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To further their political agenda, many on the secular Left misrepresent the religious beliefs of America’s founders and their intent in framing the US Constitution. Very few of these men were deists, believing that nature is the only revelation from God and that the Creator is an absentee God who is not present and active in this world. We could count the number of deists on one hand. Furthermore, the framers of the Constitution were not opposed to Christianity, and they did not intend to create a strictly secularist nation characterized by a wall of separation between religion and the public square.
Unfortunately, it is easy for evangelical Christians to fall into the same trap as the Left, letting our own political aims distort how we view the religious beliefs of the nation’s founders and their intent in framing the Constitution. Some of the founding fathers were Christians—certainly many more than were deists—but that does not mean that the key founders who wielded the most influence were orthodox Christians. Nor does it mean that the framers of the Constitution intended to create a Christian nation.
Although there were Christians among the founding fathers, these eight men arguably had the most influence among the founding fathers. All were theistic rationalists.
On the committee that drafted the Declaration of Independence, second president of the USA
On the committee that drafted the Declaration of Independence
Primary author of the Declaration of Independence, third president of the USA
Primary author of The Federalist Papers advocating adoption of the Constitution
“Father of the Constitution,” fourth president of the USA
“Penman of the Constitution,” authored large portions of the Constitution
President of the Constitutional Convention, first president of the USA
On the Committee of Detail that drafted the Constitution
One reason for confusion is the false premise that there are only two options: the founders were either Christians or deists. This convenient false dichotomy allows secularists to “prove” that the founders were deists by showing that they were not biblical, orthodox Christians. On the flipside, some advocates of the idea that America was founded as a Christian nation think they can “prove” that the founders were Christians simply by showing that the founders were not deists.
In reality, however, there is a third option that I call “theistic rationalism.” Many people believe in one God and espouse the Bible’s code of behavior without being true believers in the gospel of Jesus Christ. We still see this problem today in Washington, D.C., as politicians promote “Judeo-Christian ethics”—and even follow them—but never repent of their sins and place their personal faith in Jesus Christ.
Theistic rationalism was a hybrid belief system that combined elements of Christianity, natural religion or deism, and rationalism. It held that these three would lead to the same place most of the time, but that when conflict among them could not be resolved or ignored, reason must be the final authority. In practice, theistic rationalists retained as much of Christianity and of deism as they could, but rejected whatever parts or beliefs of each of those systems they considered to be irrational.
Unlike deists, theistic rationalists believed in a present and active God; and since God was “there” and might act, it made sense to pray. Unlike orthodox Christians, however, they believed in only some written revelation from God and they determined it for themselves based on what seemed rational to them.
Unfortunately, they rejected as irrational most of what constitutes biblical Christianity. Theistic rationalists rejected justification by faith, the atoning work of Christ, the deity of Christ, the Trinity, original sin, the Virgin Birth, eternal punishment for sin, and the inspiration and authority of the Bible.1 The key founders honored and respected Jesus as a moral teacher, but not as God or Savior.
A few of them self-identified as “Christians,” but they meant something very different by that term than evangelical Christians do. For them, “Christianity” was simply a matter of being good and moral. The public language of the theistic rationalists was neutral and not offensive to Christian sensibilities, so the Christians among the founders were comfortable in supporting it.
Theistic rationalism was a hybrid belief system that combined elements of Christianity, deism, and rationalism.
Isolated quotes, when taken out of context, may appear to support the view that the founders were secularists or orthodox Christians. This is possible because the theistic rationalists constructed their belief system with ideas from both of the other systems. Consequently, at times theistic rationalists express deistic views, and at other times they reflect Christian influence. To see the founders as either secularists or orthodox Christians often requires extraordinary efforts to explain away or ignore inconvenient statements reflecting the opposite influence. An honest approach recognizes that both influences were present and important.
For this article’s purposes, the term Christian applies to those who actually hold Christian beliefs and have a relationship with Jesus Christ—not simply to those who pray or attend church.
In contrast to the secularist view, the founders did not favor or create a wall of separation disallowing or removing any religious influence in government or society. On the contrary, they believed that morality was absolutely indispensable to a free society—and that religion was the best source of morality. Consequently, they stressed the necessity of “religion and morality” in the public square—not just in private life.
It is critically important for the question at hand to note that they did not specify Christianity as being necessary, but simply “religion.” Some of them quoted from the Bible, but usually because it was the most familiar and widely read religious book in the colonies. In their experience, all religions taught morality and good citizenship, so any and all religions met the need. This is why they allowed freedom of religion.
In practice, theistic rationalists retained as much of Christianity and of deism as they could, but rejected whatever parts or beliefs of each of those systems they considered to be irrational.
In creating a “wall of separation,” later justices on the US Supreme Court, as they often do, substituted their own preference for the actual text of the Constitution. Evangelicals are right to criticize the Court’s imposition of a standard that the founders did not put in the Constitution and would not support; but we are wrong if we substitute another such standard that we prefer.
It is equally invalid to claim that the founders intended to create a specifically Christian nation. There is no record of any United States founding father indicating that the intent was to create or establish a Christian nation. If there were such a statement, every Christian in the United States today would know it, as it would be emblazoned above the entrance to almost every Christian school, inscribed on the cover of countless books in Christian bookstores, and included in countless email promotions.
No framer said that was his intent. The colonial American culture was nominally Christian, but the Constitution does not even mention God, much less Christ (unless one sheepishly counts that century’s standard dating method, “the year of our Lord”)—a curious omission for a document supposedly based on biblical principles and written as the foundation of a Christian nation.
There are no specifically biblical or Christian principles in the Constitution. The more than 400 pages of notes from the Constitutional Convention contain no instances of any constitutional principles being explicitly based on the Bible—much less the whole. Nor are there any expressly biblical teachings mentioned in The Federalist Papers, 85 essays written at the time to explain the Constitution and its principles to an audience very open to religious authority.
Some parts of the Constitution are consistent with, or not in opposition to, biblical principles. But there is no evidence that the framers took the principles from the Bible, and most of the supposedly “biblical” or “Christian” principles claimed by Christian America advocates are not uniquely biblical or Christian. The framers cited other sources for these principles, in particular “experience” and “history”—not the Bible.
Similarly, there is no specifically Christian or biblical language in the Declaration of Independence. Of the four references to God, the only biblical term in the Declaration is the general term Creator—a term used by deists, Jews, Christians, and secularists alike in 1776. Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration artfully to allow people to read their own view of God into the document and, thereby, to make it acceptable to all. It worked: secularists today point to its invocation of “Nature’s God” as proof that it is deistical, and Christians point to “Creator” as proof that it is Christian.
Most people who colonized America in the 1600s identified with some version of Christianity. Doctrines differed significantly among denominations across the thirteen colonies, but they shared a generally Christian moral and cultural framework. The Bible was by far the most familiar book and a common cultural reference point.
Roughly 100 years passed between the establishment of the thirteen colonies and the founding of the United States republic. During that time, materialism took a toll on orthodoxy. Humanistic, antibiblical philosophies infiltrated the most prominent seminaries; and consequently, rational religion replaced the Bible as the ultimate authority in many churches. But the loosely Christian moral consensus—the Golden Rule and basically biblical ethics—remained intact.
After the American Revolution, the new state constitutions promoted a nominal brand of Christianity as a sort of cultural and ethical anchor to help the colonies through their divorce from the cultural influence of Great Britain. A generic form of Christianity became a stabilizing and civilizing force as the new nation entered uncharted waters. After a decade of moral stability under the state constitutions and Articles of Confederation, the new nation’s leaders produced a Constitution that reflected little if any discernable Christian influence.
Evolutionary ideas in the mid-1800s further eroded respect for the Bible’s trustworthiness regarding issues such as history and science. But the broad “Christian” moral consensus of the 1700s arguably persisted on a fairly widespread basis into the 1900s. Then the great societal turmoil of the 1960s brought to an end this last vestige of the Bible’s morally positive influence. “Progressive” and anti-Christian attitudes first gained national acceptance and then were transmitted to generations of children through public schools. Since the 1960s, the Bible’s confining notion of “shame” has been replaced by a narcissistic celebration of doing one’s “own thing.”
The generally Christian moral framework of the previous 200 years has now been rejected as an overly restrictive relic of a bygone age. In an atmosphere hostile to even nominal Christianity, the public square no longer welcomes any appeal to God’s Word or the now-defunct “moral consensus” related to that Word.
I have published an extensive and comprehensive study of what the key founders actually said they believed. It reveals that all eight key founders were neither born-again Christians nor deists, but theistic rationalists. These “key founders” are those most responsible for the content of the Declaration of Independence (Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and Benjamin Franklin) and those most influential in the writing and implementation of the Constitution (James Madison, George Washington, James Wilson, Gouverneur Morris, and Alexander Hamilton). Although there were Christians among the founding fathers, these eight theistic rationalists arguably had more influence than any of the Christians, with the possible exception of Roger Sherman.
John Adams maintained that the Bible cannot supersede philosophy or reason. So he called the deity of Christ and His atonement for men’s sins “absurdity.” He said that focusing on grace and faith rather than good works was “Antichristianity.” Adams so completely rejected the concept of the Trinity that he said he would not believe it even if God Himself told him it was true. Adams claimed that belief in the Incarnation and in God suffering on a cross “has been the source of almost all the corruptions of Christianity.” In a private letter, he asked Thomas Jefferson rhetorically, “Where is to be found theology more orthodox . . . than in the introduction to the [Hindu] Shastra?”
In 20,000 pages of his writings, there is no record of George Washington claiming to be a Christian. Washington prayed and attended church regularly when in the public eye, but there is no reference to Jesus in his handwriting, and he once replaced “God” with “the Great Spirit above” in a speech to Indians written by a clerk. The so-called Washington Prayer Journal is the source of Christian-sounding quotes attributed by some to George Washington. But it is not in his handwriting, and there is no reliable evidence that it belonged to him. No experts on Washington’s papers accept it as his.
Washington steadfastly refused to take communion and referred to Christians in the third person. Ministers of churches he attended testified that he died “without one expression of distinctive belief, or Christian hope” and that they could not bring to mind “any fact which would prove General Washington to have been a believer in the Christian revelation.”1
Christian America advocates focus on Plymouth (150 years before the founding of the United States!) as if it were the definitive colony and fully representative of “America.” The Puritans founded Massachusetts—they did not found the United States of America. Massachusetts was not the first colony; it was not the largest colony. Catholics and Quakers founded colonies, as did Puritan dissenters. Seven colonies were not founded for any particular religious reason. Furthermore, the vision of the original Puritans was gone by 1700. By the mid-1700s, the descendants of the original Puritans in Massachusetts were heavily engaged in the slave trade, rum production, and smuggling.
Christian America advocates regularly appeal to a 1983 study done by Donald Lutz in support of their claim for the Bible’s influence on the Constitution. They trumpet the fact that the study indicates that the Bible was the most widely cited source in the founding era. However, they neglect to mention that the study specifies that “reprinted sermons accounted for almost three-fourths of the biblical citations” and that “the Bible’s prominence disappears” during the founders’ debate on the Constitution—the very document for which they claim its influence.
Those who contend for the Christian America thesis emphasize the denominational affiliation of certain men. If denominational affiliation equals Christian faith, then most of those in early American government were Christians—but then so are most of the members of Congress today, along with the last six presidents. So, why should we be upset about the religious condition of America today?
Identifying “religious” people as Christians makes the gospel one of moral behavior and pronouncements rather than the saving work of Christ and personal commitment to Him. The belief that America was originally Christian leads many believers to confuse cultural heritage with biblical Christianity and to lose the ability to distinguish between the truly biblical and mere American tradition. They place their confidence in political processes and institutions rather than in the sovereign God, and they misdirect the resources of the church toward correcting the political system.
As followers of Jesus Christ, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, born-again Christians have a duty above all others to “speak the truth” in every matter. If we are careless about the facts, or impose our own agenda on history, why should anyone listen to us when we talk about the gospel?
Before making claims about the religion of America’s founders, believers should ask themselves two simple questions. If America’s founders were really intending to create a Christian nation, wouldn’t the governing document say so? Wouldn’t someone have made that intention crystal clear—somewhere, in a public or private document?
If we can’t quote the founders in their own words, then it’s wrong to claim we know what was in their minds.


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Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Aaradhya expressed her wish to see Fanney Khan
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan said she grew up in an atmosphere where her mother was always hands-on.Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is a hero. From fulfilling her professional commitments to her duties as a mother, she manages all with perfection. However, her priorities have changed now and currently, her daughter Aaradhya is the most important person in her life. Her iconic status never comes in the way of her duties as a mother, wife, daughter and daughter-in-law. The actress says she tries to keep the atmosphere around Aaradhya “as normal as possible”.
When asked about how does she manages to juggle between her career and personal life, she said, “It’s something I’ve grown up with. From the time I was 18, I’ve been juggling with many responsibilities. My day begins at 5.30 a.m. It has been that way from the time I remember. Of course, after Aaradhya my priorities have changed completely. She comes first, everything else is secondary.”
“Do you know Aaradhya saw her mother’s film for the first time? I mean, she had of course seen me on television and doing songs. But Fanney Khan is my first film where she actually sat through the whole film,” she added.
And what did Aaradhya think of her performance? “I think her smiling eyes said it all. She had actually seen me shoot a part of my song in Fanney Khan. So when she heard there was a screening, she expressed a wish to see the film with all her friends and their parents. So all her friends came with their parents and had a good time.
“I was happy to let Fanney Khan be the first film Aaradhya watches. It has a positive message for viewers of all ages and there’s nothing in it that children cannot watch. In any case, Aaradhya is constantly singing and dancing at home, sometimes to my songs, sometimes to her father’s and her grandfather’s songs. It’s a normal household. We’re trying to keep the atmosphere around Aaradhya as normal as possible.”
Aishwarya is not one of those star moms whose child is seen more with the nanny than the mother. Laughing at the observation, Aishwarya said: “Aaradhya does have a nanny. In fact, I am told I should have two of them because the one that I have, tends to take off on long holidays. But it doesn’t really matter. I like doing everything for Aaradhya myself, though with my kind of schedules it is not always possible to do so.”
But Aishwarya’s mother helps out. The actress and former beauty queen said she grew up in an atmosphere where her mother was always hands-on.
“So it never even occurred to me that it could be otherwise.” Managing sprawling career and domestic responsibilities is not easy. “Every home maker who is a working woman is a hero. It requires a lot of juggling with time. And a supportive husband, which I luckily have.”
Aishwarya is looking at doing handpicked roles, like the one in Karan Johar’s Ae Dil Hai Mushkil and now Fanney Khan. “I always knew my role in Fanney Khan was small. When I was promoting the film, I never gave the impression that I was there throughout the film. Rakeysh Mehra and his wife P.S. Bharathi (who has co-produced Fanney Khan) narrated the idea to me and I loved it.”
It’s almost as though the role of the pop diva was written for Aishwarya. “That’s how the audience have perceived my presence. Once I was on board, I became totally involved with the development of the character, her relationship with the character played by Rajkummar Rao, her clothes, the song… I loved the concept. and Anil Kapoor as the father of the daughter brought his personal emotions into the part. He was so sincere.”
“I don’t look at my roles in terms of the footage. To me, the role should define my personality and the character I am playing. But now Rakeysh needs to do a full-fledged film with me,” she added.

domain: entertainment


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Raspberry 'Tulameen' (Late Summer fruiting)
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domain: agronomy


text:
The Nippon Maru is a fairly frequent visitor to Honolulu, but she’s usually berthed at a pier that isn’t open to the general public. 😦
Mahalo to Captains Tom Heberle and Ed Enos of the Hawaii Pilots Association for the opportunity to get a closer look at the ship! There’s nothing like seeing such a grand lady get under way and head out to sea.
On the way to the pilot office, I came across this amusing typo on a bit of trash by the side of the road:
Crashing would not be good!
Outside the gate:
Captains Ed Enos and Paul Pollock on Honolulu:
Getting ready to go aloft:
Waving goodbye to people on the pier with cheers of “Aloha”…very nice!
Tira Lani assisting:
Passing Aloha Tower:
Can’t really see it in the photo above, but the cadets were waving their hats in greeting to the crew on board Hokuho Maru at Pier 8 (to the right of Nippon Maru’s bow).
The obligatory rigging shot:
Captain Enos disembarking:
Aloha Nippon Maru. A hui hou!
Special thanks to Paul!

domain: geography


text:
I wrote this after lunch. It was epic!
Watchman Wayne entered the Puking Peasant Inn.
It was late and Mel was reciting the darkest of poetry, mug of Screaming Peaches in hand.
“One would wonder what life would be like,Without you on my coattail, head on a pike.”
Wanye winced. The patrons loved the dark two liners.
“I when I hear them say go into the light,Darkness calls, I accept my plight.”
“I look up at starry sky, the knife you plunged makes me cry.”
Wayne endured the agony everyone else seemed to enjoy and seated himself where he could see the door. What would become of La Longi with the Alchemist in charge? Violet would get her wish and they would move on, that was for sure.
The door opened, men and women yelling and shouting as they came in. Wayne put his hand on his sword hilt and relaxed. Galvin the Bard had appeared.
He beckoned to Mel and handed her a crate. A dark soul, her face was somber.
She looked directly at Wayne, another line recited.
“Looks like trouble Eve in leaf of fig, As bad as deception, I smell a pig.”
All turned their heads toward Wayne and jeered. The watchman smiled and waved. Such was life on his beat.
Galvin, ever an entertainer, caught their attention.
“Fellow Pukes! To all ranks and stations, to play costs a donation! Contradictory, you say, with the pig,we will play!”
Kicking the table in front of him over for distance, time and space, Wayne’s sword was in hand. There was a time to talk and a time to fight;
Wayne hadn’t survived the docks without street smarts.
“Watchman Wayne is a fake one, Turn around and you’ll see real bacon! You see, in this crate is a porker all greased, Catch if you can, and I’ll buy you a feast! To play is a coin in my bucket with handle, We play in the dark, please blow out your candle!”
With that, Mel rolled up her sleeve revealing a rose tattoo.
Some of the men groaned. They had been tricked by her before. She opened the crate and out came a medium sized piglet, covered in lard.
Mel proclaimed, “alright! A coin to play, candles at bay.”
The lights were dimmed or cut off and dozens of patrons set off to catch the pristine porker.
It was a complete disaster. Drunken men and women caught the pig only to have it slip from their grasp. Tables, chairs, glasses, and table settings fell in disarray as they scrambled.
Watchman Wayne slipped out the door. It was late… time for shift change. A pint of Screaming Peaches would make people do crazy things.
49 thoughts on “Brothers Campfire The Puking Peasant -An Ongoing Tale Chapter 190”
Thank you! The next one up is a Puking Peasant Story As Well!
Oh. I see.
Look forwrd to it!
You’re welcome, sir!
🤠🔥! We will see you soon maam!
Yes sir again!
My wife studied hard, ma’am!🤠🔥
Sounds just like her!
I agree! Excited about my sprinkler being turned on today!
Oh fun! Just don’t get too wet or you’ll regret it. Don’t add ice to it either.
That was a tough challenge!
I liked the Saint Patties Day one!
Ha! That’s the one I didn’t like.
Because I did better?
Well *gulp* yeah.
You are way better. You recorded yours live!
What did you do?
I took a picture of myself. It was the first try though
Oh yeah!!!!!!!! That’s right!
The Great Lydia Potter!
I don’t know who that is
One day I will introduce her to you.
It is a beautiful day here at Willow Manor Urban Farm!
That’s the name?
That’s what we call our place. Willow Manor
Did you like Hey Gertrude?
Yay! My next one will be at a coffee shop!
Nothing like a greased pig for entertainment.
Haha brilliant!! 😁
Mel’s poems are
Fab!! Couldn’t have written them better myself!! 😁 As a committed vegetarian I reckon she’d be chasing that pig to safety though!! 🐽🖤
I am sure Galvin the Bard surprised her with his antics. I imagine she was!
You’re most welcome!! Love your latest posts!! 😁🖤

domain: literature


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Department store chain Nordstrom is enhancing the consumer experience on its iPhone application with updates that include product sharing via SMS and user reviews.
The new functions of the app will help consumers share their opinions on Nordstrom’s products with their friends and fellow shoppers. Luxury marketers with mobile apps should continue to update them with new functions to keep the experience relevant to savvy customers.
“We launched our smartphone shopping apps back in November of 2011, and since then have been doing a lot of listening and learning from our customers to make this a better shopping tool,” said Colin Johnson, spokesman at Nordstrom, Seattle.
Trying something new:
Nordstrom chose to tweak the shopping experience on its commerce-enabled iPhone app to encourage consumers to share their opinion on products. Before the update, consumers could share their favorite items with their friends via Facebook, Twitter and email. Now, consumers can send an auto-generated text message to anyone in their contact list about a particular product.
For example, if an app user wanted to share the Chloé Vanessa bag with a friend, the text message draft would say, “Check out my latest find from Nordstrom: http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3453967 Chloé ‘Vanessa – Medium’ Crossbody Bag.” Nordstrom looked to make it easier for consumers to browse and make purchases on the app with a few other subtle updates, per Mr. Johnson. The retailer improved the sign-in process and enhanced the performance of the app. Consumers can also shop complete looks while browsing the sections of the app such as women, men, juniors and kids.
Nordstrom launched its iPhone app in 2011 to combine commerce, customer service and cross-channel engagement. The app lets consumers buy products, curate looks, create a wish list, venture in-store for events and call customer service. Nordstrom’s smartphone app went live for iPhone users first, but was soon introduced for Android devices (see story). Since texting is important to Nordstrom’s customers, it was the next natural step in enhancing the app, per the retailer.
“Shopping, mobile and social are as aligned as the designer purse and shoes to go with the high-end dress – at least that is what my wife tells me,” said Jeff Hasen, Seattle-based mobile marketing consultant. “The shopping experience has been social for a long time,” he said. “Consumers call or text their friends for opinions, to show something off or to get those in the social network in on the sale.” In particular, the addition of sharing products via SMS will help Nordstrom reach out to potential customers who do not use Internet-enabled phones but have access to text messaging. “While we might believe that all Nordstrom shoppers carry smartphones, that certainly isn’t the case,” Mr. Hasen said. “Texting programs are inclusive, ensuring that all who want to participate can.”
Nearly six in ten cell owners used their phone inside a physical store for assistance or guidance on a purchasing decision this holiday season. In the 30 days preceding our early January 2013 survey (the final weeks of the holiday gift-giving season):
- 46% of cell owners used their phone while inside a store to call a friend or family member for advice about a purchase they were considering.
- 28% of cell owners used their phone while inside a store to look up reviews of a product to help decide if they should purchase it or not.
- 27% of cell owners used their phone while inside a store to look up the price of a product, to see if they could get a better price elsewhere.
Taken together, 58% of cell owners used their phone for at least one of these reasons, with young adults and smartphone owners leading the way — 78% of cell owners ages 18-29 and 72% of smartphone owners did at least one of these with their phones this holiday season. The 46% of cell owners who called someone for advice about a purchase represents a significant increase from the 38% of cell owners who did so during last year’s holiday shopping season.
ABOUT THE SURVEY
The PSRAI January 2013 Omnibus Week 1 obtained telephone interviews with a nationally representative sample of 1,003 adults living in the continental United States. Telephone interviews were conducted by landline (501) and cell phone (502, including 241 without a landline phone). The survey was conducted by Princeton Survey Research Associates International (PSRAI). Interviews were done in English by Princeton Data Source from January 3 to 6, 2013. Statistical results are weighted to correct known demographic discrepancies. The margin of sampling error for the complete set of weighted data is ± 3.6 percentage points.
US mobile commerce (m-commerce) sales will grow 98.6% this year over 2011 to reach $20.85 billion, according to September projections by Internet Retailer. Overall, mobile commerce is expected to account for 9.2% of US e-commerce sales, up from 5.4% in 2011, driven in part by widespread adoption of tablets and smartphones.
A Javelin Strategy & Research report also released in September came to a similar conclusion (at least in dollar terms), predicting that mobile payments would hit more than $20.7 billion this year.
Internet Retailer also examines the “Mobile 400,” referring to the 400 largest e-retailers, ticketers and travel companies based on their mobile sales. The US represents the largest market of this group, surpassing Europe and Latin America. The study estimates that companies in the Mobile 400 will see US sales of $10.85 billion this year, although that projection excludes eBay on the basis of it being a retail platform rather than a retailer by definition.
Excluding eBay, the Mobile 400 will account for 52% of US m-commerce sales, unchanged from 2011.
Top 10 Merchants Grab 40% Of US Sales
The top 10 Mobile 400 merchants alone will account for 39.3% of US m-commerce sales ($8.19 billion), mostly unchanged in share from 39% ($4.1 billion) last year, demonstrating continued concentration in this area.
Amazon.com is #1 on the Mobile 400 and is projected to reach $4 billion in US mobile sales in 2012. Apple has the second highest projection ($1.17 billion) for sales of applications, music, video and e-books. Also expected to finish with strong numbers are Gilt Groupe (#13; $129.6 million) and RueLaLa.com (#19; $67.5 million). Some TV/web crossover merchants appear high on the list: QVC is expected to be 5th in US m-commerce sales this year ($350 million) and HSN.inc 14th, with $110 million in sales. ShopNBC (#26) will reach $60 million in mobile sales.
The Top 10 companies in order of rank are: Amazon.com; Apple Inc.; Marriott International Inc.; Orbitz LLC; QVC; Wal-Mart Stores Inc.; Hilton Worldwide; easyJet; InterContinental Hotels & Resorts; and Expedia.
Recent research from comScore revealed that 80.6% of US smartphone users (85.9 million in total) accessed retail content on their devices during July via mobile browsers or applications, and those Mobile 400 retailers (and eBay) were strongly represented. Amazon Sites was the leading destination with 49.6 million visitors, representing 46.6% reach among the US smartphone audience. Following Amazon were eBay (32.6 million; 30.6% reach), Apple (17.7 million; 16.6% reach), Walmart (16.3 million; 15.3%), and Target (10 million; 9.4% reach).
- Internet Retailer projects that in the US, 281 retailers are on track to grow their combined mobile sales by 83.2% to $7.99 billion, from $4.36 billion last year. US mobile travel sales (from 38 companies) will grow 149.5% to $2.57 billion, and ticket companies will post a 171% increase in US sales, to $288.1 million.
- Mass merchandisers (e.g. Amazon, Walmart) will account for 63% of m-commerce sales across all markets, but only 41.1% of e-commerce sales in the Internet Retailer Top 500 guide (which ranks North American merchants by web sales).
- Across the markets studied, m-commerce trails e-commerce in some specific product categories, including food and drug (0.86% of m-commerce share vs. 2.31% for e-commerce), hardware and home improvement (0.75% vs. 2.42%), and office supplies (1.22% vs. 4.09%).
- M-commerce and e-commerce share of sales are roughly equal for computer/electronics merchants (17% and 16%, respectively) and apparel/accessories retailers (11.2% and 12.3%, respectively).
- According to the Javelin Strategy & Research report, tablets accounted for about $5 billion of mobile purchases, with consumers dishing out on average $10 more per purchase on tablets than on mobile phones.
About The Data: The Internet Retailer Mobile 400 ranks the 400 largest e-retailers, ticketers and travel. companies based on their 2012 mobile sales, breaking out nearly 80 financial, marketing and operational details on each.
Several large retailers, including Wal-Mart, Best Buy, 7-Eleven and Target, will create a mobile payment company that will allow customers to pay with smartphones.
Called Merchant Customer Exchange (MCX), the network will be available as an app on “virtually any smartphone and will initially focus on enabling merchants to provide offers and promotions.”
Competition for mobile payment technology is heating up as large retailers, start-ups and wireless carriers and credit card companies are muscling in on the lucrative market. Worldwide mobile payment transactions will total $171.5 billion in 2012, a 62% increase from $105.9 billion last year, and could reach $617 billion by 2016, according to research firm Gartner.
Other merchants in this network include Sears; Lowe’s; CVS/pharmacy; Darden Restaurants, which owns Olive Garden and Red Lobster; HMSHost, an owner of hotels; grocer store chain Hy-Vee; Publix Super Markets; Shell; and Sunoco. Other retailers will be added in the coming months, the company said.
“(MCX) is uniquely qualified to offer the most comprehensive mobile payment options for consumers,” said Terry Scully, Target’s president of financial and retail services, said in a statement.
Using the app to deliver promotions and payment mechanisms will also cut “unnecessary costs” for merchants, said Mike Cook, Wal-Mart’s corporate vice president and assistant treasurer, in the statement.
The initial retailers that are part of the new company account for about $1 trillion in annual sales. More retailers are expected to join in coming months, the Irving, Tex.-based group said. The joint venture, which is looking for a new CEO, hasn’t determined a launch date.
Google and large wireless carriers are further along in their development of apps and devices that will accept smartphones at retailers’ checkouts. They rely on a technology standard called “near-field communication” (NFC) that enables radio communication between phones and other devices that are in close proximity, without touching.
Mobile payment advocates say the technology is secure and lost credit card information can be erased more quickly. But privacy experts and the Federal Communications Commission have called for more studies on the NFC technology.
Google Wallet, which was introduced last year by the software giant, is compatible with all domestic credit cards. Once its users input their card information in the Google Wallet app, they can wave their NFC-equipped phone at a contact-less reader pad, such as the ones branded by MasterCard’s PayPass and Visa’s payWave.
Verizon Wireless, AT&T and T-Mobile are jointly launching a competitor called Isis, a digital wallet in your phone that can be swiped at retailers’ contact-less terminals. Isis will likely launch this month in Salt Lake City and Austin with national large retail chains and smaller merchants.
Starbucks also announced last week that it’ll expand pay-by-phone options by partnering with Square, a mobile payment start-up. Their initiative, to be launched this fall, will allow customers to pay with a Square app on their phones at about 7,000 company-owned Starbucks stores.
Pinterest isn’t just one of the fastest-growing social networks around. It is also driving shoppers to make purchases.
32% of online shoppers have made a purchase based on what they’ve seen on Pinterest and other image-sharing sites, according to a new survey from Bizrate Insights. These sites focus primarily on enabling consumers to select images and other content from the web, rather than posting original content as shoppers often do on sites like Facebook or Twitter. While Pinterest is the dominant image-sharing site, with 18.2 million unique visitors in March, according to web traffic measurement firm Compete.com, other sites in the category include Polyvore (which had 2.2 million unique visitors in March) and Juxtapost (13,340 unique visitors in March).
The report also found 37% of consumers have seen on image-sharing sites items they want to buy but have not. Bizrate’s report is based on a survey of 3,741 online shoppers conducted in late March. The report gave no similar data for Facebook or other social networks
The e-retailer beat out major multichannel retailers such as Target and Wal-Mart.
Consumers say Amazon.com Inc. is the retailer that is most relevant to them and their shopping preferences, according to the results of a consumer survey conducted by Brodeur Partners, a communications company.
Amazon.com, No. 1 in Internet Retailer’s Top 500 Guide, beat out 20 other national retailers to take the top spot. Rounding out the top five finishers in order are Target Corp. (No. 22 in the Top 500 Guide), Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (No. 6), Best Buy Co. (No. 11) and Costco Wholesale Corp. (No. 16.) More than 2,000 consumers between the ages of 18 and 65 took part in the online survey, which was conducted in November.
“Amazon.com has clearly cracked the code when it comes to being relevant to American shoppers,” says Brodeur Partners CEO Andy Coville.


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Bill Gross and Larry Fink manage a $3 trillion pile of bonds -- an amount almost as big as Germany’s economy. Their firms, Pacific Investment Management Co. and BlackRock Inc., doubled holdings since 2008, outpacing the market’s growth of 50 percent.
Some of the largest hedge-fund firms, including Bridgewater Associates LP and BlueCrest Capital Management LLP, have also more than doubled their investments in debt, data compiled by Bloomberg show. At the same time, Wall Street banks are shrinking their stakes in bonds, Federal Reserve data show.
The lopsided bond market has caught the attention of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Not only is the SEC examining whether the biggest players get preferential prices and access because of their influence, it’s also worried about what happens when the five-year bond rally ends as U.S. policy makers prepare to raise interest rates.
“It’s going to be interesting to see who’ll take the other side of the trade if there’s a meaningful sell-off, which presents a huge risk,” said Arthur Tetyevsky, a credit-trading strategist at Imperial Capital LLC in New York. “We’re much closer to the end of the rally, that’s for sure.”
The biggest funds’ dominance may make it harder for everyone to sell when the Fed boosts borrowing costs from record lows and sends bond prices tumbling. In essence, their selling may crowd narrowed exits, making it more painful as all investors race to get out of a falling market.
While regulators have looked at the threat to the financial system posed by too-big-to-fail banks, hazard has migrated to money managers. Banks, facing stiffer restrictions on borrowing and the amount of cash they need to keep on hand in the aftermath of the credit crisis, have cut the amount of their own money they use to help clients trade. That reduced role leaves the bond market more vulnerable to ripple effects from the actions of the behemoth managers.
More than five years of near-zero interest rates from the Fed has propelled corporate bonds to record performance and the biggest debt managers have ballooned in size. Pimco, Vanguard Group Inc. and Fidelity Investments manage 39 percent of all mutual fund-owned taxable bonds today, up from 18 percent in 1997, according to Morningstar Inc. data. The smallest 205 fund providers manage 0.1 percent of the market.
“When it comes to fixed-income management, there is an oligarchy,” said Robert Smith, chief investment officer at Austin, Texas-based Sage Advisory Services Ltd., which oversees about $10.5 billion. “That can be good and that can be bad. It’s bad when you have a market that’s feeling like it’s weak and not doing well and selling off.”

domain: finance


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adidas INFINITE TRAILS World Championships
adidas INFINITE TRAILS World Championships
Press Release 22 June 2018
At 5:00 pm on Friday, June 22nd, 74 teams and 98 individual runners took part in the adidas INFINITE TRAILS World Championships Prologue in Gastein/SalzburgerLand. More than 20 countries were represented and the runners swarmed across the valley and up the mountain side despite inclement weather from start to finish. The race was forced to be shortened as at the peak of Stubnerkogel mountain, the temperature dropped to nearly freezing and the winds gusted mercilessly. Italian, Martin Dematteis took home the first place prize but with finish times between 1:23 and 1:30, team adidas INFINITE TRAILS finished as the top group. This means that the favorites coming into the Championships will start first on Sunday.
As a cool wind swept through Bad Hofgastein, the 300+ runners of the first ever aIT Prologue crowded towards the starting line in the Alpen Arena. Several of the top teams pressed their way to the front of the line and the “elite men’s team” and eventual winning group made up of Timothy Olson, Dmitry Miyaev and Luis Alberto Hernando were prominent.
This “elite team” has been widely considered as favorites for the World Championships but had some stiff competition from the other adidas athletes as well as plenty of pros and amateurs from all over the world during the Vertical Open.
At the first aid station, Kongresszentrum in Bad Gastein after 7.8 km, there were two clear leaders. American, Joshua Eberley and Spaniard, Luis Alberto Hernando (both adidas TERREX athletes). They established a blistering pace during the flat portion of the run - nearly 8 km in just over 28 minutes - and didn’t seem inclined to slow down. Michelle Maier (Team aIT Global) was the leading lady, crossing this point in 32:42.
As the leaders approached the second and final aid station at Altböckstein, Eberley and Hernando were joined up front by Swiss runner, Werner Marti (Team aIT multi-mix) Lou Tao (Team adidas China) and Martin Dematteis. This final stop before the finish line was after 12 km and 1,000 vm of running and the top five runners managed it in under 45 minutes. Dmitry Mityaev at this point snuck into the top ten and his teammate, Timothy Olson, trailed five minutes behind as the leading runners started their steep vertical climb.
As the runners fought through a progressively colder route, the top-ten was represented by nine different countries. A few of the leaders were those only participating in the Vertical Openand not in the World Championships and the top of this group was Martin Dematteis. The veteran runner and adidas TERREX team member had only recently dropped out of the Championships due to an illness suffered by his teammate and brother, Bernard. He and Josh Eberley raced neck and neck while Luis Alberto Hernando was just steps behind as they headed towards the peak.
With bad weather conditions in mind, the race director decided on short notice that he would be forced to not allow competitors to run over the Stubnerkogel bridge and that they would have to end the Prologue in a different location than originally planned. The total distance was changed to 15.5 kilometers and the finish line was moved to the Stubnerkogel mid-station.
The goal was shortened but the final point was reached first by the Italian, Dematteis after just over one hour and 20 minutes. He reacted as he reached the finish line:
“I ran very fast in the flat portion so in the vertical part I was a little tired but it was Okay. I enjoyed myself and for me it was easy because I do not run Sunday. I am happy and today I dedicate this win to my twin brother who was sick and could not be here,”
The elite men’s team of Mityaev, Hernando and Olson (Team aIT) all managed to finish in the top-20, were the best trio of the day and will be the first in line to start the World Championships on Sunday.
Timothy Olson had this to say after he crossed the finish line:
“The race was really flat at the beginning but then it started to go uphill and I was just starting to feel good when it ended. I always feel better as the race goes on so it was a bit disappointing when it ended early but it’s all good and it’s on to Sunday.”
For the female runners, the elite women’s team (aIT Global) of Ekaterina Mityaeva, Michelle Maier and Alexandra Hauser, were dominant. In the female category Maier and Hauser finished first and second respectively and Mityaeva finished seventh easing them into the first place spot in their category and sixth place overall.
The Global team did have some good competition from Team aIT Gails Gone Wild, made up up Abigail Levene, Abigail Mitchell and Lena Kropf. Mitchell finished 6th, Levene 11th and their partner came in 29th as their team finished at 20th overall and second in the female category.
Abby Levene was a little disappointed that they cut the race short but felt good about her performance overall.
“I was a bit bummed that they cut the race short because I was just starting to feel good. The run started really flat and then boom it went up in a steep incline, something much tougher than I usually experience in the states. But then it got to be really runnable which is why I am a bit disappointed. I still really enjoyed it.”
The top of the mixed category was team aIT Alpen, with two men - Adrian Niski and Marcel Höche and one woman,Deborah Chiarello. Their team was placed seventh overall and they will have a good starting time on Sunday after a very nice Prologue.
The best amateur trio of the night was German team Gamsbock 1 who finished with an average time of 1:36. They finished in the top-ten at eighth place and will be a group to pay close attention to on Sunday.
All in all, there was a bit of bad luck that due to weather the race was forced to be shortened but despite that, the evening went off without a hitch and everyone made it safely to the after party. The teams which were expected to do well didn’t let us down and the order is now set for the lineup on Sunday. The first ever adidas INFINITE TRAILS World Championships Prologue - the Vertical Open - is in the books and now we have two long days to wait until we know who will be crowned as victors of the team relay trail running World Championships.

domain: hobby


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The Labour party typically disembowels itself after an election defeat, but this time it hasn’t waited to be beaten.
The Labour party typically disembowels itself after an election defeat, but this time it hasn’t waited to be beaten. The party which gathers in Brighton next week is already at war, and many of its brightest prospects have already left the field. The likes of John Hutton and Alan Milburn have despaired, and are quitting parliament altogether. The trade unions, who have long dreamed about capturing Labour, may soon buy it for scrap.
This magazine sheds few tears for the demise of a party which is now as bankrupt morally as it is financially. But it may fall to us to deliver a brief elegy, a tribute to what Labour got right. Its failures have been so spectacular and costly — from our defeat in Basra to Gordon Brown’s staggering economic incompetence — that it is easy to forget the sporadic but significant successes. Rewriting recent political history has become standard practice in this era of spin. Labour brilliantly misrepresented John Major’s seven years in power as one long Black Wednesday. But the Conservatives would be doing themselves no favours if they were to do the same. To succeed, David Cameron must first identify Labour’s achievements and then build on them.
Chief among these is Tony Blair’s introduction of a functioning internal market to the National Health Service. The pace of liberalisation has been slow, with independent providers muscled out by a system anxious to protect its own privileges. But the Blair reforms established an important principle: that the NHS should not be seen as a provider of health services, but a means of paying for them. The Tories, whose sole health policy seems to be giving independence to the NHS bureaucracy that Blair was trying to fight, should learn from this.
The city academies, semi-independent secondary schools, represent a largely successful attempt to transfer power from local authorities to parents. The dismal state of British state education (particularly that meted out to lower-income families) is a result of the failure of successive governments to liberate schools from bureaucratic control. The academies were rolled out at too slow a pace, but set a template which the Tories must follow. They should exist alongside Michael Gove’s potentially revolutionary plans for new, free independent schools.
Labour’s part-privatisation of welfare, using and incentivising various companies to move people back into work, has also done well where it has been applied. It has gone some way to reversing the unforgiveable decision to use the boom to keep five million people on benefits while importing new workers to meet the needs of an expanding economy.
We hesitate to applaud Blair for his commitment to Britain being a major player on the world stage, because he pursued this agenda by fighting five wars on a peacetime budget and stretching the goodwill of our military to and beyond breaking point. If his foreign policy had been properly reinforced with troops and equipment, it would have protected Britain’s status as a nation which seeks to shape the world, rather than be shaped by it. As a result of Labour’s refusal properly to fund the armed forces, we look and feel like a country in retreat.
The so-called independence of the Bank of England, for so long hailed as a great Labour success, is increasingly looking like a root cause of the recession. The Bank’s inflation-only mandate rendered it institutionally blind to the asset bubble which has burst so spectacularly. The government failed to control the supply of money — and, predictably, bankers gorged on the result.
None of Labour’s success stories will be acclaimed in Brighton next week. Brown obstructed public sector reform every step of the way and has done his best to halt or reverse it while in office. It is a symptom of the party’s terminal illness that it is embarrassed about what it got right and keen to do more of what it got wrong. This is why next week’s conference will be part of a slow political suicide. All the Conservatives need to do is sit back and watch.

domain: economics


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Paw Prints Hanging Sachet - Unscented
This hanging sachet features adorable little paw prints on a blue background!
**$1.00 of every paw print sachet sold goes to benefit our local animal rescue agencies!**
Machine washable! Convenient velcro closure on the ribbon to make it easy to hang anywhere!
To use: Simply spritz with your favorite scented linen/room spray and hang! Respray as needed to refresh scent!
Customization available! Contact us for more information!

domain: pet


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Hah: I knew that title would rope in some blazeredgers! But I mean it in all sincerity, mainly because, as I recall, Shaq has punched exactly one opponent in his career: BRAD MILLER!
Boy, as someone old enough to remember Bill Laimbeer, watching Miller play is deja vu. In classic Laimbeer fashion, Miller goaded Pryz and LMA into offensive fouls (abetted by vintage Laimbeer-style acting.)
Then there were the jump balls. On ALL THREE of them, Miller blatantly jumped into the Blazer jump-ee. Thankfully, Jack was ready for Miller on the critical final jump ball, jumping right into the jumping-in Miller. The result was that Miller didn't get a clean swipe at the ball, allowing Blake to deflect it over towards Outlaw. Live by the sword, die by the sword, Brad!
The highlight of the night for me was watching Miller's hangdog body language as the Blazers emerged victorious. That was an ugly game, but the ending was sweet.

domain: sports


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Resources for Singers
Here are companies and accompanists who create mp3 accompaniments of opera and oratorio arias for download.
www.youraccompanist.com (based in UK)
https://www.mypianoaccompaniment.com (based in Italy)
http://www.mp3accompanist.com (based in UK)
https://pianovoiceopera.com (based in Italy)
Piano and More - Vocal Accompanist Eun Seong Hong creates mp3 accompaniment tracks for opera singers.
Académica y Pianista
Instituto de Música
Pontificia Universidad Católica de chile
Steven Crawford - Conductor, Vocal Coach
Conductor, Metropolitan Opera
Worked with S. Milnes, A. Milo, T. Krause,
Bel Canto Institute, Firenze Italy
Collaborated with Fleming, Scotto, Perlman, Pavarotti, Maazel, and others.
Winner Horowitz Competition, Ukraine
If the mp3 tracks are too fast, too slow, too high, or too low in pitch, you can convert them through the website link:

domain: artistic


“For Farms! For homes where ice supply is uncertain! For camps! For roadside stores!. . . For anyone who wants the pleasure, safety, convenience of a constant ice supply for 2 cents a day.”
— Advertisement, Farm Mechanics, September 1928
In the early 1900’s, methods of keeping food cool in the hot summers of the U. S. Midwest were limited. Ice boxes were popular in cities in towns where ice delivery was available, and sometimes ice could be picked up or delivered to rural homes if they weren’t too distant from an affordable source.
In 1927, the same year the General Electric Monitor-Top Refrigerator was making home refrigeration more popular in electrified cities and towns, the Crosley Radio Corporation introduced a non-electric home refrigeration option powered by the heat of a stove burner: The Crosley IcyBall.
The IcyBall was marketed well into the 1930’s to homes and businesses with limited access to electricity or ice. It required no electricity and operated silently with no motor or moving parts. The user was required to “charge” the system—usually daily–by lifting the 35-pound double-ball unit to heat the “hot” ball over a gentle heat source (generally a burner fueled by kerosene) while the “cold” ball (or ice ball) side hung immersed in a tall tub of water. The heating process usually took about one-and-a-half hours.
When fully “charged,” a built-in whistle sounded. The user lifted the IcyBall unit from the burner and dunked the hot side into the water tub to accelerate the cooling process before returning the unit to its position straddling the side of the refrigerator chest.
The ice-ball contained a cylindrical sleeve-like passage through the ice ball which provided frozen temperatures sufficient to make ice cream or ice in the provided tray.
IcyBall advertisements challenged icebox users to compare the cost of 1.5 hours of stove fuel versus the cost of a day’s ice delivery. In 1929, Crosley estimated a country-wide average operational cost of about 2 cents a day. The IcyBall cost $80 in 1928, $85 in 1929., ,
Regardless of the cost, in many rural areas, regular ice delivery for iceboxes was simply unavailable or impractical.
A 1929 IcyBall advertisement in Country Gentleman magazine quotes Kansas farmer Carl Moyer on some advantages opened to the rural user by such an appliance:
“From the cream produced by seven cows we get $2.25 and more than we got before we used the Icyball because with it we can always get Grade One cream. Besides we make one trip to the creamery instead of two as before. This makes a total saving of more than $3.00 a week which in one season will pay for itself. Then we have ice for the table and ice cream whenever we want it. Believe me, we like our Icyball.”
IcyBall also advertised in Farm Mechanics, Popular Mechanics, and was promoted in Scientific American’s September 1929 issue. Crosley’s network of radio dealers were encouraged to “push” the IcyBall. Advertisements of 1929 claimed that 22,000 Icyball units were sold in the previous year.,  By 1932, 100,000 units were sold.
When the Icyball was introduced in 1927, the Crosley Radio Corporation of Cincinnati had already made name for itself since 1920 by offering $7 to $20 radio sets at a time when the cheapest radios to be found had been $119.,
Crosley applied this same principle of affordability to kitchen appliances. Following its IcyBall success, Crosley introduced electric refrigerators in 1931, and in 1933, the “Shelvador,” the first refrigerator with recessed storage space built into the door.,
How the IcyBall Worked
The IcyBall is an absorption cooling system, a technique still used in propane R.V. refrigerators and modern kerosene refrigerators. (Today’s absorption refrigerators contain more controls or additional technologies to eliminate the need for periodic manual attention to recharge (reheat) the system.), ,
The 2 ball “unit” ready for “recharging” contains a solution of ammonia in water in the hot-ball side. The heating step causes ammonia (which has a lower evaporation point than water) to vaporize from an ammonia-water solution in the hot ball and to travel in gaseous form through the U-shaped connecting tube to the cold ball, where it condenses in the high-pressure (around 250 psi) caused by the heating process.
After charging, as the whole system cools, the pressure reduces, allowing some liquid ammonia on in the cold ball to evaporate, making its way in gaseous form back to the “hot ball” side, where it is reabsorbed into solution with the water until the next heating process. The process of evaporation in the cold ball pulls heat from the outer environment surrounding the cold ball, causing it to ice. As ammonia gas is absorbed, pressure lowers further and allows more liquid ammonia to evaporate. This gradual process continues to pull heat from the insulated chest, keeping it cool, until the ammonia has mostly recombined with the water. At that point, it is time for recharging., ,
IcyBall offered an optional “stabilizer” base filled with glycerin or other odorless radiator antifreeze solution. This provided a more stable temperature, particularly during the hour and a half when the IcyBall unit was removed for recharging.,
Crosley Radio Corporation, “Ice from Heat,” (advertisement) Popular Mechanics, August 1930, http://books.google.com/books/about/Popular_Mechanics.html?id=iuIDAAAAMBAJ.
Crosley Radio Corporation, “Ice, 2-Cents a Day,” (advertisement) Farm Mechanics, Sept 1928, provided courtesy of the Crosley Automobile Club, Inc., “IcyBall Ads,” http://crosleyautoclub.com/IcyBall/icyball_ads.htm.
 Crosley Radio Corporation, “Instructions for Crosley Icyball Refrigerator,” digitized and published by Crosley Automobile Club, Inc., http://crosleyautoclub.com/IcyBall/IB_Manual/operations_manual.html.
 Crosley Radio Corporation, “Refrigeration,” (advertisement) The Country Gentleman, June 1929, p. 90, provided courtesy of the Crosley Automobile Club, Inc., “IcyBall Ads,” http://crosleyautoclub.com/IcyBall/icyball_ads.htm.
Crosley Radio Corporation, “Ice, 2-Cents a Cake,” (advertisement) Farm Mechanics, September 1928, provided courtesy of the Crosley Automobile Club, Inc., “IcyBall Ads,” http://crosleyautoclub.com/IcyBall/icyball_ads.htm.
Crosley Radio Corporation, “Ice, 2-Cents a Cake,” (advertisement) Farm Mechanics, July 1929, provided courtesy of the Crosley Automobile Club, Inc., “IcyBall Ads,” http://crosleyautoclub.com/IcyBall/icyball_ads.htm.
“The ‘Heat Makes Cold’ Refrigeration Unit,” Scientific American, Sept 1929. Article scan provided courtesy of Crosley Automobile Club, Inc., IcyBall Page, http://crosleyautoclub.com/IcyBall/crosley_icyball.html.
 Crosley Radio Corporation, “Make Profits Now with this Amazing Refrigerator for Rural Homes,” Crosley Broadcaster, April 1, 1935, provided courtesy of the Crosley Automobile Club, Inc., “IcyBall Ads,” http://crosleyautoclub.com/IcyBall/icyball_ads.htm.
Crosley Corporation, “Crosley Timeline,” http://www.crosleyradio.com/timeLine.aspx, 2010.
Gerald Piel. “Powel Crosley, Jr.,” Life Magazine,” Vol. 22, No. 7, 17 Feb 1947, p. 47-54 (http://books.google.com/books?id=4UkEAAAAMBAJ).
Wikipedia, “IcyBall,” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Icy_Ball, 5 June 2012 08:16, accessed 15 Jun 2012.
Wikipedia, “Absorption Refrigerator,” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Absorption_refrigerator, accessed 15 Jun 2012.
Lehman Hardware & Appliances Inc., “How do gas refrigerators work?,” http://www.gasrefrigerators.com/faq/how-gas-refrigerators-work, accessed 15 Jun 2012.
Peter and Roger Metcalfe, Engineering Studies: Year 11. Pascal Press, 2004, p.27-28.
Found an Icyball in my barn.
How fun! So probably at one time someone on that farm was excited about the ability to keep food cool.
So glad you could stop by to learn more. Thanks for letting us know!


Harmonic functions are the way chords are grouped according to the notes of the scale (key) that compose them and in turn, the way they function diatonically at a cadence according to the hierarchy they receive.
Traditionally halftones in the major scale are called diatonic chromaticism.
The power of attraction and resolution to the ascending and descending chromaticism reaffirm and clearly set the key in question.
Depending on how many of these chromatic notes are in the diatonic harmony, chords can be classified into Root (Tonic), Sub Dominant or Dominant.
Tonic Group: is conformed by the degrees I, VI and III, although the III degree can be taken as a chord closest to the Sub Dominant group because of the B note (chromatic diatonic). In the same the sonority is relaxing, culmination of cadence, and usually does not need another chord.
Sub Dominant Group: is conformed by the degrees II and IV. In the same there is only one chromatic diatonic note and the feel of these chords is semi unstable. That is, may or may not need another chord to continue the cadence.
Dominant Group: is conformed by degrees V and VII. In it the two chromatic diatonic notes are in every chord. The sonority is unstable and usually lead to another chord in order to resolve or not the cadence.
These three groups helps organize each chord functions and in turn to derive the way it can be used to generate different cadences in a composition or in a analisis. Note also the number of notes in common that have the chords of each of the groups.
Below I discuss some examples of cadences, of the many that may exist, based on this concept.
Dm7 (sub dominant) | G7 (dominant) | Cmaj7 (tonic) ||. Also called perfect cadence or in the language of jazz: 2 5 1.
Cmaj7 | Dm7 | Em7 | Fmaj7 | G7 || also called stepwise movement.
Is worth clarifying that in a diatonic reharmonizing any chord can be replaced by another of the same group.
Dm7 (Fmaj7) | G7 (Bm7b5) | Cmaj7 (Am7/ Em7) ||
I hope you enjoyed this brief harmonic post. See you next time.


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AEW is starting a new show on Saturday nights. Fans will need to block off two hours, from 8:00 PM EST to 10:00 PM EST, for AEW Collision. This announcement has received mixed reactions so far, but Jim Ross is interested.
During his Grilling JR podcast, Jim Ross stated that Saturdays are hard for pro wrestling shows. He should know, because the WWE Hall of Famer has decades in the business. Pro wrestling is always tricky, especially in 2023, when fans have so many more other options.
Jim Ross also stated that the AEW Collision commentary team has been kept close to the vest. He also inserted his interest in joining the AEW Collision commentary team, even though it would screw with his football habits.
“I don’t know a lot about this show. I don’t know who’s gonna broadcast it. I don’t know who the broadcast team is. It’s all been kept close to the vest, shall we say? Saturday night is a challenging night for television. It just is. It doesn’t mean people don’t watch TV on Saturday. They do, and I believe that they will if there’s a reason. I don’t know what the roster is gonna look like, which is kind of cool. You can play along and see what happens. I hope I can broadcast that show even though it’ll kill my football on Saturday nights for a while. We’ll figure that out. That’s not a big deal. The great thing about streaming and all those things is I can watch my ballgame, but I just may not be able to watch it live.”
We will have to see how AEW Collision pans out. This show has received a lot of attention, but much of it hasn’t been in the best light. All in all, CM Punk’s name has been attached to pretty much every headline, and how he pulled out of the show.
Ringside News exclusively reported on WWE’s internal reaction to CM Punk playing games with AEW Collision. Suffice it to say, many are under the guaranteed assumption that he is “toxic.” Regardless, Jim Ross would probably love calling his matches on Collision, because his role in AEW has diminished greatly since they placed him front and center on the company’s commentary team.
What’s your take on Jim Ross’ status with AEW? Does he need to be on Collision? Sound off in the comments!


SAP BusinessObjects Data Services connectivity through NAT or Firewall
When I was working on a project and needed to remote access SAP BusinessObjects Data Services server. I had done some research on internet and finally successfully made it. This blog is to explain about setting up connection for SAP BusinessObjects Data Services from external to internal network through NAT or firewall. This document may resolve one or some fellow errors: “Session: SDK failure”; “BODI-1112172”; “BODI-1241021”; “login error: could not reach CMS”.
- Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2 (64-bit)
- Microsoft SQL Server 2012 (64-bit)
- SAP BusinessObjects BI platform 4.1 SP5
- SAP BusinessObjects Data Services 4.2 SP5
Let us assume BODS and BIP are installed in the same server connecting to a gateway/router. Repository Database is using port 1433. When installing BIP and BODS server we accept all default configurations, we are able to log on BODS Designer, Workbench, CMC and CMS. Now we will configure CMS and NAT port forwarding to setup the connection.
Before setting up proper port mapping, we are facing this error when logging on SAP Data Services Designer from external network.
1. Let us read the SAP Data Services 4.2 SP 6 Installation Guide for Windows first to find out the required ports for Data Services server and clients.
There are specific communication ports that are used by Data Services server components.
If you deploy Data Services with firewalls, use this information to open the minimum number of ports in those firewalls.
Communication ports that are used by Data Services client applications and web applications.
If you deploy Data Services with firewalls, you can use this information to open the minimum number of ports in those firewalls.
I had read the installation guide before and always thought that request ports were dynamic, could not be configured as fix even SAP notes say so. But this time I read again and found below notes.
- Use the Central Management Console (CMC) to configure a fixed BI platform Central Management Server (CMS) request port.
For more information, see “Server Administration, Configuring server network settings, Configuring port
numbers” the BI platform Administrator Guide or the Information platform services Administrator Guide.
- Use the Designer to configure fixed debugger and Job Server request ports.
2. Below are the ports required to setup port forwarding on router and are required to be opened on firewall.
- BI platform Central Management Server (CMS)
Name server port – 6400
Request port – configured on CMS to 6500
- Job Server
Communication port – 3500
Request port – configured on Designer to 3511
Debugger port (optional) – 5001
Adapter communication port (optional) – 4000
- Access Server Communication port – 4001
- EIM Adaptive Processing Server – 4010 to 4013
- Web application server Communication port – 8080
- Repository database server Connection port – 1433
3. Use the Central Management Console (CMC) to configure a fixed BI platform Central Management Server (CMS) Request port
- Select Servers on CMC from drop-down list, click on Servers List, right click on CentralManagementServer, click on Properties from pop-up menu
- Uncheck Auto assign then enter the prefer port number on Common Settings section
- Do the same changers to other servers required then restart the all servers that were changed port settings.
4. Use the Designer to configure fixed debugger and Job Server request ports
Log on BODS Designer from local computer then select manual Tools -> Options -> Designer -> Environment to change port settings.
5. Now we should be able to log on from external.
Yes, we can now look up the repository list but Opps other error comes up
This is because the version of remote computer BODS client components is not compatible.
6. After upgrading the client software try again then we are facing ODBC driver error
Launch ODBC Data Sources Administrator from C:\Windows\System32\C:\Windows\System32 create a system DSN pointing to remote repository database. Choosing the relevant authentication method and entering the credentials where applicable, click on Client Configuration button. This will open the Add Network Library Configuration window.
7. Finally, try again — We logged on remotely!!!
SAP Data Services 4.2 SP 6 Installation Guide for Windows
How to resolve connectivity error “BODI-1112172” when running SAP Business Objects Data Services Designer on Windows 7 Client
I would like to correct my mistake at step 4.
In real environment the Designer does not connect to Job Server yet therefore it will not keep the changes made at this step. You will be prompted error BODI-120016.
Anyway you still can login and on the Designer taskbar you can see Job Server connected icon but there is notification server error(BODI-1241023).
You cannot run any job from Designer.
Since job server needs two way communication in order to make job server work on external network it will need few more steps involving port forwarding, local DSUserConfig file changes etc.
1. Edit local DSUserConfig.txt (C:\Users\<user name>\AppData\Local\SAP\Data Services\conf\DSUserConfig.txt) section [AdminClient], change ports to your desire one.
2. On your router configure port 3520 forwarding to the computer where DS desiger is installed
3. if you have firewall enable you also need to open port 3520.
Now Job Server is ready, your Designer connects to Job Server and can run job from local.
I've got some issues with Data Services Workbench from a client PC install. Data Services Designer is fine and I've limited the Job Server communication ports there, but Workbench will only start up from the install on the server itself. Any suggestions?
It doesn't even get past logging in just sits there with an animated "doing something" icon once you enter your credentials. This is logging in using Enterprise or Windows AD login - NB: I've added appropriate kerberos java options to Data Services Workbench.ini.
Tanks for your awesome blog. What do you mean by


text: This young mother was interested in improving her midsection. She was having a hysterectomy and wanted to have cosmetic surgery to her abdomen at the same time. She was concerned about the area below her belly button. She consulted with Dr. Lapuerta and he recommended a mini tummy tuck to improve her midsection. Since her surgery she has lost 20 pounds and feels great!

domain: health


text:
The Swedes have done it again. First, there’s the huge new catalog with tons of fresh decor for 2019. Next up is IKEA’s limited-edition kids collection that’s all about play. The LUSTIGT collection is a gorgeous roundup of whimsical colors, fresh takes on traditional toys and adventurous new ideas that will keep adults and kids alike entertained.
Here are some of our favorites from IKEA’s intriguing new collection.
Coming with two sides, one in bright colors and the other in white and gray, this dart game knows no bounds. Dart tossing helps improve hand-eye coordination and measuring distance, but the real fun is using your imagination and making up your own rules. Let the fun begin!
Light-Up LED Jump Rope
Night or day, any time is a good time to jump rope. This LED rope lights up when in motion, which means you can use it no matter how early the street lights turn on. Midnight jump roping, anyone?
Let your littles work on hand-eye coordination and fine motor skill development with these new LUSTIGT lacing beads. The wooden beads are perfect for making jewelry and even painting. The kit comes with four colorful laces and several different shaped beads.
Coloring Paper Roll
Never buy another coloring book again when you roll out this 32-foot-long coloring roll! Whimsical black and white drawings are just waiting for your kiddos' artistic expression. And after they've gone to bed, it wouldn't hurt to relieve a little stress by relaxing with some coloring, too!
7-Piece Weaving Loom Set
A weaving loom with four different colors of ribbon, there's no end to what you can create with this craft kit. Your kids' masterpieces await.
Double sided rings, circles and a padded die––we think these are the perfect makings of a DIY game night. Create your own game rules enjoy the simple notion of playing without restriction.
Cardboard boxes with fun designs that are perfect for the imagination? Sign us up! This 24-pack of buildable blocks is perfect for quiet place and stretching your kiddos creative juices.
Wheel of Fortune Game
The wooden Wheel of Fortune from IKEA's LUSTIGT collection is a world of possibilities. Create your own games with prizes and spin your way to fun!
IKEA's origami paper packet comes with 13 colors and three types of shapes to hone your paper-folding skills. Practice this ancient art with your kids and see what you can come up with—you can even give these easy origami paper crafts a try, too.
Tag Game with Vest & Balls
Tag, you're it! The classic kids game has never been more fun then when strapping on this vest and going all out. If we were you, we'd buy one for the whole family!
4-Piece Paint Roller Set
This 4-piece paint roller set is perfect for little or big kids alike. With two unique rollers, your kids can express themselves creatively and without limits (except for maybe not rolling out paint all over the carpet).
It's a cushion in the shape of a hand—and it's the perfect addition to your play room. Because where else can you find a pillow that will give you a high five at the end of the day?
You can find the LUSTIGT collection in IKEA stores starting in October 2018. No word yet if or when the limited-edition collection will be available online.
All Photos: Courtesy of IKEA


Wolves v Slovan Bratislava: Team news and match preview - VIDEO
Watch Joe Edwards and Luke Hatfield preview Wolves' Europa League clash with Slovan Bratislava, as Nuno provides a pre-match update on his side's fitness.
Matt Doherty and Ryan Bennett are ready to face Slovan Bratislava tomorrow – but Morgan Gibbs-White is a doubt.
Doherty has been training properly in the build-up to the game despite limping off with a knee knock at Arsenal last weekend.
And so has Bennett, although he missed the 1-1 draw with the Gunners with a groin problem.
Watch Joe Edwards and Luke Hatfield preview the Europa League clash here:
Gibbs-White was in the squad at the Emirates but has not trained today as he continues to deal with a back problem.
On the teenager, who has started every Europa League group game so far, boss Nuno Espirito Santo said: "He is struggling with the same problem, the lower back pain.
"We decided to keep him inside (today), so let's see for tomorrow."


text:
Dr. Todd Capizzi, MD is a hematology specialist in Denver, CO. Dr. Capizzi completed a residency at Baystate Medical Center. He currently practices at Cypress Hematology & Oncology and is affiliated with Castle Rock Adventist Hospital. He accepts multiple insurance plans. Dr. Capizzi is board certified in Hematology.
Cypress Hematology & Oncology
Denver2555 S Downing St, Denver, CO 80210 Existing Patients: (303) 715-7030
- Baystate Medical Center, Fellowship Hospital
- Baystate Medical Center, Residency Hospital
- University Of Colorado, Internship Hospital
- New York Medical College, Medical School — 2004
- Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- CareFirst Blue Cross Blue Shield
- First Health (Coventry Health Care)
* Please verify this information when scheduling an appointment.
Leave a review
How likely are you to recommend Dr. Capizzi?
I don’t give our 5 stars to anyone. However, Dr Capizzi has earned 5 + stars over and above. His sense of humor and compassion are a wonderful mix that are hard not to be drawn to. All his nurses, staff and caregivers believe in him, trust him and love his sense of humor.
- Castle Rock Adventist Hospital
- Littleton Adventist Hospital
- Parker Adventist Hospital
- Penrose-St. Francis Health Services
- Porter Adventist Hospital
- Sky Ridge Medical Center
- Swedish Medical Center

domain: medical


text:
|Liberty Utilities - Residential and Small Business Energy Efficiency Rebate Program
Liberty Utilities provides a number of general rebate offerings to customers under the company's Residential Firm Service Rate or the Small Firm General Service Rate. Through this program, rebates are available for eligible equipment purchases such as boilers, furnaces, storage water heaters, tankless water heaters and programmable thermostats.
Additionally, owner-occupied residential the Energize Liberty Utilities Homes program. This program offers a comprehensive approach to making energy saving upgrades in existing residences. A home energy audit is required prior to gaining eligibility for this program. Up to $5,000 in rebates are available for measures such as natural gas saving equipment and envelope improvements.
Low-income weatherization programs are also available though Liberty Utilities. See the program web site for additional details.


text:
We have mutiple in-hand reports that the Masters of the WWE Universe figures Wave 6 are showing up in stores. This line is still a Walmart exclusive in the states but Toys R Us Canada already has them. What’s really interesting on that is the fact we are still totally missing Wave 5 figures. Like did they get skipped over or were they on that cargo ship that lost 33% of their cargo? Best explanation is Walmart just can’t stock the shelves. Despite all of that, this line is full of really, really great figures despite being a Walmart hostage.
Let’s go over theses amazing figures, shall we? Goldberg Ram Man great extra armor for making troopers. Ultimate Warrior version 2, this is an almost Captain America-like Ultimate Warrior. With the other figures so amazing in the line it’s really strange to have the Ultimate Warrior be the peg warmer. Kane demonic red machine that almost says it all– he has Trap Jaw Roboto parts on him makes it a totally buy for me. Lastly Stephanie McMahon as a evil sorceress and heir to HHH takes the cake as the best figure in the wave.
So, to say the Wave 6 figures are amazing is an understatement. I was very impressed with Mr. T and Jake the Snake from wave 4. That said, wave 6 blows everything out of the water. Showing Toy Wizards own Loryn Stone the line as I write this she said this about the Stephanie McMahon figure: “I think it is a good line, but that’s the first figure I saw where I need it.”
For me this is the best lineup I have seen both for the figures they have and the multiple opportunities to hot-swap parts. That is one of the great things I keep saying about Masters of the WWE Universe. You can have them as wrestlers or He-Man figures or both or make your own new figures. There is so much value in the line parts and figures. I like them so much not just a as a companion line to Origins but as the incredible adaptability of the line. No listings yet as we still have wave 5 to not find at Walmart before we can not find wave 6. But keep tying I only last week got Mr. T and still holding my breath for a Jerry the King Lawler in wave 7?
Jake The Snake
Rowdy Roddy Piper
Ricky The Dragon Steamboat


text:
Changing How We Budget: Aaron Wildavsky's Perspective
Jones, L R, Journal of Public Budgeting, Accounting & Financial Management
ABSTRACT. This article chronicles the analysis of budget reform initiatives by Aaron Wildavsky and his collaborators. Wildavsky's views remain relevant to contemporary debate about federal budget reform. Initiatives to control spending and improve the use of analysis in budgeting were central to Wildavsky's arguments. While he characterized budgeting as incremental he also favored some comprehensive changes through "radical incrementalism." Wildavsky developed a behavioral theory of budgeting and believed that efforts to seek a normative theory were largely a waste of time. He offered reforms to control the deficit and reduce entitlement spending but understood the incentives that cause Congress and the executive to resist change.
Aaron Wildavsky described and analyzed the dynamics of political behavior and budgetary culture over a period of thirty-two years. He informed us that politics is the art of compromise to produce a budget that distributes dissatisfaction relatively equally to the parties involved in negotiation. Wildavsky demonstrated that incrementalism inevitably results from the necessity for forging compromises over taxing and spending policy in a democratic political system. Incremental change is slow, and it is not bad once you get used to it (Jones and McCaffery, 1994; Wildavsky, 1978). Instead of pursuing radical reform, he cautioned that it is our expectations that need to change. We should neither want nor expect rapid and comprehensive budgetary reform. Still, this conclusion did not prevent Wildavsky from providing plenty of advice on how the budget process should be changed. The following two quotations provide insight into his perspective on budget reform:
A large part of the literature on budgeting in the United States is concerned with reform. The goals of proposed reforms are couched in similar language -- economy, efficiency, improvement, or just better budgeting ... However, any effective change in budgetary relationships must necessarily alter the outcomes of the budgetary process. Otherwise, why bother? Far from being a neutral matter of "better budgeting," proposed reforms inevitably contain important implications for the political system, that is, the "who gets what" of governmental decisions (Wildavsky, 1961: 186).
... [B]udgeting is a subsystem of politics, not visa versa - because of the current tendency to overload budgeting. As much as I respect the importance of budgeting and the talents of budgeteers, to substitute budgeting for governing will not work (Wildavsky, 1992b: 439).
This article documents Wildavsky's views on budget theory, why he believed pursuit of normative theory was a waste of time, and what he objected to in proposals for positive theory. His main contribution was to provide the field with valid descriptive theory. Wildavsky believed that it was far better to comprehend budgeting through observation of the behavior of participants than to speculate over theoretical allocative issues. His theory was assembled on the basis of analyzing what people actually do in competition for resources rather than on classical prescriptions of what they ought to do or what rules they ought to follow. Wildavsky defended many of the classical and normative principles of budgeting but rejected others. Review of his work shows that he disagreed with a number of the principles identified by Howard (1973: 5) and others as necessary criteria for budgeting, including comprehensiveness, unity, exclusiveness and annuality.
Wildavsky concluded early in his career that successful agencies and budget advocates develop and execute planned budgetary strategies. They quantify outputs to the greatest extent possible, tie measures of accomplishment back to the previous year's base, and cultivate relationships with their political sponsors and budget controllers. Agencies that perform these tasks well gain a marginally larger share of the budgetary pie. …


<—- Week 4: Clark – “Mirage Trooper”
Week 6: Thelonious Martin feat. Joey Purp – “Bomaye” —->
Hey everyone. RobBarracuda here, and it’s time to talk about the newest release from the 2016 Adult Swim Singles Program.
This week’s free single is “Short Life” from Brooklyn-based metal band Sannhet. The group’s sound combines elements of shoegaze and black metal, being primarily instrumental and favoring shorter song lengths than their contemporaries, usually about 3-4 minutes in comparison to the lengthier 9-minute musical odysseys of similar acts. While the black metal genre has never really been my thing, I find this song to be solid enough, with the most enjoyable segment being the first half of the song. This is chiefly because of the clarity of the production with the bass guitar and drums coming in very clearly compared to the muddy production usually found in this type of music, although this does dissipate as the second half of the song becomes more typical black metal fare. The song is still decent overall, and if you’re particularly fond of the Deafheaven/Ghost Bath style of post-black metal and have never listened to Sannhet before now, you are going to love “Short Life”. I look forward to whatever comes out next week. You can stream the song below, and you can download it for free right here.


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Here's a few clips of me having a good time while out riding my bike. I edited it to one of my favorite songs from one of my all-time favorite artists (R.I.P. J Dilla).
All filmed in my home city of Riga, Latvia. All Street. Thank you for watching.
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text:
How to Draw Realistic Hair. You just might be wondering "I've mastered realistic bodies, but gosh! How do I do hair?" These simple steps with help you make your creations have realistic hair! After you draw a simple head and shoulders.
The most important thing in life, without a doubt, is to be happy. With that being said, don't overthink your happiness — remaining content is actually incredibly simple. We created a challenge that will make you more cheerful than you've ever bee


text:
ATLANTA — Two deputies were killed Thursday night while serving a warrant in a suburb near Atlanta, and a suspect remained barricaded in a home, authorities said.
The sheriff’s office in Cobb County tweeted initially that the two deputies had “died in the line of duty” and that a SWAT team and other law enforcement officers remained at the scene.
The county sheriff’s office did not release any additional information such as the identities of the officers or the circumstances in which they were killed. It said more information would be released later.
The shooting happened in a Marietta neighborhood, NBC affiliate WXIA reported.
WSB-TV reported that people in the neighborhood nearby reported hearing several gunshots and then seeing law enforcement officers swarm the area.
Authorities did not immediately identify the suspect, and details about the warrant and attempts to serve it were not immediately disclosed.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the state’s top crime-fighting agency, separately said in a tweet that it was sending its condolences to the country sheriff, Craig Owens, and his office for the deaths of the deputies.
Sprawling Cobby County with more than 760,000 people is located just northwest of Atlanta and is one of Georgia’s most populous counties.

domain: news


text:
The Hills: New Beginnings showed Brody Jenner living the married life with Kaitlynn Carter. They were also open about some of their problems with their marriage.
Now it’s being reported that they have split up and they weren’t legally married. Find out the reason behind the split and more about their marriage.
Brody Jenner and Kaitlynn Carter got married in 2018
The couple got hitched on the island of Nihi Sumba in June 2018. Jenner revealed that his famous father, Caitlyn didn’t go to the ceremony.
“Not having my dad at the wedding, it was a bummer,” the reality star said on the show. “Honestly, it really did hurt and I would have loved to have had her there,” he admitted. “But she had better things to do. Apparently.”
Carter revealed that they weren’t given much notice that she wouldn’t be there either. “Right before our wedding, Brody’s dad canceled on coming to the wedding, like a week before,” said Carter. “Brody really just kind of brushed it off, but he has to have felt something. But he doesn’t express it.”
They weren’t getting along on the show
It’s hard to say what’s real or fake when it comes to reality TV. However, the couple was seen not getting along on the show.
Carter decided to evacuate during the Woosley fire while Jenner stayed in their home. She also found out that he was claiming they were in an “open relationship.”
Carter was seen confronting Jenner about getting a lap dance from another woman in the club. “You said to her last night that we had an open relationship,” she said. He responded, “We’re not talking about this anymore.”
They reportedly broke up
Jenner and Carter reportedly broke up, according to Page Six. Despite them getting married in Bali, a source claims they weren’t legally married. They also have reportedly been separated for some time.
Entertainment Tonight also claims to have a source that knows about their marital situation. “They never did it in the U.S., so it wasn’t legal. But they had a wedding in Indonesia,” said the insider.
What led to their breakup? Carter reportedly wanted to have a baby and a legal marriage. Jenner reportedly didn’t want those things.
He talked openly about not wanting kids on the show. “While I don’t have kids,” Jenner said “I’m gonna pretty much do what I wanna do and live for myself, as opposed to live for another human being. I think that’s why she wants kids, she wants me to change in that way.”
The Hills: New Beginnings will be returning for another season. It’s unknown who will return, but if Jenner does we might see what life will be like for him after their split. Jenner and Carter have yet to make an official statement about the news.


CINCINNATI (AP) - The Cincinnati Bengals on Wednesday hired as
linebackers coach Jeff FitzGerald, who's had that role at Baltimore
the last three seasons.
FitzGerald follows former Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator
Mike Zimmer to the Bengals as coach Marvin Lewis works on a defense
that has struggled while the Bengals missed the playoffs the last
Four Ravens linebackers - Ray Lewis, Bart Scott, Terrell Suggs
and Adalius Thomas - were named to the 2006 Pro Bowl and the Ravens
have been among the top NFL teams on defense. Last season, the
Ravens defense ranked second against the run (79.3 yards per game)
and sixth in overall defense (301.6 yards per game).
The Bengals, who fired defensive coordinator Chuck Bresnahan and
linebackers coach Ricky Hunley after a 7-9 season, were 27th in
yards allowed and gave up 385 points.
FitzGerald, native of Burbank, Calif., played linebacker at
Oregon State and began his coaching career as a graduate assistant
at the University of Cincinnati. The 15-year NFL coach also has
coached for Tampa Bay, Washington and Arizona.
He joined the Ravens in 2004 as outside linebackers coach and
moved up to linebackers coach in 2005.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)