Andrew Wilkie brands MPs who reject pokies reform as corrupt

Some politicians who reject the federal government's moves to regulate poker machines were effectively on the gaming industry's payroll because they had received or had been promised "fat donations", he said."In my opinion, that's corruption," the Tasmanian MP and pokies reform crusader told parliament.structural steel"Not in a criminal sense,Spring cone crusher but every bit as dodgy as bags full of cash changing hands in some developing country."Liberal MP Steve Ciobo blasted Mr Wilkie's comments as "shameful and disgusting" and challenged him to repeat his "empty rhetoric" outside parliament."Don't cast aspersions in this place, don't make accusations without having the backbone or spine to support your comments," he said.Mr Wilkie launched his attack after debate resumed on a package of bills - which the Coalition opposes - that aim to help problem gamblers by requiring machines to offer voluntary pre-commitment to bet limits.

He said while the changes were much less than he'd wanted - and less than Prime Minister Julia Gillard had promised him - it was still important that they be adopted.Once the machines were able to handle voluntary pre-commitment, they could be changed to a mandatory system at the flick of a switch.The reform was important also because it finally established the precedent of federal intervention in the industry.All the states and territories - except Western Australia - had shown they couldn't be trusted to regulate the industry because the "rivers of gold" from it were too attractive, Mr Wilkie said.He said the numbers would be tight when the bills were voted on, as members of all parties were every bit as conflicted as their state colleagues.knife setsleather ipad caseMr Wilkie also turned on the industry, saying "the real villains are the greedy poker machine barons who lie and bully to get their way, determined to do almost whatever it takes to fleece the unfortunate and protect their profits".

The industry's claims that it couldn't afford the changes were "unadulterated hogwash".

Turning back to MPs, he asked: "Will the pokie industry donations to your next election campaign make it all worthwhile?"The more pressing issue is that the local pokie venues learn quickly of your loyalty and donate handsomely to your re-election campaign."After telling of a suicide at Melbourne's Crown Casino, Mr Wilkie said he wondered if MPs were already beneficiaries of Crown's largesse or were "hoping like hell" the casino empire would notice their loyalty."But just watch out, you may go to hell," he said.Mr Ciobo said the bill would not resolve problem gambling because the changes proposed were completely undeliverable.It would also hurt small clubs that employ people across the country, he said.Labor MP Harry Jenkins said he wasn't asking for pokie machines to be eradicated, but problem gambling was a "scourge" on families and individuals.accessories for iPad suppliers

Chattanooga company appeals fine after worker fell into machine, was killed in May

Tennessee worker safety officials have fined a Chattanooga company after the death of a plant worker earlier in the year.According to the Chattanooga Times Free Press,TAG Manufacturing is appealing the nearly $16,000 fine imposed in the May 7 death of 54-year-old Larry Chubbs.The Tennessee Department of Labor imposed the fine after its investigation into how Chubbs fell into a fast-moving machine and was killed. Another worker found Chubbs' body about two hours after Chubbs failed to appear at a weekly safety meeting.Mike Carter, an attorney who represents the company, explained why the appeal was filed, saying Chubbs was well-liked and was a good Handmade glasses

"This was a horrible accident ― a perfect storm of unlikely events," Carter said. "To say we put him on a machine that we knew had this level of danger and that we didn't care is highly offensive. That's why we've appealed."Investigators said Chubbs was on a catwalk above a machine that blasts large pieces of metal to clean them when a section of the catwalk gave way, dropping him into the machinery.The major citation from the Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Administration states the company did not provide a workplace free of recognized hazards.The appeal is before the Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

A day in advance of its Nov. 27 release, the single-disc 20th anniversary edition of Rage Against the Machine's self-titled debut album is streaming at AOL Music. 'Rage Against the Machine – XX' includes three live tracks.There are also other editions of 'XX' available. The massive 20th Anniversary Edition Deluxe Box Set includes two CDs, two DVDs, one 12″ 180gm vinyl LP, one 40-page booklet and a two-sided poster. The 20th Anniversary Special Edition has two CDs and a bonus DVD featuring six tracks in an oversized softpack.Additionally, a 12″ 180gm vinyl edition that has a picture disc and a facsimile reproduction of the original LP has been remastered and will be available, sans bonus tracks.

With band members doing interviews to promote the release, the big question has been if there will be any new Rage Against the Machine material. The answer,Solar charger at least in the short term, is no. Guitarist Tom Morello says some band members just are not ready to start working on a new album."When bands make albums, it's because everybody wants to,Optical frame and that's not the case with Rage Against the Machine at the moment," Morello explained recently. "Everyone in the band gets along very well, we consider each other friends and comrades in arms, but people sometimes don't feel ready to do it. I don't have one minute of one day that's not filled with music,laptop accessories manufacturers or politics,Solar garden light or family. If at some point Rage were to get it together to work more, I would be open to that, but that's not on the table right now."

Typing on iPad mini

I dare say I'm enjoying the software keyboard on the iPad mini far more than I ever did on my iPad 2. The size of the iPad 2 made me want to use all eight of my fingers to touch type, but that experience never worked out for me because there's simply nowhere to rest my hands during small breaks in typing. It eventually hurt too much for me to type on the iPad 2′s screen, and I'm surprised that so many others seem so comfortable with the act (I guess I just lost the wrist lottery early on).The split keyboard was an exciting development when I first saw it because it put a focus on thumb typing while holding the device,Eyeglasses frame which is something the iPhone and its ilk have trained me to do very well.screen protector suppliers

Unfortunately, the bezel on the iPad 2 kept me from easily reaching the inner-most keys,Remote control light and the weight still killed my wrists after more than a few minutes of typing.In contrast, typing on the iPad mini is far more enjoyable to me. Landscape mode is too small to accomodate more than two fingers at a time, so I've turned into a hunt-and-peck typist to adapt. This forces me to slow down my typing, and the smaller keyboard means there's ultimately less surface to travel between taps.Swimming goggles It's fast, easy,Fashion dress and comfortable.Using the split keyboard on the iPad mini is easy enough that I don't mind typing out quick notes while sitting on the train. I tend to move the keyboard about halfway up the screen, the device tilted almost 90-degrees, so that everythingn stays balanced in my hands. I won't type large notes like this and there are still apps that aren't optimized to display content alongside the split keyboard, but it's good enough for quick Google searches and iMessaging without having to put the iPad down.

The only slightly awkward keyboard is the regular portrait keyboard. The original iPad mini commercial shows a person holding the base of the device and thumb typing. It's true that the keyboard is actually quite comfortable this way, but when I first tried it out, the keys were simply too far down for me to comfortably tap while holding the device. It has everything to do with how the weight is distributed. But what I had forgotten was that you can raise both keyboards on the iPad. You simply hold the dismiss key on the bottom-right corner to pull the keyboard up from the bottom of the screen, which will also end up splitting the keyboard in the process. Once the keyboard is at the proper height, tap and hold on that same dismiss key until the options to "merge" or "dock and merge". I made it a habit on the iPad 2 to always choose the latter, but choosing the former will merge the keyboard even while it's halfway up the screen (as shown in the main screenshot).

The hall will be festively decorated with wreaths and holiday lights

Candlelight Stroll is created with real candle lanterns,Solar charger fresh greens and natural materials handmade at Strawbery Banke Museum, and the houses and role players tell the story of holidays in this Portsmouth neighborhood through more than 300 years. Local school children sing carols in the square." 'Vintage Christmas' is a great experience whether you come just for a stroll or a show, grabbing a bite to eat before or after, exploring a walkable city ― whether in the winter sun or checking out live music after dark," says Lynch.With music and more, the Music Hall offers holiday shows to suit every taste. It all translates to "good fun!" says Kathleen Soldati, director of marketing at The Music Hall. The hall will be festively decorated with wreaths and holiday lights.

"We have a deep curatorial bench. Our curators work hard to 'bring the world to Portsmouth,' "says Soldati. "We have had Natalie MacMaster here in the past and she is always a holiday favorite. 'Merry Funny New England Christmas 2012' has been here twice before and always has a great reception.""Merry Funny New England Christmas,Solar Laptop charger" 8 p.m.Solar lamp Dec. 21, is a contemporary classic holiday show and this year, "Comedy Central" comedian Juston McKinney, a Granite State resident, and the Gaudy Baubles will be featuring new comics, new material and new music.Acclaimed fiddler Natalie MacMaster returns for performances at 2 and 7 p.m. Dec 2 of "Christmas in Cape Breton."

"This place (the Music Hall) is like an extension of my living room; inviting and musical. And the roar of the crowd is wondrous," MacMaster recalls.Cape Breton is known for its traditional fiddle music, brought to the island by Scottish immigrants, and has been well preserved by artists such as MacMaster and her father, legendary Cape Breton fiddler Buddy MacMaster.Her show highlights include world-class step dancing and her energetic fiddle delivering Celtic melodies and Christmas carols. She will be joined in both shows by Oyster River 5th and 6th graders, directed by Beth Struthers.Kent Stephens' Stage Force also is back at 7 p.m. Dec.china tablet 16 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 17 to the Loft with "Ragpickers Dream," a holiday celebration of stories, laughter, poetry and song, with new material and old favorites from a wide variety of classic and contemporary sources.Members of the Great Bay Academy of Dance, the Seacoast's noncompetition dance education center for dancers of all ages, keep the focus local in "An 1836 Portsmouth Nutcracker" Dec. 14-16 at the Music Hall."Go on the Web site for a complete list of events, trolley schedule, etc., and make a plan for celebrating the holidays," she suggests.Handmade glasses "The Web site also includes links to hotels and restaurants. When you arrive in town, park the car and hop on the free trolley and take the full 20-minute route to get an overview of the city ― making a note where you want to return to."

Forney City Council still undecided on allowing ice machine structure

Forney's City Council met for their bi-monthly meeting on Tuesday, November 20 at Forney City Hall. A City employee was recognized for a job well done, and then the Council settled in for an hour long debate regarding an ice machine.Forney EMT John Holcomb was given the Star Employee Award for his outstanding efforts to bring Forney's ISO rating from a 4 to a 2,ipad case with keyboard which in turn will lower homeowner's insurance costs in Forney. Holcomb called it a "team effort" and said, "Thank you all for this award."

An ice machine structure request caused a thorough discussion between Mayor Darren Rozell, City Manager Brian Brooks,LED lamp the Council, Forney Community Development Director Peter Morgan, and the property owner Mike Adams. Adams was requesting a an amendment to the City of Forney Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance that would add the use of an "Ice Machine Structure." The agenda summary statement describes the ice machine structure as "a freestanding, self-contained facility designed to store and/or manufacture ice for the purpose of dispensing the same on-site at any time." The ice machine would be located on a small piece of property at 512 Pinson Road adjacent to Brookshire's on the West side of Settler's convenience store.

The structure would be about the size of three cola vending machines side by side, with a total of less than 250 square feet, and would have a 100% masonry exterior. The Planning and Zoning Commission voted 6-1 to approve the amendment on November 8 which would require the machine to be no closer than 50 feet from a right of way. The Council however, was not convinced that the ice machine, provided by a company called Twice The Ice, would be safe to have in that location. Mayor Rozell expressed his concerned that approving Mr. Adams request would open the door to many other requests for ice machine structures in Forney.

Councilman James Hatley felt that the high traffic area of Brookshire's, Settlers, Dairy Queen, and the Motel 8 would make for a dangerous location for the ice machine structure due to high levels of traffic. Councilwoman Mary Penn voiced her opinion that she did not see any harm in allowing the structure and didn't feel it would lead to multiple ice machine requests if the ordinance was written properly.Swimming goggles Mike Adams spoke to the Council to explain the details of his request and noted that the structure would be 190 feet away from Pinson Road.non-stick knifeHe intends to create four parking spaces next to the structure and told the Council that he lives just a few blocks away and would be able to respond if there were any problems with the machine.non-stick knife