text:
Women fall victims to violence because of their gender. It is a manifestation of the power disparity between the two sexes. The right of women and girls to a life free from violence is a legitimate right of humans. Reality is completely different. This is not only happening in Algeria but it is transcontinental and present in all countries of the world. Even the most advanced ones!
Since the world is celebrating in this period 16 days of activism against violence against women and girls under the name of "orange the world campaign" starting from November 25th:" The International Day Against Violence Against Women and Girls" to December 10th: International Human Rights Day, I wanted to seek the opportunity and talk about this subject. So, if you are interested in the subject keep on reading this article. If not, keep also on reading it can change your thinking about the topic or add new information to you!
What is violence against women?
The United Nations defines violence against women as any violent act that the aggressor's nervousness leads to, and that results in harm or suffering for women. Whether from a physical or psychological point of view. Including the threat of such acts or the arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether this occurs in public or private life.
Usually, the perpetrators are either current or ex-husbands, parents, siblings, or colleagues. Often women and girls are exposed to violence in places where they are supposed to feel safe. For example in their homes or their social surroundings.
Women most vulnerable to violent practices are those who are separated from their partner, married, or who were exposed to violence during their childhood.
A report of the United Nations confirms that only 10 percent of the women who are victims of violence report that they are exposed to that and only 40 percent talk about it with relatives, which highlights the need for action to sensitize women to the importance of changing their reality. Despite the existence of the laws, they lack accompaniment and enforcement mechanisms. The World Health Organization believes that violence against women is one of the biggest health risks that women face all over the world!
Violence against women in Algeria:
Algeria has seen a significant rise in violence against women in recent years, both in the family and in the street according to an article published by Al Jazeera. Security Services statistics say they recorded nearly eight thousand cases of violence against women only in the first nine months of 2019.
The general figures of the National Directorate of security-which are now recording violence against women – show numbers that need to be seen given the significant growth of the phenomenon, since in 2016 more than 8,000 cases of violence against women were recorded, 50% of which were domestic violence.
In the same context, Algeria counted more than 7,586 violent cases against women during the first nine months of 2017, as well as those who did not file a complaint against those involved, often because of fear of husbands and the reaction of society.
The figures also found that violence against women is 65% and that men are 90% responsible.
However, despite all the alarming numbers recorded about violence against women, the real figure is much greater because of the lack of reporting by abused women for several considerations. Also because of the nature of society and local norms, which often reprimand women who report violence.
Causes of violence against women:
Social motives:
These include low levels of Education. Widespread ignorance among members of society. Consequently, vulnerability to misconceptions that spread in society, as well as the adoption of macho views that manifest themselves in the form of both physical and sexual violence.
Psychological motives:
The psychological factors that formed in the personalities of perpetrators of violence against women in childhood greatly influence their behaviors. The most prominent of these psychological factors is the victimization of the perpetrator in any form in childhood, his presence in a family environment where the father attacks the mother in any form. The absence of the father from the family can be a cause too. Besides personality disorders that may lead to the creation of an antisocial personality.
Economic motivations:
Low living standards, widespread unemployment, and poverty are among the most common causes of violence in many societies today. These causes, combined, pose significant psychological pressures on the breadwinners of the family, which often collide with the consumerism of women.
Sometimes, women themselves can be one of the main factors that lead to violence against them! Such as when they are very afraid of the man himself or of the society in which they live. They are forced to silence and submit to violence, such as ridicule, to avoid the most severe physical violence. Women are forced to refrain from violence if there is no one to protect them when they are subjected to any form of violence. Also, most women are afraid to go to court and lodge complaints because they are convinced that there are no laws to deter violence. In addition to the domestic pressure that women may be subjected to if they file a complaint against men. Sometimes the husband may force her to all these things, combined, do not encourage women to resort to the courts to respond to violence against them.
Violence against women is a clear and blatant violation of human rights. It prevents them from enjoying their full rights and has serious consequences not only for women but for society as a whole, with serious social and economic consequences.
The effects of violence against women:
Violence results in severe physical, psychological, sexual, and reproductive health problems in the short and long term and high social and economic costs for those exposed to it.
Also, it can cause fatal consequences, such as violence, induced abortions, and women's health problems. In addition to that murder, preterm birth, and low birth weight. These forms of violence can also lead to depression and suicide.
Sexual violence, especially during childhood, can increase the likelihood of drug and alcohol addiction. Also dangerous sexual behaviors later in life. There is also a relationship between exposure to violence perpetration (for males) or becoming a victim (for females) in adults.
What about children?
Kids raised in families where violence is common are more likely to experience a range of behavioral and emotional disorders. This can lead them to commit or fall victims to such violence later in life.
Research of Uppsala University showed a link between cohabiting violence and higher infant and child mortality and morbidity rates (e.g. diarrhoeal diseases and malnutrition) was also revealed.
Social and economic impacts:
YES! Violence against women incurs huge social and economic costs. Women may experience isolation, inability to work, loss of pay, lack of participation in regular activities, and limited access to care for themselves and their children.
Solutions to the problem of violence against women:
From a personal perspective, I believe that prevention begins through school curricula. It must include programs to identify and respond to violence. In addition, programs that demonstrate the need for the relationship between couples within society to be based on principles of respect.
Violence against women must also be addressed through the correction of gender-specific cultural norms with the contribution of active official institutions, civil and civic organizations in society. Reformists, and religion, as well as local media. Developing the health sector and respond to situations of violence and raise awareness on the subject will help a lot.
Besides, legislation to protect women's rights, whether at the family level, at the employment level, and legitimate rights, must be implemented. As well as numerous amendments to the old laws, which are no longer relevant in the current situation.
People must be pushed to practice life side by side with the participation of women. Many families are afraid to give responsibility to women, for fear of being attacked with words and vilified. This reinforces the existence of social and cultural backwardness, making it gnaw in the minds of societies for decades.
The role of civil society in eliminating this phenomenon:
Algerian society, like Arab societies, continues to subject women to male control. Along with the authority of traditions that contribute to the humiliation of women.
Despite holding high positions in various fields and entering areas that were exclusive to men, she remains in the eyes of society as a minor. Incompetent, unable to decide the fate of her life, and only created to marry, have children and serve the family. Unfortunately, the authority of tradition has excelled in insulting her, taking violence as a means of disciplining women as if they are in need of that!
Youth leaders can be a powerful component of social change as they have the desire to change social and political structures for the better. We need to empower them! Invest in their skills and abilities to achieve peace and justice. This will end all forms of violence, either against men or women!
Author: Rania Boublal.


text:
SNL's 35th anniversary honors include Barney's NYC holiday window display, T-Mobile ad
by Sean L. McCarthy October 15, 2009
I was going to say something about Tracy Morgan, but before I do that, let me take a moment to note how the other alums for Saturday Night Live are getting love in a variety of ways (and I'm not just talking about Chevy Chase's lovely return to TV with NBC's Community, although there is Chevy to be chased in this post) on this, the show's 35th season.
First, I don't know how many of you noticed the new T-Mobile ad during last week's live SNL broadcast. Companies have gotten rather shrewd about incorporating humor and SNL-type elements in their real ads that air during the breaks on NBC's SNL telecasts; T-Mobile's new ad for its myTouch 3G takes the cake for SNL-relevance (although you're a couple of weeks late for me, since I just got a new iPhone 3GS!). Here is that ad, featuring Chevy Chase, Molly Shannon, Dana Carvey and Darrell Hammond. Roll the clip!
And it's beginning to feel cold like Christmas in NYC on recent windy, chilly nights, and in a month, the window display at Barney's New York store will devote its holiday display to the 35th anniversary of SNL. The reported scenes include classics such as the Coneheads, last year's Tina Fey/Sarah Palin sensation, and a couple of nods to the late 1990s, including Molly Shannon's Mary Katherine Gallagher and Chris Kattan's Mango. Here's one of the draft sketches from Barney's New York creative director Simon Doonan (via FishbowlNY):
TaggedSaturday Night Live
Comedy Central adds John Oliver & Friends to its 2009-2010 TV stand-up slate
If Mad Men's Peggy could vlog: Sara Benincasa's latest Internet sensation/creation
SNL #40.3 RECAP: Host Bill Hader, co-host Kristen Wiig, musical guest Hozier
SNL #37.13 RECAP: Host Channing Tatum, musical guest Bon Iver
Noel Wells, John Milhiser also one-and-done, out of SNL; Nasim Pedrad leaves for "Mulaney" on FOX

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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text:
""" general DB handling in Kervi, store sensor values and settings """
import os
import time
from datetime import datetime
import json
import inspect
import threading
import sqlite3 as lite
import kervi.spine as spine
from kervi.core.utility.thread import KerviThread

SPINE = spine.Spine()
FILE_CON = None
MEMORY_CON = None
MEMORY_LOCK = threading.Lock()
FILE_LOCK = threading.Lock()

def create_file_con(db_name):
    return lite.connect(db_name + '.db', check_same_thread=False)

def create_memory_con(db_name):
    return lite.connect(db_name + "_mem.db", check_same_thread=False)
    #return lite.connect(":memory:", check_same_thread=False)

class MemoryCleanThread(KerviThread):
    def __init__(self):
        KerviThread.__init__(self)
        self.spine = spine.Spine()
        self.alive = False
        if self.spine:
            self.spine.register_command_handler("startThreads", self._start_command)
            self.spine.register_command_handler("stopThreads", self._stop_command)

    def _step(self):
        time.sleep(20)
        try:
            con = MEMORY_CON # create_memory_con()
            cursor = con.cursor()
            rows = cursor.execute("select count(*) from dynamicData")
            values = rows.fetchone()
            row_count = values[0]
            if row_count > 20000:
                limit = row_count - 20000
                cursor.execute("DELETE FROM dynamicData WHERE id IN (SELECT id FROM dynamicData ORDER BY id ASC LIMIT "+ str(limit) +");")
        except lite.Error as msg:
            SPINE.log.error("clean memory db, Command skipped: {0}, command{1}", msg)

    def _start_command(self):
        print("start storage service")
        if not self.alive:
            self.alive = True
            KerviThread.start(self)

    def _stop_command(self):
        if self.alive:
            self.alive = False
            self.stop()

DB_CREATE_SQL = """
        CREATE TABLE `log` (
            `id`	INTEGER PRIMARY KEY AUTOINCREMENT,
            `sourceId`	TEXT,
            `sourceName`	TEXT,
            `area`	TEXT,
            `data`	TEXT,
            `level`	INTEGER,
            `topic`	TEXT,
            `body`	TEXT,
            'ts'    `timeStamp`	REAL,
            `logType`	TEXT
        );
        CREATE TABLE "dynamicData" (
            `id`	INTEGER PRIMARY KEY AUTOINCREMENT,
            `dynamicValue`	TEXT,
            `value`	TEXT,
            `timeStamp`	TEXT
        );
        CREATE INDEX `sensorindex` ON `dynamicData` (`dynamicValue` ,`timeStamp` );
        CREATE TABLE "settings" (
            `id`	INTEGER PRIMARY KEY AUTOINCREMENT,
            `setting_group`	TEXT,
            `name`	TEXT,
            `value`	TEXT
        );
        CREATE INDEX `settingsindex` ON `settings` (`setting_group` ,`name` );
        CREATE TABLE "cron" (
            `id`	INTEGER PRIMARY KEY AUTOINCREMENT,
            `job_id` TEXT,
            `component_id` TEXT
            `name`	TEXT,
            `job_parameters` TEXT
        );
        CREATE TABLE "cron_meta" (
            `id`	INTEGER PRIMARY KEY AUTOINCREMENT,
            `cron_id`	INTEGER,
            `repeat_start` REAL NOT NULL,
            `repeat_end` REAL NOT NULL,
            `repeat_interval` varchar(255) NOT NULL,
            `repeat_year` varchar(255) NOT NULL,
            `repeat_month` varchar(255) NOT NULL,
            `repeat_day` varchar(255) NOT NULL,
            `repeat_week` varchar(255) NOT NULL,
            `repeat_weekday` varchar(255) NOT NULL
        );
        """

class _ObjectEncoder(json.JSONEncoder):
    def default(self, obj):
        if hasattr(obj, "to_json"):
            return self.default(obj.to_json())
        elif hasattr(obj, "__dict__"):
            data = dict(
                (key, value)
                for key, value in inspect.getmembers(obj)
                if not key.startswith("__")
                and not inspect.isabstract(value)
                and not inspect.isbuiltin(value)
                and not inspect.isfunction(value)
                and not inspect.isgenerator(value)
                and not inspect.isgeneratorfunction(value)
                and not inspect.ismethod(value)
                and not inspect.ismethoddescriptor(value)
                and not inspect.isroutine(value)
            )
            return self.default(data)
        return obj

def execute_sql(con, sql):
    sql_commands = sql.split(';')

    for command in sql_commands:
        try:
            con.execute(command)
        except lite.Error as msg:
            SPINE.log.error("create db, Command skipped: {0}, command{1}", msg, command)

def init_db(db_name):
    global FILE_CON, MEMORY_CON

    MEMORY_CON = create_memory_con(db_name)
    FILE_CON = create_file_con(db_name)

    for con in [FILE_CON, MEMORY_CON]:
        cursor = con.cursor()
        cursor.execute("SELECT name FROM sqlite_master WHERE type='table';")
        tables_exists = False
        tables = cursor.fetchall()
        for table in tables:
            tables_exists = True
            break

        if not tables_exists:
            execute_sql(con, DB_CREATE_SQL)

    MemoryCleanThread()

#init_db()
TS_START = datetime.utcnow()

def store_dynamic_value(value_id, value, persist=False):
    try:
        if not persist:
            MEMORY_LOCK.acquire()
            cur = MEMORY_CON.cursor()
        else:
            FILE_LOCK.acquire()
            cur = FILE_CON.cursor()
        json_value = json.dumps(value["value"], cls=_ObjectEncoder, ensure_ascii=False).encode('utf8')
        cur.execute(
            "INSERT INTO dynamicData ('dynamicValue','value','timeStamp')  VALUES (?, ?, ?)",
            (value["id"], json_value, value["timestamp"])
        )
        if not persist:

            cur = MEMORY_CON.commit()
        else:
            cur = FILE_CON.commit()

    except lite.Error as er:
        SPINE.log.error('error store dynamic data, persist{0} error:{1}', persist, er)

    finally:
        if persist:
            FILE_LOCK.release()
        else:
            MEMORY_LOCK.release()

def store_setting(group, name, value):
    setting = retrieve_setting_db(group, name)
    FILE_LOCK.acquire()
    try:
        json_value = json.dumps(value, cls=_ObjectEncoder, ensure_ascii=False).encode('utf8')
        if setting:
            cur = FILE_CON.cursor()
            cur.execute(
                "update settings set value=? where id=?",
                (json_value, setting["id"])
            )
            FILE_CON.commit()
        else:
            cur = FILE_CON.cursor()
            cur.execute(
                "INSERT INTO settings ('setting_group','name','value')  VALUES (?, ?, ?)",
                (group, name, json_value)
            )
            FILE_CON.commit()

    except lite.Error as er:
        SPINE.log.error('error store settings data:{0}', er)
        print("error stire setting", er)
    except Exception as er:
        print("error stire setting", er)
    finally:
        FILE_LOCK.release()

def retrieve_setting_db(group, name):
    FILE_LOCK.acquire()
    try:
        cur = FILE_CON.cursor()
        cur.execute(
            "select * from settings where setting_group=? and name=?",
            (group, name)
        )

        all_rows = cur.fetchall()
        if len(all_rows) > 0:
            value = None
            try:
                value = json.loads(all_rows[0][3])
            except:
                SPINE.log.debug("retrieve setting failed:{0}/{1}", group, name)

            return {
                "id": all_rows[0][0],
                "group": all_rows[0][1],
                "name": all_rows[0][2],
                "value": value
            }
    finally:
        FILE_LOCK.release()

    return None

def retrieve_setting(group, name):
    setting = retrieve_setting_db(group, name)
    if setting:
        return setting["value"]

def get_dynamic_data(dynamic_value, date_from=None, date_to=None, limit=60):
    #print("gdf", date_from)
    #print("gdt", date_to)
    SPINE.log.debug("get dynamic data sensor:{0}, from {1} to {2}",dynamic_value, date_from, date_to)
    if date_from is None:
        date_from = TS_START
    elif isinstance(date_from, str):
        date_from = datetime.strptime(date_from,'%Y-%m-%dT%H:%M:%S.%fZ')

    if date_to is None:
        date_to = datetime.utcnow()
    elif isinstance(date_to, str):
        date_to = datetime.strptime(date_to,'%Y-%m-%dT%H:%M:%S.%fZ')

    #date_from_ts = (date_from - datetime(1970, 1, 1)).total_seconds()
    #date_to_ts = (date_to - datetime(1970, 1, 1)).total_seconds()

    try:
        con_list = [MEMORY_CON, FILE_CON]
        result = []
        for con in con_list:
            if con == MEMORY_CON:
                MEMORY_LOCK.acquire()
            else:
                FILE_LOCK.acquire()
            try:
                cur = con.cursor()
                cur.execute(
                    "select * from dynamicData where dynamicValue=? and timestamp >= Datetime(?) and timestamp < Datetime(?)",
                    (dynamic_value, date_from, date_to)
                )

                all_rows = cur.fetchall()
                for row in all_rows:
                    result += [
                        {
                            "value":json.loads(row[2]),
                            "ts": row[3]
                        }
                    ]
            finally:
                if con == MEMORY_CON:
                    MEMORY_LOCK.release()
                else:
                    FILE_LOCK.release()
                if len(result):
                    break
        return result
    except lite.Error as er:
        SPINE.log.error('error get dynamic data:{0}', er)

def store_log_item(id, item):
    try:
        if not item["persist"]:
            MEMORY_LOCK.acquire()
            con = MEMORY_CON
        else:
            FILE_LOCK.acquire()
            con = FILE_CON

        cur = con.cursor()
        cur.execute(
            "INSERT INTO log ('sourceId','sourceName','area', 'data', 'level', 'topic', 'body', 'ts', 'logType')  VALUES (?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?)",
            (item["source_id"], item["source_name"], item["area"], item["data"], item["level"], item["topic"], item["body"], item["timestamp"], item["type"])
        )
        con.commit()
    except lite.Error as er:
        SPINE.log.error('error store log data:{0}', er)
    finally:
        if not item["persist"]:
            MEMORY_LOCK.release()
        else:
            FILE_LOCK.release()

def get_log_sort_field(item):
    return item["timestamp"]

def get_log_items(page, page_size, filters=None):
    connections = [FILE_CON, MEMORY_CON]
    result = []
    for con in connections:
        if con == MEMORY_CON:
            MEMORY_LOCK.acquire()
        else:
            FILE_LOCK.acquire()

        try:
            cur = con.cursor()
            cur.execute(
                "select * from log order by ts desc limit ?, ?",
                (page_size*page, page_size)
            )
            all_rows = cur.fetchall()
            for row in all_rows:
                if row[8]:
                    ts = datetime.fromtimestamp(row[8]).strftime('%Y-%m-%dT%H:%M:%SZ')
                else:
                    ts = None
                result += [
                    {
                        "source_id": row[1],
                        "source_name": row[2],
                        "area": row[3],
                        "data": row[4],
                        "level": row[5],
                        "topic": row[6],
                        "body": row[7],
                        "timestamp": row[8],
                        "type": row[9]
                    }
                ]
        finally:
            if con == MEMORY_CON:
                MEMORY_LOCK.release()
            else:
                FILE_LOCK.release()

    #result = sorted(result, get_log_sort_field)
    return result

def create_cron_job(component_id, job_id, name, job_parameters, start, end, repeat_interval, year,month):
    pass

def delete_cron_job():
    pass

def query_cron_job():
    pass

if (SPINE):
    SPINE.register_query_handler("getSensorData", get_dynamic_data)
    SPINE.register_command_handler("storeSetting", store_setting)
    SPINE.register_query_handler("retrieveSetting", retrieve_setting)
    SPINE.register_query_handler("getLogItems", get_log_items)
    SPINE.register_event_handler("valueChanged", store_dynamic_value)
    SPINE.register_event_handler("userLogMessage", store_log_item)
    SPINE.register_command_handler("createCronJob", create_cron_job)
    SPINE.register_command_handler("deleteCronJob", delete_cron_job)
    SPINE.register_query_handler("queryCronJob", query_cron_job)

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Kurt Cobain Closing in on 19 Years of Sobriety
April 2, 2013 · by Sal Kingfisher	· in Entertainment.	·
Cobain was a notoriously bad shot
SEATTLE, WA—Former Nirvana guitarist and singer Kurt Cobain is preparing to celebrate nearly two decades of sobriety, a remarkable achievement for the legendary musician after a crippling heroin addiction tore apart his band and his marriage. Cobain, who left Nirvana suddenly in 1994 to address his addiction, has remained out of the public eye since the band's split.
"I haven't seen him once," says former Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl, "Which, I guess if you know the story, shouldn't come as a surprise."
While Grohl hints that he still harbors resentment toward Cobain leaving the band, he also says he is happy his former friend and bandleader has been able to resist falling back into his old addiction.
"It's something to celebrate, although I'm not sure what you get someone on their 19th anniversary," says Grohl, "I guess a perfect gift for Kurt would be a shovel."
Cobain's ex-wife, Courtney Love, says she still has feelings for the rocker, although he hasn't visited her or their daughter, Frances, in nearly 20 years.
"It's sad that Frances doesn't know her father," says Love, "I thought I saw him one night, but it turned out I was just high on smack. I don't have his willpower."
Love says that despite his absence, she remains very proud of her ex-husband and his commitment to his sobriety. She says his story should be an inspiration to others who've struggled with addiction.
"I wish I knew his secret," says Love, "To just quit cold turkey like that, after all those years of using. It's pretty impressive."
Still, other musicians who have struggled with substance abuse question whether too much credit is being given Cobain in his triumph over his heroin addiction.
"I'm glad the guy's clean," says Pearl Jam guitarist Mike McCready, himself a recovering alcoholic, "But how hard can it be to stay off heroin when you're dead?"
"Knowing Kurt and how much he loved the smack," Love says, "Pretty hard."
Tags: Courtney Love, Dave Grohl, Kurt Cobain, Nirvana, Pearl Jam
← Make-A-Wish Foundation Grants Dying 14-Year-Old Boy's Wish to Have Sex With Jerry Sandusky
Syria Reports Over 6,000 Suicides in March →
7 responses to "Kurt Cobain Closing in on 19 Years of Sobriety"
I was There April 3, 2013 at 11:30 am · · Reply →
Envy !! @ 15 years and counting…Death! stole my sobriety.
Jsc,,,Form the grave…I was hard to reach.
Sal Kingfisher April 3, 2013 at 12:46 pm · · Reply →
At a rare recent appearance at a junior high seance in White Crest, MO, Cobain admitted he is a huge fan of Two and a Half Men. Unsurprisingly, the revelation was followed by rumors that Cobain had been spotted earlier that evening snorting cocaine with Amy Winehouse.
Lava June 14, 2013 at 1:44 am · ·
FUCK YOU is the best response, to assholes such as you. First off what did he do that caused you pain and hatred. If you have nothing good to say about people why bother wasting your time by writing stupid comments. And secondly he is not here to defend himself, how would you feel if some asshole "like you" kept shoving his finger up your ass…well "I`m guessing…" you would probably like it…since you use a dildo every-night, and it stays there all night long…you even go to work with it…because you like it how it massages your rectum. Fuck you and your fucking generation. Go fucking kill yourself, you motherfucking waste of sperm and cum swallowing asshole.
And at a rare recent appearance at a junior high seance in White Crest, MO, you admitted: that your mother had sex with her father…then she gave birth to you…and purposely dropped you on your head, and accidentally as a newborn you swallowed your baby penis and that`s how you figured your destiny was to become a"Little Queer Like You Are Now, Mamma`s little faggot."
Lava June 14, 2013 at 1:37 am · · Reply →
What is the point of this post? What are you trying to achieve here? He did drugs…you know why? Because of mother fucking freaks like you assholes. I do sincerely hate this fucking world. So shameless, and you "the writer" are definitely are the biggest loser here and a fucking waste of sperm. May you rust in this world, shit hot steamy metal and swallow it after you die. Good luck fucking yourself, since you like it so much.
Oh, these comments probably won`t get posted. Because your little censorship technology says "awaiting moderation". Well why don`t you moderate yourself, that way you might stand a chance, and avoid turning gay.
Sal Kingfisher June 17, 2013 at 8:39 am · · Reply →
We at BWN stand behind the editorial integrity of every story we post on this site. It is a shame that some readers choose to ignore the triumphant theme of a story like this, in which a worthless piece of human garbage was able to finally beat the destructive grip of heroin and get clean, once and for all. Cobain is now over 19 years sober, and those close to him say he looks much healthier these days than he did back in 1994. Good on you, Kurt!
We are sorry the story made the above reader so angry that he (she?) felt the need to go on a vile homophobic rant, and we wavered on whether to include the comments posted, but felt, in the interest of posterity, we should publish them here. Besides, they are so exceedingly well-written, it would be a shame if the world weren't able to enjoy them.


The manufacture of pulp and paper involves the following . ROTARY LIME KILN . Ball bearings and cylindrical roller bearings. PETAMO .. High-temperature lubricating compound for floating tyres and slipper pads on rotary kiln riding rings.
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Full Show: Health Care Merger Called Off, And Non-Citizen Voters List (Feb. 5, 2019)
On Tuesday's Houston Matters: The proposed merger between Memorial Hermann and Baylor Scott & White has been called off. Plus, we preview the State of the State address. We learn how area counties are handling lists of possible non-citizen voters. A sociologist explains how racism can persist without racists. And a local theater company throws itself a wake.
| Posted on February 5, 2019, 6:00 AM (Last Updated: February 5, 2019, 1:33 PM )
On Tuesday's Houston Matters: The proposed $14 billion merger between Houston's Memorial Hermann Health System and Baylor Scott & White has been called off. We learn the latest.
Plus, Gov. Greg Abbott delivers his annual State of the State address today. We learn what issues the governor highlighted in his speech.
Also this hour: Harris and Galveston County officials discuss how they're approaching verifying the citizenship of voters on a list of thousands the Texas secretary of state's office distributed last week as possible non-citizens who are registered to vote. The list has come under fire from civil rights groups as the lists continue to shrink.
A sociologist explains how racism can persist in society, despite the presence of many self-proclaimed racists. And the artistic director for Houston's Horse Head Theatre Company tells us why the organization is shutting down and about the "wake" they're throwing for themselves.
We offer a daily podcast here, on iTunes, Stitcher and other podcasting apps.
This article is part of the Houston Matters podcast
Full Show Houston Matters NewsBaylor Scott & White Health civil rights Eduardo Bonilla-Silva health care Horse Head Theatre Company Jacey Little memorial hermann Memorial Hermann Health System merger non-citizen voters race racism Racism without Racists: Color-Blind Racism racists State of the State State of the State address voters voting
Post-Holiday COVID-19 Update (Jan. 4, 2021)
How The Biden Administration Might Impact The Pandemic And Health Care (Dec. 16, 2020)
Why Do So Many Places In Texas Have 'Negro' In Their Name, Despite A Law Against It?
Black Fatigue, The Costs Of Systemic Racism And What Society Can Do To Combat It
Political Roundup: What Should Come From Gov. Abbott's Gun Violence Commission?
Full Show: 'Worst-First' Approach To Flood Projects, The Week In Politics, And The Wit Of Molly Ivins (Aug. 28, 2019)
The Bigger Picture: 'Aquarela' Depicts Water's Power Around The World
Full Show: New Prostate Cancer Treatment Developed At Rice, Upcoming Theater District Season, And Photographer Fred Baldwin (Aug. 27, 2019)


Time to update your interior lighting?
Speak "spring cleaning" and your mind will immediately jump to dusting the cabinets, cleaning the carpets, and boxing up the wool sweaters. For an electrician, the term means something entirely different. It means that it's time to check your home for electrical work that either needs to be maintained or replaced. Have you scheduled your spring cleaning appointment with your local electrician yet?
A few bulbs may have blown out this winter, and now is the perfect time to have them replaced. Before you invite guests over for a spring cookout, ensure that every bulb has been updated and replaced with an energy saving option. Avoid potential injuries and make sure that the job is done correctly by calling a professional.
If you're unhappy with the lighting in your house, update it! Recessed lighting can change the look, feel, and mood of an entire room. TriStar has several lighting options varying from incandescent to LED. Not only is recessed lighting an attractive addition to your home, it will save you money by conserving light energy.
Now that the temperature is starting to rise you'll want to spend more time outdoors with family and friends. Illuminate your landscape, protect your property, and show off your home with outdoor lighting designed specifically for you.
Spring means showers and showers oftentimes lead to storms. Make sure your generator is working properly and ready to go for when an electrical storm hits. Ensuring that your generator is running properly gives you peace of mind while heading into spring.
This entry was posted on Friday, March 24th, 2017 at 5:31 pm. Both comments and pings are currently closed.


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filed: August 4, 2021 • Michigan
'There's gonna be turbines'
Credit: Cato Township supervisor's declaration upsets some audience members | By Elisabeth Waldon | Daily News | August 04, 2021 | www.thedailynews.cc ~~
CATO TOWNSHIP – A short and otherwise unremarkable Cato Township Board meeting ended in a bit of an uproar Monday evening after the supervisor made an unexpected declaration.
As the meeting was drawing to an end after about 15 minutes of regular business, a man in the audience of more than 30 people asked, "Where do we stand on this wind turbine stuff?"
The Cato Township Planning Commission has been working on updating its wind energy ordinance, with its next special meeting scheduled for Aug. 11.
However, Supervisor Larry Gilbert's response to the man in the audience surprised some.
"Sir, there's gonna be turbines," Gilbert declared. "They're gonna be here. We can maybe have some setbacks, but as far as turbines, if we outlaw them, they'll just take us to court."
This statement was met by laughter and disbelief among some audience members.
Planning Commissioner Brandi Clark-Hubbard was in attendance and clarified that the Planning Commission is still working on updating its wind ordinance.
"It doesn't do much good if the board's already got their mind made up," a man declared.
"The government's pretty much said …" Gilbert began, but he was met with multiple interruptions.
"I don't think we can outlaw them," Gilbert said.
"Yeah, we can!" multiple audience members shouted.
"I don't wanna argue with you," Gilbert said. "I'm not gonna argue."
Leslie Rydahl of Pine Township told township board members there are many examples of case law in support of restrictive wind ordinances.
"You do not have to worry about getting sued as long as you are protecting the health, safety and welfare of your citizens," she said.
"Like I said, I'm not gonna argue with you," Gilbert responded. "It's not up to this board. I think they're gonna be here. That's my opinion."
"If you make a blanket statement like 'they're gonna be here or we're gonna get sued' – that's a hard one to swallow," a woman in the audience declared.
"I'm sorry I said it, but that's what I feel," Gilbert responded.
"It felt like an announcement that they're gonna be here or we're gonna get sued," the woman said. "That's a very sad thought process. We might get sued, but we're gonna win."
"I'm not gonna lie, my heart just sank with you saying that," said Jamie Snyder of Cato Township who was sitting in the front row. "You just broke my heart by saying that. Now I'm afraid you guys are gonna vote down what these guys (Planning Commission) bring to you. My heart is racing right now and I'm now terrified for my township. You just really caused me concern. Seriously, I'm shaking right now because this is terrifying for me."
"I know what she's feeling," added Snyder's mother, Linda Reynolds of Douglass Township. "She's kind of crushed right now."
Clerk Todd Lincoln attempted to clarify things.
"We're waiting for our Planning Commission to make recommendations and, in all honesty, I'm guessing it's going to be months before they make recommendations and we'll probably need to get a legal opinion," Lincoln said. "We don't want to back ourselves into a corner. We just want to make sure whatever we do, we're not too exclusionary or restrictive. We have to listen to both sides and hopefully find common ground and some way to compromise with everybody."
"That's enough about wind," Gilbert added to audience members.
"I'm pretty sure we want to continue to talk about wind," responded Jessica Kwekel of Cato Township. "This is an extremely touchy subject, I understand that. But for people who only own a few acres and to see our community's getting sold out … I hope you continue to do your research, Larry, because it seems like you're a little uninformed about the situation. It's really unfortunate that you already have your mind set and your heart set. We'll continue to referendum anything that doesn't protect the health, safety and welfare of the community."
Treasurer Joyce Grieser then shared her own thoughts.
"As Larry said, these are his feelings," Grieser said. "We are a board. We don't go behind closed doors and say 'let's talk about wind and damn the public.' We are a board. Our Planning Commission is working on this. They will bring it to us and we will vote. My mind's not made up, so keep talking to me."
Gilbert then adjourned the meeting.
Source: Cato Township supervisor's declaration upsets some audience members | By Elisabeth Waldon | Daily News | August 04, 2021 | www.thedailynews.cc


I just came back from a rare ten-day vacation with my husband. Not one child, grandchild or even a dog came with us. No Wi-fi or cable…just books at a quiet lake. The reason I tell this is that some of us can't relax for one day, never mind for ten.
Granted, my husband had in mind to paint the window trim on the cabin. There was also that visit with an elderly lady we hadn't seen in many years.
One day we went underground to Howe Caverns and wondered why anyone would want to get married down there, it's dark and damp. But to each his own idea about weddings.
We met some Amish and ate their butter and sugar corn, and homemade wheat bread. We checked out their cedar built sheds for sale.
Everyday we walked around the lake and only once was there a spot of rain. Summer was fading, I've felt it for two weeks now. Yellow leaves fall slowly to the ground as if they are sorry. The green of everything has lost it's luster here and it is very dry.
Sadly even the birds are quiet.
The hummingbirds will be leaving here soon, but possibly they will linger since our weather has been uncommonly hot.
I hear the NYS winter weather prediction is worse than our last, and that I should have winter tires on, not all season tires. They just won't be enough.
Can I take comfort? Yes!
I like to keep a sharp eye out for the changes around me.
I can search all over the scriptures and find the character of God. I could talk about the names of God all day and never exhaust them, but one thing that keeps coming back to me is Alpha and Omega.
He is the beginning and the end. He's always been, and always will be.
He chose His time to create this earth I love to watch. Through all that happened with the beginning of sin, he still loved. His son became the true sacrifice for all of us–past and present. He wants love returned, and to love others. This is real sacrifice –putting others ahead of our own needs.
Millions of refugees are fleeing their homelands with nothing but clothes on their backs. And where will they go? Will the nations of Europe help? Will our country help? Will the governments of the world let Iran succeed with nuclear weapons? Will ISIS continue unopposed?
These events don't sound like much rest to me, they feel more like stress and worry.
Dramatic events are told in the book of Revelation. When you read chapter six, you see plenty of scary action going on. We are told to watch and wait…watch. It never says make predictions, but be ready for the day.
The Bible is looked upon, by many today as an ancient book that is not relevant for our times. What will some people do when Christ comes to earth and wipes out the wicked with the breath of his word? Those who have been martyred will be avenged, and the Bride of Christ will share eternal life with Him.
Who are we to think we have our own lives in control? Many of us wonder how we can stop government out of control. We can't stop the tide…we can pray. Don't prayer lightly…it is our weapon against evil in this world.
The Comforter (Holy Spirit) was given to us by Christ to be the balm in this troubled world. Let us cloak ourselves in Him. Let us feel the comfort of His wings.
Be encouraged! He has overcome the world.
Am I a Real Prayer Warrior?
Simply lovely, Diane! Your "voice" is so soothing to read. Your photography–the one of the boat by the pier–oh my! Stunning! you should enter that in a photo contest! Or at least send it to me so I can make a print for you to sign when you come here! I love your "sharp" eyes that see the beauty of God all around. Thank you for keeping us grounded in God's word and his promise to never leave or forsake those who are saved by the blood of Christ.
Thanks Heather. Someone told me that shot was frameable . It came out great, untouched. I think I will frame it, it gives me peace to look at it.


Experience Oahu through the eyes of a local private guide! Browse our tour 'suggestions' - each can be customized just for you.
Our Guides offer 122 unique (and customizable!) tours in Oahu. When are you visiting?
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From the bright lights of Waikiki to the crashing surf of the North Shore, Oahu offers a diverse range of adventures for any traveler lucky enough to land here. Take a private Oahu tour with a local guide and discover the popular highlights of the city and island, along with the beautiful hidden spots few travelers get to see.
Your local guide is happy to customize a private Oahu tour that reflects your unique interests in this Hawaiian island paradise.


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Ла Круз Бланка има више значења:

 Ла Круз Бланка (Ла Конкордија), насеље у савезној држави Чијапас у Мексику
 Ла Круз Бланка, Мовимијенто Сосијал (Халпан де Сера), насеље у савезној држави Керетаро у Мексику

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


HUNDREDS of people across Leicester have backed plans to continue a city-wide ban on antisocial public drinking, and extend it to cover so-called 'legal highs'.
Government legislation, known as Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs), gives police and other authorised officers powers to tackle a wide range of antisocial behaviour problems linked to alcohol, noise and nuisance dogs.
These controls on street drinking already exist in Leicester but the existing order – which was introduced in October 2014 and covers the entire city – is due to expire in November.
A consultation was undertaken in January this year to see if people supported the proposal to continue the citywide PSPO to help control street drinking. Of 810 responses, 89.5 per cent supported the continuation of the existing order.
Of the 48 per cent of respondents who had experienced problems with street drinkers, over a third reported specific problems with noise, littering or verbal intimidation.
The council also asked for public views on a proposal to introduce an additional citywide PSPO to cover the use of new psychoactive substances, formerly known as 'legal highs'.
A consultation held in October 2016 attracted 658 responses, with over 86 per cent supporting the proposal.
Along with residents' views, the consultations took into account information from neighbourhood policing units, city wardens, parks services and city council cleansing teams.
As a result, the council has announced its intention to introduce a new joint PSPO which will cover street drinking and the use of psychoactive substances.
City Mayor Peter Soulsby said: "People have said very clearly that they support the continuation of the existing PSPO to control street drinking, and we will now extend this to cover the use of new psychoactive substances.
The new PSPO will cover anywhere in the city boundary, meaning it can be used to help tackle anti-social behaviour where alcohol or psychoactive substances are a contributing factor. It gives police powers to order offenders to hand over or dispose of alcohol or other substances. Anyone failing to do so could face arrest.
The Psychoactive Substances Act 2016, which came into force in May, made the production, importation and supply of these potentially dangerous drugs illegal. Conviction could lead to a seven-year prison sentence.
Psychoactive substances are a range of drugs – previously known as legal highs – designed to have the same effects of established illegal drugs such as cannabis, cocaine and ecstasy.
The citywide PSPO will not act as a ban on psychoactive substances, but will allow for greater controls to tackle anti-social behaviour associated with their use. This will include the use of nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, which has several legitimate uses but improper use can result in death.
Up to 325 signs will be installed across the city to make people aware of the new orders.
In line with legislation, all Public Spaces Protection Orders must be reviewed every three years.


Security guards at Westminster Palace are to ballot for industrial action.
The PCS members are angry at changes to break times, increased workloads and management's refusal to reinstate a member of staff. The union also wants the employer to settle two cases involving PCS reps and to end the "culture of fear" which has been created by "overzealous" management.


Only 750 metres from the Konyaalti beaches, the Roza Apartments offers self-catering apartments and an outdoor swimming pool.The air-conditioned apartments at Roza have a private entrance and bathroom. All the spacious apartments feature a flat screen satellite TV, a kitchen, a seating area, a dining area and a balcony.Guests can enjoy a relaxing bath in the hammam of Roza Apartments. It also provides a fitness centre. Barbecue is available.Antalya Airport is 17 km away from the property. Roza Apartments also provides free bicycles for guests to explore around.
Free! One child under 12 years stays free of charge when using existing beds.Free! One older child or adult stays free of charge in an extra bed.


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Home > Latest News > FINAL CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR UK PREMIERE OF FALSETTOS – THE GROUNDBREAKING & MULTI AWARD-WINNING MUSICAL
Albert Atack, George Kennedy, Elliot Morris and James Williams will share the role of Jason, completing the cast of the hotly anticipated UK premiere of Falsettos, the Tony Award winning musical by William Finn (Music, Lyrics & Book) and James Lapine (Book).
They join the previously announced Natasha J Barnes (Cordelia), Daniel Boys (Marvin), Matt Cardle (Mendel), Gemma Knight-Jones (Charlotte), Laura Pitt-Pulford (Trina) and Oliver Savile (Whizzer).
The musical opens at The Other Palace from 30 August – 23 November for a strictly limited season, with press night on Thursday 5 September. The production is directed and choreographed by Tara Overfield-Wilkinson, with designs by PJ McEvoy, lighting by Nic Farman, sound by Chris Whybrow, musical direction by Richard John, musical supervision by Mark Crossland and is produced by Selladoor Worldwide.
The double Tony Award-Winning Falsettos is a hilarious and poignant look at a modern family revolving around the life of a gay man Marvin, his wife, his lover, his soon to be bar mitzvahed son, their psychiatrist, and their lesbian neighbours.
Originally created under the spectre of the AIDS crisis, this groundbreaking musical about family dynamics manages to remain buoyant and satirically perceptive even as it moves towards its heartbreaking conclusion.
Thursford Christmas Spectacular announces programme for 2019 festive extravaganza


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Blockchain, Londoners and the McVegan Burger…what we've been reading this week at Brand Genetics.
This week at Brand Genetics we've been reading all about food, health and fitness and a few unorthodox insights caught our eye.
This week was big for burger innovation with McDonalds selling 150,000 McVegan burgers since its launch just over a month ago. Currently only available in Sweden and Finland, the McVegan burger was created in collaboration with Orkla Foods as a response to the rise in plant-based eating. McDonald's isn't alone, Ikea have also just announced they are launching a plant-based Veggie hot dog. With the recent announcement that 1 in 4 UK evening do not contain meat, the vegan revolution seems set to continue.
On the other side of the coin, KFC embraces cryptocurrency with The Bitcoin Bucket, part of their blockchain loyalty program. The bucket, which launched last month in Canada as a limited offer could only be paid for using Bitcoin and sold out almost immediately. It seems the cryptocurrency meal deal is catching on as this release followed Burger King's Whoppercoin which was piloted in Russia last August. No one knows whether this makes up for the impact of the closure of hundreds of UK KFC outlets this week due to a shortage of chicken! One paper even went so far as to suggest a distinctly non-vegan alternative source of meat.
KFC's Bitcoin Bucket
Once you've eaten your fast food, cryptocurrency can also help you work it off. January saw the release of SweatCoin, a health app which awards points , so called "Sweatcoins", to workouts and has more than 2 million active users on the app each week. The app builds on behavioural change techniques, nudging people to doing more exercise. In this interview, one of the founders notes, "By giving consumers points that can buy goodies, Sweatcoin hopes to incentivise couch potatoes to become more active." We've also seen Nike launch a new incentives scheme for its Nike Plus app, Nike Unlocks, a gamified rewards system. The more active people are, the more they are rewarded with prizes, Apple music vouchers and guided meditation exercises. This shift towards gamification is increasingly popular and we are seeing more and more brands utilising the behavioural psychology we use here in BG Towers in our projects.
Speaking of Nike, last week they also released their Nike Londoner campaign which went viral with a very human-centric narrative, successfully tapping into "real London culture". While the response has been overwhelmingly positive, some have been critical of the emphasis on London culture, expressing concern that the advert is not representative of communities outside of the city.
Finally, Athleisure is showing no signs of slowing down, the "sport leisure" style has become the largest category in the U.S. sneaker space and is moving into the cosmetic space. There is a rise in sweat-proof makeup suitable for working-out in, with beauty brand Tarte even having a line of "athleisure essentials."
The HX learnings?
Plant-based is proving an increasingly popular meat alternative for people across socio-economic demographics, gamified reward system could be a successful alternative in nudging people to live healthier lifestyles…or just eat more burgers, and Nike illustrates the power of human-centricity in storytelling.
What Women Want: What does femininity mean in a post-Covid-19 world?
The Human Experience (HX) in The Startup
Case Study: Analyzing Nike's Sneaky Transition From Sportswear to Lifestyle Brand
Marx D. in Better Marketing
What Batman can teach us about perseverance, confidence and creativity


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One Strike Away...Twice!
It took 40 years to go from lovable losers to Title contenders. Follow along to see if the Rangers can finally seal the deal.
About 40 Year Ranger Fan
Major League Managers By Ethnicity: 1975-Present
WIN THE ESSENTIAL GAMES OF THE TEXAS RANGERS DVD SET.
A New Way To Watch A Ballgame (Or Not)
Such a bittersweet week. It started with having to say final goodbyes to my mother, who passed peacefully at the ripe age of 97. This prompted a trip to Maryland and, in a case of fortuitous timing, it turned out the Rangers were visiting Baltimore two days after the funeral. This provided me with two great opportunities: a chance to see a game at Camden Yards for the first time and the opportunity to do it with my wife, daughter and two grandchildren in tow!
When growing up in Maryland, my first baseball game was a Washington Senators game in old RFK Stadium. But most of my MLB games growing up were Orioles games, viewed at Memorial Stadium. The last time I saw an Orioles game in Baltimore was when my kids were maybe 7 and 5 years old. Now they're both grown up with children of their own. Despite many trips back to Maryland over the years, a trip to Camden Yards was never in the cards. Until now.
The view from the upper deck at Camden Yards
Here's what I learned: 1) Camden Yards is as nice a place to watch a ballgame as just about anywhere. It immediately made my Top 3 ballparks list, ranking right up there with Globe Life Park in Arlington and Coors Field in Denver; 2) The weather for the game we attended was as perfect as any game I've seen: temps in the 70's, low humidity, little to no wind; 3) One usher in particular was as kind as can be (more later); and 4) watching a game with a 5-year-old and 2 1/2-year-old makes one have to relearn watching a baseball game!
I say this because, as excited and happy as I was with the 8-1 Rangers victory, I actually saw very little of the scoring. We arrived just a little late due to Baltimore traffic. We were just getting to our upper deck seats in the top of the 2nd inning when I glanced up just in time to see a ball carom onto the field in right. Mitch Moreland was digging for second and appeared tagged out there. While I was cussing Moreland out (under my breath so the little ones wouldn't hear), I didn't realize the umpires were about to call Moreland's hit a home run. So I kind of missed that one.
Jim Palmer's #22 outside the stadium.
As the game progressed, I was engaging the oldest grandchild, a precocious 5-year-old named Christopher, in conversation about baseball, school and his favorite things. While looking at him, I suddenly heard the crack of a bat. Carlos Corporan had hit one out. Didn't see it. An inning or so later, I headed to the concession stands to buy a couple of dogs, some drinks and souvenirs for the kids. While waiting on my lemonade, the cashier announced, "Moreland just hit a 2-run home run." His second of the game. Didn't see that one either.
But hey, when I returned from the concession stand, I saw the family about 12 rows closer to the front of the upper deck. The usher said nobody was using those seats and invited us to move up. What a nice guy!
The game went on. At one point, someone on the Rangers got a hit and I cheered for him. Elizabeth, the 2 1/2 year old, cheered with me. This prompted her older brother, a Baltimore native of course, to admonish her. "You do know you're cheering for the wrong team, don't you?", he scolded. I couldn't help but smile.
In the top of the 5th, Shin-Soo Choo hit a rocket that turned into the Rangers' 4th home run of the night. This one I was watching but I still didn't see it. From where we were sitting, the trajectory took it right through the bank of lights in my field of vision. I know it went out and where it went out but I never saw the ball!
After the top of the 5th, our friendly usher became even friendlier. "There's a whole row of seats not being used on the lower level. Why don't you all go down there?", he said. Whether he didn't want to look at my Rangers jersey anymore or he just thought the kids would get a thrill out of the better vantage point (more likely), we jumped at the opportunity and soon found ourselves in the lower deck left field stands, where we stayed until the end of the 6th inning, when the hour dictated it was time to go. Thus, I also missed Joey Gallo's bases-loaded triple that closed out the scoring for Texas while the little ones were already falling asleep in the car. Eight runs for the Rangers and I pretty much didn't see the hits that scored any of them.
It's all good, though. Watching a game in a beautiful ballpark on a beautiful night with my beautiful wife, daughter and grandkids made for a spectacular end to what had been a solemn week in my life. I wouldn't trade a minute of it for anything and honestly, it was one of the best trips to a baseball stadium I've had in a long time.
The family after the game.
Written by Lifelong Rangers/Senator Fan 1 Comment Posted in Dailies	Tagged with Baltimore Orioles, Camden Yards, Carlos Corporan, Joey Gallo, Mitch Moreland, Shin-Soo Choo, Texas Rangers
The Next Generation Arrives (A Year Early)
It started with Chi Chi and continues with Gobbles.
Just a few days ago, the Texas Rangers decided Phil Klein wasn't the answer for the fifth spot in the Texas rotation. With the Rangers suddenly going from afterthought to Wild Card contender, they also decided Ross Detwiler wouldn't reclaim the slot when he returns from the disabled list.
Alex "Chi Chi" Gonzalez
Instead they went with Alex "Chi Chi" Gonzalez, one of the Rangers' top prospects. The Rangers really wanted Gonzalez to stay in AAA for all of 2015, with the only possible major league service coming with September call-ups. But the Rangers started winning. And winning some more. Before anyone realized, a 7-14 April record had become a 24-24 record. The offense came alive, hitting home runs with abandon. Suddenly national writers started noticing the Rangers and proclaiming they could be contenders (some of us had a feeling they could be long before this but we're just homers).
With the Rangers surging, the decision came down. Instead of a consistently inconsistent #5 starter like Detwiler, a pitcher with more upside was essential. Gonzalez, it was felt, might take some lumps but he'll learn from it. And when he's good, he'll be better than Detwiler at his best.
Gonzalez proved that his first time out. Facing the Red Sox, all he did was spin 5 1/3 hitless innings before David Ortiz laced a double to left center. Ortiz applauded the rookie after he reached second. General Manager Jon Daniels says Gonzalez is not just a couple of starts pitcher. The rotation spot is his to lose, which will make for some interesting times when one of Matt Harrison, Derek Holland or Martin Perez is ready to go. Harrison begins a rehab assignment this week.
Joey Gallo
Meanwhile, Sunday's breathtaking walk-off win against the Sox got tempered by the loss of Adrian Beltre for 2-3 weeks with a sprained left thumb. Pulling another surprise out of his hat, Daniels announced #1 prospect Joey "Gobbles" Gallo would replace Beltre at third. Unlike Gonzalez, Gallo will stay with the Rangers only as long as Beltre is out, then he'll go to AAA Round Rock.
Gallo hits home runs. Lots of them. Majestic shots you won't forget. I saw him hit one in Corpus Christi a year ago and it was a sight to behold. Gallo has 9 homers this season after hitting 40 each of the past two seasons. He also strikes out a lot and his defense will never be compared to Beltre's. He does, however, get the chance to experience big league pitching for the next 14 to 21 days. If he hits .400 with 8 home runs in that time span, maybe he won't go back down. If he does that, it'll be interesting to see who the odd man out will be.
If I had my druthers, I'd put as little pressure on Gallo as possible and bat him 7th in the order, maybe even 8th. Hitting him higher gives manager Jeff Bannister a conundrum. With Beltre gone, Texas could go with 5 lefthanded hitters in a row: Shin-Soo Choo, Prince Fielder, Josh Hamilton, Mitch Moreland and Gallo. Despite the potential power there, it also makes it easier for opposing managers to use their bullpens against the Rangers. No situational lefties here. Get one southpaw and he could go for almost two innings. Put Gallo 7th or 8th and you can split it up just a little.
Hanser Alberto
Another fresh face arrived on the scene last week in Hanser Alberto. Alberto is one of the best defensive infielders in the minors of any club but lately, he's also been hitting a ton for Round Rock. Along with some guy named Josh Hamilton, Alberto's impact on Texas was immediate, hitting .364 in his first three games with a triple and 3 RBI.
The new generation of Rangers is coming and there are more on the way. This team may be getting ready for another good 3-4 year run.
Written by Lifelong Rangers/Senator Fan Posted in Dailies	Tagged with Adrian Beltre, Chi Chi Gonzalez, Hanser Alberto, Joey Gallo, Josh Hamilton, Mitch Moreland, Prince Fielder, Ross Detwiler, Shin-Soo Choo, Texas Rangers
At The Quarter Pole
Hard to believe, the season is already at the 25% mark. The Texas Rangers finished the first quarter of the season a lackluster 18-23 at the quarter pole but, considering the season started at 8-16, it's not horrible. Horrible would be the team behind the Rangers in the standings, the Oakland A's, who are a full five games behind Texas, which sits in fourth, a half game out of third.
At the end of April, the Rangers' report card reflected a totally awful offense. The first quarter report card has improved.
The offense has improved greatly from April. The season's opening month saw the Rangers offense putting together a miserable slash line of .210/.293/.318 with an OPS+ of just 75 (league average would be 100). Shin-Soo Choo ended April at .092. The offense has recovered in May so now they stand at a more respectable .237/.312/.383 with an OPS+ of 96. It still isn't good but it's improved to just below average. If the Texas offense performs the rest of the season the way they have in May, the numbers at season's end could be in the upper third in the league. At this point, the biggest need for offensive improvement is the average with runners in scoring position. The Rangers sit at a measly .214 with RISP. Only 16 of their 117 extra base hits have come with runners in scoring position and only 37 have come with a man on first. Texas is hitting for decent extra base power but nobody's on base when they do it. Grade: C
Defensively, the Rangers have committed 33 errors in 41 games. Only Oakland has committed more in the AL. Greatness wasn't expected defensively, despite a couple of well-regarded defenders like Adrian Beltre and Elvis Andrus. In Baseball Reference's defensive stats, Texas has a MINUS 5 on Total Fielding Runs Above Average, putting them 10th among the AL's 15 teams. The good news is Prince Fielder admitted Mitch Moreland is a better defensive first baseman than he is and will agreeably be the DH if it helps the team win more games. Grade: D
Starting Pitching
The rotation took a header right off the bat when Derek Holland went down shortly after making his first start. With Yu Darvish already lost for the year, it was yet another hit the pitching staff could ill afford. The joke is, the Rangers have a better rotation on the Disabled List than many teams have on their active roster (Darvish, Holland, Martin Perez, Matt Harrison and Nick Tepesch). Colby Lewis and Nick Martinez have been outstanding, Yovani Gallardo below average (more later), Ross Detwiler awful and Wandy Rodriguez a godsend. Grade: C
Relief Pitching
A nice 4-game stretch to close out the season's first quarter makes the relief stats look better but only Oakland has a worse bullpen thus far. When Neftali Feliz blew a save on May 16th against the Indians, it gave Texas more Blown Saves than Saves on the season. There have been some bright spots: rookie Keone Kela and long reliever Anthony Bass but overall, inconsistency has been the pen's modus operandi. One night they'll look like killers, the next like victims. Jeff Bannister has made moves lately to try solidifying the bullpen. Feliz is no longer the closer. Shawn Tolleson has taken to the role so far, having picked up saves in consecutive nights against the Red Sox. Other than that, Banny says he's not going to have role players in his bullpen for now. He'll play match-ups more than having a 7th inning guy or an 8th inning guy. Grade: D-
Biggest Surprises
Delino DeShields
There is no bigger surprise than the play of Rule 5 pick Delino DeShields. The expectation for Double D, who hit only .236 for AA Corpus Christi last season, was, at best, being the 24th guy on the 25-man team, serving primarily as a late inning pinch runner and defensive replacement. Instead, he's putting pressure on the Rangers to find a place for him in the line-up every day once Josh Hamilton arrives.
DeShields leads the club in steals with 10. He's actually tied with Adrian Beltre for first on the team in WAR at 0.9. He leads all Rangers regulars in pitches seen per at bat at 4.09 (Tommy Field is better but only has 9 games under his belt). When Hamilton joins the roster, DeShields could find himself in a CF platoon with Leonys Martin as well as a 2B platoon with Field.
While he has an impressive track record, nobody thought Prince Fielder would be as good as he's been thus far. Fielder's hitting for average, he's hitting for power, he's been the steadiest hitter all season. Facing a shift just about every day, Prince has learned to hit against it, going the opposite way many a time. He leads the AL in multiple hit games. And, as mentioned earlier, he manned up and became the primary DH because he saw that Mitch Moreland's D gives the team a better chance to win.
On the pitching front, Colby Lewis, Nick Martinez and Keone Kela all get nods. Lewis has possibly been even better than he was in the Rangers' World Series years. Usually one of the league leaders in home runs allowed, he's only given up three in 8 starts. In 50 innings he has 41 K's, outstanding for a pitcher whose fastball seldom tops 90 on the radar guns. All this on a resurfaced hip. Colby pitched in pain for years. Now he probably wishes he'd done the procedure sooner.
Martinez was hands down the AL's best pitcher in April, posting a sub 1.00 ERA. He's struggled in his last few starts but still sports a 3-0 record with a 1.88 ERA. Pretty good for a guy who had never pitched above AA when forced into the Rangers plans a year ago. Martinez was below average a year ago, expected considering his situation, but posted a sub-3.00 ERA in 5 September starts. Seeing his success roll over to 2015 is great.
Keone Kela is a rookie who's performed well in every role the Rangers have given him this year. He's been used in long relief, short relief, in the middle of games and in high leverage late inning situations. Through it all, he's put up a 3-1 record, 2.25 ERA and 19 strikeouts in 20 innings. Only 22 years old, Kela is already thought of as a future closer in another year or two.
Biggest Disappointments
With three-fourths of the season still ahead, everyone has time to improve back to expected levels. Still, two of the biggest disappointments are infielders.
Everyone had high hopes for second baseman Rougned Odor following a rookie campaign in which the 21-year-old hit a respectable .259 with 9 home runs and 48 RBI. This writer projected Odor for about .270 this season with 14 home runs and 70 RBI. Instead, he laid a big egg. The league adjusted to Odor and he didn't adjust back. With a .144 average after 29 games, Texas sent Odor to AAA Round Rock to get his game back. He'll likely be back no later than the All-Star break (and already has 3 Home Runs for the Express) but nobody expected him to get sent down either, so who knows?
Elvis Andrus
Meanwhile, his teammate Elvis Andrus has everyone worried. Never a great hitter, Elvis is regressing so far again this year, checking in at this writing at .224 with a homer and 11 RBI. After spending most of his career as the #2 hitter in the line-up, Andrus shows up at #6 more often than not these days. Once he's on base, he only has 5 steals in 8 eight attempts. This would all be acceptable if he played defense the way he's known to, but even that is regressing. Elvis has nine errors in the season's first 41 games and should have gotten tagged with his 10th in a game against the Red Sox this week. Put it all together and you have a MINUS 0.5 WAR. That's right, Elvis is now considered a BELOW REPLACEMENT LEVEL player! This from a guy who averaged over 4 WAR from 2011 to 2013. Oh yeah and a new long-term contract just kicked in this year. The only thing saving Elvis right now is the Rangers feeling they don't have an everyday shortstop down on the farm. I think the problem is mental. In the World Series years, the Rangers were full of leaders and Elvis could just enjoy playing baseball. Now he's a veteran and maybe expected to do more and he's letting it get to him. If he doesn't hit, fine. But Elvis, you've got to get your D back!
On the pitching side, I could say Neftali Feliz is a disappointment but he's never regained his velocity since Tommy John surgery. For me, the biggest pitching disappointment is Yovani Gallardo. Sure, he's a bit removed from his days fronting the Brewers rotation. But I didn't expect him to have so many command issues. Gallardo is 3-6 with a somewhat respectable 4.26 ERA but it seems every start is a struggle for him. I've gotten used to Eric Nadel describing the action on the radio and hearing an opposing batter has worked the count to 3-2 on Gallardo. He's only allowed 15 walks but every batter feels like a long battle. While he's not a heat thrower, Gallardo is reminding me of Rich Harden in 2010, where you just prayed the at bat would end soon. He's averaging less than 6 innings a start and he's the guy who's needed as the "ace" with Holland and Darvish out. When acquired, Gallardo got pencilled in as the #3 starter. He's pitched like more of a #4 than the #1 or 2 results the Rangers need from him now.
That's the first quarter report card. Overall grade: C-
Written by Lifelong Rangers/Senator Fan Posted in Dailies	Tagged with Colby Lewis, Delino DeShields, Keone Kela, Nick Martinez, Prince Fielder, Rougned Odor, Texas Rangers, Yovani Gallardo
#Bullpenisweak
Words to the effect of today's headline are often used on Twitter as a crude laugh while also drawing attention to a sad fact of life for the baseball team.
It is, in fact, a fitting description of the Texas Rangers bullpen. Weak may even be an understatement.
In April, there was much consternation over the lack of punch in the Rangers offensive attack. As we approach the end of the season's second month, we find the Texas offense is actually not too shabby and may soon improve further with the arrival of Josh Hamilton. Sadly, outside of a brief four game winning streak, the results in wins and losses haven't improved appreciably and the bullpen carries a lion's share of the blame.
Through May 16th, the Rangers bullpen was carrying an anemic 6 plus ERA for the month. For the season, the Texas relief corps has more blown saves than saves. In Saturday's loss to the Cleveland Indians, the relief staff managed two blown saves in the same game.
Neftali Feliz After Striking Out A-Rod to end the 2010 ALCS, sending Texas to its first World Series
The bullpen is now in flux. Neftali Feliz, while still officially the closer, did not close out Sunday's 5-1 win over the Tribe, Shawn Tolleson did. After just two appearances, Kyuji Fukikawa got released. The same fate earlier befell Stolmy Pimentel and Logan Verrett. Spencer Patton has come and gone, as has Jon Edwards. The newest additions to the pen are Tanner Scheppers, who started the season ineffectively in Arlington, and Ross Ohlendorf, who Sunday made his first big league appearance in two years.
If the latter two prove effective, it provides Texas a potent late inning triumvirate. What would still be missing, though, is a closer. If Feliz can't hold down the job, and his last few outings have shown that as a distinct possibility, there is no proven option to replace him. Plenty of teams have caught lightning in a bottle with an unknown closer coming out of nowhere. The Rangers haven't had a lot of success in that area, with one notable exception: Neftali Feliz in 2010. Five years ago, Feliz unseated Frank Francisco and helped lead the Rangers to their first World Series. Five years later, Feliz may soon suffer the same fate as Francisco.
The Texas offense is recovering. Now it's the bullpen's turn. If they don't turn it around, all the offense in the world won't help the Rangers.
Written by Lifelong Rangers/Senator Fan Posted in Dailies	Tagged with Cleveland Indians, Frank Francisco, Neftali Feliz, Ross Ohlendorf, Shawn Tolleson, Tanner Scheppers, Texas Rangers
Good Problems To Have
The Texas Rangers find themselves in last place in the AL West, a familiar perch since 2014. Yet scoring back to back wins for the first time in 2015, over the first place Houston Astros no less, adds more good problems to the Rangers. Here are the problems, in order of when they'll crop up.
Mitch Moreland Comes Off The DL
Before an elbow issue forced him to the DL, Moreland was one of only two bright spots in the Texas offensive lineup, hitting .304 with a homer and 9 RBI in 16 games. Prince Fielder even agreed to DH more because he saw Mitch was the better defensive 1st baseman.
The problem is the guy Texas brought up to replace him. Kyle Blanks, picked up on waivers from Oakland in the off season, has been nothing short of sensational. In his first six games, Blanks is hitting at a robust .391 clip, with 3 home runs and 5 RBI. Blanks can play left field, so when Moreland is ready for activation, the Rangers could move Blanks there. That, however, brings up Good Problem #2.
Josh Hamilton Returns
Assuming Moreland returns to 1st base/DH duties, Blanks gets moved to left field, leaving no spot for Carlos Peguero. Now what happens when Josh Hamilton is deemed ready to go? If Blanks continues his hot hitting, you don't get rid of him. It appears the only choices would be releasing Jake Smolinski, who manager Jeff Bannister loves for his hustle, or offer Rule 5 pick Delino DeShields back to the Astros. DeShields offers speed on the bases. While Smolinski is probably the better player overall, DeShields might have more worth to the team. I fear Jake will be out of a job soon.
This brings us to the Good Pitching Problems.
Derek Holland Returns
Dutch is likely the first rotation piece returning. After a rocky start, Ross Detwiler has recovered to give Texas consecutive strong starts. Yet the success of Nick Martinez leads one to the conclusion Detwiler will be odd man out when Holland is ready. Expect Ross to move to the bullpen. But what happens in the second half when…
Martin Perez And Matt Harrison Return
Oof. Now it gets dicey. Perez is returning from Tommy John surgery, Harrison from back surgery. There's no guarantee Harrison comes back but signs thus far is positive. Perez should be ready after the All Star break. If both come back, then what? Colby Lewis and Martinez have been the best starters, Wandy Rodriguez has done well so far and Yovani Gallardo is who he is. A quality piece or two will have t p go.
Since Perez still has options available, if I'm the Rangers, I just might let Perez spend the rest of the season in Round Rock. Then he'll be more than ready for 2016. A successful Harrison return means someone has to go. If the Rangers aren't in the pennant chase, I think Gallardo is traded for a prospect or two.
Lots of problems, but these are good ones to have for a change.
Written by Lifelong Rangers/Senator Fan 2 Comments Posted in Dailies
It's Josh. It's Gonna Be Something Weird
The Prodigal Son Returns
Just a little over two months ago, Jon Daniels answered questions from fans at the annual Texas Rangers FanFest. At the time, Josh Hamilton's self-reported relapse had not been reported, but there were rumblings Hamilton might be on the trade block. One fan asked Daniels if there would be any interest in the Rangers making an offer. Daniels, who is known for never commenting on moves before they're made, let out a laugh and answered in one word: No.
This wasn't a deflection or even a bluff. It was as categorical a "No" as ever came from Daniels' mouth. He had not one bit of interest in re-acquiring the services of the Rangers best player in the 2010-2011 World Series teams.
Yet here we are, just a few months later, holding a press conference and re-introducing Josh Hamilton to the DFW (and national) media.
This is NOT a Jon Daniels move. This one came from up top, from ownership itself. Arte Moreno of the Angels and Bob Simpson talked on the phone and made a deal. They ran it through MLB and suddenly, Josh Hamilton is a Ranger again.
It's a very club-friendly situation. The Rangers are only on the hook for about $6-$7 million of Hamilton's salary over the next three years. Moreno is chipping in about $60 million, more or less, over the same stretch.
While it isn't a Jon Daniels move, because the money is so little it IS a classic Daniels type of move: low risk, high reward. Daniels has loved getting players on the cheap. Sometimes it's worked, like with Vlad Guerrero in 2010, Colby Lewis in 2010 and Neal Cotts in 2013. Other times it hasn't, like with Brandon Webb, Roy Oswalt, Manny Ramirez and Carlos Pena.
I don't know what to make of the Hamilton situation. I know the Rangers are probably the best team equipped to handle his personal issues, but the Rangers are a baseball team, not a rehab facility. I know Hamilton isn't the player he was in 2010-2011 and at 34, his best years are officially behind him. As much as the Metroplex loved him in the World Series years, they have bitter memories of the way he performed in his last weeks with the team on the field followed by some ill-advised comments he made after signing with the Angels. He's also shown that he's always taken his God-given talent for granted and hasn't been able to make the adjustments needed to compensate for the deterioration of those skills.
But I also know he has more home run potential at Globe Life Park than the Big A in Anaheim and, even with diminished skills, can probably man left field more capably than Jake Smolinski, Carlos Peguero and Ryan Rua, both offensively and defensively. If he doesn't pan out, it hasn't cost the Rangers much money at all. If he does, Arte Moreno's paying him to play for his team's rival, which could really blow up in his face.
It's still going to be at least three weeks or a month before Hamilton puts on a Rangers uniform again for an actual game. There's a lot of time between now and then. The only thing for certain is this: People are going to be watching the Rangers again, if only to see how this new relationship works out.
Written by Lifelong Rangers/Senator Fan 1 Comment Posted in Dailies	Tagged with Jon Daniels, Josh Hamilton, Texas Rangers
So What Do We Know So Far?
Two weeks into the season, the Texas Rangers stand at 5-8, in last place in the AL West, albeit just a game and a half out of first. The season is still early but it's not too early to give a State of the Team address. Here are the takeaways from the season's first 8% of the schedule:
Thank God For Nick Martinez
It could change rapidly but the big league sophomore has been the Rangers' best pitcher, starter or reliever. Martinez has gone seven innings in each of his first two starts and has yet to surrender an earned run in getting off to a 2-0 start. Without Martinez, the Rangers pitching staff would be lowly indeed. Colby Lewis has been OK, Yovani Gallardo slightly below average and Ross Detwiler abysmal to the point you'd be hard-pressed to find a single Rangers fan in favor of letting him make another start ever. On top of that, no sooner had fans resigned themselves to being without Yu Darvish for the year then the new expected ace, Derek Holland went down for two months with a shoulder issue. Anthony Renaudo wasn't the answer in one start. The chorus of fans singing for promoting Chi Chi Gonzalez is growing.
The Bullpen Is A Mess
Despite bright spots like Anthony Bass in long relief and Shawn Tolleson in the 7th inning, nobody else in the pen is rising to the challenge. Nowhere was that more evident than Sunday's gut-wrenching 11-10 loss to the Seattle Mariners. Tanner Scheppers, in his second game back from the DL, couldn't find the strike zone in the 8th, walking the bases full. Rookie Keone Kela, seen by many as the heir apparent for the closer's role, showed he's not ready for prime time, walking in one of the runs after relieving Scheppers. Closer Neftali Feliz was forced to try to get a 5-out save and couldn't get the job done, giving up a 2-run single in the 8th, then two more runs in the 9th to blow the save and get the loss. The Rangers firemen have acted more like arsonists.
Thank God For Prince Fielder
The big guy doesn't have a single home run and leads the AL in singles of all things. He's also been the Rangers' steadiest hitter. He's beating the shift by going the opposite way, which is why he's getting a lot of singles. He'll eventually get the power stroke going but it's going to require Adrian Beltre and Shin-Soo Choo to start hitting the way they can. Fielder won't see better pitches until the guys hitting behind him start giving pitchers something else to think about.
New Year, Same Problems
2014 was a record-setting injury year for the Rangers and 2015 isn't starting much better. Derek Holland is out for two months, left fielder Ryan Rua sprained his ankle, then discovered he has a stress fracture in his foot, which will keep him out for a while. Choo and Mitch Moreland have missed games already with minor ailments, Scheppers just returned from the DL. Texas is a slightly deeper team than they were a year ago but can still ill-afford many more injuries.
Is Elvis In The Building?
What's happened to Elvis Andrus? Never a scary offensive presence, now his defense seems to have regressed. Elvis makes his living being a brilliant defender first, a decent running threat second. Thus far, he's not hitting, he's not running and he's not fielding. As of yesterday, he was the lowest rated position player by WAR in baseball. This HAS to improve.
The season is not off to a good start. Texas is once again resembling a last place team. They will hit better. There are too many pieces with good track records who have started out slowly. Pitching is another issue altogether. The Rangers need more innings from their starters and a couple more bullpen pitchers to step up. Otherwise it'll be another long year in Arlington.
Written by Lifelong Rangers/Senator Fan Posted in Dailies	Tagged with Adrian Beltre, Chi Chi Gonzalez, Derek Holland, Elvis Andrus, Keone Kela, Mitch Moreland, Neftali Feliz, Nick Martinez, Prince Fielder, Shawn Tolleson, Shin-Soo Choo, Tanner Scheppers, Texas Rangers
Top 100 2013
Original Senators Fan
Since discovering the Washington Senators as a boy in 1971, I've followed this team throughout my life. When the Rangers made it to the World Series for the first time in 2010, it truly was a childhood dream come true.
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The Josh Is Back Poll
Frano Sierra on A New Way To Watch A Ballgame (Or Not)
Hamilton Trades in His Halo for a Cowboy Hat « The Angels' Ace on It's Josh. It's Gonna Be Something Weird
22 year Ranger Fan on Good Problems To Have
Discover: Walk-Off Wednesday « MLB.com Blogs on Good Problems To Have
Looking Ahead To 2015: Bench « One Strike Away…Twice! on Looking Ahead To 2015: Left Field
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I would be in favor of trading Mazara to get Calhoun back and giving him a real chance. Pence and Choo rotate right… twitter.com/i/web/status/1… 1 day ago
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Favorite Blog Spots
C70 At The Bat A Cardinals blog that plays pepper with blogs from every team every spring to get a gauge about how we feel about our teams.
Lone Star Ball Kind of a clearing house from different sources on everything Rangers.
Rangerfans.com Another Ranger fan blog. Love to know what the die-hards like me are thinking!
Shutdown Inning Rangers analysis from multiple writers. They do a podcast too.
The Angels Ace Hey, the Angels may be the Devils as far as the Rangers are concerned but they still have (mostly) nice fans. Isaac is one of them.
The Newberg Report Best site around for all things Rangers- majors and minors!
The Texas Rangers Blog a blog chronicling your Texas Rangers' wanderings in the baseball wilderness of futility and mediocrity. For two (2) years they found their way out. Maybe this year they'll find their way out again.
One Strike Away…Twice!
One Strike Away…Twice


The present church was designed in the then fashionable Neo Norman style by G. Alexander and completed in 1846. It replaced an earlier building about which this commentator has been unable to find any details. This project must have proved to be an extremely difficult brief because the architect was obliged to draw up no less than six different sets of plans for his clients. He was asked to change from the Early English style to Perpendicular and alter the size of the church three times. The cost came to £1,901 19s 6d of which £1,760 13s 10d was raised by subscription. Interestingly, the faculty of 1847 was issued to confirm what had already been built!. (Alexander was also responsible for East Stour 1842: Enmore Green 1843 and Sutton Waldron: 1847).
The church sits in a delightful churchyard next to the village school. Inside, the building is tall and bright with light streaming in through the generous aisle windows. Arches on either side of the nave, which are supported by octagonal piers, lend a sense of grandeur to the scene.
The font is C13 with a C17 cover.
A new and very beautiful glass door has been installed between the porch and the church. Also, in a very far sighted effort to offer really modern facilities, a new servery and lavatory have been provided at the rear of the north aisle.
This is a church well worth visiting.


text:
Another billionaire joins Soros to…
Mon, Dec 01, 2003
Another billionaire joins Soros to defeat Bush
Peter B. Lewis, a Cleveland-based insurance billionaire, Soros has pledged $5 million to MoveOn.org
And there are others
Joel Hyatt, founder of the Hyatt Legal Services chain of storefront legal clinics and a onetime candidate for the Senate from Ohio, is backing former Vice President Al Gore's bid to start a new youth-oriented cable network to counter the influence of Fox News. Mark Walsh, a former AOL executive who served as chief technology advisor to the Democratic National Committee, has purchased a radio network from two Chicago venture capitalists with hopes of launching an alternative to conservative talk radio.
John Podesta, the former chief of staff in Clinton's White House, has raised $13 million for a new left-wing think tank, the Center for American Progress. And Norman Lear, the pioneer of liberal television shows like "All in the Family," is corralling Hollywood into a $27-million effort to get out the youth vote.
Get the popcorn and the flak jackets, Campaign 2004 is going to be exciting, thunderous, vicious, and the political equivalent of war. On second thought, screw the popcorn. This is no time to be on the sidelines. The stakes are too high for that. Jump in and get involved. Bush must be stopped.
And here are some of the major players who plan to do just that.
Leftie soft money PACs
Cash raised by soft money PACs can be used for attack ads, for ads about issues, but not ads favoring a specific Presidential candidate. This list, from an article in the Hartford Courant, also lists right-wing soft money PACs. I added links when I could find them.
Predictably, the Right is whining about how the horrid Left is using tainted soft money – when of course the Right has been doing precisely the same for years. Apparently attack ads are only ok when done by them.
America Coming Together
Founders include Ellen Malcolm, president of EMILY's List, Steve Rosenthal, head of the Partnership for America's Families and former AFL-CIO political director, Andy Stern, president of the Service Employees International Union, Carl Pope, Sierra Club executive director.
GOAL: To raise more than $75 million for a voter registration and get-out-the-vote effort focused on defeating President Bush in 17 states.
This is the big one. Soros has donated 10 million; Ellen Malcolm, 20 million. It is assumed they will give more, and ACT may well raise far more than 75 million.
Members include AFL-CIO, ACORN, AFSCME, Association of Trial Lawyers of America, America Coming Together, EMILY's List, League of Conservation Voters, MoveOn.org., NAACP National Voter Fund, NARAL Pro-Choice America, Planned Parenthood Action Fund, Service Employees International Union, Sierra Club.
GOAL: To coordinate get-out-the-vote and other election activities.
An impressive coalition of some major players, some of whom are also in ACT.
Partnership For America's Families
Created by former AFL-CIO Political Director Steve Rosenthal.
GOAL: Voter outreach, particularly in battleground states.
Working America Alliance
Created by AFSCME's president, Gerald McEntee.
GOAL: Get-out-the-vote and other election activities
Environment 2004
Former Clinton administration officials.
GOAL: Environmental issues.
Moving America Forward
New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, McEntee and others.
GOAL: To register Hispanic and American Indian voters.
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Julie Montagu: I think at first when I just described it to them they were like, "...Ummmmm okay, let's hope this works." But then after seeing the photos and how sleek it looked, they were like, "Okay, that's pretty cool and a great advert for JUB!"
Bravotv.com: Considering your revealing JUB shoot and success, how did it feel to hear Caroline Stanbury say that she so strongly respects you as a business woman and that you found your "balls"?
JM: Caroline Stanbury knows that I struggle with self-esteem and so hearing her say that was nice to the ears. I think in life, when anyone says they respect you, it feels good on the inside. When Caroline kept saying I finally have balls, it sort of made me laugh because all I could think of were my JUB (Julie's Unbelievable Balls) - and maybe she's right… JULIE'S finally got some UNBELIEVABLE BALLS!
JM: At this time, I do not want to discuss the drama or my friendship with Annabelle. I want to focus on the positive instead. I teach in my yoga classes 'to let go of any resentment, grievance, shame, guilt, or pain from the past because if we don't our entire body-mind suffers.' And I must also follow this, too, in order to stay positive, stay in the present and keep moving forwards, not backwards.
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