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The stuff of legends: Jozy Altidore's gutsy goal gave Toronto FC a moment to remember forever

Steve Simmons: Altidore found adrenaline he didn't know he had to fight through injury and send the Reds to another MLS final

Toronto FC striker Jozy Altidore celebrates his game-winning goal against Columbus Crew SC on Nov. 29.Jack Boland / Postmedia Network

Jozy Altidore meet Bobby Baun, meet Willis Reed, meet Kirk Gibson.

This is your time.

This is Toronto’s time.

This is our new sporting town, city of champions and near champions and almost champions, and in the case of Toronto FC, maybe a soon-to-be champion.

And this is a story to tell your children about, and have your children tell theirs, because these kind of stories come around just every once in a sporting lifetime, and to be honest, we never stop talking about them.

This is a story about an athlete barely able to stand, let alone walk, let alone run, let alone kick a soccer ball. His face communicating loudly the kind of pain he was in. There he was, Altidore on his back, on the sidelines of the turf at BMO Field, wondering if he had enough to continue.

He wondered.

We wondered.

His coach, Greg Vanney, had to wonder.

TFC coach Greg Vanney gives the thumbs-up (Jack Boland, Toronto Sun)

The instincts of what to do in a game tied 0-0, a series tied 0-0, next goal, the first goal basically wins.

And everything looked like he was leaving. At least three different times. It looked like Altidore had nothing left. But this is what makes the greatest of athletes so different from you and I. They fight through these things. They find ways to make the impossible possible. It was down goes Altidore.

And then he scored the only goal of the series.

“I just knew I couldn’t live with myself if I came out,” said Altidore. “I thought another five minutes, another 10 minutes.”

Until he had no minutes left.

Until he scored the goal in the 60th minute that pushed Toronto FC to the MLS Cup and when the celebrations broke out on the sidelines and on the field when the game ended Altidore was nowhere near the hugging and the screaming and the beating of the drums. He could score, he just couldn’t celebrate.

Toronto FC forward Jozy Altidore (17) scores on Columbus Crew goalkeeper Zack Steffen (23) as Crew defender Lalas Abubakar (17) looks on during second half MLS eastern conference final playoff soccer action in Toronto on Wednesday, November 29, 2017. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

Bobby Baun knows all about it. He’s 81 years old. For most of his adult life he has been hearing about the goal he scored in the Stanley Cup Final in 1964. The goal that forced Game 7. He scored it while playing on a broken ankle. He even jumped for joy after the puck went in.

And then he came back to play in Game 7 against the Red Wings, with his ankle frozen, leading the Maple Leafs to the Stanley Cup.

Willis Reed knows all about it. I can still see him limping on to the court on my television screen, unexpectedly in the lineup for Game 7 of the NBA Finals. He wasn’t supposed to play. No one thought that was possible. But there he was, starting against the Los Angeles Lakers, against Wilt Chamberlain. In school the next day in gym class in 1970, we all dragged one leg behind us, limping, our tribute to the captain of the New York Knicks.

Gibson is now 60 years old, diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease, a baseball hero for the ages. He was in the clubhouse of the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1988, nursing his two injured knees, when he heard Vin Scully piped in to the clubhouse. Scully said Gibson wasn’t in the dugout, therefore, he couldn’t possibly be used to pinch hit in the 1988 World Series.

Gibson heard Scully and the words somehow inspired him. He went back to the dugout. He told his manager he was available to hit. And when he went to the plate, against the best reliever in the game, Dennis Eckersley, the rest, as they say, is history. Gibson limped his way around the bases: The home run being a highlight for any sports history class. A moment for all moments.

Soccer isn’t a singular game. It isn’t about any one player at any one time. But it was clear in the Eastern Conference title game, Altidore wasn’t going to last to the end. Down went Altidore in the 48th minute, then an attempt to get up, then down again in the 49th minute and on his back in the 50th minute. Toronto FC played one man short and he remained motionless on the sidelines, until he got back.

Toronto FC fans at BMO Field on Nov. 29, 2017 (Jack Boland, Toronto Sun)

He lasted 12 minutes longer than possible, found adrenalin he didn’t know he had to slip a ball past excellent goalkeeper Zack Steffen to push the Reds to championship game 10 days from now. He has time to heal now. Time to reflect. Time to comprehend how he found a moment that will distinguish him forever.

There was only one goal scored in this tight, tight series with Columbus. The scoring of the first goal made the game all the more nerve wracking. The best teams, sometimes the favourites, often struggle to find a way to the championship game.

But games like this one, a series like this one, with Altidore suspended for the first game and then unavailable for the final 24 minutes after he scored, made this the moment Toronto FC fans may remember forever.

“My ankle is a bit bummed,” Altidore explained afterwards. He was yelling for the ball before he got the pass from Victor Vasquez. For a second, the pain dissipated and the game meant everything.

“This is my home,” said Altidore. “I love this place. I love playing for the fans, this city. I hope it’s the last place I play.”

No one remembers much about Kirk Gibson as a Pittburgh Pirate or Bobby Baun as a California Golden Seal. This was Jozy Altidore’s defining night. From now on, no matter where he plays, this will be home forever.


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Why You Should Eat an Extra Helping of Cranberries on Thanksgiving

| Nov 23, 2017

Chances are you’ve had your fair share of cranberry sauce on Thanksgiving. While this popular dish is appreciated for the sweet and tart addition it makes, it’s not usually regarded as a health food—but studies on cranberries reveal that we’d do well with eat more of these tart little treats.

We’ve written in the past about the virtues of antioxidant-rich berries: they scavenge free radicals, support the body’s immune and detoxification systems, and even fight cancer. Foods like goji berries have been continuously used and revered as a health and longevity tonic for thousands of years.

It should come as no surprise, then, that cranberries live up to their cousins’ healing capacities. They’re brimming with beneficial nutrients, and research has proven their worth as a powerful functional food. Let’s take a look at a few of the therapeutic applications that will keep you reaching for more of these super-berries.

Antioxidant support. We’ve written before about the importance of eating an antioxidant-rich diet, especially in today’s world of ever-present environmental toxins and stressors. Antioxidants help your body protect itself against the ravages of oxidative stress—and cranberries are positively packed with them. In fact, they have five times the antioxidant capacity of broccoli, and outrank most other fruits and vegetables too.

Studies have shown that three servings of cranberry juice per day can increase blood levels of antioxidants by up to 121%. High blood levels of antioxidants decrease the risk of myriad diseases and conditions, including cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer’s, and more.[1] And cranberries treat as well as prevent disease—mounting evidence demonstrates that they’re effective at fighting cancer,[2] lowering cholesterol, and healing the heart.[3]

Urinary tract infections. If you’ve heard of one acute therapeutic application of cranberries, this is probably it (perhaps you’ve even tried cranberry juice as a natural remedy for UTIs). The hype is real: studies have conclusively shown that compounds in cranberries called proanthocyanidins aid in the treatment of UTIs and help maintain general urinary tract health.

We still have a lot to learn about these phytochemicals, but we do know that they exhibit “bacterial antiadhesion activity.”[4] This means they help clear the urinary tract of harmful bacteria (such as E. coli, which is usually the culprit behind urinary tract infections).

Digestive support. The anti-bacterial benefits of proanthocyanidins extend to the entire digestive tract, as well. Further research has demonstrated that daily servings of cranberry juice inhibits growth and adhesion of the bacteria Helicobacter pylori in the digestive tract.[5]

This nasty bacteria can cause chronic inflammation and ulcers, damage the stomach, and even increase the risk of gastric cancer—it’s also notoriously difficult to combat, so cranberries are a godsend in this regard.[6]

Kidney support. Cranberry juice has also been shown to support kidney health, specifically by increasing the excretion of oxalic acid in urine, and thus decreasing the risk of kidney stone formation.[7] Cranberries perform a sort of pH-balancing magic trick: they have an alkalizing effect on the body, yet simultaneously increase the acidity of urine because of their quinic acid content (a compound that is excreted wholly unmetabolized by the body).

This acidity breaks down calcium in the kidneys and prevent stone formation, while preserving a healthy pH throughout the rest of the body.

Treatment for viral infections. Cranberries even have the power to take on viral infections, which are generally immune to antibiotics and notoriously difficult to combat. Researchers have found that when the viral species E. coli and rotavirus SA-11 (which tends to reside in the gut) are exposed to 20% undiluted, unsweetened cranberry juice, they are completely neutralized.[8]

Another study even demonstrated that cranberry juice can fight the flu by decreasing the “adhesion and infectivity” of the virus.[9] The peak of flu season doesn’t begin until December, so keep including cranberries and cranberry juice in your diet even after Thanksgiving!

How to get the most healing out of cranberries

It’s not too tricky to enjoy the many health benefits of cranberries, but there are a couple simple principles that you should follow.

First and foremost, always buy organic cranberries. While organic produce is always better than conventional, it’s especially important to buy organic when it comes to berries, as their porous, water-rich nature makes them more susceptible to absorbing pesticides and other toxic agro-chemicals.

Never buy sweetened cranberry juice (especially not Ocean Spray and similar products, which are packed to the gills with sugar and made with conventionally grown cranberries). If you need to sweeten cranberry juice or a cranberry dish, try stevia or coconut sugar instead.

Cranberry sauce is the obvious dish to choose this Thanksgiving week, but once the holiday passes, make an effort to keep cranberries integrated into your diet…they’re worth eating all year round!

Throw them in smoothies and salads, use them to make salad dressings and sauces, or just eat them raw with nuts as a delicious and healthful snack. As evidenced by the studies cited above, cranberry juice is also a healthy choice, as long as it’s at least 20% undiluted and completely unsweetened.

[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12517117

[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12358448

[3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12058989

[4] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12058985

[5] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12058986

[6] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2952980/

[7] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12373623

[8] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17140784

[9] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15781126

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Baseline to baseline (game recaps)

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Billups_game.jpgWhat you missed while watching the Stooges finally get inducted into the Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame…

Rockets 125, Nuggets 123: What I was left wondering after Carmelo Anthony missed a three pointer with Shane Battier right up on him for the final shot — would that have been different if George Karl was coaching?

Denver probably thinks it shouldn’t have come to that shot in the first place, but it did because they got beat at their own game. Houston ran on them. The Rockets had 60 points in transition. They had 60 from their starting backcourt of Aaron Brooks and Kevin Martin. Those guys got Chauncey Billups in foul trouble and out of the game before it was time for a final shot. The Rockets new backcourt won that one — including Aaron Brooks pull up jumper at the elbow that was the game winner — and that bodes well for their future.

Lakers 124, Warriors 121: Worst part of this for fans watching at home: Listening to Mark Jackson campaign for the Warriors coaching job all night long on a national broadcast.

The Lakers beat the Warriors at their own game — Los Angeles ran and shot jumpers rather than go inside (although Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol had good numbers). Los Angeles can’t really play at that pace and the ball over a lot to fuel the Warriors transition game. Everyone pounds the Warriors inside — the Lakers didn’t do it enough and there may be no better sign of how screwed up their offense is.

Los Angeles shot the ball better, got to the line a lot more, and controlled the glass (grabbing the offensive board on 43.8% of their missed shots).  LA didn’t play great defense and gave up a late 9-0 run to make it close. The Warriors had a chance to tie with the clock running down on threes from Stephen Curry and Monta Ellis (who settled for an off-balance three as opposed to passing to a wide open Anthony Morrow). That kind of decision is how the Warriors keep losing games.

Knicks 94, Sixers 84: Without David Lee, the Knicks are useless in the paint. He had foul trouble in the first half, he played just a handful of minutes, so Samuel Dalembert had seven offensive boards and the Sixers grabbed the rebound on more than half of their missed shots. The result: Sixers up 11 at the half.

Second half, Lee stays in (Dalembert has two offensive boards the rest of the way) and the Knicks step up their defense at the same time that the Sixers legs started to get tired on the second night of a back-to-back. Toney Douglas provided a great spark — smart move by the Knicks to pay the Lakers cash on draft day to pick him up, the guy has some game. Knicks pull away in the second half, part because of them and part because the Sixers got tired and their shot went missing.

Celtics 119, Pistons 93: It seems like cause for a party — the Celtics played up to their potential for a night. The Pistons played down to their potential for a night. The result was ugly for lovers of basketball, great for Celtics fans.

Jazz 112, Wizards 89: The Jazz are a very disciplined team that works the flex offense until they get good shots. I’m not sure the Wizards players have ever herd the word “disciplined.” They certainly don’t know what it means. Hence, your result — Utah was up 14 at half and went from there. Mehmet Okur looked good in his return from a back injury.

Hornets 108, Clippers 100: Good Baron sighting!!! There should be a league pass alert for these rare nights when Good Baron Davis shows up to play.

The appearance of Good Baron– the guy who drives and dishes and sees the game like few guards in the league — made this one interesting. The final tally: 18 points (on 14 shots) and 17 assists for Davis. He took just four shots outside the paint; the usual barrage of pull up jumpers was gone. Usually that will get the Clippers a win.

But not when the Hornets are draining every outside shot — New Orleans shot 69% in the second half. Not when the Clippers center can’t throw a pea in the ocean (Chris Kaman was 3 of 15 and a couple of those makes were dunks). Even on a rare Good Baron night the Clippers find a way to lose.

“Tired” Jimmy Butler sits out All-Star Game at his own request

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LOS ANGELES — Jimmy Butler leads the NBA in minutes played per game at 37.3. He’s ninth in the league in total minutes played and played 77:35 minutes in the two games leading up to All-Star Weekend.

Butler was tired and asked Mike D’Antoni to give him some rest. Butler did not play in Sunday’s All-Star Game, at his own request.

“Rest,” Butler said when asked why he didn’t play. “I have to rest. I have to rest my body up. This Timberwolves season is very, very important to me. I’ve got to make sure I’m ready to roll when I get back there.”

“He was tired and he just felt like his legs weren’t there,” Team Stephen head coach Mike D’Antoni. “He didn’t practice yesterday or play today. You have to respect that. He plays hard. Sometimes your body just needs a rest.”

Butler is having the kind of season that has him in the discussion for a place on the MVP ballot. He’s averaging 22.4 points per game with a very efficient true shooting percentage of 59.3, plus he’s playing strong defense. He and Karl-Anthony Towns have led the Timberwolves to a 36-25 record that has them as the current four seed in the West, poised to break an 11-year playoff drought for the franchise.

Still thankful, LeBron James breaks Michael Jordan’s record for years between All-Star MVPs

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Los Angeles – When LeBron James became the youngest-ever NBA All-Star MVP in 2006, he said during the trophy presentation: “I’d like to thank the fans for voting me in as a starter.”

Twelve years later, he sounds similar, maybe just a little more thoughtful: “It’s always been my fans who voted me in. For 14 straight years, my fans have voted me in as an All-Star starter, and it’s been up to me to go out and let them know and show them, listen, I appreciate that, and here’s what I’m going to give to you every time you vote me in.”

He plays similarly, too.

LeBron again won All-Star MVP, leading his team to a 148-145 victory Sunday. He finished with 29 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists.

“Every night I step on the floor, I have to lead my guys or prove to myself that I’m still able to play at a high level,” said LeBron, 33. “I feel great.”

The 12-year gap between LeBron’s first and last All-Star MVP – he also won in 2008 – is the longest in NBA history. It tops the 10 years between Michael Jordan’s first (1988) and last (1998).

Here’s the difference between the first and last All-Star MVP for every multi-time winner:

Players’ effort in this exhibition game comes and goes, but LeBron appeared invigorated .

When LeBron’s team trailed by 15 in the second quarter, he checked in and quickly led it back into the lead. When his team fell behind by 13 midway through the fourth quarter, he again led a spirited comeback. He hit the go-ahead bucket.

Despite playing a game-high 31 minutes, his intensity lasted all the way through the final buzzer.

His coach, the Raptors’ Dwane Casey, said he asked LeBron whether to foul or defend on the final possession while up three. LeBron said defend.

“If he says that, or any great players say that, you want to go with them because it was their idea, their belief, and he had it,” Casey said. “…He got the guys jacked up and juiced up as far as wanting to get a stop.”

LeBron and Kevin Durant swarmed Stephen Curry, who couldn’t shoot and could barely pass. Curry’s team didn’t even get a shot off:

“As you can hear in my voice, that tells how competitive it was,” LeBron said scratchily.

Again, his message echoed 2006: “We’re competitors, and our competitive nature kicked in and said let’s get some defensive stops.”

A lot will get made about the format change, and it might have mattered.

But maybe LeBron is just uniquely capable of dominating and embracing of this stage all these years later.

Defense? Dramatic finish? Team LeBron wins All-Star Game that’s worth watching

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LOS ANGELES — The NBA gambled its new format — with captains picking teams playground style — would produce an All-Star Game where the players showed some pride, played hard, and the showcase again would become something that resembled basketball (unlike last season).

It worked.

For proof guys were invested this time around, check out how Team LeBron responded to winning with a defensive stop, taking away Team Stephen’s attempt to get a clean look at a game-tying three in the closing seconds.

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“It had a real game feel to it,” LeBron James said.

Team LeBron beat Team Stephen 148-145. LeBron was named MVP with 29 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists. He also hit the game-tying and go-ahead shot that got the win.

“I played with (LeBron) a few times,” Kyrie Irving said of the play and pass that set up that LeBron game-winner. “I cut back door, (Russell Westbrook) was driving, I saw the opportunity. I saw, before even Russ even passed to me, LeBron was going to circle to the rim, and he’s one of the best finishers at the rim.”

Most importantly, this was an All-Star Game with some defense — it had 81 fewer points than the layup line game last year, and the fewest points in five years. It also proved to be the closest game in six years.

“We wanted to kind of change the narrative of the All-Star Game being a joke,” Kevin Durant said. “Today we wanted to make it a real basketball game.”

There was more defense than last year from the start of the game — for example, LeBron blocked an alley-oop pass in the first quarter. Of course, “better than last year” was not a high bar to clear, but there was some effort to not just have a layup line. Most of the time.

Also to start the game, Anthony Davis came out wearing the “0” jersey of injured teammate DeMarcus Cousins (he switched back to his own #23 before the first half was over).

On the night, Team LeBron got 19 points out of Kevin Durant, 16 from Paul George, and 14 from Andre Drummond. Team Stephen was led by 21 from both DeMar DeRozan and Damian Lillard, and 19 points and eight rebounds from Joel Embiid in his first All-Star Game.

The fantastic ending made up for what was a laughable opening skit/national anthem before tip-off that did something very rare — it unified NBA Twitter. It was awful.

Now all anybody is talking about is the game itself. And that’s what the NBA wanted.

LeBron James hits go-ahead shot in All-Star win (video)

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LOS ANGELES – LeBron James‘ team trailed by 13 midway through the fourth quarter of the All-Star game, but he led a competitive comeback.

This shot put his team up 146-145 over Stephen Curry‘s team, and Team LeBron held on for a 148-145 win:

Great penetration by Russell Westbrook, and he and Kyrie Irving moved the ball well. LeBron made it count.


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NBA Draft: John Wall seems sold on the Wizards, but he'll have to sell the team to free agents

The 2009-2010 season was a dream campaign for the Washington Wizards. Just, y’know, one of those dreams where you keep falling and falling without salvation or even resolution. The problems just kept on coming, and while things didn’t necessarily get progressively worse over the course of the season, the sustained funk that surrounded the Wiz as a franchise throughout the year was unmistakable.

All of that ended last night, when Irene Pollin’s shocked expression said everything. The franchise with miserable luck in the lottery suddenly had its fortunes reversed, and if everything goes according to plan, John Wall, the man, the myth, the legend, will be suiting up for the Wizards next season.

Wall is the future, and while he’s not going to say anything about the team’s controversy last season or even anything about his potential teammates, he did indicate the mildest excitement at the possibility of having the Commander-in-Chief in attendance for his games. From’s Andy Katz:

“President Obama can be at your games,” said Wall, as he stood outside
on Fegan’s patio. “I’ll keep working hard and hopefully they’ll pick

Wall is a hell of a selling point himself, but he may need to reiterate that same point to some of the free agents the Wizards are targeting this off-season. Thanks to Ernie Grunfeld’s cap-clearing trades involving Caron Butler, Antawn Jamison, and Brendan Haywood, Washington will have the cap space necessary to make a splash this off-season. They just, aside from Wall and Obama, don’t really have a compelling brochure.

The roster is filled with question marks. Andray Blatche finished the season in style, but he still needs to prove that he can keep up that level of play consistently in a less prominent role. Gilbert Arenas will be back, but will he be able to complement Wall? And where do Al Thornton, Nick Young, and JaVale McGee fit into the picture? I’m not saying the Wizards roster won’t work because honestly I think it could. Rather, that if I’m a free agent to be looking at possible destinations, I may not see Washington as an ideal situation.

Then again, John Wall.  Being his running mate could be tempting enough for a number of free agents, and certainly more so than just being Gilbert Arenas’ sidekick. There’s no doubt that Wall is the big prize of the draft lottery, but don’t underestimate the power of his mere presence as a free agent draw. Without Wall, the Wizards were just another team with cap room, even if Obama did stop by to catch a game. But with him, free agents will have the opportunity to build a team from the ground up with one of the best young point guards in the game.

“Tired” Jimmy Butler sits out All-Star Game at his own request

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LOS ANGELES — Jimmy Butler leads the NBA in minutes played per game at 37.3. He’s ninth in the league in total minutes played and played 77:35 minutes in the two games leading up to All-Star Weekend.

Butler was tired and asked Mike D’Antoni to give him some rest. Butler did not play in Sunday’s All-Star Game, at his own request.

“Rest,” Butler said when asked why he didn’t play. “I have to rest. I have to rest my body up. This Timberwolves season is very, very important to me. I’ve got to make sure I’m ready to roll when I get back there.”

“He was tired and he just felt like his legs weren’t there,” Team Stephen head coach Mike D’Antoni. “He didn’t practice yesterday or play today. You have to respect that. He plays hard. Sometimes your body just needs a rest.”

Butler is having the kind of season that has him in the discussion for a place on the MVP ballot. He’s averaging 22.4 points per game with a very efficient true shooting percentage of 59.3, plus he’s playing strong defense. He and Karl-Anthony Towns have led the Timberwolves to a 36-25 record that has them as the current four seed in the West, poised to break an 11-year playoff drought for the franchise.

Still thankful, LeBron James breaks Michael Jordan’s record for years between All-Star MVPs

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Los Angeles – When LeBron James became the youngest-ever NBA All-Star MVP in 2006, he said during the trophy presentation: “I’d like to thank the fans for voting me in as a starter.”

Twelve years later, he sounds similar, maybe just a little more thoughtful: “It’s always been my fans who voted me in. For 14 straight years, my fans have voted me in as an All-Star starter, and it’s been up to me to go out and let them know and show them, listen, I appreciate that, and here’s what I’m going to give to you every time you vote me in.”

He plays similarly, too.

LeBron again won All-Star MVP, leading his team to a 148-145 victory Sunday. He finished with 29 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists.

“Every night I step on the floor, I have to lead my guys or prove to myself that I’m still able to play at a high level,” said LeBron, 33. “I feel great.”

The 12-year gap between LeBron’s first and last All-Star MVP – he also won in 2008 – is the longest in NBA history. It tops the 10 years between Michael Jordan’s first (1988) and last (1998).

Here’s the difference between the first and last All-Star MVP for every multi-time winner:

Players’ effort in this exhibition game comes and goes, but LeBron appeared invigorated .

When LeBron’s team trailed by 15 in the second quarter, he checked in and quickly led it back into the lead. When his team fell behind by 13 midway through the fourth quarter, he again led a spirited comeback. He hit the go-ahead bucket.

Despite playing a game-high 31 minutes, his intensity lasted all the way through the final buzzer.

His coach, the Raptors’ Dwane Casey, said he asked LeBron whether to foul or defend on the final possession while up three. LeBron said defend.

“If he says that, or any great players say that, you want to go with them because it was their idea, their belief, and he had it,” Casey said. “…He got the guys jacked up and juiced up as far as wanting to get a stop.”

LeBron and Kevin Durant swarmed Stephen Curry, who couldn’t shoot and could barely pass. Curry’s team didn’t even get a shot off:

“As you can hear in my voice, that tells how competitive it was,” LeBron said scratchily.

Again, his message echoed 2006: “We’re competitors, and our competitive nature kicked in and said let’s get some defensive stops.”

A lot will get made about the format change, and it might have mattered.

But maybe LeBron is just uniquely capable of dominating and embracing of this stage all these years later.

Defense? Dramatic finish? Team LeBron wins All-Star Game that’s worth watching

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Leave a comment

LOS ANGELES — The NBA gambled its new format — with captains picking teams playground style — would produce an All-Star Game where the players showed some pride, played hard, and the showcase again would become something that resembled basketball (unlike last season).

It worked.

For proof guys were invested this time around, check out how Team LeBron responded to winning with a defensive stop, taking away Team Stephen’s attempt to get a clean look at a game-tying three in the closing seconds.

A post shared by NBA (@nba) on

“It had a real game feel to it,” LeBron James said.

Team LeBron beat Team Stephen 148-145. LeBron was named MVP with 29 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists. He also hit the game-tying and go-ahead shot that got the win.

“I played with (LeBron) a few times,” Kyrie Irving said of the play and pass that set up that LeBron game-winner. “I cut back door, (Russell Westbrook) was driving, I saw the opportunity. I saw, before even Russ even passed to me, LeBron was going to circle to the rim, and he’s one of the best finishers at the rim.”

Most importantly, this was an All-Star Game with some defense — it had 81 fewer points than the layup line game last year, and the fewest points in five years. It also proved to be the closest game in six years.

“We wanted to kind of change the narrative of the All-Star Game being a joke,” Kevin Durant said. “Today we wanted to make it a real basketball game.”

There was more defense than last year from the start of the game — for example, LeBron blocked an alley-oop pass in the first quarter. Of course, “better than last year” was not a high bar to clear, but there was some effort to not just have a layup line. Most of the time.

Also to start the game, Anthony Davis came out wearing the “0” jersey of injured teammate DeMarcus Cousins (he switched back to his own #23 before the first half was over).

On the night, Team LeBron got 19 points out of Kevin Durant, 16 from Paul George, and 14 from Andre Drummond. Team Stephen was led by 21 from both DeMar DeRozan and Damian Lillard, and 19 points and eight rebounds from Joel Embiid in his first All-Star Game.

The fantastic ending made up for what was a laughable opening skit/national anthem before tip-off that did something very rare — it unified NBA Twitter. It was awful.

Now all anybody is talking about is the game itself. And that’s what the NBA wanted.

LeBron James hits go-ahead shot in All-Star win (video)

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LOS ANGELES – LeBron James‘ team trailed by 13 midway through the fourth quarter of the All-Star game, but he led a competitive comeback.

This shot put his team up 146-145 over Stephen Curry‘s team, and Team LeBron held on for a 148-145 win:

Great penetration by Russell Westbrook, and he and Kyrie Irving moved the ball well. LeBron made it count.


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Dwight Howard thinks Arenas just wasn’t used right

The rest of us saw a guy just past his prime. Not Magic GM Otis Smith, who traded for Gilbert Arenas (and his massive contract) last season because he thought Arenas could change the fortunes of the franchise.

Dwight Howard saw the same thing.

The Magic’s best player and the guy they desperately want to keep next summer said he thinks Arenas wasn’t used right by Stan Van Gundy, he told Hoopshype.

“I don’t think our coach used him the right way, but I think he can do a lot of great things for our team,” Howard said. “He promised me this summer he was going to get better, physically and mentally, so he can come back and have an awesome year. I’m looking forward to that.

“I just felt like he didn’t get the opportunity to play his style but also play with me. I think he needed to. I think he got a couple of opportunities to do it in the playoffs, but it was kind of too late. So I think he will be great for us.”

Howard didn’t throw Van Gundy totally under the bus.

“I think Stan did a good job coaching this year,” Howard said. “He’s had us prepared for every game, for every playoff series that I’ve ever been in… He’s made sure that we were well-prepared. I like what he did.”

But he added he hasn’t talked to Orlando management or coaches since his exit interview at the end of the season.

Thing is, Van Gundy didn’t use Arenas because as much because he shot 34.4 percent in Orlando, 27.5 percent from three. He was not good on defense. Arenas didn’t earn playing time, with Howard or anyone else.

Looking at the numbers, Howard and the Magic were pretty much the same whether Gilbert Arenas or Jameer Nelson was running the show (stats via 82games.com and the NBA.com Stats Cube). Howard’s shot attempts, shooting percentage, pretty much every stat was the same regardless of whether Arenas was in the game or not (in the playoffs, Howard did shoot 70 percent with Arenas in, 61 percent when he sat).

Arenas, on the other hand, shot less and scored less with Howard on the court. The one big jump was that Arenas was +6.7 points per 48 minutes when Howard played and -2.8 per 48 when he sat, a stat basically true of every Magic player.

As for lineups, the five man lineups with Nelson and Arenas at the helm (and Howard in the game) were about the same, the only difference being Arenas played better with Hedo Turkoglu.

Using Arenas “right” didn’t make much of a difference in the Magic.

But Arenas will play a large role in whether or not Dwight Howard stays with the Magic — his contract limits the moves they can make to improve the team around Howard.

“Tired” Jimmy Butler sits out All-Star Game at his own request

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LOS ANGELES — Jimmy Butler leads the NBA in minutes played per game at 37.3. He’s ninth in the league in total minutes played and played 77:35 minutes in the two games leading up to All-Star Weekend.

Butler was tired and asked Mike D’Antoni to give him some rest. Butler did not play in Sunday’s All-Star Game, at his own request.

“Rest,” Butler said when asked why he didn’t play. “I have to rest. I have to rest my body up. This Timberwolves season is very, very important to me. I’ve got to make sure I’m ready to roll when I get back there.”

“He was tired and he just felt like his legs weren’t there,” Team Stephen head coach Mike D’Antoni. “He didn’t practice yesterday or play today. You have to respect that. He plays hard. Sometimes your body just needs a rest.”

Butler is having the kind of season that has him in the discussion for a place on the MVP ballot. He’s averaging 22.4 points per game with a very efficient true shooting percentage of 59.3, plus he’s playing strong defense. He and Karl-Anthony Towns have led the Timberwolves to a 36-25 record that has them as the current four seed in the West, poised to break an 11-year playoff drought for the franchise.

Still thankful, LeBron James breaks Michael Jordan’s record for years between All-Star MVPs

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Los Angeles – When LeBron James became the youngest-ever NBA All-Star MVP in 2006, he said during the trophy presentation: “I’d like to thank the fans for voting me in as a starter.”

Twelve years later, he sounds similar, maybe just a little more thoughtful: “It’s always been my fans who voted me in. For 14 straight years, my fans have voted me in as an All-Star starter, and it’s been up to me to go out and let them know and show them, listen, I appreciate that, and here’s what I’m going to give to you every time you vote me in.”

He plays similarly, too.

LeBron again won All-Star MVP, leading his team to a 148-145 victory Sunday. He finished with 29 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists.

“Every night I step on the floor, I have to lead my guys or prove to myself that I’m still able to play at a high level,” said LeBron, 33. “I feel great.”

The 12-year gap between LeBron’s first and last All-Star MVP – he also won in 2008 – is the longest in NBA history. It tops the 10 years between Michael Jordan’s first (1988) and last (1998).

Here’s the difference between the first and last All-Star MVP for every multi-time winner:

Players’ effort in this exhibition game comes and goes, but LeBron appeared invigorated .

When LeBron’s team trailed by 15 in the second quarter, he checked in and quickly led it back into the lead. When his team fell behind by 13 midway through the fourth quarter, he again led a spirited comeback. He hit the go-ahead bucket.

Despite playing a game-high 31 minutes, his intensity lasted all the way through the final buzzer.

His coach, the Raptors’ Dwane Casey, said he asked LeBron whether to foul or defend on the final possession while up three. LeBron said defend.

“If he says that, or any great players say that, you want to go with them because it was their idea, their belief, and he had it,” Casey said. “…He got the guys jacked up and juiced up as far as wanting to get a stop.”

LeBron and Kevin Durant swarmed Stephen Curry, who couldn’t shoot and could barely pass. Curry’s team didn’t even get a shot off:

“As you can hear in my voice, that tells how competitive it was,” LeBron said scratchily.

Again, his message echoed 2006: “We’re competitors, and our competitive nature kicked in and said let’s get some defensive stops.”

A lot will get made about the format change, and it might have mattered.

But maybe LeBron is just uniquely capable of dominating and embracing of this stage all these years later.

Defense? Dramatic finish? Team LeBron wins All-Star Game that’s worth watching

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LOS ANGELES — The NBA gambled its new format — with captains picking teams playground style — would produce an All-Star Game where the players showed some pride, played hard, and the showcase again would become something that resembled basketball (unlike last season).

It worked.

For proof guys were invested this time around, check out how Team LeBron responded to winning with a defensive stop, taking away Team Stephen’s attempt to get a clean look at a game-tying three in the closing seconds.

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“It had a real game feel to it,” LeBron James said.

Team LeBron beat Team Stephen 148-145. LeBron was named MVP with 29 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists. He also hit the game-tying and go-ahead shot that got the win.

“I played with (LeBron) a few times,” Kyrie Irving said of the play and pass that set up that LeBron game-winner. “I cut back door, (Russell Westbrook) was driving, I saw the opportunity. I saw, before even Russ even passed to me, LeBron was going to circle to the rim, and he’s one of the best finishers at the rim.”

Most importantly, this was an All-Star Game with some defense — it had 81 fewer points than the layup line game last year, and the fewest points in five years. It also proved to be the closest game in six years.

“We wanted to kind of change the narrative of the All-Star Game being a joke,” Kevin Durant said. “Today we wanted to make it a real basketball game.”

There was more defense than last year from the start of the game — for example, LeBron blocked an alley-oop pass in the first quarter. Of course, “better than last year” was not a high bar to clear, but there was some effort to not just have a layup line. Most of the time.

Also to start the game, Anthony Davis came out wearing the “0” jersey of injured teammate DeMarcus Cousins (he switched back to his own #23 before the first half was over).

On the night, Team LeBron got 19 points out of Kevin Durant, 16 from Paul George, and 14 from Andre Drummond. Team Stephen was led by 21 from both DeMar DeRozan and Damian Lillard, and 19 points and eight rebounds from Joel Embiid in his first All-Star Game.

The fantastic ending made up for what was a laughable opening skit/national anthem before tip-off that did something very rare — it unified NBA Twitter. It was awful.

Now all anybody is talking about is the game itself. And that’s what the NBA wanted.

LeBron James hits go-ahead shot in All-Star win (video)

Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images
1 Comment

LOS ANGELES – LeBron James‘ team trailed by 13 midway through the fourth quarter of the All-Star game, but he led a competitive comeback.

This shot put his team up 146-145 over Stephen Curry‘s team, and Team LeBron held on for a 148-145 win:

Great penetration by Russell Westbrook, and he and Kyrie Irving moved the ball well. LeBron made it count.


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Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Ford Motor Company Tops Vehicle Sales in 2012

Ford Motor Company Tops Vehicle Sales in 2012WESTLAND, Mich.- Ford Motor Company is in the news again with more impressive stats! At the close of the year, Ford Motor Company Tops Vehicle Sales in 2012 at 2 million, the only automaker to do so in America for the second straight year! Not only did Ford top 2 million U.S. vehicle sales in 2012, but they were also the only brand to have 3 of the top 10 best-selling vehicles worldwide! Coming in as the world's top selling vehicle was the Ford Focus, followed by the F-Series at #4, and the Ford Fiesta at #5. All of this amazing news is part of the One Ford plan which has won over customers worldwide in just 3 years by transforming the company's global small car lineup.

Come on in to check out three of the best-selling global nameplates! North Brothers Ford can save you money on a Ford vehicle of your own with our Ford Focus Rebates and Ford F-150 Rebates. For more information or for any questions give us a call at (888) 806-7163, our knowledgable sales team will be happy to help! North Brothers Ford is located at 33300 Ford Rd Westland, MI 48185.

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All banks and ATMs in Lumberton, NC, United States

More than 19 Bank branches and 128 ATMs in Lumberton, North Carolina are conveniently located near you. Find the nearest location to open a CD, deposit funds and more. Get driving directions for every branch or ATM location in Lumberton. Write a review to rate bank branch. Get customer phone numbers, opening hours for every Bank branch or ATM in Lumberton.

Popular ATMs and banks in Lumberton


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2014 Conference Teen and Alumni Activities

NCHE has once again planned social activities to encourage the friendships of our teens and alumni. All of these activities will have adult supervision. Full conference registration is required for these activities.

Teen & Alumni Cotillion-Style Dance: Thursday, May 22 7:30PM

Historically, dance has been an important social skill. Even our country’s military academies make dance lessons mandatory for young cadets. Dance education develops grace, poise, posture and coordination, and has been proven to be an inherent part of our culture. In keeping with these traditions, NCHE will host a cotillion-style dance on Thursday evening from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. in the Pavilion. There will be instruction on dances such as swing, box step, and line dancing. This dance, with the emphasis on instruction, will be taught and lead by Dennis Ritchie, a retired homeschool dad who has taught cotillion for more than twenty-five years. Our teacher’s teaching styles will put the students at ease regardless of their ability, and teens are encouraged to dance with many partners. The dress for these dances is modest casual (what you wear to the conference).

Alumni Coffee Social: Thursday, May 22 9:45PM

NCHE will host an alumni coffee social on Thursday night after the dance from 9:45 to 11 p.m. Check at registration for the location.

Note about Games Social

This year we will not be having the Games Social, but instead will have the OBB concert for the whole family.


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MESSENGER, WALLACE - Dawes County, Nebraska | WALLACE MESSENGER - Nebraska Gravestone Photos

Greenwood Cemetery
Dawes County,

Contributed on 6/2/06 by JimNebraska99
Email This Contributor

Record #: 6590

Thank you for visiting the Nebraska Gravestone Photo Project

On this site you can upload gravestone photos, locate ancestors and perform genealogy research. If you have a relative buried in Nebraska, we encourage you to upload a digital image using our Submit a Photo page. Contributing to this genealogy archive helps family historians and genealogy researchers locate their relatives and complete their family tree.

Submitted: 6/2/06 • Approved: 6/14/06 • Last Updated: 2/16/13 • R6590-G0-S3

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SPRAGUE, SARAH E. - Dawes County, Nebraska | SARAH E. SPRAGUE - Nebraska Gravestone Photos

Greenwood Cemetery
Dawes County,

Sarah E. Dean
His Wife
1853 - 1932

Henry H. Sprague
51st. Mo. Inft.
1847 - 1930

Contributed on 8/23/06 by JimNebraska99
Email This Contributor

Record #: 9263

Thank you for visiting the Nebraska Gravestone Photo Project

On this site you can upload gravestone photos, locate ancestors and perform genealogy research. If you have a relative buried in Nebraska, we encourage you to upload a digital image using our Submit a Photo page. Contributing to this genealogy archive helps family historians and genealogy researchers locate their relatives and complete their family tree.

Submitted: 8/22/06 • Approved: 8/23/06 • Last Updated: 2/16/13 • R9263-G9262-S3

Other GPP Projects  |  Contact Us  |  Terms of Use  |  Site Map  |  Admin Login


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Official AT-Robots v2 Homepage

Tournament Information
AT-Robots Online FTP Directory
Download AT-Robots
AT-Robots Documentation
The Robot Archive
Related Links

AT-Robots Forum

AT-Robots Troubleshooting FAQ

robots at war

AT-Robots 2.10 is now available!
(approximately 260k)
Future Fonts

24hr/day On-Going Tournament!

The Online Tournament is back! That's right, once again the server is running online competitions 24 hours a day. For more information, please see the Tournament Information Page, or click on one of the results shortcuts below:

Daniel Pitts has been kind enough to supply a new message board. Check it out here.

Also, the ATR3 project is on-going. Click the button below:

Enter your e-mail address to receive e-mail when this page is updated.

Your Internet e-mail address: (in the form-

Welcome to Advanced T-Robots, a game which tests your programming skill by competing robot programs in a battle to the death in a simulated environment. The robot programs are written in a language called ATRA (Advanced T-Robot Assembly), which is similar to assembly language on the PC.

In concept it's fairly simple. The robot has a drive system, a certain amount of armor, and a turret that houses a scanner and a weapon. The weapon generates heat, which you will need to regulate. The scanner has a specific arc in which it can detect an enemy. So the trick is to handle all of these aspects of the robot effectively and efficiently to kill the opponent robots.

AT-Robots 2 is considered by the author (me) to be the latest and only current version of T-Robots, and therefore the previous game programs (Original T-Robots and AT-Robots 1.x) will no longer be supported/updated. Since it is not downwardly compatable due to some major fundamental changes, I must apologize to anyone who has made programs in AT-Robots 1.x.

Obtaining Software:

The current archive of available versions and related files and data can be found in the public files directory. Recently added is a linux port that uses FreePascal, courtesy of "KM".

(AT-Robot Schematic)

(T-Robot Schematic)

NOTE- Many of the followings links may be broken or unavailable. They have not been verified or updated in quite some time.

Related Links:

Other programming games:

Return to NecroBones Headquarters Index
= Ed T. Toton III / NecroBones Enterprises / necrobones at necrobones dot com
(Counter reset during the move to, on March 7 1997)

(Copyright © 1997, All Rights Reserved)

Keywords: AT-Robots robot robots program programming red code redcode combat corewars core wars battle contest tournament competition compete design arena simulate simulator king of the hill game necro bones necrobones toton shareware freeware destruct fight destroy destruct detonate at xt pc dos ibm game games atrobots robot programming game robot programming games programming robots design robots designing robots


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Area concrete businesses to benefit from industry outlook

June 16th, 2017

By Doug LeDuc | Greater Fort Wayne Business Weekly

Northeast Indiana companies in the business of moving and supplying concrete can look forward to industry growth this year and next year as a result of increased spending on infrastructure and housing.

The Portland Cement Association projected last month cement consumption would reach 3.4 percent annual growth during the rest of 2017 and 2018, based on a study of data and policies it expects to affect the industry in the coming years.

“Cement and concrete largely move in tandem as a vast majority of cement is shipped directly to ready-mixed concrete producers,” Dave Zwicke, the association’s senior director of market intelligence, said in an email.

In Indiana, 72 percent of cement is shipped to ready-mixed concrete producers, followed by a combined 22 percent for concrete product manufacturers and contractors, he said.

Based on preliminary PCA estimates, Indiana’s cement consumption is expected to exceed regional and national rates of growth this year and next year, Zwicke said.

Midwest regional cement consumption is anticipated to grow roughly 3 percent in 2017 and 2018, slightly below the projected 2017 national rate, he said.

“Indiana’s expected out-paced growth is a combination of improvement over a sluggish year in 2016 for cement consumption as well as due to increased highway funding,” Zwicke said.

Continued growth this year and next year would contribute to the industry’s ongoing recovery in the region since the Great Recession, according to Rick Lehman, who works in sales at Keystone Concrete in Churubusco.

Compared with the national growth projected for the concrete industry, “we would expect in northeast Indiana and central Indiana that increase to be even higher in demand, based on our volume year over year,” he said.

A number of economists have observed that Indiana’s relatively high concentration of manufacturing employment causes it to notice a recession’s impact earlier than the rest of the country, but also benefit from recovery earlier.

Keystone’s experience was in line with that, and “we saw an uptick probably four years ago or five years ago even, whereas the nation didn’t see that uptick until a year or two ago,” Lehman said.

Beyond roads

Some of the infrastructure spending that has been increasing in northeast Indiana has gone beyond roads and bridges, he said, to include construction on the region’s power grid and on its wastewater treatment plants and related projects to comply with federal environmental regulations.

In northeast Indiana, “right now residential construction is moving along at a great pace; there’s a shortage of housing,” he said. “Any real estate professional will tell you it’s a sellers’ market.”

“Because of that housing shortage, we’re seeing increased demand for residential concrete,” Lehman said. But, even with the increased residential construction, “I don’t know if we have seen a full recovery,” he said. “I wouldn’t call us a booming area but a recovering area.”

The value of commercial construction permits issued in Allen County for the first five months of this year was up 83 percent from the same period in 2016, according to data from the Allen County Building Department.

Commercial permits through the end of May totaled $242.8 million, compared with $133 million in the year ago period. Residential permit values were up 11 percent, from $127.1 million a year ago to $141.2 million this year.

A total of 99 new home permits were issued in May, bringing the total year to date to 420, according to an analysis of data by the Home Builders Association of Fort Wayne.

Last year, 92 permits were issued in May bringing the total for the first five months of the year to 396. The average value of new home permits this year was $255,437, compared with $249,877 in the year ago period.

Infrastructure influence

PCA projections for increased cement use recently were presented by Ed Sullivan, its senior vice president and chief economist, at an IEEE-ISA/PCA Cement Conference in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Sullivan arrived at the projections using baseline estimates for factors including U.S. tax reform and infrastructure spending that were conservative because details on specific federal policies are not yet fully available, he said.

“While fiscal stimulus will boost cement consumption, there are other economic indicators that will temper growth,” Sullivan said. “Infrastructure policies also take time to implement, so you could be looking at 11 to 22 months before new projects truly get underway.”

“The underlying fundamentals supporting economic growth are positive, though we’ll maintain a watch on how the U.S. government addresses possible inflation and immigration policy,” Sullivan said. “This confidence in stable, sustained growth in cement consumption is likely to be unchallenged through 2018.”

President Trump has $200 billion in his budget as part of a $1 trillion investment plan to rebuild infrastructure, according to a White House statement issued earlier this month.

The statement referred to partnering with the private sector and called for a dramatic reduction in permitting time for projects to two years from 10 years. It said accelerating permitting and slashing regulations would spur growth and investment by speeding up the decision making process on infrastructure projects.

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Thursday, February 25, 2010

Daily Dare 2010: Day 15

Today's Daily Dare Challenge is Pterattack. To beat AAA you need a score of 1,500 points and to beat Abigail you need a score of 175 points.

I am decent at this game and it was not hard to beat AAA. The main trick is getting the power ups early, but that is very random. I like getting the orange power ups, but the purple are not bad. The prize for beating AAA is Pteradactyl Plushie.

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Friday, 5 September 2014

Dr. Bhimrao Ramjee Ambedkar : The Messiah Misconstrued

" बिन  माँगे  मोती  कहाँ , और  क्यूँ  माँगे  हम  भीख ;
ऐ  दलित ! अपने  अधिकारों  को , छीन  के  लेना  सीख..."

                   As the unquestioned leader of depressed classes and the principal architect of the Indian constitution , the name of Dr. B.R. #Ambedkar will always be remembered in Indian history. His entire life has been a saga of relentless crusade for social justice and a symbol of revolt against all oppressive features of the Hindu society. He was not just a social revolutionary but also a prolific scholar, a lawyer, an economist and a true ‘Bharat Ratna’ indeed. He played a vital role in shaping the modern Indian society. Even at the peak of India's freedom struggle with the British (a struggle of  our past and present) , he was fighting for social and economic equality (our future). His own struggle had started  the moment he was born in a poor mahar family  but as  non-violence  was to Mahatma Gandhi, education was to #Babasaheb. With his resoluteness and hard work he went up against all odds and became the first  person ever from the backward classes of India to earn a law degree and various doctorates from Columbia university and the London school of economics.

"When everyone else was worried about bread ,
he chose pen;

He righteously rose  to the position,
apt for extra-ordinary men..."

He firmly believed that “cultivation of mind should be the ultimate aim of human existence”. His endeavor for pursuit of knowledge continued till his last breath. He founded ‘bahishkrit hitkarini sabha’ in 1924 to educate and unite the depressed classes  and rouse self consciousness and self respect among them. He started many publications including ‘mooknayak in 1920’ to agitate the people against the oppression, which was the need of the hour. He knew knowledge and unity, strengthened  with agitation can bring down anything.
                       Dr. Ambedkar has left a legacy so rich that it is nearly impossible to match his steps but after more than 66 years of independence the BIG QUESTION is   “Are we anywhere near to what Babasaheb set out to achieve ?”. He believed ideas need propagation as much as plants need water to flourish. His garlanded idols have definitely cropped up all over the country but unfortunately his ideas are scarcely witnessed. Parroting his name on politically crucial occasions and social gatherings is not enough but sadly this is where most of his ‘followers’ now stop. Times have changed and so should we. The first challenge is to transform and redirect the feeling of raw , stifling anger against the upper castes into intra-community caring and unity. We should come forward and socially help and mentor each other for the betterment of the backward community on the whole . Dalits should realize that government policies and programs and all legal and political protections can only facilitate them but cannot fully change the society on their behalf. They should stand tall and open up new grounds for an innately positive moral and social identity and accept the fact that dalits and non-dalits are here competitors in many ways but are not enemiesDr. Ambedkar himself drafted the constitution to ensure equality of all citizens and made special provisions to safeguard socially and educationally backward class’s interests but if they cannot help themselves,  nobody else can.
                        Two of the most important contributions of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar have sadly been misconstrued by dalits and non-dalits alike. First was the introduction of positive discrimination of depressed classes. The idea was to break monopoly by proportional representation and bring all backward classes on one platform (SC/ST/OBC) to break the caste system. This step has been criticized and opposed all along but more so in the past few years. Nevertheless,  it has survived for so long because it is the least expensive and politically most rewarding of all policy options. However, it is a matter of debate that ‘whether reservations have been successful or not’ but it is a common notion that it has benefited only a small section of the backward classes. It must, however , be admitted that even if this small number can throw up leadership for the community to bargain for the larger interests and help a lot more people around them, the purpose is more or less met. Although more and more people are willing to lend their hand forward, the numbers are still not enough to make an imprint on the larger front or just to shut the opposition. As a result, a lot many of the backward classes are still suffering. Moreover, the over-estimation of the amount and effectiveness of preferential treatment reinforces the notion that enough (too much) is already being done and nothing more is called for. This mindset prevents non-dalits, private sector or even the ‘developed dalits’ to come forward with a small or large contributions. Also, the fact that ‘Dr. Ambedkar professed for pursuit of knowledge his whole life’ has lost place to  his contribution to introduction of reservation policy. People feel more proud of his contribution to the reservation system than his hard work for his own education against all odds, when there was not just 'no reservation' but also no place for a so-called  untouchable in the whole education system.  Many people still rely more on reservation than their own hard work which Babasaheb must have never intended to. The reservation system should compensate for the educational, social and financial background and not for hard work. It will be a tribute to the legend if we can remain true to this simple fact. His another contribution was rejuvenating Buddhism in India. He accepted Buddhism after a lot of research and study with the sole aim of abolishing discrimination against the backward classes. But it is unfortunate to say that this discrimination still exists in India to the extent that it can be seen  even among different backward classes clubbed together by Babasaheb himself  as  ‘SC/ST/OBC’ with the intention of uniting them as one. It is unwise, illogical  and  unfair to be riding on both the boats simultaneously. Even Buddhism is based on rational thinking and reasoning and is free from any form of discrimination or hatred. But  neither Buddha nor Babasaheb is among us anymore and their ideologies are waning very fast or  at  least  being bent for personal or political gains by politicians, communities and even the dalits themselves.  Dr. B.R. Ambedkar has certainly succeeded in bringing about a very evident change  in  the life style of backward classes and practically influenced every single person  belonging  to depressed classes or not,  in some way or the other but a lot of ground work (primary education, health, unemployment)still needs to be done for the overall development. He has done more than any human could possibly do for the depressed classes and  bring  them  this  far. Now  it  is upon them to  rise  to the  occasion  and   help him achieve  what  he  has  always  dreamed  of   and  the  mindset  of   the  people    certainly  needs  to  change   for  this  to  happen  and  for  the  greater  good  of  the  Indian  society  as  a  whole.

Note: The word dalit is not used  in any derogatory sense here but  to denote all the depressed  classes clubbed together.

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Wednesday, January 11, 2017

Kwanghee to enlist in the army next month

Article: [Exclusive] Kwanghee to enlist in the army February

Source: Sports Donga via Nate

1. [+1,158, -86] He was under a lot of pressure when he first joined 'Infinity Challenge' and got a ton of hate for being boring but there were times that I burst out laughing thanks to him... He's enlisting in the middle of a cold winter so I hope he stays safe~

2. [+995, -65] Take care of your health and serve well~

3. [+865, -68] Kwanghee-ssi, I've enjoyed your varieties. Serve well in the army and take care of your health ㅜㅜ

4. [+27, -17] Finally ㅜㅜ

5. [+27, -8] You did well Kwanghee-hyung, serve well

Source: Naver

1. [+20,124 -492] Hul... Kwanghee-ya, serve well ㅠㅠ

2. [+18,155, -835] Right as it seemed he was finally finding his place on 'Infinity Challenge'.. ㅠ serve well~~!!

3. [+11,315, -354] Serve well~

4. [+10,399, -318] Take care of yourself!!! ㅠㅠ Don't get injured!!

5. [+2,448, -175] Kwanghee's so much better than those other celebrities who are still holding out

6. [+1,772, -59] Kwanghee will be enlisting with TOP ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

7. [+1,726, -58] So much better than all those hip hop losers who either serve public service or get exemptions for unfounded mental disorders. Paper doll, tone up that body before you come back ㅋㅋㅋ

8. [+1,914, -196] He got so much hate during his transition period to 'Infinity Challenge' and he was just now starting to get the hang of things and he has to enlist... what a shame...

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Tuesday, February 11, 2014

#BookShare ~ Sorority Pledge Collection: Steamy Books 1-5 by Daizie Draper

Continuing on - here's another little break in the normal posts, I've decided to promo a few books over the next few weeks. No compensation. Just wanting to share some reads :-) Hope you enjoy.

When sorority pledge, Addison Montgomery, gets caught chucking eggs at a mansion at the demand of her sisters on Halloween, she's punished by the rich man's son, Logan Thorndike, a hot junior at her college, and they get swept up in the delicious power exchange and a tumultuous squall of passion. Addison is certain Logan is the perfect full-time Dom for her, but he's doing all he can to keep the darker corners of his soul in check. With her chasing him down and not letting up, he tentatively claims her as his because he can't resist her sexy flirtation and naughty behavior that demands a strong dose of correction.

As they engage in loads of hot "funishment" and experience the thrill of D/s and kink, Logan quickly settles into his position over her. But jumping into a BDSM lifestyle, while trying to balance college life and their animalistic lusts, may be way too hot for them to handle. The dark turns and bumps in the road take them both by surprise and threaten to derail everything beautiful they're striving to create.

* * * This 107,700-word collection is the first five books in the 10-part Sorority Pledge Sagaa serialization that follows a rocky romance centered around the edgy bliss of Domination and submission. Please be 18+ and naughty enough for a spanking of your own. * * * (Based on industry standards, this book is about 475 pages.)

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Trump is obviously wrong…But so are we

US President Donald Trump announced America’s new Afghanistan policy today, which sounded very familiarly like America’s old Afghanistan policy. What has received the most attention, though, are his claims about our policy.

“We can no longer be silent about Pakistan’s safe havens for terrorist organisations,” he said, warning that vital aid could be cut.

“We have been paying Pakistan billions and billions of dollars at the same time they are housing the very terrorists that we are fighting,” he said. “That will have to change and that will change immediately.”

The response from official quarters has been quick and strong. Politicians of all stripes  raced to the microphone to respond and remind the American President of how much Pakistan has suffered at the hands of terrorists, and some, like PTI’s Shireen Mazari, added empty threats of ‘a befitting response’.

The most honest and important reply actually came before Trump’s speech. Inter-Services Public Relations Director General Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor told reporters, referring to theh possibility that Trump would take a hard line against Pakistan, “Even if it comes…Pakistan shall do whatever is best in the national interest.” In other words, no change on our part. We will keep doing what we have always done.

Unfortunately, what we have always done is a failure. Despite the pleasing words from official sources, we have seen the state declare victory of Zarb-e-Azb and Radd-ul-Fasaad, only to see the same ‘defeated’ terrorists carry out massive attacks against innocent citizens. We have heard pleasing words about abandoning ‘good Taliban’ policies and support for so-called ‘pro-Pakistan’ militants, only to see the same militants announce that they are now preparing to enter the National Assembly.

America may be out of ideas in Afghanistan, but we are the ones suffering from our own failure to accept new ideas and new policies. We hold tightly to the same old failed policies like an anchor that is dragging us to the bottom of the ocean. Blaming Donald Trump and the Americans is easy and convenient. They may be wrong, after all. But we are victims of our own policies, and we have only ourselves to blame. It’s too bad none of our so-called leaders have the guts to say it.

Another suicide blast in Parachinar despite ‘strict security’

Parachinar bombing In January, a suicide blast tore through a vegetable market killing dozens and injuring nearly 100 innocents. COAS Gen Bajwa visited the site, and ‘strict security arrangements‘ were made to prevent another attack. Today, less than ten weeks later, another suicide attack has been carried out in a Parachinar market, this time outside a main imambargah. According to police officials, there were multiple attackers who not only used bombs but also fired randomly into crowds of innocents.

Many questions will be asked, but one that must not be overlooked is what happened to the ‘strict security arragements’ that were made after the last terrorist attack only a few weeks ago? Were these withdrawn once the Army chief had left? Or were they never really made in the first place? Or were the security arrangement made, but they were not good enough to stop the terrorists?

We have had enough ISPR videos, enough bold statements, enough victory announcements. What we have not had is the truth. The national leadership including both civil and military leaders need to take the people into confidence. We have had every success explained in full detail, but nobody can explain about the constant failures? If anyone is reading this, please listen. We want to trust you and give our full support, but to do this we need you to trust us and give us your full support also. Right now we are mourning another attack. We are filled with questions and doubts. We do not need to be reassured. We are past that now. We need to know what you are going to do differently, because what has be done till date is obviously not enough.

One month since Sehwan blast and already we have lost plot

Hundreds of innocents killed in a new wave of terrorist attacks, a new military operation announced, and within weeks we have already lost the plot. In just the past few days we have seen Islamabad High Court and Interior Ministry announce possible new social media ban to crack down on alleged problem of ‘blasphemous content’. This was followed by a petition against Zara Hut Kay for daring to question the IHC Judge.

Soon after, some of our so-called ‘journalists’ selectively read an article by former Ambassador Hussain Haqqani about American politicians meeting Russian diplomats and somehow managed to turn it into an admission that he helped capture Osama bin Laden. Only in Pakistan is helping capture the world’s most wanted terrorist considered treason, but this is our reality. However this interpretation doesn’t even match what is in the supposed confession. Haqqani says that he brought a request to Islamabad (which was his job) and that American intelligence agents were operating in Pakistan (this is no revelation or have we forgotten that ISI was working with CIA in Pakistan at the time?). The important line that nobody seems to have read is when Haqqani notes that “the United States kept us officially out of the loop about the operation”. Never mind the facts, though, as PPP grasped at the opportunity to disown their former Ambassador, something they do once a year as part of their desperate attempts to slow their slide into political irrelevance.

Meanwhile, COAS Bajwa has met with Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Army has announced new operations will defend Saudi Arabia from cross border attacks. This news has broken only two days after Chinese media reported that Pakistan Army Chief has also promised to protect Chinese workers and investments in Pakistan. It has not been clarified where Pakistani citizens come in the priority, but some are speculating that the current list is:

  1. Chinese investments
  2. Saudi Princes
  3. Kashmir-based ‘freedom fighters’
  4. Cricket tournaments
  5. VVIPs

Operation Raddul Fasaad was launched on 22 February. Less than four weeks later, we find our selves in essentially the same chaotic mess that we have remained leading many to ask if Raddul Fasaad and the national ‘unity’ is anything else but a facade.

PSL Final: A glimpse of the possible, and the danger of complacency

Lahore PSL FinalIt was spectacular. The most historic PSL Final held in Lahore among glittering lights and screaming fans was a much needed reprieve from the doubt and despair that crept back again after last month’s string of terrorist attacks. But it was much more also. It was a glimpse into the greatness in our country that is being held back by extremism.

If we are going to successfully see the possible become the norm, however, we must avoid the trap of complacency. We should be proud of what we accomplished. We had our moment one the world’s stage and we shone brightly. But we did not defeat terrorism.

The successful match brought out our national pride on social media, but it also brought out dangerous delusions. There were the hypernationalistic pro-Army accounts that once again tried to steal the nation’s prize for a few only

Obviously security agencies deserve our respect for their role, but it was more than just Armed Forces responsible for security. It was police also. And it was us, the citizens, who made sure that everything went accordingly. Credit goes to all of us, not just Armed Forces.

These posts were part of the misguided trend that has appeared of #VictoryAgainstTerrorism. We must be careful about declaring every successful event as a victory against terrorism because doing this suggests that terrorism is the norm and being able to do anything without an attack is unusual. PSL Final was a victory of Pakistan in every respect – sport, civil society, government, LEAs, business, etc etc etc.

Worst, though, is that trends like #VictoryAgainstTerrorism could allow some sense of complacency to creep back in. If we learned anything from Zarb-e-Azb, it’s that declaring victory prematurely and trying to win a fight via press release is a recipe for failure. Raddul Fasaad is in its infancy. It must be given time to mature and root out the threat of militant groups and the extremist ideology that feed them.

Hours after PSL Final wrapped up, 5 more soldiers were martyred in another militant attack. Their sacrifice is the reality that the successful PSL Final was not a sign of the success of Raddul Fasaad, but a sign of why it’s so important to finally pull extremism out by the roots and let Pakistan’s greatness shine through every day.

The Story Behind the Fake Visa Waiver Story

Fake visa waiver storyIt is not the first time that a fake story has made its way from a satire website into the mainstream media, but a hoax report that the US has added Pakistan to the visa waiver program has generated more buzz more quickly than I can remember. The US Embassy has even been forced to issued an official statement on Twitter calling the report a ‘spoof’ story.

There are stories behind stories like this, and this one has many chapters to it. The first chapter is, of course, about how unprofessional – and untrustworthy – our media is. As I said before, this is not the first time a fake story has made its way into the mass media. It probably won’t be the last time, either. We should be asking what other stories we are being spoon fed are inauthentic? If our so-called ‘professional’ media can’t even bother to check with the Embassy before running a story about a major change in visa policy, how can they be trusted to report on more sensitive issues such as Kashmir or Balochistan?

There is more to this story, though, than just a failure to check sources. The story is reported that Pakistan was added to the US visa waiver program to show appreciation for Zarb-e-Azb. By doing this, the wide spread reporting gives away more than might have been intended. It is not merely a story about poor journalistic practices, it is a story about our own insecurities.

After suffering for so long, we are desperate for Zarb-e-Azb to be a success. But every time we start to feel positive, another attack reminds us that things are not so rosy as official reports tell us. This is why we are desperate for American officials to tell us things are improving. ISPR has been saying it since day one, and even though we listen, we stopped truly believing them long ago. Army’s interest is in maintaining morale, not reporting the truth.

But we are also desperate to be accepted by America. Even your most anti-American friend who always complains about US imperialism and Islamophobia secretly wants to go there. Being added to the visa waiver program says that American looks at us not as possible refugees (or worse – terrorists), but as equals.

The story is obviously a hoax, though. The US recently announced that it would not pay the Army $300 million in Coalition Support Funds because it we are not taking action against Haqqani Network militants. Jamaat ud Dawah Ameer Hafiz Saeed who US has declared a terrorist appears as a special guest on TV shows. Do we really believe that they are going to reward us with a visa waiver?

Today, the story is a hoax. If we want it to be true, we have to change the conditions so that it can become true. If we want Zarb-e-Azb to be a success, we have to stop turning a blind eye to ‘pro-Pakistan’ militants and end our tolerance for militancy completely. If we want to be treated as equals, we have to stop treating militant leaders as our special guests.


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Mon | Feb 19, 2018

Constant Spring Road widening begins, motorists warned to expect delays

Published:Tuesday | February 13, 2018 | 2:23 PM

Motorists who use Constant Spring Road in St Andrew are being advised to expect delays from time to time as the National Works Agency (NWA) has begun upgrading works on the heavily trafficked roadway.

The popular stretch is being widened from the Red Hills Road intersection with Eastwood Park Road to Manor Park.

The roadworks, which began yesterday, is to last 14 months.

NWA Communication Manager, Stephen Shaw, says there will be some inconveniences during the project.

Shaw says the road will be kept open and the number of travel lanes will be maintained during the project, with traffic diversions from time to time.

He says the public will be kept updated as the project progresses and he's reminding motorists that delays cannot be avoided.

Persons are therefore being advised to make travel plans bearing in mind the likely impact of the works over the next 14 months.


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sobota, 15 maja 2010

Dan White

Hear ye, hear ye! Sir Dan White - who has appeared in NBC #1 and NBC #2 - has just opened shop section on his blog-site At this moment noble people from all round the world can order "TERMINUS BOOK 1: RABBIT SEASON, DUCK SEASON" and "ZIP CITY COMICS no.1" - and since I already bought them, I recommend them highly.

Dan White, który wystąpił w zarówno NBC #1 jak i NBC #2, otworzył sklepik sklepik na swojej stronie W tej chwili zakupić można dwa tytuły: "TERMINUS BOOK 1: RABBIT SEASON, DUCK SEASON" and "ZIP CITY COMICS no.1" Obydwie książeczki już zakupiłem i szczerze je polecam.

czwartek, 13 maja 2010

Another review of NBC #2 can found be here. This time the lucky reviewer was John Freeman from

Kolejną recenzję angielskojęzycznej edycji NBC #2 można przeczytać tutaj. Szczęśliwym recenzentem okazał się John Freeman z

czwartek, 6 maja 2010

Help Lil!

Here's our chance to do something right for a change. Paul O'Connell and Lawrence Elwick known from many great strips (including 'Charlie Parker the Handyman') are working on a series of books featuring Lil - a little girl who is one of the most interesting and fresh comics characters in last few years.

Paul and Lawrence already crated the first of the book, but they need your help to create the next ones without starving themselves to death. So if you have a few spare bucks or quids or a rich uncle, please support Lil's journeys through Kickstarter campaign.

To learn more about Lil's world and the Lil's Kickstarter campaign check out I'm sure you'll discover that there's plenty of Lil in you too...

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New figures reveal capitalism in crisis – not recovery

by the Socialist Party (England and Wales)

2012-10-11Grafik4052182916898806735Desperate times call for desperate measures. That must have been the line of Con-Dem Chancellor George Osborne’s thinking when he went about claiming new jobs and wages figures proved that his austerity measures were yielding a recovery.

Far from bringing relief to ‘hard-working families’, the Coalition’s cuts and pro-capitalist policies are rapidly turning the clock back on living standards at a terrifying rate. Real growth can however be seen in workers’ anger.

Osborne’s claim, faithfully reproduced across the big business-owned media, was that wages are now rising faster than inflation.

Statistical contortionists manufactured this figure by including fat-cat bonuses in the measure of wages and excluding sky-rocketing house prices by using the CPI not the RPI measure of inflation. In reality real wages are still 6% below the pre-crisis peak of 2008.

The London Evening Standard (ES) produced a devastating graph. It showed that energy bills have gone up by 57%, food prices by 40%, and petrol has risen by 49%.

Housing is in a league of its own with prices and rents increasing at a speed Usain Bolt would envy. London house prices have risen by 22% in the past year, with other areas also seeing significant rises.

We were also invited to celebrate the latest employment figures. Unemployment is down by 320,000 to 2.2 million.

But again the devil is in the truth. Almost half the jobless are young people. Scandalously almost a million workers are in the grip of zero-hour contracts, living precarious, stressed-out lives.

Unsurprisingly ONS figures show that two million or one in five part-time and temporary workers say they would like full-time work.

Lack of investment

Other figures reveal that Britain is being propelled back to the 19th century. As job cuts in the public sector hit hard and big business refuses to invest its hundreds of hoarded billions in new jobs “worried workers price themselves into the jobs market”, as an ES writer put it.

In particular, frustrated and demoralised workers, seeking to avoid the monsters like Homer’s Scylla and Charybdis of humiliating benefit regimes and workfare on the one side and low-paid insecure work on the other, have opted out to enter into self-employment.

Increases among Britain’s 4.5 million-strong self-employed workforce account for more than 40% of the ‘jobs’ growth over the last year, and for almost two-thirds in the last quarter.

This, accompanied by aggressive privatisation drives, represents an attempt by big business and their servants in government to undo all the gains of the working class over the last century.

Self-employed people are often forced into financial and personal uncertainty. While the capitalist press is awash with tales of wealthy whizz kids, for the majority of self-employed workers this is hard graft with poor returns.

Tax expert Richard Taylor worked out that “the average, inflation adjusted, earnings of those who are self-employed fell from just under £15,000 a year at the turn of the century to £10,400 in 2011, a real decline of just over 31%.”

As the Socialist Party has explained many times, capitalism is in a blind alley, unable to further develop the productive forces (factories, offices, science and technique), or to use the surplus created by workers to invest in much needed industrial development.

So the basics- clean water, homes, jobs, healthcare, environmental protection- are denied to billions of people.

Instead the capitalist classes appear to be retiring from their historic role. In Britain the number of employing businesses has fallen in most years since 2008.

The number of private-sector businesses with 250 or more employees dropped 8.2% to 6,600 between 2000 and 2013.

It is also predicted that there could be more self-employed by 2018 than the number of employees in the public sector.

The TUC reports that rapid expansion of this sector, normally a feature of recession, is growing fastest among impoverished pensioners, part-time workers and odd-jobbers.

Bubbling anger

But, as the Socialist Party has predicted, things will not continue like this forever. The working class will not continue trying to make ends meet while watching the rich get so obscenely richer.

The anger that is bubbling below the surface will explode at a certain stage and pay and jobs will be a major factor in that explosion.

A foretaste of the action we can expect has been provided by the construction workers who successfully demanded to be taken on by the profiteering building companies on direct contracts.

The frustration is also fuelling the votes for strike action on pay by workers in the NHS, among teachers, on the railways and more.

It is what makes the Bakers’ Union and Youth Fight for Jobs’ ‘Fast Food Rights’ campaign against junk jobs so appealing to the super-exploited workers in that industry.

For a real living wage

The Socialist Party fights for the immediate implementation of the Living Wage (currently set at £7.65 or £8.80 in London) as a step towards a minimum wage of £10 an hour, with regular increases to cover price rises.

We oppose the pay cuts and pay freezes, parts of the Coalition strategy to make the working class pay for the bosses’ crisis.

We say that, for example, the estimated £120 billion lost to tax evasion mainly by the super-rich 1%, would go a long way to rolling out a mass programme of socially useful job creation.

That would mean more homes built, more staff in our threadbare public services, and fewer people forced onto the dole or pushed into instability.

Protections against precariousness and poverty are also needed for workers who wish to remain self-employed.

Making affordable credit available from banks would help. National Insurance payments should guarantee benefits when workers are unable to work.

But a programme needs a strategy to achieve it. Socialist Party members at trade union conferences have been winning big support when they argue for decisive action to defend workers’ rights.

This includes making the case for a 24-hour general strike as well as arguing the case for action on the issues affecting workers in the different sectors.

Fundamentally, though, we explain that capitalism is utterly incapable of satisfying even the modest aspirations of the 99% for a secure job, for a home that is not prey to the whims of greedy landlords or banks, for public services that meet their needs.

So linked to the struggles for jobs and decent pay, must be a struggle to achieve all these basic needs, as part of a struggle to change society along socialist lines.

This would mean, as a start, nationalising the banking system and the big companies that dominate the economy and placing them under democratic workers’ control and management.

Socialism would mean democratic planning to end the chaos of the market and environmental destruction.

And it would mean the end to the misery of millions in Britain and across the world. Join us in the fight for a future, a socialist future.


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Anniversary Piñatas

Anniversary piñatas are a super fun and unique wedding trend that we are loving! In lieu of a guest book, have your attendees sign scraps of paper and place them inside the piñata at your wedding. At your first anniversary, smash it to bits and relish in the well wishes and congratulations from a year’s past. Check out some of our favorite anniversary piñatas below, including a signage display directing guests on how to get in on the fun!

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Alex Acosta Live at XL Nightclub – New York, NY – USA (DEC 01, 2012)

Part of Alex Acosta’s debut set at New York’s XL Nightclub!
Our New Element Tribe Artist had that big room working it to his fierce beats!

DOWNLOAD : Eddie Cumana – Chain Reaction (Episode 01)

This continuous DJ mix contains various artists on various labels. This podcast series is my more commercial prime time sound. I hope you all enjoy this first episode!

Alex Acosta Presents : Tribalia (The Podcast)

Drums, Drums and more Drums! However, this is not your typical “Tribal Set”. In here I decided to take you on a journey of different tribal flavors: giving you a little Iberican Drums, a little Classic Tribal, some Tech Tribe, etc… if you’ve heard me live before, then you know what I’m talking about! And as usual, this is a compilation of tracks of what I’ve been playing and getting great acceptance from everyone!.

Rihanna – Where Have You Been (Eddie Cumana Club Mix)

Eddie Cumana (KULT Records) – and a New Element Tribe Artist has just released his very own remix of Rihanna’s anthem “Where Have You Been”.

Alex Acosta – Tribalia (OUT NOW)

Download Alex Acosta – Tribalia (Original Mix) today! Available at BeatPort, Amazon, iTunes and every leading online music store!

Alex Acosta in the “Top 10 DJs You Should Know” list by Out Magazine!

Alex Acosta recommended by leading LGBT press “OUT Magazine” as one of the “TOP 10 DJs you should know”.

Alex Acosta – SONAR (EP)

Alex Acosta’s latest release “SONAR” EP – featuring 3 Original tracks, plus a bonus remix of SONAR – OUT now on KULT Records!

Mission Groove – Fuzz

Your dancefloor arsenal for Peach Party weekend is here as I celebrate the launch of New Element Tribe — digital label and talent agency

New Element Tribe

A new tribe has gathered, and we are dedicated to the evolution of Progressive and Tribal House Music as pure, but ever-changing, art form. We strive to discover, promote and book internationally known greats in the industry who practice these genre and those burgeoning new talents (nationally in the U.S. and beyond) to foster creation of New Elements of Tribaland Progressive House Music.


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Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Portland Gardens: Japanese & Rhododendron

We were blessed with some unseasonably beautiful weather last month.
I left Ryan alone with his studies and visited some of Portland's beautiful gardens with my parents.

 {Japanese Gardens}

  {Rhododendron Garden}

It's getting to be my favorite time of year in the pacific northwest, where the skies are clear and the rain gives us a break for a couple of months.  This allows plenty of time for long walks, picnics, boat rides, and weekend getaways.  I'm currently compiling my summer to-do list and am planning local excursions and events to make up for the summers we were away in Asia.

It feels really good to be home.

1 comment:

  1. beautiful! ryan missed out! i can't believe i've lived in portland so long and have never been. i'll have to check it out this summer. :)


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Home » Latest Politics, National Politics, Niger Delta, Raw Politics, Top Stories » Leave Niger Delta before October 1, agitators tell northerners, Yorubas

Leave Niger Delta before October 1, agitators tell northerners, Yorubas

By Levinus Nwabughiogu

ABUJA- A coalition of Niger Delta agitators on Thursday handed down an ultimatum to Northerners and Yoruba from south west zone resident in the region to vacate before October 1.

The coalition also said that it is set to resume the bombings of major oil and gas installation in the coastal region.

Made of up 8 frontline groups, the agitators also dissociated itself from the leadership and membership of Pan Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF, warning the Federal Government to stop dealing with the body on their behalf.

Recall that PANDEF led by eminent leaders of Niger Delta including a former Federal Commissioner for Information, Chief Edwin Clarke met twice with Acting President Yemi Osinbajo recently at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The meeting was principally to articulate lasting solution to the challenges of the people in the region.

But in a statement signed by the leaders of the groups, the agitators said that they had resolved to declare Republic of Niger Delta on October 1, also mandating the federal government to return all the oil wells given to non indigenes of the region to them.

They also congratulated the Yoruba for their intention to declare Oduduwa Republic, saying that they would work in tandem with the South East and Middle Belt to achieve economic and diplomatic developments.

The signatories to the statement included General John Duku (Niger Delta Watchdogs and Convener Coalition of Niger Delta Agitators); General Ekpo Ekpo ( Niger Delta Volunteers); General Osarolor Nedam (Niger Delta Warriors) and Major-Gen. Henry Okon Etete (Niger Delta Peoples Fighters).

Others were Major-Gen. Asukwo Henshaw for Bakassi Freedom Fighters; Major-Gen. Ibinabo Horsfall for Niger Delta Movement for Justice; Major-Gen. Duke Emmanson for Niger Delta Fighters Network and Major-Gen. Inibeghe Adams for Niger Delta Freedom Mandate.

The statement read in full: “At the general council meeting of the Coalition of Niger Delta Agitators (CNDA) involving surveillance department, intelligence department and commanding officers held today to deliberate on the recent development in the Niger Delta and Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) meeting with the Acting President, after hours of careful deliberations, we unanimously resolved as follows:

“To commence Operation Zero Oil in the Niger Delta from September 10, 2017 as a preparation for the actualization of Niger Delta Republic

“We totally condemn the recent meeting between PANDEF and the Acting President; we see it as another plot to deceive the Niger Delta people. First and foremost, the meeting was marred with inordinate greed of the PANDEF as they did not involve the representatives of the Agitating groups and youths leaders. We wish to let the Acting President to know that those he met have no capacity and cannot solve the current crisis in the Niger Delta; therefore they cannot represent the militants or speak for the Niger Delta people.

“The Coalition unanimously adopts to stand by the previous demands, which are: 100% percent control of our resources.

“The Federal Government should hand over all oil blocks owned by the Northerners/Yoruba to Niger Delta indigenes.

“All Oil companies operating in such oil blocks/wells should vacate October 1st, 2017.

“Relocation of NNPC to any of the Niger Delta state and replacement of the Group Managing Director with an indigene of region.

“All the Multinational Oil, Gas, Servicing and Marine Companies must relocate their operational base to the Niger Delta; sign a new Memorandum of Understanding with Niger Delta people which would include Niger Delta indigenes being paid same salaries with foreigners.

“We demand independence and sovereign Republic of Niger Delta, all the companies and business owned by the Northerners / Yoruba in Niger Delta should be vacated before 1st October 2017, we accept and congratulate the Yoruba for demanding Oduduwa Republic and we wish them success.

“We hereby call on all agitating groups to resume attacks/bombings on all oil/gas pipelines, especially the exporting lines across the Niger Delta region from September 10, 2017. This is to ensure zero oil/gas production before October 1, 2017.

“We shall work to interface with more patriotic and zealous Niger Delta people to work out new collective approach that will ensure total freedom and complete control of our resources by any means necessary.

“We shall from henceforth, fight to liberate ourselves from the shackles of neo-colonialism and rule ourselves under a Niger Delta Republic, with diplomatic and economic relations with the peoples of the South East and Middle Belt.

“Finally, we want to inform the federal government of Nigeria and the general public that we no longer recognize PANDEF under the present leadership as they are working against the interest of the Niger Delta people.”

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