Questioning Rigor

There is a part near the end of the book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0988217600/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0988217600&linkCode=as2&tag=httpwwwbrighc-20" id="static_txt_preview" style="background-color: white; color: #996633; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;" target="_blank"><b>Teach Like a PIRATE</b></a> by <a href="http://www.twitter.com/#/burgessdave">Dave Burgess</a> where he questions why we’re using the term rigor. (Read also Shawn White's "<a href="http://swpax.us/685" target="_blank">Let's change R to V: Vigor, not Rigor</a>") Since rigor means:<br /><blockquote>rig·or<br />/ˈrigər/ Noun The quality of being extremely thorough, exhaustive, or accurate. Severity or strictness: “the full rigor of the law”. Synonyms rigour - severity - austerity - stringency - strictness</blockquote>Being thorough or accurate… that is great. Being severe or strict… I just don’t have to be in my classroom.<br /><h2>What I want in my classroom</h2><ul><li>I want my classroom to thoroughly cover my subject.</li><li>I want every child to learn and be engaged.</li><li>I want to be engaging, fun, and a force in my classroom that coaches everyone towards excellence.</li><li>I want to help students learn habits and ways to think about life that will serve them well for the rest of their lives.</li><li>I want students to be unafraid of technology and just know it cold - particularly how to learn about new technology, the great historical figures and trends in technology, and how to spot trends in technology in the future.</li><li>I want to help students find their passion in my classroom.</li><li>I want to have a purpose for every minute the students are in my classroom knowing that sometimes to an outsider viewing a minute or two of what we are doing that I risk being accused of purposelessness. I’m willing to brave the ire and disrespect of a casual observer to be an excellent, deep teacher by providing experiences that immerse students in authentic projects and activities.</li><li>I will take students anywhere in order to teach a lesson. Outside. Inside. Upside down. I’ll take them to town (and have). If there is a lesson to be taught, we’ll move around and get in a better position to observe and be part of what we’re learning. Sometimes you have to get in a different position to see the world differently.</li><li>I am passionate about teaching my subject but even when my passion wanes about a specific topic, my passion will never wane about my students.</li><li>I know that lesson plans go awry and that things happen that mean I need to go in a different direction than I planned. I’ll be adaptable and learn from mistakes and grasp the teachable moment like a cowboy ropes a bull by the horns. The only failure I won’t tolerate in myself and others is that of not learning from failure.</li><li>I love my students. That love does not depend upon whether they love me back.</li><li>I will fill every moment with intentional learning.</li><li>I will know when to back off and let student groups do the work of brainstorming and creativity and interject when kids need help with the process of facilitating brainstorming and creating without interfering too much with their final product.</li><li>I’ll let kids do things differently than I would.</li><li>I don’t want kids to be a “mini me” but a super you. They have a purpose different from mine. They have talents different from mine.</li><li>I’ll look for student talent and encourage kids to bring it in and use it to teach others and me.</li><li>I’ll admit my mistakes and help the class learn from them. Mistakes are embarrassing but to pretend I’m the only one in the classroom who doesn’t make them is to elevate myself to a pedestal upon which I will readily topple very soon.</li><li>I’m glad I’m a teacher and will encourage other teachers to remember what excellence looks like.</li></ul><h2>Can you laugh and learn?</h2>Maybe what I do looks like rigor but honestly, sometimes it looks like we’re having a blast. I read a study that the average 4 year old laughs 300 times a day and the average 40 year old only 4 times a day. Well, when school is in session, I might give that 4 year old a run for the money. <br /><h2>Rigorous assessment of teachers in 10 minutes: say it isn’t so!</h2>I think the problem with rigor is that some are trying to assess it in too short of a time. Turning back to the <strong>Teach Like a Pirate</strong> book by Dave, he mentions that someone came in to assess his “rigor” by spending 10 minutes in his room. They came in when he was folding cranes at the end of a powerful lesson about Hiroshima. Hearing him describe the full lesson - it was a perfect ending that the kids will never forget.<br /><br />This person sent to “assess rigor” spent 10 minutes in his room and left after commenting to a <strong>student</strong> or two that “this doesn’t look like history.” I would argue that teacher assessment teams must be held to the same rigor as a classroom teacher!<br /><br />If I spent 10 minutes on a lesson, I’d be "dinged’ for not doing my job. If a person is assessing a lesson, they should spend the entire time in class. Period. One class period. Honestly, that isn’t enough.<br /><h2>Faking it</h2>I remember a distraught teacher at a local public school telling me her story one night. She says that she teaches across the hall from the worst teacher she’s ever seen. The kids do nothing, literally, most school days. They are roaming the halls…coming over to her room…getting in trouble. It is a mess. The teacher teaches little or nothing. <br /><br /><em>EXCEPT…</em><br /><em><br /></em>The teacher writes beautiful lesson plans that take her hours. She doesn’t follow them, she just writes them.<br /><br />The teacher “performs” a good lesson plan three times a year… the three times that administration comes in to observe her. That is it.<br /><br />Now, I hate to say this, but honestly, for administration to observe three total lesson plans from a teacher is a big deal. I know teachers who are lucky to get a few minutes once a year.<br /><h2>Dropping by is always a good thing</h2>My principal “drops by” as does my curriculum director. I know I’ve just said that you have to see a lesson, but let me tell you what my principal and curriculum director do. They drop by when they see students working (which is a lot) and see what the kids are creating and doing. <br /><br />I have often asked them to judge me not by what they see in my classroom sometimes. Because sometimes it looks like we’re a tad on the edge of chaos. I ask them to judge me by what my students produce and know. And those students know quite a bit.<br /><h2>Keep an eye on the ball.</h2>So, while I’d say not to judge an entire lesson by 10 minutes. I’d also say to administrators that if you’re not popping your head in and walking around to see what is going on, you don’t have your head in the game. <br /><br />A coach watches the game to see what plays the players are doing (if any at all.) A coach knows his or her players and knows how they play. If you don’t know how your teachers teach on a day to day basis, you aren’t keeping your eye on the ball.<br /><h2>Final words on rigor</h2>I have some people I respect greatly like Barbara Blackburn who work with rigor in the classroom. I have the distinct impression that it really means – “are you focused on teaching your topic” but sadly some are interpreting it to mean “are you in your chairs lined up looking at the board and working.”<br /><br />I’ve seen people walk in classrooms where the kids were quiet working on worksheets and commenting on how orderly and great the classroom is. Hogwash. <br /><br />I can walk in your den and it is clean and tidy and everyone is reading a book and comment on how well your family gets along. And I could be very wrong. <br /><br />Just because a classroom is quietly working on worksheets means nothing. In fact, I’d say if all a class does is worksheets then there’s probably a problem. The best teachers I know probably spend the least amount of time at the copier of anyone at the school. They still need it but their lessons are written in the experiences and activities that they plan. If they use a worksheet it is with intention and strategic.<br /><h2>Best wishes to you teachers.</h2>I hope you’ll all pick up Dave’s book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0988217600/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0988217600&linkCode=as2&tag=httpwwwbrighc-20" id="static_txt_preview" style="background-color: white; color: #996633; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;" target="_blank"><b><i>Teach Like a PIRATE</i></b></a> and I also highly recommend <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0989151107/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0989151107&linkCode=as2&tag=httpwwwbrighc-20" id="static_txt_preview" style="background-color: white; color: #996633; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;" target="_blank">Invent To Learn</a> </i>by Sylvia Martinez and Gary Stager. Both of these books will help you picture and imagine excellent learning.<br /><br />I’m not saying rigor is a bad thing. But sometimes we need to understand that how people think they are using it is not really what they want to say. What do they mean by rigor? That is what we have to understand. Depending upon what they mean it could be a good or a bad thing. And if they try to observe whether rigor is happening in a way that is non rigorous itself, we should call them on it. I don’t think you can assess whether rigor exists in a classroom in 10 minutes… that assessment is slack and lacks rigor.<br /><h2>Be willing to question.</h2>We teach with our lives. Our lives should be those that question and ask. <br /><ul><li>Should we blindly let others who know nothing or little about our profession lead us down a road which we do not think it wise to trod without asking them to show us the map?</li><li>If we’re being taken on a journey, should we ask questions to help understand the qualifications of the tour guides and if they have a track record of getting others there safely?</li><li>If the very future is at stake, should we let the pendulum swing over the line from helpful to hurtful without standing in the way?</li></ul>I think that these questions about rigor are ones that should be asked and applaud <a href="http://www.twitter.com/#/burgessdave">Dave Burgess</a> for asking them so bravely. <br /><br />I’d really like to hear from more of you. What are your thoughts about the term “rigor”? Is the assessment of “rigor” in your classroom done in a rigorous way itself? Please speak out so we can further this conversation.

EDUCATION Teaching trends Questioning Rigor

There is a part near the end of the book  Teach Like a PIRATE  by Dave Burgess where he questions why we’re using the term rigor. (Read als...

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Daily Education and Technology News for Schools 08/03/2013

<ul class="diigo-linkroll"> <li> <p class="diigo-link"> <a href="http://iosbookmarklets.com/tutorials/pinterest-bookmarklet-ipad/">Pinterest Bookmarklet for iPad — iOS Bookmarklets</a> </p> <p class="diigo-description">Another goodie. For those of you using the iPad who love pinterest, you'll want to install this add in to the safari web browser so you can pin from your ipad.</p> <p class="diigo-tags"> <span>tags:</span> <a href="https://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/news">news</a> <a href="https://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/ipad">ipad</a> <a href="https://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/ipadonly">ipadonly</a> <a href="https://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/pinterest">pinterest</a> <a href="https://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/education">education</a> <a href="https://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/productivity">productivity</a></p> </li> <li> <p class="diigo-link"> <a href="http://iosbookmarklets.com/tutorials/evernote-bookmarklet-ipad/">Evernote Bookmarklet for iPad — iOS Bookmarklets</a> </p> <p class="diigo-description">If you use Evernote and you want to put the Send to evernote bookmarklet on your Safari web browser, herea re the instructions for how to do that. This website also has many iOS bookmarklets that do things - a great plus for the productivity nuts among us (like me.)</p> <p class="diigo-tags"> <span>tags:</span> <a href="https://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/productivity">productivity</a> <a href="https://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/ios">ios</a> <a href="https://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/education">education</a> <a href="https://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/ipad">ipad</a> <a href="https://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/ipadonly">ipadonly</a> <a href="https://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher/news">news</a></p> </li> </ul><p class="diigo-ps">Posted from <a href='https://www.diigo.com'>Diigo</a>. The rest of my favorite links are <a href='https://www.diigo.com/user/coolcatteacher'>here</a>.</p>

Daily Education and Technology News for Schools 08/03/2013

Pinterest Bookmarklet for iPad — iOS Bookmarklets Another goodie. For those of you using the iPad wh...

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London - Day 1

We got the tube to Southbank and then walked to Trafalgar Square and visited the National Museum.<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAueBP1j5zBvz47PiLF6tdDDMmHsSavP6pyoev1m70wi7n1L6k2zalPXYPyZS05pftGMiGzy1R4wde1Eaz0ZsvqqYtmYw_a4NKjCtBAq-JBtdI3qj45hyphenhyphenGyD9RjEZg7Arw49A3X8WWUSnV/s640/blogger-image--1925864890.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAueBP1j5zBvz47PiLF6tdDDMmHsSavP6pyoev1m70wi7n1L6k2zalPXYPyZS05pftGMiGzy1R4wde1Eaz0ZsvqqYtmYw_a4NKjCtBAq-JBtdI3qj45hyphenhyphenGyD9RjEZg7Arw49A3X8WWUSnV/s640/blogger-image--1925864890.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA9lVDVyxfyZeNnciWTFN1N8a1iiAHHXrb0nJ6EP-Nw7uQPrQCxsZx2phswqAEom9hd43zY7XjGCQ_VtihpuewHA7o5ORc7iPpsN8tXpItWiUaL9zjLTDK_hWg9B19colzVpiahAW1eekP/s640/blogger-image--556348547.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA9lVDVyxfyZeNnciWTFN1N8a1iiAHHXrb0nJ6EP-Nw7uQPrQCxsZx2phswqAEom9hd43zY7XjGCQ_VtihpuewHA7o5ORc7iPpsN8tXpItWiUaL9zjLTDK_hWg9B19colzVpiahAW1eekP/s640/blogger-image--556348547.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Along the way we asked directions and chatted to locals (the policemen outside Downing Street are possibly the friendliest policemen in the world!)</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6kXq072v2uGZlbiVa6CtA9tBVqx_6i2npS5rw_WQt_cw8XmVT4taS0EkzAgJTvENN5OI8MA7Ez7gZMq3xkxQPIVE0V7ed8ku00KJ4Gbyv2nLX3yhBQwM2Xk9zbKx2kB95nL6YJB9nC9y3/s640/blogger-image-1848169548.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6kXq072v2uGZlbiVa6CtA9tBVqx_6i2npS5rw_WQt_cw8XmVT4taS0EkzAgJTvENN5OI8MA7Ez7gZMq3xkxQPIVE0V7ed8ku00KJ4Gbyv2nLX3yhBQwM2Xk9zbKx2kB95nL6YJB9nC9y3/s640/blogger-image-1848169548.jpg"></a></div><br><div><br></div><div>Afterwards we made our way to Downing Street where we saw the changing of the Cavalry by chance.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidJ6vwqz2erfp8kZkf6Zw9w7heY8wziz-YSLSLGt174WozQwJn9I9z0IKyUjt2menV-ldnW6uj3O4J1l4dDtabKfjgRzkmBPRNK9-Lt0qULaSNdYt2BfB1L2eOCCQG145bybdXYkpDQi5r/s640/blogger-image-1127670028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidJ6vwqz2erfp8kZkf6Zw9w7heY8wziz-YSLSLGt174WozQwJn9I9z0IKyUjt2menV-ldnW6uj3O4J1l4dDtabKfjgRzkmBPRNK9-Lt0qULaSNdYt2BfB1L2eOCCQG145bybdXYkpDQi5r/s640/blogger-image-1127670028.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>From there it was a lovely walk along Birdcage and on to a park which took us to Buckingham Palace.  The changing of the Guards was not taking place today as the Navy were (very unusually) on duty.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgWmsp3gPRo2noqMtnQoheK0IXnaemhgqkWHb9AjRtt7NBJnfMZPhbhTyDEofE2FOuOHc55va2ftFs8f5gRhDX5ExtY8zAbTstFhHP2QDcjBRUAJv6_XC-a_ZSbXL-ClsKiYIjiqJkvctU/s640/blogger-image-649970277.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgWmsp3gPRo2noqMtnQoheK0IXnaemhgqkWHb9AjRtt7NBJnfMZPhbhTyDEofE2FOuOHc55va2ftFs8f5gRhDX5ExtY8zAbTstFhHP2QDcjBRUAJv6_XC-a_ZSbXL-ClsKiYIjiqJkvctU/s640/blogger-image-649970277.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyupjxdMpj-49dQJs4cq5g0jR7KoWDx3Klr7msSBwTbzknEYuAaQsDhFnS4f_j43AN9nMJmFOgw5wp0w-40o2Ivl1VwY1EMNbzeDxHd89rrRojOVzuZ2Y5tfGYx73Ee2zAaeG1nVvSwUxa/s640/blogger-image--680687269.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyupjxdMpj-49dQJs4cq5g0jR7KoWDx3Klr7msSBwTbzknEYuAaQsDhFnS4f_j43AN9nMJmFOgw5wp0w-40o2Ivl1VwY1EMNbzeDxHd89rrRojOVzuZ2Y5tfGYx73Ee2zAaeG1nVvSwUxa/s640/blogger-image--680687269.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>The palace was amazing, particularly the special exhibition about the Queens Coronation.  The Queen's dress was the highlight of the exhibit and was stunning - an incredible creation that has to be seen to be believed!</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg32UWKteq3OUKpbwrRvcvMOswqmj7aENrjalI7CSCWw0On7xD7VoQ7Ish6Er0LM1W1TFWgXtcxMMooogT2KCk2twBcvggowRBoSjwKN-fsmcLcRWOHOcSjMdlpePUeM2eocgu9Jd2u7lLp/s640/blogger-image--844802661.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg32UWKteq3OUKpbwrRvcvMOswqmj7aENrjalI7CSCWw0On7xD7VoQ7Ish6Er0LM1W1TFWgXtcxMMooogT2KCk2twBcvggowRBoSjwKN-fsmcLcRWOHOcSjMdlpePUeM2eocgu9Jd2u7lLp/s640/blogger-image--844802661.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>We then went to Knightsbridge to visit Harrods.  This department store is quite something - in particular the memorial to Diana, Princess of Wales and Dodi Fayed.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbVEYA9Ar4vwD_cPCp7nzK9x32eq4uwfskJvx7ioPKzw-1N-_WNLwpDoG2ePQyl8FEjnF71AkzOrfR79PTIjoINkvuGgsTz-O6hl22UWIbVy4ZCeU-wIsk8YBpW3sUAiSVGM2AVFyjDdfD/s640/blogger-image--275721174.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbVEYA9Ar4vwD_cPCp7nzK9x32eq4uwfskJvx7ioPKzw-1N-_WNLwpDoG2ePQyl8FEjnF71AkzOrfR79PTIjoINkvuGgsTz-O6hl22UWIbVy4ZCeU-wIsk8YBpW3sUAiSVGM2AVFyjDdfD/s640/blogger-image--275721174.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYubb0t96gePXbmStFm9bH6FGWn1XNbauAzaqYwSiUAsANpc60OBNeCrp1ki3z6fI3tWMlj8ad4kii6N2R-psiByzdcTm-Dgufl-Xem6mEBBqio96kjJD-4N6nxFFjXeq_zYmvdWPEb3KH/s640/blogger-image--1888723916.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYubb0t96gePXbmStFm9bH6FGWn1XNbauAzaqYwSiUAsANpc60OBNeCrp1ki3z6fI3tWMlj8ad4kii6N2R-psiByzdcTm-Dgufl-Xem6mEBBqio96kjJD-4N6nxFFjXeq_zYmvdWPEb3KH/s640/blogger-image--1888723916.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div><div>It was about 32 degrees celcius in London so we were very hot and sweaty after our day so we went home and showered before dinner in Shake Shack, Covent Garden. This place has only opened so there was a large queue outside - but it was worth the wait!</div></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBApXXNQV0TeR88JqRrtP5CU57dowT8t_ZTHkHmbCW38zfkaFUmsmGcQpYCb3hicp-7TbT3xswi9INEezite34ZAa3lgdJESJGYMWVpr81DUFrMNpL7xvbtHr8U7ZOLEmOg6aPcyoDGniX/s640/blogger-image-1939403643.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBApXXNQV0TeR88JqRrtP5CU57dowT8t_ZTHkHmbCW38zfkaFUmsmGcQpYCb3hicp-7TbT3xswi9INEezite34ZAa3lgdJESJGYMWVpr81DUFrMNpL7xvbtHr8U7ZOLEmOg6aPcyoDGniX/s640/blogger-image-1939403643.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnYeZLtyQa5VUmFFU6jy96QLefmAanFO_ky4m_Ys2BOSABhx087LkXYYnxI36LdQPdfxkftUvwDHf4SMNbpYIh46Bp3AmLFOheoA5v7fa3_wtF4ikBVZSQKfdpos7il-GPvDUIxqc0FgNJ/s640/blogger-image-192692720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnYeZLtyQa5VUmFFU6jy96QLefmAanFO_ky4m_Ys2BOSABhx087LkXYYnxI36LdQPdfxkftUvwDHf4SMNbpYIh46Bp3AmLFOheoA5v7fa3_wtF4ikBVZSQKfdpos7il-GPvDUIxqc0FgNJ/s640/blogger-image-192692720.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We have been getting the Tube everywhere which we just love!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN6JDUfDvffFfD4JUl2jZ0-R8QAkFRcDZEpGa0tgThNU6thJHMukpeFbQ2sHIRF7a4XqrdNxhpVLZYzGTtsO9Zi14TMSzIQMa6ELXs4M6e4MFBu6ewaqHZwfdgoeeTE8GpDe0vTb0nqBsm/s640/blogger-image-2076091417.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN6JDUfDvffFfD4JUl2jZ0-R8QAkFRcDZEpGa0tgThNU6thJHMukpeFbQ2sHIRF7a4XqrdNxhpVLZYzGTtsO9Zi14TMSzIQMa6ELXs4M6e4MFBu6ewaqHZwfdgoeeTE8GpDe0vTb0nqBsm/s640/blogger-image-2076091417.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div><br></div>

London - Day 1

We got the tube to Southbank and then walked to Trafalgar Square and visited the National Museum. Along the way we asked directions and chat...

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Matt Said, Jay Said 44

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="MsoNormal">Matt blahs, Jay blahs, You sigh. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Matt: Hey<br />Jay: Hey<br />Matt: What’s up? <br />Jay: Nothing much. <br />Matt: Cool. <br />Jay: U? <br />Matt: Same. <br />Jay: Cool. <br />Matt: Dinner? <br />Jay: Chicken, noodles and green beans. <br />Matt: Yummy. <br />Jay: U? <br />Matt: Rally’s<br />Jay: Nice. <br />Matt: What kind of green beans? <br />Jay: French Cut. <br />Matt: You fancy mofo you! <br />Jay: Hell yeah! I’m sophisticated. <br />Matt: I keep forgetting that. <br />Jay: Well, I don’t like to show off too much. <br />Matt: Good plan. <br />Jay: It’s like wearing a fancy suit in Memphis. <br />Matt: Pretty damn risky. <br />Jay: Damn right man. <br />Matt: You are a very careful man. <br />Jay: Gotta be these days. <br />Matt: People be crazy, yo! <br />Jay: True dat.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiorz7FrhACcpC96oyoNv0QhBSDT8lOra0wQyPL4FBLdjkrpH4VcdhQSbc197qmIO1Yp03knOpo4sCjpkVt93kp8PrjDFdvN5gZ7dGYzTXAZ0XBp0fpBb9nD4eM4hdARAmlIMI7klvucyU/s1600/Kate+Upton+See+Through.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiorz7FrhACcpC96oyoNv0QhBSDT8lOra0wQyPL4FBLdjkrpH4VcdhQSbc197qmIO1Yp03knOpo4sCjpkVt93kp8PrjDFdvN5gZ7dGYzTXAZ0XBp0fpBb9nD4eM4hdARAmlIMI7klvucyU/s1600/Kate+Upton+See+Through.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p><br /></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">Jay: Hey, the <a href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/im-with-stupid/2013/07/28/sexy-sexting-show">Sexy Sexting Show</a> is #2!<br />Matt: That’s hot. <br />Jay: Did it result in any extra sexting for you? <br />Matt: Nope. <br />Jay: That’s too bad. <br />Matt: U? <br />Jay: Fuck no. <br />Matt: Awwwww <br />Jay: IKNOWRIGHT?! <br />Matt: Well that wasn’t the purpose of the show. <br />Jay: Yeah, I kno …. Wait. It wasn’t? <br />Matt: Noooooooooo! It was to entertain the masses. <br />Jay: A handful of them at a time. <br />Matt: Exactly! <br />Jay: Well then. We were successful! <br />Matt: Damn right we were! <br />Jay: That sounds weird. <br />Matt: What does? <br />Jay: “We. Were. Successful.” <br />Matt: Oh wow! It does. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkBya-IAKhYEkg3m140OAo7-9E3tyBAwGK6myN_dn5kF4oNWKHkRJV_b9XI-pyybuf2RqEuXq9l2XMUR_GbkJ0Gl5nx_folaTBxwo5UbVuzlqQqygRf73-SI6UwDxS4N9PYS50Ukf36c4/s1600/Paula+Patton+Hot+Cleavage+Boobs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkBya-IAKhYEkg3m140OAo7-9E3tyBAwGK6myN_dn5kF4oNWKHkRJV_b9XI-pyybuf2RqEuXq9l2XMUR_GbkJ0Gl5nx_folaTBxwo5UbVuzlqQqygRf73-SI6UwDxS4N9PYS50Ukf36c4/s1600/Paula+Patton+Hot+Cleavage+Boobs.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p><br /></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">Jay: So this week? <br />Matt: A surprise birthday party for President Obama! <br />Jay: Oh that’s brilliant. <br />Matt: IKR? He needs a pick-me-up anyway. <br />Jay: Our entire staff can record birthday messages. <br />Matt: Oh hell yes! <br />Jay: A Paul Piatt w/ a special birthday poem? <br />Matt: You know he has some beautiful poems for that. <br />Jay: Maybe some celebrities will chime in too! <br />Matt: And former presidents! <br />Jay: And some world leaders! <br />Matt: And “what will Obama wish for?” thoughts. <br />Jay: And presents we and others might give him. <br />Matt: And birthday party ideas. <br />Jay: Oh hell yeah! <br />Matt: Cause for us, life is a party. <br />Jay: It sure as hell is! <br />Matt: Sunday is also Coast Guard Day! <br />Jay: We’re on it! <br />Matt: And Revolution Day in Burkina Faso! <br />Jay: The most important day of the year! <br />Matt: I can’t fucking wait! <br />Jay: Me either! <br />Matt: Better start early on all those audios. <br />Jay: Oh shit. There will be tons of ‘em! <br />Matt: That’s hot. <br />Jay: Very. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal">So, be sure to join our surprise <a href="http://www.blogtalkradio.com/im-with-stupid/2013/08/04/happy-birther-day-barack-obama">Happy Birther-Day President Obama</a> show on Sunday at 12 Noon ET!!!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div></div>

Matt Said, Jay Said 44

Matt blahs, Jay blahs, You sigh. Matt: Hey Jay: Hey Matt: What’s up? Jay: Nothing much. Matt: Cool. Jay: U? Matt: Same. Jay: Cool. Matt: Din...

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2 Guns: 2 droll 2 be taken seriously

<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><i>2 Guns</i> </b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>(2013) • <a href="http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/universal/2guns/" style="color: #27a9c5; text-decoration: none;">View trailer</a></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b> </b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b>3.5 stars. Rating: R, for violence, profanity and brief nudity</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #5e5e5e; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b>By <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/12885694730612878577" style="color: #27a9c5; text-decoration: none;">Derrick Bang</a> • </b></span>Originally published in <i><a href="http://www.davisenterprise.com/" style="color: #27a9c5; text-decoration: none;">The Davis Enterprise</a></i>, 8.2.13</b></span></span></span></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings></xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing> <w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing> <w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> </w:Compatibility> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276"> </w:LatentStyles></xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 10]><style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} </style><![endif]--> <!--StartFragment--> <br /><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This summer could be subtitled The Revenge of the Comic Book.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Or, perhaps, yet another reminder that imitation isn’t always the sincerest form of flattery.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkA3LFk2Io1tzKM3lLj7F03LQ21jXcQbMcCH5T6fmH8Ll0vO7AsoQFEBiEK-TZawQFyIri6AbTxXtiQkOQJ9mLsNNlcLRSpV6p43OIfSiUlm57fOnlcmXjbBaq3P7L_r6Nen6dHCSfR-c/s1600/2+Guns+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkA3LFk2Io1tzKM3lLj7F03LQ21jXcQbMcCH5T6fmH8Ll0vO7AsoQFEBiEK-TZawQFyIri6AbTxXtiQkOQJ9mLsNNlcLRSpV6p43OIfSiUlm57fOnlcmXjbBaq3P7L_r6Nen6dHCSfR-c/s400/2+Guns+blog.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Bobby (Denzel Washington, left) and Stig (Mark Wahlberg) eye each other warily,<br />navigating serious trust issues, while they wonder what to do with the drug kingpin<br />they've trapped in the trunk of their vehicle. As it turns out, that guy's gonna be the<br />least of their worries...</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I don’t refer merely to obvious candidates such as <i><a href="http://derrickbang.blogspot.com/2013/05/iron-man-3-ol-shell-head-triumphs-again.html">Iron Man 3</a></i>, <i><a href="http://derrickbang.blogspot.com/2013/07/the-wolverine-claws-for-delight.html">Wolverine</a></i> or <i><a href="http://derrickbang.blogspot.com/2013/06/man-of-steel-dull-as-iron.html">Man of Steel</a></i>. <i><a href="http://derrickbang.blogspot.com/2013/07/red-2-twice-goofiness.html">RED 2</a></i> and <i><a href="http://derrickbang.blogspot.com/2013/07/ripd-doa.html">R.I.P.D.</a></i> also are based on graphic novels, and the latter demonstrates the folly of believing that folks will queue up simply because something IS a big-screen adaptation of such a property.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Clever ideas are a great start, but they’re no substitute for a sharp screenplay that understands the need to <i>sustain</i> our involvement for the next few hours. Many of today’s one-shot graphic novels suffer from the same malady that infects numerous movies: a slick one-sentence concept that doesn’t know where to go from Page 3.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Happily, <i>2 Guns</i> — derived from Steven Grant’s five-issue miniseries of the same title — rises above that level of mediocrity. Blake Masters’ screenplay is quite witty, and stars Denzel Washington and Mark Wahlberg get plenty of mileage from their snarky frenemy dynamic. If the core plot doesn’t always stand up to scrutiny, that probably wasn’t high on director Baltasar Kormákur’s goals anyway; he obviously set out to make a pleasurable popcorn flick, with enjoyable results. He achieves a tone that evokes pleasant memories of 1987’s <i>Lethal Weapon</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As was true with <i>RED 2</i>, we’re not that bothered by whatever propels our central characters, as long as they keep entertaining us.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And, credit where due, this film’s twisty first act definitely keeps us guessing. If my next few paragraphs seem unduly vague or misleading, blame a desire to preserve at least some of the early surprises.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We meet Bobby Trench (Washington) and Michael “Stig” Stigman (Wahlberg) as they case the Tres Cruces Savings & Loan from a diner across the street in a small Texas border town. Their goal seems decidedly larcenous, but they can’t <i>really</i> be bad guys, because they flirt so coyly with the waitress, and because they’re our stars, fercryinoutloud.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One flashback later, it appears that Stig and Bobby are trying to set up Papi Greco (Edward James Olmos), a drug kingpin who does his dirty work in Mexico, while leading what seems an ordinary life as husband and father in an upscale Texas community. At least, it <i>seems</i> like this is what’s going down, but the edges quickly get fuzzy; far too many additional players pop up at the fringes of this undercover sting ... if indeed that’s the game in the first place.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><a name='more'></a><br /> <div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Frustrated by an unconsummated drug deal that would have concluded the case, Stig and Bobby invade the aforementioned Savings & Loan, where they believe Papi Greco has stashed $3 million in a safe deposit box. One quick escape later, our astonished buddies realize they've snatched somewhere north of $40 million: a crazy amount of money that rings all sorts of alarm bells.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And, in the blink of an eye, our heroes are targeted by not just one, nor two, but <i>four</i> sets of adversaries: Papi Greco’s goons; DEA agents led by Jessup (Robert John Burke) and Deb (Paula Patton), the latter having “serious history” with Bobby; U.S. Navy investigators led by Quince (James Marsden); and a seriously nasty group of guys fronted by the psychopathic Earl (Bill Paxton).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With so many gun-toting thugs on their tail — some of them wearing crisp Navy uniforms — Bobby and Stig begin to wonder if they can even trust each other. This rising paranoia adds plenty of amusing edge to their banter, which grows increasingly wary as each becomes more reluctant to turn his back during a firefight.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kormákur and Masters keep us guessing for quite some time; even when some alliances appear to be resolved, others remain uncertain. The result is a combustible brew that is fueled, throughout, by the well-timed quips traded by Washington and Wahlberg.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Washington remains a fascinating presence in every respect, down to the most innocuous moments; he moves like a panther and adds engaging body language to a simple walk across a room. His tough-guy blankness melts into mocking challenge or amused disbelief, as a scene demands; his guileless sincerity brings more credibility to this nonsense than you’d believe possible.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Point being: Unlike many actors, who would sleepwalk through such fluff, Washington <i>always</i> brings his A-game. And we admire him for it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Washington’s acutely focused Bobby contrasts nicely with Wahlberg’s amiable, language-mangling Stig. Wahlberg plays a guy who looks and acts dumber than he is: a misleading attitude that grants him an advantage more than once. Stig also is chatterbox, his relentless patter yet another means of distracting those around him. Trouble is, Bobby’s never sure if HE’S one of the people Stig intends to distract.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Paxton is memorably chilling as the über-nasty Earl, the sort of smiling, bland-faced killer that movies of this stripe love to serve up. Earl’s affectation involves forcing captured rivals to endure a few rounds of Russian roulette: a gimmick that comes with a speech that hearkens back to Clint Eastwood’s “I know what you’re thinking” monologue, in <i>Dirty Harry</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Marsden proves equally lethal, in a spit-and-polish manner, as Quince; Fred Ward makes the most of his brief appearance as a Navy admiral with a rather distressing means of “settling” some of the issues at hand. Olmos is quite persuasive as the sort of very bad fellow who knows that he never needs to raise his voice, because he’s the most powerful — and deadly — guy in the room.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Patton, so aggressively capable in 2011’s <i><a href="http://derrickbang.blogspot.com/2011/12/mission-impossible-ghost-protocol.html">Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol</a></i>, does well with one of this story’s most complex roles. At first she seems little more than exploitative eye-candy, but Deb proves to have hidden depths.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The action dances from one side of the border to the other, and back again. Some of the plot sidebars are needlessly contrived, most notably a pointless detour while Bobby and Stig join a group of Papi Greco’s coyotes, as they herd some illegal immigrants into the United States. This seems a rather blatant — and gratuitous — political statement on Masters’ part.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kormákur burst on the scene with 2000’s <i>101 Reykjavík</i>, made in his native Iceland; more recently, he worked with Wahlberg on last year’s <i><a href="http://derrickbang.blogspot.com/2012/01/contraband-slick-smarmy-and-suspenseful.html">Contraband</a></i>, a slick but otherwise average crime thriller. Although Kormákur has a gift for well-staged mayhem, he occasionally succumbs to irritating “artistic” tendencies, such as the aforementioned flashbacks that interfere with the flow of this film's first act.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Editor Michael Tronick cuts deftly but not intrusively, and keeps the pace lively; cinematographer Oliver Wood adds some grit with occasionally grainy film stock, but wisely doesn’t overuse the effect. I’m also grateful for the fact that, copious gunfire notwithstanding, the results are neither gory nor particularly bloody ... unless, that is, we include the chickens.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">An unrelated factoid I can't resist sharing: This routine action thriller boasts a jaw-dropping 12 producers — or perhaps 24, depending on who’s counting — which begs the obvious question: What the heck did they all <i>do</i>?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That notwithstanding, <i>2 Guns</i> is ideal summer entertainment: easy on the eyes and brain, with plenty of empty calories to keep us engaged for 109 minutes.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><!--EndFragment-->

2013 action Bill Paxton Denzel Washington Edward James Olmos Fred Ward James Marsden Mark Wahlberg Paul Patton 2 Guns: 2 droll 2 be taken seriously

2 Guns   (2013) •  View trailer   3.5 stars. Rating: R, for violence, profanity and brief nudity By  Derrick Bang  •  Originally published i...

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Gold Star mom Debbie Lee remembers Navy son on the anniversary of his death in Iraq

I had the privilege of meeting Debbie Lee a few years ago. She was personable, friendly, and outgoing. I met her, however, knowing the weight she carried, and I thanked her for her sacrifice. Today is the anniversary of her son's death in 2006 in Iraq, and here is her remembrance.<br /><blockquote><span style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Today is August 2nd. This day will never be the same for me. For most people it's just another sunny summer day filled with normal routines, but for me it will always be "that day." Aug 2nd, 2006 is a day that forever changed my life.<br /> <br /> It was another sunny day in Arizona 7 years ago, but across the world in Ramadi, Iraq it was a different story. I couldn't even tell you what I did that day but that evening I was at my small group and we were celebrating my birthday which had been the week before.<br /> <br /> Within 30 minutes life would change from cake, ice cream and receiving a gift of a Willow Tree Angel named "Courage" to using that courage to survive the most devastating moments of my life.<br /> <br /> I arrived home to find my son Kristofer waiting on the sidewalk to inform me the Navy was there. I glanced at the two Navy Officers in their dress whites on my porch and fell into Kristofer's arms and cried "Noooooooooooo!" I knew why they were there.<br /> <br /> We entered the house and they tried to prepare me for what they were about to tell me. They had been in my home for about 30 minutes while Kris tried to find me.<br /> <br /> "We can tell by being in your home you are a woman of faith and you are going to need to rely on your faith for what we are about to tell you. Your son Marc Alan Lee has been killed in Action." I couldn't breathe; I felt a pain in the core of my being that no parent should ever have to feel. I began to cry my river.<br /> <br /> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><img align="right" alt="" hspace="5" src="http://images.alpha.mailsquadron.com/clients/MAF2554/maf/11112011_marc.jpg" style="border-style: none;" vspace="5" /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">It's hard to believe it has been 7 years since that young man sacrificed his life defending his teammates, and our freedoms.<br /> <br /> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">I still can't comprehend how you can fight in an intense fire fight for two hours, in extreme temperatures of 120 degrees, carrying 150-180 lbs. and still have the mental focus and strength to make the decision to do the right thing and risk your life for others.  Courage like Marc displayed doesn't just happen. It is engrained in you by your creator, it is the choice to follow the Biblical morals and values taught to you, it is the opportunity to practice in other difficult circumstances that life brings you or your BUD's instructors produce.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"> Marc displayed physical and moral courage often witnessed on the battlefield, but courage need not be displayed only in the battlefields of combat as we fight and defend America and the freedoms we have been blessed with</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">.<br /> <br /> Our American History is rich in examples of patriots who displayed courage in numerous circumstances, willing to give everything if need be for what they believed in, to provide liberty and a better life to those they left behind.<br />  </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><br /> There is a huge hole that is left from his absence. I will never share the dinner table with him, or feel his arms hug me in the way only a Mother and Son can hug, or see his smirky grin, beautiful brown eyes, dark curly locks, or experience his playful antics or hear his encouraging words. I won't get that dance at his wedding, or hold his children and watch them grow, or have him hold me or care for me when I get old.<br /> </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Yet, there are so many blessings in the midst of this deep loss. Marc's sacrifice and his last letter home have inspired millions of people around the world. That young man is perhaps more alive in his spirit, that is still here, than he was in life.<br /> <br /> I had no choice in the news the was delivered to me on Aug 2nd, but I did have a choice how I responded. God made it very clear to me that night as I read Psalms 27 that He was right there with me, He was my rock and my strength. "I would have lost hope if I had not believed I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. What on the Lord, be of good courage and he will strengthen your heart; wait I say on the Lord." Psalms 27:15 & 16<br />  <br /> I had seen God do amazing things in my life and I had confidence in Him that He would carry me through and be my strength. I chose to proceed through the grieving process and encourage and help others with the hope God gives me daily.<br /><br /> </span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" src="http://images.alpha.mailsquadron.com/clients/MAF2554/maf/thumb_hhh_iraq_xmas_40.jpg" style="border-style: none;" /><span style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"> <b><br />Accepting Marc's last challenge in his glory letter, and <br />by God's strength I have dedicated my life to supporting <br />and honoring our troops and the families they left behind. </b></span></div><br />Marc's name means Mighty Warrior and today I remember him and as I do every day honor his courage and sacrifice. He left behind his weapon, his armor and his boots and laid down his baton which I picked up and carry on. <b>To everyone who served and sacrificed for my freedoms and yours, I say "THANK YOU."</b><br /><br />Marc's final gift to me was his teammates and I am blessed to have so many "adopted boys" and share their families and their love. God multiplied my family exponentially and I am a blessed woman.<br /><br />So as you enjoy your sunny Aug 2nd and live your normal life and watch your children and grandchildren play today give them an extra hug, count your blessings, and remember our fallen warriors who sacrificed all of their tomorrows and hope for a future so you could enjoy today.<br /><br />Remembering my son, my hero, my mighty warrior!<br /><br /><img alt="" src="http://images.alpha.mailsquadron.com/clients/MAF2554/maf/20130802_debbie.jpg" style="border-style: none;" /><br />Debbie Lee<br />Gold Star Mother of Marc Alan Lee<br />Spokesperson and Military Liason<br /><a href="http://www.moveamericaforward.org/">Move America Forward</a></blockquote>

Debbie Lee Gold Star moms Iraq Marc Alan Lee Move America Forward Operation Iraqi Freedom support our troops U.S. Navy Gold Star mom Debbie Lee remembers Navy son on the anniversary of his death in Iraq

I had the privilege of meeting Debbie Lee a few years ago. She was personable, friendly, and outgoing. I met her, however, knowing the weigh...

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SCANDINAVIA

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font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} </style><![endif]--> <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE4Z5n_aZphAhrt7XFGtju4kgHombMJ7ff3G78g5H3decuOphdYKtlQCa6RHrIY8m148WLHM1Tz9UGU6DfSHAA_K1ThZBhpJUB_2uOYiBdUknFg5mNgAjkW1lcVsgLCJLwwqVIE2SqBotk/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE4Z5n_aZphAhrt7XFGtju4kgHombMJ7ff3G78g5H3decuOphdYKtlQCa6RHrIY8m148WLHM1Tz9UGU6DfSHAA_K1ThZBhpJUB_2uOYiBdUknFg5mNgAjkW1lcVsgLCJLwwqVIE2SqBotk/s320/images.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">SWEDEN PROPOSES NORDIC BATTALION FORCE PLAN</span></b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://www.defensenews.com/article/20130725/DEFREG01/307250013/Sweden-Proposes-Nordic-Battalion-Force-Plan" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: blue;">Source: Defense News</span></b></a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A potential joint Nordic Battalion Force (NBF) will be on the table when defense ministers and commanders from SWEDEN, FINLAND, Norway and DENMARK meet to discuss the SWEDISH proposal this fall.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The concept for establishing the modular-style NBF is fundamental to a closer and meaningful Nordic defense cooperation, said SWEDISH Armed Force chief Gen. Sverker Göransson.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The NBF could be activated in 2016, Göransson said. The modular design would enable it to be deployed in a broad range of tasks and call in air, naval and special operations forces when needed.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The SWEDISH proposal has received mixed reviews in Nordic capitals. FINLAND said it welcomed the SWEDISH initiative, but added that the country’s participation would depend on whether the NBF — besides being properly constructed, funded and equipped — is assigned a worthwhile role to strengthen the Nordic and Baltic Sea defenses.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Oslo and Copenhagen are expected to discuss the NBF proposal in September, although it is speculated that neither DENMARK nor NORWAY will join at the outset.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">FINLAND’S defense minister, meanwhile, told Defense News he has questions as to how the battalion would be used.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Would it function as a regional force, or could it be a crisis management tool that could be used outside of the EUROPEAN UNION’S [EU’s] borders?” asked Defense MinisterCarl Haglund.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The NBF advocated by Göransson would operate as a separate force to the EUROPEAN UNION’S SWEDISH-led Nordic Battle Group (NBG), made up of troops and equipment from FINLAND, NORWAY, IRELAND, ESTONIA and LATVIA. Unlike the NBF, which would be Nordic-specific, the larger NBG is assigned to the EU’s standby international mission forces.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpPCLP3hYQi6aHBNQGw1u1wGe8gKYCm0QEEvAa3-BFpTi5fMeBKVcUHLGGPJ7B2nxKKAAaor5FtpZ5mjTLqhGCPkSiJBLdGpPoj4WouMYdg-cXVAEH-1BozVOEMjpxI2y9-JGQwvRlgkcs/s1600/norden-overview2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpPCLP3hYQi6aHBNQGw1u1wGe8gKYCm0QEEvAa3-BFpTi5fMeBKVcUHLGGPJ7B2nxKKAAaor5FtpZ5mjTLqhGCPkSiJBLdGpPoj4WouMYdg-cXVAEH-1BozVOEMjpxI2y9-JGQwvRlgkcs/s320/norden-overview2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">SWEDEN and FINLAND estimate that the NBG, whose next sixth month standby is scheduled for January 2015, costs around US $300 million to train, assemble and made deployable.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Haglund said that while FINLAND supports effective Nordic military cooperation, a force that would protect Nordic territories requires the signing of defense agreements.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“If it is assumed that a Nordic Battalion Force would be used, for example, in the common defense of FINNISH, SWEDISH and other Nordic territories, then we are talking about a completely unique situation,” Haglund said. “We do not have these types of mutual defense agreements in place at the present time.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The SWEDISH-sponsored NBF proposal forms part of a broader national and Nordic debate on territorial and regional defense that also raises significant questions as to whether SWEDEN should rescind its non-aligned status and join NATO, said Peter Hultqvist, chairman of SWEDEN’S Parliamentary Committee on Defense.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Any new initiative that comes out of Nordic cooperation on defense, and which delivers a more effective military capability to defend SWEDEN, should be considered,” Hultqvist said. “We must look at the fine detail. What will a Nordic battalion-size force cost, and what countries will join. Above all, such a force must be mission-relevant.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Nordic Defense Cooperation (NORDEFCO) is examining the basis for building the NBF. The group is expected to present a development review in the fall, said Stefan Andersson, a Stockholm-based political analyst.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">NORDEFCO serves as the primary conduit for collaboration between the Nordic militaries.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“The SWEDISH proposal falls neatly in to line with a NORDEFCO Cooperation Area Battalion Task Force 2020 study to determine if a common approach is possible to the development of a generic Nordic Battalion Task Force that would include Command and Control, C4IS, Logistics as well as effective intelligence and engagement pillars,” Andersson said.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The modular operating model would involve a battalion of 400 to 1,200 personnel comprising three to seven companies, Andersson said.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“This battalion force organization, at its maximum capacity, would be about half the size of the Nordic Battle Group, which has around 2,400 troops assigned. The SWEDISH hope is that NORWAY and FINLAND will be there from the very start, with DENMARK possibly joining at some later point,” Andersson said. “What is interesting is that the battalion force contemplated is regarded as being a worthwhile project within Nordic political and military circles whether or not FINLAND or SWEDEN should decide to move towards NATO membership in the future.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Göransson’s military assessment, made last spring, that years of under-funding of SWEDEN’S national defense has stripped the country’s capacity to defend itself for longer than one week, re-opened the debate on the country’s potential membership in NATO.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The prospects for a future application by SWEDEN brightened in July when the Social Democrats, a party traditionally opposed to stronger formal links with the alliance, reversed its position to support a government initiative to allow SWEDISH forces to train with NATO’s Rapid Response Force.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“We are talking about advanced training exercises that we can’t do ourselves in SWEDEN. It would mean cooperation at a deeper level with NATO, just as FINLAND, which is also non-aligned, does. Taking part in Response Force exercises is vital if we want to develop the full capacity of our military,” said Hultqvist, who is also the Social Democrats’ shadow spokesman on defense.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">SWEDEN’S Christian-Democrat opposition party, meanwhile, is lobbying for full membership in NATO. The Christian-Democrats say NATO membership offers the only long-term viable defense solution to protect the sovereignty of SWEDEN and neighboring Nordic states.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“Having a Nordic battalion force is useful in the short-term, but the truth is SWEDEN needs to be in NATO. We must become a full member,” said Mikael Oscarsson, the Christian-Democrats’ defense policy spokesman. “This is the only solution that can contribute to increased security both for our country and neighboring Nordic countries.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Oscarsson said the “dire shortage” of firepower within the Army’s two primary artillery battalions, due to delays in the delivery of the first of 24 mobile ARCHER systems, highlights SWEDEN’S need to develop common defense platforms with Nordic neighbors and NATO.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“The first ARCHER units should have arrived in 2011. Technical delays mean our artillery battalions still haven’t taken delivery of even one. Most of the older howitzer units have been decommissioned. This means that the Armed Force’s capacity to defend this country is severely limited right now,” Oscarsson said.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Göransson said the first four ARCHER systems are expected to be delivered late this year, while the rate of delivery will see two units delivered each month in 2014 until the order with BAE Systems is fulfilled</span></div>

SCANDINAVIA

SWEDEN PROPOSES NORDIC BATTALION FORCE PLAN Source: Defense News A potential joint Nordic Battalion Force (NBF) will be on the table when d...

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Global TPP fears are on the rise

<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) is raising concerns not only in the U.S., but increasingly abroad as well. The reason is a familiar one to working Americans who have sounded the alarm about the potential trade pact -- jobs.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL5GNPh4L9dyFEjafZgdiLgok9fpP5_M0vgNOuTOWAXZejHvGXGnGsP1spLECr7NtKsbzE1Y7RlXgK3QNdhzmGV_vRO4iWp0vuqjkx_b7TV33eLlje3d5hnhidRw71jJ4kMMouyRMMkqih/s1600/tpp.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL5GNPh4L9dyFEjafZgdiLgok9fpP5_M0vgNOuTOWAXZejHvGXGnGsP1spLECr7NtKsbzE1Y7RlXgK3QNdhzmGV_vRO4iWp0vuqjkx_b7TV33eLlje3d5hnhidRw71jJ4kMMouyRMMkqih/s320/tpp.jpeg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At a public hearing held today in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to discuss the TPP, attendees raised fears that </span><a href="http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2013/08/02/Consumers-laud-move-to-block-stolen-handphones.aspx" rel="nofollow"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">the “free trade” agreement was just an attempt by the U.S.</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> to dominate the economies of the 11 other nations currently negotiating the agreement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>They worried that smaller businesses would be stamped out and many jobs lost. <o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> That message was not lost on the nation’s leaders. Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohammad, Malaysia’s international trade minister, said the negative mood was apparent:</span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I respect it because the reason we are doing this is to listen, and to be a good listener, we have to respect people’s views. I recognize that a lot more will have to be done to engage the public on TPPA.<o:p></o:p></span></blockquote></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> It’s just the latest example of a growing movement against the Pacific Rim trade deal in that country. Last month, Tun Dr Mahathir,Malaysia’s former prime minister, </span><a href="http://www.thestar.com.my/Opinion/Columnists/Along-The-Watchtower/Profile/Articles/2013/07/17/discord-over-secret-talk.aspx" rel="nofollow"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">voiced his opposition to the TPP</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">, calling it:</span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A partnership of the unequal, of the strong to take advantage of the weak.<o:p></o:p></span></blockquote></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Malaysians are not alone in that belief. Earlier this year, </span><a href="http://boingboing.net/2013/07/31/prominent-politicians-and-nego.html" rel="nofollow"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Chile’s former chief TPP negotiator also called out</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> the trade pact, describing it as a threat to all involved nations. He said it would limit options when it came to health and education developments, as well as biological and cultural diversity. He also said nations’ economic and policy decision-making would be curtailed as well.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Growing pessimism, however, doesn’t seem to be stalling efforts to move forward with finalizing the TPP. </span><a href="http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/08/02/business/tpp-talks-set-four-stage-tariff-deadline/#.Ufvwq2zD_cs" rel="nofollow"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The 12 involved nations have set four deadlines</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> for reaching a consensus on eliminating tariffs and want to have a basic agreement in place by the end of October. It is expected that bilateral negotiations will be wrapped up by Sept. 20. The next round of talks is set to begin Aug. 22 in Brunei.<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> The clock is ticking on this agreement. Workers across the globe are waking up to the reality that this deal is a loser for them but a major coup for corporations. Now it’s time to let elected officials know we are onto the game.<o:p></o:p></span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here in the U.S., we’ve seen this before with such deals as NAFTA. No one is against trade, just unfair trade. It’s time to stop letting big corporations ship our jobs overseas and dump our wages and benefits overboard along the way.<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> The first step is to convince Congress that approving an up-or-down vote on the TPP with no chance to alter the deal and limited debate is a net loser. Lawmakers will likely take up the issue soon after returning to Washington next month.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br /><o:p><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Congress, the ball's in your court. Don't drop it.</span></o:p>

Global TPP fears are on the rise

The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) is raising concerns not only in the U.S., but increasingly abroad as well. The reason is a familiar on...

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Striking funeral directors gain political support

<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPwIfiR_cL8TsBXTGNxAhZBQK2UI05DCovhkiGBUwdgFVusuQ_JSw0tMampbFO_xuywDiCAiEi7zH2dYZiYS8-NOMjGPgM0DfSTJCn77nMhSj4NR7jgnYa8_BwonyIkbFvoui8Zg7JGzXV/s1600/SCI+strike.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPwIfiR_cL8TsBXTGNxAhZBQK2UI05DCovhkiGBUwdgFVusuQ_JSw0tMampbFO_xuywDiCAiEi7zH2dYZiYS8-NOMjGPgM0DfSTJCn77nMhSj4NR7jgnYa8_BwonyIkbFvoui8Zg7JGzXV/s400/SCI+strike.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Striking funeral directors in Chicago. </td></tr></tbody></table>Striking funeral directors from Teamsters Local 727 in Chicago have gained the political support of such political heavyweights as <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rahm_Emanuel" rel="nofollow">Mayor Rahm Emanuel</a>,  <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pat_Quinn_(politician)" rel="nofollow">Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn</a>, Cook County Board President <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toni_Preckwinkle" rel="nofollow">Toni Preckwinkle</a>, 12 state lawmakers and three members of Congress: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jan_Schakowsky" rel="nofollow">Jan Schakowsky</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Quigley_(politician)">Michael Quigley</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tammy_Duckworth">Tammy Duckworth</a>.<br /><br />The striking funeral directors are fighting SCI Corp. for parity with other Chicago funeral industry professionals.  The $4 billion corporation walked away from negotiations, forcing the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unfair_labor_practice">unfair labor practice</a> strike after the Teamsters’ contract expired on July 1. SCI's stock rose 56 percent in the last year, but the company proposed eliminating the funeral directors' pension fund, increased costs to health care premiums and zero wage increases for new hires after years of wage freezes for current employees.<br /><br />Pickets began a month ago at 16 Chicago-area funeral homes, which SCI operates under the Dignity Memorial brand name.<br /><br />The company has attempted to smear the funeral directors with false statements in the local news media. (Which, by the way, is exactly what you'd expect from a company that hires <a href="http://teamsternation.blogspot.com/2013/06/why-teamsters-charged-funeral-giant.html">armed goons</a> to spy on its own employees during negotiations.) <a href="http://www.teamsterslocal727.org/" rel="nofollow">Teamsters Local 727</a> put out a <a href="http://www.teamster.org/content/members-congress-join-mayor-emanuel-gov-quinn-support-striking-funeral-directors" rel="nofollow">statement</a>:<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">Despite blatantly false claims by SCI, Teamsters are continuing to lawfully picket outside Dignity Memorial funeral homes throughout the Chicago area. Erroneous stories published by local and national media outlets have carried inaccurate reports made by SCI on the Teamsters’ uninterrupted pickets.</blockquote>The good news:<br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">Just this week, SCI contacted the Teamsters to potentially resume negotiations, offering two meeting dates. Local 727 has accepted both days.</blockquote>Stay tuned.

funeral directors strike Striking funeral directors gain political support

Striking funeral directors in Chicago.  Striking funeral directors from Teamsters Local 727 in Chicago have gained the political support of ...

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Gold Cross strikers gain support

<div class="tr_bq"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/2-xDfJ7PC3U" width="420"></iframe></div><br />Our brothers and sisters from <a href="http://www.teamsters542.org/">Teamsters Local 542</a> are standing strong on Day 6 of their strike against Gold Cross Ambulance -- and their families are standing with them.<br /><br />The paramedics and EMTs whose job it is to save lives in Imperial County, Calif., earn less than $10 an hour. They've tried to negotiate for a living wage for six months, but the company remains intransigent. Now the Gold Cross strikers are walking the picket line in stifling heat.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.kswt.com/story/23024711/support-for-strikers-grow-families-join-picket-line">KSWT</a> reports:<br /><blockquote>Despite the heat, 60 paramedics and EMTs in Imperial County continue to walk the picket line 24/7 - trying to fight for a pay raise and better health benefits. </blockquote><blockquote>The paramedics union and Gold Cross Ambulance are miles apart and so far, refuse to meet at the bargaining table. </blockquote><blockquote>The strike has gotten so personal, paramedic's wives are also walking the picket line to support their husbands and to let their voices be heard in the community. </blockquote><blockquote>"It's rough. I mean, emotionally, financially. We've been out here everyday." </blockquote><blockquote>Ashleigh Creiglow who's husband, David, has been a paramedic with Gold Cross for five years says - while she's not a paramedic, she too is on strike because it's impacting her and their two children - directly. </blockquote><blockquote>"I'm the only one working I work part-time I have the kids with me when I work."</blockquote>Stand strong!

Gold Cross strikers gain support

Our brothers and sisters from Teamsters Local 542 are standing strong on Day 6 of their strike against Gold Cross Ambulance -- and their fa...

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Fodor's: '4 U.S. road trips to take before you die' includes one close to home

Only four destination roads are listed in the group of <a href="http://www.fodors.com/news/4-us-road-trips-to-take-before-you-die-6995.html">"4 U.S. road trips to take before you die"</a> from Fodor's, the travel people, and since one is right here in Virginia, there's no reason not to hop on and go!<br /><br />Travel writer Jimmy Im includes the Blue Ridge Parkway as one of those four coveted road trips:<br /><span class="blog-text"></span><br /><h2><span class="blog-text">Blue Ridge Parkway: Virginia to North Carolina</span></h2><span class="blog-text"><img alt="blue-ridge-pkwy-nc.jpg" height="300" src="http://www.fodors.com/wire/blue-ridge-pkwy-nc.jpg" width="452" /><b> </b></span><br /><span class="blog-text"><b>Distance: </b>470 miles<br /><br /> Road trippers can expect lush forestry and some majestic mountains on the <a href="http://www.fodors.com/world/north-america/usa/north-carolina/the-north-carolina-mountains/blue-ridge-parkway/">Blue Ridge Parkway</a>, a 470-mile drive connecting <a href="http://www.fodors.com/world/north-america/usa/virginia/central-and-western-virginia/shenandoah-national-park/">Shenandoah National Park</a> in Virginia and the <a href="http://www.fodors.com/world/north-america/usa/tennessee/great-smoky-mtns-national-park/">Great Smoky Mountains National Park</a> in North Carolina. While it averages roughly 10 hours to drive, plenty of highlights along the way ensure you'll want to take several days to explore the route. Locals call the Blue Ridge Parkway a "window" to the region as several cultural and unique towns are right off the highway.<br /><br /> Visitors stop for a photo opp at the Humpback Rocks in Blue Ridge, VA, a natural rock outcrop that has a storied history. Nearby is the <a href="http://www.fodors.com/world/north-america/usa/virginia/central-and-western-virginia/review-166229.html">Natural Bridge of Virginia</a> in Rockbridge Country, one of the oldest tourist destinations in the country and constantly voted as one of America's best natural wonders. Stop in Roanoke, the largest metropolitan city along the route, to visit charming farmer's markets. <br /><br /> Several attractions await in <a href="http://www.fodors.com/world/north-america/usa/north-carolina/the-north-carolina-mountains/blowing-rock/">Blowing Rock</a>, North Carolina, but a road tripper's favorite is the actual Blowing Rock itself, a cliff looming 4,000 feet above sea level, harboring magnificent views of Hawksbill Mountain and Table Rock. For the mother of all views, stop at <a href="http://www.fodors.com/world/north-america/usa/north-carolina/the-north-carolina-mountains/blue-ridge-parkway/activities_h2447231_hiking.html">Waterrock Knob</a>, which, at 7,000-feet high, showcases breathtaking mountain views.</span>

4 US road trips to take before you die Blue Ridge Mountains Blue Ridge Parkway Fodor's getaways Jimmy In Lynn R. Mitchell North Carolina Virginia Fodor's: '4 U.S. road trips to take before you die' includes one close to home

Only four destination roads are listed in the group of "4 U.S. road trips to take before you die" from Fodor's, the travel pe...

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