Matt Said Jay Said 8706882906

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="MsoNormal">Matt: Hellooooo! Bagwine residence, gentleman of the house speaking! <br />Jay: Yo<br />Matt: You’re supposed to answer in a British accent. <br />Jay: I can’t do one. <br />Matt: And you call yourself a performer. <br />Jay: Oh I can perform. <br />Matt: STOP! Let’s not go there. <br />Jay: Your fault, you used “performer.” <br />Matt: Maybe I should have used “entertainer.” <br />Jay: I would have had no snappy comeback for that. <br />Matt: You would have said some smart ass thing. <br />Jay: That’s just who I am though. <br />Matt: That’s all anyone wants you to be. <br />Jay: I guess. Probably. <br />Matt: Yeah, probably. <br />Jay: What’s for dinner? <br />Matt: Turkey Tetrazzini<br />Jay: Excellent! I’m having chicken stew. <br />Matt: You are the Stewmeister! <br />Jay: I’m going to put that on my Twitter bio. <br />Matt: That will bring all the babes to your yard. <br />Jay: Where they can pick up the empty beer cans. <br />Matt: And then make you a sandwich. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBmJl3EMulzv9DR9h4OHG6Ha0ueEiufmyePhhRBs13j11DTzX9HhU_g6wf0xfDFYhz9_nnHZ4NI_uBDOpXz9DsNef61Xgcqs7I4FZBeXy50zcveycT0gH3KjVc-9uc7AIirdDXa8oP4CFY/s1600/glinda-the-good-witch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBmJl3EMulzv9DR9h4OHG6Ha0ueEiufmyePhhRBs13j11DTzX9HhU_g6wf0xfDFYhz9_nnHZ4NI_uBDOpXz9DsNef61Xgcqs7I4FZBeXy50zcveycT0gH3KjVc-9uc7AIirdDXa8oP4CFY/s400/glinda-the-good-witch.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p><br /></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">Jay: Ooooooo I just got poked by <span style="background: black; mso-highlight: black;">*NAME REDACTED*</span><br />Matt: Oh really? That’s hawt! <br />Jay: Aaaand I got poked by <span style="background: black; mso-highlight: black;">*Name Redacted*</span><br />Matt: I don’t really like her. <br />Jay: I want to fuck her. <br />Matt: WHHHHHAAAAATTTT? <br />Jay: What? <br />Matt: You want to what her? <br />Jay: What are you talking about? <br />Matt: What you just said. <br />Jay: I said “I’m lucky to know her.” <br />Matt: I really don’t think that’s what you said! <br />Jay: YOU’RE AN OLD MAN! <br />Matt: My hearing isn’t going THAT FAST! <br />Jay: I think it is. <br />Matt: I’m appalled at you. <br />Jay: You’ll get over it. <br />Matt: MAYBE! <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit-PaXQ693zx__UXRJ-TyOsBmFeScG4pIKfXiH2tAPwJCGZrf9YxhO6j0Ltd3C3tAZ7s-kDdrwtQ7Q4jUsmRA9YY4BGf8q1hlVRDIYO9W7928WYjjbxjKL6NgkXK-yXBwzLtGThARetbr2/s1600/Charmed+Hot+Cleavage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit-PaXQ693zx__UXRJ-TyOsBmFeScG4pIKfXiH2tAPwJCGZrf9YxhO6j0Ltd3C3tAZ7s-kDdrwtQ7Q4jUsmRA9YY4BGf8q1hlVRDIYO9W7928WYjjbxjKL6NgkXK-yXBwzLtGThARetbr2/s400/Charmed+Hot+Cleavage.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p><br /></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">Jay: Oh hey! <br />Matt: Yes? <br />Jay: What is a Wiccan? <br />Matt: Well, someone who believes in Wicca. <br />Jay: And Wicca issssss? <br />Matt: Uhh .. Well, it’s complicated. <br />Jay: Are they witches? <br />Matt: Not really. It’s nature that has magical powers. <br />Jay: Fascinating. <br />Matt: It is! Why do you ask? <br />Jay: I think we should have a Wicca expert on for our Halloween show. <br />Matt: Well, it just so happens I know someone who knows someone! <br />Jay: Sweet! <br />Matt: Wicca High Priest James Smith! <br />Jay: Well get him on the show! <br />Matt: DONE! <br />Jay: Oh man! This is gonna be HUGE! <br />Matt: IKR?! Now we have to do actual prep! <br />Jay: Whoa! I hadn’t thought about that. <br />Matt: Maybe some research. <br />Jay: Maybe even more than Wikipedia<br />Matt: Things just got real. <br />Jay: We can do it! <br />Matt: Damn right we can! <br />Jay: Okay then! I’m excited! <br />Matt: Me too! <br />Jay: Okay, bye. <br />Matt: Later <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Be sure to join us as we welcome <a href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/im-with-stupid/2013/10/27/walking-down-a-wicca-wonderland-with-rev-james-smith" target="_blank">Dr. James Smith to IWSRadio on Sunday at 12 Noon ET</a>! We will be learning all about Wicca and Druidism and maybe he’ll even teach us a good spell to use on someone! <o:p></o:p></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div></div>

Matt Said Jay Said 8706882906

Matt: Hellooooo! Bagwine residence, gentleman of the house speaking! Jay: YoMatt: You’re supposed to answer in a British accent. Jay: I can’t do one. Matt: And you call yourself a performer. Jay: Oh I can perform. Matt: STOP! Let’s not go there. Jay:…

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Yes, Kim Kardashian And Kanye West Are Signing A Prenup, But Guess Who Is Worth More

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="1024_kim_kardashian_kanye_west_prenup_article_2_tmz" src="http://ll-media.tmz.com/2013/10/24/1024-kim-kardashian-kanye-west-prenup-article-2-tmz-3.jpg" style="border: 0px none;" /></span></div>Kim Kardashian and Kanye West have already agreed ... they will keep their assets separate by drawing up a prenup before they tie the knot ... TMZ has learned.<br /><br />Multiple sources connected with the couple tell us ... both Kanye and Kim are committed to the marriage and they are NOT signing a prenup because they're worried the relationship might fall apart. But they're both business people and know given their vast wealth it's just the smart thing to do to have a prenup. <br /><a name='more'></a><br />Kim especially understands the importance of a prenup because her late father, attorney Robert Kardashian, told her over and over about the necessity of having clear contracts when it came to money.<br /><br />We're also told ... even though they will keep their assets separate, they will have a fat joint account for living expenses that will probably approach the gross national product of a small country.<br /><br />As for how much they have ... some reports place Kim's wealth at $40 mil and Kanye's at $90 mil. But we're told Kim's actually worth more than Kanye. </div>

Yes, Kim Kardashian And Kanye West Are Signing A Prenup, But Guess Who Is Worth More

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West have already agreed ... they will keep their assets separate by drawing up a prenup before they tie the knot ... TMZ has learned.Multiple sources connected with the couple tell us ... both Kanye and Kim are committed to …

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Help Wanted: Low Pay, High Risk

<b>October 25, 2013</b><br /><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/10/25/us-fukushima-workers-specialreport-idUSBRE99O04320131025">Special Report: Help wanted in Fukushima: Low pay, high risks and gangsters</a><br /><br /><div style="color: #666666;"><i>Hayashi, 41, says he was recruited for a job monitoring the radiation exposure of workers leaving the plant in the summer of 2012. Instead, when he turned up for work, he was handed off through a web of contractors and assigned, to his surprise, to one of Fukushima's hottest radiation zones.<br /><br />He was told he would have to wear an oxygen tank and a double-layer protective suit. Even then, his handlers told him, the radiation would be so high it could burn through his annual exposure limit in just under an hour.</i></div>

Help Wanted: Low Pay, High Risk

October 25, 2013Special Report: Help wanted in Fukushima: Low pay, high risks and gangstersHayashi, 41, says he was recruited for a job monitoring the radiation exposure of workers leaving the plant in the summer of 2012. Instead, when he turned up f…

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Rihanna goes nude for GQ magazine 25th anniversary cover

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /><div class="post-header" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 1em; text-align: start;"><div class="post-header-line-1"></div></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-5224984953203314801" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; position: relative; text-align: start; width: 616px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikGQaje-R-1aN_ZQpuZNlesqoVJAtAdnIwGGKTBtuj1BqF_54rTDRDCP56pm6m23KET0V5thmMCAnGKvW_19g3X97Acks_-XZwrdkBuZcAMDJzyJaGOpqdpc1c2R-LM-d_NSkAuASC1j06/s1600/00.png" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 0px; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-left-radius: 0px; border-bottom-right-radius: 0px; border-top-left-radius: 0px; border-top-right-radius: 0px; border: 1px solid rgb(158, 9, 11); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 0px; padding: 8px;" /><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzCTQ-o44fQWuONspiHAQVFMqtAKMjONySdmWbYl8TIQkVCLdMGbpSdZiNPSBjy94YzEu8rerlDOtEzT3iNprKPm5B_mvP-4QN-z6dOk4pZyoiJsUX34711aozZg9XbpuDjdALRaGX0Gyi/s1600/.01.png" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 0px; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-left-radius: 0px; border-bottom-right-radius: 0px; border-top-left-radius: 0px; border-top-right-radius: 0px; border: 1px solid rgb(158, 9, 11); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 0px; padding: 8px;" /></div>M<span data-reactid=".r[1z7kz].[0].[0].[0].[0].[0].[0]">edusa head, snakes, vampire fangs, and those coloured contact lenses...scary art! See more photos after the cut...</span><br /><div style="font-size: 13px;"><span data-reactid=".r[1z7kz].[0].[0].[0].[0].[0].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[1z7kz].[0].[0].[0].[0].[0].[0].[1].[1].[0].[0].[0].[0].[1].[2][1].[0]"></span></span><br /></div><div style="font-size: 13px;"><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8120270386125426868" name="more" style="cursor: url(http://webfactory.ng/cursor/bottle2.png), auto;"></a></div><a name='more'></a><br /><br /><div style="font-size: 13px;"><span data-reactid=".r[1z7kz].[0].[0].[0].[0].[0].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[1z7kz].[0].[0].[0].[0].[0].[0].[1].[1].[0].[0].[0].[0].[1].[2][1].[0]"></span><span data-reactid=".r[1z7kz].[0].[0].[0].[0].[0].[0].[1].[1].[0].[0].[0].[0].[1].[2][1].[5]"></span></span><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZrog6iRHL6P58uQK3DAnjMpfe3oOnjWfYitcLs4bhHKA8TwUQ663PXedduLB9wCP3YkqZvzwrYTelUQjh8BRbbvCsOQcBbrPERiyxrA8ZJMt7usnbpQva1TqHRAHJSk8yhxV3q4KufQbo/s1600/02.png" imageanchor="1" style="color: #b41e20; cursor: url(http://webfactory.ng/cursor/bottle2.png), auto; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZrog6iRHL6P58uQK3DAnjMpfe3oOnjWfYitcLs4bhHKA8TwUQ663PXedduLB9wCP3YkqZvzwrYTelUQjh8BRbbvCsOQcBbrPERiyxrA8ZJMt7usnbpQva1TqHRAHJSk8yhxV3q4KufQbo/s1600/02.png" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 0px; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-left-radius: 0px; border-bottom-right-radius: 0px; border-top-left-radius: 0px; border-top-right-radius: 0px; border: 1px solid rgb(158, 9, 11); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 0px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2PcS-JxIYnkSppq6pYwyM6ATrbNFH9SFRteYB-4O0E1fRtw4mArnne2iSB0vZQlII0WaRF3VDOFcoPEdm9Av6T2BWTZTmRGsZa7ivXt6nfcSMHG6Wd7nLmDWt_U0_dbR1pgKAsgs9BEcO/s1600/01.png" imageanchor="1" style="color: #b41e20; cursor: url(http://webfactory.ng/cursor/bottle2.png), auto; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2PcS-JxIYnkSppq6pYwyM6ATrbNFH9SFRteYB-4O0E1fRtw4mArnne2iSB0vZQlII0WaRF3VDOFcoPEdm9Av6T2BWTZTmRGsZa7ivXt6nfcSMHG6Wd7nLmDWt_U0_dbR1pgKAsgs9BEcO/s1600/01.png" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 0px; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-left-radius: 0px; border-bottom-right-radius: 0px; border-top-left-radius: 0px; border-top-right-radius: 0px; border: 1px solid rgb(158, 9, 11); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 0px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" /></a></div><div style="font-size: 13px;"><br /></div><div style="clear: both; font-size: 13px;"></div></div><div class="post-footer" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 1.5em 0px 0px; text-align: start;"></div></div>

Rihanna goes nude for GQ magazine 25th anniversary cover

Medusa head, snakes, vampire fangs, and those coloured contact lenses...scary art! See more photos after the cut...…

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The royal family's official portrait for the christening of Prince George

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-3193163921672155396" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; position: relative; text-align: start; width: 616px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaEBnk2LWppnmj-sJnqu-vHpWapK_6XJOpQmV8RqaKRq0-bl4Rh4AGBrdbPABbKVDHCy3eY2I0Lse_y-6lFdSFkna4Rf74ZyaDP_Zxf2zxsE1yuk9RQmAfyRhryzsWwB8DdN7Jva5SIy-A/s1600/18F5950F00000578-199_964x588.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #b41e20; cursor: url(http://webfactory.ng/cursor/bottle2.png), auto; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaEBnk2LWppnmj-sJnqu-vHpWapK_6XJOpQmV8RqaKRq0-bl4Rh4AGBrdbPABbKVDHCy3eY2I0Lse_y-6lFdSFkna4Rf74ZyaDP_Zxf2zxsE1yuk9RQmAfyRhryzsWwB8DdN7Jva5SIy-A/s1600/18F5950F00000578-199_964x588.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 0px; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-left-radius: 0px; border-bottom-right-radius: 0px; border-top-left-radius: 0px; border-top-right-radius: 0px; border: 1px solid rgb(158, 9, 11); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 0px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" /></a></div>The official portrait for the christening of Prince George Alexander Louis of Cambridge, the son of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and third in line to the throne, was released yesterday. Kate's family is included in the portrait which was shot at Clarence House in London on the day of the christening. See more photos after the cut...<br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8120270386125426868" name="more" style="cursor: url(http://webfactory.ng/cursor/bottle2.png), auto;"></a></span><br /><a name='more'></a><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjcpaWiNE9YFpd3uTH5Kx0e98QOIGZk-OfAxCHhKaFgxAp7QxbYUNKDEdEEpBgHGOzXS63Mosa9CvJ5vXLC52KJiApc96Hi_IqPFpH1D7LmmNKMKQSde8xZxT5apbkc3Sz0CfuyMczPv_h/s1600/18F595DF00000578-418_964x790.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #b41e20; cursor: url(http://webfactory.ng/cursor/bottle2.png), auto; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjcpaWiNE9YFpd3uTH5Kx0e98QOIGZk-OfAxCHhKaFgxAp7QxbYUNKDEdEEpBgHGOzXS63Mosa9CvJ5vXLC52KJiApc96Hi_IqPFpH1D7LmmNKMKQSde8xZxT5apbkc3Sz0CfuyMczPv_h/s1600/18F595DF00000578-418_964x790.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 0px; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-left-radius: 0px; border-bottom-right-radius: 0px; border-top-left-radius: 0px; border-top-right-radius: 0px; border: 1px solid rgb(158, 9, 11); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 0px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilx87x-r5YK3dW9TBDnpbnLBByl1q1gOVDxLailqanT1SMAxeYMSwKwnYJiRSHamb_x2z9OfRZRD2t7Akgu2QHp_oSdoZzWHzer8wm-MBgLcLiOM-QIbnMQ5q3d_I4SrjxtjGEDpLYMo0l/s1600/article-2475673-18F5E59900000578-641_964x541.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #b41e20; cursor: url(http://webfactory.ng/cursor/bottle2.png), auto; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilx87x-r5YK3dW9TBDnpbnLBByl1q1gOVDxLailqanT1SMAxeYMSwKwnYJiRSHamb_x2z9OfRZRD2t7Akgu2QHp_oSdoZzWHzer8wm-MBgLcLiOM-QIbnMQ5q3d_I4SrjxtjGEDpLYMo0l/s1600/article-2475673-18F5E59900000578-641_964x541.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 0px; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-left-radius: 0px; border-bottom-right-radius: 0px; border-top-left-radius: 0px; border-top-right-radius: 0px; border: 1px solid rgb(158, 9, 11); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 0px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOokAxpmVjDHIMsEt0TA7PbO1jszj8rBrIHtL5YDtuQmH_vtku-iMOutvijGFrvJl-tZo-WdsfAZOtQ3nCU1O0eiZaso79rV57vSUTounb7J61m25DXQBMEZHZBa_evMMpUJVTF-Hgp-AA/s1600/article-2475673-18F5934B00000578-127_472x549.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #b41e20; cursor: url(http://webfactory.ng/cursor/bottle2.png), auto; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOokAxpmVjDHIMsEt0TA7PbO1jszj8rBrIHtL5YDtuQmH_vtku-iMOutvijGFrvJl-tZo-WdsfAZOtQ3nCU1O0eiZaso79rV57vSUTounb7J61m25DXQBMEZHZBa_evMMpUJVTF-Hgp-AA/s1600/article-2475673-18F5934B00000578-127_472x549.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 0px; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-left-radius: 0px; border-bottom-right-radius: 0px; border-top-left-radius: 0px; border-top-right-radius: 0px; border: 1px solid rgb(158, 9, 11); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 0px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" /></a></div><div style="font-size: 13px;"><br /></div></div><br /></div>

The royal family's official portrait for the christening of Prince George

The official portrait for the christening of Prince George Alexander Louis of Cambridge, the son of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and third in line to the throne, was released yesterday. Kate's family is included in the portrait which was shot at…

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President Jonathan's pilgrimage to Israel Friday

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /><h3 class="post-title entry-title" style="background-color: white; color: #9e090b; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 20px; font-weight: normal; margin: 0px; position: relative; text-align: start;"></h3><div class="post-header" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px 0px 1em; text-align: start;"><div class="post-header-line-1"></div></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-3048799697937629450" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; position: relative; text-align: start; width: 616px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-8xIKtTiWcAachtFJU7zgGo3JHXyPRMlqZHtYjYPOIrfGBVP8BQYnnwoGKDwodrBOLY-lCZIYswyo_y_XNl58F3Bo1YwKCS2AZ-QH7hz64l8MxeSMm7cQxB-0kKUxKD11w64LHr4notCY/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #b41e20; cursor: url(http://webfactory.ng/cursor/bottle2.png), auto; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-8xIKtTiWcAachtFJU7zgGo3JHXyPRMlqZHtYjYPOIrfGBVP8BQYnnwoGKDwodrBOLY-lCZIYswyo_y_XNl58F3Bo1YwKCS2AZ-QH7hz64l8MxeSMm7cQxB-0kKUxKD11w64LHr4notCY/s1600/2.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 0px; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-left-radius: 0px; border-bottom-right-radius: 0px; border-top-left-radius: 0px; border-top-right-radius: 0px; border: 1px solid rgb(158, 9, 11); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 0px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" /></a></div>President Jonathan was at the wailing wall at Jerusalem old city - The place where the body of Jesus Christ was cleaned and perfumed before burial. The president was accompanied by Governor Peter Obi of Anambra state, minister of Information Labaran Maku, CAN president Ayo Oritsejafor, Gov Suswan of Benue state, Gov Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State, Reuben Abati and others. See more photos after the cut...<br /><br /><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8120270386125426868" name="more" style="cursor: url(http://webfactory.ng/cursor/bottle2.png), auto;"></a><br /><a name='more'></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6C9yzOCztAran_zQcKTTk6GNgVelF6qOr3xrnUOGY4lNuPPtq53ot8404AeczNgDal0jtqqqxGSu7o1rha7f7pz6QPO8APaFJAf9Us-w5Ww1_715XGJUVX472JF7glLurpzLnXoyy5z6R/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #b41e20; cursor: url(http://webfactory.ng/cursor/bottle2.png), auto; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6C9yzOCztAran_zQcKTTk6GNgVelF6qOr3xrnUOGY4lNuPPtq53ot8404AeczNgDal0jtqqqxGSu7o1rha7f7pz6QPO8APaFJAf9Us-w5Ww1_715XGJUVX472JF7glLurpzLnXoyy5z6R/s400/3.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 0px; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-left-radius: 0px; border-bottom-right-radius: 0px; border-top-left-radius: 0px; border-top-right-radius: 0px; border: 1px solid rgb(158, 9, 11); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 0px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcv40Iqdegog93ukkKlkgip-8iEtsjLn8u7akNf4fQOgylqYn0cNgeDlq6rqOXZJDdJL9YNbBmL6SSL6wz1Wd3VOXYGrCdYqPrUx-1j5eK7rwqu8D8ap5nY-CMHn1filaBLFtjvlpGcCsH/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #b41e20; cursor: url(http://webfactory.ng/cursor/bottle2.png), auto; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcv40Iqdegog93ukkKlkgip-8iEtsjLn8u7akNf4fQOgylqYn0cNgeDlq6rqOXZJDdJL9YNbBmL6SSL6wz1Wd3VOXYGrCdYqPrUx-1j5eK7rwqu8D8ap5nY-CMHn1filaBLFtjvlpGcCsH/s400/4.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 0px; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-left-radius: 0px; border-bottom-right-radius: 0px; border-top-left-radius: 0px; border-top-right-radius: 0px; border: 1px solid rgb(158, 9, 11); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 0px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj24fgvLPW1fPDQuQ0OIXimkq07liLvhEMC7FHOLTySijc6QJ_5kz9-_IDSMIXC6J9sq6S2OuiBrTuEElx1J5DFQni4QuM9PIBrf_S1wS4JwxHaMfIJREtnrFlEgLhcxtKBp5ExuXgU3Il_/s1600/9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #b41e20; cursor: url(http://webfactory.ng/cursor/bottle2.png), auto; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj24fgvLPW1fPDQuQ0OIXimkq07liLvhEMC7FHOLTySijc6QJ_5kz9-_IDSMIXC6J9sq6S2OuiBrTuEElx1J5DFQni4QuM9PIBrf_S1wS4JwxHaMfIJREtnrFlEgLhcxtKBp5ExuXgU3Il_/s400/9.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 0px; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-left-radius: 0px; border-bottom-right-radius: 0px; border-top-left-radius: 0px; border-top-right-radius: 0px; border: 1px solid rgb(158, 9, 11); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 0px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeC4-_wP1LJBJH9bqEmAZcEoffzd0OfvYFC83Na8Paa2UR_xlzusM5Qu_ztsreUcWoIYGnnw6OcHQ9dc5BwAG-ZEBPA2GhJMwEm_Xe75b-6FtRvwDwpbbdjnh0g8zD-wuwCWdnUXRVVVt6/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #b41e20; cursor: url(http://webfactory.ng/cursor/bottle2.png), auto; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeC4-_wP1LJBJH9bqEmAZcEoffzd0OfvYFC83Na8Paa2UR_xlzusM5Qu_ztsreUcWoIYGnnw6OcHQ9dc5BwAG-ZEBPA2GhJMwEm_Xe75b-6FtRvwDwpbbdjnh0g8zD-wuwCWdnUXRVVVt6/s400/5.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 0px; 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background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-left-radius: 0px; border-bottom-right-radius: 0px; border-top-left-radius: 0px; border-top-right-radius: 0px; border: 1px solid rgb(158, 9, 11); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 0px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixMkw4E0jYk6U3IT6LaSGx1nTohet7vzOCvZwd-lofFHNTtrsOCIlCM70XSB0vYlRVmL0Vjf6UCj5bnpbc-NkSzWWj9tnX5xCdR20DINm205LU4uj6iD_sKVRU_lHkC8mzoYBoIbyjN1fd/s1600/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #b41e20; cursor: url(http://webfactory.ng/cursor/bottle2.png), auto; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixMkw4E0jYk6U3IT6LaSGx1nTohet7vzOCvZwd-lofFHNTtrsOCIlCM70XSB0vYlRVmL0Vjf6UCj5bnpbc-NkSzWWj9tnX5xCdR20DINm205LU4uj6iD_sKVRU_lHkC8mzoYBoIbyjN1fd/s400/7.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 0px; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-left-radius: 0px; border-bottom-right-radius: 0px; border-top-left-radius: 0px; border-top-right-radius: 0px; border: 1px solid rgb(158, 9, 11); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 0px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr6KkL3mpybSGA9R5Pd0QJRKRhiRVxu8uVJzBmeFfuvnzIxFt70lf8Nz8Kg7xrm29TrAMe3uiRmh4oqiaJndQwH4RCvep1joHb-TWjfmF5iQOngktlBsqMN-qega2WKpteQ0QALW10t_EK/s1600/92.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #b41e20; cursor: url(http://webfactory.ng/cursor/bottle2.png), auto; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr6KkL3mpybSGA9R5Pd0QJRKRhiRVxu8uVJzBmeFfuvnzIxFt70lf8Nz8Kg7xrm29TrAMe3uiRmh4oqiaJndQwH4RCvep1joHb-TWjfmF5iQOngktlBsqMN-qega2WKpteQ0QALW10t_EK/s400/92.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 0px; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-left-radius: 0px; border-bottom-right-radius: 0px; border-top-left-radius: 0px; border-top-right-radius: 0px; border: 1px solid rgb(158, 9, 11); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 0px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpp0YHEDKloFNs9DcXfKokOR5D2btWFHH5UqGjpZt_U6ydqAcBQZubL2A10L31SVDGNAtoQAzUA2t0YGDWFqxqecLqKpRQJztbZgDAelB-5cpy9JIhNkOSaKhvlJ94tiq9mmiEFHgnUcsY/s1600/PIC+4a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #b41e20; cursor: url(http://webfactory.ng/cursor/bottle2.png), auto; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpp0YHEDKloFNs9DcXfKokOR5D2btWFHH5UqGjpZt_U6ydqAcBQZubL2A10L31SVDGNAtoQAzUA2t0YGDWFqxqecLqKpRQJztbZgDAelB-5cpy9JIhNkOSaKhvlJ94tiq9mmiEFHgnUcsY/s640/PIC+4a.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 0px; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-left-radius: 0px; border-bottom-right-radius: 0px; border-top-left-radius: 0px; border-top-right-radius: 0px; border: 1px solid rgb(158, 9, 11); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 0px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="422" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsUsiRnbL5Mf4gv2ISZuuc2v_Wlk3ersbRidZLLYrP0sRa8mTVgD5HmQK1XK3JRpkOw7gPl2olm7geIXS6S1QQzRDVLjCvC1yXj5M1RbPe6xRXB46vHAoaSH1x1rvsMPbxuYNJlIO5zKOo/s400/8.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 0px; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-left-radius: 0px; border-bottom-right-radius: 0px; border-top-left-radius: 0px; border-top-right-radius: 0px; border: 1px solid rgb(158, 9, 11); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 0px; padding: 8px;" width="400" /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Pics from Day 1</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The president accompanied by governor Martins Elechi of Ebonyi state, Gov Theodore Orji of Abia state, and many others...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7zZLHV5kE2Nx6_bjh8rs0UkurINwWuqJ6y2wDAqrvyj-ZbJFfPhDxw6SfmDbm7FtmHbz9eg2TJbQ_WJOtzLs6_ZvecJuz0dd3eq2mwu391sF5xEvbYKrnHCGBBYXTS99lR5SnRMIz8Jct/s1600/PIC+1a+ISREAL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #b41e20; cursor: url(http://webfactory.ng/cursor/bottle2.png), auto; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7zZLHV5kE2Nx6_bjh8rs0UkurINwWuqJ6y2wDAqrvyj-ZbJFfPhDxw6SfmDbm7FtmHbz9eg2TJbQ_WJOtzLs6_ZvecJuz0dd3eq2mwu391sF5xEvbYKrnHCGBBYXTS99lR5SnRMIz8Jct/s400/PIC+1a+ISREAL.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 0px; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-left-radius: 0px; border-bottom-right-radius: 0px; border-top-left-radius: 0px; border-top-right-radius: 0px; border: 1px solid rgb(158, 9, 11); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 0px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwr66v4i5aMIqPHmpDBsyf9N3zKESVwVl6QFKese_2X_28hpfHwKA_hDOcfgXFbhsc1DNY4qpXDTF5cVC-U2SiN3WvDDkbWNJElm7jK-32NNHpacqMaUD3ofOFIb4Jk9ecnkO6xsmkjXVL/s1600/PIC+2+ISREAL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #b41e20; cursor: url(http://webfactory.ng/cursor/bottle2.png), auto; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwr66v4i5aMIqPHmpDBsyf9N3zKESVwVl6QFKese_2X_28hpfHwKA_hDOcfgXFbhsc1DNY4qpXDTF5cVC-U2SiN3WvDDkbWNJElm7jK-32NNHpacqMaUD3ofOFIb4Jk9ecnkO6xsmkjXVL/s400/PIC+2+ISREAL.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 0px; 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background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-left-radius: 0px; border-bottom-right-radius: 0px; border-top-left-radius: 0px; border-top-right-radius: 0px; border: 1px solid rgb(158, 9, 11); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 0px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLQWRrDXpcxar0jjAECPIJrfLo5moU_L_OC2uvX168j-lg7l4MOYktBCDbXaM97KWy-PbJV-fYtsy7NiV4UJdMwhIT1kkyR5lStnWzbbubdKS2j0i4K1ZDL6lIhYxGHudDnwT2b3Pk4FGO/s1600/PIC+5+ISREAL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #b41e20; cursor: url(http://webfactory.ng/cursor/bottle2.png), auto; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLQWRrDXpcxar0jjAECPIJrfLo5moU_L_OC2uvX168j-lg7l4MOYktBCDbXaM97KWy-PbJV-fYtsy7NiV4UJdMwhIT1kkyR5lStnWzbbubdKS2j0i4K1ZDL6lIhYxGHudDnwT2b3Pk4FGO/s400/PIC+5+ISREAL.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 0px; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-left-radius: 0px; border-bottom-right-radius: 0px; border-top-left-radius: 0px; border-top-right-radius: 0px; border: 1px solid rgb(158, 9, 11); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 0px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzXq0WRHdlRNEL50CFQ-16MZSSYvgPssHDpRc0q2XledL9C78jfO-fsDo9Qaca-HZXG9pEIlMpt8DD0oT3cxKdGvZIfs0YwvlNtm6JtKrxfldD_AKbbyZMjkdMHYtWy9kF0kBwAkG4yewz/s1600/PIC+6.+ISREAL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #b41e20; cursor: url(http://webfactory.ng/cursor/bottle2.png), auto; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzXq0WRHdlRNEL50CFQ-16MZSSYvgPssHDpRc0q2XledL9C78jfO-fsDo9Qaca-HZXG9pEIlMpt8DD0oT3cxKdGvZIfs0YwvlNtm6JtKrxfldD_AKbbyZMjkdMHYtWy9kF0kBwAkG4yewz/s400/PIC+6.+ISREAL.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 0px; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-left-radius: 0px; border-bottom-right-radius: 0px; border-top-left-radius: 0px; border-top-right-radius: 0px; border: 1px solid rgb(158, 9, 11); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 0px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX2U9GgJ3MBLGnYsTt4HgjiloeYCtyL8ygTuRUUKCWjeBUlDGfBnGbgwnQlbb08vVyypFKyhGwTRtQO-uqm7hJQjrb9Y_EJ8gCOiUmFPm9iNDfwBueEA3AFcgVQo54kLuqFABSaHVdVbfg/s1600/PIC+8+ISREAL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #b41e20; cursor: url(http://webfactory.ng/cursor/bottle2.png), auto; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX2U9GgJ3MBLGnYsTt4HgjiloeYCtyL8ygTuRUUKCWjeBUlDGfBnGbgwnQlbb08vVyypFKyhGwTRtQO-uqm7hJQjrb9Y_EJ8gCOiUmFPm9iNDfwBueEA3AFcgVQo54kLuqFABSaHVdVbfg/s400/PIC+8+ISREAL.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 0px; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-left-radius: 0px; border-bottom-right-radius: 0px; border-top-left-radius: 0px; border-top-right-radius: 0px; border: 1px solid rgb(158, 9, 11); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2) 0px 0px 0px; padding: 8px; position: relative;" width="400" /></a></div><div style="font-size: 13px;"><br /></div></div></div>

President Jonathan's pilgrimage to Israel Friday

President Jonathan was at the wailing wall at Jerusalem old city - The place where the body of Jesus Christ was cleaned and perfumed before burial. The president was accompanied by Governor Peter Obi of Anambra state, minister of Information Labaran …

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Autumn at western Virginia's Douthat State Park

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxGjH1LR_7NpkMbi_af_O_43l3I2UWgi_DKwDjEjhi_PuqFnbwdgi-RyTSEypRxO04OL7GZfrCShEYCDyzzAocQKVYCuWLaRgzUsVJVX04-_Fr7TA4KcO5QRAUN7VomY1wFRrA8SCJz1sn/s1600/32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxGjH1LR_7NpkMbi_af_O_43l3I2UWgi_DKwDjEjhi_PuqFnbwdgi-RyTSEypRxO04OL7GZfrCShEYCDyzzAocQKVYCuWLaRgzUsVJVX04-_Fr7TA4KcO5QRAUN7VomY1wFRrA8SCJz1sn/s640/32.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/dou.shtml">Douthat State Park</a> is located in the Allegheny Mountains of western Virginia. The park has 4,546 acres in Bath and Alleghany counties and includes a 50-acre lake. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a class="fl q kno-desca-lnk" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douthat_State_Park"><span class="kno-desca"></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi50thbdDPgK4JRuoC8O5OaPaJQzBwYowfBgU4Gy5Sx5gMKC-IOSZWDf1mT8DUJaerYZAd4qPWa0QFuVAnemw6AkkLqTqOwvnxQFMeQMkrdvk9uTSdrtgI8nRLHFX0aysfXbuWW9RVcp615/s1600/29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi50thbdDPgK4JRuoC8O5OaPaJQzBwYowfBgU4Gy5Sx5gMKC-IOSZWDf1mT8DUJaerYZAd4qPWa0QFuVAnemw6AkkLqTqOwvnxQFMeQMkrdvk9uTSdrtgI8nRLHFX0aysfXbuWW9RVcp615/s400/29.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">A traditional family park for 75 years, Douthat is listed on the National Register of Historic Places for the role its design played in the development of parks nationwide. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Rgy1w6PR-VIHSJcHJ2B7DMmECyoQ8RIn320DPOuntGHlt768k8AuWCwLTjPCVRjWkxnjXBxJJ_0BVi5qZYdv84XNpkj0WWpXquG6BGqinZ6P-DyafTJJzV38GLbjGuuZYxrX_Gmu20cl/s1600/30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Rgy1w6PR-VIHSJcHJ2B7DMmECyoQ8RIn320DPOuntGHlt768k8AuWCwLTjPCVRjWkxnjXBxJJ_0BVi5qZYdv84XNpkj0WWpXquG6BGqinZ6P-DyafTJJzV38GLbjGuuZYxrX_Gmu20cl/s400/30.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Amid some of Virginia's most breathtaking mountain scenery, visitors enjoy interpretive programs, two miles of stream fishing, a 50-acre lake stocked with trout, a sandy swimming beach with snack bar, boat rentals, a gift shop and camp store, cabins, and more than 43 miles of hiking, mountain biking and bridle trails. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOnepvcReX3DpJOSSIMyazaCwj2yuBCxN0qptA2vbOP4XQv6zXhk3caCz8z5j1h2YQJN_bHm5rJIBRRtEfNn1hQN_yfg41Ddg-Mtis8R0PkgJEcQD-6LntuKDs1SW0KncBcSyrqqfPFew4/s1600/31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOnepvcReX3DpJOSSIMyazaCwj2yuBCxN0qptA2vbOP4XQv6zXhk3caCz8z5j1h2YQJN_bHm5rJIBRRtEfNn1hQN_yfg41Ddg-Mtis8R0PkgJEcQD-6LntuKDs1SW0KncBcSyrqqfPFew4/s400/31.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Plus, there are playgrounds, an amphitheater, picnic areas, tent and trailer camping, and a restaurant overlooking the lake. The park also has 32 cabins and three lodges that accommodate 15, 16 and 18 guests each.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFBYeCwzg6P2fKgyCb_Knvo4x4NsBZY5zOm9gui5-m9qSpX9mz9RgvzdqrogZJBEwVYFC5I5epdcUK4_O7HXLZCinRtQLoEZxJ5IjoeKNyXGUn0foOlJTQIqdvFu78FE1v10ISY0t1xNs_/s1600/33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFBYeCwzg6P2fKgyCb_Knvo4x4NsBZY5zOm9gui5-m9qSpX9mz9RgvzdqrogZJBEwVYFC5I5epdcUK4_O7HXLZCinRtQLoEZxJ5IjoeKNyXGUn0foOlJTQIqdvFu78FE1v10ISY0t1xNs_/s400/33.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRMLdLdWXKPWjcM6COvZmmFQezkjhUC2gNussa9jMwoe102-y5SJ-VRzXSNtTigpnHW5iaWX3esPj7ixH12kHkseAJKpwaGm5jnxhOz_VcAc_S_VPl7eZ26w0YgJMELD65-0khxNS2zqd_/s1600/34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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Mitchell<br />October 24, 2013

Alleghany County Bath County Douthat State Park Lynn R. Mitchell tourism Virginia Is For Lovers western Virginia Autumn at western Virginia's Douthat State Park

Douthat State Park is located in the Allegheny Mountains of western Virginia. The park has 4,546 acres in Bath and Alleghany counties and includes a 50-acre lake. A traditional family park for 75 years, Douthat is listed on the National Register of…

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The Counselor: Guilty as charged

<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><b><i>The Counselor</i> </b></span></span></span></span></span></span><b>(2013) • <a href="http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/fox/thecounselor/" style="color: #27a9c5; text-decoration: none;">View trailer</a></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><b> </b><br /><b>No stars (turkey). Rating: R, for graphic violence, grisly images, profanity and strong sexual content</b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b>By <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/12885694730612878577" style="color: #27a9c5; text-decoration: none;">Derrick Bang</a> • </b></span>Originally published in <i><a href="http://www.davisenterprise.com/" style="color: #27a9c5; text-decoration: none;">The Davis Enterprise</a></i>, 10.25.13</b></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cormac McCarthy apparently felt that 2009’s big-screen adaptation of his novel <i><a href="http://derrickbang.blogspot.com/2010/11/road-futile-journey.html">The Road</a></i> wasn’t sufficiently bleak, violent or morally depraved, so he upped his game with the original screenplay for this glossy bit of rubbish.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdO7MLg_yVs9vnrd-NB4ZtYMb0jzjx5n-Ulfpyj9VwMPAf1OzSmjEpVybEeMGqV_TyhSmNZXLTwnbhlLJiMt6Rq3BJdo-M-KjRHgqF_AASJLyhXKGvvXonf3CIHHkbrh72mRnlDcOthtA/s1600/The+Counselor+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdO7MLg_yVs9vnrd-NB4ZtYMb0jzjx5n-Ulfpyj9VwMPAf1OzSmjEpVybEeMGqV_TyhSmNZXLTwnbhlLJiMt6Rq3BJdo-M-KjRHgqF_AASJLyhXKGvvXonf3CIHHkbrh72mRnlDcOthtA/s400/The+Counselor+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Despite repeated, protracted and viciously descriptive warnings from Westray (Brad Pitt,<br />left), our imbecilic title character (Michael Fassbender) stubbornly insists on getting<br />involved with a massive shipment of illegal drugs. After all, what could go wrong?</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rarely have so many A-list stars been involved in such a lamentable waste of time.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>The Counselor</i> isn’t merely set in a world of abominable behavior; McCarthy’s characters are cheerfully pragmatic about it. No act too vile to contemplate? They don’t merely contemplate; they discuss barbarism with the thoughtful ease of two fellows comparing cigar brands in a gentlemen’s club. Then, having laboriously exhausted the subject, director Ridley Scott ensures that we’ll eventually get to <i>watch</i>each degenerate act.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">McCarthy has a Pulitzer Prize to his credit, for the aforementioned <i>The Road</i>, and rumor suggests that he’s under consideration for a Nobel Prize for literature. The characters in his novels often struggle with moral ambiguity in an increasingly cynical world, although we’re generally able to sympathize with a well-meaning protagonist, whether John Grady Cole in <i>All the Pretty Horses</i>, or Sheriff Ed Tom Bell in the grimmer <i>No Country for Old Men</i> (adapted into a sensational 2007 film by Joel and Ethan Coen).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But there’s nobody to like in <i>The Counselor</i>; indeed, it’s difficult to even understand most of the characters who populate this deadly dull study of ill-advised acts and their horrible consequences. Everybody is morally compromised at best, or sociopathic, or indifferently brutal. Everybody except the token innocent, that is, who may as well be wearing a sign that reads “Sacrificial Lamb.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mind you, a roster of degenerates isn’t necessarily bad in and of itself; Quentin Tarantino has a way of extracting wonderfully dark entertainment from the vicious swine who inhabit, say, Pulp Fiction or <i><a href="http://derrickbang.blogspot.com/2009/09/inglourious-basterds-paths-of-gloury.html">Inglourious Basterds</a></i>. But that’s precisely the point: Tarantino characters are engaging for the way they revel in their bad behavior, whereas the increasingly tiresome players in this drama give new meaning to the word “boring.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><a name='more'></a><br /><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And <i>goodness</i>, how they talk. Talk, talk, talk ... most of them trying to impress our title character — his given name never revealed — with their deeply philosophical, even poetic views on the nature and consequences of vice. They all sound like frustrated university English professors.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Needless to say, real people — particularly dangerous criminals — don’t talk this way, but this twisted story isn’t deep enough to qualify as some sort of parable. It’s simply dull, and you’ll quickly tire of actors who declaim with the faux intensity of bad Shakespearean performers.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our “hero” invariably stands, blank-faced, during all these exchanges, asking moronic questions that encourage the continuance of each tedious conversation. He demonstrates the intelligence and perceptive savvy of a 5-year-old child, which makes one wonder how he has been able to curry favor, at least initially, with so many upper-echelon bad guys.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I knew we were in trouble, early on, when The Counselor — as everybody calls him — endures a lengthy discussion on the nature and imperfections of diamonds: a didactic sermon that quickly devolves into the dullest lecture imaginable. It goes on <i>forever</i>. Does it have anything to do with what follows? Is this diamond merchant a key character, and will we see him again? Is the diamond itself, which The Counselor eventually purchases, somehow significant? Nope, nope and nope.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Granted, this microscopically flawed gem foreshadows an ongoing theme of flawed behavior, and particularly the rather sexist notion, offered (at tedious length) by Reiner (Javier Bardem), that all women prefer imperfect men. But that point is obvious long before this interminable scene concludes ... and it’s merely the first of numerous interminable scenes.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Scott opens his film with The Counselor (Michael Fassbender) in bed with his lover, Laura (Penélope Cruz): also an oddly protracted sequence intended to convey playful intimacy, which somehow misses that mark and slides toward vulgarity. Maybe it’s the smug look on Fassbender’s face, which clashes with Cruz’s gently affectionate smile.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is an early indication of the degree to which Fassbender, generally a much better actor, swans through much of this film with expressions and body language that seem a little bit off, if not downright wrong. He simply doesn’t work as a character.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Anyway, for reasons we never learn, The Counselor has gotten himself into deep financial doo-doo. He therefore embarks on two foolhardy plans: to open a nightclub in partnership with Reiner, a decadent entrepreneur with connections to The Wrong Sort of People. Worse yet, this scheme will be financed — and The Counselor’s money problems “solved” — by his involvement with a massive drug shipment from Mexico to the States.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Everybody warns The Counselor not to do this, not to take this step, because Actions Have Consequences. Reiner warns him. At length. Westray (Brad Pitt), the middleman in this proposed arrangement, also warns him. At greater length. The Counselor smiles blandly, asking stupid questions and making brainless observations, then does it anyway.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We can’t help wondering <i>how</i> our protagonist is allowed to participate in this $20 million drug deal. What’s his buy-in? Why is he taken at face value by off-camera drug barons who obviously would be suspicious of such a dumb neophyte?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Actually, that’s the major problem with this screenplay. We know <i>nothing</i> about our title character. Is he an essentially good man making one ghastly mistake, or a longtime sleaze who deserves what comes next? How has he gotten to know these people? Why does he seem to represent only shady individuals, such as Ruth, the tough felon played with almost comical prison ’tude by Rosie Perez?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It’s like this guy parachutes into this storyline, no identity or background given, and then does stuff simply because The Script Says So.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rubbish.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Scott is equally clumsy with respect to logging key events. There’s no sense of time in this mess. Do days pass? Weeks? When, precisely, does The Counselor spring Ruth’s adult son from jail, thus allowing this kid to meet his destiny and set up the catastrophe that ruins everything?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Much is made, as well, of the drug shipment cleverly concealed within a truck of liquid waste: a truck that gets hijacked not just once, but twice, ultimately winding up under the control of ... who? Do we care?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not in the least.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We do know that the initial double-cross is orchestrated by Reiner’s girlfriend, Malkina (Cameron Diaz), a brilliant sociopath who delights in destroying people: an act that she regards as an erotic high. She identifies with Reiner’s two pet leopards, and the athletic grace with which they chase down prey; she even has leopard-style spots tattooed on her back. It’s an intriguing role for Diaz, but — again — Malkina remains a cipher, despite one fleeting remark regarding her childhood.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Malkina certainly is the most interesting character in this morass, but that’s damning with <i>very</i> faint praise.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pitt, alternatively, is the most interesting actor: the only one who puts just the right spin on his performance. He looks and behaves like the cautious, slightly mocking type who’d be found in such circumstances, who knows that the odds are certain to catch up with him, but — like an addicted gambler — can’t walk away from the table.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The production values are as dull as McCarthy’s script. Dariusz Wolski’s cinematography is washed out and lifeless, and he doesn’t do anything interesting with interiors that range from seamy to opulent. Daniel Pemberton’s tuneless score is actually irritating ... but not nearly as irritating as Scott’s reliance on tight close-ups, as these people chatter on, and on, and on.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I cannot imagine what anybody saw in this script, even given the obvious allure of working with McCarthy. And I definitely can’t imagine why the execs at 20th Century Fox believed they had something worth releasing. This rancid flick should have been staked like a vampire, its head lopped off — as happens more than once, during this saga — and buried in a separate grave.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bad movies come in many flavors, but nothing is worse than being boring. <i>Perpetually</i> boring. Grindingly, offensively, sadistic-for-the-hell-of-it boring.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings></xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing> <w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing> <w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> </w:Compatibility> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276"> </w:LatentStyles></xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 10]><style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} </style><![endif]--> <!--StartFragment--> <!--EndFragment--><br /><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You’ve been warned.</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>

2013 Brad Pitt Cameron Diaz crime drama Goran Visnjic Javier Bardem Michael Fassbender Natalie Dormer Penelope Cruz Ridley Scott Rosie Perez Turkey The Counselor: Guilty as charged

The Counselor (2013) • View trailer No stars (turkey). Rating: R, for graphic violence, grisly images, profanity and strong sexual contentBy Derrick Bang • Originally published in The Davis Enterprise, 10.25.13Cormac McCarthy apparently felt that 200…

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Boehner refuses to meet with AZ delegation

<h2 class="entry-title"></h2><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://cronkitenews.asu.edu/assets/images/13/10/22-boehner-pray-inside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="266" src="http://cronkitenews.asu.edu/assets/images/13/10/22-boehner-pray-inside.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">After being told they could not meet with House Speaker John Boehner, the group of 44 immigration reform advocates stood in line in the hallway outside his office and prayed – and vowed to continue doing so for a week or until they get a meeting. (Cronkite News Service photo by Pei Li)</span></span> </b></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>By PEI LI</b></span></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><i>Cronkite News Service</i></b></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b></b></span></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><i> </i></b></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b></b></span></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>WASHINGTON – They rode for 43 hours in a bus from Phoenix, hoping to appeal to House Speaker John Boehner on immigration reform, but when they arrived at his office in Washington they were turned away.</b></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b></b></span></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>So the group of 44 Arizonans gathered in the hallway outside Boehner’s district office Tuesday, singing and praying and vowing to wait – for a week or for a meeting with the speaker, whichever comes first.</b></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b></b></span></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>“We are interested in any minute or moment of the day he has for us, even that’s five minutes, we would accept any time at all,” said Ian Danley, youth programs director of the Phoenix-based <a href="http://nmphx.com/">Neighborhood Ministries</a>.</b></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b></b></span></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>“We will wait until that happens,” said Danley, who led the group Tuesday.</b></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>The group left Phoenix on Saturday and arrived in Washington on Monday, with “moms, dads, children, and a lot of people of faith, DREAMers and students,” said Reyna Montoya, one of the advocates. She said they came to ask Boehner “to give a vote on immigration reform.”</b></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b></b></span></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>The Senate in June passed a comprehensive <a href="http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BILLS-113s744es/pdf/BILLS-113s744es.pdf">immigration reform bill</a> that includes new language on visas, tough new border security requirements as well as a potential pathway to citizenship for the estimated 11 million immigrants who are in this country illegally.</b></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b></b></span></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>But that bill has stalled in the House, where Boehner has said he will not be rushed into considering the sweeping comprehensive Senate bill. Instead of putting the Senate bill on the floor, the House has instead considered a number of smaller measures, each of which includes part of the larger Senate package.</b></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b></b></span></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>House Democrats earlier this month tried to force the issue, introducing their own 1,100-page comprehensive immigration bill that mirrors the Senate measure – minus the tough border-security language. But that bill has yet to have a hearing, and a spokesman for Boehner said Tuesday that the speaker’s position has not changed.</b></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b></b></span></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>“The speaker remains committed to a step-by-step process to fix our broken immigration system,” said Michael Steel, the spokesman.</b></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b></b></span></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>The Arizona group had hoped to urge Boehner to allow a vote on any of the bills that included a pathway to citizenship. But they were greeted at his office Tuesday by an aide who offered to deliver their concerns, but who said the speaker’s schedule was full for the day and the office too small to accommodate the group.</b></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b></b></span></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>So the group prayed for about 20 minutes for Boehner to protect their families from deportation, before starting to sing and sway in the hallway. U.S. Capitol Police told them to keep it down and to stand along the side of the hallway, then watched as the group did just that.</b></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b></b></span></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>“We are coming with a lot of hope, with a lot of faith, we want him (Boehner) to know these families can’t wait any longer,” Montoya said. “We believe he as a man of God, as a Catholic, he can do the right thing for the nation.”</b></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b></b></span></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Montoya called the trip a grass-roots effort, funded with $5 and $10 donations from friends and family and fueled with burritos made for the bus ride by their mothers. The group plans to sleep on the floor of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church while in Washington.</b></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b></b></span></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Among the advocates was Jesus Magana, an Air Force veteran who said the “same country that I served and risked my life for is the country that is tearing my family apart” – his sister is in the midst of deportation proceedings.</b></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b></b></span></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>“I really love the military, I love my country,” said Magana, who planned to serve “until they kick me out.”</b></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b></b></span></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>“But I found a bigger fight back home,” he said of his family’s situation.</b></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b></b></span></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>“There is a lot of people who would like to speak to Speaker Boehner, and tell their story,” Magana said Tuesday. “Even if it’s 30 seconds, we would take that.”</b></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b></b></span></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>But when Danley tried Boehner’s office door, he found it locked.</b></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b></b></span></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>“Nobody is letting us in,” he said.</b></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b></b></span></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>That did not deter members of the group like Montoya, who graduated last year from Arizona State University and said her father is now in deportation proceedings.</b></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b></b></span></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>“I am a woman of faith,” she said. “We will be here every day.”</b></span></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b></b></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b></b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #0b5394;"><span style="color: #e69138;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b> </b></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #0b5394;"><span style="color: #e69138;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b></b></span></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: #0b5394;"><span style="color: #e69138;">  IMMIGRATION INUNDATION  </span></span></span></b></span></span></div><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b></b></span></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b> </b></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b></b></span></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Advocates from Arizona said they don’t care which of the many immigration-reform bills currently before the House is voted on, as long as it includes a pathway to citizenship, like the Senate bill passed in June. The bills are:</b></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b></b></span></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b> </b></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Senate immigration bill:</b></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>- S744: A comprehensive measure dealing with border security, worker visas, a pathway to citizenship and other measures.</b></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>House immigration bills:</b></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>- The Strengthen and Fortify Enforcement (SAFE) Act: Allows local law enforcement to enforce immigration laws.</b></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b></b></span></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>- The Legal Workforce Act: Requires employers to use the E-verify system when hiring.</b></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b></b></span></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>- The Agricultural Guestworker Act: Establishes a temporary guestworker program for agriculture workers.</b></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b></b></span></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>- SKILLS Visa Act: Creates an immigration path for workers in science and engineering fields.</b></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b></b></span></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>- HR 15: Introduced this month by House Democrats, it mimics the Senate bill but strips out the tough border-security measures in that bill.</b></span></span><br /><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b></b></span></span>

HERITAGE NATIONAL NEWS PERSPECTIVE STATE NEWS Boehner refuses to meet with AZ delegation

After being told they could not meet with House Speaker John Boehner, the group of 44 immigration reform advocates stood in line in the hallway outside his office and prayed – and vowed to continue doing so for a week or until they get a meeting. …

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HIT OR MISS: Johnny Depp's Blonde Hair

<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL6bETZQ8OXxwythFsWji10H8onwKnkrXj0D4YXw7axkA9EhE3e1i-TggjJh-ioy-rclUwOGxoCicQls1I4oAHoWz16NH-l7NEM5xE6gG-yhhOK-_kvAWrBMQ8P1EgfR0rVT_BEarW3_Rn/s1600/johnny+depp+in+blonde.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Blonde Johnny Depp [duchessofandrogyny.blogspot.com]" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL6bETZQ8OXxwythFsWji10H8onwKnkrXj0D4YXw7axkA9EhE3e1i-TggjJh-ioy-rclUwOGxoCicQls1I4oAHoWz16NH-l7NEM5xE6gG-yhhOK-_kvAWrBMQ8P1EgfR0rVT_BEarW3_Rn/s1600/johnny+depp+in+blonde.jpg" title="Blonde Johnny Depp [duchessofandrogyny.blogspot.com]" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Johnny Depp has gone blonde. Like or dislike?</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br />

hit or miss johnny depp blonde hair HIT OR MISS: Johnny Depp's Blonde Hair

Johnny Depp has gone blonde. Like or dislike?…

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SciFi Now Visit The Set Of Doctor Who: The Day Of The Doctor

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibTOqOcSbYQq49kyd6VT4JAYHTyf19E__1N4cB5OoAcLADSVXbx3pKkEVk797Ik-gK7RKJ83ODKcxqqEJGfkEh9Vky2BUJYVSH89aok_pvEx3GcAuTeyXgL7BSqNB_WVpoYKZ4Hzulvle-/s1600/001_sfn_086+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibTOqOcSbYQq49kyd6VT4JAYHTyf19E__1N4cB5OoAcLADSVXbx3pKkEVk797Ik-gK7RKJ83ODKcxqqEJGfkEh9Vky2BUJYVSH89aok_pvEx3GcAuTeyXgL7BSqNB_WVpoYKZ4Hzulvle-/s1600/001_sfn_086+(1).jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The new issue of SciFi Now magazine, out now, contains a celebration of 50 years of Doctor Who. There's a look at all eleven incarnations of the Time Lord, a preview of the Mark Gatiss-scripted drama <i>An Adventure In Space And Time</i>, and their exclusive account of a visit to the set of <i>Doctor Who: The Day Of The Doctor.</i></span><br /><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Set Visit: Doctor Who</b></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On set in Cardiff, Joanna Page is terrified that she will mislay pages of the highly secret script</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"It's so scary, because your name is written across every single page of the script. 'My God, don't put them in the bin! Make sure I shred them!' I'm terrified that something's going to be found on the pavement and it's going to have 'Joanna Page' over it and then they're going to hang me," she says</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Matt Smith says of the reappearance of the Tenth Doctor, "I think having the meeting of Doctors sort of sprinkles a bit of fairy dust on it, you know? Even for the crew and everyone, just seeing the costumes next to each other, seeing the Converse and the bow tie...it's kind of cool."</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">David Tennant talked about returning. "You don't know quite how you're going to feel about it," he said. "And you never know entirely if it's wise to go back to anything. But with <i>Doctor Who</i> there has always been the precedent, so I guess it was always there as a possibility. It's not like I'm doing a season, it's very much a lovely thing to revisit for a handful of filming days, and something that I still feel very fondly about. I had a very wonderful, happy time here, so it's no great trial to have another wee go."</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Read the full feature in Issue 86 of SciFi Now, available now in the UK</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><a href="http://greatdigitalmags.com/view/scifinow/2621/scifinow-issue-86" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A digital edition of the magazine can be downloaded here</span></a><br /><br /><br />

David Tennant Doctor Who Doctor Who 50th Anniversary Joanna Page Matt Smith The Day Of The Doctor SciFi Now Visit The Set Of Doctor Who: The Day Of The Doctor

The new issue of SciFi Now magazine, out now, contains a celebration of 50 years of Doctor Who. There's a look at all eleven incarnations of the Time Lord, a preview of the Mark Gatiss-scripted drama An Adventure In Space And Time, and their exclusiv…

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'ALEC, GOP undermine our constitutional guarantees'

Here's a candidate for best<a href="http://staugustine.com/opinions/2013-10-25/ideology-trumps-reason#.UmrZnfmkqjd" rel="nofollow"> Letter to the Editor</a> Ever. <br /><br />Nancy Staples wrote about <a href="http://alecexposed.org/" rel="nofollow">ALEC</a>, the corporate escort service for state lawmakers, in a well-reasoned letter to <a href="http://staugustine.com/">StAugustine.com</a>. She began,<br /><blockquote>Our United States Constitution was a compromise between many very strong willed men who often held opposing views about government. </blockquote><blockquote>They had the courage to look at both points of view and find a solution. Not so today. </blockquote><blockquote>The wisdom and reason that has allowed this nation to function for over 200 years, is missing, and the word compromise does not exist.</blockquote>She reminds us of what we all know: That political discussion in this country is divisive and vitriolic, and the words "freedom" and "patriot" are used to demean opposing points of view.<br /><br />And she calls out the Republican Party and ALEC: <br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">The Republican party I belonged to for many years was inclusive, but it has been usurped into a corporate shill for the wealthy, with the American Legislative Exchange Council as its guide. Our Republican representatives use ideology rather than reason for every law they make and every vote they cast. </blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq">They disrespect, not only our president, but the very institution of government which they claim to represent and swear an oath to protect. </blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq">I respect people who do not share my personal political and spiritual beliefs or ethical standards. But that idea of having respect for our differences died and has been replaced by vitriol.</blockquote>And she nails the problem on the head:<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">As long as self-interest (Gerrymandered districts), greed (unlimited campaign contributions) and PAC and corporate influence (Heritage Foundation, Koch brothers) wield the power over decisions our representatives make, “We The People”, will never have what our constitutional guarantees.</blockquote>True that.

ALEC political parties 'ALEC, GOP undermine our constitutional guarantees'

Here's a candidate for best Letter to the Editor Ever. Nancy Staples wrote about ALEC, the corporate escort service for state lawmakers, in a well-reasoned letter to StAugustine.com. She began,Our United States Constitution was a compromise between m…

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Hot Springs, Va: The Homestead welcomes guests

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMU6hEVjzX6cWkkVPyUdQTA4Vb4vajgXoc13u_zZ8zTK1pYMqTACFFx1LS0h7MCqppFCKQd4l4HL2p03ByQh5GPu7Gz3YBSbSvO1v-uUW0zTjoiqlR1rqiQIKag0oWPJ6gDe13yDcE1SwC/s1600/11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMU6hEVjzX6cWkkVPyUdQTA4Vb4vajgXoc13u_zZ8zTK1pYMqTACFFx1LS0h7MCqppFCKQd4l4HL2p03ByQh5GPu7Gz3YBSbSvO1v-uUW0zTjoiqlR1rqiQIKag0oWPJ6gDe13yDcE1SwC/s400/11.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Homestead Resort has been housing guests in western Virginia since 1766. Thomas Bullett, Charles and Andrew Lewis were part of the militia and surveyors during the French and Indian War. They were told of the many healing qualities of the waters in the area around present day Hot Springs, Virginia. In 1764, at the end of the war, Captain Bullett received Gold and Silver for his services and received a colonial land grant of 300 acres which contained seven natural mineral springs from Colonel George Washington.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis_Ihh2bFYvDmDIaiS11iC8DZHS5RycVoFU4KFRd1FBveRFPbnsAeTxwKYVFs3PTe9JdHxMhyphenhyphenVUa_lrEdRl0wG6zd9fM0RUByyRmz_4s2RPUsTupAlw6udthdiTcqwvKdyJyMreZCOfolS/s1600/9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis_Ihh2bFYvDmDIaiS11iC8DZHS5RycVoFU4KFRd1FBveRFPbnsAeTxwKYVFs3PTe9JdHxMhyphenhyphenVUa_lrEdRl0wG6zd9fM0RUByyRmz_4s2RPUsTupAlw6udthdiTcqwvKdyJyMreZCOfolS/s400/9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">After receiving the land grant, Captain Bullett moved his militia company and their families to the area. Within two years, the land was cleared and an 18-room wooden hotel was completed. In 1766, The Homestead was opened and named in honor of the homesteaders who built the resort and bathhouses. From 1764 till 1778, Colonel Bullett along with his family operated the resort. During the American Revolutionary War, Colonel Bullett died during battle and his family retained ownership of the resort until 1832.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyTIdQngOYNJ5VoSwh13GQryE6J4bu2UfGxrN8pZ-y4SolbPrDiA8_c5_hbPd5UxWnhRiiDw6N2SmCE9zJDazSFHhsFUAXWrSbbhdZNA736VKyxjcDkVICscwLJsY1fF84IzqBzrUBrEO9/s1600/13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyTIdQngOYNJ5VoSwh13GQryE6J4bu2UfGxrN8pZ-y4SolbPrDiA8_c5_hbPd5UxWnhRiiDw6N2SmCE9zJDazSFHhsFUAXWrSbbhdZNA736VKyxjcDkVICscwLJsY1fF84IzqBzrUBrEO9/s400/13.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">In 1832, Dr. Thomas Goode and his family purchased the resort from the Bullett Family along with the Resort in Warm Springs and Healing Springs. He was a prominent physician and is responsible for the European style of many different spa therapies. One of the most famous treatments still in use is the Cure, which is a salt scrub followed by a Swiss shower. Dr. Goode passed away in 1858 and upon his death, the family took over the ownership until the early 1880s.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsPH_vGKeYRhPZu6v_yvmw7OO4ywJRBVE-4pLdVv2DJhXx5q-XaysElqd5TY4oYlgmOPMvMBvHZTbibUDTj3RcP2-4FucdtYaduM3nH_x0Lzc5lQnff5aNJezJ18iHlFsXpufeJO9bpato/s1600/15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsPH_vGKeYRhPZu6v_yvmw7OO4ywJRBVE-4pLdVv2DJhXx5q-XaysElqd5TY4oYlgmOPMvMBvHZTbibUDTj3RcP2-4FucdtYaduM3nH_x0Lzc5lQnff5aNJezJ18iHlFsXpufeJO9bpato/s400/15.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">M.E. Ingalls, a prominent lawyer from Cincinnati, Ohio came to the area in 1881, while doing research for the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad Company. The railroad was looking to expand the lines into the area when Mr. Ingalls came upon the resort. For almost seven years, Mr. Ingalls, J. P. Morgan, and many other investors came to an agreement to purchase The Homestead and build a spur into the Hot Springs area. Within the first year of ownership, the investors raised over $1 million to build a whole new hotel.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW0oERLSrIPPMFVR9lFGVXZNj-cTMD926f9jImkzBKKsb15TvxWtjJakBKy05WZ8hBFxtUhLiJHR9_VWpSV1UcH7R24cerkUUfXu0MsBZWqOvmBg-R5RYZEdMxwk11wFQ4tTkLv0AmM39Z/s1600/16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW0oERLSrIPPMFVR9lFGVXZNj-cTMD926f9jImkzBKKsb15TvxWtjJakBKy05WZ8hBFxtUhLiJHR9_VWpSV1UcH7R24cerkUUfXu0MsBZWqOvmBg-R5RYZEdMxwk11wFQ4tTkLv0AmM39Z/s400/16.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">On July 2, 1901, a fire, which started in the pastry shop, burned the entire resort. With the resort not being at full capacity, everyone was able to escape without any serious injury or loss of life. The staff was able to save the Spa, Casino, the cottages in Cottage Row, and the Virginia Hotel.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXegGdFH7ZqPjvIky4CDTxV69mW2Wj_xyvw6O7Gq-QkyiOvgFxPiV3sJm2mK3Y3dCaXKzc2cKoAI3kLXQwF0WKls3GzCnXarSlaSGpmy23vmjk3BGkGZUwXUd25A_EWA8xDUEx6YKSscUp/s1600/12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXegGdFH7ZqPjvIky4CDTxV69mW2Wj_xyvw6O7Gq-QkyiOvgFxPiV3sJm2mK3Y3dCaXKzc2cKoAI3kLXQwF0WKls3GzCnXarSlaSGpmy23vmjk3BGkGZUwXUd25A_EWA8xDUEx6YKSscUp/s400/12.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The day after the fire, Mr. Ingalls, Mr. Decatur Axtell, who was President of the resort, and the many investors met to discuss the resort's future. With the smoke and embers still in the distance and insurance not available, they came to the conclusion to rebuild the resort. Within a year, March 10, 1902, the Great Hall was completed and the Homestead was back in business. Former guests of the resort were returning to the grand hotel they loved. Within two years, the West Wing was added.<br /><br />In 1911, the Ingalls family acquired the resort. The East Wing was added in 1914, and M.E. Ingalls, Sr. passed away. In 1921, the Empire, Crystal, Garden rooms and Theatre were completed and in 1929, our tower was finished. The last major addition during the Ingalls family ownership was the Garden Wing in 1973.<br /><br />In 1993 Club Resorts, a part of ClubCorp, acquired The Homestead and began a total restoration. In 2001 The Homestead unveiled a new Grand Ballroom and outdoor pool, along with state-of-the-art snowmaking for the ski area and a new Shooting Club House and Pavilion.<br /><br />In 2012, "The Next Chapter" was launched with the addition of Allegheny Springs - a new children's play zone, family pool, 400 ft. lazy river and water slides.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDaCGw86VLBxbOu2vGeQDfmMJPGq0hBuongrAiUEQRhB82SnKylgts4-M-82jewteEqnxkX-BRXSwUIjVCnhGwWyN-7ayGg1ITgyYgZdr7CYEgIq-JfRucS7JFbKc5g77ElsE1B5ZjMNMY/s1600/14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDaCGw86VLBxbOu2vGeQDfmMJPGq0hBuongrAiUEQRhB82SnKylgts4-M-82jewteEqnxkX-BRXSwUIjVCnhGwWyN-7ayGg1ITgyYgZdr7CYEgIq-JfRucS7JFbKc5g77ElsE1B5ZjMNMY/s400/14.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thehomestead.com/sam-sneads-tavern">Sam Snead's Tavern</a>.</div><br /><br />Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell<br />History from <a href="http://thehomestead.org/">TheHomestead.com</a> <br />October 24, 2013

Hot Springs Lynn R. Mitchell The Homestead tourism Virginia Is For Lovers Hot Springs, Va: The Homestead welcomes guests

The Homestead Resort has been housing guests in western Virginia since 1766. Thomas Bullett, Charles and Andrew Lewis were part of the militia and surveyors during the French and Indian War. They were told of the many healing qualities of the water…

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