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Trouble Brewing in SPAC-Land?
As has been extensively noted on this site and elsewhere, the sheer level of SPAC-related action has been the one of the top business stories of the last few months. However, as I noted earlier this week, there have already been some distant early warning signs of possible problems on the SPAC horizon. Further developments this week suggest there could be growing trouble in SPAC-land. As discussed below, a newly released statement by the SEC about SPAC accounting potentially could cool off the hot market for SPACs, and a statement of intent by a leading plaintiffs' firm raises the possibility of further SPAC-related litigation.
SEC Statement on Accounting for SPAC Warrants: An April 12, 2021 statement by John Coates, Acting SEC Director of the Division of Corporation Finance, and Paul Munter, the Acting SEC Chief Accountant, addressed accounting and reporting considerations regarding warrants issued by Special Purpose Acquisition Companies (SPACs).
This statement is important because many SPAC vehicles sell units in the financial markets at the time of their IPO; the units consist of equity shares and of warrants to purchase additional shares. The availability of the units, inclusive of the warrants, is an attractive part of the SPAC proposition for prospective SPAC IPO investors and in fact has been an important part of what has driven investor interest in SPAC IPOs.
In their April 12 statement, the SEC officials in effect said that some SPACs may not have properly accounted for warrants sold to investors. In the past, many SPACs have classified warrants as equity on their balance sheets. However, in the statement, the SEC officials said that in certain circumstances the units would have to be classified as liabilities, rather than as equity, depending on their payout structure, settlement in cash or stock, or whether their value is indexed solely to the performance of the underlying stock. The classification of the warrants as liabilities would require companies to periodically account for changes in the warrants' value.
As the Wall Street Journal noted in its April 13, 2021 article about the SEC statement, "one impact of the SEC's announcement: SPACS that are affected would have to restate their financial results if the fluctuations are deemed to be material, the SEC said."
In an April 12, 2021 Forbes article "Hot SPAC Market Could Freeze After Potential SEC Rule Change" (here), the article's authors said that "the new guidance will likely cause most issuers to revisit their accounting." The change could also affect the current financial market for SPAC IPOs as "the potential accounting change for SPAC warrants could create further slowdowns and new costs as the new treatment will likely require the upcoming SPACs to rewrite financial statements and reporting documents." The Forbes article cites unnamed sources as saying that the SEC may have "intentionally created confusion in the industry to temporarily slow the soaring SPAC market so the agency can catch up on regulatory audits and governance."
The Forbes article says that the proposed changes could also have "ramifications well beyond the current SPAC IPO pipeline." The article cites unnamed sources as having told the authors that "the SEC's switch could further send the entire SPAC world scrambling by forcing the hundreds of currently active SPACs to restate and refile their full slate of financial statements." The accounting change could also "cause market swings to have a greater effect on earnings reports, impact profits, and make the already roller-coaster world of SPACs more turbulent."
The one thing that has become clear in the last few days is that the SEC is clearly focused on SPACs. The statement late last week warning about SPAC IPOs use of projection (discussed in my post earlier this week, here) and the new SEC statement about accounting for SPAC warrants are, as the Forbes article put it, "just the tip of the iceberg," suggesting further that we should not be surprised if SEC comes forward with further initiatives and actions addressed to SPAC activity.
Plaintiffs' Firm Forms SPAC Task Force: As if the SEC's recent SPAC-related pronouncements were not trouble enough, an unrelated development suggests further trouble ahead for SPACs. In an April 12, 2021 press release (here), the Robbins Geller law firm has announced the formation of a "SPAC Task Force." The Task Force is to be "comprised of experienced securities and M&A lawyers" and also includes "in-house investigators, forensic accountants, and economists dedicated to rooting out and prosecuting fraud on behalf of injured blank check investors."
The press release notes that supposed SPAC features, such as, according to the press release, "significant conflicts of interest" and "less stringent disclosure requirements," have caused several high-profile SPAC offerings to result in "serous allegations of fraud and misconduct, collectively costing investors billions of dollars investment losses."
The press release notes that the Robbins Geller firm already serves as lead counsel in an existing SPAC-related securities class action lawsuit, and includes a statement from one of the firm's partners saying that "Robbins Geller is committed to assisting those victimized by fraud and corporate malfeasance in connection with SPAC investments."
As I have documented on this blog (most recently here), there has already been a certain amount of SPAC-related securities class action litigation activity this year. The Robbins Geller law firm's initiative can only be interpreted to mean that we should expect to see further litigation ahead.
For those who wonder why the law firm is forming a task force, well, obviously it formed the task force so the firm could issue a press release. And why is the firm issuing a press release? Because they anticipate three things: (1) a lot of SPAC-related securities litigation coming down the pike; (2) that the SPAC-related litigation will be good business, and therefore there will be competition among plaintiffs' firms for the best cases; (3) in order to be positioned to attract the best cases, the law firm wants to try to position itself advantageously in order to best compete for the business.
None of this is good news for SPACs and SPAC directors and officers; SPAC sponsors; post de-SPAC transaction operating companies; or for D&O Insurers.
New York State Court SPAC-Related Litigation: In my post earlier this week about SPACs, I noted the growth of SPAC-related state court litigation in Delaware. According to a recent law firm memo, there apparently has also been a recent rise of SPAC-related state court litigation in New York, as well.
In an April 8, 2021 memo entitled "Recent SPAC Shareholder Suits in New York State Courts: The Beginning Wave of SPAC Litigation" (here), the Akin Gump law firm reports that "between September 2020 and March 2021, at least 35 SPACs have been hit with one or more shareholder lawsuits filed in New York state court."
Most of these lawsuits have been filed against SPAC directors and allege that the directors breached their fiduciary duties by providing allegedly inadequate disclosures concerning proposed de-SPAC mergers. The report notes that some of these lawsuits have been filed against the SPAC itself, as well as the target company and its board of directors, for allegedly aiding and abetting the SPAC directors' breach. The state court complaints so far have been limited to state law tort claims, and do not typically include any federal or even state securities law claims.
Most of the complaints were filed after the proposed merger was announced but before the shareholder vote on the proposed merger. The suits typically seek preliminary injunctive relief to enjoin the shareholder vote and/or the merger. Many of the cases filed have been voluntarily dismissed (as is often the case for merger objection suits). The memo speculates that the plaintiffs may have chosen to file the complaints in New York courts rather than in Delaware to avoid unfavorable Delaware precedent on disclosure-only settlements.
The memo concludes by suggesting that the recent flurry of New York state court lawsuit filings is only "the beginning wave of SPAC-related litigation," noting further that "the plaintiffs' bar appears focused in SPAC." SPAC shareholder lawsuits "are likely to multiply, potentially subjecting SPACs, their boards and sponsors to more significant civil risk and exposure." The likely future litigation activity could include, the memo suggests, not only litigation in New York's courts, but also in Delaware courts and in federal courts as well.
Tags: de-SPAC transactions, New York, Plaintiffs' Firms, SPACs, Warrants


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Category Archives: Florida
The Battle of Olustee
Florida, Military, Reconstruction February 20, 2019 Leave a comment
February 20, 1864 – A major confrontation occurred in Florida, as Federal forces tried restoring the state to the Union but ran up against strong Confederate defenses.
Brigadier General Truman Seymour's 5,500 Federals continued moving west from the state capital of Jacksonville, freeing slaves and destroying anything considered useful to the Confederate war effort along the way. They moved through the pine forests of northern Florida as they sought to destroy the strategically important railroad at Lake City. Seymour's superior, Major General Quincy A. Gillmore, had urged Seymour not to move so far inland, but Seymour insisted on wrecking the railroad.
The Federals approached Olustee Station, a depot on the Florida, Atlantic & Gulf Railroad, about 10 miles east of Lake City and nearly 50 miles southwest of Jacksonville. Brigadier General Joseph Finegan's 5,000 Confederates set up defenses at Olustee and awaited the Federal approach. Tired of waiting, Finegan directed two brigades under Brigadier General Alfred H. Colquitt to advance.
Colquitt's troops met advance Federal elements on open ground along the railroad southeast of a lake called Ocean Pond. Colquitt reported, "I threw forward a party of skirmishers, and hastily formed line of battle under a brisk fire from the enemy's advance." Colquitt ordered his men forward, which he stated "was gallantly done, the enemy contesting the ground and giving way slowly."
The Battle of Olustee, or Ocean Pond | Image Credit: Wikipedia.org
Seymour directed Colonel Joseph R. Hawley's brigade to capture Colquitt's guns in the center of the Confederate line, but as they advanced they fell victim to enfilade fire and were forced to fall back. Two regiments fled in panic, and the Confederates captured two guns.
Colonel George P. Harrison's Confederate brigade came up to link with Colquitt's forces, and the opposing sides traded fire for several hours. Colquitt called on Finegan to send more reinforcements, but when they did not come, Colquitt ordered a general advance anyway. As the Confederates started pushing the Federals back, Harrison reported:
"But soon a new line of the enemy appeared, and our advance was checked. His resistance now seemed stubborner than before for more than 20 minutes, when the enemy sullenly gave back a little, apparently to seek a better position, but still held us at bay. Now the results of the day seemed doubtful."
The Confederates began running low on ammunition, with the ordnance wagons a half-mile away. Couriers worked in teams to deliver more ammunition to the troops so they could renew their offensive. Seymour deployed a brigade under Colonel William Barton, but with replenished ammunition, the Confederates held firm.
Finally, Finegan's reinforcements joined the main line. Harrison wrote, "These re-enforcements served to embolden our men and intimidate the enemy, for their retreat now became more hurried and their fire less rapid and effective."
Colquitt directed Harrison to send two regiments against the vulnerable Federal right. Harrison reported that this–
"… succeeded admirably, for soon their right was exposed to a cross-fire, which told upon their ranks with fine effect. A general advance of our line now drove the enemy, who retreated, at first sullenly, but now precipitately, before our victorious arms for some miles, when night came on, and by order of General Colquitt we ceased firing and our line halted."
Finegan sent the rest of his troops forward, and the Federals gradually gave ground before finally retreating. Seymour sustained nearly the highest casualty percentage rate of any Federal commander in the war, losing over 30 percent of his men (203 killed, 1,152 wounded, and 506 missing or captured). Some Federal soldiers who were veterans of the large battles in the Eastern and Western theaters wrote that this was the most vicious battle they ever experienced.
Three black regiments participated in this contest: the 8th U.S., the 35th U.S., and the 54th Massachusetts. The 8th U.S. Colored Troops lost 310 men, 87 of whom were killed. An officer in the regiment recorded that his commander, Colonel Charles W. Fribley–
"… now ordered the regiment to fall back slowly, which we did, firing as we retired, being unable to withstand so disastrous a fire. The order had just reached me on the extreme right when the colonel fell mortally wounded. The command now devolved on Major Burritt, who soon received two wounds and retired from the field, the regiment at this time engaging the enemy with steadiness, and holding the ground for some time near Hamilton's battery, which we were trying to save. We here lost 3 color-sergeants and 5 of the color guard while attempting to save one gun, but we were driven back, leaving the gun and, as I afterward learned, the color beside it during the excitement."
According to Seymour, Lieutenant Colonel William Reed of the 35th U.S. Colored Troops was "mortally wounded while managing his regiment with conspicuous skill, and his major was severely hurt." Seymour praised the black regiments:
"The colored troops behaved creditably, the 54th Massachusetts and the 1st North Carolina (i.e., the 35th U.S.) like veterans. It was not in their conduct that can be found the chief cause of failure, but in the unanticipated yielding of a white regiment from which there was every reason to expect noble service, and at the moment when everything depended upon its firmness."
Seymour reported that the white troops had failed because of "conscripts and substitutes, of a very inferior class." Confederates rounded up the wounded Federals stranded on the battlefield; the white troops were generally treated respectfully, but many blacks were killed. Private James Jordan of the 27th Georgia wrote:
"The Yankee prisoners say they had no idea of meeting with such a force here. They said they did not expect to meet nothing but cavalry here. The negroes were badly cut up and killed. Our men killed some of them after they had fell in our hands wounded."
Finegan sustained 934 losses (93 killed and 841 wounded). Southerners celebrated this rousing victory, with a Georgia newspaper reporting that the Federals were forced to march "40 miles over the most barren land of the South, frightening the salamanders and the gophers, and getting a terrible thrashing…"
Confederate cavalry pursued the Federals ineffectively, repairing the railroad that the Federals had destroyed along the way. Federal forces retained control of the Florida capital of Jacksonville, but other than destroying vast amounts of property, this campaign proved a total failure for them.
Gillmore, who had opposed Seymour's westward advance in the first place, reported to General-in-Chief Henry W. Halleck, "The enemy have thrown so large a force into Florida that I judge it to be inexpedient to do more at the present time than hold the line of the Saint Johns River."
Only the weak and timid Confederate cavalry allowed Seymour's force to return to Jacksonville intact. Nevertheless, this was one of the Confederacy's most decisive victories of the war, and Florida remained a vital source of cattle, grain, salt, and other staples for the Confederates.
The Federal defeat at Olustee ended President Abraham Lincoln's hopes of imposing his "Ten Percent Plan" on Florida. His representative/secretary John Hay failed to get the 1,400 voters to pledge loyalty to the Union so they could help form a new Unionist state government. Critics of Lincoln's plan to reconstruct Florida (as well as Tennessee, Arkansas, and Louisiana) accused him of rushing to install new state governments that would support his upcoming reelection bid.
Catton, Bruce, The American Heritage Picture History of the Civil War (New York: American Heritage Publishing Co., 1960), p. 441; Chaitin, Peter M., The Coastal War: Chesapeake Bay to Rio Grande (Alexandria, VA: Time-Life Books, 1983), p. 139; CivilWarDailyGazette.com; Denney, Robert E., The Civil War Years: A Day-by-Day Chronicle (New York: Gramercy Books, 1992 [1998 edition]), p. 375-76; Donald, David Herbert, Lincoln (Simon & Schuster, Kindle Edition, 2011), Loc 10303; Foote, Shelby, The Civil War: A Narrative: Volume 2: Fredericksburg to Meridian (Vintage Civil War Library, Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group, Kindle Edition, 2011), p. 903-05; Foote, Shelby, The Civil War: A Narrative: Volume 3: Red River to Appomattox (Vintage Civil War Library, Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group, Kindle Edition, 2011), Loc 2202-12; Fredriksen, John C., Civil War Almanac (New York: Checkmark Books, 2007), p. 400-01; Linedecker, Clifford L. (ed.), The Civil War A to Z (Ballantine Books, 2002), p. 195; Long, E.B. with Long, Barbara, The Civil War Day by Day (New York: Da Capo Press, Inc., 1971), p. 466; Longacre, Edward G., Historical Times Illustrated Encyclopedia of the Civil War (New York: Harper & Row, 1986, Patricia L. Faust ed.), p. 259-60, 545; White, Howard Ray, Bloodstains, An Epic History of the Politics that Produced and Sustained the American Civil War and the Political Reconstruction that Followed (Southernbooks, Kindle Edition, 2012), Q164
Federals Begin Operations in Florida
Florida, Military February 19, 2019 Leave a comment
February 19, 1864 – Federal forces launched an expedition to conquer Florida, while Confederates scrambled to put up a defense.
Major General Quincy A. Gillmore, commanding the Federal Department of the South, had been assigned to invade Florida. Gillmore was to impose President Abraham Lincoln's "Ten Percent Plan" by registering 10 percent of the state's voters so they could elect delegates to form a new Unionist state government. Lincoln had dispatched his secretary, John Hay, to register the 10 percent as Federal troops operated in Florida.
Rear Admiral John A.B. Dahlgren, commanding the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron, granted Gillmore's request for naval support by providing the screw steamers U.S.S. Ottawa and Norwich to transport troops up the St. John's River. The gunboats U.S.S. Dai Ching, Mahaska, and Water Witch would also support the army expedition.
Gen Truman Seymour | Image Credit: Wikipedia.org
Gillmore assigned Brigadier General Truman Seymour, an officer familiar with Florida as a veteran of the Seminole Wars, to lead the division in the field. Seymour had four objectives:
Help restore Florida to the Union under Lincoln's "Ten Percent Plan"
Secure the St. John's River for Federal trade
Liberate slaves and recruit them into the Federal army
Destroy Confederate supply lines and any materiel–primarily beef and saltworks–considered useful to the Confederate war effort
Gillmore instructed Seymour to land his troops at the state capital of Jacksonville and then move west to Baldwin, "and, if possible, beyond." Gillmore told him that the Confederates probably had a "small force of infantry and a battery between Jacksonville and Baldwin." Seymour was to advance no farther than Lake City.
General P.G.T. Beauregard, commanding the Confederate Department of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida, learned that Seymour was preparing an expedition and correctly guessed that his target would be Florida. Beauregard dispatched troops under Brigadier General Alfred H. Colquitt to reinforce Brigadier General Joseph Finegan, who commanded the District of East Florida.
Seymour's Federals left Hilton Head, South Carolina, aboard 20 transports on the 5th. The force consisted of 5,500 men in three infantry brigades, two cavalry regiments, and four artillery batteries. The transports and gunboats moved up the St. John's River and landed at Jacksonville two days later. The city had been virtually destroyed by previous Federal occupiers.
The Federals debarked and quickly captured about 100 remaining Confederates. Hay informed them that if they swore allegiance to the Union, they would be freed and allowed to help form the new state government; if they refused, they would be sent to northern prison camps. Hay said, "There is to be neither force nor persuasion used in this matter. You decide for yourselves."
Hay received the signatures of about half the prisoners, along with several city residents. During his stay at Jacksonville, Hay invested in real estate as part of his plan to become a congressman in the new state government.
Seymour's Federals also seized eight cannon and a large amount of cotton awaiting blockade runners for shipment. The Norwich trapped the Confederate steamer St. Mary's on McGirt's Creek, forcing the Confederates to burn and abandon her. The Federals prepared to head west along the Florida, Atlantic & Gulf Central Railroad, toward Baldwin and the Suwannee River.
Sporadic skirmishing occurred over the next few days, with the Federals arriving at Baldwin on the 10th. To Seymour's disappointment, the civilians expressed none of the Unionist sentiment that the Federal high command expected. Moreover, Federal cavalry under Colonel Guy V. Henry probed forward and discovered that Confederates were preparing to make a stand at Olustee.
Seymour reported to Gillmore, "I am convinced that a movement upon Lake City is not, in the present condition of transportation, admissible, and indeed that what has been said of the desire of Florida to come back (to the Union) now is a delusion." Seymour recommended returning his force to Jacksonville, but Gillmore urged him to continue west to Sanderson, halfway to Lake City, and dispatched the 54th Massachusetts Colored Infantry as reinforcement.
The Federals advanced to Sanderson, where they destroyed vast amounts of public and private property. During this time, Gillmore left Jacksonville and returned to Hilton Head, where he arranged for supplies to be delivered to Seymour's men. They were now in the unforgiving Florida country of stunted oaks, pines, and palmettos, and their only train had broken down. When Gillmore received word that Confederate cavalry might be threatening Seymour's right flank, he ordered Seymour to fall back to Baldwin.
Seymour complied, but by the 16th, he was convinced that he could get to Lake City. He informed Gillmore that he intended to head there and destroy the railroad. He asked Gillmore to send him naval support on the Savannah River, adding, "I look upon this as of great importance."
Stunned, Gillmore replied that there was no way he could arrange such support so quickly. He wrote, "You must have forgotten my last instructions, which were for the present to hold Baldwin…" Gillmore reminded Seymour that he (Seymour) had argued for returning to Jacksonville, but now he inexplicably sought to capture Lake City. He also informed Seymour that the Federal high command had no plans to operate in the Lake City region of Florida, making his proposed advance there pointless.
Meanwhile, Confederates stationed at Lake City observed the Federal movements and relayed them to Finegan. He reported to Beauregard that the enemy numbered at least 10 regiments. Beauregard responded, "Enemy's forces should on no account be exaggerated. His regiments average 600 at most, composed largely of newly drafted men and recruits; not a match for one-half of our men."
Finegan scrambled to build a defense line along the railroad near the small hamlet of Olustee, about 10 miles east of Lake City. He ordered his officers "to impress the required negroes and to collect such tools as might be procured from the surrounding plantations." By the 19th, the Confederate defenses were not yet completed, but Colquitt's Confederates had arrived to reinforce Finegan. Seymour's Federals passed Barber's Plantation and headed for the Confederate line outside Lake City.
Chaitin, Peter M., The Coastal War: Chesapeake Bay to Rio Grande (Alexandria, VA: Time-Life Books, 1983), p. 139; CivilWarDailyGazette.com; Denney, Robert E., The Civil War Years: A Day-by-Day Chronicle (New York: Gramercy Books, 1992 [1998 edition]), p. 366, 371, 373-74; Foote, Shelby, The Civil War: A Narrative: Volume 2: Fredericksburg to Meridian (Vintage Civil War Library, Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group, Kindle Edition, 2011), p. 900-03; Fredriksen, John C., Civil War Almanac (New York: Checkmark Books, 2007), p. 394-97; Long, E.B. with Long, Barbara, The Civil War Day by Day (New York: Da Capo Press, Inc., 1971), p. 462; Longacre, Edward G., Historical Times Illustrated Encyclopedia of the Civil War (New York: Harper & Row, 1986, Patricia L. Faust ed.), p. 545
The Fall of Pensacola
Florida, Military May 10, 2017 1 Comment
May 10, 1862 – Confederate forces abandoned a key naval base on the Gulf of Mexico after holding out against a powerful Federal threat for over a year.
Earlier this year, Major General Braxton Bragg had led most of the Confederates stationed at Pensacola and Mobile west to reinforce General P.G.T. Beauregard's Army of Mississippi. Colonel Thomas M. Jones of the 27th Mississippi began directing the withdrawal of the remaining forces. On May 7, Jones received word from Brigadier General John H. Forney, commanding the Confederate Department of Alabama and West Florida, that a Federal naval fleet was approaching to threaten Mobile.
Jones quickly prepared to lead his Confederates out of Pensacola to reinforce Mobile. Abandoning Pensacola included "the destruction of the beautiful place which I had labored so hard night and day for over two months to defend, and which I had fondly hoped could be held from the polluting grasp of our insatiate enemies."
Pensacola Navy Yard | Image Credit: Wikipedia.org
The Confederates in the area had held out for over a year against the Federal garrison at Fort Pickens, as well as various threats from the Gulf Blockading Squadron. The Federals had already destroyed the Pensacola Navy Yard's dry dock as well as portions of Fort McRee protecting the town.
The evacuation began on the 9th. The Confederates burned the navy yard, destroying the unfinished ironclad C.S.S. Fulton and all other ships that had been under construction. In addition, the troops burned Fort McRee, the marine hospital and barracks, factories and mills, and warehouses filled with lumber and cotton.
That night, Federals stationed across Pensacola Bay saw the fires in the town and determined that the Confederates were evacuating. Brigadier General Lewis G. Arnold, commanding the Western District of the Federal Department of the South, sent his chief of staff across the bay to accept Pensacola's surrender.
By dawn on May 10, about 1,000 Federals landed to occupy the town. Commander David D. Porter stated, "The Rebels have done their work well. The yard is a ruin." However, the navy yard was soon rebuilt and used as an important supply base for the Federal blockading fleet in the Gulf of Mexico.
Chaitin, Peter M., The Coastal War: Chesapeake Bay to Rio Grande (Alexandria, VA: Time-Life Books, 1983), p. 8; Denney, Robert E., The Civil War Years: A Day-by-Day Chronicle (New York: Gramercy Books, 1992 [1998 edition]), p. 168; Fredriksen, John C., Civil War Almanac (New York: Checkmark Books, 2007), p. 150; Long, E.B. with Long, Barbara, The Civil War Day by Day (New York: Da Capo Press, Inc., 1971), p. 209; Longacre, Edward G., Historical Times Illustrated Encyclopedia of the Civil War (New York: Harper & Row, 1986, Patricia L. Faust ed.), p. 574; Stanchak, John E., Historical Times Illustrated Encyclopedia of the Civil War (New York: Harper & Row, 1986, Patricia L. Faust ed.), p. 276-77
Federal Attack on Pensacola Bay
Florida, Military November 22, 2016 1 Comment
November 22, 1861 – Colonel Harvey Brown, commanding the Federal garrison at Fort Pickens on Florida's Gulf coast, directed a preëmptive attack on Confederates seeking to take back the fort.
Fort Pickens on Santa Rosa Island | Image Credit: Wikimedia.org
Since their failed invasion of Santa Rosa Island in October, General Braxton Bragg's Confederates had surrounded Fort Pickens, according to Brown, "with batteries and daily arming them with the heaviest and most efficient guns known to our service–guns stolen from us–until they considered this fort as virtually their own, its occupancy being only a question of time."
Brown worked with Flag Officer William McKean, commanding the Gulf Blockading Squadron, to drive the Confederates out of their nearby positions along Pensacola Bay at Forts McRee and Barrancas, and the Pensacola Navy Yard. At 9:55 a.m. on November 22, the steamers U.S.S. Niagara and Richmond, aided by artillery from Fort Pickens, opened a massive bombardment.
The Confederates quickly abandoned the navy yard, but the Federal vessels could not get any closer than 2,000 yards due to shallow waters. Meanwhile, Confederate artillery began responding with their four-mile line of batteries facing Fort Pickens.
The Confederates in Fort McRee sustained a tremendous shelling. A soldier in the 1st Alabama at Pensacola wrote:
"On one occasion, simultaneous volleys raked the outer walls and parapets of the fort (McRee), wrapped it with flames of bursting shells, sent huge timbers and massive pieces of concrete flying through the air, swept away the flagstaff and demolished a section of wall on the right. As dimly seen from our position the whole structure seemed to bulge and sink to the earth in one general conflagration and gigantic heap of ruins."
By 3 p.m., the Federals had disabled all of Fort McRee's batteries while keeping up their fire on Fort Barrancas and the navy yard as well. Confederate gunners at Barrancas hit the Richmond twice, killing one and wounding eight, before the ships withdrew for the night. Brown then ordered the firing from Pickens suspended, ending the action for the day.
Bragg reported that "the number and caliber of guns and weight of metal brought into action it will rank with the heaviest bombardment in the world," making the fight "grand and sublime. The fire of the enemy, though terrific in sound and fury, proved to have been only slightly damaging, except to McRee." Bragg noted that fire from the Niagara and Richmond had "much greater accuracy, the fort and garrison of McRee suffered more." The Confederates sustained 21 casualties (one killed and 20 wounded).
The Federals resumed their bombardment the next day without the Richmond, which had been put out of action. The Niagara and the guns from Fort Pickens opened on the three main Confederate positions, shooting the flags away from Forts McRee and Barrancas by noon and pummeling both the shore batteries and the lighthouse. The Niagara tried getting closer but became a prime target herself, forcing her to withdraw under heavy fire.
That afternoon, Federal gunners began firing hotshot (i.e., heated cannonballs), burning most of the nearby town of Warrington to the ground. Firing ended at nightfall, with the Confederates still holding all their fortifications despite suffering heavy damage. Federals had fired about 5,000 rounds over 28 hours. Both sides combined sustained eight men killed.
Bragg congratulated his troops on what he called a victory over the enemy: "We have crippled his ships and driven them off, and forced the garrison of Fort Pickens, in its impotent rage, to slake its revenge by firing into our hospital, and burning the habitations of our innocent women and children, who had been driven there from by an unannounced storm of shot and shell."
Brown acknowledged that the bombardment had failed to drive the Confederates out of their menacing positions near Fort Pickens. However, he announced that "the attack on 'Billy Wilson's' camp (i.e., the Confederate invasion of Santa Rosa Island), the attempted attack on my batteries, and the insult to our glorious flag have been fully and fearfully avenged."
CivilWarDailyGazette.com (multiple dates); Fredriksen, John C., Civil War Almanac (New York: Checkmark Books, 2007), p. 85; Long, E.B. with Long, Barbara, The Civil War Day by Day (New York: Da Capo Press, Inc., 1971), p. 142-43; Stanchak, John E., Historical Times Illustrated Encyclopedia of the Civil War (New York: Harper & Row, 1986, Patricia L. Faust ed.), p. 276-77
Lee Receives a New Assignment
Florida, Georgia, Military, South Carolina November 5, 2016 Comments: 2
November 5, 1861 – President Jefferson Davis reassigned General Robert E. Lee to command a new Confederate military department responsible for protecting the coastal regions of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida.
Confederate Gen R.E. Lee | Image Credit: Wikispaces.com
By this time, Confederate officials knew of the Federal armada headed to attack Port Royal. Hoping to prevent that vital point from falling, Davis and Secretary of War Judah P. Benjamin created the Department of South Carolina, Georgia, and East Florida. This combined all departments already within that area into six military districts. Five were in South Carolina, and the sixth, the District of Georgia, covered both Georgia and eastern Florida.
Davis summoned Lee to a meeting on the morning of the 5th. Although "Granny" Lee's reputation had been tarnished by his less than stellar western Virginia campaign, Davis informed him that he would be the senior officer of the new department with full administration support. The department's new jurisdiction would, according to Benjamin, "enable him (Lee) to concentrate all our forces at any point that might be attacked."
Lee left Richmond the next morning. Opposition to Lee coming to command was so great that Davis had to write to Governors Francis W. Pickens of South Carolina and Joseph E. Brown of Georgia assuring them that Lee was the best commander available. By that time, the Federal fleet had assembled off Port Royal and prepared to attack.
CivilWarDailyGazette.com (November 5); Freeman, Douglas Southall, Lee (Scribner, Kindle Edition, 2008), Loc 2986, 2998; Fredriksen, John C., Civil War Almanac (New York: Checkmark Books, 2007), p. 79; Long, E.B. with Long, Barbara, The Civil War Day by Day (New York: Da Capo Press, Inc., 1971), p. 135; Longacre, Edward G., Historical Times Illustrated Encyclopedia of the Civil War (New York: Harper & Row, 1986, Patricia L. Faust ed.), p. 303-04, 704; White, Howard Ray, Bloodstains, An Epic History of the Politics that Produced and Sustained the American Civil War and the Political Reconstruction that Followed (Southernbooks, Kindle Edition, 2012), Q461
The Invasion of Santa Rosa Island
Florida, Military October 9, 2016 Comments: 2
October 9, 1861 – A Confederate assault failed to dislodge Federals from Fort Pickens on Florida's Gulf coast.
General Braxton Bragg | Image Credit: Wikispaces.com
Fort Pickens, on the northwestern end of Santa Rosa Island, had been held by Federal troops since Florida seceded in January. Confederates had sought to capture the fort ever since, and General Braxton Bragg, commanding Confederate troops at nearby Pensacola, finally developed a plan for a surprise attack.
Bragg selected Brigadier General Richard H. Anderson to lead the 1,200-man assault force, which consisted of selected companies from Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana. The troops began boarding the C.S.S. Ewing and transports towed by the Neaffie around 10 p.m. on October 8. The vessels shuttled them to their attack point across Pensacola Bay.
Around midnight, Anderson's force landed on Santa Rosa Island four miles east of Fort Pickens. Two hours later, they began marching under cover of darkness in three columns. The first column was to advance along the north beach, the second to advance along the south beach, and the third to advance in between the other two. A force trailed the columns to destroy Federal batteries, armaments, defenses, and camps in their wake.
After two hours of hard marching along the sandy terrain, the first Confederate column encountered Federal pickets, who fired on them and ruined their element of surprise. Even so, Colonel Harvey Brown, commanding the Federal garrison at Fort Pickens, rejected a report stating that Confederates had landed and driven in one of his outposts.
The attackers met stronger resistance as they came upon the camp of the 6th New York Zouaves, about a mile east of the fort. However, the Confederates drove the Federals off with a bayonet charge and burned the camp. Colonel Brown soon received another report stating that the 6th New York was under attack. He finally dispatched two companies under Major Israel Vogdes and directed the east-facing artillery batteries to prepare for action.
Combat on Santa Rosa Island | Image Credit: CivilWarDailyGazette.com
Several of Vogdes's Federals became lost in the darkness, with Vogdes himself taken prisoner. The Federals tried establishing a defense behind a sandy hill, but overwhelming enemy numbers drove them out. The Confederates occupied the 6th New York's camp, but Anderson realized that with dawn approaching, his men could not overcome the massed artillery facing them and capture the fort. He ordered a withdrawal back to the transports.
Meanwhile, Brown dispatched more Federals under Major Lewis Arnold to support the force formerly led by Vogdes. Arnold's men attacked the Confederates as they boarded the boats. The Confederates repulsed the attacks, but many were killed or wounded by sniper fire as the transports tried getting off the island. Many other Confederates were captured after missing the call to retreat while tending to wounded comrades.
The Federals sustained 67 casualties (14 killed, 29 wounded, and 24 captured) and the Confederates lost 87 (18 killed, 39 wounded, and 30 captured). The Confederate effort to capture Fort Pickens failed.
CivilWarDailyGazette.com (multiple dates); Denney, Robert E., The Civil War Years: A Day-by-Day Chronicle (New York: Gramercy Books, 1992 [1998 edition]), p. 86; Fredriksen, John C., Civil War Almanac (New York: Checkmark Books, 2007), p. 71-72; Long, E.B. with Long, Barbara, The Civil War Day by Day (New York: Da Capo Press, Inc., 1971), p. 125; Pollard, Edward A., Southern History of the War (New York: The Fairfax Press, 1990), p. 219; Stanchak, John E., Historical Times Illustrated Encyclopedia of the Civil War (New York: Harper & Row, 1986, Patricia L. Faust ed.), p. 276-77; The War of the Rebellion: Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Vol. VI, Ch. 16, p. 438-63
Breaking the Fort Pickens Truce
Florida, Military April 12, 2016 Comments: 3
April 12, 1861 – Federal Lieutenant John L. Worden delivered President Abraham Lincoln's order to break the unofficial truce with local Confederates by reinforcing Fort Pickens, Florida.
Pickens lay two miles offshore from Pensacola, surrounded by Confederates under Brigadier General Braxton Bragg. The Confederates had seized nearby Forts Barrancas and McRee, as well as the Pensacola Navy Yard. Pickens held great importance because it had access to the best harbor and naval repair yard besides Norfolk, Virginia, but Bragg's men threatened to starve out the Federal garrison at the fort if more supplies and reinforcements did not arrive.
Through Worden, Lincoln directed that soldiers, artillery, and supplies be transferred from the naval squadron of U.S.S. Brooklyn, Sabine, St. Louis, and Wyandotte to the fort. Brooklyn moved behind Santa Rosa Island to disembark 200 Federal soldiers under Colonel Harvey Brown at Pickens's rear. Inside the fort, Lieutenant Adam J. Slemmer transferred command of the garrison to Brown. The "Fort Pickens Truce" that had been in effect since January 29 was no more.
Confederates could not prevent the Federal landing due to its location. When word reached Confederate officials at Montgomery that the Federals might try reinforcing Pickens, Secretary of War Leroy P. Walker telegraphed General Bragg to warn him. Bragg responded: "Mr. Worden had communicated with fleet before your dispatch received. Alarm guns have just fired at Fort Pickens. I fear the news is received and it will be reinforced before morning. It cannot be prevented…" The strengthening of Federal defenses compelled the Confederates to cancel plans to invade Santa Rosa Island.
The next day, Confederate authorities apprehended Lieutenant Worden near Montgomery as he was returning to Washington by train. However, they caught him too late to prevent him from delivering Lincoln's order to reinforce Fort Pickens and blockade the harbor. Worden was ultimately released due to lack of evidence.
Meanwhile, Confederate officials received a dispatch stating the Federals "have violated their agreement. Reinforcements thrown into Fort Pickens last night by small boats from the outside. The movement could not even be seen from our side, but was discovered by a small boat reconnoitering."
This news outraged the Confederates, who considered Federal forts to be state property on loan to the Federal government. To reinforce Pickens was to invade sovereign territory with foreign troops, an act of war. President Jefferson Davis, not expecting the Lincoln administration to commit such a dubious act, lamented that he did not order Confederates to attack Pickens along with Fort Sumter.
Within a week, a second naval relief expedition led by Lieutenant David D. Porter's U.S.S. Powhatan arrived at Pickens to land more reinforcements. Powhatan had flown a British flag to deceive nearby Confederates. Federal presence in the Pensacola area now totaled 1,000 troops and four warships. Colonel Brown soon established headquarters at Pickens as the commander of the new Federal Department of Florida.
Chaitin, Peter M., The Coastal War: Chesapeake Bay to Rio Grande (Alexandria, VA: Time-Life Books, 1983), p. 8
Davis, William C., First Blood: Fort Sumter to Bull Run (Alexandria, VA: Time-Life Books, 1983), p. 17-18
Denney, Robert E., The Civil War Years: A Day-by-Day Chronicle (New York: Gramercy Books, 1992 [1998 edition]), p. 34-36
Fredriksen, John C., Civil War Almanac (New York: Checkmark Books, 2007), p. 22-23
Long, E.B. with Long, Barbara, The Civil War Day by Day (New York: Da Capo Press, Inc., 1971), p. 56-61
Longacre, Edward G, Historical Times Illustrated Encyclopedia of the Civil War (New York: Harper & Row, 1986, Patricia L. Faust ed.), p. 264-65
Stanchak, John E., Historical Times Illustrated Encyclopedia of the Civil War (New York: Harper & Row, 1986, Patricia L. Faust ed.), p. 276-77
White, Howard Ray, Bloodstains, An Epic History of the Politics that Produced and Sustained the American Civil War and the Political Reconstruction that Followed (Southernbooks, Kindle Edition, 2012), Q261

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


As part of the decades-long process of creating what is now the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, President Truman issued an executive order in 1949 prohibiting planes from landing on the lakes and from flights below 4,000 feet over the area. This flight ban put Dorothy in a difficult spot as planes were her main method of bringing in supplies to her resort.
However, the ban didn't really affect Dorothy until 1952. Up until that point, rogue pilots continued to fly supplies up to her as a form of protest. It wasn't until a local pilot's plane was confiscated and impounded that the renegade trips ended and Dorothy had to make choices about her amenities.
Large amounts of heavy supplies were extremely difficult to haul over portages therefore, only essential items needed to run the resort were obtained. Crates of soda pop in glass bottles were, of course, a pleasure not a necessity.
Dorothy was undeterred by the limitations imposed on her and faced this challenge head-on with tenacity. Already having a multitude of empty glass soda pop bottles on her islands, it seemed logical to reuse them for homemade root beer.
Using root beer syrup (either from the Ely A&W, the grocery store or ordered in bulk through the Boy Scout Base), sugar and yeast, Dorothy took the clear, cold water from Knife Lake to home-brew her very own root beer. Her recipe was not a secret (and is available at the museum) but the end product did have tendency to vary. The carbonation came from the yeast processing, or fermenting, the sugar, thus creating bubbles. Dorothy's recipe called for the bottles to "sit" and ferment for three days up to two weeks depending on the temperatures.
However, in the peak summer months on hot, busy days, root beer demand was high and the production process couldn't keep up. Although the consistency of her root beer was sometimes off depending on the length of fermentation time or how long it cooled in the ice house, visitors to her island were often paddlers who had been camping for days and rejoiced in the opportunity to drink something other than iodine-flavored lake water.
The demand for her root beer grew each year to the point she had to enlist the help of friends and relatives to keep up. Occasionally, the demand for root beer became so great Dorothy had to limit the number of root beers each visitor could get.
Between 1976 and 1986 Dorothy and her helpers brewed an average of over 10,000 bottles of root beer per summer.
Today, the Dorothy Molter Museum coordinates the brewing of "Dorothy's Isle of Pines Root Beer," which is sold at the museum as well as businesses in Ely, Virginia, Duluth/North Shore, North Central Minnesota and the Twin Cities of Minnesota – and online! The recipe isn't the same as Dorothy's – we aren't allowed to use Knife Lake water – but it is close and, some might say, tastier.


text:
Demétrio () ou Demétrio de Corinto foi um filósofo cínico de Corinto que viveu em Roma durante os reinos de Calígula, Nero e Vespasiano. É mencionado por Tácito e Luciano de Samósata embora a maior parte do testemunhos provém de seu amigo Sêneca.

Ele era o amigo de Sêneca, que escreveu sobre ele muitas vezes e que o descreve como o homem perfeito:

Gregos do século I
Filósofos do século I
Naturais da Corinto romana
Maria cretina

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
Q: How to do nested menu items in twilio I'm working on a menu for IVR with twilio using php. I can't seem to figure out how to do a nested menu. i.e ask for english or spanish, then ask for an id number, then other information. Any help would be appreciated.

A: Twilio evangelist here.
I'd suggest checking out the Phone Menu HowTo available on our website.  This shows how to build a multi-level menu.
Specifically the part you want to look at is the "Directions" option in the main menu.  Choosing this menu option from the root menu has the PHP application return a set of TwiML which reads a sub-menu.  That sub-menu is created in the PHP application under the location option of the switch statement in phonemenu.php.
Hope that helps.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Thomas Woltz will present projects from the Nelson Byrd Woltz (NBW) portfolio that embody the firm's research-based approach. He will show projects across typologies, from a botanic garden to a working farm to a large public park to a residential urban terrace. Each case study illustrates how deep research into ecologies and cultures shaping the land can become legible in contemporary site-specific narratives.
- See how in-depth research into ecologies and cultures affecting a site can reveal site-specific narratives that then inform design work.
- View how this research-based approach was used on a range of private and public projects by the landscape architecture firm Nelson Byrd Woltz.
- Understand how this research-based approach is supported through the structure and staffing of a project.


text:
Origine
Margherita era la figlia ultimogenita del re di Francia Filippo III e Maria di Brabante (1254 - 1321), figlia del duca di Brabante, Enrico III (1231 – 1261), e di Adelaide o Alice di Borgogna (1233 - 1273), figlia del Duca di Borgogna e re titolare di Tessalonica, Ugo IV (1212 – 1272). Era la sorellastra del re di Francia, Filippo IV il Bello e di Carlo di Valois, capostipite della casa di Valois.

Biografia
Il re di Francia, Filippo IV il Bello, nel 1294, aveva convocato il suo vassallo, il duca di Guienna (che era anche re d'Inghilterra), Edoardo I, davanti al parlamento di Parigi; Edoardo inviò il fratello, Edmondo pare con la proposta di un matrimonio tra Edoardo e la sorellastra di Filippo IV, Bianca di Francia, che però era già stata promessa a Rodolfo III, duca d'Austria e futuro re di Boemia (Rodolfo I). Edmondo rifiutò la proposta francese di un matrimonio di Edoardo con la sorella più giovane, Margherita, e raggiunse un accordo amichevole: per i quaranta giorni, che sarebbe durata l'inchiesta, per l'accertamento delle responsabilità delle scaramucce tra marinai inglesi e francesi, le più importanti fortezze della Guascogna sarebbero passate in mano francese. Dato che allo scadere del termine previsto le fortezze non erano state restituite, Edoardo fu costretto a fare guerra alla Francia. Dopo tre anni di guerra, nell'ottobre del 1297, fu proclamata una tregua, a Vyve-Saint-Bavon, e iniziarono le trattative di pace, che portarono, nel 1298, a combinare i matrimoni di Edoardo con Margherita (con una dote di 15.000 sterline), mentre la figlia di Filippo IV il Bello, Isabella di Francia avrebbe sposato il figlio ed erede di Edoardo I, Edoardo (il futuro Edoardo II); nel 1299, l'8 settembre, a Canterbury ci fu il matrimonio tra Edoardo I e Margherita e finalmente la pace definitiva, che restituì a Edoardo le fortezze che erano state passate ai francesi nel 1294, fu firmata a Parigi, nel 1303.

Subito dopo il matrimonio, Edoardo dovette tornare al nord per occuparsi del problema scozzese e alcuni mesi dopo Margherita lo raggiunse, dividendo con lui l'aspra vita sulla frontiera scozzese. Margherita, anche per questo, fu definita a pearl of great price (una perla di grande valore).

Dopo la morte di Edoardo, nel 1307, Margherita non si risposò e, non ancora trentenne, si ritirò a vivere nel castello di Marlborough, dove passò il resto della sua vita e dove morì, nel 1318. Fu tumulata a Greenwich, nella chiesa dei frati Grigi (Greyfriar's Church), nelle vicinanze della Cattedrale di Saint Paul.

Figli
Margherita ad Edoardo diede tre figli:
 Tommaso (1300 – 1338), conte di Norfolk
 Edmondo (1301 – 1330), conte di Kent
 Eleonora, nata a Winchester il 4 maggio 1306, morta a Amesbury nel 1311.

Note

Ascendenza

Bibliografia
 Hilda Johnstone, "Francia: gli ultimi capetingi", cap. XV, vol. VI (Declino dell'impero e del papato e sviluppo degli stati nazionali) della Storia del Mondo Medievale, 1999, pp. 569-607
 Hilda Johnstone, "Inghilterra: Edoardo I e Edoardo II", cap. XVIII, vol. VI (Declino dell'impero e del papato e sviluppo degli stati nazionali) della Storia del Mondo Medievale, 1999, pp. 673-717.

Voci correlate
 Sovrani d'Inghilterra
 Sovrani britannici
 Sovrani di Francia
 Duchi d'Aquitania
 Duchi di Guascogna
 Storia della Francia

Altri progetti

Coniugi dei re d'Inghilterra
Capetingi


text:
Mučnina (franc. La Nausée) je roman francuskog filozofa Jean-Paula Sartrea, koji je nakon objavljivanja 1938. postao je jednim od glavnih djela egzistencijalizma.  Opisuje nekoliko tjedana u ispraznom i besmislenom životu Antoinea Roquentina kojeg progoni osjećaj mučnine, straha od postojanja.

Djelo je napisano u obliku dnevnika glavnog lika, čime izravno dobivamo uvid u njegova razmišljanja i stanja svijesti.  Mučnina gotovo i nema prave radnje, a obiluje filozofskim i esejističkim ulomcima.  Bavi se pitanjima smisla života, vremena, slobodne volje, kontingencije, umjetničkog stvaralaštva te odnosa esencije i egzistencije.

Radnja

Proputovavši svijetom, Antoine Roquentin se odlučio smjestiti u francuskom gradu Bouvilleu kako bi dovršio svoje istraživanje i knjigu o markizu de Rollebonu, aristokratu iz 18. stoljeća.  Radnja se odvija kroz posljednjih nekoliko tjedana njegovog boravka u tom gradu.

Roquentina počinje mučiti neodređeni osjećaj straha i gađenja te odlučuje voditi dnevnik kako bi ga bolje shvatio.  Osjećaj, koji kasnije naziva mučnina, progoni ga posvuda; isprva mu pokušava pobjeći odlaskom u kavane, među ljude, no uskoro ga i tamo pronalazi.  Uviđa da mu je život potpuno besmislen i isprazan.  Postupno gubi volju za istraživačkim radom i odustaje od pisanja knjige.  Vrijeme provodi u knjižnici, lutajući gradom i povremeno razgovarajući sa Samoukom.

Za vrijeme jednog ručka sa Samoukom upušta se u razgovor o humanizmu.  Naivni humanistički stavovi u Roquentina izazivaju osjećaj odbojnosti i gađenja te narušavaju njihove dobre odnose.  Promatrajući ljude oko sebe uviđa da su sve njihove akcije motivirane željom da prikriju ispraznost i besmisao vlastitog postojanja.

Mučnina ga sve više obuhvaća.  Konačno shvaća da je ona zapravo strah od postojanja, a postojati znači jednostavno biti tu, bez razloga i bez mogućnosti dubljeg razumijevanja tog stanja.  Osjeća se otuđenim od ljudi i predmeta oko sebe, od samog sebe i vlastitih dijelova tijela.

Jednoličnost Roquentinovog života donekle prekida poziv od Anny s kojom se rastao prije pet godina, a koja je sad u Parizu i želi ga vidjeti.  Osjeća određeno uzbuđenje oko susreta i potajno se nada da će se s njom uspjeti sporazumjeti i da će ostati zajedno.  Međutim, susret prolazi u neugodnoj atmosferi međusobnog nerazumijevanja; Anny se ne slaže s Antoineovim stavovima i željama te se konačno rastaju.

Pomalo razočaran i potpuno osamljen, Roquentin odlučuje otići iz Bouvillea, jer tamo više nema što raditi.  Želi se oprostiti sa Samoukom; njega zatječe kako zavodi dječaka u knjižnici, čime izaziva bijes ostalih i potpuno isključenje iz društva.  Čekajući vlak za Pariz, sluša jazz pjesmu koja ga potiče na razmišljanje o umjetnosti i zaključuje je ona mogući način za davanje smisla vlastitom postojanju.  Odlučuje da će pokušati napisati roman.

Likovi
Antoine Roquentin je tridesetogodišnji povjesničar.  Iako je proputovao svijetom i imao naizgled uzbudljiv i ispunjen život, nije sretan.  Živi potpuno sam, bez prijatelja ili obitelji; teško komunicira s ljudima. Ima dovoljno novca za život, a posao mu se sastoji od povjesničarskog istraživanja i pisanja knjige.  Ništa ga ne obvezuje i od njega nitko ništa ne očekuje.  Kako se mučnina razvija, sve više se otuđuje od okoline.  Našavši se s druge strane očaja, nešto nade za opravdavanje vlastite egzistencije pronalazi u umjetničkom stvaralaštvu.

Samouk (pravim imenom Ogier P.) je sudski pisar iz Bouvillea.  Slobodno vrijeme posvetio je čitanju knjiga iz gradske knjižnice po abecednom redu, u želji da ovlada cjelokupnim ljudskim znanjem; pri tome sam ne stvara ništa.  Iako vođen humanističkim idealima, on je neugledan i osamljen čovjek na kojeg nitko ne obraća pažnju.  Grotesknost Samoukovog lika upotpunjena je i otkrićem njegovih pedofilskih sklonosti.

Anny je engleska glumica koju je Antoine upoznao na putovanju i s kojom je neko vrijeme održavao ljubavnu vezu.  Anny je ekscentrična ličnost i ima neobičnu životnu filozofiju – glavno uporište joj je prošlost.

Zanimljivosti
Dnevnički zapis naslovljen Šest sati uvečer opisuje osjećaj otuđivanja od vlastitih dijelova tijela.  Način na koji Roquentin to doživljava vrlo je sličan mogućim posljedicama konzumacije psihodelične droge meskalin, koju je Sartre probao 1935.

Djela Jean-Paula Sartrea
Francuska književnost
Književnost 20. stoljeća
Romani


> OK. I've gotten further along.
httpd.conf that loads the mod_dav_svn module.
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text:
Subject: Thanks to Pension Funds, Halloween May Be More "Trick" Than "Treat" This Year
URL: https://mney.co/2nVd7ox
Follow Keith Fitz-Gerald
Profit Alerts: Keith Fitz-Gerald, Retirement Tips, Trading Strategy Alerts, Wall Street Scam Watch, Your Money & Politics
Thanks to Pension Funds, Halloween May Be More "Trick" Than "Treat" This Year
This expert insight from Keith Fitz-Gerald originally ran in Total Wealth on August 21, 2018
The information I am about to share with you will make you absolutely livid.
What I'm going to explain to you today has already cost taxpayers in excess of $1 trillion over the past decade, according to the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College.
Now, that figure could double again…
… because of guaranteed pensions.
This is one of Wall Street's dirtiest, best-guarded secrets… but nobody ever talks about it outside the mahogany-lined hallways of their innermost sanctums.
They're the real reason why your local school district is cutting its budget, why there's never enough money to maintain our country's infrastructure, why healthcare costs so much, and why you're hit with one levy after another, year after year, to cover government "shortfalls."
The pension crisis is also the single BIGGEST risk to the world's stock markets today and, yes, to your wealth.
Rolling Stone calls this… a scam of almost unmatchable cruelty.
Forbes says it's a… "national crisis" of unprecedented proportions.
Bloomberg says… the writing appears to be on the wall.
I know I'm going out on a limb.
Things appear good. The economy is stronger than it's been in decades. Unemployment is near 50-year lows. Wages are expanding. Spending is up. Earnings are excellent.
What I have to say will be hard to believe.
But, here it goes…
U.S. pension assets were $25.17 trillion at the end of 2017.
That's a huge number.
So large, in fact, that many people can't wrap their heads around it.
But let's try anyway. That's double the shadow-banking system that brought this country to its knees in 2008, when securitized sub-prime mortgages blew up. And that's 9x the amount of capital that cratered Lehman Brothers.
Most folks are surprised to learn, however, that this is a double-edged sword…
… America's pensions owe retirees $6 trillion more than they can pay.
Put plainly, they don't have enough money.
So they're breaking promises they made to retirees by cutting their income substantially. In some cases, by 90% or more.
The pension industry is sitting on a massive, $6 trillion lie… and Congress won't own up to the truth. Now, that lie has become a silent killer for the retirement dreams of millions of Americans. Here's what you need to know…
Adam Milton is a 75-year-old retired dockworker, for example. He was counting on a $2,300 monthly pension check and Social Security to keep him and his wife secure for the rest of his life. That's been cut 66.96% to $760 a month.
Ed Herman made ends meet with a monthly $2,422 pension check that's now been cut 62.76% to $902.
Sadly, neither of these men are exceptions.
More than 31 million Americans drawing a pension are directly at risk of default. Another 200 million investors are, too, even though they don't have a pension and never will.
Again, to put this in perspective, $6 trillion is 50% more than the amount of money Congress blows through in a year. It's 9x Washington's fiscal 2017 deficit of $666 billion.
The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation – the agency Washington's political apparatchiks created to deal with a situation like this – can't help. The PBGC is already "broke"… and $80+ billion in the red.
How It Got This Way
Browse Keith's articles | View Keith's research services
Keith is a seasoned market analyst and professional trader with more than 37 years of global experience. He is one of very few experts to correctly see both the dot.bomb crisis and the ongoing financial crisis coming ahead of time - and one of even fewer to help millions of investors around the world successfully navigate them both. Forbes hailed him as a "Market Visionary." He is a regular on FOX Business News and Yahoo! Finance, and his observations have been featured in Bloomberg, The Wall Street Journal, WIRED, and MarketWatch. Keith previously led The Money Map Report, Money Map's flagship newsletter, as Chief Investment Strategist, from 20007 to 2020. Keith holds a BS in management and finance from Skidmore College and an MS in international finance (with a focus on Japanese business science) from Chaminade University. He regularly travels the world in search of investment opportunities others don't yet see or understand.
Sally Ann Milavec
I have heard about this before. You have mentioned how some pensioners have already lost much of their income. What will we look for to signal the immediate collapse? Millions of people unable to get their money? Or will their be other warning signs?
Retirement Tips (this article)
Wall Street Scam Watch (this article)
Your Money & Politics (this article)


text:
Archive for the 'Election 2013: AG' Category
2012 Shenandoah County Reagan Day Dinner
Update: Jamie Radtke, candidate for U.S. Senate, has been added to the line-up. Tix are still available, so get yours today!
The Shenandoah County Republican Committee is proud to announce its
2012 RONALD REAGAN DINNER
Yellow Barn – Shenandoah Caverns, VA
U.S. Senate Candidates:
Former Governor & U.S. Senator George Allen
Delegate Bob Marshall
Jamie Radtke
6th Congressional District Candidates:
Karen Kwiatkowski
Our Legislative Representatives in Richmond:
The Dinner, catered by Shaffer's, starts at 6:15 pm
Private Reception for Sponsors and Dignitaries at 5:30 pm
Silent Auction benefitting the Republican Women of Shenandoah County at 5:30 pm
Standard Tickets: $25
Included with a Sponsorship: Dinner & Private Reception, with a chance to meet, and take pictures with, our distinguished guests; A chance to sit at a table, during dinner, with one of our distinguished guests; and recognition in our Event Program. At dinner, Sponsors will be seated in the order of their sponsorship; within each level, seats will be assigned on a first come, first served basis.
Levels of Sponsorship
Event Host: $75 per ticket. In addition to the aforementioned sponsorship perks, Event Hosts will be recognized for their generosity at the greeter's table.
Event Sponsor: $50 per ticket.
Event Patron: $35 per ticket.
Program Advertising: $50 for Business card size; $100 for half page; $200 for full page.
Jeremy McCleary, SCRC Chairman, or Blake Philips, SCRC Events Chair
(540)459-2444 or (540)459-3727; mcclearylaw@gmail.com; P.O. Box 389 – Woodstock, VA 22664
Categories: Campaign 2012, County/Town Government and Politics, Election 2012: 6th District, Election 2012: Senate, Election 2013: AG, Local news, On The Trail, Political culture Tags: Bob Goodlatte, Bob Marshall, George Allen, Karen Kwiatkowski, Reagan Day, Shen Co
The Saga Continues: The AG Race (POLL INCLUDED)
January 6, 2012 Craig Orndorff	Leave a comment
Movie franchises work best in threes. Comedy has its own rule of threes. And here in Virginia, we have three statewide elected officials elected in the year between the presidential and midterm elections. So, of course, I feel like I have to complete my own trilogy of posts about the state of the race for 2013. As has been said by me and plenty others, much is in flux right now, and this isn't even the biggest race on the radar. Those, of course, are the US Senate Race and the Presidential election, for which the GOP will need all hands on deck next year to prevail in. However, as we recently saw with the discussions over the presidential primary ballot requirements and the "loyalty oath" issue for said primary, these races are definitely coloring how people are approaching the 2012 races. So, since we've already gotten a feel for where we're at for the Governor and LG races, why not go for a threepeat?
A caution–let us not read too much into any results I have to offer. If anything, the only thing internet polls are good for are for giving us a slight idea of who has the best organized and motivated people. That, and just who reads what blogs. (My readers/acquaintances seem to be more Bolling fans than Cuccinelli fans, given that my poll results were the inverse of Bearing Drifts) But, in a number driven business, they're just fun too, so why not?
Your Contenders
Delegate Robert Bell–Bell is starting his fifth term in Richmond as a Delegate representing a Piedmont based district, with territory in Albemarle, Greene, Fluvanna and just a chunk of Rockingham Counties. (This makes for an interesting race, as that means two candidates represent parts of the same locality) Bell was first elected in 2001 and has represented a "purplish" district–mostly due to the Albemarle based precincts but has consistently done well. Bell's ambition has been known for a long time, but this cycle marks his first clear shot at the brass ring. Bell has often been considered one of the "young guns" of the General Assembly (though at forty four, he's just five years younger than another candidate). He's married with two young children. Bell has been a pretty reliable conservative in the General Assembly, but some of his legislative agenda has tended towards strengthening laws and regulations–something that may not play well with the current libertarian leanings predominant amongst many Virginia GOP activists. Bell chairs the powerful Criminal subcomittee, which handles a large chunk of legislation that comes through the GA each year. Additionally, Bell is a former prosecutor, something that's always a plus (though not a necessity) in this race. Bell is also a pretty formidable fundraiser.
Fairfax Circuit Court Clerk John Frey–Frey, the three term clerk of the combined Fairfax and Fairfax Circuit Courts, is something of an unknown entity to many activists–even a few in Northern Virginia. However, from what I had learned about Frey, he certainly brings an interesting angle to things. For one, he's not in any real way tied to Richmond as it is, and I think we can expect him to talk alot about the relationship between the state and localities, a tack that will likely also be taken by Corey Stewart in the AG's race. Additionally, he brings the sort of executive experience that Bell and Obenshain don't quite have, running an office of more than one hundred fifty employees with a budget of $11 million. I'm not sure about Frey's experience as a lawyer nor his fundraising abilities, but it'll be interesting to learn more, as he's attempting a path that hasn't been successful on the GOP side since Jim Gilmore won the AG slot in 1993 (going from local to statewide office).
State Senator Mark Obenshain–Right now Obenshain is said to be "exploring" a run for Attorney General, but he has launched a committee specifically for this race and its said that an official announcement is forthcoming–he's in. Obenshain is embarking on his third term in the State Senate. Obenshain has twice handily dispatched opponents in this rock solid red district, and in 2011 no one even bothered running against him. Obenshain has been a stalwart conservative in a Senate that was, earlier in the last decade, more under the influence of moderates. Obenshain has a reputation as a fighter but also as somebody who can get things done. Obenshain has been a decent fundraiser, but compared to Bell, he's never had the real need to raise a huge chunk of coin to get the job done. Obenshain is more closely linked to Cuccinelli than Bell, the two having been close in the State Senate, and therefore may draw many of Cuccinelli's supporters, but Obenshain has clearly stated his neutrality in the Governor's race. It certainly doesn't hurt, either, that Obenshain is the son of a party legend, former RPV Chair and 1978 Senate Nominee the late Richard Obenshain (who died in a air crash during the campaign and was replaced on the ticket by now Former Senator John Warner). I'm not sure but I don't believe Obenshain has any prosecutorial experience but is regularly named one of Virginia's "Legal Elite" by Virginia Business Magazine. Obenshain has two children in college, is married, and is 49.
Possible Candidates
Former Arlington School Board Chair Dave Foster–Foster ran in 2009 and came in third at the convention to Cuccinelli and Brownlee on the first (and only) ballot. Foster's primary claim to fame is as a member of the Arlington County School Board (0nce as chair) and is regularly touted as a figure who can break the Democratic stranglehold in that region (although the School Board is non-partisan). Foster raised a decent amount of money in the AG's race last time but never really gained any traction, squeezed by Cuccinelli's strident conservative legislative accomplishments and Brownlee's tough on crime rhetoric. Foster has remained active, hosting hospitality suites at recent Advances. Foster's biggest appeal was and is as a Republican in deep blue territory–but last time he wasn't the only one, with Cuccinelli in the mix, and this time he won't be the only one either if Frey does indeed make it to the primary. Foster may instead make the race to replace now-State Senator Barbara Favola on the Arlington Board of Supervisors, but the guy's scrappy–if he takes a pass on that, and its looking very likely, then we'll have a better idea of where he's leaning.
Former US District Attorney John Brownlee–Brownlee could make the race again, having placed second to Cuccinelli at the 2009 State Convention. Brownlee is many a consultant's perfect storm candidate–a veteran, a tough on crime prosecutor, young, great looks. However, Brownlee, despite his sterling prosecutorial credentials, never really made a strong case against the Cooch and managed to lose a good chunk of the rural counties, supposedly his strongest area as he served in the Western District in Roanoke. Still, Brownlee was a pretty decent fundraiser and pulled in some pretty good supporters, but don't count him out yet. However, keep in mind that a GOP win in November could lead to different opportunities for Brownlee…..
So there's your slate, folks. Vote above, with the usual choices (all of the above mentioned plus undecided and someone else). Feel free to share any further thoughts or candidates in the comments below.
Categories: Election 2013: AG, Party politics, Polling/Public Opinion, Reader feedback Tags: Attorney General, Dave Foster, John Brownlee, John Frey, Mark Obenshain, Rob Bell
Mullins more than Mulling
I broke it–well, insinuated at the possibility by reading in to something, anyways–first, but Bearing Drift confirms: RPV Pat Mullins will be seeking re-election at next June's State Convention. The State Convention will likely be lightly attended compared to 2008 and 2009, as no nominations for federal office will be at hand (well, other than the nominations for Republican at-large presidential electors). However, the Chairman is still an important position as RPV heads into 2012 and 2013.
Over the past few days I have started calling folks to let them know that I intend to seek re-election as Chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia at the 2012 State Convention and to serve a full 4 year term. I hope to talk to you directly in the next few days or chat with you at the Advance about this decision.
When you first elected me Chairman in the spring of 2009 our party was deeply divided and reeling, as we had just come off our worse electoral defeat in a generation. Barack Obama had just won our electoral votes, the Democrats had just taken a 6-5 Congressional delegation majority, they held the Governor's mansion, a state Senate majority, and both of our U.S. Senate seats.
I believe that because of this adversity, we all came together and worked together to change the direction of not only our party, but the Commonwealth of Virginia. We did it together.
In 2009, with your help and those of thousands of other grassroots activists, we elected Bob McDonnell, Bill Bolling, and Ken Cuccinelli and added six seats to our majority in the House of Delegates.
In 2010 we defeated three incumbent Democratic Members of Congress and came within a few hundred votes of defeating a fourth. We flipped the Democrat's 6-5 Congressional majority to an 8-3 Republican majority which helped elect Congressman Eric Cantor as U.S. Majority Leader.
In 2011 we added seven additional seats to our majority in the House of Delegates and defeated two incumbent Democratic state Senators to gain control of the Virginia Senate.
And while the past three years have been some of the most successful our party has had, we cannot rest on our laurels. The elections of 2012, 2013, 2014 and beyond are critical for our party and our nation.
I am seeking to serve as Chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia for another four years to keep the momentum going and to continue to elect Republicans who will stand strong for our shared principles.
Mullins has done a fantastic job as chairman. He's one of the best judges of political horseflesh we have out there (and why not–the man's occupation is insuring horses!), and it shows. RPV has one of the best professional teams its has had in years, and the proof is in the pudding–the Governorship, both lower constitutional offices, control of the GA, and a majority of the state's congressional delegation. There's still plenty of work to be done, but RPV is in very good shape right now. No major gaffes on Mullins' part, and the man is a true workhorse (if not exactly a dynamo) on the trail.
Is RPV perfect? No. I think there's still a great deal of work to be done. I personally would like to see more engagement with local units–not just providing resources but helping to create a culture of campaigning, with every single member of every single unit viewing their job not just as a sinecure that shows their "dedication" but taking an active role in every campaign, in whatever way they can or are best able to. RPV also has some work to do with winning the data war, as there seems to be a feeling that Voter Vault is not at all what it could be.
However, I think Mullins is the man to continue this battle, particularly as someone who has put in the time as a county chair. RPV has also done fairly solid work with helping party units on procedural matters. The only real issue that one could take with Mullins is on the perrenial "convention v. primary" battle–but even there, Mullins is not the one to "blame." That's a decision made by the State Central Committee writ large, some of whom are elected directly at the District Conventions, some who hold the position by virtue of election to head an auxillary organization, some by elected office, and others elected by the District Committees, which consists of unit chairs. If you prefer a convention system, this is the year to hold the individuals you elect to party office accountable on this issue. To punish Mullins for a decision reached by a whole swath of people directly and indirectly elected by party activists would be to take away a steady hand at the wheel, the one keeping everybody together.
Unless something happens on the road to the convention or a much, much more compelling figure arises (and they're going to have to have a heck of a record), Mullins is my prohibitive pick for Chairman next June.
Categories: Campaign 2012, Election 2013, Election 2013: AG, Election 2013: Gov, Election 2013: Lt. Gov, Party politics
Advance on the Advance
December 2, 2011 Craig Orndorff	3 comments
The last twenty four hours has put a whole new spin on the Republican Party of Virginia's annual retreat/conference, the Advance. Certainly spirits were expected to be high, given the GOP's narrow gain of control of the State Senate and continuing enthusiasm for unseating Barack Obama. Of course, as is always the case, various figures were anticipated to start jockeying for position for statewide bids. Which ones, exactly, we didn't know…..
Then last night the picture became a whole lot clearer when it was leaked that AG Ken Cuccinelli is preparing to announce a bid for Governor. It was expected that this wouldn't happen until after the Advance, but, now its all out in the open. Cuccinelli has pretty much made it official, starting with an email to his staff that was leaked this afternoon:
You have likely heard in the media the many rumors about an announcement of a run for governor. While I wanted to wait to announce a candidacy until after the General Assembly session, as the rumors swirl, I find it necessary to put them to rest.
After much prayer and consideration, I have decided to run for governor in 2013. I have always intended to let you know before the media. Shortly after you receive this email, I will be sending a statement to the media announcing my candidacy.
Also of note: Cuccinelli stated that he would buck the recent tradition of AGs who seek the Governorship resigning to focus on their campaign/make sure the citizens have a full-time AG (depending on who you ask). Generally this doesn't happen until the spring of election year, so I find it interesting the Cooch went to lengths from the start to say he wouldn't be doing that.
We will continue this work together until the last day of my term. Just as I had intended not to resign as attorney general to run for a second term, I will not resign as attorney general to run for governor. The people of Virginia trusted me to be their attorney general, and I intend to give them their full four years. I also think it is important to see these lawsuits against the federal government all the way through, as they are unprecedented battles for liberty in our lifetimes.
I am committed to you and to the citizens of this commonwealth to leading this office and making this job my priority. I have no right to ask the voters for a promotion if I cannot continue to do my current job well.
Meanwhile, there's been reaction from all corners, ranging from enthusiastic to downright icy. The only reaction anyone really cared about, though, was Bill Bolling's, and as expected, he is not pleased:
Needless to say, I am very disappointed by Mr. Cuccinelli's decision to run for Governor in 2013. During the 2009 campaign, and since taking office in 2010, Mr. Cuccinelli had repeatedly stated that he intended to seek re-election as Attorney General in 2013 and that is what I and other Republican leaders had expected him to do. Unfortunately, he has now decided to put his own personal ambition ahead of the best interests of the Commonwealth and the Republican Party.
But that much we figured. Bolling, however, has already been able to get the Governor squarely in his corner:
Virginia is fortunate to have both Ken Cuccinelli and Bill Bolling serving in statewide office. They are dedicated public servants and I enjoy working closely with them on a daily basis. While I do prefer a scenario in which both men continue to serve in statewide office together going forward, I certainly respect the right of the attorney general to make his own decision regarding future races. Since early 2008, I've been clear that I will strongly support Bill Bolling for Governor in 2013. Bill is a trusted advisor and a close, personal friend. As Lieutenant Governor, Bill has been a key member of our Administration. Serving as our Chief Job Creation Officer, Bill has been tireless and successful in his work to bring more jobs and economic opportunities to the Commonwealth. I look forward to supporting Bill in his campaign for Governor.
So what about the people who will actually decide this thing–you know, Republican voters? Again, reaction has ranged from enthusiastic to ambivalent to polite but disapproving to downright icy, with many in the comments sections of some of the state's top right leaning blogs cheering for Cuccinelli but just as many chastising him for upending the "system". Two bloggers have suggested Cuccinelli back off and run for re-election–one a Bolling supporter who fears a bloody primary will upend the party's chances and another who specifically wants Cuccinelli around to fight UVA on the global climate records issue (UPDATE: for the record, that author is neutral between Bolling and Cuccinelli). For what its worth, in my extremely unscientific and lightly traveled poll, Cuccinelli and Bolling are tied, although there's a bit more support for Ken running than not. Meanwhile, at Bearing Drift's equally unscientific but far more participated in poll, Cuccinelli is leading Bolling 64%-32% (for some reason, they included neither rather than undecided). In the only scientific polling that has been done, an automated poll by PPP last August, Cuccinelli garnered 45% to Bolling's 21%.
Others are bashing Ken for not upholding his "word". For what it's worth, as Chris at Mason Conservative points out, Ken wasn't party to any agreement between McDonnell and Bolling, though at an AG's debate in 2009 he said he wouldn't:
"Will you pledge tonight that if elected Attorney General, you will support Bill Bolling for Governor in 2013 and not run against him?, asks Jay Warren.
"That's just not something I would foresee happening.", says Cuccinelli.
"So equivocally no?", asks Jay Warren.
"Yes. Correct.", responds Cuccinelli.
But he was guarded enough to say he didn't foresee it….so that was then, and this is now. As I pointed out before, Cuccinelli is a darling of the right, not just at home but across the country. Indeed, rather than being at the Advance on Saturday Night, Cuccinelli will be playing a role as a moderator of a Fox News Presidential forum in New York City. (No word on what his Friday night plans are)
So if we're looking at a Bolling-Cuccinelli match-up for the big job, where does that leave us for the rest of the potential field for other statewide offices? It was assumed that Lt. Gov. would be the only prize open, but now, it looks like that and AG will both be up for grabs. First out of the gate to finalize his plans is my own State Senator Mark Obenshain, who has announced (unofficially, at least) for AG:
Harrisonburg Republican Sen. Mark Obenshain confirmed Thursday he's exploring a bid for attorney general in the 2013 statewide election as news broke about the future plans of that office's current occupant.
A more formal announcement from Obsenshain is expected soon — he said he'll make his intentions clear after Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli declares his plans for the next election. (Cuccinelli is expected to reveal his plans to run for governor in the near term.)
I won't be shy about sharing this–I'm with Mark. I've worked with him since his very first run for State Senate in 2003 (when we shared the back of a pickup truck following a sudden downpour after a July 4th parade in New Market–he got us all to dry land post-haste–my kind of leader). In his time in the State Senate Mark has been a solid leader on issues like eminent domain reform, auditing VDOT, strengthening law enforcement in the battle against the scourge of crystal meth, and the like. He's also not too shabby of a lawyer, having been repeatedly been named as one of Virginia Business Magazine's Legal Elite. He brings both the heft on public safety and the sound legal mind we should be looking for in an AG contender. Obenshain will be hosting a hospitality suite at the Advance for himself on Friday night and as part of the Conservative Caucus with Delegate Ben Cline on Saturday night.
Also on tap, Corey Stewart. For what, though, we don't quite know yet:
Prince William County Board Chairman Corey Stewart just won reelection last month but he's already eyeing higher office.
Stewart said he will make an announcement in January about a run for statewide office — an office in Richmond.
Earlier this year, Stewart considered seeking the GOP nomination for the U.S. Senate but eventually ruled that out. He recently endorsed George Allen.
Stewart's made no secret of his ambition to seek higher office. He won't yet reveal which job he'll seek, but today Republican State Sen. Mark Obenshain, who had been seen as a leading candidate for lieutenant governor, said he's exploring a bid for attorney general instead now that Ken Cuccinelli will run for governor instead of seeking reelection.
Stewart has received high praise for his local battle against illegal immigration in Prince William County. Stewart's biggest obstacle will be his record as Supervisor–not that he has a bad one, as the average tax bill in PWC is actually substantially lower than a few years ago. But past history shows that being a Supervisor always yields a few votes that can be spun as "un-conservative"–both former PWC Chair Sean Connaughton and former Hanover Supervisor turned State Senator and now LG Bolling lobbed charges against each other in the 2005 LG race stemming from their own service on their respective Boards. Stewart will host a hospitality suite as well.
So what about the rest of the field, as it were? Well, we really don't know yet, but there's a few names that have been floated already, and several will have hospitality suites at the Advance. Here's the rest of the names we're seeing:
Dave Foster–rumored to be considering a second run for AG, but also noted by some as a potential choice to square off for an open seat on the Arlington County Board of Supervisors
Delegate Rob Bell–thought to be another contender for AG
Delegate Bob Marshall–with Radtke floundering and no other challenger picking up speed, combined with coming very close to beating former Governor Jim Gilmore for the US Senate nod in 2008, Marshall is seen as possible late entry to the US Senate race
Though not listed on the official RPV agenda, Dick Black is said to be hosting one as well. I'm not sure Black is really eyeing anything–after all, he just made his political comeback by securing a State Senate seat this year. I think this is more about securing a statewide financial base for future runs than anything in the near future
Keith Fimian, who has twice gone up against Gerry Connolly in the 11th (in an open seat in 08 and as a challenger in 10). He came very close in the 2010 wave, but it looks like he may now have his eye on LG in 2013.
Delegate Ben Cline, a former chief of staff to Congressman Bob Goodlatte, is said to be the heir apparent when Goodlatte retires, but with two potential NOVA based candidates for LG, there may very well be a place for Cline in that race…
Dumfries Town Councilwoman Kristin Forrester–this is her second go around–she's up to SOMETHING, but it's not entirely clear what….
former Governor and former Senator George Allen–if I have to explain this one….but yeah, he's running for the US Senate nomination
RPV Chairman Pat Mullins. Interestingly, this one is billed as Pat Mullins FOR Chairman–could be reading too much into this, but that would seem to indicate that Mullins is likely leaning towards seeking re-election as chairman at next June's state convention
Also hosting suites: Americans for Prosperity and House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, along with the Senate Caucus. Plenty of fireworks, what with the sudden start to the 2013 campaign and the Presidential Primary which, ironically, may lurk in the shadows to a certain degree….although many will still be gathering signatures, I imagine.
Categories: Conservatism/Activism, Election 2013, Election 2013: AG, Election 2013: Gov, Election 2013: Lt. Gov, GOV/AG/LG, Party politics Tags: Bill Bolling, Eric Cantor, Ken Cuccinelli, Kristin Forrester, Mark Obenshain, Rob Bell


By this time the sun was starting to hit the wall so we headed over to Railay to eat lunch and do one more climb on 1-2-3 Wall. Mostafa put up We Sad 6a+ then I climbed it on top rope. Needed another very aggressive spot to get up on the stalactite.
It looks like I'm running but I'm not. Getting started on Cowabungalow 6b.
We Sad 6a+ that I climbed this on toprope.
What's up with all the hard starting climbs today???
This entry was posted in climbing on February 28, 2015 by kph76.


text:
Q: Laravel groupby Week Eloquent query As a newbie to Laravel , I had some some doubts regarding the date formatter and  the blade templates.
I have written a query which is excuted in the correct way,
Following is my Eloquent SQL Query.
public function orderbyweek()
    {

        $orderbyweek = DB::table('sales_flat_order_items as s')
                ->leftJoin('sales_flat_orders as w', 'w.entity_id','=','s.order_id')
                ->select(array(DB::Raw('sum(s.amount_refunded) as amount_refunded'),
                    DB::Raw('sum(s.row_total) as row_total'),
                    DB::Raw('sum(s.discount_amount) as discount_amount'),
                    DB::Raw('sum(s.tax_amount) as tax_amount'),
                    DB::Raw('sum(s.qty_ordered) as qty_ordered'),
                    DB::Raw('sum(w.subtotal) as subtotal'),
                    DB::Raw('WEEK(w.created_at) week'),
                    DB::Raw('sum(w.total_invoiced) as total_invoiced'),
                    DB::Raw('sum(w.shipping_amount) as shipping_amount')
                    ))
                ->where('qty_canceled','=','0')
                ->where('status','!=','canceled')
                ->groupBy('week')
                ->orderBy('w.created_at')
                ->get();

            return View::make('sales_flat_orders.orderbyweek', compact('orderbyweek'));

    }

This show me the table where i want the week as in interval of 7 days.
So in my template what will i need to do? How to add the date formatter for that? I have done something here:

        DATE

  @foreach($orderbyweek as $s)

     {{date("d F, Y",strtotime($s->week))}}

 @endforeach

I have the sql query executed which is the following:
select sum(s.amount_refunded) as amount_refunded, sum(s.row_total) as row_total, sum(s.discount_amount) as discount_amount, sum(s.tax_amount) as tax_amount, sum(s.qty_ordered) as qty_ordered, sum(w.subtotal) as subtotal, WEEK(w.created_at) week, sum(w.total_invoiced) as total_invoiced, sum(w.shipping_amount) as shipping_amount from `sales_flat_order_items` as `s` left join `sales_flat_orders` as `w` on `w`.`entity_id` = `s`.`order_id` where `qty_canceled` = '0' and `status` != 'canceled' group by `week` order by `s`.`created_at` asc

Where am i going wrong?
I am getting ordebydate, orderbyyear too. But Not Order by Week

Please Help me out.

A: This is used for month group-by by me, I think this will also work for week.
    $data = \Invoice::select(
                        DB::raw("MONTHNAME(STR_TO_DATE(MONTH(date), '%m')) as month"),
                        DB::raw('SUM(g_total) as total_invoice_amnt'),
                        DB::raw('MONTH(date) as no_mnth')
                    );
                    foreach ($filters as $filter) {
                        if ($filter[2] != '') {
                            $data->where($filter[0], $filter[1], $filter[2]);
                        }
                    }
    $data = $data->groupBy("month")
                 ->OrderBy('no_mnth','ASC')
                 ->get()
                 ->toArray();

    return $data;