More than 90,000 people posted messages of condolence on a Facebook page honoring four slain Lakewood police officers in the day after their deaths. Several thousand people are expected to line the streets Wednesday night near the Lakewood Police Department as part of a candlelight vigil.

Flags throughout the region are flying at half-staff, and public officials from across the state have issued expressions of sympathy.

ELLEN M. BANNER / THE SEATTLE TIMES Officers and the public bring flowers, cards, candles and teddy bears in honor of the officers. The blank binders are for mourners to write comments about each officer.

The unprecedented assassination of the officers — just a month after a Seattle police officer was gunned down as he sat in his squad car — has prompted an outpouring of shock, grief and outrage from people throughout the region and around the world.

“Those officers represent us,” said Dean Curry, pastor of the Life Center Assembly of God Church in Tacoma, which is partnering with the Lakewood YMCA for Wednesday’s vigil. “When we see them we know they are standing between us and harm. When they are attacked, we feel it’s an attack upon ourselves.”

The circumstances of the shootings, four officers quietly starting their Sunday in a coffee shop, seemed to touch many of those sharing their reactions online.

“You put your lives on the line for us every single day. You wear those uniforms for our safety and no other reason,” wrote Darla Langdon.

Jean Madden of Wisconsin expressed outrage that the suspected gunman had been released from prison in one state and jail in another despite a long criminal record, including several felonies.

“Why in thunder was he let out of prison?” Madden wrote.

The Facebook page was created by an Edmonds high-school student who is part of the close-knit family of law enforcement. Jacob Kimerer, 17, is himself a Police Explorer who volunteers with the Edmonds Police Department and plans a career as an officer.

His uncle, Clark Kimerer, is deputy chief of the Seattle Police Department. His father, Scott Kimerer, is chief of the Burien Police Department.

Jacob’s father said his son understands the dangers of being a police officer: “He’s already been to four officer funerals, and he’s just 17 years old.”

Jacob Kimerer said he was moved to create the Facebook page after seeing a similar page honoring Timothy Brenton, the Seattle police officer who was slain Halloween night.

Still, he said, he was unprepared for the outpouring of sympathy. As many as 15 posts per minute were being logged on the site Monday.

People from as far away as France and Mexico left comments. In the United States, posts came from Wisconsin, Michigan, Utah and California amid thousands from Washington state.

A constant stream of calls and visitors came into the city of Lakewood and its Police Department Monday. Mourners left cards and flowers outside the Police Department.

Jeff Brewster, Lakewood’s communications director, said he’d received calls from a New York police officer and a Long Island officer who both want to fly out to attend the memorial service on their own time.

The Lakewood Police Department was formed in 2004, and the four slain officers had been recruited from across the region, Brewster said. The department grew over the past five years from 87 to more than 100.

“Before the shooting, we had 103 officers,” he said. “Now it’s 99.”

On Monday, Lisa Brenton, widow of Officer Timothy Brenton, expressed her condolences to the surviving families.

Calling the aftermath of a shooting death a “time of unbearable grief,” Brenton issued a statement that said in part, “Our hearts ache for the families of Sergeant Mark Renninger, Officer Tina Griswold, Officer Ronald Owens and Officer Gregory Richards. … Their families are painfully aware of the risks that are inherent in their loved ones’ chosen profession.”

By Lynn Thompson

LINK

Here is the Facebook page mentioned in the article

The man suspected of gunning down four police officers in a suburban coffee shop was shot and killed by a lone patrolman investigating a stolen car early Tuesday. Four people were arrested for allegedly helping the suspect elude authorities during a massive two-day manhunt.

Maurice Clemmons was carrying a handgun he took from one of the dead officers when a Seattle policeman recognized him near a stolen car in a working-class south Seattle neighborhood about 2:45 a.m., Assistant Police Chief Jim Pugel said.

The vehicle was running but unoccupied when the officer pulled up, radioed in the license plate number and realized the car was stolen, Pugel said.

The officer saw something moving, got out of his car, saw Clemmons and ordered him to show his hands and stop.

“He wouldn’t stop,” Pugel said. “The officer fired several rounds.”

Clemmons also had sustained a serious gunshot wound from one of the four officers killed in the coffee-shop shooting.

Police planned to arrest more people who helped Clemmons.

“We expect to have maybe six or seven people in custody by the day’s end,” said Ed Troyer, a spokesman for the Pierce County sheriff. “Some are friends, some are acquaintances, some are partners in crime, some are relatives. Now they’re all partners in crime.”

Three people were booked into the Pierce County Jail on Monday and early Tuesday for investigation of rendering criminal assistance on four counts of first-degree murder. They are Ricky Hinton, Eddie Lee Davis and Douglas Edward Davis. Troyer said a getaway driver also was arrested. That person’s identity wasn’t immediately known.

On Monday, officers detained a sister of Clemmons who they think treated the suspect’s gunshot wound.

“We believe she drove him up to Seattle and bandaged him up,” Troyer said.

Authorities say Clemmons, 37, singled out the Lakewood officers and spared employees and other customers at the coffee shop Sunday morning in Parkland, a Tacoma suburb about 35 miles south of Seattle. He then fled, but not before one of the dying officers apparently shot him in the torso.

“I’m surprised that he managed to get away,” Troyer said. “The officer did a good job in Lakewood.”

Killed were Sgt. Mark Renninger, 39, and Officers Ronald Owens, 37, Tina Griswold, 40, and Greg Richards, 42.

The officer who shot Clemmons was not injured, Pugel said.

Police said they aren’t sure what prompted Clemmons to shoot the four officers, who were in uniform and working on paperwork at the coffee shop just two blocks outside their jurisdiction.

“The only motive that we have is he decided he was going to go kill police officers,” Troyer said. He said Clemmons talked the night before the shooting about killing a group of cops and watching the news.

Police believe Clemmons chose the coffee shop because it was frequented by police officers from various agencies.

“We do not believe that the Lakewood officers were actually targeted other than that they were police officers in that location at the time where he knew he could find police officers.”

Police surrounded a house in a Seattle neighborhood late Sunday following a tip Clemmons had been dropped off there. After an all-night siege, a SWAT team entered the home and found it empty. But police said Clemmons had been there.

Police frantically chased leads on Monday, searching multiple spots in the Seattle and Tacoma area and at one point cordoning off a park where people thought they saw Clemmons. They found a handgun along with a pickup truck belonging to the suspect with blood stains inside, and alerted hospitals to be on the lookout for a man seeking treatment for gunshot wounds.

Authorities in two states were criticized amid revelations that Clemmons was allowed to walk the streets despite a teenage crime spree in Arkansas that landed him an 108-year prison sentence. He was released early after then-Gov. Mike Huckabee commuted his sentence.

Huckabee cited Clemmons’ youth in granting the request. But Clemmons quickly reverted to his criminal past, violated his parole and was returned to prison. He was released again in 2004.

“This guy should have never been on the street,” said Brian D. Wurts, president of the police union in Lakewood. “Our elected officials need to find out why these people are out.”

Huckabee said on Fox News Channel’s “The O’Reilly Factor” Monday night that Clemmons was allowed back on the street because prosecutors failed to file paperwork in time.

Pulaski County Prosecutor Larry Jegley, whose office opposed Clemmons’ parole in 2000 and 2004, said Huckabee’s comments were “red herrings.”

“My word to Mr. Huckabee is man up and own what you did,” Jegley said.

Clemmons was charged in Washington state earlier this year with assaulting a police officer and raping a child, and investigators in the sex case said he was motivated by visions that he was Jesus Christ and that the world was on the verge of the apocalypse.

A psychological evaluation conducted in October found he was a risk to public safety, but not a bad enough risk to justify committing him, The News Tribune of Tacoma reported.

The confidential report acquired by the newspaper was ordered by a Pierce County Superior Court judge to determine whether Clemmons was competent to stand trial on the rape and assault charges. He was found competent and was released from jail after posting bail with the assistance of Jail Sucks Bail Bonds.

At the time of his arrest, he allegedly made “religiously-themed comments, told the officer President Obama and Lebron James are his brothers, Oprah (Winfrey) is his sister and referred to himself as ‘the beast,’” according to the evaluation.

___

Contributing to this report were Associated Press writers Manuel Valdes in Seattle, Rachel La Corte in Tacoma, George Tibbits in Seattle, Andrew DeMillo and Jill Zeman Bleed in Little Rock, Ark., and photographers Elaine Thompson in Seattle and Ted S. Warren in Parkland, Wash.

By Gene Johnson

LINK

*allegedly bla, bla, bla.

Compassionate Conservatism just jumped the shark.  Seattle and Lakewood police believe suspect Maurice Clemmons, is the same Maurice Clemmons who’s sentence Governor Mike Huckabee commuted in 2000.  The commutation made him immediately eligible for parole, and he was released later that year.  Without that commutation he wouldn’t have been eligible until 2015.  Any idiot can then deduce if he was in an Arkansas penitentiary yesterday Greg Richards, Mark Renninger, Ronald Owens and Tina Griswold would still be alive, and their 9 children collectively, wouldn’t be devastated in ways they will never fully recover from.  The blame for this act clearly falls on the shooter, but Huckabee has some accounting to do too.  And he’s not doing it.

As a law enforcement family that lives in Washington state we were obviously horrified when we heard about the ambush yesterday, just as we were horrified to learn about drive-by shooting that killed a Seattle police officer on Halloween.  Sadly, we get used to hearing about law enforcement deaths in the midst of an altercation, a traffic stop for example.  But these were both situations where some bastard decided to literally go cop-hunting.  Forgive me if that makes me a little irrational, and downright pissed off.

The horror of the crime itself is bad enough (and I will get to properly honoring the fallen in my next post), but when the news broke last night that Clemmons was one of Huckabee’s infamous pardons I wanted to wretch.  Obviously, I disagreed with the pardons, and that was one reason I couldn’t support him in the primary, but I do believe he’s generally a good man.  And in that moment I felt for him as well as the victims.  I was prepared to defend him.  I assumed he would be guilt ridden and devastated.  If he is he’s not showing it. 

 He doesn’t even acknowledge the elephant in the room, that HE issued the original pardon that made this crime possible.  His Huckabee Report (one of those stupid radio minute, morning drive things) is a reiteration of that non-statement.

He admitted granting these pardons was based in his Christian faith.  He invoked compassion.  What about confession, repentance and accountability?  What about reading the Old Testament AND the New one?  How about not being a giant wussball politician not fit to pour Tina Griswold a cup of coffee?  We just want Huck to accept his responsibility in this.  We’re waiting.

Dans la série des co-branding originales, voici venus Sega et Lucozade ! Le plus speed des hérissons s’allie avec la boisson énergisante pour permettre à James Richards de figurer dans le Guiness World Records. Ainsi, ce dernier a pu démontrer tous ses talents au Golden Joystick Awards à Londres le 30 Octobre dernier. Il a terminé le premier niveau de “Sonic the Hedgehog 2″ en 22 secondes sur PS3 et Xbox 360. C’est donc 2 world records ! Ce challenge a permis à Lucozade de faire la promo de sa nouvelle boisson à l’orange, censée soutenir les efforts de concentration et d’attention. Bien entendu, le jeune Anglais en sirota tout le long du challenge…

Source : http://www.gamesradar.com/xbox360/sonic-the-hedgehog-2-xbox-live-arcade/news/sonic-boomer/a-20091105104517124017/g-20070917102514223084

UPDATE: The names of the four officers who were gunned down are:

Sergeant Mark Renninger, 39. He had 13 years of law enforcement experience and leaves a wife and three children.
Officer Ronald Owens, 37. He had 12 years of law enforcement experience and leaves a former wife and a daughter.
Officer Tina Griswold, 40. She had 14 years of law enforcement experience. She leaves her husband and two children.
Officer Greg Richards, 42. He had eight years of law enforcement experience and leaves his wife and three children.

——————-

UPDATE: One of the officers killed today was Officer Mark Renninger, a Lehigh Valley (PA) native.

In a statement issued Sunday, the family said:

Although we like to focus on the positive in law enforcement, we were saddened to learn of the four Lakewood police officers who were mercilessly gunned down today in Washington state.

Four officers–three males and one female–were doing paperwork at the start of their shift in a coffee shop near McChord Air Force Base when a gunman entered the establishment and shot them all. No one else in the business was injured or targeted.

We extend our sincerest condolences to the families of these brave officers. We will keep you and your loved one in our prayers.

Genealogy Saturday was a success.

First I spent some time on the FamilySearch Record Search site, looking at the Diocese of Durham Bishops’ Transcripts. I had searched here before (in the parish of Staindrop, Durham) for the siblings of Isabella GRAHAM, my 3x great-grandmother, but I had never finished it off.

Some of the baptism entries were quite detailed so I was able to establish that Isabella’s father Joseph was from Hexham, Northumberland. So now I have added another new county to my list of places.

After Durham and Northumberland I headed back down south, to Gloucestershire and the BATEMAN and JACKSON families. I wasn’t so lucky here, despite some records on the IGI the dates and places I was after weren’t available.

Next I moved back closer to home and the area around Singleton, Sussex. I have more ancestor from these parts than I first believed. Here I added many events for the BOXALL, RICHARDS, PITT, TARGETT and CHANDLER families.

I have identified a potential problem with Thomas PITT, my 4x great-grandfather. I know he married Ann BONE in Stoughton, Sussex in 1798, and he appears to have died before the 1841 census.

Fortunately it is not that common a name, so I should, with a little bit of searching, be able to find a burial record and hopefully an age at burial. This should enable me to work out a birth year, and I can carry on backwards from there.

All in all I added forty new individuals to my database, several of them 5x great-grandparents, and many new events. Also I finished off sorting the George Thomas GASSON stuff in my stuff to sort folder, which was really pleasing.

.243 Trajectory_ 24″x48″_ gunpowder, graphite, goldleaf, white acrylic on wood panel.

The title  comes from the gunpowder curve, which is based on the trajectory of a bullet shot from a .243 Remington rifle. (y axis= 1″ = 2″ of drop, x axis= 1″ =10 yards)

This is the first in a series of pieces based on ideas of how one might acheive salvation within a culture of honor. I am currently questioning how male youth finds presidence for behavior based on the examples set by one’s culture. What are the values and how does one acheive them? Once the desired values are acheived is salvation still a viable option?

video of the burn:

­Way back in March I wrote a post that tried to predict England’s World Cup squad for next summer’s tournament in South Africa. In it around 50 or so players were analysed; everyone from certainties like Wayne Rooney to certainly nots like Curtis Davies. With the friendly against Brazil fresh in the mind and only one more international break before the end of the season, there isn’t much time for players to impress if they haven’t already. As before let’s work our way through who’s on the plane through to who won’t be going at all. .

Key men (if England are to reach their usual quarter final):

First name in the squad is the captain John Terry simply as he’s captain. I personally think he gets found against the very best strikers but there’s no chance of him not going. He’s swiftly followed by Wayne Rooney, Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard. Rio Ferdinand goes as long as he’s fit, though it’s a concern if he doesn’t make it simply as playing style wise he’s harder to replace than Terry – England don’t have a lot of ball playing centre backs but do have a lot of one paced ones.

Gareth Barry is defensive midfielder of choice though may be usurped by a fit again Owen Hargreaves. They’ll both be on the plane however. Ashley Cole and Glen Johnson are the first choice full backs and are far ahead of their immediate competition. 

Thinking...

On the plane (extra leg room provided):

David Beckham has sorted another loan spell at AC Milan and I’m positive he’ll be going to his 4^th World Cup. He’s very much a bench player these days but still offers great set piece ability as well as experience. Emile Heskey has not been in great form and is no longer in Aston Villa’s starting XI but that said he will still be on the plane. He won’t score but he makes Rooney et al play better so for that reason is picked.

David James is first choice keeper, and despite his age should be able to handle that number of games in a month. Theo Walcott has had a succession of injuries but has done enough in the games he’s played to go as a wide man who can play up front. His pace is a big asset, plus he strikes me as someone who does what he’s told hence Capello likes him.

Matthew Upson and Jermaine Defoe should go as first back-up centre back and striker respectively. Neither are going to win you a World Cup final but they’re the best reserves in their position. Defoe just needs to watch his petulance slightly as there’s no point having a player who is going to miss games after needless red cards..

Looking for their passport (they are going out of Europe after all):

Joe Cole should be a little worried, just as he hasn’t found a way into the Chelsea team after injury, but at the same time he offers dribbling ability and creativity that not many can match. I was quite down on James Milner in my last prediction but did say he had a shot of making it. He seems to be impressing Capello right now and can play in a few positions. I do wonder whether he ultimately misses out due to the competition on the right side, though he has been playing down the left for England so you never know.

Aaron Lennon will be there or thereabouts, possibly in a straight battle with Milner for a spot. Rob Green looks like he’s firmly established as England’s number two while Wes Brown’s versatility of being a right back and centre back should mean he finds his way into the squad. 

Still thinking...

On the fringes (which bits are chopped?):

Wayne Bridge is doing his best to play his way out of the squad. You could argue about whether you really need to take a reserve left back, especially when the likes of Gareth Barry could play there if needed. Barring injury, the first choice defence are going to play every game so specialist reserve left back may be an area to gamble on not taking.

Of the other alternatives Capello has picked during his tenure, Leighton Baines and Steven Warnock don’t strike me as being quite good enough. If Joleon Lescott goes he provides left back cover too but he is quite shaky defensively so I don’t think he does. There is dearth of centre backs though. What price Kieran Gibbs continuing his rapid progress and staking a claim? Of all those players, he’ll be the only one playing Champions League football but a lot depends on whether he can keep Gael Clichy out of the Arsenal side once the Frenchman returns from injury. He appears to have just injured himself too.

I reckon Michael Carrick probably only goes if Barry or Hargreaves are injured and even then he’s shown countless times for Man Utd that he’s not a big game player. Gabriel Agbonlahor offers pace and will find himself with Peter Crouch, Carlton Cole and Darren Bent in the queue for the 4^th striker spot.

Capello has only ever picked seven strikers so it would be a surprise to see him take five of them, not least when Walcott can play up front. Of the four I would say that the Sunderland man had his chance against Brazil and didn’t take it. I think Agbonlahor doesn’t give enough variety when compare to the others – with a 4^th striker you want someone who offers something unique.

In that regard I’d say it will be a close run thing between Crouch and Cole.The former has a good international record (against crap teams at least) and is very tall (though not that good in the air) while the latter is a more complete striker who has pace, power and can play the target man role too. It’s a tough choice to be honest and I think Cole may need to break his international duck in the next round of fixtures if he’s to pip Crouch.

Ashley Young may find himself as number 24 on the list of players though personally I would find a space for him. It does seem like Capello isn’t quite sure of him yet. There aren’t too many options down the left but it does seem like either him or Milner would go but not both.

Still not quite sure...

Too late to make it? (need good form and injuries to others):

Stewart Downing has upgraded clubs but has six months to shine at Aston Villa following serious injury. The same probably goes for Phil Jagielka at Everton. Tom Huddlestone got his first call up against Brazil and while he’s decent player, he’s not yet international standard. Jimmy Bullard? Unlikely but you never know. I see him being a good pundit though. Scott Parker has a very outside chance of being one of the back-up central midfielders; he’s certainly no worse than Carrick in my opinion.

Ben Foster? Joe Hart? Chris Kirkland? Take your pick for the third goalkeeping spot. I doubt it will be the latter though.Of other players we mentioned last time Jack Wilshere isn’t yet getting regular games at Arsenal while Jonathan Woodgate is permanently injured. Dean Ashton has essentially retired.

However Gary Cahill has played well enough at Bolton to come on to the radar as 4^th centre back and has a chance of going if Capello takes eight defenders. Everton’s Jack Rodwell could be a dark horse but I think it is one tournament too soon for him. The same goes for some of the West Ham youngsters like Mark Noble and Jack Collison.

Now thinking "Why are they so useless?"

 .

Providing ITV analysis (or BBC if they’re good):

I had Shaun Wright-Phillips as going six months ago but now I think he misses out as you have Lennon, Walcott and Beckham providing all you need down the right (dribbling/goals/crossing). SWP can do all three but not as well and his poor performance against Brazil has sealed a seat next to Papa Wrighty on the studio sofa.

Jermaine Jenas is another who isn’t particularly defensive or attacking. World Cup squad players need be specialists once you get beyond the first team, there’s no room for these jack of all trades types who provide little. Michael Owen has yet to be picked by Capello and barring injuries to four of the seven strikers we mentioned will not be going to South Africa.

Micah Richards needs to get back in the Man City team before he can think about England – it’s all gone a bit pear shaped for him hasn’t it? He hasn’t been picked in a year; Capello just doesn’t like his terrible positional play. Scott Carson had a shot at being third choice keeper but he won’t be going and neither will Paul Robinson, who you could roll the ball to very slowly from 30 yards and he’d still find a way to let it in.

Sadly, Ledley King can barely handle three games in a month, let alone seven. He would 100% go if he could. David Bentley, Kevin Davies, Anton Ferdinand, Gary Neville – no, no, no and no.

The closest Owen has ever and will ever get to being in Capello's plans.

 .

Possible squad:

James, Green, Foster.

Terry, Ferdinand, A. Cole, Johnson, Upson, Brown, Lescott. 

Gerrard, Lampard, Barry, Hargreaves, Milner, Beckham, Lennon, J. Cole.

Rooney, Heskey, Defoe, C. Cole, Walcott.

.

The three keepers speak for themselves as do the first four defenders. Versatility is the name of the game so to complement Upson you have two centre backs in Brown and Lescott that can cover the two full back slots.

In midfield you have the three main men plus a fit again Hargreaves. Beckham goes for his experience while Lennon and Joe Cole provide the skill and trickery on either wing from the bench.Milner offers the most versatility of the remaining midfield options so gets the eighth spot.

Up front Rooney is a given, as is Heskey due to their partnership. Defoe is the main back up and I think Carlton Cole will play his way into the squad, pipping Peter Crouch whose record of scoring against bad teams is of no use when you only have good teams in the World Cup. Theo Walcott rounds off the squad as a foward player who can play right wing or as striker.

At most risk is Lescott I’d say and possibly Milner too. You may want more cover in central midfield and down the left so perhaps Carrick and Bridge or Gibbs (who could also play left wing) end up going instead.

T.

How can you resist Michael Richards taking a hit at himself on Curb Your Enthusiasm? I can’t.

700 sacolas plásticas transformadas em arte. Vitrine da Richards do Shopping Morumbi (SP)

À primeira vista a renda me fez parar  em frente a vitrine da Richards, do Shopping Morumbi. Fiquei ainda mais encantada quando li que aquele belo trabalho foi feito com 700 sacolas plásticas pelas mãos de 20 artesãs do noroeste do RJ, através do projeto Crochetando Vidas. Mais uma prova que para transformar lixo em arte só é preciso criatividade e boa vontade.

Crédito para as 20 artesãs do projeto "Crochetando Vidas", responsáveis pelo lindo trabalho

Happy Halloween Week!

Tricks-

Fighting controversy has now exploded into boarding hit suspensions. Tuomo Ruutu was suspended for his hit on Darcy Tucker, while Mike Richards escaped punishment for his hit on David Booth. Even though suspensions are being handed out like Halloween candy, the Flyers-Canes game on Halloween posted 30 PIMs for fighting and 18 PIMs for roughing. Teams were fighting off the demons in the West with the Coyotes-Ducks game scaring up 30 PIMs for fighting and 4 for rouging. Crosby even came to the party with his dukes up. Treats- The NHL Hockey Hall of Fame inducted Steve Yzerman, Brett Hull, Brian Leetch and Luc Robitaille. New Jersey Devil’s legend Lou Lamoriello was also inducted.

The crazy roller coaster ride in the first four weeks of the NHL season with the Colorado Avalanche sitting on top of the Western Conference, followed in second by the Los Angeles Kings. In the Eastern pack, Pittsburgh and Washington dominate but Buffalo sits in the number three spot. Greatest hockey game watching ever!

Treats-

The NHL Hockey Hall of Fame inducted  Steve Yzerman, Brett Hull, Brian Leetch and Luc Robitaille.  New Jersey Devil’s legend Lou Lamoriello was also inducted.

The crazy roller coaster ride in the first four weeks of the NHL season with the Colorado Avalanche sitting on top of the Western Conference, followed in second by the Los Angeles Kings.  In the Eastern pack, Pittsburgh and Washington dominate but Buffalo sits in the number three spot.  Greatest hockey  watching ever!

Wednesday has come and gone. The heroes have fought their battles and villains have hinted at things to come. Now it’s time to review the game tape…

To start this week seems full of books where characterization is the by word.

Muppet Peter Pan #2 continues with the excellent art of Amy Mebberson. The story drags a little as we travel across Neverswamp meeting people, but the silliness, jokes, and gags keep you from putting it down. In fairness, the source material is a little slow here too. It’s hard to keep parts from sounding more like a travelogue. Randolph’s characterizations continue to be spot on as we see who’s who. There’s a great bit with Sam the Eagle at the beginning (think in terms of his classic speech against animal nudity). Gonzo is Gonzo again in all the right ways; the appearance at the end of a popular character doesn’t miss a beat and fits like a hand in a muppet, and I suspect Grace Randolph’s Whatnot made in with a cameo.

Remember Uncle Sam’s speech that rallied the troops in Crisis on Infinite Earths? Barry gives a watered down version of this to get Ray and Mera to (wo)man up and be heroes. I’m beginning to think Blackest Night is Johns’ answer to those who didn’t feel Final Crisis was “eventy” enough. Green Lantern #47 was the stronger of the tie-ins this week. Johns is good at character and fleshing them out into something more. In some ways he’s better at this than James Robinson in this one single respect. Sinestro steals the spotlight again here. No surprise I guess, but it makes the book worth reading.

Those expecting an epic battle between Reeds of multiple Earths will be sorely disappointed with Fantastic Four #572. It’s actually a decent ending to the story if a little sudden and hollow seeming at first. Turns out 616’s Reed is the smartest man in the room. On the other hand, this issue has a weird bit of dialogue between Valeria and Franklin. Like creepy disjointed dialogue.

The last book of the week is Superman #693. In which we learn how to pronounce Mon-El’s name. A lesson not worth the price of entry. Some will tell you that this is a brilliant piece of characterization. General Lane is the troubled patriot weighing minor evils against the greater good. They’re essentially right. Hearing a man who for all intents and purposes is classified as a villain rail against Superman was interesting. Getting the point of view where Superman is a villain to humanity was novel. They were interesting and novel the first time I read them coming from Lex Luthor’s mouth. So Lane turns into a pale uninteresting copy of Lex Luthor.

My academic writing has become influenced by my non-academic reading over recent times, in particular the developing literature on giving presentations. I've found the focus on the effectiveness of 'story' very persuasive, through my own experience of watching presentations and reading texts and the research findings from psychology.

This has two significant impacts on my research. It should influence the way I write (more of this in a later post) and direct the project's theoretical framework. Bevir and Richards (2009, p.132) describe "networks as the product of individuals acting on their beliefs and the stories they tell one another". If stories are to be a major subject of the research, this suggests to an emphasis on qualitative methods; interviews enabling a deep understanding of actors' experiences and stories.

As well as providing a method for investigating the behaviour of actors, network stories can also act as useful outputs for policy practitioners. Policy 'toolkits' are a device by which a network manager expects to derive the optimum outcome from their actions. However, in a system where there is great uncertainty, this technocratic approach gives a specious sense of precision to the consequences of individuals' actions. Bevir and Richards (2009, p.138) use this to justify storytelling as an alternative method of network management, focusing on the creation of meaning by individuals as a way of discovering possible courses of action. As the psychology literature has identified that humans gain a better understanding of situations through storytelling, this could prove to be a more effective way of engaging those within a network than a more abstract empirical approach. Rather than attempting to predict outcomes, practitioners can assess the consequences of actor behaviour in previous situations and use those experiences to make their own judgement on the best way to proceed.

A familiar challenge arises from the arguments put forward here: how can such an approach add anything to the literature other than a series of deep but unrelated case studies which cannot be replicated. Can there be a 'recentred' account which can provide generalisations without relying on structures or exogenous factors for explanation? Bevir and Richards (p.140) highlight traditions, beliefs and power as explanatory concepts which can facilitate this task. Power exists wherever actors interpret their surroundings, these surroundings in turn being derived from the actions of others.

The prospect of using stories to better communicate ideas is appealing for a researcher wishing to contribute to improved practice. That network actors are already using stories to interpret their environment is also an interesting question to explore. However, as someone who agrees with Margaret Archer's view that a middle-ground must be sought between positivism and post-modernism, I need to find a route from contingent case studies to  policy learning and a generalised theory. ]]> http://lemurcomics.wordpress.com/2009/10/22/superhero-secrets-4/ Thu, 22 Oct 2009 01:20:52 +0000 Matt http://lemurcomics.wordpress.com/2009/10/22/superhero-secrets-4/

This week’s Superhero Secrets goes out to whomever did the search for “superhero confidential: dr doom” and ended up here. Hope you found whatever you’re looking for.

Doctor Doom: SECRETS!

Doom only uses the article THE. Everything else lacks confidence.

SECRETS!

Doom frequently goes to the karaoke bar near Doom's castle. Singing "Mandy" and "Rhinestone Cowboy" are the only things that give Doom joy in life...RICHARDS!!!

SECRETS!

Doom first used the Time Platform to watch the last episode of My Mother the Car. Ah...Jerry van Dyke: you will survive my purge.

SECRETS!

Doom invented man-scaping. You're welcome, ladies.

SECRETS!

The other day I went downtown and made sure to snap a few photos of the progress along Granville Street. Luckily the street is still closed, so I could stand in the middle and get a good view. I really hope they bring back the trees, it’s sure looking concrete and bare.

Just about every other block in Vancouver is being redeveloped, but at Richards near Yaletown, where they’ve demolished Richards on Richards to make room for a new condo developement, there’s a few heritage houses that have been put up on blocks to either be moved or sent to heritage house heaven. I was able to photograph one, the other was blocked by signage.

Fall is here and I wanted to share some of the beautiful colours I spotted in Yaletown that contrast perfectly along side the old brick buildings.

The Board of V8 Supercars Australia is set to decide whether drivers should remain in their respective cars for the 2010 enduros.

It will Even up the playing field for teams without two gun drivers and also raise the stakes of accomplished V8 Supercar steerers lacking a full-time gig.

Such a move would be detrimental to teams like of the Toll Holden Racing Team, which won last weekend’s Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 with their stars Garth Tander and Will Davison paired together.

Those in favour of the concept also believe that it would give more cars the opportunity of winning Bathurst.

Tony Cochrane, V8SA Executive Chairman, confirmed the Board would discuss the item at a meeting, which is scheduled over two days next week.

“Personally I favour it but I don’t know what the Board’s feeling is yet,” he said.

“(And) I truly have not seen the feedback yet from the teams.

“That is on the agenda for the October 21st board meeting.

“It’s a two-day board meeting because it’s also our budget board meeting on the Wednesday/Thursday before the Gold Coast event.”

Warren Luff and Jonathon Webb drove for Jim Beam Racing in the enduros, experiencing a disappointing Bathurst, but they surprised many with a top six finish at the L&H 500 at Phillip Island.

Luff said he would rather an endurance drive with a strong team than a full-time drive with a weaker one, which is sure to be music to the ears of the leading teams if the proposed rule change goes ahead.

“I’ve found a really good home here; even though it’s only an enduro drive I’m sure there’s plenty of other guys that would love to have this drive,” he said.

“Who knows what the future holds, but it’s good to have a competitive car and be with a competitive team.

“There’s definitely a core group of us that are probably the better of the enduro drivers and given the right opportunity I’m sure we could all hold our heads high if given a full-time drive again.

“But it’s getting a drive, and getting a drive with a good team, that enables you to show what you can really do and that’s probably been the big thing for me this year with these guys and their new cars and stuff; I’ve been able to show that I’ve got some good speed.”

David Besnard and Greg Ritter proved their mettle at Bathurst paired in the second Garry Rogers Motorsport Commodore.

On a similar strategy to Sprint Gas Racing’s Greg Murphy and Mark Skaife, the part-timers would have been in contention for a podium – if not the win – but an ill-timed safety car stopped them in their tracks and they had to settle for a top 10 finish.

Besnard was far from surprised that he and Ritter did well at both of this year’s enduros.

“It’s definitely harder when you’re not in it all the time but I think if you ask any decent race car driver they’ll be confident in their ability and that’s why we do it.

“I get asked the same question every year especially at Bathurst. I’ve been on the podium twice and each time people say ‘oh are you amazed to have the pace to be on the podium?’ and you’re like ‘no, I’m not’,” he laughed.

“I’ve had good cars the last couple of years and I have been able to show what I can do.”

Culture Laboratory is a collective group of nine artists who have a similar goal: to exhibit art work and remain in dialogue with other artists. We hail from all parts of the United States, but a strong Texas background permeates the collective. The artist members talk together every two weeks in an on-line chat room format.  As we converse we develop more ideas about how the group should evolve and function in the future. At times the Culture Lab can resemble a chaotic social experiment.

Our first exhibition “Culture Lab:: So Say We All, Sort Of…” was at Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas. A Culture Lab member, JD Durham, coordinated and curated the exhibition. On Friday, July 31st 2009 we have the Closing Reception at 5PM and the Gallery Talk at 3PM.

We’re not quite dead, just really concentrating on finishing off our respective studies. With only 2 weeks left before I have my study week for final exams I’m sure the blog post rate will increase with a more sedimentary lifestyle. Meanwhile know that we’re trying to get our creative juices flowing to try and knock out something tangible for the 3 people that actually read the blog.

On a follow up note, the Bathurst 1000 was once again a fantastic race. Congratulations to Garth Tander and Will Davison. Although I’m not a particular fan of G.T. it’s nice to see Davison get a win at The Mountain, I’m sure he has big things ahead of him. I was cheering for Jason Richards and (one of my favourite drivers) Cameron McConville who made a real charge for the lead HRT car after being released from behind the Kelly Racing Jack Daniel’s Commodore. Commiserations to Triple 8’s Craig Lowndes and Jamie Whincup, they looked set to take a record 4th win straight for a while but clutch problems really put a stop to that run. Roll on next round at the Gold Coast! (A field trip may be in order)

In the mean time you can waste countless hours by reading Eye On Springfield.

- t

Coral Springs is a great city for real estate investment. You can buy a home or a office for investment. But after purchasing it you must have to secure it as Coral Springs is not a crime free city. You can contact a locksmith to secure your home or offices. It is because Stealing can happen anytime; Thieves and robbers can attack anytime. So to avoid this kind of risk you need to contact locksmith.

For commercial security Coral Springs locksmith is installing commercial hardware with buzz entry, key less system, access control system, finger print system, master key system, secure key cabinets, emergency exists devices for security and safety purpose. The purpose of these kind of installation is to secure your office or organization from thieves and robbers. Thieves can attack and can enter from back door or can enter by breaking the glass of door but if you put buzzer then it will come to know that something is going wrong. So a locksmith can helps you in many ways.

Many of time in life people need locksmith in various situations like car locked, forget the keys, cannot access the current locks. Lock out of car happens anytime. So at that time you need a locksmith. You can contact Coral Springs locksmith to solve out problem. Today people got lot of awareness about professional locksmiths.

At 7 o’clock tonight in Raleigh, North Carolina the Philadelphia Flyers take their first steps on what many hope will be their journey to a championship. The Hockey News and  many other “experts” and publications have pegged the orange and black as the team to beat in the Eastern Conference. Since their second consecutive playoff defeat at the hands of the Pittsburgh Penguins the Flyers decided that their defense was just not good enough to seriously compete come crunch time. General Manager Paul Holmgren has overhauled his defense corps and goaltending and in doing so has sent a clear message across the state and the league that this year will be different.

Goaltending

In: Ray Emery, Brian Boucher, Johan Backlund and goalie coach Jeff Reese

Out: Martin Biron, Antero Nittymaki and goalie coach Reggie Lemelin.

Inconsistency between the pipes for the Flyers was a big reason why they were made to scramble for a playoff spot in the final days of the regular season in 09. Rebound control and puck handling were just two of the many problems that plagued starter Martin Biron during the course of the year. An unrestricted free agent in June, Biron viewed himself as a top level goalie and wanted to be paid accordingly. His reported asking price was over 5 million dollars per season. Not surprisingly the Flyers passed as did every other team in the NHL when it came to rewarding Marty with such a lofty contract. Such a drastic miscalculation of value by Biron and his agent netted him just a 1 year deal for under $1.5 million dollars with the New York Islanders in late July,  a $2 million dollar paycut of what he was making with Flyers the last two years. Going to the Island, Biron currently sits behind veteran Dwayne Roloson and injured incumbent Rick Dipietro.

The Flyers took a much more creative approach in acquiring their netminders this offseason. They reached across the Atlantic to lure Ray Emery back to North America from his one year stay in Russia and before that the Flyers plucked veteran Johan Backlund away from the Swedish Elite League. Joining those two but currently on injured reserve is veteran backup and former Flyers first rounder Brian Boucher who comes back to Philly after a two year stint in San Jose. The club also released long time goalie coach Reggie Lemelin who was criticised for the long streak of goalies who always seemed to have their play deteriorate the longer they stayed in Philadelphia. Replacing Lemelin is Jeff Reese., formerly of the Tampa Bay Lightning where he won a Stanley Cup in 04. Reese is a young coach at only 43 but he is a veteran of 13 NHL seasons between the pipes and holds the league record for most points and assists in a game for a goalie with 3. Reese’s biggest job will be keeping the athletic Emery within a sound technical structure and not allowing the netminder to rely just on his natural ability.

Emery brings size, speed, and fire with him to Philadelphia. He may be the most physically talented keeper the club has had in 20 years. With Emery it’s all about whether he can keep his head on straight and not let his competitive nature overshadow the goal at hand which is obviously to just win hockey games. He is on a 1 year “show me” contract and a strong season will lead to a big pay day for the 27-year-old Ontario native. Nicknamed Razor, he dazzled in the preseason to the tune of a 1.68 gaa and an outstanding 94.0 save pct. in parts of 6 games played.

Defensemen.

In: Chris Pronger, Ole-Kristian Tollefson, Danny Syvret

Out: Randy Jones, Luca Sbisa, Andrew Alberts

Tough, smart and nasty are just a couple of the terms you can use to describe veteran defenseman Chris Pronger. A Stanley Cup champion in Anaheim in ‘07, Pronger brings his skill and leadership to a Flyers locker room and blue line that at times appeared to lose focus for stretches during last season. Paired with returning all star Kimmo Timonen, and youngsters Braydon Coburn and Matt Carle the Flyers boast arguably the best group of defensemen in the Eastern conference. Besides adding the 6′6 anchor to the group, the Flyers also replaced the depth on the final pairing aswell  as some youngesters to the mix with the Phantoms.

Gone from the organization are veteran depth man Andrew Alberts and 19-year-old prospect Luca Sbisa. Replacing them are 4th year pro Danny Syvret and the gritty former Blue Jacket Ole-Kristian Tollefson. Syvret was one of the top defenseman in the AHL last year for the Phantoms and had a strong camp where he beat out incumbent Randy Jones for a spot on the 3rd pairing with fellow former Phantom Ryan Parent. A former 3nd round pick by Edmonton, Syvret has an impressive offensive game with good vision and strong puck skills. He also possesses a strong and accurate shot from the blue line which could lead to some contributions on the 2nd unit power play as the season progresses. Syvret was a teammate of Braydon Coburn, Jeff Carter and Mike Richards on the 2005 Canadian World Junior team, where he notched the winning goal in the gold medal game over Russia to win the tournament for his country.

Forwards

In: Ian Laperierre, James Van Riemsdyk, Mika Pyorala, Blair Betts

Out: Joffrey Lupul, Mike Knuble

On the surface you would think that losing two players who both scored over 25 goals would be something that most teams would have a hard time recovering from in a short time frame. While the departure of Joffrey Lupul and especially Mike Knuble may sting, their production should be matched by not only talented youngster Claude Giroux but also the resurgent Danny Briere who is back healthy and with the explosion in his legs that he lacked when he returned from his groin strain late in the stretch run last year.

Briere could be the key to the Flyers offense as he is now being used exclusively on the right wing. He will be flanking 46 goal scorer Jeff Carter and 30 goal left winger Scott Hartnell on the Flyers most talented offensive line to start the season.

Surprising many, Flyers ‘07 first rounder James Van Riemsdyk made the final roster to open the season and will be starting out at left wing on the Flyers third line. The line will be centered by second year sensation Claude Giroux and more than likely grinder Darroll Powe on the right side. Van Riemsdyk is a big kid who many project to have similar skills to that of Columbus captain Rick Nash but obviously the comparison holds little weight considering tonight will be James’ first real NHL experience. However he was impressive early on in the preseason and appeared to develop really good chemistry with Giroux in the final 2 games.

As big a shock as JVR has been, the real surprise of camp  is 28-year-old Finnish forward Mika Pyorala coming out of nowhere to earn a spot on the top line. Coach John Stevens stated this week that Pyorala, a strong two-way veteran of the Finnish and Swedish elite leagues will start the year on the right side of Flyers captain Mike Richards and opposite all-star left wing Simon Gagne. A very smart defensive player, Pyorala has also shown some ability to put the puck in the net during the preseason which he will need to have carry over if he plans on keeping his spot next to two of the games elite forwards.

Vet’s Ian Laperierre and Blair Betts will take a lot of the defensive workload from Mike Richards and Jeff Carter. Both are good on face-offs as well as being solid penalty killers.  Laperierre’s hands also tend to find themselves being hurled at opposition players who happen to cause any trouble with his teammates. Him along with developing forward Dan Carcillo and grinders Aaron Asham and Riley Cote will give the Flyers plenty of firepower on the 4th line should anyone decide to try and take liberties with anyone dressed in orange.

Projecting is always tough, but even being as objective as possible (which is even harder to do) there are no glaring holes on this roster. If the goaltending can hold up and if the Flyers can avoid the annual rash of defensive injuries there is no reason to think that this team could not have us all see what a parade in the middle of June feels like. The first step is tonight…