spanish invaders 100 years before the bicycle was even invented. No matter. All I cared was that “Tequesta” looked wicked cool in hot orange serif. It was the early 1990’s and I was coming of age in a pop culture era where everything was to the max, dude. X-treme sports were x-ploding into the mainstream. The media was overrun with amped-up adrenalin junkies who just loved to smash ’Dews and Get Vertical. “If you’re not living on the edge, you’re taking up too much space.” That was my motto, according, at least, to the giant block letters on my favorite No Fear brand t-shirt. It was a great time to be 13. I spent that first radical Tequesta Summer ruining family backpacking trips. Pleasant nature walks became grueling slogs as we pushed our bikes up steep switchbacks weighed down by heavy packs and gear. Even the downhills were joyless body-breaking grinds. It’s no wonder my brother never took up the sport. No nine year old should be forced to carry a 15 pound bike over a log bridge in the rain; That’s how mental scars are formed. But I was hooked. I loved my bicycle. I loved the idea of it. I just hadn’t figured out how to love riding it. My brother, left, trying not to die as I gaze at my beloved. I returned to Toronto that fall to start the 9th grade in a new school with a new sense of confidence. I was now a mountain biker. And I was sure that mountain biking, like all extreme activities, was universally recognized as a super cool thing practiced by super cool people. I couldn’t wait for my new classmates to welcome me as an action sports hero. But Central High was a long way from the rural public school where I had spent the previous eight years. For one thing, it was in a city — a big city. Kids walked to school or rode public transit. I didn’t know how to do either, so my mother drove me the four blocks, both ways, every day. Very un-extreme. The school population seemed to be divided into two rival gangs. One wore teal colored uniforms featuring a bee, the other wore red with a bull. I was terrified. Apparently, the rabid NBA fanaticism of the 90’s hadn’t found its way to the small white-bread towns of the Canadian west quite yet. I was clueless. My carefully paired silk vests and colorful tucked-in t-shirts (celebrated by my old farmer friends) did not get the kind of attention I had hoped for. Even my new undercut hairdo was a few years behind the curve. I thought every one of my classmates was a thug. I was sure that I would be mugged at my locker. There was no way I would ever ride my prized Tequesta to Gangland High. My mother had other ideas. Being from a rough working-class city in England, my mother understood the social dynamics of the school yard far better than I ever could (or would). She was going to Beatles’ concerts, rolling cigarettes, and bleaching her own hair with actual bleach by age 13. So when I came home from my first day of school panicked that I didn’t have the right clothes and that my punishment was sure to be a throat-punch (the bully threat de rigueur), she didn’t hesitate. She knew Cool mattered. We drove straight to the mall and found one of those puffy red jackets with the bull on it. She even made sure I got Starter brand (knockoffs were not tolerated, the clerk assured us). For a middle-aged woman who was newly single, newly unemployed, and trying to raise two boys on her own in a new city, her commitment to making us feel at home astounds me to this day. There was nothing she wouldn’t do to help us feel better about our new lives — no puffy jacket she wouldn’t buy. And she sure as shit wasn’t going to let her teenaged son suffer the daily humiliation of being dropped off at school by his mother. The first day Mum forced me to ride Tequesta to Central High I was absolutely sure that she would be stolen from the bike racks. Why had I spent an entire Sunday cleaning and polishing her? She was an easy target now. The smart move would have been to cake her with mud, tie on a big wicker basket, and maybe add a tall orange flag to the back. But it was too late for camouflage. She was gorgeous and the world could see it. I spent the entire day slumped in my desk envisioning the various ways thieves would cut her two locks and joy-ride her through town on the way to their drug dens. Or maybe they’d just wait for me with with crowbars and chains. That’s what street gangs used, right? Chains? At least my new red jacket would hide the blood. The walk from the school to the bike racks was excruciating. Every kid was a suspect, even the one Lakers fan. When I finally reached the racks, I could barely bring myself to look. There, among the tangled, rusting mess of other kids’ department store bikes, Tequesta stood unharmed, her purple flecks gleaming in the afternoon sun. You’ve never seen hands unlock a bike so fast. But I wasn’t fast enough. As I yanked her out of the racks, a voice stopped me cold, “Cool bike.” I froze, waiting for pain, death, both. But none came. No chains. I turned. There were no gangbangers. Just a skinny kid wearing an ill-fitting Tommy Hilfiger button-down and a giant denim backpack. He was unlocking his own mountain bike, a rugged green steed with shiny silver stickers. I didn’t know the brand but I could recognize a well-loved bicycle. Even the tires were clean. He grinned, “We should go biking some time,” and rode off. That was Sean. We spent the rest of high school riding our bikes together. And I met lots of other kids who were bike obsessed, too. At first we just cruised town looking for dirt patches to skid our tires in and curbs to bunny-hop off. Then we discovered a network of dirt trails in the forest behind the local library. We took turns racing through the bermed sections and catching a few inches of air off the tabletop jump some older kids had built. We had our own little gang. And we didn’t need matching jackets. We had mountain bikes. My favorite memory of that time is really more of a sensation. Riding at night through city streets with a pack of friends, we’d glide along and turn our pedals just fast enough to stop the freewheel from making that clicking sound when you coast, but not so fast that the bike was creaking or the tires were digging at the ground. The goal was to just float, in the black, completely silent — a reprieve from the anxiety and shame and loneliness and desperation and fear that come with those first years of teenagehood. On the best nights, you rode along at pace with the summer breeze, so not even the wind was pushing back. We considered ourselves hard-core mountain bikers, but we really weren’t. We were with just city kids with bikes. After school we’d descend on The Brant Cycle Shop. Not to buy, just to look; the latest RockShox suspension forks, old copies of Mountain Bike Action, a poster of downhill goddess Missy “The Missile” Giove. She wore a mummified piranha on a string around her neck. “Why didn’t girls like that go to our school?” we’d moan. The shop manager had probably had enough of our zitty faces skulking around and scaring off customers. He was a pudgy 40 year old man with a greasy black mullet. I still struggle to imagine hime astride a bicycle. “Why aren’t you boys out riding The Bruce?” We didn’t know. We weren’t real mountain bikers. He pulled out a map. The Bruce Trail is a massive network of dirt trails — 800 miles worth — that run from the Niagara River to the tip of Tobermory, Ontario. And it was just a few miles from our school. From that day on, any spare weekend was spent either riding the trails, preparing to ride them, or talking about riding them. The Bruce had everything; Flowy singletrack, gnarly downhills, technical rock gardens, ladders, log rides, even a dirt jump track. Mile after mile of meticulously designed and well-maintained mountain bike park. Right in my own back yard. My home away from home. By the end of high school my self-identity was tightly wrapped in Mountain Biker (capital M, capital B). I took pride in the weird tan lines created by my fingerless gloves. For a class assignment, Sean and I created a business plan for a guiding company we called Totally Radical Mountain Bike Adventures. My bedroom was plastered with posters of the sport’s iconic figures: John Tomac, Tinker Juarez, Gary Fisher (I was too awkward and embarrassed to put up a poster of Missy). I even clopped around school in filthy clip-in cycling shoes. I remember asking a girl if she thought they were cool. She said they were very “Me.” I took it as a compliment. In the summer after 10th grade, my father brought my brother and me along on a family vacation to Australia with his new girlfriend and her two young daughters. I was there against my will. I was a moody teen and not at all excited about gallivanting with a new family around some lame country doing lame tourist junk. I wanted to be on The Bruce. But I knew the Mountain Biking World Cup was to be held in Cairns that year. I smelled an opportunity. I spent the entire trip begging my father to take us to ride the new course. I was relentless. I sulked like only a 15 year old boy can. Eventually, after just a few weeks, he gave in. Thinking back, I suspect he had always intended to set aside some bike time for us. He just liked to watch me squirm. We ditched the girls and spent a day riding pro-level trails. It was fantastic. Seeing my mood swing from black to effervescent at the mere suggestion of a day spent mountain biking inspired my father to brand me with a nickname that he still uses today: Bike Brain. Again, I took it as a compliment. I don’t come from a family of cyclists. But I turned us into one. My father was the first to convert. He recognized that mountain biking was a way to connect to me. Trips to visit him were organized around mountain bike adventures in Banff, Whistler, and southern California. We even rented bikes on a trip to the Caribbean. He always had the latest equipment and was eager to jump on the trail with me. I now know that he didn’t share my obsessive passion for bikes. For Dad, cycling was a means to an end. He probably would have been as enthusiastic about karate or astronomy if they had offered the same opportunity to spend time with his oldest boy. But familiarity breeds liking; do something long enough and you’ll actually start to enjoy it. Last year he rode in a two-day bicycle marathon for charity. I wasn’t there. I didn’t find out about it until after it was over. He did it because he wanted to. He did it for himself. My younger brother’s interest in bikes was never as intense as mine or even our father’s. Maybe he was too damaged by those early bike-hike experiments. Or maybe it just wasn’t his thing and we were close enough that we didn’t need common interests to find common ground. Either way, he was always game to join in on a ride whenever he could tell I was really jonesing. And these days he regularly commutes through the streets of London in his career as a photographer. Whether he’d admit it or not, he’s a cyclist. My mother hates bikes. Every bicycle she has ever owned has been cursed with mechanical issues. It’s all the more infuriating because she loves bicycling. A few years ago, when she left Toronto for a seaside village in England, one of the first things she did was buy a used coaster bike. Now she spends summer days cruising up and down the boardwalk with a feisty group of women her own age. And when Christmas comes, she rides 2 hours on the train to a trendy cycling boutique in London to find me a gift. Like my father and my brother, cycling started as a way to connect with me, but now it’s part of who she is. In high school, a crucial part of the Mountain Biker identity was to hold a burning hatred for road cyclists. We called them Roadies, Weight Weenies, or Lancey Pants (in reference to the chief of the Spandex Clan, Lance Armstrong). In our view, the only cycling worthy of existence was mountain biking. It was challenging, thrilling, freeing, dangerous, and in tune with nature. Roadies wore spandex, we wore old concert t-shirts. Roadies shaved their legs, we embraced werewolfism. Roadies raced, we rode when we wanted, were we wanted, for as long as we wanted. Mountain biking was Rock & Roll. Road cycling was Adult Contemporary. I joined the university newspaper my freshman year and met a different breed of cyclists: Couriers. They earned money delivering packages and letters for us on their stripped-down sticker-caked road bikes. They were fearless and painfully hip; racing through traffic on brakeless fixed-gear bicycles dressed for a CBGB show. If mountain bikers were Rock & Roll, bicycle couriers were Punk. The couriers celebrated cycling not just as an activity, but as a culture. They self-identified not as athletes but as activists. They passed around petitions demanding City Hall install bike lanes on major thoroughfares. They organized student groups to join protest rides like Critical Mass. They held illegal midnight races through city streets called Alley Cats. They raised funds for charities that sent bicycles to children in Africa. These people loved bikes for more than just an adrenalin fix, they understood the power of a bicycle — any bicycle — to connect communities, build relationships, and make the world a bit better. My singular devotion to mountain biking seemed suddenly childish. I sold off most of my collection of mountain bikes and built a fixie. Through university and into my career, cycling remained a part of my identity, if not part of my daily routine. Work and Life just got in the way. I commuted through Toronto on a simple single-speed bicycle and occasionally dusted-off my one remaining mountain bike for a trail ride, but my interests expanded into travel, photography, music, career, and relationships. For the first time since I was twelve, my Bike Brain took a backseat to all my other brains. Then I moved to Seattle. I was 32. If there is a God, He most definitely designed Seattle as soon as He got home from a sick mountain biking trip. The Guy collapsed on His couch — amped on the rush — and committed Himself to joining a local team, getting in serious shape, and maybe even buying one of those techy new full-suspension bikes He saw in the rental shop. Then, so stoked on His new passion, He opened His sketchpad and got to business designing the cyclist’s paradise that we call Seattle. The Post-ride High is real, and God obviously had it bad. Seattle is about a quarter of the size of Toronto, is impossibly green, and has shockingly easy access to some of the best off-road cycling in the world. Riders have an embarrassment of terrain options: The alpine summits in the Cascade mountain range, the lush rainforests on the Olympic peninsula, the arid deserts of the eastern plains, the mossy shores of the Puget Sound, or the rolling hills that rise between the dense network of lakes and rivers. It never gets too hot and it rarely snows. If you can endure 200 days of cloud cover and a never-ending Nirvana soundtrack, Seattle is an outdoor athlete’s dreamscape. So when my wife and I took jobs in a small Seattle creative agency, I was sure that trading the cold concrete of Toronto for the wooded slopes of the Pacific Northwest would rekindle my relationship with mountain biking. Nope. My new workplace wasn’t filled with a rugged crew of mountain bikers as I had expected. But there was a group of dedicated cyclists: Roadies. If I wanted to get back in the saddle and ingratiate myself with my new colleagues, I would have to find myself some Lancey Pants. New city, new me, right? I swallowed my deep (deep) seated prejudices and decided to give this road cycling thing a try, if only temporarily — just long enough to convince everyone that they were missing out on a far superior form of cycling. I started slow. No spandex. No shaved legs. My first foray into the world of road cycling came in the form of a used cyclocross bike I found on Craigslist. Cyclocross, I discovered, is a niche form of bicycle racing that blends both mountain biking and road biking. Competitors race around a rough dirt circuit on a bike fitted with the big wheels and curly handlebars of a road bike, but beefed-up with the knobby tires and rugged construction of a mountain bike. And they drink lots of beer. It was the perfect half-step to get me from the trails to the road. I tuned-up my new bike and joined in on the work rides; early morning excursions exploring Seattle and the surrounding areas. It wasn’t long until road riding had me smitten (don’t tell Sean). I loved the camaraderie of our tight-knit group. Pre-ride dawn espressos, post-ride patio beers, shared homemade rice snacks in between. And most surprisingly to me, I got competitive. In all my years riding bikes, I never raced. It was antithetical to everything that I thought cycling was about: Escape from structure, rules, and expectations. My aversion to racing was linked to my hatred of roadies. I thought they were all rigid, soulless, and aggressive. The idea of riding my bike with any goal — save ‘just getting out there’ — repulsed me. Back in Toronto, a work friend once convinced me to join him in a 24 hour mountain bike race. It was torture. I loved the beer-fueled festival atmosphere of the event and the camaraderie of our team, but I didn’t understand the masochism. Why would anyone willingly subject themselves to such hideous pain? It would be a long time before I learned to enjoy suffering on my bike. Within a year of moving to Seattle my casual group rides had turned into aggressive training sessions. My used cyclocross bike was replaced by a brand new carbon fiber Cervélo road bike. I was on a team and competing in the local criterium race series. I logged long hours in the saddle trying to improve my endurance and explosive sprint. Our team coach designed me a personalized training schedule to maximize performance gains. The harder I worked, the better I got, and the more I enjoyed myself. Self-imposed suffering was starting to make sense. “No pain, no gain” is annoying for two reasons: it rhymes and it’s true. Being surrounded by so many passionate Roadies (they hate that term, by the way), I quickly learned that road cycling has profoundly more culture and history than mountain biking — or any other form of cycling. The mythology surrounding the legendary European races and riders fascinated me. I was especially impressed by the hardened men who rode Paris-Roubaix, a 115 year old single-day race through northern France. For 160 miles, the world’s toughest riders battle over some of Europe’s harshest cobblestone roads. It often snows. According to Irish two-time winner Sean Kelly, Paris-Roubaix is “a horrible race to ride but the most beautiful to win.” They call it The Hell of the North. From the 1940’s to the 1970’s, Paris-Roubaix, and all of professional road cycling, was dominated by virtuosic athletes who relied on their own physical strength and iron will to carry them to the finish. There were no million dollar sponsorships, VO2 max calculations, carbon fiber wheels, or wind tunnel training sessions. These guys just rode hard, drank wine, smoked cigarettes, loved women, and rode hard again. Grit meets style. Punk meets Jazz. Fausto Coppi, suffering in style, 1953. A favorite memory from my early days of road cycling is again more of a sensation: Riding in the peloton. Those big groups of riders you see in the Tour de France or on local country roads aren’t packed so tightly to make trading stock tips easier — they’re riding in a peloton — an aerodynamic formation that conserves energy. The riders each take turns up-front, enduring the brunt of the wind to give the following riders a chance to rest. A well coordinated pack can travel faster for longer than a solo rider could ever dream. In the center of the peloton, you’re mere inches from other riders on all sides, tucked in the slipstream. It’s a moment to throttle back, take a drink, and steal a glimpse of the rushing landscape — to just float along. Racing against other riders was a blast, but my true love was for the stunning landscapes that I found myself in on those long hard training rides. There’s a timeless romance in pitting one’s self against the natural world — the rewards seem richer, more authentic. Gliding through sweeping mountain passes, densely wooded byways, foggy oceanside towns under your own power is its own incredible reward. It’s a beautiful reprieve from the stress and guilt and weariness and panic and reality that come with being all grown up. Today, my world doesn’t revolve around cycling. My career has nothing to do with it, very few of my close friends are interested in it, and I can manage a conversation about stuff other than bikes or biking or bikers or bike trails. I love my life, especially the people in it. And to them, cycling probably seems like just a casual interest of mine. But it’s a determinant piece of me. When I discovered at a young age that cycling was so much more than my tiny sliver of mountain-bike-obsessiveness, I learned a defining lesson: Keep exploring. Now I’m an unabashed polymorph. I want to know as much about as many topics as possible. My brother-in-law calls me The Professional Hobbyist (another compliment, I’ve decided). In 20 years I have shamelessly picked-up and put down more arts, sciences, sports, and crafts than I can even remember. The few that have stuck seem to tap into the same emotions and sensations that cycling has taught me to love. Surfing has the glide. Photography has the mythic figures. Drinking has the, let me see — camaraderie! I live in Los Angeles now and while cycling is no longer my all-consuming do-or-die obsession, it still manages to make life better. I joined a local cycling club and immediately made good friends that guide me to amazing new landscapes. I’ll be attending an old teammate’s wedding in Seattle this fall. Another old teammate asked me to be his daughter’s godfather. I was recently reunited with my old high school friend Sean, who flew to L.A. to meet me for a mountain biking trip. And as I write this I’m on a road trip with my father from Portland to San Diego. Our stated goal is to find as much great riding as we can, but we both know it’s just an excuse to spend some time together. Out front, for the moment. I have a vivid memory of a race I rode in the summer of 2013. It was a perfect June day in Olympia; the leafy Washington state capital nestled neatly in the southern inlets of the Puget Sound. The race was a criterium, a high-speed derby on a short circuit through city streets. The course had us winding through the gardens and fountains surrounding the State Legislative Building, an impressive domed stone structure that seems better suited to D.C. than a pacific forest. The crowd was huge and raucous. The racers were tightly packed and the pace was furious. Sixty aggressive riders, all battling towards the finish line. I was well position in the top 15 for the majority of the race. The suffering was paying off. With only a few laps to go, I turned up the pressure. I dove through turns, drafting off the riders in-front and surging ahead when the moment was right. To pass a rider I had to jump out of his slipstream and battle against the full brunt of the wind. My legs and lungs burned. I was approaching maximum effort and I knew I couldn’t sustain it much longer. But one by one I made my way up through the pack until I was only three or four riders back from the leader. A podium finish would be my best ever race result. A first place finish would be a miracle. Our coach was perched on a tall WW1 monument, hanging from the head of a steel soldier. He screamed instructions as we rounded him each lap. “Breathe!” “Attack!” “You can win this!” He was right, I had a chance. I dug deeper. Final lap. Now or never. Attack. I sprang out of the saddle, head down, and sprinted with everything I had left. The roar of the crowd was galvanizing, energizing. I envisioned myself as one of the great European cyclists in the Hell of the North; Eddy Merckx or Fausto Coppi, all panache and mettle. I was the hero in my own film. The crowd, the sun, the stately buildings, the war monuments, the pain, the rushing wind, the physicality of it all. If only my thirteen year old self could have seen this. A feeling welled up inside of me — elation, maybe glee. As we railed around the final corner my coach screamed from his perch on the soldier’s head, “YOU TRAINED FOR THIS!” I had. All those hours in the saddle, a lifetime of cycling on dirt and road, in hot and cold, were most definitely training, but not for the “this” he had in mind. I hadn’t trained to win. The “this” I had spent a lifetime working towards was the euphoria of that moment. I had trained to be in a beautiful scene, surrounded by friends, flooded with endorphins, riding my bike, hitting pause on the world. I wasn’t there to win. I was there to be nowhere else. I gave everything in that final stretch. But I just didn’t have the legs (or the VO2 max) to out sprint the riders who had the real “this” in their sights. By the time I hit the finish line I was in 6th place, maybe 8th. My system was drained. My body was numb. My grin was ridiculous. I was just floating.
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Google+ Share on LinkedIn Pin to Pinterest Share on StumbleUpon + I like to view Coachella as a meal. Most meals, you take it a little bit slower at first – an appetizer or two, finger food to get your mouth watering. Then you have your main meal, where you eat slow, enjoying the flavor and filling yourself up, but leaving just enough room for a light desert. An affogato, maybe, or a shot of Limoncello as a digestif. You finish leaving satisfied and comfortable. Yeah, Coachella is exactly like a meal. Except, it’s the kind of meal where for the appetizer, you cram a fuckton of drugs down your gullet and go to town on two dozen breadsticks, then eat a live cow – mooing on the way down, of course – for the main meal, and then for the dessert, you smack your face straight into somebody else’s wedding cake, frothing out the mouth and screaming gibberish in front of the bridal party. The Coachella 2015 lineup is pretty amazingly well balanced, but still, Saturday is the main meal. There are more bands than any of the other days, and if you’ve done it right thus far (done right = camping on Thursday), you’ve got a good two days of raging behind you. Enough time to work out the kinks of your festival habits, but not so deep into the madness that you’re slowing down. You’re gonna get cocky at this point, try to see as many acts as possible, there’s so many choices, what would you stand around for? I agree. Go in early and see everybody you can. But put a method to it, at least. Here’s how to rank ’em today. Must See Jack White is a showman. That’s all there is to it. The guy behind every awesome modern rock band from The White Stripes to The Dead Weather to The Raconteurs makes every show incredible, be it through marathon sets, crazy covers, or just pure virtuosity. And regardless of the music, you don’t write the lick that became the chant for every football game without knowing how to command a massive crowd. If and when he plays Seven Nation Army, you’ll need earplugs just for the audience participation. Axwell^Ingrosso are 2/3rds of the “dead” house group, Swedish House Mafia, who basically headlined in 2012. That group broke up after only a few years in grand fa$hion for some rea$on, but Axwell and Sebastien Ingrosso continue to make music together in the same sort of Ultra Pop House of their old moniker. The Swedish House show was a lot of fun with a big production, so if Axwell^Ingrosso carries on the same trends (and why wouldn’t they?), it’ll be worth the late night slot they’re sure to get. Belle & Sebastian makes white music for white people. No, for real, it’s statistics. They make Bon Iver look like DMX. But that doesn’t mean they’re not awesome. Their lighthearted folk is the perfect thing to feel good about in the afternoon. You could have moves like twigs (read further…) and still wind up dancing like a drunk bro at a Dave Matthews concert, because it brings that out in people. I’d bet on them taking a Neutral Milk Hotel-like time slot on the Outdoor stage. FKA twigs plays amazing neo-RnB music. But British-born singer/dancer Tahliah Barnett’s art is meant to be seen. Sure, the weird, part electronic, part gasping singing style of her music is appealing on its own. But twigs is a dancer at heart, and I don’t mean she does ballet. I mean, her limbs contort like the body of a woman possessed, threatening to snap off and fly away on their own volition. Like the shadow of a tree against a horror film’s bedroom wall. It’s fascinating to watch in a scary way. The War on Drugs may classify to some people as Beer Commercial Lead Guitar Shit, but they made the second best album of the year in 2014 (who made the first? read on!), and I think they sound a little more like Don Henley having an affair with Bruce Springsteen anyway. Have those guys made a beer commercial before? If you had a good time at Kurt Vile‘s set a few years ago, who used to be in the band and left amicably, you’ll enjoy The War on Drugs. Run The Jewels really should be a lot higher on the billing. They made the best album of the whole last year, let alone the best rap album. Made up of MCs Killer Mike and El-P, RTJ makes the kind of music that makes you want to rip a car in half with your bare hands and use it like a couple of boxing gloves. It says a lot about their talent (and their ethos) that I’m more excited about their album Meow The Jewels, where they rerecord their entire first album using cat sounds, than I am for just about any other release this year. Tycho doesn’t really fit into any one genre – he’s not quite post-rock, but he’s definitely not really electronic either. He’s like what would happen if M83 or Toro y Moi remixed some Explosions in the Sky tracks. I can actually imagine him taking EITS/Sigur Ros slot from the past few years – he’s the kind of guy you want to see on the Outdoor Theatre once the sun’s gone down. Which sucks, because this inevitably means he’s going to have a bad conflict with somebody else. Chet Faker is an Australian darling who’s currently topping everything from the ARIAs to the Triple J Hottest 100. That is to say, he’s a big deal in Australia. I’m not sure if he’s picked up quite as much in America, but based on how well Flume did in the same position last year, it’s safe to say his show is gonna be huge. He usually makes pretty mellow, electronic crooning songs, but his live shows occasionally switch it up (more on that later), so no matter what slot he’s given, it’ll be a good atmosphere. Jungle fucking rocks. I caught their set at Splendour in the Grass this past year, and even though i wasn’t able to get into the actual crowd (that tent was packed), I had a blast dancing in the back, where the thinner spacing lets you move more. On their albums, the band is basically two guys and has a more electronic tilt. For live sets – and this is what makes them great live – they translate the whole thing into a seven-piece band so that they can be more interactive with the audience. What So Not takes up a far too small font on the poster, especially considering the fact that Flume, one half of the DJ/Producer team with Emoh Instead, packed the absolute shit out of the Gobi tent last year to over-maximum capacity. Now, Flume doesn’t actually perform with What So Not, leaving the live work to Emoh, but you can expect the number of people that know that fact to be a pittance to the number of people that know Flume is involved in the first place. And hey, given Chet Faker’s same day appearance, and given Coachella’s propensity for making things happen, maybe he’ll end up onstage after all. But even if he isn’t there, What So Not goes off live, and won’t disappoint. Glass Animals is one of my favorite new bands of the year. Their music is solid indie rock with a weird, liquid rainforest vibe to it if that makes any sense. It should, since the band made their music specifically to get that feeling, using samples of animals and nature (and jungle percussion instruments) in their recordings. I could imagine this set being absolutely insane on acid, especially combined with the visuals of their music videos and live shows. Not that I’m promoting using drugs at a music festival, unless saying “drugs at music festivals are awesome” constitutes promoting them. PHOX is another band I had never heard of before seeing their name on the lineup, but now I feel like I can’t miss. They make alternative folk/indie pop music, and just imagining laying in the shade at 2 PM (when they’ll undoubtedly play), eyes closed, listening to the lead singer croon (and I know I’ve used that word a lot lately, but come on, is there a better one?), is making me crave Coachella more and more already. Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness may not be performing under a familiar name, but anybody excited by Brand New’s booking should be just as excited to see the guy behind Something Corporate and Jack’s Mannequin coming to play the polo fields. He’s undoubtedly going to be playing mostly new stuff, but for anybody nostalgic for their Emo phase (not sure why you would be, but I digress), this is going to be a good chance to sing Konstantine and not be ashamed of the single tear rolling down your cheek. Ryn Weaver blew up out of nowhere overnight last summer, prompting some people to speculate whether she was a music industry Lizzie Grant/Lana Del Rey situation all over again. The real story is a lot of luck and chance meetings with the right people, and you can’t deny that her pop melodies don’t carry themselves. Every Coachella seems to have an early day pop princess to fall in love with (Eliza Doolittle and Ximena Sariñana for recent examples), and Ryn Weaver could be this year’s. Should See The Weeknd also played at Coachella back in 2012 (there are a lot of repeats this year), and the show was huge. People were shoulder to shoulder for as far back as the Outdoor Stage could contain, and while it wasn’t a particularly active set, it was emotional. People were crying. I’d imagine his set this year, after more material to pull from (although I found his last album underwhelming), he’ll make an even bigger show of it. Ratatat has been mostly silent for the past couple of years. They haven’t had an album since 2010 and they haven’t been doing a whole lot of live shows in the meantime, although their Coachella set in 2011, with its trippy, druggy experimental electronic stylings, was pretty spicy. Their big comeback here will spell big things, especially since it’ll be the first chance to hear some new music from them in ages. Hozier will share this year’s role of “One Song Wonder” with Milky Chance. Like Gotye, everybody will go to this set and leave after the major hit, “Take Me To Church,” is done. But like Gotye (and Milky Chance, actually), that’s a shame, because the dude’s got an awesome catalogue of soulful music and it’s worth a stop through. Flosstradamus doesn’t give a shit about much. That’s my takeaway from following the dudes on social media, where they usually just posts pictures of photoshops people send them while typing in all caps. Their music kind of follows in the same persona: grimy, playful trap-hop music that sounds a bit like what would happen if Soulja Boy had peaked a few years later and wasn’t a piece of shit that should never have played music to begin with. SBTRKT follows in Daft Punk’s footsteps – taking himself out of the equation when it comes to his music by performing only in masks. His native tiki masks are a little less iconic than the Robots, but that’s also kind of the point. His music occupies some space in between dubstep and indie pop, with plenty of collaborations to draw on. Tyler, The Creator is a Coachella mainstay. I don’t think he’s missed the festival since he became a thing, whether it’s through an individual booking or his jumping up on somebody else’s stage for a song or two. Say what you want about him – that he’s an irreverent douchebag, that he doesn’t have the street cred to back up his image – he’s confident enough to make a crazy performance, and given that plus his propensity for bringing out his friends, he’ll be a good guy to see. Father John Misty, also known by his mother as Joshua Tillman, was the drummer for Fleet Foxes for a hot minute, and though he tries to downplay his involvement (he didn’t write the songs and he really only played live for a bit), the sounds of his solo project are pretty similar – a downtempo, introspective indie rock. But his live shows are bumpin’, and Tillman has a great onstage presence with a lot of banter that makes him really fun to watch. Deorro is that guy that I had never heard of before, but instantly recognized his beats from all the sets I’ve seen lately. Sucks I haven’t given him credit till now, because I really like his clubby house music. I’ve danced to it a few times, making a stupid face and trying to make words for the “duh duh duh doi duh doo da” bit in Five Hours, his most famous song. Don’t judge. You’ve probably done the same thing. Swans is one of those older bands (pre-Nirvana, even) that broke up for a long time. They’d count as a reunion, if not for the fact that they actually got back together four years ago, and their new album is pretty great. It’s very experimental rock, and probably not for everybody, but whatever. Toro Y Moi is a Chillwave producer, similar to Sylvan Esso from Friday. I don’t know who names these genres anymore, because half of them are just plays on the words of another until none of the words mean anything anymore. But Chiillwave does pretty accurately describe their sound: chill, electronic music that you’re not going to be dancing to so much as swaying. Or maybe dancing. I don’t know, I’m not your dad. New World Punx is a trance/house group made up of DJs Markus Shulz and Ferry Corsten. They’ve both been pretty heavily involved in the trance scene for a while, working heavily with the group Above and Beyond, who command the most ravenous fanbase I’ve seen out of an electronic group. I can’t say for sure how the new group functions, but I’ve seen Markus Shulz at the Marquee in Vegas and had a great time. Although, that was Vegas. Then again, this is Coachella. I actually used to think Clean Bandit was a DJ, considering their biggest hit is “Rather Be,” which leans as much towards electronic music as it does classical. They’re one of the few four piece bands out there with a dedicated strings section, which is awesome. Royal Blood came solidly on the coattails of the Arctic Monkeys obsession of the last decade, a rock-n-roll band from England that mixes garage rock and blues rock without sounding so fucking sad about it. I didn’t really get to know them until I got to Australia, wehre they are actually pretty huge for some reason. And I trust anybody that Triple J trusts. If you were just listening to The Gaslamp Killer Experience without seeing him, you’d probably never even realize that he’s a producer and not a full band. It’s like an indie/experimental/psychadelic vibe, and if you wanted to draw comparisons to Flying Lotus, be my guest. The dudes are friends and work together a lot. The producer goes by The Gaslamp Killer, so the fact that he’s billing himself as the Gaslamp Killer Experience means we may very well be getting a full live band. I’d expect to see him on the Gobi or Mojave stage for a late night set. Parquet Courts is a garage rock band from Brooklyn, leaning a little towards punk (there’s a lot of good punk music this year!). They played a set on Letterman recently that had the dude proclaiming he wants to become their manager. The last time a band went on Letterman and impressed him that much, it was Future Islands, and I think we all know how amazing that worked out. Yelle is a French electropop band with a flair for theatrics. I’d compare them to CHVRCHES, but I already did that with HAERTS yesterday, and besides, the only way they’re similar to CHVRCHES is if Diplo made a Major Lazer remix to “Gun,” with big drumlines accompanying the synth beats. Yelle, the lead singer and eponym, has a lot of energy onstage and makes it a lot of fun to watch, which is another way they’re different from CHVRCHES. LIGHTS will probably wind up competing with Ryn Weaver for the title of “early day pop princess.” She’s been around for a few years now, but she never really caught on with people. Hopefully that changes, because “Up We Go” is a fucking tune. Cashmere Cat makes pretty electronic music, and his live sets are a little more downtempo compared to the usual Sahara tent flair. It sounds more like what you’d expect from the backing track to an MSMR song. So if you’re feeling energetic, you may pass, but if you just want to hear good music, then you’ll love it. At this point, Matthew Koma is more well known for his featured appearances on electronic tracks – he’s given vocals to Zedd, Hardwell, RAC (see ya tomorrow), and more. However, his solo stuff is a lot more reminiscent of the mid-2000s happy pop like the Thrills than electronic, and it should be a fun daytime set. Also, apparently the dude is dating Carly Rae Jepsen, which, okay, I guess somebody had to have been. So, apparently Perfume Genius (stage name of Mike Hadreas) is the next big gay icon, with his song “Queen” being called the year’s best gay anthem. And I get that, considering the song literally is about embracing being gay. There’s also this quote from Hadreas – “If these fucking people want to give me some power—if they see me as some sea witch with penis tentacles that are always prodding and poking and seeking to convert the muggles—well, here she comes.” That’s awesome. However, I don’t really see it, especially not compared to somebody like Madonna or Lady Gaga. It’s more rock than art pop. But maybe that’s the point. Andrea Olivia reminds me a lot of Clean Bandit, making electro music that dips into classical composition with strings and keys being introduced into the medley. However, unlike Clean Bandit, Andrea Olivia doesn’t perform with a live band Could Skip I changed the title of the “don’t bother” section, as people seem to get a little riled up that I dare call their favorite band something you shouldn’t bother with. Rather, this section is more geared towards people that I personally am either completely uninterested in, or do enjoy, but have reasons to not see them live. If you enjoy the band, by all means, see them and have a blast. Jack White already appeared on this list in the must-see section. No, this isn’t a mistake. Here’s the thing about Jack White – he’s the kind of guy who fucks your brains out and makes you feel special, but you know that he does that with all his girls. Dude goes all out on all of his shows – crazy covers, marathon sets, whatever. And he tours a lot. So barring a White Stripes reunion, which, let’s face it, isn’t going to happen, there’s probably not going to be anything about his Chella performance that you can’t get at one of his others. In fact, I could see the strict time limits and festival scheduling actually holding Jack back. Pending the schedule, you may as well go to see somebody you’re less likely to see again. alt-J has gone from making songs about girls getting forcibly sodomized by brooms to songs about turning girls inside out and licking them like a crisp packet. Character growth! Not that you can understand a word he’s saying anyway. Personally, I love alt-J’s music, and I’d love to make this a must-see band if not for the fact that I found their 2013 performance (see? lots of repeats) to be underwhelming. It was good, to be sure, but not something I would regret missing for another show. Antemasque has a real hardcore rock pedigree – their members used to be in the bands At The Drive In (who had a huge show at Coachella a few years ago) and The Mars Volta. You’d think they’d put on a hell of a show, with lots of moshing and jumping around and all that, but really they’re pretty… bland. They just stand there. If you’re a fan of the genre or their previous bands then you’d probably value the set, but otherwise move on. I aw Alison Wonderland perform at the St. Kilda Festival last Summer. It’s a pretty good indication of what Coachella will be like, especially given the setting similarities: big open field filled with casual hipsters, lots of alcohol and drugs being passed around. I have great memories of the St. Kilda Festival, but Alison Wonderland’s set was so bland, so cliche, that the only solid memory I have of it is a man dressed as Jesus giving me a goon shower. Thank you Goon God. Alison Wonderland will no doubt have an early day Sahara Tent show, and you might as well see one of the other smaller acts on at mid-day. Special Guest Possibilities Jack White has brought out a few people at his shows before to perform with him. They’re usually an eclectic bunch, so it’s hard to predict who he’d bring out at Coachella, but it’s safe to say that if Meg White came out for a few Stripes songs, everybody would lose their minds. They don’t talk anymore, so don’t get your hopes up, but a man can dream. Beck or The Dead Weather are more possibilities, but I can’t see him repeating things he’s already done on his last tour. Axwell^Ingrosso, as mentioned, are the majority of Swedish House Mafia, missing only Steve Angello for a full set. Axwell^Ingrosso doesn’t really have the history yet to let a SHM reunion overshadow their solo show, but considering the fact that SHM was only a group for a few years before they pulled that “One Last Tour” shit (you know, the one they kept adding “One Last Show” to), they don’t seem like the kind of people to give a shit about timelines as long as there is moolah involved. SBTRKT‘s latest hit single features Yukimi Nagano of Little Dragon, who played a killer set last year. I could see her coming out for “Wildfire.” Additionally, he often performs live with Sampha, and it’s likely that Coachella will be no different in that regard. Tyler, The Creator always brings in his crew for features. Frank Ocean has been close to finishing his new album for God knows how long, so I could see him popping out on stage for a new tune. The others, like Earl Sweatshirt and Hodgy Beats, could be due to appear as well. Flying Lotus, who appears on Friday at Coachella, has performed with them before and could DJ the set. Really, it’s a crapshoot. Just check it out and see who shows up. Run The Jewels‘ set is gonna be huge, and not just because they’re awesome on their own. I’ll say, without a shadow of a doubt, that Zach de la Rocha of Rage Against The Machine will come out on “Close Your Eyes (And Count To Fuck).” And that’s only one person I’d expect to be there – I could also see Travis Barker make an appearance, and, shit, let’s throw in a wildcard – Tkay Maidza, who the two have proven to admire. Chet Faker and What So Not are both appearing at the festival. Flume isn’t guaranteed to be there, but it’s not hard to imagine he’ll show up for a little Flume and Chet Faker performance. Now, whether that happens at the Faker set or the WSN set is anybody’s guess, but I’ll be disappointed and shocked if it doesn’t happen at all. Cashmere Cat has worked a bit with Ariana Grande, being a featured producer and artist on her latest album and opening for her on her last tour. She could potentially drop in (Coachella seems like her scene, in attendance if not in booking) for a quick performance, but her star is a lot brighter than Cashmere Cat’s and I wouldn’t bank on it outside of a hypothetical. More likely is Ryn Weaver, also playing this day. Cashmere Cat is a big supporter of Weaver and has helped promote and produce her, so it’s more likely she’s drop in to say hi. Until the Ribbon Breaks may take up the last spot of the day’s lineup, but they have some bigger credentials, with a song or two collaborating with Run The Jewels. You may remember that name from a few lines up, unless you have that Memento thing going on, in which case, Coachella must be really confusing for you. Since it’s completely unfathomable that they will conflict, I could see either Killer Mike or El-P, maybe both coming out to perform one of their songs. Read more: Who should I see on the Coachella 2015 lineup? Day One Read More: Who should I see on the Coachella 2015 lineup? Day Three Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Google+ Share on LinkedIn Pin to Pinterest Share on StumbleUpon + Like this: Like Loading...
I found out that I’m going to be heading to Seattle for work in a few weeks, and one of the first things I did was see what breweries were in the area that I could visit. I had heard of this brewery, because my cousin had sent me a bunch of beers from Seattle and this was one of them. Bottle says, “Aggressive, yet well-balanced, The Immortal IPA is a Northwest take on a classic English style, golden-copper in color and loaded with New World hop flavor and aroma.” Location: Poured into a snifter glass from the 22oz bottle at my home in Bloomington, IL. Numbers: 6.3% ABV, ~ 195 Calories Appearance & Aroma: It’s orange–amber in color and was fairly clear, until I reached the dregs at the bottom of the glass. It had a very thin head on a nice creamy ring around the edge of the glass. It’s got a great aroma with a good solid mix of caramel maltiness and earthy, piney, resin-like hops. Taste & Feel: The body is medium and the mouthfeel was fairly smooth, but slightly crisp. The flavor upfront was full of sweet, light caramel maltiness, but with a slightly sweet resiny bitterness. In the middle, and into the finish, the hop flavors became a bit more complex with a mix of piney-resin, earthy, and slightly citrusy and spicy flavors. All the while, the caramel malt backbone balanced the hop bitterness and flavors equally. In the finish, the citrusy and spicy hop flavors came through a bit more, and the resin and piney flavors stuck around for a bit in the aftertaste. Food Pairing: This had a good mix of maltiness and complex bittereness, which made me think that both breadiness and slightly sharp cheese would go nicely with this beer. I think that could be found in an appetizer of cheese sticks, or in an entree of a big, beefy cheeseburger. The bready flavors would pull out the maltiness, which the cheese would match the bitterness of the hops. Overall Impression: I had only heard of this brewery because of collaborations with Stone and The Bruery, but I figured if they are collaborating with breweries like these, they must be pretty good. After trying this IPA, they are definitely worthy of being paired with these other well known breweries. I thought this was an excellent beer that was very well balanced, highlighting the caramel maltiness and a complex mix of hop flavors. I’m definitely going to have to have another one of these when I go up to Seattle in a few weeks. My Rating: Reader Ratings[five-star-rating]
Randy Newman Returns with New Song About Barechested Vladimir Putin on a Horse Published Oct 10, 2016 Stepping away from his famed soundtrack work, Randy Newman is returning with a new studio album early next year, marking his first since 2008's. Right now, though, Newman is teasing the new collection with the song "Putin," which is indeed about infamous Russian leader Vladimir Putin.As Newman explained to the Washington Post , the song was inspired directly by that meme-generating photo of a shirtless Putin on a horse "A person with that much extraordinary amount of power, doing things like that is disturbing but also kind of amusing," Newman said.He added: "I don't think I set out to write a song about Putin but I'll tell you, another thing that inspired it, there's an old song in the '40s, by the Golden Gate Quartet, a gospel song called 'Stalin Wasn't Stallin' when he fought the beast of Berlin. About Hitler and Stalin. And I love it, that song. So I think 'Stalin Stallin' is what really pointed the direction to me. 'Putin putting his paints on. Stalin wasn't stallin'.'"Down below, you can listen to "Putin" for yourself. As you'll hear, it does indeed come with a very Russian feel, with a booming orchestra and the "Putin Girls" leading it all.As far as Newman's new as-yet-untitled album goes, there aren't tons of firm details. He did have this to say about it, however:Just mixing now. The reason they're waiting now is because I'm doing the pictures and I can't promote it or go on the road with it. I wish it could come out tomorrow. It's sort of different. The songs are a step for me in that there are a few songs that have more than one character in it. Which I can't remember doing very much of. The "Putin" song sort of does. There's a song about Sonny Boy Williamson and one about a pair of famous brothers. And let's see, I'm happy with it … I had a teacher one time who said, some day you do something where you use everything you know. You don't do it ostentatiously where you see the workings going on. But some day, if you're lucky, that will happen. This is the case where I did that about as well as I can do.As we wait for more details, listen to "Putin" below.
The absolute best and most important meme happening in the waning days of 2016 is known by a few names: “increasingly verbose,” “deconstruction comics,” or “continually explained.” The idea is that an image is repeated, decaying each time, until it’s nothing but a scribble. Meanwhile, the text explaining it becomes wordier with every iteration until it’s barely comprehensible. [Placeholder for https://www.facebook.com/stealingmemesfromobscurepagesfordads/photos/a.586576801394089.1073741825.120105158041258/1412438385474589/?type=3&theater embed.] It’s a meme. It’s a popular, formulaic type of image meant for sharing online. It’s part of the subset of digital, graphical files that encourages human persons to transmit it to one another via a global electronic network until it becomes part of a shared culture, modifying the image and accompanying text each time for humorous effect. … See how that works? The meme seems to have taken off in the meme circles of Reddit, like r/me_irl, on Wednesday, and it’s just now reaching full saturation. The epicenter of the trend is r/coaxedintoasnafu, which specializes in wordy memes. As of Thursday afternoon, the front page of the subreddit was entirely filled with deconstruction comic memes. An easy way to start is by slotting an already-popular meme into the verbose format: As the meme rapidly evolved, during the course of a single day, it became a meta-meme and was more about creating visual representations of the “increasingly verbose” format itself. These grew increasingly minimalistic, until they were reduced to squares and lines: And finally, nothing but scribbles: The meme’s very quick descent into minimalism marks it as part of a recent trend that started with loss.jpg, a notorious four-panel comic strip that can be reduced to a series of 6 vertical lines and one horizontal one. Creating and spotting very subtle, barebones loss.jpgs has become an ongoing game within meme culture. Recently, we’ve seen the tendency to reduce memes to their component parts applied to new entries like This Meme Is From the Future. The same thing seems to be happening to the increasingly verbose meme. It’s especially interesting given that the concept of “increasingly verbose” is to make a simple concept needlessly complex, not to simplify it further. But more and more, it seems like the frames of memes are becoming content-agnostic. Now algorithms like Shitpostbot 5000 can paste random popular images into exploitable meme templates and get results that are at least as funny as the shitposts that humans make on Reddit and 4chan‘s /s4s/. The old adage that form follows function, typically applied to architecture, seems to hold true for memes, too: If you can create a strong, simple, exploitable meme format, it virtually doesn’t matter what you fill it with. What’s more, every new form is a chance to translate the dead memes of the past, wringing fresh humor out of them. In the past, memes have been about catchphrases, a thread you can follow all the way from “All Your Base Are Belong to Us” to “Dicks Out for Harambe.” But a catchphrase only encourages its fans to repeat it. It doesn’t offer much of a chance for interaction. The future of memes may be more about finding the right arrangement of boxes and lines, then engaging in the communal game of filling them in.
A divided Senate on Tuesday again rejected a funding bill to fight the Zika virus, proving that Congress’s months-old stalemate went resolved over its lengthy summer recess. In a 52-46 procedural vote, the Senate failed to win the 60 votes necessary to move forward and end debate on a conference report with the House on the issue. Democrats nearly unanimously voted to block the $1.1 billion funding bill, which was approved by House Republicans in June but has now failed three times in the Senate because of divisive language targeting Planned Parenthood. ADVERTISEMENT The Zika funding bill was attached to next year's spending bill for military construction and veterans affairs, typically one of the least controversial spending bills in either chamber. Speaking on the floor Tuesday afternoon, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell Addison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellHouse to push back at Trump on border Democrats block abortion bill in Senate Overnight Energy: Climate protesters storm McConnell’s office \| Center-right group says Green New Deal could cost trillion \| Dire warnings from new climate studies MORE (R-Ky.) argued that Democrats had "filibustered" the funding for both Zika and veterans. Minutes later, his counterpart, Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid Harry Mason ReidBottom Line Brennan fires back at 'selfish' Trump over Harry Reid criticism Trump rips Harry Reid for 'failed career' after ex-Dem leader slams him in interview MORE (D-Nev.), blasted the GOP for adding in language targeting Planned Parenthood, along with other partisan measures that he described as “strange, weird stuff." “Republicans were more interested in attacking Planned Parenthood and flying the confederate flag. Can’t make that stuff up — that’s really the truth — than protecting women and babies from this awful virus,” Reid said from the floor. Lawmakers from both parties hope Tuesday’s vote will be the final showdown before a deal is unveiled later this month as part of a bipartisan government spending package. McConnell and House Speaker Paul Ryan Paul Davis RyanBrexit and exit: A transatlantic comparison Five takeaways from McCabe’s allegations against Trump The Hill's 12:30 Report: Sanders set to shake up 2020 race MORE (R-Wis.) have both vowed to get money out the door to fight Zika by the end of September. Senate GOP leaders acknowledged for the first time Tuesday that the Zika funding will likely be wrapped into the stopgap spending bill, known as the continuing resolution. "You know I assume that it would be wrapped in the year-end fiscal negotiations that would lead to some sort of continuing resolution. That's my assumption," Sen. John Cornyn John CornynHillicon Valley: Senators urge Trump to bar Huawei products from electric grid \| Ex-security officials condemn Trump emergency declaration \| New malicious cyber tool found \| Facebook faces questions on treatment of moderators Key senators say administration should ban Huawei tech in US electric grid Senate plots to avoid fall shutdown brawl MORE (R-Texas), the Senate majority whip, told reporters just before Tuesday’s failed vote. Some Republicans, including those in Florida facing the most intense pressure on Zika funding, have already hinted that the GOP will have to drop its Planned Parenthood language to get a bill passed in the upper chamber. “For this to get done, that language just may have to go away,” Sen. Roy Blunt Roy Dean BluntPence meeting with Senate GOP ahead of vote to block emergency declaration Dems set to challenge Trump during his foreign trip Demands grow for a public Mueller report MORE (R-Mo.), a leading negotiator on Zika who faces reelection this fall, told McClatchy. The Senate’s bill would have provided about $1.1 billion, including about $350 million in new money and the rest coming from existing health accounts, such as a fund for fighting the Ebola virus. Earlier this summer, the Senate approved a different, bipartisan $1.1 billion funding package, though it was ultimately not taken up by the House because the funding was not offset. Both bills are shy of the White House’s total $1.9 billion request, which Republicans from Florida — such as vulnerable incumbents Sen. Marco Rubio Marco Antonio RubioHillicon Valley: Senators urge Trump to bar Huawei products from electric grid \| Ex-security officials condemn Trump emergency declaration \| New malicious cyber tool found \| Facebook faces questions on treatment of moderators Key senators say administration should ban Huawei tech in US electric grid Trump unleashing digital juggernaut ahead of 2020 MORE and Rep. Carlos Curbelo — have backed. Updated 8:08 p.m.
Criminal hackers are actively exploiting the critical shellshock vulnerability to install a self-replicating backdoor on a popular line of storage systems, researchers have warned. The malicious worm targets network-attached storage systems made by Taiwan-based QNAP, according to a blog post published Sunday by the Sans Institute. The underlying shellshock attack code exploits a bug in GNU Bash that gives attackers the ability to run commands and code of their choice on vulnerable systems. QNAP engineers released an update in October that patches systems against the vulnerability, but the discovery of the worm in the wild suggests a statistically significant portion of users have yet to apply it. "The attack targets a QNAP CGI script, /cgi-bin/authLogin.cgi , a well known vector for Shellshock on QNAP devices," Johannes B. Ullrich, dean of research at Sans, wrote. "This script is called during login, and reachable without authentication. The exploit is then used to launch a simple shell script that will download and execute a number of additional pieces of malware." Infected systems are equipped with a secure shell (SSH) server and a new administrative user, giving the attackers a persistent backdoor to sneak back into the device at any time in the future, Ullrich said. The worm also patches the Shellshock vulnerability, presumably to prevent other attackers from taking over the compromised device. Infected devices also execute a script that makes them carry out a click-fraud scam against an advertising network. A variety of other scripts are also installed. "Infected devices have been observed scanning for other vulnerable devices," Ullrich said. He was unable to locate the specific script responsible for the scanning, but it is presumed it automatically infects any unpatched systems it finds. As indicated in one of the links above, researchers from FireEye warned in early October that Shellshock exploits were likely to persist for a long time, particularly on network-attached devices from QNAP. Admins who have not already done so should take inventory of all devices that run any type of embedded Linux to make sure the Bash vulnerability has been patched.
A genre where guys in peak physical condition lead double lives and wear skin-tight outfits was destined to grab a super-sized gay fan following. However, while the realm of comic book superheroes is overflowing with sexy studs in spandex, there are a few who have cranked up the queer side of the genre with their bold fashion choices – and we love them for it. Here are 13 of the most homoerotic costumes in DC and Marvel Comics history. 1. Black Condor Richard Grey Jr. gained the ability to fly after being exposed to a radioactive meteor. Under the guise of Black Condor, he donned this little slice of fabulous and joined Uncle Sam as a member of the Freedom Fighters during World War II. 2. Power Boy One of DC’s fiercest female superheroes, Power Girl, is also one of the fiercest examples of female objectification in comics when she sports her most iconic costume – which includes a convenient window that shows off her ample cleavage. However, the comics publisher flipped the objectification script with the introduction of Power Boy and incorporated the same “chest window” into his skin-tight costume – which he filled out in all the right places. 3. Hawkman DC’s winged wonder has worn many different costumes since his making his debut in 1940. However, it is his classic skin-baring original that remains a gay fan favorite – for obvious reasons. RELATED: 37 Unintentionally Gay Moments In Comic Book History 4. Goliath (Clint Barton) For a time, the Avengers’ ace archer Clint Barton (Hawkeye) gained the superhuman ability to change his size with the help of fellow teammate Hank Pym’s size-altering particles. He took on the codename Goliath and for some reason thought wearing an outfit that looks like it belongs on a float in the middle of a gay pride parade was the perfect choice to fight intergalactic evil. 5. Tyroc This Legion of Superheroes member is one of the few characters who can wear a costume that screams “disco strippers in space” and make it work. Those shoes though… 6. He-Man Obviously the spirits of Grayskull are more than a little queer. Why else would they transform Prince Adam into this scantily-clad beefcake who was solely responsible for the sexual awaking of thousands of gay boys throughout the 1980s? 7. Grimbor the Chainsman The Legion of Superheroes villain is proof leather bars are alive and well in the 31st century. 8. Namor Marvel’s first mutant was also the first superhero in comics history who made us believe a man who loves to sport sequined bikini briefs could also be a dom top. 9. Cosmic Boy The future magnetism master and Legion leader has never been one to shy away from his feminine side, often rocking pink and purple costumes throughout his superhero career – as well as this sexy, sassy little number in the 70s. 10. Daken Wolverine’s bisexual son often favored wearing nothing more than some ink and a black pair of pants – perfect for fighting the forces of evil or dancing until the early morning at a circuit party. RELATED: 11 Uncanny Gay And Bisexual X-Men 11. Gravity Kid Legion Academy member Tel Vole’s costume accentuates some of his best assets, and proves superheroes don’t have to sacrifice sex appeal to battle the forces of evil in style. 12. Martian Manhunter J’onn J’onzz’s classic costume made the standard uniform of a go-go boy look regal with just a few accessories and one fabulous high-collared cape. Robin The original colorful costume of Batman’s sidekick seemed innocent enough when it was worn by a boy. But when the creative minds at DC Comics decided to finally allow the Boy Wonder become a young adult without updating his costume, those green shorts and tight red tunic turned Dick Grayson into one of the DC Universe’s biggest male sex symbols. (A status he still firmly holds today as Nightwing.) Artist George Perez purposefully played up Robin’s sexier side throughout the 1980s in the comic New Teen Titans – where Grayson often found his costume getting strategically ripped to shreds on many adventures.
Ted Cruz indicated his Wednesday afternoon rally could be an announcement for a vice presidential pick, but refused to say specifically what his "major announcement" would be. \| AP Photo Ted Cruz to make 'major announcement' at 4 p.m. Ted Cruz teased a “major announcement” Wednesday as he proclaimed he will continue fighting, despite Donald Trump’s decisive wins Tuesday night. The Texas senator told reporters in Indianapolis he would be making his announcement at the Pan Am Pavilion on Wednesday afternoon. Story Continued Below “So I encourage folks to come join us at 4 p.m.,” Cruz said. “Hope to see all of y’all there.” Fielding questions about whether he will name his vice presidential running mate — his campaign has begun vetting potential vice presidential picks, including former Republican presidential candidate Carly Fiorina — Cruz wouldn’t say. “If we were making an announcement at 4 p.m., then it wouldn’t make sense to announce it at 10 a.m.,” he said. “And so, the entire purpose of this is you guys should come, and at 4 p.m. you can find out what the major announcement will be.” A BBC reporter relayed via Twitter that Fiorina was on his plane to Indianapolis, and an NBC News crew captured her exiting a car. There is also speculation that Cruz could be announcing the endorsement of Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, but a source familiar with the announcement confirmed that Pence has no role in the 4 p.m. rally. Cruz, who finished third in all except Pennsylvania when five states voted Tuesday, is mathematically eliminated from securing the GOP nomination outright, though his campaign has strategically secured delegates who would support him at a contested convention after they become unbound. Facing the reality that Trump could still win on the first ballot, Cruz and John Kasich’s campaigns agreed late Sunday to cede states to each other in a last-ditch effort to deny Trump the nomination. Trump insisted Cruz, who trails the billionaire by nearly 400 delegates, is wasting his time considering a vice president and preemptively slammed Fiorina as a veep pick Wednesday morning, telling ABC’s “Good Morning America” that the former Hewlett Packard executive had “one good debate” but didn’t resonate with voters. “If you'll remember, remember we had so many — we had so many candidates ahead of us on that stage but she had the one good debate,” Trump said. “She went up, then she dropped like a rock and never resonated with the people. So, I mean, Carly is not going to do the trick.” Trump senior adviser Barry Bennett speculated that Cruz will try “a Hail Mary of some sort” but questioned the point of naming Fiorina as a running mate. “Carly wasn't exactly enjoying a lot of success in her campaign so it would be an interesting choice. You know, I don't think it solves Ted Cruz's problems,” he told CNN. “His problem is, you know, you got 11 and 12 percent in a lot of those states last night. He’s gonna have to do something bolder than that, something a lot more popular than that.” In terms of the impact of a Fiorina endorsement in Indiana — where Cruz trails Trump by 6 percentage points, according to a RealClearPolitics average of state polls — Bennett said former Indiana Hoosiers basketball coach Bobby Knight would be a better running mate. Knight is scheduled to appear with Trump later Wednesday. “Carly’s not from Indiana, obviously, but I'd rather choose Bobby Knight than Carly Fiorina in Indiana,” he said. “She's not very known at all, period. But I'm sure the Indiana people don't really know her at all.” Though Cruz was mum on the details of his impending announcement, he explained his veep criteria to reporters. “I have said from the beginning the most important attribute for any running mate is that he or she should be prepared to step in and fulfill the role as president,” he said. “Be commander in chief, keep this country safe and champion jobs, freedom and security. My number one priority as president is jobs, freedom and security. I think those are the priorities of the people of Indiana and the priorities of this country.”
John Randolph McKinney was a United States soldier who received the Medal of Honor in World War II during the campaign to recapture the Philippines from Japanese forces in 1945. Although greatly outnumbered by about 100 Japanese soldiers, McKinney was single-handedly able to secure a crucial battlefield area before reinforcements arrived. He was presented the Medal of Honor in a White House ceremony by President Harry S. Truman on January 23, 1946. McKinney enlisted in the United States Army from Screven County, Georgia in November 1942.[1] He served as a Sergeant in the United States Army. Medal of Honor citation [ edit ] McKinney, John R. Rank and organization: Sergeant (then Private), U.S. Army, Company A, 123d Infantry, 33d Infantry Division Place and date: Tayabas Province, Luzon, Philippine Islands, May 11, 1945 Entered service at:Woodcliff, Georgia Citation: He fought with extreme gallantry to defend the outpost which had been established near Dingalan Bay. Just before daybreak approximately 100 Japanese stealthily attacked the perimeter defense, concentrating on a light machinegun position having completed a long tour of duty at this gun, Pvt. McKinney was resting a few paces away when an enemy soldier dealt him a glancing blow on the head with a saber. Although dazed by the stroke, he seized his rifle, bludgeoned his attacker, and then shot another assailant who was charging him. Meanwhile, one of his comrades at the machinegun had been wounded and his other companion withdrew carrying the injured man to safety. Alone, Pvt. McKinney was confronted by ten infantrymen who had captured the machinegun with the evident intent of reversing it to fire into the perimeter. Leaping into the emplacement, he shot seven of them at pointblank range and killed three more with his rifle butt. In the melee the machinegun was rendered inoperative, leaving him only his rifle with which to meet the advancing Japanese, who hurled grenades and directed knee mortar shells into the perimeter. He warily changed position, secured more ammunition, and reloading repeatedly, cut down waves of the fanatical enemy with devastating fire or clubbed them to death in hand-to-hand combat. When assistance arrived, he had thwarted the assault and was in complete control of the area. Thirty-eight dead Japanese around the machinegun and two more at the side of a mortar 45 yards distant was the amazing toll he had exacted single-handedly. By his indomitable spirit, extraordinary fighting ability, and unwavering courage in the face of tremendous odds, Pvt. McKinney saved his company from possible annihilation and set an example of unsurpassed intrepidity. Heroism on Luzon, Philippines [ edit ] US Army Pvt. John McKinney had stood guard duty and had just gone to his tent in the early hours May 11, 1945 on the island of Luzon, Philippines. The vanguard of a Japanese force slipped past the guard post. Sgt. Fukutaro Morii threw open McKinney's tent flap and slashed down with his sword, no doubt to minimize the sound of the as-yet undetected attack. He severed part of McKinney's ear. McKinney, a skilled hunter from Georgia, grabbed the rifle he slept with, bashed Morii in the chin and finished him off with another blow to the head. Over the next 36 minutes, McKinney protected the flank of his company and his sleeping comrades by killing 38 of the enemy. McKinney did so through point-blank, kill-or-be-killed encounters as well as rapid-fire, accurate shots with various M1 rifles he picked up and fired at charging enemies. Early in the engagement, he returned to his foxhole where he eliminated first one wave and then part of the second wave of the main attack force. Several in the second wave made it to the foxhole where McKinney first shot and then clubbed his assailants in hand-to-hand combat.[2] Death [ edit ] McKinney died on April 5, 1997, and is interred at Double Heads Baptist Church in Sylvania, Georgia.[3] Legacy [ edit ] The State of Georgia renamed a highway The John R. McKinney Medal of Honor Highway in his honor.[4] See also [ edit ] References [ edit ] Further reading [ edit ] Forrest Bryant Johnson. 2007. Phantom Warrior: The Heroic True Story of Pvt. John McKinney's One-Man Stand Against the Japanese in World War II. Berkley, New York. ISBN 978-0-425-21566-1 plus [1] at the Pritzker Military Library on March 6, 2017
This is why contemptuous laughter is the only appropriate response when a Western politician talks about freedom.Bardot's opposition is not rooted in the defense of Catholic France that animates the French Right. She opposes Islamization largely because she feel it has a negative impact on animal rights. She is, as she always has been, an icon of the French Left. It's important to remember how central Bardot was once seen to the left wing French intelligentsia and feminist movements during her prime. She was seen as the central figure in the dissolution of traditional sexual norms, best exemplified in the notorious barefoot dancing scene from 1956's And God Created Woman, a film censored in the United States by the National Legion of Decency. As the left-wing Guardian put it, In a 1959 essay about Bardot called The Lolita Syndrome, Simone de Beauvoir foresaw Bardot's entire life with its upheavals and triumphs. She called Bardot the "locomotive of women's history", and compared her irruption into French society with existentialism, presenting Bardot as the first and most liberated woman of postwar France. De Beauvoir wrote: "When Marlene Dietrich exhibited her silk-wrapped thighs while singing in her husky voice, she was casting a spell . . . Brigitte Bardot doesn't cast spells; she acts. Her flesh doesn't have the generosity that symbolises passivity. Her clothes are not fetishes and when she undresses, she reveals no mystery. She simply shows off her body, which is in constant movement. She walks, she dances, she moves. In the hunting game, she is both hunter and prey. Males are an object for her, as much as she is an object for them. This is precisely what hurts males' pride." It was clear to all that Bardot, like Albert Camus's stranger, experienced the world through her senses. [Happy birthday, Brigitte Bardot, by Agnes Poirier, The Guardian, September 21, 2009] Now, this same class is the one that puts Bardot on trial for opposing the Islamization of her country. The problem is that there is no more French Left. There is only an anti-French Left that is willing to throw aside everything it once valued— feminism, animal rights, homosexual liberation—if it means they get to dispossess the hated native Europeans. The latest trial of Bardot shows that the French regime is lying when it spouts its nonsense about #JeSuisCharlie and preens about free speech. But it is more than that. It shows that the entire French Left, and really the entire Western Left, has simply devolved into a cult of bigotry against white people. Behind all their jargon and sloganeering, they have no explanatory power and nothing to say. They don't even have any principles left. They just hate us. What is policy vision of the Western Left? Shut up, they explained. Apparently, the French "far Right" has come a long way from Joseph de Maistre
The Loan Report turned up its second domestic title winner of the season this weekend whilst, with the season finishing for several teams, John Swift signed off his Brentford stay with another goal, and a fellow Championship player celebrated promotion. We begin, though, with Marco van Ginkel. Headliners The Dutch international midfielder was deemed surplus to requirements by a nondescript Stoke City team who are finishing the season in mid-table mediocrity again and so PSV intervened late in January to bring his goalscoring talents back to the Eredivisie. Three months and eight goals later, he had his hands on the Dutch title after a dramatic final day of the season saw PSV usurp Ajax, who drew against De Graafschap, and retained the crown they secured last year. To say Van Ginkel has been a driving force behind their surge to glory might be over-doing it slightly but he has made a considerable impact since returning to the Netherlands and his goals put them in the position to go on and retain the title. There has been widespread talk of a more permanent stay and, with Champions League football also guaranteed, that will only pick up over the coming weeks and months. Things will be different going into this summer for another goalscoring midfielder in Swift, who capped his final Brentford appearance with his seventh goal for the Bees, a solid return in the Championship for a player who hasn’t always been a regular. He came off the bench during the second half of a 5-1 rout at Huddersfield and finished in his typical style, breaking from deep before firing beyond goalkeeper Lloyd Allinson. With his Chelsea contract due to expire, there will be a number of suitors for the England Under-21 international and with a return to Stamford Bridge looking unlikely, it could be time for him to take the next step in his career for his own good. At the same time, Tomas Kalas and Middlesbrough were celebrating promotion to the Premier League after a final-day draw with Brighton proved enough to get Aitor Karanka’s men over the line. Kalas has found it hard to nail down a regular place in the team but he has served as a handy utility defender in 26 league appearances all told, and played his part in ending their seven-year exile from the top flight. England Patrick Bamford made a rare substitute appearance for Norwich at home to Manchester United but, afforded just twelve minutes, he made no impact as a 1-0 defeat left the Canaries ever closer to relegation. Victor Moses played an hour of West Ham’s decidedly below-par 4-1 defeat at home to Swansea, whilst Nathan Aké was against rested by Watford for their 2-0 defeat at Liverpool. Plymouth geared up for their playoff dates against Portsmouth with a 5-0 win over Hartlepool with Jordan Houghton not involved. He figures to return for the big-stakes clashes next week though. Netherlands Vitesse’s season finished with a 2-2 draw away to Twente that ended their hopes of qualifying for Europe next season, came without a single loanee in the starting eleven, and ended with the immediate sacking of interim manager Rob Maas. Maas has proven himself a poor replacement for the impressive Peter Bosz since his departure to Maccabi Tel-Aviv in December and Vitesse’s fall from the upper reaches of the Eredivisie has been wrought with frustration and poor decision-making. Dominic Solanke missed out through injury but there were late substitute appearances for Lewis Baker and Izzy Brown. Each will have taken a great deal from their stays in Arnhem and the possibility of a return for a second season has been floated, but they too now return to Cobham for their season debriefs. Todd Kane’s season ended weeks ago but he is making solid immediate progress after surgery to repair his torn anterior cruciate ligament and a summer of hard work awaits. Germany It was a great weekend for Borussia Mönchengladbach and Andreas Christensen as a 2-1 win over third-placed Bayer Leverkusen all but ensured Champions League qualification for next season. Gladbach have a three-point lead on a trio of chasing teams and are 11 goals or more better off in the chief tie-breaker of goal difference heading into the final game of the campaign, therefore requiring a minor miracle for them to lose out from here. In and of itself it strengthens the case for Christensen to remain there for a second season, remaining amongst Europe’s elite at a time when Chelsea aren’t, and going from a growing player into a dependable leader and defensive force. Papy Djilobodji helped Werder Bremen to a clean sheet and a 0-0 draw at Köln that keeps alive their hopes of avoiding a relegation play-off against Nurnburg. A win over Eintracht Frankfurt next weekend will achieve just that. France Jeremie Boga played the second half of Rennes’ 2-0 defeat at Montpellier and would have had an assist had Giovanni Sio not contrived to miss the eventual open goal the pass provided. Mario Pašalić is close to being able to play again but isn’t expected to feature in Monaco’s must-win season finale next week with Champions League football on the line. Spain Charly Musonda was substituted a minute from time as Real Betis drew 1-1 at Eibar to mathematically avoid relegation. Christian Atsu, meanwhile, completed his first ninety minutes for Málaga as they lost 1-0 to Celta Vigo. Italy The Loan Report’s other domestic champion this season, Juan Cuadrado, played ninety minutes for Juventus in a defeat to relegated Verona. Stipe Perica was an unused substitute for Udinese whilst Nathaniel Chalobah wasn’t in Napoli’s squad at Torino. Belgium Sint-Truiden’s season concluded with a 3-0 defeat at home to Charleroi in which Cristian Cuevas got his customary full match and Victorien Angban collected his customary booking in a 75-minute appearance. Cuevas will be leaving Chelsea permanently this summer and has interest from within the Jupiler League, where he has put together a very solid body of work over the last year. Turkey Marko Marin’s continued absence from the Trabzonspor setup saw him miss their 6-0 hammering of Rizespor whilst Kenneth Omeruo is likely to miss Kasimpasa’s trip to Konyaspor on Monday through injury. Sweden Jamal Blackman’s second clean sheet for Ostersunds helped them to a 1-0 win over Kalmar FF and into a very solid mid-table position after eight Allsvenskan matches; Blackman himself being an ever-present thus far. Norway Alex Davey’s injury kept him out of Stabaek’s 3-1 reverse at the hands of Rosenborg. Bosnia-Herzegovina Matej Delač’s first start after completing his journey back from a torn ACL ended with a 4-0 defeat away to FK Sloboda having sat out their midweek win over FK Mladost. Brazil Wallace has picked up an injury that will keep him out for two to three weeks, and meant that he missed Gremio’s Copa Libertadores exit at the hands of Rosaria Central.
The FBI is investigating the shooting death of an Adams County rancher by sheriff’s deputies for possible federal criminal violations by the officers. U.S. Attorney for Idaho Wendy Olson announced the federal investigation at a meeting with reporters at her office Thursday in Boise. The FBI’s investigation is in addition to the ongoing investigation by the Idaho State Police; the Idaho attorney general is serving as a special prosecutor in connection with the ISP investigation. “The FBI is also conducting an investigation,” Olson said. “They have met with ISP. Our office will make a determination on whether there are any federal charges that can be brought. Sign Up and Save Get six months of free digital access to The Idaho Statesman “I’ve talked to the state attorney general’s office. They are two independent investigations and two independent prosecutorial decision making processes,” she said, adding, “there will be a sharing of information.” The ISP and attorney general will be looking at possible state criminal violations; the federal authorities are examining possible federal violations. Federal statutes that could be implicated include the federal prohibition on a law enforcement officer willfully and intentionally depriving a person of his or her statutory or constitutional rights. Intentional use of excessive force by law enforcement could violate the 4th Amendment’s protections against illegal search and seizure. Olson offered no time frame for the federal investigation. “We want to be deliberate and thorough,” she said. As authorities sort through the evidence in the case, she said, “people will need to be patient.” “ISP will be thorough, the FBI will be thorough,” Olson said. “The attorney general’s office will carefully review the evidence, we’ll carefully review the evidence, and decisions will be made. … That does take a period of time to do and get right.” Yantis was shot to death after a Subaru station wagon hit one of his bulls on Highway 95 near his Council ranch Nov. 1; dispatchers called him to the scene after the injured bull began charging emergency responders as they extricated the vehicle’s two occupants. The sheriff’s office hasn’t said anything about what happened next, other than that firearms were discharged by both deputies and Yantis. Yantis’ family members, at least two of whom witnessed the shooting, told the Idaho Statesman the deputies had unsuccessfully tried to shoot the bull, and as Yantis aimed his rifle to shoot it in the head, they accosted him and shot him. His wife, Donna, who was at the scene after bringing Yantis his rifle, suffered a heart attack and was hospitalized.
Billionaire PayPal co-founder Peter Thiel succeeded in destroying Gawker. But if he believes that he's done anything to stop the reporting on public figures' sexual orientation -- and he has couched his crusade against Gawker, backing the lawsuit by Hulk Hogan, as one against the so-called "outing" of himself by Gawker, and thus the future "outing" of others -- he is living in a fantasy world. As the saying goes -- and certainly it's one they abide by in Thiel's Silicon Valley -- "you can't stop progress." And "outing" like it or not (and if not, it's probably in part based on your misunderstanding of it), is progress. This is at once a simple and complicated issue -- complicated mostly because of the way the terms have for years been defined and framed within mainstream media, so I'm going to ask you to stick with me here. And please put aside for the moment the horrendous, lurid Daily Beast article revealing the sexual activity of Olympic athletes on hook-up apps from week before last, because it really doesn't apply here, and I'll explain why. As many who've read my work for years know, I reject the Time magazine-fabricated term "outing" (a supposed practice which I've also been falsely described as somehow inventing), for several reasons, but more on that in a few minutes. For the sake of the first part of this argument, however, let's accept the term. You'll then be hard-pressed to disagree with this statement: As homosexuality has become, and will continue to become, more accepted, "outing" (or, revealing in the course of journalism) public figures' sexual orientation -- gay, lesbian or bisexual -- will become more accepted, and routine. The two are inextricably linked. When there are fewer and fewer -- to no -- ramifications for public figures to be known as gay or bisexual, it will be no big deal to report on gay or bisexual sexual orientation with regard to public figures whether they've stated it publicly themselves or not. In many areas -- and certainly in Silicon Valley -- that has already happened. We can compare this to religion -- something that, like homosexuality, is not often overtly noticeable unless someone denotes it with adornment of some sort -- and see the same thing has happened over time. For example, let's look at being Jewish. At one time in this country's history, Jewish business people, performers and other public figures changed their names for the sake of their careers, as a virulent, violent anti-Semitism was rampant. Respectable, objective media abided by this closet. Certainly in Europe, and particularly in Germany in the early part of the 20th century, it was a life or death matter. No one would argue with anyone closeting the fact of being a Jew, and any decent person would vilify a journalist who revealed even a public figure as Jewish amid that dangerous landscape. But that has changed. No media organization today in America would be chastised for reporting that a public figure is Jewish or has Jewish ancestry if relevant to a larger story, even if the individual hadn't publicly acknowledged it. Anti-Semitism, like homophobia, of course still exists, and it's utopian to believe we will eradicate such biases completely over a relatively short period of time. But a tipping point does become reached at least on reporting on it. It's different, however, for private individuals, as opposed to public figures, people who decided to go into public life and open their lives to dissection by the media. It is both wrong and not legal for your employer to ask about your religion -- whether you are Christian, or Hindu or Buddhist or a non-believer, for example -- if you are private individual, and it should be the same about sexual orientation. It is not relevant to your job, opens up your employer to a bias charge, and you've chosen to retain your life as a private individual, not going into public life where the First Amendment applies differently. Now let's get to Peter Thiel, a prominent businessman actively engaged in the public political discussion and backing political candidates, such as Ted Cruz (in the past) and Donald Trump (now), politicians who themselves have public positions about homosexuality that make Thiel's sexual orientation interesting and relevant. I've explained in a previous post why Thiel wasn't "outed." He was out and open within a wide circle, having parties, attending parties, at which he was known as gay, open to many in the Silicon Valley business community and media when the Gawker site reported on him. He even admitted this in an op-ed in The New York Times last week, noting he was out already to people but was still in the process of coming out to more when this supposedly terrible "outing" by Gawker occurred. And thus, to him, it was wrong: It should be he who decides when the media report on his sexual orientation, no matter how public he is about it to many around him. But this idea promotes a kind of homosexual exceptionalism -- and, ironically, a sort of culture of victimology that one doesn't expect from a self-described libertarian conservative like Thiel. Just about every other issue, from a public figure's private business dealings to his or her heterosexual relationships (and thus identity), is reported on when relevant -- not when the public figure decides the media should report on it. And Thiel makes it sound as if 2007 in Silicon Valley, when he was reported on as gay by the Gawker site, was like the 1950s for gays in America, let alone like Nazi Germany for Jews in the 1930s. Come on. In that Times piece, Thiel compared himself to the Olympic athletes whose sexual behavior on Grindr was revealed by Daily Beast reporter Nico Hines, who went on the hook-up app and entrapped them into giving intimate details of the sex they sought and made them easily identifiable. But, as I wrote last week in slamming that ugly piece, there is no comparison. Not only were these athletes, many competing for the first time, not public figures in the sense that Thiel is, but this wasn't about their sexual orientation -- we still don't know how they identify -- it was about sex acts. And while there might be a case for a story in which actual sexual acts and interests may be relevant, it certainly wasn't relevant in this case. No one ever revealed Peter Thiel's very private, intimate sexual interests -- what acts he likes best, etc. -- and I'd be the first to defend him if someone did so with no reason whatsoever. But sexual orientation is about who you are, how you see the world and how you identify, not about your private sexual activity. And if you are public about it as a public person to a wide circle it should be something reportable. That is why I've rejected the term "outing." It was coined by a biased man with a conflict of interest in 1990, Time magazine critic William Henry III, whose wife wrote me after his death to tell me he was a bisexual and known to be so by those around him and by her. He created a violent-sounding, active verb --"outing" -- in writing about my work at the time (I'd reported on the sexual orientation of multi-millionaire Malcolm Forbes after he died) to describe something that should simply be called "reporting." Commentators have in recent days pointed out distortions, contradictions and inconsistencies in Thiel's Times piece. For example, he claimed that bipartisan legislation in Congress was inspired by the Hogan case, meant to take on "revenge porn"and was dubbed the Gawker Bill. But the bill's sponsor, Rep. Jackie Spiers (D-Calif) pushed back, stating the Intimate Privacy Protection Act was not introduced with the Hogan case or revenge porn in mind, and isn't nicknamed the Gawker Bill. Similarly, the Hulk Hogan case had nothing to do with sexual orientation but rather was about sexual activity and, as Spiers noted, is a complicated media story. For Thiel to equate it with his supposed "outing" is disingenuous. As I wrote, Thiel would be laughed out of court if he tried to sue Gawker for reporting on his sexual orientation, which is protected under the First Amendment. So, he waited for a case in which to exact his revenge, and he got it.
Three former employees are suing Target for discrimination, citing a document the company distributed to managers with reminders that not all Hispanics eat tacos and burritos or wear sombreros. The former warehouse workers' lawsuit, filed in California's Yolo County, claims they were victims of discrimination on the job, and that Target's "Multi-Cultural Tips" for managers were themselves offensive, according to Courthouse News. According to the complaint, Target gave its distribution warehouse managers a document entitled, "Organization Effectiveness, Employee and Labor Relations Multi-Cultural Tips," which featured suggestions on how to manage Hispanic employees. The tips addressed variety of Hispanic stereotypes, from music to food to clothing. The document stated the following, according to the lawsuit: a. Food: not everyone eats tacos and burritos; b. Music: not everyone dances to salsa; c. Dress: not everyone wears a sombrero; d. Mexicans (lower education level, some may be undocumented); e. Cubans (Political refugees, legal status, higher education level); and f. They may say 'OK, OK' and pretend to understand, when they do not, just to save face. Do you work at Target? Have you witnessed discrimination? Send an email to kim.bhasin@huffingtonpost.com. The three workers, Robert Gonzalez, Bulmaro Fabian and Pedro Garcia-Ayala, also claim in the suit that their supervisors were nearly all Caucasians who frequently used racial slurs when talking to Hispanic employees. Gonzalez says that when he went to human resources to report the problem, his bosses retaliated, and he and Fabian and Garcia-Ayala were eventually fired. Molly Snyder, a spokeswoman for Target, declined to comment on the lawsuit saying the company hadn't yet received it. Snyder said the retailer is "firmly committed" to diversity in the workplace. "That commitment includes respecting and valuing the diverse backgrounds of our more than 361,000 team members worldwide," she said. In response to news of the complaint, LATISM, a national nonprofit organization based in D.C., questioned whether Target's actions were racist. "It’s very disturbing to think that a company which has a pretty good public persona might have such an ugly private face," the organization wrote in a blog post. Target recently ramped up its marketing to the Hispanics, whom the retailer considers critical customers as the biggest and fastest-growing minority group in the U.S. "We are going to source dominant presentations of Latino and Hispanic merchandise through the entire store," Target chief executive officer Gregg Steinhafel told MPR News in May. "It's a big effort that we have internally to really stretch ourselves and jump way out in front." UPDATE: July 10, 12:15 a.m. -- Statement from Target spokeswoman Molly Snyder:
I’m delighted to welcome Sarah Bryson, author of Charles Brandon: The King’s Man to the Anne Boleyn Files today on the first stop of her book/blog tour. Sarah’s here to share an article and her publisher, MadeGlobal Publishing, is also offering a paperback copy of Sarah’s biography of Brandon to one lucky Anne Boleyn Files follower. All you have to do to enter the giveaway is comment below this article saying what you’d like to know about Charles Brandon. Leave your comment before the end of Friday 24th June. A winner will be picked at random and contacted for their details. Over to Sarah… History often records Charles Brandon as a womaniser, an irresistible man and a great favourite of women. He is even alleged to have kidnapped one of his wives and stolen her away to marry her! He has been accused of flirting with other women and generally being a playboy. Certainly Brandon was no stranger to women. He had four wives and at least one precontract to marry that was eventually called off. Yet does this make him a womaniser or are we viewing the man’s life through a modern lens? According to the Merriam Webster dictionary, to “womanise” is to peruse “casual sexual relationships with multiple women.” Certainly in his younger years, it can be safely stated that Brandon had quite a chequered marital life. It was clear that there was one marriage and one proposal of marriage that he went into for the sole reason of furthering his financial prospects. Yet Brandon also seems to have deeply loved two of his four wives, one of which he outlived. Looking once again at his marital life Brandon was married four times, two of his wives dying before himself. In 1505/1506, Brandon was romantically linked to Anne Browne, daughter of Sir Anthony Browne. It is recorded that “he was in love and resorted muche to the company of Anne Browne.” Certainly from this confession it can be assumed that Brandon was in love, or believed himself to be in love with Anne Browne and enjoyed her company. The couple promised one another to marry and then slept together, conceiving a daughter. However, the marriage would not have brought Brandon great financial prospects. Anne was the daughter of Sir Anthony Browne, Lieutenant of Calais and a Knight. With his second marriage, Anthony Browne had at least one son who would become his heir and thus Anne would receive little of her father’s wealth when he passed in November 1506. Brandon, a young man at only twenty-two years of age, needed money to help further his career, and thus, he turned his attention to forty-three-year-old Margaret Neville, Dame Mortimer, and made her his wife. This marriage brought greater advancement for Brandon, and he began to sell off his new wife’s lands to the value of around £1000. For this Brandon has been referred to as a womaniser yet what must Margaret Neville have thought? She was marrying a man almost half her age; did she truly think he loved her? Surely she could not have been so blind as to think that the marriage was for love rather than advancement? As a woman brought up with the belief that it was her duty to serve her husband she would have had to submit herself to the knowledge that Brandon would have used the marriage to further his career. Less than two years later, Brandon was looking to have his marriage to Dame Mortimer annulled due to consanguinity, that is due to his previously relationship with her niece, Anne Browne. There is no doubt that Brandon used Dame Margaret for his own financial benefit. This is clear to anyone looking at the marriage. However, after his marriage to Dame Margaret, Brandon returned to his first wife. It has been reported that Brandon kidnapped Anne Browne, however, there is simply no factual evidence for this. Together the couple had another daughter before Anne tragically died a short time later in 1510. The fact that Brandon returned to Anne must show that he held some affection for his first wife and did his duty and returned to her to raise their daughter and subsequently their second child. At the age of twenty-nine, Brandon was a widower and looking to further his career and financial standing, thus, in 1513, he proposed marriage to eight-year-old Elizabeth Grey, Viscountess Lisle, daughter and heiress of the late John Grey, 2nd Baron Lisle. First and foremost, the age of marriage for a woman in the Tudor period was twelve, so Brandon clearly had no intention of consummating the marriage. But what the proposal did bring him was the title of Viscount and the money related to the lands and rents that Elizabeth Grey owned. Perhaps Brandon would have married Elizabeth Grey when she came of age, but he would have had to wait six years for that to happen and it appears that he was more interested in her wealth and money than an actual physical marriage. However, before Elizabeth came of age Brandon was again married. There is no doubt that Brandon’s marriage to Mary Tudor; younger sister of Henry VIII, was a love affair. It could be argued that Brandon married Mary to further his own prospects, but Brandon’s marriage to Mary left the couple in great debt. Brandon defied his King and risked the charge of treason and death to marry Mary. The story of Brandon and Mary’s marriage writes itself like a love story, and it does seem as though the pair genuinely loved each other. A few months after their marriage Brandon did write to the King stating: “I beseech your grace to tell Mistress Blount and Mistress Carew the next time I write to them or send them tokens, they shall write to be or send me tokens again”. However, it is highly doubtful that there was any sexual or deep romantic interest from Brandon towards Mistress Blount or Mistress Carew, especially since Brandon had just married Henry VIII’s younger sister! Most likely this was just another case of courtly love, an idea that was related to the Arthurian legends where a man wooed a woman without any real desire to marry her or get her into bed. Brandon could also have been writing to play along with his King’s romantic interests in Elizabeth “Bessie Blount”. Whatever the outcome of this letter there are no reports of Brandon sleeping with other women during his marriage to Mary Tudor. It seems their marriage was a love affair, and the couple were married for eighteen years before Mary died on 25th of June 1533. Brandon married his fourth wife within three months of Mary Tudor’s death. He married Katherine Willoughby, heiress to her father’s fortune and a girl of fourteen years of age. There was a thirty-five year age gap between the pair and despite Katherine being of legal age to marry, there was some talk about the age difference and the suddenness of the marriage. Once again, it appears that Brandon married Katherine to secure her fortune and to incorporate it into his own wealth. However, the benefits for Katherine in this marriage cannot be overlooked. She was being elevated to one of the highest ranking women in the country, after the Queen and the Princesses Mary and Elizabeth. No longer was she a ward, but now she was a woman who ran her own household and whom people would turn to for favours and advancement. Her own career began to prosper, and she became a strong believer in the new teachings and religious beliefs. She also became close friends with Henry VIII’s last wife Katherine Parr, who also shared Katherine’s religious beliefs. There does seem to be some mutual affection and understanding between Brandon and his last wife. While Brandon was conservative in his religion, he was also known to be a patron to both conservative and reformers. Katherine was a strong reformer, and Brandon seems to have supported her religious beliefs, even allowing her to call her dog Gardiner, after the staunch Catholic Stephen Gardiner. Whatever the true nature of their relationship, Brandon and Katherine’s marriage lasted almost twelve years, producing two sons, only ending with the Duke’s death on August 22nd 1545. Despite what the television show “The Tudors” depicted there are no reports or accounts of Brandon taking a mistress during his final marriage. So the question remains, was Brandon a womaniser? Again, his behaviour needs to be considered according to the beliefs and behaviours of the time. It was a common belief that sexual intercourse during pregnancy could damage the child and that a man needed sex to remain healthy and strong so it was not unthinkable, nor was it unusual, for a man to seek a mistress while his wife was pregnant. Certainly Henry VIII is known to have several mistresses in addition to his six wives. William Compton, courtier and close friend of the King, took the Duke of Buckingham’s sister to be his mistress for many years. Thomas Howard, Duke of Norfolk, put aside his wife and took one of his servants, Bess Holland, as his mistress. Even Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, a dedicated man of the church, was living with his mistress with whom he had children. When considering Brandon’s actions compared to those around him it does not seem as though he was out of the ordinary, or behaving in a manner that was not common at the time. Yes, he was married four times, but of those four marriages two of those wives died before him, and the last only ended due to his death. Certainly he knew how to play the game of courtly love, his very public flirtation with Margaret of Savoy was testament to that. He knew how to woo women and there is no denying that he was an extremely handsome man. Certainly in his younger years Brandon used Dame Margaret to further his financial position and he gained the wardship of Elizabeth Grey to claim her land and wealth. Yet there was also his marriage to Anne Browne which seemed to hold genuine affection, and certainly his marriage to Mary Tudor was a love match. Yes, Brandon did have a chequered marital and romantic life but to call him a womaniser would be judging him through the lenses of modern standards. He had a way with women, that is quite obvious, but he also loved deeply and had two long-lasting marriages that only ended due to death. For further information about Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk’s life, please refer to my new book Charles Brandon The King’s Man available on Amazon – click here to go to your country’s Amazon site. Or you can find me at by website www.queentohistory.com or my Facebook page. Here is the schedule for Sarah’s book/blog tour: Sarah Bryson is a researcher, writer and educator who has a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education with Honours. She currently works with children with disabilities. She is passionate about Tudor history and has a deep interest in Mary Boleyn, Charles Brandon, the reign of Henry VIII and the people of his court. She is the author of Mary Boleyn in a Nutshell and Charles Brandon: The King’s Man. Visiting England in 2009 furthered her passion and when she returned home she started a website, queentohistory.com, and a Facebook page about Tudor history. Sarah lives in Australia, enjoys reading, writing and Tudor costume enactment. Sarah will be at MadeGlobal’s “An Evening with the Author” event on 24 September in London – click here to find out more. More about Charles Brandon: The King’s Man Charles Brandon was an enigmatic, charismatic man, rising from a mere boyhood friend of the future king, Henry VIII, to flirting with a European duchess, marrying Mary Tudor, Dowager Queen of France, and being created Duke of Suffolk. Brandon was one of the best jousters during the reign of Henry, he was clever, athletic and confident, though his confidence sometimes got him into trouble. In this detailed biography, Sarah Bryson (Mary Boleyn in a Nutshell) gives us a highly detailed look at Charles Brandon’s life and times, including information and background on each of his marriages, his children, and his lifetime achievements. Fully referenced and indexed, Charles Brandon: The King’s Man is an invaluable resource for any Tudor enthusiast. “A vivid portrait of one of the most enigmatic and fascinating men at the Tudor court.” – Josephine Wilkinson, author of Katherine Howard “An enjoyable and readable biography of this fascinating Tudor man.” – Claire Ridgway, author of The Fall of Anne Boleyn “Bryson has constructed a fluid and well-informed narrative which rings with passion for her subject. She successfully brings to life a vibrant and complex man, drawing out the different levels of his identity as a courtier, jouster, politician, friend to the King and as a husband and lover. I defy anyone to read this interesting study and not to be drawn in by the author’s infectious desire to understand the real Charles Brandon.” – Amy Licence, author of The Six Wives & Many Mistresses of Henry VIII Remember to leave a comment below saying what you’d like to know about Charles Brandon. Leave your comment before the end of Friday 24th June. Sources Baldwin, David (2015) Henry VIII’s Last Love: The Extraordinary Life of Katherine Willoughby, Lady-in-Waiting to the Tudors, Amberley Publishing, Gloucestershire. Willoughby, Lady-in-Waiting to the Tudors, Amberley Publishing, Gloucestershire. Denny, J (2007) Anne Boleyn: A New Life of England’s Tragic Queen, Da Capo Press, Great Britain. Hart, Kelly (2009) The Mistresses of Henry VIII, The History Press, Gloucestershire. Letters and Papers, Foreign and Domestic, of the Reign of Henry VIII, 1509-47, ed. J.S Brewer, James Gairdner and R.H Brodie, His Majesty’s Stationery Office, 1862-1932. Licence, Amy (2014) The Six Wives & Many Mistresses of Henry VIII, Amberley Publishing, Gloucestershire. Medieval Lives: Birth, Marriage and Death 2013, BBC Scotland. Merriam-Webster Incorporated 2015, “Womanize”, An Encyclopaedia Britannica Company, viewed 17 May 2016, http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/womanize. Richardson, Douglas (2011) Plantagenet Ancestry: A Study In Colonial And Medieval Families, 2nd Edition, CreateSpace, USA. Sadlack, Erin (2001) The French Queen’s Letters, Palgrave Macmillan, New York. Wilson, Derek (2009) A Brief History of Henry VIII, Constable and Robinson Ltd., London. Weir, Alison (1991) The Six Wives of Henry VIII, Grove Press, New York. Weir, Alison (2008) Henry VIII: King & Court, Vintage Books, London. Categories: Books, Tudor Characters
Like a cool business dad, The New York Times has finally decided to stop capitalizing the word "Internet." From June, the publication will be relying on lowercase letters to describe the information superhighway, calling it just the "internet" in both its print and online iterations. The NYT is joining the Associated Press in ditching the capital-I internet this year, with both bastions of journalistic style choosing to shrink the letter on June 1st. Thomas Kent — the AP's standards editor — explained that the internet had become "wholly generic, like ‘electricity or the ‘telephone'." The word was not trademarked, and not based on a proper noun, he said. "The best reason for capitalizing it in the past may have been that the word was new. But at one point, I've heard, ‘phonograph' was capitalized." The New York Times will no longer spell "internet" with a capital "I" https://t.co/0BD4LVwGbg pic.twitter.com/K1rB2TVAbJ — Hiroko Tabuchi (@HirokoTabuchi) May 25, 2016 The change, which had been discussed at the 2016 American Copy Editors Society conference in April, will help some of the world's biggest publications sound less like Dr. Evil when describing everyday interactions, but the AP's announcement earlier this year also drew some frowny faces from internet users who'd much rather stay Internet users. One called the move "pointless and counter-productive," saying it was grammatically wrong to decapitalize a proper noun, while another said the internet deserved the honorific big I as a wonder of the world.
BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thai anti-government protesters on Friday set a new deadline for bringing down the government, vowing that December 9 was an auspicious time for all of their supporters to join a final push for victory. Protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban stresses a point as he addresses anti-government protesters at the occupied Government complex in Bangkok December 6, 2013. REUTERS/Dylan Martinez Leaders of the opposition movement met at a sprawling government administrative centre that they occupy to debate how to breathe fresh life into their movement, showing no signs of giving up even through protest numbers have dwindled. The demonstrations are the latest eruption of a conflict pitting the Bangkok-based royalist establishment against mostly poorer Thais loyal to Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and her brother, former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, who was toppled by the military in 2006 and lives in self-imposed exile. Protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban, a former deputy prime minister in a government led by the pro-establishment Democrat Party, told a rally the people had to take back power from what he called the illegitimate “Thaksin regime”. The protesters have missed successive deadlines for forcing Yingluck out but Suthep issued a new one, calling on people to come out for a final push on Monday. “Victory is measured by the number of people who are willing to fight together which is why we have to set a deadline. On Monday, December 9 this business has to stop,” Suthep said. People who wanted to protect the core institutions of the monarchy and religion should join the protest at the auspicious time of 9:39 a.m. on Monday, Suthep said. He urged people to come to Bangkok from the provinces to help. Yingluck swept Thailand’s last election in 2011 with the support of Thaksin’s loyal followers, in particular the poor in the north and northeast of the country. Thaksin, a former telecommunications tycoon, built up a solid electoral base with pro-poor policies and he won elections in 2001 and 2005. But the establishment of generals, bureaucrats, royalists and many members of the urban middle class saw him as a corrupt, crony capitalist who manipulated the masses with populist handouts and posed a threat to the monarchy, which he denies. They say election wins by Thaksin or the parties he backs had no legitimacy because he buys votes. Thaksin fled Thailand in 2008 to avoid a graft conviction but remained closely involved with his sister’s government. The protests were sparked by a government bid to introduce an amnesty that would have expunged his conviction. “NOT UP TO MILITARY” There seems little doubt Yingluck would win an election if she were to call one so Suthep has been urging the setting up of a “people’s council” of appointed “good people” to replace the government. The army, which ousted Thaksin in a 2006 coup, has said it does not want to get involved though it has been trying to mediate. Suthep told the crowd they could not rely on the military pushing Yingluck’s government out. “We must do it ourselves,” he said. This week, the protesters launched waves of attacks on the prime minister’s offices and other state buildings. Police managed to hold them off with volleys of teargas, rubber bullets and water cannons. The two sides agreed a truce as a show of respect for King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s birthday on Thursday. Five people have been killed since last weekend, all apparently in clashes between pro- and anti-government supporters. Scores have been wounded, most through inhaling teargas. Slideshow (2 Images) Police said three people were injured early on Friday, one by a gunshot and the others, in a separate incident, by a small bomb near a site the protesters have been occupying. With the crisis not over, Yingluck has cancelled trips to Russia, Myanmar and Japan scheduled for this month. The Thai baht remained weak on Friday at 32.34 per dollar, around a three-month low, and the stock market lost 1 percent.
Image copyright Getty Images A week could be taken off school summer holidays in Cardiff and moved later in the year after the plan was backed by 72% of head teachers and governors. The move could save parents hundreds of pounds on holidays as they would be able to go outside peak times. At least six schools in Wales grouped their inset days into one week this year in a similar move. But campaigners warned it was a "quick fix" and could fail to help parents struggling the most. Cardiff council carried out an inquiry into whether it was feasible to move a week of holiday from the summer. As part of this it asked head teachers and governors at schools in the area if they would back the move - 72 responded, with 72% of those backing the proposal. The council said it would now decide if it should undertake formal consultation with a view to seeking Welsh Government approval to change the school term dates. But as councils are urged to work together so holidays are at a similar time, any proposal from Cardiff could prompt other local authorities to look at taking similar action. A Welsh Government spokesman said: "Local authorities and governing bodies of schools retain the right to set term dates for their schools. However, they are now also under a duty to work together to ensure that those dates are the same or as similar as possible." The plan is the latest attempt to make it easier for parents to afford the cost of taking their children on holiday, which can double during traditional school holiday weeks. Image copyright Hev Ward Image caption Hev Ward had previously taken her son out of school for a ski trip before asking for permission to take daughter 'Ski holiday fine' Mother-of-three Hev Ward, 45, from Cardiff, took her daughter Izabelle, 11, out of primary school for five days last year to go skiing in Andorra, and was fined as a result. She said: "Izabelle's attendance had been 97.4% and her grades were good, so I thought it wouldn't be a problem. But when I requested the week the head teacher said no. "I got a fine through the post after we got home for £60. One of the other families we went with also had two 10-year-olds who were students at another local school. Neither of them were fined. "It soured my relationship with the school, and whereas before I would volunteer and do stuff to help, after I felt like 'why should I volunteer if they aren't going to help me?'" But mother-of-three Bethany Walpole-Wroe from campaign group let Children in Wales Have Holidays During Term Time said the move could lead to more problems than it solves. She said: "It is a nice idea, and I welcome the fact that they are trying to do something to help parents and in the short term it might work, but sooner or later those holiday destinations close to Cardiff will cotton on and put their prices up. "Instead we need head teachers making sensible decisions and using their discretion, rather than blanket bans being issued on all holiday during term-time." Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Some parents have tried to avoid high holiday prices by taking their children out of school but risk being fined Head teachers can currently allow children to be taken out of school by their parents for up to 10 days at their discretion, but some have been refused permission and received fines. At least six schools in Wales have tried to reduce absences by grouping together the five mandatory staff training days - or inset days - to give parents an extra week holiday during term time. Aberbargoed Primary School in Caerphilly is one of these, and pupils will start their half-term holiday a week early on Friday. Head teacher David Lewis said: "I did it to try and improve attendance and reduce term-time holidays by creating an additional week holiday. "It gives parents the opportunity to start their holiday at a cheaper time. "It has also helped us to organise our training into a full week, so it is beneficial to the teaching staff too." Of the 112 junior school children at the school, 24 are going on holiday next week. He added: "Some are going to Cyprus and abroad, but other are going to caravans in Porthcawl or somewhere more local, so it also benefits those people who can't afford to go abroad. "One of our governors is going on holiday to American at the start of July as there is a £2,000 difference in cost, so you can't blame people for doing it, and the children learn from having those experiences." Rob Williams, director of policy at teaching union NAHT Cymru, said he was not surprised head teachers were looking for ways to help parents get cheaper holidays. He added: "One of the things heads are held to account over is the attendance of pupils at school, but many of the factors that affect that are beyond the control of parents and schools. "Holiday costs seem to affect parents' decisions as to whether to take their children out during term-time and that is something we cannot do anything about. "There is never going to be a neat answer, it needs pragmatic decisions from the local authority and Welsh Government that mitigate these challenges to parents and the school."
Q: Hi, Ira. I think that if the Heat had brought back the same team as they did last year, and everybody stayed relatively healthy, that they had the potential to be a team that could produce 48 to 50 wins. You would look for the vets to play at the same level, and also to see organic growth from young players such as Josh Richardson, Tyler Johnson, Rodney McGruder and Dion Waiters. And you could throw Whiteside into that group, as I think he can get to another level. Now, things have changed. A few of those players are now gone, and the team has to incorporate Kelly Olynyk and Justise Winslow. And that means, the scheme that made this team so successful in the second half of the year, will have to be changed. At least somewhat. Olynyk as a starter, alone, alters the game. He brings a more well-rounded skill set than Luke Babbitt did, but it's doubtful he'll have the same effect on spreading the floor. The loss of McGruder will hurt, but Richardson can certainly step in and fill that void. But then the team has the task of fitting Justise Winslow into a scheme that worked well last year, without him. (Or change the system.) -- Matt. A: To me, it comes down to whether Kelly Olynyk, Justise Winslow and Josh Richardson can take their games to another level. I'm not sure you can expect Dion Waiters and James Johnson to be more than they were last season, with each essentially having a career year, and Hassan Whiteside and Goran Dragic return as the pillars they were last season. The McGruder absence hurts, but the Heat have invested far more in Olynyk and Richardson than they did in Babbitt or Willie Reed, so there is a certain expectation there. The wild card is Winslow. In many ways, he is the Heat's swing player. Q: Send Bam Adebayo to South Dakota? Bad move. He brought his mother to Miami, bought her a condo in the same building so he can go downstairs for some home cooking. Sioux Falls would destroy his morale. There's also the question of self-esteem: first Pat Riley and Erik Spoelstra praise him to the skies, then they want to send him off to the middle of nowhere? It's not the right way to treat a kid who should be made to feel important. And then there's proximity to Juwan Howard, who should be ready to perform the same kind of wonders on Bam that he did on Hassan Whiteside. -- Hanan, Tel Aviv. A: You raise some reasonable points, but don't discount the need for a player to actually play. And while South Dakota certainly seems like a remote outpost, I'm not sure there is any G League city that embraces its players more than Sioux Falls. Unlike the majority of G League teams that play in the equivalent of practice gyms, the Skyforce offer their players a true arena setting. Plus, the coaching staff there is an extension of the Heat's coaching staff, with the Skyforce staff having spent training camp with the Heat preseason roster. Yes, the praise has been significant, but there also is something to be said about a player understanding that there also are pressures to produce and grow. If the G League is viewed as a demotion, then the NBA has failed in it deployment of his developmental league. And if players view it that way, then it might say more about them. Q: Who would you guess starts Wednesday? -- Phil. A: Well, we know the Whiteside, Dragic and Waiters part of the equation. My expectation is Olynyk and Richardson at forward. But I would not be surprised to see James Johnson at the four to start, considering how Aaron Gordon had the advantage on Olynyk when the teams met in the preseason. CAPTION Spoelstra: No need to show anger to appease outsiders. Spoelstra: No need to show anger to appease outsiders. CAPTION Spoelstra: No need to show anger to appease outsiders. Spoelstra: No need to show anger to appease outsiders. CAPTION Dwyane Wade: Braids a tribute to Iverson Dwyane Wade: Braids a tribute to Iverson CAPTION Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra says his team showed grit in loss to the Phoenix Suns. Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra says his team showed grit in loss to the Phoenix Suns. CAPTION Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade says his team's loss to the Phoenix Suns hurt his team and their hopes of getting to the playoffs. Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade says his team's loss to the Phoenix Suns hurt his team and their hopes of getting to the playoffs. CAPTION Miami guard Josh Richardson talks about the obstacles that lead hs team's loss to the Phoenix Suns. Miami guard Josh Richardson talks about the obstacles that lead hs team's loss to the Phoenix Suns. iwinderman@sunsentinel.com. Follow him at twitter.com/iraheatbeat or facebook.com/ira.winderman For daily Heat mailbag go to sun-sentinel.com/askira
Jun 26, 2015 Jekyll is a great tool for building static sites, however, I often see many projects that are including a lot of unused CSS. Since Jekyll generates an entire working site in the _site directory, we can use it to run uncss . Below outlines an example project using uncss and a build.js script. Note: this assumes you have node and npm installed. Setting up the project Firstly, let’s set up the project. jekyll new uncss-example && cd uncss-example And, add the uncss module. npm init echo 'node_modules' >> .gitignore npm i --save uncss glob Now add the following line to the _config.yml to exclude the node_modules in the jekyll build: exclude : [ ' node_modules' ] And modify the scripts object in your package.json to look like: "scripts" : { "uncss" : "jekyll build && node build.js" } , Create the build script build.js var uncss = require ( 'uncss' ) var glob = require ( 'glob' ) var fs = require ( 'fs' ) var stylesheetLocation = '_site/css/' var stylesheetSourceLocation = 'css/' var stylesheetName = 'main.css' var jekyllUncss = function () { var css = fs . readFileSync ( stylesheetLocation + stylesheetName , 'utf8' ) glob ( '_site/*/.html' , function ( err , files ) { if ( err ) { console . log ( err ) } uncss ( files , { raw : css , ignoreSheets :[ / \/ css \/ / ] }, function ( err , output ) { if ( err ) { console . log ( err ) } fs . writeFileSync ( stylesheetSourceLocation + 'un.' + stylesheetName , output ) }) }) } jekyllUncss () Then, run the task npm run uncss . The script above assumes the default jekyll CSS structure. If you’ve customized the CSS location, you will have to modify the stylesheetLocation , sourceStylesheetLocation and/or stylesheetName variables near the top of the script. Also, I’ve opted to create a new CSS file from the uncss output that’s prefixed with un. and placed next to the source CSS file. This is intentional, allowing easy integration with Github pages since the new stylesheet will be available after a new jekyll build (allowing the uncss task to be run locally before deploying). However, we need to make sure the new stylesheet is being linked instead of the original, so modify the CSS link in _includes/head.html : <link rel= "stylesheet" href= "//css/un.main.css" > Conclusion That’s it. Now any unused CSS in main.css is removed in un.main.css and no longer linked in the built site. This will ensure the smallest possible stylesheet, decreasing download size for your site’s visitors. For example, the default Jekyll CSS is 8.5KB. After running uncss, it’s now 5.1KB. That’s a 40% decrease. Source code: https://github.com/e-x-a-m-p-l-e-s/jekyll-uncss-example
Alabama Rep. Parker Griffith says he can't be 'with a party that continues to pursue legislation that is bad for our country.' Griffith faults Pelosi for switch Democratic Rep. Parker Griffith announced Tuesday that he's switching parties – saying he can no longer align himself “with a party that continues to pursue legislation that is bad for our country, hurts our economy and drives us further and further into debt.” “Unfortunately there are those in the Democratic Leadership that continue to push an agenda focused on massive new spending, tax increases, bailouts and a health care bill that is bad for our healthcare system,” Griffith said in a statement. “I have always considered myself to be an independent voice and I have tried to be that voice in Congress – but after watching this agenda firsthand I now believe that the differences in the two parties could not be more clear and that for me to be true to my core beliefs and values I must align myself with the Republican party and speak out clearly on these issues. Story Continued Below Griffith’s party switch comes on the eve of a pivotal congressional health care vote and will send a jolt through a Democratic House Caucus that has already been unnerved by the recent retirements of a handful of members who, like Griffith, hail from districts that offer prime pickup opportunities for the GOP in 2010. The switch represents a coup for the House Republican leadership, which had been courting Griffith since he publicly criticized the Democratic leadership in the wake of raucous town halls during the summer. Virginia Rep. Eric Cantor, the No. 2 Republican in the House, hailed Griffith's move from a large majority to a small minority as proof that the Democrats have become “completely disconnected from seniors, young workers and and families in America.” Liberals countered that Griffith was essentially a Republican all along, and Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), the chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, said he should give back the money Democrats have contributed to his campaign. "House Democratic members and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee took Parker Griffith at his word and, as a result, invested a great deal in working with Alabamans to bring Mr. Griffith to Congress," he said in a statement. "Mr. Griffith, failing to honor our commitment to him, has a duty and responsibility to return to Democratic Members and the DCCC the financial resources that were invested in him. His constituents will hold him accountable for failing to keep his commitments." Griffith, who captured his seat in a close 2008 open seat contest, will become the first Republican to hold the historically Democratic, Huntsville-based district. A radiation oncologist who founded a cancer treatment center, Griffith cited the Democratic health care bill as a major reason for his switch. “I want to make it perfectly clear that his bill is bad for our doctors, our patients and will have unintended consequences far beyond what we know today,” he said. “As a doctor and as a Republican, I plan to once again oppose this measure and hope that we can defeat this bill that is a major threat to our nation.” While the timing of his announcement was unexpected, Griffith’s party switch will not come as a surprise to those familiar with his voting record, which is one of the most conservative among Democrats. "He has bucked the Democratic leadership on nearly all of its major domestic initiatives, including the stimulus package, health care legislation, the cap-and trade energy bill and financial regulatory reform. "He was one of only 11 House Democrats to vote against the stimulus. “Look at his voting record – he’s had substantial differences philosophically with the Democratic agenda here in Congress,” said an Alabama ally who is familiar with Griffith’s decision. “It’s something that’s been discussed for the last several months… talking to people in his family. And it genuinely is a reflection of where he feels. It’s his own personal conviction.” The Obama administration’s decision to scrap plans to build a missile defense shield in Eastern Europe further frustrated Griffith, according to GOP sources, because his district contains the base for Boeing’s ground-based missile defense research. Ironically, a National Republican Congressional Committee spokesman called Griffith a “woefully ineffective advocate for Tennessee Valley jobs” after the decision was announced in September. Signs of Griffith’s dissatisfaction with his party began to surface publicly during the summer recess, when he received an earful of criticism from constituents.
If each great city takes in a terror attack in its own way, in Barcelona they write on the trees. Along Las Ramblas, on trees overlooking spots where the van ran people down, the beautiful patchwork of the bark teems with words and symbols. "The plane trees of Barcelona witnessed the massacre," reads one message, written in Catalan. "They are still standing." Spain attacks: What we know so far Left by people from all over the planet, in a host of languages, they go from angry to inspirational. Here are some of them: "Love from Northern Ireland" "Love and peace. Israel" (In Spanish) "Morocco is with you" "You will always [be] in our hearts. Love. Pray for Barcelona. Russia, Moscow" "Sons of bitches" (Spanish) "Peace in the whole world. Philippines" "Love" ("amor" means the same in Catalan, Spanish or Portuguese) "We will never be afraid to live. Peace and freedom are a human right and we will not stop remembering it. We're not afraid" (Catalan) "You will never defeat us" (Catalan) "Love from Manchester UK" "Enough already!" (Spanish) "Barcelona is love, not war" (Spanish) "Stop!" "Love and peace" (German) "You'll never be forgotten" "We are all Las Ramblas" (Spanish) "Hugs matters" "Keep me in your memory. Leave out all the rest. Love, Barcelona" "We will never give up" (Catalan) "God is a god of peace, not of war" (Spanish) "Love and peace will save the world" "Love from Iraq" "I still have hope in mankind" (Spanish) "Love conquers all fears" (Spanish) "Where is the love?" "Barcelona like a jewel in the sun" (lyric from Freddy Mercury song) "Terrorism never again" (Polish) "Barbarity in the name of religion" (French) "I am a Muslim. I condemn terrorism" "The sky is shining brighter now" (Catalan) "Rest in peace in Heaven" "Without love there is no future" (Spanish) "Peace is not written in blood!" (Spanish) "Love wins" "Terrorists are not Muslim" "Make love not war" Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption "Barcelona is going to rise up again with its spirit and its openness" "No more hate. Islam is the religion of love" "Hold on BCN we love u" "Love against hate" "Messages of love in times of war" (Spanish) Photos by Patrick Jackson (@patrickgjackson) in Barcelona
1. John buys 100 shares of stock at $100 per share. The price goes up by 10% and he sells 50 shares. Then, prices drop by 10% and he sells his remaining 50 shares. How much did he get for the last 50? $5000 $5500 $4900 $5050 $4950 2. A teacher has 3 hours to grade all the papers submitted by the 35 students in her class. She gets through the first 5 papers in 30 minutes. How much faster does she have to work to grade the remaining papers in the allotted time? 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 3. A satellite in a circular orbit rotates around the Earth every 120 minutes. If the Earth’s radius is 4000 miles at sea level, and the satellite’s orbit is 400 miles above sea level, approximately what distance does the satellite travel in 40 minutes? 1400 miles 9210 miles 4400 miles 4120 miles 8000 miles 4. What is the next-highest prime number after 67? 68 69 71 73 76 5. How many 3-inch segments can a 4.5-yard line be divided into? 15 45 54 64 84 6. Sheila, Janice, and Karen, working together at the same rate, can complete a job in 3 1/3 days. Working at the same rate, how much of the job could Janice and Karen do in one day? 1/5 1/4 1/3 1/9 1/8 7. A box of laundry detergent contains 16.5 oz of product. What is the maximum number of loads that can be washed if each load requires a minimum of 3/4 oz of detergent? 10 50 22 18 16.5 8. A blouse normally sells for $138, but is on sale for 25% off. What is the cost of the blouse? $67 $103.50 $34.50 $113 $125 9. A crane raises one end of a 3300 lb steel beam. The other end rests upon the ground. If the crane supports 30% of the beam’s weight, how many pounds does it support? 330 lbs 990 lbs 700 lbs 1100 lbs 2310 lbs 10. A taxi service charges $5.50 for the first 1/5th of a mile, $1.50 for each additional 1/5th of a mile, and 20 cents per minute of waiting time. Joan took a cab from her place to a flower shop 8 miles away, where she bought a bouquet, then another 3.6 miles to her mother’s place. The driver had to wait 9 minutes while she bought the bouquet. What was the fare? $20 $120.20 $92.80 $91 $90 Answers & Explanations 1. E The stock first increased by 10%, that is, by $10 (10% of $100) to $110 per share. Then, the price decreased by $11 (10% of $110) so that the sale price was $110-$11 = $99 per share, and the sale price for 50 shares was 99 x $50 = $4950. 2. C She has been working at the rate of 10 papers per hour. She has 30 papers remaining and must grade them in the 2.5 hours that she has left, which corresponds to a rate of 12 papers per hour. of her previous rate, or 20% faster. 3. B The radius, R, of the satellite’s orbit is the sum of the Earth’s radius plus the satellite’s orbital altitude, or R = 4400 miles. The circumference of the circular orbit is therefore C = 2π = 2π(4400) = 8800π miles. Since 40 minutes is one third of the satellite’s 120-minute orbital time, it traverses one third of this distance in that time. So the distance, D = 2π × 4400 = 9210.66 miles, using 3.14 for π. 4. C Prime numbers are those that are only evenly divisible by one and themselves. 5. C There are 12 inches in a foot and 3 feet in a yard. Four and a half yards is equal to 162 inches. To determine the number of 3-inche segments, divide 162 by 3. 6. A If it takes 3 people 3 1/3 days to do the job, then it would take one person 10 days: 7. C 16.5 x 4/3 = 22. 8. B 25% off is equivalent to 25 × $138/ 100 = $34.50, so the sale price becomes $138 – $34.50 = $103.50. A. $67 ≠ $103.50 C. $34.50 is the amount of the reduction, not the final price. D. $113 ≠ $103.50 E. $ 125 ≠ 103.50 9. B 30% 0f 3300 = 0.3 x 3300 = 990 A. 330 is of 3300, not 30% C. 700 is of 3300, not 30% D. 1100 is of 3300, not 30% E. 2310 is of 3300, not 30% 10. C The total distance traveled was 8 + 3.6 = 11.6 miles. The first 1/5th of a mile is charged at the higher rate. Since 1/5th = 0.2, the remainder of the trip is 11.4 miles. Thus the fare for the distance traveled is computed as $5.50 + 5 × 11.4 × $1.50 = $91. To this the charge for waiting time must be added, which is simply 9 x 20 cents = 180 cents = $1.80. Finally, add the two charges, $91 + $1.80 = $92.80. Since this value is unique, all other answers are incorrect.
Most Americans understand the need for low-skilled labor in the U.S. and said they supported a visa program for “physically demanding work” for legal immigrants. However, most people did not know that such work visas are in short supply, according to polling that ImmigrationWorks USA published online Tuesday. Researchers found that 78 percent of respondents held a favorable view of legal immigration, and nearly 60 percent of them said they thought the U.S. benefited from and needed legal immigrants to do labor with little or no training involved. Under current U.S. immigration policy, few visas are made available to immigrants for low-skilled occupations, including those in agriculture, construction and certain hospitality services. The U.S. government caps the only permanent, year-round visa for low-skilled workers at 5,000 annually, according to the Migration Policy Institute. The result has been that employers have often hired unauthorized workers in large numbers to do jobs that often require large amounts of physical labor. The U.S. employs an estimated 8.4 million undocumented immigrants. Some segments of the economy, like agriculture, are almost entirely dependent upon unauthorized labor, according to the Hill. ImmigrationWorks USA found that 86 percent of people polled said legal immigrants made an important contribution to the U.S. economy, and the same percent said issuing more work visas for low-skilled jobs would allow immigrants to pay taxes. Respondents were twice as likely to say they understood that the jobs immigrants were taking were not jobs Americans wanted, as opposed to taking jobs away from American workers. Researchers also discovered that the majority of respondents harbored negative feelings toward undocumented immigrants and often confused questions about legal immigration with the debate over illegal immigration. “We repeatedly needed to remind participants who we were talking about and redirect the discussion back to legal immigration,” researchers noted. The poll also highlighted some Americans’ misperceptions about legal immigration. For instance, one in two respondents said they thought the U.S. already had a system for immigrants to obtain work visas for low-skilled occupations. Other recent polling found that Americans are sharply divided on the topic of U.S. immigration reform along party lines. Roughly 83 percent of Iowa Democrats said the U.S. should give undocumented immigrants living in the U.S. a chance to apply for permanent residency, as opposed to just 34 percent of Republicans.
The email from a professor offered an unusual spring break adventure: Come spend five days in complete darkness. To Morgan Williams, then a sophomore at Swarthmore College and a psychology major, it sounded like a great way to spend his vacation week. “I’m not really one for going to the beach,” he says. For those five days in 2012, Williams and neuroscientist Benjamin Backus lived in a large room that had been carefully outfitted to ensure that not a ray, not a gleam, not a single photon of light would reach their eyes. InnervisionAr The setting was a converted attic space that formed part of Backus’s apartment in New Rochelle, NY. Every aperture was sealed off with the aid of heavy theatrical blackout curtains. Electronic devices that lit up in any way were either modified or banned from the room. Instead of an airlock, they had a “lightlock” room that separated them from the illuminated world. A helper left their meals in that buffer room (a bathroom), and the pair retrieved them once they could be sure of doing so without light exposure. Each day the two men tacked up a large piece of photosensitive film used in radiology. Days later, after they’d left the room, Backus developed those five sheets of film and was gratified to find them pure black, indicating zero exposure to light. “For our experiment, 23.9 hours of dark isn’t enough,” Backus says. “We can’t let those visual neurons have any hope of visual input coming back.” There were also daily tasks. They used voice recorders to make notes on the experience. They took turns on an exercise bike, on which the light-up buttons had been covered with stick-on bumpy buttons. They listened to audio books, meditated, and studied a book about braille with their fingertips. Their meals arrived on a strict schedule to preserve the normal rhythm of their days. They sometimes dined on handheld foods like tamales and sandwiches, but also tested themselves with more complicated meals requiring silverware. Backus says he found eating in absolute darkness to be a tricky business. “The problem is knowing if the food has been speared with the fork,” he says. Unless he used his fingers to confirm that he’d successfully snagged a piece of ravioli, for example, he’d often bite down on air. “I never got good at it,” he says ruefully. So what was the point of this extreme exercise? Backus, a professor at SUNY College of Optometry, was doing a trial run. He needed to answer logistical and safety questions before he could embark on his real experiment involving people with a type of amblyopia, the visual disorder commonly known as lazy eye. The researchers hope to help people with anisometropic amblyopia, which begins in early childhood but can go undetected for years. In this disorder, the eyes themselves are fine, but something goes wrong with the connections between the eyes and the brain’s visual processing center. The brain never learns to take in fine details from one side, causing blurry vision in that eye. The disorder can often be corrected if caught early: A young child’s brain is still learning how to make sense of the visible world so the visual cortex is still “plastic” and changeable. In one standard treatment, the child wears an eyepatch over the good eye, forcing the brain to work with the bad one. However, sometime between the age of two and six a child’s visual cortex becomes set (it varies between people). If the amblyopic child hasn’t received treatment by that point, he or she will be stuck with that blurry vision. “Even if they get glasses, it’s too late for the brain to use the good sharp retinal image,” Backus says. Hence, the approach: Restore amblyopic people’s visual cortices to that changeable, childlike condition with a stint in total darkness. Backus thinks the darkness may serve as a factory-reset for the visual system, and may therefore improve the patients’ symptoms. A neuroscientist at the University of Maryland, Elizabeth Quinlan, has kept amblyopic rats in total darkness for ten days, and demonstrated that the synapses in their visual cortices became more plastic. When they came out of the dark, it was as if they were seeing the world anew. Staging a similar experiment with humans was the obvious next step. Will amblyopic people emerge from days of light-deprivation with new eyes, as if emerging from the womb? “We hope that we will cure the amblyopia, but we don’t know if that will happen,” Backus says. “The effect could be anything from no benefit to complete cure, but we won’t know until we do the study.” Now, with funding and approval for the full-scale experiment involving amblyopia patients, Backus is seeking 24 volunteers who are willing to live in the pitch black for either five or ten days this winter. He knows whom he needs to recruit: “We need people who are adventurous, who are team players, people who would be good astronauts,” he says.He’s looking for amblyopia patients with the right stuff. Backus enjoys this comparison. During his trial run with Williams, he called the two of them “scotonauts,” based on the Greek word scoto for darkness. Their mission was to prepare the way for the next crew, the ones who may really take science a step forward. Backus and Williams were like the Apollo 10 astronauts who orbited the moon but never landed, preparing the way for Neil Armstrong’s big step. They had a number of practical questions to answer. They needed to confirm that they could establish the proper experimental condition of pitch blackness, and also determine whether research participants would be able to perform the activities of daily living without sight. And one more thing: They had to be sure that five days spent in utter darkness wouldn’t drive the participants completely bonkers. Backus can reassure prospective recruits on this count. “I was very relaxed and happy after five days,” he says. “I didn’t want to come out of the dark.” Eliza Strickland is an associate editor for the science and technology magazine IEEE Spectrum. Find her on Twitter @NewsBeagle.
PROVIDENCE, R.I. — A Sudanese man who in 2011 pleaded guilty before a military commission at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, to charges of conspiracy and providing military support to terrorism has finished the portion of his sentence he was required to serve and will be sent home soon, the Pentagon announced Tuesday. The transfer of the prisoner, Noor Uthman Mohammed, had been in doubt because Congress last year tightened a law barring the transfer of any detainee to a nation that has been designated a state sponsor of terror, like Sudan. The change removed an exception for transfers of prisoners who had reached plea agreements with military commission prosecutors. The prospect that Mr. Noor — as he prefers to be called — would not be released had threatened to undermine the ability of military prosecutors to persuade detainees to plead guilty and serve as potential witnesses in more important cases. Mr. Noor pleaded guilty in early 2011 as part of a deal to serve an additional 34 months at Guantánamo on top of the more than eight years he had already been there. But the Obama administration decided it was free to repatriate Mr. Noor because Congress later resurrected the older version of the transfer restrictions — which contained the plea agreement exception — when it passed continuing resolutions to keep financing the military in line with earlier budget bills.
Image copyright NTSB Image caption The flight landed about six miles prematurely Federal investigators are blaming pilot error for causing a Delta Air Lines flight carrying 129 people to land at the wrong airport in South Dakota. The flight from Minneapolis landed at the Ellsworth Air Force Base, about six miles (10km) from Rapid City. The US National Transportation Safety Board blamed Delta's two pilots for not using all the instruments at their disposal to determine their location. The plane was held for more than two hours before it could take off again. The incident happened last July but the NTSB report into it was released on Tuesday. According to officials, the two airports have runways that face the same direction - from northwest to southeast - which likely contributed to the error. The two Delta pilots had been suspended pending the inquiry. Delta "offered a gesture of apology for the inconvenience" to the passengers involved. A similar incident occurred in 2004 when another passenger plane landed at Ellsworth Air Force Base. More wrong airport mix-ups
Schoolchildren in Western countries are exposed to the basics of the major religious of the world. This is called instruction. But some schools – and more and more, in fact – in the US and Canada are creeping from instruction to indoctrination We’ve written about this several times. And it’s happening again. The Toronto School Board typically designates a number of “heritage months” throughout the year for different cultures. May was “Asian Heritage Month,” January was “Tamil Heritage Month,” and October is “Islamic Heritage Month” … but they seem to have gone way overboard this month. They’ve released a 170-page guidebook for teachers to use almost every day to “instruct” their schoolchildren on the ways of Islam, the Toronto Sun reports: A list of announcements it suggests be read before or after the playing of O Canada include the Muslim greeting “As-salamu alaykum” (peace be upon you) and an invitation to visit a local mosque. Children are encouraged to use paper cut-outs to construct replicas of famous mosques around the world. One assignment for students includes writing an article about one of 12 Muslim Canadians, four of whom are Liberal politicians currently in office, including Ontario Attorney General Yasir Naqvi. The official curriculum encourages teachers not just to use October to promote Islam, but to embed the learning across the entire school year and “across the curriculum.” The guide doesn’t just focus on historical or scriptural matters, but dives right into social issues – glossing over the controversies surrounding the faith. It says that, while women sit at the back or a different section of the mosque during prayers, “Islam never considered where women and men perform their prayer in terms of gender superiority/inferiority, and as such, it should not be perceived in this way.” There is no mention of the second-class treatment Muslim women suffer in the name of the faith in countries, such as Saudi Arabia. The guide ignores the notoriously intolerant view the religion has on LGBT rights, despite the school board’s stated “inclusion” policy on sexual diversity. Interestingly, there isn’t a “Christian Heritage Month,” and while there is a “Sikh Heritage Month,” the guidebook is nowhere nearly as … complete … as the Islamic Heritage Month. And while there is a “Jewish Heritage Month,” there’s no guidebook at all for that group. Lawmakers in Canada were trying to define “Islamophobia,” but the guide has their own definition — the mere dislike of political Islam: “Islamophobia refers to fear, prejudice, hatred or dislike directed against Islam or Muslims, or towards Islamic politics or culture.” Not a fan of Sharia Law? Don’t think women should be stoned to death for adultery? Not too keen on throwing gays off of buildings? Then you’re an Islamophobe. The guidebook, which seems to have been released in late September, appears to be heavily influenced by the National Council of Canadian Muslims, an activist organization based out of Ottawa. Back in 2014, the RCMP pulled its support from a booklet published by the NCCM on extremism due to their problem with its “adversarial tone.” Keep in mind that in the 11th grade, students are already exposed to world religions, so this is a “piling on” in essence … or maybe it’s indoctrination. What do you think? Sound off below! Facebook has greatly reduced the distribution of our stories in our readers' newsfeeds and is instead promoting mainstream media sources. When you share to your friends, however, you greatly help distribute our content. Please take a moment and consider sharing this article with your friends and family. Thank you.
Two men and a juvenile were arrested early Saturday in the alleged sexual assault of a UC Santa Barbara student in Isla Vista, according to the UCSB Police Department. At about 1:30 a.m., the 18-year-old woman flagged down a UCSB officer and reported that she had been sexually assaulted 20 minutes earlier in Isla Vista by three men. This occurred as Santa Barbara County sheriff’s deputies and UCSB police were responding to Sabado Tarde Road and Camino Pescadero in Isla Vista on a report of a theft that had just occurred at a local convenience store, sheriff’s spokeswoman Kelly Hoover said. They contacted a group that included three young males who were walking in the area and matched the descriptions of the suspects. One of the subjects, a 15-year-old male from Oxnard, was identified as the person who shoplifted from the store and was arrested, Hoover said. “About the same time, a citizen flagged down a UCSB officer in the area of Picasso Road and Camino Pescadero to report that he had witnessed a woman being sexually assaulted in the 6500 block of Sabado Tarde,” Hoover said. “The citizen identified the same suspects who were involved in the petty theft case as being involved with the sexual assault.” An investigation led to the arrest of Casey Avila, 22, and Charles Dunbar, 18, both of Santa Barbara, on suspicion of “rape in concert,” which is charged when two or more people act together to commit rape and/or other sexual assaults, Hoover said. The teen, who also was arrested on the same charges, was not named because he is a juvenile, she said. Hoover said the woman was transported to the hospital where she was treated and released several hours later, Hoover said. — Noozhawk executive editor Tom Bolton can be reached at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) . Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.
Get the biggest politics stories by email Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Could not subscribe, try again later Invalid Email (Image: Steve Tremlett) A massive naked effigy of David Cameron and a pig will go up in flames at one of Britain's biggest Bonfire Night parties. The eye-popping fleshy Prime Minister is the height of several men and was supposed to stay secret until tonight. But he is so big he has been spotted by locals out and about in Lewes, East Sussex. Mr Cameron is depicted sitting on a sand throne with swirly decorations up the sides and what appears to be a crab crawling up his leg. It's now nearly two months since Lord Ashcroft revealed claims the Prime Minister put a 'private part' in a dead pig's mouth at an Oxford drinking society. Read more: (Image: Alamy Live News) The PM refused to comment on specific allegations in the angry Tory peer's book Call Me Dave - but joked he'd been 'stabbed in the back by a little pr***'. Lewes is famous for its bonfire nights, when locals with flaming torches put on an eerie show in the otherwise quiet town near Brighton. Seven bonfire societies will parade through the town's streets tonight to mark the anniversary of Guy Fawkes trying to blow up Parliament. Each one has created an effigy of a hate figure from the last year - and Sepp Blatter features as one, just as he does for Kent's Edenbridge Bonfire Society. The controversial FIFA boss was so engorged he could be spotted from a train window. The society will also try to break the world record for the biggest ever Bonfire Night effigy with a 50ft Guy Fawkes - which has had to be built using a vast scaffolding tower. Understandably the locals are excited. One wrote: "My goddaughter has come to Lewes for her first bonfire tonight. "Explaining it last night reminded me how deranged and brilliant Lewes is." Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8 Cancel Play now Gallery: Last year's celebrations in Lewes poll loading What's your reaction to naked David Cameron and a pig? 500+ VOTES SO FAR Yum Yuck Do I smell bacon?
The real reason behind Apple’s $3 billion buy of Beats may be a plan for an epic mashup of music and tech by combining the hardware of headphones and Beats Music software. Two notable patent applications published Thursday suggest that Apple could be thinking along exactly these lines. The patents in question refer to “Ear Presence Detection in Noise Cancelling Earphones” and “Electronic Devices and Accessories with Media Streaming Control Features” — describing two systems in which headphone sensors can be used to detect the presence of a particular user and offer them specific (and potentially revolutionary) functions. These might mean stopping streaming media from Apple’s iTunes Radio or Beats Music when a set of earbuds or headphones are removed from a user’s head, and instantly resuming playbook whenever they’re worn again. It could even, in another iteration, allow earphones to be shared by multiple users, with each user getting different content. “Our media delivery systems are digital, so making them to react intelligently to the listener and watcher is a small step,” says Alexis Kirke, Research Fellow in Computer Music at Plymouth University in the UK, and a noted authority in this field. “No more skipping over tracks you hate, or searching the video streaming channels for something you feel like, or flipping around as you get bored. The machines will know you and how you are right now. The harder job is providing the machine with eyes and ear — non-intrusive sensors to understand what their human owners are feeling.” While part of the appeal of Beats Music is its curated setlists, Apple could potentially use smart recommendation algorithms to sense a user’s emotional or physical state and stream them an appropriate soundtrack. The move is in perfect harmony with the Cupertino company. From the 1980s on, Apple products have always been customizable compared to other products on the market. With the advent of the Mac’s G.U.I. in 1984 it meant changing the names and location of folders — or perhaps naming your own hard disc. In the 1990s, the first generation iMac let you decide whether Bondi Blue or Flower Power better described you as an individual. Beats could be the impetus to rethink the headphone from the ground up. After all, it would be a great way for Apple to live up to its reputation as the music lover’s tech company. Here Apple’s plans for incorporating accelerometers, capacitive touch sensors, force sensors, acoustic sensors and ultrasonic sensors into earphones could help set it apart from competitors. This isn’t the first time a tech company has tried this: Intel’s previous inclusion of a heart rate monitor in headphones provided excellent opportunities for people to hack together ways of modelling an owner’s mood and activity — shuffling tempo, genre and playlist according to whether it was predicted you were relaxing on your sofa or out on a jog. Sound quality is one thing. But headphones that intelligently stream music to your device; not just when you want it, but predicting what you want also — that’s something else entirely. And it’s an area Apple, thanks to Beats, could genuinely innovate in. Are there any other features you think Apple could adopt to make its headphones the best on the market? Drop us a line in the comments box below. Source: Patently Apple
Kyrgios, so irritated by cameramen and ballkids and much else that punctuated his first-round singles win over Andreas Haider-Maurer on Monday, was jaunty and relaxed; Tomic, who has had his own dramas in recent months, was similarly chilled in the lower-stakes, lower-key setting. When a Kyrgios winner converted the pair's initial set point in the tiebreak, his older partner was mock-reverential. After ripping a forehand return winner for 15-40 at 5-5 in the second set, Tomic turned to see his mate frozen in rigid disbelief/awe. One suspects, though, that Sock and Pospisil, both with top 20 doubles rankings, might have been slightly less impressed. "They've just come from winning (in Beijing), so it's tough for them," said Tomic. "They have to come here, they have two days (to prepare) and we're serving good, so it's tough for them. It's not really doubles, it's just serve." "Me and Bernard played pretty well at the US Open a couple of years ago," added Kyrgios, the young pair having lost the 2014 opening round in New York in three close sets. "Moving forward in Davis Cup I think it's an option. Obviously (Tomic) returns well and he knows how to serve. That's doubles these days: just serve and return." And, in this case, apparently, swing, enjoy, win. So who is the better doubles player? Tomic, unhesitatingly: "Nick". Kyrgios: "Um... I'd say Bernard." Tomic: "We're never gonna (agree on) this, so next question."
These days, games are protected under the First Amendment. No matter how violent, sexual, or offensive a game might be, they're considered art. That wasn't always the case. A pivotal moment took place in 1993, when Democratic Senators Joe Lieberman and Herb Kohl used Mortal Kombat and Night Trap's increasingly realistic depictions of violence to demand figures in the industry answer questions—or risk video games being regulated by the government. Video games were big business by 1993, but they had largely avoided controversy. Night Trap and Mortal Kombat, however, were early signals of how technology would change video games. Blips, bloops, and pixels were suddenly capable of channeling reality. Granted, they were using forms of full motion video to achieve an effect that looks antiquated in 2016, but at the time, the cinematic quality was novel, and it turned heads. "When you're called, you come," said Perrin Kaplan, former VP of marketing and corporate affairs for Nintendo of America. While she wasn't on the stand in 1993, she was central in preparing Nintendo for Capitol Hill. Kaplan was with the company for 16 years, all the way from the launch of the SNES to the Wii. She's since formed her own public relations company. You can actually watch the full hearings here: There wasn't a group like the Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESRB) to rate games yet. This was largely because games didn't need to be rated; the violence was cartoonish. "It sort of came in from left field a little bit," said Kaplan. "There were companies in a very quiet industry [where] millions of people were playing and it finally rose above ground and was noticed by people that don't understand it." Politics are in Kaplan's blood; before she was marketing games, she was in DC. When it became clear games like Mortal Kombat and Night Trap were part of a growing trend, a family-friendly company like Nintendo rightly worried the government would notice them and forget what else was happening in games. Months before the hearings, she reached out to Lieberman to ask if the Senator would like to visit Nintendo. He agreed. Dressed in a pressed white shirt and dark pants, Lieberman sat down in front of Nintendo executives and games like Super Mario Bros. Though he wasn't much of a game player, he took to Nintendo's games pretty quickly, apparently. "I think we had to stop him," she said. "There were no hearings yet," said Kaplan. "Nobody knew that this was going to come down the line. Maybe he [Lieberman] hadn't even decided. It was mainly to educate him to what video games were about, and something as simple as a Mario game was such an easy way to communicate to him. It wasn't just about Nintendo, honestly. It was about the industry and saying 'Here's someone that's got power and he's asking the FTC [Federal Trade Commission, a group focusing on consumer protection] to take a look at all these different things. We really want to be a self-regulated industry. Let me show you what we do.'" It was a weird time for Nintendo. Violent video games were becoming big sellers, and though Nintendo had little interest in producing one, other companies were more than willing. When Mortal Kombat was released on the SNES, Nintendo demanded the game's red blood be swapped out for bland-looking "sweat" and censored the characters' infamous fatality moves. The original Mortal Kombat was a decent fighting game, but there's no doubt the violence, especially the gruesome fatalities, was part of its appeal. Sega, on the other hand, allowed Mortal Kombat to appear with the blood and guts intact on Genesis—with the use of a simple cheat code, anyway. It was a shrewd move, one that let played into Sega's edgy public image. "I'll tell you that we definitely did not do well on on sales in comparison," said Kaplan. "People really wanted that kind of stuff in their games. [laughs]" Though the ESRB wasn't assigning ratings until shortly after the release of Mortal Kombat 2 on SNES and Genesis, Nintendo didn't demand any changes to the sequel. The box art featured a warning for parents about the violent content featured in the game. Though the ESRB didn't exist yet, there were several console-specific ratings systems. Sega had the Videogame Ratings Council (you might remember these tags on Genesis boxes), The 3DO Company had the 3DO Ratings System, and some PC games were classified by the Recreational Software Advisory Council. These ratings systems were fractured, voluntary, and didn't come with punishments if retailers sold mature-rated games to young kids. Without an industry-wide standard, Lieberman and others were threatening to step in and do it for them. "The rating system must not be a fig leaf for the industry to hide behind," said Lieberman at the hearings. "They must also accept their responsibility to control themselves and simply stop producing the worst of this junk." When comics was faced with the same question in the 1950s, it lead to the draconian Comics Code Authority, which effectively removed sex, violence, and other topics. The comics industry grossly overreacted to the threat of government intervention, impacting creativity for decades. "I understand [the] concern about censorship" said Senator Herb Kohl, who co-chaired the hearing with Lieberman, in his opening remarks during the proceedings. "[...] I believe censoring what people say, or see or do or think is a trail that is a long, tortured, dangerous trail. [...] The access of those kinds of games to children is something that we cannot ignore." Nintendo was willing to play hardball over its philosophical differences with rival Sega, however. When the hearings were announced, Nintendo made sure Lieberman and others were aware of Night Trap, hoping to draw a clear distinction between the two companies. Night Trap had become a lightning rod over its depictions of sex and violence. (Both were pretty tame, the equivalent of a cheesy horror movie, but player interaction and the larger assumption that video games were only for kids caused people to scrutinize Night Trap.) "We actually leaked Night Trap to some press ahead of time," she said. ' [...] It was basically to get more attention off of us because we wanted to remain as that wholesome company." Kaplan claims they weren't trying to use the hearing as a marketing tool, though it's hard to see how it didn't conveniently work out that way. "We didn't arrive saying 'We're gonna get Sega,'" she said. "It's that we were the two companies, the two most prominent companies at that time in the industry, and our job was to really leave that room with the Senate having confidence that if we self-regulated, whether a company [was okay] with blood or not, that [games are] gonna have a rating and that campaigns are going to happen to educate parents. We just happened to be a company that's choosing no blood, which of course, at the time, would make us preferred by the Senate." In the weeks leading up to the hearings, Kaplan worked with Nintendo of America chairman (and former lawyer) Howard Lincoln on what the Senate might ask and how Nintendo could use the situation to give the industry a chance to move forward. (Lincoln joined Nintendo in 1983, proving instrumental in the company's success outside Japan, and stayed until 1999.) "You use it as an opportunity to educate those on the Senate panel because there's a lot that they don't know," said Kaplan. "You can't arrive assuming they know everything about your business or the content of games. They're not game players." If you watch the hearings, though, it's clear there was no love lost between Sega and Nintendo. The companies lobbed cutthroat criticisms at one another throughout, whether it was Nintendo constantly pillorying Sega for its association with Night Trap or Sega bringing out a Super Scope to claim Nintendo freely associated itself with gun violence in games. "I can't sit here and allow you to be told that somehow the video game business has been transformed today from children to adults," said Lincoln. "It hasn't been, and Mr. White [Bill White, Sega's director of advertising and public relations], who is a former Nintendo employee, knows the demographics as well as I do. Furthermore, I can't let you sit here and buy this nonsense that this Sega Night Trap game was somehow, only meant for adults. [...] "Small children bought this at Toys 'R' Us, and he [White] knows that as well as I do. When they started getting heat about this game, then they adopted the ratings system and put ratings on it. But today, just as I'm sitting here, you can go into a Toys 'R' Us store, or a Walmart, or a K-Mart, and you know as well as I do that you can buy this product, and no one, certainly no sales clerk at retail, is going to challenge you." Though White and Lincoln had knives out for one another, Nintendo's strategy ultimately worked. The hearings were deeply critical of violent video games and the hyperbolic marketing sometimes associated with them, but Lieberman and Kohl gave the industry three months to come up with a plan. In collaboration with several companies, the ESRB was quickly formed. Though media reports from the time suggest Lieberman still wanted to move forward with legislation regulating games, his plans never went anywhere, and the ESRB proved effective. "All those big issues kind of went away," said Kaplan. "The lions went away." The threats from Lieberman and Kohl forced the games industry to grow up in a hurry, and interestingly, the formation of the ESRB only gave creators new opportunities to make the violent games that caused the hearings in the first place. Now, buyers had more information. While it'd be another 17 years before the Supreme Court granted games the full protection of the First Amendment, it's not likely the medium would've made it that far without these hearings. Games needed someone to light a fire under their ass. In 1993, that's what happened. Games weren't just playthings. If they were an art form, they needed to act like it. Follow Patrick Klepek on Twitter, and if you have a news tip you'd like to share, drop him an .
During PAX in late August, we had a chance to sit down with Final Fantasy creator Hironobu Sakaguchi to check out his upcoming mobile game. Terra Battle is a new take on mobile RPGs, with a grid-based strategy system that will have your fingers dancing across the glass. In order to do damage, you’ll need to flank enemy monsters. Thankfully, you can nudge your party members as you’re moving around and line up characters to include their attacks. It’s a unique systems that is perfectly suited for touch devices. You’ll be able to check it out for yourself on October 9, when the game comes to iOS and Android devices. It’s free-to-play, so you can give it a try without committing to it long-term. The more people that download it, the more will be added to the game. Sakaguchi’s Mistwalker studio calls this a “download starter” (in the spirit of Kickstarter, but without the financial contributions). You can read more about that in our preview. Our Take I have some reservations about the game’s energy-based system, but the gameplay is clever enough that I will be giving it a try. It carries the aesthetic of classic Square Enix titles, but offers something new in terms of gameplay that I haven’t seen done before in mobile.
The Florida men’s basketball team is fresh off three consecutive Elite Eight appearances and returns an experienced and talented senior-laden team, yet coach Billy Donovan and the Gators’ hopes for another deep March run likely rests in the hands of a quiet, modest freshman who hasn’t played a single minute of college basketball. First-year point guard Kasey Hill must do his learning on the job. Hill, a 6-1, 181-pound McDonald’s All-American point guard, was a five-star recruit and the No. 10 ranked player in the 2013 recruiting class. The Montverde Academy star is an elite facilitator and lightning-quick finisher, and when senior guard Scottie Wilbekin was suspended indefinitely this summer, the lofty expectations for Florida’s lone freshman only skyrocketed. “I’ll be ready,” he said. “I’m an unselfish and humble dude. …Bradley Beal [former Florida guard and third overall pick of the Washington Wizards in the 2012 NBA Draft] came in and had a great attitude. He worked hard and got along with the team well. That’s exactly what I want to do.” Sign Up and Save Get six months of free digital access to the Miami Herald The Gators — ranked No.8 in the preseason USA Today coaches’ poll — graduated 51 percent of their scoring from the 2012-13 team (top three scorers Kenny Boynton and Mike Rosario, Eric Murphy) that went 29-8 last year, winning the Southeastern Conference regular-season title before bowing out of the NCAA Tournament in a humbling 20-point loss to national runner-up Michigan in the Elite Eight. Although Hill is simply one guy on a loaded squad that’s two-deep at every position — including six upperclassmen with a combined 218 career starts — the Gators kickoff the 2013-14 season with a lingering sense of uncertainty. Florida could open the year without at least five anticipated contributors or starters — Wilbekin (suspended), Frazier (mononucleosis), Will Yeguete (offseason knee surgery) and junior guard Eli Carter (fractured fibula) — while facing a brutal nonconference schedule (games against Wisconsin, Florida State, Connecticut, Kansas and Memphis). Meanwhile, Hill’s tag-team freshman partner — five-star prospect Chris Walker — failed to enroll in August, as the McDonald’s All-American forward continues to work to qualify academically for the spring semester. Donovan remains optimistic Walker, a 6-10, 225-pound athletic big-man, will wear a Gators uniform at some point this season. As the Gators navigate the early part of the season, they badly need an imposing and recharged front line — center Patric Young (6-9) and transfers Damontre Harris (6-10 center from South Carolina) and Dorian Finney-Smith (6-8 forward from Virginia Tech) — and its untested freshman point guard to lead the way.
The Canadian Soccer Association has announced the hiring of Canadian Daniel Worthington as the new Women’s Excel U-23 Program Director. Worthington, the latest addition to the technical leadership team under John Herdman’s direction, will also be acting as Assistant Coach with the Women’s National Team. Worthington has participated in various Canadian youth national team camps on both the men’s and women’s side since 2010 in technical assistant capacities. He has served as Director of High Performance and National Training Centre Atlantic Director for Soccer Nova Scotia since 2008. His experience as Director of High Performance provides Worthington with a strong understanding of the Canadian soccer landscape and Long-Term Player Development model, while his role as Atlantic National Training Centre Director will be valuable in managing and supporting the continued development of the national team athletes in this transitional age group. “We are pleased to have Daniel Worthington complete the technical leadership group of our Canadian Women’s National Team Program,” said John Herdman. “From previous collaborations and encounters, we found that Daniel had the right skills set to serve as the link between our group of U-20 players and our Women’s National Team athletes and will be a great asset in leading the U-23 program.” “On the technical side, I have been fortunate to have great mentors; Mike Hudson (former Soccer Nova Scotia Technical Director), Stephen Hart (former Canadian Men’s National Team Head Coach), Lewis Page (former Canadian women’s youth team coach) and most recently Sean Fleming (Canada’s Men’s U-17 Team coach), while on the administrative side, George Athanasiou (Chief Executive Officer of Soccer Nova Scotia) has helped me with the bigger picture of personal growth,” said Worthington. “I look forward to joining the leadership team and growth culture that John Herdman has instilled into the fabric of Canadian Women’s Soccer. I hope to contribute to the Women’s National Team legacy in the years to come helping inspire young players to have confidence in themselves.” Worthington was granted his Canadian Soccer Association National “B” Coaching Licence in 2004, holds a UEFA “B” Licence and is in the process of completing his Canadian Soccer Association National Licence “A” certification. Daniel Worthington was 19 years old when he moved from Rotherham, England to Halifax, Nova Scotia to attend St. Mary’s University in 1999, where he earned a degree in chemistry. He first got involved with coaching in Canada in 2004 as Soccer Nova Scotia regional training centre head coach for the U-12 player development program. As an extension to the Women’s National Team, the Excel Program’s aim is to implement a new playing model and build a new identity for women’s soccer in Canada. The EXCEL program has been put in place to help bridge the gap from the youth levels to the national A program.
A Spanish general has suggested that the armed forces should consider invading Catalonia if the region attempts to break away from the rest of the country. Juan Antonio Chicharro, a general in the marine reserve, warned that patriotic sentiment would take precedence over democratic rules in the face of a “separatist-secessionist offensive” by the northeastern region. ‘The fatherland’ “The fatherland is above and more important than democracy,” he said. “Patriotism is a feeling and the constitution is just a law.” He made his comments at a conference in Madrid in early February, but they only came to light when El País newspaper published details of the event on Wednesday. The conference was titled “Armed Forces and Constitutional Order” and several respected academic and judicial figures were present. The defence ministry opened an investigation yesterday to decide whether to sanction Gen Chicharro. Nationalists governing Catalonia want to hold a referendum there on independence in 2014. However, the central government in Madrid insists such a move would be illegal and has vowed to oppose the staging of the vote through constitutional means. But in his speech, Gen Chicharro warned that problems will arise “if the mechanisms of defence of the constitutional order do not behave as their duties require”. Asked what the armed forces should do in such a situation, he made it clear he favoured some form of physical response. Rhetorical questions Most of his most provocative assertions were presented as rhetorical questions or possible scenarios, but those present clapped and cheered when he finished speaking. This is not the first time a member of the armed forces has backed military intervention to stop Catalan independence plans. In September, Col Francisco Alamán said the military will defend Spain’s unity “with our lives” .
INT. BEE - AFTERNOON Bee Bee BEE BEE BEE is arguing with Bee Bee BEE BEE BEE. BEE tries to hug BEE but he shakes him off. BEE Please Bee, don't leave me. BEE I'm sorry Bee, but I'm looking for somebody a bit more brave. Somebody who faces his fears head on, instead of running away. BEE I am such a person! BEE frowns. BEE I'm sorry, Bee. I just don't feel excited by this relationship anymore. BEE leaves. BEE sits down, looking defeated. Moments later, Bee Bee BEE BEE BEE barges in looking flustered. BEE Goodness, Bee! Is everything okay? BEE I'm afraid not. BEE What is it? Don't keep me in suspense... BEE It's ... a Bee ... I saw an evil Bee Bee a bunch of Bee! BEE Defenseless Bee? BEE Yes, defenseless Bee! BEE Bloomin' heck, Bee! We've got to do something. BEE I agree, but I wouldn't know where to start. BEE You can start by telling me where this happened. BEE I was... BEE fans himself and begins to wheeze. BEE Focus Bee, focus! Where did it happen? BEE Bee! That's right - Bee! BEE springs up and begins to run. EXT. A ROAD - CONTINUOUS BEE rushes along the street, followed by BEE. They take a short cut through some back gardens, jumping fences along the way. INT. BEE - SHORTLY AFTER BEE BEE a Bee Bee terrorises two Bee. BEE, closely followed by BEE, rushes towards BEE, but suddenly stops in his tracks. BEE What is is? What's the matter? BEE That's not just any old Bee, that's Bee Bee! BEE Who's Bee Bee? BEE Who's Bee Bee? Who's Bee Bee? Only the most Bee Bee in the universe! BEE Blinkin' knickers, Bee! We're going to need some help if we're going to stop the most Bee Bee in the universe! BEE You can say that again. BEE Blinkin' knickers, Bee! We're going to need some help if we're going to stop the most Bee Bee in the universe! BEE I'm going to need Bee, lots of Bee. Bee turns and sees Bee and Bee. He grins an evil grin. BEE Bee Bee, we meet again. BEE You've met? BEE Yes. It was a long, long time ago... EXT. A PARK - BACK IN TIME A young BEE is sitting in a park listening to some Bee music, when suddenly a dark shadow casts over him. He looks up and sees BEE. He takes off his headphones. BEE Would you like some Bee? BEE's eyes light up, but then he studies BEE more closely, and looks uneasy. BEE I don't know, you look kind of Bee. BEE Me? No. I'm not Bee. I'm the least Bee Bee in the world. BEE Wait, you're a Bee? BEE runs away, screaming. INT. BEE - PRESENT DAY BEE You were a coward then, and you are a coward now. BEE (To BEE) You ran away? BEE (To BEE) I was a young child. What was I supposed to do? BEE turns to BEE. BEE I may have run away from you then, but I won't run away this time! BEE runs away. He turns back and shouts. BEE I mean, I am running away, but I'll be back - with Bee. BEE I'm not scared of you. BEE You should be. INT. BEE - LATER THAT DAY BEE and BEE walk around searching for something. BEE I feel sure I left my Bee somewhere around here. BEE Are you sure? It does seem like an odd place to keep deadly Bee. BEE You know nothing Bee Bee. BEE We've been searching for ages. I really don't think they're here. Suddenly, BEE appears, holding a pair of Bee. BEE Looking for something? BEE Crikey, Bee, he's got your Bee. BEE Tell me something I don't already know! BEE The earth's circumference at the equator is about 40,075 km. BEE I know that already! BEE Bee. BEE (appalled) Dude! While BEE is looking at BEE with disgust, BEE lunges forward and grabs his deadly Bee. He wields them, triumphantly. BEE Prepare to die, you Bee Bee! BEE No please! All I did was Bee a bunch of Bee! BEE enters, unseen by any of the others. BEE I cannot tolerate that kind of behaviour! Those Bee were defenceless! Well now they have a defender - and that's me! Bee Bee defender of innocent Bee. BEE Don't hurt me! Please! BEE Give me one good reason why I shouldn't use these Bee on you right away! BEE Because Bee, I am your father. BEE looks stunned for a few moments, but then collects himself. BEE No you're not! BEE Ah well, it had to be worth a try. BEE tries to grab the Bee but BEE dodges out of the way. BEE Who's the daddy now? Huh? Huh? Unexpectedly, BEE slumps to the ground. BEE Did he just faint? BEE I think so. Well that's disappointing. I was rather hoping for a more dramatic conclusion, involving my deadly Bee. BEE crouches over BEE's body. BEE Be careful, Bee. It could be a trick. BEE No, it's not a trick. It appears that... It would seem... Bee Bee is dead! BEE What? BEE Yes, it appears that I scared him to death. BEE claps his hands. BEE So your Bee did save the day, after all. BEE steps forward. BEE Is it true? Did you kill the Bee Bee? BEE Bee how long have you been...? BEE puts his arm around BEE. BEE Long enough. BEE Then you saw it for yourself. I killed Bee Bee. BEE Then the Bee are safe? BEE It does seem that way! A crowd of vulnerable Bee enter, looking relived. BEE You are their hero. The Bee bow to BEE. BEE There is no need to bow to me. I seek no worship. The knowledge that Bee Bee will never Bee Bee ever again, is enough for me. BEE You are humble as well as brave! One of the Bee passes BEE a Bee Bee BEE I think they want you to have it, as a symbol of their gratitude. BEE I couldn't possibly. Pause. BEE Well, if you insist. BEE takes the Bee. BEE Thank you. The Bee bow their heads once more, and leave. BEE turns to BEE. BEE Does this mean you want me back? BEE Oh, Bee, of course I want you back! BEE smiles for a few seconds, but then looks defiant. BEE Well you can't have me. BEE WHAT? BEE You had no faith in me. You had to see my scare a Bee to death before you would believe in me. I don't want a lover like that. BEE But... BEE Please leave. I want to spend time with the one person who stayed with me through thick and thin - my best friend, Bee. BEE grins. BEE But... BEE You heard the gentleman. Now be off with you. Skidaddle! Shoo! BEE Bee? BEE I'm sorry Bee, but I think you should skidaddle. BEE leaves. BEE turns to BEE. BEE Did you mean that? You know ... that I'm your best friend? BEE Of course you are! The two walk off arm in arm. Suddenly BEE stops. BEE When I said Bee, you know I was just trying to distract the Bee don't you? THE END
For years, we Canadians have been told by our government that Israel seeks a just peace. Former Prime Minister Stephen Harper told us as much in 2014, when he declared in the Knesset: Just as we unequivocally support Israel’s right of self-defence, so too Canada has long-supported a just and secure future for the Palestinian people. And, I believe, we share with Israel a sincere hope that the Palestinian people and their leaders will choose a viable, democratic, Palestinian state, committed to living peacefully alongside the Jewish state of Israel. Stephen Harper never addressed the thorny question of how a state that is forcibly confiscating an occupied people’s land could plausibly be characterized as a peace-loving state. For years, his unconscionable silence on this point allowed Israel’s peacenik charade to continue. Impunity is a terrible thing, but perhaps it offers one advantage: it breeds complacency in the oppressor. That is precisely what has happened to the government of Israel: western states have allowed Israel to make a mockery of international law for so long that its leaders barely pretend any longer to be committed to a two-state solution. Benjamin Netanyahu himself abandoned that pretense on the eve of Israel’s 2015 election. With an electoral loss looming, Netanyahu appealed to right-wing voters by stating “I think that anyone who is going to establish a Palestinian state today and evacuate lands, is giving attack grounds to the radical Islam against the state of Israel.” Netanyahu eked out a victory in that election, but the Obama administration was so irritated by his uncharacteristic candor that it said it would be forced to “re-evaluate” its approach to Israel’s long-running conflict with Palestinians. Having secured electoral victory, and anxious about a possible U.S. re-evaluation of its Israel/Palestine policy, Netanyahu promptly reversed himself on U.S. television, declaring “I want a peaceful, sustainable two-state solution. I have not changed my policy.” The Israeli government’s impunity persisted, and its complacency grew. It promoted yet more settlement construction – a war crime that has now endured for nearly 50 years. But rather than sanction Israel in some way, the Obama administration rewarded Israel with the largest military aid package in U.S. history. Then, in the waning days of Obama’s presidency, his exasperation with Israel’s relentless settlement construction persuaded him, finally, not to veto a unanimous U.N. Security Council resolution condemning the settlements as a “flagrant violation” of international law. On February 6, 2017, Israel’s Knesset responded to the Security Council resolution with an act of supreme chutzpah: it passed a ‘Settlement Regulation’ Law which purported to legalize retroactively dozens of wildcat settlements. Meanwhile, key members of Israel’s government have dropped entirely the pretense that Israel will withdraw from occupied territory and accept an independent Palestinian state. It is in this context that, for the first time, a poll examining Canadians’ views toward sanctions and a boycott of Israel has been conducted and published. And the results reveal that Canadians are no longer buying Israel’s two-state masquerade. The poll, conducted in January and February 2017 by EKOS Research Associates, found that 66% of respondents who expressed a view consider Canadian government sanctions on Israel to be a reasonable means of ensuring Israel’s compliance with international law. An even higher proportion of respondents (78%) believe that the Palestinian call for a boycott is also a reasonable means of ensuring Israel’s respect for international law. The EKOS survey exposes a vast divide between Canadian government policy and public opinion. Although a large majority of Canadians are now receptive to sanctions and a boycott, the recently elected government of Justin Trudeau is continuing Stephen Harper’s inglorious tradition of aiding and abetting Israel at every opportunity. In late 2015, within weeks of taking office, the Trudeau government voted repeatedly against United Nations resolutions that were critical of Israel or supportive of Palestinian rights. In 2016, the Trudeau government extended its ‘unblemished’ record of support for Israel at the U.N., voting against six such resolutions. The Trudeau government has yet to vote in favor of a U.N. resolution that is critical of Israel or supportive of Palestinian rights. In every instance in which the Trudeau government opposed such a resolution, the resolution passed with the overwhelming support of the international community. So extreme is the Trudeau government’s deference to Israel that it even opposed a U.N. resolution which “reaffirms the importance of Israel’s accession to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons [NPT] and placement of all its nuclear facilities under comprehensive International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards, in realizing the goal of universal adherence to the Treaty in the Middle East.” Israel is the only state in the Middle East that possesses a nuclear arsenal, and the Canadian government itself states that the NPT “is fundamental to Canada’s nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation policy… The NPT, ratified by 189 countries, is one of the most broadly-supported treaties in history. Only Israel, India and Pakistan have yet to adhere to it.” Notably, Canada imposes sanctions on Iran “in response to Iran’s nuclear and WMD [weapons of mass destruction] programs.” However, unlike Israel, Iran possesses no nuclear weapons and is a party to the NPT. Moreover, in 2012, the New York Times reported that “American intelligence analysts continue to believe that there is no hard evidence that Iran has decided to build a nuclear bomb.” Canada currently imposes sanctions on 21 countries. Those sanctions take a variety of forms, including asset freezes, arms embargoes and financial restrictions. Over two-thirds of the countries sanctioned by Canada are situated in Africa or the Middle East, and nearly one-half of them are predominantly Muslim. Despite its liberal use of sanctions on predominantly Muslim countries, Canada has never imposed sanctions on Israel and, in Canada’s Parliament, there has been no meaningful debate about sanctioning Israel. Not only does Canada’s Liberal government consider any talk of sanctioning Israel to be utterly taboo, but it also supported a Conservative Party Parliamentary motion condemning supporters of BDS, a non-violent, anti-racist movement designed to do nothing more than secure Israel’s respect for Palestinians’ internationally recognized rights. In arguing for his anti-BDS motion in Canada’s Parliament, Conservative MP Tony Clement stated: I would put it before this House that this BDS movement is actually a form of discrimination. In targeting all Israelis, BDS is a present-day blacklist and a form of discrimination, strictly based on national origin. Just like boycotts have targeted Jews throughout history, today BDS activists call on boycotting people who come from the Jewish state. Mr. Clement then baldly asserted that “this motion accurately reflects Canadian values, Canadian interests, Canadian principles, and Canadian morality.” He concluded his remarks in Parliament by urging his fellow MPs to “send a strong message to our fellow Canadians and to freedom lovers around the world and support this motion.” The EKOS survey confirms not only that a large majority of Canadians are receptive to sanctions and boycotts to ensure Israel’s respect for international law – it also revealed that a majority of Canadians oppose Parliament’s condemnation of the BDS movement. Thus, there is no doubt that Canada’s “freedom lovers” found Mr. Clement’s attack on the BDS movement to be wholly unpersuasive, and that his anti-BDS motion is not reflective of, but is in fact an affront to, Canadian values.
Hillary Clinton tours a factory during a campaign stop. (Chris Keane/Reuters) Jonathan Malesic is a writer living in Dallas who is working on a book about the spiritual costs of the American work ethic. It is only because of audience member Ken Bone’s question about the effect that energy policy would have on employment at power plants that the presidential candidates addressed jobs at all during their debate Sunday night. But the night’s biggest statement about work didn’t come in response to Bone. It came instead as Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton answered a question about Islamophobia. She said, “My vision of America is an America where everyone has a place, if you are willing to work hard, do your part and you contribute to the community. That’s what America is.” The idea that work is a key component to social citizenship has been prominent in the American mind for centuries, so it is not surprising to see Clinton advance it. But labor force participation is in long-term decline, and according to Oxford University researchers Carl Benedikt Frey and Michael A. Osborne, automation could make nearly half of U.S. workers redundant within the next two decades. The idea that Clinton sees as inclusive could therefore end up excluding millions of people from the social contract. If we want an egalitarian society in the decades ahead, we need to replace this vision. It won’t be easy. For as long as English-speaking people have been in the United States, they have imagined that you belong only if you work. The idea has roots in the New Testament. Paul writes in his second letter to the Thessalonians that “anyone unwilling to work should not eat.” Following this principle, Captain John Smith decreed to the Jamestown colonists in 1608 that “he that gathereth not every day as much as I do, the next day shall be set beyond the river, and be banished from the Fort as a drone, till he amend his conditions or starve.” Two and a half centuries later, in the Emancipation Proclamation, President Abraham Lincoln declared that newly-liberated African Americans should, “in all cases when allowed, labor faithfully for reasonable wages.” This ideology was known as “free labor” – in opposition to the ideology of slavery – and was a major plank in the early Republican Party’s platform. In the free-labor model, waged work encourages economic and ultimately political independence. Following the Civil War, the ideology was promulgated in the South by figures, such as the educator Booker T. Washington, who wanted blacks to prove their dignity through diligent labor. In the 20th century, mainstream activists aimed to build an inclusive society on the same idea. The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech at a gathering called the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom – the two were inseparable in the original spirit of the event. Feminists from Charlotte Perkins Gilman to Betty Friedan argued for women’s social inclusion by pointing to them as an untapped labor source in the commercial economy. These feminists and activists for racial justice had a point; working does afford a person some economic freedom, which can in turn reinforce political rights. And the idea that you earn social respect through work seems egalitarian. You do not have to be born into money to count, socially speaking. You just have to roll up your sleeves and work. But in recent years, the principle has been used in the way John Smith did: to exclude nonworking people from social benefits. A work requirement was the key element in the 1996 welfare reform bill that Clinton still supports. Shouts of “Get a job!” directed toward Occupy protesters used the prevailing work ideology to delegitimize their movement. It’s as if even the First Amendment right to peaceable assembly is contingent upon being a worker. The ideal also fosters inequality when economic and technological changes threaten to put people out of work. While white men’s dignity has been largely unquestioned in American history, that status has historically been propped up by their near-monopoly on paid labor. The social ideology was constructed for their benefit, but now we can see that even their position was always somewhat contingent. White men in counties with high rates of unemployment fill arenas to hear Donald Trump speak. As labor unions have weakened and manufacturers have turned more to automation, blue-collar men have lost both income and dignity. As automation expands in the coming decades, the professional class may suffer a similar fate, leaving us with an employment-based apartheid: a small aristocracy of highly-skilled workers ruling a mass of unemployed second-class citizens. Clinton is not one to get ahead of public opinion. Her vision of citizenship earned through work probably resonates with most voters. In a Pew Research Center study last year, 80 percent of respondents described themselves as “hard working.” Only 3 percent described themselves as “lazy.” But if greater automation is in our future, then appealing to Americans’ work ethic will ultimately set them up for a harder fall. Bone understandably worries about people’s jobs. But we also need a way to imagine modes of flourishing that don’t depend on jobs at all. It’s time we got to work on a new vision. A better vision would found social citizenship – as well as some level of guaranteed economic security – on the person’s simple humanity. One example is the emphasis in Roman Catholic social ethics on the inherent dignity of the person and the common good as a condition in which each person has the opportunity to flourish. A more secular approach could draw from Henry David Thoreau, who believed that we would begin to see the dignity in ourselves and others once work has been stripped away. In Thoreau’s vision of democracy with much-reduced labor, we are all philosopher kings and queens, freed to live in pursuit of our “genius”, that is, our highest individual aspirations. Perhaps the task of becoming our own best selves could, in time, replace work as a binding factor in society.
A NEW edition of an ISIS hate magazine is calling upon jihadist in Europe and the United States to butcher ordinary people in revenge for their routing in Syria and Iraq. In the murder mag called “Nashir – Now fight has come,” psycho writers appeal to Muslims living in places such as the UK to start murdering their own citizens at random. 4 The sinister magazine is published in English, Arabic and French by the Nashir Media Foundation The jihadist sympathisers are told seek revenge in the suburbs or inner cities they live in because “brave Mosul is bleeding”. The ranting article which is in English says: “You should stop its bleeding by carrying out exhaustion operations of the Enemy’s power and blood…cut their heads by your knives, let us hear your guns blasting their heads. “It adds we can cut the tail of the snake but it will sooner grow again. But you have its head.” An essay called “O thee whom Al – Adnani called thee wolves” reminds the reader that the former ISIS commander Abu Mohammad al-Adnani believed that local jihad on people’s own neighbours was as good as going to Syria or Iraq. Rumiyah 4 Isis magazine Rumiyah listed children playing in parks, businessmen riding to work, old men buying lunch and even the flower seller in the street as "fair game" It comes after another ISIS linked glossy magazine called Rumiyah urged jihadists to go on a killing spree with a knife. A disturbing article gives advice on what types of knives to use and suggest striking in secluded places after dark to avoid detection. Related stories SEX SLAVE MANUAL Vile ISIS pamphlet tells terrorist paedophiles rules on owning child 'concubines' FOUR EYES ONLY MI5 chief makes desperate plea urging nerds to help join the fight against ISIS Exclusive ISIS’ CHRISTIAN MASSACRE Desperate ISIS fanatics destroy Christians’ homes and churches as they face oblivion in Mosul CAPITAL GAINS Iraqi troops are just hundreds of metres from ISIS stronghold Mosul and could enter the city ‘within hours’ NO WAY OUT Time running out for ISIS terror chief Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi as he's forced towards ‘corridor of death’ The articles reads: "Many people are often squeamish of the thought of plunging a sharp object into another person’s flesh. “It is a discomfort caused by the untamed, inherent dislike for pain and death, especially after 'modernisation' distanced males from partaking in the slaughtering of livestock for food and the striking of the enemy in war. "However, any such squirms and discomforts are never an excuse for abandoning jihad. “One need not be a military expert or a martial arts master, or even own a gun or rifle in order to carry out a massacre or to kill and injure several disbelievers and terrorize an entire nation." Meanwhile, ISIS has released an evil execution video showing public crucifixions while pensioners and kids forced to murder prisoners. It has also emerged that the death cult is so desperate it is sending its school boy young wing, the Cubs of Caliphate, into battle as pint sized canon fodder. AP:Associated Press 4 Warped ...a still from an ISIS propaganda video showing the kiddie soliders in action About 30,000 troops from a broad coalition including RAF warplanes are closing in. An estimated 6,000 ISIS fighters are dug in around Mosul and hundreds of being killed as the group - among the barbaric in history - prepare to make their last stand.
shepard fairey sentenced to two years' probation ‘hope’ poster for barack obama shepard fairey was sentenced to two years’ probation on friday in the boston municipal court for charges emerging from images he posted on public and private property over the years. most recently fairey has been known for the ‘hope’ poster he designed during the barack obama campaign which became an emblem for the 2008 presidential elections. the well-known illustrator and graphic designer has pleaded guilty to three charges of vandalism, including defacing property and wanton destruction of property under 250 USD. he had 11 other chargers which have been dropped. he has been fined 2,000 USD for graffiti removal. fairey was arrested in boston this past february while arriving at the institute of contemporary art during the opening night of his retrospective show. ‘defiant youth collaboration with martha cooper’, 2009 image courtesy of obey ‘viva la revolucion’, 2009 image courtesy of obey via the new york times
Debates about whether No. 2 Ohio State will finish in the College Football Playoff selection committee's top four have dominated the conversation, but the 11-1 Buckeyes, who didn't win their division, are out of chances to impress the committee. There are 10 Power 5 teams who will play for a conference title with the 12 committee members watching together -- the first and only time they watch live games together all season. Wisconsin athletic director Barry Alvarez is not going to the Big Ten title game because of his responsibilities as a committee member, and the same goes for Clemson athletic director Dan Radakovich, who will not attend the ACC title game in Orlando, Florida. Instead, they will be watching from their leather swivel chairs in "Selection Central" at the posh Gaylord Texan Resort in Grapevine, Texas. Here's a look at the impact the conference championships will have, ranked in order of biggest impact on the final rankings Dec. 4: 1. No. 3 Clemson vs. No. 23 Virginia Tech (8 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN App) If Clemson loses, the ACC is likely out, which would further open the door for a second Big Ten team. The committee isn't going to put in a three-loss Virginia Tech team, even with a league title, and Clemson will have two damaging losses (to No. 25 Pitt and the Hokies) and no conference title. This upset would have the biggest impact on the playoff because there are so many other talented teams out there -- such as Ohio State, Colorado, Michigan, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State -- with better losses that could benefit from the Tigers tumbling. If the Hokies win, they would go to the Orange Bowl as the ACC champion. 2. No. 6 Wisconsin vs. No. 7 Penn State (8 p.m. ET, Fox) If Wisconsin wins, it would be much easier for the selection committee to put in Ohio State over the Big Ten champs because the Buckeyes beat Wisconsin in Madison during the regular season. If Penn State wins, though, the committee has a real headache. The committee will have to decide whether it wants to put in both teams, or just one -- and it doesn't necessarily have to be Penn State. There's no requirement for the committee to put in four conference champions, but it also has to consider that the Nittany Lions have the 24-21 head-to-head win on Oct. 22. So far, that hasn't been enough to sway the committee. "Again, the selection committee recognizes the head-to-head win," said committee chair Kirby Hocutt, "but in this particular case, it hasn't been the distinguishing point in our evaluation of those two teams." And don't forget, Michigan beat both Penn State and Wisconsin. 3. No. 4 Washington vs. No. 8 Colorado (Friday, 9 p.m. ET, Fox) If Washington loses, Colorado will be compared with two-loss champs from both the Big 12 and the Big Ten -- not to mention two-loss Michigan -- opening the door for one-loss Ohio State and Michigan to possibly finish in the top four. If Washington wins, there's still no guarantee the Pac-12 champion is in. "It's been a concern for the committee, and I would say that it continues to be a concern for the selection committee with Washington's strength of schedule," Hocutt said. "... It is a very small margin of separation in the committee's eyes between No. 4 Washington and No. 5 Michigan. Don't think I can emphasize enough the small margin of separation that the selection committee sees between those two teams." 4. No. 10 Oklahoma State @ No. 9 Oklahoma (12:30 p.m. ET, Fox) Cowboys coach Mike Gundy has lamented the committee's approach to his controversial loss to Central Michigan, but considering Colorado has jumped both of the Big 12's best teams, it appears to be a moot point. The Big 12 looks like a long shot in what is a crowded group of contenders. While the committee is aware of the officiating gaffe that transpired during the game, Oklahoma State has to win Bedlam and hope there is chaos above it in order to have a shot. The Sooners seem to have a slightly better shot, only because the committee has consistently ranked them ahead of Oklahoma State, but OU will also need some chaos -- likely both Washington and Clemson losing. Because one-loss Ohio State is still in the conversation, though, any two-loss league champ needs to have a compelling résumé to go along with its title. 5. No. 1 Alabama vs. No. 15 Florida (4 p.m. ET, CBS) This is the least compelling of the Power 5 title games because even if undefeated Alabama loses, it would still likely be in the top four. The caveat is, with a loss, it might not be No. 1. That's important for seeding reasons, as the committee won't put the No. 1 seed at a geographic disadvantage in a semifinal. As long as the Tide stay No. 1, they should go to the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl in Atlanta. Group of Five Watch No. 17 Western Michigan shouldn't get too comfortable. The undefeated Broncos have a slight edge over No. 19 Navy, which made a significant jump from No. 25 last week after clobbering SMU 75-31. WMU's strength of schedule remains an issue, though, leaving the door open for the Midshipmen. "Look at a Western Michigan team that is very successful on the offensive side of the ball," Hocutt said. "At the same time, they've only beaten two FBS teams with a winning record. Navy has three, what the selection committee would look at quality wins over Houston, Memphis and Tulsa." Both teams have a chance to win their respective conference titles this week, and the committee will all be together on Friday to watch WMU in the MAC championship game against Ohio (7 p.m. ET, ESPN/ESPN App). Navy will square off against Temple in the AAC title game on Saturday (noon ET, ABC/ESPN App).
1. “India should nurture its Islamic population”: Barack Obama 2. Turkey Rejects "Moderate Islam" At a conference on women's entrepreneurship, held in Ankara on November 9 and hosted by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan rejected the concept of 'moderate Islam'. Referring to the vow by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman -- during the Future Investment Initiative conference in Riyadh on Oct. 25 -- to turn his country into a bastion of "moderate Islam," Erdoğan said, 'Islam cannot be either 'moderate' or 'not moderate.' Islam can only be one thing.' He also claimed that the 'patent of this concept originated in the West,' which "really want[s] to weaken Islam.' Erdoğan has consistently communicated his thoughts about the term 'moderate Islam' often used in the West to describe his Justice and Development Party (AKP). As early as 2007, he said: 'These epithets of moderate Islam are very ugly, it is disrespectful and an insult to our religion. There is no moderate or immoderate Islam. Islam is Islam and that's it.' Erdogan was even sent to jail for reading a famous poem about Islam and its nature in 1997 when he was mayor of Istanbul. 3. UK: Muslim cleric explains the status of the non-Muslims Instructions include "never give any food any kafir" (unbeliever.) 4. Germany: Woman stabbed after rejecting advances 5. Australia: Muslim who mutilated, murdered wife says it’s “normal” behaviour in Middle East A RADICALISED Muslim who removed his wife’s right eye before slaughtering her in front of their children told police it was “normal” behaviour in the Middle East. The brutal killer, who cannot be named to protect the identities of his three children, is facing life behind bars after he pleaded guilty to the horrific killing in June last year. The Supreme Court heard on Friday how the Broadmeadows man had set out on a 'prolonged and vicious' knife attack on his wife at their family home. He removed her right eye in what is believed to be inspired by the Islamist one-eyed antichrist Dajjal, and cut off two of her fingers while she was still alive. She bled to death after suffering deep lacerations across her face, neck, arms, legs, back, hips and genitalia. 6. German AfD Party spokesman on speaks on the consequences of Merkel's family reunification plans 7. Anthony Furey: Trudeau labels legitimate questions about terrorism "Islamophobia 8. US pulls out of UN migration arrangement; "decisions on immigration must be made by Americans, and Americans alone" Nikki Haley, US ambassador to the UN released an official statement on the ending of the US involvement with the mass migration program. In part: "...But our decisions on immigration policies must always be made by Americans and Americans lone. We will decide how best to control our borders and who will be allowed to enter our country. The global approach in the New York Declaration is simply not compatible with the U.S." 9. Paris suburb in flames after police allegedly pushed "youth" off bicycle 10. Danish MP accused of threatening female imam with "revenge porn"
Alien: Covenant comes out so soon and I honestly can’t wait much longer. I’m losing it. That movie is going to be SO good. And since aliens are on my mind I thought we’d rank the top 5 modern alien movies. I’ll be excluding the obvious classics like Alien and The Thing because honestly they both deserve the number one spot and also DUH they’re the best. But what else is out there? Aliens are a super common theme in horror starting all the way back in 1924 with the silent film Aelita made by Soviet filmmaker Yakov Protazanov. It tells the story of a man traveling to Mars to lead an uprising against the ruling group of Elders. Then in 1951 we got the classic The Day the Earth Stood Still directed by Robert Wise about an alien visitor to Earth accompanied by an eight-foot tall robot. This movie went on to be re-made a few times. That same year we also got The Man From Planet X directed by Edgar G. Ulmer. And so began the alien craze that we still see today. But there are a lot of bad ones out there, and there’s a lot of good ones. So I’m here to help you out with my favorite top 5 modern alien films: Number Five – Dreamcatcher “Bitch-in-a-buzzsaw. I’ve heard some mighty burps in my time, but that’s the blue ribbon baby.” Okay, now chill. I do know this adaptation is pretty bad. But I’m a MASSIVE Stephen King fan and sometimes we have to just take the bad ones and accept them as good. And honestly, I really do enjoy Dreamcatcher! Released in 2003 the adaptation was directed by Lawrence Kasdan and stars Jason Lee, Damian Lewis, Thomas Jane, Morgan Freeman and Timothy Olyphant. While there isn’t a tone of logic in this movie, basically aliens invade earth to poison the water and kill all humans. A group of friends who met when they were young are having their annual camping trip and unfortunately find themselves in the middle of an alien invasion. But they’re more involved than they think and a figure from their past links them all in a mysterious way that will be explained (badly). So what’s so great about it? Firstly, it’s a Stephen King adaptation that isn’t terrible (I’m looking at you Cell…). Secondly, there’s a tone of gore and alien violence…you’ll never forget the bathroom scene after you’ve watched it. Thirdly, there are some pretty cool shots in this film. There’s a scene where the group watch as all the animals of the forest flee and it’s so spooky to watch. Could you imagine seeing that in real life and wondering what the hell was going on? Oh! And! Donnie Wahlberg plays the character of Duddits….I mean…what kind of madness?! Number Four – Extraterrestrial “I know this is going to sound crazy okay, but we saw something crash in the woods” Released in 2014, this was directed by Colin Minihan based on the script by the Vicious Brothers (Grave Encounters) and stars Brittany Allen, Freddie Stroma, and Melanie Papalia. A group of teens are off to a cabin to party for the weekend but while there they see something crash into the woods in the distance and upon investigating realize it’s an alien spacecraft. They see a set of footprints that lead off towards their cabin and as the teens try to survive the night, these mysterious aliens hunt them down. This movie was surprisingly great! There are some really scary scenes and the aliens when shown are actually not too cheesy. There’s a really cool scene where the UFO starts screwing with the environment and the kids realize it’s raining directly in front of them but not over them. It’s hard to explain…but trust me; it’s cool to watch. The movie takes a crazy turn when the kids get abducted and you get to see into the alien’s universe. It gets super dark and there’s a legit probing scene. A PROBING SCENE!!!!!!!! I was screaming while watching it. Then there’s this sort of “shock” ending which you’ll probably see coming. So while Extraterrestrial is a lot of fun, especially watching in a group, it does have its flaws. And it does feel like two separate movies. But it’s a must watch for any alien fan out there because it takes all the stereotypical things we know about aliens and actually makes them scary. Number Three – Dark Skies “Three different migrations from three different directions flew into your house, it’s as if something was drawing them to your home” A Blumhouse production released in 2013 written and directed by Scott Stewart, it stars Keri Russell, Josh Hamilton and J.K. Simmons. We have a normal suburban family, dealing with the every day problems and going about their lives. But then subtly things start to change – a flock of birds flies into their house, their house alarm goes off and they find all their photographs missing, their youngest son starts having fits, there’s memory loss, catatonic events. Basically things are getting crazy. But what on earth could be happening? Aliens. It’s always aliens. And so this family begins to search for the truth and fight to save themselves. What’s interesting about Dark Skies is that it plays on the reality of this really happening. The family is seen as crazy and when their son has mysterious bruises on him they’re investigated for child abuse. Because in real life, we never believe when someone’s claiming to be visited by aliens. There’s also some honest to God terrifying moments in this movie that have stuck with me and made it such a contender for this list. There are some big name actors in this flick too and they play their roles earnestly. And while there are some flaws, it’s still a movie I highly recommend – especially to those new to the genre fans. Number Two – The Fourth Kind “But the fourth kind, there’s nothing more frightening than the fourth. You see, that one is when they abduct you.” The Fourth Kind was released in 2009 and was directed by Olatunde Osunsanmi, it stars Mila Jovovich, Elias Koteas, and Corey Johnson. So there have always been three kinds of classification of close encounters, but now there’s a fourth kind – alien abduction. This film is one of those that’s “based on true events” and by that they mean very loosely based. But by making it a mokumentary, when it came out it had a lot of people confused about what was real and what wasn’t. Set in Nome, Alaska it follows a psychologist as she uses hypnosis to uncover memories from her patients who have experienced alien abduction. While doing this, she realizes she may have been abducted too. The film breaks it down into two components; the documentary part and the dramatization of the events. Mila Jovovich plays herself playing Abbey. The documentary part shows “actual” abduction victims undergoing hypnosis. It’s actually a really scary movie and it plays with your imagination to the point where you find yourself getting confused about what is real and what isn’t. Obviously none of this is real but the film does such a realistic job that there’s a part of you that falls for it. And I remember at the time there were a few of my friends who were convinced this was real footage and were losing their minds. Number One – Signs “See what you have to ask yourself is what kind of person are you? Are you the kind that sees signs, that sees miracles? Or do you believe that people just get lucky? Or, look at the question this way: Is it possible that there are no coincidences?” Guys, Signs is one of my favorite movies of ALL TIME. I’m obsessed with this movie. Released in 2002 it was written and directed by M. Night Shyamalan. It has an amazing cast including Mel Gibson, Joaquin Pheonix, Rory Culkin and a very young Abigail Breslin. It tells the story of a former priest who lost his faith after the death of his wife. He now lives with his two kids and his brother and they discover a series of crop circles in their cornfield. All across the world these crop circles are appearing and then lights in the sky start appearing and before we know it, the world’s been invaded. So why is Signs number one? Because it’s a perfect film to me. Not only does it have some terrifying moments (that birthday party footage!!!!) it has some absolutely hilarious moments. Signs explores faith, kinship and forgiveness. It’s an emotional horror movie that feels incredibly realistic and raw. All of the performances delivered are phenomenal and the way it all ties together is satisfying and emotional. And sure, at the end when you find out what kills the aliens it’s pretty dumb if you poke too many holes into the logic. BUT…I still love this movie so very much. Go watch it again and give it a chance!
Colleagues who share Kezia Dugdale’s scepticism about her new boss are wondering how she can avert a PR disaster when he makes his first visit here as leader, writes Euan McColm ‘WE’RE completely screwed,” according to one Labour MSP. How can the leader of the party enforce discipline with that record? Kezia Dugdale “We can make this work,” according to another. Just a week after Jeremy Corbyn was elected as leader of Her Majesty’s Opposition, his colleagues in Scotland are divided over what he means for their prospects. For some – though not many – he is a potential saviour whose political ideology will help them outflank the SNP on the left. To others, Corbyn adds to their woes; he’s an unelectable leader who’ll ensure further Tory success at Westminster and do nothing to prevent an SNP majority in next May’s Holyrood elections. His decision to appoint disgraced Scottish peer Lord Watson – jailed for fire-raising in 2005 – as spokesman for education will only have confirmed their worst fears. Corbyn is expected to come to Scotland this week (an exact date has not been pinned down – “His diary is fluid,” says a Labour source) to meet Labour’s Scottish leader, Kezia Dugdale. Their discussion promises to be interesting, if not entirely comfortable. Jez and Kez are not natural allies. She did not favour him in Labour’s leadership election. In August, she said that though there were many in her party who were prepared to say that it didn’t matter if he didn’t look like a prime minister, she wanted there to be a Labour government. She added: “Otherwise I’m wasting my time. I don’t want to spend my whole life just carping from the sidelines. “So you have to convince me that he can be [prime minister]. Here’s a guy that’s broken the whip 500 times. So how can the leader of the party enforce discipline with that record?” Finding those among Dugdale’s colleagues with a more optimistic view is not easy. There is Neil Findlay, the Lothians MSP who ran Corbyn’s campaign in Scotland and last week wrote that the SNP fears Labour under its new left-wing leader. “Jeremy’s campaign was based on values with a fresh focus on a future of hope and ambition for all our people,” wrote Findlay, “He has gained huge public respect for that approach. But others are cautious. One MSP said: “I want this to work out because it has to work out. The SNP has talked a left-wing game without playing it left-wing at all and maybe we will seem more authentic. “The thing we don’t know yet is whether people seriously want a real left-wing party in government. We haven’t had one so far and when we see Jeremy talking about raising taxes are we going to be able to bring people with us? I’m not sure we are. “It’s one thing for people to agree in principle that they want to see big earners taxed more heavily but for a lot of people the reality is that it makes them nervous. “People might not be earning high salaries but they are ambitious and want to be, and if it looks like they are going to be punished for success then are they going to be attracted to us? I don’t know.” Even from someone who is committed to making Corbyn’s leadership a success, then, there is no great excitement about his victory. It seems more a case of hoping for the best rather than banking on it. It is easier – far easier – to find Labour MSPs and veteran members who believe Corbyn will be a disaster for the party. Those critics – like the few who are trying to remain optimistic – are wary of going on the record when discussing the new leader. There is a clear sense of unease about discussing life in Labour under Corbyn. One Labour MSP said: “If anyone says this is good news because we can outflank the SNP on the left, then they’re not thinking straight. “The SNP doesn’t really present a left-wing politics, it just says to people ‘you’re compassionate and wonderful’ and people lap it up. “There isn’t a majority out there for paying more tax and hiking up benefits. If there was, then the SNP would be doing those things. “There’s a majority out there that wants to feel good about themselves and to get on in life and the SNP absolutely talks to them. “The rhetoric is left wing but the politics are centre ground. The SNP is New Labour with nationalism added and there’s no way an Old Labour offer is going to counter it. I despair at anyone who thinks that’s going to happen. “We’re completely screwed if we’re pinning our hopes on winning on an out of date agenda.” According to one long-serving activist, as well as the politics there are the associations Corbyn has made over the years that present a problem. “It’s not just about whether Labour will win, but about whether people will stay in the party. For me, it’s about anti-Semitism. Corbyn’s called groups like Hamas and Hezbollah his friends and that’s indefensible. “His people can spin that he was reaching out to these people to try to help bring about peace between Israel and Palestine but that doesn’t stack up. “He has associations with groups that are anti-Semitic and if someone asks me how I can stay in a party led by a man like that then I don’t have a good answer for them.” Corbyn’s shadow chancellor, John McDonnell, this week apologised for comments he made in 2003 calling for IRA terrorists to be honoured. He claimed that he was trying to help achieve peace in Ulster. This campaigner is not buying that explanation. “He was a backbench MP with no locus in the peace process. So much for the Corbynistas being about a new politics with no spin or triangulation. McDonnell’s explanation for what he said and why he said it was pure spin designed to get him over a hump. “But supporting the IRA is a big hump to get over. People didn’t like the IRA.” For the more moderate Dugdale, the direction in which Corbyn takes the party may be problematic, according to a senior Scottish Tory source. “Scottish Labour’s big reputational problem is that it’s seen as a branch office of the party in London. It’s the thing the SNP throws at them again and again. “Kez is a fairly mainstream politician. She stands in the centre ground but can she do that if the party in the UK is further to the left? “The danger for her is that she ends up going left and being accused of doing Jeremy’s bidding. And if she doesn’t go left then the story is that the Labour Party isn’t united.” The Scottish Tories are cautiously optimistic that they might stand to benefit from more Labour turmoil. “We’re the only ones who can claim to be a united party of the Union now, and that’s a powerful message. We’ll be making that case in the Holyrood elections next year and it’s a strong one. We have a story to tell.” The possibility of the Tories benefiting from Corbyn’s election hasn’t escaped some Scottish Labour members. One campaigner said: “I don’t know what our message for middle Scotland is. We could end up being the third largest party at Holyrood. The Tories could be the official opposition. “I thought we had problems before but we have bigger ones, now. I don’t see how Kezia handles the differences between her and Corbyn without it getting messy.” The SNP has already made clear its strategy to take on Corbyn. Minutes after his election last weekend, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said that a now divided Labour party would mean more Tory governments at Westminster. That, she said, would add to the clamour for Scottish independence. Former first minister Alex Salmond, appearing on BBC1’s Question Time on Thursday evening, said it was a fact of political life that divided parties could not win elections. It’s an analysis with which some in Scottish Labour agree. One MSP said: “They’re right. We’re divided and you can’t hide that. Everyone can try to put on a brave face and say we’re going to make this work but not enough of us believe that’s true. “And what if we did believe Corbyn could win? That wouldn’t make that the case, it would just mean that even more of us were kidding ourselves.” There has been talk, south of the Border, of new members – Corbynistas – getting together to remove as candidates MPs who are seen as New Labour. There can be no such purge in Scotland. Dugdale has ensured that nobody who joined the party after early July will have a say in the selection of candidates for next year’s Holyrood election. The consequence of that may be to draw a clear distinction between the direction of travel of the party in England and the party in Scotland. One Labour MSP said: “We have to stay in the centre, no matter what Corbyn and his supporters want. We’re up against a centrist party and we have to fight them on their territory. “Look, we’re going to lose next year. We’ll lose badly, I think, and we might even come below the Tories. It’s that bad. But if we shifted on to a real hard left track then we’d do even worse. “We have to do what we can to keep the party alive. We’re not fighting to win next year, we’re fighting not to vanish off the map completely.”
Phil Kessel landed with the Pittsburgh Penguins in the biggest trade of the NHL offseason. Now the focus turns to where in the lineup does he fit best. Should Kessel, one of the game's purest goal scorers, be on a line with Sidney Crosby or with Evgeni Malkin? That question already has become arguably the most debated topic of the summer. The way Kessel plays, the Penguins would have a better chance to get the most out of him if he were on a line with Malkin. That's not a knock on Crosby, but there are myriad reasons Kessel and Malkin could, and likely should, work better than a pairing of Kessel and Crosby. To figure out the future, a look to the past is in order. For this exercise, the best comparison to Kessel is James Neal, the former Penguins forward who now plays for the Nashville Predators. Neal isn't typically a 40-goal scorer, but he was when he played with Malkin during the 2011-12 season. That's also when Malkin had his best season with 109 points, winning the Art Ross Trophy and the Hart Trophy. Kessel is a goal-scorer, and his best success comes from a high volume of shots. Malkin, more of a goal-scoring center, also must shoot the puck frequently. The season Malkin and Neal played together at even strength, they had 339 and 329 shots on goal, respectively. If the Penguins can figure out how to get Malkin and Kessel to each manage more than 300 shots on goal this season, they will be a better team. Kessel averaged 300 shots on goal per season in his five 82-game seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs. He never played with a center comparable to Malkin while there. The reason Neal thrived with Malkin is the same reason Kessel should. Neal had time to read and react off Malkin, who likes to carry the puck and play an east-west, change-of-speed game. Neal, reading Malkin, would play stealth-like and pop out in a scoring area at the right moment for a Malkin pass. Together, Malkin and Neal were unpredictable, which worked to their advantage. Kessel, like Neal, can get open. And Kessel's shot, with its quick release, accuracy and heaviness, is better than Neal's. With Kessel and Malkin on the ice together, there would be constant movement and interplay between two threats able to score on virtually any possession in the attacking zone. Crosby plays more of a north-south game of direct lines and quick puck movement. Crosby's linemates have to think the game quickly, react quickly, and be ready in a hurry. He wants his wings to be predictable. That's a big reason Pascal Dupuis and Chris Kunitz have played so well with him. They thrive on finding pucks, especially inside the dots. They have the ability to score before the opportunity to score makes itself evident to others. Crosby is the one of best in the world at making something out of nothing in the blink of an eye. The quickness with which Crosby wants to attack could take some of the unpredictability out of Kessel's game. The unpredictability, though, is part of what makes Kessel great. It certainly makes his shot great. Crosby also likes to lead the rush, same as Kessel. Malkin prefers to hang back, waiting for a drop pass once the player leading the rush gains the next zone. Kessel would be able to lead the rush if he played with Malkin more often than if he played with Crosby. None of this is to discount the potential Kessel would have with Crosby. That could be dynamic too, especially with Crosby's vision and Kessel's speed and ability to get open and finish. What we're really talking about here is levels of success, because the difference between playing with Crosby or Malkin could be the difference in Kessel being a 40-goal scorer or a 45-goal scorer, with the potential to hit 50. Those added goals could be the difference between Pittsburgh finishing in the top three in the Metropolitan Division or being one of the two wild card teams from the Eastern Conference, or worse. There is no wrong answer because Kessel can be successful at even strength with either of the Penguins' top centers. He'll likely play on the power play with both, and there should be times when the three of them play on the same line, such as after icing plays when the Penguins have a faceoff in the offensive zone. Pairing Kessel with Malkin seems, at least on paper, like it would be sliding two puzzle pieces together to make a finished product, whereas pairing Kessel with Crosby might require some jamming and folding to try to make the pieces fit. ---
Nuclear’s environmental impact – is it trivial? 9 December 2015 9 December 2015 Although economics and security of supply are very important aspects, a small environmental footprint is becoming more important to the public and policymakers. This is not just because of today's concentration on the environmental consequences of energy use. There is an incorrect belief that nuclear has substantial impacts on health, safety and environment and this links with economics and security of supply. [Cartoon by Alexey Kovynev - "Only a dozen relate to nuclear energy but we don't know which ones"] The costs of building large numbers of nuclear power plants are now under question, particularly as fossil fuels have become cheaper and renewable energy solutions are achieving cost reductions. At least some of the deteriorating economics of nuclear can be put down to regulatory impositions because we have failed to communicate that the technology is essentially safe and free of other so-called external costs. Nuclear cannot offer perfect security of supply if plants are subject to either temporary or permanent closures because of these fears. If the strong credentials of nuclear on health, safety and environment can be established, the complaint that it faces discriminatory treatment by governments and indeed by society as a whole becomes more powerful. As discussed in last month's article (November 2015, 'The level playing field - what about the auto industry') other industrial sectors have had a comparatively easy ride. Their products are now under a much higher degree of scrutiny. Nuclear was arguably one of the first industries to experience this heightened evaluation. Now it must convince people that it has passed with flying colours. It is climate change which has risen to become the prime challenge. Nuclear power's credentials here are very good, but it has achieved very little recognition. Claims that the nuclear fuel cycle and power stations contribute substantial amounts of greenhouse gases have been largely dismissed. But nuclear advocates have unwisely concentrated too much on climate change (see January 2015, 'Is climate change the worst argument for nuclear?'). Other environmental concerns such as air and water pollution and the wider impact of industrial activities (such as in the oil and gas, chemical and steel industries) are arguably more important in today's world and are having substantial impact on people's lives. Even the agricultural, fishery and forestry sectors have a huge and potentially negative impact, as seen by the current concern over the mass burning of forests in Indonesia. The health, safety and environment impacts of urbanization around the world have to be carefully considered. This is gradually happening as measures of human wellbeing, other than the usual gross domestic product (GDP), are being seriously considered. This includes trying to put a value on the world's "natural capital", in other words the natural assets, whether renewable (like fish and forests) or non-renewable (like oil and minerals). In relation to these huge issues, the nuclear sector looks inconsequential. Building and then operating 400 or so large nuclear reactors, fuelling them with a fuel cycle starting with only 60,000 tonnes of natural uranium a year and then managing a relatively small amount of radioactive waste does not appear very significant in scale. To the extent that there is any additional exposure to radiation, it is localised and, even in most accident situations, arguably inconsequential. Waste management and decommissioning activities are also highly localised and have little impact on the lives of even the people living close to the relevant facilities. Serious studies back up this conclusion. ExternE, a major European study of the external costs of various fuel cycles for generating electricity, was released in 2001. The European Commission launched the project in 1991 and it "put plausible financial figures against damage resulting from different forms of electricity production for the entire EU". The external costs are defined as those incurred in relation to health and the environment, and quantifiable but not built into the cost of the electricity to the consumer and therefore are borne by society at large. They include the effects of air pollution on human health, crop yields and buildings, as well as occupational disease and accidents. The methodology measured emissions, dispersion pathways and their ultimate impact. Exposure-response models led to evaluating the physical impacts in monetary terms. For nuclear energy the risk of accidents is factored in, along with estimates of radiological impacts from mine tailings and carbon-14 emissions from reprocessing (waste management and decommissioning being already within the cost to the consumer). The report showed that in clear cash terms nuclear energy incurs about one tenth of the costs of coal. Nuclear energy averages under 0.4 euro cents per kWh (0.2-0.7), less than hydro. Coal is over 4 cents (2-10 cent averages in different countries), gas ranges from 1-4 cents and only wind shows up better than nuclear, at 0.05-0.25 cents per kWh. The EU cost of electricity generation without these external costs averaged about 4 cents per kWh. If these external costs were included, the EU price of electricity from coal would double and that from gas would increase by around 30%. Economists would argue that these external costs should be incorporated in the electricity price paid by consumers or else there is a misallocation of resources. This could be achieved by imposing appropriate taxes to reflect the external costs, with the revenues sufficient to compensate society. This would considerably alter the mix of electricity generating capacity in favour of those with low external costs - nuclear, large hydro and the renewables. However, there are substantial political barriers to this being achieved, as society has always subsidised fossil fuel use, by ignoring its pollution costs. The report proposed two ways of incorporating external costs: taxing the costs or subsidising alternatives. Taxes are difficult, so subsidies have been favoured and renewable energy has certainly received plenty of these. Yet these have not extended to nuclear power, despite the comparable external costs avoided. External costing suggests that the public health benefits associated with reducing emissions from fossil fuel burning could still be the strongest reason for pursuing closure, in addition to climate change concerns. Thousands of deaths could be avoided in urban areas each year by reducing fossil fuel combustion in line with greenhouse gas abatement targets. The World Health Organisation (WHO) in 1997 presented estimates, of 2.7 or 3 million deaths occurring each year as a result of air pollution. In the latter estimate, 2.8 million deaths were due to indoor exposures and 200,000 to outdoor exposure. The lower estimate comprised 1.85 million deaths from rural indoor pollution, 363,000 from urban indoor pollution and 511,000 from urban ambient pollution. The WHO report points out that these totals are about 6% of all deaths. Moving to cleaner energy has huge benefits to the world. One interesting area is that of accidents related to energy production. A November 1998 study from the Paul Scherrer Institute in Switzerland drew on data from 4290 energy-related accidents, 1943 of them classified as severe, and compared different energy sources. It considered over 15,000 fatalities related to oil, over 8000 related to coal and 5000 from hydro. Considering only deaths and comparing them per terawatt-year, coal has 342, hydro 883, gas 85 and nuclear power only eight. Given that nuclear power annually delivers some 2500TWh per year to the world, these eight deaths would be at an average 2.3 deaths a year. Coal produces more than double nuclear's share of world electricity and works out at 216 deaths per year. In terms of number of immediate deaths per event from 1969 to 1996, perhaps surprisingly hydro stands out with about 550 compared with coal at around 40. The studies show that nuclear power is certainly not a bad citizen. It is very safe to work in and has very limited impacts on the environment. The battle to achieve acceptance of these important facts is a very slow and hard one, and it is one that the industry is only slowly winning. The key area is clearly to convince people that even if there are small incremental releases of radiation, the impacts will be highly localised and of no severe consequences. If this can be achieved, the issues on other key areas can much more easily be addressed. The "big three" here are the consequences of major nuclear accidents, nuclear waste management and the fear of nuclear proliferation and terrorist thefts of nuclear materials. It is widely agreed that the nuclear industry can no longer maintain that accidents will never happen and it must argue that if they do happen, the consequences will be controllable and relatively minor. This is difficult after the Fukushima accident, which was very badly handled by all concerned. Until the radiation dragon is slain, one cannot have much confidence that future accidents will be handled any better. The fear that has affected the entire history of nuclear power must be overcome and radiation is the key (see September and October 2015, 'Overcoming the paradigm of fear, Parts 1 and Part 2'). The waste issue is often cited as nuclear's "achilles heel" but in reality, it should be a strength. Unlike the generation of electricity from fossil fuels) all the nuclear wastes are identified and contained. Even in a worst case scenario where there is a release of radiation from a waste facility, any impact is likely to be highly localised and of little consequence to humans. Of greater difficulty is the issue of how long the waste will remain dangerous, and the multigenerational aspects of geological repositories need careful handling. Under natural capital principles, it is impossible to impose a huge burden on future generations by activities today, so the industry must be able to convince critics that what is passed on is easily manageable. Multinational repositories are one answer here, lessening the potential burden on countries with only a small number of operating reactors. The proliferation and nuclear security issues are also closely related to the understanding of radiation, but need careful handling nevertheless. The fear of nuclear war has undoubtedly diminished as the world has learned to live with nuclear weapons, but is still too easily linked with the civil nuclear sector. If more countries in the Middle East employ nuclear power (after Iran and the UAE), these concerns are likely to remain active rather than simply fade away, but they must be kept in proportion. To conclude, the environmental impact of nuclear is trivial by comparison with other means of generating electricity and by comparison with other industrial sectors, but there is still a long way to go in getting it generally accepted. The key remains the slow removal of underlying fear. Facts and figures can only go some way to helping. This article was first published in the December issue of Nuclear Engineering International. Download a PDF of the article now. About the author Steve Kidd is an independent nuclear consultant and economist with East Cliff Consulting. The first half of his career was spent as an industrial economist within British industry, followed by nearly 18 years in senior positions at the World Nuclear Association and its predecessor organisation, the Uranium Institute.
Credit: Marvel Comics SECRET EMPIRE #1 (of 9) NICK SPENCER (W) • STEVE MCNIVEN (A) Cover by MARK BROOKS Variant Cover by ADI GRANOV VARIANT COVER BY J. SCOTT CAMPBELL Hydra Hero VARIANT Cover by ANDREA SORRENTINO Young Variant Cover by SKOTTIE YOUNG Action Figure Variant Cover by JOHN TYLER CHRISTOPHER Villain Variant Cover by DAN MORA PARTY VARIANT COVER BY TODD NAUCK PARTY SKETCH VARIANT COVER BY TODD NAUCK PREMIERE VARIANT COVER BY TBA It’s been building for months, across a bevy of titles! But now, the moment has arrived for Steve Rogers to step into the light and declare his allegiance to Hydra! How can the heroes of the Marvel Universe cope with this shattering betrayal by the most trusted figure among them? And what will this mean for the world? The map of the Marvel Universe changes in ways nobody will expect — TRUST THE SECRET EMPIRE! 48 PGS./Rated T+ …$4.99 SECRET EMPIRE #2 (of 9) NICK SPENCER (W) • ANDREA SORRENTINO (A) Cover by MARK BROOKS Villain Variant Cover by Dan Mora ACTION FIGURE VARIANT COVER BY JOHN TYLER CHRISTOPHER VARIANT COVER BY J. SCOTT CAMPBELL Hydra Hero VARIANT Cover by ANDREA SORRENTINO Enshrouded in darkness, plagued by the minions of Baron Mordo and cut off from all assistance, The Defenders and Doctor Strange struggle to save the lives of the innocent people consigned to this hell on Earth. Will Dagger prove to be the key to stopping this nightmare? Meanwhile, will the appearance of a new hero provide Iron Man with the key to Captain America’s startling change? THE SECRET EMPIRE WILL DEFEND YOU! 48 PGS./Rated T+ …$4.99 SECRET EMPIRE #3 (of 9) NICK SPENCER (W) • ANDREA SORRENTINO (A) Cover by MARK BROOKS Villain Variant Cover by DAN MORA Hydra Hero VARIANT Cover by ANDREA SORRENTINO ACTION FIGURE VARIANT COVER BY JOHN TYLER CHRISTOPHER VARIANT COVER BY J. SCOTT CAMPBELL Under constant attack from wave after wave of invading Chitauri aliens, Captain Marvel and the deep space task force under her command is waging a war of attrition — one they may not be able to survive! And back on Earth, things aren’t looking too rosy for Hawkeye and his band of renegade heroes, either! But don’t worry —THE SECRET EMPIRE WILL AVENGE YOU! 40 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99 SECRET EMPIRE: UPRISING #1 Derek Landy (W) • J. Cassara (A) Cover by RAFAEL ALBUQUERQUE VARIANT COVER BY TBA CLASSIFIED! • THE SECRET EMPIRE WILL CHAMPION YOU! 40 PGS./ONE-SHOT/Rated T+ …$4.99 CAPTAIN AMERICA: STEVE ROGERS #17 NICK SPENCER (W) • Andres Guinaldo (A) Cover by ELIZABETH TORQUE SECRET EMPIRE TIE-IN! IN CAP WE TRUST! 32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99 U.S.AVENGERS #6 AL EWING (W) • PACO MEDINA (A/C) SECRET EMPIRE TIE-IN! • Steve Rogers shoots to kill — and A.I.M. is the target! • As Roberto Da Costa’s dreams come crashing down, can the U.S.Avengers stay in one piece? • Plus: Are we actually going to kill Cannonball? 32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99 CAPTAIN AMERICA: SAM WILSON #22 NICK SPENCER (W) • Sean Izaakse (A) Cover by ELIZABETH TORQUE SECRET EMPIRE TIE-IN! • In a world that’s undergone dramatic changes, Sam Wilson takes to the skies again! • What is the mission that brings Sam back out from the shadows? 32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99 DOCTOR STRANGE #21 DENNIS HOPELESS (W) • NIKO HENRICHON (A) Cover by CHRIS BACHALO VARIANT COVER BY DAN MORA SECRET EMPIRE TIE-IN! • New York City is under attack by dark forces, and only Doctor Strange has a shot at saving it. But it’s quite a longshot! • And welcome new ongoing writer DENNIS HOPELESS (ALL-NEW X-MEN, SPIDER-WOMAN, JEAN GREY) and artist NIKO HENRICHON (Pride of Baghdad, NEW MUTANTS). 32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99 ULTIMATES 2 #7 AL EWING (W) • TRAVEL FOREMAN (A) Cover by CHRISTIAN WARD SECRET EMPIRE TIE-IN! • As Steve Rogers makes his move, the Ultimates find themselves on the wrong side of his plans. • With an existential threat in control of Earth, Galactus might be their last hope... • ...but the Lifebringer has problems of his own. 32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99 DEADPOOL #31 GERRY DUGGAN (W) • MATTEO LOLLI (A) Cover by DAVID LOPEZ SECRET COMICS VARIANT BY SCOTT KOBLISH SECRET EMPIRE TIE-IN! • Deadpool trusts Steve Rogers implicitly. How could he not? • Now, it’s time to put that trust to the test. • The result will have serious ramifications for Deadpool in days to come. 32 PGS./Parental Advisory …$3.99 THE MIGHTY CAPTAIN MARVEL #5 MARGARET STOHL (W) • RAMON ROSANAS (A) Cover by ELIZABETH TORQUE SECRET EMPIRE TIE-IN! • The Chitauri fleet has nearly reached Earth space and it’s up to Captain Marvel to stop it. • Taking on an entire armada of alien spacecraft is a tall order for Carol and the crew of Alpha Flight Space Station. • Luckily they’ve got some help from their Sisters (and brothers) in arms. 32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99 SECRET WARRIORS #1 MATTHEW ROSENBERG (W) • Javier Garrón (A) COVER BY TRADD MOORE VARIANT COVER BY DAVID NAKAYAMA VARIANT COVER BY ROBBI RODRIGUEZ Hip-Hop Variant Cover by MARCO D’ALFONSO A SECRET EMPIRE TIE-IN! Captain America has been revealed to be an agent of Hydra – and he’s coming after Inhumans! S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent Daisy Johnson, a.k.a. QUAKE, wants no part of Hydra, so she goes underground, teaming up with MS. MARVEL, MOON GIRL & DEVIL DINOSAUR, KARNAK and INFERNO to set things right – for the Inhumans, but also for the entire country! Penned by rising star Matthew Rosenberg (Kingpin, Rocket Raccoon, 4 Kids Walk Into A Bank) and drawn by the immensely talented Javier Garrón (Death of X, Inhumans vs X-Men), SECRET WARRIORS is one part coming-of-age story, one part spy-thriller, all action and all heart. Don’t miss the next (and final?) generation of Inhumans as they take the Marvel Universe by storm! 32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99 SECRET WARRIORS #2 MATTHEW ROSENBERG (W) • Javier Garrón (A) Cover by TRADD MOORE VARIANT COVER BY YASMINE PUTRI A SECRET EMPIRE TIE-IN! • When Karnak reveals what he believes to be S.H.I.E.L.D.’s true motivation for imprisoning the Inhumans, Quake finds a new sense of direction for her mission… • ...but not everyone on the team agrees. • As tensions rise between Ms. Marvel and Quake, Moon Girl finds an unlikely kinship with another team member. • Can Quake steady the rocky relationship with her Secret Warriors before S.H.I.E.L.D. finds what they’re looking for? Or will a rift between allies leave the entire world in darkness? 32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99 ALL-NEW GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY #1 & 2 GERRY DUGGAN (W) • AARON KUDER (A/C) Issue #1 - Hip-Hop Variant Cover by JEFFREY VEREGGE Issue #1 - Variant Cover by AARON KUDER ISSUE #1 - ACTION FIGURE VARIANT COVER BY JOHN TYLER CHRISTOPHER ISSUE #1 - VARIANT COVER BY Leinil Yu ISSUE #1 - YOUNG VARIANT COVER BY SKOTTIE YOUNG ISSUE #2 - VARIANT COVER BY TBA A NEW ERA OF COSMIC ADVENTURE BEGINS HERE! Double ships every month! The Guardians of the Galaxy have taken off into space once more, on their biggest and weirdest misadventures yet! Kicking things off with the biggest heist they’ve ever tried, we join Star-Lord, Rocket Raccoon and company as they blast their way through the galaxy, the peacekeepers of the Nova Corps hot on their tails. And once they find themselves caught in a war between The Collector and The Grandmaster, there will hardly be time to explain why Groot can’t grow any bigger, what Gamora is searching for or why Drax has sworn off violence! But don’t worry, we will — with a new twice-monthly schedule, All-New Guardians of the Galaxy has space for ALL your Marvel Cosmic needs! 32 PGS. (EACH)/Rated T+ …$3.99 (EACH) ROCKET #1 AL EWING (W) • ADAM GORHAM (A) Cover by MIKE MAYHEW VARIANT COVER BY TIM BRADSTREET VARIANT COVER BY TBA HIP-HOP VARIANT COVER BY TBA MOVIE VARIANT COVER ALSO AVAILABLE ANIMATION VARIANT COVER ALSO AVAILABLE GET READY FOR A LIFE OF SPACECRIME! It’s a dirty universe out there, even when you’re not regularly mistaken for trash-foraging vermin. And it’s about to get dirtier. He thought his paws were clean, that he was on the up-and-up. But then an old flame swam back into his life, and he was back in the game... the heist game. If you need a safe cracked, a vault busted or a score taken...ask for Rocket. Just don’t call him a raccoon. 32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99 I AM GROOT #1 CHRISTOPHER HASTINGS (W) • FLAVIANO (A) Cover by Marco D’ALFONSO Variant cover by Jay Fosgitt VARIANT COVER BY TBA HIP-HOP VARIANT COVER BY TBA YOUNG VARIANT COVER BY SKOTTIE YOUNG (NEW) YOUNG VARIANT COVER BY SKOTTIE YOUNG (ORIGINAL) NIGHT NIGHT GROOT VARIANT COVER ALSO AVAILABLE GROOT IN HIS OWN SERIES, SMALLER AND BETTER THAN EVER! When the Guardians of the Galaxy get caught in a wormhole, a smaller-than-normal Groot is separated billions of light-years away from the team. Falling to a planet below, Groot discovers he is on an entirely alien and unknown world full of strange creatures and societies. Seriously underdeveloped and with nobody who can understand him, Groot will need to make the journey to the center of this world and find the way back to his family! 32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99 JEAN GREY #1 DENNIS HOPELESS (W) • VICTOR IBANEZ (A) Cover by DAVID YARDIN Hip-Hop Variant Cover by SHAWN CRYSTAL CORNER BOX VARIANT COVER BY LEONARD KIRK VARIANT COVER BY MARGUERITE SAUVAGE VARIANT COVER BY STEPHANIE HANS REMASTERED VARIANT COVER BY DAVE COCKRUM MILLIE THE PHOENIX VARIANT BY TBA Whena teenage JEAN GREY traveled through time and arrived in the present, she learned the terrible fate that befell her predecessor: Possessed by a cosmic entity called the Phoenix, Jean was trapped in an endless cycle of life and death. Determined to escape that future, Jean set out to write her own destiny. But now, she’s visited by a premonition that the Phoenix is coming for her…and in this new ongoing series by DENNIS HOPELESS (ALL-NEW X-MEN, SPIDER-WOMAN, X-MEN: SEASON ONE) and VICTOR IBANEZ (EXTRAORDINARY X-MEN, STORM), she’s going to fight tooth and nail to escape becoming its next victim! 32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99 GENERATION X #1 CHRISTINA STRAIN (W) • AMILCAR PINNA (A) Cover by TERRY DODSON Hip-Hop Variant Cover by KEVIN WADA ACTION FIGURE VARIANT COVER BY JOHN TYLER CHRISTOPHER CORNER BOX VARIANT COVER BY LEONARD KIRK VARIANT COVER BY RAHZZAH REMASTERED VARIANT COVER BY BRIAN HITCH VARIANT COVER BY TBA The Xavier Institute for Mutant Education and Outreach has opened its doors and is ready to foster the next generation of heroes and diplomats! But this time around, the X-Men recognize an unfortunate truth: not all mutants are created equal. Some mutants are not made to fight Sentinels or serve as ambassadors on behalf of their kind. Some mutants will just be lucky to survive another day in a world that hates and fears them. And who better to mentor mutantkind’s lovable losers than perpetual sidekick Jubilee? But will Jubilee and GENERATION X survive the experience?? 32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99 GENERATION X #2 CHRISTINA STRAIN (W) • AMILCAR PINNA (A) Cover by TERRY DODSON VARIANT COVER BY TBA ACTION FIGURE VARIANT COVER BY JOHN TYLER CHRISTOPHER • The Xavier Institute is put on lockdown when mutant-hunting PURIFIERS infiltrate the campus! • And even though Jubilee’s charges are ordered out of harm’s way, some of her students can’t help but enter the line of fire. • Class has only been in session for one day, and GENERATION X is about to learn some important lessons the hard way… 32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99 CABLE #1 JAMES ROBINSON (W) • CARLOS PACHECO (A) COVER BY DALE KEOWN VARIANT COVER BY ADAM KUBERT VARIANT COVER BY BILLY MARTIN VARIANT COVER BY WHILCE PORTACIO CORNER BOX VARIANT BY LEONARD KIRK ACTION FIGURE VARIANT BY JOHN TYLER CHRISTOPHER HIP-HOP VARIANT COVER BY MIKE CHOI WALK SOFTLY...AND CARRY A BIG GUN! CABLE sees the mighty mutant return on a brand-new mission…with all of time in the balance! When Cable picks up the trail of a threat in the timestream, he sets off on a high-speed, history-spanning chase to save reality as we know it. From prehistory to modern day, whether it’s a six-gun duel at high noon or a high-tech sword fight in an ancient land, Cable is the only man who can keep history from unraveling! 32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99 BLACK BOLT #1 SALADIN AHMED (W) • CHRISTIAN WARD (A/C) Variant Cover by PAUL POPE Hip-Hop Variant Cover by RAHZZAH VARIANT COVER BY TBA Kirby 100th ANNIVERSARY Variant Cover by JACK KIRBY Action Figure Variant Cover by JOHN TYLER CHRISTOPHER THE KING OF THE INHUMANS’ FIRST SOLO SERIES! Black Bolt imprisoned! But by who? And where exactly? The answers to both will shock you! But to learn those answers, Black Bolt must first win a fight to the death with a fellow inmate — The Absorbing Man! Award-winning science fiction writer Saladin Ahmed (Throne of the Crescent Moon) crafts a story as trippy as it is action-packed, with truly mind-bending art from the one and only Christian Ward! 32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99 LUKE CAGE #1 DAVID F. WALKER (W) • NELSON BLAKE (A) Cover by RAHZZAH Variant Cover by MIKE DEODATO JR. Variant Cover by Leroy Davis Hip-Hop Variant Cover by TIM BRADSTREET VARIANT COVER BY TBA CAGED VENGEANCE! Dr. Noah Burstein, the man who made Luke Cage into the unbreakable hero he is today, is dead. When Luke goes down to New Orleans for the funeral, he finds The Big Easy to be pretty &$#% difficult. Mysterious billionaires, a woman with a secret, amped-up gangs and a shadowy figure all lead Luke to the conclusion that there’s more to his father-figure’s death than meets the eye. He’s looking for answers, and it’s a bad day for anyone in his way! 32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99 ZOMBIES ASSEMBLE #1 & #2 YUSAKU KOMIYAMA (W) * Adapted by JIM ZUB YUSAKU KOMIYAMA (A/C) ISSUE #1 - VARIANT COVER BY TONY MOORE ISSUE #2 - VARIANT COVER BY TBA The original manga is adapted into English for the first time! Time and again, the Avengers have assembled to save the Earth from destruction. But they’ve never had to face a threat as gruesome and UNDEAD as this one! Now, Earth’s Mightiest Heroes must fight to contain an outbreak of horrifying zombies, and stop them from spreading across the Earth! But not all of the Avengers will escape uninfected… Issue #1: 48 PGS./Rated T+ ...$4.99 Issue #2: 40 PGS./Rated T+ ...$4.99 CHAMPIONS #8 MARK WAID (W) HUMBERTO RAMOS (A/C) • The fallout from the team’s encounter with the Freelancers continues! The Champions realize they have to reframe their purpose – but does that mean undertaking even riskier missions? 32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99 AVENGERS #7 MARK WAID (W) • MIKE DEL MUNDO (A) Cover by ALEX ROSS • The Infamous Iron Man joins the Avengers – or, to hear him tell it, they’re joining HIM. • How will Earth’s Mightiest Heroes react to a reformed villain like Doctor Doom? 32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99 UNCANNY AVENGERS #23 GERRY DUGGAN (W) • PEPE LARRAZ (A) COVER BY RYAN STEGMAN • After battling Ultron, the undead Hulk and Red Skull, the team desperately needs a rest, but they won’t get it because WONDER MAN is back! • Guest starring several big brains from both the Avengers and the X-Men. • Plus, Synapse tries to help a badly wounded teammate by entering their mind. 32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99 MIGHTY THOR #19 JASON AARON (W) • RUSSELL DAUTERMAN (A/C) • THE “ASGARD/SHI’AR WAR” COMES TO A FIERY CONCLUSION! • The gods of the Shi’ar make their final play against Thor and her allies! With the Phoenix Force unleashed, it’s up to Quentin Quire to quell its destructive power…if he feels like it. • Odinson has returned — but what awaits him in the war-torn Asgardia? 32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99 INFAMOUS IRON MAN #8 BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS (W) • ALEX MALEEV (A/C) • The Maker unleashes his grand design, a plan as demented and over-arching as anything Doctor Doom has ever attempted! • And now, Doom is all that stands in his way! But Doom always loses to Reed Richards, right? So what are the chances that he can pull off a victory this time? 32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99 INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #7 BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS (W) • STEFANO CASELLI (A/C) • The whole world loves Riri Williams, Ironheart! Well, that is, except for those people who have a bone to pick with how she’s doing the job. Oh, and the new villain who’d like to take a piece out of her. • You know, come to think of it, a whole lot of people aren’t that fond of Riri Williams at the moment. What’s a girl to do? 32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99 THE TOTALLY AWESOME HULK #19 GREG PAK (W) MAHMUD ASRAR (A) Cover by STONEHOUSE HUNTED BY WEAPON X! • The war against mutantkind never really ended, the weapons just got more lethal. The mysterious director of the Weapon X Program is behind the recent creation of new soldiers – ones that can hide in plain sight, and are deadly enough to take out Sabretooth and Old Man Logan. • Weapons X’s newest target? The gamma-infused glutes of Amadeus Cho! When Amadeus is forced to ally with hunters and killers just to survive, what will he become? FEATURING WEAPON X: Old Man Logan, Sabretooth, Domino, Warpath and Lady Deathstrike! 32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99 OCCUPY AVENGERS #7 DAVID F. WALKER (W) GABRIEL HERNANDEZ WALTA (A) COVER BY Nic Klein • Clint Barton and his team of Avengers find themselves caught in the middle of a deadly showdown of intergalactic proportions. Like really intergalactic. • But that’s just the beginning of their problems (provided they don’t get killed before things get really bad). 32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99 HULK #6 MARIKO TAMAKI (W) • NICO LEON (A) Cover by JEFF DEKAL DARKNESS DESCENDS...AND THE BEAST RISES! • Ever since the events of the second super hero civil war, JEN WALTERS has been doing everything she can to prevent herself from transforming into her rage-filled alter ego... • ...but now she must confront a dark force called forward by MAISE BREWN’s fear. To survive, and save the lives of those around her, Jen is going to have to give in to her anger and become… • ...THE HULK. 32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99 VENOM #150 MIKE COSTA, ROBBIE THOMPSON & DAVID MICHELINIE (W) TRADD MOORE, GERARDO SANDOVAL & RON LIM (A) Cover by GERARDO SANDOVAL Variant Cover by CLAYTON CRAIN Young Variant by SKOTTIE YOUNG Variant Cover by ADAM KUBERT Variant Cover by JAMES STOKOE VARIANT COVER BY MARK BAGLEY SKETCH VARIANT COVER BY MARK BAGLEY VARIANT COVER BY GABRIELE DELL’OTTO REUNITED, AND IT FEELS SO GOOD! Or, feels so bad? However it feels, Eddie Brock and the Venom symbiote have been reunited, and they’re web-slinging their way around New York again. Featuring a host (hah!) of Venom creators from the character’s near 30-year history, this monstrous anniversary spectacular welcomes guest artist TRADD MOORE for an oversized and brutal main story AND a lethal story featuring fan-favorite creators David Michelinie and Ron Lim, reunited! With questions still lingering about how the symbiote was separated from Flash Thompson, and what lies in its future now that it’s reunited with Eddie Brock, this is one issue you can’t afford to miss! 56 PGS./Rated T+ …$5.99 BEN REILLY: SCARLET SPIDER #2 PETER DAVID (w) • MARK BAGLEY (a/C) Variant Cover by PATRICK BROWN • The Scarlet Spider is back and madder than ever! • Ben Reilly, after his plan to take over the world was foiled, is trying something new. • You won’t believe what you read here! 32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99 AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #27 DAN SLOTT (w) • STUART IMMONEN (a) Cover by ALEX ROSS “THE OSBORN IDENTITY” PART 3! • Norman Osborn has slowly worked his way to a position of power in the Eastern European nation of Symkaria, and now has a goblin-ized army behind him. • With Symkarian hero Silver Sable at his side, Spider-Man has all the forces and weaponry that Parker Industries can gather to take the battle to Norman. • SPIDER-ARMY VS. GOBLIN ARMY! 32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99 SPIDER-GWEN #20 JASON LATOUR (W) ROBBI RODRIGUEZ (A/C) • WHO IS THE EARTH-65 WOLVERINE??? 32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99 SPIDER-MAN 2099 #23 PETER DAVID (W) • WILL SLINEY (A) Cover by FRANCESCO MATTINA • The future looks bleak as Spidey uncovers the truth about those responsible for destroying his home time period of 2099. • But with Miguel’s fiancée Tempest caught in the crossfire, taking down the terrorists might prove impossible. 32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99 SPIDER-MAN #16 BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS (w) • OSCAR BAZALDUA (a) Cover by PATRICK BROWN • Spider-Man needs a win. After an insane universe-jumping crossover with SPIDER-GWEN and his tumultuous home life, Miles needs an honest-to-god Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Adventure. • He’s got his sights set on the unfinished business with Black Cat! • We never said Miles makes the best choices. 32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99 AMAZING SPIDER-MAN: RENEW YOUR VOWS #7 GERRY CONWAY (w) • RYAN STEGMAN (a/C) • Magneto strikes! • The Brotherhood of Evil Mutants has defeated the X-Men… • …and now it’s up to the Spider-Family to stop them! 32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99 SPIDER-MAN/DEADPOOL #17 JOE KELLY (w) • ED MCGUINNESS (a/C) • Patient Zero and Itsy Bitsy have been killing in Spider-Man and Deadpool’s names. • This has sent Spider-Man into a tailspin. • Deadpool’s only hope is to get to Spidey before the Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man does something very un-friendly. 32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99 MS. MARVEL #18 G. WILLOW WILSON (W) • Francesco Gaston (A) Cover by Nelson Blake II A VERY BRUNO ADVENTURE! • Attending a prestigious science school has always been one of Bruno Carrelli’s dreams--he just never thought he’d have to lose his best friend (and use of his left hand) to get there. • And as much as he loves Wakanda, Bruno can’t help but feel bitter toward Kamala (who’s secretly a super hero) for the super shenanigans that forced him to leave home. • But it seems that even when he’s thousands of miles away from Ms. Marvel, adventure’s never far behind this Jersey boy… 32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99 ROYALS #3 AL EWING (W) • JONBOY MEYERS (A/C) VARIANT COVER BY ED McGUINNESS • Black Bolt’s secrets revealed! • Journey back through time to discover the hidden histories of the House of Boltagon... • ...and forward to the far future, to solve the mystery of “The Last Inhuman”! 32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99 MOSAIC #8 GEOFFREY THORNE (W) • KHARY RANDOLPH (A/C) • Mosaic must choose… Does he fight for himself? Or does he become a hero? • The Brand Corporation has made its move — now what will Mosaic do? 32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99 MOON GIRL AND DEVIL DINOSAUR #19 BRANDON MONTCLARE (W) • NATACHA BUSTOS (A/C) VARIANT COVER BY MARCOS MARTIN JOURNEY TO THE LIVING PLANET! • Lunella Lafayette has dealt with Terrigenesis, Kid Kree and being recognized as the world’s smartest, but her biggest adventure starts here! • A voice from the outer reaches of space beckons Lunella and Devil to make contact…and she won’t take no for an answer! • Featuring the marvelous first appearance of GIRL MOON! 32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99 MONSTERS UNLEASHED #2 CULLEN BUNN (W) • DAVID BALDEON (A) Cover by R.B. SILVA Variant Cover by DAVID NAKAYAMA WHEN LEVIATHONS ATTACK — WHO WILL YOU CALL?! • Kei and his monsters have been tasked with saving the world from massive attacks — the likes of which no super hero could defeat on their own… • …but that kind of power attracts those who want that power for themselves. • Can Kei and his team survive their first super villain encounter? 32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99 NICK FURY #2 JAMES ROBINSON (W) • ACO (A/C) VARIANT COVER BY MARCO RUDY BANG ZOOM, TO THE MOON!! • FURY’s next out of this world mission lands him on a secret moon base! • But will this be one small step for S.H.I.E.L.D.… or a giant leap for HYDRA?! 32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99 BLACK PANTHER #14 TA-NEHISI COATES (W) • WILFREDO TORRES (A) Cover by BRIAN STELFREEZE Connecting Variant Cover by JAMIE MCKELVIE Variant Cover by ANDREW ROBINSON “AVENGERS OF THE NEW WORLD” CONTINUES! • The Wakandan gods have been silent for too long and T’Challa has no answers for his people. • T’Challa communes with the spirits of former Black Panthers for insight and all roads lead to a man from T’Challa’s past… • ...but first T’Challa must deal with the mind-warping DOCTOR FAUSTUS! 32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99 BLACK PANTHER AND THE CREW #2 TA-NEHISI COATES & YONA HARVEY (W) • BUTCH GUICE (A) Cover by JOHN CASSADAY Variant Cover by MIKE DEL MUNDO STORM COMES TO HARLEM! • Misty Knight continues investigating how and why Ezra Keith, a Harlem community pillar and civil rights activist, died in police custody, now with the help of one of Ezra’s former protégés, STORM of the X-Men. • The two women soon discover that the neighborhood is under siege by a threat much bigger than they’d imagined… • Luckily, help arrives in the form of a friend from Storm’s past. 32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99 IRON FIST #3 ED BRISSON (W) • MIKE PERKINS (A) Cover by JEFF DEKAL VARIANT COVER BY ANDRE LEROY DAVIS VARIANT COVER BY J.G. JONES THE GAME OF DEATH! • Danny continues to travel the hazardous martial arts gauntlet, but will he have restored enough of his mojo to survive the skills of THE SERPENT?? • The true motivations of the mysterious Council are revealed. • An ally appears, but can anyone in the gauntlet be trusted? 32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99 THE UNSTOPPABLE WASP #5 JEREMY WHITLEY (W) • ELSA CHARRETIER (A/C) • After the revelation of last issue, the clock is ticking and lives are on the line! • Nadia and her new team are up against their first real science challenge. • The Red Room wants Nadia back and they’ll pull out all the stops to get her. • Be there for the conflict that will define the future of The Unstoppable Wasp and G.I.R.L.! 32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99 THE PUNISHER #12 BECKY CLOONAN (W) • MATT HORAK (A) Cover by DECLAN SHALVEY ARCTIC TIC TIC…BOOM! • Condor’s trail runs cold...ICE cold! • It’s Frank versus Olaf in the fight to take down Condor once and for all! • But what about Agent Ortiz and Face? 32 PGS./Parental Advisory …$3.99 AMERICA #3 GABBY RIVERA (W) • JOE QUINONES (A/C) Variant Cover by TRADD MOORE Variant Cover by RAMON VILLALOBOS WELCOME TO THE X-MEN, AMERICA — HOPE YOU SURVIVE THE EXPERIENCE! • The fate of Lisa Halloran lies in the hands of America Chavez super fans! And they don’t take kindly to rejection… • America will have to punch her way in to save her girlfriend, but when a jump goes wrong, she ends up stuck in the past! Can that era’s Storm and the X-Men help her find her way, or are they too busy protecting a world that hates and fears them? • But all that’s just the glitter on top. Who is the shadowy figure watching America’s every move? 32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99 JESSICA JONES #8 BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS (W) • MICHAEL GAYDOS (A) Cover by DAVID MACK Variant Cover by MARCO CHECCHETTO • With her life spinning out of control, Jessica struggles to get to the bottom of the latest dark mystery of the Marvel Universe! • But this is a secret that some dangerous people would prefer remains buried! 32 PGS./Parental Advisory …$3.99 MAN-THING #4 (of 5) R.L. STINE (W) • GERMAN PERALTA (A) Cover by TYLER CROOK Variant Cover by FRANCESCO FRANCAVILLA IT’S A PYTHON WORLD! • Trapped in the evil clutches of QUEEN IRENA and stuck in another world through the power of the NEXUS OF ALL REALITIES, mild-mannered TED SALLIS is desperately trying to revert back to his alter ego: MAN-THING! • How’s that for irony? Never saw that coming, huh? • PLUS!! Another short story from the master himself – a contemporary (and timely) take on a horror classic! 32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99 DAREDEVIL #20 CHARLES SOULE (W) • RON GARNEY (A) Cover by Mike Deodato THE STORY BEHIND DAREDEVIL’S SECRET IDENTITY REVEALED! • MATT MURDOCK completes his shocking tale and must live with the ramifications of his actions. • And as DAREDEVIL he must soldier on in the face of the heartbreaks and burned bridges. • All this leads up to a brand-new chapter for Matt, and a fight truly unlike any he’s faced before! 32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99 ELEKTRA #4 MATT OWENS (W) • JUAN N. CABAL (A) Cover by ELIZABETH TORQUE VARIANT COVER BY MIKE DEODATO LET THE GAMES BEGIN! • ELEKTRA is pulled deeper into ARCADE’s brutal new MURDERWORLD, combating new high-tech threats – all while she plans her escape… • …and Arcade is going to need all the help he can get when that happens… • …and as the clues come together, Elektra realizes that there’s something more sinister at play here. But what? • GUEST-STARRING: Two sais, one red scarf, and a never-ending supply of rage. 32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99 KINGPIN #4 MATTHEW ROSENBERG (W) • BEN TORRES (A) Cover by JEFF DEKAL FISK TAKES CONTROL OF THE NARRATIVE! • WILSON FISK’s biographer SARAH DEWEY is in over her head... • …and a gang war is about to erupt in the streets! • But is Fisk really pulling the strings, or is the KINGPIN as clean as he claims? 32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99 BULLSEYE #4 (OF 5) ED BRISSON (W) • GUILLERMO SANNA (A) Cover by DAVE JOHNSON THE BULLSEYE’S ON BULLSEYE! • TEODOR and the BLACK KNIFE CARTEL flip the script on BULLSEYE… • …but JOY wants the joy of killing Bullseye all to herself! • Bullseye’s got it all under control…right? 32 PGS./Parental Advisory …$3.99 GWENPOOL, THE UNBELIEVABLE #15 CHRIS HASTINGS (W) • MYISHA HAYNES (A) Cover by PAULINA GANUCHEAU • Part 2 of Gwen’s L.A. adventure is here! • As it turns out, Gwen & Kate Bishop (the REAL Hawkeye) make a pretty great team! • The mission to save Cecil (who is currently trapped in a crystal locked in Ghost Rider’s car) continues! 32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99 GWENPOOL, THE UNBELIEVABLE #16 CHRIS HASTINGS (W) • GURIHIRU (A/C) “BEYOND THE FOURTH WALL” STARTS HERE! • Gwen Poole is everyone’s favorite character from the “real” world! • Her super-secret super-power? Why, knowledge of super-secret comic facts, of course! • But the longer she’s in the Marvel Universe, the more her powers run out… • …or do they? 32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99 SLAPSTICK #6 REILLY BROWN & FRED VAN LENTE (W) REILLY BROWN & DIEGO OLORTEGUI (A) Cover by DAVID NAKAYAMA • Trapped in Dimension Ecch! • Slapstick is stuck in the dimension that made him a cartoon in the first place! Eek! • And now he’s being forced to fight his best friend…to the death! Double eek! 32 PGS./Parental Advisory …$3.99 THE UNBEATABLE SQUIRREL GIRL #20 RYAN NORTH (W) • ERICA HENDERSON (A/C) • This is it! The epic showdown between Melissa and Squirrel Girl, as the fate of New York City — and everyone in it — hangs in the balance! • Will Melissa’s secret intentions be uncovered? Will Doreen and her friends be able to stop her? Can squirrels TRULY hope to match an army made up of EVERY OTHER ANIMAL EVER? • Great news: We have studied each of these questions extremely carefully, and we are pleased to reveal our answers in this upcoming issue of The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl! 32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99 DOCTOR STRANGE AND THE SORCERERS SUPREME #8 ROBBIE THOMPSON (W) • JAVIER RODRIGUEZ (A/C) • Sir Isaac Newton, scientific genius, pioneer and now nigh-omnipotent sorcerer, has come to the present-day Marvel Universe. • First order of events? Take down the Avengers. • The scary thing is, with his current power level, they don’t stand a chance. 32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99 DOCTOR STRANGE #20 JASON AARON (W) • CHRIS BACHALO, KEVIN NOWLAN, AND MORE! (A) Cover by Chris Bachalo Variant cover by Dan Mora • The culmination of Jason Aaron and Chris Bachalo’s first three epic stories is here! • Dormammu! Mordo! Mr. Misery! The Empirikul! Wong! • Don’t miss this remarkable issue! 40 PGS./Rated T+ …$4.99 HAWKEYE #6 KELLY THOMPSON (W) • MICHAEL WALSH (A) Cover by JULIAN TOTINO TEDESCO • An interstate missing persons case should be pretty open-and-shut for a pro detective like Jessica Jones — especially with the help of Kate Bishop, A.K.A. Hawkeye, A.K.A. L.A.’s newest P.I. extraordinaire. • Turns out taking a back seat isn’t something Kate excels at…and it doesn’t help that she’s so eager to show her mentor how sick her super-sleuthing skills are. • The two gumshoes will have to find a way to work together if there’s any hope of tracking down their missing starlet… • Don’t miss “WHAT WOULD J. JONES DO?” Part 2! 32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99 MOON KNIGHT #14 JEFF LEMIRE (W) • GREG SMALLWOOD (A/C) VARIANT COVER BY TBA WHAT A LONG, STRANGE TRIP IT’S BEEN… • Marc’s past, present and future collide! • An epic throwdown between MARC SPECTOR and KHONSHU! • Who will survive, and what will be left of them? 32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99 GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY: MOTHER ENTROPY #1 (of 5) JIM STARLIN (W) • ALAN DAVIS (A/C) VARIANT COVER BY DAN MORA • The Guardians owe everyone on Knowhere money, so they’re forced to do a job for the local police. • But that gets them running afoul of Pip the Troll and a mysterious entity known only as Mother Entropy. And that’s when the fun begins. 32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99 GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY: MOTHER ENTROPY #2 (of 5) JIM STARLIN (W) • ALAN DAVIS (A/C) • Mother Entropy tests Pip and the Guardians to determine which of them will be her representative and rule in this plane of reality. • The results produce a highly unexpected switch. Guest starring everyone’s favorite Titan: Thanos. 32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99 GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY: MOTHER ENTROPY #3 (of 5) JIM STARLIN (W) • ALAN DAVIS (A/C) • Mother Entropy’s final test involves, what else, a no-holds-barred brawl at Starlin’s Bar. But this is a battle like no other the Guardians have ever fought. 32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99 GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY: MOTHER ENTROPY #4 (of 5) JIM STARLIN (W) • ALAN DAVIS (A/C) • The Guardians turn to Gladiator and the Shi’ar for help against Mother Entropy. It’s a big mistake that ends up costing the universe dearly. 32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99 GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY: MOTHER ENTROPY #5 (of 5) JIM STARLIN (W) • ALAN DAVIS (A/C) • The Guardians fall to Mother Entropy’s might one by one. • Who will be the last Guardian standing? • Who has to face this monstrous villain all by his or herself? 32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99 GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY: MISSION BREAKOUT #1 CHRIS HASTINGS (W) • TIGH WALKER (A) Cover by RON LIM Variant Cover by TBA Concept Variant Cover by TBA • The Collector’s many-worlds-famous collection is opening its doors to the public — and you won’t believe the star attraction. • Only the Guardians can break through Taneleer Tivan’s security and BREAK OUT! • The Marvel Universe story of Disney’s newest, raddest ride! 40 PGS./ONE-SHOT/Rated T+ …$4.99 STAR-LORD ANNUAL #1 CHIP ZDARSKY (W) • DJIBRIL MORISSETTE (A) Cover by KRIS ANKA • Having narrowly escaped an assassin, Peter Quill has crash-landed on a desert planet. There, he finds a small town that’s terrorized by a mean, old varmint. • Not willing to take any bullies lying down, Peter has to rally the townspeople to stand up for themselves. • But it turns out there’s more to this town than meets the eye! 40 PGS./Rated T+ …$4.99 NOVA #6 JEFF LOVENESS & RAMON PEREZ (W) • SCOTT HEPBURN (A) Cover by Dan Mora SECRETS REVEALED! • How is Richard Rider back from the Cancerverse?! • What happened to him while he was there?! • Will Sam Alexander be able to save Rich from the monster inside himself?! 32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99 THANOS #7 JEFF LEMIRE (W) • GERMAN PERALTA (A) Cover by MIKE DEODATO JR. • See Thanos as you’ve never seen him before…powerless and alone! • Thanos is willing to do anything to survive... • …even if that means accepting help from the unlikeliest of places! 32 PGS./Parental Advisory …$3.99 X-MEN: GOLD #3 MARC GUGGENHEIM (W) • ARDIAN SYAF (A/C) Variant Cover by J. Scott Campbell Double ships every month! • The CLIMACTIC SHOWDOWN between the X-MEN and the new BROTHERHOOD OF EVIL MUTANTS! • Who will be left standing after the world’s mightiest mutants throw down? • And when the dust settles, not everything is as it seems... 32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99 X-MEN: GOLD #4 MARC GUGGENHEIM (W) • R.B. SILVA (A) Cover by ARDIAN SYAF Double ships every month! • Mutantkind’s dearest delinquent is back! • GAMBIT is up to his old tricks – namely, getting in over his head… • But will the X-Men be able to pull their prodigal prowler out of the fire when things finally get too hot for the ragin’ Cajun? 32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99 X-MEN: BLUE #3 CULLEN BUNN (W) • JORGE MOLINA (A) Cover by ARTHUR ADAMS Variant Cover by DAN MORA A CLASSIC X-MEN STORY…WITH A TWIST! Double ships every month! • The X-MEN and SENTINELS get along like a house on fire… • …until the X-Men meet a group of Sentinels asking for help. • What could these old foes want? And where do they come from? And why are they calling themselves…mutants? 32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99 X-MEN: BLUE #4 CULLEN BUNN (W) • JULIAN LOPEZ (A) Cover by ARTHUR ADAMS Double ships every month! • SNIKT. • SNIKT. • SNIKT. 32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99 ALL-NEW WOLVERINE #20 TOM TAYLOR (W) • LEONARD KIRK(A) Cover by ADAM KUBERT Variant Cover by LEONARD KIRK Variant Cover by HELEN CHEN THE RACE AGAINST TIME CONTINUES! • WOLVERINE’s got a brand-new suit, but she’s the same claw-popping, sarcastic-quipping, efficient hero that we know and love. • But now that the sickness is spreading, to what lengths will LAURA go to help the people in danger? • Tune in, True Believer, and find out! 32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99 WEAPON X #3 GREG PAK (W) • GREG LAND (A/C) Variant Cover by DAN MORA ENTER: DOMINO! • The mysterious director of the Weapon X Program has chosen it’s next target: the Soldier of Good Fortunes known as Domino. • If Old Man Logan and Sabretooth barely survived attacks by Weapon X’s new monsters, how will Domino fare — without the help of an enhanced healing factor or Adamantium skeleton? She’ll need a little luck… 32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99 OLD MAN LOGAN #23 JEFF LEMIRE (W) • ERIC NGUYEN (A) Cover by ANDREA SORRENTINO Past Lives Variant Cover by GREG LAND Variant Cover by BILL SIENKIEWICZ PAST LIVES CONTINUES! • LOGAN is still trapped in time... • …one minute he’s PATCH, stalking the streets of MADRIPOOR, the next, he’s reliving the glory days in the X-MEN. • …meanwhile, back in the present, ASMODEUS’ true plan for Logan’s trapped body is revealed! Can Logan fight his way back before the plan succeeds? 32 PGS./Parental Advisory …$3.99 OLD MAN LOGAN #24 JEFF LEMIRE (W) • ERIC NGUYEN (A) Cover by ANDREA SORRENTINO Past Lives Variant Cover by GREG LAND VARIANT COVER BY DAN PANOSIAN THE BLOCKBUSTER CLIMAX TO THE EPIC “PAST LIVES” EVENT! • The event no true WOLVERINE fan wants to miss has all led to this moment! • After re-living his very long life, OLD MAN LOGAN finds himself in the WASTELANDS… • …but can he force himself to let history repeat itself? 32 PGS./Parental Advisory …$3.99 DEADPOOL #30 GERRY DUGGAN (W) • MIKE HAWTHORNE (A/C) SECRET COMICS VARIANT COVER BY SCOTT KOBLISH VARIANT COVER BY RON LIM VARIANT COVER BY DAVID NAKAYAMA VARIANT COVER BY TBA DEADPOOL GOES TO SPACE! • Things aren’t great in Deadpool’s life recently, but he thinks he might know a solution…one found in the inky blackness of deepest, darkest outer space! • Man, when Deadpool gets away from it all, he doesn’t fool around! • This issue features ONE MASSIVE 80-PAGE STORY by Gerry Duggan and Mike Hawthorne taking Deadpool to the edge of the Marvel Cosmos and back! It’s practically an OGN! WE MUST BE OUT OF OUR MINDS! 96 PGS./Parental Advisory …$9.99 DEADPOOL VS. THE PUNISHER #3 & 4 (of 5) FRED VAN LENTE (W) • PERE PEREZ (A) Cover by DECLAN SHALVEY ISSUE #3 - VARIANT COVER BY Pere Perez ISSUE #4 - VARIANT COVER BY TBA • I just realized — • Deadpool has trouble being frank… • And Frank Castle has trouble being dead. • …well, I thought it was funny. 32 PGS./Parental Advisory …$3.99 MARVEL UNIVERSE GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY #19 Adapted by Joe Caramagna IT’S ALL-OUT WAR! • In part one of a two-part story, the GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY must choose sides when ASGARD attacks SPARTAX! • But something more sinister is going on beneath the surface – and it’s up to STAR-LORD, GAMORA, DRAX, ROCKET and GROOT to bring that deception to light! 32 PGS./All Ages …$2.99 MARVEL UNIVERSE AVENGERS: ULTRON REVOLUTION #10 Adapted by Joe Caramagna ULTRON VERSUS THE INHUMANS! • When their new allies the INHUMANS find out that ULTRON is bringing a dangerous weapon to Earth, the AVENGERS must rally to help their new allies fight an old foe. 32 PGS./All Ages …$2.99 STAR WARS: THE SCREAMING CITADEL #1 KIERON GILLEN (W) • Marco Checchetto (A) Cover by MARCO CHECCHETTO VARIANT A COVER BY TBA VARIANT B COVER BY TBA VARIANT C COVER BY TBA WORLD VARIANT COVER BY TBA “THE SCREAMING CITADEL” — PART 1 Rebel pilot and rogue archaeologist wander side by side into the darkest shadows of the galaxy as Luke Skywalker reluctantly teams up with Doctor Aphra! The Doctor makes Luke an offer he can’t afford to pass up…one that leads him to a very rare gathering at the heart of the infamous Screaming Citadel. Will Luke find what he’s looking for? Can Aphra be trusted? Or will they both wind up victims of the Citadel’s Queen? 40 PGS./ONE-SHOT/Rated T …$4.99 Star Wars © Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All rights reserved. Used under authorization. Text and illustrations for Star Wars are © 2017 Lucasfilm Ltd. STAR WARS #31 JASON AARON (W) • SALVADOR LARROCA (A) Cover by MARCO CHECCHETTO ACTION FIGURE VARIANT COVER BY JOHN TYLER CHRISTOPHER Star Wars 40th Anniversary Variant Cover by GREG LAND “THE SCREAMING CITADEL” — PART 2 • While Luke and Aphra face the Queen of the Citadel… • …Han and Leia are coming…for Aphra?! 32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99 Star Wars © Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All rights reserved. Used under authorization. Text and illustrations for Star Wars are © 2017 Lucasfilm Ltd. STAR WARS: DOCTOR APHRA #7 KIERON GILLEN (W) • ANDREA BROCCARDO (A) Cover by MARCO CHECCHETTO Star Wars 40th Anniversary Variant Cover by David Marquez “THE SCREAMING CITADEL” — PART 3 • The Queen’s parasites are spreading. • Things don’t look good for Han. 32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99 Star Wars © Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All rights reserved. Used under authorization. Text and illustrations for Star Wars are © 2017 Lucasfilm Ltd. STAR WARS: DARTH MAUL #4 (OF 5) CULLEN BUNN (W) • LUKE ROSS (A) Cover by RAFAEL ALBUQUERQUE VARIANT COVER BY FRANCESCO FRANCAVILLA VARIANT COVER BY DAVID NAKAYAMA VARIANT COVER BY ELSA CHARRETIER Star Wars 40th Anniversary Variant Cover by Will Robson • Darth Maul and his crew of bounty hunters have captured Eldra, the hunted Jedi Padawan! • But Xev Xrexus will not give up her prize without a fight. • There’s a new bounty out…and the reward for whoever defeats Maul and captures the Padawan is worth dying for. • Not to mention, Eldra isn’t leaving without a fight, either… 32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99 Star Wars © Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All rights reserved. Used under authorization. Text and illustrations for Star Wars are © 2017 Lucasfilm Ltd. STAR WARS: POE DAMERON #14 & 15 Charles Soule (W) • ANGEL UNZUETA (A) CoverS by PHIL NOTO ISSUE #14 - Star Wars 40th Anniversary Variant Cover by Chip Zdarsky • It is a sad day for the Resistance as they mourn the loss of a fallen comrade. • But their fight is far from over — the First Order must be stopped! • And Captain Phasma knows just how to get Terex to toe the line. 32 PGS. (EACH)/Rated T …$3.99 (EACH) Star Wars © Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All rights reserved. Used under authorization. Text and illustrations for Star Wars are © 2017 Lucasfilm Ltd. STAR WARS: ROGUE ONE: ADAPTATION #2 (OF 6) JODY HOUSER (W) • EMILIO LAISO (A) Cover by PHIL NOTO Concept Variant COVER by Jon McCoy VARIANT COVER BY Kris Anka • Jyn Erso continues her quest with Cassian Andor to help the Rebellion fight the sinister Galactic Empire. • Following the trail to the ancient Jedha City to find Rebel extremist Saw Guerra, Jyn and Cassian get caught in a firefight with the Empire… • …only to then be taken prisoner by Saw’s followers! • The Star Wars story continues! 32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99 Star Wars © Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All rights reserved. Used under authorization. Text and illustrations for Star Wars are © 2017 Lucasfilm Ltd. STAR WARS: THE MARVEL UK OMNIBUS HC Written by ARCHIE GOODWIN, CHRIS CLAREMONT, JOHN STOKES, ALAN MOORE, STEVE MOORE, STEVE PARKHOUSE & MORE Penciled by WALT SIMONSON, DAVE COCKRUM, CARMINE INFANTINO, STEVE MOORE, ADOLFO BUYLLA, ALAN DAVIS, JOHN STOKES & MORE COVER BY TONY DeZUNIGA All your favorite Star Wars characters, from Luke Skywalker to Darth Vader to the Ewoks, in sensational adventures first published a long time ago and far, far away — in Britain in the ’70s and ’80s! Now, for the first time, these rarely-seen tales are collected in a single hardcover — along with a veritable treasure trove of UK-exclusive covers, pinups, posters, articles, interviews, star profiles, activities and other goodies never before seen by American eyes! Savor early stories by classic British creators, tales slated for the U.S. series but never published in America, and fascinating Star Wars rarities you didn’t know existed! Collecting STAR WARS WEEKLY #60, #94-99 and #104-115; EMPIRE STRIKES BACK MONTHLY #149, #151 and #153-157; STAR WARS MONTHLY #159; EWOKS ANNUAL 1989; STAR WARS: THE OFFICIAL COLLECTORS’ EDITION; and material from PIZZAZZ #10-16. 808 PGS./Rated T …$100.00 ISBN: 978-1-302-90820-1 Trim size: oversized Star Wars © Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All rights reserved. Used under authorization. Text and illustrations for Star Wars are © 2017 Lucasfilm Ltd. STAR WARS: DARTH VADER BY KIERON GILLEN & SALVADOR LARROCA OMNIBUS HC Written by KIERON GILLEN & JASON AARON Penciled by SALVADOR LARROCA, MIKE DEODATO JR., LEINIL FRANCIS YU & MORE Cover by KAARE ANDREWS One of the greatest antagonists in all of fiction rises again! Fresh from a stinging defeat at the hands of the Rebel Alliance, Darth Vader must reassert the Empire’s iron grip on the galaxy. But will his personal desire for vengeance against the young Jedi who destroyed the Death Star distract from Vader’s duty to the Emperor? As a fateful quest begins, the Dark Lord of the Sith will face new threats to his power. And as other villains old and new play their part — from Boba Fett and Jabba the Hutt to diabolical debutant Aphra and the killer droids Triple-Zero and BeeTee-One — will Vader’s imperial march continue, or will his schemes prove his undoing? Collecting DARTH VADER #1-25 and ANNUAL #1, STAR WARS: VADER DOWN and STAR WARS (2015) #13-14. 736 PGS./Rated T …$100.00 ISBN: 978-1-302-90821-8 Trim size: oversized Star Wars © Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All rights reserved. Used under authorization. Text and illustrations for Star Wars are © 2017 Lucasfilm Ltd. STAR WARS: DOCTOR APHRA VOL. 1 – APHRA TPB Written by KIERON GILLEN Penciled by KEV WALKER Cover by KAMOME SHIRAHAMA Following her time in the clutches of Darth Vader, Doctor Aphra has barely escaped with her life. If the Dark Lord of the Sith ever learns of her survival, he’ll hunt her to the ends of the galaxy. But for now, it’s time for a return to what she does best. With droids Triple-Zero and BeeTee-One in tow, she’s off in search of rare artifacts from the galactic center to the Outer Rim — and everywhere in between. Aphra’s got debts to pay, after all. Just as long as she can stay one step ahead of the Empire, some bounty hunters…and just about everyone else in the galaxy! Collecting DOCTOR APHRA #1-6. 144 PGS./Rated T …$17.99 ISBN: 978-1-302-90677-1 Star Wars © Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All rights reserved. Used under authorization. Text and illustrations for Star Wars are © 2017 Lucasfilm Ltd. STAR WARS: POE DAMERON VOL. 2 — THE GATHERING STORM TPB Written by CHARLES SOULE Penciled by PHIL NOTO Cover by PHIL NOTO Continuing the adventures of the ace-pilot hero of Star Wars: The Force Awakens! Poe Dameron faces the wrath of a vengeful Agent Terex! But how does Terex always seem to know what Black Squadron is doing? Could there truly be a traitor in the Squadron’s midst? Poe will undertake a secret mission from General Leia Organa herself: to escort none other than C-3PO on a dangerous journey to the planet Kaddak! Can they complete the mission and keep their key informant intact? Or will Terex’s past somehow come back to haunt them? Join Poe and Threepio as they take on the First Order! Collecting STAR WARS: POE DAMERON #8-13. 144 PGS./Rated T …$19.99 ISBN: 978-1-302-90111-0 Star Wars © Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All rights reserved. Used under authorization. Text and illustrations for Star Wars are © 2017 Lucasfilm Ltd. STAR WARS VOL. 5: YODA’S SECRET WAR TPB Written by JASON AARON, CHRIS ELIOPOULOS & KELLY THOMPSON Penciled by SALVADOR LARROCA, CHRIS ELIOPOULOS & EMILIO LAISO Cover by STUART IMMONEN With one member of the rebel crew captured and imprisoned, we turn once more to the journals of Ben Kenobi and a legendary adventure with Jedi Master...Yoda! He’s trapped on a world full of vicious, mysteriously powered children. Not easy, will this be. Overpowered and captured, the master must become a student once more. And the ripples of Yoda’s struggle in the past will be felt by Luke Skywalker in the present! Connected, it all is! Plus: Join Princess Leia on a top-secret and highly dangerous mission on a planet that wants no part of the war against the Empire. When an injury threatens to end her mission, can she inspire that rebel spirit in a populace who just want to keep their heads down? Collecting STAR WARS (2015) #26-30 and ANNUAL (2015) #2. 144 PGS./Rated T …$17.99 ISBN: 978-1-302-90265-0 Star Wars © Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All rights reserved. Used under authorization. Text and illustrations for Star Wars are © 2017 Lucasfilm Ltd. PUNISHER BY GARTH ENNIS OMNIBUS HC (NEW PRINTING) Written by GARTH ENNIS & STEVE DILLON Penciled by STEVE DILLON, DARICK ROBERTSON, TOM MANDRAKE, CAM KENNEDY, JOHN MCCREA, DOUG BRAITHWAITE & JOE QUESADA Cover by TIM BRADSTREET The bodies of drug dealers, murderers and the scum of the Earth litter the streets — the Punisher is back, and more brutal than ever, courtesy of writer Garth Ennis! The critically acclaimed creator that brought you Preacher restores one of the most popular characters in the Marvel Universe to his former glory and ultraviolent roots. Stripped of sidekicks, spiritual directives and other excess baggage, the vengeance-crazed vigilante hits the mean streets of New York City with a renewed sense of purpose! Lawbreakers beware: Frank Castle is locked, loaded and waiting for you to slip up! Collecting PUNISHER (2000) #1-12, PUNISHER (2001) #1-7 and #13-37, PUNISHER KILLS THE MARVEL UNIVERSE, and material from MARVEL KNIGHTS DOUBLE SHOT #1. 1136 PGS./Parental Advisory …$100.00 ISBN: 978-1-302-90788-4 Trim size: oversized PUNISHER: BACK TO THE WAR OMNIBUS HC Written by GERRY CONWAY, LEN WEIN & STEVEN GRANT with ARCHIE GOODWIN, MARV WOLFMAN, DENNIS O’NEIL, FRANK MILLER, ROGER MCKENZIE, MIKE BARR, BILL MANTLO & JO DUFFY Penciled by ROSS ANDRU, TONY DEZUNIGA, FRANK MILLER & MIKE ZECK with KEITH POLLARD, FRANK SPRINGER, AL MILGROM, GREG LAROCQUE & MIKE VOSBURG Cover by DECLAN SHALVEY Variant Cover by MIKE ZECK Frank Castle’s war begins here! From his debut in Amazing Spider-Man to his hit 1986 Circle of Blood miniseries, the first entries in the Punisher’s war journal are collected in this can’t-miss Omnibus. In 1973, the Punisher set his sights on the criminal underworld. Comic books were never the same. A grim figure willing to achieve justice by any means, the Punisher shook the black-and-white world of heroes and villains off its foundation. Top creators, from Frank Miller to Mike Zeck, brought a striking depth and moral resonance to the Punisher, and each of their character-defining stories is collected here. Featuring a massive trove of original art, sketches, posters and more, this is the definitive edition for every Punisher fan.Collecting AMAZING SPIDER-MAN (1963) #129, #134-135, #161-162, #174-175, #201-202 & ANNUAL (1964) #15; GIANT-SIZE SPIDER-MAN (1974) #4; MARVEL PREVIEW (1975) 2; MARVEL SUPER ACTION (1976) #1; CAPTAIN AMERICA (1968) #241; DAREDEVIL (1964) #182-184; SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN (1976) #81-83; and PUNISHER (1986) #1-5. 696 PGS./Rated T+ …$100.00 ISBN: 978-1-302-90823-2 Trim size: oversized PUNISHER: BACK TO THE WAR OMNIBUS HC VARIANT (DM ONLY) 696 PGS./Rated T+ …$100.00 ISBN: 978-1-302-90824-9 Trim size: oversized AMAZING SPIDER-MAN: WORLDWIDE VOL. 2 HC Written by DAN SLOTT & CHRISTOS GAGE Penciled by GIUSEPPE CAMUNCOLI, R.B. SILVA, JAVIER GARRÓN & PACO DIAZ Cover by ALEX ROSS Going global means a whole world of problems for the wall-crawler! Regent, one of the most dangerous threats from SECRET WARS’ Battleworld, makes his power play in the Marvel Universe! And it’ll take Spider-Man, Iron Man, Miles Morales and the rest of the Avengers to have any hope of stopping him! But could it be that the key to foiling Regent’s plans is a certain redheaded mutual acquaintance of Peter Parker and Tony Stark? Then, after an accident at Parker Industries, how far will Peter go to save his employees — both as CEO and as Spidey? And as a conspiracy begins to unfold, which classic characters will find themselves Dead No More? Collecting AMAZING SPIDER-MAN (2015) #12-19, and material from FREE COMIC BOOK DAY 2016 (CAPTAIN AMERICA) #1 and AMAZING SPIDER-MAN (2015) #1. 232 PGS./Rated T …$34.99 ISBN: 978-1-302-90842-3 Trim size: oversized SPIDER-MAN: FOREVER YOUNG PROSE NOVEL HC Written by STEFAN PETRUCHA Cover by STEVE EPTING Take a swing through Spider-Man’s past in a novel based on the classic “Stone Tablet Saga” — with an all-new story for the present day! Broke — again — and running out of excuses for girlfriend Gwen Stacy, Peter Parker goes looking for trouble, hoping to snag some rent-paying photos of his alter ego in action. But trouble comes to him when the Kingpin and the Maggia converge in a battle for a mysterious tablet! When the fight spills over to Empire State University, Peter finds himself in the crosshairs of not only the city’s most nefarious villains, but also his friends — and the police! And when the Maggia’s assumed-dead leader resurfaces, it’ll take all of Spider-Man’s wits to track him down! Plus: Is Peter’s beloved Aunt May…dying? Can Peter fight off his enemies, save his aunt and graduate from college? 304 PGS./No Rating …$24.99 ISBN: 978-1-302-90277-3 COLOR YOUR OWN SPIDER-MAN Penciled by VARIOUS Cover by PHIL JIMENEZ The world’s most colorful hero needs you to put the pigments in his pictures! A gallery of Peter Parker’s friends and foes — and of course the wonderful wall-crawler himself — is rendered here by some of Marvel’s greatest artists, just waiting for you to fill in the (web)lines! And it doesn’t matter whether you want a canonical Green Goblin or a pink, out-of-continuity Rhino! As for the star himself, take your pick: classic red-and-blue, Iron Spider scarlet-and-gold or symbiotic black-and-white! Or seek inspiration in Spidey titles past and present with a whole host of superlative shades — like Amazing aquamarine, Spectacular sapphire, Sensational sepia, Superior salmon, Avenging amethyst, Ultimate ultramarine, Astonishing amber or Untold umber! Whether it’s friendly neighborhood fluorescents or a web of watercolors, you can make a Marvel Team-Up of whatever hues you choose! 120 PGS./All Ages …$9.99 ISBN: 978-1-302-90370-1 HULK: PLANET HULK OMNIBUS HC Written by GREG PAK, J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI, DANIEL WAY, PETER DAVID & BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS Penciled by MIKE MCKONE, KEU CHA, Juan Roman Cano Santacruz, CARLO PAGULAYAN, AARON LOPRESTI, RAFA SANDOVAL, ALEX MALEEV AND MORE Cover by LADRONN The strongest one there is, in his most savage story ever! After a brutal battle between the Hulk and the Fantastic Four, Earth’s greatest heroes decide that for the good of all — they must shoot the Hulk into space! But when he lands on the savage world of Sakaar, an epic for the ages begins. This one has it all: Strange alien planet! Oppressed barbarian tribes! Corrupt emperor! Deadly woman warrior! Gladiators and slaves! Battle-axes and hand blasters! Monsters and champions! And the Incredible Hulk! Let the smashing commence! Plus: an alternate take, a guidebook to Sakaar and Amadeus Cho’s totally awesome debut! Collecting FANTASTIC FOUR (1998) #533-535, INCREDIBLE HULK (2000) #88-105, GIANT-SIZE HULK (2006) #1, WHAT IF? PLANET HULK, PLANET HULK: GLADIATOR GUIDEBOOK and material from NEW AVENGERS: ILLUMINATI (2006) #1 and AMAZING FANTASY (2004) #15. 656 PGS./Rated T+ …$100.00 ISBN: 978-1-302-90769-3 Trim size: oversized THE MIGHTY THOR OMNIBUS VOL. 3 HC DAUTERMAN COVER Written by STAN LEE with GERRY CONWAY & LARRY LIEBER Penciled by JACK KIRBY & JOHN BUSCEMA with NEAL ADAMS Covers by RUSSELL DAUTERMAN & JACK KIRBy Stan Lee! Jack Kirby! John Buscema! Their Thor sagas were so big, so epic, so utterly cosmic in scope, we may need to ask the Surgeon General to slap a warning on this oversized Omnibus collection! It begins with the malignant Mangog, a beast from the darkest depths of Asgard — a beast of the apocalypse Ragnarok! Then, Thor and Ego the Living Planet battle Galactus! The Lord of the Underworld returns! “Him” kidnaps Lady Sif! Galactus’ origin is told — and Thor grapples with the Wrecker! Meanwhile, Loki enters the fray, scheming his way to Asgard’s throne and putting the entire realm at risk. And don’t forget the Silver Surfer! With painstaking art restoration and every original letters page included, this Omnibus is a must-have for every Marvel fan! Collecting THOR (1966) #153-194. 1000 PGS./Rated T …$125.00 ISBN: 978-1-302-90381-7 Trim size: oversized THE MIGHTY THOR OMNIBUS VOL. 3 HC KIRBY COVER (DM ONLY) 1000 PGS./Rated T …$125.00 ISBN: 978-1-302-90382-4 Trim size: oversized MARVEL MASTERWORKS: MARVEL TWO-IN-ONE VOL. 2 HC Written by BILL MANTLO & ROY THOMAS with LEN WEIN, MARV WOLFMAN, TONY ISABELLA, SCOTT EDELMAN & ROGER SLIFER Penciled by RON WILSON & SAL BUSCEMA with JOHN BUSCEMA, HERB TRIMPE, BOB BROWN & ARVELL JONES Cover by RON WILSON Whether it’s heroes looking to team up or villains trying to test their mettle, everybody loves an adventure with the ever-lovin’ blue-eyed Thing! And we have no doubt you’ll love the adventures this volume has in store. With Luke Cage, the Thing fights the giant monster Braggadoom! With Iron Man, he encounters the mythical hero Prester John! With the Golem, Son of Satan and the Scarecrow, murderous demons are conjured! With Morbius, it’s the return of the Living Eraser; with Ka-Zar, he lays a knuckle sandwich on a T. rex; with Spider-Man, it’s a MTIO/MTU crossover classic — and with the FF, the Invaders and the Liberty Legion, the Thing travels back in time to World War II to battle the Third Reich! Collecting MARVEL TWO-IN-ONE (1974) #11-20 and ANNUAL #1, MARVEL TEAM-UP (1972) #47 and FANTASTIC FOUR ANNUAL #11. 288 PGS./Rated T …$75.00 ISBN: 978-1-302-90352-7 MARVEL MASTERWORKS: MARVEL TWO-IN-ONE VOL. 2 HC — VARIANT EDITION VOL. 249 (DM ONLY) 288 PGS./Rated T …$75.00 ISBN: 978-1-302-90353-4 MARVEL MASTERWORKS: LUKE CAGE, POWER MAN VOL. 2 HC Written by TONY ISABELLA, LEN WEIN & DON McGREGOR with BILL MANTLO, STEVE ENGLEHART & GEORGE PÉREZ Penciled by GEORGE TUSKA & RON WILSON with GEORGE PÉREZ, RICH BUCKLER & SAL BUSCEMA Cover by GIL KANE Marvel’s bulletproof man is back! The Marvel Masterworks proudly present the evolution of Luke Cage, Hero for Hire, into his new identity: Power Man! It’s a series of iconic Cage classics featuring the debut of Cottonmouth, Cage’s evolving relationship with Claire Temple and action galore! Cage goes toe-to-toe with Iron Man, battles the villainous Power Man for the right to the name, and hits the road to uncover the secrets of Security City. Also featuring the first appearances of Bill Foster as Giant-Man…and the one and only Piranha Jones! With stories and art by comic-book greats — Wein, Isabella, McGregor, Tuska, Wilson, Pérez and more — these are the stories that defined the Marvel and Netflix icon for an entire generation of fans! Collecting POWER MAN #17-31. 312 PGS./Rated T …$75.00 ISBN: 978-1-302-90343-5 MARVEL MASTERWORKS: LUKE CAGE, POWER MAN VOL. 2 HC — VARIANT EDITION VOL. 248 (DM ONLY) 312 PGS./Rated T …$75.00 ISBN: 978-1-302-90344-2 MARVEL: THE HIP-HOP COVERS VOL. 2 HC The greatest variant-cover program of all time rolls on into a second blockbuster hardcover — as more of today’s hottest artists take on iconic hip-hop albums, mighty Marvel style! Industry legends like Bill Sienkiewicz, Terry Dodson, Mike Deodato and Adi Granov mix it up with fresh talents like Rahzzah, Risa Hulett and plenty more, spinning covers featuring a whole universe of characters — from Black Panther to Thanos, Rocket Raccoon to Elektra, the Avengers to Marvel’s Monsters! Plus, go behind the scenes with sketches, designs and artists’ insights! Fans, creators and recording artists agree: the hip-hop covers are here to stay! 168 PGS./Rated T+ …$34.99 ISBN: 978-1-302-90843-0 Trim size: oversized GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY: NEW GUARD VOL. 4 — GROUNDED PREMIERE HC Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS Penciled by VALERIO SCHITI & MORE Cover by ARTHUR ADAMS The Guardians of the Galaxy have been grounded! The spacefaring super heroes are stuck, of all places, on Earth. And to make matters worse, they’re also not necessarily a team anymore. Just what’s an urban spaceman like Peter Quill to do? As Groot explores the world’s forests, can Angela of Heven find a place among the heroes of Midgard? Meanwhile, the most dangerous woman in the galaxy becomes S.H.I.E.L.D.’s deadliest target — but Gamora won’t be stopped until she gets to Thanos! And speaking of ol’ purple-puss — with the team scattered to the winds, could the Mad Titan be the only thing that can bring the band back together? Brian Michael Bendis concludes his Guardians era with a blockbuster finish! Collecting GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY (2015) #15-19. 136 PGS./Rated T …$24.99 ISBN: 978-1-302-90669-6 Trim size: standard INFAMOUS IRON MAN VOL. 1: INFAMOUS TPB Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS Penciled by ALEX MALEEV Cover by ALEX MALEEV There’s a new Iron Man in town, and his name is…Victor von Doom! The Marvel Universe’s greatest villain is no stranger to armor, but now he’s trying something new on for size: heroism. And where Tony Stark failed, Doom will succeed. But what is Victor’s master plan? That’s what a great number of folks want to know — beginning with bashful, blue-eyed Ben Grimm, the ever-lovin’ Thing! Next up is someone from Tony’s past who has a big problem with Doom taking on the Iron mantle — but where has Pepper Potts been until now? Doom will face a cosmic-level adversary, and two of his most mortal enemies — ones he thought he would never see again. Can Victor keep to his redemptive path even in the face of total adversity? Will he truly even want to? Collecting INFAMOUS IRON MAN #1-6. 136 PGS./Rated T+ …$17.99 ISBN: 978-1-302-90624-5 INVINCIBLE IRON MAN: IRONHEART VOL. 1 – RIRI WILLIAMS PREMIERE HC Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS Penciled by STEFANO CASELLI Cover by STEFANO CASELLI A new Iron Age begins! From the violent streets of Chicago, an armored hero rises! Clad in her own Iron Man suit, Riri Williams is ready to show the world what she can do as the self-made hero of tomorrow. Her technology just might change the world forever — if she survives that long! But is she ready for all the problems that come with stepping into Iron Man’s jet boots? Problems like her first big villain. And the other guy running around as shell-head. And the laundry list of criminals looking to destroy Tony Stark’s legacy. Oh, and all the super-teams out to recruit her! As Riri’s adventures go viral, it’s time to claim an alter ego of her own — welcome to the Marvel Universe, Ironheart! Collecting INVINCIBLE IRON MAN (2016) #1-6. 136 PGS./Rated T+ …$24.99 ISBN: 978-1-302-90671-9 Trim size: standard AVENGERS: FOUR TPB Written by MARK WAID Penciled by BARRY KITSON Cover by BARRY KITSON The Old Order Changeth — more than you ever suspected! For the first time ever, learn what really happened all those years ago when the founding Avengers turned over their membership to a set of new recruits. Three reformed super villains — Hawkeye, Quicksilver and the Scarlet Witch — join the recently thawed Captain America as a new group of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes takes shape! But with his team labeled “The Mighty Pretenders” by an unforgiving public, how can Steve Rogers revive the Avengers’ reputation when they face an unbeatable foe? Perhaps he has an ace up his sleeve — one you’ve never seen before! It’s a new story of Cap’s Kooky Quartet (should that be Quintet?) that has direct ramifications for the Avengers of today! Collecting AVENGERS (2016) #1.1-5.1. 112 PGS./Rated T+ …$15.99 ISBN: 978-1-302-90261-2 AVENGERS: UNLEASHED VOL. 1 — KANG WAR ONE TPB Written by MARK WAID Penciled by MIKE DEL MUNDO Cover by ALEX ROSS The time has come! Their ranks shattered by CIVIL WAR II, their spirits weighted down by a toll both personal and spiritual, Earth’s Mightiest Heroes must find the resolve to stand united one final time against their greatest foe! The Avengers will assemble once more: Captain America! Thor! Vision! Wasp! Spider-Man! Hercules! But when the dust settles, will any of these valiant warriors make it out alive from an all-out war with Kang the Conqueror?! And when the Vision sets out hell-bent on revenge against Kang, all of history will be in jeopardy if the Avengers can’t stop the synthezoid! The Firewall of Time will be shattered — and it will fall to the Avengers to stop the dangers it held back! When war after war ends, not everything — or everyone — will be the same! Collecting AVENGERS (2016) #1-6. 144 PGS./Rated T+ …$17.99 ISBN: 978-1-302-90611-5 BLACK PANTHER: WORLD OF WAKANDA VOL. 1 — DAWN OF THE MIDNIGHT ANGELS TPB Written by TA-NEHISI COATES, ROXANE GAY, YONA HARVEY & REMBERT BROWNE Penciled by ALITHA E. MARTINEZ, AFUA RICHARDSON & JOE BENNETT Cover by AFUA RICHARDSON Wakanda! Home of the Black Panther, a proud and vibrant nation whose legends and mysteries run deep. Now, delve deep into Wakanda’s lore with a love story where tenderness is matched by brutality! You know them as the Midnight Angels, but for now they are just Ayo and Aneka — young women recruited to become Dora Milaje, an elite task force trained to protect the crown of Wakanda at all costs. But with their king shamed and their queen killed, Ayo and Aneka must take justice into their own hands! They’ve been officers. Rebels. Lovers. But can they be leaders? Plus: the return of former White Tiger, Kasper Cole! As Wakanda burns, Cole can only watch helplessly from halfway around the world. Will he find a new beginning — or meet a painful end? Collecting BLACK PANTHER: WORLD OF WAKANDA #1-6. 144 PGS./Rated T …$17.99 ISBN: 978-1-302-90650-4 OCCUPY AVENGERS VOL. 1: TAKING BACK JUSTICE TPB Written by DAVID F. WALKER with ROY THOMAS Penciled by CARLOS PACHECO with JOHN BUSCEMA Cover by AGUSTIN ALESSIO Super heroes — they’re a privileged class. Doing what they want, when they want, and never facing the consequences. They have no regard for the ordinary people left behind to suffer in their wake. Who will stand up for the little guy? Clint Barton, the original Hawkeye, will! Clint doesn’t look for trouble, but trouble keeps finding him — and he’ll quickly drag Red Wolf and Nighthawk into his street-level heroics, as well! But what happens when Nick Fury — the original Nick Fury — arrives on the scene? Isn’t he dead? If so, someone who looks a lot like him is out to kill Clint and his renegade team! What’s going on, and can Clint keep his eye on the ball while dealing with spymasters and sabotage? Plus: Relive Red Wolf’s classic debut! Collecting OCCUPY AVENGERS #1-4 and AVENGERS (1963) #80-81. 136 PGS./Rated T+ …$17.99 ISBN: 978-1-302-90638-2 STAR-LORD VOL. 1: GROUNDED TPB Written by CHIP ZDARSKY Penciled by KRIS ANKA Cover by KRIS ANKA Peter Quill might have been born on Earth, but he’s been away a long time. And now that the Guardians of the Galaxy have gone and gotten themselves stranded on terra firma, how does a man go from soaring through the stars as the legendary Star-Lord to living with his feet planted firmly on the ground? What kind of job options are available for a guy whose résumé mostly consists of “guarding the galaxy”? And with all the dangers he has faced and survived, could anything prepare him for…community service?! Maybe Daredevil can help out with that. Or, would you believe, the Shocker? One thing is certain: Earth has a new guardian. Also, a new bartender. Peter Quill — the legendary Bar-Lord! Collecting STAR-LORD #1-6 and Annual. 168 PGS./RATED T+ ...$19.99 ISBN: 978-1-302-90554-5 SOLO: THE ONE MAN WAR ON TERROR TPB Written by GERRY DUGGAN & GEOFFREY THORNE Penciled by PACO DIAZ Cover by PACO DIAZ Solo goes solo! That’s right — Merc for Money James Bourne is out on his own, right where he belongs! And the “One Man War on Terror” will get the job done! Deadly alien weapons are making their way into the hands of ordinary thugs — and Solo heads undercover to locate the source. But when things start to heat up, he might wish he had some backup! Alone in the heart of a dangerous biker gang, Solo had better watch out, because someone might already be onto his secret! As a trail of dead bodies all point to him, Solo must find the weapons supplier quickly, before his cover is blown. And when everything hits the fan, it’s S.H.I.E.L.D. vs. Egghead! Deadpool was just the beginning. You haven’t seen anything until you’ve gotten to know Solo! Collecting SOLO (2016) #1-5. 112 PGS./Parental Advisory …$15.99 ISBN: 978-1-302-90480-7 ULTIMATES 2 VOL. 1: TROUBLESHOOTERS TPB Written by AL EWING Penciled by TRAVEL FOREMAN Cover by TRAVEL FOREMAN Who — or what — is the Cosmic Jailer? What being could be powerful enough to chain Eternity itself? That’s the mystery Galactus must solve — before it’s too late. Ultimate problems require ultimate solutions, and the former World-Eater will call on those who helped cure his insatiable hunger: Captain Marvel, Black Panther, Blue Marvel, Spectrum and Ms. America! Together they are the Ultimates, protectors of the Omniverse. But now they are something more — the newest heralds of Galactus the Lifebringer! And they specialize in the impossible — like the Shaper’s Ghost! Master Order and Lord Chaos! And the terrifying new entity Logos! Meanwhile, Philip Vogt knows the truth — and faces a decision that will either save the Multiverse, or damn it forever! And the Troubleshooters are watching the Ultimates — and they don’t like what they see. Collecting ULTIMATES 2 (2016) #1-6. 136 PGS./Rated T+ ...$17.99 ISBN: 978-1-302-90675-7 DEADPOOL THE DUCK TPB Written by STUART MOORE Penciled by JACOPO CAMAGNI Cover by DAVID NAKAYAMA What do you get when you take one cynical anthropomorphic duck (named Howard) and cross him with the mouthiest mercenary in the Marvel Universe? Deadpool the Duck, that’s what! When Wade Wilson accepts a mission from S.H.I.E.L.D. to capture a high-profile E.T., the snatch-and-grab turns out to be much more complicated than he anticipated. One unfortunate wrong-place-at-the-wrong-time accident leaves Deadpool and Howard fighting for control of their shared body — as the cutest merc the Marvel Universe has ever seen! But how is nefarious megacorporation Roxxon mixed up in all this? And what about Rocket Raccoon? Can Howard and Deadpool work together to get their own bodies back? Or will Wade forever be trapped in a duck he never made?! Collecting DEADPOOL THE DUCK #1-5. 136 PGS./Parental Advisory …$17.99 ISBN: 978-1-302-90484-5 SQUADRON SUPREME VOL. 3: FINDING NAMOR TPB Written by JAMES ROBINSON Penciled by LEONARD KIRK, PAOLO VILLANELLI & EMILIO LAISO Cover by ALEX GARNER CIVIL WAR II poses a challenge for the Squadron: Ulysses has predicted their every move, and that means they must fight the Blue Marvel! The treacherous Warrior Woman is bent on conquest, driven by her own prediction: she must resurrect Namor, the Sub-Mariner! Will the Squadron help her or stop her? Warrior Woman sets her sights on the time machine locked away in the Baxter Building, but new owner Peter Parker’s spider-sense is tingling! Meanwhile, the usurped Power Princess will risk everything to stop her rival! Nighthawk searches alone for information on Ulysses and the Civil War! Blur and Thundra face capture! Hyperion and Doctor Spectrum get lost in the timestream! And teammates finally come to blows! Brace yourself for the startling fate of one of Marvel’s oldest heroes — and the Squadron! Collecting SQUADRON SUPREME (2015) #10-15. 136 PGS./Rated T+ …$17.99 ISBN: 978-1-302-90285-8 WOLVERINE: OLD MAN LOGAN VOL. 4 - OLD MONSTERS TPB Written by JEFF LEMIRE Penciled by FILIPE ANDRADE & ANDREA SORRENTINO Cover by ANDREA SORRENTINO Jubilee is missing! And to find her, Logan must team up with the supernatural super-team known as the Howling Commandos! But as a monster war begins, will the old man who was Wolverine be prepared for what this investigation will uncover? Follow Logan to Romania and discover Dracula’s dastardly plot that endangers the whole world! The stakes are high, but can the Commandos trust Logan to make the tough calls with Jubilee’s (undead) life in the balance? And after a disaster, Logan will be trapped in the cold void of space, hunted by the Brood…but somehow also back in the dystopian Wastelands of his future past! What madness is this? Find out, along with Alpha Flight, Danny Cage and Logan’s adopted Hulk Baby! Collecting OLD MAN LOGAN (2016) #14-18. 112 PGS./Parental Advisory …$15.99 ISBN: 978-1-302-90573-6 SPIDER-WOMAN: SHIFTING GEARS VOL. 3 — SCARE TACTICS TPB Written by DENNIS HOPELESS Penciled by VERONICA FISH Cover by JAVIER RODRIGUEZ Jessica Drew has tangled with some of the worst and toughest criminals the Marvel Universe has to offer — and she’s even done it while learning to be a mom! But even the sleepless nights and exhausting responsibilities of motherhood couldn’t have prepared her for her toughest challenge yet: the scare tactics of the Hobgoblin! And just who is lurking under the mask?! In the fight of her life, Jessica will be pushed to the absolute brink physically, mentally and emotionally as the Hobgoblin does the unthinkable! She’s tangled with Tiger Shark, battled Blizzard and taken on a whole host of super villains in her time, but Spider-Woman has never known the world of pain a Goblin can bring! If Jessica has any hope of victory, it’s going to take every last ounce of strength she has! Collecting SPIDER-WOMAN (2015) #13-17. 112 PGS./Rated T+ …$15.99 ISBN: 978-1-302-90330-5 VENOM VOL. 1: HOMECOMING TPB Written by MIKE COSTA Penciled by GERARDO SANDOVAL Cover by GERARDO SANDOVAL Venom is back in his classic form, and deadlier than ever! The symbiote you know and love has returned to New York City. No more “Agent of the Cosmos.” No more “Lethal Protector.” It’s time for a new Venom, and it’s great to be bad. But now that Venom is back on Earth, just who has bonded with him — and turned him back into a slathering, fanged monster? As the symbiote returns to its old ways, sink your teeth into the deadliest Venom story yet! One that will draw old friends — like Mac Gargan, the Scorpion! And a certain other former host of the Venom symbiote, known for web-slinging, wall-crawling and wisecracking! That’s right: It’s Venom vs. Spider-Man like never before! Collecting VENOM (2016) #1-6. 136 PGS./Rated T+ …$17.99 ISBN: 978-1-302-90602-3 AMAZING SPIDER-MAN: RENEW YOUR VOWS VOL. 1 — BRAWL IN THE FAMILY TPB Written by GERRY CONWAY & MORE Penciled by RYAN STEGMAN, NATHAN STOCKMAN Cover by RYAN STEGMAN The Parker clan web-slings and wall-crawls its way into your hearts! Life is good for husband and wife Peter Parker and Mary Jane: Their daughter, Annie, is their pride and joy, they’re both working and (barely) making ends meet, they’re keeping the streets of New York City safe from super villains — you know, normal, everyday stuff. Oh, did we mention MJ and Annie have super-powers just like Peter? Being Spider-Man just became a family affair! And when the Mole Man attacks NYC, only the sensational Spider-Family can stop him! After that, they’ll just want a quiet night in — until Sandman crashes the party! But when Annie receives an invitation to attend Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters, can Peter and MJ hand over their little girl to the X-Men? Collecting AMAZING SPIDER-MAN: RENEW YOUR VOWS (2016) #1-5. 120 PGS./Rated T ...$15.99 ISBN: 978-1-302-90580-4 SPIDER-MAN/DEADPOOL VOL. 2: SIDE PIECES TPB Written by SCOTT AUKERMAN, GERRY DUGGAN, PENN JILLETTE, PAUL SCHEER, NICK GIOVANNETTI & JOSHUA CORIN Penciled by REILLY BROWN, SCOTT KOBLISH, TODD NAUCK & TIGH WALKER Cover by MIKE DEL MUNDO Monsters, magic, merriment, movie-making and more! When Deadpool goes Hollywood, he’s sure to bring his wall-crawling bud along for the ride — after all, Spidey is no stranger to selling out! In the proud DP tradition, a “lost” issue of AMAZING SPIDER-MAN flashes us back to one of our pun-happy pair’s earliest meetings! Then, Spidey and Deadpool meet Pen and Teller, for reals, in a tale penned by Penn himself! When both our heroes are alone for the holidays, that means they’re the only ones who can save Christmas! And when another of those crazy events rocks the Marvel Universe, the web-slinger uses all his powers (and responsibilities) to fight the Monsters Unleashed — while Deadpool is about as helpful as he usually is. It’s the team-up series where anything can happen — and does! Collecting SPIDER-MAN/DEADPOOL #6-7, #11-12 and #1.MU. 120 PGS./Rated T+ …$16.99 ISBN: 978-0-7851-9992-2 SPIDER-GWEN VOL. 3: LONG-DISTANCE TPB Written by JASON LATOUR & TOM TAYLOR Penciled by ROBBI RODRIGUEZ, CHRIS VISIONS, MARCIO TAKARA & MORE Cover by ROBBI RODRIGUEZ Will Thanksgiving be a happy one for Spider-Gwen and friends? That very much depends on what crime lord Matt Murdock and his ninjas bring to dinner! It’s time for Gwen Stacy to stop running from Earth-65’s Kingpin of Crime — but Matt may have a thing or two to teach the budding Spider-Woman! Plus: The Mary Janes get loud, and Gwen spends some time with her ever-expanding social circle — including a secret mission with Captain America! She-Hulk! And her BPFF (best pig friend forever), Spider-Ham! But when Gwen and All-New Wolverine Laura Kinney undergo a transdimensional body-swap team-up, is this the start of a beautiful friendship? Collecting SPIDER-GWEN (2015B) #14-15 and ANNUAL #1, and ALL-NEW WOLVERINE ANNUAL #1. 112 PGS./Rated T …$15.99 ISBN: 978-1-302-90310-7 SPIDER-MAN/DOCTOR STRANGE: THE WAY TO DUSTY DEATH TPB Written by STAN LEE, STEVE DITKO, FRANK MILLER, DENNY O’NEIL, LEN WEIN, BILL MANTLO, CHRIS CLAREMONT, GERRY CONWAY, ROY THOMAS, KURT BUSIEK, ROGER STERN & MIKE BARR Penciled by STEVE DITKO, FRANK MILLER, SAL BUSCEMA, JEFF ACLIN, HOWARD CHAYKIN, MIKE VOSBURG, MIKE BAIR, NEIL VOKES & SANDY PLUNKETT Cover by MIKE BAIR A saga of life, death and obsession decades in the telling! The sorcerer Xandu is desperate to restore the love of his life to the land of the living — and he needs the Wand of Watoomb! But time and again, Doctor Strange and Spider-Man stand in his way. Xandu’s quest to revive his beloved will involve another arcane artifact — the Crystal of Kadavus — and even drag the Scarlet Witch into the action! But will Xandu’s plan result in all life as we know it crumbling into dusty death? Plus: Spidey/Strange team-ups throughout the years — in battle with the Wraith, Silver Dagger, Baron Mordo and more! Collecting AMAZING SPIDER-MAN ANNUAL #2 and #14; MARVEL TEAM-UP (1972) #21, #50-51, #76-77 and #80-81; SPIDER-MAN/DOCTOR STRANGE: THE WAY TO DUSTY DEATH; UNTOLD TALES OF SPIDER-MAN: STRANGE ENCOUNTER; and material from MARVEL FANFARE (1982) #6. 336 PGS./Rated T+ …$34.99 ISBN: 978-1-302-90701-3 AMAZING SPIDER-MAN EPIC COLLECTION: KRAVEN’S LAST HUNT TPB Volume #17 in the Amazing Spider-Man Epic Collections Written by PETER DAVID, DAVID MICHELINIE, J.M. DEMATTEIS, JIM OWSLEY & MORE Penciled by JOHN ROMITA JR., ALEX SAVIUK, MIKE ZECK, MARK BEACHUM, PAUL RYAN, MARK BRIGHT, STEVE GEIGER & MORE Cover by MIKE ZECK Peter Parker and Mary Jane Watson are getting married! But Kraven the Hunter is going to make sure the wall-crawler ends up six feet under — literally! It begins with an all-time classic encounter with Wolverine that changes Spidey’s life forever, leading to the death of one of his best friends! In the wake of tragedy, Peter pops the question — but the honeymoon is short-lived, as Kraven goes to extreme lengths to prove himself superior to his greatest foe! As one of comics’ most introspective, psychological sagas ever unfolds, the Hunter will learn that it’s one thing to defeat Spider-Man — but another to expect him to stay down! Collecting AMAZING SPIDER-MAN (1963) #289-294 and ANNUAL #20-21, SPIDER-MAN VERSUS WOLVERINE, WEB OF SPIDER-MAN (1985) #29-32 and PETER PARKER, THE SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN (1976) #131-132. 496 PGS./Rated T+ …$39.99 ISBN: 978-1-302-90705-1 SPIDER-MAN: THE COMPLETE CLONE SAGA EPIC BOOK 4 TPB (NEW PRINTING) Written by TERRY KAVANAGH, TODD DEZAGO, J.M. DEMATTEIS, HOWARD MACKIE, TOM DEFALCO, EVAN SKOLNICK, TOM LYLE & MORE Penciled by STEVE BUTLER, ROY BURDINE, MARK BAGLEY, TOM LYLE, SAL BUSCEMA, PATRICK ZIRCHER, RON LIM & MORE Cover by MARK BAGLEY The Clone Saga continues as Peter Parker is put on trial for murder! A new Green Goblin debuts! The mass murderer Kaine meets his destiny! The Jackal unleashes an entire army of Spider-Man clones, including the new and deadly Spidercide! The Gwen Stacy clone returns! Spider-Man is hunted by the Punisher! Judas Traveler and the Scrier pull Spider-Man’s strings like never before! And what will Peter do when he finds out that Ben Reilly is the one, true Spider-Man? Guest-starring the New Warriors! Collecting WEB OF SPIDER-MAN (1985) #125-127, AMAZING SPIDER-MAN (1963) #402-404, SPIDER-MAN (1990) #59-61, SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN (1976) #225-227, SPIDER-MAN: THE JACKAL FILES, NEW WARRIORS (1990) #61, and SPIDER-MAN: MAXIMUM CLONAGE ALPHA and OMEGA. 480 PGS./Rated T …$39.99 ISBN: 978-1-302-90368-8 SPIDER-MAN: AMAZING ORIGINS TPB Written by CULLEN BUNN with ROBBIE THOMPSON Penciled by NEIL EDWARDS with NICK BRADSHAW Cover by JULIAN TOTINO TEDESCO The greatest origin story of all time, retold for a new generation! Meet Peter Parker like never before, and join him on the journey of triumph and tragedy that takes him from high school wallflower to the fast-talking, wall-crawling super hero, Spider-Man! It’s an ageless tale of power and responsibility as relevant today as it was decades ago! Plus: Follow our young Spidey as he battles to build his amazing rep, in early action against…Doctor Octopus! Rediscover why the world’s comic fans fell in love with Spider-Man! Bonus content: SPIDEY #1. 128 PGS./Rated T …$15.99 ISBN: 978-0-7851-5821-9 ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN ULTIMATE COLLECTION BOOK 7 TPB Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS Penciled by MARK BAGLEY Cover by MARK BAGLEY The record-breaking run of Bendis and Bagley continues! Ultimate Hobgoblin makes his terrifying debut as Harry Osborn returns to Midtown High, harboring a dark secret that will affect the lives of all those around him — especially his best friend, Peter Parker. But where does Harry’s father — Norman Osborn, a.k.a. the Green Goblin — fit into all this? Then, the gang war to end all gang wars begins, when a retreat by the Kingpin opens up a power vacuum to be filled by the hard-hitting Hammerhead! To put these underworld titans out of business once and for all will take a group of Ultimate warriors, including Daredevil and Moon Knight! Spidey thinks he’s had trouble before, but nothing has ever made him declare “Peter Parker no more” — until now! Collecting ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN (2000) #72-85. 344 PGS./Rated T …$34.99 ISBN: 978-1-302-90874-4 SPIDER-MAN: BRAND NEW DAY — THE COMPLETE COLLECTION VOL. 3 TPB Written by MARK WAID, ROGER STERN, DAN SLOTT, ZEB WELLS, MARC GUGGENHEIM, FRED VAN LENTE, STUART MOORE, JOE KELLY & PHIL JIMENEZ Penciled by MARCOS MARTIN, LEE WEEKS, MIKE MCKONE, BARRY KITSON, TODD NAUCK, JOHN ROMITA JR., PAULO SIQUEIRA, JOE SUITOR, DALE EAGLESHAM, CHRIS BACHALO, PAOLO RIVERA & MORE Cover by BARRY KITSON An earthquake traps Spidey and a subway car full of New Yorkers underground, but what does it have to do with the trial of a high-ranking mob boss — or J. Jonah Jameson? When a bizarre faceless felon endangers Aunt May, how can Spider-Man stop a guy who can slip through his webbing? Learn how Harry Osborn came back from the dead and who’s been terrorizing people as Menace! Meet the new mayor of New York City! Discover how an adventure from the past will have a profound effect on the future of Spider-Man and the Fantastic Four! And fear the macabre Man-Thing! Plus: Spider-Man teams up with President Obama! Collecting AMAZING SPIDER-MAN (1999) #578-591, SPIDER-MAN: PRESIDENTS’ DAY SPECIAL, SPIDER-MAN: FEAR ITSELF (2009) #1, and AMAZING SPIDER-MAN: EXTRA #2-3 and material from #1. 504 PGS./Rated T+ …$39.99 ISBN: 978-1-302-90703-7 YOUNG AVENGERS BY ALLAN HEINBERG & JIM CHEUNG: THE CHILDREN’S CRUSADE TPB Written by ALLAN HEINBERG Penciled by JIM CHEUNG, ALAN DAVIS & OLIVIER COIPEL Cover by JIM CHEUNG Twin brothers Wiccan and Speed of the Young Avengers are boys without a past. When Wiccan’s powers spiral out of control, the team sets out to find the one person who might help: the Scarlet Witch, who may be the twins’ mother, and whose own uncontrollable powers once almost destroyed the Avengers and nearly wiped out the mutant race. The Young Avengers’ search will take them across the world and through time, reunite them with friends thought lost and pit them against deadly enemies; it will find them on the run from the Avengers and aligned with the former mutant terrorist Magneto, the Scarlet Witch’s father. And once they locate the Scarlet Witch, nothing will ever be the same! Collecting AVENGERS: THE CHILDREN’S CRUSADE #1-9, AVENGERS: THE CHILDREN’S CRUSADE — YOUNG AVENGERS #1 and material from UNCANNY X-MEN (1981) #526. 248 PGS./Rated T+ …$34.99 ISBN: 978-1-302-90875-1 RUNAWAYS VOL. 4: TRUE BELIEVERS TPB (NEW PRINTING) Written by BRIAN K. VAUGHAN Penciled by ADRIAN ALPHONA Cover by JO CHEN It’s an all-new beginning for the Runaways! When this group of super-powered teens discovered that their parents were actually villains, they ran away from home — but that was only step one! Now that the evil Pride is gone, nearly every bad guy in the Marvel Universe is trying to fill the power vacuum in Los Angeles, and the Runaways are the only heroes who can stop them! Plus: What does a mysterious new team of young heroes want with the Runaways, and which fan-favorite Marvel characters are part of this group? Collecting RUNAWAYS (2005) #1-6. 160 PGS./Rated T+ …$14.99 ISBN: 978-1-302-90869-0 NEW AVENGERS BY BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION VOL. 5 TPB Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS Penciled by JIM CHEUNG, STUART IMMONEN, DANIEL ACUÑA, MIKE MCKONE, MARKO DJURDJEVIC, MIKE MAYHEW, BRYAN HITCH & MORE Cover by JIM CHEUNG Norman Osborn’s Dark Reign goes from bad to worse when one of the Hood’s gang learns how to shut down the Avengers’ powers! Thor and the Dark Avengers lend a hand against the Frost Giant Ymir! Earth’s new Sorcerer Supreme has a lot to learn! Ronin takes drastic action in an assassination attempt on Osborn! And Steve Rogers makes his triumphant return — but when gods fall, is he too late to save the day? Asgard is under siege as the end of an era arrives! Plus: a secret Avengers love story, and the hidden history of Peter Parker and Jessica Jones! Collecting FREE COMIC BOOK DAY 2009 (AVENGERS), NEW AVENGERS (2004) #55-64, DARK REIGN: THE LIST — AVENGERS ONE-SHOT, NEW AVENGERS ANNUAL (2006) #3, NEW AVENGERS FINALE, and material from AMAZING SPIDER-MAN (1999) #601 and BREAKING INTO COMICS THE MARVEL WAY #1. 408 PGS./Rated T+ …$34.99 ISBN: 978-1-302-90866-9 MARVEL Graphic Comic Boxes - SECRET EMPIRE Welcome to the Marvel Age of Comic Boxes! Store your treasured collection in sturdy surroundings every bit as exciting as the issues inside! Featuring action-packed illustrations on all sides from some of comics’ finest artists, Marvel’s Graphic Comic Boxes will star all your Marvel Universe favorites – continuing with Secret Empire! Preserve your comic collection with Marvel Graphic Comic Boxes! Inside dimensions – 15-1/2” x 7-5/8” x 10-7/8”...$9.00 SECRET EMPIRE #1 BY NAUCK POSTER FOC 4/10/17 ON-SALE 5/3/2017 24x36…$8.99 5960605400-69621 VENOM #150 BY SANDOVAL POSTER FOC 4/10/17 ON-SALE 5/3/2017 24x36…$8.99 5960605400-69521 JEAN GREY #1 BY YARDIN POSTER FOC 4/10/17 ON-SALE 5/3/2017 24x36…$8.99 5960605400-69721 DEADPOOL #30 BY HAWTHORNE POSTER FOC 4/10/17 ON-SALE 5/3/2017 24x36…$8.99 5960605400-69821 DEFENDERS #1 by Marquez FOC 4/10/17 ON-SALE 5/3/2017 24x36…$8.99 5960605400-69921 EDGE OF VENOMVERSE #1 POSTER FOC 4/10/17 ON-SALE 5/3/2017 24x36…$8.99 5960605400-70021 ICEMAN #1 POSTER by Wada FOC 4/10/17 ON-SALE 5/3/2017 24x36…$8.99 5960605400-70121 SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN #1 POSTER by Kubert FOC 4/10/17 ON-SALE 5/3/2017 24x36…$8.99 5960605400-70221 FOC 4/3/17, ON-SALE 4/26/17 MARVEL PREVIEWS #22 - $1.25 (or free with a purchase of Diamond’s Previews!) COMIC BOOKS FOC 4/10/2017, ON-SALE 5/3/2017 ALL-NEW GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY #1 BLACK BOLT #1 BULLSEYE #4 CHAMPIONS #8 GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY: MISSION BREAKOUT #1 GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY: MOTHER ENTROPY #1 HAWKEYE #6 IRON FIST #3 JEAN GREY #1 JESSICA JONES #8 MARVEL UNIVERSE AVENGERS: ULTRON REVOLUTION #10 NOVA #6 SECRET EMPIRE #1 SLAPSTICK #6 SPIDER-MAN #16 SPIDER-MAN 2099 #23 SPIDER-MAN/DEADPOOL #17 STAR WARS: POE DAMERON #14 STAR WARS: ROGUE ONE ADAPTATION #2 THE UNSTOPPABLE WASP #5 X-MEN: GOLD #3 FOC 4/17/2017, ON-SALE 5/10/2017 ALL-NEW WOLVERINE #20 AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #27 AMAZING SPIDER-MAN: RENEW YOUR VOWS #7 AMERICA #3 AVENGERS #7 BLACK PANTHER AND THE CREW #2 DEADPOOL #30 GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY: MOTHER ENTROPY #2 GWENPOOL, THE UNBELIEVABLE #15 KINGPIN #4 MARVEL UNIVERSE GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY #19 MS. MARVEL #18 OLD MAN LOGAN #23 ROCKET #1 SECRET WARRIORS #1 STAR WARS: SCREAMING CITADEL #1 UNCANNY AVENGERS #23 WEAPON X #3 X-MEN: BLUE #3 FOC 4/24/2017, ON-SALE 5/17/2017 DAREDEVIL #20 DEADPOOL VS. THE PUNISHER #3 DOCTOR STRANGE #20 GENERATION X #1 GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY: MOTHER ENTROPY #3 INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #7 LUKE CAGE #1 MIGHTY THOR #19 MONSTERS UNLEASHED #2 NICK FURY #2 ROYALS #3 SPIDER-GWEN #20 SECRET EMPIRE #2 STAR WARS #31 STAR WARS: POE DAMERON #15 THE PUNISHER #12 THE UNBEATABLE SQUIRREL GIRL #20 U.S.AVENGERS #6 ULTIMATES 2 #7 X-MEN: GOLD #4 ZOMBIES ASSEMBLE #1 FOC 5/01/2017, ON-SALE 5/24/2017 ALL-NEW GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY #2 BEN REILLY: SCARLET SPIDER #2 BLACK PANTHER #14 CAPTAIN AMERICA: STEVE ROGERS #17 DOCTOR STRANGE AND THE SORCERERS SUPREME #8 ELEKTRA #4 GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY: MOTHER ENTROPY #4 I AM GROOT #1 INFAMOUS IRON MAN #8 JEAN GREY #2 MOON GIRL AND DEVIL DINOSAUR #19 MOSAIC #8 OCCUPY AVENGERS #7 SECRET WARRIORS #2 STAR WARS: DARTH MAUL #4 STAR-LORD ANNUAL #1 THE MIGHTY CAPTAIN MARVEL #5 THE TOTALLY AWESOME HULK #19 VENOM #150 X-MEN: BLUE #4 FOC 5/08/2017, ON-SALE 5/31/2017 CABLE #1 CAPTAIN AMERICA: SAM WILSON #22 DEADPOOL #31 DEADPOOL VS. THE PUNISHER #4 DOCTOR STRANGE #21 GENERATION X #2 GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY: MOTHER ENTROPY #5 GWENPOOL, THE UNBELIEVABLE #16 HULK #6 MAN-THING #4 MOON KNIGHT #14 OLD MAN LOGAN #24 SECRET EMPIRE #3 SECRET EMPIRE: UPRISING #1 STAR WARS: DOCTOR APHRA #7 THANOS #7 ZOMBIES ASSEMBLE #2 MARVEL POSTERS FOC 4/10/17 • On Sale 5/3/17 DEADPOOL #30 BY HAWTHORNE POSTER DEFENDERS #1 BY MARQUEZ POSTER EDGE OF VENOMVERSE #1 BY TBD ARTIST POSTER ICEMAN #1 BY WADA POSTER JEAN GREY #1 BY YARDIN POSTER SECRET EMPIRE #1 BY NAUCK POSTER SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN #1 BY KUBERT POSTER VENOM #150 BY SANDOVAL POSTER COLLECTIONS FOC 4/10/17 AVENGERS: FOUR TPB (On Sale 5/31/17) DEADPOOL THE DUCK TPB (On Sale 5/31/17) INFAMOUS IRON MAN VOL. 1: INFAMOUS TPB (On Sale 5/31/17) RUNAWAYS VOL. 4: TRUE BELIEVERS TPB (On Sale 5/31/17) SOLO VOL. 1: THE ONE-MAN WAR ON TERROR TPB (On Sale 5/31/17) SPIDER-MAN: THE COMPLETE CLONE SAGA EPIC BOOK 4 TPB (On Sale 5/31/17) SPIDER-WOMAN: SHIFTING GEARS VOL. 3 - SCARE TACTICS TPB (On Sale 5/31/17) SQUADRON SUPREME VOL. 3: FINDING NAMOR TPB (On Sale 5/31/17) ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN ULTIMATE COLLECTION BOOK 7 TPB (On Sale 5/31/17) WOLVERINE: OLD MAN LOGAN VOL. 4 - OLD MONSTERS TPB (On Sale 5/31/17) YOUNG AVENGERS BY ALLAN HEINBERG & JIM CHEUNG: THE CHILDREN’S CRUSADE TPB (On Sale 5/31/17) FOC 4/17/17 AMAZING SPIDER-MAN EPIC COLLECTION: KRAVEN’S LAST HUNT TPB (On Sale 6/07/17) COLOR YOUR OWN SPIDER-MAN (On Sale 6/07/17) NEW AVENGERS BY BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION VOL. 5 TPB (On Sale 6/07/17) SPIDER-MAN/DEADPOOL VOL. 2 SIDE PIECES TPB (ON SALE 6/07/17) SPIDER-MAN: AMAZING ORIGINS TPB (On Sale 6/07/17) SPIDER-MAN: FOREVER YOUNG PROSE NOVEL HC (On Sale 6/07/17) STAR WARS: DOCTOR APHRA VOL. 1 - APHRA TPB (On Sale 6/21/17) STAR WARS: POE DAMERON VOL. 2 - THE GATHERING STORM TPB (On Sale 6/21/17) FOC 4/24/17 AMAZING SPIDER-MAN: RENEW YOUR VOWS VOL. 1 - BRAWL IN THE FAMILY TPB (On Sale 6/14/17) BLACK PANTHER: WORLD OF WAKANDA VOL. 1 - DAWN OF THE MIDNIGHT ANGELS TPB (On Sale 6/14/17) SPIDER-MAN: BRAND NEW DAY - THE COMPLETE COLLECTION VOL. 3 TPB (On Sale 6/14/17) VENOM VOL. 1 HOMECOMING TPB (On Sale 6/14/17) FOC 5/01/17 AVENGERS: UNLEASHED VOL. 1 - KANG WAR ONE TPB (On Sale 6/21/17) GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY: NEW GUARD VOL. 4 - GROUNDED PREMIERE HC (On Sale 6/21/17) INVINCIBLE IRON MAN: IRONHEART VOL. 1 PREMIERE HC (On Sale 6/21/17) OCCUPY AVENGERS VOL. 1: TAKING BACK JUSTICE TPB (On Sale 6/21/17) SPIDER-GWEN VOL. 3: LONG-DISTANCE TPB (On Sale 6/21/17) SPIDER-MAN/DOCTOR STRANGE: THE WAY TO DUSTY DEATH TPB (On Sale 6/21/17) STAR WARS VOL. 5: YODA’S SECRET WAR TPB (On Sale 7/05/17) STAR-LORD VOL. 1: GROUNDED TPB (On Sale 6/21/17) ULTIMATES 2 VOL. 1: TROUBLESHOOTERS TPB (On Sale 6/21/17) FOC 5/08/17 AMAZING SPIDER-MAN: WORLDWIDE VOL. 2 HC (On Sale 9/06/17) HULK: PLANET HULK OMNIBUS HC (On Sale 9/06/17) MARVEL MASTERWORKS: LUKE CAGE, POWER MAN VOL. 2 HC (On Sale 9/06/17) MARVEL MASTERWORKS: LUKE CAGE, POWER MAN VOL. 2 HC VARIANT (DM ONLY) (On Sale 9/06/17) MARVEL MASTERWORKS: MARVEL TWO-IN-ONE VOL. 2 HC (On Sale 9/13/2017) MARVEL MASTERWORKS: MARVEL TWO-IN-ONE VOL. 2 HC VARIANT (DM ONLY) (On Sale 9/13/2017) THE MIGHTY THOR OMNIBUS VOL. 3 HC DAUTERMAN COVER (On Sale 9/20/2017) THE MIGHTY THOR OMNIBUS VOL. 3 HC KIRBY COVER (DM ONLY) (On Sale 9/20/2017) MARVEL: THE HIP-HOP COVERS VOL. 2 HC (On Sale 9/06/17) PUNISHER BY GARTH ENNIS OMNIBUS HC (NEW PRINTING) (On Sale 9/06/17) PUNISHER: BACK TO THE WAR OMNIBUS HC (On Sale 9/06/17) PUNISHER: BACK TO THE WAR OMNIBUS HC VARIANT (DM ONLY) (On Sale 9/06/17) STAR WARS: DARTH VADER BY KIERON GILLEN & SALVADOR LARROCA OMNIBUS HC (On Sale 9/06/17) STAR WARS: THE MARVEL UK OMNIBUS HC (On Sale 9/06/17)
In anticipation of the release of 3D TRON: Legacy, Ben Rousseau and Ian Douglas–Jones created a suite at the famous IceHotel above the Arctic Circle in Sweden. The electric blue Tron-inspired lighting scheme was achieved by cutting grooves into the ice, inserting energy efficient EL wire and then icing over the wire to keep it in place. The “Legacy of the River” suite was part of their campaign to launch a new line of illuminated furniture and products, which debuted shortly after the film’s release. Every January, the gorgeous Hôtel De Glace in Quebec City opens to the public, and visitors are invited to sleep in artistically designed ice rooms. Made almost entirely from snow and ice, the hotel changes design and shape each winter. The hotel even boasts an ice chapel where lovebirds—who didn’t fly south for the winter—can wed. For nearly 30 years, hundreds of thousands of people have flocked to the Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival in northeast China to witness dazzling works of man-made ice architecture. Chunks of ice are brought in from the frozen Songhua River and molded by talented sculptors into jaw-dropping life-sized creations, which are placed throughout the city. The ice palace in St. Petersburg, Russia, first appeared in 1740 as a commission by Empress Anna Ivanovna to celebrate victory in the Turkish war. In 2005, historians worked to recreate the structure with a team of 14 ice masters led by famous ice-sculptor Valerij Gromov. Following detailed plans left by architect Pyotr Yeropkin centuries ago, the ice palace was rebuilt to include the 20-meter-tall by 50-meter-wide palace, a garden filled with ice trees, and an ice statue of an elephant. The palace is reconstructed every year, and its interior is also furnished with furniture made of ice, including an ice bed with ice mattress and pillows. Ice man Roger Hanson decided to pass on building boring backyard snowmen, spending the last several years growing larger-than-life ice castles instead. Using a geothermal heating system, special sprayers, and a computer program he created himself, Hanson builds crystalline masterpieces that get bigger and more elaborate every year. The SnowCastle of Kemi by the Gulf of Bothnia in Finland is a source of great pride for locals, and a showcase of the architectonic “snowmanship” of its constructors. Construction of the SnowCastle begins every December and it takes approximately 5 weeks to complete. Because natural snow is too soft, the castle’s builders make new snow out of the sea water using snow pipes. 2015 marks the 20th anniversary of this gorgeous building, so if you’re in the area this winter, be sure to check it out! Lead image by Xavier Dachez
A More progressive Democratic Party In Rahm’s Chicago? Why Not! Blue America Blocked Unblock Follow Following Jul 30, 2017 One of the hardest and most thankless tasks in electoral politics is primarying an entrenched incumbent of one’s own party. No matter how corrupt and awful the incumbent, the party establishment always rallies round the colleague and heaps abuse on the challenger. If in fact they can overcome the odds and win, these challengers become among the most courageous and heroic members of Congress, as former Blue America candidates Matt Cartwright (PA), Hilda Solis (CA) and Donna Edwards (MD) were after they challenged and beat corrupt conservative Democrats who had gone bad. Introducing Blue America candidate Marie Newman for IL-03: “Small business, not big corporations, must once again become the focus of Congress. 80% of the economy in my district is small business, and those small business owners deserve an advocate in Congress. I’m ready to fight for policies like closing tax loopholes exploited by big business, improve access to capital for entrepreneurs — especially women and minorities. By enabling local institutions like community banks and enhancing entrepreneurship programs in community colleges and training centers, we can empower the next generation of small business owners.” Today there’s a race like that shaping up in a blue Chicagoland district, (Hillary crushed Trump there 55.2% to 39.9%) between execrable far right “Blue Dog” Dan Lipinski and a constituent who has had quite enough of him, Marie Newman. Lipinski, who inherited his seat from his father (before most voters even knew his father had retired) is an anti-Choice fanatic who voted against the Affordable Care Act and has been one of the only “Democrats” in Congress to consistently support Paul Ryan’s toxic agenda. Medicare-For-All? Dan Lipinski is one of the Blue Dogs standing in the way of HR 676, AKA The Expanded & Improved Medicare For All Act, (with 115 Real Democratic Member co-signers and counting) becoming actual Democratic Party policy. Marie is running on a platform that emphasizes it: “Health care is a right and shouldn’t be dependent on how much money you make,” she told us when we talked to her about her campaign.”I support Medicare-for-All because every American deserves high-quality health care. As Republicans work to dismantle the little progress we’ve made towards health care for all, my opponent sits silent… in fact, voting against the ACA. We should be moving forward, not backwards when it comes to health care for all Americans.” In 12 years as a Chicagoland congressman, Lipinski is still a Tennessean at heart and has been completely detached from his district and his own constituents. Once every two years, he claims to “be there for working class voters” but his voting record proves that he’s done nothing for them; furthermore has no understanding of who they are and what they need. He’s the ultimate careerist and for him, politics is all about what he can get, not what he can do for his district’s residents. Marie told us that “Working families must be Congress’s number one priority. It’s time for a set of common-sense policy solutions to ease the burden on middle-class families. That means increasing the minimum wage to a livable wage, making child care more affordable, and improving the quality of education — from Pre-K to community college.” Lipinski is part of an antediluvian machine and seeks only to please his donors. Marie comes from a very different place: “We all know money in politics has gotten out of control, and I’ve had the opportunity to witness is firsthand: my opponent gets 70% of his donations from special interests. It’s time to reverse the corrosive effects Citizens United has had on our political system and limit the power of corporations in influencing our elections. To practice what I preach, I’m refusing to take any money from corporations.” Last week, Lipinski sat down with Ted Slowik, a respected local journalist with the Daily Southtown. Although Slowik pointed out that the vast majority of Americans — 89%, in a recent Gallup poll — consider using birth control to be morally acceptable, Lipinski is so ignorant and out of touch, that he believes birth control is “intrinsically evil.” Isn’t it about damned time Democrats in the third district have a chance to elect someone who represents them? This guy is a DINO in two ways: a Democrat in name only and a real dinosaur! Please join Blue America in supporting Marie Newman’s campaign.
HOBE SOUND, Fla. -- Crime scene technicians unearthed partial remains believed to be a missing south Florida mother after her ex-husband, who is charged with her murder, led them to the place where he said he buried her in an acid-filled barrel in a shallow grave in the Hungryland Wildlife Management Area, reports CBS affiliate WPEC. The remains that are likely U.S. Air Force veteran Tricia Todd were located 19 miles away from her Hobe Sound home and just outside investigators' original search area, a 15-mile perimeter near Todd's home. "(The grave) is nothing more than a simple hole maybe three feet deep. The body was in a container," said Martin County Sheriff William D. Snyder at a press conference at the preserve on Thursday evening. Snyder said the body was mutilated and appeared to have been dismembered with a chainsaw. Snyder described the container as filled with fluid that a Haz-mat team on the scene believed to be acid and said DNA testing will confirm whether the remains are, indeed, those of Tricia Todd. On Wednesday, the Martin County Sheriff's Office announced that Todd's former husband, Steven Williams, confessed to her murder. In exchange for pleading no contest to second-degree murder and receiving a sentence of 35 years in a state prison, Williams agreed to lead them to the body, officials say. Officials aren't sure where Todd was killed, Snyder said Friday, but believe the murder likely happened in a different area than where her remains were found. He said officials likely wouldn't be able to determine the cause of death without uncovering more remains. Cadaver dogs were alerting over a "fairly extensive area" where human remains or blood may have been located, Snyder said, but as of Friday morning more remains hadn't yet been found. Crews were continuing the search. "We will not be satisfied until we've discovered all of her remains," Snyder said. Assistant state's attorney Tom Bakkedahl said he believed the murder was pre-meditated and was initially against negotiating the plea deal with Williams, but said he did so because of the wishes of Todd's family to locate her remains and seek closure. "It's an unfortunate reality that yes, in this business, you have to make a deal with the devil - and I made a deal with the devil," Bakkedahl said. Bakkedahl described Williams' demeanor as "cold - without feeling - no remorse - no sympathy." "It actually shocks the conscience to know you're walking the streets with people like this," he said. Because Williams led detectives to only part of Todd's remains, however, Bakkedahl said the plea agreement could be in jeopardy. Tricia Todd, a 33-year-old hospice nurse, has been missing since April 27 when she did not pick up her daughter, 2, from a babysitter. Williams, a 30-year-old U.S. airman stationed in North Carolina, reportedly initially told police he had been caring for the child, but when Todd didn't show up, he dropped the girl off with the babysitter and returned to his base. Martin County detectives traveled several times to North Carolina to interview him. At a Wednesday press conference, Snyder said the initial story Williams told police had "gross inconsistencies... which only got worse with time." Williams became a suspect in Todd's murder when he was seen on surveillance video driving her truck after she went missing. Williams later told authorities that she died during a physical altercation during which she hit her head. Williams allegedly changed his story multiple times before admitting to investigators he pushed Todd "for the final time" during an argument over money, reports WPEC, citing an arrest affidavit. Williams said Todd became "increasingly aggressive" and "got into his face" before he said he shoved her. He told police Todd "fell and hit her head on something and did not get up," and admitted disposing of her body. Snyder has said that he believes Todd was killed near her young daughter. The child is in the care of family. The Air Force said in a written statement released to the station they are "cooperating fully with civil authorities in this case." Williams was assigned as a field training detachment instructor with Detachment 1, 372nd Training Squadron, according to WPEC. Though located at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., the unit is attached to the 82nd Training Wing, Air Education and Training Command, with headquarters at Sheppard Air Force Base in Texas. Todd had been stationed at Shaw Air Force Base in South Carolina. She reportedly worked in food services before her discharge in 2008. A statement on a Facebook page dedicated to the search for Todd Wednesday said the news of Todd's death is "beyond heart-breaking and indescribably painful." Her disappearance launched one of the largest searches in recent Martin County history and involved hundreds of deputies and volunteers who canvassed thousands of acres in search of her. "Tricia Todd was a real person - she was a living human being, and a mother, and a hospice nurse, and a beautiful woman who certainly deserved to live," Snyder said Friday. "Death comes to everyone - sometimes it's unexpected - but in a case like this when it's murder, it's heinous beyond description."
1. Use a spice rack as a shelf for your perfume bottles. Kathleen Kamphausen 2. Display pretty fragrances on top of a cake stand. Kathleen Kamphausen 3. Arrange your everyday beauty products on a revolving spice rack to save space. 4. Toss your makeup brushes in a slim sunglasses case when traveling so you won't lose them. Kathleen Kamphausen 5. Store liner pencils, mascara, or brushes in an old pencil box. Kathleen Kamphausen 6. Fill a flower vase with coffee beans or beads, and stick your brushes inside for easy access. Kathleen Kamphausen 7. Separate your products by category inside of a kitchen utensil tray to organize your makeup drawer. Kathleen Kamphausen 8. Store your hot tools inside of a decorative magazine holder. Kathleen Kamphausen 9. Hang your hot tools on adhesive hooks inside of a cabinet door. Kathleen Kamphausen 10. Use the pouches on a hanging shoe organizer to store larger hair products. Kathleen Kamphausen 11. Save space by stacking hairspray bottles on a wine rack. Kathleen Kamphausen 12. Use a desk file organizer to display and store makeup palettes. Kathleen Kamphausen 13. Stick your eyeshadow singles into ice tray slots so you can see all the shades at once. Kathleen Kamphausen 14. Use a jewelry organizer to visibly store small makeup products. Kathleen Kamphausen 15. Adhere magnets to the back of your makeup compacts, and stick them on a metal board to save space while also decorating your walls. Kathleen Kamphausen 16. Arrange your makeup in lucite desk organizers so you can see everything that's stowed away. Kathleen Kamphausen 17. Line your drawers with plastic food containers to neatly organize cotton balls, sponges, and other makeup application tools. Kathleen Kamphausen 18. Stick cotton swabs inside an old candle vase. Kathleen Kamphausen 19. Store your nail polishes in a cute cookie jar. Kathleen Kamphausen 20. If you like traveling with many different lip shades, remove the lipsticks out of the tubes, and keep them in a clean pillbox for easy transportation. Kathleen Kamphausen 21. Stack pretty lipglosses and lipsticks on the tiers of a cupcake tray. Kathleen Kamphausen 22. Use a mini loaf pan to neatly organize your lip shades or other small products inside a drawer. Kathleen Kamphausen 23. Stack your hair ties on a pretty decorative wine bottle. Kathleen Kamphausen 24. Stick your bobby pins along a magnetic strip so you won't lose them. Kathleen Kamphausen RELATED ARTICLES: 20 Life-Changing Ways to Use Bobby Pins 25 Life-Changing Ways to Use Q-Tips 13 Beauty Tricks You Had No Idea You Could Do With a Spoon 20 Life-Changing Hacks for Doing Your Nails Photo Credit: Kathleen Kamphausen Via
Samiya Bashir Poet. Assistant Professor of Creative Writing. Portlander for 3 years. Photographed at Reed College. … Exhibited at Black Portland, Black Reed at Reed College, Feb 2016. I work in poetry, which I consider a pretty wide field, and am mostly concerned with issues of the body, which I define rather loosely. As you can already tell, I’m not much for pushing things into tightly constructed boxes. For me, the interstitial space we allow ourselves, and our consideration of the world(s) we live in, is where much of the magic happens. The book I just finished is focused on the Black body as it lives and moves in space, whether that is the inner space of our own minds and hearts, our relationships with ourselves and each other, or whether it is cultural space, physical space, intergalactic space, etc. In it I am thinking about the physical Black body through the physics of blackbody theory wherein the blackbody exists as a perfectly absorptive physical body, both in and not in relation to a perfectly reflective whitebody, to put it rather simply. I am curious about the natural, and its survival of its own manifestations. How do we treat each other? How do we love each other? How do we hurt each other? For what? How do we blossom on our grafted branches each spring? How do we walk down the street or through space or through leadership or through oppression? How do we experience that? How might we reconsider it? Why should we? For me, to think about living as a woman and artist and person in a Black body in Portland, Oregon, leads me again and again to the artist Glenn Ligon’s piece in which he takes Zora Neale Hurston’s language, “I feel most colored when I am thrown against a sharp white background” (1990), and prints it again and again until the black paint is pressed and smudged, dripped and smeared and disappeared into its own white background. Claudia Rankine, who we brought to Reed in 2015 as a part of the Visiting Writers Series, used the image in her recent book Citizen. It remains for me a piece that roughly, perhaps sharply, encapsulates an experience here which is one of hyper visibility and hyper invisibility, both performed with such passive-aggressivity that the body is left rather breathless. All in a setting so physically beautiful as to muddy the clarity with which that cultural reality might otherwise be seen and addressed. Such fresh food! Such beautiful mountains! Why worry, the city seems to ask. At Reed, Ligon’s piece retains its power of encapsulating experience, but—as with each of us on campus—there’s nobody here who does quite what I do. That singularity, met with such a breadth of passionate singularities, affords me the space and instigating ignition to help block out what is so often experienced as a hostile living environment and focus intensely on my work. At Reed, I have colleagues to talk with excitedly about a broad range of subjects, whether it’s quantum blackbody theory, modernist poetry, contemporary art books, antebellum literature, theatrical costuming, Egyptian hieroglyph translation, the beauty of those multicolored molecular drawings left over in the Chem building classrooms… This is a place that feeds and supports the intellectual growth of its students, faculty, and staff and does so seriously and ambitiously. Reed offers me the space and support to do my thinking and my work, but it also gifts me with students who are deeply interested in their own work, and in discovering who they are and who they may become as writers or artists or makers or thinkers or scholars and who are also living in this rarefied space created for them to engage in that investigation. Here, even while we work to make this space as supportive as it can be of a broadly inclusive community, we can put aside the basic questions about the value of intellectual and artistic inquiry that can so often distract and derail that work and really get our hands into the mess and muck of it. Here we can focus on process and on results, on celebrating our important failures and successes, on pushing through again and again until we get it right. – Samiya Bashir February 2016

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