My name is Raven Bright. Born and raised here in Gallup, New Mexico. I have been coming to this dance studio pretty much all of my life. It's my connection to the world. That's just me as a person.
Back when I first started, we had another dance studio, and that was farther down the block. It was called "Cool Street Pub." My mom kind of forced me to start dancing, even though I really didn't want to. I was real anxious, had social anxiety, and just didn't want to be around people in general. As time went on, I started getting home schooled, so I realized the importance of social interactions. At that point I wanted to become part of society. I didn't want to stay home and do nothing. I wanted to get out there and be a part of everything else.
Dancing is just a very small part of our art community [in Gallup]. If you come to our "Arts Crawl" or art events, I feel like they are huge. There is hundreds of people who come down here. There is all kinds of shows throughout the blocks. [There is] photography, regular painting, spray painting; in the middle of the streets. Everyone kind of branches out and does their own thing. Which I think is really cool. But at the same time we have so much room to grow. Not just in art in general, but more of the dance art form. We do dancing here, but I feel like we can still take it to another level. Kind of like Albuquerque's dance community. It's big; it huge! And I want what they have. In a way, I feel like that's going to take years and years to build up to get to that point.
Sometime we will go up to Albuquerque and perform at their events or battle with them. From that point of view we get drawn out more… more people get to see us dancing and all of a sudden they know about us like FOF wasn't just a small crew from Gallup. I think that's super cool to think about because we can be this lone circle all by itself within the city. There's no other break dance crew here in Gallup. I feel like we have to be put on the map. It's part of the job. We have to do that. Because if we don't, we are not going to be remembered 20 years down the road. I want this to continue going. I'll do that the best I can. I'll just keep dancing everywhere. Always getting our name out. Always going to other places. Always working with other people to try to attain those goals.
I think we have another dance studio… I think it's more like a cheer studio in my perspective. It's a place called Starlet Studio. I think they are more focused on structure through dancing. With our crew we are focused on foundations like any other studio would have; but we are also freedom, foundations of freedom. Once you establish your foundation with everything, you branch out to have the freedom with whatever you want to do. I don't hold my students back whenever I teach them. If they want to do something differently than I'll say do it. You do your own thing. One day they are going to have their own style.
Whenever there is something [going on] outside of the studio… there is not much. If I ever see a really cool dancer outside of the studio, I always try to bring them in. I always try to teach them a little bit of something. There is nothing to keep you going here [Gallup]… honestly. Artistically, you have to find a group or you have to find it within yourself a lot of the times. When you are here [at the studio], you have a lot of individuals with you, so you have to push yourself in order to stay in the level of your peers. A lot of the times, they have to stay on your level as well. So you are constantly going back and forth.
Patrick Bernhard, he was my first teacher ever and the person that got me into break dancing. "Randy B," is another Indigenous artist from our crew, he's still going and makes all kinds of art pieces up in Albuquerque. "B-Boy Remind" from "Style Elements Crew." I'm actually going to put B-Boy Remind as a stencil here (points at the wall of dance studio). He's like the James Brown of break dancing. He's the main influence within my dancing and my painting. Pretty much all art in general. He's so vibrant. He approaches Hip-Hop as if it was some sort of religion. He talks about it like Gospel. I think that's really cool.
Hip-Hop could be a religion. It doesn't follow the path of faith where you have to believe in something, it's more Indigenous where it's spiritual. It's that spiritual connection that you have with everything. Those spiritual processes, with Hip-Hop it's ciphering… we break dance in a circle… and once you are in that circle and everybody is feeling the music… and everyone is moving in continuum with each other… you no longer have to talk to anybody. Everyone knows what each other is thinking. Everyone is really interconnected with each other.
I think the person that got me into painting was Amy Coats, my dance teacher. It was a long time ago she made me a stencil of something, and she had some spray cans in the basement. We have a huge basement that we spray paint in. [It] probably wasn't a good idea because there is no ventilation down there. I think I spray painted down there, and I was like "wow that's so cool." That's when I realized spray paint was bad for your lungs. I'd go back home and I'd sneeze and I'd have rainbow colored boogers.
I'd say alcohol and drugs, and getting in with the wrong crew [are challenges in Gallup]. There is all kinds of hustlers here. If you don't have some sort of click, some sort of group to hang out, if you don't have time to kill, your life will slowly go down hill here. This town traps you. It entraps you. "The Land of Entrapment," I guess you can say. I see the youth growing up and constantly hustling drugs like in middle school and everyone smoking weed. Everyone is drinking. It's crazy to just see that here in this point and time. And to see how that will affect way down the road. It's always good to have some sort of artistic connection with the world that you can always fall back on. Rather than saying there is nothing to do and be bored. I feel like this studio just drew me away from that. In efforts, I am trying to draw other youth away from what this town could do to you.
I constantly try to be here all the time [in the studio]. I have a group chat with all the B-Boys. I always text them when I am coming down to the studio. So they can know that I am here and they can come down here whenever they want to. The dance teachers here are trying to have fees for the students that come here because they come here for free a lot of the times. At the same time a lot of our students are very poor. I am not going to tell them you can't come here because you didn't pay your fees. That's kind of silly. I would rather them be here than be off somewhere else. I feel I always want this place to be a place of nurture and growth. It's like any kind of classroom. It has to be a positive place. And I feel like this is just my big classroom of sorts.
I will be performing at the Aquatic Center today. My mom runs belly dancing, so she will be doing that there, in Hawaiian Luau costumes. I'm going to take some B-Boys down there and we are going to cypher. We are going to stand in a circle and one person is going to go out at a time. I feel like that's the extent of our dancing. A lot of the times we will just kind of dance wherever. I have a boom box and we just go to different locations and we just dance. We just chill at a certain spot. Just turn on the music for a bit. I remember a couple of times we would go to different locations like the mall and Walmart and we would keep dancing until the security guards would kick us out (laughing).
But at the same time, we are always working towards making it better. Because there is always something you, YOU, can fix as a person. You always have to bring yourself into the picture. Always try harder to make this community what it is. We need more people doing that a lot of the time. Even though a lot of the people just stay home. They don't go to any of the events.
Gallup is a pretty small town. A lot of the time people know each other. I know all kinds of people that know all kinds of things about other individuals. Everyone knows… like if you do something today… everyone will know about it tomorrow. It's a close knit community. Things spread really quickly. But at the same time, it takes forever for things to get done. I don't know how to fix that in-between there.
I'm Raven Bright from the FOF Crew and I am glad to have been a part of these interviews!


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Review – Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5+2.5 Remix
Posted by Adam O'Connell | Apr 17, 2017 | Reviews | 0 |
Y'ALL GOT 50GB TO SPARE?
You gotta hand it to the guys at Square Enix; they know how to keep a guy waiting for over a decade and still keep him yearning.
Kingdom Hearts 2 was released in Europe in 2006 and since then Kingdom Hearts 3 has become somewhat of the 'Chinese Democracy' of the video game world, when will it drop!!? How far along are they? Will it meet expectations? (It will). But in the mean time between knocking it out of the park with Deus Ex, Tomb Raider and Final Fantasy XV, Square Enix have kept the Kingdom Hearts faithful satisfied yet salivating for the 3rd entry with handheld spinoffs, mobile games and a plethora of remasters. Earlier this year Kingdom Hearts 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue not only brought Nintendo 3DS entry Dream Drop Distance to home consoles in glorious HD! But also showed us all what to expect from KH3 gameplay wise with Birth by Sleep 0.2 A Fragmentary Passage and how gorgeous Kingdom Hearts can look under the Unreal 4 engine. It seems to me that the wait is nearly over for the next part of Disney and Square Enix's epic adventure and now the PS3 remasters 1.5 and 2.5 have been brought to the PS4 in one immense package to get us even more excited. With 6 entries featured this is a must have for any fan.
First of all both Kingdom Hearts 1&2 are included in their Final Mix forms featuring bosses, dungeons, weapons and cutscenes featured only in the Japanese release which to me personally is fantastic as it brings something new to two games that I know from front to back and brings new challenges for people like myself. For years I have watched videos on YouTube of the Roxas boss fight and the Lingering Will boss fight and believe me nothing prepares you for them. Now as I was writing this review there was a feeling of worry in my gut as I went out and bought the PS3 remakes not even a year before they were ported to the PS4 and my cynical self-thinking it was the same thing with a PS4 sticker slapped on it but this version is a hell of a lot more brighter, polished and full of energy this is shown even more with the pallet changes on the enemies and bosses you encounter. Even the music has had a facelift to let us all know that yes it's another remaster but the developers still care and are putting some serious work into this. Combat also hasn't missed a beat with the impact of your keyblade slamming into Heartless scum is still as satisfying as ever and the number ideas that flow through your mind on how to dispatch your opponent feels like a precursor of what was to come from Square Enix i.e. Final Fantasy XV.
With the first two main entries comes a fully revamped version of the Game Boy Advance game Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories renamed Re: Chain of Memories and believe it or not this is a KH game I am unfamiliar with as I never played the original. The first thing that stands out is the battle system. Its use of numbered cards and decks is both clever and at times extremely tiresome. The normally fast paced combat is all of a sudden brought to a halt when you fail to notice you've rinsed your deck and have to recharge leaving yourself open for attack, the card breaks add an edge to battle and stacking cards together for special moves as well as discovering friend cards bring satisfaction to an otherwise mediocre battle experience and it still features some challenging boss battles. Re: Chain of Memories doesn's look as crisp as the other games in the collection but it has made a significant leap from the limitations of the GBA the developers did a great job recreating it into a home console game and the wishy-washy story is held together well by a convincing antagonist; Marluxia and Organisation XIII.
PSP's prequel Birth by Sleep is by far my favourite addition to the bundle. Mechanically its transition from handheld to PS3&4 is executed with expertise and style with little to no trouble of coming to terms with it. Striking your enemy lacks the impact of other KH games but all is forgiven with the amount of spells, special attacks and weaponry (even though the weapons don't differ with each playable character) that are on display in this adventure. Birth by Sleep to this writer is also storytelling at its best, not only does it give an insight to the keyblade wielders before Sora but it also gives an insight of the beginnings of series villain Xehanort's plot to rule Kingdom Hearts. And with three playable characters with three different paths (which can be played in any order), this is a game you can have some fun with and play how you see fit.
Finally, we have the addition of 358/2 Days and Re: Coded. These are not the games, more like a series of episodic tales and cutscenes, much like how Kingdom Hearts X Back Cover works on the 2.8 collection but with a lot less grandiose. But with games that have already been released for quite a few years now, this feels like a little bit of a cop out to some but this may have been done for perfectly viable reasons be it time constraints, limitations etc. For others this is good to just sit back, watch and either learn or re-evaluate the back stories of these games, helping you piece together these elements into the crazy lore that is Kingdom Hearts.
The Light That Never Goes Out
Summary This franchise is truly in a league of its own. It's constant delivery of spin-offs and remasters doesn't seem to be aggravating the fans, it only leaves them more excited for the ultimate payoff that is the ever allusive 3rd instalment. This is a good bundle for any J-RPG lovers PS4 library and for anyone looking to get started on this fantastic series. The wait is almost over people, be patient.
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Adam O'Connell
The J-RPG guru and follower of the one true messiah Hideo FREAKIN' Kojima
Review – Yakuza 0 (PS4)
REVIEW – Element Space (XBOX ONE)
review – edna and harvey the breakout anniversary edition
Review – Fox N Forests (PS4)

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Due to a system malfunction, many of you received multiple copies of Winning Ways yesterday. We apologize for cluttering your mailbox. Our technical folks believe they have corrected the problem so that it won't happen again. Again, we apologize for the inconvenience.


Trying to lose weight is a struggle that many of us face. No matter what we do or how intensely we follow our diets and workout regimens, letting go of the last few pounds can be the most difficult part of reaching our goal weight. But thankfully, carb blockers are one of the best ways to help us lose the extra weight.
But what are carb blockers, how do they work, and how are the latest developments to provide even more weight loss benefits? We're here to answer those questions.
In short, carb blockers work to prevent your body from absorbing the carbs that you eat. This allows the carbs to pass through without you obtaining the calories or other fats associated with them. For someone with a diet rich in pastas, breads, or other carb-filled products, carb blockers can make a world of difference.
Carb blockers are frequently used to help individuals cut the last few pounds to reach their goal weight because they work best when used in conjunction with a healthy diet and strong workout routine.
Carb blockers work differently than other diet pills because instead of influencing what or how much you eat, it influences the way your body responds to the food that you eat. Many other kinds of diet pills try to work as an appetite suppressant or stimulates your body to burn more calories, but with carb blockers, you are still able to eat the meals you want and lose weight.
Carb blockers are also made from more natural sources, including white kidney beans. While there are are other kinds of carb blockers, including prescription carb blockers, using the white kidney bean allows you to get closer to your goal weight while still sticking to natural supplements.
Because carb blockers work by preventing your body from absorbing the fat and calories found in the carbs you eat, they can work with your first dose. Unlike other kinds of diet supplements or pills, you don't need to take carb blockers for weeks before you start to achieve results. While it will still take time for you to begin seeing the pounds disappear, you can feel more determined in reaching your goals.
Ever since their introduction into the world of supplements, carb blockers have gotten mixed reviews. On the one hand, some individuals find that carb blockers are just the thing they needed to stimulate weight loss and reach their goal weight. But, like many diets and workout plans, carb blockers won't work for everyone. For this individuals, they feel like carb blockers are just another failed weight loss item.
While it is true that carb blockers will not work for everyone, studies have found that they do work well for short-term weight loss. They can be a great supplement for someone attempting to lose weight for a wedding, vacation, or other date that they would like to look good for. It is possible that the weight you lose from taking carb blockers will stay off long-term, but because it has not been widely studied, you will need to find the results for yourself.
Taking carb blockers has also been found to be a relatively safe and easy way to drop an extra few pounds. Side effects of carb blockers are usually minimal, although they may cause some discomfort. Because the carbs pass through your body without being digested, the food moves into your intestines and ferments. This can cause some additional gassiness.
Carb blockers, like other supplements and weight loss strategies, will depend on the person and what other efforts you are willing to give. If you hope to only take carb blockers and achieve the body of your dreams, you will probably be disappointed. On the other hand, if you add carb blockers to an already complete routine of healthy eating and adequate exercising, you can expect to see the results you've been hoping for.
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Carb Blockers: What Are They and How Do They Work?
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Episode #65 – The Question of Human "Enhancement," Past and Future – with John Danaher, PhD
Daniel Faggella Last updated on November 29, 2018
Last updated on November 29, 2018, published by Daniel Faggella
John Danaher attained his PhD from University College Cork in Ireland, and presently writes on various topics related to ethics and human enhancement for organizations like the Institute for Ethics and Emergence Technology. He is currently a lecturer in law at NUI Galway.
In this episode, we explore the concept of human "enhancement" from a philosophical and legal standpoint, and consider it's implications in the coming decades of technological development.
Check out this episode on Libsyn.
Listen on iTunes.
Image credit: 1.bp.blogspot.com
Uploading Human Minds – How Close are We? With Randal Koene, PhD
Randal Koene, PhD, is CEO and founder of CarbonCopies.org, and one of the world's foremost experts on neurology as it relates to uploading human minds. "Uploading" is still the stuff of science fiction, but it's a life mission for Koene – and legendary futurists and scientists such as Ray Kurzweil expect it to be possible within just a few decades of progress.
Episode #86 – Basic Building Blocks of Artificial Intelligence – with Dr. John MacCormick
Dr. John MacCormick is the author of the book "Nine Algorithms That Changed the Future: The Ingenious Ideas That Drive Today's Computers," and in this interview, he shares some of the fundamental algorithms that support modern artificial intelligence, and his optimistic views on the future of AI.
Episode #85 – What Would it Take to Model the Human Mind? – Computational Neuroanatomy with Dr. Gregory Hickok
Dr. Gregory Hickok is working on modeling brain circuits related to hearing and auditory information at the University of California, Irvine.
Human Resource Management Meets Predictive Analytics
Episode Summary: How do you know if you've made the right decision for a hire? Often, employers go off gut instinct and make a decision retrospectively, but it turns out AI might be able to help out in human resource management through shedding light on best hiring decisions. In this episode, Pasha Roberts, chief scientist at Talent Analytics, tells us about how his company is working on helping companies make better decisions before they hire by applying machine learning and artificial intelligence to various data points on a given applicant, including information from aptitude tests that may help predict not only performance but retention.
When Will Chatbots Reach Human Level Sophistication?
Episode Summary: What does the world look like when we can replicate human expertise in an assistant? Are we close to developing human-level chatbots that we can ask about law or medical conditions? We dive into this topic with Founder and CEO of exClone, Dr. Riza Berkan, whose personal assistant and chat-bot company is leveraging day-to-day human conversational templates in machine learning technology in order to better approach the tough task of replicating human expertise through a machine. Berkan talks about the edge layer of his company's "secret sauce", and touches on the future applications of what might manifest in this field in 5 to 10 years in medical and other consumer applications.
3 Ways to Discover AI Trends in Any Sector
See critical AI applications and trends faster than ever. Uncover AI opportunity and ROI without getting caught up in hype. Download this succinct 4-page white paper:
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Q: Ubuntu apache failed to start permission denied Im new in ubuntu
I got an error when I start the apache2
What I did first was uninstalling the apache2
sudo apt-get purge apache2
then I removed the /usr/sbin/apache2 with sudo rm -rf /usr/sbin/apache2
then install again the apache2
sudo apt-get install apache2
After that I tried to start the apache2 but it was failed to start
this is the error

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Help us cheer on Barron native, Chris Kroeze, in The Voice Finals at Micon Cinemas Eau Claire VIP Lounge. Friends from WAXX 104.5 will be joining the party. A number of prizes and drink specials to celebrate. FREE chips from Chip Magnet, and happy hour apps.
Tis the season for celebrating good tidings and cheer! Join local writers, storytellers and UKE Klub for an evening of fun, fellowship, songs and stories that celebrate all winter holidays. Ugly sweaters strongly encouraged. This event is free however everyone needs a ticket.
Robert Dudley will discuss the 1974 stabbing death of Mary Schlais whose body was found in rural Eau Claire, the 1980 shooting of Eau Claire real estate agent Richard Scott, and the mysterious long-term disappearance of Joan Butterbach in 1971.
Join Jimmy for a men's only yoga class targeted to both beginners and those with some experience. Practice in a comfortable space, learn about postures, breath, and how to make the most out of the time on your mat. The room will be warm (80 degrees).
Watch Chris Kroeze perform on the season finale of the voice. Ask your bartender about Voice specific drink and shot specials. Stop out and show your support for local celebrity Chris Kroeze at the Varsity Club.


2016 marked record-breaking progress in NASA's exploration objectives. The agency advanced the capabilities needed to travel farther into the solar system while increasing observations of our home and the universe, learning more about how to continuously live and work in space and, of course, inspiring the next generation of leaders to take up our Journey to Mars and make their own discoveries.
CommunicAsia2016 i BroadcastAsia2016 – Gerd Leonhard światowej sławy futurolog: o tym co oznacza być człowiekiem w cyfrowo przekształconym świecie.


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Francis Evans may refer to:

 Francis Evans (diplomat) (1897–1983), British ambassador to Israel and to Argentina
 Sir Francis Evans, 1st Baronet (1840–1907), British MP for Southampton 1888–1895, 1896–1900 and Maidstone 1901–1906
 Francis Evans Cornish (1831–1878), Canadian politician
 Francis Thomas Evans Sr. (1886–1974), pioneer aviator
 Francis C. Evans (1914–2002), American ecologist and professor of zoology
 Francis Evans (footballer) (born 2001), Australian rules footballer for Port Adelaide

See also
Frank Evans (disambiguation)

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


Mexico is a rare gateway destination for travellers as it transitions from sub-topical to tropical at about the country's halfway point where the Tropic of Cancer lies. For many travellers, Mexico is an ideal destination for a beach vacation along its coastal lowlands; the heart of Mexico, however, is in its mountainous regions which cover most of the country. Winding through the Sierra Madre Occidental mountain range in the dry northwest is the spectacular Copper Canyon, where one can take the Chihuahua al Paciífico railway through a series of spectacular canyons which collectively dwarf the Grand Canyon. Here reside the Tarahumara peoples, one of several indigenous groups with a rich history in Mexico. The heart of Mayan territory is marked most notably by the mesmerizing Chichen Itza archaeological site. Its Kukulkan Pyramid is one of the seven new wonders of the world. The Yucatan is also home to a remarkable biodiversity, including several species endemic to the peninsula. These life forms contribute to Mexico being classified as one of the most "mega-diverse" countries in the world, making it a choice destination for naturalists.


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ROLE •
Habtamu Tesfaye Edjigu
STEG Fellow at African Center for Economic Transformation
Habtamu Edjigu is a Fellow under the Structural Transformation & Economic Growth (STEG) program, which is coordinated by the Centre for Economic Policy Research and funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office. His STEG research looks at the impact of linkages between multinational enterprises and domestic manufacturing firms, with a specific focus on effects on the level of productivity and extent of technological upgrading Africa.
Habtamu's research experience and areas of professional interest include trade, market integration, and firm dynamics. He is also an impact evaluation expert and has been actively engaged in designing experimental and quasi-experimental studies.
Before joining ACET, Habtamu has been working at the World Bank as a Young African Fellow and consultant. In the World Bank, he has participated in several projects such as Industrialization for Jobs in Sub-Saharan Africa, Market Integration in the Horn of Africa, Challenges and Promises of the AfCFTA, and Economic Diversification in the Central African Republic. Habtamu has also been teaching trade and development courses in various universities, including the University of Haramaya, Ethiopia, the University of Copenhagen, Denmark, and the University of Adelaide, Australia.
Habtamu holds a PhD in Economics from the University of Adelaide, Australia, an MSc in economics from the University of Copenhagen, Denmark and BA in economics from Haramaya University, Ethiopia.


Hamlet, the mysterious and brooding Prince of Denmark, is one of Shakespeare'smost iconic characters- but, 27-year old Paapa Essiedu takes this role to another level.
Essiedu made history back in 2016 when he was cast as the first black actor to take on the role at Stratford-Upon-Avon. While his Hamlet still goes mad with grief after the death of his father, and the betrayal of his mother Gertrude, who then immediately marries Claudius, his uncle, Essiedu's Hamlet is also loving , witty, funny, sarcastic, and charming … in fact, he drives the audience mad with his performance, as we decide whether we love him, hate him, feel for him, or if we just want to get on stage and slap him out of his lunacy. One thing is for sure- we can't stop watching him.
Simon Godwin's West-African inspired production of Hamlet is bright with color, humor, and heart. The play begins, quite literally, with a bang as a loud gunshot goes off at the moment Hamlet receives his degree from Wittenberg University.
We follow Hamlet as he transforms into a Basquiat-inspired graffiti artist who hatches a plan to reveal Claudius' immorality, and later brutally rejects Ophelia (Hamlet really does prove that a good woman's love cannot save a man from himself).
The focus of this production, which is brought to life by the Royal ShakespeareCompany, is much less on the politics of the play (although it is implied that Claudius is perhaps an evil dictator – he did after all kill his own brother), and much more about processing trauma. What people do to heal, what people do that hurts, the vulnerability, the longing for support and help, and the innate mistrust that happens when something as devastating as losing a parent occurs.
Watching Mimi Ndiweni as Ophelia sing sadly and rip out her hair in her madness after the death of her father is both terrifying and heartbreaking. My heart dropped as I watched Laertes come to the realization that his vibrant sister was gone forever.
Aside from the acting, the incredible set design by Paul Wills, and the music,dancing, and drumming keeps the audience enthralled in this West-African state of Denmark. This Hamlet feels at once contemporary and incredibly timeless. The play's the thing … and you, much like our protagonist Hamlet, will be quite mad if you miss this production.
Royal Shakespeare Company's Hamlet runs through May 6th at the Eisenhower Theater of The Kennedy Center.
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern may have famously failed to play upon Hamlet as a pipe, but at Shakespeare Theatre Company, they firmly fingered all my stops. The production is STC's latest take on Hamlet, at Sidney Harman Hall through March 4, and it is one which I cannot recommend enough.
At the theater, I speak with Ryan Spahn and Kelsey Rainwater, who play Rosencrantz and Guildenstern respectively. The two delve into their characters (down to their course of study at Wittenberg), regale me with stories of the side jobs actors work and explore that je ne sais quois that makes this Hamlet great. The readily apparent distinction of their Rosencrantz and Guildenstern is that Guildenstern is a woman, but the more salient distinction is the complexity of their take; though it is cool that Guildenstern is a woman, because why not?
To give greater depth to their characters, they took their time in mining the duo's relationship with Hamlet.
"And we did not," Rainwater adds for emphasis.
Spahn and Rainwater have a way of picking up where the other leaves off. Spahn continues.
Spahn says that's also the tricky part with this plot point.
Spahn tells me that they draw on personal experience for the part.
He turns to Rainwater and she nods. I follow up by asking them what they studied at Wittenberg with Hamlet. Rainwater laughs and goes first.
It turns out that this is not far from the truth in Spahn's case. In New York, he applied to a temp agency and was told he had no skills. Still, the interviewer invited him in for an hour to see if he could figure out how to work an office phone. He went in and could not.
Spahn and Rainwater speak openly, and it's this clarity that marks their acting. Michael Urie plays Hamlet in a similar vein. Spahn and Rainwater describe this as the contemporary style that's popular right now.
"There's less showmanship," Spahn adds.
This contrasts with the acting of Keith Baxter, who plays the Grave Digger, the Player King and the Ghost. Baxter once acted alongside Orson Welles in Chimes at Midnight, and his style is more performative and gestural (re: classical).
Spahn says having such different and cross-generational styles of acting is something director Michael Kahn was intent upon. And it works. According to Spahn, it works because of the cohesiveness of the company. He cites that cohesiveness as the source of the play's success, too.
"We party all the time," Rainwater says, though the bro voice she adopts and the way she laughs says otherwise. Spahn picks up what she's saying though.
"We're sort of all really into each other. Even Keith Baxter knocked on our door last night at 12:15 in the morning and was like, 'I was having dinner with somebody and they liked the play. G'night!'" he says, putting on a sabled English accent.
The play is one which I'm sure my editor would prefer I'd quit gushing about at this point, but there is so much about it which recommends itself. The use of technology is subtle and fluent. The actors, and in particular Michael Urie, are funny. The whole is captivating and convincing. And Hamlet only runs through March 4, so you better get your tickets ASAP. For tickets and more information, visit www.shakespearetheatre.org.


That vote would have gone to Paul's son, Sen. Rand Paul, who this week suspended his campaign seeking the Republican presidential nomination.
"You're not going to find anyone in the Republican or the Democratic primary that even comes slightly close to ever being able to claim themselves a libertarian," the senior Paul told Stuart Varney on Fox Business.
Kennedy brought up Sen. Ted Cruz as one whom she says is seeking the support of libertarians that formerly supported Rand Paul. She asked Ron Paul where these former Rand supporters should shift their support.
I think they should just forget about the Republican primary and for that matter forget about the Republicans and Democrats because they're all interventionists when it comes to war, when it comes to monetary policy, when it comes to civil liberties, when it comes to the, you know, all these things they're [pretty] much interventionists, so if you want to change the world you have to change ideas and you have to reach people. That was the purpose for me in politics is to reach people and try to change their minds.
Paul went on attempting to steer libertarian voters away from remaining Republican and Democratic presidential candidates. "There's nobody that the libertarians should even consider, either in the Republican or Democratic party," he said.


text:
var util = require('util');
var i = util.inspect
var spawn = require("child_process").spawn;
var fs = require('fs');
var path = require('path');
// var WebSocketServer = require('core/servers/support/websockets').WebSocketServer;

var domain = require('domain').create();
domain.on('error', function(er) {
    console.error('Z3Server error %s\n%s', er, er.stack);
});

// -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
var state = {};
var debug = false;

// -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
function evalAtStartup(rState, thenDo) {
    // thenDo()
    var initCode = "(set-option :pp.decimal true)\
    (set-option :produce-models true)\
    (set-option :produce-unsat-cores true)";
    evalSMTExpression(rState, {timeout: 10*1000}, initCode,
        function(err, result) { thenDo(err) })
}

function runZ3(rState, args, thenDo) {
    if (rState.process) { thenDo(null, rState); return }
    var cmd = "./z3";
    var options = {cwd: __dirname, stdio: 'pipe', env: process.env};
    if (debug) console.log('Running command: %s', [cmd].concat(args));
    rState.process = spawn(cmd, args, options);

    domain.add(rState.process);

    debug && rState.process.stdout.on('data', function (data) {
        console.log('STDOUT: ' + data); });
    debug && rState.process.stderr.on('data', function (data) {
        console.log('STDERR: ' + data); });

    rState.process.on('close', function (code) {
        debug && console.log('R process exited with code ' + code);
        rState.process.stdout.removeAllListeners();
        rState.process.stderr.removeAllListeners();
        rState.process.removeAllListeners();
        rState.process = null;
    });

    evalAtStartup(rState, function(err) { thenDo(err, rState); });
}

function evalSMTExpression(rState, options, expr, thenDo) {
    // options = {timeout: MILLISECONDS}
    if (!rState.process) {
        runZ3(rState, ['-smt2', '-in'], function(err, rState) {
            if (err || !rState.process) thenDo(err || 'Error: Z3 process could not be started.');
            else evalSMTExpression(rState, options, expr, thenDo);
        });
        return;
    }
    var endMarker = 'true\n',
        output = '',
        done = false,
        timeout = options.timeout || 1000,
        p = rState.process;
    function capture(data) { output += data.toString(); }
    function attach() {
        p.stdout.on('data', capture);
        p.stderr.on('data', capture);
        p.on("close", detach);
    }
    function detach(err) {
        p.stdout.removeListener('data', capture);
        p.stderr.removeListener('data', capture);
        p.removeListener('close', detach);
        clearInterval(resultPoll);
        done = true;
        thenDo(err, output);
    }
    attach();
    setTimeout(function() { if (!done) detach('timeout'); }, timeout);
    var resultPoll = setInterval(function() {
        var endMarkerPos = output.indexOf(endMarker);
        if (endMarkerPos === -1) return;
        output = output.slice(0, endMarkerPos);
        detach(null);
    }, 40);
    p.stdin.write(expr + "\n(display true)\n");
    if (debug) console.log('Z3 evaluates: %s', expr);
}

// -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

function cleanup(subserver) {
    console.log('Z3Server is shutting down...');
    if (state.process) state.process.kill();
    subserver && subserver.removeAllListeners();
    state = {};
}

module.exports = domain.bind(function(route, app, subserver) {
    // var webSocketHandler = new WebSocketServer();
    // webSocketHandler.debug = false;
    // webSocketHandler.listen({
    //     route: route + 'connect',
    //     subserver: subserver,
    //     actions: {
    //         eval: function(c, msg) {
    //             var expr = msg,
    //                 timeout = 3000;
    //             if (!expr) {
    //                 var msg = {error: 'Cannot deal with request', message: 'No expression'};
    //                 c.send({action: 'evalReply', data: JSON.stringify({error: 'No expression given'})});
    //             } else {
    //                 evalSMTExpression(state, {timeout: timeout}, expr, function(err, output) {
    //                     if (err) {
    //                         c.send({action: 'evalReply', data: JSON.stringify({error: String(err)})});
    //                     } else {
    //                         c.send({action: 'evalReply', data: JSON.stringify({data: output})});
    //                     }
    //                 });
    //             }
    //         }
    //     }
    // });

    subserver.on('close', cleanup.bind(null, subserver));

    app.post(route+'eval', function(req, res) {
        var expr = req.body && req.body.expr,
            timeout = req.body && req.body.timeout;
        if (!expr) {
            var msg = {error: 'Cannot deal with request', message: 'No expression'};
            res.status(400).json(msg).end();
            return;
        }
        evalSMTExpression(state, {timeout: timeout}, expr, function(err, output) {
            if (err) { res.status(500).json({error: String(err)}).end(); return; }
            res.json({result: output}).end();
        });
    });

    app.post(route + 'reset', function(req, res) {
        console.log('Resetting Z3 process');
        cleanup();
        res.json({message: 'Z3 process reset'}).end();
    });

    app.post(route + 'setDebug', function(req, res) {
        debug = req.body.value || false;
        console.log('Setting Z3Server debug mode to ', debug);
        res.end();
    });

    app.get(route, function(req, res) {
        res.end("Z3Server is running!");
    });
});

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


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We were greeted by another sunny day in Windsor with the magnificent sight of Windsor Castle, one current home of the royal family which was constructed in the 11th century after the Norman invasion of England. It was this sight that captured the imagination of our students as we pulled into Windsor, marveling at the huge scale of the Castle.
First, it was time for our students to explore castle for themselves. Some of our students went off in search of St George's chapel, many due to their amazement at the Royal Wedding that took place earlier in the summer! Others headed in the direction of the State Apartments, where the royal family have resided for nearly a millennium! Everyone came out amazed at the scale and grandeur of the castle, with many stopping to marvel at it to their group leaders before being released for a couple of hours of free time exploring the city.
Once everyone had returned from their free time, it was time for a boat ride down the river. Whilst on the boat we were able to see many of the famous sites of Windsor, including the famous Eton College, before heading off to get some tasty burgers for dinner.
After a long day all our students hopped back on board the bus and we headed home for Oxford where the students, exhausted from the day's activities, went straight to bed, to prepare for the next day.


March 8, 2018 (courtesy of CBC.ca) – A Maple Ridge, B.C., man has been charged with faking relationships to steal thousands from a number of people — and RCMP say there may be more victims.
Reza Moeinian, 37, allegedly dated victims for months to gain their trust and build "a deep romantic" bond under a fake name and a fake title as a foreign businessman.
He's accused of signing victims up for credit cards and lines of credit once he had their trust, only to completely drain them for himself.
Moeinian has been charged with two counts of fraud over $5,000, one count of theft over $5,000 and one count of causing someone to use a forged document.
Moeinian is described as five feet eight inches tall, with a slim build and weighing 135 pounds. He has short brown hair and brown eyes.
Anyone who thinks they may have been a victim is asked to call their local police.
Those in Anmore, Belcarra, Coquitlam or Port Coquitlam should call the RCMP non-emergency line at 604-945-1550 and ask for Const. Alex Bojic, quoting file number 2017-17634.
Moeinian remains in custody. He's scheduled to appear in court on Monday.


When FBI Agent John Nelson's (Cuba Gooding Jr.) key informant, Miles, is abducted and shot, all that's left is a severed finger. In order to find a new lead, Nelson travels to New York City to inform widowed magazine reporter Rebecca Scott (Emmanuelle Vaugier) that her husband Miles, long presumed dead, was in fact only recently murdered. Perplexed, Scott joins Agent Nelson in the wealthy enclave of Australia's Gold Coast to find out what really happened. As more layers of Miles' secret life are exposed, can the two stay ahead of the mysterious attackers who will stop at nothing to halt their investigation?
© 2013 Invention Media Inc. and Limelight Rights Management Pty Ltd. All Rights Reserved.


text:
New, Large Geophysical Target Defined on McMillan Gold Mine Property
MBMI RESOURCES INC. (TSXV:MBR) "MBMI" reports that Young-Shannon Gold Mines, Limited (GYS-TSX.V) has received the analysis of data from its recent Down Hole IP geophysical survey covering a portion of the Company's McMillan Gold Mine ("McMillan") optioned claims in Espanola, Ontario, Canada. The survey was very successful and a new, wide, and highly conductive geophysical target, related to recently drilled gold mineralization, has been defined at least 300 metres below surface. This target occurs east of the historic underground mine workings and at least 50 metres deeper than the deepest workings.
Spectral IP surveys were completed in eight of the boreholes from diamond drilling completed by Young-Shannon in 2005 and MBMI in 2004. The data obtained have been used to construct a 3D spatial model of the mineralization. A strong off-hole chargeability response from diamond drill hole MM-05-05, peaks from 310--350 metres depth. Analysis shows a broadening of this chargeability/conductivity zone to the west with the anomaly extending from 290 -- 390 metres below surface. The new geophysical target also extends to the east, where the measured chargeability increases by a factor of two within a zone that is at least 30 metres wide. The geometry shows the target plunging steeply to the east and is open at depth.
The 3D modelling of the data shows that the zones of silica (quartz) flooding that host the new high grade gold zone, recently defined by the diamond drilling campaigns from this past winter and spring, are concentrated in distinct zones within a broad envelope which may be related to this newly-recognized conductive zone. This new geophysical target will be a high priority focus for diamond drill testing follow-up expected to commence later this year.
Gold was first discovered on the McMillan property in the early 1920's. Shaft sinking and underground exploration were carried out in the late 1920's, with the shaft reaching 900 feet in depth. A 125 ton per day mill was subsequently built and operated until 1937. The mine produced 60,000 tons of ore at a recovered grade of 0.18 ounces per ton.
The McMillan claims comprise 34 unpatented mining claim units in Mongowin and McKinnon townships, located approximately 14 kilometres south of the town of Espanola, Ontario on the north shore of House Lake.
The option agreement with MBMI enables Young Shannon an ability to earn a 50% interest in the McMillan property over a three year period for staged payments of $75,000 in cash and 650,000 common shares plus a three year work commitment of $900,000. Young-Shannon has the option to increase its interest to 60% by issuing an additional 250,000 common shares and spending $400,000 more on the property. Young-Shannon has exceeded their first year work commitments on the McMillan Mine Property, having spent approximately $230,000 to date.
Greg Lipton, P. Geo. is the qualified person for the Company as required under National Instrument 43-101. He is a member of the Association of Professional Geoscientists of Ontario (APGO).
You can view the Next News Releases item: Wed Aug 17, 2005, $500,000 Private Placement Financing Closed
You can view the Previous News Releases item: Thu Aug 11, 2005, Private Placement Financing Increased To $500,000


Hi Emily! My family used our Disney Vacation Club (DVC) membership to get discounted tickets for the members of our family for last year's Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party. We are not annual passholders, yet, but I would recommend that you contact DVC Member Services for assistance. The Cast Members will be able to give you best cost and let you know for whom tickets can be purchased at that cost. Hope this helps.


Your local real estate professionals.
Centro Estates is a boutique real estate agency small enough to deliver individual service but have a wealth of experience and knowledge that we hope can take you from your first property, to your first investment, through all the properties you may buy, sell or lease across your different lifetimes.
If you're looking for a real estate service that will operate as an extension to your family - stay with us and see!


Do you experience halos and glare?
Canadians will begin to notice halos and glare more often over the winter months when they are more active during low and no light hours. Autumn and winter weather can also compound the effect of halos and glare. Rainy, wet streets or snow can increase the amount of light reflected into eyes from street lights and headlights.
What can you do to reduce halos and glare?
Ask our eye care professionals about the solutions available, including new innovative contact lenses specially designed to reduce the appearance of halos and glare and/or glasses with anti-reflective coating.


text:
Saint-Justin Bed and Breakfasts
Saint-Justin (1)
Bel-Endroit
Saint-Justin, France
With a stay at Bel-Endroit in Saint-Justin, you'll be within a 10-minute drive of A L'Ane Bleu an...
Le Château d'Orleix
Orleix, France (15 miles from Saint-Justin)
Located in Orleix, Le Château d'Orleix is within the vicinity of Birthplace of Marechal Foch and ...
Orleix, France
(15 miles from Saint-Justin)
Ancienne Ecole
Cazaux-Villecomtal, France (3 miles from Saint-Justin)
Located in Cazaux-Villecomtal, Ancienne Ecole is within a 15-minute drive of A L'Ane Bleu and Nat...
Cazaux-Villecomtal, France
(3 miles from Saint-Justin)
La Double Porte
Castera-Verduzan, France (24 miles from Saint-Justin)
With a stay at La Double Porte in Castera-Verduzan, you'll be 6.5 mi (10.5 km) from Château de La...
Castera-Verduzan, France
Chambres d'hôtes Le Mas
Aire-sur-lAdour, France (25 miles from Saint-Justin)
When you stay at Chambres d'hôtes Le Mas in Aire-sur-l'Adour, you'll be in the historical distric...
Aire-sur-lAdour, France
La Maison d'Anaïs
Vic-en-Bigorre, France (8 miles from Saint-Justin)
Located in Vic-en-Bigorre, La Maison d'Anaïs is a 1-minute drive from Vic-en-Bigorre Town Hall an...
Vic-en-Bigorre, France
La Caminade
Bourg-de-Bigorre, France (28 miles from Saint-Justin)
When you stay at La Caminade in Bourg-de-Bigorre, you'll be 9 minutes by car from Mauvezin Chatea...
Bourg-de-Bigorre, France
La Maison d'Amazone
Mont-Disse, France (15 miles from Saint-Justin)
With a stay at La Maison d'Amazone in Mont-Disse, you'll be 11.6 mi (18.6 km) from La Maison des ...
Mont-Disse, France
La Bigourd'in
Escoubes-Pouts, France (27 miles from Saint-Justin)
Located in Escoubes-Pouts, La Bigourd'in is within a 15-minute drive of Notre-Dame de l'Immaculee...
Escoubes-Pouts, France
Ricourt 1 1 mi.
Marciac 2 2 mi.
Armentieux 1 3 mi.
Cazaux-Villecom... 1 3 mi.
Maubourguet 2 5 mi.
Blismes 1
Versailles 1


With the Fall sessions sold-out and starting soon we have published the sign-up links for Springs TCV Prep. TCV Prep is our affordable developmental program for young athletes. To read more about what we do go here. Below is feedback we recently received from a parent.


Dr. Vinod Chandiramani is the Head of Department of General Surgery at P.D. Hinduja National hospital. After completing his post graduation in surgery from Bombay University, Dr. Chandiramani went to the United Kingdom for higher surgical training. He completed a General Surgery rotation through various disciplines of surgery in U.K. over a period of 7 years. He was appointed as a consultant surgeon at P.D.Hinduja National hospital over 12 years ago where he has been working continuously to date.
Dr. Vinod Chandiramani heads the Department of General Surgery since 2001. His Department undertakes over 1500 operations per year. The Department of General surgery is also recognized for Post Graduate surgical training by National Board of Examinations and he supervises 3 Post Graduate surgery students. He takes keen interest in academic activities of his juniors and department. He has several publications on a regular basis in scientific journals in India and abroad.


7 years ago I arrived in Biloxi, Mississippi with my then boyfriend. I remember that ambitious and long drive from my hometown, Connecticut all the way to our new apartment overlooking the mighty gulf coast.
It was an adventure - good, bad, enthralling, dark and beautiful. In the end there's only the good times, good friends and sunshine I remember.
I'm thankful for everyone I met who brought me into the into the light and showed me what Southern hospitality is and all the tiny po boy shops, the cafes that would play the blues, restaurants serving up seafood and soul food on the stretches of Mississippi highway, all the smoky jazz bars, all those sunsets dipped in pure pastels of the Gulf Coast that have a little piece of my heart.
In so many ways, "The Heart of a Flower" started writing itself when I lived down South. I wanted to document all my excursions, all the abandoned mansions that were once flourishing and stately left overgrown and saddened by Hurricane Katrina, all the stories interwoven through casino and backroad. I was alone and I was mystified by it all. I wanted to share everything I saw and felt - I wanted to share my world.
I wanted to share my favorite daquiri shop in New Orleans, the beautiful seaside gardens in Alabama, I wanted to share what it's like to be a stranger in a new city and have the odds stacked against you. I went through the pouring rain and came out with sunshine and stories.


An estimated 110 million people have a history of Viral Hepatitis C (HCV) infection and 80 million have chronic viraemic infection worldwide. In 2013, HCV was ranked as the seventh highest cause of mortality globally, with an estimated 1.45 million preventable deaths per year from acute infection and hepatitis-related liver cancer and cirrhosis. South and East Asia are the regions with greatest numbers of deaths attributed to viral hepatitis, while Central Asia has one of the highest mortality rates. In Southeast Asia, 78% of the 408,000 deaths related to viral hepatitis is attributed to Viral Hepatitis B and C (HBV and HCV), ranking cirrhosis of liver as the top 5 causes of death among the age group 15-59. Despite the significant burden on the lives of our communities and health systems, hepatitis has been largely overlooked as a health and development priority until very recently.
In Asia, people who use drugs (PUD) have typically been excluded from access to health care and treatment in many countries. We have either been denied access outright or discouraged to seek health services through the implementation of bad laws and policies that criminalize drug use and possession for personal use. This discrimination has led to a terrible situation where our community suffers the most from preventable HIV and HCV infections and related deaths, from overdose-related deaths and from the politically motivated war on drugs that has been used to brutally murder our friends and families. No matter which segment of society we belong to — the fact remains that we are pushed to the edges of the society, where it becomes convenient for all to ignore our health and other human rights issues.
"Not that there has been no progress in terms of HCV response: certainly there are, but when we it comes to addressing the needs of people who use drugs – we are simply not the priority" – Anand Chabungbam, Regional Coordinator of the Asian Network of People who Use Drugs (ANPUD).
The World Health Organization (WHO) has recognized people who inject drugs (PWID) as the population at higher risk of viral hepatitis infection because of not having access to clean needles and injecting equipment. In 2009, the WHO, UNODC and UNAIDS technical guide recommended HCV diagnosis and treatment service as part of the comprehensive package of interventions for the prevention, treatment and care of HIV among people who inject drugs. In September 2015, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which in its Goal 3.3 targets to eliminate the epidemics of several diseases including viral hepatitis.
In papers enormous progress have been made however it is a whole other story for our community to benefit from it. The state of harm reduction services designed to save lives of people who use and inject drugs is severely insufficient and stagnant. A recent report by the Harm Reduction International (HRI) found serious neglect for harm reduction funding in low and middle-income countries (LMICs) – "In 2016, just 13% of the required amount of funding was allocated to harm reduction in LMICs.
People who use drugs and their organizations have a vital role to play in the process of translating these words into action. Criminalizing laws & policies and stigma & discrimination inhibit us from performing our role effectively. Yet we have been performing at different level of responses to eliminate HCV – from as a patient to peer support, as a HCV prevention outreach to an advocate. Governments should start to realize and recognize the high level of contributions our community members have made till date and create enabling environment for us to contribute more.
"We do have a clear vision and tools for elimination like the WHO DG said but what we lack is the fund to achieve our goal of eliminating hepatitis by 2030." said Bikas Gurung, Program and Communication Manager of ANPUD.
"We need a Global Fund to fight against Hepatitis C Virus," he further added.
We recognize and welcome the level of progress being made with respect to the commitments and advancements of newer, safer and more potent pan-genotypic Direct Acting Antiviral (DAA) regimens. But at the same time, we insist on the full implementation and access to affordable diagnostics and treatment services without any delay because millions of lives are at stake. Since effective programming stems from the quality and availability of data in the country, governments should invest resources in generating national and sub-national data on HCV among people who use drugs. National guidelines and strategies for diagnosis, treatment and care of people living with HCV should be developed through meaningful engagement of people who use drugs. Finally, governments must ensure equitable access to affordable diagnostics and treatment with the new DAAs.
 Stanaway JD, Flaxman AD, Naghavi M, Fitzmaurice C, Vos T, Abubakar I, et al. The global burden of viral hepatitis from 1990 to 2013: findings from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2013. The Lancet.
 World Health Organization. New Recommendations in the Updated WHO Guidelines for the Screening, Care and Treatment of persons with Chronic Hepatitis C Infection. 2016.
 World Health Organization. Technical Considerations and Case Definitions to improve Surveillance for Viral Hepatitis. 2016.
 WHO, UNODC, & UNAIDS. (2009). Technical guide for countries to set targets for universal access to HIV prevention, treatment and care for injecting drug users.
 United Nations General Assembly resolution A/RES/70/1. Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development 2015.
 Harm Reduction International (HRI). The neglect for harm reduction funding in low- and middle-income countries. 2018.


text:
El Chapo and Mexico's Drug War Spectacle
The conviction of Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán Loera exemplifies the sensationalism of the U.S.-backed drug war, and will not change the ineffective strategies that fuel it.
Guadalupe Correa-Cabrera and Laura Weiss
Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán Loera, a man once considered the most wanted narco in the Americas, was found guilty February 12 on all counts, which included charges of running a continuing criminal enterprise, conspiracy to traffic drugs, and conspiracy to commit murder. If his conviction holds, he will spend the rest of his life in prison. The conviction followed a highly publicized three-month trial in New York City that cost millions of dollars, with heavily armed law enforcement required to protect the jury. There are still questions surrounding his final sentencing, which is currently scheduled for June 25. Meanwhile, El Chapo's lawyers are seeking a new trial, citing jury misconduct.
Some commentators and several media outlets have called this spectacle the "trial of the century" since it revealed the inner workings of the Sinaloa Cartel that El Chapo led for two decades, and the alleged operations of a network of Mexican drug traffickers, entrepreneurs, and corrupt Mexican politicians at the highest levels. High-level narcos who worked closely with or knew the operations of Guzmán Loera, testifying as protected witnesses in exchange for reduced sentences, as well as the testimony of convicted criminals, exposed the most obscure elements of the Sinaloa Cartel's innerworkings and the involvement of Mexican authorities and their allies.
Indeed, the conviction sends a message to cartel leaders in Mexico about impunity: if El Chapo can be convicted, then so can others. Yet this line of thinking serves only to justify the continuation of the U.S.-led "kingpin strategy" in Mexico and other parts of the Americas, which focuses on taking down individual capos (drug cartel leaders), rather than the power structures that perpetuate violence in our hemisphere. This strategy, part of the U.S.-funded War on Drugs, has left lower-level cartel leaders vying for power, thus sparking turf wars throughout Mexico and increasing suffering and violence in the country. In the 12 years since ex-president Felipe Calderón proclaimed the beginning of Mexico's War on Drugs, over 200,000 people have died and 35,000 have disappeared.
Given this reality, the judicial process against El Chapo, covered extensively in the United States but not in Mexico, is no more than a spectacle, to use the term theorized by Guy Debord. Not to mention that his story has become profitable: it's no coincidence that Narcos: Mexico was released on Netflix shortly before the trial began. This latest episode of the "El Chapo Show" had a stellar cast that included judges, law enforcement agents, lawyers, and other major drug lords starring as protected witnesses. The main characters were Mexican entrepreneurs and politicians, including former presidents who allegedly received millions of dollars in bribes from El Chapo and his clan.
The spectacle obfuscates history and context, instead focusing on the charismatic figure of El Chapo rather than the power structures that perpetuate violence in Mexico or the role of the United States. Such a retelling appears more of an episodic melodrama than an honest account of the violence committed not only by El Chapo and his henchmen, but by government authorities on both sides of the border that colluded with him. It also obscures the discussion of militarized responses that have wrought suffering and death upon hundreds of thousands of Mexicans, as well as the negative effects of drug prohibition and how neoliberal economic policies have excluded many young Mexicans from formal employment.
Within this "society of spectacle," the El Chapo trial is the product of mass media coverage that sells stories about cartel wars, warring narcos, love affairs, and corruption scandals. Simplistic commentary and partial analyses abound in a media landscape that portrays the lives of Mexican narcos and the corrupt political class, as well as cartel operations. In consuming such representations, we become spectators to the worst of Mexican culture.
It is also worth noting that this portrayal features no white and/or American villains. As in any other TV series, Hollywood film, or online streaming content, we are only exposed to "good" and "evil." The bad guys are of course the narcos, who bribe dishonest (read: Mexican) law enforcement agents and politicians. The U.S., for its part, represents the rule of law in the form of mostly white U.S. judges and white U.S. policemen working within the U.S. justice system. This story leaves out the deep complicity of the United States—both through its massive consumption of illicit drugs and the neoliberal policies it has proffered at the expense of many working-class Mexicans. Nor does it mention corruption in the United States or the nefarious effects of current U.S. drug policy and U.S.-led anti-narcotics cooperation in the country.
The narrative of the inner workings of the Sinaloa Cartel and the beginnings of the so-called cartel wars portrays a quasi "failed state," under the rule of narcos who are capable of dominating law enforcement agencies, state institutions, government authorities, and politicians at the highest levels. This identification justifies a much more aggressive and militarized strategy against these super powerful "bad hombres," who happen to be brown and Mexican. According to this account, these narcos are also responsible for causing a crisis on the U.S. side by killing U.S. drug consumers. U.S. citizens, on the other hand, are the "good guys" of this show—acting either as judges or victims—with the power to reveal to the world the truth of a "barbarous Mexico" that needs their support to solve its problems.
The media spectacle around El Chapo makes it easy to miss what is really going on and to ignore the basic goals of a strategy that serve economic and geostrategic interests—many of which have their headquarters in the United States. In fact, the information the trial revealed about the operations of the Sinaloa Cartel and drug trafficking business, as well as networks in Mexico, gives U.S. law enforcement agencies strategic information about key Mexican businessmen and politicians, and allows them to exert direct pressure on the new Mexican government. It would not be a surprise, then, that in the very near future the United States would try to pressure Mexico to strengthen its anti-narcotics cooperation based on a higher presence of U.S. law enforcement agencies in Mexican territory. This anti-narcotics strategy could become further militarized in the current context of criminal paramilitarization, cartel fragmentation, and the multiplication of criminal groups with access to high caliber weapons who extract rents in vast regions of Mexico.
The War on Drugs in particular shows us how a media spectacle under the framework of U.S. hegemony has determined the contemporary history of our hemisphere. Certainly, the United States is a military nation that declares war on almost everything: drugs, terrorism, communism, and poverty—whether they are abstract concepts or actual perceived enemies. The United States justifies military intervention and/or militarization that benefits the U.S. military industrial complex, utilizing a spectacle of war, from Libya to Venezuela.
It made sense for the United States to declare this war, but from a strategic perspective it did not make a lot of sense for Calderón to do so on Mexican soil. Mexico has of course been a loyal ally of the United States for years and has closely cooperated with its more powerful neighbor, following the advice of its agencies to chase down and extradite drug lords. Such has been the case with El Chapo and many others, such as Osiel Cárdenas, the former leader of the Gulf Cartel, and Vicente Zambada Niebla, the son of El Chapo's partner "El Mayo," who both signed plea deals with the U.S. government.
After decades of failed anti-narcotics cooperation and operations, the conviction of capos like El Chapo will not do away with the narco problem, drug trafficking, or drug consumption in the United States—where users are now dying at a faster pace thanks to an opioid crisis fueled by pharmaceutical companies. Despite this, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) continues offering the same advice to Mexico, supported by billion-dollar budgets. The agency keeps implementing the same strategies that end with the failure to reduce drug trafficking to the United States. Thus, we can only understand the continued support for policies like Plan Colombia, the Mérida Initiative, the Central American Regional Security Initiative (CARSI), and the Alliance for Prosperity as a strategy that, while unsuccessful in limiting the trafficking of drugs, serves to continue the United States' exercise of geostrategic control over the region.
Meanwhile, the capture of figures like El Chapo and Pablo Escobar, the protagonist of more than a handful of Netflix series, lends itself to the spectacle of the so-called drug wars in the Americas. Recently, Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as "El Mencho," another important and dangerous narco who founded the Jalisco Nueva Generación Cartel (CJNG), faced a similar fate. But as occurred after El Chapo's first arrest during the Mexican drug war, this could very well lead to more violence, as it did in Sinaloa. Mexico will continue bleeding, just as spectators will continue watching Netflix and Telemundo telenovelas and prestige dramas that further the idea that individual narcos are the real enemies of society , while at the same time ignoring the role of state authorities and systems on both sides of the border. We consume this entertainment passively and uncritically, as it deepens support for drug wars across the globe.
Perhaps more important, then, than El Chapo's conviction, is the recent announcement by President López Obrador that his administration will end the Mexican drug war and instead focus on criminal groups that extract rents, steal oil, commit crimes, and cause chaos. We could only hope that this could end Mexico's drug war spectacle—though history shows that the United States may be unlikely to let them.
Guadalupe Correa-Cabrera is Associate Professor at the Schar School of Policy and Government, George Mason University. Her newest book is titled Los Zetas Inc.: Criminal Corporations, Energy, and Civil War in Mexico (University of Texas Press, 2017; Spanish version: Planeta, 2018).
Laura Weiss is Managing Editor of NACLA. She holds a Masters' degree in Latin American and Caribbean Studies from New York University, where she focused on social movements in Mexico. She has reported on immigration, U.S. security policy in Latin America, and Central American refugees in Mexico. Follow her work at lauraweiss.me and on Twitter @lauralew105.


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Tyler Kolek
NL East Notes: Neshek, Kapler, Kolek, Harvey
By Jeff Todd | April 5, 2018 at 4:37pm CDT
The Phillies received good news after righty Pat Neshek underwent an MRI, as Todd Zolecki of MLB.com tweets. There's some inflammation, as might have been expected given that he had identified an issue, but nothing more concerning than that. The expectation at this point, though, is that Neshek will remain on ice for "a couple more weeks" to allow things to calm down. Philadelphia has yet to receive a contribution from Neshek or fellow recent signee Tommy Hunter, though as Zolecki recently tweeted, it seems Hunter is nearing his return and perhaps Neshek won't be far behind.
Here's more from the NL East:
New Phillies skipper Gabe Kapler was again forced to defend his early-season decision-making, as Zolecki also writes. This time, the questions arose in relation to defensive positioning, yet another area in which the Philadelphia club is experimenting with unconventional methods. Interested readers will want to review the full post for the details. Generally, though, Kapler again emphasized that he believes the process will pay dividends in the long run, even if the short-term results have raised the ire of many Phillies fans.
Former top Marlins pick Tyler Kolek has been scratched from his first scheduled start of the new season, as Sam Dykstra of MiLB.com tweets. He'll instead go on the minor-league DL. Details aren't known at this point, but it's hardly an auspicious start for the 22-year-old, who has thrown just 3 2/3 innings over the past two seasons in large part due to Tommy John surgery. Kolek, now 22 years of age, was the No. 2 overall selection in the 2014 draft.
Of course, things can change quickly — in either direction — for a pitcher, particularly when health issues are involved. The Mets and Matt Harvey know that as well as anyone. As James Wagner of the New York Times wrote after Harvey's first start of the new season, the once-dominant, then dumped-on hurler has shown signs of reemerging as a new but potentially effective starter in his final season of team control. Wagner notes that the Mets fielded trade interest in Harvey this offseason but opted not to sell low on the right-hander — in part at the behest of newly hired manager Mickey Callaway and new pitching coach Dave Eiland. A free agent at season's end, Harvey opened the year with five shutout innings, during which he yielded just one hit and one walk with five strikeouts.
Matt Harvey Miami Marlins New York Mets Pat Neshek Philadelphia Phillies Tommy Hunter Tyler Kolek
East Notes: Kolek, Owens, Bautista, Gurriel
By Jeff Todd | March 6, 2017 at 11:01pm CDT
Righty Tyler Kolek, who the Marlins selected second overall in the 2014 draft, remains an important part of the club's long-term plans — even though Tommy John surgery and performance questions cloud his outlook. As Tim Healey of the Sun Sentinel reports, Kolek is embarking upon the all-important ramp up back toward competitive pitching. He's frustrated by the inevitably slow progress, but seems to be putting in all the work that has been demanded of him. Miami farm director Marco DelPiano says he still believes that Kolek has the talent to excel in the majors, though clearly there's a long way to go to realizing that potential.
Here's more from the game's eastern divisions:
The Red Sox continue to see less-than-ideal results from lefty Henry Owens, as Tim Britton of the Providence Journal writes. Once a highly regarded prospect, and still an important part of the organization's rotation depth, Owens most recently coughed up four free passes in an inning of work. Though the 24-year-old got a head start on throwing over the offseason, in hopes of a smooth launch with his mechanics, he acknowledges that "it hasn't carried over yet." Manager John Farrell says it's a continuation of a long-known issue. "It's something we talked about before camp," he said. "The improved command is a primary objective. Today it wasn't there."
Jose Bautista spurned a much bigger contract offer to return to the Blue Jays, according to Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports. The veteran outfielder could have scored a three-year deal with "well over $50MM in guaranteed money," per the report, but chose to head back to Toronto for one year at a $18.5MM guarantee (combined with a mutual and then a vesting option). While it's not clear from where it issued, the offer is said to have materialized in mid-January, which is particularly notable when considering the oft-discussed narrative that sluggers like Bautista weren't able to generate much interest this winter. Bautista, 36, says he considered all relevant factors. Ultimately, he says, "this is here I'm happy and comfortable."
Meanwhile, John Lott of The Athletic takes an interesting look at one of Bautista's newest teammates in the Blue Jays organization, youngster Lourdes Gurriel. Though he's not expected to factor at the MLB level this year — it's still not even clear where he'll end up in the field, though he'll start out as a shortstop — the 23-year-old had a significant role in the club's offseason approach. Gurriel ultimately turned down an offer from the Cardinals that was similar to the $22MM he got from Toronto. Of course, he'll have to pay the people who brought him out of Cuba out of that contract; Gurriel says the cost is "in the millions." Lott explores the interesting path taken by Gurriel (and older brother Yulieski) in a story that's well worth a full read.
Boston Red Sox Henry Owens Jose Bautista Lourdes Gourriel Miami Marlins St. Louis Cardinals Toronto Blue Jays Tyler Kolek
NL East Notes: Wheeler, Teheran, Kolek, Phillies
By Steve Adams | April 8, 2016 at 11:14am CDT
Mets right-hander Zack Wheeler, who is recovering from 2015 Tommy John surgery, will have a minor surgical procedure to remove an undissolved stitch that remains in his elbow, reports Adam Rubin of ESPN New York. The minor surgery will slow Wheeler's recovery by about two weeks, Rubin notes, but it is not considered serious in nature. The lingering stitch was the lone issue that appeared on a recent MRI that Wheeler underwent as a checkup, and the test was otherwise "super clean," per Rubin's source. Wheeler's target date for a big league return is July 1.
Here's more from the division…
The Braves have sought a pre-arbitration bat that they can insert into the middle portion of their lineup in trade talks for right-hander Julio Teheran, writes ESPN's Jim Bowden in an early rundown of some potential 2016 trade candidates. The Cubs were an oft-cited potential trade partner for the Braves this offseason, and Bowden again lists them as a speculative fit, noting that either Jorge Soler or Javier Baez could hold appear. Of course, in addition to the fact that it's extremely rare for trades of that magnitude to occur in April, the Cubs are also still waiting to learn the full extent of Kyle Schwarber's left leg injury. (A prolonged absence for Schwarber would make it more difficult for Chicago to part with Soler.) Nonetheless, it's worth keeping in mind as the season wears on; Teheran is controlled through 2019 for a total of $29.6MM, and his contract includes a $12MM club option for the 2020 season.
Marlins president of baseball operations Michael Hill confirmed top prospect Tyler Kolek's Tommy John surgery and elaborated on the injury a bit, as MLB.com's Joe Frisaro reports. "It was a complete tear of the [ulnar collateral] ligament," Hill said. "They said there were no issues, that surgery went well, and now he's on the road to recovery." Kolek had been tabbed to open the season at Class-A Greensboro before eventually moving up to the Class-A Advanced Florida State League, but he'll now be on the shelf for 12 to 18 months as he recovers, Frisaro writes.
After David Hernandez and Dalier Hinojosa each blew their first save opportunities of the season for the Phillies, manager Pete Mackanin tells reporters, including MLB.com's Todd Zolecki, that fellow righty Jeanmar Gomez is next in line for a save opportunity. "We're auditioning," said Mackanin, who is in his first full season as Philadelphia's skipper. "We've got to find out. It's a daily question. Why not Gomez? Let's see what he can do." Hernandez was signed with the idea that he could potentially fill the ninth-inning role for the Phils, and it's worth noting that his second appearance was a clean inning with much-improved velocity. However, for the time being, there's little clarity in the Phillies' ninth-inning scene. (On a related note: fantasy players looking to monitor the situation and other ninth-inning scenarios around the league can follow MLBTR's @closernews Twitter account for daily updates on saves-related news.)
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Atlanta Braves Jeanmar Gomez Julio Teheran Miami Marlins New York Mets Philadelphia Phillies Tyler Kolek Zack Wheeler
Marlins' Tyler Kolek Undergoes Tommy John Surgery
By Steve Adams | April 6, 2016 at 9:00pm CDT
Marlins top prospect Tyler Kolek underwent Tommy John surgery today, MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo reports (via Twitter). Kolek was said in late March to have been sidelined with an elbow issue after a strong Spring Training. Miami made the big right-hander the second pick in the 2014 draft (behind Brady Aiken and directly ahead of Carlos Rodon and Kyle Schwarber), but his career hasn't taken off as the Marlins had hoped.
Kolek wasn't considered a reach by any means when the Marlins took him, as the high school righty drew rave reviews for his 100 mph fastball and landed among the top three on the pre-draft rankings of Baseball America, ESPN and MLB.com. Miami gave Kolek a hefty $6MM signing bonus — the third-largest ever for a high school pitcher.
Now 20 years of age, Kolek has battled his control in his pro career so far; he's pitched for the Marlins Gulf Coast League and Class-A affiliates, working to a combined 4.55 ERA with a 99-to-74 K/BB ratio in 130 2/3 innings. Kolek rated firmly within the game's Top 100 prospects prior to the 2015 season, but he lost that distinction in the eyes of BA, MLB.com and Baseball Prospectus this year. ESPN's Keith Law slipped him just inside the Top 100 prospects on his list, rating Kolek 97th.
Widely regarded as the organization's top prospect, Kolek was three years younger than the average competition he faced at Class-A last season, so he's certainly young enough to bounce back and restore his prospect status if he makes a full recovery. However, a season on the shelf will clearly slow his development, and his injury further depletes a Marlins farm system that both Law and BA rated 29th in all of Major League Baseball.
Miami Marlins Tyler Kolek
NL East Notes: Kolek, Nats, Arroyo, Phils
By Jeff Todd | March 28, 2016 at 10:20pm CDT
Marlins prospect Tyler Kolek is heading for a medical check-up after suffering an elbow injury and experiencing continued discomfort, MiLB.com's Michael Leboff reports. That's a disappointing turn of events for the 20-year-old, who scuffled in his first full professional season last year and was hoping to make strides in 2016. It's important to note that it's not yet clear whether Kolek will need any kind of surgery. The righty is still working to harness his high-powered fastball, and is obviously a long-term asset, but as things stand it certainly stings that Miami bypassed the promising Carlos Rodon — who's already entrenched in a major league rotation — to take a shot on Kolek.
The Nationals made a variety of roster moves today, as Mark Zuckerman of MASNsports.com was among those to report. Top infield prospect Trea Turner was sent down, thus ending any speculation that he might crack the Opening Day roster. Likewise, a series of veterans were moved to minor league camp, including infielder Scott Sizemore and bullpen candidates Aaron Laffey and Nick Masset. As Zuckerman explains, that appears to clarify the remaining battles in those areas, though there are still multiple possibilities for the remaining bench and pen spots.
Nationals righty Bronson Arroyo is planning to rehab his ailing shoulder and could return to the hill as soon as June, according to MLB.com's Bill Ladson (via TwitLonger). That's certainly a better outlook than once had been feared, and it seems possible that Arroyo could provide rotation depth down the line if he can get back to full health.
The Phillies appear to have stopped their search for outfield depth after adding Will Venable, according to Jayson Stark of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Philadelphia had been inquiring about a number of possibilities, but rival executives tell Stark that the sense is those efforts have been halted.
Meanwhile, the Phillies appear to be leaning toward keeping Rule 5 pick Daniel Stumpf in the major league pen, manager Pete Mackanin tells Stark (Twitter link). The newly-extended skipper adds that Edward Mujica is "still in the mix," but seemingly did not commit to handing him an Opening Day roster spot.
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Aaron Laffey Bronson Arroyo Carlos Rodon Edward Mujica Miami Marlins Nick Masset Philadelphia Phillies Scott Sizemore Trea Turner Tyler Kolek Washington Nationals
Amateur Notes: Draft, Fulmer, Kolek, Martinez
By Jeff Todd | May 21, 2015 at 11:23am CDT
The game of baseball is struggling to maintain youth participation, writes Brian Costa of the Wall Street Journal, who says that the trend poses real concerns for an otherwise thriving sport. Newly-minted commissioner Rob Manfred has honed in on the issue since taking office, saying that "the biggest predictor of fan avidity as an adult is whether you played the game." It's a fascinating read that's well worth your time.
Let's check in on some amateur notes from around the game:
ESPN.com's Keith Law (Insider link) posts his first mock draft as June 8th draws near. While acknowledging that it is still early, Law predicts that the Diamondbacks will take Vanderbilt shortstop Dansby Swanson with the first overall pick while the Astros will add LSU shortstop Alex Bregman and high school outfielder Kyle Tucker with the second and fifth picks. Law adds that he does not expect Vandy righty Carson Fulmer to make it past the White Sox with the eighth pick.
Speaking of Fulmer, Kiley McDaniel of Fangraphs suggests that he represents a relatively rare "Black Swan" option in this year's draft. You'll need to read the piece to understand the concept, but McDaniel uses that classification for a subset of players that have been somewhat underappreciated by traditional player assessment tools: "small, right-handed, major-college starting pitchers with little to no injury history and a good performance record."
The antithesis of the Black Swan pitcher, perhaps, is the high school power arm, and the Marlins took an enticing one last year in Tyler Kolek. Josh Norris of Baseball America checks in on the 2014 second overall selection, who the club chose over Carlos Rodon. Now featuring an increasingly promising curve, the 19-year-old is said to be showing signs of developing into the top-of-the-rotation starter that Miami dreamed of when it chose him. Of course, his stat line has yet to reflect that promise, and he has a long way to go.
The White Sox join a growing list of clubs with "serious interest" in Cuban outfielder Eddy Julio Martinez, MLB.com's Jesse Sanchez tweets. The 20-year-old is free to sign at any time, though it's possible he could wait until the next July 2 period kicks off this summer.
Agent Joshua Kusnick discussed the draft from an advisor's perspective in a podcast with Ryan Sullivan (draft talk begins around the 24:00 mark), sharing his thoughts on the slotting system and the possibility of a worldwide draft, among other issues.
Arizona Diamondbacks Chicago White Sox Eddy Julio Martinez Houston Astros Miami Marlins Tyler Kolek
Draft Notes: Rodon, Kolek, Conforto, Megill
By Steve Adams | June 20, 2014 at 10:48am CDT
After the Reds' agreement with Alex Blandino yesterday, 25 of this year's 34 first-round picks have signed or at least agreed to terms on their signing bonus. Here are some of the latest draft-related (non-signing) news items from around the league…
As noted by Baseball America earlier this week, the White Sox have $6.58MM that they can spend on top pick Carlos Rodon without losing future draft picks (Twitter link). Chicago's situation with Rodon is somewhat similar to the one the Mariners faced with Alex Jackson, with whom they agreed to terms earlier this week. Both Rodon and Jackson are advised by Scott Boras, and both teams signed picks 2-10 prior to dealing with their first-rounder. Because picks beyond the 10th round don't count against a team's bonus pool (unless a team gives a bonus of more than $100K in rounds 11-40), that basically places a firm limit on what type of bonus they can offer. If anything, Jackson may have had more leverage as a high school player. MLB.com's Jim Callis recently noted that he fully expects Chicago to sign Rodon, though he added that the Sox haven't inked a notable Boras draftee since Alex Fernandez back in 1990 (Twitter links).
MLB.com's Joe Frisaro writes that the Marlins considered Tyler Kolek the top player in this year's draft, even over No. 1 overall pick Brady Aiken. Had Miami selected first overall, they'd still have taken Kolek, Frisaro reports. Had Houston taken Kolek, however, Aiken was No. 2 on their board.
While the Mets and top pick Michael Conforto are in agreement on a signing bonus in the range of $2.987MM, as reported earlier in the week, there does appear to be a bit of work left to do before the deal becomes official, writes Jon Heyman of CBS Sports. It isn't clear exactly what the holdup is at this time, he adds, stating that it could be an issue of language within the contract. Whatever the issue, his signing bonus doesn't appear to be a factor anymore.
Cardinals third-rounder Trevor Megill has decided to return to college for his senior season rather than sign with St. Louis, reports Chris Cotillo of MLB Daily Dish. Megill's draft stock plummeted after he required Tommy John prior to his junior season at Loyola Marymount. MLB.com's Jen Langosch noted recently that Megill would likely require an over-slot bonus or would return for his senior year.
2014 Amateur Draft Carlos Rodon Chicago White Sox Miami Marlins Michael Conforto New York Mets St. Louis Cardinals Tyler Kolek
Marlins Sign Tyler Kolek
By Jeff Todd | June 16, 2014 at 9:53am CDT
The Marlins have signed Tyler Kolek, the second overall pick of the 2014 draft, and will officially introduce their newest prospect later today. Kolek will sign for a $6MM bonus, MLB.com's Jim Callis reported over the weekend, which is the third-highest bonus ever given to a high school pitcher taken in the draft.
It is still, however, significantly below the approximate $6.822MM slot price for the No. 2 overall selection. Miami has already freed some savings by locking up Blake Anderson to a bonus of about $400K less than his slot value, so the Marlins have quite a bit of extra money available in its draft pool to reach agreement with several of its purportedly hard-to-sign, later-round picks.
Kolek was a consensus top-three talent heading into the draft. The 6'5, 250lb Texas high school righty has been said to have perhaps the most powerful prep fastball ever, regularly hitting and even surpassing the 100mph plateau. ESPN.com's Keith Law notes that he will need to develop a third offering to complement his heater and slider, but obviously his upside is tantalizing.
Joe Frisaro of MLB.com first reported that Kolek and the Marlins were "in advanced negotiations," while Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald reported that the two sides had reached an agreement pending a physical.
MLBTR's Charlie Wilmoth and Mark Polishuk contributed to this post.
2014 Amateur Draft 2014 Amateur Draft Signings Miami Marlins Tyler Kolek
Draft Links: Astros, Gordon, Howard, Top 5
By Steve Adams | May 29, 2014 at 10:22pm CDT
Brady Aiken and Carlos Rodon have been mentioned the most frequently as potential options for the No. 1 overall pick in this year's draft, but CBS Sports' Jon Heyman expands on a rumor that has been picking up steam that could have the Astros cutting a deal with high school shortstop Nick Gordon (brother of Dee Gordon and son of Tom Gordon) in order to spend more heavily elsewhere. Heyman notes that it could very well be just a rumor, but it's "stirring intrigue in baseball circles." It wouldn't be the first time that Houston cut a deal at 1-1, as just two years ago they elected to select Carlos Correa in order to later sign Lance McCullers Jr. and Rio Ruiz to over-slot deals. One agent tells Heyman that he thinks Houston will look to cut a deal, with a second agent telling him the Astros are "all about the deal" and rival executives expressing that they simply can't even guess what the Astros and GM Jeff Luhnow will do.
Here are several more draft-related links with the draft less than one week away…
ESPN's Keith Law tweets that he didn't buy the Gordon/Astros rumor when he first heard it, and he's still not a believer.
Scout.com's Kiley McDaniel tweets that the Gordon rumor is still alive and adds another to the mix, noting that the Blue Jays could reach and select Virginia righty Nick Howard as high as No. 11, while several other teams in the teens are kicking the tires on Howard. That would be quite the reach in comparison to the rankings of Howard by MLB.com (No. 75) and Law (No. 59). Baseball America is more bullish on Howard, ranking him 25th among draft prospects.
Law appeared with ESPN's Buster Olney on today's Baseball Tonight Podcast to discuss a host of draft-related topics (Law appears from the 23:00 mark to the 45:00 mark). Law began by sharing a great deal from his experience with the Blue Jays' front office, including the inner workings of a draft room, the unheralded successes of some area scouts and the change in decision-making processes as the draft progresses into the later rounds.
Law also broke down the top of his most recent mock draft. In discussing the No. 5 pick (he has Gordon going to the Twins), he notes that Minnesota seems to be down to Gordon or LSU right-hander Aaron Nola. Law adds that he was on-hand for Nola's most recent SEC start and saw executives from teams "from No. 2 on down," including Marlins GM Dan Jennings, White Sox VP Kenny Williams and Cubs GM Jed Hoyer. Law says the Twins have been targeting Gordon "all spring."
Law feels that if Aiken, Rodon and Kolek are all off the board, the Cubs will cut a deal at No. 4 and turn around to "crush pitching" with their next several picks. He currently has them selecting Oregon State outfielder Michael Conforto, who brings an element of plate discipline that their current top prospects lack. He adds that he could also see them cutting a deal with Nola, though he sees Nola as more of a mid-rotation starter (that could be in the bigs in a year's time) than an ace.
The White Sox selection of Kolek is "the lock" of the top five picks, says Law. He also adds that Marlins ownership has pushed strongly for Rodon due to his proximity to the Majors and marketability as a Cuban-American left-hander. Law calls his slider the best overall pitch in the draft. (Note that these bullets are a very brief summary, and those with heavy interest in the MLB draft will consider the Olney/Law segment time well spent upon listening to it in its entirety.)
2014 Amateur Draft Aaron Nola Carlos Rodon Chicago Cubs Chicago White Sox Houston Astros Miami Marlins Minnesota Twins Nick Gordon Toronto Blue Jays Tyler Kolek
Quick Hits: TJ, Martinez, Dodgers, Cubs, Amateur
By Jeff Todd | May 16, 2014 at 11:24pm CDT
Pitching injuries are the big topic around the league, so let's catch up on some of the latest commentary. Writing for GammonsDaily.com, Neil Weinberg offers a hypothesis (which, as he notes, may not really be testable) on the seeming Tommy John epidemic: what if the reason that more high-end professional pitchers are experiencing UCL tears is simply because better management at younger ages has actually prevented them from blowing their arms out at an earlier age? Meanwhile, pointing to the contractual effects of the injury bug, a GM tells Peter Gammons (Twitter link) that, "with all these injuries, I think pitchers will be reluctant to turn down extensions." At Fangraphs, Wendy Thurm explores the costs to pitchers who lose time to TJ recovery, providing a bevy of salary information on past and current pitchers who have experienced the career-saving procedure.
Here are more notes from around the game:
One player coming off of surger (on his shoulder) is righty Cristhian Martinez, who Chris Cotillo of MLBDailyDish.com says (Twitter link) is expected to throw for teams by the end of May. The 31-year-old, who was non-tendered by the Braves, was good for a 3.63 ERA in 151 1/3 innings over 2011-12.
The Dodgers need to make some moves if they want to get back on trajectory, opines Anthony Castrovince of MLB.com. While the team is among the most well-rounded in baseball, that does not mean it is without its faults; one scout tells Castrovince that "the bench is awful, the bullpen is fringy at best, maybe below average, and there's no situational hitting." Though Castrovince says that the stats don't really bear out the latter concern, he says the team should take the much-discussed step of shipping out one of its highly-paid outfielders.
Trading away players is an expectation for the Cubs, of course, and Jesse Rogers of ESPNChicago.com discusses the team's most likely pieces (after ace Jeff Samardzija). Though Jason Hammel just suffered his worst start of the year, Rogers says he still looks to be on track to bring back a strong prospect return. Nate Schierholtz and Jose Veras still look like trade chips to Rogers, though both will need to improve rather substantially to maximize their trade value to their current club.
The latest amateur draft mocks are out, with MLB.com offering a first-round projection and Baseball America putting out its second version. The BA staff now sees a shake-up in the early portion: their board has the Marlins going with catcher/outfielder Alex Jackson at second overall, the Cubs choosing lefty collegiate Kyle Freeland in the fourth slot, and big-armed high schooler Tyler Kolek falling to the Phillies at number seven. Both MLB.com and BA like the Jays to take N.C. State shortstop Trea Turner and prep righty Touki Toussaint. Meanwhile, the Twins have interest in Jackson with their fifth-overall pick — if he lasts that long — tweets Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN, though he notes that there is still no consensus as to whether he can stick behind the dish.
Turning to the international market, there has of course been much discussion over whether — and, if so, how — a draft might be implemented. Writing for the Hardball Times, Alex Remington argues against a draft. Among his reasons are the concern that less young international players would have a chance to play professionally; various deleterious consequences that could occur in Latin America (without solving the issues that currently persist); and that implementation could pose a "logistical nightmare."
2014 Amateur Draft Alex Jackson Chicago Cubs Cristhian Martinez Kyle Freeland Los Angeles Dodgers Miami Marlins Minnesota Twins Philadelphia Phillies Toronto Blue Jays Tyler Kolek