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Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Did Dallas County commissioners violate a constitutional ban on ...

A lesbian couple sits in the gallery and watches the 2005 Texas gay-marriage debate in the Senate Committee on State Affairs in Austin. Voters later that year overwhelming approved a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage in the state.((Thomas Terry / AP))

That?s the question Texas Sen. Dan Patrick (R-Houston) wants Attorney General Greg Abbott to answer, reports the Houston Chronicle. Just days after Dallas County commissioners agreed to give stipends to unmarried and gay employees whose partners buy individual health insurance, Patrick reportedly asked Abbott?s office to issue an opinion on whether that and similar programs in the state violate the Texas constitution.

Texas voters in 2005 overwhelmingly approved a state constitutional amendment that bans governmental entities from recognizing anything similar to an opposite-sex marriage. To qualify for the stipend from Dallas County, employees must sign an affidavit saying they?ve been with their same- or opposite-sex partner for at least six months. They also must show proof that they have operated a household or joint finances for the same period of time.

?The question is, are they pushing the envelope to the edge or are they violating the law?? Patrick told the Chronicle. ?I would like the Texas Attorney General to opine on that question.?

The amendment and gay activists? fight for marriage equality have clashed in Dallas County in recent years. And Abbott has already successfully defended the gay marriage ban here before.

In 2009, State District Judge Tena Callahan ruled that the state ban violates the U.S. Constitution?s equal protection clause and said that two men who were legally married in Massachusetts. Abbot intervened in the case and won during an appeal that reversed Callahan?s decision and instructed her to dismiss the divorce case.

Earlier this year, a gay couple was arrestedafter the men handcuffed themselves together in the county records building after being turned down for a marriage license.

Source: http://cityhallblog.dallasnews.com/2012/11/did-dallas-county-commissioners-violate-a-constitutional-ban-on-recognizing-same-sex-relationships.html/

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Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Men grow mustaches to raise awareness about men's cancer

Thanks to ?Movember,? men now have a legitimate excuse not to shave (well, at least for one month).

Movember, also known as No Shave November, is a national campaign that encourages men not to shave for 30 days to help raise awareness and funds for men?s health issues, specifically prostate and testicular cancer.

Kurt Gelfand is a physical therapist at Oconee Physical Therapy and Sports Rehabilitation who was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2011 after successfully fighting bladder cancer in 2009 and 2010. He had prostate cancer surgery in November 2011 and continues to heal from the complications of that surgery. His tests this year have all come back clear and, for the first time in three years, he can say he is cancer-free.

After his experience with prostate cancer, Gelfand founded Save Our Dads, a prostate cancer awareness group formed with the goal to force men to think about prostate cancer and their health.

?Movember is a special time for prostate cancer survivors,? Gelfand said. ?It encourages dialogue and aims to increase early cancer detection, diagnosis and treatment. Movember tries to reduce the overall number of preventable deaths and helps to fund research as our weapons against prostate cancer continue to increase.?

Movember started in Australia in 2004 and now is an international movement that has raised more than $174 million worldwide and over $7.5 million in the U.S. Movember estimates that growing one mustache equals approximately 2,413 conversations about prostate cancer and men?s health.

Men start the month off clean-shaven and for the rest of the month grow the best mustache they can and seek out sponsorships for their mo-growing efforts.

All funds raised are directed to programs run directly by Movember and its men?s health partners, the Prostate Cancer Foundation and the LIVESTRONG Foundation.

With the growth of the mustache, men that never before have had facial hair are given an opportunity to explain why they decided to grow a mustache each time they are asked why they quit shaving.

For men who never shave, the clean-shaven face at the beginning of the month will spark enough questions that they also can talk about the cause.

While there is a website to sign up at to raise money, Gelfand also encourages men that do not want to sign up on the site to grown mustaches as a way to spark conversations.

?Personally speaking, it is very important to me, because when I go to sleep tonight almost 100 men will die today from prostate cancer in the U.S.,? Gelfand said. ?Over 241,000 men will be diagnosed with this disease as the year. I have aggressively promoted Save Our Dads, and every day I find intelligent, insured men who still refuse to go to their doctors unless they are sick.?

This November, Gelfand said he will aggressively go through his contact list and speak to men about growing a mustache and encourage a dialogue about prostate cancer awareness.

He even has plans to talk to Athens Academy about allowing his son Brent, a high school senior, to temporarily break the dress code to celebrate No Shave November and to honor his dad.

?To all of the men who participate, no matter how bad we may look with hair on our lip, let?s have fun with it this month, and in the end, if we got one stubborn man to go get screened, and he had early stage prostate cancer diagnosed, we saved a dad, and it was all worth it,? Gelfand said.

For more information about Movember, visit us.movember.com.

For information about Save Our Dads, email kurt@oconeept.com.

? Follow faith, health and Blueprint reporter April Burkhart at www.facebook.com/AprilBurkhartABH

Source: http://onlineathens.com/health/2012-11-05/men-grow-mustaches-raise-awareness-about-mens-cancer

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Monday, November 5, 2012

The 2012 election is the closest race in 76 years

As Election Day approaches, a review of polling data going back to 1936 shows the race between President Barack Obama and Mitt Romney is the closest in 76 years.

romneyobamaIn many cases, polling isn?t an exact science, and few polls take into account electoral votes, which ultimately decide the winner of the presidential race.

But polls showing the projected popular vote are useful indicators of how the final election will turn out. In other words, polls about the popular vote don?t always pick the winner, but they usually do.

And there hasn?t been a closer election in the polling world since the mid-1930s, when scientific methods were first used to project a presidential winner based on modern sampling techniques.

As of Monday, President Obama has a very slim 0.4 percent lead in the popular vote based on consensus data from Real Clear Politics. Gallup suspended its national tracking polling last week after Hurricane Sandy, but its recent swing state poll shows Obama and Romney tied at 48 percent.

Of the six major national polls taken in November, three show Obama with a slight edge, two show a tied election and one favors Romney. Only one poll, from Pew Research, shows Obama ahead by more than the margin of error in a poll.

In historical terms, looking at past polls from Gallup and two recent consensus polls from Real Clear Politics, it?s the closest election since 2000, when George W. Bush and Al Gore approached Election Day.

The 2000 contest also appears to be the nearest thing to the Obama-Romney campaign if you look at a consensus polling model, instead of Gallup.

Gallup polling from 2000 showed a two-point margin lead for Bush among likely voters and a one-point margin for Gore among registered voters.

We went back to the data for 2000 and did our own Constitution Daily average for the nine major polls taken within a week of Election Day.

2000 Consensus Poll (Bush with positive numbers)

Gallup	NYT	NBC	Zogby	Harris	ICR	ABC	Fox	Pew	Average
2	-1	3	-2	0	-2	3	0	2	0.56%

The consensus poll shows that Bush had a 0.56 percent lead on Gore when numbers from pollsters like Pew and the major TV networks were included. We used the Gallup data that showed Bush?s lead among likely voters, which is how Real Clear Politics accounts for Gallup?s current poll data.

In 1960, John F. Kennedy had a one-point lead over Richard Nixon heading into Election Day, and in 1976, Gerald Ford has a one-point lead over Jimmy Carter. In the 1944 race, Franklin D. Roosevelt led Thomas Dewey by one point heading into Election Day.

In those broad terms, the candidate with the popular-vote polling lead in the closest elections usually finds a path to the White House.

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Looking at the eight closest elections since 1936, the election of 1976 is the only one where the popular polling leader didn?t win the election. Gallup had Gerald Ford with a one-point lead on Jimmy Carter, but Carter won the popular vote by 2.1 percent.

Of course, in the 2000 race Al Gore won by 0.5 percent of the popular vote but lost in the Electoral College after the Supreme Court?s decision to allow Florida?s electoral votes to stand.

The 1980 election was a bigger aberration for Gallup: it had Ronald Reagan with a three-point lead over Carter, but Reagan won the popular vote by 9.6 percent.

A big factor in the 2000 election was the role of third-party candidate Ralph Nader in Florida, where some Gore followers claimed those votes would have likely headed to Gore if Nader hadn?t sought his own candidacy.

In 2012, third-party candidate Virgil Goode has been discussed as a long-shot factor in Virginia.

However, looking at the polling numbers for swing states, it seems that Tuesday night could easily turn into Wednesday morning for Americans waiting to find out the winner of the election.

At least eight swing states have a polling margin of 3 percent or less, according to Real Clear Politics. And Pennsylvania is a late entry into the undecided category.

If President Obama doesn?t take the trifecta of Ohio, Wisconsin, and Iowa, the election will be decided in Nevada or Colorado, or by a potential examination of provisional ballots in other states.

Scott Bomboy is the editor-in-chief of the National Constitution Center.

Closest Election Day Polls		Difference	Forecast Winner	Actual Winner

2012	Obama-Romney	0.4%	?	?
2000	Bush-Gore	0.6%	Bush	Bush*
1960	Kennedy-Nixon	1%	Kennedy	Kennedy
1976	Ford-Carter	1%	Ford	Carter
1944	FDR-Dewey	1%	FDR	FDR
1968	Nixon-Humphrey	2%	Nixon	Nixon
2004	Bush-Kerry	2%	Bush	Bush
1940	FDR-Wilkie	2%	FDR	FDR

*Gore won popular vote, Bush won Electoral vote

Fantasy Nation Roleplay. Checking for Interest and Co-GM's.

Hello, my name is Brock10, and I was just wondering if anyone would like to help me out.

For a long time, I have been waiting for a good nation roleplay, specifically a fantasy one in a Song of Ice and Fire vain. I want intrigue, diplomacy, and war, where people can create their own nations and races, and interact with others. I have an idea for a race and culture etc that make up my nation, however, I would like someone to help me as a Co-GM. I have never made a nation RP before, and I find the task daunting. Someone more experienced would be helpful.

I would also require interest, at least 5 people I would say. If anyone is at all interested, please, please help me make this. I have been waiting for something to come up, and I have decided it is time to go and do it myself. Thankyou.

Brock10.

"I have a tender spot in my heart for cripples, bastards and broken things"-Tyrion Lannister.

"There are no men like me. There's only me." -Jaime Lannister.

"If you would take a man's life, you owe it to him to look into his eyes and hear his final words. And if you can not do that, then perhaps the men does not deserve to die A ruler who hides behind paid executioners soon forgets what death is."-Eddard Stark

WINTER IS COMING. HEAR US ROAR. OURS IS THE FURY. FIRE AND BLOOD.

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/RolePlayGateway/~3/SfaFOBCbLyY/viewtopic.php

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The Future of Automation ? AutomationPrimer - An Industrial and ...

As I mentioned in my post last week, I recently read a few articles on the future of automation and manufacturing. One of the most prolific writers on the future of industry and manufacturing automation trends is Jim Pinto, who has a website (www.jimpinto.com) discussing all things automation. In addition he posts regularly on Automation.com, an excellent resource for information on automation products and issues.

In his article ?The Future of Industrial Automation? on Automation.com, Jim discusses the direction in which industrial automation appears to be moving. First he recaps the technical advances such as PLCs, DCS, PC-based systems and improvements in sensing technology that have revolutionized manufacturing over the past few decades. He then discusses new directions in technology and business including globalization, outsourcing and some of the strategies companies will need to adopt in order to successfully compete in the future.

There is a well-known theory, Moore?s law, that predicts that the complexity of computer processors doubles every two years. This can be extrapolated to say that technology itself is expanding and improving at an ever increasing rate. I know that in my automation career I have seen advances in every facet of the field. I learned my first programming languages on DOS computers and used punch cards. My drafting classes in school concentrated on hand drawing and lettering techniques. Now CAD is three dimensional, programming is often done graphically and sophisticated computers fit in your pocket.

Some of the technologies that are just starting to be widely used include 3D printing, Cloud computing and mobile devices, the ?Internet of Things? and the embedding of microprocessors in nearly everything. As these technologies become widely accepted and commonplace new products and techniques will evolve that can only be imagined. Nanotechnology has already made strides in developing submicroscopic actuators and circuits, this will have a major effect on manufacturing in the future. We have already seen the dispersal of processors into sensors and microcontrollers, imagine when large assembly structures and machines are physically dispersed into small independently controlled microassemblers. Advances in biotechnology may allow designers and programmers to interface with machines directly with their mind rather than using their fingers. Communications between people, technology components and business enterprise software will be nearly instantaneous allowing for complete flexibility in manufacturing on an ?as needed? basis.

The one thing that will not change is the need for education and training in the techniques and equipment used in industry. Whether education continues in the traditional school environment or becomes distributed just like processors and machinery, people will still be needed to design, maintain and operate manufacturing systems for a long time to come. Machinery may eventually become self-repairing, self-programming and even self-replicating, but it is difficult to imagine humans allowing systems to become self-determining and independent.

Then again?

Source: http://automationprimer.com/2012/11/04/the-future-of-automation/

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Sunday, November 4, 2012

septet governable: Home-Improvement:Swimming-Pools-Spas from ...

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Source: http://rolandmcfadden1681.typepad.com/blog/2012/11/septet-governable-home-improvementswimming-pools-spas-from.html

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San Diego State upsets No. 19 Boise State 21-19

San Diego State's Adam Muema (4) runs upfield against Boise State during their NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012, in Boise, Idaho. (AP Photo/Idaho Statesman, Joe Jaszewski)

Boise State's Joe Southwick (16) calls out a play against San Diego State during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012, in Boise, Idaho. (AP Photo/Matt Cilley)

Boise State's Demarcus Lawrence takes down San Diego State's Adam Muema (4) during the first half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012, in Boise, Idaho. (AP Photo/Idaho Statesman, Joe Jaszewski)

Boise State's D.J. Harper (7) fights his way into the end zone against San Diego State's Rene Siluano and Leon McFadden (2) in the first half of their NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012, in Boise, Idaho. (AP Photo/Idaho Statesman, Joe Jaszewski)

Boise State quarterback Joe Southwick (16) is chased out of the pocket by San Diego State's Nick Tenhaeff and completes a pass on the goal line during their NCAA college football game, Saturday Nov. 3, 2012, in Boise, Idaho. (AP Photo/Idaho Statesman, Darin Oswald)

BOISE, Idaho (AP) ? San Diego State beat Boise State at its own game.

For years, the Broncos built long winning streaks and won conference titles with the help of special teams that were more clever, opportunistic or superior than their opponents.

The Aztecs turned the tables Saturday night, running the opening kickoff back for a touchdown and turning a blocked punt deep in Boise State territory in the third quarter into another touchdown en route to a stunning 21-19 upset of the No. 19 Broncos.

"It started with special teams," Aztecs quarterback Adam Dingwell said. "If you can win the special teams battle, you got a good chance of winning the game. And the defense, all night, first quarter through the fourth quarter played a heck of a game. They kept us in this one, I can't say enough about how they played tonight."

It was also a landmark victory for the Aztecs (7-3, 5-1 Mountain West).

San Diego State has won five straight ? the longest winning streak since 1995 ? and moved into a tie for first place in the conference. It also marked the first road victory over a ranked opponent in school history, snapping a run of 31 straight defeats.

The Aztecs were outgained and penalized 10 times, but made up for those deficits with a couple of big plays from special teams.

It started on the game's first play when Colin Lockett caught the kickoff, raced up the middle through the Boise State coverage, faked the kicker and raced down the right sideline untouched for the score.

It's the second kickoff return of the season for Lockett, who returned one in the Aztecs' Sept. 8 victory over Army.

Then in the third quarter, trailing 13-7, Dwayne Garrett reached over a blocker and deflected Trevor Harman's punt to set up another score. Garrett scooped up the bouncing ball and was pushed out of bounds at the Boise State 8. Two plays later, Adam Muema scored on a 3-yard run that put the Aztecs up 14-13.

Muema rushed for 127 yards on 25 carries, including a 43-yard scamper that helped set up a touchdown that put the Aztecs on top 21-13 with 12:20 left in the game.

Dingwell, a redshirt sophomore who took over three weeks ago after starter Ryan Katz went down with an injury, was 12 of 18 for 105 yards. Walter Kazee rushed for 37 yards and scored the Aztecs' final touchdown on a 1-yard dive on fourth down.

The defense also did its part to hold in check a Boise State offense that had scored an average of 34 points in its past four games.

"I think our team believed that they could do it," said Aztec coach Rocky Long. "We got a little help from everybody. Defense played well most of the night. The offense drove it down and ran out the clock. We ran a kickoff back for a touchdown and we blocked a punt, so I think all aspects of the team had something to do with the victory."

For Boise State (7-2, 4-1), it was another rare loss at home.

Last season, TCU came in and won at Bronco Stadium, spoiling hopes for a conference title and playing in a BCS bowl. Boise State came into the game with a 71-1 record in regular season home games, dating back to 2001.

This loss will likely have the same consequences as last year's TCU defeat. The conference title is still within reach, but the Broncos need some help down the stretch.

After winning seven straight and edging into the BCS conversation, any chance of playing in one of those prized postseason games seems remote.

The Broncos played well in the first half and responded to Lockett's kick return on the next possession. Quarterback Joe Southwick was 5 of 5 passing on the drive, including a 12-yard toss to Chris Potter on third down.

Six plays later, D.J. Harper took a pitch and ran right from 1 yard. On the 2-point try, the snap sailed over Southwick's head. Southwick scooped up the loose ball then misfired on the run to Matt Miller in the end zone.

Harper, who rushed for 81 yards, scored again in the second quarter when he kept the ball on a fake reverse and ran 16 yards for a touchdown.

But Southwick and the offense struggled in the second half against a stingy Aztec defense. He threw an interception on the first play of the third quarter, and the offense managed just one first down on its next three possessions.

Southwick, who was 20 of 31 for 164 yards, and the offense finally got rolling in the fourth quarter. Down 21-13 with 12:20 remaining, Southwick led the Broncos on a 16-play, 75-yard drive capped by his 1-yard touchdown toss to fullback Dan Paul that pulled Boise State within 21-19. The Broncos went for 2, but Southwick was pressured and his fluttering pass was picked off near the goal line by Rene Siluano.

"We didn't play well and San Diego State played well, that's just the bottom line," Boise State coach Chris Petersen said. "They're style is very awkward for us to play against. Special teams really hurt us, and we couldn't get enough going on offense."

After Boise State pulled within 21-19, the Aztecs took over with 5:35 minutes remaining, got a couple of first downs, ran out the clock and then stormed the field after time expired.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/347875155d53465d95cec892aeb06419/Article_2012-11-04-T25-San%20Diego%20St-Boise%20St/id-4f81f43f8b4e42cdac2cdba200f93c2b

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