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Low Cost Colocation Data Centers

Oregon Colocation

Oregon Colocation – Oregon Hosting Services – Oregon Cloud Computing – Save on Oregon data center colocation cage space and colocation pricing. DataCenterAndColocation is a no-fee Oregon data center and colocation site consulting firm; not an impersonal colo quoting service. Our highly experienced consultants work directly with colocation clients to analyze their current data center and colocation requirements and costs.Oregon Colocation We generate specific requests for proposal for alternative colocation sites based on your specific requirements and then, perform a comparative analysis of all data center solution options.  This saves precious management time, operations resources and saves money with our wholesale agreements making your decision process  faster and easier. We can secure the best colocation  and cloud pricing for your servers or cage colocation space or in other states across the US. We represent over 3000 data centers nationwide and many foreign data centers. When you use our free colocation consulting service, you always pay less for your data center.

Save Money, Save Time And Get The Best Rate on Oregon Colocation

  • We track recent rates in Oregon data centers for colocation
  • We know the “strengths and weaknesses” of each data center
  • We negotiate the lowest rate possible
  • We get better rates than you can negotiate directly
  • Our services are free to data center clients

Oregon Data Center Colocation serving Portland, Roseburg, Medford and Bend

DataCenterAndColocation represents 14 data centers in Oregon.

Some of the benefits of Oregon Data Centers are:

  • Power represents about 50% of your cost in a colocation facility.  Commercial power in Oregon is about 7.58 cents per kilowatt-hour. The national average is about 10.07 compared to California at 12.25 cents per kilowatt-hour. This could save on your power costs.
  • low incidence of natural disasters
  • California is about an hour and one half flight to Portland, Oregon
  • the data center has excellent internet connectivity

Special wholesale pricing. For more information on our colocation services click here: COLOCATION CONSULTING SERVICES.

To contact us, please follow this link to OREGON COLOCATION.

DataCenterAndColocationOregon Colocation

Phone number: (619) 365-9236
Email: [email protected]

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Added by on September 23, 2014

You know when you're hanging with someone and suddenly, the conversation runs dry and you're sitting there awkwardly in silence? I help you prevent that from…

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  • Gregsplays 2 years ago

    live long and prosper…..

  • odobenus159 2 years ago

    First question: “Are you religious?” This will end 50% of all dates after
    only 4 words.

  • CharDeeHar 2 years ago

    You look amazing In this video

  • Wildivlax 2 years ago

    Oh my god. Myspace.

  • Niel Casas 2 years ago

    Actually, all the guys I met from the internet were guinuine and pretty
    cool hehe

  • musical zozo 2 years ago

    Emma its 2014 EVERYONE HAS INTERNET FRIENDS, i’ve been out with someone
    over the internet

  • pmg matic 2 years ago

    i though that KSP opened up cause of your background music

  • aranzazú Sánchez 2 years ago

    Ok, is awesome that so many of you and relatives of you, have found love in
    the internet and you know, the whole thing. But we have to agree that most
    of the time people that are on the internet are creepy, so, yeah…

  • nightroses1 2 years ago

    My wonderful soul mate that I have been with for 4 years I met on the
    internet and my cousin has been married to his wife for 3 years and they
    are so in love and they met on the internet…..

  • Pink Boomer 2 years ago

    Meeting someone online isn’t that bad. I met a girl on the internet. We
    started liking each other a lot and now we are together. Been together for
    3 months. Working so far. It’s 2013 soon to be 2014. Dating online is
    perfectly fine. Just be careful. But we met through another friend and
    became friends first. Not through some stupid dating site (cause that’s

  • Jasmine Rubin 2 years ago

    Either ask a ton of questions or act like a goofball. Don’t be too weird
    though ahhaha

  • PatrickDFTBA 2 years ago

    watching second video emma made….You are a natural that’s for sure…

  • Emily DeVoe 2 years ago

    never meeting people off of the internet isnt always bad; my boyfriend and
    i have been dating nearly a year and we met from BBM and continued on the
    internet. Most of my family lives in his country so it gives me an excuse
    to visit there a couple times a year.

  • Jenia Barrick 2 years ago

    Why are you soooooooo beautiful

  • SuckMyDax 2 years ago

    Should we just go fuck? List updated. Thanks Emma!

  • Bianca Dubois 2 years ago

    why doesnt she agree with online dating?

  • Tristan Cooper 2 years ago

    I can’t stop thinking about KSP because of your music

  • michelle12093487 2 years ago

    uuhmm i met my current boyfriend online.. its going well so far.. call me
    stupid or whatever if you like.. i may be stupid.. but im happy :3

  • poppy jones 2 years ago

    you kinda look like bella swan in this video :D

  • natebot321 2 years ago

    I heard the KSP music in the background and I instantly checked to see if I
    left the game open, wondering why I didn’t notice the music before…

  • SharkG-Gaming 2 years ago

    there is so many youtubers that use the music from Kerbal Space Program :D

  • Illusive Prime 2 years ago

    1:05 True.

  • larabobble 2 years ago

    My auntie met her husband on the internet

  • SparX Wolf 2 years ago

    Weird friend stuff….. I can relate to that…..

  • rubythecat953 2 years ago

    So true :3 genius!

  • SaInT GaZ 2 years ago

    my brother met his girlfriend on saints row 2 online, and now he has 2 kids
    with her LOL

  • Star Song 2 years ago

    Fortunately, my boyfriend and I have a lot of mutual interests. Whenever
    there’s an awkward silence I just usually bring up shipping characters or
    play video games or something.

  • Leonor Tarazona 2 years ago

    Thats mean I met my boyfriend on the internet. But I totally understand
    what you came from.

  • Jack Brand 2 years ago

    The only time I ask some one out they said no so now I am a big bubble of
    hardly social

  • Woffles Party 2 years ago

    Thats mean I met my boyfriend on the internet. But I totally understand
    what you came from.

  • Nick Saunders 2 years ago

    In 5 months btw

  • ilikecookies713 2 years ago

    Kerbal Space Programme music!!

  • dezeehoi 2 years ago

    lol the kerbal space program vab music

  • SzaraVytra 2 years ago

    1:00 and now everyone is tring to do a spoke

  • Tiny Medina 2 years ago

    I met my ex in 6th grade and we were more of strangers, we had some friends
    in common then he moved and I found him on Facebook last year and we went
    on a date. Does that count ??

  • Jessicaaa 2 years ago

    Yeah my friends called me stupid, but I’m young and ‘in love’
    Wtf is my life -.-
    But yeah great video Emma, love you!<3

  • longrange341 2 years ago

    Awesome KSP Background music, your level of awesome just went above max.

  • Briana Morin 2 years ago

    Well honestly, I think it depends on HOW you speak to the person online. I
    have friends that I met online that I’ve known for years, and we skype
    video chat all the time, and I know them extremely well.

  • Melody Shoemaker 2 years ago

  • Kbilsoy 2 years ago

    Emma omg my friend recommended u and now I’m addicted!!!

  • Nick Saunders 2 years ago

    I am 19 and sick of online dating. I have online dated 16 fucking girls and
    it costs thousands. I littlerty bankrupt my self on them.

  • max van eijndhoven 2 years ago

    GURLL, did you just thouched your boobs and said higher o_O. XD not that I
    really care. Keep it cool emma

  • X3mdain 2 years ago

    nice advice…

    and your pretty.. :)

  • jonas brave 2 years ago

    Keep it un-serious and be comfortable in your skin. Meeting people is not
    gestapo torture. And you’re free to change it up at any time… you can
    excuse to the WC a minute if the person is too nervous, you can always cut
    short with nice to meet you I have to go now, or you can chill back and
    enjoy/watch the room a minute saying nothing.
    If you do hit it off a little, you can get off your two stupid little
    chairs and go wander a bit – get a slice, relax and wander around
    commenting at interesting stuff you see in the area which hopefully there
    is. 2¢.

  • Richard Beckhoff 2 years ago

    the ditty is from the film “father of the bride”. Okay I know I’m a little
    late so sloppy seconds will do

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Inside ‘hardvapour’, the internet’s latest microgenre

Like vaporwave, seapunk, and witch house before it, hardvapour is a tongue-in-cheek microgenre that’s growing into something much bigger

MusicTop Five
Pin It
Vaporwave is Dead, 2015Sandtimer

Like post-punk, neo-Expressionism, or New Labour, ‘hardvapour’ defines itself in opposition to a preceding movement. If vaporwave (the Tumblr-beloved microgenre of pitch-shifted lounge music that sounds like a chopped-and-screwed mix of the Windows 95 start-up tone) sounds like glossy mall muzak transmitted from a futuristic virtual plaza, then hardvapour sees that plaza hijacked by a group of Balkan cyberpunks, hacking into the tannoy and blasting out gabber as they throw shapes in the strobelight.

At its best, vaporwave exposes the artificiality below the utopic sheen of late capitalism. Hardvapour, by contrast, throws post-apocalyptic raves in defiance of dystopia. Or, as HKE (vaporwave luminary and hardvapour’s unofficial patron) puts it over email: “If vaporwave is painting alternate utopian realities through sound, vision and concept, then hardvapour is the antithesis to that, the hard parallel.”

Hardvapour tracks typically explore the dissonance between the ambient sheen of vaporwave and the relentless thump of gabber. But a sprawling 60-track compilation released by DJ Vlad of Bandcamp label Antifur displays a more diverse palette of influences. Techno-structured slabs of bass slide through tracks by Lord Mu and t e l e p a t h テレパシー能力者 - 脈拍, KMFDM-style industrial clatter and moments of Autechre-esque beauty recur throughout the album, and there’s even a mild undercurrent of trap bubbling below wosX and Blank Body’s Slurp This. Dark, sophisticated, and fleetingly melodic, hardvapour is genuinely exciting music.

The subculture, as much as the music itself, has proven bitterly divisive among vaporwave connoisseurs. Arcane backstories teeming with bionic Krokodil dealers and bitcoin-chasing Slavic bounty hunters have led many to view hardvapour as nothing more than an over-worn in-joke. In a move with chilling consequences for the freedom of artistic expression, hardvapour is effectively banned from the vaporwave sub-Reddit. “Some people can't take things with humour in seriously for some reason,” says HKE. “It’s closer to Dr. Strangelove – a serious message with a dark and humorous slant.”

In a late-2015 manifesto on the future of vaporwave, producer nano神社 (✪㉨✪) wrote: “Vaporwave seems to be having an identity crisis with all these child genres spawning off continuously… this conundrum will either lead to the death of vaporwave, or be the kindling for something much greater.” But for hardvapour enfants terribles HKE, wosX, and DJ Alina, the immolation of vaporwave and the ignition of its successor are one and the same event. “Now, in the beginnings of the end of the world, vaporwave is dead,” runs a spoken-word skit on HKE’S Vaporwave is Dead album. “From now on, it will only be… the hardvapour.”

With their help, we picked out five essential cuts from the micro-microgenre that’s being described as “fucking straight-up stupid”, “angry feel-bad rave music on shitty drugs”, and the essential sound of 2016.

Hardvapour’s ur-moment was wosX’s concept album End of World Rave. wosX concedes that “Hardvapour originally set out as a troll,” but maintains that the music has rapidly escaped its point of origin as a glorified meme: “It’s a complete antithesis to what vaporwave originally set out to be: fast music, non-sampled work, darker themes, anti-nostalgia, grim aesthetics, Slavic cultural influences in response to the majorly Asian culture within vaporwave.”

The album is packaged with an epileptic fit-inducing short story, and came backed by social media role-playing in the guise of Slavic drug dealers the Kroko Krew. Conceptual posturing aside, tracks like the grimly melodic, techno-textured “Kokaine” blow the late excesses of vaporwave out of the water. “Kroko Krew was the atomic bomb of vaporwave,” wosX says. “I’m happy with how things turned out.”

DJ Alina, allegedly a bona fide Ukranian, is heralded by HKE and wosX as proof of hardvapour’s genuine artistic merit. Asked to nominate one of her own tunes as a hardvapour essential, she gnomically declined: “If you want to try the music, you will listen. You may find out about DJ Alina, maybe not.”

The hoover-thump of gabber never sounded so melancholic as it does on “Bloodline”, the storming lead from her debut LP Maniax, which recently dropped on HKE’s Dream Catalogue label. The album glistens and roars by turns, soundtracking a mournful rave on the post-apocalyptic shores of the Black Sea.

“After Sandtimer declared that ‘vaporwave is dead’ at the end of 2015, I had to back him up because he’s a deranged maniac and he terrifies me,” HKE says. What he didn’t mention was that Sandtimer is one of his own pseudonyms. Studded with bitingly ironic tracks like “Clichéd Midi Interlude”, his Vaporwave is Dead LP is an energetic fuck-you to the genre.

“Welcome to Hardvapour” bangs without cease for just over two minutes, barrelling toward unlistenability before abruptly ejecting into silence and the cloying twang of a music-box. Like the album as a whole, it is deliberately bad, jarring a response from the listener. HKE explains: “Ultimately, it’s taking some of the ideas from vaporwave and spreading them into new worlds and concepts and away from what has become the tired clichés of vapour.”

But shock tactics only go so far, and hardvapour’s pionerrs are now diversifying their output beyond the initial onslaught of speedcore silliness. Released under his Flash Kostivich pseudonym, wosX’s Hacking for Freedom is one such effort, nestling in a unique sonic space somewhere between early Clicks and Cuts compilations and the Ghost in the Shell soundtrack.

wosX himself picks out “Coding @ Dawn”, a doleful post-chiptune collaboration with t e l e p a t h テレパシー能力者 - 脈拍, as the highlight of the album. But “Dial-Up” is nastier, cruder, and far more compelling, sweeping away the broadband-smooth sheen of vaporwave in a crunching racket of square waves and modem screeches.

“Globalization is the next step of human development, and it should be a central theme within contemporary art,” wosX says. “Whether it’s apocalyptic Ukraine, the favelas of Brazil, or the ghettos of urban America, there really is no limit as to where you can venture.”

Of the 29 albums available to download from the Antifur bandcamp in a $4.20 bundle, Nadya Draghici’s single-track București 2084 is the most ambitious, the most abstract and perhaps the most impressive. The understated Balkan influence here is poignantly dystopic, as accordions wheeze alone among the street sounds of a ruined future city. It certainly doesn’t sound like a meme.

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Is Ezio Auditore In Soul Calibur 5?

Felix Kemp

Is Ezio Auditore In Soul Calibur 5?

Assassin's Creed Hero To Make Cross-Genre Jump?

Namco BANDAI have long promised the usual guest star characters will show up in Soul Calibur 5. Past games have netted the likes of Legend of Zelda's Link, and Star Wars trio Darth Vader, Yoda and The Apprentice. I sat in on a Soul Calibur 5 developer demo at GamesCom, and when questioned on the matter of celebrity cameos, the Namco BANDAI rep wasn't very forthcoming, but her sly smile suggested the studio had plans in store.

Well, Joystiq appear to have been clued in on who might feature in Soul Calibur 5, and it's none other than Renaissance-era assassin, Ezio Auditore Di Firenze. Yes, the Assassin's Creed hero looks set to appear in the game, with an anonymous tipster sending the site an exclusive image from SC5's character-select screen, with Ezio present bold and proud. What do you think, Dealspwners? A good choice? Who else would you like to see show up? [Joystiq]

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SimCity back down to £4.99, seems about right

Jonathan Lester
PC games, SimCity

SimCity Origin code now only £4.99 at 365 Games. Check out this cheap PC games deal!

SimCity's reputation is atrocious, but after years of fixing, we're left with a decent yet limited simulation in which we can build relatively small towns with our friends. The size restrictions are still annoying, but at least it works and £4.99 is a great price for an Origin code.

Still, we couldn't resist leading with Carl's sick rhymes again.

Be aware that 365 Games only email codes across during office hours Monday-Friday, so expect delays if you order outside these times. Thanks Turkey!

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Virgin Gaming Interview | Competitive Cash Gaming For Everyone

Matt Gardner
Gamescom 2011, Interviews, Online competition, Richard Branson, Virgin Gaming

Virgin Gaming Interview | Competitive Cash Gaming For Everyone

Last week, Virgin Gaming announced a new initiative to give away €3 million in prize money next year, marking the introduction of their brand new Series Tournaments - competitions that you can join at any time, offering the chance to buy in at any level. With plans to roll out across Europe and push further east in Q1 of next year, the boys at VG have their sights set on global domination...of sorts.

Announced at E3 last year alongside Richard Branson, Billy Levy and Zack Zeldin's service Virgin Gaming has already attreacted well over half a million subscribers, eager to put their money where their thumbs are and leap online to compete. But a far cry from pro-only tournaments that admit only the world's most elite gamers, Virgin Gaming was founded on tenets of accessibility, echoing the notion that just because you're not in the top 1% global percentile, doesn't mean you don't enjoy a bit of competition. Not that they don't do big elite live events too...that €3 million pledge is deadly serious.

We caught up with them for a brief chat at Gamescom to see how the last year has gone...

Virgin Gaming Interview | Competitive Cash Gaming For Everyone
Matt Gardner (Dealspwn): What did you set out to do with Virgin Gaming?

Billy Levy: Virgin Gaming is an online platform, at VirginGaming.com, where players come and sign up, register an account, and they can compete in online tournaments against other players for cash and prizes. So they could sign up and play in a multiplayer tournament with the chance to win thousands or even millions of dollars, or challenge fellow gamers head-to-head for free, or for assorted cash and other prizes too.

Matt Gardner: Each player has individual skill ratings, how does that affect the way Virgin Gaming operates?

Billy Levy: On the site people have their own user profiles, and they can track their own wins and losses, and their unique skill rating. We have a skill rating algorithm in the platform, which rates a player's skill by the individual games that they play. Just because you're great at Assassin's Creed, doesn't mean you'll be great at FIFA. A player's skill can vary highly from game to game, and what we do with those ratings is incorporate them into matchmaking to ensure that you're playing against others of the same skill level.

Zack Zeldin: And that goes the same for official tournaments too - we gate tournaments by skill, so you might have a FIFA competition for players will a skill bracket from 0-3 or 4-7, so when you enter into a tournament you always feel a kind of ease. You can rest assured that when you enter into a competition you'll be playing against players of a similar level to your own, so you won't fire up a match on Virgin Gaming and instantly complain that you get beaten by some pro player and leave and never come back.

Virgin Gaming Interview | Competitive Cash Gaming For Everyone

Matt Gardner: That's quite a universal approach...

Zack Zeldin: Exactly! The whole reason behind that is that, really, Billy and I are not the best gamers. We love playing games but whenever we jumped online we'd always get our asses handed to us. But we said, we do this with all of our friends, and they're not pro gamers either, why don't we create a sort of environment underneath that top level. So we have this platform that's safe and secure, gamers know they can leap on there and have their matches instantly verified (part of our patent pending technology), and play with other gamers from all over the world.

Matt Gardner: We've seen a number of large competitive pro gamer events, most recently the global Street Fighter championships, why did you guys decided to make Virgin Gaming relatively online-centric?

Billy Levy: We started as an online platform because we used to plan those big, live events, but we ended up looking to make it an online experience because we really didn't like the travelling and the expenditure of those events, and we thought to ourselves that frankly it might be a much more comfortable experience if you could compete in the same way, sat on a couch, eating pizza.

We do have live finals for some of our events, we held the NBA2K12 finals in Vegas, for example. But by taking it online, it allows us to reach a much larger global audience , letting players all over the world compete. We then filter out until we have an elite top tier for those finals and then larger events will take place.

Zack Zeldin: One example of that would be The Battle For Gridiron that we're rolling out in the States for Madden 12. When you pre-order the game at GameStop you get a code, you enter that code on Virgin Gaming and if you win seven games in a row you win a portion of a $1000 prize as well as a ticket for you and a friend to go to LA to go to the $1 million championships where we will be awarding a gamer a big fat cheque for $1 million...for playing Madden.

Billy Levy: We'll be rolling similar things out in the UK with FIFA 12 and some other titles too that we're yet to announce.

Virgin Gaming Interview | Competitive Cash Gaming For Everyone

Matt Gardner: You recently announced a partnership with EA, since announcing Virgin Gaming at E3 last year, how extensive are your relationships with publishers now?

Billy Levy: So we're currently partnered with Ubisoft, we have Assassin's Creed on there and there'll be more titles including Ghost Recon: Future Soldier, with Codemasters we have DiRT 3...

Zack Zeldin: 2K...

Billy Levy: We have NBA2K12 and some of their other upcoming non-sports titles that we haven't announced just yet. We announced Virgin Gaming last year with Richard Branson at E3, and it was just us, our technology and our platform. Since then we signed up 500,000 users who are interested in playing competitively and engaging in this type of service and, this year, Madden 12 is the first title to have our technology fully integrated into the game. There'll be seven or eight big titles like that by the end of the year...which roughly equates to about 35 million game copies.

Matt Gardner: I was going to ask, how open and helpful have developers and publishers been to the idea of you integrating your technology directly into titles themselves?

Billy Levy: It's been a three year process. Zach and I started this company four years ago. Originally people were like 'prove you can do what you say you're going to do', and we just got treated like punk kids. But we were able to raise some money and hire some adults into the company who had some industry experience so it wasn't just us two bozos...

Virgin Gaming Interview | Competitive Cash Gaming For Everyone

Zack Zeldin: You can quote us on the 'bozos' part!...

Billy Levy: Yeah they really helped a lot. As games are developed a year in advance so we started striking partnerships with titles last year, but we couldn't get the technology into the games until the next iteration. There's no-one really that we're not looking to move forward with, but we are very selective about the games we approach. We have a strict criteria: Is it competitive by nature? Are there clearly defined winners and losers? Is there an existing culture of competition, like FIFA or Street Fighter? We're no longer really those two bozos running around and begging people, now often they come to us and we assess whether it makes sense for us.

Matt Gardner: So, finally, tell us about localisation adn the big fat cheque. What have you got planned for the future?

Billy Levy: Well we already have gamers logging onto our service from over 130 different countries, with cash players from over 60 countries, the integration in the games is going to be a big thing. So when you stick FIFA 12 into your console, you'll see the EA Sports arena powered by Virgin Gaming. Players will be able to sign up and participate in tournaments and competitions through the console, and that'll be in every version of the game. For us as geeks...it's really freakin' cool!

Virgin Gaming Interview | Competitive Cash Gaming For Everyone

Zack Zeldin: Yeah, expansion and localisation is definitely on our roadmap and we'll be rolling out localised version of the site across Germany, Spain, France and a whole bunch of others in Q1 next year.

Billy Levy: And we've committed to dishing out €3 million in prize money over the next year. Anyone can join, anyone can get involved, and we're literally going to be making millionaires out of gamers which, to us, is a really big deal.

Zack Zeldin: There'll be big presentation and awards events for the finals too, Richard Branson will be there, it'll be awesome!

Matt Gardner: Probably parachuting in...

Zack Zeldin: Oh you better believe he'll skydive in...from space.

A big thank you to Billy and Zach for taking the time to talk to us. Check out VirginGaming.com for more info.

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Warren Spector: Epic Mickey 2 Is "Just Like Deus Ex"

Jonathan Lester
Deus Ex, Epic Mickey 2: The Power Of Two, Junction Point Studios, Warren Spector

Warren Spector: Epic Mickey 2 Is "Just Like Deus Ex"

According to Warren Spector, Epic Mickey 2: The Power Of Two will have more in common with Deus Ex than some players might believe.

No, there won't be any cyborgs. Or Dragon's Tooth swords. Or insane AIs. Stop asking!

Speaking to ArsTechnica, Spector suggested that Epic Mickey 2 shares Deus Ex' gameplay freedom, the ability to approach particular problems in several ways.

“Every problem can be addressed in multiple ways. The puzzle is not ‘How do I solve this problem?’ The puzzle is ‘How do I manipulate the environment in a way that’s going to get me more of what I want, so I get to do more of what I like to do."

“If you set off every alarm [in Deus Ex], that’s going to attract the attention of a lot of guards, which means you’re going to get in to a lot of fights. So if you want to get into fights, just show yourself and set off alarms.”

In Epic Mickey 2, this philosophy will be mirrored by multiple sections where you can solve puzzles to reduce the level of threat or difficulty... or dive right in regardless. For example, one platforming segment will allow players to traverse across some distant platforms using incredibly difficult precision jumps, or take the time to complete an optional puzzle that moves them into more convenient positions.

“In most games, like if you’re playing a shooter, and you’re just not good enough, your option is to stop playing."

“If you’re playing a stealth game, and you’re not good enough to pass a guard, your option is to stop playing. In this game, as in Deus Ex, as in several other games I’ve worked on, if something is too hard for you, don’t beat your head against the wall. Stop, think, look at the situation and try for something else.

“I tell the designers all the time, if there is any time in this game where there’s only one way to do something, that’s a failure of design. Always look for the other way, it’s always there.”

Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two is slated for a November 18th release on PlayStation 3, Wii and Xbox 360. The proof is in the pudding, as they say.

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text:
The Instigator
Pro (for)
4 Points
The Contender
Con (against)
17 Points

in a democratic society felons ought to retain the right to vote

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Voting Style: Open Point System: 7 Point
Started: 11/5/2008 Category: Politics
Updated: 8 years ago Status: Voting Period
Viewed: 2,159 times Debate No: 5895
Debate Rounds (3)
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Denying felons the franchise undermines the value of the vote, which in turn demeans the idea of a TRUE democratic society since such is true I affirm the resolution In a democratic society, felons ought to retain the right to vote. As an overview Rawls states the principle of justice is fairness and that each person is to have an equal right to the most extensive total system of basic liberties. This principle is defined as prior to the second principle, meaning that greater social or economic advantages can neither justify nor compensate for a deviation from the institutions of equal liberty.... [T]he "worth of the political liberties to all citizens... must be approximately equal, or at least sufficiently equal, in the sense that everyone has a fair opportunity to hold public office and to influence the outcome of political decisions." Principal among all the basic liberties, therefore, are the political liberties; principal among the political liberties is the right to vote. As Rawls writes in A Theory of Justice: "[A]ll citizens are to have an equal right to take part in, and to determine the outcome of, the constitutional process that establishes the laws with which they are to comply." This is why by agreeing with the above interpretation I offer the following advocacy of maintaining equality. Where my sole value will be
v- Justice supported through a vc of Foucault's normalization theory
Justice strives for equality and sense a Democracy means that every citizen has a voice –
Justice is mandated by the resolution.
The following definitions will now be offered to serve as clarity throughout the round
Normalization theory- Foucault believes that the purpose of punishment is restorative. In other words, punishment should try to help the felon become a law-abiding citizen once more. This theory, called normalization, focuses on bridging the gap between felons and the rest of society. Where Foucault recognizes that sense once the felons have been released from prison society no longer fears them as being a threat, therefore they can go back to gaining the rights and privileges they once had.

a: government by the people ; especially : rule of the majority

retain: to continue to hold or have, to preserve

Con 1 is rehabilitation
Rehabilitation means; To restore to useful life, as through therapy and education or To restore to good condition, operation, or capacity. The assumption of rehabilitation is that people are not natively criminal and that it is possible to restore a criminal to a useful life, to a life in which they contribute to themselves and to society. Rather than punishing the harm out of a criminal, rehabilitation would seek, by means of education or therapy, to bring a criminal into a more normal state of mind, or into an attitude which would be helpful to society, rather than be harmful to society.
This theory of punishment is based on the notion that punishment is to be inflicted on an offender so as to reform him/her, or rehabilitate them so as to make their re-integration into society easier. The only reason again for releasal is that the society has no replaced trust in the fleon because of his or her rehabilitaion time so why if such is true would you further deprive an individual of the right to vote after they have been deemed no longer a threat. They have served their time and although are officially still clasified as a felon, they are now again officially reinstituted as a law abdiding member of society. Where according to a democratic system deserve the right to vote.
Con 2 Individual agency
The main goal of a society is to assure each individuals right to agency. If people could not make decisions then society would not exist and democracy could not exist. Violation of an individual's agencies are therefore bad. Any action denying an individual of his agency, such as what is apparent on the opposition thus is also bad. My burden is to prove denying a felon the right to vote in a democratic society violates that felons agency. Where such is seen through their inability to take part in the very democratic system they belong to. Regardless of the felony committed felons are still citizens thus are still individuals thus morally should still have the right to vote or else democracy collapses.

Con 3 affirmative action
Affirmative action is the effort to rectify the past injustice as well as to produce a situation closer to the ideal of equal opportunity by special policies. Where it's a backward- looking feature that attempts to correct and compensate for past injustice. This aspect of affirmative action is strictly deontological. The forward-looking feature is its implicit ideal of a society free from prejudice, where ones gender or race is irrelevant to basic opportunities. Where equal opportunity under affirmative action grants all with a fair chance at the best positions that society has including factors such as the availability to partake in voting.
Which is why I respectively urge an affirmative vote I now stand open for cross x and further points of clarification.

Felon: An individual convicted of a felony (Black's Law Dictionary)
Felony: A crime meriting jail time or death (Black's Law Dictionary)
retain: to keep (Merriam-Webster)
Right: That which one may claim as due (Merriam-Webster)

Observation 1: With the entry on "felon" Black's Law Dictionary leaves this note: "Individuals longer considered felons after completion of their sentences." This means that this resolution applies strictly to felons in jail.
Observation 2: "Retain" means "to keep," this means that felons would never lose the right to vote. They keep it even immediately after conviction.

Value: Justice
The Negative values Justice in this resolution simply because legal systems are created to achieve justice, and as this debate is centered around the legal system, which is also called the *justice* system, it seems fit for justice to be our value. Justice is of course giving each their due, or, in respects to this debate, upholding rights.

Criterion: Locke's Social Contract
Governments get power from the people's consent. In short, an unwritten contract is made. The people give power to the government, and in return, people's rights are protected. This means certain government-specific rights are given, such as the right to vote, that would be meaningless without a government. Governments also create justice systems to solve societal disagreements peacefully. When a criminal breaks a law, they have violated the contract, and infringed on the government's power. This leads to a societal disagreement, which is why we have court trials. The courts then must find the just solution. The criterion for this is clear, you must look at the contract that the individuals entered into. That is what is done in every contract violation lawsuit, and there is no logical reason that it shouldn't apply here.

Contention 1: When an individual violates the Social Contract, he loses all government-given rights for the duration of his sentence. This is because the government is only obligated to give these rights because of the contract. Expecting otherwise would be similar to claiming that you have a right to your neighbor's ten dollars, even though you neglected to mow his lawn. It would be nice of your neighbor to give you the money, but you don't have a *right* to the money, because you failed to fulfill the contract. It is exactly the same here. It may be a nice thing to do to give a felon the ability to vote, but the felon does not have a *right* to vote. Based off this, you negate.

Moving on to the AC...
Per Rawls card: The right to vote is not a "basic liberty." It is only a right because of the social contract, which by the way, Rawls supported. The Rawls card has no impact on the right to vote.

Per the Value of justice: I agree with this value, so we have no disagreement here.

Per the VC of Foucalt's Normalization Theory: This criterion fits right under my case, so you can just turn it. This is because Foucalt says clearly that rights are not retained, but that they are *regained.* That is, the felons aren't keeping the right. They are giving it up, just like their right to move freely and their right to be employed in a paying job, as a punishment. Of course they regain it, but they do not *retain* it. The resolution does not say "Resolved: That in a democratic society ex-felons ought to regain the right to vote after completion of their sentence." If it did, I couldn't negate. Ex-felons however are not felons, so this fails. In short, you turn his VC, as it advocates that felons lose the right to vote while in jail.

Per Contention 1: You turn this as well, because again it is advocating the felons *regain* the right to vote. I agree with this, but it is not advocating that felons *retain* the right to vote. It implies that felons ought to lose the right to vote while in jail. This is what the negative is advocating, so you turn contention 1 to the negative.

Per Contention 2: This gets dropped for a few reasons. First, there is NO link back to the VC with this. This has nothing to do with Foucalt. Second, this is advocating that my neighbor should give me money for mowing his lawn even though I never actually mowed his lawn. I have no right to his money, as the felon has no right to vote. When you break a contract, you lose the benefits of being in the contract. Furthermore, my opponent places a false impact on this contention. He is claiming that democracy collapses if felons lack the right to vote. This is completely untrue. The United States is the world's most stable democracy, and felons lose the right to vote in 48 states. It works fine.

Per Contention 3: This has no impact whatsoever. Affirmative action does not deal with felon voting rights. There is still equal opportunity, I have no idea what my opponent means to show with this contention.

You vote negative because voting affirmative is advocating the same thing as giving me ten dollars for mowing your lawn even though I never mowed it. I now stand ready for our non-existent cross-examination. Thank you.
Debate Round No. 1

livinthelife forfeited this round.

Ethanthedebater1 forfeited this round.
Debate Round No. 2

livinthelife forfeited this round.

This debate was a complete failure. I win though, as all my arguments were dropped.
Debate Round No. 3
1 comment has been posted on this debate.
Posted by Ethanthedebater1 8 years ago
Oops, I forfeited, but at least it doesn't matter. The argument period is too short.
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text:
Should the U.S. expand background checks on firearm purchases?

  • Yes, the U.S. should expand background checks.

    It is my opinion that background checks should be expanded for the purchase of firearms. Any person who wishes to own firearms should be thoroughly checked for a history of violent criminal offenses and mental illness. I also think that it would be a valuable resource to have all firearm owners to fully register their firearms to a database that can be used to update a person's eligibility to own a firearm-- much like a license to drive a car. While I am of the opinion that it is the right of a law abiding and sound American citizen to own firearms, I do believe that anyone deemed not eligible to own a firearm safely should be excluded from that right.

  • Yes, they should.

    When someone buys a firearm it could be for several different kinds of reasons. The reason may simply be to go hunting, or even just for protection of their family just in case. However, some people buy a firearm for evil intents and purposes. In those cases we need to really know who we are selling a gun to.

  • Why wouldn't we?

    Firearms can be good in different ways, but they are also very harmful. Adam Lanza got a hold of one and shot 20 children. That is not cool. He was mentally handicapped and we should not sell guns to mentally handicapped people (or their mothers) So, we should have better background checks definitely.

  • A hundred times "yes"!

    The U.S. should expand background checks on firearm purchases and should have always done so. I cannot think of one good reason why this should not happen, and for it to not be happening currently is hugely irresponsible of our country and any part of the population who does not want it to occur.

  • Criminals don't buy guns, they steal them.

    Yes,a stupid kid could buy a gun on the Internet but he's not going to kill someone with it. A kid who actually wants to kill people would slit his entire family's throats when they're all asleep. Crime is actually at an all-time low anyway. And if it was required to register your guns,well you know what the USSR did? They had all gun owners come to a government building to register their guns,and they killed them all! I don't want to be labeled as secretly a criminal anyway, and I don't need a criminal looking me up, finding out I own some guns, and stealing them from me.

  • Not at all.

    The bureau of justice pointed out in 2009 that 80% of criminals in jail got their gun from a friend, family member or other criminal. A background check didn't stop him/her. Very few criminals actually go to gun shows. They get their guns off the street or from family/friends. Or they could steal them. Heck, you can build guns(they will be crude, but it works) if you can spend a few hours on youtube. So no. At this point, background checks aren't doing that much to stop crime. And the majority of criminals who do press their luck with a Background check, aren't even prosecuted when they fail it. Sooooooooo yeah. No point

  • That defeats the hole purpose of owning a gun!

    Do criminals register THEIR guns? No. So, why should it be so hard to own one? Knives don't need to be registered, neither do crossbows or baseball bats or tire irons, yet those kill just as effectively. I carry a gun to protect myself INCASE I need to. So, hy do I need to let everyone know I have one, so I can be challenged? So I can be stereotyped into people thinking I'm a criminal? Killing someone or peeing on a bush, you can still be arrested for each, but what will come to mind when you tell someone you were arrested, that you were eeing, or that you did something very bad? A gun should be for protection against those who want to harm me, cut and dry, there should be no other reason. If you want to buy ammo, you should need to show a two forms of picture ID including your driver's license, that's it. People can torch or grind off a bike lock, but it deters most would-be criminals. Look at the bait car show, if the car wasn't running with the door open, a lot of people wouldn't steal it. Most crimes are by opportunity and ease of execution.

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text:
Should the United States be the world's policemen?

  • No responses have been submitted.
  • Take care of your own problems

    We need to stay home and pay off our dept to china and only fight wars when we need to. We are so far in dept because of Obama that It would take the USA many years to pay it off even under the ideal conditions, but Obama wants to be a hero and save the world, but that is what is killing our country.

  • No, that leads to enemies.

    No, the United States should not be the world's policemen, because it is expensive. In addition, other nations feels that the United States meddles in their domestic affairs, and it creates enemies with those nations. George Washington, in his farewell address, told us to avoid foreign conflicts, and we should have listened.

  • No. The United States should not police the world.

    No. The United States should not be the world's policeman. First of all, we have enough problems policing our own nation. With high crime rates, a corrupt government and illegal immigration, our resources are stretched to the max dealing with our own problems. Other countries should have the freedom to take care of and police their own however they see fit.

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text:
What side is good in Skyrim: Imperials (yes) or Stormcloaks (no)?

Asked by: chibiterasu
  • It is not the Imperial's fault!

    Are these really the best arguments the internet can make?
    Let's start with the basics. Before the events of Skyrim there was a great war fought between the Aldmari Dominion (The Thalmor a subset of them) and the Empire. Essentially humans vs elves. Now, a particular loading screen seen in-game states, very clearly, that the only way that the Empire was able to survive, (and prevent the complete extinction of the human race) was to surrender to the Dominion. They then signed a 'Treaty' (The White-Gold Concordat) to formally end the war. Except it was not a 'Treaty'. Think to the real-life example of this, Germany at the end of WWI. Germany got royally SCREWED. They were forced to take 100% of the blame for the war, pay reparations so high it caused one German mark to go from just under the worth of a US dollar, to less than a MILLIONTH of a US dollar, and allowed other countries to step over it like it was their slave. This 'Treaty' was not designed to create peace, it was created to establish control, without directly stating it, thus preventing potential revolutions. To me, the White-Gold Concordat is the exact same thing. The Thalmor want to control both Skyrim and the Empire. Either the Empire give in and do whatever the Dominion wants, or it and every human gets wiped off the face of the earth. Now, the Dominion isn't exactly stupid, they know that should the Empire ever get it's strength back, it may have a chance at defeating them. So what do they do? They order the ban on the worship of Talos, with the plan of it causing problems internally. And it does. The Nords grow angry, despite the fact that the Empire never actually enforces it. Sure, they do publicly, but if a citizen happens to have a secret shrine in their basement, they will turn the other cheek. At first it seems the Thalmor have failed. Until a power hungry Jarl from Windhelm sees an opportunity present itself. He heads to Solitude, 'Challenges' Torygg to a duel, kills him, and heads home, proclaiming that the Empire has betrayed them, and that people should rise up and join him in his quest to make himself High King.
    (From what Torygg says in Soverngarde when spoken to, it can be implied that he was never challenged. Not to mention that only guilty men flee, as if Ulfric really did beat Torygg in a fair duel, he had no reason to run)
    Under this guise of 'Freeing' Skyrim, Ulfric is unknowingly assisting the Thalmor, as instead of resting and recovering its strength, it has to waste men and resources on putting down a rebellion. The fact that the Thalmor are quietly rooting for Ulfric's victory supports this. And if Ulfric were to succeed, and separate Skyrim from the Empire, technically the peace treaty does not apply to them, and the Thalmor have free reign to attack and conquer Skyrim.

  • What about Skyrim

    If the Empire had not surrendered to the dominion then the elves would have destroyed Skyrim. The elves knew if they outlawed Talos the Nords would rebel. This would plunge Skyrim into chaos giving them more power if the stormcloaks win then they will be doing exactly what the Thalmor wanted. Without the Empire Skyrim will be defenseless then the Thalmor will take over and kill all the Nords!

  • Why they rule

    People complain saying the Empire was invading and being tyrants over Skyrim, but the truth is they have ruled for over a thousand years and treated the people they ruled over fairly. When Ulfric had his rebellion it plunged Skyrim into chaos which destroyed the peace and caused thousands of unneeded deaths

  • Why I picked the empire.

    I am a guy that plays for the story of a game, so when I look at the empire and the stormcloaks I only look at what kind of chances do I have in the long run with which faction. So, while yes the stormcloaks are fighting for a noble cause that doesn't help me in the long. I mean, think about it, the empire only had one legion in skyrim, so many other legions do they have elsewhere? In the Roman Empire there were over 200 roman legions active at any given time, excluding the one that were inactive. So even if the stormcloaks won the war the empire would just send in more legions and wipe them out. So it was better for me, as I am the dragon born and sworn to defeat alduin, to support the empire. Since I am a legate in the imperal legion at the end of the civil war I can move around more freely without worrying about being captured as a stormcloak rebel. So that's why I joined the imperal legion, because it helped me defeat alduin.

  • Yes, the Imperials, because they are not the aggressors.

    The Imperials side is good in Skyrim, because they are just trying to go about their business and do the right thing, while the Stormcloaks are the aggressors in the civil war. If you think about it, the Stormclocks are actually quite racist, which is another reason not to like them. The Imperialists are the good guys, while the Stormclocks just want trouble.

  • Stormcloaks are DICKS

    The stormcloaks are racist bastards. Not to mention their power hungry leader ulfric. They are doing skyrim more harm then good. The civil war started some years after the great war between elves and men. And when the civil war started people were still recovering from the aftermath, thats how huge this war was. Ulfric does not give a damn about skyrim. He just wants to be king, thats the whole purpose of his little rebellion. He talks a big talk, but he never actually does anything but give speeches about a free skyrim. I played the stormcloak campaign and ulfric does nothing the entire time until the battle for solitude. He is not worthy enough to be king. He will ultimately destroy skyrim rather then help it.

  • Yes, the Imperials are the best hope for Skyrim.

    The Stormcloaks are only serving to make Skyrim weak so it cannot fight the Thalmor. Their civil war is breaking apart Skyrim while the real enemy waits patiently for them to destroy themselves. The Stormcloaks are not prepared to fight the Aldmeri Dominion so soon after a civil war, so their defeat will only strengthen the Dominion's hold on Skyrim. If they banded together rather than rebel, they would at least have a chance. As it is, they are playing right into the Thalmor's plan.

  • Markarth incident and earning the right.

    The empire promised ulfric and his men free worship of talos if they cleared markarth of forsworn, but when the thalmor found out the demanded ulfric's arrest after he earned the right to worship talos. I also think talos earned the right to be a divine, plus the thalmor are all stuck up.

  • The Thalmor are Nazis, and the Imperials follow them.

    The Thalmor may as well be going around saying, "Sieg Heil!" what with all of their, "Mer over men," bull****. Those High elves are probably inbred, maybe that's what makes them 'so pure'. I've actually heard them say, "We are the high race." I have every bit of respect for the empire and I don't hate them because of some rogue commander who likes to see blood. I just quite literally hate the thalmor and will kill anyone and anything that gets between me and their demise.

  • Skyrim belongs to the Nords!

    Well, in my case, the Khajiits. The Imperials have no right taking Skyrim away from its people! They sentenced Ulfric and me to death, even though I am a Khajiit! What did I ever do to deserve getting my head cut-off? Let me guess, I stole some kid's sweet roll.

  • The Imperials was the ones who sentence me to death even through my name isn't on their list!

    The Imperials was the ones who sentence me to death even through my name isn't on their list! Why should I be on the side when they murdering innocent people? Why should I help a side when they tried to kill me in the first 10 seconds of the game? Nope, I choose the Stormcloaks because unlike The Imperials Stormcloaks treated my character as one of the family.

  • For freedom and self-rule.

    The Stormcloaks fight for their country's right to determine it's own future.There is nothing more moral and righteous cause than this one.All nations need their freedom and have the right to claim from foreign empires.To decide their own path and develop their civilisation freely without foreign interference.The empire has no right to rule anyone else outside Cyrodil.

  • Storm clokes are not racist

    The storm cookies are not racist soo i thank they are better and I like to charge in a town instead of defend a town.And I just like to kill stuff ( I'm not a sociopath)the imperials just sit and fend of the town . I don't get to play a lot but it is worth it to be a storm clokes

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text:
Love and stones and schemes and forgiveness (part 2)

by Craig on January 3, 2011

If you missed it, Part one is here. It really must be read first.

And well after the last stone was dropped,

there she was.

Hidden in the only safe place

within, locked away, far away

no light, no sound

I am not here, I am not here, go away

I will not move, I will not leave,

I’m fine. I’m fine

just go away

you in the white, please leave

it’s over

I am not here

go away

I’ll sear you

I’ll turn you to stone

Leave me be

I am not here

go away, go away,

Sorrow upon sorrow

yet not one tear would drop

go away,

I heard you, I have no stone, but I am sin,

go … away

I made this, I am this

please leave

I don’t want your touch, I don’t want your pity, do not extend that hand

I know what comes next

let me be nothing

this dirt,

these rocks,

this is me

walk on me, remove me, but don’t love me

not me

go away

I can still hear you. I hear you breath.

If you touch me I’ll hurt you. There were many I couldn’t. But I swear.

Do. Not. Touch Me.

And I think nobody would. And I think if they tried, Our Lord would have stopped them. There is a time when we are beyond touch. Our Lord knew this. Even as human, even without all-knowing, he would know this woman.  The silence that quelled the rage, the silence would be needed now.

Just the wind now.

Just the wind.

Approach the bird too quickly and it flies – the rabbit bolts. This moment would be stilled like waves on a sea. Maybe a silent miracle this time. A faint heartbeat to grow stronger before he would draw near.

And then…

only then…

would come quiet words, meant for one set of ears.

This was different. She did not know this voice but she wanted to. Her eyes would open. No longer invisible. A biting of the lips, a trembling hand. And new thoughts…and maybe now

a tear

Don’t go way.

Please Don’t go way.

To this woman,

this invisible child,

came these words,

“Where did they all disappear to?”

They were invisible.  They were sin. And they were gone.

“Has no one condemned you?”

She would look left, right, and now want to answer this voice which unlocked her. She would know that where he lives, condemnation dies – and with his absolution who was left to condemn her?

“No one sir,’ she answered.

Not even herself.

And Our Lord said, `Nor do I condemn you.”

And things were different.

And to this one who could not move he said, “You may go.”

And she would would feel free, and this would be new, and she would rise.

And one last thing. Because after after forgiveness, comes repentance, comes a turning, comes a heart that wants more light, to make our way through darkness…

“But from now on avoid this sin.”

Maybe a nod of the head by this one. Maybe a nod of his head too. A new creation, able to see, able to be seen, no longer dirt, no longer hostile, or anxious, or guilty, or embarassed, or powerelss, or numb.

We always assume some contact here. But maybe not.

A nod by him. A nod by her.

His heart to her heart – maybe that was the only contact needed.

A sparrow set free, and with new wings to stretch.

To read more into this.

To say anything else? Not today. Enough has been said.

In God’s Love.

{ 42 comments… read them below or add one }

Michelle January 3, 2011 at 2:39 am

As I said, Beautiful Art.

Craig January 3, 2011 at 8:36 am

Thank you Michelle. But really this sprang out of what God has been doing in me. I’m beginning to see pain, and feel it. Without him doing what he has I could never have begin to feel what this woman may have felt – or convey it with words. He gets all the credit on this – really. All of it. God Bless and keep you – thank you.

Susan January 3, 2011 at 5:03 pm

Worth the wait, Craig. Praying for your rest&health…-s-

Craig January 3, 2011 at 5:08 pm

Thank you Susan. I really don’t know how I wrote it. But I felt “there” – and I felt what she was thinking – and how Our Lord would have known. I LOVE that he gave me this.

Susan January 3, 2011 at 6:03 pm

Craig,dear one–it’s like we discussed last week–your heart is truly open now, not just playing the piece, but *feeling* the music. Like listening to Wynton Marsalis play trumpet. Is that a fair analogy? When I used to write poetry (before all the busyness of the last 10-15yrs) I would literally *feel* the right words&rhythm. And I’d close the laptop or notebook& praise Him with thanks. But I had to be still and let Him come, so I could feel what He wanted to hear from me. You are there now. Love it! -s-

Craig January 3, 2011 at 6:06 pm

I was a brass player Susan – it is a good analogy. It is best – when it’s him – more of him – less of me. Thank you.

Melissa January 3, 2011 at 5:38 pm

Beautiful, Craig. Penned with the heart. So many need to read and feel what you did–God’s love for us. I am praying for more pilgrims to this place of holy. Blessings to you.

Craig January 3, 2011 at 6:00 pm

Thank you Melissa. I know what I want. Still, I know, the only peace, the only real success is to want God’s will, pray for it, dot the i’s cross the t’s and let him decide. In the end, I have to believe, if I do the work – and I AM working as hard as a person can – harder – way harder than this body allows (#8 in the 100 things about me) – I have to believe that if I do that the exact right amount of people will read – because I have prayed for, and do want, what God wants, above what I want. Even though there is still some of me that wants what I want too.

Will it end up being what I want? It will – IF I want the will of God.

It has to be about him. I have to have this all be about him. Thank you for your really kind words, today, and past, you are a true blessing. I pray the same for you because what you write touches the soul.

Joyce L Gibson January 3, 2011 at 11:19 pm

I’ve been there.
Silent before Him.
Awed by His purity,
Forgiven by His blood.
Tiptoeing away to savor the cleansing and restoration to His favor.

Thank you for capturing the unspoken transaction of unexpected love offered and received.

Craig January 3, 2011 at 11:34 pm

Once again, if what I wrote is good in your eyes, then what I wrote is good. Thank you GJ. God Bless.

Debbie January 4, 2011 at 12:32 am

This was so real. You had me there, at that point of time. You had me as that woman, which in my sin, I have been. May the magic of hearing His voice never fade from us, of hearing that we are forgiven and not condemned, of being able to go on with Him, because of Him. Thank you for painting this so beautifully with words . . .words that He gave you. :)

Craig January 4, 2011 at 12:38 am

He’s been generous with those words lately – and the feelings that go with them. It’s a LOT of feeling. Sometimes a little too much. But I let him do his thing. It’s a gift. I’ll take it. I need my heart to be more like his. Thank you Deb. When I wrote this, I was there. I’m so glad you got to go there too.

Rae January 4, 2011 at 7:03 pm

““No one sir,’ she answered.

Not even herself.”
I think you have uncovered something both beautiful and ignored. Thank you.

Craig January 4, 2011 at 7:17 pm

I am so happy you read this. OK no joking and pointing now – but this story, her story, I feel it. I really do. I have tears in my eyes right now because I feel it so much. This woman, this pawn, and her heart – I hear the beats.

I was kind of afraid this might be too much. That people would ignore it or hate it.

Thank you Rae.

Anonymuss January 4, 2011 at 11:48 pm

The way you have expressed this is so powerful, Craig. It brings tears. It reminds me of the way a partly grown kitten behaves when it has been abused or mistreated and is being subjected to the hands of a stranger. It is vulnerable and caught even as it tries to squirm to get away, and then it reaches a point of limpness-of giving up to whatever terrors might await it at the hand of the one clutching it. The parallel is not completely true because the kitten may not be guilty of anything, but the body language is similar.

“A sparrow set free with new wings to stretch”…what a beautiful way to express pardon and grace!!!!! I need God to show me where I may be unwittingly hindering sparrows, too. At times, I am the sparrow. Both. Oh, this touches my heart so much! To my knees…

Craig January 5, 2011 at 1:50 am

Thank you A, I think this is one of the most favorite things I’ve ever written. As I said above, I was really a little worried it might be too much. I’m glad you thought it wasn’t.

And that kitten analogy – beautiful – as someone once told me, you have a way with words – and what’s in their backpacks.

Kim January 5, 2011 at 1:00 am

Not even herself.

Set free.

Only because of Him.

Thank you, Craig.

Craig January 5, 2011 at 1:55 am

Before God showed me this woman, really showed her to me, I never saw this side, this crushed, trapped, sharp edged, and brave side. And because of what had been done to her, and what she had done, repeatedly, she didn’t love or forgive herself.

Thank you Kim

God Bless you.

Kris August 24, 2011 at 10:19 am

beautiful, Craig. Burning, haunting truth…. beautiful. Thank you for this.. I need to re-read it and let it all sink deep in….

Craig August 24, 2011 at 2:37 pm

Kris, this is one of the my most favorite of writings. I wish I could see into a soul like this more often. It’s special to me. so thank you for your words – a big, wholehearted, full, thank you. God bless and keep you Kris.

Beth Werner Lee August 24, 2011 at 10:44 am

I read both parts today.
I just can’t get over Jesus, writing in the sand with his finger.
Speaking words of non-condemnation, he the only one who isn’t condemned by the law of God.
By the way, what I believe he did was write the 10 commandments and for two reasons:
I was studying the NT with OT eyes, and the only other time someone writes with their finger is God giving the 10 commandments to Moses, and writing on rock. Now Jesus writes with his finger in the sand (crushed rock) to remind them of all the 10 (not their sin particularly but God’s standard). So I, when tempted to judge another, must look to my own state, grab forgiveness, and leave the correcting to Jesus who then might give me the right word in love.
Secondly, I believe he wrote with his finger on the sand to give a picture for them and all other Jews (God believers who aren’t convinced about Jesus) that he is indeed God.
But I’m still puzzled by “then” neither do I condemn you. Relative righteousness? or just time signifier?
Thank you for bringing me the story from the woman’s point of view. I’d been too long on the Pharisees’ point of view, strange as that may seem.

Craig August 24, 2011 at 2:47 pm

thank you Beth, and since we don’t know what he wrote – I kind of heart your idea of what he might have ツ. and we always need to read the New Testament with the Old Testament eyes way? The “then”? Our Lord was a man – she was surrounded by men who were accusing and grabbing rocks – my guess is her history with men was one of lies, deceit, abuse. To her he may just have been another one. The fact that he was religious? Well, I’m sure she met plenty of men who cloaked themselves in religion. so maybe she was expecting judgment from him – even though he had caused the others to go away. Maybe she was expecting something worse than judgment. I think the “then” was to reassure her that he was different – and as all went away without harming her, he would too. Just my guess – and I heart that you dug into the story enough to even come up with a question. I never had ツand there is only one reason, by the way, that I could write this, and understand just a little of the woman in the story – being a man and all – and that’s reading the amazing women bloggers in this community – they have changed everything for me. Women write theology like men can’t – and they’ve rubbed off on me. And now I’ll get to be reading you too – and I heart that! God bless and keep you Beth.

Duane Scott August 24, 2011 at 12:56 pm

It is so refreshing to find another man who writes so poetic. Not that I write so poetic or anything, I just resonate with those who do.

I loved this and I’m glad I clicked over from Ann Voskamp’s place today.

Definitely subscribing. :)

Craig August 24, 2011 at 2:50 pm

Duane, I can only write with any sort of poetry because of people like Ann – that’s why I write in this community – that’s why I read only this community of amazing Christian women “mommy bloggers” – I learned in a way that I never had access to before. But I don’t always write with this much poetry – this is one of the best things I think I may ever have written. To peer into a soul – and understand – especially a woman, when we men know so little of women. It’s a fave of mine. Thank you Duane, thank you, and God bless and keep you.

Rachel August 24, 2011 at 1:59 pm

This is art. This is touchable.

This is painful beauty. Raw.

Oh, how my heart flows with tears.

Craig August 24, 2011 at 2:52 pm

Rachel, thank you – on occasion you really get to peek into the soul of a person – and what they may have been thinking – and feeling. I heart this story – and I think I got a chance to prayerfully peer into her heart. I truly appreciate your awfully kind words. Thank you very much, and God bless and keep you.

kd sullivan August 24, 2011 at 2:15 pm

After all, we are all invisible children, are we not?

Craig August 24, 2011 at 4:02 pm

Amen KD, 20, 30, 50, 80 – no matter how grown-up – no matter how old – we are all as you so well put it “invisible children” – I really couldn’t say it any better myself – really. Thank you KD and God bless and keep you.

Christina August 25, 2011 at 6:18 am

“Where he lives, condemnation dies.” I heart this. Need to write it down and reread it when guilt comes for a visit. Beautiful. Thank you.

Craig August 25, 2011 at 2:11 pm

thank you Christina, and I never wouldn’t have been able to write something like this if I weren’t blogging in this community – reading people like you – reading women – reading moms. I could never write with heart like this unless I had read heart like this. this is one of my most favorite things I’ve ever written – I heart this! God bless you Christina – and thank you.

Lisa notes... August 25, 2011 at 7:35 am

“His heart to her heart – maybe that was the only contact needed.”

Ah, yes. May I be satisfied with that too. Thanks, Craig. Your insights always bless me.

Craig August 25, 2011 at 2:12 pm

thank you Lisa – I think we all imagine that he reached out and touched her – and maybe he did – by not touching her. Our Lord knows stuff – and he knew stuff when he was walking this earth. God bless and keep you Lisa.

happygirl August 25, 2011 at 7:29 pm

This was hauntingly beautiful. I’m so glad I am I serve a Lord that knit me in my mother’s womb and knows me intimately. I can trust Him.

Craig August 27, 2011 at 12:02 pm

thank you, this story from the woman’s perspective – it’s one of my most favorite writings – much less posts. So thank you, really, thank you – we can trust Him. God bless and keep you

imperfect prose August 25, 2011 at 9:13 pm

craig, this is powerful. i love how you wove in the wind, the rabbit, the bird, and how you juxtaposed Jesus’ voice with hers.

Craig August 27, 2011 at 12:04 pm

Emily, from someone who weaves words like you do – to get a kind comment like this – it’s like Amber Haines, or Ann Voskamp saying well done – means the world to me – thank you very much – God bless you – and your new little bundle of love – and all of yours.

alittlebitograce August 26, 2011 at 10:42 am

Wow…for both those posts. You’ve illuminated the Scriptural story so well. Beautiful re-telling.

Craig August 27, 2011 at 12:05 pm

thank you, the story is a beautiful one – and I’ve never heard it from the woman’s viewpoint before – and it’s only because of reading in this community, and blogging in this community that I could have written something like this at all. Thank you again, and God bless you.

Nacole@sixinthesticks August 28, 2011 at 9:42 am

this was beautiful and heartbreaking. i was able to really let myself sink into the story. and i love this: “Not even herself”. wow–this is freeing in a way i can’t describe. “his heart to her heart”–we need to look at our Savior in this light more often. i know i do–i try but then i feel im not deserving of such passionate love, and i turn away.

but he knows our flaws, and His love is so real, so true, and so persevering, never wavering. we can always count on Him. i loved this, Craig. i could go on about every little bit of the story i liked–i loved it all. thanks for pouring out for us.

i left a comment for you, here, in response to your’s, and explaining what i got out of the whole process–so thank you for encourging me to write about forgiveness. thank you so much.

blessings, friend.

Sadee September 2, 2011 at 7:26 am

This is beautiful, and so powerful. I blogged this week about a friend of mine who ministers to women in the human trafficking industry–the story you wrote here paints an amazing picture of the healing and transformation I am praying for the women my friend interacts with. I need to send her the link to your post!

Craig September 3, 2011 at 5:09 pm

Sadee, I’ve written a lot of stuff – but of all the things I’ve written – I think this is one, if not THE one favorite. I’m a man. I don’t know by experience with this woman felt – or the women in human trafficking feel. But at the beginning of this year I named it “connect”. I found that my heart has connected to much more than I thought it would. I have access to feelings that I never had before, other people’s feelings. I heart this piece. I think I understood this woman in a way that I never had – and in a way that very few men will ever get a chance to. I really, really, heart this story – and the heart of this woman – and the heart of the Savior who knew exactly how to deal with the cracked crystal that was her heart. So thank you – THINK YOU – for saying you liked it too. God bless and keep you Sadee.

Craig September 3, 2011 at 5:14 pm

PS – your bluebird in the gilded cage – that bluebird IS this woman in the story. ((( tears))) God bless and keep you!

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The Democracy Project

Firstly, lets introduce ourselves ...

My name is Taylor Woodiwiss. I am in year 6 and I'm the Prime Minister of Dee Point Primary.

My name is Laycee Davies. I am in year 5 and I am the Deputy Prime Minster.

We are Harry and Elsie we’re both in year 5. We are Democracy Project Ambassadors and part of our School Council.

Since November last year we have been involved in this very exciting project! The Democracy Project has been set up to teach children in Blacon about democracy, our government and why it is very important to vote. It encourages children to learn about democracy and share their learning with others. We went to meetings with other BEV schools and learnt about Democracy then shared our learning with other schools from across Cheshire. At the end of the year we had a democratic vote, this was to select which children should get to go to LONDON with our Prime Minister and Deputy to represent our school! In July eight children got to join other BEV schools on a trip to West Minister! We visited Buckingham Palace, The Houses of Parliament and had a picnic in Hyde Park.

Last year we also looked at the EU referendum. We researched reasons for and against staying in the EU and then we delivered all the information we had learnt to staff in Dee Point. It was amazing being able to teach adults around us about something so important. We got brilliant feedback from our meeting and every member of staff said that they had learnt something new about the referendum!

This year we have a bigger team and bigger ideas! We will be helping our year 6's get to London for their residential! We will be looking at ways we can fundraise to make sure as many children as possible get this amazing opportunity!

Thanks, The Democracy Team!

Contact the School

Dee Point Primary School

Dee Point Primary School
Blacon Point Road

Main Contact: Mrs Mowles or Mrs Roberts or Mrs Mannion

Tel: 01244 372631

View our calendar


text:
Wolf, © Richard Seeley / National Geographic Stock

Wolf Weekly Wrap-up

Washington wolves under legislative attack – Our top wolf expert Suzanne Stone was in Washington this week meeting with political leaders and agricultural representatives  to discuss the future of wolf management. She reports from the front lines that new legislation could undermine the state’s efforts to restore wolves:

“Washington stakeholders spent four years working to develop a comprehensive, science-based wolf management plan that underwent statewide public review.  It is a balanced plan that promotes nonlethal deterrents to help livestock owners protect against losses to wolves. It also allows wolves to be killed if they become habituated to killing livestock and provides compensation to livestock owners to cover documented losses.  But now powerful ranching advocates in the state senate are making an end-run around the plan to strip protection from wolves and allow their constituents to serve as judge, jury and executioner in killing wolves on private and public lands.  Without state oversight to ensure that wolves are even responsible for the losses blamed on them, innocent wolves could be killed by those who oppose their very presence in Washington.”

We’re asking wolf supporters in Washington to help us oppose state Senate bills designed to stop wolf recovery in its tracks. We need your voice to stand up to those who want to  cripple the plan and eradicate wolves. Please call your local legislators and tell them to VOTE NO on all senate wolf bills (SB 5187, SB 5188, SB 5193) . Access contact information for the senator in your area here.

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife announced last week that the wolf population had nearly doubled since last year. That’s great news, but there are still only about 50 wolves in the state. We’ve got a long way  to go before Washington’s wolf conservation objectives are achieved, so let’s keep those numbers growing!

Fladry works – For years we’ve been promoting flag fencing, known as fladry, as an effective nonlethal tool for keeping livestock safe from wolves. We’ve worked with many ranchers who have used it effectively to protect both cattle and sheep, but now we have video evidence to prove it. Last year, through the support of donors, we provided Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife with  fladry that field biologists have used several times to successfully deter wolves from livestock.  These biologists cleverly tested the fladry with a video camera recently by stringing it around a cow carcass – a serious temptation for a hungry wolf. Even after repeated visits over several days, the wolf never crossed the fladry line. See for yourself:

Wyoming collars more wolves – There’s a lot to complain about when it comes to wolf management in Wyoming. At least 74 wolves have been killed since the state took over wolf management in September – 42 in the trophy game area and 32 (out of approximately 50 wolves) in the “predator zone,” where wolves can be killed at anytime  . But Wyoming Game and Fish does deserve a little credit for continuing to carefully monitor its wolf population. Early last week the department announced that they had collared 16 wolves in the trophy game area, putting a collar on at least one wolf in nearly every major pack. While collaring alone doesn’t protect wolves –as we’ve seen with the killing of several iconic, collared wolves from Yellowstone—it will help ensure that state and federal biologists have the information they need to accurately assess the health of the population. Without this information, wildlife managers can’t make informed decisions about how their actions are affecting the wolf population. Good management must be based on good data, and at least they’ve got that second part down.

4 Responses to “Wolf Weekly Wrap-up”

  1. Craig Bunting

    A large group of us is about to begin a campaign to boycott the Wolf killing states. I won’t name them but we have enough members to give them a black eye, financially and in status. These barbarians are about to pay.

    • Charmaine Roman

      I hope you succeed. I’m so sick of wolves and other creatures being killed for trophy hunting and other twisted reasons! I wish you all the luck in stopping these killers and maybe someone will finally listen!

  2. ZoeAnna Reid

    Please Stop these killings All over the world !! I think it’s great these things that are being done to help the wolves … They have the same right to live in THEIR FOREST. and to HUNT the Woods !! OUR LAND DOES NOT ONLY BELONG TO US IT WAS INTENDED TO BE SHARED GOD MADE THE ANIMALS BEFORE HE CREATED MAN but Somebody’s in my opinion Is playing God deciding who lives and who dies

You May also be interested in


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As CR Negotiations Continue Democrats Wonder: What are the GOP’s Priorities?

For Immediate Release:

March 31, 2011

Democrats agree that we must reduce spending, but we must do so without costing jobs and undermining our economic recovery. But Speaker Boehner said today that Republicans “are going to fight for H.R. 1,” a bill that non-partisan experts say threatens jobs and American competitiveness by cutting:

Our ability to build a competitive workforce and out-educate our competitors:

  • More than 200,000 children would be kicked out of Head Start and thousands of teachers would lose their jobs
  • Reduces maximum Pell Grant awards by $800 per student

Our nation’s ability to remain the world leader in cutting-edge fields and out-innovate our competitors:

  • 20,000 fewer researchers supported at the National Science Foundation
  • $1.4 billion reduction in science and energy research to spur the innovations that will drive the clean energy economy of the future and create jobs.
  • $1.6 billion in cuts to the National Institutes of Health, representing a significant setback in cancer and other disease research

Our infrastructure, weakening our ability to help businesses grow and to out-build our competitors:

  • Rescinds $2.5 billion for high-speed rail projects already awarded
  • Loss of 25,000 new construction jobs and the cancellation of 76 projects in 40 states
  • $234 million in cuts to improve our nation’s air traffic control system

And funding to strengthen national security:

  • Results in almost 900 fewer Border Patrol agents, guaranteeing funding for only 20,500 agents
  • Cuts funding for border security fencing, infrastructure, and technology by $272 million below FY 2010
  • Cuts Homeland Security grants to train and equip first responders by $101 million, Port Security grants by $192 million or 67 percent and Transit Security grants by $177 million or 70 percent

Democrats have made clear our willingness to compromise, and that we do not want a government shutdown. Meanwhile members of the Tea Party and some Republicans are rallying outside the Capitol to declare any compromise a sell-out.

“Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) rallied Tea Party activists outside the U.S. Capitol Thursday, pledging to not back down in the current budget standoff. ‘Cutting $61 billion, in my opinion, is a starting point,’ Bachmann said. ‘It is not the goal.’” [The Hill, 03/31/11]

“Also Thursday, several veteran Republicans spoke to a gathering of 200 or so tea party supporters in an event near the Capitol. Rep. Mike Pence (R-Ind.) said compromising with Democrats would send a signal of weakness on what he considered the paramount issue of spending and debt… He finished his speech with, ‘Let’s go pick a fight!’” [Washington Post, 03/31/11]

“More than a dozen Republican Members this week reiterated their support for the six-month House bill that cuts $61 billion in federal spending. And they said they may not back a compromise with Senate Democrats and the White House that calls for smaller reductions. If too many Republicans dig in, and no deal is reached, the government would shut down April 9. ‘Sixty-one billion is a compromise,’ Rep. Paul Broun (R-Ga.) said Wednesday. ‘I’m not going to go below that.’” [Roll Call, 3/31/11]

“It’s not like Republicans need a reminder of the tensions within their own ranks on government spending cuts. But if they forget what’s at stake, all GOP lawmakers need to do Thursday is walk outside the Capitol, where perhaps hundreds of tea party protesters will be urging congressional leaders to hold their ground on major spending cuts…To some extent, Republicans have themselves to blame for the spending cut hype: In the run-up to the 2010 elections, they promised $100 billion in spending reductions — a symbolic number that many in leadership have begun to regret.” [Politico, 3/31/11]

“Some conservative House Republicans — led by freshmen who came to Washington on a promise to shrink the government — have said they would vote against any proposal that falls short of the $61 billion in reductions the House approved on a party-line vote last month. Senate Democrats immediately rejected that measure… House Republicans fear that many rank-and-file GOP lawmakers could view a deal with Democrats as a retreat.” [Washington Post, 3/31/11]

The Republican leadership needs to work with Democrats in order to pass a compromise measure that will cut spending while investing in Americans’ priorities – not waste time with plans to bring their failed bill to the Floor for a second, symbolic vote tomorrow.

“The move appeared to be purely symbolic, because like the previous Republican bill, it would have to win approval from a Democratic Senate and White House that have already rejected it… The plan was quickly derided by both Democrats and Senate Republicans, however, who responded by offering a civics lesson to their House colleagues. Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) said: ‘To be the law of the land, a bill has to pass the Senate and be signed by the president.’” [The Hill, 03/31/11]

“At the same time, GOP leaders vowed to take up a measure this week that would make the $61 billion spending-cut measure the default plan if the Senate fails to act by April 6. That bill is symbolic at best because the Senate would not pass it, nor would President Barack Obama sign it.” [Roll Call, 03/31/11]

“…the proposal raises all manner of constitutional and practical questions.First, it would effectively deem a prior bill passed, even though it did not clear the Senate or win the president's signature. Second, it's unclear why or whether Republicans think the Senate and president would accept the so-called ‘Government Shutdown Prevention Act’ when they didn't approve the initial House plan.”[Fox, 3/30/11]

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    Explore the city

    Cultural and festive evenings in Leipzig

    © PUNCTUM / Photo: Bertram Kober

    Leipzig awaits you with a rich cultural offering. Whether high culture or off-stage, music, theatre or Leipzig's well-established cabaret scene - this city has something for everyone.
    Directly in the city centre, on the Augustus plaza, the Gewandhaus and its world-famous orchestra are your guarantee for musical highlights - just a few steps from the Opernhaus (Opera). And not far away from downtown and the main train station is Leipzig's most important theatre - the Schauspiel Leipzig. Leipzig is also home to a lively cabaret culture, such as the RevueTheater Am Palmengarten. More 'biting' material can be found in cabarets such as the Pfeffermühle, academixer or Funzel, and why not enjoy an entertaining show at the Krystallpalast Varieté Leipzig. You can also dance the night away in Leipzig's clubs.

    Information on Leipzig's night culture can be found in the city magazine Kreuzer.

    Always full of up-to-date information from exhibitions to lectures: the Event Calendar for the City of Leipzig.

    For an overview of everything that is going on in Leipzig, see Leipzig: Live - the event magazine of the Leipziger Volkszeitung.

    If you are looking for some tips on experiencing Leipzig off the beaten path, look no further: Hidden Leipzig

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« Odd texts. Things that STILL surprise me! | Main | The Atheist's Hymnal - "They don't have no songs"? »

February 23, 2012

Spot on Dennis. Living out of state I can attest to how right you are about the way Idaho is viewed in other parts of the country, and this will certainly not help change that image any time soon.

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Rockies' Carlos Gonzalez.
Rockies’ Carlos Gonzalez.

Carlos Gonzalez won’t nibble his way through his first all-star weekend. He’s getting the full buffet. The Rockies’ outfielder agreed to participate in the Home Run Derby for the National League team, accepting Matt Kemp’s invitation via the players association Saturday morning.

“I am going to swing hard for the streets,” Gonzalez told The Post, when confirming his entrance in the derby . “I am excited to get out there.”

Players association representative Tony Clark reached CarGo on Saturday. The conversation was quick: “Are you interested?” Answer: “Heck, yeah!”

Gonzalez has hit 17 home runs this season, and typically puts on a show in batting practice during his final 10 swings. The other confirmed participants are Kemp and Miami’s Giancarlo Stanton. He’s also participated in home run competitions in Venezuela during the winter, losing out in competitions that featured Bobby Abreu and Miguel Cabrera.

“I was a kid then,” Gonzalez said. “I am grown man now.”

Gonzalez plans to ask Rockies’ bench coach Tom Runnells to throw to him in the derby. Runnells has been away from the club the past two days because of a death in the family.

“He throws great BP, and I think it would mean a lot to have TR there representing the Rockies,” Gonzalez said.

The last Rockie to hit in the derby was Matt Holliday in 2007 at AT&T Park, finishing third to eventual winner Vlad Guerrero. Other Rockies who have participated include: Todd Helton (2001), Larry Walker (1999, 97), Vinny Castilla (1998), Ellis Burks (1996) and Dante Bichette (1994).

“The key, if there is one, is to be patient and take a little time before each swing pass because you get tired,” Castilla said. “He’ll enjoy it.”

Troy E. Renck: 303-954-1294 or

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House Speaker Mark Ferrandino, D-Denver.
House Speaker Mark Ferrandino, D-Denver.

Mark Ferrandino says he has spent at least five years trying to force a conversation on how the state funds its colleges and universities. The House speaker will soon force the issue, introducing a bill to change the funding process.

“It’s frustrating to me how we fund higher education. It is a black box that is unaccountable, and no one can bring a rational argument why the base funding is where it is,” Ferrandino said. “It doesn’t make sense. Let’s step back and start all over again and figure out a way of funding these schools based on rational policy goals.”

At present, the universities present their budget requests to the state, with each school requesting an amount based on discussions with the Colorado Commission on Higher Education. Ferrandino’s bill would call for funding to be based on the outcome of a formula that takes into account factors such as student retention and graduation rates and for helping at-risk students succeed.

Some of the metrics are almost identical to those presented by the commission and the Colorado Department of Higher Education when it enacted its Master Plan in December 2012. Under the plan, schools signed contracts promising to improve their performance in agreed-upon areas such as those outlined above. Part of the plan calls for schools to possibly receive increased funding based on those outcomes.

“The Master Plan is a relatively new development. We’ve only recently completed all the performance contracts with the institutions,” said Lt. Gov. Joe Garcia, who directs the DHE.

But Ferrandino said that while he agrees with the goals of the Master Plan, there are more fundamental concerns to be addressed.

“You have a Master Plan that talks about all these goals, but you have a funding model that doesn’t tie to them,” he said. “The CCHE really tries to work with all the institutions and tries to make sure that everyone comes on board.

“If left alone, CCHE will continue to go down the path of least resistance. … It’s not about the goals of the institutions, it’s about the policy goals of the state.”

Ferrandino’s proposed change comes in the wake of one of the biggest state-funding increases in history. Next year’s budget will see a $100 million increase for higher education, about $60 million more than the current budget.

Ferrandino is scheduled to discuss his bill with the CCHE on Friday, adding that he expects some “pushback” — from the commission and the schools.

On Wednesday, University of Northern Colorado president Kay Norton issued a statement saying “more thoughtful and comprehensive discussions are needed to ensure that this bill will indeed fulfill that intent.”

Ferrandino said he has met with representatives from each school in the state, asking them for feedback. Garcia said most of the schools received the requests in the last couple of days and need time to respond.

“What happens if we’re not having a $60 million funding increase? What if we’re flat two years in a row?” Garcia said.

Ferrandino says he thinks he already has enough support in the legislature to get the bill passed, although the law wouldn’t go into effect until 2015-16.

“I’ve been told, ‘Don’t do this, we don’t want to change this,’ ” he said. “I’m not saying there won’t be any tweaking, but this is the time to change things, to shake things up, when there’s money in the pipeline. … I’m going to try as hard as I can to get this done.”

Anthony Cotton: 303-954-1292, acotton@ or twitter. com/anthonycottondp

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