text:
A satirical article, hat tip to Fr. Hollywood (Pr. Beane).
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Posted by Anastasia Theodoridis at 12:39 PM
Labels: humor, Other Faiths
4 comments:
- Tony said...
I was baptized into the Episcopal church originally - at the National Cathedral, as a matter of fact. Now that I look at it now...I'm rather thankful I got out when I could.
- August 21, 2008 at 4:40 PM
- Anastasia Theodoridis said...
Hey, you've been around, haven't you? Me, too. I was confirmed Episcopalian a couple of days after my 12th birthday. And I'm also I got out while the getting was (relatively) good. Not that this is why I became Orthodox. Oh, no, there was the New Age stage in between...from which I am even MORE grateful to have been delivered.
- August 21, 2008 at 6:12 PM
- Tony said...
Well I was just baptized Episcopal - I couldn't tell you the church's doctrines or exact history. The only services my parents ever took me to were Catholic masses (and Charismatic churches once or twice - ooooooh boy). I only ever attended one Episcopal service, and unfortunately it was my grandfather's funeral.
For a brief moment, when I thought of linking myself deeper with the Episcopal church, I used to want a shirt that said, "The Episcopal Church: We're not Catholic...We're not Protestant...We're just right!"
- August 21, 2008 at 11:26 PM
- Steve Robinson said...
LOL! Yeah... I became Episcopalian thinking I was joining Clive, Dorothy Day etc. Little did I know. We left for Orthodoxy after 6 years when our bishop sent a letter to all members of the diocese that his "calling" as a bishop was to find and ordain women and homosexuals. That was 10 years ago this summer.
- August 22, 2008 at 1:02 AM


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Joined: 29 Sep 2004
Posts: 2498
Location: Los Angeles, California, USA
Posted: Mon Jul 24, 2006 12:53 am
Post subject: Rainey Ranting
gingerpale wrote:
Rainey--I'm not sure I get your new signature, but no, I don't think W cares about me. Are you saying all wars and terror and incompetence are connected through the Iraq mess? I think Bush cares about his rich crook friends, and there's nothin' worse than a rich person stealing.
Since we're here in Other Topics I'll explain here. I'm saying we have a government that doesn't represent the real needs of Americans and every time live citizens (as opposed to slavering after rich corporations and tax-exempt megachurches) are in
need we see the Bush administation's callousness and incompetence in painfully dramatic ways.
They have argued that 9/11 caught them off guard and if I take them at their word that they're not capable of interpreting an intelligence memo that said terrorists were determined to attack using planes as weapons as meaning terrorists had the intention of attacking the US using planes as weapons, then that is the benchmark from which they still haven't learned a damned thing in 6 years and counting.
Bush is an incompetent pig in the employ of Halliburton and other multinational firms that don't give a tinker's damn about us and why we haven't risen up at the White House gates with torches and pitchforks since they refused to count American votes in 2000 mystifies and demoralizes me more than I can express.
Oh, and, yes, I think he's further destabilized a part of the world that has been agonized and volatile for 50 years with his adventuring but that wasn't what part of what I meant to put in that signature.
God writes a lot of comedy... the trouble is, he's stuck with so many bad actors who don't know how to play funny. -- Garrison Keillor
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Joined: 23 Jan 2006
Posts: 1324
Posted: Mon Jul 24, 2006 1:54 am
Post subject:
Rant on, Rainey--
either the heat is making us cranky, or this IS the worst president ever. Sorry, didn't mean to question your signature, just suprised to see that anger all of a sudden, covering so much time and space! I agree with everything you said, and am hope hope hoping someone will come along in '08. Meanwhile the sadness increases all over our world. We have too many fascinatin' distractions. [/b]
Last edited by gingerpale on Thu Aug 31, 2006 5:37 am; edited 1 time in total
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Joined: 29 Sep 2004
Posts: 2498
Location: Los Angeles, California, USA
Posted: Mon Jul 24, 2006 2:08 am
Post subject:
How does one respond to Americans in fear of their lives and totally ignored by their government
by being furious? They tried to make us believe when it happened in New Orleans it was a fluke or the responsibility of local government but the non-response to Americans in Lebanon is an identical pattern of hard-hearted neglect.
God writes a lot of comedy... the trouble is, he's stuck with so many bad actors who don't know how to play funny. -- Garrison Keillor
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Joined: 14 Oct 2005
Posts: 827
Location: Oakland, CA
Posted: Mon Jul 24, 2006 2:29 am
Post subject:
Sam and I were talking today about this war in the Middle East. I know that all it would take is the WILL of someone to end it - maybe a few someones. Not me, obviously - or it would be over and done with. But SOMEONE could stop this if there was the will.
Bush et al are being so shortsighted and cynical. They want Hezbollah destroyed and are willing to have Israeli and Lebanese civilians killed to have that happen. They do not take into account the anti-American sentiment that continues to grow. The entire region may just implode any minute if someone with what we in California call "cojones" doesn't get over there and get to work.
This is the worst of politics, watching this vicious game go on with no one stepping up to the plate to say "Let's talk".
L'appetit vient en mangeant. -Rabelais
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Joined: 20 Jul 2006
Posts: 29
Location: Cambridge, MA (USA)
Posted: Mon Jul 24, 2006 2:29 am
Post subject: I totally agree ...
... with you, Rainey, things are looking worse every day. But I come to C&Z to forget all that! (I know, it's still happening even when you aren't noticing.) At home, we started a rule -- when one of us begins talking about the day's news over dinner, the other says, "calma, calma" to remind the first that this our dinner time, and we won't enjoy it nor digest our food properly if we spoil it with all the ugliness that's out there. Hope you can "compartmentalize" too.
The Chemist in the Kitchen (sometimes)
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Joined: 29 Sep 2004
Posts: 2498
Location: Los Angeles, California, USA
Posted: Mon Jul 24, 2006 3:04 am
Post subject:
Less well all the time I'm sorry to say. In fact, I spent a serious period of time just recently hardy able to function at all with the inmates in charge of the asylum.
Personally, I don't think the response to dangerous people in power is "polite" silence and I thought people who asked for an explanation were due one. But I will happily confine my declaration to my signature line from this point on. Altho if anyone wants me to know how
feel about it, they are free to respond to me here in Other Things (as Clotilde as agreed previous is appropriate) or in private messages. It isn't my intention to have the only or the last word on the subject. And if Clotilde or her staff change their mind or thinks something has gone too far I will happily concede that the thread be pulled imédiatement.
God writes a lot of comedy... the trouble is, he's stuck with so many bad actors who don't know how to play funny. -- Garrison Keillor
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Joined: 29 Sep 2004
Posts: 2498
Location: Los Angeles, California, USA
Posted: Mon Jul 24, 2006 3:20 am
Post subject:
BG- After a moment of reflection I want to be
to say that I take your wish
to have to read this stuff seriously. That is why I have removed every other bit of politically tinged sarcasm or reference (with the exception to the links provided where the explanations were asked for) to this specific and easily ignored spot. And I hope you find my tiny little signature equally easy to ignore.
I mean that sincerely.
God writes a lot of comedy... the trouble is, he's stuck with so many bad actors who don't know how to play funny. -- Garrison Keillor
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Joined: 29 Sep 2004
Posts: 1196
Location: buried under a pile of books somewhere in Adelaide, South Australia
Posted: Mon Jul 24, 2006 4:12 am
Post subject:
After numerous rounds of "We don't even know if Osama is still alive,"
Osama himself decided to send George Bush a letter in his own handwriting to let him know he was still in the game.
Bush opened the letter and it appeared to contain a single line of coded
Bush was baffled, so he sent it to Condoleezza Rice.
Condi and her aides had not a clue either, so they sent it to the FBI. No
one at the FBI could solve it either, so it went to the CIA, then to NASA.
Eventually they asked Austrailia's ASIO for help.
Within a minute, ASIO cabled the White House with this reply .
"Tell the President he's holding the message upside down."
Doing what you like is freedom
Liking what you do is happiness
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Joined: 23 Jan 2006
Posts: 1324
Posted: Mon Jul 24, 2006 4:36 am
Post subject:
(Ok Judy, ha ha on us!) I'm just trying to figure out who BG is, maybe ASIO could help?
Bryant Gumble?
Benny Goodman?
Betty Grable?
Beau Geste?
Barney Google?
Boy George?
Barry Goldwater?
Billy Graham?
Boris Gudenov?
Bill Gates?
Last edited by gingerpale on Thu Aug 31, 2006 5:40 am; edited 4 times in total
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Joined: 29 Sep 2004
Posts: 2498
Location: Los Angeles, California, USA
Posted: Mon Jul 24, 2006 4:41 am
Post subject:
Judy wrote:
"Tell the President he's holding the message upside down."
God writes a lot of comedy... the trouble is, he's stuck with so many bad actors who don't know how to play funny. -- Garrison Keillor
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Joined: 11 Mar 2005
Posts: 696
Location: israel
Posted: Mon Jul 24, 2006 12:45 pm
Post subject:
Well, I was wondering how long it will take before theMiddle East topic will appear on"other things" . It took about 10 days since the fight began, with little hints here and there before. Bravo for the restraint! But I agree with Rainey that silence is not mandatory.
It's a very bizarre feeling to sit here in Tel Aviv, with close relatives in shelters in Haifa and the north, with one victim being af friend of a friend, with the knowledge that it's the same in Lebanon, a read you guys analyzing or giving your opinions on what is going here.
I would not like to hurt anybody's feelings, but how would you feel if you lived in a war zone, with problems that are a little bit more complicated than the recipe of a tomato coulis, and a lot of good intentioned people, but with little or no background, people living peacefully in California, Australia or New Zeeland will say things like
I quote Donna's post) : I KNOW THAT ALL IT WOULD TAKE IS THE WILL OF SOMEONE TO END IT ... BUT SOMEONE COULD STOP IT IF THERE WAS THE WILL". Wow, That't it? How simple it sounds. How really simple all that is!!!!
Yes, it makes me very angry when really good intentioned people sum up a 1000 year old problem, with thousands of subcurrents, millions of people involved, many interests , most of which, I'm sorry to say , have nothing to do with the president of the US or with the USA. Maybe before solving our problems so easily, a little research on the history of Hizbolla, Hamas, Fundamentalist Islam, Iran, Irak, Israel, Lebanon , etc. could help to understand a tiny little bit of what is really going on here. It will be no more than 1% understanding, the subject being a "little" more complex, but even 1% is better than 0%. GB , you are a scientist!! Research!
Rainey and Donna, I won't argue with you about Bush. He's your president, elected by your people , and it's not for me to call him names. But not everything in the world is happening because of him or the American "bad guys". You are the most powerful ( thanks G) nation in the world, but you are not the only ones there, and putting the blame of everything happening in the world on one person, is escapism, is running away from seing all the other parameters. This attitude, not only does not help, it only encourages the belligerents al over the world to use this as a cover to the real reasons: how convenient is to have a ready made scapegoat. It's puerile in my opinion, and infuriating, because it prevents all the others to take responsability for their actions ( How convenient for Iran/ Irak/Hizbollah and the others to blame the Great Satan ( US) and the little Satan ( israel) for all their failures and evil doings!!!
I, as a proud Israeli, don't feel I'm fighting for the US , even if there will be side benefits for this great friend of ours. WE, Israelis, feel and believe we are fighting for ourseleves, for our lives, for our country, against people who have declared for years, and still do , publicly, that they want to kill us, decimate us, bomb us, gaz us, annihilate us. No more!. So, please, don't tell us who we are fighting for. It's not W who threatens Israel, the region or the world. How can people be so blind, and ignore the messages of Ben Laden, the Hizbollah and the likes? How can so much evil be ignored, while putting all the blame on one person who appeared on the public scene 6 years ago and will be gone in two years? How can this one person, as much as he may be wrong or corrrupted, be responsible for everything bad happening in the world?
Do you really think the next President, Democrat or Republican will change anything ? Do you really think that America's interests will change overnight? Do you really think that Bush is Islam's problem , and Bush gone, everyone will be happy and live in peace, and love America? Do you really believe that? because if you do, I really envy you. I lost my political innocence long ago. I was also young in the 70' ," make love no war" was so cute, and" flowers in the hair".... We did grow up since.
Dear Rainey, I read your explanation ( thank you for that) but I still don't see the connection between 9/11, New Orleans and Lebanon. It's OK, I don't have to understand everything. But I am happy others do.
No more war.
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Joined: 28 Oct 2005
Posts: 118
Location: Haifa, Israel
Posted: Mon Jul 24, 2006 1:31 pm
Post subject:
I feel compelled to jump in, too. I'm not a regular here like some of you and maybe it's not my place to do this, but I'm probably the only person posting on C&Z who is actually in the middle of all this - I've just come back from another stay in my building's "safe area" (yes, I'm back in Haifa), so I thought I'd offer my perspective.
As Simona wrote, the situation here, on both sides of the border, is tragic and complex - and made even more so by historical events that are not necessarily related to the US and its interests. I won't pretend I'm an expert on the history and politics of the entire Middle East, and I see where you are all coming from. As I wrote before, I appreciate everyone's thoughts and concern. But please don't oversimplify this conflict or the broader situation in the region. There are many who are involved and who influence events. You're doing yourself a disservice if you believe everything in this region happens due to Bush's policies, misguided as some of them may be.
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Joined: 23 Jan 2006
Posts: 1324
Posted: Mon Jul 24, 2006 5:22 pm
Post subject:
Hello to all, more thoughts.
When I read Rainey's new signature I made a connection between 9-11 and Katrina, the incompetence of the current leaders in the US. But it wasn't clear why she would include Lebanon--blaming Bush for bombing Lebanon? It didn't make sense. But now I think she was referring to the slow evacuation of Americans from Lebanon, nothing more. That's why I asked about her signature, which I'm afraid started this.
That said, a few completely my own opinions: When something goes wrong in America, you can pretty much count on $$$ being at the bottom of the mess. In the Middle East, with so much history and religion in the mix, I don't think it's straightforward like that.
I read Time and Newsweek and get an internet newsletter (About Judaism Lisa Katz). I spent time in Israel years ago and loved it. Sometimes I look at the Jerusalem Post, an English language Israeli newspaper, not real objective I don't think.
**I do apologize to Rainey and Simona.**
I hope Clotilde doesn't cut us off!
Zoe I hope you check in often, you sure have a unique perpective to say the least.
I sure sympathize with anyone who has a maybe idealistic view of war--my statements often begin "Why don't they just..." or "Can't they see that..."
BG separates what is happening in the rest of the world from what is happening in his/her personal life. I think that's natural and necessary and unavoidable. Really.
I really like C&Z, I'm pretty new, have been reading the archives that Clotilde has provided--there is much "meat" in them, food-wise, recipe-wise!
Last edited by gingerpale on Thu Aug 31, 2006 5:41 am; edited 1 time in total
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Susan in Italy
Joined: 03 Apr 2006
Posts: 37
Location: Milan, Italy
Posted: Mon Jul 24, 2006 6:27 pm
Post subject: Rainey Ranting
I would like to thank you, Simona for bringing the complexity and the seriousness this forum deserves. I think that many of us who have the luxury to live far from this conflict (myself included) tend to see it through a filter whether it be the filter of frustration that one's government is not doing what it could to bring the crisis to an end or the wish to (and luxurious ability to) block he conflict out of a family dinnertime.
Thank you for reminding us that this is much greater than Bush or whoever will replace him. I'm no fan of his but I have met many too many people who are happy to blame myriad world conflicts and crimes against humanity on him singly and on the American people generally while they look uncritically at their own governments. If more people had your nuanced view of things, I think we'd be better off.
I also think that when you said,
It's a very bizarre feeling to sit here in Tel Aviv, with close relatives in shelters in Haifa and the north, with one victim being af friend of a friend, with the knowledge that it's the same in Lebanon
that you were trying to express compassion for the people on the other side of the conflict you're now suffering under. Sadly, you may be suffering a bit from the same filter problem (albeit to a much lesser degree). I think your comment is as well meaning as that of those you criticized. Sadly, as of yesterday, there have been 17 civillian deaths in Israel. What you say about Lebanon is false. It is not the same. As of yesterday, there have been 380 deaths there.
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Joined: 14 Oct 2005
Posts: 827
Location: Oakland, CA
Posted: Mon Jul 24, 2006 8:52 pm
Post subject:
I certainly apologize for offending anyone by my comments. No, I don't believe that Bush is the cause, nor the solution for all the world's problems.
I do believe that to wait nearly a week before looking into rescuing Americans caught in the crossfire of an unpredicted conflict is a dreadful - and seemingly NOT unexpected - SNAFU. One that Bush and his handlers might have foreseen and gotten ahead of. I believe that their cynical attitude towards most of us Common Americans is what drives decisions such as these.
I do understand the the problem you are facing is much more complex than my simple statement reflected. That said, I do believe that the WILL of politicians, citizens and the military in every country could prevent war from ever taking place again. Of course - that leaves the corporations out of the loop, because it is almost always in most coporate best interest to have a war going on somewhere. No matter who is attacking or being attacked.
Simona, your tagline says "No more war." What would it take to achieve that?
L'appetit vient en mangeant. -Rabelais
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text:
Hi There
Karen, i sent an email but I think its vanished. So just wanting to get a cert of participation. Have filled in the form etc.
this is just for interest and maybe future debate in another context etc..... I have enjoyed this experience for the learning and the conversation....
Can you let me know how best to go about this?
thnks Liz


text:
Quarterback Matt McGloin said Thursday that he signed a three-year contract with the Raiders.
McGloin and his agent broke the news via Twitter. The Raiders have not confirmed the transaction.
McGloin played collegiately at Penn State, where he departed as the school's all-time leader in touchdown passes. He also set several single-season records during his tenure at Penn State.
The Raiders enter this season without a proven quarterback to replace traded veteran Carson Palmer.
Matt Flynn is the presumptive starter, though he has started only two games in his five NFL seasons. Third-year quarterback Terrelle Pryor started one game his first two seasons.
The Raiders also used a fourth-round draft pick on Tyler Wilson in the NFL draft last month and signed undrafted free agent Kyle Padron.
McGloin went undrafted last month, but he received plenty of attention from teams interested in a backup quarterback. He worked out for the Washington Redskins and Carolina Panthers before he signed with the Raiders.


text:
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text:
Want To Get A Sense Of Just How Complex And Confusing Copyright Law Really Is?
from the then-check-this-out... deptMichael Scott points us to an article concerning the Library of Congress issuing a report on how copyright law applies to libraries who possess unpublished audio works recorded prior to 1972. The problem, you see, is that no one was exactly sure whether or not these recordings were actually covered by copyright law. The real problem, though, becomes pretty clear pretty quickly as you read through the article: copyright law is a house of cards. We just keep layering new rules on top of old rules, and figure the courts will sort out the places where they contradict, overlap or confuse. But that leaves a ton of uncertainty in a variety of situations -- including this particular one. It should be a simple question: if a library is in possession of an unpublished sound recording from before 1972, what's the copyright status? But the mess that is copyright law makes it such that it's hardly an easy question at all -- and actually requires an 85-page report from the Library of Congress to go through all of the nuances. And then your everday individual is expected to understand what is "right" and "wrong" in copyright law?
Filed Under: confusion, copyright law, libraries, unpublished


text:
Update: Use the code 8YFYB8ZD for your free graze box, it lasts until April 7th I think!
I got my second graze box yesterday:
I had completely forgotten about it so it was a really nice surprise and the timing couldn't have been better, it turned up at 11:00 and I was just starting to get hungry.
Get a free graze box
I also got an email with a voucher code to give out. Just go to graze.com and enter T3RXJWYH into the relevant section and you will get your first box free and your second half price. Delivery is free too and there's no obligation to get any boxes after the first one to it won't cost you a thing to try it out. The offer is valid until April 1st (and no, it's not a joke) so if you've missed it you can always use 1925CTC as the voucher code, this one has no expiry and will get you your first box for £1.
I'm not sure how long I am going to keep up the boxes after my offer period ends, it's 50/50. The full-price boxes are a little too pricey for comfort (I get the olives that are 50 pence extra). They are nice though!


text:
Yahoo Makes Google Ad Deal, Microsoft Talks FailBy Reuters - Print
Yahoo and Google. Together at last? Antitrust?
SEATTLE/SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Microsoft's plan to establish a strong footing in online advertising suffered a big blow on Thursday as merger talks with Yahoo finally, formally failed and Yahoo said it would let Google sell search ads on its site.
Separate statements from Microsoft and Yahoo signaled a real rift between the two after their agonizing on-again, off-again talks, and Yahoo shares fell 10 percent as final hopes of a full or partial acquisition faded.
Microsoft shares rose more than 4 percent as investors showed relief that the company would not be paying too high a price for a deal they considered risky -- even though its biggest rivals on the Web aimed to work together.
Yahoo said it had agreed to let Google put search ads -- advertisements placed next to search results -- on its site in what it called an $800 million annual revenue opportunity that would boost cash flow by $250 million to $450 million in the first 12 months.
"Google has made an enormous gain strategically. This move might well have shut Microsoft out of the online space altogether," said Sanford Bernstein analyst Jeffrey Lindsay.
Google and Yahoo, No. 1 and No. 2 in search, will pit ads against each other in auctions for the ad that pays the most.
"Yahoo is being a reseller of Google whenever it makes sense, and that is likely to be a lot of the time, given how much more effective Google Web search ads have proven to be," Global Crown Capital analyst Martin Pyykkonen said.
The process is nonexclusive, meaning others could join in the bidding to place ads, a factor that could make a deal easier to pass regulatory approval. The companies agreed to wait 3-1/2 months for regulatory approval and to offer a way to end it if Yahoo is taken over.
But the prospect of combining the top search ad vendors in one system immediately raised fears. Sen. Herb Kohl, a Wisconsin Democrat and chairman of a U.S. Senate antitrust subcommittee, said lawmakers would "closely examine" the plan.
Google Chief Executive Eric Schmidt likened the deal to ones in other industries where rivals find ways to cooperate even as they compete.
"The decision of showing ads is a Yahoo decision, not a Google decision," he said.
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8 of 29
Mediterranean Lamb Burger
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text:
With the latest update to Fortnite, a new replay system as been added. It is very similar to the paragon replay camera. So the creative time at Epic decided that it would be a good idea to show everyone how to use the replay system, and if that wasn't enough they are having a contest to go along with it as well.
The contest begins today, April 13 and runs until April 26. Send your best video by April 26 at 11:59 ET to be eligible. Here is the detailed info on how to enter.
- Grand Prize Winner:
- Alienware Aurora w/ Tobii Eye Tracker 4C + Atomos Ninja Flame + G-Technology Atomos Master Caddy HD (1TB)
- 30-min Conference Call w/ Epic Video Team
- Fortnite Swag Bag
- Alienware Swag Bag
- 10,000 V-Bucks
- Finalists (5):
- Atomos Ninja Flame + G-Technology Atomos Master Caddy HD (1TB)
- Alienware Advanced Gaming Keyboard and Mouse + Tobii Eye Tracker 4C
- Alienware Swag Bag
- Fortnite Swag Bag
- 5,000 V-Bucks
- Honorable Mentions (10):
- 5,000 V-Bucks
- Runner-ups (74):
- 2,500 V-Bucks
Submissions must be of a video that is at least 60 seconds in length, but no longer than 90 seconds. So use #ReplayRoyale and get crackin on those videos.
Gaming before Gaming was popular. Fighting game enthusiast! I have a passion for gaming that is unmatched!


text:
Saxophonist Joel Miller pays tribute to the world-music scene in Montreal that has influenced his sound over the years. The album is full of infectious grooves and launches Miller in a new direction with a stellar percussion line up. It includes virtuosos, Cuban born Kiko Osorio on drum kit, Kullak Viger Rojas on Cajon and Congas, Rémi-Jean Leblanc plays electric bass and John Roney mixes in electronics and keyboards.
Pianist John Roney is one of the most active and visible artists on the Canadian music scene. His versatility as a jazz pianist, classical pianist and composer is unrivalled, demonstrating a mastery of an astonishingly vast range of artistic abilities and sensibilities. Obtaining his baccalaureate in jazz piano, classical piano, and composition from University of Toronto in 2000, he went on to complete his Master's degree at McGill University in jazz performance.
Photo credit: Alexandre Deslauriers
Born and raised in Cumberland, Ontario Josh left home after receiving a scholarship to attend McGill University. While a student Rager began to make a name for himself on the Montreal jazz scene while furthering his jazz education playing in the city's vibrant clubs and venues. Subbing-in for his teachers on gigs presented the opportunity to work with many singers and visiting artists and Josh eventually established himself as one of Montreal's in demand pianists/arrangers.


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The changing location of the vernal equinox.
Christopher has a Ph.D. in astronomy from the University of California, Los Angeles. After eight years of searching for exoplanets, probing distant galaxies and exploring comets, Chris realized he enjoyed talking about astronomy a lot more than actually doing it. After being awarded a 2013 AAAS Mass Media Fellowship to write for Scientific American, he left a research career at the U.S. Naval Observatory to pursue a new life writing about anything and everything within the local cosmological horizon. Since 2014, he's been working with Science News.


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2011 Previews: A.L. West
Let's check in first on "Signal-gate"…he's baaack…
Brett Weber, the Yankees' coaching assistant, was nowhere to be found Saturday after my little tweeted photo of him giving hand signals to Alex Rodriguez in the on-deck circle landed in the Commissioner's Office. But for Sunday's finale against Detroit, the former minor league pitcher was had returned to the third row back of the plate at Yankee Stadium. I didn't stare at him – when I don't give away my seats to Make-A-Wish I am there to watch the game – but I saw no signals today and only one player (Rodriguez) even looked fleetingly in his direction. MLB reportedly accepted the Yankees' explanation that he was only indicating pitch speed on Opening Day because the team's stadium scoreboard gun was busted.
That indeed explains Opening Day. It does not explain a different series of signals directed by Weber to Yankee on-deck hitters last year (especially Rodriguez). (By the way – and barring more developments, I promise to leave this trivial incident alone, but if you'd like to read a reasoned, calm blog about the response to it, here you go).
Now, having picked the Red Sox and Twins, and the Rays for the Wild Card (that's right, they're 1-and-8 among them – with only 477 left to play), let's finish off the A.L. predictions:
Los Angeles: This once dynamic team is rapidly falling back into the ranks of The Dullest Place On Earth Angels of the '80s and '90s. There are two brilliant starters in Dan Haren and Jered Weaver, and a brilliant outfield (although if you're going to add a gigantic salary, you reach for Vernon Wells?). But until Kendrys Morales comes back there is nothing else to distinguish this team, except for the shocking inadequacy of the bullpen (who knew Brian Fuentes could have meant so much?). I mean, even The Rally Monkey seems to have outlived his usefulness.
Oakland: Every season has a boutique, insiders' favorite, and this year it's the A's. And I don't see it. Mind you, I love this rotation and in particular Gio Gonzalez, but I am not impressed by a batting order that has allegedly been improved by adding David DeJesus, Josh Willingham, and Hideki Matsui at 3-4-5. You cannot win every game 3-2.
Seattle: And you especially can't win them 0-2. There is a scenario in which Erik Bedard ransoms his talent from the depths of injury, and the rookie Michael Pineda blossoms, and the two of them and Doug Fister form a rotation with King Felix that puts Oakland's to shame. But, even then, whence the offense? Ryan Langerhans is starting in centerfield. Ryan Langerhans has a lifetime .228 batting average and is just four years removed from batting .167 over 210 at bats with three different teams. Tom Wilhelmsen has made the bullpen after five years off, bartending.
Texas: Here is the most under-reported statistic of the 2010-11 off-season. The Rangers lost a pitcher who made exactly 20 starts for them, won 7, and lost 8 – and they were then promptly declared rudderless and hopeless for 2011. I am not suggesting that that is what Cliff Lee would've done for Texas this year (4-6 in the regular season, 2-0 in the Division Series, 1-0 in the ALCS, 0-2 in the World Series) but that is exactly what he did for them last year. Ten separate Texas pitchers won as many as Lee did for them during the regular season of 2010, including Dustin Nippert. Would things have been better for them if they'd re-signed him? Yes. You know what else would help? A farm full of Nolan Ryan clones. I'm sorry, there are no other significant downgrades here from a team that absolutely beat up the Rays in the ALDS and the Yankees in the ALCS and should've given the Giants a far better fight in the Series, and the additions of Adrian Beltre and Mike Napoli make a potent line-up even moreso. I don't see them being challenged – unless Josh Hamilton breaks in half.
OVERVIEW: 1. Texas, 2. Oakland (distant), 3. Los Angeles (a good run for 3rd), 4. Seattle (not as bad as last year). The Lee panic and the Lee reality are two different things. You want to worry in Texas? What exactly would happen without Hamilton?
LEAGUE OVERVIEW: Gotta stick with Boston, which if I'm right about the Rays and the Card (although with Evan Longoria out, I very easily may not be), would presumably draw the third-place record which I am guessing is Minnesota's. Thus it's Texas-Tampa again and I like Texas this time, with the Red Sox finally stopping them in the ALCS.
25 Comments
1. The league overview is very encouraging.
2. The link to the calm blog was very entertaining. 🙂
To be fair Langerhans is only starting at CF while Franklin Gutierrez and his stomach issue gets squared away. Also Langerhans is splitting the job with Saunders. They won't score many runs though.
Mr. Kieth, I've been a big fan for years. Thanks for the good words for My Rangers. Hope you're right; all exept the losing the ALCS of course!
GM Billy Beane will be the MVP for Oakland, if the A's edge out the Rangers for the AL flag, because he filled the run production void with three second-tier sluggers: DeJesus, Matsui and Willingham. The 2010 lineup hit just 109 homers [Toronto led the AL with 257] and scored 663 runs [Boston led with 818] last season, Oakland's second fewest in the last 28 full seasons.
Compared to the other two contenders for 2011, the Angels and the A's, the Rangers led in all major run-production categories and the A's need to close gaps:
HRs: 162 (Texas) 155 (LA) 109 (As) 53
RBIs: 740 (Texas) 656 (LA) 619 (As) 84
Rs: 787 (Texas) 681 (LA) 663 (As) 124
SLG % .419 (Texas) .390 (LA) .378 (As) .041
TB 2360 (Texas) 2142 (LA) 2059 (As) 301
While Matsui goes by the nickname "Godzilla," the real monster bat for the A's will be Daric Barton (1b), who is poised for a major Breakout Year. To add more pop and power, he added muscle and dropped body fat and that will translate into more doubles (44) and a few more homers (20). His glove work at 1b is Gold Glove caliber and many forget that he was a decent catcher in the minors.
The rival Rangers sent 162 shots out of the corral, while the Oaktown Boys managed to life only 109 well hit balls over the concrete fortress of the Coliseum. The trio of new arrivals, Matsui, DeJesus, and Willingham and a Beefy Barton should close that gap in 2011.
Confined by the home field configuration, Matsui will increase his doubles (33) and hit fewer homers (19), but raise his RBI total to 100, and hit .293, while Willingham and DeJesus will have similar profiles, to wit: .265, 19 HRs, 80 RBIs, 70 Rs , unless his rebuilt thumb effects his bat grip. Barton could realize the biggest jump in HRs (10 to 20) and RBIs (57 to 80+) .
The long baseball season is not just a marathon, it is also a team relay race, where guys hand off the baton to reserve players, so, depth is a key factor; the A's are very, very deep in starters, closers, and late-innings arms. They are very deep in the OF and Rosales and Tolleson can both play (2nd,3rd,SS) and the latter (.286 in 25 games) can also play OF. Capable journeyman Conor Jackson backs Barton at 1b and can also play OF. This gives the A's 10 guys who can play OF.
Backstopping backstop Suzuki is switch-hitting C Landon Powell, who has 80 RBI power with an above average glove and arm. Remember, Barton could also C in a pinch.
Two minor league infielders might also show this year: former Cal SS Grant Green, the man they see as their permanent fix and Rickie's injury-riddled brother "Weeks On The DL" Jemille, who has the potential—on paper– to break the other Rickey's SB record as a leadoff hitter and switch-hitter, but will need to find a way to play regularly on grass.
Also waiting in the wings are huge power/low BA slugger Chris Carter (limited to DH), Stanford OF Michael Taylor (just 6 HRs in AAA) and the potential star OF of the future (#10 pick in 2010 draft) Michael Choice (needs to reduce Ks) who resembles Ron Gant. Don't forget young C Max Stassi, who shows good D and awesome potential power.
Imagine, the only lack of power output in 2011 will be the guy who lead the A's in HRs (16) last season, [the fewest for team leader in Oakland history] Kevin Kouzmanoff at 3b. His .283 OBP, 96 Ks, 24 Ws and .247 BA were underwhelming for a position that expects offensive output. With low-power backups (Rosales, Tolleson), and a similar player (Adrian Gonzalez) at AAA, the A's may need to deal a pitcher, or two, for a power hitting 3b.
Yes, the Oakland staff was the best in the AL in 2010, but, consider that no stadium in baseball has more foul territory than the Oakland Coliseum. In fact, statisticians believe that the large amount of foul territory takes five to 10 points off of every batter's batting average.
The vast foul territory is the big reason the A's wisely build their team around pitching. A big spacious field like Oakland's and most of the West Coast teams allow for a more cost-effective mediocre team, something the A's have been for last the five years. Expect the home ERAs to be significantly lower than those earned on the road. But that may be a minor quibble with the talent and depth in the Oakland pitching corps.
Featuring Cahill, Anderson, Gonzalez, Braden and options at #5 like former A's star Harden (injured), Brandon McCarthy and dark horse Jeff Outman, who showed good stuff, then went DL for 2010, the A's could well have the best rotation in the AL West, or even the AL. A sleeper starter who went 9-4, 2.65 ERA in A-ball is Ian Kroll [file that name].
Oakland may lead MLB in the "Closers in Pen" category.
In two seasons, Andrew Bailey owns a Rookie of the Year award, a 1.70 ERA and an insane career ERA+ of 255. And he's 26, entering the perfect window of experience and youth.
If Bailey gets tired or goes DL, the A's have three former successful l closers:
Brian Fuentes, Michael Wertz, Brad Ziegler, as well as once projected Atlanta closer Joey Devine. If Outman and MCarthy cannot crack the rotation, they add to the deep pen brigade. And, they just added Rays reliever Gran Balfour (311 K/132 W, .222 BA against), 3.81 ERA.
The A's were in a virtual tie in team defense and speed with the other two 2011 contenders: Texas and LA.
This is the formula that carried the "No-Star" Giants to the WS and the World Championship in 2010; top-tier starters, deep pen, a great closer (make that FOUR closers), a lineup of non-stars and a good bench.
Look for the AL West pennant race to be decided in September, from the 9th to the 25th, when the A's face Texas and the Angels in 12 games –6 home and 6 away. If it is still undecided, the A's catch a break: they finish the season with three games in Seattle, September 26, 27, and 28, while the two rivals play EACH OTHER in Texas Stadium.
FINAL STANDINGS: A's, Texas, Angels, Seattle
Thank you for having some common sense. I have sat here all off-season feeling like one of the few people (even out of all of us Rangers fans) that were not panicking because we didn't re-sign Lee. I am hoping that you are wrong about the ALCS outcome, but I have the same thing for my prediction as well, with the Red Sox winning it all. A trip back to the ALCS would still be a great year for a team that has only been to the playoffs 4 times.
Saw the A's play in the Cactus League and then travelled to Oakland for the opening series. The heavy karma – and seeping sewer gas – of the Coliseum will be hard to overcome.
Kevin Kouzmanoff will likely become the face of the 2011 team. He made 2 errors in a 5 error game, and the home scorer was being charitable.
The key thing about building a team around pitching and defense is to have BOTH in place, and they simply don't have the latter. There will not much comfort in the low ERAs of the starting pitchers if the A's give up 1-2 unearned runs a game. Don't know what that season record is, but consider it threatened.
The Mariners, by the way, have a chance to be worse than last year – but without the drama. They simply cannot wait for the chance to trade Eric Bedard. Let's hope they can do better than Justin Smoak on that deal.
Seriously? You are going to judge a defense after the first 2 games of the season?! They virtually have the same defensive team as last year. Only four other teams in the AL had less errors than the A's last year or a better fielding percentage. Watch the A's take the west. If performance on opening day were a valid metric, then the Mets would be the best team in baseball.
I don't care what Keith says—I can't take the AL seriously as long as they have the DL, which is an abomination in the eyes of the LORD! Yea, verily.
Carl Maniscalco:
I say the NL–the only league on planet Earth not to have a DH–teach pitchers how to hit. To remove from a game a pitcher who's been doing a great job just because the team is in an offensive bind and said pitcher is nothing more than an automatic out, is quite irritating and dumbfounding to say the least.
Kiko Jones
Ah, but that's part of the drama and beauty of the game! After all, baseball is not truly an athletic contest, it's a game of skill and, above all, strategy.
Blah blah blah. Same BS.
Keith, how will The Langoliers do? I know it is a red eye (No reference to busted radar gun intended!) from L.A. to Boston, but they think they are the only ones on the planet! We all know who the luckiest man alive on the planet was…is…will be? I love this blah, blah, blah, Evan D. and I never even attended BS! ;o)
Carl Maniscalco:
I don't know about you, but when I witness the uncomfortable awkwardness and even downright clumsiness in the vast majority of pitcher at-bats and their occasional, subsequent base running, "drama and beauty" are the last things that come to mind.
Interesting to stumble across this today and read the phrase 'unless Josh Hamilton breaks in half'. Whilst 6-8 weeks out might not exactly be 'breaking in half', if it is the latter half of that estimate then we will be in mid-June and The Rangers will have been without Hamilton for two months. Panic in Texas? Perhaps not yet. But a couple of loses in these next few games and I wonder if we'll start to see it set in.
Assuming you're right about the divisions (and while the Twins and BoSox are off to wretched starts, I still don't see a reason you're wrong) the divisional playoffs go Boston-Minnesota and Texas-Tampa, and Minnesota doesn't have the problem with Boston they have with the Yankees. Twins in 4 over Boston. Arthur Rhodes comes up short again, Rays sweep Texas. And Gardy follows that with a pennant to go with last years MotY (and another MotY while he's at it).
The road sees rough a roar, and the roar and walked on.
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Bail hearings for 2 men in Canada terror plot
TORONTO -- One of two men accused of plotting a terrorist attack against a Canadian passenger train made a brief court appearance Tuesday in a case that prompted Iran to immediately distance itself from allegations that al-Qaida was operating in the country.
Canadian investigators say Raed Jaser, 35, and his suspected accomplice Chiheb Esseghaier, 30, received "directions and guidance" from members of al-Qaida in Iran. Iran denied any involvement and said groups such as al-Qaida do not share Iran's ideology.
Charges against the two men include conspiring to carry out an attack and murder people in association with a terrorist group. Police said it was the first known attack planned by al-Qaida in Canada. Esseghaier was scheduled to appear in court in Montreal later Tuesday.
Their case has raised questions about the extent of Shiite-led Iran's relationship with the predominantly Sunni Arab terrorist network. Relations between the two have been rocky for many years, but some al-Qaida members were allowed to stay in Iran after fleeing Afghanistan following the U.S. led invasion there. Iran watched them carefully and limited their movements.
U.S. intelligence officials track limited al-Qaida activity inside Iran. Remnants of al-Qaida's so-called management council are still there, though they are usually kept under virtual house arrest by the Iranian regime There are also a small number of financiers and facilitators who help move money, and sometimes weapons and people throughout the region from their base in Iran.
Last fall, the Obama administration offered up to $12 million in rewards for information leading to the capture of two al-Qaida leaders based in Iran. The U.S. State Department described them as key facilitators in sending extremists to Iraq and Afghanistan. The U.S. Treasury Department also announced financial penalties against one of the men.
Officials in Canada said Jaser and Esseghaier had "direction and guidance" from al-Qaida members in Iran but no financial assistance, and there was no reason to think the planned attacks were state-sponsored.
Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast told reporters on Tuesday that groups such as al-Qaida have "no compatibility with Iran in both political and ideological fields."
"We oppose any terrorist and violent action that would jeopardize lives of innocent people," he said.
Mehmanparast called the Canadian claims part of hostile policies against Tehran, and accused Canada of indirectly aiding al-Qaida by joining Western support for Syrian rebels. Some Islamic militant factions, claiming allegiance to al-Qaida, have joined forces seeking to topple the regime of Bashar Assad, one of Iran's main allies in the region.
The two countries have no diplomatic relations after Canada unilaterally closed its embassy in Tehran in 2012 and expelled Iranian diplomats from Ottawa.
Jaser's court appearance in Toronto was brief. He did not enter a plea and was given a new court date of May 23. He had a long beard and wore a black shirt with no tie. He was accompanied by his parents and brother. The court granted a request by his lawyer, John Norris, for a publication ban on future evidence and testimony.
Police said the men are not Canadian citizens and had been in Canada a "significant amount of time," but declined to say where they were from or why they were in the country.
The investigation surrounding the planned attack was part of a cross-border operation involving Canadian law enforcement agencies, the FBI and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Canadian police said the men never got close to carrying out the attack.
RCMP chief superintendent Jennifer Strachan said Monday that Jaser and Esseghaier were targeting a route, but did not say whether it was a cross border route. Best said the duo had been under investigation since last fall.
Muhammad Robert Heft, who runs an outreach organization for Islamic converts, and Hussein Hamdani, a lawyer and longtime advocate in the Muslim community, said one of the suspects is Tunisian and the other is from the United Arab Emirates. Heft and Hamdani were part of a group of Muslim community leaders who were briefed by the RCMP ahead of Monday's announcement.
In Abu Dhabi, a UAE source informed about the attack plot said there was "no UAE citizen" with the name Raed Jaser. The source spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to brief media.
Authorities were tipped off by members of the Muslim community, Best said.
The Canadian Council on American-Islamic Relations, a national Muslim civil liberties organization, planned to hold a news conference in Toronto on Tuesday to comment on the arrests.
A spokeswoman for the University of Sherbrooke near Montreal said Esseghaier studied there in 2008-2009. More recently, he has been doing doctoral research at the National Institute of Scientific Research, a spokeswoman at the training university confirmed.
Julie Martineau, a spokeswoman at the research institute, said Esseghaier began working at the center just outside Montreal in 2010 and was pursuing a Ph.D. in nanotechnology.
"We are, of course, very surprised," she said.
A LinkedIn page showing a man with Esseghaier's name and academic background said he helped author a number of biology research papers, including on HIV and cancer detection. The page says he was a student in Tunisia before moving to Canada in the summer of 2008.
The page carries a photo of a black flag inscribed with the Muslim declaration of faith: "There is no god but God and Muhammad is his prophet." The same flag was used by al-Qaida in Iraq and then started being used by ultraconservative Islamic groups in Egypt, Tunisia, Mali and elsewhere across the region.
In Markham, Ontario, north of Toronto, police tape cordoned off half of a duplex, with officers remaining at the scene well into the night. Sanjay Chaudhary, who lives in the other half of the duplex with his family, said the RCMP questioned him about his neighbor Jaser, asking whether he knew him or spoke to him often.
Associated Press writers Charmaine Noronha in Ontario, Benjamin Shingler in Montreal, Kimberly Dozier in Washington and Brian Murphy in the United Arab Emirates contributed to this story.


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Zero cases of HIV transmission were observed in mixed-status couples when the HIV-positive partner was on treatment with a viral load below 200, according to a study presented by Alison Rodger, M.D., at CROI 2014 in Boston. However, the result comes with many caveats and does not condone condomless sex, nor does it indicate that transmission is impossible with effective treatment.
The trial, known as the PARTNER study, followed 767 mixed-status couples in 75 sites across 14 European countries. The couples provided informed consent, with the negative partner knowing about the positive partner's status and risk of HIV transmission, as well as being educated about the need for consistent condom use.
To be eligible for follow-up, the couples had to report condomless sex, not using PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) or PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) and having a viral load below 200 within the last year. Data was collected every six months, in the form of a confidential risk-behavior questionnaire, along with a viral load test for the positive partner and an HIV test for the negative partner. Overall, the participants provided 894 eligible couple-years of follow up (CYFU), with an estimated total number of condomless sex acts at about 44,400.
The study included 445 heterosexual couples and 282 men who have sex with men (MSM) couples. Out of the positive partners, the median age was around 42, with at least 94% reporting treatment adherence over 90% and at least 85% reporting an undetectable viral load.
For the negative partners, the median age was also around 42, with reports of having consistent condomless sex for a median of about 2.5 years. For the men and women in heterosexual couples, diagnosis with a sexually transmitted infection (STI) other than HIV was at 5% and 6%, respectively, while reported condomless sex with partners outside of the relationship was 3% and 4%. However, for the men in MSM couples, STI diagnosis was at 16% and reported condomless sex with other partners was 34%.
Surprisingly, there were zero linked cases of HIV transmission within couples. However, here's where the numbers and statistics get a little tricky. While the estimated rate of HIV transmission within couples (per 100 CYFU) for any type of sex was zero, the confidence interval (CI) was 95% and the upper bound for this interval was 0.4, translating into a 10-year risk of about 4%.
Similarly, while the estimated rate of HIV transmission within couples (per 100 CYFU) for anal sex was zero, the confidence interval (CI) was 95% and the upper bound for this interval was 0.96, translating into a 10-year risk of about 10%.
Furthermore, looking at type of sex reported by the negative partner, all estimated rates of HIV transmission within couples (per 100 CYFU) were zero. However, the upper bounds of these confidence intervals varied:
- For women, vaginal sex with ejaculation: 1.88.
- For men, vaginal sex: about 1.32.
- MSM insertive anal sex: about 1.37.
- MSM receptive anal sex without ejaculation: about 2.5.
- MSM receptive anal sex with ejaculation: 4, translating into a 10-year risk of about 32%.
It's also important to note that during the study, HIV transmissions that were not phylogenetically linked to the positive partner did occur through partners outside of the relationship. According to Rodger, the total number of actual transmissions will remain blinded until the end of the study, and further research will be conducted to focus on the risk of transmission specifically among MSM.
As a reminder, the upper limits of risk remain uncertain, particularly over receptive anal sex with ejaculation, so while these results are promising, they require further investigating and do not condone condomless sex.
[Editor's note: To help better understand the statistics: Joel Gallant, M.D., M.P.H., writes in his blog, "While the transmission rate was zero in this study, the presenter made a point of discussing the uncertainty around that number. [Rodger] pointed out that while their best estimate for the transmission rate is zero, they can't exclude the possibility, with 95% certainty, that the true overall transmission rate was up to 4% over 10 years, and that the true transmission rate for receptive anal sex with ejaculation was up to 10% over 10 years. This is basically a statistical way of saying that you can't prove a negative. As the study accumulates more couples, the statistical uncertainty will diminish, and if they continue to see no transmissions, they will be able to say with greater certainty that the estimated risk is zero."]


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2012 Federal Legislative Agenda
City of Portland
2012 Federal Legislative Agenda
For a PDF version of this report - please click here
Top Federal Priorities for 2012
- Relief from the Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule (LT2)
- Surface Transportation Reauthorization
- Preserve Funding for Affordable Housing
- Superfund/Brownfields
- Portland Regional Export Strategy
- Urban Area Security Initiative
- Human Trafficking Victim Assistance
- Financial Consumer Protection and Foreclosure Prevention
- Protection of Local Revenue
Other Policy and Funding Priorities 2012
- Transportation
- Jobs Legislation & Economic Development
- Sustainable Energy Policy
- Housing
- Water Infrastructure and Environmental Policy
- Telecommunications
- Workforce Development
- Public Safety
- Education
- Parks
- Arts
- Post Office Closure
- Campaign Finance Reform
City of Portland
2012 Federal Legislative Agenda
Top Federal Priorities for 2012
Relief from the Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule (LT2)
The City continues to work with the Congressional delegation and the EPA to pursue relief from raw water treatment and storage requirements of the federal Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule (LT2) forPortland's Drinking Water System. The City seeks assistance from the delegation in obtaining the same consideration from the federal Environmental Protection Agency asNew York Cityto evaluate alternative compliance options for the uncovered finished drinking water reservoir requirements of the rule.
Surface Transportation Reauthorization
The City supports the passage of a two-year reauthorization of the surface transportation program which would allow for direct federal spending for local transportation infrastructure priorities.
Preserve Funding for Affordable Housing
The City will continue to advocate in Fiscal Year 2013 for the highest possible levels of funding for CDBG, the HOME Investment Partnership Program, and the McKinney-Vento program. The City will continue to communicate the impact of HUD budget cuts on the City's most vulnerable populations. The City urges Congress to keep the CDBG Administrative Cap at 20% and to reinstate funding for the Sustainable Communities Initiative.
The City ofPortlandsupports urban brownfield and Superfund site redevelopment to reduce sprawl, supply land for economic development and facilitate site development clean up. The City supports Congressman Blumenauer's efforts to pass H.R. 1596, the Superfund Reinvestment Act, to reinstate the financing of the Superfund Program through taxation.
The City also seeks to reduce regulatory uncertainty and complexity on brownfield and Superfund sites by clarifying and limiting the liability of new developers or tenants at multi-site Superfund projects, such asPortlandHarbor, and to streamline environmental investigation and clean up processes in order for vacant industrial sites to be primed for immediate development.
Portland Regional Export Strategy
The City seeks support in the implementation of its Metro Export Initiative (MEI). Federal support of the MEI would help fulfill the Obama Administration's goal of doublingU.S.exports over the next five years.
The plan highlights the importance of industry competitiveness, innovation, and access to foreign markets in achieving economic growth and job creation, and aims to implement these strategies by identifying specific resources and support needed to sustain and broaden the region's position as a national export leader.
Specific federal assistance, such as STEP Grants, will assistPortlandcompanies seeking to enter new markets by attending international trade shows to promote sale of goods and services, and to support their growth.
Urban Area Security Initiative
The City supports the protection of funding for the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI). The program addresses the planning, operational, equipment, training and exercise needs of high threat urban areas and assists in building capacity to prevent, protect against, respond to and recover from natural disasters as well as threats and acts of terrorism. The Portland UASI region covers thePortlandmetropolitan area, includingClark County,WA, and received $5.025 million in FY 2011 and $7.178 million in FY 2010.
Human Trafficking Victim Assistance
The City ofPortlandis concerned about the recent growth in sexual slavery and sex traffickers who exploit underage children. According to the FBI, more than 100,000 underage girls are estimated to be exploited for commercial sex in theUSeach year.
The City supports legislation passed in the Senate, Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking Deterrence and Victims Support Act of 2011, S. 596, authored by Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR) and John Cornyn (R-TX), to create a six state pilot program to help law enforcement crackdown on pimps and traffickers and create shelters, provide treatment, counseling and legal aid for the underage girls who are forced into sexual slavery.
Financial Consumer Protection and Foreclosure Prevention
The City supports the mission of the Consumer Financial Protection Agency. Also, the City supports the members ofOregon's congressional delegation who are working to fight for better regulation and oversight of financial products. Specifically, the City supports Senator Merkley's bill, the Regulation of Mortgage Servicing Act, which would provide tools to clean up the mortgage process and provide consumer protection, oversight and transparency within the process.
The City opposes federal preemption of local authority or ability to collect revenue. Specifically, the City opposes the proposed Internet Travel Tax Fairness Act, which would create an economic and competitive disadvantage for "brick and mortar" hotels by creating preemption for the collection of local hotel/motel taxes booked through Online Travel Companies (OTCs).
Portlandhotel occupancy taxes are based on the total retail rate paid by hotel occupants. OTCs such as Expedia and Orbitz purchase room rights at a discounted wholesale rate from hotels, then sell to the consumer at a higher retail rate, but only remit taxes on the wholesale rate. Brick and mortar hotels are required to remit taxes based on the full retail rate, putting them at a competitive disadvantage.
The OTC's failure to pay their share of occupancy taxes over the last ten years has cost the City's general fund $5 million to $8 million and results in an annual loss of at least $500,000. Cities nationwide are losing an estimated $1 billion a year in revenue.
Other Policy and Funding Priorities 2012
The City is committed to working with the congressional delegation and the federal government to support policies aimed at reducing vehicle miles traveled (VMT), increasing safety, increasing freight mobility and creating reductions in greenhouse gas emissions across all transportation modes.
Small Starts
The City supports changes in the Federal Transit Administration's (FTA) New Starts and Small Starts program to:
- Increase the maximum federal grant in the Small Starts program from $75 to $100 million.
- Adopt rules that allow for greater opportunity for Documented Categorical Exclusions from preparing Environmental Assessment or an Environmental Impact Statements for Small Starts projects built in existing right-of-way.
- Urge the FTA to complete the rule making on Cost Effectiveness and use clear, goal-oriented performance measures rather than the limited "transit system benefit" calculation.
- Consider reduced emissions to be included as criteria in the New Starts and Small Starts programs.
- Amend the User Benefit Measure to better to capture housing benefits or changes in development in order to support the goals of Partnership for Sustainable Communities.
Performance-Based Discretionary Programs
The City supports the continuation of the Transportation Enhancements grant program, the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant program, the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement program, the Surface Transportation Program and other programs that promote energy efficiency, transit and alternative modes of transportation.
Active Transportation Investments
The City ofPortlandsupports federal policies and investments that mitigate congestion, increase access to biking, walking and transit, and create economic development opportunities. The City supports significant investments in bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure to decrease congestion and livability across the city.
Metropolitan Mobility Program
The City encourages the creation of a Metropolitan Mobility Program, which will allow regions to build transportation systems that meets the multifaceted needs found in an urban environment, and urges Congress to allow cities to be direct recipients of these federal funds.
Passenger Rail
The City supports additional major investments in High Speed Rail (HSR) projects and applauds the emphasis the Obama Administration has place on HSR investment. The City supports the development of a high speed rail line fromVancouverB.C. toEugene,Oregon.
Jobs Legislation & Economic Development
Nationwide Jobs Legislation
The City supports federal legislation aimed to create both near and long-term jobs. Direct municipal aid provides local governments the flexibility to generate economic growth and create employment opportunities. The City believes that such legislation should include traditional infrastructure funding for transportation and water priorities, as well as funding for social services and housing assistance to prevent families from losing their homes, and substantial investment in education to provide for an educated workforce.
Local Economic Development Strategies
The City will explore partnerships with federal agencies, such as the Small Business Administration, to pursue opportunities to promote entrepreneurship and small business development.
The City will pursue grant opportunities to support economic development in several different areas, its Neighborhood Economic Development strategy, cluster strategy development and action plans, and to further the development of the Portland Seed Fund.
The City will monitor federal energy legislation and policy related to its Climate Action Plan and 5-year economic development plan. The City actively supports legislation and policies that provide incentives for energy efficiency, renewable energy projects, as well as more fuel-efficient vehicles and electric vehicles.
Oregon Sustainability Center
The City will continue to seek discretionary federal funding opportunities to support the research agenda for theOregonSustainabilityCenter.
Clean Energy Grants
The City supports the continuation of the Section 1603 Clean Energy Grant program, which will sunset at the end of 2011. The Section 1603 grant is a key component of the development of Community Solar pilot projects that will enable individual residents and businesses that are not able to install solar on their own homes or buildings to invest collectively in a larger system on a publicly owned facility.
Access to Capital for Community Solar Projects
The City supports the Entrepreneur Access to Capital Act, which would benefit the work being done by the City and its community partners to develop opportunities for "community solar" projects.
Tax Credits for Advancing Investment in Renewable Energy
The City continues to support tax credits for the investment in renewable energy technologies and production of renewable energy. The City encourages the passage of H.R. 3307, the American Renewable Energy Production Tax Credit Extension Act of 2011, which would extend the Production Tax Credit for certain wind, biomass, and other types of renewable energy production through 2016.
The City urges Congress to provide consistent funding for key safety net housing programs.
Residual Receipts
The City supports S. 1676, the Affordable Housing Preservation and Revitalization Act, introduced by Senator Ron Wyden. This legislation would "unlock" reserves of preservation properties and allow those reserves to be used to finance the transfer of properties into non-profit ownership in order to secure their long-term affordability. This legislation is supported by the Network for Oregon Affordable Housing and the National Housing Preservation Working Group. While the Administration has made regulatory changes that allow for more flexible use of Residual Receipts, the City will still advocate for statutory changes in S. 1676 that are still needed to meet the City's preservation goals.
Support Project Rebuild
As a component of President Obama's American Jobs Act, the "Project Rebuild" would bring $20 million to Oregon based on past formulas and would allow the Portland Housing Bureau to continue its previous Neighborhood Stabilization Program work with a new emphasis on job creation and would ensure continuing funding to mitigating the impacts of foreclosure in Portland.
Department of Housing and Urban Development Regulatory Relief
The City will continue to work with HUD and the delegation to reduce the negative impacts of regulations which impact many parts of the Portland Housing Bureau's work by extending construction timelines, ballooning costs, increasing reporting requirements, and slowing the access to housing for our veterans.
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender & Questioning Inclusion in The Fair Housing Act
The City supports the inclusion of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered, and Questioning as a protected class under the Fair Housing Act.
HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) Vouchers.
The City will continue to work with HUD to streamline the issuance of HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) vouchers. The City supports the Veterans Administration partnering with non-profit entities to provide staff support in order to alleviate any backlogs of vouchers through casework management and housing placement.
Tax Credit for First Time Homebuyers
The City supports Senator Merkley's proposal for a for a one-time $5,000 tax credit for first-time homebuyers who do not itemize deductions on their tax returns and who can provide a "match" of at least $5,000 for down payment and/or closing costs. This credit will open the doors to homeownership for homebuyers of modest incomes.
Sustainable Communities
The City continues to support the work done by the Partnership for Sustainable Communities initiative at the Department of Transportation, HUD and the Environmental Protection Agency. The City also supports the Livable Communities Act (S. 1621 and H.R. 3325) that would formally authorize the Office of Sustainable Housing and Communities at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and its Regional Planning and Community Challenge grant programs.
Water Infrastructure and Environmental Policy
Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Funding
The City ofPortlandsupports federal funding, particularly innovative approaches like the Water Infrastructure Financing and Innovation Act proposal and grants to support water and wastewater infrastructure projects. The City supports legislation to authorize higher levels of funding for state water pollution control revolving loan funds for sewer and drinking water infrastructure.
Water Resources Development Act and Army Corps of Engineers Projects
The City ofPortlandsupports the Water Resources Development Act which authorizes Army Corps of Engineers projects important to flood protection and ecosystem restoration through the region. The City supports inclusion of the further authorization forWestmorelandParkin Sec. 206 of WRDA, and the Lower Willamette River Ecosystem Restoration Feasibility Study (Willamette River Environmental Dredging, Section 312 GI) among other priorities important to the region.
The City ofPortlandcontinues to advocate for local government authority in the areas of right-of-way management, franchise fees, communications taxes, and public interest obligations across all cable, telecommunications and information services platforms.
Oppose Preferential Tax Treatment for Cell Phones: The City opposes legislative initiatives, such as S. 453 and H.R. 1002, to preempt state or local taxing authority on wireless service providers and their property. Adoption of such legislation would prevent the city's ability to bring fairness and equity to our existing phone tax system.
Oppose Pre-Emption of Zoning: The City opposes any attempt by the Federal Communications Commission or Congress to preempt state or local zoning, zoning procedures, and review deadlines for communication facilities.
Study of Health Effects of Cell Tower Siting
The City requests that the Federal Communications Commission work in cooperation with the US Food and Drug Administration and other relevant federal agencies to revisit and update studies on potential health concerns arising from radio frequency wireless emissions in light of the national proliferation of wireless use.
Community Access Protection (CAP) Act
Preservation of Public, Educational, and Governmental (PEG) Programming and Support: The City calls on Congress to enact H.R. 1746, the Community Access Preservation (CAP) Act. The CAP Act eliminates unnecessary limits on the use of PEG funds; creates a technology neutral definition of a cable system; bars discriminatory treatment of PEG channels and preserves, or in some cases, reinstates PEG support and localism.
FCC Notice of Inquiry Acceleration of Broadband Deployment Expanding the Reach and Reducing the Cost of Broadband Deployment by Improving Policies Regarding Public Rights of Way and Wireless Facilities Siting
Congress should reject any legislative or Federal Communications Commission initiative to preempt, or otherwise limit,Portland's ability to manage its rights-of-way, including the ability to demand a fair rental payment for the use of same. The FCC, through the issuance of an April 2011 Notice of Inquiry (NOI) will assert jurisdiction over state and local rights of way, and such an action is inconsistent with the FCC's National Broadband Plan and the limitations on the agency's statutory authority, and Congress should make clear to the Commission that it must respect these statutory limitations. Local governments need to retain the authority given them by the states to manage and obtain compensation for the use of their rights-of-way.
Net Neutrality
The City supports net neutrality and will oppose efforts that prevent this First Amendment right to use Internet data without regard to content, destination or source.
The City supports the efforts of the FCC's National Broadband Plan. Portland's local Broadband Strategic Plan picks up where the National Broadband Plan leaves off; While the national plan recognizes the role of local government in the implementation of broadband policy and social change, Portland has taken the next step to provide an inclusive approach to local and regional broadband planning, involving wireline and wireless industry, local businesses, educational institutions, public safety, transportation and healthcare.
Long-term Unemployed, Low-Skilled, and Youth Training
The City supports legislation, like the Pathways Back to Work Act (S. 1861 and H.R. 3425), which is focused on creating work and learning opportunities for those who are underemployed and long-term unemployed. The Act would provide for funds for a subsidized employment program, summer and year-round employment opportunities for disadvantaged youth, and for a competitive grant program to help low-skilled adults and youth obtain jobs and credentials.
Summer Youth Employment
The City supports H.R. 2539, the National Youth Summer Jobs Act of 2011, which would award 5-year competitive grants to eligible local government units to provide summer employment, including job readiness activities, work experiences, and job placement for out-of-school youths age 14-21. These programs are a proven, cost effective way to build a pipeline of qualified, diverse workforce, provide opportunities to the City's underserved residents, and address unprecedented levels of youth unemployment, enhance the connection between earning and learning, reduce crime, raise hope and increase lifetime earnings.
Portlandsupports full funding for:
- COPS Universal Hiring Program and COPS Technology Program;
- Byrne Justice Assistance Grant;
- The Violence Against Women Act, and;
- Graffiti removal and prevention.
Furthermore, the City and its regional partners are replacing the regional public safety radio system and the City will continue to seek discretionary federal funding for this project.
Illegal Gun Purchasing
The City ofPortlandsupports the Gun Show Background Check Act, S. 35, which would require background checks for all sales of firearms at gun shows, helping to cut off a major supply of illegal guns to criminals including those who traffic those guns intoOregon. Federal law requires federally licensed dealers to conduct background checks on all purchasers but there is no requirement that unlicensed private sellers, who often do business at gun shows, conduct back ground checks. This major gap in the background check system makes it easy for criminals and other prohibited purchasers to gain access to guns.
Community Mental Health Services
The City ofPortlandsupports more federal funding for community mental health services. The City also supports federal funding for mobile crisis intervention teams.
Metropolitan Medical Response System
The City supports the Metropolitan Medical Response System, and opposes the System from being consolidated into other public safety and security programs. Portland Fire & Rescue has received funding for medical equipment, supplies, training, and exercises through MMRS. Continued funding of the System is critical to maintain response capability during a disaster or terrorist attack.
Family Violence Prevention
The City supports the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act reauthorization. This provides the only federal funding source dedicated directly to domestic violence shelters and programs. The FVPSA expired in 2008 and the City supports its reauthorization. The City also advocates for full funding for the programs under this Act.
Victims of Crime Act
The Victims of Crime Act established the Crime Victims Fund to compensate victims of crime. Some of this funding supports transitional housing, emergency shelter and other services for victims of violence against women. The City ofPortlandurges Congress to fund these programs at the highest possible levels.
Dedicate D-Block to Public Safety
Portlandcalls on the Congress to enact legislation such as S. 28, the Public Safety Spectrum and Wireless Innovation Act, to ensure the deployment of a nationwide public safety interoperable broadband network in the 700 MHz band and creates a "Public Safety Interoperable Broadband Network Construction Fund" and a "Public Safety Interoperable Broadband Network Maintenance and Operation Fund."
College Tuition
The City opposes cuts to federal college tuition assistance, and supports access to higher education to all those who wish to pursue it. Further, the City supports policies and regulations that ease the burden of student loan debt and provide for the ability for graduates to pay back their loans, does not cripple their credit, and allow them to find work.
No Child Left Behind Waivers
The City supports the granting of waivers by the Department of Education to states under the most recent authorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education (ESEA) Act, the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act to give states and districts flexibility to design innovative strategies that harness local innovation and put every school on a path to success.
Tuition Equity
The City continues to support efforts such as the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act (DREAM ACT) to allow most students with good moral character who came to the U.S. at age 15 or younger and meet certain security requirements to qualify for conditional permanent resident status upon acceptance to college, graduation from a U.S. high school, receipt of a GED, or military service with the opportunity to pursue legal permanent resident status.
The City supports the Urban Revitalization and Livable Communities Act that would authorize $445 million over ten years for park development, enhancement, and maintenance. The City also supports full funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund and reinstatement of funding for theUrbanParksand Recreation Recovery grant program. However, the City does not support the Department of the Interior's proposal to disburse 60% of the funds through a competitive grant program, rather than the current equitable distribution formula based on population.
Federal Funding for Arts and Culture Programming
The City urges full funding for the National Endowment for the Arts and increased funding for arts education. Providing for arts, culture and recreation is a core, charter mission of the City ofPortland. Non-profit arts, culture and heritage organizations, which are the primary vehicle for these services, rely upon federal funding sources for programming costs and as a leveraging instrument, and the reduction of these funding sources would necessarily result in diminished service to Portlanders.
Tax Deductions for Artist Donations
The City also supports the Artist-Museum Partnership Act of 2011 (H.R. 1190) which revises current tax code to allow for a full "market value" tax deduction for artists who donate their works to a museum or library. Currently, artists may only deduct the market value of "cost of materials used" (e.g. paint, canvas, but not labor or market value of completed work) for their donation.
The City opposes the closure of US Postal Service processing offices around the country. The majority of post offices that are under consideration for closure inOregonare located in rural areas, and the loss of this service would be a blow to these communities.
The City supports efforts to reform federal campaign finance law by amending the U.S. Constitution to grant Congress the authority to regulate the campaign finance system and to deem that the term "people," "person," or "citizen" as used in this Constitution do not include corporations, limited liability companies or other corporate entities established by the laws of any State, the United States, or any foreign state. Among other important reforms, the amendment would allow Congress to correct the controversial Citizens United v. FEC Supreme Court ruling on campaign finance that has the effect of allowing virtually unlimited corporate and special interest spending in elections.
Prepared by the Office of Government Relations:
Martha Pellegrino, Director
Nils Tillstrom, Federal Legislative Assistant