fifteenths mexico: June 2012

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Look for Less: Vanessa Lachey?s West Coast Chic

After a successful shopping trip in L.A. on June 9, ?Vanessa Lachey? was all smiles while keeping her belly under wraps in a simple yet chic outfit.

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Tuesday, June 26, 2012

RPG Write Pad

New York,teens everywhere are falling in love and only ten people don't know who they love but when they break into a mansion for themselves the real question is Do you love me ? ( 5x5 open )

Owner:

Game Masters:

This topic is an Out Of Character part of the roleplay, ?Do you love me ??. Anything posted here will also show up there.

Topic Tags:

Forum for completely Out of Character (OOC) discussion, based around whatever is happening In Character (IC). Discuss plans, storylines, and events; Recruit for your roleplaying game, or find a GM for your playergroup.
It can be used to condense the short choppy posts, there is also a chat feature to keep the (OOC:) comments to a minimum.

I hate to be that person, but the one-liner posts and the excessive chat posts are interrupting the flow of the RP, and take up way too much space. This is a tool, to do the exact same thing you are doing except privately. thanks.

It can be found on the homepage, at the top. RPG Write:

Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.~Einstein

Chloe De Luca: Member for 0 years

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Monday, June 25, 2012

Turkey jet crisis unlikely to pull NATO into Syria

In this photo released by the Turkish Presidency Press Office, Turkish President Abdullah Gul, right, shakes hands with Gen. Mehmet Erten, Commander of the Turkish Air Force, in Istanbul Turkey, Monday, June 25, 2012. Upon Turkey's request, NATO will hold a meeting Tuesday in Brussels over article 4 of its charter concerning Friday's incident, when a Turkish warplane was shot down by Syria. (AP Photo/Mustafa Oztartan, Turkish Presidency Press Office, HO)

BRUSSELS (AP) ? Syria's downing of a Turkish military jet has the feel of a turning point that could drag Western powers into a conflict that is spiraling out of control.

Turkey said Monday it would push NATO to consider Syria's downing of the RF-4E reconnaissance jet as an attack on the whole military alliance, and added that Syria also had shot at a Turkish search-and-rescue plane shortly after the jet was downed Friday. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has vowed to hold Syria to account, while Britain's foreign minister said Damascus won't be allowed to act with impunity.

But for all the hard talk, the prospect of Western military intervention in Syria remains remote, at best.

For one thing, military action is unlikely to get the support of either the U.N. Security Council or the Arab League, and outside intervention without the blessing of both of those bodies is all but unthinkable. And there is little appetite among the 28 NATO countries ? of which the U.S. is the largest ? for another war in the Middle East.

Libya was hard enough, and for a many nervous months it looked as if that conflict might end in an embarrassing stalemate for the West. And Syria would be tougher than Libya. Syrian President Bashar Assad's army is better equipped, better trained, better paid and far more loyal than was that of late Libyan leader Moammar Gaddhafi.

So for the moment, despite the increasing violence and the staggering number of deaths, action by the international community seems to be limited to sanctions and strong words.

And so it was on Monday, when foreign ministers from the 27 European Union countries condemned Syria's downing Friday of a Turkish jet, but said the bloc would not support military action in the troubled country.

"What happened is to be considered very seriously," said Dutch Foreign Minister Uri Rosenthal. Having gotten his denunciation out of the way, he let the other shoe drop: "We do not go for any interventions."

Turkish officials have acknowledged that the jet mistakenly strayed into Syrian airspace, but was warned to leave by Turkish authorities and was a mile (1.6 kilometers) inside international airspace when Syria shot it down. The Turkish pilots are still missing.

Turkey initially called a meeting of the North Atlantic Council, NATO's governing body, on Tuesday to discuss the incident under Article 4 of NATO's founding treaty, which allows a NATO ally to request such a consultation if it feels its territorial integrity or security has been threatened.

Late on Monday, Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc said Ankara "has made necessary applications regarding Article 4 and Article 5." Article 5 states that an attack against one NATO member shall be considered an attack against all members.

Arinc also said for the first time that Syrian forces opened ground fire on a CASA search and rescue plane shortly after the downing, but did not say if that plane was hit.

An alliance diplomat said ambassadors will discuss Turkey's concerns ? and would likely condemn the downing.

"But there won't be anything more specific than that," said the diplomat, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of standing rules.

Turkey has been one of the fiercest critics of Assad's crackdown. But until now, it has had no wish to inflame already-heightened tensions.

A Turkish government official said the government was trying to ratchet up diplomatic pressure on Syria, where activists say more than 14,000 people have been killed in the 15-month uprising. He said the country was still working out what steps to take ? though they would not include military intervention.

"We are not talking about war, but we will keep the pressure on Syria and give it no chance to catch its breath," said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity in line with government rules.

Mustafa Kibaroglu, a professor of international relations at Istanbul's Okan University, said that by calling Tuesday's emergency meeting, Turkey was trying to show Syria that it has the full support of NATO and the European Union.

But he dismissed the possibility the alliance would activate Article 5, despite Turkey's requests.

"Unless there is another ... act of provocation (from Syria), there will be no activation of Article 5," Kibaroglu said.

Syria has said it was unaware that the F-4 Phantom jet belonged to Turkey, and that it was protecting its air space against an unknown intruder. In the past, Israeli warplanes have penetrated Syrian airspace by flying over the Mediterranean coastline.

Syrian foreign ministry spokesman Jihad Makdissi said the downing was an accident, caused by the "automatic response" of an officer commanding an anti-aircraft gun. The man saw a jet coming at him at high speed and low altitide and opened fire, Makdissi said.

Analysts said that, although the latest incident will likely be contained, the conflict in Syria is now threatening to draw in other nations.

"Syria's apology will probably quell the immediate outrage," said Barak Seener, a Middle East expert at the Royal United Services Institute, a British military think tank.

"But it's increasingly clear that as the conflict escalates there will be a spillover effect with regional consequences," he said. "While NATO will not get involved yet, this illustrates that international actors will increasingly be sucked into the conflict."

Still, there is a sense of war-weariness in NATO, an aversion to any more involvement in the Middle East after last year's conflict over Libya.

The alliance's primary focus remains the costly war in Afghanistan, where it still has about 130,000 troops, a decade after the ouster of the Taliban regime. Although NATO forces enjoy overwhelming superiority in numbers, firepower and mobility, the guerrillas are showing no sign of giving up.

NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen has repeatedly said that the alliance would need a clear international mandate, and regional support, before it embarked on a mission in Syria.

Last year, NATO launched air attacks on Libyan government targets only after receiving a mandate from the U.N. Security Council, along with backing from the Arab League.

But in Syria's case, the Arab League hasn't been able to agree on the need for military intervention. Even Syria's different opposition groups are riven by divisions over whether outside military intervention would help or hurt. Some in the Syrian opposition argue that it would reduce their country to rubble, leaving them nothing on which to build a new future once Assad was gone.

And Russia and China ? both veto-wielding members of the Security Council ? have consistently shielded Assad's regime from international sanctions over its violent crackdown on protests. Russia also has continued to provide Syria with arms, despite Western calls for a halt in supplies.

Diplomats from Russia and China in the past have called on all sides to refrain from provocative actions that could escalate the conflict. This would likely include reconnaissance flights over the Syrian coastline.

Last week, President Barack Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed the Syrian crisis on the sidelines of a Group of 20 economic conference in Mexico.

The meeting ended without apparent agreement on how to end the violence.

___

Fraser reported from Ankara, Turkey. Elizabeth Kennedy in Beirut, Lebanon, also contributed to this report.

Associated Press

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Wildfires leave Colorado tourism high and dry

More than 11,000 residents in Colorado were ordered to evacuate their homes as more than 700 firefighters fought flames. NBC's Michelle Franzen reports.

By Jack Chesnutt
NBC News

FORT COLLINS, Colo. -- ?After two weeks of around-the-clock work, firefighters are starting to gain the upper hand on the High Park fire near Fort Collins, Colo. But even as some of the residents are allowed to return to their homes, there is another casualty from the 100-square-mile blaze: Northern Colorado?s annual influx of summer visitors seeking clean air and whitewater rivers.

Jim Clark, executive director of the Ft. Collins Convention and Visitors Bureau, can see a smoky haze over the Roosevelt National Forest from his location downtown.

?The bad news is...we?re known for our outdoor recreation," he said. "A lot of that at the present time is closed.?

Clark?s office is handling many out-of-state calls from people who have questions about the smoke from the fire.? For the past several?weeks?the Colorado Department of Public Health has issued air quality health alerts because of the dense smoke along a 200-mile corridor from Colorado Springs in the south up to the Wyoming border. This week, the smoke has been less of an issue.

?We have lots of things for them in town -- breweries, shops ... everything is still open," Clark said. "But, there are some folks who would have visited us that probably will stay away.?

Over the weekend, new flames near Colorado Springs forced thousands to evacuate -- one of several fires emptying campgrounds and hotels across the parched state.?

Clark says it will be weeks or even months before any hard numbers are available to calculate the loss of visitors due to the fire.

Rafting companies high and dry

The losses have already started for Pat Legel, owner of Wanderlust Adventure Rafting in Bellevue, Colo. Legel has spent what should have been a busy start to the rafting season dusting off his rafts and life jackets. ?This is historical. This is the longest we?ve been out of business.?

Legel?s company offers trips down the Cache la Poudre River, one of the most popular whitewater rivers in Colorado. The fire has cut off access to the river where it runs through the burn zone. Wanderlust is one of six local outfitters which have suspended rafting on the Poudre since June 9.

Legel said his heart goes out to the more than 200 residents who have lost their homes to the fire.? But, for his business, the hardest part is making the daily calls to customers to let them know the river canyon is closed and to arrange refunds on their rafting fees.

?It?ll be a survival season, if we can get back some time early July. If not, we?ll have to maybe lay some people off and get a loan to carry us through next year.?

Legel started the company in 1982. He?s now 65.

"I don?t think I will see the landscape along the river recover in my lifetime,? he said.?

Tourists changing plans

Jane Servi had house guests for the weekend at her Larimer County home and had to?scramble to make new plans for weekend activities. ?She was looking forward to showing the visitors from Boston a Colorado whitewater adventure. But her Poudre River rafting trip was one of hundreds cancelled by the fire. Eventually she found an alternative rafting location nearly 70 miles away.?It was disappointing, she said, but she's more concerned "about the people who are up there whose houses have been destroyed, and people who have been displaced."

Last week "NBC Nightly News" found Grant Houx, owner of St. Peter?s Fly shop in Fort Collins, standing thigh-deep in the Poudre River about 10 miles downstream from the fire. He was whipping a seven-foot-long fly rod through air that tastes like smoke. The water runs clear and cool here, for now. But when late summer rains come, the soot, ash and charred underbrush from 70,000 scorched acres will wash down the Poudre and smaller streams like a black tide.? Not good for trout and other native fish.

?'Concern? is one word. We don?t know exactly what the effects of that soot will be,? he said.?

Houx?s fishing guide service has had ?a few? fire-related cancellations. He explains that fishing is still good on several other rivers in the area unaffected by the fire.

Fires of 2012 follow record year for Colorado tourism?

According to the Colorado Tourism Office, 59.7 million visitors came to the state in 2011. They spent $10.7 billion. Larimer County, where the High Park Fire continues to burn, represents 2.7 percent of statewide visitor spending.

Colorado Tourism Office chief Al White says statewide reservations are up ?double-digits over last summer? but acknowledges the impact of the fires in northern Colorado and Fort Collins. The hope is that tourists understand that even a 100 square mile fire represents less than one tenth of one percent of the state of Colorado.

?The High Park fire is a tragedy, but there is still a lot to see and do in Colorado," White said. "And for now, people are still making plans to come here.?

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Here's Some Terrific Suggestions For Marketing Real-estate

When it comes time for you to promote your home, maybe you have a lot of concerns. There is lots to take into account and that is certainly why you?ve come looking. In this post there are actually a lot of superb advice, assistance, and ideas on who, what, when, where, and the way you ought to offer your real estate property.

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When selling a home, painting the surfaces a natural shade. During the trip of the property, a natural coloration on the wall surfaces allows the potential shopper to really feel much more comfortable. It is almost always much easier so they can photo their selves in the home if their surroundings are certainly not also colourful and noisy.

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Sunday, June 24, 2012

Jack Daniel's to launch Tennessee Honey in South Africa this July

Commenting on the decision to bring the newest member of the Jack Daniel?s family to South Africa, Brown-Forman marketing manager (South Africa) Dino D?Araujo says, ?The research conducted in South Africa was overwhelmingly positive. Much like the US, South Africans are favouring a sweeter palate and Jack Daniel?s Tennessee Honey is perfectly balanced to meet this. It?s still a whole lot of Jack, now with a little bit of honey.?

A teaser and reveal mechanic through emailers and video clips has been executed as part of the South African launch campaign in order to peak interest. The local Jack Daniel?s Facebook page has been ?taken over? by the new Tennessee Honey and will be featuring more content on the new product over the coming months. A print and cinema above-the-line campaign will also be rolling out and in addition, Jack Daniel?s will be looking at ways to encourage fans of the brand to experiment with the new Jack Honey due to its versatility.

Tennessee Honey combines rich notes of natural honey-comb, sweet molasses and roasted chestnut which complement the distinctive nose of classic Jack Daniel?s. It has a smooth finish with a honey and nut character.

Available from July 2012 at leading liquor merchants, it will cost R190.

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GoldkampGC: Well, I just found out that Twitter lists can only include 500 people. That's not very convenient for me.

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Who has the best shot at going to London? This week's exclusive webisode of Trac...

Tracking The Trials: June 21, 2012 | Universal Sports | Year-Round Coverage of Olympic Sports & Ath

universalsports.com

One of the most anticipated events leading up to the Olympic Games is the U.S. Team Trials for Track & Field. Starting June 22, the largest National Championship track meet in the world will determine which athletes represent the U.S. in London.

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Saturday, June 23, 2012

Gadgets that save you from yourself

Featured

20 hrs.

Sean Fallon , Nerd Approved

Are you your own worst enemy? If so, the following gadgets might be able to help you overcome some?relatively minor shortcomings. That is to say, if you're reading this while wearing a fake mustache while frantically trying to make your way to the border,? sorry???but you've probably got bigger problems to tackle.

Ben & Jerry's pint lock

While technically designed to prevent others from stealing your ice cream, the Ben & Jerry's pint lock or "Euphori-Lock" can serve as a dietary deterrent as well. You probably won't remember the combination, and that means trying to find where you wrote it down. Then you have to enter in the combination itself. Way too many steps???though I might not be above cracking the pint open like a coconut and going in face first like a starving castaway.? $6.64???Ben&Jerry's via That's Nerdalicious

Beer Tracker bottle opener
Every time you open a beer, the Beer Tracker bottle opener will record it digitally. Hopefully, the reality of how many beers you've had will prevent awkward moments?? such as?waking up to find you have 50 Facebook messages with comments like, "The video we made of you last night is blowing up YouTube!" $10???FredFlare

A bed that makes itself
We aren't at a point where machines can completely overcome your tendency to make a mess, but a bed that can make itself is a good place to start. The OHEA Smart Bed can do just that in 50 seconds using a system of mechanical arms, cords and rollers. Granted, you'll have to be a pretty calm sleeper in order for it to work because it won't be able to handle a tangle of sheets tossed about in the night. If that sounds doable, the OHEA Smart Bed is expected to go on sale soon.???OHEA

iPhone Tank Case
If you're the kind of person who can't make it through a year without dropping and damaging your iPhone, you might want to consider a rugged case. The Tank Case from Case-Mate offers military-grade protection thanks to a polycarbonate hard shell with silicone cushioned interior and a retractable screen shield. Sure, you might have trouble fitting it?in your pants pockets (or, possibly, your car), but it's worth it for the peace of mind right? $60???Case-Mate

Toxic Waste Cookie Jar
Whenever the lid is opened on the Toxic Waste Cookie Jar, it will alert others to your unsanctioned snacking with flashing lights and an alarm sound. Using the excuse "I only did it because the horrible cookies you made are toxic and I thought they would give me superpowers" won't help. $14.99???Perpetual Kid via That's Nerdalicious

The Sonic Bomb Alarm Clock
Do you have trouble getting up in the morning? Well, that won't be a problem with the Sonic Bomb Alarm Clock. It has a maximum volume of 113 decibels (a jackhammer is around 100). If that isn?t enough, it also includes a bed shaker that you can slip under your mattress. If your heart can survive the shock, you'll always be on time. $49.99???ThinkGeek

HeadsUp
If anything, the HeadsUp sensor system proves that there a very good chance that a product exists to help you overcome just about every minor shortcoming. We've all seen garage sensor gadgets that alert you when you are about to smash into the wall, but the HeadsUp system is designed specifically to protect the expensive stuff you strap to the roof of your car. For example, if you like to go biking, you could attach a couple of waterproof sensors to the bikes, and when you return home the sensors will trigger an in-car alarm and LED sign inside the garage. In other words, it prevents you from entering the garage and smashing up your expensive gear. It's an absolute must for forgetful, outdoorsy types who have trouble with spatial relationships. $169.99???HeadsUp

More craziness from Nerd Approved:

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Friday, June 22, 2012

Memories (Development and Possible Co-GM wanted)

I haven't got this fully developed yet, so if you want to give any contructive critism or have any ideas on how to develop this further, please post here or PM me.

For your deeds, you shall pay in memories!

That was the last thing I remembered before I woke up. I was in what looked like the headquarters of a government agency. Everyone else seemed to know why I was there. Somebody came in and began chatting to me like they knew me. I freaked out, and, um, accidentally broke the table and chair. I haven't a clue why I'm here, or where I am.

They were supposedly developed as weapons, but they failed. So we took them in, meaning to use them to catch people who avoid the law. But we instead use them to learn new scientific theories and to get inside the minds of others. One day I went in to talk to one of them. We called them the Novums. They tended to be so nice, it was so hard not to like them. But they went mad. They didn't recongise me and went mad, smashing up the furniture. I narrowly avoided getting hit by a chair leg. They all began acting this way, unable to control themselves. We don't know what went wrong. They don't know who they are or who we are.

Two different stories, connected to each other by each other. Nobody is sure of the other, but they will have to work together to sort everything out and prevent it happening again.

What happened to the Novums' memories? What caused it, and how can they be retrieved? Do they have any recollection of what they can do?

Okay, like I said, it's still got to be developed. I have the basic plot in mind, but I can't quite flesh it out. But that's where you lovely people come in. If you're interested in the plot as it is, say so. If you like the basic plot but think it needs developing, say so. If you think the whole thing needs developing, again, say so. Tell me how to do it, though. Thanks!

"It was just one of those, And they died. The End! stories that make us demigods feel warm and fuzzy."Percy Jackson

"You've got a date with destiny. Don't be late."

"Is that a movie quote? Or is it an actual date? I don't remember destiny asking me. I never even gave destiny my phone number.? - Maximum Ride

?Man, you weigh a freaking ton," he told me. "What've you been eating, rocks?"
"Why, is your head missing some?"

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Toshiba 50L5200U

The Toshiba L5200U series consists of barebones HDTVs that do a few things very well, but lack many of the basic features found on similarly priced models. Illuminated by edge-mounted LED backlighting, the 49.1-inch 50L5200U we tested produced solid, accurate colors and offered nice wide viewing angles, but contrast ratio was on the low side. At $1,099.99 (direct), it?s relatively affordable for a 50-inch-class HDTV, but for that price, you're not getting any Web connectivity. Overall, there are better deals to be had in this price range.

Design and Features
The 50L5200U sports super-thin (0.6-inch) black bezels that give it a sleek, streamlined look, but it lacks the slice of chrome finish found on its sibling, the 55TL515U ($1,999.99, 3.5 stars). The bottom bezel is slightly wider at 0.8 inches and sports a small Toshiba logo in its center. The right side of the slim, 1.8-inch cabinet holds touch-sensitive Power, Channel Up/Down, Volume Up/Down, Menu, and Input buttons that are a bit too small and too sensitive. The remote is your best bet for tweaking picture settings.

The rear of the cabinet is home to a somewhat stingy selection of I/O ports. Left-facing connectors include three HDMI inputs, stereo analog audio inputs, a PC audio input, analog and digital audio outputs, and a USB port. Component video inputs, a PC (VGA) video input, and a coaxial TV jack face downward. You only get the three HDMI ports with this model (most HDTVs offer four), and unlike the similarly priced Samsung PN51D550C1F ($1,299.99, 3.5 stars), there's no Ethernet port for Internet connectivity or 3D support.

The 40-pound cabinet is supported by a glossy black rectangular stand that is sturdy enough, but doesn't swivel. The two 7-watt down-firing speakers, driven by Audyssey?s Premium Audio Technology, provide better-than-average output and are both loud and full-sounding. Granted, you don?t get the deep booming bass of a dedicated subwoofer but the boost gives the sound some much-needed low end.

The black remote is compact at 6.9 inches and you get 35 buttons plus four navigation keys and an Enter key. None of the smallish buttons are backlit. The bottom of the remote has moderately sharp edges where it meets your hand. They?re not sharp enough to do damage, but they?re not very comfortable either.

Picture settings include they typical brightness, contrast, backlight, tint, color, and sharpness controls, plus color temperature and backlight control. The ClearFrame 120Hz switch helps reduce motion blur and the Film Stabilization feature helps eliminate shaky video, but video purists will want to leave them off. Additional settings include gamma adjustment, picture size, aspect ratio, noise reduction, and Cinema Mode for viewing 24 fps content. There are five preset picture modes including Dynamic, Standard, Movie, PC, and Preference (custom). As is usually the case, Movie mode produced the best all-around picture out of the box.

Performance
We tested the 50L5200U using images from the DisplayMate suite of HDTV diagnostic tests, SpectraCal?s CalMAN 4 software, and a Konica-Minolta CS-200 Chromameter. After a basic darkroom calibration the set produced a peak brightness level of 219.89 cd/m² and a black level reading of 0.05 cd/m². The resulting contrast ratio of 4,380:1 pales in comparison to the Editors' Choice Vizio M3D550KD's ($1,429.99, 4 stars) 18,237:1 and the Samsung UN46ES8000F's ($2,999.99, 3.5 stars) 28,640:1, both of which are also LED-lit HDTVs.

Color accuracy was quite good; as noted on the CIE Chromaticity chart below, reds and blues were very close to perfect while greens were slightly off. The slightly heavy green level did not cause any noticeable tinting, and did not interfere with the 50L5200U?s excellent flesh-tone reproduction.

The 50L5200U did a fine job of eliminating motion blur while displaying scenes from the movie 2012 on Blu-ray disc. Image detail was sharp and off-angle viewing was superb for an LED panel. There was some loss of detail in dark scenes but not enough to make the picture look muddy. I did notice some backlight bleed around the corners, however,?which is fairly common with edge-lit HDTVs.

The 50L5200U used only 80 watts of power while being tested, which is good but not as efficient as the 55-inch?LG 55LM6700 ($2,299.99, 4 stars), which has a larger screen and used just 67 watts of power in our tests. There is a sleep timer but that?s all you get in terms of power-saving options.

Conclusion
The Toshiba 50L5200U is an attractive 50-inch HDTV that delivers accurate colors and solid viewing angles, but it doesn?t offer much in the way of features compared with other similarly priced models. If you?re looking for an affordable, full-featured LED-backlit HDTV that has 3D capabilities and comes with four HDMI ports and Internet connectivity, our Editors? Choice for budget HDTVs, the 55-inch Vizio M3D550KD, is the way to go.

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Friday a key deadline as Armstrong case ramps up

FILE - In this Feb. 22, 2009 file photo, Lance Armstrong prepares for the final stage of the Tour of California cycling race in Rancho Bernardo, Calif. The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency is bringing doping charges against the seven-time Tour de France winner, questioning how he achieved those famous cycling victories. Armstrong, who retired from cycling last year, could face a lifetime ban from the sport if he is found to have used performance-enhancing drugs. He maintained his innocence, saying: "I have never doped." (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, File)

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) ? Lance Armstrong faces a Friday deadline to file a formal response to the latest allegations that he was doping during his seven consecutive Tour de France victories.

The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency informed Armstrong on June 12 that it plans to bring charges that he used performance-enhancing drugs. If found guilty, Armstrong could ultimately be stripped of the Tour de France titles he won from 1999-2005.

Armstrong insists he is innocent and despite the deadline he isn't required to file a written response. The deadline is important, however, because now the case will be sent to a USADA review panel to determine whether there's enough evidence to warrant formal charges.

If it does, Armstrong could find himself before an arbitration panel to decide the matter by November.

Here's a look at a few of the questions surrounding Armstrong's case:

___

Q: Why didn't the Armstrong doping questions end in February when federal prosecutors closed a two-year criminal investigation without filing charges?

A: The federal probe was an investigation into financial fraud, not a question of whether Armstrong cheated as an athlete.

Armstrong hoped the end of the criminal investigation would end the doping questions. The latest allegations are that he used blood boosters, steroids and other improper performance enhancers and violated sports competition rules, not criminal law. Armstrong can't be put in jail if he's found guilty, but he can be stripped of his titles.

When the federal criminal probe ended, USADA officials warned they would continue investigating Armstrong and their level of proof required when presenting evidence is lower than the legal standard of "beyond a reasonable doubt." USADA officials insist their standard of proof is still very high.

Armstrong had suggested in recent interviews he expected charges to be filed and even hinted he may not fight them, saying he was tired of the battle. That would seem unlikely now given his tenacious determination to fight off previous doping allegations during his career.

___

Q: The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency sounds like a branch of the federal government. What is it?

A: Created in 2000, USADA is a nonprofit agency recognized by Congress as the official anti-doping police for U.S. Olympic-related athletes and sports. But it is not a law enforcement agency and does not have the power to bring criminal charges.

The U.S. Olympic Committee recommended creating the agency because its own drug-testing program lacked credibility. USADA is supported financially by the U.S. Olympic Committee and the federal government.

Part of USADA's mission is to not only catch cheaters but to help researchers create new, more sophisticated tests to keep up with evolving cheating techniques.

___

Q: What's at stake for Armstrong?

A: Everything.

From his Tour de France titles to his legacy as the cancer-fighting hero to his foundation that trades on his name to raise millions of dollars to help cancer survivors, it's all on the line.

After his 1999 Tour de France victory, Armstrong wrote a book, "It's Not About the Bike: My Journey Back to Life," that helped define him as an inspirational athlete who came back from the brink of death to beat cancer and dominate a grueling sport. Now he allegedly faces evidence that could taint his entire career on the bike.

Armstrong also has legions of fans around the globe due to his work fighting cancer. They may not care about doping in sports. But a formal ruling that he's a cheater, that it's not just innuendo and rumor, could be devastating and a disappointment for many.

___

Q: Doping allegations against Armstrong have gone nowhere before. Is there new evidence?

A: That's unknown. USADA says it has more than 10 former teammates willing to testify they either know Armstrong used performance-enhancing drugs, told them he used them or encouraged their use on his teams. USADA also says it has blood samples from his 2009-10 comeback that show evidence "fully consistent" with blood doping.

USADA hasn't released witness names or the blood samples, despite a demand from Armstrong's attorneys to see them. USADA says it's keeping the names private to prevent retaliation or intimidation, raising speculation Armstrong will file a federal lawsuit to gain access.

Armstrong notes he's passed about 500 drug tests in his career. And in a letter to USADA last week, his attorneys noted the blood samples that allegedly indicate doping came from a time Armstrong passed all his drug tests.

Unlike other sports figures who have been sanctioned after positive drug tests, USADA's case against Armstrong appears to be built around the total weight off the alleged witness testimony and suspicious blood samples.

___

Q: Friday was a paperwork deadline. What happens next?

A: USADA submits its case to a three-person review board of technical, legal and medical experts. The panel reviews the evidence and recommends whether USADA has a strong enough case to pursue charges.

Presuming the case proceeds, it goes to a three-person arbitration panel. Armstrong picks one member, USADA picks another and those two arbitrators pick the third, who acts as the panel chairman. Once that happens, USADA will have to start turning evidence over to Armstrong and his lawyers to review.

Armstrong can contest the charges or accept them. If he challenges USADA, the case goes to a hearing before the arbitration panel where both sides can present evidence and cross-examine witnesses. Armstrong can elect to have an open hearing or keep it closed to the public.

Only one athlete, former cyclist Floyd Landis, a former Armstrong teammate who won the 2006 Tour de France and later tested positive for steroid use, chose to have an open hearing and he lost. He later became one of Armstrong's primary accusers.

Associated Press

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Brandon Wetherbee: A Day at the (Silverdocs) Movies

I spent the longest day of the year watching as many films as possible. Rather than bear the heat and attempt to enjoy the 90 degree day, a decision was made in the a.m. hours to spend all of the p.m. hours indoors at the Silverdocs Festival.

In order to enjoy a day at the movies, one has to go in with low expectations. The 10th annual Siverdocs Festival was a good choice for obvious reasons. Over 2,000 films were submitted to a fest that only has room to screen a little more than 100. With a high turn down rate, a majority of the well-vetted films have enough commercial appeal to appeal to a cinema loving public while being artsy enough to keep out the mainstream. There's absolutely nothing wrong with the mainstream, there's just not a lot of mainstream films all playing under one roof that have the ability to keep me entertained for 12 consecutive hours.

The first films I saw on Wednesday, June 20 were a set of seven shorts under the title View Askew. Subjects ranging from cats to Juggalos kept the hipster in me happy.

"Catcam" (2012, USA)
A German engineer didn't want the stray cat hanging out near his new house to enter. He let it in. A few years later he built the cat a camera to figure out where it went. This delightful and new look at the life of an indoor/outdoor cat, Mr. Lee, will please anyone not allergic to dander.

"Mr. Christmas" (2012, USA)
Bruce Mertz spends four months of the year making sure his house is a celebration of all things Christmas lights. A good short for the holidays, the films answers the question on everyone's mind. $700. His electric bill is $700 per month. This one also features a cat. Her name is Trixie.

"If Himmler Played Guitar" (2012, UK)
Three for three on the cats! This guy kind of looks like Nazi war criminal Heinrich Himmler. He kind of plays guitar. He should shave. If a guy looks like a Nazi war criminal with a moustache, he'll look a lot less like a Nazi war criminal if he shaves the moustache.

This 11 minute short could be a feature, it might help give more of an explanation of what went horribly awry. Once again, why is shaving off the table?

"American Juggalo" (2011, USA)
"We've got alcohol and we've got explosives! That's all you need to know!"

Tell your children you're proud of them. And don't hit them. This is what I've learned from the Insane Clown Posse's annual festival The Gathering.

"Meaning of Robots" (2011, USA)
Attention steam punks: If you become a hoarder, this is your future.

"Well-Fed" (2011, USA)
Ever wonder how Harold Smith, the agoraphobic flower guy in Twin Peaks got his start?

"Needle Exchange" (2011, Ireland)
This sad and somewhat touching short would benefit from about 80 minutes of more footage.

So far, seven shorts, all with something good to offer, even the one about Insane Clown Posse's fans. Really, tell your kids you love them. Next up, a feature about a female bodybuilder.

"STRONG!" (2012, USA)
Cheryl Haworth is an Olympian that works part time at Home Depot and is going to art school. She also has a DUI. This could be anyone you know. If you know people that weigh 300 lbs and can lift 300 lbs.

Some of the 75-minute feature gets a little too sentimental. Sequences that feature Haworth's art coming to life are a little unnecessary but the subject matter keeps it interesting enough to keep watching and rooting for Haworth. If NBC is smart, they'll hire her to be a correspondent at the upcoming London games. Her mother's description of her as a "rough, tough cream puff" is quite accurate.

Cheryl will be at the Sunday screening. Attend that screening.

Following the weight lifting was an audio document.

"Third Coast International Audio Festival Presents: Crossed Signals" (2011, USA)
No. It's completely antithetical to the fest. It does not belong at Silverdocs. In any way. It's not film. This is not my opinion, it's fact. An audio program is not a film. Radio programs do not need to appear at film festivals. This slot could have gone to another series of shorts.

So far, seven good shorts, one good film and one pointless audio program. I needed some shorts to cleanse the palate. Coming up, "Arts and Crafts"

"A Brief History of John Baldessari" (2011, USA)
Artist John Baldessari is a smart ass. This short reflects that. Quick, beautiful, whimsical, everything and nothing. Narrated by Tom Waits. Cool. It's very cool. I could watch this everyday for a month and be happy. Clocking in at six minutes, it can't be beat.

"Brute Force" (2012, USA)
With different timing, Brute Force could've been Baldessari. Instead he's enjoying a cult following of those who relate to the feeling of censorship. This could be a feature, but the personality is so polarizing it may be hard to sit through. The closing credits song, "How Old Is Old," is remarkably good.

"The Perfect Fit" (2011, Scotland)
Excellent camera use showcasing the people who make ballerinas shows.

Up next was supposed to be "Solo, Piano -- NYC," five minutes on an abandoned piano on a curb. I wanted to see this film, I was actually sitting next to the director, but there was a problem in presentation. Something went awry and there was a delay. I feel awful I missed the remaining four shorts in the program, but I had to run to see the next feature.

"The Punk Syndrome" (2012, Finland, Norway, Sweden)
This film has the potential to be the next "Anvil." The four members of Pertti Kurikka's Name Day are mentally challenged but play relatively competent punk rock in the vein of The Misfits. They are everything punk rock is supposed to be. Big in parts of Europe, the film details the recording and release of the bands first seven-inch. It's revealing how much every band I've been in and met goes through the exact problems these four go through.

The 85-minute film isn't ground breaking but it's entertaining. Not too long, captivating characters and excellent protagonists. Maybe most important, the songs aren't bad.

My first real break of the day came after my second feature. Finding something not film related and fun around 7 p.m. in Silver Spring is not such an easy task. Lucky for me, I had to check out the new/old rehab of Piratz Tavern. More on that tomorrow. Back to the theater.

"Virgin Tales" (2012, Switzerland, Germany, France)
Ah!

This is scary for some, comforting for others doc follows the Wilson family and their Purity Ball. A wonderful evening where fathers sign a purity pledge for their daughters and then dance with their daughters around a cross and there are two guys with swords that knight them and white roses and ah!

The whole practice is actually kind of nice and there's nothing wrong with seeing loving, caring parents. I went for the easy joke because the kids in the film were obviously coached by the parents. The morning after a Purity Ball, the only son still living at home breaks into an impromptu speech about how he loves his sisters, dad, mother and begins to cry. As the screen fades to black and onto the next scene, a daughter is heard saying, "This is really spontaneous!" Hands down the funniest moment of my day.

A well made film, it wouldn't surprise me if the family, the Family Research Council (where the head of the family Randy Wilson works as a lobbyist), and those that like to gasp and be shocked at Evangelical Christians will like it.

"The Imposter" (2012, UK)
Wow. What a well made, fascinating, beautiful, strange film. This will probably win audience choice. It's not a shock it already has distribution. You will see and watch this film. Any googling will give away important info, so, just, wow. Very glad I saw this one before wide release.

My 12 hours at Silverdocs was well spent. The 10 shorts all presented something worthwhile, the four features kept me entertained and the audio program, well, that was there. It'll be exiting to see where the festival goes. Most, if not all of the films, were shot on HD film-less cameras. Without having to kowtow to dumb things like developing and processing film, documentarians can roll indefinitely. Once the audio equivalent of HD cameras comes around, the results should be quite fine.

The Silverdocs Festival continues until Sunday, June 24. Here are our 10 picks for the festival.

Follow Brandon Wetherbee on Twitter: www.twitter.com/YMTE

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Thursday, June 21, 2012

People, animals flee floods in NE Minnesota city

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BCS changes: Why now? Who wins and who loses?

FILE - In this July 26, 2011, file photo, Pac-12 Commissioner Larry Scott talks during the Pac-12 NCAA college football media day in Los Angeles. The BCS commissioners, including Scott, are backing a playoff plan with the sites for the national semifinals rotating among the major bowl games and a selection committee picking the teams, Notre Dame Athletic Director Swarbrick said Wednesday, June 20, 2012. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon, File)

FILE - In this July 28, 2011, file photo, Big Ten Commissioner Jim Delany speaks to reporters during Big Ten media day in Chicago. The BCS commissioners, including Delany, are backing a playoff plan with the sites for the national semifinals rotating among the major bowl games and a selection committee picking the teams, Notre Dame Athletic Director Swarbrick said Wednesday, June 20, 2012. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty, File)

FILE - In this Sunday, May 27, 2012, file photo, Southeastern Conference Commissioner Mike Slive appears during an NCAA college baseball game at the SEC tournament championship in Hoover, Ala. The BCS commissioners, including Slive, are backing a playoff plan with the sites for the national semifinals rotating among the major bowl games and a selection committee picking the teams, Notre Dame Athletic Director Swarbrick said Wednesday, June 20. (AP Photo/Dave Martin, File)

FILE - In this Dec. 11, 2009, file photo, Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick introduces new football coach Brian Kelly at a news conference in South Bend, Ind. The BCS commissioners are backing a playoff plan with the sites for the national semifinals rotating among the major bowl games and a selection committee picking the teams, Swarbrick said Wednesday, June 20, 2012. (AP Photo/Joe Raymond, File)

CHICAGO (AP) ? College football is headed toward a new era, with a four-team playoff deciding the champion starting in 2014. As the conference commissioners have said over and over during the six months it has taken for them to come up with a playoff plan to present to university presidents for approval, "The devil is in the details."

Let's explore some of those details.

____

WHY NOW? For years, the Big Ten and then-Pac-10 were adamantly against a playoff. What changed? Well, the Pac-10 and its commissioner for starters. Larry Scott has pushed the league to be more progressive and its members have reaped millions of dollars in rewards because of his bold moves. With Scott at the helm, the Pac-12 became less of an obstacle to progress.

"From our conference's perspective, historically we've been very conservative, protective of the status quo, but we've had a complete cultural transformation," Scott said Thursday.

In the Big Ten, as much as Commissioner Jim Delany has been against a playoff, he realized the BCS just wasn't worth fighting so hard for anymore. "No system can stand that much criticism and be sustainable," he said Thursday.

Once he realized change was inevitable, he made sure to play a major role in shaping it.

"I don't think there is any question we didn't lead the parade, but we tried to be a part of it," Delany said.

____

MONEY, MONEY, MONEY ... MONEY! BCS supporters would often boast they were leaving money on the table for the good of college football. Whether their motivation was quite so noble is debatable, but there was never any question that a playoff would bring in more money than the BCS, with its hit-or-miss bowl games and often controversial championship matchup. With budgets being slashed at universities all over the country, the people in charge could no longer justify leaving so much behind. Just in television rights alone, a playoff stands to bring in at least $300 million a year. The current BCS and Rose Bowl deals are worth about $155 million annually. Cha-ching!

___

WHAT BECOMES OF THE BOWLS? The bowl system will never be the same. The BCS championship game had already made the high-profile bowls less relevant. Now take the four best teams out of the bowls and put them in semifinals and a bowl bid will feel like even more of a consolation prize. Think of it this way: The LOSER of the Big Ten championship game is more likely to play in the Rose Bowl than the winner.

___

WINNERS. If it's college football, the Southeastern Conference must be winning. The playoff negotiations were no different. SEC Commissioner Mike Slive, whose teams have won the last six BCS titles, has been pushing for a playoff since 2008. It took a little longer than he would have liked, but he got his way.

LOSERS. As much as the BCS seemed stacked against the so-called little guys ? those teams from conferences outside the six founding member leagues ? a playoff-driven postseason could widen the gap between the haves and have-nots. While a playoff will increase the amount of revenue the postseason generates, those funds might be distributed more unevenly. Leagues such as the Mountain West, Conference USA and the Sun Belt will make more money in total, but could get a smaller percentage of the pie. And if schedule strength is going to be emphasized for picking the playoff participants, how do those teams fortify their schedules to match what the teams from power leagues already have built-in?

____

NOT SO BIG EAST. There have been six major conferences. The Big East, after being plundered by expansion, is on the verge of being demoted to second-tier status. How much less it gets in revenue from the playoff than the Big Ten, SEC, Big 12, Pac-12 and ACC will be something to watch closely.

___

A FEW GOOD MEN. So who will be on this committee given the task of picking the best four teams in the country?

The commissioners aren't sure yet, though it will probably be similar to the basketball selection committee, which is comprised of commissioners and athletic directors. Of course, it is one thing to hand out 34 at-large bids to a basketball tournament and quite another to determine which 12-1 football team to leave out of a playoff.

"I think you need a thick skin and an honest heart" to be on the committee, Delany said.

A secret bunker to hide out might help, too.

Ultimately, who is on the committee might not matter as much as the parameters they are given to make their decisions. The commissioners want to stress strength of schedule, give conference champions some preference and provide the committee with an RPI-like rating system to guide them and make it less of a guessing game.

____

Follow Ralph D. Russo at www.Twitter.com/ralphDrussoAP

Associated Press

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Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Look for Less: Vanessa Lachey?s West Coast Chic

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

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Saturday, June 23, 2012

Gadgets that save you from yourself

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Friday, June 22, 2012

Memories (Development and Possible Co-GM wanted)

Toshiba 50L5200U

Friday a key deadline as Armstrong case ramps up

Brandon Wetherbee: A Day at the (Silverdocs) Movies

Thursday, June 21, 2012

People, animals flee floods in NE Minnesota city

BCS changes: Why now? Who wins and who loses?