ISML 2013: Top 16, Stella Division



1. Ruri Gokou
2013 ISML AMETHYST NECKLACE CHAMPION


2. Kanade Tachibana
DEFENDING ISML CHAMPION
2013 ISML AQUAMARINE NECKLACE CHAMPION


3. Eucliwood Hellscythe


4. Taiga Aisaka


5. Mikoto Misaka


6. Mio Akiyama


7. Azusa Nakano


8. Kirino Kousaka


9. Shana


10. Yuri Nakamura


11. Yui-nyan


12. Ayase Aragaki


13. Yuki Nagato


14. Yui Hirasawa


15. Saber


16. Haruhi Suzumiya

ISML 2013: Top 16, Nova Division



 

1. Mashiro Shiina


2. Kuroyukihime


3. Rikka Takanashi


4. Kobato Hasegawa


5. Asuna Yuuki


6. Sena Kashiwazaki


7. Shinka Nibutani


8. Inori Yururiha


9. Nanami Aoyama


10. Eru Chitanda


11. Nyarlathotep


12. Yui


13. Kurisu Makise


14. Touka Takanashi


15. Yozora Mikazuki


16. Erio Touwa

ISML 2013: BoBA Tiara Odds, May 31, 2013

Bedlam on Baltic Avenue
2013 International Saimoe League Tiara Odds
As of 11:05 p.m. PT, May 31, 2013

Ruri Gokou EVEN
Kanade Tachibana 3-2
Mashiro Shiina 2-1
Kuroyukihime 5-2
Eucliwood Hellscythe 3-1
Rikka Takanashi 7-2
Taiga Aisaka 4-1
Kobato Hasegawa 9-2
Mikoto Misaka 5-1
Asuna Yuuki 11-2
Mio Akiyama 6-1
Sena Kashiwazaki 13-2
Shinka Nibutani 7-1
Azusa Nakano 15-2
Inori Yuzuriha 8-1
Nanami Aoyama 17-2
Kirino Kousaka 9-1
Shana 19-2
Yuri Nakamira 10-1
Yui-nyan 11-1
Eru Chitanda 12-1
Ayase Aragaki 13-1
Yuki Nagato 14-1
Nyarlathotep 15-1
Yui Hirasawa 16-1
Saber 17-1
Haruhi Suzumiya 18-1
Kurisu Makise 19-1
Touka Takanashi 20-1
Konjiki no Yami 22-1
Yozora Mikazuki 23-1
Erio Touwa 25-1
Hitagi Senjouhara 27-1
Aria Holmes Kanzaki 29-1
Last Order 30-1
Suguha Kirigaya 32-1
Shinobu Oshino 33-1
Ririchiyo Shirakiin 35-1
Hinagiku Katsura 37-1
Momo Beila Deviluke 40-1
Keiko Ayano 45-1
Rin Natsume 50-1
Karuta Roromiya 55-1
Tomoyo Sakagami 60-1
Louise Francoise Le Blance De La Valliere 70-1
Victorique de Blois 75-1
Mikan Yuuki 80-1
Charlotte Dunois 85-1
Noumi Kudryavka 90-1
Nymph 100-1
Rin Tosaka 110-1
Shouko Kirishima 120-1
Nadeko Sengoku 125-1
Nagisa Furukawa 130-1
Illyasviel von Einzbern 150-1
Rea Sanka 175-1
Mato Kuroi 180-1
Meiko Honma 190-1
Mei Misaki 200-1
C.C. 210-1
Yui Kotegawa 250-1
Homura Akemi 300-1
Kyou Fujibayashi 400-1
Holo 500-1
Masami Iwasawa 750-1
Subaru Konoe 1000-1
Fuuko Kurasaki 2000-1
Konata Izumi 2500-1
Ui Hirasawa 3000-1
Karen Araragi 4000-1
Tsukihi Araragi 5000-1

ISML 2013: A successful Amethyst defense for Kuroneko



ISML 2013: A successful Amethyst defense for Kuroneko
Ruri Gokou defends Necklace, Aria Holmes Kanzaki wins Brooch

By JR Salazar
The Bedlam on Baltic Avenue
May 31, 2013

The month of May ended strong for Ruri Gokou, the Kuroneko and significant other of Kyousuke Kousaka. Gokou won 2141 votes to earn a calculation of 57.080 and defend her Amethyst Necklace at the end of Match Day 8 of the 2013 International Saimoe League Amethyst Period.

"Everything exists for a reason," said a victorious Gokou at a victory rally at the Tokyo Big Sight, surrounded by Ayase Aragaki, Kousaka and his little sister Kirino. "I knew that I had a very good chance to defend my necklace the same way [defending ISML Champion] Kanade [Tachibana] defended her Aquamarine. I don't think any of the remaining necklace holders will lose their necklaces this year because the voting power they have is too strong.

"On my end, I want to personally thank Kyousuke, Kirino and Ayase for their support during this campaign. Also, I would like to salute you, the voters, for continuing to believe in me and my message to the world. Without you, I would not have been able to defense something which I hold dear to my heart. I wish you all the best and look forward to your continuing support the rest of the season."

Shana won 1544 votes for a calculation of 43.894 and a second-place finish. Understandably, she was disappointed but accepting of the outcome.

"I don't think this is going to be my year in terms of winning anything, but I have a reputation as a fighter and a competitor that loves to battle with a chip on her shoulder," Shana said, surrounded by her husband, Yuuji Sakai, and good friend Kazumi Yoshida, in Osaka. "So I will not give up. I am confident that in the Ruby, the situation will be different."

Mashiro Shiina put up a good fight, with 1379 votes and a third-place finish, earning a calculation of 43.879. However, Shiina was disappointed with the results.

"It is very clear that the Stella Division earned a massive shot in the arm this year with the new entries that joined them," Shiina said at a press conference at Suimei University of the Arts, surrounded by husband Sorata Kanda and Nanami Aoyama. "So it is very likely that the Nova contestants, myself included, will be shut out this year. My campaign is going to analyze what went wrong and find ways to improve.

"I still think I have a chance against Mikoto Misaka, who is a former winner of the Tiara, but I am consigned to being a bit more realistic as to where I stand in the bigger picture."

Eucliwood Hellscythe won 1135 votes and finished in fourth place with a calculation of 39.140. The face of Kore wa Zombie Desu Ka, Hellscythe was optomistic that she would hang on to her own necklace.

"Kanade and Ruri hung on to theirs and I believe it's going to be the same with me," Hellscythe said, a rather bored Ayumu Aikawa sipping coffee next to her at a press conference in Tokyo. "I am not going to be too worried about how I perform in the Ruby, but I would like to at least be in that Necklace match next month."

Kuroyukihime, despite earned 890 votes, finished fifth in the running with a calculation of 37.723.

"One of my goals is to be in every necklace match," Kuroyukihime said, surrounded by Fuuko Kurasaki and Haruyuki Arita at a press conference at Umesato Middle School. "I don't expect to win a single one, but I would like to at least be in every contest and give the competitors a fight. I have a lot of respect for Mikoto and her reputation in this competition and I look forward to giving her a challenge should we both meet again in the Ruby Necklace Match."]

Mikoto Misaka, who is the defending Ruby Necklace holder, earned 1619 votes but finished sixth with a calculation of 36.719.

"I'm not sweating this too much," Misaka said at a press conference at Academy City's Tokiwadai Junior High School, surrounded by Sister Index Prohibitorum, Last Order, and Mikoto's significant other, Touma Kamijou. "I knew that even if I had won the Necklace Match, I was in a no-win situation. However, the fact that I had the second-most votes means that I have a lot of confidence in defending my own necklace in June."

Coming up in last place was Rikka Takanashi, who earned 1020 votes but had a score calculation of 34.198.

"I think I put up a good fight, but it's very clear which division is stronger this year," said Takanashi, surrounded by Yuta Togashi, Shinka Nibutani, Kumin Tsuyuri and Sanae Dekomori at a press conference outside Budokan in Tokyo. "I am a resilent fighter though, and I am confident that I will put up a stronger effort in the Ruby. I fear no one, and the people in my campaign are working tirelessly to help my cause, as well as Shinka's."

Aria Holmes Kanzaki won the Amethyst Brooch with 2192 votes. Holo was second with 1485 vores, Kyou Fujibayashi was third with 1480 votes, Fuuko Kurasaki was fourth with 1341 votes, Konata Izumi was fifth with 1247 votes, Shouko Kirishima was sixth with 1131 votes and Tsukihi Araragi was last with 964 votes.

"It's nice to know you can win something in this tournament, even if it's a minor prize," said Kanzaki, surrounded by Shirayuki Hotogi, Riko Mine and Aria's husband Kinji Toyama at a press conference Butei High School in Tokyo. "I now head into the rest of the season with nothing to lose and everything to gain."

A number of other exhibitions took place. Sadao Maou clobbered Armin Arlert 5475-2767 and Kurumi Tokisaki routed Azusa Azuki 5194-3820. In the first of two noncompetitive group exhibitions, Minami Shinata defeated Haruka Saigusa 1946-1743. Sawa Okita was third with 1609 votes, Sakura Matou was fourth with 1079 votes, Hanyuu Furude was fifth with 1059 votes, Teletha Testarossa was sixth with 961 votes and Mai Kawasumi was last with 910 votes. In the second noncompetitive group exhibition, Nobuna Oda defeated Akari Akaza 2024-1611. Mio Nishizono was third with 1377 votes, Wakana Sakai was fourth with 1244 votes, Kallen Kouzuki was fifth with 1145 votes, Suigintou was sixth with 1064 votes and Chiaki Minami was last with 877 votes.

Match Day 1 of the 2013 International Saimoe League Ruby Necklace Period is scheduled for June 9, 2013. Vote for your favorite candidates at InternationalSaimoe.com and join the ongoing debate. Keep it right here on the Bedlam on Baltic Avenue for continuing coverage of the 2013 International Saimoe League.



TOP 16, Nova Division
1. Mashiro Shiina
2. Kuroyukihime
3. Rikka Takanashi
4. Kobato Hasegawa
5. Asuna Yuuki
6. Sena Kashiwazaki
7. Shinka Nibutani
8. Inori Yururiha
9. Nanami Aoyama
10. Eru Chitanda
11. Nyarlathotep
12. Yui
13. Kurisu Makise
14. Touka Takanashi
15. Yozora Mikazuki
16. Erio Touwa

TOP 16, Stella Division
1. Ruri Gokou (AM)
2. Kanade Tachibana (C) (AQ)
3. Eucliwood Hellscythe
4. Taiga Aisaka
5. Mikoto Misaka
6. Mio Akiyama
7. Azusa Nakano
8. Kirino Kousaka
9. Shana
10. Yuri Nakamura
11. Yui-nyan
12. Ayase Aragaki
13. Yuki Nagato
14. Yui Hirasawa
15. Saber
16. Haruhi Suzumiya

Nickname Of UH Men's Teams To Be Rainbow Warriors


Nickname Of UH Men's Teams To Be Rainbow Warriors

HONOLULU - The University of Hawai`i Athletics Department has announced that the nickname of its men's teams will be Rainbow Warriors, rather than Warriors, as was previously announced in February.

Beginning July 1, Rainbow Warriors will be the official nickname of the men's programs, while the women's teams will be Rainbow Wahine.

“The decision on February 13 to change the nickname of the men's teams to Warriors has generated a lot of discussion and we have received both positive and negative feedback,” Ben Jay, UH athletics director, said. “We listened to the public discussion and we went back to the original two questions we asked ourselves - who are we and what is representative of the islands?"

In 2000, UH changed the nickname of the football, men's volleyball, golf, and tennis teams to Warriors, while the men's basketball and swimming & diving teams remained Rainbow Warriors and the baseball team remained Rainbows.

“We initially decided to adopt Warriors as the nickname of our men's teams, since it was used by the majority of our men's programs, including the one with the largest fan following (football),” Jay said.  "This is a very subjective and emotional issue and the only clear consensus on this topic over the last 13 years has been that a decision needed to be made to unify our men's teams under one nickname. That goal will still be accomplished as we retain the Rainbow and Warriors names, both of which are near and dear to the hearts of our fans, whom we represent.”

BoBA 2013 ISML Predictions: Amethyst Match Day 8

ARENA 01: [Gokō Ruri (Kuroneko)] Shiina Mashiro Eucliwood Hellscythe Kuroyukihime Misaka Mikoto Takanashi Rikka Shana
By >=1000
Over/Under: 9500
Over

ARENA 02: Shimada Minami Teletha Testarossa Furude Hanyū Kawasumi Mai [Saigusa Haruka] Okita Sawa Matō Sakura
By >=1000
Over/Under: 9400
Over

ARENA 03: Akaza Akari Suigintō Kōzuki Kallen Minami Chiaki Nishizono Mio Sakai Wakana [Oda Nobuna]
By <=1000
Over/Under: 9500
Over

ARENA 04: Fujibayashi Kyō Araragi Tsukihi Kirishima Shōko Holo Kurasaki Fūko (Sky Raker) Izumi Konata [Kanzaki H. Aria]
By >=1000
Over/Under: 9500
Over

ARENA 05: [Maō Sadao] Armin Arlert
By <=1000
Over/Under: 9500
Under

ARENA 06: Tokisaki Kurumi [Azuki Azusa]
By <=1000
Over/Under: 9300
Over

Remembering the liberation of Libya...


HOW OBAMA, HILLARY WRECKED LIBYA
Islamic law, terrorist training camps, al-Qaida headquarters
Published: 7 hours ago
by AARON KLEIN

TEL AVIV – A Library of Congress report that received almost no media attention detailed – one month before the deadly Sept. 11 attack in Benghazi – how al-Qaida established a major base of operations in Libya in the aftermath of the U.S.-NATO campaign that deposed Muammar Gadhafi and his secular regime.

The report documented al-Qaida and affiliated organizations were establishing terrorist training camps and pushing Taliban-style Islamic law in Libya while the new, Western-backed Libyan government incorporated jihadists into its militias.

The document named Benghazi as a new central headquarters for al-Qaida activities.

“Al-Qaeda adherents in Libya used the 2011 Revolution to establish well-armed, well-trained, and combat-experienced militias,” stated the report.

The report also said a terrorist released from the U.S. Guantanamo Bay detention camp in Cuba became the leader of the al-Qaida-affiliate Ansar Al-Sharia in Libya, which espoused anti-Western ideology.

The Martyrs of 17 February Brigade, which was hired by the State Department to protect the U.S. facility in Benghazi, operates under the Ansar-Al-Sharia banner.

The document said scores of Islamic extremists were freed from Libyan prison after the U.S.-supported revolution in Libya.

The August 2012 document was prepared by the Federal Research Division of the Library of Congress under an inter-agency agreement with the Combating Terrorism Technical Support Office’s Irregular Warfare Support Program. It may shed new light on the terrorism threat in Libya leading up to the assaults on the U.S. facility and CIA annex in Benghazi.

Despite the growing al-Qaida activity, the U.S. facilities in Benghazi remained poorly protected.

While al-Qaida and other extremist groups were establishing their new headquarters in Libya, the Obama administration reportedly was eager to declare the U.S.-NATO campaign there a victory.

According to testimony by the No. 2 U.S. official in Tripoli, who served under murdered Ambassador Christopher Stevens, then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton wanted the Benghazi facility turned into a permanent post ahead of her scheduled December 2012 visit to the country. A looming funding deadline may have been the reason that Stevens went to the compound the day of the attacks, the whistleblower charged.

Terrorist training camps

The report shows how various al-Qaida groups, including Al-Qaida Senior Leadership (AQSL) and Al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), have sought to take advantage of the downfall of Gadhafi to “create a safe haven and possibly to extend their area of operations to Libya.”

AQSL in Pakistan issued strategic guidance to followers in Libya and elsewhere to take advantage of the Libyan rebellion. Specifically, instructions were given to gather weapons, establish training camps, establish an Islamic state, and institute Shariah, the document relates.

At the time of the report’s release, al-Qaida’s clandestine network in Libya was “in an expansion phase, running training camps and media campaigns on social-media platforms.”

The Libyan revolution “may have created an environment conducive to jihad and empowered the large and active community of Libyan jihadists, which is known to be well connected to international jihad,” the document stated.

The Library of Congress report said Ansar al-Sharia, led by Sufian Ben Qhumu, a former Guantanamo detainee, has increasingly embodied al-Qaida’s presence in Libya.

Qhumu, formerly a driver for Osama bin Laden, was released by the U.S. in 2007 and was transferred to a Libyan prison where he remained until being freed in a 2010 amnesty deal.

Shariah confab

The report noted AQSL’s strategic goals remain “restoration of the caliphate, instituting sharia, and ending the Western presence in Muslim lands.”

“Al-Qaeda’s primary goal in Libya is to establish an Islamic emirate as part of its overall objective to reestablish the caliphate,” the report said.

“The al-Qaeda clandestine network in Libya is most likely espousing a Taliban-like religious orientation that calls for strict adherence to the practice and principles of Islam as interpreted by radical clerics.”

From June 7 to 8, 2012, there was a gathering of groups supporting Shariah openly held at Liberation Square in Benghazi. The event was hosted by Ansar al-Sharia and reportedly attended by at least 15 militias, including al-Qaida-affiliated organizations.

Libyan government and al-Qaida

The report noted the July 2012 elections in Libya “failed to generate a strong and unified national leadership that could address the chronic insecurity posed by the multiplicity of local militias, which al-Qaeda’s clandestine network has probably infiltrated.”

Further, the Western-backed National Transitional Council in Libya “never fully controlled the rebel movement.”

Following the 2012 elections, the Libyan army and police have reconstituted their ranks “by incorporating whole militias regardless of the militants’ background.”

Hillary eager to declare victory

While al-Qaida and other Islamic groups gained major ground in Libya following U.S. intervention there, Clinton worked plans for a symbolic victory in Benghazi, according to congressional testimony by Gregory Hicks, the former State Department deputy chief of mission and chargé d’affairs who was in Libya at the time of the attack.Under questioning from Rep. James Lankford, R-Okla., Hicks explained: “According to [Ambassador] Chris [Stevens], Secretary Clinton wanted Benghazi converted into a permanent constituent post. Timing for this decision was important. Chris needed to report before Sept. 30, the end of the fiscal year, on the physical and the political and security environment in Benghazi to support an action memo to convert Benghazi from a temporary facility to a permanent facility.”
Hicks revealed the directive came from the State Department Office of Near Eastern Affairs, headed by Acting Assistant Secretary Beth Jones. Money was available to be transferred to Benghazi from a State Department fund set aside for Iraq available, provided the funds transfer had been done by Sept. 30.

He further testified that in May 2012, during a meeting Clinton, Stevens promised he would give priority to making sure the U.S. facility at Benghazi was transformed into a permanent constituent post.

Hicks also explained Stevens wanted to make a symbolic gesture to the people of Benghazi that the United States “stood behind their dream of establishing a new democracy.”

Additionally, he wanted to have the Benghazi complex upgraded to a permanent constituent post, so Clinton could make the announcement in her planned visit to Libya before the end of 2012.

Toward the end of the hearing, the chairman, Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., asked Hicks to summarize his testimony on why Stevens went to Benghazi.

“At least one of the reasons Ambassador Stevens was in Benghazi was to further the secretary’s wish that that post become a permanent constituent post and that he was also there because we understood the secretary intended to visit Tripoli later in the year,” Hicks reiterated. “We hoped that she would be able to announce to the Libyan people the establishment of a permanent constituent post in Benghazi at that time.”

Clinton and the U.S. diplomatic staff in Libya reportedly were aware of the terrorist camps in Benghazi. Fox News reported last year the U.S. mission in Benghazi convened an “emergency meeting” in August 2012 to discuss the training camps.

The news network obtained a government cable addressed to Clinton’s office stating the U.S. diplomats in Libya were briefed “on the location of approximately ten Islamist militias and AQ training camps within Benghazi … these groups ran the spectrum from Islamist militias, such as the QRF Brigade and Ansar al-Sharia, to ‘Takfirist thugs.’”

With additional research by Joshua Klein.

© Copyright 1997-2013. All Rights Reserved. WND.com.

ISML 2013: Amethyst Necklace Match is set

ISML 2013: Amethyst Necklace Match is set

By JR Salazar
May 27, 2013

It is official: Ruri Gokou will get a chance to defende her International Saimoe League Amethyst Necklace and comes into the match as an odds-on favorite by the Bedlam on Baltic Avenue to do the job at the conclusion of 2013 ISML Amethyst Match Day 7. Challenging her will be Mashiro Shiina, Eucliwood Hellscythe, Kuroyukihime, Mikoto Misaka, Rikka Takanashi and Shana.

Let's take a look at the roundup for Amethyst Match Day 7 here on BoBA.

NOVA DIVISION

In the Nova Division, Yozora Mikazuki rolled past Keiko Ayano 4333-3423, Shinka Nibutani drubbed Suguha Kirigaya 44354-3423, Ririchiyo Shirakiin upset Kurisu Makiuse 3757-3673, Sena Kashiwazaki trampled over Noumi Kudryavka 4725-3069, Aria Holmes Kanzaki gunned down Subaru Konoe 4287-2869 and Kuroyukihime flew past Kobato Hasegawa 4674-3450.

Karuta Roromiya defeated Fuuko Kurasaki 3765-3461, Inori Yuzuriha took out Touka Takanashi 4194-3558, Mashiro Shiina cruised past Asuna Yuuki 4485-3401, Rikka Takanashi stormed past Yui 5199-2853, Shouko Kirishima defeated Homura Akemi 3940-3588 and Nanami Aoyama upset Eru Chitanda 3941-3875.

Wrapping up action in the Nova, Erio Touwa routed Karen Araragi 4111-3133, Rea Sanka defeated Meiko Honma 4094-3555, Yui Kotegawa prevailed over Tsukihi Araragi 3889-3404, Shinobu Oshino defeated Mei Misaki 3950-3452, Rin Natsumi whipped past Momo Beila Deviluke 4044-3377 and Nyarlathotep whacked Mikan Yuuki 4188-3273.

STELLA DIVISION

In the Stella Division, Yuri Nakamura gunned down Yui Hirasawa 4165-3906, Shana prevailed over Saber 4083-3791, Hitagi Senjougahara defeated Charlotte Dunois 3857-3449, Mio Akiyama boomed past Nadeko Sengoku 4728-3034, C.C. edged Ui Hirasawa in the closest race of the night 3798-3768 and Ruri Gokou ran past Azusa Nakano 5143-3063.

Holo defeated Nagisa Furukawa 38638-3626, Kirino Kousaka tore apart Konjiki no Yami 4332-3437, defending champion Kanade Tachibana sliced and diced Taiga Aisaka 5065-3294, Eucliwood Hellscythe silenced Yui-nyan 4642-3248, Illyasviel von Einzbern routed Konata Izumi 4166-3194 and Mikoto Misaka electrocuted Haruhi Suzumiya 4790-3241.

Wrapping up action in the Stella, Tomoyo Sakagami punished Victorique de Blois 3868-3512, Last Order blew past Nymph 4473-3176, Ayase Aragaki annihilated Kyou Fujibayashi 4764-3041, Rin Tosaka defeated Mato Kuroi 3905-3596, Yuki Nagato dominated Louise Francoise Le Blanc De La Valliere 4216-3549 and Hinagiku Katsura overpowered Masami Iwasawa 4257-3328.

Balsa Yonsa and Chizuru Aikawa teamed up to defeat Alvis E. Hamilton and Setsuko in the special exhibition 2996-2081.

Match Day 8 of the 2013 International Saimoe League Amethyst Necklace Period is scheduled for Thursday, May 30, 2013. Vote for your favorite candidates at InternationalSaimoe.com and join the ongoing debate.

Bedlam on Baltic Avenue
2013 ISML Amethyst Necklace Odds
As of 8:19 p.m. PT
May 27, 2013

Ruri Gokou EVEN
Mashiro Shiina 4-1
Eucliwood Hellscythe 7-1
Kuroyukihime 10-1
Mikoto Misaka 15-1
Rikka Takanashi 25-1
Shana 40-1

Some Shots From Football In Spring

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