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Narita Airport is located in Narita City in Chibu prefecture, Japan. It is the main international airport serving Tokyo. The airport receives approximately 82,000 visitors each day, many of whom visit Narita or travel through there on their way to or from Tokyo.
Stop over at Narita airport
Have you heard of the 2010 Snowmageddon? That's what they named the surreal blizzard that hit Washington DC the day before our departure and forced most airports in the entire Northeast to completely ...
Posted in DnA's adventures in Thailand by Rattrays | <urn:uuid:a8437821-9623-4ff8-aba4-b2049e251579> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.travellerspoint.com/hostels-ja-ci-9189.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368701852492/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516105732-00014-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.966782 | 115 | 1.710938 | 2 |
The Blue Bunny’s
Guide to Aspiring Children’s Book Authors and Illustrators
Questions, Answers and Tips for Creativity from Peter H. Reynolds
How do I get started in children’s publishing?
The world of children’s publishing is vibrant and exciting, and understandably appealing to many wonderful creative people. For some, it is the dream of a lifetime to break through the barriers and have their stories or illustrations published. The frustrations in the pursuit, however, can be overwhelming to some. How to begin? What to write? How to find a publisher? How to submit something?
Can Peter Reynolds help me get published?
Peter H. Reynolds has reached success in the children’s book industry after many years of the same questions and frustrations. Unfortunately, he is not a children’s book publisher, so he cannot help colleagues and friends get work accepted for publication. You can visit his personal and professional websites, however, for inspiration and advice on creativity. Peter’s personal website is www.peterhreynolds.com, and his two professional websites are www.fablevision.com and www.dedhambluebunny.com.
How does the children’s book publishing industry work?
Manuscripts and artwork are submitted directly to a publisher or an agent (who will then submit them to a publisher) for consideration. If a manuscript is chosen for publication as a children’s book, the illustrator is generally the choice of the publisher. Illustration is not usually submitted with a manuscript for consideration.
How can I work with Peter on a project or get his advice?
Due to Peter’s high visibility at his children’s bookstore, The Blue Bunny, and at his children’s media firm, FableVision, he gets many more requests for advice and collaboration than he can handle. Thus, although he really does support and applaud the efforts of every potential author and illustrator out there, he cannot agree to advise or work with you on a project. For several years now, he has been working exclusively with his agent, Pippin Properties, to carefully choose his projects, in order to complete some of his personal publishing goals within the boundaries of a very busy personal and professional life.
Where can I go for help?
There are some good websites you can browse with lots of information about getting started in children’s publishing. Check out The Purple Crayon at www.underdown.org and The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators at www.scbwi.org. If you would like to submit an idea directly to Peter’s agent, you can visit www.pippinproperties.com for contact information.
In the meantime, Peter would like to share with you some of his suggestions and ideas for getting started in publishing, and exploring your creative potential! Click here to read more!
You can find more of Peter's suggestions at the FableVision Publishing School. | <urn:uuid:83735477-5243-4887-8d48-e249ff56250b> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.bluebunnybooks.com/publishing.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704713110/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516114513-00000-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.966328 | 622 | 1.625 | 2 |
Spirituality Allows Us To Have The Courage
To Trust What Is Deepest Within Us
June 7, 2006
One evening a man was out walking, but he had become so absorbed is his own thoughts
that, without realizing, had wandered way off course and was now completely lost.
It was getting late and cold and would soon be dark. An hour or so passed and it was
now pitch-black. He began to feel afraid and his steps became quicker and unsteady.
Suddenly, something underneath him gave way and he fell. He tumbled down and down and
just as he way about to fall over a ledge, he managed to grab onto a branch. But, he
was now just hanging there; no way to climb back up and nothing but darkness below him.
"Help! Somebody!! Please... Help me!" he cried out. But no one came; it was a desolate place.
He was terrified. His hands were freezing cold and he was losing his grip on the branch.
There was no one to help!!
In sheer desperation this man, who was an atheist, call out to God, "Please... please... if you're
there... God... please help me, save me and I will believe in you always!!"
Suddenly, and to his amazement, a voice echoed all around him, "Trust Me... Let Go... I've Got You... Trust In Me."
The man looked around him and below him and thought for a moment, then he mumbled to himself,
"Let go? Trust? You must think I'm mad?? No way!"
This story doesn't always end like this but I think that many people find themselves
in this man's situation. Maybe not necessarily hanging from a branch in the middle of no
where, but never the less in a desperate situation where all their deepest instincts are
telling them just to let go, to surrender themselves to a higher, deeper power or energy
of some kind, to drop... into the unknown, with just trust. But they are so full of doubt
and fear that they just cling on instead.
The alternate ending to this story is that the desperate man, sensing he has little choice,
decides to let go. He falls into the void below, but moments later he finds himself on solid
ground. It had been so dark that he could never have known that the ground was no more than about
20ft below. He was safe and unharmed. What's more, it turns out that the ground he has landed on
is a pathway; the pathway he had been searching for all along - the route home!
To me, this whole story is a lovely metaphor for having the courage to trust what is deepest within
us, no matter what, to have the nerve to surrender to ourselves.
We will get a beautiful surprise. The dark void is actually the source of all life. The 'ground' below
is actually the "Ground of Being", which is another way of saying God, which is another way of saying our
truest, realest Nature. This is most definitely the way home!
--- Written in 2006 by Simon Heighwaya
Have something you would like to share?
An insight that has helped you?
We invite you to submit a story/article/poem. | <urn:uuid:d27ab3d6-e8cb-402e-b47f-f57acde04dc4> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://motivateus.com/stories/spirituality.htm | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368709037764/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516125717-00004-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.981553 | 689 | 1.804688 | 2 |
Ole Markus has a new post today looking at how you can catch fatal errors in your PHP applications a bit more gracefully than the usual failure messages.
In dynamic languages like PHP [errors like E_ERROR and E_PARSE] happen all the time, for example when trying to call a method on a variable you assumed was an instance of a specific class, but which for some reason suddenly was not instantiated. Not only are they often not catched, but often it is also difficult to even know that they are occurring.
His solution comes in the form of a built-in PHP function, register_shutdown_function, that executes when the PHP process is shutting down - errors or not. It takes in a callback method that has access to an exception object. You can get lots of interesting information from this object and, as in his example, log it to a file for future investigation. | <urn:uuid:e94ec8a4-105a-4428-81df-512ec4c6c65b> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.phpdeveloper.org/tag/registershutdownfunction | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368697380733/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516094300-00005-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.970127 | 185 | 1.6875 | 2 |
BEIJING - Senior Chinese legislator Lu Yongxiang on Saturday called for constant efforts to govern the nation in accordance with the constitution.
Abiding by the constitution and governing the nation in compliance with the constitution are vital to the early materialization of the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, said Lu, vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislative body.
Efforts should be made to study the constitution and further uphold its authoritativeness, Lu said while speaking at a forum on the exercise of the constitution.
China enacted its first constitution in 1954, paving the basis for the country's endeavor to build a country ruled by law.
In 1982, the fifth session of the fifth NPC adopted the present constitution, which was amended four times in 1988, 1993, 1999 and 2004, respectively.
The amendments added the phrases "exercises the rule of law, building a socialist country governed according to law" and "respects and protects human rights" to the constitution.
Saturday's forum was held by the China Law Society to mark the 30th anniversary of the promulgation of the present constitution.
World News in Photo
Fight, a new solution to political issues?
North Korea’s future stars rise from here
Mad mud carnival in Turkey
Aircraft carriers in service around the world
North Korea’s 'iPad' revealed
Hug is a universal language of love | <urn:uuid:baecfe86-e467-4405-8033-bbeb678d3d67> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://english.people.com.cn/90785/7976216.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696382584/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092622-00012-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.930977 | 300 | 1.835938 | 2 |
His seven-year-old second grader has trouble focusing in school, sometimes acting up when he's finished with his work at White Pine Academy. That's why Daniel Whitman went looking for help to solve his son's behavior problem.
That's also when Julie and Gary Smith, a teacher and principal, husband and wife team at Leslie's White Pine Academy School suggested the student might have a vitamin deficiency. The Smiths offered to help the Whitman's get access to fish oil through a national health vitamin and supplement company supplier called Shaklee.
The Smiths are also distributors for the Shaklee Company. According to Shaklee representatives, the company offers financial bonuses to distributors and Shaklee members that are able to encourage other people to purchase their products.
While Smith says he was not trying to gain any profit from his students by suggesting vitamins to remedy behavior problems, he does admit that he is not qualified to diagnose behavior irregularities nor health remedies to solve behavior problems.
Smith says he and his wife were only thinking about the best interest of the child when the two offered to help the Whitman's son start taking supplements for his behavior issues.
Meanwhile, Whitman says he moved his son to another school. He says his son enjoyed his time at the White Pine Academy, but Whitman says the business of selling vitamins and supplements should not mix with his son's education. | <urn:uuid:ad1ae63c-873a-41d7-a899-330de8a67073> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.wilx.com/news/headlines/396316.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368702448584/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516110728-00007-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.987602 | 274 | 1.71875 | 2 |
Grid Failure? 4 Ways to Prepare for a Not-So-Smart Grid.
Time to Prepare Your Family for Power Grid Instability?
You DO Have Good Options…
In this week’s Ready-for-Anything Report, I want to reveal four methods to generate your own power at home, and one quick and easy hedge to keep the lights on when your utility’s “smart” systems fail.
I’ve been warning my readers for months, even years, that America’s power grid is over-burdened, out-of-date and totally unreliable. Then BAM – with tens of millions of Americans glued to their widescreens, half of the New Orleans Superdome went dark, pulling the plug on the game of the year (at least for 34 minutes).
While politicians, the local utility, and green energy proponents scratch their heads and point fingers at what caused the Super Bowl’s embarrassing blackout, you and I are still stuck with an antiquated power grid.
They’re still trying to figure out what caused the power outage. The public statements say that everything is okay because the systems at the Superdome “worked as designed.” That’s a very nice spin.
The growing problem on the horizon is this incident is leading many “experts” to call for a nationwide smart power grid. That means greater and greater reliance on a centralized and green electrical power grid
How to Secede From Your Local Utility, if You Want…
You can customize your home power generation system to fit your needs and budget. Most of the technologies mentioned below qualify for a 30% federal tax credit as well as many state and local utility incentives to cut down on your costs and keep more of your taxes in your own pocket.
If you build a big enough system, combine the technologies, and design it right, you could produce all the power you need night and day and completely cut yourself off from the local utility.
However, unless you have a property that’s far from local utility connections and generating your own power is a necessity, most choose to generate power at home to cut their costs and save money, while benefiting from a reliable backup system when the local utility’s automatic and “not so smart” systems goof up.
Option #1 – Home Fuel Cells
Out of the four options discussed here, use of a home fuel cell, also known as microgeneration, is the only one that is non-renewable. This is not the same kind of fuel cell concept that requires space age technology or rare elements like liquefied hydrogen to work.
No, this system is actually quite robust. It requires a fuel source (i.e. natural gas) to operate and produce energy. And it is efficient because within the same unit it will generate both power and heat.
A home fuel cell is relatively compact, quiet, and works a lot like a home furnace, except that it heats water, heats the home, and generates anywhere from 1 to 5 kilowatts of electricity, or more for a bigger system. As long as you have a reliable and uninterrupted fuel source, the fuel cell can produce energy 24-hours a day.
Fuel cells may also qualify for the 30% federal tax credit. According to the IRS you must install an “integrated system comprised of a fuel cell stack assembly and associated balance of plant components that converts a fuel into electricity using electrochemical means.”
To qualify for the credit, [the equipment] must have a nameplate capacity of at least one-half kilowatt of electricity using an electrochemical process and an electricity-only generation efficiency greater than 30%. The credit is limited to “30% of the cost, up to $500 per .5 kW of power capacity” and it is only available on a principal residence, not a second home.
Option #2 – Solar Power
The sun is a great source of renewable energy. Almost everyone has access to the sun and even people who live in seemingly “dark” latitudes, like Germany, generate a ton of watts from solar power. So you don’t have to live in a tropical or desert environment to take advantage of solar power.
You should keep a few things in mind. You’ll need room for the solar panels. They could be mounted on a rooftop or the ground. The panels should point in a southward direction to get the most sun exposure. And you want to make sure the light isn’t blocked by other things like a tall building, trees, or even nearby mountains, which would effectively shorten the day.
Installed solar electricity systems qualify for the 30% federal tax credit as well as many state and local utility incentives. And the red tape is minimal. Buy photovoltaics (solar panels) to generate electricity for your home and you can claim the credit.
Option #3 – Home Wind Turbine Power
We’ve been harnessing the wind’s power for centuries. However, turning it into electricity and delivering that power where it’s needed most in a cost-effective manner may prove to be the biggest challenge. After decades of government subsidies and special favors, the wind power industry still can’t stand on its own merits.
However, if you live an area with adequate wind and install the right-sized wind turbine, you could generate an abundant amount of power for your own needs. And even if the wind in your area is not constant, you can combine a wind turbine with any of the other technologies like solar power or a fuel cell and raise your level self-reliance.
Wind energy also qualifies for the 30% federal tax credit, and like solar power, it has little red tape to follow: Simply use a wind turbine to generate electricity for your home, and it qualifies.
Option #4 – Home or Micro Hydroelectric
Out of the four technologies mentioned here, this is the only one that does not qualify for the federal tax credit. But if you live in an area with high rain or snowfall, live near a flowing water source, or harvest your rain/snowmelt, this could greatly improve your energy independence.
The design of this system is simple. A pool of water at a high vertical level, piping that guides the water down using gravity, and shooting the water through nozzles at a pelton wheel turbine, which spins and generates electricity. Combining a home hydroelectric system with other power generating systems would further enhance your overall energy independence.
A Faster and Simpler Approach to Protecting Yourself from
Our Antiquated Power Grid…
The options discussed above are a good move if you want more independence from the aging utility infrastructure. Over time, these systems could even help you save a lot of money. However, these systems do require a meaningful budget and a level of commitment to purchase and install.
A quick and less expensive alternative that will do the important work of keeping the lights on when the utility has a major snafu is owning a portable emergency backup power supply that comes with multiple charging options for true flexibility and security.
I’ve been developing such a system for my own use and it is now in its final stages of testing and design. It will be ready to be unveiled very soon. To put yourself at the head of the list for this announcement, simply respond to this email and type the code-word “Dorothy” in the subject line.
You are going to want to see my “Dorothy” briefing when it’s released in a few weeks. Watch for it!
Yours for Self-Reliant Living,
P.S. Developing back-up plans for your own household on all fronts (food, power, water, personal security) is especially vital as our country’s economy and core infrastructure deteriorate. But lots of people make BIG mistakes in the process – take food storage as an example. This underground video shows you everything you need to know. | <urn:uuid:63061c2a-75f3-47f4-8709-4f1fff0c9967> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.independentlivingnews.com/2013/02/24/grid-failure-4-ways-to-prepare-for-a-not-so-smart-grid/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696381249/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092621-00011-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.938913 | 1,668 | 1.820313 | 2 |
Snack on these food combos and enjoy a better slumber
By: Ashton Darnell
If you could snack on certain foods that would help you to enjoy a better nights sleep, would you? Of course you would! There are plenty different food combos out there that can help you to fall to sleep, and assist in an uninterrupted slumber.
Here are some of our favorites:
Indulge in Carbs
Although we are generally told to avoid the tempting carb-heavy foods, they can actually help with the sleep process. Carbohydrates can help to induce the level of tryptophan in the blood stream which can help to induce sleep. Couple your late night carbs with a little dairy like yogurt or milk for an increased effect.
Not only does dairy sound delicious late at night, but dairy also contains the sleep-inducing tryptophan. Tryptophan is that magic little substance that has coined the idea of a warm glass of milk helping us fall asleep at night. You can also find tryptophan in items such as nuts, bananas and eggs.
Sure, you know to avoid having a late night cup of coffee if your goal is to get some sleep, but do you know where else caffeine may be lurking? Many medications contain caffeine in them, so make sure to check the label prior to taking medications pre-bedtime. Caffeine can also be found in items like chocolate, tea and soda. The recommended time to cut out the caffeine before bed it about four to six hours pre-sleep.
In addition to the above mentioned foods to enjoy and avoid, there are a few extra tips that we’d like for you to take away. The best nights sleep is an uninterrupted nights sleep. Cut out fluids by at least 8pm to avoid getting up for the bathroom in the middle of the night. And, try to avoid things like high-fat foods and alcohol in the evening as these can increase your chances for an interrupted nights sleep. | <urn:uuid:3c54497c-291f-47b0-897d-ad7deb545c7b> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://endlessbeauty.com/featured/foods-that-help-you-sleep/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368706890813/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516122130-00016-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.959926 | 407 | 1.828125 | 2 |
VisionSpring Is Intent On Building Markets in the Emerging World
By Marge Axelrad: Editorial Director
NEW YORK – Improving the eyesight and vision care of millions of people in the developing world without means or access to quality product or services is a monumental task.
|VisionSpring’s approach is to maintain a consistent source of affordable products for people in markets living on 50 cents to $8
But one organization, VisionSpring, has been taking a singular approach to the challenge of improving the health, productivity and economic welfare of those millions. Its model deploys proven business practices, skill sets, products and training to provide distribution of eyeglasses and eyecare to the people who need it. The rapidly growing organization is also creating new forms of low-cost distribution and opportunity for those people to build that business up in their local towns and in their countries into what its senior executives describe as “a sustainable infrastructure.”
The approach is also known as “social entrepreneurship”—one discussed by VisionSpring founder and CEO Jordan Kassalow, OD in many forums, ranging from Good Morning America to The Clinton Global Initiative and the Duke University Center for the Advancement of Social Entrepreneurship when the group was honored for its work.
VisionSpring’s professional executive and field teams emphasize that they are applying proven business management principles, projections and metrics to take what’s been accomplished so far and create a scalable business going forward. The strategy is to literally help build ongoing businesses from El Salvador to India, Bangladesh and other locales at “the bottom of the pyramid.”
This means not only monitoring and improving which techniques work best to get glasses and eyecare to people who desperately need it to improve their lives and productivity, but to developing measurable ways to quantify the dollars-and-cents “social impact” productivity for every interaction/pair delivered.
From its origins in 2007, when VisionSpring initially provided reading glasses to undeveloped markets (it has subsequently focused its activities on Rx eyewear), its growth has been consistent. And the group is eyeing a major milestone on its growth path: in the first quarter of 2012, VisionSpring expects to reach one million pairs of glasses sold in the developing world.
Reade Fahs, chairman of VisionSpring’s board (and president/CEO of National Vision), noted, “The 600 million people in the developing world present a different kind of untapped market for vision. We take a very market-based approach to serving these individuals and we are building markets via social enterprise, we are market creators.”
Kevin Hassey, who brings over 20 years of retail and vision care experience to the table as a former senior executive at LensCrafters, LCA Vision and EyeMed, joined VisionSpring as president this past year to oversee global operations and lead the implementation of VisionSpring’s growth strategy across Asia, Africa, and Latin America. He added, “We are thinking through the complexities of doing an eye exam and making people a pair of Rx glasses. We are creating metrics that will help us develop a range of approaches that can be maintained in many types of markets.”
Via partnerships in distribution that include local aid groups and new vision vans, VisionSpring’s work has evolved to include vans, or moving ‘mini stores” which help reach people in remote villages. In El Salvador, VisionSpring grew from 7,000 pairs in 2010 to distributing 25,000 pairs this year, and will have a total of five locations by this month. In India, VisionSpring has grown from moving 12,000 pairs in 2010 to 80,000 pairs in 2011.
|Vision Spring’s executive team
(l to r) I2C Venture’s David Chute,
VisionSpring board member; Kevin Hassey, VisionSpring president; Jordan Kassalow, OD, VisionSpring founder and CEO; and National Vision’s Reade Fahs, chairman of VisionSpring.
It operates, as of this month, 20 vans selling both prescription glasses and readers. Via its partnership with BRAC in Bangladesh, VisionSpring is up to sales of 175,000 pairs in 2011 and is eyeing new sell-through targets of 15,000 pairs a month.
Further, its wholesale global partnerships have increased as well. VisionSpring purchases its own product to distribute but also is looking to partner with others from within the vision/eyewear industry to support their particular approach.
The group established its first Eye Care Leadership Council (ECLC) two years ago. Composed of a growing roster of members from among eyewear related companies who elect to participate at different levels, the group looks at the optical industry’s impact on improving vision care in the developing world. Current members of the ECLC include: CIBA Vision, Classic Optical Labs, ClearVision Optical, Essilor, Harlem Globetrotters/America’s Best, Luxottica, National Vision, Premier Vision, REM Eyewear, Transitions Optical, The Vision Council, Zeiss Vision and Zyloware.
As VisionSpring begins to put together its 2012 ECLC roster, there are several ways suppliers can participate. The group is building on strategic co-marketing opportunities—citing examples of promotions this year with Ray-Ban, Marc Jacobs, and Warby Parker, where a special products and/or a portion of sales are benefitting VisionSpring’s work. VisionSpring also wants eyewear related companies to visibly co-brand their affiliations as well as help its purchasing power.
Fahs told VM, “We are deploying business practices and models with the skill sets to broaden the market to those 600 million who don’t have access. We want to pool as many resources as we can to develop a capabability to scale up such a business.” Added Hassey, “We have dreams that with enough revenue to cover costs, we can zoom out and create real impact.” | <urn:uuid:d8389a40-7875-4c3f-b76c-d3c60d16ce9c> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://visionmonday.com/Default.aspx?TabId=211&content_id=31030&catId=469&SkinSrc=[L]Skins/VM2007/PagePrint&ContainerSrc=[L]Containers/VM2007/SimpleContainer&dnnprintmode=true | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368705953421/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516120553-00004-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.946966 | 1,244 | 1.75 | 2 |
The FUTURE of all photographic uses is digital. No one doubts that print will be the antiquated backwater in just a few years. Learn from the mistakes of the publishing industry which gave away its content for free and then watched their print income evaporate, almost overnight. Learn from the publishing industry that ad/usage rates in the online arena had to be a sustainable figure on its' own, and not a parlor trick on a balance sheet.
Your images - your intellectual property - must be valued in both print and digital/online realms at a sustainable level. Just as photographers survived the shift from film to digital by establishing pricing models that were sustainable, and shunned the notion that clients attempted to foist upon us by saying "it's digital, so it's cheaper, just give me a jpeg." Now is the beginning of the time where the shift to digital will become even more pronounced, with the Wall Street Journal and New York Times beginning the shift to charging for online content, and the iPad setting the stage for the next evolution, just as the iPod/iTunes duo set the stage for the future of digital music.
Below is a great WIRED Magazine video on their iPad version:
No, go and read Paul Melchers piece - Share It - where he does an excellent job in advising you about avoiding a few of the pitfalls that are just down the road.
Please post your comments by clicking the link below. If you've got questions, please pose them in our Photo Business Forum Flickr Group Discussion Threads. | <urn:uuid:07db3d97-537c-4412-ba6a-8cfbc460c064> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://photobusinessforum.blogspot.com/2010/02/digital-photo-rights-dont-just-give.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368703298047/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516112138-00014-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.949553 | 314 | 1.59375 | 2 |
Tanzania is no stranger to road, marine, train, air and other forms of traffic accidents that have ended in loss of life and limb as well as destruction of property.
The major talking point whenever disaster strikes often revolves around the magnitude of the loss and the severity of the damage – but also relates to why it so happens that we keep being a lot more reactive than proactive.
These are very valid observations. For it is indeed true that even confirmed black spots become crowd-pullers only when grisly accidents occur, to be forgotten about soon after.
For reasons that one could describe as obvious, it is quite possible that we don’t have as much experience dealing with air traffic accidents as we probably do with the other forms.
Strangely, we are usually all so helpless even with respect to cases whose frequency we are supposed to have immense ability to reduce and where we would find no credible explanation why we can’t minimise harm.
What lessons, for instance, have we – as individual citizens and as a nation – really learnt from the thousands of road accidents, scores of marine disasters and tens of train mishaps our country has witnessed in the ten to twenty years?
We might cite a handful, saying that’s why we now have more and better roads, commuter buses, etc., but is whatever distance we have covered all the length the resources at our disposal could make us go?
Our development partners, those merely wishing our country well and our critics are all keeping an eye on what we are doing with our natural, intellectual, technological and various other resources and inputs. We need to convince them that we are serious. But even more importantly, we need to convince ourselves that we mean business.
Murmurs, allegations, recommendations, revelations and events preceding the recent Cabinet reshuffle led many into believing some people in positions of leadership and authority have been so blinded by selfish interests that they no longer have the interests of the nation at heart. It’s as well that they have been offloaded, of course amid appeals that merely sidelining them is not severe enough punishment.
That may be history, but it should serve to remind all those holding public office that public interests always ought to take precedence over all other considerations.
Back to our approaches to the issue of traffic accidents, for illustration: an official with the Surface and Marine Transport Regulatory Authority (Sumatra) is on record as having said the agency has floated a tender notice in respect of the drawing up of standards for use in building marine vessels.
According to the official, the aim is to tame the tide of accidents involving marine vessels and therefore enhance the safety of passengers and property.
We ask: planning to draw up guidelines this late? Why not ten years ago, or upon Sumatra’s birth, or earlier? One wonders whether what was said merely meant to brighten up the skies as Tanzanians marked the 16th anniversary of the tragic sinking of MV Bukoba in Lake Victoria – with the horrendous loss of over 900 people.
Surely, we need to be more serious and focused. | <urn:uuid:226c19a4-a5f7-4ee6-a285-41180cc6e5e3> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.ippmedia.com/frontend/index.php/hl=23tion=com_content.com/wme2snhtmlabercrombieforyou.com/?l=41858 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368699273641/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516101433-00001-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.966157 | 634 | 1.796875 | 2 |
IN MANY PAST ARTICLES, I’ve focused on the fundamental mechanics of playing solid pool. Much of the information I have given has been in the shape of principles as they relate to alignment, aiming, stroke, and mental effectiveness.
Hopefully, some of the ideas, tips, and “secrets” I have given you have provided benefit to your game.
The fact that we are all a little different in form and ability, and the fact that there are players who have success with many different styles proves that there is no ONE way of playing pool right. However, tried and true fundamentals hold up over time and under pressure, and one can often find benefit in working to make his own technique simpler, more effective, and to the point.
Usually, the proof is in the pudding. The litmus test of your game is in your results; the ability that you can consistently display and in the high points you can reach. Your low points or slumps are useful in showing you what could use improvement in your game.
So in this article, I will not teach you a new tip or secret; rather I will give you a list of questions for you to ask yourself that could help you assess the current state of your game, and help push you in the right direction to make intelligent improvements.
I’m sure you have heard that it can often be the questions we ask ourselves that help take us to the next level in anything we do. So I’ve created a list of questions for you that relate to different aspects of your pool game. If you cannot answer these questions off the top of your mind, just go to the table and find out the answers.
Maybe you will find that you are a pool virtuoso, or what you might need to improve on your path to becoming one. Challenge one of your pool room friends with these questions if you want. You can also add to this list of questions to further increase your awareness of yourself, and your relation to the many aspects of this game we call pool.
1. Can you find the contact point?
2. Can you find the aiming (stroking) line?
3. Can you set up your stance and stroke on the aiming line?
4. Can you adjust you aim accurately for throw and deflection?
1. Can you judge the correct amount of spin to get the cue ball going in the direction you want off of object balls, rails, or the flat bed of the table such as a curve shot?
2. Can you deliver the cue tip to the chosen spot on the cue ball?
3. Can you apply the spin effectively with your stroke?
Are you choosing a destination for the cue ball before you set your stance?
2. Can you judge your needed speed?
3. Can you execute the speed you have chosen?
Can you adjust to new equipment and changing playing conditions?
1. Can you deliver your cue (stroke) on the aiming line?
2. Can you hit the cue ball with no side spin?
3. Do you follow through?
4. Are you smooth?
1. Do your mechanics get the job done?
Does your body interfere with your stroke on your follow-through?
Are you in control of your body, or do you jump up during your stroke?
4. Are your bridges solid?
1. Do you plan your whole run out in advance?
2. Do you precisely plan your cue ball and object ball paths?
Do you always think at least two balls ahead of your current shot?
Do you know many different ways to achieve position from a singe shot?
1. Do you have positive self talk?
2. Do you play with confidence?
3. Do you always try 100% no matter what the score is?
Do you get down on yourself when you are playing bad, or just keep trying hard until you get your game back?
Do you put yourself in tough matches to expand your comfort zone?
Well, I hope you can find some of these questions useful on your path to self improvement in your pool game and also in life. Stay focused, enjoy the game, and keep making the next ball and playing position!
Copyright 2005 Max Eberle. All rights reserved. | <urn:uuid:0c9d0d62-a19c-4154-a8cf-37c243d47441> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://maxeberle.com/taking-inventory/336/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368708142388/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516124222-00007-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.949451 | 885 | 1.570313 | 2 |
It's not really clear whether you've got a BIOS-mode or an EFI-mode installation of Linux. There's evidence of both, so it's unclear whether the computer is actually booting in EFI mode or in BIOS mode when you boot Linux via GRUB. This is critically important because Windows will boot only in EFI mode from a GPT disk, which you have, and a BIOS version of GRUB cannot boot Windows in EFI mode. Thus, if you're currently booting Linux in BIOS mode, you'll need to change to boot in EFI mode before you do anything else.
To determine your Linux boot mode, look for a directory called /sys/firmware/efi. If it's present, you've booted in EFI mode, and your boot path currently passes through the EFI version of GRUB. If that directory is absent, chances are you've booted in BIOS mode. In that case, you should enter your firmware setup utility and change whatever options you need to change to get the system booting in EFI mode. Unfortunately, I can't be more precise about this because firmware user interfaces vary a lot on this score. Note that you'll probably have to disable Secure Boot (which should be a firmware option) to get this to work. Also, when you change boot modes, you may find that the computer will boot Windows without giving you an option to boot Linux or that it won't boot at all. If that happens, you should report back with details of what happened.
Assuming that you're currently booting Linux in EFI mode or that you can get the computer to do this, you have several choices about how to proceed. The two that are easiest are:
- Type "sudo update-grub". This should trigger GRUB's setup script to detect Windows and add it to the boot menu. Sometimes this doesn't work as expected, though. You could then add a Windows entry to /etc/grub.d/40_custom and try again. Unfortunately, there are a lot of recommended entries out there on the Internet, and what works for one installation does not work for another one, so I've given up on recommending specific entries. Feel free to look up some possible entries and experiment if you want to go this route, though.
- Download and install my rEFInd boot manager. Installing the Debian package in Mint is the easiest way to do this, and installing it from an EFI-booted Linux will do the right thing most of the time. Sometimes this isn't sufficient, though, usually because of a buggy firmware; when this is the case, rEFInd won't appear when you reboot and you'll need to take additional steps. Post back with details of what happened if this occurs to you.
Note that you need only do one
of these two things; however, if one doesn't work, you can try the other one instead. | <urn:uuid:cfbf3892-ac71-444a-bcd7-85ffc12e47b9> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://forums.linuxmint.com/viewtopic.php?f=46&t=126815&p=694466 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368706890813/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516122130-00009-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.939293 | 603 | 1.773438 | 2 |
10-29-2008, 02:11 PM
How do you place the playable zone, do you paint it on or what?
10-30-2008, 03:24 PM
When you click the playable zone tool, you should see a red square with nodes at each corner. By clicking and dragging the corners you can change the size of the rectangle. But if you want odd shapes, you must click somewhere in between the nodes to create another node and simply drag these to create the play area.
It's smart to test the boundary out after you place it to make sure the player isn't able to reach an area you don't want them to go before the timer runs out or that they don't reach the edge. A very realistic map wouldn't have the cliffs magically disappear into thin air or become nothing. So you may want this boundary to be a considerable distance from the edge unless you plan on surrounding the entire map with cliffs, in which case, you should just set the edges all the way to the outside, unless there may be an area where the player could potentially climb to the top of a cliff. | <urn:uuid:5d53e081-bbd6-48a7-b820-aff075bbab06> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://forums.ubi.com/archive/index.php/t-393176.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696383156/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092623-00006-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.947514 | 228 | 1.757813 | 2 |
Alex Yatskov has coded a piece of software that lets you create manga books for the kindle from scanlations (translations of manga into non-Japanese languages). Its quite a neat piece of software that lets you -
- Convert/Quantize images to grayscale to get a richer contrast.
- Downscale images to fit the Kindle’s screen better.
- Rotate the image to better suit the Kindle’s 800 by 600 aspect ratio.
- And other cool things.
I think this is a big step in expanding the functionality of the Kindle. And it’s the biggest step I’ve seen since Igor’s kindle hacks that gave us google maps, the browser, and other things like the picture viewer (which Mangle leverages).
There are a few reasons this piece of software, Mangle, is really interesting (even if, like me, you aren’t sure whether manga is even safe to talk about) -
- My first thought would be extending the software to be used for comics. Since my Kindle is still in Seattle I can’t test it yet. However, perhaps someone will and leave a comment.
- My second thought would be extending the Kindle to hold photo albums and as photo storage. Yes, I know it’s black and white – however it has a large screen, and works perfectly well for storing and looking through images. And Mangle does a good job of taking your images and converting them into Kindle friendly images – and stringing them together into ‘books’/photo-albums.
- Potential Commercial Implications – From Wikipedia‘s manga article, I found out that there is a $4.4 billion dollar manga market in Japan, and a $200 million dollar manga market in the US -
In Japan, manga are widely read by people of all ages, and include a broad range of subjects … Since the 1950s, manga have steadily become a major part of the Japanese publishing industry, representing a 481 billion yen market in Japan in 2006 (approximately $4.4 billion dollars). Manga have also become increasingly popular worldwide. In 2006, the United States manga market was $175–200 million. Manga are typically printed in black-and-white.
- The fact that most manga comes in Black and White is good – since we may not see color eReaders for another 3 years.
- The fact that even without access to Kindle as a platform people are already coding software to extend Kindle functionality.
So major props to Alex for coding Mangle – do give it a spin.
Edit: I’m not promoting piracy. Most manga companies are okay with scanlations since they are not going to release those manga outside of Japan anyways. | <urn:uuid:91b97df0-470b-4bbb-9cd2-91db50f48562> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://ireaderreview.com/2008/12/16/manga-on-the-kindle-mangle-software-by-alex-yatskov/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368709037764/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516125717-00011-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.944556 | 572 | 1.539063 | 2 |
When I first started trying to be healthy and low-carb, I was always hungry when I got home at night, and the question on my mind was always: “What should I eat for dinner?” It was a hard question to answer especially when my fridge was empty and my list of “should eat” foods didn’t correspond too well with the “want to eat” foods (i.e. I wanted to eat cake – who doesn’t??). These were pretty serious problems, especially when you’re a ravenous monster exhausted from an entire day of work! Keeping on any diet (whether low carb or otherwise) is practically impossible when you’re faced with hunger pangs, an empty fridge (or a fridge full of foods not on your diet), and a fixation on cake (I’m also up for brownies, cupcakes, ice-creams, if they’re good). It’s like asking for your diet to be broken! Well, it’s taken me months and cake still tempts me, but I’ve come to realize that there are three important practices that have made healthy eating a lot easier to stick with (at least when you’re at home!):
1. Throw Out the Bad Food It’s practically impossible to eat unhealthily in my apartment – there’s no sugar, no flour, no pasta, no potatoes, no rice or other grains, no fruit juice, and definitely no cake (I’ve searched!). There is therefore no temptation in front of me at home. Of course, my mind still tempts me, but luckily I’m generally way too lazy to make the effort to go out and buy bad food (although the 7 Eleven on my street corner does do some midnight business from me unfortunately)! But if you’re going to cheat and buy a pack of cookies, be sure to throw out the leftovers (if any) so that you’re not tempted to continue to eat them the next day!
2. Stock Up on Good Food If you just have an empty fridge, then no amount of willpower will stop a hungry and tired you from going out to buy a bunch of “bad” foods. Go to the store when you’re NOT hungry and stock up on “healthy” provisions. What can you buy? There are the staple items: coconut milk, protein powder, eggs, a variety of vegetables (no potatoes or carrots) and fruits. You can also stock up on nuts, dark chocolates and cheese as snacks to take to work. You’re probably thinking that my shopping list doesn’t sound like too great of a meal, but wait, there’s a third step still!
EXAMPLE: Food For a Week In case you’re still not a believer (and I sense a lot of disbelief here), here’s an example of what I would cook for an entire week for 2 people over the course of 3-4 hours on Sunday (while watching some tv crime drama on Netflix).
- Boil a dozen eggs, peel, let cool naturally and store in a container in the fridge. There are various ways you can eat boiled eggs e.g. chop up and put in a green salad, chop up and mix with some mayo and mustard and salt to make an egg salad, chop up and mix with soy sauce, sesame oil and a touch of hot sauce, or just eat it by itself (body-builders do it all the time!).
- Buy some washed spinach, grape tomatoes, canned tuna and canned or jarred olives. These are simple to store and you can make a salad in less than 5 minutes with these. As a dressing, try ranch or Caesar or simply olive oil, vinegar, and salt.
- Make some bunless burgers. I’m not a big fan of the beef taste, so I like to put some yellow onions, green onions, sometimes a leek, some garlic, ginger, a bit of garlic and onion powder, and some salt (or basically whatever you want – blue cheese also works well!). You can get grass-fed ground beef at Wholefoods, and it’s easy to just mix the spices and vegetables into the beef. You don’t have to cook it on a BBQ grill – I use a Foreman grill sometimes, other times I pan-sear it in some coconut oil or butter for a more grilled flavor, or I’ve even put the burgers into the oven and baked it (you can also put it under the broiler for a few minutes to kind of sear the outside after cooking it in the oven).
- Make a roast, or pulled pork or chicken in the slow cooker. Slow cooker cooking is the easiest form of cooking! All you have to do is put the meat into the slow cooker, add a bit of water or broth (and spices if you’re feeling up to it) and leave to cook for 8 or more hours on a low heat. The meat comes out tender, and then all you have to do is add some soy sauce, hot sauce, or zero calorie BBQ sauce and it’s a meal. You can cook a lot of meat in one go in the slow cooker, so it can easily last for several meals.
The options are really endless. There are so many recipes (e.g. eggplant lasagna, coconut pancakes, and flax muffins) that you could easily cook a large batch of in a few hours and eat for the week. I like to cook several different dishes so that I can have variety during the week, but how many you cook is up to you. | <urn:uuid:e1e5d8ac-af22-4a99-b10f-57bb6f37058f> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://locarbolicious.com/empty-fridge-empty-stomach/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368708142388/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516124222-00009-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.949749 | 1,193 | 1.570313 | 2 |
The University of Washington is committed to promoting respect for the rights and privileges of others, understanding and appreciation of human differences, and the constructive expression of ideas.
A message from the Chair:
The faculty, postdocs, and students of the Astronomy Department are committed to creating an academic environment that reflects the rich diversity of the Pacific Northwest and our nation as a whole. As the fraction of minorities and women in our total graduate student and faculty population has (slowly) increased over the years, the broadened spectrum of learning styles and research strategies has had a beneficial influence on almost every facet of our research, education, and outreach activities. This has certainly affected the ways in which faculty and students develop and interact. It has also enhanced our commitment to diversify our outreach efforts throughout the regional community, as outlined in our department's diversity report. The University has provided strong encouragement and support to this end.
Our department members are also active on diversity issues in the national astronomical community. Faculty, postdocs, grads and undergrads participate in the American Astronomical Society's Committees on the Status of Women and on the Status of Minorities in Astronomy, which are devoted to improving the status and representation of women and minorities at all levels in the field. We encourage and have achieved significant attendance at the National Society of Black Physicists (NSBP) and the Society for Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans (SACNAS) national meetings.
Faculty Recruitment and Retention
The Astronomy faculty ranks well above the national and U.W. averages for physical sciences in percentage of women faculty, with 33% of the tenured faculty being female. Recruitment and retention of these faculty members has been aided by the U.W. ADVANCE program, which has provided mentoring and leadership training opportunities, as well as short term funding to assist in leave situations involving childbirth and elder care. Recruitment of minority faculty has proven even more difficult than recruiting underrepresented graduate students, due to the very small number of applicants. In collaboration with the Office of Minority Affairs and through our participation in national and regional conferences, e.g. NSBP and SACNAS, we are working to improve our ability to attract minority faculty candidates. The small numbers of minority candidates for faculty positions has, however, made us realize that more work needs to be done on recruitment and retention in the earlier stages of the pipeline.
The Graduate Program
The goal of our graduate program is to train a diverse set of students for a rewarding career in professional astronomy and related fields (such as teaching and computational methods). In addition to achievement, the admissions process is designed to recognize potential for success since applicants have diverse backgrounds, varied undergraduate programs, and many types of life experiences and opportunities before entering a graduate program. We aim for a healthy mix of incoming graduate students of all academic backgrounds (small and large schools), ethnicity, and genders.
Everyone learns and progresses in their own way. Hence our program offers a full range of observational and theoretical work that span all of modern astrophysics. We stress a very close-knit learning community of students, postdocs, and faculty in which learning has elements of individual and team experiences. All of our graduate students receive training as teachers and mentors as well as meaningful opportunities for public service. The University also promotes cross-disciplinary studies that build rich and rewarding careers. Our students are encouraged to take advantage of U.W.'s many opportunities in physics, biology, Earth sciences, oceanography, applied mathematics, education, and the arts and humanities. Many of our students participate in the Astrobiology program, earning Graduate Certificates and collaborating with faculty and students from other participating departments in astrobiology research.
Since 2005, 26 new students have entered the Astronomy graduate program; of these 14 are female, 3 come from minority backgrounds, and 2 are foreign students (statistics over the longer term are available below). Our admissions committee continues to work closely with The Graduate Opportunities & Minority Achievement Program (GO-MAP), The U.W.'s Women's Center (one of the first in the country), and the campus chapter of Women in Science and Engineering (WiSE) to improve our recruitment and retention strategies for underrepresented students. As a relatively small department, our admission numbers in a given year are not large, but we are committed to increasing the overall number of graduate women and minorities working toward Astronomy Ph.D.s here at the U.W.
The Undergraduate Major
In the U.W. Department of Astronomy, we aim to create an exciting science major as well as a welcoming and supportive environment for all of our undergraduates. To accomplish this, we focus on providing pre-majors and majors with a mixture of research exposure, mentoring, and skills development. Recognizing that one of the biggest leaks in the science pipeline is the transition from high school to college, we have used the President's Diversity Appraisal Implementation Fund and the National Science Foundation to fund the Pre-Major in Astronomy Program (Pre-MAP), which recruits motivated women and minorities interested in a science career and helps them adjust to college through astronomy skills seminars, mentoring, research experience, field trips and cohort-building activities in their freshman year at the U.W. Now in its fifth year, Pre-MAP has already demonstrated success in retaining students: 29 of the 41 students have declared Astronomy, another STEM major or are decalred Pre-STEM major. 16 participated in the Undergraduate Research Symposium in Spring 2009. Many Pre-MAP students continue to participate in research projects with faculty, postdocs, and graduate students in the department, and they have become an active part of our community. ( Pre-MAP)
In an effort to reach local students, our department offers free planetarium shows every Friday, which are typically booked weeks ahead of time by local high school and middle school classes. These shows, given by astronomy grads, undergrads and staff, are an opportunity to excite young people about science and turn them on to astronomy in particular. In a similar vein, the Department of Astronomy hosts an annual open house which attracts hundreds of local families to see countless workshops and participate in hands-on-activities. As the result of collaboration between the Departments of Astronomy and Biology, Project AstroBio creates partnership between grade 3-12 teachers and amateur and professional scientists. Scientists visit classrooms and give students a chance to experience real science. As part of our commitment to encouraging young people, especially those from underrepresented groups, to participate in science,various members of our department independently seek out ways to engage the next generation of scientists by volunteering with groups such as Making Connections, GEAR-UP, and Upward Bound.
Planning for the Future
Other departments in the University, such as the Department of Biology, have shown an interest in expanding the successful model of Pre-MAP to their departments. Working jointly with the Biology Department and the U.W.'s Center for Workforce Development (CWD), we have recently submitted several ambitious NSF proposals to create a new program called PrSM, the Pre-Science Major Program, that would incorporate Pre-MAP into an umbrella program covering multiple departments. Recruitment of students would be done jointly, and the incoming students would be able to select the department that most interests them. If funding for PrSM is approved, the program in biology would start in fall 2007. The PrSM program would be critically evaluated by the CWD and would expand (by employing demonstrated best practices) to other departments in future years.
The Pre-Major in Astronomy Program (Pre-MAP) began in Fall 2005. The goal of the program is to introduce first-year college students from traditionally underrepresented groups to astronomy research and provide mentoring as they begin their college careers.
An HTML version of department's recent diversity report is available here. It describes resources and programs available to the department in its efforts to increase the presence of minority, women, and other under-represented individuals in our field.
The diversity plan includes a fairly complete list of programs on the UW campus, but here some major resources:
In addition, the AAS includes two committees working on these issues:
Here is a look at how the Astronomy Department's graduate student population has evolved over the past few decades. Note that all the information is self-reported; statistics for foreign students were not kept before the mid-90s.
In addition, we have begun compiling statistics about our applicant pool. The following is based on self-reported information: | <urn:uuid:2f5999f0-ada8-4d19-b8b2-41e65a2faa45> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.astro.washington.edu/diversity.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368710006682/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516131326-00004-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.95804 | 1,754 | 1.53125 | 2 |
Digital TV migration costs likely to bar the poor
Posted Wednesday, August 1 2012 at 18:19
While the government is upbeat that all television stations will have migrated to the new broadcasting platform by 2012, it has emerged that 40 per cent of households in the country may not be able to access these channels.
Out of the four million households with televisions sets, the industry regulator says 1.6 million own the black and white sets that they bought at Sh4,000 and may not afford or see value in investing double the amount to acquire the gadgets required to convert the analogue signals to digital.
Dealers in the gadgets, popularly referred to as digital terrestrial set-top boxes have not lowered their prices even after the government scrapped 25 per cent duty on them.
Samuel Kabui, the general secretary at Digital Decoders Association of Kenya, blamed this on the specification of the decoders the government has allowed the dealers to bring into the country.
“The dealers should be allowed to bring in decoders that either access free-to-air television stations such as NTV, KTN or K24, or those that are compatible with both Pay Tv and free- to -air channels,” Mr Kabui said.
He added that this would give consumers the choice to buy one which is compatible with pay television or one that accesses free- to- air only.
The government has only allowed the importation of set to boxes on the Digital Video Broadcast technology 2 DVB-T2 which can be used to access both pay and free-to -air televisions.
But the dealers say that this is a high end technology that has kept prices high despite the waiver on import duty.
Francis Wangusi, the acting director-general at the Communications Commission of Kenya (CCK), confirmed that the greatest barrier to the success of digital migration would be the access to affordable set top boxes.
“Free- to- air set top boxes are still too expensive at Sh8,000 which is way beyond the reach of the majority and that is why we (CCK) are asking the Treasury to look for other ways other than the waiver on duty to make them affordable,” said Mr Wangusi.
He said the current market structure is skewed towards subscription television which would affect the free -to- air market segment and slow down digital migration.
The pay television providers— StarTimes and GOtv— are selling their digital terrestrial set-top boxes at Sh2,999 and Sh3,500 respectively.
But the catch is that one must buy their monthly packages which may not be sustainable for low income earners.
“There are those who don’t need pay television so why can’t they just be allowed to buy decoders that can enable them to access free-to-air channels only?” posed Mr Kabui.
He said prices of the basic decoders for free- to- air can be imported and sold from as low as Sh2,000 compared to the multi-channel ones that the independent dealers are selling at between Sh5,000 and Sh9,000. | <urn:uuid:cde9bf20-3faf-4bc5-89bc-2d8885f8219b> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.businessdailyafrica.com/Digital+TV+migration+costs+likely+to+bar+the+poor+/-/1248928/1468700/-/item/0/-/140k0dv/-/index.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696383156/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092623-00015-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.958712 | 650 | 1.507813 | 2 |
Pat Summitt plans to keep coaching women's college basketball despite her diagnoses of early-onset dementia, she said.
In a statement to the University of Tennessee and her Lady Vol basketball team, Summitt. 59, said she would not let Alzheimer's-type dementia force her into early retirement.
"I love being your coach, and the privilege to go to work every day with our outstanding Lady Vol basketball student-athletes."
After months of memory lapses, Summitt recently visited the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., where doctors diagnosed her having with a rare form of Alzheimer's-type dementia that strikes people younger than 65, who often have a family history of Alzheimer's disease.
But the tough Tennessee native, who has won more games in her 36-year coaching career than any other college coach ever, won't give up easily.
"Obviously, I realize I may have some limitations with this condition, since there will be some good days and some bad days," she said. "For that reason, I will be relying on my outstanding coaching staff like never before."
Dementia risk increases with age. Alzheimer's disease -- the commonest form of dementia -- affects up to half of people older than 85. But early-onset dementia poses special problems for younger, otherwise healthy people, many of whom balance busy jobs and young families.
"Learning about the disease when people have mild symptoms is very important in terms of planning the future, maximizing their ability to work and have appropriate supports in their jobs," said Dr. Steven DeKosky, a neurologist and dean of the University of Virginia School of Medicine.
On top of taking care of business, people with early-onset dementia often take care of children or parents -- a commitment they may no longer be able to meet, DeKosky said.
Summitt's son Tyler, 20, called his mom's courage and honesty about her diagnosis inspiring.
"Pat Summitt is not only my mom but also an incredible role model and mentor for me," he said in a statememt. "This will be a new chapter for my mom and I, and we will continue to work as a team like we always have done."
Although there is no cure for Alzheimer's-type dementia, there are treatments. Drugs that block the breakdown of acetycholine -- the neurotransmitter released by the neurons that die off during the disease -- can help reduce symptoms. And behavioral interventions that keep the mind active may help build up a cognitive reserve to stave off severe symptoms.
But like Summitt said, there will be good days and bad days.
"It is true that some days are better than others. And both your own insights and the careful observation of people who know you well and care for you is helpful in knowing how much, if any, help you need on a day to day basis," DeKosky said.
The course of early-onset dementia is variable, so it's unclear how quickly or slowly Summitt's symptoms will progress.
"Some people remain cognitively functional for many, many years. Others may progress more rapidly," said David Teplow, a professor of neurology and director of the Mary S. Easton Center for Alzheimer's Disease Research at UCLA, as he described a disease course that could range from five to 20 years. Although many patients can continue working for a while, they're ultimately forced to quit jobs, stop driving and accept more and more supervision, Teplow said.
But for now, Summitt is determined to go on coaching her Lady Vol team, and has the full support of its members and the University of Tennessee.
"Pat Summitt is our head coach, and she will continue to be," vice chancellor and athletics director Joan Cronan said in a statement. "She is an icon not only for women's basketball but for all of women's athletics." | <urn:uuid:1904847b-853b-46a6-b9a1-361f82b79ce3> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://abcnews.go.com/Health/AlzheimersCommunity/pat-summitt-womens-basketball-legend-plans-coaching-early/story?id=14369954 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704713110/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516114513-00010-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.972547 | 803 | 1.703125 | 2 |
A Camper and RVers Guide to Yosemite National Park
Another one of the amazing places preserved by the National Park Service is California's Yosemite National Park. It is one of California's beautiful camping destinations and an ideal spot for recreational enthusiasts - everyone from casual nature walks to hard core rock climbing. It is also one of the National Park Systems most popular parks, which also include the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone. Visitors will love all that this park has to offer throughout the year, whether during the busy peak season or in the slower fall season.
Yosemite is truly a wilderness destination, featuring towering waterfalls, valleys and granite walls. This wonderful wilderness area is filled with beautiful flora and fauna for visitors to enjoy. There are meadows filled with wildflowers during the spring and forests that boast stunning fall colors during the fall. Visitors can stand in awe of the Giant Sequoias at Mariposa Grove and much more. The best way to enjoy all that Yosemite has to offer is by taking time to recreate in the vast wilderness area that is the park.
This park is a truly vast park, covering almost 1,200 square miles, making it a destination that takes time to fully explore. Some of the best destinations within the park are spread out, and visitors will need to spend plenty of time within the park or carefully plan out which destinations to explore in order to make the most of the vacation.
The Yosemite Valley is best known for the waterfalls, meadows, rock formations and cliffs found within. Visitors can reach this part of the park by car throughout the year. The Yosemite Valley is also one of the most popular parts of the park and gets very busy during the peak season. Within the Yosemite Valley travelers can enjoy hiking on numerous trails, biking on the designated trails and even rock climbing on the rock walls of the valley.
Visitors can also explore the Mariposa Grove, which is home to some of the park's giant sequoias. Mariposa Grove is accessible by car from the spring through the fall, and is a great destination for hikers and skiers during the winter when the road is closed to cars. For great views of the Yosemite Valley and Half Dome visitors can travel to Glacier Point and Badger Pass. This road is also closed during the winter, but offers fun downhill and cross-country skiing at Badger Pass during these snowy months.
Most of the most amazing destinations within the park are accessible by car, however the best way to experience the park is on foot through recreation. Yosemite's miles of wilderness make it a fantastic destination for backpackers looking for a truly wild experience. The park also offers miles of hiking trails in each of the different regions of the park. One of the less crowded hiking destinations is Hetch Hetchy. Yosemite is also famous for its rock climbing. Climbers travel from around the world to take on the challenges presented at Yosemite, including spots in the Merced River Canyon, at Tuolumne Meadows and more.
Visitors to Yosemite need to be aware of the impact their recreation and activity has on the natural wonders of the park. Yosemite National Park is a true treasure and in order to help preserve the wonders of the park visitors should be sure to follow all guidelines for use and recreation within the park. Hikers should always stay on the marked trails in order to avoid contributing to trail erosion. Climbers should try to minimize their impact by following used routes, removing any equipment when descending, follow all other guidelines including closures. Bikers should know that riding off trail in Yosemite is not permitted, but there are plenty of fantastic trails throughout the Yosemite Valley and the parks roads are also great for biking.
The most popular parks, like the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone and Yosemite have a very busy peak season. If you want to visit one of these parks and must go during the peak season, be sure to reserve any camping, RV or hotel lodgings several months in advance. The park lodges are very popular during peak season and fill up fast. In addition, most camping and RV sites within the park are first-come, first-serve. The campsites and RV parks outside of the national park always fill up fast during peak season as well, so be sure to make your reservations well in advance of your trip. Find campgrounds close to Yosemite.
Yosemite National Park is a wonderful year-round destination for visitors looking to enjoy some of the wild and wonderful areas of the United States. There are stunning views, waterfalls, cliffs, giant trees, and much more within the vast area preserved by the park. Travelers can enjoy these sights by car tour or by recreation. No matter how you choose to experience this park it is guaranteed to be a memorable destination. | <urn:uuid:7f65d9f7-e4db-4dc0-a683-0c281c4a26c4> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.camping.com/travel/national-park-guides/2319-national-park-guide-yosemite-national-park | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368702448584/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516110728-00012-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.961707 | 965 | 1.5625 | 2 |
A body/fat/size positive/acceptance slash fatshion blog, dedicated to teaching self acceptance, and inspiring confidence.<3
I encourage you to submit photos of yourself wearing your favourite outfits, as well as submit any beauty/confidence tips and stories you would like to share!
“Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.”
― Albert Einstein
"Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love."
"You can succeed if nobody else believes it, but you will never succeed if you don't believe in yourself."
- William J. H. Boetcker
"Do what you feel in your heart to be right- for you'll be criticized anyway. You'll be damned if you do, and damned if you don't."
"In the long run, we shape our lives, and we shape ourselves. The process never ends until we die. And the choices we make are ultimately our own responsibility."
"We gain strength, and courage, and confidence by each experience in which we really stop to look fear in the face... we must do that which we think we cannot."
"Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence."
"Believe in yourself! Have faith in your abilities! Without a humble but reasonable confidence in your own powers you cannot be successful or happy."
-Norman Vincent Peale
"Life is not easy for any of us. But what of that? We must have perseverance and above all confidence in ourselves. We must believe that we are gifted for something and that this thing must be attained."
“You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection”
― Siddhārtha Gautama
“Wanting to be someone else is a waste of who you are”
― Kurt Cobain
“I laugh at myself.
I don't take myself completely seriously.
I think that's another quality that people have to hold on to... you have to laugh, especially at yourself.”
“Love yourself first and everything else falls into line. Your really have to love yourself to get anything done in this world.”
― Lucille Ball
“Because one believes in oneself, one doesn't try to convince others. Because one is content with oneself, one doesn't need others' approval. Because one accepts oneself, the whole world accepts him or her.”
― Lao Tzu
“We can never obtain peace in the outer world until we make peace with ourselves.”
― Dalai Lama XIV
“It's not worth our while to let our imperfections disturb us always.”
― Henry David Thoreau
“You're always with yourself, so you might as well enjoy the company.”
― Diane Von Furstenberg
“Innocence ends when one is stripped of the delusion that one likes oneself.”
― Joan Didion, On Self-Respect
“No amount of self-improvement can make up for any lack of self-acceptance.”
― Robert Holden
“If you begin to understand what you are without trying to change it, then what you are undergoes a transformation.”
― Jiddu Krishnamurti
“When you stop living your life based on what others think of you real life begins. At that moment, you will finally see the door of self acceptance opened.”
― Shannon L. Alder
“In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on.”
― Shannon L. Alder
"I am still determined to be cheerful and happy, in whatever situation I may be; for I have also learned from experience that the greater part of our happiness or misery depends upon our dispositions, and not upon our circumstances."
- Martha Washington
"Whoever is happy will make others happy too. He who has courage and faith will never perish in misery."
“Body acceptance means, as much as possible, approving of and loving your body, despite its “imperfections”, real or perceived. That means accepting that your body is fatter than some others, or thinner than some others, that your eyes are a little crooked, that you have a disability that makes walking difficult, that you have health concerns that you have to deal with — but that all of that doesn’t mean that you need to be ashamed of your body or try to change it. Body acceptance allows for the fact that there is a diversity of bodies in the world, and that there’s no wrong way to have one.”
― Golda Poretsky | <urn:uuid:c23f5930-447a-4fcd-a89b-ca1700e59bb6> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://fleshandbonefashion.tumblr.com/post/24596995850/doesmyblogmakemelookfat-ottd-this-is-actually | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368705195219/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516115315-00013-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.947673 | 1,024 | 1.539063 | 2 |
Buying diamonds can be exhilarating, but choosing the perfect diamond can have its challenges if you’re not quite sure what to look for. At Diamond.com, we guide you every step of the way, making it easy for you to find diamond jewelry that fits both your budget and your personal style. Our extensive Education section provides you with the information you need to make informed decisions on your own, but if you prefer the help of one of our diamond advisors in real-time, we are also available to guide you by phone or live chat.
A diamond’s quality is typically evaluated according to four major characteristics: carat, cut, color and clarity. Experts rely on these characteristics, also known as the 4Cs, to objectively compare and grade diamonds. The 4C system was developed by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) back in the 1940s and ‘50s, and is now considered an industry standard. The GIA is one of the world’s most respected authorities on diamonds, colored gemstones, and pearls, and it is this institution that certifies and grades the majority of Diamond.com’s loose diamonds. Since the slightest change in a diamond’s grading can significantly alter its value, understanding the 4Cs is key when choosing your diamond. The characteristics of one – carat, color, clarity, or cut – affects the others, which is why balancing each of the 4Cs is essential to finding the perfect diamond for your budget.
Loose diamonds from Diamond.com are graded by the world’s most respected grading entities: the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and American Gem Society Laboratories (AGS). Each of our loose diamonds is accompanied by a grading report that includes a detailed explanation of the diamond’s characteristics, including the number of carats, the diamond’s color, its clarity, cut, and dimensions. A certified diamond’s quality is guaranteed, and this makes it more valuable than an uncertified stone. All of our diamonds are also procured from authorized sources and validated through the Kimberley Process, an international certification process that uses strict requirements to control the production of rough diamonds and prevent illicit stones from entering the legitimate diamond trade | <urn:uuid:d17bab9f-94af-44b6-9622-67fd9f1c171c> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.diamond.com/diamond-jewelry-education/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368701852492/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516105732-00003-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.941945 | 460 | 1.5 | 2 |
Study Abroad: Study Abroad Profile: Nora Landis-Shack '13
Nora Landis-Shack, a psychology major with a peace, justice and human rights concentration and a French minor, spent the spring semester studying at The Sorbonne-Nouvelle and Sweet Briar College in Paris where she was able to improve her French language skills and take in the rich culture.
Why did you choose Paris?
A love of Paris has always run in my family. My father lived there for a short time when he was young, and we’ve had a few family vacations to the surrounding areas of France. I’ve always wanted to be fluent in French, and I knew that going to a French-speaking city would make that dream a reality. Paris is such a gorgeous city with so much to explore! I wanted to immerse myself in literature, food, philosophy, and art, and Paris seemed like the perfect place to do so.
What did you learn outside of the classroom?
The trickiest and eventually the most rewarding thing to learn in Paris was the use of idiomatic expressions. There are so many silly things to say! My favorite was learning how to use en faite, which is pretty much the French equivalent of our saying like every other word. I remember one day I was speaking to my host mom and it just slipped out naturally, the way like does for me in English! It was a sign to me that I was really absorbing the language.
What is the most surprising thing that happened to you there?
I was surprised by how much time I spent on my own and how much I loved it! By the end of my semester, as the weather was just starting to get warm, I would use my days off from class to wander around the entire city. On my last day I walked a half-marathon! It was so relaxing to stroll along and absorb all the sounds, sights, and smells of the city. And in doing so, I was also surprised to realize that I felt like the city had become my second home.
What did you bring back?
My time abroad really helped me learn to properly appreciate the simple things in life. In France, many of the things we take for granted here in America are treated with a love and concern so intense that it clearly runs through the roots of the culture. Long walks, good company, and good food are all inherent to the "good life" ideal in Paris. And because of that, I’ve developed a deep affection for Camembert and fresh baked baguette, a glass of wine and a book on the terrace. | <urn:uuid:a7b868a9-1f72-4653-8f0b-33420fe1a5f9> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.haverford.edu/studyabroad/story.php?id=64111&u=301 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368703682988/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516112802-00010-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.983384 | 546 | 1.609375 | 2 |
As Hurricane Isaac slowly churns through southeast Louisiana, Slidell residents are assessing damage that at this point consists largely of downed trees and power lines. Firefighters with St. Tammany Fire Protection District 1 were at work midmorning in the Chamale subdivision, dissecting a tree that had fallen across and was blocking Weilwood.
Fire Chief Larry Hess said the activity was expected following a night of fairly consistent, heavy winds, and one that has been repeated in numerous locations throughout Slidell. Though the downed trees have not impacted any of the city's major thoroughfares, 15 to 20 Slidell-area houses have been damaged.
"It's damage, but at the same time, to put it in the proper perspective, it's damage commiserate with the level of this storm," Hess said.
Maintaining clear streets is especially critical in areas that may soon face rising water.
Though wind-driven storm surge or flooding from Hurricane Isaac's rainfall has not yet created anything other than isolated street flooding in Slidell subdivisions, that situation is expected to change as the storm passes and winds shift.
"We're very concerned about trees across roadways in areas like Palm Lake, in case we have to start getting people out," Slidell Police Assistant Chief Kevin Foltz said.
The majority of the residents in Palm Lake chose not to evacuate but Foltz said he believes they were prepared for what Isaac would deliver overnight. "This is not their first time to the rodeo," Foltz said.
Officials are keeping a close eye on that area and south Slidell subdivisions such as Dellwood and Yesteroaks where the water level is expected to start rising between noon and 2 p.m.
"But it could be longer; it depends on what (the storm) does," Foltz said. "For now, it seems the water is still in the bayou." | <urn:uuid:dad83a7d-aad6-4137-97f9-6c50b36a3612> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.nola.com/hurricane/index.ssf/2012/08/post_45.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368709037764/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516125717-00013-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.980596 | 391 | 1.726563 | 2 |
And the incense altar, and his staves
Which were overlaid with gold; hence this altar was called the golden altar, of which see ( Exodus 30:1-5 )
and the anointing oil and sweet incense;
each of which were made of various spices, see ( Exodus 30:23-31 )
and the hanging for the door at the entering in of the tabernacle;
at the east end of it, there being there, as Jarchi observes, neither boards nor curtains; see ( Exodus 27:16 ) . | <urn:uuid:71eb2c8c-904f-4a09-9862-a1dd3d2877ba> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/gills-exposition-of-the-bible/exodus-35-15.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368698207393/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516095647-00003-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.980425 | 117 | 1.804688 | 2 |
Click on a thumbnail to go to Google Books.
The Graduate (1963)
by Charles Webb
References to this work on external resources.
Wikipedia in English
Amazon.com Product Description (ISBN 0743456459, Paperback)The basis for Mike Nichols' acclaimed 1967 film starring Dustin Hoffman -- and for successful stage productions in London and on Broadway -- this classic novel about a naive college graduate adrift in the shifting social and sexual mores of the 1960s captures with hilarity and insight the alienation of youth and the disillusionment of an era.
When Benjamin Braddock graduates from a small Eastern college and moves home to his parents' house, everyone wants to know what he's going to do with his life. Embittered by the emptiness of his college education and indifferent to his grim prospects -- grad school? a career in plastics? -- Benjamin falls haplessly into an affair with Mrs. Robinson, the relentlessly seductive wife of his father's business partner. It's only when beautiful coed Elaine Robinson comes home to visit her parents that Benjamin, now smitten, thinks he might have found some kind of direction in his life. Unfortuately for Benjamin, Mrs. Robinson plays the role of protective mother as well as she does the one of mistress. A wondrously fierce and absurd battle of wills ensues, with love and idealism triumphing over the forces of corruption and conformity.
(retrieved from Amazon Thu, 14 Feb 2013 13:54:58 -0500)
A recent college graduate from an affluent family comes of age and finds himself by being led into an affair with the wife and the daughter of his father's business partner.
Two editions of this book were published by Audible.com.
An edition of this book was published by Penguin Australia.
Is this you?
Become a LibraryThing Author. | <urn:uuid:808870dc-b416-4c25-a9a3-545b0b673d33> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.librarything.com/work/122928 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368705953421/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516120553-00007-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.962354 | 382 | 1.671875 | 2 |
The Word of the Lord: “For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died for them and was raised again.” II Corinthians 5:14-15
Sometime, we should read the gospels in the Bible just to find out how often people were amazed at the wonders they beheld in the life of Christ. They were amazed, not only because of Jesus’ marvelous birth. They were astonished by the answers of the 12-year-old Jesus in the temple. They were surprised at His preaching, astonished at His miracles, amazed at His ability to read their thoughts, amazed at His love for tax collectors and sinners.
They were amazed because He raised the dead, shocked at the manner of His death, astonished beyond words by the power of His resurrection, and astonished by His ascension into heaven. Over and over again, the gospels record the amazement of people in regard to the words and works of Christ.
Some of that amazement creeps into the words of II Corinthians 14-15, where we behold Christ’s divine love for sinners, “He died for all.” But in this text, we have more than mere amazement. We also have the explanation of what is so amazing in the gospel records.
Mankind is naturally unlovable because of sin. Man’s ruined condition is clearly taught in the Bible. “As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins.” (Ephesians 2:1) Sin ushered death into the world in fulfillment of God’s word to Adam: “But you must not eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die.” (Genesis 2:17)
God created man to live, to live with Him, but now, after the fall, we read, “Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all have sinned.” (Romans 5:12)
There is not only physical death, but also spiritual death. The natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God. Scripture declares that all people are spiritually dead, that is, impotent to do anything but what is evil.
The enormity of Christ’s sacrifice shows the awful state of man’s ruined condition, and therefore it strikes us as all the more amazing that the Son of God should so humiliate Himself to bring about ruined man’s redemption. What an amazing love Jesus Christ has for sinners.
As scripture states, “God demonstrates His own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) Jesus was the only sinless person who ever lived, and of His own free will, prompted by His amazing love for ruined man, “He died for all.”
How easy it is for us to love God, especially when standing in the shadow of the cross. He loved us first, and love for love is what the Savior asks of His children. Because he loves us, we love God and our fellow human beings. Our Christian love is to be a reflection of His own, burning dimly by comparison, but shedding its warm light on the lovelessness of the world.
We can say that the call of the cross is a call of love. We hear the call of saving love for all people from the lips of Jesus in John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
Surely then, we shall, with God’s help, hear the call from the cross and grow daily in love toward all people, and especially toward our heavenly Father. He, the God of grace and love, will ever receive our highest love.
To the God of love be glory forever and ever. Amen. | <urn:uuid:09f75c59-9cf7-4c1f-9a8e-6cd7dcac504d> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.herald-journal.com/archives/2012/columns/p020612.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368705195219/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516115315-00010-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.968983 | 869 | 1.671875 | 2 |
Markets were choppy Tuesday as investors remained cautious in the run-up to a much-anticipated statement from U.S. Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke.
The Fed is conducting its third round of massive bond purchases known as quantitative easing. The aim has been to help drive down interest rates and spur lending.
But a recent run of strong U.S. economic data, largely related to housing and jobs, has fueled speculation that the Fed might consider changing course. The prospect of a less-easy monetary policy has put a brake on stocks this week and helped support the dollar.
On Wednesday, Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke will appear before lawmakers in Congress and the central bank will release minutes of its most recent policy meeting. Both events have the potential to alter the mood in financial markets.
"What Bernanke has to say tomorrow will have a big bearing on the next move, not only in currency markets, but also equity markets," said Michael Hewson, senior market analyst at CMC Markets.
As a result, investors across financial markets were largely in wait-and-see mode.
In Europe, the FTSE 100 index of British shares ended the day up 0.4 percent at 6,786 a day after it closed at its highest level in over 12 years and in the wake of figures showing the inflation rate fell to 2.4 percent in April, its lowest in seven months. The fall in inflation has also raised the prospect that the Bank of England may enact another stimulus to shore up economic growth.
Elsewhere in Europe, Germany's DAX closed up 0.2 percent to 8,472. The CAC-40 in France was 0.3 percent higher at 4,036.
In the U.S., the Dow Jones industrial average was up 0.3 percent at 15,383 while the broader S&P 500 index was 0.2 percent higher at 1,669.
Over the past five years, the markets have become used to operating in an easy-money environment. The extra liquidity provided by many of the world's central banks has been recycled and has helped stock indexes hit highs despite a patchy recovery from recession. The Dow Jones and the S&P 500 indexes in the U.S. have both hit all-time highs _ as has Germany's DAX.
"It is broadly recognized that the fuel for this movement into risky investments has been the generous provision of cheap liquidity by central banks," said Jane Foley, an analyst at Rabobank International.
The dollar recovered part of its Monday losses when investors booked some recent gains _ the dollar has been increasingly in demand amid speculation of a winding down in the Fed's asset purchases. The dollar rose 0.3 percent to 102.43 yen while the euro was up slightly, 0.18 percent, to $1.2913.
The yen's renewed weakness against the dollar helped Japan's main Nikkei stock index to eke out a small 0.1 percent gain to close at 15,381.02, its highest finish in more than five years. The Nikkei has been a big winner this year, rising 48 percent, after the Bank of Japan announced a big monetary stimulus program designed to shake the country out of a two-decade stagnation and get prices rising, albeit modestly. One repercussion of that policy has been to pile the pressure on the yen _ a development that can help Japan's exporters and provide another fillip to growth.
Elsewhere in Asia, Hong Kong's Hang Seng declined 0.5 percent to 23,366.37 while South Korea's Kospi fell less than 0.1 percent to 1,981.09. Benchmarks in mainland China rose too.
Oil prices were subdued too, with the benchmark New York rate down 55 cents at $96.38 a barrel. | <urn:uuid:2a04836e-f9cd-4963-b72c-a41553cf0f77> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.nwitimes.com/business/asia-stocks-mixed-after-cyprus-vote-on-bailout/article_9d651c6d-c08a-5020-bde0-7293f3b69292.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700958435/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516104238-00000-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.964948 | 782 | 1.5 | 2 |
Mascoma Savings Bank improves network security, raises efficiency, and lowers costs with Cisco Unified Wireless Network.
Established in 1899, Mascoma Savings Bank (MSB) is a mutually-owned financial services company serving the residents and businesses of New Hampshire and Vermont. Beyond its commitment to providing safe and convenient financial management services, the bank is also dedicated to the concept of community banking. Through the Mascoma Savings Bank Foundation, the bank continually participates in civic affairs and donates to various local groups and activities. "With 300 employees and 19 banking facilities providing a wide array of customer and community services, protecting our network from internal and external threats has always been of utmost importance," says Chris Irish, assistant vice president of Information Technology at MSB.
In 2008, MSB's president, Stephen Christy, posed an important security question to the bank's IT team. With social engineering becoming more prevalent, Christy wanted to know if the bank had the capability to detect and prevent rogue wireless devices from functioning on or near its premises. "Christy brought up a disturbing issue," says Irish. The IT team knew of cases in which employees had run their own businesses by simply setting up rogue access points and tapping into their employers' networks. "We really had no way of detecting if an employee set up an unauthorized access point in our organization," says Irish. "Our internal auditors agreed that we needed to find a solution that could locate and mitigate potential wireless threats to our network."
MSB turned for help to Red River, an infrastructure consultant and a Cisco Gold Partner based in Claremont, New Hampshire. Over the years, MSB had worked with Red River on deploying a complete Cisco® network throughout its branches. "We asked the Red River team to propose a solution that would alert us of rogue wireless devices in real time," says Irish. "We were surprised when they recommended deploying a wireless network." Generally perceived as a security risk by the banking industry, wireless networking solutions were prohibited at MSB.
According to Irish, "Red River outlined how the Cisco Unified Wireless Network could be used as a preventative security tool, as well as a secure guest access network. This was a winning combination for us." Within three months, MSB had deployed a complete Cisco Unified Wireless Network, including 13 Cisco Aironet 802.11n access points and a Cisco Wireless Control System and Location Appliance, in the bank's Operations Center.
The network now makes it possible for the MSB IT team to detect rogue wireless devices easily. "The Cisco Wireless Control System visually shows us all of the wireless devices and their locations, as well as which are friendly and which are rogue," says Irish. The system provides the flexibility the team needs by enabling them to define the alerts they receive from the system based on the level of criticality and to generate reports for auditors. "The reports help us track important network activity, providing us with a history of devices added and removed, for instance."
MSB now uses the guest access network to provide wireless connectivity for visitors and organizations that frequently work and meet at the bank. "Because we're a community-based bank, many of our executives are members of the Chamber of Commerce, Kiwanis, and other local organizations," says Irish. "Wireless access makes it very convenient to host their meetings in our conference room." In addition, the bank's auditors, employees from other branches, and a variety of vendors, including research and security providers, now have access to the Internet as well as their own VPNs. The Cisco Wireless Control System ensures maximum network security by tracking detailed information on who logs in and when. "With Cisco guest access," says Irish, "we can monitor how the network is being used by our visitors at all times."
To extend mobile communications within its Operations Center, MSB replaced all of its 2.4 GHz phones with 12 Cisco Unified Wireless IP Phones. "Now our employees can go into areas, such as our network room and the outside ATM, without losing reception," says Irish. "The phones keep our staff connected wherever they are." The location-based capabilities of the Cisco Unified Wireless Network enable the IT team to track the location of the phones from the Wireless Control System. "Since each department's employees share the phones, the ability to locate them quickly makes it easy to maximize their usage," he says.
The wireless network has resulted in significant benefits for MSB and its visitors. In the past, the IT team had to set up Internet connectivity manually the day before visitors arrived and then had to disconnect it after they left. The wired network was also limited to only three IP addresses at a time. Now, the IT team simply sets up a user ID and password with an expiration date for each visitor, and has an unlimited number of IP addresses. "Using Cisco's wireless guest access capabilities has reduced network configuration time from two hours to five minutes per visitor," says Irish. "Simplified configuration translates into at least eight hours of time savings per month for us, and visitors can perform their onsite work more quickly and return to their offices faster."
Wireless efficiency results in reduced operation costs for MSB and better value for the bank's customers and communities. The centralized architecture of the Cisco Unified Wireless Network facilitates network management, eliminating the need to hire extra contracting staff. "Now, we can manage the network right from our desktops, which translates into cost savings," says Irish. "And keeping the bank's expenses down means we can offer better pricing to our customers." Offering reliable and secure mobility services helps MSB reinforce its position as a community leader. "We pride ourselves on providing the most reliable, cutting-edge technology that benefits the communities we're in, and wireless is now part of this mission."
MSB's improved network security also improved its audit review ratings by the Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS). "On the day we finished installing the Cisco Unified Wireless Network, OTS came in for an audit," says Irish. "Not only did we show them how we could block rogue wireless devices, but we provided them with wireless Internet access to facilitate their work. They gave us a rave review." OTS performed an external penetration test by deploying a rogue access point, which immediately appeared on the Cisco Wireless Control System screen. "We didn't even think about wireless a year ago. Now our auditors are giving us high marks, and our senior management is completely confident that we can mitigate any type of threat."
MSB is happy to have become an early adopter of wireless technology in the banking industry. "The Cisco Unified Wireless Network opened up so many opportunities we never expected," says Irish. "What started as a preventative measure turned into added value, convenience, and productivity for our employees, customers, and communities."
MSB is planning to deploy the Cisco Unified Wireless Network and IP phones in its main corporate office in Lebanon, New Hampshire and is considering expanding it to all of its branches. The bank is currently in the process of extending wireless access into its production network for lenders. "Lenders have to move between branches while they're in the middle of closing deals," says Irish. "Using MAC address restrictions, we can now provide them with secure wireless access that will facilitate their work tremendously while enabling us to track their activity." | <urn:uuid:ec4683d6-af9b-4d3c-b56d-913d1fce28ae> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.cisco.com/en/US/prod/collateral/wireless/ps5678/ps6973/case_study_c36-545777_ps6386_Products_Case_Study.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368706153698/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516120913-00009-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.969754 | 1,487 | 1.671875 | 2 |
Drug Rehab Minnesota (cont..)
Nearly 14,000 admittances to Minnesota drug rehab programs from 2003 to 2005 were for the abuse of cocaine. The largest part of the cocaine in Minnesota is supplied by criminal organizations based in California, Chicago and Detroit. Some cocaine comes from the Southwest Border States as well. Street gangs control the sale of cocaine within the state. Crack cocaine is also available in major metropolitan areas. 17.7 kilos of cocaine were seized in the state in 2006.
Admissions to Minnesota drug rehabs steadily increased from 2003 to 2005; 1,056 in 2003, 1,216 in 2004 and 1,426 in 2005. Heroin has not been a major concern for the state, but there is evidence to support the belief that the heroin abuse is growing, particularly in metropolitan areas. Heroin is supplied to dealers in the state by drug trafficking organizations from Nigeria/West Africa based in Chicago, street gangs with contacts in Chicago, and Mexican drug trafficking organizations based in the Southwest region of the country. The sale of heroin is controlled chiefly by Hispanic and African American street gangs. 200 grams of heroin were confiscated in Minnesota in 2006.
Drug Rehab By State
more Minnesota drug rehab info
From 2003 to 2005 admissions to Minnesota drug rehab centers for treatment of methamphetamine/ amphetamine abuse increased steadily each year. The majority of methamphetamine found in Minnesota comes from Mexican drug trafficking organizations centered in California or Washington State. The illicit drug is smuggled into Minnesota by various parcel services including the US Postal Service and by messenger. On a smaller scale, methamphetamine is also manufactured in the state in small meth-lab operations. From 2002 to 2006, there were 757 meth-lab incidents in the state. 21.6 kilos of methamphetamine were impounded by federal authorities in 2006.
Over 25,000 individuals entered Minnesota drug rehabs for marijuana abuse from 2003-2005. As in so many other parts of the country, marijuana is the most accessible and most abused illicit drug in the state. Mexican drug trafficking organizations are responsible for smuggling large shipments of marijuana into the state. Marijuana is also locally grown in Minnesota. Nearly 266 kilos of marijuana were confiscated in Minnesota in 2006.
Do you need a drug rehab program in Minnesota ?
Our staff are trained and very passionate about getting people to the resources they need to start a new life.
Approximately 7,700 individuals were admitted to Minnesota drug rehab programs from 2003 to 2005 for the abuse of prescription, club or other drugs. The non-medical use of OxyContin, Nubain, Dilaudid, Ritalin, and Vicodin is a common concern in Minnesota. Nubain is a narcotic that some individuals incorrectly believe causes effects similar to those caused by steroids and, when used in combination with some other drugs, is believed to have contributed to recent deaths in the Minneapolis area. Unscrupulous healthcare professionals dispense pharmaceuticals illegally and organized rings practice doctor shopping to account for a portion of the supply of illegally obtained prescription drugs in Minnesota. Ecstasy, Ketamine, GHB, LSD and PCP are some of the drugs classified as club drugs that are found in Minnesota. 108,099 dosage units of ecstasy were seized by federal law enforcement in 2006.
Drug Rehab Program
Drug Rehab Center Marijuana
Drug and Alcohol Rehab
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Below are the original sources of the information contained on this page.
DEA State Fact Sheet
SAMHSA State Level Data
SAMHSA Substance Abuse Tables
Office Of National Drug Control Policy | <urn:uuid:68c1c167-811e-4d8e-84a3-4ea8dc10f4b5> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.drug-rehab-locator.com/states/minnesota_drug_rehab.html?city=Saintllwater | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704132298/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516113532-00015-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.95078 | 721 | 1.632813 | 2 |
ABU DHABI // A medical clinic and three pharmacies have been shut down after health inspectors found a catalogue of hygiene and health and safety offences.
Watchdogs have also uncovered scams in which false information has been provided by applicants for licences to practise, including references from overseas hospitals that turned out not to exist.
Inspectors found chicken, butternut squash, vegetables and drinking water stored in a fridge meant for storing medicine at Noor Al Ain Medical Centre. It has been closed and given a month to comply with regulations. If it fails to improve conditions, it will be closed permanently.
Other offences at Noor Al Ain – which is not connected to Al Noor Hospital in Abu Dhabi – included improper disposal of latex gloves, improper storage of equipment and risk of contamination caused by staff leaving food on the same tray as surgical implements.
“There are so many violations regarding patient safety, infection control and all these things,” said Dr Jamal Al Kaabi, the director of customer care and corporate communication at the Health Authority-Abu Dhabi. “I don’t think you want to go there.”
The authority also referred to court the cases of two staff who falsified records to gain employment in the healthcare industry, and banned another professional from practising in Abu Dhabi although he is licensed in his home country.
“Our team discovered that this guy was actually suspended for six years in his country because of alcohol addiction. Because we felt, in the committee, there is a risk behind this approval, we rejected the licensing of this professional,” Dr Al Kaabi said.
Applicants who submit paperwork as part of their licence application must also provide a letter from their previous employer detailing their professional experience, a process that the authority found was being manipulated.
“We discovered that there are several entities, in different countries outside the UAE, falsifying all the information,” said Dr Al Kaabi.
“For example, someone said, ‘I worked in an ICU,’ and when we sent people to the hospital there was no hospital there. It was a fake place. The decision was to make a record of all these facilities, like a blacklist.”
The names of any facilities found to be falsifying information will be disclosed to the Ministry of Health and Dubai Health Authority, said the doctor.
Other facilities were closed, or have received warnings. Dalma Pharmacy and Middle East Pharmacy in Abu Dhabi were for permitting someone other than a pharmacist to dispense medicine, and will reopen only when they have hired the appropriate staff. One other pharmacy has been shut for 60 days for unsspecified reasons.
The owner of Royal Dental Clinic received a warning after it was discovered that an employee was working as a dentist without a proper licence. Another was working as an assistant despite having no medical background. The centre will remain open but has two months to hire new staff.
The warnings and punishments were handed out by the Haad licensing committee at a meeting last month.
“The licensing committee usually meets bi-weekly to discuss all the issues presented to them by the health system compliance team or other departments,” said Dr Al Kaabi.
The committee also looked at school requests to provide an adequate number of male and female nurses to treat male and female pupils respectively.
“If there is a man as a nurse and a female pupil, or vice versa, then this is not allowed by the law,” said the doctor. “We requested that there needs to be two nurses in each school.
“Abu Dhabi Education Council said they could not comply with this, and that they need one year, and we approved this request.”
A request by Emirates French Hospital to reopen an obstetrics/gynaecology operation room was also looked at by the committee.
Closed this year after a fatality, the hospital will be reaudited before a final decision is made.
One of the last items discussed was whether to merge the auditing and licensing processes, Dr Al Kaabi said.
“A long time ago this was the case but because there was a delay in the issuing of the healthcare facility licensing, we decided both process should be separated.
“So you can get your licence as a facility without being inspected.”
Final decisions about several of the disciplinary cases will be made at the next committee meeting. | <urn:uuid:4839314b-7c0c-40e9-9fe7-5b2af239a292> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/health/clinic-that-stored-food-in-medicine-fridge-among-abu-dhabi-health-violators | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368708142388/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516124222-00011-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.977609 | 914 | 1.546875 | 2 |
Often, the key to saving money and enjoying yourself on a budget is to plan ahead. Getting some frugal events on the calendar for the next few weeks can help get you excited about saving money. Plus, with things planned in advance you’re less likely to stray from your budget or spend money needlessly.
Really take a look at your Forget the Joneses Bucket List and see if you can incorporate the things and activities that mean the most to you in how you’re using your time. Here are some suggestions:
• Check out your inter-library loan and holds system online so that you have a steady stream of DVDs and books available to you at no cost.
• Investigate free entertainment in your area. Check websites of local museums, libraries, universities, and community colleges to see if they offer any free programs or activities.
• Instead of waiting for friends to ask you to do something expensive, head them off by inviting them to do something frugal. Invite another family over for a potluck dinner. No babysitters required, just fun for everyone without spending much cash.
• Institute a Family Game Night. Devote a couple hours to your children exclusively with no outside interruptions.
• Is there a hobby or skill on your Forget the Joneses Bucket List that you want to learn more about? Investigate free or low-cost classes. Or, is there someone who can teach you? Invite him/her over for some pointers! Or, find a way to get the family involved. If you’d like to be a better photographer, take your kids on a “photo safari” or “photo scavenger hunt” this weekend.
• Swap babysitting hours with friends so you can have time needed to work on fitness goals, take a free class, visit a friend, or do something nice for yourself.
• Create a getaway without going anywhere. Is there somewhere on your dream list you’d like to visit? Check out a book from the library (or read online) about their food customs and recipes. Plan a meal based on what looks good to you and what you have on hand already.
Assignment: Plan some free or low-cost activities for the next few weeks. Try to incorporate items from your Forget the Joneses Bucket List as much as possible. | <urn:uuid:3b265ad6-d1ac-43f4-a14e-ed6abf185b44> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.mommysavers.com/how-planning-ahead-can-help-save-money/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368703682988/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516112802-00016-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.945775 | 483 | 1.789063 | 2 |
HAVANA (AP) -- President Raul Castro declared Thursday that Cuba's two-year experiment with market reforms is working and has the wind at its back, but said much work remains to breathe life into the sputtering economy.
In a speech devoid of any new policy announcements, the military khaki-clad leader sounded a generally positive tone in discussing the Marxist country's progress, though he conceded that the island faces a "colossal psychological barrier" in shedding old habits and "concepts of the past."
"The updating of the Cuban economic model ... marches with a sure step and is beginning to delve into questions of greater reach, complexity and depth," Castro said, according to an official transcript of his remarks before lawmakers at the second of their twice-annual sessions.
The proceedings were closed to foreign journalists, but state television later broadcast tape-delayed highlights.
Cuban economy czar Marino Murillo told the assembly that the government is planning more measures to support and increase the ranks of independent workers and small business owners.
Real estate broker, delivery person, antiques dealer and produce vendor will all be newly legalized private jobs in a country where the government has long dominated the economy and employed nearly the entire workforce.
The self-employed "are gaining space," Murillo was quoted as saying by the Cuban news agency Prensa Latina.
Economists have said Cuba needs to expand the number of allowable private enterprises, with an emphasis on white-collar work. Real estate has been a particular concern. Cuba legalized the buying and selling of property 12 months ago, but has yet to allow agents to facilitate transactions.
Some 400,000 people now work in the private sector in 180 legally approved job areas, Prensa Latina said. That's up from 156,000 in late 2010, the onset of Castro's five-year plan to reform the economy with a dash of free-market activity.
Cuba intends to keep control of key sectors, however, and Castro and other top officials insist the country is not abandoning a half-century of socialism for freewheeling capitalism.
Murillo also said that in the future, state-run businesses including tourism concerns will be paying independent contractors via bank transactions in hard currency.
Meanwhile, lawmakers passed a 2013 budget with a deficit of 3.6 percent of GDP and heard an update on the country's economy.
The government announced recently that GDP rose 3.1 percent this year, below expectations of 3.4 percent. Growth of 3.7 percent is forecast for 2013, low for a small developing economy, but Castro called it "acceptable in a scenario of continuing global economic crisis."
Economy Minister Adel Izquierdo said the construction sector is expected to expand 20 percent in the coming year, worker productivity should rise 2.6 percent and the country has a goal of topping 3 million tourist visits for the first time, according to Prensa Latina.
In its first order of business, the assembly unanimously passed a resolution of support for Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, who earlier this week underwent his fourth cancer-related surgery in the Cuban capital.
Chavez is a key ally of Cuba, and during his presidency Venezuela has sent billions of dollars' worth of oil to the island on preferential terms.
"At this crucial hour for Venezuela ... we will be like always," Castro said, "together with President Chavez and the Bolivarian Revolution he leads."
The unicameral parliament will reconvene in February with a new membership following elections and is then expected to name Castro to another five-year term.
Peter Orsi on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Peter_Orsi | <urn:uuid:471f516b-c53d-4bb9-84b7-cd996a7950dd> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.thegatewaynews.com/ap%20financial/2012/12/13/raul-castro-says-economic-reforms-are-working | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368698924319/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516100844-00011-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.95713 | 751 | 1.5625 | 2 |
SIJO JAMES W. DEMILE
In 1959, James W. DeMile began his martial arts career in Seattle, Washington, under the direction of the legendary Bruce Lee. As one of Bruce's first generation students, Mr.DeMile had the opportunity of assisting Bruce in developing his unique fighting skills. It was also DeMile's privilege to appear in Bruce's only book, "The Philosophical Art of Self Defense". DeMile was an undefeated heavyweight boxer in the Air Force as well as "Masters Level" hand to hand combat instructor for the (Special Forces Combative's) program at Fort Lewis in 1985 and 1986.
One of the foremost authorities on modern Wing Chun, DeMile has adapted Bruce's modification of the ancient art of Wing Chun and created WING CHUN DO, a practical self defense system for the 1990's student. DeMile is listed in Bob Wall's Who's Who in the Martial Arts, The Genealogy of the Ving Tsun (Wing Chun) Family by the Ving Tsun Athletic Association, The Original Martial Arts Encyclopedia by John Corcoran and Emil Farkas, Bruce Lee's Fighting Spirit by Bruce Thomas. He has also written many articles for national and international magazines. He has appeared in the movies, Weapons of Death and The Curse of the Dragon and twice on the national TV program Entertainment Tonight. He has written four best selling martial arts books as well as produced a number of training videos, including "Bruce Lee's one and Three Inch Floating Punch", one of the most devastating strikes in the martial arts. He has designed and built a number of specialized electronic training devices as well as some versatile spring loaded wooden dummies. DeMile travels extensively throughout the world teaching his dynamic self defense concepts and techniques to students, police and the military. He specializes in accelerated self defense programs for individuals 40 years old or older. His most famous student for learning the incredible One and Three Inch Floating Punch is 80 year old Professor Wally Jay, creator of Small Circle Jujitsu. DeMile is still an active Deputy Sheriff with the Ottawa County, Ohio, Sheriff's Department until 2005.
DeMile presently teaches out of his International Headquarters in Kailua-Kona on the big island of Hawaii. His students from Seattle and Ohio won 18 medals (8 gold) in 1996 World sports jujitsu championships held in West Virginia. The 1998 Sport Jujitsu International Championships, held in vancouver, was attended by a few students from the Seattle WCD club and they won two gold, two silvers and two bronze medals | <urn:uuid:83623fe5-c593-4aa5-b86c-9508c65b537f> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.usadojo.com/biographies/james-demile.htm | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368702810651/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516111330-00017-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.962117 | 528 | 1.679688 | 2 |
Similar to a move made in Illinois a few months ago, Amazon has shut down its Associates program in Connecticut after the state imposed a sales tax measure that would tax any purchases made online starting July 1. We’ve embedded the note sent to participants in the Amazon Associates Program below.
As you may know, the program allows website owners to earn money from advertising and linking to Amazon product on their sites. Connecticut has not been able to collect local sales tax on online purchases because these online retailers don’t have an actual brick and mortar presence in the state. But states like Illinois and Connecticut are maintaining that large e-commerce sites like Amazon and Overstock.com, who both run affiliate programs, have a presence because of these local affiliates.
And now these e-commerce giants are retaliating by pulling their affiliate programs out these states. Amazon has shown in the past that its not afraid to shut down Associates programs in States that impose an online sales tax. The e-commerce giant has made similar moves in Hawaii, Colorado, North Caroline and most recently, Illinois. In fact, Overstock exited Connecticut in late May for the same reason.
As Amazon writes in its note to Connecticut affiliates: We opposed this new tax law because it is unconstitutional and counterproductive. It was supported by big-box retailers, most of which are based outside Connecticut, that seek to harm the affiliate advertising programs of their competitors. Similar legislation in other states has led to job and income losses, and little, if any, new tax revenue. We deeply regret that we must take this action.
Amazon says the Affiliate program will be shut down today and all fees earned by affiliates before this date will be paid out to participants.
For well over a decade, the Amazon Associates Program has worked with thousands of Connecticut residents. Unfortunately, the budget signed by Governor Malloy contains a sales tax provision that compels us to terminate this program for Connecticut-based participants effective immediately. It specifically imposes the collection of taxes from consumers on sales by online retailers – including but not limited to those referred by Connecticut-based affiliates like you – even if those retailers have no physical presence in the state.
We opposed this new tax law because it is unconstitutional and counterproductive. It was supported by big-box retailers, most of which are based outside Connecticut, that seek to harm the affiliate advertising programs of their competitors. Similar legislation in other states has led to job and income losses, and little, if any, new tax revenue. We deeply regret that we must take this action.
As a result of the new law, contracts with all Connecticut residents participating in the Amazon Associates Program will be terminated today, June 10, 2011. Those Connecticut residents will no longer receive advertising fees for sales referred to Amazon.com, Endless.com, MYHABIT.COM or SmallParts.com. Please be assured that all qualifying advertising fees earned on or before today, June 10, 2011, will be processed and paid in full in accordance with the regular payment schedule.
You are receiving this email because our records indicate that you are a resident of Connecticut. If you are not currently a resident of Connecticut, or if you are relocating to another state in the near future, you can manage the details of your Associates account here. And if you relocate to another state after June 10, 2011, please contact us for reinstatement into the Amazon Associates Program.
To avoid confusion, we would like to clarify that this development will only impact our ability to offer the Associates Program to Connecticut residents and will not affect their ability to purchase from http://www.amazon.com.
We have enjoyed working with you and other Connecticut-based participants in the Amazon Associates Program and, if this situation is rectified, would very much welcome the opportunity to re-open our Associates Program to Connecticut residents.
The Amazon Associates Team
Amazon.com, Inc. (AMZN), is a leading global Internet company and one of the most trafficked Internet retail destinations worldwide. Amazon is one of the first companies to sell products deep into the long tail by housing them in numerous warehouses and distributing products from many partner companies. Amazon directly sells or acts as a platform for the sale of a broad range of products. These include books, music, videos, consumer electronics, clothing and household products. The majority of Amazon’s... | <urn:uuid:c64253fc-9da9-4f6d-ba5c-9ff3c3dd6c2e> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://techcrunch.com/2011/06/10/amazon-shuts-down-associates-affiliate-program-in-connecticut-over-online-sales-tax/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368703298047/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516112138-00007-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.96003 | 881 | 1.554688 | 2 |
MBA admission in India is a cohesive task, with numerous contenders increasing every year for admission in MBA. Almost all the Top Universities for MBA in India offer the degree in business administration and follow the strict entrance procedure. Admission in MBA is an ever so popular choice amongst students not just because it makes you a business professional but it also grooms the overall personality.
Masters in business administration is a specialist course which gives an insight into management and develops your leadership skills. A number of specialized courses in MBA are offered like
For admission in a University for MBA one needs to take the entrance exams and score well in order to make it to the top B schools. The process of Admission in MBA is rigorous, which starts with appearing in the competitive examinations such as CAT, MAT, XAT, SNAP, CET etc .Thousands of students appear every year for the entrance exams. If lucky enough to score well they get shortlisted for the next round.
The next round in the MBA admission process is the group discussion. Group discussion is an interesting round where a group of selected students sit together and present their opinion robustly. The one, who leads with a strong point, sits alert, answers promptly gets an edge over the rest. Group discussion is followed by the final round of personal interview in the process of Admission in MBA.
The minimum eligibility for a candidate, applying for admission in MBA College is graduation from any recognized college or university in any stream, with an aggregate of 50% marks. | <urn:uuid:e105592a-06f0-4a48-aabf-0e1fc979d017> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://jecrcuniversity.edu.in/blog/admission-in-mba | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368703298047/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516112138-00019-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.940454 | 300 | 1.796875 | 2 |
Church of Our Lady :
Nearby tourist sites
Church of Our Lady
Church of Our Lady : Michelin's recommendations
This sanctuary is thought to date from the early 13C, as is shown by the Romanesque brickwork, visible in the east end from the path of the cross leading down into the valley. It also shows signs of Gothic and Baroque alterations in the 18C. In the 19C, it was endowed with a pleasant porch and outdoor altar, before losing its original steeple. It is a charming spot where the silence, solitude and surrounding forest form a picture of serenity.
- Address : Vela Placa 1 HR - 32235 Bapska32235Bapska | <urn:uuid:4c93d393-b17e-4d3f-a29b-e51343a27a07> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://travel.michelin.com/web/destination/Croatia/tourist_site-Church_of_Our_Lady-Vela_Placa_1 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368708142388/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516124222-00005-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.930722 | 147 | 1.601563 | 2 |
The Royal Air Force has its own private pretend Infantry unit called the RAF Regiment: formed on 1st February, 1942. Usually known as the 'Rockapes', its original role was concerned with airfield defence although this is no longer a role that even the RAF can pretend is important. Consequently they have expanded into almost any area which they believe might justify their existence. The list currently includes:
- Manning TACPs (Tactical Air Control Parties) attached to 16 Air Assault Brigade
- Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR)
- 1999-2008 Forming part of the Joint CBRN Regiment with three squadrons from 1RTR
- Training other members of the RAF military skills. [Snigger]
- Ceremonial duties
- Maintaining a parachute-capable Field Squadron (II Squadron RAF Regiment)
- A small number of personnel form part of the Tri-Service Special Forces Support Group.
- Parachuting into enemy territory to rescue hostages. Yes their website does actually claim that.
In order to fulfill these demanding roles as the aggressive wing of the RAF, they have every piece of Gucci kit known to man. They also have a lot in common with Walter Mitty, who it is said believed that he was anything he wanted to be - if he just imagined it then it was so!
The 'Rockape' has to do just this - as it gives him a sense of achievement and allows him to justify his existence to himself and (hopefully) others. Unlike most of the adults in the RAF, the 'Rockapes' have an almost religious belief in their own publicity. Usually found either in the bar, at Silverman's or reading Soldier Magazine (or reading Soldier Magazine in the nearest bar to Silverman's) - so he can order all the Gucci kit. Remember, these are the heroes who would have beaten off Spetznaz attacks had World War 3 come to pass... as long as the Russkie SF landed at a participating airfield!
Unfortunately, the amount of training teams they have dispatched around the world seem to have equalled some respect (Good God/Allah/Jehovah [delete as applicable]!). Even though the Ministry of Defence and Army have attempted to replace them, they have a nasty habit of surviving. Rest assured that when the world ends, it won't just be cockroaches and Keith Richards left, but only because the Gucci kit has saved them.
To become a Marksman in the RAF Regiment you have to do this:
- Pass Weapons Handling Tests (same as the Army).
- Pass the Annual Personal Weapons Test (CI) at Marksman standard (same as the Infantry). | <urn:uuid:6f327ded-5157-4d81-be8d-bda1ad01fdd9> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.arrse.co.uk/wiki/RAF_Regiment | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368711005985/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516133005-00008-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.972726 | 549 | 1.65625 | 2 |
By Alan Wheatley, Global Economics Correspondent
LONDON (Reuters)- Even as the euro zone periphery starts to spy some glimmers of hope, concern is mounting that Germany is drifting apart from other countries at the core of the single currency bloc, notably France.
Economically, the worry is that insistence on fiscal austerity by an out-performing Germany will delay an upturn in France, which has been steadily losing competitiveness to its larger neighbor.
Politically, the risk is that already uneasy relations between French President Francois Hollande and German Chancellor Angela Merkel could come under further strain when the euro zone needs strong, cohesive leadership to create a new institutional framework for the euro.
Philippe Waechter, chief economist at Natixis Asset Management in Paris, said signs of a solid recovery in Germany's economy were bolstering Merkel's position on economic policy going into September's general election.
Hollande, by contrast, was forced to acknowledge on Tuesday that growth would fall short of his government's 0.8 percent forecast. His government has already admitted it will miss its deficit target this year.
"The issue is how the balance of power evolves between Francois Hollande and Angela Merkel, knowing that France and Germany are extremely important in the political construction of the euro zone," Waechter said.
IMBALANCE OF POWER
Paris is more in tune with Italy and Spain than with Germany in wanting to put growth before deficit reduction and structural reform.
But the difficulty for Hollande as he seeks political support to counterbalance Berlin is that Italy holds a February 24/25 election that promises an uncertain outcome, while the authority of Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has been dented by a party financing scandal.
"It's a balance of power that needs to be changed because otherwise Spain, Italy and France will be in even deeper difficulties, and that would be really problematic for the equilibrium of the euro zone," Waechter said.
Both Germany and France contracted last quarter, but business surveys this week have underscored how Europe's two largest economies are now growing apart.
France's all-industry business climate index for February was flat for the third month in a row, the state statistics office said on Wednesday, a day after Germany's ZEW sentiment index jumped to its highest level in nearly three years.
That tallied with a rise in Germany's Purchasing Managers' Index last month to 54.4, its highest level since June 2011. France's index dropped to 42.7, the lowest since March 2009.
Financial markets seem unperturbed. Yields on 10-year French bonds remain below 2.30 percent.
Nicholas Spiro with Spiro Sovereign Strategy, a London consultancy, said France is treated as a core euro member by the bond markets but, judged by many economic and structural indicators, it should be classed as a ‘lucky peripheral'.
"France's perceived creditworthiness is strong not because of fundamentals - which are shockingly bad in a number of areas and deteriorating by the day - but because investors do not have many options in terms of deep liquid and relatively safe bond markets as an alternative to Germany," he said.
Since the birth of the euro in 1999, growth in both France and Germany has averaged 1.4 percent a year, bang in line with the euro zone average.
In the period 1999-2007, France outperformed Germany. Since the crisis, however, France's economy has shrunk 0.1 percent a year on average, while Germany's has grown 0.8 percent, according to economists at JP Morgan.
Germany is reaping the benefits of a fall in its real exchange rate by 16.4 percent since 1999, achieved by dint of wage discipline.
By contrast, France's rate has risen 4.5 percent over the same period. That helps explains why France has lost a bigger share of global markets since 1999 than any other member country except for Italy and Greece, the bank said in a report.
On the budget front, Germany enjoys structural and primary budget surpluses, while France is in the red on both counts.
"France's fiscal, competitive, and structural challenges are substantial, and the economy looks to be taking a step down even as the rest of the region starts to move up," the bank said.
At the same time, the political relationship with Germany has become increasingly unbalanced in the latter's favor. "In the longer term, France has a difficult choice to make between the protection of the existing social model and its political influence within Europe," JP Morgan concluded.
TROUBLE AT THE CORE
France is not the only core euro member struggling to keep up with Germany. Finland contracted in 2012, hurt by weak exports and troubles at one-time telecoms growth engine Nokia.
The Netherlands is in recession as a depressed housing market saps confidence and consumption.
Given how closely entwined the Dutch and German economies were, the monthly sentiment index produced by the Ifo institute in Munich used to be a good leading indicator of Dutch jobs growth, according to economists at Jefferies in London.
But that relationship has all but broken down since 2010, partly because of the Netherlands' over-reliance on exports to an enfeebled euro zone. If the poor news flow continues, the Netherlands could lose its prized AAA credit rating in coming months, they said in a report.
So how might divergence give way to convergence at the core?
Normalization of euro zone financial conditions will help. Because of a flight to the safety of German banks, lending rates for households and companies are about half a percentage point lower in Germany than they are in France and the Netherlands. That gap should close as banks gradually resume normal service.
Economists will also be looking for signs that reforms are working. The Netherlands is overhauling mortgage tax relief, while France has passed some labor reforms and given employers a 20 billion euro tax break to narrow the competitiveness gap with Germany.
But Spiro said the task facing Hollande remained immense.
"France is not making sufficient headway relative to the scale of the challenge. It's tinkering at the edges as far as reforms are concerned," he said.
(Reporting by Alan Wheatley, editing by Mike Peacock) | <urn:uuid:28756f60-69f3-4267-a3ce-6c8f3107810d> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://wtaq.com/news/articles/2013/feb/20/analysis-core-problem-for-europe-as-france-germany-drift-apart/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368701852492/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516105732-00018-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.96676 | 1,275 | 1.5 | 2 |
Dorner is angry about being fired by the LAPD. He is articulate and lucid enough to trigger flashbacks to a time not so long ago when patrol officers broke their world into two categories: "blue and everybody else."
It began in March 1991 when King, who died last year, was beaten by three LAPD patrol officers while a supervisor stood by. The officers were tried, and later acquitted of the most serious charges. The LAPD watched as parts of the city erupted in rioting that left 53 dead and damaged $1 billion worth of property.
An investigation revealed that racism, brutality and adversarial attitudes were so ingrained that it didn't even occur to officers to hide them. The inquiry documented a culture in which cops openly talked with each other about beating suspects -- "attitude adjustments," they called it -- and labeled a group of African-Americans as "gorillas in the mist," a popular movie title during the Rodney King era.
Six years after the riots, another scandal exposed more corruption and even deeper cover-ups, implicating members of an elite anti-gang unit at the LAPD's Rampart division, home to some of the city's most vicious gangs.
Rogue cop Rafael Perez was accused in 1998 of stealing eight pounds of cocaine from an evidence locker. He admitted shooting and paralyzing an unarmed teenager and planting a gun so he could claim self defense. The boy was sent to prison but later exonerated. Perez's plea bargain confession led to nearly 100 tainted convictions being overturned.
Three officers were arrested and tried. A higher court tossed out the convictions.
Attorney Harland Braun defends police officers, including the ones accused of criminal misconduct in the King and Rampart scandals. He said he believes there might be a grain of truth to Dorner's allegations of a cover-up. He said he thinks that may have been what set Dorner off.
Civil rights leaders, highly vocal in past scandals, have held back on criticizing the LAPD this time. Instead, they are urging Dorner to surrender peacefully.
Dorner wrote in his manifesto that he was forced to turn to violence because the culture of racism, brutality, corruption and cover-up continues at the LAPD. He claims he was kicked off the force after he complained about a training officer kicking a mentally ill suspect.
Braun said he had never heard of a case in which the LAPD fired an officer who reported excessive force. "You don't go after the guy," he said. Usually, though, other officers are quick to close ranks and shun a perceived "rat." | <urn:uuid:0a5b526a-534e-4f1d-b3d6-17d24d07817d> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.kitv.com/news/national/LA-cops-stalked-by-suspect-and-brutal-past/-/8905418/18474810/-/item/1/-/3fy9g3/-/index.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368706890813/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516122130-00011-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.984011 | 518 | 1.71875 | 2 |
Many voters may already be aware there are 11 amendments being proposed on the ballot by the state. Perhaps going overlooked is the fact there is one further amendment voters will have to decide; only this one is being proposed by the county: “The County Property Tax Exemption Question.”
The amendment asks voters to consider a property tax exemption for new businesses, as well as the expansion of existing businesses that are considering creating new, full-time jobs in the county. Its purpose is to woo new businesses while at the same time assist current employers. According to Commissioner Melony Bell, who represents District 2, Polk County is currently at a distinct disadvantage. The nine counties that border Polk already have similar measures in place. It has had a negative impact.
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By logging in you can see the full story. | <urn:uuid:032191ed-7c3d-4f1f-b30f-1693a1264c6e> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.fortmeadeleader.com/sunnews/fortmeade/4480779-505/sunnewspaperscountypropertytaxexemptionokwilllevelplayingfield.html.csp | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696383156/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092623-00015-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.98299 | 170 | 1.53125 | 2 |
The Law of Attraction simply says that you attract into your life whatever you think about. Your dominant thoughts will find a way to manifest. But the Law of Attraction gives rise to some tough questions that don’t seem to have good answers. I would say, however, that these problems aren’t caused by the Law of Attraction itself but rather by the Law of Attraction as applied to objective reality.
Here are some of those problematic questions (all are generalizations of ones I received via email):
- What happens when people put out conflicting intentions, like two people intending to get the same promotion when only one position is available?
- Do children, babies, and/or animals put out intentions?
- If a child is abused, does that mean the child intended it in some way?
- If I intend for my relationship to improve, but my spouse doesn’t seem to care, what will happen?
These questions seem to weaken the plausibility of the Law of Attraction. Sometimes people answer them by going pretty far out. For example, it’s been said by LoAers that a young child experiences abuse because s/he intended it or earned it during a past life. Well, sure… we can explain just about anything if we bring past lives into the equation, but IMO that’s a cop-out. On the other hand, objective reality without the Law of Attraction doesn’t provide satisfactory answers either — supposedly some kids are just born unlucky. That’s a cop-out too.
I’ve never been satisfied by others’ answers to these questions, and they’re pretty important questions if the Law of Attraction is to be believed. Some books hint at the solution but never really nail it. That nail, however, can be found in the concept of subjective reality.
Subjective reality is a belief system in which (1) there is only one consciousness, (2) you are that singular consciousness, and (3) everything and everyone in your reality is a projection of your thoughts.
You may not see it yet, but subjective reality neatly answers all these tricky Law of Attraction questions. Let me ‘splain….
In subjective reality there’s only one consciousness, and it’s yours. Consequently, there’s only one source of intentions in your universe — YOU. While you may observe lots of walking, talking bodies in your reality, they all exist inside your consciousness. You know this is how your dreams work, but you haven’t yet realized your waking reality is just another type of dream. It only seems solid because you believe (intend) it is.
Since none of the other characters you encounter are conscious in a way that’s separate from you, nobody else can have intentions. The only intentions are yours. You’re the only thinker in this universe.
It’s important to correctly define the YOU in subjective reality. YOU are not your physical body. This is not the egoic you at all. I’m not suggesting you’re a conscious body walking around in a world full of unconscious automatons. That would be a total misunderstanding of subjective reality. The correct viewpoint is that you’re the single consciousness in which this entire reality takes place.
Imagine you’re having a dream. In that dream what exactly are YOU? Are YOU the physical dream character you identify with? No, of course not — that’s just your dream avatar. YOU are the dreamer. The entire dream occurs within your consciousness. All dream characters are projections of your dream thoughts, including your avatar. In fact, if you learn lucid dreaming, you can even switch avatars in your dream by possessing another character. In a lucid dream, you can do anything you believe you can.
Physical reality works the same way. This is a denser universe than what you experience in your sleeping dreams, so changes occur a bit more gradually here. But this reality still conforms to your thoughts just like a sleeping dream. YOU are the dreamer in which all of this is taking place.
The idea that other people have intentions is an illusion because other people are just projections. Of course, if you strongly believe other people have intentions, then that’s the dream you’ll create for yourself. But ultimately it’s still an illusion.
Here’s how subjective reality answers these challenging Law of Attraction questions:
What happens when people put out conflicting intentions, like two people intending to get the same promotion when only one position is available?
Since you’re the only intender, this is entirely an internal conflict — within YOU. You’re holding the thought (the intention) for both people to want the same position. But you’re also thinking (intending) that only one can get it. So you’re intending competition. This whole situation is your creation. You believe in competition, so that’s what you manifest. Maybe you have some beliefs (thoughts and intentions) about who will get the promotion, in which case your expectations will manifest. But you may have a higher order belief that life is random, unfair, uncertain, etc., so in that case you may manifest a surprise because that’s what you’re intending.
Being the only intender in your reality places a huge responsibility on your shoulders. You can give up control of your reality by thinking (intending) randomness and uncertainty, but you can never give up responsibility. You’re the sole creator in this universe. If you think about war, poverty, disease, etc., that’s exactly what you’ll manifest. If you think about peace, love, and joy, you’ll manifest that too. Your reality is exactly what you think it is. Whenever you think about anything, you summon its manifestation.
Do children, babies, and/or animals put out intentions?
No. Your own body doesn’t even put out intentions — only your consciousness does. You’re the only one who has intentions, so what takes precedence is what YOU intend for the children, babies, and animals in your reality. Every thought is an intention, so however you think about the other beings in your reality is what you’ll eventually manifest for them. Keep in mind that beliefs are hierarchical, so if you have a high order belief that reality is random and unpredictable and out of your control, then that intention will trump other intentions of which you’re less certain. It’s your entire collection of thoughts that dictates how your reality manifests.
If a child is abused, does that mean the child intended it in some way?
No. It means YOU intended it. You intend child abuse to manifest simply by thinking about it. The more you think about child abuse (or any other subject), the more you’ll see it expand in your reality. Whatever you think about expands, and not just in the narrow space of your avatar but in all of physical reality.
If I intend for my relationship to improve, but my spouse doesn’t seem to care, what will happen?
This is another example of intending conflict. You’re projecting one intention for your avatar and one for your spouse, so the actual unified intention is that of conflict. Hence the result you experience, subject to the influence of your higher order beliefs, will be to experience conflict with your spouse. If your thoughts are conflicted, your reality is conflicted.
This is why assuming responsibility for your thoughts is so important. If you want to see peace in the world, then intend peace for EVERYTHING in your reality. If you want to see abundance in the world, then intend it for EVERYONE. If you want to enjoy loving relationships, then intend loving relationships for ALL. If you intend these only for your own avatar but not for others, then you’re intending conflict, division, and separation; consequently, that’s what you’ll experience.
If you stop thinking about something entirely, does that mean it disappears? Yes, technically it does. But in practice it’s next to impossible to uncreate what you’ve already manifested. You’ll continue creating the same problems just by noticing them. But when you assume 100% responsibility for everything you’re experiencing in your reality right now — absolutely everything — then you assume the power to alter your reality by rechanneling your thoughts.
This entire reality is your creation. Feel good about that. Feel grateful for the richness of your world. And then begin creating the reality you truly want by making decisions and holding intentions. Think about what you desire, and withdraw your thoughts from what you don’t want. The most natural, easiest way to do this is to pay attention to your emotions. Thinking about your desires feels good, and thinking about what you don’t want makes you feel bad. When you notice yourself feeling bad, you’ve caught yourself thinking about something you don’t want. Turn your focus back towards what you do want, and your emotional state will improve rapidly. As you do this repeatedly, you’ll begin to see your physical reality shift too, first in subtle ways and then in bigger leaps.
I too am just a manifestation of your consciousness. I play the role you expect me to play. If you expect me to be a helpful guide, I will be. If you expect me to be profound and insightful, I will be. If you expect me to be confused or deluded, I will be. But of course there’s no distinct ME that is separate from YOU. I’m just one of your many creations. I am what you intend me to be. But deep down you already knew that, didn’t you? | <urn:uuid:c190ad46-5773-46a8-a827-6d8c987f43a5> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.stevepavlina.com/blog/2006/08/the-law-of-attraction/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368705953421/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516120553-00008-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.939915 | 2,047 | 1.640625 | 2 |
For a short-term workaround on adding additional data types look at http://www.ormfoundation.org/forums/p/601/1835.aspx#1835. You could also combine this with custom properties (similar to http://www.ormfoundation.org/forums/p/573/1698.aspx#1698), which would give a cleaner user experience. In fact, you could probably go as far as a custom property that simply picks, and ignore the conceptual data type if it is populated.
The bigger question here is a conceptual model vs. physical model issue. From a per conceptual perspective, I can see datetimeoffset as being different from datetime, but it is hard to treat datetime and datetime2 as different types. What I would like to avoid is expanding the list of conceptual data types to be a superset of all of the implementations we target.
The current data types have served marginally for a long time, but they are basically just placeholders for real data types. Sometime this year I will be expanding the data types to allow simple type hierarchies (restrictions on other types) and formal facet definitions (currently, there are simply two slots that are shown and renamed at different times). This would allow, for example, a regex facet on a string data type, which isn't currently handled. It would also allow for extensions to add facets to core data types, including target-specific extensions like the SQL server data types. Basically, you could then add your own 'DataTimeOffset' data type to the model (with the SQL Server type specified as an extension facet) and use your own specialized type as the data type for multiple value types in your model.
Another parallel option is to add a settings file to the SQL generation. A settings file is a 'write once' generated file that the user can edit to affect the contents of other generated files. In the SQL case, you could then pick your target SQL server flavor and we could map the data types better for the newer SQL variants. This one is low hanging fruit (the NORMA generator already supports this concept).
So, while I'm reticent to simply extend the core list of data types, I need to address the broader issue soon. | <urn:uuid:9edadc80-238d-4bc7-861f-f8f22564f158> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.ormfoundation.org/forums/p/1022/3216.aspx | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704392896/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516113952-00000-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.930977 | 461 | 1.5 | 2 |
Life isn’t fair – I used to be pretty passionate about this one. I remember hearing the lecture from so many of my elders over the years (usually after stomping my feet and exclaiming some situation to be unfair); and it certainly left its mark. Not all that long ago I was giving the same lecture to one of my boys… “life isn’t fair, get used to that and learn to accept it or you are going to have a disappointing run on this planet” (or something like that).
The thing is, as much as we don’t want to admit it… life is fair. The playing field is even the opportunities for success or failure are there for you, and the guy next to you, and the gal next to him. As people or as societies, we may set up cultures that favor one group or another (I currently enjoy all sorts of advantages as a tall while male in the United States of America); however, “life” doesn’t have anything to do with that. Plus, lots of short black (Asian, Hispanic, etc.) woman have been far more successful than I have.
I live in the wealthiest nation in the world, surrounded by affluence and opportunity; yet, the wealthiest person in the world hails from Mexico… a country in may ways the opposite of all of that, from an environmental standpoint. I spent the weekend touring Cornelius Vanderbilt’s summer “cottage”, all 130,000 sq ft of it. He started his life poorer than I. I listened to stories of his servants, beginning with their hard and impoverished lives in service to the Vanderbilt’s and ending in their stories of social and financial success.
Typically people get what they deserve, in one form or another. Our “rewards” and “successes” may not be what we want them to be, and others may be able to inflict us with circumstances we did not earn for ourselves; but these things are not unfair, they are just a part of the grand randomness of life.
An that’s just the thing. Life is completely random. You might be born a Vanderbilt, you might be born to me, and you might be born – with AIDS – in the heart of Ethiopia. You might go your entire life without being in a traffic accident or your life might be cut short by a drunken driver at the age of 5. the Earth has no agenda, no vested interest in you, it just goes about existing… randomly.
Lets say we are starting a new school and more people want in that can attend. What do we do? We hold a lottery… a random selection of who gets in and who doesn’t. Why? Because it is the only fair way to do it. How do we select the winner of the Powerball jackpot or who will sacrifice themselves for the greater good (i.e. “draw the short straw”)? Randomly… so as to be fair. We, as a society embrace randomness as fairness. Yet, when life acts randomly (and – more specifically – when it acts against our best interests) we admonish it for being unfair.
Life does not promise success, affluence, or comfort; those are constructs of modern man. Life promises a struggle for survival and the opportunity to revel or revile in the journey.
Success or failure in life used to be (literally) defined by life and death; and success was defined by living to a ripe old age of 30 or 40 years. In most of the world today, the worst case scenario is better than a successful life was then. There are some exceptions, of course, where ones life is still defined by their ability to survive to middle age. However, in my opinion, this has less to do with life being unfair than it does with the people living life (in more fortunate areas of the world) being selfish.
If you ask me, people are (can be) unfair, unjust and unscrupulous… but life… is random, unpredictable, and unquestionably fair. | <urn:uuid:f0676ea9-10a1-4b6e-a3b6-65c494b92a4d> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://puntiglio.com/blog/?p=558 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368703682988/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516112802-00001-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.96515 | 847 | 1.640625 | 2 |
The Printz Award–winning classic gets a new look.
The Watson family moves to Stoneygate, an old coal-mining town, to care for Kit’s recently widowed grandfather. When Kit meets John Askew, another boy whose family has both worked and died in the mines, Askew invites Kit to join him in playing a game called Death. As Kit’s grandfather tells him stories of the mine’s past and the history of the Watson family, Askew takes Kit into the mines, where the boys look to find the childhood ghosts of their long-gone ancestors. Written in haunting, lyrical prose, Kit’s Wilderness examines the bonds of family from one generation to the next, and explores how meaning and beauty can be revealed from the depths of darkness.
A Michael L. Printz Award Winner
An ALA Notable Book
A Publishers Weekly Best Book
From the Paperback edition.
Share your thoughts on the Kit's Wilderness Childrens Fiction eBook with others!
|Title of eBook: Kit's Wilderness|
|Release Date: 11-13-2001|
|Allowed Countries (hover)|
|Publisher: Random House Children's Books|
This eBook download is available in the following formats:
|Parent title||Kit's Wilderness|
|Devices||Samsung Tablet, Apple Ipad & Iphone, Barnes & Noble Nook, Kobo eReader, Aluratek Libre, Iliad, Nokia, Blackberry, Hanlin|
|Note||ePub, short for electronic publication is one of our favorites and should be yours for a couple of reasons. ePub offers reflowable text giving you flexibility to manipulate how the content is presented. Moreover, lots of cool features are now being developed for the reader like advanced video and audio. ePub is now an industry standard, so all of the "non-propreitary" hardware manufacturers are now supporting it.|
In Stoneygate there was a wilderness. It was an empty space between the houses and the river, where the ancient pit, the mine, had been. That's where we played Askew's game, the game called Death. We used to gather at the school's gates after the bell had rung. We stood there whispering and giggling. After five minutes, Bobby Carr told us it was time and he led us through the wilderness to Askew's den, a deep hole dug into the earth with old doors slung across it as an entrance and a roof. The place was hidden from the school and from the houses of Stoneygate by the slope and by the tall grasses growing around it. The wild dog Jax waited for us there. When Jax began to growl, Askew drew one of the doors aside. He looked out at us, checked the faces, called us down.
We stumbled one by one down the crumbling steps. We crouched against the walls. The floor was hard-packed clay. Candles burned in niches in the walls. There was a heap of bones in a corner. Askew told us they were human bones, discovered when he'd dug this place. There was a blackened ditch where a fire burned in winter. The den was lined with dried mud. Askew had carved pictures of us all, of animals, of the dogs and cats we owned, of the wild dog Jax, of imagined monsters and demons, of the gates of Heaven and the snapping jaws of Hell. He wrote into the walls the names of all of us who'd died in there. My friend Allie Keenan sat across the den from me. The blankness in her eyes said: You're on your own down here.
Askew wore black jeans, black sneakers, a black T-shirt with "Megadeth" in white across it. He lit a cigarette and passed it round the ring. He passed around a jug of water that h | <urn:uuid:579e0050-406f-4044-ae6b-759d49883201> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.diesel-ebooks.com/item/9780440416050/Almond-David-Kit-s-Wilderness/1.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368703298047/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516112138-00008-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.955781 | 816 | 1.539063 | 2 |
Academics at JMU
A recent Chronicle of Higher Education survey ranked us No. 2 in the country among master's-level schools for the number of students... Read More >
80 percent of our undergrads do research, a practicum, an internship or student teach. Lots do more than one of these. Read More >
Our professors make teaching their No. 1 priority. That's rare at a school our size. Small classes. Attention from professors.... Read More >
In these uncertain economic times, the value of a college education has taken on a new meaning. JMU has been ahead of that curve for... Read More >
Energizing the future
In JMU's Alternative Fuel Vehicle Lab students and professors work to solve our nation's mounting dependence on a dwindling oil supply. Open to all majors, students from a variety of disciplines from engineering to art have all worked in the AFV lab. Read More
Think the entitlement mentality plagues corporate America? This 12-credit course at JMU prepares future business leaders to take nothing for granted. Students build a business from the ground up learning how business functions are integrated in real life. Read More
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The JMU Academic Advising site helps you understand how to assemble your course of study including information on graduation and degree requirements, majors and minors, and how you'll work with your academic adviser.
The Career and Academic Advising Office provides opportunities and support that engage students in the process of exploring, evaluating, and choosing academic programs and careers
Prepare for graduate or professional school, enhance your opportunities for a rewarding career, expand your knowledge. Check out our honors programs. | <urn:uuid:5b570e52-4e27-4e68-8901-fe8cf4a6890a> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.jmu.edu/academics/index.shtml | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704132298/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516113532-00006-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.932197 | 338 | 1.5625 | 2 |
Judith E. Glaser
Judith E. Glaser is one of the most innovative and pioneering change agents in the consulting industry. She is the world’s leading authority on WE-centric Leadership. Through her dynamic, interactive and provocative keynotes and leadership summits, she has introduced her powerful transformative technologies to CEO’s and their teams at major Fortune 500 companies. Benchmark works at the intersection of leadership, brand and culture.
Ownership and Power - Creating Connection from Tension
Israel took me by surprise. My husband and I celebrated my 10th year cancer-free anniversary this year in Israel, and it was an incredible place to be for this profound time in our lives. Israel is the history of the world found in one small spot on the world map. One small piece of geography filled with so much emotion, so much history, and so much push and pull about who owns what and why.
Our guide, Nachum, was the best storyteller and facilitator of learning I have ever met. As we drove down a particular street in Tel Aviv, he pointed out that this street was the line that separated Palestinians from the Israelis; each with houses facing the other with just a small street separating them. He pointed out that many houses had bullet holes in the stone facing - fresh ones - and many of the windows were closed down to a small opening to avoid the sniper fire that came through the windows. Conflict, fighting, war, hate were just a street apart.
In six days, Nachum brought together the 'now' of Israel with the past 3,000 years of history. For the first time I could understand why the conflict doesn't want to go away.
What we learned was that for thousands of years, each society that came to Israel, tried to wipe out the society before. They leveled the buildings down to the ground and built their edifices on top of the remaining rubble. Each took ownership of the land. Each marked their territory with their culture. Each lived there until the next great fight took place and another stronger power came in to conquer, enslave or exile the existing population.
Learning from History
People in Israel have rebuilt as much of history as they can so that visitors from around the world can see what happened... experience what happened... relive what happened with the hope that we can open our minds to the forces that continue to bring us together and pull us apart.
In Israel, archeological sites are being rebuilt so visitors can step into a 'recreated' edifice and experience the space, as did those who lived there thousands of years ago. They chart the old and new with a dark thick line on the walls, where below is the actual remaining wall and above is recreated space, allowing visitors to step into that room and its history as though it were now.
One such recreated space we visited was at Masada - King Herod's fortress, where 960 Jewish zealots made their last ditch stand against the Romans, and chose to all commit suicide rather than be slaughtered and have their wives and children taken into slavery by their enemies.
People are drawn to Israel. We want to experience the past in a safe way. We want to see it, and learn from it, yet the learning seems to live at the top of our consciousness and not filter down inside where we are willing to make fundamental changes in how we work together, how we live together and how we thrive together.
Holding Reality In Our Hands
I was blown away by this... an architect devoted his whole life to recreating the Western Wall and the city of Jerusalem in a 'model' so people would be able to walk around history and see and feel the story of people over thousands of years living through growth and conflict.
As Nachum walked us around the model we experienced what it felt to live back then and now at the same time - starting to understand the mighty forces of humanity and the tensions of people with different beliefs struggling to live together.
In our last day of the trip, we visited a newly unearthed archeological site of a very ancient city that has been the focus of a 29-year old excavation, which began when a mud slide opened up the ground. Below the rows of fully-grown trees emerged remnants of a theater. The archeologists knew that if a theater was there, then the city was near by - and it was!
As the team of archeologists dug the site, they unearthed an incredible city; they found markets for selling wares, spas for daily public bathing and having 'massages,' and a section of city where prostitutes offered their talents daily to those who were interested.
Nachum showed us that this spot was another example of 'many owners'. At one time this land had been 'built up and owned' by the Jews, then taken over by the Byzantines, then by the Greeks and then inhabited by the Romans followed by the Arabs.
The story of ownership and power continued to emerge right in front of our eyes in this archeological excavation, and continues to re-emerge as we return to the present and read the newspapers and talk with our friends about the fate of Israel and the larger story of how 'WE' is being created and destroyed right in front of our eyes.
How do we Create WE today? What are the most important and fundamental principles that we need to consider and practice as we learn to activate the most human parts of our minds, hearts and brains?
Creating WE Social Forces
Where do these tensions live inside of you? Where do they live inside of your culture? Where do they live inside of your relationships, and what are you doing to understand how to move with them not against them...
Trust at the Moment of Contact
In my new book on Trust (click here to see three chapters), I talk about the most important social forces that are hardwired into our DNA and drive our 'humanity.' Whether we were around three thousand years ago, or we are living today, these forces guide our interactions with each other. We are still struggling to figure it out, to work it through, and to find ways to emerge more whole and more humanized as a global community. | <urn:uuid:dc8cbbdc-10b1-4661-8bbf-0670e04bb37e> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://successtelevision.com/index.php/Expert-Blogs/Israel-and-the-fundamental-changes-we-need-to-make-to-connect-and-work-together.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368706499548/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516121459-00018-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.975445 | 1,269 | 1.523438 | 2 |
(This is part two of a series on World War II veteran John Mims.)
In mid-1941, a U.S. Army recruiter told John Mims that serving in the Philippines was great duty. The weather was nice, he said, and the women were beautiful.
For a little while, at least, it seemed the smooth-talking recruiter was telling the truth.
Just weeks after beginning his second stint in the military, Mims was aboard a troop transport ship heading for Luzon. He was now a private in Company B, 1st Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment.
Still sore at how he was unceremoniously kicked out of the Army a few years earlier, Mims was determined to make a good impression this time around.
“Everything I was assigned to do, I tried to do it better than anyone else,” said Mims.
Of course, he still made sure to enjoy the lovely scenery on Luzon and nothing was as beautiful to Mims as the face of a young girl named Juanita. The two star-crossed lovers met at a skating rink late in 1941 and instantly felt a strong bond.
It was a connection that would endure for more than six decades. The two married in 1945 and remained together until Juanita passed away in 2003.
“If she was here she would still be my angel,” said Mims. “None of God’s angels are any better than my wife. She had a heart of gold.”
Rumors of an impending war with Japan were rampant in December of 1941. But the dark clouds gathering on the horizon were nothing but a passing storm to John and Juanita.
Young and in love, the troubles of the world seemed a million miles away from the idyllic beaches of Luzon.
In fact, the two were relaxing along the sandy shoreline when they heard the news that would bring them crashing back to reality.
“I was at Sunset Beach,” said Mims. “(Juanita’s) boss was giving a party and I was invited. While we were there we heard that Japan had bombed Pearl Harbor.”
The war begins
Hustling back to his camp just outside Manila, Mims was assigned to a .50-caliber machine gun as American and Filipino forces braced for the impending Japanese invasion.
They didn’t need to wait long.
The Japanese began landing troops in the Philippines on Dec. 8 and invaded Luzon on Dec. 12.
Although outnumbered, the Japanese troops were better trained and equipped than the Allied forces. Most of Luzon was quickly overrun and Manila was declared an open city on Dec. 26.
American and Filipino troops retreated to the Bataan Peninsula where they set up a much stronger line of defense.
“We burned all of our barracks,” said Mims as he recalled the hectic time surrounding the retreat. “The only thing I didn’t burn was my uniform and stuff like that. I took a lot of my stuff to (Juanita’s) house and that really helped them during the war. She was able to take one of my khaki shirts or something like that and sell it up in the mountains. It was enough that she could get supplies for herself and her family.”
Mims was initially sent to the small island of Corregidor located right off the coast of Luzon. He spent just a few days there – including Christmas Day – before being shipped back to Bataan.
“Japan dropped everything they had on us during Christmas and the day after,” said Mims. “Then they sent us back to Bataan by barge and we set up (a defensive line).”
It was on the Bataan Peninsula that the defenders put up their most valiant fight. Time and again, they repelled numerous Japanese attacks and inflicted heavy losses on the invaders.
But time and circumstances were stacked against them.
Beginning of the end
While the Japanese could rely upon reinforcements and adequate supplies, the Americans and Filipinos were running dangerously low on everything.
Still, the fight went on.
“We just wouldn’t give up,” said Mims. “We ran out of food, water and ammunition. We ran out of everything.”
Soon, the American soldiers began infiltrating enemy lines to steal whatever they could find.
“We had to use Ranger tactics,” said Mims. “We’d slip behind their lines and take rifles. They also had these (mess kits) they would carry that had all their food. We took those, too. But we couldn’t fire a shot. We had to do all of it by bayonet.”
Shooting another man on the battlefield is grisly part of war, something most veterans never forget. But to kill an enemy soldier with your hands is something totally different, almost impossible to comprehend.
The memory of silently plunging a bayonet into his foes remains vivid to Mims.
“It wasn’t easy,” said Mims. “But if you are hungry and that is the only way to get food, would you not do it? Or, would you go out someplace and just die? That’s the way I felt about it. It wasn’t that I wanted to be cruel. We couldn’t just wound them because then they would talk and tell who did it.”
As the days turned into weeks and the weeks gave way to months, the Japanese slowly pushed the defenders all the way down the peninsula.
Despite putting up a gallant fight, the Americans and Filipinos had no chance of winning a battle of attrition. Disease, hunger and a lack of medical supplies were becoming just as deadly of an enemy as the Japanese.
In the three months of fighting on Bataan, Mims was wounded five times.
“I don’t know how I made it,” said Mims. “I didn’t see a doctor one time. The good Lord was looking out for me.”
As the Japanese relentlessly bombed and shelled the defenders, some men began to crack under the constant strain.
Mims suffered one of his wounds while saving the life of a second lieutenant suffering from shell shock. The officer began wandering around in the open during an artillery barrage and Mims was forced to tackle him and drag him to safety.
“He was out of it,” said Mims, who was hit by shrapnel during the attack. “He didn’t even know he was in the war.”
While some men clung to the hope that a massive naval armada would arrive soon with supplies and reinforcements, most realized the end was near.
“We knew better than that,” said Mims. “We figured out that we were left by ourselves.”
On April 9, 1942, the battle for Bataan finally came to a close. More than 75,000 American and Filipino troops surrendered to the Japanese invaders.
Combat, malnutrition and disease had taken a tremendous toll on the defenders during the three-month battle.
The worst, however, was yet to come.
As the defeated defenders began walking toward prison camps more than 70 miles away, they were beginning a trek of death and cruelty that would epitomize the heartless nature of combat in the Pacific Theater.
The Bataan Death March had begun.
(Part three of this story will appear in next week’s edition.) | <urn:uuid:24858d3a-a82b-4347-90b0-e7d530a2d57d> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.garnernews.net/view/full_story/17856766/article-Disease--hunger-become-enemy-at-Bataan | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368705953421/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516120553-00006-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.988224 | 1,603 | 1.546875 | 2 |
What’s the opposite of Spectacular?
Have you heard of Kiely Williams? She was a flash in the pan of my adolescence as a member of girl group 3LW, and later found fame in Disney’s The Cheetah Girls, but now she’s trying to ditch her good-girl past and reinvent herself for an edgier audience. That’s fine; artists do it all the time.
What’s not fine is that for her choice of comeback anthem, Kiely has decided to release “Spectacular,” a song that attempts to be sexually liberated but instead encourages binge drinking, unprotected sex, and rape. Some choice excerpts: “woke up in the morning, couldn’t get out of there fast enough;” “I hope he used a rubber or else I’ma be in trouble;” “I can’t believe I blacked out.”
Sounds awful, right? An experience that you definitely wouldn’t want to re-live? Not in this song: “even though I don’t remember his name, he could have it again if he wanted it.” And why? “Because the sex was spectacular.”
Really, Kiely Williams? This is the message that you are putting out there? Even though you just had sex with a stranger and are maybe pregnant and might have an STD and are, by your own words, ashamed of your actions, you would do it again? Because the sex was spectacular? Really?
Other people started asking those same questions and pointing out that the events of this song sound suspiciously like date rape—you can’t consent to sex if you’ve blacked out!—which prompted Kiely to release this message:
Young women across the country get intoxicated and have unprotected sex. That’s a fact. I recorded the song to bring attention to this frighteningly prevalent activity. It is absurd to infer or suggest that I am condoning this behavior.
Are Lady Gaga and Beyoncé advocating murder with the Telephone video? Of course not. … Is Academy Award winner Mo’Nique a proponent of incest because of her portrayal of Mary in the movie Precious? Clearly, the answer is no.
I wrote Spectacular and made the video to bring attention to a serious women’s health and safety issue. Please don’t shoot the messenger.
The problem with this explanation is that it’s not true. This song and its accompanying video do nothing BUT condone unsafe sexual practices. Comparing the lyrics and images in this video to a performance like Mo’Nique’s or an obviously campy, over-the-top show like Gaga’s doesn’t make any sense. Mo’Nique is clearly the villain in Precious; her actions are framed as unquestionably negative. Gaga and Beyoncé are kitschy; they’re cartoon characters in a make-believe world.
This video, on the other hand, is real. It’s incredibly true to life, and it does nothing to show Kiely’s “character” as a criticism of culture, or even a cautionary tale, or even someone who is making poor decisions. It presents binge drinking and unprotected sex as fun, consequence-free activities.
She’s right that these things happen all the time, and she’s right when she says that they’re serious issues. But she is dead wrong when she claims that this video in any way speaks out against what is a very serious health and safety concern for young women. If anything, it’s contributing to the problem. | <urn:uuid:06bf1ce5-4253-49d9-b900-66ac05e1f223> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.about-face.org/whats-the-opposite-of-spectacular/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368702810651/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516111330-00014-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.953146 | 788 | 1.539063 | 2 |
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Wisdom: Quotes from four Holy books
| January 3, 2013
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
Your God the Lord is in your midst, A warrior who brings triumph. He will rejoice over you and be glad. He will shout over you with jubilation. He will soothe with His love, those long disconsolate.
Do not the Unbelievers see that the heavens and the earth were joined together (as one unit of creation), before we clove them asunder? We made from water every living thing. Will they not then believe?
Surah 21: 30
Into this blind clay, You have infused awareness. Everything, everywhere which You have given is good.
Sri Guru Granth Sahib | <urn:uuid:81fb2734-786b-4ffe-ac0c-2a2e86a416f4> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.chron.com/life/houston-belief/life/houston-belief/article/Wisdom-Quotes-from-four-Holy-books-4164858.php | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368710006682/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516131326-00005-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.935287 | 204 | 1.742188 | 2 |
By some estimates, people lose 2 hours of work a day due to interruptions. The time is wasted in two ways: First, when you are interrupted, you often lose your place. You have to go back and redo some of the work to restore your working context. Second, the topic of the interruption is often relatively unimportant–so you have less time for your highest priorities.
How can you avoid this tremendous waste of time? Many people recommend putting barriers in place so that you are less accessible.
There are many tricks: turn off the ringer on the phone, close the email program, do your work in a secret hiding place. Barriers can be helpful, but they can’t eliminate all interruptions, and they oughtn’t eliminate the minority of interruptions that are important.
To cope more effectively with interruptions that happen, I recommend a 3-D approach: Delay, Delimit, Decide.
First, delay the interrupter briefly while you capture your mental state. 30 seconds spent making notes to yourself about where you are makes a huge difference in how difficult it is to get back into the work. I offered a technique called a “mental cleanup” to help you save your state in a previous newsletter. It’s here.
While you’re capturing your thoughts, do not let your interrupter talk. There is no interruption that can’t wait 30 seconds while you jot some notes. Just put up your hand and say, “just a second, let me capture my thoughts.”
Second, delimit the interruption. Allot at most two minutes to find out whether this interruption is more important than what you’re already doing.
Start by asking him if he thinks it’s more important. Maybe say something like, “I’m in the middle of __(your project)__ right now, and I’d rather not stop now. Can this wait until ______(the next time you will have a break)____?” If he doesn’t think it can wait, ask him for the quick 1-minute overview of the issue–what it is, and why it’s so urgent.
Third, decide for yourself whether the interruption is more important than what you’re doing. His priorities may not align with your priorities. It’s your time at stake–make a conscious decision whether to spend your time on this interruption.
If you agree the interruption is important, and you need to spend some time dealing with it, ask for another minute to go back, check your notes from the mental cleanup, and make sure they are legible and there’s nothing you want to add. You won’t be back to this task for a while, so you want to leave your notes for picking up again as clear as possible.
If, on the other hand, you don’t think the interruption is important, you need to politely disengage. It’s helpful to have a stock response ready. Here’s one that could work: “I’m sorry, but I can’t take time to address this right now. We can talk about it _(at what time)_. To speed up that discussion, would you send me an email about it?”
(And then of course, follow up as you promise.)
It’s important that you disengage quickly. Do not get into a discussion about your decision. Your goal is to get back to your higher priority work, without being further distracted.
If your interrupter doesn’t to want to take “no” for an answer, just say no again. Miss Manners explained how to say “no” politely in one of her books. Say, “I’m sorry, it’s just not possible.” When asked “why?” say, “Because it’s impossible.” End of story. Nothing to argue about.
Interruptions are real. They are disruptive. They are sometimes unavoidable. To make help make sure you don’t waste time due to interruptions, use the three D’s: DELAY the interruption so you can make some notes, DELIMIT the time to determine whether it’s important, then DECIDE whether you truly need to stop what you were doing–or should get right back to it.
Delay. Delimit. Decide. | <urn:uuid:83dfb4cf-f15a-4e8b-9186-ddb28cf58cd9> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://capitalismmagazine.com/2012/03/coping-with-interruptions/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368711005985/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516133005-00017-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.941778 | 945 | 1.757813 | 2 |
In 2011, Facebook partnered with several organizations and agencies to create the Social Jobs Partnership, which faded the line between jobs and social media. Now, taking the partnership further, the social network has announced the launch of its Social Jobs Partnership app. Users can access more than 1.7 million jobs.
The Partnership includes the U.S. Department of Labor, the National Association of Colleges and Employers, DirectEmployers Association, and the National Association of State Workforce Agencies. Jobs provided via the Social Jobs app come from the likes of BranchOut, Work4Labs, Jobvite, DirectEmployers Association, and Monster.com. A ticker on the app shows the current number of jobs available, which presently sits at 1,733,231.
Facebook users can find jobs based on a listing’s location, skills required, and industry. The stated purpose of the SJP app is to “tap into the growing trend of talent acquisition through social media.” The potential value of this app can be seen in recent statistics published in a NACE survey that looked at, in part, the relationship between Facebook and job seeking/recruitment.
According to the survey, 50-percent of employers use Facebook in some fashion during the hiring process, with over half of those employers believing that Facebook is becoming an integral part of the process. In addition, a whopping 90-percent of businesses stated that Facebook reduced their need for recruitment-based print advertisements. Finally, 87-percent of recruiters stated that individuals using Facebook for the purposes of getting a job should like the potential employer’s Facebook page, and should engage in social networking. | <urn:uuid:dd820309-d923-41d3-9d62-c44e8233c160> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.slashgear.com/facebook-launches-social-jobs-application-14257138/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+slashgear+%28SlashGear%29 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368709037764/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516125717-00016-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.951449 | 339 | 1.601563 | 2 |
Question: I discovered my great-grandmother's brother was a local postmaster in Maine. Can you tell me where I can find out the cost to mail a letter in the 1870's to 1910's? His diaries discuss the rate changes, and I thought it would be helpful to follow along with a list.
Answer: This website provides the costs for U.S. Postal rates for letters and postcards from the 1860's to present - http://www.akdart.com/postrate.html | <urn:uuid:4d430176-9c56-41f7-a6a6-c6de372744a1> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.americanancestors.org/Blogs.aspx?blogmonth=10&blogday=23&blogyear=2012&blogid=111 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696381249/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092621-00003-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.956237 | 105 | 1.640625 | 2 |
Scared of flying? Press the iPanic button
SYDNEY (Reuters) - People scared of flying can now press a button on their iPhone to help them deal with their panic.
Long-haul airline Virgin Atlantic Airways has launched an application, or app, for its Flying Without Fear course which boasts a success rate of over 98 percent. Apps are a source of information, games and other novelty ideas for users of Apple's iPhone and iPod Touch devices.
The airline said in a statement that this app was designed to help people overcome fear, be it of the unfamiliar aircraft, the strange noises a plane makes, or of losing control.
"Our first iPhone app will bring the benefits of our successful Flying Without Fear course to millions of people around the world who are now using mobile technology to make their lives better," Richard Branson, president of Virgin Atlantic, said in a statement.
"The app will put many travellers at ease and enable them to prepare for their first Virgin Atlantic flight."
The airline developed the app with Mental Workout, a company developing software to help people resolve issues and increase mental performance. A spokesman from Mental Workout said an estimated one in every three adults were scared of flying.
The Flying Without Fear app has an introduction by Branson, a video-based in-flight explanation of a flight, frequently asked questions, relaxation exercises and a fear attack button for emergencies with breathing exercises.
(Writing by Belinda Goldsmith, Editing by Miral Fahmy)
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Thursday, May 16, 2013
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A Taste of History in Bermuda—Chatham House Tobacconist
Posted: May 24, 2012
Bermuda offers a treasure of Cuban cigars, and if you're on the islands and looking for a few to light up you might want to aim for a place that has sold cigars, and been in the same family, since the late 19th century. It's called Chatham House, at 63 Front Street in Hamilton, right on the waterfront at the corner of Burnaby Street, where it has stood since about 1895.
It is just across Front Street from the cruise ship terminal, where you're likely to see a Holland America vessel docked—or maybe you'll have sailed in on it. (If your ship has come in at the Dockyard, the major terminal, it’s a short and pleasant 20-minute ferry ride to the capital city of Hamilton, which you’ll probably be planning to visit. Chatham House is about a five-minute walk from the ferry terminal.)
Just inside Chatham House, standing guard over the Cubans, is a very politically incorrect but eminently elegant and wooden, century-old American Indian princess, complete with feathered headdress, bright red lips and a cigar box in her left hand. She leads the way to glass-fronted humidor cases filled with an extensive collection that includes Montecristos, Cohibas, Romeo y Julietas, Partagás and Punches—some 80 different types and sizes of Cuban cigars, according to the store’s owner-manager, Charles William Pitt.
Pitt, 69, is the fourth generation of his family to run the store, which was opened by John A. P. Pitt as Pitt & Co., a retail shop that featured tobacco products and other items. The Native American statue dates from around 1900. It was one of two, according to Pitt, “probably sent free of charge by the tobacco companies.” The other, he says, “was probably snapped up by some collector.”
His son William, 45, who’s in charge of the family wholesale operation distributing Cuban cigars throughout Bermuda, says he has been in the cigar business since age 12. The Front Street store, he says, sells about $700,000 of Cuban cigars annually. Including the Bermuda-wide distribution, he estimates that “total retail is almost $1 million a year.” The Front Street location also offers cigar cutters, pipes, pipe tobacco and other products.
Many visitors to the store are of course tourists, Charles Pitt says—winters, with not nearly as many arrivals, are slower than other times. But “locals, especially those working in Hamilton offices, insurance companies and things like that, buy a lot of cigars,” he says. “They’re very good customers.”
The local customers’ favorite, he says, is the corona or small corona-size Romeo y Julieta—the small goes for about $7.75.
The store’s prices for Cuban cigars are not low. (Bermuda is an expensive island, partly because so much must be imported.) Montecristo No. 2s are $22.75 each, $495 for the box; Cohiba Corona Especiales are $32 for one, $701 the box.
Cohiba Robustos are $33.95 and $788; Partagás Serie P No. 2 are $22.70 and $493; Punch Punch are $19.10 and $440; and Romeo y Julieta Belicosos are $19.95 and $465.
That's just a sampling. There are also Montecristo No. 3s, Tubos and Edmundos; Cohiba Siglos of many different Roman numerals; Romeo y Julieta Exhibición No. 3s; Partagás Serie D No. 4. That too is a sampling. Prices include tax.
Comments 2 comment(s)
Christian — May 25, 2012 9:13am ET
Marvin Crenshaw — Looking Glass River, MI, USA, — May 28, 2012 10:12pm ET
You must be logged in to post a comment. | <urn:uuid:dbdb9eeb-60b6-4db0-99fa-058eebd242f1> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.cigaraficionado.com/webfeatures/show/id/16534 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368698924319/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516100844-00018-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.944361 | 963 | 1.554688 | 2 |
NCL Personal Finance Issues
Payday loans are short-term loans marketed to consumers in need of cash – a growing population in this economy. The loans – plus often high interest rates – are to be repaid on the next pay day, and consumer advocates warn consumers against using payday loans because they are a short-term solution that come at a very high cost. To make things worse, NCL’s Fraud Center is hearing about a new twist on payday loan scams from consumers.
Scam artists have latched onto a new hook for their cons – payday loans. NCL has received numerous complaints from consumers reporting that they’ve been approached by scammers claiming to represent payday loan companies, collection agencies and law enforcement. The scammers frequently use information acquired from legitimate online loan applications to trick their victims into believing that the scammers are truly representatives of their loan providers. These scammers use the threat of being arrested to intimidate their victims into giving them money.
Payday loans (also sometimes called “cash advances”) are small, short-term loans marketed to consumers in need of cash, which will be repaid – plus often high interest rates – on his or her next payday. Consumer advocates warn consumers against using payday loan services if possible, since they are a short-term solution that come at a very high cost.
Failing to pay a loan is not punishable by arrest. In fact, threatening to have someone arrested for not paying a loan is illegal. These scammers are trying use intimidation to trick their victims into giving them money. Here are some tips to help you protect your money:
- If a scammer using this scam approaches you, or if you’ve already fallen victim, contact local law enforcement and file a complaint with NCL’s Fraud Center at www.fraud.org. Law enforcement agencies need every lead they can get to arrest these criminals.
- By stealing your personal information, the scammers have also committed identity theft. The FTC has tips for what you can do if you are a victim of identity theft: http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/consumers/defend.html
- Be wary when applying for payday loans via the Internet. Not only do you risk exposing your personal information to criminals, online loans typically have higher fees and interest rates than loans applied for offline
- Tell the scammers to only contact you by mail and to provide written proof of the debt in question. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act requires debt collectors to stop calling their targets if they are asked to do so.
- Scammers often claim to represent official-sounding law enforcement agencies or financial institutions. If you receive call from someone claiming to be from such an organization, hang up and call the organization in question directly.
- Consumers cannot be arrested for failing to pay a loan
- If you are insure whether you are delinquent on a payday loan, contact to lender directly to inquire about the status of your account.
- Some scammers set up fake phone numbers and email addresses to trick savvy consumers into dismissing their suspicions as paranoia. Look up phone numbers or email addresses for lenders on your own or, better yet, rely on your loan paperwork to find a legitimate contact number.
- If the scammer threatens you, call the police immediately. | <urn:uuid:09003e44-27c1-4858-9f9c-ae1eb6f984df> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.nclnet.org/personal-finance/64-fraud/550-fake-payday-loans-plaguing-consumers | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368698924319/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516100844-00014-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.958569 | 684 | 1.84375 | 2 |
Auto White Balance. Photo made indoors while cloudy outside. Way too blue and ugly! 99% of people make this shot and never think anything more about it.
Cloudy White Balance. Wow! Warm, golden, and just like it's supposed to look. I did this on my Canon SD700 point-and-shoot. Every digital camera over $50 and even most camera phones provide this adjustment.
Setting the White Balance when needed is the key to great color photos. This comes out the same with an $5,000 camera or a camera phone. I know: I also tried this on a Canon 5D ($3,300) and 16-35mm L ($1,700) and got the same results. You need to adjust the White Balance at times with every camera. I've also found point-and-shoots to be better than the more expensive DSLRs at auto white balance!
This is so simple it often confuses people who think it's supposed to be complicated.
White Balance is nothing more than an adjustment to get the color you want. You set it to look good on the camera's LCD and that's it until the light changes. There is no right answer; it's what looks good to you. Skip to my Examples and forget this page if you prefer. Getting the image to look right is all that matters. Tweak WB until it looks good. Period.
That's right: I play with it until it looks good on the color screen on the back of my camera. SIMPLE! Of course it helps to know what the tweaks do to help you get there.
Photos can look too orange, blue or green even if the subject looked OK to our naked eyes. Since we can preview the photos on our color LCDs setting white balance is easy.
Our eyes adjust this automatically just as they do for lightness and darkness. It would be great if cameras did this as well as our eyes do, but cameras often need a little help just like they do with exposure.
White balance settings may be altered for deliberate creative purposes, exactly as we do with exposure.
You can change the orangeness or bluishness of your images to make them as warm, neutral or cool as you want without having to use glass filters. You even can get rid of the green cast from fluorescent lighting, all without the glass filters we need for film. Cool, huh?
Just skip to Application if you just want to learn to make good photos. This section is only if you really care about the "why" behind all this.
Different kinds of light require different adjustments to give a good picture. If we consider full daylight as "normal," then indoor incandescent screw-in light bulbs look orange by comparison and candle light looks almost red. Likewise, blue sky without the sun is very blue although when you're in the shade everything looks OK to you and I. If you make a photo in the shade the picture comes out way too blue or cool looking.
This is because different kinds of light have different amounts of red, green and blue. Incandescent lights and candles have a lot of extra red because they make light by heating something hot enough to glow. Blue sky has a lot of blue because the sky appears to be lit by light scattering from assorted dirt particles and the various gas molecules which make up the atmosphere. This scattering effect, described by Rayleigh, varies as the inverse of the fourth power of the wavelength. Fluorescent and metal halide lights have a lot of extra green because they make light by exciting ions of gasses made from dog poop which glow greenish.
Low pressure sodium (deep orange) street lights are always going to look orange because they are orange. They are monochromatic with only one wavelength at 589 nm. They have no red, green or blue light to balance.
High pressure sodium lights (whiter orange) can sometimes be white balanced. Most cameras lack the range to do this. If your camera can, you can get the scene to look as if it is under white light and not the orange of the street lights!
The silly phrase "White Balance" comes from professional video. Studio videographers use a special kind of oscilloscope called a waveform monitor in parade mode (or a vectorscope in the old days) to match or "balance" the signals from the camera's red, green and blue channels. Balancing these three signals makes whites and grays look neutral.
In digital photography (and amateur video) we have it much easier. You can just press a button to make whites neutral, or let the camera do this automatically. It's also trivial to use this adjustment ability for devious purposes to shift the colors any way you like!
Digital and video cameras have this adjustment and film cameras don't for the same reason dogs and cats lick themselves: because they can. Since digital and video cameras are electronic it's simple to set colors by adjusting each one separately. Film can't do this, since color film is processed all at once. This is why we need color balancing and conversion filters with film cameras and don't with digital.
Forget about Kelvin temperatures unless you're an engineer. Kelvin degrees work backwards from how we expect them to work in photography and common sense. Kelvin degrees are the same as Celsius, except for being 273 degrees apart. (C = K - 273.) This scientific classification refers to how hot something would have to be heated to glow the same color. Imagine your electric heater or range. At lower temperatures it's more red and gets oranger as it heats up. If it got to 3,200 degrees Kelvin (3,200K) you have the same color as a typical light bulb (and the heating element would explode). If you heated something even more to say 5,500 K it would be brighter and bluer and similar to daylight. Heat the thing up further to say 8,000K and it might be as blue as shade. Yes, the hotter Kelvin looks bluer or cooler, which is why you should ignore this unless you are a scientist.
Different settings change the amount of orange or blue color cast, usually to compensate for any cast in the lighting. If you have no blue or orange cast you get neutral whites, which is what you usually get if you use the settings suggested by the instruction book. The Fluorescent settings take out the green from Fluorescent, mercury, HMI and metal halide lights used in your garage, sports stadia and parking lots. Forget about shooting under orange street lights: they'll always look orange because they are orange. White balance only adjusts far enough to make lights that look white to us look white in photos.
In the AUTO mode the camera makes its best guess for each shot. I use the AUTO white balance mode when I can. It works great in my Nikon D70 and Canon A70, but poorly in my Nikon D1H. Even though it may or may not work well for normal photos, AUTO (also called AWB in Canon) almost always works great for under weird mixed artificial lighting without flash.
AUTO (also called AWB) mode works OK with flash and indoors and outdoors. Usually the images will still be fairly blue in shade and pleasantly warm indoors at night. When the flash is on most cameras automatically switch to flash white balance.
The fun starts when you take it out of AUTO and set it yourself. Here's what the other settings do:
Tungsten (symbol of a light bulb also called "indoor"): Very, very blue most of the time except indoors at night, for which it looks normal. "Tungsten" is the name of the metal out of which the bulb's filament is made. Even indoors many people prefer the warmer AUTO setting. TRICK: Set -1 or -2 exposure compensation and use this setting in daylight to simulate night! In Hollywood we call this "day for night."
Daylight (symbol of a sun): Bluish normal. This is a little bit bluer than I usually prefer. Only use it for shooting test charts in direct sunlight.
Cloudy (symbol of a cloud): I prefer this. It's a little warmer than the daylight setting and best for most shots outdoors in direct sunlight. Why not the daylight setting? The camera manuals are written by engineers, not artists. The engineers are interested in copying color test charts, not making a good photo. I prefer things on the warmer side.
Flash (symbol of a lighting bolt): Almost identical to cloudy but sometimes redder depending on the camera. Use this the same way. On Nikons like the D70 you usually can set separate fine-tuned adjustments for each setting, so you can set different adjustments under cloudy and flash for quick access. This is optimized for the little on-camera flashes that tend to be blue, thus this setting tends to be warm to compensate. With large studio strobes you probably don't want to use this, since the images may be too red. Try the Daylight setting to match carefully daylight balanced studio strobes.
Shade (symbol of a house casting a shadow): Very orange. This is perfect for shooting in shade, since shade is so blue. It's also for shooting when you are under a cloud on a partly cloudy day since most of the light is coming from the blue sky. It's also for shooting in backlight, again since the subject is lit more by the blue sky instead of the direct sunlight. TIP: Some cameras skip this critical setting. If so, manually set the CUSTOM preset while in shade (also called one-push, Manual and white card and other things depending on manufacturer) and use this setting in place of the missing shade setting. TIP: I often use this mode even in direct sun when I want to make things look warm and inviting. Try it and you'll probably love it. The SHADE setting is a professional secret for getting great images, pass it on!
Example under ordinary shade. The skin looks much more warm and natural with the correct SHADE setting. I have never seen an AUTO setting that adjusts correctly for shade. These were made with a pocket camera.
Example under warm afternoon sunlight. I prefer the even warmer tones from the SHADE setting. These were made with a DSLR and an 81A filter.
Fluorescent (symbol of a long rectangle or Fluorescent tube): Use this if your photos are too green or under Fluorescent, mercury, HMI or metal halide lights as you might find in street lights. It will make other things look a bit purplish. With Nikons the fine-tuning adjustment (+-3) is much stronger in this setting and adjusts from fairly warm to fairly cool. Because of this you may not be able to get the exact color you want under Fluorescent lighting, in which case try AUTO or preset.
Fine Tuning (+3 to -3): Color is critical. The basic settings above get you close, but probably not exactly what you want. These fine adjustments allow you to get the exact amount of coolness or warmth. + is cooler and - is warmer. Nikons allow you to adjust this and remembers your preference for every setting while the Canons often skip this. Without the ability to fine tune these settings I find the Canon Rebel, 300D and 10D cameras not very useful. One can even fine tune Nikon's AUTO setting. Most photos on my D70 are made in AUTO -3.
Manual, Custom or Preset (sometimes a symbol with a dot and two triangles): This allows you to point the camera at something you want to be neutral and it makes it that way. Read the manual to your camera for specifics. Usually the camera sets itself to what's in front of you. Some cameras also can set themselves to something in an image shot previously. TRICK: Set it pointed at something colored or through a colored filter and your resulting photos will have a color cast opposite the color to which you set it! Set it on something blue and photos come out yellow, set it on something purple and the photos come out green. Point it at something warm and you get cool and vice versa. You even can buy specially tinted "white" cards for this and see examples here.
You use this setting if you have some weird light that otherwise you can't get to look good. I rarely use it, since auto does almost the same thing and makes it much easier.
When shooting under fluorescent or mercury lighting the color of the light may actually change hundreds of times a second as the AC power cycles. This is no problem with long exposures. On the other hand shooting indoor sports this drove me completely insane until I figured this out. I was shooting at ISO 3,200 and 1/500 of a second. Exposures and color were very different from frame to frame and I had no idea why until I realized that the lights by design were flickering 120 times a second from the 60 Hz power. There is no way around this other than to retrofit the arena with high frequency ballasts for all the lights or otherwise replace or overpower the arena's lighting. We use high frequency ballasts for our HMI lights in Hollywood so we don't get beats with the 24FPS film cameras, but its expensive and not done in stadiums. Good luck!
What setting do you use for fill flash under tungsten light? If you use AUTO or Flash you'll get orange backgrounds and normal subjects, and this is pretty good. If you are shooting under fluorescents you'll get a nasty green background with normal looking subjects, not good.
If you change the white balance to tungsten or Fluorescent the backgrounds will look normal, but now the fill light on the subject will look blue or purple. Not good.
Here's the trick from Hollywood: you need to gel (filter) the flash to match the ambient light and then set the white balance for that ambient light. Now everything will look normal. You could gel all the ambient light to match the flash instead, but that's a lot more work since there's a lot more lights. In Hollywood movies we'll spend a day gelling all the different kinds of lights and even gel set windows to make outdoors match tungsten. (The funny part is Hollywood is still based on gelling everything to tungsten, since that's the film we shoot, but almost no lighting is tungsten anymore.)
The best place to buy gel filters, which are just colored sheets of plastic, is your local theatrical stage and lighting supply store. They are a couple of feet on a side and cost a few bucks each. You cut them with scissors and tape them where you need them. Popular brands are Roscoe and Lee. You can get a free sampler from these stores to try out which color works best before you blow a whole few bucks on a full size filter. In the stage world we worry about selecting from among the hundreds of colors they offer. Get the book for cinegels color conversion and correction filters.
That's it. I have no idea why people make this so complicated. Just use what looks good.
Help me help you top
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If you find this as helpful as a book you might have had to buy or a workshop you may have had to take, feel free to help me continue helping everyone.
The biggest help is to use these links to Adorama, Amazon, Calumet, Ritz, J&R and when you get your goodies. It costs you nothing and is a huge help to me. eBay is always a gamble, but all the other places have the best prices and service, which is why I've used them since before this website existed. I recommend them all personally.
Thanks for reading! | <urn:uuid:47936a3f-040c-422e-9db0-34481c5d42a3> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://kenrockwell.com/tech/whitebalance.htm | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368699881956/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516102441-00017-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.947671 | 3,266 | 1.671875 | 2 |
I just want to know if digital certificates use the kerberos session key algorithm.
I have been trying to understand how ssl works. Instead of Alice and Bob, lets consider client and server communication. Server has a digital certificate acquired from a CA. It also has public and ... | <urn:uuid:efd9f0e6-74c3-4e59-bf60-d334e5fc430f> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://security.stackexchange.com/questions/tagged/digital-signature+protocols | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368697974692/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516095254-00004-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.952177 | 58 | 1.742188 | 2 |
Archived material is restricted to Rantburg regulars and members. If you need access email fred.pruitt=at=gmail.com with your nick to be added to the members list. There is no charge to join Rantburg as a member.
Posted by Raj 2013-02-13 00:20||
#2 D *** NG IT, I don't see Godzilla anywhere around, do you???
Posted by JosephMendiola 2013-02-13 00:44||
#3 Yeah, he's right here Joe.
Posted by junkiron 2013-02-13 06:00||
#4 Sometimes we look at a photograph and we know something just doesn't look right, but we just can't seem to put our finger on what is wrong with the image.
In this case we know instantly that the image was "Photoshopped" because the plane and the background (the mountain) were photographed from two different perspectives. Or angles.
In photography perspective means - where was the photographer standing in relation to the subject when he/she took the picture ? In the Iranian Photoshopped image you will notice that, in the case of the background, the photographer was high above the mountain, and from the photographers perspective, he/she was in a position directly in front of the mountain. (head on)
In the case of the jet plane, if you look at the two tail sections, you will notice that the photographers perspective (position) was slightly above the plane and almost all the way to the left.
The image looks phoney because from the photographers perspective the plane would have been flying out of the image, or on the far right, not on the far left.
If you place the plane on the far right of the image, the first thing you notice is that the plane has no exaust. That is probably why the "Photoshop Artist" put the plane on the left and cut off the tail section.
Another dead give away that an image has been "Phoshopped" is the image resolution. Resolution is the size and shape of the pixels. In this case, not only are the two images different resolutions, but the plane has been given a "motion blur" which causes the planes pixels to become rectangular and pointed on the left.
AS A SIDE NOTE:
The image of Obama's birth certificate (on his website) is comprised of four different sized pixels.
It is quite easy to program Photoshop to copy only the pixels of a certain size.
If you do this four times what you come up with is the four original documents used to composite the final image.
Also the ink on each document is a different color of black. In addition all the text edits made are a fifth color of black. If you program Photoshop to copy only the fifth color of black, what you come up with are all the text edits they made on the final draft of the birth certificate.
Posted by junkiron 2013-02-13 19:20||
#5 *happy sigh* Rantburg has the best experts! That was a pure pleasure to read, junkiron.
Posted by trailing wife 2013-02-13 21:36|| | <urn:uuid:9515e33b-df34-42b2-8431-9c81abbd2629> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?D=2013-02-13&ID=362170 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700264179/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516103104-00005-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.955027 | 657 | 1.710938 | 2 |
As expected, the $5 billion in increased tax revenues (really $4.3 billion) is due to timing and one time money. A billion of that comes from sales tax revenues from December but not reported till January. $3 billion was one time money due to Obama tax increases and Prop. 30 retroactive taxes.
Expect revenues for the year to be done and spending up—making the deficit even larger. According to Assemblywoman Diane Harkey the current debt/deficit of California is $90 billion—guess Brown keeps forgetting about that.
◦ “Personal income tax revenues to the General Fund were $4.951 billion above the month’s forecast of $7.608 billion, likely the result of major tax law changes at the federal and state level having a significant impact in the timing of revenue receipts. At the state level, the surge was due in part to the Proposition 30 rate increase that was adopted by voters in November of 2012. Taxpayers likely paid a larger share of that additional liability in January, rather than waiting until April as forecast. In addition, the Governor’s Budget forecast that taxpayers would accelerate income in 2012 since federal tax rates were widely expected to increase in 2013. It appears there may have been a larger shift in income from 2013 to 2012 than expected, which would be reflected in higher estimated payments made in January.”
The report from the Department of Finance is here.
Crossposted on California Political News & Views | <urn:uuid:d290d543-5434-4bbb-a3e7-7abaf63392a4> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.foxandhoundsdaily.com/2013/02/gov-s-office-admits-revenue-surge-was-an-anomaly/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696383156/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092623-00017-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.979778 | 301 | 1.710938 | 2 |
Soren-a From Denmark, joined Sep 2001, 235 posts, RR: 0 Posted (10 years 3 months 4 days 1 hour ago) and read 2498 times:
I have just seen an artist impression of the proposed new British carriers, and it has a "ski jump" ramp at the front where the planes take off. The carriers are to be equipped with the STOVL F-35B JSF, and I have the following question:
Can the F-35B perform a short rolling take off (Like the Harrier do from the present British carriers) or will it do a "normal" take off run (like on the Russian carriers)?
Jwenting From Netherlands, joined Apr 2001, 10213 posts, RR: 21 Reply 1, posted (10 years 3 months 4 days ago) and read 2459 times:
The STOVL version is designed to replace the Harriers in the USMC on their carriers. Those aren't large enough for a conventional takeoff roll.
Profile will be similar to the Harrier, with maybe increased payload for full VTOL operations.
GDB From United Kingdom, joined May 2001, 12715 posts, RR: 80 Reply 2, posted (10 years 3 months 3 days 5 hours ago) and read 2380 times:
The CVF design has provision for easy conversion to cat and trap operations, officially it's to 'future proof' them over the planned 50-year life.
Really it's insurance if the F-35B gets cancelled, this F-35 is only (so far) for the USMC and UK, the smallest production run, most technically challenging and most expensive, the USN will not be happy funding it, when they really want the USMC to take F-35C and operate them off the conventional carriers.
GDB From United Kingdom, joined May 2001, 12715 posts, RR: 80 Reply 3, posted (10 years 3 months 3 days 2 hours ago) and read 2390 times:
The Ministry Of Defence have asked the UK branch of RAND to investigate the desirability of establishing a UK (BAE) production line for RAF and RN F-35s.
Until now, the plan has been to have only the LM line, but concerns about delivery rates needed from 2010 onwards and the inevitable changes to UK F-35s have caused a re-think.
Supporting the aircraft, with these mods, is a major concern over the decades of service.
LM have taken BAE's advanced production line technology, developed for the Eurofighter, for the F-35 programme, so not as difficult to set up as you might think.
This is a major part of UK investment in F-35, along with the avionics, airframe components, and R/R's work on the engine for the STOVL version.
Although some 150 aircraft are currently planned for the UK, the F-35C must be a front runner for at least part (the manned part) of the programme to replace the Tornado GR.4 from 2018 onwards. This could add another 100 or so aircraft to the UK requirement.
Of course, if the F-35B is dumped by the DoD, the UK will be getting F-35C's by default.
GDB From United Kingdom, joined May 2001, 12715 posts, RR: 80 Reply 5, posted (10 years 3 months 2 days 4 hours ago) and read 2461 times:
I would think that the F-35B, being a far more modern aircraft than the Harrier, with a modern, very powerful engine, will just take off from the ramp with the main engines nozzle in the normal flight position.
Its landing back on the carrier where the STOVL features will be used, as Sea Harrier pilots like to say, 'it's easier to stop and land than to land and stop!' | <urn:uuid:adbe625d-6281-4cec-9547-ae8b63844978> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.airliners.net/aviation-forums/military/read.main/12736/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368705559639/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516115919-00004-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.943782 | 800 | 1.546875 | 2 |
Zach Wahls, Taking Risks to Achieve Success
Friday, June 1, 2012
Where? 111 S. Wacker Dr., Chicago
Zach, then a 19-year-old University of Iowa student, addressed the Iowa House of Representatives regarding a proposed state constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage. He spoke about the meaning of family and proudly proclaimed, “The sexual orientation of my parents has had zero effect on the content of my character.” Hours later, his speech was posted on YouTube and quickly went viral. 3:30 pm doors open, 4 - 4:45 pm presentation, reception follows. RSVP by May 25
Discussion, Gay, Lesbian
Please note: Indicating that you are interested or going to this event does not necessarily guarantee admission. Refer to the event description for details about attending the event.
Serving the Chicago gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender communities.
© Copyright 2013 all rights reserved. info on this site is strictly for entertainment purposes. | <urn:uuid:121416ab-d9b8-406b-8ca0-8a1e22fa388d> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://chicago.gopride.com/calendar/event.cfm/id/145054 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368711005985/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516133005-00000-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.94194 | 202 | 1.507813 | 2 |
The five-page document with 93 signatures and the official stamps of Du Nord Province and Walikale arrived in the inbox yesterday. It is a letter from leaders of Walikale, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, to the government of newly elected president Joseph Kabila, and other members of the international community, including the United Nations.
The people of Walikale are terrified because members of the Democratic Liberation Forces of Rwanda (FDLR), Hutu remnants of the 1994 Rwandan genocidaires, have put 49 citizens on an assassination list. The list includes cultural leaders, chiefs, local government officials, businessmen and women, and political leaders.
The letter also says that when the people of Walikale have previously asked for help from the Kabila government in Kinshasa, “Congolese forces arrive and engage in violent and inhumane treatment of the people of Walikale.”
Three weeks ago an FDLR officer, Colonel Evariste aka Colonel Sadiki, was murdered. The FDLR is accusing a Mai Mai rebel leader, “Sheka,” of the assassination. This was confirmed by the Afroamerica Network. Colonel Sadiki was the only FDLR commander who had managed to become independent from the general command. He was commanding an almost autonomous battalion known as “Sadiki Soleil.”The alleged killing of Sadiki by Sheka was payment for betrayal after Sadiki captured some of Sheka’s Mai Mai fighters and turned them over to authorities. According to a report by a UN Panel, the FDLR and Mai-Mai were once allies, conducting joint military operations– one of which was mass murders and rapes near the villages of Kibua and Luvungi.
No one is saying who ordered the hit on Colonel Sadiki, but the FDLR intends to exact revenge upon the villagers of Walikale and has given advance notice of targeted killings.
Support for Sheka in Walikale is chequered, with locals mostly unwilling to openly speak about their political alliances, fearing reprisals. A local source explained that many residents still see Sheka as defending the community from marauding foreign fighters from Rwanda.
But a local teacher from Walikale told Al Jazeera that Sheka had caused enough damage to people’s lives and that he would not support him, while a mobile phone vendor sitting just metres from rally said that Sheka ought to be apprehended for his crimes.
So far neither the United Nations, the Kabila government, the US State Department, human rights groups, nor journalists have done anything to publicize or stop the threatened retaliatory massacre.
The accused assassin, Ntabo Ntaberi “Sheka,” was running for one of two seats in the Walikale district of North Kivu province. Anneke van Woudenberg from Human Rights Watch told Al Jazeera last month that it was “outrageous that Sheka could simply walk into Walikale in full view of the police and hold a rally”.
Van Woudenberg said that the very fact that Sheka is standing in the elections with such severe charges lodged against him, brings together the vast myriad of problems facing the DRC, including impunity, blood minerals, the proliferation of weapons and gender violence.
Are some citizens of Walikale protecting the local Mai Mai militia or are all simply victims of the endless conflict between armed groups operating a proxy war for minerals between Rwanda, Congo, and Uganda? The answer does not negate the fact that the world community is now aware of a potential massacre.
Watch Sheka as he threatens an Aljazeera reporter with a beating at timecode 1:40.
In an email correspondence with one of the Walikale community leaders, who is also a signatory on the cry for help, despair is written between the lines.
MONUSCO has not responded and I feel as if it did not even react. All indications are that the protection of civilians is a simple slogan. Sheka the rebel is still alive. We learn that it is not far from the capital of Walikale. We are poor and victims of our hospitality vis-à-vis the Rwandan refugees. Only God can help us and free ourselves from this situation.
MONUSCO is the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
The leader went on to ask a favor. “I beg you to (conduct a) widespread dissemination of the document. There may be others (who will) come to the rescue.”
Walikale has been asking for a miraculous rescue since 1994, when the Rwandan genocide spilled across the border into DRC and has continued, unabated, since then. In the quest for conflict minerals, and in the midst of proxy wars for those minerals, the international community has failed miserably to stop the holocaust of over five million in DRC. Now, there is an opportunity to protect the lives of 49 Congolese, who have been put on a well-publicized assassination list, and still no one is lifting a finger or voicing concern.
It is doubtful that God will come to the rescue, either. It seems God is sleeping when it comes to the millions of deaths in DRC.
“The FDLR is committing the worst and unforgivable crime before the people of Walikale and God,” the letter reads.
Human rights groups have documented how armed militias and the Congolese armed forces have displaced hundreds of thousands of people in North and South Kivu for years. These militias “have forced civilians from their homes and lands, looted their properties, and punished them for suspected collaboration with enemy groups,” says Human Rights Watch (HRW).
The publicized list of assassination targets in Walikale demands that human rights groups be proactive and not wait until the atrocity has occurred before investigating. It is one thing to spend months documenting “what actually happened” in the immediate aftermath of massacres, and another to stop it. This should be a moral imperative. Civilians deserve protection.
God may be sleeping, but the international community is now conscious of this matter. While Walikale is waiting for the world and God to wake up, officials are urging people living deep in the villages to gather or in towns or in more populated areas to shield themselves from an impending massacre. | <urn:uuid:cbc73fe1-549a-434c-8a3f-4d3df5f48899> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.laprogressive.com/congo-massacre/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368708142388/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516124222-00005-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.957185 | 1,324 | 1.65625 | 2 |
Volusia's 'worst road' to get makeover
Published: Sunday, November 25, 2012 at 5:30 a.m.
Last Modified: Saturday, November 24, 2012 at 4:46 p.m.
DAYTONA BEACH — A few things still need to fall into place, but, after years of trying, city leaders are confident they've figured out how to cover the $19 million bill for an overhaul of Orange Avenue.
If all goes as they hope, work could start in a year and be done by late 2015.
"It looks like something really long overdue is going to happen," said former Mayor Glenn Ritchey, who said Orange Avenue was a priority throughout his six years in office.
"It's really going to change the look of that area," said City Manager Jim Chisholm. "No one has worked on it for years."
The funding solution for the long-awaited road makeover should come from a low-interest loan from the state, city redevelopment fund dollars, a grant from the state Department of Transportation and a county government contribution, Chisholm said last week.
The 1.5-mile stretch of Orange Avenue that runs from the Halifax River to Nova Road has become notorious for its collection of potholes and asphalt patchwork. The county's engineer has called it the worst major road in Volusia County.
Part of the problem is the road itself, which has been in need of a thorough repaving for years. The other culprit is what lies beneath the street — water, sewer and stormwater pipes that in some cases have been on duty below the soil since World War II.
Those decades-old pipes can leak and break, causing the road to dip, crack and buckle. The lower-cost repair work that has been done to the road, and the expensive repairs that haven't been tackled, have together created the bouncy and rattling ride motorists have come to know on Orange Avenue.
"You've got patches on top of patches," Chisholm said. "If we didn't do anything, we'd have a maintenance nightmare."
Orange Avenue is a county road, but the pipes are the city's responsibility, so the two local governments have talked for years about the best way to tackle the problems.
City and county officials have tried repeatedly to land funding, including federal grants, but nothing has ever worked.
Now, the state government has tentatively agreed to help with a $12 million loan that would have an interest rate of about 1 or 2 percent, Chisholm said. The city is also feeling confident about getting a $4.8 million state Department of Transportation grant for things such as traffic signals, he said.
The city already has $1 million in Midtown Redevelopment Area fund dollars it has set aside the past few years for Orange Avenue work. Chisholm and other city leaders also hope the County Council will agree early next year to send some financial help for the project.
County Manager Jim Dinneen said this week that the county hasn't settled on any specific amount to help with the road that runs past the Daytona Regional Chamber of Commerce, City Island, City Hall and the old police department.
Although Orange Avenue is a county road, it has state and federal designations, and that appears to be helping with funding for the project, Chisholm said.
Together, all that financial assistance will allow the city to dive into the work that will rejuvenate Orange Avenue. The project will fix some drainage problems in the flood-prone area, pipes will be replaced, the rocky surface will be smoothed out, sidewalks will be improved and all overhead utilities will be moved underground.
Some of the work will be challenging, such as dealing with "power poles sitting in sidewalks," Chisholm said.
"Originally, it was a small road without a lot of traffic," Chisholm said of the thoroughfare that now sees 6,000 to 10,000 vehicles every day. "Now, it'll become the secondary access from State Road A1A."
When the work wraps up, the city will probably take over ownership and responsibility of the road, the city manager said.
The improvements promise to rejuvenate the surrounding area, much of it in officially designated redevelopment areas.
"It'll be a nice street, well-lit with new sidewalks," Chisholm said. "The people who live along the street and businesses will help with more reinvestment."
Former Mayor Glenn Ritchey said the road improvements will have a lot of ripple effects, including providing an important evacuation route for the peninsula, alleviating flooding that swallowed parts of the Orange Avenue area in May 2009 and stimulating economic growth.
"It'll all work together to help the area," said Ritchey, who decided not to seek re-election and ended his time as mayor last week when new mayor, Derrick Henry, was sworn in. "We'll get a beautiful boulevard effect."
Lifelong Midtown resident Martin Tooley is excited to hear how promising the roadwork looks.
"That's a major thoroughfare through Midtown, and it needs to look good," said Tooley, a Midtown Redevelopment Area Board member who's also looking forward to flooding problems being fixed.
After Orange Avenue work is done, the city plans to follow up with improvements to Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. And in July 2014, the county will begin a large project of its own nearby: A $48 million replacement of the Orange Avenue Bridge with a new high-rise span that would take two years to complete.
Reader comments posted to this article may be published in our print edition. All rights reserved. This copyrighted material may not be re-published without permission. Links are encouraged. | <urn:uuid:b0853fe6-6ef9-4e68-abab-0e1d7a5b89b9> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.news-journalonline.com/article/20121125/NEWS/311249992/1116/LIVING07?Title=Volusia-s-worst-road-to-get-makeover | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700958435/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516104238-00013-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.974973 | 1,201 | 1.507813 | 2 |
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January 22, 2013 02:00 PM by Megan Wilson
Here we go! Reports are surfacing that Beyonce’s inauguration performance was completely fake. While there’s no doubt the American Idol guest star has some incredible talent, people are wondering why Beyonce used an audio track to perform the Star Spangled Banner instead of singing alongside the Marine Corps band. Keep reading for the details!
Beyonce has an incredible amount of talent, but yesterday proved to be difficult for her. The incredible Marine Corps band (Which any singer would be honored to perform with) was set to play the Star Spangled Banner alongside Beyonce, but at the last minute, Beyonce asked that an audio track be played instead. Not only that, but it seems that Beyonce had some audio problems; during the song she was seen taking out her earpiece.
Kelly Clarkson seemed to have NO difficulty performing her number, and it was quite obvious that she performed it live. Beyonce’s performance, not so much. Beyonce even instagrammed a photo of herself in a recording studio holding up the sheet music to America’s favorite song.
Master Sgt. of the U.S. Marine Corps Band Kristin Dubois spoke about the odd performance, saying,”We all know Beyonce can sing. We all know the Marine Corps Band can play. We do not know why she decided to go with the pre-recorded music at the last minute.”
Something is fishy! Maybe the weather proved too cold for Beyonce’s voice? She HAD to be prepared for cold weather, as temperatures have dipped incredibly low on inauguration days past. Either way, it’s somewhat disappointing to think that she lip-synched the number.
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Photo Credit: ABC | <urn:uuid:1af3eec9-2dc2-4061-b986-e37dea9d409c> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://realitytvmagazine.sheknows.com/2013/01/22/did-beyonce-lip-sync-at-the-inauguration/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368708142388/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516124222-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.960371 | 412 | 1.601563 | 2 |
“These past two days, I didn’t even feel like I was in jail,” remarked one of the participants of this month’s two-day workshop inside the San Bruno County Jail. It was two days filled with intense discussions and important lessons for all of us, as trainers and participants.
It’s an honor for us every time we have the opportunity to go inside, and hearing comments like this really reinforce our commitment to this work. To be able to feel free in a community with so much violence – even if for only a moment – makes the early morning trip all the way across the bay well worth it.
And it really didn’t feel like we were in jail. Jonathan and I are obviously in a VERY different place than the rest of the guys – we get to go home at the end of the day. But the two days we spent with these 19 men were some of the funnest and inspiring times we’ve had in a while. The jokes, the stories, the conversations, the lessons.
Of course, there are the constant reminders that put us back right into the jail. The officers coming in for regular counts of all the men, the prison food, the inability to turn off the lights so we could show a movie, restrictions on video and pictures we can take, etc.
And I am always amazed at the depth of conversations that happen when we are able to do this work in the jails. All of these men know very well the impact that violence has had on their lives and on their community, so the conversations get real and get deep quickly.
The first activity we do in our workshop is an introductory exercise where participants are paired up and ask each other basic questions about their name, family, favorite childhood game, etc. What is usually a fun but not too deep conversations often times turns into deep, emotional conversations about our history. Story after story of abusive or absent families, difficult experiences that they’ve faced, how they ended up getting locked up….
One man asked “what should I say if I don’t have a family?” while another said that he “didn’t have a childhood, so never played any games growing up.” It reminded me of the old saying, that “hurt people hurt people.” All of these men did do something in their communities to end up in jail, and none of them shy away from that responsibility. But it is also very clear that we have failed so many of them long before they committed their first crime.
While some people view the 2.5 million men and women inside this country’s prison system as nothing more than violent “super-predators” who are capable of nothing but harm, our reality is that we have an opportunity to spend two days with a group of men who have made mistakes, are owning up to them, and are trying to find ways to improve themselves and their community. It’s humbling to be reminded of that.
And unfortunately, while not all of them will be able to stay out of jail once they leave, their commitment to trying to change their community is always inspiring to see. As I wrote earlier, these men have seen what violence has done to their lives and their communities. They understand better than anyone how badly their communities need change.
In response to a survey question about whether they would ever go to jail in the name of justice as others have done in the past, the majority of them check “yes.” One participant selected “maybe,” and wrote in” but I have two strikes.” That’s commitment.
Every once in a while on the second day of a workshop, we get an “it worked!” story from one of the participants. Someone was able to de-escalate or reconcile a conflict using some materials we covered in the first day.
On the first day, one of the participants (we’ll call him David) shared a story with us about a conflict he is currently going through with another man (we’ll call him Evan) in his pod (the jail is divided into several pods). They had been arguing and things were beginning to escalate. ”Even as we talk about all these things, I got Evan in the back of my mind,” David shared.
And sure enough, that evening a conflict erupted in their pod. During dinner, David walked by Evan and asked if things were cool between them. It was big of David to try to smooth things out, but it backfired and Evan exploded instantly and started yelling in David’s face. We were told that Evan continued to yell and cuss out David for hours, but throughout the entire time, David was able to remain cool and not lose his composure. No physical violence occurred, no one got hurt, and while Evan was put in the hole, David was able to stay focused on his goal and stayed away from trouble.
And while not getting into a physical fight may seem like a small victory, it was one that David was (and should be) proud of. And it was great to see the other participants from his pod encourage him and give him props for that too. Slowly, the culture may be shifting inside the jail.
Another Bad Reminder
At the end of the two-day workshop, we were all in a good mood as we were walking downstairs. Jonathan and I were following a group of men being escorted by one guard back to their pods, and then we were to get escorted back to the lobby.
The happy discussion about what we just experienced in the past two days was cut short by a command from the guard, who told the inmates that they must be quiet during the duration of the walk back to their pod. This was followed by a long, uncomfortable and silent elevator ride and walk down the corridor.
One thing we talked about a lot during out time was Principle #4: Accept suffering without retaliation for the sake of the cause to achieve a goal. We discussed how all of these men had goals to live a long life, to be better parents, and to improve their lives and their community. And in order for them to reach those goals, there are times when they may have to suffer.
Going from the joyous conversations on our way out of the space we created together to the silent march back to their jail cells was so sudden and unexpected that it would have been easy to lash out or say a smart comment back to the guard.
And not doing so, not reacting on emotion and not saying another word the entire walk would not be because they are being weak or passive. As Jonathan said, they are not running from anything, they are running towards something more important. They are accepting that momentary suffering and staying disciplined because their lives are more important than that one conflict with a guard.
As the guys were lined up outside the gate to their pod, Jonathan simply said out loud, “principle 4.” They simply smiled and nodded.
While we were not able to say a proper good bye, perhaps that was a fitting final message. Stay focused on the goal. | <urn:uuid:8f402aca-60fb-4175-b74d-dabbe669e5a3> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://positivepeacewarriornetwork.wordpress.com/2012/05/29/freedom-in-jail/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368710006682/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516131326-00013-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.986634 | 1,482 | 1.710938 | 2 |
Grad Earns Award as KIPP Teacher
In only his sixth year of teaching in the Knowledge is Power Program SHARP College Prep, Adam Kutac, a University of St. Thomas alumnus, won a 2012 Kinder Excellence in Teaching Award for teaching in Houston Independent School District. Kutac earned both his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
in 2007, with minors in philosophy
and creative writing
, and a Master of Education
in 2010 from St. Thomas.
“I wanted to become a teacher because I wanted to change lives,” Kutac said. “Growing up I did not have a good experience in elementary school. I never want students to feel like they are not smart or can’t do something because I didn’t teach them. As long as I am around and in education, I will empower my students to take risks and prove that nothing is impossible.”
Each year, the Kinder Excellence in Teaching Award recognizes 15 Houston teachers, including 10 teachers from YES Prep Public Schools and KIPP with $20,000 each.
A fourth-grade reading teacher, Kutac has taught children as young as 3 years old in a variety of courses, such as reading, math, writing, science and social studies. KIPP SHARP College Prep is a program focused on getting children to and through college by demonstrating the importance of higher education.
“Higher education is extremely important,” Kutac said. “It is no longer an option. I could not imagine where I would be right now if it wasn’t for the education I received from UST.”
As the youngest of four children, Kutac was the first in his family to attend and graduate from college. A graduate of Cypress Creek High School, Kutac chose St. Thomas because of its mission, which he said promotes a balanced education in faith and leadership that prepared him for KIPP.
“At my school, we do a lot of character education,” Kutac said. “We have values that each child must own and live every day. These values help teach our students what it means to be a good and caring person. Our values are: Honor, Explore with Enthusiasm, Always with Excellence, Ready to try again and Together, or HEART Values.”
Showing his school spirit, Kutac hangs a UST banner in his classroom and wears his class ring to work every day. Kutac tries to mimic the teaching style of his favorite professors, especially Dr. Janet Lowery, professor and Cullen Chair of English and Creative Writing. He said his most enjoyable classroom experiences were in her creative writing classes.
Lowery said she is proud of Kutac.
“I'm so happy for Adam,” Lowery said. “He was an ideal student in my classes and was always attentive and considerate of his fellow students. He has a great deal of integrity also and has the ability to persevere in his studies. He deserves every success.”
Dr. Patricia Vandiver, associate professor in psychology and Cullen Trust for Higher Education/Dolores Welder Mitchell chair, said Kutac was a great student in his child psychology class.
“The child psychology class requires that students participate in a service-learning component, and Adam met each challenge with enthusiasm,” Vandiver said. “It’s always wonderful to see that amazing students such as Adam are recognized for their hard work and leadership abilities.
Inspired by professors like Lowery and Vandiver, Kutac said his ultimate dream is to give back to the University that shaped him and perhaps one day teach at UST.
“I am very thankful for my UST family for molding me into the person I am today,” Kutac said. “I am a better person and a leader in education because of the wonderful people who guided me through college.”
Adam Kutac; Adam Kutac incorporates teaching and fun with his students in his KIPP classroom. | <urn:uuid:0e8427b5-4745-4bce-a917-253ca3f6f866> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.stthom.edu/Public/Index.asp?Page_ID=3618&Content_ID=13695 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368697380733/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516094300-00011-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.982126 | 831 | 1.53125 | 2 |
Urban League: Black Turnout Could Be Key In 2012
MICHEL MARTIN, HOST:
I'm Michel Martin and this is TELL ME MORE from NPR News. Coming up, do you know any cooks who are so good they seem to know their way around the kitchen with their eyes closed? Christine Ha is that good. In fact, she's legally blind and making a huge impression on the reality television show "MasterChef," not for what she is but for what she can do. We'll talk with her in a few minutes.
But first we want to check in on what's becoming one of the major subplots of this election - who gets to vote and who actually does vote. And we all know the cliche that every vote counts but a new report suggests that it has more truth to it than many people imagine. It's called "The Hidden Swing Voters: Impact of African-Americans in 2012."
It's from the National Urban League policy institute and the report highlights the critical role African-American voters played in President Obama's victory in 2008 and argues that they may prove even more important in 2012. The Urban League outlined how in 2008 African-Americans voters significantly impacted the vote in North Carolina, Virginia, Indiana and Florida.
They've released this report just ahead of their annual conference in New Orleans, where President Obama is expected to make an appearance. We want to talk more about the substance of the report, so we've talked with - we're talking with two people who think deeply about the African-American vote. Chanelle Hardy is a senior vice president at the National Urban League and executive director of the National Urban League Policy Institute.
Also with us, David Bositis. He is a senior political analyst at the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies. He pays close attention to issues like civic engagement and governance, is a recognized authority in this area. They're both here with me in Washington, D.C. Thank you both so much for joining us.
DAVID BOSITIS: Hey.
CHANELLE HARDY: Thank you.
MARTIN: Now, Chanelle, let me start with you. The title of the report, as I said, is "The Hidden Swing Voters: The Impact of African-Americans in 2012." Why do you call them hidden swing voters?
HARDY: We call them hidden because we wrote the report in response to what we see as a lack of really strong public discourse about the impact of African-American voters. If I were an African-American voter pre- this report and perhaps not as deeply knowledgeable about the voting trends, I would think my vote didn't matter in 2012.
Everyone assumes how I'm going to vote and everyone assumes I'm going to vote just as - with as much enthusiasm as I did in 2008. And we wanted to provide information to really say your vote does in fact matter.
MARTIN: One of the interesting findings of the report is that there's still a gap in voter registration between African-Americans and non-Hispanic whites, but when African-Americans are registered, their participation, their turnout is higher than every other ethnic group. Now, that's quite interesting to me. How did that come out?
HARDY: We in our report analyze census data and FEC data, and what we were excited to note is that when African-Americans, as you said, were registered to vote, they turned out at 92 percent. Which is incredible. What that says to us is, though the African-American population growth is only about average, there's way - a tremendous amount of room to grow in terms of registration, and if we meet that registration growth target - for the purposes of our report we set a target based on the state of Maryland - that could add three million additional African-American voters in addition to the 2.4 that were additional in 2008.
And if they're registered and they're enthusiastic, that really increases the number of people who participate at the polls.
MARTIN: Just to clarify, FEC is the Federal Elections Commission. David Bositis, as I said, you're a recognized authority in this area. Is this phenomenon that Chanelle's talking about, the fact that there's still a gap in registration but that African-Americans' turnout when they are registered is extremely high, higher than every other ethnic group, is that true - do you co-sign that, number one?
Does your analysis show the same thing? And number two, do you think - is that's unique to 2008 because of the excitement of having Barack Obama on the ticket, or is that a general trend?
BOSITIS: I think that I wouldn't exaggerate the difference between African-Americans and other ethnic groups, non-Hispanic whites in particular, on that score. And actually, in terms of registration and turnout, the numbers are somewhat distorted because the easiest and best place to vote are the states - this is something that Daniel Patrick Moynihan once mentioned - along the Canadian border.
And what those states have in common is they're all white. And those are the states that have the easiest registration and turnout laws and so they somewhat bias the overall numbers. But if you, for example, look at the South, African-Americans turn out to vote and are registered at comparable rates to Southerners and the white Southerners in the Southern states.
MARTIN: And is that unique to 2008 or is that a long-term reality over time?
BOSITIS: That is unique to 2008. There's usually been a gap in the other direction in the Southern states and the Southern states make it hardest to vote. I mean, they have a history of, in fact, making it difficult to vote. That's why there's a Voting Rights Act.
MARTIN: If you're just joining us, this is TELL ME MORE from NPR News. We're talking about the potential impact of African-American voters. Our guests are Chanelle Hardy of the National Urban League. They've released a new report today on the issue. I'm also joined by David Bositis of the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies. He's a recognized expert on the question of voter participation, the African-American vote, and black elected officials and so on.
Chanelle, I have to ask the question, because I've asked numerous Republican guests this question, is we talk about the whole question of voter participation as a philosophical issue. But isn't it also really a partisan issue, that people are particularly interested in people voting who they think are going to vote for them? Why wouldn't a reasonable person say that the reason that this issue is coming up now is that the Democrats are worried that African-Americans are not going to be sufficiently engaged to vote?
HARDY: Well, I think that that's a fair question. For the purposes of our report and our interest in the study, it is the philosophical point about black voter empowerment. I think it's important that we have a fully participatory democracy, which means we want to see everyone at the table.
What was exciting to us about 2008 is, as David said, it was unique. It was the first time we saw African-Americans participating at almost the level of white Americans, and in some cases, as you saw, 18 to 44 year old African-Americans outperformed white voters in terms of turnout.
That's historic. It's inspiring, and it's an important platform upon which to build.
MARTIN: You argue in the report - the reports says that - you didn't write the report but you head the group that produced this report.
MARTIN: The Policy Institute, as we said. You write - the report says that the stability and legitimacy of the republican - that's small R - republican form of government depends more on achieving that expansion of the electoral franchise than anything else. This makes 2012 a crucial election.
Other people would argue with that. They would argue that if people are voting who are not eligible to vote, for example, that that cheapens the franchise, that it's not so much about diversity, it's about having everybody vote who's actually eligible to vote. What do you say to that?
HARDY: Well, I think that eligibility should not be determined by random state law that is a reaction to a mythical fear of voter fraud. There have been - many studies have put to rest, in terms of facts, that concern. And so to us, eligible voters are citizens of the United States who have registered to vote. And as David said, it should be not a complicated process for anyone who wants to do it.
We should be encouraging that as part of our civic education. We want to see everyone who is eligible to come out and we don't want to see eligibility compromised in random ways.
MARTIN: And David, you mentioned that there is a lot of variation in the ease of registering and participating, you know, across the 50 states, and I note that since 2008, 11 states have passed voter ID laws that in some cases require picture IDs at the ballot box. Could you talk a little bit more about the long-term trend there? Do these tend to be concentrated in certain places? And what effect do you think this is having?
MARTIN: If any.
BOSITIS: You know the story of the South after the Civil War. There was Reconstruction and then all of a sudden all of the changes that took place after the Civil War were undone. In some ways that's happening in the Southern states right now in terms of African-Americans.
The governments are totally dominated by non-Hispanic whites. They're hanging on for dear life for as long as they possibly can. It will change. But there has been a concerted effort to try to diminish African-American participation in the electoral process.
MARTIN: Why do you say that?
BOSITIS: All you have to do is look at the laws. For example, permanently disenfranchising felons, going through - do you really think, when the secretary of state of Florida goes to the voting rolls and throws people off because they're ineligible to vote - they did that in 2000. Many of the people who they threw off were, in fact, eligible to vote.
It's a political game and the surest return on your money is going after black voters.
MARTIN: Why do you argue, though, that this is aimed at black voters, as opposed to Democrats or as opposed to people who - and, again, we had Governor Rick Scott - was a guest on this - the governor of Florida, Rick Scott, was a guest on this program and he insists - we put the question to him and he insists that this is aimed at making sure that eligible voters - that their vote is not compromised or that they are not disenfranchised by ineligible people voting.
BOSITIS: OK. First...
BOSITIS: First of all, white Democrats have this - they are just as likely to have photo identification as white Republicans, so it has no effect on white Democrats. Plus, a lot of white Democrats do flip over and vote Republican for certain offices and for certain candidates.
If you look at whites in Florida in 2008, 43 percent of them voted for Barack Obama, but 95 percent of African-Americans voted for Barack Obama. So every hundred black voters you can keep away from the polls, you're adding, in effect, 90 votes to the Republican total.
MARTIN: Why do - we only have about a minute left. Why is it that African-Americans are less likely to have the kinds of photo IDs that these states increasingly are demanding? I mean, they make the argument that people promoting these laws make the argument that you need to have a photo ID to get on a plane, to buy cough syrup, to buy cold medicine...
BOSITIS: Many African-American...
MARTIN: ...to get into this office building.
BOSITIS: Many African-Americans have never gotten on a plane. African-Americans - look at income, look at assets, which are 5 percent of whites, look at disease, look at hypertension, look at diabetes, look at - 36 percent don't have health care. On any measure of economic well-being and social well-being, African-Americans are placed at a lower - are at a lower level than non-Hispanic whites, and it includes in terms of government-issued ID.
MARTIN: We'll have to talk more, Chanelle, when we have more time about what efforts the National Urban League and other groups are making to get people out to vote at another time, so thanks for coming.
David Bositis is a senior...
HARDY: Thank you.
MARTIN: ...political analyst at the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies. He was here with us in Washington, D.C., along with Chanelle Hardy, senior vice president at the National Urban League and executive director of the National Urban League Policy Institute.
Thank you both so much for coming.
HARDY: Thank you.
BOSITIS: You're welcome.
NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by a contractor for NPR, and accuracy and availability may vary. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Please be aware that the authoritative record of NPR's programming is the audio. | <urn:uuid:9ef535ac-7777-46c5-ba51-5abb4eecc75d> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.npr.org/2012/07/17/156904469/urban-league-black-turnout-could-be-key-in-2012 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700264179/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516103104-00005-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.973331 | 2,793 | 1.648438 | 2 |
"These talking machines will ruin the artistic development of music in this country. When I was a boy, in front of every house in the summer evenings, you would find young people together singing the songs of the day or old songs. Today, you hear these infernal machines going night and day. We will not have a vocal chord left in America! The vocal chord will be eliminated by a process of evolution as was the tail of man when he came down from the ape.” -- John Philip Sousa, testimony to US CongressI love all kinds of machines for making music, whether those machines require the pushing about of electrons or not, and I can't live without any of them. But I do believe that it's possible to live without recordings of performances. My year without recordings -- not making them, and avoiding listening to them -- is going splendidly.
Okay, I did listen to some soundfiles sent to me by Jon Brenner (you can hear some here, too), and taxiing kids about town is a valid excuse for turning on the radio, so I've heard some amazing things (for example) on broadcast recordings by accident, but generally, I've tried to use the time I would have spent listening to recording by doing more score reading at the keyboard: of late, Giles Farnaby, Purcell, Bach (one-a-days from Die Kunst der Fuge), some Feldman, Kurtag, and Mumma. I'll never be a real pianist, but my ambition here has everything to do with training my ears, which is a project for a lifetime, and little to do with keyboard technique, which is a project for a youth more disciplined than mine ever was. More importantly, I think, I've been taking time each day to sing with my daughter (she's four), time that cannot be better spent in front of a loudspeaker.
BTW, isn't it swell to know that John Philip Sousa, that most American of American musicians, believed in evolution? | <urn:uuid:85ee6434-f8d7-4a8a-968a-869d5f98a683> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://renewablemusic.blogspot.com/2006/07/infernal-machines-progress-report.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368706153698/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516120913-00018-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.966281 | 412 | 1.601563 | 2 |
One fighter walked through the door and sprayed the interior with bullets from his Kalashnikov rifle. “She’s a bitch,” he said. “She has a nice house. They are rich. They do not care about us.”Alongside the fierce fighting in the streets, the battle for the city of Sirte has also been a collision between two parts of Libyan society.One the one side is the pro-Gaddafi elite, many of them members of Gaddafi’s tribe or extended family who benefited from his largesse and lived in his home-town of Sirte, a showpiece of his 42-year rule.One the other side, the ordinary people who — while not poor by regional standards — only saw a small share of Libya’s huge energy wealth.As forces with the National Transitional Council (NTC) fight their way into Sirte and take control of more of the city, they have been confronted with the reality of how their rulers lived.Fighters who took control of the capital Tripoli in August had found similar opulence in the houses of Gaddafi family members.NTC fighters inside Aisha Gaddafi’s house, a villa fronted with columns and marble steps, came out clutching gilt-framed photographs of the Gaddafi family. One man displayed a gold cutlery set laid out in its wooden box.EXTRAVAGANCE EXPOSEDAisha fled in August to neighbouring Algeria with her mother, brother and half-brother.There were more displays of wealth in the Ouagadougou conference centre, a complex Gaddafi had built to host foreign leaders and bolster his ambition of turning his hometown into Libya’s de facto capital.A private reception area was decorated with red carpets and chandeliers. Outside, NTC fighters had found a golf cart with the Cadillac emblem on the radiator grill and a steering wheel crafted out of what appeared to be rosewood or mahogany.Gaddafi follows in a line of leaders whose extravagance was exposed when they were deposed.When Philippines leader Ferdinand Marcos fled, U.S. Customs agents discovered 24 suitcases of gold bricks and diamond jewelry As well as his wife Imelda’s extensive shoe collection.After the invasion of Iraq, U.S. soldiers discovered around $950 million in Saddam Hussein’s family palaces, Iraqi government guest houses and dog kennels.In another part of Sirte was evidence of one of Gaddafi’s hobbies: a model farm just south of the city centre.It included a dozen enormous dovecotes, each about 60 ft high, and a herd of cows. One of the herd, a Friesian, wandered into a gun battle earlier this week and was shot in the cross-fire. Its body lay in a road.The farm appeared to be part of Gaddafi’s effort to present himself as a Libyan everyman rooted in frugal rural traditions.Ibrahim Mletan is the commander of an NTC unit from the nearby city of Misrata, but is originally from Sirte. He said he had looked at Gaddafi’s farm from a distance for 35 years but until now had not been able to set foot on it.”He’s trying to show the world that he is a Bedouin, that he has nothing, and that he lives in a tent. It’s lies. He’s a hypocrite,” said Mletan. | <urn:uuid:0a9007f0-2c4f-404b-a3e5-6affe28bf746> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://lorriwckpappas.tumblr.com/post/11397329966/battle-for-libyan-city-exposes-gaddafi-decadence | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368702810651/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516111330-00003-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.977363 | 717 | 1.75 | 2 |
Freedom to Marry’s Evan Wolfson effectively smacked down the National Organization for Marriage’s (NOM) standard talking points against extending marriage to gays and lesbians during a debate on a local news program this weekend. Wolfson reiterated that marriage rights and other civil liberties should not be put to a popular vote, but rather decided by lawmakers. “The people elected legislators. They elected legislators to do their job. If the legislators don’t do their job the people can vote them out,” Wolfson explained.
He also swatted away NOM’s charge that New York’s marriage law has undermined the religious liberties of conservative marriage clerks:
WOLFSON: The only example Mr. Brown can talk about is that people who receive government salaries to serve all the people in New York, take an oath to serve the people in New York in the performance of their job will be told they have to perform their job. That’s the only example he can give. By the way, that has nothing to do with marriage. That’s about nondiscrimination law. In America we have very settled principles that when you operate in the public sphere, when you take a government job, when you say as a government clerk or justice of the peace or somebody drawing a government salary you’re going to serve all New Yorkers, you have to serve all New Yorkers.
(HT: Jeremy Hooper) | <urn:uuid:a0180bcb-976c-4a75-97ea-ccdffa0ceb7a> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://thinkprogress.org/lgbt/2012/02/06/419615/national-organization-for-marriages-talking-points-exposed-refuted/?mobile=nc | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368701459211/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516105059-00000-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.963275 | 298 | 1.59375 | 2 |
Advertise Lake Vacation Rentals
Fishing is serious sport in Great Britain: Bluebell Lakes is one of the favored places to engage in this sport. With few natural lakes, the English countryside is home to prized small waterways brimming with fish. Historical estates often included a small pond dug into the marshy fen or captured from a dammed river, creek or canal. To provide access to the commoner, owners soon began to charge admission by the day or partial day for fishermen to come and engage in their favorite sport. Bluebell Lakes is one of these deliberately-created places. It has become known world-wide for its most famous residents: huge carp! The untimely death in 2009 of one such famous carp, the 64 pound Benson, caught the attention of newspapers and sport fishermen's forums across the world. World media outlets such as the BBC reported that much of Britain was mourning the loss of their favorite fish.
Bluebell Lakes is a small fishing establishment located about 85 miles (135 kilometers) north of London on the Cambridgeshire / Northamptonshire border. Three small former gravel pits next to the River Nene were flooded to provide fishery habitat and stocked with a variety of game fish. All of the lakes together contain about 50 acres of water surface. All are relatively shallow, with 20 feet the maximum depth. The owners developed a stocking plan to maximize the size of the fish in each lake, with one particularly suited to large carp, another to pike. Originally begun in 1994, the largest lake was divided into two parts with the addition of a causeway. An additional, small half-acre pond was built to provide fishing for children, beginners, and those who want to see continuous bobber action. A two-mile section of the River Nene is also under the control of Bluebell Lakes and offers excellent fishing along the reedy banks, the locks, and the weirs. The combination of varied fishing habitat has made Bluebell Lakes one of Great Britain's most famous fisheries.
Fishing at Bluebell Lakes is an experience anglers plan for over a period of weeks or months. Each lake is known for a specific type of fish, and each is considered either a beginner or an expert fishing experience. Admission is in the form of 'tickets' for a period of hours, for 24 hours or a continuous period of days. Although the facility is closed and the gates locked at night, an 'overnight ticket' can be purchased for night fishing. A complex set of regulations cover what fish may be kept from each lake, with active encouragement geared to removing smaller fish from the lake. Large fish must be returned to the water, usually after having their photograph taken with the proud angler. The protection of the large fish is both a matter of regulation and of zealous attention by anglers. The system apparently works well, as Benson (who by the way, was female) was caught and released at least 60 times since being stocked in 1994 or 1995. Fishing territory is staked out by a system of 'pegs' along the bank. Veteran anglers have their favorite pegs and try to arrive early to lay claim to them. Barbless hooks only are allowed, and bait choices are strictly limited.
Prized celebrity carp Benson lived in Kingfisher Lake. Kingfisher Lake sports many common and mirror carp weighing over 30 pounds. Swan Lake also supports extremely large carp, including another common carp called 'The Creature' that tops 60 pounds at last catch. Both lakes are limited to anglers over 16 years, and required equipment is necessary to safely land and release these monster relatives of the common goldfish. Bluebell and Sandmartin Lakes support general mixed fishing, and the small Wood Pool is stocked with carp to 6 pounds; tench, bream and Golden Orfe to 4 pounds; and roach and rudd to 1 pound along with crustaceans. New in 2008, Mallard Lake is being groomed to become another big carp lake and is already producing fish up to 25 pounds. Often overlooked is the Willow Creek backwater where old-fashioned reel and float fishing yields up the usual fish found in flowing water. Pike may be taken only in winter, and a regular fishing license is required at all times. Fishing derbies or matches are held here regularly.
Because Bluebell Lakes caters to fishermen, there is no provision for swimming or other types of water sports. A bait and tackle shop, restrooms, showers for long-visit fishermen, and a small cafe with limited hours are located on-site. Camping and vacation rentals are located in the surrounding area. Bed-and-breakfast facilities, housekeeping cottages, and quaint cottage lodgings are available in the many small towns with the customary local pub on a nearby corner for traditional foods and ale. It is possible to secure a vacation rental in a historic thatched-roof cottage or a centuries-old estate for a week or a month. The real estate market always shows a selection of properties for those who wish to purchase property nearby. The nearby villages of Oundle, Ashton, Warmington, Nassington, and Wansford are good places to start your search.
Just as exciting to the non-angler in the family are the historic surroundings. Only two miles away from Bluebell Lake, historic Fotheringhay is steeped with Royal connections. Little is left of the castle overlooking the River Nene that was the birthplace of Richard III and the execution place of Mary Queen of Scots. A mound marks the site where the original motte and bailey stood with a plaque commemorating the death of Mary. After her trial and execution in the Great Hall in 1587, the castle began to fall into disrepair. The large church with its beautiful tower still stands and is the resting place of some members of the House of York. Sadly, the famous stained glass windows are no more. Elton Hall near Peterborough is a 350 year old family estate completed in 1666 with tours available to view centuries-old artifacts and period dress. The Prebendal Manor, also near Peterborough, displays buildings from the early 13th century and a history of the site. Archeological digs on the grounds give evidence of habitation back to 850 AD.
The Nene Valley Railway is a preservation railway running along a 7.5-mile standard gauge line through the valley of the River Nene between Wansford and Peterborough, nine miles from Bluebell Lakes. Officially ending service in 1966, the preserved locomotives and station houses illustrate the many years the railway served the surrounding area. The Ferry Meadows Station sits at the entrance to Ferry Meadows Country Park, a recreational and natural area located within Nene Park. The two public park areas provide playgrounds, a lake, woods, walking and cycling paths. A collection of contemporary sculpture is located south of the rowing course in the Thorpe Meadow section of Nene Park. Also near Peterborough is the FlagFen Archeology Park. This museum and archeological dig combination has a reconstruction of a Bronze Age settlement, Iron Age Roundhouse, Roman herb garden and many excavations in progress, with interpretation.
A visit to Bluebell Lakes is practically required of any visitor to the Cambridgeshire / Northamptonshire border. The visitor can be both steeped in the history of the English kings and caught up in the excitement of the quest for 'The Creature' or one of his super-sized cohorts. It's the best of both the old and the new. Find a vacation rental today and you can be on your way to carp paradise tomorrow. Come and pay your respects to Benson's memory - and make memories of your own at Bluebell Lakes. Carpe Deum! Carpe Carp!
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Last week, Formspring servers were compromised and over 420,000 hashed user passwords were stolen. Formspring founder and CEO Ade Olonoh wrote a blog post apologizing for the data breach and advising users to create new passwords immediately. The final line of the 500-word blog post reads: "If you have linked Facebook to your account, you can safely use Facebook Connect to log in." The detail in Olonoh's post is an afterthought, but his sentiment is part of the reason many sites are turning to Facebook to handle identity verification. You'd be hard-pressed to find a company more serious about protecting user data. "There's never been a breach of our login information," Facebook Security team member Fred Wolens told me.
"There aren't too many tricks out there that we aren't using."
Implementing Facebook Connect (also known as Facebook Login) is kind of like hiring a security detail for each of your users, and getting this service for free. "There aren't too many tricks out there that we aren't using," Wolens said, who previously detailed for me the various ways Facebook protects its users, like scanning data dump sites like Pastebin weekly in pursuit of user credentials. If any member's username or password shows up, Facebook alerts you. The company also recently partnered with leading anti-virus companies to expand its URL blacklist by hundreds of millions of links.
This isn't the first time Facebook Connect has been called out for saving users some trouble. During the Gawker data breach a few years ago, the company acknowledged that users who logged in using Facebook could ignore all the password theft drama. Of course, logging in using Facebook has some obvious limitations, like the fact that you must be a Facebook member to use it, and if Facebook goes down, you're screwed. Additionally, most sites don't enable users that are logged in via Facebook to use pseudonyms while commenting. Lastly, Facebook's "Authorize this site to access your information" dialog is intimidating for new users on your site, in part because sites frequently use the opportunity to ask for more permissions than they would otherwise need. The language in the dialog box ("any other information I've shared with everyone") isn't exactly transparent, either.
But, on the whole, Facebook Connect has almost become a startup's go-to tool for onboarding, grabbing far more mindshare than other options like "Sign in with Google." Not only can sites like Turntable.fm offer unique invite-only schemes, but they can also avoid the hassle of asking users to create new accounts while limiting exposure to hackers — all with less than 50 lines of code. "For our users, it means not having to create yet another account, and immediately having your social graph represented on Songza when you sign up," Songza CEO Elias Roman told me. For large companies, however, building a log-in platform on top of Facebook can be risky. Changes in the social network's terms of service or Open Graph can be costly if 90% of your users have logged in using Facebook.
Many of these companies choose to integrate other Facebook tools alongside Connect, like an Open Graph plugin that sends all the songs you listen to to friends' News Feeds. "Because of our Open Graph integration, in a given month each Facebook connected user generates at least one additional Facebook connected user, which is awesome," Roman said. "It's easy to get set up for anyone comfortable working with APIs," he elaborated. Unfortunately, sometimes annoying or deceptive Open Graph implementations overshadow the usefulness of Connect, which is inherently just an identity verification tool.
"Developers don't need to keep iterating and improving on account recovery, because we have entire teams of people looking at that issue."
Perhaps more importantly, installing Connect divorces site owners from having to create deep password recovery systems. Facebook already has various solutions in place to recover passwords, like asking you to identify the faces of a few friends. "Developers don't need to keep iterating and improving on account recovery, because we have entire teams of people looking at that issue," Wolens said. Few websites have the resources or time to devise "social captcha" algorithms for determining the likelihood that somebody is in fact who they say they are. "If you use the same computer every day and try to recover your password from that computer, it's a lot different than if you're halfway across the world," Wolens said. "We know that Ellis has used this computer in the last thirty days to log in, so we can create a lot less friction in getting you back into the account."
In an age where many (or perhaps most) people use the same password for every site they log into, Facebook Connect has taken on the role of identity-keeper. Integrating Facebook Connect may sound like letting Big Brother handle the "frictionless" security checkpoint for your site, but as servers get hacked and sites go down, it's proven pretty damn tempting.
For more on Facebook security, check out our report: Inside Facebook security: defending users from spammers, hackers, and 'likejackers' | <urn:uuid:597036c1-259a-43f8-af97-d812b1111b51> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.theverge.com/2012/7/18/3165445/Facebook-connect-hackers-formspring | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368708766848/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516125246-00000-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.960232 | 1,041 | 1.5625 | 2 |
Yesterday, I pointed out that the the Egyptian protesters are acting more like the free people which America’s Founding Fathers envisioned than the American people ourselves.
New York Times’ columnist Bob Herbert agrees, apparently calling for an Egyptian-style non-violent revolution in America:
As the throngs celebrated in Cairo, I couldn’t help wondering about what is happening to democracy here in the United States. I think it’s on the ropes. We’re in serious danger of becoming a democracy in name only.
While millions of ordinary Americans are struggling with unemployment and declining standards of living, the levers of real power have been all but completely commandeered by the financial and corporate elite. It doesn’t really matter what ordinary people want. The wealthy call the tune, and the politicians dance.
The poor, who are suffering from an all-out depression, are never heard from. In terms of their clout, they might as well not exist. The Obama forces reportedly want to raise a billion dollars or more for the president’s re-election bid. Politicians in search of that kind of cash won’t be talking much about the wants and needs of the poor. They’ll be genuflecting before the very rich.
In an Op-Ed article in The Times at the end of January, Senator John Kerry said that the Egyptian people “have made clear they will settle for nothing less than greater democracy and more economic opportunities.” Americans are being asked to swallow exactly the opposite. In the mad rush to privatization over the past few decades, democracy itself was put up for sale, and the rich were the only ones who could afford it.
As Jacob Hacker and Paul Pierson wrote in their book, “Winner-Take-All Politics”: “Step by step and debate by debate, America’s public officials have rewritten the rules of American politics and the American economy in ways that have benefited the few at the expense of the many.”
As if the corporate stranglehold on American democracy were not tight enough, the Supreme Court strengthened it immeasurably with its Citizens United decision, which greatly enhanced the already overwhelming power of corporate money in politics. Ordinary Americans have no real access to the corridors of power, but you can bet your last Lotto ticket that your elected officials are listening when the corporate money speaks.
When the game is rigged in your favor, you win. So despite the worst economic downturn since the Depression, the big corporations are sitting on mountains of cash, the stock markets are up and all is well among the plutocrats. The endlessly egregious Koch brothers, David and Charles, are worth an estimated $35 billion. Yet they seem to feel as though society has treated them unfairly.
The Egyptians want to establish a viable democracy, and that’s a long, hard road. Americans are in the mind-bogglingly self-destructive process of letting a real democracy slip away.
I had lunch with the historian Howard Zinn just a few weeks before he died in January 2010. He was chagrined about the state of affairs in the U.S. but not at all daunted. “If there is going to be change,” he said, “real change, it will have to work its way from the bottom up, from the people themselves.”
I thought of that as I watched the coverage of the ecstatic celebrations in the streets of Cairo.
As I noted last year:
Many people think we just have to sit here and take it.
[But as liberal] PhD economist Dean Baker points out:
The elites hate to acknowledge it, but when large numbers of ordinary people are moved to action, it changes the narrow political world where the elites call the shots.
It’s not just liberals like Herbert or Baker who are saying this.
Ron Paul – who has very strong conservative credentials, and who won the Presidential straw poll at the Conservative Political Action Conference two years in a row – has repeatedly endorsed non-violent civil disobedience.
For example, Paul said to Congress in 2007:
The true patriot is motivated by a sense of responsibility and out of self-interest for himself, his family, and the future of his country to resist government abuse of power. He rejects the notion that patriotism means obedience to the state. Resistance need not be violent, but the civil disobedience that might be required involves confrontation with the state and invites possible imprisonment.
Peaceful, nonviolent revolutions against tyranny have been every bit as successful as those involving military confrontation. Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., achieved great political successes by practicing nonviolence, and yet they suffered physically at the hands of the state.
In fact, Paul has repeatedly invoked Gandhi and King’s vision of non-violent civil disobedience as the way to reclaim our freedom.
As I wrote in connection with the Egyptian revolution:
This is just like when the British police attacked the non-violent protesters led by Gandhi, or the police in towns in the South of the United States attacked the peaceful protesters led by Martin Luther King, Jr.
And as conservative writer Karl Denninger wrote yesterday:
There is a lesson in here for all individuals and nations. All governments exist only with the consent of the governed. That consent does not have to be “withdrawn” via unlawful force at-arms or even via the ballot box.
Indeed, it is most-effectively withdrawn when the citizens refuse to go to work!
The Beast of Government exists on tax revenues. ALL governments share this fundamental reality. ALL governments fail when the economic capacity to tax is destroyed. ALL citizens give their consent to their government each and every day by performing economic acts and thereby exposing that activity to taxation.
That taxation forms the essence of the functional capacity to govern. Period.
The people in all nations, at all times, reserve the right and the ability, through peaceful and lawful action, to destroy any government should it fail to comply with their demands and act in a sufficiently-onerous manner, and a minority of the population is all it requires to effect this change. The Soviet Union fell via this mechanism, East Germany fell via this mechanism, and now Egypt has fallen via this mechanism.
No blood and no lawlessness were required.
In fact, it was the pro-government goons that were engaged in violence in an attempt to goad the people into acts that they could then use to “justify” the excessive use of force. The government gassed the protesters. The government was the one shooting people; rifles are prohibited from private ownership in Egypt. The government was, as best we can determine, the one raining Molotov cocktails on the protesters. But the government failed to incite the protesters to violence, who instead maintained their right to starve the government by refusing to provide it with the economic activity it needed to survive.
All persons in all nations should be aware of the fundamental fact that their government, no matter how oppressive, no matter how ugly, no matter how allegedly-free or representative (or not) exists only because you rise from your bed each day and go to work.
The day you stop, along with a sizable fraction of your neighbors and friends, and instead wave signs and demand change, thereby shutting down the engine of commerce is the day you remove through peaceful and lawful means the fuel that the government requires to operate.
Our “protests” in Washington and elsewhere fail to provide results because the “or else” has not been provided along with the protest. We come, we wave signs, and the next day we go home and go to work. If instead any sizable fraction of the population … were to appear, wave signs, and go on strike until and unless the change demanded was made…. [then we win.]
If you live in Saudi Arabia, Jordan, or any other nation that has an autocratic and dictatorial regime, you now have a blueprint to toss the jackals at the putative head of your nation from their thrones without firing a single shot or drawing a drop of blood.
I challenge the people of the world from Saudi Arabia to Jordan to China to do so.
For those in The United States or other western nations who claim that we are inexorably on a path toward civil disorder or even civil war due to the outrageous looting of our nations that have been conducted by financial interests with the full consent and complicity of our governments, I simply point to Egypt.
As usual, this is not a question of left-versus-right.
The war between liberals and conservatives is a false divide-and-conquer dog-and-pony show created by the powers that be to keep the American people divided and distracted. See this, this, this, this, this, this and this. Until we stop falling for this trick, we will remain powerless.
Instead, it is a question of the powers-that-be waging war on the freedom and wealth of the American people.
Wake up, liberals.
Wake up, conservatives.
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Yoga in the Time of Terrorism
A Call for Peace on the 5th Anniversary of 9/11
While riding the MRT on my way to work today, I saw a little girl staring at me, whispering to her mother, "meiguo ren." I almost forgot that I was a white woman amidst a sea of Taiwanese.
On the street and in the studio, it is very easy to forget that I am so far from home. People are generally so sweet and polite to me that I forget my eyes and hair are a different colour from everyone else's. Here in Taiwan, people wear Yankees caps and shirts (in honour of their beloved Wang) and Converse sneakers. There is a Starbucks on every corner, people laugh at the same Adam Sandler movies . . . You can see why it is easy for me to think I am still in New York. People are so friendly to me that it is also hard for me to believe that elsewhere in the world there are wars and violence due to misunderstanding and intolerance, that there are countries with nuclear capabilities wishing to harm other nations that they see as threats. Besides, I am a yoga teacher, and that informs my every moment.
I will be chanting a Sanskrit peace chant at the end of class and thinking, "What an amazing opportunity this is - to be a white, Jewish-American woman, sharing an ancient philosophy of Indian origin with a group of Taiwanese students." Only Yoga has the power to bring us together in this way. In fact, Yoga is one of the few things in this world that can unite people of all religions and from all walks of life.
On this 5th anniversary of 9/11, I am reminded that the world desperately needs Yoga. Globally, civilian casualties rise exponentially. The calamity that is September 11th did not happen solely in New York City. It repeatedly happens around the world, and it will continue to happen until we find an alternative to the bloodshed. Just ask victims in Israel, Lebanon, Iraq, Zimbabwe, India, Britain, Spain - the list goes on and on. Anyone who has been terrorised by attack or who has lost a loved one in a moment of overwhelming violence can tell you that 9/11 is far more than just one day 5 years ago. It is, rather, an ongoing cycle of violence perpetrated on innocent people.
Americans tended to think of cataclysmic, warfare events as incidents that happen elsewhere. Then, 5 years ago our innocence was shattered forever. Yet we do not label ourselves the same title of terrorists that we so easily assign those who do us harm.
We justify our own acts of terror against others by invoking self-righteousness. We don't commit crimes; we perform acts of justice. Our collective ego and our group karma prevent us from seeing the truth, which although may be blatantly obvious to many of us, is as elusive as finding our own happiness.
"What's it got to do with Yoga?" you may ask. Everything! Why do you practise Yoga? As one of my best friends would say with his thick Israeli accent, "We all practise Yoga because we want to be happy." The problem is that we are constantly looking to the wrong things for happiness.
We think if we lose 10 pounds we will be happy, if our muscles are more toned then we will be happy, or if we get that girlfriend or boyfriend then we will be happy. Even countries, with some twisted logic, think that by going to war they will bring about some peace and change.
But it is never enough, is it? We lose 10 pounds and then we want to lose more, we tone our muscles and then we find something wrong with our nose or our breasts. Desires beget more desires, and fighting begets more fighting and animosity. The only way to peace is peace, and the only way to happiness is acceptance of ourselves and of the world around us. That is Yoga.
We are happy when we attain whatever it is that we want; but that is only because our minds are quiet - for a split second. Once another desire arises, we are unhappy again. We fail to realise that we can find this peace anytime of the day; we need nothing but a Yoga mat and little bit of grace.
My Guru, Swami Vishnu-Devananda, the founder of the International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres, said that you cannot change the world, but you can change yourself. And by changing yourself, you affect everyone around you in a positive way. He would say that if you want to change a cotton shirt into a silk shirt, you must do it thread by thread. We affect people on an individual basis. And we can only affect others once we have become peaceful ourselves.
By turning our awareness inwards, looking for happiness within, we are in turn encouraging others to do the same. Just by changing yourself, you will help others around you become peaceful too. People will see this deep contentment that you have found, and they will wish to find this for themselves.
You may think that you are helpless to stop the violence occurring around the world. But that is a lie. You do not need to start a peace rally, or write to the United Nations, or send out petitions to all of your friends to bring about change. You can do all that, but your first and most powerful act would be to find your own peaceful nature, which is your True Self.
Maybe we start Yoga for reasons of self-interest. But the reasons for sticking with Yoga will certainly be altruistic. If Yoga were simply an exercise fad, it would have gone the way of Jazzercise a long time ago. I know that I did not come all the way to Taiwan to be a fitness instructor. There is something much deeper in the teachings. The Knowledge is always there for all of us to find, if we are looking for it. I support you in your discovery of Yoga, and I encourage you to share this newfound peace with others.
Loka Samasta Sukhino Bhavantu (May all beings be happy; may the whole world attain peace and harmony)!
>> Visit Elonne's bio
>> Visit Elonne's blog | <urn:uuid:2b105ca3-13d3-4735-92d7-40e7b3e3e9d7> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.pure-yoga.com/en/singapore/articles/index.php?article_id=102&folder_id=9 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368709037764/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516125717-00019-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.962062 | 1,272 | 1.757813 | 2 |
I wrote about this phishing email I received last year on my own personal blog, but thought it was a good idea to mention it again as the subject is very relevant to writing content.
A phishing email, in case you didn’t know, is an email that is sent by a fraudster attempting to steal vital information from you by deception. The fraudster will send the email as though it has come from your bank, from eBay, from PayPal or from some lottery agency proclaiming that you’ve won several million Ugandan dollars. You get the idea.
When you click on the link within the email, or reply to it, you will be providing your information to the fraudster. Some of these fraudulent emails are very clever, and look very convincing, and often come with websites that are perfect replicas of the actual websites in question (such as a copy of Lloyds TSB’s website, which the email I received had).
You’re supposed to be fooled into thinking that the website is (more…)
Most website owners have received spam emails claiming to have come from SEO professionals wanting to ‘improve their rankings in the search engines’, and usually they’re very easy to spot. Most of these spam emails come from Gmail addresses, rather than registered domains, and they don’t contain any information that is specific to the website in question – even the name of the website they’re supposedly talking about is absent in some cases.
However, a recent spam email that was received by one of our clients was a little more tailored, seemingly featuring specific details about their website’s rankings within Google, and the level of its indexing. The keyword here of course is ‘seemingly’, as the email, from a Malcolm Wright of ‘SEO Doctors’, was actually spam and had been auto generated.
A quick search online usually helps to detect emails such as this, and this particular UK based SEO company has already received some exposure for its use of email marketing.
So, what did this particular SEO expert claim?
From: “Malcolm Wright” <email@example.com>
My name is Malcolm Wright. A senior search consultant at SEO Doctors, which is part of an SEO Group that has been established for over 10 years.
The website for SEO Doctors doesn’t work, neither does the website of (more…)
If you have ever read that sentence before, the chances are you have received a spam email from a less than credible company offering their SEO services. Emails such as this are sent to businesses every day, and as an SEO company with a large number of our own websites, we receive dozens of these emails each day – all from different email addresses.
When these emails are sent via contact forms, or using Whois details, they don’t come from the actual company offering the services; they come from an email address created specifically to spam you, from a made up name. It could be a hotmail address, Yahoo or even Google’s Gmail, but if you replied to it you would (more…)
‘Tis the season to be jolly, and generous with your gifts of course. When getting a Christmas gift for your website, the gift of content is one that keeps on giving.
What do we mean by this?
If you give your website some content, either written by yourself or from a content supplier or SEO copywriter, your website will not only benefit from it in the short term, it will keep benefiting from it for as long as it exists. Content isn’t just a ‘give once’ and forget gift, the right piece of content on your website can attract traffic, new customers and sales for your website years after it has been written.
The same couldn’t be said for other forms of Internet marketing. For example:
This really is a one shot deal. You write the email, send it, receive positive responses or negative ones, and then it is (more…)
Email marketing is one of the most effective forms of marketing and reaching new customers. It’s very cheap, it’s immediate and it allows you to send a detailed message, with a call to action, direct to people are already interested in your products.
Despite this, many companies shy away from email marketing, largely because of the negative connotations it has surrounding it. Email marketing is tainted due to the spam emails that are constantly sent flying around the Internet. Indeed, the majority of emails sent are spam, so any emails that offer products and services are invariably deleted without even being read, even though they are genuine.
This is one such spam email that we received this week, claiming we had won the ‘British Lottery’. As usual, it was asking for our full details, details that would be used to create ID fraud and probably lead to applications for credit cards and the like.
The email read:
The Lottery Company
PO Box 200
YOU HAVE WON 710,000 POUNDS STERLING
Our Dear Winner,
You have won the sum of Ј710,000 (SEVEN HUNDRED AND TEN THOUSAND, POUNDS STERLING) from BRITISH LOTTO on our 2009 End of the Year charity bonanza.
The winning ticket was selected from a (more…)
Email marketing has been around for many years. As soon as the public started email, companies started sending unsolicited emails to them, offering all manner of products and services that they didn’t want. Over the years this has become such a problem that the majority of all emails sent via the Internet are actually spam emails.
Spam software has helped to cut down on the number of junk emails being sent, but some anti-spam software is too aggressive, and genuine emails are often filtered out when use them.
Spam email is bad. It’s annoying, it’s about stuff you’re not interested in and wastes time during your day.
Despite this, some email marketing services are decent and offer you the chance to reach people who are genuinely interested in your products. Using double opt in mailing lists means that your recipients have not only selected to receive emails of interest to them, they’ve confirmed that they are interested with a confirmation email.
This is important so that you do not foul of spam laws, which would be very bad for your company.
That said, one email we received recently for a US based retailer didn’t follow any spam laws. Not only that, but it spoofed itself as being from a friend. These types of emails serve no other purpose than to highlight how the company involved has used unethical marketing tactics online.
Here is the email received, which incidentally was formatted in (more…) | <urn:uuid:c25cb9d8-3b73-4658-a4f9-36ecb5e54506> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.engageweb.co.uk/seo-blog/email-marketing | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368698207393/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516095647-00018-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.974552 | 1,429 | 1.796875 | 2 |
Southern Presbyterian Pulpit: A Collection of Sermons
In the Preface for the Southern Presbyterian Pulpit, the editors provide two motives for putting together this collection of sermons: the "demand for a book of practical sermons, suitable for reading in the public worship of God," and the desire to "put in permanent form some examples of the work of our Southern Presbyterian pulpit, which is, we are confident, second to none in eloquence, doctrinal purity, persuasiveness, and practical power." They succeed on both counts—this volume brings together thirty-three passionate sermons from some of the Southern Presbyterian Church’s greatest preachers.
With the Logos Bible Software edition, Southern Presbyterian Pulpit is fully integrated with the other resources in Logos, including Bibles, maps, dictionaries, and numerous other Bible study tools. The Logos edition also allows you to perform powerful searches and word studies, and Scripture references are linked to the wealth of language resources in your digital library. This makes Southern Presbyterian Pulpit more powerful and easier to access than ever before for reading, sermon preparation, research, and Bible study.
- Thirty-three complete sermons
- Rich with Southern Presbyterian theology and history
- Exceptional resource for students, theologians, pastors, and historians
- "The Transforming Power of the Gospel," by Rev. B. M. Palmer, D. D.
- "The Changing World and the Unchanging God," by Rev. Moses D. Hoge, D. D.
- "'One Jesus," by Rev. J. Henry Smith," D. D.
- "The Gospel Call," by Rev. Geo. D. Armstrong, D. D.
- "'What is the Chaff to the Wheat?'" by Rev. J. W. Lupton, D. D.
- "Christ's Pastoral Presence with His Dying People," by Rev. John L. Girardeau, D. D.
- "The Pitilessness of Sin," by Rev. J. R. Stratton, D. D.
- "The Happy Service," by Rev. Robert Lewis Dabney, D. D.
- "Seeking the Lord," by Rev. J. W. Rosebro, D. D.
- "Our Redeemer's Prayer for Christian Unity," by Rev. Neander M. Woods, D. D.
- "The Divineness of the Family Bond," by Rev. W. U. Murkland, D. D.
- "Why Believers Should Not Fear," by Rev. A. W. Pitzer, D. D.
- "The Ruler's Question," by Rev. J. H. Bryson, D. D.
- "Children of the Covenant," by Rev. S. W. Davies, D. D.
- "Man Inspired of God," by Rev. G. R. Brackett, D. D.
- "'How Long Halt Ye Between Two Opinions,'" by Rev. J. R. Burgett, D. D.
- "Consecration," by Rev. G. B. Strickler, D. D.
- "Personal Work for the Master," by Rev. W. N. Scott, D. D.
- "Joseph of Arimathea," by Rev. John A. Preston, D. D.
- "The Striving Spirit," by Rev. Robert P. Kerr, D. D.
- "Applied Christianity," by Rev. R. K. Smoot, D. D.
- "The Three Causes of Salvation," by Rev. W. W. Moore, D. D.
- "The Necessity of Christ's Resurrection," by J. F. Cannon, D. D.
- "Natural Law and Divine Providence," by Rev. Peyton H. Hoge, D. D.
- "Take Hold of God," by Rev. James I. Vance, D. D.
- "'To Me to Live is Christ,'" by Rev. J. R. Howerton, D. D.
- "The Valley of Achor," by Rev. G. L. Petrie, D. D.
- "Religion Not a Vain Thing," by Rev. Samuel A. Kino, D. D.
- "Jesus' Supreme Authority," by Rev. C. R. Hemphill, D. D.
- "Trust in the Lord," by Rev. Joseph R. Wilson D. D.
- "Not One Forgotten," by Rev. T. D. Witherspoon, D. D.
- "The Sabbath Day," by Rev. W. F. V. Bartlett, D. D.
- "The Gospel as First Revealed," by Rev. W. T. Hall, D. D.
Praise for the Print Edition
I've often given printed sermons to the dying, grieving, confused, and lost; sermons from this very book. You'll find sermons that speak to the heart in Southern Presbyterian Pulpit. Acquaint yourself with the 'Spurgeons of America' and you'll find some preachers to imitate; 'Preachers with Power.'
—C. N. Willborn, Associate Professor of Church History and Biblical Theology, Greenville Theological Seminary
A careful examination of the several discourses reveals their strength, beauty, fervor, and wonderfully evangelical spirit and soundness.
—The Presbyterian Quarterly
- Title: Southern Presbyterian Pulpit: A Collection of Sermons
- Author: Ministers of the Southern Presbyterian Church
- Publisher: Presbyterian Committee of Publication
- Publication Date: 1896
- Pages: 407 | <urn:uuid:fab7c078-cd74-4444-affd-38c8217d6b3e> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.logos.com/product/9360/southern-presbyterian-pulpit-a-collection-of-sermons | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368706499548/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516121459-00010-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.954428 | 1,193 | 1.515625 | 2 |
Potterdale Community Resource Centre aims to meet the support needs of people over 50 living with mental health problems and/or social isolation through day services and community support. Potterdale's ethos is to promote independence, social inclusion and recovery.
- To promote and increase social inclusion.
- To promote and maintain independence.
- To promote and enable recovery.
- To act as an intermediary between statutory and mainstream services.
- To encourage clients to find meaningful occupation.
- To provide and facilitate social activities in partnership with mainstream providers.
- To support clients to maintain independence.
- To support clients in devising coping strategies to manage their mental health needs.
Potterdale operates a building based drop-in at Potterdale Community Resource Centre three days a week on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays along with home and community support.
Clients have the option to decide, along with the input of Potterdale staff, how to get the best out of the service so as to facilitate their needs. The overall aim will be to promote the clients inclusion so they may build up confidence to use these services in addition to those of Potterdale and eventually become independent of the Potterdale service.
We aim to achieve this in a variety of ways, for example clients have the option of attending the drop-in with its centre and community based activities and groups or engaging solely in community based activities. The service also assists clients to find other meaningful occupation, for example, volunteering, paid work, joining educational courses, faith groups, art and cultural activities, intergenerational groups etc.
As the majority of our clients are predominantly aged 70+, the monitoring of physical health issues is paramount. The staff team ensures that health needs are not neglected and will accompany service users to GP, hospital and other health care appointments until users are confident with attending appointments independently.
All clients are allocated a key worker who co-ordinates mutually agreed support packages with the service user and other involved agencies/carers. Regular meetings ensure that a comprehensive package of individually planned care and support is available to each client that that are regularly reviewed and that appropriate referrals are made to other appropriate agencies.
Referrals are welcome from professionals, carers or the person seeking the service. Referrals can be made by contacting Potterdale on 0113 270 8673. A series of questions will be asked to determine the person’s suitability and needs. A decision can usually be made there and then, however, if further information is needed this will be gathered by liaison with other professionals working with the person (subject to permission being granted) and an interview when the person comes to look around the service. A date will be set for an assessment of the person’s needs and any potential risk issues and they will be invited to Potterdale to evaluate the service for themselves. A letter confirming their acceptance will then be sent to them and the referrer.
Where a referral request has been refused and the applicant or their referrer is not satisfied with the reasons given, they have a right to appeal the decision. Appeals should be made in writing within 10 working days of receipt of the written decision. Once received an appeals meeting will be arranged within 5 working days chaired by a Senior Manager at which the applicant and their referrer have the opportunity to state why they disagreed with the decision. An appeal decision will be made within 3 working days.
Staff and Management
The staff team consists of a Scheme Manager and three Community Support Workers. The Scheme Manager reports to a Senior Manager who is based at LHC’s Central Office.
Postal Address: Potterdale, 192 Dewsbury Road, Leeds LS11 6ER
Referrals / General Enquiries: 0113 270 8673
Fax: 0110 2708316
Scheme Manager: Brian Garbett
Senior Manager: Lesley Sendall-Long | <urn:uuid:00659a8d-8582-42c8-892c-806d9956431f> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.leedshc.org.uk/en/scheme/potterdale.aspx | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368705953421/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516120553-00019-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.947857 | 787 | 1.71875 | 2 |
Here in Vermont, we're surrounded — by military contractors
In-flight bladder relief, male version
One F-16 Falcon fighter jet: $14.6 million
Cost of training a fighter pilot for one year: $2.6 million
Cost, per flight, of using the Advanced Mission Extender Device: $50
Freedom to empty your bladder at 35,000 feet during a Mach 3 dogfight: priceless
But Omni Measurement Systems, which employs 33 Vermonters, doesn’t have to advertise — its biggest customer is Uncle Sam. In 2008, the Department of Defense spent $4,050,935 on Omni Measurement Systems’ patented bladder-relief technology, which allows pilots and mechanized ground forces, such as tank drivers, to go potty on the go. That’s quite a shift in product line for a company that started in 1998 making weights and measures for the cattle industry.
Marketing director Jamie Walker explains that developing this technology became a priority for the military after 9/11, when air missions got much longer. The Advanced Mission Extender Device, which is available in both male and female models, also has civilian applications. Walker reports that her company is currently “working out the kinks” to sell them to nursing homes and home health care providers, which promises to be a burgeoning market in the coming decade.
Love it or hate it, the Pentagon’s enveloping embrace touches all 50 states. Defense contractors can be found in more than 90 percent of all congressional districts, and Vermont is no exception. In 2008, total federal contracts awarded in the Green Mountain State exceeded $529 million — down from a decade high of $901 million in 2007. The bulk of that money was spent on defense-related aeronautical supplies: aircraft parts, missile and explosive components, guns, ammunition and “quick-reaction capability equipment,” according to the Federal Procurement Data System.
But while most Vermonters are probably familiar with the state’s largest defense firms — General Dynamics of Burlington and the Goodrich Corporation of Vergennes — scores of smaller firms doing business in Vermont sell goods and services to the U.S. military. Many have been around for decades but maintain relatively low profiles. Sometimes it’s because they don’t advertise, recruit or sell their wares in state. Other times it’s because they perform sensitive or even classified research and development. Still others choose to fly under the public radar due to Vermont’s left-leaning populace, which often takes a dim view of all Pentagon projects.
Still, as overall spending on defense contracts has swelled in recent years — from $133 billion in 2000 to $391 billion in 2008 — so too has the number of defense contractors operating in Vermont’s tech sector, which employs some of the state’s highest skilled and best-paid workers. This week, Seven Days takes a closer look at a few of those firms in our own backyard to find out what they do, who they employ and why they’re here. All were asked whether their products are considered dual-use technologies — that is, available for both military and civilian applications — and whether Vermont’s congressional delegation had a hand in bringing them business.
(Note: All contract dollar figures listed below are those reported for FY 2009 by the Federal Procurement Data System.)
Number of VT employees: 95
2009 defense contracts: $1,413,247
This privately held manufacturing firm has been in Winooski since the Grunvald family relocated there from their native Montréal in 1978. Vice president Jeff Grunvald, who still runs the company with his father and brother, says that about 75 percent of their business — roughly $10 million annually in sales — is defense related. Preci-Manufacturing makes precision mechanical components used in planes, helicopters, ships, submarines and heavy armored vehicles. The company initially moved to the Burlington area to be closer to its main customer, IBM, though those sales have since dried up. When asked if Vermont’s congressional delegation was helpful in landing those defense contracts, Grunvald chuckled and said, “They’ve come to me for more advice than they’ve given to me.”
Ascension Technology Corp.
Number of VT employees: 40, not including freelance consultants
2009 defense contracts: $2,359,000
In 1986, company cofounders Jack Scully and Ernie Blood left their previous employer and current competitor, Polhemus Inc. of Colchester, to launch Ascension Technology, a small high-tech start-up company. The firm began by making computer hardware that lets fighter pilots aim their weapons simply by turning their head and looking at their targets through a visor. Now in its 23rd year, the company has since shifted much of its work to the civilian sector, where it sells tracking technologies used in virtual reality games and computer animation for television and film. Recently, the company has been developing the next generation of magnetic sensors used in medical procedures, such as one that can accurately track a biopsy needle three dimensionally without exposing the patient or provider to radiation from a CT scan. Says Scully, “It totally takes the guesswork out of it.” Though most of Ascension Technology’s business is in the civilian sector, Scully credits Senator Patrick Leahy for landing him various earmarks since 2005 worth about $5 million.
Number of VT employees: “About a dozen”
2009 defense contracts: $640,000
Since 2004, this small Burlington business has been developing infrared technology that can detect everything from roadside explosives to smuggled uranium to food-borne pathogens. According to founder/president Ken Puzey, much of the company’s recent R&D has been done for the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, developing a method for rapidly diagnosing malaria. “I don’t think most people realize that the Army spends quite a bit of money on medical research, pushing very advanced technologies that will be of great benefit to people in civilian hospitals,” Puzey says. QuantaSpec also has developed a tool for quickly identifying hospital-acquired infections, which affect about 2 million Americans and kill 180,000 annually. In some cases, the company’s technology can also reduce diagnostic times from 72 hours to several seconds, saving more lives. The company’s latest foray is into cancer research, using similar technology to speed those diagnoses as well. Why is QuantaSpec in Vermont? Says Puzey, “There’s a large pool of highly educated but underutilized people in the area.”
Problem-Knowledge Couplers Corp.
Number of VT employees: 65
2009 defense contracts: $7,157,500
Located in Burlington’s Chace Mill on the Winooski River, PKC builds “clinical decisions support technology” that helps doctors and patients make more informed medical decisions. Based on a system developed by company founder and Vermont medical innovator Dr. Larry Weed, PKC’s staff compiles the most up-to-date data from peer-reviewed medical literature and research projects and enters them into a computer. Then, the company’s software allows a doctor to enter specific symptoms — say, chest pains or headaches — match them with the patient’s medical history, and pull up the universe of known conditions that could potentially cause them. As longtime CEO Howard Pierce explains, in an age when the scope of medical research is expanding at an exponential rate all over the world, “Everyone agrees that it’s physically impossible for anyone to do this in their head anymore.” Though PKC’s software has obvious civilian uses, Pierce notes that the company’s biggest customer is still the military, which uses its software to help keep military personnel deployable. Pierce is a big fan of Vermont’s senior senator: “Senator Leahy was absolutely instrumental in our early years,” he says. “I can’t say enough about him and his staff.”
Number of VT employees: 1
2009 defense contracts: $99,000
Versatilis owner and founder George Powch was a bit wary of answering a reporter’s questions about what his firm does. A virtual company with about half a dozen partners and collaborators scattered nationwide, Versatilis is “all about R&D focused on enabling flexible electronics on flexible substrates.” In layperson’s terms, that means developing new technologies, such as computer monitors, that can be rolled up instead of opening and closing like a clamshell. “Someday,” says Powch, “the clothes you wear may display different patterns, so you can download the fashions of the day.” Although all the work Powch does has dual-use applications, Versatilis’ primary dealings are with the Defense Advanced Research Products Agency, the R&D arm of the Pentagon known for funding such “high-risk, high-reward” projects as the first hypertext system and the Global Positioning System. When asked if Vermont’s congressional team has been at all helpful in landing his company’s contracts, Powch sounded a scornful note: “No. I’ve tried, but they were useless.” | <urn:uuid:cd7c3dad-5f6b-4fa9-afc0-279b564c9b94> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.7dvt.com/2009defense-mechanisms | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368699881956/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516102441-00011-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.953097 | 1,964 | 1.65625 | 2 |
For more information on The Father's Tale, visit the website here.
To hear a sample reading of The Father's Tale, click here.
"A modern retelling of the parables The Good Shepherd and The Prodigal Son."
- Michael O'Brien
Canadian bookseller Alex Graham is a middle-age widower whose quiet life is turned upside down when his college-age son disappears without any explanation or trace of where he has gone. With minimal resources, the father begins a long journey that takes him for the first time away from his safe and orderly world. As he stumbles across the merest thread of a trail, he follows it in blind desperation, and is led step by step on an odyssey that takes him to fascinating places and sometimes to frightening people and perils.
Through the uncertainty and the anguish, the loss and the longing, Graham is pulled into conflicts between nations, as well as the eternal conflict between good and evil. Stretched nearly to the breaking point by the inexplicable suffering he witnesses and experiences, he discovers unexpected sources of strength as he presses onward in the hope of recovering his son--and himself.
Michael O'Brien, iconographer, painter, and writer, is the popular author of many best-selling novels including Father Elijah, Eclipse of the Sun, Sophia House, Theophilos and Island of the World. He lives in Canada with his wife and family.
Book Length (hours:minutes:seconds)
"This is a magnum opus in quality as well as quantity. All of O'Brien's large and human soul is in this book as in none of his shorter ones: father, Catholic, Russophile, Canadian, personalist, artist, storyteller, romantic. There is not one boring or superfluous page. When you finish The Father's Tale you will say of it what Tolkien said of The Lord of the Rings: it has one fault: it is too short. A thousand pages of Michael O'Brien is like a thousand sunrises: who's complaining?"
- Peter Kreeft, Ph.D., Boston College, Author, You Can Understand the Bible
"To enter the domain into which this book takes its readers is to find oneself in the precincts of Holiness, really. Everything is here: suspense, poignancy, darkness, goodness, radiance, courage and joy. George Macdonald, Charles Williams, Chesterton, Lewis, and, yes, Dostoyevski, have ventured across the borders of this terrain. The scrim that lies between ordinariness and That Which lies beyond ordinariness is pierced. Michael O'Brien's achievement here is, I think, titanic."
-Thomas Howard, Author, Dove Descending: T.S. Eliot's Four Quartets
"The best of Michael O'Brien's novels. He creates characters like Dickens, explores human relationships like Austen, and has the epic scope of Tolstoy and Dostoevsky. I believe this novel will merit inclusion in any list of the world's greatest novels."
- Fr. Joseph Fessio, SJ
"In this epic tale of the complex and mysterious workings of love, O'Brien takes his readers on a harrowing intercontinental odyssey, offering them an inside view both of brutal torture and mystical transport in which the dark incongruities of divine providence reorder faith and hope so that love becomes fully possible."
- David Lyle Jeffrey, Ph.D. Distinguished Professor of Literature and the Humanities, Baylor University | <urn:uuid:8f4b9f93-78f0-494e-ad80-7123796bcb31> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.ignatius.com/Products/FT-A/the-father39s-tale.aspx | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368707435344/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516123035-00012-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.938231 | 728 | 1.515625 | 2 |
A panel of federal health advisers just recently endorsed the first drug shown to prevent HIV infection possibly ending the 30-year-old battle against the virus that causes AIDS.
In a series of votes, a Food and Drug Administration advisory panel recommended approval of the daily pill Truvada for healthy people who are at high risk of contracting HIV, including gay and bisexual men and heterosexual couples with one HIV-positive partner.
[via NY Daily News]
Although the FDA is not required to follow the panel’s advice, it normally does. A final decision is expected by June 15. | <urn:uuid:6bafc161-d66a-4157-83fb-1e2d80a31fef> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://mediamrs.com/main/2012/05/health-mrs-fda-panel-backs-first-pill-to-prevent-hiv/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704713110/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516114513-00011-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.957213 | 119 | 1.734375 | 2 |
Over at SCOTUSblog, there's an interesting discussion about the Stolen Valor Act, a federal law that makes it a crime to falsely claim to have won military honors. Last year, the Ninth Circuit held that the Act violates the First Amendment’s protections of free speech (United States v. Alvarez).
The Obama administration is trying to get the Supreme Court to reverse the Ninth Circuit, on the grounds that knowingly false statements are outside the scope of First Amendment protections. Interestingly, the administration has adopted the argument of Jay Bybee, our own John Yoo's former colleague at the Office of Legal Counsel, who is now a Ninth Circuit judge and who dissented in the Alvarez case.
The facts of the case do not elicit sympathy for the defendant. Alvarez was a California public official. He stood in a public meeting and announced that he was a retired Marine, a wounded veteran, and the recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor. He was lying on all counts.
Still, I'm not comfortable with the conclusion that "false" statements are outside of the First Amendment. Generally, courts distinguish things like defamation and fraud because there is harm attached to them (eg, if Alvarez used his phony war record to obtain money, he'd be guilty of plain old fraud, and there would be no First Amendment issue). But to imprison a man for merely uttering a statement that is deemed to be "false?" My fear is that the administration is so keen on this because they want to lock up all "climate change deniers" for making "knowingly false statements." See where I'm going with this? | <urn:uuid:93e7ed3d-812d-4a5f-becf-6d2e06fa0b6f> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://ricochet.com/main-feed/Does-the-First-Amendment-Protect-Fibbing/(comment)/223196 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368702448584/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516110728-00014-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.960996 | 327 | 1.554688 | 2 |
This week, the questions come from Annie and Martin who are renovating their basement: “We want to put hardwood in the basement and we are hesitating between two kinds of sub-floor: a solvent (In sub floor) and another that is deposited on the concrete (Barricade). Do you know of other types of raised floors? Which to choose? Can we nail the sub floor? ”
Say, first, that today’s materials have inevitably all the same quality standards to meet. Each company has its own theory and they are all valued. Just look at the demos provided by the manufacturer to do with what type of installation you are most comfortable when we do the work yourself. Most important is to look at the isolation level that the product will give. In the two models referred to here, they have a difference of insulation coefficient of .5, which is really minimal.
If your intention is to install a hardwood floor, which is your case, I would go with one that is bonded to an increased stability of the floor. As I mention every time, it is super important to follow the directions on the product packaging to ensure proper installation and consistent and thus avoid problems later. Your Turn! For every problem there is a solution. Read the instructions on the packaging of all products that are encountered for the first time is key to success and much satisfaction with the results obtained. so we should choose right sub floor for our aristocracy home decor. | <urn:uuid:9df4c5f2-239b-4ea1-b3ab-95b7f500698b> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://yourwayhomeaz.com/choose-a-sub-floor.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704713110/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516114513-00003-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.969496 | 298 | 1.640625 | 2 |
eLearning orientation sessions
From BCC WIKI
To get started with eLearning and learn more about how eLearning courses work, all students are encouraged to complete the eLearning 101 course.
If you have specific questions or need additional assistance please visit us in person or online during our scheduled eLearning orientation sessions.
Summer Term eLearning Orientation Sessions
Fall River students can come by room A208 (second floor of the Library) June 3 - 7 from 9am - 4pm.
New Bedford students can stop the by Academic Support Center in the Purchase St building for help with eLearning:
- Tuesday, May 28 – between 9am to noon and between 1pm to 7pm
- Wednesday, May 29 – between 9am to noon and between 1pm to 7pm
- Monday, June 3 – between 9am to noon and between 1pm to 7pm
- Tuesday, June 4 – between 9am to noon and between 1pm to 7pm
- Wednesday, June 5 – between 9am to noon and between 1pm to 7pm
Attleboro students can stop by Room 108 on June 6 from 9am - 4pm.
Virtual orientations use eLearningLive! to provide a real-time environment where students can ask questions by typing them into a chat window or can ask questions verbally using the built-in voice tools. Click on the link above on May 28, June 3 and July 15 between 9am-6pm for virtual assistance.
If you need accommodations to access this program of events, please contact the BCC Office of Disability Services at (508) 678-2811 ext. 2955. If you need an ASL interpreter, CART or ALD, please contact Julie Jodoin at ext. 2568 or VP (508) 689-7616. | <urn:uuid:40b043c4-8ab0-41df-866c-d43640a27c3d> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://dl.bristolcc.edu/wiki/index.php/eLearning_orientation_sessions | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704132298/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516113532-00013-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.943656 | 372 | 1.554688 | 2 |
From The Oakland Tribune, 30 May 1874
On Monday, May 18th, Mr. John Brown, a German, who had been living for several years on the divide between the Arroyo Honda and Calaveras Creek, some three miles from Calaveras Valley in Washington township, was found dead about a quarter of a mile from his house. He was lying under a log, which had evidently rolled on to him while he was chopping wood. He was probably killed on the previous Friday, as Mr. Brannan, who lives some distance farther up the divide, saw him on Friday morning. He requested Mr. Brannan to bring him a can of oil from town. Brannan left the can of oil at Brown's door, and on passing by on Monday morning was surprised to see the oil can just where he had left it on Friday, when search was made and the dead body was found, as above stated. | <urn:uuid:175f2477-aed0-4eb9-8b02-b081d238139b> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://oaklandgenealogy.blogspot.com/2010/06/fatal-accident.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368702810651/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516111330-00014-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.994568 | 191 | 1.5625 | 2 |
is one of the most renowned wine properties in the Médoc
. Owned by
Baron Eric de Rothschild
and Lafite Rothschild is also one of the
largest Médoc estates.
The vineyards of Ch. Lafite are found at the northern tip of the Pauillac
below the boundary with St.
. There is evidence of an estate on this site as far back as the
14th century, and of exports of wine to the UK in the early 17th century. The
current owners, the Rothschilds of the famous banking dynasty, bought the
property in 1866, but this is a different brand of the family from that which
purchased Ch. Mouton-Rothschild. For many years the Rothschilds’ control
of Lafite was very much exercised at a distance, compared to the hands-on
influence of Baron Philippe at Mouton, but since the Second World War this has
changed somewhat, with the current owner, Eric de Rothschild, presiding over an
extensive programme of investment in both vineyard and cellar.
With a base largely of gravel the vineyard is unsurprisingly dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon
(71%) with the balance
(25%) Cabernet Franc
(3%) and Petit Verdot (1%). Grapes are
hand-harvested, and vinified parcel by parcel. Fermentation takes place in
stainless steel vats, after which the wine is run off into barrels, 100% new
for Lafite itself, a mixture of new and one-year-old barrels for the second
The Grand Vin volume varies greatly according to the vintage, but is frequently
less than half the total crop, and is usually no more than 20,000 cases. The
second wine, Carruades de Lafite
, has a slightly higher percentage of
Merlot than Lafite and is in consequence more approachable in youth. Up to
30,000 cases are made. Wine deemed not worthy of inclusion in Carruades is sold
off as generic Pauillac.
Throughout the 20th century Lafite was dogged by periods of inconsistency,
often producing sublime wines but also failing to live up to its billing in
other years. Since 1994, however the estate has been under the control of
, and he has brought about not just an admirable level
of consistency but has also been responsible for some truly brilliant wines
often vying for the title of “Wine of the Vintage”.
In style thw wines of Lafite are often described as having a perfumed
elegance and finesse,
to contrast with the more masculine power and
structure of Latour
or the more
exotic and intense flavours of Mouton
What is sure, however, is that at its best it represents a hedonistic
experience for the consumer, and has the ability to age, in great years, for
minimally 50 years and often longer. | <urn:uuid:cac532e4-343e-4f96-ac24-7a70d3a8d03a> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.bbr.com/producer-250-chateau-lafite-rothschild?currency_code_F=GBP&property_code_F=250&sort_order_F=W&sort_type_F=A | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368707435344/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516123035-00004-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.954359 | 623 | 1.5 | 2 |
Mon October 22, 2012
Foreign Policy Takes Center Stage In Final Debate
Originally published on Sun October 28, 2012 7:44 am
STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:
It's MORNING EDITION from NPR News. I'm Steve Inskeep.
DAVID GREENE, HOST:
And I'm David Greene. Good morning.
Tonight the presidential candidates meet for the final debate of this presidential election. President Obama and Republican Mitt Romney will be in Boca Raton, Florida. The event will focus on foreign policy, which was never expected to rival the economy as a major issue in this campaign. But foreign policy has played a bigger role than anticipated in recent weeks.
NPR's Ari Shapiro has this preview of tonight's debate.
ARI SHAPIRO, BYLINE: Moderator Bob Schieffer of CBS released a list of subjects for tonight's debate. And based on what the candidates have said on the stump for the last year, it's not hard to predict what they'll say tonight about each subject.
First up is America's role in the world. Mitt Romney always argues that U.S. leadership is declining.
MITT ROMNEY: It is our responsibility and the responsibility of the president to use America's greatest power to shape history, not lead from behind.
SHAPIRO: The Obama administration says the world has never been more united behind an American agenda. Here's how Vice President Biden put it in his debate with Paul Ryan.
(SOUNDBITE OF DEBATE)
VICE PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN: Forty-nine of our allies said out in 2014. It's the responsibility of the Afghans.
SHAPIRO: The war in Afghanistan is tonight's second topic, along with Pakistan. No doubt President Obama will mention the death of a certain terrorist who was hiding out in Pakistan.
PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA: Osama bin laden is no more.
SHAPIRO: Third up is Israel and Iran, a subject Romney mentions in nearly every stump speech.
ROMNEY: Iran, closer and closer to having nuclear capability.
SHAPIRO: Then comes a pair of segments on the changing Middle East and terrorism. That could bring the next chapter in this tense exchange from last week's debate.
(SOUNDBITE OF DEBATE)
ROMNEY: It took the president 14 days before he called the attack in Benghazi an act of terror.
OBAMA: Get the transcript.
CANDY CROWLEY: He did in fact, sir. So let me - call it an act of terror.
OBAMA: Can you say that a little louder, Candy?
SHAPIRO: The final segment is about China. Anyone living in a swing state has seen that fight play out in TV ads.
(SOUNDBITE OF TV ADS)
UNIDENTIFIED MAN #1: It doesn't have to be this way. If Obama would stand up to China.
UNIDENTIFIED MAN #2: Romney's companies were called pioneers at shipping us manufacturing jobs overseas.
SHAPIRO: If there's any state where foreign affairs could determine people's votes, it's here in Florida, where the debate takes place.
DEAN POBLETI: I had a Filipino passport but I was born in Kenya - Nairobi, Kenya. So I have a weird background.
SHAPIRO: And you're here eating at a kosher restaurant.
POBLETI: That's right.
SHAPIRO: At the Jerusalem Grill in Ormond Beach, Israeli pop music plays through the speakers. Dean Pobleti just became a U.S. citizen this year. He sometimes feels like a target when he travels internationally now.
POBLETI: Flashing around that blue passport, you know, puts me on the radar in a lot of countries. You know, countries like the Philippines, where my parents are from.
SHAPIRO: Neither candidate has won him over. Small business owner Shaya Fogel waits in his car while his wife picks up groceries. After voting for President Obama last time, he has chosen Romney this time.
SHAYA FOGEL: I think the president has distanced himself from Israel, and I think it's something we need to repair. So I think that's important. Not the most important for an American, I think, but certainly up there.
SHAPIRO: Just next door, Brian Cavanaugh is having lunch at Los Amigos Cuban restaurant. He's originally from Ireland.
BRIAN CAVANAUGH: And I've seen what divisions can create. It can create civil wars, it can create wars between states. And we need to set up a situation where we can eliminate that. And I believe Obama is doing that. But I do not believe that Romney has any idea about peace and what it may bring and what war will bring.
SHAPIRO: Former pro golfer Mike Mollis oversees this little shopping center. He's a registered Republican who voted for Barack Obama four years ago. This time he's frustrated by what he sees as the Tea Party hijacking the Republican Party. He's still undecided but expects to make up his mind based on this debate.
MIKE MOLLIS: I think it would be very, very important what every candidate does, each candidate does on Monday night.
SHAPIRO: With a debate win in each candidate's column, tonight could be crucial as a tie breaker.
Ari Shapiro, NPR News, Daytona Beach, Florida. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright National Public Radio. | <urn:uuid:2118314d-13ab-42fa-bd14-ffc4e0621137> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.kuer.org/post/foreign-policy-takes-center-stage-final-debate | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368709037764/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516125717-00013-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.956379 | 1,157 | 1.679688 | 2 |
“You can't wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club.”
- Jack London
I get asked time to time, by students and online acquaintances, where I get ideas for teaching, writing and training. How I answer depends on who's asking and although the list of influences is very long and varied, there are a few constants that I can draw literally hundreds of anecdotes from - Master Pak (my Tae Kwon Do teacher and long-time friend of the family), my competitive swimming experience (thousands of miles and over two decades of training and coaching), my son, my students, and my friends. These are personal connections and experiences that I can't really "share" in the sense that I can't tell someone to, for example, hang out with my students for inspiration. There ARE other sources of inspiration that I can share however, and here are a few of them:
When it comes to weightlifting, there are some books that I'd consider classics - some old, some new. Here are a few classics about strength training that you should consider adding to your library if you haven't already:
- The Strongest Shall Survive by Bill Starr
- The Weightlifting Encyclopedia by Arthur Dreschler
- Starting Strength by Mark Rippetoe
- Power to the People by Pavel Tsatsouline
- Supertraining by Mel Siff
- Science and Practice of Strength Training by Vladmir Zatsiorsky
- Athletic Body in Balance by Gray Cook
These are books that you can read and then reread. Whenever I pick up one of these books after some time away from them, I can open to any page, start reading, and be drawn into the anecdote, training tip, or lesson being presented. ... and yes, I know I'm kind of a nerd like that...
*Try the "Kaizen" Approach
"Kaizen" is a Japanese word that means something that can be loosely interpreted as "improvement" or "reformation". It was a business buzzword for a while in the early 90s. It differs from the ideas of "renovation" or "restructuring" in that kaizen implies small, sometime incremental, improvements that, over time, can make a large difference in performance and climate.
A book I read years ago, ”ザッツ カイゼン！” ("That's Kaizen!") broke it down into a very simple list that was similar to what follows:
- make/do it smaller
- make/do it bigger
- make/do it faster
- make/do it slower
- make/do it safer
- make/do it cheaper
- make/do it easier
- make/do it harder
- make/do it easier to see
- make it prettier
- make it uglier
- make/do it backwards
- make/do it quieter
- make it louder
It's pretty tough to think outside the box when you are constantly inside it. In Japanese, there's a saying: "A frog in a well doesn't know the ocean." The same could be said of people who surround themselves with like-minded individuals and similar input from the same fields day in and day out. If you want to bring a fresh approach or perspective, it will be easier to find that by looking at books, magazines and websites from other fields, and talking to people with different backgrounds and trying to apply them to your own. Very often inspiration doesn't strike the scientist as he is working in the lab, but rather when they are walking home, or playing with their children, or sitting under a tree...
If you constantly read Powerlifting USA, for example, pick up a copy of TIME magazine, or Scientific America, or People and see if there's anything that might be applied to your craft. Who knows, you might be the next trend-setting powerlifter in terms of fashion or training templates! | <urn:uuid:8f29e3b5-d236-4da0-b0aa-389f1f61c92c> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://squatrx.blogspot.com/2008/05/finding-inspiration.html?showComment=1210977720000 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368696383156/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516092623-00011-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.960785 | 821 | 1.75 | 2 |
I'm gonna summarize three previous posts because I think they are the most important thing I have to add in relation to Katrina. This is kind of a quick cut and paste job of previous posts so forgive me if its sloppy.
(And, I gotta say, from a table top excercise point of view, the decision to force evacuations by deprivation may be sound(I was somewhat convinced by the email from the Nola.Com guy at the end, but if you do not offer a mechanism to escape the deprivation for four or five days, it's criminal.)First Post:
After thinking about this for a day, I believe, quite literally, that there is a case for manslaughter here. If the Red Cross statement below is true, FEMA and state officials knowingly, recklessly endangered the lives of those poor souls who were left in New Orleans.
(I'm cutting out exhibit A because I have seen some conflicting info indicating that the "Walmart Water" was simply redeployed.)Exhibit B: From a Red Cross FAQ
- Acess to New Orleans is controlled by the National Guard and local authorities and while we are in constant contact with them, we simply cannot enter New Orleans against their orders.
- The state Homeland Security Department had requested--and continues to request--that the American Red Cross not come back into New Orleans following the hurricane. Our presence would keep people from evacuating and encourage others to come into the city.
Now, let me get this straight. FEMA and the state Homeland Security Department were refusing the entry of food, water, and personnel because they were afraid the presence of the Red Cross would "keep people from evacuating and encourage others to come into the city."
So, in other words, if the people had food and water, they might not evacuate, so if we cut off their food and water, their imperiled lives would drive them to seek evacuation.
I'm not a lawyer, so I don't know all the legal specifics of this form of manslaughter. But to you, doesn't this sound like reckless endangerment?
We need to find out who made that decision and that statement to the Red Cross. That person is responsible for hundreds, possibly thousands, of deaths
Oh, and let's just add that the evacuees who were being driven out of New Orleans by their hunger and their thirst were given no means for evacuation. And in the case of the Superdome were kept from leaving at the point of a gun. Wanna bet the same sonofabitch issued that order?And later I added Exhibit C:
Exhibit B: (From the Pittsburgh Post Gazette:)
As the National Guard delivered food to the New Orleans convention center yesterday, American Red Cross officials said that federal emergency management authorities would not allow them to do the same.
Other relief agencies say the area is so damaged and dangerous that they doubted they could conduct mass feeding there now.
"The Homeland Security Department has requested and continues to request that the American Red Cross not come back into New Orleans," said Renita Hosler, spokeswoman for the Red Cross.
"Right now access is controlled by the National Guard and local authorities. We have been at the table every single day [asking for access]. We cannot get into New Orleans against their orders." .....
Though frustrated, Hosler understood the reasons. The goal is to move people out of an uninhabitable city, and relief operations might keep them there.
So, again, from another source we have the claim that, in this case specifically named, the Homeland Security Dept actively stopped the delivery of food and water for the purpose of moving people out of the city.
AGAIN, the Homeland Security Dept actively denied life sustaining food and water into New Orleans so that the starving and dying would have to try to leave the city in order to survive.THE HOMELAND SECURITY DEPT INTENTIONALLY STARVED THE PEOPLE OF NEW ORLEANS.
And then, they didn't try to help the people get out. We all saw the people waiting for the buses that took days to arrive, but what about this?
Mary Landrieu, the Democratic US senator from Louisiana, accused the Federal Emergency Management Agency of having "dragging its feet" when Amtrak offered trains to evacuate victims.So, THE HOMELAND SECURITY DEPT INTENTIONALLY STARVED THE PEOPLE OF NEW ORLEANS TO GET THEM TO WANT TO LEAVE THE CITY, AND THEN DENIED THEM THE MEANS TO LEAVE THE CITY.
Someone should go on trial for this. Someone should go to jail for this. and if this is true, someone should die for this.
And George Bush said, "Brownie, you're doing a heck of a job."And lastly, I received and Email from one of the guys at NOLA.com who are covering this thing.
Got an email from Jon Donley from the Nola.com(Times Picayune linked website) countering my arguments about the Red Cross being held out of New Orleans intentionally by the Dept of Homeland Security.
It's obvious that this guy is exhausted, and it's not like he has a lot of time to write emails to me sitting in air conditioned Houston. So, I'm just going to print the part about the Red Cross in New Orleans, and, out of discretion, leave some of the personal details of his experience out. (Jon, if you feel that I need to print the second paragraph, tell me and it'll be up in a second.)
Please believe me that this guy has been through hell. And that his on the ground experience gives him some real credibility.
You're right, we're mad. But not about this. I can't imagine anything more
foolish than allowing the Red Cross into New Orleans. I'm afraid that you
don't understand that anyone left in New Orleans is going to die. They can
die hungry, or they can die fed, but they are going to die. I don't have
time to explain this to you, but allowing the Red Cross in would kill
people. Many people are holding out, thinking that if they just get food
and water delivered, they can avoid leaving New Orleans. Anything that
encourages that is going to kill people. The Red Cross should - and is -
focusing on the vast refugee camps and shelters spread from here to San
Antonio. People are dying there, too . . . and the Red Cross is stretched
to the limit feeding them, giving them basic survival services
That's a good rebuttal.
Specifically, I was writing about the absence of the Red Cross in the early days of the disaster before the mass evacuations had begun, not at present, but I find it difficult to argue.
The fatalism in this has struck me hard. I can't imagine what it's like there after a week.
So that's where we are so far in this. | <urn:uuid:857c98de-5a81-4e1c-9928-04931786fbeb> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://bornatthecrestoftheempire.blogspot.com/2005_09_04_archive.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368699881956/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516102441-00003-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.970714 | 1,439 | 1.640625 | 2 |
REF NO.: 144
|SUBJECT:||Memorial University removing potentially hazardous chemicals from lab in Education Building; building and part of campus roadway to temporarily close as a safety precaution|
|DATE:||Feb. 25, 2010|
Memorial University is taking no chances with a quantity of unidentified chemicals which are being removed from a storage closet in the Education Building, located on the St. John’s campus. In addition to the unidentified chemical bottles, health and safety personnel have identified a number of small compressed gas cylinders in the same area that require specialized disposal.
As a precautionary measure, the university has contracted a company with special expertise in chemical disposal procedures to undertake the removal and will be closing the building while the work is done.
“A priority of the university is laboratory safety,” said Sheila Miller, director of the university’s Department of Health and Safety. “A needs assessment of this laboratory was undertaken a short time ago and a number of chemical bottles and cylinders were found in a storage room. Some had labels, others did not. We believe it’s important to be proactive and plan to remove these materials carefully. These chemicals pose no hazard to building occupants at this time. They are locked up and cannot be disturbed. Most of the labelled chemicals will be placed in the fume hood in the lab and disposed of through normal hazardous waste disposal procedures. The unidentified chemicals present a different challenge, and it’s the removal of these chemicals that will constitute a potential hazard. In these situations, we always plan for worst case scenarios such as the possibility that these chemicals may be shock sensitive. We are confident that we can, using proper procedures, remove these materials without incident.”
On Friday, Feb. 26, the university will close and lock the Education Building at 5 p.m. and the university’s Campus Enforcement and Patrol (CEP) officers will sweep the building to ensure it is vacant. Starting at 7 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 27, the consultants will either dispose or remove the chemicals from the third floor laboratory. As a precautionary measure, Irwin’s Road and Pedagogue’s Close will be closed to pedestrian and vehicular traffic starting at 6:45 a.m. Parking lots 4 and 18, adjacent to the Education Building will also be closed while this work is being done. The QE II Library will delay its opening until 12 noon on that day.
The university expects that the Education Building and campus roadways will be reopened by 5 p.m. on Feb. 27.
- 30 -
For further information, please contact Ivan Muzychka, associate director (communications), Memorial University, at 737-8665, or email@example.com. | <urn:uuid:bd4082f2-c5f8-4c5d-bc81-92e0bf1d9c96> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.mun.ca/marcomm/news/index.php?includefile=showitem.php&id=2841 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704132298/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516113532-00015-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.943952 | 571 | 1.523438 | 2 |
NEWTOWN, Conn. — The U.S. town shattered by last week’s school shooting prepared Monday for the first two funerals, including the one for the youngest victim, while officials weren’t sure whether the school itself would ever reopen.
The first funerals were planned for 6-year-old Jack Pinto and Noah Pozner, who had his birthday two weeks ago. They would be buried a day after the small community of Newtown, already stripping itself of many Christmas decorations, came together for a vigil where President Barack Obama said he will use “whatever power” he has to prevent similar massacres.
“What choice do we have?” he said. “Are we really prepared to say that we’re powerless in the face of such carnage, that the politics are too hard? Are we prepared to say that such violence visited on our children year after year after year is somehow the price of our freedom?”
Investigators have offered no motive for the shooting, and the Connecticut community struggled to comprehend what drove 20-year-old Adam Lanza to shoot to death his mother at home in bed Friday morning, drive her car to the school and unleash gunfire on six adults and 20 children who were 6 and 7 years old.
All the victims at the school apparently were shot more than once, and some of them were shot at close range, Chief Medical Examiner Dr. H. Wayne Carver has said. He said the ammunition was the type designed to break up inside a victim’s body and inflict the maximum amount of damage.
Police said Lanza was carrying an arsenal of ammunition big enough to kill just about every student in the school if given enough time. He shot himself in the head just as he heard police drawing near, authorities said.
Newtown officials couldn’t say whether Sandy Hook Elementary would ever reopen. Monday’s classes were cancelled, and the district was making plans to send surviving students to a former school building in a neighbouring town.
“We’re just now getting ready to talk to our son about who was killed,” said Robert Licata, the father of a student who escaped harm during the shooting. “He’s not even there yet.”
Newtown police Lt. George Sinko said he “would find it very difficult” for students to return to the same school. But, he added, “We want to keep these kids together. They need to support each other.”
A grim Obama told Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy that Friday was the most difficult day of his presidency.
The shootings have restarted a debate in Washington about what politicians can to do help — gun control or otherwise. Obama has called for “meaningful action” to prevent killings.
But the president’s message at Sunday night’s vigil was also one of grief and healing. Children in attendance held stuffed teddy bears and dogs. The smallest children sat on their parents’ laps.
Obama read the names of the adults who died, to some gasps and cries in the audience. He finished his speech by reading the first names of the children, slowly. Cries and sobs filled the room.
“That’s when it really hit home,” said Jose Sabillon, who attended the interfaith memorial with his son, Nick, who survived the shooting unharmed.
Said Obama of the girls and boys who died: “God has called them all home. For those of us who remain, let us find the strength to carry on and make our country worthy of their memory.”
The president first met privately with families of the victims and with the emergency personnel who responded to the shootings.
Police and firefighters got hugs and standing ovations when they entered. So did Obama.
“We needed this,” said the Rev. Matt Crebbin, senior minister of the Newtown Congregational Church. “We needed to be together to show that we are together and united.”
On Monday, the task swung again to understanding how the shooting could have happened.
Investigators have offered no motive, and police have found no letters or diaries that could explain. They believe Lanza attended Sandy Hook many years ago, but they couldn’t say why he went there Friday. Authorities said Lanza had no criminal history, and it was not clear whether he had a job.
A spokesman for Western Connecticut State University said Lanza took college classes when he was only 16. Paul Steinmetz confirmed that Lanza dropped out of a German language class and withdrew from a computer science class but earned high grades in a computer class, American history and macroeconomics.
Federal agents have concluded that Lanza visited an area shooting range, but they do not know whether he practised shooting there. Agents determined Lanza’s mother visited shooting ranges several times, but it’s not clear whether she took her son or whether he fired a weapon there, said Ginger Colbrun, a spokeswoman for the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Lanza is believed to have used a Bushmaster AR-15 rifle in the school attack, a civilian version of the military’s M-16 and a model commonly seen at marksmanship competitions. Versions of the AR-15 were outlawed in the United States under the 1994 assault weapons ban. That law expired in 2004, and Congress, in a nod to the political power of the gun-rights lobby, did not renew it.
Gun rights activists have remained largely quiet, all but one declining to appear on the Sunday talk shows. In an interview on “Fox News Sunday,” Rep. Louie Gohmert, a Texas Republican, defended the sale of assault weapons and said that the principal at Sandy Hook, who authorities say died trying to overtake the shooter, should herself have been armed.
12/17/12 10:32 2012 | <urn:uuid:36b8cbb1-c140-47c8-a9b4-dd2ec95cc341> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://o.canada.com/2012/12/17/the-first-two-funerals-for-victims-of-connecticut-shooting-held-monday-including-that-of-youngest-victim/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368699881956/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516102441-00007-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.976309 | 1,241 | 1.59375 | 2 |
Repairing A Massey Harris 22|
by John Reeves
I have just given this old girl (boy?) a replacement RH rear
axle. I was lucky enough to find an axle in good shape at a reasonable
price - also a replacement for the right rear brake assembly which was
Massey Harris 22 S/N 22GS 5364 (1953)
It was necessary to remove both rear wheels and axles in order to remove
the differential gear - this proved to be difficult because it was
impossible to remove the oil shute that transfers the lube oil from the
gear case to the differential housing - I had to resort to using the
cutting torch after drying out the interior .
The oil chute is attached to the inside of the differential housing by two quarter
inch cap screws - the screws are at the top of the housing and one screw is
too close to the casting to attach any kind of wrench.
At re-assembly this was modified by drilling a hole in the casing below the
chute hole - welding a bracket below the repaired chute and attaching the
the chute by means of one quarter inch bolt and lock nut , This makes it
very accessible for both removal and replacement .
Re-assembly of the tractor took approximately two weeks of off and on time -
repairing broken studs - drilling and taping and a general clean up.
Several knowledgeable people have commented that the MH 22 has a common
fault in that the axles are prone to breakage .
Except for the axle on this model - all other parts are in good working
order and there is no metal fatigue elsewhere.
This model is equipped with the hydraulics from a MH Pony and they work very
I enjoyed working on this veteran tractor and discovering the simple but
very effective engineering that was performed by Massey and Harris so
many years ago.
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Yesterday's Tractors - Antique Tractor Headquarters
|About this site - Yesterday's Tractors is your one-stop source for antique tractors. If you are interested in older tractors you've come to the right place! Join more than 275,000 other classic tractor enthusiasts from all over the globe. We have many resources for antique tractor enthusiasts available including photos, classified ads, more than 24 tractor discussion forums, a show guide, values, specs and much more. Bookmark this site and come back often. Thanks for stopping by! Feel free to use our feedback form to send us your comments, suggestions and ideas.| | <urn:uuid:59a0ff03-bba3-426c-b427-9139926fb565> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.ytmag.com/articles/artint162.htm | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700958435/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516104238-00014-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.935266 | 791 | 1.5 | 2 |
I have had numerous people over the years claim that Mormonism is arrogant in the way it claims faithful people can become gods while non-faithful people can't. This often is included with a total misunderstanding of Mormon doctrine - with claims that we believe only Mormons will receive the greatest reward. Other than to state the obvious for most members and point out how incorrect that complaint is, I want to address in this post the general idea of rewards and punishments in the post-mortal existence and how Mormonism is decidedly NOT arrogant or "separatist" - particularly in comparison to the rest of Christianity.
Our ultimate theology posits that almost all will be saved and resurrected and receive a degree of glory. In my own words, only those who look God in the eye and swing their fists receive no reward and, instead, are punished. Thus, in Mormonism, nobody really gets "punished" for being born - made worse in the end than if they hadn't been born. That is opposed diametrically to the traditional concept of Hell and God as the eternal roast master.
Finally, the specific reward isn't tied to clear, objective rules - since God, the Father, who alone sees the heart, is the ultimate Judge and Assigner - and each person is represented in counsel, if you will, by God, the Son, who argues for mercy to whatever extent possible. Thus, in the end, religious affiliation in mortality doens't mean a thing - not even a little thing - in the determination of reward and punishment. In Mormon theology, truly all are alike unto God.
The distinction within Mormonism is between the level of the blessed state, if you will, but it is tied to individual judgment by God based on individual effort and integrity - unlike pretty much every other Christian construct and most theological constructs. | <urn:uuid:1f89c1d2-0003-428b-ab95-dd5dff5e7325> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://thingsofmysoul.blogspot.com/2012/11/mormonism-eternal-arrogance-and-eternal.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368704713110/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516114513-00010-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.962896 | 367 | 1.578125 | 2 |
The New York Police Department will attempt to fight prescription drug thefts by asking pharmacies around the city to plant Global Positioning System devices in fake pill bottles, according to Commissioner Raymond Kelly.
In a prepared statement for the Clinton Foundation's Health Matters Conference on Tuesday, Commissioner Kelly said the GPS-linked "bait bottles" will be hidden among legitimate supplies on pharmacy shelves, and will aide officers in tracking down stolen drugs immediately after a robbery.
"In the event of a robbery or theft, we'll be able to track the bottle, which may lead us to stash locations across the city," he said.
One Manhattan pharmacist contacted by CNN had a mixed reaction to the bait-bottle idea.
"It's a good idea, it may help, but it might not," said Ali Yasin, chief pharmacist at New York City Pharmacy in the East Village neighborhood.
"Most doctors and pharmacists won't like it. Suppose the tablet that's the (GPS) device, the patient swallows it. What's the liability?"
"Or, the people taking it (in a robbery) will know that something is in there," he said, adding that despite any issues, "it's a good idea to track people that are stealing and selling illegally."
The bait bottles will be one part of "Operation Safety Cap," Kelly said.
In addition to the bait bottles portion of the plan, Kelly said the NYPD is building a database of all, nearly 6,000, licensed pharmacists in New York. The database is expected to be completed in March.
"We're using this database to visit pharmacists and make specific security recommendations, everything from installing special alarm systems for storage areas to illuminating stores during non-business hours," Kelly said.
He cited several incidents in New York where prescription drugs were at the center of violence, including an incident involving a retired NYPD officer who was addicted to OxyContin and "began robbing drug stores at gunpoint."
The NYPD has also established a drug diversion task force together with the Drug Enforcement Administration, which gives the NYPD access to the DEA's "vast, nationwide database which tracks the distribution of controlled substances," according to Kelly.
Kelly estimated that the programs will cost the NYPD about $4 million a year, though he said he is not concerned about the price tag.
"If we can save even one life, it will be money well spent," Kelly said. | <urn:uuid:b256f99d-6dd6-4115-bdd1-7fef27554ab8> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.local10.com/news/NYPD-to-fight-drug-theft-with-GPS-tracking/-/1717324/18145998/-/i7ooumz/-/index.html | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368705953421/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516120553-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.963581 | 497 | 1.734375 | 2 |
Cabe, you've raised a point that is seldom brought up. Right now, the owners of EVs tend to be early adopters who seem to have no issues with re-charging their cars. But will all consumers have the necessary patience to deal with the required recharging times?
The battery is 24-kWh and is made up of 97 lithium-ion cells, naperlou, so, yes, it's big. It does use some composite materials, according to the press materials, but it's not clear yet where the composites will be used.
The constant stress I have to keep my phone charges, will soon apply to my car. I have to say, I am not looking forward to that. I'm hoping that wireless power transfer options will be prevalent when EVs are affordable to most people. (IE: see Witricity)
Also, 80 mile range is great for a zip-car style rental service, but I shy away from that for a regular car. I'd say at least 150 is target. Anyone here have an EV?
Cap'n, as far as electric vehicles (and to some extent hybrids) go, it is important to have a design that is appropriate for the technology. The first successful hybrid, the Prius, was a totally new design. I recently saw an original one, by the way. It is TINY! The car was going 55 in the right lane on an Interstate with a 65 MPH speed limit. There was a long line behind it. It looked so antiquated.
The 500 is an old model designation for Fiat. I have an Italian engineer friend who had one in Milan when he was young. When the 500 first came out in the US I asked him if he was going to get one. His response was along the lines of are you kidding?
It is interesting as far as the 500e goes that they worked on the aerodynamics, but not the weight. A curb weight of 2,980 lbs is not light. It must be due to the battery. On the other hand, why are more composites not used in the body? That would also extend the range.
CEO's are like politicians, if their lips are moving, they are spinning the truth. I will not go so far as to say that he is lieing, but even this short article reveals that the Fiat 500e is only going to be sold in CA. So if it is not a "compliance vehicle" why not expand the market as large as possible. Has anyone noticed that Suzuki cars is dead? Why? They had few dealerships and no market penetration. If these guys are serious about the future of electric vehicles, market them nationwide! We are always hearing about economy of scale. Then scale it up!
Maybe the CEO is right, they cannot make a profit on them so now they simply make enough to remain compliant. Then they turn around and market their real profit vehicles, trucks and luxury vehicles! But hey the Viper is coming back!!! Rich people in CA want to buy that, so then Chrysler needs to be compliant to sell in CA.
A quick look into the merger of two powerhouse 3D printing OEMs and the new leader in rapid prototyping solutions, Stratasys. The industrial revolution is now led by 3D printing and engineers are given the opportunity to fully maximize their design capabilities, reduce their time-to-market and functionally test prototypes cheaper, faster and easier. Bruce Bradshaw, Director of Marketing in North America, will explore the large product offering and variety of materials that will help CAD designers articulate their product design with actual, physical prototypes. This broadcast will dive deep into technical information including application specific stories from real world customers and their experiences with 3D printing. 3D Printing is | <urn:uuid:9dbe1670-ef20-4735-a147-779482e747fe> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.designnews.com/author.asp?section_id=1366&doc_id=255191&image_number=2&piddl_msgpage=3 | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368697380733/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516094300-00003-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.978397 | 768 | 1.5 | 2 |
“Make It Rain” is citation:obsolete’s update on Steve Reich’s “It’s Gonna Rain”--it uses contemporary tech (smartphones, tablets, wifi/wireless/bluetooth, etc.), contemporary music (specifically, Fat Joe feat. Lil Wayne’s “Make It Rain”), and trends in contemporary art practice (interactivity, relational aesthetics, etc.) to reconsider both Reich’s original work in its own historical specificity, and the issues raised by the work in relation to our current historical moment. I’ve written about it here.
The first beta run of the piece was yesterday in my Philosophy of Music class. (The piece originated as an attempt to develop some sort of music-making activity for a class full of philosophy students who may have zero experience/training in music.) Some really interesting things happened, and I think we all learned a lot. We (citation:obsolete, my music/sound collaboration with christian.ryan) definitely got some good ideas about how to move forward with the piece. And, the best part is that these ideas came in talking with my students--even and especially the ones with no musical experience but lots of network/IT experience.
I asked the students bring in whatever devices they wanted to use--anything that could stream music from soundcloud and broadcast it for us to hear. Most students brought phones, tablet computers, and laptops. A few brought bluetooth speakers. You can read more about the specific instructions I gave them here.
Anyway, after experimenting for about 30ish minutes, we had lots of results to discuss.
It’s clear that the phasing Reich got as a result of analog/mechanical processes can’t be produced just by letting digital processes run on their own--or, more likely, the phasing is so extremely gradual that it’s below our threshold of perceptibility. (I’m thinking about how my digital alarm clock gradually slows down; it’s currently about 3 minutes behind the iPhone that’s docked to it, and to which I usually synch the clock’s time. So, there is some slow-down/entropy happening, but at a very, very gradual rate, too great for me to observe in, say, 10 minutes.) Treating the tech as merely a playback device didn’t produce the desired phasing effects.
However, if we treated the tech as mobile devices, this DID produce lots of interesting phasing effects. For example, two students hooked up their phones to a pair of bluetooth speakers (one student per speaker; there was a bass and treble, or ‘left’ and ‘right’ on each speaker unit), put the speakers together in the middle of a long hallway, and then gradually walked towards opposite ends of the hallway...and, eventually turned and walked down other corridors, walking in a loop around the building. Here’s a rough recording of what happened (start in at about 1:45):
As the students (and their phones, which were transmitting to the speakers, which then played the “Make It Rain” loop) walked farther and farther from the speakers, the bluetooth connection between phone and speaker decreased in quality. Sometimes the loop would be delayed, sometimes the loop would skip, etc. Basically, the speakers were programmed to deal with transmission errors in specific ways (delay/buffering to catch up, skipping dropped ‘packets’ of data, etc.). The movement or mobility of the playback devices (the phones) generated these transmission errors by testing the limits of the connection/stream/signal/etc.
We also took a class trip up and down the stairs in our building. The building has pretty decent wifi, but the signal isn’t as strong and reliable in the stairwell (the stairs are stone, the staircase itself is pretty walled off from the rest of the building, etc.). Our devices could get some signal, but not a full, entirely reliable one. So again there was the problem of ‘dropped packets,’ lost data, slow transmission, and MOVEMENT. We began on the third floor; we decided which loop/variation to all play; hit play, and then gradually made our way down two flights of stairs to the foyer, each playing the loop on our devices as we descended the staircase. This took about 2 minutes of the 4 minute loop. The trip downstairs introduced lots of phasing into the playback, so that for the last 2 minutes we could listen to interesting sonic relationships develop. We put all our devices on the table in the middle of the foyer, and then wandered around them to pay attention to the different relationships among different devices. We then repeated the process, making our way back upstairs to the third floor while playing a different loop/variation. Here’s a recording of one of our trips through the stairwell.
So what’s interesting here is that the phasing, the musically interesting phenomena, emerge from exploiting what’s specific to mobile tech as mobile tech--its mobility. These aren’t just playback devices--they’re portable, mobile, streaming ones. So it’s not just mobility itself that’s distinctive, but networked mobility--we’re all walking around, but we’re jacked in to the same network (school wifi) or parallel networks (AT&T and Sprint, for example). My educated guess is that this networked mobility is a manifestation or symptom of general relations of epistemological/ideological, material, capital, and subject-production. But that’s for theorizing later (or, if someone else wants to jump in here and do some theory while I use my creative brain, that would be awesome). If that’s the case, then the question is: How do the musical relationships and effects that result from our playing with networked mobility speak to these broader philosophical issues? How do the material, technological, and social relations of production crystallized in networked mobility (smartphones, wireless networks, soundcloud and other apps, etc.) manifest in or as specific musical/sonic phenomena? Or, more simply: how do the “relations of production” make the musical/sonic features of “Make It Rain” different than the musical/sonic features of “It’s Gonna Rain”?
I’ll post links to more recordings/videos as students post them to the course tumblr. Thanks again to Johnny Cook, Chad Glenn, Zach Jones, Hannah Levinson, TJ Picard, and Ryan Shullaw for their creativeness, their ideas, and their work on this. | <urn:uuid:1109655d-d3ae-40e2-a381-e1aad5b37cea> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://its-her-factory.blogspot.com/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368711005985/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516133005-00014-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.949523 | 1,409 | 1.804688 | 2 |
March 7—During the last couple of years, school officials in Del Mar, Calif., have revamped their lunch program with the help of an outside company to try to add choices, improve nutrition and break even financially.
The effort has paid off, they say. For the first time in years, enough students are buying lunch for the Del Mar Union School District to pay all of their cafeteria workers and other expenses and still have some left over. The number of children buying lunch has steadily increased since the district stopped contracting with the San Dieguito Union High School District for meals two years ago and went with the Northern California-based Choicelunch instead. They shot up even more this year, since the district reworked the contract with the company to include more choices and an online ordering options. | <urn:uuid:0ea389d3-91d2-49c3-bd02-d2d5fd3511ad> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.foodservicedirector.com/news/articles/del-mar-schools-revamped-lunch-increases-sales | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368700958435/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516104238-00010-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.979597 | 161 | 1.820313 | 2 |
Did you know that hemp seed contains more essential fatty acids than any other source? Did you also know that it is second only to soybeans in being a complete protein (although far more digestible for humans)? Hemp milk is a newer addition to your milk choices on the market just over the last two years. It may very well be the best alternative milk choice for the dairy free, but also have an appealing call to others as well, including myself. I originally heard about this product from a reader and began my own research. Come to find out, hemp milk is actually very nutritious for you!
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Guest post by Kristen at Simply Kristen where she writes on herbs, homesteading and natural living.
Have you ever started researching something new, bought a bunch of supplies just sure it would work out just right, then be disappointed and feel like you spent money carelessly? Well, if you haven’t – I know I have a few too many times! Herbs, just like any hobby or new research area, can be a waste of money in the beginning if you don’t know what you’re doing. That’s why I’m going to share three Herbal Healers that cost next to nothing and you’ll find easy success with- I know I have!
Two of the three Herbal Healers can be found at most large grocery stores, and one right in your yard! They are: Aloe Vera, Plantain, and Garlic.
I have received several emails inquiring as to what our family has decided in regards to vaccines. As we prayerfully evaluated which route would be the best for our family, we found the following resources to be extremely helpful. I do not desire to raise a debate, nor am I any sort of doctor, but rather my desire is to share some interesting resources. It is important for each of us to make an informed decision!
The Vaccine Book: Making the Right Decision for Your Child by Dr. Sears is a very informative and balanced approach on all the different types of vaccines. The Vaccine Book is divided into 19 chapters. The first 12 chapters are each devoted to a different vaccine. Within each vaccine chapter, Dr. Sears discusses:
- What the disease is
- When the vaccine is given
- How the vaccine is made
- What ingredients are in the vaccine
- What are the side effects of the vaccine
- Should you give your baby the vaccine (including both reasons for and against, as well as travel considerations)
- The way Dr. Sears sees it
According to Dr. Sears, the main concern currently is the addition of aluminum to certain vaccines. Mercury was removed since 2002 with the exception of the flu shot and trace amounts in a few vaccines, but aluminum and other chemicals (including formaldehyde) remain…
One product that pretty much does it all for us! Coconut oil!
Coconut oil is a highly saturated tropical oil derived from coconuts of the coconut palm tree. Traditionally it has provided many health benefits to the peoples who live in areas of the tropics and subtropics where coconut palms grow. Many newly discovered health benefits are now being unearthed through careful research and use in clinical practices.
We have been lead to believe that saturated fats are the dietary contributor to heart disease.
According to Sue Gregg, “There is a double reason not to fear coconut oil. First, it is highly debatable that saturated fats cause heart disease. Uffe Ravnskov, MD, PhD in The Cholesterol Myths (www.NewTrends Publishing.com) presents the facts of exhaustive research over the decades to disprove this theory. Secondly, the saturated fat of coconut oil is different than the long chain fatty acids of meats and also of polyunsaturated fats.” Read the full article here. Read more from Nourishing Traditions and the Weston A. Price Foundation counter-acting the false beliefs about coconut oil here.
Coconut oil has been called the “healthiest dietary oil on earth.”
Health benefits include:
- May help promote weight loss
- Provides an immediate source of energy
- Supplies fewer calories than other fats
- Supplies important nutrients necessary for good health
- Is highly resistant to spoilage (long shelf life)
- Is heat resistant (the healthiest oil for cooking)
According to The Coconut Oil Miracle by Bruce Fife:
- Protects against heart disease, cancer & diabetes
- Acts as an antioxidant in its resistance to attack by free radicals,
protecting against degenerative diseases, in general.
- Protects from a range of infectious diseases. Fife lists 28 infectious
and degenerative disease conditions that coconut oil can help to relieve,
reduce or prevent.
I thought it would be fun to compile a master list of all the wonderful uses of coconut oil that we have found in our household. Here it goes…
Amy asked: I was wondering if you filter your water, and if so, what filter system you use? I’ve been distilling for 15 years, but am looking to change to a filter in order to keep minerals in our water. I would be interested in any information you have on the subject.
I simply use the water filtration system that came with my refrigerator, as my area does not have flouride added to the water, so it does filter out the chlorine.
I did come across this Q & A from the Weston A Price Foundation:
Q. I have heard that reverse osmosis filters remove minerals, is that true?
A. Yes, RO filters take out all the minerals, but they also are the only way to take out all the fluoride. So if you have fluoridated water, use an RO filter and then add minerals back in via mineral drops.
I have heard good reviews about the filtration system that Urban Homemaker’s (an excellent Christian natural resource company) sells: Multi-Pure Water Purification. If you subscribe to her e-mail list, it seems like it is always going on sale! Currently, you can get a free shower filter with the purchase of one of these systems.
I would love to hear what recommendations might come from the readers! The floor is open!
With God, all things are possible! That is my theme this year! By His strength, I desire to make purposeful small steps in the direction of growing in my ability to cook healthy and nourishing meals, to be a better steward of the earth, and most importantly to grow in godliness and Christ-likeness. If it is not first centered on glorifying Christ, than all else is vain! Thank you to Kimi’s motivation in heading up the Nourishing New Year’s Resolutions Carnival, I sat down to purposefully plan out some new healthy goals for the new year. I am including all my new year goals here as a means of accountability and to share ideas and resources with others. If any of you lovely ladies have any resources to share to help me accomplish these goals, please do! My goal is to accomplish one goal per category per month, with a bit of a break for the baby’s arrival.
“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Cor. 10:31
Emergen-C is a great natural product to have around your house, especially during cold season. Drink a glass (one packet mixed with 8 oz of water) a day to keep your immune system built up or increase your intake at the first signs of a cold (which is what we do at our house!). Pumped full of 1000 mg of vitamin C, it also has a good portion of energy boosting B vitamins, in addition to various minerals and electrolytes. This will keep you healthy or kick out those nasty colds quickly! It is a fun and fizzy drink with a very pleasant taste. Instead of buying the children’s version, which is basically just half the vitamin C mg count, I just give Karis a half pack of this standard product, keeping the cost down. She loves it! Our favorite way of taking it is in combination with orange juice when we have that around. We buy a box for $7.99 at our local Trader Joe’s, which has the best price in my understanding, and lasts us a good few months. Our favorite flavor is raspberry. Other carriers include Fred Meyer Nutrition, or Amazon here: Emergen-C. Your local Safeway or Wal-mart also may carry it. This is definitely far more natural, frugal and effective than all those cold/flu remedies available on the marketplace. In my opinion and experience, this is far more effective than Airborne!
It is definitely worth a try, so sign up for a free sample at Emergen-C!
It works for us!
Praise the Lord I have been able to sleep well the last two nights, thanks to some helpful tips from some of my readers and my midwife. These are helpful suggestions for those who deal with insomnia in or outside of pregnancy. The top two suggestions are what I have been doing primarily and seeing a vast improvement!
1. Calcium/Magnesium – regulate relaxation, especially with muscle tension and physical restlessness. Take approximately 2000 mg of calcium and 1000 mg of magnesium before going to bed (they are usually balanced properly in a cal/mag supplement). Best in a liquid combination form. If you take in tablets you will have to drink a large glass of water to swallow that many pills which results in an increased amount of times having to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night (at least for the pregnant ladies).
Foods rich in magnesium include: legumes and seeds, dark leafy green vegetables, wheat bran, almonds, cashews, blackstrap molasses, brewer’s yeast, and whole grains. Food rich in calcium include: dairy products, canned fish with bones, nuts, fruits, vegetables, dried beans, rice beverages, molasses, and some leafy greens.
“Organic” labeled milk is becoming a huge rage! It seems that many people are assuming that the word “organic” on milk containers means healthy. Yes, it may very well be better for the environment, and a means of taking better care of the animals, but are the health claims correct? The word “organic” includes a doubled price tag, so it is worthy to consider.
I am convinced that organic milk can only be slightly better than conventional milk. Why?
Houseplants are a wonderful means of bringing fresh and clean air and oxygen into your home! In fact, they are perhaps the most sophisticated air-purification system available at a more frugal cost! They absorb carbon dioxide and chemicals such as formaldehyde and benzene, and provide a healthy level of humidity. Plus they bring a little creation into your home (part of that creative mothering), displaying some of God’s creativity in each unique plant that He created, encouraging a little love of nature when it is not necessarily able to be enjoyed out of doors as in the current winter season. They provide such elegant decorations to our homes as well!
The EPA estimates that indoor air is 2 to 10 times more polluted than outdoor air. How is this possible? Contributors include that variety of furniture, carpeting, ply-wood, adhesives, mattresses, and shower curtains.
According to Renee Loux in Easy Green Living: “Two small plants or one medium size plant per 100 square feet will provide fresh air and healthy, mold-free humidity in any room so everyone can breathe deeply with ease.”
What are the most effective plants for completing this task?
Bamboo palm, Chinese evergreen, corn plant (Dracaena massangeana, not edible corn), dragon tree, chrysanthemum, English ivy, peace lily, pothos, philodendron, and snake plant.
I am motivated to start saving my pennies to include a little more creation into my home and provide a more healthy environment at the same time!
This post is part of Works for Me Wednesdays.
- Paula’s Bread: NutriMill Grain Grinder Giveaway! January 14, 2012
- 6 Reasons Why I Love My Dehydrator & Giveaway July 9, 2010
- Graham Gardens Giveaway! July 9, 2011
- Graham Gardens Christmas Gift Set Giveaway! November 12, 2012
- Primer on Essential Oils & Giveaway! June 22, 2010
- Learn Your Letters, Learn to Serve Giveaway! June 25, 2011
- Sprout Change Cloth Diaper Giveaway! June 11, 2011
- NaturoKits Giveaway! February 5, 2011
- Graham Gardens Summer Essentials Giveaway! June 2, 2012
- My Favorite Cloth Diapers Giveaway! October 20, 2012
- Till We Meet Again… February 8, 2013
- Can Natural Living Become an Idol? February 6, 2013
- Redeeming Childbirth Giveaway! February 4, 2013
- Preparing My Heart for Motherhood February 1, 2013
- Embracing the Pain & Letting Go of Fear in Childbirth January 30, 2013
- Homemade Natural Postpartum Care Kit January 28, 2013
- Paula’s Bread Giveaway! January 26, 2013
- What is the purpose of the home? January 23, 2013
- Homemade All-Natural Deodorant January 18, 2013
- Finding Joy in Your Homemaking January 16, 2013
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The Catholic Conference of Illinois today decried Illinois Senate approval of redefinition of marriage legislation, saying lawmakers are blatantly ignoring the institution’s key role in the foundation of society.
The Senate passed Senate Bill 10 on a 34-21 vote, with two voting "present." (See the roll call vote here.) The measure changes the current definition of marriage set in state law from “between a man and a woman” to “between 2 persons.”
Robert Gilligan, executive director of the Catholic Conference of Illinois, said Senate Bill 10 tosses aside the natural order of marriage as the complementary union of one man and one woman as the foundation for the family.
“Marriage joins a man and a woman in love to meet one another’s needs, to procreate and to raise children. This is the lifeblood of any human society,” Gilligan said in a press release. “This legislation tears at that definition with unknown consequences.”
Gilligan criticized the limited nature of religious freedom protections found in the legislation, noting the extremely limited conscience protections for religious organizations and the total lack of any such protections for individuals.
“We remain wary of government interference in the church’s ministry and structure,” Gilligan said. “We heard promises two years ago when civil unions were passed, and now Catholic Charities has been kicked out of its mission of serving children in foster care.”
Proponents of civil unions legislation two years ago promised during Senate floor debate that the social service mission of churches and faith-based organizations would not be affected. Within six months of civil unions becoming law, Catholic Charities in Illinois was barred from contracting with the state for foster care and adoption services for abandoned, neglected and abused children because of its religious beliefs.
Gilligan called upon House lawmakers to reject the measure.
“This legislation callously redefines a bedrock institution of our society and deteriorates the free exercise of religion in our state,” he said.
You can watch video of the debate here. Sen. Martin Sandoval, D-Chicago, criticizes the Catholic Church at the 36-minute mark.
The Illinois House today passed Senate Bill 957, paving the way for undocumented immigrants to apply for Temporary Visitor Driver's Licenses.
House lawmakers approved the measure on a 65-46 vote. (Read the roll call here.) The Senate previously passed the legislation, which will now go to Gov. Pat Quinn for consideration. Quinn, however, has said he will sign the bill into law.
The Catholic Conference of Illinois praised final passage of SB 957. CCI Executive Director Robert Gilligan noted in a press release the legislation would provide an important safeguard for immigrant families. Many families are torn apart when unlicensed, undocumented drivers are stopped for a minor traffic violation. With no driver's license to show police, they are often sent to deportation centers.
“Too many of our immigrant families have been torn apart by the simple act of driving,” Gilligan said.
Temporary Visitor Driver's Licenses (TVDL) are currently issued to individuals with legal immigration status but no Social Security Number. TVDLs can only be used for driving, and not for identification purposes. Immigrants would not be able to use a TVDL to buy a firearm, board an airplane or cast a vote in an election.
In order to get a TVDL, immigrants would have to provide proof of at least one year of Illinois residency. They would have to pay a fee, and pass vision, written and driving tests, in addition to purchasing auto insurance. The TVDL would be good for only three years.
“This legislation will give our immigrant brothers and sisters the training to safely get to church, work and school,” Gilligan said. “All families are safer when every driver is trained, tested, licensed and insured.”
Final passage of the legislation comes at an appropriate time: Jan. 6-12, 2013 is National Migration Week, celebrated by the Catholic Church to welcome newcomers and to push for comprehensive and compassionate federal immigration reform.
Pastoral leaders representing more than 1,700 faith communities in Illinois – parishes, congregations, churches and Friday prayer locations and Masjids – have signed a letter sent to Illinois lawmakers, urging them to safeguard both marriage and religious freedom by rejecting any legislative efforts to redefine marriage
The faith leaders note that traditional marriage “is the natural order embracing the complementary physical, emotional and spiritual design of men and women.”
They also warn that simply not being forced to preside over same-sex marriages does nothing to protect religious freedom as guaranteed in the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. The proposed legislation falls far short of protecting the rights of churches and individuals to freely exercise their religious beliefs and abide their consciences, they note.
“If marriage is redefined in civil law, individuals and religious organizations – regardless of deeply held beliefs – will be compelled to treat same-sex unions as the equivalent of marriage in their lives, ministries and operations,” they write.
State Rep. Greg Harris, D-Chicago, and state Sen. Heather Steans, D-Chicago, have announced they would seek passage of legislation during this month’s lame-duck session that changes the definition of marriage currently set in state law from "between a man and a woman" to "between 2 persons."
The signees of the letter represent a diversity of faiths, including the Anglican Church in North America, the Catholic Church, the Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, as well as individual Baptist and Evangelical churches.
The Illinois Senate today approved expanding Temporary Visitor Driver's Licenses to undocumented immigrants.
Catholic Conference of Illinois Executive Director Robert Gilligan applauded the Senate's actions, noting that many families are separated when unlicensed, immigrant drivers are stopped for a minor traffic violation, and then deported because of their status.
“Too many of our immigrant families have been torn apart by the simple act of driving,” Gilligan said in a press release. “What hurts one family hurts our entire community, for the family is the building block of society.”
Lawmakers passed Senate Bill 957 on a 41-14 vote, with one lawmaker voting "present." See the roll call here. The legislation now moves to the House for consideration. UPDATE: The House adjourned without taking up SB 957, but may vote on the legislation when it returns to session on Jan. 3, 2013.
Temporary Visitor Driver's Licenses are currently issued to individuals with legal immigration status but no Social Security Number. TVDLs can only be used for driving, and not for identification.
Immigrants would have to pay a fee, and pass vision, written and road tests to get a TVDL. They also would have to provide proof of Illinois residency of at least one year, and purchase auto insurance. | <urn:uuid:bbe1c71b-e20d-4b9a-ab0e-61ddf71fe421> | CC-MAIN-2013-20 | http://www.ilcatholic.org/multimedia/press-releases/ | s3://commoncrawl/crawl-data/CC-MAIN-2013-20/segments/1368702810651/warc/CC-MAIN-20130516111330-00002-ip-10-60-113-184.ec2.internal.warc.gz | en | 0.950034 | 1,458 | 1.695313 | 2 |
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