text:
“John Brennan on Thursday recalled being asked a standard question for a top security clearance at his early CIA lie detector test: Have you ever worked with or for a group that was dedicated to overthrowing the US?”
The Trump Presidency officially has a new high-water mark.
And it came today.
The epic excoriation of Western media (and, in particular, the woeful American branch of that diseased tree).
I have largely refrained from treating political events for the past months.
This was for a variety of reasons.
But today’s Trump victory was a feature-length (*) reminder of why we elected this guy.
I didn’t see it live, but I watched the interview in its entirety later in the day.
With the utmost irony, I will be using and referring to the “official transcript” which has just recently been posted by The New York Times.
It’s only befitting that they continue to precipitate their own downfall.
Keep in mind that the NYT is getting their transcript from Federal News Service: a subsidiary of The Economist Group.
As in The Economist.
As in, that spineless, globalist rag which completely forgoes bylines (à la Chatham House rules).
As in, the opposition.
Keeping that in mind, let’s see exactly what the hero of the free world had to say today.
First, President Trump bemoaned the treatment of his cabinet selections.
Indeed, the Democratic Party in the United States has become the embarrassment they wish to project upon Donald Trump.
The Democratic Party has, it seems, absolutely no cogent strategy whatsoever at this point.
And so, indeed, the only real political chaos is within that camp.
To clarify…it’s not just a BAD strategy which the Democrats have adopted in an effort to keep their ragtag band of poseurs on political life-support, but rather A COMPLETE LACK OF STRATEGY which characterizes the sum of their pathetic tactics.
Yes, Mr. Trump: “the people get it”.
We rednecks. We of middle-America.
Many colors and creeds.
Yes, we fucking get it.
You are the man!
As a student of (and holder of an advanced degree in) business, I bloody well understand why the world of commerce is welcoming Trump.
It’s those trite words which are pounded into every MBA’s head.
There’s no Bernie-Sanders-ing our way out of the current quagmire.
Only a leader with tremendous cojones could even have a shot at successfully pulling off the rebuilding of America.
Because we have squandered our position in the world.
At the expense of truth, we have fallen down a muddy chute.
And the free-fall (while not apparent to all) has been going on for some time.
So we are, indeed, putting a great deal of faith in Mr. Trump to right the ship.
Really, we’re like the goddamned Titanic over here.
But business has to work.
There’s no willy-nilly socialism which is going to patch up our death-wound which is bleeding money.
There’s no value creation in that.
Try it out.
It doesn’t work.
Which isn’t to say that rapacious monopoly capitalism is the answer.
But we are a capitalist country.
And China’s ascent has not been due to some new interpretation of Marx.
“I’m making this presentation directly to the American people, with the media present, which is an honor to have you. This morning, because many of our nation’s reporters and folks will not tell you the truth, and will not treat the wonderful people of our country with the respect that they deserve.”
Yes, dear friends…the election of Donald Trump was a referendum AGAINST THE CORPORATE MASS MEDIA.
[first and foremost]
And this same media is still living in denial.
Their allies are reprobates.
And they reach out their desperate tentacles for shadier and shadier sustenance.
And so, though it be hard to fathom, the mass media in the U.S. is actually GETTING WORSE.
That’s because it is dying.
Donald Trump is no idiot.
His assessment of The New York Times as being a terminally-failing (publically-traded) company is business analysis.
And it’s unequivocal.
But you know what?
The media hated Trump all along.
The old media.
And he didn’t, as it turned out, need to curry favor with them after all.
He spoke to the crowd.
He went around.
He outflanked the biggest, most puffed-up hegemony in the world.
So we’re giving Israel a chance.
We’re giving Trump a chance.
I’m not a Republican.
I’m just a schmuck who voted for Trump.
You can make the call as to whether I’m erudite enough to have such a privilege.
But Donald Trump has taught me to have pride in my country.
To have pride in the United States of America.
To be grateful for those who serve in the military.
To be grateful for those who serve as police officers.
That’s the positivity I get from Donald Trump.
It’s probably the Norman Vincent Peale in him.
But I also see a very strong leader.
A person who doesn’t take any shit from anyone.
Had Bernie Sanders such a spine, the protests would have gone for broke at the Democratic National Convention.
But too bad.
You had your chance to dethrone your greatest foe.
And she was in your own camp.
You know, I actually feel sorry for the Democratic Party…
No political party should have ever been represented by such a lousy candidate as Hillary Clinton.
But that was the “now-or-never” moment.
And we who embraced the market system which rewards hard work…we won.
[and it doesn’t take a genius to understand why]
Complaining after the fact doesn’t cut it.
Get out and vote.
Blood, sweat, and tears.
If you lose, you lose.
But if you half-ass it, probability is not in your favor.
We Trump supporters took immense heat.
We’re “racist”. “Bigots”.
Blah blah frickety blah.
But it doesn’t matter what you pathetic losers think.
Because, believe it or not, we actually want prosperity for you too.
Because maybe someday you’ll thank us that we still have a country left.
But I’ll just leave you with one zinger which sums up our entire Zeitgeist.
You wanna know Donald Trump’s take on the media…in one pithy jab?
“The press — the public doesn’t believe you people anymore.”
That carried the day.
The anti-Trump media (which is at least 80% of the American airwaves and newsstands) needs to go back to their Sun Tzu, their Machiavelli, their Clausewitz, and their Jomini.
So it is a pleasure to review what is one of my dad’s favorite films.
He always told me to watch this, but I guess I had some subliminal aversion to Westerns.
Well, dear friends, this here is a masterpiece.
I haven’t written much about Westerns (aside from the three Clint Eastwood spaghetti Westerns I reviewed long ago).
I know the genre is not everyone’s cup of tea.
Jean-Luc Godard commented once that his soulmate Anne-Marie Miéville really couldn’t stand this genre, whereas Monsieur Godard has been open about his admiration for John Ford and other directors of the American Western.
But here we have a film by Henry Hathaway.
Sure, John Wayne is in the movie (big league!), but it was Hathaway behind the camera ostensibly calling the shots.
You might know Hathaway from the film noir Call Northside 777.
Or perhaps The Desert Fox: The Story of Rommel (starring the inimitable James Mason).
But he also directed Rawhide and The Sons of Katie Elder (another flick starring The Duke).
But let’s bring out the big gun.
John Wayne was born Marion (!) Robert Morrison in Winterset, Iowa.
That’s right. Not Texas. Not Oklahoma.
So how did John Wayne become such a badass?
Much of it might be attributable to his attention to detail.
And just what (or who) was he paying attention to?
Deputy sheriff of Tombstone, Arizona.
But let’s get on to this fantastic film, shall we?
The real surprise is Kim Darby.
Sure, Glen Campbell is great here, but Darby is sensational!
And though this might be thought of as Kim Darby’s only significant film role of her career, it is timeless.
She knocked it out of the park as Mattie Ross.
All our actors are gritty, but the real toss-up is between Kim Darby (who was 22 at the time) and John Wayne (who was 62).
Toughness is the theme of the movie.
He or she who is toughest will overcome.
Sure, some obstacles are insurmountable.
But GRIT will get you through some harrowing situations.
It’s almost funny when a film (like this one) includes minor roles for the likes of Dennis Hopper and Robert Duvall. Duvall’s role is a bit more substantial, but the main focus is on the troika of Campbell, Darby, and Wayne (particularly the latter two).
Fans of the recent film Sicario will notice precursors to “rough justice” present all throughout True Grit.
But director Hathaway manages to make a G-rated film.
For that and other reasons, I am recommending this as a family film (though it may be unsuitable for particularly young ones).
The narrative device which keeps the film “all ages” is that Mattie is supposed to be 14 years old (though, as stated, Kim Darby [Mattie] was actually 22).
The action of our film centers around Fort Smith, Arkansas (at first) and later in the “Indian Territory” around McAlester, Oklahoma.
The film features prominently a Colt Model 1848 Percussion Army Revolver a.k.a. Colt Dragoon Revolver (.44 caliber).
Firearms aside, John Wayne is magnificent in the denouement when he takes on four armed horsemen.
That said, a Sharps rifle comes in particular handy for Wayne in a near-death imbroglio.
Glen Campbell’s greatest moment is just getting on the horse and setting the beast in motion.
It is this scene in which Campbell proves himself to be just as gritty as Darby and Wayne.
But the film is not over yet.
And we see John Wayne take action: as a leader!
Doing what needs to be done!
But the scene which brought tears to my eyes was when John Wayne bet on the toughness of Kim Darby.
And that is the message.
What great encouragement it is when people have faith in us!
When they say, “I know you can do it!”
We may not believe it ourselves, but their faith lifts us up.
We think, “Maybe they know something I don’t.”
When we’re at our lowest point.
Those who stand beside us with compassion are displaying that priceless characteristic of true grit.
The very end of the film is quite touching as well.
We see an actor 40 years younger than her leading man offer a hand of friendship with an act of love.
It’s not even romantic.
It’s just classy.
In truth, very poetic.
I wholeheartedly recommend this film for all doubters of John Wayne and the Western genre in general.
Ever since John Lennon sang those words on Sgt. Pepper‘s (and likely long before that) the news has had the power to depress us.
The power to shock.
The power to put our day into a tailspin.
But can we avoid the news?
And, perhaps more importantly, what is news?
As for avoidance.
Sometimes it is recommended.
To unplug. To disconnect.
We all hit our saturation points concerning the dissemination of details.
Just what is deemed newsworthy accounts for much of our discomfort in keeping ourselves abreast.
Even as private citizens.
We want to know the goings-on of the world.
Out of a sense of self-preservation. To protect our families.
To be prepared. Informed. Able to make better decisions (we hope).
Today I made the mistake of digging a little deeper than recently.
And I came across several pieces on the ongoing pizzagate controversy.
I must start by saying that I have not followed this story much since the election.
Indeed, if the allegations are true, it is unfathomably revolting.
But there comes a time when waffling has its benefits.
I will just say that I don’t know what the truth is concerning pizzagate.
I’ve seen the pictures. I’ve read the names. I’ve connected the dots.
And now the ball is (back) in the FBI’s court.
[And perhaps that of the NYPD as well]
But it is germane to discuss a parallel matter which bears upon pizzagate.
And that is the coup which Dr. Steve Pieczenik described as having been undertaken by Hillary Clinton and her cabal around the first of November.
Just what was this coup?
Dr. Pieczenik was scant on details.
But perhaps it was the absolving statement of FBI Director James Comey.
And, if we give Mr. Comey the benefit of the doubt (which I’m not sure he deserves), then we might assume that the Clinton coup was largely activated from within the Department of Justice. In essence, Comey’s boss (Loretta Lynch) could very well have compelled the Director to issue that statement at that particular time.
That would, in some ways, be a significant manifestation of a coup in progress.
Contrary to this was the countercoup of which Dr. Pieczenik spoke.
As I have written previously, this countercoup appears to have been initiated by other branches of the U.S. government (particularly the 16 intelligence agencies). Dr. Pieczenik seemed to intimate that it was military intelligence in particular which was taking a lead on countering Clinton’s attempted coup.
Beyond these details (and they are vague), I know not much.
But we should return to pizzagate.
We should consider it as a phenomenon which might have several explanations.
Putting all our cards on the table, it is not out of the question that pizzagate was in itself the countercoup.
Which is not to say the allegations are false.
Indeed, it appears that the instigators of the countercoup were working closely with WikiLeaks to prevent Hillary Clinton from stealing an election by leveraging the Department of Justice (and other parts of the executive branch) improperly.
But there is a further possibility.
And I will pose it as a question.
Have we been the targets of a very sophisticated psychological operation?
And even muddier…did this operation save our country?
Investigating a child kidnapping Satanic ritualistic murder pedophile ring is certainly the purview of federal authorities.
But how much has the FBI been compromised?
Any American with at least two brain cells to rub together lost immense confidence in the Bureau in the years following 9/11.
And so history keeps repeating itself.
Sham investigations. Issues too big to cover.
JFK. 9/11. A litany forwards and backwards.
But I am beating around the bush.
I want to apologize if I have been less-than-stellar in citing my sources in the practice of my film criticism.
This is not an academic site.
I do not seek peer review.
But I do not lie.
I may jump to conclusions.
And yet, I would fancy myself a fairly astute observer.
Apologizing further, I do not seek to defame anyone.
That would be something too horrible to do (especially with the gravity of the pizzagate allegations).
But information will organically find its level as long as law enforcement is neutered by insiders.
Which brings us to a wonderful film by director Clint Eastwood.
This film covers just what we are talking about.
What is right. What is wrong.
What methods are appropriate. What methods are effective.
But at the heart of this controversial film (about a controversial personage) is the idea of serving one’s country.
However, we encounter much here which could fall into the “noble lie” category.
All of that aside, the idea of government service is put in its proper light.
A dirty game, sometimes. But a noble pursuit.
And so this is less a review of the film J. Edgar and more a letter of THANK YOU to the men and women of the FBI.
Thank you for taking upon yourselves the stress of seeing unspeakable atrocities.
Thank you for taking upon yourselves the stress of following every lead.
But we thank you one further:
thank you for remaining humans.
You know the right thing to do.
Do the right thing.
And we will too.
From the depths of our hearts,
we salute you.
A bit late for all your thankless tasks gone by.
And in advance of your excellence…your leading by example…your adherence to the highest ethics…which we know will be evident in your future work.
And while doing so, it is worth revisiting the second Presidential debate of less than a month ago.
The “moderators” were the woeful Martha Raddatz and the downright evil (remember James Tracy!) Anderson Cooper.
These two jokers made fools of themselves.
But let’s assess this “town hall” shootout.
When Cooper said, “…the night really belongs to the people in this room…,” what he really meant was himself, Raddatz, and Hillary Clinton.
Screw everybody else.
And that attitude has come back to bite the mass media in the butt…big time!
Clinton says, “…I can promise you I will work with every American. I want to be the president for all Americans regardless of your political beliefs, what you look like, your religion.”
That must be the “public” position. As we have seen from WikiLeaks, her “private” opinion (or at least that of her “staffers”) is one of complete contempt.
Young people are “fucking dumb”.
Latinos are “needy”.
Trump supporters are “deplorable”.
Black people are “super predators”.
But PUBLICLY, she says “stronger together.”
Blah-frickity-blah blah blah.
Nothing this lady says is the truth.
And (to cinema) she is A HORRIBLE ACTOR!
That’s what convinced me.
I have watched enough people on film to get a feeling about when someone is lying.
Everything, and I mean EVERYTHING, Hillary Clinton says is disingenuous.
“I want us to heal our country and bring it together.”
She also wants to (and did) have Democratic Party operatives start violence (as provocateurs) at a Trump rally in Chicago (as per Project Veritas proof).
It’s not likely that that was an isolated incident.
Trump kicks off the truth.
“We have to bring back respect to law enforcement.”
But also, “…fixing and making our inner cities better.”
It takes money. Yes. And jobs. Companies hire. If they can hire.
Clinton’s plan is the globalist plan. Ship jobs overseas and wait for new, better “service” jobs to magically appear. It’s a pipedream. Actually, it’s a scam. THE scam. Clinton’s program could be called Make America Poor Again. She might have a law degree (likely gotten only so she could personally BREAK the law more efficiently), but she doesn’t know shit about business. All she knows is “currying favor”. Her immense wealth was not earned. There was no hard work. She most accurately represents a never-ending cycle of nepotism. Not so with Trump.
But Anderson Cooper wanted to get right to slamming Trump. And so Mr. Cooper, fully “in the tank” for Clinton, pressed: “You described kissing women without consent, grabbing their genitals. That is sexual assault. You bragged that you have sexually assaulted women. Do you understand that?”
Hey Anderson! Do you understood that you almost single-handedly caused Dr. James Tracy to lose his job? Do you understand it was mostly because you shirked your duty as a journalist to investigate the Sandy Hook hoax? Do you understand that? Do you understand that your criminal deception of the American people (under the aegis of gun control) was psychological terrorism? Do you understand that, when it comes out you were fully aware it was a hoax, your career will be over? Do you understand that?
They say Trump doesn’t apologize. Personally, I’ve never heard Hillary Clinton give an apology about Benghazi. Her “apology” was, “…what difference does it make?” Now remember, that was concerning her culpability in the DEATHS of four Americans in Libya. But you want an apology from Trump? You get one (and an honest one):
“Yes, I am very embarrassed by it and I hate it…”
That’s about his sexual bragging which was caught on tape. Nobody died. But he owned up. He was “embarrassed by it” and showed genuine remorse for his own lapse in judgment. About something that happened 11 YEARS AGO!
But Anderson Cooper presses…and presses…and presses.
And that’s why Americans hate the press.
Because they don’t “press” on the important things.
Like Sandy Hook. Or 9/11. They just press buttons…and they have their buttons pressed (these “journalists”)…because they are part of the corrupt system which runs the United States.
They are shitty, soulless propagandists.
Trump: “we have to build up the wealth of our nation”.
Whether the Adam Smith reference was purposeful or not, this is a real businessperson. Unlike Clinton, he didn’t just go to cocktail parties and solicit donations. He wasn’t selling access, he was selling real estate. Big fucking difference!
Hillary has been getting rich as a “civil servant”.
And now her dream was so close in her sights. The ultimate seat of power. The US Presidency. I really believe, however, that she sought the office merely for personal reasons. A power trip? Yes. But a very sinister one. She just wanted to be back in the Oval Office cackling about how she had tricked the American people with her “stronger together” bullshit.
Clinton claims, “…he has also targeted immigrants, African-Americans, Latinos, people with disabilities, POWs, Muslims and so many others.”
Did she really say that?!? Because we have the PROOF that her campaign HATES EVERYBODY…including those demographic groups in that sentence!!!
But Clinton just can’t leave well-enough alone. Like the parrot she is, she twitters out the tired, haggard, liberal eyewash: “…America already is great…”.
Oh really? Well, fine! Why don’t you just step down then, “Madame” Secretary (and go back to whatever brothel you came from)? Yes. Indeed. Why run at all??? If America is already great… Fine. Yes. Obama has done a great job. So you would just lend us that counterintuitively-grating NPR steadiness for another four years–that calm, soothing nonsense, but transformed into “leadership”. Great. Sounds wonderful.
“…we are great because we are good.” Sure… Wait! Did Hillary Clinton just try to occupy the moral high ground? On live, national television??? Good God, what a hypocrite!
At this point it’s appropriate to quote Mr. Trump at length…as he absolutely TORPEDOES Secretary Clinton:
“It’s just words, folks. It’s just words. These words, I have been hearing for many years. I heard them when they were running for the Senate in New York where Hillary was going to bring back jobs to upstate New York and she failed. I’ve heard them where Hillary is constantly talking about the inner cities of our country which are a disaster education-wise, job-wise, safety-wise, in every way possible. I’m going to help the African-Americans, I’m going to help the Latinos, hispanics. I am going to help the inner cities. She has done a terrible job for the African-Americans. She wants their vote and she does nothing.”
This. This is what Americans have been waiting for. Someone with a spine to call out, on national television, the fakery of the ruling political establishment. It was a beautiful thing to hear.
The crap-journalist Raddatz says, “I want to get to audience questions,” but then she presses…presses…brings the narrative back to the lame, inconsequential Trump tape. Which is to say, she didn’t want to get to questions at all!
Raddatz: “This tape is generating intense interest. In just 48 hours it has become the single most talked about story of the entire 2016 election on Facebook with millions and millions of people discussing it on the social network.”
At this point, a third (and real) moderator would have told Raddatz to shut the hell up. But it was one-on-three. Trump against the world! Or rather, Trump against the political establishment…and FOR the world! Clinton wants a no-fly zone over Syria. Like the one she imposed over Libya. The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff has accurately said, “That would mean war…with Russia.” AND THAT’S EXACTLY WHAT HILLARY AND HER CABAL WANT! They are fucking maniacs! No way should she or any of them EVER get anywhere NEAR the White House again!!!
Trump strikes back: “If you look at Bill Clinton, far worse. Mine are words and his was action.”
Little debate about that.
Further: “His words, what he has done to women. There’s never been anybody in the history of politics in this nation that has been so abusive to women.”
Yes, folks…that’s the Clintons. Trump would get into the specifics…about how Hillary got a rapist off. Madame Secretary defended a client (as a lawyer), the rapist, and then later laughed about it. THAT is the lady taking the moral high ground. Appalling…
Raddatz: “Please hold the applause.”
Yes, little lapdog Raddatz had to calm the crowd…BECAUSE THEY WERE APPLAUDING TRUMP!
Hillary’s strategy was not working. All those opposition research dollars, and Trump was defeating it with moxie…and honesty. I’m sorry. I messed up. But the lady across from me is a conniving scoundrel and she has NO leg on which to stand!
Hillary SAYS that she abides by that paragon of virtue Michelle Obama’s words, “When they go low, you go high.,” but the truth is more like, “When they go low, we go lower.”
The transcript indicates there was “[Applause]” at this point, but it was either so weak or Martha Raddatz was so biased as to not make the same little preachy intercession she had made moments earlier.
But I will leave you with the deathblow which occurred not long afterwards.
Clinton: “it’s just awfully good that someone with the temperament of Donald Trump is not in charge of the law in our country.”
The naysayers will call it politainment, but that’s as uncreative and trite as trotting out “reactionary”.
And while there was indeed a tremendous amount of substance in this first US Presidential debate a month ago, it was solely from one side.
Lester Holt largely disgraced himself as another “presstitute” (not my coinage, but fitting).
Holt was the decidedly unmoderate moderator.
“The questions are mine and have not been shared with the commission or the campaigns.”
“The audience here in the room has agreed to remain silent so that we can focus on what the candidates are saying.”
You see, Americans don’t stay silent.
They/we might be wrong (the “ugly American” stereotype), but we/they are rarely silent.
Some observers around the world recognize this as the asset it is.
Others denigrate it as “squeaky wheel”/”loudest duck”.
There’s very little silence in this year’s election (except in the corporate mass media concerning Hillary Clinton’s litany of disqualifying activities).
“I am honored to have this role, but this evening belongs to the candidates and, just as important, to the American people.”
…but most of all, to the American “elite” (and their transparently biased media) who had already picked their anointed, sycophantic, warmongering, maniac of a candidate: Hillary Clinton.
“There’s been a record six straight years of job growth…”
But at what rate, Lester? Read the Wall Street Journal, fucking moron.
What I meant to say was, the “record growth” is anemic in historical terms.
So the “record” aspect is merely academic.
It’s been stable as shit. That is the most accurate characterization.
Then “Secretary” Clinton takes over:
“Today is my granddaughter’s second birthday…”
Oh really?!? I didn’t know robots could reproduce!!
“First, we have to build an economy that works for everyone, not just those at the top.”
“That means we need new jobs, good jobs, with rising incomes.”
Her biggest export would be American jobs. She’s got a bad case of cognitive dissonance from too much globalist Kool-Aid.
“I want us to invest in you.”
Whether that’s what she wants or not, it’s not what she’s planning to do. So it’s immaterial what she “wants”. Her intent is clear: destroy her own country economically (if not literally in a nuclear war) by way of some twisted Robin Hood fantasy. Sorry Hillary, we’re not in Jonestown. Why don’t you drink your Kool-Aid first?
“…most of the new jobs will come from small business.”
Which will go OUT OF BUSINESS as a result of your idealist, rubbish policies.
“…equal pay for women’s work.”
Oh, you mean like never, ever having a job…like you?
Hey Hillary, your boss (the American people) called. They want to know what the hell you were doing using a personal email server as the goddamned SECRETARY OF STATE??? And by the way, they want your work emails…because those are property of the company (the United States of America). Oh… You were writing emails about yoga on the job? Ok, no problem. But as you were being paid to write emails on “yoga”, we’d like to take a look at those emails. You did, after all, produce “yoga” emails with our tax dollars. Oh… You destroyed the emails? After being subpoenaed?? Hmmm… That’s a problem.
[That must have been one hell of a “yoga” discussion.]
“We’re going to do it by having the wealthy pay their fair share…”
Oh, excellent. I guess we can start with freezing the assets of the Clinton Foundation. Seems that some small group was getting very rich off of that scam.
“Donald, it’s good to be with you.”
First and last time she’d ever say that.
“I hope that I will be able to earn your vote on November 8th.””
You’ve never earned anything in your life. You’ve been a carpetbagger from Arkansas to New York to Washington, D.C. “Social climber” does not qualify as a métier.
Ok…that’s enough Clinton. How about some truth? Fire torpedo #1!
“That’s called business, by the way.”
Ah, business. Value. Creating value.
If you’ve read this far (and I’m sure there are very few who have), I’ve created value for you. I’ve held your attention. You could think I’m the dumbest motherfucker on the planet, but that feeling of condescension is worth your time. Perhaps I’m entertaining. That’s also value. And, God forbid, I actually say something that rings true… For anyone who agrees with me enough to delve so far into this specious blog post, I’ve created value.
“Secretary” Clinton creates NO value…in anything she does.
I don’t even take enjoyment in insulting her. To insult her is my duty. I don’t want this person leading my country for the next four years. Hell no!
“And, Hillary, I’d just ask you this. You’ve been doing this for 30 years. Why are you just thinking about these solutions right now? For 30 years, you’ve been doing it, and now you’re just starting to think of solutions.”
Exactly. Say what you want about Trump, but he hasn’t been dicking around as a government do-nothing during that time. He’s created value. You can denigrate the true worth of that value, but it does have a dollar value. It’s like a stock price. It is a market measurement. You want your money back? Fine. Sell your one share of Google stock. Yes, the broker will charge a fee. No, holding one share is not recommended. But it’s a market measurement. The market value of Trump’s activities is indisputable. It’s not perfect. It doesn’t figure in obtuse Althusserian dimensions, but it’s a measurement (damn it!).
Hillary is much more comfortable hiding in the maze of government with her private server and hiding behind the nonprofit structure of the Clinton Foundation. She creates no value. She never has to prove what value she has created. She knows that her social climbing has bought her immunity from accountability.
[BUT MAYBE NOT]
Hillary might have been thinking about bringing jobs back to America for the past 30 years, but she certainly hasn’t acted on those musings.
“Your husband signed NAFTA, which was one of the worst things that ever happened to the manufacturing industry.”
[giant sucking sound…alarums and excursions]
“But you have no plan.”
Of course she doesn’t. Her plan is being prepared by a bunch of globalists. All she has to do is stay on two legs and… [whoops!]
“…you are going to regulate these businesses out of existence.”
And that is no accident.
“I’m going to cut taxes big league, and you’re going to raise taxes big league, end of story.”
Yeah, pretty much.
“She tells you how to fight ISIS on her website. I don’t think General Douglas MacArthur would like that too much.”
Indeed, no matter the outcome of this election, Hillary Clinton is not going to go down in history as a master strategist.
“…you’re telling the enemy everything you want to do.”
Right again. Pick up some Sun Tzu, Hillary.
“…the taxes are so onerous…”
“…we have a president that can’t sit them around a table and get them to approve something.”
Yeah, that’s because he’s never had a job either. “Amateur golfer” does not cut the mustard.
“And with a little leadership, you’d get it in here very quickly, and it could be put to use on the inner cities and lots of other things, and it would be beautiful.”
Value-creation works. As a model. As a measure. What ISN’T sustainable is sucking the thriving countries dry in an effort to bring up the languishing ones. There is a solution. There is a deal. A compromise. But Hillary doesn’t have that spark of problem-solving genius. All she knows is the college playbook from pseudo-intellectual, hippie-era Yale.
Ok, I’m even starting to bore myself.
There is not enough digital ink in my pot to finish penning this diatribe.
I think you get the point.
In cinema terms, this was an auteur (Trump) vs. a metteur-en-scène (Hillary).

domain: politics


text:
ASEAN KEY DESTINATIONS
Home >> Daily News >> ASEAN ANALYSIS
Asean Weekly; Week ending 3 Aug 2012
The Week That Was
Rights groups say targeted killings and discrimination of Rohingyas continue. International rights groups are expressing concern about continued targeted killings and discrimination of Muslim Rohingyas in Myanmar’s western Rakhine state. Amnesty International July 19 accused security forces and Rakhine Buddhists of conducting attacks against Rohingyas six weeks after the government declared a state of emergency to halt communal violence in the region. ASEAN and Islamic organizations, including the Organization for Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and Indonesia’s Muhammadiyah, have also called attention to the plight of the minority group.
Senior officials participate in historic business trip to Myanmar. The United States sent two senior officials to Myanmar to join a U.S.-ASEAN Business Council delegation to the country July 14–15. It was the highest-level economic and commercial delegation from the United States to visit Myanmar in more than 25 years. One of the officials, Undersecretary of State Robert Hormats, spoke at CSIS July 23 on the U.S. suspension of investment sanctions against Myanmar and his impressions from the trip. Audio of his remarks is available here.
Myanmar president visits Thailand. Myanmar president Thein Sein met with Thai prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra and inked several economic agreements during a twice-postponed visit to Thailand July 22. The agreements reaffirmed the two countries’ cooperation on the development of a deep-sea port at Dawei, Myanmar. Thailand also pledged to help Myanmar prepare for its upcoming ASEAN chairmanship in 2014.
New regulations result in dramatic drop in mineral exports. A preliminary report revealed that new regulations issued May 6 on the export of minerals from Indonesia dramatically reduced exports. Copper exports fell 90 percent in June, nickel fell 80 percent, and bauxite fell nearly 100 percent. The regulations include a 20 percent export tax and require companies to obtain “clean-and-clear” status indicating that activities are in line with government regulations and that the company has met its tax and non-tax financial obligations. Japan, Indonesia’s biggest nickel purchaser, said it will file a complaint with the World Trade Organization over the regulations.
South China Sea
China to deploy military garrison in disputed islands. China’s Central Military Commission (CMC) July 21 approved the creation of a military garrison command at Woody Island in the South China Sea’s disputed Paracel Islands. The establishment of the military command to oversee operations in the South China Sea mirrors the creation in June of a new prefecture-level city, Sansha, at Woody Island to administer the Spratlys, Paracels, Macclesfield Bank, and Scarborough Shoal. The CMC’s announcement drew immediate criticism from Vietnam and the Philippines, both of which filed formal protests with Beijing and called the plan a serious violation of international law.
Philippines to deploy ships to Thitu Island. The Philippine Navy July 26 announced that it would deploy ships to Thitu Island as soon as weather permits. Commander Rustom Peña said the deployment is meant to warn 20 Chinese fishing boats currently operating near the island to leave the Philippines’ 12-nautical-mile territorial waters. President Benigno Aquino on the same day said the country is always ready to defend its territories. Thitu is the only feature in the disputed Spratly Islands fortified by the Philippine military.
Taiwan to reinforce weapons deployment on Itu Aba. Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense said July 24 it is ready to deploy mortars and anti-aircraft guns on Itu Aba Island, the largest of the Spratly Islands. The military has completed the logistics preparations for the weapons and will deploy them in the near future, though it will not disclose the exact date. Taiwan fortifies Itu Aba Island, one of two features it occupies in the South China Sea, with more than 100 members of its Coast Guard Administration.
U.S. senators urge China and ASEAN to make progress on code of conduct. Six U.S. senators July 26 introduced a resolution urging China and the members of ASEAN to make progress toward developing a legally binding code of conduct for the South China Sea. The resolution emphasizes that all parties should observe the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea and avoid activities that could escalate tensions—a reference to China’s recent creation of Sansha City and a military garrison on a disputed island. Senators James Inhofe, John Kerry, Joseph Lieberman, Richard Lugar, John McCain, and Jim Webb cosponsored the bill.
Court rules charter amendments not treason, but require vote. The Constitutional Court released its final verdict on petitions filed to stop amendments to Section 291 of the Thai constitution, which would pave the way for rewriting the constitution as a whole. The court said that attempts to alter Section 291 must first be approved through a voter referendum but disagreed with the petitions’ charge that the amendments constituted treason. If the amendments had been found treasonous, the ruling Pheu Thai Party could have been dissolved.
Economists slam government rice purchases for creating market distortions. Leading economists and exporters said July 24 that the government’s plan of purchasing rice above market value has resulted in at least 10 million tons of rice sitting in warehouses. Korbsook Iamsuri, chief of the Thai Rice Exporters Association, said the government must sell off the rice and accept losses due to low global prices. The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced July 27 that Thailand will likely lose its spot as the number-one rice exporter this year.
Hand, foot, and mouth disease death raises alarm. A Cambodian toddler living in Thailand died of suspected hand, foot, and mouth disease in Rayong province July 27, triggering a province-wide “cleanup” effort and awareness campaign and a campaign to discourage travel to Cambodia. Provincial governor Seni Jittakasem has set up a “war room” to coordinate efforts to combat the spread of the disease. A child who died in Bangkok July 18 was confirmed to have the deadly disease, which is believed to have killed more than 50 children in Cambodia since April. Lab results are still pending.
Malaysia and the United States sign agreement to combat transnational crime. Malaysia’s home minister Hishammuddin Hussein and U.S. attorney general Eric Holder July 17 signed an agreement to combat the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, terrorism, money laundering, human trafficking, and cybercrime. The agreement pledges the two countries’ enforcement agencies to cooperate in joint training and investigations.
Malaysia closes embassy, evacuates citizens from Syria. Prime Minister Najib Razak July 23 announced that the Malaysian embassy in Syria would be closed and all Malaysians evacuated amid the escalating armed conflict in the country. One hundred seven out of 138 Malaysians living in Syria had returned home on chartered flights as of July 26.
Malaysia gives payout to civil servants and retirees ahead of elections. Prime Minister Najib Razak July 26 announced that the government would give a $693 million payout to Malaysia’s 1.27 million civil servants and 660,000 retirees by the end of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan in August. Critics called the payout a tactical move by the ruling coalition to buy votes ahead of general elections anticipated late this year or early next. The elections are widely expected to be the most competitive in Malaysia’s history.
Senate approves military agreement with Australia. The Philippine Senate July 24 ratified a Status of Visiting Forces Agreement with Australia. The agreement will allow Australian troops to engage in training and joint exercises with their Filipino counterparts inside the country, which constitutionally prohibits the permanent basing of foreign troops. The office of Philippine president Benigno Aquino welcomed the agreement’s passage, describing it as an important step in strengthening Philippine security. The agreement was originally signed in Canberra in May 2007, but implementation has been pending ratification.
Philippines accepts bids for three energy blocks, including two in disputed waters. The Philippine Department of Energy July 31 accepted bids for the final 3 of 15 oil exploration blocks that make up the country’s fourth energy contracting round taking place now. Only six local firms’ bids were accepted, including Helios Petroleum, Philex Petroleum, and Philodrill. Two of the blocks in question—Areas 3 and 4—fall within China’s “9-dash line” claim in the South China Sea. Philippine energy officials rebuffed criticism from China, saying that they would evaluate the bids within 100 days and that President Benigno Aquino will sign service contracts with the winning firms.
Former president Arroyo obtains bail. A Philippine court July 25 granted former president Gloria Arroyo bail due to weak evidence presented by the Commission on Elections to prove her involvement in electoral sabotage. Arroyo has been detained in an Army hospital since December 2011while facing charges stemming from alleged vote-rigging during the 2007 mid-term elections. The anti-graft court also said July 27 it would not issue an arrest warrant for Arroyo over separate allegations that she misused state lottery funds.
Vietnam steps up restructuring of state sector. The Vietnamese government July 11 voiced its support for the Ministry of Finance’s proposal to establish a super-ministry in charge of overseeing state-owned enterprises (SOEs). The government also ordered SOEs to divest from all non-core investments by 2015. Although the existing State Capital Investment Corporation has been managing state capital at SOEs since 1997, it has difficulty reaching large state-owned conglomerates. SOEs that hold moderately risky investments can divest more gradually.
Sitting of the National Assembly scheduled for mid-October. The National Assembly Standing Committee met July 16–17 and agreed to convene its next sitting in mid-October. At its previous meeting, the committee discussed plans to establish a fishery management force to enforce maritime laws and ensure fishermen’s safety, and it administered an opinion poll on a draft law to address problems of land ownership and evictions. The committee will hold an opinion poll at its next sitting on proposed amendments to Vietnam’s 1992 Constitution.
Cambodian workers urge U.S. consumers to boycott Levi’s and Gap supplier. The president of the Cambodian Confederation of Unions, along with 100 workers, wrote a letter July 23 to the U.S. embassy in Phnom Penh calling on U.S. consumers to boycott products made by Tai Yang Enterprises, which supplies popular clothing brands Levi’s and Gap. About 4,000 workers have been on strike at Tai Yang’s factory west of Phnom Penh. The workers claim that the company avoided paying promised bonuses by secretly changing its name to Tai Nan in 2010. The company denies the allegations.
Cambodia closes schools to avoid spread of hand, foot, and mouth disease. Cambodia’s Ministry of Education July 18 closed all kindergartens and primary schools in the country to avoid the spread of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD). The virus is blamed for more than 50 recent child deaths in Cambodia. HFMD is not uncommon in Southeast Asia, but the severity of the current outbreak has health officials worried. It appears to have spread to Thailand, where two children have died from HFMD.
Cambodia’s Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization (WHO) said they were not consulted about the closure. WHO voiced concern that the closings could cause public panic.
Cambodia’s two largest opposition parties merge to form the National Rescue Party. Cambodian opposition leader Sam Rainsy and Kem Sokha, leader of the second-largest opposition party, the Human Rights Party, announced July 16 that their organizations will merge to form a new Cambodian Democratic Movement of National Rescue to contest national elections in 2013. The move may reinvigorate an opposition reeling after Prime Minister Hun Sen’s ruling party won an overwhelming victory in local elections in June. Sam Rainsy will likely lead the new coalition party on much the same platform as his Sam Rainsy Party: anti-corruption, nationalism, and justice for the poor.
Government to create “one-stop shop” for entrepreneurs to start businesses. Maria de Fatima de Araujo, director of the Ministry’ of Justice’s National Directorate Registry and Notary, announced July 19 that Timor-Leste’s government will establish a new Services for Registration and Verification of Entrepreneurs (SERVE). The office will provide a one-stop shop for businesses and entrepreneurs to ease the process of opening a business in Timor-Leste. Once operational, SERVE will be able to process applications within five days. SERVE was modeled on the Companies Commission of Malaysia and supported by the World Bank Group’s International Finance Corporation.
Government meeting with domestic worker groups reveals low pay. The Secretariat of State for Employment and Professional Training (SEFOPE) met with civil society groups July 18 for a dialogue to understand workers’ problems and educate them on their rights under Timor-Leste’s labor code. The meeting revealed that most workers are not protected through contracts and are underpaid, with some receiving just $15–$30 per month. The national minimum wage is $115 per month. Many workers and employers were not aware of the labor code. Civil society groups encouraged SEFOPE, which devised the code, to disseminate labor rights information more widely.
Yale–National University of Singapore joint venture fuels debate. Yale-NUS College, a joint venture by Yale University and the National University of Singapore, has sparked growing criticism from Yale professors and rights groups. The school, which will be Singapore’s first liberal arts college, has said it will ban student political protests and partisan political societies. Yale-NUS College, which is being funded by the Singapore government and private donors, is expected to open in August 2013.
Singapore orders banks to review SIBOR. The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) announced July 25 that all the country’s banks will be required to review the Singapore Interbank Offered Rate, or SIBOR. The SIBOR, the interest rate at which Singaporean banks borrow funds from one another, affects loan rates across the economy. The review follows revelations that banks in the United Kingdom coordinated to artificially lower that country’s interbank rate. The MAS is also probing into the swap offer rate, the rate that indicates the average costs of funds banks use for commercial lending.
Government wants more banks for small and medium-sized enterprises. The Lao government July 24 called for the establishment of commercial banks that deal exclusively with small and medium-sized enterprises. The 26 commercial banks currently in Laos tend to favor the construction and garment manufacturing sectors. Meanwhile, the government wants to strengthen the country’s exporting industries through credit expansion before Laos joins the World Trade Organization at the end of 2012.
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domain: news


text:
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Located on 1,500 acres in Foley, Alabama, Craft Turf Farms has been locally owned and operated for over 45 years. We focus on quality and client satisfaction and provide turf in traditional slabs, and 42” Magnum rolls, all at competitive prices.
All grass is cut to order to guarantee our customers receive fresh, quality turf.
Harvesting Options & Delivery
At Craft Turf Frams, we pride ourselves on harvesting ample soil along with the sod to ease transition once the grass is planted. We offer sod pallets containing 50 sq yards or 450 sq feet. and Magnum 42” Big Roll as an alternative method for installation for large landscaped and commercial jobs, golf courses, or athletic field renovations. Pallets and rolls are cut fresh daily and can be picked up or delivered. Contact us today to schedule your order of quality turf grass from Craft Turf Farms.

domain: agronomy


text:
DYNAMIX aim was to identify dynamic and robust policy mixes that can lead to decoupling the environmental impact of EU resource use from economic growth.
To do so, the project team tackled four main sets of questions:
1. Where do inefficiencies in resource use and resource policies currently occur? What are the underlying drivers? Are there any examples of policy mixes successfully tackling these inefficiencies?
2. How do underlying paradigms affect resource use? How can new paradigms (e.g. cradle to cradle or product to services) be translated into concrete policy making?
3. What could be three to five most promising policy mixes for achieving absolute decoupling? What potential impacts can we see as a result of state-of-the-art environmental and economic modelling and qualitative analysis, including an analysis of factors influencing human behaviour?
4. How can we initiate mutual and lasting learning processes with policy-makers, practitioners and other experts to improve our work toward a resource-efficient EU?
The project resulted in clear policy recommendations to provide EU and national policy-makers with tangible support towards implementing powerful resource efficiency policies
The paper has received funding from the European Union’s Seventh Framework Programme under grant agreement no. 308674 and from the scientific budget for the years 2012-2015 for supporting co-financed projects. Usual disclaimers apply. All errors are ours.


text:
Taiso Yoshitoshi (1839-1892) was the most popular woodblock artist of his day. Customers lined up on the day of publication for his prints of historical characters and beautiful women. His career, which introduced subtle psychological observation to the artistic and representational world of ukiyo-e, straddled the tumultuous late Edo and early Meiji periods. Yoshitoshi was fascinated by the supernatural, and some of his best work concerns ghosts, monsters, and charming animal transmutations. Yoshitoshi's Strange Tales presents two series that focus on his depictions of the weird and magical world of the transformed. The first dates from the beginning and the second from the end of the artist's abbreviated career, encapsulating his artistic development. One Hundred Tales of Japan and China (Wakan hyaku monogatari) of 1865 is based on a game in which people told short scary ghost tales in a darkened room, extinguishing a candle as each tale ended. New Forms of 36 Strange Things (Shinken sanjurokkaisen) of 1889-92 tells stories from Japan's rich heritage of legends in a more serene and objective manner. The book opens with an illustrated study of Japanese ghost prints and analysis of Yoshitoshi's changing treatments of the genre. This is Yoshitoshi at his most whimsical and imaginative.
Les informations fournies dans la section « Synopsis » peuvent faire référence à une autre édition de ce titre.
John Stevenson is a specialist on Yoshitoshi. He is the author of Yoshitoshi’s One Hundred Aspects of the Moon (Hotei, 2001) and Yoshitoshi’s 36 Ghosts (Weatherhill, 1983). His most recent book, Japanese Kite Prints (Drachen Foundation), was published in 2004.Review :
"Yoshitoshi's Strange Tales is an artbook of woodblock prints by Taiso Yoshitoshi (1839-1892), one of the most poplular Japnese woodblock artists of his time, especially well-known for his works concerning supernatural events, ghosts, monsters, and animal transformations. Focusing particularly upon two series of Yoshitoshi's woodblock prints that illustrated the fantastic world of the transformed, Yoshitoshi's Strange Tles pairs a full-page color image of each selected print with a page-long description of the print's history, and a brief summary of the folk story that the print illustrates, written by Asian art expert John Stevenson. An esoteric and eye-catching addition to artbook shelves and especiallly recommended for connoisseurs of 19th-century Japanese art" --Wisconisin Book Watch
Les informations fournies dans la section « A propos du livre » peuvent faire référence à une autre édition de ce titre.
Description du livre BRILL, 2005. Hardcover. État : New. Never used!. N° de réf. du libraire P119074822711
Description du livre BRILL. Hardcover. État : New. 9074822711 New Condition. N° de réf. du libraire NEW7.0851930

domain: literature


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text:
How Many Bites at the Apple? Anna Nicole Smith Case Shows Lawyers Abusing the Law as Much as She Abused Taste
Byline: Horace Cooper, SPECIAL TO THE WASHINGTON TIMES
Attorneys representing Anna Nicole Smith's estate requested that the U.S. Supreme Court intervene in the decade-old case against the estate of her late husband, oil tycoon J. Howard Marshall. The case, known as Marshall v. Marshall, has been under review by federal judges on the Ninth Circuit since 2006.
Frustrated with the 9th Circuit's deliberative pace, the Smith team has once again turned to the Supreme Court to keep its litigation alive. Marshall v. Marshall is a landmark case, if for no other reason than that it was heard by the Supreme Court in 2006. To some, the case is a Hollywood tale of decadence involving a Playboy centerfold and her octogenarian, wheelchair-bound prince charming.
To those in the legal arena, this case is evidence that an audaciously crafted legal scheme targeted at an estate plan could succeed in diverting millions away from its intended heirs.
Here's a quick refresher on how this case began:
At the time of her husband's death, 14 months into their marriage, Anna Nicole Smith discovered that she was left out of her husband's carefully written estate plan. After consulting with attorneys (including legal Svengali and erstwhile boyfriend Howard K. Stern) she challenged the estate in a Texas probate court.
Her claim: J. Howard Marshall, unbeknownst to anyone else, told her that he'd leave her a sizeable portion of his estate.
After a probate trial lasting nearly six months, complete with numerous witness testimonies, and extensive documentary evidence from Marshall's memos and hand- written notes, the jury ultimately ruled against her. Then Smith's legal team decided to try to subvert the legal system. Rather than accept the judgment of the probate court, they planned a way to get a second bite at the apple.
While the Texas probate proceeding was ongoing, they leaped to a Federal Bankruptcy Court in California and were able to convince a judge to let them, in essence, re-litigate the probate case in bankruptcy court. This time they were able to prevent the witnesses and other documentary evidence from being introduced, and were able to get their biggest win a staggering $447 million jackpot an award which essentially nullified the decision of the probate court in Texas.
The path of the case has been tumultuous since then. The first appeal to the Federal District Court in California reduced the award by nearly three-quarters. …


Starting on 13 June 2022 and lasting for an unspecified / indeterminate period, Yellowstone National Park is not allowing new visitors to enter due to severe flooding and consequent road damage at various locations throughout the Park. Refer to the Park's "Current Conditions" page for the most up-to-date information and conditions.
New release: UPDATE: All entrances to Yellowstone National Park CLOSED temporarily due to heavy flooding, rockslides, extremely hazardous conditions - Yellowstone National Park (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)
Current Conditions: Current Conditions - Yellowstone National Park (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)
Park roads map (interactive): Park Roads - Yellowstone National Park (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)
In case you missed it elsewhere, the southern portion of Yellowstone has reopened in a limited fashion. Check the NPS Yellowstone website for the latest status information.
Please be aware that many of the campgrounds that touring cyclists use remain closed. Which makes it very difficult to bike through the park. At present only Grant Village and Bridge Bay are open. Plus, the USFS campgrounds just outside the park are often filled. Private campgrounds charge huge rates. When all campgrounds are open you can ride moderate distances at lowere traffic times. Having to ride considerable distances puts you riding at the very busiest times with extremely high traffic volume on the pakr roads.
Plus, there are reports of extremely long lines to get in. I do not know whether they let cyclists go ahead, but people waiting hours may not take kindly to that.


text:
Raymond M. Sarola is an Associate at Cohen Milstein, and a member of the Firm’s Whistleblower/False Claims Act and the Ethics and Fiduciary Counseling practice groups. Mr. Sarola represents whistleblowers in cases brought under the federal and state false claims acts in a wide range of industries that conduct business with the government, including health care, defense and financial services. As a member of the Firm’s Ethics and Fiduciary Counseling practice, Mr. Sarola calls on his experience as a trustee on the New York City pension fund boards in counseling public pension funds fiduciary issues.
Mr. Sarola’s experience includes both government service and corporate litigation. Prior to joining the firm, he served as Senior Policy Advisor & Counsel in the Mayor's Office of the City of New York. While there, he represented the Mayor and Commissioner of Finance on the boards of the City's pension systems and deferred compensation plan and advised on legal issues regarding pension investments, benefit payments, securities litigation and corporate governance initiatives. Previously, Mr. Sarola was a litigation associate at a noted defendants’ firm, where he represented companies and individuals in securities and other complex commercial litigation, internal investigations and antitrust matters.
Most recently, Mr. Sarola assisted in the qui tam action against the pharmaceutical company Wyeth pending in the District of Massachusetts, in which more states joined to intervene along with the government of the United States than have ever intervened in a qui tam action in history. (United States of America et al., ex rel. Lauren Kieff, v. Wyeth, No.1:03-CV-12366-DPW [D.Mass.].) The $784.6 million settlement was the seventh-largest False Claims Act recovery on record and the second-largest recovery involving a class of drugs in history.
Mr. Sarola has published articles on whistleblower issues, including the use of statistical sampling to prove large fraud cases. He has also published and spoken at conferences on pension fund fiduciary issues, in particular the SEC’s pay-to-play rule. He is a member of Taxpayers Against Fraud, a nonprofit, public interest organization dedicated to combating fraud against the Federal Government through the promotion and use of the False Claims Act.
Mr. Sarola received his B.A. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and earned his J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania Law School, where he also earned a Certificate of Study in Business and Public Policy from the Wharton School. While in law school, he was a Summer Intern for the Honorable Clarence Newcomer, United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

domain: law


text:
Detection of drug interactions by using an automated Tool-A prospective study
*Corresponding Author E-mail: firstname.lastname@example.org
To determine the opinion of clinicians about using an automated online tool for instant detection of drug interactions.
Material and methods
This descriptive type of prospective cross-sectional study was carried out among the general physicians and specialists involved in various hospitals in Dhaka from September to November 2017. A pre-designed and pre-tested questionnaire comprising of both closed and open ended questions was used. After taking informed consent, they voluntarily participated in the study. Data were analysed using Microsoft Excel 2003 and results were expressed using descriptive statistics such as frequency and percentages. Some questions had multiple options, therefore, the sum of percentage is not always 100%.
Among a total of 50 participants, most of them (52%) could not recall the correct definition of drug interaction, though 60% know its types. Only 36% know drug interactions can produce adverse effects. Most (46%) were not sure about common drug interactions occurring in all specialities. Fiftysix percent report patients with polypharmacy suffer maximum from drug interactions, followed by elderly and children, revealed by 28% and 24%, respectively. Majority (60%) stated steroids produce maximum drug interactions among all drug groups, followed by 48% and 18% who revealed antibiotics and beta blockers are also responsible. Fifty percent followed by 30% and 20% reported hypertension, diabetes mellitus and bronchial asthma are the disease conditions where drug interactions occur commonly. Seventyfour percent find searching information on drug interaction while prescribing is time consuming from various sources. Simultaneously, 54% think an online drug interaction checker can be an instant easy option, while 50% state it can also prevent drug interactions. Generic name of drugs, common adverse effects, dose and type of drug interaction were opted to be included in the checker by 58%, 62%, 40% and 38%, respectively. More than half (58%), think outdoor patients will be benefitted most. Majority (54%) prefer online checker to be presented in both English and Bangla language. Fifty percent encounter drug interactions every six months, of moderate intensity by 62%. Fourty percent always give priority to drug interactions while prescribing. Sixty percent depend on drug leaflets for drug interaction information while prescribing, followed by 44% on drug reference books and 34% recall from previous knowledge. Only 24% always check drug interaction information while prescribing. Fiftyfour percent find available information inadequate to avoid drug interaction. Maximum (84%) previously did not use any online checker.
Online drug databases can reduce the time for information procurement, ease decision making while prescribing, improve prescribing potential and prevent drug related adverse events.
Drug interaction, online checker, prospective study, clinicians, Bangladesh.

domain: medical


text:
Daily Bucket – The Scenic Route
Yosemite Valley from 30,000+ feet
CameronProf wrote a diary yesterday asking Kossacks to name the prettiest spots. I couldn’t pick just one and so I responded with several. Then I started thinking about the different environments I am in when I go birding and just traveling around.
The overall environment is important to house all of the life we have on earth. This is a post to acknowledge the various environments and beauty that surrounds us and houses all life.
THe Daily Bucket is a nature refuge. We amicably discuss animals, weather, climate, soil, plants, waters and note life’s patterns.
We invite you to note what you are seeing around you in your own part of the world, and to share your observations in the comments below.
Each note is a record that we can refer to in the future as we try to understand the phenological patterns that are quietly unwinding around us. To have the Daily Bucket in your Activity Stream, visit Backyard Science’s profile page and click on Follow.
Here are a few scenic photos showing the wonderful environments I have encountered as I have traveled around. Most of my photos are taken in areas where people, groups and governments take care to maintain these environments for wildlife as much as possible.
Yosemite is one of my favorites so I will start there.
The iconic Tunnel View
Glacier National Park is another favorite:
Glacier remnants on the tips of the Rocky Mountains
Here are a couple of state parks with unique ecosystems:
A fallen Sequoia is allowed to naturally decompose at Calaveras Big Trees. The length is more than 300 feet. You can see a tiny figure at the far end of the walkway where there is an entrance that allows you to walk through the tree.
Emerald Bay State Park at Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe itself is a gorgeous and unique place. There are dozens of state parks, beaches and any number of towns and villages.
A winter Tahoe sunset
The coast is another spot for journeys. All of us need to do our part to protect the oceans:
Bodega Bay Headland view
Western gulls flying over Bodega Bay
The bird rocks at Goat Rock Beach — the rocks house pelicans, gulls, cormorants and murres
On central coast:
A turkey vulture glides over the Elkhorn Slough
A flock of brown pelicans rest in the Carmel River Lagoon
We can’t forget the various wildlife refuges:
Snow geese taking to the air at the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge
Blackbirds feeding in the grass at the Yolo Bypass Nature Area
Sierra Valley Preserve marsh
There are wonderful views within your local area:
Spring in the Capay Valley — Yolo County
Sometimes you just need to look up:
A feather shape cloud
And finally even the mundane landscape can become magical and special.
A setting sun over the Central Valley farmland
It’s very hot here 100+, so you all stay cool and take care. What’s up in your neck of the woods?

domain: hobby


text:
How to Grow Imperator Carrots
Imperator carrots are a type of carrot that includes several varieties of long, straight, tapered carrots that measure about 8 to 11 inches at full maturity. The carrots have a deep orange color and thin skin that is easy to peel. Because of their sweet flavor, Imperator carrots are usually eaten raw or added to salads. Imperator carrots are available in several cultivars that vary in size, flavor and texture, including "Legend," "Avenger" and "Tendersweet." The carrots are ready for harvest in 65 to 78 days after planting seeds, depending on the variety. Imperator type carrots are best planted in early spring.
Spade or till the soil to a depth of at least 12 inches. Because of their length, Imperator varieties of carrots require deep, loose soil.
Rake out large dirt clods, rocks and weeds to provide for fine soil, which results in smooth, straight carrots.
Dig 2 to 4 inches of compost or rotted manure into the top 6 to 8 inches of soil. In addition, dig in a balanced dry fertilizer with a ratio such as 10-10-10. Apply the fertilizer at a rate of 2 to 4 cups for each 100 square feet of garden space.
Make shallow rows with the tip of a hoe. Allow 12 to 18 inches between each row.
Sprinkle the seeds in the rows at a rate of 2 to 3 inches per inch. Cover the seeds lightly with 1/4- to 1/2inch of soil.
Thin the carrots when the seedlings are about 2 inches tall. Remove the weaker seedlings and leave the largest, allowing about 2 inches between each carrot.
Spread 1 to 3 inches of mulch, such as shredded bark or straw, around the carrots. Mulch keeps the soil evenly moist and helps slows growth of weeds.
Water the carrots lightly every day during warm, dry weather, providing enough moisture to keep the soil uniformly moist. Don't allow the soil to become muddy or soggy, since too much moisture creates misshapen carrots and hairy roots. If possible, use a drip irrigation system or soaker hose to keep the tops dry.
Fertilize Imperator carrot varieties lightly about six weeks after the seedlings emerge, using a nitrogen fertilizer with a ratio such as 21-0-0. Apply the fertilizer at a rate of about 1/4-cup for every 10 feet of row. Sprinkle the fertilizer along the side of the rows, and then water immediately.
Hoe regularly to keep weeds under control, since weeds draw water and nutrients away from the carrots. Hoe carefully to prevent uprooting the carrots.
Harvest Imperator carrot cultivars when the tops are about 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Don't allow the carrots to become fully mature, as these varieties of carrots become woody and less flavorful.
- University of Illinois Extension: Carrot
- Mother Earth News: All About Growing Carrots
- Smart Gardener: Carrot -- Long Imperator
- Utah State University Extension: Carrots in the Garden
- The New Sunset Western Garden Book; Kathleen Norris Brenzel, ed.
M.H. Dyer began her writing career as a staff writer at a community newspaper and is now a full-time commercial writer. She writes about a variety of topics, with a focus on sustainable, pesticide- and herbicide-free gardening. She is an Oregon State University Master Gardener and Master Naturalist and holds a Master of Fine Arts in creative nonfiction writing.


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Photo above: The Element Data engineering team. (Back from Left: Vish Vadlamani, Robert Stewart, Phani Vaddadi. Front from left: Shalini Kumari, Siddhi Gupta, Brenda Martis. Photo by Mark Cornellison).
Fast-growing Element Data has acquired the technology assets and patent of BehaviorMatrix, a Philadelphia startup that specializes in understanding the emotional responses audiences have to brands.
The “emotional analytics platform” will support the development of Element Data’s Decision Insights Computing Engine (DICE), which uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to help people make decisions based on a broad range of criteria.
“This will enable us to understand the emotional position of people who are discussing making a decision on social media,” Element Data CEO Geoff McDonald told GeekWire. “This will give our customers an understanding of the best way to cater their messages to individuals.”
The acquisition was a cash and stock transaction and Element Data is not disclosing terms of the deal. The Bellevue, Wash. startup is acquiring BehaviorMatrix’s technology but isn’t taking on any members of the Philadephia team.
In July, Element Data closed a $3.5 million funding round, led by returning investor Archibald Cox Jr., who also led the company’s $1.7 million seed round in April. Flying Fish, a new Seattle venture capital firm, also participated in the round. Earlier this year, the company acquired the technology and team of PV Cube, a Seattle-based machine learning startup.


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Ask yourselves whether you would be comfortable answering such questions. I also urge you to take it further than just ask questions - be curious, care about these issues and see how you can help. Educate yourselves and help educate others. Because we need allies in this fight and you might just be that ally if you care enough.
Within the storm of normalised homophobia UKIP have created, it is easy to forget the thousands of young LGBT people who are yet to 'come out'. A sixteen year old Christian who is coming to terms with being gay is likely to be severely affected by the comments made by UKIP councillors, particularly when using the Bible as a platform for hate. This needs to change and it should not be used as a tool to endorsing a discriminatory political agenda.
It is incredibly hard for me to fully come to terms with being transgender and to explain just how I feel but I am growing with each day to accept who I am and taking any steps necessary to get where I need to be physically and mentally. The road is long, and at times painful but support is more than definitely out there if you want or need it...
LGBTQ people want the freedom to live their lives without having to hide aspects of themselves and without having to face prejudice. That's why coming out is so important. When people come out, they say, "This is who I am. This is what I am like. Accept me for who I am." Coming out enables people to be confident in who and what they are.
The ultimate encouragement for a player to come out, would probably be that there were sufficient other gay peers for it not to be such an issue, or at least enough to be able to offer support. As it stands, that day seems a long way off. If the Premier League is to wait for its own Jason Collins, it may be waiting a very long time.

domain: sociology