BERIGAN

L.A. wants to end 'master' and 'slave' equipment Reuters News Service LOS ANGELES - Los Angeles officials have asked that manufacturers, suppliers and contractors stop using the terms "master" and "slave" on computer equipment, saying such terms are unacceptable and offensive. The request -- which has some suppliers furious and others busy re-labeling components -- came after an unidentified worker spotted a videotape machine carrying devices labeled "master" and "slave" and filed a discrimination complaint with the county's Office of Affirmative Action Compliance. In the computer industry, "master" and "slave" are used to refer to primary and secondary hard disk drives. The terms are also used in other industries. "Based on the cultural diversity and sensitivity of Los Angeles County, this is not an acceptable identification label," Joe Sandoval, division manager of purchasing and contract services, said in a memo sent to County vendors. "We would request that each manufacturer, supplier and contractor review, identify and remove/change any identification or labeling of equipment components that could be interpreted as discriminatory or offensive in nature," Sandoval said in the memo, which was distributed last week and made available to Reuters. The memo did not include any suggestions for alternative labels. Dennis Tafoya, director of the affirmative action office, said in a separate memo that an "exhaustive search" had been undertaken to find all such labels and replace them with more "appropriate" ones. A form was sent to all departments to identify equipment carrying the labels "master" and "slave" or any other offensive terms. Faced with an avalanche of complaints from vendors and the general public, Sandoval told Reuters in an interview that his memo was intended as "nothing more than a request" and not an ultimatum or policy change. "I do understand that this term has been an industry standard for years and years and this is nothing more than a plea to vendors to see what they can do," he said. "It appears that some folks have taken this a little too literally." Sandoval said that he had already rejected a suggestion that the county stop buying all equipment carrying the "master" and "slave" labels and had no intention of enforcing a ban on such terms with suppliers. "But we are culturally sensitive and we have 90,000 employees," he said. "We have to take these things seriously." Sandoval added that in addition to the e-mails he's received "telling me how stupid I am and how I should be fired" he has gotten a positive response from some companies willing to reexamine their labels. In June, the Los Angeles city council unanimously passed a law requiring that any companies doing business with the city disclose profits they may have made from slavery in the 19th Century. In 2000, the council supported federal legislation seeking reparations for descendants of slaves.... http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/business/2249790

I didn't know about the new 2 dvd set. Thanks!!!! I was planning on replacing our worn VHS copy this year anyway, so now I'll be looking for the new DVDs. Forgot to mention, the regular version is still out there, saw it at blockbuster, but saw no mention of it being the 2 disc set...here is a link with a review, and the cover image.... http://www.thedigitalbits.com/reviews3/christmasstoryse.html

Both are classics -- great viewing on Thanksgiving evening, after too much food and drink. Although I'm not a big fan of watching Christmas movies in November (much too early), we'll probably be watching the all-time greatest Christmas movie ever made: "A Christmas Story". "Now it was serious: A Double Dog Dare. What else was left but a Triple Dare You and finally the coup de grace of all dares -- The sinister Triple Dog Dare". "Stuck. Stuck. Stuck! Stuck! STUCK! STUCK! STUCK! Arrrrrggghhhhh!" New, 2 dvd set just came out! Haven't gotten it yet....

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles!!!!!

With blessings like that... And Berigan, please change that avatar as soon as possible; in all honesty, that face makes me feel ill...I mean it's up to you, if you enjoy making me sick... Hope you like my permanent avatar!!!

Fasting fakir flummoxes physicians By Rajeev Khanna BBC correspondent in Ahmedabad Doctors and experts are baffled by an Indian hermit who claims not to have eaten or drunk anything for several decades - but is still in perfect health. Mr Prahlad Jani under surveillance in hospital Prahlad Jani, a holy man, or fakir, who is over 70 years old, has just spent 10 days under constant observation in Sterling Hospital, in the western Indian city of Ahmedabad. During that time, he did not consume anything and "neither did he pass urine or stool", according to the hospital's deputy superintendent, Dr Dinesh Desai. Yet he is in fine mental and physical fettle, say doctors. Most people can live without food for several weeks, with the body drawing on its fat and protein stores. But the average human can survive for only three to four days without water. Followers of Indian holy men and ascetics have often ascribed extraordinary powers to them, but such powers are seldom subject to scientific inspection. Mouthwash "A series of tests conducted on him show his body mechanism is that of a normal person," said Dr Desai. Mr Jani spends most of his time in a cave near the Ambaji temple in Gujarat state. He has never fallen ill and can continue to live like this Bhiku Prajapati, Mr Jani's devotee He spent his 10 days in hospital in a specially prepared room, with a sealed-off toilet and constant video surveillance. To help the doctors verify his claims, Mr Jani agreed to avoid bathing for his time in hospital. The only fluid he was allowed was a small amount of water, to use as mouthwash. One hundred millilitres of water were given to him, and then collected and measured in a beaker when he spat it out, to make sure none had been drunk. Thank goddess A statement from Ahmedabad's Association of Physicians says that despite no water entering his body, urine nonetheless appeared to form in his bladder - only to be re-absorbed by the bladder walls. Hungry for blessings: Mr Jani receives a devotee in hospital At the end of his confinement, doctors noted no deterioration in his condition, other than a slight drop in his weight. "I feel no need for food and water," says Mr Jani, who claims he was blessed by a goddess at the age of eight and has lived in caves ever since. He grew up in Charod village in Mehsana district and wears the dress of a devotee of the goddess Ambaji - a red sari-like garment, nose ring, bangles and crimson flowers in the hair. He also wears the vermilion "tika" mark on his forehead, more often seen on married Hindu women. His followers call him "mataji" or goddess. More tests He says he has survived several decades without food or water because of a hole in his palate. Drops of water filter through this hole, he says, sustaining him. "He has never fallen ill and can continue to live like this," said Bhiku Prajapati, one of Mr Jani's many followers. "A hole in the palate is an abnormal phenomenon," says Dr Desai. His colleague, Dr Urman Dhruv, told the BBC a full medical report is being prepared on Mr Jani's 10 days under observation. Doctors say they cannot verify his claim to have not eaten or drunk for decades - but by observing his feat under laboratory conditions, they hope to learn more about the human body. It is likely that doctors will want to examine Mr Jani again in order to solve the medical mystery he has presented them with.

I wonder why the "IGNORE OPTION" wasn't utilized at AAJ in regard to DEEP'S "trolling"?? And I still stand by assessment that BESSIE SMITH WAS *NOT* A JAZZ SINGER !! Wingy There never has been a jazz singer.....

How about those A-Rod for Manny rumors that will not die???? Would Nomar leave, or go to 2nd base????? Gammons on ESPN.... Boston is bringing Keith Foulke in this week and trying to coax him into a three-year deal. There seems to be some feeling that the ice is beginning to melt on their Manny Ramirez-Alex Rodriguez offer, which would save the Rangers $96 million in present-day value. Ramirez, Rodriguez and the Red Sox want the deal, and the way the A-Rod-Buck Showalter-John Hart freeze is going, if they don't do the deal, they might not be there at this time next year. One deal floating out there has Eric Milton going to Boston, but the

Kentucky Law Mandates Bathing Once A Year POSTED: 7:22 a.m. EST November 25, 2003 ELIZABETHTOWN, Ky. -- A state law mandating that people take a bath once a year is just one of many unusual - some bizarre - statutes that are or have been on the books in Kentucky. "There are a lot of crazy laws out there," said Ruben Gardner, Elizabethtown's chief of police. Another state law, for example, stated that "No female shall appear in a bathing suit on any highway within this state unless she be escorted by at least two officers or unless she be armed with a club." The law was later amended with: "The provisions of this statute shall not apply to females weighing less than 90 pounds nor exceeding 200 pounds, nor shall it apply to female horses." Other unusual laws and proposed punishments from across the state include: Throwing eggs (or tomatoes) at a public speaker could result in up to one year in prison. It is unlawful to dye or color a baby chick, duckling or rabbit and offer it for sale unless six or more are for sale at the same time. Steve Park, finance director for the city of Elizabethtown, said he's found some interesting laws that were adopted by the city in the late 1800s and that are still on the books. "There's one that states if a horse dies in front of a house, the horse owner has 12 hours to have it removed. If the owner doesn't, then it becomes the responsibility of the property owner to have it removed," Park said. "I'm sure that at the time it was a necessary law, but I'm not sure how needed it is today." Another local law concerns a dog tax that was imposed. Park said the handwritten statute, found in very old minutes of city council meetings required a small amount for each dog be collected. "The sheriff is to collect the tax or shoot the dog," according to the minutes. http://www.local6.com/news/2662644/detail.html

after Schilling said he would only go to NY, or Philly!!!!! From ESPN.... The Arizona Diamondbacks are close to making a deal to trade pitcher Curt Schilling to Boston, pending approval from the pitcher himself, reports ESPN's Peter Gammons. Despite earlier reports on a potential three-team trade between the Diamondbacks, Boston Red Sox and Milwaukee Brewers, Gammons reports that a deal to send Schilling to Boston will instead be handled between just Arizona and the Red Sox. Boston would send left-handed pitcher Casey Fossum, lefty Jorge De La Rosa, righty Brandon Lyon and outfielder Michael Goss to Arizona for Schilling. A potential three-way deal was initially discussed, a deal that would have sent Fossum and prospects to the Brewers, while first baseman Richie Sexson would have left Milwaukee for Arizona, with Schilling going to Boston. Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein and owner John Henry plan to fly out to Arizona on Tuesday night to meet with Schilling, who has to waive his no-trade clause to make the deal happen. Schilling also has said he wants a three-year extension -- his Arizona contract, which will pay him $12 million in 2004, runs out after the coming season

Yes and its 'Gloster', not 'Gl-ow!-chester'; 'War-ick', not 'War-wick'; Lem-ster, not 'Leo-min-ster'; and 'Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch', not 'That place in North Wales with the long name on the railway station sign'. http://llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndro...iogogogoch.com/

of course in Missioura, soda is sodee....

Turkey & Gravy soda on the table for Thanksgiving 11/24/2003 SEATTLE (Reuters) - Thanksgiving dinner with all the fixings: cranberry sauce, stuffing and turkey gravy-flavored soda. Yummy? ADVERTISEMENT In the latest food fad to emerge in the United States, Seattle specialty soda maker Jones Soda Co. scored a hit this week with the introduction of a limited batch of Turkey & Gravy-flavored soda. The tan-colored soda sold out in just three hours after an initial batch was put up for sale on the company's Web site Friday, a spokeswoman for the company said. Proceeds from the online sale, where two bottles of Turkey & Gravy soda sold for about $11, were donated to Toys for Tots, a children's charity. Local retailers will start selling the soda Monday. Jones Soda said it would be up to local stores to set prices for Turkey & Gravy soda. Other sodas from the company typically cost $1 to $1.50. This isn't the company's first experiment in exotic carbonation. Fish tacos and ham flavors have also been offered as promotional soda flavors. © Copyright 2003 Reuters.

Man, there sure are a lot of anal-retentive guys and gals on this board...ya'll should be more like me! (right Moose?) pronunciations that don't bother me a bit include Missioura, Illinoiz, Cincinnata, doing the Worsh(Which my Dad says no matter how many times I make fun of him) A friend of mine said to me once she just had her Cadillac converter replaced, I thought she was being funny, she wasn't. A catch phrase I am glad every traffic reporter(Iin the South East at least ) uses, is that they are working an accident.

excellent article 7/4! I have watched some of the PBS series on Kennedy, and watched the 2 hour Special last night on ABC as well...I unlike Dan, did not read the Posner book, but did see the 48 hours several years ago that went into many of the points mentioned in the ABC show....the same older gentleman proved you could fire the same type of manual rifle fast enough to get the 3 shots off in less than 10 seconds. (Remember always hearing that that was impossible???) Even though I was born 4 years after his assignation, I have always felt a very deep sadness watching the anniversary specials on JFK......what a complete waste. I always thought that there had to be some sort of conspiracy, and I still do to a point, but I have come to the conclusion that Oswald could have at least been the only shooter, even if he was working for someone else. The ABC special did a great job of debunking Oliver Stone's JFK. Showing clips from the movie, then showing what really happened. The magic bullet that we always here of as looking immaculate, was actually flattened. Zapruder Film is broken down frame by frame and you do see Connelly flinch and his coat bow just after JFK grabs his throat. Another of the old wife's tales that won't die is that Oswald was not a good shot, yet his military record shows a different story. He was more than adequate a marksman from 200 yards, and JFK was only 88 yards away. His own brother thinks he acted alone. Oswald was the only employee missing from the warehouse when they did a role call. I also for the first time felt that Oswald wasn't really a stupid person at all(Except for his most stupid act) They had a clip of him from a radio show making the argument for cutting trade restrictions with Cuba. And the man he debated on the show said recently that he had made the best arguments he had ever heard anyone make in Castro's defense.

Wynona's got herself a big brown beaver and she shows it off to all her friends. One day, you know, that beaver tried to leave her, So she caged him up with cyclone fence. Along came Lou with the old baboon And said Recognize that smell? Smells like seven layers, That beaver eats Taco Bell. Now Rex he was a Texan out of New Orleans And he travelled with the carnival shows. He ran bumper cars, sucked cheap cigars And he candied up his nose. He got wind of the big brown beaver So he though he'd take himself a peek, But the beaver was quick And grabbed him by the kiwis. Now he ain't pissed for a week. (And a half!) Now Wynona took her big brown beaver, And she stuck him up in the air. Said I sure do love this big brown beaver And I wish I did have a pair. Now the beaver onces slept for seven days And it gave us all an awful fright. So I tickled his chin and I gave him a pinch And the bastard tried to bite me. Wynona loved her big brown beaver And she stroked him all the time. She pricked her finger one day and it Occurred to her she might have a porcupine.

Don't forget those rims that spin even when you are standing still! And some hydraulics!!!!

from the smoking gun...the story back in 1993.... http://thesmokinggun.com/doc_o_day/doc_o_day.html

Here's ABC's links to various stories including one on Oswald's brother...who by the way thinks he did act alone.... http://abcnews.go.com/jfk_conspiracy/jfk_c...racy_index.html

Just to quickly chime in...if you are near a Media Play, they have dumps full of cheap cds (3.99 or 4 for $10.00) and mixed in with the crap, and the crap classical cds, are some name older classical cds from Sony, EMI, etc.....

stop wasting your time listening to jazz, and watch more TV!

Just starting, looks interesting single bullet after all????

You are right....trying to fight seeing information on the story would be a waste of ones time and energy....Doesn't mean you have to keep up with it on a daily basis...."News"originations will make sure we are kept abreast of the situation

I wouldn't mind this for Christmas...Hint, Hint, Hint.....Warning, about a million large photos..... http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAP...item=2444085460

this better not be true!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! http://www.foxnews.com/printer_friendly_st...,103557,00.html