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2 Comments Posted on March 20, 2016 March 23, 2016 TV
TV Character Madness: Round 2 – Part II
<< Previously on TV Madness
We said goodbye to our first #1 seed.
Don't worry. He'll be fine, eventually.
Now it's time to vote on who else is going to the Sweet 16.
Matchup #41 (Antiheroes)
(5) Don Draper – Mad Men
(13) Saul Goodman – Better Call Saul
Matchup #42 (Sidekicks)
(7) Jack Donaghy – 30 Rock
(2) Josh Lyman – The West Wing
Matchup #43 (Comedy)
(12) Gob Bluth – Arrested Development
(4) Ron Swanson – Parks and Recreation
Matchup #44 (Heroes)
(1) Tyrion Lannister – Game of Thrones
(8) Rust Cohle – True Detective
(6) Frank Underwood – House of Cards
(3) Dexter Morgan – Dexter
(1) Dwight Schrute – The Office
(8) Ari Gold – Entourage
(11) Sheldon Cooper – The Big Bang Theory
(3) Liz Lemon – 30 Rock
(7) Jimmy McNulty – The Wire
(2) Gregory House – House M.D.
Sweet 16 voting begins Monday, April 21st.
Follow along for more on Facebook or Twitter.
Next on TV Madness >>
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TV Character Madness: Round 1 – Part I
UPDATE: Polls are closed for now, but see the results here and be sure to check in tomorrow for Part II of Round 1.
Matchup #1 (Sidekicks Region)
(4) Marshall Eriksen – How I Met Your Mother
(13) Olivia Benson – Law & Order: SVU
Matchup #2 (Heroes Region)
(9) Raylan Givens – Justified
Matchup #3 (Comedy Region)
(7) Larry David – Curb Your Enthusiasm
(10) Eric Cartman – South Park
Matchup #4 (Antiheroes Region)
(2) Walter White – Breaking Bad
(15) Kenny Powers – Eastbound and Down
Matchup #5 (Sidekicks)
(6) Daryl Dixon – The Walking Dead
(11) Hurley – Lost
Matchup #6 (Heroes)
(3) Sherlock Holmes – Sherlock
(14) Michael Scofield – Prison Break
Matchup #7 (Comedy)
(1) Homer Simpson – The Simpsons
(16) Erlich Bachman – Silicon Valley
Matchup #8 (Antiheroes)
(12) Al Swearengen – Deadwood
(4) Will McAvoy – The Newsroom
(13) Sterling Archer – Archer
(9) Marty Hart – True Detective
(7) Boyd Crowder – Justified
(10) Jax Teller – Sons of Anarchy
(2) Michael Scott – The Office
(15) Jake Peralta – Brooklyn 99
(6) Buffy – Buffy the Vampire Slayer
(11) John Luther – Luther
(3) Jesse Pinkman – Breaking Bad
(14) Dr. Niles Crane – Frasier
(1) Tony Soprano – Sopranos
(16) Nucky Thompson – Boardwalk Empire
(5) Phil Dunphy – Modern Family
Part II of Round 1 will be up Friday morning.
Archer Boardwalk Empire Bracket Breaking Bad Brooklyn 99 Buffy Curb Your Enthusiasm Deadwood Eastbound and Down Entourage Frasier How I Met Your Mother Justified Larry David Law and Order Lost Luther Mad Men March Madness Michael Piff NCAA Tournament Opening Round polls Prison Break Round 1 Round of 64 Sherlock Silicon Valley Sons of Anarchy South Park The Newsroom The Office The Simpsons The Sopranos The Walking Dead True Detective TV Character Madness vote
3 Comments Posted on March 14, 2016 March 17, 2016 Piffcast, TV
Piffcast: TV Character Madness Bracket – Selection Show
UPDATE: VOTING HAS BEGUN FOR THE 2016 TV CHARACTER MADNESS TOURNAMENT!
Just a day after the NCAA Tournament's Selection Sunday show, The Piffcast announces its own bracket for TV and sports fans alike…
TJ and I reveal the participants of our new TV Character Madness tournament. Voting will begin here on MichaelPiff.com Thursday morning (3/17), as the NCAA Tourney tips off, and YOU will decide who advances toward Television Supremacy.
Also, take a listen for how you can enter our TV Madness Contest and win a Piffcast Prize Pack (Trust us. It's worth it). Below is the full bracket and you can get copies of your own to fill out on Facebook and Twitter.
(Before you freak out about some of your favorites being left out, the bracket goes back to 2000.)
For a closer look at each region…
Subscribe to The Piffcast on iTunes here. Again, voting begins Thursday morning, March 17th. Have a favorite character you want to win? Let your friends know, and follow along on Facebook or Twitter.
24 30 Rock Arrested Development Better Call Saul Boardwalk Empire Bob's Burgers Breaking Bad Buffy Deadwood Dexter Doctor Who Eastbound and Down Facebook Firefly Frasier Friends Game of Thrones Hannibal House of Cards How I Met Your Mother Jessica Jones Justified Law and Order Lost Luther Mad Men March Madness Michael Piff Modern Family NCAA NCAA Tournament Orange Is The New Black Parks and Recreation Piffcast podcast Prison Break Ray Donovan Sherlock South Park SVU The Big Bang Theory The Newsroom The Office The Shield The Simpsons The Walking Dead The West Wing The Wire True Detective TV Character Madness Twitter
Leave a comment Posted on February 23, 2016 February 23, 2016 TV
The Walking Dead Power Rankings: "Sweet Jesus"
Each week, we'll give every episode at least 24 hours to breathe…and for you to get caught up. After that, you're clicking at your own risk. Spoilers ahead.
"RICHONNE!!!!" screamed so many TWD watchers as that ship finally set sail.
I don't know about you, but the latest Walking Dead felt weird…in a good way. After an insane midseason premiere, the audience got a breather for once and not with some long dramatic development episode.
It was light hearted. The Walking Dead is NEVER light hearted. The joking, music, RICK SMILING?!…It actually made things even more suspenseful because you were waiting for the other shoe to drop. Nothing gold ever stays, especially in the zombie apocalypse.
By the way, this chase scene is perfect to Benny Hill music.
No goodbyes, like last week, but a new character did enter the fold and make quite an impression for our Power Rankings this week.
1. Daryl Dixon (Previously 1st)
Daryl's reign at #1 continues for a couple weeks. 1) He hasn't done anything to lose it. 2) Dude tried pretty damn hard to get Denise some "POP!" 3) Jacking Jesus in the face (I love being able to say that) after being saved (these write themselves) was perfect.
Something to keep an eye on is Daryl's reluctance to bring outsiders to Alexandria now. Dwight stealing his beloved crossbow and his run-in with the Saviors make his philosophy change justifiable. You get a feeling he's going to be right about it too.
2. Rick Grimes (Previously 2nd)
#TrueDetectiveSeason3^
There is a Woody-McConaughey vibe between these two, and it was cool to see them team up again. For most of the time in Alexandria, Daryl's been out "there" with Aaron and Rick was playing Sheriff back in town. They have flipped roles when it comes to trusting outsiders though, and that may lead to conflict…or somebody important's demise.
3. Michonne (Previously 3rd)
I know people wanted this, and there was some buildup during Alexandria's stand against the horde, but #Richonne does feel a little CW'ish. I have no problem with it. Rick and Michonne are a hell of a power couple in the zombie apocalypse. TV just has a way about balancing the scales and love is used to set up seriously bloody heartbreak on TWD.
I don't think anyone would handle the Spencer situation better than Michonne though.
4. Glenn Rhee (Previously 4th)
Glenn is one of many who didn't get any airtime this week. Because of that, it's hard to raise or drop him at all. His fate, as the season carries on, gets dimmer because of what comic book fans know…but I get a feeling Gimple, Kirkman and Co. are going to psych some people out.
5. Maggie Greene (Previously 7th)
Maggie gets a solid jump in the rankings as she reinserts herself as the calming leader of the group, which is more important with Deanna dead (and gone now). She and Glenn have also started to get their parenting skills in when dealing with Enid. That's a relationship we'll want to keep an eye on.
6. Carl Grimes (Previously 8th)
I don't know about you, but I'm digging Pirate Eye-Patch Carl. Carl's maturation seems just about complete. While Enid and even Michonne didn't seem to understand his reasoning for leaving Zombie-Deanna for Spencer, it seemed like a huge step for the kid. He knows what it was like to say goodbye to his mom, and he probably would've liked to have taken care Lori's change rather than Rick…but that's neither here nor there.
7. Abraham (Previously 5th)
Abrahama slides is only due to lack of airtime, like many of the characters. I look forward to a redneck quip from him soon enough, but I'm beginning to worry that there's not much of an arc left for him. Just trying to appreciate him for as long as we can now.
8. Sasha (Previously 9th)
Just about everything that applied for Abraham, applies to Sasha, although I think another tragedy (perhaps involving Abe) would make or break her as a character…and that's why she could stick around a while longer.
9. Aaron (Previously 10th)
Right now, Aaron can do no wrong in my eyes. He should be back next week to do something meaningful, probably. Could also play into the conflict we were eluding to, regarding Rick and Daryl, as to how they deal with outsiders now.
10. Enid (Previously 6th)
We all have our reasons for liking or disliking certain characters. A certain sect of Dead fans are giving Enid the "Dana Brody" (Homeland) treatment, and I'm not sure how warranted it is. However, now may not be a good time to act all "complicated" with Carl. I think she's worried now, like the rest of us, that something terrible is about to happen and that's why she wants to make distance…I just think you're better together than apart in this current world, like Glenn said.
11. Jesus (Newbie)
I really liked the introduction to Jesus. He had a similar prerogative as Rick and Darryl going after the food/supply truck. He knows martial arts and has welcoming demeanor. He also opens the door to meeting another group with a bunch of new characters…that might not be Negan, yet.
Two questions though:
HOW DID HE GET ON TOP OF THE TRUCK SO FAST?!
HOW DID HE KNOW WHERE RICK'S ROOM WAS?
12. Denise Cloyd (Previously 12th)
Look at Denise, making moves like asking for pop for Tara. The "North-South difference" moment between her and Darryl over it was pretty funny too.
13. Heath (Previously 11th)
Now begins the rankings based on not having much to do with this week's episode. Heath got a mention though, making runs for the community. I'm excited to see how he impacts things going forward.
14. Father Gabriel (Previously 13th)
At least Gabriel finally gets to meet "Jesus" and not die to do so…yet.
15. Tara Chambler (Previously 14th)
Sorry you didn't get your ORAAAAANGE SODAAAAA, Tara.
16. Eugene Porter (Previously 15th)
I thought Eugene looked sharp at the gate, maybe that was just me. The dude's come a long way.
17. Morgan Jones (Previously 16th)
If we're going to talk about 'ships on this show, throw my name in to bet on Morgan and Carol (#Morol) happening.
18. Rosita Espinosa (Previously 17th)
Sup, Rosita? Are her and Abraham still a thing? Asking for a friend…
19. Negan (Previously 18th)
Still looming…
20. Carol Peletier (Previously 19th)
Most interested to see how Carol has developed over the 2 month time jump. I'm worried it's not for the better.
21. Spencer Monroe (Previously 25th)
Nice moment for Spencer. I was worried we was going to cause conflict but he really just needed to move on from his mom's passing…and end her at the same time. Going to keep an eye on his development, but the arrow's definitely pointing up.
22. Eric Raleigh (Previously 20th)
Still alive.
23. Tobin (Previously 21st)
Still Tobin.
24. Baby Judith (Previously 22nd)
Judith's getting so big! Maybe soon she doesn't need to be carried to runaway from zombies.
25. Olivia (Previously 23rd)
Hey, you're STILL here…for now.
26. Dwight (Previously 24th)
You can tell Daryl misses his crossbow, but I love him blowing shit up still. You're still a jerk, Dwight!
Anyone too high or too low in this week's rankings? Let me know on Facebook or Twitter!
Carl Darryl Dixon Enid Facebook Glenn Jesus Maggie Michael Piff Michonne Piffcast Power Rankings Richonne Rick Grimes The Walking Dead True Detective TV Twitter
Leave a comment Posted on July 29, 2015 September 12, 2015 TV
Exhale Part II: True Detective Season 2 Doesn't Suck…as bad.
Many of you probably thought about quitting on True Detective Season 2 after the first 3 episodes. There were valid reasons for you to do so, but I also told you that Episode 4 was going to make or break the season…
(This is where I warn you that there are spoilers ahead, but you already knew that.)
Thankfully, Season 2 got better.
We found parallels to Season 1, they cut some of the bullshit that muddied the story, and 3 out of the 4 major characters have developed into people worth investing in (Taylor Kitsch still sucks). There are still slow points and plot detours that will make you pull your hair out, but it's hard to say the past 3 episodes haven't redeemed the season at all.
Ray Velcoro and Rust Cohle Would Be Great Partners
There are common trends between Seasons 1 & 2. State government corruption is the overwhelming issue. The detectives have epic falls from from grace, or whatever resembles such a thing for them. There are also mid-season baddies who don't go out quietly who serve as the "fall guy", but then set our detectives on the right path.
Reggie Ledoux was the Season 1 "Yellow King". Rust and Marty's evidence led them to the meth cook's compound for an insane confrontation, similar to the one we saw in episode 4 of Season 2 but with far fewer casualties.
Of course they DID do it again. The tip that Ani, Paul, and Ray got from Mayor McCheese led them to Ledo Amarilla's version of Ledoux's compound, and was likely meant to be a trap for the trio. In Nic Pizzolatto's own way, he makes Amarilla into the Season 2 Yellow King. "Amarilla" is Spanish for "Yellow" and "Ledo" is 4/6 the spelling of "Ledoux".
…And explosions.
After Amarilla's case is closed, there are still 4 more episodes and a bunch of orgy-loving powerful people who need to be taken down. You wonder if Rust's interrogation skills combined with Ray's willingness to get dirty would have wrapped this mystery up much sooner. At least Ray is cynical enough to handle Rust's bleak philosophical soliloquies…and Rust wouldn't judge Ray's demons either.
The Story is Better Simplified
One of the things that dragged Season 2 down was the show's commitment to 4 major characters and trying to unravel them layer by layer. As I mentioned reviewing the first 3 episodes, the multiple subplots associated with too many character were deterring viewers away from what was actually a good mystery. Ray is no longer beating up his kid's bullies and their bystander dads. Ani isn't sleeping with other officers in her department, for the time being. Frank is done harkening back to his childhood. And thankfully Paul and his drama have taken a backseat to the team's investigation.
The simplicity was most evident in Episode 6 "Church in Ruins". The opening scene between Ray and Frank was as good it gets for this season. They didn't beat around the bush. Everything was laid out on the table with pistols cocked underneath. Then they walked away with their separate businesses to take care of and nothing to distract them.
The focus on Ani's preparation to go undercover for the anticipated "party" built up solid suspense for the mess that was bound to happen.
Who else gave an involuntary fist-pump when she was actually able to apply her knife-fighting practice? That was awesome.
Paul stayed out of everybody's way and was actually effective when it came to getting the evidence and helping Ani out of the orgy. His redeeming quality is being a good soldier and completing the mission at hand.
With two episodes left, it's the trio of detectives (and probably Frank) against California's so-called elite, including Governor candidate Masuka from Dexter. Some of the subplots will likely arise again, especially Paul's sexuality vs. marrying his baby's momma, but the focus should be on closing this case.
"We could watch Friends."
Ray's kid is such a Ross. A very ginger pizza-loving Ross.
Going along the lines of simplicity, Ray cutting the cord from his son and ex-wife puts an end to one of the multiple distracting subplots. What's interesting about that is the fact he agreed to join the "off the books" squad based on an agreement he could retain custody of his son. Ray seems focused on the task at hand after doing so, but maybe he has sealed his fate as well after doing so. Regardless, the best character on the show only got better because of it.
While in a drug induced trippy state, we learned more about Ani as she recalled a man who abused her in the past. The man looked like someone from her father's photos and you wonder if he is more connected to the corruption than we already knew. Rescuing her missing person and getting a firsthand look at the kind of evil they are dealing with will probably have Ani sharpening her blade for more in Sunday's episode.
Then there's Frank…
Frank's story hasn't felt all that necessary, outside his influence on Ray, up to this point. The more he evolves into being a gangster again, the more entertaining he is…but do you really care what happens to him?
He is, however, acting as much like a detective as Ray, Ani, and Paul while trying to find out who killed Caspere and Stan. Frank has to tie into this thing significantly at some point, and his findings may be the thing that breaks the case wide open. You also anticipate some well deserved revenge on Frank's 2nd in command, who is obviously undermining him with the trafficking of women.
Most importantly, there's finally MOMENTUM. The final sequence was exhilarating and gave the viewer something to look forward. You feel better about there being just 8 episodes instead of the typical HBO 10, and that there will be closure to this story sooner than later.
I'd like to hear what you think! Do you like Season 2 better now, or does it still suck?
Let me know on Facebook or Twitter and we can talk about it further.
Amarilla Colin Farrell Dexter HBO Michael Piff Nic Pizzolato Poll Rachel McAdams review Season 2 Taylor Kitsch True Detective Vince Vaughn Yellow King
1 Comment Posted on July 8, 2015 July 9, 2015 Television, TV
Time To Exhale: True Detective Season 2 Does and Doesn't Suck, So Far…
We are three episodes into Nic Pizollato's followup to the incredible first season story that made the brothers from 'Edtv', Woody Harrelson and Matthew McConaughey, our favorite detective tag team of all-time. Some viewers have jumped off the ledge, some are looking for a reason to hang on, and others aren't that phased by True Detective Season 2…You can count me in the latter because I've suffered through much worse television.
Here's the part where I warn you that the rest of this is riddled with SPOILERS. Continue at your own risk, if you aren't caught up on the season.
As I've already mentioned, I don't hate this new season of True Detective. There's an actual mystery that I find compelling and some performances that I can appreciate. However, there are things worth hating and I understand the frustration and annoyance by fans. Pizzollato told us this would be a completely different story, but I don't think viewers expected it to be THIS much different. If the first season wasn't on such a high pedestal, would we care as much?
Trying to separate Season 2 from it's predecessor, while also analyzing what the first season got right, there are reasons to indeed hate this season and reasons not to.
Why Season 2 Sucks
1. Taylor Kitsch!
When the cast was finally confirmed, after what seemed like an eternity of speculation, I was actually excited about it. Colin Farrell was the most talented of the bunch. Vince Vaughn could finally get back to being the dark and twisted character actor that he started out as. Rachel McAdams is swell. The only wild card, to me, was Taylor Kitsch…TAYLOR KITSCH HAS BEEN EXCRUTIATING AND PAINFUL.
In 3 episodes, his only meaningful contribution to the story is finding the murder victim that kicked this whole thing off, Ben Caspere. Outside of that, Kitsch's character has been an awful stereotype of a self-loathing war veteran with some messed up mommy issues and sexuality denial. Every curse word he tries using sounds as forced as when preteens discover swearing.
I don't know if we're supposed to feel bad for Officer Paul Woodrugh because of what he's dealing with, but I have zero investment in him. If Paul doesn't get interesting soon, I'm going to go back to referring to him as John Carter (not a compliment).
2. Too Many Moving Pieces
This isn't Game of Thrones. With twice as many main characters as the first season, we're getting 4 times as many storylines. Part of Season 1's charm was its simplicity. The main focus was finding the "Yellow King", and how the development of the dysfunctional, yet charming, partnership between Rust Cohle and Marty Hart made that happen.
Instead, we're not only worried about who's killing off associations to Frank Seymon, but also an investigation into Ray Velcoro and the Vinci police department, Ray's custody battle for his son, Paul's stupid drama (which we eluded to earlier), and Ani's family "cult" connections/porn addiction. Because of the multiple separate storylines, there's very little chemistry between the characters (besides Ray and Ani) and the plot just drags…
It was episode 4 of Season 1, "Who Goes There", where the series set itself apart from everything else.
Will they pull something like the "6 straight minutes of one continuous shot" off again to make all the storylines worthwhile?
3. Cut the Bullshit, Frank.
I thought Vaughn with an organized crime background would be much more interesting than it has been so far. I understand Frank is trying to "go legit" and it's not the signs of fading or weakness that bother me…It's the soliloquies in bed and "attempts to speak with a blank stare" that do.
I'm convinced, though, that Frank has turned a corner following his reawakening as a violent man. I loved him tearing the nasty gold teeth out of Danny Santos's mouth and saying "Why would you greet the world like that?"
Frank's wife, Jordan (played by Kelly Reilly), is a different dynamic and I don't know what to make of her. Her consistent glares from a distance make you wonder if she has something else at play, besides what's in Frank's best interest, or if there really isn't anything going on up there. I know everyone can't be Claire Underwood, but that's the kind of character I wish Jordan was. Frank has appeared needy of a backbone at times. I hope Jordan can be someone who can reinforce it….or completely break it.
4. Hitting 1/3 on Cliffhangers Isn't a Good Batting Average.
Season 1 was masterful when it came to making you want more after the duration ran out each week…Rust telling investigators to "Ask the right fucking questions" after the first episode. "The Monster at the end of your dream", Reggie Ledoux, entering the picture before everything goes black…
We've only had one of those instances in Season 2, and it was nearly a killer (literally).
I found that ending to be brilliant. People were already swearing off the show because they thought Ray was dead. The speculation was as heated as the ending to Game of Thrones this past season. The follow up episode had kept the vigor going, an excellent chase scene, but they couldn't end it with momentum. A weird awkward scene between Frank and Jordan to close the episode was as effective as Russell Wilson not handing the ball off to Marshawn Lynch at the goal line in the Super Bowl.
5. NO MORE MUSICAL NUMBERS!!!
The "Conway Twitty Impersonator in Limbo" bit was weird, right?
I allowed it because it matched with Ray's bolo tie and I was excited to see Fred Ward as his father. Maybe it's a theme with the bar, that Ray is in limbo whenever he's seated in his booth, but I don't need this show to turn out like American Horror Story has. My biggest complaint (among many) is that AHS turned into Glee for their "Freak Show" season, and that's not why I tune in. For 3 episodes in a row, a performer has gotten too much screen time on the same stage in the same bar and I hope that changes in Episode 4.
Why Season 2 Doesn't Suck
1. Ray Velcoro
Ray's bolo tie puts Philip Rivers to shame, He's also the most compelling character on the entire show.
Ray has a little bit of both Rust and Marty in him. The baggage is evident and clear, as is the cynicism. He also prides himself on being a good detective, despite being morally and legally compromised. It's hard to not get excited when he turned down a drink in Episode 3, saying "…it takes the edge off. I want to stay angry."
2. Ray and Ani's Chemistry
Ani is closest to Ray's level as a cop, she's not in anybody's pocket, and there's definitely a mutual respect between the two. On a show that LOVES asking unanswered questions, they are forthright with each other and don't let bullshit get in the way. You would think two cops from different departments with different agendas would have unnecessary drama…That doesn't seem to be the case yet.
I think most fans are glad Ray is alive so that they don't have to deal with more Paul than they have to. Looking forward to some Marty & Rust-like banter going forward.
…and hopefully Ray heals up in time to actually catch someone.
3. Nic Pizzolatto's Writing
None of the characters are made for Rust Cohle's philosophy lessons (even as much as Frank tries telling dumb rat stories). They don't have to be. As slow as the show has progressed so far, the dialogue has still been fantastic. Whether it was malicious or not, Pizzolatto's shots at his former award winning director, Cary Fukunaga, in the scene on-set of a post apocalyptic film were hilarious…and completely passive aggressive.
I also know that everything on the show is deliberate, and everything has a purpose. Like creepy Rick Springfield…
Inspired by Ashley Schaeffer? #TrueDetective pic.twitter.com/3vmgDmqWrW
— Mike Piff (@Mike_PiFF03) June 29, 2015
If we go by some of the Season 1 playbook, there's a lot riding on episode 4 this week. It's the midway point, and you have to think Pizzolatto has something up his sleeve.
4. Who Doesn't Love a Good Mystery?
Caspere's murder has taken the detectives down one hell of a rabbit hole…Sex trade, corruption, weirdos in animal masks…And with one of Frank's soldiers having a similar fate, one wonders if we've already met the killer (sorry, Stan)….It's tough to jump ship if you were already invested in the mystery itself. Whether you like or dislike each of the characters, everyone is a suspect in this case.
5. The Sprinkling of Classic HBO TV Alums
One of my favorite aspects to Season 1 was seeing some of my favorite actors from my favorite shows make appearances. The Wire's Clark Peters aka Lester Freeman and Shea Whigham from Boardwalk Empire are a few notable ones, and this season of True Detective hasn't been any different. Another Wire alum, Michael Hyatt (Brianna Barksdale) has made waves as Ani's commanding officer. Deadwood fans should recognize Ray's teammate, W. Earl Brown, who played Dan Dority on the classic western series…now stalking Paul, for some kind of leverage.
But probably THE BIGGEST REASON True Detective Season 2 doesn't suck…
Masuka from Dexter aka C.S. Lee has made his presence known! And that goes a long way in my book…no matter how brief it's been so far.
Love the show or hate it? Let's talk about it on Twitter @Mike_PiFF03.
American Horror Story Boardwalk Empire California Cary Fukunaga Colin Farrell Conway Twitty Deadwood Dexter Frank HBO House of Cards Marty Hart Mystery Nic Pizzolatto Philip Rivers Ray Velcaro Rust Cohle Taylor Kitsch Television The Wire True Detective TV Vince Vaughn
Leave a comment Posted on June 8, 2015 September 12, 2015 Food, TV
Pairing Beer With TV Shows
A Friday night spent with Netflix, instead of at a bar, is becoming more and more socially acceptable…and I love it.
I also love a good beer and have been more conscientious about what I drink while watching TV. No, not by moderating my drinking or counting the calories, but by drinking a brew that fits well with what I'm viewing.
Here are some recommendations I have for beers to pair with your favorite shows, whether they are running live, in reruns, or waiting for you to binge watch on Netflix…These suggestions are based on themes, characters, settings, and the overall mood you get from watching the show.
If you have your own recommendations (You will. Everybody does.) feel free to Tweet them to @Mike_PiFF03.
"Gonna go home, get my beer on, get my Lost on. What are you doing later? You wanna hang out?" – Andy to Michael Scott
Ever since May 16th, 2013, The Office has served as a perfect pick-me-up for fans who need a Jim Halpert wink at the camera or a Michael Scott one-liner. If you think about it, The Office is almost like a great beer after work, in that sense. It helps you forget about work while ironically taking place in an office.
Based on location, my first thought was Yuengling. Scranton, PA is only an hour and a half from Pottsville, PA, where the Yuengling brewery is.
Lionshead Deluxe Pilsner from Lion Brewery is actually a very fitting choice. It's a standard American Lager Crisp, which would make it refreshing after a long day at the office or even have at your desk (if you have one of those "cool boss" environments). And it's only a 4.5% ABV, suitable for the binge watching occasions.
"Now if you'll excuse me, I'm about to endorse 10 beers into my mouth…because this has been an incredibly stressful day." – Leslie Knope
Similar to The Office, Parks and Recreation is an excellent pick-me-up show. UnlikeThe Office, Parks is a bit more worldly than what happens at the workplace. Each character brings their own dynamic, especially when it comes to booze. From sage drinking advice from Ron Swanson to how NOT to consume alcohol, despite Tom Haverford's best efforts….
The beer that consistently made "cameo" appearances throughout the series appropriately comes from Indiana. Upland Brewery has a number of brews on their list that seem to pair nicely like the Barrel Chested Barleywine and the Campside Session IPA. The Easy Chair Amber Ale seems like the best pair for sitting back and enjoying multiple episodes, given its 5.3% ABV and the fact it matches Andy Dwyer's hair color.
"The only thing I've learned in the last two hours is that American men love drinking beer, pee too often, and have trouble getting erections…I'm just saying, maybe if you people cut back on the beer, you could get out of the bathroom and satisfy your women without pharmaceutical help." – Rajesh Koothrappali
Love it or hate it, Big Bang Theory is the highest rated comedy currently running. It is also an excellent outlet for geeks who enjoy snappy comebacks that involve Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, and comic book references…and Kaley Cuoco. I have come up with a pair of beers that would have certainly helped early-series Raj find the confidence to talk to women.
Brewed specifically for Chicago's Comic and Entertainment Expo (C2E2), Galaxy-Hero IPA from Revolution Brewing is described as a "raygun blast of Galaxy and Zythos hops into your mouth for a crisp, dry finish." I can attest to this…Bazinga.
And speaking of Galaxy hops, the Galactic Double Pale Ale from Daisy Cutter pairs nicely and will help you get through the next time Leonard blows it with Penny.
"Did you just sip from an empty cup?…Why did you do that?" – Peter Gregory to Richard
I love Silicon Valley. It's new, it's original, and most importantly…it's hilarious. And if you've worked for a startup and possibly in tech, you're nodding your head A LOT…Silicon Valley is one episode away from wrapping up its 2nd season, so what drink works best for the finale?
One beer and one beer only comes to mind that would take care of you for a half hour of Mike Judge's smart and tastefully crude humor.
Like "Pied Piper", Not Your Father's Root Beer beer from Small Town Brewery is innovative, it's sweet, and it works fast with ABVs ranging from 10% to 19.5%. Perfect for a half hour episode and it's up and coming, just like Pied Piper.
"Drinking and lust…No man can match me in these things." – Tyrion Lannister
Game of Thrones is as complex and layered a show as you'll find on television today. So many characters and storylines with moving pieces, you can't help but theorize and contemplate what will happen next…
While it's easy to go with any of Ommegang Brewery's Game of Thrones themed brews (Iron Throne Blonde Ale, Fire and Blood Amber Ale, Three Eyed Raven Saison), which are all very good and fitting…I recommend another Ommegang brew.
The Three Philosophers Quadruple Ale has all the layers and flavors that fit Game of Thrones perfectly
"Your first drink ain't gonna be no damn schnapps." – Daryl to Beth
There really isn't much time for having a drink during the zombie apocalypse. If we recall, booze can get people killed (Looking at you, Bob!). One thing I DON'T recommend doing is eating dinner while watching The Walking Dead. But while Rick Grimes and his people can't enjoy a cold one, you certainly can.
A personal favorite of mine and extremely appropriate to the Walking Dead theme would be Zombie Dust from Three Floyds. Described on the brewery's website as a "gushing undead Pale Ale that will be one's only respite after the zombie apocalypse. Created with our marvelous friends in the comic industry." An ABV of 6.2% also makes having a six pack during a good binge watch leading up to season 6 more than alright.
"…sorry, I drift… sometimes when I've had a few, that's why I like to drink alone, one of the reasons anyway." – Rust Cohle
You're not drinking alone, Rust. At least not while we're watching…The incredible anthology series is so close to premiering its highly anticipated second season, unfortunately without either Matthew McConaughey or Woody Harrelson.
The new cast includes Colin Farrell, Vince Vaughn, Rachel McAdams, and Taylor Kitsch. From the promos we've seen the last couple months, Farrell seems like the "best" drinking buddy of the bunch, but we'll find out more later.
Raise your hand if you recently ordered a Lone Star because that's what Rust Cohle would do? I wouldn't blame you if you killed a six-pack while binge watching the first season preparing for the second.
With the show's setting moving to southern California, I recommend going with a personal favorite of mine from the region. Sculpin from Ballast Point has one of the best finishes I've had drinking an IPA. "…hints of apricot, peach, mango and lemon flavors, but still packs a bit of a sting, just like a Sculpin fish." Sounds like any True Detective character.
I'm going to be honest, this one is a real challenge. The ladies are in prison and not really drinking much throughout the series…because they're in prison.
However, you're likely going to have a glass filled while binge watching Season 3, which premiers Friday, June 12th on Netflix. Yep, I already know what you're doing with your Friday night.
Wine might be the more popular drinking companion for many of you while watching OITNB, so perhaps a great Barleywine will do. Sierra Nevada's Bigfoot Barleywine is a bittersweet malt but packed with flavor to carry you through a good 3 episodes of the show.
If Barleywine isn't your jam, I recommend a theme worthy sour called "Troublesome" from Off Color Brewing in Chicago. It has a nice lemon finish that's perfect for those of you who want to bring your laptop outside to watch OITNB on the patio in summer time.
These are just a few favorite shows of mine and probably yours. If you have some more TV shows in mind, Tweet me @Mike_PiFF03 and I'll try to pair it with another beer for you.
Ballast Point Beer Big Bang Theory Daisy Cutter Facebook Galaxy-Hero Game of Thrones Lion Brewery Lionshead Lone Star Not Your Father's Root Beer Off Color Brewing Ommengang Brewery Orange Is The New Black Pairing Parks and Recreation Pied Piper Revolution Brewing Sculpin Sierra Nevada Silicon Valley Small Town Brewery Television The Office The Walking Dead Three Floyds Three Philosophers Troublesome True Detective TV Twitter Upland Brewery Yuengling Zombie Dust


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PARADISE OF STORM
Valentines Sex
50 Shades of Grey and the Attack of the Throbbing Penis
by Guy Walker
The sun finally rose just enough to push through the beige tellurian blinds, the first ray of morning light shining through the dusty soiled bedroom, shining on the huge heaving butt cheek of the fat woman sleeping. Her breasts weighing down the bed, the blue veins beating slowly and tired, like each heartbeat was a victory. A fan in the corner oscillating over and over, blowing the long draping fern, then moving towards the sleeping woman, blowing all her starless sordid hair like she were really resting under a coastal breeze. A kitten was still waiting by its empty bowl, as it had waited there for most of the night, just waiting for the fat woman to stir, then wake, then feed him, then he could finally eat. But she didn't stir . . . she just groaned as all the little robins sung outside.
Lots of time had passed. The room was now full of steaming light, and the woman rolled over onto her back, naked, little heads of sweat pushing from their pores. She opened her eyes finally, her eyelids encrusted with all that grossly golden night, and she was staring up at a huge and absurd paper mache of a dragon hanging from the ceiling. It just hung there, completely lifeless, the blowing fan not even making it stir. Like it were some recoiled memory of life, just hanging there in the middle of the room. The woman shoved that whole body of hers onto her feet, picked up these old enormous panties, and slipped her legs into them one by one. And then those great breasts into a bra, trying to contain the impossible. She stood up and walked towards her desk, making the antique floorboards creak. She didn't eat, didn't wash her face, didn't piss, and didn't feed the little kitten. She just sat into the deep cracking leather chair, opened her laptop, and began writing instantly, her fingers burning furious, page after page written. Outside, the wet temporal English countryside buzzing and spreading, but the fat woman never once looked out the window . . . her words were just too magnificent. She can't stop, she is so inspired. Words and love and scenic delirium devour her. Her heart beats with more nerve and adventure than she has felt from all the real wanton intrigue she's had in the bedroom. She writes her next sentence: "Holy crap! He's wearing a white shirt, open at the collar, and tray flannel pants that hang from his hips." She feels the poetry flood over her. It's all too much. She'll need a glass of water soon.
She is Erika James, EL James, and she is halfway through her life epic, 50 Shades of Grey. No one knows it yet, but Erika will excite and satisfy tens of millions of desirous desperate women seeking something far from their pallid arid landscape empty of any romance. In other words, Erika is going to sell books.
In its primitive and immature stage, it started as a Twilight fan fiction series named Master of the Universe, and her pen name was the extraordinary Snowqueen's Icedragon. Unfortunate for us, He-Man, Prince of Eternia was cut from the original, and Master of the Universe was renamed to its current title, 50 Shades of Grey, a title of great enigma and enthusiasm. The book is nothing less than exceptional. Its prose is something that edges close to masterful, something that Tolstoy and Melville and Thoreau and Nietzsche and Joyce all writhe under envious graves that they did not come up with her words, or her bold original characters, or her complexly enraptured storyline: an average-looking young woman falls in love with a hot billionaire. And they have really hot sex together. In fact, our hero, Christian Grey, spanks the young woman, Ana. And she likes it. Then he whips her with a belt. Ana doesn't like to be beaten that hard, so it doesn't work out in the end. But in the midst of her libidinous appetite for abuse, we are graced with Erika's natural talent for words, something that we as readers are forever in debt: "I pull him deeper into my mouth so I can feel him at the back of my throat and then to the front again. My tongue swirls around the end. He's my very own Christian Grey-flavored popsicle. I suck harder and harder … Hmm … My inner goddess is doing the merengue with some salsa moves." As an aspiring writer, I can't focus on my own words anymore. I am completely aroused. My fully erect penis throbs for the next page. I read further and further, almost as fast as when Erika wrote the thing. This is as dangerous as Mozart's Requiem. It's something that has been sold to 90 million readers, in 52 languages, and read also by all the screaming shopping girlfriends who have borrowed the book from them. They're all women of course. But the sorts of women who buy and read this shit come from all sorts of chivalrous conditions: single, divorced, widowed, married, prostitute, suicidal. All sorts. None of them have actually ever been in love, and none of them have ever even had reasonable sex, but they all read and dream and fantasize about being spanked on the ass. They like thinking about naughty stuff like penises but they would never dare to do anything about it. Quite seriously, women who join book clubs, and discuss over tea and biscuits the allure of being bitch-slapped is something akin to men watching hours of hazy porn as their eyes turn red under all that languid hopeless heat, their penises sweaty and tired and flaccid again. In other words, everyone is too coward to realize out their fantasies. Rather than having great sex with a great partner, the women who buy this kind of shit prefer to read a book in their sweatpants and drink green tea sweetened with three packets of Stevia as they text their girlfriends how much they hate their ex's.
J.D Salinger may have forbidden any film adaptation of Catcher in the Rye, but E.L. James is smarter; she knows that her story is too important to keep from the masses of moviegoers, and so she sold the rights for $5 million. Hollywood makes great films about our most exigent ponderous heroes–American Sniper for example, about the smarmy brittle character of a man, casting his Châtiment de l'Orgueil across the deserted landscape by killing any brown male between the ages of 16 and 65. 50 Shades of Grey is opening on Valentines, which is just perfect timing if you and your date like watching sadomasochism but not actually taking part in it. You can watch a girl being tied up and beaten, and eat more popcorn while holding your girl's hand. It's something that hits right at the heart of a serious philosophic inquiry, something that Gilles Deleuze argued didn't even exist as a real term. Sadomasochism is of course the combination of one's desire to be bear pain through sexual acts, and another's desire to inflict the pain. For Deleuze it's something else. In his essay Coldness and Cruelty, Deleuze argues that the sadist actually attempts to destroy the ego in order to unify the id (the human's basic instinctual forces) and the super-ego, while masochism alone is the desire that intensifies because of a delay of sexual gratification; its sexual frustration is 'rewarded' as 'unwavering coldness.' This is known as The Contract: the process of controlling another, and turning them into someone cold and cruel and callous. In other words, because a man is sexually insecure or unsatisfied, he will be more prone to tying up girls and whipping them in order to feel a little better about himself. This is something every sex-related serial killer has in common with Christian Grey—they all need to assert their dominance over their named inferiors. Gary Ridgeway, the Green River Killer, for example, had an insatiable sexual appetite; he would charm women (mostly prostitutes) with a picture of his son, then he would have sex them, then he would strangle them—seventy-one of them in fact—and then he would dump their dead bodies in the river. Or David Berkowitz, Son of Sam, a New York serial killer in the late seventies who shot and killed several couples; whether they were kissing in their car, or having a picnic in the park, David didn't enjoy seeing couples in love while he had nobody to share romantic company. The most exemplary failed masochist of all is Elliot Roger, the 22-year-old who couldn't get laid so he decided to kill six people, targeting young women. Elliot Roger was Christian Grey's imperial predecessor: wealthy, the son of a movie director, somewhat good looking, and sexually frustrated. In his last video before his killing rampage, he says, "I'm 22 years old and I'm still a virgin. I've never even kissed a girl. I've been through college for two and a half years, more than that actually, and I'm still a virgin. It has been very torturous. College is the time when everyone experiences those things such as sex and fun and pleasure. Within those years, I've had to rot in loneliness. It's not fair. You girls have never been attracted to me. I don't know why you girls aren't attracted to me, but I will punish you all for it. It's an injustice, a crime, because… I don't know what you don't see in me. I'm the perfect guy and yet you throw yourselves at these obnoxious men instead of me, the supreme gentleman." Elliot was as much of a gentleman masochist as Christian Grey, the only problem was that he didn't have anybody to turn cold and callous, so he just killed them instead. His masochism was so confidently intact as he waited outside a Dominos for hours and hours waiting for a girl to walk by and smile at him so they could start talking and eventually fuck in a glorious fashion. The only difference between Christian Grey and Elliot Roger is Christian actually fucked. In the masterpiece 50 Shades, Christian Grey loves a gentlemanly dominance as much as Elliot: "I don't make love, I fuck…hard." In other words, Christian is empty of any human empathy. He feels absolutely nothing except for his throbbing aching penis and his alpha carnality for dominance. He is basically a complete vacuous fuckwit. Again to Ana, he says, "I don't know whether to worship at your feet or spank the living shit out of you." According to Sigmund Freud's Three Essays on the Theory of Sexuality, Christian Grey is probably just an incredibly guilty piece of shit who wasn't breastfed enough. Freud argued that inflicting pain on another during sexual intercourse is "the most common and important of all perversions," and that masochism is a form of sadism against the Self. Guilt, he continues, is very much a part of masochistic sexual tendencies, originating from an incorrect development of the child.
As much as people love discussing whether a pernicious chewing individual was born that way or the society they grew up in molded them that way—the old stupid debate about nature or nurture—it doesn't really matter for Christian Grey. Christian was one lonely fantasy of one lonely woman. What is impressive is that 90 million women are desperate enough to go out and buy a book to quench their muted doloric utopias of being tied up and beaten by a hot rich guy. Master of the Universewas the perfect title. Its only problem is that its meaning is too straight forward. People love their subtleties.
Across the road from where Erika is writing her epic, there is a cherry blossom where a nest is shaking and the mother bird is peering down. Beyond that there is a garden, full of pretty flowers, still covered in morning dew. And beyond that there is another tall house. Inside, a fat man in a stained white wife-beater is sitting back in his sad porcine couch, his hand wrapped around his sweaty throbbing penis, tugging on it madly as the man on the television gets whipped and whipped again, naked, screaming for more. The fat man is almost there, he's so close. His face contorts and freezes. Everything is silent for a second. Erika pauses for the first time in hours, thinking of her next word. She looks out the window. Outside, a group of pheasants erupt from the tall grasses. The fat man leans forward in the dim opaque room, coming all over his coffee table. Erika smiles, and then writes, "Why is anyone the way they are? That's kind of hard to answer. Why do some people like cheese and other people hate it? Do you like cheese?"
Posted on February 13, 2015 February 13, 2015 by Guy Walker Posted in Book Review, Current Events, Film, Pop Culture, Satire and Cynicism, Short Stories	Tagged 50 shades of grey, BDSM, Christian Grey, EL James, Elliot Roger, Erika James, Gilles Deleuze, sex, sigmund Freud, Valentines Sex	Leave a comment

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


The MHU Online Academically & Intellectually Gifted Certificate (add-on licensure) is designed to address the needs of current educators who are seeking N.C. Gifted and Talented Specialist certification. This certificate provides additional knowledge and skills in curriculum, instruction, assessment, social support to meet the needs of academically talented students in the candidate's classrooms. The program is recognized by and accredited by the N.C. Department of Instruction and our national accrediting bodies.
The program provides 4 courses (12-credit sequence) designed specifically for General Education teachers and support teachers who are working with gifted students in the classroom setting.
Understand the many diverse factors that inform the identification and support of K-12 gifted students so that every gifted child gets the support they need.
Create safe, inclusive, and socially / culturally-responsive learning environments that support both the emotional and cognitive learning needs of diverse groups of gifted K-12 students to ensure they feel safe and secure to take risks and fully engage in their own learning.
Use assessments to identify gifted and talented students, assess their progress and modify interventions accordingly, and provide summative data on their accomplishments so that program completers can identify strengths and learning needs of each student to develop instruction that is meaningful and justified yet lends itself to the monitoring of students' learning and growth.
Be reflective and use of community resources as well as an on-going professional development to ensure certificate completers are ethical professionals who support and advocate for gifted K-12 students through collaboration with families and colleagues.
Pre-Req. Applicants are required to hold N.C. state-approved teacher certification to be admitted to the program.
*This AIG certificate program is comprised of all online courses.
The courses for this certificate program will be taught by Dr. Chris Cain.
Dr. Cain is a tenured professor in the Education Department at Mars Hill University where he holds the positions of Coordinator of M.Ed. Programs, Integrated Education Program and the AIG program. He earned a B.A. Degree from Mars Hill in Elementary Education, an M.Ed. in Cross-Categorical (Mild and Severe) Special Education from East Tennessee State University and a Doctoral Degree with an ELPA concentration in research design focusing on assistive technology from the University System of Tennessee. Dr. Cain has published nationally / internationally.


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Broncos' Shane Ray still aiming for early-season return
By Kevin Patra
Published: Aug. 12, 2017 at 11:23 a.m.
Updated: Aug. 12, 2017 at 01:48 p.m.
Denver Broncos pass rusher Shane Ray tore a ligament in his hand in July. The third-year pro's recovery is going as planned.
"Everything's healing fine," Ray said Friday from a charity event, via the team's official website. "The doctor says my hand's healing well. My stitches, when they came out, my scars looked good. So I'm just excited, man. This process -- I look at it as they gave me four extra weeks to train, so I'm just going to keep looking at it like that, keep working and get ready for the season."
This is the first update we got on the Broncos' starter since he went down during camp.
Ray noted he can return to the weight room and gear up for a return to the field now that his stitches have been removed.
"That's a great step for me to be able to actually work out and sweat and do something else," Ray said. "So I'm getting on my cardio, trying to find ways to get in the weight room so I can lift. So it's all coming together. Like I said, it's unfortunate, but when I do come back, I'll be more than prepared."
The 2015 first-round pick said he's on target in his recovery and should be ready early in the regular season. NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported at the time of the injury that the hope was Ray could return by Week 2 or Week 3 at the latest.
The 24-year-old pass rusher brings relentlessness off the edge, a perfect complement to Von Miller. The Broncos won't rush Ray back, but if he only misses a game or two, it shouldn't hurt a stout Denver defense much.


I decided to treat myself for making it through the dentist by giving myself a manicure with hot pink polish to celebrate spring. (Can you tell I was having fun with webcam filters in the picture?!) Funny story: My hand twitched while I was painting my nails and I spilled polish all over my shirt, jeans, and couch. I guess I was feeling jumpy?!
So, now I'm ready to discuss my book writing process! Let's dive in.
As I mentioned previously, my book idea started with a question. I woke up one morning and thought if this happened, then what? The first thing I did was grab a piece of paper and let my mind run wild. I jotted down basic ideas, questions, names, themes, and places. I was honestly surprised I wanted to write a novel because I'm such a huge fan of nonfiction, but I decided to just go with it.
Once I had the basic gist of the plot, I started to create an outline. The outline was more detailed in the first few chapters, and I have continued to update it as I have delved further into the story and have a better idea of what I want to happen in later chapters. I will note, though, that I still don't have a specific ending for the story yet. I'm torn on what I want to happen, ha. I think as I continue to write, it will become more clear. I hope!
I made profiles of each character, then a spreadsheet of all the characters. I also made a document filled with all the town names, houses, and places in the novel and descriptions for each place.
After creating the outline, character profiles, and places document came the hardest part: starting. I was incredibly afraid to just start writing, but once I did I was fine. At first, I was writing thousands of words a day, and some days I still do. Other days I'm at 500 or less. I try to focus on quality over quantity!
I also created a scene list, which has been very helpful when I don't want to go back through the whole document and find a specific detail. I try to write every day, but it doesn't always happen. As for what time I write, I'm all over the place. Morning, noon, or night, if I have free time I try to hit the keyboard. I don't have a schedule because I work different hours and jobs each day.
I'm currently about 30,000 words into my first draft. Being the journalism major that I am, I have gone back and edited a few times, but nothing too serious. I've heard that you should never edit a first draft until you're finished, but it has been helpful for me to edit here and there so I keep my plot and characters' voices focused.
The biggest challenges so far have been choosing character names I like, writing from a male's perspective (each chapter switches between a male and female as the first person narrator) and just staying dedicated to writing as much as I can. It's way too easy to get distracted.
The best parts of this journey have been the learning experience of writing a book and having something that is inspired by various experiences I have had or have simply wanted to learn and write about. Basically, it feels amazing to create. I was asked if I will share the plot, and I may in due time. I'm still so protective of my "baby" and self-conscious about the story, but we'll see if that changes as I get closer to finishing.
I don't know if I'll look into having my book published. If I really like the story, I will probably try. If not, I'll be glad I embarked on this fun experience. Either way, it has been great and I'm following God's lead for my life as best I can.
I think that's everything?! Feel free to ask any other questions in the comments. Thanks, again, to everyone who is so supportive and encouraging. It means a lot to me!
That's interesting and I would have never thought about that with the character names. I think I would struggle with that too.
I'm glad to hear your dentist trip wasn't too crazy. Shots in the mouth are generally painful.
It's definitely tough to pick names that I don't have any associations with!
I agree with you on shots in the mouth. Never fun!
Oh wow, I feel like it would be really difficult to write from a male's perspective. I'm so impressed with you and your whole process!
And hey, I'm so glad that you survived the dentist!
It's definitely tough to think how a guy would think and then write that way! And thank you! That means so much to me!!
I'm so glad I survived, too! I'm still in some pain (ugh!) so I'll be going back this week. Hopefully it's just lingering sensitivity!
I'm glad that the dentist appointment went well. It's behind you. And your spring manicure is springtastic.
Thanks for sharing your writing process. That is so interesting. I love that you're using multiple spreadsheets – it makes sense that you would need those details in spreadsheet form.
Thanks, Amy!! I'm glad that's done. I'm still hurting, so I have to go back this week. Ugh, haha. Hopefully it's nothing serious and just lingering sensitivity!!
Thanks for the compliment on my spring manicure! It was fun. I don't paint my nails often enough!
I'm glad you found my writing process interesting, too! And yes to all the spread sheets! I feel like I could make ten and still not capture all the details I feel like I should, haha. That's usually when I'm like "okay, I just need to write now!" haha.
Aww, thank you Ellie!! That means so much!
So glad you came out alive from the dentist, and I CANNOT WAIT FOR THIS BOOK! I will be buying a copy.
Aww, thanks Brittany! I actually have to go back on Thursday because my teeth are still hurting/sensitive. The struggle is real, haha.
And ahhh thank you!!! I am so excited, too!
30,000 words is an AMAZING start!! I can't wait to hear more about your process! I can just tell how passionate and happy you are about this!
This book was meant to be written!!
Girl, I'm a writer too, and that many words (and that detail) doesn't pour out of you unless it's something special. Trust me, I know. 😉 Writing is TOUGH work! And your ability to write so much is just possibility exciting!
Thank you so, so much Nicole! That was literally just what I needed to hear! It means so much to me coming from you!
"I was asked if I will share the plot" — haha, that was me! 😉 I'm so curious what it's about, but I absolutely respect your decision to keep your "baby" to yourself until you're ready to share.
I am in awe of how organized your writing process is. It's interesting to hear how you plan your writing with spreadsheets and scene lists.
Well done for surviving the dentist. I'm glad it wasn't too bad. 🙂 Weird fact about me: when I have to get Novocain shots at the dentist, I silently recite multiplication tables to distract myself. It works for me!
Thank you! I did so much research on organizing writing and I still feel lost half the time, haha. Making spread sheets and scene lists has helped a lot! I feel like I could make 10 more spread sheets and still not cover all the details, but that's when I realize I just need to write!
Good idea for reciting multiplication tables, haha!! I actually have to go back to the dentist this week because my teeth are bothering me still. The struggle is real, haha. Hopefully it's nothing serious!!!
Oh no! I hope it's nothing serious.
AHHHH! This is so amazing!!!! You're amazing! I can't wait to hear more about it throughout your writing journey!


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U.S. captain wants Walker Cup players to have "fun"
John Miller (Jan Kruger/ Getty Images)
LYTHAM ST ANNES, England – United States captain John `Spider' Miller wants his team to have "fun" against Britain and Ireland in the 45th Walker Cup when the biennial amateur event starts Saturday.
Playing on the Lancashire links at Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club in north west England, the Americans are seeking to retain the trophy they won 17-9 at the National Golf Links of America in New York two years ago.
"I want it to be fun for them," said Miller, himself a Walker Cup player in 1999. "To make it an experience that they will never forget."
Welshman Nigel Edwards, the Britain and Ireland captain for the third successive time, will be bidding to regain the trophy he won on his first occasion at the helm at Royal Aberdeen four years ago.
The teams play four foursomes and eight singles on Saturday, then four foursomes and 10 singles on Sunday.
Miller's team ranges from 52-year-old Mike McCoy from Iowa and 37-year-old Scott Harvey from North Carolina to eight college players in their teens and early 20s.
"Cap's done an incredible job for us, making us comfortable," Hunter Stewart said. "He knows that each player on the team may prepare a little bit differently, so he's done exactly what makes us feel comfortable before the first tee tomorrow."
Edwards, who played in four successive Walker Cups from 2001 to 2007, said it was a "hard task" choosing "who to play and who not to play, which is great because quite often you come to the Walker Cup and not everybody has got their game."
In Saturday morning foursomes, it's: Maverick McNealy and Stewart (United States) vs Ashley Chesters and Jimmy Mullen (Britain and Ireland); Beau Hossler and Denny McCarthy vs Paul Dunne and Gary Hurley; Jordan Niebrugge and Robby Shelton vs Cormac Sharvin and Jack McDonald; Lee McCoy and Mike McCoy vs Jack Hume and Gavin Moynihan.
In Saturday afternoon singles, it's: Bryson DeChambeau (United States) vs Chesters (Britain and Ireland); Stewart vs Dunne; Harvey vs Grant Forrest; McCarthy vs Mullen; McNealy vs Ewen Ferguson; Shelton vs Hurley; Hossler vs Hume; Niebrugge vs Moynihan.
The Britain and Ireland team has a record five Irishmen: Dunne, Hume, Hurley, Moynihan and Sharvin.
The event, first played in 1922 at National Golf Links, is named in honor of former USGA President George Herbert Walker – grandfather and great-grandfather of former U.S. presidents George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush.
The U.S. leads the series 35 to 8.


Visit The Old Fort Douglas Military Cemetery!
Experience an immersive experience where you spend an evening exploring and learning the rich, vivid, and unique history of the Fort Douglas Military Cemetery. Hear tales spanning from the Civil War through the modern wars. This jewel is full of stories of the famous and infamous buried at Fort Douglas Cemetery. Learn about the Bear River Massacre, Crazy Horse, WW1 and WW2 prisoners of war, the deaths from the Spanish Flu epidemic that killed 1/5 of the worlds population, the Salina Massacre and much more.
Spend an evening learning the rich, vivid, and unique history of the Fort Douglas Military Cemetery. Hear tales spanning from the Civil War through the modern wars. This jewel is full of stories of the famous and infamous buried at Fort Douglas Cemetery. Learn about the Bear River Massacre, Crazy Horse, WW1 and WW2 prisoners of war, the deaths from the Spanish Flu epidemic that killed 1/5 of the worlds population, the Salina Massacre and much more.
Please meet at the Fort Douglas Cemetery in the parking lot on the East side of the Cemetery.
Please bring your cameras because you never know what might show up!
Please wear attire suitable to the weather. The tours consist of both walking and riding on our Grimm Ghost Shuttle in all weather conditions. Because their is some walking, we suggest wearing comfortable shoes.


text:
Census Sunday - 1850 Eastport Census shows John Shackford and sons Benjamin B., John L, and Charles W. (Blog 173)
1850 US Federal Census, Washington County, Maine
In the census conducted on Sept 10, 1850, we find John Shackford, age 68 a shipmaster reporting real estate valued at $1,000, living with Elizabeth, age 60, Marie Batson, age 19, Joshua Shackford, age 10, John's son John L, a shipmaster, with wife Elizabeth L, Abby Shackford, age 7, and Esther Shackford, age 2.
John's two other sons who lived to adulthood, Benjamin B Shackford, and Charles W. Shackford are also found in the same Eastport census.
Benjamin, age 38, a shipmaster is found twelve pages later with real estate valued at $1400, Harriet, age 36, John E, age 16, Harriet E, age 12, Mariette, age 9, Emma, age 8, Gertrude, age 5. Elizabeth Chambers, age 15 is living with the family.
Charles, a clerk is found right above John living in real estate valued at $200 with Sophia, age 29, Maria, age 10, Silas T, age 7, Edward W., age 4. Mary Underwood, age 29 and Ellen Craig, age 19 are living with them.
This is the last census where we find all three of John's sons as Charles was lost at sea Dec 1853.
1850 US Federal Census, Washington County, Maine, population schedule, Eastport, page 48? (penned), 244 (stamped), dwelling 272, family 360, John Shackford https: familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/M6V8-HRV; digital images, FamilySearch (http://familysearch.org : accessed 23 December 2013).
"Disasters, &c.," New York Daily Tribune, 1 February 1854, Chas Shackford, master of Brig Esther Shackford; digital images, Fulton History (http://fultonhistory.com : accessed 9 June 2014
Elizabeth S Shackford and Benjamin B Shackford ask for assistance dividing estate of John Shackford (Blog 172)
On February 14, 1872, Elizabeth S Shackford of Eastport states that she is seized in fee of one undivided third of the estate of John Shackford and asks the court to appoint someone to divide the estate. We presume she is the wife of John L Shackford, one of the three sons of John Shackford.
On April 16, 1872, Benjamin B Batson makes the same request of the Probate Court. Although Benjamin's request was filed after Elizabeth's, his paperwork appears first in the probate records.
In these probate records, we see additional verification that Silas T Shackford, Maria L. Shackford, and Edward R Shackford were the heirs of Charles W Shackford (Benjamin's brother who died at sea about Dec 1863). We also see that by April 16, 1872, it is known that John L Shackford has died at St Thomas, West Indies. (He died Dec 20, 1871). For some reason Benjamin's request seems to list John's heir as Jennie, not Elizabeth which may just be an error or her nickname. (We're currently looking for John L's probate records and researching what ships he may have captained).
Elizabeth states that Silas T Shackford, Edward W Shackford, ad Marie Shackford cannot be found in the state. Since these are most likely her nieces and nephews, it is interesting that she does not identify their current locations as they seem to have been found by June 15, 2014 by the disinterested parties who were appointed to inventory John's estate. Silas and Marie are in New York and Edward W Shackford is in East Weymouth.
HERE'S THE PROBATE RECORDS SHOWING ELIZABETH AND BENJAMIN'S REQUESTS.
John Shackford Pet for a Division of R E:
To the Honorable Judge of Probate for the County of Washington. Benjamin B Shackford of Eastport in said County of Washington respectfully represents that he his seized us on heir within others namely Silas T Shackford. Maria L Shackford and Edward R Shackford heirs of Charles W Shackford late of said Eastport deceased, Jennie? Shackford, heir of John L Shackford late of St Thomas West Indies deceased. In real estate, whereof John Shackford late of said Eastport in said County died seized and possessed an inventory whereof has been duly returned into the Probate Office that his portion of the same is one third, which he is desirous of hold-
ing and posing in serenity. He therefore prays your Honor to
grant a warrant to suitable persons authorizing them to make a division of said estate and set off to each his proportion.
Benjamin B Shackford.
To the Honorable Judge of Probate for the County of Washington. Elizabeth S Shackford of Eastport in said County respectfully repres-
ents that she is seized in fee of one undivided third part with others
namely Benjamin B Shackford, Silas T Shackford, Edward W
Shackford, and Marie Shackford in the Real estate whereof
John Shackford late of said Eastport died seized and possessed, an inventory of which has been duly returned into the Probate office
that has interest in one third in common and undivided which
she is desirous of holding and possessing in servitude. She freenice? Benjamin B Shackford resides in said Eastport. That Silas T
Shackford, Edward W Shackford and Marie Shackford
cannot be found within the State. She therefore prays that your Honor would or-
der notice in some newspaper for three successive weeks at least before such hear-
ing. And that your Honor would grant a warrant to suitable person authorizing
them to make a division of said estate and set off to each interested his or her por-
tion of the same. Elizabeth S Shackford
Eastport Feb 14. 1872
Maine, Washington County, Probate Case Files, John Shackford; "Maine, Washington County Courthouse Records, 1795-1950," digital images, FamilySearch (FamilySearch.org: accessed 12 June 2014); Probate Records, Probate records, 1872-1874, v. 25 pt. 1, page 34-40 , image 37-43
Wiley Kenneth L., editor, Vital Records from the Eastport Sentinel of Eastport, Maine 1818-1900: Note: Cover and title page of my hard copy edition are misspelled as "Eastport Sentinal" (Camen, Maine: Picton, Press, 1996), page 260
We've Found the Location of John Shackford (1782-1866) of Eastport's Probate Records! (Blog 162)
FamySearch.org, Maine, Washington County Courthouse Records, 1785-1950
We've found this wonderful index which will help us find and share probate records of John Shackford of Eastport!!!
We did take a sneak peek at some of John's probate records which have helped us find a source of John's death date (12 or 13 August 1866), let us know that he died without a will, and helped us verify that he was the father of Benjamin B. Shackford, Charles W. Shackford, and John L. Shackford, and grandfather of Maria Shackford, Silas T. Shackford, Edward W Shackford, and Joshua Shackford. Our next step will be to transcribe each of these documents (that we can find) and interpret any genealogy information contained therein.
Washington, Maine, , John Shackford Estate Record Locations; "Maine, Washington County Courthouse Records, 1795-1950," digital images, FamilySearch (FamiilySearch.org: accessed 14 June 2014); Probate records, Probate records general index, 1864-1901, v. 2, page 8, Image 41
Maritime Monday - Charles W. Shackford (1813-1853) Lost at Sea (Blog 160)
This clipping about the loss of Captain Charles Shackford, master of the Brig Esther Elizabeth was published in the February 1, 1854 edition of the Disaster's section of the New York Daily Tribune as well as in The Sailor's Magazine.
Charles was the second son of John Shackford and Elizabeth Batson. He had married Sophia Roberts Thayer about 1840 and had three children, Ann Maria Shackford, born 1840, Silas Thayer Shackford, born 1843, and Edward Warren Shackford, born 1846. In the 1850 census, Charles is found in Eastport working as a clerk with real estate valued at $200 with wife Sophia, and his three children ages 10, 7, and 4.
We do not know much about Charles' sailing career but assume that he most likely learned the sailing trade from his father who was the captain of the Boundary which ran a regular route from Eastport to Boston. We believe Charles started sailing the Brig Esther Elizabeth around January 1851 and our preliminary research has found the brig in Boston, New York, Eastport, Galveston, Baltimore, and Philadelphia.
It must have been a very sad and difficult time for Sophia, Charles' wife when she learned that he and his ship had left Philadelphia but had not arrived in Boston. She was 32 years old and had three children ages 13, 10, and 7. Over the next few years she had to deal with raising her children on her own and dealing with the probate for her husband. Over those years, his estate was declared insolvent and she was required to place the real estate up for sale. In 1860 we find Sophia living with her mother, her aunt and two of her children, Ann Marie and Silas while her son Edward has moved in with his grandparents John and Elizabeth. In 1870 Sophia is in Brookline with Ann Marie and Silas. We do not find her in the 1880 census but she is living on Tremont Street in Boston in 1889. She died in Philadelphia at the age of 75 from an intestinal issue. Although her death record says she was buried in Eastport, we believe we have found her grave in Weymouth, Mass.
All posts on this website are a work in progress. We'd love to learn of any corrections or additions to the information shared. Also we'd love it if you'd like the post here or at http://www.facebook.com/shackfordgenealogy) as that helps share the post with others. Thanks!
1850 United States Federal Census, Washington County, population schedule, Eastport, page 48? (penned), 244 (stamped), dwelling 271, family 359, Charles Shackford; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 9 June 2014).
"Arrived," New York Daily Tribune, 13 October 1851; digital images, Fulton History (http://fultonhistory.com : accessed 9 June 2014
"BOSTON," Semi-Weekly Courier and New-York Enquirer (New York, New York), 23 June 1851; digital images, Fulton History (http://fultonhistory.com/ : accessed 9 June 2014
"Disasters, &c.," New York Daily Tribune, 1 February 1854; digital images, Fulton History (http://fultonhistory.com : accessed 9 June 2014
"EASTPORT," Morning Courier and New York Enquirer (New York, New York), 27 August 1852; digital images, Fulton History (http://fultonhistory.com/ : accessed 9 June 2014)
"EASTPORT," The Evening Post, 24 September 1853; online images, Fulton History (http://fultonhistory.com : accessed 9 June 2014)
"EASTPORT," New York Daily Tribune, 28 November 1853; digital images, Fulton History (http://fultonhistory.com : accessed 9 June 2014
Find A Grave, Find A Grave, digital images (http://www.findagrave.com : accessed 22 February 2014), Sophia R. Shackford, Find A Grave Memorial# 68896278.
"Missing Vessels.: Brig Esther Elizabeth," The Sailor's Magazine, May 1854; online archives, Google Books, (books.google.com : accessed 21 April 2013), 1854, page 279
"Port of Galveston Thursday Evening, Feb 10, 1853," Weekly Journal (Galveston, Texas), 11 February 1853, Feb. 4, brig Esther Elizabeth, Shackford, Baltimore; digital images, The Portal to Texas History (http://texashistory.unt.edu : accessed 3 September 2013
Washington, Maine, , Chs W. Shackford; "Maine, Washington County Courthouse Records, 1795-1950," digital images, FamilySearch (FamiilySearch.org: accessed 9 June 2014); Probate Records, Probate records, 1854-1856, v. 19, Page 154, Image 157, Chs W. Shackford's Estate Representation by decree of Insolvency
Copyright 2018 Joanne Shackford Parkes (sharing a link to this post is appreciated but please do not copy this material and paste it elsewhere)


text:
Government launches new 'Export Service'
Home » Government launches new 'Export Service'
In Stag alerts
Government launches new 'Export Service'2022-08-192022-08-19https://seafoodtradeadvisory.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/logo.pngSeafood Trade Advisory Group (STAG)https://seafoodtradeadvisory.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/untitled-design-82.png200px200px
DAFF has opened the 'Agriculture Export Service' in beta testing mode. The new online platform allows agricultural export businesses to manage their information and interactions with DAFF in one place.
In the future, all agricultural exporting interactions will be managed through the Service. Try the new portal here.
This initiative is separate from the government's 'Export Supply Chain Service' (ESCS), which was launched earlier this month.
ESCS coordinates insights to help stakeholders navigate supply chain issues while connectivity to international markets remains volatile and capacity diminished and expensive.
ESCS has three main functions:
Shares insights with agribusiness, food and beverage exporters who may lack the resources to navigate complex international supply chain and logistics issues.
Access to Austrade's Global Engagement Managers and the Tradestart network. Austrade and Tradestart advisers provide one-on-one expertise to exporters and can help coordinate insights and understanding of pressures clients are experiencing. This will help companies adjust their strategic plans and manage export supply chains.
Coordinate and advocate for exporters on supply chain issues within Federal Government agencies, and state and territory governments.
Find more here.
Building Food Safety And Market Access Resilience in the Australian Seafood IndustryStag alerts
USA: Senators urging the FDA to retain and strengthen seafood traceability rulesstag, Stag alerts, Uncategorized


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Is praying to God a form of worship? Yes, without a doubt. Is praying to men or women who are dead or alive worship? Yes, without a doubt.
Praying to God is worship and men are to only worship God.
Praying to any man dead or alive is worship and to worship anyone but God is sin.
Through the selfless "yes" of the Virgin Mary, Jesus Christ, our Savior, was brought into the world. It is appropriate, therefore , that we offer prayers of petition and praise to the Mother of God.
Praying to anyone is worship and to worship anyone but God is sin.
WORSHIP IS RESERVED FOR GOD ALONE!


According to a Reuters report, Iran is ready to work with the United States and its allies to stop the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL or ISIS), but would like more flexibility on Iran's uranium enrichment program in exchange. "Iran is a very influential country in the region and can help in the fight against the ISIL [Islamic State – IS] terrorists ... but it is a two-way street. You give something, you take something," said a senior Iranian official. "ISIL is a threat to world security, not our (nuclear) program, which is a peaceful program," the official added. Another Iranian official echoed the remarks. Both officials said they would like the United States and its Western allies to show flexibility on the number of atomic centrifuges Tehran could keep under any long-term deal that would lift sanctions.
According to this report, Iran has sent mixed signals about its willingness to cooperate on defeating ISIL. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said recently that he vetoed a U.S. overture to the Islamic Republic to work together on this matter, while U.S. officials said there was no such offer. In public, both Washington and Tehran have ruled out cooperating militarily but in private, Iranian officials have voiced a willingness to work with the U.S., though not necessarily on the battlefield.
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said on September 19 that Iran has a role to play in defeating Islamic State, indicating the U.S. position may also be shifting. Despite not being invited to join the U.S.-led military coalition, Iran - Kerry said - could help "take out" IS.
Maloney notes that this attitude has influenced some audiences, among them former British foreign secretary Jack Straw, who recently published an article claiming PM "[David] Cameron should risk doing a deal with Iran" and his colleagues in the "P5 +1" (US, Britain, France, Russia, China and Germany) should be careful "not to make the best the enemy of the good."
Actually, it is Iran that needs the West against ISIL, as it could soon become the priority target in the evolving Sunni-Shiite sectarian terrorist war.
A recent document attributed to Abdullah Ahmed al-Meshedani, said to be a member of ISIL's "war cabinet," which Western security officials have deemed authentic, proposes an unlikely [wishful thinking] alliance with Russia against Tehran and Damascus in exchange for "Iran and its nuclear program" which would include inter alia Moscow access to an ISIL-held gas field in Iraq and backing the Sunni Gulf states against Shiite Iran and Alawite Syria. ISIL's ultimate goal was to strip Iran of "all its power," killing Iranian teachers, diplomats and businessmen and even destroying the Iranian caviar industry and "exterminating" its carpet industry.
Since ISIL took control of Mosul, the second biggest Iraqi city, the Iraqi army crumbled like a house of cards, ISIL stormed most of the Sunni towns in the Nineveh and Anbar provinces at the beginning of June 2014, approached Baghdad and threatened to attack the Shiite holy sites in Karbala and Najaf, the Iranian military leaders issued numerous, quite hysterical, declarations and went out of their way to convince their audience that Iran's territory is not under threat.
At the end of June 2014, Iranian border guards commander General Hossein Zolfaqari said the "ISIL terrorist group which has caused chaos in Northern and Northwestern Iraq in the last two weeks" has not approached Iran's borders in the West. He said Iran was boosting border checkpoints and plans to improve equipment of border units. Iranian Interior Ministry Spokesman Hossein Ali Amiri noted that there is no security lapse along Iran's borders with the neighboring countries, and no notable problem along the border with Iraq. "However, the necessary measures have been adopted by the Interior Ministry and border police," he added.
Deputy Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces for Cultural Affairs and Defense Publicity Brigadier General Massoud Jazayeri warned that Iran will give a crushing response to terrorists "and even their supporters" (hinting to U.S. and its regional allies) in case they dare to approach its borders.
While Iranian Navy Commander Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari underscored the country's special and influential role in the region and the world he also mentioned the necessity for increasing security levels in Iran's coastal areas.
The Commander of Iran's Basij (volunteer) Force Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Naqdi claimed that "the US has created and supported the terrorist Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) to sow discord among Muslims" and as a means to cause division in the Middle East region.
By mid-October, Iranian television published a picture of Quds Force Major General Qassem Suleimani on an Iraqi battlefield surrounded by Kurdish peshmerga fighters. His "transformation from a man in the shadows as chief of covert foreign operations for the Revolutionary Guards into a public hero" is central to Iran's message to the world: If you want to beat Sunni militants, you need the help of the Shiite nation and its top military commander. "He is sending a message to the U.S. about their influence," said Antony Cordesman, a senior analyst at the Washington Center for Strategic and International Studies. "And there is a message to the Arabs that they too have to deal with Iran."
Iranian General Amir Ali Hajizadeh said on state television in August that ISIL would have seized the Iraqi Kurdish capital of Erbil had it not been for Suleimani and 70 of his men intervening to defend the city.
Although Iran fell short of declaring an official armed intervention, the IRGC did send to Iraq Qods Force personnel, ground attack aircraft, and drones to protect key Iraqi Shiite communities and holy sites from ISIL takeover. Qods Force teams are located at Samarra, Baghdad, Karbala, and near Tikrit. These units have also been central to Iran's plan for organizing local Shiite militias that work with Iraqi government forces but are aligned with Tehran, on the model of popular militia units in Syria. Iran also reportedly deployed to Iraq up to seven ground attack Su-25 jets.
Initially these steps were taken to protect the then close ally Iraqi PM Nouri al-Maliki, but Iran is prepared to offer substantial military support to any agreed successor in order to keep its influence in Baghdad and secure its own borders and stability.
Iran's borders and its stability are threatened not only by external Sunni radical forces like ISIL, but also by internal ethnic and sectarian hazards which could erupt under certain conditions as Iran is sucked more deeply into the Iraqi and Syrian quagmire.
Iran is not different from Iraq and can be even compared with Syria. According to the Encyclopedia of Islam (Leiden) Persians represent only 65% of its population (55% according to other sources), Azeris 16%, Kurds 7%, Lurs 6%, Arabs 2%, Baloch 2%, Turkmens 1%, and others less than 1%. Most of Iran's minorities live in the provinces adjacent to its borders, the Kurds and the Arabs next to Iraq and the Baloch on the two sides of the Pakistani border. In contrast to the diversity of its ethnic landscape, Iran is relatively homogenous in terms of religion as 89 percent of the population is Shiite. The Sunni Muslims are largely drawn from Iran's Kurdish, Baloch, and Turkmen populations.
Western analysts and policymakers pay little attention to the plight of Iran's ethnic minorities, which have been heavily marginalized by the Persian-dominated Shiite theocracy. The suppression of minority rights has resulted in ethnic insurgencies over the years, some of which continue to trouble the Iranian regime. RAND analysts evaluated in April 2013 that Iran's quickly declining economy and its increasing international isolation could push ethnic minorities and their Persian brethren to join forces and to pose a serious challenge to the Tehran regime.
The Iranian Arab ethnic minority, the Ahwazis, has long endured oppression and discrimination and could be the first to emulate its Sunni brethren in Iraq and Syria. Iranian Arabs suffer from widespread poverty despite the fact that they inhabit a region rich in natural resources. Arab nationalist insurgents led by the Arab Struggle Movement for the Liberation of Ahwaz (ASMLA) were responsible for six attacks against energy infrastructure in the oil rich Khuzestan Province in 2013. Iranian Arabs and many pan-Arab nationalists refer to Khuzestan Province as Arabistan. According to the Iranian media ASMLA militants staged 20 operations in 2012 and they had received financial support and operational training in Dubai. A group of the Free Syrian Army (FSA) named itself "the al-Ahwaz Battalion" in a sign of solidarity with the Iranian Arab cause and to single out Iran's support for the Alawite regime.
The Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan (PDKI) is the largest and best organized of the Kurdish opposition groups and seeks autonomy for the Kurds in Iran. It was established in 1945 in Mahabad in Iran. A few months after its creation, on January 22, 1946, the PDK established the short-lived independent "Republic of Kurdistan," destroyed by the Iranian army on December 17, 1946. After the revolution of 1979 it emerged as a mass-based party and one of the mainstream political forces in Iran. Two of KDPI's general secretaries, Dr. A.R. Ghassemloo and Dr S. Sharafkandi were assassinated by the Iranian agents in Vienna and Berlin. Today the group is based in Iraqi Kurdistan, but agreed to respect the Kurdistan Regional Government's (KRG) demand not to carry out armed operations against the Islamic Republic.
According to PDKI's website, during a couple of weeks between August and September 2014 at least 25 members of the Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as well as an agent of the intelligence agency Ettela'at were killed in different locations in Iranian Kurdistan. It is noteworthy that these operations have coincided with the 22 anniversary of the assassination of Kurdish leader Dr. Sadeq Sharafkandi.
The KDPI's fights with the Iranian military in Iran marked the first clashes between the two in years. An Iranian army commander and several Iranian soldiers were killed in clashes in Shino. The KDPI has claimed responsibility for the recent battles and announced that they are deploying their fighters to Iran for "political activities," apparently in defiance of the KRG's stance. Despite the concerns of the KRG, KDPI senior officials announced the group will not retreat from the Iranian Kurdistan.
The Party of Free Life of Kurdistan (Partiya Jiyana Azad a Kurdistanê - PJAK) is a pan-Kurdish militant nationalist group operating since April 2004 from bases located in mountainous regions of Northern Iraq striving to establish a semi-autonomous Kurdish regional entity in Iran, similar to the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) in Iraq. The PJAK has about 3,000 armed militiamen, half of them women. The PJAK, an offshoot of the Turkish Kurdistan Workers' Party (Partiya Karkerên Kurdistan - PKK), adopted many of the political ideas and military tactics of the PKK.
General Ahmad Reza Pourdastan, Iranian Ground Force Commander Brigadier, announced that his forces have killed a number of PJAK militants who were trying to sneak into Iranian Kurdistan region (Rojhelat) carrying packs of explosives in June 2014. He termed the operation as a hard blow to PJAK.
A Sunni extremist group, Jaish ul-Adl, or the Army of Justice, based in Pakistan, has been carrying out a program of harassment, train derailments, assassinations and bombings since mid-2013. There has been a surge of attacks against Iranian military and provincial officials in Iranian Baluchistan in autumn 2013. On October 25, 2013, Jaish-ul-Adl killed 14 Iranian border guards and wounded six others in the border region near the city of Saravan in Sistan and Baluchistan Province. Iranian Sunni Islamists claimed responsibility for the killing of an Iranian prosecutor in Sistan Baluchistan province in November 2013 as revenge for the hanging of 16 prisoners carried in Iranian jails after the attack by the Jaish ul-Adl group in which Iranian 14 border guards were killed.
Five Iranian border guards were kidnapped by Jaish-ul-Adl on February 6, 2014 in southeastern Iran and taken into Pakistan. Jaish-ul-Adl killed one of the abductees. Iran has declared that it holds the Pakistani government responsible for the lives of the Iranian hostages.
According to the New York Times, Sunni insurgents in Pakistan increased attacks on Iranian border posts in the southeast of the country at the beginning of October, employing methods similar to those used by Islamic State militants in Syria and Iraq. A car bomber struck a fortified base near the city of Saravan, killing a senior officer; three police officers were killed in an ambush after responding to a distress call. In September, insurgents rammed a vehicle laden with more than 1,000 pounds of explosives into one of the outer walls of a central base before launching a surprise attack with a convoy of pickup trucks carrying 70 militants. Brig. Gen. Mohammad Pakpur of the IRGC said the attackers had been repelled only after a long firefight and the arrival of reinforcements.
On October 11, 2014 an Iranian police aircraft crashed in southeastern Iran killing all seven people on board. The victims included three senior police officers and a police employee travelling to the area to investigate the killing of four Iranian police border guards by gunmen near the Iran-Pakistan border. No group has claimed the attack, but Jaish ul-Adl is suspected to be responsible for the crash.
Against the backdrop of Iran's external and internal woes why the United States and its allies should be impressed by Tehran's proposals to help in the fight against ISIL and Sunni jihadists? More importantly, why should the West compromise on the vital nuclear issue when it is clear the Islamic Republic regime itself is a destabilizing force in Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Yemen and the Middle East at large?
 Parisa Hafezi and Louis Charbonneau, "Exclusive: Iran seeks give and take on Islamic State militants, nuclear program," Reuters, September 21, 2014.
 BBC, "Islamic State crisis: Kerry says Iran can help defeat IS," September 19, 2014.
 Suzanne Maloney, "Reading Between the Red Lines: An Anatomy of Iran's Eleventh-Hour Nuclear Negotiating Strategy," Iran at Brookings, The Brookings Institution, October 16, 2014.
 Times of Israel, "Islamic State said to eye Iran's nuclear secrets," October 5, 2014.
 Fars News Agency (FNA), "Guards Commander: Iran's Western Borders Not Approached by ISIL Terrorists," June 25, 2014.
 FNA, "Iran Vows to Give Crushing Response to Any Terrorist Aggression," June 28, 2014.
 FNA, "Police Chief Underlines Iranian Forces' Full Control over Western Borders," July 1, 2014.
 FNA, "Navy Commander Stresses Iran's Special, Influential Role in World," July 6, 2014.
 FNA, "Commander Describes ISIL as US Tool to Create Rift among Muslims," June 23, 2014.
 FNA, "Iranian Deputy FM: Iraqis' Unity to Defeat Terrorists," June 19, 2014.
 FNA, "Deputy FM: Tehran, Moscow Share Common Views on Fighting Terrorism in Iraq," July 1, 2014.
 Kambiz Foroohar, "Iran's message to world: You need us to fight Islamic State," Bloomberg News, October 14, 2014.
 Farzin Nadimi, "Iran's Expanding Military Role in Iraq," PolicyWatch 2312, Washington Institute for Near East Policy, September 8, 2014.
 Alireza Nader and Robert Stewart, Iran's Forgotten Ethnic Minorities, Foreign Policy, April , 2013.
 Chris Zambelis, "The Struggle for Arabistan: Tensions and Militancy in Iran's Khuzestan Province," Terrorism Monitor, Vol. 12, Issue 2, January 23, 2014.
 KDPI, "Report: Several members of IRGC and one agent of Ettela'at killed in Kurdistan," September 17, 2014.
 Fuad Haqiqi, "Mixed reaction to Kurdish fight against Iran," Ekurd.net, October 2, 2014.
 Vager Saadullah, "Iranian Kurdish KDPI chief: Iran set ambushes for us," Ekurd.net, October 15, 2014.
 EKurd Net, "Iranian army kills Kurdish PJAK rebels in eastern Kurdistan: commander," June 22, 2014.
 Marcus George, "Iranian deputy industry minister shot dead in Tehran," Reuters, November 10, 2013.
 PRESS TV, "Jaish-ul-Adl terrorists kill one of captive Iranian border guards ," March 24, 2014.
 Scott Lucas, "Iran Daily, April 5: Sunni Insurgents Release 4 Kidnapped Border Guards" EA WorldView, April 5, 2014.
 Thomas Erdbrink, "Insurgents in Pakistan Stepping up Iran Strikes," New York Times, October 9, 2014.
 Scott Lucas, "Iran Daily, Oct 12: Did Insurgents Down Police Plane in Southeast, Killing Senior Officers?" EA WorldView, October 12, 2014.


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