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 Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2010 9:28 pm
 Gaian Record International News Media Corporation | Est. 2004 | Executive Editor: Gear-Richie
GRI Journalistic Integrity attacked
Gaian accuses Gaian Record International of plagiarism
We have some interesting news on the subject of a new Gaia news center. A certain Editor-in-Chief there, who will not be named, has created an article on the subject of drayden13, who wrote an offensive thread to the GRI. The following is a quote of that thread:
drayden13 The Gaian Record International is a fraud! I've been doing some research on GRI, and I've found that their contents are stolen from different areas throughout Gaia.
As many of you may know, Gear-Richie is the Captain of The Gaian Record International. He posts news, and acts as though he uncovered it, when really, it's been news found from all over Gaia. He repeatedly steals news from his rival reporter, Miss [NPC] Cindy Donovinh.
As far as I'm concerned, he's nothing but a lowdown, dirty scoundrel. He needs to learn how he can find his own news. [NPC] Cindy Donovinh has never once been found stealing news from other Gaian or [NPC]s around Gaia. She gets her own news in which to report.
I say, we need to start a petition in order to get Gear-Richie banned from Gaia for good. Plus have his guild taken away and given to another Gaian that runs a news guild. This way GRI will have a chance of living on and making the name for itself that it should have made. 
All you have to do is vote for Gear-Richie or [NPC] Cindy Donovinh.
Also, we'd like you to spread word of this to all of your friends. We need all of the votes we can get. The poll if only going to be going for 2 months. This way it has time to get the word spread.
At the end of these 2 months, whoever has the most votes will hopefully become the new Captain of The Gaian Record International.
This is a very odd accusation, as Miss [NPC] Cindy Donovinh is a Gaia Staff member. Also, there are no Quotes for proof where an article written by [NPC] Cindy Donovinh and another by Gear-Richie match. There is no proof at all. This accusation is baseless and without warrant.
After a response from drayden13 stating that Gear-Richie copied his articles WORD-FOR-WORD, we have our doubts. I have requested he send me copies of an article by [NPC] Cindy Donovinh and Gear-Richie, being exactly word-for-word and that [NPC] Cindy Donovinh wrote hers first.
Quote: Well, I've currently got sources of my own that show there are false acts at foot here. I can't tell you everything right now. But I can give you a fun fact below. Gaia Database The Gear-Richie Case Gear-Richie; has been accused by many users of Gaia, saying: "Dear Gaia, Gear-Richie is stealing news from me! I've been giving it some time. I just wanted to see if he was actually 'stealing' it from me, or if he just happen to be posting the same stuff I did. I began reading, and I found out that everything he posted was written word-for-word as I had written it. Every time I confront him about it, he begins going on about how he gets his news from CNN. He actually thinks I'm going to give up on this. He can forget it! Gaia, you better do something about this incident! I'm tired of having my news stolen right out from under my nose! And if it doesn't stop, then I will get him back! Just wait and see!" If you want further information, you can comment me again.
Who is 'me'? Is this drayden13? Or another Gaian? If so, who? How many Gaians believe this story?
drayden13 replied to my request. First, he stated that "me" was a typo, and that Gear-Richie was actually stealing news from Cindy Donovinh's announcements.
He then sent me an article written by [NPC] Cindy Donovinh and one by Gear-Richie. They match exactly! But are these the real thing or are they edited on Windows Paint?
Analysis of the picture indicates several flaws that prove that it is fake. First, Cindy Donovinh was not created in 2004. Second, the article states, "I, guyseh," which is the original author of the article referring to himself. (guyseh was one of the first Staff Writers to work for the GRI in 2004.) Finally, Cindy Donovinh typically only reports site announcements and plotline updates, and would never call any Gaian on the site a noob, as it would be detrimental for the Gaia staff to make such a comment. The above image is false.
GRI Update: User drayden13 has, since the debut of this article, released a public apology, and has taken back all allegations of plagiarism against the Gaian Record International.
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Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2010 9:32 pm
Democratic Retirements a Mixed Bag For GOP
In any congressional election in the US the most scrutinized and dramatic developments frequently center around retirements of incumbent Senators and Representatives. As incumbency has a track record of 95% retention, retirements suggest a certain ceiling for just how many seats can be in play in the upcoming election. 2010 is widely expected to be an unfriendly year for Democrats, however the retirement picture has so far been, at best, a mixed bag for the GOP.
Some retirements of Democrats have yielded all but certain GOP gains. The unexpected retirements of Byron Dorgan of North Dakota, and Evan Bayh of Indiana have yielded two Senate Seats that both the Cook Political Report and Real Clear Politics have rated as favoring a GOP takeover. Furthermore, the retirement of a temporary Senate appointment in Delaware, combined with strong GOP recruitment, has placed the Delaware Senate Seat as a likely GOP takeover. The retirement of Roland Burris in Illinois has left a competitive Senate race in that state. On the House side, retirements in AR 1, AR 2, IN 8, KS 3, LA 3, NY 29, TN 6, TN 8, and WA 3 all represent Democrats in districts with Cook PVI ratings even or on the Republican side.
On the other hand, some retirements have either had no real impact on GOP chances to take seats, or have even served as a setback for GOP efforts. In the latter of those examples, embattled Senator Chris Dodd announced his retirement amid a cloud of bad poll numbers and difficulty fund raising. His replacement, State Attorney General Richard Blumenthal has consistently out-polled his Republican challengers and most political reports have shifted Connecticut from a tossup to a likely hold for the Democrats. In MA 10 the retirement of Bill Delahunt has taken a somewhat embattled incumbent out of the crosshairs and allows the Democrats to start fresh in a district that went heavily for GOP Senator Scott Brown. The retirement of Patrick Kennedy in RI 1 has similarly taken the personal scandals of a Democratic representative out of play and allowed district Democrats to run a fresh face. Retirements in AL 7, CA 33, FL 17, FL 19, HI 1, NH 2, and PA 7 all are in either safely Democratic constituencies, or leaning Democratic constituencies.
All told Republicans have received some unexpected boosts in some of the retirements, and a small share of setbacks as well. More retirements could come, and that could certainly alter the calculus. Furthermore, the GOP has experienced some setback retirements of its own. So, the jury is still out on the net benefit of Democratic retirements, and a clear picture may not develop till much later. But, so far the picture seems to be only a small boost to the GOP.
Random Comic! By AngheI  Why Chess Pieces should never own a vehicle.
Democrats Planning for Health Bill Vote Next Week
The White House and Congressional leaders push ahead next week toward votes on the health care legislation, as President Obama delayed a foreign trip and Speaker Nancy Pelosi said she hoped to complete House action before he leaves.
Democrats said, they would first pass the health care bill already approved by the Senate in December, clearing the way for President Obama to sign it, and then approve a package of changes in a separate bill that the Senate would also pass by a simple majority vote.
The White House said President Obama had delayed his departure for a trip to Guam, Indonesia and Australia to keep the pressure on Congress, shortening the trip and not taking his family along — all clear signals that he wants this seen as a make-or-break moment.
“I’m delighted that the president will be here for the passage of the bill,” Ms. Pelosi said. “It’s going to be historic. And it would not be possible without his tremendous, tremendous leadership, his persistence, his concern for the American people, always guided by his statement that we will measure our success by the progress being made by America’s working families.”
House Democrats did not have in hand the legislative language of the budget bill that they intend to push through fast on the heels of the health care package — the “reconciliation” that dots and crosses the package’s fine print. Nor did they have the Congressional Budget Office’s estimate of its costs.
Their goal was to take the next steps in the House Budget Committee on Monday.
“I’m hoping it will be in that time frame,” Ms. Pelosi conceded of her goal of wrapping matters up next week. She added, “We’ll take whatever time is required for us to pass the legislation.”
“We are still awaiting the report of the Congressional Budget Office for us to finally put something in print and on the Internet,” she said.
Ms. Pelosi said House Democrats were happy that a proposed overhaul of student loan programs would also be attached to the package. The bill is popular in the House and would help sway fence-sitters, said Democrats, who need 216 votes in the House. The student loan package would be hard to pass in the Senate except by sharing the health bill’s fast track.
The president’s international trip had grown into a source of frustration among many House Democrats, who complained privately to the White House that they were being forced to take a quick vote on health care so President Obama and his family could leave on the overseas trip next week.
The president is no longer taking the first lady, Michelle Obama, and their two daughters on the trip, an administration official said. President Obama agreed to delay his departure by three days, an administration official said, shortening the trip for official business only in an effort to show flexibility in the final push on health care legislation.
Robert Gibbs, the White House press secretary, repeatedly dismissed the possibility of canceling the trip during his briefing on Thursday. Senior administration officials — and the president himself — heard several complaints from House members and leadership that the trip was threatening to be a setback for the fragile health care deal, aides said.
The trip had coincided with Malia and Sasha Obama’s spring break and was intended to be their first visit to Indonesia, where the president lived for several years as a child. But the White House, mindful of the criticism that the trip was as much a family vacation as an official trip, changed plans amid the pressing health care debate.
Source: Jeff Zeleny and Robert Pear
 A guild for everyone.
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Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2010 9:38 pm
Book Review
New Moon
Author: Stephanie Meyer
Summary: The book 'New Moon' is the sequel to the book 'Twilight', rated in the last paper, and the second book in the Twilight Saga. It continues Bella and Edward's adventures as Edward leaves Forks, apparently for Bella's protection based on the adventures in their last book. Bella, in complete terror and depression, starts seeing Jacob (Jake) with who she has crazy adventures with, including jumping off cliffs. Turn out, Jake's a werewolf. Alice, Edward's sister, sees Bella dead with her futuristic powers, and he goes to Italy to kill himself. Will Bella stop him before he's too late? Or will it be too late?
My comments: Awesome book. Stephanie Meyer really out-does herself. Sequel to 'Twilight', the 1# New York Times Bestseller. A definitely not-to-miss!
My rating: 
Video Game Review
Ace Attorney Investigations: Miles Edgeworth
Ace Attorney Investigations: Miles Edgeworth, (originally slated to be localized under the working title Miles Edgeworth: Perfect Prosecutor) is the latest game in the Ace Attorney visual novel series from Capcom. Its predecessors, often referred to as the Phoenix Wright series, were responsible for bringing the often-overlooked genre of the visual novel game out of Japan and making it popular in other markets.
This newest incarnation takes a departure from the original formula, and appears to take place around the same time as the series' third game, Trials and Tribulations does, give or take a year. Miles Edgeworth, Phoenix's old friend and courtroom rival, returns to the United States from traveling abroad, only to find himself wrapped up in murders, kidnappings, and a mysterious thief, the Yatagaratsu. The game spends no time in the courtroom, but rather focuses entirely on field detective work, with a slew of new features. The logic function allows Miles' various thoughts to be linked together logically, allowing new conclusions to be drawn. Evidence can be presented during examination of crime scenes to show contradictions, and the Little Thief simulator allows Edgeworth to recreate crime scenes and look for contradictions.
Several members of the cast of previous games return for appearances, to include Ema Skye, Franziska von Karma (and her whip), and Detective d**k Gumshoe.
Overall, as a departure from the main series games, it stands well. The logic function and the ability to present evidence during investigations makes the game more interactive and much more challenging than its predecessors, and takes away some of the more controversial supernatural elements the game has previously used, such as Phoenix's Magatama and Apollo's bracelet.
The game uses new sprites to represent characters, and while they are generally well done, some of Edgeworth's sprites make him look old. This isn't helped by the fact that Edgeworth's new shout phrase, "Eureka!" sounds like it was screamed by an old, sickly man who smoked most of his life. The rest of the sound bytes by preexisting characters were reused from previous games, to include Edgeworth's exclamations of "Objection," "Hold it," and "Take that!"
As per usual, the voice recognition system is hit or miss. "Objection," being mostly hard consonant sounds, registers easily. "Take That" registers well, but "Hold it!" as it was in previous games, is the hardest to register, probably because of the soft consonants and vowels that make up the majority of the phrase.
Evidence can still be examined in three dimensions, as it was introduced in the fifth case of the first game, and extensively used throughout Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney. It also allows you to make Edgeworth walk around to examine evidence, movement not being restricted to the "Move" button like its predecessors. The game's only major drawback is, in my opinion, the complete departure from the courtroom. As a prosecutor, Miles Edgeworth does significant field work to solve cases, apparently, but you never set foot in the court room. This is because the game was originally supposed to center around Ema Skye, a forensic investigator, but Miles Edgeworth was chosen instead because of his popularity with fans. The feel of the original games is lost, and that feel is part of what made the Ace Attorney series so memorable and fun.
Final Rating: 
Video Game Review
Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver
The long awaited remakes of the original Pokémon Gold and Silver versions have finally been released in America. HeartGold and SoulSilver follows the story of Gold and Kotone (Ethan and Lyra in the English version), and the abusive criminal thief Silver as they travel through the Johto and Kanto regions of the Pokémon World and challenge the various Gym Leaders and Elite throughout.
Gold and Silver were continuations of Red and Blue versions, so HeartGold and SoulSilver are continuations of FireRed and LeafGreen. The game has improved drastically since it was released on the GameBoy Color, and not just in the realm of graphics. Having the touch screen makes the game easier to play, the music has been updated (though at the end of the game you gain the ability to listen to the music in 8-bit), and the storyline has been updated somewhat to include a deeper plot and more character development.
In addition, the PokéWalker is a new device that was released with the game. It allows you to transfer a Pokémon into it. As a pedometer toy, walking with the device gives your Pokémon experience, and gives you the opportunity to catch hard to get Pokémon, and get your hands on special items.
I haven't finished the game (it just came out), but thus far, I find no flaw. The game has improved significantly since its last release, and it lives up to the names of Pokémon Gold and Silver. Next month, I will have a full review available.
Current Rating:
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Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2010 9:57 pm
Mintchan's TekTek Corner
I can't really say if this is the cheapest I've done or the most expensive either. Guess it's in the middle class right? Oh well lets get started on what is on this beautiful model this month! She prefers to be called "White goddess of death". I have no idea why....ok the first item is "White body dye" at a amazing price of 188k million. It can be replaced with white face paint and the kitty outfit forgot it's name. The name item is Brown gloves, I was actually trying to get black, but oh well. It's priced pretty cheap at 220 gold. And can be replaced with any black(or brown) glove of your chose long or short. The next is "Infernal Spirit 2nd Gen" which is the corset on this beautiful death goddess. It matches the "Red & Brown Saloon girl dress" while the item is at 440k and the dress is at 6.6k. The next and not necessary item is the white stockings priced at about, 200 gold. the last beautiful item is the "Nightmare Sash." Oh what a beauty it is! Covering her orange eyes and yet complimenting the white tied up hair.
I'm going Gothic style this lovely March. Everyone can dress as though they were truly Gothic even the fakes! It's worth a whole whopping 1,041,638g! Woooo, heart attack right?
The first item is the famous Reversible bracelets only black and brown color! There worth at about 888g. Beat slim black shoes are at 200g and now we go to Sparkling clown eye makeup. It's pretty cheap so you want have to replace any items on the avatar YET, it's price is at 240g. Now here comes..Hidden Ace 2nd gen! Now this guy is a biggie to quest for and can be substituted for any red and black shirt. It costs at about 747k at the highest price. Next item is Rainbow Jubilee which is the beautiful wings on the avatar! It costs 174k now that's MUCH cheaper then Hidden ace right? OK, next it Crimson Promise at a whopping 61k! It is the beautiful black and red Gothic skirt. Next is Frigid Night jewel the beautiful blue crystal eyes with dark black mascara around them! Well that's the whole avatar so wait till next month for another!
Ask Savvi
n00b of the Workforce I just got my first job, but I'm having trouble keeping the money I receive for my work in my pockets. I seem to spend it like crazy. And on top of that, I feel like I don't have time to do anything anymore. With work and then chores at home, and school, my plate is full. Is there any way I can organize my life to fit what I want to do into it? And what about my money situation? Any tips?
Dear n00b:
Getting a job as a teen is a great way to earn money and make those college applications shine. And you're not the only one going through challenges like the ones you're facing. Most Americans have the tendency to fling their money around as soon as they get it. What you need to do is create a habit of saving 20% every paycheck. Open a savings account at a bank in your city and right after you receive a paycheck, you can cash it, but save some of it. This way, you know you always have emergency cash for that school trip or Spring Break. This may not leave you with much money as you had hoped for, but not having much money also teaches you how to budget. As you get older, you'll have to budget your money so you will know how much to save for gas, bills, and food. Teen years are the perfect time to practice.
As for your time management issues, prioritize. School is more important than work, and work more so than play. To excel in the workforce, you need an education and to make the best grades you can. And if you applied for a job, you have a responsibility to go in and work. Coworkers and customers rely on you to be there and to make their days easier. You may want to make a schedule. All depending on when you work and how lenient they are about letting you do your homework on the job, your schedule may leave time for fun and games or not. But it's your responsibility to stay on your toes for school and work. Don't quit because you want to have fun. That won't get you anywhere but a studio apartment with no heat and empty pockets.
Next Letter:
Mr. Lonely I just moved to a new city and am now attending a new school. When we moved, I thought it would be super easy to make new friends, but for some reason, it's not working out for me as well as I thought. Any tips on how to get some pals in the middle of the year?
Dear Monsieur Lonely:
I know how you feel. Moving to a new school, especially in the middle of a school year can be really difficult. And, if you lived in the previous city for a long time with the same friends, your friend-making skills may be a little rusty. So, the first move you need to make is to go out and do stuff. Sitting on your butt watching the new episode of Lost is not going to get you a lot of buds. Well, maybe the imaginary kind, but we want something a little more real. Is there a club or sport at your new school that you might be interested in? This is a great way to find friends AND they'll be interested in the same stuff as you. Being the new kid will be a bit awkward at first, but if you just be yourself, people will loosen up around you and the tension won't be so high. If it's been awhile and you still haven't accumulated a posse, step back and see what you're doing. Do you really act like yourself? Maybe you're a bit hyper or superficial. Don't be too needy either, or you'll end up the lackey for the rest of the group.
If it is working out, a great way to keep those friends is to go out regularly. Just to hang. Go chill at a Starbucks after practice. The more time you spend getting to know your new friends, the easier it is for them to see you as a potential BFF.
Always always always keep an open mind when it comes to people. This will get you friends faster then you can say "Degrassi: The Next Generation." Just because someone doesn't like horror movies like you do, or doesn't enjoy going to rock concerts, doesn't mean you can't be friends.
Last, but not least, go slowly. If you just met someone and chilled with them for five minutes before your mom picks you up, doesn't mean they think you're friends. If you run up to them the next day and follow them around, they'll probably think you're weird and won't EVER consider having a legitimate friendship with you. Wait until you feel comfortable talking in geometry or sit together at lunch before you suggest hanging out after school. Start a convo with something casual, like "Did you see Avatar? It totally rivals Star Wars." Well, maybe not that. But you get my drift. Making new friends can be super nerve-wracking, but with confidence and grace, you can have a posse of beasties all to yourself.
Movie Review
Alice in Wonderland
Seen: 3-14-10
Rated: PG
Summary: Felt like this was more of a sequel to the original Alice in Wonderland seeing as Alice, played by Mia Wasikowska, is now 19 when she travels back to Wonderland. She returns in order to help the White queen, played by Anne Hathaway, to restore order to Wonderland from the ways the Red queen is running things. Our favorite characters return once more to battle it out against the Red queen, Helena Bonham Carter. The Mad Hatter, played by heart Johnny Depp heart , is as mad as ever in more ways than one. The Cheshire cat, voiced by Stephen Fry, stayed his stray yet ever so strange and lovable self.
Everyone did their part in the story, however it was Alice that had to make the final cut by defeating the Jabberwocky. The crown was returned to the White queen and the Red queen and her knave, played by Crispin Glover, were banished to the outskirts of the land never to be spoken to or pitied.
My rating on the movie:
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Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2010 10:08 pm
Man flies plane into IRS building
Hero or Anarchist?
On February 18, 2010 a man identified as Joseph Stack intentionally flew his plane directly into the Echelon Building in Austin, TX, which housed many offices belonging to the IRS. However prior to his final act of "sticking it to the man" he had set his home on fire and he made sure that people would understand his decade dispute with the Internal Revenue Service.
A few days prior to his suicidal mission he had posted a screed on his company's website which outlined his outrage with a government that is completely broken and corrupt. This man's screed was not that of a mad man or conspiracy theorist, it was well thought out and quite coherent.
Many people have posted websites and blogs declaring their support for what this man had done. Does that make them unpatriotic? Hardly. What these people saw was a man, much like themselves, taking his rage a step further because the government wouldn't listen.
In his manifesto he mentioned not only his anger towards the government, but big business as well. I am sure we are all aware that Uncle Sam seems to be more impartial with those that have deeper pockets. As long as we're the little man, we're not allowed to take the extra Tax Avoidances that is allotted to the big businesses that are continuously polluting the U.S. infrastructure.
Right now politicians, even President Obama himself seem to be avoiding the incident and not caring to address what had happened. Is this because they view Joseph Stack as just one man? If that is so, then why can they not realize that all it takes is one man to act as a catalyst for a movement?
Do I personally agree with what Joseph Stack has done? No. Was it because he attacked the government? No. I view him as a hero not by his act alone, but that he was willing to take a stand for what he believed in no matter what. Call me unpatriotic, or what have you. The truth stands as always, as history has proved, an act of violence always spurs the much need for change.
I am sure our forefathers are rolling in the graves because they themselves were viewed as anarchists and they strove to create a government, where all men were created equal. As a single citizen that hits a certain tax bracket, I for one do not feel equal. When we don't pay our debts, we go to jail or we pay the piper; the government doesn't pay their debts and they just tax the lower class citizens even more so and give bailout money to companies like GM that spend the money on big fat bonuses.
I am hoping that Americans will now open their eyes and realize that the government can ignore one voice, but can they ignore the voices of thousands? Maybe millions? Shouldn't all Americans no matter the tax bracket me awarded the same level of tax reliefs?
I now leave you with this link, it is to Joseph Stacks' manifesto along with tax experts columns on the issue at hand, you be the judge of how you think this will affect you in future times: The Manifesto, This Week, Fox News, Houston County News.
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Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2010 6:51 am
Thanks for reading, kiddos! And all you non-kiddos out there, too, I suppose. Either way, this issue of the Gaian Record International was brought to you by the letters: QWERTYUIOP, ASDFGHJKL, ZXCVBNM, ...a variety of punctuation marks, and the number elebenty billion. Or maybe I'm just spending too much time on lolcats. Either way, we appreciate you reading the paper, and we hope to see you again next month! 
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