GAO-06-412T: Published: Feb 1, 2006. Publicly Released: Feb 1, 2006.
Soaring retail gasoline prices, increased oil company profits, and mergers of large oil companies have garnered extensive media attention and generated considerable public concern. Gasoline prices impact the economy because of our heavy reliance on motor vehicles. According to the Department of Energy's Energy Information Administration (EIA), each additional ten cents per gallon of gasoline adds about $14 billion to America's annual gasoline bill. Given the importance of gasoline for the nation's economy, it is essential to understand the market for gasoline and how prices are determined. In this context, this testimony addresses the following questions: (1) What factors affect gasoline prices? (2) What has been the pattern of oil company mergers in the United States in recent years? (3) What effects have mergers had on market concentration and wholesale gasoline prices? To address these questions, GAO relied on previous reports, including (1) a 2005 GAO primer on gasoline prices, (2) a 2005 GAO report on the proliferation of special gasoline blends, and (3) a 2004 GAO report on mergers in the U.S. petroleum industry. GAO also collected updated data from a number of sources that we deemed reliable. This work was performed in accordance with generally accepted government auditing standards.
Crude oil prices are the major determinant of gasoline prices. A number of other factors also affect gasoline prices including (1) refinery capacity in the United States, which has not expanded at the same pace as demand for gasoline and other petroleum products in recent years; (2) gasoline inventories maintained by refiners or marketers of gasoline, which as with trends in a number of other industries, have seen a general downward trend in recent years; and (3) regulatory factors, such as national air quality standards, that have induced some states to switch to special gasoline blends that have been linked to higher gasoline prices. Finally, the structure of the gasoline market can play a role in determining prices. For example, mergers raise concerns about potential anticompetitive effects because mergers could result in greater market power for the merged companies, potentially allowing them to increase prices above competitive levels. During the 1990s, the U.S. petroleum industry experienced a wave of mergers, acquisitions, and joint ventures, several of them between large oil companies that had previously competed with each other for the sale of petroleum products. During this period, more than 2,600 merger transactions occurred--almost 85 percent of the mergers occurred in the upstream segment (exploration and production), while the downstream segment (refining and marketing of petroleum) accounted for about 13 percent, and the midstream segment (transportation) accounted for about 2 percent. Since 2000, we found that at least 8 additional mergers have occurred, involving different segments of the industry. Petroleum industry officials and experts we contacted cited several reasons for the industry's wave of mergers since the 1990s, including increasing growth, diversifying assets, and reducing costs. Mergers in the 1990s contributed to increases in market concentration in the refining and marketing segments of the U.S. petroleum industry, while the exploration and production segment experienced little change in concentration. GAO evaluated eight mergers that occurred in the 1990s after they had been reviewed by the FTC--the FTC generally reviews proposed mergers involving the petroleum industry and only approves such mergers if they are deemed not to have anticompetitive effects. GAO's econometric modeling of these mergers showed that the majority resulted in small wholesale gasoline price increases. While mergers since 2000 also increased market concentration, we have not performed modeling on more recent mergers and thus cannot comment on any potential additional effect on wholesale gasoline prices.


This booklet, because the end result of the COST-728/NetFAM workshop, makes a speciality of the following major themes: 1) online coupled meteorology-chemistry modelling with two-way feedbacks, 2) off-line coupled modelling and interfaces, three) validation and case reports together with air caliber comparable episodes, and four) integration of atmospheric chemical shipping (ACT) types with numerical climate prediction (NWP).
This booklet is likely one of the first makes an attempt to provide an total glance on such built-in meso-meteorology and chemistry modelling method. It studies the present scenario with the online and off-line coupling of mesoscale meteorological and ACT versions world wide in addition to discusses benefits and shortcomings, most sensible practices, and provides options for online and off-line coupling of NWP and ACT types, implementation technique for various suggestions mechanisms, direct and oblique results of aerosols and complicated interfaces among either kinds of types. The e-book is orientated in the direction of numerical climate prediction and air caliber modelling communities.
Offers finished insurance of the categories of savings gone through through a few of the periods of natural chemistry. Discusses discounts in response to what bond or useful staff is diminished through diversified reagents. supplies designated consciousness to selective savings which are appropriate for the relief of 1 specific form of bond or functionality with out affecting different bonds or services found in an analogous molecule.
Desorption Mass Spectrometry. Are SIMS and FAB the Same?
X (2010c) Fine Scale Modeling of Wintertime Aerosol Mass, Number, and Size Distributions in Central California. J Geophys Res 115:D15207. 1029/2009JD012950 . Chapter 3 On-Line Chemistry Within WRF: Description and Evaluation of a State-of-the-Art Multiscale Air Quality and Weather Prediction Model Georg Grell, Jerome Fast, William I. Gustafson Jr, Steven E. 1 Introduction Many of the current environmental challenges in weather, climate, and air quality involve strongly coupled systems. It is well accepted that weather is of decisive importance for air quality.
2004, 2010c). On a global scale, a number of climate or AQ models have been developed in the past three decades among which very few of them are on-line models. , CCM2 (Rasch et al. 1995) and CCM3 (Kiehl et al. 1998; Rasch et al. , CAM3 (Collins et al. 2004, 2006a, b; and CAM4 (http://www. edu)). Jacobson (1995, 2000, 2001a) developed a unified fullycoupled Gas, Aerosol, TranspOrt, Radiation, and General circulation model (GATORG) built upon GATORM and a 1994 version of the University of Los Angeles GCM (UCLA/GCM).
1029/2001JD001549 Zhang YB, Pun KV, Wu S-Y, Seigneur C, Pandis S, Jacobson M, Nenes A, Seinfeld J (2004) Development and application of the model for aerosol dynamics, reaction, ionization and dissolution (MADRID). J Geophys Res 109:D01202. 1029/2003JD003501 Zhang Y, Hu X-M, Howell GW, Sills E, Fast JD, Gustafson Jr. WI, Zaveri RA, Grell GA, Peckham SE, McKeen SA (2005a), Modelling atmospheric aerosols in WRF/CHEM. Oral presentation at the 2005 Joint WRF/MM5 User's Workshop, Boulder, CO, 27–30 June Zhang Y, Hu X-M, Wang K, Huang J-P, Fast JD, Gustafson Jr.


text:
Creating a new language for design and engineering
From blueprint to building, and the changing nature of developer handoff.
What makes a winning product isn't how technically sophisticated it is, or how groundbreaking it is by design. For users, it just has to work.
For a long time, developer handoff was a baton pass that required translating the blueprint of an idea (design) into code. Today, the relationship between designers and engineers is evolving. Screen design is getting more complex. Designers are turning to technical tools that offer more control. And a single primitive can be shared across engineering and design, streamlining designer to developer handoff.
This topic gets designer Payam Rajabi and engineer Andrew McCloud pretty excited. Payam grew up watching his dad (a mechanical engineer). Although trained as a graphic designer, he learned to write code to better understand how his designs would be implemented in the real world.
Andrew started out making graphics, eventually running his own forum communities and slowly getting into web development. When he couldn't find a way to manage large-scale changes, like re-theming an entire forum, he turned to HTML and templating.
Payam and Andrew recently came together to talk about how design and engineering are evolving, the impact this has on the team, the toolset, and users.
Mapping design to engineering, 1-1
The way an engineer works is much closer to the medium than a designer. As a designer, the more I can understand the medium I'm working with, the better solutions I can design.
When I'm programming, I'm still designing, but in a different medium.
There's a convergence happening: as screen design gets more complex, designers are looking for tools manage the increasing complexity. When crafting a design, they're doing it by presenting examples. They're working with a 2D scene and end up breaking the hierarchy of manipulation for rapid prototyping. UI engineers have similar tools but often need to spend more time in the details, like hierarchy (the structure of the code/components in design system). Hierarchy is important as it can impact how a UI can be reused or behaves.
Until designers are embracing the hierarchy of common software patterns, and engineers adopt a more declarative approach to software problems, we won't see that application.
Primitives are 1-1 pairings that can be shared across engineering and design. But as you start building more complex applications, interactions, and states, it becomes harder to share across frameworks and tools.
Totally. For example, buttons have a wide variety of states. Right now, we're largely living in two worlds that are similar by design. But there's nothing connecting those worlds.
In Abstract, Inspect is a translation environment. It's a place for engineers to extract the data to accurately create a component. It's a basic dictionary to copy attributes to code environment. Think of it as the single source of truth for an engineer's design data.
Inspect calls out when layers have changed and gives engineers direct access to the design values they need. And we're working on improving it, so that there is even more visibility outside of Inspect.
Before Inspect, I'd need to have a Sketch license to access a file. Even if you had Sketch, you'd have to keep clicking on symbols and opening Libraries to get to the really "deep" layers. Now, I can just grab it from Inspect.
Great engineers and designers build toolkits to manipulate code components.
Payam Rajabi | designer, Abstract
Defying the laws of the system in pursuit of speed
We talk about the grain of the medium and how designers draw the example and then the engineer will build it. I think that's partly because design tools don't have as much functionality to build complex interactive components.
There is a school of thought that says designers should work with code components. If you could compose them together on the screen, you wouldn't need to translate it into code. It would just be code.
Another school of thought, and the one I'm keen on, is that if you want to innovate, you have to go against the grain and break the rules sometimes. The advantage you have in a design environment is that you can defy the laws of the system, and you can do it much faster, and with fewer restrictions. Both engineers and designers can benefit from this.
We're trying to build that toolkit. It's flexible and malleable. Everyone can play with it. It can help us imagine what the real thing could end up becoming.
There's rapid iteration on one side, and then deviation when it goes into real world environment. This is where design systems are coming into play.
Andrew McCloud | engineer, Abstract
Right now, a lot of us live in two different systems: the design blueprint and the code components with more complexity. You end up designing something and then handing it off to engineering. But the blueprint isn't as interactive, so you inevitably end up changing things. Because once it's been built, it's the first time someone can interact with it.
Designing things up front saves time later because you have something you can interact with earlier in the process. It's the reason people are pushing for building design systems out of code primitives. It comes naturally, and you're closer to done. But most tools aren't made to bridge that divide.
I want design tools to continue to move toward a world where designers can manage increasing complexity. But I also think low-fidelity forms of design can remain relevant.
Whether you're working with the latest front-end framework or a highly sophisticated set of Sketch libraries with Symbols and Shared Styles, you're always going to be trading off flexibility and malleability for structure and accuracy. It just depends on what you're trying to accomplish.
A quick, low-fidelity rendition in pen and paper or clickable prototype could help convey 80-90% of an idea that would take hours or days to build with code. Sometimes that is good enough for an early stage concept.
I used to design and write front end code for all of my projects when I was working on a web-only product. Then, our team grew and we brought in iOS and Android developers, and I was still the only designer on the project. It became impossible to do good design work and implement it all flawlessly across multiple platforms.
Any great product today hasn't been built by one person. Collaborating with people who have different skillsets is essential for turning a big idea into a reality.
Screen design can be anything you want it to be. It's changing all the time.
We are moving in a direction where we can better express the intent of a design in code. I think we'll continue to close that gap as more things are designed with intent and code continues to better express the intent.
Payam:
What we build often needs to work for multiple platforms and many different types of people. The platforms are always changing and so are users' needs. The impact on the user is that they don't get the sense that a product was built by one person. It looks like it's been built by different people over a period of time. And that experience can be choppy.
That's why designers gravitate toward design systems. We've gone from handwriting to using a typewriter. The work loses some of its life, but there's consistency.
Is it a good or a bad thing? It's just part of the times. I love brick, but drywall is cheaper, faster, and easier to scale.
Maybe we're in the Industrial Age of software design.
Director of Brand Marketing and Communications

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


The Azalea is an open reverse 1.5 story floor plan. It offers a spacious great-room That is open to the kitchen and breakfast room. Off the kitchen is a comfortable covered patio that adds to your living space. The master suite sets privately off the great room and connects to the laundry room. The main floor also includes a full bathroom and bedroom for your guest. The basement provides a large rec room, 2 bedrooms and a full bathroom. The basement also includes a large unfinished area that can be used for storage.


Effect of body mass index on perioperative outcomes for laparoscopic partial nephrectomy.
Obesity is becoming an increasing problem and is associated with increased incidence of renal-cell carcinoma. We sought to assess the impact of obesity on outcomes of laparoscopic partial nephrectomy for renal masses.We retrospectively reviewed the pathologic and clinical outcomes from January 2004 through August 2010 of consecutive partial nephrectomies that were performed at a single institution. Patients were segregated according to preoperative body mass index (BMI), and outcomes were compared.Seventy-eight nonobese (BMI<30), 24 obese (BMI 30-35), and 24 morbidly obese (BMI>35) patients were identified. Obese patients were significantly more likely to be female (66% >35 vs 32% <30). Other baseline characteristics were similar. There was a significant relationship between estimated blood loss (P=0.03) and increasing BMI when compared as a trend. No significant differences were observed in regard to operative time, transfusion rate, complications, or surgical margin status between groups.Laparoscopic partial nephrectomy can be safely performed in obese patients without significant expected difference in outcomes.


text:
BOMBSHELL? Photo Of Obama With Leader Of Black Nationalist Hate Group
WASHINGTON, D.C. – A recently released photo of a smiling Barack Obama chumming it up with Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan confirms what many felt they knew already – that Obama was, at the very least, sympathetic to the hateful rhetoric spewed by radical anti-American Lefists that make no secret of their disdain for white people.
That is not necessarily news. What is news, is that this photo, taken in 2005, was buried by Obama supporters in the Congressional Black Caucus in order to avoid damaging his prospects in the 2008 presidential election.
Photojournalist Askia Muhammad released a photo this week showing former President Barack Obama and the controversial Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan from Obama's years as a state senator — and the photographer revealed Thursday that the Congressional Black Caucus had pressured him for more than a decade to keep it hidden.
Muhammad told the Trice Edney News Wire last week that he believed that the image "absolutely would have made a difference" in the 2008 presidential campaign had it been made public.
Muhammad told Fox News' Tucker Carlson that the same day he snapped the photo, the CBC contacted him.
"A staff member from the black caucus called me and said 'we have to have the picture back,' and I was kind of taken aback. And we talked a couple of times on the phone after that, and I said 'Okay, I will give the picture back to Minister Farrakhan's chief of staff,'" he said on "Tucker Carlson Tonight."
"Minister Farrakhan and his reputation would hurt someone trying to win acceptance in the broad cross-section," he said, referring to the possibility at the time that the young senator was being considered for a presidential run.
Muhammad also said that Obama had, at some point, people from the Nation of Islam working on his staff and in his offices.
"In fact he had people from the Nation of Islam working on his staff and in his office in the Chicago, his Senate staff. The members of the Nation of Islam helped him in his Senate campaign and on the South Side of Chicago."
Conservatives that cautioned the country against Barack Obama because of his ties to radical communists, America-haters, and controversial figures like Farrakhan were derided as kooks.
Even though this photo comes as no surprise to those appropriately wary of Obama's deep-held political philosophy, it may have swayed many moderates that previously rolled their eyes at such accusations.
The damage to America from Obama is done, now, and will take a Herculean effort to repair. Would have been nice for all the voting public to all the information about this disastrous Leftist before heading to the polls.
Previous articleNew Blood: Young Conservative Looking To Inject Freedom Into General Assembly
Next articleOBJECTION: Courts Overstep Constitutional Bounds (Again) To Give Cooper Victory


text:
Tag: Antibiotic resistance
The currently used microbiological tests for colistin resistance and other antibiotic resistances did not allow accurate conclusions regarding the spread…
By Staff , in Antibiotic resistance , at January 23, 2023
Hydrogel injections treat antibiotic-resistant infections after hip, knee replacements
Total hip and knee replacements are challenging enough for patients. When an infection occurs in the aftermath, the results are…
By Staff , in Hip Knee , at January 10, 2023
Study shows that antibiotic-resistant microbes in the gut make C. difficile more infectious
Clostridioides difficile, often referred to as C. difficile or C. diff, is a bacterium that causes severe intestinal illness and, as its name…
By Staff , in Antibiotic resistance , at November 16, 2022
New weapon targets antibiotic resistance
A new class of motorized molecules that kill specific bacteria shows promise to curb the threat of antibiotic resistance to…
By Staff , in Antibiotic resistance , at August 25, 2022
New antibiotics could tackle drug-resistant tuberculosis bacteria
Infection by Mycobacterium tuberculosis kills 1.5 million people worldwide every year. Antibiotics to treat TB exist, but in recent years,…
By Staff , in Pharmacology , at May 31, 2022
Can we prevent antibiotic resistance?
Antibiotics have saved countless lives since they were introduced in the 1940s, curing infections and making procedures like chemotherapy and…
New resistance-busting antibiotic combination could extend the use of 'last-resort' antibiotics
Scientists have discovered a new potential treatment that has the ability to reverse antibiotic resistance in bacteria that cause conditions…
By Staff , in Antibiotic resistance , at December 13, 2021
Analysing resistance to antibiotics of Helicobacter pylori infection
Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is one of the most common bacterial infections worldwide, affecting more than 40 % of the…
By Staff , in Antibiotic resistance Gastroenterology , at November 29, 2021
A new culprit in antibacterial resistance: cysteine persulfide
A joint research project based in Kumamoto University, Japan has developed a new, highly sensitive analytical method that can detect…
By Staff , in Antibiotic resistance , at June 9, 2021
Researchers find target to fight antibiotic resistance
Gram-negative bacteria are the bane of health care workers' existence. They're one of the most dangerous organisms to become infected…
By Staff , in Antibiotic resistance , at May 11, 2021
How our microplastic waste becomes 'hubs' for pathogens, antibiotic-resistant bacteria
It's estimated that an average-sized wastewater treatment plant serving roughly 400,000 residents will discharge up to 2,000,000 microplastic particles into…
By Staff , in Antibiotic resistance , at March 20, 2021
Research pinpoints unique drug target in antibiotic resistant bacteria
Researchers have identified a critical mechanism that allows deadly bacteria to gain resistance to antibiotics. The findings offer a potential…
By Staff , in Antibiotic resistance , at March 8, 2021


and clutched their purse-knives closer.
the butterflies like they were potted plants.
and not because you're about to strangle them.
and we never would have hurt anyone.
Heather Bell's work has been published in Rattle, Grasslimb, Barnwood, Poets/Artists, Red Fez, Ampersand, and many others. She was nominated for the 2009, 2010 and 2011 Pushcart Prize from Rattle and also won the New Letters 2009 Poetry Prize. Heather has also published four books.


"Visualize an "ah" sound that is warmer."
"Use e vowel, the eh sound, to practice the high ranges."
"Drink warm liquids when you sing to keep the vocal chords relaxed."
"When you sing the ah vowel, your lower lip curls in too much. No tension! Tensing your lips doesn't enhance the sound."
"There's a lot going on when you're trying to get better!"
"Watch for the little details, like breathing, so you practice efficiently, not having to undo things."
Homework: listen to Pergolesi's "Nina" for proper Italian pronunciation, like 'let-to' and 'giorno'. Listen to "The Impossible Dream" to learn the rhythm.


An engagement ring is a memento that symbolizes a commitment. The Wedding Ring Shop in Honolulu helps you pick the ring they'll never forget. These unique engagement rings have been crafted by the world's most innovative jewelers like Tacori. Tacori offers this showstopping ring that is sure to impress. Find comfort in knowing you'll be able to see all the brands you located right here in Honolulu, Hawaii.
The HT254715RD65PK is a milgrain, vintage style ring that is adored by all. This halo ring matches any outfit, especially a wedding dress. The 18k rose gold design is simple yet daring. Watch her fawn as she looks in delight at the round center stone. Kept in a prong setting, the exquisite stone sits impressively on the band. The 0.33 ct diamonds are taken and masterfully carved into round shapes. The center stone is not included (sold separately).
The Wedding Ring Shop in Honolulu caters to any type of ring preference. We ensure that we can help you choose the ideal ring for your loved one. The Wedding Ring Shop is proud to offer a wonderful collection of jewelry that you will adore.


During World War II in Greece, under the submission of Germans, one Christian, Giorgos, falls in love with a Jewish, Estrea, something completely forbidden. Can they and their families overcome all the obstacles, along with racial discriminations and hardship? The story mainly takes place in an ouzeria, in which Tsitsanis works, one of the greatest Greek composer, librettist and singer in the 20th century.


text:
Landscape of Power and Landscape of Delight
Landscape of Power and Landscape of Delightjvista2015-12-18T17:14:55-07:00
(No class Mar 4)
Instructor: Kevin Justus Ph.D. in Art History from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
The Gardens and Trianons of the Palace of Versailles.
This series is a continuation of the lectures dedicated to the Palace of Versailles. Now, instead of the chateau itself as the focus….it will always be important….Dr. Justus looks at the extensive gardens as well as the small palaces and pavilions located within them. Not only will the history and the engineering of the gardens be examined, but also their rich and complex meaning, as well as their integral function in supporting the ideology of the monarchs of the 17th and 18th Centuries. Attention will also be given to the Grand and Petit Trianons, situated within the gardens, both of which are historically rich in relation to the monarchy and the periods that follow. Finally, the gardens are a living, growing creation, so their tending, their restoration and their modification to support more and more visitors will also be examined.
Week 1: The Garden of Absolute Power: The Creation of the Gardens at Versailles, Louis XIV, Le Notre and the desire to control Nature — The Grand and Petit Parc
Week 2: Sculpture, Water, Trees, and Flowers. The Bosquets of the Petit Parc and the Depiction of the Cosmos. — Symbolism, beauty and function.
Week 3: A Kingly Escape, and, an Escape for a King — The Grand Trianon of Louis XIV.
Week 4: Paradise Found: The Petit Trianon of Louis XV
Week 5: Paradise Lost: The Petit Trianon of the late 18th and early 19th Centuries
Week 6: The Gardens reborn — Versailles and the 20th and 21st Centuries…. Restoring, Replanting and Reimagining.
Register for Landscape of Power and Landscape of Delight


text:
Raheem Sterling criticism is football's great and good vs the uneducated and prejudiced
With Roberto Carlos and the whole England set-up in his corner, Man City star is winning the battle of social media
Stuart BrennanChief Manchester City writer
The Raheem Sterling debate has divided opinion like no other in this World Cup.
On one side, appreciating exactly what the Manchester City man has brought to the England charge to the semi-finals, are Roberto Carlos, Rio Ferdinand, Gary Neville , and a myriad of other seasoned football watchers.
On the other side, Vinny Jones and a howling mob of people who don't normally watch football, or who are failing to see beyond the obvious.
And the people who truly matter when it comes to an opinion of what he brings to the party in Russia are manager Gareth Southgate and his teammates – and they have all waded in to the row to land some heavyweight blows.
Southgate has already expressed his view on Sterling by picking him to start in each of the four meaningful games in the tournament.
Raheem Sterling.
And he has now gone further by making it plain that not only does he appreciate Sterling's qualities, he sees them as vital to the way England have played in this tournament.
"Raheem has been fundamental to the way we have played - his movement, the positions he takes up, his pressing of the ball, his work-rate for the team, the winning of free-kicks, the winning of corners, his speed to stretch teams," Southgate told the ITV World Cup podcast.
"He was a constant threat to Sweden. Of course he hasn't scored the goals we would have liked to score but for myself and the players he has been a crucial part of the way we have been playing."
What TV channel is Croatia vs England on? Kick-off time, team news, odds and predictions
Teammate Eric Dier also joined the debate with words of support for the 23-year-old: "Raheem's attitude is fantastic, his work ethic is fantastic as well. He offers so much to the team," said the Tottenham midfielder.
"He has quality in possession, links the play, makes runs in behind and off the ball his work-rate is incredible.
"It's so clear to see if you were to watch back all our games up to now the importance he has to the team. I think he's had a fantastic tournament so far and hopefully that can continue in the next week."
Vinny Jones, the former Wimbledon midfielder, declared that Sterling would be playing for Exeter if it wasn't for his pace. Harsh words indeed, from someone who wouldn't have got a game for anyone without his thuggish tendencies.
Sterling was widely criticised on social media by fans, but that brought a big response from those who appreciate his role in the team.
They included Brazil's legendary World Cup winner Roberto Carlos who summed it up by saying: "He's not a natural striker, but his movement pulls opponents out of position and creates space for others."


text:
Difference between revisions of "User:JefferyHanson12"
Latest revision as of 13:34, 14 July 2019 (edit)
JefferyHanson12 (talk | contribs)
(Created page with "Ask about her daughter's diagnoses, and [https://www.wigs20.top/ ウィッグ] Dee Dee would reel off a list as long as her arm: chromosomal defects, muscular dystrophy, epil...")
Ask about her daughter's diagnoses, and ウィッグ Dee Dee would reel off a list as long as her arm: chromosomal defects, muscular dystrophy, epilepsy, severe asthma, sleep apnea, eye problems. It had always been this way, Dee Dee said, ever since Gypsy was a baby. She had spent time in neonatal intensive care.
hair extensions This was after my wedding as well and I never would have needed it again but, like OP, I was hoping to donate it or have it converted into something else. I designed it myself and had it custom made at a local dressmaker I picked out the swatches myself. I even have like 3 threads on Reddit about it cuz I loved it so much :(.hair extensions
U Tip Extensions WigSalonhas a50% OFF SALEon HENRY MARGU Wigs for ポニーテール its clients. These sale wigs are only available in the colors you will see at these low prices. Wigs with a next to their name may lack details, but call 800 262 8437 and ask forBridget, or email [email she is in the warehouse ) and we will get you everything you need to know about these sale wigs.U Tip Extensions
U Tip Extensions Mary was perhaps tougher than she may have been given credit for. Her cousin was Charles V, the Holy Roman Emperor. It became evident to some members of the royal council that there could be a civil war. There wasn't much planning before. I feel you're disillusioned by either nostalgia or streamers. 90% of the time you would run sniper and rocket.U Tip Extensions
full lace wigs The so called West Indies Guard Ship (WIGS) is a ボブ ship of the Royal Netherlands Navy that rotates about every six months. It is usually a frigate but it can also be another naval vessel. This vessel usually carries a NHIndustries NH90 helicopter for search and rescue tasks and pursuit of suspect vessels.full lace wigs
tape in extensions I was determined to get rid of them, but didn want to load up on medication (even though my doctor assured me it was OK) so I opted for some alternative therapies (which a dermatologist said probably wouldn work). I tried rubbing coconut oil, castor oil, petroleum jelly, banana peels, lemon, baking soda, Sarna lotion, and the list goes on my skin to scare away my hives. I took cold baths in salt and oatmeal.tape in extensions
lace front wigs Bob style wigs can be short, falling to about jaw level, or bob wigs can be long, falling to the shoulders. In fact, the recent popularity of long bob cut wigs has resulted in a whole new style called the or bob. Short or long, straight or curly, classic or cutting edge, we have bob wigs for every style, face shape, and budget.lace front wigs
tape in extensions Kolstad had completed the screenplay in 2012 and further developed it for Thunder Road Pictures.[8] The film was produced by Basil Iwanyk of Thunder Road Pictures, Leitch, Eva Longoria, and Michael Witherill. It marks Stahelski and Leitch's directorial debut as a team after multiple separate credits as second unit directors and stunt coordinators. They previously worked with Reeves as stunt doubles on The Matrix trilogy.[9].tape in extensions
U Tip Extensions I love this! I don make Halloween costumes, one year we made a unicorn and it was great, but it took everything out of me! My daughter seems to want to be a zebra every year (this will be her third year as a zebra). So I got her a new zebra costume for her birthday (because she outgrew the old one) and now my son wants to use her old zebra costume so they both going as zebras. They like it because there are not that many zebras out there like it because nobody going as a princess or spiderman which seems so run of the mill these days U Tip Extensions..
ショートボブ ウィッグ コスプレ ウィッグ
Retrieved from "http://tribuneazad.com/index.php?title=User:JefferyHanson12&oldid=136179"


text:
Final Fantasy 14 Zot Tower and History Explained
sportsasffDecember 7, 2021
Final Fantasy 14: Endwalker is finally out and players still seem to love everything about it so far, except for endless queues and congestion problems. The opening weekend was pretty harsh on all servers as players tried to access the game in bulk, only to find that they had to wait hours to get access to the game. But this will hopefully calm down in the near future.
One of the original highlights of Final Fantasy 14: Endwalker is the Zot Tower in the new dungeon in Thavnair, a weaponized building brought about by the Telophoroi. This building acts as a giant prison, like The Matrix, capturing living creatures to use as a source of energy so the player will be tasked with taking it down. Aside from the actual storyline in this area, it has a history and a set of bosses that link it to one of the most beloved titles in the game. Final Fantasy series.
VIDEO GAME OF THE DAY
RELATED: Final Fantasy 14 Endwalker: All current locations of Mare Lamentorum Aether
Zot Tower in Final Fantasy 14: Endwalker
Tower of Zot is a level 81 fixed dungeon that the player can run with other players or with three other NPCs controlled by the computer thanks to the Trust system introduced in Shadowbringers. This location is one of the towers rising from the ground in the post-Shadowbringers patches, and they are extremely dangerous when it comes to gasifying anyone who comes near them without Echo's blessing and using the Lunar primates as a means of defense. Scions teamed up with a group of alchemists, who devised a means of reaching these towers without Echo, using talismans made of dragon scales.
Nidhana, the leader of these alchemists, led the effort to develop the talismans and enlisted the help of the Warrior of Light to craft them, and eventually test them. By carrying one of these, the alchemist Arkasodara managed to get inside the Tower without losing his mind, but was once attacked by Fandaniel himself, one of the big bad guys in this expansion. After capturing her and exchanging taunts and history with the Warrior of Light, he flees the scene leaving the player with the question of how to proceed. Fortunately, the Scions realized the tower should have a core they could attack to take it down, and now that they've demonstrated the means to reach it, there's nothing stopping them from launching an attack. direct work. Also, this is the first new dungeon player that can run as sage or reaper, new jobs in the Endwalker expansion.
Inside the Zot Tower
The Warrior of Light leads a group that tries to reach the core while the rest of his party, especially the healers, tend to tend to the wounded captives. Towers will constantly try to heal themselves by draining life from hot-tempered people who can't be removed from captivity without being killed, so the solution is to simply heal them so they don't die while main group close. As the player runs through the dungeons, they'll see a hellish scene on either side with humans between life and death and bridges connecting each platform with several platforms the next with some Imperial soldiers. Hot-tempered and mech act like a mob, but there are greater dangers ahead.
RELATED: FF14: How to use Fantasia
Tower of Zot has three powerful bosses which the player needs to beat to get to the end. This is Minduruva, Sanduruva, and finally Cinduruva, very clearly the Magus sisters seen in several other games in the series. The names are slightly changed to reflect Endwalker's Indian influence, but it's very clearly Mindy, Sandy and Cindy. Players will have to defeat them one by one, but by the end of the dungeon they will have to take all three of them in and withstand the famous Delta Attack, which is three overlapping area attacks. at Tower of Zot will require constant repositioning to survive.
Connection to Final Fantasy 4
The Tower of Zot, much of the content of Final Fantasy 14 Endwalker, has a very direct and intentional connection to FF4. For starters, the location itself is a direct reference to a dungeon that Cecil, Tellah, Yang, and Cid had to go through. The goals here thematically resonate with what happens in Final Fantasy 14 Endwalker: they go there to rescue a friend imprisoned on top. The most remembered boss here is the Magus Sisters: Cindy, Mindy, and Sandy, who first appeared in this game as a group of magicians hired by the villain Golbez. This incarnation had their infamous Delta Attack, a combo attack between the three of them that the player had to deal with. It consists of one of the sisters casting reflections at the other while the third uses high level black magic to bounce off and hit the party dealing massive damage.
There are more direct connections to Final Fantasy 4 too. The melody that actually plays throughout the dungeon is a cover of Masayoshi Sokken Nobuo Uematsu"Golbez, Clad in Darkness", the theme of that game's villain. The new version sounds menacing as players go through each floor fighting until the top, only switching boss themes when facing the Sisters. However, the most interesting part is what happens after they win. In the original Final Fantasy 4, the villain flees and the white mage teleports the heroes out of the tower before it collapses. The same thing happens in Final Fantasy 14, except this time the villain ran away even before the Scions arrived, and instead of teleporting, they cast levitation when the tower disappeared so they could safely float to the ground with them. every hot-tempered prisoner inside it.
Final Fantasy 14 Endwalker package a large number of references to FF4. As Shadowbringers is a loving tribute to FF3, players who join the early access version was amazed by both the old and the newand how much the developers seem to love the first titles.
Final Fantasy 14 Endwalker Released December 7, 2021 for PC, PS4 and PS5.
THAN: Final Fantasy 14 Endwalker: Tower of Zot Guide
Nintendo loses lawsuit over Eshop pre-orders
Nintendo lost its case in a German court, which could affect the company's policies that govern eShop pre-orders.
Federico Lo Giudice
(3 articles published)
Live and breathe Final Fantasy. Careful, he can talk about it non-stop!
More from Federico Lo Giudice
https://gamerant.com/final-fantasy-14-tower-of-zot-dungeon-history/ Final Fantasy 14 Zot Tower and History Explained
sportsasff
St. Charles, Maryland's hottest team before the pandemic was interrupted, trying to regain momentum
How to complete the Dragonspiral Descent Event Collector Challenge in Pokémon Go
Mortal Online 2 Updates July and August Roadmap
West story review
NBA 2K22: Best Dunk Packages
Twitch introduces machine learning to detect suspicious users
VALORANT players demonstrate tool speed increase technique


A complete restore process erases your phone and all the apps and content you have stored on it. Restoring an iPhone can repair software problems by completely reinstalling the operating system software. Syncing only your contacts and songs to your iPhone enables you to get back to running your business quickly by keeping your stored client contact information and important audio files used for presentations and meetings. By restoring your iPhone from a backup, you can avoid the need to run through the complete setup process necessary for new iPhones.
Connect your iPhone to your computer with the USB connector cable supplied with your iPhone. Launch iTunes if it doesn't launch automatically.
Click on your iPhone located in the Devices section of the sidebar of iTunes.
Click on the "Info" tab and select the "Sync Contacts" option. Select "All Contacts." Uncheck all the other sync options under the Info tab.
Click the "Music" tab and select "Sync Music" and "Entire Music Library."
Click on the remaining tabs for "Apps," "Movies," "TV Shows," "Books" and "Photos." Uncheck each of the sync options in these tabs to prevent syncing of these items after the restore process completes. Click "Apply."
Right-click on your iPhone in the Devices section and click "Back Up." Wait for the backup to complete.
Click the "Summary" tab and then select the "Restore" button. Click "Restore" again. If you get a notice stating that you have purchased music on your iPhone, click the "Cancel" button. Then, right-click on your iPhone and select the option to transfer your purchases. After transferring purchases, start the restore process again.
Select the option to "Restore From the Backup Of" and choose the latest backup from the drop-down menu. Press "Continue."
Press "OK" and leave your iPhone connected until it appears in the Devices list in iTunes again. After it appears, you can disconnect your iPhone.
Songs, apps and other content purchased from the iTunes Store can be downloaded again if you decide later you want to restore additional content.


text: Copyright 2015 Josiah James Brower

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Holy Trinity Catholic Church serves the Catholic community in Fairview Heights, Illinois. Our parish is a proud member of the Belleville diocese and the East St. Louis Deanery.
On the first week of Advent, November 28, 2004, two well-established faith communities in Fairview Heights, Our Lady of the Assumption and St. Albert the Great, joined together for worship as Holy Trinity Catholic Church. As plans proceeded in the development and building of a new church and school complex, temporary worship space was offered as an interim solution at Pontiac Junior High School–or as some parishioners lovingly referred to "St.Pontiac's." For two years, parishioners came together for worship at the junior high school, where the gymnasium was transformed into a worship space where everyone pitched in to set up the removable altar, ambo, and chairs each week. Special liturgies were offered for Christmas and the Triduum leading up to Easter at the Fountains Convention Center.
On a very cold and windy Sunday, March 19, 2006, the faithful gathered in prayer and song with the architect, city leaders, and construction workers in an old farmer's field on Fountains Parkway to celebrate the ground breaking of our new Holy Trinity Catholic Church and School. On August 12, 2007, our parish family of faith moved from the gymnasium to the newly finished Parish Community Center to worship until the sanctuary was completed. It was on this day that the Most Reverend Stanley G. Schlarman presided over the school dedication. The following week over 180 students opened the doors of the new school facilities and the parish celebrated its first widely attended Summer Picnic.
By December 2007, the entire complex was ready, marked by the completion of the worship space. Again, on a cold and windy Sunday, December 2, 2007, the Most Reverend Edward K. Braxton, Bishop of the Diocese of Belleville, presided over the dedication of Holy Trinity. It was a symbolic and festive dedication attended by over 600 faithful followers. In the first few months an average of six new families has joined our faith community each week. In the coming months and years ahead, Holy Trinity will continue to grow as "we invite all people to a greater awareness of God's abiding Triune presence through Communal Worship, Lifelong Learning, Stewardship and Service."
Our parish complex covers 84,439 square feet and contains the church sanctuary, multiple meeting and gathering spaces, and a K-8 Catholic school. The building is surrounded by sports and agriculture fields. As of 2010, there are more than 1,100 families registered with Holy Trinity Church and about 200 students in Holy Trinity School.
Our Church is handicap accessible and has hearing assist devices available in the parish library prior to each mass service or ask one of our hospitality ministers to assist you.


This 14kt white gold engagement ring features a brilliant-cut created pink sapphire in the center and is accentuated with a line up of cubic zirconia rounds on both sides. 0.25.ct.tw created pink sapphire and 0.25.ct.tw cubic zirconia rounds add up to 0.50.carat TGW. September birthstone ring.


If you have acne scars, you're well aware of how crippling they can be to your appearance. The good news is, you do not need to live with acne scars. With the proper laser acne scar treatment, you can enjoy radical clearance and a scar-free complexion. There are different types of lasers that work for each various acne scar. For redness due to acne scars, the KTP laser is one of the top in-office acne scar treatment options.
Short for potassium titanyl-phosphate, the KTP laser gently removes the blood vessels just below the skin's surface that ultimately cause the redness associated with scarring or even with rosacea. It's important that you consult with one of our specialists prior to any form of treatment. Various degrees and levels of discoloration may require a different type of laser procedure.
Why KTP Laser for Acne Scars?
The telltale signs of acne don't have to control your life. There are myriad treatment options out there to help you combat the appearance of such scars and discoloration. In treating redness associated with acne, for instance, KTP laser treatment has proven incredibly effective, leaving the patient's complexion smooth and even-toned. Depending on the wavelength and pulse, a KTP laser can actually be used to treat a number of conditions related to discoloration as the laser targets melanin.
After applying gel to the targeted area, the dermatology provider will then proceed with the laser treatment. Completely painless and lasting only a few minutes, the KTP procedure requires zero downtime, and as such, patients can immediately resume their normal activities.
What Should I Do Following KTP Treatment?
Keeping the skin moist is incredibly important after a KTP laser treatment. Also, we highly recommend daily use of sunscreen following KTP laser treatment. Minimizing overall exposure to the sun for a while after these treatments will help maximize your results.
What are the Benefits of KTP Laser Treatment?
Acne scarring and the red marks that can occur on the skin are removeable; this procedure has proven to help countless patients. A very safe and effective way to diminish the effects of acne outbreaks, KTP laser treatment is becoming increasingly popular. Patients who have undergone this treatment have come to notice a more glowing complexion, more even skin tones, and even a smoother skin texture. Results can sometimes be seen after just one session, while others with more severe discoloration may require 2-3 sessions. Consulting with one of our skin care specialists is recommended in order to give you a more comprehensive idea of what you can expect and what type of treatment is best for you.


Liverpool's ambition of going one step further than last season and winning the Champions League in 2018/19 took a huge leap forward with a 2-0 win in the first leg of this quarter final clash with FC Porto at Anfield.
Their effort got off to the best possible start when Naby Keita scored their opener after just five minutes when he fired in a shot from the edge of the area that took a deflection before nestling in the back of the net.The Reds doubled their lead not long after when Jordan Henderson sent Trent-Alexander Arnold away down the right flank and his cut back found Roberto Firmino, who tapped home to double Liverpool's advantage.From there, they have expected to go and rampage to victory with more than an hour of the game to go, but they only created a couple of half-chances thereafter. And what's more, Porto fashioned a couple of strong chances themselves, with their striker Moussa Marega missing a couple of opportunities that would have brought his team an important away goal.As it is, Liverpool could not have wished for a better night; especially when Mo Salah got away scot-free after appearing to stamp on a Porto player.
Two goals, a clean sheet, and your best player getting away with a tackle that would have seen him suspended for the second leg….priceless! So now Porto need to find at least two goals themselves in the second leg in Portugal on April 17, while stopping Liverpool from scoring. The FC Porto vs Liverpool odds for the second leg have been released, so let's take a look at the markets and see if we can find any betting value.
As you will probably be aware by now, there are two angles to attack with our bets for any two-legged Champions League tie: the individual game itself, as well as the 'to qualify' market where we predict who will reach the next round.
For this second leg specifically, Porto can be backed at 3.75 and Liverpool at 2.05. The draw has been priced at 3.25. And it doesn't take a football genius to know that Liverpool are a red-hot favourite to progress in the 'to qualify' market for obvious reasons. They are as short as 1.02, with Porto priced at 17.00 to complete the unlikeliest of comebacks.
The most obvious question that we need to ask prior to making any FC Porto vs Liverpool predictions is this: can Porto realistically get back into this fixture They would need to win 2-0 to force it into extra time and 3-0 (or better) to win it outright. Either way, keeping a clean sheet is absolutely imperative, and that's just not very likely, is it.Liverpool did fail to score in two of their way group games at Napoli and Red Star Belgrade, but they notched three at the formidable Allianz Arena home of Bayern Munich and in the English Premier League they have netted in 91% of all their matches this season.In nine Champion League matches so far in 2018/19, Porto have kept a solitary clean sheet, and while they don't concede many as a rule it's a tall order for them to stop the likes of Salah, Firmino and Sadio Mane while themselves pushing for the goals that will turn this tie on its head. So, we expect Liverpool to score at least once in Portugal… and thus we expect them to win the tie at a canter.
How do our FC Porto vs Liverpool betting tips shape up then? Clearly, we can't back Liverpool to qualify at the odds available, while backing them to win this second leg is a risky bet given that Porto are no mugs on home soil.The Portuguese outfit do have goals in their locker, and only Lionel Messi and Robert Lewandowski have scored more Champions League goals this season than Marega. As such, backing both teams to score at 1.80 looks a fair move, and if you want to take that a step further then you can also back both teams to score AND over 2.5 goals at odds of 2.35.


text:
Check Out America's 50 Greatest Beach Towns to Live In
Keri Wiginton
Keri Wiginton Published: May 31, 2021
People innately love being near the water. Just the act of looking at a body of water--in real life or in a photograph--measurably lowers stress levels. Sure, the average cost of a waterfront home in the U.S. is about double that of a similar house located inland, but you get what you pay for: People who live near rivers, lakes, and oceans are also happier and healthier than those who live away from water. When you think of it that way, maybe that waterfront view is worth spending extra money on rent.
The median sale price of a home in Malibu, California, as of February 2021 was more than $4 million, to be sure, but that doesn't mean all beach property breaks the bank. Coastal properties in Mississippi, Texas, and Florida are among the most affordable homes near the water anywhere in the country.
LOOK: See America's 50 Best Beach Towns
Source: Check Out America's 50 Greatest Beach Towns to Live In
9/11-Themed Bar Opens in Fort Worth, TX to Mixed Reviews
Main Street of America: See Route 66 Attractions State by State
The Most Awesome 80's Playlist for Memorial Day Weekend
Monkey Business Lands El Paso Zoo Trespasser New Job
A Little Common Sense Should Protect You From This Indiana Unemployment Scam
Opinion: 5 Reasons We Do Not Need Electric Scooters in Evansville
Libby Might Not Like Other Animals, But She Will Love You – VHS Pet of the Week [VIDEO]
10 Movie Remakes That Were Better Than The Original
10 Things You Should Know about the Indianapolis 500


For my little firecracker who was born on the 4th of July! This year he will be 4 on the 4th, how cool is that? He is very excited to see some fireworks this year. I hope you enjoy my design.
veritymaddox says: Thanks to everyone for your kind words and encouragement, it means so much!!
pd_frasure says: Hope your star enjoyed his fourth on the fourth, how very cool indeed! I especially appreciate the linen texture used in the background of your design. The choice of chevrons is marvelously appropriate.
wendy_lin says: NIce job! So original, and the chevron design is au courant. Love that it converts so easy to Christmas!
victorialasher says: Congratulations on your win. Hope your son enjoyed "his" fireworks.
uzumakijo says: Congrats on your win, I do love this design, fabulous, well done!
bippidiiboppidii says: Congratulations! and happy birthday to your small boy... a party all round!
holly_helgeson says: Wonderful design! Congratulations!
lellobird says: Lovely and fun! Congrats on the win!
katarina says: Congrats!!!Well deserved, it is beautiful!!!
heatherdutton says: What a great design! I LOVE the texture you added in. BIG Congrats!!
cjldesigns says: Congratulations on your win! It is a fantastic design!
heathermann says: This is gorgeous! I hope we see more from you!
studioalex says: So uplifting and fun - congrats on your great design & win!
rhondadesigns says: Congratulations on your win with your beautiful design, Katrina!
veritymaddox says: Wow, thanks everyone! I am humbled by all the great designers here and so excited that I won. Thank you so much for you support and warm wishes!!
lucybaribeau says: Bravo, it is great !
retrorudolphs says: Congratulations on top spot. Your design is perfection!!
jbhorsewriter7 says: I love the texture!!!! The color variants are lovely as well as the zig-zag 'stripes' and retro stars. (But the texture is my favorite part). Glad you won!
loopy_canadian says: Congradulations on your win!!
angelastevens says: Congratulations Katrina! An awesome design!
inscribed_here says: Big congrats on your win with this fantastic design, Katrina!
pattysloniger says: Great design, congratulations on your win!
khowardquilts says: Congratulations! I'm not at all surprised that your design won; it is fantastic.
fireflower says: Congratulations on your first place finish!
chovy says: Is this your first submission? How cool is that ! Congratulations !
spellstone says: Congratulations on your win, this is beautiful!
lucindawei says: Congratulations! Happy Birthday to your little one. Hope he had a great day.
amel24 says: Congratulations Katrina on first place!
rhondadesigns says: This is an outstanding design! This would make a lovely swirly skirt!
inscribed_here says: This looks equally fabulous in swatch view and yardage. It would be brilliant for curtains!
uzumakijo says: Really cool! love this design, great use of layout and texture, good luck!
cjldesigns says: This is a stunning design, well done!
fireflower says: I really like the way you used the cross-hatching to give this a hand-woven effect, and to soften the hard edges of the colors, which also enhances the ombre effect.
su_g says: Lovely! Great ombre effect, nice textures and colors!
sammyk says: Super stellar design! Great work!
ravenous says: Really cool design.
retrorudolphs says: Very eye catching design, good luck in the contest!
coggon_(roz_robinson) says: This is very effective - lovely!


Nothing was good for Little Girl.
Melt downs were the music of our morning.
"Maybe you could bring lunch home?"
Daddy makes everything better, we'll eat with him.
The meltdowns of all meltdowns.
The worst day of her entire life.
Mama crying in the booth.
"Can we get this to-go?"
In the car, forgot Daddy.
We had a good nap.
And I believe a new tradition was born.
My posting has slowed down, but I promise you I'm still working hard!
I am down 5 pounds total.
One shirt and pant size.
I still, STILL, have yet to get my inches recorded, but I KNOW I'm losing more than the scale is showing.
I feel it in my slowly-getting-too-big clothes.
I see it in the mirror.
I hear it when my Husband and other sweet people tell me they see a difference.
I'd be lying if I said it's been easy.
Or that everything is going exactly how I planned.
I'm changing my whole life in this process, so I've come to accept the set backs and not be filled with guilt when life happens.
Choosing the healthier options is becoming second nature to me and while I still hate waking up before the sun, once I'm at the gym... I love it.
BUT, I am noticing that I start to slide on Thursdays and by Sunday I'm eating whatevs.
Husband is off on Fridays, so I'm 99% sure it has to do with him being home.
This week I'm coming up with ways to combat that.
My saving graces are my friends.
I text one friend before eating anything and everything.
She does the same to me.
And like I've said before, so many times I see her healthier meal and it challenges me to change mine.
The other friend is my gym partner.
Having someone there with you makes a world of difference.
I texted her last week before heading to the gym.
"I was really hoping you'd cancel this morning. I'm. So. Tired."
"Haha! Nope, it is time."
So, getchu some of these friends.


Harriet Ellis Training Solutions is an England-wide training provider offering Apprenticeships and qualifications in the Dental and Healthcare sectors.
Annually we train approximately 700 candidates across the UK & repeatedly achieve very high success rates. In 2017 we began our delivery of apprenticeships in the dental sector and will be launching further apprenticeship programmes in early 2018.
Each of our apprenticeships are tailored to the needs of the employer and employee ensuring a comprehensive and high quality programme is delivered and achieves the desired outcomes.


text:
Category Archives: litigation privilege
Litigation privilege and family proceedings after SFO v ENRC
Posted in litigation privilege, Uncategorized	by dbfamilylaw
Litigation privilege explained: its relevance in family litigation
In Serious Fraud Office (SFO) v Eurasian Natural Resources Corp Ltd [2018] EWCA Civ 2006 (judgment, 5 September 2018) The Law Society intervened: it was thought the case would prove important as a review of legal advice privilege which might impact on solicitors. The Law Society's Gazette wrote that the Society had described the decision as being 'a boost for the principle of lawyer-client confidentiality'. It was not that. Litigation privilege was explained and affirmed; and little more.
Little was said on the main aspect of legal professional privilege (namely legal advice privilege (LAP)); and what was said was obiter. The case was decided on the extent to which the more modest litigation privilege (LP) applies, especially where a corporate body is involved. LP was extensively reviewed (judgment was jointly by Sir Brian Leveson P, Sir Geoffrey Voss Chancellor of the High Court and McCombe LJ). So what does the judgment mean generally and for a family lawyer?
To answer this question the background and facts of the case must be touched on; the meaning of legal professional privilege (LPP) explained; the meaning and extent of LP looked at, in the light of the judgment; and the contexts in which LP may impacts on family proceedings looked at.
The case was an appeal from Andrews J (Director of Serious Fraud Office v Eurasian Natural Resources Corporation Ltd (ENRC) [2017] EWHC 1017 (QB), [2017] 1 WLR 4205). ENRC were anticipating some form of enforcement raid by SFO. They were carefully considering self-reporting under SFO guidelines as a result of allegations of criminality on the part of certain African companies it was seeking to acquire. ENRC set in motion extensive enquiries as to the background and mostly involving members of their own staff by, amongst others, Dechert, a firm of solicitors.
SFO finally decided to 'accept ENRC for criminal investigation': that is to pursue their enquiries further. ENRC asserted LPP (ie advice privilege and LP) in relation to documents which had arisen in their internal enquiry. SFO replied with an application, heard ultimately by Andrews J, that there be a declaration that ENRC must disclose three categories of document (at [46]: a fourth category – 'Category 3' – did not feature in the appeal):
The first category was notes taken by Dechert of the evidence given to them by individuals (including employees and former employees or officers of ENRC and of its subsidiary companies) when asked about the events being investigated.
Next ('Category 2') was of the 'books and records of Forensic Risk Alliance (FRA), a firm of forensic accountants and of reviews they carried out.
Finally, 'Category 4' comprised 17 documents referred to in a letter dated 22 August 2014 sent to the SFO by a barrister's chambers.
Andrews J held that none of these were covered by privilege. The Court of Appeal held that all, save a couple of emails, were covered by LP.
Legal professional privilege and litigation privilege
So what is legal professional privilege? And what is the significance of litigation privilege, its sub-branch, especially in the light of SFO v ENRC? As noted by the Court of Appeal at ([63] and [64]) the meaning of LPP was summarised by Lord Carswell in Three Rivers District Council and ors v Governor and Company of the Bank of England (No 6) [2004] UKHL 48, [2004] 3 WLR 1274:
'[105] … The cases establish[ed] that, so far from legal advice privilege being an outgrowth and extension of litigation privilege, legal professional privilege is a single integral privilege, whose sub-heads are legal advice privilege and litigation privilege, and that it is litigation privilege which is restricted to proceedings in a court of law in the manner which the authorities show…'
Although the Court of Appeal heard submissions on the subjects of both LAP and LP, they made their decision on LP alone (at 122]). Their comments on LAP ([124]-[143]) are not necessary to the decision. This centred on the view they took of the 'dominant purpose test' for LP in Waugh v British Railways Board [1980] AC 521 ('Waugh'); a test which still stands. It was cited by the Court of Appeal as follows:
'[103] It was common ground that the test to be adopted in relation to documents prepared for reasons which only included (but were not limited to) the conduct of litigation is that identified by the House of Lords in [Waugh]. The document over which privilege was asserted was a report prepared by officers of the [Board] into a fatal railway accident, it being clear, on the facts, that the report had been prepared for two purposes of equal importance (namely railway safety and litigation), and also that such reports were required to be prepared after all accidents, regardless of whether litigation was contemplated (see the judgment of Lord Wilberforce at pages 530B-531A). In a judgment with which the other members of the House agreed in terms or in substance, he identified the test to be adopted (at page 533) in these terms:
"It appears to me that unless the purpose of submission to the legal adviser in view of litigation is at least the dominant purpose for which the relevant document was prepared, the reasons which require privilege to be extended to it cannot apply."'
The Court confirmed application of this principle at paras [91], [101] and [113] and concluded that LP applied to the documents in categories 1, 2 and 4 (other than the two emails) as follows:
'[119] … We have concluded that the judge ought to have concluded that the documents were brought into existence for the dominant purpose of resisting or avoiding contemplated criminal proceedings against ENRC or its subsidiaries or their employees.
Litigation privilege and children proceedings
In Re L (Police Investigation: Privilege) [1997] AC 16, [1996] 1 FLR 731 the House of Lords said LP did not apply to certain expert's report in care proceedings. Lord Jauncey (giving the only reasoned speech on behalf of the majority in the House) said this was the case, because – he thought – care proceedings were not 'adversarial' (not perhaps an obvious conclusion in relation to today's care proceedings). He said:
Thus the court is seeking to reach a decision which will be in the best interests of someone who is not a direct party and is granted investigative powers to achieve that end. In these circumstances I consider that care proceedings under Part IV of [Children Act 1989] are so far removed from normal actions that litigation privilege has no place in relation to reports obtained by a party thereto which could not have been prepared without the leave of the court to disclose documents already filed or to examine the child (emphasis added).
By 'Part IV' he was speaking of care or 'public law' proceedings. As Privilege (2013, 3rd Ed) by Colin Passmore stresses (at [3-235]), this quote applies only to care proceedings, not to proceedings under Children Act 1989 generally; though it is said to have been extended by obiter comments in the Court of Appeal in Vernon v Bosley (No 2) [1999] QB 18, [1998] 1 FLR 304, CA; though that comment was not part of the ratio of the decision in Vernon.
And what of the rights of a child (whom Lord Jauncey excluded from his review) in such proceedings (see eg and United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child 1989 Art 24)? When are proceedings 'adversarial' and when 'inquisitorial' (so LP may not apply)? These are subjects for another day….
Litigation privilege and family proceedings
Re L (Police Investigation) is not directly considered in SFO v ENRC. Since Re L holds that care proceedings (Children Act 1989 Part 4) are not adversarial, and SFO v ENRC concerned proceedings which were adversarial (and therefore that LP applied), the Re L decision is unnecessary to apply here.
To bring the discussion of LP full circle, it is important to go back to the rationale for LPP: that the privilege is essential to the administration of justice and to securing a fair trial. It enables the client to 'make a clean breast' of the client's legal affairs without fear that what is said will be passed on to others (Anderson v Bank of British Columbia (1876) 2 ChD 644 at 649 per Sir George Jessel MR). It is considered essential to a system of justice (Greenough v Gaskell (1833)1 M & K 98 Lord Brougham LC) and is compatible with European Convention 1950 Art 6(1) (right to a fair trial). It gives the client an absolute right to refuse to produce to the court material which would otherwise be relevant to one or more issues before the court (R v Derby Magistrates' Court exp B [1995] UKHL 18, [1996] 1 AC 487, [1996] 1 FLR 513).
By 1980 it was beyond question that this right to consult a lawyer freely extended, in cases of anticipated litigation (eg to the lawyer interviewing witnesses and obtaining expert evidence). In other words, that a lawyer could turn over any stone without fear that the lawyer might have to tell everyone in the case what was under the stone. Re L says, in effect, that Children Act 1989 Part 4 proceedings are not litigation. One wonders if children and their parents involved in such proceedings would agree? Given the issues involved – the possible loss of a child and their later adoption (in appropriate cases) – it is difficult to see what proceedings are less pregnant with serious litigation probabilities; but thus far in relation to Part 4 proceedings only the House of Lords has opined.
In relation to expert evidence obtained in preparation of other family proceedings (family money or private children proceedings) the position on LP remains as explained in SFO v ENRC. A lawyer is entitled to interview witnesses or obtain opinion evidence (subject only to obiter comments of the Court of Appeal in Vernon v Bosley (No 2) [1999] QB 18, [1998] 1 FLR 304, CA), and not to disclose them unless the client agrees.
If a local authority accumulates evidence in a case, once it is clear that care proceedings might result, material arising from enquiries by their lawyers would be covered by LP (circumstances almost precisely analogous to ENRC in the case). If the lawyers acquire the material when the dominant purpose is possible Part 4 proceedings, the local authority is not obliged to produce it (though its existence should be disclosed in accordance with basic disclosure principles: FPR 2010 r 21.1(1)).
dominant purpose test, legal professional privilege, privilege and family proceedings	1 Comment


One of the bonuses of Rotary membership is that you get to meet and become friends with a great mix of people and enjoy each others' company in various activities. One of these is our members' book club.
The book club was started by Rotarian Brian Dobinson in January 2011 and Brian has run it ever since. Members of the book club meet once every six weeks or so. They all read a chosen book and at the next meeting they discuss it, report on other books they have read and perhaps discuss other cultural activities they have taken part in or know are coming up. Usually the book club meets at the home of one of our Rotarians, where members have a glass of wine and some snacks and usually have "quite a jolly time"!
Brian kindly circulates notes of each meeting so that all of our Club members are in the loop. Brian muses, "Perhaps the most valuable part of the book club is that it gives members a very informal meeting place; we have certainly got to know each other much better thanks to the book club."
Currently a dozen-or-so people attend the book club on a more-or-less regular basis - average attendance per meeting is about seven or eight, but there were 11 at the last meeting. Book club members include members of our Rotary Club, their spouses and others who have been Rotarians or whose spouses have been Rotarians in the past.


Blackpool tower has stood proud on the North West's shorelines since it opened to the public over 100 years ago (14 May 1894). The people of that generation would never have though that such a large important building would be at the forefront of todays technological advances.
When LED Lighting is used to showcase artwork.
Here is where lighting and ambient lighting come to the rescue and in turn this introduces us to the benefits of LED Lighting.
http://www.spicenews.com.au/2013/04/08/article/Mercure-Brisbane-unveils-new-look/RDWLNOOXKW.html details how Mercure in australia have used LED Mirror lights in their guest rooms, something which you can not do with traditional lighting, every day LED Lights are being used to replace or improve on products such as these, we too research and develop innovative LED Light products allowing this kind of product to exist.


text:
package com.zhihudailytest.Activity;

import android.content.Intent;
import android.content.SharedPreferences;
import android.graphics.BitmapFactory;
import android.os.Bundle;
import android.support.annotation.Nullable;
import android.widget.EditText;

import com.umeng.socialize.ShareAction;
import com.umeng.socialize.UMAuthListener;
import com.umeng.socialize.UMShareAPI;
import com.umeng.socialize.UMShareListener;
import com.umeng.socialize.bean.SHARE_MEDIA;
import com.umeng.socialize.media.UMImage;
import com.umeng.socialize.shareboard.SnsPlatform;
import com.umeng.socialize.utils.ShareBoardlistener;
import com.zhihudailytest.Fragment.LoginFragment;
import com.zhihudailytest.Fragment.LogoutFragment;
import com.zhihudailytest.R;
import com.zhihudailytest.Utils.SPUtils;

import org.json.JSONException;
import org.json.JSONObject;

import java.util.Map;

import butterknife.Bind;
import butterknife.ButterKnife;
import butterknife.OnClick;

public class UmengLoginActivity extends BaseActivity{
    final SHARE_MEDIA[] displaylist = new SHARE_MEDIA[]
            {
                    SHARE_MEDIA.WEIXIN, SHARE_MEDIA.WEIXIN_CIRCLE,SHARE_MEDIA.SINA,
                    SHARE_MEDIA.QQ, SHARE_MEDIA.QZONE
            };

    public void onShare(){

        ShareAction action = new ShareAction(UmengLoginActivity.this);
        action.setDisplayList(displaylist);
       // action.withTitle("分享标题");
        action.withText("分享文本内容");
        action.withTargetUrl("http://blog.xiongit.com");//点击分享内容打开的链接*//*
      //  action.withMedia(umImage);//附带的图片,音乐,视频等多媒体对象
        action.setShareboardclickCallback(mShareBoardlistener);//设置友盟集成的分享面板的点击监听回调
        action.open();//打开集成的分享面板

    };

    public void onDeAuth(){
          umShareAPI.deleteOauth(UmengLoginActivity.this,SHARE_MEDIA.SINA,deListener);

    };
    private UMAuthListener deListener=new UMAuthListener() {
        @Override
        public void onComplete(SHARE_MEDIA share_media, int i, Map<String, String> map) {
            showToast("delete Oauth success");
            SharedPreferences.Editor editor = SPUtils.getEditor();
            editor.remove("name");

            editor.remove("avatar");
            editor.putBoolean("status", false);
            editor.remove("uid");
            editor.commit();
        }

        @Override
        public void onError(SHARE_MEDIA share_media, int i, Throwable throwable) {
            showToast("delete Oauth onError"+throwable.toString());
        }

        @Override
        public void onCancel(SHARE_MEDIA share_media, int i) {
            showToast("delete Oauth onCancel");
        }
    };

  private  UMAuthListener listener=new UMAuthListener() {
      @Override
      public void onComplete(SHARE_MEDIA share_media, int i, Map<String, String> map) {

               // show.setText(map.get("result"));
               String result=map.get("result");
          try {
              JSONObject object=new JSONObject(result);
              SharedPreferences.Editor editor = SPUtils.getEditor();
              editor.putString("name", object.getString("name"));
              editor.putString("avatar", object.getString("profile_image_url"));
              editor.putBoolean("status", true);
              editor.putString("uid", object.getString("idstr"));
              editor.commit();
              Intent intent=new Intent("login");
              localBroadcastManager.sendBroadcast(intent);
              finish();

          } catch (JSONException e) {
              e.printStackTrace();
          }

      }

      @Override
      public void onError(SHARE_MEDIA share_media, int i, Throwable throwable) {
                showToast("授权失败");
      }

      @Override
      public void onCancel(SHARE_MEDIA share_media, int i) {

      }
  };

  private UMAuthListener umAuthListener=new UMAuthListener() {
      @Override
      public void onComplete(SHARE_MEDIA share_media, int i, Map<String, String> map) {
          umShareAPI.getPlatformInfo(UmengLoginActivity.this,SHARE_MEDIA.SINA,listener);

      }

      @Override
      public void onError(SHARE_MEDIA share_media, int i, Throwable throwable) {
            showToast("error");
      }

      @Override
      public void onCancel(SHARE_MEDIA share_media, int i) {
        showToast("cancel");
      }
  };

    private ShareBoardlistener mShareBoardlistener=new ShareBoardlistener() {
        @Override
        public void onclick(SnsPlatform snsPlatform, SHARE_MEDIA share_media) {
            UMImage umImage=new UMImage(UmengLoginActivity.this, BitmapFactory.decodeResource(getResources(),R.drawable.kaka));
            ShareAction shareAction = new ShareAction(UmengLoginActivity.this);

            shareAction.setPlatform(share_media);
            shareAction.setCallback(mUmShareListener);//设置每个平台的点击事件
            shareAction.withTitle("分享标题");
            shareAction.withText("分享文本内容");
            shareAction.withTargetUrl("http://www.baidu.com");//点击分享内容打开的链接
            shareAction.withMedia(umImage);//附带的图片,音乐,视频等多媒体对象
            shareAction.share();//发起分享,调起微信,QQ,微博客户端进行分享。
        }
    };
    /**
     * 友盟分享后事件监听器
     */
    private UMShareListener mUmShareListener = new UMShareListener() {

        @Override
        public void onResult(SHARE_MEDIA platform) {
            showToast("success");
            // TODO 分享成功
        }

        @Override
        public void onError(SHARE_MEDIA platform, Throwable t) {
            showToast("onError"+t.toString());
            // TODO 分享失败
        }

        @Override
        public void onCancel(SHARE_MEDIA platform) {
            showToast("onCancel");
            // TODO 分享取消
        }

    };

    private UMShareAPI umShareAPI;
   @Override
   protected void onCreate(@Nullable Bundle savedInstanceState) {
       super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
       setContentView(R.layout.activity_umeng_login);
       ButterKnife.bind(this);
       setToolbar();
       getSupportActionBar().setDisplayShowTitleEnabled(true);

       setTranslucent3();
       setNaviBack();
       fragmentManager=getSupportFragmentManager();
       fragmentTransaction=fragmentManager.beginTransaction();
       SharedPreferences sp=SPUtils.getSP();
       if (sp.getBoolean("status",false)){
           fragmentTransaction.add(R.id.container,new LogoutFragment());
       }
       else{
           fragmentTransaction.add(R.id.container,new LoginFragment());
       }
       fragmentTransaction.commit();
     umShareAPI=UMShareAPI.get(this);
   }
    @Override
    protected void onActivityResult(int requestCode, int resultCode, Intent data) {
        super.onActivityResult(requestCode, resultCode, data);
       umShareAPI.onActivityResult( requestCode, resultCode, data);
    }

    @Override
    protected void initView() {

    }

    @Override
    protected void setListener() {

    }
}


Are you a member of this fairly popular club? The U.T.O.C. or Ugly Tape Over Webcam club? Former FBI director James Comey is a member, as is Mark Zuckerberg.
Fact of the matter is, you are probably not being spied on by any government through your webcam. More likely is the embarrassment of not knowing it is on or some creep getting access to it through malware. I once clicked on a link for a training and it took me to the wrong webcam. Instead of a training session, it was someone's home office and they were just going about their work, totally unaware that their webcam had been activated. It was bizarre and absolutely no hacking skills were involved on my end. Just a weird glitch of fate. So there are definitely good reasons to have your webcam covered when you are not using it.
I love the ugly tape solution because it is easy and practically free. The thing is, lately I've been videoconferencing more often and the tape can leave a residue over the camera which I have to clean constantly. No biggie, but lately it was starting to irk me.
Instead, I decided to try a privacy webcam cover. It sticks onto your screen and has a cover you can slide back and forth. It has the added benefit that it isn't as ugly as the blue painter's tape I was using before. Installation is EZPZ (shown below) and it is relatively cheap to buy.
If you have any other privacy webcam recommendations, I would love to hear from you!
Do you ever wonder whether someone has hacked into your phone or computer camera and then think, that's ridiculous? Do you ever go back and forth about whether to put an ugly, inconvenient piece of tape on your otherwise beautiful screen? Off, on, off, on.
Why do we have to choose between peace of mind and convenience?
I stumbled across a relatively inexpensive and elegant solution that allows me to relax without creating an eyesore. It's a small sliding cover make out of plastic just a little larger than the camera that is slim and easily attached by adhesive.
If this works for you, let me know!


text:
8 MPs Suspended For Rajya Sabha Chaos Over Farm Bills, Refuse To Leave
A voice vote took place in Rajya Sabha amid slogans from the opposition.
Eight opposition members were suspended from the Rajya Sabha this morning for the rest of the session over unprecedented chaos in the house during the passing of controversial farm bills on Sunday, but they refused to leave. The members, including Trinamool Congress's Derek O'Brien, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)'s Sanjay singh, Congress's Rajeev Satav and CPM's KK Ragesh, were told they had displayed "unruly behavior especially with the Chair and gross disorderly conduct".
The refusal of the suspended members to leave the house caused multiple adjournments of the Rajya Sabha until it was forced to close for the day. The opposition said the members should have been given a chance to explain, but the Rajya Sabha said the decision was based on a government motion.
"I am pained at what happened yesterday. It defies logic. It is a bad day for Rajya Sabha," said Rajya Sabha chairman Venkaiah Naidu.
He said the members threw papers, wrenched mics away, "physically threatened" Deputy Chairman Harivansh Singh and even abused him.
"I am naming Mr Derek O Brien. Please go out of the house," Mr Naidu said, as he named the suspended members.
But none of the members budged.
Two of the government's three farm bills, which have led to massive protests by opposition parties and farmers, were passed on Sunday amid an uproar in the Rajya Sabha.
Sanjay Singh and Rajiv Satav climbed onto the Secretary General's table at the centre of the house, Derek O'Brien waved a rulebook in front of the Chairperson and tried to tear it up and some members pulled out mics at their seats. A few members also tore up copies of the bills.
At one point, marshals formed a wall between the Deputy Chairman and the protesting members.
The opposition, which lacked the numbers to block legislation, had called for the farms bills to be sent to a select committee for review. They had also asked for the discussion to be extended to today. Harivansh Singh refused and allowed Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar to continue his reply before voting on the bills.
The row escalated when the opposition demanded physical voting but Harivansh Singh refused. Opposition members ran to the Chair, attempted to tear up the rule book and tried to snatch the Deputy Chairman's mic.
A voice vote took place amid slogans from the opposition.
Opposition MPs sat on protest in the house, preventing the start of the Lok Sabha shift.
Nearly 50 members moved a no-confidence motion against Harivansh Singh, which was rejected today.
"This does not end here," Derek O'Brien had said on Sunday, terming it a "murder of democracy".
"They cheated. They broke every rule in Parliament. It was a historic day. In the worst sense of the word. They cut RSTV feed so the country couldn't see. They censored RSTV. Don't spread propaganda. We have evidence," Derek O'Brien tweeted.
During the discussion on the bills, the government said the Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce Bill and the Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill will bring major reforms in the lives of the farmers.
After the bills were passed, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted: "For decades, the Indian farmer was bound by various constraints and bullied by middlemen. The bills passed by Parliament liberate the farmers from such adversities. These bills will add impetus to the efforts to double income of farmers and ensure greater prosperity for them."
The opposition alleges that the proposed laws will give power in the hands of corporates and farmers will be deprived of fair price for their produce.


The airport of Mykonos is located after the area Drafaki in Mykonos about 4km from the town centre. There are daily flights from Athens with both Olympic airlines and Aegean airlines. During the summer season there are flights to Mykonos with many budget international airlines like Easy Jet from London (Luton) and Milan Malpensa, Air Berlin and German Wings from several airports in Germany and Swtzerland. There are also connections with the islands of Crete and Rhodes with the small airline Sky express.
The airport facilities are in a modern white building with 2 passenger terminals and one freight terminal. The runway length is 1900 metres.
Outside the airport there are bus and taxi stops. You can get buses to the airport from Mykonos town.


What are you up to today? Planning your big day or taking the chance to spend some quality time with one another?
Mr T and I (plus a two year old and 7 month bump!) are planning a bit of romance. I am sure like many of your men out there, the way to their heart is through the stomach. So the plan today is to go out for a hearty brunch, a walk in the park and a nice meal, once the little one is in bed.
Have a wonderful day, whatever you are up to. This is for you Mr T…..


text:
Home > Let's sing the praises of Charlie Morton the Astro
Let's sing the praises of Charlie Morton the Astro [1]
By Clark Booth [2]
This being the beginning of the special time in the year, and because it seems to me to have been insufficiently noted or appreciated, let's begin with the inspirational tale of Charlie Morton, dauntless but improbable World Series hero. It's wonderful.
If there were a Profiles in Courage Award in baseball, he would be a lock. Few have stood taller on the mound than the battered, weary, but implacable 34-year-old Morton did in Game Seven, when he slammed shut the door on the Dodgers with four innings of impeccable relief, mixing an unhittable curve with iron will, just as he had done to finish off the Yankees in the ALCS. It's something no pitcher had ever done – win two sudden-death Game Sevens in the same post-season.
"'Big deal," you say, "a mere footnote." But when something happens in baseball that's never happened before, we pay attention. Moreover, you must consider the ordeal Morton had experienced over an agonizing 10-year struggle to reach his historic moment, wandering from Atlanta to Pittsburgh to Philadelphia before landing in Houston.
For openers, he had three major surgeries, one on each hip plus the dreaded Tommy John ulnar-nerve transplant, and countless trips to the DL for related miseries. In 2016, he pitched four winless games for the Phillies, tearing his hamstring so badly in April that he was in rehab the rest of the season. In nine years, he won 46 games, never posting a winning record and hanging on by his nails mainly because people respected his character. Still, when Houston – out of nowhere – handed him a two-year, $14 million deal ,many of the same folks snickered. It seemed so inexplicable.
Whoever made that call, it testifies heavily to the brilliance of the Houston front office, which has turned a perennial doormat into a powerhouse in four years. After going 14-7 with a 3.62 ERA and roughly 10 whiffs per nine innings pitched, Morton, in the post-season and healthy at last, essentially saved Houston's shaky pitching staff which had brinked on collapse near the end. He was valiant, an old-fashioned baseball story like something from a Mark Harris novel. You don't find jewels on scrap heaps anymore, except in fiction.
Well educated and articulate, Morton seemingly is handling his new-found fortune well, neither reveling excessively in it nor bemoaning what he endured along the long way. How did he ever stay the course? In his post-game comments, he attributed it to a keen sense of "professional responsibility," by which, he explained, he means: "It's not glorious. But it's my job to approach each situation professionally and I try to do that."
Eureka! We have a modern athlete who quietly asserts that what mainly sustains him through endless travail is simply a sense of "professional responsibility." How very refreshing! We may never hear from Charlie Morton again, but he has made his mark in the game's annals, I'd say.
Of injuries and the NFL
A recent headline in a New York tabloid screeched "Game of Life and Death: Future of football looks bleak." If you're keeping score on the NFL weekly injury report (at best, an incomplete document) you may be nodding in agreement. Totals in the first half of the season again reached an all-time high – up 33 from this point last season.
You could form the nucleus of a couple of all-star teams merely from this sampling of perhaps the top 10 players wasted for the entire season:
Esteemed QBs Andrew Luck, Deshaun Watson, Aaron Rodgers, the Giants' Odell Beckham, KC's Eric Berry, and the Vikes' Joe Thomas, and arguably the game's two best defenders, J.J. Watt and Richard Sherman. The Patriots dearly miss mainstays Don't'a Hightower and Julian Edelman.
On and on goes the drumbeat, with the costs soaring. In the end, damages awarded for injuries will cripple the NFL. It's become inevitable. Yet the owners, obsessed with their immediate profits, do nothing to address long-term consequences. They'll regret it.
Baseball awards: Right on
MLB's award season proved predictable. No real surprises unless you fancy a Kershaw over a Scherzer, though there's hardly a dime's difference.
Hereabouts, partisans are ruffled not so much by Corey Kluber denying local pet Chris Sale the AL Cy Young as by doing so by a veritable landslide. Was the dogged Indians righty that much better than our prize lefty? Probably not. But it illustrates how much we here overrate our lads. Sale was not as good as he looked while burning through mid-summer piling up all those strikeouts. This he swiftly verified when the going got tough at the end. All of which the rest of the league saw more clearly. It's that simple.
As for the MVPs: Like it or not, Giancarlo Stanton was inevitable in the year of the long ball, with no clear alternative. Happily, reason prevailed in the AL. Anyone but Jose Altuve winning was unthinkable, and the campaign in behalf of Aaron Judge was dumb. But the admirable young Goliath makes a superb Rookie of the Year pick. No question!
Bobby Doerr: Mr. Respected
A last word on Bobby Doerr. It's pleasing when someone notable passes on after a long and much blessed life, and when you can personally verify that all the nice things being said of him or her are richly deserved. This is thunderously the case in the death of Robert Pershing 'Bobby' Doerr, every inch a Hall of Famer on and off the field.
He lived 99 years and may never have raised his voice, certainly not in anger. Touching was the respect he commanded in baseball's rowdy culture. You didn't cuss around Bobby, nor take the Lord's name in vain. His dignity was never forced nor feigned. It came as natural to him as drawing his next breath. There are many heroes in sports, but few exemplars. Bobby Doerr was an exemplar.
Source URL: https://www.dotnews.com/columns/2017/let-s-sing-praises-charlie-morton-astro
[1] https://www.dotnews.com/columns/2017/let-s-sing-praises-charlie-morton-astro
[2] https://www.dotnews.com/users/clark-booth


I'm not averse to the use of force in foreign affairs, in cases where it's the best available option and clearly seen American interests are at stake. I also am not against going "John Wayne" on a maniac dictator and helping his people be free of him when, again, demonstrable American interests align with the desire to give said maniac what he deserves. I argued, and still do, that Iraq presented such a case in 2002-2003.
Otherwise, in the absence of vital American interests, there seems little reason to commit American blood and treasure.
So what am I to think when, on national television, the Secretary of Defense says he can't think of any vital American interests in Libya, where we've just gone to war?
As the war in Libya moves into its second week, tag-team Sunday talk show appearances by the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of State suggest the Obama administration remains divided over the fundamental question of whether the war is in the United States' national interest.
In that case, Mr. Secretary, let me ask a question: In a time of national fiscal distress when we're borrowing 40 cents of every dollar we spend and when we already have major commitments in Iraq and Afghanistan, the latter involving frequent combat, why in Heaven's name are we attacking Libya? If you and your boss can't articulate a coherent reason for starting a war, what possessed you (and him) to think this would be a good idea?
And, no, "I dunno" doesn't cut it.
So, our European allies asked us to attack Libya because they went to war when we were attacked, so we agreed to bomb Libya because they were… Wait. Did I miss a Libyan raid on Naples or something??
Hey, I can see a vital interest for some European countries in Libya — they get quite a bit of oil from there, much more than we do. But that's their vital interest, not ours. And al Qaeda's attack on the US triggered the Article V mutual defense clause of the NATO treaty, which is in play in Libya… how, exactly?
I'm all for allies sticking together, but, if intervening in Libya is a vital European interest, maybe the European states should start spending the money to create the forces they would need to defend those vital interests and not "volunteer" us.
Meanwhile, someone needs to give the administration lessons in not sounding like clueless idiots.
Tough-talking Libyan psycho-family looking for a deal?
Remember, Dad promised to crush the rebels' army, while his son (supposedly the reasonable one) said it would all be over in 48 hours.
So, why am I not surprised when news comes this morning that the lions of North Africa are secretly looking for a way out?
Independent Arab and Libyan sources have informed Asharq Al-Awsat that Libyan leader Colonel Gaddafi is seeking to convince the coalition forces to accept a deal that is being secretly discussed between Gaddafi delegates and a number of Arab and American parties. This deal would see Gaddafi stepping down from power, only to be replaced by his son Saif al-Islam, with a deadline being put in place for a peaceful transition of power.
A well-informed Libyan source told Asharq Al-Awsat that Saif al-Islam Gaddafi has held a number of secret meetings with officials in the French and British governments, discussing the idea of his replacing his father for a transitional period of between 2 – 3 years, in return for a comprehensive ceasefire and negotiating with the anti-Gaddafi rebels.
The sources also revealed that Saif al-Islam Gaddafi is pushing for assurances that Colonel Gaddafi and his family will be granted immunity from prosecution, and will not be legally punished in any manner.
The sources revealed that Saif al-Islam Gaddafi's plan would see him take over control of Libya from his father during a transitional period during which Libya would transform from a revolutionary state to a democratic state that enjoys public and economic freedoms.
How convenient: "Sure, Dad will go, you leave me in charge, no prosecution for any of us for anything we did and, okay, I promise democracy and all that stuff. What do ya say?" And I'm sure this offer has nothing to do with the rebels regaining momentum and retaking towns under cover of NATO airstrikes.
Lest anyone be of a mind to grant these thugs immunity, here's a reminder of how they treat their own people.
Sorry, Saif. The only deal you and your crackhead-in-drag father deserve is a choice of which lampposts the rebels hang you from.
Like I said before, once this action started there was no way these goons could be left anywhere near power.
A while back I reviewed Stanley Kurtz's latest book, Radical in Chief, a political biography of Barack Obama and a history of the evolution of American Socialism since the 1970s. It's an important book, crucial to any real understanding both of the President, himself, and, indirectly, of how derelict the media was in their coverage of Obama's background†.
Recent guest Stanley Kurtz decided to do what the press failed to do – take an honest look at Obama's politics. His investigation resulted in Radical-in-Chief: Barack Obama and the Untold Story of American Socialism. In this episode, Kurtz discusses the many socialist influences in Obama's life, from his college years to his time as a community organizer, with men such as Bill Ayers, Frank Marshal Davis, and Jeremiah Wright.
In examining Obama's main mentors, Kurtz begins to see a clear ideology that motivates the President's disdain for the middle class, take-no-prisoners approach to passing socialized healthcare, reluctance to discuss political theory and desire for, ultimately, a socialist revolution.
†Yeah, I know. They had much more important, world-shaking issues to deal with. Like Sarah Palin's tanning bed.
You are currently browsing the Public Secrets blog archives for the day Sunday, March 27th, 2011.