Feeling very Carrie Bradshaw sitting tapping away on my keyboard, pausing occasionally to think and twisting my coffee cup round and round. I still can't do that thing where I put my feet on the chair I'm sitting on though, and I'm not sitting around in my underwear.
Because I am sill fat.
I would love to report that I have found the 'thing' that works, the 'thing' that's going to end it all for me and move me forward. But I haven't, because there isn't a thing, and honestly I'm just at a loss as to what the hell approach I'm going to take to sort myself out.
The only thing that has shifted is that what I'm seeking a solution to now isn't my weight problem. My weight is completely irrelevant, it is merely a symptom of what's going on in my brain and a convenient reminder that whatever I'm doing isn't working.
There can be no kidding ones self or delusions about being 'cured' in the head or being in recovery from an eating disorder. Clearly I'm not and my waist band is testament to that fact.
At this point I am beyond bored. I'm bored of diets, healthy eating plans, restricting, cutting out various food groups or foods, going to over eaters anonymous meetings, reading, thinking, talking, counting calories, writing down everything I eat, meditating, praying, juice fasting, hypnotic gastric bands, weight loss apps, things that count steps and calories and stairs and water intake. I've done it all, and some of it has been useful and great, but I'm just fed up of it. Bored. But mostly I'm bored of myself and my brain on this subject, I'm frustrated and angry too, but mostly I'm just bored.


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Marvel Studios is Looking For Writer For 'Blade'
Skyler Shuler October 23, 2020 2 min read
Last year, during San Diego Comic-Con, Marvel Studios made the surprise announcement they would be bringing Blade into the Marvel Cinematic Universe with Oscar-winner Mahershala Ali (Green Book) taking over the title role.
Since then, there have been no updates on the project, with only Marvel Studios CCO Kevin Feige and Ali attached as producer and star; with no writer(s) or director(s) attached at this time. Now, according to The Hollywood Reporter, it appears Blade is still in the very early development stages as the project has yet to find a writer to bring the new incarnation of Blade to life.
Read: 'The Falcon and the Winter Soldier' Will Bring Back Early Marvel Characters
"Current projects that studios are hoping to populate with Black behind-the-camera talent include Marvel's Blade movie starring Mahershala Ali, which is looking for writers." The news was highlighted in a general overview article titled Hollywood Agents Navigate New Complexities of Balancing the Demand for Diverse Voices and Artistic Freedom.
As of now, both Blade has no official release date and likely wont debut until 2022. The film will take place in the MCU's phase 4. Marvel Studios has an untitled film set to release on October 7, 2022, which is a perfect spot for Blade.
Tags: Blade Mahershala Ali Marvel Marvel Cinematic Universe Marvel Studios MCU
Previous 'The Falcon and the Winter Soldier' Will Bring Back Early Marvel Characters
Next Marvel Studios' 'Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings' Wraps Filming
RUMOR: 'Black Panther 2' To Tease 'Fantastic' Characters And More
Letitia Wright Returns to 'Black Panther: Wakanda Forever' Set
LEGO Muppet Minifigures Leaked
Tickets Going On Sale For D23 Expo Next Week And Pricing Announced
January 14, 2022 Shawn Williams

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
A filling station attendant or gas station attendant (also known as a gas jockey in the US and Canada) is a worker at a full-service filling station who performs services other than accepting payment. Tasks usually include pumping fuel, cleaning windshields, and checking vehicle oil levels. Prior to the introduction of self-starting vehicle engines, attendants would also start vehicle engines by manually turning the crankshaft with a hand crank.

In the United States, gas jockeys were often tipped for their services, but this is now rare as full-service stations are uncommon except in the states New Jersey and Oregon (counties with more than 40,000 residents), the town of Weymouth, Massachusetts, and the town of Huntington, New York, where retail customers are prohibited by law from pumping their own gasoline.

Filling station attendants are still employed at gas stations in many countries. In Finland, for example, filling station attendants are currently only used at Shell's service stations. South African, North Korean and Chinese stations generally offer only full-service. Stations in Indonesia often employ women as filling station attendants, many of whom wear uniforms designed to include the traditional hijab. In Egypt, attendants are employed at every station and tipping them is customary. Cleaning windshields and checking tire pressure are their main tasks besides filling up.

History

Early filling stations were usually located at general stores, where gasoline would be put in buckets and funneled into vehicles. Most early stations were little more than a manually powered roadside pump operated by an attendant.

Decline
In the 1970s, two periods of gasoline shortages (1973 and 1979) caused higher fuel prices which in turn resulted in permanent closure of many full-service gas stations as consumers looked for pricing relief.

Russia
Self-service fuel filling was banned in the Soviet Union because it went against the communist ideology. Soviet stations only offered full service, as full service neatly aligned Soviet ideology. However, self-service fuel filling became legalised in 1991 in connection with the termination of the USSR's existence, mainly in modern-day Russia.

Current status
In most western countries today, full-service stations and their attendants are not common and are usually considered somewhat nostalgic.

United States

In New Jersey self-service fuel filling is illegal. It was banned in 1949 after lobbying by service station owners. Service stations only offer full service and "mini service". Proponents of the ban cite safety and jobs as reasons to keep the ban.

The State of Oregon banned self-service in 1951, but legalised it from 2018 in counties with 40,000 residents or fewer. In 2020, as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic Oregon temporarily allowed self-service statewide.

In the town of Huntington, New York self-service gas stations are illegal, with all gas stations being full-service.

Brazil

In Brazil, self-service fuel filling is illegal, due to a federal law enacted in 2000. The bill was proposed by Federal Deputy Aldo Rebelo, who claims it saved 300,000 fuel attendant jobs across the country.

China
As China is hostile to private property (China is a communist country), self-service fuel filling is illegal. However, this does not apply to Hong Kong nor in Macau despite these two being part of China.

North Korea
North Korea is a socialist country, thus, public transport is the norm, and private transport is illegal, as do self-service fuel filling.

South Africa

In South Africa, self-service fuel filling is illegal. Concerns include job losses and the danger of drivers leaving their car.

See also
Fuel dispenser

References

Filling stations
Industrial occupations

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
Red Patch Boys Forums > Toronto FC > TFC/MLS News Section > How to Spot a Bandwagon-jumper
View Full Version : How to Spot a Bandwagon-jumper
Barbarez
http://ultras114.com/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1
By Scott F.
interesting read.
theres always 2 new bandwagon jumpers beside me in 116...during play they are just having a conversation about the weather?!
oh and that offside comment is dead on!
oh and "why cant they let the clock run past 90 so we cans see when the time is over?"
can you tell i hate those clowns?
The offside comment is absolutely bang on...
I don't know about the first part of point two... I drink the beer at BMO, and a good amount of it - and I'm not a bandwagon jumper (now that being said, I've never tried to piss off a fellow fan or tear apart a GO Train afterwards)...
Its a good read...
Love the article but have one comment.
A red shirt is better than nothing at BMO Field, but you start to wonder if these fans are confusing their loyalties when they show up in a Liverpool, Manchester United or Benfica shirt – and that's if they even remember to wear a red kit. Whether they stumbled out of the pub after trying to keep their focus on an English Premier League game that afternoon, or simply hope that a football shirt is automatically appropriate for a football game, these glory-hunters worry more about spilling on their precious jersey than keeping a focus on the match.
I fucking hate this through the summer. It's a different story if the team is actually playing that day, but wearing a Porto/Chelsea/Celtic kit that doesn't even have TFC's colours is just unacceptable IMO. I've worn my United jersey twice, both were United and TFC gamedays and as much as I love TFC, United has and always will be my #1 club. So on a day like the Champs League Final, I proudly wore my United jersey to the TFC game after. Partly because we had played shortly earlier and also because I wasn't going back to Kitchener to change jersey's. :lol:
nobodybeatsthewiz
agreed, i dont see too much of an issue if the jersey is red, TFC colours. id rather not wear my pool jersey to a TFC game but before i had a jersey or shirt, i did to at least fit in with the sea of red.
ACSertL
Well don't I feel like a heel for wearing a Grey jersey :)
adamdz
I'm gonna goto 114 with a pink shirt and play with a blackberry (oh wait I cant afford one).
905shmick
I'll buy you a pink shirt!
I only own the away jersey... and I wear it to every game. :lol:
flatpicker
I thought the article was egotistical piece of rubbish.
It's the kind of attitude that will serve to weaken our home support.
The writer comes across to me as being more concerned about who the better fans are rather than the actual game.
I would rather sit beside someone who is trying hard to get to know the game than someone who spends their time bitching about the inadequacies of others.
Finally the correct answer.
At least there is some interest in the team and the game right now which is more than you can say for a lot of teams in the MLS. Would the writer prefer a half-empty stadium until Toronto had 20,000 fans that are as hardcore as he is?
And as do I...except for the All-Star game that is.
I don't think you can fault someone not being interested in the sport when it wasn't played at a professional level in this city. Just because someone's interest in the sport started when the team arrived, doesn't mean it's fair to lump all those thousands of ticket holders into one category. It's the usual 'holier than thou' thing that divides instead of unifies.
Seems like the guys who fit in the category Scott is writing about are the ones whining about it here. :)
Yeah.... we have no idea what offside means.
fuck off LOL
Actually, there has been plenty of professional soccer in this city. The people who didn't care about it, are the same people who have no clue about those teams.
Parkdale, are you seriously saying that there isn't a bandwagon crowd at BMO? You think that all these people will still be in their seats if we go on another 9 game scoreless/winless streak? Give me a break, the fad is fading for those who don't care. You can see it taking affect already as the stands aren't near as full as last year. Why is it you guys always bring it back to 'someone being a better supporter'? It's not about being a better supporter, it's about being a fucking supporter in the first place. Of course we aren't going to have the entire stadium filled with supporters, that's life. But that doesn't mean we can't set a standard that we feel everyone under the umbrella of the 'supporter' name SHOULD live up to.
If you don't agree with that, I don't know what to say.
GrimsbyTown
Typical "I'm better than you because I know more about football" attitude.
Really, who cares what someone is wearing? Who cares if they plan ahead to buy expensive beer and pizza? Who cares if they screw up on a called back goal? Seriously!
This is just another example in a long list of examples...
Does it really, I mean REALLY matter if....
Someone calls it soccer? ...... gasp!
Someone calls the team FC instead of TFC?
Someone calls MLS and 'American League'.... yes we all know Toronto is in Canada...
Someone says 'field' instead of pitch?
Someone says 1-nothing, instead of 1-nil?
The list goes on and on and on.....
I'm just glad that people are supporting Toronto Football Club, or is that "The" Toronto Football Club? Or should I say Toronto FC? Or just TFC? What is the latest proper way to say it among the elite inner sanctum of fans that judge themselves to have the right amount of knowledge to be true fans? I've lost track.
Dude, I sometimes wonder how you ever considered yourself a red patch boy...
Dude, sometimes I wonder a lot of things.
I think the main problem with the article is the author implies that there is no "good" type of bandwagon jumper, which is probably not the intention.
If it is the intention, then I agree it's a smug piece of crap.
I know a lot of people who are recent soccer fans and occassionally call the team "FC", but love to stand and cheer along with everyone else, while learning the game. This is a good thing, no?
I think Scott is the one "whining"
We are simply criticizing a bad article...
There hasn't been a real professional team in this city since the Blizzard.
By definition, a 'professional' team is made up of people who are professionals,
and don't have to keep a day job going to pay their rent. Did any of the lynx guys get to that level?
Parkdale, are you seriously saying that there isn't a bandwagon crowd at BMO?
Did I say that? NO. You love twisting my words don't you?
I don't think you can fault someone not being interested in the sport when it wasn't played at a professional level in this city. Just because someone's interest in the sport started when the team arrived, doesn't mean it's fair to lump all those thousands of ticket holders into one category. It's the usual 'holier than thou' thing that divides instead of unifies.Where did I say there isn't a bangwagon crowd? I said that it's not fair to judge someone based on when they started getting interested in the sport. Just because someone is new to the game, doesn't mean people should consider them a detriment to the supporters section, which is clearly the point of the article.
And guess where the 20,000 would come from? From those "bandwagon" fans he's talking about. Not everyone is born understanding the rules or born with a Man U kit on or whatever. And there's no 'football supporter class' at community colleges for them to take.
People in the stands who know the rules need to help out the people who don't. If they're there at BMO to be excited and cheer on Toronto, they'll get the hang of it with a little help from the rest of us.
There's no room for football to grow in Canada if NEW fans can't be created. If we're gonna act like we're better than new fans we might as well stop trying to grow the game in this country right now.
All that said, I'm not quite sure what the tone of that article was, so no disrespect to the writer from me. It seemed like he was going for a humorous thing but then didn't quite pull it off :P
There are a lot of people who didn't know anything about those old Toronto soccer teams.
This is not because they chose not to be interested in the sport.
This is Canada, and most people were raised with the "hockey is everything" mentality.
Then there are those that grew up in families that had a long standing passion for the beautiful game... that passion was passed down to the children.... good for them...
that doesn't make them any more worthy to cheer for TFC than someone like myself who spent much of my youth playing table hockey instead of foosball.
Nobody is saying jumping on the TFC bandwagon is wrong, what is wrong is coming to a TFC game with the least bit interest in the actual game, spending 90 mins talking about the chicks around you without having the balls to actually go up to them. Getting drunk and purposely spilling your beer on everybody around you, throwing shit on the field etc etc. Basically, doing everything else except focusing on the match and supporting the team.
darb
I almost didn't follow the jump. Why does anyone actually need to spot them? Is this something you've just learned recently and felt the need to share? Point number 2. was especially interesting in the way that you "explained" to us that Bandwagon jumpers are vandals.
I'm anxiously awaiting the next "article" in the series: "What I think defines an Ultra, and just how much better we are than anybody else in the history of the world".
Roogsy
I've read articles by this guy before and I have enjoyed them. This one is not very good though. There are better ways to identify a bandwagon jumper and the ones listed are not it. Not to mention, I too am not concerned about whether the guys around me are new or long-time soccer lovers. It's the whole dick-measuring contest that I try to avoid because at the end of the day...mine is bigger than yours. LOL!
I agree... those are annoying things... but I honestly believe most people at BMO want to enjoy the game and learn as well.
I think the article painted too many people with the same brush.
I don't consider those annoying folks in the crowd to be "bandwagon jumpers"... they are just jerks who try to show off.
But we will never rid ourselves of that kind of artificial support. It's everywhere... and I don't just mean the Leafs.
Look at any high profile team in the UK. Those stands are full of people who are there to show off rather than support the team.
Eager to jump on the bandwagon, these "fans" try hard to appreciate the game, and their hard-earned dollars are certainly appreciated at the club coffers, but their superficial enjoyment of a day out on a Saturday can never match the sheer joy of fans who have been waiting years – or in some cases decades – for a professional team to thrive in Toronto.
if that's isn't elitism, then I don't know what is.
joelakeshore
Sounds like a preamble to a witch hunt...lighten up and enjoy the full stadium. I would think that surely 'ultras' can't let their gameday experience be thrown off so easily?
bdrs
Some good points. I am a new fan of the sport. I am just learning the ins and outs. I am sure some would call me a band wagon jumper as I started following the sport when the team came in. Luckily how much I love TFC isn't open to a vote. While I am sure it is frustrating to all the old school footie fans, at the end of the day any support, band wagon or not, raises the profile of the league and team and puts buts in the seats.
Why not educate them helpfully rather than just be pissy about it?
raises the profile of the league and team and puts buts in the seats.
"Butts" has two t's...
eliteist, haha
Funny thing is that while there are those that complain about bandwagon jumpers...the fact of the matters is that without those darned bandwagon jumpers, this team will never be successful.
If there were only hardcore supporters in the stands, we'd only be able to fill the south stand and this team will both never make money and therefore perpetually suck.
The guys near me who don't know Jack about the team? I try to get my enthusiasm infect them to get them into the game. I always said it was more productive to encourage them on rather than scream at them as to how much of a poor supporter/fan they are.
But to each his own...if you want to be bitter about it, my guess it isn't just TFC support you are bitter about.
Pigfynn
This shit is exactly the kind of message that will have us down to 9,000 a game in no time. Although as long as those 9,000 were hardcore "real" supporters I guess it wouldn't mattter right?
Obviously the quality of support to you does not matter mr maple leaf. If it was up to me, I'd rather have 10, 000 supporters that I know are going to make noise then 20, 000 who are going to sit there and munch of their food.
Hey fuck head, you don't know me so shut the fuck up!
You're right, I dont know. Stop writing stupid shit then.
did Barbarez just say that???
Yes I think he probably would
and you figure MLSE will bother for 9000? I guess you should buy the team and then you can keep it going with its half empty park.
hmm I should have known better then to post such an article to a bunch of MLSE sympathizers and a group whos main goal is to attract more members and sell more product.
how does donovan have 100 goddamn caps? fakk he's such a chivo.
eastcoastmike
I think a big deal with the whole "bandwagon" thing has its pros and cons.
Obviously, in a city where soccer isn't its main sport, you have to kind of expect to welcome anyone into the stadium. Especially with such a young team.
On the flipside, you might have the wrong people buying up seats for the wrong reasons. Give it a couple of years and those people are back in the ACC or Rogers Centre and you have empty seats at BMO.
I think the biggest thing that I've noticed is that, while Toronto is so incredibly multicultural, you don't see enough support for the home team. When the World Cup is on, you see cars with their countries flags everywhere and when their team makes a great win the streets in different areas are packed with honking cars. Where are all of these people? Have they simply disappeared? Or are they simply bandwagon hoppers too?
Hopefully this discourages you from posting here again! Ah...to dream.
10,000? That would be really impressive. What's the south end currently hold? 3,000?
That's the funny thing. There aren't 10,000 people in Toronto, let alone in BMO Field stands, that fit their "model" of what a real supporter is. There aren't even enough to fill the stands. So if they think that 500 people will make enough "atmosphere" to make this team relevant...there isn't enough drugs in this world to remove those delusions, so let them be. There will always be people who spend their lives making up for their own inadequacies by putting down others.
exactly... if you only had loud, colourful, and knowledgeable supporters in the crowd, then MLSE would barely cover the cost of those iron on patches that grace the jerseys.
I think there are a lot of self centered people here who seem to feel as though this article is some sort of attack on their support or those of their part time supporter friends and acquaintances.
It looks to me like this article is a PR article. A get of our back you puckhead pigs article.
Go train vandalism, drunken bs bahaviour, throwing stuff on the field...all things the writer is trying to distance him and supporters from by pointing the finger at bandwagoners.
Now you can't just be that transparent, so throw in some personal beefs, like the other team's kit stuff...and voila presto changeo you have your article.
But no! Somehow a bunch of people seem to have taken the article personally.
It just seems to me like some folks are upset because they aren't special because their favourite sport, which was fringe in Canada, is now more mainstream. No poser likes it when other people start to like the same things they do and drive them into the norm... sad.
It looks to me like this article is a PR article. A get of our back you pucked pigs article.
:) Finally.
yeah... because it's not like them to take cheap shots at us whenever possible. :rolleyes:
if you want to write a motivational speech for TFC fans then go ahead... because that article was not as you claim.
One of the surpring things about the gameday experience at BMO Field isn't the sheer number of fans but just how knowledgeable they are about the beautiful game. Whether natives of Europe and South America or just passionate followers of the sport, Toronto FC's fan base can appreciate the subtle nuances of football, applauding a defensive header just as loudly as a shot on target.
Such an appreciate audience makes it that much easier, however, to spot the ticket-holders who are obvious members of that new breed of football fans, those who couldn't have cared less about the sport until it popped up in their own backyard. Eager to jump on the bandwagon, these "fans" try hard to appreciate the game, and their hard-earned dollars are certainly appreciated at the club coffers, but their superficial enjoyment of a day out on a Saturday can never match the sheer joy of fans who have been waiting years – or in some cases decades – for a professional team to thrive in Toronto.
that is not about motivation dude... that is about saying "I am better than you because I have been standing in line for this longer than you have"
Give me a fucking break. You can't defend an article by reinventing what it says...
No offence - it's a good sentiment but it's poorly expressed. As I mentioned earlier, it implies that all new supporters are "bandwagon jumpers".
However, we couldn't have such exciting threads if it were too simple, now could we? :poke:
Seems like you guys are the insecure ones who are full of yourselves and think that every other supporter group jerks off to the RPB before they go to bed every night....No man, it doesn't work like that. I could care less about you or the RPB...
That's not what I said. Lots of people take cheap shots at us, and we rarely take them back.
TorontoBlades
no it doesn't - it simply says that someone can't understand the joy of getting a team after waiting decades as oppose to days. you could say the same for a blowjob...it's common sense
alexintoronto
A new fan with an open mind, willing to learn, help support the team and create atmosphere = good.
A new fan with a closed mind, only willing to sit and watch all while making it harder for others to support and create atmosphere = bad.
Makes sense to me. But that kind of logic escapes some.
Daveisonfire
If you are sitting there texting your best friend and talking about movies, then screw off...but if you are genuinely interested in the game, I don't have a problem.
I will say though, that if you are in the supporters section...you should not be learning the game.
true and simple, alex
nope. it says this:
it's not about getting a team, it's about enjoying the match on gameday. Says so right there in bold.
Originally Posted by alexintoronto http://www.redpatchboys.ca/forums/images/buttons/viewpost.gif (http://www.redpatchboys.ca/forums/showthread.php?p=40078#post40078)
^ yeah but that kind of attitude is going to have us shown up by the Sons of Ben, we have 20,000 seats available - that's a capacity, i'd rather fill them slowly with people that can really get behind their team, than let the first 20,000 bumkins in searching for a tfc car flag or Edu bobble head doll
there doing things right down there, from the foundation...be weary
Dude, stick to making videos and sipping on chocolate martinis in your luxury $1000 season seat and leave the support to us. You've questioned the effect and importance of support many times. You shouldn't even be part of this thread.
You shouldn't even be part of this thread.
and you shouldn't even be on this message board if we're just a bunch of part-time supporters.
and my seat is $1260 before I factor in the cost of chocolate martinis and prawn sandwiches
Dude, why is it that you always take these threads so personally? If it doesn't affect you, why bother getting your back up over it?
I'm not a member of ultras114 just so everyone knows that isn't influencing my perception of the article.
I still find it odd that I'm the only one that sees what I see.
You've got a group (ultras114) that feels unfairly singled out and persecuted by cops/security. The rumours are it may have started from non-soccer security types reading their website and not "getting it".
You've got bandwagon types causing shit all the time (throwing crap, running on the field during play, vandalizing the GO trains etc. etc.) and so:
You get an article from the people that think they're unfair targets saying "it's not us!! you've got the wrong people, in fact we think THOSE people are twats and posers, oh and if any of you twats and posers made an honest mistake and thought what you were doing was cool, then here's a lesson for you".
That's how I see it. I guess I'm the only one.
Zing what? Zing that he can be a prawner and still say he's a supporter? Or zing that he takes these threads so personally it makes him seem like less of a supporter than he actually may be, simply because he is so opposed to anything that has Ultras/Barbarez or hardcore attached in any form or fashion.
boom! someone sees the light (for olegunner)
You're not the only one. The difference is, we're not taking it personally like he's trying to tell us that we're not hardcore supporters, unlike some others.
zing because it's a joke. remember those?
good on ya gunner
Yeah, kinda like half this article that you took so personally you decided to bring your prawns into it.
if you read my response to you on the previous page you will see what my issue is...
you are defending one view while the article clearly presents a different view right from the get-go.
Perhaps the article is trying to say what you claim...
We are claiming that the article was poorly written.
Shaughno - I'm not taking it personally. I know the article isn't about me or people like me (who know when a ball goes offside). I just don't think people should take shots at other people who came into the TFC experience later than others. It seems like that's the point of the article, more so than distancing themselves from the drunken troublemakers. I see olegunners' point that they are trying to distance themselves from certain problems, but I don't think singling out others is the way to do it.
well my personal issue is that the RPB caters to the "casual" fan because they are the majority and truth is they have the most seats....and they know that will continue to get love from MLSE suit monkeys. it's like concert promoters "catering" to madonna because she sells out the rogers center as oppose to a concerthall.
i see it, and agree with it's message, i really do. i guess if there was a way to get a message out to those in a helpful way it'd serve us better than the shots going back and forth on here.
quality over quantity is what i'm trying to say
Caters how?
If it's "catering" when you choose not to be elitist, I guess it is what it is.
and to add to that - they're frustration must be doubled in the fact that they are singled out supporting as best they can...and they're not getting any help from other "supporter" groups who really should be encouraging the same kind of support
I think I need to a break... I'll come back when this thread has reached the 12th page are so...
... who am I kidding... I'll be back by at least page 5...
What do you mean how? You express your views and opinions on here every day. People will judge you based on that.
Nobody seemed to have a problem with the article's general idea until you and flatpicker came in calling it an egotistical piece of garbage. He's not taking shots at people who came in late to the experience, he's taking shots at the idiots in the fucking stands. It's so clear, as it has been in previous articles that he has written. As usual, you've jumped to a major conclusion from your point of view... which never, ever agrees with anything that has ultras/barbarez/hardcore in the mix.
Expressing an opinion = catering.
Glad we cleared that up. :rolleyes:
elitist in what sense dude?
if you mean elitist in the fact that I took to time to love football in this city my whole life instead on starting last summer. if elitist means taking the time to learn the rules and the players and that....the people that do that deserve to be elite in my opinion...sorry if some take offence
Dude, I'm tired of this 'elistest' bullshit that gets tossed around so frequently. It happens on both sides.
What he's saying is, if you joined a supporters group... be a supporter. If you aren't a supporter, don't join a supporters group. It's pretty easy I think. I mean, it wasn't formed as the Red Patch Boys Casual Friendship Group was it?
LOL how much do I regret reading this thread!!??!! :)
This argument is getting silly and seems to an argument for arguments sake... but I agree with both sides (wtf??) I don't think the article is written is intended to be interpreted as some have here, but re-read the article and see how it could be interpreted that way. It's really silly to split hairs like this guys.
A simple "that's not the intention of the article and this is what it is saying" would suffice. Can we please focus some of this hatred on the Red Bulls? You know, since they're shite?
it's true they are :)
It's pretty easy I think. I mean, it wasn't formed as the Red Patch Boys Casual Friendship Group was it?
i didn't join to look at jay's fukking mug and talk about the weather
and there's the jump that you always make, that it's about being a supporters group or just a fan club. I'm pretty sure the article is about people in the south end who aren't part of any group, and behave poorly because of lack of experience or education.
to add...elitist meaning, spending your weekends making flags and banners to cover up the horrendous concrete infront of our section, elitist meaning purchasing megaphones, walkies, scarves and trying to involve the whole section then fuck yeah, I am an elitist. FUck you and all these other lil punks who think they can come in without having done shit to prove themselves and thinking they can consider themselves supporters.
But you see, it was all fine and dandy until Parkdale and Flatpicker came in calling it egotistical bullshit and elitest. There was no mention prior to that.
Nobody is stopping you from doing and feeling what you want.
The elitist comes in when a person spends their time worrying about how much better they are than the guy beside them. If that is what the soccer experience makes you do...then you are elitist. Dunno if you are or not, this is simply a general description and each of us has to honestly look in the mirror and make that determination. If you we don't like what we see in the mirror, we can either ignore it or accept it, but it doesn't change the original fact.
I was responding to a single comment hence my response. As you can see prior to that my comments were very on topic. Fuck off trying to call me out on that. As I've said three times now, there were no problems in this thread until you lot came in talking shit about how it's elitest and egotistical.
The article was being disected and people were discussing the points brought up in said article.
It's like a soap opera in here sometimes (not that I watch any....)
The elitest comes in when YOU GUYS tell them they are worrying about how much better they are. Never do they say shit like that. They call out the people who cause shit, good for them. They call for the 'casual' fans to step it up, good for them. Then people come in and say that they are telling everyone that they aren't as cool or hardcore. Of course when you tell someone what their opinion is, that they are going to respond in a negative manner.
What I said was that it was divisive, which is the wrong way to go about showing band-wagon jumpers how things could be better.
hey the mirror idea was mine first :)
Why is it divisive? They are pointing out things that need to be changed in their opinion. Divisive is coming in and calling someone egotistical for having an opinion different from one's own.
So let me get this straight. I am elitist because I tell people to worry about themselves and stop worrying about what others do.
Ok. :rolleyes:
http://www.cartoonstock.com/newscartoons/cartoonists/mba/lowres/mban1032l.jpg
Give me a break. So we should just accept that we have idiots in the stands who throw beer and don't pay attention to the game?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Authoritarian
Or guys like me that just like to make a joke here and there about the colour of his TFC jersey. :)
There will always be the so called casual fan, and if there is a job that I take to task it is not trying to convert them, as that is a personal choice, my task is simple...cheer on the boys to victory. If people are inspired by my passion then awesome, if not so be it.
Lets all remember it is about the team first and foremost.
Divisive is coming in and calling someone egotistical for having an opinion different from one's own.
And saying that the bandwagon jumpers will never experience the same Joy that someone who was waiting for the team will experience IS egotistical. If calling it for what it is makes me divisive, then I guess I am.
(ok... so I'm back sooner than I thought)
My first post in this thread was me being critical of this article... so what?
It happens to every article in the media... people post comments about what was wrong with it.
Are we not allowed to do that?
Some of you seem to think that I support the uninterested "fans" that go to the game...
well, if you think that, than you are misquoting me as badly as you misquote that article.
It can't be any clearer where there problem with that article is...
...the ticket-holders who are obvious members of that new breed of football fans, those who couldn't have cared less about the sport until it popped up in their own backyard. Eager to jump on the bandwagon, these "fans" try hard to appreciate the game, ...but their superficial enjoyment of a day out on a Saturday can never match the sheer joy of fans who have been waiting years – or in some cases decades – for a professional team to thrive in Toronto.
that does not say "those who go to the game but don't support the team are rubbish"
it is saying those who have enjoyed soccer for a long time are better than those who have enjoyed it for a short time.
And we were having a laugh about it, and the article. Then the riot police comes in.
No, of course not. But of course, I would love to read whatever article you are now referring to.
Dude, that's the kind of attitude that is keep us back from making BMO into a one voice. That, I'll sing I dont care about the guy beside me attitude. How can you not care if the guy beside you comes two a total of 2 games throws shit on the pitch and leaves, then at the next game you got 5 undercovers staring you down with a loaded pistol???
Dude I get that that is annoying to you, but really what else are you going to do other than accept it? Does anyone really think they can control what anyone else chooses to do? The throwing beer is an enforceable rule at BMO, but if they don't want to pay attention?
Funny how it's ONE sentance that has you guys so pissed!
To be completely honest, yes I agree with that sentance. I have waited 20+ years to have a home club to support. Do I honestly think some average joe who never knew anything about football previous to TFC can match the enthousiasm I have for this team? No, I really don't.
This is the thing that gets me. I don't want that guy beside me either. But if I rat on him hoping he gets tossed, I am a snitch, according to you guys as well!
But yelling at him or insulting him is going to make him a better supporter?
All I know is that I have encouraged people around me to sing and jump by doing it myself and encouraging them to do it, not insulting them. If people can't see the value of attracting flies with honey rather than vinegar, then I am not going to waste my time convincing them.
Great supporters comes from people doing it from the heart, not because they are forced into it.
Funny cause I am new to the game, but TFC is my number one club. Actually my only. you?
Their formulaic hockey chants get louder in direct proportion to the alcohol they consume, with their willingness to spend big at the concessions ensuring that security will only intervene in extreme circumstances. After the match, these weekend warriors, emboldened by alcohol, attempt to re-enact their favourite scenes from Green Street Hooligans, thinking that vandalizing city property and goading fellow BMO attendees makes them more of a fan.
Or did you follow Parky and FP in stopping after one line that pissed them off?
That sentence sums up my whole problem with the article. I guess that's why you see it as my aversion to anything ultra/hardcore, but I don't think that when it really comes down to it, that we can say it's better for us. Sure we were more excited about getting the team, but were we any more excited when Dichio scored that first goal? I'd never argue that I was more excited than anyone else. We were all going bonkers together, which was why it was special.
TheHollister
I wouldn't necessarily call myself a bandwagon jumper. I was somewhat interested in soccer long before TFC came around. When TFC did come along, I took it as a chance to learn more about the game and support a team.
And no, I don't understand all the rules. The offside rule has been explained to me and it still baffles me at times. No, I don't have every player's name and number memorized. No, I don't attend every game, but believe me, I would if I could afford it; and when I do attend, I stand for the full 90 minutes and pay attention.
Call me a part-time, bandwagon-jumping supporter all you want. I'm learning as much about the game as I can, as quickly as I can.
I normally don't base my opinion on an article by taking one section out of context.
And I saw you singing your heart out in Montreal and loved it.
And we love having you in the stands whenever you can make it.
That's all that should matter. /end thread.
They are my number 2 club, I have no shame in admitting that. That said, I've wished that my #1 club was within driving distance my entire life. I've spent the money to make sure I've experience those live games, but now that I have a 'home' club to cheer for, I'm beyond estatic. There's a reason I get pissed off in the stands. When I turn around singing a song trying to spread it to the rest of 112 and I see them staring at me like I'm the fucking idiot because nobody will join in. Yes I sing every game, even if it's by myself. Yes I jump every game, even if it's by myself. Does that make me a better supporter than the people around me? No. I don't consider them supporters at all actually if they aren't going to 'support' the team in the stands.
Regardless of that, the feeling I get from going to home and away games, I feel it cannot be matched by someone who is just getting into the game.
I know you don't, it was a friendly jab. :lol:
I think we all understand what each others opinions are...
and like every other fucking argument that happens in this forum, it usually boils down to one thing...
we all like TFC and we all want to support the team enthusiastically...
Lets not forget, TFC seasons tickets only sold our after beckham was signed, so a lot of folks are bandwagon jumpers in the truest sense...they just want to see beckham and only show up for the rest of the games because they paid for them...
and lets just see how many fans are in the stands for the Concacaf matches...i bet we wont be sold out, cause becks will not be there...
my prediction the bandwagon jumpers will start to not renew cause becks did not show again...and when he retires or leaves mls...then what, more seats will become available.
and when he retires or leaves mls...then what, more seats will become available.
I Hope so!
Toronto_Bhoy
Everyone supports their team in their own way…it frustrates me to read…"if you don't do this…or you don't do that…your not a real supporter…"
That talk is bull shit…
I give our ticket holders more credit than that. I could be wrong, but I think there were at least 10,000 seats sold before the Beckham announcement.
I do believe it was 6-7k.
I'm pretty sure we done this before, no? Not everyone who bought after Beckham announced was buying because of Beckham...
If you go to the games and scream and yell and sing....if you go to the games with your family and cheer and teach your kids the game....if you go to the games and love this team and care about the results...if you can't go to the games, but watch at home and scream at the TV...if you watch from a bar and feel like you need a good result just to have a good week....if you're high when TFC is high and low when they are, you're a person that I respect and have much in common with and you're just as good and as fucking important as any megaphone, banner or drum. END OF.
that's still a very respectable number for an expansion team in an untested market. And it's not like the 10k beyond that just bought for Beckham.
But seriously, it played a major factor in a lot of people. The fact that in two days there was a surge of something like nearly a thousand tickets sold compared to like 500 or so per week.
So the guys who didn't buy seats when they were available can?
There was plenty of time and reasonably priced seats available for months…before and after Golden Balls signed…what difference does it make when you bought 'em?
You either committed or you didn't…the bandwagon jumpers are the guys who are waiting for the other bandwagoners to jump off so they can jump on!
Eh yooooooo! :hump:
I bought my TFC tickets when I realised it would be a good opportunity to practice my Photoshop skills!
Yep! Becks and I signed around the time…although I bought mine the week before…apparently it was the deciding factor in him joining the league…at least thay's what I tell people!:D
As I understand it, it's when the quarterback kicks the football past the blue line before the streamers are thrown.
It was around 10,500,just before Beckham signed
I prefer away matches better than at BMO to be honest.....
I get the point of the article. I also think it's better to initially encourage rather than insult and shame, but if the encouragement doesn't work i'm all for calling people out left and right.
I do not consider myself an elitist when it comes to TFC as i did not avail myself in the first season but i have since been rectifying that this season. I understand the elitist mentality and will probably develop it as time goes on....and when that happens i'll be pretty unapologetic about it too.
ilikemusic
Reads like garbage, but its about what I would expect from anyone who calls them self 'Ultra'.
Thread done.
It's amazing that after this long we still all resort to the same arguments and make the same points.
Also, it's always the usual suspects.


text:
#include <propertyguizeug/BoolEditor.h>

#include <QApplication>
#include <QCheckBox>
#include <QStyleOptionButton>
#include <QStyleOptionViewItem>

#include <reflectionzeug/property/Property.h>

using namespace reflectionzeug;
namespace propertyguizeug
{

void BoolEditor::paint(
    QPainter * painter,
    const QStyleOptionViewItem & option,
    Property<bool> & property)
{
    auto opt = QStyleOptionButton{};
    opt.state = property.value() ? QStyle::State_On : QStyle::State_Off;
    opt.state |= QStyle::State_Enabled;
    opt.rect = option.rect;
    opt.rect.setLeft(opt.rect.left()/* + PropertyEditor::s_horizontalMargin */);

    auto widget = option.widget;
    auto style = widget ? widget->style() : QApplication::style();
    style->drawControl(QStyle::CE_CheckBox, &opt, painter, widget);
}

BoolEditor::BoolEditor(Property<bool> * property, QWidget * parent)
:   PropertyEditor{parent}
,   m_property{property}
{
    auto checkBox = new QCheckBox{this};

    m_property->toggleValue();

    addWidget(checkBox);
    setFocusProxy(checkBox);

    checkBox->setFocusPolicy(Qt::StrongFocus);
    checkBox->setCheckState(property->value() ? Qt::Checked : Qt::Unchecked);

    connect(checkBox, &QCheckBox::stateChanged,
        [this](int state)
        {
            m_property->setValue(state == Qt::Checked);
        });
    m_propertyChangedConnection = m_property->valueChanged.connect(
        [this, checkBox](bool newValue)
        {
            checkBox->setCheckState(newValue ? Qt::CheckState::Checked : Qt::CheckState::Unchecked);
        });
}

BoolEditor::~BoolEditor()
{
}

} // namespace propertyguizeug

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


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Do you feel like doing it?
by bmartins83 | Jan 27, 2023 | Blog
I have received this question from a reader: "How do you deal with not feeling like doing something you should be doing?" This is a common issue these days. You know you should be doing something – even for your own improvement and goals – but...
Believing in yourself
Here's an interesting text from William Walker Atkinson: """Faith" Is a word that has been often misused, misapplied and misunderstood. To many it means simply that attitude of mind which will accept anything that is told it, merely because someone...
The manifestation of mental fascination
by bmartins83 | Jan 2, 2023 | Blog
Here's an interesting quote by William Walker Atkinson: "Even before the human race was evolved, Mental Fascination was known instinctively to the lower forms of life. It is said that the cells in the blood of living things become aware of the presence of...
by bmartins83 | Dec 30, 2022 | Blog
Before the year ends, I want to share with you a new and important video. It's a commentary on a William Walker Atkinson book chapter. At a superficial read, it's nothing more than common sense advice. But we can go deeper and take the real juice from it,...
Sexual Magnetism and Jealously
Here's an interesting question from a student: "Does a man who is sexually magnetic feel jealously?" Some jealousy is perfectly normal regardless of whether or not you are sexually magnetic. As much as I would like to tell you that a sexually...


That day, it brought me to tears, and it sits on my windowsill, where it catches my eye and is a never-ending reminder of how blessed I am to have the most amazing children whom I love dearly. Every year it is increasingly difficult to come up with unique gift ideas for my mom; after all, how many HomeGoods gift cards can one woman use?! (Well, in my case, I can never have enough of those, but I supposed that's just me : ). Inspired by a gorgeous wedding bouquet that was created by a co-worker using vintage brooches and pins, I decided to make a "Forever Bouquet". This floral forever bouquet uses only silk flowers, crystal pins and beads and any other embellishments you wish to add. Nothing to water and something that will last forever.
1. A glass vase or vessel. It can be transparent or not. You can actually use any style vase you would like, even a martini glass or mason jar! The options are only limited by your imagination!
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3. Florists foam, green florists tape plus any embellishments: rhinestones, lace doily, beads and a hot glue gun.
5. Faux flowers: again, any type. The base of my bouquet is one large white sparkly hydrangea, which I encircled with roses and feathers and berries- all faux (faux sounds so much better than fake, am I right?!) I also used white, pink and green roses.
Simply take the vase and place the foam in the base and press down firmly.
and hot-gluing it to the middle of the vase.
To assemble the jewelry flowers, remove any backing (such as the barrette or the pin). Add a spot of hot glue to the middle of the underside of the flower.
Press cut stem into glue and hold until secured. When I cut the wood stems, I actually make the end rather jagged to give it better gripping power.
Wrap entire stem with florists tape. Repeat with as many sparkly blossoms you would like to use in your bouquet.
Now is the fun part! Start building your bouquet, beginning with the lace doily at the bottom of the vase.
This creates a base, much like a wedding nosegay. Next up was the one large sparkly hydrangea, to which I added a drop of glue to the base before I stuck it into the foam.
Added the feathers around the base, gluing each at the base and pressing them into place.
After that, I arranged the flowers. I am not a flower-arranging expert, so I am not going to instruct you in the proper techniques, only to say that you should make a "dome" effect of the bouquet. I wanted it to have a tightly-packed look, but you could certainly do a more woodsy, organic look as well.
I used primarily white flowers to really show off the jeweled blooms, but then added one pink rose in the center for a spot of color. Once my shape was complete and flower-filled, I started adding the jewelry flowers, one at a time, until the entire piece was completed. The final touches were some green berries and eucalyptus stems. There you have it!
Stunning silk flower bouquet Susan and excellent tutorial. I'm not a fun of silk bouquets but this one has me swooning!


text:
To What Extent Is the Media Responsible for Provoking Violence?
by S.H. Blannelberry on July 21, 2016
Related Tags: Buzz, Column, News, Opinion
The media has always gravitated to sensationally violent stories — or, perhaps better said, gravitated to stories that it could make sensationally violent. That's no secret. It's why the phrase, "If it bleeds, it leads" was coined.
But I wonder if today's media is a bit more inclined to play up violence than it has in years past. Moreover, I wonder what effect this is having on society, especially at a time when there is great tension in America. Between the recent terrorist attacks, the racial strife, the contentious presidential election, it seems now more than ever the media is doing its best to foment animus for its own benefit, rather than report honestly about what's going on in America.
I took this screen shot of the CNN homepage earlier this week. I think it's pretty telling.
Consider this screen shot of CNN this week (see above). Look at the blood-red backdrop. Maybe we can give em a pass on that because of the RNC convention (red is the official color of the GOP). But what about the picture? Angry white men and women in Cowboy hats apparently shouting and giving a thumbs down. What message does that convey? What about the headlines? My lord, consider all those negative verbs, nouns and modifiers in there, here are some: "fires," "ballistic missiles," "chaos," "un-American," "rebellion," "quashed," "crash," "blow apart," "missing," "Nixon," "bad," "drowned out," "destroy."
Of the 14 or so headlines I counted, only two don't have a negative or violent thought associated with it. "Tonight: Melania's Moment" and "Trump: A Family Production."
Below the fold it doesn't get much better: "ax," "attack," "attacker," "attacks," "scare," "screws it up," "immoral," "call out," "rush," "probed," "cutting off," "afraid," "slain," "clash," "death."
Of the 15 headlines, only one doesn't contain a violent or negative thought associated with it, "I Was Black Before I Was a Cop." But even that headline is playing up the current tension between law enforcement and movements like Black Lives Matter.
Yes, this is just one day of CNN's coverage and it's clearly not enough evidence to draw a firm conclusion about the media's role in perpetuating violence in society but I think we should all be aware of it. I think we should all think critically about the messages the mainstream media is sending to us. I think it's important to ask the question, why is almost every headline negative and/or violent?
You know, too often the media points to the existence of firearms in society as being a root cause of violence, as if the mere presence of a gun incites an urge to make one want to randomly take an innocent life, but instead of looking at an inanimate object incapable of killing anyone on its own (Yes, guns don't kill people, people kill people), perhaps the media should look in the mirror and ask, What are we doing to stoke the flames? What are we doing to exacerbate tensions? What are we doing to spread fear and cynicism throughout the nation? And finally, to what extent are we responsible for perpetuating violence?
Maybe the answer to those question is "not much" or "nothing at all," but it would be nice for them to at least consider, from time to time, the important role they play in crafting narratives that influence hearts and minds. If they did some serious reflection, chances are things would change — and not just on their hompages, but in the streets as well.
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HARVEY LaFever July 23, 2016, 10:13 am
The media is nothing but a weapon used by cowards who depend on the very ones they criticize and condemn for protection. They "hide" behind the 1st amendment in an effort to destroy the 2nd amendment. They use their weapon to attack and destroy lives when it suits their agenda. They come out of schools with their journalist's rag, their heads filled with liberal ideology that borders on communism. They spin the facts and bend the truth, or in many cases leave out what they don't want the public hearing.
To what extent is the media guilty? They are the Charles Manson's of the airwaves.
JJ357 July 23, 2016, 1:50 am
The mass media is totally responsible for the violence to police officers. They put forth biased, reporting and stoke the fire of White Cops killing poor Unarmed Black men. Never mind the statistics which prove 91% of those Blacks killed by Police were armed at the time. They want a race war so they can jump in declare martial law and remove guns. There is no doubt in my mind this is there goal. Especially with OPERATION CHOKEPOINT and HR 431O, Which allows PROPAGANDA to LEGALLY be distributed to the American public by the media. Google both of those, Don't turn in ANYTHING and prepare for the worst. I have a strong feeling that massive civil unrest, or an outright Civil War is coming.
John Taylor July 22, 2016, 7:50 pm
""perhaps the media should look in the mirror and ask, What are we doing to stoke the flames? What are we doing to exacerbate tensions? What are we doing to spread fear and cynicism throughout the nation? And finally, to what extent are we responsible for perpetuating violence?""
I suspect they are asking that, concluding with: "How's the bottom line?"
The Duke of Phartingwell July 23, 2016, 10:20 am
I believe the few owners of all of the many media outlets want this to happen. There is an agenda. Only biased views are aired and/or reported. There is never any reality of a particular situation discussed. A classic example is the gun crime in Chicago that gets every legal gun owner in the whole country a bad reputation. The media uses events such as these to vilify guns and gun ownership while never mentioning that 100 million legal gun owners didn't make it into the media that day!
The fact that groups of African American kids roam around looking for single Caucasian people to beat up is never addressed as it really occurs. Racial difference is not mentioned. All of our news isn't news, it's directed sensationalism.
Michael J. July 22, 2016, 7:48 pm
Get both sides of the story, such as Travon, Ferguson etc. Where the persons are poor victims until they find out they were the perps.
Patriot July 22, 2016, 2:41 pm
The media absolutely loves to bias their reporting to make the liberal idiot network bosses happy. Their goal is to do whatever is necessary to get the majority of viewers to watch their biased network and to vote for damn fool liberal politicians to make the United States a country that is NO LONGER A FREE COUNTRY. I am sure the media would prefer the idiot bitch HILLARY to be elected because she has the same mentality as they do. The media will use the freedom of the First Amendment to exploit violence to try to destroy the Second Amendment so that the honest, old and disabled American people will be defenseless. In the media's opinion, this makes the U.S. a better place to live. It is beyond comprehension as to why the media has this opinion.
John E July 22, 2016, 12:10 pm
The Media has long forgotten what it means to report the news (if they ever did know). Now it is all about ratings and manipulating the public to push their agenda. How often in the news did we see the phrase "Michael Brown and unarmed black man was killed by a white police officer" instead of the more truthful phrase "Michael Brown after robbing a convenience store and physically assaulting the clerk was killed by police while resisting arrest". Both are technically true yet one lead to riots and better ratings while the other more descriptive narrative would have defused the situation and lead to weeks of poor ratings. How often do we see "Evil Guns" Instead of the correct "Evil People". Evil People does not push the agenda of stripping the people of their ability to protect themselves. Evil Guns takes away the evil people and pushes the opinion that somehow an inanimate object is somehow bad and must be gotten rid of. It really does not matter which side you listen to they are just pushing their own agenda to gain support from their leadership and increase ratings.
Irish-7 July 22, 2016, 1:46 pm
Excellent points! I concur, John. The media is deliberately manipulating the people to promote an agenda.
perlcat July 22, 2016, 11:37 am
Everybody has it all backwards. It used to be, you could buy an openly Democrat or Republican newspaper. Then we got TV, three networks, and the preposterous notion that a news service could evenhandedly serve news in an unbiased manner. Absurd! All's that left us with was a bunch of spineless news organizations toadying to the FCC, and simply failing to report on the failings of the political party of their preference, which was overwhelmingly Democrat. In an aside, if you study the history of organized crime and the Democrat party, you'll discover there is no difference. There's a reason for that. They tell people what they want to hear, and are very good at delivering what they think they want — after being deliberately dumbed down to want what is worst for them.
The rage you see over the news is simply the natural balance reasserting itself — and with 60-odd years of unreported Democrat malfeasance to report on, the pickings are mighty good. Are they promoting violence? Sure, that's how clickbait works. Even worse was what they did for the past 60 years, and I don't hear anybody complaining about that.
Kevin Calongne July 22, 2016, 8:43 am
I'll say this. Before the media went all batshit crazy over black rifles, criminals almost never used them. While it is still rare for a rifle of any kind to be used in a crime, it is certainly becoming more common in these terrorist attacks. Yes, I blame the media for putting it out there that black rifles equal mass casualties. The fact of the matter remains that, as seen in France and other countries with strict gun control, terrorists and other criminals have no problem getting any weapon they want (including grenades and explosives) and weaponizing other objects such as vehicles. Gun control has no impact on this scum whatsoever.
DRAINO July 22, 2016, 10:37 am
Well said. Laws are only for the law abiding. A detail that seems missed most often.
ardvark July 22, 2016, 8:07 am
The education system works tirelessly to produce individuals whose decision are based strictly on emotion without any objective thinking! The media then acts as an emotional propaganda machine for the administration and you have what you have today!
Happy Camper July 22, 2016, 7:53 am
I have friends that work for Fox. I've gotten to the point where I don't watch prime time any more. They do nothing but bicker and talk over one another. It's the same thing over and over 24/7 for a week. We watched the Convention on C-span, no moderator, no commercials and you got to hear what people had to say without interruption. It seems all news channels are getting Bia's.
Jay July 22, 2016, 7:28 am
The media and obama are completely complicit and responsible for what is going on! Let me remind all of a few words, government psyops, it works, especially since Dec 2012, obama signed HR 4310, the 2013 National Defense Authorization Act. Section 1078 of the bill authorizes the use of propaganda inside the US, which had previously been banned since 1948 when the Smith-Mundt Act was passed. In its most basic of descriptions it gives the government the right to lie, Period! It legalizes the dissemination of propaganda in America, and also legalizes covert infiltration of media organizations by government agents and even the creation of media outlets that legally operate entirely as government fronts.
Read it America! This is just one of many of the obanations dirty deeds!
Bill Gore July 22, 2016, 8:28 am
I did read the legislation which was sponsored by a Republican, and was not a creation by Obama. And Section 1078 reads: Dissemination abroad of information about the United States. It has nothing at all to do with propaganda deployed within the U.S. I am sure it must be comforting to blame the current environment of divisiveness on the President but at least in this case you got it totally wrong. The act to which you refer was created and sponsored by members of the GOP, and do not authorize the use of propaganda within the U.S. in contravention of the Smith-Mundt Act. In fact in 1967 the prohibition against U.S. agencies broadcasting USIA material into the United States was removed.
Read it Bill, if you did your living in koolaid land! No matter who sponsored, it's still government, it still reads as I said to anyone with any discernment!
"The Secretary and the Broadcasting Board of Governors are authorized to use funds appropriated or otherwise made available for public diplomacy information programs to provide for the preparation, dissemination, and use of information intended for foreign audiences abroad about the United States, its people, and its policies, through press, publications, radio, motion pictures, the Internet, and other information media, including social media, and through information centers, instructors, and other direct or indirect means of communication.
[using a broad interpretation, 'intended for foreign audiences abroad' could apply to any material that could at any point after release be potentially made available to any person who lives outside of the US]"
In other legalese, if anyone outside of the USA can be construed as being able or possible to view it, they can make up and control media to portray what ever they want to promote a different view than what is true!
Bob Christensen July 22, 2016, 7:08 am
"Media" is the plural of "medium," as in, "Are the media responsible…" not "Is the media responsible…"
And, yes, of course they are. They plaster our pages and screens with every tidbit they can find about mass shooters, etc. thereby encouraging other feeble-minded psychos to realize that all they have to do to get their fifteen minutes of fame is to blow away a bunch of folks. Better the media should minimize the coverage of the perpetrators, such as, "Some 30-year old loser from New Jersey shot up his former employer's office this morning. This station has decided not to give the late murderer the recognition he wanted." Bottom line: The media ARE the problem.
Eric Y. July 22, 2016, 6:51 am
Sadly, "headlines" have become a vast number of peoples' news. And when those headlines grossly exaggerate something, that's a problem. In reading many of the responses to stories and talking to people it becomes clear that they often don't or haven't read the story behind the headline. People are living off headlines and memes. They are formulating long and complex opinions on incidents based on headlines and memes. The media knows it, so they are playing to today's need for everything 'instantaneous'. Why spend all that time reading when you can get all you need from the headline? Also sadly, many headlines are little more than click bait and barely, if at all, reflect the content of a story. Let's call it like it is, they are often flat out bullshit. When that bullshit fans the flames of a fire they should be held accountable. Yes, yes 1st Amendment, blah blah blah. It has been held up by the courts that the 1st Amendment does NOT protect speech that incites violence or causes harm. I believe it can clearly be shown that 'media' has incited violence and harm. They have stoked the flames to create even greater stories or should I say, headlines. They have done this to great affect. The media, in many cases, has essentially yelled 'fire' in a crowded theatre so they can report on the trampling of people. It's wrong and they shouldn't be allowed to hide behind the 1st Amentment any more than I could hide behind the 2nd Amendment for shooting someone who is simply walking down the street.
Robert July 22, 2016, 11:44 am
I read many of the comments herein contained and find most interesting and being on the money. However this phenomenon of pushing emotional stories is not new. I was in the newspaper business for nearly 40 years and have seen the gradual transition from factual reporting to hyping up a story that would play well in the National Enquirer. There is very little difference between a general circulation newspaper and one that appears on the racks at the checkout stand in stores. For real news media it is a shameful illustration of the lack of good journalist education. However back to my point. If you will look up the term "Yellow Journalism" you will see that it was some of the first inaccurate reporting. That covered everything from purposeful false accusations to out right lying. They used text and cartoons to make their point. It was used mostly in politics and very much in the pulp publications printers put out like the writers who wrote about the old west but puffed the stories up to get readership. One of the largest abusers were newspaper publishers who set out to destroy anyone they did not like or disagreed with them. Like now the victim had no recourse. I would love to refute the Washington Post or New York Times or any of the major publications I could name but have no resources to do so. I write letters to the editor but are rarely get them published because of editorial censorship. That is the truth of our world today.
Clark Wilkins July 22, 2016, 5:26 am
Since 1897 American journalism has found it more profitable to report sensationalism than facts. It does not matter whether it is CNN or FOX. Even the author of this piece seems more motivated by how the GOP was covered versus how the news affects shootings.
We can look at history. The Henry rifle in the 1860's was about as close to a modern assault rifle as you could get back then. We're people back then walking into schools with them and opening up? Because a one room schoolhouse would have been emptied pretty fast as Junior only had to get daddy's Henry to do it. And it would have been huge news. Yet it never happened then.
Something has happened since. Maybe it's video games, violent movies, or the news. But it's not the weapon. I'm guessing it's the news. Every psycho who can create a big enough body count is guaranteed his 15 minutes of fame. The weapon is not even necessary. Some nut did just fine with a truck in France. Pretty soon somebody will drive through a school ground armed with an Oldsmobile during recess. I would say we are helpless and it is a fact of life. No law ever proposed or passed would have stopped the previous shooting. John Wilks Booth, Sirhan Sirhan, James Earl Ray, and Lee Harvey Oswald would still be legal today. They all sought fame by shooting political figures. That's now getting harder to do. So now it's not who you shoot but how many.
DRAINO July 21, 2016, 4:25 pm
Yep! No question…..they love to do it…..and then deny doing it. Cause it's all for ratings or views or clicks….what have you. That's all they care about. Whatever the cost….doesn't matter. If it costs more innocent peoples lives….all the better because then more people will read or view. So I guess it all boils down to simple greed. The more clicks, views or better ratings they get, the more money they make. And people are stupid enough to feed this by clicking, viewing, reading/watching. I'm all about freedom of speech ……but just because you can say it or report on it….doesn't mean you should. How about RESPONSIBLE journalism?


They can access the Internet almost anywhere and provide updates for work, research, and even games.
You can easily find a case by shopping online where you will find 1000s of products to choose from.
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By shopping online, you can find the supplies you need as well as other products such as iPods, jewelry, games, toys, sporting goods, pet supplies and cell phones - even free gifts.
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Unfortunately, for the Shop functions will only be available for customers from Germany.
Please excuse if the shop for the moment is not available for your country. Customers from Europe, interested in murals and canvas, are welcome to send me an e-mail to request prices and shipping costs for your personal mural.
Discover also many motifs of this shop in different variations in the Wandbildershop JF-Fotografie on Amazon.
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The St Day meeting of Sunday 3 February at 1.00pm is ON - click here for the Raceday Preview.
Following the week of adverse weather throughout some parts of the UK, the far west of Cornwall escaped the worst of the weather, and there is now little to no trace of snow at the circuit or in the local area (see photo below taken on the morning of Saturday 2 February). The weather forecast suggests cold weather, with partial cloud for Sunday afternoon.
So, racegoers who are looking forward to the first short oval race action in Cornwall since October, we will see you there, but do WRAP UP WARM!
As ever, Autospeed would like to thank all racegoers for their enthusiasm and interest in the event, and wish all drivers the best of luck for the race meeting.


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This Stray Cat Snuck Into A Nursing Home, And Got A Job
Animals2 years ago
121Kviews
Meet Oreo, the cat who somehow found her way into a nursing home – and decided to work there. "She's like the family here. She helps the residents, she helps the employees, and we just love her," said Carmen Delgado, receptionist of St. Augustine Health Ministries in Cleveland, Ohio.
Everyone appreciates the kitty's presence. "Most of the people we serve here had pets… so to have Oreo here, for them to be able to come out and pet the cat and see how the cat is doing… it brings… those feelings of home," Dana Carns, director of advancement, said.
"I'm always getting pictures, even on the weekends or at night that the staff are taking. 'Oh look, Oreo is at the reception desk, answering the phone, because it's after hours', or 'she's sitting on a bench with a resident who's waiting for her ride.'"
"The residents were so excited to have Oreo around. They all love her and seek her out for a snuggle," Carns told Bored Panda.
More info: St. Augustine Health Ministries | Facebook (h/t: lovemeow)
Meet Oreo, the stray cat who somehow found her way into a nursing home – and decided to work there
"She's like the family here. She helps the residents, she helps the employees, and we just love her"
"Most of the people we serve here had pets… so to have Oreo here… to be able to come out and pet the cat…"
"And see how the cat is doing… it brings… those feelings of home"
"Oh look, Oreo is at the reception desk, answering the phone, because it's after hours…"
"I think it just brings a lot of laughter, a lot of smiles, and a lot of just normalcy"
John L 2 years ago
One thing about cats. They know how to just walk in and take charge. No need asking permission. Just do it.
Lemonsito 2 years ago
And no one dares to question their authority too.
Trav May 2 years ago
Lemonsito - Which is why they rule the internet.
Anh-Thu LeTran 2 years ago
I bet a lot of the residents are feline a lot better
Mary Marty 2 years ago
Brigitte 2 years ago
That pic at the reception desk is priceless.
ADHORTATOR 2 years ago
"Man, can't you read?! You have to sign in!"
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"Can I help you, Mam?"
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Hans Holbein the Younger
German painter
Augsburg, Germany
Hans worked as a court painter for Henry VIII
More about Hans Holbein the Younger
Painter, Printmaker, Draftsperson, Designer
Portraiture, Religious art
Bologna, Italy; Florence, Italy; Rome, Italy; Venice, Italy; Basel, Switzerland; Lucerne, Switzerland; London, United Kingdom
Renaissance and Reformation: German Art in the Age of Dürer and Cranach by Staatliche Museen Zu Berlin
Art of the Northern Renaissance: Courts, Commerce and Devotion by Stephanie Porras
Drawing in Silver and Gold: Leonardo to Jasper Johns by Stacey Sell
Disharmony of the Spheres: The Europe of Holbein's Ambassadors by Jennifer Nelson
Hans Holbein: The Artist in a Changing World by Jeanne Nuechterlein
Portrait of an Unknown Woman: A Novel by Vanora Bennett
Works by Hans Holbein the Younger
Study up!
Portrait of Dorothea Meyer, née Kannengiesser
Some More Drama
Portrait of Sir Richard Southwell
Loved embroidery, propriety, and murderous royals
She used a good filter
The debate rages on
Clayton Schuster
By luck, the most amazing German painter of his generation. By choice, a huge dick to his wife and kids. By birth, Super Hans.
Hans was part of a straight up painting dynasty. His father was a famous painter. His uncle was a famous painter. His brother was a famous painter (although he died young, so RIP). He had the foresight to be born one generation after Albrecht Dürer, Matthias Grünewald, and Lucas Cranach the Elder, allowing Hans to become the greatest German painter of his generation on a technicality.
Hans painted the first group portrait in Northern Europe where the subjects aren't kneeling. Apparently this controversial move implied impiety and was extremely frowned upon given the whole Protestant Reformation thing going on around the continent. God, who is so very big and large, expected groups of two or more people to get on their knees in His immense presence (which is everywhere). Unfortunately this blasphemous standing portrait of Sir Thomas More and his family is now lost to history.
Hans was constantly abandoning his family to travel for painting commissions. He made a portrait of his wife and children the last time they saw each other, and then immediately went out for cigarettes. That trip to the corner store for a pack of Marlboros led him to England where he lived for 11 years until he died of plague in London. Before he died of plague, Hans basically invented how the English king would be portrayed in portraits.
He and the king had quite the rapport. Of the numerous celebrities to sit for him, King Henry VIII was the only one to like Hans as a person in the end. In addition to painting the English court, Hans played the role of royal fashion mogul by designing a great array of smart and sassy summer ensembles for the king and his crew.
King Henry trusted Hans so much that the painter had the honor, no, the privilege of traveling across the continent to paint the hotties so Henry could pick out the next murdered Queen of England. Hans' portrait of Anne of Cleves moved the King to propose on the spot. Only, and internet daters know how this story goes, she wasn't hot in person. King Henry killed his right-hand man for advocating for the marriage. Hans barely escaped with his life.
His numerous portraits for the court include the one of King Henry VIII that's always seen in high school history textbooks, a portrait called The Ambassadors with a really famous skull that's drunk and needs to go home, and a portrait of a brave man named Sir William Butts. Writing pro-tip: always end on a butt and/or fart joke when possible.
Francisco Serrador
Hans Holbein was Bavarian, but worked mostly in Basel, Switzerland and in England.
He was possibly the greatest art phenomenon ever to come out of Basel...although the Art Basel art fair is a pretty big deal as well.
He illustrated Martin Luther's German translation of the bible, as well as a book by Dutch philosopher Erasmus. Hans also hung out with English philosopher Thomas More, and was court painter for Henry the VIII ('big Henry', the one with all the wives). Basically he got to meet anyone who was anyone in the 1520's and 30's. He painted over 100 portraits for Henry VIII, and has been called the greatest portrait painter of all time.
One of the largest art supply companies in the world, Holbein Works, Ltd, is named after him. The company is based in Osaka Japan.
Here is what Wikipedia says about Hans Holbein the Younger
Hans Holbein the Younger (UK: /ˈhɒlbaɪn/ HOL-byne, US: /ˈhoʊlbaɪn, ˈhɔːl-/ HOHL-byne, HAWL-; German: Hans Holbein der Jüngere; c. 1497 – between 7 October and 29 November 1543) was a German-Swiss painter and printmaker who worked in a Northern Renaissance style, and is considered one of the greatest portraitists of the 16th century. He also produced religious art, satire, and Reformation propaganda, and he made a significant contribution to the history of book design. He is called "the Younger" to distinguish him from his father Hans Holbein the Elder, an accomplished painter of the Late Gothic school.
Holbein was born in Augsburg but worked mainly in Basel as a young artist. At first, he painted murals and religious works, and designed stained glass windows and illustrations for books from the printer Johann Froben. He also painted an occasional portrait, making his international mark with portraits of humanist Desiderius Erasmus of Rotterdam. When the Reformation reached Basel, Holbein worked for reformist clients while continuing to serve traditional religious patrons. His Late Gothic style was enriched by artistic trends in Italy, France, and the Netherlands, as well as by Renaissance humanism. The result was a combined aesthetic uniquely his own.
Holbein travelled to England in 1526 in search of work with a recommendation from Erasmus. He was welcomed into the humanist circle of Thomas More, where he quickly built a high reputation. He returned to Basel for four years, then resumed his career in England in 1532 under the patronage of Anne Boleyn and Thomas Cromwell. By 1535, he was King's Painter to Henry VIII of England. In this role, he produced portraits and festive decorations, as well as designs for jewellery, plate, and other precious objects. His portraits of the royal family and nobles are a record of the court in the years when Henry was asserting his supremacy over the Church of England.
Holbein's art was prized from early in his career. French poet and reformer Nicholas Bourbon (the elder) dubbed him "the Apelles of our time," a typical accolade at the time. Holbein has also been described as a great "one-off" in art history since he founded no school. Some of his work was lost after his death, but much was collected and he was recognized among the great portrait masters by the 19th century. Recent exhibitions have also highlighted his versatility. He created designs ranging from intricate jewellery to monumental frescoes.
Holbein's art has sometimes been called realist, since he drew and painted with a rare precision. His portraits were renowned in their time for their likeness, and it is through his eyes that many famous figures of his day are pictured today, such as Erasmus and More. He was never content with outward appearance, however; he embedded layers of symbolism, allusion, and paradox in his art, to the lasting fascination of scholars. In the view of art historian Ellis Waterhouse, his portraiture "remains unsurpassed for sureness and economy of statement, penetration into character, and a combined richness and purity of style".
Check out the full Wikipedia article about Hans Holbein the Younger
Hans Holbein the Younger is mentioned on our blog -
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Small pocket arms such as this pistol incorporated barrels that could be unscrewed for loading. They were initially developed circa 1650 and could be carried in a belt and used for close-in fighting by infantry officers. Screw-barrel pistols required additional time to load than did muzzle-loaders, but they were much more accurate and had a higher muzzle velocity due to their rifled barrels.


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Benefits & Compensation Blog
Developments in Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation Law
Court Holds That Shares of Former Parent Company Are No Longer "Employer Securities" After Spinoff
By James E. Crossen on August 22, 2018
Posted in Employee Benefits, ERISA Fiduciary, ERISA Litigation
In a case of first impression, a federal district court in the Southern District of Texas has ruled that a former parent company's stock was not an "employer security" under section 407(d)(1) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA").[1] As a result, the ERISA exemption from the duty to diversify and the duty of prudence (to the extent the latter requires diversification) were not available where a plan held former parent company stock in a legacy single-stock fund. Although in this case plaintiff participants' claims were ultimately dismissed, the decision should be on the radar of fiduciaries of plans holding significant amounts of former employer securities.
As background, in 2012, Phillips 66 Company, Inc. ("Phillips 66") spun off from ConocoPhillips Corporation ("ConocoPhillips") and sponsored a new defined contribution plan with an employee stock ownership plan ("ESOP") component, as had ConocoPhillips. In addition to newly issued Phillips 66 stock, however, Phillips 66's new plan also held more than 25% of its assets in a frozen ConocoPhillips stock fund that was transferred from the old plan in connection with the Phillips 66 spinoff.
When the value of ConocoPhillips stock held by the Phillips 66 plan dropped, participants sued the plan's investment committee and its members, along with the plan's financial administrator, alleging imprudence and failure to diversify plan assets in violation of ERISA. In reply, defendants argued that ConocoPhillips stock was not subject to the duty to diversify, as those shares were "employer securities" when issued; ConocoPhillips was previously the employer of the participants. Therefore, defendants argued, ConocoPhillips stock remained exempt from the duty to diversify despite Phillips 66's spin-off from the ConocoPhillips controlled group.
The court rejected this aspect of defendants' argument, holding that stock does not indefinitely retain its character as "employer securities" for purposes of ERISA's diversification and prudence requirements. Ultimately ruling in favor of defendants, the court held that ERISA's diversification and prudence requirements were not violated because the plan's investment lineup overall was diversified, public information on the risks of ConocoPhillips stock was reflected in its market price, and because the claims about procedural imprudence lacked factual support in the complaint's allegations. The Schweitzer court also emphasized that participants were free to shift their ConocoPhillips holdings to other investment options under the plan.
Plaintiffs recently filed an appeal in this case,[2] arguing that the court's ultimate decision was incorrect. In addition, at least one other federal district court case is pending featuring similar facts and claims, including the meaning of "employer securities" under ERISA.[3]
Finally, it should be also noted that the court's decision is only an interpretation of "employer security" as defined in ERISA section 407(d)(1) and does not address numerous similar ESOP-related statutory terms, such as "employer securities" or "securities of the employer corporation," as defined in section 409(l) and section 402(e)(4)(E) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, respectively. Those terms are addressed in the spinoff and reorganization contexts in numerous IRS rulings.
[1] Schweitzer v. Inv. Comm. of the Phillips 66 Sav. Plan, 312 F. Supp. 3d 608 (S.D. Tex. May 9, 2018).
[2] Brief of Appellants, Schweitzer v. Inv. Comm. of the Phillips 66 Sav. Plan, No. 18-20379 (5th Cir. July 31, 2018).
[3] Myers v. Admin. Comm., Seventy Seven Energy, Inc. Retirement & Sav. Plan, No. 17-cv-200-D (W.D. Okla.).
Tags: 401(k), employer securities, ERISA, ESOP, fiduciary duties, investment options, investments
Appellate Court Split in Recent Single Stock Fund Litigation
Tenth Circuit Decision Puts New Emphasis on Including Discretionary Authority Language in Summary Plan Descriptions
D.C. Circuit Holds That a Participant Who Signed a Release Could Not Assert ERISA Fiduciary Breach Claims on Behalf of Her Retirement Plan
Mandatory Arbitration: The Next Frontier for ERISA Retirement Plans?
A Fairytale Ending for Defendants in the First Stable Value Fund Appeal
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Warr, W. A. Cheminformatics Developments. (Book Review). J. Chem. Inf. Model., 2006, 46, 1877.
Report on First German Conference on Cheminformatics, 2005.
Partnering In Science Information: Necessities of Change. Report on ICSTI conference 2006.


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Oreoglanis majusculus är en fiskart som beskrevs av Irengbam Linthoingambi och Visthwanath 2011. Oreoglanis majusculus ingår i släktet Oreoglanis och familjen Sisoridae. Inga underarter finns listade i Catalogue of Life.

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