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Feud Erupts Over Which Connecticut Town is the Oldest
Town of Windsor CT - Google Instant
There's some serious dissension between two of the oldest towns in Connecticut.
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The towns of Windsor and Whethersfield are fighting over which town is the oldest. Fighting may be an overreach on my part. Let's just say there's a disagreement between the two towns.
Windsor is about 7 miles north of Hartford and Whethersfield is about 6 miles south of Hartford. Both towns date back to the 1600s. They are both claiming they are the oldest English settlement in the state.
According to the smithsonianmag.com., an archeology dig in Whethersfield has unearthed some very old artifacts which have reignited the "oldest town" argument once again. Bottom line, Whethersfield legally got their permission to be a town in May of 1635 and Windsor got their permission in June of 1635. End of story, right? Not really!
Here's the deal, the archeological dig in Whethersfield uncovered 20,000 items dating all the way back to the 1630s including coins, ceramics, and trade goods. Windsor countered with written records including colonists diaries proving they are the oldest settlement in Connecticut.
My suggestion on how to settle this once and for all is to find the oldest relative with ties to the 1630s from each town and have them wrestle in the town square. The town resident who can stay on his feet wins the "oldest settlement in Connecticut" contest for their town.


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Top 8 Victorian Era Poems That Must Be Read
victorianadmin
Victorian Era is a period in British history that refers to the reign of Queen Victoria, namely from 1837 and up to 1901. This prominent time is characterised by rapid changes in social life, politics, science and, of course, literature. As for the literary tradition, there are several features that need to be mentioned.
1) Turn to the Romantic tradition
Although the focus on reality best describes this period, there was a turn to a Romantic past with its symbolism and quite dark themes.
2) Interest in Myth
Poets and novelists got interested in folklore and medieval myths. They used the themes of knights and courtly love.
3) Scepticism and Realism
The poetry was not as idealised as it used to be in the past tradition. In this period, the tendency was up to realism and everyday life. There was also a turn to the themes of city life and urbanization.
4) Questioning the Church
With the development of the empirical knowledge and rationalism, people started to question not only the existence of God but also the morality of the religious institutions and the priests.
5) Belief in Science and Technology
The science was developing quite dramatically, and the crucial idea was that it could solve almost any problem. Education became even more important, and lots of people got interested in new technologies.
So if you need to write an essay and don't know where to start from, here's a list of 8 splendid poems. They will not only give you the pleasure of reading but will also reflect the era in the best possible manner.
1. Elizabeth Barrett Browning's "How Do I Love Thee"
This sonnet is famous even today because it depicts the love and purity of this feeling. It is written in a simple yet beautiful language to show the depth of the feeling. It is not a surprise that even today lots of couples find it close to their hearts and use it to illustrate their love for each other.
2. Alfred Tennyson's "Ulysses"
The main theme of this poem is growing old. The name refers to the classic myth of Ulysses that returned from the Trojan War. One of the most exciting features of this literary work is the use of the dramatic monologue that became quite a popular thing in Victorian poetry.
Lord Tennyson is known to be one of the first to use it in his poetry. The lyrical hero of the poem remembers the old days of glory and experiences the melancholy of the battles and adventures that are now only in memory.
3. Anne Brontë's "Night"
The youngest representative of the Brontë literary family has shown an extraordinary talent when it comes to poetry. "Night" is a classic example of her realistic and a bit pessimistic style that deals with feeling and romance.
It depicts the specific feeling that night brings to the narrator – a solitude comfort. Although this work uses a complex rhythm structure, it is quite short and seems simple.
The author dwells on the themes of night, dream and reality over illusion, creating a very distinctive metaphor.
4. Gerard Manley Hopkins' Pied Beauty
Hopkins was not only a writer but also a priest; therefore, his works are full of religious symbolism. It is quite contradictory with the mainstream Victorian ideas, and that's why it is so fascinating to read.
This is reduced sonnet that states new forms of rhythm and metre to bring the fresh look on the classic tradition. The narrator looks at the beautiful nature to see its pattern as God's prominent will and design.
5. Thomas Hood's "I Remember, I Remember"
Hood is not as well known today as he used to be, but this particular poem still has its plays in many students' hearts. It is a simple and repetitive poem that uses quite a straightforward language.
The main theme is remembering the childhood years and the beauty of a child's ignorance when everything seems so magical and simple. There is also a bit dark undertone to it as the poet compares the past to the present day.
The knowledge that he got while growing up didn't make him happier or wiser than he was before.
6. Christina Rossetti's "A Birthday"
This is a joyful and very bright poem, which is not very characteristic of other Rossetti's literary work. It deals only with a pure feeling of happiness and its celebration. Narrator celebrates the birth of her love and compares her soul with an apple-tree that is bending because of all of the fruit it gives.
The innovation is in the irregular rhythm pattern that can be seen in two stanzas.
7. Oscar Wilde's "My Voice"
The fame came to Oscar Wilde with his novels, but his poetry is also worth reading as it shows his talent and unique style. Through the complex structure of the poem, the author examines the themes of lost love and how it fades away.
Starting from a joyful depiction, the tone quickly changes – the love is lost and can never be here again. The narrator also mourns that for the loved one it will only be a dream that can be easily put aside and there is nothing left.
8. Thomas Hardy's "The Walk"
This is a nostalgic poem written after the death of his first wife, Emma. The main theme is reliving with the past and the sombre nostalgia of the old days that cannot be shared with her anymore. The narrator describes as they used to walk in the countryside before and how it all changed.
Then his wife was weak, and she couldn't accompany him, but he didn't think of her as "left behind". But now she is gone, and there is only a memory of the past. Hardy manages to set a nostalgic but not tragic tone, and the last line can even seem as lacking emotions. This allows readers to give their own interpretation of the poem.

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The best LGBTQ movies and series on Hulu
How to stream the Leagues Cup competition between MLS and Liga MX 1 Month Ago
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Get your pride on.
It's Pride month, y'all.
The month of June has been the chosen time to celebrate the LGBTQ community since the 1970s. In celebration of this gayest month of the year, many streaming platforms beef up their queer content. While most streaming platforms have a section set aside for LGBTQ movies and shows, much of it merely claims the title without carrying the soul of the community. In honor of the most colorful month of the year, here are the best LGBT movies on Hulu and the best LGBT shows on Hulu.
The best LGBT shows on Hulu
1) The L Word
Of all the LGBT shows on Hulu, this may very well be the gayest. The L Word follows a group of young lesbians and bisexuals traversing their complicated lives in West Hollywood. Intertwining character arcs and tones of love, loss, and the very human struggle of adulthood make this series a favorite for many, regardless of sexual orientation.
2) Difficult People
Hulu/YouTube
If you've somehow missed out on Billy Eichner's unmistakable personality, this series is a perfect way to change that. Centered around two aspiring comics in their thirties, Difficult People celebrates the cynicism that forms in us all as we age. Harsh, hilarious, and occasionally wholesome, this three-season series embraces the varied packages that gay people—and people in general—come in.
3) Will & Grace
Will and Grace/YouTube
Both the original eight-season run and the 2017 return of Will & Grace are available on Hulu. Celebrated as one of the most successful shows with a gay titular character, this charming series deserved the many awards it won through the years. Rather than obsessing over romance, Will & Grace's charm boils down to the enviable relationship between Will, a gay lawyer, and his best friend Grace, a straight interior designer.
4) The Bold Type
Freeform/YouTube
It's not hard to find TV shows that follow a group of young people exploring their careers, lives, and sexuality. But it's hard to find one that shows the journey as well as The Bold Type. Already confirmed for a fourth season, The Bold Type combines a clear love of fashion with a realistic portrayal of women and relationships, as well as believable depictions of varying sexual orientations.
5) Broad City
Comedy Central/YouTube
Few entries on this list can compete with the genuine, knee-slapping, pee-your-pants humor of Broad City. Raising a middle finger high to any notion of "feminine" versus "masculine" humor, this hysterical take on self-discovery is remarkably self-aware. It embraces the main characters' sexual discovery and hones in on it in the final season. If you've never tuned into an episode before, find the time today. You'll see why it's one of the best LGBT shows on Hulu.
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6) Claws
There's nothing like switching up a well-worn premise to make great television. Centered around five manicurists working at a Florida nail salon, Claws flips the script when the quintet begins laundering money for a nearby clinic. With a diverse cast that spans sexualities, races, and even developmental abilities, this series continually changes the game.
7) Gaycation with Ellen Page and Ian Daniel
For a much more casual gay romp, look no further than this examination of homosexuality around the world. In many ways, Ellen Page's world travels with her close friend Ian Daniel feel more like viewing a home video than a documentary series. Interesting, and fun, and genuinely educational, Gaycation gives viewers a glimpse into gay culture from Japan to Ukraine, making it one of the most revelatory LGBTQ shows on Hulu.
8) Harlots
This period piece manages to hit on a number of 21st-century issues, despite its setting in the 1700s. Set in London back when selling sex was not only legal but quite popular, Harlots gives viewers a fresh setting in which to enjoy powerful women. While the first season introduced and cemented the characters and themes of the show, the second season fully embraced its queer side. A third season is set to premiere in July, hopefully delivering even more quality entertainment.
9) The Bravest Knight
LGBTQ content for kids is painfully rare, and children's shows with any level of diversity are often hard to find. Thanks to The Bravest Knight, all that will change on June 21. The show centers around a gay couple raising their adopted daughter in medieval times, and little Nia—the daughter of the mixed-race couple—is set on becoming a knight. On top of all that, the show actually features a diverse cast, with characters voiced by Wanda Sykes and RuPaul, among others.
10) Stephen Universe
Cartoon Network/YouTube
Stephen Universe is the second animated series on this list, but it's more likely to be enjoyed by tweens and teens than children. Following the trend of shows like Adventure Time, Stephen Universe deals with occasionally adult issues in a lighthearted, colorful way. This series is absolutely beloved by its fans and serves as a perfect introduction to LGBTQ representation for its young audience.
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The best LGBT movies on Hulu
Many of Hulu's LGBTQ movies require add-ons to view. Rent, Call Me By Your Name, and even Brokeback Mountain are all listed as available on Hulu, but they require a subscription to either Starz or HBO to watch. This list is intended for viewers with a basic Hulu subscription, which offers far slimmer pickings. Thankfully, standard subscribers can still find some great LGBTQ movies on Hulu.
1) The Birdcage
MGM/YouTube
Nathan Lane and Robin William's hilarious remake of 1978's La Cage aux Folles should be mandatory Pride month viewing. This goofy but surprisingly deep film teases at gay stereotypes while still communicating the diversity and complexity of the gay community. Centered around a gay couple forced to hide their sexualities for the sake of their son, The Birdcage celebrates our differences in a charming and hilarious way.
2) The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Let's Do the Time Warp Again
Fox/YouTube
The Rocky Horror Picture Show has long been a cult classic among the gay community and beyond. The original 1975 film adaptation delivered this strange story flawlessly, which is likely why the 2016 version changed almost nothing. The remake features a few extra scenes to enhance the film, but otherwise it passionately embraces the original. Don't let the remake status scare you: It's still one of the best LGBT movies on Hulu. With Laverne Cox in the starring role, it's hard to go wrong.
3) Check It
YouTube Movies/YouTube
Many of the best LGBT movies on Hulu follow a goofy, comedic trend. Check It falls far outside this fun, flamboyant genre, opting instead for a more serious, realistic setting. A documentary detailing the formation of a gang by a group of Black, gay and transgender youth, Check It gives viewers a different look at the gay community.
4) G.B.F.
Movieclips Indie/YouTube
Even though it hews closely to the traditional "awkward outcast suddenly becomes popular" format, G.B.F. has surprising heart. When the titular character played by the actually gay Michael Willett (in a much-needed act of casting within the community) gets outed, he becomes the object of every popular girl's desire, and a pawn in their schemes. The film puts a fresh spin on tired tropes by mocking played-out cliches, making it one of the smarter LGBT movies on Hulu.
5) Kinky Boots
This British comedy might feel a bit outdated to younger viewers, but its basis in reality outweighs any outdated terminology or excessively early-2000s moments. Kinky Boots tells the mostly-true story of a failing shoe factory reviving itself through the manufacturing of shoes for drag queens. Quirky and fun, with overarching lessons about otherness and our inherent similarities, this 2005 film holds up better than most LGBT movies on Hulu.
Still not sure what to watch on Hulu? Here are the best movies on Hulu, what's new, the best shows on Hulu, the sexiest movies you can stream on the service, Hulu documentaries, anime, and the must-see Hulu originals.
Here are the best thrillers and action movies to get your heart racing, classic movies when you want a blast from the past, sad movies when you need a good cry, and funny movies on Hulu when you need a good laugh.
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ABC's of Maine Framed Art Print – Karyn Burns ABC's | Adorable alphabetized posters, placemats & more!
Kick it up a notch with our soup-to-nuts framed version of The ABC's of Maine!
Our popular print arrives to the lucky recipient in our custom sleek and simple frame, its delicate design picked specifically to flatter the whimsy and colorful designs of your print. Ready to hang and marvel over upon arrival!
Frame: 1 1/4 flat profile matte white moulding frame. Custom premium clear glass.
As each framed print is custom built to order, please allow up to 10 days before this item ships via UPS. Please note, all framed art sales are final sale.
The ABC's of Maine, copyright Karyn Burns, 2017. All Rights Reserved.


Try this small but illuminating experiment. Below is an image of the Milky Way Galaxy. Focus your attention on this image for one minute. Don't do anything other than look at the image. I know, your time is valuable and this is a big ask. One minute of sustained attention is a long time on the web. But see if you can do it. I'll wait.
Excellent. I'd like you now to take a moment to reflect on your experience. What kinds of thoughts went through your mind? Did you wonder why I am asking you do to this? Did you have the impulse to click or tap around? Did you experience anxiety or other emotions? Were you unable to complete the experiment? A universe of possibilities lies hidden within that single minute. Let's explore that universe a bit.
The experience of a single minute's worth of unscripted attention might be described as mental wandering, or what these days is often called the default mode. It's typically a moment of non-action, a small sliver of undirected time, in which you might be ambling along the beach or gazing at a star field. Most of us don't actively seek moments of wandering these days. Instead, we constantly choose the path of endless distraction and activity. We don't slow down, we don't pause to look around, and consequently we don't open ourselves to the world.
This is a problem, and here's why: moments of wandering and meandering cultivate wonder. And, in turn, the search for wonder is the source of most of our greatest achievements. The histories of all the arts and sciences are filled with stories of great moments of wonder gleaned from small, meandering, directionless moments. Wonder is a direct encounter with mystery. That encounter is the source of all of our growth and learning.
How do those moments typically occur? There are many paths to wonder, but the most common are directionless walking, gazing – as we have done, in looking at the Milky Way – and bathing. The story of Archimedes making a great scientific discovery in the bath – and shouting Eureka! – is a good (and probably apocryphal) example of this pattern. The history of science includes many similar examples of discovery while meandering, gazing, and bathing – especially in mathematics and physics. But each of these pathways to wonder is essentially the same: a moment of relaxed, mindful, reflection and contemplation in which we open ourselves to what we ordinarily do not see.
Here are two examples of that process. The first involves a story I heard several times while on trips with students, in the Amazon rainforest, in search of wonder. It's a mythopoetic story about an ancient and colossal black caiman – a caiman is a kind of crocodile – whose body can be seen undulating across the night sky. You can see the body of the caiman between the bright bands of stars in the image below. Those stars are heroes and gods. The great caiman is surrounded by them and is locked in battle with them. The universe is held in tension by the forces of creation – represented by the gods and heroes – and the force of destruction, which is the caiman trying to swallow the universe.
The caiman's mouth is forever trying to close upon and crush the universe, to draw it into its gullet and destroy everything. The heroes and gods are forever trying to prevent this fate, and the mythic cycle is sustained by this struggle. As it closes and is held open, the caiman's mouth is at the center of this cosmic narrative.
This story, which involves the cultural practices of myth-making, is the result of people gazing upward, in the quiet night, and feeling wonder at the spectacle before them.
We can use the same image for our second example. It involves astronomers who began, as children, with the experience of gazing at the night sky with wonder. Those early experiences led them into further gazing, with tools and machines, and to the same kinds of questions as our Amazonian friends: what is it, what does it mean, what can we know?
Astronomers have been gazing patiently at the galaxy for centuries. Recently they have discovered that a colossal black hole lies at the galactic center. You can find the location yourself: it lies near a group of stars called the teapot, which is near the lower right quadrant in the image above. If you imagine steam wafting from the top of the teapot, that steam is the galactic center. The black hole is hidden by a band of dark dust clouds that astronomers call the Great Rift. These clouds undulate across the spine of the Milky Way. The black hole, like the black caiman, might be thought of as a great, devouring monster. After all, the black hole lies precisely within the mouth of the caiman from our first story.
In both of these examples, our wonder leads us forward. What the cosmic tapestry is, what it means, and what we can know about it – all of this derives from the simple path of gazing with wonder.
These two examples are two sides of the experience of wonder, two perspectives from two different cultures. But in each of them, wonder drives the narrative. Wonder leads us to the big questions, connects us to ourselves and others, and provides pathways to meaning.
Currently we experience many small wonders, piecemeal moments of fascination and distraction with which we fill our days. Recently, when I took my university students for a meandering walk in the forest, many of them said they had never experienced such stillness and quiet. It unsettled them, yet also helped them to feel more connected. That's what moments of stillness and wonder do.
Wonder is the beginning. It is often uncomfortable.
When we fail to find such moments, we become lost, disconnected, isolated. We cannot discover meaning on paths without wonder.
As an educator I work with many young people who struggle with depression, anxiety, and the search for meaning. Most of them are involved in constant distracted activity that leaves no room for wonder. They become stuck in endless, frantic, fruitless activities that only lead them further from themselves. They are searching for a destination to which their frenetic lives cannot deliver them.
In my addictions consulting I also encounter many people who are lost and wandering, searching for authentic wonder in digital worlds that cannot provide it. Those worlds are small wonders – fun and engaging to be sure – but they are not sustaining enough to offer greater purpose and meaning. Digital and virtual realities provide just enough small wonder, just enough immersive fascination to divert some people entirely. They become addicted to elsewhere worlds and substitute meanings. Their devotion to small wonder entails many sacrifices in daily life – particularly with social connections – and this process incrementally increases their isolation and distress.
In turn, their access to authentic wonder is diminished. They experience no moments of relaxed meandering, no stillness, no wonder.
This problem is not restricted to the young and the vulnerable. It reaches into the very fabric of our always-on, ever-driven, exhausted cultures. Our big problems – climate change, global conflict, poverty – are connected to our small and individual problems, in the same way that the astronomer and the myth-maker are connected to the cosmos. In each case, wonder is the bridge that joins the personal to the universal.
We need more wonder. We have enough small wonder already. We need authentic wonder: that feeling of deep mystery, connection, and meaning.
Our ongoing commitment to wonder might start with something simple: taking the time to slow down, to be mindful, to be open and curious; to choose small moments where we can practice finding wonder together.
Let's try that. Below is an image of the Hubble Ultra-Deep Field, in which there are roughly 3,000 galaxies. That's about the same number of galaxies as the stars we saw in the image at the beginning. The number of stars in this image is unfathomable.
Allow yourself to experience this image for one minute, just a small sliver of your day, a tiny crack in which the universe is hiding.


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Tribes Aerial Assault (PS2)
Written by Nate DaZombie
Category: PlayStation 2
Tribes Aerial Assault
Developed By: Inevitable Entertainment
Published By: Sierra Entertainment
Available On: PS2 (reviewed)
Genre: First-person shooter
ESRB Rating: T for Teen: Violence
Number of Players: 2 offline
Price: $4.99 used
So as I'm sitting there with my friend, playing some shooter I'd picked up a little while back, he mentioned how similar it is to Tribes. "Tribes?" I say, "What's that?" "It's pretty cool, almost like an arena shooter but in a much bigger environment and with jetpacks," he replies. Making a mental note for myself, I told him that I'd have to try it out sometime. A few weeks later, I got my chance when I found a spin-off of the series, Tribes Aerial Assault, in a bargain bin and figured I'd give it a try. Who knows, maybe it's an underrated gem of a game.
I popped the disc into my PS2 and the game's basics became clear instantly: a twist on the old-school arena shooter with all the ups and downs that come with it. Deathmatch, Team Deathmatch, Capture the Flag, bot matches, two-player multiplayer, and plenty of maps—all the necessities are here. Similar to the previous games, each player has a jetpack that can be used to traverse the battlefield in various ways. "Skiing", as it's come to be known, is the most effective way to get around and can be used to quickly climb and descend hills, building momentum during the entire process.
And that's a very important thing in Tribes, because without speed, you're very likely to be dead in a few seconds. The most popular weapon among CPU's and humans alike is the Spinfusor, and it's absolutely devastating to any idle players. Almost everyone has explosive weapons equipped, so you're never more than a minute away from death. It's 100% chaotic, insane, and fun.
Strong Points: Classic Tribes gameplay, made even better with friends; plenty of maps
Weak Points: Bland graphics, hard to change controls, low quality audio
Moral Warnings: Violence and revealing outfits
Bounding off one mountain, skiing down the next, catching a glimpse of the enemy, and firing off that one perfect shot to win the game—Tribes is immensely satisfying once you have the basics down. There's a much greater degree of skill involved in Tribes compared to most shooters, and while it certainly takes some time to acclimate, the reward is worth it. Instances like the one I described earlier become common, and objects that were once obstacles become ski ramps and launch sites for hit-and-run attacks.
Unfortunately, getting to that point may take a while. There's a decent set of tutorials that help players learn the basics, but it's clear that this game was meant to be played on a PC. The analog sticks on a PS2 controller just don't afford the same kind of accuracy that a mouse does. Not to mention many of the button layouts feel unnatural and can only be changed before the start of a match.
This isn't an unfixable problem, as it becomes manageable once you find a control style that works for you, but it's still a major problem considering how important control is here. Sure, after 30 minutes or so you'll be able to hold your own, but that first 30 minutes will be filled with learning confusing controls schemes and dying. A lot of dying.
Once that phase is over, however, things become much more enjoyable. As mentioned before, there are quite a few maps and in addition to the basic Deathmatch, Team Deathmatch, and Capture the Flag modes, two other modes, Hunter and Capture and Hold, add a pinch of spice to the otherwise modest offering. Neither one is particularly unique, mind you, but there are enough maps to ensure that there's almost always another combination to try. Factor in the two-player split-screen multiplayer, and there's actually quite a bit of content here. Playing with a friend is an absolute blast, and the only area where this version trumps any of the PC versions.
Sexual Content - 8.5/10
Which is really about everything the game has going for it, since I'm well aware that the PC versions are better. I'm glad to see that Inevitable Entertainment was able to pack so much in, but it seems like everything else took a hit because of it. The audio isn't crisp, the voices sound awful, the graphics haven't aged well at all, and the controls aren't precise by any means. It's not exactly fair to slam a game for being on the wrong console, but Tribes just can't fit itself onto the PlayStation 2.
It's not that there's anything horribly wrong with it, but whenever I was playing, there were tiny problems just gnawing away at me. That structure doesn't look good, I can't change the controls, the analogue sticks aren't precise enough. Even a few moral issues popped up; aside from the obvious violence, I noticed a revealing female outfit.
Coming away from Tribes Aerial Assault, my feelings are mixed. As my first experience with the Tribes series, I loved it. The multitude of maps, mixed with a few different modes, and split-screen multiplayer more than justified the purchase for me. But at the same time, I realize that most people will prefer any of the PC games. If you have no other way of playing Tribes, and you have a friend to play with, this isn't a bad option; otherwise, just stick to the PC.
-Nate DaZombie
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PlayStation 2 \\


Historically, radical nephrectomy represented the gold standard for the treatment of small (≤ 4cm) as well as larger renal masses. Recently, for small renal masses, the risk of ensuing chronic kidney disease and end stage renal disease has largely favored nephron-sparing surgical techniques, mainly partial nephrectomy. In this review, we surveyed the literature on renal functional outcomes after partial nephrectomy for renal tumors. The largest randomized control trial comparing radical and partial nephrectomy failed to show a survival benefit for partial nephrectomy. With regards to overall survival, surgically induced chronic kidney disease (GFR < 60 ml/min/ 1.73m2) caused by nephrectomy might not be as deleterious as medically induced chronic kidney disease. In evaluating patients who underwent donor nephrectomy, transplant literature further validates that surgically induced reductions in GFR may not affect patient survival, unlike medically induced GFR declines. Yet, because patients who present with a renal mass tend to be elderly with multiple comorbidities, many develop a mixed picture of medically, and surgically-induced renal disease after extirpative renal surgery. In this population, we believe that nephron sparing surgery optimizes oncological control while protecting renal function. Copyright: The Authors.
Renal lesions can be classified as malignant, benign, or inflammatory. Inflammatory renal lesions may mimic malignant renal lesions on imaging and include infection, inflammation, or trauma induced lesions (1). Of the non-inflammatory cases, benign masses compose approximately 13% of newly diagnosed lesions such as oncocytomas and angiomyolipomas; the rest renal cell carcinoma (2). Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) accounts for 3.8% of all cases of adult malignant neoplasms. It typically presents in the sixth and seventh decades of life. RCC of clear cell histology is the most common, followed by papillary and chromophobe subtypes (2). Overall, the incidence of RCC has increased in the last three decades with an estimated 63,920 cases and 13,860 deaths (3). The advent of improved imaging techniques such as computer tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has partially driven this rising incidence, as clinicians can now detect pre-symptomatic renal tumors incidentally (3, 4). Accordingly, small renal masses (SRM) that are less than or equal to 4 cm are being detected more frequently. In the prior decade, the average renal tumor size decreased from 6.7 cm to 5.9 cm (5).
In part, imaging can assist in differentiating renal masses of unknown malignant potential. For instance, benign lesions like angiomyolipomas can be identified by the presence of macroscopic fat. CT or MRI scan with intravenous contrast administration can help distinguish those renal masses that need further evaluation. For a renal mass to be considered malignant, it should enhance with administration of contrast. However, 10-20% of small, solid CT-enhancing renal masses are found to be benign after surgical removal (6). In particular, differentiating a benign renal cyst and a cystic RCC by imaging is difficult.
In terms of the size distribution of RCC, 35% of tumors are < 4 cm, 33% are between 4 and 7 cm, and 32% are > 7 cm (5). Larger masses are increasingly correlated with malignancy and worse outcomes (7). The size of the renal mass, tumor risk profile, and clinical symptoms are all significant prognostic factors. However, pathologic stage is the most important prognostic factor. Patient-related factors like comorbidities and frailty are also influential in determining appropriate management.
In the management of a renal mass the most important predictors of post-operative GFR besides pre-operative GFR are both residual functioning parenchyma and ischemia time (8). Chronic kidney disease (CKD) in general is defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of less than 60 mL/min/1.73m2 for over 90 days (9). The different stages of CKD are categorized as shown in Table 1. End stage renal disease (ESRD) is defined as GFR less than 15 mL/min/1.732m2 and requires renal replacement therapy such as hemodialysis. As we progress beyond the Halstedian era of radical extirpative approaches in oncologic surgery and move into the era of minimally invasive surgery, a series of questions arise in the management of renal masses. One specific question that we will address is whether sparing nephrons impacts mortality.
As stated above, localized SRMs have increased in incidence and now are a fairly common clinical situation. Historically, radical nephrectomy represented the gold standard for the treatment of all renal masses. The first documented radical nephrectomy was completed for the treatment of renal cell carcinoma in 1963 (10). It still represents the standard of care in non-localized cases and for renal masses of unknown malignant potential in 30% of cases (11). However, practices have changed dramatically in the last two decades. It has been recognized that SRMs have broad heterogeneity in tumor biology and several management strategies are now offered, including radical nephrectomy (RN), partial nephrectomy (PN), thermal ablation (TA) as well as active surveillance (AS). Moreover, for treating SRMs, the risk of ensuing CKD and ESRD requiring renal replacement therapy has largely favored nephron-sparing surgery.
PN involves complete but localized resection of the tumor, while maintaining the most amount of normal parenchyma possible. For the surgical management of SRMs of <4 cm, PN has become standard of care. Some even suggest its application be expanded to masses up to 7 cm in size, given their 20-30% likelihood of benign pathology (12). With regards to approach, both laparoscopic and robotic PNs have been shown to have good outcomes with short recovery time, acceptable ischemia time, and less morbidity than open PN (13, 14). Robotic technology is generally preferred for PN, given the technical limitations of laparoscopic surgery, and the literature does support its use for moderate to complex renal masses given the decreased conversion rate to RN for robotic PN in comparison to laparoscopic PN (15).
Thermal ablative treatments such as renal cryoablation (CA) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) have materialized as alternative nephron-sparing therapies for patients with localized SRMs. Both techniques can be initiated percutaneously or via laparoscopic exposure. Some report reduced morbidity with this treatment but the long-term oncological control has not been well established, with a greater incidence of local recurrence reported for these techniques than for surgical approaches. RFA is reported to have a likelihood of tumor recurrence of 12.9% and risk of metastasis of 2.5%, even within a well-selected population (16). Meanwhile, a meta-analysis by Kunkle and Uzzo looking at CA showed a likelihood of tumor recurrence of 5.2% and risk of metastasis of 1% (16). These TA recurrences may be salvageable with repeat ablation, although some need traditional surgery. In the latter case, radical or partial nephrectomy may be impossible to perform secondary to the widespread fibrotic reaction caused by the TA (17).
However, the same population that may benefit from ablative treatment of SRMs, may benefit from inclusion into an active surveillance with delayed intervention protocol (18). Bosniak et al showed that renal tumors grow at slow and variable rates of up to 1.1 cm per year with a median growth rate of 0.36 cm per year (19). A more recent study by Crispen and colleagues that followed patients with a localized, enhancing renal mass revealed that absolute growth rate following detection of the tumor was 0.039 cm/year (20). In another study observing 209 patients with SRMs and limited life expectancy for a mean of 28 months, local progression occurred in 12% and 2 patients (1.1%) developed metastases (21). Besides the slow growth rate and limited progression of most SRMs, the risk of competing causes of death and of intervention may also favor AS in this population. A study by Hollingsworth et al. evaluating patients' survival 5 years after surgical treatment of RCC showed that one third of the elderly may die from their comorbidities (22). Therefore, elderly patients or patients of poor surgical risk with a small, solid, well-defined renal lesion may be managed with active surveillance, involving serial renal imaging biannually or annually, and delayed intervention when necessary.
Some literature endorses superior renal function with TA over conventional surgery. A study by Woldu et al. comparing renal parenchymal loss between CA, RFA, and PN showed that TA was associated with less renal parenchymal loss (23). In another retrospective comparison of patients with a suspicious renal mass of less than 5 cm, Lucas et al revealed that RFA has a freedom of CKD of 95.2% in comparison to PN at 70.7% and RN at 39.9% (24). In a European study evaluating cryoablation, renal function was relatively well conserved, as prior to treatment GFR was 66 mL/min and it was 60 mL/min post-CA (25). In addition, those with existing CKD experienced no change in GFR.
Limited data exists on renal function while on active surveillance. In a recent analysis from the Delayed Intervention and Surveillance for Small Renal Masses Registry (DISSRM), in a group of 64 patients on AS with a renal mass of < 4 cm and a median baseline GFR of 70.3, 64% of patients experienced a decline in GFR at a yearly rate of 1.82 mL/min/1.73m2. This GFR decline is higher than would be expected from aging alone. Furthermore, 24% of patients in the study experienced upstaging in their CKD classification (26). However, given the multiple comorbidities and advanced age of many patients who present with a SRM, AS remains an attractive alternative that warrants further investigation.
Most of the literature has focused on renal function after radical and partial nephrectomy. A main concern with performing RN is reduction of GFR and ultimately requiring dialysis. In a retrospective study of 290 patients with SRMs < 4 cm, McKiernan, et al. showed that 5-year freedom from chronic renal insufficiency, which was defined as a creatinine of > 2 mg/mL, was 100% in the PN group and 84.6%% in the RN group (27). In another retrospective study, Huang and colleagues revealed that 65% of RN patients, in comparison to 20% of the PN patients, had grade III CKD (GFR < 60 ml/min/1.73m2) at 3-year follow-up (28). Severe CKD was also more likely after RN than PN, with an incidence of 36% versus 5% respectively. In other studies, when the tumor mass and pre-operative GFR was taken into account the loss of kidney function remained higher in RN than PN (29, 30).
Furthermore, a retrospective study by Kaushik and colleagues evaluated patients undergoing RN or PN for a benign renal mass, which eliminates the confounder of malignancy in the survival equation. They demonstrated that overall survival at ten years was 69% for RN and 80% for PN, with a decreased risk of CKD in the PN group in comparison to RN group (31). This alludes to a possible superiority of NSS over RN with regards to renal function. Finally, one of the largest and most recent studies evaluating 2068 patients with a 5-year follow up period showed that renal function after RN led to new onset CKD stage III in 36.1% of patients and new onset CKD stage IV in 3.4% of patients (32).
Ischemia is the major concern with PN, as this may induce tissue necrosis and irreversible damage to the functioning renal parenchyma. This is especially pronounced in cases where ischemia is more than 40 minutes, although even in shorter intervals there is some evidence of parenchyma atrophy (33). However, whether reducing ischemia time leads to a reduction in nephron damage as measured by GFR function is unclear. A recent meta-analysis by Liu et al. revealed that there was a higher odds of GFR decline in patients who undergo on-clamp partial nephrectomy in comparison to off-clamp partial nephrectomy without ischemia (34). Yet, no study thus far has prospectively looked at the post-operative renal function of off-clamp versus on-clamp with ischemia.
Nevertheless, the largest randomized control trial comparing RN and PN failed to show a survival benefit of NSS. In the EORTC 30904 trial, Van Poppel and colleagues demonstrated that 85.7% of patients undergoing RN experience a reduction in their GFR to below 60 ml/min/ 1.73m2 in comparison to only 64.7% of the group undergoing PN (35, 36). Despite this diminished impact on renal function, the PN group did not experience improved overall mortality outcomes. In other words, the higher incidence of de-novo CKD post-surgery in the RN cohort did not portend greater overall mortality. Since the European population has a lower level of comorbidities in comparison to an American population, this study was more accurately evaluating the impact of surgical CKD (CKD-S). Perhaps, with regards to overall survival, CKD-S caused by nephrectomy might not be as deleterious as medical CKD (CKD-M).
Traditionally, literature on CKD has focused on medical CKD-M, which affects over 19 million Americans (37). This type of CKD stems from microscopic damage at the level of nephrons, either from hypertension, diabetes, or other medical causes. CKD-M increases the risk of death, mainly from adverse cardiovascular events (38). In addition, CKD has been associated with coagulopathies, anemia, left ventricular hypertrophy, arterial calcification, and other pathophysiology (39-43). Most importantly, CKD places patients at risk for ESRD and its accompanying high rate of mortality, morbidity, and cost to the healthcare system (44).
Only the urological and transplant literature distinguish surgical CKD-S from medical causes of renal dysfunction. CKD-S as defined by Lane et al is when patients develop chronic renal insufficiency after nephrectomy without an underlying medical cause for their renal disease (45). Because patients who present with a renal mass tend to be elderly with multiple comorbidities, many develop a mixed picture of CKD-M and CKD-S after extirpative renal surgery (46). This was confirmed by the landmark study from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center discussed above (45). Twenty-six percent of 662 patients with a small solitary tumor had preexisting grade III CKD. Furthermore, in a retrospective study of 4180 patients undergoing nephrectomy of any type, Lane and colleagues showed that the annual decline in GFR for patients with existing CKD-M who develop CKD-M/S was 4.7% after surgery (45). On the other hand, for those without pre-existing CKD who developed CKD-S, the decline was only 0.7% in GFR. Post-operative GFR was not a significant predictor of survival after 6.6-year median follow-up for patients with CKD-S but did predict survival in those with CKD-M/S with worse survival for those with lower post-operative GFR. This data was supported by another study from the same group in which CKD-M/S and CKD-S groups were compared to those with CKD-M who did not undergo surgery. Demirjian and colleagues showed that the CKD-S group had better overall survival and less of a decline in renal function (47). This validates that CKD-S is a separate entity from CKD-M and mixed CKD-M/S. It follows that urological experience with CKD-S may parallel that of the donor nephrectomy population analyzed in the transplant literature.
The hypothesized mechanism for renal injury after renal transplant in the remaining donor's kidney is renal hyperfiltration possibly followed or preceded by renal hypertrophy. Animal models as well as research on human renal tissue show that after nephron loss there is a concomitant increase in the GFR of the remaining kidney (48, 49). It is hypothesized that given the decline in the number of nephrons, the remaining kidney tissue hypertrophies leading to increased renal volume due to the increase of renal plasma flow and increased intraglomerular pressure (50). Eventually the nephrons become unable to compensate with the increased load leading to nephron exhaustion (51). Brenner and colleagues propose that this increased hyperfiltration and the decrease in nephron number may explain why some patients develop renal injury, hypertension, proteinuria and other kidney related diseases (52).
However, since not all patients develop this adverse pathology or a significant GFR decline after surgery, there must be a further explanation. There may be a threshold below which a kidney can tolerate further strain— that is a nephron reserve defined by the nephron surface area and mass (53). Once this reserve is overwhelmed, perhaps damage becomes unmanageable with ensuing kidney function decline. The evidence for this theory largely stems from animal studies, retrospective papers, and one prospective study. Brenner et al in a rat model showed that after thermal renal ablation of a renal mass the remaining nephrons experience hypertrophy on pathology (54). From this experiment, it was hypothesized that the increase in GFR with concomitant low nephron reserve leads to increased intraglomerular hypertension and eventually albuminuria and kidney function decline in humans also (55). This increase in GFR measured by higher than normal rates has been shown to occur in patients with unilateral renal agenesis, congenitally reduced nephron numbers, and acquired reduction in renal mass (56-58). Elsherbiny and colleagues suggest that increased renal plasma flow may induce renal damage that eventually leads to glomerulosclerosis, GFR decline, and hypertension (59). Their study looked at nephron size using biopsies obtained from donor kidneys during transplantation and showed that indeed some of these predicted structural characteristics of hyperfiltration are seen in humans pre-operatively in patients with high GFR at time of their biopsy. Moreover, larger glomerular volume, increased mean profile tubular area, and lower glomerular density were all associated with risk factors for CKD (59).
To be a kidney donor, stringent criteria must be met including having a high baseline GFR and minimal to no comorbidities. The transplant literature has analyzed survival in these patients who have donated their kidney. This population may most accurately reflect CKD-S. In a large cross-sectional study among older kidney donors, Fehrman-Ekholm et al showed that 10% developed proteinuria and half of the male donors developed hypertension (60). Both of these results are higher than expected in the general non-donor population. Overall, 72% of the group had a decline in their average estimated GFR based on their age. Out of 402 donors who lived to follow up, only 5 patients developed a GFR of less than 30 and 1 patient ultimately required dialysis. Ibrahim and colleagues evaluated the incidence of ESRD after unilateral donor nephrectomy and found that 14.5% of their cohort developed CKD with a GFR of less than 60 ml/min/ 1.73m2 at most recent follow up. They also noted a higher than expected incidence of hypertension and albuminuria, but overall survival did not differ between kidney donors and matched non-donors (61). This further suggests that surgically induced reductions in GFR may not affect patient survival, unlike medically induced declines. In addition, this data may elucidate why the EORTC 30904 failed to show a survival benefit for PN despite the increased CKD in the RN cohort.
Other than renal biopsy, there is currently no mechanism that predicts what the pathology of a renal mass will be. Both advances in imaging and development of biomarkers that can be correlated with histology are necessary to help differentiate renal masses. This would prevent the surgical removal of a substantial number of tumors that are actually benign or of low malignant potential. It could also guide in selecting the appropriate management strategy based on tumor risk profile along with patient characteristics. Improving our assessment of kidney function beyond GFR would also assist in more aptly risk stratifying patients.
Furthermore, research should be dedicated to resolving the question of whether RN is superior to PN in terms of overall survival in a more heterogeneous population. Ideally, another randomized controlled trial should be completed. Along these lines, further evaluation of the alternative nephron-sparing techniques and their oncological as well as renal functional impact is necessary. Studies with longer-term follow up are needed for thermal ablation and active surveillance.
Finally, a better grasp of the pathophysiology of surgically induced chronic kidney disease is warranted. Further understanding of the mixed state of medically and surgically induced CKD in the aging population is also necessary. While surgically induced CKD seems to be a separate entity with different mortality rates, the literature currently makes little or no distinction.
In patients with small renal masses, a solitary kidney, multiple comorbidities, or those with multiple tumors, nephron-sparing surgery, mainly partial nephrectomy, is considered standard of care. Thermal ablative treatments have materialized as alternative nephron-sparing therapies for patients with localized small renal masses. These therapies have been associated with higher recurrence rates and have unknown long-term oncological outcomes. Therefore, of the nephron-sparing treatments, we would argue that partial nephrectomy optimizes oncological control while protecting renal function.
Nonetheless, a large randomized controlled trial comparing radical and partial nephrectomy failed to show a survival benefit of nephron sparing surgery. This finding as well as data from the kidney donor population indicates that surgically induced renal dysfunction may not warrant as much concern or vigilance as medically induced renal disease. Further investigation and randomized trials are warranted to help elucidate the benefits of PN in comparison to RN as well to explore the pathophysiology and impact of medically versus surgically induced chronic kidney disease.
Danny Lascano was funded by a National Institutes of Health- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney diseases (NIH-NIDDK) T35 grant. (Grant: 5T35DK93430-3).
3. SEER Cancer Statistics Review (CSR) 1975-2011.
19. Bosniak MA, Krinsky GA, Waisman J. Management of small incidental renal parenchymal tumours by watchful waiting in selected patients based on observation of tumour growth rates. J Urol, suppl. 1996;155:584A abstract.
51. Terasaki PI, Koyama H, Cecka JM, Gjertson DW. The hyperfiltration hypothesis in human renal transplantation. Transplantation. 1994;57(10):1450-4.
54. Hostetter TH, Olson JL, Rennke HG, Venkatachalam MA, Brenner BM. Hyperfiltration in remnant nephrons: a potentially adverse response to renal ablation. Am J Physiol. 1981 Jul;241(1):F85-93.


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text:
/**
 * @author Mat Groves
 *
 * Big thanks to the very clever Matt DesLauriers <mattdesl> https://github.com/mattdesl/
 * for creating the original pixi version!
 *
 * Heavily inspired by LibGDX's WebGLSpriteBatch:
 * https://github.com/libgdx/libgdx/blob/master/gdx/src/com/badlogic/gdx/graphics/g2d/WebGLSpriteBatch.java
 */

 /**
 *
 * @class WebGLSpriteBatch
 * @private
 * @constructor
 * @param gl {WebGLContext} the current WebGL drawing context
 *
 */
PIXI.WebGLSpriteBatch = function(gl)
{

    /**
     *
     *
     * @property vertSize
     * @type Number
     */
    this.vertSize = 6;

    /**
     * The number of images in the SpriteBatch before it flushes
     * @property size
     * @type Number
     */
    this.size = 10000;//Math.pow(2, 16) /  this.vertSize;

    //the total number of floats in our batch
    var numVerts = this.size * 4 *  this.vertSize;
    //the total number of indices in our batch
    var numIndices = this.size * 6;

    //vertex data

    /**
    * Holds the vertices
    *
    * @property vertices
    * @type Float32Array
    */
    this.vertices = new Float32Array(numVerts);

    //index data
    /**
     * Holds the indices
     *
     * @property indices
     * @type Uint16Array
     */
    this.indices = new Uint16Array(numIndices);

    this.lastIndexCount = 0;

    for (var i=0, j=0; i < numIndices; i += 6, j += 4)
    {
        this.indices[i + 0] = j + 0;
        this.indices[i + 1] = j + 1;
        this.indices[i + 2] = j + 2;
        this.indices[i + 3] = j + 0;
        this.indices[i + 4] = j + 2;
        this.indices[i + 5] = j + 3;
    }

    this.drawing = false;
    this.currentBatchSize = 0;
    this.currentBaseTexture = null;

    this.setContext(gl);
};

/**
*
* @method setContext
*
* @param gl {WebGLContext} the current WebGL drawing context
*/
PIXI.WebGLSpriteBatch.prototype.setContext = function(gl)
{
    this.gl = gl;

    // create a couple of buffers
    this.vertexBuffer = gl.createBuffer();
    this.indexBuffer = gl.createBuffer();

    // 65535 is max index, so 65535 / 6 = 10922.

    //upload the index data
    gl.bindBuffer(gl.ELEMENT_ARRAY_BUFFER, this.indexBuffer);
    gl.bufferData(gl.ELEMENT_ARRAY_BUFFER, this.indices, gl.STATIC_DRAW);

    gl.bindBuffer(gl.ARRAY_BUFFER, this.vertexBuffer);
    gl.bufferData(gl.ARRAY_BUFFER, this.vertices, gl.DYNAMIC_DRAW);

    this.currentBlendMode = 99999;
};

/**
*
* @method begin
*
* @param renderSession {RenderSession} the RenderSession
*/
PIXI.WebGLSpriteBatch.prototype.begin = function(renderSession)
{
    this.renderSession = renderSession;
    this.shader = this.renderSession.shaderManager.defaultShader;

    this.start();
};

/**
*
* @method end
*
*/
PIXI.WebGLSpriteBatch.prototype.end = function()
{
    this.flush();
};

/**
*
* @method render
*
* @param sprite {Sprite} the sprite to render when using this spritebatch
*/
PIXI.WebGLSpriteBatch.prototype.render = function(sprite)
{
    // check texture..
    if(sprite.texture.baseTexture !== this.currentBaseTexture || this.currentBatchSize >= this.size)
    {
        this.flush();
        this.currentBaseTexture = sprite.texture.baseTexture;
    }

    // check blend mode
    if(sprite.blendMode !== this.currentBlendMode)
    {
        this.setBlendMode(sprite.blendMode);
    }

    // get the uvs for the texture
    var uvs = sprite._uvs || sprite.texture._uvs;
    // if the uvs have not updated then no point rendering just yet!
    if(!uvs)return;

    // get the sprites current alpha
    var alpha = sprite.worldAlpha;
    var tint = sprite.tint;

    var verticies = this.vertices;

    var width = sprite.texture.frame.width;
    var height = sprite.texture.frame.height;

    // TODO trim??
    var aX = sprite.anchor.x;
    var aY = sprite.anchor.y;

    var w0, w1, h0, h1;

    if (sprite.texture.trim)
    {
        // if the sprite is trimmed then we need to add the extra space before transforming the sprite coords..
        var trim = sprite.texture.trim;

        w1 = trim.x - aX * trim.width;
        w0 = w1 + width;

        h1 = trim.y - aY * trim.height;
        h0 = h1 + height;
    }
    else
    {
        w0 = (width ) * (1-aX);
        w1 = (width ) * -aX;

        h0 = height * (1-aY);
        h1 = height * -aY;
    }

    var index = this.currentBatchSize * 4 * this.vertSize;

    var worldTransform = sprite.worldTransform;//.toArray();

    var a = worldTransform.a;//[0];
    var b = worldTransform.c;//[3];
    var c = worldTransform.b;//[1];
    var d = worldTransform.d;//[4];
    var tx = worldTransform.tx;//[2];
    var ty = worldTransform.ty;///[5];

    // xy
    verticies[index++] = a * w1 + c * h1 + tx;
    verticies[index++] = d * h1 + b * w1 + ty;
    // uv
    verticies[index++] = uvs.x0;
    verticies[index++] = uvs.y0;
    // color
    verticies[index++] = alpha;
    verticies[index++] = tint;

    // xy
    verticies[index++] = a * w0 + c * h1 + tx;
    verticies[index++] = d * h1 + b * w0 + ty;
    // uv
    verticies[index++] = uvs.x1;
    verticies[index++] = uvs.y1;
    // color
    verticies[index++] = alpha;
    verticies[index++] = tint;

    // xy
    verticies[index++] = a * w0 + c * h0 + tx;
    verticies[index++] = d * h0 + b * w0 + ty;
    // uv
    verticies[index++] = uvs.x2;
    verticies[index++] = uvs.y2;
    // color
    verticies[index++] = alpha;
    verticies[index++] = tint;

    // xy
    verticies[index++] = a * w1 + c * h0 + tx;
    verticies[index++] = d * h0 + b * w1 + ty;
    // uv
    verticies[index++] = uvs.x3;
    verticies[index++] = uvs.y3;
    // color
    verticies[index++] = alpha;
    verticies[index++] = tint;

    // increment the batchsize
    this.currentBatchSize++;

};

/**
* Renders a tilingSprite using the spriteBatch
* @method renderTilingSprite
*
* @param sprite {TilingSprite} the tilingSprite to render
*/
PIXI.WebGLSpriteBatch.prototype.renderTilingSprite = function(tilingSprite)
{
    var texture = tilingSprite.tilingTexture;

    if(texture.baseTexture !== this.currentBaseTexture || this.currentBatchSize >= this.size)
    {
        this.flush();
        this.currentBaseTexture = texture.baseTexture;
    }

     // check blend mode
    if(tilingSprite.blendMode !== this.currentBlendMode)
    {
        this.setBlendMode(tilingSprite.blendMode);
    }

     // set the textures uvs temporarily
    // TODO create a separate texture so that we can tile part of a texture

    if(!tilingSprite._uvs)tilingSprite._uvs = new Float32Array(8);

    var uvs = tilingSprite._uvs;

    tilingSprite.tilePosition.x %= texture.baseTexture.width;
    tilingSprite.tilePosition.y %= texture.baseTexture.height;

    var offsetX =  tilingSprite.tilePosition.x/texture.baseTexture.width;
    var offsetY =  tilingSprite.tilePosition.y/texture.baseTexture.height;

    var scaleX =  (tilingSprite.width / texture.baseTexture.width)  / (tilingSprite.tileScale.x * tilingSprite.tileScaleOffset.x);
    var scaleY =  (tilingSprite.height / texture.baseTexture.height) / (tilingSprite.tileScale.y * tilingSprite.tileScaleOffset.y);

    uvs.x0 = 0 - offsetX;
    uvs.y0 = 0 - offsetY;

    uvs.x1 = (1 * scaleX) - offsetX;
    uvs.y1 = 0 - offsetY;

    uvs.x2 = (1 * scaleX) - offsetX;
    uvs.y2 = (1 * scaleY) - offsetY;

    uvs.x3 = 0 - offsetX;
    uvs.y3 = (1 *scaleY) - offsetY;

    // get the tilingSprites current alpha
    var alpha = tilingSprite.worldAlpha;
    var tint = tilingSprite.tint;

    var  verticies = this.vertices;

    var width = tilingSprite.width;
    var height = tilingSprite.height;

    // TODO trim??
    var aX = tilingSprite.anchor.x; // - tilingSprite.texture.trim.x
    var aY = tilingSprite.anchor.y; //- tilingSprite.texture.trim.y
    var w0 = width * (1-aX);
    var w1 = width * -aX;

    var h0 = height * (1-aY);
    var h1 = height * -aY;

    var index = this.currentBatchSize * 4 * this.vertSize;

    var worldTransform = tilingSprite.worldTransform;

    var a = worldTransform.a;//[0];
    var b = worldTransform.c;//[3];
    var c = worldTransform.b;//[1];
    var d = worldTransform.d;//[4];
    var tx = worldTransform.tx;//[2];
    var ty = worldTransform.ty;///[5];

    // xy
    verticies[index++] = a * w1 + c * h1 + tx;
    verticies[index++] = d * h1 + b * w1 + ty;
    // uv
    verticies[index++] = uvs.x0;
    verticies[index++] = uvs.y0;
    // color
    verticies[index++] = alpha;
    verticies[index++] = tint;

    // xy
    verticies[index++] = a * w0 + c * h1 + tx;
    verticies[index++] = d * h1 + b * w0 + ty;
    // uv
    verticies[index++] = uvs.x1;
    verticies[index++] = uvs.y1;
    // color
    verticies[index++] = alpha;
    verticies[index++] = tint;

    // xy
    verticies[index++] = a * w0 + c * h0 + tx;
    verticies[index++] = d * h0 + b * w0 + ty;
    // uv
    verticies[index++] = uvs.x2;
    verticies[index++] = uvs.y2;
    // color
    verticies[index++] = alpha;
    verticies[index++] = tint;

    // xy
    verticies[index++] = a * w1 + c * h0 + tx;
    verticies[index++] = d * h0 + b * w1 + ty;
    // uv
    verticies[index++] = uvs.x3;
    verticies[index++] = uvs.y3;
    // color
    verticies[index++] = alpha;
    verticies[index++] = tint;

    // increment the batchs
    this.currentBatchSize++;
};

/**
* Renders the content and empties the current batch
*
* @method flush
*
*/
PIXI.WebGLSpriteBatch.prototype.flush = function()
{
    // If the batch is length 0 then return as there is nothing to draw
    if (this.currentBatchSize===0)return;

    var gl = this.gl;

    // bind the current texture
    gl.bindTexture(gl.TEXTURE_2D, this.currentBaseTexture._glTextures[gl.id] || PIXI.createWebGLTexture(this.currentBaseTexture, gl));

    // upload the verts to the buffer

    if(this.currentBatchSize > ( this.size * 0.5 ) )
    {
        gl.bufferSubData(gl.ARRAY_BUFFER, 0, this.vertices);
    }
    else
    {
        var view = this.vertices.subarray(0, this.currentBatchSize * 4 * this.vertSize);

        gl.bufferSubData(gl.ARRAY_BUFFER, 0, view);
    }

   // var view = this.vertices.subarray(0, this.currentBatchSize * 4 * this.vertSize);
    //gl.bufferSubData(gl.ARRAY_BUFFER, 0, view);

    // now draw those suckas!
    gl.drawElements(gl.TRIANGLES, this.currentBatchSize * 6, gl.UNSIGNED_SHORT, 0);

    // then reset the batch!
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


In Ibiza I met Carina and Arthis to make a different engagement shoot. We were not too bad to go into the warm sea and get a little wet. The two were just smiling and laughing and we really enjoyed this time.


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Chicago and its teachers union head toward mutual destruction
CTU President Karen Lewis
What happens when an irresistible force hits an unmovable object?
Anyone who has seen "King Kong vs. Godzilla" knows the answer: Tokyo (or whatever burg they're fighting in) gets totaled.
Now substitute Chicago for Tokyo, and you'll get an idea where I'm headed as the Board of Education and the Chicago Teachers Union enter the serious saber-rattling phase of their negotiations over a new contract.
A strike is still avoidable, despite that mind-boggling finding by arbitrator Edwin Benn that teachers are entitled to an average 35.7 percent pay hike over four years unless the board backs off its demand for a longer school day and year.
Insiders whom I trust say some sort of compromise is feasible despite the current verbal war. The damage each bruiser could do to the other — the bruisers being Mayor Rahm Emanuel and CTU President Karen Lewis — is of Tokyo caliber.
But it beats me how they reach a compromise that would provide enough face to satisfy both sides.
For Mr. Emanuel, getting the longer day and year, as well as a new teacher evaluation system that amounts to merit pay rather than across-the-board pay, is seminal to what he's about. To back off that would decapitate his mayoralty.
But Ms. Lewis, an effective and savvy leader who is far shrewder than her somewhat wacko public persona suggests, can't give in on that and walk away with nothing.
And nothing is about what Chicago Public Schools has right now. Though it has had more budget tricks up its sleeve than a Houdini, this deck of cards is empty. The board already has promised to drain its bank account even to give an initial 2 percent pay raise.
So, the sides gear for the fight that would badly wound each, and Chicago.
For the city, canceling classes in the middle of a gang-stoked murder wave would be catastrophic. The dynamics are horrid, suggesting that the white ruling class is putting its pocketbook ahead of the interests of minority kids. And it would tell the business community that Chicago doesn't have its act together.
I don't believe that's the case. But that, I fear, is how it would come across.
For the CTU, the potential damage is, if possible, worse.
The average Chicago teacher now makes $76,450 a year — for a 10-month year. I understand why teachers wouldn't want to put in a little extra time, but they're a heck of a lot better compensated than the typical taxpayer who pays the bill and who has gone through any number of downsizings, furloughs, pay freezes and other woes in their own lives in recent years.
Given that environment, public opinion could quickly turn against the union, giving the mayor the opening he would need to hire new teachers.
So, mutual devastation awaits, unless they work it out.
There are some obvious things that could help. Like promising job security. And developing a compensation system that recognizes that even the best teacher can do only so much to help a kid with a lousy home life. And, frankly, keeping their mouths shut.
But, ultimately, it depends on whether the mayor and the union leader are smart enough to get beyond their own rhetoric.
I'd like to cancel this movie after the first reel. Chicago really doesn't need a war for total victory by either side right now.


Jukebox:Metal is the heavy rock and metal specialist site which evolved from Jukebox. Jukebox itself was founded in 2002 by Vikki Roberts, who remained editor until December 2007. During that time the site grew on a consistent basis, significantly expanding in 2005 and going through a major relaunch in February 2007.
For much of this time Andy Lye had been the rock and metal editor for Jukebox, and he took over as editor in January 2008, launching Jukebox:Metal in the process. The main aim of this was to offer a more focused service to heavy metal music and to free up Jukebox to maintain its multi-genre appeal without too much of one specific genre taking over. Jukebox eventually closed in 2009.


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Kellyanne Conway, president and CEO of the Polling Company and the campaign manager of US President-elect Donald Trump's campaign, speaks during the 4th Annual Women Rule Summit in Washington, DC, December 7, 2016. (SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)
'Not feminism'
Kellyanne Conway explains decision to decline White House job in bizarrely gendered terms
Conservatives have questioned why Kellyanne Conway, the GOP's first female presidential campaign manager and the first woman in history to lead a successful U.S. presidential campaign, isn't treated by the left as a feminist symbol. Conway's recent comments at Politico's "Women Rule" event on Wednesday — if her 2011 assertion that women should "embrace femininity, not feminism" wasn't enough — could help to explain why.
Conway revealed to the audience that she did not intend to take a job in Donald Trump's White House because the time commitment would prevent her from being able to mother her four children — a decision that most would understand, especially given that all four of her children are under 12 years of age. When Conway related how she explained the decision to her male colleagues, however, the story took a different turn.
"I do politely mention to them the question isn't would you take the job, the male sitting across from me who's going to take a big job in the White House," said Conway. "The question is: Would you want your wife to? Would you want the mother of your children to? You really see their entire visage change. It's like, oh, no, they wouldn't want their wife to take that job."
No good mother, Conway seemed to imply, would put her career over spending time with her children. And no good husband, apparently, would want his wife to do so — even though, by her rationale, he himself has no need to think twice about taking on a time-consuming job of his own.
President Obama's senior advisor, Valerie Jarrett, addressed the audience at the event later on and said that she approached Conway backstage to encourage her to reconsider taking on a role in the White House.
Read the full story at Slate.
Donald Trump's approach to women's issues becoming apparent?
Argument erupts over whether it's possible, or permissible, to regret motherhood
In photos, women navigate the sudden shifts between motherhood and career


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Home Entertainment 10 Popular Netflix Series to Watch Right Now
10 Popular Netflix Series to Watch Right Now
Popular Netflix Series to Watch Right Now
What is the most popular Netflix series to watch right now? we've rounded up a list of the most popular series everyone is watching right now on Netflix. Browse through the list and pick a show to starting watching.
10. On my Block
On my Block is an American teen drama series on Netflix. The series is about four smart, funny and streetwise high school teens in a rough Los Angeles neighborhood.
Dynasty is an American family drama about wealth, fortune, and inheritance. The Carringtons and the Colbys feud for control over their fortune.
9. Money Heist
Eight thieves take hostages and lock themselves in the Royal Mint of Spain as a criminal mastermind manipulates the police to carry out his plan.
8. Sex Education
Sex Education is a British teen comedy-drama streaming television series created by Laurie Nunn for Netflix. The series follows the lives of the students, staff, and parents as they contend with various personal dilemmas, often related to sexual intimacy.
7. Sex Life
Sex Life is a Canadian drama series on Netflix about A suburban wife and mother who takes a fantasy-charged trip down memory lane that sets her present on a collision course with her wild-child past.
6. Bridgerton
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Bridgerton is an American streaming television period drama series created by Chris Van Dusen and produced by Shonda Rhimes based on a British royal love story.
5. Blood & Water
Blood & Water is a south African Netflix series about a High school girl who takes on a mission to find her long-lost sister.
Watch Blood & Water Season 1 Episode 1
4. King of Boys
King of Boys is a 2018 Nigerian crime political thriller film written, co-produced, and directed by Kemi Adetiba about a powerful businesswoman's political ambitions and her underground connections.
Watch King of Boys Online
3. Lupin
A retelling of the classic French story about Arsène Lupin, the world-famous gentleman thief and master of disguise.
2. You
You is an American drama and suspense series about a charming strange yet brilliant male bookstore manager. The show was first premiered on September 9th 2008 with its' third season being released on October 15, 2021.
1. Squid game
The most popular show on Netflix right now you should be watching is Squid game. Squid game is a South Korean dystopian drama, which has been declared as the most-watched show on Netflix in history as of 2021.
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One of the many balcony views, this one is adjacent to the living and dining room. The Northeastern view is of Tampa Bay and the Vinoy Basin.
As you walk into this Penthouse unit the breathtaking panoramic view will amaze!
Seat your guest right next to the floor to ceiling windows for the ultimate view!
Notice the intricate crown molding and the exquiste chrystal chandelier!
The Penthouse encompasses the entire 27th floor. The Dining Room enjoys another outstanding view of Tampa Bay and the Marina.
Beyond the Living and Dining Room you will find a cozy Family Room that is open to the Gourmet Kitchen.
There is a fabulous western view from the kitchen sink!
Notice the beautiful coffered ceiling that mimics the blue sky and the fabulous chandelier. In this photo you can also see the contemporary granite and the custom dual-colored cabinetry.
In this penthouse you can see for miles in every direction! This view is facing south toward the Albert Witted airport and the new ONE condo. Perfect place to watch the St Petersburg Grand Prix!
Facing west the guest bedrooms also have amazing views of the setting sun!
The luxurious Guest Bathroom is a generous size!
The Breakfast Room off the Kitchen is a wonderful room with another balcony that has an electric grill for barbecues.
Guest Bedroom #1 has lovely solid wood floors and soothing sky blue walls for a good nights sleep!
Back to the North side is the Master Study with views of the new pier construction.
It might be hard to get any work done with spectacular views of the pier and the Vinoy Basin!
The Master Bathroom has a "His and Hers" area. This is the "His" side which includes a coffee station and refrigerator! Chrystal knobs enhance the solid wood cabinetry.
The Master Bedroom Suite balcony enjoys a private view of the Vinoy Basin.
Another angle of the Master Suite balcony showing its generous size. It is also adjacent to the Master Study.
This is the "Hers" side of the Master Bathroom which has a large jetted spa tub and a lovely vanity dressing area. Notice the stunning chrystal light fixtures and the incredible northwestern view.
Another view of the "Hers" side of the Master Bathroom which shows its generous size.
The Master Suite is quite large and includes a sitting area for quiet reading time.
The Laundry Room has lots of storage and a utility sink.
The #2 Guest Bathroom has a large soaking tub and seemless glass shower.
The #2 Guest Bedroom it quite large and has beautiful solid wood flooring. The two guest bedrooms face west.
The veiw from the #2 Guest Bedroom.
Another Northwestern view of the Old Northeast from one of the many balconies.
The explosion of growth in beautiful downtown St Petersburg! Note the Ovation Building with the unique blue-tinted windows and the soft grey color.
The amenities deck is on the 4th floor with a thermal-heated pool and spa, cabanas on the side, a putting green in the back and an outdoor barbecue area.
The crown jewel of Beach Drive, Ovation sits proudly overlooking Tampa Bay, the marina and has a view of the Albert Witted Airport in the distance. 2700 Penthouse is second from the top with panoramic views on the entire floor!
This gives you a better view of the top 4 penthouse units. The construction of the pier is well under way and is scheduled to be done in December of 2019.
A closer look at the amenties deck. To the right you will see a gazebo where residents gather for an evening glass of wine to watch the Beach Drive action below!
Straub Park South is situated in front of Ovation. The pink building to your right is the St Petersburg Yacht Club along with the club marina.
Visualize sitting on your balcony to take in the evening lights of the city.
Take your pick...........North, South, East or West.......fabulous views anywhere you sit!
The Florida sunsets show off the pure sky blue. This is a Western view from the guest bedroom balcony.
A lovely built-in bar with sink and wine cooler is situated near the formal living and dining room. Perfect for handing your guests a drink as they enter through the foyer.
As you retire to your Master Suite, enjoy the cool colors and the twinkling lights of the city.
This is a Northern view overlooking the Old Northeast neighborhood.
The large master shower has a seamless glass enclosure.
Enjoy the soothing twilight blue sky while soaking in your jetting spa tub.
Good night St Pete! Can't wait to see you tomorrow!!
Welcome to your new home! Step into a world of sophistication and elegance!
State of the Art gym equipment and a brand new Peloton high-tech treadmill!
24 concierge will greet you as you enter the luxurious lobby.
Private club room for social gatherings.
Now is your chance to live in an OVATION PENTHOUSE in downtown St Pete! Exquisite and spectacular are the only words to describe it! Step into the high-speed elevator and arrive at your private foyer that opens into a world of elegance and luxury. This condo is unique. It encompasses the entire floor and has curved, thermal-insulated, hurricane-impact windows which host a 360 DEGREE VIEW! There are three balconies from which to watch cruise ships and sail boats, fireworks and full moons.The formal living and dining rooms feature sparkling crystal chandeliers, elaborate crown molding and window treatment along with a full wet bar for entertaining. Notice the beautiful polished marble flooring throughout. As you walk through the intricate archway, a large, comfortable family room is open to the gourmet kitchen with high-end Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances. The cozy breakfast room off the kitchen has a balcony with an electric grill and amazing westward views. Both of the guest bedrooms have large ensuite baths with soaking tubs. The master suite is large enough to include a sitting area, plus a private balcony. You will be thrilled with the separate His and Her Master Bath suite with a large spa tub and large seamless glass shower. Theres more.your very own 3-CAR GARAGE PLUS an assigned parking space for yourself or guests. Call today to schedule your private viewing of this rare jewel on Beach Drive.


Have you ever thought about barrister velvet sofas? That is to say, these will give you an creative measures in order to decorate your sofa furniture more lovely. The important ideas of choosing the perfect barrister velvet sofas is that you must to get the concept or plans of the sofa that you want. Don't forget to start getting pictures of sofa's ideas or colour from the home planner.
In short, if you're designing your interior, perfect plans is in the details. You could discuss to the architect or designer or create the best inspirations for whole room from home design websites. Lastly, check out these pictures of barrister velvet sofas, these can be gorgeous designs you can select for edgy or remarkable interior. Don't forget to check about related sofa examples so you will find a completely enchanting decor result about your home.
Additionally, essential conditions of the sofa's remodel is about the perfect arrangement and decor. Pick the sofa furniture maybe a very easy thing to do, but ensure the decor must be totally right and match to the each interior. Also with regards to choosing the best sofa furniture's arrangement, the functionality and practicality should be your crucial conditions. Having some advice and guide gives people a right starting point for remodeling and designing their home, but the problem is some of them aren't efficient for some spaces. So, just keep the simplicity and efficiently to make your sofa looks beautiful.
Having said that, barrister velvet sofas certainly the perfect design and style for your sofa's setup and plan, but personal taste is what makes a interior looks remarkable. Get your best styles and have fun! More and more we make trial, the more we will know which better and which doesn't. The simple method to find your sofa furniture's designs is to start collecting concept. You can get from home design magazines, website, etc, and find the pictures of sofa that gorgeous.
Related Post "Barrister Velvet Sofas"


October 10, 2017 1st Bank presented Commander Lawrence Armour and Adjutant Paul Dawson of American Legion Post 26 with a check for $1400 due to 1st Bank's fundraising efforts for Veterans last May. The Legion is most grateful for the effort of the bank and their employees!
Send us a tip or a story to powreport@gmail.com!


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José Cuchy Arnau (1860-1936) fue un ilustrador, dibujante y pintor español.

Biografía
Nacido en 1857 en la localidad puertorriqueña de Arecibo, emigró joven a la península ibérica, donde cultivó la pintura. En la Exposición Universal de Barcelona de 1888 obtuvo premio por su cuadro Tentación.

Ilustró libros como Insolación (1889) de Emilia Pardo Bazán, La espuma (1891) de Armando Palacio Valdés —junto a M. Alcázar— o Morir para amar ó La muerta enamorada (1896) de Luis de Val. También colaboró en la prensa ilustrada de la época como dibujante, ejerciendo por ejemplo como director artístico de La Semana Cómica, donde fue sustituido por Mecachis.

La Biblioteca Nacional de España recoge que habría fallecido en Barcelona en 1925, sin embargo Juan Antonio Gaya Nuño, quien afirma de Cuchy que habría caído en una «desagradable pintura sensiblera», sostiene que falleció el 7 de agosto de 1925.

Referencias

Ilustradores de España del siglo XIX
Pintores de España del siglo XIX
Pintores de España del siglo XX
Caricaturistas de España del siglo XIX
Pintores de Puerto Rico
Nacidos en Arecibo (Puerto Rico)
Fallecidos en Barcelona

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


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Home » The CA State Bar's Task Force, the OC District Attorney's Office, Storm Trooper Tactics and Loan Modifications
The CA State Bar's Task Force, the OC District Attorney's Office, Storm Trooper Tactics and Loan Modifications
Imagine this… You're at your suburban home with your wife and young children on a Friday afternoon. You look outside and see what appears to be dozens of police cars gathering in front of your home. You're arrested in front of your children and neighbors, put in handcuffs, and taken to jail, charged with 118 felonies. If convicted, you face 70 years in prison.
There's nothing you can do until Monday, but when you get to see a judge, the prosecutor argues that you are a threat to the public and bail is set at over a million dollars. Your banks accounts are frozen and there's no way you can make bail.
You're a lawyer who has been practicing law for 14 years without incident, but the newspapers are now referring to you as a scammer. You sit behind bars for roughly a month, but finally the date of your preliminary hearing arrives, and because it's a preliminary hearing, all the prosecutor has to establish is "probable cause," the lowest level of proof.
But at the preliminary hearing the judge dismisses 60 of the felony counts, saying that he's heard no evidence to support them, none… asd in zippo. Then the District Attorney prosecuting the case dismisses another 50 felony counts. He actually had offered evidence on those counts, but it was so insufficient he moved to dismiss them himself, apparently in an effort to spare the judge the work involved in having to do it. Now you're charged with eight counts, as opposed to 118.
You just spent a month behind bars, with 7-figure bail, facing 70 years in prison… referred to as a threat to the public… but now as it turns out, you're charged with only eight counts, and you're attorney will be moving to have those dismissed as well. One day you're a serial killer, the next you're a minor league thief.. A month in a cage without any findings of guilt, or even substantiation of the charges… it's nothing short of appalling.
If you want to know what that experience is like, you might try asking Christopher Diener, an Orange County attorney who is living through that exact scenario. I wrote about Diener for the first time on the Friday he was arrested. I wrote about him again last week after 94% of the charges were dropped.
I'm writing about it again now, because the story just keeps getting worse, and it's reached the point where it's become constitutionally offensive, and should be horrifying to every citizen of these United States, and certainly to every resident of Orange County, California.
Diener's attorney is Lisa Bethune. I spoke with Lisa about the case, and although there were certain things she could not share, as the case is ongoing, she was candid about others. I was also able to review several documents related to the case as well. Nothing was good.
I found Lisa to be an exceptionally smart, hard charging experienced attorney, by the way. She was a prosecutor in Lake County, near Napa Valley, California, and she used to be a Deputy District Attorney in the Orange County DA's office, in addition to having been a Public Defender with the OC Public Defender's Office. So, she's definitely lived on both sides of the fence as it were.
The Orange County District Attorney, like any prosecutor, is responsible for reviewing evidence, and making a good faith determination that the evidence is sufficient to prove that the defendant has committed a crime or crimes. And it's a clear abuse of prosecutorial discretion to file charges that are not supported by admissible evidence.
In this case, the veteran prosecutor George McFetridge never even tried to prove 60 of the counts he had charged Diener with, and that's not my opinion… that's according to the judge in this case. His evidence on the other sixty was so pathetic he moved to dismiss them himself.
The District Attorney is responsible for filing the criminal charges. But DA's normally get their evidence from policemen, or other trained law enforcement investigators. So where did our intrepid DA's office get its "evidence" in this case?
Well, I'm not privy to the investigative files, but from speaking with Diener's defense attorney, Lisa Bethune, it appears that the investigation was conducted in large part by two of the State Bar's investigators who were acting as a part of the Joint Task Force on Loan Modification Fraud, which consists of the state's Attorney General, the FTC, and local District Attorneys. Both of these guys provided testimony at the preliminary hearing, along with two of the investigators… or perhaps I should call them "investigating telemarketers," from the Orange County District Attorney's office.
Here's how the team if investigators breaks down from what I was able to learn from my sources:
One of the two bar investigators, Tom Layton, is a retired LA County Deputy Sheriff who was with the department for 14 years… he's worked in LA County Jail, narcotics, and with gang violence, making him ideally prepared to investigate loan modification fraud. He's been an investigator with the State Bar for the last ten years, but regardless, he should know what a criminal case looks like.
The other, John Noonan, has only worked as a State Bar investigator, and has never before investigated a criminal case.
The Lead Investigator for the District Attorney's Office was Grant Gulickson, who I hear is a good guy, and he worked with Investigator Holford, who I know nothing about, but have no reason to believe he's anything less than a good guy.
Part of their investigation included a telemarketing campaign during which the DA's investigators contacted Mr. Diener's clients and, using a SCRIPT, taken from (where else) the same script used by the State Bar investigators… sounded something like this:
"Hi, I'm calling from the Orange County District Attorney's office. We've arrested Christopher Diener for scamming homeowners and I'm calling to ask if you thought you might have been scammed by him?"
Okay, I'm kidding about that, but I think I made my point. Some of the actual questions were:
"Hi, I'm calling from the Orange County District Attorney's office. I'd like to talk to you about your loan modification. Did you hire Christopher Diener to get a loan modification? Did you pay the Diener Law Firm? Did you get your loan modification? How much did you pay?"
And I can only imagine where the conversation might have gone from there.
Some of the witnesses that had complained to the State Bar about Diener did report getting a loan modification, but weren't at all happy with the terms of the modification they received. Apparently, they wanted principal reductions, and nothing else would do. Others that complained to the State Bar said that although they did get a loan modification after hiring Diener, they felt that they had done the lion's share of the work involved, and therefore deserved a full refund.
Look, I understand that homeowners aren't happy about much of anything when at risk of losing their homes. And I'm more than aware of the difficulties involved in obtaining a loan modification from a lender or servicer. And I'm certainly no fan of the HAMP program, as anyone that's ever read me knows all too well. But people… please. You don't complain about your attorney because the bank wouldn't give you a principal reduction. And you don't get to say you want your money back because you hade to do some of the work involved too.
Still, this crackerjack team of investigators went through hundreds of seized files, contacted Diener's clients, and through all of that they found nothing that might have led them to believe that perhaps some of the charges were, shall we say, a tad weak? Did they even know what they were looking at, or did they just flip through folders, like I do when someone hands me something I don't have any intention of reading.
And just to make sure we add insult to injury… the District Attorney executed a search warrant and seized hundreds of boxes of files and other materials from Diener's offices. Roughly 100 of those seized boxes were never looked at, and that's according to the District Attorney who admitted this l on the record.
Obviously, the goal here was plainly to send a message to attorneys helping homeowners with loan modifications. Combine inadequately prepared investigators, with an overzealous District Attorney, add a State Bar that has no clue what's going on and you have a poisonous brew.
The Orange County DA has made no secret of its desire to step hard on foreclosure scams. In July of 2009, around the time the DA obtained a search warrant for Diener's office, Assistant District Attorney Elizabeth Henderson, McFetridge's superior, was quoted by the OC Register as saying about loan mod scammers:
"We're putting people in jail. Someone's going to end up in prison for this. The issue is not just that someone might lose $2,000 or more, but that his or her house proceeds to foreclosure while waiting for help that never comes."
Was she talking about arresting bankers when she said that? Because that I would understand completely.
So, I realize that sending people to jail is what DA's are supposed to do, but they are also supposed to at least attempt to send the right people to jail. As the Diener case shows, the power of the prosecutor is immense: the power to arrest, charge, ask for high bail, threaten with jail, ruin lives… very serious stuff. And we should all hope that we have very serious people with seriously good judgment to fulfill such a role in our society.
Unfortunately, the people involved in this case were seriously inept. Their behavior in this case makes them clowns, in my eyes. Dangerous, scary clowns to be sure, but clowns nonetheless.
Before the Storm Troopers arrived, Diener's firm, according to his attorney, had successfully gotten hundreds of modifications for clients. Not only did the District Attorney incarcerate Diener on very little, if any, evidence for roughly a month, but the Task Force took all of his client files, and effectively prevented him from working the files to prevent the foreclosures he was hired to prevent. What happened to Henderson being oh so concerned about homeowners "waiting for help that never came"? In this case, she was just fine with stopping the help from coming.
State Bar Chief Howard Miller is on record excoriating loan mod lawyers, claiming the field is full of scammers. He clearly believes that helping with loan modifications does not constitute the practice of law, but the renegotiation of a contract sounds like it might involve some aspect of the law, no? His level of understanding and knowledge of the situation is embarrassingly inadequate, and while one might have forgiven him two years ago as the foreclosure crisis began, it is unforgivable today, especially in California, one of the hardest hit of all states.
Mr. Miller should be mortified. In the immortal words of Joseph Welch during the Army – McCarthy hearings: "Have you no sense of decency, sir?"
I wonder how many other of the lawyers whose names were trashed on the Bar's "scarlet lawyer list," as I referred to it in my article last summer, in point of fact are factually innocent. It would be nice if the crack State Bar Task Force investigators could tell us, but clearly… these clowns couldn't investigate their way out of a paper bag.
Conviction first. Trial later. The Un-American way.
Look… I don't know Christopher Diener, I've never met him, and I don't know anyone who has hired his firm to help with a loan modification. But here's what I do know… if he's guilty of some crime, then the people involved in prosecuting Diener should be ashamed. And if he's not, then those involved should be fired.
I hope everyone reading this will now take the time to read slowly and carefully the following quote, because it exemplifies all that is good about our government, our society and our ideals as Americans.
Here's Supreme Court Justice Sutherland on the role of the prosecutor in our system of justice. I hope the Orange County District Attorney's Office will read it twice… no, perhaps three times… and slowly.
"The United States Attorney is the representative not of an ordinary party to a controversy, but of a sovereignty whose obligation to govern impartially is as compelling as its obligation to govern at all; and whose interest, therefore, in a criminal prosecution is not that it shall win a case, but that justice shall be done.
As such, he is in a peculiar and very definite sense the servant of the law, the twofold aim of which is that guilt shall not escape nor innocence suffer. He may prosecute with earnestness and vigor—indeed, he should do so. But, while he may strike hard blows, he is not at liberty to strike foul ones.
It is as much his duty to refrain from improper methods calculated to produce a wrongful conviction as it is to use every legitimate means to bring about a just one."
Berger v. the United States
Tagged with: Attorney Elizabeth Henderson California State Bar Association christopher lee diener FTC Grant Gulickson John Noonan Lisa Bethune loan modifications Orange County District Attorney's Office State Attorney General State Bar Chief Howard Miller State Bar Task Force Tom Layton
This post was written by Mandelman on Friday, April 23, 2010, 5:12. Mandelman has written 1175 posts on this blog.
Posted in POLITICALLY SUSPECT


6). Perfect lubrication system makes maintenance much easier and gives the machine a long life.
Compatible software ARTCAM, UCANCAM and other CAD or CAM softwares….
Furniture industry: solid wood, solid door, kitchen cabinet door, PVC wood door, composite door, plate furniture, office furniture.
Wood industry: wood speaker, clock, computer desk, electrical cabinet stable, sports goods and so on.
Instrument industry: violin carving and milling and so on.
Art craft industry: photo frame, decoration box and so on.
Electrics industry: PVB electric panel hole drilling, insulation material, LED display screen carving and so on.
MDF: MDF sheet carving, MDF art-craft and so on.