text:
That awful Ron Jacobs
I'm so sick of even the idea of Ron Jacobs.
The 'political' writer has had nothing to say about Iraq in forever.
And he keeps churning out crap on one male recording artist after another.
How very 'radical' of you, Ron.
Elvis?
Bruce?
Bob Dylan?
Can you be any more of a toady?
Elaine was noting how sexist Ron (and others at CounterPunch) were as they picked one man after another week after week in their 'what we're listening to' piece. For like 30 weeks, there were 2 times when he picked a woman. 28 men, 2 women.
Ron's an old fart who just needs to die and take his limited and sexist views with him.
That he dares to call himself a Socialist while clinging to crypto-fascist artists is second only to the fact that he's not derided universally as he should be.
Friday, December 5, 2014. Chaos and violence continue, the persecution of Sunnis continue, the US Senate explores the costs for the VA of treating hepatitis C, and much more.
"It is estimated that the VA will spend $1.3 billion over the next two years just on this hepatitis C treatment," Senator Mazie Hirono declared at Wednesday's Senate Veterans Affairs Committee.
The issue was hepatitis C in the veterans community. And it was one of two hearings the Senate committee held this week in the final month of the Committee. Next January, new senators take office and the Senate will be under Republican control. Longterm Ranking Member Richard Burr should transition over to Committee Chair with current Chair Bernie Sanders transferring to Ranking Member.
Democrats have controlled the Senate since the results of the November 2006 mid-terms.
During that time, Daniel Akaka and Patty Murray have been Committee Chair and now Vermont's Bernie Sanders.
A very wealthy corporation, Giliad, is getting extremely rich off the price of medications. They refused to attend the hearing,
Committee Chair Bernie Sanders: Prior to the developments of the new drugs from Giliad, the primary method for treating Hepatitis C was interferon -- an injectible medicine that has many side effects that are terribly painful for many patients. Additionally, many patients required additional intervention including liver transplants. These treatments were expensive. According to research by Dr. John Gaetano of the University of Chicago who has special expertise in hepatitis, it is estimated the costs for a person with liver damage over a ten year period can exceed $270,000 and the average liver transplant in 2011 cost $577,100. This brings us to the purpose of today's hearing -- the new treatments for Hepatitis C now on the market and the exorbitant price tag associated with them. Gilead, the manufacturer of Sovaldi, is selling the drug at an astounding price of $84,000 for a twelve-week course of treatment, or about $1,000 per pill. I had invited Gilead to testify today. I had hoped they could share their perspective on the cost of their new hepatitis C drugs. Maybe they could have explained to this Committee why they believe their pricing is fair and reasonable. But unfortunately they declined our invitation because all of their executives who could have spoken on this issue are traveling internationally. Just like any for-profit company, drug companies charge what they think the market will bear. Gilead clearly made the calculation that they could charge excessive prices for this groundbreaking drug and that the federal government would pay. And I get it -- companies are motivated to make a profit. But Gilead is making profits in spades. They purchased Pharmasset -- the original developers of Sovaldi -- for $11 billion and, according to some estimates, are expected to make more than $200 billion on the sales of the drug. With numbers like these, we're not talking about a company looking to make ends meet -- or even fund their next great medical breakthrough. So we must ask, how much is too much?
The issue of cost was at the heart of the hearing which consisted of two panels. The first panel was composed of the VA's Chief Consultant on Pharmacy Benefits Michael Valentino and the Director of HIV, Hepatitis C and Public Health Pathogens Programs Dr. David Ross. The second panel was the president of Public Citizen Robert Weissman and the National Coalition on Health Care president John Rother.
Senator Hirono insisted the current spending on hepatitis C was "not sustainable. It will strain VA resources at a time when veterans are increasing in number and complexity of conditions."
Her concerns included that hepatitis C was "three times higher" in the veteran population than in "the general population" and that "many people infected are unaware that they have it." She also noted that 35 patients at Hawai's VA -- Hirono's home state -- have benefited from the new treatments.
But the new treatments, from Giliad, are very expensive.
Chair Bernie Sanders: Very interestingly, and maybe we can explore this in the second panel, Giliad is making this drug available to countries like Egypt which have a very serious problem with hepatitis C, my understanding and please correct me if I'm wrong, that they are selling -- in this country, they are selling the product for $1000 a pill, in Egypt it is a few dollars a pill. Is that correct? Do you know anything about that?
Dr Michael Valentino: I personally don't. Dr. Ross might.
Chair Bernie Sanders: Dr. Ross, are you aware of that?
Dr. David Ross: I-I --
Chair Bernie Sanders: My understanding is it's ten dollars a pill.
Dr. David Ross: I-I couldn't speak to the specifics of that.
Chair Bernie Sanders: Okay, we'll get more into that in the second panel. Why do you think it's the case that they're selling it to a general American consumer who walks in for a thousand, they're selling it to a huge federal agency -- the VA, which treats more hepatitis patients than anyone else in the country -- at $540 but they're selling it in Egypt for $10? How come they negotiated a better price than you did?
Dr. Michael Valentino: I can't answer that question. I don't know what Giliad's business model is. I don't know how that was able to -- able to be achieved. Uhm, you know those -- A lot of other countries have different regulatory processes.
Chair Bernie Sanders: They sure do. Which results in the United States paying the highest prices of all in the world for prescription drugs. And this may be outside your portfolio in a sense but if the VA is going to spend -- I mean, we have a deficit and some of my colleagues don't like spending a whole lot of money on things -- if the VA is spending billions of dollars -- 1.3 now and maybe more later -- to treat one illness, is it fair to suggest that that will mean that we have less money available to take care of veterans needs in other areas? Is that a fair supposition?
Dr. Michael Valentino: Well, we did -- we did ask for more money and-and-and so, uhm, VA is undergoing a lot of changes right now with, uh, --
Chair Bernie Sanders: All that I'm asking, which I think is pretty common sense. I mean there's a limit to how much -- I'm a strong supporter of the VA, would like to put more money into the VA, but there's a limit to what can be done. All that I'm saying is that if you're spending billions of dollars in one area, common sense suggests that we may not be able to spend in others. That may be a fair supposition?
Dr. Michael Valentino: I would not disagree with that.
Nor on the second panel did John Rother.
This is not just a matter of a thousand dollars a pill. This is a matter primarily of a drug that is potentially beneficial to three to five million people so it's not an orphan drug at all. It's a drug that would be appropriate for a large number of Americans. And, uh, the problem is the total cost of treatment, not so much the individual pill price. Inevitably as you suggest -- as your question earlier suggested, this kind of costs is going to force trade offs with other necessary treatment within the VA, within Medicaid, within prisons, within private health insurance. We are seeing this every day today. And, uh, it's-it's a deep concern because in many cases the services not delivered are the very preventative services that have the greatest return on investment and if we neglect those than we are just making the problem more difficult down the road.
Let's stay with the first panel to note an exchange covering a few basics on hepatitis C.
Senator Mazie Hirono: I think my series of questions deals with whether the marketplace really can -- is operating in a way where there really is more competition for different kinds of treatments that are effective and much less costly though is there a way to prevent hepatitis C? Because once one is infected, there is a progression to the disease. So what are we doing on the prevention side?
Dr. David Ross: Briefly, there is no vaccine for hepatitis C. Transmission for most people occurred decades ago. There are about 20,000 or so new infections a year. The number is actually going up -- almost entirely because of the sharing of needles from injection drug users. So thinks that we are doing within VA is to -- and this is done within hepatitis C care -- help people with substance abuse disorders. We also are doing things -- and again this is integrated with their medical care to try and reduce exposures that could also damage the liver -- particularly thinking of alcohol abuse. And an integrated care approach is much more effective at getting people ready for treatment. One brief anecdote, I have a patient who I saw yesterday who I started on methadone maintenance about six months ago and he is now ready for treatment. In other words he'll be able to reliably take the pills
Senator Mazie Hirono: So these prevention methods that you are utilizing do they -- are they working? I realize it's not that easy to determine whether something that you're doing is actually preventing --
Dr. David Ross: I-I-I think yes. I think the-the-the-the -- It's a matter of keeping people from getting it in the first place but it's also a question of getting people ready for treatment. We're -- What we've done in VA has shown that if you take people who have these barriers to treatment because of other diseases -- frequently substance abuse or alcohol abuse -- and you give them integrated psycho-social care in the same clinic -- this is what has worked at Minneapolis VA and I should mention this is what was done at the Matsunaga VA in Honolulu -- they are more likely to complete therapy and be cured than people who don't have those problems in the first place would be who don't get that kind of supportive care.
But for most Americans with hepatitis C, the costs for the needed treatment are too high.
It doesn't have to be that way, as Robert Weismann explained:
Now some have held out hope that new treatments will lead to price competition or that hard bargaining by payers -- of which the VA is the best -- will be able to yield sufficient price reductions and I think that's misguided. Based on prior experience, new drugs don't necessarily come in at a lower price. In fact, they often come in at a higher price. In general, brand name competitors try not to compete on price. And when you have a starting point price of $84000 even if we have substantial reductions in price due to negotiations we're still going to be stuck with a super high price just because the starting point was so high. However, we do have solutions available to us and really fundamental solutions. Now we should say -- I think it's correct, everything you say, Senator Burr about both the importance of innovation and looking at government policy. The reason for this price level -- as both of you asked -- is a single thing which is Giliad has a monopoly. Giliad doesn't have a market created monopoly, they've got a government granted monopoly, a patent monopoly, a monopoly that comes from other exclusivities. If we choose to address that monopoly through government policy -- since We The People gave the monopoly in the first place -- we can bring the price down. And we know we can bring it down to less than 1% -- at least at the manufacturing level -- leaving aside whatever fair compensation we need to pay to Giliad because of the price reductions that already exist in developing countries as you referenced, Senator Sanders. Two methodologies we might pursue to reduce price. One. we might have just government use of the product -- government use of the patent and other technologies -- in that case we could source the product to generic competitors and pay Giliad a royalty. If we pay Giliad a royalty of five thousand dollars per patient, we'd actually still have cut the price overall by 90%. We've got existing staturoty atuhority to do that under 28 USC Section 1498. A different approach might be to look to buy out Giliad's patent all together. We could do that in one way which would be to say we're just going to give Giliad as much money as we anticipate the company will make by virtue of it's patent monopoly. Why would we do that? Well we'd do that because we're already going to pay them that much money but we could then provide treatment to everyone whereas under the current system we're going to pay all that money and have rationing. Now I wouldn't advocate doing that. I think we can adjust down significantly what we would pay for a patent buyout but it is another method we might consider to provide treatment for all.
Staying with the US Senate, Michael McAuliff (Huffington Post) reports:
Many members of Congress have been seeking a debate and vote on the president's military actions in Iraq and Syria, but a new letter being sent Friday by Sens. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) and Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) marks the strongest demand yet from the left that Obama request explicit authority for the fight.
House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) has called repeatedly on Obama to make such a request, but has rebuffed members of his own caucus, as well as Democrats who think Congress should take matters into its own hands rather than let the White House proceed as it wishes.
Baldwin and Schatz agree with most members of Congress and the administration that the Islamic State threatens U.S. interests, but argue that Obama should stop dithering.
Wow. Tammy Baldwin.
Remember when she was the great 'progressive' hope. Now she's demanding a vote on the never-ending war's latest phase -- not to stop it -- but to make it legal.
What a proud moment for her.
And for Matthew Rothschild who promoted her non-stop.
When she was in the House, Baldwin was against the Iraq War, voted against it in 2002.
So she's against war -- when a Republican's in the White House.
I guess it could be worse. She could be only a lesbian when Republicans were in the White House. At least she sticks with something regardless of who's in the White House.
While Tammy Baldwin goes coo-coo for war, Theo Sitther (The Hill) explains what could really help Iraq:
Instead of continuing to prioritize a military-first approach to addressing a crisis that is inherently rooted in political and economic grievances, Congress and the administration should get beyond platitudes and invest in Iraq's people by helping to build an inclusive, non-sectarian government.
It is important to take a long view. The building of open and free democratic states that truly serve the needs of their citizens is a long-term process. It is a process of working to understand the cultural, religious, and political contexts and basing any intervention on that knowledge.
But unfortunately, the President's FY 2015 request for U.S. civilian programs in Iraq goes in the opposite direction. It cuts USAID commitments by 69 percent from 2013 levels with a meager $22.5 million for long-term economic development, support for Iraqi civil society, and governance programs. While the Senate Appropriations Committee's markup of the State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs bill increased this number to $50 million, it remains vastly inadequate compared to the needs on the ground.
Barack repeatedly stated that the only answer for Iraq was a "political solution." But those were apparently just more empty words, pretty lies from someone who's offered so many.
The last time I saw Richard was Detroit in '68
And he told me all romantics meet the same fate someday
Cynical and drunk and boring someone in some dark café
You laugh he said you think you're immune
Go look at your eyes they're full of moon
You like roses and kisses and pretty men to tell you
All those pretty lies pretty lies
When you gonna realize they're only pretty lies
Only pretty lies just pretty lies
-- "The Last Time I Saw Richard," written by Joni Mitchell, first appears on Blue
Pretty lies let Shi'ite militias terrorize Sunnis in Iraq all while everyone pretends a new day has dawned with a new prime minister (Haider al-Abadi). Matt Bradley and Ghassan Adnan (Wall Street Journal) report:
Shiite militia leaders say their recent successes reflect their holy warrior zeal, superior training compared with Iraqi government troops, less corruption in the ranks and freedom from the legal, bureaucratic and human-rights restrictions on regular Iraqi forces. But some Sunni politicians, tribal leaders and human-rights advocates are worried that the take-no-prisoners tactics of many militia groups are turning them into a mirror image of the Sunni jihadists fighting on behalf of Islamic State.
Militia groups have been accused of a plethora of human-rights violations, including mass shootings of prisoners and Sunni civilians and the forced displacement of Sunni families on a scale approaching ethnic cleansing.
Shiite fighters boast about executing enemy soldiers after they surrender. In Jurf al-Sakher, some Al Qara'a members hurried out of a meeting with a reporter for The Wall Street Journal to deliver the severed head of an Islamic State fighter to relatives of a slain militia member before his funeral ended.
Shi'ite militia groups terrorize Iraq and everyone looks the other way.
Sunnis are terrorized still in Iraq. And the 'new' government?
It's made clear that Sunnis are still targets.
Let's drop back to the December 30, 2013 snapshot:
Sunday, December 22nd, Nouri yet again called peaceful protesters 'terrorists' and announced he would stop the protests.
He wanted to attack last Tuesday but a last minute flurry of meetings by various officials and political blocs caused Nouri to withdraw the forces he had encircling the Ramadi protest square. Then came Friday. From that day's snapshot:
Wael Grace (Al Mada) reports Nouri al-Maliki again threatened the protesters today. He declared this will be their last Friday protest and that he will burn the tents in the protest squares down. He declared that the protesters were guilty of sedition. Sedition? Nouri as William Bligh? I can see it. Kitabat notes that he made these remarks in a televised interview. Kitabat also notes Nouri's been insisting 30 terrorist leaders are hiding in protest tents.
We still can't get to today yet.
That's Falluja on Saturday as tons poured into the street to protest Nouri's latest stunt.
They were protesting the Saturday dawn raid that Nouri's forces carried out on an MP. MP Ahmed al-Alwani was illegally arrested. But there's more. Alsumaria reported that his home was stormed by Nouri's SWAT forces at dawn and that 5 people (bodyguards and family) were killed (this included his brother) while ten family members (including children) were left injured.
By now, we all know the drill.
What is al-Alwani?
Yes, he's Sunni.
And he's also, we all know this, a member of Iraqiya.
If you're targeted by Nouri, then you are both things.
Or, as conservative Max Boot (Commentary) put it today, "If it's the end of December or the beginning of January, it must be time for Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki to arrest another prominent Sunni politician."
The people of Anbar did not respond well to Nouri breaking the law and arresting an MP.
That was 'old' Iraq. Let's go to the November 24th snapshot:
Today, All Iraq News reports it's been decided to put former MP Ahmed al-Alwani to death. He was arrested December 29, 2013 the outlet notes. His brother was killed in the arrest ordered by thug Nouri al-Maliki, an arrest that was actually a raid in the early, pre-dawn hours of the morning.
This will have huge implications.
For example, the tribe he belongs to is one of the key tribes in the fight against the Islamic State. Equally true, his arrest (and the murder of his brother) outraged the Sunni community.
This is the wrong time to be executing a Sunni politician -- with the new prime minister Haider al-Abaidi having done nothing of significance to improve Sunni relations or to include them in the government.
It's not a good time for that stunt.
Thursay, Mustafa Habib (Niqash) observed:
The fact that some Sunni Muslim tribes had joined with the mostly Shiite Muslim Iraqi army seemed to be good news for the country. It's well acknowledged that in order for Iraq to resolve the current security crisis, sectarian and ethnic rifts must be healed and in areas held by the IS group, which are home to a mainly Sunni Muslim population, it is the locals – Sunni Muslims - who must push the extremists out.
But almost immediately there was bad news from Baghdad that seemed to negate the good. It also the dispirited Sunni Muslim tribal leaders who had been fighting the IS group. The news: the Iraqi judiciary had issued a death sentence against a prominent Sunni Muslim MP, Ahmed al-Alwani.
As the BBC reported at the time of his arrest in December 2013, al-Alwani had backed Sunni Muslim protests against the government led by former Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. Al-Alwani was arrested on charges of terrorism and his capture in Ramadi, after a deadly gunfight, was part of the reason that protests in the area became more heated and violent.
"This verdict is like a knife in our backs from the Iraqi government," one of the leaders of the al-Bu Ulwan tribe, Hazem al-Alwani, told NIQASH. "The sons of my tribe have been fighting against the IS group for days, helping the Iraqi security forces to prevent Ramadi from falling."
The case against al-Alwani has been widely criticised. Amnesty International released a statement declaring that the trial had had many irregularities, with al-Alwani denied access to his lawyer and his family, among other things.
The verdict had been postponed previously and now, Hazem al-Alwani thought, the timing of the announcement of a death penalty was strange. "I don't believe it is a coincidence," he said. "It seems that there are certain political actors that do not want the Sunni Muslim tribes in Anbar to play any role in the fight against the IS group."
Haider al-Abadi has still done nothing to demonstrate to Sunnis that there's a 'new' Iraq or that they'll be included and welcomed. He did promise, September 13, 2014, that the bombing of Falluja's residential neighborhoods would stop.
Those bombings never stopped.
Those bombings continue and continue to wound and kill Sunni civilians.
Where's that political solution, Barack?
Let's note this from Paul D. Shinkman (US News and World Reports):
"Aside from setting broad priorities, there's no plan, no indication of progress, no measures of effectiveness," says Anthony Cordesman, a former State Department and Pentagon official who regularly advises leaders in both departments. The Obama administration tends to take too long to adopt serious military advice, he says.
"Events and reality certainly have to shape strategy," says Cordesman, now with the Center for Strategic and International Studies. "But if you don't have a strategy and clear plans, you lack the ability to shape events."
Barack has no plan. Despite this, Mu Xuequan (Xinhua) quotes Barry O insisting "slow but steady progress" was taking place.
Al Arabiya notes, "The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) has executed three Iraqi tribal leaders outside a government building in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul, Iraq's Ministry of Human Rights reported on Friday." Margaret Griffis (Antiwar.com) counts 65 dead in Iraq today from violence.
In the United States IAVA's Paul Reickhoff Tweets a movie review:
Paul (PJ) Rieckhoff @PaulRieckhoff 2h2 hours ago
.@americansniper_ is for Iraq what Platoon & Full Metal Jacket were for Vietnam. It's soaringly heroic & terribly tragic. Just like the war.
0 replies 11 retweets 13 favorites
Just saw an advanced screening of @americansniper_. It's an instant classic war movie. And the defining film of the Iraq war so far.
0 replies 7 retweets 13 favorites
American Sniper is the new film directed by Clint Eastwood starring Bradley Cooper. We'll close with this from Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America:
Washington D.C. (December 5, 2014) – Today, President Obama announced Ashton Carter as his nominee for Secretary of the Department of Defense (DoD). Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), the largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization representing post-9/11 veterans and families, welcomed the nomination. Paul Rieckhoff, IAVA CEO and Founder, was at the White House today for the announcement at the invitation of the President.
"IAVA congratulates Ashton Carter on his nomination as Defense Secretary," said Rieckhoff. "Carter has proven to be an advocate for both active-duty servicemembers and veterans. With his breadth of experience at the Pentagon, we trust that Carter is prepared to meet the unique demands of today's national security challenges.
"Carter returns to the Pentagon at a critical time. As conflict continues in the Middle East and more troops are sent into combat, our country must remember to care for the veterans we are still welcoming home. IAVA looks forward to our continued partnership with the Pentagon on critical issues such as combating suicide and improving access to quality mental health care. We hope Carter will continue to engage the veteran community with the same drive and passion as Secretary Chuck Hagel."
Since the beginning of 2014 IAVA has been calling on DoD, Congress, the White House and the Department of Veterans Affairs to address the veteran suicide crisis. IAVA veteran members delivered a petition to Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) yesterday calling on him to bring the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention Bill to the Senate floor before Congress adjourns next week. The bill, named after Iraq and Afghanistan war veteran Clay Hunt, a Marine who died by suicide in 2011, will help combat veteran suicide and improve access to quality mental health care. Hunt's mother, Susan Selke, recently met with DoD officials to press for veteran mental health care reforms and to garner their support of the Clay Hunt bill.
IAVA's Founder and CEO Paul Rieckhoff (right) and Political Director
Bill Rausch (left) visit the White House for the President's announcement of
new Defense Secretary Ashton Carter.
Note to media: Email press@iava.org or call 212-982-9699 to speak
with IAVA CEO and Founder Paul Rieckhoff or IAVA leadership.
Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (www.IAVA.org) is the
nation's first and largest nonpartisan, nonprofit organization representing
veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan and has nearly 300,000 Member
Veterans and civilian supporters nationwide. Celebrating its
10th year anniversary, IAVA recently received the
highest rating - four-stars - from Charity Navigator,
America's largest charity evaluator.
The never-ending sexism of NPR
If you missed it, NPR wants you to vote for the best album of 2014.
Well, for the best album of the list they've provided for you.
A list that leaves out Aretha Franklin, by the way.
Let's be honest, no one's buying half the albums listed by NPR.
But Aretha scored her 100th chart hit with her new album and she can't make the list?
Stevie Nicks also doesn't make the long, long list.
Here's the awful list:
Choose Your Top Ten Albums
The 2 Bears, 'The Night Is Young'
50 Cent, 'Animal Ambition'
¡Aparato!, '¡Aparato!'
A Sunny Day In Glasgow, 'Sea When Absent'
A Winged Victory For The Sullen, 'ATOMOS'
Ab-Soul, 'These Days...'
Abdulla Rashim, 'Unanimity'
Actress, 'Ghettoville'
Adia Victoria, 'Stuck In The South'
Adult Jazz, 'Gist Is'
The Afghan Whigs, 'Do The Beast'
Afternoons, 'Say Yes'
Against Me!, 'Transgender Dysphoria Blues'
Agalloch, 'The Serpent & The Sphere'
Ages And Ages, 'Divisionary'
Ai Aso, 'Lone'
Alcest, 'Shelter'
Alejandra Ribera, 'La Boca'
Alice Boman, 'EP II'
Allah-Las, 'Worship The Sun'
Alt-J, 'This Is All Yours'
Alvvays, 'Alvvays'
Amason, 'Duvan EP'
Amen Dunes, 'Love'
Ana Tijoux, 'Vengo'
Andrew Bird, 'Things Are Really Great Here, Sort Of..'
Andrew Jackson Jihad, 'Christmas Island'
Andy Stott, 'Faith In Strangers'
Angaleena Presley, 'American Middle Class'
Angel Olsen, 'Burn Your Fire For No Witness'
Animal Magic Tricks, 'Sex Acts'
Annie Lennox, 'Nostalgia'
Anonymous 4, 'David Lang: Love Fail'
Anthony D'Amato, 'The Shipwreck From The Shore'
The Antlers, 'Familiars'
The Apache Relay, 'The Apache Relay'
Aphex Twin, 'Syro'
Arca, 'Xen'
Archie Bronson Outfit, 'Wild Crush'
Architecture In Helsinki, 'NOW+4EVA'
Ariel Pink, 'Pom Pom'
Arturo O'Farrill & The Afro Latin Orchestra, 'The Offense Of The Drum'
Ásgeir, 'In The Silence'
Ashanti, 'BraveHeart'
August Alsina, 'Testimony'
Augustin Hadelich, 'Sibelius, Adès: Violin Concertos'
The Autumn Defense, 'Fifth'
Avey Tare, 'Enter The Slasher House'
Azealia Banks, 'Broke With Expensive Taste'
Band Of Skulls, 'Himalayan'
Banks, 'Goddess'
Barbra Streisand, 'Partners'
Basement Jaxx, 'Junto'
Battle Trance, 'Palace Of Wind'
Beach Slang, 'Cheap Thrills On A Dead End Street'
Bebel Gilberto, 'Tudo'
Beck, 'Morning Phase'
Béla Fleck & Abigail Washburn, 'Béla Fleck & Abigail Washburn'
Bellows, 'Blue Breath'
Ben Frost, 'A U R O R A'
Benjamin Booker, 'Benjamin Booker'
Big K.R.I.T., 'Cadillactica'
Bill Frisell, 'Guitar In The Space Age'
Bing & Ruth, 'Tomorrow Was The Golden Age'
Bishop Allen, 'Lights Out'
The Black Keys, 'Turn Blue'
Blake Mills, 'Heigh Ho'
Blank Realm, 'Grassed Inn'
Blonde Redhead, 'Barragan'
Blondie, 'Ghosts Of Download'
Bo Ningen, 'III'
Bob Mould, 'Beauty & Ruin'
Bob Stewart, 'Connections - Mind The Gap'
Boris, 'Noise'
The Both, 'The Both'
The Bots, 'Pink Palms'
Brian Blade & The Fellowship Band, 'Landmarks'
Brian Eno & Karl Hyde, 'High Life'
Brian Eno & Karl Hyde, 'Someday World'
Brody Dalle, 'Diploid Love'
Broken Bells, 'After The Disco'
Broncho, 'Just Enough Hip To Be Woman'
Brownout, 'Brownout Presents Brown Sabbath'
Bruce Springsteen, 'High Hopes'
Bryan Adams, 'Tracks Of My Years'
Bryan Ferry, 'Avonmore'
The Budos Band, 'Burnt Offering'
The Bug, 'Angels & Devils'
Bunji Garlin, 'Differentology'
Buzzcocks, 'The Way'
Calle 13, 'Multi Viral'
Cameron Carpenter, 'If You Could Read My Mind'
Caribou, 'Our Love'
Caroline Rose, 'I Will Not Be Afraid'
Cayetana, 'Nervous Like Me'
Ceci Bastida, 'La Edad de la Violencia'
Chad Van Gaalen, 'Shrink Dust'
Chet Faker, 'Built On Glass'
Chris Brown, 'X'
Chris Forsyth & The Solar Motel Band, 'Intensity Ghost'
Chris Staples, 'American Soft'
Christina Vantzou, 'No. 2'
Chromeo, 'White Women'
Chumped, 'Teenage Retirement'
Cibo Matto, 'Hotel Valentine'
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, 'Only Run'
Cloud Nothings, 'Here And Nowhere Else'
Cold Specks, 'Neuroplasticity'
Cold War Kids, 'Hold My Home'
Coldplay, 'Ghost Stories'
Comet Gain, 'Paperback Ghosts'
Common, 'Nobody's Smiling'
Conor Oberst, 'Upside Down Mountain'
Conspirare, 'Robert Kyr: The Cloud Of Unknowing/Songs Of The Soul'
Counting Crows, 'Somewhere Under Wonderland'
Crying, 'Get Olde / Second Wind'
The Crystal Method, 'The Crystal Method'
Curtis Harding, 'Soul Power'
Cymbals Eat Guitars, 'LOSE'
Damien Jurado, 'Brothers And Sisters Of The Eternal Son'
Damien Rice, 'My Favourite Faded Fantasy'
Damon Albarn, 'Everyday Robots'
Daniel Lanois, 'Flesh And Machine'
The Danish String Quartet, 'Wood Works'
David Greilsammer, 'Scarlatti/Cage: Sonatas'
Dawn Golden, 'Still Life'
Death Blues, 'Ensemble'
Death Grips, 'The Powers That B'
Death Vessel, 'Island Intervals'
Deerhoof, 'La Isla Bonita'
Diamond District, 'March On Washington'
Diane Cluck, 'Boneset'
Die Antwoord, 'Donker Mag'
DJ Quik, 'The Midnight Life'
Drive By Truckers, 'English Oceans'
Dum Dum Girls, 'Too True'
Dylan Shearer, 'Garagearray'
Eagulls, 'Eagulls'
Ed Sheeran, 'x'
Eels, 'The Cautionary Tales Of Mark Oliver Everett'
Elbow, 'The Take Off And Landing Of Everything'
Elephant Stone, 'The Three Poisons'
Eliana Cuevas, 'Espejo'
Elle Varner, '4 Letter Word'
EMA, 'The Future's Void'
Eric Church, 'The Outsiders'
Eternal Summers, 'The Drop Beneath'
Ex Hex, 'Rips'
The Family Crest, 'Beneath The Brine'
Fanfarlo, 'Let's Go Extinct'
Fences, 'Lesser Oceans'
Fennesz, 'Bécs'
Fenster, 'The Pink Caves'
First Aid Kit, 'Stay Gold'
FKA Twigs, 'LP1'
Flake Music, 'When You Land Here, It's Time To Return'
The Flaming Lips, 'With A Little Help From My Fwends'
Flying Lotus, 'You're Dead!'
Foo Fighters, 'Sonic Highways'
Foster The People, 'Supermodel'
Foxygen, '...And Star Power'
Frankie Cosmos, 'Zentropy'
The Fray, 'Helios'
Frazey Ford, 'Indian Ocean'
Freddie Gibbs & Madlib, 'Piñata'
The Fresh & Onlys, 'House Of Spirits'
Fucked Up, 'Glass Boys'
Future, 'Honest'
Future Islands, 'Singles'
Gabriel Kahane, 'The Ambassador'
Gardens & Villa, 'Dunes'
Gem Club, 'In Roses'
The Ghost Of A Saber Tooth Tiger, 'Midnight Sun'
Ghostface Killah, '36 Seasons'
Giant Claw, 'DARK WEB'
Gina Chavez, 'Up.Rooted'
The Gloaming, 'The Gloaming'
GOAT, 'Commune'
Godflesh, 'A World Lit Only By Fire'
Gordon Voidwell, 'Bad Études'
The Gotobeds, 'Poor People Are Revolting'
Green Day, 'Demolicious'
GRMLN, 'Soon Away'
Grouper, 'Ruins'
Half Japanese, 'Overjoyed'
Hamilton Leithauser, 'Black Hours'
Hassan Hakmoun, 'Unity'
Helado Negro, 'Double Youth'
Hercules And Love Affair, 'The Feast Of The Broken Heart'
High Spirits, 'You Are Here'
Highasakite, 'Silent Treatment'
Hiss Golden Messenger, 'Lateness Of Dancers'
The Hold Steady, 'Teeth Dreams'
Hospitality, 'Trouble'
How To Dress Well, 'What Is This Heart?'
Hozier, 'Hozier'
Hundred Waters, 'The Moon Rang Like A Bell'
Hurray For The Riff Raff, 'Small Town Heroes'
I Break Horses, 'Chiaroscuro'
Iggy Azalea, 'The New Classic'
Immigrant Union, 'Anyway'
Imogen Heap, 'Sparks'
Interpol, 'El Pintor'
Isaiah Rashad, 'Cilvia Demo'
J Mascis, 'Tied To A Star'
Jack White, 'Lazaretto'
Jackson Browne, 'Standing In The Breach'
James Vincent McMorrow, 'Post Tropical'
Jason Moran, 'All Rise: A Joyful Elegy For Fats Waller'
Jason Mraz, 'Yes!'
Jean Grae, '#5'
Jeezy, 'Seen It All: The Autobiography'
Jeff Ballard Trio, 'Time's Tales'
Jenny Lewis, 'The Voyager'
Jesca Hoop, 'Undress'
Jesse Boykins III, 'Love Apparatus'
Jessica Lea Mayfield, 'Make My Head Sing...'
Jessie Ware, 'Tough Love'
Jhene Aiko, 'Souled Out'
JJ, 'V'
Joe Henry, 'Invisible Hour'
John Adams, 'City Noir/Sacophone Concerto'
John Eliot Gardiner, et al., 'Beethoven: Missa Solemnis'
The John Lurie National Orchestra, 'The Invention Of Animals'
John Luther Adams, 'Become Ocean'
Johnny Marr, 'Playland'
Johnnyswim, 'Diamonds'
Jolie Holland, 'Wine Dark Sea'
Jon Hopkins, 'Asleep Versions'
Jon Sebastian, 'The Horror Single'
Jorge Drexler, 'Bailar En la Cueva'
Joyce Didonato, 'Stella di Napoli'
Joyce Manor, 'Never Hungover Again'
Jozef Van Wissem & SQÜRL, 'Only Lovers Left Alive OST'
The Juan MacLean, 'In A Dream'
Juanes, 'Loco de Amor'
Julian Casablancas + The Voidz, 'Tyranny'
Justin Townes Earle, 'Single Mothers'
Karen O, 'Crush Songs'
Karol Conka, 'Batuk Freak'
Kasabian, '48 : 13'
Kasier Chiefs, 'Education, Education, Education & War'
Kassem Mosse, 'Workshop 19'
Kat Edmonson, 'The Big Picture'
Kele, 'Trick'
Kelis, 'Food'
Kevin Gates, 'By Any Means'
Kimbra, 'The Golden Echo'
Kindness, 'Otherness'
King Tuff, 'Black Moon Spell'
Kishi Bashi, 'Lighght'
Kremerata Baltica, 'Music Of Mieczyslaw Weinberg'
Kylie Minogue, 'Kiss Me Once'
La Dame Blanche, 'Piratas'
La Roux, 'Trouble In Paradise'
Lake Street Drive, 'Bad Self Portraits'
Lana Del Rey, 'Ultraviolence'
Ledisi, 'The Truth'
Lee Ann Womack, 'The Way I'm Livin''
Lenny Kravitz, 'Strut'
Leon Fleisher, 'All The Things You Are'
Leon Vynehall, 'Music For The Uninvited'
Leonard Cohen, 'Popular Problems'
Les Sins, 'Michael'
Lia Ices, 'Ices'
Liars, 'Mess'
Lily & Madeleine, Fumes'
Lily Allen, 'Sheezus'
Linkin Park, 'The Hunting Party'
Little Dragon, 'Nabuma Rubberband'
Llyr Williams, 'Wagner Without Words'
Los Lobos, 'Si Se Puede!: Los Lobos And Friends'
Lost In The Trees, 'Past Life'
Lowell 'We Loved Her Dearly'
LP, 'Forever For Now'
Lucinda Williams, 'Down Where The Spirit Meets The Bone'
Lydia Loveless, 'Somewhere Else'
Luluc, 'Passerby'
Lykke Li, 'I Never Learn'
Mac DeMarco 'Salad Days'
Magos & Limón, 'Dawn'
Majid Bekkas, 'Al Qantara'
Mapei, 'Hey Hey'
Maria Callas, 'Remastered: The Complete Studio Recordings, 1949-1969'
Mariah Carey, 'Me. I Am Mariah... The Elusive Chanteuse'
Marianne Faithfull, 'Give My Love To London'
Maroon 5, 'V'
Martha, 'Courting Strong'
Mary J. Blige, 'The London Sessions'
Mary Lambert, 'Heart On My Sleeve'
Matisyahu, 'Akeda'
Matt Kivel, 'Days Of Being Wild'
Meatbodies, 'Meatbodies'
Medicine, 'Home Everywhere'
Merchandise, 'After The End'
Meridian Brothers, 'Salvadora Robot'
Metronomy, 'Love Letters'
Michael Jackson, 'Xscape'
Mick Jenkins, 'The Water[s]'
Mimicking Birds, 'EONS'
Mina Tindle, 'Parades'
Mirah, 'Changing Light'
Miranda Lambert, 'Platinum'
Mirel Wagner, 'When The Cellar Children See The Light Of Day'
Mobb Deep, 'The Infamous Mobb Deep'
Mogwai, 'Rave Tapes'
Moodymann, 'Moodymann'
Moon Hooch, 'This Is Cave Music'
Morrissey, 'World Peace Is None Of Your Business'
Mr. Gnome, 'The Heart Of A Dark Star'
Museum Of Love, 'Museum Of Love'
My Brightest Diamond, 'This Is My Hand'
Natalie Merchant, 'Natalie Merchant'
Neil Finn, 'Dizzy Heights'
Neil Young, 'Storytone'
The New Pornographers, 'Brill Bruisers'
New York Philharmonic, 'Nielsen: Symphonies Nos. 1 & 4'
Niagara, 'Don't Take It Personally'
Nickel Creek, 'A Dotted Line'
Nico Vega, 'Lead To Light'
Nicole Atkins, 'Slow Phaser'
NO, 'El Prado'
Nothing, 'Guilty Of Everything'
Noura Mint Seymali, 'Tzenni'
OK Go, 'Hungry Ghosts'
Old 97s, 'Most Messed Up'
Oliver The 2nd, 'The Kill Off EP'
Ólöf Arnalds, 'Palme'
Opeth, 'Pale Communion'
Orenda Fink, 'Blue Dream'
Ought, 'More Than Any Other Day'
Owen Pallett, 'In Conflict'
The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart, 'Days Of Abandon'
Pall bearer, 'Foundations Of Burden'
Papercuts, 'Life Among The Savages'
Parker Millsap, 'Parker Millsap'
Parquet Courts, 'Sunbathing Animal'
PARTYNEXTDOOR, 'PARTYNEXTDOOR 2'
Pasatono Orquesta, 'Pasatono Orquesta'
Passenger, 'Whispers'
Pattern Is Movement, 'Pattern Is Movement'
People Get Ready, 'Physiques'
Perfect Pussy, 'Say Yes To Love'
Perfume Genius, 'Too Bright'
Peter Matthew Bauer, 'Liberation!'
Phantogram, 'Voices'
Pharmakon, 'Bestial Burden'
Pharoahe Monch, 'PTSD'
Pharrell Williams, 'G I R L'
Philip Selway, 'Weatherhouse'
Phish, 'Fuego'
PHOX, 'PHOX'
Piers Faccini & Vincent Segal, 'Songs Of Time Lost'
Pink Floyd, 'The Endless River'
Pitbull, 'Globalization'
Pixies, 'Indie Cindy'
Popcaan, 'Where We Come From'
Porter Robinson, 'Worlds'
Prague Philharmonic Choir & Prague RSO, 'Janacek: Glagolitic Mass, etc.'
The Pretty Reckless, 'Going To Hell'
Primus, 'Primus & The Chocolate Factory With The Fungi Ensemble'
Prince, 'Art Official Age'
Protomartyr, 'Under Color Of Official Right'
Pure X, 'Angel'
Quilt, 'Held In Spelndor'
Radiator Hospital, 'Torch Song'
Rapsody, 'Beauty & The Beast'
Ratking, 'So It Goes'
The Raveonettes, 'PE'AHI'
Ray LaMontagne, 'Sueprnova'
Real Estate, 'Atlas'
The Rentals, 'Lost In Alphaville'
Restorations, 'LP3'
RIAS Chamber Choir, 'CPEBach: Magnificat, etc.'
Rich Gang, 'Rich Gang: Tha Tour, Part 1'
Richard Reed Parry, 'Music For Heart And Breath'
Rick Ross, 'Mastermind'
Rick Ross, 'Hood Billionaire'
Robert Ellis, 'The Lights From The Chemical Plant'
Robert Plant, 'Lullaby... And The Ceaseless Roar'
Robert Wyatt, 'Different Every Time'
Rochelle Jordan, '1021'
Rodrigo Amarante, 'Cavalo'
The Roots, '...And Then You Shoot Your Cousin'
Rosanne Cash, 'The River And The Thread'
Royal Scottish National Orchestra, 'Hosokawa: Orchestral Works Vol. 1'
Röyksopp, 'The Inevitable End'
Rubblebucket, 'Survival Sounds'
Run The Jewels, 'Run The Jewels 2'
Rural Alberta Advantage, 'Mended With Gold'
Ryan Adams, 'Ryan Adams'
Saiont Saviour, 'In The Seams'
Saintseneca, 'Dark Arc'
Sam Amidon, 'Lily-O'
Sam Smith, 'In The Lonely Hour'
Samaris, 'Silkidrangar'
Sango, 'Da Rocinha 2'
Sarah Jaffe, 'Don't Disconnect'
Schoolboy Q, 'Oxymoron'
Scott Walker + Sunn 0))), 'Soused'
Sean Rowe, 'Madman'
sELF, 'Subliminal Plastic Motives'
Sergio Mendoza y la Orkesta, 'Mambo Mexicano!'
Seun Kuti & Egypt 80, 'A Long Way To The Beginning'
Shabazz Palaces, 'Lese Majesty'
Sharon Van Etten, 'Are We There'
She & Him, 'Classics'
Sheer Mag, '7"'
Shovels & Rope, 'Swimmin' Time'
Shy Glizzy, 'Young Jefe'
Sia, '1000 Forms Of Fear'
Sílvia Pérez Cruz/Raul Fernandez Miró, 'Granada'
Simian Mobile Disco, 'Whorl'
Sinead O'Connor, 'I'm Not Bossy, I'm The Boss'
Sinkane, 'Mean Love'
Sisyphus, 'Sisyphus'
Skrillex, 'Recess'
Skyzoo & Torae, 'Barrel Brothers'
Sleaford Mods, 'Divide And Exit'
Slow Club, 'Complete Surrender'
Solvents, 'Ghetto Moon'
Sondre Lerche, 'Please'
Souls Of Mischief, 'There Is Only Now'
Spider Bags, 'Frozen Letter'
Spoon, 'They Want My Soul'
St. Paul & The Broken Bones, 'Half The City'
St. Vincent, 'St. Vincent'
Stalley, 'Ohio'
Stars, 'No One Is Lost'
Stephen Malkmus And The Jicks, 'Wig Out At Jagbags'
Stephen Steinbrink, 'Arranged Waves'
Strand Of Oaks, 'HEAL'
Stromae, 'Racine Carrée'
Sturgill Simpson, 'Metamodern Sounds In Country Music'
Sun Kil Moon, 'Benji'
Swans, 'To Be Kind'
Sylvan Esso, 'Sylvan Esso'
SZA, 'Z'
T.I., 'Paperwork'
Takuya Kuroda, 'Rising Son'
Tank, 'Stronger'
Taylor Swift, '1989'
Temples, 'Sun Structures'
Tennis, 'Ritual In Repeat'
Teyana Taylor, 'VII'
Thom Yorke, 'Tomorrow's Modern Boxes'
Thompson, 'Family'
Thou, 'Heathen'
Thumpers, 'Galore'
Tiffany Couche, 'Fantasy EP'
Tim McGraw, 'Sundown Heaven Town'
Timber Timbre, 'Hot Dreams'
Tinashe, 'Aquarius'
Tiny Ruins, 'Brightly Painted Ones'
Todd Terje, 'It's Album Time'
Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers, 'Hypnotic Eye'
Tom Vek, 'Luck'
Toni Braxton & Babyface, 'Love, Marriage & Divorce'
Tori Amos, 'Unrepentant Geraldines'
Toumani & Sidiki Diabate, 'Toumani & Sidiki'
Trove Lo, 'Queen Of The Clouds'
Trent Reznor And Atticus Ross, 'Gone Girl (OST)'
Trey Songz 'Trigga'
Tricky, 'Adrian Thaws'
Triptykon, 'Melana Chasmata'
tUnE-yArDs, 'Nikki Nack'
TV On The Radio, 'Seeds'
Tweedy, 'Sukierae'
Two Inch Astronaut, 'Foulbrood'
Ty Dolla $ign, 'Beach House'
Ty Dolla $ign, 'Sign Language'
Ty Segall, 'Manipulator'
U2, 'Songs Of Innocence'
Umphrey's McGee, 'Similar Skin'
The Underachievers, 'Cellar Door'
Untold, 'Black Light Spiral'
Various Artists, 'Shady XV'
Various Artists, 'Rolê: New Sounds of Brazil'
Various Artists, 'The New Basement Tapes'
Vermont, 'Vermont'
Vince Staples, 'Hell Can Wait'
Walter Martin, 'We're All Young Together'
The War On Drugs, 'Lost In The Dream'
Warpaint, 'Warpaint'
Wax Fang, 'The Astronaut'
We Were Promised Jetpacks, 'Unravelling'
Weezer, 'Everything Will Be Alright In The End'
Weird Al Yankovic, 'Mandatory Fun'
Wen, 'Signals'
Whirr, 'Sway'
White Fence, 'For The Recently Found Innocent'
White Lung, 'Deep Fantasy'
Wild Beasts, 'Present Tense'
Wiz Khalifa, 'Blacc Hollywood'
Wu-Tang Clan, 'A Better Tomorrow'
Wussy, 'Attica!'
Wye Oak, 'Shriek'
The Wytches, 'Annabel Dream Reader'
Xiu Xiu, 'Angel Guts: Red Classroom'
Yann Tiersen, 'Infinity'
YG, 'My Krazy Life'
Yob, 'Clearing The Path To Ascend'
York Factory Complaint, 'Lost In The Spectacle'
You+Me, 'Rose Ave.'
Young Fathers, 'Dead'
Young The Giant, 'Mind Over Matter'
Young Thug & Bloody Jay, 'Black Portland'
Your Old Droog, 'Your Old Droog'
Yusuf/Cat Stevens, 'Tell 'Em I'm Gone'
Zammuto, 'Anchor'
Zola Jesus, 'Taiga'
Try to pretend that NPR's not a sexist pig.
Thursday, December 4, 2014. Chaos and violence continue, yes -- Virginia -- US papers do print astroturf, a few North American idiots continue to insist that US troops are out of Iraq -- this despite the fact that 3 US service members have been killed in the last two months, the US House of Representatives embraces eternal war on Iraq, and much more.
In one for Ripley's, Jean Sellmeyer Smith of Crowley has become the first person on the planet to prove it is possible to live without a brian. Sellmeyer Smith managed this achievement and even documented it via a letter to the editors of the Advertiser.
Let's now quote from the historic document, "Our soldiers are home from Iraq. . ."
Sellmeyer Smith composed the letter after apparent non-stop exposure to the propaganda of MSNBC.
While proving it is capable to live without a brain, Sellmeyer Smith has also provided hours of laughter with her idiotic claim which was published on the same day as the Associated Press reported:
The US has reached an agreement with Iraq on privileges and immunities for the growing number of troops based in the country, helping in the fight against the Islamic State (Isis) militant group, the new US ambassador said on Thursday.
Stuart Jones said prime minister Haider al-Abadi has given assurances that US troops will receive immunity from prosecution.
Reached for comment, Sellmeyer Smith reportedly responded, "What do you expect from me, I'm just a mindless zombie in the Cult of St. Barack."
Being a zombie is being bit of whore. You whore whatever's left of your name, sacrifice it on the temple alter to Barack Obama. Being whores, people like Sellmeyer Smith?
They put their dirty, trashy name to anything.
That's how Sellmeyer Smith came to write:
Our soldiers are home from Iraq; Osama bin Laden is dead. In sharp contrast to the Bush years, the United States again leads the world in respected internationality.
That's how she came to write it a month after the editor of the Pekin Daily Times, Amy Gehrt, quoted Richard Brunt writing:
America is leading the world once again and respected internationally — in sharp contrast to the Bush years. Obama brought soldiers home from Iraq and killed Osama bin Laden.
Oh, I get it, you take the first sentence and make it the second one and you change the second one from "America" to "United States" and then, presto, it's almost as if you're plagiarized words were your own?
It's Astroturf. (And the Shreveport Times printed the letter at the end of last month. The exact same letter.)
We used to mock, on the left we did, all the crazy love slaves of Bully Boy Bush who used to copy and paste the same sentiments and send them out to newspapers across the land.
Like a nasty venereal disease, Astroturf has spread to the segments of the left -- the brain dead and whorish segments.
In the November 10, 2014 Iraq snapshot, we dealt with Richard Brunt's lies about US troops being out of Iraq:
Well just because you're letting the precum pool in your pants doesn't mean you need to share your erotic fantasies with the rest of us.
Brunt's so busy jizzing while moaning Barack, he actually writes, "Obama brought soldiers home from Iraq."
For example, he brought these two home last month -- in body bags.
That's Lance Cpl. Sean P. Neal (photo from Facebook). We noted his death in October 25th snapshot.
That's Cpl Jordan Spears (photo from Marine Corps). Last month, he was reclassified as the first death in 'Operation Inherent Resolve.'
Apparently, Brunt's been too busy jacking off to light bondage fantasies of Barack disciplining him to pay attention to actual events in the real world -- including the fact that 'Operation Inherent Resolve' has already claimed the lives of 2 American service members.
Jean Sellmeyer Smith is actually a bigger idiot and a bigger whore than Brunt. When he wrote his bulls**t, those two were the only US service members dead in the latest phase of the never ending war.
But this week, DoD issued the following:
Release No: NR-599-14
DoD Identifies Air Force Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of an Airman who was supporting Operation Inherent Resolve.
Capt. William H. DuBois, 30, of New Castle, Colorado, died Dec. 1 when his F-16 aircraft crashed near a coalition air base in the Middle East. He was assigned to the 77th Fighter Squadron, Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina.
For more information media may contact the 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs Office at 803-895-2019.
In the early days of the Iraq War, I used to be left dumbfounded by the whorish efforts of Bully Boy Bush's love slaves to ignore reality in order to pimp their lover boy.
The Cult of St. Barack is no different.
They will whore.
They will lie.
They will look the other way.
Anything to avoid calling out Barack.
Barack Obama's time as president has demonstrated whorishness exists on all sides of the political spectrum. Long gone (and buried) are the days when I could kid myself that being on the left was a sign that we were smarter.
Moving over to violence in Iraq, Middle East Eye notes, "A car bomb blast in Iraq's northern Kirkuk province has killed at least 18 people, according to security officials" with twenty-two more people left wounded. Al Jazeera adds, "At least 16 people have been killed in two car bombs that went off in the Sadr district of Iraq's capital Baghdad, officials said." National Iraqi News Agency reports 4 people were shot dead "southwest of Baghdad" by assailants "riding in a taxi," the Islamic State executed 1 police officer in Mosul, south of Tirkit an attack on a car left 4 people shot dead and a fifth injured, 6 militia members were killed in a Baiji battle with the Islamic State, 3 musicians were executed in Mosul, a Miqdadiya battled left 5 militants dead, the "international coalition" dropped bombs on western Anbar resulting in an alleged 23 deaths -- all of whom, of course, must have been 'terrorists' because the US government does not acknowledge killing civilians in Iraq, and 1 corpse was discovered dumped in the streets of eastern Baghdad. Iraqi Spring MC notes that a bombing near the entrance to Baghdad's Green Zone has resulted in the closure of bridges. Margaret Griffis (Antiwar.com) counts 139 people killed in violence across Iraq today and 116 were left injured.
Iraqi Spring MC reports that the Iraqi military has bombed Falluja General Hospital and that the bombing of Falluja's residential neighborhoods -- by the Iraqi military -- and, yes, this remains a War Crime -- resulted in the deaths of 15 civilians with eleven more left injured.
It was September 13th that the new prime minister Haider al-Abadi announced these bombings were over, finished. But the reality is they never stopped.
So either al-Abadi didn't really give the order to stop these ongoing bombings (which started in January of this year) or the Iraqi military in Anbar is refusing to take orders from him.
Like the violence, corruption continues to thrive in Iraq. NINA reports that MP Majda al-Tamimi, who serves on Parliament's Finance Committee, has declared that they are reviewing 9,000 governemtn projects from 2004 to the present for any corruption and that any people found guilty of "the theft of public money" should be prosecuted and held accountable.
NINA also reports, "Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi issued on Tuesday an order includes speeding up the release of detainees to whom court orders were issued for their release "
That might mean something if anyone could believe it.
But when you announce that you're going to do the right thing and stop the ongoing bombings of civilians in Falluja -- punishing for where they live -- and you don't?
Let's move over to today's US State Dept press briefing moderated by Marie Harf.
QUESTION: Yes. Can we go to Syria/Iraq/ISIL?
MS. HARF: We can.
QUESTION: There was apparently some activity on the Hill this morning, and Senator Menendez put on hold a possible vote on use of military force.
MS. HARF: Mm-hmm.
QUESTION: And he said that he's keen on listening to Secretary Kerry next week.
QUESTION: So is the Secretary going to go to the Hill tomorrow morning – Monday morning? So --
MS. HARF: Well, a few weeks ago, we had actually offered him to testify on this coming Monday, so we've had that offer on the table for a while now. We're looking at the schedule now, given latest developments, but obviously, the Secretary is happy to engage when he can. Certainly, this is an important issue, and we'll see if we can get something on the calendar. But we had offered this date a few weeks ago.
Silence. Yes.
On the US Senate, Patricia Zengerle (Reuters) reports that Senator John McCain put a block on Anthony Blinken's nomination for Deputy Secretary of State and quotes McCain declaring:
He's totally unqualified. [. . .] He's the guy who said we're leaving behind the richest, safest Iraq in history. Look it up
Blinken isn't qualified.
You can argue he was following orders but if you make that argument you also have to question his own personal ethics in following orders.
As Iraq 's turmoil could not longer be ignored (by 2012, even the stupid should have caught on), Blinken was dispatched to Iraq regularly where he held the hand of tyrant and then-prime minister Nouri al-Maliki. As one former White House official {from Barack's administration) pointed out to me earlier today, "Blinken should have been leading Maliki to a come-to-Jesus moment. Instead, he was encouraging Maliki in his paranoia and rubber stamping Maliki's attacks on the Sunni community."
While Blinken's nomination is currently blocked (at least for a week), in the House of Representatives today, a vote was taken on Barack's $585 billion 'defense' bill which also provides legal coverage for Barack's latest phase in the ongoing Iraq War. 300 members of Congress voted for it.
119 voted against it. US House Rep Walter Jones was a "no" vote and his office issued the following today:
Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Walter B. Jones (NC-3) voted against the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2015, which cuts military benefits and provides billions of dollars in spending toward President Obama's unconstitutional expansion of military force in Iraq and Syria.
The NDAA for FY 2015 cuts military benefits by requiring a $3 increase in certain pharmacy co-pays and a 1 percent decrease in the housing allowance for uniformed service members.
In addition to cuts in military benefits, the NDAA for FY 2015 also includes President Obama's $5 billion request to fund Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq and Syria. Of that $5 billion, $3.4 billion will be used for airstrikes against ISIS and $1.6 billion will be used for training Sunni tribes and forces in Iraq. Overall, the NDAA for FY 2015 authorizes $63.7 billion for Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO) in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Pakistan and elsewhere.
"I cannot vote for a bill that cuts military benefits while funding wars that Congress never declared," said Congressman Jones. Congress repeatedly authorizes spending on undeclared wars that put our troops in danger and then has the audacity to cut the benefits of those they are unconstitutionally sending overseas to fight. It's just not right."
Congressman Jones also opposed a provision in the bill which directs the U.S. government to give away 2,300 acres in Arizona to a foreign-controlled corporation (Resolution Copper) without going through a competitive bidding process and without the approval of local native American Indian tribes who consider the land home.
The House of Representatives passed its version of the NDAA bill in the spring, and it has been in conference with the Senate until this month. The House-Senate conference version of the NDAA was filed in the House of Representatives late on Tuesday night, and was voted on today – less than 72 hours after it was filed. Once it passes the Senate, it will be sent to President Obama for him to sign into law.
Barack's been signing off on a lot of things. Let's look at terrorism and hostages. PBS' Frontline notes:
An Al Qaeda affiliate has given the U.S. three days to meet its demands to save hostage journalist Luke Somers, once again reviving an agonizing debate: Should the U.S. meet the demands of terrorists when hostages' lives are in danger?
Somers, 33, was abducted in 2013 in the Yemeni capital of Sanaa. In a video posted Wednesday, he says he is certain his "life is in danger" and explains that he was born in England but has American citizenship and lived in the U.S. for most of his life. The video also shows a person identified as a member of Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula threatening to kill Somers unless the group's demands are met.
Watch: Al Qaeda in Yemen FRONTLINE's 2012 investigation of a growing Al Qaeda stronghold
The question of whether to pay ransom to win hostages' release arose last month during a discussion about ISIS that included FRONTLINE filmmaker Martin Smith. Asked if he believes governments should pay ransom to bring kidnapped journalists home, Smith answered decisively: No.
"I'm not trying to sound heroic or brave at all," said Smith, who has reported extensively in Iraq. "It's simply a risk that comes with the work. A lot of people have jobs that entail a certain amount of risk, and I accept that that's a risk. And I believe that the payment of ransom only promotes more hostage-taking."
So that's a "no" then on the US government paying ransom to thugs who take hostages?
But what about when the US government itself is the thug taking hostages?
Yes, we're talking about the woman known as Saja al-Dulaimi, held for eleven days by the Lebanese military after she was seized with the help of the CIA and other elements of the US government. Seized?
The woman's accused of no crimes but the US government thought she might be "valuable" as did the Lebanese government. Vivian Salama and Bassem Mroue (AP) do stenography to serve up this:
If the woman is indeed al-Baghdadi's wife, she could potentially serve as a bargaining chip with Syria-based militants holding some 20 Lebanese security forces captured in a cross-border raid in August. Beirut has been under intense pressure from the families of the captured men to negotiate their release.
Ben Hubbard and Eric Schmitt (New York Times) do only slightly better. What's slightly better?
They at least float US government involvement. They also quote a Lebanese official insisting the woman is so the wife of Islamic State leader al-Baghdadi!
Or was!
"Lebanon's interior minister, Nouhad Machnouk, told a local television station that Ms. Dulaimi was married to Mr. Baghdadi six years ago, but only for three months."
So now the world's supposed to rejoice over the kidnapping of a woman who is still not accused of committing any crimes but may have, six years ago, been married, "only for three months"!, to al-Baghdadi?
They don't know a damn thing.
Including the fact that it is terrorism to kidnap someone, that the rule of law is not the rule of the old west.
The thugs here? That would be the governments of Lebanon and the United States.
This is not how legitimate governments are supposed to act, they are not supposed to kidnap people in order to hold them as hostages to use for later negotiations.
BBC News via YaLibnan offers this twist:
Late on Wednesday, Mr Machnouk told MTV that Ms Dulaimi had been traveling with two sons and a daughter when they were detained by the army two weeks ago.
"Dulaimi is not Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi's wife currently. She has been married three times: first to a man from the former Iraqi regime, with whom she had two sons," he said.
"Six years ago she married Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi for three months, and she had a daughter with him. Now, she is married to a Palestinian and she is pregnant with his child."
The minister added: "We conducted DNA tests on her and the daughter, which showed she was the mother of the girl, and that the girl is [Baghdadi's] daughter, based on DNA from Baghdadi from Iraq."
Mr Machnouk said Ms Dulaimi's children were staying at a care centre while she was being interrogated at the defence ministry's headquarters.
A woman and one or three children have been kidnapped by the governments of Lebanon and the United States with the hope that the woman can be used as a "chip" in bargaining with terrorism -- thereby making the two governments agents of terrorism themselves.
Finally, today the US Dept of Defense issued the following:
Secretary Hagel Releases Progress Report to the President on Sexual Assault in the Military, Announces Four New Directives to Strengthen Department Response
Today, Secretary Hagel released a report on the Department of Defense's recent progress in addressing sexual assault in the military, and announced four directives to further strengthen the department's prevention and response program.
Sustained senior leadership engagement over the past three years – including 41 secretary of defense initiatives – has changed how the military works to prevent, respond to and effectively adjudicate sexual assault crimes.
"Eradicating sexual assault from our ranks is not only essential to the long-term health and readiness of the force; it is also about honoring our highest commitments to protect our fellow soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines," Secretary Hagel said today.
Preliminary survey data indicate that our efforts are driving progress. Service members experienced fewer sexual assaults in fiscal year 2014 than in fiscal year 2012 – an estimated 19,000, down from 26,000. Although this is a reduction, there is clearly more work to be done.
In addition, the number of service member victims choosing to report these crimes has increased by more than 50 percent over the same period of time. This indicates an increased confidence in the department's ability to support victims, and adjudicate these crimes.
While signs of progress are encouraging, the mission is far from complete.
The secretary announced today four directives intended to further improve the department's sexual assault prevention and response programs by: (1) creating a pilot program for select installations that will customize prevention efforts (2) requiring commanders to identify and prevent retaliation, (3) training first-line supervisors to lead sexual assault and prevention programs, and (4) further publicizing resources for victims.
"DoD will continue its strong and committed efforts to pursue comprehensive and dynamic approaches to fighting sexual assault in the military. President Obama and all of DoD's leaders, both military and civilian, are committed to doing whatever it takes to stamp out this scourge," said Hagel.
The department is committed to eradicating sexual assault in the ranks, and will continue our focused, transparent, collaborative approach to further ensure that each service member is treated with dignity and respect.
The report is available online at http://sapr.mil/public/docs/reports/FY14_POTUS/FY14_DoD_Report_to_POTUS_Full_Report.pdf.
The directives are available online at http://sapr.mil/public/docs/reports/FY14_POTUS/FY14_DoD_Report_to_POTUS._SecDef_Initiatives.pdf
More information about the department's sexual assault prevention efforts can be found at www.sapr.mil.
Survivors are encouraged to contact the Safe Helpline at 877-995-5247 or visit www.safehelpline.org for confidential and anonymous crisis intervention services.
margaret griffis
national iraqi news agency
Liar Michael Franti gets exposed on video


O futebol desperta as mais diversas paixões no torcedor: paixão pelo time, pelos jogadores, pelo escudo, pelo estádio, pela mascote, pelo hino – além da paixão pelas camisas. Resultado de uma pesquisa inédita, este livro traz mais de 1.900 camisas dos 12 maiores occasions do Brasil – Atlético-MG, Botafogo, Corinthians, Cruzeiro, Flamengo, Fluminense, Grêmio, Internacional, Palmeiras, Santos, São Paulo e Vasco –, ilustradas por Mauricio Rito, e entra para o rol de documentos históricos do futebol brasileiro. Vista esta paixão!
Taking a decade-by-decade method of the Louisiana nation college soccer culture, this assortment brings jointly over forty tales from the main impressive voices of this system. The spirit of Tigers soccer isn't captured by way of only one word, one season, or one specific online game; as a substitute, the student-athletes and coaches who made the magic take place over the a long time mix their studies to seize the genuine essence in their loved university.
The San Francisco 49ers are one of the so much dynamic franchises, not just within the nationwide soccer League yet in all activities. they've got gained 5 large Bowl titles and feature produced a few of football's such a lot dynamic avid gamers in Joe Montana, Jerry Rice, and Ronnie Lott, all of whom have been coached by way of invoice Walsh, one of many game's such a lot cutting edge thinkers.
The nationwide soccer League (NFL) is the main influential, renowned, and filthy rich specialist activities league in the US. As such this booklet makes a speciality of the improvement and adulthood of the association and its individuals, yet most significantly, how each one of them played in seasons and postseasons after which to what volume they've got succeeded as a supplier regardless of festival for marketplace proportion from different forms of leisure.
Terry McDermott. Scally child from Kirkby grew to become a number of eu Cup winner. followed Geordie. Liverpool legend and scorer of arguably Anfield's most famed aim. Kevin Keegan's depended on right-hand guy at Newcastle United. And keen on a pint or 5 and a punt at the horses. Now, for the 1st time, the 1980 PFA participant of the yr and soccer Writers' Footballer of the 12 months lifts the lid on his successes at Liverpool, the close to misses at Newcastle, controversies he came across himself stuck up in and the recognized gamers he shared a dressing room with.


Make a Difference in Your Life by Making a Difference to someone else's.
What can be more enjoyable than sitting around a table with great friends, having a nice meal, talking and laughing, maybe dancing, listening to your favorite music and just enjoying each other? Doing good to others and spending time with loved ones is very enriching and satisfying.
Study after study shows that every time we do something good to someone else, we feel good about ourselves. So really, you might say, a secret to feeling good is to interact positively with others.
Have you noticed that financially successful people and famous singers and movie stars often get involved in charities of one sort or another that consists of work focused on helping people? Man is not an island. Wealth may give us some sense of satisfaction. However, we need to live for others and do good deeds for the benefit of our fellow man and woman to feel fully accomplished and content.
…five wealthiest people in the world.
…last five Heisman trophy winners.
…previous five winners of the Miss America contest.
…people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer prize.
…last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor and actress.
…last decade's worth of World Cup winners.
The point is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday. These people are not second-rate achievers; they are the best in their fields. But, the applause dies. Life goes on. Achievements are forgotten.
Here's another quiz – See how you do on this one.
Name three friends who have helped you through a tough time.
What can I learn from this challenging situation? What can I do to endure while maintaining peace of mind and heart? What am I thankful for today?
In the waiting room at the Budwig Center, we have patients from all over the world that can meet each and converse with each other between therapies. They use this time to talk and share their life stories. Many of these patients and family members keep in touch months after being at our Center.
The support group allowed the patients to relieve some of their mental and emotional stress, this, in turn, helped with the healing of the body.
Emotional healing should be one of the vital healing tools in any clinic, as it is at the Budwig Center.


text:
eFootball™ Championship Open
PREVIEW: Last six matches for six places in the Knockout Stage
The second matchday of Group B will be streamed live at 13:00 CET next Saturday, June 18th, on the official eFootball™ YouTube channel. Sunday 19th at the same time will be the turn of Group A.
The eFootball™ Championship Pro 2022 season continues this weekend with the final two matchdays of the Group Stage. Saturday will be the day destined for Group B encounters and Sunday, for Group A. After a last weekend full of goals and fantastic match-ups, all clubs have had one week to recover from their defeats or get ready to win the decisive final points which can take them to the next round. As last matchday 1, no player will know who they will be playing against until the very start of the match, so it will be important to have a good strategy and to choose the right order in which the players will play. As these are the last matches, every point counts for advancing to the knockout stage.
GROUP B DAY 2 (Saturday, June 18th)
AS ROMA - ARSENAL FC (13:15 CET)
AS Roma arrive in good form after picking up six points from their two wins over Galatasaray SK in their only game last weekend. Debutant ASR_STIFFLER beat Djole in the dying seconds of the game and Giallorossi captain ASR_URMA43 defeated reigning eEuro champions Kepa_PFC 1-4. Meanwhile, Gagliardo28 lost narrowly to Turkish captain Mucahit21 but proved he is ready for a win next time out. The Romans look like a solid team that will be hard to beat.
Up against them is Arsenal FC, who also performed far from their best in their only match of the day against FC Barcelona. Only INDOMINATOR secured a win for the Gunners against the always tough opponents ROKSA. S-Venom managed a goalless draw that earned them a bonus point, while Barboza pulled an unexpected surprise by being crushed by an outstanding THE PALMA. The London side will need to bring out the potential in themselves against the always-feared AS Monaco if they want to have a place in the KO round.
ARSENAL FC - GALATASARAY SK (14:30 CET)
Arsenal FC will be coming off the back of finishing their match against AS Roma just a few minutes earlier. Depending on the result, the Gunners may or may not still be in with a chance of qualification against Galatasaray SK, who also need to recover the points lost last matchday. Of the two games played with 18 points at stake, only six went to the Turkish Super League side thanks to captain Mucahit21, who emerged as his team's saviour by securing two victories against Roma's Gagliardo 28 and Barcelona youngster ALEXR. The Turks only have one leg, one chance, so they need the best possible performance and Kepa_PFC and Djole to join Mucahit21 on points if they want to see themselves playing next weekend.
AS ROMA - FC BARCELONA (15:45 CET)
A strong AS Roma side coming off the back of their opening match of the day against Arsenal FC will be the team to beat for a blaugrana side who currently sit at the top of the table with 10 points. Big scoring strikes from THE PALMA and ROKSA were the highlights of Sunday's fixture and also propelled them to the top of the scoring charts. Although young ALEXR's performance was lukewarm with a draw and a loss, he had chances to take at least one win, so it is to be expected that, once the Spaniard joins the scoring streak of his teammates, FC Barcelona will be a tough opponent to stop. AS Roma will not make it easy for them as if they win enough points in their first game they could find themselves virtually qualified and perhaps then the match will become a battle to see who gets first place and goes straight through to the semi-finals of the tournament. It is sure to be an exciting and very tight match.
GROUP A DAY 2 (Sunday, June 19th)
AS MONACO - MANCHESTER UNITED (13:15 CET)
AS Monaco are coming off a bittersweet first day in which they only played one game against Celtic FC and came away with just three points thanks to French newcomer Nekza's win over an experienced Lotfi. Both Usmakabyle and GuiFera lost their respective matches against Kilzyou, the former, and Aazbabysk, the latter. Both eFootball heavyweights will need to regain their confidence and put in a better performance if they are to have any chance of qualifying for the next round.
In the opposite half of the field will be Manchester United. The English team started the competition with 4 points out of a possible 9 against a very evenly matched FC Bayern München. The first point was fought by E_C_Oneill with a 4-4 result against FCB_Mestre, while Kams10_ defeated FCB_Alguacil to secure the first victory for the Red Devils. Ostrybuch closed out the contest with a closely disputed loss to FCB_Jose. The Old Trafford side will now have to prepare for a tough battle against AS Monaco, who also need the points to remain in with a chance. The match will be decisive as it will leave the team that takes the fewest points from the fixture virtually out of the running for qualification.
MANCHESTER UNITED - CELTIC FC (14:30 CET)
It will not be an easy day for Manchester United, who will be coming off a game against AS Monaco with some big-name players and will then have to face Celtic FC, who are currently leading the group standings. The Scots got 12 points out of a possible 18 last matchday with a skilled and mature Kilzyou and a defensive portent like Aazbabysk. Bitter were the two defeats of Lotfi, who was only a shadow of what it can be and that, if it plays well, could complete a Celtic FC that seriously aspires to win the competition. The Whoops will want to secure the semifinals with the first place in the group, so it is expected to be a hard-fought match that could be a do-or-die game for Manchester United.
AS MONACO - FC BAYERN MÜNCHEN (15:45 CET)
Monegasques and Germans will play the last match of the group stage with everything still to play for. Depending on Manchester United's results in the first two matches of the day, both teams might be already qualified, as long as Monaco had more points than the British in their previous match. But with so many points at stake, anything can happen and the Spaniards who shape the Bavarian team will want to show the best version of themselves after a bittersweet performance last Saturday from which they only got 4 points against Manchester United and 3 against Celtic FC. Last chance and last place in the quarter-finals at stake, who will qualify?
A weekend full of eFootball™ drama and great matches that are sure to delight spectators. Next Saturday, June 18th, the second matchday of the Group Stage starts at 13:00 CET with just 6 places to stay onboard. We will also know the Best Goal of the Day 1 recipients and the Best Player of each Group during the live streaming, which will be conducted by Semra Hunter alongside commentators Harry Channon and Stewart Westley "Wezza", and broadcasted worldwide on the official eFootball™ Youtube and Facebook channels..
Remember that every fan can win 500 eFootball™ points just by entering the streaming from within the game and that clubs will give away items and merchandise for every game won by their squads. Stay tuned to their social media accounts!
For more information on eFootball™ Championship Pro, visit https://eFootballpro.konami.net/
For all the latest news from the eFootball™ franchise and for further information, please follow:
Website: konami.com/eFootball
Youtube: youtube.com/PlayeFootball
Instagram: instagram.com/eFootball
Twitter: twitter.com/play_eFootball
Facebook: facebook.com/playeFootball
FC Barcelona FC Bayern München Manchester United FC Arsenal FC Celtic FC AS Monaco alex alguacil Lotfi Usmakabyle e_c_oneill E_c_oneill Barboza Alex Alguacil KAMS OSTRYBUCH Roksa JOSE GuiFera Kepa INDOMINATOR MESTRE S-Venom Aazbabysk best goal AS Roma Galatasaray SK kilzyou Urma Mucahit21 ALEXR THE PALMA Gagliardo28 Knockout Stage eFootball™ eFootball™ Championship 2022 eFootball™ Championship Pro Best Player of The Group Stage Group Stage Kams10_ Nekza ASR_Stiffler Djole Wezza Harry Channon Semra Hunter
2023 Pro Competition is out!
NEW SEASON 2023
A recap of the last World Finals
Find out the winners of the Wor...
Get to know the schedule and fi...
Find out when the World Finals ...
eFootball™ Championship Pro
FC Internazionale Milano

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Grand Rapids, MI 616-773-2419
Kentwood, MI 616-828-1516
Greenville, MI 616-828-5420
Improve Your Hearing
Dizziness and Ringing in Your Ears
Balance Disorders
Hearing Tips
Tinnitus Therapy
Neuromonics
Kentwood, MI
Greenville, MI
Patient Intake Form
How Cell Phones Are Revolutionizing The Hearing Aid Industry
by McDonald Hearing Services | Dec 27, 2014
Of all of the advancements that have been made in hearing aid technology, the least well-known has to do with a device that most people probably have in their pockets or purses right now: cell phones. Although it is not common knowledge to many, the history and future of cell phones are intricately connected with that of hearing aids. These devices have evolved side by side over the last decade, and have even come to complement one another's technological prowess. This piece will examine how the two technological wonders have become so entangled in the modern day.
The Modern Day- Smartphones
The modern day smartphones have opened the doors of technological innovation. This is true in the sense that people now have the ability to access one another and vast resources of information at a whim. However, another important capability that has not received enough attention is the fact that smartphones can help people who use hearing aids. Most smartphones integrate a telecoil and a debugging device for sounds and feedback. While this helps call clarity for everyone, it also ensures that people using hearing aids will have an additional layer of security against harsh sounds caused by the two devices being in close proximity.
Smartphones also come with numerous other benefits in terms of their implementation of applications. These apps have increased the user interface with communications technology to unprecedented levels. For example, some apps allow the user to find mobile subtitles for movies, while others allow the user to have additional forms of notifications, such as lights, sounds, and phone movements, so that they will not miss any calls. Most importantly, hearing aid devices have been meshed with the technology of some models of phones, allowing the phone owner to use their device to control settings on the device such as power and volume. These are just some of the ways that smartphones have transformed the modern hearing aid market.
A Rich Past
However, smartphones are at the end of a long line of developments in cell technology and hearing aid technology. Early cell phones used their telecoils in order to make sure that all calls were clear even in remote locations. However, these devices were the basis for the modern scale of telecoil power and effectiveness because telecoils also happened to help keep calls clear and loud for people who used hearing aids. Eventually, telecoils became a permanent and celebrated fixture in cell phones, spawning a rating system that would become the hearing aid capability, or HAC, rating. This outline for the future of hearing aids and cell phones set up a system that is still in place today, and propels the growth and symbiotic relationship between the phone technology and the burgeoning materials for hearing devices.
"McDonald audiology has been great helping me with my hearing problems. They understand and can help get back what you've...
Randy S.,
"I have had nothing but the best of service, not only from Pam but also from Fred and all of...
John B.,
"Everyone was amazing. I can hear like never before. I've recommended them to all of my friends and family. Thanks...
Jerry T.,
McDonald Hearing Services
961 4 Mile Rd NW
Monday – Thursday:
4444 Kalamazoo Ave, SE
Kentwood, MI 49508
403 S. Nelson
Greenville, MI 48838
Every Wednesday:
Privacy | HIPAA | Powered By: MedPB, LLC. Copyright © 2019. All rights reserved.
Questions about hearing aids or your hearing?
Call us today at 616-773-2362 or send in this form now.
Office Location (required)
--select one--Grand Rapids, MIGreenville, MIKentwood, MI


text:
Daemonorops crinita är en enhjärtbladig växtart som beskrevs av Carl Ludwig von Blume. Daemonorops crinita ingår i släktet Daemonorops och familjen Arecaceae. Inga underarter finns listade i Catalogue of Life.

Källor

crinita

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


Today's post is about how I've got nothing to show you. There's no trick and no subtle meaning behind it, just that I should've had some content, would've had some content if only I could've remembered to charge my camera. As prepared as I normally am, I dragged my lovely mother around town trying to find the right spot to shoot and then I realized how dumb I'd been, forgetting my camera on for a couple of days and completely draining its battery.
On a different note, I'm back home for a couple of weeks, just in time to celebrate Easter and revise for exams in a familiar environment. Had to carry 14 kilograms of books back here which left me with enough room in my suitcase for some underwear, my sports shoes, a couple of t-shirts and my cosmetics so that should make for an interesting holiday.


I wrote this little example for didactic purposes to understand where there is competition between the two threads.
The SendMyMessage function is contended between the two threads and could cause malfunctions or mistakes?
Last edited by mark_c on Wed Aug 01, 2018 11:36 pm, edited 2 times in total.
mark_c wrote: The SendMyMessage function is contended between the two threads and could cause malfunctions or mistakes?
You are not providing ANY synchronization whatsoever when accessing the ServerSocket's 'ActiveCconnections' list. You have two threads writing data to the same clients at the same time without serializing writes to any given client. 'SendText()' is NOT guaranteed to send the String's entire data, especially in non-blocking mode (which is the server's default mode). So you have a VERY HIGH risk of 1) overlapping messages to any given client, and/or 2) sending partial messages to any given client, either one of which will corrupt your communications.
in non-blocking mode (ServerType=stNonBlocking, which is the default), you will have to synchronize with the main UI thread when accessing the 'ActiveConnections' list.
in thread-blocking mode (ServerType=stThreadBlocking), do not use the 'ActiveConnections' list at all. Track the connected clients yourself in your own thread-safe list, using the server's 'OnClientConnect 'and 'OnClientDisconnect' events to update that list.
Also, "msg='\0';" will DEFINITELY crash, since you are passing in read-only string literals to SendMyMessage(). Had you been using C++11, or at least declared 'msg' as 'const char*' (which you should), the compiler would have failed with errors to catch this mistake. Why are you nulling out the caller's message text at all? Don't do that, that logic does not belong in this code.
Also, what is 'smf'? You have a variable that is being shared by both threads and is being accessed without synchronization, either.
Also, DO NOT EVER use the 'OnDestroy' event in C++. It is a Delphi idiom that can be called AFTER the destructor, which is illegal in C++. Use the Form's actual destructor instead.
But, more importantly, DO NOT EVER use 'TerminateThread()'! Your threads are setup to monitor a 'bAbort' flag, so use that instead, and then you can use '(Msg)WaitForMultipleObjects()' to wait for the threads to fully terminate themselves cleanly. In fact, you should be doing that in your 'Button2Click()' event handler, too.
Also, you are leaking the thread handles, as you never call 'CloseHandle()' on them. Why are you using 'CreateThread()' directly instead of using the RTL's 'TThread' class?
Last edited by rlebeau on Wed Jul 11, 2018 10:37 am, edited 1 time in total.
as always you provide comprehensive and complete answers, worthy of a teacher in this matter.
How to solve the problem of free disconnection of clients?
mark_c wrote: How to solve the problem of free disconnection of clients?
sorry but what is not clear to me is, referring to my initial code, if three clients connect on port 5000 the messages produced by trd1 are divided between the three threads, right?
example: if Trd1 produces 100 messages per second, hypothetically each client receives 33 messages per second?
in this version of the code for educational purposes, I would be interested to understand if there is any competition between threads or some resource.
I just want to understand if there is still competition or some problem with the program blocking with two sockets and two threads.
Last edited by mark_c on Thu Aug 02, 2018 12:03 am, edited 1 time in total.
mark_c wrote: in this version of the code for educational purposes, I would be interested to understand if there is any competition between threads or some resource.
Yes, because you are still accessing the ActiveConnections list from outside of the main UI thread. This code suffers from the same problems I described earlier. The only difference is that you added a second TServerSocket to the mix, which changes nothing in regards to safety.
What is not clear to me in Builder 6.0, is how do you synchronize the various accesses to UI components without causing competitions.
I do not think it is present in Builder 6, am I wrong?
mark_c wrote: What is not clear to me in Builder 6.0, is how do you synchronize the various accesses to UI components without causing competitions.
another solution would be to use a raw socket not managed by the UI?
rlebeau: I tried to simplify your example to make it more malleable, but not compile: I can not find the error and sincerely, I do not see; what escapes me?
Last edited by mark_c on Thu Aug 02, 2018 12:04 am, edited 1 time in total.
is it correct to think that the previous version of the code executes two threads in serial mode, while in this new version the threads are executed in parallel?
No, they are not running serially. Though you are doing a lot of synchronizing with the main thread, the two threads are still run in parallel, and either thread could be executing code on the main thread at any given time. As soon as one thread goes to sleep, the other thread has a chance to sync with the main thread, even multiple times, before the sleeping thread wakes up again. But that is not a guarantee, depending on the timing of the OS scheduler.
mark_c wrote: while in this new version the threads are executed in parallel?
You haven't really changed anything, all you did was just break up a single TThread class into two separate TThread classes. You are still running multiple threads at a time.
but, I still have many doubts.
And the Label1, is accessed a quantum of time by each Thread?
Last edited by mark_c on Thu Aug 02, 2018 12:05 am, edited 1 time in total.


It's important for nonprofits and associations to be strategic when it comes to social media, especially when they are smaller organizations, because they don't have a lot of resources and staff are often multi-tasked. During the discussion at my table for PRSA/NCC's Second Annual Public Relations Issues of the Day for Nonprofits and Associations, we discussed how to think smart and be strategic about social media engagement in the nonprofit setting so we could save time and be effective. Here are a few tips and insights distilled from our roundtable discussions.
Tip #1: Think smart and be strategic. Think of social media as an amplifier, and not as "one more thing to do." Be strategic. In the rush to "go social," many nonprofits are failing to think through their strategy, define their target audience, match online tactics to real world goals, or consider how they might measure success (or learn from mistakes). Take the time to map out real goals that are not just "build a presence on twitter" or "create a Facebook page for our nonprofit." Craft goals that will serve your organization in the long run and support your overall communications planning and goals.
Tip #2: Use social media to further link networks you already have. If you also have a media relations responsibility, follow reporters you know or want to know (or should know) thru Twitter. Connect with donors/key supporters/volunteers/member organizations on social media and use Twitter to build conversations and promote events. If your organization has donors or works in collaboration with other groups – schedule some time (perhaps once a week or every other week) to do a post on Facebook that tags key partner organizations or donors. Certain times of year may be more appropriate for this type of recognition than others.
Tip #3: Use a schedule or calendar to reach for goals. Evergreen content that does not stale date, or content that is linked to a calendar or ongoing events can help you save time. Use your nonprofit or association events calendar or publishing calendar to plan out tweets or posts. I use software (Hootsuite) that allows me to schedule tweets so I can sit down and program a lot of things at once based from calendars that are used by my clients for their events and programs. If you have a limited staff supporting an event, these auto-tweets mean that staff are not having to break away from the event to update social media. If you use an auto-scheduler, it is important to stay abreast of current events – so if something changes or breaking news hits that makes your tweets seem irrelevant or out of context, then you can turn off the auto-tweets. I also recommend scheduling time at least once a month to review where you are at with reaching your goals for your organization.
Tip #4: Use monitoring tools. There are many social media monitoring tools available – do a google and you will find dozens. It can be a bit overwhelming to sort out which ones might be most effective for your organization. I recommend starting not with "what tools are out there" but making a list of the questions you want answered about your social media engagement – e.g. how many people are following our nonprofit, who are these people and where are they from, what information do our audiences seem to interact with the most that we are sharing, how much time am I really spending on social media, etc. Hootsuite allows you to manage multiple accounts and see who mentions you on Twitter so you can respond quickly. Social Mention does a search across multiple platforms and will email results to you – I have found they are good at catching videos and photos others might upload. Facebook Insights – let's you see how you are stimulating interaction on Facebook with your followers and offers a lot of good information. Take regular snapshots of your nonprofit's social media presence so you can get a sense of what people are responding to and how you are doing at building a following. If people always react most favorably to inspiring photos showing your organization's work, try to post photos more frequently.
Tip #5: Integrate social media with other projects so it becomes a seamless part of your overall strategy. Your social media should be an integrated part of your organization's communications strategy – not an afterthought. Issue press releases and share links to news articles mentioning your organization on social media. Post events for your nonprofit on Facebook, to your website, and run information on Twitter. If you publish a magazine or e-newsletter on a regular schedule, program articles, subscription promos, free resource downloads, etc. into your social media. Share photos for events through Facebook, FlickR and on your website.
Tip #6: Think with a benefits mentality, and don't project a bull horn or megaphonic social media personality. Always approach evergreen or promotional tweets with the mindset of writing from a benefits perspective. Consider how the information you are sharing through social media will help or engage the person reading it or seeing it. Don't just write something that is promotional about the organization every time. People need to see a benefit to their lives in what you post and share – whether that means you are offering tips or advice or education, sharing information that makes their day easier, or inspiring them that an incredibly complex problem they care about can be addressed. The content you share needs to be real, not fluff. I recommend organizations distribute a blend of information through a social media setting – so some information is practical and about the day-to-day operations of the organization, while some information is pithy but inspiring, and some of it is meaty and offers some heft (e.g. an essay you posted on your website or a long news article, magazine story or how-to piece). After a while, you will understand what mix of information works for your organization and nurtures engagement – but maintaining a benefits mentality is key. The information has to help people and resonate, if you want for them to engage with your organization or association in social media.
Tip #7: Don't be afraid to experiment a little bit and engage in two-way communication. Try a Twitter or Facebook chat to engage your members, volunteers or supporters. Feature photos submitted by followers. Do a contest. Share trivia, as well as thought-provoking information about your nonprofit organization or association. Invite dialogue with social media followers and listeners – ask them to contribute photos, share stories about how your organization has touched their lives, etc. Encourage authentic interaction by writing replies to others, re-tweeting to build goodwill, and participating in tweet chats or Tweetups for special events.
Ami Neiberger-Miller is an independent public relations consultant to nonprofits and associations. Get more tips and information through her blog or follow her on Twitter @AmazingPRMaven.
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Palesa Madisakwane has undergone surgery to help heal her scars from the car accident.
Somizi Mhlongo has once again proven what it means to be a true friend and co-parent to your baby mama, after he stepped in to help Bahumi's mother Palesa Madisakwane after she was involved in a head-on collision.
The accident, which happened more than a week ago on Witkoppen road in Johannesburg north, was allegedly caused by a drunk driver. Palesa sustained injuries including one that left a big scar on her forehead.
As a TV personality, Palesa was worried that this would affect her job opportunities, so Somizi "dragged" her to an aesthetic doctor.
"Thank you Dr. Nicole Kanaris for taking care of my face... Somizi thank you for making sure I stay beautiful, dragging me to see Dr. Nicole Kanaris".
Palesa documented the whole process on her Instagram, with pictures and videos. She also took time to explain the process of reconstructive plastic surgery.
"The plastic surgeon Dr. Mia had to take off stitches done at the public hospital and then construct and restitch on my scar. Thank you Dr. Mia for the reconstructive surgery. I'm very happy with the results and healing."
She once again took the time to thank her "angels" (the strangers who stopped to help her and her daughter) after the accident occurred.
"I wanna thank the Letsiki family for all the love and support. Thanks to Jakes for being the first on the scene at the accident. Thank you very much to all the people who stopped their cars to assist us in the scene, you are my angels and you have taught me humanity once more," she said.
Watch the videos below (not for sensitive viewers!).
Rachel Kolisi asked the public to help track down a woman who "threw herself at her husband", Siya Kolisi.
"In case you haven't heard, I don't like being disrespected," Rachel said.


text:
Bitcoin tops $23,000; may climb to about $400,000, says analyst
In: Market
Bitcoin breached $23,000 for the first time in history as more Wall Street names crowd into the the world's largest digital currency up 220 per cent this year.
As momentum builds, analysts predict more gains ahead. The digital coin jumped more than 9 per cent on Thursday, touching a high of $23,256.92, according to a composite of prices compiled by Bloomberg. Bitcoin and the wider Bloomberg Galaxy Crypto Index have both more than tripled this year. Cryptocurrency-linked stocks in South Korea, Japan and China climbed.
The rally in digital assets is polarizing opinion, given Bitcoin's history of boom and bust. Proponents argue the cryptocurrency is muscling in on gold as a portfolio diversifier amid dollar weakness and potential inflationary pressure. Others see speculative fervor that will inevitably lead to a bust akin to the meltdown three years ago after a furious Bitcoin rally.
Yet there are signs that longer term investors like asset managers and family offices are playing more of a role this time around, alongside trend-following quant funds. Bitcoin's scarcity combined with "rampant money printing" by the Federal Reserve mean the digital token should eventually climb to about $400,000, Scott Minerd, the chief investment officer at Guggenheim Investments, said on Bloomberg TV on Wednesday.
Here's what people in markets are saying about Bitcoin's move:
Parabolic price
The "price will now go from linear to parabolic" in part because retail investors have so far largely been "out of this rally," said Kay Van-Petersen, global macro strategist at Saxo Capital Markets Pte in Singapore.
Fed kick
"The move above $20,000 has been coming and I'm probably a little surprised it didn't come sooner," said Craig Erlam, senior market analyst at Oanda Europe Ltd. "Fed stimulus may have given it an extra kick but, let's face it, Bitcoin doesn't need it. A break above $20,000 may bring the buzz and a strong end to the year."
Bitcoin and gold
"The lowest-ever Bitcoin annual volatility measure versus gold and the stock market near the end of 2020 may sustain the crypto's performance advantage in 2021," said Bloomberg Intelligence strategist Mike McGlone in a report. He sees the price ratio of Bitcoin-to-gold headed for 100, if history is repeated, from its current level of around 12.
Watching resistance
If Bitcoin sustains its momentum, then "testing $36,000 will be the next real objective," said Dan Gunsberg, CEO of Hxro, a crypto trading platform. But he indicated that a significant break below $13,800 would herald a much weaker period.
Bitcoin whale emerges with $1 billion
A hedge fund specializing in volatility bets has emerged as one of the largest investors in Bitcoin after quietly buying more than $600 million in cryptocurrencies and joining forces with Alan Howard, the co-founder of Brevan Howard Asset Management.
Eric Peters, chief executive officer of One River Asset Management, said in an interview he set up a new company to seize on the growing interest in cryptocurrencies among institutional investors.
In addition to its initial purchases, One River Digital Asset Management has commitments that will bring its holdings of Bitcoin and Ether to about $1 billion as of early 2021, he said.
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