My personal favorite of all the national parks-Yellowstone
This is the grandest place in the world and every time I think about the 2 times I have been I just bask in the memories. We took our oldest grandchild right before she got too cool to be caught dead with us and while the beauty of nature still amazed and astounded her.
If you have upper elementary or middle school kids, this is a walk on the wild side they will never forget. Set aside a week to explore. Its hard to say which is best, the geology or the animals.
Was #65 directed at me? Because it doesn’t make any sense.
I’m just saying that even if “global warming” is legit who cares? If temps have gone up two degrees in 150 years then I think well be fine. If “global warming” rose as fast as our currency inflation – then we’d be on our back faster than a Kardashian at the NBA Finals..
UVA board of visitors ousted President Teresa Sullivan. The faculty is enraged and is demanding an explanation. Sullivan had no clue her job was on the line and was blind-sided.
Could this be a political move? The Board of Visitors has alway been loaded up with people who have little knowledge of the running of the University. I cite as an example, Mrs. Kluge who the good governor Wilder was visiting via the state helicopter at all hours of the day and night. Mrs. Kluge was probably one of the richest women in Virginia at the time.
marin, while you are telling that defecating person to pound sand – what about this situation (which happens every day).
A family is in a car accident, and the little ones are directed to a trauma center – no id, no parent (as they are in route to another hospital). What should be done with the little ones when they are brought in to the hospital. There is no way to verify who they are, or their ability to pay. Yet, the Trauma Center is about to go down a path of unknown substantial $$. Talk about a death panel.
Human life obviously takes precedence. Payment plans can be arranged after a lifesaving procedure.
Rush Limbaugh Attacks Police and Firefighters for Contributing Nothing to the Economy
http://www.politicususa.com/rush-limbaugh-attacks-police-firefighters-contributing-economy.html
What an unpatriotic and unAmerican thing to say,nattacking police officers and firefighters for bein lazy, unproductive and overpaid. We should respect our first responders.
Starry, if you don’t like that you will probably hate this.
http://rt.com/usa/news/indiana-shooting-law-state-591/
Hold onto your holsters, folks: shooting a cop dead is now legal in the state of Indiana.
Governor Mitch Daniels, a Republican, has authorized changes to a 2006 legislation that legalizes the use of deadly force on a public servant — including an officer of the law — in cases of “unlawful intrusion.” Proponents of both the Second and Fourth Amendments — those that allow for the ownership of firearms and the security against unlawful searches, respectively — are celebrating the update by saying it ensures that residents are protected from authorities that abuse the powers of the badge.
@marinm
The payment plan is arranged ONLY BECAUSE the Hospital is required to provided services by law. If they were not, people could be turned away – especially when faced with a possible very expensive visit with little to no means to pay – think of the homeless guy who just had his face bitten off – if the Hospital could turn him away, they would have.
@Pat Herve
I think your assumption is wrong.
For example, most of the major HC providers are allowing 26 year olds to remain on policies regardless of what occures with ObamaCare.
Sometimes people do the ‘right thing’ even if it’s against their economic self interest.
I give money to almost anyone that calls me from a charity. I’m a sucker (even though the progressives on here think I’m a coldhearted bastard) for helping people. It’s against my economic self interest to do so – but I do it anyways.
Companies may take a loss on one person may make it up somewhere else. That trauma patient could be a future commercial or other advertisement. Who knows..
Oh, and the law doesn’t say a bystander has to do anything to help someone out. But it happens all the time. It’s human nature to help. Just do so without my tax dollars, please.
@marin, then you should stop giving the cold hearted bastartd impression.
@Starryflights
Starry,
Instead of reading second hand news, try listening to him.
To put it in context, he was saying that public workers don’t hire people and are not employers. So all that stimulus money, which is what this was about, did not generate any job growth since public salaries are paid with tax money.
Which is what the problem is. Democrats can’t even follow Keynes correctly. If you’re going to follow Keynesian economics and spend gov’t money for stimulus, you must do it in such a way as to grow the GDP. Buy actual products from private companies, etc.
Not saying it works, but that’s the theory.
You know, we all very strong opinions. But all the arguments that have gone before will pale beside this one.
We must debate the Holy Doctrine. We must examine the heresies! And. Root. Them. Out.
So….
9mm vs .45 (Of course, J.M. Browning can’t be wrong. Peace Be Upon Him.)
9mm all the way!
What? Yes, 9mm. His last gun WAS the 9mm BROWNING…..
AR vs AK.
They’re both wrong! Real men shoot MOSINs! In Soviet Russian, woman is real man too!
@Cargosquid
Economic theories are just that…theories. Sometimes you just have to think outside the model.
having said that, why must everything be measured and evaluated by party. I am so sick of party I could scream. Parties are like being programmed what to think and what to believe.
GDP is not the only way to measure a country’s success. Getting people back to work so they can use goods and services is a great place to start. It stimulates spending, gets people off the dole, off medicaid, off foodstamps.
Why must everything be programmed into the party meter. arrrggghhhhhhh
We are dealing with a local situation up here. I can understand why you are ignorning it. Its a PWC problem. However, the importance of it being discussed now is, it really has nothing to do with party and nothing to do with liberal vs conservative.
My support is currently with the most unlikely person, knowing my politics. Why? Because that’s the person making the most sense on the issue, for my tastes.
Its a good lesson for all of us to learn. I haven’t changed my mind on old issues at all. I am just taking a strong stand on this issue. I hope no one hangs a label on it that suggests party or political flavor.
I bring up the Democrats because they are the party that most advocates Keynesian spending. However, the Republicans, until recently, did not live up to THEIR lip service, to classic economics. Both like spending. But even Keynes understood that one cut spending during certain times. His theory didn’t state that spending was the ONLY tool.
His theory: In recession, spending should be greater than taxation. In inflationary times with “too much growth,” taxation should be greater than spending. In good times…..balanced. So, you see, both parties tend to use the tools only they like…..and still ignore what is needed. Bush and the GOP did the same. Obama and the Dems just accelerated it.
I wasn’t trying to measure success. Since politicians advocate spending as a way to bring up the economy, I was pointing out that they are doing it wrong according to the man that thought up the theory, that’s all. You are absolutely correct that getting people back to work is what is needed. And GDP is the result of all that action. Its just a financial signpost on the health of the country.
I don’t vote according to party as the sole reason. In fact, I voted for Cantor’s and Allen’s primary opponents today. Competition is a good thing in politics.
@Cargosquid
I’m a fan of 9mm vs. .45.
Like law enforcement I think its better to have more rounds than to have more stopping power as you never know what your accuracy will be in a given situation, reloads=death, and stopping power is great at short range but if you need to fire more than once you probably need to fire more than once. 😉
I’m unaware of any studies to show that 9mm is less effective versus .45 when shooting at a zombies head. My lay understanding is that the zombie will be destroyed regardless of the round used.
Now, interestingly I carry a Glock 23 so I’m using a .40 round which gives me less stopping power than the .45 but more rounds. The 23 carries 13+1 in Condition 1 with a Level 2 retention holster. I’m thinking of upgrading to a Level 3 retention holster because I find myself too distracted with the kids at times and that leaves me exposed.
How are we all going to feel (if Mitt wins) that on day 2 of his Presidency, he is going to want a stimulus package? The Bush tax cuts did not increase GDP enough to fill the debt and deficit coffers. IMO, one of our problems is that we have been running on stimulus for over 10 years – the cheap money has not helped us, only inflated a few bubbles.
@Pat Herve
I see no difference in a President Obama and a President Romney.
@marinm
.40!?
HERETIC!
Good idea on the idea of a retention holder. You know…. you could probably write a good post on carrying while dealing with children. I’d put it on my blog…..
@Pat Herve
The same way I’d feel if Obama wants another stimulus package. Especially if the GOP wins the Senate and keeps the House and they put one out. The GOP would lose seats in the next election if the Tea Party has any influence.
The tax cuts did NOT fill the debt and deficit coffers. BUT Bush’s deficits were shrinking and were much smaller to begin with.We have been running on cheap money. Which is why we need to cut spending….not just cut baseline increases. Heck, I’d like a spending freeze. No cuts…just no additional spending, for just one year. But to do that we need a budget and the Democrats have illegally refused to write a budget since 2009 when Pelosi/Reid presented one to Obama instead of Bush.
@Pat Herve
That’s probably a fairly fair assessment of things.
@Cargosquid
who are you calling Allen’s primary opponent? That was a serious question. I don’t see any as much past state delegate in stature.
Also, please name me a Republican president who you feel was tough on spending? I can’t think of a single one. I will start howling if I even see an R coming out of your keyboard.
@Cargosquid
40 S&W, to me, provided a good balance between number of rounds in the magazine and stopping power versus the 9mm and .45.
I also had other considerations. For example I have small hands for a male and because of my professional and general sloth my upper body strength is less than that of my peers. So I needed a smaller pistol frame. Larger ammo tends to make for more recoil (less accuracy) in a sustained fire situation so I wanted something I would have more control over since I lack the immunity law enforcement officers get.
I also chose the Glock because it’s basically the “Apple OS” of guns. Simple and doesn’t fail. If I forget to clean the weapon – no problem. If I’m in a struggle and the gun gets covered with mud – no problem. If I drop it it won’t suffer from an AD.
Now, I hear really good things about the XD’s and now having kids I like the idea of a grip safety..
I’ve toyed with the idea of strapping a Serbu Shorty to the stroller but the more that I think about it – it’s just not practical. However it would look amazingly cool!
http://www.gunshowreview.com/SHOT2008/Day2/00-2-2-08-0074.jpg
@Moon-howler
I voted for Radtke in the primary and Blayne vs Cantor.
I haven’t seen ANY President actually cut spending. Haven’t said that I did. Clinton kept spending down because he had to work with a Republican Congress that actually tried to fulfill campaign and platform promises. It helped that Clinton could take advantage of the boom during the 90’s. Revenues were up. Of course, that gov’t robbed Social Security to make it look like there was a surplus.
@marinm
With modern ammo, I like 9mm. But I’m even more of heretic.
I carry a Bersa .380 🙂
But +1 on Glock. I just don’t like their triggers. But, that’s all I have. I inherited most of my guns.
Hey Moon! 9mm or .45? Or do you like a real round….. .357?
.38 special, Cargo.
@Cargosquid
Why is it that Republicans always say they want to be cheap? You get what you pay for.
I bet our county is using 20 year old technology. Then they brag about being cheap. go fiigure.
Brag about being cheap or wanting to be cheap? What are you talking about?
Either one.
I don’t know why people see that less money and less spending is always desirable.
Something cool. I lol’d.
http://teapotify.tumblr.com/post/17543862228/https-twitter-com-ahmed-status-168914349811961856
@Cargosquid
I have been genuinely impressed with the Bersa .380 That’s just a nifty little platform. I’m a P232 fan myself, but I really like the Bersa.
And meanwhile, the Congressional Black Caucus says that calling Obama “cool” is racist. I friggin’ LOVE it!!
http://campaign2012.washingtonexaminer.com/blogs/beltway-confidential/cbc-staff-opposition-obama-racist/592346
Why is saying Obama “cool” racist? Someone needs to get over themself.
Either the CBC went off script or Michelle didn’t get the memo.
“From coaching basketball to knowing how many Jonas brothers there are, Barack is a pretty cool dad.”
http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/michelle-obama-barack-pretty-cool-dad_647195.html
@marinm
“Pretty Cool Dad”??? I’m shocked, outraged, disgusted, and offended by these racially-motivated remarks.
Elizabeth Warren is probably the most impressive politician out there. She has some real plans to turn things around. She hangs the repression clearly on the banking/mortgage industry. Additionally, she says they really haven’t improved all that much. They still get a pass.
Warren for President 2016.
I agree that Elizabeth Warren is the quintessential liberal politician. I couldn’t pick a better banner-carrier for the left myself. If she were President, we would all gather in the big tent and smoke ’em peace pipe.
She is a PERFECT example for the Democrats. Our first Cherokee candi….oh. Wait.
Well, she’s still a perfect example of the Democrats. I would LOVE it if she runs in 2016.
As for “turning things around.” why don’t they just re-instate Glass-Steagall. It was working fine, then. Since then, things have gotten progressively worse…..each fix creates new problems.
http://www.strangepolitics.com/images/content/182768.jpg
@Cato the Elder
I am SO GLAD that I had already put my coffee down.
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
Ms. Warren has done very well buying foreclosed properties, renovating them and then selling them for profit (flipping).
It’s just too bad that she does so for her family and not her tribe. Fakeohontus Native American Mortgage LLC has a certain ring to it.
I suggest listening to what she is saying about the economy rather than fixating on her heritage.
Are you accusing her of doing anything dishonest?
I am surprised you never have anything to say about local politics. What is going on right now is fairly important. Cargo, I understand. He isn’t local.
I have listened to her about her ideas for the economy.
No thanks. We don’t need yet another big government redistributionist.
As for dishonest actions…. I don’t know her mind. All I know is that she claimed to be a Cherokee on Harvard application forms without evidence. And when it wasn’t needed anymore….she stopped. Btw, the Cherokees are demanding that she stop claiming membership.
What a petty thing to hone in on. There’s a little bit more to it than what you have said. And what, pray tell, did she ever get out of it?
I am far more interested in what she says about banking and the fact that they are still endangering the economy. I don’t care if she says she is an eskimo.
I’m shocked! Shocked I tell you!
Who didn’t see this coming?
http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2012/06/14/egyptian-court-calls-for-parliament-to-be-dissolved/?hpt=hp_t1
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/egypts-high-court-keeps-shafiq-in-race-suggests-partial-disbandment-of-parliament/2012/06/14/gJQA0h2GcV_story.html
@Moon-howler
“I suggest listening to what she is saying about the economy rather than fixating on her heritage.”
I echo Cargo on this. What I’m hearing from her doesn’t pass the sniff test.
“Are you accusing her of doing anything dishonest?”
I don’t need to. The Boston Herald has already done a good job of that. Her rebuttal has been silence.
@Cargo, you know I have a progressive friend of many years that was happy that the military stepped in to help make a transition for the Egyptians. What I kept on telling him was that without arms the Egyptian people would soon feel the boot of the military on their neck. He didn’t believe me. Blind was he to the idea that the government/military can do bad things when they control the game and the People can’t contest the vote.
It really doesn’t surprise me that you don’t like her. I don’t expect you like Scott Brown either. I doubt if anyone either one like will ever be elected because you don’t like people who even approach being mainstream.
Those who mock Obama for blaming Bush for our economic woes must be chagrined that 68% of their fellow Anericans blame Bush, too. You can’t fool all the people all the time, but apparently you can fool at least 32%.
http://www.thedailybeast.com/cheats/2012/06/14/poll-most-blame-bush-for-economy.html
Oddly enough, Bush is often given by historians rescuing the “Reagan plan.”
@Moon-howler
Mainstream does not always mean correct.
Morris, what I find most interesting about those number is not how high the numbers are in how many Democrats believe it was Bush’s fault but in how many Republicans don’t follow the party line and also think so. Which group do you think is able to beyond labels and be more honest?
George Herbert Walker Bush was far more “Republican” than those who claim they are “Republican” today. I say that from an historial point, of course.
As for “mainstream,” I suppose it is all in how one defines “mainstream.” Not being mainstream also doesn’t make things correct, especially after some of that “green cheese” crap I see folks try to plant here from time to time.
Finding sources to fit one’s world view also doesn’t mean correct.
Is that the new definition of mainstream? Lying about one’s background to gain advantages? I suppose to the left that would pass as mainstream.
It gets better and better. How is that quantum leaping coming along for you? Is that the worst you can accuse her of? Lying about her heritage? How the hell do you know what her heritage is? She claims to have Cherokee in her heritage. Who are you to say she doesn’t?
Redirect. That is just foolishness. You don’t like someone because they claim to have Cherokeee blood and you don’t think they should. Makes perfect sense to me…NOT. How about banking practices. Do you think that the mrtgage bankers contributed to the economy crash? Do you think there are things going on today that could cause a similar crash? How about college loans? Could they get to crisis level?
My fervent prayer is that “Blame Bush” will be the dominant message from the Obama campaign. You’ve got a winner there! Stick with it!!
Will you be waving your “blame Romney” flag, adding some depth to the conversation? How about what’s going on in the county? Do you even have an opinion on that? You live in either the Gainesville or Brentsville district. You pleased with what’s happening there? All politics is local.
@marinm
Pasted below is a link to the story and data from Gallup. It’s interesting that the numbers have been pretty consistent for a few years. That would suggest that there is not likely to be a lot of movement between now and November (unless the $100M Sheldon Adelson said he’s willing to spend to buy the election … I mean voice his opinion … matters more than many seem to think). It was also interesting that 67% of independents blame Bush, particularly if that’s where the battle will be won or lost in November.
To be honest, I don’t really care who is blamed for how we got here (and I think both parties bear a measure of responsibility), I’d prefer to focus on how we get out. Unfortunately, both sides are so entrenched in their Hatfields vs. McCoys feud that there is little chance they’ll work together for the greater good of the country. [I saw another survey this week where for the first time a majority of the world views China as the greatest global economic power instead of the U.S. We’ve got to hang on to obesity or soon we won’t be #1 in anything.]
http://www.gallup.com/poll/155177/Americans-Blame-Bush-Obama-Bad-Economy.aspx?utm_source=alert&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=syndication&utm_content=morelink&utm_term=All%20Gallup%20Headlines%20-%20Economy%20-%20Politics
If the stonewalling keeps up, we will never get anywhere.
@Morris Davis
What else would you expect from the general public that gets its information from the mainstream media. All we are told is that everything is Bush’s fault. Popularity does not equal good judgement. 53% voted for Obama. That right there tells you that plenty of people have trouble with critical thinking.
@Moon-howler
I don’t like her because she’s a lying hypocrite. Scott Brown is not. He’s a liberal. But you can’t get anything else in Massachusetts. I really don’t have an opinion on him. And, I wouldn’t have cared about her until she started doubling down on her “heritage” instead of admitting a mistake. Just think, a true minority could have had her place at Harvard. And her views on the free market is idiotic. She’s another one of those that thinks that successful people owes something to the gov’t other than the taxes that we all, well, 50% of us pay.
Why are you saying she made a mistake? She didn’t say she was a cherokee, she said a great great ….grandmother who was a cherokee. I would brag about that too. So what. I have been asked questions like that. i have had to say NO.
That is so petty. Want to hear me get petty…..Scott Brown is a real hunk. If Elizbeth Warren weren’t so impressive I would vote for him just because he is a hunk. He is a moderate, not a liberal.
You are exaggerating about a true minority. That also isn’t how it works. She was an employee, not a student.
From the Atlantic:
This is to totally petty. I know LOTs of people who claim to be decended from various Indian tribes. they say it as a source of pride, not to get something for free. A real test would be to see how they handle alcohol btw. I have had schools put in all sorts of crap over the years …you know, put their own spin on things. They are trying to be diverse. It is generally the schools more than the people they are diversifying. If that is what makes her a liar and a hypocrite than you really don’t have much to go on.
@Morris Davis
They said it better than I.
“Republicans, however, are more ecumenical in their blame, with 83% blaming Obama a great deal or moderate amount and 49% ascribing the same level of blame to Bush. Republicans, in short, are significantly more willing to blame their most recent Republican president than are Democrats willing to blame Obama.”
“To be honest, I don’t really care who is blamed for how we got here (and I think both parties bear a measure of responsibility), I’d prefer to focus on how we get out.”
I agree. Deficit spending by both parties got us here. Or, as MH would say – mainstream spending.
“Unfortunately, both sides are so entrenched in their Hatfields vs. McCoys feud that there is little chance they’ll work together for the greater good of the country.”
That’s how the Founders designed Congress. They designed it so they wouldn’t really agree with anything/anyone and pretty much leave the common folk alone. I tend to favor gridlock.
When things get ‘agreed upon’ we find ourselves with SOPA, ACA, PATRIOT, etc.
When govt agrees on things its generally to shove a big pole up our collective…tails.
“Will you be waving your “blame Romney” flag, adding some depth to the conversation?”
Romney? Obama? Do you really see that much of a difference? Either way your getting Goldman Sachs as POTUS.
I think that is just what happens when compromise takes place.
I see a tremendous difference between Obama and Mitt but…it could be a lot worse.
You are going to get GS, NRA, casinos, tobacco, unions or some other giant cash cow regardless, ever since people united.
On a very serious note, has anyone seen Steve Randolph in their travels about the City?
He is MIA here and no one is reporting in. Steve T? Cindy? Ivan, Chris, Big Dog, AndyH? Please report back.
If you are talking to me, you bet your bippee I’l blame Romney when he screws it up, too. I’ve already said that Gov. McDonnell should immediately resign in disgrace after his comments about using instruments of war against Virginians. Of course, he got away with that. And I’m mad as hell about things going on locally. Corey Stewart and Wally Covington are no longer people I will vote for after approving a tax increase on my house that isn’t worth 1/3 of what we paid for it. Just like these numbers show, the right tends to look at things realistically (yes, Bush was part of what screwed the economy up). The funny thing about a poll that asks “who do you blame for the economy”…..do they ask “Who do you think can fix it?” Those numbers aren’t as happy for the Obama campaign.
@pokie, yea, at you. I am glad you have an opinion. You never weigh in on the local matters or you haven ‘t lately.
I don’t see why so many of you all go after the local taxes. For instance, would you pay a dollar more a month for increased fire, rescue and police? I sure would. To me the local taxes really aren’t that oppressive when you stop to think that I have put 3.5 kids from k-12 though school here. (the .5 went to live with his mother about half way though)
1 really nice huge house really only brings in enough to pay for 1 kid per year. That isn’t all that much. Then there are libraries, police, roads, parks, rescue etc. There are lots of places that pay far more in taxes than we do.
I would rather pay $10-20 more a month to have shorter turn around cop time and up to date fire equipment. Drive through Sumner Lake on the outskirts of the city to see what happens when you don’t have state of the art fire equipment. Without the county they might have very well lost over half that development.
I have grandkids in the school system….3 of them currently. That is over $30k for their per pupil costs. I don’t mind helping out. Someone helped out when I had a house full. I think money invested in education is an investment in the future. Giving young people skills is one way I can make sure i am not supporting their sorry asses down the road. Furthermore, I don’t want my grand kids to have the dregs of the teacher world. I want my grandkids who I will count on in my old age to have the brightest and best teachers out there. I want to county to be able to attract the good ones, not have settle for the rejects no one else wants. Ever heard a teacher say “had went” instead of “had gone?” I have and it cuts through your spine like a knife. I once dropped a celery stick in a punch bowl I was so shocked. You want to avoid that sort of thing. Every field has its toads. Let’s let the toads move on down the road. It costs money to attract the brightest and the best in a highly competitive area. We are in the most competitive area for teachers in Virginia. Listen to what Cargo says about salaries in his area. He is salivating over salaries $10k less than here and PWC is LOW,.
sorry, I digress. So, who do you run for office if you don’t find Stewart to your taste? How do you talk decent people into running? If you don’t want to pay your fair share in taxes, you are going to have a hard time finding a candidate.
If nobody decent runs against Stewart, then I just withhold my vote for Stewart. Now, this notion of paying a little extra for better schools is nonsense. Take our current tax rate, now get rid of all the BS that county government shouldn’t be doing (the discretionary funds is just one example of what I bet are 100 similar things), I bet there’s PLENTY of money for what the local government SHOULD be doing…..Fire, 5-0, SCHOOLS, Libraries. Someone would have to PROVE to me that there is no waste, no slush funds, not a dime spent translating anything into English, or providing translators for anything. After I’m convinced that there is not hundreds of thousands being directed to horse programs, then I’ll pay happily to ensure my kids get the BEST education…..and I am a believer in public schools….I went through them up in PA and I’m happy with what I got. Any deficiency in my public school education is nobody’s fault but my own.
I like that attitude re the fault being your own and I would agree with you in most cases.
I think this is the first time you have spoken out about the horse situation. Now that organization wants $200,000 to pave a parking lot. I don’t think that we should be paying for that. I think that this blog has stood up for a leaner local government spending without sounding like cheap skates. We have bellowed from the roof tops about these devlopments costing the taxpayers a fortune in infastructure costs while lining the pockets of the local politicians. We have talked about how much 200 houses cost us in terms of schools and teachers. Elena has dedicated 10 years of her life into these ideas. She hasn’t just talked. She has worked like a dog.
There isn’t plenty of money for schools, libraries, cops etc. However, I agree there would be a lot more if money weren’t being frittered. I am not even opposed to most of the things the discretionary funds were going for…I just think we need a process so that organizations can apply. I have a few ideas but I am not going to waste my breath at this point. I didn’t like that schools were cut out of receiving funds. I know how much those extra funds are needed and the difference it makes. But there again, lets let them apply.
When we killed off discretionary funds, there was no replacement process.