text:
Robert James Fischer vs Arthur Feuerstein
US Championship (1957/58), New York, NY USA, rd 1, Dec-17
Formation: King's Indian Attack (A07) · 1-0
find similar games 4 more Fischer/Feuerstein games
TIP: To see the raw PGN for this game, click on the PGN: view link above.
Apr-10-04 iron maiden: On move 9, Black should probably have left the rook on f8. 9...Bd7 10. e5 Ne8 followed by 11...f6 is a good center attack.
Sep-10-04 wall: 32...Bd3 looks wrong when Black must defend. Perhaps 32...Qd8 or 32...Kh8.
In the game, if 33...Nxf6, 34.Nxf6+ Kh8 35.g4 Nd4 36.Ne4 Ne2+ (36...Qd8 37.Rxc5) 37.Kh2 Qd8 38.Rxc5
Nov-17-05 AlexanderMorphy: outclassed by fischer!
Mateo: <AlexanderMorphy: outclassed by fischer!> Well, this is not so clear. Feuerstein missed 28... Qb6. I guess Fischer would have nothing better than a draw: 29. Nf6 Nf6 30. Qf6 Nh6 31. Rd6 Qb3 32. Rd8 Rd8 33. Qd8 Kg7 34. Qf6, draw.
Nov-10-07 smarterthanbobby: fischer busted him down to the end
game like he did 90% of the time.
Nov-10-07 Petrosianic: 90%? Fischer played 4 games with Feuerstein, three of which were draws. So, that makes 25%, not 90.
Nov-10-07 RookFile: <Mateo: Mateo: <AlexanderMorphy: outclassed by fischer!> Well, this is not so clear. Feuerstein missed 28... Qb6. I guess Fischer would have nothing better than a draw: 29. Nf6 Nf6 30. Qf6 Nh6 31. Rd6 Qb3 32. Rd8 Rd8 33. Qd8 Kg7 34. Qf6, draw.>
But it would appear that Fischer could play 29. Nd2 instead.
Nov-12-07 zev22407: What is wrong with 34)Nxe8 instead of 34)g4 as played? 34)Nxe8 Rxe8 35)Nd6 and white wins.
Nov-13-07 smarterthanbobby: funny how some players count draws,
is that really why you study chess?
Dec-17-09 BISHOP TAL: This open is in the new in chess, under Bobby Fischer opens.It says arthur could of punished him with 3 d5 instead he allowed him to transpose into what later became the main line.I dont see the big deal wether he plays d5 on the 3rd move or the 4th.
Jan-04-11 cyclingfrank: Though tricky 19.... Nd5 might halt the king side attack by driving the bishop back and activating the dead piece on c7. Any thought's out there??
Oct-04-11 AlforChess: Actually, Arty was even against Fischer. A.F. beat B.F in the Greater NYC Open in 1956--so they're 1-1 with three draws. And yes, draws count too. If I had a tourney draw against Bobby, I would have a tattoo.
Oct-18-12
TheFocus: <A.F. beat B.F in the Greater NYC Open in 1956> If you go to http://www.ubutec.com/acn/ and click on April - September 2010, you will find my article about this win.
harrylime: Fischer was 14 when this game was played.
Dec-30-13 RandomVisitor: <cyclingfrank><Though tricky 19.... Nd5 might halt the king side attack by driving the bishop back and activating the dead piece on c7. Any thought's out there??>19...h6 might be better
Rybka 4.1 x64:
<[+0.16] d=22 19...h6> 20.Ng4 Bb7 21.Rad1 Ne8 22.Be3 a5 23.Bd2 a4 24.Bc3 Rab8 25.Rxd8 Rxd8 26.Rd1 Rxd1+ 27.Qxd1 Qd8 28.Nd2 Qd7 29.Ne3 Qd8 30.Qe2 Nd4 31.Bxd4
Apr-19-19
KEG: The first game played by Fischer in a U.S. Championship (the 1956 Rosenwald was not technically a US Championship Tournament). Bobby was 14 years old, and took the fight to Fenerstein from the opening bell.
The awesome technique displayed by Fischer later in his career was not yet on full display, and he missed several chances before overwhelming Feuerstein, but the relentless drive to win was evident.
1. e4 c5
2. Nf3 e6
3. g3
In his book "Profile of a Prodigy," Brady calls this move by Fischer "Psychological warfare," since Feuerstein liked to play the King's Indian Reversed as White. But this was Fischer favorite himself at the time. To quote Fischer himself from his annotations in "My 60 Memorable Games" to his game against Sherwin in the New Jersey Open Championship in commenting on 3. g3 here: "This used to be my favorite. I thought it led to a favorable variation of the King's Indian reversed, particularly after Black has committed himself with ...e6."
While objectively 3. g3 does not seem to be the most forcing line for White here, it is certainly good enough for at least equality, and it was a line Fischer knew well and which sets up the king of attack with which he--even at age 14--had considerable experience.
3... Nf6
BISHOP TAL on this site questions the notion that 3...d5 was better here ("I don't see the big deal whether he plays d5 on the 3rd move or the 4th"). While I agree the choice is not a "big deal," the point of the comment about 3...d5 is probably that if played now--or after 3...Nc6--it does not commit to Nf6 so early. After the text, Fischer could have played 4. e5 with some advantage (though, as discussed below, Fischer disputed this analysis).
4. d3
4. e5 looks best. Fischer, however, disagreed and claimed in his 1958-1959 book "Bobby Fischer's Games of Chess" that after 4. e5 he would have played 4...Nd5. But after 4...Nd5 (I prefer 4...Ng4, though it does not fully equalize), White seems to get a fine game with either 5. Bg2 or 5. c4.
4... d5
4...Nc6 was also good.
5. Nbd2
This move is part of Fischer's King-side attack plan which will quickly take shape. It has been played here by many fine champions, including Botvinnik, Bronstein, Larsen, Geller, Savon, Adams, and Svidler. Nonetheless, 5. Qe2 looks better, leaving the choice of where to develop the b1 Knight to be determined based on how the game proceeds.
5... Be7
6. Bg2 0-0
7. 0-0 Nc6
8. Re1 WQc7
9. Qe2
9... Rd8
"?!"--Muller.
Fischer in his 1958-1959 book, and ironmaiden on this site, have claimed that 9...bd7 was best, but Black certainly has no edge in the constricted position that results from 9...Bd7 10. e5 Ne8.
Muller in his book on Fischer says that 9...b6 or 9...b5 are the "main lines." After 9...b6 White gets an even game with 10. e5. And if 9...b5 White is certainly OK with 10. a4 bxa4 11. Rxa4 h6.
In fact, the text and all of the suggested alternatives are perfectly reasonable, and the selection is a matter of style. 9...h6 and 9...Re8 are also good choices.
10. e5?!
10. c3 or 10. a3 or 10. a4 would be most prudent. But the young Fischer sought the sharpest line.
10... Ne8
Playable but timid. The best way to try to punish White for his temerity in playing 10. e5?! was to play 10...Nd7.
11. c3
Fischer states that 11. Nf1 immediately would be met by 11...Nd4, but White could then play 11. NxN with equality. Best after 11. Nf1 is probably 11...b5.
11... b5
Although Fischer said that Feuerstein was "On the right path" with this move, this Queen-side strategy did not work well for him, and the text was--as will be seen from Feuerstein's 13th move--part of a bad plan. Most prudent here was 11...b6 or 11...h6.
KEG: Post II
12. Nf1
Going all out for his intended King-side storm. This plan worked well thanks in large part to weak play by Feuerstein. Objectively, 13. Nb3 or 13. d4 were better.
Setting up an exciting two front battle, Fischer attacking on one wing and Feuerstein on the other.
13. Bf4
"Overprotecting the e-pawn, preventing 13...f6, and preparing a King-side attack." (Fischer).
Fischer should perhaps have tried to forestall 13...bxc3 with 13. c4. Fortunately for him, Feuerstein erred in turn:
13... Qa5
"?"--(Fischer)(Wade/O'Connell)(Muller)
Every commentator agrees that this is too slow and that Feuerstein should have played 13...bxc3 14. bxc3 Rb8. This would have given Feuerstein excellent counter-play on the Queen-side probably the better chances. Now, Bobby began to roll.
"!"--(Fischer)(Wade/O'Connell)(Brady).
14. N1d2 was also possible, but the text was the best way to contest Feuerstein's Queen-side adventure.
14... Nc7
"Where's the Knight going?" (Fischer).
Feuerstein could have played 14...h6 or 14...Bb7. The text in itself is not bad, but Feuerstein, unlike Fischer, did not have a clear vision of how to proceed. By contrast, and while one can quibble with some of Fischer's moves, he never wavered from his King-side assault plan.
15. h4?!
"The key move to White's attack. White's plan is to (a) advance the h-pawn to h6, forcing a weakness at f6; (b) maneuver a Knight to g4;n(c) trade off Black's e7 Bishop. The outcome of the game depends on the execution of his plan." (Fischer).
15. Ne3 and 15. Bg5 were good alternatives, but as noted above Fischer had a plan and the text was a key element.
15... Qb6
16. h5
Consistent with his plan, but 16. Ne3 or 16. Bg5 was more accurate.
16... b3?
"With the idea of artificially isolating White's c-pawn." (Fischer).
Feuerstein's idea, however, was too slow, giving Bobby a chance.
17. a3
Allowing himself to become momentarily distracted from playing 17. h6, which was much stronger.
17... dxc4
Failing to recognize the danger. 17...h6 was best.
18. dxc4 Ba6
As Fischer noted, 18...Bb7 would have been better. But better still--and the way to thwart Fischer's intended h6 was 18...h6.
19. N1h2
Preparing Ng4. But this could wait. The advance to h6 could not, and 19. h6 would have given Fischer excellent winning chances.
19... Rac8
As cyclingfrank has pointed out on this site, 19...Nd5 would have been better. But 19...h6 as proposed by RandomVisitor, also on this site, should have been played.
The stage was now set for Fischer to proceed with his plan:
KEG: Post III
20. h6!
Fischer had now achieved the first of his three objectives: advancing this pawn to h6.
20... g6
The alternative, 20...Nd5, was none to savory; e.g., 20...Nd5 21. Qe4 [21. cxN was of course impossible because of the pin] NxB 22. QxN Nd4 (or 22...g6 23. Ng5) 23. hxg7.
After the text, Black has a hole on f6 that Fischer ultimately exploited:
21. Bg5!
Fischer now set his sights on step two of his attack plan, trading off the Black Bishop on e7 that was defending the crucial f6 square.
21... Nd4
"?"--Muller.
This should have been immediately fatal. Feuerstein's only decent options here were to bite the bullet and initiate the Bishop trade (21...BxB 22. NxB Nd4--Muller's line) or else beef up his defense of f6 with 21...Ne8 and then bring his other Knight to f5 after 22. BxB NxB 23. Ng4 Nf5. In either case, White would definitely be for choice but Black would retain reasonable chances of defending himself.
22. Qe3?
Continuing with his attack, but--as Muller has pointed out--Fischer should have taken advantage of Feuerstein's last move and played 22. NxN. If then 22..BxB (essentially forced) 23. Nc6 is murder (23...Rf8 (23...Bxh6 giving up the exchange is probably better but obviously hopeless) 24. Qg4 leaving Black the choice of losing the exchange after 24...Bxh6 25. Ne7+ or allowing White a crushing attack after 24...Bd8 25. Rad1. After the text, Feuerstein was back in the game.
22... BxB
As Fischer pointed out, 22...Nc2 playing to win the exchange would run into 23. Qf4! after which Muller gives the following line: 23...NxR(e1) 24. RxN Bf8 (24...BxB 25. NxB with Ng4 to follow would obviously be hopeless) 25. BxR RxB 26. Ng5 (26. Ng4 first also wins) Rd7 27. Ng4 Ne8 28. Re3 and Black can not hold on for very long, e.g., 28...Bb7 29. Rd3 Qc7 30. Rxb3 BxB 31. KxB with 32. Ne4 in prospect.
23. QxB
As Muller correctly notes, Black would get crushed after 23...Nc2? 24. Ng4 NxR(e1) 25. Nf6+ Kh8 26. Nd7 (White does even better if he first recaptures with 26. RxN for then 26...Bxc4 27. Nd7 wins the Black Queen.
23...Nf5, however, was at least as good as the text, though in most variations they transpose to the same thing.
24. Ng4! Nf5
25. Rac1
Instead of wasting time defending the c-pawn, Fischer should have played 25. Nh4 and if 25...Bxc4 26. Nf6+ NxN 27. QxN Nxh6 28. Qf4! winning a piece, or if 25...NxN 26. QxN Rd4 27. Nf6+ Kh8 28. Re4.
25... Qc7?
"?!--(Muller)
As Muller correctly notes, Black should have played 25...Bb7. After the text, Fischer again had a clear win:
KEG: Post IV
26. Nd2
Too slow. Fischer had a win here with 26. Nh4 (26...NxN 27. QxN Kh8 28. Rcd1 Rd4 29. RxR cxR 30. Nf6 Qe7 31. Rd1 d3 (or 31...NxN 32. exN Qe8 33. Qxd4) 32. NxN QxQ. 33 gxQ RxN 34. Rxd3 Bxc4 35. Rd4 Bd5 (35...Be2 36. Rd7) 36. BxB exB 37. Rxd5 and Black's horrible King position makes the Rook and pawn ending an easy winner for White.
26... Rd4
As Fischer pointed out, 26...Qb6 loses to 27. Ne4 since the Black Queen would then be too far away from the action on the King-side. The following line demonstrates the correctness of Fischer's analysis: 26...Qb6 27. Ne4 Qa5 28. N(either) f6+ NxN 29. NxN+ Kh8 30. g4 Ne7 31. Ne4 Ng8 32. Nd6.
But the text (26...Rd4) should also lose. 26...Kh8, though it surrenders the Black pawn at b3 without a fight, allows time for Black to organize a defense.
27. Nxb3
27...Ne4 was stronger and more consistent with Fischer's plan of targeting f6.
27... Rxc4
28. Rcd1
"Gaining control of the d-file and leaving Black's Rook stranded." (Fischer).
Also good, and perhaps simpler, was 28. RxR BxR 29. Nd2 followed by 30. Ne4.
28... Ra4
"If 28...Rc2 29. Be4 is killing" (Fischer).
Fischer also states that 28...Qe7 loses after 29. QxQ NxQ 30. Ne3 Ra4 31. Rd7, but in this line--strong though it is--30. Nf6+ is even more crushing (30...NxN [not 30...Kh8 31. Rd7] 31. exN Nd5 32. BxN exB 33. Rxd5).
Mateo claimed on this site that Feuerstein here mised 28...Qb6 after which "Fischer would have nothing better than a draw." But RookFile's 29. Nd2 keeps the edge in White's hands and 29. Ne3 seems to refute 28...Qb6.
The position after 28...Ra4 was:
29. Re4
"!"--(Fischer)(Brady)(Wade/O'Connell).
This move, as will be seen, gives Black an escape. 29. Nd2 and 29. Rd2 were better.
29... Bb5?
29...Rc4 seemingly saves the day for Black here (e.g., 30. Rd2 Qb6 [or 30...Bb5] 31. RxR BxR 32. Nc1 Kf8 and Black seemingly escapes the net Fischer had weaved.
30. Rc1
"In order to draw Black's Queen away from the defense of the King's side." (Fischer).
30... Qb6?
After this, Black is lost. To have any chance, Feuerstein had to play 30...RxR.
31. Nd2!
Fischer correctly states that Black now has no defense.
31... RxR
"?"--(Muller)
31...Ra5 or 31...Ra6 would indeed have been better, since the Rook exchange only brought Fischer's other Knight within reach of f6, but the game was almost certainly lost anyway.
32. NxR
From here, Feuerstein's desperate play led to a massacre. But even with best play Fischer would have made short work of him.
KEG: Post V
32... Bd3
As nearly every commentator has pointed out, the only chances of resistance lay in 32...Qd8 (or maybe 32...Kh8). But even after 32...Qd8, White wins--as Fischer pointed out--with 33. QxQ [33. Rxc5 also wins, but Fischer's move is better and faster] RxQ 34. Rxc5 "with an easy endgame win" (Fischer).
After the text, the hole on f6 made Feuerstein easy pickings for Fischer:
33. Ngf6+ Kh8
33...NxN was relatively best, but it too would lose quickly as Fischer pointed out: 34. NxN Kh8 (34...Kf8 loses the Queen to 35. Nd7+) 35. g4 Nd4 (this is suicide, but 35...Qd8 or 35...Ng7 were too horrible to contemplate) 36. Ne4 (this wins, but 36. Nd7 is even better than Fischer's move) Qd8 (36...Ne2+ 37. Kh2 Qd8 38. Rxc5 Rb8 (38...QxQ leads to mate in two for White after 39. RxR+) 39. QxQ+ RxQ 40. Nd6 with Rc7 to follow wins for White.
After 33...Kh8, the position was:
34. g4
"!"--(Fischer)
As Brady correctly says, this wins a piece and the game. But zev22407's 34. NxN is even better (34...Qd8 [34...RxN 35. Nd6] 35. Rxc5).
34... BxN
35. BxB
35. NxN or 35. NxB were even more brutal.
After 35. BxB, the position was:
After this White reduces to an easily won endgame a piece up. 35...Qxb2, though not likely to change the outcome, was the only move if Feuerstein wanted to play on.
36. NxN Qd8
The only way to avoid mate.
37. QxQ RxQ
"White's final point. He remains a piece ahead." (Brady).
Perhaps Feuerstein overlooked the fact that Fischer too had a Knight fork in the offing:
38... Ne2+
39. Kf1 NxR
40. Nxf7+ Kg8
Game over.
41... Nb3
42. Ke2 Nd4+
43. Kd3 Kf1
44. Nc6
The first of many games Fischer was to win in U.S. Championship tournaments.
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The 27.5" Minion DHR ll TR (tubeless ready) is a complete redesign. Acceleration, cornering & braking have all been improved with features such as Maxx Terra & EXO included. Pair the DHR II with the Minion DHF for the ultimate aggressive riding combo!


Stay in a private apartment in Osterbro in Copenhagen.
Osterbro is located in the northern part of Copenhagen, bordering Hellerup. It is a very exclusive and calm area. Apart from the major tourist attraction, The Little Mermaid, Osterbro hosts many international embassies such as the American, Indian and British Embassy .
Osterbro is home to those who prefer a comfortable living in green surroundings by the sea, yet close to the city. The area has great shopping opportunities, especially along Osterbrogade and Nordre Frihavnsgade. Here you will find nice cafes and unique designer shops. If you need to relax you can drop by Café Bopa for a beer with the locals or take a stroll down Ryesgade where you will find cozy cafes and yoga studios.
During summer you can enjoy the Svanemolle Beach Park. The big park, Faelledparken is one of the most popular green retreats in Copenhagen and a popular spot for cultural activities such as the Copenhagen Carnival. Next to it is the National Stadium, Parken, where you can enjoy concerts by international artists or watch a football match with the Copenhagen team FCK.


text:
Oberlander, Hutchinson Announce Infrastructure Grants in Clarion County
HARRISBURG – Three local infrastructure projects will share $1.3 million in state grant funds from the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA), Rep. Donna Oberlander (R-Clarion/Armstrong/Forest) and Sen. Scott Hutchinson (R-Venango/Butler/Forest/Clarion/Warren) announced after the board meeting in Harrisburg today
The state grants will benefit the following projects: Knox Township-Clarion County Municipal Authority, $800,000; Clarion Borough, $391,053; and New Bethlehem Borough, $137,071. The first project is funded through the H2O PA program for water supply, sewer and stormwater, and the latter projects' funding is part of the PA Small Water and Sewer Program.
"All of these projects will help improve the quality of life for local residents," Oberlander said. "Whether through the creation of a public sewerage system or upgrades to reduce flood damage, these plans will have a significant health and safety impact on our communities. I am pleased to have assisted municipal leaders to identify these programs and advocate on their behalf."
In Knox Township, the grant will be used to construct a public sewer system for 70 properties in Lucinda. Currently, most properties have an on-lot system which can directly discharge into local streams and creeks. Specifically, the project will entail a conventional gravity sewer collection system and a new sewage treatment plan. The total project cost is just over $3 million, with $1.6 million coming from funding through the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PennVEST).
"I'm pleased that the Commonwealth Financing Authority has chosen to invest in these important Clarion County water and sewer projects," said Hutchinson. "Infrastructure projects like these aren't always exciting, but they're necessary and often very costly. This state assistance will help minimize the cost to local residents."
For the Clarion project, the funding will pay for the upgrades to the stormwater system, which is deteriorating due to age, leading to debris collection and causing backups and sinkholes. The work will take place along Tippin Drive, Sunset Drive, Whitehall Place and Boundary Street. Ultimately, the project will help reduce flood risk, improve water quality and provide resilient infrastructure for sustainable, long-term growth. The total project cost is just over $500,000 with the borough committing nearly $75,000.
In New Bethlehem, the grant will fund the removal of a gravel bar in Red Bank Creek that has led to significant flooding from Leasure Run. The borough will put nearly $25,000 toward the cost of the final project.
Oberlander noted that this round included many worthy projects for consideration, and that made the selection process difficult for the CFA board.
"I want to thank everyone who submitted applications for this much-sought after funding," Oberlander added. "We realize that infrastructure projects are vital to their communities and hope that municipalities will continue to seek out these types of programs in the future."

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
THROWBACK THURSDAY: D-Shake – Techno Trance (Paradise Is Now) [1990]
Some grooves are just timeless. Despite being thirty years old this year, Techno Trance (Paradise Is Now) by D-Shake, aka Dutch producer Aad de Mooy, sounds as fresh as anything released today – with the machine gun percussion and devastating synth riff still capable of lifting the roof off any dancefloor.
I was reminded of this track earlier this week by a friend (who pointed out its inclusion in the Homelands Ireland 1999 documentary, which can be viewed here), and felt obliged to feature it in this week's Throwback Thursday as a result.
Released on Go Bang! Records – which was also home to artists such as G.T.O., Quazar and House of Venus – the track was actually a B-side (with Yaah on the flip), but regular plays from the DJ collective of the time, including a young Carl Cox, earned it global prominence.
While within a few years, the Netherlands had become a bastion for hard-edged electronic music, back in 1990 it was still finding its feet, and thus de Mooy was something of a pioneer at the time – some versions of the release even came stamped with a proud 'Made in Holland' badge.
de Mooy would go on to adopt a myriad of monikers in the years to come, including Cat Scanner, House Of Nachos, Nu-Tro-Gen, Paradise 3001 and Zoeysonic, but he would later become better known as 'lounge house' maestro Alex Cortiz towards the end of the 90s.
He was also behind a number of video clips, for artists including Kraze and Todd Terry, which were regularly seen on MTV.
But for us, it's his alluring 1990 warehouse classic that we always return to. Reach for the lasers! 🙂
Tags: D-Shake, Techno Trance, Throwback Thursday
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text:
Q: Minimum number of terms on the board
Suppose $1$ through $33$ is written on the board. Every move consists of replacing $x$ and $y$ with $\frac{y}{x}$ iff $x|y$. Find the minimum number of terms that can be on the board.

The numbers that can never be removed are primes >16.5 (17,19,23,29,31). I'm relatively new to these kinds of problems so I don't really know where to start. It seems that the only way of getting rid of multiple terms, $a_1,a_2, \cdots a_n$ is only if $\prod_{k=1}^{n-1} a_k=a_n$. Thanks!

A: All together, the numbers $1$ through $33$ contain $31$ prime factors of $2$, $15$ factors of $3$, $7$ factors of $5$, $4$ factors of $7$, $3$ factors of $11$, $2$ of $13$, and $1$ each of $17,19,23,29$, and $31$.
Now, every time you replace $x$ and $y$ by $\frac{y}{x}$, you are eliminating an even number of instances of one or more prime factors. So, starting with an odd number of prime factors of $2$, for example, this means that we can't get rid of all prime factors $2$, i.e. we will be left with a $2$.
So, it looks like the best you can do is to be left with a $2$, a $3$, a $5$, a $11$, and one of each of $17,19,23,29$, and $31$ (obviously, you can get rid of any $1$'s that appear).
But can you actually get to those very $9$ numbers when starting with the original numbers $1$ through $33$?  Yes, simply keep applying the process to the biggest pair of $x$ and $y$. That is, start with $33$ and $11$, then do $32$ and $16$, etc. Keep doing this, and you'll get there; this is easily enough verified yourself on a piece of paper.
However, we can do better than that: if we never touch the number $30$, then given that $30$ contains a single $2$, $3$, and $5$ as prime factors, we can actually get rid of all $2$'s, $3$'s, and $5$'s at the end. As such, we'd be left with: $11$, $17$, $19$, $23$, $29$, $30$, and $31$, i.e. $7$ numbers.
As an alternative, we could have left $10$ (combing a $2$ and a $5$) and $33$, leaving us with $10$, $17$, $19$, $23$, $29$, $30$, and $33$. Another $7$-number solution is $15$, $17$, $19$, $22$, $23$, $29$, and $31$. But it is clear that you can't do better than any of these: $7$ is the minimum.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Basal cell carcinoma is not only the most common form of skin cancer in the United States — it's the most common cancer overall. Close to a million new cases are diagnosed each year. Luckily, this type of cancer is easily treated and unlikely to spread. It can, however, cause extensive damage to surrounding tissue and bone if it's not removed.
The biggest risk factor for basal cell carcinoma (BCC), as well as several other types of skin cancer, is sun exposure. People with light skin, hair, and eyes — who have low levels of the protective skin pigment melanin — are at especially increased risk. It's therefore not surprising that many of the genetic variants associated with skin cancer are also linked to fair pigmentation.
A new study, published online Sunday in Nature Genetics, has identified two SNPs on chromosome 1 that increase the risk of BCC, but are not linked to a person's coloring.
After studying more than 2,000 people with BCC and close to 36,000 controls from Iceland and Eastern Europe, Stacey et al found that each A at rs7538876 and each G at rs801114 increased the odds of developing BCC 1.28 times over those with two Gs or two Ts, respectively.
The authors of the study estimate that about 1.6% of people with European ancestry have two copies of the riskier versions at both of these SNPs, and that these people have 2.98 times the odds of BCC compared to people who have no risky copies.
The researchers then looked at the DNA of people with two other types of skin cancer that, like BCC, are related to sun. But in about 400 people with squamous cell carcinoma and about 2,000 with cutaneous melanoma, they saw no association with the SNPs.
"One unifying theme may be that genes associated with fair pigmentation confer cross-risk of all three skin cancer types because of their roles in protection from the shared risk factor of UV light, whereas the more specifically associated variants may act through different pathways," the authors write in their report.
To investigate this idea further, the researchers looked to see if the two new BCC-associated SNPs were related to pigmentation at all. In a sample of about 5,000 Icelandic people they found that neither SNP was linked to eye or hair color, nor were either of them linked to a propensity to freckle or sun sensitivity.
"Taken together, these data suggest that the [SNPs] act through pathways other than those related to UV-susceptible pigmentation traits," the authors write.


It would be nice to have been born good-looking, but even if you weren't, you can relax. Women don't care all that much if you're good-looking. But they do care if you're cool, so you can't totally relax.
Here's the paradox: In order to be cool, you sort of have to relax.
Cool is all about contradictions like this. Do this, but not always. Do that, but not for that reason.
Reading this article, you'll be forced to think about being cool, which isn't that cool. So read it in the privacy of your home. But read it. Because if you understand coolness, then it becomes possible to cultivate it.
Cool is About Being Who You Are . . .
You want to impart to everyone -- especially to any woman who might be sizing you up as a potential hook-up -- that hey, being you is pretty good, maybe even fun. It's a simple concept that's hard to fake.
You can wear baggy sweat suits and funky hats and be sort of weird looking but still be cool. Oh, sorry, that's only if you're Jay-Z. The point is that just about anything goes, as long as you do it with confidence and without looking over your shoulder to see who approves.
. . . but it's not about announcing who you are.
When you advertise yourself as just about anything--a star athlete, a type-A personality, a stand-up guy -- you're suggesting that your demeanor won't speak for itself. Instead of telling her you got a bonus, take her out to dinner. Resist relaying the details of your grueling workout routine, and just fit into your damn pants. Never, ever use the phrase "I'm the kind of guy who. . . . " If it's really true, she'll find out.
Cool Guys Refuse to Engage in Activities That Make Them Feel Silly . . .
You know that moment at a concert when the performers try to force everyone in the audience to clap or sing along? The impulse that tells you that you might die of shame if you do it is a good one. When it comes to earning a woman's respect and admiration, you are nothing without dignity. It's better to be a killjoy than a lemming.
. . . unless mothers or kids are involved.
If it's your nephew's bar mitzvah and your mother wants you to dance the hora, you're going to join the circle and spin. And you're going to like it. Sometimes being cool means knowing it's not just about you.
Cool Guys Run Their Own Lives . . .
A cool guy has reasonable control over the way he makes his living, and if he doesn't have that control, he should be taking concrete steps to change it. A cool guy values his family but doesn't live in service to them (unless they're ill). A cool guy isn't always asking everyone what his next move should be, because he should always have his next move planned.
. . . but they accept advice when appropriate.
Yes, a renegade spirit is an important part of coolness. But don't make it your god. There are times when the beat of your own drummer should be drowned out by the counsel of good friends.
You will recognize your good friends by their excellent suggestions, such as, "That girl you're dating who has five kids by four different fathers probably doesn't have time to convert to Roman Catholicism."
You will honor those friends with your gratitude, humility, and compliance. "Whatever, dude, it's my life and I've done a pretty good job this far without you" sounds great in the movies, but only because that guy's going to either end up being right or look really hot being wrong. You, on the other hand, are just going to look like you, only bummed, poor, divorced, or dead. "Cool" and "pigheaded" are not synonyms.
Cool Guys Are Cheerful . . .
There's a reason the brooding antihero became popular, and that's because men look good smoking and sulking on-screen. They do not look good smoking and sulking in real life. So smile frequently. If you have to complain, make sure your complaint takes the form of an amusing and preferably self-deprecating anecdote.
. . . but not aggressively cheerful.
The only thing less cool than the perpetually miserable guy is the guy who is always telling you how great everything is. He may even believe that if he acts happy, he will become happy. And he may achieve this, in a head-bobbing-Chihuahua-dashboard-ornament sort of way. But he will never be cool, because at the end of the day being cool is about having people walk away from you thinking you know something they don't know, that you have secrets to which they may be privy should they spend a little time in your company.
Cool Guys Are Generous . . .
Of all the cool gestures you can make, few equal that slight lift of the chin to the waiter, coupled with the hand sliding into the breast pocket. Everyone -- not just women -- loves the guy who picks up the check, so do it when you can. But, more important, be the guy who lugs the sleeper sofa up five flights of stairs, feeds Snowball and Trisket while their owners are in Cabo, or lets drunk people crash on his couch. The generous guy is an object of wonder: He must have his game all figured out if he's got the time to do this.
. . . but they have the right motives.
You have to mean it. Don't take a girl to the airport hoping she'll come back not only tan but suddenly in love with you. When you do nice things for people because you're looking for a return on your investment, you will find yourself disappointed. And accumulated disappointment leads to bitterness, and there is nothing -- nothing -- less cool than that. Take care of your own needs. Do nice things only for people who deserve it. And the next time you're at a party and the girl of your dreams walks in, let someone else go out for more ice.


text:
Archive for the 'Walter Schweitzer' Category
State Auditor Lindeen Orders Internal Investigation on The Walter Schweitzer Affair Part II
August 5, 2009 in Ethics, Monica Lindeen, Montana, Walter Schweitzer
We'll give the link to the Great Falls Tribune, which broke the story this past Sunday – State Auditor Monica Lindeen – "in an abundance of caution," has ordered an independent investigation into allegations by fired/terminated/resigned state (who knows?) administrator Laura McGee that Walter Schweitzer, Deputy State Auditor, had harassed Ms. McGee and solicited political funds on the state's dime.
From the GFT:
McGee also said Schweitzer on several occasions solicited campaign funds from his sub-ordinates. The federal Hatch Act forbids such political activity if the agency receives federal funding.
The auditor's office Web site showed that more than half the agency's funding was federal, but spokeswoman Jessica Rhoades said that information was outdated and has been corrected.
"That (federal) funding was also a pass-through to counties and doesn't apply to any of our programs, so the Hatch Act would not apply anyway," Rhoades added.
(Please note that GFT links are only live for about 2 weeks.)
That would explain why the original story's reference to the Hatch Act disappeared….
Here's another version of the same story on Lindeen ordering an internal investigation, this time from the Flathead Beacon:
Lindeen said she wants to make sure with the external investigation that staff followed state ethics policies and laws. The auditor said the agency already has determined with an internal investigation that similar federal laws don't apply to the state office.
(cont.)Rhoades said that Lindeen is currently reviewing candidates to conduct the outside investigation. She said an internal investigation was made when McGee first made the allegations.
Rhoades said that she could not say any more on what that found, other than that federal law does not apply to the office.
Reading both of those stories, what I see is a focus by Lindeen's office on the fact that the previous internal investigation focused on whether there was a violation of the federal Hatch Act.
Anyone find it strange that the apparent defense that 'nothing was wrong' was that whatever it was that occurred didn't violate any federal laws? Not a defense that is rooted in 'it didn't occur'?
Enough of that…
I also see that the focus of the next internal investigation is going to be whether there was any violation of state policies or ethics laws.
Jessica Rhodes, spokesperson for Auditor Monica Lindeen, says that Lindeen also "wants to take this opportunity to conduct a review of agency policies and procedures to ensure that they are in compliance with state ethics laws."
Good for Lindeen. This is a smart move. She can't and shouldn't allow the serious allegations out there just hang. If she had just handed this investigation over to Political Practices Commissioner (and Governor Schweitzer appointee) Dennis Unsworth, anything he came up with would have automatically have been dismissed by critics merely because of whom appointed him, even though Unsworth has proven himself to be a fair arbitrator. I think, ultimately, though, that she should hand whatever her investigation finds over to Unsworth for a final pass – as it is his office's responsibility to determine what violates state ethics laws.
Further, her investigation – whether it finds a violation or not – could educate Montanans on what state ethics laws allow and what it doesn't. That all rests, of course, on the truthfulness behind the allegations.
Anyone want to bet on how many senate or house bills that this spawns in the 62nd legislative session?
The Schweitzers had a Bad Sunday
August 3, 2009 in Brian Schweitzer, Media, Monica Lindeen, Walter Schweitzer
As in the Governor and his brother, Walter.
Probably State Auditor Monica Lindeen, too, when you think about it.
I won't editorialize too much, except to say that Governor Schweitzer caught his bad Sunday with this story and its accompaniment which tell what I've known – that Hagener was fired unceremoniously, and rather than throw daggers (Hagener by all accounts is a class act) he intended to move on. Hagener didn't want to talk about it, and for someone in that situation, it's very understandable.
That is until daggers were thrown in his reputation's direction.
Walter – and State Auditor Monica Lindeen – caught the bad Sunday with this piece in the Great Falls Tribune.
In that story – it'll fall to paid archives in a week or so – state employee Laura McGee claims she was fired in retaliation for bringing forward allegations of harassment by Deputy State Auditor Walter Schweitzer who was allegedly soliciting campaign funds.
The comments are quite interesting on that one, too. Don't miss 'em…and a star for the day to whomever figures out which one is Larry Krajl first, OK?
She resigned a $45,000 a year job (in this economy!) but she was fired…but she got a letter of recommendation…aww, who the hell knows.
Only the Billings Gazette picked up on that story. Unusual, no? A story that involves the State Auditor and her Deputy, and only one other state paper picks it up? It's not like it wasn't on Associated Press.
Anyways – thought I'd provide the links and short run-down. Our searches here for 4&20 show that people are looking for the pieces – I thought I'd provide 'em.
Addendum: More I think about it, there are some further questions to this story as it stands with its unproven allegations: Is she getting unemployment? Did she file?
If she was dismissed, as she says, then she should file for unemployment…it she quit, she knows better. She'll be denied unemployment without extenuating circumstances. OR – if she gets unemployment, with no challenge by the employer, that tells a story in and of itself. If the employer challenges it, there's hearings and everything to determine the validity of her claim
Puts the state in a position. They gave her a recommendation…but said she was fired. If they flat-out leave a claim for unemployment unchallenged (effectively granting her unemployment payments), then there's more questions. I mean – they're on the record saying she was fired.
If she gets unemployment, that's costing the state (i.e., taxpayers,) directly. Under unemployment, the check comes, 50%, from unemployment insurance, the other 50% directly from the employers. Unless that's changed….
So it seems to me, a relevant question is: Is Ms. McGee collecting unemployment? Taxpayers should want to know.
A 2006 retrospective
January 2, 2007 in Blogs, Walter Schweitzer
So it's the start of a new year. I enjoyed a pleasant New Year's Eve mingling festive family times with Colby at First Night – puppet show, ballet, and bag pipes! Colby's family is charming, and much fun was had.
I'm not usually one for making lists or resolutions. I like to just do, whenever. But then I saw that Craig did a little retrospective of his blog in 2006, and…well…it looked like fun.
A couple of things before I kick off a 4&20 blackbirds' retrospective. First, this blog ain't even a year old. I started only on February 13th of 2006. I know a lot of people will be surprised – I sometimes act like I own the place, but really I'm just a damn newcomer to the Montana blogosphere. Additionally, I'm just a few hundred hits away from 100K, a pretty cool milestone I owe to my readership – tho' I started the counting a couple of months after starting the blog…so I'm probably already past 100K…but never mind that little pesky detail. I know that's a lot of readers for such a short time in the 'sphere – it was a good time to be blogging about the Montana Senate race.
I want to thank Readbetween and the passel of guest bloggers I contracted to fill up the blog with posts back in October. Thanks for helping out.
Above all, thank you, dear reader, for stopping by and reading.
(One quick note: all of these posts were written by me. That's not to say that some of Readbetween's or the guest bloggers' posts weren't worthy of this list. I just conceived this retrospective as the (de)evolution of 4&20 blackbirds and my brain this past year…so take it for what it's worth.)
February:
Debuts: Links…, Creeps, and Heroes.
A little brouhaha erupts over security at our nation's ports…
I encounter the state's soon-to-be-ex junior Senator from Montana, in the flesh.
March:
Missoula's Air America affiliate demonstrates why the free market is neither.
Seattle-ites blame Montana for a mass-murdering Whitefish man.
Is going to the movies an act of treason?
In which I find myself in the awkward position of defending corporate America.
A Nazi drops by the site, thereby earning the blog national attention. I am disillusioned with the blogosphere.
4&20 blackbirds puts the hurt on John Morrison's campaign.
Debut: debate live-blogging.
May:
4&20 blackbirds makes its official endorsement for Montana's disputed Senate seat.
Finally, Republican Congressmen oppose Bush administration's penchant for unreasonable searchs…of their goodie bags.
No joke, some of my best material comes from my kids. And you wonder why I'm always tired?
June:
Tester wins his primary election.
JT also provides us the perfect metaphor for our soon-to-be-ex junior Senator.
Burns isn't the only ethically-challenged representative from Montana.
The editorial board of the Missoulian demonstrates its complete ignorance of Missoula. I begin to suspect the paper's editorials are being outsourced to India.
July:
Farewell, Patricia Goedicke. You are missed.
Blog-sampling: I steal from Justin to express outrage over gay marriage bans.
Howie Rich outed as the source for the terrible trio of fiscal extremist initiatives.
Politics over principle: the NRA.
Pete McCloskey thinks Rehberg should retire from public service.
A hornet's nest, stirred.
It's the love, stupid.
Torture is un-American.
Torture doesn't work.
So why would you want to torture a lefty blogger?
What's a wrap-up of this blog without a denunciation of the Patriot Act?
Walter Schweitzer gives me a headache.
What's few billion years between friends?
Tester wins! (Man, that was a long night. No, that was a long week.)
One of the worser results of the 2006 vote.
So…the election is over…let's get things started for next one!
A football game happened, pitting my birth state against my adopted state.
And what's a year-ending wrap-up of this blog without a self-obsessed examination?
A little taste of what's to come in 2007. Whee.
Incidentally, if you're curious about me, Jay Stevens, check out my appearances on radio, television, and in the paper.
I also had the opportunity to write some stuff for the American Prospect, the Missoula Independent, and Gather.com. Check it out.
Obviously it was a dang busy year. I admit it: good times were had.
Walter, the Independent, and Montana's media
December 15, 2006 in Brian Schweitzer, Media, Montana, Walter Schweitzer
I wish I could take a mulligan on my two posts I wrote recently about Walter Schweitzer's influence in the state government. On one hand, I very much support the governor and have seen no substantial evidence of wrongdoing by his brother. On the other, I want transparency in government. Whatever. You know all this.
Still, I've been pretty harsh on all the reporters involved – John Adams, Mike Dennison, Charles Johnson, Jennifer McKee. They're all excellent journalists and have given me oodles to blog about over the past year. Still, on this issue, I think everybody could have done better. Adams seems to want us to raise an alarm over an issue that might not have legs; McKee, Dennison, and Johnson produced a poor follow-up that neither enlightened or explored the issue.
This week's Indy addressed the IR coverage decently, I thought:
We were reminded of April's John Morrison affair. Lee beat us on that one by a few days. (The lovely rumor is that Morrison delivered the "news" of his long-ago infidelity to Lee in a preemptive strike, before we could get to press with our examination of the public-service implications of that infidelity.) The Missoulian's headline then was "Morrison: Relationship didn't alter fraud probe." Then too the daily allowed the subject of its "investigation" to deny soft-pedaled after-the-jump allegations before readers had a chance to skim paragraph one.
There are striking similarities between Lee newspaper coverage of Morrison and W. Schweitzer.
That said, I also agree with the Indy's conclusion:
None of this is to imply that the Missoulian, or Lee, or any of its particular writers, are putting out bad papers. Far from it. They take far more flack than they deserve from blog jockeys and punks like us. The same Sunday Missoulian also carried Tyler Christensen's dogged localization of the Wal-Mart drug-discount story. A day later came Michael Moore's honest and actually kind of touching obituary for former Indy copy editor and community institution McCarthy Coyle. With the latter, the Missoulian did what we think a good daily, on the rare occasions it doesn't get there first, ought to sometimes do instead: expand on the story, introduce it to more people, take it further.
In the end, a good media comprises different voices with different methods and different goals. And here in Montana, we've got just that, from the outrageous shouting from the blogs, to the aggressive independent media, to the conservative and careful daily newsprint reporting.
The Independent's story on Walter could be seen as an alarm for people to take notice. The Helena IR's story could be seen as a tacit statement from long-time political journalists that they don't see any substantial story here.
In the end, it will be the Schweitzers who dictate the outcome of the story. If Walter is really a mysterious, opaque stooge for certain business interests, we'll find out eventually. If not, we'll never hear about this again. I'm betting on the latter.
On the Helena IR's coverage of the Walter Schweitzer story
December 11, 2006 in Brian Schweitzer, Media, Montana politics, Walter Schweitzer
In the update to the post I wrote last night about Walter Schweitzer, I mentioned I had been stewing ever since I wrote it.
Here's the deal. When the story first broke, I didn't see much to it. I thought it was fine that Walter Schweitzer was helping make policy, but I thought he should be completely transparent so that we could see there was nothing untoward going on. Trust no one in government. That goes without saying.
So when the IR piece came out, it seemed to confirm what I thought, that Walter was fully qualified to help out in whatever way he wanted, and that there really wasn't much there.
The thing is, now that I've read the story a couple of times, one thing is obvious: "Brothers in Arms," written by Mike Dennison and Jennifer McKee (with contribution from Chuck Johnson) is hands-down the worst investigative news story I have seen in Montana.
First the lede begins in the gentlest way possible, by obliquely referring to Walter's long political career, so that the "accusation" – that he's a confidante of the Governor – seems, well, like it's just no big deal:
At age 18, Walter Schweitzer, the brother of Gov. Brian Schweitzer, cut his political teeth as a volunteer for the U.S. Senate campaign of future Democratic presidential candidate Gary Hart in Colorado.
Now, 26 years later, Walter is still in the political game, but in a capacity that's sometimes raised a few eyebrows and set tongues wagging in Montana political circles: Adviser and confidante to his brother, the governor of Montana.
And why is being an advisor to the Governor a bad thing, according to Johnson, McKee, and Dennison?
State law forbids the governor (or any other high-ranking state government official) from appointing close relatives to state jobs. Consequently, Walter cannot be part of the governor's paid, personal staff.
Actually, that's not the real controversy surrounding Walter's role. That's a bureaucratic blip, an administrative anomaly. No, if we want to find out why having Walter help craft policy is a problem, we have to scoot way down to the middle of the story after both Brian and Walter get their quotes in – which is in of itself an oddity, because in the general reportorial template, we don't get the quotes until after all the facts are in. (You wouldn't want to influence how readers interpret the facts, would you?)
But since Walter is a private citizen and not on the governor's staff, it raises the question of whom he represents, for whom he speaks, and to whom he's accountable.
"We don't know his job title; we don't know his responsibilities,'' said Bob Raney, a Democratic state Public Service Commissioner from Livingston who has met with Walter on energy issues. "What if it was any other person, who we know nothing about? What if some other governor had a confidante who went completely under the radar screen, yet directed government activity? It's dead wrong.''
Transparency in government is one of 4&20 blackbirds' ideological goals. So this actually concerns me. Not that I think Walter is abusing his position as confidante. I have no reason to think so, no evidence, no concrete accusation. And, as I've said before, I'd welcome Walter into the government, if it weren't for that pesky nepotism law. (Possible solution to follow…)
These accusations are brushed under the table in loving paragraphs devoted to making Walter look as good as possible, with descriptions of his family, his political experience, even some mention of where his income comes from.
A couple of things jump out, things we saw in John Adams' story, but not in this one. No anonymous sources. No Bob Keenan. Some debate the merit of anonymous sources, but a good reporter like Adams is sure to confirm his sources' reports with others'. And some – like me! – can claim that Keenan is hardly a disinterested party, as he's rumored to have eyes for Brian Schweitzer's seat. But since when has a Lee newspaper eschewed clumsy talking points from Republican hacks?
The "bullying" is also gone, apparently lest the reader might be confused by the contrast of Dennison Morrison, McKee, and Johnson's effusions with anonymous reports of Walter's "ugly" side.
There. I spoke my mind and trashed this report. Honestly, writing such an obsequious and mealy-mouthed report only raises suspicions that Walter has a lot of power and is mis-using it. Come on, people! Get on the stick! I'm a partisan hack, not a political journalist. Don't make me do your d*mn jobs, especially when covering those I admire!
Now. I've said it before, I'll say it again, I have absolutely no problem with Walter Schweitzer making policy decisions. None. I've heard as many complaints about Walter as I've heard praise. If he's a bully, I couldn't care less. If it helps the Governor govern, a few bruised egos mean little.
But I do have a problem with Walter's opacity. Let the light shine, Governor!
Now. A solution. Let's get rid of that damn nepotism law. Or amend it to allow Walter Schweitzer to legally have a portfolio within the Schweitzer administration.
Crazy idea? Not so. I think it could get bipartisan support, mainly because of the Good Guv's rampant popularity, and because his coal-to-gas scheme is very popular among conservative big-business backers. Use the coal-to-gas project to leverage a change in the law. If Walter's responsible for the plan, then they'll want Walter around to hammer it through.
But then the IR report says that Walter is concentrating on Brian's 2008 campaign, which isn't subject to nepotism laws. So maybe the brothers have already found a solution by putting Walter onto the re-election drive and getting him out of Helena. If that's the case, then they've already solved the problem.
An end to the Walter Schweitzer story?
December 10, 2006 in Brian Schweitzer, Montana politics, Walter Schweitzer
The Helena IR released its report on Walter Schweitzer today, written by a trio of Montana's best political reporters, Mike Dennison, Jennifer McKee, and Charles Johnson. When I first heard rumor of this story, it sounded like it would be pretty damning. Only it isn't. In fact, this report, barring any subsequent and concrete allegations against Brian Schweitzer's brother, would seem to bury the story for good.
The IR piece, like John Adams' report, does allege that Walter S has been involved in some policy meetings. But where Adams' reporting was aggressive, the IR report treads cautiously, citing more sources, including Walter — almost no anonymous sources, and not a peep from Bob Keenan — and the result is far less damaging. In fact, the IR portrays Walter as a shrewd and capable political player, even a valuable asset to the Governor, while downplaying the criticism of Walter's possible ethical entanglement with nepotism laws and other ethical improprieties. The closing passages seem to sum up the conclusion of KDennison, McKee, and Johnson:
Some longtime Democrats in Montana say that Walter's role seems pretty normal, regardless of the details: He's an active Democrat promoting Democratic ideals, he's loyal to his brother and wants to better the state of Montana."I don't understand the noise being made about the (Brian's) relationship with (Walter),'' said state Sen. Jim Elliott, D-Trout Creek. "Maybe Walter has his own money, and maybe it's nobody's business. How petty can you get?''
Walter also mostly dismisses any notion that he's an insider who has some special position, or that he's in any way profiting from his relationship with his brother.
"It's unjustified (criticism) and not supported by the facts,'' he said. "It's the same people who complained about Brian wearing blue jeans who complained about Brian bringing his dog into the Capitol building. They're grasping at straws.''
Absent from the IR is the rumors of bullying and the "culture of fear" in Helena.
That doesn't mean the GOP isn't going to try to make hay of this issue in the upcoming legislative season, but there's more than enough info and quotes in this piece to keep Walter from becoming a political obstacle.
Of course, I'm a partisan hack willing to give Brian Schweitzer the benefit of the doubt. I didn't see much actual harm in the story when it first broke, and I see even less after this story. Still, I do know there's been some grumbling, and I'd like to hear Ed Kemmick's take, since he alone — other than those you'd expect — expressed any concern about the Walter Schweitzer story. Maybe I'm missing something here.
Update: I've been stewing on this story ever since I wrote this post.
First, I should add that Dennison, Johnson, and McKee are only three of the state's political writers. There are at least two others: Gwen Florio and John Adams.
While this post appears to be a criticism of Adams' story, it's not. Adams' story was spot-on in identifying possible ethical improprieties. And he's obviously very fair in who he "targets" for stories. No one can accuse him of laying off a story because of the potential damage it might do to his access or his paper's bottom line.
Larry Kralj, Ochenski, and the Governor's brother
October 26, 2006 in Blogs, Bob Keenan, Brian Schweitzer, Media, Walter Schweitzer
Larry Kralj, Environmental Rangers!:
But let me suggest something here. Run adams' piece [on Walter Schweitzer] by Ochenski and see what he says about it. If George says it's a good story, I'll accept it.
Ochenski:
If anything is evident from Adams' story, the blog comments, and the e-mails flying around the capital that the public will never see, it is the need for, at a minimum, full disclosure and clarification of Walter's role. Without that, the climate of fear that permeates the issue will continue—and Montanans deserve better than to be afraid of their own government.
Now you know where I stand on Adams' accusations. I don't have a problem with Walter Schweitzer, I don't have a problem with a strong arm in the Governor's office, and I think that maybe the problem here is Montana's nepotism law that forces Walter to stay off the official record.
I also think — judging by the comments on my and Ed Kemmick's blog — that most people had no problem with Walter Schweitzer participating in policy or "bullying"; but that they did have a problem with accountability and oversight, as did Ochenski. I'd have to agree.
As for why Montana's other papers didn't run with this story — other than an apparent policy to never touch anything the Independent or a blog touches first (kind of like Ms. Marvelous and food) — there's really not much substance to the article other than a couple of complaints from disgruntled party members and activists and an possible opposition candidate. There are a lot of questions, yes.
Ultimately Adams' story and the outpouring here and at Ed's is a gift, an opportunity for the Governor to do a little self-correcting. Keep Walter, just make him transparent. As Keenan demonstrated, the GOP is ready to play ball with this issue in the 2008 elections. Let's not give 'em anything they can sink their claws into.
—Posted by touchstone
October 20, 2006 in Links, Walter Schweitzer
Ed Kemmick weighs in on Walter Schweitzer.
Speaking of Schweitzer, the Cato Institute gives him an "F" — after having given Judy Martz an "A." The lesson? Steer away from Cato-backed candidates.
Matt on the latest Rasmussen Senate poll numbers.
Jaime sums up Not in Montana's argument against CI-97 in the Montana Supreme Court.
Nicole reflects on the 2006 political landscape…and feels hope, d*mn it to h*ll!
On the outing of Idaho Republican Senator, Larry Craig.
Glenn Greenwald posts on McCain's plan for victory in Iraq, which relies on 100,000 spontaneous volunteers to beef up the military.
Former Army Ranger Kevin Tillman speaks out against the Iraq war.
The San Diego Union-Tribune has a story on the bread lines for military families. Had enough?
Steve Benen thinks the latest GOP scare tactics won't work.
More news on the shady dealings of corrupt Republicans.
More news on the Republican sex scandals: this time, sexual assault. Good news for the GOP is that the victim wasn't a child.
New York Times on the rats turning on themselves.
Is Karl Rove a genius or a fraud?
Here's the free market in action: big corporations patenting their tax-evasion techniques. Classy.
Check out Der Spiegel's "War for Wealth" special series for a look into debates on globalization, capitalism, etc & co.
Christianity Today: "Islam in American Protestant Thought." Not much of a surprise that there's great misunderstanding and hostility.
Colbert interviews NY 19 Democratic candidate and former lead singer of Orleans, John Hall. Must see! Watch his Republican opponent run…away from television cameras. Somehow an apt metaphor for the GOP…
Colbert on Santorum's analogy comparing Iraq to the Lord of the Rings: "…in this analogy, the United States is Mordor, and Mount Doom, the midterm elections…"
Open thread: Walter Schweitzer
October 19, 2006 in Brian Schweitzer, Walter Schweitzer
I've had my say about John Adams' article on the possible influence of Governor Schweitzer's brother on state policy. But I don't work in government, I don't run think in political circles, I'm not familiar with Helena dealings.
This is your turn. It's your chance to leave your opinion, in anonymity if need be. What do you think? Is Walt a pain? Is he unethical? Is this a real problem?
Let's air this issue out; I want to hear what you're thinking. I'm betting other people do, too.
For a little inspiration, here's what commenter Reader had to say:
I don't really care so much about the nepotism law's letter as its intent, which I read to be ensuring that there are not special channels to people with power. That's well-intentioned but it has had the effect of forcing Walt into an ill-defined, unofficial role without any check of public accountability.
Keenan has Walt's e-mail records because Walt was doing it on the state's dime when Keenan raised a stink about his work during the transition. It's perfectly possible to see what he was up to at that time. That's how it should be. Keenan used the nepotism law to score political points and sent Walt to the shadows but that's not going to diminish his influence, just make it tough to find out what he's up to. So, in a sense, Bob created the shadow creature he wants to slay.
That said, the governor and his brother need to smarten up about this. There is a strong tradition of disclosure in Montana and, if there's nothing to hide, then Walt ought not act so combatively toward people asking questions. This might well have been a neutral to favorable profile with a big picture of him and the guv in brotherly arms on the cover and not just a forum for critics–many of whom (including the PSC commissioner Raney who was a big source) seem to think of themselves as allies of the governor though certainly a few wouldn't look at themselves that way.
If everything is kosher here then the way this has been handled so far does not demonstrate the best political sense.
So…out with it!
John Adams: "The Walter Ego"
October 19, 2006 in Brian Schweitzer, Media, Walter Schweitzer
Anybody see John Adams' piece in the Missoula Independent today, on Governor Schweitzer's brother's influence in his administration? At risk of sounding like a partisan hack, it doesn't seem terribly…controversial?
Let's catalogue the accusations and examine them, one by one:
"Montana's nepotism laws make it illegal for the governor to hire his brother as an official policy adviser or member of his cabinet, but the fact that Walter's not on the state payroll doesn't deter him from playing a key role in the administration. That same fact leaves him exempt from what politicians like to call the sunshine of public scrutiny, or the press. But multiple elected officials, lobbyists and bureaucratic staffers confirm that Walter is Brian's front man on many policy and political matters."
I'm not sure how Walter Schweitzer is different than any other lawmaker's staffer or policy advisor, other than the fact that he's not on the state payroll. Are other policy-makers or staffers held accountable for policy? No. The ultimate responsibility for policy lies with the boss, and that's Brian Schweitzer.
Remember, just because he's the governor's brother doesn't mean he's not qualified to advise Schweitzer. The opposite may be true, if you think Walter Schweitzer has had a hand in his brother's political and policy successes.
"The overall concern of Democrats is that there's going to be a scandal that's going to hurt Brian," one Democratic lawmaker told the Independent. "There's a lot of people who have a lot of hope for this administration, and this relationship Brian has with his brother is the one thing that is just weird. If Brian Schweitzer is going to have a problem, it's going to be around Walt: Who's paying him and what's his accountability?"
Accountability lies with the governor, of course. As for paying…well…that is a good question. One that should be answered. How is the governor funding his brother's non-state position? Is he using government funds?
Walter is known, in Helena if not beyond, as the governor's enforcer, firewall and political bully. Most of the lobbyists contacted by the Independent told the paper they're afraid to talk about him for fear of political retribution. Lawmakers refused to go on the record about Walt for fear that he and the governor would make it impossible to pass their bills in the upcoming legislative session.
As distasteful as this may seem, is this uncommon? Don't most administrations have the "good cop/bad cop" staffers? One guy to chase away the problems and keep the wayward in line, the other to mend fences and forge alliances? One the governor's accomplishments is his penchant for budget surpluses. If Walter's bullying chases away legislators with pie-in-the-sky and expensive bills…that's a good thing.
The main question asked by the people I talked to is this: Given that he seems to spend most of his time at the capitol, and given that he isn't employed by the state, how does Walter make his living in Helena?
Now this is an important question. That should be answered.
There were also some remarks on Walter Schweitzer's background and whether he was "qualified" to be an advisor of the governor's, but Walter's background – a rancher – seems to make him as qualified for a government position as Conrad Burns, Jon Tester, or Brian Schweitzer himself.
Ultimately my feelings on the issue are mirrored in the following quote:
"I will tell you there's an upside and a downside to Walter's presence in Helena," one high-ranking Democrat told me. "The upside is…that there's value in having somebody there that the governor absolutely trusts in an unvarnished way."
The downside, the source said, is that the presence of the governor's brother at high-level policy meetings raises concerns for some about his influence on policy decisions.
"I think it's perfectly fine if the governor wants his brother to be involved…but then I think that his portfolio and job description, and what he does and doesn't do, ought to be defined. I think that would be good for the governor and good for the Democratic Party."
One of Adams' biggest sources in this story is – surprise! – Bob Keenan. Keenan has been trying to make this an issue for quite some time, and even gave Adams "hundreds of pages from Walter's state-owned electronic mail account from 2004 and 2005." (How and why Keenan spent so much time acquiring the correspondence is a mystery.)
Keenan has been rumored to be interested in – guess what – running for governor! That's right! One of the folks who's "concerned" about Walter's influence in Helena has a vested interest in seeing the governor embroiled in scandal. And the timing for this piece, scant days before the November election, also benefits Keenan's pals, like Burns for whom Keenan recently stumped. If Burns' camp wants to nullify the ethics scandal, he can point to this article and say "Schweitzer doed it, too!"
Of course, no way do I suspect that John Adams was played here. Nor do I think Adams wrote this story with the November elections in mind. I've met John a couple times – surrounding the blogger article he wrote – and I trust him completely. He's a true investigative reporter, a man who's keenly concerned with the integrity of our elected officials.
While I'm not overly concerned with Walter's position, I do think Adams' article – though at times substituting hyperbole for genuine ethical issues – has brought up some good questions that the governor should answer. Give Walter a portfolio, a job description, an official role. Make Walter's funding transparent. Let us know what he does, exactly. Bring everything above board and have done with it.


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SANTIAGO, June 29 (Reuters) - Chile's government will inject $1 billion in "extraordinary" capitalization into state-owned copper miner Codelco as an additional boost to the company's ambitious plans to overhaul its aging mines, Finance Minister Felipe Larrain said on Friday.
Codelco produces nearly 10 percent of the world's copper and is planning a 10-year, $39 billion total overhaul of several of its operations as it seeks to maintain production despite rapidly falling ore grades at Chile's major deposits.
"It is important that Codelco carries out this investment programme because if it does not invest, its mines will run dry," Larrain said.
He said half the funds would be dispersed immediately and all would be paid out by February next year.
The injection of capital coincides with several of Codelco's planned projects, including at the sprawling, century-old El Teniente y Chuquicamata mine, facing delays for technical reasons, raising costs.
The state-run miner last year delivered $3 billion in profits to Chile's coffers, accounting for 16 percent of the South American nation's exports and more than one-third of its copper production.


Workers are busily displaying lights and decorations for one of the area's most familiar holiday light displays, and it will still take weeks of work to complete the glistening show.
Bryce Kleven strings wire for lights on a grand arched entryway that will welcome visitors to the display at Western Heritage Furniture & Design Center.
Jason Cox of Western Heritage Furniture & Design Center carefully maneuvers a forklift while co-worker Bryce Kleven strings wire on a grand arched entryway that will welcome visitors with sparkling spender.
Owner Ron McBee has been doing a grand holiday display at his businesses on Fort Worth Hwy. for years.
Ron McBee, owner of Western Heritage Furniture & Accessories and The Design Center Furniture & Décor, side-by-side home furnishing stores between Sweetwater Dr. and Coyote Run on Fort Worth Hwy. east of Hudson Oaks, has for years been flashing Christmas cheer for all to see on their way to Weatherford.
According to McBee, it takes two months for his staff to put the decorations up and a month to take them down.
Employee Jason Cox carefully maneuvers a forklift while co-worker Bryce Kleven strings hundreds of feet of wire high on a grand archway that will welcome visitors with sparkling spender. Colored Christmas trees crowd for attention along the driveway while holiday figures and cacti twinkle close to the main road. The display is dazzling while keeping with the Western ambient of the stores.
Decorations are stored in a warehouse and each string of lights and every figurine right down to the last snowman and reindeer is tested before being displayed. Then, the night after Halloween, the switch is thrown. As Christmas draws nearer a train gives visitors a ride through the wonderland and candy and small toys are given away.
Another payoff, McBee said, is "thank you" notes and handmade holiday cards found on the business doors some mornings.


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Target cuts 475 jobs
by Gregory Wallace @gregorywallace January 22, 2014: 2:59 PM ET
Target on Wednesday announced plans to eliminate 475 jobs from its global workforce.
The cuts come about a month after Target (TGT) reported a major breach of customer information during the holiday shopping season. Spokeswoman Molly Snyder said the cuts are unrelated to the breach.
Related: Homeland Security warns retailers after breaches
"We believe these decisions, while difficult, are the right actions as we continue to focus on transforming our business," she said. "We will continue to invest in key business areas to strengthen our ability to compete and thrive well into the future."
The discount retailer has about 361,000 employees worldwide and more than 1,700 U.S. stores. On Tuesday, Target announced it would no longer offer health insurance for part-time employees.
CNNMoney (New York) First published January 22, 2014: 2:55 PM ET


text:
Q: Matplotlib Histogram plot : limiting x axis with max value without ignoring records that exceeds that value I have a list of around 30k values to plot into a matplotlib histogram , most of the values are between 1 and 500, which makes the bars in that area range clearly visible and bars above 500 nearly invisible (you can see attached photo)
I want to limit x axis to a max value (like 1000) but without ignoring the list values that are above 1000, is there a way to limit the histogram to 1000 (plt.xlim(xmax=1000)) but without ignoring values greater than 1000 (we add a last bar in the histogram that show the cumulus of all list values greater than 1000)
Here is the code:
commutes =  pd.Series( (v for v in nb_posts_user_list) ) # nb_posts_user_list contain around 30k values between 1 and 3000
binwidth=10
commutes.plot.hist(grid=True,color='r', alpha=0.5, label='x',bins=range(min(commutes), max(commutes) + binwidth, binwidth))
plt.xlim(xmin=0)
#plt.xlim(xmax=1000)
plt.ylim(ymin=0)
#plt.xlabel('Average tweet length (Number of char)')
plt.xlabel(xlabel)
plt.ylabel(ylabel)
plt.grid(axis='y', alpha=0.75)
plt.show()

I am getting this histogram

A: I guess the only way you have is to limit the bins, so, instead of max(commutes in bins=range(min(commutes), max(commutes) + binwidth, binwidth) you'd better select a lower value (1000).
Other way could be describing your y values in a different (logarithmic?) scale.


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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


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Wednesday, August 07, 2019 1:00 am
Trubble cafe set for Promenade opening
Kimberly Dupps Truesdell | For The Journal Gazette
Get ready to say "Hello, New Brewery" along with "Hello, New Park."
With the grand opening of Promenade Park, Trubble Brewing owners Chad and Keli Hankee are preparing to welcome guests to their second location.
Trubble Riverside Cafe & Tap will offer views of the St. Marys River in a family-friendly atmosphere. The café will offer a selection of fresh grab-and-go items such as cold-brewed coffee, sandwiches and salads.
"We are thrilled to be part of the revitalization of our rivers, giving families a place to relax before or after a visit to the riverfront," the Hankees said in a news release.
There will also be a beer garden, where guests can enjoy beers from Trubble Brewing and virgin and wine slushies.
In honor of this weekend's opening celebration for the park, Hankee has brewed Riparian Buffer, an imperial brown ale.
The cafe will be open Wednesdays through Sundays.
Different concept
Oscar Puga, the new owner of the restaurant on 3720 W. Jefferson Blvd., says it is an entirely new concept.
Joanna's Family Restaurant – Formerly Friends, Too – serves classic American fare, from breakfast to dinner. Diners can expect dishes such as omelets, skillets, pancakes, waffles and egg combinations in the morning. Lunch fare includes sandwiches and salads. Dinner specials might include fried shrimp, ribs and fried chicken.
The north location is at 10368 Leo Road in Leo Crossing.
Hours for the southwest location are 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, and 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.
Free police meals
It was a police shooting in New York City that inspired a local resident to underwrite a fund so that police officers could enjoy a free meal.
The shooting, which was about two years ago, involved New York City police Officer Miosotis Familia, who was killed while sitting in her police car.
Wanting to recognize the role of police officers in the community, the anonymous donor reached out to Jimmy Sullivan, the owner of Laycoff's tavern on Clinton Street, and offered to underwrite a fund to provide free meals to police officers, in or out of uniform.
The fund has been in existence for nearly two years and is expected to continue indefinitely.
• Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen recently launched its Quick Picks Lunch Combos, which feature more than 90 made-from-scratch lunch combinations starting at $5.99. For these Quick Picks, Cheddar's has also added four brand-new, scratch-made menu items, including a Southwest chicken quesadilla, toasted patty melt, three-cheese grilled cheese and house-fried potato chips. Cheddar's has more than 160 locations, including a restaurant on Coliseum Boulevard.
• Olive Garden is now offering $5 Take Home meals. Previously available as a limited-time offer, guests can now order any entrée in-restaurant (including kids' entrées) and take home up to five ready-to-heat meals for just $5 each. Take Home items include fettuccine Alfredo, five-cheese ziti al forno and spaghetti with meat sauce. The entrées are freshly prepared, then chilled so they are ready to take home when your meal is finished.
The Dish features restaurant news and food events and appears Wednesdays. Fax news items to 461-8893, email kdupps@jg.net or call 461-8304 at least two weeks before event or desired publication.
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