Live While We're Young

We're all living in the same apartment as One Direction...what could possibly go wrong?

Owner:

Game Masters:

This topic is an Out Of Character part of the roleplay, ?Live While We're Young?. Anything posted here will also show up there.

Topic Tags:

Forum for completely Out of Character (OOC) discussion, based around whatever is happening In Character (IC). Discuss plans, storylines, and events; Recruit for your roleplaying game, or find a GM for your playergroup.

---

---

can I reserve zayn's gf I can have it up tonight or tmmorrow

jackrules158

Member for 3 years

---

May I reserve Niall's girlfriend and have her as Louis' sister? I can have her up shortly. :)

~ wanderer.

Wanderer

Member for 1 years

---

@Wanderer Yes, I accepted your character. After school today, I will add it to the 'Characters Needed' section. Thank you! xx

@jackrules158 Okay!! Thank you! xx

Both of you: Can you help find people to play the other boys? I would really appreciate it xx

littlethings133

Member for 0 years

---

---

Post a reply

RolePlayGateway is a site built by a couple roleplayers who wanted to give a little something back to the roleplay community. The site has no intention of earning any profit, and is paid for out of their own pockets.

If you appreciate what they do, feel free to donate your spare change to help feed them on the weekends. After selecting the amount you want to donate from the menu, you can continue by clicking on PayPal logo.

Who is online

Registered users: -=Nemesis=-, 0neTailedf0x, Adantas*, Ageha*, Ahri*, Alasund De'astio, Alise120, Amnesty*, AmyGotScared*, Arceius*, ArgoYamato, Asher MstrImmortalis*, AugmentationAudit*, Augusta*, Aurucia*, awesomeskaterdude*, BaileyTheBeauty22, Balthier1116, bandgeek*, Big Boss, Binsetsu*, Blackbird26*, blueluckster, Bosch, Bromander Shepard*, Butterfly Princess, Calvazara*, Captain Obvious*, cha-kun, ChaoticMarin*, Child of the Winged*, ChristianVulpine*, Cienpher*, cmpuncle, CNAGamer*, CriminalMinds*, Crooked Thoughts, cucumbersome, demented-tiger*, Digital_Muse*, DontBeMad*, DuBois_Scarlett*, Eddy V. Sovorov, EmbracingIllusions*, Exabot [Bot], Fabricator*, Floorgan*, Forget~Me~Not*, Forsakenwings, FreeRunner*, FrozenShard*, gaiadarkstar, Gamer_Templar, Google [Bot], Google Adsense [Bot], Google Feedfetcher, GotDraggedIntoThis*, HailSam*, Hingyou*, HitoriRaven*, Izzyvamp*, Jadeling Hawkins*, James Seth Lynch*, Jo_Tunn*, Kaname_Takashi*, Katherinana*, Kiyokojordie, Kohananinja*, Korrye, Kreator*, Kura Ravengade, Kuroe, Lady Scarlette, Larrykitty*, macheteshark, Majestic-12 [Bot], MaliceInWonderland, Maori*, Marionette*, Mela*, MSNbot Media, No-one-special, Opposite-Proclaimer*, Patcharoo*, peachyme123, Phidius, Planet Killer, Porecomesis, Princess Awinita*, PsychicBastard*, punkwithflute*, Questionable Object*, rdaydreamer, RedWolfe*, Romaneck*, Rougeshadow*, Rulke*, Script, Sergeant*, ShadtheWerepire, Shiva, SkullsandSlippers*, Skwidge, SmartyPants*, SolidSnacks, Something?, SuperChocoMilk, SuperQ19*, Tairu, TaniaSoulEater*, The Great Thundorz, The(Doctor)Horrible*, TheUnnamedOne, ThomasR95, tigerking1292*, Tiko*, Towels0, TurtleSoup*, Verum Umbra*, viper45, WalkingImmortal, WalterF*, WhatsUpWazza*, WinterHeart*, wolfoftheage*, Xavier Graham*, xfaithyx123*, Xiiver, xSilentButterflyx*, XxEvil1xX*, Zitacamron95*

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/RolePlayGateway/~3/8YCVjwRlR48/viewtopic.php

world peace lakers colorectal cancer metta kashi neil diamond orange crush harden

Federal Tax Rebate for Home Improvement, Window Treatments ...

Ross Howard Designs provides custom window treatments, motorized blinds and shades and Hunter Douglas window fashions to residents not only in Dallas but also Addison, Allen, Carrollton, Colleyville, Coppell, Desoto, Duncanville, Farmers Branch, Flower Mound, Forney, Frisco, Garland, Grand Prairie, Grapevine, Highland Park, Irving, Lewisville, Little Elm, McKinney, Mesquite, Parker County, Plano, Prosper, Richardson, Rowlett, Southlake, The Colony, University Park, TX

Source: http://www.rosshoward.com/blog/federal-tax-rebate-energy-efficient-window-treatments/

Perry Hall High School us open Hurricane Isaac 2012 bill nye Snooki Baby terrell owens terrell owens

Cooperators can coexist with cheaters, as long as there is room to grow

Public release date: 1-Feb-2013
[ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Ellen R. Weiss
eweiss@biophysics.org
240-290-5606
American Institute of Physics

Philadelphia, Pa. Microbes exhibit bewildering diversity even in relatively tight living quarters. But when a population is a mix of cooperators, microbes that share resources, and cheaters, those that selfishly take yet give nothing back, the natural outcome is perpetual war. A new model by a team of researchers from Princeton University in New Jersey and Ben-Gurion University in Israel reveals that even with never-ending battles, the exploiter and the exploited can survive, but only if they have room to expand and grow. The researchers present their findings at the 57th Annual Meeting of the Biophysical Society (BPS), held Feb. 2-6, 2013, in Philadelphia, Pa.

"In a fixed population, cells that share can't live together with cells that only take," said David Bruce Borenstein, a researcher at Princeton. "But if the population repeatedly expands and contracts then such 'cooperators' and 'cheaters' can coexist."

Our world and our bodies play host to a vast array of microbes. On our teeth alone, there are approximately a thousand different kinds of bacteria, all living in very close quarters. This is amazing, the researchers observe, because many of those species share resources with nearby neighbors, who might not be so cooperative or even related [1].

At the scale of cells, individuals cooperate mainly by exporting resources into the environment and letting them float away. "This is a deceptively complex process in which cells interact at long ranges, but compete only with nearby individuals," explained Borenstein. "Our models predict that, even when this exploitation prevents any possibility of peaceful coexistence, the exploiter and the exploited can survive across generations in what is basically a perpetual war." The researchers speculate that similar competition might occur between cancer cells and normal tissue.

Borenstein and his colleagues made their conclusions based on a computer model that considered two types of cells, cooperators and cheaters, and laid them out on a grid. Cooperators were given the ability, not uncommon in nature, to make a resource that speeds up growth in both kinds of cells. Producing this resource slowed down the growth of cooperators, because they have to divert some energy to resource production. This resource then spread out from the cooperator by diffusion, so that the cells closest to a producer have the greatest resource access. The model revealed that the producers tended to cluster, meaning that being a producer gave you greater access to resources. It also meant that even though cheaters are avoiding the cost of production, they pay for it with reduced resource access.

Within these basic constraints it was found that when the two populations must compete directly for survival, no coexistence is possible. "One type always wins out," observed Borenstein. However, when the two populations can grow into empty space, the researchers found a strange and paradoxical interaction: cheaters may be outcompeting cooperators locally, even as cooperators grow better overall. These complex interactions may play an important role in the maintenance of diverse microbial communities, like those seen in the mouth.

"To our astonishment, we found that while cheaters can exploit cooperators, cooperators can isolate cheaters, just from cooperation and growth," concludes Borenstein. "As a result, the community can persist in a sort of perpetual race from which a winner need not emerge."

###

[1] J. M. ten Cate. "Biofilms, a new approach to the microbiology of dental plaque." Odontolgy 2006(94):1-9.

Presentation #2530-Pos, "Diffusion of public goods prevents coexistence of cooperators and cheaters in a stochastic competition model," will take place at 1:45 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2013, in the Pennsylvania Convention Center, Hall C. ABSTRACT: http://tinyurl.com/ba46sdb

This news release was prepared for the Biophysical Society (BPS) by the American Institute of Physics (AIP).

ABOUT THE 2013 ANNUAL MEETING

Each year, the Biophysical Society Annual Meeting brings together over 6,000 research scientists in the multidisciplinary fields representing biophysics. With more than 3,900 poster presentations, over 200 exhibits, and more than 20 symposia, the Annual Meeting is the largest meeting of biophysicists in the world. Despite its size, the meeting retains its small-meeting flavor through its subgroup meetings, platform sessions, social activities, and committee programs.

The 57th Annual Meeting will be held at the Pennsylvania Convention Center (1101 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107). For maps and directions, please visit: http://www.paconvention.com/explore-philadelphia/directions-and-parking.

QUICK LINKS

Meeting Home Page: http://www.biophysics.org/2013meeting/Main/tabid/3523/Default.aspx

Housing and Travel Information: http://www.biophysics.org/2013meeting/AccommodationsTravel/HotelInformation/tabid/3621/Default.aspx

Program Abstracts and Itinerary Planner: http://www.abstractsonline.com/plan/start.aspx?mkey=%7B763246BB-EBE4-430F-9545-81BC84D0C68C%7D

PRESS REGISTRATION

The Biophysical Society invites credentialed journalists, freelance reporters working on assignment, and public information officers to attend its Annual Meeting free of charge. For more information on registering as a member of the press, contact BPS Director of Public Affairs and Communications Ellen Weiss at eweiss@biophysics.org or 240-290-5606, or visit http://www.biophysics.org/2013meeting/Registration/Press/tabid/3619/Default.aspx. Press registration will also be available onsite at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in the Biophysical Society's meeting office, Room 304VIP.

ABOUT BPS

The Biophysical Society (BPS), founded in 1958, is a professional scientific society established to encourage development and dissemination of knowledge in biophysics. The Society promotes growth in this expanding field through its annual meeting, monthly journal, and committee and outreach activities. Its 9000 members are located throughout the U.S. and the world, where they teach and conduct research in colleges, universities, laboratories, government agencies, and industry. For more information on the Society or the 2013 Annual Meeting, visit www.biophysics.org.

For more information, please contact:

Ellen R. Weiss
Director of Public Affairs and Communications
eweiss@biophysics.org
240-290-5606

---

[ | E-mail | Share ]

?

AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.

Public release date: 1-Feb-2013
[ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Ellen R. Weiss
eweiss@biophysics.org
240-290-5606
American Institute of Physics

Philadelphia, Pa. Microbes exhibit bewildering diversity even in relatively tight living quarters. But when a population is a mix of cooperators, microbes that share resources, and cheaters, those that selfishly take yet give nothing back, the natural outcome is perpetual war. A new model by a team of researchers from Princeton University in New Jersey and Ben-Gurion University in Israel reveals that even with never-ending battles, the exploiter and the exploited can survive, but only if they have room to expand and grow. The researchers present their findings at the 57th Annual Meeting of the Biophysical Society (BPS), held Feb. 2-6, 2013, in Philadelphia, Pa.

"In a fixed population, cells that share can't live together with cells that only take," said David Bruce Borenstein, a researcher at Princeton. "But if the population repeatedly expands and contracts then such 'cooperators' and 'cheaters' can coexist."

Our world and our bodies play host to a vast array of microbes. On our teeth alone, there are approximately a thousand different kinds of bacteria, all living in very close quarters. This is amazing, the researchers observe, because many of those species share resources with nearby neighbors, who might not be so cooperative or even related [1].

At the scale of cells, individuals cooperate mainly by exporting resources into the environment and letting them float away. "This is a deceptively complex process in which cells interact at long ranges, but compete only with nearby individuals," explained Borenstein. "Our models predict that, even when this exploitation prevents any possibility of peaceful coexistence, the exploiter and the exploited can survive across generations in what is basically a perpetual war." The researchers speculate that similar competition might occur between cancer cells and normal tissue.

Borenstein and his colleagues made their conclusions based on a computer model that considered two types of cells, cooperators and cheaters, and laid them out on a grid. Cooperators were given the ability, not uncommon in nature, to make a resource that speeds up growth in both kinds of cells. Producing this resource slowed down the growth of cooperators, because they have to divert some energy to resource production. This resource then spread out from the cooperator by diffusion, so that the cells closest to a producer have the greatest resource access. The model revealed that the producers tended to cluster, meaning that being a producer gave you greater access to resources. It also meant that even though cheaters are avoiding the cost of production, they pay for it with reduced resource access.

Within these basic constraints it was found that when the two populations must compete directly for survival, no coexistence is possible. "One type always wins out," observed Borenstein. However, when the two populations can grow into empty space, the researchers found a strange and paradoxical interaction: cheaters may be outcompeting cooperators locally, even as cooperators grow better overall. These complex interactions may play an important role in the maintenance of diverse microbial communities, like those seen in the mouth.

"To our astonishment, we found that while cheaters can exploit cooperators, cooperators can isolate cheaters, just from cooperation and growth," concludes Borenstein. "As a result, the community can persist in a sort of perpetual race from which a winner need not emerge."

###

[1] J. M. ten Cate. "Biofilms, a new approach to the microbiology of dental plaque." Odontolgy 2006(94):1-9.

Presentation #2530-Pos, "Diffusion of public goods prevents coexistence of cooperators and cheaters in a stochastic competition model," will take place at 1:45 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2013, in the Pennsylvania Convention Center, Hall C. ABSTRACT: http://tinyurl.com/ba46sdb

This news release was prepared for the Biophysical Society (BPS) by the American Institute of Physics (AIP).

ABOUT THE 2013 ANNUAL MEETING

Each year, the Biophysical Society Annual Meeting brings together over 6,000 research scientists in the multidisciplinary fields representing biophysics. With more than 3,900 poster presentations, over 200 exhibits, and more than 20 symposia, the Annual Meeting is the largest meeting of biophysicists in the world. Despite its size, the meeting retains its small-meeting flavor through its subgroup meetings, platform sessions, social activities, and committee programs.

The 57th Annual Meeting will be held at the Pennsylvania Convention Center (1101 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107). For maps and directions, please visit: http://www.paconvention.com/explore-philadelphia/directions-and-parking.

QUICK LINKS

Meeting Home Page: http://www.biophysics.org/2013meeting/Main/tabid/3523/Default.aspx

Housing and Travel Information: http://www.biophysics.org/2013meeting/AccommodationsTravel/HotelInformation/tabid/3621/Default.aspx

Program Abstracts and Itinerary Planner: http://www.abstractsonline.com/plan/start.aspx?mkey=%7B763246BB-EBE4-430F-9545-81BC84D0C68C%7D

PRESS REGISTRATION

The Biophysical Society invites credentialed journalists, freelance reporters working on assignment, and public information officers to attend its Annual Meeting free of charge. For more information on registering as a member of the press, contact BPS Director of Public Affairs and Communications Ellen Weiss at eweiss@biophysics.org or 240-290-5606, or visit http://www.biophysics.org/2013meeting/Registration/Press/tabid/3619/Default.aspx. Press registration will also be available onsite at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in the Biophysical Society's meeting office, Room 304VIP.

ABOUT BPS

The Biophysical Society (BPS), founded in 1958, is a professional scientific society established to encourage development and dissemination of knowledge in biophysics. The Society promotes growth in this expanding field through its annual meeting, monthly journal, and committee and outreach activities. Its 9000 members are located throughout the U.S. and the world, where they teach and conduct research in colleges, universities, laboratories, government agencies, and industry. For more information on the Society or the 2013 Annual Meeting, visit www.biophysics.org.

For more information, please contact:

Ellen R. Weiss
Director of Public Affairs and Communications
eweiss@biophysics.org
240-290-5606

---

[ | E-mail | Share ]

?

AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.

Source: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2013-02/aiop-ccc020113.php

NBC Olympics Live Olympic medal count Medal Count 2012 London 2012 Fencing olympics chariots of fire nbc

A Beautiful Mess Kitchen Gear Favorites - A Beautiful Mess

We get emails and comments from fellow home cooks who want to know what we use and love in the kitchen. I try to link to any special tools I use in recipes here on the blog, but I thought it might be fun to take a peek into my kitchen and see what I really use. Except we made this pretty collage of all the items instead, because, well, my real kitchen gear is pretty much in a constant state of use (aka it's all got dry, crusty flour caked in the cracks or something equally delicious looking).?

Ahem, without further ado...1. KitchenAid Mixer in Persimmon. I didn't get into baking and cooking until I was 22 years old. I think if I showed 22-year-old Emma my kitchen gear today, she would probably spit in my face and call me a rich person. And that's because 22-year-old Emma is a jerk, apparently. But seriously my mixer is one of those items that is a bit of an investment. It took me years before I finally decided to buy one. And now I use it at least a couple times every week. It's awesome! You can knead dough, easily mix any kind of batter, effortlessly make mayonnaise, whip up the perfect meringue, and that's not even scratching the surface. I feel like I should be a spokes lady for KitchenAid (Dear KitchenAid, Hi. I'm a fan. So, like...). But seriously, I highly recommend them. Get one. Do it.2. Cast Iron Pans. I know what you're thinking: Emma, those are like so country looking. Dude, what's wrong with country stuff? Geez. What a snob. (Blogging is like talking to yourself on the internet.) I truly cannot sing the praises of a good cast iron skillet enough. You can cook on the stove top, you can pop it in the oven, and it's pretty enough to serve in. I have a few different sizes, and I love making anything from baked macaroni to fruit cobbler in them. Love it. Warning: they do require a little special care and matience. You can read more about it here.3. Silpat Mats for baking. Want your cookies to bake more evenly, get a Silpat! Seriously, they are wonderful. I like using parchment paper too, but here's two things to consider: (1) Items baked on a Silpat vs. parchment paper will bake more evenly (see an example here). And (2) it's probably better for the environment to use and reuse a Silpat mat rather than all that disposable parchment paper. But hey, if you hate Mother Earth that's fine. Whatever.4. Ramekins! I think most people associate ramekins with creme brulee. Which, yeah, you totally need ramekins for that. But they are so useful beyond that, because they are basically just tiny individual casserole dishes. You can make baked oatmeal, green bean casserole, or use them to serve nuts/dried fruit in on a cheese plate. Super useful, super cute?done deal.5. KitchenAid Ice Cream Maker Attachment. Yeah, so did you buy that mixer since we last spoke? No, not yet, because you've been reading a very long-winded blog post. Fair enough. Guys, I love making homemade ice cream! It's so fun to get to make up your own flavors. I'm obsessed. My favorites this year (so far) have been lavender, cereal milk and cinnamon dolce.6. Immersion Blender. Confession: I'm an immersion blender freak. And that's because I also happen to be a bit of a soup freak. And homemade soup is an immersion blenders soul mate. (Oh, excuse me, I'm starting to get pre-Valentine's Day fever where I want to do nothing but watch The Notebook on repeat, eat chocolate that tastes like either red wine or potato chips, and turn everything into a love analogy.) If you want to make creamy soup, but you don't like transferring super hot liquids from a pot to a blender to a pot again (madness!) then get an immersion blender for crying out loud. You can do other things with it too, like whisk stuff. Do I really have to list things you whisk? You get it.7. Dutch Oven. Also sometimes called a French Oven, but let's not mince words here. This is basically a heavy duty pot you can cook in, bake in, or (drum roll) fry in. I always fry in my dutch oven. I made these easy biscuit donuts in a dutch oven. Also chili, and soups, and bread, and casseroles. They are extremely useful but also quite pretty. I usually leave mine sitting on top of my stove at all times, so it's kind of a decor statement too (mine's red?if I ever get another, I will probably try white).8. Food Processor. No, it's really not the same thing as a blender. Unless you have a truly fancy blender. But I don't... so... yeah. A food processor was probably one of the first over $50 investments I made in my kitchen gear some years ago. I just got tired of seeing things I wanted to make only to find the directions said, "Then put it in your food processor." Curses! So I got one. You make hummus, peanut butter, bread crumbs, hollandaise sauce, the list goes on. Forever. Ok, not forever. But you see my point.

9. KitchenAid Pasta Attachment. Ok, so I just got this. It was a birthday present from Trey. Yes, I'm bragging. And I've only used them once. So I'm probably not really qualified to recommend these yet. But they worked like a charm and made me feel like a pasta-making rock star on my very first attempt. And that's a good feeling in the kitchen, when so much can go wrong. Or maybe that's just me. :)10. Mason Jars. Cliche? Maybe. But mason jars aren't just for hipster crafts or weddings. Mason jars are extremely useful in the kitchen too. There's the obvious uses, canning and as rustic drinking glasses. But I also regularly use mine to mix and store salad dressings and cocktails. You can also bake in them (pies in jars!) or use them in your crock pot (dulce de leche!).11. Mandolin Slicer. No, this is not a musical instrument. This is the best way to slice vegetables or other items super thin. Are you gearing up to make homemade pickles? Slice your cucumbers the perfect amount of thinness with a mandolin. I love to use my mandolin to slice veggies before stir frying or apples before baking a pie. It's awesome.12. Cutting Boards. This probably seems like a no-brainer. Cutting boards are kind of an essential. Duh. I really like cute, colorful plastic cutting boards, because I can just pop them in the dishwasher after use. But I also highly recommend getting a few pretty wood cutting boards. They will need to be washed by hand but what I love about wood cutting boards is that you can both use them for a work surface but also to serve on (like a pretty cheese platter for a party). Splurge and get a few wood cutting boards.?

Thanks for letting me share a few of my favorite kitchen tools! xo. Emma

Source: http://www.abeautifulmess.com/2013/01/a-beautiful-mess-kitchen-gear-favorites.html

burger king delivery etta james at last john king obama sings al green heidi klum and seal ohare airport etta james songs

How Do You Promote Employee Involvement In Health And Safety ...

Whether you are the owner of a business or if you are managing a workplace, keeping employees safe and healthy at all times will help to not only increase workplace productivity and efficiency, but it is also a way to educate everyone who is working for you to keep them as happy as possible. Promoting involvement in health and safety programs may seem to be a difficult task, but it is possible by getting creative and understanding how to truly communicate with those who are employees of the workplace.

Discussions and Orientation

Hosting an orientation meeting on health and safety programs in the workplace is an ideal way to introduce your employees to the programs that are available and why their health and safety is important. Making those who work in the office feel comfortable and safe is a way to gain their trust and interest in the possible programs you want to promote. Discuss all of the program features and benefits and create flyers or information pamphlets that will help employees get familiar with the programs you are offering and how they can benefit them.

Provide the Programs

Offer the programs through your workplace and provide the information to your employees so they are capable of learning more about health and safety and how it is relevant to their jobs. Ensuring you are providing your employees with the proper programs for workplace safety and health for the industry you are working in is necessary in order for the programs to be a success.

Design an Agenda

Having a plan in place and creating an agenda for meetings and when the programs will be available to your employees is a way to keep the information relevant and others interested in attending or learning more. When you create an agenda of plans and how you want to present the types of programs you have in the workplace, it is also easier to stick with the programs you have set up to keep employees as active as possible.

Choosing the Right Leaders

When you want to offer health and safety programs in the workplace, choosing the right leaders is essential to ensuring the success of the programs. Select managers who are self-motivated and invested in your company to lead managing the programs or setting up meetings and conferences to review the health and safety programs with the employees of the office or entire workplace. Selecting the right manager for the job can mean the difference from getting everyone involved with the health and safety programs to never launching them properly or getting them off of the ground.

Give Incentives

Another way to get employees involved in the health and safety programs you are hosting in the workplace is to offer incentives such as gift cards or even perks in the workplace for attending for a set amount of time. Although it may be considered bribing to some, giving incentives to employees to help with increasing their own knowledge of the health and safety programs that are available is a way to boost participation and really launch the programs you have in mind. Giving incentives is an ideal method of gaining more interaction and involvement from employees when it comes to their own health and safety while they are in the workplace and on the job.

Susan writes for Substation Safety on their blogs and for other websites.

Source: http://www.legalplayground.com/1059-how-do-you-promote-employee-involvement-in-health-and-safety-programs.html

kobayashi margaret sanger paul george eddie long ufc 143 weigh ins micron ceo glenn miller

Hagel: Window closing on Iran and diplomacy

WASHINGTON (AP) ? Defense Secretary nominee Chuck Hagel said the "window is closing" on Iran and the possibility of diplomacy if it continues to ignore international demands to end pursuit of a nuclear weapon.

In his first opportunity to express his opinions since President Barack Obama nominated him Jan. 7, Hagel addressed a range of issues, from Iraq and Afghanistan to women in combat, in a 112-page questionnaire for the Senate Armed Services Committee. The panel submitted the extensive questions to Hagel in advance of his confirmation hearing on Thursday.

The former two-term Republican senator has faced a barrage of criticism that he is not sufficiently pro-Israel and tough on Iran. In his responses, Hagel adopted a hardline on Iran, echoing Obama's contention that the United States would consider all options, including military action, to keep Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.

"If confirmed, I will focus intently on ensuring that U.S. military is in fact prepared for any contingency," Hagel said in response to committee questions.

The United States and other Western nations have demanded that Iran stopped its uranium-enrichment program, which they perceive as a precursor to production of nuclear warhead-grade material. Iran insists that its program is for peaceful purposes.

The most recent round of negotiations ended in a stalemate last June.

"If Iran continues to flout its international obligations, it should continue to face severe and growing consequences," Hagel said. "While there is time and space for diplomacy, backed by pressure, the window is closing. Iran needs to demonstrate it is prepared to negotiate seriously."

In the past, Hagel has questioned the efficacy of unilateral sanctions on Iran, arguing that penalties in conjunction with international partners made more sense.

He said in his response to the committee that he would continue to implement the "smart, unprecedented and effective sanctions against the Iranian regime" that Congress and the Obama administration have adopted in recent years.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/89ae8247abe8493fae24405546e9a1aa/Article_2013-01-30-Hagel-Iran/id-c80f755396074a5893bb1c7912255e36

marion barber marion barber syracuse ohio state girl with the dragon tattoo ohio state basketball collateral

Club to punish fans who racially abused Altidore

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) ? The Dutch club Den Bosch pledged Wednesday to do all it can to identify and punish a group of fans who racially abused American forward Jozy Altidore during a game.

Den Bosch said fans responsible for the monkey chants Tuesday during the Dutch Cup match against Altidore's AZ Alkmaar "do not belong in the De Vliert (Stadium) and will face the toughest possible sanctions."

The racist chants gave a hollow ring to the slogan "Without respect, no football" that was coined by Dutch soccer authorities in the aftermath of the death of a linesman who was attacked by players after a match between two youth teams near Amsterdam in December.

Altidore, who is black, was not available for comment Wednesday. After the match, he told Dutch television the chants were the worst abuse he has been subjected to on a soccer field.

"It's a bit disappointing that these things still happen in this time that we're in," Altidore told Eredivisie Live. "But what you going to do? You just hope these people can find a way to improve themselves. You can only pray for them."

Altidore converted a penalty kick in his team's 5-0 win over Den Bosch, giving him a career-high 20 goals this season. He urged the referee not to take the players off the field despite the chants.

The 23-year-old, who has 13 goals in 51 appearances for the U.S. national team, said education is the key to stamping out such chants.

"At the end of the day it's still alive, racism. All we can do now is try to educate ourselves, the young kids coming up, to be better than that," Altidore said.

Den Bosch condemned the chants from a small section of the crowd.

"A cup tie that was supposed to be played in an atmosphere of respect has left us scarred," the club said in a statement on its website.

Referee Reinold Wiedemeijer halted play briefly in the second half because fans threw balls of ice at his linesmen.

Offensive chants are nothing new in Dutch soccer stadiums, but it had been hoped that the sharpened focus on respect following the death of volunteer linesman Richard Nieuwenhuizen might help eradicate them.

"(The fans) totally ruined weeks of preparations with monkey chants, throwing things at match officials and not showing respect for those on and around the pitch," Den Bosch said.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/club-punish-fans-racially-abused-altidore-141937769--sow.html

oakland raiders Jessica Lange NFL scores week 3 kat dennings Steve Sabol Yom Kippur 2012 Aaron Paul