WATER CRISIS in West Virginia

<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;">*****UNSAFE WATER*****</span></span></b><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;"> </span> </span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Stock up on WATER FILTERS</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvzES1zq5PNLwzVITWQonAiiqNg2O03P469osPO1ETzqXTv7LljArSGihw8_dAdyO5UaffmXrkXqdhK-t5qpRBn7AaOxaspGlmwxGFhhQ8s11SdK3O8kWTGvIoSRJ9qFcTR_89PVXltbQw/s1600/berkeywaterfilter.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvzES1zq5PNLwzVITWQonAiiqNg2O03P469osPO1ETzqXTv7LljArSGihw8_dAdyO5UaffmXrkXqdhK-t5qpRBn7AaOxaspGlmwxGFhhQ8s11SdK3O8kWTGvIoSRJ9qFcTR_89PVXltbQw/s1600/berkeywaterfilter.jpeg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">More than 300,000 people affected</span> </b></div><br /><b>When the OFFICIAL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES give the ALL CLEAR then you know YOU'RE SAFE RIGHT?</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Government gives ALL CLEAR and then the smelly water returns.  Several schools have been closed and there are growing concerns regarding the situation.   Here is a report of someone fainting and another hospitalized.  Hundreds of thousands of West Virginia residents are affected by this crisis:</b></div><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/0W9d3Ye187I?feature=player_detailpage" width="640"></iframe>

WATER CRISIS in West Virginia

*****UNSAFE WATER*****  Stock up on WATER FILTERSMore than 300,000 people affected When the OFFICIAL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES give the ALL CLEAR then you know YOU'RE SAFE RIGHT?Government gives ALL CLEAR and then the smelly water returns.  Several schools…

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Day 0: Team-work! Team-work! Team-work!

<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This morning I tried watching women’s moguls on my Chromebook, but the buffering was every five seconds or so. My other computer ended up buffering, too, but it managed to actually show most of the events. Today’s roundup: </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">women’s moguls, men’s team figure skating short program, pair’s team figure skating short program, women’s slopestyle, </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span></span></div><b id="docs-internal-guid-10d78aac-0af8-2b11-bb96-2a685f0bdd7c" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I gotta say I </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">really</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> enjoyed the team figure skating setup. There are only ten skaters in each group, which means the rounds go faster, and we’re probably only seeing the best skaters out there. </span></span></div><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Another awesome visual was having all the teams in their own personal kiss-and-cry areas rinkside. When I first tuned in, the male skater from Germany was performing, and then I was shocked to see the </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">entire German team</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> with him in the results area, going crazy with German flags and other various items! From other teams I saw scarves, crazy hats, and teddy lions. (I think that’s what I saw Team GB holding.) That was a great way to show the camaraderie of the skaters. Figure skating is made out to be an individual sport (even in pairs and ice dancing) and this showed a completely different side to figure skating. I really like it!</span></span></div><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mini Blurbs</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></div><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Integration!</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> My students today calculated figure skating totals - they added the component and technical scores and then subtracted the deductions. They enjoyed watching the performances and determining if the skater(s) would get deducted. Sometimes they would come up with “Why didn’t he get deductions?  He landed on two feet!” I have some future figure skating judges in my classroom.</span></span></div><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">They also spent some time today discussing the geography of Europe and highlighting Russia’s history. We’ll be talking more about Russia on Monday.</span></span></div><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Plushenko strikes again:</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Yes, Evgeni Plushenko is an amazing jumper and technically wonderful. It’s clear that he’s trying to get some more artistry points, especially since in 2010 Evan Lysacek beat him out pretty much soley because of his artistry. </span></span></div><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">I think it would be fun to hear him do a routine based on something lighthearted or goofy. Every piece he picks is POWER! DRIVE! INTENSITY! (BORING!)</span></span></div><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Slopestyle:</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> I hadn’t seen any women’s slopestyle, but I had seen some men’s slopestyle. The men’s was full of twists, flips, helis, and more. I know I was just watching qualifications today, but the women aside from Torah Bright and Jamie Anderson weren’t really doing all that much. I hope they bring it all out on Sunday for the final.</span></span></div><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">It’s pretty interesting to see the setup of slopestyle - the run isn’t timed, and you can choose to do as much or as little as you want when it comes to spins and flips. No routine will be the same. That kind of scoring wouldn’t have flown 30 years ago. It’s very 21st century-style thinking there.</span></span></div><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The dude from Canada</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">: Everyone has such positive things to say about Canada’s Patrick Chan, but I really haven’t seen his best work when I watch him. He’s a world champion, so he’s not like Jeremy Abbot, who just freezes in international competition, but I’ve seen some great skaters from Europe that I know will probably be better than Chan.</span></span></div><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">(By the way, if the USA qualifies for the free skates, I wouldn’t be surprised if Abbot gets kicked out in favor of Jason Brown, which the US team can do between the short and long programs.)</span></span></div><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Pairs:</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> My kids watched two pairs’ figure skating routines, including Americans Marissa Castelli and Simon Shnapir, and they were audibly awed by the spins, lifts, death spirals and throws by the pairs couples. It was clear that they no longer thought figure skating was only for the ladies. </span></span></div><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">By the way, how about that routine from Canada’s Megan Duhamel and Eric Radford? Through the legs! Into his arms! Over her head! Crazy death spiral! So many little things that other pairs skaters aren’t doing. Canada drives me nuts sometimes, but I have to agree that the routine was great. Oh, and Radford COMPOSED THAT MUSIC HIMSELF. Now I’m jealous.</span></span></div><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Weather:</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> I remember in Vancouver the skiers and snowboarders weren’t too pleased with the snow in the mountains. Today looked </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">incredible</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> in the mountains of Russia. </span></span></div><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Save my knees, please:</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> I will never do moguls. Just watching them ride those little hills makes my knees ache. The moguls actually looks larger and more treacherous this year. My knees hurt even more.</span></span></div><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">That’s it for tonight. Tomorrow: a live blog of the Olympic Opening Ceremony!</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVDsfSt_dWhA47Jljl3ncd3D4L07urA5yLuRV_4SuWWutdAbbvGnnBlWTQmA1qu3gmjzvEor7D68ig71z6kGJm_ZvQTAVGKKfdpc3eI6xX47EKyKlEdn6DaJIXP4fM0fUt121g2gzKQ8g/s1600/olympic_rings_568.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVDsfSt_dWhA47Jljl3ncd3D4L07urA5yLuRV_4SuWWutdAbbvGnnBlWTQmA1qu3gmjzvEor7D68ig71z6kGJm_ZvQTAVGKKfdpc3eI6xX47EKyKlEdn6DaJIXP4fM0fUt121g2gzKQ8g/s1600/olympic_rings_568.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span>

Day 0: Team-work! Team-work! Team-work!

This morning I tried watching women’s moguls on my Chromebook, but the buffering was every five seconds or so. My other computer ended up buffering, too, but it managed to actually show most of the events. Today’s roundup: women’s moguls, men’s team …

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WEATHER WARFARE in progress across North America

<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: red;">*****THE ULTIMATE WEATHER WARNING***** </span></b></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>ARTIFICIAL ICE NUCLEATION for WEATHER MODIFICATION</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>What is going on with the weather?</b></span></div><ul><li><b>Large amounts of cattle dying</b></li><li><b>Ice boulders in Lake Michigan</b></li><li><b>Unusual JET STREAM and STORM TRACKS completely out of phase</b></li><li><b>Massive Persistent Polar Air Mass</b></li><li><b>Extreme and unnatural weather conditions</b></li><li><b>California a CLIMATE SACRIFICE ZONE </b></li></ul><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Something is not right with this atmosphere</span> </b></div><br /><b>As some of you know I'm storm chaser David Casper who has appeared LIVE on The Weather Channel and various national networks while actively storm chasing from about 2007 though 2012.  Although I'm not an official accredited meteorologist I have studied weather as a pilot and air traffic controller for over 20 years and have enough understanding of these matters to do sufficient research regarding the rising concerns of weather modification that are being discussed of late.  </b><br /><br /><b>I'm in the process of reviewing much of this at the present time and have elected not to come to conclusions about these chemtrails as I have never been briefed on some clandestine aerial operations in my 20 years as an air traffic controller in several of our major facilities across the U.S.A. including Washington D.C., Pittsburgh, and the Chicago area.  </b><br /><br /><b>As a pilot also I have never been privy to any unusual clandestine operations either.  I have been retired for several years now which has resulted in being completely disconnected from my involvement in the National Airspace System and any of my former connections with air traffic operations has now ended nor do I remain current in any of these particular functions.</b><br /><br /><b>My main interest now is severe weather reporting and forecasting of which has also taken kind of a back seat due to the media no longer contracting with independent photo-journalists and storm chasers as myself who used to provide them with broadcast quality video services.  </b><br /><br /><b>So as I stated above I am going to review these various and sundry weather conspiracies that are surfacing over the last several years now and are beginning to cause growing concern among the general public.</b><br /><br /><b>There was a particular day here where an Alberta Clipper like system came down and produced what I considered an unusual amount of snow for such a dry system.  The snow was also a very unusual powdery snow that accumulated about 6 to 7 inches and the composition of such was so unusual that it didn't even feel like real snow.  It was an incredible dry and fluffy snow that was very powdery like.  For some reason I didn't pay too much mind to it and was ignoring the situation but in retrospect it was unusual how it sublimed in below zero Fahrenheit temperatures and was gone within a day or so leaving very little recollection of what it really was.  Now I wish I would have checked into that a bit closer.</b><br /><br /><b>I did notice that the birds would attempt to land on the snow beneath the bird feeders only to sink into the snow like quick sand and disappear followed by intense flapping of their wings to escape from that entrapment and fly radically away to a nearby tree or bush and just sit there for a while.  It was very strange snow and it was mentioned briefly among friends and family.  </b><br /><br /><b>There may indeed be some credibility to these reports as I have noticed these upper level dynamics to be incredibly cold especially seeing H925 and H850 temperatures the coldest I have ever seen on any weather map.  Also there has been more wind than normal with very strong surface winds wrapping around that large and persistent gyre that has become to be known as THE POLAR VORTEX.  </b><br /><br /><b>I'll have more on this as I study it further:    </b><br /><ul></ul><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Gt18c3AIqDE?feature=player_detailpage" width="640"></iframe><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/5yZhh2leRJA?feature=player_detailpage" width="640"></iframe><br /><br />

WEATHER WARFARE in progress across North America

*****THE ULTIMATE WEATHER WARNING***** ARTIFICIAL ICE NUCLEATION for WEATHER MODIFICATIONWhat is going on with the weather?Large amounts of cattle dyingIce boulders in Lake MichiganUnusual JET STREAM and STORM TRACKS completely out of phaseMassive Pe…

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Happy Birthday February 7th!!

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfTpFoaL_5O_UjxTxMpbD4hR_JE9tj2tm5s660AFfimFgUbRO3V57mohkUia4tb9nAvspQ8KfLoipB2sAluRPmjWLGbnihru-43AdaRanNZjJoPP0wGkaQPtnJJaFQrbjaHw5_jtiYlE9X/s1600/7th-birthday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfTpFoaL_5O_UjxTxMpbD4hR_JE9tj2tm5s660AFfimFgUbRO3V57mohkUia4tb9nAvspQ8KfLoipB2sAluRPmjWLGbnihru-43AdaRanNZjJoPP0wGkaQPtnJJaFQrbjaHw5_jtiYlE9X/s1600/7th-birthday.jpg" width="295" /></a>Cheeeeeeeers Bitches and a very happy February 7th to you all.  February 7th may be the most spectacular <br />date contained within the Gregorian calendar.<br /><br />Do you know why February 7th has been such an important date both throughout history and remains so today?<br /><br />Because…<br /><br />February 7th is the date on which many of the most talented people who have ever lived, and who live today, were born.<br /><br />What?  Don’t believe me?  Listen up…er…read up, because folks born on February 7th form a star-studded line-up of pure talent the world has yet to see burgeon forth from any other day of the year.<br /><br />It’s true.  In fact if we were to have on huge birthday party for significant people born on February 7th, this is who we would invite.<br /><br />First up and foremost, Charles Dickens…<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqTYEWQh-Za9powLq17iCI8sml47VcZ0X2Vk0M9VHMUP9zJ_oaqsiZfaR2TO0NoyN-ZycC4SgMtKy0FsHRUiehoF5orqeJQ3qbnpUDEOAQ1TiJ6hC8CEyr7XZRkL8Cv-fGUIaQ0Sy-_4Iw/s1600/Charles+Dickens+Funny.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqTYEWQh-Za9powLq17iCI8sml47VcZ0X2Vk0M9VHMUP9zJ_oaqsiZfaR2TO0NoyN-ZycC4SgMtKy0FsHRUiehoF5orqeJQ3qbnpUDEOAQ1TiJ6hC8CEyr7XZRkL8Cv-fGUIaQ0Sy-_4Iw/s1600/Charles+Dickens+Funny.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />What’s not to like about the author of <i>Tale of Two Cities</i>, <i>David Copperfield</i>, and <i>A Christmas Carol</i> among others, and who, although dead at the age of 58, still managed to find sperm enough to create 10 babies!!? He was a rock star!!<br /><br />Secondly…We can invite one James Spader.  I dig ol’ Emmy Award winning actor James Spader, not as much as his former Boston Legal co-star Bill Shatner, but Jim-Spade is a righteous dude.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyGynk-ufRQFvd9thEdKg3FS4EiPRgFXVRdSV2XaVLePtdx1ktYDmMcZnlSMLrCCHy-M0445yNKBpOGKYv9HH-oqA7hIlvdFnkaEeGIMHxt-lJscBYF3Q-FSEItbpQ6TBkErUi9n8riBPX/s1600/James+Spader+William+Shatner+Boston+Legal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyGynk-ufRQFvd9thEdKg3FS4EiPRgFXVRdSV2XaVLePtdx1ktYDmMcZnlSMLrCCHy-M0445yNKBpOGKYv9HH-oqA7hIlvdFnkaEeGIMHxt-lJscBYF3Q-FSEItbpQ6TBkErUi9n8riBPX/s1600/James+Spader+William+Shatner+Boston+Legal.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Of course we need the talented gay community represented, so let’s raise a birthday glass of cheer to Robert Smigel, aka the voice of Triumph the Insult Comic Dog, a man who also created SNL’s, <i>The Ambiguously Gay Duo</i> cartoons…That’s funny shit right there.  Here’s a birthday rainbow for you Bobby-Smi, and yes I know you are only gay when being a Super Hero!!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv4QrcV_5EaCQRq5MhpuUHx1cnyMKQ9-1vd0kIBD2oRrZ7W0ii_Fr3bBioMkMqtCaHamvJT73f40zmxhptzTSSahR7-FmCet74aCw6esZblHBTdGBUxPFG3N7Yy8qht80nGPQVnADG-dBY/s1600/Robert+Smigel+Insult+Dog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv4QrcV_5EaCQRq5MhpuUHx1cnyMKQ9-1vd0kIBD2oRrZ7W0ii_Fr3bBioMkMqtCaHamvJT73f40zmxhptzTSSahR7-FmCet74aCw6esZblHBTdGBUxPFG3N7Yy8qht80nGPQVnADG-dBY/s1600/Robert+Smigel+Insult+Dog.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />You know what we are missing from this <i>Born on the 7th of February Party</i>?  A hot chick.  So…<br /><br />It is now, that I invoke the name of one of the hottest chicks to ever grace the landscape of cheese and whey, Wisconsin’s own, Laura Ingalls Wilder…Oh sure she wore long skirts and wrote about family time on the prairie, but beneath that corn-fed façade, she was one hot butter-churner, if ya know what I mean.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJBIHuwiRCjHekA9Ek5h7_l682sZiIK-pi8D3sNOcf10A3HWiMaKUNzZw6XQ2lKawJqLPTaJGzo5D74DhmRyj2ZhyoJPC8EDuzPEJUa3aviowNlLCAYiZDWPMgH7tOmTTmrRFgs3iOp809/s1600/Laura+Ingalls+Wilder+Hot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJBIHuwiRCjHekA9Ek5h7_l682sZiIK-pi8D3sNOcf10A3HWiMaKUNzZw6XQ2lKawJqLPTaJGzo5D74DhmRyj2ZhyoJPC8EDuzPEJUa3aviowNlLCAYiZDWPMgH7tOmTTmrRFgs3iOp809/s1600/Laura+Ingalls+Wilder+Hot.jpg" width="315" /></a></div><br />And you know, our party needs some color of sorts, and that’s why we need to invite this man to our Birthdays on February 7th Party…<br /><br />There are a lot of funny people in this world but nobody, and I mean nobody is funnier than this this man who was born February 7, 1965...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio175oLp1MUGI_4we2K66pOUKBRRZcT7XhReKCCwvIxSOzzFcXhUfcwvIdTauXfRPAYI-GcBPk94qzvakS02b2KzK6ZVXbmq9MbpLDNDup0wvjCn5FSsUm5tb8VtIn4XwyCecTAG6Wem1t/s1600/Chris+Rock+Hilarious.jpg-w=500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio175oLp1MUGI_4we2K66pOUKBRRZcT7XhReKCCwvIxSOzzFcXhUfcwvIdTauXfRPAYI-GcBPk94qzvakS02b2KzK6ZVXbmq9MbpLDNDup0wvjCn5FSsUm5tb8VtIn4XwyCecTAG6Wem1t/s1600/Chris+Rock+Hilarious.jpg-w=500.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Damn right, Chris Rock is a freak of funny nature and he would sit at the, <i>Born on the 7th of February Party</i> at the right hand of the host.<br /><br />And, who would host such an extravaganza full of talent, wit, and merriment?<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiryt8aQxYwkx1rOOzQMP4Bhvn4yj7DOg4vOImAaXfu_FQx-KatVq1GsJGzhPko8aS0bQJ4GpHH7fgoQtZbSr28-QfHHjAyEgT8VrWDTHYzutOS0cyW-I7ysMhueUxhJiNLey3O5CnXFXeA/s1600/Matt+Man+Smoke.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiryt8aQxYwkx1rOOzQMP4Bhvn4yj7DOg4vOImAaXfu_FQx-KatVq1GsJGzhPko8aS0bQJ4GpHH7fgoQtZbSr28-QfHHjAyEgT8VrWDTHYzutOS0cyW-I7ysMhueUxhJiNLey3O5CnXFXeA/s1600/Matt+Man+Smoke.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />Yours truly, because like all of these other awesome people, I was also  born on February 7th.  And in fact, February 7, 1965, which means…<br /><br />I am as funny as Chris Rock, which of course, you already knew, so…<br /><br />Don’t fawn all over my greatness, simply wish me...The Matt-Man, and Chris Rock a very Happy Birthday.<br /><br /><i>Thanks and Cheers!!</i><br /><br />Matt-Man<br /><br /><a href="mailto:mattmaniws@ymail.com">mattmaniws@ymail.com</a><br /><a href="https://twitter.com/MattMan_IWS" target="_blank"><i><span style="color: blue;">@mattman_iws</span></i></a><br /><a href="https://www.facebook.com/mattmaniws" target="_blank"><i><span style="color: blue;">My Facebook Page</span></i></a></div>

Happy Birthday February 7th!!

Cheeeeeeeers Bitches and a very happy February 7th to you all.  February 7th may be the most spectacular date contained within the Gregorian calendar.Do you know why February 7th has been such an important date both throughout history and remains so …

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Expect POWER GRID and COMMUNICATION interruptions

<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>We are getting closer to SHTF</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/ZBRgUKTRWtI?feature=player_detailpage" width="640"></iframe></div>

Expect POWER GRID and COMMUNICATION interruptions

We are getting closer to SHTF…

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Toothpaste Tube Bombs TERROR ALERT

<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;">*****TOOTHPASTE TERRORISTS*****</span> </span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">TOOTHPASTE TUBE BOMBS</span> </b></div><br /><b>Watch out now if you're seen with a TUBE OF TOOTHPASTE.  You may be assaulted by LAW ENFORCEMENT COMBAT TEAMS:</b><br /><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/zpqrrpWx7eE?feature=player_detailpage" width="640"></iframe><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>NO TOOTHPASTE ALLOWED!</b></span></div><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/QiJb0xqMlwE?feature=player_detailpage" width="640"></iframe>

Toothpaste Tube Bombs TERROR ALERT

*****TOOTHPASTE TERRORISTS***** TOOTHPASTE TUBE BOMBS Watch out now if you're seen with a TUBE OF TOOTHPASTE.  You may be assaulted by LAW ENFORCEMENT COMBAT TEAMS:NO TOOTHPASTE ALLOWED!…

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Cass Freight Shipping Index

<a href="http://www.cassinfo.com/Transportation-Expense-Management/Supply-Chain-Analysis/Cass-Freight-Index.aspx">The Cass Freight Index</a><br /><br /><div style="color: #666666;"><i>Data within the Index includes all domestic freight modes and is derived from $23 billion in freight transactions processed by Cass annually on behalf of its client base of hundreds of large shippers. These companies represent a broad sampling of industries including consumer packaged goods, food, automotive, chemical, OEM, retail and heavy equipment. Annual freight volume per organization ranges from $1 million to over $1 billion. The diversity of shippers and aggregate volume provide a statistically valid representation of North American shipping activity.</i></div><br />The following chart shows the annual average of the index (to remove seasonal variations).<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIYyt03PgfTRB98OL5-4yFrndK_oYEzR5aq-iBm80yar9oX4yQgeFuWzIENLk5pjulyLrwDaU6dG_D86BB_ERO1PeIkroH9I6oOPecHSitn7guCHK3OF5GRZFwUcO_kYIZE-vMNRE7JvY/s1600/Cass+Freight+-+Annual+Average.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIYyt03PgfTRB98OL5-4yFrndK_oYEzR5aq-iBm80yar9oX4yQgeFuWzIENLk5pjulyLrwDaU6dG_D86BB_ERO1PeIkroH9I6oOPecHSitn7guCHK3OF5GRZFwUcO_kYIZE-vMNRE7JvY/s320/Cass+Freight+-+Annual+Average.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">Click to enlarge.</span><br /><br />Looks like we've got zero chance of making it back to 2006 levels. Oh, well.<br /><br />The following chart shows the year over year percentage change.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimqhl6GmUs3k5Qyh0eGr-SvyQnpNH50v7gzbfG0eMz1-1c9S5FnzaxiYIF2lMLGJLXWmUMCDTIIeBw3Lhg6fe2vnv2-G8EWmBsfKBnglTvtj5g2H3_Jo4kKvKYrwGW6yt4MSqgHSZEYa4/s1600/Cass+Freight+-+Annual+Growth.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimqhl6GmUs3k5Qyh0eGr-SvyQnpNH50v7gzbfG0eMz1-1c9S5FnzaxiYIF2lMLGJLXWmUMCDTIIeBw3Lhg6fe2vnv2-G8EWmBsfKBnglTvtj5g2H3_Jo4kKvKYrwGW6yt4MSqgHSZEYa4/s320/Cass+Freight+-+Annual+Growth.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">Click to enlarge.</span><br /><br />Look at that strong and robust recovery! Ignore the part where the growth is stagnant or negative (the last 2 years or so).<br /><br /><div style="color: red;"><b>The future's so bright, I gotta swear, "Hades!"</b></div><br />Oops. Somebody moved the "s" and added a comma. D'oh!<br /><br /><b>Source Data:</b><br /><a href="http://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/graph/?g=rNb">St. Louis Fed: Custom Chart #1</a><br /><a href="http://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/graph/?g=rN6">St. Louis Fed: Custom Chart #2</a>

Cass Freight Shipping Index

The Cass Freight IndexData within the Index includes all domestic freight modes and is derived from $23 billion in freight transactions processed by Cass annually on behalf of its client base of hundreds of large shippers. These companies represent a…

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The Velvet Cult and barnone11970 collection

<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>SURVEY THIS:</b></span></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/AVvXsEjj2FFSkvxuMii8DWA-M9RCoq4C3n5an6nAK8PDc6eLf7ZDPVd6cYV1hqSWFFGIsk7S7oJJJ5MLOtAgvb8YzC0qvZEiHBfZRhAyxcjNXWKdqeW8KzVgb5Z_bqE5l-txhm1CCVLPMWH_K-k/s1600/christ-middle-finger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj2FFSkvxuMii8DWA-M9RCoq4C3n5an6nAK8PDc6eLf7ZDPVd6cYV1hqSWFFGIsk7S7oJJJ5MLOtAgvb8YzC0qvZEiHBfZRhAyxcjNXWKdqeW8KzVgb5Z_bqE5l-txhm1CCVLPMWH_K-k/s1600/christ-middle-finger.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>PEACE!</b></span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhK0_geL1Txv1tH0fsmtkEGJNjS2WRt9k9KXHVw0VRHYg854BTQV0BSlMGXfgvQxC5a4-qPfIiVDLuTswgMWgA0lKT1GnZ85fpEfHI0wuGtZ9fc_GWX1KipZ8YRKRdfRjMOrPiqzYV1Mg/s1600/ANONYMOUSfacePIC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhK0_geL1Txv1tH0fsmtkEGJNjS2WRt9k9KXHVw0VRHYg854BTQV0BSlMGXfgvQxC5a4-qPfIiVDLuTswgMWgA0lKT1GnZ85fpEfHI0wuGtZ9fc_GWX1KipZ8YRKRdfRjMOrPiqzYV1Mg/s1600/ANONYMOUSfacePIC.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>barnone11970 wants you to take his survey on Obamacare:</b></span><br /><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/yhFcqERjRRY?feature=player_detailpage" width="640"></iframe><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Some great videos to add to the mystique of the "freeman on the land:"</b></span><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/-b4QZW226sw?feature=player_detailpage" width="640"></iframe><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Pmj7azoOyl0?feature=player_detailpage" width="640"></iframe><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/7tUla95vKmU?feature=player_detailpage" width="640"></iframe>

The Velvet Cult and barnone11970 collection

SURVEY THIS:PEACE!barnone11970 wants you to take his survey on Obamacare:Some great videos to add to the mystique of the "freeman on the land:"…

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Meet Harvey Organ and The Silver Doctors

<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>The Silver Doctors, Harvey Organ, and SD Bullion</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>The Silver Doctors:</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><a href="http://www.silverdoctors.com/" style="color: red;">http://www.silverdoctors.com/</a> </b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Harvey Organ:</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><a href="http://harveyorgan.blogspot.com/" style="color: red;">http://harveyorgan.blogspot.com/</a> </b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>SD Bullion website:</b><br /><b><a href="http://www.sdbullion.com/" style="color: red;">www.sdbullion.com</a> </b><br /><br /><b>Chris Duane's bullion collection: </b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><a href="http://sdbullion.com/silver/sbss-silver-shield-collection" style="color: red;">http://sdbullion.com/silver/sbss-silver-shield-collection</a> </b><br /><br /><b>The PHYSICAL BULLION market is going 24/7 and there is a notable and growing demand for SILVER and GOLD.</b><br /><br /><b>Harvey Organ reveals some unprecedented news on the COMEX and world bullion markets: </b><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/eWJ-ZuElncM?feature=player_detailpage" width="640"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><b>...developing...</b></div></div>

Meet Harvey Organ and The Silver Doctors

The Silver Doctors, Harvey Organ, and SD BullionThe Silver Doctors:http://www.silverdoctors.com/ Harvey Organ:http://harveyorgan.blogspot.com/ SD Bullion website:www.sdbullion.com Chris Duane's bullion collection: http://sdbullion.com/silver/sbss-sil…

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Who is this Turd Ferguson from Turdville?

<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: red;">*****A PRECIOUS METALS WORKSHOP*****</span> </b></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Jim Comiskey and The TURD</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/1GJxnORjVJY?feature=player_detailpage" width="640"></iframe><br /><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>I sang a song for Turd on YOU TUBE:</b></span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/OiXxYrR8Zw0?feature=player_detailpage" width="640"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Turd has a website about guess what?</b></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>PRECIOUS METALS</b></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Here's what he had to say about the SELL OFF:</b></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>He's quite an ANALyst himself:</b></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Maybe ANAL and TURDS just go together?  :-)</b></span></div><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/7kkKvXKw9t4?feature=player_detailpage" width="640"></iframe><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Visit TURD'S WEBSITE on PRECIOUS METALS</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.tfmetalsreport.com/" style="color: red;">http://www.tfmetalsreport.com/</a> </span></b></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>SOLVE THE RIDDLE:</b></span><br /><br /><b><span style="font-size: large;">What do Chicago and the CME have in common?</span> </b><br /><br /><b>...developing...</b>

Who is this Turd Ferguson from Turdville?

*****A PRECIOUS METALS WORKSHOP***** Jim Comiskey and The TURDI sang a song for Turd on YOU TUBE:Turd has a website about guess what?PRECIOUS METALSHere's what he had to say about the SELL OFF:He's quite an ANALyst himself:Maybe ANAL and TURDS just g…

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Who to keep an eye on in America

<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>This is very true...</b></span></div><br /><b>Right now everything is fine in America while the sheep flock to the NFL Super Bowl game and the NON-PROFIT NFL organization and great military police operations along with mainstream media and related sports and entertainment industry funds and massages the well to do people keeping them all safe, secure and entertained.  </b><br /><b><br /></b><b>The game will change however when something happens here in America if the haves suddenly find themselves losing their FEDERAL RESERVE FUNDS and they will ultimately lose it.  I guess Gerald Celente is somewhat correct when he says, "When people begin to lose everything they lose it." </b><br /><b><br /></b><b>Watch your six! </b><br /><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/t8AAO0H7WK4?feature=player_detailpage" width="640"></iframe>

Who to keep an eye on in America

This is very true...Right now everything is fine in America while the sheep flock to the NFL Super Bowl game and the NON-PROFIT NFL organization and great military police operations along with mainstream media and related sports and entertainment ind…

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The Story of Police Chief Shane Harger

<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>I can relate to this story...</b></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Some of us are living this American dream:</span></b></div><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/eYVz_0hJDe8?feature=player_detailpage" width="640"></iframe><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/H0ROCKV-J94?feature=player_detailpage" width="640"></iframe><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>To the reader of The News UNIT</b></span></div><b><br /></b><b>There are real people and there are phonies.  Beware of INFOWARS and any other subject that I study here called "NEWS" or "ALTERNATIVE NEWS."  When you look at things here on The News UNIT it's up to you to discern who's who:</b><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/vDTKByX8X0Q?feature=player_detailpage" width="640"></iframe><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/9vECbQaSkMs?feature=player_detailpage" width="640"></iframe><br /><br /><b>Some of us are real but the truth about us is seldom told:</b><br /><b><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2014/02/us-postal-service-makes-giant.html" style="color: red;">http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2014/02/us-postal-service-makes-giant.html</a></b><br /><b><br /></b><b>...developing...</b>

The Story of Police Chief Shane Harger

I can relate to this story...Some of us are living this American dream:To the reader of The News UNITThere are real people and there are phonies.  Beware of INFOWARS and any other subject that I study here called "NEWS" or "ALTERNATIVE NEWS."  When y…

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They keep making more and more silver gods...

<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Now The gods of Olympus PERTH MINT series</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>There seems to be a growing demand for silver in a very strange way and mints all over are manufacturing just about every conceivable design in coins, rounds, and bars imaginable.  There is a source from Dubai that told us that they pay over $40 US for a one ounce American Silver Eagle there.  That price hasn't caught up to the U.S.A. yet but the demand for precious metals is growing, especially for silver since it's much more affordable to purchase.  </b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>If the futures traders start to drive that price back up again it will be utter madness as money is always searching for something to buy.  It's just the characteristics of consumerism.</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>So what about GOLD and SILVER?  They sure are beginning to make headlines again:</b></div><b><br /></b><i><b>The idols of the heathen <em>are</em> silver and gold, the work of men's hands.</b></i><br /><i><b>They have mouths, but they speak not; eyes have they, but they see not; </b></i><br /><i><b>They have ears, but they hear not; neither is there <em id="yui-gen61">any</em> breath in their mouths.</b></i><br /><i><b>They that make them are like unto them: <em>so is</em> every one that trusteth in them.</b></i><br /><i><b>--PSALM 135.15-18</b></i><br /><br /><b>Hey Steve Quayle and Alex Jones!  I know you (and many others) read The News UNIT:   What do you think about that verse above?</b> <br /><br /><b>Here's what I think about it in the scripture below.  And yes this is exactly where my thoughts and cogitations go regarding this matter:</b><br /><br /><i><b>Trust not in oppression, and become not vain in robbery: if riches increase, set not your heart <em id="yui-gen57">upon them</em>.</b></i><br /><i><b>--PSALM 62.10</b></i><br /><br /><i><b>Wilt thou <span class="criteria">set</span> thine eyes upon that which is <span class="criteria">not</span>? for <em><span class="criteria">riches</span></em> certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.</b></i><br /><i><b>--PROVERBS 23.5 </b></i><br /><br /><b>Isn't it interesting that they are making gods now with silver?  This is going to be a big hit for the world.  The world will love this.  It will probably drive the price of silver very much higher.</b><br /><br /><b>One thing I notice now is there are may things with LIMITED MINTAGE now which is creating sort of a quasi-numismatic market for bullion.  It's rather unique actually and creating quite a market for these products.  Make no mistake about it; the game may be changing soon with gold and silver.  There indeed is a growing demand for these items.  </b><br /><br /><b>The Perth Mint does make some beautiful coins but I don't want the gods.  Although I realize these coins won't send me to hell because an idol is nothing.  So keep stackin'! :-)  </b><br /><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/E8spU7D3KDA?feature=player_detailpage" width="640"></iframe>

They keep making more and more silver gods...

Now The gods of Olympus PERTH MINT seriesThere seems to be a growing demand for silver in a very strange way and mints all over are manufacturing just about every conceivable design in coins, rounds, and bars imaginable.  There is a source from Dubai…

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All the GOLD in the world depicted

<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>This is pretty cool actually...</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><b><a href="http://demonocracy.info/" style="color: red;">http://demonocracy.info/</a></b><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/HvR3uubzSHg?feature=player_detailpage" width="640"></iframe><b> </b></div>

All the GOLD in the world depicted

This is pretty cool actually...http://demonocracy.info/ …

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I hope silver climbs out of the ashes...

<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Ashes to ashes and dust to dust.  You'll be making dust watching silver...</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Are these people for real?  Unfortunately--yes:</span></b></div><br />The way these guys talk about GOLD and SILVER without even showing whether they have any skin in the game is very suspicious.  I actually met some cool "stackers" on YOU TUBE but these guys are just plain wannabees.  They have no clue:<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/hvSjbqxkj30?feature=player_detailpage" width="640"></iframe>

I hope silver climbs out of the ashes...

Ashes to ashes and dust to dust.  You'll be making dust watching silver...Are these people for real?  Unfortunately--yes:The way these guys talk about GOLD and SILVER without even showing whether they have any skin in the game is very suspicious.  I …

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Tacos' UPDATES on GMCR and THE METALS PUMPERS

<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Tacos' DAILY REVIEWS </span></b></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/AVvXsEgAJjhN1fzstGRY5kVjPMXUUeKYv2zAyXIlNN10Ja9GtK742dId1PQmCOYGQ4q6tmSq2NUNRd7eOGv3c_QIrSTchySIzjRHgClliTbxPKFY9w-HPnsYYW759EGjlOsqqB1jX0SHFPkgkHQ/s1600/TacosPIC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAJjhN1fzstGRY5kVjPMXUUeKYv2zAyXIlNN10Ja9GtK742dId1PQmCOYGQ4q6tmSq2NUNRd7eOGv3c_QIrSTchySIzjRHgClliTbxPKFY9w-HPnsYYW759EGjlOsqqB1jX0SHFPkgkHQ/s1600/TacosPIC.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><b>Congratulations Tacos for a good trade on GMCR.  Pray for me too that I bag a big one like that one of these days...:-)...</b><br /><br /><b>Tacos UPDATES BELOW.  I always like to watch Tacos videos:</b><br /><br /><b>Tacos explains fiduciary responsibility.  You don't hear much about that anymore.  </b><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/UnbORba9eNc?feature=player_detailpage" width="640"></iframe><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>The TRUTH NEVER TOLD review</b></span></div><b><br /></b><b>Chris Duane never tells the truth...</b><br /><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/bp93mzx1GfI?feature=player_detailpage" width="640"></iframe><br /><br /><b>...developing... </b>

Tacos' UPDATES on GMCR and THE METALS PUMPERS

Tacos' DAILY REVIEWS Congratulations Tacos for a good trade on GMCR.  Pray for me too that I bag a big one like that one of these days...:-)...Tacos UPDATES BELOW.  I always like to watch Tacos videos:Tacos explains fiduciary responsibility.  You don…

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Great

I woke up late and found the boy sitting in the front room, again.<br /><br />I asked him what the fuck he was doing home.<br /><br />He told me to look outside.<br /><br />It's fucking snowing.<br /><br />Yay.<br /><br />I live on a hill with one way out and have to go to work.<br />It's not supposed to stop snowing until after I get off work tonight so there will be an accumulation.<br />Better yet, it's not supposed to get above freezing until Monday.<br /><br />Every weather forecast I saw said the snow wouldn't be here until tomorrow night at the earliest.<br /><br />It must be nice to get paid big bucks to be wrong all the time.<br /><br /><a href="http://robertsgunshop.blogspot.com/">Robert</a> commented on my last post and told me to quit whining.<br />It was -8 at the time and the high was supposed to be 8 above zero where he is at.<br /><br />I'm sorry.<br /><br />That sucks big time.<br /><br />Unfortunately now I have to go to work and we shall see how it works getting back home.<br /><br />I am going to go throw my Get Home Bag back in my rig and dig out my insulated coveralls.<br /><br />There is no point being another stupid fuck who isn't prepared.<br />

Great

I woke up late and found the boy sitting in the front room, again.I asked him what the fuck he was doing home.He told me to look outside.It's fucking snowing.Yay.I live on a hill with one way out and have to go to work.It's not supposed to stop snowi…

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Military delivered artifical polymer snow confirmed

<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: red;">*****WEATHER MODIFICATION ALERT*****</span> </b></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>The PSEUDO-SNOW study revealed</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>The SNOW has now been examined...</b></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b> </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Reports are surfacing now that reveal ARTIFICIAL SNOW otherwise known as "MILITARY SNOW" is being released across the United States.  Some say the artificial snow is being induced in the atmosphere through specially constructed polymer fibers which appear to be acting as condensation nuclei for the snow.  </b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>WATCH THE VIDEOS BELOW TO LEARN MORE:</b></div><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/tmSn0na-i-w?feature=player_detailpage" width="640"></iframe><br /><br /><b>They are trying to kill us!  Plead the blood of Jesus Christ warns this YOU TUBER:</b><br /><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/cPFc0wXnnjA?feature=player_detailpage" width="640"></iframe><br /><br /><b>OTHER LINKS:</b><br /><b><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2014/02/geo-engineering-revealed-wake-up-people.html" style="color: red;">http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2014/02/geo-engineering-revealed-wake-up-people.html</a></b><br /><br /><b><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2014/01/fake-snow-is-being-reported-falling-on.html" style="color: red;">http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2014/01/fake-snow-is-being-reported-falling-on.html</a> </b><br /><b><br /></b><b>There are SHILLS and TROLLS trying to debunk these reports.  They may be paid government shills such as "barnone11970" in this link</b>:<br /><b><a href="http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2014/01/update-on-fake-snow-controversy.html" style="color: red;">http://news-these-days.blogspot.com/2014/01/update-on-fake-snow-controversy.html</a> </b><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/qYqsx2R2dUc?feature=player_detailpage" width="640"></iframe> <br /><b>...developing...</b></div>

Military delivered artifical polymer snow confirmed

*****WEATHER MODIFICATION ALERT***** The PSEUDO-SNOW study revealedThe SNOW has now been examined... Reports are surfacing now that reveal ARTIFICIAL SNOW otherwise known as "MILITARY SNOW" is being released across the United States.  Some say the ar…

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Arrests Made in Possible Connection to Phillip Seymour Hoffman Death

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFYeIrA0jiand_83_-nu0NQdoR6BQ-kOCJFctpDRU3QjKiQWpIsEoGJaCcxQwXF2jnenksKCP2HwaWlkikhkKnan7wgHP91P6qPPrJrgURc7g6A4EBDsnsjtULo-9al9W3VUW45htbIQ73/s1600/71319438.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFYeIrA0jiand_83_-nu0NQdoR6BQ-kOCJFctpDRU3QjKiQWpIsEoGJaCcxQwXF2jnenksKCP2HwaWlkikhkKnan7wgHP91P6qPPrJrgURc7g6A4EBDsnsjtULo-9al9W3VUW45htbIQ73/s1600/71319438.jpg" /></a></div>According to New York law enforcement, four people believed to be connected to the drugs found in Philip Seymour Hoffman's apartment were arrested late Tuesday night. The suspects being investigated in connection with drugs sold to Hoffman were identified as Juliana Luchkiw, 22; Max Rosenblum, 22; Robert Vineberg, 57; and Thomas Cushman, 48.<br /><br />Luchkiw and Rosenblum were charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree which are considered misdemeanors and Vineberg was charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree which is considered a felony.<br /><br />Vineberg was found to have the actor's phone number stored in his cell phone, a law enforcement explained. " Police discovered the largest amount of what is believed to be heroin in his apartment", the source continued.<br /><br />Vineberg's attorney, Edward Kratt, said that he hopes that prosecutors will not attempt use his client as a scapegoat. "These charges have absolutely nothing to do with Philip Seymour Hoffman's unfortunate death," he said.<br /><br />"The raid that led to the arrest of three men and one woman, recovered 350 small plastic bags of what is believed to be heroin."  officials said. The bags of alleged heroin that were found were branded "black list" and "red bull" and were not the same brands found in Hoffman's apartment sources said.<br /><br />Family and close friends of the actor will hold a private funeral service in New York. Plans are also under way for a memorial service later this month.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>On Wednesday night, the famed Broadway theater district will dim its marquees for one minute at 7:45 p.m. in Hoffman's memory.<br /><div><br /></div><div>Follow Brittnye Webb-Earl on Twitter <b>@BeeNoelle</b></div>

Arrests Made in Possible Connection to Phillip Seymour Hoffman Death

According to New York law enforcement, four people believed to be connected to the drugs found in Philip Seymour Hoffman's apartment were arrested late Tuesday night. The suspects being investigated in connection with drugs sold to Hoffman were ident…

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"Affluenza" Kid Kills Four, Injures Two and is Only Sentenced to Probation and Rehab; Where is the Justice?

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0pg_YPABpk0UlrUgkCoGFwzdOqY1pxNVtfj9Zv5MrjQh8lJl8X3xyHW48AXNov0g7dTko2pFbovYRgA3OtRH_flqn7xxlV66sKFctiy8mn4-PU5koUtzDCWpuhUzGRCQy67QZOSi9DoaW/s1600/0206_EthanCouch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0pg_YPABpk0UlrUgkCoGFwzdOqY1pxNVtfj9Zv5MrjQh8lJl8X3xyHW48AXNov0g7dTko2pFbovYRgA3OtRH_flqn7xxlV66sKFctiy8mn4-PU5koUtzDCWpuhUzGRCQy67QZOSi9DoaW/s1600/0206_EthanCouch.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>State District Judge Jean Boyd ordered that Ethan Couch -- who drove drunk and caused a crash, killing four people and injuring two, to go to a $450,000 rehab center for drug and alcohol abuse to be paid for by his parents rather than serve any jail time on Wednesday in a Tarrant County courtroom in Texas. This new sentence is on top of his sentencing last year to 10 years' probation.<br /><br />Last June, Hollie and Shelby Boyles left their home to help Breanna Mitchell, whose SUV had broken down. Brian Jennings, a youth pastor, was driving past and also stopped to help.Sadly all four were killed when Couch's pickup truck plowed into the pedestrians on a road in Burleson, south of Fort Worth. Couch's vehicle also struck a parked car, which then slid into another vehicle headed in the opposite direction. To make the situation all the more heartbreaking there were two people riding in the bed of the pickup who were tossed in the crash and severely injured. One is no longer able to move or talk because of a brain injury, while the other suffered internal injuries and broken bones.<br /><br />According to prosecutors, three hours after the crash, tests showed Couch had a blood alcohol content of 0.24, three times the legal limit.<br /><br />According to attorney Reagan Wynn. "She (Boyd) heard all the evidence and she made what she thought was the appropriate disposition.<br /><br />"I think he can be rehabilitated given intensive therapy and I hope that he gets it," Wynn said about the teen. "The juvenile system is about rehabilitation and if it's going to be about rehabilitation, she (Boyd) absolutely made the right decision."<br /><br />As part of his probation, the teen must refrain from using drugs or alcohol. He will also not be allowed to drive and if Couch violates the terms of his probation, he could face up to 10 years behind bars.<br /><br />While the attorney believes the judge made the right decision, prosecutors were highly disappointed for they had asked for the maximum of 20 years behind bars. Prosecutor Richard Alpert said,"This has been a very frustrating experience for me." He continued, "I'm used to a system where the victims have a voice and their needs are strongly considered. The way the system down here is currently handled, the way the law is, almost all the focus is on the offender."<br /><br />Along with prosecutors, families of the victims have spoke out telling reporters they have "no doubt that money played a role in the case." After the proceedings on Wednesday, Husband and father to two of the victims (Holly and Shelby Boyles) expressed his outrage caused by the verdict stating, "Had Couch not had money to have the defense there, to also have the experts testify, and also offer to pay for the treatment, I think the results would have been different."<br /><br />There has been nothing from Ethan from these proceedings with regards to remorse on his part at all -- that I do think would have helped. It would have helped the victims. No doubt about it, it would have helped," said Boyles.<br /><br />During the trial a witness claimed Couch was a victim of "affluenza" -- the product of wealthy, privileged parents who never set limits for the boy.<br /><br />What does this say ruling, among many others deemed unjust say about the current status of the judicial system in our Country? Is justice only for the privileged, and if so is it actual justice or politics as usual?<br /><br />Follow Brittnye Webb-Earl on Twitter<b> @BeeNoelle</b>

"Affluenza" Kid Kills Four, Injures Two and is Only Sentenced to Probation and Rehab; Where is the Justice?

State District Judge Jean Boyd ordered that Ethan Couch -- who drove drunk and caused a crash, killing four people and injuring two, to go to a $450,000 rehab center for drug and alcohol abuse to be paid for by his parents rather than serve any jail …

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Linear Trend Failure of the Day

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvani9xq4o1S6xj3oC5us9XkHSS8GM7tEC5VA5g30-AoUNlZ9xTI03mg91uWxF-OI8mHhWNXfJw8KgnKu0Bej7j6e0FpYWHxonKH4SePfx-Ht3wCotfvCsx-Kw3nzW72GlJC0lp5ocwkc/s1600/Mortgage+Fees.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvani9xq4o1S6xj3oC5us9XkHSS8GM7tEC5VA5g30-AoUNlZ9xTI03mg91uWxF-OI8mHhWNXfJw8KgnKu0Bej7j6e0FpYWHxonKH4SePfx-Ht3wCotfvCsx-Kw3nzW72GlJC0lp5ocwkc/s320/Mortgage+Fees.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">Click to enlarge.</span><br /><br />It would seem that banks are not going to be paying people to take out mortgages after all. Who knew?<br /><br />Strike one more economic tailwind off the list.<br /><br /><b>Source Data:</b><br /><a href="http://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/graph/?g=rLc">St. Louis Fed: Origination Fees and Discount Points for 30-Year Fixed Rate Mortgage</a>

Linear Trend Failure of the Day

Click to enlarge.It would seem that banks are not going to be paying people to take out mortgages after all. Who knew?Strike one more economic tailwind off the list.Source Data:St. Louis Fed: Origination Fees and Discount Points for 30-Year Fixed Rat…

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CVS to Stop the Sale of All Tobacco Products as of October 1st

“Tobacco has no place in a setting where healthcare is delivered."<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5iaTS3Ik6xfkzAAkCoIQ2L_A6sc_3cukbEtcoFwCHeZass2v7nQraX-thAyS-t980Soz1hPbbSo0EdbRQxm7c-G68CTkMi1gS-58xHchm1OH7X7J2eJfmVqQU7nES3ed2lFykU5SQt_Dd/s1600/370px-CVS_Pharmacy_Alt_Logo.svg.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="114" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5iaTS3Ik6xfkzAAkCoIQ2L_A6sc_3cukbEtcoFwCHeZass2v7nQraX-thAyS-t980Soz1hPbbSo0EdbRQxm7c-G68CTkMi1gS-58xHchm1OH7X7J2eJfmVqQU7nES3ed2lFykU5SQt_Dd/s1600/370px-CVS_Pharmacy_Alt_Logo.svg.png" width="200" /></a></div>This quote by CVS president and CEO Larry Merlo comes after the decision to rid the sales of tobacco products from their 7,600 stores in the U.S. by October 1st. They are the first national pharmacy chain to eliminate the sale of tobacco in all their stores.<br /><br />Merlo called the decision, “ a significant step toward promoting better health in helping people manage conditions that are worsened by smoking."<br /><br />Although the decision to stop selling tobacco will cost the nation’s second-largest pharmacy chain more than it will cigarette manufacturers Merlo said banning these products “is the right decision” for the company even though doing so would cost it some $2 billion annually in tobacco and related sales.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitSebOGX2tmyEs5GsWhr0w_iz5YYZLQgrCqc_YaUAQIiIovpW8qqcE8Vkl6bQFadwoOql5cOr-FaMUMo_E8tsfiypeQWsF_xM-Ix5VZzndLZG0UiwJJJdU0TiGUugbe7wGGJiq79rPk7mv/s1600/1304984412_img2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitSebOGX2tmyEs5GsWhr0w_iz5YYZLQgrCqc_YaUAQIiIovpW8qqcE8Vkl6bQFadwoOql5cOr-FaMUMo_E8tsfiypeQWsF_xM-Ix5VZzndLZG0UiwJJJdU0TiGUugbe7wGGJiq79rPk7mv/s1600/1304984412_img2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>CVS’s chief medical officer Troy Brennan says, "CVS and their employees should be helping patients manage their medications for diseases like diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease." He agreed with Merlo's decision saying, “It’s really antithetical, as a result, to have a product in our store, tobacco, which actually causes these kinds of diseases, so that’s why it’s so important that we eliminate the sale of tobacco products today."<br /><br />While CVS has made  a decision against tobacco, Walgreens, the nation’s largest drugstore chain, said it's still mulling the sale of tobacco at its stores.<br /><br />Emily Hartwig, a spokesperson for the chain said, "We have been evaluating this product category for some time to balance the choices our customers expect from us, with their ongoing health needs. We will continue to evaluate the choice of products our customers want, while also helping to educate them and providing smoking cessation products and alternatives that help to reduce the demand for tobacco products."<br /><br />Although Drugstores account for only 4 percent of cigarettes sold in the U.S., "selling tobacco in a pharmacy sends the wrong message about social acceptability", according to Steven Schroeder, MD, of the UCSF Smoking Cessation Leadership Center, as he explained in a viewpoint article online in the Journal of the American Medical Association.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>"Although the sale of tobacco products in CVS pharmacies produces more than $1.5 billion in revenues annually, the financial gain is outweighed by the paradox inherent in promoting health while contributing to tobacco-related deaths," He wrote.<br /><br />How do you feel about tobacco products being snatched off of the shelves of your local pharmacy? Do you feel that it is in the best interest of the consumers or do you think it is their choice to buy what they wish at their own peril?<br /><br />Follow Brittnye Webb-Earl on Twitter<b> @BeeNoelle</b>

CVS to Stop the Sale of All Tobacco Products as of October 1st

“Tobacco has no place in a setting where healthcare is delivered."This quote by CVS president and CEO Larry Merlo comes after the decision to rid the sales of tobacco products from their 7,600 stores in the U.S. by October 1st. They are the first nat…

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Interesting Divergence Between ADP and Establishment Survey

The following chart compares ADP's version of employment (in blue) with the government's establishment survey version (in red, minus government jobs).<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJWvR-z4rch1pwd9k4NbW7fJV-l_P0ZUR6Y7ellK_iw1U-LYGxQW5Qx8v7XPpB133I4hlqMufEZ-wWO4KrYaHVAs6nfGN0NzvKIRA4AXrhDZ6BaUoxKmWRIOFnDnJQvMLSUU3TKvj6tRU/s1600/ADP+vs.+Establishment.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJWvR-z4rch1pwd9k4NbW7fJV-l_P0ZUR6Y7ellK_iw1U-LYGxQW5Qx8v7XPpB133I4hlqMufEZ-wWO4KrYaHVAs6nfGN0NzvKIRA4AXrhDZ6BaUoxKmWRIOFnDnJQvMLSUU3TKvj6tRU/s320/ADP+vs.+Establishment.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">Click to enlarge.</span><br /><br />There is a clear divergence lately. Let's take a closer look.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcHRM8oN7raSPyUS2AFYvt_GGDuMlUGfNVqwkczHU_VvwdRNPLPBF3Ho4OHa2cWJKc0IvSHwWu4qVfZhx4KINNMgiV4oNsGn_jfApWyCJTUvve4Rdk-n_227fJLMpgjScBGhEIto1ir0U/s1600/ADP+vs.+Establishment+-+Short-Term.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcHRM8oN7raSPyUS2AFYvt_GGDuMlUGfNVqwkczHU_VvwdRNPLPBF3Ho4OHa2cWJKc0IvSHwWu4qVfZhx4KINNMgiV4oNsGn_jfApWyCJTUvve4Rdk-n_227fJLMpgjScBGhEIto1ir0U/s320/ADP+vs.+Establishment+-+Short-Term.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">Click to enlarge.</span><br /><br />I haven't been following this divergence long enough to form a theory on why it is there, and without that it is difficult to offer useful commentary. Won't stop me from trying though! Here are two potential reasons off the top of my head.<br /><br />1. The divergence is always there but it gets revised away over time (the older data is corrected). If that's the case, no big deal.<br /><br />2. The divergence is valid and the establishment survey is coming down to close the gap. There was a weak establishment report in December and, as seen in the chart, that certainly closed the gap to some degree.<br /><br />In any event, I would suggest that there is headline risk for tomorrow's employment report. If the gap closes more, then the report will disappoint.<br /><br />Here's the most optimistic thing I've said on this blog in a long time. If the report is much weaker than expected (big if) and if everyone points out how exceedingly weak the report therefore is, then I would say that they may be overreacting. It might just be a correction to close a divergence and little more. It's not like the ADP report itself looks all that awful (not great either for that matter).<br /><br />That said, no single straw on a camel's back thinks it is responsible for the collapse. Things could get ugly. Real ugly. Perhaps all it takes is an illusionary straw to break the camel's illusionary prosperity? Who can say for sure?<br /><br />This is definitely not investment advice, nor is it a prediction of any sort. I can say that I have never been more interested in a government payroll report though. Never.<br /><br /><b>Source Data:</b><br /><a href="http://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/graph/?g=rL7">St. Louis Fed: Custom Chart</a>

Interesting Divergence Between ADP and Establishment Survey

The following chart compares ADP's version of employment (in blue) with the government's establishment survey version (in red, minus government jobs).Click to enlarge.There is a clear divergence lately. Let's take a closer look.Click to enlarge.I hav…

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Shaun White Drops Out of Slopestyle Competition Right Before SoChi Olympics Start Amidst Safety Concerns

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib0YWAh52l-qa5D1saHyicoBCBUto7g_OQgeE2uCtUdkaAshzXNvYWy3ONUgw5aKIPH9CJQZMIr9m3AXkPag8Jgru_nozG1Bf-faYPYcxfdi5OCUYdO-PSbNGCChUm0f_G6SmDGoyBeJzt/s1600/Shaun-White-201311-1-402.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib0YWAh52l-qa5D1saHyicoBCBUto7g_OQgeE2uCtUdkaAshzXNvYWy3ONUgw5aKIPH9CJQZMIr9m3AXkPag8Jgru_nozG1Bf-faYPYcxfdi5OCUYdO-PSbNGCChUm0f_G6SmDGoyBeJzt/s1600/Shaun-White-201311-1-402.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>On Wednesday afternoon,  two time Olympic gold medalist Shaun White dropped out of the slopestyle competition at this years SoChi Olympic games.<br /><br />Prior to officially dropping out there had been much speculation regarding the course that he'd be riding on. At Tuesday's practice White said,  “I’d have to say, there is some truth to it (that the course is dangerous),there’s a bit of danger anytime you step out on one of these courses … This one may have a little more than others."<br /><br />At 2:30 p.m. local time, White and his U.S. snowboard halfpipe teammates met with the media in a pre-competition news conference and unsurprisingly, majority of questions were fielded by two-time defending halfpipe champion White, the lone U.S. athlete competing in both halfpipe and slopestyle competitions in SoChi.<br /><br />At first, all questions asked were regarding slopestyle,  a winter sporting event where the goal is to perform the most difficult tricks while getting the highest amplitude off jumps. The size and safety of the slopestyle course had been a major topic of international discussion over the past few days and while White didn't shy away from the questions, he didn't tip his hand, either.<br /><br />"There are definitely concerns about the course," White said regarding its design. "It's been interesting to see how it's developed and changed over the past few days, and the question is if it will continue to change." He continued.<br /><br />As the conference continued, White was asked about how he would deal with his schedule on Saturday where he would have competed in both the slopestyle semifinals and finals on the same day as the first halfpipe practice. He half-answered the question by  talking in circles and saying he was still "mulling over what to do."<br /><br />His decision was apparent when the next day after the conference White released a statement through one of his publicists to the NBC "Today" show  which stated that he would be dropping out of slopestyle.<br /><br />White's full statement read: "After much deliberation with my team, I have made the decision to focus solely on trying to bring home the third straight gold medal in halfpipe for Team USA. The difficult decision to forego slopestyle is not one I take lightly as I know how much effort everyone has put into holding the slopestyle event for the first time in Olympic history, a history I had planned on being a part of. However, with the practice runs I have taken, even after course modifications and watching fellow athletes get hurt, the potential risk of injury is a bit too much for me to gamble my other Olympic goals on."<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCO8cubmgRD8CBKO4L0RZOJe5zYfEJA_bpRMIWOm6EJXAVsLJv9A_Djv8L-3esszXXww_IZRwxB1kLpKP99jHH336Q6DYm1yIZMR_YqcSZTUnwfkygVTky7FNKLyQIQ7iRLi8Q2mm0KbXx/s1600/photo_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCO8cubmgRD8CBKO4L0RZOJe5zYfEJA_bpRMIWOm6EJXAVsLJv9A_Djv8L-3esszXXww_IZRwxB1kLpKP99jHH336Q6DYm1yIZMR_YqcSZTUnwfkygVTky7FNKLyQIQ7iRLi8Q2mm0KbXx/s1600/photo_4.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>The course in Sochi is about 2,000 feet long with a 500-foot drop and is not for the faint of heart.<br /><br />While White has chosen to back out of the competition, others such as women's favorite Jamie Anderson have said, "It’s a playground, that’s for sure. This course is a bit more challenging than other courses. (But) this is the Olympics. It should be the most challenging, huge course we’ve ever ridden.”<br /><br />U.S. rider Sage Kotsenburg said regarding the course, “I think the media blew it up more than it should have been, It’s a sick course (in a positive, snowboarding kind of way), and these guys did a really good job on this one.”<br /><br />Regardless of dropping out, we wish nothing but the best for all those over in SoChi during these 2014 Olympic games and hope to see them bring the gold back to the U.S.!<br /><div><br /></div><div>Follow Brittnye Webb-Earl on Twitter <b>@BeeNoelle</b></div>

Shaun White Drops Out of Slopestyle Competition Right Before SoChi Olympics Start Amidst Safety Concerns

On Wednesday afternoon,  two time Olympic gold medalist Shaun White dropped out of the slopestyle competition at this years SoChi Olympic games.Prior to officially dropping out there had been much speculation regarding the course that he'd be riding …

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Ugly Chart of the Day

The following chart shows the quarterly average of civilian employment divided by those not in the labor force.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwhfk6Tz1wbjLH81zlp19s6UfUmioYlbXw3nIaoS6SUSTdsasLUZzvPzi7RrHcnmEAE5Na5nkAaKEf4yoihWdMIffJF1IfAv2sCnRlIlZbRo262qBIMJtphisYS-gf1WLgfvV8lb0Y5nM/s1600/Civilian+Employment+vs.+Not+in+Labor+Force.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwhfk6Tz1wbjLH81zlp19s6UfUmioYlbXw3nIaoS6SUSTdsasLUZzvPzi7RrHcnmEAE5Na5nkAaKEf4yoihWdMIffJF1IfAv2sCnRlIlZbRo262qBIMJtphisYS-gf1WLgfvV8lb0Y5nM/s320/Civilian+Employment+vs.+Not+in+Labor+Force.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">Click to enlarge.</span><br /><br />Maybe it is different this time.<br /><br /><b>Source Data:</b><br /><a href="http://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/graph/?g=rKY">St. Louis Fed: Custom Chart</a>

Ugly Chart of the Day

The following chart shows the quarterly average of civilian employment divided by those not in the labor force.Click to enlarge.Maybe it is different this time.Source Data:St. Louis Fed: Custom Chart…

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China's Growth Is Slowing? Big Shocker.

The following chart shows the natural log of imports from China divided by disposable personal income. When using natural logs, constant exponential growth is seen as a straight line.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8B66tPGHE-VDgqM4zXUJzCwweGA8tccECNYMOurxSKOIyScj23qC0s4biwfvQkDlvxTW0x4IJ7YjGVPll7yc-Ku9Ye5ofXOeCIq48alb0FLZ2n-tMMUYTBL4KtcyL-CR2PzAkjsmzXx0/s1600/China+Imports+vs.+Disposable+Personal+Income.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8B66tPGHE-VDgqM4zXUJzCwweGA8tccECNYMOurxSKOIyScj23qC0s4biwfvQkDlvxTW0x4IJ7YjGVPll7yc-Ku9Ye5ofXOeCIq48alb0FLZ2n-tMMUYTBL4KtcyL-CR2PzAkjsmzXx0/s320/China+Imports+vs.+Disposable+Personal+Income.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">Click to enlarge.</span><br /><br />Can you say <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Market_saturation">market saturation</a>?<br /><br /><b>Source Data:</b><br /><a href="http://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/graph/?g=rKV">St. Louis Fed: Custom Chart</a>

China's Growth Is Slowing? Big Shocker.

The following chart shows the natural log of imports from China divided by disposable personal income. When using natural logs, constant exponential growth is seen as a straight line.Click to enlarge.Can you say market saturation?Source Data:St. Loui…

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DMX Set to fight George Zimmerman, but is it Helping or Hurting the Cause?

<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJJ0-KU1XJ651DzIkL4fmhTjOXLyyqubHkJAOhE3yfmegPTgdmysGENrSwYeuMwY8LD5cpa34EmGwHgYstGkRSBibtY6EEzrCCLAU3jRQ5QOWIeomp8_X5vK8kMSO5zJSE8iCfZt_DQmw1/s1600/zimmpic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="111" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJJ0-KU1XJ651DzIkL4fmhTjOXLyyqubHkJAOhE3yfmegPTgdmysGENrSwYeuMwY8LD5cpa34EmGwHgYstGkRSBibtY6EEzrCCLAU3jRQ5QOWIeomp8_X5vK8kMSO5zJSE8iCfZt_DQmw1/s1600/zimmpic.jpg" width="200" /></a></div> "A mutual friend put me in contact with Damon and provided me with an opportunity and motivation to get back in shape and continue with my weight loss goals and also be able to help a charity out." - George Zimmerman to Radar Online<br /><br />For those curious the Damon that Zimmerman spoke of is none other than Damon Feldman, owner of Celebrity Boxing and self-described opportunist whose claim to fame is putting together bizarre matchups such as former rapper Vanilla Ice and child actor Todd Bridges.<br /><br />It was reported last week that Feldman was accepting offers for someone to step into the ring for a three-round, pay-per-view fight with Zimmerman. "The news has been out for an hour and my e-mail is overloaded with 8,000 people wanting to fight George," Feldman told CNN last Thursday.<br />Early Wednesday morning, news broke that a contender had been chosen and  out of more than 15,000 e-mailed requests, he's going with DMX.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA-DEYcJQektCY6WyvMwgrBta0LzR7-vtovL331nyPi6jZmu6PnlgtU1UsBeAJ8cf3yRLFFe8YLzdIaizfAu3BquONuf9SqtzLRA82JNukkdY761o09V9ngnXlBq4bG4Z9QoJp3vMvb9zs/s1600/ruff.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA-DEYcJQektCY6WyvMwgrBta0LzR7-vtovL331nyPi6jZmu6PnlgtU1UsBeAJ8cf3yRLFFe8YLzdIaizfAu3BquONuf9SqtzLRA82JNukkdY761o09V9ngnXlBq4bG4Z9QoJp3vMvb9zs/s1600/ruff.jpg" width="196" /></a></div><br />Since the news broke rappers such as The Game as well as DMX have both come forward willing to accept the challenge and box Zimmerman. According to Feldman, though no contract has been signed quite yet, "a promoter is negotiating with rapper DMX to fight him." Spokesperson for the rapper, Domenick Nati confirmed this news by saying, "DMX has promised to 'beat his ass,' but no contract or paperwork has been signed or agreed to yet".<br /><br />In a news release by Feldman he has this to say regarding the Pay Per View event, "The match will be one of the Biggest Celebrity Boxing matches of all time."<br /><br />While some are looking forward to seeing the former watchman get what's coming to him, others believe this is not the answer. On Wednesday Rev. Al Sharpton told a Los Angeles group that he was concerned "about the precedent that it sets."<br /><br />"We must be very careful not to glorify or in any way sidestep the implications of making someone whose only claim to fame was killing an unarmed young man named Trayvon Martin into a cultural celebrity or hero," Sharpton said.<br /><br />A petition has even been launched on Change.org calling for the planned boxing event to be canceled. It reads, "This is a blatant show of disrespect and nothing positive or righteous would come from such a stunt."<br /><br />This fight raises many questions of justice and morality, just as the entire case and trial did.  At the end of it all, a child was murdered, senselessly and to add insult to injury his killer is now a celebrity, fighting another celebrity, and making money off of violence.<br /><br />Only in America.<br /><br />Follow Brittnye Webb-Earl on Twittter <b>@BeeNoelle</b>.

DMX Set to fight George Zimmerman, but is it Helping or Hurting the Cause?

 "A mutual friend put me in contact with Damon and provided me with an opportunity and motivation to get back in shape and continue with my weight loss goals and also be able to help a charity out." - George Zimmerman to Radar OnlineFor those curious…

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Bold Predictions

<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">This is the point in the Blurb where I make fun of the overhyped athletes and all the attention they get. Well, kinda. This year I’m just going to make some bold predictions - most of which will involve those overhyped athletes. Enjoy!</span></span></div><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b><br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Russia will win hockey gold</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">After a couple of years of USA-Canada hype and dominance, it’s time for the Russians to return to their former glory. If Russia and the United States do play each other, the echoes of 1980 will thrive. (Oh, it was 34 years ago? Well have YOU stopped talking about it yet? No? I’ve made my point.)</span></span></div><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b><br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">The tandem from Canada will beat Charlie White and Meryl Davis in ice dancing.</span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir famously beat White and Davis in the 2010 Olympics, really ticking me off. Turns out the couples (who both train at the same rink in Michigan!) have been exchanging championships ever since. Moir/Virtue have won the world championshis in 2010 (Olympics) and 2012, and White/Davis won in 2011 and 2013. It’s an even year, so it’s going to be the Canadians. Which will once again really tick me off.</span></span></div><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b><br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">However</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, they will win gold.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">In the figure skating team event. U-S-A! U-S-A!</span></span></div><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b><br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">SJ Shaun White won’t medal.</span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">SJ Shaun White is in one event now: snowboard halfpipe. He’s going to come out with zero medals. Not only has he looked subpar in recent showings (knocking himself out in a slopestyle event a month ago, messing up his ankle in another competition in halfpipe), but the rest of the field has really become a formidable foe. No longer is it SJ Shaun White on top and everybody else on second tier; it’s SJ Shaun White vs. the world. And that’s not good for him.</span></span></div><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b><br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">Ashley Wagner and Gracie Gold will falter.</span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">I struggled with this one, but this is where I’m going to be bold. With the target on their backs, neither one of these figure skaters will make it to the top of the podium.</span></span></div><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b><br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">U.S. Snowboard will wish they took Seth Wescott back to the Olympics and not Lindsay Jacobellis.</span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">Wescott has won back-to-back golds in the event. Jacobellis has stunk it up in back-to-back Olympics. Even if Jacobellis doesn’t fall over (like she did in 2006 and 2010) she’s not going to win. Wescott narrowly missed out this year, with Nate Holland (who was in the final in 2010) taking his spot. </span></span></div><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b><br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Jeremy Abbott...will medal?!</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">The kid who can’t live up to expectations will experience an Evan Lysacek Moment in men’s figure skating and grab a medal. I didn’t say gold - just a medal. If he beats Pluschenko, all is right in the world. Of course, Abbott has won multiple U.S. Championships (like he did this year) only to be awful in the international competitions. </span></span></div><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b><br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Something amazing will happen in the sport of curling. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">Like, absolutely, once-in-a-lifetime amazing. Everyone will talk about it.</span></span></div><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b><br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lauryn Williams will win bobsled gold.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Technically this means in some scenario (4-man bobsled) Lolo Jones will also win bobsled gold. But Williams has won Summer Olympic gold and Jones hasn’t, so I am focusing on the woman who could </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">win</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> in hot and cold weather. Good for her. </span></span></div><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b><br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Cross-country skiing will bore me yet again.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">Wait - this isn’t a bold prediction. This is a definite outcome. Next topic.</span></span></div><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b><br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">No U.S. women will win gold in ski jumping.</span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">After spending years fighting to get the sport in to the Olympics, the U.S. women will need to settle for silver and bronze after getting upended by an unknown. Beware.</span></span></div><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b><br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">The Netherlands, the Czech Republic, and Spain will double their previous win totals.</span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">This is solely because I have chosen these three teams in my Olympic Medals Competition with my friends, and I’m reeeeeeally hoping I win. Go Orange!</span></span></div><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b><br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">NBC will treat Mikaela Shiffrin like Lindsay Vonn...and she’ll hate it.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Let’s say there’s someone you work with that is amazing, and everyone keeps talking about him/her. Then they get really sick and have to be out for a while. Then everyone turns to </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">you</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and says that you’re the next </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">insert name here</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and they tell you that 1000 times! How would you feel?</span></span></div><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b><br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Canada will keep up the medal count from 2010, but Russia will win the overall title.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I don’t really know if there’s an overall title, but it’s something of which people keep track, so I’m counting it. Canada really tore it up on their home turf in 2010, winning the most golds of any country. I’m thinking that resurgence isn’t going to let up; however, Russia will take advantage of </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">their</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> home turn and win a bunch. </span></span></div><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b><br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">I will wake up at least once in the middle of the night to watch some event online.</span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">And it will be a school day. But it will totally be worth it. </span></span></div><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b><br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My kiddos will be sick of this whole thing by the end.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">I really hope this one isn’t true - this is a great distraction from the February school doldrums, and anything to keep my kids going will be worthwhile. </span></span></div><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: white;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b><br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Someone will find my blog and pay me to do it full time!</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></div><br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: white;">Eh, a girl can dream, right?</span></span></div><div><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie_qgZfyYKKKXMbnqcmfNBNPcNguKIGVhpNLmhEuAZBi6k76gSQIbH4ar3Q9uxKhbXubUR1ShDjYIVFcXUozff2avXrei77tpi0BamvtFlCQWk8JPYvsxAF7EpIYn9LFgllGRJr0nXBSI/s1600/olympic_rings_568.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie_qgZfyYKKKXMbnqcmfNBNPcNguKIGVhpNLmhEuAZBi6k76gSQIbH4ar3Q9uxKhbXubUR1ShDjYIVFcXUozff2avXrei77tpi0BamvtFlCQWk8JPYvsxAF7EpIYn9LFgllGRJr0nXBSI/s1600/olympic_rings_568.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>

Bold Predictions

This is the point in the Blurb where I make fun of the overhyped athletes and all the attention they get. Well, kinda. This year I’m just going to make some bold predictions - most of which will involve those overhyped athletes. Enjoy!Russia will win…

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