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Downton Abbey
We enter this third season of Downton Abbey much like the people associated with our favorite sprawling English estate: as either haves or have-nots. As in, some of us have not seen a single minute of this chapter in the Crawley family saga, having waited patiently for last night's official, PBS-sanctioned premiere, while others have already consumed all nine-plus hours of fresh Downton drama via their oh-so-entitled access to British television or some shady form of online video. (Dowager Countess: "What is a bit-torrent?" "It's sort of like a weekend, Granny, but more … more file-share-y.")
But starting now, let's attempt to transcend the nonsensical release date divide that separates the refined Brits from us crass Americans. Let's even attempt to forget that, despite our best efforts to avoid any plot-related headlines, much of season three already got ruined during a disastrous Google search that flung us directly into really, reeeeally upsetting spoilers. Instead let's begin these weekly discussions of Downton Abbey with the same attitude Lady Cora brings to throwing an indoor-picnic dinner party: open-minded and game for great fun.
Because the early, largely positive critical response to this season of Downton Abbey (see Vulture critic Matt Zoller Seitz's take here) suggests it will indeed be great fun, as well as occasionally wrenching and a fine return to season-one form after a second season that dove too much into soapy waters. But let's be clear: In season three, oh, there are still plenty of suds.
In these first two hours alone, we get a highly anticipated wedding that was planned, almost canceled, then held in all its Kate Middleton–esque majesty; an attempt to clear Mr. Bates of murder charges; a few (very) chaste moments of passion (and yes, we are including the one between Maggie Smith and Shirley MacLaine, which will be covered shortly); a financial investment gone disastrously wrong; the drugging of an angry Irishman; a cancer scare; and, in keeping with classic prime-time-drama tradition, a tension-filled misunderstanding regarding the location of dress shirts. Scene after scene zips by, layering plot development atop plot development until we're nearly as wound up as Mr. Carson after an etiquette breach. As for the deeper themes, they are conveyed with as much subtlety as a Dowager Countess crack about a glass hammer. Whatever. Subtlety is overrated.
Within ten minutes of our reemergence into Downton land, where it's now the spring of 1920 and the house is in a hubbub to prepare for the long-awaited nuptials of Lady Mary and her dear, ever-dapper Matthew, we are introduced to the central question of season three: Will Downton live or die? It seems Lord Grantham has stupidly invested all of his and his wife's fortune in a railroad that's gone bankrupt. And, because apparently Lord Grantham is unfamiliar with the term "diversify," they've now got practically nothing. It's worth noting that this threat to the Crawley family future arrives via the failure of a company once owned by Charles Hayes, a tycoon who, as Wikipedia notes, perished on the Titanic like some Crawleys we all surely recall.
Robert eventually tells Lady Cora he's lost all of the family's cash and possibly their ability to keep Downton as a result, then breaks down in tears. To which she responds: "Oh my dear. How terrible for you."
Um, Lady Cora? Your husband has JUST BLOWN ALL OF YOUR MONEY ON TRAINS FROM CANADA. This seems like an appropriate time to get pissed. Ah, but Cora is a "Have gun, will travel" American who's adaptable and totally capable of downsizing to a more modest home with, say, 35 rooms instead of 580. The way she handles this situation is admirable and very generous to her spouse, albeit a bit puzzling given her usual concerns about keeping up appearances. Also, the idea that Americans are more comfortable with downgrading to a life of modest means is quaint considering that, decades in the future, those same across-the-ponders will snatch up deceptively affordable mortgages in order to luxuriate in McMansions. In the U.S., we do also recognize that truth later spoken by Lady Violet: "Nothing succeeds like excess."
Just as all this financial drama is stirring in the Crawley homestead, Matthew finds out that he will inherit a substantial amount of money from Reggie Swire, the late father of his also late ex-fiancée Lavinia, who named Matthew as one of his heirs. Which, hooray, should solve all the money problems!
Oh no. But wait. Matthew has this wacky obsession with being honorable and feels enormous guilt about profiting from the broken romantic promise he made to Lavinia. So he plans to give the money away rather than hand it off to his soon-to-be father-in-law.
At this point, I must pause and note that Mary and Matthew — so gorgeous in all their dancey-dance snowy proposal love during last season's finale — are largely, sadly devoid of charm in this episode. That's partly because of the ridiculous way in which they flirt with each other the day before their own wedding. ("Are you looking forward to the wedding?" Matthew asks preposterously, cheekily adding that he's looking forward to "all sorts of things." "Don't make me blush," Mary says primly, as absolutely zero color rises to her cheeks.) It's also partly because the writers of Downton Abbey rightly let us drink in the sight of Mary in her wedding gown, but then, wrongly, deprive us of seeing the actual wedding. But more than all that, the blandness can be traced back to that inheritance plot, which reduces Mary's relationship with her new husband to this: "Any news about the money? Kiss me, Matthew. So anyhoo … money?" Hey, marriage is about compromise. So why can't Matthew give away half of this reportedly substantial sum to a worthwhile charity and give the other half to his father-in-law? If Swire left Matthew as much as he implied, even part would still be enough to save Downton. What, is there not enough drama to be sapped from going halfsies?
Oh, and while we're on the subject of things that don't make sense, shouldn't Lord Grantham be much more eager to let Lady Edith and the well-off Sir Anthony be together? Sure, their romance is a January-December one. But he's rich, the Crawleys may soon become homeless, and Edith needs a stable future. So for God's sake, quit mucking about and just let Fuddy and Duddy get married already.
Phew. I feel better. Now, on to other matters, including the fact that Anna Bates has decided to become Nancy Drew and find undisputed proof that Vera Bates, the ex-wife allegedly murdered by Mr. Bates, actually committed suicide. Let's hope her plan works, because (a) we all want Mr. Bates to be free (well, all of us except Thomas) and (b) I cannot bear to sit through an entire season of moments in which Anna and her husband speak to each other in that grim prison visiting area. Downton Abbey already more than fills its weekly quota of Scenes in Which Dialogue Is Uttered Across a Table. It does not need more.
I haven't even mentioned poor Mrs. Hughes and her possible cancerous tumor or newbie Downton employee Alfred Nugent, the inept footman and valet who has driven a wedge between Wonder Twin meanies Mrs. O'Brien (his aunt) and Thomas, and who also, as established by the Internet, is basically Taller British Landry Clarke. But there isn't time this week, I'm afraid, because we simply must discuss the bull in Downton Abbey's china shop, the gloriously American mother of Lady Cora, Martha Levinson.
When Shirley MacLaine made her much-hyped entrance in hour one, what followed was both delightful and a tad predictable. She was bossy and blunt. She chided the Brits for their commitment to stuffy tradition. She drove the Dowager Countess absolutely nuts. ("She is like a homing pigeon," the DC complained. "She finds our underbelly every time.") And she strolled around with what may have been the feathers from several homing pigeons spewing forth from every ornamental piece she placed on her conspicuously consuming head. Basically, she did everything we expected MacLaine's character to do.
But then, during hour two, something magical occurred. The Song happened.
In the second of the premiere's two truly magnificent set pieces — the first being the Branson Gets Roofied, Then Becomes Matthew's Best Man moment, which led to Lord Grantham executing the best "WHA?!?!?!" head turn ever — the Crawleys were forced to transform a very important dinner party into that aforementioned indoor picnic, one that included Martha Levinson's cover of "Let Me Call You Sweetheart." While boozily belting out the pop standard, MacLaine lasered in on Lady Violet, who — thrown by the casualness of the affair — may have partaken of a cocktail or two. Martha sat down beside good 'ol Granny. She gazed into her eyes. "Let me call you sweetheart," she crooned while Carson looked like he was going to have a bad-manners seizure, "I'm in love with you." And the Dowager Countess responded by seeming surprised, then embarrassed, then perplexed, and then possibly a little aroused. And she did it all while looking like a perfectly confused peacock. It was like Downton Abbey's "Zou Bisou Bisou" moment and it was basically sublime.
It also was proof that, even with all its focus on aristocratic custom and sometimes too on-the-nose telegraphing of larger themes (yes, we get it, the times, they are a-Changin'), Downton Abbey is still very much capable of surprising us.


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(Australian Associated Press)
"You won't hear me say that ever again," Indian captain Virat Kohli on whether he would remain "very good friends" with Australian cricketers after their heated Test series in March.
"Back in my heyday, I would kill Michael Jordan one-on-one." – LaVar Ball, the outspoken father of NBA No.2 draft pick Lonzo, told USA Today.
"I think it's the dumbest half of football NSW have played. You got a player out there that can not pick his arm up off the ground and they didn't target him," NSW legend Andrew Johns blasted the Blues for failing to target an injured Johnathan Thurston in their State of Origin II loss to Queensland.
"I felt a little bit bored out there … I feel holding a trophy or doing well, it doesn't satisfy me anymore … I couldn't care less if I make a fourth-round US Open or I lose first round. I'm going to play another 10 years, and I know after my career I won't have to work again," Australian tennis player Bernard Tomic admitted after losing in the first round in Wimbledon.
"You've had enough. Show me something in this round or I'm stopping the fight," boxing referee Mark Nelson told Jeff Horn after the Australian was pummelled by Manny Pacquiao in the ninth round of their Brisbane fight. Horn beat the Filipino by unanimous decision.
"After seeing the crash, I'm lucky that I have come away with the injuries I have," Australian Richie Porte after breaking his clavicle and pelvis in a crashing during the Tour de France.
"The first thing that comes to mind when I crossed that finish line was obviously excitement and emotion but also proud, so proud," said Sally Pearson, after she completed one of the most remarkable comebacks in Australian sport by regaining her world 100m hurdles title.
"He probably deserves a player that is probably more dedicated to the game than I am. I'm not dedicated to the game at all," Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios on his relationship with coach Sebastien Grosjean.
"All he's doing is praying. But he's praying to the new god of boxing," said Conor McGregor of Floyd Mayweather in one of the many barbs between the pair ahead of their Las Vegas boxing match.
"I'm not going to cry, but I feel like crying," Australia surfer Julian Wilson after winning the Tahiti Pro, his first surfing tour victory since being in the water when close mate Mick Fanning was attacked by a shark in South Africa.
"This is like dumping the fastest improving athlete or the silver medallist from the Olympic swimming squad and leaving the worst performer in there," billionaire Western Force backer Andrew Forrest lashed Rugby Australia for axing the franchise from Super Rugby.
"I was trending more than Donald Trump last night," Jack Riewoldt on joining rock group The Killers on stage during Richmond's AFL grand final victory celebrations.
"It's been the biggest privilege of my life and probably not the ending I had envisaged when we started, but at the same time, knowing it's the right time for me and the right decision," Ange Postecoglou half-explains his decision to quit as Socceroos coach before the World Cup next year.
"Ten months ago, I could do whatever I wanted, but now everyone's paying attention. I like that my little cousins are proud to tell people who I am and want me to come pick them up from school," Matildas striker Sam Kerr on her breakout year.
"Could we end some careers? I hope so," Australian spinner Nathan Lyon baited England ahead of the Ashes.

subset: commoncrawl


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PALO ALTO — A Union City man arrested on suspicion of pilfering packages from a Palo Alto doorstep has been tied to similar thefts in San Jose, police said Sunday.
Since his arrest Jan. 1 police have turned up evidence they say shows that Andrew Philip Stafford, 25, was responsible for stealing other pieces of mail. While searching a storage unit rented out to Stafford in Campbell, officers found two packages that may have been stolen from San Jose porches, said Palo Alto police officer Marco Estrada.
Investigators also found a personal check in Stafford's white 1972 Chevrolet pickup that allegedly stolen from a San Jose mail box Dec. 28.
Stafford was booked into the Santa Clara County jail on various felony and misdemeanor allegations, including possession of stolen property. He may face more charges because investigators have not yet finished their probe.
The case cracked open New Year's Day when a resident on the 2600 block of Marshall Drive in Palo Alto called police around 12:20 p.m. after seeing a man steal two packages from a neighbor's doorstep. Minutes later Palo Alto police officers, spotted the alleged thief and arrested him.
In the suspect's truck they found the packages, which contained about $120 in merchandise. Police also seized a collapsible baton, a fake .45 caliber handgun as well as methamphetamine and cocaine. Because of some plastic bags and a scale in the truck, investigators believe he was also dealing drugs.
Anyone who thinks they may be a victim or have information about the thefts can call Palo Alto police at 650-329-2413.
Contact Joshua Melvin at 650-348-4335. Follow him at Twitter.com/melvinreport.


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The conflict between Dr. Cornel West and Dr. Melissa Harris Perry is being positioned as though it is based, solely, within a political and critical disagreement regarding President Barack Obama. Nothing appears further from the truth. The "beef," in fact, began at Princeton University, after Dr. West recruited Dr. Harris Perry, to campus. One day, the truth of exactly what happened on that campus will be told, preferably by the primary parties involved.
What we do know is that, subsequently, Dr. Melissa Harris Perry was denied her promotion to full-professor and, apparently, not only was Dr. Cornel West a part of that process but it was a unanimous decision by the committee. That had to hurt. And, given the irony of the situation, one wonders if the decision was just.
Being denied a promotion, for whatever reason, is a sign that the work one is doing is not valued enough by the institution and/or the institution may not be the right fit for one's career trajectory, after all. Often times, the scholar departs. Such departures are not always as bitter as what seemed to be the case at Princeton; but from those of us who witnessed the banter on Twitter, it was ugly—and remains inconclusive. Admittedly, it bothers me to see West and his supporters in particular, repeatedly state that Harris Perry had not produced enough "scholarship" because, I wonder, what is "enough?" Enough, in the academy, is always subjective.
Is Dr. Harris Perry being punished for being the first on her academic block of Princeton's Center for African American Studies to embrace "Twitter?" I hope not. But it seems so. Twitter is many things but, most certainly, a larger classroom in which to teach, an excellent salon of diverse individuals to share in the marketplace of ideas and a digital playground in which scholars become actual, human beings with lives that include raising children, watching television and cracking jokes. Twitter is a wonderful place to be, so I can understand if there was some confusion and/or jealousy involved in how quickly Harris Perry grew a popular audience… but asking for assistance to grow one's own was also an option, no?
I have taken these recent criticisms and outright, misogynistic attacks on Melissa Harris Perry more personally because it is clear the issue is not really about politics but what appears to be a sense of patriarchal ownership (and not just from Dr. West) of voice, of narrative, of song, even. Who is to say what the trajectory of one's "life of the mind" should be? As academicians, are we not always criticized for talking amongst ourselves? For doing research that never quite makes it past the campus bookstore, the academic journal distribution list, the scholarly conference?
I see similarities between Harris Perry and Barack Obama, in the sense that they seemed fine and acceptable as long as they could be a Dr. West protégée or a Civil Rights legacy of Jesse Jackson (but not Shirley Chisholm) or the Democratic Party, respectively. As soon as they held dreams beyond that which their immediate predecessors deemed appropriate, acceptable and/or controllable, they were soon harshly criticized and chastised to stay "in their place."
Indeed, if Dr. Harris Perry is "a fake" and "a fraud," Dr. West is the one who invited a "very, very smart" professor into an Ivy League institution just as he supported a very, very smart, Senator Barack Obama to be the next President, so his present rebuke may say more about his own judgment or, perhaps, his sense of entitlement and control?
In fact, many of my (male and female) colleagues, all of us legacies and beneficiaries of the scholars who paved the way for Black/Africana Studies and its subsequent effects upon the academy, have experienced what I consider an unfair criticism for not only desiring more from our lives as academics but being able to be in the very world we seek to change while living in it. This is ironic, considering that as an Africana Studies major, I could not graduate without engaging in pubic service outside of my academic institution. Indeed, "service-learning" was a major tenet of the origins of Black Studies. We want to make history, not just teach it. This is the work of W.E.B. DuBois, of Anna Julia Cooper, of Carter G. Woodson, of Ida B. Wells-Barnett. The technology we use and the (social) media in which we appear are but tools to broaden our voices, expand our work and live fuller lives so the ivory towers uplifts rather than crushes us.
Far beyond this particular incident, Black women, in particular, can and must redefine what the academy means for their lives. No one knows what it is like to be us. No one. As always, we must define when and how we enter our lives—of the mind and otherwise.
Dr. Kimberly C. Ellis aka "Dr. Goddess" is an American and Africana Studies scholar and the youngest member of "the dream team" which took the Tulsa Reparations Survivors' case to the door of the Supreme Court. She is presenting at SXSW on "The Bombastic Brilliance of Black Twitter." Follow her on Twitter: @drgoddess, check out her official website and connect with her via Facebook.


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It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas around here. It should with only two weeks left. I thought I would share with you what has been going on around here.
Knucklehead and I got the tree out (with the help of Uncle John who got it out of the attic for us) and we set it up. Then we plugged in our PRE-LIT tree to find that only half of it was pre-lit.
Totally bummed, I had to run up to the Dollar General store and buy some lights to fill in the dead spots. I did, and Knucklehead when to decorating. I'm lucky if he placed one ornament every thirty minutes or so.
After a VERY long night, with both of us wanting to kill each other by the end of it, the tree was finally finished and I did the rest of the decorations while Knucklehead and Ringo watched TV. We finished at 1:00 am. I was whooped but the end result looks good and both Knucklehead and I survived and still love each other.
Booyah! Can't ask for more than that.
I took several pictures of Ringo by the tree as I wanted to get one of him with his ears up but I was making him sit and stay, right in front of the tree and he thought he was in trouble so his ears never came up. Here he is anyway.
Then I took some shots of Knucklehead which I love, so here are a few. I love to get close up shots of people's faces. I want to remember every little line, dimple or freckle. Sometimes dirt, but that's what little boys are for.
And my favorite of all time:
Cameron, my step-son and who I call CamWow, but Skylar calls Camera, came in over the week-end and I took some shots of him and Knucklehead and this is what I got.
I do believe CamWow was about to rub a bald spot on Knucklehead's head, but he didn't. Then we had to have the obligatory wrestling match of which Ringo had to get involved in. I love the fact that they are jumping around and in the background on the TV Tom Hanks and Elizabeth Perkins are jumping on the trampoline in the movie "Big". I've been getting great photo bombs from the TV lately.
Also, if you will take a moment to look at the bottom half of the tree in the above picture of the kids, you will notice the rest of the pre-lit lights on the tree went out. YAY!! Another trip to the store, hence the new lights on the couch and I should tell you, it is no fun trying to stick lights on an already decorated tree. Alix stuck them on for me and now it looks good, but that tree is going in the trash after Christmas and I'll be getting me a flocked tree next year. So get ready family!
Here is my little Skylar in front of the tree, he is such a cutie.
Lastly, I have been going to a few Christmas parties and I believe I have worn more makeup in the last two weeks than I have all year. There's not much point in getting all fancied up here on the compound, it's not like the chickens care, so it's been a treat to get all "Dolled" up and roll out on the big town of Heber Springs. LOL.
Anyway, I took this picture to send to The Hubs before the DAV Christmas party, just to remind him I can clean up a bit so it turned out pretty good and I guess I'll share it. I hardly ever post pictures of myself but I'll do it this time. At least I don't have duckface. LOL
Knucklehead has prepared his Christmas list and placed it in his wish box under the tree. I was pretty impressed with his list, it wasn't much and it's all affordable stuff so it should be easier this year.
After all this activity when I just want to sit down and watch TV and relax, it seems I always have to fight for the remote. Do you have this problem at your house? Even Ringo hogs the remote. He loves Cesar, the Dog Whisperer! He does cry when he watches Animal Hoarders though so I have to try to avoid that.
So, that's it. I'm going to go and fight for the remote and watch a sappy love story or a Christmas movie.
I hope you all are enjoying getting ready for Christmas, I am but next on the list is shopping.


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Seven months ago at E3, I sat down with EA Sports' boss, Andrew Wilson, for an annual chat that always features a lot of big-picture spitballing because of where and when it takes place. I forget what question brought this up, but I'm now looking at my notebook from that day and I see the words "Internet-enabled fridge" written and underlined twice.
Revisiting the voice transcript, Wilson was making a point about the number of platforms for which EA Sports is building games. "Two to three years from now," he said, "we might be building for 30 platforms, or your Internet-enabled fridge."
(To be fair, he added, "or a hologram that comes up through your living room floor.")
Why wait three years? Andrew Wilson's Internet-enabled fridge has arrived today. This exact device was shown off this week at Consumer Electronics Show, and it sounds absolutely ridiculous. Frankly, it is ridiculous, as many things ahead of their time seem. Samsung's Android-based T9000 (yes, that's really its model name) features the same kind of screen and functionality that the futurist Wilson himself described to me—and to others, including ESPN—back in Los Angeles.
"When you're standing in your kitchen, are you going to play 11-on-11 soccer on your fridge? No," he offered. "But if an option for FIFA Ultimate Team popped up there while you're grabbing the milk, you could press accept."
I have "*laugh" marked in my notes here.
Well, we can stop laughing. And EA Sports can start developing.
Samsung smart fridge: It runs Android apps like Evernote [VentureBeat]


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Two wireless carriers in Canada have been ordered to stop exempting their mobile TV services from data caps in a ruling that targets discrimination against competing online video services.
The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) issued the ruling today against wireless carriers Bell Mobility and Videotron, which each offered mobile TV services and exempted them from data caps. The country's telecommunications law "prohibits Canadian carriers from conferring an undue disadvantage to others, or an undue preference to itself or others," the commission said. "Bell Mobility and Videotron have given an undue preference in favour of subscribers of their respective mobile TV services, as well as in favour of their own services, and have subjected consumers of other audiovisual content services, and other services, to a corresponding undue disadvantage."
The commission directed Bell "to eliminate its unlawful practice with respect to data charges for its mobile TV service" by April 29, 2015. Videotron must confirm by March 31 that it has completed the withdrawal of its TV app from BlackBerry and Android phones, "thereby removing any undue preference for its mobile TV service, and ensure that any new mobile TV service complies with the determinations set out in this decision."
Bell and Videotron each charged subscribers monthly and hourly fees to view video on their mobile devices, but customers could watch as much as they wanted without getting charged for more data. Videotron is a cable company but also offers wireless service outside of its cable territory.
"The case arose from a complaint filed by Ben Klass, a graduate student, who noted that Bell offers a $5 per month mobile TV service that allows users to watch dozens of Bell-owned or licensed television channels for ten hours without affecting their data cap," University of Ottawa law professor Michael Geist wrote today. "By comparison, users accessing the same online video through a third-party service such as Netflix would be on the hook for a far more expensive data plan since all of the data usage would count against their monthly cap. Videotron was later added to the case, based on similar concerns with its mobile television service."
Bell argued that it was subject to broadcast regulation instead of telecom regulation, but the CRTC "ruled that mobile television services effectively invoke both broadcast and telecom regulation, since a data connection is required to access the service," Geist wrote.
In the US, AT&T has been charging online content providers for the right to exempt their services from data caps. (AT&T also argued in 2012 that it could limit the use of Apple's FaceTime to certain types of data plans.) T-Mobile exempts music services it offers with partners from data caps, but it also exempts music services from competitors. FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler has fought wireless carriers over their throttling of unlimited data plans, but the status of net neutrality rules for wireless is unsettled.
Wheeler's first net neutrality proposal last year exempted wireless carriers from some of the anti-discrimination rules applied to fixed Internet providers, but he is scheduled to unveil a new net neutrality plan next week that could put wireless and fixed on more equal footing.


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Year in Review 2022
Apple Captures #2 Ranking in OEM Market for First Time
RESTON, VA, November 30, 2012 – Comscore, Inc. (NASDAQ: SCOR), a leader in measuring the digital world, today released data from the Comscore MobiLens service, reporting key trends in the U.S. mobile phone industry during the three month average period ending October 2012. The study surveyed more than 30,000 U.S. mobile subscribers and found Samsung to be the top handset manufacturer overall with 26.3 percent market share. Google Android continued to lead among smartphone platforms, accounting for 53.6 percent of smartphone subscribers, while Apple secured 34.3 percent.
OEM Market Share
For the three-month average period ending in October, device manufacturer Samsung ranked as the top OEM with 26.3 percent of U.S. mobile subscribers (up 0.7 percentage points). Apple ranked second for the first time on record with 17.8 percent market share (up 1.5 percentage points), followed by LG with 17.6 percent share, Motorola with 11 percent and HTC with 6 percent.
Smartphone Platform Market Share
121.3 million people in the U.S. owned smartphones (51.9 percent mobile market penetration) during the three months ending in October, up 6 percent since July. Google Android ranked as the top smartphone platform with 53.6 percent market share (up 1.4 percentage points), while Apple's share increased 0.9 percentage points to 34.3 percent. RIM ranked third with 7.8 percent share, followed by Microsoft (3.2 percent) and Symbian (0.6 percent).
Mobile Content Usage
In October, 75.9 percent of U.S. mobile subscribers used text messaging on their mobile device (up 0.3 percentage points). Downloaded applications were used by 54.5 percent of subscribers (up 1.9 percentage points), while browsers were used by 52.7 percent (up 1.5 percentage points). Accessing of social networking sites or blogs increased 1.5 percentage points to 39.4 percent of mobile subscribers. Game-playing was done by 34.1 percent of the mobile audience (up 0.3 percentage points), while 28.7 percent listened to music on their phones (up 0.4 percentage points).
About MobiLensMobiLens data is derived from an intelligent online survey of a nationally representative sample of mobile subscribers age 13 and older. Data on mobile phone usage refers to a respondent's primary mobile phone and does not include data related to a respondent's secondary device.
About ComscoreComscore, Inc. (NASDAQ: SCOR) is a global leader in measuring the digital world and preferred source of digital business analytics. For more information, please visit www.comscore.com/companyinfo.
Adam Lella
Comscore, Inc.
+1 (312) firstname.lastname@example.com


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Now offering some classes in person.
- This event has passed.
Medstar Georgetown Hospital Prenatal Tour
March 21, 2020 @ 12:45 pm - 1:30 pm
MedStar Georgetown University Hospital Center
Expectant parents are welcome to come to MedStar Georgetown University Hospital Center for a brief walking tour of our spacious Labor & Delivery suites and private mother-baby rooms.
The tour is designed to introduce families to our facility for a more comfortable birthing experience. For safety reasons, the tour is limited to adults and children 14 years and older.
Pre-registration is required.
– Parking: Please park in one of the hospital garages.
– The tour guide will meet you in the Hospital Main Entrance. When you enter the main lobby there is a waiting area to your left
– Please note this is limited to 20 people (10 couples).


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It's about damn time for some more iPhone 5 speculation! The latest? An iPhone case model that shows the next iPhone having an edge-to-edge screen, a wider home screen button (for possible gestures!) and an iPad 2-esque curved back.
9to5Mac says these case designs are being shopped around to Asian case manufacturers for production and that it's "indicative of the next generation iPhone's design". Obviously, a purported case isn't the best thing to go on but these descriptions aren't far off from the weird looking iPhone 5 mockups we've seen already. Guess we'll find out in a few months time. [9to5Mac, MobileFun]
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- With the Presentation Timer feature, users can rehearse their presentation to ensure meetings stay on schedule.
- Turn ordinary whiteboards and wall surfaces into interactive displays with the optional eBeam® technology from Luidia® for more engaging meetings and brainstorming sessions.¹
- Users can project any networked Mac or PC from the projected surface and transform conventional screens into smartboards. USB-compliant devices let you deliver computer-free presentations and the multi-screen mode allows users in up to four different rooms, with four different projectors, to view the same presentation seamlessly.¹
- For a LAN connection, choose one of the networked projection systems to eliminate the need for input source devices. Having wireless network functionality enables access to the network for presentation purposes without having to connect to the projection system, reducing table clutter and simplifying set up.¹
- With QuickProjection, users can easily identify all available networked projectors. A simple one-time installation using the Network Utility (included on the CD-ROM) provides fast access to all networked projectors.¹
- Designed specifically to leave an impression with audiences — without impacting the environment or your budget. It operates quietly, with a noise level below 38 dB, which can be reduced to 32 dB in Eco Mode.
- With Eco Mode, users can also specify power settings and lamp brightness extending the life of the lamp. DLP technology requires minimal heat and uses a high-pressure 3,500-hour mercury lamp to produce reliable performance in any light with minimal maintenance.
- In addition, the PJ X3340N supports PJLink and @Remote service, so administrators can remotely power the unit on or off, configure settings with ease from any location and generate status and error reporting to ensure optimal efficiency and enhance projector life.
|Projector Part Number
|- 430732
|Replacement Lamp Part Number
|- 308991
|3D Glasses Type 1
|- 512511
|Projection System
|- Single Chip Digital Light Processing (DLP)
|- XGA – 1024 x 768 dpi (786,432 Picture Elements)
|White Light Output (brightness)
|- 3,000 Lumens¹
|Color Reproduction
|- 1,073,000,000 Colors
|Contrast Ratio
|- 5000:1
|Screen Size / Projection Distance
|- 30" – 200" / 26.7" – 283.4"
|Lamp Type
|- High Pressure Mercury (230W)
|Lamp Life
|- Standard Mode: 3,500 hours; Eco Mode: 5,000 hours
|Video Compatible Signal
|- NTSC, PAL, SECAM, HDMI, PAL-M, PAL-60, NTSC 4.43, 60 Hz (Mono), 50 Hz (Mono)
|USB Memory Compatible File Format
|Projection Modes
|- Front (Standard), Rear, Rear Ceiling, Front Ceiling
|Auto Brightness Control
|- Yes
|Eco Mode
|- Yes
|Auto Keystone Correction
|- Yes
|Additional Features
|- Multi-screen Projection (1 PC to 4 Projectors), Digital Camera, PJLink, PC Free Presentation (JPEG/MPEG2 via USB), @Remote
|Supported Languages
|- Arabic, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hungarian, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Spanish, Swedish, Thai, Turkish
|Other Primary Features
|- AV Mute (Blank), Freeze, Re-size (Magnify), Digital Zoom (80% – 100% Reduction), Password Protection, Wall Color Mode, Key Lock, Security Bar, Kensington Lock, User Logo, Eco Mode, Carbon Meter, Closed Captioning, Presentation Timer, Blu-ray 3D Projector Ready, Interactive Ready
|Dimensions (WxDxH)
|- 11.69" x 9.25" x 3.93" (297 x 235 x 100 mm)
|- Approx. 6.6 lb. (3.0 kg)
|Operating Environment
|- Temperature: 41°F to 95°F (5°C to 35°C); Humidity: 30% to 70% (no condensation)
|- 100 V – 240 V, 50/60 Hz
|- 0.55"
|Aspect Ratio
|- 4:3
|- 15 – 100 kHz
|- 23 – 85 Hz³
|Lens Focal Length
|- 26.7" – 283.4" (0.68 – 7.2 m)
|Zoom Ratio
|- 1.0 – 1.5 Optical Zoom
|- Supported/Automatic
|RGB Input
|- Mini D-sub 15 pin x 2
|RGB Output
|- Mini D-sub 15 pin x 1 (input and change over)
|Video Input
|- RCA 1 pin x 1
|Audio Input
|- 3.5 mm diameter stereo mini jack x 1
|Audio Output
|- 3.5 mm diameter stereo mini jack x 1
|- USB 2.0 Type A x 1 (JPEG/MPEG
|Wired LAN
|- 10/100/1000Base-TX Ethernet x 1 (RJ45)
|Wireless LAN
|- IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n compliant
|- HDMI™ Terminal x 1
|Network Utility
|- Windows XP SP3 (Home/Professional)**, Windows Vista SP2 (Ultimate/ Business/HomePremium/HomeBasic) 32bit/64bit, Windows 7 (Ultimate/ Enterprise/Professional/Home Premium) 32bit/64bit, Windows 8 (Pro) 32bit/ 64bit; Mac OS X (10.6 – 10.8)
|JPEG Conversion Tool
|- Windows XP SP3 (Home/Professional)**, Windows Vista SP2 (Ultimate/ Business/HomePremium/HomeBasic) 32bit/64bit, Windows 7 (Ultimate/Enterprise/Professional/Home Premium) 32bit/64bit, Windows 8 (Pro) 32bit/64bit
|Projector Management Utility
|- Windows XP SP3 (Home/Professional)**, Windows Vista (Ultimate/Business/ HomePremium/HomeBasic) 32bit/64bit, Windows 7 (Ultimate/Enterprise/Professional/HomePremium) 32bit/64bit, Windows Server 2008/2008R2 32bit/64bit, Windows 8 (Pro) 32bit/64bit
|** Not supported on 64-bit version.
|While Operating
|- Less than 289W / Eco Mode: 204W
|- Less than 0.28W*
|*N/A with network function
¹ Overall mean values for product at time of shipping are indicated in accordance with the JIS X6911-2003 data projector specification format.
² When using the USB terminal for computer-free presentations, there is no guarantee images will display. They may not display because of the file.
³ Preset to this range of supported signals. Signals not present by display even if they are within this range.


text:
The Specimen Processor will receive, sort, identify, process, and distribute specimens to all technical sections. Enter requisition information and patient results into the computer system; call statistical results, answer phone, code charge slips, train new employees and perform related clerical duties.
Responsibilities of the Specimen Processor:
- Demonstrate service orientation approach by conveying courtesy, respect, enthusiasm and a positive attitude in work situations. Show initiative and offer assistance in the completion of the department's work. Monitor pneumatic tube and courier deliveries to ensure timely processing of specimens.
- Investigate and resolve any requesting mistakes or other specimen problems. Request assistance when needed. Complete quality forms for unacceptable specimens, requesting errors or other problems. Separate by centrifugation. Label appropriate aliquot tubes and transfer as defined by policy; store samples at the appropriate temperature.
- Determine and enter the specimen receive time into the computer. Answer all telephone inquiries concerning proper specimen collection, result, and normal range information. Follow all regulations regarding health and safety concerning the handling of biohazardous patient samples or sharps to prevent exposure.
- Verify patient specimens such as blood, urine and other body fluids with requisitions or labels, making certain that information on the specimens match any paperwork received and correct specimen. Properly request in the Laboratory Information System laboratory information system if needed. Prepare, package and send specimens to outside locations as needed.
- Receive, sort and prioritize ALL specimens according to the laboratory policies. Share specimens as necessary. Notify supervisor of problems and of any requests that need credited or clarified.
- Disinfect the work area after shift and during shift, if needed. Participates in the orientation and training of new laboratory specimen processors. Perform routine technical and related clerical duties as directed.
- High School diploma or equivalent
- Three to six months of experience in a clinical laboratory, physician's office, or other medical environment preferred, including knowledge of or experience in Medical Terminology and Laboratory Information Laboratory information systems.
- Good oral and written communication skills required.
- Ability to communicate effectively with all age groups and populations of external and internal customers (as well as co-workers) both by telephone and in person.
Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances:
Clearances must be dated within 90 days of hire.
- Act 34 with renewal
- UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran
Total Rewards
More than just competitive pay and benefits, UPMC's Total Rewards package cares for you in all areas of life — because we believe that you're at your best when receiving the support you need: professional, personal, financial, and more.
Our Values
At UPMC, we're driven by shared values that guide our work and keep us accountable to one another. Our Values of Quality & Safety, Dignity & Respect, Caring & Listening, Responsibility & Integrity, Excellence & Innovation play a vital role in creating a cohesive, positive experience for our employees, patients, health plan members, and community. Ready to join us? Apply today.


text:
This. Is. Spectacular!
Four years ago: President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama cheer during their daughter Sasha Obama's basketball game, Feb. 21, 2009 (Photo by Pete Souza)
Chat away, back in a bit.
A year ago: "Egged on by B.B. King, at right, the President joins in singing 'Sweet Home Chicago' during the 'In Performance at the White House: Red, White and Blues' concert in the East Room. Participants include, from left: Troy 'Trombone Shorty' Andrews, Jeff Beck, Derek Trucks, B.B. King, and Gary Clark, Jr." Feb. 21, 2012 (Photo by Pete Souza)
11:25: President Obama records radio interviews with Al Sharpton, Joe Madison and Yolanda Adams
12:30: VP Biden delivers remarks at a conference on gun violence at Western Connecticut State University
1:0: Jay Carney briefs the press
Steve Benen: A new Bloomberg National Poll shows President Obama's approval rating reaching a three-year high and public approval of Republicans reaching a three-year low. The same poll found that a plurality of Americans blame the congressional GOP, not Democrats, for "what's wrong in Washington."
And an interesting twist, the Bloomberg poll results aren't the worst polling results for Republicans this morning. That prize goes to a new USA Today/Pew Research Center Poll, which suggests Americans just aren't buying what Republicans are selling…..
Full post here
In case you missed the link in the previous post, read Steve Benen shredding Boehner's op-ed, point by point, here
USA Today: President Obama's new grass-roots advocacy group will target more than a dozen members of Congress with online ads this week for failing to voice support for his plan to expand background checks to all gun buyers….
The advertising push is part of a national day of action planned Friday by Obama's backers to rally support for background checks. It will mark the first large-scale test of Organizing for Action's ability to mobilize the president's army of 2.2 million campaign volunteers to press for legislative change.
More here
Truly, he's the host with the most – Bo with Debi Chard of Live5 (Charleston) yesterday:
You can see the Live5 interview here – and KITV, KFOR, WCVB and CBS Baltimore (thank you Lovely Plains for all the links)
TPM: Lost in the political fight between President Obama and Marco Rubio, is that the White House's leaked bill is the first new proposal from anyone involved in negotiations that actually specifies its path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants.
Given that the details of legalization are one of the most contentious issues in the process, it's worth taking a look at what they came up with. Here are some of the highlights from the section detailing the new path to citizenship, which are part of a broader draft that also includes border security provisions and new restrictions on employers to prevent them from hiring undocumented workers.
Charles Pierce: Legend!
Charles Pierce: Things In Politico That Make Me Want To Guzzle Antifreeze, Part The Infinity
Good Christ, what does it take? A silver fking bullet?
What will it possibly take to get our courtier press to stop taking seriously the latest pronouncement from the Sinai of his own ego emitted by N. Leroy Gingrich, Definer of Civilization's Rules And Leader (perhaps) Of The Civilizing Forces? When will they all collapse from the effort it takes to keep his Macy Parade-caliber megalomania aloft?
See here
ThinkProgress: It's been nearly a year since George Zimmerman shot and killed Trayvon Martin, an unarmed 17-year-old on his way back to his father's townhouse. In the weeks following the shooting, the story captured the nation's attention, culminating with Zimmerman being charged with second-degree murder last April.
But as the story has receded from the headlines, the legal case has plodded along and the trial is likely to be completed this summer. Here's what you may have missed….
Thanks PrettyFoot
I howled:
Three years ago:
President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama dance together during the Governors Ball in the East Room of the White House, Feb. 21, 2010. (Photo by Pete Souza)
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text:
We are moving!
CNN's National Security team in Washington is committed to breaking news, providing in-depth analysis and unique feature stories about the U.S. military, diplomatic affairs, the intelligence community and all things related to U.S. national security.
But going forward, you'll find our stories in a new place - HERE - and all across cnn.com.
We are archiving the Security Clearance blog.
Thank you for reading! We've loved hearing from you and hope to see your comments and feedback at our new home.
You can continue to follow us on Twitter @NatSecCNN.
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text:
Chemical Reaction
ON A BALMY May evening, one of the first warm nights of the year, about 150 Portlanders have forgone parks and porches in favor of the mood-lit Mission Theater & Pub on NW Glisan Street, where the aroma of hamburgers and Hammerhead Ale hangs in the air. But this crowd—an eclectic mix of college students, middle-aged couples, and seniors—isn't just here for brews and burgers. They're here in the name of science. Really. More specifically, they're here for Science Pub, a monthly gathering hosted by the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI).
The formula behind Science Pub, says host Amanda Thomas, OMSI's 33-year-old coordinator of adult programs, is Beer + Science = Good Times. And sometimes even a good idea.
"People come because they're smart and interested in the world," Thomas says. "And because drinking and learning are a natural fit."
Judging by the buoyant mood of tonight's crowd, the formula works. Of course, it doesn't hurt that this evening's topic, "Sex, Relationships, and Technology," isn't exactly a yawner.
Launched in August 2006 to bring science to the masses, Science Pub previously took place at the BridgePort Brewpub in the Pearl, a venue that comfortably held about 100. But when, in March, Thomas had to turn away more than 100 people (including a pair of die-hards who'd come from Hood River), she knew it was time to find a larger home—hence the move to the Mission, which can seat roughly 250.
The discussion group's popularity shouldn't be a surprise given the revival of science salons across the country. In fact, www.sciencecafes.org, a sort of networking site for people looking for science meet-ups, boasts more than 50 "science cafés" all over the country, including Seattle, New York—even Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.
After a sex-themed trivia game, Dr. L. Kris Gowen, a lecturer at Portland State University's School of Community Health, launches into a PowerPoint-assisted talk that wanders from cyberdating to "teledildonics" (i.e., remote-control sex toys, the latest way to reach out and touch someone). As people shout out questions and comments, Thomas does her best Phil Donahue imitation, weaving among the tables with a microphone.
Of course, not every Science Pub relies on titillating subjects to draw a crowd. Topics like hearing loss, invasive species, and arthritis require a little more lubrication to get the crowd excited.
Which is precisely where the beer comes in.


text:
It's getting complicated.
Over one third of divorce filings in 2011 contained the word "Facebook," according to a recent report from Divorce Online, a legal services firm. And the overlap between Facebook and relationships doesn't stop there: ABC News reported in May that children's Facebook profiles, mined for evidence of poor parenting, are now often used in custody settlements. In fact, a survey of prominent divorce attorneys concludes that 81% of them report a spike in cases using Facebook and other social networks as evidence in divorce proceedings, according to the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers.
More From Prevention
Divorce or breaking up is never fun, but it's become even more heartbreaking and nasty now that there's easily accessible evidence—and ongoing communication—via the Internet. Still, you can navigate it successfully no matter what kind of relationship you're in, says Sheri Meyers, PsyD, an intimacy expert and author of Chatting or Cheating: How To Detect Infidelity, Rebuild Love and Affair-Proof Your Relationship. Here, she offers a few tips for managing modern day love (and avoiding modern day war).
For when you start dating. Meyers stresses transparency. "It's important to communicate early on what's cool and what's not cool to share. I believe it's never too early to go, 'OK is this cool to share on Facebook?'" Opening up right away will clear the road for better communication down the road, Meyers says. Plus, you'll avoid any potential conflicts or hurt feelings caused by an unintentional social media overshare.
For when you get hitched. If you don't include social media behavior in a prenup (which Meyers "highly recommends"), at least sit down and consider specific areas of concern. Take exes, for instance: Is it okay for him to stay friends with his college girlfriend? And do you want to share passwords with one another, or not? "If one is an open book, that should inspire trust," Meyers says.
And it might sound ridiculous, but you two should also agree on how often you'll be logged onto Facebook, Meyers says. "If you're spending all your time on Facebook when you could be making love, that could be problematic," she warns. "Facebook is part of our lives, but we have to learn to fit it in so it doesn't disrupt our relationship."
For when you're splitting up. Take note: "Facebook is not a place to air your dirty laundry," Meyers says. "A lot of couples use Facebook as a medium for revenge because they're angry." People in the midst of splits also tend to publish "elusive and hurtful" comments, Meyers says, such as "I've never been happier!" or "Finally free!" Avoid the urge to convey your newfound joy, she recommends. "That is so not appropriate. It hurts. You're burning bridges that might be resurrected someday."
So why this tendency to overshare online during tough times? The sense of community we can gain from social media carries weight, Meyers says. "The allure to do it on Facebook is to get other people commenting 'Oh poor baby,' or 'I can so relate,'" she says. "You feel like there's this community of attention. And though that feels very fulfilling, the price you pay is perhaps hurting in other ways."
More from Prevention: Is Facebook A Self-Esteem Killer?
Questions? Comments? Contact Prevention's News Team!
Bill Bradley is a Brooklyn-based writer. This is his first piece for Prevention. You can follow him on Twitter @billbradley3.


text:
Prudish people having put away their shame by causing shame to others
Years ago people had to fight hard against the prudish Catholic minds who opposed any naked flesh to be shown. Today the so called Catholic countries in West Europe seem to have chosen to have the women their tits out and finding it not okay to cover them up.
In the previous century there were many French and Belgians who did find it inappropriate to have some natural flesh of certain body parts to be shown in public. It was considered not done to have dresses which did not come under the knees. (We where brought up like that and got penalties when we had dared to show our bare/naked legs or upper arms.) Last century it was said we all had to listen to God and could not run naked in this world because God opposed such a thing.
Today their god must have changed idea and has come to prefer naked flesh, because in the present time the French seem not to look at those who want to cover their body as unworthy believers and even as people who are a danger for society.
Covering up for the Almighty
When we were young our Catholic mothers had to wear headscarf or hats when coming in public. In church they had to sit at the left hand site with their faces hidden behind a veil. In the previous century most people in Europe thought it was appropriate to dress decently and not having too much bare or naked. Mots parts of the body had to be covered with clothing or tissue.
Only around the turn of the century less people came to make objections when some parts of the body were not covered. Today it looks like the world has got upside down. What for centuries was thought to be the moral way and according to Judeo Christian values, suddenly seems to be not acceptable any more.
People, like female Muslims, who now choose to cover up for God, are not allowed to do so by the French governement. Europeans should question such a decision taken by a governement in West Europe and see how human rights (freedoms established by custom or international agreement that impose standards of conduct on all nations) are trespassed. Today we can see in France that many specific human rights are ignored. What happened to the the right to personal or individual liberty and Due Process of Law; to freedom of thought, clothing, expression, religion, organization, and movement; to freedom from discrimination on the basis of race, religion, age, language, and sex?
Restrictions imposed
In West Europe we encounter more that certain social groups are confined to menial and despised jobs or even get no opportunity on the work-market. When somebody is called Mohammed he may be sure it will be much more difficult to get a job than when he would be called Jef. Arabic looking people shall find it more difficult to be able to rent a place or to buy property.
In Europe they say there does not exist a cast system (or caste) but if they are not careful it will come in existence or (better said) it will grow (because it is already here but denied). In our 21st century 'Untouchability' and 'Speciesism' have become a reality also in Western Europe. We can clearly see that more and more different values, rights, or special consideration is given to individuals solely on the basis of their species membership, origin and faith. There are many who are not minding positive discrimination and taking it up for one particular religious group (the Roman catholics). Today we may find the atheist caste wanting to direct the Christian-caste, Islamic-caste, and may we find different rejections of castes or groups of people.
It seems that France and Belgium are limiting the human rights laws for some groups in their population, which should give us the idea they are discriminating. By singling out a type of person or thing for special negative treatment or denial of equal treatment and to act in a prejudicial manner against someone or something, they have chosen the way of deprivation of individual liberty.
Lots of Caucasians seem to think that all those women are oppressed, but is it not they who know bring oppression and take away those women's freedom to cloth themselves like they want? Clearly we could see several women being downtrodden, maltreated, henpecked, browbeaten and subjugated or abused and tyrannized.
The country
which prides itself for liberté, égalité, fraternité, has unfortunately fallen short in recent times, with more social division and social prejudice arising within the country, due to the public suppression and rejection of religion; the consequent of which has led to violent eruptions.
It is also precisely through the social persecution of the wider Islamic community in such acts which aim to strip them of their beliefs, that it seems that the French government are validating individuals' fears, rather than attempting to diffuse them. {France's banning of the 'Burqini' is the rejection of its founding principles}
What should people have against a full body swimsuit for any sort of woman, being Catholic or Muslim? (When we were child our parents had to wear full swimsuits or where fined.) Shall people, who went diving, have to take off their wetsuit before they come onto the beach? If they may walk on the beach with a wetsuit why not women in a full swimsuit?
Why are so many against wearing a swimming costume which covers the whole body with the exception of the face, hands, and feet, suitable for wear by Muslim women, which got the name bourkini/burkini/burqini, but has nothing to do with a bourka/burka/burqa or with the rider's burka/burqa, which is long, thickpiled, nor with the traditional man's coat made from felt or karakul, or with the Ukrainian traditional garment or Kobeniak, or with a two-piece bathing costume called bikini (or close-fitting bathing suit worn by men) and even less with a monokini, being just the opposite of it?
Women their freedom taken away
Are so many West Europeans so afraid women cannot stand up for themselves? And certain feminists do they not see there is much more at hand than just sexism?
We must be aware that there is so much more going on in our deranged world where Jihadi terrorist managed to get the fear burning hard over here in our regions that nobody seems to feel at ease when they see something that smells to Islamism. The politicians fell in the trap by creating laws in a hurry which limits the freedom of many women who have nothing to do at all with the faith of those terrorists, because they have chosen the path of God and a religion of peace or salam, hence the name Islam.
By prohibiting the burkini the French state limits even more those they say would be oppressed. It is strange that lots of people do not understand those women wearing a burkini get just the freedom to go into the water or to lie on the beach like so many other women do. By banning the burkini those women their freedom to enjoy a good day at the beach is taken away. By the ban also their children are targeted, because they also shall not be able to come to the beach and to go into the water to play with their mother.
The justification for the burkini ban is no longer about 'liberating' women, ….. but Arundhati Roy's remarks about France's earlier ban on the burka are still apt:
When, as happened recently in France, an attempt is made to coerce women out of the burka rather than creating a situation in which a woman can choose what she wishes to do, it's not about liberating her but about unclothing her. It becomes an act of humiliation and cultural imperialism. Coercing a woman out of her burka is as bad as coercing her into one. It's not about the burka. It's about the coercion.
Arundhati Roy Capitalism: A Ghost Story, p. 37.
Armed police forcing women to remove their clothes on the beach is nothing other than an act of humiliation – humiliating women to punish a minority group for the actions of a few individuals. {France and the Burkini}
Huda Jawad, Community Coordinator at Standing Together Against Domestic Violence, wrote
Choosing to conflate a cultural and religiously inspired mode of attire – which women choose to wear to feel safe from the sexual gaze of society while partaking in a very ordinary pastime – with a terrorist group is a convenient 'othering' of fellow citizens in times of national crisis. {The burkini ban is misogynistic – and Western feminists are turning a blind eye}
Secularism, good attitude and proper values
You may wonder why those women in burkini would not wear appropriate swimwear and would not "respect good customs and secularism" whilst others with their bare poo and bare bosom would be an example how women should be clothed and are respecting the western values.
There exist already a lot of discriminatory treatment towards physically unattractive people. Now to that 'Lookism' we have the discriminatory view of men who can not see enough naked flesh are can not find enough to look at by a woman.
Today people not only make judgements of others based on their physical appearance that influence how they respond to those people, when their clothes are not liked by French men such men may now demand those clothes to be taken off.
The announcement by David Lisnard, UMP Mayor of Cannes, that he is prohibiting access to the beach to anyone not wearing what the French would consider suitable bathing suits, did not make many French question, what right he had, to decide a woman had to wear on the beach and why he choose the more naked version of the feminine, instead of a more clothed, and what believers in God would call a more decent one.
Victims of ISIS, the scapegoat of the French nation
Lots of people consider themselves victim of ISIS but forget that the worst victims are Islamists or ordinary Muslim people all over the world. Europeans and Americans may not be blind and should see that the greatest causalities of Isis have been Muslims, and the banning of the burkini illustrates the extent to which France's fundamentalist secularism is singling out the most visible and vulnerable group in society for blame.
The governement is giving in and has found its scapegoat and used the local Muslims to blame for the terror the security forces of the country could not avoid or obstruct. Like the Fascist in the past liked Scapegoating many Europeans and Americans now blame the refugees and Muslims for the many problems they have in their country. In the past Jews and immigrants were prominent among the groups that were demonized. In France the Jews got a sibling now in the Muslim community. Today it is not a "Judeo-Masonic-bolshevik" conspiraciy or left-wing agitation, but the presence of immigrants and the amount of active Muslims.
As in the past the governement points the finger to those 'outcasts' and originators of all sin. They go with the people and hope to gain popularity by taking measures against the Ummah or Muslim community, making their life so difficult that they hope those other believers will soon leave. Implication was that depriving these demons of their power and influence would cause the nation's major problems to go away.
Lots of people are afraid that those Muslims would be able to convert many French and that the nation by those converts would be more and more becoming an Islamic state.
Limiting the liberty of Muslims and other believers
Now by limiting the liberty of the Muslims in their own country the governement hopes to please the rest of the population and to take the attention away from their own weakness and the blame they have it not in control.
The governement, because of all the discussions going on about the burkini's and religious clothing, decided that when the schools will open again, no religious dress or symbol shall be allowed, and as such no head covering for Jews and Muslims or necklaces with religious symbols.
Education minister Najat Vallaud-Belkacem, a former government spokesperson who is politically more to the left than former interior minister Valls and disagrees with the burqini ban could not stop the measures.
For the start of the debate, concerning the burqini Huda Jawad also questioned in the Daily Independent
Since when did wearing a burkini, in most cases a loose fitting nylon version of a wetsuit, become an act of allegiance to terrorist movements? Do Marks & Spencer or House of Fraser know that their attempt to raise profits and exploit a gap in the over-saturated clothing market is selling and promoting allegiance to Isis? {The burkini ban is misogynistic – and Western feminists are turning a blind eye}
She also remarks
What is it about French secularism's blindspot to its own racism and misogyny? The obsession to the point of fetishism with Muslim women's mode of dress and covering curtails the most basic of human rights – that of self-determination and freedom of expression. As Arundhati Roy so eloquently put it, coercing a woman out of the burka instead of enabling her to choose is an act of violence, humiliation and cultural imperialism. Instead of extending the hand of fraternité, Mr Lisnard and his supporters are excluding Muslims, if not pushing them into the arms of radicalisers. {The burkini ban is misogynistic – and Western feminists are turning a blind eye}
Making the Muslims stigmatised as the bogeyman, that scarecrow seems already frightening lots of French people. They are pushing the golliwog in the corner or throwing in front of the swines that in the end they shall have to defend themselves so strongly and make their faith and stance even stronger, so that a new religious revolt can take place. Perhaps than the French shall get their eyes opened and shall be awakened from their cauchemard (their nightmare) they are afraid of.
The ruling from the state council suspends a single ban in the southern town of Villeneuve-Loubet, near Nice, but is likely to set a precedent for other towns that have prohibited the full-body swimwear on their beaches.
According to a senior politician in Norway's right-wing Progress Party (FrP) Norway also has to follow the lead of a number of French towns and ban the burkini. Third deputy, Aina Stenersen, claims the full-body swimsuits worn by some Muslim women are "a symbol of radical Islam" and is convinced that French cities did right to ban the burqini from their beaches. The Progress Party is in the process of formulating a new party manifesto, and the burkini ban is expected to be included.
The FrP does, however, believe the fine faced by those who wear burkinis in France is too lenient. Ms Stenersen intends to double the charge to around 500 kroner, which is equivalent to £57.
A story to be continued and démarche or kick-off to be followed up .
To welcome women wearing burqini's and coming into public spaces
Marcel Michelson for Forbes writes
Yes, wearing a burkini on the beach, as wearing a burka in town, is an ostentatious sign of religious adherence, as is the wearing of full robes by priests and nuns in public or the traditional garments and hairstyles of orthodox Jews.
Yet a burkini is also a means of emancipation for Muslim women, allowing them to bathe despite the strict, male-dominated, rules under which they have to lead their lives.
In a way, we should welcome burkini's and encourage Muslims to integrate more in French, or European, society. {Burkini Debate In France Shows Lack Of Tolerance And Understanding Out Of Fear For Strangers}
Please come to read:
- On French beach French police forces woman to undress in public
- Is Europe going to become a dictatorial bastion
- France and the Burkini
- Islamophobia or nah?
- Bitches, Puhleeeeze….
- The Burkini
- The Burkini Ban
- France's top court to rule on burkini ban
- My Burkini and I
- Universal concern: not naked enough
- This gif sums up the whole 'debate' on #BurkiniBan
- Burkini must be banned, France's Sarkozy says as he launches election campaign
- France's War on the Burqini
- Dear white people of France: being forced to undress wasn't exactly the liberation I was longing for
- Thoughts on Burqini
- Modest Swimwear: The Burkini
- Burkini and French Secularism
- France's banning of the 'Burqini' is the rejection of its founding principles.
- 7 facts about France's burkini ban that make outsiders very uncomfortable
- Planned 'Burqini Day' irks French far-rights
- The Swimsuit War of 2009: Year In Review 2009 (swimming)
- France's highest court suspends burkini ban in test case
- Burkini ban: Norway's right-wing Progress Party calls for full-body swimsuit to be outlawed
Further related articles
- French Web Round-Up: 5 Things That Made Me Smarter This Week
- Sea Water, Sweat and Tears
- Please exit calmly and quietly.
- Is EU discriminating against Israel by labeling settlement goods?
- Landlords Will Face Tougher Consequences For Discriminating Against (Most) Renters With Criminal Records: Gothamist
- U.S. House of Representatives' Chaplain Accused of Discriminating Against Atheism, Judaism and other Minority Religions
- 3 Helpful Hints on Dismantling Racial Boundaries in the Classroom
- On My Mind (Vol. 4)
- I'm Gonna Dress Like a Charlie Brown Ghost Next Time I Go Swimming
- What does it mean to cover?
- Ban The Burka
- What women need is security
- Breaking News: France requesting to Saudi Arabia's 'Morality Police' for training their police force!
- Islam, France, Burkini: A chit chat on FB
- Third French burqini ban after Corsica clashes
- Beach Party Outside French Embassy Protests The Burkini Ban On French Beaches
- East Essence: Shop Islamic Clothes For Your Whole Family!
- True life story- Two plastic sacks
- Waitress
- Yttrandefriheten: Opinion live?
- Di burkini e di diritti
- Burqini dan Islamophobia Prancis
- Τα Marks&Spencer, έβγαλαν και μπουργκίνι, μαγιό για μουσουλμάνες
- Τη θέση του μπικίνι παίρνει το … μπουρκίνι


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UNL sophomore says grad student, professors harassed her at recruiting booth
A student promoting Turning Point USA recorded video of faculty and students protesting at her table
A student promoting Turning Point USA recorded video of faculty and students protesting at her table
A student promoting Turning Point USA recorded video of faculty and students protesting at her table
A University of Nebraska-Lincoln sophomore recorded cell phone video of what she's calling aggressive harassment.
Kaitlyn Mullen was recruiting for her local chapter of Turning Point USA outside of the student union Friday when she says five women, including some professors and a graduate student, started protesting loudly with signs.
The cell phone video shows a woman making a sign, and another woman holding a sign that says 'Just Say No! To Neo-Fascism,' saying "Neo-fascist Becky right here," and chanting "fight white nationalism, fight white supremacy."
The video also shows the graduate student flipping off the camera.
"They were circling my table, screaming profanities, calling me the KKK, white nationalist," Mullen said. "It was, honestly, it made me feel unsafe, I was alone, these women were being aggressive in what they were saying."
Turning Point USA claims to be a non partisan, conservative nonprofit promoting freedom, free markets and limited government.
But the group hasn't escaped controversy- particularly its 'professor watchlist' website, designed to "expose and document professors who discriminate against conservative students and advance leftist propaganda in the classroom," according to the site.
Mullen was back in action Monday, on UNO's campus this time, to help its chapter recruit more members.
When shown the protest videos, some people on campus said they'd like to know more about Turning Point USA before forming an opinion.
Others didn't think the videos were overtly aggressive or went beyond the bounds of free speech.
"Not frightening, no," Danielle Powell with Inclusive Communities said, "if she wants the right to be able to table and have her opinion, she has to respect those who have other opinions than her."
UNL is investigating the incident, and met with Mullen Monday morning.
University spokesman Steve Smith released the following statement:
"Regarding last Friday's incident outside the Nebraska Union, University Police first ensured the safety of the student involved and the university immediately began an investigation. We are committed to free speech from all viewpoints and to maintaining an atmosphere conducive to learning, which includes civil discourse."
The graduate student identified in the images did not respond to KETV's messages. The professor, seen holding a sign that says 'Turning Point: Put me on your watch list, Prof. Amanda Gailey,' responded with an email, saying she did not harass a student.
"I talked with the student only to express compassion for her as a person," Gailey wrote.


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Pottstown, PA – ArtFusion 19464 will host their fourth annual summer beef and beer fundraiser on Saturday, August 9 from 6-9 pm. This year's event will be held at the ArtFusion facility at 254 E. High St.
Tickets are $20 purchased in advance. If any are still available, tickets at the door will be $25. Tickets can be bought online at http://artfusion19464.org/event/2014-beef-and-beer/, in person at ArtFusion, or over the phone by calling 610-326-2506. Guests can choose the beef entrée, or a vegetarian sandwich option.
Victory Brewing Company has once again generously donated their amazing beer for this event. Ice House will be making the hot beef sandwiches and Montesano Bros. will again be creating their amazing side salads and veggie sandwiches. There will be soda and water in addition to Victory beer and homemade desserts to finish off the meal.
Along with enjoying great food and great beer, guests will have the chance to win fun door prizes, try their luck at a 50/50 raffle and bid on silent auction items. Proceeds benefit ArtFusion 19464's upcoming fall educational exhibit Rainbow Crow and Other Stories. This show will feature artwork inspired by Native American stories.
The non-profit community art center will once again be offering free field trips to local schools in conjunction with this show. Please email email@example.com for more information on scheduling a field trip. The Rainbow Crow field trip program is generously sponsored by the Foundation for Pottstown Education.
ArtFusion 19464 is a 501(c)3 non-profit community art center located at 254 E. High St. in downtown Pottstown. The school offers day, evening and weekend classes to all ages. The goal of these classes is to help students develop their creative skills through self-expression and independence. ArtFusion's gallery hosts rotating shows featuring local artists. The gallery also sells handcrafted, one-of-a-kind gift items. The gallery is open Tuesday through Friday from 10am-5pm and Saturday 10am-3pm. The gallery is closed Sunday and Monday.


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GOIANIA, Brazil – UFC featherweight Rony Jason probably thought his night was bad enough after suffering a devastating first-round knockout loss at the hands of Jeremy Stephens at UFC Fight Night 32. But as he headed backstage following the loss, he let his emotions get the best of him and, in the process, made things even worse for himself.
According to backstage rumors, an angry Jason punched a wall and injured his hand so badly he had to be taken to the hospital. The true story was slightly different, according to UFC President Dana White – but not by much.
"He punched a wall and had to be transported to the hospital," White told MMAjunkie.com "That's exactly what happened. He punched his arm through the wall and sliced the back of his arm wide open."
White said Jason would likely need stitches to close up the wound, but added that he wasn't particularly upset with the post-fight outburst.
"Listen, this stuff happens, man," White said. "Especially a young guy, a big loss like that, a devastating loss like that, you do stupid stuff sometimes. I don't think he expected to slice his arm open and get hurt, but it happens."
Stephens (22-9 MMA, 9-8 UFC) won his second straight bout with the FOX Sports 1-televised head-kick knockout at Goiania Arena in Goiania, Goias, Brazil. Jason (13-4 MMA, 3-1 UFC) suffered his first defeat in the octagon.
For complete coverage of UFC Fight Night 32, stay tuned to the UFC Events section of the site.
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Ah, there we go. After two middling episodes that had me wondering if the bloom was coming off the Happy Endings rose, here was a much more satisfying hour with some big plot movement and an episode centered around a classic sitcom formula (game night) that still managed to do a bunch of original things with it. Perhaps predictably, we also saw the end of the Penny/Pete romance—unsurprising as Nick Zano had not gotten much character development, but handled nicely and with the right amount of melancholy (not too much) for a show like this.
I'm going to focus more on the first episode, "She Got Game Night," because it's riotously funny and it's also way more dramatically compelling. A brief cameo from Mary Elizabeth Ellis as the dreadful Daphne sets everything in motion—her seemingly cheerful assessment of Penny and Pete's whirlwind romance is enough to plant a seed of doubt in Penny's mind, which leads to an ultra-competitive night of couples gaming between Jane and Brad, Penny and Pete and (delightfully) Max and Scotty, who happily admits to stalking Max, giving the platonic pair a surprising underdog advantage.
Happy Endings always does best when it's allowed to be silly for 15 minutes and slightly more serious for five. So we get 15 minutes of awesome nonsense, like Jane's alpha-dog approach to the wedding game, Scotty's horrible impression of Condoleezza Rice, and some surprisingly good material for Pete for the first time ever (his favorite food is Pork Pork, or two pork chops). Eliza Coupe and Damon Wayans Jr. have such good chemistry as Jane and Brad, they're even great together when they're sucking at being a couple. The biggest laugh of the episode is probably Jane's elaborate description of Brad's favorite meal, which he happily nods along to before revealing "I put soup."
Then of course, the whole thing turns on a dime when Penny tells Jane she doesn't want to marry Pete, for all the reasons we could guess: It's too soon, he's a nice guy but she doesn't love him, she doesn't feel it in her gut, etc. This is an unsurprising decision, which is too bad but probably right for Happy Endings—something truly dramatic and sad wouldn't fit with the tone of the show. Penny is definitely sad, but it's also totally the right call and it spares us an awful wedding episode where everything spirals out of control. Happy Endings knows it can never do an episode like that again because it played on that trope in its pilot.
Apple MacBook Air Laptop
Powerful performance
The M1 chip delivers 3.5x faster performance than the previous generation all while using way less power. Get up to 18 hours of battery life.
So Penny breaks up with Pete in spite of the two of them knowing a tremendous amount about each other, and she gets exactly the right kind of support from her friends. Max is his usual pain-in-the ass self throughout the episode, but his moment of compassion doesn't feel forced, since he's just telling Penny the truth—she made the adult decision and she should just be happy about that.
Meanwhile, Dave and Alex hunt around for a psychic to tell Dave how to live his life, the first Dave/Alex story I enjoyed in quite a while. When the two silliest, least level-headed characters are put together one of them has to be a little less stupid, and when that's Dave I often find myself bored, since Zach Knighton is no fun as a voice of reason. Elisha Cuthbert does a better job balancing Alex's typical kookiness with a dash of reality and I liked that even she could barely stand being with the tarot card reader.
"The Storm Before The Calm" is a lot less interesting, mostly because it's constructed around a fake musical written by Penny in the aftermath of the breakup. It's always hard to stage an intentionally bad play and what we see just isn't bad enough—the best gag is that the surrogate for Pete is called "Clete," but everything else is just boring.
But I was intrigued by the message behind Penny's play: She's worried that she's a monster because she dumped Pete out of nowhere. So often the story with Penny is that she screwed up in some weird way, or scared a man off, or didn't realize she was dating a jerk. This time, her insecurity is focused inward and feels very realistic, so I'm almost disappointed the show didn't get to flesh that out in a more interesting way.
Still plenty of decent antics in this one. Alex and Max get sucked into a "tastemaker" scam that means they wear hipster frames that Max obsessively "cleans" with spray-on conditioner. Dave and Brad get into the world of the theatre and Dave starts talking into a Dictaphone to record his genius criticisms like "Brigadoon? More like Brigadon't."
I just wish the final setpiece felt more worth it. The return of Derrick is a bit of a let-down, and the decision to make the play a musical (which hadn't been mentioned before we saw it performed) feels like a cop-out, because singing and dancing are usually gonna seem cheesy and lame. But Penny's epiphany about herself is enough to carry this one home.
"She Got Game Night:" A
"The Storm Before The Calm:" B
Stray observations:
- Max throws the unbreakable piñata on the street to finally destroy it. Included are some wonderful off-brand candies including Two Musketeers and Reeste's Peanut Butter Clorps (Scotty's favorite).
- "I think there's glass in my Senior Mints. And my Sophomore Mints."
- Dave tells everyone about his psychic. "Dave, for a leading-man type, you are taken with some outlandish behavior," Penny muses. But his psychic moved to Arizona and can't help him over the phone. "She has to read my energy in person, don't you know how science works?" "Hey. You know I don't."
- Alex can't stand the tarot reader. "We'll leave when we're good and ready. Which is right now, because I've been ready to go for quite some time."
- Brad initially blames Pete for the breakup. "Did he cheat? On you? On a test? On his diet? Of course not, look at him, he's a knockout."
- Max remembers walking in on Penny's post-breakup cocooning. "I haven't eaten pancakes since." "You're eating pancakes now." "I haven't eaten waffles since." "You're eating those too." "I gotta get my life together." "You're a mess!"
- "If you can't make superchicken, it's cool."
- "You have the hair of a Greek shipping magnate's worthless son."
- Brad has dabbled in theatre before. "I haven't really kept up with my acting, apart from memorizing all of Taye Digg's monologues from Private Practice, but that's just to stay sharp."


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My name was on the waiting list for the first batch of Raspberry Pi machines long before I traveled to Cambridge to meet Eben Upton.
Something about the tiny computer sent me back to my childhood days. It could plug into your TV, it could use the same programming language that I used in primary school. It was all very retro.
Only after I got my hands on one did I realize how useful the little thing actually is. At first I was excited about using it as an introduction to Linux and to refresh my dormant programming skills. It was only after I put some media software on it that it really became part of the furniture.
My Raspberry Pi, in its Top Trumps card box finery gets used almost every day now. It has infiltrated the living room in a way that a tablet, Apple TV, laptop, or even the smallest PC never could.
Just like the Acorn Electron computer I had when I was five, it's silent. That's probably where the similarities end. For starters, the Pi is just 1/25th the price of my Acorn when adjusted for inflation. It can run without a keyboard or a mouse using just my regular TV remote control, and it can play any music or full HD video file I throw at it.
I've set this little wonder to play media from TV catchup services, the computer in my bedroom, the DVD drive in the computer in my bedroom, my smartphone and even the downloads on my flatmate's PC.
What started with a dream of programming in my bedroom like I did when I was a kid quickly turned into something far less hard work. It's given me all the entertainment I can eat without having to move from the sofa.
That's my story on how the Raspberry Pi became one of the must have gadgets in my life. I'm sure there are many others out there, all wildly different.
Incidentally, I had great fun writing that little bit of code in the package. I'll leave you with this little gem.
Cute smirk......that makes us want the gadget too....and it is a gadget.
I had an IBM PC before they were shipped and did a lot a programming in BASIC, Pascal, Fortran and so forth. This brings back memories (no pun intended). I don't think there's anything 'revolutionary' about it, but it's a nice bit of nostalgia that could serve as a convenient vehicle for a new generation of aspiring computing systems engineers.
Thinking of getting one of these – interested in how you got a remote to work with it and what OS and media player do you use on the Pi
My Samsung smart TV runs the Raspberry almost as if it was designed to do so, apparently If your TV supports HDMI-CEC you can control the 'Raspberry Pi' from the TV's remote control.
That's awesome! What OS is it running?
Its running linux (ofcourse)
There are currently somthing like 3-4 flavors of linux that installs to the SD card. I got this baby and MAN its sweet.
I run Raspbmc which is a media server distro. There is also OpenELEC and Raspbian.


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Inlanta Pewaukee
Top Real Estate Trends for 2017
- Boomers and Millennials will move markets. The two largest generations in American history — Baby Boomers and Millennials — are approaching life stages that motivate people to purchase a home: empty nesters, retirement, marriage and starting a family.
- The Midwest has the most to gain. According to Chief Economist Jonathan Smoke and Realtor.com, the Midwest will continue to beat the national average in terms of Millennial homebuyers in 2017.
- Price appreciation will slow down. Home prices are likely to go up, as long as supply remains tight, forecasting to slow to a 3.9% growth.
- Fast-moving markets. In the top 100 U.S. metropolitan markets, the inventory of homes available for sale is down 11% year-over-year. However, the average time it takes for a home to sell is 11 days faster than the national average. The markets are predicted to continue to move fast, even with no inventory.
Source: http://www.realtor.com/news/trends/top-real-estate-trends-2017/?adbid=806106677170741248&adbpl=tw&adbpr=17351940&cid=soc_2017editorial_20161206_68500896