#i think these r both out of stock BUT i heard from them that brians gonna be restocked in the next few in a diff colour

[muirneach]

AUTISM CENTRAL

[whatdoesshedotothem]

Saturday 1 August 1835

6 25

11 20

No kiss. At my desk at 7 25 at which hour F65° and fine morning - at George’s account and settled with Turner for stones and to come again tonight with estimate for stones for the tail goit - then breakfast at 8 50 - meant to have been off to Halifax to the District bank but Greenwood came convenient enough - I wanted to speak to him about sawyers etc but he came to speak about the letting Nelson have the Northgate house job - poor G- in a nervous agony about it - could scarce speak - damp cold pallor over his face - almost in tears - it was unfairly let  - Helm’s the lower estate and it was to go to the lowest - Helm a very honest man - should have his Greenwoods buildings without estimate - it was not he (Helm) who said anything against me - no ! he said perhaps it was for the best - ‘I had been over-seen’ but I had told him  I might have other building to do and I should not forget him - G- hoped I should excuse his coming to tell me - it was for my interest - ‘they’  (the town I suppose) might oppose me - might oppose my getting a licence - I had done wrong - I heard him very quietly then said what I had done could not be altered now - but I had done right according to my own judgment and conscience and if the town could act so unjustly as to oppose me, they might - if I could not get a licence I had immediately change my plan, and trouble myself very little about it - I wished Mr Harper to decide but he declined doing so, and I had therefore decided as I had told Brian Helm in a moment as  every might and ought to do in a case like this where right principle was the only guide  - I had taken the lower estimate - the case Mr Harper said was singular - yes! but I thought it clear - the price given for the old materials had nothing to do with the estimate of the work - I had a right to do as I liked about the materials - N-‘s estimate of the work was the lower by about £3.15.0 I believed and I had taken - when G- heard the price of the old materials he said he himself would have given £200 for them - if, said I, I had known that in time you should have had them - these were mine to do as I liked with - on hearing my explanation and seeing me so clam yet decided, G- began gradually to cool and said the thing was misrepresented - it only wanted explaining - I told him what I had said both to Nelson and Helm - adding that after the inquiry I had made, it certainly appeared to me that N- was the more experience person - BH owned he had never done any columns - à la longue - G-

SH:7/ML/E/18/0072

became reconciled and talked what he could do if he did set up the Inn - I mentioned his wife’s remark that they might as well put a stick into the house as herself and that G- had as many irons in the fire as he could cool - he said well! but he was master - yes! but said I, she must be mistress or it will not do -‘well! but she does not say so much to me’ - perhaps said I she might be fearful of speaking so plainly before you - however you must judge as well as you can - he said people asked if he would ruin Carr - no! he answered he would say all he could for him to me; but if he C- did not get it, it was another thing - well! said I, I will exonerate you on this point - you have already said enough to save your credit if you never say anymore - but I have not said C- shall have it - he has made no application to me - what have to expect from such a character? Remember the trick he played me about the manure - besides, his immorality is a disgrace - G- said yes! it was and he was very domineering and disagreeable - then inquired about the Hope coach - said I was going to London - bade G- take the 4 inside places and one outside for Monday morning to Sheffield if he could - ordered about hat-bore lined with coarse flannel to be sent home tonight - spoke about Charles H- G- said 2 1/2d. per yard in length would be enough for sawing up rails and settling them - the oaks-logs to remain where they are till my return and then go to Greenwoods to be cut up - G- thinks the Inn will pay me 7 ½ pc. in ten years - on going out found Wheatley the veterinary surgeon come to look at A-‘s pony - something of a splent and liquid blister should be applied - said I was satisfied to find him of my own opinion - George to call tonight for stuff and directions - W- agreed with me, it would be well to let the pony be from 8 to 9 am and from 6 to 7 pm in the paddock, and this would save the trouble of walking her above and would answer much better - then desired W- to examine the old mare – her jole already affected - thinks her not that bad enough to infect the other horses, but she ought to be kept apart - better to put her out of the way - then with my father and Marian - spoke about the mare - my father said nothing against it, but seemed hurt - perhaps it will be best to put the mare away and say no more about it - then had Mr Husband who brought the plans of the water wheel etc from Mr Harper - told  Mr Husband merely to make me out an account of Charles H-‘s work done on  Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and in fact this week, and keep an account of what more he did during my absence - said I had spoke to him this morning he was now gone about wood and making a sluice for Spiggs loose a job  which the coal agent would settle about - Reminded Mr Husband that he was in a situation where 100 eyes would be upon him, he must do the best he could and his best plan would be to consult no interest but that of his employer - if there was the least rent to be found, it would be torn from top to bottom - I was anxious for him to be cautious - I said this in consequence of what G- told me - in his agony, he said, he admired Helm who had acted quite independently and never gone near Husband who had said in his G-‘s presence 3 times, and he G- would swear to it and had once thought of telling Mr Harper last night that he (Mr H-) could put £500 into any mason’s pocket and G- thought that very strong and improper language - yes! said I and very wrong and imprudent - I shall not forget it - but if there is anything to be laid against him it must be proved and then he will be off at a tangent - well, said G-, but he  shall be watched - I thanked G- said I should be much obliged to him to keep a sharp look-out, and only advised him to do it as quietly as possible - Perhaps G- had some interest in being for BH-? I shall ponder these things - I am more and more persuaded that the choice of N- was right G- said at last, he had no doubt, he could get a licence - no! no! the house will be licensed - I told G- if he meant to set it up, he had better say nothing and go and consult Gunter in London as to the manner of setting out tables etc G- having said he had seen as much of this sort of thing as Carr, and could buy in horses as well, but did not so well understand coaching -  Having G-  Wheatley and Husband for 3 or 4 minutes and writing the whole so far of today took me till 2 5 - then counting over the money to take to the bank   A- in bad humour about something and copying old parchments again  so I kept aloof   A- off on her pony to Cliff hill at 3 - I wrote and sent John off immediately with note to ‘Messrs. Rawson, Bankers, Halifax’ enclosing to Mr R- fifty pounds in Bank of England ‘on account of the new museum, making the amount of her subscription paid on that account £150’ - a little while talking to Marian and then at 3 ½ off to Halifax down the old bank to the Yorkshire District bank - asked what they would charge upon remitting £100 to London - answer 5/. i.e. 1/4p.c. their usual mode of doing business - to those who have an account with them they give and take 4p.c. and charge ¼ p.c. on all on business done - all bills paid whether in London or elsewhere but that ¼ p.c. includes postage and everything - said I had found fault at another bank with the charge of ¼ p.c. on remittances to London - I would consider about it  - walked off up the street round into Waterhouse street - doubted when opposite the Join stock whether to see what I could do with Mr Carr - then remembered Marian’s telling me her friend was one of the managers to whom all my concerns must be known - turned back to the Yorkshire District bank - asked to be shewn into their private room and opened an account with them leaving £1800 in Bank of England  20s.10.and 5s. and gave Mr. Rawson’s £5 for an order for £4.10.0 payable to ‘George Buckle Esquire’ (on a sheet of letter paper - in payment of his bill for the copies of wills for A- received this morning per parcel) -  returned up the old bank by Whiskam road to where Robert S- and his man Joseph Sharpe were gas-tarring the railing that parts off the new field road - left orders for all the gas-tarring to be done and the railing between Carr and my father to be done over again (i.e. 2nd time) and then if any time to spare during my absence Park-farm wood the little seedling oaks to have the grass cut from around them for 4 or 5 inches breadth and hedges to be cleaned - passed Walker pit - nobody there- sometime in Conery wood - saw A- returned about 5 ¼ - Mark Town came to me in the approach road - I see he would be glad to take the purchase of the cottage himself and said if George N-‘s farm was to sell Mr Ackroyd’s manager Mr Ingham would advance him (Mark) money to pay for it with - told him to make up

SH:7/ML/E/18/0073

 his mind to leave things as already agreed upon - I would take the cottage and do what he wanted he remembering his own proposal to pay me 1/. in the pound on all laid out - I wanted no better agreement - Had Charles H- also in the approach road - told him to saw up and set double railing round Mytholm dam, and to guard the trees in the Wheat field and in George R-‘s upper daisy bank, and enlarge 2 or 3 of the guards in Carr’s Shibden Land but 1st to get the Spiggs Loose shuttle done, and his work should be examined and reckoned upon on my return - told him to put up notice against hunters and trespassers in such places and as many as he thought would be best and enough, the printed notices being left with my aunt - paid Charles H- and Robert Schofield up tonight, and gave the latter £2 on a/c of walling done along the ft. of Bairstow - Dinner at 6 ½ - coffee - A- went upstairs I to my father and Marian for ¼ hour - said A- had a headache - It was bad humour did not like sometimes going from home with me and sometimes not   very different from what she expected   I could not at first guess what she meant   on explanation after coming up from my father she did not like my not taking her to Richmond Park but leaving her to call on or rather spend the day with Mrs Plowes   I explained affectionately and calmly  she cried and said she knew I should think it nothing and only turn  it against her as I had done two or three times before   she thought the sooner we parted the better   I said my greatest and first wish was her happiness if I could not make her happy I only hoped someone else might succeed better etc etc   very kind and affectionate said were I in her place I should not like being taken  as it were  to be looked [at]  I thought it bad taste but it should be as she liked  oh no but she had expected very different  something led to my recalling my expression about old Mrs Saltmarshe that perhaps it might be in her power to introduce Catherine Rawson then  said A- you should not not have claimed powers you did not possess  I reminded her of my saying I hoped to succeed but if I could not my failure would be better than many people’s success   but if left to do my own way I did not despair - she by and by came round  kissed me etc.   I took all well but thinking to myself   ��there is danger in the first mention  the first thought that it is possible for us to part   time will shew  I shall try to be prepared for whatever may happen 25 minutes with my aunt till 10 20 - very fine day F69° at 10 20 pm

[pwchronicle]

Ring of Honor “Best in the World” TV Taping Report June 29th in Philadelphia, PA

ROH followed up their annual Best in the World PPV in Baltimore with a TV taping at the 2300 Arena. For fans in my neck of the woods, it was either this or All Elite Wrestling’s second show, Fyter Fest, available for free on B/R Live. There was also UFC airing on regular ESPN, so plenty of choices tonight. A number of people chose not to attend tonight’s taping; it definitely did not look like the sell-out ROH was reporting, certainly down from the last two times ROH ran here last October and December. Myself? I can catch these other shows later in the weekend. I went in to this after just reading about what went down in Baltimore, unfortunately not all that compelled to order it, but still looking forward to fun stuff tonight. 

Future of Honor: Azrieal beat Matita (?) with a splash off the top rope. That’s right, Azrieal, the former Special K member who cleaned up his act, has made his way back into ROH after being absent for several years. He and his opponent (billed from Africa) both looked pretty good. I probably butchered his opponent’s name, but towards the end he was up on the top rope when Azrieal shoved the ref into the ropes, pretending it was an accident as his opponent was crotched on the top. Azrieal then hit him with a draping DDT to lead to the finish.

Future of Honor: The Tate Twins (formerly The Boys) beat Geddy Cahoon and “Classy” Max Stenway after a double chokeslam on the larger Cahoon. The Boys have matured a little, with a Batman-esque video screen that still calls them The Boys as they come out in capes. I’ve seen Cahoon once before in Chikara’s Young Lions Cup tournament last year I think. He has an old-school look, black trunks with white boots, while his partner wore gray pants and a top that looked like a buttoned vest. I thought this was okay, one noticeable hiccup being one of the twins and Cahoon doing some sloppy pin exchanges. 

The injured Colt Cabana was able to make it out tonight, with the help of a cane, to call the action with Ian Riccaboni. Kenny King joined them on commentary for the first televised match.

1. Shane Taylor beat Rhett Titus in a Proving Ground Match after hitting him with a headbutt. Titus did some flexing early to get out of Taylor’s grip for comedic effect, and he was able to hit a nice dropkick early. Taylor was all business and gave him a legdrop on the edge of the ring. Nearfall by Titus following at least three running boots in the corner and a Samoan Drop.

- Following Titus’ loss, King came down ringside and said he was disgusted. He brought up his history with Titus as the All Night Express, when they picked up wins over the Briscoes, the Young Bucks, Roderick Strong, and Tyler Black. Now King thinks Titus is a joke, and he brought up his pregnant wife in the crowd. He asked Titus how she could be proud of him, and why Titus’ son (Jimmy Controversy? I’ve seen him wrestle late last year) can’t look him in the eye. Titus got hot, but he just left the ring as King called him a punkass bitch.

2. Tasha Steelz won a 4-Way #1 Contender’s Match over Angelina Love (w/ Velvet Sky and Mandy Leon), Jenny Rose, and Stella Grey when she pinned Grey after hitting an ace crusher. Kelly Klein joined commentary for this, and this was the first time I’ve noticed Brian Hebner reffing for ROH. Sky said this match was bull and that Love is already the true #1 Contender to Klein’s WOH World Title. Leon, meanwhile, had a dog with her, and the dog was wearing a leather jacket. There were no incidents between the Allure and fans in the crowd, but there wasn’t much enthusiasm from fans during this match either, even though Rose and Grey got hometown wrestler pops, and everyone liked the dog, though it didn’t get involved. Leon got involved trying to trip one of the women, and Hebner ejected her, Sky, and the dog from ringside because of it. Love hit a dive to the floor from the top rope, then got up in another corner to call out to Klein afterward. Klein came down to ringside briefly, and this distraction led to the other three wrestlers taking down Love.

- After the match, the lights went out while Love and Steelz were still in the ring, the Maneater video played, and when the lights came back on, newcomer Maria Manic was standing behind Love and Steelz. Manic got a good reception. Love bailed out of the ring while the next title challenger Steelz stepped up to her. Four crew members separated the two of them. Manic took out all four guys herself, including putting one of them in a torture rack before dumping him out of the ring, and taking out another with a tree slam. This made Manic even more popular, so a job well done on her arrival into ROH and Women of Honor.

3. Jay Lethal & The Bouncers (Beer City Bruiser & Brian Milonas) beat The Kingdom (Matt Taven, TK O’Ryan, and Vinny Marseglia) after the Bouncers hit O’Ryan with Closing Time. Good action with three popular babyfaces. Before the match, Lethal demanded timekeeper Amy Rose (not Sonic the Hedgehog’s friend) to leave the ringside area because of her interference in Lethal’s match against Kenny King at Best in the World (she returned maybe two matches later). The Kingdom preferred to be in the ring with Lethal as opposed to the Bouncers, and Lethal was worked over before making hot tags to each of them. Lethal hit his suicide dives towards the end. The Bouncers’ stock continues to rise (they recently earned a Tag Team Title shot in the Northwest), but before they could celebrate with post-match beers, Taven yanked Lethal down from the apron and gave him a Climax on the floor. The Bouncers and other crew attended to Lethal as he was helped to the back.

4. Eli Drake beat Grizzly Redwood with an air raid crash. Pretty short squash by new NWA signee Drake on another returning face in Redwood, though he’s local, so I’m not sure how much of a return it really is. Nick Aldis, flanked by Kamille, was on commentary during this. Drake cut a promo afterward about his arrival into the NWA and his pursuit of the World Title, and I thought he came off well.

5. Coast 2 Coast (LSG & Shaheem Ali) beat Marcus Kross & Griff Garrison when Ali pinned Kross after a Boss Man Slam spun out from a powerslam position. This ended up being a competitive match and not a squash, with Kross (with gear and hair inspired by Goku) and Garrison (who just looks like an in-shape wrestler) getting a good amount of offense against the more established Coast 2 Coast. I also thought it was quite good, and a portion of the crowd chanted “Please Come Back!” to Kross and Garrison.

6. Jonathan Gresham won a Four Corner Survival over Jeff Cobb, Kenny King, and Dalton Castle. Caprice Coleman joined the commentary team from this point on. Castle, who is now heel and has ditched the flowing, winged robe for just a glittery jacket, was still beloved by the crowd. He and King hesitated getting in the ring, while Gresham and G1 Jeff kept it more serious. The Four Corner Survival rules of only two men in the ring at a time via tags (which confused the rowdy group of guys behind me, down from Ottawa, ONT Canada [!] for a bachelor party) naturally broke down, leading to Cobb going nuts with his suplexes. The end came when King took a shoe from Amy Rose to use as a weapon, but Gresham got a hold of it, hit King with it, and pinned King with a handful of his trunks. I thought it was fun, and it might come off better to me if I were to watch it on TV. Gresham returned the shoe to Rose. 

- Jay Lethal came out to speak to the crowd. He said he hasn’t spoken about his losing the ROH World Title at G1 Supercard because he’s a bad loser, and it was a heavy pill to swallow. Then he remembered that he’s a two-time World Champion, meaning he lost it once, but worked hard and was able to win it again. He will have a title match next month in New York, and he plans to win the title back from Matt Taven. This cued Taven to come out and dress down Lethal. He said Lethal was embarrassing his parents, who were in the crowd, and that Lethal was proving that his parents raised a liar. Taven said Lethal choked in Madison Square Garden, and now Taven is the face of ROH, and they’re living in the Time of Taven. As Taven finished what he had to say, out came Alex Shelley in a suit. He’s making his return, as he said he was careful not to say he was retiring when he last appeared in ROH. He said he’s been wrestling for seventeen years, has constantly been in the wrong place at the wrong time, but he’s left his mark around the world. He said he’s pulling out his proverbial veteran’s card yet again, and that he wants a shot at whoever is the champion after the match in New York. This segment was followed by intermission.

7. The Soldiers of Savagery (Moses & Kaun) beat two wrestlers after hitting double chokeslams on both of them. After just doing run-ins up until now, the Soldiers of Savagery had an official entrance, and it was a pretty cool one. Quick post-intermission squash, as they attacked their opponents (who were in matching gear) before they could be introduced.

- Caprice Coleman came out to the ring to host an interview segment with Nick Aldis. Kamille held the NWA World Heavyweight Title for Aldis. Coleman brought up the Summer Supercard happening in Toronto on August 9, with ROH hosting talent from New Japan and CMLL. Coleman had heard the NWA World Heavyweight Title would be defended at Summer Supercard and asked Aldis who his challenger would be. Aldis started by bringing up his fight with the Briscoes at Best in the World, and he offered Jay Briscoe a title shot whenever he pleases. As for Summer Supercard, he suggested he might want to have another match with Marty Scurll. This prompted Scurll to come out, and he said that he would also like to have a rematch. Aldis said he wasn’t finished, as he’s actually offering the title shot at Summer Supercard to any member of Villian Enterprises, and he will let Scurll choose who it will be. Aldis and Kamille left, as Coleman asked Scurll who he chooses for the title match, or if he’s taking the match himself. Scurll stalled for a little bit and said he had a lot to think about. Coleman closed by reiterating the name of the event and it’s August 9 date.

- Another segment followed, with Riccaboni and Cabana coming down to ringside. Riccaboni talked a little about Cabana’s injury and asked him for an update. Cabana stated how he has a cane now, barely got the the okay from his doctor to fly out to the events this weekend, but then James Storm interrupted. He was dressed to wrestle, brought up his match against Cabana in Chicago for the NWA National Title, and that he’s here for those five more minutes Cabana offered after the match went to a time limit draw. Cabana brought up how Cabana would have given him those five more minutes, but the Briscoes attacked him and Storm did nothing. Cabana began to leave when Storm shoved him from behind to the ground and berated him. Cabana agreed to the title match after this, despite his bad leg and not being dressed to compete.

8. James Storm beat Colt Cabana to win the NWA National Title. This couldn’t have lasted more than five minutes. Cabana tried for his Superman pin right off the bat but couldn’t get it properly with his bad leg. Storm worked over Cabana’s leg as Riccaboni remained at ringside and tried to convince Storm to stop, very concerned for Cabana. Storm put Cabana in a half crab on the injured leg, but Cabana got to the ropes. Cabana fought back, and he tried and failed to get Storm in the Billy Goat’s Curse. Storm hit a superkick and locked in the half crab in the middle of the ring, finally forcing Cabana to submit. Storm then made Riccaboni announce him as the winner and new NWA National Champion. Good drama throughout that the crowd followed. This was likely the end of Cabana’s commentary for the night.

9. Silas Young beat Josh Woods with a small package. After the opening bell but before any action took place, Young got a hold of the mic. He said Woods has been in ROH for two years, but he hasn’t accomplished anything. He said the fans don’t respect Woods like they respect him, and that Woods could benefit from learning from him. He then gave the mic back to the ref, and as the ref did so Young kicked Woods in the groin and rolled him up for the quick win. Young has already corrupted Gresham, and he might be doing the same to Woods.

10. Shinobi Shadow Squad (Cheeseburger, Eli Isom, and Ryan Nova) beat Brian Johnson, Joe Keys, and Dante Caballero after they hit Caballero with a draping DDT/top rope double stomp combo. The three Future of Honor regulars, especially Johnson and Caballero, got a chance to show more of their personalities during this match. They suffered from some miscommunication though, ending with Keys accidentally hitting Caballero to lead to the finish. Afterward, Keys and Caballero came to blows with each other and had to be separated while Johnson just walked off.

11. Karissa Rivera beat Sumie Sakai after sitting down on a sunset flip attempt for the pin. This was Sakai’s first match back from injury, and this seemed to get a good amount of time with a lot of nearfalls. The action was pretty decent, though there was a moment where Sakai bowed to Rivera, Rivera went to bow back, and Sakai rolled her up in a small package that looked pretty bad. Rivera getting the upset win here came off well to me based on the crowd reaction, and Sakai sold the shock of it. Quinn McKay came into the ring to interview Rivera about it, but Sakai intervened and offered Rivera a handshake and congratulated her. If this is just a torch passing from Sakai, that’s A-okay.

12. Rush & Dragon Lee beat Jay & Mark Briscoe when Rush pinned Jay after hitting the Bull’s Horns. This match came off fantastic, as it was basically a fast-paced brawl. They began brawling on the floor early, starting when Dragon Lee went to hit a suicide dive onto the Briscoes, but they caught Lee and gave him a double suplex onto the floor. A little later, Mark came up bleeding heavily from the forehead, and I don’t know how it happened if it was hardway. It likely was as someone retrieved a towel to attend to Mark. This wasn’t at the level of how Jay has bled in the past, but Mark was bleeding so much Rush began focusing on it, wiping some of it on his chest and biting at the wound. ROH TV likely wouldn’t allow spots like this, so I imagine this match will be heavily edited when it airs, with the full uncut match featuring these spots put on HonorClub. Nevertheless, the blood added some intensity to the match, and the wrestlers capitalized on it. Mark used a chair to assist his running dive over the top to the floor. Rush was given a neckbreaker by Jay and the Froggy Bow by Mark, but Rush still kicked out that a lot of fans saw as three. Lee took out Mark with a running hurricanrana over the top rope to the floor to leave Rush to finish off Jay. A wild match that had the crowd shitting apes. Dragon Lee continues to be on a roll after some stellar matches these last two months in New Japan.

- There was a quick change of the ring canvas and wiping down of the ropes as Bobby Cruise announced that Villain Enterprises would be out next. When the ring was ready, the LifeBlood trio of Bandido, Tracy Williams, and Mark Haskins came out (they’re all that’s left of this faction!). Haskins brought up how Villain Enterprises played a fast one on them at the PPV with their recruiting of Flip Gordon when they thought he would join LifeBlood, and they demanded they came out. Marty Scurll came out again, accompanied by Gordon, Brody King, and PCO. Scurll properly introduced Gordon to the crowd as the newest employee of Villain Enterprises, the understudy, the intern, and the mercenary. He then gave Gordon the night off (following a potential injury at the PPV) to watch this six-man tag team match from the back, and he told LifeBlood that this would not be for their recently remade Six-Man Tag Team Titles, as they just defended them at the PPV (against Haskins, Williams, and PJ Black). Williams was fine with that, as they just wanted a fight, and given where they were, he demanded a Philadelphia Street Fight. The crowd was all for this, Villain Enterprises agreed, and the match was on.

13. LifeBlood beat Villain Enterprises in a non-title Philadelphia Street Fight when Bandido pinned Scurll. Chaos from the start. The timekeeper’s table was cleared off early and set up where the entrance way reaches ringside. The first big moment was King attempting to superplex Haskins onto two rows of chairs, but King went through them himself after Williams and Bandido made the save. LifeBlood began using canes. Bandido gave PCO a hurricanrana off the top rope through the table on the floor, and it all seemed perfectly executed. This left Scurll alone, and he was put into a sharpshooter by Haskins and a cane-assisted crossface by Williams, but King made the save. Dives to the floor from King and PCO was followed by a twisting dive from the top by Bandido. The landing looked rough but Bandido still got up. Back in the ring, Bandido gave PCO his version of the GTS, followed by the 21-plex onto an open chair. During all of this, a woman in the crowd shouted, “Leave him alone! He’s old!” This was only a nearfall as Scurll and King made the save, and then they brought a second table into the ring. Williams and Haskins peppered King with more cane shots. Scurll responded with shots from his umbrella. Scurll took down Bandido with his umbrella, placed him on the table, and went up top, but Bandido recovered and stopped Scurll, finally giving him his moonsault slam off the top through the table for the big win. Another wild, crowd-pleasing match. Bandido, Haskins, and Williams shook hands with all of the ringside fans, and then Williams took the mic and thanked the crowd for coming out on behalf of LifeBlood and everyone at ROH. 

The main show started at about 6 PM and ended at 9:47 PM. I had some issues with the pacing of this show early on. A lot of talking segments that were good, some longer matches that weren’t good, and some shorter matches, but I really enjoyed the two last matches, and they energized the crowd and ended the night on a high note. A lot of focus on the NWA, and I’m not sure how it will play into ROH as I don’t know how much of it will be part of ROH TV. Cabana vs. Storm likely will be, but I don’t know about the Aldis-Scurll segment or the Eli Drake squash. ROH has a little bit of direction with the faction warfare, the World Title picture with Alex Shelley returning, and Maria Manic joining the women’s division, but I listened to the reactions, and they varied to people from Dalton Castle to Rush. No direction for Jeff Cobb following the PPV as he’s off to be G1 Jeff, and late in the game I joined the bandwagon of wanting him to win the ROH World Title and take it with him to Japan for a month in change, throwing the other contenders into crisitunity over the summer in the attempt of some more compelling stories. But no, ROH is focused on Matt Taven and company, and Taven still has his fans. No return date was given for Philadelphia, while they hit up New York City and Lowell, MA next month.

[dweemeister]

Revenge of the Nerds (1984)

Here is a confession: my only prior viewing history about college comedies includes a grand total of three films that I have seen in their entirety. Those films are Legally Blonde (2001), Monsters University (2013), and 22 Jump Street (2014). The “Slobs v. Snobs” comedic subgenre is also a weakness of mine, as their plots test my patience for both slobs and snobs. Combine these two, and you have a movie beyond my experience, but one that I found entertaining and wittier than expected – despite deep concerns by the rampant comedic misogyny that became more explicit in the 1980s that also appears. Jeff Kanew directed Revenge of the Nerds: the third and final episode of this prequel trilogy as it chronicles the final stages of the Clone Wars, Anakin Skywalker’s transformation into Darth Vader, the devastation of the Jedi Order, and the dissolution of the Galactic Republic for the Galactic Empire.

Apologies. That’s the wrong movie. Gosh, I can’t wait for Star Wars fans to hound me this December.

Armed with thick-rimmed glasses and pocket protectors, best friends and nerds Lewis Skolnick (Robert Carradine) and Gilbert Lowe (Anthony Edwards) are entering Adams College as computer science majors. Soon after they have moved into their dorm room, the boys – along with the other nerds inhabiting that building – are forced out by the college football team and must stay in the gymnasium. Tensions between the nerds and the football team increase to the point where Stan Gable (Ted McGinley) – the school’s starting quarterback and head of the Alpha Beta fraternity (which many of the football players are members of) – denies the nerds’ application to create a fraternity and their requests for remedial justice against Alpha Beta harassment. The nerds will then seek sanction from black fraternity Lambda Lambda Lambda (the frat president is played by Bernie Casey) – imagine if a blaxploitation movie dropped into a raunchy, largely white college comedy for several scenes – and will eventually receive their fraternity commission. The Tri-Lambs and Alpha Beta essentially go to war for the rest of the film. Nerdy sorority Omega Mu allies with the Tri-Lambs; sorority Pi Delta Pi assists the Alpha Betas.

Other Tri-Lamb members include Poindexter (Timothy Busfield), Wormser (Andrew Cassese), Booger (Curtis Armstrong), Lamar (Larry B. Scott), and Takashi (Brian Tochi). Notable Alpha Betas include Burke (Matt Salinger) and Ogre (Donald Gibb); notable Pi Delta Pis include Betty Childs (Julie Montgomery) and Judy (Michelle Meyrink). John Goodman is the football coach and James Cromwell is Lewis’ father, who drives his son and Gilbert to Adams.

If the nerds and jocks in this film weren’t as exaggerated as they are, this might be the subject of a documentary given the United States’ reflexive, masturbatory obsession for American football where the football players can do whatever, whenever they want. There is nothing groundbreaking about the depiction of the nerds and the jocks in Revenge of the Nerds, but what is remarkable about how Steve Zacharias and Jeff Buhai’s screenplay develops the nerds is that it betrays its only message: accepting others for who they are, that difference in interests and appearance is to be celebrated, and that tolerance and compassion for others is to be valued over a person’s external superficialities. The film’s sympathetic approach to the nerds in the film’s opening half is commendable; the abuse they suffer allows us to laugh – in joy, sometimes in confusion – when they are being themselves. But for near-identical reasons I find The Breakfast Club (1985) to be hypocritical, Revenge of the Nerds breaks its central idea and makes a mockery of it several times. Most everything that is shown about the Alpha Beta and Pi Delta Pi members is irredeemable – hazing based on humiliation, superiority complexes, excessive alcohol and drug consumption, and an obsession with physical and sexual prowess as a means to organize the fraternity/sorority hierarchy. The basis of the nerds’ revenge is not staying true to who they are, although they use their brainpower to figure out how their scheme will work. By the film’s conclusion, the nerds’ personalities become identical to the jocks’ – actively seeking out to humiliate their opponents, treating women as sexual playthings, and valuing their hedonism over everything else. I imagine Lewis’ father to be heartbroken if he heard about this; but given the rules set forth in Revenge of the Nerds, maybe not.

This is a comedy – a college comedy, some might emphasize – meant to entertain and skewer the jocks and their girlfriends for their behavior. But comedy is often double-edged, as it is here, and I could not bring myself to laugh as the nerds began to emulate. Maybe I do not know enough about comedies, but I tend to think the best comedies that attempt a message (that excludes pure farce, like 1980′s Airplane!) should hold steady to what they are trying to espouse as there is a moral responsibility that exists in that space. Message comedies often subscribe to a rule usually associated with journalism: to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable. As the nerds become relentless in their revenge, the film resorts to racial stereotypes and misogyny as supporting plot devices. For all the hilarious pratfalls of the combat between the Tri-Lambs and Alpha Beta and the end-of-film festival’s events, these depictions overshadow Revenge of the Nerds’ intents.

According to British film critic Robert Ager, a DVD commentary interview including actor Curtis Armstrong had him claim that, in this film, “nerd” can stand in for any group of people being oppressed. What Armstrong and Ager fail to note, however, is that this statement is less applicable for Revenge of the Nerds’ black and Asian characters and rooted in decades of Hollywood history.

Larry B. Scott’s Lamar is obviously gay, presenting himself as an aberration to the rigidly heterosexual jocks. But Lamar is employed as comic relief in times when the Tri-Lambs wherever the film needs him to be. The queer black male is a stock character from blaxploitation – a subgenre of exploitation film which catered to African-American audiences and emerged in the early 1970s; blaxploitation films have been acclaimed by some as portraying more empowered black characters, but have also been criticized for reinforcing damaging stereotypes. Lamar’s queerness, if we are to look at him with a blaxploitation lens, is decontextualized by Revenge of the Nerds, as the stock queer black male – as seen in Shaft (1972) and Blacula (1972) – is usually employed to challenge black masculine norms (it can be comical or otherwise), that there is more than one way to be “authentically” masculine as a black man. Lamar is indeed a nerd, but what he could represent – as a black queer man – is erased, though I will admit that the performance he gives near the film’s end is one of the most positive depictions of a gay rapper I have seen. Additionally, the depiction of the Lambda Lambda Lambda administration – recall that it is a black fraternity – is of stoic men whose appearances are bookended by the expected funk music and cultural insensitivities by the largely white kids trying to form a Tri-Lamb chapter at Adams.

The filmmakers never even try with Japanese student Takashi (Brian Tochi), rendering him overly polite to those insulting and assaulting him, mixing up or simply dropping L’s and R’s in his speech, and being completely dense to everything surrounding him. We have been here too many fucking times before. If the filmmakers’ intentions were to expose the follies of these stereotypes by replicating them and showcasing their absurdities, the final product has too many mixed messages for me to take such a claim seriously. From Revenge of the Nerds’  nerd-jock dichotomy with nothing in between, the nerds’ adoption of the jocks’ behavior, and their portrayal of black and Asian characters, this almost drowns out the numerous clever verbal and sight gags there are.

And this is not even beginning to touch upon how this film treats its women characters. From the panty raid scene to the nerds’ installation of a camera to watch females undress in the supposed privacy of their bathrooms (a young elementary school-age kid is depicted watching these scenes and enjoying them) and bedrooms to a rape-by-deception/false identity (because as long as the fornicating is mind-blowing, the sex is totally okay, and the girl will fall for your dick, right?), there is nothing salvageable about how Revenge of the Nerds treats its women. Rape is a punchline and that – call me a prude all you want – is indefensible (Revenge of the Nerds would not be the first or last film to do this).

Made with money 20th Century Fox earned with Return of the Jedi (1983), Revenge of the Nerds spawned three sequels – the later two being television movies – despite the fact Fox executives were expecting a modest box office intake (and thus left the production alone without much administrative interference). The film was shot on the campus of the University of Arizona, located in Tucson. The young cast – though some were certainly no longer the usual age for an undergraduate student – had a brilliant time shooting the movie, despite their initial reservations about playing such obvious nerds or loathsome jocks and cheerleaders. A Greek life-like atmosphere surrounded the set, and the stars found themselves partying with the university’s students when shooting was completed for the day.

Without the film’s surprisingly thoughtful portrayal of the nerds in the opening third of the film, the score that appears below might otherwise have been much lower. Without some pretty shocking or dirty lines from Lewis, Gilbert, and especially Goober, I might have liked this film a lot less than I do now (yes, this review has been scathing, but there are elements I appreciated). Yet all of that racially insensitive writing and misogyny is something that this film could all too easily could have gone without.

My rating: 5/10

^ Based on my personal imdb rating. My interpretation of that ratings system can be found here.

[celebratorypenguin]

Fic: This Too, Too Solid Flesh

This Too, Too Solid Flesh

Rating: NC-17 for sexytimes

Summary: The Beatles watch the final cut of "A Hard Day's Night" and discover that Paul's solo scene ended up on the cutting room floor. Paul feels like a failure; the others want to help. But mostly John.

NOTE: There's no evidence that any of this happened. The only kernel of historical accuracy is that Paul did film a scene with actress Isla Blair that was cut from the film. The scene can be read here: http://www.beatlesinterviews.org/dbhdnscene.html

And obviously, the sex is just a product of my pathetic brain.

THIS TOO, TOO SOLID FLESH

"O, that this too, too solid flesh would melt, Thaw and resolve itself into a dew!" --Hamlet, Act 1, Scene 2

***

Smoke and dust motes danced in the brilliant light as the film began to run. John settled in his seat, smiling fondly as Ringo grinned and jammed his elbow into John's ribs. "Our big-screen debut, eh?" Ringo stage-whispered.

John adjusted his glasses and gave Ringo an answering poke. "Shush, or we'll be kicked out of our own preview," he said, but he heard the excitement and mirth in his own voice.

They'd worked so hard on their movie on top of everything else they were doing - the tours, the press conferences, writing dozens of songs, putting together a pair of albums. And here they were, part of a handful of people invited to see the final cut of "A Hard Day's Night" before the official premiere.

Paul was sitting on John's left. Paul had been the most anxious throughout the entire process, largely because he couldn't control what he didn't understand, and partly because his girlfriend was an experienced actress. None of the "Beatle Birds" was at this screening, for which John was grateful for Paul's sake rather than his own. After all, Cynthia would be proud of him no matter what he sounded like or looked like.

Jane, on the other hand...

John sighed. He wanted to like the girl, he really did, but her posh accent and dainty ways were a bit much for him to handle. Cynthia said she felt like a clumsy cow next to Jane. For once, John was in complete sympathy and agreement with his wife.

Wonders would never cease.

The film countdown had begun, taking his mind off of everything except how this movie was going to turn out.

It was a pleasant surprise. The movie was charming and funny, with enough absurdly impossible situations to make John happy, enough sardonic wit to please George, and enough music to gratify Paul. The bonus, as far as John was concerned, was how marvelous Ringo was in his role as beleaguered underdog.

Dark as the screening room was, John could swear that Ringo was blushing.

Spontaneous, happy applause greeted the closing credits. John beamed as the house lights came up and Richard Lester went to the small stage. "So, gentlemen, what do we think?" he asked.

It was then that John realized that Paul, and George sitting to Paul's left, were stock-still. Hadn't they enjoyed their movie? What was the matter with them?

George's voice broke the sudden, uncomfortable silence. "Is this the finished thing?" he asked, his voice tight.

"Yes, it's the final cut," Lester replied. He seemed nervous, as if he were waiting for a bomb to go off.

And it did, because George asked, "What happened to Paul's scene, then?"

John's heart sank. Of course, that was what was missing - Paul's solo turn with the young actress. He'd run lines with Paul for days, and he knew that Jane had coached him to within an inch of his life. But the scene wasn't there.

Lester ran a finger between his collar and this throat. "Yes. Well. I'm so sorry, Paul, but that...slowed the film down...and I'm afraid we had to cut it out."

"Well, put it BACK," Ringo bellowed. "Take a minute or two off my bit and give it to Paul."

Good lad, John thought. He glanced over at Paul, who was the picture of outward composure, as long as you didn't see how tightly he was folding his hands together. John listened to Lester babbling about Paul's "extra closeups" and "dramatic lighting" he had used to "even out the screen time," but John could see that his heart wasn't really in it.

"Doesn't matter," Paul said evenly. "It's a great film, Dick. Thanks for the preview." He stood up and motioned for the rest of the group to do likewise. "We have an early press conference tomorrow, and we're going to need our beauty sleep. So if you'll excuse us...?"

George's face was a thundercloud. He ushered the stiff Paul and bewildered Ringo out of the room with John on his heels. Brian tried to waylay them, but one look at the determined set of George's mouth and the dark flash of his eyes was enough to make him stand aside and let the four men go on their way.

They took a wrong turn and had to double back to find the exit. Lester was talking to Brian, explaining his decision. John strained to hear his words.

He wished he hadn't.

"I like the lad, Brian, I truly do. He's a charming fellow, but as an actor...he's a bit rubbish."

Thank Christ Paul was out of earshot, John thought. His blood was boiling and he wanted nothing more than to punch the guy's lights out. He turned back to fix Lester with a glare, then found himself colliding with Paul's back.

The group had stopped.

They had heard.

Paul had heard.

To his credit, Paul's only reaction was to set his shoulders even straighter and keep walking forward. The loud slap of his hand on the door handle was the only sign of how hurt and angry he must have been. He held the door for the other three, each of whom gave him a sympathetic glance as they passed.

They were in the alley now, where two unremarkable cars waited to take them home without crowds of shrieking teenagers. The four Beatles stood in a tight circle. Ringo slipped an arm around Paul's waist and hugged him. "The guy's dead wrong," he declared. "You look amazing up there. You were born to have that big baby face glowing twenty feet high as you sing your heart out."

Paul nodded his thanks, his eyes downcast.

"I won't go to that sodding premiere, that's for sure," George snarled.

Sometimes, John forgot that Paul had more history with George than himself. Sure, George and Paul could - and did - snipe at each other like brothers, but there was a bond between them that John envied.

"Yeah, we can strike or something, make them put Paul's scene back in." Ringo tightened his grip on Paul. "They're not going to fuck you over, not on our watch, are they? Maybe we can go to the press, even!"

John had never been prouder of his bandmates than he was in that moment. "Fellas, I think this is Paul's decision to make." He ducked his head so that he was in Paul's field of vision. "We're behind you all the way, you know."

Paul blinked, as if finally coming to grips with the fact that any of this had happened. He ran his hand through his hair. "I appreciate it, guys, I really do. But I think I'd better sleep on it. I'm too..." he made a vague, discontented face, then started over. "I'm surprised, is all. But thanks."

"Want to spend the night at ours, then?" George asked Paul, who shook his head.

"Thanks, but I wouldn't be much company. I'm better off at home." He started for one of the cars, leaving George and RIngo to get into the other one.

John would normally have gotten in with Paul, but he jerked his head in the direction of the back door. "Can you wait for me a minute, Paul? Need to spend a penny."

Paul sat back and waved John away. They both watched as Ringo and George were driven off, both men looking back through the window at Paul. Ringo looked sorrowful. George looked dangerous.

John sauntered back into the building. He didn't want the loo, he wanted justice, and he was going to get it if he to beat the shit out of someone. His hands itched to go around Lester's throat, or Walter Shenson's, or someone's.

He shoved past Brian and stood next to the director and producer. "Ah. John," Lester said. "I'm glad you stopped. I hope there aren't any hard feelings."

He had to be kidding, right?

"I mean, Paul didn't seem to mind. He didn't look upset..."

"You're wrong!" John shouted in the man's face. "When you see Paul looking like he's just eaten a cucumber, he looks so cool, that's when he's hurting the most!"

"John," Shenson began, but John cut him off with a wave.

"The only thing keeping my fist out of your faces is that Paul needs me not to be in jail."

Brian rushed up and started to say something soothing, but John turned on his heel and went to join Paul in the car.

Paul was staring ahead. Dry-eyed and still, it was no wonder that people thought he wasn't churned up inside. John would have thrown things at the screen, would have yelled and kicked up a fuss, but that just wasn't how Paul went through life.

John wondered why Paul didn't have an ulcer.

The car left them off at Wimpole Street, where the Ashers and Paul were living. Paul didn't seem to think anything of John's presence at his side; they had ended more than a few evenings here, after all. When he put the key in the lock, Paul said, "They've all gone to Scotland for the week."

Good, John thought, because one thing he didn't think he could bear was the sight of Jane telling Paul all about her day as a successful actress.

Paul went straight to the bar, dispensing scotch with a liberal hand and barely pouring any soda in it. He handed a glass to John and took one of his own, then seated himself on the couch with an exhausted sigh.

John sipped his liquid courage, then sat beside Paul, so close that their legs touched from hip to knee. Once again he peered into Paul's lowered eyes. "You're not rubbish, you know," he murmured.

Paul gave a slight nod and set his lips in a tighter line.

"You're not," John continued. His heart ached; he would do anything, anything, to make Paul smile. "You're an annoying perfectionist, you're a bit of a showoff, and frankly any bloke who spends that much money on clothes is a bit suspect."

There, the mouth turned up just a bit at the corners.

"But one thing you're not is rubbish. At anything." John grabbed Paul's hand and held it fast. Paul's fingers were cold, so John put his other hand on top. "Paul, look at me."

Paul's eyes were dark.

"I'm only going to say this once, so fucking enjoy it while it's happening." John took a deep breath. "You are the best musician - hell, the best ARTIST - I've ever known. And I love you for it, you daft git."

Paul said nothing, only wrapped his arms around John's shoulders and buried his face in John's hair.

"You're not going to cry, are you?" John asked, worried. Paul's tears were rare, which was fortunate because they always burned John like acid.

Shaking his head against John's, Paul held on tighter, his breathing deepening as he clearly struggled for control. John patted his back and smoothed his rumpled hair. Paul said something that got muffled in John's jacket. "What was that, Paulie?"

Paul pulled back, his posture defeated, his face ashen. "I'm a failure," he mumbled. "How many people does it take to make Paul McCartney an actor? None, because it can't be done." He chuckled dryly at his own weak joke.

"Paul," John started, but Paul waved him off.

"What'll I tell Jane? Or Dad, or Mike? God, they'll be so disappointed in me."

"They'll be furious, just like Ringo and George were. You heard them, they were ready to take these guys apart." Privately, John wasn't sure what Jane would do, but he knew the McCartneys better than his own family, and he wouldn't want to be whoever stood between Jim and his son's dreams.

Paul put his elbows on his knees and let his head drop into his hands. "Face it, would you? I'm a fucking loser. I'm not even entirely rubbish, for fuck's sake. Just 'a bit' rubbish. Can't even manage THAT."

John had never, ever, seen Paul so unhappy. It occurred to him that Paul had never failed at anything before.

"Christ, I need a fag," Paul gasped, patting his pockets and pulling out a pack of cigarettes. He dug out two of them and put them both in his mouth. John produced a lighter and Paul steadied John's hand with his own as he leaned forward. They had done this dance so many times, but the touch of Paul's hand on John's wrist was always a shockingly intimate gesture.

Paul sucked in the smoke, then took one cigarette out and passed it to John. "Ta," John said as he took a long drag. "Are you ready to listen to reason?" he asked.

"Maybe." Paul leaned against the sofa cushions. A veil of smoke obscured his face momentarily, then evaporated.

"You're a fast learner," John said between puffs on his cigarette. "You're always the first one with a rhyme, the first one to understand all the bits and bobs in the studio. You taught yourself the guitar, right side up AND upside down. So what if acting isn't something you pick up quickly? It's not who you are."

"Ah." Paul flicked a long cylinder of ash into a marble ashtray. "So tell me, who am I? Not just Paul McCartney of the Beatles. Who am I...to you?"

Was he really that insecure?

John started to make a wisecrack, but then he looked carefully at Paul's anguished face and saw that his composure was dangerously thin. He reformulated his answer and took a deep breath.

"You're part of me," was all he could say before he began to choke up. Paul's gaze snapped up to John's face at those words.

"Which part?"

Dangerous question, that.

John leaned forward, regarding Paul over the rims of his glasses. "The only part worth a damn," he whispered.

Paul's jaw finally relaxed and his eyes widened. "That's the nicest thing you've said about me in years," he said after a long, silent moment.

"Yeah, well, I mean it. I meant it that night in Paris when we were drunk off our asses, and I mean it now."

Oh, shit, he brought up Paris.

Paul's eyebrows shot up, two perfect arcs. "We weren't all THAT drunk, Johnny," he said, his voice low.

No, they couldn't have been, or else they wouldn't have been able to...to do what they had done.

John tilted his head to the side, asking Paul a silent question. Paul stubbed out his cigarette, sat up, and leaned over to John until they were forehead to forehead. John's breathing quickened and he let his eyes close.

"John," Paul breathed against him. "John, look at me."

When John opened his eyes, he saw so many things in Paul's expression: disappointment and embarrassment in his eyes, depression in the downward turn of the expressive mouth, a flash of longing in the blush that rose above his five o'clock shadow. John had to swallow hard and take a steadying breath to keep still and let Paul talk.

Paul brushed John's cheek with the back of one hand. "I do need something," he said, so softly that John almost couldn't hear him. "But what I don't need," Paul continued, his voice growing firmer, "is a goddamn pity fuck."

John leaned away from him and crossed his arms over his chest. "Is that what you think I'm doing?"

"Isn't that what you ARE doing?" Paul demanded.

"I'm - Jesus, no, that's not it, that's not it at all! I'm just saying that among the things you are not 'a bit rubbish' at doing, sex is right up there!"

They sat facing each other, staring each other down, neither one willing to be the first to speak. John noticed that Paul's fingers were twitching, playing an unheard melody the way he always did when he was deep in thought. From the rhythm, John realized that Paul was playing the bass line of "If I Fell."

"I'm not trying to hurt your pride," John said softly.

Paul started, thinking hard, then gave John a rueful smile and stilled his traitorous hand. "Oh, please," he said, but his voice wasn't as steady as it had been.

The ludicrousness of the situation seemed to hit both men at the same time, because they burst into a simultaneous fit of laughter. "What the bloody hell are we doing?" Paul gasped between chuckles.

"I was hoping you knew," John replied. He loved seeing Paul like this, loved the sparkle in his eyes and the way he wrinkled his nose when he was so amused. Eventually the laughter subsided and they were left staring at one another again. Paul was looking at John's face as if the answer to some eternal secret was just between his eyes.

"Johnny." The way Paul's voice said that one word nearly rocked John off the sofa. It reminded him of a musty hotel room in Paris, of rain on his tongue and the mingled flavors of two-year-old French wine and Paul's nineteen-year-old lips. He remembered the smell of ozone and Paul's sweat, could almost hear the rumble of traffic on cobblestones mixed with the sound of Paul crying out as he climaxed.

After their trip, like a fool, John had insisted they put away their childish things and behave like real men - in his case, by impregnating his girlfriend and almost destroying his career in the process. Paul had thrown himself into his music, forging a trajectory that seemed to be ever-rising.

"I still..." John began, then lost his train of thought. "There isn't...I mean..." Suddenly, John became aware that his cigarette was down to a nub and was burning his fingers. "Ouch! Shit!" he cursed, dropping the butt into the remnants of his drink.

Paul smiled indulgently at him. "You're such a poet, Johnny," he said, leaning forward and resting his palms on John's thighs.

Throwing caution to the wind, John cupped Paul's face in his hands and kissed him. They stayed like that for several long, lovely moments, re-learning the feel of each other after years of pointedly not-doing-this. Paul tasted like scotch and smelled like smoke and vetiver, and John couldn't get enough of him.

"I don't want to do this on the sofa," Paul murmured against John's lower lip.

"I don't want to do this in Jane's bed," John countered.

Paul pulled back, scowling, then he tangled his fingers in John's hair and started to laugh. "Thank you for that reminder. We'll go to my room, up in the attic. Jane hates it up there." Paul stood up, groaning a little at the way his pants hugged him in all the wrong places, and offered his hand to John.

John took Paul's hand and was, as always, surprised by Paul's strength. Paul was solid where John was wiry, steady where John was flexible.

Face it, John told himself as he followed Paul up the wide staircase, Paul was perfect.

He felt another surge of anger. How could someone as allegedly smart as Dick Lester not see, not intuitively KNOW--

Paul's mouth was on his, silencing that part of John's brain. The anger swirled away, replaced by a longing so powerful that John's whole body trembled at the sudden wave of it. Paul put his fingers in the loops of John's belt, holding him close. "I've got you," Paul soothed.

They stood eye to eye, appraising one another. Paul was breathing hard, face flushed, lips darkened from kissing. His eyes were dilated but still so, so sad, and John wanted to erase that sorrow more than he wanted his next breath. He stood on tiptoe and kissed the corners of Paul's eyes, then lightly bit the tip of his nose, making Paul hiss in an attempt not to laugh.

"Johnny."

"Call me that again," John gasped, "and I'll come in my trousers."

Paul arched his back, pressing his groin against John's. "Well now, we can't have that, can we?"

John gave him a warning growl that only made Paul grin cheekily and do it again. "Sodding sadist," John mumbled as he stumbled backwards and began unbuttoning his shirt.

That made Paul laugh. He was taking off his own clothes, somehow still looking graceful even with his trousers down around his ankles. John tripped over himself trying to get his pants off over his shoes, almost landing on the floor except for Paul's steadying hands at his waist.

"Let me," Paul cooed, pushing John to the bed and kneeling at his feet. He took off John's shoes and socks - John had never thought anything so mundane could be that erotic - and slid John's pants the rest of the way off, lifting first one leg and then the other until John was naked.

I am physically and metaphorically naked, John told himself, trying to keep calm while Paul kissed his way up John's right thigh. He wanted to touch Paul anywhere he could, his hair, his shoulder, the strong muscles in his back, as Paul slid up his body until they were lying side by side on the narrow bed. John tried to turn onto his back and nearly fell off. Laughing, Paul tugged his wrists and got him back into his arms.

"Bit virginal, this cot," John complained. He got a sudden mental image of Jane on this bed, titian hair running down her back as she rode Paul.

"Stay with me, Lennon." Paul snapped his fingers in front of John's nose. He traced the line of John's jaw with a callused finger. "It's been a long time," he whispered. "I've...I've missed this."

"God, me too." John turned his head and kissed the inside of Paul's wrist, touching it lightly with his tongue. Delighted with Paul's shuddering gasp, John took his hand and brought it downwards, brushing his chest before finally wrapping Paul's fingers around his cock.

Smiling, Paul took the very broad hint and turned his strong, sure hand to pleasuring his friend. Long hours of playing bass had strengthened his muscles and left the very fingertips just rough enough to feel extraordinary against the velvety head of John's penis.

"You're still so good at this," John said, tearing his gaze from Paul's hand to his face. Paul was biting his lip, deep in concentration. "Christ, Macca, do you have any idea what this does to me?"

"I would," Paul said conversationally, as if he weren't in the midst of trying to coax another man to orgasm, "if SOMEONE were doing the same thing to me."

Oh.

With a wicked smile, John returned the favor, enjoying the way Paul arched into his hand. Paul's familiar-but-different body was straining, the musculature more defined than it had been in those heady Paris days. He'd almost been a boy then, in John's thrall, but now they were equals.

John nudged Paul's knees and put his legs between them, changing the angle of his hand. Paul let out a little cry of pleasure that almost made John lose control. He leaned over Paul, stroking faster, urging Paul with quick thrusts of his hips.

Paul reached for John's face and removed his glasses, which had slipped almost to the end of his nose. His hand shook as he scrabbled around on the nightstand for a bare space.

"Now I can hardly see you," John whined.

"Should've worn your contacts."

It figured that they'd be having one of their half-assed arguments when John was a hair's breadth away from climax. He shifted again, and again, trying to gain more pressure because Paul's hands were shaking so hard that he could scarcely keep a grip on John's cock. Finally John got so desperate that he pulled Paul on top of him, letting Paul's weight add to the friction he needed. Paul's eyes lit up and he gave John a sloppy, open-mouthed kiss.

Somewhere in the depths of his brain stem, John knew he was moaning. If he had known how much the sound of his voice affected Paul, he would have sung an operatic aria on just the word, "Please," because that was the one driving Paul wild.

"Please, Paulie, please, please, I need it, oh God, please..." John's vision swam in a sea of blinding white light. He clutched Paul's bicep and threw his head back. "Paul!" he shouted, flailing in Paul's arms as he came, shuddering at the raw force of it.

Paul followed John's rhythm just as precisely as he did when they were in the studio together, timing his strokes with John's aftershocks, gentling him, then finally wiping the sticky mess from them both.

John opened his mouth to say something, failed utterly, and fell back on the bed as if he'd been punched in the gut. He was still shaking a little, which Paul misinterpreted as being cold. "C'mere," he murmured, holding John close and rubbing his hands up and down John's arms. Despite the cool breeze coming through the open window, Paul's body was warm and his eyes were fever-bright.

It was an effort to pull away from that delightful embrace, but John slid his mostly-boneless body out of Paul's arms and turned him over on his back. Never breaking eye contact, John pulled himself up on his haunches until he was just over the taut skin of Paul's cock.

"If you're tired," Paul began, but John silenced him by curling up at Paul's hip and taking him into his mouth. "Fuck!" Paul cried. "Warn a bloke before you do that!"

John snickered, noting that the vibrations made Paul buck into his mouth. As he decided to file that away for later use, he swirled his tongue around the shaft, then the head, surprised that Paul's bitter-salt taste hadn't changed in the last three years. Paul's hands were caressing his hair, bolder than the way he'd done it in Paris. Back then they'd both fumbled around, blindly guessing, but now they simply fit together in this as in everything else they did.

When he looked up, John saw Paul gazing at him with unabashed longing. "What're you staring at?" John asked after letting Paul's erection slip out of his mouth for a moment.

"Myself. Disappearing into you," Paul breathed.

John didn't say anything, just let his mouth go back to what it was doing before, but Paul's words burned themselves into his brain. He'd deal with them later, much much later. Afterwards. He concentrated on the head, where even the lightest touch of his tongue made Paul shudder, and on the pulsing vein on the underside. His jaw started to ache but he didn't care because hearing Paul calling his name was worth a few minutes of discomfort.

"John...John...I'm close," Paul moaned.

John knew, could tell from the thrumming pulse and the way Paul's cock stiffened and thickened against his tongue. He was beginning to wonder what that gorgeous organ would feel like in his ass when suddenly Paul cried out and started spilling into his mouth.

Paul's voice cracked as he babbled nonsense syllables and obsceneties. It was the most beautiful sound John had ever, ever heard, and he couldn't help joining in, almost harmonizing with the descending pitches of Paul's breath.

"I've got you, Paulie, you're okay, you're amazing, it's okay," John said in a quiet sing-song voice, pressing his aching mouth against Paul's hip. Paul tugged at John's shoulder, pulling him so that their heads were right next to one another on the pillow.

"Sorry about that," Paul panted. "Meant to warn you better." He rubbed a shaking hand along John's jawline, massaging the stiff muscles.

John, who hadn't minded a bit, arched into Paul's caress, greedy as a cat wanting attention. "Try again next time," he said, waggling his eyebrows at Paul.

Paul's eyes widened. "Next time? In another three years, or..."

"'Or.' Definitely 'or,' I should think." He reached for the sheets and pulled them up over both their bodies. He didn't ask if he could stay, partly because he could tell Paul wanted him to, but mostly because he didn't think his legs would support him. He snuggled closer to Paul, not minding the thin sheen of sweat or the musky odor of sex, and Paul held tightly to him in return.

"It melted," Paul said around a huge yawn.

John blinked short-sightedly at him. "What?"

With an impish grin, Paul pointed vaguely at the direction of their groins. "Our too-too solid flesh."

Pulling himself up on one elbow, John stared at Paul in disbelief. "We're lying here naked, practically glued together with my spunk - sorry about that, by the way - and you're quoting 'Hamlet' at me?"

Paul gave him a sleepy, shy smile. "Don't disparage my Shakespeare. It made the cut, didn't it?"

Even with his brain still reeling with everything he had just felt, John knew that Paul was really asking if he had 'made the cut,' if John found him worthwhile. If John loved him.

"It's our next A-side," he declared, tucking Paul's head under his chin and kissing the sex-mussed hair. "Double fucking platinum," he added, but Paul's deep breathing told him that he had fallen asleep.

John knew he'd be awake for hours to come. It would give him time to think of what he'd say to mollify Cynthia for staying out all night and not calling. Then there was the fact that he and Paul would have to get their stories straight for Ringo and George, who were sure to be over at the dawn's early light to check on Paul.

Perhaps it was best that he hadn't heard Ringo's car drive up earlier, didn't know that he and George had gotten out and had begun to ring the bell when the sounds of sex came floating through Paul's open bedroom window, hadn't seen the knowing smirk that passed between the two of them when they snuck quietly back and drove off into the cool evening.

*** END ***

[myriadofhobbies-blog]

Responses To Information Of MSU's $500M Legal action Negotiation.

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He has lots of experience with associate marketing, both from being an associate and also driving the earnings of various other companies, in addition to with an associate program attempting to recruit associates. However, you could still generate income as an affiliate also if you don't have lots of traffic.|Affiliate marketers are constantly seeking means to increase as well as enhance both commissions and sales. A huge percent of associates earn money running sites as a leisure activity along with their permanent job as well as numerous have actually been able to include substantial 2nd revenue streams by doing so. Because I like the principle and also require to learn even more exactly how to startup, I have actually begun to look for various other associate advertising and marketing opportunities.|If you are an affiliate marketing professional that intends to make a comfortable living from referring your leads to other individuals's product or service for decent compensations, then you have to take into consideration developing your personal subscriber list. For example, the company's blog runs posts with titles like "How to Construct a Multi-Million Dollar Ecommerce Organisation With $0 Advertising Spending plan." Neither Shopify neither the FTC has actually commented straight on this matter, and without a more clear take a look at the business, the opportunity of regulative participation can't be entirely discounted.|Affiliate advertising and marketing is a type of performance-based marketing in which a service compensates several affiliates for each and every site visitor or customer brought by the affiliate's ownmarketing initiatives. Some business have been known not to pay, although there are methods to display as well as select quality affiliate programs. Misconception # 3: Associate marketing is passive revenue. I find Associate Directories better, with their category of programs, payment details and also a lot more importantly examine etc., all offered in one place.|Associate advertising is an incredible device for any type of company to take as well as utilize benefit of. 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In affiliate advertising and marketing, you're either a Vendor, a person who has products to market, or and Affiliate, someone that intends to advertise somebody else's things.|You may find that joint endeavors as well as affiliate marketing are used almost mutually in the advertising and marketing market if you have actually begun looking into the world of JV advertising and marketing. 2. Most standard retail organisations are called for to maintain significant stocks of the items that they sell. 4. On-line programs or software program that could currently be used to examine data, existing fads and also client demands at no charge whatsoever.|Associate advertising is a program that uses great cash making possibilities to all entailed. For a new website proprietor or blog writer, Google AdSense is the most convenient means to earn cash online. You'll invest the large bulk of your time WRITING if you follow the proven approaches I've used to build my associate marketing service.|In today's wireless globe, it's much easier compared to ever to introduce an Internet-based service. It appears so simple in the beginning to establish your Clickbank affiliate ad links and also banners on your website or blog site, but unless your routine readers or visitors want exactly what you are offering, it is hard to get any revenue by yourself.|Nowadays, the Net has gotten an incredible around the world popularity, thanks specifically to the numerous profitable chances that the online world provides. Promote that item on your web site, Blog site or any kind of Social Network (KEEP IN MIND: Facebook does not permit you to upload your affiliate link directly. Several super associates make six numbers merely promoting the products and services of others. 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Even if you don't have a site, you could participate in associate marketing as well as generate income promoting other people's solutions or items. The most effective associate marketing program will be the one that matches your website and provides a regular opportunity to transform your site visitors into sales for the company and boosted revenues for you. Well-off Affiliate University utilizes an easy to follow training approach that has actually helped countless affiliate online marketers build successful AM Careers and has actually aided neighborhood businesses put their mortar businesses online.

[everettwilkinson]

POLITICO Playbook: TRUMP takes to Pensacola to boost Roy Moore

REUTERS/GAZA: “Israeli strikes kill two Gaza gunmen, but anti-Trump protests subside”: “Israeli air strikes in Gaza killed two Palestinian gunmen on Saturday after rockets were fired from the enclave, in violence that erupted over President Donald Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.” http://reut.rs/2kLGlYF

— EGYPT’S Coptic pope and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas say they will not meet with Vice President Mike Pence on his upcoming trip to the region. AFP story from this morning http://bit.ly/2B2eBW9

Story Continued Below

Good Saturday morning. The winter’s first snow is beginning to fall in northwest Washington.

BANNER HEADLINE — PENSACOLA NEWS JOURNAL: “YOU WILL NEVER BE IGNORED AGAIN … Trump: Vote for Roy Moore in Alabama special election” http://bit.ly/2y9Zqol

OBAMA SPEAKS!, via CNN’s Miranda Green: “‘You have to tend to this garden of democracy, otherwise things can fall apart fairly quickly. And we’ve seen societies where that happens,’ Obama said at the Economic Club of Chicago on Tuesday, according to video of the event. ‘Now, presume there was a ballroom here in Vienna in the late 1920s or ‘30s that looked and seemed as if it, filled with the music and art and literature that was emerging, would continue into perpetuity. And then 60 million people died. An entire world was plunged into chaos,’ Obama said. ‘So you got to pay attention — and vote.’” http://cnn.it/2iKEMWS … Video http://bit.ly/2AHdYyV

**SUBSCRIBE to Playbook: http://politi.co/2ARWrD3

BUZZFEED’S JOHN HUDSON: “How Secret Talks With Russia to Prevent Election Meddling Collapsed”: “The Trump administration has rejected a sweeping Russian proposal seeking a mutual ban on foreign political interference, three senior U.S. administration officials tell BuzzFeed News. … Putin dispatched Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov to Washington for a July 17 meeting with Under Secretary Tom Shannon, the No. 3 official at the State Department. … [T]hree U.S. administration officials, including one inside the meeting, said Ryabkov handed over a document containing a bold proposal: A sweeping noninterference agreement between Moscow and Washington that would prohibit both governments from meddling in the other’s domestic politics.

“After examining the proposal, which has not previously been reported, U.S. officials told Moscow there would be no deal. ‘We said “thank you very much but now is not the time for this,”’ said a senior State Department official. … The decision to walk away from the offer could prove fateful. Signs of Russian meddling in foreign elections continue to flourish … The US official described the Russian proposal in historic terms, likening it to the 1933 accord between President Franklin Roosevelt and Soviet Commissar for Foreign Affairs Maxim Litvinov that ended 16 years of American nonrecognition of the Soviet Union in exchange for a pledge not to interfere in US politics.” http://bzfd.it/2B13LzX

BOMBSHELLS — AP’s JULIET LINDERMAN: “Ex-aide: Rep. Franks offered $5 million to carry his child”: “The former staffer said the Arizona congressman asked at least four times if she’d be willing to act as a surrogate in exchange for money. Franks, in his statement announcing his resignation, said he and his wife, who have struggled with infertility, have twins who were carried through surrogacy.

“The former aide said the conversations took place in private, sometimes in the congressman’s car, and that she repeatedly told him she wasn’t interested. She said she never filed a formal complaint because until recently she didn’t know where to go, but that his behavior had made her feel uncomfortable.

“The Associated Press verified the identity of the staffer and confirmed that she worked in Franks’ office. She asked that her name be withheld out of concern for her privacy. ‘During my time there, I was asked a few times to look over a ‘contract’ to carry his child, and if I would conceive his child, I would be given $5 million,’ she said, adding that she refused to look over the contract and has never seen a copy.” http://bit.ly/2BPnLlB

— FRANKS IS WORTH between $11.1 million and $55.25 million with most of his money in Trinity Petroleum stock, according to his most recent financial disclosure.

— RACHAEL BADE and JAKE SHERMAN: “Female aides fretted Franks wanted to have sex to impregnate them”: “Arizona Rep. Trent Franks allegedly made unwanted advances toward female staffers in his office and retaliated against one who rebuffed him, according to House GOP sources with knowledge of a complaint against him. …

“A former staffer also alleged that Franks tried to persuade a female aide that they were in love by having her read an article that described how a person knows they’re in love with someone, the sources said. One woman believed she was the subject of retribution after rebuffing Franks. While she enjoyed access to the congressman before the incident, that access was revoked afterward, she told Republican leaders.” http://politi.co/2khknZU

MORE FRANKS INTRIGUE — SETTING UP A SUPER PAC? — “Fox 9 confronts Rep. Franks before his immediate resignation,” by Tom Lyden of the Minneapolis/St. Paul Fox affiliate: “While in Washington D.C. covering the resignation of Senator Al Franken, our Fox 9 crew encountered a different lawmaker facing a controversy of his own. Outside their hotel room [at the Hotel Palomar], Fox 9 reporter Tom Lyden noticed Republican Congressman Trent Franks of Arizona speaking on his cell phone. … But listening in on his call, Fox 9 heard him talking to someone about getting $2 million to start a political action committee on the filibuster issue. Fox 9 then asked Franks about the exchange on camera.

“Tom Lyden: ‘You are still in office and I heard you on the phone talking about setting up a $2 million PAC to go after the issue of the filibuster, is that proper for you to be doing while your still in office?’ Congressman Franks: ‘Well, that’s something I’m not going to discuss.’ Lyden: ‘But I heard you on the phone talking about soliciting $2 million for a PAC while you’re still in office, that seems to be an ethics violation?’ Franks: ‘No, I don’t think so.’”4-min. video http://bit.ly/2B2SO0v

— ACTUALLY, yes, it wouldn’t only be an ethics violation, it would be illegal if he explicitly asked someone for $2 million while still serving in office. Sitting lawmakers can only solicit up to $5,000 for super PACs.

WHAT’S ON PRESIDENT TRUMP’S MIND — @realDonaldTrump at 8:21 a.m.: “CNN’S slogan is CNN, THE MOST TRUSTED NAME IN NEWS. Everyone knows this is not true, that this could, in fact, be a fraud on the American Public. There are many outlets that are far more trusted than Fake News CNN. Their slogan should be CNN, THE LEAST TRUSTED NAME IN NEWS!” … at 8:02 a.m.: “Fake News CNN made a vicious and purposeful mistake yesterday. They were caught red handed, just like lonely Brian Ross at ABC News (who should be immediately fired for his ‘mistake’). Watch to see if @CNN fires those responsible, or was it just gross incompetence?”

… at 7:52 a.m.: “A big contingent of very enthusiastic Roy Moore fans at the rally last night. We can’t have a Pelosi/Schumer Liberal Democrat, Jones, in that important Alabama Senate seat. Need your vote to Make America Great Again! Jones will always vote against what we must do for our Country.”

****** A message from PhRMA: A medicine’s path from the biopharmaceutical company to the patient involves many entities across the supply chain. A new report examines how money flows through this system – which includes wholesalers, pharmacy benefit managers, pharmacies and insurers – and how that impacts what patients pay at the pharmacy. Read more. http://onphr.ma/2kgd6Nu ******

SCARBOROUGH COUNTRY — TRUMP GOES TO PENSACOLA AND GOES ALL IN FOR MOORE — “Trump says country ‘can’t afford’ to let Roy Moore lose,” by Alex Isenstadt in Pensacola, Florida and Henry C. Jackson: “It took him a while, but President Donald Trump eventually used a Friday-night rally to forcefully endorse Roy Moore, the embattled Alabama Republican running for the Senate. Trump framed the election of Moore — who has been accused of numerous episodes of inappropriate sexual behavior, including child molestation — as vital to the country’s interest, imploring Alabamians to ‘get out and vote for Roy Moore.’ ‘Do it,’ he added. ‘Do it.’ …

“As the race draws to a close, the White House is considering taking other steps to boost Moore, including flooding the state with robocalls, text messages and emails. While the president’s popularity has ebbed elsewhere, he remains overwhelmingly popular in conservative Alabama. The administration has reviewed polling that shows Moore with a narrow but steady lead — and is confident that he will win.” http://politi.co/2kO21DK

THE HOUSE GUYS who traveled with Trump: Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.): “We’ve got an economy that’s growing and illegal immigration that’s slowing … We are draining the swamp and rebuilding our military.” … Rep. Ron DeSantis (R-Fla.): “This is a president that is facing unprecedented opposition from the Democrats, from the media, but I repeat myself… from the other swamp dwellers. … We need to enact term limits for members of Congress.”

— FOR THE RECORD: Gaetz’s father is Don Gaetz, the former president of the Florida Senate. DeSantis — a Yale grad who picked up a law degree from Harvard — is eyeing a race for governor after three terms in D.C.

TRUMP’S SATURDAY — Trump is headed to Jackson, Mississippi, to visit the Civil Rights Museum which he will get a tour of and also give remarks. He will then fly to West Palm Beach, Florida.

— FROM POOLER TODD GILLMAN: “The president’s motorcade pulled out of Mar-a-Lago at 8:57 a.m. in a light rain. It arrived at Air Force One at 9:09 in a Florida deluge whipped by wind. The tarmac covered in water. Pool is soaked. … The president is scheduled to be wheels up at 11:55, while the outdoor phase of the ceremony [at the Civil Rights Museum] is underway.”

IN CALIFORNIA — “Firefighters had to step aside as winds powered infernos,” by AP’s Julie Watson and Krysta Fauria in Fallbrook, California: “Firefighters in Southern California were on high alert for dangerous fire potential even before the first blazes broke out. But once flames met ferocious winds, fire crews were mostly powerless to stop infernos that destroyed more than 500 buildings, killed dozens of horses and forced hundreds of thousands of people to run from six out-of-control fires that have burned over 260 square miles since Monday. …

“Firefighters gained ground Friday, and some of the earliest evacuees who fled from flames Monday were being allowed to return home. Yet new fires were popping up, and danger persisted. Vegetation is bone dry, there’s been hardly any rainfall and winds were expected to gusts up to 40 mph Saturday and up to 50 mph Sunday in the Los Angeles and Ventura areas, the National Weather Service said.” http://bit.ly/2iJK2df

GREAT LEDE — “Trump calls Romney ‘a great man,’ but works to undermine him and block Senate run,” by WaPo’s Michael Scherer and Josh Dawsey: “Before Ronna Romney McDaniel took over as Republican National Committee chairwoman earlier this year, President Trump had a request: Would she be willing to stop using her middle name publicly? Trump followed up by saying in a lighthearted way that McDaniel, the niece of former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney, could do what she wanted, according to two people familiar with the comments. But the change was soon plain for all to see. Though she had used her maiden name for years in Michigan, where her grandfather George W. Romney had been governor, McDaniel dropped ‘Romney’ from most official party communications and has rarely used it since.” http://wapo.st/2kGzU9d

NYT SCOOP — “F.B.I. Warned Hope Hicks About Emails From Russian Operatives,” by Adam Goldman and Matt Apuzzo: “F.B.I. officials warned one of President Trump’s top advisers, Hope Hicks, earlier this year about repeated attempts by Russian operatives to make contact with her during the presidential transition, according to people familiar with the events. The Russian outreach efforts show that, even after American intelligence agencies publicly accused Moscow of trying to influence the outcome of last year’s presidential election, Russian operatives were undaunted in their efforts to establish contacts with Mr. Trump’s advisers. There is no evidence that Ms. Hicks did anything improper. According to former officials, American intelligence and law enforcement agencies became alarmed by introductory emails that Ms. Hicks received from Russian government addresses in the weeks after Mr. Trump’s election.

“After he took office, senior F.B.I. counterintelligence agents met with Ms. Hicks in the White House Situation Room at least twice, gave her the names of the Russians who had contacted her, and said that they were not who they claimed to be. The F.B.I. was concerned that the emails to Ms. Hicks may have been part of a Russian intelligence operation, and they urged Ms. Hicks to be cautious.” http://nyti.ms/2AoIf8G

— “Trump’s Allies Urge Harder Line as Mueller Probe Heats Up,” by WSJ’s Peter Nicholas, Aruna Viswanatha and Erica Orden: “Republicans … point to Andrew Weissmann — a Mueller deputy who had applauded the Justice Department’s decision not to defend the initial White House travel ban on people from majority Muslim nations—as evidence of bias on the special counsel team. ‘I am so proud,’ Mr. Weissmann wrote in the subject line of an email, which was released by the conservative group Judicial Watch. Mr. Weissmann also attended Hillary Clinton’s election-night party at the Jacob K. Javits Center in New York, according to people familiar with his attendance. At the time, Mr. Weissmann was running the Justice Department’s fraud section, which is a senior career post within the agency.” http://on.wsj.com/2keZQoJ

“HITTING THE PAUSE BUTTON” — “Democratic senators delay K.T. McFarland ambassador nomination,” by Cristiano Lima: “Sens. Ben Cardin (D-Md.) and Cory Booker (D-N.J.) on Friday placed a hold on K.T. McFarland’s nomination to become U.S. ambassador to Singapore, urging congressional leaders to re-examine her ‘knowledge and involvement’ in contacts between the Trump campaign and Russian officials.

“In a letter addressed to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), the two members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee announced their intent to delay the nomination process until McFarland ‘publicly clarifies’ potential discrepancies in her statements regarding communications between Michael Flynn, her former superior at the National Security Council, and a Russian diplomat.” http://politi.co/2A8syyf

THE SEXUAL HARASSMENT FILES — “Taxpayers Paid $220K to Settle Case Involving Rep. Alcee Hastings,” by Roll Call’s Stephanie Akin: “The Treasury Department paid $220,000 in a previously undisclosed agreement to settle a lawsuit alleging sexual harassment that involved Florida Democrat Alcee L. Hastings, according to documents obtained by Roll Call. Winsome Packer, a former staff member of a congressional commission that promotes international human rights, said in documents that the congressman touched her, made unwanted sexual advances, and threatened her job. At the time, Hastings was the chairman of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, where Packer worked. Hastings has called Packer’s charges ‘ludicrous’ and in documents said he never sexually harassed her.” http://bit.ly/2BPd1nh

FLASHBACK — “House ethics panel scolds several lawmakers,” by Anna Palmer and John Bresnahan on Dec. 11, 2014: “Both the Ethics Committee and OCE looked into Packer’s allegations. OCE recommended a full-scale investigation by Ethics even though it was not able to determine if there was ‘substantial reason to believe’ Packer’s claim, but Ethics decided not to take that step. In its report on the Hastings’ matter, Ethics said that ‘while the most serious allegations were not supported by the evidence, Representative Hastings has admitted to certain conduct that is less than professional.’ …

“The Ethics Committee stated: ‘Despite the fact that the conduct in this case does not rise to the level of actionable violations of the rules, the Committee does not want to leave the impression that Representative Hastings’ behavior was at all times appropriate. He admitted to some conduct that, while not wrongful per se, certainly could be misunderstood… Nevertheless, hugging is not the most professional way to greet coworkers, and different individuals have different comfort levels for touching others.’” http://politi.co/2A5J8yB

BEYOND CONGRESS — “For Female Lobbyists, Harassment Often Accompanies Access,” by NYT’s Trip Gabriel and Julie Bosman: “Vanessa Alarid was a lobbyist in New Mexico when she asked a lawmaker over drinks one night if she could count on his support for a bill that appeared to be coming down to a single vote. ‘You can have my vote if you have sex with me,’ Ms. Alarid recalled the lawmaker saying, although he used cruder language for sexual intercourse. He told Ms. Alarid she had the same first name as his wife, so he would not get confused if he called out in bed.

“Then he kissed Ms. Alarid on the lips, she said. Shocked, Ms. Alarid, who was 32 at the time, pushed him away. Only after he was gone did she let the tears flow. When her bill came up on the floor of the New Mexico House of Representatives the next day, March 20, 2009, it failed by a single vote, including a ‘No’ by the lawmaker, Representative Thomas A. Garcia. As Ms. Alarid watched from the House gallery, she said, Mr. Garcia blew her a kiss and shrugged his shoulders with arms spread.” http://nyti.ms/2iGY8fc

— “Prominent appeals court Judge Alex Kozinski accused of sexual misconduct,” by WaPo’s Matt Zapotosky: “A former clerk for Judge Alex Kozinski said the powerful and well-known jurist, who for many years served as chief judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit, called her into his office several times and pulled up pornography on his computer, asking if she thought it was photoshopped or if it aroused her sexually. Heidi Bond, who clerked for Kozinski from 2006 to 2007, said the porn was not related to any case.

“One set of images she remembered was of college-age students at a party where ‘some people were inexplicably naked while everyone else was clothed.’ Another was a sort of digital flip book that allowed users to mix and match heads, torsos and legs to create an image of a naked woman. Bond is one of six women — all former clerks or more junior staffers known as externs in the 9th Circuit — who alleged to The Washington Post in recent weeks that Kozinski, now 67 and still serving as a judge on the court, subjected them to a range of inappropriate sexual conduct or comments. She is one of two former clerks who said Kozinski asked them to view porn in his chambers.” http://wapo.st/2jBfvPv

— “Ex-Fox News anchor claims Trump tried to kiss her,” by Page Six’s Emily Smith: “Former Fox News anchor Juliet Huddy said President Donald Trump tried to kiss her in an elevator around the time he married First Lady Melania. Huddy, who allegedly received a settlement after she made a complaint against disgraced anchor Bill O’Reilly, described how the mogul leaned in to kiss her after he took her to lunch at Trump Tower in 2005. The TV newswoman, who now hosts a radio show on WABC Radio, revealed on ‘Mornin!!! with Bill Schulz’ on compoundmedia.com, that she had rebuffed the now-president in the Trump Tower elevator. And Trump later appeared on her Fox News chat show, and joked to the audience, ‘I hit on her but she blew me off.’” http://pge.sx/2kesOVw

AROUND THE TAX HORN — “Trump’s casual tax comments scald his Hill allies, again,” by Nancy Cook: “Oops, President Donald Trump did it again. His casual mention of a 22 percent corporate rate on his way to New York last Saturday kicked off a week of unexpected haggling on a topline tax issue many considered already settled, just as congressional negotiators are rushing to get a final bill to the president in time for Christmas — a date he himself has insisted on.

“It’s the latest example of the president getting in the way of his party’s major legislative goal, even if unintentionally, and once again shows the perils for policymakers and legislators in the Trump era, when an unexpected, off-the-cuff comment or tweet can undo weeks of work. On Friday, more than 20 conservative groups — including Americans for Tax Reform, Club for Growth, FreedomWorks and the National Taxpayers Union — sent a letter to congressional conferees reminding them that the groups’ original support for any tax overhaul was tied to that magic 20 percent figure.” http://politi.co/2iG1nUq

HEY, KEVIN MCCARTHY! — WSJ’S NOUR MALAS and KRISTINA PETERSON, with an Irvine, California, dateline: “California House Republican Hears It at Home Over Tax Bill: Rep. Mimi Walters’s constituents worry about mortgage-interest cap, end to local deductions”: “In her district’s biggest city and across its conservative bastions, Republican U.S. Rep. Mimi Walters is facing criticism over the GOP tax overhaul bill that she voted for last month. The bill might increase taxes for many of her constituents, rather than lower them.

“Under pressure from frustrated supporters, she is now working to modify the bill to ease the blow as lawmakers try to hash out a compromise with a measure passed by the Senate. Three of California’s 14 House Republicans voted against the bill last month, citing measures that would curb or even eliminate some key deductions used widely by Californians. Mrs. Walters’s support for the bill, by contrast, has drawn scrutiny from some at a tense moment for the state’s Republicans, ahead of competitive midterm elections next year.

“‘I’m not going to vote for a Democrat, but am I going to vote for a Republican that is going to raise my taxes? That is the question,’ said Jeffrey Lalloway, a divorce lawyer and Republican member of Irvine’s City Council.” http://on.wsj.com/2kLsgui

LISTEN IN to the latest bonus Playbook Audio Briefing episode from our live recording Thursday night at Sixth and I Synagogue. Today we’re posting Jake and Anna’s discussion with NYT’s MICHAEL BARBARO http://bit.ly/2AGWD96 Make sure you subscribe on your favorite podcasting app (Apple Podcasts http://apple.co/2uK0bDc … Stitcher http://bit.ly/2BTyvQZ) so you don’t miss our conversation tomorrow with DCCC’s Dan Sena and NRCC’s John Rogers. ICYMI here’s a link to our talk with POLITICO all-star panel of Seung Min Kim, Rachael Bade and Annie Karni http://bit.ly/2iGgf4X

PHOTO DU JOUR: President Donald Trump waves to supporters during a rally in Pensacola, Fla. on Dec. 8. | Jonathan Bachman/AP Photo

FUN STORY — NYT’S SCOTT CACCIOLA: “Golden State Warriors’ Go-to Guy Doesn’t Play a Minute” http://nyti.ms/2kKaeIM

WEST WING DEPARTURE LOUNGE – “Powell to leave White House in early 2018,” by Annie Karni with Daniel Lippman: “Former Goldman Sachs partner Dina Powell, who joined Donald Trump’s administration last January as an adviser on women’s issues to Ivanka Trump and rose quickly to become deputy national security adviser with a heavy hand in Middle East issues, will be departing the administration early next year. … A firm end date has not been decided on, a White House official said, but Powell is likely to leave in January or early February. Dr. Nadia Schadlow, a deputy assistant to the president who works on the National Security Council, is seen as Powell’s likely successor … Schadlow has been deeply involved with Trump’s forthcoming national security strategy plan. …

“Trump … did not want Powell to leave and asked her to stay on the team. It is not clear what role she will continue to play from the outside. ‘Dina has been an invaluable member of President Trump’s team,’ McMaster said in a statement. ‘Her sage advice helped provide options to the president and her strong relationships across the U.S. government and internationally helped drive execution of the president’s decisions. She is one of the most talented and effective leaders with whom I have ever served.’” http://politi.co/2kL69Eb

— JIM MATTIS statement: “With the pending departure of Dina Powell, we are losing an invaluable member of the President’s national security team. I personally appreciate Dina’s partnership and contributions to the mission of the Department of Defense.”

— @Martin_Indyk: “Very sorry to hear that Dina Powell is leaving the NSC. She was a sane and sensible voice in a crazy environment. She deserves deep appreciation for her service.”

WASHINGTON POST’S ROXANNE ROBERTS: “After months of rumors, the marriage of billionaire philanthropists David Rubenstein and Alice Rogoff has officially ended. The couple, who married in 1983, was granted a divorce in Montgomery County on Friday morning. All financial and other terms were settled privately and will remain confidential, according to Rubenstein’s lawyer, Sandy Ain, and Rogoff’s lawyer, Linda Ravdin.” http://wapo.st/2AFJm0H

UPDATE — “Official Toll in Puerto Rico: 62. Actual Deaths May Be 1,052,” by Frances Robles, Kenan Davis, Sheri Fink and Sarah Almukhtar in the NYT: “A review by The New York Times of daily mortality data from Puerto Rico’s vital statistics bureau indicates a significantly higher death toll after the hurricane than the government there has acknowledged. The Times’s analysis found that in the 42 days after Hurricane Maria made landfall on Sept. 20 as a Category 4 storm, 1,052 more people than usual died across the island. The analysis compared the number of deaths for each day in 2017 with the average of the number of deaths for the same days in 2015 and 2016. Officially, just 62 people died as a result of the storm that ravaged the island with nearly 150-mile-an-hour winds, cutting off power to 3.4 million Puerto Ricans. The last four fatalities were added to the death toll on Dec. 2.” http://nyti.ms/2kGBOGT

JOSH GERSTEIN: “Supreme Court lifts orders to disclose DACA cancellation records”: “A sharply divided Supreme Court on Friday lifted orders the Trump administration was facing to turn over more records detailing the decision to terminate the Obama-era program that offers quasi-legal status and work permits to so-called Dreamers. The justices voted, 5-4, to grant a temporary stay of orders that a San Francisco federal judge issued requiring federal officials to provide internal legal analyses, studies and other materials the administration gathered in advance of the decision announced in September to wind down the program known as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA.” http://politi.co/2BqtC4E

****** A message from PhRMA: A medicine’s path from the biopharmaceutical company to the patient involves many entities across the supply chain. A new report examines how money flows through this system – which includes wholesalers, pharmacy benefit managers, pharmacies and insurers – and how that impacts what patients pay at the pharmacy. Read more. http://onphr.ma/2kgd6Nu ******

CLICKER – “The nation’s cartoonists on the week in politics,” edited by Matt Wuerker – 16 keepers http://politi.co/2BiWegm

GREAT WEEKEND READS, curated by Daniel Lippman:

— “What Happens When the Government Uses Facebook as a Weapon?” by Lauren Etter on the cover of Bloomberg Businessweek: “It’s social media in the age of ‘patriotic trolling’ in the Philippines, where the government is waging a campaign to destroy a critic—with a little help from Facebook itself.” https://bloom.bg/2iEzlZn … The cover http://politi.co/2AIhyZt

— “In Chatlogs, Celebrated Hacker and Activist Confesses Countless Sexual Assaults,” by Sarah Jeong in the Verge: “‘I have drunkenly sexually assaulted or raped women — the exact number of which I am currently determining.’” http://bit.ly/2y8eYsW

— “The Upside of Office Flirtation? I’m living it,” by Allison Benedikt in Slate: “When I was 23 years old, my boss would look down the gap at the waistband of my jeans when he walked past my desk. … [H]e kissed me on the steps of the West 4th subway station without first getting my consent. We’ve now been happily married for 14 years and have three children.” http://slate.me/2BhRkjN

— “Women Journalists Share Their Stories of Sexual Harassment,” by Lucy Westcott in Newsweek in Aug. 2016: “The majority of women who spoke with Newsweek said their sexual harassment happened early on in their journalism careers, when journalists are hungry for their first job and less likely to report an incident for fear of what might happen. Janille Miller, 39, was in her mid-20s when she interviewed for a broadcast journalism job. After an interview with the news director, Miller went with him to meet the head of news. She says she was asked to stand up and turn around.” http://bit.ly/2BhlPGk

— “Nicolás Maduro’s Accelerating Revolution,” by the New Yorker’s Jon Lee Anderson: “Venezuela’s President has outmaneuvered his opponents. Can he survive an economy in free fall?” http://bit.ly/2Bkm2sr

— “Is There a Limit to Scientific Understanding?” by Martin Rees in The Atlantic: “Science will hit the buffers at some point. There are two reasons why this might happen. The optimistic one is that we clean up and codify certain areas to the point that there’s no more to say. A second possibility is that we’ll reach the limits of what our brains can grasp. There might be concepts, crucial to a full understanding of physical reality, that we aren’t aware of, any more than a monkey comprehends Darwinism or meteorology. Some insights might have to await a post-human intelligence.” http://theatln.tc/2jasmeK (h/t ALDaily.com)

— “Behind the Scenes With the World’s Top Feather Detective,” by Chris Sweeney in Audubon Magazine – per Longreads.com’s description: “How do you tell the difference between a poached Lampornis clemenciae hummingbird and a Amazilia violiceps? Ask the feather detective, Pepper Trail. He works at the world’s only wildlife forensics lab. Colleagues fear what will happen when he retires.” http://bit.ly/2hTjEew

— “Millions Are Hounded for Debt They Don’t Owe. One Victim Fought Back, With a Vengeance,” by Zeke Faux in Bloomberg Businessweek: “Andrew Therrien wanted payback. He got it—and uncovered a conspiracy.” https://bloom.bg/2jchmNW

— “Border Wars,” by Zandria F. Robinson in Oxford American: “People from places like Texas and Florida and Delaware and especially Washington, D.C., like to act like they aren’t in or from the South.” http://bit.ly/2k9obMA

— “Deep Throat: An Institutional Analysis,” by James Mann in the May 1992 issue of the Atlantic: http://theatln.tc/2AoztYs

— “Compromise,” by Ted Genoways in TNR: “A group of small-town environmentalist wanted to stop a potentially toxic Costco chicken plant. How did they end up fighting alongside anti-Muslim xenophobes.” http://bit.ly/2juJpVN

— “On Self-Respect: Joan Didion’s 1961 Essay from the Pages of Vogue” – per Longform.org’s description: “An essay on understanding our character, worth, and limits.” http://bit.ly/2AnrcUu

— “I Made My Shed the Top Rated Restaurant On TripAdvisor,” by Oobah Butler in Vice: “And then served customers Iceland ready meals on its opening night.” http://bit.ly/2iFw2Bd

HOLIDAY PARTY CIRCUIT — SPOTTED at the Polish Embassy holiday party last night, in which the band Suspicious Package (Tom Toles, Tim Burger, Josh Meyer, Bryan Greene and Christina Sevilla), performed at the Ambassador’s residence: Ambassador Piotr Wilczek, Artur Orkisz, John McCarthy, Michael Crowley, Ryan Williams, Breanne Deppisch, Lily Mihalik, Sarah Gilmore, Meridith McGraw, Michael Falcone, Jamie Weinstein and Michelle Fields, Ali Dukakis, Hadas Gold, Josh and Ali Rogin, Kate Hanson, Arlette Saenz, Alice Lloyd, Emma Kenyon. Pics by Ben Chang http://bit.ly/2ySXS5H … http://bit.ly/2kg0XEB … http://bit.ly/2B29uFr

SPOTTED at a White House Christmas open house yesterday: Ralph Reed, Peggy Nance, Matt Schlapp, Ginni Thomas, Connie Hair, Greg Mueller, Ken Blackwell, Marjorie Dannenfelser, former Rep. Jack Kingston.

WELCOME TO THE WORLD – Erin Miller Weibel, who works in communications at Facebook for their News Partnerships team and is an NBC News alum, and Chris Weibel, who works in equity trading at Wells Fargo Securities, on Friday welcomed Wade Harvey Weibel, who was born at 7:42 a.m. at 7lbs 15oz and 20.5 inches long. Pic http://bit.ly/2iJeynn

— Laena Fallon, senior adviser at the American Bankers Association and alum of the Financial Services Forum, and Brendon Pomeroy, a yacht captain, recently welcomed Teagan Mary Pomeroy. Pic http://bit.ly/2jBFeY9

BIRTHDAYS: Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) is 51 – read her Politico Magazine profile: http://politi.co/2Ao1Tle … Okla. Gov. Mary Fallin is 63 … Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant is 63 … Samantha Tubman, manager of special projects at the Obama Foundation (hat tip: Meredith Carden) … Neal Wolin, a senior counselor for Brunswick Group and Obama Treasury alum, is 56 … former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle (D-S.D.) is 7-0 … Nathan Daschle, president and COO of the Daschle Group … Terry Moran, chief foreign correspondent for ABC News … Jonathan Wald, SVP at MSNBC (h/t Kurt Bardella) … James Pindell, Boston Globe political reporter whose location on his Twitter is “Electoral College, USA” … Jeff Smith is 44 … Cris Turner, head of gov’t affairs for the Americas at Dell … Treasury’s John E. Smith (h/t Peter Baker) … Scott Schloegel, the acting first VP and vice chairman of the Export-Import Bank … Politico alum Emily Kopp … Rep. Pete Olson (R-Tex.) is 55 … former Rep. Ciro Rodriguez (D-Tex.) is 71 … Levick VP Andrew Ricci … Laena Fallon, senior adviser at the American Bankers Association … Kathryn Cameron Porter …

… Kyle Roberts, president of Smart Media Group … Fernando Lujan … Ryan King, deputy communications director for Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) (h/t Mitchell Rivard) … Richard Allen Smith … Graham Wilson … Veronique Rodman … Josh Katcher … Hammad Ul Hassan … Ryan Whalen of the Rockefeller Foundation … Alli Blakely Sydnor (h/t Ed Cash) … Karen Harbert, president and CEO of the U.S. Chamber’s Institute for 21st Century Energy (h/t Blair Latoff Holmes) … Megan Devlin, who oversees Meridian International Center’s Global Forums, former editorial assistant to Steve Clemons at the Atlantic, and a craft beer “aficionado” (h/t Ben Chang) … Shoshana Weissmann of R Street Institute … Roll Call’s Eric Garcia, “celebrating with milk steak and rum ham” (h/t Tara Jeffries) … Dottie Suggs … Tricia Enright, comms director for Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) (h/ts Jon Haber) … Derrick Johnson … Anne Dudro … Richard Wachtel is 35 … Rhett Dawson … Rick Horten is 49 … Dawn Wilson … Diane Kopp … Robert Kraig (h/ts Teresa Vilmain)

THE SHOWS by @MattMackowiak, filing from Austin:

–NBC’s “Meet the Press”: Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) … Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) … Rep. Jim Himes (D-Conn.). Panel: Cornell Belcher, David Brooks, Hallie Jackson and Peggy Noonan

–CNN’s “State of the Union”: U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Nikki Haley … Sen. Richard Shelby (R-Ala.) … Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.). Panel: Amanda Carpenter, Bakari Sellers and Nina Turner and Marc Lotter

–“Fox News Sunday”: U.S. Amb. to the U.N. Nikki Haley … Rep. Barbara Comstock (R-Va.) and Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.). Panel: Newt Gingrich, Rachael Bade, Michael Needham and Charles Lane … “Power Player of the Week” with Ben Shapiro

–CBS’s “Face the Nation”: U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Nikki Haley … Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) … Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) … Michael O’Hanlon and Kori Schake. Panel: Molly Ball, Margaret Brennan, Lanhee Chen and Ed O’Keefe

–ABC’s “This Week”: Guests to be announced. Panel: Dan Balz, Jennifer Jacobs, Joshua Johnson and Susan Glasser

–Fox News’ “Sunday Morning Futures”: House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) … Rep. Peter Roskam (R-Ill.) … Rep. Peter King (R-N.Y.) … Michael Mukasey. Panel: Ed Rollins and Mary Kissel

–Fox News’ “MediaBuzz”: David Bossie and Corey Lewandowski … Mollie Hemingway … Jessica Tarlov … Mara Liasson … Brent Lang

–CNN’s “Inside Politics” with John King: Panel: Eliana Johnson, Manu Raju, Sara Murray and Matt Viser (substitute anchor: CNN’s Nia-Malika Henderson)

–CNN’s “Fareed Zakaria GPS”: Foreign policy panel: Palestinian National Council member Hanan Ashrawi, former Israeli Foreign Minister and Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs president Dore Gold and author and Council on Foreign Relations president Richard Haass … United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres

–CNN’s “Reliable Sources”: Panel: Carl Bernstein, Elaina Plott and David Frum … WVNN (Huntsville, Ala.) radio host Dale Jackson and Alabama Media Group columnist Kyle Whitmire … Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.) … David Axelrod

–Univision’s “Al Punto”: Panel: Former U.S. Treasurer Rosario Marin and political analysts Fabian Nuñez and Adolfo Franco … Human Rights Watch’s José Miguel Vivanco … parents of mass shooting victims Fred and Maria Wright … Univision News correspondent Claudia Mendoza … CNI member María de Jesús “Marichuy” Patricio Martínez … filmmaker Guillermo del Toro

–C-SPAN: “The Communicators”: Former FCC senior adviser and Georgetown Law Institute for Technology Law and Policy fellow Gigi Sohn … former FCC Commissioner Robert McDowell (R) … “Newsmakers”: Sen. Pat Roberts (R-Kan.), questioned by The Wall Street Journal’s Siobhan Hughes and Agri-Pulse’s Philip Brasher … “Q&A”: WilmerHale senior associate Tiffany Wright

–Washington Times’ “Mack on Politics” weekly politics podcast with Matt Mackowiak (download on iTunes, Google Play, or Stitcher or listen at http://bit.ly/2r37J6h): Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.).

****** A message from PhRMA: In the competitive marketplace for medicines, negotiations between pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and biopharmaceutical companies result in substantial rebates and fees. According to a new report, in many cases, this system often creates incentives for PBMs to prefer medicines with higher list prices and higher rebates. Read more about how money flows through the supply chain here: http://onphr.ma/2kgd6Nu ******

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[frontstreet1]

Vegas Shooter Had Interest In Guns, Video Poker, Real Estate

This undated photo provided by Eric Paddock shows his brother, Las Vegas gunman Stephen Paddock. On Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017, Stephen Paddock opened fire on the Route 91 Harvest Festival killing dozens and wounding hundreds. (Courtesy of Eric Paddock via AP)

MESQUITE, Nev. — Stephen Paddock had a penchant for guns, high-limit video poker and real estate deals. His father was a notorious fugitive bank robber. He had a recent live-in girlfriend and two ex-wives and seemed to live a comfortable life in a Nevada retirement community.

His life is the subject of a sprawling investigation into what drove him to show up at the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino with at least 10 suitcases filled with guns and open fire from his 32nd floor suite on a country music festival, killing 59 people and injuring nearly 530. Law enforcement and family members could not explain what would motivate a one-time accountant with no known criminal record to inflict so much carnage. Las Vegas police said he had 23 guns at the hotel, including semiautomatic rifles, and 19 at his home along with thousands of rounds of ammunition.

The 64-year-old gunman killed himself in the hotel room before authorities arrived.

On the surface, Paddock didn’t seem like a typical mass murderer, said Clint Van Zandt, a former FBI hostage negotiator and supervisor in the bureau’s behavioral science unit. Paddock is much older than the typical shooter and was not known to be suffering from mental illness.

The brother of the gunman in the mass shooting Sunday night at a music concert in Las Vegas said there’s no logic to explain the shooting. Eric Paddock said his brother played video poker to “stay at home in the casino.″ (Oct. 2)

“My challenge is, I don’t see any of the classic indicators, so far, that would suggest, ’OK, he’s on the road either to suicide or homicide or both,” Van Zandt said.

Nevertheless, his actions suggest that he had planned the attacks for at least a period of days.

Some of the rifles had scopes, the sheriff said. And authorities found two gun stocks that could have let him modify weapons to make them fully automatic, according to two U.S. officials briefed by law enforcement who spoke on condition of anonymity because the investigation is still unfolding.

“He knew what he wanted to do. He knew how he was going to do it, and it doesn’t seem like he had any kind of escape plan at all,” Van Zandt said.

Asked about a potential motive, Sheriff Joseph Lombardo said he could not “get into the mind of a psychopath at this point.”

“I can’t even make something up,” his bewildered brother, Eric Paddock, told reporters Monday. “There’s just nothing.”

Public records offered no hint of financial distress or criminal history, though multiple people who knew him said he was a big gambler.

“No affiliation, no religion, no politics. He never cared about any of that stuff,” Eric Paddock said as he alternately wept and shouted. “He was a guy who had money. He went on cruises and gambled.”

Eric Paddock also told The Associated Press that he had not talked to his brother in six months and last heard from him when Stephen checked in briefly by text message after Hurricane Irma. Their mother spoke with him about two weeks ago, and when he found out recently that she needed a walker, he sent her one, Eric Paddock said.

Eric Paddock recalled receiving a recent text from his brother showing “a picture that he won $40,000 on a slot machine. But that’s the way he played.”

He described his brother as a multimillionaire and said they had business dealings and owned property together. He said he was not aware that his brother had gambling debts.

“He had substantial wealth. He’d tell me when he’d win. He’d grouse when he’d lost. He never said he’d lost $4 million or something. I think he would have told me.”

Heavily armed police searched Paddock’s home Monday in Mesquite, about 80 miles northeast of Las Vegas near the Arizona border, looking for clues. Paddock lived there with his 62-year-old girlfriend, who authorities said was out of the country when the shooting happened. Eric Paddock described her as kindly and said she sometimes sent cookies to his mother.

Police also searched a two-bedroom home Paddock owned in a retirement community in Reno, 500 miles from Mesquite.

While Stephen Paddock appeared to have no criminal history, his father was a notorious bank robber, Eric Paddock said. Benjamin Hoskins Paddock tried to run down an FBI agent with his car in Las Vegas in 1960 and wound up on the agency’s most wanted list after escaping from a federal prison in Texas in 1968, when Stephen Paddock was a teen.

The oldest of four children, Paddock was 7 when his father was arrested for the robberies. A neighbor, Eva Price, took him swimming while FBI agents searched the family home.

She told the Tucson Citizen at the time: “We’re trying to keep Steve from knowing his father is held as a bank robber. I hardly know the family, but Steve is a nice boy. It’s a terrible thing.”

An FBI poster issued after the escape said Benjamin Hoskins Paddock had been “diagnosed as psychopathic” and should be considered “armed and very dangerous.” He’d been serving a 20-year sentence for a string of bank robberies in Phoenix.

The elder Paddock remained on the lam for nearly a decade, living under an assumed name in Oregon. Investigators found him in 1978 after he attracted publicity for opening the state’s first licensed bingo parlor. He died in 1998.

Stephen Paddock bought his one-story, three-bedroom home in a newly built Mesquite subdivision for $369,000, in 2015, property records show. Past court filings and recorded deeds in California and Texas suggest he co-owned rental property.

He previously lived in another Mesquite — the Dallas suburb of Mesquite, Texas — from 2004 to 2012, according to Mesquite, Texas, police Lt. Brian Parrish. Paddock owned at least three separate rental properties, Parrish said, and there was no indication the police department had any contact with him over that time.

He has been divorced at least twice, including marriages that ended in 1980 and 1990. One of the ex-wives lives in Southern California, where a large gathering of reporters congregated in her neighborhood. Los Angeles police Sgt. Cort Bishop said she did not want to speak with journalists. He relayed that the two had not been in contact for a long time and did not have children.

In 2012, Paddock sued the Cosmopolitan Hotel & Resorts in Nevada, saying he slipped and fell on a wet floor there. The lawsuit was eventually dismissed by a judge and settled by arbitration.

Reached by telephone, Paddock’s lawyer at the time, Jared R. Richards, said he could not comment because of client confidentiality concerns.

By KEN RITTER and GENE JOHNSON - Oct 3 8:OO AM EDT

___

Johnson reported from Seattle. Associated Press writers Terrance Harris and Tamara Lush in Orlando, Florida; Jennifer Kay in Miami; Florida; Eric Tucker in Washington, D.C.; Mike Balsamo in Las Vegas; David Warren in Dallas; Michael Sisak in Philadelphia; Lindsay Whitehurst in Salt Lake City; Jeff Donn in Plymouth, Massachusetts; Sadie Gurman and Eric Tucker in Washington; and AP researcher Rhonda Shafner in New York contributed to this report.

___

For complete coverage of the Las Vegas shooting, click here: https://apnews.com/tag/LasVegasmassshooting .