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Almost a month ago now we had our 'make a Bronze Age beaker' workshop at the Old Abbey Taphouse.
The two beakers above were produced by Nacho as examples for us to follow. The first has dried and is ready for firing, the second has been fired. The following photos show the coiling process discussed in the previous post. A flattened digestive biscuit sized base is produced and the the sausage like coils are then built up.
As the coils are built up they are systematically blended together on the outside and inside to bind together and form the walls of the vessel. As you can see from the photographs, a range of approximately Bronze Age shapes emerged from this process.
Once we had produced our Bronze Age pots the next stage was to decorate the walls with designs copied from archaeological examples. We first of all practised upon 2D shapes before going onto the pots directly.
In the photograph below Nacho is showing how nettle cordage can be used to produce patterning on the pots.
As I have said before, the end results are not just the finished vessels, but also the experience of the people taking part in the process.
As ever, thanks to Pete Yankowski for the photographs: https://peteryankowski.co.uk/


text:
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text:
This invention would be of interest to industries dealing with the application of perovskite oxide materials, including solid oxide fuel and electrolysis cells, catalysts for thermochemical splitting of water and carbon dioxide, oxygen permeation membranes and chemical looping, batteries, and magnetic and catalytic devices.
Primary tabs
Problem Addressed
Existing solid oxide fuel cells and electrolysis cells (SOFC, SOEC) have proven that the surface of such perovskite oxides are not stable. These surfaces undergo segregation and phase separation of dopant oxides at and above 400 degrees Celsius. The degradation of the chemical surface is harshly detrimental due to the consequent formation of a layer that blocks charge transfer. Choosing suitable dopants will therefore hinder the secondary phase segregation. This technology prevents elastic and electrostatic interactions, the key driving forces behind dopant segregation, by using a suitable surface additive cation that decreases the surface oxygen vacancy concentration at the surface.
Perovskite oxides can be stabilized through the application of a thin film of oxidizing metal ions on the material's surface. The size mismatch, between the dopant and host cations and the associated elastic energy minimization push the larger or smaller dopants to free surface or interfaces. In addition, oxygen vacancies and the net positive charge at the surface of perovskite oxides drive the negatively charged dopants in the form of point defects to the surface. To minimize the electrostatic interactions that drive dopant segregation, this technology decreases the amount of the oxygen vacancies that can be equilibrated at the material surface. The surface positive charge is then reduced by putting more oxidizing metal cations at the surface, which lessens the amount of oxygen vacancies present, and thus, the electrostatic attraction of the dopants to the surface is weakened. By choosing a suitable surface additive cation, the stability of the perovskite oxide surface could be improved and the final surface oxygen exchange reaction coefficient is increased up to 30 times.
- Minimizes or completely avoids segregation and phase separation of dopant cations at the surface
- Improves chemical stability
- Able to function at temperatures above 300 degrees Celsius
- Improves surface charge transfer properties


text:
69 FR 42 pgs. 10077-10079 - Experimental Mail Classification Case
Type: NOTICEVolume: 69Number: 42Pages: 10077 - 10079
Docket number: [Docket No. MC2004-1; Order No. 1392]
FR document: [FR Doc. 04-4769 Filed 3-2-04; 8:45 am]
Agency: Postal Rate Commission
Official PDF Version: PDF Version
[Docket No. MC2004-1; Order No. 1392]
Experimental Mail Classification Case
Postal Rate Commission.
Notice and order on new experimental docket.
This document provides notice of a Postal Service request for several changes affecting Periodicals mailers. It also addresses related preliminary procedural matters, including authorization of settlement discussions. One proposal would extend alternative experimental discounts to co-palletized, dropshipped Periodicals publications exhibiting a relatively heavy-weight, high-editorial, small-circulation profile. Another proposal would extend the expiration date of the current Periodicals co-palletization experiment, thereby establishing coinciding expiration dates. A third proposal would allow sample copies of Periodicals publications to be mailed with parcels at Parcel Post or Bound Printed Matter rates. Publication of this notice will allow interested parties to determine their position on the Postal Service's request.
1. March 17, 2004: deadline for intervention.
2. March 19, 2004: deadline for (a) answers to Postal Service motion for waiver, and (b) comments on Postal Service request for experimental treatment.
3. March 18-19 and March 22-23, 2004: settlement conferences (as needed).
4. March 25, 2004: prehearing conference at 10 a.m.
Submit documents electronically via the Commission's Filing Online system at http://www.prc.gov.
Stephen L. Sharfman, General Counsel, 202-789-6818.
Regulatory History
See 67 FR 62993 (October 9, 2002).
On February 25, 2004, the United States Postal Service filed a request seeking a recommended decision from the Postal Rate Commission approving an experimental mail classification, along with related discounts, for certain high-editorial, heavy-weight, small-circulation Periodicals mail that is co-palletized and dropshipped.1The Request further proposes a modification to the expiration date of the Periodicals co-palletization dropship discounts experiment recommended in Docket No. MC2002-3 such that the expiration date for that experiment and the recommended expiration date for the instant request for experiment expire on the same date. The Request also includes a request for a minor classification change to Domestic Mail Classification Schedule (DMCS) § 511, which proposes to allow sample copies of periodicals to be mailed with parcels using Parcel Post or Bound Printed Matter rates. This request is unrelated to the request for experiment. The Request, which includes six attachments, was filed pursuant to chapter 36 of the Postal Reorganization Act, 39 U.S.C. 3601 et seq. 2
1 Request of the United States Postal Service for a Recommended Decision on Experimental Periodicals Co-Palletization Dropship Discounts for High-Editorial, Heavy-Weight, Small-Circulation Publications, February 25, 2004 (Request).
2 Attachments A and B to the Request contain proposed changes to the Domestic Mail Classification Schedule and the associated rate and fee schedules; Attachment C references the United States Certified Financial Statements for the Years Ended September 30, 2003, and September 30, 2002; Attachment D is the certification required by Commission rule 54(p); Attachment E is an index of testimony and exhibits; and Attachment F is a compliance statement addressing satisfaction of various filing requirements.
In contemporaneous filings, the Service asks for waiver of certain standard filing requirements (if the Commission deems such waiver is required),3and seeks expedited consideration of its proposal, including establishment of procedures for settlement.4The Service's request for expedition is in addition to that generally available under the Commission's experimental rules (39 CFR 3001.67-3001.67d). The Service's Request, the accompanying testimony of witness Taufique (USPS-T-1), and other related material are available for inspection in the Commission's docket section during regular business hours. They also can be accessed electronically, via the Internet, on the Commission's Web site ( http://www.prc.gov ).
3 Statement of the United States Postal Service Concerning Compliance with Filing Requirements and Conditional Motion for Waiver, February 25, 2004 (Motion for Waiver).
4 United States Postal Service Request for Expedition and Establishment of Settlement Procedures, February 25, 2004 (Request for Expedition).
I. The Service Characterizes Its Proposal as a Logical Extension of the Co-Palletization Discounts Recommended in Docket No. MC2002-3 to Mailers of Certain High-Editorial, Heavy-Weight, Small-Circulation Periodicals Mail That Is Co-Palletized and Dropshipped
Docket No. MC2002-3 established experimental co-palletization dropship per-piece discounts for Periodicals that allow mailers to combine different publications or print runs on pallets with the objective of moving certain Periodicals mail from sacks to pallets, and to encourage mailers to dropship closer to final destination. Although the Postal Service asserts that these discounts have begun to generate a significant amount of co-palletization, the discounts do not provide an effective incentive for mailers of low-circulation, heavy, high-editorial publications to co-palletize their mail.
To encourage mailers of high-editorial, heavy-weight, small-circulation Periodicals mail to co-palletize and dropship closer to final destination, the Postal Service proposes conducting a two-year experiment to test discounts for certain Periodicals mail that is co-palletized and dropshipped to either an area distribution center (ADC) or a sectional center facility (SCF). The discounts would apply exclusively to publications with advertising content of 15 percent or less, copy weight of 9 ounces or more, and circulation of 75,000 pieces or less (including all editions, issues and supplemental mailings). The proposed discounts range from $0.008 to $0.131 per editorial content pound. The amount of discount is proposed to be based on the number of zones skipped as a result of co-palletization and dropshipping, and whether the mail is entered at an ADC or a SCF. The discounts would be available only as an alternative to the existing co-palletization discounts. Request at 1-4. The discounts were developed using the advertising pound rates used in Docket No. R2001-1 and the general methodology used in Docket No. MC2002-3. USPS-T-1 at 12-14. A conservative passthrough of 30 percent of estimated cost savings is proposed. Id. at 16. The proposed discounts leave existing Periodicals classifications and rates otherwise unchanged.
Experimental designation. The Service seeks consideration of its proposal under the Commission's experimental rules (rules 67-67d). In support of this approach, it notes that it currently lacks data about how much response there will be to a rate incentive for co-palletization focused on high-editorial, heavy-weight, small-circulation publications, but intends to gather more complete data during the proposed term of the experiment. It says this effort may support a request for a permanent classification. The Service proposes that the experimental classification be in effect for two years, but also seeks approval of a provision that would allow for a brief extension if permanent classification authority is sought while the experiment is pending. Request at 4-5.
The Service contends that the expedition allowed under the experimental rules is appropriate in light of the interest in promoting efficiency in Periodicals operations as soon as possible. It also states that flexibility is required because the detailed, conventional data necessary to support a request for a permanent classification are currently unavailable. The Service believes that this proposal will be attractive to mailers, contribute to the long-term viability of the postal system, and further the general policies of efficient postal operations and reasonable rates and fees enunciated in the Postal Reorganization Act, including 39 U.S.C. 3622(b) and 3623(c). Id. at 6.
II. The Service Seeks Waiver of Certain Filing Requirements, if Deemed Necessary
The Service maintains that its filing satisfies applicable Commission filing requirements, but seeks waiver of pertinent provisions of rules 54, 64 and 67 to the extent the Commission concludes otherwise. In support of its primary position, the Service contends that its Compliance Statement (Attachment F to the Request) addresses each filing requirement and indicates which parts of the filing satisfy each rule. It also notes that it has incorporated by reference pertinent documentation from the recent omnibus rate case (Docket No. R2001-1). The Service contends, among other things, that the rate case documentation satisfies most filing requirements because the proposed discounts will not materially alter the rates, fees and classifications established in that docket, and therefore will have only a limited impact on overall postal costs, volumes and revenues. It also asserts that there is substantial overlap between information sought in the general filing requirements and the materials provided in Docket No. R2001-1. Motion for Waiver at 1-4.
However, if the Commission concludes that the materials from the omnibus case are not sufficient to satisfy the requirements, the Service contends strict compliance is not warranted, and seeks waiver. It cites the reasons expressed in support of its general position on the adequacy of its filing; the nature of the proposed experiment; and the small impact on total costs and revenues and on the costs, volumes and revenues of mail categories. Id. at 4-5. Responses to the Service's Motion for Waiver are due by March 19, 2004.
III. The Service Seeks Expedition and Suggests Several Specific Procedures, Including Prompt Establishment of Settlement Procedures
In support of expedition, the Service asserts that the proposed change is straightforward; limited in scope and duration; and insignificant in terms of its effect on overall volumes, revenues and costs. It also states that there is a distinct possibility of settlement in this case. Request for Expedition at 1-2.
The Service does not propose a specific schedule, but identifies four procedures the Commission could employ to facilitate a quick resolution of this case. These include setting a relatively short intervention period and requiring participants to identify, in their notices of intervention, whether they intend to seek a hearing and to identify any genuine issues of material fact that would warrant such a hearing. They also include scheduling a settlement conference as quickly as possible following the deadline for intervention; abbreviating the time allotted for discovery on the Postal Service's direct case, including limiting the related time for responses, objections, and motions; and, considering the possibility of dispensing with briefs and oral argument. Id. at 2-3.
IV. Commission Response
Appropriateness of proceeding under the experimental rules. For administrative purposes, the Commission has docketed the instant filing as an experimental case. Formal status as an experiment under Commission rules 67-67d is based on an evaluation of factors such as the proposal's novelty, magnitude, ease or difficulty of data collection, and duration. A final determination regarding the appropriateness of the experimental designation and application of Commission rules 67-67d will not be made until participants have had an adequate opportunity to comment. Participants are invited to file comments on this matter by March 19, 2004.
Appropriateness of establishing other expedited procedures. The Commission grants the Service's Request for Expedition to the extent of authorizing settlement procedures; allowing a shorter-than-usual period for intervention; and requiring participants, in their notices of intervention, to state whether they intend to seek a hearing and to identify with particularity any genuine issues of material fact that would warrant a hearing. Decisions on other expedited procedures, such as limiting discovery time limits, will be made at a later time.
Settlement. The Commission authorizes settlement negotiations in this proceeding. It appoints Postal Service counsel as settlement coordinator. In this capacity, counsel for the Service shall file periodic reports on the status of settlement discussions. The Commission authorizes the settlement coordinator to hold settlement conferences on March 18, 19, 22, or 23, 2004, in the Commission's hearing room. Authorization of settlement discussions does not constitute a finding on the proposal's experimental status or on the need for a hearing.
Representation of the general public. In conformance with section 3624(a) of title 39, the Commission designates Shelley S. Dreifuss, director of the Commission's Office of the Consumer Advocate (OCA), to represent the interests of the general public in this proceeding. Pursuant to this designation, Ms. Dreifuss will direct the activities of Commission personnel assigned to assist her and, upon request, will supply their names for the record. Neither Ms. Dreifuss nor any of the assigned personnel will participate in or provide advice on any Commission decision in this proceeding.
Intervention; need for hearing. Those wishing to be heard in this matter are directed to file a written notice of intervention with Steven W. Williams, Secretary of the Commission, 1333 H Street, NW., Suite 300, Washington, DC 20268-0001, on or before March 17, 2004. Notices should indicate whether participation will be on a full or limited basis. See 39 CFR 3001-20 and 3001-20a. No decision has been made at this point on whether a hearing will be held in this case. To assist the Commission in making this decision, participants are directed to indicate, in their notices of intervention, whether they seek a hearing and, if so, to identify with particularity any genuine issues of material facts believed to warrant such a hearing.
Prehearing conference. A prehearing conference will be held March 25, 2004, at 10 a.m. in the Commission's hearing room. Participants shall be prepared to address matters referred to in this ruling.
Ordering Paragraphs
It is ordered:
1. The Commission establishes Docket No. MC2004-1, Experimental Periodicals Co-Palletization Dropship Discounts For High Editorial Publications to consider the Postal Service Request referred to in the body of this order.
2. The Commission will sit en banc in this proceeding.
3. The deadline for filing notices of intervention is March 17, 2004.
4. Notices of intervention shall indicate whether the participant seeks a hearing and identify with particularity any genuine issues of material fact that warrant a hearing.
5. The deadline for answers to the Motion of United States Postal Service for Waiver is March 19, 2004.
6. The deadline for comments on the Postal Service's request for treatment under Commission rules 67-67d is March 19, 2004.
7. The Commission will make its hearing room available for settlement conferences on March 18, 19, 22, or 23, 2004, at such times as deemed necessary by the settlement coordinator.
8. Postal Service counsel is appointed to serve as settlement coordinator in this proceeding.
9. The Postal Service's Request for Expedition is granted to the extent of allowing a shorter-than-usual intervention period, allowing settlement discussions, and requiring participants' interest in a hearing to be identified in the notice of intervention.
10. A prehearing conference will be held Thursday, March 25, 2004, at 10 a.m. in the Commission's hearing room.
11. Shelley S. Dreifuss, director of the Commission's Office of the Consumer Advocate, is designated to represent the interests of the general public.
12. The Secretary shall arrange for publication of this notice and order in the Federal Register .
By the Commission.
Issued: February 27, 2004.
Steven W. Williams,
[FR Doc. 04-4769 Filed 3-2-04; 8:45 am]


text:
Rihanna Reveals Why She & Chris Brown Broke Up: I Reminded Him Of 'Bad Moments'
This is very intense. Rihanna is opening up about her tumultuous relationship with Chris Brown like she never has before, even explaining the real reason they broke up. Honestly, what she has to say might just break your heart.
Though they broke up for good more than two years ago, we all still remember that Rihanna, 27, and Chris Brown, 26, had one of the most volatile Hollywood relationships of all time. Both have seemingly come a long way since their shared days as a couple, which means they are now are able to reflect. Specifically, RiRi is discussing why she believes their relationship was doomed, and why she reminded Chris of the "bad moments" in his life. To hear more about Chris Brown and Rihanna, head over to iTunes and download the latest HollywoodLife podcast for free!
Click to buy Bitch Better Have My Money [Explicit] on Amazon
"I was that girl," Rihanna told Vanity Fair, about her decision to get back together with Chris for the second time, asking the court to lift the restraining order against him. "That girl who felt that as much pain as this relationship is, maybe some people are just stronger than others. Maybe I'm one of those people built to handle s–t like this," she added.
So upsetting, right? The interview gets even more heart wrenching, though, as Rihanna is asked whether she thought she could change Chris. "A hundred percent" she responded. "I was very protective of him. I felt that people didn't understand him. Ever after…. But you know, you realize after a while that in that situation you're the enemy. You want the best for them, but if you remind them of their failures, or if you remind them of bad moments in their life, or even if you say I'm willing to put up with something, they think less of you– because they know you don't deserve what they're going to give."
Wow, some very heavy stuff. We are so glad Rihanna seems to be in a place where she can reflect on her past and use it to better her present and future.
What do you think of Rihanna's thoughts on she and Chris' breakup?
— Casey Mink


text: "You talkin' to me? You talkin' to me? You talkin' to me?" That is what I thought when Larry Levitt asked the question, "Will we get the 60 year old gym rats?" over at Wonkblog. He went on to make the point that the "health mix of ACA enrollment is much more important than the age mix". His comment hit home since my wife and I turn 60 this year and probably qualify as gym rats. Her gym is riding horses while my gym is spread between riding, calisthenics, and running. Since I make most of the meals from scratch, we eat healthy. The last time we checked our cholesterol it was good. It is not surprising that we rarely go to the doctor. As I have said before, we are the perfect customer for an insurance company. Considering that we would pay two to three times what a millennial would pay for their health insurance on the exchange, the 60 year old gym rat is an important marketing segment to get right. What is amazing is that the health wonks have finally realized that they should not chase off their best customers if they want the exchanges to work! The Affordable Care Act supporters have arrogantly declared for some time that healthy people do not matter. It was a trade off the Affordable Care Act supporters were willing to make if they could extend health insurance to more people. Now they are getting nervous. They need a lot of people who are paying more than they are taking out for this scheme to work. They committed a massive marketing faux pas and are beginning to realize that people like me continue to look at health insurance as a financial decision that is not much different than the decisions we make for auto or home insurance. If you want us to buy then you must use a different marketing strategy than you would use for a person with a pre-existing condition. If you want the exchanges to work, you have to at least act like you are talking to me. They failed marketing 101. In our case the prices for health insurance on the exchanges tell us to opt out. If you want my business, show me the money!


text:
- Did you mean
- site ocamm file image events composter pdf
Search results
OSU Extension Hires Garth Ruff, Field Specialist, Beef Cattle
https://extension.osu.edu/sites/ext/files/imce/About_docs/OSU%20Extension%20beef%20field%20 ... specialist%20annc-3Aug20.pdf_blank Marquee Slide Scarlet Marquee ...
OSU Extension Excellence in Extension Award 2019 Recipient
below. https://extension.osu.edu/sites/ext/files/imce/AnnualConference/OSU%20Extension%20Excellence%20in ... View the press release announcing the 2019 recipient of the ESP Excellence in Extension Award ... %20Extension%20Award%202019%20Recipient.pdf_blank Marquee Slide Scarlet Marquee ...
OSU Extension Friend of Extension Award 2019 Recipients
below. https://extension.osu.edu/sites/ext/files/imce/OSU%20Extension%20Friend%20of%20Extension%20Award ... View the press release announcing the 2019 recipients of the Ohio JCEP Friend of Extension Award ... %202019%20Recipients.pdf_blank Marquee Slide Gray Marquee ...
Starting a 4-H Teen Leader Group
ohio4h.org/sites/ohio4h/files/imce/volunteers/Club%20Meeting%20Wheel.pdf), to determine how meetings will be designed with business, committee work, program, recreation, and ... Retrieved from ohio4h.org/sites/ohio4h/files/imce/volunteers/Club%20Meeting%20Wheel.pdf Ramey, H.L., ... nifa.usda.gov/sites/default/files/resource/Essential_Elements.pdf Akiva, T., Cortina, K. S., & Smith, C. (2014). Involving youth in program decision-making: ...
COVID-19 Resources and Best Practices
– Curricular Integration of iPad Technology https://digitalflagship.osu.edu/sites/default/files/2018 ... their iPads or laptops at appointments for note taking and file sharing of documents ... https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/colleges-universities/index.html Ohio- Responsible RestartOhio- Institutions of Higher Education ...
Event Space Reservations- AU20 & COVID-19
://activities.osu.edu/posts/documents/guidance-for-student-organizations-20-21-updated-july-13-2020.pdf KEY CONSIDERATIONS FOR HOSTING EVENTS/IN-PERSON PROGRAMS from Dean ... The University emphasizes on the Safe and Healthy Buckeyes website that "Virtual events ... priority." On the Safe and Healthy Buckeyes website, the University continues on to say, "If an event ...
Seasoned Cooking Magazine Archive
Newsletter Archive Click on any of the links below to find a PDF version of each Seasoned ... exercises, and fun games about food, nutrition, food safety, and health. Volume 9: Soups (PDF) We are huge ... Salads (PDF) This time, we've got a couple of salads—because salads are easy to make, very tasty, and of ...
USDA Summer Food Service Program
meals. You can find a meal site in your area via three easy options: Text "Food" or "Comida" to 877-877 ... at a site near you! Spread the word to family, friends, and neighbors! ...
Meet Ashlee Balcerzak: Paving the Road to a Career in Higher Education
of 2019. Ashlee's path to attending The Ohio State University started quite young; in fact, it began ... Together, they would attend events like Farm Science Review, a congressional tour of Ohio State's Wooster ... campus, and internal Ohio State events such as faculty planning meetings. "With a wide range of events ...
ChopChop Kids Club Newsletter Archive
Newsletter Archive Click on any of the links below to find a PDF version of each ChopChop Kids ... health. Volume 19: Watermelon (PDF) This week we're cooking with watermelon. Okay, we're not actually ... more inside. Volume 18: Pasta (PDF) This week we're cooking pasta. Do you have pasta night at ...


text: Back to all posts Live Broadcasts On Periscope! Live in the now. Get the new app and follow Mike for LIVE streams of rehearsals, shows, new songs, q&a sessions, and more! Or follow him on twitter to be alerted when something new is happening! Leave a comment Add comment Please log in or register to include your contact info. Edit profile Log out * Name * Location * Comment Add comment


text:
Last week, we discussed the evidence on using exercise to treat depression. This week, there is a new review on the benefits of exercise – this time to treat heart disease.
The review – written by researchers at Stanford and Harvard universities and published in the British Medical Journal – was the largest of its kind on exercise and heart disease. It combined data from more than 300 studies with nearly 340,000 participants.
Its main conclusions are striking: It found that exercise and drug treatment were statistically equivalent in their effects on heart disease and prediabetes. And exercise was more effective among patients recovering from strokes. Essentially, exercise treatment worked just as well as prescription medicines for treating heart disease, and better than prescription medicines for treating stroke patients.
The review included studies that tested a wide variety of medicines including statins and beta blockers for coronary heart disease; anticoagulants and antiplatelets for stroke; and diuretics and beta blockers for heart failure.
"In cases where drug options provide only modest benefit, patients deserve to understand the relative impact that physical activity might have on their condition," the authors wrote. "Exercise interventions should therefore be considered as a viable alternative to, or, alongside, drug therapy."
The authors did note some limitations in their data. The definition of exercise and the frequency, intensity and duration varied across the included trials, which limits the ability to generalize the findings to different forms of physical activity.
That said, the take home message for this topic is clear: Get moving! It's the best way to protect against and treat cardiovascular disease.


text:
NASA has reopened sections of the International Space Station (ISS) sealed off after what has now been confirmed to be a false alarm over an ammonia leak.
The US agency confirmed midday Wednesday, Pacific Time, that the crew had been cleared to reenter the American-built wing of the orbiting lab, and that no evidence of any contamination was found. A computer part had cocked up, and power cycling the thing ended the drama, we're told.
The astronauts had been ordered to leave and seal off the US-run part of the research station due to an apparent leak of dangerous gas from coolant pipes. The crew moved to the Russian section of the station while the lab's software shut down the cooling system.
While NASA had said early on that it believed the incident to be a false alarm, it warned that the closed portion could be sealed off for some time however, the 'nauts are now free to move and work around the whole station.
"The alarms this morning that initiated the movement of the crew out of the U.S. segment are suspected to have been caused by a transient error message in one of the station's computer relay systems, called a multiplexer-demultiplexer," the agency said.
"A subsequent action to turn that relay box off and back on cleared the error message and the relay box is reported by flight controllers to be in good operating condition."
While there is no longer thought to be any risk of danger, NASA said the crew will continue to wear protective masks throughout the day as it brings the cooling system back online and runs tests.
NASA said that it expects to resume normal research operations at the station tomorrow. ®


text:
TIPPERARY HAVE CONFIRMED that 2016 All-Ireland winning captain Brendan Maher tore his cruciate in last Sunday week's clash against Clare.
Maher suffered the injury to his right knee towards the end of the tie in Semple Stadium and was helped off in the 68th minute.
Tipperary ultimately lost the game by two points and that scuppered their hopes of qualifying for the All-Ireland series from this year's Munster round-robin ties.
The Borris-Ileigh man will undergo surgery next month and is targeting a return to action early next year.
The 29-year-old had been one of Tipperary's leading performers this season, claiming the man-of-the-match award as they came back to claim a dramatic draw against Waterford, the week before the loss to Clare.
Maher has won two All-Ireland senior hurling medals with Tipperary in 2010 and 2016, along with claiming five Munster senior medals.
In 2007, he captained Tipperary to All-Ireland minor hurling glory and picked up an U21 accolade three years later.
While Tipperary's 2018 campaign has come to an end, Maher's absence will be keenly felt by his club Borris-Ileigh as he was a key component in their route to last year's county senior hurling final.
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Derek McGrath: 'I will give myself some time, I don't have a story for you today on it'
Do you agree with The Sunday Game's man-of-the-match winners?


text:
During the early 2000s women used to love wearing anything that would make sure to highlight their curves. Tube dresses and tight blouses were among the most favorite pieces, which were coveted by many women. But, nowadays things have changed in the opposite way. Today is all about going XXL, and by that we do not mean by wearing only an oversized blouse that can be perfectly matched with a tight skirt or pair of jeans.
If you did pay close attention to the presentation of the fall/winter 2018 collections, you might have noticed models walking on the most famous catwalks in huge jackets, XXL coats, puffer coats, etc. The puffer the coat the better it is and that is what designers have been telling us for a few years now. The more you go XXL, the more you are following the latest fashion trends, especially this season.
Well, it is not a bad idea getting an oversized coat, which won't let the cold catch you at all.


text:
Jewcy Interviews: 'Say Something Bunny!'
By Gabriela Geselowitz October 9, 2017
A conversation with theatre artist Alison SM Kobayashi. Read More
Get Ready for the Revival of a Musical You've Probably Never Heard of From the Author of 'Fiddler'
By Gabriela Geselowitz September 1, 2017
'Rags' closed in 1986 after just four performances. But it's coming to Connecticut's Goodspeed Opera House. Read More
Mazal Tov! It's More Camp Ramah Alumni on Broadway!
By Gabriela Geselowitz August 9, 2017
Another reason to rejoice: A Mizrahi Jew playing one on stage Read More
Three Camp Ramah Alums Now Have Leading Roles on Broadway. What's in the Bug Juice?
By Gabriela Geselowitz July 31, 2017
Turns out that singing in Hebrew in front of your peers may be the ticket to superstardom Read More
'Angels in America,' Featuring Trump's Mentor Roy Cohn, Captures the National Mood
By Arielle Davinger July 26, 2017
The seminal play is having a moment, on stages around the world and in the Oval Office. Read More
New Play Goes Inside the Mind of Peeping Tom Rabbi Barry Freundel
By Sophie Aroesty July 19, 2017
Why did he do it? One playwright believes it's an extreme case of something we all do: lying to ourselves. Read More
A New Ballet Matches Jewish Jewliet with Nazi Romeo
By B. Lana Guggenheim July 7, 2017
It's as terrible and offensive as it sounds. Read More
'A Doll's House, Part 2' and Agunot
By Gabriela Geselowitz June 30, 2017
The play isn't about Jews. But it could be! Read More


text:
KAHULUI (HawaiiNewsNow) - Two suspects are on the run Wednesday night after allegedly holding a woman at Gun point on Maui.
According to Maui Police, they say a man used a gun to demand a 55-year-old woman hand over her purse. It happened just before 1 p.m. at the Queen Kaahumanu Shopping Center in Kahului.
Police say he and a woman then took the purse and fled down a parking structure staircase near Macy's.
Police responded and combed the area, but they were unable to locate the suspects.
MPD says the suspects are both in their 30s or 40s.
Police were unable to provide images of the suspects, but they provided the following descriptions:
The man is described as about 6-feet-tall, with short black hair and brown eyes. He was wearing a light blue t-shirt and brown surf shorts with a yellow logo on the left front leg and slippers.
The female is about 5-feet 10-inches with black hair and brown eyes. She was wearing a light blue shirt, jeans and slippers and had her hair in a pony tail.
MPD warns not to approach these suspects. If you see them or have any tips related to the incident, you're asked to call Maui Police at 244-6400 or Crime Stoppers at 242-6966.
Copyright 2019 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.


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Whatever your reason or need, please join us for an amazing session of Yoga Nidra at Bliss Yoga Studio—your heart (and your entire body) will thank you!
Yoga Nidra is a soothing guided meditation that is extremely restorative for the body. Be prepared to experience profound and effortless relaxation while in a state of conscious deep sleep. You'll be guided through a series of steps that will make it simple and much easier to relax than in a typical meditation session. Please dress comfortably—preferably in layers, and feel free to bring a pillow.
Yoga Nidra Benefits:


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What is STOP Ransomware
STOP Ransomware is computer virus-extortioner, with a global impact. It was developed by cyber-racketeers to blackmail users worldwide. Malware blocks access to user's documents, photos, databases, music, mail, archives by encrypting them with AES encryption algorithm and demands ransom: from $490 to $980 in BitCoins. The modification of the virus, that we are investigating now adds .novasof, .bopador, .todar or .dodoc extensions to affected files and has many other characteristic signs. For example, all latest versions of STOP Ransomware use _readme.txt ransom note file with typical message. The particular version under research today, uses following e-mail addresses: firstname.lastname@example.com and email@example.com. Here are the contents of the file it creates on the desktop and in the folders with encrypted files:
Don't worry, you can return all your files!
All your files like photos, databases, documents and other important are encrypted with strongest encryption and unique key.
The only method of recovering files is to purchase decrypt tool and unique key for you.
This software will decrypt all your encrypted files.
What guarantees you have?
You can send one of your encrypted file from your PC and we decrypt it for free.
But we can decrypt only 1 file for free. File must not contain valuable information.
You can get and look video overview decrypt tool:
Price of private key and decrypt software is $980.
Discount 50% available if you contact us first 72 hours, that's price for you is $490.
Please note that you'll never restore your data without payment.
Check your e-mail "Spam" or "Junk" folder if you don't get answer more than 6 hours.
To get this software you need write on our e-mail:
Reserve e-mail address to contact us:
Our Telegram account:
Your personal ID:
Developers of STOP Ransomware promise to send decryption tool in exchange for $980 (or for $490, if the ransom is paid within 72 hours). There is no reason to trust the hackers and succumb to intimidation. There is a chance to return your data and decrypt .novasof, .bopador, .todar or .dodoc files without paying the ransom. You need to remove malware from your computer using one of the certified tools provided in the article. Then you can attempt to decrypt files using STOPDecrypter or by manual instructions, described below. Often users successfully recover some information using file recovery software, and we found one of the best tools available on the market and prepared an easy tutorial below. In case all methods failed for you we recommend keeping and storing all affected files with help of CryptoSearch utility until there will be way to restore them. Read this guide carefully to remove STOP Ransomware and decrypt .novasof, .bopador, .todar or .dodoc files in Windows 10, Windows 8 and Windows 7.
- Download STOP (DJVU) Ransomware Removal Tool
- Get decryption tool for .novasof, .bopador, .todar or .dodoc files
- Recover encrypted files with Stellar Data Recovery Professional
- Restore encrypted files with Windows Previous Versions
- Restore files with Shadow Explorer
- How to protect from threats like STOP Ransomware
How STOP Ransomware infected your PC
Virus modifies "hosts" file to block Windows updates, downloading antivirus programs, and visiting sites related to security news or offering security solutions. STOP Ransomware comes along with AZORult trojan, that was initially created to steal logins and passwords. The process of infection also looks like installing Windows updates, the malware shows a fake window, that mimics update process.
It uses rdpclip.exe to replace a legal Windows file and to launch an attack on a computer network. After encrypting the files, the encrypter is deleted using the delself.bat command file. STOP Ransomware virus is propagated via spam attack with malicious e-mail attachments and using manual PC hacking. Can be distributed by hacking through an unprotected RDP configuration, fraudulent downloads, exploits, web injections, fake updates, repackaged and infected installers. Virus assigns certain ID with the victims, that is used to name those files and supposedly to send decryption key. Great tools to protect against STOP Ransomware are: Emsisoft Anti-Malware and Malwarebytes Anti-Malware.
Download STOP Ransomware Removal Tool
To remove STOP Ransomware completely, we recommend you to use WiperSoft AntiSpyware from WiperSoft. It detects and removes all files, folders and registry keys of STOP Ransomware and prevents future infections by similar viruses.
Alternative Removal Tool
To remove STOP Ransomware completely, we recommend you to use SpyHunter 5 from EnigmaSoft Limited. It detects and removes all files, folders and registry keys of STOP Ransomware. The trial version of SpyHunter 5 offers virus scan and 1-time removal for FREE.
How to remove STOP Ransomware manually
It is not recommended to remove STOP Ransomware manually, for safer solution use Removal Tools instead.
STOP Ransomware files:
STOP Ransomware registry keys:
no information
How to decrypt and restore .novasof, .bopador, .todar or .dodoc files
Use automated decryptors
Download STOPDecrypter (.novasof, .bopador, .todar or .dodoc variations)
STOPDecrypter is able to decrypt .novasof, .bopador, .todar or .dodoc files, encrypted by STOP Ransomware. This tool was developed by Michael Gillespie. It requires encrypted and original file pair with the size more ~150 Kb and works only for those encrypted with offline keys. Download it here:
If you are infected with STOP Ransomware and removed it from your computer, you can try decrypting your files. Antivirus vendors and individuals create free decryptors for some crypto-lockers. To attempt to decrypt them manually you can do the following:
Use Stellar Data Recovery Professional to restore .novasof, .bopador, .todar or .dodoc files
- Download Stellar Data Recovery Professional.
- Click Recover Data button.
- Select type of files you want to restore and click Next button.
- Choose location where you would like to restore files from and click Scan button.
- Preview found files, choose ones you will restore and click Recover.
Using Windows Previous Versions option:
- Right-click on infected file and choose Properties.
- Select Previous Versions tab.
- Choose particular version of the file and click Copy.
- To restore the selected file and replace the existing one, click on the Restore button.
- In case there is no items in the list choose alternative method.
Using Shadow Explorer:
- Download Shadow Explorer program.
- Run it and you will see screen listing of all the drives and the dates that shadow copy was created.
- Select the drive and date that you want to restore from.
- Right-click on a folder name and select Export.
- In case there are no other dates in the list, choose alternative method.
If you are using Dropbox:
- Login to the DropBox website and go to the folder that contains encrypted files.
- Right-click on the encrypted file and select Previous Versions.
- Select the version of the file you wish to restore and click on the Restore button.
How to protect computer from viruses like STOP Ransomware in future
1. Get special anti-ransomware software
Use BitDefender Anti-Ransomware
Famous antivirus vendor BitDefender released free tool, that will help you with active anti-ransomware protection, as additional shield to your current protection. It will not conflict with bigger security applications. If you are searching complete internet security solution consider upgrading to full version of BitDefender Internet Security 2018.
2. Back up your files
Regardless of success of protection against ransomware threats, you can save your files using simple online backup. Cloud services are quite fast and cheap nowadays. There is more sense using online backup, than creating physical drives, that can get infected and encrypted when connected to PC or get damaged from dropping or hitting. Windows 10 and 8/8.1 users can find pre-installed OneDrive backup solution from Microsoft. It is actually one of the best backup services on the market, and has reasonable pricing plans. Users of earlier versions can get acquainted with it here. Make sure to backup and sync most important files and folders in OneDrive.
3. Do not open spam e-mails and protect your mailbox
Malicious attachments to spam or phishing e-mails is most popular method of ransomware distribution. Using spam filters and creating anti-spam rules is good practice. One of the world leaders in anti-spam protection is MailWasher Pro. It works with various desktop applications, and provides very high level of anti-spam protection.


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Hi All,
I want to block China, but whitelist certain sites IP addresses originating from there. I attempted to block China via Layer 7 rules in the firewall settings, then add the desired IP addresses to the firewall outbound rules since their processed first, but it wasn't allowed. Any suggestions?
Thanks in advance,
@Hit_the_deck I dont think what you are trying to do is possible.
View all community news »


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Hey everyone, I was just at home depot and decided to start a mini garden and realized it's been 30 years since the last time I did anything like this. I want to start it on my patio and I have plenty of room to put 6 foot long and maybe 2-3 foot wide planter. I want everything to be organic from start to finish, my kid thinks the store bought are the best and I want to show him what the real stuff tastes like. question is what is the way to go with this ? what type of soil ,planter type , seeds ?
My current situation is : I live in South Florida, my screened in patio faces North with full sun on it from about 8AM morning to about 1:00 pm, cucumber,green peppers,regular or Cherry tomatoes , radishes are what i had an idea of starting.
If anyone could help me out with info of your experience or have a you tube video that would great. Thanks again for any info.


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First Eagle Federal Credit Union was founded in 1956 for the purpose of helping our members improve the quality of their financial lives. Over the last 50+ years, First Eagle has continued to deliver top-notch service, smart financial advice and valuable products with low-cost banking options.
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Calculators made available for independent use only. We cannot guarantee their accuracy or their ability to apply to your current financial situation. We recommend you seek advice from qualified professionals regarding your finances.
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First Eagle Federal Credit Union (NMLS 543959) provides mortgage loans in agreement with CU Members Mortgage, a division of Colonial Savings, F.A. NMLS 401285. | Privacy Policy


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It would be impossible to maintain excellent oral health without having your teeth regularly monitored by your dental care provider. Your dentist is the first person to recognize and detect the early signs of a problem and the only one who can help you fix it before it gets worse. However, when your tooth becomes heavily decayed, damaged, or infected to a point where it cannot be restored, you'll have to prepare yourself for a potential tooth extraction Port St Lucie.
What is a Tooth Extraction?
The procedure that involves the removal of a tooth from its socket is called a tooth extraction Port St Lucie. Depending on your case, your dentist may perform a simple tooth extraction which is performed on a tooth that's visible above the gum line or a surgical tooth extraction which is performed on a tooth that hasn't erupted above the gum line.
What are the Signs that a Tooth Extraction is Needed?
- Severe Tooth Decay
When the decay has become so severe that it reaches the center of the tooth, an infection may follow after the bacteria that are produced by the decay invades the tooth's pulp. To save your tooth, your dentist may recommend a root canal procedure. However, if the damage is completely irreparable, a tooth extraction must be performed.
- Periodontal Disease
Its earliest stage is called gingivitis which is the infection of the gums. Primarily caused by the accumulation of dental plaque, periodontal disease refers to the infection of the patient's gums and other structures surrounding the affected tooth. Since this condition could lead to the loosening of the affected tooth, an extraction may be a possible option.
- Overcrowded Teeth
Your dentist may advise you to have your tooth pulled if your teeth are overcrowded or if you're going to undergo orthodontic treatment to provide enough room for your teeth to move and achieve better alignment.
- Impacted Tooth
This usually applies to wisdom teeth that are blocked from coming out. A tooth extraction will help prevent overcrowding and infection.
Looking for Information About Tooth Extraction Port St Lucie?
If you exhibit any of these signs, contact Traditional Dental Group to schedule a consultation with any of the experienced doctors in our team so that you'll know if you'll need a tooth extraction Port St Lucie.


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We spoke with Samantha*, the Chief Investment Strategist in the Asset Management division of a large national bank* to discuss how the Windham Portfolio Advisor helps her and her team achieve their goals. Samantha and her team are responsible for developing all of the formal strategic and tactical asset allocation recommendations across the asset management business at her company. They develop 10-year and multi-year capital market assumptions and produce thought-leadership content for various publications.
Q: What caused your team to look for a tool like the WPA? What about the WPA stood out to you?
A: There is a seismic shift in the investment management industry. Moving from a more traditional, risk-tolerance perspective on asset allocation to more of a "goals-based" orientation. Rather than asking "what risk tolerance are our clients comfortable with?" we are asking "what is the portfolio positioning clients need to support or achieve their goals?" We needed to evolve with the times and find a more sophisticated modeling software that would help us understand what certain asset allocations can deliver from a reward-risk perspective, as well as what adjustments we might need to make.
We believe in dynamic asset allocation and portfolio management. We're not "setting it and forgetting it," but rather we believe that the market is a complex, adaptive system. We needed to take the same approach with our asset allocation recommendations, because what has "worked" in the past isn't necessarily what will work going forward – the investment landscape is not static. So, for the development of our capital market assumptions over a 10-year horizon, as well as multi-year horizons, in conjunction with the need to be able to model and simulate different asset allocations and evaluate the results in a sophisticated way, that is what really drove us to start looking for tools like Windham.
Q: How does your team use the WPA?
A: We use it extensively in developing our rolling 10-year capital market assumptions. We've also used it to create a longer-run set of assumptions for research purposes, which is intended to simulate multiple market cycles and give us more of a neutralized long run (i.e. perpetual) view.
We also use the WPA to build strategic asset allocation recommendations, and ultimately portfolios, for many types of clients. The WPA allows us to gain not only a solid understanding of potential risks throughout the long investment horizon, but also of shortfall risks— which is really important in a goals-based framework. It ultimately helps us have more insightful, and engaging conversations with clients, and that value can add to our credibility.
Q: How else does the WPA help you?
A: One of the key ways that I personally use the WPA is to make better informed decisions when building the framework from which we provide asset allocation recommendations, as well as developing thought-leadership publications using insights from tests we run in the WPA. Analytics from the WPA permeate into every decision we make surrounding our investment process, and asset allocation recommendations. It has been a game changer.
Q: What would these processes look like if you didn't have the WPA?
A: It's a critical tool to the process. If we didn't have the WPA it would be a very manual, very time consuming approach.
Q: What is the most important feature of the WPA for your team?
A: The ability to import custom indexes gives us a lot of flexibility and room to be creative. It's a key feature to us.
Q: What are three words that describe your experience working with Windham?
A: Responsive, for both the product and also the customer support team. Whenever I have a question, I receive a call or an email back right away. The WPA is very responsive in terms giving me what I need to be able to do, in all of the projects that I do. Insightful is the second word I would use, both for the customer support we receive, and the output we can analyze from the tool itself. The last word is confidence. I have the utmost confidence in WPA's output, as well as confidence in the team there to support me in a timely manner. That confidence translates to our investment process and asset allocation recommendations that we're able to deliver to our clients.
*Name and corporation have been changed or removed for privacy and compliance concerns.


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Everyone knows that when their brakes start to squeak it is time to have them inspected and often your brake pads and rotors replaced. What is not so commonly understood is the importance of periodically doing a brake fluid flush. Having your brake fluid changed removes dirty fluid from the brake lines and prevents brake…[ Read More ]
There are a number of factors that contribute to the high nighttime accident rate, things like drowsy driving and a higher rate of impaired driving. Decreased visibility is also a major contributor to the higher accident rate. Nighttime driving has the effect of reducing 20/20 vision to the equivalent of 20/50 vision. What you can…[ Read More ]
Our unpredictable winter weather is just around the corner. With the usual combination of rain, sleet, ice and snow, driving in our part of the country can be tricky. Our roads can become quite treacherous when they are covered with ice and snow. That's why it is so important to make sure your tires are…[ Read More ]
As the TV commercial says, "If your brakes don't stop you something else will". This is not exactly what you expect. Brakes are your vehicles most important safety item and they have one job which is to stop your vehicle. Scheduled brake maintenance keeps you—and others—safe. The typical brake system consists of disk brakes in…[ Read More ]
A clean engine runs more efficiently than a dirty engine and your car's air filter is the engine's first line of defense. A new air filter allows your vehicle's engine to get clean air, a key component in the combustion process. The air filter prevents airborne contaminants such as dirt, dust and leaves from getting…[ Read More ]
Your vehicle's differential is an important part of your car, truck or SUV. Its role is to compensate for the difference in speeds between the inside vehicle wheel and the outside wheel when you make a turn. Differentials are found on front wheel, rear-wheel and all-wheel drive vehicles. Don't Forget About Your Differential All the…[ Read More ]
This is the time of year everyone gets excited about going on a road trip to visit family, head for the beach or theme park, or take in some historic sites. If your trip will be of any great distance you don't want it interrupted by having car trouble along the way. This will not…[ Read More ]
The first thing to do is not to panic. If the check engine light comes on, it will either blink or remain constantly illuminated, depending on the problem. A blinking light, or in some cars a red light instead of a yellow or orange light, indicates a problem that needs immediate attention. A light that…[ Read More ]
A shock and a strut do the same basic job on a vehicle, tire control and controlling vehicle body motion. Shocks and struts improve road feel and handling properties, as well as improving ride quality. Even though they do the same thing, shocks and struts are completely different parts. A vehicle will have either a…[ Read More ]
As we try to avoid the many potholes that have recently appeared on our roads, it is important to pay attention to your vehicle's wheel alignment. Every jolt to your suspension alters your vehicle's alignment. This can impact your vehicle's safety and cause your tires to wear out prematurely. Wheel alignment plays a critical role…[ Read More ]
" ... Read More"


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by ElspethFTW (aka Richard Rowell), Gaming Successfully Staff
MTGandME is a YouTube channel all about Magic and how Charles and his partner Julia interact with it! Charles drives most of the content, but is assisted by his partner in life, Julia, who does a lot of heavy lifting in content management and editing.
Read more:
Tag Archive: magic the gathering
Brain Maggot is a really strong card, and now, there will be a foiled promo version for you to take home from your Friday Night Magic events this November! Solemnparty is a big fan of the art, although it grosses me out more than a bit. It's already a card seeing a very good amount of play, and these are always the best kind of Friday Night Magic promos. Banishing Light, the September promo, is also pretty awesome, whereas Fanatic of Xenagos, a card that I personally quite like doesn't quite have the same value at the moment.
For those that are unfamiliar with Brain Maggot, he's very similar to an older card called Tidehollow Sculler. The difference is that the Sculler was an Artifact Creature that cost WB to cast, whereas the Maggot is an Enchantment Creature for 1B. Their effect is the same, however. When Brain Maggot enters the battlefield, target opponent reveals his or her hand and you choose a nonland card from it. You exile that card until Brain Maggot leaves the battlefield. With Thoughtseize already a huge card in the format, you'll already know most likely what your Brain Maggot will be depriving them of when it hits the board.
Mono-Black Control will likely still well be a pretty good deck post-Return to Ravnica rotation, and a lot of that will be because of this card. Now for people that can stomach the alternate artwork foil, they can have a FNM play-set to "pimp" out their decks.
– Elspeth for the Win
While I'm not a Standard player myself, I am always keeping up on the Standard meta-game, as it's good to keep up with what people are brewing with. Also, after the release of a set, it's good see how certain cards from the newest set are being built around. Now that the Top 32 have been decided at Star City Games' Standard Open in Baltimore, Maryland yesterday, we are finally getting a glimpse into how Magic 2015 might affect the format.
One Mono-Black Devotion list used 3 copies of Sign in Blood to help with draw power. It's good to have this card back in Standard, giving Mono-Black a bit of an extra push in card advantage. This list also ran two copies of Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth to help Mutavault tap for black mana. Mutavault is a fantastic card, but being able to also tap for black mana makes it even more valuable. The winning list from Dan Jessup ran 2 copies of Sign in Blood, and one main-decked Urborg.
The winning list also included a copy of Liliana Vess in the sideboard. The classic Liliana can make players discard, or help you search out your library for an answer you desperately need. It's also nice that she can bring back creatures for all graveyard to fight for you. But her first two abilities are solid enough, especially as she starts with five loyalty. I see her being played all kinds of places. Esper Control has also managed to main-board one copy of Liliana.
Mono-Blue Devotion gained a copy of Polymorphist's Jest for the sideboard, helping the deck out against aggressive creature-based decks, causing some potential blowouts. It's a phenomenal card in limited, and in the right match-ups, it's a really strong sideboard card that could really ruin an aggro player's day.
One deck that has definitely been helped by Magic 2015 is Black/White Midrange, a list piloted by 3rd place winner Lloyd Kurth. which now has the full play-set of Caves of Koilos and one copy of Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth to make tapping for black mana far easier. The changes are mostly only in the mana base, but mana-fixing is extremely important in any Magic format, and adding the four pain-lands and the Urborg to fix for black mana definitely helps.
One Green/White Aggro list found room for 2 copies of Sunblade Elf in the main board. They've also found room for two copies of Ajani Steadfast in the sideboard. It's hard to say how much play the new Ajani will get due to the presence of Ajani, Mentor of Heroes in Standard already (as you can't have two Ajani planeswalkers on the board at the same time). The 2nd place G/W Aggro list did not have any Sunblade Elves, but did have the two side-boarded copies of Steadfast.
The new Ajani's +1 is pretty decent, and his -2 is good if you already have a lot of creatures on board already. He also might see play in a "Super Friends" deck with other planeswalkers, but he's sort of awkward in that sort of deck because of Ajani, Mentor of Heroes is a big part of that deck, helping you dig for more creatures and planeswalkers. Ajani Steadfast does have a rather nice emblem that makes you very hard to kill. I think he may see Standard main-board play once Return to Ravnica block rotates, but until then, he's basically only a sideboard option.
The deck that has been affected the most by the new format, though, of course is Mono-Green Devotion. Why? The deck gained three new very valuable cards: Chord of Calling, Genesis Hydra and Nissa, Worldwaker. One copy of Hornet Queen and Reclamation Sage have also entered the main-board, as well as a copy of Darksteel Citadel for the obvious interaction with Nissa. The Hornet Queen, a 2/2 flyer with Deathtouch, is basically played for the three green mana symbols in her casting cost, and the fact she brings in 4 1/1 Deathtouch flyers in with her. The Sage is played because Enchantments are running rampant, and optional artifact & enchantment removal is always good.
The Chord of Calling is fairly obvious, as it's an instant speed tutor for a creature straight from your deck. It does cost X and triple Green, but because of its Convoke ability, you can just tap down creatures to help cast it, helping you to get your bigger creatures out on the board at instant speed. Mono-Green is never at a loss for mana, so you'll have plenty of mana to get your bigger creatures out onto the board quite easily.
There is also a full play-set of Genesis Hydra. It's a card that I've liked since it was spoiled, but it's cool to see it seeing instant competitive Standard play. It's a great value creature that can tap for either small amounts of mana to get your smaller creatures on board, or be a mana-sink for massive amounts of mana to be able to drop your Nissa or Arbor Colossus on the board.
Nissa, Worldwaker is pretty much a one-mana planeswalker in mono-Green. She's even better with Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx, as you use Nykthos to cast her, but then tap other forests and float the mana, then use her plus-ability to untap those forests. She's a very strong ramp card. Never mind the fact that she has the ability to make lands into 4/4 Elemental creatures – the ramping element alone is enough to play her. Of course, her ultimate is bonkers, and can win games.
Sadly enough, the Mono-Green Devotion list that fared the best, piloted by Charley Murdock, finished 9th.
There are clearly a lot of good cards in Magic 2015, but in the current format, it's clear that Mono-Green was the deck most affected by the new set. It may not be until October 2014 before we see more Magic 2015 cards taking the spotlight.
Until next time,
– Elspeth for the Win
Magic 2015 will actually have two pretty good game day promos, both of which are definitely playable. We've already gone into quite a bit of depth about Chief Engineer. The card I'm more excited about is actually the card everyone will get for playing Game Day, the uncommon Reclamation Sage.
Besides having gorgeous art on the full art promo, Reclamation Sage is an Elf Shaman that is basically a better version of Viridian Shaman, which had a mandatory ability to destroy an artifact when it entered play. The Sage is a 2/1 rather than a 2/2 for the same mana cost (2G), but its ability isn't mandatory and it also can hit Enchantments. Not only is this going to replace the Shaman in Legacy Elves, but it is definitely Standard Playable.
Plus, Reclamation Sage may perhaps even replace Harmonic Sliver in Modern Pod as a more inexpensive removal card, both in mana cost (1GW) and money ($3-4 USD). Also, the Sliver has a mandatory ability, and blowing up your own Birthing Pod isn't really that good.
In Commander, she's even better, having the dual types of Elf and Shaman. Elves, obviously, are very popular in the format and there are cards in the format that care about the creature type Shaman like Sachi, Daughter of Seshiro as a Commander, and of course, Coat of Arms.
Those that make the Top 8 at Game Day events will also rece3ive a full art foil Chief Engiener. The art is pretty fabulous, and we've discussed the card at great length already. He's going to be a sought-after promo in any case due to his Commander play-ability, so he's a strong card to pick up even if his Constructed value doesn't become what it hypothetically could. Decks are going to have to center around Chief Engineer for his value to skyrocket, which as we've discussed is definitely possible in Modern. However, Standard will have to add tons more Artifact support for him to really see his potential maximized.
I won't be playing in any Magic 2015 Game Day events personally, as I do not play Standard, at least at this time, but I'm actually more excited about the Sage than the Engineer as a promo, as the Sage will see lots of play.
Which card are you more excited about?
– Elspeth for the Win
An Evergreen mechanic is any mechanic that is usable in any set. In fact, you can find a list of them here.
These are the barebones basics of the game, and I'll be going over each of them in the order they appear in the linked list.
Deathtouch: Any amount of damage this deals to a creature is enough to destroy it.
First Key-worded: Future Sight
Deathtouch modifies what is referred to as "lethal damage," or the damage required to kill a creature. For example, lethal damage for a 4/4 is 4 damage. What deathtouch does is make that number 1, no matter what. This creature just needs to be able to do 1 damage to the creature it's fighting to kill it.
Defender: This creature can't attack.
First Key-worded: Betrayers of Kamigawa
Defender is less of an ability and more of a hinderance. Creatures with Defender are completely unable to attack, but are generally limited to just Walls and other things that tend to have 0 power. Originally, Defender was not an ability – it was a side effect of being the creature type Wall. However, now it's also on non-walls, like Pride Guardian and Wakestone Gargoyle. These creatures are generally designed to be just defensive creatures (hence the name of the ability) but is also sometimes used as a temporary limitation.
Guardian of the Ages is one of those cards – it's a 7/7 defender until an opponent attacks you, and then it loses defender and gains trample.
Double Strike: This creature deals damage in both first strike and normal combat.
First Key-worded: Legions
This needs a little bit more explaination,
First Strike: This creature deals combat damage before creatures without first strike.
First Key-worded: Alpha
First Strike damage takes place before normal combat damage. So for example, a 7/2 blocks a 2/1 first strike. The 2/1 deals damage before the 7/2 creature, and kills it as the creature only has 2 toughness. As the 7/2 is already dead, the 2/1 survives.
Now, to explain double strike, we'll use a very similar scenario. a 7/4 blocks a 2/1 double strike. First strike combat occurs, and the 2/1 deals two damage to the 7/4. The 7/4 now has 2 damage on it. Then, we go into regular combat. The 7/4 deals 7 damage to the 2/1, but the 2/1 deals another 2 damage to the 7/4, which kills the 7/4, and the 2/1 dies to the 7 damage from the 7/4.
Now, keep in mind that double strike does not let you hit the player after you kill their creature, unless that creature has trample. Many players think that a 2/2 double strike killing a 2/2 lets you kill the creature and then hit the player for 2 damage. This isn't true – and a lot of people will try to trick you with this. The creature with double strike is completely safe from that 2/2, but the creature is also still blocked.
Enchant states what an Aura targets when it comes into play, and was first key-worded in Alpha.
For example, most auras have "Enchant Creature," which allows the aura to attach itself to a creature. Fairly straight forward.
Equip N: Attach to target creature you control. Equip only as a sorcery.
First Key-worded: Mirrodin
Equip is the activated ability that appears on Equipment that allows you to attach the equipment to your creatures. (Used equip a little too much in that sentence…) Equipments give benefits to the equipped creature, much like Auras. The difference between equipments and auras, however, is that equipments stay in play after the equipped creature is destroyed.
Lightning Greaves for example is an equipment straight out of Mirrodin. A 2-drop artifact with the benefit of giving Haste and Shroud (which I'll mention later), and has an equip cost of 0.
Fight: [Something] and target creature fight.
First key-worded: Innistrad
Fight was actually originally from Onslaught block, but took a very long time to get key-worded. It causes two creatures to literally fight. More specifically, the creatures each deal damage equal to their power to each other, just like regular combat. Personally, my favorite card that causes fights is Ulvenwald Tracker. For a cost, he forces two creatures to fight, and at only 1 green.
This is, however, only part one of the evergreen articles. There will be one more, talking about the rest of the evergreen mechanics.
Until next time,
Yes, that is Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth. What has been a card that's been well over $25 for a long time will now be available to a much wider audience in a Core Set. Why is a land of this power level in a Core Set? It's hard to say. What is fairly obvious is that Wizards of the Coast really wants players to play Black. And we totally needed more mono-Black Devotion helping cards.
Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth has seen play in Legacy for a very long time, especially in the Dark Depths deck. It's seen play in Mono-Black Pox, Tezzeret Control and some Reanimator builds. Making all lands into Swamps is a very powerful effect, especially with how much power Black has been gaining in recent years.
With the advent of the Modern format, demand for Urborg has increased quite rapidly. It sees play in Golgari Midrange, Black/White Tokens, Mono-Black Infect (to make Inkmoth Nexus tap for Black), Unburial Gifts, Ad Nauseum Combo, and a slew of other lists. Basically, any deck that can benefit by having all of its lands tap for black mana benefit. In Commander, it's a Black staple. If you play Black, there's little reason not to run it.
You might think, wait, doesn't making your opponents' lands into Swamps help them, as well? Potentially, yes. This is what makes the card fair. But for the decks that typically play Urborg, the advantage goes to the one playing them, as it allows those decks to play cards with greedier Black mana requirements.
As it stands right now, in Standard, Mutavault will get to tap for Black mana until it rotates out; of course, this fact still be relevant in Modern. The other thing that Urborg may allow to happen is a strong Green/Black deck built around Nissa, Worldwaker. It will also make splashing Black far easier in a wide variety of decks – and making fringe playable decks like B/W Heroic, U/B Control, and Esper Control far more potent. Making scry lands into Swamps is also pretty good.
The best part about Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth is that it's a fair card that helps everyone. It's also far better than the last time it was in Standard (Planar Chaos) because of the updated Legend rule, in which all players can each control one copy of any given Legendary card. Kudos to Wizards of the Coast to reprinting a powerful card that old and new players alike can enjoy and add to their collections and decks. It's a card good in every format. And yes, even in Limited.
– Elspeth for the Win
The Vampire Onslaught Event Deck from the Magic 2012 Core Set may be one of the best event decks Wizards has ever released! Its Magic 2012 Core Set counter-part, Illusionary Might, was not a bad buy for newer players, as it formed the basis of a fun Illusion-based deck that with some tweaks was a playable FNM deck. But Vampire Onslaught was, and still is, easily the best money deck of the two. In fact, it may be the best money deck ever put together as a pre-constructed release by Wizards of the Coast.
Why is this? It has a Verdant Catacombs/strong> in it. As of June 2014, it's still a $45 card.
Let's take a look at the list, which is actually pretty solid even beyond the fetch-land.
Lands (24)
23 Swamp
1 Verdant Catacombs
If you could get this deck back in the day at its MSRP, you already had made an incredible investment. Alas, I sold my four Verdant Catacombs back when they were worth about $15-20 (so I technically still profited from the deck.) That was back in 2011. There was no Modern yet. Oops.
But wait, there's a lot more in here that is pure value.
Creatures (29)
2 Bloodghast
Bloodghast is a very, very good card that was long a Vampire deck staple. A card that can come back from the graveyard any time you play a land is pretty ridiculous. In Modern Dredge, he's a fantastic card. Back then he was about $7 a copy, and still sells for roughly that same price today. Two copies of this in a single deck is fantastic.
4 Bloodthrone Vampire
Not a bad common, but it was in Magic 2011, and not in the 2012 Core Set. It combos very well with other cards in the deck, as it gains +2/+2 each time you sacrifice a creature. It's not bad when you see how many cards work off of sacrificing creatures in the deck. (Interestingly enough, for those that actually looked to play this deck, Bloodthrone Vampire was in fact reprinted in Magic 2013.)
4 Gatekeeper of Malakir – One of the best uncommons out of Zendikar, second only to Vampire Nighthawk, he's a 2/2 for 2 black, but it's his kicker effect of one extra black that he's played for. It makes your opponent sacrifice a creature. On turn three, when this guy was ordinarily played, that is a major setback, especially against a quick swarming deck like Vampires. Basically, you only ever play him as a three-drop. Then he becomes expendable for your Bloodthrone or Viscera Seers, which we'll get to.
As of August 2011, a playset of these could cost as much as $10 USD on the secondary market. Unfortunately, they are no longer nearly near that value, partly due to a reprint in the Sorin Vs Tibalt Duel Deck, but also because he doesn't see much Modern play. Still a good card.
1 Kalastria Highborn – The Highborn has long been one of my personal favorite Vampire cards, and she's quite deadly. Whenever one of your creatures goes to the graveyard, you may deal 2 damage to target player or creature and gain 2 life. It's that deal 2 damage to a creature that is most deadly. With how many expendable creatures you have in this sort of deck, the Highborn can get ridiculous. Securing a second copy of her for this deck was a pretty darn good idea at the time. She used to sell on the secondary market for about $5 USD, although now in 2014, she's about a $2-3 card – sStill well above a bulk rare.
4 Pawn of Ulamog – Not a card you see very often, but this uncommon from Rise of the Eldrazi certainly isn't bad. Any time a non-token creature of yours goes to the graveyard, you may get a 0/1 Eldrazi Spawn token, which can be sacrificed to give you 1 colorless mana. Probably not the best card choice for competitive Vampire decks, but with this particular build, there are advantages to having these tokens.
1 Vampire Hexmage – It seems a bit silly to only run one Hexmage. She's pretty darn good, as she can one-shot kill planeswalkers and remove all the counters from any card. Plus, she's a 2/1 with first strike, and that's always good, especially for 2 mana. There are 3 side-boarded, but 2 main-board is a better move.
4 Vampire Lacerator – A solid little one-drop that used to see tons of Standard play. He's a 2/2 for one mana, but if your opponent has more than 10 life, you have to pay 2 life during each of your upkeeps. The sad part about this is that it's not an upkeep cost, you can't choose not to pay it. This isn't really that bad, though. Most of the time, you'll be ahead in life anyway. Vampire decks could gain life back in a hurry and deal a lot of damage before many other decks can get set up, so running 4 is perfectly fine.
2 Vampire Nighthawk – There's probably no excuse not to run full play-set of Nighthawks in a Vampire deck. 3 mana (1BB) for a 2/3 Flyer with lifelink and deathtouch makes for a very strong creature. The Nighthawk helps you both gain back lost life,hold the air, and hold off opponent's larger creatures. It's just an all-around spectacular card playable in any format.
3 Vampire Outcasts – The only of TWO Magic 2012 Core Set cards in the entire deck and the only card in the maindeck that will be legal in Standard come October (barring any reprints in Innistrad, and it isn't out of the question we could see a few of these other cards reprinted). Vampire Outcasts is for four mana, two of which are black, a 2/2 with Lifelink and Bloodthirst 2. Now, a 4/4 with Lifelink is certainly not too bad. The truth is that you could easily swap these out for 2 Nighthawk and 1 Hexmage and have a far better deck, not to mention a lighter mana curve. Just not really too good a card outside of Limited, and not worth being in this deck.
4 Viscera Seer – A 1-drop 1/1 with the ability: Sacrifice a creature. Scry 1. Now, scrying 1 doesn't sound that great. It seems far too high a cost to just see what your next card is and possibly put it to the bottom of the deck. But with Kalastria Highborn and Pawn of Ulamog in the deck, sacrificing a post-kicked Gatekeeper or a Vampire Lacerator that's already swung for damage or outlived its usefulness certainly isn't too bad. Most good Vampire decks only run a copy or two, which is probably good enough. (Also an excellent card for those Modern Pod decks!)
Non-Creature Spells (7)
2 Blade of the Bloodchief – Not a bad rare from Zendikar. Very playable in a Vampire deck. It's a good equipment, but equipment in Vampires probably isn't the greatest play. Still, gaining a +1/+1 counter every time a creature hits the graveyard (this includes even token creatures), and gaining a +2/+2 counter if it's a Vampire, is certainly a lot of fun. It's perhaps the crux of this deck's strategy, hit for a ton early on…
4 Dismember – One of the best removal spells, ever. While they no longer sell for about $5 USD a copy, a play-set of Dismember is still quite valuable.
1 Mimic Vat – This card is a bit of a head-scratcher. It's not that it's bad. It's a fun rare in Scars of Mirrodin block Limited, no doubt about that. Whenever a creature would go to the graveyard, you exile it instead and imprint it to Mimic Vat. You can do this any time you want, but each time you do, the card that was imprinted before goes to its owners graveyard. You can then pay 3 and tap Mimic Vat to create a token copy of that creature, that gains haste and is exiled at the end step. Honestly, why would you use mana in this way for Vampires? It just seems to be a waste. It's not a bad card, but it shouldn't be in a Vampire deck. Sure, it can copy a really good creature of your opponents, but it's still quite an investment of mana. Granted you could use the spawn tokens from the Pawn of Ulamog and combo with your Viscera Seers and Kalastria Highborn for some cheap damage, lifegain, and deck manipulation, but this isn't really the best tactic. It's a silly card that really doesn't belong in this deck.
Sideboard (15)
4 Distress – The SECOND of two Magic 2012 Core Set cards in the deck. Double black sounds like a bit much for a discard card, but it can discard any of your opponent's non-land cards. There are situations you may want to board these in, perhaps against combo decks, but ordinarily you won't. Still, not a bad card, but I still prefer the original Kamigawa/Tenth Edition artwork. The new one's too creepy for me. Still, with no Duress or Inquisition of Kozilek in sight past October, it's not a terrible option.
2 Go for the Throat – Very solid removal card against any deck that doesn't run artifacts. It's not out of the question to main board at least one of these over the Mimic Vat, and another over a Seer. It helps you kill a lot of whatever Dismember can't.
4 Skinrender – Far from being a bad card, it's some decent removal with its ability to put 3 -1/-1 counters on target creature. It is mandatory, however. Still, 4 mana is certainly worth it, and he's a 3/3 creature. But he is a Zombie, and not a Vampire. He's not a bad card. Certainly hold onto your playset, but he's far better in a Zombie deck (Call of the Grave, anyone?)
3 Vampire Hexmage – At least one of these belong in the main board. Two should be in the side to make cards like Shrine of Burning Rage and Koth of the Hammer/Chandra the Firebrand sad.
2 Vampire Nighthawk – These should be in the mainboard. 'Nuff said.
In the "How to Play the Deck" pamphlet that Wizards always include in these sorts of product, it was suggested to add Bloodlord of Vaasgoth to the deck. As a one of, that card was never too bad, but it rarely saw play. The trick with Vampires has always been to keep a low mana curve and swarm the board. Malakir Bloodwitch is another suggestion, and she was never a bad option for the sideboard as far as her protection from White is concerned. (She could stop Gideon Jura, for example, who was a massively played card in those days.)
Overall, this was a fantastic value for the money. As far as "Bang for Your Buck" was concerned, you would have probably get about $60 market value per deck, at a typical cost of $25-$35 a deck, even back in 2011. It was a no-brainer buy. They're obviously very rare now. If you happen to find any hanging around for less than $50, they're easily worth the buy. But you'd be lucky to find them for under $100.
This has been another Throwback Thursday Deck Review. If there's any pre-constructed deck or even a Top deck from the past you'd us like to review, let us know!
– Elspeth for the Win
Early this morning, MTG France spoiled that Phyrexian Revoker will be reprinted in Magic 2015. In a Standard format that will have Pithing Needle until October 2014, this is great news for players who wish to combat the onslaught of Super-Friends popping up all over the place. It is a bit surprising to see a Phyrexian card being reprinted in a Core Set, but we do have Soul of New Phyrexia in the set, so its appearance makes a bit more sense.
Phyrexian Revokerwas originally printed in Mirrodin Beseiged, a set with its fair share of good cards: Blightsteel Colossus, Consecrated Sphinx, Green Sun's Zenith, Hero of Bladehold, Inkmoth Nexus, Sword of Feast and Famine, and Tezzeret, Agent of Bolas to name a few. The Revoker sees main-board play in Modern, Legacy, Vintage, and Commander in a wide variety of decks. Being the creature version of Pithing Needle is really good. The fact that it can stop planeswalkers and problem artifacts (here's looking at you, Mindslaver!) makes it very versatile. Also, even though it can't target lands, it can stop mana-producing abilities, such as that of Noble Hierarch. Revoker mostly sees play in Death and Taxes – both in Legacy and Modern – but copies show up in the main boards of a lot of Eternal format decks.
In Standard, Phyrexian Revoker was very solid in a format dominated by artifacts with activated abilities. It stopped the top planeswalker of the time, Jace, the Mind Sculptor, and it also prevented the dreaded Caw-Blade decks from equipping their Swords and Batterskulls. It also shut down Birthing Pod, and it still does that same job today in Modern and Legacy. Even Vintage decks play it to shut down important combo pieces. Commander decks also utilize Phyrexian Revoker to deal with problem Commanders and to shut down Sensei's Divining Top (something also very useful in Legacy with dealing with Counterbalance/Miracles decks).
Besides its obvious continued usefulness in the Eternal formats, it's not quite clear yet where Revoker will fit into Standard main-boards. Some Blue/White or Esper Control lists may find room for a couple copies, but most likely only in the side-board. After Return to Ravnica block rotates, though, Revoker could become an extremely important card if the new Standard is full of activated abilities.
At the very least, copies of the Revoker will now be easier to obtain, especially in foil, for Eternal formats.
How would you use Phyrexian Revoker, or how have you used it before?
– Elspeth for the Win
So, for those of you who saw the old site, I had a segment called Games and Mechanics, where I talked about some of the more complicated parts of the game. Mostly talking about complicated abilities like Banding.
Well, I'm bringing it back.
Due to the fact that the game is booming, there need to be guides like this out there. Whether it be mechanics, keywords, or just slang within the community, I'll be doing my best to have the answers to the questions like "what's tron?" or "what's the stack" or "why is banding so damn complicated?"
This doesn't mean I won't still be doing Commanding Opinion, of course – I plan on still doing 5 of those a week, and most likely 2-3 of these a week as well. Once we're out of the M15 spoiler season, I can guarantee that.
Until next time,
Some new common cards spoiled today over on MTG Salvation. Two of them are reprints, Razorfoot Griffin and Black Cat. There are also two new cards, Invasive Species and Miner's Bane.
We haven't seen Razorfoot Griffin in awhile – since Magic 2010 to be exact. The 2/2 flyer with First Strike is OK in Limited for 3W, especially at common. Nothing wrong with reprinting this.
Black Cat is a particularly popular card among Magic fans originally printed in Dark Ascension. The fact that it makes players discard a card at random when it dies is pretty useful. What makes it especially popular, however, is that it is a Zombie, meaning that it sees play in Zombie Tribal Commander decks. Also, it is a Cat.
Invasive Species is a 3/3 Insect for 2G. When it enters the battlefield, you return another permanent you control to its owner's hand. The fact that it can be any permanent, a la Kor Skyfisher, makes this an intriguing card in Limited. Being able to reuse one of your lands if you don't otherwise have a land-drop is always useful, and in some cases you may want to reuse an enter the battlefield effect here and there. It's a good card at common if deployed properly.
Miner's Bane is a big 6/3 brute of an Elemental for 4RR. It does have the ability to gain +1/+0 and trample until end of turn for 2R, and the effect to pump his power can be used multiple times in a turn. He's a good late-game Limited beater, certainly. At common, what more can you ask for?
What do you think of these cards? When might you pick them in draft?
– Elspeth for the Win


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President Donald Trump's recent threats to withhold federal funding from two states over plans to make absentee ballots available to all voters has captured the public ire of an NBA legend.
Bill Russell tweeted a direct message to Trump on Thursday sardonically reminding the president that the coronavirus pandemic is still ongoing, saying he doesn't want to risk his life to vote.
Hello @realDonaldTrump there is a good reason for #VoteByMail not sure if you have heard of #coronavirus #COVIDー19 or better known as a #pandemic bit I don't want to risk my life to #vote ! @MSNBC @CNN— TheBillRussell (@RealBillRussell) May 21, 2020
As MassLive points out, Russell has been highly critical of Trump in the past. The Celtics great tweeted a direct repudiation of the president's infamous "s---hole countries" remark in 2018 and once called criticism from Trump "the biggest compliment you can get."
More recently, Russell had mocked Trump's declaration that he was "number one on Facebook" amid a pandemic as "selfish."
Huh? I guess I had it all wrong all these yrs. @realDonaldTrump is setting the record straight. I always thought not only are all Americans a team but all humans are! We need to come together globally to fight against this killer! Don't be selfish #StayHome @MSNBC @CNN @FoxNews https://t.co/03QiTco39T pic.twitter.com/tAmAvZA2lF— TheBillRussell (@RealBillRussell) April 2, 2020
Of course, Russell is just one of the critics of Trump's campaign against the prospect of mail-in ballots, which the president has attempted to justify with unsubstantiated allegations of voter fraud.
Such mail-in ballots are an attempt to minimize the risk of worsening the coronavirus pandemic with in-person elections. One election in Wisconsin last month notoriously proceeded as planned after the state Supreme Court struck down Gov. Tony Evers' attempt to postpone in-person voting. The result: Dozens of new coronavirus cases among voters and poll workers.
On Wednesday, Trump tweeted explicit threats to withhold funding from Michigan and Nevada — notably two swing states — if they send out mail-in ballots to voters, even tagging the acting director of the Office of Management and Budget and U.S. Treasury.
Michigan sends absentee ballot applications to 7.7 million people ahead of Primaries and the General Election. This was done illegally and without authorization by a rogue Secretary of State. I will ask to hold up funding to Michigan if they want to go down this Voter Fraud path!— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 20, 2020
State of Nevada "thinks" that they can send out illegal vote by mail ballots, creating a great Voter Fraud scenario for the State and the U.S. They can't! If they do, "I think" I can hold up funds to the State. Sorry, but you must not cheat in elections. @RussVought45 @USTreasury— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 20, 2020
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