Episode 94: Venom Space, Hell Yeah!
Andrew and Steven bring back NERD favorite, Dahveed Bullis, as they welcome newcomer Brooke Merritt to the studio. Brooke is a talented photographer, budding improviser, and all around Cool Dad….wait..what? Yeah I said that right. Let's do this! Hell yeah.


Caution: Scenery- and work-project-heavy post ahead.
Thursday was the last day of work for the SCC crew – a short amount of time for a big – steep – job.
The day started with some clouds, cleared to sunshine, then returned to clouds. (More) Rain started Thursday night. (Have we been blessed by rain the last couple of weeks or what?!) So the crew had good conditions for their final day of work on Spring Creek Basin's southeastern boundary fence.
Let's start with a scenic overview. There we were, on the basin's far southeastern boundary looking southwestish over the basin's "last" drainage toward Disappointment Road, the cottonwoods along Disappointment Creek and to more pinon-juniper covered BLM land beyond the basin to San Juan National Forest Service land to the horizon. Note the two groups, both working on H-braces on the near ridge – aka "the steep hill." If you click to make the photo larger, you may be able to see the silver fence at the left; that's the part of the fence that the crew already had rebuilt. It runs into the fence rebuilt by Mizzou students (we left a section for the students to work on in the spring).
Next, let's take a look at the sad old fence that serves as an example of what the Mizzou students and the SCC crew have rebuilt and are rebuilding. We figure that fence has been around for 40 or more years.
Toby and Zoe tighten another wire strand to a corner H-brace. Their rebuilt fence comes in from straight ahead, up from the arroyo shown in the previous post; the steep hill starts steps to the left.
Meanwhile, up the steep hill (hey, it really IS steep), Aaron and Eric dug holes for another H-brace. If you look closely, you can see the H-brace Toby and Zoe were working on below the hill at right.
Photographic proof of the steepness (in a two-dimensional photo, it's hard to convey just how steep this hill is): Sarah carries a post up the hill to the site of the next H-brace.
This photo does double duty: Partners Eric and Aaron measure the setting of an H-brace post with the cross post, AND you get another dose of scenery.
Toby and Sarah stand ready as Abby uses the post-hole digger to dig yet another hole for yet another H-brace on their journey to the top of the steep hill. Eric and Aaron in the photos above are below on the hill. The scenery here is part of McKenna Peak Wilderness Study Area – which overlaps into Spring Creek Basin Herd Management Area; in this view, it's all wilderness study area.
Another view of the same H-brace site, this time with BLM range tech Justin Hunt helping to dig the second post hole. How steep is the hill? The H-brace Eric and Aaron are working on is 100 yards or less below this site – and completely out of view of this little knob in the hill.
From the side, here's a view of Eric's and Aaron's H-brace. Abby and group are up the hill to the right. In the very first photo in this post, you can see both groups. Their rebuilt fence as it crosses the arroyo is very visible in this photo.
Another gratuitous scenery shot – ain't it grand?
Returning to Eric's and Aaron's H-brace, now they have help from Sarah and co-crew leader Dillon to mark the first cross post. We had some debate about the levelness of these cross posts because the ground is so steep. Keeping the cross pieces strictly level would have had the post normal height on the downhill side of the brace but only about mid-thigh high on the uphill side! So crew members mirrored the slope a bit and cut their notches to reflect the angles of the posts' ends.
It's easy to ramble on about the partnerships we enjoy for the benefit of the basin's mustangs, but here it is in living color: Dillon lends weight to Eric's drill while he drills a hole in the H-brace into which he'll later pound a spike. Ain't it grand?! 🙂 Wrapping wires to create the "X" to further bind the brace posts together are Aaron and Sarah.
Sarah chips out the notch that will hold the cross posts even steadier in the vertical H-brace posts.
Co-crew leader Sarah carries an H-brace post up the steep hill. She's passing the first H-brace, and she'll pass the next H-brace before getting to her destination – and they had at least one more H-brace to build after that. Still all-smiles on Day 4!
Justin follows Sarah on the way to the second H-brace up the steep hill, where Dillon is making cuts to start the notching process.
And here's Zoe carrying another post from basically the base of the steep hill (scroll back up to the beginning of this post and the H-brace where she and Toby were tightening a strand of wire).
From the bottom looking up.
And from down toward the arroyo looking up at the steep hill. Um, wowowow?! The wilderness study area's namesake McKenna Peak shows its point at far right.
Sarah, Dillon, Eric, Aaron, Sarah, Zoe, Abby and Toby, we thank you, thank you, thank you for your service on behalf of our mustangs! We hope your last hitch of the season was your best. Thankfully, you saw some mustangs along the way between camp site and work site, and if you can, please come back soon to see more of the mustangs protected and kept safe by your work!
Right here, this is the reason (OK, one reason) we love SJMA's Kathe Hayes: She brings homemade chocolate-chip cookies as mini mid-work thank-yous! Here she offers cookies to Abby as she and Zoe dig post holes for the next H-brace in the SCC crew's brand-new fence section.
The crew has made excellent progress in their section of fence line – building five H-braces since Monday and working on the sixth as of the above photo. In the foreground, Abby and Zoe dig post holes for the next H-brace, while in the background, Aaron and Sarah and co-crew leader Dillon complete the previous H-brace. Harder to see is the little arroyo – no more than a few feet deep but steep-sided – between the two groups.
Here's a closer look at the arroyo. Note Kathe in the background, approaching with her awesome cookies.
Kathe shows Aaron photos of the pack horses that hauled fence supplies to the work site a few weeks ago while Sarah and Dillon finish their H-brace. Temple Butte watches over the crew from the background.
Here in Spring Creek Basin, we are incredibly lucky to have the benefit of multiple partnerships that work for the well-being of our mustangs. Our newest partnership is with Southwest Conservation Corps, based in Durango. Thanks to the diligence of San Juan Mountains Association's Kathe Hayes and Tres Rios Field Office range specialist Mike Jensen, we have an SCC crew tackling an especially difficult section of fence: across an arroyo and up a steep, shaley hill.
Long-time readers know about our wonderful alternative spring break program with University of Missouri students and that, for the last four years, students have been rebuilding the basin's southeastern fence line. The SCC crew, which has spent the summer building trails, building fences and planting trees, is jumping ahead a bit to the steep section.
As we are with every bit of help that comes our way for the benefit of the mustangs, we are hugely grateful for their work!
Jordan explains previous fence building by Mizzou students to SCC crew members, starting the first day of their hitch in Spring Creek Basin. Mizzou students and BLM employees and volunteers have set the bar high with the new fence! From left: Sarah, Eric, Jordan, Abby, Aaron, Toby behind Dillon, Dillon and Zoe.
Jordan stands by with a shovel while Eric digs a post hole for their first H-brace.
Co-crew leader Dillon helps Jordan and Zoe protect a tree with staves around which to wrap wire. The Mizzou students this spring ended their two days of work with an H-brace on the other side of this tree.
Crew members Sarah and Aaron work together to pull out an old fence post that had a rotten bottom from being in the ground for who knows how many decades.
Crew members Abby and Eric, who helped dig the hole for the H-brace post, watch as Dillon checks the level of the cross post.
Co-crew leader Sarah (there are two Sarahs on this crew) and crew members Toby, Aaron and Eric watch Jordan show them the twisting technique of the staves in the cross wires that bind the H-brace together.
The crew finished the H-brace and strung strands of wire on their first day of work … which started with about a quarter of an inch of rain! As you can see, the day ended with beautiful sunshine.
One of the coolest part of the day? Seeing the pintos as we drove to the work site and again as we returned to the camp site. 🙂 The horses are the reason for the work, the partnerships … the tramping through mud carrying heavy posts and fencing tools. They're absolutely the reason we do all that with smiles!
Handsome red boy Hayden relaxes in front of a wondrous Spring Creek Basin background – Knife Edge, McKenna Peak and Temple Butte. We are so blessed with our mustangs and our landscape!
Because she's gorgeous, a closeup of Mysterium.
Though she's young, she seems to carry the wisdom of the ages – and the wild to which she was born.
Because that light was dreamy, another one of Chrome. His long(est) dredlock usually hangs on the other side of his neck, but he had tossed his head at some point, flipping the long locks to this side, where, from my vantage point, it caught the light just right as it swayed gently with the movement of his mosey.
If you click on the photo to make it bigger, you can see the sparkles of raindrops that were falling, even as we reveled in the shine of the sun.
Nope, just a plane. Because of the acoustics of the bowl-like hill the horses were grazing in, the plane sounded like it was about to buzz the treetops above us. It wasn't really that close, but it wasn't high-flying, either. Gaia's reaction is a reminder that the horses don't forget dangers from the sky, either.


text:
II-Farm Buildings and Construction
An expert system for planning and designing dairy farms in hot climates
Mohamed Samer Cairo University, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Agricultural Engineering
Mohamed Hatem
Hartmut Grimm
Reiner Doluschitz
Thomas Jungbluth
expert systems, simulation models, spark maps, precision livestock farming, dairy cows
Eleven simulation models were developed to plan and design several dairy farm facilities. Subsequently, an electronic spark map (decision tree) was developed for each simulation model, and then the simulation models were integrated into the relevant spark maps. Afterwards, C# language (C Sharp), which is an object-oriented programming language, was used to develop an expert system via the simulation models and the electronic spark maps. The developed expert system is able to plan and design several dairy farm facilities, e.g. housing system (corrals system), shade structure and roof material, concrete base, cooling system, milking parlour, forage storage, and manure handling system. Subsequently, it plans the farmstead layout, and it leads to implement the technologies, equipments, and machines required for performing several farm operations. Furthermore, it studies water and electricity requirements of the planned dairy farm and the available sources on site. Moreover, it calculates the capital investment and the fixed, variable, and total costs. Data of six dairy farms were used to carry out the expert system validation and evaluation. The differences between the actual and calculated values were determined and the standard deviations were calculated. The coefficients of variation range between 3% and 7%. The accuracy of the developed expert system is 94.5%.
Keywords: expert systems, simulation models, spark maps, precision livestock farming, dairy cows.
Mohamed Samer, Cairo University, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Agricultural Engineering
Cairo University, Faculty of Agriculture
Department of Agricultural Engineering
Provisional PDF

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


What is a human life worth? How is it possible that a woman like Agnes could agree to kill another human being? Is it the money? Or are there other forces at play?
A funeral. A young widow and two adult children. Agnes (CARLA JURI) is burying her much older husband and the children are his, not hers. Agnes senses that someone is watching her and glimpses a woman roughly her own age standing nearby. Within seconds, the woman is gone.
They were once very close, Agnes and Henny (GEMMA CHAN). A friendship both rewarding and demanding, which ended in disaster. Now Henny seeks reconciliation. But Agnes seems cautious.
Agnes is completely thrown by Henny's proposal. Henny is married to Peter (JAMIE SIVES), and asks Agnes to help her murder him. She's prepared to pay good money and also to let Agnes choose the manner in which David is to die. Agnes realizes that the past has caught up with her and that she has no choice.


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Queen Elizabeth turns 90: A look at memorable visits with U.S. presidents
Queen Elizabeth II began her reign in 1952, the same year that, across the pond, Harry Truman was winding down his term as president of the United States. During her more than six decades on the throne, there have been 12 U.S. presidents, and all but one (Lyndon Johnson) have mingled with the monarch – and not always at some stuffy state dinner: She went horseback riding with Ronald Reagan and attended a ballgame with George H.W. Bush. As the queen celebrates her 90th birthday Thursday, POLITICO takes a look back at some of her more memorable visits with U.S. presidents.
By DIANA D'ABRUZZO
2016-04-20T07:30-0400 2016-04-20T08:00-0400
Two years before she was crowned queen, Princess Elizabeth sits with President Harry Truman in the Canadian Embassy in Washington on Nov. 1, 1951. The princess and her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, played host to the Trumans.
Queen Elizabeth II walks with President Dwight D. Eisenhower past the Guard of Honor at Washington National Airport on Oct. 17, 1957.
Queen Elizabeth II stands on the grounds of Balmoral Castle in Scotland with Eisenhower on Aug. 29, 1959. Also pictured from left are the royal consort, Prince Philip, and their children, Princess Anne and Prince Charles.
Queen Elizabeth II and President John F. Kennedy pose at Buckingham Palace in London on June 5, 1961. The Kennedys were dinner guests of the queen.
Queen Elizabeth II is pictured with President Richard M. Nixon and Britain's Prime Minister Edward Heath (left) at Chequers, Buckinghamshire, in 1970.
President Gerald R. Ford dances with Queen Elizabeth II at the White House on July 7, 1976, after a State Dinner in the queen's honor.
President Jimmy Carter and Queen Elizabeth II pose with French President Valery Giscard d'Estaing at Buckingham Palace in May 1977.
President Ronald Reagan, on Centennial, and Queen Elizabeth II, on Burmese, go horseback riding on June 8, 1982, on the grounds of Windsor Castle in England.
Reagan and Queen Elizabeth II raise their glasses in a toast during a State Dinner at the M. H. de Young Museum in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park on March 3, 1983.
Reagan looks at the insignia of the honorary Knight Grand Cross of the Most Honorable Order of the Bath, which Queen Elizabeth II conferred on him after a lunch in Buckingham Palace on June 14, 1989. The order recognizes services to Britain.
President George H.W. Bush escorts Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip on the field at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore before the Orioles played the Oakland A's on May 15, 1991.
With Bush looking on, Queen Elizabeth II peers over a microphone May 14, 1991, while giving arrival remarks on the South Lawn of the White House.
Queen Elizabeth II shares a joke with former President George H.W. Bush and his wife, Barbara, on Nov. 30, 1993, after Bush was awarded an honorary Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath.
AFP/Getty
President Bill Clinton and Queen Elizabeth II smile for the cameras during a group photo June 4, 1994, prior to a banquet honoring the 50th anniversary of the D-Day invasion of Normandy.
Clinton, his wife, Hillary Clinton, and their daughter, Chelsea, talk with Queen Elizabeth II at the Garden Entrance of Buckingham Palace on Dec. 14, 2000. The Clintons had tea with the queen as they wrapped up their three-day trip to Ireland, North Ireland and the United Kingdom.
President George W. Bush stands with Queen Elizabeth II during a review of the Household Cavalry during the full state arrival ceremony on the Forecourt of Buckingham Palace on Nov. 19, 2003.
Queen Elizabeth II listens as Bush delivers remarks at the start of a White House State Dinner for the British monarch and Prince Philip on May 7, 2007, in Washington. The queen had last visited the United States in 1991 when Bush's father was president.
Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip give a tour of St. George's Hall to Bush and his wife, Laura, at Windsor Castle in Berkshire, west of London, on June 15, 2008.
President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, meet with Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip during an audience at Buckingham Palace on April 1, 2009.
Obama and Queen Elizabeth II chat during a State Banquet in Buckingham Palace on May 24, 2011. The president and first lady were in the U.K. for a two-day visit at the invitation of the queen.
Queen Elizabeth II speaks with Obama during a group photo of world leaders attending the D-Day 70th anniversary ceremonies at Chateau de Benouville in Benouville, France, on June 6, 2014.


"Should i buy a tripod/monopod/batterygrip/filter/blar blar balr?" or words to that affect is one of the most common questions I am asked. I don't mind people asking it as it is an important question. It is easy to get dragged into GAS (gear acquisition syndrome), turning your photography hobby into a collection of all the photo-related paraphernalia you can get your hands on. At this point I will take my turn, stand up and say "Hi, my name's John, and I have GAS". I am a sucker for all camera related items/gadgets/accessories (just ask my wife), but it does not improve my photography (or my bank balance). So, to this end I've been researching what key bits of gear I consider essential, and what aren't, and I came to an interesting conclusion! We really need very little!
I can divide "things you need" into three categories; essential, useful and finally those items you can easily work around.
A camera - That's it... well, ok, you need a lens with it, but you get the idea. It does not matter if it is a DSLR or a smartphone, without this, you are dead in the water when it comes to taking pics. Sure there is a plethora of lenses you might want, but any camera is better than non, and if you can't take an interesting image with your smartphone, a $10,000 camera and lens combo is not going to help you! Now, which camera/lens is whole other can of worms with no easy answer! If you do want some advice on this... contact me, and I will see what I can do!
This is the list of gear that is useful to have and will have, in my opinion, the biggest impact on your photography after the camera itself.
A spare battery and memory cards - I've covered this in a previous post, but these are the life blood of your camera and having a spare is great. They are also NOT THAT EXPENSIVE.
Computer back-ups - I've written about my backup strategy previously and I think it is important. We spend so much money on our camera/lenses, an extra $100 on an external hard-drive to back up our images is just common sense. Just think about how much it would cost you to re-make all the images you have taken if they were lost... it will come to more than $100.
A bag - This does not have to be a camera bag exactly, but bags are always useful. It means you have somewhere to put your gear if it rains, and gives some added protection.
Items you don't urgently "need"
Ok, this is subjective, this is basically items that I think are useless, or if you could have you would, but I find myself without frequently and use a work-a-round. As such, they are in this list. Obviously they are useful, but i would say NON-essential! There are exceptions and of course situations where they are essential, but for general use, you can live without the following!
Tripod/monopod - I have a tripod and I use it, but I do not always have it with me. It is bulky and cumbersome at times. So i feel it is not an essential item for me. In it's absence you can use the fantastic bag-pod (rest your camera on a bag) for long exposures, or a wall/table/chair or ANYTHING that is stable. I think i have taken more long exposure shots WITHOUT my tripod than with it, as I don't carry it with me all the time. Would i have liked a tripod/monopod at that time, sure, but would I have brought one knowing I have these work-a-rounds? Maybe not!
Speedlite/flash and triggers - Flashes are useful, but unless you are doing studio or experienced portraiture, you can skip these too!
UV lens filters - lets get one thing straight, on modern cameras and lenses... they are not needed! Some people say they add protection to your lens... see this post and make up your own mind! The only exception is that some lenses require a filter to complete their weather sealing.
Graduated ND and ND filters - OK, I do own these and I do use them, but these are not in my bag all the time, rarely in fact, so I have adopted a more post-processing orientated method to compensate for them. You can either play with the settings of a single RAW image, or take 3 different exposures and blend them afterwards (HDR) to great affect. Yes they are useful for using low f/value lenses in bright light (particularly for video), but you can get around it if the need be.
Lens cleaning gear - hmmmm... this is tough. It is not essential (see how much 'dirt' you need in the front of a lens for it not to work well), but so cheap to get a lens cloth, free a lot of the time, it is useful... Ok, my stance is this. Don't buy one, wait until you get a free one... :) They are useful, but I don't use mine often at all. You need a lot of dirt/damage on a lens for it to have any noticeable effect on the image quality.


In this episode of Free Time, we read mean tweets, it gets juicy..
How does your neck fit in the screen?
5:38 THEY HAVE A SISTER. I. KNEW. IT.
Nick and Jojosim do you guys have a girlfriend?? CAN YOU BE MINE!?!?
HOW MANY FRICKIN TIMES DIES ADI GET TRIGGERED!?!?
wait… so infinite list is not a member??


A banking relationship survey is one which is served by a bank to its customers in order to judge the relationship that the customers enjoy with the bank.
This survey is an affective way to check the satisfaction levels of customers of the bank and future prospects of better relationship with the customers.
1. Are you happy with the banking relationship that you enjoy with our bank?
2. Please specify the kind of banking relationship you have with our bank?
3. Do you feel satisfied banking with our bank for your banking and financial needs?
4. Do you think our bank offers all the financial services and products that a customer requires?
5. Is there anything you want to change in the banking relationship you enjoy with our bank?
6. What are the aspects amongst the following that you think is most important to continue your banking relationship with our bank?
7. On the basis of the banking relationship you enjoy with our bank will you recommend the products and services of our bank to your acquaintances?
8. What is your opinion about the reception that you get from our bank staff when you visit our bank?
9. Are there any changes that you think are necessary to sustain the banking relationship you usher with our bank?
This entry was posted in Survey Examples on May 10, 2013 by surveys.


New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley dicusses looking forward to the 2019 season at this year's Pro Bowl.
The "NFL Power Rankings" crew make their picks for 2018 NFL coach of the year, offensive rookie of the year, defensive rookie of the year, and Most Valuable Player.
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley breaks a slew of tackles on this 26-yard run.
New York Giants Rookie running back Saquon Barkley breaks the single-season reception record for a rookie running back with 89 receptions, breaking the record previously held by Reggie Bush.
Watch complete highlights from the Week 17 matchup between the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants.
Watch New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley's best plays against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 17.
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley capped off a phenomenal rookie season in Week 17 of NFL action.


text:
Q: On "self" and local accessors
Possible Duplicate:
Should I always use accessors for instance variables in Objective-C?

Lets suppose my .h file contains
Node *firstNode

Inside the .m file
What is the difference between
[firstNode doSomething]; and
[[self firstNode] doSomething];

A: [firstNode doSomething]; accesses the instance variable directly while [[self firstNode] doSomething] does not.
Which sounds very obvious, but a getter might do all manner of things, and its declaration can cause all manner of interesting things. Marking the accessor retain affects firstNode's reference count, for instance, while Eimantas' answer tells us that a superclass (or subclass!) might change the precise meaning of [self firstNode].

A: assuming you have @property declared for firstNode instance variable, the former method does not use [potentially overridden] getter in your class.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


What is better WooBoard or Bunchball Nitro? If you need an efficient Gamification Software product for your enterprise you need to make time to compare different alternatives. It doesn't have to be complicated, and can be as easy as matching their functions in a table like the one below. You will also get a quick idea how each product functions. As an example, on this page you can find WooBoard's overall score of 7.2 and compare it against Bunchball Nitro's score of 8.5; or WooBoard's user satisfaction level at 100% versus Bunchball Nitro's 100% satisfaction score.
The comparison will help you spot the strengths and weaknesses of each service, and make up your mind on which matches your requirements better. Beyond the robust features, the solution which is simple and intuitive is always the better choice.
Our experts made sure to review all popular Gamification Software products offered out there, but among all the ones we reviewed these three caught our special attention: Tango Card, Bandicam, Influitive.
The solutions analyzed on this page are merely a small part of our entire Gamification Software category and you should take into account that there might be more reliable alternatives available. If you would like to ensure you make the optimal decision for your team we definitely suggest that you try out more software first. It may also be a good idea to check out our top 10 Gamification Software ranking to find out which apps are currently the highest-ranking ones and dominate the market.


text:
BENOIT: Big national intelligence misstep
Latest Cartoon
By - The Washington Times - Wednesday, March 4, 2009
OP-ED:
Ambassador Charles W. "Chas" Freeman Jr.'s nomination as chairman of the National Intelligence Council (NIC) has quickly become the Obama administration's most controversial appointment to date.
Mr. Freeman's two post-government activities involved being a de facto employee of Saudi Arabia. In exchange, he received lavish support for his Middle East Policy Center (MEPC) and lucrative contracts for the consulting firm he founded to guide international companies into finding royal family-connected partners within the Saudi elite. This raises the reasonable questions as to whether Ambassador Freeman acted as an unregistered Saudi agent. This role has created significant concern about his impartiality as chief U.S. intelligence analyst on matters that will clearly involve Saudi views and interests.
While many former diplomats, especially former Saudi ambassadors, are not known for being big fans of Israel, Mr. Freeman presided over a center and publication featuring hostility to Israel that is beyond the broadest mainstream of U.S. thinking on the region. In addition, his slavish following of the Saudi "party line" has involved Mr. Freeman in some embarrassing situations.
For example the MEPC, which receives major funding from the Saudi royal family, publishes a resource for American teachers called "Arab World Studies Notebook." This notebook includes bizarre historical anomalies, such as that Muslims inhabited the New World in pre-Columbian times, and English explorers met "Iroquois and Algonquin chiefs with names like Abdul-Rahim and Abdallah Ibn Malik."
Another MEPC project is the quarterly magazine, Middle East Policy, the editorial pages of which are filled with disturbingly radical anti-Israel polemics. Claims such as the Iraq war was waged for the United States on behalf of Israel (fall 2008 issue) or that the United States allows Israel to "call the shots" on policy in the region, including a strategy of "buying off Fatah and starving Hamas" that is "an Israeli plan that Washington has had to accept" (fall 2007 issue). Mr. Freeman's willingness to push these extreme positions for financial reward is troubling.
The chairman of the National Intelligence Council serves many of the same functions as the editor of a journal. He must review, edit, add context to and decide what to present in terms of good intelligence.
Mr. Freeman's judgment may be tainted because of a desire to stay in the good graces of the House of Saud for his post-NIC career. As long as we are fighting a global war on Islamic terrorism, Mr. Freeman's judgment as a de facto employee of the Saudi government should trouble citizens and supporters of the United States.
The Obama administration should also find it trouling. The new president has pledged to run a transparent operation. The job for which Mr. Freeman is nominated is not one the Senate must confirm. Neither is it one the president has to "own," as the word is the Freeman nomination came not from the Oval Office but from Dennis Blair, director of national intelligence, who is a personal friend of the former ambassador.
Members of Congress from the president's own party are deeply concerned about the appointment. Last week, Sen. Charles Schumer, New York Democrat, called Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel regarding the appointment, and Rep. Steve Israel, New York Democrat, asked the inspector general for the Office of the Director of National Intelligence to look into the Saudi funding of the MEPC.
Perhaps, for its own good the White House should ask those same tough questions and think about whether the appointment of Chas Freeman suits the interests of the United States, or those of the House of Saud.
Sammy Benoit is editor of the political blog Yid With Lid (https://yidwithlid.blogspot. com).


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Syrian rebel leader calls for 'Marshall Plan'
The President of the Syrian National Council Abdulbaset Sieda, Minister of State of the United Arab Emirates Reem al-Hashimi and German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle, front from left, arrive at a gathering of Syrian opposition representatives and diplomats hosted at the Germany foreign ministry in Berlin, Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2012. Germany's foreign minister is pressing disparate Syrian opposition groups to unite in preparation for the collapse of the Bashar Assad regime. Berlin hosted a gathering of Syrian opposition representatives and diplomats Tuesday to address how to prevent basic services and infrastructure collapsing, and how to revive the economy, once Assad falls. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)
A Syrian opposition leader called Tuesday for a massive aid program to help rebuild his country after President Bashar Assad's regime falls, warning that a lack of economic development could open the door to extremism.
A top German official representing donor nations, meanwhile, said Syria's opposition factions must overcome their current divisions.
Abdelbaset Sieda, the head of the Syrian National Council, told a meeting of Syrian opposition representatives and diplomats that Syria would need a program similar to the Marshall Plan, the post-World War II European reconstruction effort, if the Assad regime collapses.
He said Assad's regime has devastated public finances and institutions to such an extent that Syria won't be able to rely immediately -- or solely -- on oil revenues and taxes in any rebuilding effort.
"In the aftermath of the destruction ... we are convinced Syria needs a Marshall-style plan to ensure it stands again on solid financial and economic ground," Sieda said in Berlin. "Without real comprehensive development, we will open up the opportunity for the growth of all kinds of extremism."
The gathering on economic rebuilding, which Germany chairs jointly with the United Arab Emirates, aimed to address how to prevent basic services and infrastructure from collapsing and how to revive the economy in a post-Assad Syria.
Without identifying any countries by name, Sieda also warned that any nation now helping the Assad regime could not expect to get its money back under a new government.
"The Syrian people are not bound by any contract signed by the regime after the beginning of this revolution, or any sale of treasury bonds or purchase of weapons or contracts with any country," he said.
Russia, in particular, has been criticized for blocking U.N. sanctions against Syria and continuing to supply it with military material throughout the conflict. Assad regime officials have also asked Russia for loans to replenish Syria's hard currency reserves, which have been depleted by international embargoes on Syrian exports.
Unlike neighboring Iraq, where reconstruction after the 2003 U.S.-led invasion was hampered by an ongoing insurgency, Syria lacks vast oil reserves that could kick-start the economy and help finance the reconstruction of damaged infrastructure.
The meeting's host, German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle, said economic recovery and a successful political transition must go hand in hand, and called on the international community to be ready to provide economic support.
"There can be no doubt, the days of the regime are numbered: it has lost all legitimacy to represent the Syrian people, it is crumbling from inside," Westerwelle said. "On the international level it is increasingly isolated; the overwhelming majority of countries reject the massive violation of human rights; there is no future for Bashar Assad in a new Syria."
But he stressed the importance of overcoming another problem: the divisions within Syria's opposition.
"The people in Syria must see that there is a credible alternative to the regime of Bashar Assad," he said, urging the opposition "to create as fast as possible the conditions for ... a transition government."
Asked if he would go as far as French President Francois Hollande's call for the Syrian opposition to form a provisional government now, Westerwelle indicated more work was still necessary before that could happen.
"I will have a discussion tomorrow with my French colleague ... but it's obvious that at the moment it's necessary to unify the opposition," he said.
Bassma Kodmani, who resigned last week from the Syrian National Council saying there was too much infighting among opposition groups, said in addition to economic reconstruction, the international community needs to start thinking of how to fill the security vacuum that would be left.
"Starting today, we need to plan the re-creation of the security system in Syria -- we might need peacekeeping forces that are mandated by the Security Council," said Kodmani, who attended as a representative of the Syrian Business Forum.
She said even though Russia and China have continued to veto U.N. Security Council proposals for action against Syria, she hoped they might be persuaded to accept post-Assad measures.
Violence in Syria has been escalating in recent weeks. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights has raised its total death toll to between 23,000 and 26,000 people since the uprising began in March 2011.
Activists say some 5,000 people were killed in August, the highest toll in the 17-month-old uprising and more than three times the monthly average. The U.N. children's agency says 1,600 people were killed last week alone.
On Tuesday, the U.N. refugee agency said 100,000 refugees fled Syria in August, the highest monthly total since the uprising began.
The rise in people seeking asylum in neighboring countries brings the total of Syrian refugees registered or awaiting registration to over 234,360, spokeswoman Melissa Fleming said in Geneva.


Selected works from a series of illustrations for Folktale Week 2018.
This is based on a Philippine folktale about the Tambaloslos. The stories differ very little from each other, men or women would get lost inside the forest and they'd be trapped walking around in circles unless they start to wear their clothes backwards. If they fail to do so, they'll be ravaged by this lust demon. Once, he angered the mountain god Gugurang because of his perverse ways that the god cursed him with privates so grossly enlarged, the demon would have difficulty to use them. He may have been punished but some say he still lingers in the forests tricking people to lose their way till he can pounce on them.
We call them Mambabarang. They use witchcraft to harm or to maim. In the Philippines, Siquijor is infamously referred to as the island of witches because of their prominence there. They usually keep a swarm of carnivorous beetles in a bottle as medium to their dark arts. And sometimes they use the usual dolls and needles to hurt someone. Witches in our folktales have turned people into insects, fruits, animals, monsters etc. One must always be tactful when conversing with them, otherwise, a hex maybe placed on you.
We were told that when you stand alone in front of the mirror at midnight with only a single candle for light, one might see the face of their true love. But some say, it could also summon the devil or something else entirely.
The long swerving Loakan Road in Baguio City, Philippines is one of the most infamously haunted places in its vicinity. They say decades ago, a lady dressed in white would hail a cab and tell the driver to stop by the Loakan Cemetery, only to vanish when they get there. Hearsay is that it belongs to a woman who was raped, murdered and hanged on one of its trees years before. When the tree was cut down to give way for the concrete road, her hauntings started.


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Life Has Many Chapters
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graphic © eminentlyquotable.com | photo – Publicdomainpictures.net
"Life has many chapters; one bad chapter doesn't mean it's the end of the book."
There is one death by suicide in the US every 13 minutes, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports; and according to the World Health Organization, there is one death by suicide in the world every 40 seconds. One of the leading causes of suicide is none other than depression.
Many people who suffer from depression report feeling as though they could no longer envision a happy future, or recall a happy past. Although chemical imbalance is certainly part of the problem, it has been found that having an "unhealthy" attachment to an unpleasant past also takes the cake.
Dr. Gail Brenner, author of "The End of Self Help: Discovering Peace and Happiness Right at the Heart of Your Messy, Scary, Brilliant Life," says that there's really no such as thing as the past. Everything that you feel right now, whether it be hurt or anger about the past, all belongs to the present; and you're spending it by keeping the past alive. This means that you can also end your suffering by changing your perspective right now.
By overthrowing the reign of the past, you also take away the power of memories. Memories after all are just thoughts, Dr. Brenner adds. Once you lose interest in them, healing can occur and the past becomes powerless, like any other thoughts in your head.
To quote Billy Crystal: "What's so fascinating and frustrating and great about life is that you're constantly starting over, all the time, and I love that."
Most People Don't Have The Guts To Try This:
An amazing discovery in an abandoned house in Austin, Texas: A lost book of amazing survival knowledge, believed to have been long vanished to history, has been found in a dusty drawer in the house which belonged to a guy named Claude Davis.
Remember... back in those days, there was no electricity... no refrigerators... no law enforcement... and certainly no grocery store or supermarkets... Some of these exceptional skills are hundreds of years of old and they were learned the hard way by the early pioneers.
>> Click here to find out about them now
We've lost to history so much survival knowledge that we've become clueless compared to what our great grandfathers did or built on a daily basis to sustain their families.
Neighbors said that for the last couple of years Claude has tried to unearth and learn the forgotten ways of our great-grandparents and claimed to have found a secret of gargantuan proportions. A secret that he is about to reveal together with 3 old teachings that will change everything you think you know about preparedness:
>>> Click Here To Watch His Short Video <<<
More Inspiring Quotes:
Before You Speak Think
If We Do Not Feel Grateful For What We Already Have
A Pessimist Sees The Difficulty In Every Opportunity
Happiness Is The New Rich
Most People Work Hard and Spend Their Health
What Is The Difference Between I Like You And I Love You
Happiness Starts With You
Courage Isn't Having The Strength To Go On
If You Can't Do Anything About It Then Let It Go
Inner Peace Begins The Moment You Choose
Love Many Things, For Therein Lies The True Strength
You May Never Know What Results Come Of Your Actions
You're Not Rich Until You Have Something Money Can't Buy
I Don't Understand Why Asking People…
By Cleansing Your Body On A Regular Basis And Eliminating As Many Toxins As Possible
7 Rules Of Life
My Whole Mindset Has Changed
A Smooth Sea Never Made A Skillful Sailor
Today I Will Not Stress Over Things I Can't Control
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It's not anti-gun, it's pro-sanity. And above anything else, these are thrilling crime stories that will surprise and shock, thrill and chill — all without a gun in sight.
The writers are from both sides of the political aisle and many of the authors are gun owners themselves. But everyone felt it was time to speak out. Featuring the talents of J.L. Abramo , Patricia Abbott, Trey R. Barker, Eric Beetner, Alec Cizak, Joe Clifford, Reed Farrel Coleman, Angel Luis Colón, Hilary Davidson, Paul J. Garth, Alison Gaylin, Kent Gowran, Rob Hart, Jeffery Hess, Grant Jerkins, Joe R. Lansdale, S.W. Lauden, Tim O'Mara, Joyce Carol Oates, Tom Pitts, Thomas Pluck, Keith Rawson, Kelli Stanley, Ryan Sayles, and Holly West.


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Why Legalizing Pot In The US Could Get People To Stop Smoking It So Much
Daniel Okrent, Constitution Daily
Detroit police inspecting equipment at an illegal brewery during Prohibition.
When Colorado and Washington voters passed measures legalizing recreational marijuana last week, they demonstrated — probably unknowingly — a rueful familiarity with the failure of Prohibition.Guess whether I'm describing the 2010s (before last week, at least) or the 1920s: Government strictures make it impossible for people to legally acquire a substance they want. However, anyone who really wants it has no trouble getting it. As a direct result, large criminal enterprises create a vast underground — and not-so-underground — market. The federal prison system is forced to expand.
Also: The amount of money on the table is so great that these criminal enterprises engage in outright warfare with each other to get their hands on it. The flow of contraband across one of our international borders becomes a flood. Government spending on enforcement grows and grows, but the market isn't curtailed. All the while, local, state, and federal governments in desperate need of revenue watch helplessly as hundreds of millions of dollars in illegal profits remain beyond the tax man's reach.
Of course, I'm speaking of both then and now.
Another parallel: In the 1920s, one of the few ways to get liquor legally was to purchase a prescription from your physician — the going rate was $3 each — and take it to the local pharmacy. Today, Southern Californians can go to Venice Beach and find doctors advertising the on-the-spot availability of prescriptions, which can be filled at licensed dispensaries.
The only difference? As with everything else, the price has gone up.
Personally, I carry no brief for marijuana. I never liked the stuff myself, and when my now-grown kids were indulging, it filled me with anxious concern (and introduced a great deal of lying into the child-parent relationship).
But after spending five years researching and writing Last Call, my history of Prohibition, I could not ignore the reality confronting me: Prohibition didn't work then, and for exactly the same reasons, it doesn't work now. If people want something badly enough, they will find a way to get it. Every known society has tried to get rid of prostitution, and that hasn't worked, either.
Now Colorado and Washington can help us find out whether modern prohibition mirrors its predecessor in another way. Of all the anomalies and ironies of the original Prohibition, the most startling one I discovered was this: It was harder to limit liquor consumption during Prohibition than afterward.
Before Prohibition was repealed, anyone capable of bribing the local cops — and in Philadelphia, that appeared to be almost everybody — could sell liquor anytime, anyplace, to anybody. Fifteen-year-old kid wants a double shot at 4 a.m. on a Sunday morning? No problem.
But when repeal arrived, suddenly there was regulation. In Pennsylvania and many other states after repeal, only the state itself could sell liquor; in others, strictly licensed retailers controlled the market. Age limits took effect. Blue laws put liquor out of reach on Sundays. Bars were compelled to close during certain hours, and those that violated regulations lost their licenses.
Bootleggers had to find new businesses, and the vast majority of them ended up in legal enterprises. Per-capita alcohol consumption didn't return to pre-Prohibition levels for years.
And this is especially important, given the condition of our modern state and federal treasuries: Governments began collecting taxes on alcohol. In 1934, the first post-Prohibition year, taxes on potable alcohol accounted for fully 9 per cent of federal revenue. State taxes were similarly bountiful.
The short answer? Tax, regulate, and legalise. What we're doing now isn't working, and it's costing us an awful lot.
crime law and order law-us marijuana prohibition


The link between tabletop gaming and videogames is a pretty strong one, with games from BattleTech to Baldur's Gate relying heavily on the formula popularised by Dungeons & Dragons. If you like your gameplay low-tech but enjoy the visual detail offered by modern technology, you might enjoy Dynamic Dungeons, a project designed to offer 'living' environments to accompany your tabletop games.
The idea is simple, riffing off simple backdrop designs for standard fantasy roleplaying settings – caves, dungeons, wildernesses, etc. What Dynamic Dungeons does, however, is animate these scenes, adding wildlife, tree branches that sway in the wind, and day/night cycles. A particular highlight is an enormous galleon breaking through the waves, sales billowing, and seagulls wheeling overhead.
If you prefer some higher-tech roleplaying, here are some of the best RPGs on PC.
Using the maps is reasonably simple – just upend a TV or use a tablet to use the maps' grids to play on (you may want to invest in some form of screen protector). To get access to them, you can visit the Dynamic Dungeons patreon page.
There, based on how much you pay, you get access to more sophisticated maps. $1 per pack offers a still image of the map, while $2 or more offers fully animated maps. Pay $5 and you'll get access to day and night versions of the maps. You can get an idea of exactly how they look in the video below.
There are roughly three to four new map packs uploaded for backers every month. May's offerings so far include the galleon mentioned earlier and an Ancient Ruins map. Signing up as a back at any level grants access to every map uploaded so far.


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Real Pros. Real Fans. Real Funny.
Mock 2014 MLB draft 1.0: No time like the present
About TTFB
2020 Mock MLB Draft
NAIA Baseball
by Dan Kirby
First off, I realize how ridiculous this is. The 2013 MLB draft is still resonating in our brains, especially those who sat through 40 rounds over three days. A lot of us, however, are turning the page on the 2013 class. We wish them well, but it's time to move on. This isn't to be taken too seriously as there are roughly 360 days until the 2014 MLB draft and, as we saw this year, many names will drop, and many more will emerge out of nowhere. The draft order will change, as well. Although, I'm pretty confident about the top two. Also, I could have easily done a boring top-30 prospect list — but we all know mocks are just so much more fun. Enjoy and go easy on me!
(Standings as of June 8)
Tyler Beede has the size, stuff and make up to be the first-overall pick in the 2014 MLB draft.
1. Miami Marlins — Tyler Beede, RHP, Vanderbilt
The 6'-4" right-hander is putting together one hell of a season for the top-ranked Commodores this year and is one of three finalists for the Golden Spikes award. Over 16 starts, he is 14-0 with a 2.20 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 101 K/60 BB over 98.1 innings, allowing just 57 hits. He has an effortless delivery and the ball jumps out of his hand. He features a classic three-pitch mix with a mid-90s plus fastball with great movement, a plus power curveball and a deceptive change-up that freezes hitters. The one knock on him is his control, which can get wild at times, but once he harnesses that, hitters will have no chance of getting on base. I feel with his size, stuff and fluid delivery, he has the most upside of any college pitcher in the 2014 MLB draft. He gets bonus points for his high character and was named a member of Collegiate Team USA.
2. Houston Astros — Carlos Rodon, LHP, North Carolina State
Rodon has pretty much everything you want in an ace. At 6'-2" and 230 pounds, the southpaw definitely has the size to carry the workload, and his legs look like tree trunks. He has a five-pitch arsenal that includes a mid-90s heater, a power slider, a lethal cutter, an above-average curveball and a change-up with nice fade. He commands all of them well and is comfortable throwing any of them in any situation. Over 16 starts so far this year, he has a 3.19 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 161 K/40 BB over 110 innings. Opponents are hitting just .190 against him. His junior season should be full of ridiculousness. The only knock I have heard on him is his size and if he will be able to maintain that kind of velocity for the long haul. He also tends to get into control issues at times.
3. Milwaukee Brewers — Trea Tuner, SS, North Carolina State
Probably the most electric and exciting player in the 2014 MLB draft, the 6'-2" right-hander has shown the range, arm and instincts to stick at shortstop. Offensively, his speed is his best tool and he should be a major threat on the base paths at the next level. He also has a great approach at the plate and should hit for a high average, as well. He showed developing power this season and, if he continues to do so, Troy Tulowitzki comps will be coming. Hit .336 as a freshman and led the nation in stolen bases with 57. Over 51 injury-shortened games this season, he hit .377 with 12 doubles, seven home runs, 27 stolen bases and drew 35 walks to 30 strikeouts for a .464 OBP/.578 SLG.
4. New York Mets — Touki Toussaint, RHP, Coral Springs (FL)
The 6'-2" right-hander has an electric fastball which can touch 97 mph with late life and there is still room for more as he fills out. He has a deceptive delivery which makes his plus, mid-70s, knee-buckling curveball even harder to react to. His change-up is still developing, but with two plus pitches already, he will be one of the most talked about prep pitchers next season. Never has a prep RHP gone first overall in the draft. Touki could change that.
5. Chicago Cubs — Michael Cederoth, RHP, San Diego State
He is 6′-6″, 210 pounds and can touch 100 mph with his fastball. Shall I go on? He also adds a mid-80s slider, as well as a mid-80s change-up that is more of an out pitch. His command can be shaky at times as he is still learning how to be a pitcher instead of just running his overpowering fastball. Over 15 starts this year, he had a 4.25 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 109 K/48 BB over 95.1 innings. If he works on his command the way Jonathan Gray did this year, as well as refine his off-speed stuff, he could challenge Beede and Rodon for the top pick.
6. Toronto Blue Jays — Alex Jackson, C, Rancho Bernardo HS (CA)
The 6'-2", 210-pound right-hander will be one of the top power hitters in the 2014 MLB draft. Over 35 games as a junior, he hit .343 with 14 home runs and drew 29 walks for a .479 OBP/.806 SLG. Aside from the power potential, he also has a plus arm and is very athletic, making many believe he will stick at the premium position. Like Clint Frazier this year, Jackson may be the most talked about prep player next season. Committed to Oregon.
7. Kansas City Royals — Nicholas Gordon, SS/RHP, Olympia HS (FL)
The son of Tom "Flash" Gordon, Nick also can sling it on the mound (92 mph) but may have a brighter future at shortstop, where his strong arm, range and instincts will make him one of the better defensive shortstops in the 2014 MLB draft. Offensively, he hits from the left side and projects to a top-of-the-order hitter with speed and a very good approach at the plate. Over 30 games as a junior, he hit .505 with 15 doubles, six triples and 12 stolen bases. Committed to Florida State.
8. Los Angeles Dodgers — Sean Newcomb, LHP, Hartford
The 6'-5", 240-pound southpaw was among the leaders in K/9 with a 11.5 mark this season thanks to a fastball that can touch 95 mph. Over 13 starts, he had a 3.75 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 92 K/37 BB over 72 innings while holding hitters to a .213 batting average. With increased improvement on his command, as well as secondary stuff, he should be a big name to watch next year.
9. Los Angeles Angels — Jacob Gatewood, OF, Clovis HS (CA)
At 6'-4" and 200 pounds, the right-hander generates a ton of power due to his excellent bat speed, and he also has a canon arm that has been clocked in the low/mid-90s. He plays shortstop now, but with his size, a move to the hot corner seems likely, and his arm and bat would more than play well there. Not fast, he is a very good athlete and there is still a good amount of projection left. Committed to USC.
10. Seattle Mariners — Jeff Hoffman, RHP, East Carolina
The 6'-4", 190-pound right-hander is a workhorse who could have a Jonathan Gray-like rise next season with continued development on his curveball and change-up, both of which are solid offerings right now. His fastball is a plus pitch already and touches 97 mph. Over 15 starts this season, he had a 3.20 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 84 K/39 BB over 109.2 innings. His 7.3 innings-per-start show the kind of stamina he has, and he maintains velocity deep in games.
Jack Flaherty is one of the better power bats in the 2014 MLB draft.
11. Chicago White Sox — Jack Flaherty, 3B/RHP, Harvard-Westlake HS (CA)
Like Gatewood, Flaherty is a 6'-4", 200-pound right-hander with massive power potential. The ball jumps off his bat and his plus bat speed suggests he should hit for a high average, as well. He doesn't have quite the arm of Gatewood, but he should be able to stick at third due to his range and instincts. He has decent speed but isn't a guy who is going to steal many bases. Playing for a national powerhouse, he will get plenty of attention next year. Committed to North Carolina.
12. San Diego Padres — Kel Johnson, OF, Home School (GA)
A 6'-4", 210-pound right-hander who has been a fixture on Perfect Game tournaments, Johnson is home schooled by his parents and plays for the East Cobb Braves — one of the premiere youth baseball operations in the country. Power would be his best tool right now as he generates a ton of it with his strong wrists and bat speed. A player who you come to watch hit batting practice. Committed to Georgia Tech.
13. Minnesota Twins — Luke Weaver, RHP, Florida State
A 6'-2", 180-pound right-hander, Weaver has enjoyed an outstanding season for the Seminoles this year. Over 15 starts, he has a 2.29 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 119 K/19 BB over 98.1 innings. His 10.9 K/9 and 6.3 K/BB ratios show the kind of power/command pitcher he is. His fastball sits in the low/mid-90s and he adds a change-up that shows plus potential. There is still room for projection and added velocity as he fills out.
14. Philadelphia Phillies — Braxton Davidson, OF, T C Roberson HS (NC)
The 6'-3", 215-pound left-hander will be one of the best prep bats in the 2014 MLB draft due to his bat speed, advanced approach at the plate and raw power. He shows good pitch recognition, and his strong wrists allow him to wait on any pitch. Over 31 games as a junior, he hit .403 with seven doubles, eight home runs, and drew 30 walks for a .600 OBP/.831 SLG. His strong arm would play well in a corner outfield spot.
15. Washington Nationals — Justin Smith, OF, Bartram Trail HS (FL)
The 6'-2", 200-pound right-hander has all five tools, including a canon arm in the outfield (92 mph) and plus speed (6.69/60). He is still considered raw in some areas, but his excellent bat speed, along with his frame, make for a huge upside. Many are expecting a huge senior season.
16. Colorado Rockies — Aaron Nola, RHP, LSU
Maybe the best control artist available in the 2014 MLB draft, the 6'-2" right-hander features a plus, low-90s fastball with nasty sink to it. He offsets his fastball with a deceptive change-up that freezes hitters. As a freshman, he had 89 K/7 BB over 89.2 innings and 40 of those strikeouts were looking. This season, he has been lights-out so far. Over 15 starts, he is 11-0 with a 1.82 ERA, 0.85 WHIP and 111 K/17 BB over 109 innings. His size limits his upside, but you'd be hard pressed to find a better pitcher in the true sense of the word out there.
17. San Francisco Giants — Derek Fisher, OF, Virginia
A great athlete, the 6'-3", 210-pound left-hander greatly improved his approach this season cutting down his strikeouts from 61 to 38 over roughly the same number of plate appearances while upping his walks from 22 to 28. Over 53 games, he hit .306 with 12 doubles, seven home runs, stole eight bases and had a .420 OBP/.505 SLG. His size suggests more power will come and, if it does, he will be one of the better all-around college bats available in the 2014 MLB draft.
18. Cleveland Indians — Kyle Schwarber, C, Indiana
While he may not have enough to stick behind the plate, the 6'-0", 230-pound left-handed hitter does have a strong arm and makes for a big target. His footwork needs work, however, and most think he will eventually end up at first base. That shouldn't hurt his stock that much because the kid can flat out destroy a baseball. Over 57 games, he is hitting .374 with 10 doubles, 18 home runs and has drawn 39 walks to just 30 strikeouts for a .462 OBP/.676 SLG. He should be a leading candidate to lead the nation in home runs next season and, with that kind of power and patience from the left side, he may be too hard to pass up in the first round. He was also named to the 2013 Collegiate Team USA.
19. Detroit Tigers — Justin Bellinger, 1B, St. Sebastian's HS (MA)
At 6'-5" and 235 pounds, the power potential is massive with the left-handed hitter. His patient approach at the plate, along with his strong wrists, allows him to wait on any pitch and drive it into the stratosphere. He has been a fixture at all of the summer events and showcases and is always one of the top performers. He doesn't have a lot of speed (7.1/60) but he does project to a solid defender at first base.
20. Tampa Bay Rays — Liam Sabino, SS, Blair Academy (PA)
A very good defensive shortstop — maybe the best in the 2014 MLB draft — the 6'-1" right-hander has a strong arm (90 mph), soft hands and makes it look effortless in the field. His bat is behind the defense but his bat speed and approach project well. More power should come as he matures, but he profiles as more of a top-of-the-order hitter. He also isn't a base stealer, but with the premium put on up-the-middle talent, he has a strong chance to go in the first round of the 2014 MLB draft.
A big year will be expected from Michael Conforto in 2014.
21. Arizona Diamondbacks — Michael Conforto, OF, Oregon State
After an incredible freshman season in which he hit .349 over 58 games with 14 doubles, 13 home runs, 76 RBI and a .438 OBP/.601 SLG, the 6'-1", 215-pound left-hander has regressed a bit his sophomore year. Over 58 games, he is hitting .326 with nine home runs, 42 RBI and a .450 OBP/.501 SLG. While he has improved his walk rate and approach, the power numbers are down. A great talent, he should be among the better college bats available in the 2014 MLB draft. He has been a little inconsistent in the outfield this season but shows enough to hold down a corner outfield spot.
22. Baltimore Orioles — Grant Hockin, RHP, Damien HS (CA)
Hockin is an athletic 6'-4" right-hander whose fastball has touched 95 mph with late life. He also adds two solid secondary offerings in a curveball and change-up, and he locates his pitches well. He repeats his delivery well and still has some projection left. He is the grandson of Hall of Famer Harmon Killebrew.
23. New York Yankees — Michael Kopech, Mount Pleasant HS (TX)
Another one of those loose arm, projectable right-handers, the 6'-4" Kopech has an electric fastball that can touch 93 mph and he has some deception to his delivery. His mechanics need some refining and he needs to command his secondary stuff better, but the size and stuff is already there.
24. Oakland Athletics — Joey Pankake, SS, South Carolina
He should get drafted in the first round on his name alone. With a real chance to stick at shortstop, the 6'-1", 200-pound right-hander has also come a long way with the bat. He has an advanced approach at the plate, great bat speed and has shown good power this season. Over 60 games, he is hitting .314 with 11 home runs, 40 RBI and has drawn 28 walks to 28 strikeouts for a .390 OBP/.502 SLG. Shortstops who can get on base and hit for power are high on everyone's wish list. And think of the jersey sales.
25. Pittsburgh Pirates — Mike Papi, OF, Virginia
The 6'-3", 200-pound left-hander wasn't even a starter until the 11th game of the season. Since then, he has been one of the best hitters in college, including leading the nation in OBP. Over 53 games, he hit .393 with 15 doubles, six home runs, 55 RBI and drew 43 walks to just 22 strikeouts for a .527 OBP/.625 SLG. With an advanced approach at the plate, and the size that suggests more power will come, Papi could erupt next season. He can also flash the leather in the outfield.
26. Boston Red Sox — Michael Gettys, RHP, Gainesville HS (GA)
An athletic right-hander who has touched 95 mph with his fastball, the 6'-2" Gettys is one of the more exciting players to watch in the 2014 prep class. As a junior, he hit .406 and stole 38 bases over 32 games. On the mound, he had a 0.99 ERA, 0.74 WHIP and 114 K/18 BB over 73 innings. He tossed two no-hitters and struck out 2013 fifth-overall pick Clint Frazier twice in their match-up on April 12. In an interview I did with Frazier, he said Gettys was the best pitcher he faced all season.
27. Atlanta Braves — Zach Shannon, 3B, Moeller HS (OH)
A two-way prospect who may have more upside as a hitter, the 6'-3", 220-pound right-hander has a canon arm (93 mph) and his power bat would play well in right. He has shown the ability to hit to all fields and has good bat speed. On the mound, he also has an upper-70s curveball that shows plus potential to go along with his above-average fastball. He hails from the same school that produced Ken Griffey Jr., Barry Larkin and Buddy Bell.
28. Cincinnati Reds — Gareth Morgan, OF, North Toronto Collegiate (ON)
The 2014 prep class is full of big-time power bats and Morgan, a 6'-4", 210-pound right-hander, has as much of it as anyone else on this list. He is more raw than the players listed above, and he has had mixed results when he has faced elite competition. All of the tools are there, however, including excellent bat speed and a good approach, he just needs to refine it.
29. Texas Rangers — Bryce Montes De Oca, RHP, Lawrence HS (MO)
This one is all about upside. At 6'-8" and 265 pounds, the right-hander can run his fastball up to 95 mph with ease. Add in the fact that it his release point is probably halfway to home plate, it is near impossible to pick it up as a hitter. His secondary stuff is still developing and he is still learning to pitch, but it's hard to pass on a kid with his size and arm strength.
30. St. Louis Cardinals — Alex Lange, RHP, Lee's Summit West HS (MO)
With three potential plus pitches in his arsenal, the 6'-3" right-hander has that classic mix you look for in a starter. His fastball sits in the low-90s with room for more as he continues to refine his mechanics. His mid-80s split change-up already shows plus, and his upper-70s curveball could be a dominant pitch down the road.
Feel free to follow me on Twitter @DanMKirby for 2014 MLB draft updates, prospect news and Chicago Cubs ramblings.
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A research team at Kaunas University of Technology (KTU) Lithuania has identified a new technique in which industrial waste products can be used for creating gypsum-binding material with increased strength. The researchers combined zeolite, a waste product from oil refining industry; phosphogypsum, a fertilizing production waste; and an activator to cast gypsum stone, whose strength was double than usual.
Approximately 5 tons of phosphogypsum is produced for each ton of phosphoric acid production, and phosphogypsum generation across the globe is estimated to be about 100–280 MT per annum. Universally, 15% of phosphogypsum production is recycled as soil stabilization amendments, agricultural fertilizers, or building materials, and as setting controller in the production of Portland cement. The remaining phosphogypsum is kept near factories, which not only leads to serious environmental contamination but also occupies massive land areas. In Lithuania, for example, the phosphate industry firm Lifosa generates almost 500,000 tons of phosphoric acid and as much as four to five times of the phosphogypsum, which is sent to the waste piles.
We have had enquiries from industry, who were interested in managing their waste products, and this was the primarily impulse for our research. All the materials used in our invention are waste products from different industries. After combining zeolite, which is coming from an oil refining company, and phosphogypsum from fertilizer producer we added a certain activator, which changed the micro structure and significantly increased the strength of the final product – plaster stone.
Aras Kantautas, Researcher and Study Co-Author, Faculty of Chemical Technology, Kaunas University of Technology.
KTU researchers used zeolite—an extremely strong sorbent—for cleaning phosphogypsum, which when acquired as a waste product is contaminated with phosphoric acid. At the time of the experiments, the optimal quantity of all the additives to the mixture was established by the researchers to obtain the best qualities of the end product: for acid sorption, the optimal proportion of zeolite is 5%; 5% of activator in the mixture brought its pH to 6.95 and 10% of activator brought its pH to 6.07. When an optimal proportion of zeolite sorbent was used, there was an increase in the compressive strength of dry samples, and the pH of the end product reached close to neutral.
The analogical research focusing on production of plaster from phosphogypsum usually involves using high temperatures or expensive binding materials. Whereas for our invention we use only waste materials from different industries, which can not only be acquired for symbolic price, but also are becoming a useful material for building and other industries, wherever plaster is used. Our gypsum stone is stronger than standard and its production is not only simpler and more efficient, but is also adding to the zero-waste industry concept.
Dalia Nizevičienė, Researcher and Study Co-Author, Kaunas University of Technology.
A patent of KTU's invention has already been applied to the State Patent Bureau of Lithuania. As soon as the patent is received, the KTU's researchers will look into collaboration with business organizations so as to commercialize their invention. Technology transfer is enabled by KTU National Innovation and Entrepreneurship Centre—one-stop shop for knowledge intensive business to contact research.


The City of Brandon Streets and Roads Department wishes to update the public on its snow plowing and sanding efforts following this week's blizzard activity.
Crews continue their focus today on punching through large drifts on major thoroughfares. Sanding trucks are following graders to address icy patches and other "hot spots" like intersections or steep inclines.
Beginning tonight at 8 p.m., the department will begin a City-wide residential snow plowing effort. Overnight, crews will be focused in Residential Zone "F". Once complete, crews will move to Residential Zone "A" on the morning of Thursday, March 9th, after which scheduling for additional residential zones will be announced. Scheduling of this work for the remainder of the City will take into consideration refuse and recycling pickup in the residential areas.
It is important to note that residential areas will not be signed with "No Parking" signage prior to plowing, with the exception of the core area due to the narrow width of the streets. Residents and motorists can greatly aid the overall process by watching for snow-clearing equipment in their neighbourhood and endeavoring to park off-street until clearing is complete. Up-to-date snow clearing activity can also be tracked by visiting the City of Brandon's Online Snow Clearing map at http://gis.brandon.ca/snowclearing/.
Residents with specific street clearing questions are asked to call the City of Brandon Streets and Roads Department at 204-729-2285 or 204-729-2290.


Is so completely shocking and just...omg. Basically the video portrays a world where gingers are being beaten and executed in quite a graphic manner. To be honest i find this plot for the music video a tad all silly and being ginger myself I'm not offended by the video but yeah it is quite terrifying to see a bunch redheads being beaten and then blown up by the police, of course most videos like this are usually terrifying and disturbing. Its also scary to think that things like this are not necessary happening to us here in Britain or in the states but somewhere in the world horrible things like this may be happening, i really hope not but the world is a huge place...anything can happen nowadays.
Be warned its really graphic!
Is this called 'gingist'? Or is it a satire on social cleansing the world over where various ethnic minorities are persecuted to the point of eradication?


Nkanga Executive Guest Lodge offers you 4-star luxury owner run accommodation in Kempton Park, Johannesburg which is less than 10 km from South Africa's busiest international airport OR Tambo International.
Because our guest lodge is set on 11 acres of tranquil landscaped gardens we offer our guests wide scenic spaces to relax and enjoy while being close enough to take advantage of all that Johannesburg has to offer.
Nkanga Guest Lodge is centrally located to all major highways and businesses as well as extensive shopping centres and entertainment amenities. In addition to this Johannesburg, Sandton and Pretoria are only a short 30 min drive from Nkanga Lodge. The world class Gautrain offers quick, safe and direct links to central Johannesburg, Sandton & Nelson Mandela Square, Rosebank and Pretoria. The closest Gautrain station at OR Tambo or Rhodesfield is only a short 8km drive away. Furthermore we also offer a shuttle service to and from Or Tambo and the Rhodesfield Gautrain Station.
Your accommodation at Nkanga Lodge is not only peaceful it is especially spacious and most comfortable. Most noteworthy is that all our 17 rooms have private entrances, en-suite bathrooms, air-conditioning and hospitality trays. In addition we offer Free Wi-Fi access throughout the lodge for your added convenience. The safety and security of our guests is of utmost importance to us, with this in mind we have 24hr security access and ample off street parking.


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text:
Dirk Smit
It's happened: De Lille resigns as mayor, DA member
PoliticsRa'eesa Pather | 2018-10-31 13:59:00
Patricia de Lille has finally answered the question many have asked of her over the past week: Yes, she is resigning as mayor of Cape Town.
De Lille, speaker face motions of no confidence in Cape Town council
PoliticsPaul Herman | 2018-07-26 07:22:00
Cape Town Mayor Patricia de Lille and council speaker Dirk Smit are expected to face separate motions of no confidence in the City of Cape Town...
Cape Town Speaker to decide if De Lille vote is secret
PoliticsGovan Whittles | 2018-02-14 18:37:00
The Western Cape high court has ruled that the speaker of the Cape Town city council, Dirk Smit, should use his discretion to decide if a secret...
ANC looks for security a 'firepool' at De Lille's home
PoliticsJenna Etheridge | 2017-10-05 16:06:00
About 10 ANC members visited Cape Town Mayor Patricia de Lille's home on Thursday to ask her to "pay back the money" on security upgrades to her...
Cape Town to review new liquor by-law
NationalStaff Reporter | 2011-01-12 14:56:00
The City of Cape Town has commissioned a legal review of its new liquor by-law before any amendments are gazetted.
Invasion councillor faces disciplinary hearing
NewsStaff Reporter | 2008-04-01 16:01:00
A Cape Town councillor who allegedly encouraged the invasion of new homes at Delft on the Cape Flats is to go before a disciplinary committee, city...
Erasmus commission's work put on hold
The Erasmus commission's sittings have been suspended pending the City of Cape Town's application to the Cape High Court challenging the commission's legality....
Erasmus commission set to continue
NewsJacques Keet | 2008-04-14 17:43:00
Erasmus commission chairperson Judge Nathan Erasmus on Monday dismissed an application by the City of Cape Town for the commission's suspension....
Advocate will no longer head Cape Town 'spy' probe
Advocate Geoff Budlender will not be conducting the investigation into the City of Cape Town's "spy" affair, mayor Helen Zille announced on...
Zille: There will be no cover-up in spy probe
There will be no cover-up in the alleged spy scandal involving the surveillance of Cape Town councillors, Democratic Alliance (DA) leader Helen...
ID dismisses Zille's claims on bribery
The Independent Democrats (ID) on Monday dismissed as false claims by Cape Town mayor Helen Zille that the Democratic Alliance (DA) did not...
Cape Town challenges Erasmus commission
The City of Cape Town has launched a high court challenge to the legality of the Erasmus commission, city speaker Dirk Smit announced on Tuesday....


The Optical Shop was a longtime advertiser with The City Menus, and we enjoyed spending time in the shop and making purchases from them! Pam tells us she is going to enjoy spending time with her grandkids and family. Both Pam and her husband will also enjoy their small condo in Panama City Beach with the ocean breeze. This was her dream, as she told me a few weeks ago before they closed. She also serves on the condo association which will keep her busy while away from Carrollton. The City Menus wishes the Hortons the very best! Thank you for your partnership!


Just want to start by saying that I???ve learned so much here and that the 1st 6 weeks of Paleo have been good. It???s clearly a lifestyle that I want to continue for the rest of my life. Many of the posts here indicate how important it is to personalize your Paleo program and to see what works for you. To that end I have continued to keep to a 90/10 Paleo regimen: no sugar/grains/legumes/seed oils but have added fermented and raw dairy to help me stick to it.
This is my first question, so bear with me:) Through reading here I have noticed a lot of discussion of Omega 6/Omega 3 ratios. It only recently occurred to me that even with no industrial seed oils I could still be high in Omega 6 eating some Paleo foods I love. (Dark meat bird, crispy skin, avocados and nuts) I have begun to restrict these foods.
What I want to do is to balance N6 and N3 using a supplement like FLCO in case I don???t eat enough N-3 foods or too much N-6 food on any given day. Will the folks with more knowledge and experience with this topic talk about their own hacks and please weigh in on FLCO (or other fish oil Omega 3 supplementation). How often you take it etc.?
Yes it was shocking to me to have my blood tested and find that despite 1000mg of vit d daily and my d levels were only 23! I've been on 5000iu a day for over 2 years and my levels are still only up to 47. I don't wear sunscreen any more but San Francisco is so cold that sun is not my best option.
Thanks, I recognize your name from the former comments board on The Healthy Skeptic. I originally found out about this n-6 / n-3 ratio idea on that blog. It has made me worried that I too much N-6 and don't get enough N-3 without supplementation. I do most everything you do except for sardines. I did get the FLCO from green pastures. Need the Vit D anyway. Will check out the royal blend.
Great first question. FCLO has some Omega3, but it's such a small dose that I wouldn't count on much from this. That's more for A/D and if you get their blend with the butter oil mixed in there then you get a bit of K2 as well.
For O3, I don't supplement, and I don't recommend supplementation unless you are totally unwilling to minimize your O6. I just make sure I eat enough food sources that contain natural O3 (from animals). If you are going to supp, get a good brand that uses pure fish oil and is not rancid, as even O3 pufa can be hazardous to you when either A) overconsumed, or B) oxidized, or C) both.
If I'm guilty of anything, it is that nuts and nut butter may be a vice for me. I LOVE homemade almond pecan butter. I never do peanuts, thankfully, but I often eat some GF ghee with nut butter to help balance the fatty acids at least a bit.
I second Laura's comment but add that you should get tested for Vitamin D in the blood. There are people in the 30s that are Vitamin D deficient in cold cloudy climates and people in the 60's Vitamin D deficient in sunny warm climates. At the same time you don't want to overdo any vitamin or mineral.


Why do I get the feeling this will hurt the independent licencees far more than it will hurt the chains?
From what i heard on weekends, "happy hours" have to be at least 48 hours long as to put off pubs from having them... Happy Weekends sound quite nice.
People will just buy cheap booze from the 'offie' so it's not going to make one pick of difference.
"If approved, it would make happy hours illegal and would allow local boards to refuse a licence if an area was already flooded with pubs and clubs."
Weren't they supposed to be doing this in Aberdeen with the minimum drinks price not two months ago? i've got a funny feeling this won't go through either.
this happened in glasgow ages ago (the ban on happy hours)...cheap pubs stayed cheap and expensive ones stayed expensive. Not that much difference really i dont think.
apparently pubs aren't allowed to put up posters or give out flyers with drinks offers on them, but that hasn't stopped pretty much every pub on Belmont Street displaying 'make it a double for 1 more' posters everywhere.
Does anywhere have happy hours anymore? I suppose we could kiss good bye to spinning the wheel at Flying Circus if it goes through.
"If approved' date=' it would make happy hours illegal and would allow local boards to refuse a licence if an area was already flooded with pubs and clubs."
Difference being that Aberdeen's decision would have contravened the licensing laws, whereas this will change the licensing laws.


"Ahahaha, I think you guys are aunties!"
"You're such fragile beings, broken by a single touch!"
As the cartoon figure's ridicule rang, the two assassins were stunned for a moment but they still kept their patience and did not make a move.
"Idiots, this is a place that even the gods dare not step foot in. You have come looking for your own deaths instead!!!"
The cartoon figure's voice was sometimes male, sometimes female, sometimes mellow and sometimes loud, and sometimes it would pass through clearly.
"With just 998 dollars, I could let you guys feel so good that you can't breathe..."
"That's weird, I feel like shooting something."
"I have two guns, one is called 'shoot'...one is called...ah!"
"What's that thing dripping out?"
After the cartoon figure rambled on for a few minutes, one of the assassins could not handle it anymore. The ramblings from the toy were too annoying and caused them not to be able to focus on thinking about the best strategy.
The man initially wanted to signal to the other guy but because the house was plunged into complete darkness, apart from the cartoon figure that emitted a dim light, they were left blind.
"Damn it, I knew I should have brought my night vision glasses!" the man scolded himself silently, holding his right arm out carefully to shoot the cartoon figure.
A gun fired and what came after was the painful cry of the man. He did not even have the chance to pull the trigger. The shot had come from the second floor and hit him accurately on his right hand.
"Their cries, how weird!" the cartoon figure continued.
On the second floor, Ning Xi found the night vision glasses. She had to admit that the owner of the house was well equipped indeed. Apart from not having heavier firearms, everything else was complete.
At this moment, the injured man fell to the floor and half his body was immediately exposed in the open. With the night vision glasses, she had no barriers at all.
"Invisibility is the deadliest power!"
With the cartoon figure's narration, Ning Xi once again fired a shot with flawless precision. She immediately extinguished the life of the man who had been moaning and the cries suddenly stopped.
"And you...young man, ya need a few shots?"
The cartoon figure's words reached the final assassin's ears and gave him a chill as though the words were meant just for him.
"Oh, my big knife has long been thirsty..."
The last assassin had a vicious look in his eyes as he raised the gun towards the second floor and shot numerous times. However, without the night vision glasses, he could only fire blindly. Ning Xi was practically unthreatened by him.
"Gun skills ain't bad, but if you want to hit her, you'd have to wait for the next time!" the cartoon figure taunted.
"You remind me of my family's best milking cow. I'd like to introduce that cow to you!"
The assassin finally let the anger and fear get the best of him and he lost his rationality as he shot towards the direction of the second floor again.
This time, Ning Xi was already prepared. Just as the assassin was getting into position to make the shot, Ning Xi chose the perfect timing to pull the trigger with her agility and precision.
"Someone as handsome as I am would usually be the main character in other games!"
The final dialogue of the cartoon figure was the curtain call for the black-clothed assassin as he fell to the floor and took his last breath.


text:
formly know One Thousand A.E
By Radewart,
July 28, 2011 in Will Smith Movies
Location:Spain
A lot of pix from Moscow
http://visualrian.ru/en/site/feature/314611/
Edited December 1, 2013 by Ale
Ale 347 posts
gosia 49 posts
Radewart 37 posts
VIsqo 26 posts
Will & Jaden attend the 'After Earth' press conference at Conrad Hotel and the 'After Earth' Premiere Time Square in Seoul, South Korea, on May 7, 2013. The film will be released in South Korea o
Cool pic!
Will & Jaden Visit RIA, Discusses 'After Earth'
Actor Will Smith and his son, Jaden, took an excursion of the RIA Novosti news agency in Moscow, checked out the agency's program RapInfo, signed a newspaper into print, and talked about his new film, After Earth, which hits the Russian theaters on June 6. Jaden costars with his father in the new movie.
http://themoscownews.com/videos/20130527/191549839/Hollywood-Star-Will-Smith-Visits-RIA-Discusses-After-Earth.html
Press Conference!
http://youtu.be/6a-HCNpmV8o
More pics here:
http://fr.ria.ru/photolents/20130527/198399894.html
http://youtu.be/bkUJApLTDiI
Jazzy Julie
JJFP.com Potnas
Location:Liverpool, UK
hahaha oh he got him in the mouth.
Concerning those IMDB Reviews...
Someone's take on IMDB... and so it starts... http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1815862/board/thread/215092718
How? How are you people seeing this movie.
In three days, the rating has dropped from 7.0 to 6.5. How is this fair? I can understand hating a film if you see it and don't like it, but don't just hate the film "...because!" without even taking the time to watch it and think about it.
The Last Airbender is a bad movie but it was judged as a bad movie after release. But this hasn't been released, at least not on a proper level.
By rating the movie without seeing it, you're making a mockery out of the rating system. This gives weight to people who say all IMDB ratings are phoney and biased. It makes it possible for someone to say "yeah, Lady in the Water has a low IMDB rating, but most people who rated haven't seen it, they just hate Shyamalan."
You think you're spiting the film or the filmmakers by giving it a low rating before it's been released, but you're not. You're just making it possible for people to discredit all IMDB ratings, which negates the point of them even existing.
Judge the film fairly or don't judge it at all.
Last Wednesday, only 82 Americans had rated the movie. That number has since doubled despite the film not being shown in the U.S. According to IMDB, the film was shown in Japan and South Korea, and according to Shyamalan, it's been shown in London and will soon be shown in Paris and Moscow. This explains the non-U.S. votes, which give the film an aggregate rating of 6.9. How can there be such a huge disparity between U.S. and non-U.S. voters? From 49 to 69 out of 100; why are non US users enjoying it, but American users aren't?
The Arithmetic mean is still 7.6. and the Median is 9, but it's clear that the rating is being sabotaged by U.S. trolls, which just proves that IMDB ratings can't be trusted.
It's worse that these low ratings are coming from grown men (30+) who should know better.
VIsqo
Location:Springfield, MO.
Interests:Sports, music, food, Medicine, cars, girls, writting, movies, JJFP.
Loved the press conference, really insightful. The guy is a mega star world wide
The Alien Backstory You Didn't See in the After Earth Trailers!
Edited May 28, 2013 by gosia
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - MAY 25: In this photo provided by the German Government Press Office (BPA), German Chancellor Angela Merkel speaks with actor Will Smith during the UEFA Champions League final match between FC Bayern Muenchen and Borussia Dortmund at Wembley Stadium on May 25, 2013 in London, United Kingdom.
http://cache4.asset-cache.net/gc/169490789-in-this-photo-provided-by-the-german-gettyimages.jpg?v=1&c=IWSAsset&k=2&d=GkZZ8bf5zL1ZiijUmxa7QTwjvdRxPqzDg1LxySTVk9eZ6llhnj7s9kRkdLAsDyj6
'BET' interview:
http://www.bet.com/news/celebrities/2013/05/28/will-smith-i-consider-myself-a-warrior.html
He forgets the lyrics to 'Gettin' Jiggy Wit It'
Edited May 28, 2013 by Ale


1) Walnut table with folding top,circa 1630.
2-3) Walnut armchair, circa 1730. 4) Mirror on mahogany stand, c.1750. 5) Mahogany kettle stand, circa 1750. 6) Mahogany armchair, upholstered in modern damask, 1750. 7) Barometer & thermometer, circa 1760, made by G. Adams. Part of a donation of 16 gifts and 1 bequest to five museums by the Brigadier Clark Fund through the Art Fund between 1936 and 1992.


White Stuff is looking for private equity investment to expand after like-for-likes at the business rose 7% for the year to April 26.
The company has sent out a prospectus via corporate advisory firm KPMG to interested parties after founders George Treves and Sean Thomas decided to sell part of their 80% stake.
The 49-store White Stuff chain, which sells boardsports- inspired men's and women's casualwear, opened eight stores during the financial year, and wants to build its portfolio to 75 stores over the next three years, as well as expanding overseas.
White Stuff chief executive Sally Bailey said its wholesale business, home shopping operation and retail stores had all seen growth over the past year.
Operating profits reached £6.9 million, with EBITDA up 122% to £8.2m from £3.7m. Total sales rose 39% to £43.8m for the period. Home shopping sales were up 42%.
It is unclear how much investment White Stuff is seeking, but it is looking for an investor to take a minority stake. So far the business has resisted large-scale funding such as that obtained by rival Fat Face, which was bought by Bridgepoint in April 2007.
Some retail observers said the business had a strong proposition because of its multi-channel operation.
Lifestyle retailer and brand White Stuff is to push into foreign markets and has launched a search for a new chairman to replace Vince Gwilliam who is stepping down.