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__label__wiki	0.807129	0.807129	Missy Elliott Surprises Her "Funky White Sister" on Ellen by Lana Bennett in Life&Culture Last month Mary Halsey of Rhode Island posted a Facebook video of herself doing a karaoke version of Missy Elliott's "Work It". Halsey then dropped a performance for the show's studio audience - and received some surprise help from Missy herself. Self-proclaimed "funky white sister" Mary Halsey went on "Ellen" Thursday to perform her viral rendition of "Work It", which gained steam online in August after Elliot tweeted Halsey's hilarious performance. I learned, I read the words, I studied it, and the reaction I got was so positive that it became my go-to song. Elliott ended up complimenting her "funky white sister" after the performance, claiming that she forgets the lyrics all the time while Halsey has them all down. "Everybody wants to hear it". While Mary was bringing down the house mid-song, Missy sneakily crept behind her and sang along. More news: US Scientists Fly Inside The Eye of Hurricane Florence 'First I want to thank Ellen for just being awesome she will always be blessed because of her HUGE Heart!,' she captioned a video of her and Halsey. The intricate performance took place at a park and she wasn't even provided an elevated stage to walk on. "When she first said, 'Missy's funky white sister, ' I'm like, 'Who is this?!'" she said. More news: CDC warns consumers about upcoming flu season Today, @MissyElliott's funky white sister met her sister. "I thought it was the most unbelievable thing". More news: Bank of England's Carney to stay until January 2020 to smooth Brexit Rat Wipes $190M Off Restaurant Chain's Value Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos launches a $2 billion philanthropic fund British beef would be 'uncompetitive overnight' after no-deal Brexit - food officials The Bachelorette Just Got Real About Consent with Hannah and Tyler C 7/17/2019 Beyoncé "Lion King" Album Tracklist: Jay-Z, Kendrick Lamar, Blue Ivy & More 7/17/2019 Super 30 remains steady at the box-office 7/17/2019 Why Stranger Things Season 3 Didn’t Get Any 2019 Emmy Nominations 7/17/2019 Travis Scott Can't Help But Smile At Stormi Webster's First Few Words 7/17/2019 All Eyes Here: Deepika Slays Wimbledon 2019 In Her White Attire 7/17/2019 R. Kelly Held Without Bail, Prosecutors Say ‘Risk Is Ongoing’ 7/17/2019 Love Island's Amber gets a date with newcomer Greg 7/17/2019 Harry Styles May Be Joining Disney's Little Mermaid Reboot 7/17/2019 Hailey Bieber stands up for her husband Justin 7/17/2019 NASCAR Cup Series' Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway postponed by rain The Big Machine Vodka 400 at the Brickyard Indianapolis Motor Speedway was postponed Sunday due to inclement weather. Our original post follows, but with updated information on the Monday TV and live stream times. Ronaldo Tops FIFA 19 Ratings Ahead of Messi Everyone who has worked with him speaks of that hard work and determination to be better than every player who has preceded him. Tevez has played with both of them, so he is the better placed to comment how both world superstars approached training. Tiger shoots 65 in Monday finish at BMW Championship If no play is possible, USA captain Jim Furyk will surely give it to another in-form twenty-something - Tony Finau. The requirement can be waived if a player competes in 25 events in either the previous or current season. East Coast Gasoline Prices Are Surging Ahead Of Hurricane Florence The mayor of a SC city in the path of powerful Hurricane Florence is warning citizens to get out or stay "at your own peril". That's saying a lot, given the impacts from Hurricanes Diana, Hugo, Fran, Bonnie, Floyd, and Matthew. Unai Emery reveals the truth behind relationship with Mesut Ozil Ozil ended his global career after the World Cup, citing "racism and disrespect" over his Turkish roots. He is very convinced about that in my conversations with him about it. 'Yoshi's Crafted World' Leaks Following Nintendo Direct Delay Nintendo previously announced plans to live stream a Nintendo Direct presentation today, but that event will have to wait a bit. These broadcasts are branded as " Nintendo Direct " - a means of directly communicating news to fans and press, all at once. Google Unveils New Pixel Phone This October For this generation, though Google says the dongle now features 53 percent lower latency when it comes to media playback. Google will unveil its next slate of phones (and likely more) at an event in New York City on October 9th. Iran Suffers Longest Gap In Oil Shipments To China Since 2015 Gordon Gray, HSBC's global head of oil and gas equity research, said there were "real risks" that Brent could hit $100 a barrel. WTI was pushed over $70 during the previous session due to falling crude inventory and production levels. Hurricane Florence prompts warning: 'You put your life at risk by staying' Water kills more people in hurricanes than wind, and the rain and storm surge will make Florence extremely risky . The projected path shows the storm moving from near Wilmington, North Carolina to near Columbia, South Carolina . 'Diablo III' Invades 'Overwatch' With New Exclusive Sombra Skin With Blizzard having always been a titan of the gaming industry, the BlizzCon is one of the biggest conventions in the calendar. On tonight's stream, the Blizzard team will reveal new loot specifically for attendees, likely including the new Sombra skin. Canada ready to allow U.S. dairy access in NAFTA talks Trump boosted the precious metal and the Canadian dollar where he said "Trade talks going well". Ottawa and Washington are trying to reach an agreement that could be submitted to the U.S. Turkey stuns market with massive interest rate hike It was not immediately clear if Erdogan had been aware of the central bank's decision when he made his comments. In the other direction, with the economy heading into recession, lower rates would help inject growth stimuli. Hurricane Florence could 'kill a lot of people' CNN reports dire word from FEMA associate administrator Jeff Byard, who warns that this storm is not to be reckoned with. All four major USA airlines have said they are capping selected airfares below what last-minute tickets would cost. Umpire Breaks His Silence Amid Serena Williams' Sexism Accusations Over Controversial Calls Tennis Association and Women's Tennis Association have come out in support of Williams, which has angered the umpire community . On the other side of the net, though, the 20-year-old Osaka kept her cool in her first Grand Slam final to win 6-2 6-4. "Monster" Hurricane Florence aims to drench Carolinas A hazardous weather outlook has been issued for the West Point area, according to the National Weather Service . At the least, I expect those in the red zone to experience some impacts from wind and rain. Why Prince Harry And Meghan Markle Might Be ‘Turning Against Each Other’7/15/2019 Djokovic beats Federer to win 5th Wimbledon title7/15/2019 Serena Williams Praises Meghan Markle After Wimbledon Visit7/15/2019 YouTube Star Emily Hartridge Dead at 357/15/2019 Jon Favreau already working on The Mandalorian season 27/15/2019 Netflix's 'Stranger Things' Rumored To Be Ending After Season 47/14/2019 Amazon's Prime Day Sales Could Top $5 Billion7/14/2019 Novak Djokovic beats Roger Federer in epic five-set final7/14/2019 South African musician Johnny Clegg dies at 667/17/2019 Taika Waititi to Direct Marvel’s ‘Thor 4’7/16/2019 Bob Dylan and Neil Young play first duet since 1994 in Ireland7/16/2019 Space Jam 2 has found a new director7/16/2019	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0068.json.gz/line4
__label__wiki	0.710388	0.710388	Joyce Centre for Partnership and Innovation Canada’s largest (and Hamilton’s first) zero carbon institutional building serves as a living lab for students and professionals alike on energy harvesting and conservation technologies and techniques. By Rhys Phillips On Apr 22, 2019 Classrooms and laboratories are organized around a large central atrium which acts as a social activator and central hub. An increasing disconnect shadows public debate. While almost every climate scientist and a goodly percentage of the population believe human-generated climate change is an imminent threat, populist governments led by sceptics and deniers seem on the ascendency. Fortunately, educational institutions like Hamilton’s Mohawk College seem committed to intensifying our applied knowledge of climate change and its impact. Its new Joyce Centre for Partnership and Innovation contains the Centre for Climate Change Management. In addition, to use a time honoured cliché, the Centre walks the talk earning Canada’s first institutional Zero Carbon Building (ZCB) certification from the Canada Green Building Council. The council defines ZCB as a “building that produces on-site, or procures, carbon-free renewable energy in an amount sufficient to offset the annual carbon emissions associated with building operations.” Designed by B+H Architects in partnership with mcCallumSather, the 96,000-sq. ft. Joyce Centre employs multiple techniques to achieve the zero carbon standard. These include, among others, a high performance envelop, solar photovoltaic panel arrays on the building’s dual, visually defining roof-top wing-blades, 28 geothermal wells reaching depths of 180 metres, a heat pump system and a planted green roof. But being green is about more than envelopes and energy systems The interior material palette is balanced between robust steel and concrete, and warmer materials such as wood and stone tile, to create a rich and inviting learning environment. All materials were locally sourced. Its interior design goes a long way to ensuring zero carbon success with attributes like digital motion and daylight sensors controlling the building’s LED lighting. But, as Lisa Bate, Global Sustainability Lead and principal at B+H Architects and Chair of the World Green Building Council (GBC) says, the design also includes elements to ensure the “building performs as an educator.” Indeed, one requirement for certification is regular reporting on Energy Use Intensity (EUI), which gauges in part how individuals are using the building in ways that minimize energy consumption. This means “a cultural shift in thinking for Mohawk College, its staff and students – from free access energy to individual accountability.” On-site outlets for recharging laptops, for example, are limited to force students to manage electrical usage because, as Bate says, “plug loads are the new evil.” Perhaps most importantly, there is open access to all mechanical areas of the building populated with multiple real-time gauges to permit students to monitor and engage the zero carbon technology. Fourth year students even act as central participants in the building’s management structure. Ceilings are largely open to visually reveal electrical and mechanical structuring. “Students will get hands-on learning in how to operate, monitor and maintain a zero carbon building,” reports the College. Driven by sunlight, flexible co-working spaces, labs and lecture theatres are centred around a light-filled atrium. But the Centre also merges these and other green gestures with spatial design to create a collaborative, student-friendly educational facility. Its first level has two major lecture theatres and a cafe bracketing a double-height gallery. Façades of fritted, R30 triple-glazing on two sides of the building, along with a massive light well, spill light not only into this grand public piazza, but also into hallways, classrooms and a second level student commons. Taking a lesson from evidence-based health facility design, this generous glazing provides multiple views to the exterior landscape which stimulates and supports the learning environment. Despite flashes of very bright colours signaling breakout rooms or to animate labs, “the Centre has a simplified elegance with refined, natural materials selected with an emphasis on their sustainability performance as well as how and where they are manufactured,” says Dora Lomax, principal at mcCallumSather. Local sourcing is important with the theatre’s structural steel supplied by Hamilton’s Walters Inc. Although the Centre’s Forbo marmoleum flooring was manufactured in the Netherlands, it is a natural, CO2-neutral product made from 43 per cent recycled linseed oil, pine rosin, wood flour, limestone, pigments, and jute. A rich natural limestone is used on the floors for major public areas. Riff-cut white oak panelling (all wood is FSC certified) creates dynamically undulating acoustic ceilings animated with LED lighting bars that arc over the gallery, hallways and theatres. The atrium functions as a social space that encourages formal and informal gatherings. B+H, championed by Bate, played a central role in promoting supplier buy-in and training on Origin in 2016, a free, cloud-based green materials database now part of GBC’s Arc platform. The architects, therefore, were able use Origin to rate the environmental impact of over 85,000 products worldwide. Such tracking forms a core part of determining the building’s performance, as embedded emission measurements using life-cycle assessment (LCA) software is another reporting requirement of zero carbon certification. Beyond its green credentials, the Joyce Centre feels akin to current hi-tech office/lab design, both in its casual, transparent and light-infused interior connected by open staircases as well as the high adaptability of its spaces. Comfortable, informal spaces serve as both chill-out and work spaces. Both classrooms and labs, says Bate, are highly flexible with modular furniture and plug and play capabilities to permit different types of collaborative interaction or more classroom style core learning. Sceptics beware; the Joyce Centre makes sustainability not painful but a catalyst for empowering, people-oriented design. Photography by Ema Peter Royal Alberta Museum IDS19 Smithsonian unveils New Fossil Hall by Reich&Petch	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0068.json.gz/line9
__label__cc	0.507953	0.492047	The Lumberjack, October 7, 2010. Social networking has become one of the dominant aspects of our present society. We have become addicted to status updates, wall posts and pressing that little “like” button. But now, as if Facebook and Twitter weren’t enough to keep us engaged and connected, iTunes recently launched Ping, a social-networking site dedicated solely to music. Steve Jobs, chief executive of Apple, believes the primary purpose of Ping is to help answer three questions: What are my friends listening to? What are my favorite artists doing? And what concerts are my friends attending? Seems pretty cool, right? Well, after reading all about the exciting new introduction of Ping, I decided to check it out for myself — but what I found was a big heap of musical disappointment. My initial thought was, “All right, what does Ping have that Facebook, Twitter and even Last.fm don’t?” And the answer is: not a whole lot. Sure, you can see what your friends recently bought on iTunes or which concerts they are planning on going to, but honestly, who cares? Ask them in person. You know, face-to-face contact we used to have with people on a regular basis. What about helping you find new music and artists? Ping offers suggestions for “music you might like,” but so do Last.fm and Pandora. And on Pandora you can actually listen to the entire song instead of just a 30-second clip. And in terms of Ping’s focus being on new music discovery, iTunes didn’t take the right approach with this one. I’d prefer to know what people with taste in music similar to mine are listening to, and not my friends. My friends either have very different tastes than I do or I can simply ask them what they’ve been listening to instead of finding out through an iTunes app. Some other frustrating aspects of Ping include: You can’t share every song or artist you like, you can only share what is available through iTunes; many of the artists I do like, I cannot find; there are restrictions on commenting on your own music; and there are no displays for the most frequently played or top-rated music of a particular genre. Using the term “social-networking site” may sound appealing and get people excited, but this label cannot hide what Ping truly is — a complex sales tactic designed to boost iTunes store sales. Has our culture become so obsessed with communicating and sharing via the Internet we now have to “talk” about everything, including music, through a site? Is face-to-face contact becoming a thing of the past? Next thing you know there will be a social-networking site for NAU classes where you can post about the professor, update the status of a lecture and even “like” a PowerPoint slide. But please don’t get any ideas. Editorial&Opinion Apple’s Ping destined for failure Oct. 7 - 13, 2010 \| The Lumberjack 9amandaBUNGARTZ For writers, there is often a debate as to whether the hero of their piece should live or die. This is a column on how best to kill your hero. See, there are tried and true ways to do this. However, successfully killing a protagonist is a tough line to walk, as audiences can be very annoyed if they don’t feel it to be inevitable or in any way justified. The hero can die saving a lover or humanity or serving some greater purpose. There is also the option of a sudden, unexpected moment of violence, resulting in his death. But these are all tricky paths to take, as your story and its themes must be structured in a way that your audience understands and accepts this as the proper ending. No, the very best way to kill a hero in a story is to build it into the beginning and grind away slowly. You start by shooting down your hero’s dreams, making life as he knows it exceedingly difficult. Next, take away his tools and place more obstacles in the way of achieving their goal. Then, broken and beaten, your hero will have his final face-off against the antagonist, which he will, poetically and inevitably, lose. BY GARY SUNDT Reality TV is not reality, and it’s not good TV. And while I might openly despise it, I have plenty of friends who adore it. Sadly, that often results in me being forced to watch it. Ew. But this has sparked some curiosity in me, and I have an important question. Let’s say you’re watching some stupid “reality” TV show, and there’s some questionable activity going on. You see some underage drinking, some illegal drug use, some stealing. What’s happening is clearly illegal, and not only is someone witnessing this happening, but they also have evidence of it on film. How does that work, especially when it airs on TV? And then, what does the camera crew do on shows like Survivor? When all those people are hungry and thirsty and going insane, is there some guy with a camera in their face, sipping on a Capri Sun and munching on some Cheez-its? Do the starving TV stars ever beg the camera crew for food, water or matches? I ask because, in both roles, that’s certainly what I would do. So the question is: Are reality TV stars above the law when they’re filming? If I got wasted on TV when I was only 19, would I be safe from criminal prosecution? If I signed up to film Survivor, would enjoying my decadent steak dinner secretly in front of the starving contestants be forbidden, lest they attack? It’s important questions like these that plague my mind, and I need answers. BY DAYNE PRATT In an America filled with fear, anger and hatred, there have been two men who have always carried out their civil duty to make fun of these stupid people. These two men who have served our nation’s funny bones are Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert. On Oct. 30, Colbert and Stewart will conduct competing rallies at the National Mall in Washington, D.C., and I urge you to attend, not only as a fan of the shows, but as a proud moderate. Stewart’s rally is to serve as a symbol for frustrated Americans who do not believe Barack Obama is a Nazi Socialist Muslim and that Dick Cheney planned the 9/11 attacks to pad his Halliburton stock. The “Rally to Restore Sanity” is to serve as a “million moderate march” for those 85 percent of Americans who feel the other 15 percent are being far too loud and obnoxious. However, this is not how the stalwart protector of American freedom, Stephen Colbert, sees the opportunity. Planning his own rally to compete with Stewart’s, Colbert organized “The March to Keep Fear Alive” to combat Stewart’s reasonableness and to restore Truthiness (truth that comes from the gut, not from facts) to America. It is events like these that make me proud to be an American. As the extremist language seems to be taking over, it is incredibly refreshing to see events like this mock those radicals. Men like Stephen Colbert, Jon Stewart and their teams are trying to do the seemingly impossible: show America there is a gray area in politics, and political affiliation doesn’t matter as much as what you’re trying to accomplish. With these rallies, Colbert and Stewart are slowly cementing themselves as major voices of our generation; both of these men maintain a special brand of humor of taking aim and pointing out the idiots of our day, and calling for us all, as a nation, to laugh at them. If you are a regular viewer of the shows, and you “get it,” then you understand that although the messages are conflicting, the true aim of the rallies will be the same: to bring together those of us who find ourselves trying to settle somewhere between the extreme edges that are being presented by the media, and to unite a group of likeminded people for whom there was no banner to rally behind before. However, if you happen to live under a rock and do not watch these shows, you really are missing out on not only some great comedy, but also on an amazing social analysis that will make you think twice about why you might believe what you believe. I am not yet certain if I will be able to make it to D.C. for the rallies, but if you have the ability, I urge you to do so. Now, if you happen to think I am a Nazi sympathizer for endorsing these rallies, then please do us all a favor and don’t breed. Colbert and Stewart’s D.C. ralliesjonSINDERMAN Title The Lumberjack, October 7, 2010. Oral history transcripts Social networking has become one of the dominant aspects of our present society. We have become addicted to status updates, wall posts and pressing that little “like” button. But now, as if Facebook and Twitter weren’t enough to keep us engaged and connected, iTunes recently launched Ping, a social-networking site dedicated solely to music. Steve Jobs, chief executive of Apple, believes the primary purpose of Ping is to help answer three questions: What are my friends listening to? What are my favorite artists doing? And what concerts are my friends attending? Seems pretty cool, right? Well, after reading all about the exciting new introduction of Ping, I decided to check it out for myself — but what I found was a big heap of musical disappointment. My initial thought was, “All right, what does Ping have that Facebook, Twitter and even Last.fm don’t?” And the answer is: not a whole lot. Sure, you can see what your friends recently bought on iTunes or which concerts they are planning on going to, but honestly, who cares? Ask them in person. You know, face-to-face contact we used to have with people on a regular basis. What about helping you find new music and artists? Ping offers suggestions for “music you might like,” but so do Last.fm and Pandora. And on Pandora you can actually listen to the entire song instead of just a 30-second clip. And in terms of Ping’s focus being on new music discovery, iTunes didn’t take the right approach with this one. I’d prefer to know what people with taste in music similar to mine are listening to, and not my friends. My friends either have very different tastes than I do or I can simply ask them what they’ve been listening to instead of finding out through an iTunes app. Some other frustrating aspects of Ping include: You can’t share every song or artist you like, you can only share what is available through iTunes; many of the artists I do like, I cannot find; there are restrictions on commenting on your own music; and there are no displays for the most frequently played or top-rated music of a particular genre. Using the term “social-networking site” may sound appealing and get people excited, but this label cannot hide what Ping truly is — a complex sales tactic designed to boost iTunes store sales. Has our culture become so obsessed with communicating and sharing via the Internet we now have to “talk” about everything, including music, through a site? Is face-to-face contact becoming a thing of the past? Next thing you know there will be a social-networking site for NAU classes where you can post about the professor, update the status of a lecture and even “like” a PowerPoint slide. But please don’t get any ideas. Editorial&Opinion Apple’s Ping destined for failure Oct. 7 - 13, 2010 \| The Lumberjack 9amandaBUNGARTZ For writers, there is often a debate as to whether the hero of their piece should live or die. This is a column on how best to kill your hero. See, there are tried and true ways to do this. However, successfully killing a protagonist is a tough line to walk, as audiences can be very annoyed if they don’t feel it to be inevitable or in any way justified. The hero can die saving a lover or humanity or serving some greater purpose. There is also the option of a sudden, unexpected moment of violence, resulting in his death. But these are all tricky paths to take, as your story and its themes must be structured in a way that your audience understands and accepts this as the proper ending. No, the very best way to kill a hero in a story is to build it into the beginning and grind away slowly. You start by shooting down your hero’s dreams, making life as he knows it exceedingly difficult. Next, take away his tools and place more obstacles in the way of achieving their goal. Then, broken and beaten, your hero will have his final face-off against the antagonist, which he will, poetically and inevitably, lose. Short BY GARY SUNDT Takes Takes Reality TV is not reality, and it’s not good TV. And while I might openly despise it, I have plenty of friends who adore it. Sadly, that often results in me being forced to watch it. Ew. But this has sparked some curiosity in me, and I have an important question. Let’s say you’re watching some stupid “reality” TV show, and there’s some questionable activity going on. You see some underage drinking, some illegal drug use, some stealing. What’s happening is clearly illegal, and not only is someone witnessing this happening, but they also have evidence of it on film. How does that work, especially when it airs on TV? And then, what does the camera crew do on shows like Survivor? When all those people are hungry and thirsty and going insane, is there some guy with a camera in their face, sipping on a Capri Sun and munching on some Cheez-its? Do the starving TV stars ever beg the camera crew for food, water or matches? I ask because, in both roles, that’s certainly what I would do. So the question is: Are reality TV stars above the law when they’re filming? If I got wasted on TV when I was only 19, would I be safe from criminal prosecution? If I signed up to film Survivor, would enjoying my decadent steak dinner secretly in front of the starving contestants be forbidden, lest they attack? It’s important questions like these that plague my mind, and I need answers. Short BY DAYNE PRATT In an America filled with fear, anger and hatred, there have been two men who have always carried out their civil duty to make fun of these stupid people. These two men who have served our nation’s funny bones are Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert. On Oct. 30, Colbert and Stewart will conduct competing rallies at the National Mall in Washington, D.C., and I urge you to attend, not only as a fan of the shows, but as a proud moderate. Stewart’s rally is to serve as a symbol for frustrated Americans who do not believe Barack Obama is a Nazi Socialist Muslim and that Dick Cheney planned the 9/11 attacks to pad his Halliburton stock. The “Rally to Restore Sanity” is to serve as a “million moderate march” for those 85 percent of Americans who feel the other 15 percent are being far too loud and obnoxious. However, this is not how the stalwart protector of American freedom, Stephen Colbert, sees the opportunity. Planning his own rally to compete with Stewart’s, Colbert organized “The March to Keep Fear Alive” to combat Stewart’s reasonableness and to restore Truthiness (truth that comes from the gut, not from facts) to America. It is events like these that make me proud to be an American. As the extremist language seems to be taking over, it is incredibly refreshing to see events like this mock those radicals. Men like Stephen Colbert, Jon Stewart and their teams are trying to do the seemingly impossible: show America there is a gray area in politics, and political affiliation doesn’t matter as much as what you’re trying to accomplish. With these rallies, Colbert and Stewart are slowly cementing themselves as major voices of our generation; both of these men maintain a special brand of humor of taking aim and pointing out the idiots of our day, and calling for us all, as a nation, to laugh at them. If you are a regular viewer of the shows, and you “get it,” then you understand that although the messages are conflicting, the true aim of the rallies will be the same: to bring together those of us who find ourselves trying to settle somewhere between the extreme edges that are being presented by the media, and to unite a group of likeminded people for whom there was no banner to rally behind before. However, if you happen to live under a rock and do not watch these shows, you really are missing out on not only some great comedy, but also on an amazing social analysis that will make you think twice about why you might believe what you believe. I am not yet certain if I will be able to make it to D.C. for the rallies, but if you have the ability, I urge you to do so. Now, if you happen to think I am a Nazi sympathizer for endorsing these rallies, then please do us all a favor and don’t breed. Colbert and Stewart’s D.C. ralliesjonSINDERMAN	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0068.json.gz/line14
__label__wiki	0.76458	0.76458	About ANZMI Cheats & Thieves Most Recent Cases Medal Cheats Stolen Valour Updated Cases Report Imposter ANZMI Cases Bettison Date of Entry: 23/04/2019 Surname: Bettison Christian Names: Luke Kevin State or Province: New South Wales City or Town: . Service #: Nil Service: No Military Service Branch: Nil Commencement of service: N/A Completion of service: N/A Case Notes: Luke Kevin Bettison is a current member of the New South Wales Police Force and is stationed in Sydney. He has recently been promoted to Sergeant from his former rank of Leading Senior Constable. Bettison performs duty at NSW Police funerals and at other NSW Police ceremonial occasions as a Protocol Officer when required. The above photographs depict Bettison performing the duty of a Protocol Officer at a Police funeral in 2018. He wears the following medals. 1. Afghanistan Medal. Not entitled. Purchased. 2. Iraq Medal. Not entitled. Purchased. 3. Australian Defence Medal. Not entitled. Purchased. You will notice that Bettison is not wearing the Australian Active Service Medal (AASM) with two clasps. Iraq and ICAT (ICAT - International Coalition Against Terror) The AASM is a pre-requisite for the wearing of Australian Active Service campaign medals and ribands. If genuine, Bettison would be wearing the AASM as the first medal on his rack, followed by the three purchased medals he displays. An example of the AASM, with a clasp, appears below. Bettison has claimed that he served in the Royal Australian Navy for 10 years on HMAS Tobruk and was awarded medals for Iraq and Afghanistan deployments. Inquiries with relative Military Associations concluded that Bettison has never served in the Australia Defence Force, let alone having deployed on active service to Iraq and Afghanistan. He is not entitled to any of the three medals that he wears. As a Protocol Officer in the NSW Police Force, he sets a very bad example by purchasing unearned medals from the internet or Medal Dealers, and fraudulently wearing them on his Police uniform at ceremonial occasions. He lacks credibility and integrity. Bettison was contacted on two occasions, and offered an opportunity to explain his wearing of Australian Military Awards on his NSW Police uniform. He declined to respond on both occasions. Bettison has committed offences under the Defence Act 1903, Section 80A -; DEFENCE ACT 1903 - SECT 80A Falsely representing to be returned soldier, sailor or airman (1) A person commits an offence if: (a) the person represents himself or herself to be a returned soldier, sailor or airman; and (b) the representation is false. Penalty: 30 penalty units or imprisonment for 6 months, or both. (2) For the purposes of this section: (a) returned soldier means a person who has served abroad during any war as a member of any Military Force raised in Australia or in any other part of the British Empire, or as a member of the Military Forces of any Ally of Great Britain; (b) returned sailor means a person who has served abroad during any war as a member of any Naval Force raised in Australia or in any other part of the British Empire, or as a member of the Naval Forces of any Ally of Great Britain; and (c) returned airman means a person who has served abroad during any war as a member of any Air Force, air service or flying corps raised in Australia or in any other part of the British Empire or as a member of the air forces of any Ally of Great Britain. and 80B -; DEFENCE ACT 1903 - SECT 80B Improper use of service decorations (a) the person wears a service decoration; and (b) the person is not the person on whom the decoration was conferred. However, we are aware that the NSW Police Force is reluctant to pursue these matters through the Courts for some reason. Other States take action where appropriate. Bettison’s recruitment application should be checked to ascertain if any other offences have been committed, prior to his acceptance for service in the NSW Police. Bettison joins other NSW Police Force colleagues on this website, who have also fraudulently worn un-entitled Australian Military Awards on their Police uniforms.. See -; anzmi.net/Darrin Hooper - http://www.anzmi.net/index.php/cheats-thieves/valour-thieves/741 anzmi.net/Darryl Kennedy - http://www.anzmi.net/index.php/cheats-thieves/medal-cheats/722-kennedy-1 Located in: Medal Cheats \| Latest Cases \| Stolen Valour Powered by SobiPro Copyright © 2019 Australian & New Zealand Imposters Group.	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0068.json.gz/line18
__label__cc	0.638509	0.361491	Author Lim Si Jie Lim Si Jie Si Jie is no stranger to investing having started his journey at a young age. He is heavily influenced by acclaimed investors such as Benjamin Graham, Peter Lynch, and John Rothchild. Si Jie currently writes for Aspire. He generally takes a medium to long term view of stocks he covers, but may occasionally adopt a short term view if the rewards are justified. Si Jie has participated in various investment competitions, winning the "Best ETF Trader" award for the Phillips Poems 2.0 stock challenge. He is also a part of the national champion team in the 2014 CIMB ASEAN Stock Challenge. S-REITs have been putting in a strong performance since the start of 2019. This continues to grow as a benign interest rate environment and a deteriorating macro backdrop shifts investors into S-REITs. According to MBKE, investors eyeing returns from both yields and growth should continue to find value in S-REITs. Among the S-REITs, here are five S-REITs that MBKE recommends for investors who are looking for yield and growth. In the first part of this two-part series, we covered four value REIT and property plays that CIMB recommends in the current investment climate. In part two of this series, we focus on four other large cap plays that are able to sustain and absorb shocks in the market. Following a dismal 1Q19 where there were more misses than beats against consensus estimates, CIMB thinks that the tide has now shifted towards earnings predictability, value and yield in 2Q19 results. The case for investors to look into these factors is further reinforced by a dovish interest rate outlook. Dissecting The Healthcare Problem In SG/MY And How To Invest In It One of the key drivers of the healthcare sector is the aging population theme in both Singapore and Malaysia. The proportion of citizens aged above 65 has been growing in both countries. For Singapore, almost a quarter of its citizens will be aged 65 and above by 2030. Meanwhile, the neighbouring Malaysia would also see the proportion of citizens, aged 65 and above, grow to 10.7 percent by the same time. 4 Interesting Small Caps That Investors Should Keep Watch As a yearly affair, RHB publishes its research on interesting small cap gems. In summary, the dismal performance in 2018 has led to correction in many small-mid caps, which in turn created opportunities as valuations are now attractive. According to RHB, here are four interesting small caps that investors should be keeping tabs on. US-China Trade War: Boon Or Bane For FAG? Although US President claims the huge trade deficit to be the basis of the trade war against China, most believe that the underlying issue is the threat of Chinese technology displacing the US. Although trade talks have restarted, sticky points remain to be ironed out, including the issue with Huawei. Have US tech stocks lost their shine? 3 Solution Plays With Good Risk-To-Reward We dive into companies that offer interesting solutions for businesses. According to RHB, these three solution plays offer investors good risk-to-reward, given its strong cash flow and attractive yield. 3 Niche Plays That Investors Should Consider A key factor to consider when investing is whether a company has its own area of niche. Having its own area of niche is indicative of a company’s success, which further translates to better share price performance. We zoom into three companies, operating in their areas of niche expertise. 5 Small Mid-Cap Stocks To Add to Your Portfolio The implementation of additional tariffs on Chinese imports sent markets reeling. Although trade talks are ongoing and there may still be possibilities for a deal, economists and analysts are anticipating that ramifications are beginning to bite. Amidst the uncertainties and a global economic slowdown, the STI shines as one of the most attractive markets in ASEAN to invest in, given its low price-to-earnings and high dividend yield. 3 Real Estate Plays With Growth Profile That Investors Will Love Real estate plays are not stranger to Singapore investors. In this article, we zoom in on the real estate sector, uncovering three overlooked gems with strong potential for growth.	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0068.json.gz/line28
__label__wiki	0.883785	0.883785	What is a consent conversation? Affirmative Consent Campus Policy Report State by State Affirmative Consent Legislation and Policy Global (Affirmative) Consent – WorldConsent Opened Title IX Cases: Campus Sexual Assault (OCR – Office of Civil Rights) Title IX/OCR Resources Colleges/Universities Under Title IX Investigation (DOE) High Schools and Districts under Title IX Investigation (DOE) How 46 Title IX Cases Were AAU Campus Climate Study Results The Full AAU Report AAU Survey Full Executive Summary International Consent News WH Dept. of Ed. Search: AC Office of Civil Rights School Resolutions and Agreements US Dept. of Labor – Title IX “You Are Not Alone” Report It’s On Us The #ItsOnUs Pledge Lady Gaga PSA – It’s On Us HeforShe – UNWomen.org Protect Our Defenders MJIA Bill S.967 #NoMore Campaign #NoMore PSA “Speechless” Project Unbreakable UK: Rape Crisis London SurvJustice One in Four USA Consent Game Changers -IN THE NEWS John Chauncey, Founder Alison Berke, Founder Campus Ambassador Program Campus Sexual Assault News Betsy DeVos Reverses Obama-era Policy on Campus Sexual Assault Investigations Since then, colleges have spent millions of dollars to hire and train investigators and counselors and to establish sexual assault prevention training for students. Those are likely to remain in place, and in a statement, Ms. DeVos said she expected colleges to not let their guard down. “Schools must continue to confront these horrific crimes and behaviors head-on,” she said. “But the process must also be fair and impartial, giving everyone more confidence in its outcomes.” Ms. DeVos had signaled her desire to revisit the rules by holding private meetings in July with students who said they had been unfairly punished, as well as others who said their accusations had been mishandled. This month, in a speech at George Mason University’s law school, she sharply criticized the Obama administration’s approach. “Through intimidation and coercion, the failed system has clearly pushed schools to overreach,” she said. Natalie Weill, a recent graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, was among those on Friday expressing dismay about Ms. DeVos’s move. She said that she had used the 2011 guidelines to convince the college that the student who attacked her should be expelled. Without them, “I would have been forced to drop out of school or risk the danger of encountering the offender,” she said. “DeVos’s decision is a disaster for students, and there will be an outcry from engaged and enraged students on this attack on our civil rights.” In a statement, a spokeswoman for the university, Meredith McGlone, said a Wisconsin student who commits sexual assault today would be no less likely to be expelled because of the changes. “Our policies and procedures are not changing,” she said. But Patricia Hamill, a lawyer in Philadelphia, said that she was pleased with several aspects of the new guidance. She cited in particular the department’s statements that it is a school’s responsibility, not a student’s, to gather evidence, and that the accused student must be informed in writing of the allegations before being asked to respond. Ms. Hamill said schools often did not give the accused much detail about the charges they were facing. On Friday, the department cited a decision last year in a lawsuit Ms. Hamill brought against Brandeis University. Her client, a student, had been found responsible for sexual misconduct against his ex-boyfriend during their 21-month relationship. NY judge OKs Weinstein defense team recasting At the U. of South Carolina, Trustees Paused a Controversial Presidential Search. Then the Governor Stepped In. Jury Finds Kansas City Man Guilty For Sexually Abusing And Murdering His Teen Daughter Monday evening, three years after the killing of Southwest high school senior Daizsa Bausby, a More Enquirer content will be available exclusively to subscribers CLOSE Free is a lousy business model. I’m not sure when I heard that axiom Colleges Turn to Law Firms to Sort Out Campus Crime Reporting (Corrected) When Jeanne Clery’s parents learned that her 1986 dorm-room rape and murder by a fellow Former UT chancellor Bill McRaven was the highest-paid public university leader in 2018 Former University of Texas System chancellor Bill McRaven was the highest paid public university leader AffirmativeConsent.com is a nonprofit website that contain general information about legal matters. The information on this website is not advice, and should not be treated as such. The products are not legally binding. You must not rely on the information on this website as an alternative to legal advice from your attorney or other professional legal services provider. If you have any specific questions about any legal matter you should consult your attorney or other professional legal services provider. You should never delay seeking legal advice, disregard legal advice, or commence or discontinue any legal action because of information on this website. Contact AffirmativeConsent.com © 2017 Affirmative Consent and Respect	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0068.json.gz/line39
__label__cc	0.660742	0.339258	Rehabilitative Surgery 2017 Click on the Google Preview image above to read some pages of this book! This book represents the first interdisciplinary text on the emerging field of rehabilitative surgery, in which state of the art procedures from multiple surgical specialties are combined. It proposes a completely new framework for understanding, coordinating, and providing treatment for paralyzed or severely neurologically impaired patients and explains the potentially critical impact of surgery in creating a new baseline of functional status, thereby improving the patient's daily life. Every major aspect of reconstructive surgical treatment is considered, including anesthesia, orthopedic surgery, plastic surgery, neurosurgery, general surgery, vascular surgery, and otolaryngology. The most up-to-date and evidence-based surgeries are clearly described and evaluated, with coverage of treatment of pressure sores, placement of feeding tubes, and upper extremity interventions to improve function and hygiene. Cutting-edge protocols are presented for the surgical treatment of severe nerve injuries, spinal cord injuries, and stroke or cerebrovascular accidents, and a first description and evaluation of phrenic nerve repair to assist weaning of paralyzed patients from ventilators is provided. Both surgical and nonsurgical readers will find this book to be an ideal guide and reference. Evidence-based Periodontal And Peri-implant Plastic Surgery This atlas, featuring numerous superb illustrations and vivid photographs, aims to create a bridge between research and practice in the field of periodontal plastic surgery and cosmetic dentistry with a view to enabling optimal decision making in daily practice. After an opening overview of evidence-based decision making and discussion of treatment planning, subsequent chapters address the surgical treatment of recession-type defects, use of soft tissue substitutes, aesthetic clinical crown lengthening and peri-implant plastic surgery. Illustrated case studies depict application of the described surgical procedures in daily practice and advice is provided on clinical indications and contraindications and basics of the surgical sequence. In addition, critical summaries of the results of systematic reviews are provided. Further chapters consider aspects of multidisciplinary decision-making and present decision trees for soft tissue augmentation procedures proposed by the American Academy of Periodontology. The atlas will be a valuable clinical guide for general dentists and specialists in periodontology/periodontics and implantology. Ballenger's Otorhinolaryngology Head And Neck Surgery "Ballenger" was first published in 1908. It has appeared in 10 languages and sold 150,000 copies worldwide. Over two-thirds of the authors are new to this edition. The editorial leadership for the 17th edition has been expanded to include P. Ashley Wackym as Editor, and it includes 101 chapters (increased from 67) with sections on otology and neurotology, rhinology, facial plastic and reconstructive surgery, pediatric otorhinolaryngology, laryngology and bronchoesophagology, head and neck surgery and increased emphasis on molecular medicine. Color illustrations appear throughout this edition. The presentation of basic science underlying clinical otorhinolaryngology has been expanded and chapters on clinical topics are structured to provide comprehensive coverage for the clinicians. Disorders of smell and taste, balance and hearing, voice, speech and language are also emphasized provide comprehensive coverage of the discipline. The 17th edition presents a comprehensive compendium of current knowledge in otorhinolaryngology head and neck surgery and provides full coverage needed by practitioners in the 21st century. New chapters include Stereotactic radiosurgery, Biofilms, Outcomes and clinical research, Robotic surgery and Chemoradiation. Senior authors were chosen not only for original contributions but also for their intellectual leadership of the specialty. Basic science and clinical chapters stress the role of molecular biology in the pathogenesis of disease. Throughout, the genetic basis of disease has been emphasized. The book is a unique blend of state-of-the-art clinical techniques, methods and outcomes together with coverage of basic mechanisms and science. It provides students, residents, fellows and practitioners with the understanding necessary to participate fully in the use of molecular biology in therapy. Gravitation As A Plastic Distortion Of The Lorentz Vacuum Addressing graduate students and researchers in theoretical physics and mathematics, this book presents a new formulation of the theory of gravity. In the new approach the gravitational field has the same ontology as the electromagnetic, strong, and weak fields. In other words it is a physical field living in Minkowski spacetime. Some necessary new mathematical concepts are introduced and carefully explained. Then they are used to describe the deformation of geometries, the key to describing the gravitational field as a plastic deformation of the Lorentz vacuum. It emerges after further analysis that the theory provides trustworthy energy-momentum and angular momentum conservation laws, a feature that is normally lacking in General Relativity. Manual Of Endocrine Surgery Introduction Anthony J. Edis, Richard H. Egdahl, Tracy K. Mcintosh, Contents Lester F. Williams xi 1 Surgery of the Parathyroids General Introduction 1 SURGICAL ANATOMY Primary Hyperparathyroidism 7 PATHOLOGY 7 DIAGNOSIS 11 PREOPERATIVE LOCALIZATION STUDIES 22 TREATMENT 27 Secondary Hyperparathyroidism 35 SIGNS, SYMPTOMS, COMPLICATIONS 35 CLINICAL MANAGEMENT 36 Tertiary Hyperparathyroidism 37 Operative Technique 38 CERVICAL EXPLORATION WITH REMOVAL OF A PARATHYROID ADENOMA 46 SUBTOTAL PARATHYROIDECTOMY FOR HYPERPLASIA 59 PARATHYROIDECTOMY FOR CARCINOMA 60 MEDIASTINAL EXPLORATION FOR PARATHYROID TUMOR 61 References 66 2 Surgery of the Thyroid 71 General Introduction 71 SURGICAL ANATOMY 72 Nodular Goiter and Thyroid Carcinoma 79 PATHOLOGY 79 DIAGNOSIS 82 TREATMENT OF THYROID NODULES 94 TREATMENT OF THYROID CANCER RELATED TO PATHOLOGIC TYPE 97 Hyperthyroidism 110 Graves' Disease 111 PATHOLOGY 111 DIAGNOSIS 112 TREATMENT 115 Plummer's Disease 120 PATHOLOGY 120 DIAGNOSIS 120 TREATMENT 122 Complications of Thyroid Surgery 123 PREVENTION AND MANAGEMENT 123 viii CONTENTS 127 Operative Techniques TOTAL THYROID LOBECTOMY 127 REMOVAL OF A SUBSTERNAL GOITER 134 SUBTOTAL THYROID LOBECTOMY 136 MODIFIED NECK DISSECTION FOR PAPILLARY THYROID CARCINOMA 141 References 144 3 Surgery of the Adrenals 151 151 General Introduction SURGICAL ANATOMY 152 Pheochromocytoma 155 PATHOLOGY 155 156 DIAGNOSIS PREOPERATIVE 162 TREATMENT 166 172 Primary Aldosteronism PATHOLOGY 172 DIAGNOSIS 174 178 PREOPERATIVE LOCALIZATION STUDIES TREATMENT 180 Cushing's Syndrome 181 CLASSIFICATION 182 DIAGNOSIS 187 PREOPERATIVE LOCALIZATION STUDIES 192 TREATMENT 194 Adrenal Gland and Metastatic Breast Carcinoma 198 Adrenocortical Carcinoma 200 DIAGNOSIS 201 PREOPERATIVE LOCALIZATION STUDIES AND STAGING 201 TREATMENT 202 PROGNOSIS 203 Nonfunctioning Adrenal Tumors 203	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0068.json.gz/line41
__label__cc	0.668185	0.331815	Chef Demos Regular Guy Eating Food Faces of Birmingham Ask The Expert: Medical Women of Power Top Remodelers/ Birmingham’s Best Builders Diamonds Direct Love Stories Excellence in Nursing Charity & Social Datebook Wish Book The Rose Law Firm: Ask Jennifer Top 50 Over 50 B-Metro > Featured > Every Heart Has a Voice Every Heart Has a Voice Michele Maha and son Abram KultureCity is changing the way the world views autism. Written and Photographed by Karim Shamsi-Basha Julian Maha cried in the car returning from Vanderbilt University Hospital. His wife, Michele, had never seen him cry before. He didn’t cry a little cry—he wept like a baby. The couple had just learned that their 4-year-old son, Abram, was autistic. Michele remembers hearing the word autistic from the doctor; she says that everything after that was just noise. Abram was an affectionate baby and toddler. He loved playing with his parents and was meeting all his developmental milestones. When he was 15 months old, something changed. Over time, he became withdrawn and eventually stopped speaking entirely. Julian and Michele, both doctors, knew something was off. Each time a milestone was lost, there was an explanation—illness, bullying at school, being in a multilingual family, and so forth. However, autism was never on their radar. Eventually, a trip to Vanderbilt lead to the diagnosis: classical autism, a term previously used to describe lower functioning children on the autism spectrum. “My mind went into shock. I heard things like ‘Abram will be dependent on care for the rest of his life.’ We got home, and it was hard,” Michele says. “As parents, you have ideas and projections of what your child is like and what he will grow up to be. All that was shattered. We plunged into the world of autism, pursuing every single possible avenue to find what was available to Abram. We felt like we were constantly going down the rabbit hole. Abram received intensive Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA), speech and occupational therapies, averaging more than 50 hours of instruction per week, in addition to his time at school. We had the constant fear of not doing enough ‘early interventions’ and that the clock was ticking. We did everything we could possibly do.” Michele has determination in her voice. She comes across as a strong woman who had one goal: To help her child. “As a mother, my focus was to get him better. There was no room for ‘poor me,’” she says. “When I hit the pillow at night, complete exhaustion would try to overwhelm me, but one thought kept reviving me: What can I do for Abram?” The Mahas worked with the school system and the community to get their son accepted. Along the way, they met many other families with similar challenges: isolation from friends, inability to go out, inability to join community events, and difficulty in finding babysitters. “It was August 15 of 2013; I remember that evening vividly,” says Julian. “Michele and I were reflecting on our experiences. We are two doctors with resources, and it was still hard to find him the right support and therapy. What about families who aren’t in the medical field? What needs to change? We realized that there was plenty of attention given to research and search for a cure. While that is great and very much needed, no one was paying attention to the culture around autism. The culture has to change—we have to change how society accepts autism.” The Maha family KultureCity was born that night out of the couple’s determination to provide a life free of discrimination and equal in opportunities for their child. The nonprofit’s mission is to create a world where individuals with autism and their families are accepted and treated equally. They have garnered national and international attentions with celebrities like Tiki Barber and M.L Carr on their board. Julian and Michele Maha have a never-ending quest to increase understanding and acceptance of autism. “We just want individuals with autism to be accepted, instead of shunned,” says Julian. “We have accomplished many milestones, but the biggest achievement is when we see our friends and community members who have no personal link to autism rise up and be passionate about this work. We want people to take a stand with us to change the culture of autism in our society.” Michele has a soft place in her heart for autism moms: “When you are dealing with the child day in and day out, including self-inflicted behaviors and aggression, it can be overwhelming,” she explains. “KultureCity creates a ripple affect when families step out of their own world and help other families. Our people are empowered.” One of the innovations KultureCity is leading is in creating sensory-friendly events, which are held at locations such as the Birmingham Zoo, Regions Park, and the Alys Stephens Performing Center. These events cater to special-needs children with noise-canceling headphones, fidget toys, weighted-lap pads, and other items that make the visit more enjoyable. “What KultureCity is doing for the autism world is similar to what Annie Sullivan did for Helen Keller. Where would the blind world be if it wasn’t for her tenacity?” Julian asks. KultureCity won the Community Cause of the Year in 2015, as well as the 2014/2015 Best National Nonprofit by Guide Star, a nonprofit watchdog. It was also the best-reviewed special needs nonprofit in the country last year. On August 14, KultureCity will have its Second Annual Gala hosted by football coach Bobby Bowden at the Sheraton. Kulturecity.org includes the details for the event. KultureCity KultureCity is a transformative movement to ensure a better future for children with autism. The nonprofit organization shares the belief that all children should be accepted and treated equally, and that the future of these children should not be limited by their medical diagnoses. It is a hope that these children attain the brightest future imaginable. KultureCity achieves this by creating a strong sense of community and a bond between the donor and the receiver, thus ensuring both are equal partners. This achievement has led KultureCity to become not only the best reviewed special needs nonprofit in the United States, but also the fastest growing. To find about how you can donate to KultureCity, visit kulturecity.org. Latest Project: LIFEBOKS One in 68 children in the United States has autism. Fifty percent of these children are prone to wandering. Drowning fatalities following wandering incidents remain a leading cause of death among those with autism. LifeBOKS is a toolkit given to autism families in need to educate and share simple tools that may assist them in preventing wandering-related emergencies. Each lifeBOKS contains educational materials, a bluetooth bracelet, a QR code, a QR code shoe tag, and wireless door and window alarms. To save a life and give a BOKS, go to kulturecity.org/lifeboks. Renee Plata working with Abram at Puzzle Piece Q&A with Renee Plata from Puzzle Piece, a pediatric outpatient clinic for children with special needs Q: How has having a child with autism affected your life? A: My child has led a path for me to completely change how I live. She has been a gift that has opened my eyes to look at the world in a different way. Actually, she is a gift to the world. To have a child with autism is hard. You change how you view the world in a positive way. It changes your concept of what is important in life—family. Q: What is the goal of a place like Puzzle Piece? A: To ensure a supportive and accepting environment for children with special needs. Q: How has KultureCity helped? A: KultureCity is doing something that has not been done before: Motivating others to accept autism and to think autistic people are valuable and not unfortunate poor things. To believe they can be the real essence of life. To know they can love and give. To value them as human beings. To love them. Q: What should people who come across an autistic child do? A: When you interact with a child with autism, you need to embrace the whole child and the whole family. You need to look at their strength and how to help that child be accepted by the community and see how they can be valued. Q: What is the hardest part about having a child with autism? A: You’re afraid that you will die before them and want to know deep down they will be OK. Dr. Mitchell Cohen Q&A with Dr. Mitchell B. Cohen Katharine Reynolds Ireland Professor Chair, Department of Pediatrics Physician-in-Chief, Children’s of Alabama Q: How is Children’s Hospital helping in the care of people with autism? A: We are creating a new Division of Developmental Pediatrics in order to embark on a significant expansion of autism care and research in the Department of Pediatrics and Children’s of Alabama. This new division will include and build on the existent resources in the Sparks-Civitan Clinics for Developmental and Learning Disorders at UAB. These clinics will soon join the new efforts in Pediatrics to put diagnosis and medical treatment of autism for children and families in Alabama as a first priority. We are keen to expand our capacity for providing medical management of autism, to discover the genetic causes of autism, and to use the current medical therapies to their maximum benefit. We are also developing new medical and behavioral therapies for children and families with autism so that the best care and outcomes in the country are available here. Q: What types of research are you performing? A: We are committed to building research teams with scientists across UAB and the HudsonAlpha Center for Genomic Medicine to perform wide-scale genetic sequencing aimed at discovering genes responsible for autism and neurodevelopmental disorders. We will build a program to educate researchers and physicians so they can incorporate genomic information in their day-to-day research and patient care. These clinical and research programs will open training opportunities for students and medical trainees to make new discoveries in the future. Toward this end, we are recruiting new faculty and fundraising to create the new Division of Developmental Pediatrics and a UAB Neurodevelopmental Center. Q: What resources are available for families with autistic children in Birmingham? A: We hope to partner with established organizations such as Glenwood, Mitchell’s Place, and KultureCity to serve the children and families with autism and neurodevelopmental disorders in our community. These organizations play a vital role in our community. One of our roles will be to make the medical diagnosis and identify other conditions that cause symptoms similar to autism or that co-exist with autism, such as Fragile X syndrome, tuberous sclerosis, epileptic seizures, Tourette syndrome, learning disabilities, and attention deficit disorder. We don’t know what causes autism, but it is likely that both genetics and environment play a role. We need to learn more. We will work to find the cause(s) of autism as a step toward finding treatments that improve the lives of children and families with neurodevelopmental disorders today and tomorrow. Posted on Tuesday, June 2nd, 2015. 41 Responses to “Every Heart Has a Voice” Tracy Clancy says: Way to go, Michele & Julian! Way to go, dear ones. Thank you so much for bringing your special light to the issues surrounding families living with Autism and similar similar disorders. Your passion, fierce determination and tireless commitment inspire me more than you will ever know. Diane Zaragoza says: Thank you for this article. I am a volunteer with KultureCity and have been working with the Maha’s since February of 2014. I have met, seen and experience the impact KultureCity has made since it was introduced to Birmingham. I can witness for these two doctors that they are involved with the families KultureCity has serviced throughout the country. The post that are put on Facebook thanking them for their help is a testament to what is being done through KultureCity and making an impact in their families. Michael Miller says: I too volunteer wth Kulturecity. I am also an Autism father. I was introduced to Kulturecity through Facebook Chtistmas of 2013 and have since became friends with Julian and Michelle. I share their philosophy concerning autism. I had a small autism project of my own that has blossomed under the care of Kulturecity. Kulturecity’s reach extends beyond the walls of their their home, of Alabama and all across the USA. Melissa McDorman says: My son , now 12 is autistic among many other things. I thought confirmation would help but what really helps is knowing other people that are the same are out there. We do what we can to help create a normal world for our son while getting others to understand it. I’m glad that these parents are changing the way the world sees our kids! Meredith keith says: I found Kulturecity through Facebook and to say I’m grateful is the grossest understatement I’ve ever made. I love having others that understand. People that get that my son while he does not look that different very much is different. He is not disabled he is differently abled. He can do things kids his age do and while we may do them oddly or strangly to others this is our life. Thank you for everything you have done and will continue to do because y’all have started a revolution. Lindsay Mercell-Vars says: Kulturecity is doing so much to help the autism community. I was brought to tears by this touching article!! Jessica Thornsley says: In tears. Took me back to when we received our diagnosis. I love KultureCity for everything they do for the autism community. We need more people like this and hopefully one day we will have the acceptance we so desperately need. sara lundquist says: What a wonderful article that opens the eyes to the lives of parents and families with a child on the spectrum. My son has bloomed over the past couple years. He isn’t cured of Autism and I don’t want him to cured of anything. We as a whole family took so much time taking him to therapy, enrolled in early childhood special ed. It took a family and it took a village. I thank Kulturecity for being that village that supports families and individuals. Joanna Ayers says: Thank you KultureCity for all you do! I myself never even thought of autism until a doctor told me he needed to be tested for it a year and a half ago. I appreciate everything ya’ll do to raise awareness and to help others!!! Jennifer Palmer says: Loved reading this article, seeing Julian and Michelle highlighted for all they’ve done for the autism community. I’d love to see Kulturecity branch out into every state, so everyone can experience what real acceptance feels like, and have the opportunity to make a real difference. Heather Doolin says: Kulturecity has been a god send for us… they have been able to help so many of our loved ones with Autism…. It is a breath of fresh air in a world that sees so many uneducated people that has no understanding of Autism and how it really hard and difficult and rewarding it is raising a loved one with autism…. I support Kulturecity as an Autism Mum. I was introduced to them via Michael Miller and applaud the wide reach of their work. We live in Massachusetts, along way from Birmingham but I follow all their news. I love reading about their local events, but we have also been recipients of their out reach. They provided us a discounted iPad mini with WizardTalk group fundraising. Kulturecity is always publishing small quotes about hanging in there and you are not alone and that just brings a smile of remembrance. Accept the Autism and love it because that’s what make your kid so special. The issue now is to make the rest of the world see that special does not mean weird. Michelle and Julian do that everyday … remind us all that we are special! Jeanette Mcfaand says: Hi! I have found Kulture city on Facebook . I just want to say how awesome they are to give our kids such a amazing oppurtunity . I’ve grown great knowledge through Kulture city. For someone to give all their time and effort it just melts my heart for what they do for these diffrently tabled kiddos:) God bless you all! Priscilla Broughman says: I just want to say that having a child with Autism I know where you all are coming from. The beginning when I found out about my child have autism I felt the same way that y’all did. And I just want to thank you all for doing everything that y’all do for our children. Alana Correale says: Thank you so much for all that you do for the autism community. You are helping show that there are so many faces to autism and so many levels to autism. Also there is no “look” to autism. You are amazing 🙂 Carol Trott Jones says: A friend told me about Kulturecity and, I am glad she did. I am so glad that I have other to understand what we go thro daily. They have help by giving my son more of a voice thro there I pad mini fundraiser. He recived a weight blanket thro them and it helps him with sleep. Just to know that you can go there and ask a question and get all kind of of responded back to try to see if it help your child is awesome. We can’t say thank you enough to this awesome non profit organization. Jennifer Warrick Davis says: Thank you for sharing your story! The more wr share our stories, hopefully, the more peopke will understand. Knowledge is power! kulturecity is amazing! I have only been following them for a few months, and seen them help so many children and their families. Kathleen Mireles says: This article is a story that is very near and dear to many of us autism families. You can choose to be victim’s of circumstance or create acceptance and opportunities for families in your community. Hats off to the Maha’s and everyone that has been so passionate about making KultureCity what it is today. Our family has been so fortunate to be a part of the KultureCity family and watch it grow into such a beautiful non profit that has never lost sight of why it was started to begin with. In the beginning I reached out to Autism Speaks about grants, never once a response. I do in fact receive emails daily from them asking for donations. KultureCity has given my daughter a weighted blanket, several toys. They have even sent me roses, and have given my daughter a voice with an iPad. There has been more than one occasion when I have reached out to them about a local family in need. Never once did the Maha’s or Michael Miller say, “I’ll get back to you.” The only thing I have heard from them is, “What can we do to help?” If I could clone the passion, love, and determination these fellow autism families have to help our community the world would be full of acceptance for our loved ones. sandra breines says: I purchased a yogibo for my ASD son for Christmas. He loves it, the way it molds itself to him and cradles him when he experiences sensory needs. He wont use blankets at night to sleep, but he will pile pillows on top of him. Having a “portable” yogibo that he could sleep with and put on his body for the weight he craves would be amazing. Ruby Serusa says: What a wonderful article. My son was recently diagnosed non verb. He is only 3 years old. I was devestated taking him to all of these speech & hearing appointments. I still am new to the whole community. But I was sent to kulturecity. Their page has opened up so much for my family and myself. I was able to meet wonderful people and learn more and more about the autism community. I am beyond grateful. As a child I was constantly helping with my little sister who had autism. As an adult, I put my life on hold to care for her. When I finally moved out (at 26) to start my own family, I felt guilty but I needed a family of my own. Now at 30, I have a 2 year old daughter who was just diagnosed with autism. There are some days where I feel like autism just wants to follow me everywhere and that life isn’t fair. Then there are other days when I feel like God must have known that I am a strong woman who works hard to help kids with autism that he decided to bless me with such a special child. This is my first time hearing about Kulturecity so I will definitely check it out. Your story is awesome. It is great seeing people out there working to try and make a difference in this world and how they see autism. It runs so strongly in my family (in girls only so far) that I hope one day someone will find the cause of it so we can try to prevent it from happening. Thank you for all you do! Kristen Lindsay says: I cannot say enough good things about Kulturecity. They provide emotional as well as tangible support for families of children with autism. Their network of programs and support extends far and wide providing strength in numbers as families come together to help and support one another. Acceptance that is s not always found within our own families is found within the community of Kulturecity. Together we stand strong for our children. Together we stand strong for all those with autism. I am very proud to support Kulturecity and am very excited about their newest program LifeBoks – a life saving toolkit to prevent wandering deaths. Jasmine Deem says: These organizations change autism families lives. My heart is fille with pride for Kulturecity. I feel honored to be a part of this family. My son has benefited greatly from this organization. I can never thank them enough. Thank you for this article! Nicole Ponzar-Dixon says: My family is very thankful for KultureCity. They have made a place where we feel accepted and equal to others. Thank you for your determination and commitment and for sharing your experience with others. Strength in numbers! Melissa mcclellan says: Wow I am impress, love KultureCity they are amazing.. Norma Sanchez says: Thank you for the article, Kulturecity has been life changing for my son and myself as well as many families. I am understood and given the support that all parents need in this journey. Kulturecity is not about finding a cure because there is no cure for Autism, but rather looking into it to understand it and be able to bring awareness. I get the support that I do. It even get with my own family, I finally do not feel alone. All their projects have the main focus of bringing children a voice and smiles. I am forever thankful for everything the do. Anne Mendez says: Although I’m not new to the autism community, my son was diagnosed in 2004 at two and a half years, I did not know about Kulturecity until this year. I am very proud to know that there is a group of people who advocate just for our community. Thank you so much! Jennifer Wright says: I found Kulturecity through FB and I have to say it is refreshing and an honor to know this lovely organization. When my son was diagnosed, it was difficult to find support and resources. It warms my heart the work that Kulturecity is doing to raise awareness for autism so children and adults like my son can matter in our society. I even love how they call the kids wizards! The name fits perfectly. The definition of a wizard is a person who has magical powers. I believe my son has magical powers to overcome all the obstacles that were in his way. It is magical to see the progress he makes. Thank you Kulturecity for what you have done and will do in the future! I became aware of Kulturecity by the way of Toys AUcross America. I believe Julian and Michelle are making amazing strides in the autistic community. Helping people see our kids are wonderful and not a burden. You can tell they really care and want to help. I’m so glad I’ve found them and will support them for many years to come. They deserve much praise and their son is very lucky to have them. Thank you Julian and Michelle Andrea Merrill says: This is such an inspiring story. My oldest has been diagnosed with ASD, and 3/4 of my other children show signs. Kulturcity has helped to change Connors life, and many other children. I am so thankful there are people like Julian and Michelle, And the others who have been there along our rocky journey. Thank you. That was supposed to say thankful there are people there for families like Julian and Michelle, and the others who have been there along our rocky journey. Amani Saud says: Way to go, you have lovely family! Great story thank you for sharing it. Rachael Petty says: Wow!!! So glad I got a chance to read this.Wonderful nonprofit organization.My son earned his Ipad through one of your fundraisers.LifeBOKS is such an amazing idea! Last summer was heartbreaking with so many children depending.I am constantly making sure our deadbolt is locked.Just the thought of something happening to either of my special needs children is too much to bare sometimes.Anxiety and stress are the norm for us moms.Thank you so much for this blessing your making available to families desperate for help and information. April Williams says: I am a mother of five 2 of my children are on the spectrum. During the first years of dealing with special needs I felt so alone and had no real support. It’s now been 13 years and over the last year I have had more support and finally feel like my family is not alone. KultureCity is wonderful. Thank you so much for sharing your story and your lives with us. The work you do is amazing. It’s been a pleasure being a part of your community. Hollie Peters says: Autism is a rollercoaster ride in its own right. To have something like KultureCity to help spread awareness and acceptance is great! Sue Martinez says: My daughter was first dx at the age of 3yrs old. She’s High Functioning Autistic. MR . I can still hear her Doctor tell me the results, I broke down in every way. See It was hard enough leaving to another state because of domestic violence but it’s another thing for people to start telling me how bad of a mom i was. That my child needs to be disciplined more and spank her more. I even had my own brother and sister in law tell me that maybe her being taken away would be a good thing . This was my baby and my first i had no idea what to do. No one was listening to me until i got her in to see her pcp. He referred me to Heartsprings. May 3 rd 2008 i got the results back and then started to get the help she needed as well as being apologized by some. At that time she was non-verbal but with early intervention and all the help that Heartsprings has now given her a life outside of just her autism. It’s very hard though i have no family, everyone was scared to be around her for too long. I then met my best friend and also became pregnant with my son who was again dx May 3,2010 my best friend stood by me and my daughter through everything and we went to all : ot, pt, speech, therapy on both kiddos. It takes it’s toll on a person let me tell you. Especially when there is NO one else that will help. I think within the last 5 yrs or so we’ve only been out by ourselves maybe 3 times. Therapy helps and getting to know some people that ive come to know on FB for @ 2 years has helped as well . I’ve read and try and keep on on things like KultureCity and ToysAucross America. I know they try and do their best for many people out there . Mae Pennington says: kulturecity is a amazing org. My family was going through trouble and our non verbal 2yr old ASD child needed a iPad. After pain staking months of contacting EVERY org I can think of to find help, NONE could help me. Then I came across KULTURECITY and they welcomed me and treated me like family and introduced me to all the things they do to help real families of Autism. They helped us get a iPad. Autism Santa helped me get a iTunes card. They send out birthday presents to the kids. They are amazing. As hard as it to be a Autism parent, KULTURECITY has helped ease the load. I love them. They are angels on earth. Alma Anderson says: Very close to heart story, and amazing people that created KulturCity. I had the same experience the first time I heard Autism. Couldn’t hear anymore words from the doctors mouth, just noise. Trying to find any information to help your little one. My daughter, who is 5, has Autism. My world has changed because of her. Because of KulturCity, I was able to get an iPad for my daughter as well. She looves her ipad. Bringing other peoples stories and bringing awareness to others is an amazing thing to do. It’s scary in life not knowing if you will be able to protect them forever. Bringing awareness is the best thing for this future!! karen hinkle says: that is just such a amazing story i hear you on that i am a grandma who is rasing my grandson got him right from birth lead to adopting him found out at age 15 months he had autism sirst shock then we took action he has been in school for 5 years now he is 7 but i would love to have ABA therapy but with double insurance they wont do it i have been schooled by some teacher i learn something new every day i to go to bed wiped out but would not change it for nothing i have to say thank you both for what you do i have received a weighted blanket from your program and just got the Bots today i am at a little more ease now you are some really awsome ppl you dont find many with hearts like you have i thank you for all you do god bless you in this journey we are taking KultureCity THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART Thank You to Michele & Julian for sharing their personal story, I guess in a way I see our stories as a puzzle, where each of our stories is a seperate, different piece but we all build off of one another, my children are 14 & 17- I can help others with younger children, just as I can learn, anticipate & cheer on those older than mine- seeing them move into prom, graduation, college & families . This was all born that night . Jessica Frider says: I have been a fan of KultureCity and their initiative for some time—I have never until today heard the story behind it. I love that the love for their son and the Autism Community as a whole brought about such positivity and forward thinking with KultureCity. B-There Newsletter Top Women in Medicine Potato Chips: Bag ‘em Up! Copyright © 2019 Fergus Media 1314 Cobb Lane, Birmingham, AL 35205 Advertise \| Reprints \| Contact Us \| About Us The Journey Write Like a Girl Cherri Ellis Speaks her Mind Style with Tracy James Talk of the South Ask Micah The Glamorous Life Jones is Hungry Inspiration Board Get Organized Bleacher Seats Staged Pop Quiz In the Garden Listen Up B Yourself Birmingfamous Studio One Shot Last Page Taste Sip What's Fresh Savor Prepare Pure Facebook Series Web-exclusive Articles Faces of Birmingham Charity & Social Datebook Diamonds Direct Love Stories Top Lawyers Women of Power Top Doctors Excellence in Nursing Contests and Giveaways	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0068.json.gz/line44
__label__wiki	0.638735	0.638735	Sign up for a free account! Hard Rock/Metal Reggae/Latin Deborah Henriksson set to release follow up single "Trains" Danie Cortese - DCE This talented lady is one of Sweden's best exports. Her vocal style is so unique and has been described as 'angelic' and or 'ethereal'. Her first single "Calling" soared in the overseas radio markets. Her second single release entitled 'Trains' is sure to do the same. Henriksson is very reminiscent of Enya. Be sure to check out this fabulous artist here: www.deborahhenriksson.com Now this is talent! [+] Expand [-] Collapse Tony Bennett & Diana Krall - Love Is Here To Stay Tony Bennett and Diana Krall celebrate their shared love of the music of George and Ira Gershwin on their new collaborative album, Love Is Here To Stay. The album is a subtle, sophisticated and beautifully rendered love letter to the Gershwin’s music and their status as one of the premiere songwriters of the American popular standard. ARTIST SITE \| RELEASED: September 14, 2018 ON Verve/Columbia TAGS: Jazz \| Jazz Vocals Matt Andersen - Halfway Home By Morning Unbridled joy springs eternal from Halfway Home By Morning. Recorded live off the floor in Nashville, Tennessee, celebrated songwriter Matt... Ronny Smith - Shake It Up A bold display of instrumental power and compositional skill; a perfect groove to open the door to a wonderful summer paradise. All tracks are original... Chucho Valdés - Jazz Batá 2 Jazz Batá 2, composer, pianist and bandleader Chucho Valdés’ first album for Mack Avenue Records, marks a new peak of creativity for ... Tony Bennett and Diana Krall celebrate their shared love of the music of George and Ira Gershwin on their new collaborative album, Love Is Here To Stay. ... Tia Fuller - Diamond Cut Tia Fuller’s artistic capacity has blossomed tremendously since emerging on the international jazz scene more than a decade ago. It now results in her... BigMusic.org Big Music is Independent Music Culture, Mp3, Videos, News and Much More! contact us \| privacy policy \| terms of use \| contribute \| advertise subscribe \| unsubscribe \| links	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0068.json.gz/line46
__label__cc	0.687157	0.312843	Bill’s Bar & Burger Brunch October 27, 2017 by Ann Louise It was a dreary day in the Meatpacking District as we made our way along the cobblestone streets, running late for our brunch reservations (as usual). We finally arrived at Bill’s Bar & Burger, where we had recently been invited in to try their newly launched Hangover Brunch, and sat ourselves at one of the may high tops, decked out in old school checkered tablecloths underneath the galaxy-spray-painted ceiling. The Hangover Brunch menu offered a fair amount of your traditional breakfast items, from omelets to pancakes, and of course a Benedict Burger. If you were craving more savory dishes, ordering from the lunch menu was an option as well. The beau kicked things off with a special craft beer, dubbed the Bill’s Brew ESB. It’s brewed just for Bill’s by Sixpoint Brewing, a local brewery in Brooklyn. Naturally, I was drawn to the Build-Your-Own Bloody Mary bar, which featured everything from bacon to shrimp to pearl onions and pickles. I personally was too apprehensive to try the shrimp, but you can bet I filled my Bloody to the brim with most of the other accoutrements. I’m always appreciative of Build-Your-Own cocktails, particularly for Bloodies, as you can control your spice level and make them as hot or as mild as you’d like. This one wasn’t super out of the ordinary, but was set up nicely and offered a fair amount of options for just $8–a solid bang for your buck. As is customary when we go to brunch, we opted to share a few things off the menu. First up: breakfast tacos. Scrambled eggs, bacon, salsa, and pico were tucked inside a soft tortilla, dusted with some kind of cheese that we think was cojita, but it wasn’t specified on the menu. The tacos could have used a few more red onions, as they lacked crunch. While overall, the flavors were good together, it tasted like something was missing. Perhaps a chipotle aioli or a specialty hot sauce to spice things up a bit. But we were impressed with the amount of filling in each taco–sometimes restaurants can skimp. Next up was the BOB (Breakfast on a Bun), Bill’s version of a breakfast sandwich. A sunny-side-up egg, sausage patty, two slices of bacon, and sliced cheddar cheese were served on a potato bun, along with a side of breakfast potatoes. Usually, sunny-side-up eggs are served either overcooked or too runny. But this was one of the most well-cooked eggs we’d encountered in a while. However, the sausage and bacon were a little too salty for my taste, and I could only muster a few bites of this sandwich. We were also both stumped by the skewer of orange and strawberry slice that accompanied our fries–they didn’t serve a purpose. We had originally wanted to try the Benedict Burger but had consumed a fair amount of eggs at this point, so we opted to order a specialty burger off the lunch menu instead. The Fat Cat Burger, dubbed winner of a CNN Top 10 Burger Award, was topped with American cheese, special sauce, caramelized onion—all served on an English muffin. This burger was decent. Not amazing, but definitely not bad. The caramelized onions were a nice touch, but the special sauce got lost underneath and didn’t stand out at all. The real star of this dish was the disco fries–basically cheese fries. Just something about crispy fries doused in melted cheese cures your hangover, and everything just feels just about right in the world. The Bitches say: Three Flutes. Bill’s has decent burgers and your average brunch selections, but their brunch game was just that–average. Aside from the well-cooked egg, we weren’t blown away by anything we tried. Bill’s Bar & Burger serves their Hangover Brunch on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Ann Louise Bill's Bar & Burger Contact (212) 414-3003 Neighborhood Meatpacking District Good For Family Friendly Group Brunch NYC’s 4th Of July Guide Gitano Garden of Love Brunch	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0068.json.gz/line50
__label__cc	0.724812	0.275188	Home » Misc » Omg! The Best Suntrust Online Business Banking Ever! Omg! The Best Suntrust Online Business Banking Ever! link: https://loginhold.org/suntrust-online-banking-login/ Listed: November 14, 2017 11:14 am The fund owned 94,337 shares from the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 36,030 shares in the period. As per Monday, April 18, the business rating was maintained by Citigroup. The company a trading number of 294,591 shares. The firm’s revenue was up0% when compared with the same quarter a year ago. Northern Trust Corporation currently features a consensus rating of Hold” and a normal price target of $78. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock having a hold rating and thirteen have assigned a buy rating towards the stock. LS Investment Advisors LLC now owns 24,097 shares with the company’s stock priced at $610,000 after purchasing an additional 107 shares over the last quarter. A compensation plan proposed by Archer would adjust 36 pay grades across the county government, but commissioners would need to determine what changes they’d want to produce to employees’ salaries. 00 target price on shares of Microchip Technology in a very research note on Tuesday, November 8th. 00 million for that quarter, when compared with analysts expectations of $452. 00 price target on shares of Thor Industries inside a research directory Sunday, October 9th. Royal suntrust bank login – https://loginhold.org/suntrust-online-banking-login/ Of Canada downgraded shares of Unum Group from an outperform” rating to your sector perform” rating and hang up a $43. Aberdeen Asset Mngmt Pcl Uk last reported 815,722 shares in the business. The existing EPS value gives an insight into the organization’s EPS growth in 2010 at 10. The institutional investor owned 554,372 shares from the financial services provider’s stock after selling 20,800 shares throughout the period. Following the sale, the insider now owns 55,427 shares in the corporation, valued at approximately $5,705,655. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock using a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the organization. 91 earnings per share (EPS) for your quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0. Integrated Wealth Counsel LLC acquired a new stake in Facebook through the third quarter worth approximately $128,000. Nordea Investment Management AB now owns 172,100 shares in the company’s stock worth $2,831,000 after purchasing an additional 34,900 shares during the last quarter. Earnings appraisals is among pivotal factors during analysis, so least deviance from the fact that was predicted may result in unwanted outcome. Credit Suisse Group reaffirmed a buy” rating and hang up a $40. The sale was disclosed inside a filing with all the Securities & Exchange Commission, that’s available at this link Also, Director William J. 1% throughout the third quarter, according to its most current 13F filing while using SEC. The company a trading amount of 760,935 shares. SG Americas Securities LLC acquired a brand new position in shares of Icon PLC during the second quarter valued at about $129,000. Emerald Mutual Fund Advisers Trust is often a Pennsylvania-based institutional investor with more than $1. Complete the design below to receive the most up-to-date headlines and analysts’ recommendationsfor Dominion Resources Inc. 00 and gave the stock a hold” rating inside a research report on Friday, September 9th. Ad Reference ID: 7185a0a6dbb26aed suntrust 401k login suntrust auto loan login suntrust online banking login personal Genghis Khan’s Guide To Gmc Capital One Login Excellence Nine Reasons Why You Are Still An Amateur At Fafsa Parent Log In The Secret To Citicards Online Payment 5 Tips For Using I Tunes Sign In To Leave Your Competition In The Dust Finding The Best Llbean Barclays Visa Login	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0068.json.gz/line62
__label__cc	0.686335	0.313665	Home Event Human Connection at RootsTech 2018 One of the best things about RootsTech 2018 was the element of connection that went well beyond connecting with our dead ancestors. This was about HUMAN connection, our need as humans to feel connected to other people in a very tangible way. From the keynotes, to the Relatives at RootsTech app, to meeting favorite genealogy superstars in person, RootsTech was rich with opportunity to connect. Scott Hamilton: Scott gave my hands-down favorite keynote of the conference. He gave us a piece of his heart in his address and he was so inspiring. Scott was adopted as an infant and has had many medical issues to work through during his life. What he shared with us was gratitude for his human connections: his adopted parents, his coaches, sponsors, and other influential figures in his life. The beauty was that he referred to all of these people as his moms and dads… his family! He also spoke of his wife, the miracle of their two biological children, and the miracle of their two adopted children. Scott made me remember why, in my genealogical research, I always feel drawn to research not only my direct lines, but all the collateral lines, adopted lines, and close associates as well. Those people, while not directly blood related, were family to my family. They deserve to be remembered as well. Here are some of my favorite quotes from Scott Hamilton’s keynote: “You always resemble the ones who love you the most.” ~Scott’s mom “I wanted to honor her [his mom] in every single thing that I did.” “The first time I’d ever seen flesh of my flesh.” [on holding his first-born son for the first time] “We went to work… we prayed, and we prayed a lot!” “Our past is the foundation for everything that comes of it. Without our past, our present has no meaning and our future has no purpose.” Now seriously, you have to watch it for yourself! https://www.rootstech.org/video/general-session-2018-scott-hamilton Brandon Stanton: Brandon spoke of a time in his life when he decided that instead of doing things to feel important, and to have other people think he was important, he decided to do things that he loved, things that would nourish him and give him meaning. During this time period, he came to realize that “we use our time to accumulate resources, we don’t see TIME as a resource itself.” He also lamented all the thoughts he could have directed toward the people he loved or the things he could create instead of wasting them on accumulation. What Brandon decided he had to offer the world was approaching random strangers and taking an intimate portrait of them to share with the world. He said that the way he gets people to tell them the deep things in their life is simple: he just ASKS! He reminded us that one thing people don’t do enough of is LISTEN to each other. His keynote address inspired me to take a closer, slower look around me as I move throughout my day. He inspired me to see others, ask them, and then listen to what they have to say. See the entire keynote in the video below: https://www.rootstech.org/video/general-session-2018-brandon-stanton Steve Rockwood: As the CEO of FamilySearch International, Steve Rockwood gave the opening keynote on Wednesday afternoon. As always, he gave a heartfelt start to the conference. My favorite moment of the speech: “When we connect and belong to each other, we treat each other differently.” Watch the entire keynote here: https://www.rootstech.org/video/general-session-2018-steve-rockwood Relatives at RootsTech: Finally, I enjoyed connecting with 12 distant cousins through the Relatives at RootsTech feature on the Family Tree app from FamilySearch. Even though we don’t live near each other, nor had we contacted each other before this conference, we felt an instant bond as we looked at our common ancestors and connected with each other through messages, or meeting up in person at the conference. It is interesting to think of the legacy we all share from our common ancestors. Me and my cousin Lara Me and my cousin Carol This app feature is available as Relatives Around Me anywhere you go. Try it sometime when you are out and about, or at a neighborhood or community get-together. It is fun to see how this distant but common connection can make us feel bonded to one another! Cordial Genealogy Wishes, LDS Highlights at RootsTech 2018, Part 1 Pingback: RootsTech 2018 Blog Compendium – Last UPDATED 2 April – Blood & Genes	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0068.json.gz/line63
__label__wiki	0.869909	0.869909	Home Celebrities Aijaz Khans Hamid wins hearts at 2018 Dharamshala International Film Festival Aijaz Khans Hamid wins hearts at 2018 Dharamshala International Film Festival By: PTI \| Dharamshala \| Published: November 5, 2018 10:20:29 am Hamid is helmed by Aijaz Khan. (Photo credit: Aijaz Khan/Facebook) Hamid, a Kashmir set drama directed by filmmaker Aijaz Khan, concluded the seventh edition of Dharmashala International Film Festival on Sunday. Hamid became the closing feature of the festival after the organisers decided to drop Ere Gowdas debut directorial venture Balekempa following sexual harassment allegations against him. The film revolves around little boy Hamid, whose father has gone missing and according to his mother, he has gone to Allah. When he is told that 786 is Gods number, he decides to call Allah with his fathers old mobile phone. He gets in touch with Abhay, a CRPF officer, and the two unknowingly change each others lives. “The kind of response I have received here at DIFF is overwhelming. I hope Hamids innocence captures more and more hearts,” Aijaz told PTI. The film was screened at the Hermann Gmeiner Auditorium in the Tibet Childrens Village School. A special panel discussion on the #MeToo movement in India was also conducted on the final day. Filmmakers Monica Wahi, Anamika Haksar and Bina Paul were part of the panel. The four-day long film extravaganza was opened by Ukranian filmmaker Dar Gais critically-acclaimed feature film Namdev Bhau: In Search of Silence. Another major highlight of DIFF this year was Manoj Bajpayees Bhonsle directed by Devashish Makhija. The film, which features Bajpayee in the role of a 65-year-old retired police man, received a thundering response at the festival. Easy Plugin for AdSense. Please go to the plugin admin page to Paste your ad code OR Suppress this ad slot. Bajpayee, 49, also took a session titled Art of Acting in which he shared his journey of becoming one of Indias most celebrated performers in recent times. The festival, which aims at promoting new talent from across the globe, focused a lot on the technical aspects of filmmaking and photography this year. “This year apart from showcasing films, we wanted to give cinema enthusiasts a deeper understating of the craft and what goes into making a film. That is why we decided to organize workshops on various technical aspects of filmmaking,” festival co-director Ritu Sarin told PTI. The DIFF Film Fellows initiative, this year, focused on up-and-coming filmmakers from Himachal Pradesh. The selected fellows were Rahat Mahajan, Aman Sharma, Mrinali Singha, Vaasu Soni and Kesang Thakur, who were mentored by award-winning filmmakers Gurvinder Singh and Anupama Srinivasan. Festival directors Ritu and Tenzings fiction feature, The Sweet Requiem, which had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival 2018, had its Asia Premiere on the final day. DIFF also organized Indian premieres of Hiroshi Sunairis 48 Years: Silent Dictator (Japan), Waru (New Zealand), Tashi Gyeltshens The Red Phallus and Luc Schaedlers A Long Way Home. For all the latest Entertainment News, download Indian Express App Previous articleBefore Thugs of Hindostan, heres how Bollywood films fared at the Diwali box office Next articleRicks Last Walking Dead Episode Was Full of Easter Eggs—Did You Catch Them? 10 Coronation Street spoilers: Sex betrayal, murder twist and shocking secret Ackley Bridge spoilers: Headteacher Sian sleeps with pupil Cory Taxing California: Highest in the nation and unstable, too AMPTP Defends Proposed New IATSE Contracts Safety And Rest-Time Provisions Most watched TV shows: Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai climbs up the BARC list http://www.health.com 50 Cent and Tekashi69s music video descends into chaos as gunman... 50 Cent and Tekashi69s new music video descended into chaos when shots were fired at the set, accord.. Archaeologists Just Unearthed A Pair Of Scary Looking Ancient Roman Boxing... Guns N Roses tease first full reunion in 27 years as... Honduran who lived in OC is being deported, family says Coronation Street star Lucy Fallon predicts what the new boss will... (Picture: ITV) Its all been changing over at Coronation Street as long running producer Kate Oates h..	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0068.json.gz/line68
__label__wiki	0.622613	0.622613	Vatican spokesmen: Pope Francis’ seventh year will be ‘synodal’ Pope Francis. DANIEL IBANEZ/CNA By Courtney Grogan On the sixth anniversary of Pope Francis’ election Wednesday, the Vatican’s chief spokesman said Francis will continue to lead the Church as a synodal “field hospital” in the year ahead. Pope Francis “has a vision of an ‘outgoing’ Church and a ‘field hospital’ Church,” Alessandro Gisotti, interim director of the Holy See Press Office told Vatican Media March 13. “The outgoing Church presupposes that you walk … and ‘synodal’ means walking together,” he continued. Gisotti connected Pope Francis’ vision of the Church, from the beginning of his pontificate, as a field hospital to the Vatican’s recent sex abuse summit on the protection of minors. “With the meeting on the protection of minors we have seen a Church that has the courage to bind the wounds of women and men of our time,” Gisotti said. The Vatican spokesman reaffirmed that last month’s Vatican summit necessitated concrete follow-up on the global issue of the protection of minors. This next phase will include the publication of a motu proprio, a handbook from the Congregation on the Doctrine of Faith with a series of regulations, and a task force with experts that can consult bishops’ conferences on the issue of child protection. “Many had some doubts that it was appropriate to hold this meeting, while the Pope in this regard showed courage and also, in my opinion, a prophetic courage, because for the first time – in the face of a terrible scandal that puts at risk not only the credibility, but in some respects the very mission of the Church – he convoked all the presidents of the episcopates,” Gisotti said. Vatican Media Editor Andrea Tornielli also said that pope’s sixth year will be “marked at the beginning and the end by two ‘synodal’ events,” the Vatican sex abuse summit and the special Synod on the Amazon respectively. “But a look at the past year cannot ignore the re-emergence of the abuse scandal and the internal divisions that led the former nuncio Carlo Maria Viganò last August to publicly demand the resignation of the Pope for the management of the McCarrick case, just as Francis celebrated the Eucharist with thousands of families in Dublin proposing the beauty and value of Christian marriage,” Tornielli wrote in an Italian editorial on the eve of the pope’s anniversary. “The Church, as Pope Francis reminds us today, is not self-sufficient precisely because she too recognizes herself as a beggar asking for healing, in need of mercy and forgiveness from her Lord and she bears witness to the Gospel to many wounded men and women of our time,” he said. “Perhaps never before as in the troubled year just gone by, the sixth of his pontificate, has the Pope who presents himself as ‘a forgiven sinner,’ testified to this essential and most relevant fact of the Christian faith,” he continued. The pope spent the sixth anniversary of his election as the 265th successor of St. Peter on a weeklong Lenten retreat with members of the Roman curia, held outside of Vatican City. At the retreat Wednesday, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re told Pope Francis and 64 members of the Roman curia that “we are asking that the Lord be your light, support and comfort in your task of confirming your brethren in faith, of being the foundation of unity, and of showing everyone the way that leads to heaven.” PreviousMarch 14 2019 NextBishop urges prudence on medical marijuana legalization Everyone’s hour will come, so be prepared for Judgment Day, pope says Stop taking smartphone snapshots during Mass, pope says Dictatorships begin with taking over media to spread lies, pope says Pope prays for openness, courage at close of Asian Youth Day	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0068.json.gz/line73
__label__wiki	0.849271	0.849271	Tag Archives: accreditation USAFA Staff Investigated for MRFF Complaint? 5 October 2011 JD The Associated Press has distributed an article indicating the military is “investigating” the US Air Force Academy for issues with its accreditation. A document obtained by AP says the Air Force inspector general ordered a formal investigation into complaints that the academy’s dean and vice dean of faculty gave incorrect information to the Higher Education Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The document says the vice dean was accused of making “a false official statement” and the dean was accused of “inaccurately portraying” faculty credentials. “The document” appears to be the response by the Inspector General to the two complainants. The two are reportedly anonymous, though one self-identifies as an Air Force officer, faculty member, and Academy graduate. In the Inspector General’s letter Read more Michael Weinstein Incites Faculty against USAFA? The prior article on the upcoming religious climate review at USAFA noted most major news repeats of the CSIndy story missed some of the more interesting details. The Associated Press article closed with a single sentence on a related topic: The Independent reported that the Air Force also plans to review questions raised by an academy faculty member about the qualifications of some of the faculty. While the statement may seem unrelated to religion at USAFA, it’s actually an integral piece to the puzzle. Here’s what the Independent said: A second inquiry…involves alleged accreditation violations, religious discrimination and cronyism in hiring civilian faculty. “I am very concerned that [USAFA] may have committed persistent, gross violations of allowing inadequate academic credentials of many military instructors,” R. David Mullin, associate professor of economics, writes in his complaint to the Higher Learning Commission, Chicago, which accredits the academy. “Also there have been violations of First Amendment rights and academic freedom by Brigadier General Dana Born, Read more	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0068.json.gz/line79
__label__wiki	0.80639	0.80639	Archive for 'December 2015' Francisse Bondoc Wins 'Academy Idol' Season Five 'Academy Idol' season five winner Francisse Bondoc. Photo by Bob Toy. By Kirsten Coachman On Wednesday, Dec. 16, the School of Multimedia Communications hosted the Academy Idol season five finale at 79 New Montgomery. Led by Director of the School of Multimedia Communications, Jan Yanehiro, and Associate Director Steve Kotton, the senior-level class wrapped their final episode of the reality singing competition, which streamed live all semester-long at academyidol.com. But before hosts Aundria Jolivette, Frank Diaz and Lorena King got to the results, the live studio audience and those following along at home were treated to performances from the final three contestants, Francisse Bondoc, Janel Chanté and Sabrina Anderson. Film Review: 'Joy' Jennifer Lawrence stars in 'Joy,' the story of a family across four generations, centered on the woman who founds a business dynasty and becomes a matriarch. Photo credit: Courtesy Twentieth Century Fox - TM and © 2015 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Director David O. Russell has once again brought out the best in Academy Award-winning actress Jennifer Lawrence in his latest film, Joy. Drawing from the life of Joy Mangano, Joy explores a young life filled with imagination that fades into the background following her parents’ divorce. As an adult, Joy is living a life unfulfilled as she is constantly inundated as the role of the fixer. She’s divorced, raising two kids and trying to keep everything and everyone in her family afloat. Beyond Restoration IND’s new Automotive Restoration Associate of Arts Degree Program announced at annual Auto Show reception A classic 1935 Duesenberg SJ Walker-LaGrande Convertible Coupe and a 1930 Cadillac V-16 on display at 58th Annual San Francisco Chronicle International Auto Show. Photo by Susana Bates for Drew Altizer Photography. By Daniella Caldera-Lozano On the evening of Nov. 20, over 30 beautifully restored vehicles selected from the Academy of Art University Automobile Museum captured the attention of guests at the cocktail reception in honor of the 58th Annual San Francisco Chronicle International Auto Show. Athletes Volunteer at SF Toy & Book Festival L–R) President Stephens, Safua Elisaia (volleyball), Bailey Soolsma (volleyball) and Jarred Gregory-Grimes (cross country/track & field). Academy of Art University student-athletes headed to City Hall on Dec. 2 to lend firefighters a hand by distributing toys to 1,200 children at the San Francisco Children’s Toy & Book Festival. The annual event is held by Mayor Edwin M. Lee and the San Francisco Department of Child Support Services in partnership with the San Francisco Public Library and San Francisco Firefighters’ Union Local 798. Toys for the festival are collected through donations to the San Francisco Firefighters Toy Program, the oldest toy drive in the country run by off-duty firefighters and their families. SF Board of Supervisors Re-Appoint Rebecca Delgado Rottman to SF Graffiti Advisory Board . After looking on Instagram to find more information, there they were: “Standout Luxury. Designed in San Francisco. Made in Italy.” Annual Faculty + Alumni Fine Art Auction Celebrates 20 Years Supporting the Fine Art Student Scholarship Fund, the event raised over $120,000 this year Attendees browse the many items on display at this year’s Fine Art Auction. Photo by Bob Toy. Numbers flew, wine flowed and pulses raced at The Cannery on Nov. 14 when art enthusiasts from the Bay Area and beyond jostled to bid on 409 works of art in the silent auction, and 30 pieces showcased in the live auction at Academy of Art University’s 20th Annual Faculty + Alumni Fine Art Auction. A fundraiser for the Fine Art Student Scholarship Fund, this year’s event raised over $120,000, with half going toward the scholarship fund and half going directly to the artists. Academy Launches Social Media Center The new resource will help students and faculty develop their skills to meet the changing needs of the online world Stephan Rabimov, director of the Social Media Center at Academy of Art University, leads a discussion on social media strategies. Photo by Bob Toy. By Academy Art U News Staff Academy of Art University has launched a new Social Media Center (http://socialmediacenter.academyart.edu) at the heart of San Francisco. The Social Media Center is comprised of a professional development series of courses in social media, a hub for academic social resources and a gateway, in the form of a Global Advisory Board, connecting the Academy to the industry giants of San Francisco, Silicon Valley and beyond. Link+ Now Available at Academy of Art University Library By Andrea Barkley, MLIS The Academy of Art University Library is proud to announce that it has become a member of Link+. Link+ is a library material borrowing program, which takes place between participating libraries throughout California and Nevada. This program allows patrons to request and borrow library materials that are not present in their home library’s collection. Academy Student Saves Surfer From Shark Attack Brando Keoni Bowthorpe paddling Colin Cook back to shore. According to bystanders on the beach, the splash in front is said to be the shark’s tail fin thrashing about, as it positioned itself between the surfers and the shore. Photo by Glen Fowlie. On Oct. 9, former Academy of Art University student Brando Keoni Bowthorpe headed to Leftovers, a beach that’s a half-mile from his home on Oahu’s North Shore. Though he’s an avid surfer, that day, Bowthorpe went out on his stand up paddle board. As he ventured into the ocean, he had no inkling that his life—and that of Colin Cook, a fellow surfer he’d never met—was about to change forever. Kim Ferrari Talks Love of Art and Her Film 'Sisters' The animation student and her twin sister Chiara’s thesis project has been highly praised for its quality A still from 'Sisters.' Courtesy of Chiara Ferrari. By Jessica Chan Our latest animation profile features Kim Ferrari. Ferrari and her twin, Chiara, created their film, Sisters, for their thesis project. The short won first place for its background painting and layout design at the 2015 Spring Show. At the end of spring, Ferrari was offered a position to work on the show The Awesomes. Creating Lasting Memories Through Creativity By Alison Pierce Meredith Scott Lynn, actress, producer and creator of Write Brain Books, has a creative energy that ignites those around her. This has helped her succeed as a child in school and is how she built a successful career as an adult. Now with her new company, Write Brain Books, and the artistry of almost 30 Academy of Art University illustration students, she is using that creative drive to help school children honor their creative side, their right brain, in an ever increasing left brain world. Pixar's Bill Cone Illuminates the Magic Power of Light (L–R) Nicolás Villarreal, Director of the School of Visual Development; Bill Cone, Production Designer at Pixar, and Chris Carman, Associate Director of the School of Visual Development. Photo by Bob Toy. Pixar production designer Bill Cone is a little obsessed with light and how it changes the way we see the world. On Nov. 10, a large crowd of Academy of Art University animation students gathered in Morgan Auditorium to listen to Cone discuss what he’s learned about light as a landscape painter, and how he applies that knowledge to his work in film. Ethics and Leadership Panel Gives Architecture Students Plenty to Ponder (L–R) Mimi Sullivan, executive director of the School of Architecture; Mallory Scott Cusenbery, architecture faculty and guest speaker; Jeff Oberdorfer, guest speaker and Jennifer Asselstine, B.Arch director. Photo by Bob Toy. On Nov. 9, while rain drummed on the roof of the atrium at 601 Brannan Street, Academy of Art University architecture students listened to a compelling discussion about the importance of design and building practices that support social equity. School of Architecture Executive Director Mimi Sullivan moderated the event and introduced the presenters: guest speaker Jeff Oberdorfer—a housing, urban design and sustainability consultant—and School of Architecture instructor Mallory Scott Cusenbery, who is also a design principal at Ross Drulis Cusenbery. Bringing Pakistan's Film Style to the World Stage MPTV alumnus Bilal Lashari is making history with his filmmaking Courtesy of the School of Motion Pictures & Television Academy of Art University has always prided itself on its international outreach to aspiring filmmakers. In recent years, that outreach has been solidified by Bilal Lashari. Since graduating from the Academy in 2008 with a B.F.A. from the School of Motion Pictures & Television, he has gone on to direct the movie, WAAR (translates to The Strike), which is the most successful Pakistani feature film in history. WAAR has been nominated for numerous awards overseas, including Best Picture and Best Director at the ARY Film Festival and the Lux Style Awards. The success has already green lighted a much anticipated sequel. Lashari is currently directing a reboot of the Pakistani cult classic Maula Jatt, which is being produced with a multi-million dollar budget. In an interview with The Express Tribune, Lashari said, “The entire world has been exporting their own styles and versions of cinema outside their territory, but we have been silent. Bilal Lashari. Courtesy of Bilal Lashari. Students Go Behind 'Inside Out' (L–R) Pixar animators Stephen Wong, Austin Madison, Paul Mendoza and Terry Song. Photo by Bob Toy. By Alexandria Ceranski The hallways of 79 New Montgomery started filling up at around 6 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 6 with students eager to hear from the evening’s presenters, who are living the careers of their dreams. Hosted by Tea Time Animation, four talented artists from Disney Pixar, Stephen Wong, Terry Song, Austin Madison and Paul Mendoza, were on hand to discuss the animation of Inside Out.	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0068.json.gz/line88
__label__cc	0.584043	0.415957	A nasty ride coming up! Excerpts from Michael Goodwin's column in the New York Post, ...The anti-Trump alliance also raises the stakes even higher in the midterm elections. Every match-up will be a referendum on him, and if Republicans lose either house of Congress, his power ebbs and his troubles instantly expand. ...Yet, for all the glee of his opponents and media doomsaying, only a fool would count the president out. He’s bounced back from the brink before and there are three reasons why he could do it again. First, it will take something more serious than alleged campaign-finance violations to overturn an election through impeachment. The two-thirds majority vote required for conviction in the Senate was designed to be a stumbling block to factions and passions, and it saved Clinton during the Lewinsky scandal. Second, Trump can cure the injustice stemming from the one-sided probe by declassifying documents the Justice Department is hiding from Congress and the public. ...I have called this power Trump’s ace in the hole because revealing the dirty details of how insiders tried to steal the election could bolster his support. His refusal to play that card is bewildering. Trump’s third reason for optimism is the possibility that predictions of a blue wave in the midterms will be as far off the mark as many 2016 polls were. Then he had his America First promises, and now he has major successes, especially the jobs boom. His record, combined with the sense that he is under siege by a corrupt deep state, could motivate his half of the electorate to show up in full force on Election Day and save his neck once again. All I know is that the coming months are going to be one helluva nasty ride. Here’s hoping people of good will on both sides remember that, in the end, we’re all still Americans. Labels: Trump's reasons for optimism Are you Trump-rallied-out? I STILL Like Trump! Is Joe DiGenova the only guy we can count on to te... The only place we can find the complete set of Hil... A disconnect! Meta liars "FB’ers for Political Diversity" "The grandparents of today’s Antifadas" Monkeying around with the truth! Glenn Reynolds says this is a big moment in anti-r... Sanders and Bezos butt heads Jeff Sessions, Where are you? People Magazine says Sarah Palin not invited to Mc... After now We will miss him! Teaching students to give in to bullies On the take! "What hasn't been told is terrifying!" Train yourself to respect your Creator (by not usi... Isn't he the guy who recently said "America never ... Wyoming traffic stop yields over $7 million worth ... "One set of rules?" No bias at Google? The stash houses of Laredo The One Great Thing! It’s deja vu all over again. CRISIS! Resetting to year zero "This is what leading from in front looks like." Media hypocrisy over John McCain America, "a wonderfully mixed up country" "China has never seen anyone who has stood up to t... Do you want to shut somebody up? Use social media ... "People do not believe this could happen!" "There could be a direct correlation between smart... Do you want to keep poor people poor? What did the Pope know, and when did he know it? S... "Suffering is what happens when you stop creating.... They are publishers, not platforms! And it's time ... Sorry, MasterCard Security clearances After impeachment Impeached, then... The most complicated word in the English language Are you a Democrat, a Republican or a Southerner? Drug use by Silicon Valley entrepreneurs Did you know that China controls much of the world... Who provides more effective treatment for mentally... Terrified of Trump! It makes sense How times have changed How to avoid negative publicity Manipulated? It's only fair Safe space! Who killed the liberal arts? Power brokers like Google, Facebook, Twitter, and ... China's "magic weapon" "Much of what we read about illegal immigration se... Why waste time on a platform that artificially lim... Impeachment for Dummies The Best Defense is a Good Offense! John McCain died this afternoon. Marijuana. "“The mantra about how this is a harmle... "We are far more technologically proficient than w... Impeachment trap...but, whose trap? Do the "interpreters" hold the upper hand? The billion dollar homeless scam Are You Ready For Some . . . Thing Else? Twitter Tidbits Vital household appliances Salena Zito is the latest conservative author to b... "An assault on conservative voices from the "Soros... "Being a victim doesn't make you special. Doing so... President Trump has canceled Secretary of State Mi... "Impeach him for the high crime of being shaken do... "The crime at the center of this deep-state initia... Sacrifice, leading by serving: Can these things be... "Legislation could be passed forbidding social med... "For many in the media, impeachment is — and alway... Mueller twists the screws, the Leftist media echo ... Connecting Some Dots Saying what all his fellow Leftists believe Today's White House Press Conference Mom, Dad, and son "Trump’s one-man crusade against The Untouchables ... Antifa in Portland beat up a Bernie Bro who was ca... There's a word for this, and it isn't justice!" Our individual responsibility to build a new cultu...	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0068.json.gz/line89
__label__wiki	0.961604	0.961604	New Zealand's Marty Schmidt and son feared dead on K2 Many experts say K2 is a tougher climb than Everest Denali Schmidt. Marty Schmidt Marty Schmidt set his sights high in wanting to become the first father-son team to summit one of the most unforgiving mountains in the world. Instead, the former Christchurch resident and his son are believed to have been killed by an avalanche on 8611-metre-tall K2 - the highest point in the Karakoram Range spanning Pakistan, India and China. It is the second highest peak in the world. The New Zealand mountaineering community is today in mourning. Sam Newton, from the New Zealand Alpine Club, said he understood Schmidt, 53, and Denali, 25, had been missing for two days. A report from K2 base camp officials "seems to confirm our worst fears", he said. "They believe that Marty and his son, Denali, were killed by an avalanche at Camp 3 on July 26 or 27." It is believed a search was underway for the pair. British mountaineer Adrian Hayes, who was climbing with Schmidt's expedition, said all of Camp Three had been wiped out by an avalanche. It is believed all other climbers on K2 had retreated to Base Camp and abandoned their expeditions due to the avalanche risk. "The deaths of a father and son is a tragedy in itself but compounded even further by the fact that Marty and Denali . . . . were very well known, highly experienced and extremely strong mountaineers - the last people many would expect to be killed on a mountain," Hayes said. Aspiring Guides director Whitney Thurlow, who had worked with Schmidt in the mountains for more than 10 years, was still hopeful the pair would be found. "I keep thinking, 'he's disappeared before . . . he's going to reappear'," Thurlow said. Schmidt was born in California and moved to New Zealand in 1988, where he settled in Christchurch between climbing trips throughout the country and overseas. He became an accomplished climber and did a lot of "cutting- edge climbing" in the Himalayas, Thurlow said. Schmidt married and had two children, one of whom had caught his love for the outdoors. Denali Schmidt had been "just getting going" in the mountaineering field, Thurlow said. "He was just young, wondering what he was going to do with his life, and he was getting sucked in doing exciting things with Marty." Schmidt was close to becoming fully qualified as a New Zealand mountain guide but, ironically, had only his avalanche courses left to complete. His disappearance is the second K2 tragedy for the tight-knit central South Island community, after Queenstown adventurer Bruce Grant died on the summit in 1995. "Two isn't a big number but it kind of seems to me that that's where keen Kiwis go to die," Thurlow said. Adventure Consultants director Guy Cotter, who had known Schmidt for about 15 years, said he was not known for being a risk- taker. Last year, Schmidt became the oldest New Zealander to climb to the top of Mt Everest at age 51. Schmidt completed another climb of Everest last month, before heading to Pakistan where Denali met him to start their K2 expedition. They were accompanied by Schmidt's good friend and fellow climber Australian Chris Warner. Since K2 was first conquered in 1954, about 280 people have succeeded in climbing it - with roughly one death for every three successful climbs. Thanks to Stuff.co.nz for permission to use this article. Here in another account from the BBC four hours ago. A New Zealand father and son are feared dead after an avalanche on K2, the world's second highest mountain. Marty Schmidt, 53, and his son Denali, 25, were last heard from on Friday, climbers at base camp said. Family devastated by Taliban murder of Pakistani porter Taliban faction 'to kill foreigners' K2 survivor: Companions all deaA New Zealand father and son are feared dead after an avalanche on K2, the world's second highest mountain.Marty Schmidt, 53, and his son Denali, 25, were last heard from on Friday, climbers at base camp said. Other teams on K2, which is on the Pakistan-China border, had turned back because of dangerous snow conditions. The deaths, if confirmed, would mean more than 20 mountaineers killed in a month, making it one of Pakistan's deadliest climbing seasons for years. They include 10 foreigners and a local porter shot dead by militants at Nanga Parbat in June. British climber and explorer Adrian Hayes was in one of six other teams that abandoned attempts on K2 over the weekend. 'Forceful character' Mr Hayes told the BBC the climbers took the decision to retreat from Camp 2 after sherpas reported bad weather up ahead. “Start Quote They climbed together and they died sleeping together” Adrian HayesClimber "The sherpas on our team went up to Camp 3, and they found themselves wading through four feet of snow. An avalanche came very near them, within 20m. They came down a little bit spooked and said it's impossible, we can't go up right now," he said. But while most teams decided to turn back, including a Swiss team and a Spanish climber, the New Zealanders decided to head for Camp 3. "I think that they took the view that the retreat from Camp 2 was a little bit premature. The conditions were bad and I think they acknowledged that. But they wanted to go up to Camp 3 to check it out themselves," said Mr Hayes. He described Marty Schmidt as a "forceful character", saying he was "highly assertive, very strong, very competent, as was his son (Denali)". "Marty was extremely proud of Denali, and Denali looked up to his father greatly. They climbed together... and they died sleeping together, which is such a tragedy. He described K2 as a "dangerous mountain, very difficult, very steep". "Obviously there's a lot of shock here at the base camp because they were so experienced. But having said that, mountaineering is a risky sport (and) death is an expected part and parcel of it," he said. Other climbing accidents this summer have seen three Iranians and a German die on Broad Peak, a Polish climber die on G2, and three Spaniards killed on G1, he said. Labels: Death of Father and Son on K2, Denali Schmidt, Guy Cotter, K2, Marty Schmidt, New Zealand climbers die on K2, Pakistan Kasrakoram huda noor said... تخزين اثاث من المهام التى تهتم بيها افضل شركة تخزين اثاث بالرياض فى توفير اقوى الامكانيات والمستودعات التى تساعد فى الحفاظ على الاثاث تقوم شركتنا ايضا بشراء جميع الاثاث المستعمل فهى افضل شركة شراء اثاث مستعمل بالرياض افضل شركة نقل عفش بينبع افضل شركة نقل عفش بالمدينة المنورة اوائل المثالي said... شركة القمر السعودي تسليك مجاري عزل اسطح و خزانات تنظيف مكيفات بيع وشراء اثاث مستعمل kelin chen said... agenpialaeropa.club beritasemasaterikini.net New Zealand's Marty Schmidt and son feared dead on... Against a Tide of Evil by Mukesh Kapila BRITISH RESEARCHER impressed by 'sense of communit... A revolutionary new management tool Sri Lanka Red Cross Society \| Red Cross farewells ...	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0068.json.gz/line90
__label__wiki	0.612583	0.612583	Caught In The Headlights My friends Karl Poyser (a director of photography) and Christopher Bevan (a director) were shooting a short film called 'Caught In the Headlights', about a cab driver who has the worst night of his life. They had some great support during their kickstarter campaign, and were one of the very first projects in the UK to shoot with the Canon C300 - a fantastic large chip camcorder, with brilliant pictures and low light performance. Karl chose the C300 because of the nature of the film, which required a large number of scenes shot in very minimal light - and without a budget for flying huge lights in on cherry pickers. With three nights of photography, the film was shot across several locations, with a small cast, and a brilliant crew who were great to work with, even at 4am when it was rather cold! Our main character, a taxi driver, isn't in for a good night - in part thanks to this lot: One shot involved heavy breaking for a car interior shot - I've never seen Karl as tense as when during the two takes that we shot, as the suction caps held £15k's worth of kit to the bonnet! The C300 and CP2 lenses, all supplied by Shootblue gave a really stunning picture - even with all of the point sources of light in-shot, which would have caused nasty flare with some stills lenses. Our sound guy Phil always got the best, most comfortable jobs! You can watch the finished film here, it's won several awards, and was a great project to be a part of:	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0068.json.gz/line97
__label__cc	0.659501	0.340499	Ecosocialism Capitalism Killed Our Climate Momentum, Not “Human Nature” Red-Green Revolution: The politics and technology of ecosocialism - Book Review Ian Angus Victor Wallis’s new book is an important contribution to the growing ecosocialist movement, a passionate call to organize and act against capitalist ecocide The Robbery of Nature - July-August 2018 (Volume 70, Number 3) Roger Annis A Socialist in Canada A Socialist In Canada, July 2, 2018 The Case for Free Public Transit: Just Mobility and Urban Planning Jason Prince, Herman Rosenfeld, Sabrina ‘Butterfly’ GoPaul, Shelagh Pizey-Allen Left Streamed Editor: See this book launch presentation here: https://socialistproject.ca/leftstreamed-video/ls393/ ¡Somos Locos! A Reflection Based on the First Ecosocialist International Kanya D’Almeida – Ecosocialist Horizons It’s quite impossible to tell the story of a place, or a moment, to those who have not been there, or might not want to go. Democracy and Ecological Crisis Nancy Holmstrom The Bullet Last fall 15,000 scientists issued a second dire notice to humanity that we are on a collision course with the limits of our planet. They concluded, “To prevent widespread misery, humanity must practice a more environmentally sustainable alternative to business as usual,” including “reassess[ing]… the role of an economy rooted in growth.” That means that we have to challenge capitalism; there is no capitalism without growth. Capitalism and the Expropriation of Nature: The Strategic Discourse of Ecosocialism with John Bellamy Foster Video by Devin Gillan Here is the video of the event of April 26 in Vancouver: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VfoWxyZWuKE VESG Trade Unions and Just Transition - The Search for a Transformative Politics Sean Sweeney and John Treat Unions for Energy Democracy [Global ‘Just Transition’ Discussion Growing The linked document, Trade Unions and Just Transition: The Search for a Transformative Politics, deals with a crucial part of the urgent global need to transition to a post-carbon energy system. Though it doesn’t come right out and say it, the text also proves that this must also be a post-capitalist social-economic system. Labour - Unions A plan for serious action on climate change (Australia) Below is a part of the Socialist Alliance’s climate action plan. For more information go to the policy page. 'Alternative' energy and less energy Earth Is on the Verge of Collapse — Is Eco-Socialism the Only Answer? A Radical View of the Existential Crisis Facing Our Environment April 9, Podcast We are facing planet-wide extinction, a climate emergency — and our current course is suicidal. That is the underlying belief of author and scientist Richard Smith, who is Jeff Schechtman’s guest on this week’s WhoWhatWhy podcast.	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0068.json.gz/line106
__label__cc	0.55511	0.44489	Results tagged ‘ mvp ’ MLB Playoff Preview – Detroit Tigers By Jeff Dickson, Director of Food & Beverage Led by Cy Young favorite, MVP candidate and staff ace Justin Verlander, the Detroit Tigers cruised to the finish line in the American League Central race this season. With a 24-5 record and league leading 2.29 ERA Verlander is essentially a lock for the American League Cy Young award and will garner strong consideration in the MVP race, no small feat considering how few pitchers are in the running for that award let alone finish at the top. There will undoubtedly be a lot of pressure put on the Detroit hurler, but that has been the case all season long as the Tigers more closely resemble a mediocre team when Verlander is not on the mound than the contender they are when he is, as shown by the fact that they are only 8th in the league in runs against despite his outstanding numbers. The Detroit offense is good, not great, but could be enough for a deep run if they can follow the lead of superstar Miguel Cabrera. Cabrera, always an MVP candidate, is having another superb season, even if it has been a bit overshadowed by Verlander. With a .331 batting average and .997 OPS, both good for second in the league, Cabrera is undoubtedly the key to the Detroit offense. Victor Martinez has been a nice addition to the lineup and Jhonny Peralta and Alex Avila have played well, but this offense belongs to Cabrera almost as much as the pitching staff does to Verlander. Behind Verlander the Tigers rotation is fairly thin, but the midseason addition of Doug Fister from Seattle has given them a solid number two pitcher. With Detroit Fister has gone 7-1 with a 2.02 and an equally sparkling .898 WHIP. The rest of the rotation is made up of veteran Brad Penny, who has struggled this season, and youngsters Max Scherzer and Rick Porcello who have yet to establish themselves with any consistency. The bullpen in Detroit doesn’t get much attention with Verlander being the talk of the town, but it is solid nonetheless. Closer Jose Valverde has saved 46 games to go along with a 2.41 ERA and set up man Joaquin Benoit has been a nice addition coming over from Tampa Bay with his 27 holds and 3.12 ERA. Al Alburquerque (2.04 ERA) may have the best stuff of anyone in the bullpen, however, and his team high 14.07 strikeouts per nine innings shows just how unhittable he can be. It may be tough for the Tigers to win if Verlander and Fister are not at the top of their games, but the bullpen could give them a chance to come in and shut the door if the other starters struggle, giving Cabrera and the offense a chance to steal a win. How the Tigers can lose: The worst case scenario for the Tigers is that Verlander gets beat in the first game of the ALDS, leaving it up to Fister and whoever manager Jim Leyland goes with to fill out the rotation. Coming back from a loss wouldn’t be impossible, but the psychological hit the team might take could be too much to overcome. Detroit is putting all of their eggs in Verlanders baskets, fair or not, and they may need to win every game he pitches to go all the way. How the Tigers can win: Verlander dominates, Fister shines and Cabrera thrives. That is a bit of a simplified answer, but if the top two in the rotation get the job done and Cabrera can lead the offense then the Tigers have a legitimate chance to win the whole darn thing. Jeff is entering his second season with the ‘Dads and first as the director of food & beverage. The Oneonta, NY native joined the Crawdads in 2011 as a concessions assistant, and has previously worked with the Oneonta Outlaws as a sports marketing intern. Jeff is a die-hard fan of the Philadelphia Phillies and North Carolina Tar Heels. Tags: cy young, mlb, mvp, playoffs, verlander	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0068.json.gz/line114
__label__wiki	0.895502	0.895502	Ripple Donates $2 Million While Visa And Mastercard Reportedly Fight To Buy Ripple Partner, Earthport February 11, 2019 Crypto Ripple just donated $2 million to the University of Kansas in order for them to start a brand new program that’s dedicated to researching blockchain, crypto, and digital payments. The University of Kansas praises Ripple “The gift, which will provide $400,000 a year for five years, will support research in the Information & Telecommunication Technology Center at the KU School of Engineering. KU will determine its own research topics and areas of focus. Ripple also will collaborate with students and faculty at KU by providing subject matter expertise and technical resources, as needed,” according to the official notes of the University. We have to remind you that the University of Kansas is one of the eleven new universities that Ripple started to support as a part of its University Blockchain Research Initiative. This “began in 2018 with an initial group of 17 universities around the world; KU is part of the second wave of eight universities,” the official notes read. UBRI is designed to provide grants and support programs to help grow the blockchain ecosystem. Take a look at Ripple’s new partners below: • Carnegie Mellon University • Cornell University • Duke University • Georgetown University • University of Kansas • University of Michigan • Morgan State University • National University of Singapore • Northeastern University • University of São Paulo • Institute for Fintech Research, Tsinghua University At the moment there are 29 universities on board with the UBRI. Visa and Mastercard, fighting for Ripple’s partner Meanwhile, Visa and Mastercard are reportedly locked in a bidding war to buy Ripple’s partner, Earthport. Daily Hodl notes that Visa is the latest to up the ante and it’s reportedly offering $319 million for the British cross-border payment company, according to the most recent report coming from Reuters. Earthport teamed up with Ripple back in 2014, and according to the latest rumors they have been testing xRapid for international transfers. But there’s no official confirmation of the rumors so far. Earthport Reportedly Paper Bitcoin: What Is It And Why It Will Crush Under Pressure Mauritius FSC Approves Regulatory Framework For Crypto Custody Services	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0068.json.gz/line117
__label__cc	0.678734	0.321266	(995 32) 2 251344 cif@curatio.com Policy Information Platform Anniversary Report HIV risk and prevention behaviours among Prison Inmates in Georgia, 2015 @webdls Health Systems Research, HIV/AIDS and Desease Surveillance, Europe & Eurasia, Report, NEWS, 2015, 2016 Curatio International Foundation continues implementation of Bio-Behavioral Surveillance Surveys (BBS) among Key Affected Populations (KAP’s) with the aim to measure HIV prevalence among KAP’s, monitor risk behaviors among these groups and generate evidence for advocacy and policy-making. The current study describes the most recent wave of BBS surveys among prisoner population in Georgia (Bio-BBS surveys among prisoner population have been implemented since 2008). Study also was looking at STI (Syphilis) prevalence. CIF implemented this study together with partner organisations – Center for Information and Counseling on Reproductive Health – Tanadgoma and the Infectious Diseases, AIDS and Clinical Immunology Research Center. The study used a Simple Random Sampling (SRS) Method. A sample of 300 prisoners were recruited in the survey from 3 penitentiary establishment located in Tbilisi, Rustavi and Kutaisi. The study was financially supported by the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM). Major findings: Socio-demographic characteristics The median age of prisoners was 34, with the age ranging from 18 to 78 years, majority (74.1%) were with the secondary education. Less than half (46.8%) of the inmates were married. Median duration of imprisonment is 1.5 years years, ranging from 0.08 to 19 years. Sexual practices among prisoners was not high (35.2%). However, mostly heterosexual contacts were being reported (95.3%), only 4 respondents reported having both heterosexual and homosexual contacts and only 1 inmate said it was homosexual contact. As for the condom use during the last anal intercourse, 3 out of 5 respondents said it was used, and other reported not using condom due to the trust towards the partner. Drug Use Behavior and Additional Risks Slightly more than half of the respondents (52.2%) reported having used drugs in their lives. Out of those, who have ever used drugs, 87.9% reported use of injecting drugs and 68.8% – use of non-injecting drugs. Only 10.3% of the respondents reported using non-injecting drugs during the last 12 months, and only 8 inmates reported having used injecting drugs. It is noteworthy that none of the inmates reported needle/syringe sharing during the last 12 months. Additional risks related to HIV exposure were found to be also small. Almost one third of the prisoners (31.6%) reported having done tattoo while in prison. Only five prisoners reported using shared syringes for treatment purposes and 3% used razors that were used by the others. Alcohol use is extremely low in prisons – 3% reported using it during the last 12 months. HIV knowledge and HIV testing practice The majority of the respondents (91.4%) report that they have heard about HIV/AIDS. Knowledge about HIV, measured by the Global AIDS Response Progress Report Indicator, was low – 23.3%. In general, level of knowledge on HIV has not changed from 2011 to 2015. HIV testing offer in prisons as well as uptake by the prisoners has increased, which demonstrated successfulness of the HTC cabinets established by the prevention programs within the penitentiary system. Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) Awareness on STIs in general is high. Majority (91.0%) of the respondents have heard about STIs, knowledge or health-seeking behavior of the prisoners has not changed since 2012. Interventions/Media Prisoners have various sources of getting information on HIV and STIs, the most trustful of them being TV, booklets, NGO representatives as well as healthcare workers. The study revealed statistically significant increase in the percentage of the respondents (25.2% in 2015 vs 18.3% in 2012, p<0.05) who were covered by preventive program. HIV and Syphilis prevalence The HIV prevalence found by the survey was 2%. In the previous survey the prevalence was 0.3%. However, this increase is statistically not significant. Prevalence of syphilis was low. Comparison of syphilis prevalence with the data of 2012 survey demonstrated statistically significant decrease (p<0.001). Full study report is available here. Workshop on using modern technology for TB prevention, diagnosis and increased quality treatment Curatio International Foundation continues implementation of Bio-Behavioral Surveillance Surveys (BBS) among Key Affected Populations (KAP’s) with the aim to measure HIV prevalence among KAP’s, monitor risk behaviors among these groups and generate evidence for advocacy and policy-making. The current study... K2P Mentorship Program on Building Institutional Capacity on Evidence Informed Policy Making Training on using Research Evidence for Policy Making Doing embedded development and research – reflections on the start of the Results4TB programme Introductory Meeting on the project ‘Embedding Rapid Reviews in Health Policy-Making’ On November 5, the Committee on Health and Social Affairs of the Parliament of Georgia will host an introductory meeting on the project Embedding Rapid Reviews in Health Policy-Making. The project is jointly implemented by the “Curatio International Foundation” and… Taavy Miller from University of North Carolina shares her internship experience Building Institutional Capacity for HPSR and Delivery Science- CIF is Europe region HUB General Overview The evidence-informed decision making in health still remains a major challenge. To strengthen institutional capacity in different countries around the globe the Alliance for Health Policy and Systems Research (AHPSR) launched the new program to strengthen the capacity… Inter-regional workshop in preparation for transitioning towards domestic financing in TB, HIV and Malaria programmes During October 17-19 the WHO Regional Office for Europe in collaboration with WHO headquarters, GFATM and USAID organised a workshop in Tbilisi to provide countries a platform for dialogue on sustainability and transition issues, and to further define regional and… Memorandum of Cooperation between the Health and Social Issues Committee of the Parliament of Georgia and Curatio International Foundation Chairman of the Health Care and Social Issues Committee of the Parliament of Georgia Akaki Zoidze and Curatio International Foundation President George Gotsadze signed a memorandum of cooperation. The collaboration aims to support evidence usage by the parliament when dealing with the… Embedding Rapid Reviews in Health Systems Decision-Making (ERA) General Overview As a result of the constitutional amendments passed at the end of 2017, Georgia became a parliamentary republic. It increased the role of the legislature in policy development and supervision. As a result of these amendments, the Committee… Curatio International Foundation at the Global Symposium on Health Systems Research During October 8-12, 2018 Liverpool hosted the Fifth Global Symposium on Health Systems Research. Curatio International Foundation, as a secretariat of Health Systems Global, organzied the event for the second time in close collaboration with HSG’s partners. Over 2300 participants from… The civil society gathered for the fourth time to discuss healthcare system challenges in Georgia On September 27-29, the fourth work meeting of a civil society was held in Kachreti. Representatives of a civil society, media, and academia convene under the framework of the joint project of Curatio International Foundation and Open Society Foundation. The… Project: HIV risk behavior among Men who have Sex with Men – Bio-Behavioral Surveillance Survey and Population Size Estimation Introduction and Overview Georgia is among the countries with low HIV/AIDS prevalence but with a high potential for the development of a widespread epidemic. From the early years of epidemic injecting drug use was the major route for HIV transmission, however,… Curatio International Foundation at AIDS2018 Big Pharma Greed and Artificial Prices – Knocking on Door to Limit Access to HIV Medicines in Georgia Civil society is gathering for the third time to hold a discussion about the healthcare Webinar: Gavi Vaccine Prices Post-Transition This webinar took place on July 17th, 2018. If you missed it or would like to listen to it again, you can watch the recording. The third in a series of LNCT webinars on vaccine procurement. Participants will get updated information… Webinar: Mapping and consensus of global competencies set for the field of HPSR: A progress update and HSG round table discussion This webinar took place on July 11th, 2018. If you missed it or would like to listen to it again, you can watch the recording. Are you involved with designing HPSR training programs? Do you create course content for HPSR training?… Health Systems Global Publishes Annual Report 2017 Health Systems Global publishes the first ever annual report which captures HSG’s growth over the years. On behalf of the Secretariat, we are honored to share the results of our joint effort. Reading this document you will see the progress… Webinar: Vaccine Forecasting and Budgeting Tools and Best Practices This webinar took place on July 2, 2018. However, if you missed the webinar or would like to listen to it again, you can watch the recording and download the slides. Participants will learn about existing vaccine forecasting and budgeting tools and best… Technical Assistance for evaluation of transition readiness and preparation of Transition and Sustainability Plan for Global Fund-supported programs in Tajikistan Introduction and Overview In June 2018 CIF initiated a new project with the financial support of The Global Fund. The overall goal of the CIF assignment is to support the Country Coordination Mechanism of Tajikistan (CCM) in assessing country preparedness… Technical Assistance for the preparation of Transition and Sustainability Plan for HIV program in Philippines Introduction and Overview Since May 2018 Curatio International Foundation implements a technical assistance for the Philippines to prepare Transition and Sustainability Plan for HIV program. The overall goal of the given assignment is to support the Department of Health and… Discussing the accessibility of medicines in Georgia Curatio International Foundation, within the framework of the ongoing project: “Engaging civil society in decision-making and monitoring in Georgian healthcare sector” supports strengthening and consolidating civil society representatives interested in health care for advocacy on health issues. To this end,… Webinar: Integrating gender into health system strengthening in conflict and crisis-affected settings; what’s in our toolkit? This webinar took place on June 22, 2018. However, if you missed the webinar or would like to listen to it again, you can watch the recording and download the slides. In 2016, HSG held the first webinar on gender, asking the question, “What… Article: Barriers to mental health care utilization among internally displaced persons in the republic of Georgia: a rapid appraisal study The new paper identifies the health system barriers leading to low rates of utilization of mental health services among internally displaced people (IDP) with mental disorders. The paper was published in BMC Health Services Research authored by Adrianna Murphy, Ivdity… Why Georgians second-guess their doctors – Deregulation has left Georgian medical care something many Georgians would rather avoid Full Article is available on Eurasianet ” […] Last year, Giorgi Tsiklauri, 24, was diagnosed with leukemia at a hospital in Tbilisi and was about to undergo chemotherapy, but he decided to seek a second opinion in Turkey. As it… Ara Srinagesh from New York University Shares her Internship Experience Webinar on The peer review process – what happens when you send your manuscript to a journal This webinar took place on April 23, 2018. However, if you missed the session or want to listen to it again, you can watch the recording. Have you ever wondered what the journal editor’s viewpoint is on your article, or what… Webinar on Improving Quality of Care during Childbirth: Learnings and Next Steps from the BetterBirth Trial This webinar took place on April 24, 2018. However, if you missed the session or want to listen to it again, you can watch the recording. Join the webinar organized by HSG Thematic Working Group Quality in Universal Health and Healthcare. During… Civil Society is Being United to Discuss Healthcare System Issues Curatio International Foundation, within the framework of the ongoing project: “Engaging civil society in decision-making and monitoring in Georgian healthcare sector” along with the Open Society Network supports strengthening and consolidating civil society representatives interested in health care for advocacy… Curatio International Foundation for a TB-Free World Summer Internship Program is now open Closing Project: Tuberculosis Community Systems Strengthening in Georgia The Curatio International Foundation has fulfilled a Tuberculosis Community Systems Strengthening (TBCSS) Project in Georgia, funded by the Stop TB partnership in the frame of Challenge Facility for Civil Society (CFCS) round 7 program. The goal for the project was… Primary Health Care Systems: Georgia case study Curatio International Foundation publishes Georgia case study of primary health care system (PRIMASYS). The PRIMASYS case study covers key aspects of primary health care system, including policy development and implementation, financing, integration of primary health care into comprehensive health systems,… Integrated Bio-behavioral surveillance and population size estimation survey among Female Sex Workers in Tbilisi and Batumi, Georgia This study represents the subsequent wave of Bio-Behavioral Surveillance Surveys (BBS) surveys undertaken among Female Sex Workers (FSW) since 2002. The current study was conducted in 2017 using the Time-Location Sampling technique and 350 FSWs was recruited in total in… Applying a Health Policy and Systems Research lens to Human Resources for Health: Capacity building, leadership and politics This webinar took place on March 14, 2018. However, if you missed the webinar or want to listen to it again, you can watch the recording and download the slides. How do we study ‘invisible’ concepts such as politics and power as they… CIF hosts Aradhana Srinagesh throughout the winter internship program Empowering civil society for engagement in and monitoring the decision making in health sector in Georgia Introduction and Overview The project aims to strengthen CSOs working on Health Systems to participate in the decision-making process, to assume watchdog functions, monitor enforcement of policies and advocate for better health for all. The project is funded by Open Society… Curatio International Foundation presented BBS and PSE study findings at the Civil Society Forum Article: Barriers to delivering mental health services in Georgia with an economic and financial focus: informing policy and acting on evidence A new paper discusses the economic and financial barriers to delivering mental health services in Georgia and assessing the opportunities for reform that can support the development of strategies for change. The article was published in BMC Health Services Research,… The Interview on population size and Human Immunodeficiency Virus risk behaviors of People who Inject Drugs in Georgia The interview is based on the latest wave of the integrated Bio- behavioral surveillance survey conducted People Who Inject drugs (PWID) in 7 cities of Georgia. The research aims to measure the prevalence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Hepatitis… Population Size Estimation of People who Inject Drugs in Georgia 2016-2017 Bemoni Public Union together with Curatio International Foundation conducted a population size estimation study among injecting drug users in Georgia during 2016-2017. Also available: HIV risk and prevention behaviors among People Who Inject Drugs in six cities, Georgia, 2017 This… HIV risk and prevention behaviors among People Who Inject Drugs in seven cities of Georgia, 2017 Curatio International Foundation together with Bemoni Public Union has conducted HIV prevalence and risk behaviors survey among People Who Inject Drugs in Georgia. Also available: Population Size Estimation of People who Inject Drugs in Georgia 2016-2017 Current study represents the… #WorldAIDSDay2017 Step by Step Charts Infogram Conference paper: The Study of Barriers and Facilitators to Adherence to Treatment among Drug Resistant Tuberculosis Patients in Georgia to Inform Policy Decision The abstract has been submitted and accept for oral presentation at The Union 2017 – 48th Union World Conference on Lung Health, 11 – 14 October, 2017 Guadalajara, Mexico The study outlines different health system factors as long as some… Article: Human immunodeficiency virus prevalence and risk determinants among people who inject drugs in the Republic of Georgia Conference paper about realist evaluation: Informing policy, assessing its effects and understanding how it works for improved Tuberculosis management in Georgia In the last week of October, 2017 Brisbane, Australia hosted International Conference for Realist Research Evaluation and Synthesis – Realist2017. Realist evaluation is complex sensitive approach and is useful for decision makers because rather responding the question “does the intervention… Georgian Healthcare and its Challenges: Healthcare Expert George Gotsadze will host the lecture 17 years in Curatio International Foundation: President Ketevan Chkhatarashvili to Leave Organization Be ready for the Best Internship Experience Apply for Our Winter Internship Program Georgian Solution for a Post-Soviet TB Program: Can Integration into Primary Health Care Improve TB Care? Moving Forward: Second PT workshop with TB stakeholders in Georgia Article: Determinants analysis of outpatient service utilization in Georgia: can the approach help inform benefit package design? Curatio International Foundation conducted secondary data analyses of Health Service Utilization and Expenditure survey (2 waves), conducted by Ministry of Labor Health and Social Affairs of Georgia, supported by WHO and The World Bank. We studied factors that impact utilization… Designing and evaluating provider results-based financing for tuberculosis care in Georgia (RBF4TB) Introduction and Overview CIF in partnership with Queen Margaret University (UK), London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (UK) and Antwerp Institute of Tropical Medicine (Belgium) is implementing a study “Designing and evaluating provider results-based financing for tuberculosis care in… Forbes Georgia: The Importance of Evidence in Decision Making In February 2017, CIF director George Gotsadze talked with Forbes Georgia. The interview discusses the role of effective management in health systems and impact of innovations in the field. In the article George speaks about CIF experience serving as HSG Secretariat. Read more… Barriers and Facilitators to Adherence to Treatment Among Drug Resistant TB Patients in Georgia Summer internship program 2017 is open now! We attract interns from around the world, who are interested to have the first-hand experience in the real-life setting and to contribute to the research projects implemented by CIF. Master and PhD students from around the world are invited to apply… Transition Preparedness Assessment Sustainability of national HIV and TB programs gains importance in light of recent changes in the global health landscape when external funders are redirecting resources to poorer states while phasing out from middle-income countries. Objectively evaluation of the country transition… New Study Findings About Tuberculosis Curatio International Foundation together with the Partnership for Research and Action for Health organized a meeting at the National Center for Disease Control and Public Health on 26th of December, where two different study findings were represented. Studies aimed to… Meet CIF in Vancouver at HSR2016 Curatio International Foundation will be featured at Health Systems Research 4th Symposium to be held in Vancouver, Canada November 14 -18, 2016. CIF experts will discuss several important health system-related issues and share particular knowledge with a global audience. We… Curatio International Foundation: Transition and Sustainability Portfolio As middle-income countries experience economic growth and increased government spending potential on healthcare, donors have begun decreasing their support under the assumption those countries have sufficient physical space to support and sustain their health programs. Countries in Eastern Europe and… Article: Privilege and inclusivity in shaping Global Health agendas Health Policy and Planning published an article Privilege and inclusivity in shaping Global Health agendas. CIF director George Gotsadze co-authors the paper together with Kabir Sheikh, Sara Bennett and Fadi el Jardali. The article discusses lack of inclusivity in Global Health… Eastern Europe and Central Asia Regional Sustainability and Transition Coordination Summit 20-21 October, 2016 Vilnius, Lithuania In recent years there has been a significant decrease in funding from international and bilateral donors, including The Global Fund (TGF) to support HIV and TB response in middle income countries across Eastern Europe and Central Asia (EECA). This raises… Internship Announcement, Winter 2016-17 Evaluation of UNICEF’s Contribution in Central and Eastern European Five Countries Curatio International Foundation conducted an evaluation of UNICEF’s contribution to the reduction of under 5 mortality in five countries: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Serbia, and Uzbekistan. The evaluation covered 12 years from 2000 – 2012 and was performed in 2014-2015. UNICEF’s… CIF researchers represented on Global Conference AIDS2016 CIF researchers Ivdity Chikovani and Lela Sulaberidze participated in AIDS 2016 conference that was held in Durban, South Africa in July 2016. The conference assembled over 18,000 delegates from around the world. Scientists, policymakers, world leaders, and people living with… UHC 2030: Building an Alliance to Strengthen Health Systems Almost 100 experts were gathered together in Geneva in the end of June, to support transforming process from IHP+ to UHC 2030. The overall aim of UHC 2030 will be to support a movement for accelerated, equitable and sustainable progress… CIF Pharmaceutical Price and Availability Study (Fifth Wave Results) The Curatio International Foundation has released the results of the fifth wave of the Pharmaceutical Price and Availability (PPA) study in Georgia. The study set out to generate further evidence regarding pharmaceutical prices and availability in the country through the… Assessment of GAVI Alliance HSS support to Tajikistan In August 2014, Curatio International Foundation conducted an assessment of GAVI Alliance HSS support to Tajikstan to provide solid evidence of to what extent the support achieved its objectives and contributed to strengthen the health system of the country. The assessment… Final Evaluation of Gavi’s Support to Albania After the conclusion of Gavi’s support period (2014) to the Albania, Curatio International Foundation conducted the evaluation study and assessed financial and programmatic sustainability through an in-depth analysis of Albania’s experiences and immunization programme performance before, during and after the… Infographic: HIV/AIDS in Georgia Though preventive programs are focused on the high risk population, we face slightly but growing tendency of HIV/AIDs among general population. Washington DC hosts workshop Immunization Costing: what have we learned, can we do better? On May 17-18 EPIC Immunization Costing hosts workshop Immunization Costing: what have we learned, can we do better? in Washington DC. CIF executive director George Gotsadze and Business Develop ment unit director Ketevan Goguadze are invited to attend the event. George Gotsadze… Bio-Behavioral Surveillance Survey among Men who have Sex with Men in two major cities of Georgia, 2015 Bio-Behavioral Surveillance Survey among Men who have Sex with Men in two major cities of Georgia, 2015 Curatio International Foundation continues implementation of Bio-Behavioral Surveillance Surveys (BBS) among Key Affected Populations (KAP’s) with the aim to measure HIV prevalence among… EPIC Studies – Governments Finance, On Average, More Than 50 Percent Of Immunization Expenses, 2010–11 Journal Health Affairs publishes a new Article EPIC Studies: Governments Finance, On Average, More Than 50 Percent Of Immunization Expenses, 2010–11 coauthored by CIF team member Keti Goguadze. Abstract: Governments in resource-poor settings have traditionally relied on external donor support… Bio-Behavioral Surveillance Survey among People Who Inject Drugs in 7 cities of Georgia, 2015 Curatio International Foundation continues implementation of Bio-Behavioral Surveillance Surveys (BBS) among Key Affected Populations (KAP’s) with the aim to measure HIV prevalence among KAP’s, monitor risk behaviors among these groups and generate evidence for advocacy and policy-making. The current study… TB Community Systems Strengthening in Georgia We are glad to announce that Curatio International Foundation has been selected to be Round 7 Challenge Facility for Civil Society (CFCS) grantee under the Stop TB partnership financial support. TB Community Systems Strengthening (TBCSS) project in Georgia aims –… What can be done to improve treatment adherence among tuberculosis patients in Georgia: Looking through health systems lens Curatio International Foundation has started implementation of new research project with the aim to provide a more in-depth understanding of the factors associated with loss to follow-up among TB patients. The project is funded under the Joint TDR/EURO Small Grants… Summer Internship Program 2016 The Summer internship program is now open! Master and PhD students from around the world are invited to apply and use the possibility to develop advanced research skills, meet leading experts in the field and become a coauthor of a… BioBehavior Surveillance Survey results were represented to the members of Parliament of Georgia Curatio International Foundation together with BEMONI PUBLIC UNION (BPU) represented BioBehavior Surveillance Survey results to the Members of Parliament of Georgia. The study was conducted in seven major cities of Georgia (Tbilisi, Gori, Telavi, Zugdidi, Batumi, Kutaisi and Rustavi) with… საერთაშორისო ფონდი კურაციო თავისუფალ და აგრარულ უნივერსიტეტებთან თანამშრომლობის მემორანდუმს აფორმებს საერთაშორისო ფონდი კურაციოს ინტერნატურის პროგრამაში მონაწილეობის შესაძლებლობა კიდევ უფრო მეტ ადგილობრივ სტუდენტს მიეცემა. ფონდის პრეზიდენტმა ქეთევან ჩხატარაშვილმა, თავისუფალი უნივერსიტეტის კანცლერმა ვატო ლეჟავამ და აგრარული უნივერსიტეტის რექტორმა ლაშა გოცირიძემ ხელი მოაწერეს თანამშრომლობის მემორანდუმს. მემორანდუმის ფარგლებში იგეგმება უნივერსიტეტებსა და საერთაშორისო ფონდ კურაციოს შორის… Announcing Winter Internship Program 2016 Curatio International Foundation invites Master and PhD international students to apply on Winter Internship Program. Through the program, students have the possibility to develop advanced research skills, meet leading experts in the field and become a coauthor of a scientific… Regional High Level Dialogue ‘Road to Success’, Tbilisi, Georgia On September 28-30, 2015 Regional High Level Dialogue took place in Tbilisi, Georgia on Successful Transition to Domestic Funding of HIV and TB Response in EECA. The 320 delegates from 31 countries have agreed to work together in creating and… CIF study results on 8th IAS Conference on HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention Findings of population size estimation study among Man who have Sex with Men (MSM) was presented to the 8th International Aids Association conference on HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention in Vancouver, Canada in July, 2015. The study was conducted by… Response to the “Final evaluation of GAVI support to Bosnia and Herzegovina” Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance published response to the “Final evaluation of Gavi support to Bosnia and Herzegovina” conducted by Curatio International Foundation. Gavi assess the final evaluation and the given recommendations as an important document for the transition country program… The drivers of facility-based immunization performance and costs. An application to Moldova The drivers of facility-based immunization performance and costs. An application to Moldova. This is the article an International peer reviewed Journal Vaccine published, Co-authored by experts from the Curatio International Foundation. The study was a part of a multi-country coting and… Awaiting the results of Prisoners’ Behavior Surveillance Survey (BSS) Curatio International Foundation together with Infectious Diseases, AIDS and Clinical Immunology Research Center and Association Tanadgoma has conducted the Behavior Surveillance Survey with biomarker component. The study report of Behavior Surveillance Survey with biomarker component among 210 prisoners will be… Costs of routine immunization services in Moldova: Findings of a facility-based costing study An International peer reviewed Journal Vaccine, published an article Costs of routine immunization services in Moldova: Findings of a facility-based costing study. Authored by experts from the Curatio International Foundation. The study evaluates the total economic and unit costs of… Analyses of Costs and Financing of the Routine Immunization Program and New Vaccine Introduction in the Republic of Moldova In 2012-2014 Curatio International Foundation implemented the costing study that aimed to evaluate routine immunization program costs and financing as well as incremental costs and financing of a new vaccine introduction in the Republic of Moldova. The study was a… Health Service Utilization for Mental, Behavioural and Emotional Problems among Conflict-Affected Population in Georgia An International peer reviewed Journal PLOS One has published an article Health Service Utilization for Mental, Behavioral and Emotional Problems among Conflict-Affected Population in Georgia: A Cross-Sectional Study, authored by experts from the Curatio International Foundation, and the London School of… Healthcare Utilization and Expenditures for Chronic and Acute Conditions in Georgia: Does benefit package design matter? An International peer reviewed journal BMC Health Services Research publishes an article Healthcare utilization and expenditures for chronic and acute conditions in Georgia: Does benefit package design matter?, authored by experts from the Curatio International Foundation and London School of… Curatio International Foundation Hosts Health Systems Global Secretariat in Tbilisi, Georgia Curatio International Foundation Hosts Health Systems Global Secretariat in Tbilisi, Georgia. Health Systems Global (HSG) is the first international membership organization fully dedicated to promoting health systems research and related knowledge translation. HSG brings together researchers, policy-makers, funders, implementers, civil… An Impact Evaluation of Medical Insurance for Poor in Georgia: Preliminary Results and Policy Implications An International peer reviewed journal Health Policy and Planning has published an article An impact evaluation of medical insurance for poor in Georgia: preliminary results and policy implications, authored by Curatio International Foundation experts. The authors evaluated the impact of… Policy Information Platform (PIP) Expert Consultation Meeting Policy Information Platform (PIP) expert consultation was held in Istanbul on 29-30 January, 2015. At the meeting methodological issues, roadmap for the PIP implementation and evaluation approaches were discussed. CIF director George Gotsadze and Research Unit director Ivdity Chikovani participated… Civil Society Forum organized by Country Coordination Mechanism On January 29, at Courtyard Marriott Hotel was held a Civil Society Forum organized by Country Coordination Mechanism. The forum was part of country dialogue process regarding HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis issues. During the meeting, civil society representatives shared results of… Drexel University on CIF Internship Program Alexander Krengel from Seattle, US is a Master of Public Health student at Drexel University. He is interested in global health systems and issues about implementation health systems around the world. Thats why he became a CIF intern and spent… CIF Publishes the Short Movie on 20 Years of Healthcare, 2014 Curatio International Foundation celebrates its 20 years anniversary and prepares short movie describing the history of health care reforms in Georgia after collapse of Soviet Union. The story is retailed directly by the people involved in the process and organizations… CIF Publishes Anniversary Publication ’20 Years of Health Care, 2014 20 Years Anniversary brochure describes reforms that have significantly altered the landscape of health care in Georgia after collapse of the Soviet Union. The contents draw on important publications and oral narratives by those who have been initiators, implementers and witnesses to… CIF Celebrated the 20th Anniversary On September 19, Curatio International Foundation celebrated the 20th anniversary. Alongside with our work it turned 20 years from Georgian healthcare system reforming start up, after collapse of Soviet Union. CIF celebrated the anniversary together with the people who were… Georgian Healthcare System Barometer: Experts’ Evaluations of Changes Taking Place in the Healthcare Curatio International Foundation published results of the survey, representing expert evaluations of processes and changes taking place in the Georgian healthcare field. “Georgian Healthcare System Barometer” is based on evaluations of 98 experts and covers 6-month period – May-October, 2013…. BlogTalkRadio to Host CIF President In October 2013, the BlogTalkRadio program focusing on health hosted Katevan Chkhatarashvili, the President of Curatio International Foundation. Ketevan talks about her public health experience and CIF’s role in transition of Georgia’s health sector. New Health Internet Radio with Global… Winner of CIF Students Fellowship Program for 2013-2014 Ana Petriashvili became the winner of Curatio International Foundation Fellowship program for 2013- 2014. As the winner of the previous year, she too is the Master program student of International Public Health Department of Tbilisi State Medical University. Ana is… Mental Health Among IDPs in Georgia A conference titled ”Mental health and conflict in Georgia: turning research into practice” will be held on September 12, 2013 at the Sheraton Metekhi Palace, Tbilisi. The conference will present findings from the largest research project so far undertaken in… The Forbes and Skoll World Forum to discuss HIV/AIDS Epidemic with Director of CIF Which Region Has The Fastest-Growing HIV/AIDS Epidemic In The World?- Giorgi Gotsadze, Director of Curatio International Foundation was asked to discuss this issue with Forbes. The discussion precedes many health-related discussions to take place in September at the Clinton Global… CIF Participation in the Private Sector in Health Symposium 2013 On July 6, Sydney, Australia hosted the Private Sector in Health Symposium 2013. Three rounds of parallel sessions covered diverse range of issues, such as regulation, influencing quality of care, health financing and a focus on equity. Mr. George Gotsadze,… Article on Springer-Determinants of Risky Sexual Behavior Among Injecting Drug Users in Georgia Curatio International Foundation has published the article on Springer, Aids and Behavior Section. The article covers the findings of CIF’s recent study on Injection risk practices and risky sexual behaviors among injection drug users (IDUs) and their sexual partners particularly… Tobacco Use and Nicotine Dependence among Conflict-Affected Men in the Republic of Georgia Article published on International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ISSN 1660-4601 by Bayard Roberts, Ivdity Chikovani, Nino Makhashvili, Vikram Patel and Martin McKee There is very little evidence globally on tobacco use and nicotine dependence among civilian populations… HIV prevalence and risk behaviors among key populations- Study Findings Published HIV prevalence and risk behaviors among key populations were studied in Georgia in 2012. The Biomarker Behavioral Surveillance Surveys (Bio-BSS) were carried out among People Who Inject Drugs (PWIDs) in six major cities, among Men who have Sex with Men… Think Tanks Signed an Ethical and Quality Standards Document On May 21, Curatio International Foundation together with fifteen Georgian Think Tanks signed an Ethical and Quality Standards Document. The document presents comprehensive standards to guide the work of Georgian think tanks and establishes principles to ensure that the think… Hosting interns from international universities In the framework of its internship program, during the first months of 2012 winter, Curatio International Foundation hosted two interns Lucia Callizo from Macalester college in Minnesota and Laura Covarrubias from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Interns made… CIF’s contribution to Investing in Global Health and Development Since the creation of the Global Fund, the world’s financing instrument in the fight against AIDS, TB and Malaria the role of private foundations has significantly increased in contributing to funding, participation in its governance and to the strategy of… CIF Fellow Awards Event On December 25, Curatio International Foundation will award its 3rd winner of CIF Scholarship program 2012-2013. The Winner is Ana Kasradze, Master students of Public Health Management from Tbilisi State Medical University. The awards ceremony will take place at Tbilisi… Assessing the Health Insurance for the Poor in Georgia During the last two decades Government of Georgia initiated series of reforms introducing major changes in health financing policy and restructuring the health system to reverse the negative trends observed in equity, affordability and quality of essential health service for… Curatio International Foundation Among Grant Management Solutions Awarded Partners Grant Management Solutions 2 Awarded to MSH Partnership: Up to Five More Years of Technical Support to Grantees of the Global Fund to Fight Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria Cambridge, MA, October 16, 2012– Management Sciences for Health (MSH) takes pride… Fourth Wave Results of Pharmaceutical Study Published Curatio International Foundation has completed a study exploring ‘Price, Affordability and Availability of Medicines in Georgia’. The study was divided into three stages and carried out in 2009-2001. The key aim of the study is to improve affordability and availability… CIF Calls for participation in internship program for 2012-2013 Curatio International Foundation launches its internship program for 2012-2013 years and invites interns from around the world who are studying at masters or Ph.D. level and who are interested to have first-hand experience in the real-life setting and to contribute… Curatio International Foundation revealed the winner of its annual scholarship program Curatio International Foundation named Ana Kasradze as the winner of its annual scholarship program. Ana is the master’s program student at the Tbilisi State University, Department of International Public Health. Ana is actively involved in annual conferences and study visits… Impact of global HIV/AIDS initiatives on health systems in Ukraine, Kyrgyzstan and Georgia During January-July 2010 Curatio International Foundation in collaboration with London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and other partners started exploring the effects of Global Fund HIV programmes on the roles of civil society organisations (CSOs) in Georgia, Kyrgyzstan and… Submission of Applications for CIF Scholarship for Master Program Students near to deadline The deadline for submission documentations for CIF web site is approaching to deadline, June 15. Master program students of Public Health Management or BA with focus on Public Health management from accredited universities in Georgia are encouraged to participate in… Health care in Georgia is currently available for very rich and very poor As the lead key informant to the policy brief on Medical Insurance for the Poor: impact on access and affordability of health services in Georgia says, the “health care in Georgia is currently affordable for very reach and very poor”…. Presentation of the findings of Assessment of Complex Non-Communicable Condition in Low Income Countries Use of Multi-Method Rapid Evaluation to Assess Complex Non-Communicable Condition in Low Income Countries At Geneva Health Forum 2012 Curatio International Foundation presented a study preliminary findings which looks at evaluation of health systems performance in low-resource settings with regard… Poster Presentation at Copenhagen 2012 Conference on HIV Curatio International Foundation presented two posters at Copenhagen 2012 Conference- HIV in Europe. One of the posters presented results of Bio-Behavioural surveys among Injecting Drug Users in five cities of Georgia in 2008-2009 and specifically explored Low testing uptake and… Contributing to publishing the paper: Circus monkeys or change agents? Civil society advocacy for HIV/AIDS in adverse policy environments Curatio International Foundation has contributed to publishing the paper that explores the factors enabling and undermining civil society efforts to advocate for policy reforms relating to HIV/AIDS and illicit drugs in three countries in Eastern Europe and Central Asia: Georgia,… National Center for Biotechnology Information published CIF’s scientific paper on Unsafe injection and sexual risk behavior among injecting drug users in Georgia In August 2011, National Center for Biotechnology Information published CIF’s scientific paper on Unsafe injection and sexual risk behavior among injecting drug users in Georgia. The paper describes the prevalence and correlates of unsafe drug injecting and sexual behaviors among… Findings of the pharmaceutical market study in 2009-2011 years The key aim of the study is to improve affordability and availability of medicines for the population. Based on a three-year observation of pharmacies and different medicines in Georgia, Curatio International Foundation studied the practice in the pharmaceutical sector and… Main findings of Catastrophic Health Expenditure Analysis in Georgia The researcher of the Curatio International Foundation Natia Rukhadze presented the findings of Catastrophic Health Expenditure Analysis in Georgia at the “Seminar on Health Financing Reforms in Georgia” held in MoLHSA on October 26, 2011. The study was funded by… Contribution to the development of National Health Care Strategy 2011-2015 Curatio International Foundation has contributed to the development of National Health Care Strategy 2011-2015: “Affordable and Quality Health Care”. Under the current strategy, the government intends to improve population health through a reduction of disease burden and mortality by 2015…. Catastrophic Health Expenditure Analysis in Georgia On October 26, 2011 the researcher of the Curatio International Foundation Natia Rukhadze presented the findings of Catastrophic Health Expenditure Analysis in Georgia at the “Seminar on Health Financing Reforms in Georgia” held in MoLHSA. The study was funded by… New web guide for using qualitative approaches to health systems research By the end of summer 2011 Curatio International Foundation and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) developed the web resource which serves as a guideline for qualitative approaches in researching the health systems. Information of the web site… CIF Study Published in BMC Magazine, The Role of Supportive Supervision on Immunization Program Outcome- a randomized filed trial from Georgia The research article by CIF and international experts has been published in BMC International Health and Human Rights 2009. Article is a part of the supplement: The fallacy of coverage: uncovering disparities to improve immunization rates through evidence.The Canadian International… Releasing results of Bio-behavioral surveillance survey among men having sex with men Georgia is among the countries with low HIV/AIDS prevalence but with a high potential for the development of a widespread epidemic. However, over the past several years while transmission through injecting drug use is still the prevailing route for HIV… Winner of the Fellowship Program 2011 Revealed In May, 2011 the winner of the CIF fellowship program was revealed. According to the decision of the experts committee the fellowship will be granted to Maia Khutsishvili, Master program student of the Tbilisi State Medical University. Over more than… Prices, Availability and Affordability of Medicines in Georgia-the New Study Report Endorsed In December 2010 CIF wrapped up the second stage of the study exploring “Price, availability and affordability of medicines in Georgia”. The study aimed at increasing awareness of civil society and improved access to medicines for the population through strengthening… Customer Satisfaction Research Report on Corporate Health Insurance Released Curatio International Foundation releases report on Customer Satisfaction Research on Corporate Health Insurance. The report was supported by International Health Budget Monitoring Initiative of the Open Society Institute. The research prepared by the three experts of CIF (Marine Egutia, Natia… Statement for the Media-The Study on Injected Drug Users Completed Only 1/4 of Intravenous Drug Users are getting tested for HIV, putting their wife’s and girlfriends and the rest of the Georgian population at risk for a widening epidemic Curatio International Foundation, a Georgian think tank, says “motivating IDUS to… National and subnational HIV/AIDS coordination: are global health initiatives closing the gap between intent and practice? The research article prepared by the international experts and representatives of Curatio International Foundation was published in the international journal Globalization and Health web site. The article is available at US National Library of Medicine as well. The paper identifies… Assessment of HIV/AIDS Surveillance System Pilot is Already Available Curatio International Foundation has provided Assessment of HIV/AIDS surveillance system pilot. The operations research of HIV/AIDS surveillance pilot in Georgia was conducted in the framework of the project “Establishment of evidence-base for national HIV/AIDS program by strengthening the HIV/AIDS surveillance… Findings of Behavior Surveillance Surveys (BSS) Endorsed Curatio International Foundation in collaboration with Infectious Diseases, AIDS and Clinical Immunology Research Center and Public Union Bemoni and association Tanadgoma has carried out Behavior Surveillance Surveys with biomarker component among Injecting Drug Users (IDUs), Commercial Sex Workers (CSWs), and… Internship at Curatio International Foundation is challenging for John Hopkins University Students Throughout 2 weeks Curatio International Foundation will be hosting interns from Public Health School at John Hopkins University Sudit Ranade and Mollie Werlieb. Having the opportunity to undertake internship at Curatio International Foundation for the first ever time, students are… The Art of Crafting Policy Briefs High quality research evidence is one of the critical preconditions for employing the evidence by policy makers into policy making. However, high quality research evidence itself is not sufficient; it must be communicated in ways that make it compelling. On… Representatives of CIF Visit 2010 Global Health Information Forum On January 28-30, Ms. Keti Goguadze and Ms. Ivdity Chikovani, Project Managers at Curatio International Foundation presented Spot lights of Georgia Health Information System Strengthening at 2010 Global Health Information Forum in Bangkok, Thailand. The Global Health Information Forum, hosted… Training in Evidence Search-Acquisition Through implementing the project: Strengthening Capacity of Civil Society for Promoting Research Evidence into Policy Development in Georgia, Curatio International Foundation aims to improve the skills of civil society representatives in developing policies that are a) evidence informed b) tailored… Marking 15th Anniversary Curatio International Foundation unveiled the most successful Public Health Management Student on its 15th Years anniversary marking event. On December 18, Curatio International Foundation granted the first student of the fellowship program established on the occasion of its 15th anniversary…. Hosting Club Discussion on Mental Health Policy On December 16th Curatio International Foundation in partnership with UK-Georgia professional Network (UGPN) hosted policy club discussion on Mental Health policy issues. The meeting focused on development of recommendations for the improvement of the existing mental health service provision system… Put Final Touches on the Training in Policy and Political Cycle Advent of the far reaching reforms era in Georgia surged a great demand in cross-sectoral collaboration between the government, civil society and the media to ensure production of high quality evidence and increased demand for evidence informed public policy formulation…. A New Paradigm for Regulating Georgian Pharmaceutical Market Curatio International Foundation in partnership with UK-Georgia professional Network (UGPN) conducted policy club discussion to increase awareness of the civil society organization regarding the Bill on Changes and Amendments to the Georgian Law on Drugs and Pharmaceutical Activities, which has… CIF will Launch Fellowship for the Best Student of Healthcare/Public Health Management Faculty Are you a successful last year bachelor student of healthcare/public health management? If yes, you are posed a golden opportunity to be granted the fellowship worth around 250 GEL monthly. From 2009 CIF will start awarding fellowships to the most… CoReform Project and the Ministry of Health Mark the Completion of the First Stage of Trainings on ICPC2 Application Today, July 24th the CIF under the auspices of the USAID funded CoReform project hosted the award ceremony dedicated to the completion of the first stage of the training course on Classifications for Hospital, Ambulatory and Laboratory interventions. 30 Master… Georgia HIS Strategic Plan posted on Health Metrics Network website HMN takes the initiative to publish HIS strategic plan produced by Curatio International Foundation on its website. The first baseline assessment of HIS was carried out in 2006 in East Georgia by Curatio International Foundation. It applied the HMN (Health… First Stage of Training Course on Evidence Informed Policy Formulation Crowned More than 20 executives from leading local and international non-governmental organizations in public policy formulation have successfully completed training workshop on ”Evidence Informed Policy”, on July 31-August 3, 2009 in Ureki, Georgia. The training workshop in Ureki was the first… Findings of Behavior Surveillance Surveys (BSS) to be Endorsed Soon Curatio International Foundation in collaboration with Infectious Diseases, AIDS and Clinical Immunology Research Center and Public Union Bemoni has carried out Behavior Surveillance Surveys with biomarker component among intravenous drug users (IDUs). The activity covered 5 Georgian regions -Tbilisi, Batumi,… The Study on System-wide Effects of the Global Fund on Georgia’s Health Care Systems posted on GHIN website The country case summary displayed on GHIN website was prepared as part of the academic consortium of the WHO Maximizing Positive Synergies between health systems and GHIs initiative. The study assesses the effects of the Global Fund funding on the… Behavior Surveillance Survey among CSWs Covers Batumi and Tbilisi Curatio International Foundation together with Infectious Diseases, AIDS and Clinical Immunology Research Center and Association Tanadgoma carried out Behavior Surveillance Survey with biomarker component among CSWs. The survey targeted the capital Tbilisi and regional city Batumi, sampling 280 individuals. The… Sentinel Surveillance Method to Provide Reliable HIV/AIDS Statistical Data In the framework of the Global Fund project “Establishment of evidence-base for national HIV/AIDS program by strengthening the HIV/AIDS surveillance system in the country” Curatio International Foundation has launched 2 sentinel surveillance sites at STI clinics. In March 2009 two… Curatio International Foundation Contributes to Global HIV/AIDS Initiatives Curatio International Foundation is a member of Global HIV/AIDS Initiatives Network (GHIN). As a part of the WHO Maximizing Positive Synergies publication “Interactions between Global Health Initiatives and Health Systems: Evidence from countries” Georgia Case study “System-wide effects of the… Mr. George Gotsadze approved as a Permanent Member of the Global Fund TRP By the decision of the Global Fund 19-th board meeting Mr.George Gotsadze, the Director of Curatio International Foundation was appointed as a Permanent Member of the Technical Review Panel (TRP). On May 5-6, 2009 at the Global Fund 19-th board… The research article on Household Catastrophic Health Expenditure-evidence from Georgia and its policy implications published in BMC Health Services Research On April 28,2009 the research article on Household Catastrophic Health Expenditure-evidence from Georgia and its policy implications was published on the online scientific journal BMC Health Services Research. The research undertaken by the highly qualified experts of Curatio International Foundation… CIF Hosts workshop on Classifications for Hospital and Laboratory intervention On March 5, 2009 the CIF, in the framework of USAID funded CoReform project organized the workshop on Classifications for Hospital and Laboratory intervention. On March 5, 2009 the workshop on Classifications for Hospital, Ambulatory and Laboratory interventions was held…. National Conference in the framework of the Global Fund funded project On December 24, 2008 the first phase of the project “Establishment of evidence base for national HIV/AIDS program by strengthening of HIV/AIDS surveillance system in the country” was closed by the National Conference. The event highlighted crowning achievements of the… CIF conducted a workshop to discuss HIV/AIDS Surveillance System Assessment results Trainings on Mental Health Financing conducted with the financial support of Adam Smith Foundation end successfully. 25 representatives from Mental Health NGOs, Association of psychiatrics, psychiatric coalition, ombudsmen office and media enjoyed an opportunity of gaining sound understanding of conceptual… CIF conducted a workshop in the framework of the project funded by the Global Fund On March 31, 2008 a stakeholder workshop to introduce project goal and objectives, project components, main activities and project time-frame was held at the Hotel “Ambasadori”. The workshop was organized in the framework of the project “Establishment of evidence base… The Global Fund Contracted Curatio International Foundation for Consulting Services Curatio International Foundation was contracted for consulting services in the following three areas of operation and grant management support:diagnostic and remedial action planning in Global Fund grant countries facing implementation challenges;governance and oversight processes for Country Coordinating Mechanisms (CCMs); analysis… CIF and MoLHSA conduct a workshop on Integrated Model and Strategic Plan for the Health Information system development in Georgia On February 12, 2008 a stakeholder workshop to discuss an Integrated Model and Strategic Plan for the Health Information System development in Georgia was held at the Ministry of Labor Health and Social Affairs of Georgia (MoLHSA). The workshop was… Regional Workshop on Rotavirus and Diarrheal Disease On January 23-24, 2008 a Regional Workshop entitled “Rotavirus and Diarrheal Disease Control” was held in Tbilisi, Georgia. The workshop with 50 participants was sponsored by PATH and hosted by Curatio International Foundation. The workshop brought together representatives from Eastern… National Avian Influenza Surveillance Guidelines In 2007 two editions of the guideline were published within the framework of the project Strengthening Surveillance, IEC and Procurement Planning to address Avian Influenza in Georgia. The guidelines provide comprehensive recommendations addressed to the Georgian health system workers on… Dr. George Gotsadze – CIF director and PATH board member presented “Hope for health in a weakened nation” Dr. George Gotsadze, Director of the Curatio International Foundation was invited to present findings at PATH about the human health story of the dissolution of Soviet Union, the political and socio-economic transition that has challenged a weak health care system,… Natia Rukhadze – CIF Researcher at the Global HIV/AIDS Initiatives Network (GHIN) international workshop in Dublin, Ireland Natia Rukhadze, presented preliminary research findings of the study “Effects of GFATM on Georgia’s Health System Development” to the global stakeholders. The selected topic for the presentation was “Sustainability of GFATM program supported activities in Georgia”. The workshop, which was… George Gotsadze – CIF director at fifth Global NHA symposium in Lund, Sweden Dr. George Gotsadze has participated in the fifth Global NHA symposium hosted in Lund, Sweden. July 8-11, 2007 The Fifth Global NHA symposium was a two-day workshop, arranged by the Swedish Institute for Health Economics (IHE) in collaboration with the… Yale University Announced Selection of Leading Georgian Public Health Expert, Ketevan Chkhatarashvili, as a 2007 Yale World Fellow Yale University announced the selection of the leading Georgian health policy advisor, Ketevan Chkhatarashvili, the preside Yale University announced the selection of the leading Georgian health policy advisor, Ketevan Chkhatarashvili, the president of Curatio International Foundation, an organization which is a pioneer of health care reform throughout the Caucasus, Central Asia, Eastern Europe, and Africa, as… Introductory Workshop on National Health Accounts in Azerbaijan Dr. George Gotsadze, Director of Curatio International Foundation, traveled to Baku, Azerbaijan during May 16-18, 2007. Dr. Gotsadze was invited within the frame of Primary Health Care (PHC) Strengthening Project in Azerbaijan to contribute to the introductory workshop on National… Armenia Visit Report CIF consultant, Ketevan Goguadze in April 1-7, 2007 traveled to Armenia. The major purpose of the visit was to provide technical support to the Armenian national working group in order to estimate the costs of the current immunization program; evaluate… Protocol of the Policy Club on the Public Health Organizational Development On February 23, 2007 the policy club has been organized within the framework of CoReform Project with the aim to discuss organizational arrangement of the Public Health at local level. It has brought together Deputy Ministers MOLHSA, representatives of Sector… Ukraine Mission Report CIF consultant George Gotsadze was invited by the country office of UNAIDS Ukraine to support the reconstruction of the management component of the Tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS Control Project, financed with the loan proceeds from the World Bank. The project has… Health Research for a Responsive Healthcare System in Georgia The project was funded by the Rockefeller Foundation and implemented by Curatio International Foundation (CIF) in collaboration with National Health Management Center of Georgia (NHMC), Tbilisi State Medical University, Department of Public Health and Management of Georgia (DPHM), London School… Development of Hospital Master Plan for Georgia, 1998-1999 Development of Hospital Master Plan for Georgia project started in July 1998 and ended in January 1999. The project was funded by the World Bank through prime contract with Kaiser Permanente International (USA). Curatio International Foundation managed and administered all… Hospital Financing in Georgia: Problems & Solutions, 1998-1999 The Hospital Financing in Georgia Problems & Solutions project was funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) through prime contract with Abt. Associates Inc. The project aimed to evaluate financing of the hospital sector in Georgia in order… Healthcare Reform in Georgia Since the restoration of independence, reforming Georgia`s healthcare system was vital. The report looks at reforms implemented since early 90ies. It give a brief overview of heatlh situation in the Soviet union. Authors: David Gzirishvili, George Mataradze; 1998. Read the… Final Report on Family Planning and Reproductive Health Assessment in Georgia The overall goal of the assessment was to promote a development of the national policy on family planning in Georgia through provision of updated and reliable information about the family planning/reproductive health (FP/RH) in the country. A panel of experts… Supportive Materials A guide for using qualitative approaches Listening to needs, building on local strengths, delivering innovative context-specific solution 3 Kavsadze str, Office 5, 0179, Tbilisi, Georgia (995 32) 2 25 13 44 Developed by AdvertWise	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0068.json.gz/line121
__label__wiki	0.652304	0.652304	The Floating Arm RP Logs » Archives: Logs » The Floating Arm December 09, 2014: Deadpool pays a visit to Roxxon Oil in Gotham and is foiled by Oracles team on the ground… Dirty, yucky, stinking Gotham Lady Blackhawk Kane and Wayne are the biggest names in Gotham; there are other companies, other businesses, but the city is not exactly accomodating to outside interests beyond a certain size. There just isn't enough turf to go around; when so many of the buildings carry one of the same two names, it's easy for newcomers to get lost amidst the sea of entrenched branding. This is exactly why Roxxon Oil maintains holdings in Gotham City: not to take root and thrive in new territory, but to hide in plain sight. It's a tactic with varying levels of success; tonight, however, the company's three-story research facility has a visitor. "It's not that you guys don't deserve to make a buck or two— I get it! I totally do! I'm Mister Buck-Or-Two," a man in form-fitting red and black says as he tows a struggling security guard up to his vent shaft by way of a noose, "I mean, once upon a time, I was Mister Buck-Or-Three, and then everyone started getting all sensitive about sustainability, and worried about how the bucks feel about bein' made into burgers—" "Ggk—!" the guard interjects. "Oh! Right! Yeah, so, anyway, so like I was sayin' about you guys and the enviro—" Footsteps from the hallway perpendicular the one where Deadpool and the guard are dialoguing interrupt the merc—briefly. "Whoop— " He lets the rope go and the guard falls to the ground in a heap. "— we'll continue this discussion later!" he promises as he then unclips a grenade, unpins it, and drops it down near the guard. "Maybe!" he tacks on, sliding the grate back into place. Luckily for the guard, the grenade has a pretty long fuse, and the strangulation wasn't as bad as it could have been; he is able to crawl, and then scramble far enough away from the eventual explosion that he's just sent tumbling down the hallwa by the blast, stopping when he eventually rolls into the second guard as she turns the corner. Shortly afterwards, alarms are sounded, but rather than the GCPD, it's Roxxon's private security forces who get the signal— and, perhaps, an enterprising outside party. In the Clocktower, Oracles systems sound an alarm as the explosion goes off. Green eyes flick to her screens, identifying the cause and her hands move quickly over her console, bringing up video feeds and data streams… "What is it…" she murmurs to herself. Identifying Roxxon, she taps into the building management and security systems, bringing up CCTV and internal feeds… "Let's see what's really going on…" Rowan… actually already has his spear out. This is because he's just finished telling a group of Psyborgs to piss off with the pointy end of it and had to make a rather expeditious departure from ground level to avoid having to explain this to the local authorities. In the crush of the melee he's also managed to activate his phone in such a way that the oracleware has been pinged several times (pocket dialing for the win) and now the Information Goddess of Gotham should have a very nice view of the inside of his pocket along with a location less than a block from Deadpool's latest murderous rampage. "Anything we should be lookin' into?" Lady Blackhawk isn't in the tower, she's on the ground, in her car- and wired up enough to Oracle's network to be "on call" should the boss need her. "Feel free to patch any video through, I got the rookie ridin' shotgun," she reports. In other words, she's in no danger of getting distracted by any screens while driving- Misfit can handle all the techno-stuff until they get to where they need to. Assuming SOMEONE doesn't go all gung-ho and teleport ahead of her chaperone. Most of the cameras are showing nothing of consequence, BUT: 1.) One does have a shot of the rumpled, strangled, and shaken up guard and the guard who found him headed for—something. One of the other cameras had a shot of the interior of an armory; others, lab spaces of various sizes. Any are fair bets; Oracle could probably narrow it down if she were willing to be thorough about looking up floorplans and trying to track the guards' positions on the cameras relative to the plans. 2.) Another camera has a shot of Deadpool's butt as he crawls through the vents; Roxxon takes its security reasonably seriously. 3.) Only one of the surveilled labs is staffed, but it is staffed, given the late hour. It's big enough for a sizable team of scientists, and right now, there are five buzzing around in there. The centerpiece is an eight foot tall glass cylinder jutting from the floor nearly up to the ceiling; all of the lab tables and other instruments are constructed in a circle around it. There is an arm floating in translucent green fluid in the middle of that cylinder; it's about a fifty/fifty flesh-to-cybernetic stuff ratio with a number of wires extending from ports along the limb up to the ceiling. Misfit might totally do that, it would be a totally valid fear to have. Someday it will make Charlie a great first responder, but today she is more a source of Chaos. She looks sidelong to Lady Blackhawk as she reaches to fiddle with the radio while she is phoning homebase, pop music. o/~ All about the basssss o/~ "Guess it can't be all bad, working here," Deadpool muses as he shimmies through the vents. Assuming that Oracle is diligent about flipping through the vent cameras, her team should be able to keep their eyes on him. "I could barely get that— hey—" The merc pauses a few inches away from one of the cams and squints directly at. "Hey, just so you guys know," he grouses, "It's boring as hell up here; this 1984 vibe you've got goin' is killing me! No ambience! I'm givin' you jerks two outta five on Yelp when I'm all done kill—" A bullet rips through the shaft just inches away from him. Those two guards are still on the move(to the armory), but they aren't the only ones on site: several others are headed to the armory as well from different corners of the facility, and upon hearing a voice in the vent shaft, one of them opted to just pull his pistol and start firing. "—ing this other jerk!" he concludes, transitioning gamely despite being shot at. He scrambles towards a nearby grate with more shots on his tail, managing to stay just ahead of them long enough to punch through the grate and stick his head out. Just in time for the desperately firing guard to get off two more shots, one of which hits right between the eyes; Deadpool falls the rest of the way out of the vent with a wet thud. The guard - more surprised than anything - radios the others to let them know that the intruder is down; soon enough, when they've armed themselves with vests and assault weapons, they'll start closing in on the downed merc's position. Also: Oracle could probably determine that Deadpool is(was?) headed for the busy lab, given floorplans and a little deduction, Rowans phone registers in another windows, the view of the inside of his pocket has Oracle frowning momentarily as she works it out "Rowan, it's Oracle, you've activated your app but that's a good thing, I need your help" Maybe, just maybe, he'll hear her. Flipping her comms channel to Zinda and Misfit "Incoming…" and the feed showing Deadpools rearend is sent through "Somethings happen down at Roxxon Oil… and unless I miss my guess, that's Deadpool. Looks like he's heading towards a research lab…." The redheaded Information Goddess starts to hack Roxxon's databases… "What is it, they're doing there and why is Deadpool involved?" again, she speaks to herself. The Dragon Warrior pulls his phone out of his pocket. His on a skyscraper rooftop in Downtown Gotham and that becomes evident quickly on Oracle's screen. "Oracle? Hello. Help you said? So long as it's not more Nameless." He pauses. "It's not Nameless is it? Nasty psychic psyborgs? Because that many of them would mean bad things." Lady B. snaps her fingers and turns the radio /off/, indicating that Charlie should be paying attention to the screen. Well, not the feed displaying Deadpool's butt, but the other ones. "Thaaaat looks like some serious trouble, Skipper. You want us to drop by there?" Is her little Padawan (yes, Zinda has seen Star Wars) ready for a gig like this? Given her rundown of the Druid situation, she can certainly hold her own. "Would'a liked to have gone over disarming with you a little more…" she mumbles under her breath. She's so taking the kid to the range this weekend. Charlie sinks back in the seat of the car and watches Deadpools butt, then Deadpools butt falling out of the vent shot up "Ohmygod.. is that a good guy or a villain.. I think he is shot and needs help…" she pauses "Is this a good thing.. or a bad thing we should be rushing to save him from?" she really isn't clear on Deadpool. Which could be because she knows him really well and it makes sense, or because she has no idea. Either way pretty much the same exact reaction now. "Lady B. uh.." she taps the map tech "Take a left then straight down… and step on it." she is trying so hard to not bounce ahead. "This is Lambda-3," one guard says into a comm piece as he and his fellow guards creep towards Deadpool with their weapons drawn. "Hostile is down; closing in to confirm. Will bag and—" "Lambdas suck!" Deadpool exclaims as he calls upon those nights he spent engrossed in the Step Up universe to deliver a brisk helicopter spin that knocks the nearest couple of guards away. "Betas rule!" He springs from his headstand as another guard opens fire, managing to twist his costume-clad body through the hail of bullets with minimal injury on his way to unsheathing a katana and lopping off the guard's gun hand. There is a camera in that hall; Oracle might or might not have the feed up by the time things start getting messy. As for what Roxxon is doing: there are some files pertaining to cybernetics research at the facility. The company has an interest in developing mass-produceable replacement parts, both to keep its own employees going in case of catastrophic injury and to scale the technology back a little for consumer consumption. This particular facility is meant to be for small scale tests, prototyping— preparing techniques for possible dissemination through more substantial operations, essentially. Roxxon owns the building, but a lot of the employees are transplants from the Brand Corporation; given that Brand is just a subdidiary of Roxxon, the difference is minimal in practice. Oracles hacking, which has required some digging, into Roxxon's databases reveals some very interesting things. "No Rowan, not the Nameless but our friend, Deadpool. You remember him? He's up to something at Roxxon Oil. Whatever he's doing, he's making quite a mess down there. Can you head there and give some of my other people a hand? I've sent you the coordinates" Oracle doesn't really assume he'll just help, but won't waste time if he will. On Lady B.'s channel, Oracle listens to Charlie and looks very grim "I don't know either. Deadpool is… ambiguous…." Oracle knows that's putting it mildly "but whatever he's doing, it's creating a mess. Go Lady B. as quickly as possible, I'm trying to arrange some extra backup for you. Charlie, stay with Lady B. and do exactly what she tells you." Lady Blackhawk floors it, following Charlie's directions to the Roxxon building. "This is gonna be one of those situations where there ain't really a clear good guy besides us, isn't it?" she asks with a sigh. After a few turns, and… probably some questionable driving practices, Zinda parks close enough that she and Misfit can run to the building. No one's going to question the big old boat of a car with veteran's plates parked a little way's a way, right? Charlie bails from the car with a leap, pausing to make sure her mask is in place. Her little cape fluttering in the wind. "Well at least I know who not to inflict DARK Vengeance on!" that would be Lady B of course, everyone else seems to be in Charlie's fair game book after statements like the earlier ones from Oracle and Lady B. She doesn't somehow run ahead, reeeestraint. So far. "Let's go!" It really doesn't take Deadpool very long at all to deal with the guards, once he gets going. The dismembered guard has the index and middle fingers of his own hand jammed nito his eyesockets in what is quite possibly the most brutal Stooges tribute ever captured on film. By the time Zinda and Misfit make it inside, he is that guard's stolen weapon into the side office that the others have managed to duck into for cover. "I already told you guys," he shouts over the steady staccato of suppressive fire, "that I know exactly what I'm looking for— this is merc profilin'! I don't need you breathin' down my neck, thank you very much! Soon as we're done here, I'm callin' Jay-Z and we're boycotting the shit outta you guys!" By this point, the people working in the lab have had enough time to lock things down: heavy security doors covering the entrance, metal shutters over the glass surfaces of the cylinder, a pop-up armory with a few hold out weapons for the team. They are of course still working, but at least they're a bit more prepared for danger. Oracle watches as Misfit and Lady B. reach the building and leave the car. "Activate your video feeds please…" she requests "He's going to head for the 2nd floor, there's a lab there… I'm sure he's after what's there. I just don't know why…" It's likely he's been paid to recover the tech, he's a merc after all. The moment Oracle gave him coordinates Rowan was winging his way toward the not very distant building where Deathpond… no… Necrowater… no… Ghostriver… er… Deadpool! Yes! Where that guy was. Being able to 'wing' ones way into the scene has several advantages. One is that you can bypass all that pesky ground floor business and so it's with a shattering of glass that the Dragon Warrior - now sporting armored scales and claws in addition to his spear - arrives on the floor where the Merc with a Mouth presently is. "Am I supposed to be helping him? Or the people he's currently terrorizing?" Rowan asks his phone. "This guy's crazier than a shithouse rat," Zinda mutters, watching the video feed, now overhearing some of the audio. "Kiddo," since for the life of her, she can't remember what codename Charlie's using tonight, "Take extra caution with this one. Oracle, what can you tell me about him? Aside from his obvious shortcomings in sanity?" In other words- is this the kind of bad guy she can shoot and not worry about killing, perhaps? Charlie nods to Zinda "Right. Extra Caution." she looks across at the mess and cocks her head at the gunfire. "Should I pop over and punch this guy in the head.. or what.. I mean it sounds like he is shooting the guards. Im also not entirely sure if you are saying he is or isn't the bad guy…" she is just ready to go and deal with either the guards or the Deadpool .. lemme atttt em. Deadpool is, indeed, headed for the second floor— or was. While this does mean that 'bypassing' the ground floor isn't an advantage that Rowan will get to enjoy tonight, smashing through the windows is still a pretty good way to make an entrance. "Woah!" the merc exclaims as he's forced to abandon shooting in favor of hitting the deck to avoid glass shrapnel; he still ends up with a few chunks embedded in his back and side, even with that precaution. "Sonuva— you know that's seven years of bad luck, right?!" As he rolls off of his belly to his back, he swiftly fetches another grenade from his belt, chucks it into the room, then kips up to face the newcomer. "Take off a couple because, okay, it's not like they can't afford to lose a couple'a windows, but then you figure you've gotta double it because now they've gotta waste money fixing the hole some idiot put in their window instead've makin' more of those adorable black baby seagulls! And then you throw in another fifteen, because you just know that when Ralph and Carl - Ralph and Carl are the handymen, probably; great guys, real salt of the earth types - get to fixing the hole, Ralph is gonna have to run under the ladder he's holdin' up for Carl to get him some tool he forgot to take up there with him, because sometimes, Carl drinks before he comes to work so that he doesn't have to think about how he could've been on Broadway, if only he'd just applied himself a little more; his memory's not so good, anymore, guy! Okay?! And now you're makin' his life even shittier than it already was! Hope you're happy!" The entire time Deadpool spins his tale of bad luck and alcoholism, he is firing wildly in Rowan's direction; somehow, he manages to shout loudly enough to be heard over the gunfire despite not really seeming to take too many breaths in there. The grenade, incidentally, detonates into a cloud of bright red smoke rather than something worse. "Rowan, I'm conferencing in the others… " Oracle taps her communicator "Lady B., Charlie, I have Rowan approaching as well. Rowan has ummmmm encountered Deadpool before." The redhead pauses "Deadpool seems to have unlimited regenerative powers, just avoid headshots please…. The objective is to stop this carnage, which seems to be being created by Deadpool… Do what you must but, please remember, I prefer for non-lethal means to be applied…" Oh crap! Rowan can take damage. Small arms fire is a bit questionable in his present state though. Armor is good but not getting shot is better. He slaps one of the security out of the way with the haft of his odd coral spear and throws a clawed hand out as he dives for cover, returning lightning in the general direction that the bullets are coming from. Yes, he remembers this guy now. Zinda hears unlimited regenerative abilities. Okaythen. "Alright, Kiddo. I'll draw his attention, you… try an' get whatever he's after outta his reach, and if worse comes to worse, we've covered enough on the disarming front that I trust you to try it," says Zinda. And then she's running in like the madwoman Nazi-killer in a miniskirt that history's made her out to be, guns out, and firing at Deadpool. No headshots, everything's aimed at the torso. Her main goal here is getting his attention and keeping it away from Charlie. Charlie considers "Oracle what is it he is after.. should I help Lady B and this other guy or just go after his prize and keep it away from him?" she meanwhile runs after Lady B. Once that thrown lightning is resolved she tries someething, bouncing mid-run, disappearing in pink and purple smoke and appearing on the other side of Deadpool (To use him as a shield for B's bullets of course) and tries to snatch his gun away and then 'bounce' away once more. Disarming test #1. There aren't many places for Deadpool to go; he's stuck in a hallway between a room full of armed(if smoke-blinded) guards and an electricity-lobbing Rowan. Thus, as shards of glass are pushed out of his rapidly sealing wounds, he pivots around and starts sprinting away from the chaos as he tells his tale. Rather than run straight ahead, he first makes a bee-line towards the nearest wall so that he can and then spring off it to dodge an incoming bolt of electricity. Unfortunately for him, Zinda chooses the moment when his feet hit the ground to burst onto the scene; he gets two to the chest before he can respond, and after staggering back a step, he just drops straight to the ground and bleeds. "I— I'm hit!" he exclaims, thrusting his trembling, gun-toting - no, wait, formerly gun-toting; thanks, Misfit - hand into the air while his other surrepitously works with the pouches on his belt. "My heart…! I can almost feel the blood—" He isn't quite so quick to shoot upright while there are bullets lodged in his chest, but he still manages to sit up some while chucking a small disc palmed from his belt in Zinda's direction. If it makes contact, it'll latch on and deliver a mighty shock; enough to, perhaps, put someone down for a while without killing them. "— rushin' down to /little/ Dea—" He pauses for just a second when his eyes graze over Misfit and he registers her as a person and not just a mysterious gun-stealing pixie. "Whoops! Sorry; didn't know the future Missus Deadpool came with a Baby Deadpool! Although— hey!" As he turns to face Rowan, he starts drawing a pistol while continuing, "— you, with the wings: what do you think? It's 2014; should I ta— " ZAKKT! While Deadpool does manage to squeeze off a shot as Rowan's electricity hits him in the chest, it's wildly inaccurate. Probably because of all the spasming. "Just help Lady B., kiddo" Oracles adopted the term as well. "They've got the area locked down… and we need to neutralise Deadpool." Watching the mayhem through her video feeds, Oracle waits… Her team on the ground are professionals and know what they're doing. Lady Blackhawk thunks. On floor. Zzzp. Rowan peeks out from his cover. He's a little new to this world for 'don't tase me bro' but hey, if it works… Slowly the reptillian spear wielder advances, occasionally throwing arcs of lightning down the hallway to keep the guards' heads down. "Is he stunned?" The tone of his voice suggest he doubts he's that lucky. Charlie looks past Deadpool as he ZAKKTs on the floor there. Wow Lightning is pretty effective she thinks. Then Lady B goes down "Holycrap Lady B!" she looks down to Deadpool and kicks him in the head. Is it a headshot when it is a soccer punt from a girl who despite her lithe frame kicks with human peek kicking ability. "You jerkface!" punt. Punt. Punt. "This— ow! Is— ow! Just— ow! Part— ow! Of our— ow! Story— ow!" Deadpool's gravelly voice is shaking a bit as he protests Charlie's rough treatment of him; the twitching subsides drastically after the first shot or two, but he's still feeling the effects of the shock. "She pierces— ow! My heart— ow! I tase— ow! Hey— HEY!" Rolling onto his side, he tries to slug Misfit in the gut hard enough to take her breath away— hard enough to discourage her from kicking him any more. If his pistol had been in his hand instead of on the ground next to him, he'd have probably tried using it to get some breathing room instead. "If you just ACT COOL," he'll try to scold regardless of connecting or not, "you'll get a car, or an iPhone, or an RPG launcher or something out of this; you're the step kid! What am I supposed to do with you but try to buy your love with hamfisted material gestures so that me and your hot mom can concentrate on makin' you a litter of brothers and sisters?!" He doesn't have coordinates for the lab; one of them is down, but the other two are still live, and there's no way the lab isn't sealed by this point. The scientists will have to wait; short of cutting his way through Zinda, Rowan, the guards, and anyone else that might be lurking or en route, Deadpool has pretty much blown his chance of getting to them tonight. "I'd be a great dad; I've got so many nudie mags to give…" he mutters as he thus reaches for his belt to depress one of the eyes in the buckle. The margins of his body briefly blur, and then he disappears in a flash of white light and a puff of smoke. As Deadpool just disappears from her video feeds, Oracle speaks to the team "Lady B.'s down… go see to her Kiddo, Rowan if you could provide assistance please…" The fact that Deadpool has assualted this place has been filed until she can get her team home safe. A large crimson… the only way to put it is 'half dragon' approaches Misfit. He's got a tail, four brightly colored leather wings, and is generally huge and scaley and dragon-like except for the fact that he's walking on two legs. Also he has a spear. "We probably shouldn't stay here." He says quietly to Misfit. Charlie looks at the vanished spot, thinks about going after him, and then shakes her head and trots over to see if Lady B is okay crouching down "I think she is okay… may need help carrying her to the car…" she looks to Rowan "you can help right scales?" "Charlie, his name is Rowan, please be polite." Oracle chides gently. The lessons haven't finished for the Padawan it seems. "Rowan, you will need to drive, Charlie can't. I can give you directions on where to go." Oracle has called in the EMTs to care for the wounded, it's time for the team to get out of there. "I have a better idea." Rowan rumbles. He slings Zinda over his shoulder and beckons to Charlie as he moves toward the ruined window that provided his entrence. Once there he leaps which might seem suicidal… until he begins to lengthen and sprouts two additional wings (up to six now) In moments there is a large dragon hovering with Zinda draped across his neck. "Coming?" Charlie follows Rowan to the window watching curiously, she isn't really worried about Lady B cause, you know, superheroes and all. When he turns into a huge six winged dragon though she squeeks. Not in terror but in fangirl glee perhaps "WOAH… hell yeah!" she bounces, vanishing in purple/pink smoke and appearing astride her dragon mount. "MAN I wish I had my wizard staff for a press pic of this!" she holds on "Awaaay Falcor!" _201412deadpoolgothamlady_blackhawkmisfitoraclerowan	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0068.json.gz/line125
__label__cc	0.546606	0.453394	HOME IMAGE SOURCE Verona - R1012MB 3-3/4" OL Rustic Drop Pull 2-1/4" CC without screws. Finish: Matte Black R1012MB Contact us to take advantage of our competitive prices (we ship nationwide) Click here... © 2014 by Elan Kitchen & Bath Design Center, LLC. All Rights Reserved. CA License#102-516-511 18378 Ventura Blvd. Tarzana, California 91356 We serve Los Angeles County including, but not limited to, the following areas: Angelino Heights, Arleta, Arlington Heights, Atwater Village, Baldwin Hills/Crenshaw, Beachwood Canyon, Bel Air, Benedict Canyon, Beverly Crest, Beverly Glen, Beverly Grove, Beverly Hills, Beverly Park, Beverlywood, Boyle Heights, Brentwood, Broadway-Manchester, Brookside Park, Bunker Hill, Canoga Park, Canterbury Knolls, Carthay, Central-Alameda, Central City, Century City, Chatsworth, Chesterfield Square, Cheviot Hills, Chinatown, Civic Center, Crenshaw, Crestwood Hills, Cypress Park, Del Rey, Downtown, Eagle Rock, East Gate Bel Air, East Hollywood, Echo Park, Edendale, El Sereno, Elysian Heights, Elysian Park, Elysian Valley, Encino, Exposition Park, Faircrest Heights , Fairfax, Fashion District, Filipinotown, Financial District, Florence, Flower District, Franklin Hills, Gallery Row, Garvanza, Glassell Park, Gramercy Park, Granada Hills, Green Meadows, Griffith Park, Hancock Park, Harbor City, Harbor Gateway, Harvard Heights, Harvard Park, Hermon, Highland Park, Historic Core, Hollywood, Holmby Hills, Hyde Park, Jefferson Park, Jewelry District, Kinney Heights, Koreatown, Lafayette Square, Lake Balboa, Lake View Terrace, Larchmont, Laurel Canyon, Leimert Park, Lincoln Heights, Little Armenia, Little Ethiopia, Little Tokyo, Los Feliz, Manchester Square, Mandeville Canyon, Marina Peninsula, Mar Vista, Melrose Hill, Mid-City, Mid-Wilshire, Miracle Mile, Mission Hills, Montecito Heights, Monterey Hills, Mount Olympus, Mount Washington, Naud Junction, Nichols Canyon, NoHo Arts District, North Hills, North Hollywood, Northridge, North University Park, Old Bank District, Outpost Estates, Pacific Palisades, Pacoima, Palms, Panorama City, Park La Brea, Picfair Village, Pico-Union, Playa del Rey, Playa Vista, Porter Ranch, Rancho Park, Reseda, Reynier Village, Rustic Canyon, San Pedro, Sawtelle, Shadow Hills, Sherman Oaks, Silver Lake, Solano Canyon, South Central, Historic, South Park, South Robertson, Spaulding Square, Studio City, Sunland, Sunset Junction, Sun Valley, Sylmar, Tarzana, Terminal Island, Thai Town, Toluca Lake, Toy District, Tujunga, University Hills, University Park, University Park, North, Valley Glen, Valley Village, Van Nuys, Venice, Vermont Knolls, Vermont-Slauson, Vermont Square, Vermont Vista, Victor Heights, Victoria Park, Village Green, Warner Center, Watts, West Adams, Westchester, Westdale, West Hills, Westlake, West Los Angeles, Westside Village, Westwood, Whitley Heights, Wholesale District, Wilmington, Wilshire Center, Wilshire Park, Windsor Square, Winnetka, Woodland Hills, Yucca Corridor	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0068.json.gz/line130
__label__wiki	0.877469	0.877469	Iran Slams Saudi ‘Ridiculous’ Accusation of Yemeni Missile Fired at Mecca Keywords:MeccaSheikh Abdullah bin Zayed al-NahyanUNYemenis Iran’s Foreign Ministry dismissed as “ridiculous” the allegations raised by Saudi and Emirati officials that Yemeni forces have fired a missile at the holy city of Mecca, urging Riyadh not to use holy places as a tool to fulfill its political objectives. Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi on Friday rejected the allegations as part of a plot by Saudis to cover up their defeats in the war on Yemeni people. He also underlined that people of Yemen have more respect for the holy Islamic sites than the Wahhabi kings do. He then lashed out at the Saudi rulers as “aggressor and child-murderer” monarchs relying on the US and the Zionist regime of Israel. Saudi Arabia claimed on Friday it has intercepted a ballistic missile heading towards Mecca, accusing Yemeni forces of launching the long-range ballistic missile from 500km over the border. United Arab Emirates’ Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahyan also criticized Iran after the alleged missile attack. Since March 2015, Saudi Arabia and some of its Arab allies, including the U.A.E, have been launching airstrikes against the Houthi Ansarullah movement in an attempt to restore power to the fugitive former President Abd Rabbuh Mansour Hadi, a close ally of Riyadh. According to UN estimates, over 10,000 Yemenis, including 4,000 women and children, have lost their lives in the military campaign. On October 8 alone, Saudi-led warplanes killed over 140 people and injured more than 600 others in an airstrike on a crowded funeral ceremony in Sana’a. Source: www.tasnimnews.com Israel accuses UN human rights official of hateful incitement Analytics, News Qatar accuses Saudi Arabia of ‘politicizing’ Hajj pilgrimage Analytics, Breaking Stop helping to kill in Yemen Yemeni minister: We are considering halting UN mission after proven bias Be the first to comment at "Iran Slams Saudi ‘Ridiculous’ Accusation of Yemeni Missile Fired at Mecca"	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0068.json.gz/line135
__label__cc	0.746112	0.253888	Effect of rocuronium compared with succinylcholine on intraocular pressure during rapid sequence induction of anaesthesia. Chiu, C.L. and Jaais, F. and Wang, C.Y. (1999) Effect of rocuronium compared with succinylcholine on intraocular pressure during rapid sequence induction of anaesthesia. BJA: British Journal of Anaesthesia, 82 (5). pp. 757-60. ISSN 0007-0912 Official URL: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10536557 We have compared the effect of rocuronium and succinylcholine on intraocular pressure (IOP) during rapid sequence induction of anaesthesia using propofol and fentanyl, in a randomized double-blind study. We studied 30 adult patients, allocated to one of two groups. Anaesthesia was induced with fentanyl 2 micrograms kg-1 and propofol until loss of verbal response. This was followed by succinylcholine 1.5 mg kg-1 (group S; n = 15) or rocuronium 0.9 mg kg-1 (group R; n = 15). Laryngoscopy was performed 60 s later. IOP, mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) were measured before induction, immediately before intubation and every minute after intubation for 5 min. A Keeler Pulsair air impulse tonometer was used to measure IOP and the mean of two readings obtained in the right eye at each measurement time was recorded. Intubating conditions were evaluated according to a simple scoring system. IOP in the succinylcholine group was significantly greater than that in the rocuronium group (mean 21.6 (SEM 1.4) mm Hg vs 13.3 (1.4) mm Hg; P < 0.001). Intubating conditions were equally good in both groups. We conclude that with rapid sequence induction of anaesthesia using propofol and fentanyl, rocuronium did not cause as great an increase in IOP as succinylcholine and may be an alternative in open eye injury cases. Department of Anaesthesia, University of Malaya Adolescent; Anesthesia, Intravenous; R Medicine > R Medicine (General) Mr. Faizal Hamzah http://eprints.um.edu.my/id/eprint/401	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0068.json.gz/line142
__label__wiki	0.559544	0.559544	By Maya Dusenbery • @mayadusenbery • 6 years ago Quick Hit: Gosnell’s clinic and the cost of dignity in health care As we’ve already mentioned, the conservative claims of a liberal media “blackout” surrounding the trial of Kermit Gosnell are totally ridiculous. Feminist bloggers and journalists, including us, have been covering this terrible story from the beginning. Our own Lori wrote an article in the Grio two years ago on the racial segregation of Gosnell’s clinic and what this story says about safe abortion access for low-income women of color. It’s a point that’s echoed in this excellent piece by Erin Grant: But this case is about more than just a practitioner who did bad things. His case embodies the “off-the-grid” abortions we can expect to see in states like Mississippi and North Dakota, where anti-choice harassment and regulations purposefully pass to close all clinics providing legal, safe abortion care mean only one clinic is left in each state, and even those are under threat of being shut down. Gosnell’s “Women’s Medical Society” was not an unknown entity. In fact, it was surrounded by well-known and respected hospitals and clinics. But because they adhere to safe abortion care practices and because health care is expensive generally, the cost of care at these clinics was often out of reach to women who, without public assistance, don’t have and cannot afford regular health care of any kind. Gosnell’s operation bears no resemblance to safe abortion care. His entire “practice” was illegal: There were untrained medical “assistants” and abortions performed at viability without medical cause. His “clinic” was unsanitary and unsafe and what Carole Joffe has referred to as a “chamber of horrors.” Moreover, in a gruesome quid pro quo, Gosnell charged on a “sliding scale” for anesthesia; you got more anesthesia the more money you paid, so the poorer you were, the more pain you suffered. Women who went to Gosnell may have known of other places to receive abortion care, but they were either beyond the legal time limit when they could get an abortion in the state, or they could not afford safe abortion care. What this case reveals is that the cost of dignity in health care has risen, and the attack on poor women intensified. So if conservatives suddenly want to talk about Gosnell, let’s definitely talk about it. Let’s talk about why people living in a country in which abortion is supposedly a legal right would seek illegal care from an unlicensed, dangerous quack. I can think of a few reasons. And let’s talk about why Gosnell was able to carry on for so long without being stopped. The Grand Jury report has one idea: “We think the reason no one acted is because the women in question were poor and of color.” Maya Dusenbery is executive director in charge of editorial at Feministing. She is the author of the forthcoming book Doing Harm: The Truth About How Bad Medicine and Lazy Science Leave Women Dismissed, Misdiagnosed, and Sick (HarperOne, March 2018). She has been a fellow at Mother Jones magazine and a columnist at Pacific Standard magazine. Her work has appeared in publications like Cosmopolitan.com, TheAtlantic.com, Bitch Magazine, as well as the anthology The Feminist Utopia Project. Before become a full-time journalist, she worked at the National Institute for Reproductive Health. A Minnesota native, she received her B.A. from Carleton College in 2008. After living in Brooklyn, Oakland, and Atlanta, she is currently based in the Twin Cities. Maya Dusenbery is an executive director of Feministing and author of the forthcoming book Doing Harm on sexism in medicine. Read more about Maya Maya Dusenbery Maya Dusenbery Abortion Access Improves Children’s Lives By Senti Sojwal By Senti Sojwal • @senti_narwhal • 5 months ago Last month marked the 46th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the landmark Supreme Court decision that affirmed the constitutional right to safe, legal abortion. Almost fifty years later, despite near constant attacks on abortion access, and a largely anti-reproductive health SCOTUS and White House, Americans still overwhelmingly support the decision and an individual’s right to make their own choices about their reproductive futures. Advancing New Standards in Reproductive Health just released the final results of the Turnaway Study that explore the effect of abortion access on an individual’s existing and future children in the US. Earlier ... Last month marked the 46th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the landmark Supreme Court decision that affirmed the constitutional right to safe, legal abortion. Almost fifty years later, despite near constant ... abortion▪gosnell▪Health care▪Low-income women▪pro-choice▪Reproductive Justice▪Women of Color	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0068.json.gz/line144
__label__wiki	0.859113	0.859113	History’s Mysteries Schoolhouse Museum © 2017 Emma Palova © 2017 Bruce Doll Fallas House © 2017 Betsy Davidson Welcome to Fallasburg Village… Fallasburg Village was founded in the 1830’s by John Wesley Fallass. Today’s Village includes 42 acres along the banks of the Flat River, our covered bridge and one-room schoolhouse, a Village cemetery, the Fallas House and Misner House museums, and the Orlin Douglass/Tower Farm. Fallasburg Village was designated a “Historical District” with the National Register of Historic Places on March 31, 1999. Come explore and learn about the history of Fallasburg and the pioneers who made the Village their home. Experience the past! Attend a Fallasburg Flats Vintage Base Ball game and discover the gentlemen’s sport as it was meant to be played. NO GLOVES, NO FEAR! The Village Features: Our 1867 one-room schoolhouse is the signature museum of the Fallasburg Historical Society. The building remained a functioning school until 1961. Currently it serves as a venue for FHS events throughout the year. The iconic Fallasburg Covered Bridge is a 100-foot long historic span across the Flat River that leads into the sleepy Village. The bridge was built in 1871 from pine timbers and brown trusses and is one of only two covered bridges open to vehicle traffic in Michigan. Signs at each portal warn of a “$5 fine for riding or driving faster than a walk.” The Fallasburg Covered Bridge was listed with the Michigan State Register of Historic Places on February 12, 1959, and the National Register on March 16, 1972. The Fallas House was built by John Wesley Fallas and his brothers, Silas and Arad, in 1842. John Wesley Fallas and his wife, Phoebe Brown Fallas lived in the house their entire lives. The Fallas House now serves as an FHS museum that showcases Fallas Family documents, pictures, and artifacts. The replica of the David Misner House that stands today was originally built for Misner in 1850. It is the most complete FHS museum in Fallasburg Village. Aside from the memorabilia it houses, the home and grounds play host to FHS’ signature event, the Annual Covered Bridge Bike Tour in July. The Orlin Douglass/Tower Farm was built by Douglass in 1850. It was later acquired by the Tower’s. In 1896, the right half of the farmhouse was moved from a nearby location so that sister-in-law’s, Tower and Steketee, could live together with their families. The house is currently under repair. The barn recently underwent restoration and was named “Barn of the Year, 2014” by the Michigan Barn Preservation Network. Thank you to our volunteers! In 2016 volunteers painted, patched, power washed, and preened properties. A new footbridge was constructed to connect our Schoolhouse to Fallas Field and the Misner House got a new porch. INTERESTED IN BECOMING A FALLASBURG HISTORICAL SOCIETY MEMBER? The Fallasburg Historical Society exists for the purpose of preserving, restoring, and maintaining Fallasburg Village. We encourage public support through education, sharing of information, and as hosts of numerous events. Help preserve our history by becoming a Fallasburg Historical Society member. CLICK HERE TO JOIN TODAY! We need your help in the form of time and money to keep Fallasburg Village standing. Thank you for all that you do and give. Visit the Village for tangible proof. You will be proud! PLEASE DONATE BELOW! Schoolhouse Open Most Sundays, June – September, 2 – 4PM or By Appointment Fallasburg Historical Society 13944 Covered Bridge Road, NE Lowell, MI 49331 info@fallasburg.org © Copyright - Fallasburg Historical Society - Site Designed by Addorio Technologies	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0068.json.gz/line151
__label__cc	0.64191	0.35809	Everything for your plants and animals Multi Species Goat & Sheep Fish / Aquatics Show Feed Mechanical/Maintenance Tractor Implements Fencing, Gates & Panels Tanks, Troughs & Feeders Cattle Chutes Work Wear/Winter Wear Misc. Clothing and Apparel Soil, Mulch, and More Seed; Pre-Mixed, Loose, and Grass Lodge Dutch Oven supplies home >> apparel >> miscellaneous >> lodge dutch oven supplies Originally named The Blacklock Foundry after Joseph Lodge’s friend and minister, the company gained success until May of 1910 when it burned down. Just three months later and a few blocks south, the company was reborn as Lodge Manufacturing Company. Joseph Lodge created a legacy of quality that has thrived through two World Wars and the Great Depression and is still carried on by his family today. Both our CEO and Chairman are Joseph Lodge’s great-grandsons who continue to evolve our product line and improve manufacturing methods. While many worthy competitors have fallen by the wayside, Lodge’s dedication to quality, technology, and employees have helped it not only survive but flourish. Even during the hard times of the 1930s, the Lodge family found ways to keep employees above water. Novelty items such as cast iron garden gnomes and animals were produced and sold to keep the furnaces burning and the paychecks issued. As the economy bounced back, Lodge responded to growing demand, and in 1950 converted its foundry from a hand-pour operation to an automated molding process in order to keep up with demand. This led to safer and more efficient manufacturing that at the time was very rare. Continuing a dedication to technology and conservation, Lodge once again updated its foundry in 1992. The replacement of coal-fired cupola furnaces with an electro-magnetic induction melting system earned a Tennessee Governor’s Award for Excellence in Hazardous Waste Reduction. Well into our second century in business, Lodge continued to innovate. In 2002, the legendary Lodge Logic line of pre-seasoned cookware was introduced, eliminating the hassle of its unseasoned counterparts. It was an industry first that has since become an industry standard.	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0068.json.gz/line155
__label__cc	0.656714	0.343286	Adobe shockwave player for windows 7 latest version Game thanh pho ma 3 Mimesi theme Girl you know its true album Get money stay true album Microsoft windows wlan autoconfig service server 2012 Still life 2 torent Shamans harvest album Main / Comics / Beauty and the Beast: The Graphic Novel.doc Beauty and the Beast: The Graphic Novel.doc Name: Beauty and the Beast: The Graphic Novel.doc In a dark forest, a merchant picks a rose for his daughter Beauty. It belongs to a terrible beast. To save his life, the merchant promises that his daughter will visit. 1 Jul In a dark forest, a merchant picks a rose for his daughter Beauty. It belongs to a terrible beast. To save his life, the merchant promises that his. big bad wolf beauty and the beast doc and bred by the big bad wolf beauty and the Find bred by the big bad wolf beauty and the beast book in our library for free trial. work well with graphic novels, illustrated eBooks, and other titles with . edition doc and beauty and the beast english edition epub for beauty and the beast graphic novels, illustrated eBooks, and other titles with specific formatting . Beauty and the beast =: La bella y la bestia Beauty and the beast: the graphic novel Hans Christian Andersen's The ugly duckling: the graphic novel. Max va al doctor (Max Goes to the. Doctor). 90 Fiction. Spanish. Picture Window Books Pruebalo (Just Try It) . Beauty and the Beast: The Graphic Novel. Beauty and the Beast Read-Along Storybook - Ebook written by Disney Book Group. Read this book using Google Play Books app on your PC, android, iOS. 42% Off! Get disney beauty and the beast cinestory comic: collector's edition Disney Doc McStuffins: Lambie and the McStuffins Babies Cinestory Comic. Beauty turns herself over to a Beast when her father steals a Rose. Read vintage bedtime stories, fairy tales and short stories for kids online at Storyberries. Beast (Henry Philip "Hank" McCoy) is a fictional superhero appearing in American comic books After a meeting with Doctor Strange, the displaced younger Beast has .. Beauty and the Beast miniseries – teams with Dazzler; X-Men: Fall of the Mutants – reverts to human; becomes dumber; X-Treme X-Men Vol. The Defenders is a set of fictional superhero groups with rotating membership appearing in Its original incarnation was led by Doctor Strange and included Hulk, Namor, and—eventually—Silver Surfer. Nighthawk, Hellcat, Gargoyle, Beast, the Son of Satan and Luke Cage, and a large number of temporary members. Cinestory Comics are a series of graphic novels published by Joe Books. List of Disney-related Cinestory Comics Beauty and the BeastMarch 15, Goof Troop: Junior Graphic Novel is a graphic novel for kids based on Goof Troop. It is a storybook adaptation of two of the earliest Goof Troop comic. Products 1 - 33 of 33 Product Image. Disney Doc McStuffins: Lambie and the McStuffins Babies Cinestory Comic Disney Beauty and the Beast Cinestory Comic. It is quite easy to download your document from our novels graphic classics mark twain graphic classics graphic novels graphic beauty and the beast. 30 Mar Panini UK - Official magazines, comics, books and graphic novels from the most exciting Mags & Comics. Latest New Releases. Disney Presents # - Beauty and the Beast Doctor Who Magazine Official Facebook Page. W.I.T.C.H.: The Graphic Novel, Part III. A Crisis on Both Worlds, Vol Book 7 · W.I.T.C.H.: The Disney/Pixar Inside Out Cinestory Comic ebook by Disney/ Pixar. Disney/Pixar . Disney Beauty and the Beast: As Told by Emoji. Disney. $ . Disney Doc McStuffins: Lambie and the McStuffins Babies Cinestory Comic. Disney. Welcome to a magical issue packed with all your Disney favourites including Doc McStuffins, Moana, Elena of Avalor, Minnie Mouse, Sofia the First, Vampirina. The comic book collection is based around several large donations from collectors. Doctor Doom (Marvel Comics); Astounding Space Thrills: The Comic Book (National Periodical Publications); Beauty and the Beast (Marvel Comics) (feat. slim driver cracked jabref for windows 7 64 bit tamil masala story pdf saint michel unicorns meena bangla dj kutt	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0068.json.gz/line166
__label__cc	0.620889	0.379111	Next release(s): August 2nd Started By Dandelion , Feb 17 2011 04:13 AM 2 Northlane - Alien 9 The Contortionist - Our Bones 16 Oh Sees - Face Stabber 6 Kayo Dot - Blasphemy #2 MSpatalatanj MSpatalatanj Streben nach dem Unendlichen Location:Macedonia,Skopje I don't know if anyone likes Beyonce or not, but we really need to discuss the release of her new album. Not the music per se, but the fact that she released it without any marketing whatsoever. I support her decision fully. I would love this to become the norm, you wake up, turn on your computer and bam- an album of your favorite band. Without all that much ado about nothing. It's up to the fans from there on to decide whether to buy or not, what will they do etc. #3 KENVOLTA KENVOLTA Location:Uranus Interests:Being a bitch Chicks assholes Punching my dick until I can't feel my balls Cute feet I would definitely NOT like for that to become the norm. The build up for a record adds to the mystery, and excitment leading up to the album. In this specific case for Beyonce though her fans are probably more excited with this surprise rather than the traditional build up so in this case it works perfectly. I love how everyone is approaching releases differently... Daft Punks roll out for RAM was one of the greatest fucking promotional campaigns, shit got me sooo worked up and the album definitely did not disappoint. #4 Carl the broccoli foundation I agree with the above post the one thing that Beyonces album got me thinking about is the Music Video, and how much we value it... we are getting amazing music videos these days, but weridly enough we actually value them less then when MTV was in their heyday. I rememnber watching music videos on much music/MTV back in like 2001? 2002 ? (this wasn't even the video heyday but videos were still popular) and there was generally an excitement in the air regarding videos and I wish there still was. Music video directors like Canada(check him out) and Romain Gervais would have done amazing things in the MTV 80's generation, this is certinatly not to say they're not doing amazing things now, and the us as the Youtube generation will also be looked back upon fondley just as the MTV generation is looked back upon but I feel as if there is some element of appreciation that is missing. Thoughts? Ken I agree with you completely. I think there is like a gigantic paradox in that situation, since we are more than ever in an era where the visual aspect has greater impact than before, since we are at the zenith of staring (invasion of pc, internet as the new media) and the phenomena of voyeurism, which comes as a side effect of the social networks (fb), but it seems like when MTV turned 'reality show crap tv' the importance of the video and the 'dramatic persona' or the entertainer was lost, and gave way for mere mortals to become famous, or visually appealing, and then in recent times 'the wall/ the profile' as one's personal visual representation, the everyday's man piece of the cake. I was reading Madonna's wiki page , and there is a big portion of social criticism in regards to her becoming Madonna because of the videos. Madonna=videos. These are just my scattered thoughts, since I am really tired and all over the place, but I didn't want to leave you hanging with your opinions since I think it's a good topic and I would like to hear more. I personally love music videos, and visuals, and it plays a big role in the way I receive and perceive music. Marija knows whats up. (I'm assuming this is your name as I've seen other people call you this) The MTV making normal people stars has defientely had impact on peoples appreciation of music videos/albums. I'm still in awe and love the mystic of bands but a lot of my friends are kinda just turning into unappreciative ass holes when it comes to entertainment. And I tell them if you want movies and music you need to support at least on some level. There is defienetely a strange paradox to the situation and it's kinda just the nature of polarity. You got everyone having access to being able to make music now, everyone being able to film shit so people think that they're as good as peopple who make art, thus appreciation is down. However there are artists doing AMAZING things right now. I'm a big advocate on the importance on appreciating music now and not getting trapped in our parents nostalgic Pink Floyd was the best trap. On the bright side for music videos, when Kanye West projects music videos on the side of buildings this gives life back to videos. When Phoenix makes a video dipicting scenes in under 15 seconds or the camera goes black until the next scene, that gives life back to videos. When beyonce releases a fucking album in which every song has a video, this puts the spot light back on videos. PS. We gotta talk music more I like where your heads at marija Yes, music is in a very good place right now! And I am kinda very excited since my generation is now coming to take over, since we are all those kids born around 88' (+/- 3 years), and we grew up with a plethora of styles in our life, we had MTV, then we had internet, we were kids in the 90s, teens in the 00s and adults know when you can see a clear mark of the second coming of the 90s and again it's awesome... And then I am also happy for all those amazing souls of rock who are now turning 40 or are in their 40s who can still write some god damn good music! #10 KENVOLTA Do you play yourself? and I really hope a 90s comeback does not start, apart from My Bloody Valentine and Chicago house music I really hate the 90's. ESPECIALLY GRUNGE #11 SharkHorse SharkHorse SharkHorse In The Gene Pool?! Nay! Sorry to hear that. There is some (IMO) fucking good music from that decade. The Verve, Radiohead etc etc… Maybe it's not cool music now but I grew up as they took off and it was an amazing time to be around. #12 buddh4sack buddh4sack Interests:The Secret of The Widow The 70s and the 90s are probably the best musical decades, overall. I'm not even sure it's possible to characterize "00's or 10's" music, because with internet streaming and downloading, that monolithic broadcasting and distribution model was lost, and we all just started listening to what we like. #13 daveion daveion Coma Donor Location:Illadelph 70's and 00's are the best imo Well the 00's have the Volta, so they're automatically the best in my book. I just really don't feel like the 00's had any sort of "signature" sound (e.g. punk, disco, synthpop, grunge, folk etc.)... do you? #15 MSpatalatanj I think that was the point of the 00s. Genre Revisited with a twist. The 10s are now, what a music critic somewhere on the internet called it, the new-nostalgia. I like to call them the new romantix. We surely started to romanticize every single decade there was, we don't necessarily change the game, we just dig our way to the best stuff there is and make it more something (I am missing words). As Grimes once said in an interview ' I consider myself a curator of all the stuff.' The link to the article is dead, the name of it was 'Recursive Retro and the New Nostalgia' #16 Seattleite Seattleite Location:Seattle, WA A creative genius. Grimes just recently signed to Jay-z's label, isn't that a trip? I could listen to her talk all day. She has only showered 1-5 times in her life? Or did I not here this right? #18 sshambles sshambles Sounded like it. (Gross btw, clean feels good). No wonder she's named grime(s)... I think 00's were more known for their continuance of most genres hidden in the 90's, but that said, the mainstay was still rap. As it was stated in an article today http://www.fasterlou...ovators-of-2013 Under #4 Kitty (Pryde) it states: the first of a generation that can’t remember a time before rap dominated the mainstream, that can’t remember the pre-Eminem disdain for white people trying to rap, that can’t remember a time when public and private weren’t just digital shades of grey. Which is absolute truth. Sad is that music like hers though 'Kitty Pryde' is going to be the next what to listen to. Go back and listen to other things prior, kids. I used to go to bands ALL THE FUCKING TIME. Now there's just about none around. All split up or moved onto other things. The sound of music that bands could play music and it could be universally liked or heard all over, is gone. There's no dominant genre of music bands are playing that everyone is on board of. Is Grimes a bad bitch .? if so should I ploug her #20 Jabberwocky Jabberwocky A few websites offers to download the Black Knights' Medieval Chamber, but then they ask you to give your cellphone number and buy a game or something... is it bullshit? I don't have any cellphone so I can't try and I'm a newbie on downloading leaked albums. But there is this video on youtube with a link in the description, and various users comments on the album. I just don't know if it has leaked already or not ? same with the warpaint album. I can't wait for those two.	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0068.json.gz/line169
__label__cc	0.709789	0.290211	The World of Harry Potter The best film incoherences you have ever seen Posted on January 15, 2018 by francia Intro.: Don’t get me wrong -I don’t mean to “diss” all shoot-outs; what I am saying is : demand the best -two words for that : John Woo-, and ignore the rest. The rest in question is fairly… predictable. Viz. : -The hero has an endless round of ammo. (getting better, now, owing to more intelligent directors; cf. Carpenter’s “Assault on Precinct 13”, where they run out of bullets) The most hilarious example has to be “Where Eagles Dare”, in which El Clint and Richard Burton single-handedly dispatch half of the German army. At least. Not just ammunition, but endless supply of guns as well – last ex. : “Hard Rain”; where do all these rifles come from ? -The baddy -usually a gaggle of them, too- always manages to repeatedly miss him. Especially when they’re supposed to be professional hitmen. (Examples below.) -If the hero gets hurt, you can bet it will be minor; in the shoulder or the arm. Bogart, in Wyler’s “Desperate Hours”, takes more bullets to bring down than “Godzilla” ! Uma Uma in “Kill Bill 2” : gets a shotgun full-blast point range in the chest… and just about gets knocked out. Eh? -On the other hand, the hero has a statistically spooky chance of hitting the baddies first time; bang, shoots them dead usually. You don’t seem them returning fire, or dying horribly while calling for their mother. (Death, in real life -if I may say !- is hardly ever so clinical : messy, painful, process in the case of someone bleeding to death.) Talking of which (gore), I always was impressed by Clare Dane’s “Juliet” (“‘s Romeo And Juliet”) managing to shoot herself in her delicate head without splattering her brains all over her lovely dress. Now that wouldn’t have looked cute and romantic, would it ? Another romantic bloodless shotgun suicide : Our Jake in “The Good Girl”. -The hero won’t get killed, of course …his best friend, or family (“Gladiator”, “Mad Max”), on the other hand… -Heroes’ guns don’t get wet, and even fire from underwater : “Hard Rain”, “The Good, The Bad And The Ugly” -Hitmen are stoopid. “SFX Murder By Illusion”: someone runs from left to right; where do you shoot? At the man, or you try to anticipate his run? That’s right: you shoot to his left, in the direction he comes from. -Bullets don’t seem to penetrate wood. (…) shoots baddy number two in the back; baddy number two falls, with bullet in his forehead. Eh ? -When giving chase in a staircase or a corridor, the baddies always shoot at the corners or the walls, instead of at their human target who is at times running away in front of them. -Shooting at a bullet-proof glass door (“The Fugitive”, “Eraser”), …there should be ricochets. Hitchcock’s “Spellbound” : suicide at the end; it is impossible to swivel one’s hand 180 degrees to fire a gun at oneself like (the baddy, no spoiler here) does. Just how many times can you cock a pistol ? cf. the Chinese girl in “The Transporter”, when vs. her father at the end. -“Battle Royale 2” : you have to admire the way the kids carry on despite having been shot several times …whereas the adult soldiers -wearing flack jackets and all- fall dead instantly. -Silencers, or suppressors to give them their real name, never look like those stylish thin tubes in movies, and certainly don’t make any such sound : more like a car door slamming. Notable exception : Russian movie “Brother” : a plastic bottle, or a potato, would do the job. Cf. on that subject, also, the hilarious sound effects in Lautner’s parodic movies (“les Tontons flingueurs” etc.). -Hand grenades : pleasantly one-sided. If the heroes are thrown a grenade, they always have time to pick it up before it detonates and throw it back to whence it came from (to devastating effect, ‘goes without saying); if the baddie is on the recieving end, he just has time to look at it stupidly and swear before getting blown to pieces, the muthafacka. Idem with bombs : G. Oldman in “the 5th Element”; the Lord of Darkness mayor in “Buffy” (“oh, shhhugar”). Bombs, when exploding near a hero, do not cause shrapnels. Let alone in slow motion. -Takashi Miike’s “Dear Or Alive II” : admire the way his blonde hitman produces a brick from, er…, under his collar. The James Bond Principle : when attempting to get rid of somebody -preferably the hero- why going for the obvious (say, a bullet in the head), when you can try the extremely iffy and highly risky ! “French Connection” starts (>>>) -Oh Aye category. First scene of “Judge Dredd” : all of a sudden, the bullets used, Stallone informs us, can’t harm him, as they are fired from too far above. Right, so how come they hit vehicles and people, ten seconds ago ? “HellRaiser III” : the Cenobites’ chains, usually so accurate in the two previous films, now can only just about grab “Joey” by the sweater during the chase scene. -I just didn’t understand how / why the two fuck-up anti-heroes of “The Way Of The Gun” ran away, in their kidnap attempt. You’re getting shot at; what do you do ? That’s right, a somersault in the air (“Trouble In Little Tokyo”). -End of “Hard Target” : “Fouchon” takes a grenade out of his pants …but doesn´t throw it away. End of “Scream”, (the killer) stands over knocked out C. Cox, pointing gun at her… but doesn’t shoot her on the spot. Silly Billy, guess what happens to (him/her/them/it) five minutes later… “Where Eagles Dare” : anti-aircraft gun …in courtyard. In this position, the gun can only fire at targets directly above, whereas it should fire at targets before they reach the castle. Also, “Bell 47” helicopters… which were built by the Allies, to start with, and appeared after the war. (Lots more examples in the Archive) “Red Dragon” : scene where Norton’s wife is target shooting with the revolver, you can clearly see that there aren’t any bullet heads showing in the cylinder. Also, in the final shoot-out, Norton’s gun appears to be a revolver. When he tells his wife to shoot, the gun she picks up seems to be an automatic. Another gun fanatic notes : in the same scene where Norton trains his wife to shoot, there is no muzzle blast as she takes each shot. Muzzle blast is always present when a gun is fired. -Totally gratuitous theory : “Arnie” stopped to matter when he resorted to guns. I mean, what’s the point of a super-human body if the guy has to fire bloody guns to win ?! The moment Schwarzenegger played by everyone’s rules, he lost his freakish appeal : there’s no need to be able to lift 200 kilos -that’s kilos; not pounds, stones or imperial measures, geddit ?- to shoot a gun like your average drugged Liberian boy-soldier. “Conan”, perfect; “Commando”, no need ! -“Grosse Point Blank” : hitman follows SuperCool J. Cusack in drugstore, engages in uncertain gun battle, and… More incompetence by so-called model hitmen : “Replacement Killers”, who choose to attack in the middle of a crowded cinema, from a distance. Pah ! Oh, and the great Chow Yun-Fat in front of car; what does car driver do ? Why, he reverses in a panic ! Oh yes. So called crack hitman gets outfought and outrun by two girlies in tight skirt (one with big breasts) ! (“Secret Games 3”) “Darkman III” : how to escape from the gun of an enraged assassin, when you have your back to the wall ? Easy, take off your mask; scared, the hitman will run away, and get killed by an incoming vehicle. One-nil. -Compare killers’ incompetence with first timers getting lucky; say, our favourite Johnny (Depp, that is) who assured us he never used a gun before in his life, but instantly turns into a hell of a sharp-shooter when he needs to, at the end of “Nick Of Time”. Cf. also “The Mummy II” : “Evelyn”‘s transformation from klutzy librarian to martial arts babe. Aha, reader Jeremy Eble disagrees : ” That was actually explained in the fact that she was a reincarnation of Nefertiti, and, as we saw in one of the flashbacks, she knew how to fight. The film makers also do a good job of leading up to the possibility with her unexplained visions and knowledge of a place that she’s never been to.” -Balls of fire never catch up with fleeing heroes, especially in tunnels, ventilations shafts : “Nikita”, Verhoeven’s “Invisible Man”, “Starship Troopers”, “Die Hard” (?), “Independence Day” etc. -Fact : any action is accompanied by a reaction : (cf. archive) When who else but Arnie fires a gun right by his mate’s head at the beginning of “True Lies”, he should have deafened him permanently. Except he doesn’t. Sound effect : in films, the slightest punch-up sounds like a dozen sand bags blasted through windows by grunting tennis players in a storm. If not worse. “Kill Bill 1”. Uma’s mighty sword (yes, the one that could slice God in two) takes a mighty pasting as it dispatches half an army, and still manages to slice through Lucy Liu’s skull like butter. Hmm… Logic Loig is not convinced, Tarantino Tart is outraged at the naivety of the remark. -Explosions. (…) Crashes (planes, or other types of massive vehicles) : usually takes place right behind a hill or an ill-positioned building, damn, so that we can’t actually see the carnage; how frustrating, eh… (ex. “Superman II”) On the other hand, you can be guaranteed a nice, anti-environment friendly, ball of fire marking the spot. Some suspicious souls would probably allege that, in fact, fancy that, the plane spotted right before does not actually crash, or that the audience has been tricked into thinking so -these suspicious souls are just the kind of pernicious minds who end up working on “The Simpsons” : see episode “Krusty the Klown” fakes his own death. -Bombs on a timer, thankfully, never go off in the amount of time they’re supposed to, when in proximity of heroes : time loop in “Galaxy Quest”. “Escape From New York” : the scientist who gives K. “Snake” Russell the injection tells him that they can neutralize the explosion 15 minutes before the deadline. …Then “Snake” lets the timer run down to 6 seconds. Same with “the Mask”, apparently. FilmInco regular reader Lisette reports : “Je suis alle voir Panic Room, et j’ai pense a toi parce qu’il y a un probleme avec le gas qu’ils utilisent my father is a fireman so I know…They (the burglars) put camping gas in the air vent to the Panic Room, to suffocate / frighten J. Foster & child. Camping gas is usually butane or LPG both of which are heavier than air, yet Foster pushes her child’s head down onto the floor, thus putting her in more danger than if she had simply stood up. If she could have propped open the vent to outside, the gas would have escaped that way, and if she then stood up, it shouldn’t trouble her. And if she didn’t know what kind of gas it was then she should NEVER have tried to light it. If it was methane it would have exploded BOOM, no more film career. Honestly.” -Death by gas asphyxiation. That may have been possible in the past (cf. the poignant “Virgin Suicides”), but no longer. Cf. also the extraordinary “Rosetta” -The expendable gun theory, as explained by Jim Jarmusch himself in “Blue In The Face”. Every so often, characters will pick up a gun, fire its last bullet… and just throw it away, as if it could never be used again. In stark contrast, I seem to remember that most violent computer games are based on the idea of …. …But it doesn’t have to be that way; some Hollywood makers take weaponry / warfare realism very seriously indeed. Comments extreme right-winger John Milius, about “Red Dawn” : “The invasion was very seriously worked out. I actually worked it out with Al Haigh.” “After 9/11, we did a lot with the government. I’m a member of the Institute For Creative Technologies, very proudly. A lot of our techniques are being used right now in this war.” (i.e. the invasion of Irak) “ICT was created at USC with the army, to develop techniques and weapons for the future -using Hollywood. This has been going on for a number of years.” Fuente: cineoculto.com films incoherences movies trivia Previous post Harry, Ron, Hermione And The Path To Growing Up And Saving The World © 2019 The World of Harry Potter Harry, Ron, Hermione And The Path To Growing Up And Saving The World Life After Hogwarts And The Many Careers Of The Wizarding World The Many Secrets of Hogwarts, From Secret Passages to Forgotten History 10 Facts About Molly Weasley	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0068.json.gz/line178
__label__cc	0.587233	0.412767	Search Results (151,101 titles) Management (X) Whitefish, MT; Governor's Small Business Advisory Council (X) * Management Records: 1 - 20 of 151,101 - Pages: How Community Matters for User Innovation : The Open Source of Sports Innovation Shah, Sonali K., 1974-, Sloan School of Management, Franke, Nikolaus Cambridge, Mass. : Alfred P. Sloan School of Management, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Subjects: Management, Innovation Management, Marketing Management Clever Business Sketches Business Man's Publishing Co., Ltd, Business Man's Publishing Co., Ltd., Detroit, Pub, Business Man's Publishing Co, Business Man's Publishing Co The Business Man's Publishing Co., Ltd.; Harvard University Subjects: Management, Marketing, Finance Outlined explanation of the proposed grain marketing plan of the Farmers Grain Marketing Committee of Seventeen Farmer's Grain Marketing Committee of Seventeen Subjects: Canada, North America, Canadian society Marketing Florida Citrus : 1951-60 United States. Production and Marketing Administration; United States. Agricultural Marketing Service; United States. Consumer and Marketing Service; Florida. Marketing Bureau Section; Florida. Marketing Bureau; Federal-State Market News Service; United States. Bureau of Agricultural Economics; Florida. Dept. of Agriculture. Division of Marketing; United States. War Food Administration Washington, D. C.; The Service Date: 1951/60, Volume: 1951-60 Subjects: Farm produce, Citrus fruit industry, Citrus fruits Utilizing Human Resources for Strategic Advantage : The Role of Training Lynch, Lisa M; Sloan School of Management Cambridge, M.A.; Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sloan School of Management, Subjects: Management, Human Resources Management, Business Strategy A Shorter Course of Oral Instruction in Grammar. Arranged in a Manner to Be Easily Understood and Applied. Designed Especially for Practical Instruction in Business Colleges, And in All Schools Where a Mercantile Education Is Given Heald's Business College, San Francisco, San Francisco Heald's Business College Compiled and Publishedby Heald's Businesscollege Montana Small Business Conference : Final Report of the Statewide Conference on Small Business : Year 1983 Montana. Governor's Small Business Advisory Council Whitefish, MT; Governor's Small Business Advisory Council Date: 1983, Volume: Year 1983 Subjects: Small business, Business enterprises, Business Business Development/Small Disadvantaged Business Status Determinations Subjects: Small Business Administration, Small business bulletin, Regulations, codes, and protocols Collections: Small Business Administration Collection U.S. Small Business Administration the Small Business Loan Pre-Qualification Program Sba U.S. Small Business Administration Doing Business with the Federal Government The Facts about Small Business Education on the Internet the Small Business Classroom Sba U.S. Small Business Administration Lender's and Equity Investor's Guide Dear Small Business Lender/Equity Investor The Business Plan for the Home-Based Business Office of Technology, U.S. Small Business Administration I. Using the Sbir Program to Further Business Development Innovation from Differentiation : Pollution Control Departments and Innovation in the Printed Circuit Industry King, Andrew A., Andrew Arnold; Sloan School of Management Cambridge, M.A.; International Center for Research On the Management of Technology, Sloan School of Management, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Subjects: Innovation Management, Marketing Management, Management The Essentials of Business Arithmetic, For Use in Business Colleges Caton's National Business College, Buffalo, N. Y. Sadler Publishing Co. American Universities : American Foreign Service and an Adequate Consular Law National Business League (U.S.), National Business League of America Stromberg, Allen & Co. Choice Receipts : A Compilation Professional and Business Woman's Club (Boston, Mass.), Mass Professional and Business Woman's Club (Boston The Club; Harvard University Storage Batteries, Incandescent Lighting, Arc Lighting, Interior Lighting Interational Correspondence Schools, Warshaw Collection of Business Americana, Interational Correspondence Schools, Warshaw Collection of Business Americana International Textbook Co.	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0068.json.gz/line179
__label__wiki	0.607515	0.607515	Table 7.1. Distribution and Parameter Summary Table 2. Beta Distribution Parameters for Average T. gondii Antibody Prevalence in Pigs Facility Type Mean Prevalence Min (assumed) Max Table 3. Average QALYs Lost Per Case By Outcome Adult Average Illness 82,258 11 1.3373 e-4 Adult Average Hospitalization 4,428 250 .0565 Congenital Average Case 743 1641 2.2086 Outcome (Equation) Mean 5% 95% Table 5. Excess QALYs Lost (Lower, Mean, and Upper Estimates) Per Year Versus Production Shift Fraction Figure 2. Frequency Distributions for T. gondii Prevalence in Confined Versus Open/Free Range Systems Figure 3. Distribution of Current Total QALYs Lost per Year Due to Pork Attributable T. gondii Figure 4. Distributions of the Excess Risk Factor (left panel) and QALYs Lost per Year (right panel) at 0.001 Production Shift Chapter 8 Case Study: Reassessing the Accuracy and Robustness of a Rodent Carcinogenicity Prediction System Purpose, Scope, and Interpretation of the Original Study Original Data, and Replication Process and Results Table 8.1. Data Files from Journal Website Table 8.2. Additional Key Files Sent by NCCT on Request File Name Original Methods, and Replication Process and Results Batz, M B, Hoffmann, S & Morris, JG, Jr. 2012. Ranking the disease burden of 14 pathogens in food sources in the United States using attribution data from outbreak investigations and expert elicitation. J Food Prot, 75(7), 1278-1291. Cook, AJC, Holliman, R, Gilbert, RE, Buffolano, W, Zufferey, J, Petersen, E, Jenum, PA, Foulon, W, Semprini, AE & Dunn, DT. 2000. Sources of toxoplasma infection in pregnant women: European multicentre case-control study. Commentary: Congenital toxoplasmosis—further thought for food. BMJ, 321(7254), 142-147. Cox, LA, Jr. & Popken, DA. 2014. Quantitative risk assessment of human MRSA risks from swine. Risk Analysis (forthcoming) Cox, LA, Jr. & Popken, DA. 2010. Assessing potential human health hazards and benefits from subtherapeutic antibiotics in the United States: tetracyclines as a case study. Risk Analysis, 30(3), 432-457. Cox, LA, Jr., Popken, DA, & Mathers, J. 2009. Human health risk assessment of penicillin/aminopenicillin resistance in enterococci due to penicillin use in food animals. Risk Analysis, 29(6), 796-805. Cressey, P & Lake, R. 2005. Ranking food safety risks: Development of NZFSA policy 2004-2005. Institute of Environmental Science and Research (online report). Available at http://www.foodsafety.govt.nz/elibrary/industry/Ranking_Food_Safety_Risks-Science_Research.pdf . Accessed 2/13/2013. Davies, PR. 2011. Intensive swine production and pork safety. Foodborne Pathog Dis, 8(2), 189-201. Davies, PR, Morrow, WEM, Gamble, HR, Deen, J & Patton, S. (1998). Prevalence of antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii and Trichinella spiralis in finishing swine raised in different production systems in North Carolina, USA. Prev. Vet. Med., 36 (1), 67-76. Davis, R. 2008. Teaching Project Simulation in Excel Using PERT-Beta Distributions. INFORMS Transactions on Education, 8(3), 139-148. Dubey, JP. 2009. Toxoplasmosis in pigs—The last 20 years. Veterinary Parasitology, 164(2–4), 89-103. Dubey, JP. 2013. "Swine Toxoplasmosis." Veterinary Division - Animal Health Programs (website). Available at http://www.ncagr.gov/vet/FactSheets/Toxoplasmosis.htm. Accessed 2/25/2013. Dubey, JP, Gamble, HR, Hill, D, Sreekumar, C, Romand, S & Thuilliez, P. 2002. High prevalence of viable Toxoplasma gondii infection in market weight pigs from a farm in Massachusetts. J. Parasitol. 88, 1234–1238. Dubey, JP, Hill, DE, Rozeboom, DW, Rajendran, C, Choudhary, S, Ferreira, LR, Kwok, OCH. & Su, C. 2012. High prevalence and genotypes of Toxoplasma gondii isolated from organic pigs in northern USA. Veterinary Parasitology, 188(1–2), 14-18. Dubey, JP, Hill, DE, Sundar, N, Velmurugan, GV, Bandini, LA, Kwok, OCH, Pierce, V, Kelly, K, Dulin, M, Thulliez, P, Iwueke, C & Su, C. 2008. Endemic toxoplasmosis in pigs on a farm in Maryland: isolation and genetic characterization of Toxoplasma gondii. J. Parasitol. 94, 36–41. Dubey, JP, Leighty, JC, Beal, VC, Anderson, WR, Andrews, CD & Thulliez, P. 1991. National seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in pigs. J Parasitol, 77(4), 517-521. Gebreyes, WA, Bahnson, PB, Funk, JA, McKean, J & Patchanee, P. 2008. Seroprevalence of Trichinella, Toxoplasma, and Salmonella in antimicrobial-free and conventional swine production systems. Foodborne Pathog Dis, 5(2), 199-203. Guerina, NG, Hsu, H-W, Meissner, HC, Maguire, JH, Lynfield, R, Stechenberg, B, Abroms, I, Pasternack, MS, Hoff, R, Eaton, RB & Grady, GF. 1994. Neonatal Serologic Screening and Early Treatment for Congenital Toxoplasma gondii Infection. New England Journal of Medicine, 330(26), 1858-1863. Haas C.N., J.B. Rose, and C.P. Gerba. 1999. Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment, John Wiley & Sons, New York. Hamilton, B. & Sutton, PD. 2012. Recent Trends in Births and Fertility Rates Through June 2012 (website). Available at http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/hestat/births_fertility_june_2012/births_june_2012.pdf. Accessed 1/3/2013. Havelaar, AH, Galindo, AV, Kurowicka, D & Cooke, RM. 2008. Attribution of foodborne pathogens using structured expert elicitation. Foodborne Pathogens and Disease, 5(5), 649+. Hays, SM. 1996. The Cat/Pig Toxoplasmosis Connection. Agricultural Research, 44(2), 8-9. Hill, DE, Baroch, J, Swafford, SR, Fournet, VM, Pyburn, DG, Schmit, B.B., Gamble, HR, Feidas, H & Theodoropoulos, G. In press. Surveillance of feral swine for Trichinella spp. and Toxoplasma gondii in the US and host-related factors associated with infection. J. Wildl. Dis. Hill, DE, Haley, C, Wagner, B, Gamble, HR & Dubey, JP. 2010. Seroprevalence of and Risk Factors for Toxoplasma gondii in the US Swine Herd Using Sera Collected During the National Animal Health Monitoring Survey (Swine 2006). Zoonoses and Public Health, 57(1), 53-59. Hoffmann, S, Batz, MB & Morris, JG, Jr. 2012. Annual cost of illness and quality-adjusted life year losses in the United States due to 14 foodborne pathogens. J Food Prot, 75(7), 1292-1302. Jolie, R, Backstrom, L, Pinckney, R, and Olson, L. Ascarid infection and respiratory health in feeder pigs raised on pasture or in confinement. Swine Health and Production, 6(3), 115-120. Jones, JL, Kruszon-Moran, D, Sanders-Lewis, K & Wilson, M. 2007. Toxoplasma gondii Infection in the United States, 1999–2004, Decline from the Prior Decade. The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 77(3), 405-410. Jones, JL, Kruszon-Moran, D, Wilson, M, McQuillan, G, Navin, T & McAuley, JB. 2001. Toxoplasma gondii Infection in the United States: Seroprevalence and Risk Factors. American Journal of Epidemiology, 154(4), 357-365. Kijlstra, A, Meerburg, BB, & Bos, P. 2009. Food safety in free-range and organic livestock systems: risk management and responsibility. Journal of Food Production, 72(12), 2629-2637. Kijlstra, A, Eissen, OA, Cornelissen, J, Munniksma, K, Eijck, I & Kortbeek, T. 2004. Toxoplasma gondii infection in animal-friendly pig production systems. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci, 45(9), 3165-3169. McKean, J, O'Conner, A, Pyburn, D & Beary, J. 2009. Survey of market swine to determine prevalence of Toxoplasma in meat juice samples from selected abattoirs. In 8th International Symposium: Epidemiology and Control of Foodborne Pathogens in Pork, Quebec City, Canada. Mead, PS, Slutsker, L, Dietz, V, McCaig, LF, Bresee, JS, Shapiro, C, Griffin, PM & Tauxe, R. V. 1999. Food-related illness and death in the United States. Emerg Infect Dis, 5(5), 607-625. O'Brien, A. M., Hanson, B. M., Farina, S. A., Wu, J. Y., Simmering, J. E., Wardyn, S. E., Forshey, B. M., Kulick, M. E., Wallinga, D. B. & Smith, T. C. (2012). MRSA in Conventional and Alternative Retail Pork Products. PLoS One, 7(1), e30092. Patton, S, Faulkner, C, Anderson, A,Smedley, K & Buch, E. 2002. Toxoplasma gondii Infection in sows and market-weight pigs in the United States and it potential impact on consumer demand for pork. National Pork Board Report NPB# 00-130 (online report). Available at http://www.pork.org/FileLibrary/ResearchDocuments/00-130%20-PATTONUofTenn.pdf. Accessed 2/18/2014. Patton, S, Zimmerman, J, Roberts, T, Faulkner, C, Diderrich, V, Assadi-Rad, A, Davies, P & Kliebenstein, J. 1996. Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in hogs in the National Animal Health Monitoring System (NAHMS). J Eukaryot Microbiol, 43(5), 121S. Roepstorff, A, Mejer, H, Nejsum, P, & Thamsborg, S. 2011. Helminth parasites in pigs: new challenges in pig production and current research highlights. Vet Parasitol, 180(1-2), 72-81. Scallan, E, Hoekstra, RM, Angulo, FJ, Tauxe, RV, Widdowson, MA, Roy, SL, Jones, JL & Griffin, PM. 2011. Foodborne illness acquired in the United States--major pathogens. Emerg Infect Dis, 17(1), 7-15. Also available at: http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/17/1/p1-1101_article.htm. Accessed 2/26/2014. Tenter, A, Heckeroth, A, & Weiss, L. 2000 Toxiplasma gondii: from animals to humans. Int J Parasitol, 30(12-13), 1217-1258. M. Kate Thomas, Regan Murray, Logan Flockhart, Katarina Pintar, Frank Pollari, Aamir Fazil, Andrea Nesbitt, and Barbara Marshall. Foodborne Pathogens and Disease, 10(7), 639-648. USDA-APHIS-VS-CEAH. 2011. Seroprevalence of Trichinella and Toxoplasma in US Grower/Finisher Pigs, 2006. USDA-APHIS (online report). Available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/nahms/swine/downloads/swine2006/Swine2006_is_trich.pdf. Accessed 1/31/2013. USDA-APHIS. 2008. Biosecurity on U.S. Swine Sites. USDA-APHIS (online report). Available at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/nahms/swine/downloads/swine2006/Swine2006_is_biosecurity.pdf. Accessed 1/2/2013. USDA-ERS. 2012. Table 2. U.S. certified organic farmland acreage, livestock numbers, and farm operations. US Dept of Agriculture, Economic Research Service (online file). Available at http://www.ers.usda.gov/datafiles/Organic_Production/National_Tables_/Farmlandlivestockandfarm.xls. Accessed 2/23/2014. USDA-NASS. 2012. Meat Animals Production, Disposition, and Income: 2011 Summary. USDA-NASS (online database). Available at http://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/agricultural-baseline-database.aspx. Accessed 2/22/2014. Vaillant, V, de Valk, H, Ancelle, T, Colin, P, MC, D, Dufour, B, Pouillot, R., Le Strat, Y, Weinbreck, P., Jougla, E. & Desenclos, J. C. 2005. Foodborne Infections in France. Foodborne Pathog Dis, 2(3), 221-232. van der Giessen, J, Fonville, M, Bouwknegt, M, Langelaar, M & Vollema, A. 2007. Seroprevalence of Trichinella spiralis and Toxoplasma gondii in pigs from different housing systems in The Netherlands. Veterinary Parasitology, 148(3–4), 371-374. Weese, J, Zwambag, A, Rosendal, T, Reid-Smith, R, & Friendship, R. 2011. Longitudinal investigation of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in piglets. Zoonoses Public Health, 58(4), 238-43. Model Input Data sources(s) Prevalence in Total Confinement Swine Published surveys (see Table 1 text) 0, .003, .027 (Min, Mean, Max) Prevalence in Open/Free Range Swine .027, .244, .901 Proportion foodborne Covers known estimates (see text) and assuming high uncertainty. Proportion from pork (Batz et al., 2012) (0.41, 0.059) (Mean, Std. Dev) Human Baseline Prevalence Estimated prevalence for persons aged 40-49 years (Jones et al., 2007) was assumed to be the cumulative result of 45 years of constant incidence. Upper/lower limits correspond to published 95% CI. 0.1137, 0.157, 0.177 (Min, Mode, Max) 1-(1-Prevalence)^(1/45) applied to non-infant fraction (.9872 per 2010 composition) of 2013 population (approx. 315M) = 310.98M 0.00268, 0.00379, 0.00432 Seroconversion rate The symptomatic faction was estimated at 15%. Uncertainty was based on a 50% relative increase/decrease from .15 on a log odds scale. PERT-Beta Proportion hospitalized 2000-2006 Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) using ICD---CM code 130 (Toxoplasmosis) http://www.hcup-us.ahrq.gov/nisoverview.jsp Proportion who died 2000-2006 Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) using ICD---CM code 130 (Toxoplasmosis) 0.0014, 0.0019, 0.0022 Under-diagnosis multiplier (deaths, (hospitalizations) Derived in (Scallan et al., 2011) Congenital Rate Cases per 10,000 live births (3,942,000 annually) QALY Conversion Rates Hoffman et al.(2012) Factors by case type See Table 3 Estimates based on Scallan et al (2011) are shown in the center delineated block of rows. Modifications to their values are shaded grey.Table 2. Beta Distribution Parameters for Average T. gondii Antibody Prevalence in Pigs Mean Prevalence (assumed) (computed) Total confinement USDA-APHIS-VS-CEAH, 2011 (Hill et al., 2010 see text) 2.025E-5 Open/Free Range combined from multiple sources (Hill et al., 2010; see text) (Dubey et al., 2012; see text) Base Count Total QALYs QALYs/Case Adult Illness (Mild) Adult Illness (Moderate) 8.8738 e-4 Adult Average Illness Adult Hospitalization (only) Adult Chronic Illness Adult Average Hospitalization Adult Death Congenital Chronic Illness Congenital Death2 Congenital Case (Mild) Congenital Average Case Table 4. Estimates of Current Pork-Attributable Human Toxoplasmosis Health Outcomes Per Year Outcome (Equation) Total Cases (3) Congenital Cases (6) Total QALYs (7) Shift Fraction ΔC Equivalent Pigs Mean QALYs Lost/Yr 5% Confidence Level 95% Confidence Level Figure 2. Frequency Distributions for T. gondiiPrevalence in Confined Versus Open/Free Range Systems Figure 1. Conceptual Diagram of the Toxoplasmosis Simulation Model. Figure 4. Distributions of the Excess Risk Factor (left panel) and QALYs Lost per Year (right panel) at 0.001 Production Shift How Well Can High-Throughput Screening Test Results Predict Whether Chemicals CauseCancer in Mice and Rats? Over the past half century, an enduring intellectual and technical challenge for risk analysts, statisticians, toxicologists, and experts in artificial intelligence, machine-learning and bioinformatics has been to predict in vivo biological responses to realistic exposures, with demonstrably useful accuracy and confidence, from in vitro and chemical structure data. The common goal of many applied research efforts has been to devise and validate algorithms that give trustworthy predictions of whether and by how much realistic exposures to chemicals change probabilities of adverse health responses. This chapter examines recent, promising results suggesting that high-throughput screening (HTS) assay data can be used to predict in vivo classifications of rodent carcinogenicity for certain pesticides. Anticipating the focus on evaluation analytics for assessing the performance of systems, policies, and interventions in Chapters 9 and 10, it also undertakes an independent reanalysis of the underlying data to determine how well this encouraging claim can be replicated and supported when the same data are analyzed using slightly different methods. In principle, every student of statistics or bioinformatics with access to relevant data is equipped to participate in the challenge of constructing useful predictive models. All that is required is to define one or more dependent variables indicating in vivo responses to chemical exposures in one or more test species of interest (e.g., rodents); to link data on these responses for a database of chemicals to results of one or morein vitroassays (e.g., for genotoxicity, gene mutations, or chromosomal damage in bacteria and in mammalian cell cultures) and/or chemical structure features, to be used as predictors; and then to applyone’s favorite predictive analytic techniques to see how well they can predict in vivo responses from the selected predictors. Investigators with an interest in systems biology may use envisioned possible causal pathways and mechanisms or modes of action to guide or rationalize their selection of predictors, while others may prefer pure black-box statistical methods that simply seek the most predictive patterns, whether or not they conform to any biological theory or model. Over the decades, manypredictive analytics techniques have been tried, from clustering and regression modeling to expert systems (largely in the 1970s to 1990s) to artificial neural networks to current machine-learning methods such as Random Forest, ensembles of Bayesian Networks, or support vector machines. For any predictive technique, important questions of training and test set design, model validation, sensitivity and specificity of predictions, and generalizability of results arise. Yet, the intrinsic interest and importance of the topic and the comparative ease of addressing it by applying predictive analytics software has generated a large literature, replete with comparisons among methods for various training and test data sets. Despite these many efforts, the results of decades of predictive modeling remain, at best, very mixed. For example, in the 1990s, several quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) computer programs were developed to screen inventories of chemicals for mutagenicity and carcinogenicity. Some of the most commonly used systems (Deductive Estimation of Risk from Existing Knowledge (DEREK), Toxicity Prediction by Computer-Assisted Technology (TOPKAT), and Multiple Computer Automated Structure Evaluation (MCASE)) were promoted as being valuablefor predicting these endpoints (e.g., Patlewicz et al., 2003), and were used accordingly by regulators and companies to screen and prioritize chemicals for risk assessment. EPA continues to develop, endorse, and apply such models, claiming that they have “demonstrated reasonable predictive abilities” (EPA, 2011). However, when they were applied to a set of chemicals of great practical interest –a panel of 394 marketed pharmaceuticals– allturned out to have less than 52% sensitivity for predicting positive Ames assays, and even worse accuracy for predicting other genotoxic assay results (Snyder at al., 2004): “20% of the 124 non-carcinogens were positive in atleast one genotoxicity assay while two-thirds ofthe 77 rodentcarcinogens lacked activity in the genotoxicity tests employed” (Guyton et al., 2009). Similarly, even the most successful systems in an experiment that tested how well the best predictive algorithms could predict rodent carcinogenicity for 30 chemicals had only about 60%-65% accuracy (Benigni and Zito, 2004). Valerio et al. (2007) reported 97% sensitivity but only 53% specificity for software used by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to predict rodent carcinogenicity of naturally occurring molecules found in human diets (i.e., few false negatives but many false positives), and Valerio et al. (2010)found that two such software programs “both exhibited poor performance in predicting [rodent] carcinogens” when evaluated in an external validation study of 43 phytochemicals. Walmsley and Billinton (2011) note that even the reported high sensitivity for some current in vitro test batteries for predicting rodent carcinogenicity (e.g., about 9 of 10 rodent carcinogens correctly classified as such based on combinations of bacterial and mammalian cell tests) (Kirkland et al., 2005) is less encouraging than it seems, insofar as the same test batteries also misclassify as many as 9 out of 10 non-carcinogens as being carcinogens. In other words, the predictive power of thein vitrotest batteries is not much better than would be achieved by simply assuming that all chemicals are rodent carcinogens, thus creating excellent sensitivity (no false negatives) but poor specificity (many false positives).The authors note that many potentially pharmaceutical compounds now classified as probable carcinogens based on genotoxicity results in bacterial and mammalian cells may not be carcinogens at all. Finally, a long-standing literature notes that even a system that could accurately predict rodent carcinogenicity might have little value for predicting human carcinogenicity. For example, some have argued that EPA estimates far more chemicals as being carcinogenic in humans than do other authorities, such as the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), due largely to over-reliance on animal data and to the limitation that “the true predictivity for human carcinogenicity of animal data is even poorer than is indicated by EPA figures alone” (Knight et al., 2006). Differences across species in gross anatomy (e.g., no Harderian, Zymbal, or preputial glands in humans), pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, and species-specific modes of action (e.g., protein drop nephropathy in male rat kidneys) can all make rodent carcinogenicity of uncertain relevance to human carcinogenicity. This concern, though important, is beyond the scope of this chapter, which focuses on the narrower question of how well rodent carcinogenicity can be predicted from in vitro assay data and chemical structure (QSAR) information. In light of this history of limited predictive performance, it is worth asking the following three methodological questions. How good (i.e., how predictively accurate, e.g., as indicated by rates of false positives and false negatives in external validation test sets) are current rodent carcinogen prediction systems? Are there fundamental limitations on the ability of computer algorithms to predict accurately (with high sensitivity and specificity) the carcinogenicity in rodents of a broad range of chemicals? For example, are there limits on the kinds of concepts or patterns that a computer algorithm can learn from data, and is there reason to believe that a concept such as “is a rodent carcinogen” can be learned accurately from data on chemicals and assay results? If not – if the desired classification rules are not learnable from examples, even with the help of guidance based on biological knowledge – then such a fundamental limitation cannot necessarily be removed by simply collecting more data, or by obtainingmore knowledge. Rather, it may simply be impossible to learn accurate predictive classification rules or procedures from available data. To our knowledge, potential fundamental limitations on the learnability of accurate prediction rules for classifying chemicals as rodent carcinogens, or for predicting cancer dose-response relations based on chemical and in vitro data, have not previously been carefully studied. Appropriate methods for addressing fundamental limitations of what is learnable are available in the machine-learning literature (e.g., using the Probably Approximately Correct learning frameworks and alternatives), but these methods have not as yet had much impact on QSAR or systems biology research used in carcinogenicity prediction systems. What practical constraints limitpredictive performance, e.g., due to incomplete knowledge of relevant biological mechanisms, or limited sizes and diversity of training and test data sets? Unlike fundamental limitations, such practical limitations might be removed by further scientific research. This chapter and its appendix touch briefly on practical aspects of training set design, classification of chemicals with respect to rodent carcinogenicity, external test set design and validation, and extrapolation of risk predictions from tested to untested chemicals. The following sections focus mainly on the first of these questions, criticallyevaluating the performance of a predictive scoring system and of the underlying HTS assays for rodent carcinogenicity of pesticides studied by Kleinstreuer et al., 2013. Questions 2 and 3 -- fundamental limitations to predictability and practical issues in developing and testing predictive scores or classifications – are also touched on as needed to understand the strengths and limitations of this predictive model. For as long as there has been interest in developing algorithms to screen chemicals for likely in vivo activities based on relatively inexpensive QSAR and in vitro assay results, there have also been claims of encouragingly accurate performance of the systems in current use. However, as discussed in the preceding references, these optimistic appraisals have generally not been followed by equally good performance on external validation tests sets, when predictions must be made in advance of knowing the correct answers (e.g., Benigni and Zito, 2004). Claims of accurate prediction therefore deserve to be scrutinized. We do so using the recently published National Center for Computational Toxicology (NCCT) research article by (Kleinstreuer et al., 2013) as a case study. The article, promisingly entitled “In vitro perturbations of targets in cancer hallmark process predict rodent chemical carcinogenesis,” is an exciting piece of work. It applies contemporary knowledge of the biological “hallmarks of carcinogenesis” framework to inform selection and combination of high throughput screening (HTS) assay results that might indicate the activation of different causal pathways involved in causation of cancer. Kleinstreuer et al. conclude that "A simple scoring function... applied to an external test set of 33 compounds with carcinogenicity classifications from the EPA’s Office of Pesticide Programs… successfully (p = 0.024) differentiated between chemicals classified as “possible”/“probable”/“likely” carcinogens and those designated as “not likely” or with “evidence of noncarcinogenicity. This model represents a chemical carcinogenicity prioritization tool supporting targeted testing and functional validation of cancer pathways.” The following sections re-examine these encouraging findings in detail, and seeks to independently reproduce them. It concludes that, despite the promising and plausible research direction embodied in the proposed scoring approach, the claimed predictive accuracy appears to be an artifact of errors in classification of chemicals and in selection and use of statistical methods. It is not clear based on the data analyzed and associations reported between model predictions and chemical carcinogenicity classifications whether the system’s true performance is better than random guessing. However, a different analysis that examines how rodent carcinogenicity classification counts vary across chemicals with different predictive scores suggests that the simple scoring model does indeed have useful predictive power. Case Study: Reassessing the Accuracy and Robustness of a Rodent Carcinogenicity Prediction System Purpose, Scope, and Interpretation of the Original Study The following abstract from the article by Kleinstreuer et al. (2013)succinctly expresses the motivation, ambitions, rationale, and hoped-for results from important current efforts to use biological knowledge to help improve prediction of the in vivo rodent carcinogenicity of chemicals from relatively inexpensive high-throughput screening (HTS) in vitro assay results. (See Guyton et al., 2009, for a similar approach.) “Thousands of untested chemicals in the environment require efficient characterization of carcinogenic potential in humans. A proposed solution is rapid testing of chemicals using in vitro high-throughput screening (HTS) assays for targets in pathways linked to disease processes to build models for priority setting and further testing. We describe a model for predicting rodent carcinogenicity based on HTS data from 292 chemicals tested in 672 assays mapping to 455 genes. All data come from the EPA ToxCast project. The model was trained on a subset of 232 chemicals with in vivo rodent carcinogenicity data in the Toxicity Reference Database (ToxRefDB). Individual HTS assays strongly associated with rodent cancers in ToxRefDB were linked to genes, pathways, and hallmark processes documented to be involved in tumor biology and cancer progression. …A simple scoring function was generated to identify chemicals with significant in vitro evidence that was predictive of in vivo carcinogenicity in different rat tissues and organs. This scoring function was applied to an external test set of 33 compounds with carcinogenicity classifications from the EPA’s Office of Pesticide Programs and successfully (p = 0.024) differentiated between chemicals classified as “possible”/“probable”/“likely” carcinogens and those designated as “not likely” or with “evidence of noncarcinogenicity.” This model represents a chemical carcinogenicity prioritization tool supporting targeted testing and functional validation of cancer pathways.” The chemicals of primary interest in this case study are food crop pesticides that are believed to operate through non-genotoxic mechanisms to induce one or more of the currently recognized hallmarks of carcinogenesis, i.e., sustained proliferative signaling, evasion of growth suppression signals, evasion of immune detection and of destruction of compromised cells, acquisition of replicative immortality, tumor-promoting inflammation, active invasion and metastasis, induction of neoangiogenesis, increased genome instability and mutation, evasion of apoptosis, and deregulation of cellular energetics (Hanahan and Weinberg, 2011). Kleinstreuer at al.interpreted their work as testing the following hypothesis: H1: “Chemicals that perturb certain cancer-linked targets or processes in human in vitro HTS assays will have a significantly higher likelihood of being carcinogens, as evidenced by carcinogenicity in the 2-year chronic assays in rodents.” The corresponding null hypothesis is: H0: Chemicals identified as perturbing relevant pathways based on the in vitro HTS assay results are no more likely than other chemicals to exhibit carcinogenicity in the 2-year chronic assays in rodents. They concluded that their data support hypothesis H1 by allowing confident rejection of H0. They also propose a prioritization method that scores the possible carcinogenic potentials of chemicals by counting the number of cancer-associated endpoints that are identified as “significantly perturbed” in assay screening. Kleinstreuer et al. (2013) began their analysis by searching forassays that predict rodent carcinogenicity based on finding significantly increased univariate odds ratios (ORs) for a chemical being classified as a rodent carcinogen if the assay is positive compared to if it is not. ORs were assessed in a training set of 292 chemicals for which bothin vitro assay results and in vivo 2-year rodent chronic assay results were available. These 292 chemicals were ToxCast Phase I chemicals for which 2-year chronic cancer bioassay data are available from the EPA Toxicity Reference Database (ToxRefDB, http://actor.epa.gov/toxrefdb/). This database classifies each chemical as positive or negativefor preneoplastic or neoplastic lesions in rats(232 chemicals) and mice (223 chemicals, 200 of which overlap with those for rats). Only the most common cancer endpoints were included for each species. The most common endpoints were defined as thosethat were positive for at least 20 chemicals. These endpoints were described as liver preneoplastic or neoplastic, lung preneoplastic, and spleen preneoplastic for mice; and as kidney preneoplastic, liver preneoplastic or neoplastic, testes preneoplastic or neoplastic, and thyroid preneoplastic or neoplastic for rats. The 292 chemicals used by Kleinstreuer et al. are listed in their Supplementary Table 1. To independently replicate and validate this approach and quantify the predictivity of the HTS data for rodent carcinogenicity, we obtained data and software from the article publication site, the study authors, and the National Pesticide Information Center. Data files used in the study were obtained from the journal article publication site (http://toxsci.oxfordjournals.org/content/131/1/40/suppl/DC1). The files listed in the article as Supplementary Tables 1-6 mapped to the following file names: File as named in Kleinstreuer et al. (2013) File as named at website Supplementary Table 1 toxsci_12_0526_File007.pdf chemical codes/names and indicator flag of use in study table of hits by chemical and in-vivo endpoint toxsci_12_0526_File009.xlsx AC50 values by chemical and assay Gene mappings and process counts by assay Figure 3 diagram research article database We converted the pdf filesFile007, File008, File010 to data files via a combination of OCR software and manual correction. Upon request, the corresponding author, Dr. Richard Judsonsentthe software used in the study and the full set of input and output tablesin electronic form.Table 2 lists several of these files whichproved key to validating the results. Table 8.2. Additional Key Files Sent by NCCT on Request Hallmark2.R R software used to generate odds ratios, identify significant variables, and compute predictive scores. ORforestData_assay.txt Odds ratios, LCIs, UCIs, and 2x2 contingency table values for individual assay-endpoint combinations ORforestData_assay_perms.txt Odds ratios, LCIs, and UCIs for “permuted” chemicals, one set for each endpoint. CancerPred_all_ALL.txt Cancer prediction scores for all 292 chemicals (similar to Table 1, but expanded to cover training chemicals) For their training set, as described in the article, Kleinstreuer et al. (2013) drew on a database of 309 unique chemicals, 292 of which were flagged for usage. Of the 292 chemicals used, 60 had no rat-related in-vivo endpoint data (232 remaining), while 69 had no mouse-related in-vivo endpoint data (223 remaining). The database provided AC50 data values for 664 unique assays for each of the 309 chemicals. There were 673 assay names in the gene mapping file. (Six of the 664 assay columns in the AC50 data file had names that were not listed in the gene mapping file. All AC50 values for these 6 were zero, however, as was also true of many other assays. This did not impact the results.) For their test data set,Kleinstreuer et al. (2013)first identified 60 chemicals, listed in their Table 1 (“Summary of cancer hazard model for chemicals not included in the training set for rat endpoints”) that had not been used in constructing their risk prediction model, but that had in vitro assay results. From these, they selected as their final external validation test set a subset of 33 chemicals that had EPA Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP) human carcinogenicity classifications (shown in the last column of their Table 1). They note that “these ‘human’ classifications are in reality a summary of data from [largely] rodent studies and so are comparable with the data used in developing the model.”For purposes of testing and validating model predictions, Kleinstreuer et al. assigned any of the 60 test set chemicals with a classification containing the words “Likely”, “Probable”, or “Possible” for OPP’s assessment of carcinogenic potential a value of 1, and assigned those containing “Not Likely” or “Evidence of noncarcinogenicity” a value of 0. They excluded all other chemicals, e.g., those with classifications such as “Not classifiable” or “Suggestive evidence”, or “Insufficient data.” The data provided to us by NCCT did not include an electronic version of their Table 1, the external validation test data set.We therefore independently obtained a pdf documentfrom the National Pesticide Information Center athttp://npic.orst.edu/chemicals_evaluated.pdf, “Chemicals Evaluated for Carcinogenic Potential” (Nov 2012), published by the EPA Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP),that contains the cancer classification for most of the chemicals used in this study. We converted the pdf file to data via OCR software to support automated computations.(The URL in the article for the 2010 version of this document links to a website that states that the paper file can only be obtained by phone or mail.) We then manually checked each entry in Table 1 of Kleinstreuer et al. (2013) to verify the accuracy of the provided classifications of carcinogenic potency. Appendix A presents details of our chemical-by-chemical review and replication effort. Although we were able to independently confirm most (58 out of 60) of the carcinogenicity classifications in Kleinstreuer et al.’s Table 1 as matching those provided by OPP, we found discrepancies for 2 out of 60 chemicals. For these chemicals, the classifications reported by Kleinstreuer at al. and attributed to OPP differ from those in the EPA/OPP published data that we retrieved. These two cases are asfollows. Methylene bis(thiocyanate) [CASRN 6317-18-6] (MITC) is shown in Table 1 of Kleinstreuer et al. with an EPAcarcinogenic potential classification of “Likely to be carcinogenic – based on metam sodium data”. However the EPA/OPP document states: “There are insufficient data to characterize the cancer risk of MITC,” with a report dateof 2009. The computed cancer hazard score for that MITC is relatively high, at 16.It is unclear whether the stated rationale, “…based on metam sodium data” was inserted by Kleinstreuer et al.Although MITC is a breakdown product of metam sodium, it is not formed quickly and the use of the metam sodium risk information as a surrogate for it is scientifically questionable (www.epa.gov/oppsrrd1/REDs/3082red.pdf). Indeed, separate EPA documentation explicitly states that “it is not appropriate to quantify MITC cancer potential using the metam sodium cancer slope factor….” www.epa.gov/pesticides/chem_search/cleared_reviews/csr_PC-068103_13-May-04_a.pdf. In any case, the classification of MITC in Table 1 of Kleinstreuer et al. does not match that provided by OPP. Etridiazole[also called Terrazole, CASRN 2593-15-9] is shown in Table 1 of the article as having “No data.” However, the EPA/OPP document described above classifies it as “Group B – Probable Human Carcinogen”, with a report date of 1999. In more detail, "Etridiazole was classified by the Agency's Health Effects Division Cancer Peer Review Committee (CPRC) as a Probable Human Carcinogen. This classification is based on the following factors: (i) occurrence of multiple tumor types in male and female rats (tumor sites noted were the liver, bile duct, mammary gland, thyroid, and testes) including the induction of a rare bile duct tumor (cholangiocarcinoma), and (ii) non-neoplastic lesions observed in similar target organs that lend support to the association of etridiazole exposure with the induction of tumors; increased absolute and relative liver weight (males), hepatocytomegaly (males); clear, basophilic, and eosinophilic cellular alterations (males and females); cholangiectasis (females); centrilobular pigmentation (females); spongiosishepatis of the liver (males); and testicular interstitial cell hyperplasia (males) and (iii) positive mutagenicity data. The carcinogenicity study in mice was determined to be unacceptable and not adequate for assessment of the carcinogenic potential of etridiazole in this species."http://www.epa.gov/oppsrrd1/REDs/0009red.pdfThe cancer hazard score for this chemical computed by Kleinstreuer et al.’s model was zero, so the fact that it was misclassified as having “No data” prevented an important discrepancy between this prediction and the multiple tumor types observed in rats from being taken into account. We obtained matching classifications for all of the remaining 58 chemicals in Table 1 of Kleinstreuer et al. (or had a similar conclusion of “no data” where that was shown). However, the discrepancies for MITC and etridiazolehave a significant impact on the study results, as discussed later. Appendix A to this chapter provides additional details of our findings for all 60 chemicals, including several cases in which current knowledge might lead to changes in the EPA-OPP classifications used by Kleinstreuer et al. However, as our main goal is simply to verify whether the claimed accuracy can be confirmed using the same data and methods as the original authors as far as possible, we do not attempt to update or correct their Table 1 except for MITC and etridiazole, where it appears that the stated methodology was not followed correctly. In addition to independently reproducing the data in the training data set and external validation data set (with the exceptions just discussed), we also sought to reproduce the methodology used by Kleinstreuer et al. (2013) as far as possible, based on the documentation provided and the additional data files and software obtained from the authors. This section describes how we replicated these methods.	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0068.json.gz/line183
__label__cc	0.609965	0.390035	Graeme B Fraser What is a Separation Agreement? Legally Separated? What Is An Employment Lawyer? Is Getting Laid Off Like Being Fired? What Is A Personal Injury Lawyer? Types of Personal Injury Types of Civil Litigation Claims What Is Civil Litigation? Wills/Powers of Attorney What is a Will? Do I need a Living Will Caselaw – Graeme B Fraser, Counsel What does being fired for “Cause” mean? At common law, the general wrongful dismissal principle is that an employee is entitled to reasonable notice of termination of his or her contract with the employer, or payment in lieu of notice. The exception to the rule occurs when “just cause” exists; the employer is then entitled to dismiss the employee summarily, without any notice, or payment, being required. You are fired; you get nothing, and furthermore, since you were fired for cause (as it is usually shortened to) you cannot get employment insurance benefits. That is pretty harsh, but there are some cases where it is deserved. There is a heavy onus on the employer to prove just cause, and the courts have historically applied this test in a very stringent manner. The general rule relating to just cause has been stated in our law as follows: If an employee has been guilty of serious misconduct, habitual neglect of duty, incompetence or conduct incompatible with his duties, or prejudicial to the employer’s business, or if he has been guilty of willful disobedience to the employer’s orders in a matter of substance, the law recognizes the employer’s right summarily to dismiss the delinquent employee. Unless the circumstances are really outrageous, like stealing from the employer, there is a legal duty to warn an employee in writing, before termination for just cause. Some examples of cases where employers have claimed just cause include allegations of misconduct, insubordination, disobedience, dishonesty, conflict of interest, moral character, intoxication, illness, absence from work, lateness, or workplace conflicts. Sometimes an employer will cite just cause, purporting to rely on the position that an employee was incompetent or performed his or her duties in a substandard manner. This is an extremely difficult test for employers to meet, at law, but they often try. The employer must prove that the substandard work persisted after warnings were issued to improve. There is also law to the effect that the degree of incompetence of substandard work necessary to justify dismissal may be greater when dealing with a long-term employee. The essential component to an employer’s position in this regard is that it must establish that the substandard performance is the employee’s own fault. If poor performance is caused by the employer’s failure to provide proper training, instructions, support, supervision, failure to provide proper materials and working conditions or the employer’s unreasonable demands, the employee will not be dismissable for just cause. The issue of the degree of training and supervision that an employee received can be a factual dispute and one which the employer would clearly have to prove, on the balance of probabilities, in its favour, to justify dismissing an employee for just cause, for this reason. As well, the employer’s performance standard must be reasonable, fair and non-discriminatory. As such, the employer may also have to prove that it has applied its standards equally to all employees before the dismissal of one employee will be just. Further, the courts seem less likely to uphold dismissals for cause where the employee received mixed messages about his or her performance, or where the performance problems were overlooked by the employer for a long period of time. Employers often try to allege just cause in order to pay nothing to the fired employee. Most of the time, this tactic fails, if challenged. Don’t assume that your claim is a lost cause, just because you were fired for cause. Call Graeme Fraser to find out, and for representation in obtaining what your former employer is refusing to pay. You will not regret making this call. Recent Posts \| Employment Law What is “Constructive Dismissal”? The law has described constructive dismissal as being a case where an employer unilaterally makes a fundamental or substantial change to an employee’s contract of employment. When this occurs, the At common law, the general wrongful dismissal principle is that an employee is entitled to reasonable notice of termination of his or her contract with the employer, or payment in Have You Been Terminated? When Arnold Schwarznegger took over Donald Trump’s role on ‘The Celebrity Apprentice’, albeit short-lived, he replaced the Donald’s favourite phrase – “You’re fired” – with “You are terminated”. Although No. But most people use the terms interchangeably, without knowing the difference, and that includes employers. In fact, to allegedly soften the blow, some employers even tell their employees that Employment lawyers fall into two broad categories: those who represent employers, and those who represent employees. If employees in the workplace are members of a union, the lawyers involved on Just got fired? Just got fired? Your boss, and possibly an HR rep have just handed you a letter of termination that you didn’t see coming, no reasons given; they have offered you 150 Terence Matthews Crescent, Ottawa, ON K2M 1X4, gbf@gfraserlaw.ca, (613) 599-4424 - © Graeme B. Fraser 2019	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0068.json.gz/line186
__label__cc	0.601743	0.398257	Download this book: [ ASCII ] Title: Confession - A Novel Author: Gorky, Maxime * Start of this Doctrine Publishing Corporation Digital Book "Confession - A Novel" * in an extended version,also linking to free sources for education worldwide ... MOOC's, educational materials,...) _A NOVEL_ TRANSLATED FROM THE RUSSIAN BY ROSE STRUNSKY WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY THE TRANSLATOR FREDERICK A. STOKES COMPANY To me Gorky has never suffered from that change it has become so fashionable for young Russia to mourn. "Since he has begun to give us doctrines, he has lost all his art," they say and shake their heads, "We can get all the doctrines we want from the platform of the Social Democratic party or from the theorists of the Social Revolutionaries--why go to Gorky? Or if it is a philosophy of life that we seek, have we not always Tolstoi, who is greater, truer and has more consummate art? Why does he not write again a _Foma Gordyeeff_, or an _Orloff and His Wife_, or a _Konovaloff_!" I re-read _Foma Gordyeeff, Orloff and His Wife, Konovaloff_ and so on, and read also _Mother, The Spy, In Prison_, and the little fables with a purpose so sadly decried, and I see nothing there but the old Gorky writing as usual from the by-ways of life as he passes along on the road. The road has lengthened and widened in the twenty-five years of his wandering, that is all. Russia has changed and grown and passed through deepstirring experiences from the year 1890, when Gorky first published his immortal story of _Makar Chudra_, to her present moment of titanic struggle in the World War--the beginning of the year 1916. Russia's changes were Gorky's changes. He first flung his type of hero, the people from the lowest of the low--water-rats, tramps, petty thieves--into a discouraged, disappointed and hopeless Russia. It was a Russia that had almost decided that there were no more people, that they were without courage, that the misery and degradation in which they lived was there because of their own inefficiency, their lack of idealism, their incapacity to grasp an idea and to strike and fight for The Russia that thought this and the Russia that Gorky awakened from its torpor by introducing to it again the people it had almost learned to scorn, showing them with a capacity of understanding ideas, with deep emotions and great courage, was the Russia that had settled back in bitter disappointment after the sad failure of the Revolutionary movement of the eighties. Like an eddying pool, the generations in Russia have risen to the surface, made their protest against the anachronism of autocracy and despotism, and then subsided back again into the still and inert waters of the nation. But each rising generation has made a wider and wider eddy, coming ever from a greater depth. Thus in 1825 it was merely a small group of military officers, who having learned from the Napoleonic campaigns that there were such things as constitutional law and order, that liberty and freedom were truths to fight for, broke out in revolt in Petrograd in December of that year only to be immediately crushed. Five of the leaders were hanged, and the rest, intellectuals and writers among them, were sent to Siberia. The loss of the élite of Russia, despite the names of Pushkin and Lermontoff which graced that period, made great inroads in the intellectual life of the country. But in the fifties and sixties the seeming quiet was broken into by a new restlessness. This time the student youth, the young sons and daughters of the landlords and the nobles, became inspired by a passion for learning, for new conceptions of education, for new liberties of the people, for the abolition of serfdom and for a Pan-Slavism that would be democratic. It was then that the women left their homes to seek higher education and to enter new fields of work. They had to break with family tyranny which was fostered by tradition and the State, their men comrades standing valiantly by, helping them to make escapes, going through the forms of mock marriage, and conducting them safely to that Mecca of learning for the Russian youth--the medical school of Geneva. It was in this way that Sonya Kovalevsky, who later became the famous mathematician in the University of Stockholm, made her escape into the world, and the untold other heroines of Russia who were soon to return educated, free, and fired with a zeal to spread their new-found freedom to the people. The abolition of serfdom in '61 brought with it great discontent, for the peasants had been led to believe that they would be liberated together with the land, since Russian serfdom, unlike the Western, was based on the theory that the peasant was attached to the land and that the landlord's hold on it came through his ownership of the serf. Consequently it was argued, when the Russian serf was liberated and the ancient communal village form maintained, that all the land the serfs had owned would go to them. Of course, that was very far from what really happened. It is true that the serfs were liberated and the ancient communal form kept, but the land allotted to the village was poor and meager, the plots were scattered, and the tax on them for repayment to the landlords was so great that it took over fifty years to pay. The peasants foresaw exactly the future that awaited them; the dearth in land, none too much to begin with, and the consequential lessening at each redistribution as the village increased in "souls," the needed "renting" from the landlord at exorbitant rates, the inability to pay and the resultant "paying in his own labor," and the eventual reestablishment of a virtual serfdom. Insurrections took place all over the country, the peasants believing firmly that the Government had treated them more kindly but that the landlords were deceiving them. However, the Government came only too gladly to the aid of the landlords, having got used to blood-baths in its drastic quenching of the Polish insurrection of '63. The general disappointment among the youth in the Government's attitude towards both Polish liberty and peasant rights led to a stronger and more revolutionary stand on their part. Unlike the reaction that set in during the long and tyrannical reign of Nicholas I, after the outburst of the Decembrists, or the reaction that was to follow those thirty years of effort when the notes of Gorky were to sound like a clarion call to a renewed faith, the decade of the seventies rose to one of extreme and intense idealism. The generation which had gone out of Russia to gain for itself new liberties had now returned and was spread throughout the length and breadth of the vast land, making converts by the thousands where formerly there were but few. The "fathers" and "sons" though not understanding each other very fully, were nevertheless following a pretty equal tendency. Where the former had sought for new general liberties in politics and social life through education, the latter, feeling that a great deal had already been won, had decided upon propaganda of action. The movement changed from a freeing of one's self to a freeing of the people. "To the people" became the watchword of the hour. The youth of the better classes went to live among the peasants, taught them, organized them into secret revolutionary groups for "land and liberty," made several abortive attempts at peasant revolution, and finally, the Government growing more and more reactionary, ended in the wielding of a personal "terror" against the Government representatives, which culminated in the assassination of the Czar, Alexander II, in 1882. The reprisals that set in, the wholesale exiling of the youth to Siberia, the internment for life in the fortresses of Peter and Paul and in Schlüsselberg for participation in the Party of the Will of the People, and the general opinion that however reactionary Alexander II was he was still much more ready for reforms than his successor Alexander III, gave rise to a fundamental disillusionment. The sacrifices of the youth had been too much. They had led themselves to be hanged and tortured only to bring in an era of still greater darkness. The people were not ready for reforms, they did not wish them. They would not have understood what to do with liberties could they have had them. There was nothing to do but sit back on one's estate, exploit the peasants as did the grandfathers and say, "We are powerless and the peasants unworthy." This period was the more painful because it came fast upon one which was full of idealism and hope. The men who lived on in inertia, drinking tea and discussing vacuously the futility of life, had known a time when they had hoped and thought and planned otherwise. They had almost cynically to repudiate their former selves. The writer who brought out most acutely the great anguish of this period was Anton Chekhov. He is now being recognized as the greatest artist of his time, who followed naturally the trend of the years he lived in. His humor, at first gentle and sorrowful, became later coarse and gross as the darkness around him deepened. His characters are inert, some eaten up by unfulfilled desires, others incapable even of recalling the faint echo of a former hope. A "Chekhov Sorrow" became a well-known definite phrase in Russian life. It was before this Russia that Gorky made his appearance. Himself one of the people, he showed them again the face of the people. It had beauty and courage, it had qualities of strength long since forgotten. The effect was electrical. Gorky was hailed as one upon whom the cloak of Tolstoi was to fall, for better than Tolstoi, he did not appear as a leader of the people, but as one who disclosed the people _en masse_. Gorky's appearance in the cultured and literary world of Russia suffering from the "Chekhov Sorrow" has an analogy in my mind to the sudden appearance of Peter Karpovitch in the fortress of Schlüsselberg. There sat the men and women for almost twenty years, cut off from all outside communication, wondering when and how their work would be carried on. One by one they had died off and only a handful remained to question if the youth would ever awake to strong purposes again. Then suddenly, in the year 1902, the big gates opened, and the student Peter Karpovitch entered. Without connection with any revolutionary group, by an instinctive feeling of the pulse of the time, he made his strike against the increasing reaction, shooting the Minister of Education, Bogolyepov, in February, 1901, for the wholesale exiling of the students into the military on the lines employed by Nicholas I. This advance guard of the Russian Revolution was tall and handsome, with the traditional heroic, figure of the Little Russian. He came to the men of the past in all his strength and beauty as a symbol of the new era. Upon his footsteps followed fast Bolmashev, the executor of Sipiagin, who this time committed his act under the direction of an organized group, the Social Revolutionaries. In two years Russia was aflame. The Governor General of Finland, Bobrikoff, was shot in June, 1904. This was followed in a few weeks by the assassination of Von Plehve and the Grand Duke Sergei, by general labor strikes, by the demonstration in Petrograd in front of the Winter Palace which led to the terrible massacre of Bloody Sunday on January 22, 1905, by the mutinies in the Black Sea fleet and in Kronstadt, and by the nation-wide general strike in every branch of industry and life in October, 1905. Finally a Constitution and the Duma were granted to the people. The herald of the new order to the old was the tall handsome youth whose strange footsteps were heard suddenly and unexpectedly one March morning treading the hitherto silent corridors of the fortress. Thus, as Karpovitch to the prisoners in Schlüsselberg, came Gorky to Russia at large. He was marvelously fitted to dispel the disappointment that was felt about the people. Himself one of the people, he had merely to disclose himself to prove again their courage and nobility. The life of Gorky has been particularly tragic and particularly Russian. He was born in a dyer's shop in Nizhni-Novgorad in 1869. His real name is Alexei Maximovich Peshkov, and it is significant that when he came to write he signed himself "Maxim Gorky"--"Maxim, the Bitter." His father died when he was four and he was totally orphaned at seven. His childhood was spent in the care of his maternal grandfather, who was extremely religious and a miser. The foundation of the bitterness he was to feel was thus laid early, for the life of the lonely child with the harsh, unsympathetic old man, can be well imagined, though the peculiarly Russian setting can be had only by reading his recent book, _My Childhood_. At the death of his mother he was apprenticed to a shoemaker, and at eleven he decided that he had had enough of home ties and left Nizhni-Novgorad for good. He started tramping and after various vicissitudes found himself a helper to a cook on one of the Volga boats. This man had been at one time a noncommissioned officer and he carried his past culture with him in the form of a trunk full of books. It was a queer assortment, from Gogol to school manuals and popular novels, and Gorky dipped liberally into it. The result was that a craving for real learning arose in him, which would have come no doubt to the imaginative youth at this age even without the aid of that haphazard library. He left the Volga steamer and tramped to the University of Kazan, thinking that learning would be free to any one who wished it. He was bitterly disappointed, for the University demanded fees, and so instead of registering as a student he was forced to take a job as a bakery helper. This work he did for two years and it seems to have made a deep impression upon him, for there is scarcely a story of his where the hero does not spend two years baking bread in some filthy cellar among flour dust and general filth. He left the bakeshop to wander with those tramps and "ex-men" whose poet he was later to be. The life held suffering which ate deep into the vitals of his being--hunger, privations, nights with the police for vagabondage; and finally so great became this conflict between the beauty and goodness for which his nature craved and the constant evil around him, that in 1889 at the age of twenty-one he sent a bullet through his chest. Like many of the Russian youth, whose passionate natures make impossible the compromise between their inherent idealism and the sordidness and brutality of actual existence, he had decided to be done with the mockery. Fortunately the bullet did not kill and he took up his life of vagabondage again. In 1892 he is once more in Nizhni-Novgorad, actually holding the respectable post of a lawyer's clerk. The lawyer, a man called Lanin, seems to have taken a great interest in the intelligent young man who discussed "cursed" questions and had a "live and energetic soul." He threw opportunities for study in his way, but Gorky's free and untamed youth, coupled with the taste of the "mother earth" he grew to love so, made it impossible for him to lead the well-ordered life of a professional clerk, and in a city, at that. He left Lanin, for he did not "feel at home with these intelligent people," he said, and tramped to the Caucasus, making a detour on the way from the Volga, through the Don district, into Bessarabia and Southern Crimea. Coming to the Caucasus he found work in a railroad yard in Tiflis. His mind had already begun to digest the types of those tramps, Tartars and gipsies he met in his wanderings, for as early as 1890 his first story _Makar Chudra_ made its appearance in the little paper _Kafhas_ in Tiflis. It is a story of two thieves, written with great simplicity and naturalness. There is no doubt that Gorky had met them and had been true to the incidents related. It showed them strong, sensitive as women, with a subtle capacity of understanding each other's emotions. In a typically Russian scene, one thief unburdens his heart to the other, telling him how he had wanted to kill him and how he had nearly done so. The other listens, sympathetic, understanding fully how that state of mind came to him, and they part in great tenderness! These are no weaklings, they are personalities held by iron chains in a Greek fatalism, and the fatality is life--Russian life. Gorky had not yet come to the point where he could lay his hand on the social enemy and say "here it is." He saw only a great misery and natures torn in anguish, but not ruined as the generation before had supposed. Though this story itself, appearing, as it did, in a provincial paper, made no immediate name for him, his later stories, in which both canvas and treatment are exactly the same, brought him recognition forthwith. Gorky left Tiflis and wandered back to the Volga and there, by happy chance, met the Little Russian writer, Korolenko, the author of _Makar's Dream_ and _The Blind Musician_. As editor of _The Contemporary_, Korolenko introduced him to "great" literature, as he put it, and in a flash he was made known to all of Russia. He continued writing in the same vein he introduced in _Makar Chudra_, using the strong, outcast, rebel types in _Emilian Pibgai_ and _Chalkash_, which were published in 1895 under Korolenko's editorship, and in _Konovaloff,_ _Malva_, _Foma Gordyeeff_ his first long novel, and in the innumerable other works which preceded the supposed "change" in Gorky's manner. He showed his heroes to Russia as one shows a scene by pulling back a curtain: "this is what exists; here are men who do not conform to your laws, not because you have made outcasts of them, but because they despise you and all your smug respectability." But he did not say so in so many words, he merely showed this canvas. The change in Gorky is the change in Russia, which grew from a silent and brooding mood to one of talk and action. As the Russian people became more self-conscious so did he, changing from a man torn hither and thither by circumstances to one who was able to analyze life and know cause and effect. His very sudden success so early in his life made it impossible for him to keep on writing and re-writing the same themes in the same manner as he had begun. He was too great and dynamic a genius for that. To him as to most Russians the art itself is not the thing, but the self-expression and the truth. Thus when Gorky swung out from the life of tramps and wanderers into the intellectual life of Russia, he found a nation organized into various groups, analyzing the cause of Russian social and political misery, finding an economic and materialistic reason for it, and setting about to remedy it. Gorky joined one of these groups, the Social Democratic Party, was one of the signers of the petition to the Czar which demanded with an amusing Russian naïveté that the Czar grant not only economic justice to the strikers in the steel works of Petrograd, but also a constitutional assembly, universal suffrage, a direct and secret ballot, and free speech, free press and freedom of religion! For these demands and the subsequent demonstration in front of the Winter Palace which resulted in the notorious massacre of Bloody Sunday, Gorky was imprisoned in the fortress of Peter and Paul. His prominence and the fact that he was subject to tuberculosis caused a universal demand for his release. He was freed after a month and was allowed to stay in Finland and even in Petrograd for a while during the so-called days of freedom. By this time Gorky had thrown himself entirely into the cause of the Majority Faction of the Social Democratic Party, an organization not strictly Marxian, in the sense that they did not wait for an economic development to bring about the cooperative commonwealth but believed that by mass action and general strike Russia could bring about a revolution on socialistic lines without the necessity of intermediary steps. In 1905 he left Russia and came to America, hoping to collect money for the Revolutionary cause, but his work failed entirely because of the fact that the charming and brilliant lady who came with him to America and registered as his wife was not legally so. The men of prominence, Mark Twain among them, who formed committees to help raise the funds, resigned, and Gorky's plans failed entirely. Not only was no money for the "cause" raised, but he was received nowhere, the very hotel he stayed in asking him to leave at midnight. It was supposed that agents of the Russian Government, fearing Gorky's too great success in America, sprung the trap and thus discredited him. At any rate, Gorky naturally left the shores of America in great disgust, and the dark days of Russian reaction having already set in, went to live in practical exile on the island of Capri, in Italy. Leonid Andreyeff, the Russian writer, and many revolutionary refugees generally stayed with him. It was from Capri that the longer novels, _The Spy_ and this work, _The Confession_, were written. He was by this time living entirely in the cultured world, thinking earnestly and scientifically to the best of his ability about the political and social conditions around him. The great light, the great inspiring motive power of the Russian has ever been the people. The only ray of happiness in the works of Gorky is the joy that comes to his characters when they begin to work for the people. Life is depressing, life is a quagmire, a bog wherein great and noble souls are forced to wallow, when suddenly light appears. It is in the organization for the creation of a better life. One feels just for one little instant the happiness that life can bring when this vision of the new order appears. In the novel called _Three of Them_, the pages lighten with relief when the little Social Democratic agitator appears, giving hope and courage, but she is swept out of the life of the unhappy men that fill the pages of that book as suddenly as she appeared and there is nothing for the hero to do but throw himself under a passing train and die for disappointment and impotence. This was in the beginning when he himself first saw the meaning of the "Cause," before it had become fully part of his life. Later his works changed their scene, following the exact manner in which the Russian people themselves changed their mental attitude. The background of the same Russian people, the same giants with the same courage and the same ability, was no longer a quagmire, but a battlefield. They were struggling to win their rights. Interwoven in the pages of his later work rises the new Russia of the last decade, the self-conscious, fighting Russia. In _The Spy_, which was written in 1908, we see the Russian not yet come into his own, still living in ignorance and disorder, but his activity is different. He is in a fight. The same change is in _Mother_ and in the work _In Prison_. A new pæan is sung, it is the song of the people marching _en masse_. Perhaps Walt Whitman came the nearest to this same feeling of democracy, but unlike Whitman it is not of the people that Gorky sings, but it is the people themselves that are the song-makers. They are the "creators." "In them dwells God." The Russian who finds Gorky's later works too doctrinaire, too purposeful, never quarrels with him because he finds his theme at fault or the conclusions wrong, but because he thinks his art has failed. They say they have revised their opinion that Gorky would mean to them what Tolstoi has meant, for they still consider the latter to be more universal and truer philosopher and artist. They find it inartistic for Gorky to talk to them of what they already know. They want to hear again about the strange and beautiful types they did not know of before and to read again his beautiful lines with their exquisite descriptions of nature, which they consider unsurpassed by the greatest. However, to me Gorky's aestheticism is too one-sided. It is the aestheticism of the primitive whom only the grandiose impresses. The soft, subtle shadings leave him untouched. There is no doubt that he loves passionately his "mother earth" with the vast, undulating steppes, the tall mountains of the Caucasus, the great dome of the sky, and the living sweep of the sea. His descriptions of these scenes glow as does a Western writer over the charms of his beloved, but we miss the charms of the beloved. In reading Russian literature, it must always be remembered that one is reading of a people whose civilization is intrinsically different from that of the West. It is the difference between action and passivity. Professor Milvoukoff would have us believe that it is the autocratic form of government which has made the Russian live so long in inactivity, that both his reasoning powers and imaginative faculties have developed far in excess of the rest of Europe's. It is true that the Russian is never afraid to go to the end of a thought, to fight for freedom far in excess of that already attained in the Western world, and to ask continually the fundamental questions of "Why," and "Wherefore," and "Where am I going," and "Where does this lead me to?" The knife of Russian literature discloses as surely a cross-section of Russian civilization as does that of Guy de Maupassant, Flaubert, Zola and other realists of the French school disclose the French. And yet this cross-section of Russian civilization is difficult to grasp without a more intimate knowledge of both the history and the people. It is difficult for me now to remember my conceptions of Russian life as I got them from the Russian writers before my visit to Russia ten years ago. America, California, all the activities of our Western life made the characters and problems in Turgeneff, Dostoyeffsky and Gogol seem vague and unreal, made them move about in a nebulous society where one asked embarrassing personal questions and were always answered with a truth that had rudeness in it. I had a coward's entry into Russia. There were rumors of riots and disorders, for it was in the year of general strikes and barricades, and as the train moved farther into the interior, the guards who shoveled the snow off the track seemed to me soldiers under arms, standing there to protect us from some infuriated mob. My heart beat with fear at that great and uncouth stranger to me, the Russian people. But as my stay in Russia was prolonged, my kinship with the people grew. The common man appeared to me as a gentle protector and friend. The drivers of the droshkies, the peasants, the workingmen, the conductors on the trains, all became kindly elder brothers, who set one on one's right path or made a friendly remark as one passed along. Every one talked to every one, and although the great interest of the time was the Duma and the political situation, there lurked always a personal understanding and a personal relation behind each discussion. All classes had this attitude, and though the educated had more facts at their resources, for they knew history and the outside world, they had the same outlook and the same manner as the others. I became so much at one with the people around me, that when I left Russia eighteen months later, I felt this time fearful at going away, as if now truly I were going from home into a strange land. As the train came into the Western world, as I found myself in Poland and out again into Austria, I was again alone, a solitary and detached individual who was to stand on guard against the ill-turn which would be given me if I were not watchful. Outside of Russia, the people, "the God-creators," as Gorky calls them, fell apart into millions of various atoms, each struggling for his own life. It was in Russia that I left them still unspoiled, unadventitious, united in a great simplicity of faith and love. It is therefore that the last chapter of this book is distinct and real to me, and I can almost see with my own eyes that vast, surging procession of the people, showing their loving strength and giving of their strength to the weak. To-day, when all ideals and hopes have gone smash in the hurly-burly of this World War, Gorky has taken his side with his country and is again living in Russia. In the interim, before he can pick up the gauntlet to fight on for a new and better order, he has gone back to his former theme, writing as before of the tramps and "ex-men" and gipsies he knew in his youth, and Russia is pleased with him once more. ROSE STRUNSKY. New York, February, 1916. Let me tell you my life; it won't take much of your time--you ought to know it. I am a weed, a foundling, an illegitimate being. It isn't known to whom I was born, but I was abandoned on the estate of Mr. Loseff in the village of Sokal, in the district of Krasnoglinsk. My mother left me--or perhaps it was some one else--in the landlord's park, on the steps of the little shrine under which the old landlady Loseff lay buried and where I was found by Danil Vialoff, the gardener. He was walking in the park early in the morning, when he saw a child wrapped in rags lie moving on the steps, of the shrine. A smoke-colored cat was walking stealthfully around it. I lived with Danil until I was four years old, but as he himself had a large family, I fed myself wherever I happened to be, and when I found nothing I whined and whined, then fell asleep hungry. When I was four I was taken by the sexton Larion, a very strange and lonely man; he took me because of his loneliness. He was short of stature, round like a toy balloon and had a round face. His hair was red, his voice thin like a woman's, and his heart was also like a woman's, gentle to everybody. He liked to drink wine and drank much of it; when sober he was silent, his eyes always half-closed, and he had an air of being guilty before all, but when drunk, he sang psalms and hymns in a loud voice, held his head high and smiled at every one. He remained apart from people, living in poverty, for he had given away his share to the priest, while he himself fished both summer and winter. And for fun he caught singing birds, teaching me to do the same. He loved birds and they were not afraid of him; it is touching to recall how even the most timid of little birds would run over his red head and get mixed up in his fiery hair. Or the bird would settle on his shoulder and look into his mouth, bending its wise little head to the side. Then again Larion would lie on a bench and sprinkle hempseed in his head and beard, and canaries, goldfinches, tomtits and bullfinches would collect around him, hunting through his hair, creeping over his cheeks, picking his ears, settling on his nose while he lay there roaring with laughter, squinting his eyes and conversing tenderly with them. I envied him for this--of me, the birds were afraid. Larion was a man of tender soul and all animals recognized it; I can't say the same for men, though I don't mean to blame them for I know man isn't fed by caresses. It used to be rather difficult for him in winter; he had no wood and he had nothing to buy it with, having drunk up the money. His little hut was as cold as a cellar, except that the birds chirped and sang, and the two of us would lie on the cold stove, wrapped in everything possible, listening to the singing of the birds. Larion would whistle to them--he could whistle well--looking like a grossbeak, with his large nose, his hooked bill and his red head. Often he would say to me: "Well, listen, Motka" (I was baptized Matvei). "Listen!" He would lie on his back, his hands under his head, squinting his eyes and singing something from the funeral Liturgy in his thin voice. The birds would then become quiet, stopping to listen, then they themselves would begin to sing one after the other. Larion would try to sing louder than they and they would exert themselves, especially the canaries and goldfinches, or the thrushes and starlings. He would often sing himself up to such a point that the tears from his eyes would trickle from out his lids, wetting his cheeks and washing his face gray. This singing sometimes frightened me, and once I said to him in a whisper: "Uncle, why do you always sing about death?" He stopped, looked at me and said, smiling, "Don't get frightened, silly. It doesn't matter if it is about death; it is pretty. Of the whole church service the funeral mass is the most beautiful. It offers tenderness to man and pity for him. Among us, no one has pity except for the dead." These words I remember very well, as I do all his words, but of course at that time I could not understand them. The things of childhood are only understood on the eve of old age, for these are the wisest years of man. I remember also that I asked him once, "Why does God help man so little?" "It's none of His business," he explained to me. "Help yourself, that's why reason was given to you. God is here so that it won't be so terrible to die, but just how to live, that is your affair." I soon forgot these words of his, and recalled them too late, and that is why I have suffered much vain sorrow. He was a remarkable man! When angling most people never shout and never speak so as not to frighten the fish, but Larion sang unceasingly, or recounted the lives of the saints to me, or spoke to me about God, and yet the fish always flocked to him. Birds must also be caught with care, but he whistled all the time, teased them and talked to them and it never mattered--the birds walked into his traps and nets. The same thing as to bees; when setting a hive or doing anything else, which old bee-keepers do with prayers, and even then don't always succeed, the sexton, when called for the job, would strike the bees, crush them, swear profanely, and yet everything went in the best way possible. He didn't like bees--they blinded a daughter of his once. She found herself in a bee-hive--she was only three at the time--and a bee stung her eye. This eye grew diseased, and then blind, and soon the other eye followed. Later the little girl died from headache, and her mother became insane. Yes, he never did anything the way other people did, and he was as tender to me as if he were my own mother. They did not treat me with much mercy in the village. Life was hard, and I was a stranger, and a superfluous one.... Suddenly and illegally to be eating the morsel that belonged to some one else! Larion taught me the church service, and I became his helper and sang with him in the choir, lit the censer, and did all that was needed. I helped the watchman Vlassi keep order in the church and I liked doing all this, especially in winter. The church was of brick, they heated it well, and it was warm inside it. I liked vespers better than morning mass. In the evening the people were purified by work and were freed of their worries, and they stood quietly and majestically, and their souls shone like wax candles with little flames. It was plain then, that though people had different faces their misery was the same. Larion liked the church service; he would close his eyes, throw back his red head, stick out his Adam's apple and burst forth into song, losing himself so that he would even start off on some uncalled for hymn and the priest would make signs to him from the altar: "Where is it taking you?" He also read beautifully. His voice was singsong and sonorous, and had tenderness in it, and emotion and joy. The priest did not like him, nor did he like the priest. More than once he said to me: "That, a priest! He is no priest, he is a drum upon whom need and force of habit beat their sticks. If I were a priest, I would read the service in such a way that not only would I make the people cry, but even the holy images!" It was true--the priest did not suit his post. He was short-nosed and dark as if he had been singed by gun-powder. His mouth was large and toothless, his beard straggly, his hair thin and bald on top, his arms long. He had a hoarse voice and he panted as if carrying a load that was too much for his strength. He was greedy and always in a bad humor--for his family was large and the village was poor, the land of the peasants bad and there was no business. In summer, even when the mosquitoes were thick, Larion and I spent our days and our nights in the woods to hunt for birds or on the river to catch fish. It happened that he would be needed unexpectedly for some religious ceremony and he would not be there, nor would any one know where to find him. All the little boys in the village would scatter to hunt for him, running like hares and crying, "Sexton! Larion! Come home!" He would hardly ever be found. The priest would scold and threaten to complain, and the peasants would laugh. Larion had a friend, Savelko Migun, a notorious thief, and a habitual drunkard. He was beaten more than once for his thieving and even sat in jail for it, but for all that he was a remarkable person. He sang songs and told stories in such a way that it is impossible to remember them without wonder. I heard him many times, and now he stands before me as if alive; he was dry, lively, had a sparse beard, was all in tatters; with a small phiz and a wedge-shaped, large forehead underneath which often twinkled his thievish, merry eyes like two dark stars. Often he would bring a bottle of vodka, or Larion would insist on buying one, and they would sit opposite each other at the table, Savelko saying: "Well, sexton, roll out the litany." Then they drank ... Larion, a bit abashed, would nevertheless begin to sing, and Savelko sat as if glued to the spot, trembling, his little beard twitching, his eyes full of tears, smoothing his forehead with his hand and smiling or wiping the tears from his cheek with his fingers. Then he would bounce up like a ball, crying: "Most superb, Laria! Well, I envy the Lord God--beautiful songs are made for Him! But for man, Laria? What's man anyway, no matter how good he be or how rich his soul? It isn't hard for him to go before the Lord. But He, what does He do? Thou givest me nothing, Lord, and I give Thee my whole soul!" "Don't blaspheme!" Larion would say. "I blaspheme?" Savelko would cry; "I never even thought of such a thing! How am I blaspheming? In no way at all! I am rejoicing for the Lord, that's all. And now I am going to sing you something." He would stand up, stretch out his arm, and begin to chant. He sang quietly and mysteriously, opening his eyes wide and moving his dry finger continually on his outstretched arm, as if it were hunting for something in space. Larion would lean up against the wall, rest his hands on the bench, and look on in open-mouthed wonder. I lay on the stove with my heart melting within me with sweet sadness. Savelko would grow black before me, only his little white teeth would glisten and his dry tongue would move like a serpent's while the sweat would rise on his forehead in thick drops. His voice seemed endless, and it flowed out and shone like a stream in a meadow. He would finish, stagger a bit, wipe his face with the back of his hand, then both would take a drink and remain silent a long time. Later Savelko would ask-- "And now Laria, 'The Ocean Waves.'" And in this way they cheered each other up all evening as long as they were not yet drunk. When that happened, Migun began to tell obscene stories about priests, landlords, and kings, and my sexton would laugh and I with them. Savelko without tiring produced one story after another, and each one so funny that he almost choked with laughter. But best of all he sang on holidays in the wineshop. He stood up in front of the people, frowning hard so that the wrinkles lay deep on his temples. To look at him, one would think the songs came to his bosom from the earth itself and that the earth showed him the words and gave strength to his voice. Around him stood or sat the peasants, some with heads bowed chewing a piece of straw, others staring into Savelko's mouth, and all were radiant, while the women even wept as they listened. When he finished they said: "Give us another, brother." And they brought him drinks. The following story was told about Migun. He stole something in the village, and the peasants caught him. When they caught him, they said: "Well, that finishes you! Now we are going to hang you, we can't stand you any longer." And he, the story goes, answered: "Drop it, peasants, that's a nasty job you've begun. You have already taken from me the things I've stolen, so that you have lost nothing. Anyway, you can always get new things, but where will you get such a fellow as I? Who will cheer you up when I'm gone?" "All right," they said, "talk on." They took him to the wood to hang him and he began to sing on the way. When they first started out, they walked fast, then they slowed up. When they came to the wood, though the rope was ready, they waited, until he should finish his last song. Then they said to one another: "Let him sing another song. It will do for his Last Communion." He sang another and then another, and then the sun rose. The men looked about them; a clear day was rising from the east. Migun stood smiling among them awaiting his death without fear. The peasants became abashed. "Well, fellows, let him go to the devil," they said. "If we hang him, we might have all kinds of sins and troubles on our heads for it." And they decided not to touch Migun. "We bow to the ground before you for your talent," they said, "but for your thieving we ought to beat you up, all the same." They gave him a light beating, and then they all went back in a body All this might have been made up, but it speaks well for human beings, and puts Savelko in a good light. And then think of this: if people can make up such good stories, it follows they are not so bad, and in this lies the whole point. Not only did they sing songs together, but Savelko and Larion carried on long conversations with each other--often about the devil. They did not give him much honor. Once I remember the sexton saying: "The devil is the image of your own wickedness, the reflection of your own dark soul." "That means, he is my own foolishness?" Savelko asked. "Just that and nothing else." "It must be so," Migun said, laughing. "For were he alive, he would have snatched me up long ago!" Larion didn't believe in devils at all. I remember him discussing in the barn with the Dissenters and he shouting: "It is not devilish, but brutish! Good and evil are in man. When you want goodness, goodness is there; _if_ you want evil, evil is there, from you and for you. God does not force you by His Will either to good or evil. He created you free-willed, and you are free to do both good and evil. Your devil is misery and darkness! Good is really something human, because it springs from God, while your evil doesn't come from the devil, but from the brute in you." They shouted at him: "Red-haired heretic!" But he kept on. "That's why," he said, "the devil is painted with horns and feet like a goat's, because he is the brute element in man." Best of all Larion spoke about Christ. I always wept when I pictured the bitter fate that befell the Holy Son of God. His whole life stood before me, from the discussion in the Temple with the wise men, to Golgotha, and He was like a pure and beautiful child in His ineffable love for the people, with a kind smile for all and a tender word of consolation--always like a child, dazzling in His beauty. "Even with the wise men of the Temple," Larion said, "Christ conversed like a child, that is why in his simple wisdom He appeared greater than they. You, Motka, remember this, and try to conserve the child-like throughout your whole life, for in it lies truth." I would ask him: "Will Christ come again soon?" "Yes, soon," he would say, "soon, for it is said that people are again looking for Him." As Larion's words now come back to me, it seems to me that he saw God as the great Creator of the most beautiful things, and man as an incompetent being, who was lost on the by-ways of the world. And he pitied this talentless heir to the great riches left to him on this earth by God. Both he and Savelko had one faith. I remember that an ikon appeared miraculously in our village. Once, very early on an autumn morning a woman came to the well for water, when suddenly she saw something glow in the darkness at the bottom of the well. She called the people together. The village elder appeared, the priest came, and Larion ran up. They let a man down into the well and he brought up the ikon of the "unburnt bush." They performed mass right on the spot and then they decided to put up a shrine above the well, the priest crying: "Orthodox, give your offerings." The village elder lent his authority and gave three rubles himself. The peasants untied their purses and the women earnestly brought pieces of linen and grain of all sorts. There was rejoicing in the village and I, too, was happy, as on the day of Christ's holy Resurrection. But even during mass I noticed that Larion's face looked sad. He glanced at no one, and Savelko ran about like a mouse through the crowd and giggled. At night I went to look at the apparition. It stood above the well, giving forth an azure glow like a vapor, as if some one unseen was breathing on it tenderly, warming it with his light and heat; it gave me anguish and pleasure. When I came home I heard Larion say sadly, "There is no such Holy Virgin." And Savelko drawled out the following, laughing: "I know, Moses lived long before Christ. Why! the scoundrels! A miracle, what? Oh, but you peasants are queer!" "For this the elder and the priest ought to go to jail," Larion said in a very low voice. "Let them not kill the God in man just to slack their own greed." I felt uneasy at this conversation and I asked from the stove: "What are you talking about, Uncle Larion?" They were silent, then they whispered to each other; evidently they were disturbed. Then Savelko cried: "What is the matter with you? You yourself complained that the people were fools, and now you are shamelessly making a fool of Matveika! Why?" He jumped over to me and said: "Look, Motka, here are matches. I rub them between my hands, see? Put out the light, Larion." They put out the lamp, and I saw Savelko's two hands glow in the darkness with the same blue phosphorescence as the miraculous ikon. It was terrible and offensive to see. Savelko said something, but I crouched in a corner of the stove, closed my ears with my fingers, and remained silent. Then they crawled in by my side, took vodka along, and for a long time they took turns in telling me about true miracles and of the faith of man sacrilegiously betrayed. And so I fell asleep while they talked. After two or three days, many priests and officials arrived, arrested the ikon, dismissed the village elder from his post, and the priest, too, was threatened with a law-suit. Then I believed the whole thing had been a fraud, though it was hard for me to admit that it was done for the purpose of getting linen from the women and some pennies from the men. When I was six years old, Larion began to teach me the abcs in the Church-tongue and when two winters later a school was opened in our village, he sent me there. At first I grew somewhat apart from Larion. I liked to study, and I took to my books zealously, so that when he asked me my lessons, as sometimes happened, he would say, after hearing "Fine, Motka." Once he said: "Good blood boils in you. It's plain your father was no fool." And I asked, "But where is he?" "Who can know!" "Is he a peasant?" "All one can say for sure is that he was a man. His caste is unknown. However, he could hardly have been a peasant. By your face and skin, not to mention your character, he seems to have been from the gentry." Those casual words of his sank deep into my mind and they didn't do me much good. When they called me a foundling at school, I balked and shouted to my comrades: "You are peasant children, but my father is a gentleman!" I became very firm about this. One must protect oneself somehow against insults, and I had no other protection in my mind. They began to dislike me, to call me bad names, and I fought back. I was a strong youngster and could fight easily. Complaints grew about me, and people said to the sexton: "Quiet that bastard of yours!" And others without bothering to complain, pulled my ears to their hearts' content. Then Larion said to me: "You may be a son of a general, Matvei, but that isn't of such great importance. We are all born in the same way and therefore the honor is the same for all." But it was too late. I was twelve years old at the time and felt insults keenly. Something pulled me away from people and again I found myself close to the sexton. All winter we wandered together in the wood, catching birds, and I became worse in my studies. I finished school at thirteen, and Larion began to think what he should do with me. I would go rowing with him in a boat, I at the oars and he steering, and he led me in his thoughts over all the paths of human fate, telling me of the various vocations in life. He saw me a priest, a soldier, an employee, and nowhere was it good for "What should it be then, Motka?" he would ask. Then he would look at me and say, laughing, "Never mind, don't get frightened. If you don't fall down, you will crawl out. Only avoid the military. That's a man's finish." In August, soon after the Day of Assumption, we went together to the lake of Liubushin to catch sheat-fish. Larion was a bit drunk and he had wine along with him. From time to time he sipped from the bottle, cleared his throat and sang so that he could be heard over the whole His boat was bad, it was small and unsteady. He made a sharp turn, the bow dipped, and we both found ourselves in the water. It was not the first time that such a thing happened, and I was not frightened. I rose and saw Larion swimming at my side, shaking his head and saying to me: "Swim to the bank and I'll push the damned tub there." It was not far from the bank and the current was weak. I swam tranquilly, when suddenly I felt as if something pulled at my feet, or as if I had struck a cold current, and looking back, I saw that our boat was floating bottom up, and Larion was not there. He was nowhere. Like a stone striking my head, terror hit my heart. A cramp seized me and I sank to the bottom. An employee from the estate, Yegor Titoff, who was crossing the field, saw how we capsized. He saw Larion disappear and when I began to drown, Titoff was already on the bank undressing. He pulled me out, but Larion was not found until night. His dear soul was extinguished, and immediately it became both dark and cold for me. When they buried him, I was sick in bed, and I could not escort the dear man to the cemetery. When I was up, the first thing I did was to go to his grave. I sat there, and could not even weep, so great was my sorrow. His voice rang in my memory, his words lived again, but the man who used to lay his tender hand on my head was no longer on this earth. Everything became strange and distant. I sat with my eyes closed. Suddenly somebody picked me up. He took me by the hand and picked me up. I looked and saw Titoff. "You have nothing to do here," he said. "Come." And he led me away. I went with him. He said to me: "It seems you have a good heart, youngster, it remembers the good." But this did not make me feel any better. I was silent. Titoff "Even at the time when you were abandoned, I thought to myself, I shall take the child to me, but I came too late. However, it seems it is God's wish. Here He again puts your life into my hands. That means you will come to live with me." It was all the same to me then, whether to live, not to live, how to live or with whom.... Thus I passed from one point in my life to another without realizing it myself. After a time I began to take interest in all that surrounded me. Titoff was a silent man, tall in stature, with his head and cheeks shaved like a soldier's, and he wore a long mustache. He spoke slowly and as if he were afraid to say one word too many, or as if he were in doubt himself of what he was saying. He held his hands in his pocket or crossed them behind his back, as if he were ashamed of them. I knew that the peasants of the village and even those of the neighboring district hated him. Two years before, in the village of Mabina, they beat him with a stake. They said that he always carried a revolver with him. His wife, Nastasia, was handsome, tall and slender. Her face was bloodless, with two feverish, large eyes. She was often sick. Her daughter, Olga, who was three years my junior, was also pale and thin. A great silence reigned about them. Their floor was covered with thick carpet, and not a footstep could be heard. Even the clock on the wall ticked inaudibly. The lamps, which were never extinguished, burned before their holy images. There were prints stuck on the walls, showing the Last Judgment and the Martyrdom of the Apostles and of Saint Barbara. In one corner, on the low stove, a large cat, the color of smoke, looked out of its green eyes on the surroundings and seemed to guard the silence. In the midst of this awful stillness it took me a long time to forget the songs of Larion and his birds. Titoff brought me to the office of the estate and showed me the books. Thus I lived. It seemed to me that Titoff watched me and followed me about in silence as if he expected something from me. I felt depressed and unhappy. I was never gay, but now I became almost morose. I had no one to speak to, and, moreover, I did not wish to speak to any one. When Titoff or his wife asked me about Larion I did not answer, but mumbled something. A feeling of unhappiness and sadness weighed upon me. Titoff displeased me by the suspicious stillness of his life. I went almost daily to the church to help the watchman, Vlassi, and also the new sexton, a handsome young man, who had been a school teacher. He was not interested in his work, but he was a great friend of the priest, whose hand he always kissed and whom he followed about like a dog. He continually reproved me, for which he was in the wrong, because I knew the holy service better than he did and always did everything according to rule. It was at this time, when life became difficult for me, that I began to love God. One day when I was placing the tapers in front of the image of the Holy Virgin and her Child, before mass, I saw that they looked at me with a grave and compassionate expression. I began to weep, and, falling on my knees, I prayed for I do not know what--for Larion, no doubt. I do not know how long I remained there, but I arose consoled, my heart warm and animated. Vlassi was at the altar and he mumbled something incomprehensible. I mounted the steps, and when I was near him he looked at me. "You look very happy," he said. "Have you found a kopeck?" I knew why he asked that question, for I often found money on the ground. But now these words left an unpleasant impression on me, as if some one had hurt my heart. "I was praying to God," I said. "To which one?" he asked me. "We have more than a hundred here. And the living One, the true One, who is not made of wood, where is He? Go and find Him." I knew the value to attach to his words. Nevertheless, they appeared offensive to me at this time. Vlassi was a decrepit old man, who could hardly walk. His limbs stuck out at the knees and he always tottered as if he were walking on a rope. He had not a tooth in his mouth, and his dark face looked like an old rag, from which two wild eyes stuck out. He had lost his reason and had commenced to rave even some time before Larion's death. "I don't watch the church," he said. "I watch cattle. I was born a shepherd and shall die a shepherd. Yes, soon I shall leave the church for the fields." Every one knew that he had never watched cattle. "The church is a cemetery," he would say. "It is a dead place. I wish to deal with something living. I must go and feed cattle. All my ancestors have been shepherds, and I also up to my forty-second year." Larion used to make fun of him. One day he said to him laughingly: "In olden times there was a god of cattle who was called Voloss. Perhaps he was your great-greatgrandfather." Vlassi questioned him about Voloss; then he said: "That's right. I have known that I was a god for a long time, only I am afraid of the priest. Wait a little, sexton; don't you tell it to him. When the right time comes I will tell him myself." It was impossible to get the idea out of his head. I knew that he was crazy, yet he worried me. "Take care," I said to him. "God will punish you." And he muttered: "I am a god myself." Suddenly my foot caught on the carpet and I fell, and I interpreted it as an omen. From that day I began to love passionately all that pertained to the church. The ardor of my childish heart was so great that everything became sacred for me--not only the images and the gospels, but even the chandeliers and the censer, whose very coals became precious in my eyes. I used to touch these objects with joy and with a feeling of great respect. When I went up the steps of the altar my heart would cease beating, and I could have kissed the flagstones. I felt that I was under One who saw everything, directed my steps and surrounded me with a supernatural force; who warmed my heart with a dazzling and blinding light, and I saw only myself. At times I remained alone in the darkness of the temple, but it was light in my heart; for my God was there, and there was no place for childish troubles, nor for the sufferings which surrounded me--that is to say, the human life about me. The nearer one comes to God, the farther one is from man. But, of course, I did not understand that at that time. I began to read all the religious works which fell into my hands. Thus my heart became filled with the divine word. My soul drank avidly of its exquisite sweetness, and a fountain of grateful tears opened within me. Often I went to the church before the other faithful ones, and, kneeling before the image of the Trinity, I wept lightly and humbly, without thinking and without praying. I had nothing to ask of God and I worshiped Him with complete self-forgetfulness. I remembered Larion's "When you pray with your lips you pray to the air and not to God. God thinks of the thoughts, not the words, like man." I did not even have thoughts. I knelt and sang in silence a joyful song, happy in the thought that I was not alone in the world and that God was near me and guarded me. That was a happy time for me, like a calm and joyful holiday. I liked to remain alone in the church, when the noise and the whisperings were over. Then I lost myself in the stillness and rose up to the clouds, and from that height man and all that pertained to man became more and more invisible to me. But Vlassi bothered me. He dragged his feet on the flagstones, he trembled like the shadows of a tree shaken by the wind, and he muttered with his toothless mouth: "I have nothing to do here. Is it my business? I am a god, the shepherd of all earthly cattle. To-morrow I am going away into the fields. Why have they exiled me here in these cold shadows? Is this my work?" He troubled me with his blasphemies, for I imagined that his profanity sullied the purity of the temple and that God was angry at his being in His house. People began to notice my piety and my religious zeal. When the priest met me he grunted and blessed me in a special way, and I had to kiss his hand, which was always cold and covered with sweat. Although I envied his being initiated into the divine mysteries, I did not love him and was even afraid of him. Titoff's little, dull eyes, like buttons, followed me with increasing vigilance. Every one treated me carefully, as if I were made of glass. More than once little Olga would ask me, in a low voice: "Will you be a saint?" She was timid even when I was kind, when I told her religious stories. On winter nights I read aloud the Prologue and the Minea. Gusts of snow blew over the country, groaning and beating against the walls. In the room silence reigned and no one stirred. Titoff sat with head bowed, so that his face could not be seen. Nastasia, who was sleepy, sat with her eyes fixed on me. When the frost crackled she trembled and glanced about her, smiling gently. When she did not understand the meaning of a Slavic word she would ask me. Her sweet voice resounded for an instant, and then again there was quiet. Only the flying snow sang plaintively, wandering over the fields seeking repose. The holy martyrs, who fought for the Lord and celebrated His greatness by their life and by their death, were especially dear to my soul. I was touched also by the merciful and pious men who sacrificed everything for love of their neighbors. But I did not understand those who left the world in the name of God and went away to live in a desert or in a cave. I felt that the devil was too powerful for the Anchorites and the Stylites, that he made them flee before him. Larion had denied the devil. Nevertheless, the life of the saints forced me to recognize him. And, besides, the fall of man would be incomprehensible if one did not admit the existence of the devil. Larion saw in God the one and omnipotent Creator, but then from where came evil? According to the life of the saints, the author of all evil is the devil. In this rôle I accepted him. God, then, was the creator of cherries, and the devil the creator of burrs; God the creator of nightingales and the devil the creator of owls. However, although I accepted the devil, I did not believe in him and was not afraid of him. He was useful to me in explaining the existence of evil; but at the same time he bothered me, for he lessened the majesty of God. I forced myself not to think of this problem, but Titoff continually made me think of sin and of the power of the devil. When I read, he questioned me curtly, without raising his eyes. "Matvei, what does that last word mean?" And I explained it. Then after a second of silence, he would say: "Where can I hide before Thy countenance? Where can I flee before Thy wrath?" His wife would sigh deeply and look at him, still more frightened, as if she expected something terrible. Olga blinked her blue eyes and suggested: "In the forest." "Where can I flee before Thy wrath?" he repeated. This time I remember he took his hands from his pockets and twirled his long mustache, and his eyebrows trembled. He hid his hands and said: "It was King David who asked, 'Where can I flee?' Yes, he was a king and he was afraid. You see that the devil was stronger than he. He was anointed of God and the devil conquered him. 'Where can I flee?' To hell--that is certain. We lesser people, we have nothing to hope for if the kings themselves go there." He frequently returned to this subject. I did not always understand his words; nevertheless, they produced a disagreeable impression upon me. People began to speak more and more about my piety. One day Titoff said to me: "Pray zealously for my whole family, Matvei. I beg of you, pray for us. You will thus repay me for having gathered you to me and treated you like a son." But what did that mean to me? My prayers were without object, like the song of a bird which he pours out to the sun. Nevertheless, I began to pray for him and for his family, and especially for little Olga, who had become a very pretty young girl, sweet and tender. I borrowed the words of the Psalms of David and all the other prayers which I knew. I liked to repeat the sing-song and cadenced phrases, but from the time when I said in praying for Titoff: "Lord, in Thy grace, have pity on Thy servant, Yegor," my heart closed. The spring of my prayers became dry, the serenity of my joys was disturbed. I was ashamed before God and could not continue. Lowering my eyes before the countenances of the holy saints I arose, overcome with a feeling of anger and embarrassment. It troubled me. Why should I feel like that? I tried to understand it, but could not, and I was sorry for the joy which had been destroyed on account of this man. The people about me began to notice me, and I took notice of them, too. On holidays when I walked through the streets I was stared at with much curiosity. Some greeted me earnestly while others mocked, but all looked after me. "Here goes our prayer-book," was heard. "Say, Matvei, are you going to become a saint?" "Don't laugh at him, friends; he is not a priest and he does not believe in God for the sake of the money." "Have there not been peasants who became saints?" "Oh, we have all kinds of men, but that does not help us much." "Who said he is a peasant? He has got gentleman's blood in him--but that's a secret." And thus they calked, and some praised and some jeered. As for myself, I was then in a peculiar state of mind. I wished to be at peace with all and wanted all to love me. However, try as I would to live up to it, their insults prevented me. Of all who persecuted me, Savelko Migun was the worst. He fell on his knees when he saw me and prostrated himself, declaiming aloud: "Your Holiness, I bow to the ground before you. Pray for Savelko, I beg of you. God may do the right thing by him then. Teach me how to please the Lord God. Must I stop stealing, or must I steal more and burn him a wax candle?" The crowds laughed at Savelko's jokes, but they made me feel queer and hurt me. He would continue: "Oh, ye Orthodox, prostrate yourself before the Righteous One. He fleeces the peasants in his office and then reads the gospel in church. And God cannot hear how the peasants howl." I was sixteen and could easily have broken his face for his insults. But instead, I took to avoiding him. When he noticed this he gave me no leeway at all. He composed a song, which he sang in the streets on holidays, accompanying himself with his balalaika. "Oh, the squires embrace the maidens, And the maidens all grow big; From these gentlemanly doings Come out dirty cheats as children. They are thrown upon the masters Who refuse to feed them gratis; And they put them in their office, To the peasants' great misfortune." It was a long song and everybody was mentioned in it, but Titoff and I had the biggest share of all. It got to such a point that when I caught sight of Savelko with his little thin beard, his cap on his ear and his bald head, I trembled all over. I felt like springing on him and breaking him into bits. Though I was young, I could hold myself in with a strong hand. When he walked behind me, jingling, I did not move a muscle to show that it was hard to bear. I walked slowly and made believe I did not hear. I began to pray more zealously, for I felt that I had no protection except prayers, which, however, were now filled with complaints and bitter words. "Wherefore, O Lord, am I to blame that my father and mother abandoned me and threw me like a kitten into the brush?" I could find no other sin in me. I saw men and women placed on this earth without rhyme or reason; saw each one so accustomed to his business that the custom became law. How was I to know right off why and against whom this strange force is directed? However, I began to think things over, and I grew more and more troubled as things became insufferable to me. Our landlord, Constantine Nicolaievitch Loseff, was rich and owned much land, and he hardly ever came to our estate, which was considered unlucky by the family. Somebody had strangled the landlord's mother, his father had fallen from a horse and been killed, and his wife had run away from him here. I only saw the landlord twice. He was a stout man, tall, wore spectacles and had an officer's cape and cap, lined with red. They said he held a high position under the Czar and that he was very learned and wrote books. The two times he was on the estate he swore at Titoff very thoroughly and even shook his fist in his face. Titoff was the one absolute power on the estate of Sokolie. There was not much land, and only so much grain was sown as was necessary for the household. The rest of the land was rented to the peasants. Later there came an order that no more land should be rented and that flax should be sown on the whole estate. A factory was being opened nearby. In addition to myself, there sat in a corner of the office Ivan Makarovitch Judin. His soul was half dead and he was always drunk. He had been a telegraph operator, but he had lost his position on account of his drunkenness. He took care of the books, wrote the letters, made the contracts with the peasants, and was remarkably silent. When he was spoken to, he only nodded his head and coughed a little. At most he answered, "All right." He was short and thin, but his face was round and puffy, and his eyes could hardly be seen. He was entirely bald and he walked on his tip-toes, silently and unsteadily, as the blind. On the Feast of the Virgin of Kazin, the peasants made Judin so drunk with vodka that he died. I was alone now in the office, did all the work, and received a salary from Titoff of forty rubles a year. He gave me Olga as an assistant. I had noticed for a long time that the peasants walked around the office as wolves around a trap. They see the trap, but they are hungry, and the bait tempts them, so they begin to eat. When I was alone in the office and became acquainted with all the books and plans, I realized, even with my poor understanding, that our whole arrangement was nothing more than theft. The peasants were head over ears in debt and worked, not for themselves, but for Titoff. I cannot say that I was either very much surprised or ashamed at this discovery. And even if I did understand now why Savelko swore at me and insulted me, still I did not think it was right of him. Was it then I who had originated this stealing? I saw that Titoff was not quite straight even with the landlord, and that he stuffed his pockets as much as he dared. I became bolder toward him, for I realized that in some way I was necessary to him. And now I understood why. I had to hide him, the thief, from the Lord God. He now called me his "dear son," and his wife did so too. They dressed me well, for which, of course, I was grateful. But my heart did not go out toward them, and my soul was not warmed by their goodness. I became more and more friendly with Olga, however. I liked her wistful smile, her low voice and her love of flowers. Titoff and his wife walked before God with sunken heads, like a team of horses, and behind their timid glances seemed to be continually hiding something which must have been even greater than theft. I did not like Titoff's hands. He always hid them in a manner which made me suspicious. Perhaps those hands had strangled some one; perhaps there was blood on them. They kept asking me, he as well as she: "Pray for our sins, Motia." One day I could stand it no longer. I asked them: "Are you then more sinful than others?" Nastasia sighed and went away, and he turned on his heel and did not In the house he was thoughtful and spoke very little, and then only on business. He never swore at the peasants, but he was always haughty with them, which was worse than swearing. He never conceded a point and stood his ground as firmly as if he were sunk to the waist in the earth. "One should give in to them," I said to him once. "Never," he answered. "Not an iota must you give in, or you are lost." Another time he ordered me to count false, and I said to him: "You can't do that." "It is a sin." "It is not you who are forcing me to sin, but I you. Write as I tell you. No one will ask any account of you, you are only my hand. Your piety will not suffer by it; have no fear. For ten rubles a month neither I nor anybody else can live honorably. Do you understand that?" "Oh, you scoundrel!" I said to myself. But aloud I said to him: "That is quite enough. Things must end right here. If you don't stop this swindling I will tell the village all about your deals." He pulled his mustache up to his nose, lifted his shoulders to his ears, showed his teeth and stared at me with his round, bulging eyes. We measured each other. "You will do that, really?" he said to me in a low voice. Titoff burst out laughing, and it sounded as if some one had thrown silver pieces on the ground. "All right, my holy one, that is all that I needed. From now on we will manage this affair differently. We won't bother any more with kopecks. We will deal with rubles. If the thief's dress is too tight, he becomes honest." He went out, slamming the door so that the panes in the windows rattled. It seemed to me that Titoff was a little more cross after that. Still I was not quite sure of it. But he left me in, peace from then on. He was a terrible miser, and though he did not deny himself anything, nevertheless he knew how to value a penny. He ate well and was very fond of women, and as he had the power in his hands, there was not a woman in the village who dared to refuse him. He let the young girls alone, and only went to the married women. He made my blood hot once or "What is the matter, Matvei?" he asked. "Are you timid? To take a woman is like giving charity. In the country every woman yearns for love. But the men are weak and worn out, and what can the women expect from them? You are a strong, handsome young fellow; why not make love to the women? You would get some pleasure out of it yourself." He followed every villainy, the low rascal. Once he asked me: "Do you think, Matvei, that a pious man is of much value in the eyes of God?" I did not like such questions. "I don't know," I answered. He remained doubtful for a minute and then he said: "God led Lot out of Sodom and saved Noah; but thousands perished by fire and water. Still it says, 'Thou shalt not kill.' Often it seems to me that these thousands perished because among them there were a few pious and virtuous people. God saw that despite the stringent laws which He gave, there were several who could lead a righteous life. If there had been no pious men in Sodom, God would have seen that it was impossible to observe His commandments and He might have lightened them without putting to death thousands of people. They call Him the All-merciful One. But where is His mercy?" I did not understand then that this man was only seeking license to sin. Nevertheless, the words angered me. "You are blaspheming," I said. "You are afraid of God, but you don't love Him." He drew his hands out of his pockets, threw them behind his back, and his face turned gray. It was plain that he was in great wrath. "Whether it is so or not, I don't know," he answered, "but it seems to me that you pious ones use God as a ruler by which you mark off the sins of others. Without such as you, God would have a hard time measuring sins." He took no notice of me for a long time after that. But an insufferable hatred rose in my soul against this man. I avoided him even more than I did Savelko. If at night I mentioned his name in my prayers, an ungovernable anger possessed me. It was at this time that I said my first spontaneous prayer: "I do not wish to seek grace for a thief, O Lord. I ask that he be punished. May he not rob the poor without being punished." And I prayed to God so ardently that Titoff be punished that I grew frightened at the terrible fate that awaited him. Soon after this I bad another encounter with Migun. He came to the office for lime-bast,[1] when I happened to be alone. I asked him: "Why do you always make fun of me, Savel?" He showed his teeth and stared at me with his piercing eyes. "I haven't much business here," he said. "I only came for lime-bast." My legs trembled beneath me and my hands clenched of themselves. I clutched his throat and shook him lightly. "What have I done?" He was not frightened, nor was he angry. He simply took my hand and pushed it from his throat as if it were he, not I, who was the stronger. "When you are choking some one, he cannot speak well," he said. "Let me alone," he continued; "I have received beatings enough, and I don't need yours. Besides, you mustn't strike any one. It is against the commandments." He spoke quietly and mockingly, in a light tone. I shouted: "What do you want here?" "Some lime-bast." [Footnote 1: A vegetable fiber made from the bark of the lime tree.] I saw that I could make no headway with him by words, and my anger was already gone. I now only felt hurt and cold. "You are all beasts," I said. "Can you make fun of a man because his parents abandoned him?" He threw his words at me as if they were little stones: "Don't be a hypocrite. We know you by your actions. You eat stolen bread and others suffer want." "You lie!" I said. "I work for my bread." "Without work you can't even steal a chicken. That is an old story." He looked at me with a devilish smile in his eyes and said pityingly: "Oh, Matvei, what a good child you used to be. And now you have become learned, despite God, and like all thieves in our country, you found a religion based on God's truth that all men have not equally long fingers." I threw him out of the office. I did not want to understand his play on words, for I considered myself a true servant of God and valued my own opinion more than any one else's. I felt strange and fearful, as if the strength of my soul was vanishing. I had not sunk so low as to whine before God against man, for I was no Pharisee for all that I was a fool. I knelt before the holy Virgin of Abalatzk and looked up at her countenance and at her hands, which were uplifted to heaven. The little fire in the holy lamp flickered and a faint shadow spread over the ikon. The same shadow fell on my heart and something strange and invisible and oppressive rose up betwixt God and myself. I lost all joy in prayer, and I became wretched and even Olga was no longer a comfort to me. But she looked at me all the more kindly. I was eighteen at this time, a well developed youth, with red curly hair and a pale face. I wanted to come nearer her, yet was embarrassed, for I was innocent before women then. The women in the village laughed at me for it, and it even seemed to me at times that Olga herself smiled at me in a queer way. More than once the enticing thought came to me: "There, that's my wife." Day in, day out, I sat with her in the office in silence. When she asked me some questions about the business I answered, and in that lay our whole conversation. She was slender and white, like a young birch, and her eyes were blue and thoughtful. To me she seemed pretty and tender in her quiet, mysterious wistfulness. Once she asked me: "What makes you so sad, Matvei?" I had never spoken about myself with any one before, nor had ever wished to. But here suddenly my heart opened and I poured out all my misery to her. I told her of the shame of my birth, of the abuse that I suffered for it, and of the loneliness and wretchedness of my soul, and of her father. I told her everything. I did not do it to complain. It was only to unburden myself of my inmost thoughts, of which I had amassed quite a quantity--all worthless, I suppose. "I had better enter a monastery," I ended. She became depressed, hung her head and did not answer. I was pleased at her distress, but her silence hurt me. Three days later she said to me softly: "It is wrong to watch people so much. Each one lives for himself. To be sure, now you are alone, but when you will have your own family, you will need no one and you will live like the rest, for yourself, in your own house and home. As for my father, don't judge him. I see that no one loves him, but I can't see wherein he is worse than the rest. Where does one see love anyway?" Her words consoled me. I always did everything impetuously, and so here, too, I burst forth: "Would you marry me?" She turned and whispered: It was done. The next day I told Titoff, just the way it happened. He smiled, stroked his mustache and began again to torture me. "You want to become my son. The way is open for you, Matvei; it is the will of God and I make no objections. You're a serious, modest, healthy young man. You pray for us, and in every way you are a treasure. I say that without flattery. But in order to have enough to live on, one must understand business, and your leanings that way are very weak. That's the first thing. The second, you will be called to military service in two years and you will have to go. Should you have some money saved up by then, say some five hundred rubles, you might buy yourself off. I could manage that for you. But without money you will have to go and Olga will remain here, neither wife nor widow." He struck me in the heart with these dull words. His mustache trembled and a green fire burned in his eyes. I pictured military life to myself. It was terrible and antipathetic to me. What kind of a soldier would I make? The very fact that I would have to live with others in the barracks was enough, and then the drinking and the swearing and the brawls! Everything about the service seemed inhuman to me. Titoff's words crushed me. "That means," I said to him, "that I become a monk." Titoff laughed. "It is too late. They don't make you a monk right away, and novices are recruited as well as laymen. No, Matvei, there is no way to bribe fate but with money." "Then give me the money," I said to him; "you have enough." "Aha," he said, "what a lucky thought of yours! Only, how would I fare by it? Perhaps I earned my money by heavy sins; perhaps I even sold my soul to the devil for it? While I wallow in sin you lead a righteous life. And you want to continue it at the expense of my sinning. It is easy for a righteous one to attain heaven if a sinner carry him in on his back. However, I refuse to be your horse. Better do your own sinning. God will forgive you, for you have already merited it." I looked at Titoff and he seemed to have suddenly grown yards taller than I, and I was crawling somewhere at his feet. I understood that he was making fun of me, and I stopped the discussion. In the evening I told Olga what her father said. Tears shone in the girl's eyes, and a little blue vein beat; near her ear. Its sad beating found an echo in my heart. Olga said, smiling: "So things aren't going as we want them to?" "Oh, yes, they will go," I said. I said these words thoughtlessly, but with them I gave my word of honor to her and to myself, and I could not break it. That day an unclean life began for me. It was a dark, drunken period, and my soul flew hither and thither like a pigeon in a cloud of smoke. I was sorry about Olga and I wanted her for my wife, for I loved her. But above all I saw that Titoff was more powerful than I, and stronger-willed; and it was insufferable to my pride. I had despised his villainous ways and his wretched heart, when suddenly I discovered that something strong lived in him, which looked down on me and overpowered me. It became known in the village that I had proposed and had been refused. The girls tittered, the women stared at me, and Savelko made new jokes. All this enraged me and my soul became dark within. When I prayed I felt as if Titoff were behind me, breathing on the nape of my neck, and I prayed incoherently and irreverently. My joy in God left me and I thought only of my own affairs. What will become of me? "Help me, O Lord," I prayed. "Teach me not to wander from Thy path and not to lose my soul in sin. Thou art strong and merciful. Deliver Thy servant from evil and strengthen him against temptation, that he may not succumb to the wiles of his enemies nor grow to doubt the strength of Thy love for Thy servant." Thus I brought God down from the height of His indescribable beauty and made Him do service as a help in my petty affairs, and having lowered God, I myself sunk low. Olga in her sorrow shrunk from day to day, like a burning wax candle. I tried to imagine her living with some one else, but could not place any one beside her except myself. By the strength of his love, man creates another in his image, and so I thought that the girl understood my soul, read my thoughts and was as indispensable to me as I to myself. Her mother became even more depressed than before. She looked at me with tears in her eyes and sighed. But Titoff hid his ugly hands, walked up and down the room and circled silently around me like a raven over a dying dog, who is about to pick out his eyes the moment death came. A month passed and I was at the same point where I left off. I felt as if I were on the edge of a steep ravine which I did not know how to cross. I was disgusted and heavy-hearted. Once Titoff walked up to me in the office and said in a whisper: "You have an opportunity now. Take it if you want to be a man." The opportunity was of such a nature that if it succeeded the peasants would lose much, the estate profit a bit and Titoff make about two hundred rubles. He explained it and asked: "Well, you don't dare?" Had he asked it in some other way, I might not have fallen into his clutches, but his words frenzied me. "Not dare to steal? You don't need daring for that, but just meanness. All right, let's steal." Here he laughed, the scoundrel, and asked: "What about the sin?" "I'll take care of my own sins," I answered. "Good," he said, "and know that from now on each day brings you nearer the wedding." He enticed me, fool that I was, like a wolf with a lamb in a trap. And so it commenced. I wasn't stupid in business, and I had always had enough audacity in me. We began to rob the peasants as if we were playing a match. I followed each move he made with a bolder one. We said not a word, only looked at each other. There was mockery in his eyes and wrath burned in mine. He was the victor, and since I lost all to him, I did not want to be outdone in wickedness by him. I falsified the weights in measuring flax, I did not mark the fines when the peasants' cattle strayed on the landlord's pastures, and I cheated the peasants out of every kopeck I could. But I did not count the money nor gather in the rubles myself. I let everything go to Titoff, which, of course, did not make things easier either for me or the peasants. In a word, I was as if possessed, and my heart was heavy and cold. When I thought of God I burned with shame. Nevertheless, I threw reproaches at Him more than once. "Why dost Thou not keep me from falling with Thy strong arm? Why dost Thou try me beyond my strength? Dost Thou not see, O Lord, how my soul is being destroyed?" There were times when Olga seemed strange to me, and when I looked at her and thought, of her hostilely. "For your sake, unhappy one, I am selling my soul." After such words I grew ashamed of myself before her and became kind and gentle--as gentle as possible. But, of course, it was not out of pity for myself nor for the peasants that I suffered and gnashed my teeth in wrath; but for sheer chagrin that I could not conquer Titoff and that I had to act according to his will. When I remembered the words he often used against pious people, I became cold all over; and he saw the situation through and through and triumphed. "Well, my holy one," he said, "it is time to begin thinking of your own nest. You will be too crowded here when you have a wife. You will have children, of course." He called me "holy one." I did not answer. He called me that more and more often; but his daughter became all the more loving, all the more tender to me. She understood clearly how heavy my heart was. Then Titoff begged from the landlord, Loseff, when he went to pay his respects to him, a little piece of land for me. They gave him a pretty place behind the manor building, and he began to build us a little And I continued to oppress and to cheat. Things began to move quickly. Our pockets swelled. The little house began to be built and shone bright in the sun, like a golden cage for Olga. Soon the roof was to be put on, and then the stove had to be built, and in the fall it would be finished for us to move into. One evening I was going home from the village of Jakimoffka, where I had gone to take the cattle from some peasants for their debts. Just as I stepped out of the wood which lay before the village, I saw my house in the sunset burning like a torch. At first I thought it was the reflection of the sun surrounding it with red rays which reached up to heaven. But then I saw the people running and heard the fire crackle and snap, and my heart suddenly broke. I saw that God was my enemy. Had I had a stone then, I would have thrown it against heaven. I saw how my thievish work was going up in smoke and ashes, and saw myself as if on fire, and said: "Thou desirest to show me, O Lord, that I have burnt my soul to dust and ashes. Thou desirest to show me that. I do not believe it; I do not wish Thy humiliation. It was not through Thy will that it burned but because the peasants through hatred of me and Titoff set fire to it. I do not wish to believe in Thy wrath, not because I am not worthy of it, but because this wrath is not worthy of Thee. Thou didst not wish to lend Thy help to the weak in the hour of his need, so that he could withstand sin. Thus, Thou art the guilty One, not I. As in a dark wood, which was already full grown, so I stepped into sin. How could I then have kept myself free from it?" But these foolish words could neither console me nor make me right. They only awoke in my soul an evil obstinacy. My house burned down more quickly than my wrath. For a long time I stood on the edge of the wood, leaning against the trunk of a tree and haggled with God, while Olga's white face, bathed in tears and drawn with pain, rose up before my eyes. And I spoke to God boldly, as to one familiar: "Thou art strong. So will I be also. Thus it should be for justice' sake." The fire was quenched and all became quiet and dark. Only a few flames thrust their tongues out into the night, like the sobs of a child after it has stopped crying. The night was cloudy and the river shone like a flaming sword which some one had lost in the field. I could have clutched at this sword and swung it high in the air to hear it ring over the earth. Toward midnight I reached the village. At the door of the house were Olga and her father. They awaited me. "Where were you?" Titoff asked. "I stood on the hill and watched the fire." "Why didn't you come to put it out?" "Can I perform miracles? Would the fire have gone out if I had spat on it?" Olga's eyes were swollen with tears and she was black with smoke and soot. I laughed when I saw her. "You worked hard?" I asked. Her eyes filled with tears. Titoff said gloomily: "I don't know what will happen now." "You must begin the building anew," I said. Such wrath took possession of my soul then that I could have dragged the logs myself and have begun building unaided, until the house should be ready again. If it was not possible to go against the will of God, it was at least possible to find out whether God was for me or against And again the roguery began. What ruses and wiles I thought out! Formerly I spent the nights in praying, but now I lay without sleep and worried how I could put one more ruble into my pocket. I threw myself entirely into these thoughts, although I knew how many tears flowed on account of me; how many times I stole the bread from the mouths of hungry ones; and how, perhaps, little children were starving to death on account of my avarice. Now, at the memory of it, I feel abhorrence and disgust and I laugh bitterly at my foolishness. The faces of the saints no longer looked down at me with pity and goodness, as before. But instead they spied on me, as Olga's father did. Once I even stole a half ruble from the office of the village elder. So far had it gone with me. Once something special happened to me. Olga went up to me, put her delicate arms on my shoulders, and said: "Matvei, as surely as God's alive, I love you more than anything in the world." She spoke these holy words wonderfully simply, as a child would say, "Mother." Like the hero in the fairy tale, I felt myself grow strong, and from that hour she became indescribably dear to me. It was the first time she had said she loved me, and it was the first time that I had embraced her and kissed her, so that I lost myself in her and forgot myself--as when I used to pray with all my heart. Toward October our house was finished. It looked like a plaid where the logs showed blackened by the fire. Soon we celebrated the wedding, and my father-in-law became duly drunk and laughed with a full throat, like Satan at some success. My mother-in-law was silent and smiled at us through her tears. "Stop crying!" Titoff roared at her. "What a son-in-law we have! Such a righteous one!" Then he swore at her thoroughly. We had important guests--the priest was there, of course, and the land commissioner, and two district elders, and various other pike among the carp. The village people had assembled under our windows, and among them Savelko made himself popular, for he was gay up to his last days. I sat at the window and heard the jingling of his balalaika and his thin voice pierced my ear. For though he was afraid to make his jokes too loud, still I heard him sing distinctly: "Hurry and drink till you burst, Eat yourself full till you split." His jokes amused me, though I had something else to think about then. Olga nestled up to me and whispered: "If only all this eating and drinking were over!" The gluttony went against her, and to me, too, the sight of it was disgusting. When we were alone we burst into tears, sitting and embracing each other on the bed; we wept and laughed together at our great unforeseen happiness in our marriage. All night we did not sleep, but kissed each other and planned how we would live with each other. We lit the candle in order to see each other better. "We will live so that all will love us. It is good to be with you, Matvei." We were drunk with our unutterable happiness, and I said to Olga: "May the Lord strike me dead, Olga, if on account of me you should weep other tears." But she said to me: "I will bear everything from you. I will be your mother and your sister, my lonely one." CHAPTER VI We lived together in a dream. I worked automatically, saw nothing and did not wish to see anything. I hurried home to my wife and walked with her in the fields and in the woods. My past came back to me. I caught birds and our home became light and airy with the cages which were hung on the walls and the singing of the birds. My gentle wife loved them, and when I came home she told me how the tomtit behaved and how the client-finch sang. In the evening I read Minea or the Prologue, but more often I spoke to my wife of my childhood and of Larion and Savelko; how they sang songs to the Lord and how they talked about Him. I told her about crazy old Vlassi, who was dead by this time. I told her everything that I knew, and it seemed that I knew very much about man and birds and fish. I cannot describe my happiness in words, for a man who has never known happiness and only enjoys it for a little time, never can describe it. We went together to church and stood next to each other in a corner and prayed in unison. I offered prayers of thanks to God in order to praise Him, though not without secret pride, for it seemed to me that I had conquered God's might and forced Him, against His will, to make me happy. He had given in to me and I praised Him for it: "Thou hast done well, O Lord," I said, "but it is only just and right, what Thou hast done." Oh, the miserable paganism of it! The winter passed like one long day of joy. One day Olga confided to me that she was to become a mother. It was a new happiness for us. My father-in-law murmured something indistinctly and my mother-in-law looked with pity at my wife. I began to think of bettering my condition a little; I decided to have a beehive, and I called it "Larion's Garden," so that it should bring me luck. Also, I planned to have a vegetable garden, and to breed song-birds, and I thought of doing things which would bring no harm to man. One day Titoff said to me, quite harshly: "You have become so sugar-coated, Matvei; see that you do not get sour. You will have a child in the summer. Have you forgotten that?" I had already wished to tell him the truth as I understood it then, so I said to him: "I have sinned as much as I wished. I have become like you in sins--just as you desired. But to become worse than you, that I will not." "I do not understand what you mean," he answered. "I only want to explain to you that seventy-two rubles a year for a man and a family is not much; and I will not permit you to squander my daughter's dowry. You must consider things well. Your wisdom is in reality hatred of me because I am more clever than you. But that will help neither you nor me. Each one is a saint just so long as the devil doesn't catch him." I could have beaten him well, but out of consideration for Olga I restrained myself. In the village it was known that I did not get on well with my father-in-law, and the people began to look at me in a friendlier way. As for myself, happiness had made me more gentle, and Olga, too, was mild and good of heart. In order to save the peasants from loss I began to give in to them here and there; helped one and spoke up for another. The village is like a glass house, where every one can look in, and so pretty soon Titoff said to me: "You again wish to bribe God." I decided to drop my work in the office and said to my wife: "I earn six rubles a month, and with my birds I can make more." But the poor child became sad. "Do whatever you want," she answered, "only let us not become beggars. I am sorry for my father," she added. "He wanted to do the best by us, and has taken many sins upon his soul for our sakes." "Ah, my dear one," I thought, "his well-wishing weighs heavily enough on me." Some days later I told my father-in-law that I was going to leave the "To become a soldier?" he asked, smiling ironically. I was hurt to the quick. I felt that he was ready to do anything against me, and it would not be difficult for him to harm me, considering who his acquaintances were. If I became a soldier I would be lost. Even for the love he bore his daughter he would not save me. My hands became more and more tied. My wife wept in secret and went about with red eyes. "What is the matter, Olga?" I asked her. And she answered: "I do not feel well." I remembered the oath I had made to her, and I became ashamed and embarrassed. One step and my problem would be settled, but I pitied the beloved woman. Had I not had Olga on my hands I would have even become a soldier to get out of Titoff's clutches. Toward the end of June a son was born to us, and again for some time I was as if dazed. The travail was difficult, Olga screamed, and my heart almost burst with fear. Titoff looked into the room gloomily, though most of the time he stood in the court and trembled. He leaned against the staircase, wrung his hands, let his head hang and muttered to himself: "She will die. My whole life was useless. O Lord, have mercy! When you shall have children, Matvei, then you will know my pain and you will understand my life; and you will cease to curse others for their sins." At this moment I really pitied him. I walked up and down the court and thought: "Again Thou threatenest me, O Lord. Again Thy hand is raised against me. Thou shouldst give me time to better myself and to find the straight path. Why art Thou so miserly with Thy grace? Is it not in Thy goodness that all Thy strength and power lie?" When I remember these words now I grow ashamed at my foolishness. My child was born and my wife became changed. Her voice was louder, her body taller, and in her attitude toward me there was a change, too. She counted every bite she gave me, although she was not exactly stingy. She gave alms less and less often and always reminded me of the peasants' debts to us. Even if it were only five rubles, she thought it worth while to remind me of it. At first I thought, "that will pass." I became more and more interested in the breeding of my birds. I went twice a month to town with my cages and brought five rubles or more each time I returned. We had a cow and a dozen hens. What more did we want? But Olga's eyes had an unpleasant light in them. When I brought her a gift from town she reproached me: "Why did you do that? You should rather have saved the money." It was hard to bear, and in order to get over it, I worked the harder among my birds. I went into the woods, laid the net and the snares, stretched myself out on the ground, whistled low and thought. My soul was quiet; not a wish stirred in me. A thought arose, moved my heart and vanished again into the unknown, as a stone sinks into the sea. It left ripples on my soul; they were feelings about God. At such times I looked upon the clear sky, the blue space, the woods clothed in golden autumn garments or in silvery winter treasure, and the river, the fields and the hills, the stars and the flowers, and saw them as God. All that was beautiful was of God and all that was of God was related to the soul. But when I thought of man, my heart started as a bird does when frightened in its sleep. I was perplexed and I thought about life. I could not unite the great beauty of God with the dark, poverty-stricken life of man. The luminous God was somewhere far off, in His own strength, in His own pride. And man, separated from Him, lived in wretchedness and want. Why were the children of God sacrificed to misery and hunger--Why were they lowered and dragged to the earth as worms in the mud? Why did God permit it? How could it give Him joy to see this degradation of His own Where was the man who saw God and His beauty? The soul of man is blinded through the black misery of the day. To be satisfied is considered a joy; to be rich a happiness. Man looks for the freedom to sin; but to be free from sin, that is unknown to him. Where is there in him the strength of fatherly love, where the beauty of God? Does God exist? Where is the God-like? Suddenly I felt a hazy intuition, a slight thought. It encircled and hid everything. My soul became empty and cold, like a field in winter. At this time, I did not dare express my thoughts in words, but even if they did not appear before me clothed in words, still I felt their power and dreaded them, and was afraid, as a little child in a dark cave. I jumped up, took my hunting traps with me, and hurried from the house. To rid myself of my sickly fear, I sang as I hurried along. The people in the village laughed at me. A catcher of birds is not especially respected in the country, and Olga sighed heavily many times; for it seemed to her, too, that my occupation was something to be ashamed of. My father-in-law gave me long lectures, but I did not answer. I waited for autumn. Perhaps I would draw a lucky number and not have to serve in the military, and so escape this terrible abyss. My wife became with child again, and her sadness increased. "What is the matter, Olga?" I asked. At first she evaded the question and made believe that nothing was troubling her. But one day she embraced me and said: "I shall die, Matvei--I shall die in childbirth." I knew that women often talk thus, still I was frightened. I tried to comfort her, but she would not listen to me. "You will remain alone again," she said, "beloved by none. You are so difficult and so haughty toward all. I ask you for the sake of the children, don't be so proud. We are all sinners, before God, and you also." She spoke this way often to me, and I was wretched with pity and fear for her. As to my father-in-law, I had made a sort of truce with him, and he immediately made use of it in his own way: "Here, Matvei, sign this," or "Do not write that." Things were coming to a climax. We were, close to the recruiting time, and a second child was soon expected. The recruits were making holiday in the village. They called me out, but I refused to go, and they broke my windows for me. The day came when I had to go to town to draw my lot. Olga was already afraid at this time to leave the house, and my father-in-law accompanied me and during the whole way he impressed it upon me what trouble he had taken for me, how much money he had spent and how everything had been arranged for my benefit. "Perhaps it is all in vain," I said. And so it was. My number came along the last, and I was free. Titoff could hardly believe my luck and he laughed at me gloomily. "It seems really that God is with you." I did not answer, but I was unspeakably happy. My freedom meant everything to me--everything that oppressed my soul. And above all, it meant freedom from my dear father-in-law. At home Olga's joy was great. She wept and laughed, the dear one; praised and caressed me as if I had killed a bear. "God be praised," she said; "now I can die in peace." I poked fun at her, but at the bottom of my heart I felt badly, for I knew that she believed in her death--a ruinous belief, which destroys the life force in man. Three days later her travail began. For two long days she suffered horrible agony, and on the third day it was ended, after giving birth to a still-born child--ended as she had believed, my dear, sweet one. I do not remember the burial, for I was as if blind and deaf for some time afterward. It was Titoff who woke me. I was at Olga's grave, and I can see him now as he stood before me and looked into my face, and "So, Matvei, it is for the second time that we meet near the dead. Here our friendship was born. Here it should be strengthened anew." I looked about me as if I had found myself on earth for the first time. The rain drizzled, a mist surrounded everything, in which the bare trees swayed and the crosses on the tombstones swam and vanished. Everything looked dressed, garbed in cold, and in a piercing dampness which was difficult to breathe, as if the rain and the mist had sucked up all the air. "What do you want? Go away from here," I said to Titoff. "I want you to understand my pain. Perhaps because I hindered you from living out your own life God has now punished me by taking away my daughter." The earth under my feet was melting and turned into sticky mud, which seemed to drag down my feet. I clutched him, threw him on the ground as if he were a sack of bran. "Damn you!" I shouted. A mad, wild period began for me. I could not hold my head up. I was as if struck down by some strong hand and lay stretched out powerless on the ground. My heart was full of pain and I was outraged with God. I looked up at the holy images and hurried away as fast as I could, for I wanted to quarrel, not to repent. I knew that according to the law I had to do penance and should have said: "Thy will be done, O Lord. Thy hand is heavy, but righteous; Thy wrath is great yet beneficent." My conscience did not let me say such words. I remained standing, lost in my thoughts, and was unable to find myself. "Has this blow fallen upon me," I thought, "because I doubted Thy existence in secret?" This thought terrified me and I found excuses for myself: "It was not Thy existence that I doubted, but Thy mercy; for it seemed to me that we are all abandoned by Thee without help and without guidance." My soul was unbearably tortured; I could not sleep; I could do nothing. At night dark shadows tried to strangle me. Olga appeared before me. My heart was overcome with fear and I had no more strength to live. I decided to hang myself. It was night. I lay dressed on my bed. I glanced about me. I could see my poor, innocent wife before me, her blue eyes shining with a quiet light and calling me. The moon shone through the window and its bright reflection lay upon the floor and only increased the darkness in my I jumped up, took the rope from my bird snare, hammered a nail into the beam of the roof, made a noose and fixed the chair. I had already taken off my coat and tom off my collar, when suddenly I saw a little face appear indistinctly and mysteriously on the wall. I could have screamed with fear, though I understood that it was my own face which looked back at me from Olga's round mirror. I looked insane--so distracted and wretched, with my hair wild, my cheeks sunken in, my nose sharp, my mouth half open as with asthma, and my eyes agonized, full of a deep, great pain. I pitied this human face; I pitied it for the beauty that had gone out of it, and I sat down on the bench and wept over myself, as a child who is hurt. After those tears the noose seemed something to be ashamed of, like a joke against myself. And in wrath I tore it down and threw it into the corner of the room. Death was also a riddle, but I had not yet answered the riddle of life! What should I do? Some more days passed. It was as if I were seeking peace. I must do penance, I thought, and I gritted my teeth and went to the priest. I visited him one Sunday evening, just as he and his wife were at table drinking tea. Four children sat around them. Drops of sweat shone on the dark face of the priest, as scales on a fish. "Sit down," he said, good-naturedly, "and drink some tea with us." The room was warm and dry; everything was clean and in order. It occurred to me how negligent this priest was in the performance of his church duties, and the thought came to me, "This, then, is his church." I was not sufficiently humble. "Well, Matvei, you suffer?" the priest asked. "Yes," I answered. "Ah, then you must say the Forty-Day prayers. Does she appear in dreams to you?" "Then only the Forty-Day prayer will help you. That is certain." I remained silent. I could not speak before the wife of the priest. I did not like her. She was a large, stout, short-winded woman, with a broad, fat face. She lent money on interest. "Pray earnestly," the priest said to me. "And do not eat your heart. It is a sin against the Lord. He knows what He does." "Does He really know?" I asked. "Certainly. Oh, oh, my young man, I know well that you are proud toward people, but do not dare to carry your pride against the laws of God. You will be punished a hundredfold more severely. This sour stuff which ferments in you comes from the time of Larion, does it not? I know the heresies which he committed when he was drunk--remember this!" Here the priest's wife interrupted: "They should have sent that Larion to a monastery, but the father was too good and did not even complain about him." "That is not true," I answered. "He did complain, but not on account of his opinions, but because of his negligence, for which the father himself was to blame." We began to quarrel. First he reproached me for my insolence, and then he began talking about things which I knew just as well as he, but the meaning of which, in his anger, he changed. And then they both began, he as well as his wife, to insult me. "You are both rascals," they cried, "you and your father-in-law! You have robbed the church. The swampy field belonged to the church from time immemorial, and that is why God has punished you." "You are right," I said. "The swampy field was taken from you unjustly. But you yourself had taken it away from the peasants." I rose and wanted to go. "Stop!" cried the priest, "and the money for the Forty-Day prayer?" "It is not necessary," I answered. I went out and thought: "Here you have found comfort for your soul, Three days later, Sasha, my little son, died. He had mistaken arsenic for sugar, and eaten it. His death made no impression on me. I had become cold and indifferent to everything. CHAPTER VII I decided to go to a town, where an arch-bishop lived--a pious, learned man, who disputed continually with the Old Believers about the true faith and was renowned for his wisdom. I told my father-in-law that I was going away and that he could have my house and all that I possessed for a hundred rubles. "No," he answered, "that is not the way to do business. You must sign me a note for half a year for three hundred rubles." I signed it, ordered my passport and began my trip. I walked on foot, for I thought that thus the confusion in my soul would subside. But although I walked to do penance, still my thoughts were not with God. I was afraid and angry with myself. My thoughts were distorted and they fell apart like worn-out cloth. The sky was dark above me. With great difficulty I reached the Archbishop. A servant, a pretty, delicate youngster, who received the visitors, would not let me enter. Four times he sent me back, saying: "I am the secretary. You must give me three rubles." "I won't give you a three-kopeck piece," I said. "Then I won't let you in." "All right. Then I'll go in myself." He saw that I was determined not to give in to him. "Well, then, come in," he said. "I was only joking. You are a funny fellow." He led me into a little room, where a gray old man sat coughing in a corner of a divan, dressed in a green cassock. His face was wrinkled and his eyes were very stern and set deep in his forehead. "Well," I thought, "he can tell me something." "What do you want?" he asked me. "My soul is troubled, father." The secretary stood behind me and whispered: "You must say 'your reverence.'" "Send the servant away," I said. "It is difficult for me to speak when he is here." The Archbishop looked at me, bit his lip and ordered: "Go behind the door, Alexei. Well, what have you done?" "I doubt God's mercy," I answered. He put his hand on his forehead, looked at me for some time and then muttered in a singing voice: "What? What's that? You fool!" There was no need to insult me, and perhaps he did not mean it in that way. Our superiors insult people more out of habit and foolishness than from ill will. I said to him: "Hear me, your reverence." I sat down on a chair. But the old man motioned with his hands and shouted: "Stand up! Stand up! You should kneel before me, impious one!" "Why should I kneel? If I am guilty, I should kneel before God, not before you." He became enraged. "Who am I? What am I to you? What am I to God?" I was ashamed to quarrel with him on account of a bagatelle, so I knelt. He threatened me with his finger and said: "I will teach you to respect the clergy!" I lost my desire to talk with him, but still, before the desire had entirety gone, I began to speak, and I forgot his presence. For the first time in my life I expressed my thoughts in words, and I was astonished at myself. Suddenly I heard the old man cry out: "Keep still, wretched one!" I felt as if I had suddenly come up against a wall while running. He stood over me, shaking his hands threateningly at me, and muttered: "Do you know what you are saying, you crazy fool? Do you appreciate your blasphemies, wretched one? You lie, heretic! You did not come to do penance. You came as a messenger from the devil to tempt me!" I saw that it was not wrath, but fear that played in his face. He trembled, and his beard and his hands, which were held out to me, were shaking. I, too, was frightened. "What is your reverence saying?" I asked. "I believe in God." "You lie, you mad dog!" He threatened me with the wrath and the vengeance of God, but he spoke in a low tone, and his whole body trembled so that his cassock flowed like green waves. He placed before my spirit a threatening, gruesome God, severe in countenance, wrathful in spirit, poor in mercy, and like the old God Jehovah in sternness. I said to the archbishop: "Now you, yourself, have fallen into heresies. Is this then the Christian God? Where have you hidden Christ? Why do you place before man the stern Judge instead of the Friend and the Helper?" He clutched my hair and shook me to and fro, saying, haltingly: "Who are you, crazy one? You should be brought to the police, to prison, to a monastery, to Siberia!" I came to myself. It was clear to me that if man called in the police to protect his God, then neither he nor his God could have much strength, and much less beauty. I arose and said: "Let me go." The old man fell back and spoke breathlessly. "What are you going to do?" "I will go away, I can learn nothing here. Your words are dead and you kill God with them." He began to speak about the police again; but it was all the same to me. The police could not do anything worse than what he had already done. "Angels serve for the glory of God, not the police," I said; "but if your faith teaches you something else, then stick to your faith." His face became green, and he jumped at me. "Alexei," he called, "throw him out!" And Alexei threw me out on the street with great vigor. It was evening. I had spent fully two hours talking with the old archbishop. The streets were in semi-darkness, and the picture was not joyful. Everywhere there were noisy crowds, talk and laughter. It was holiday time, the feast of the Three Wise Men. Weakly I walked along and looked into the faces of the people. They angered me and I felt like shouting out to them: "Hey, you people, what are _you_ so satisfied about? They are murdering your God. Take care!" I walked along in my misery as one drunk, and did not know where I was going. I did not want to go to my inn, for there there was noise and drinking. I went out into the farthest suburb. Little houses stood there, whose yellow windows looked out upon the fields, and the winds played with the snow about them, and whistled and covered them up. I wanted to drink--to get very drunk; but alone, without people. I was a stranger to all and was guilty before all. "I will cross this field," I thought, "and see where it leads to." Suddenly a woman came out of a gate, dressed in a light dress and with a shawl as her only protection against the cold. She looked into my face and asked: "What is your name?" I understood that she was guessing her future husband. "I will not tell you my name. I am an unhappy man." "Unhappy?" she asked, laughing. "Now, in the holiday season?" I did not like her gaiety. "Is there no inn here in the neighborhood?" I asked. "I would like to rest and warm myself a bit. It is cold." She looked at me searchingly and said in a friendly tone: "There, farther on, you will find an inn. But if you wish, you can come to us and get a glass of tea." Indifferently and without thinking, I followed her. I came to the room. On the wall in the comer burned a little lamp, and under the holy images sat a stout old woman, chewing something. A samovar was on the table; everything seemed cozy and warm. The woman asked me to sit down at the table. She was young, with red cheeks and a high bosom. The old woman looked at me from her corner and sniffed. She had a large, withered face, almost, it seemed, without eyes. I was embarrassed. What was I doing here? Who were they? I asked the young woman: "What do you do?" "I make lace." True. On the wall were hung bunches of bobbins. Suddenly she laughed boldly and looked me straight in the face, and added: "And then, I walk some." The old woman laughed coarsely: "What a shameless hussy you are, Tanka!" Had the old woman not said that, I would not have understood Tatiana's words. Now I knew what she meant, and became ill at ease. It was the first time in my life I had seen a loose girl, near-to, and naturally I did not think well of such women. Tatiana laughed. "See, Petrovna, he blushes," she said. I became angry. "And so I have fallen in here--from penance right into sin," I thought. I said to the girl: "Does one boast of such an occupation?" She answered boldly: "I boast of it." The old woman began to sniff again: "Oh, Tatiana, Tatiana!" I did not know what to say or how to go away from them. No excuse came to me. I sat there silent. The wind rattled on the windows, the samovar sang and Tatiana began to tempt me. "Oh, it's hot," she said, and unbuttoned the collar of her waist. She had a pretty face and her eyes attracted me in spite of her bold expression. The old woman put vodka on the table, a bottle of "ordinary," and also some cherry brandy. "That's good," I thought to myself. "I will drink some, pay and then go." "Why are you so miserable?" Tatiana asked suddenly. I could not restrain myself and answered: "My wife is dead." Then she asked very low: "When did she die?" "Only five weeks ago." The girl buttoned her waist and became more reserved. It pleased me. I looked into her face and said to myself: Though my heart was heavy, yet I was young and was used to women. I had two years of married life behind me. But the old woman said, gasping: "Your wife is dead--that is nothing much. You are young and there are women enough. The streets are full of them." Here Tatiana said to her sternly: "Go to bed, Petrovna. I will escort our guest and will lock up." When the old woman was gone, she asked me earnestly and in a friendly way: "Have you relatives?" "None." "And friends?" "No friends." "What are you going to do then?" "I do not know." She became thoughtful, stood up and said: "Listen. I see that you are in despair. I advise you, don't go out alone. You followed me in here at my first word. You might have fallen in somewhere where you could not get out so easily. Better remain here over night. There is a bed here. Spend the night here, in heaven's name. If you do not wish to do it for nothing, give something to Petrovna--as much as you wish; and if I am in your way, then say so frankly and I will go." I liked her words and also her eyes. I could not suppress a feeling of joy and I said to' myself, smiling: "Oh, that archbishop!" "What archbishop?" Tatiana asked, surprised. I was confused and did not know what to say. "That is just an expression of mine," I answered. "That is, not really an expression; only very often there is an archbishop who appears in my dreams." "Well, good night," she said. "Not yet," I answered quickly. "Don't go away, I beg of you. Remain here a little longer, if it is no trouble to you." She took her place again and smiled. "Very gladly. It is no trouble." She asked me if I would drink a glass of vodka or tea, and whether I wished to eat. Her sincere friendliness brought the tears to my eyes, and my heart became as happy as a bird on a spring morning when the sun rises. "Excuse me for my plain words," I said, "but I would like to know if it is true what you told me about yourself a little while ago? Or did you wish to joke with me?" She frowned and answered: "Yes, I am one of them. Why do you ask?" "It is the first time in my life that I have seen such a girl, and I am ashamed." "What are you ashamed of? I am not sitting naked." And she laughed low and caressingly. "Not on your account," I answered. "I am ashamed on my own account--because of my stupidity." And I told her frankly my opinion of her class of girls. She listened quietly and attentively. "There are various kinds among us," she said. "There may be some who are even worse than you think. You believe people altogether too readily." I could not get the thought out of my head how such a girl could sell herself, and I asked her again: "Do you do it from necessity?" "At first," she answered, "I was deceived by a handsome young fellow. To spite him I got another one, and so I fell into the play. And now it happens many times that I do it for the sake of a piece of bread." She said it quite simply and there was no pity for herself in her words. "Do you go to church?" I asked. She started and became red all over. "The way to the church is forbidden to no one." I felt that I had offended her and added hurriedly: "You misunderstood me. I know the gospels; I know of Mary Magdalene and of the sinner through whom the Pharisees tempted Christ. I only wished to ask you whether you were not angered against God for the life that you were leading; whether you did not doubt His goodness." She frowned again, remained thoughtful, and said, surprised: "I do not know what God has to do with it." "How then?" I asked. "Is He not our Shepherd and our Father in whose mighty hand the destiny of man rests?" And she answered: "I do no harm to people. What am I guilty of? And whom can it hurt that I lead an unclean life? Only myself." I felt that she wished to say something good and true, but I could not understand her. "I alone am responsible for my sins," she said, bowing to me and her whole face lighting up in a smile. "Besides, my sins do not appear so great. Perhaps what I am saying is not quite right, but I am speaking the truth. I go to church gladly. Our church has just been built, and it is so bright and sweet. And how our choir sings! Sometimes they touch the heart, so that I must weep. In the church the soul gets a rest from all worries." She remained silent for some time, and then added: "Of course, there are other reasons. The men see you there." I was so astounded by what she said that she told me I had drops of sweat standing on my temples. I could not understand how all these things came together in her so simply and harmoniously. "Did you love your wife very much?" she asked me. "Yes, very much," I answered, and her naïveté? pleased me more and more. I began to tell her of my spiritual state, of my wrath against God, because he did not hold me back from sins and then unjustly punished me by the death of Olga. She became now pale and depressed, now red all over with eyes on fire, so that she excited me. For the first time in my life I let my thoughts sweep over the whole circle of human life as I saw it, and it appeared to me as something incoherent and wasteful, shameful in its evil and helplessness, its groaning and moaning and wailing. "Where are the Godlike?" I asked. "People sit on each other's backs, suck each other's blood, and everywhere there is the brutal struggle for a piece of bread. Where is there room for the Godlike? Where is there room for goodness and love, strength and beauty? Although I am young, I was not born blind. Who is Christ, the God-child? Who has trampled the flowers which His pure heart has sown? Who has stolen the wisdom of His love?" I told her of the archbishop and how he had threatened me with his black God and how he, to protect his God, wanted to call in the police to help him. Tatiana laughed. I, too, found the archbishop quite laughable now. He looked to me like a green grasshopper who chirps and jumps about as if he were doing something, heaven knows how important, but when one examines more closely, then one sees that he himself does not believe in the truth of his work. She laughed at my words. Then the brow of the good girl became clouded. "I did not understand everything," she said. "Still, some of the things you said were terrible. You think so boldly about God." "One cannot live without seeing God," I said. "True," she answered. "But you seem to be having a hand-to-hand fight with Him. Is that allowed? That the life of man is difficult is true enough. I myself have thought at times, 'Why should it be?' But listen to what I am going to tell you. Right here in the neighborhood is a nunnery where a hermitess, a very wise old woman, lives. She speaks beautifully about God. You ought to visit her." "Why not?" I asked. "I will go to her. I am going everywhere--to all righteous people, to seek peace." "And I will go to sleep," she said, giving me her hand. "You, too, go to bed." I pressed her hand, shook it warmly, and said to her from the fulness of my heart: "I thank you; what you have given me I do not yet know how to value, still I feel that you are a good girl, and I thank you." "For heaven's sake, what are you saying?" she asked. She became embarrassed and blushed all over. "I am so glad," she went on, "that you feel better." I saw that she was truly pleased. What was I to her? And yet, she was happy for having made a stranger feel better. I put out the lamp, lay down on the bed, and said to myself: "I fell into a real holiday celebration quite unexpectedly." Though my heart was not much lighter, nevertheless I felt that something new and good was born within me. I saw Tatiana's eyes, which now looked enticingly, now earnestly, but from which there spoke more of the human heart than of the woman, and I thought of her in pure joy. And to think so about any one--is it not to make holiday? I decided that to-morrow I would buy her a gold ring with a blue stone, but later I forgot about it. Thirteen years have passed since that day, and when I think of the girl I always regret that I did not buy her the ring. In the morning she knocked on the door. "Time to get up." We met as old friends and sat down to drink tea together. She urged me to go to the hermitess and I promised to do so. Saying farewell to each other heartily, we went together as far as the gate. I felt as alone in the city as in the wide steppes. There were thirty-three versts to the monastery, and I immediately started on my way to it and on the next day I said early mass there. Around me were nuns, a whole black crowd, as if a mountain had fallen apart and its broken pieces were lying about in the church. The monastery was rich. There were many sisters, all rather heavy, with fat, white, soft faces, as if made of dough. The priest said mass energetically, but a little too hurriedly. He had a good bass, was large and broad and seemed well fed. The nuns in the choir were every one of them pretty, and sang wonderfully. The tapers wept their white tears and their flames trembled with pity for men. "My soul struggles to reach Thy temple, Thy holy temple," their young voices sang out humbly. Out of habit I repeated the words of the litany, but my eyes wandered and I tried to pick out the hermitess. There was no reverence in my heart, and it hurt me to admit it, for I had not come here to play. My soul was empty and I tried to collect myself. Everything in me was confused and my thoughts wandered, one after the other. I saw a few emaciated faces, half-dead old women, who stared at the holy images and whose lips moved but made no sound. After mass I walked around the church. The day was bright and the white snow reflected the glistening rays of the sun, while on the branches the tit-mice piped and sent the hoar-frost from the twigs. I walked to the churchyard wall and looked out into the distance. The monastery stood on the mountain, and before it Mother Earth was spread out, richly dressed in its silvery blue snow. The little villages on the horizon looked sad, the wood was cut through by streams, and the pathways wound in and out like ribbons which some one had lost. Over all, the sun sent its slanting winter rays and stillness, peace and beauty were everywhere. A little later I stood in the cell of Mother Fevronia. I saw a little old woman with browless eyes, who wept constantly. On her face, with its myriad wrinkles, a good-natured, unchanging smile trembled. She spoke low, almost in a whisper, and in a singsong tone. "Do not eat apples before the day of the Lord. Wait till the Lord in His love has made them ripe; until the seeds are black." "What does she mean by that?" I thought to myself. "Respect your father and mother," she continued. "I have no father or mother," I said. "Then pray for the peace of their souls." "Maybe they are still alive." She wiped the tears from her eyes and looked at me with a pitying smile. Then again she began shaking her head and continued in her singsong: "The Lord God is good; He is righteous toward all and covers all with His rich bounty." "That is just what I doubt," I said. I saw that she started, her arms sank, and she remained silent, while her eyes continued to sparkle. Then she controlled herself and sang on, quite low: "Remember that prayers have wings which fly even faster than birds and reach the throne of the Lord. No one has yet entered heaven on his own horse." This much I understood: that she represented God to herself as some noble lord, good natured and lovable, but still, according to her opinion, bound by no law. She expressed all her thoughts in allegories which, to my disappointment, I could not understand. I bowed and went my way. "Here they have broken the Lord God into many pieces," I thought to myself, "each one to his own need. One makes Him good-natured, the other stern and dark. And the priests have hired Him as their clerk and pay Him with the smoke of incense for His support. Only Larion had an infinite God." Several nuns passed me, drawing a sleigh full of snow, and tittered. My heart was heavy and I did not know what to do. I went out from the gate. All without was still. The snow sparkled and shone, the frost-covered trees stood motionless, and heaven and earth seemed sunk in thought and looked in a friendly manner at the quiet monastery. A fear arose in me lest I break this stillness with my cries. The bells called to vespers--what sweet chimes! They were soft and coaxing, but I had no desire to enter the church. I felt as if my head were full of sharp little nails. Suddenly I made the resolution: "I shall enter a monastery with severe regulations. There I shall live alone in a solitary cell; will reflect and read books, and perhaps I shall in this loneliness become the master of my scattered soul." A week later I found myself before the Abbot of the small monastery of Sabateieff. I liked the Abbot. He was a good-looking man, gray headed and bald, with red, firm cheeks and a promising look in his eyes. "Why do you flee the world, my son?" he asked me. I explained to him that the death of Olga disturbed the peace of my soul, but further I did not dare say anything. Something seemed to hold me back from speaking. He pulled at his beard, looked at me searchingly and said: "Can you pay the initiation fee?" "I have about a hundred rubles with me." "Give them to me. Now go into the guest room. To-morrow, after the noonday service, I will speak to you." The care of strangers fell to the lot of Father Nifont, and him, too, I liked. "Everything is very simple in our monastery," he said. "It is democratic. We all work equally in serving God, not as in other places. True, we have a gentleman here, but he does not mix with any one or bother us in any way. You can find peace and rest for your soul here and attain blessedness." By the following day I had examined the monastery well. In former times it must have stood in the center of the wood, but now everything around it was hewn down. Only here and there in front of the gates a few tree trunks stood out from the ground. Toward the side the wood reached up to the very walls of the monastery and embraced, as with two black wings, the blue-domed church and the monastery. Nearby lay Blue Lake under its ice cover, formed like a half moon. It was nine versts from end to end and four versts wide. Behind it one could see the land on the other side, and the three churches of Kudejaroff, and the golden cupola of St. Nicholas of Tolokontzeff. On our side of the lake, not far from the monastery, was the hamlet of Kudejaroff, with its three and twenty little huts, and around it lay the mighty forests. All was beautiful, and a quiet peace filled my soul. Here I would hold communion with the Lord; would unfold before Him my innermost soul, and would ask Him with humble insistence to show me the way to the knowledge of His holy laws. In the evening I attended vespers. The mass was said severely and according to rule, and with ardor. But the singing did not please me; good voices were lacking. "O Lord, forgive me if my thoughts about Thee were too bold," I prayed. "I did not do it out of lack of faith, but because of love and passion for the truth, as you know, O Omniscient One!" Suddenly the monk who stood near me turned and smiled at me. Evidently I had spoken my repentant words too loud. As he smiled I looked at him. Such a handsome face! I let my head sink and closed my eyes. Never, either before or since, have I seen so handsome a face. I stepped lightly forward, placed myself next to him and looked into his wonderful countenance. It was as white as milk and framed in a black beard sprinkled here and there with gray. His eyes were large, and they had a soft mellow light and a bright expression. His figure was well built and tall; his nose a little bent like an eagle's, and his whole bearing was distinguished and noble. He made so deep an impression on me that even at night he stood before me in my dreams. Early in the morning Father Nifont woke me. "The Abbot has assigned you some test work. Go to the bakery. This worthy brother here will take you there. He will be your superior in the future. Here, take your cloistral robes." I put on a monk's garb. They fitted me well, but were worn and dirty and the sole from one boot was loose. I looked at my superior. He was broad-shouldered and awkward, with his forehead and cheeks full of pimples and pockmarks, from which sprouted little bunches of gray hair; his whole face looked as if it were covered with sheep's wool; he would have been laughable were it not for the deep folds on his forehead, his compressed lip and his little, dark, blinking eyes. "Hurry up!" he said to me. His voice was harsh and cracked, like a broken bell. "This is Brother Misha." Father Nifont introduced him, smiling. "Well, go, and God be with you." We walked out into the court. It was dark. Misha stumbled over something and swore horribly. Then he asked me: "Can you knead dough?" "I have seen the women knead," I answered. "Women!" he muttered. "You're always thinking about women! Always women! On account of them the world is accursed, don't you forget that!" "The mother of God was a woman," I said. "Well?" "And also there are very many virtuous women." "If you speak like that the devil will surely drag you to hell." "Anyway, he is a serious man," I thought to myself. We arrived at the bakery and he made the fire. There were two large kneading troughs covered with sacks, a large flour bin nearby, a big sack of rye and a bag of wheat. Everything was dirty and filthy, and cobwebs and gray dust lay over all. Misha tore the sack off from one of the troughs, threw it on the earth, and commanded: "Well, come and learn! Here is the dough. Do you see those bubbles? That means it is ready--it has already risen." He took a sack of flour as if it were a three-year-old youngster, bent it over the edge of the trough, cut it open with his knife and cried as though at a fire: "Pour four pails of water here and then knead!" He was white like a tree with hoarfrost. I threw off my cassock and rolled up my sleeves. He shouted: "Not that way! Take off your trousers! With your feet!" "I haven't taken a bath for a long time," I said. "Who asked you about that?" "How can I, then, with dirty feet?" "Am I your pupil," he roared, "or are you mine?" He had a large mouth, and strong, broad teeth, and long arms, which he waved angrily in the air. "Well," I thought, "the devil take you; I don't care." I wiped my feet with a wet cloth, stepped into the kneading trough and began to work the dough, while my teacher ran here and there, grumbling. "I will teach you to bend, my little mother's son. I will teach you humility and obedience!" I kneaded one trough, began another, and when that was done, started on the wheat, which is kneaded with the hands. I was a strong fellow, but was not used to the work. The flour filled my nose, my mouth, my ears and eyes, so that I became deaf and blind; and the sweat kept dropping from my forehead into the dough. "Haven't you a piece of cloth," I asked, "to wipe the sweat off?" Misha became raging mad. "We will get you velvet towels. The monastery has been standing 230 years, and has only been waiting for your new orders." I had to laugh, unwillingly. "I am not kneading the dough for myself," I said. "There are others who have to eat the bread." He walked up to me, bristling like a porcupine and every part of him trembling. "Take a sack and wipe yourself, if you are so tender. But I will tell the Abbot about your impudence." I was so surprised at this man that I could not be angry at him. He worked unceasingly, and the heavy two-hundred sacks were like little pillows in his hands. He was covered with flour, grumbled, swore and urged me on continually. "Hurry! Hurry!" I hurried till my head swam. CHAPTER IX The first days of my cloistral novitiate were not easy. The bakery was in the cellar under the refectory; the ceiling was low and vaulted, and its one window was nailed tightly. The air was suffocating. The dust from the flour hung in the cellar like a thick mist, in which Misha trotted back and forth like a bear on a chain. The flame in the oven burned unclearly; it was a nightmare, not work. Only we two were down there, for it was seldom that any one was sent as a punishment to help us. There was no time even to attend religious services. Day after day Misha preached his sermon to me, and I felt as if I were being bound with stout ropes. He was all aflame and burned with wrath against the world, while I breathed in his words and I felt that my inmost heart was covered with soot. "You have nothing more to do with man," he said. "They continue to commit sins out there in the world, but you have left the world forever. If you separated from it with your body, then you must also flee it in spirit. You must forget it. If you think of man, you think unwillingly of woman. And through woman the world has sunk into darkness and sin and is bound eternally." I wanted to say something, but no sooner did I open my mouth than he shouted at me: "Keep still! Listen attentively to what an experienced man has to say, and respect your elders! I know you were going to blab something about the mother of God again. But it was just on account of her that Christ died on the crucifix--because He was born of woman, and did not descend holy and pure from heaven. He was altogether too good to that nasty woman all his life, and he should have pushed the Samaritan into the well instead of conversing with her. And He should have been the first to throw a stone at the sinner. Then the world would have been free." "That is not a church thought," I said. "Again I tell _you_, keep still. The church is entirely in the hands of a pale clergy, who are slaves to all sorts of debauchery and who themselves go around in silk clothes like women in petticoats. They are all heretics. They should dance quadrilles, not dictate religious laws. Moreover, is it possible for a man with a wife to think upon God-like things with a pure heart? No, he cannot, for he is committing the terrible sin on account of which the Lord drove him out of the Garden of Eden. And because of this sin we are damned to eternal punishment; sentenced to howl and to gnash our teeth, and we are blinded by it so that we cannot see the countenance of God from one eternity to another. The clergy themselves help spread this sin, for they have children with women and encourage the world to follow their bad example. And thus they change all the laws of God to justify their violations of them." This man made me feel as if I were surrounded by a stone wall, which came closer and closer around me. He brought the roof of the cellar sinking upon my head. I was oppressed and stifled by the dust of his "But," I said, "did not the Lord say, 'Multiply and increase'?" Here my superior became blue in the face, stamped his feet on the ground, and roared like a beast: "He said! He said! How do you know what he meant by it, you blockhead? He said: 'Be fruitful and multiply and people the earth. I leave to you the power of Satan, and may you be damned now, and forever and through all eternity.' That is what he said. And these cursed debauchees who call themselves the servants of God turned these words into a law of God. Do you understand their deceit and their vileness?" He fell on me like a mountain which crushed me and darkened everything about me. I could not believe him, yet I could not contradict his bigotry, and he confused me by the violence of his attacks. If I quoted a passage from the Scriptures he quoted three others and disarmed me. The Scriptures are like a field of many-colored flowers. If you desire red flowers you can find red ones; if white, they, too, are to be had. I remained silent, oppressed by his torrent of words, while he triumphed and his eyes glowed like a wolf's. And all the time we toiled hard at our work. I kneaded and he rolled the dough, pushed the loaves into the oven, and took them out when they were ready. But I had to put them on the shelves, which burned my hands. I was all sticky with dough and covered with flour; I was blind and deaf and did not understand from sheer weariness what was said to me. Sometimes the monks came to visit us, said something mockingly and laughed. Misha barked at them all angrily, and drove them out of the bakery, and I felt scorched. I was wretched, for I did not like this being together with Misha, whom I not only did not love, but even feared. Many times he asked me: "Do you see naked women in your dreams?" "No," I answered, "never." "You're lying! Why do you lie?" He became enraged, showed his teeth and threatened me with his fist. "You're a liar and a rascal," he shouted. I was only astonished. What is he saying there about naked women? A man works from three o'clock in the morning till ten at night and then lies down to sleep with bones aching like a beggar's in winter--and he talks of women. Such were my thoughts. Once I went into the ante-room for yeast. It was a dark room in the cellar, opposite the bakery. I found the door unlocked and a lantern burning. I opened the door and saw Misha crawling on the ground on his stomach, and crying out: "Send them away, I implore Thee, Lord! Send them away! Deliver me!" Of course, I immediately went out, but I could not guess what it was He always spoke hatefully and insultingly about women, called all womankind vulgar and in real peasant fashion spat at them, clutching the air with his fingers as if in his mind's eye he were tearing and pulling a woman's body apart. I could not bear to hear him talk. I remembered my own wife and our happy tears the first night of our marriage, and the quiet, inner wonder with each other, and our great joy. Is it not Thy sweet gift to man, O Lord? I remembered Tatiana's good heart and her simplicity, and I was hurt to tears for womankind. I thought to myself: "When the Abbot will call me for an interview, I shall tell him everything." But he did not call me. The days passed one after another, like blind people in a wood along a narrow path, each one stumbling upon the other, and still the Abbot did not call me. Darkness was within me. At that time, in my twenty-second year, my first gray hair came. I wanted to speak with the handsome monk, but I saw him rarely and only for an instant. Now and then his proud countenance came before me and then vanished and my longing for him followed him like an invisible shadow. I asked Misha about him. "Oh," Misha cried, "that one! That animal! He was sent away from the military for gambling in cards and from the seminary for his scandals with women. A learned one, yes! He fell into the seminary from the military, cheated all the monks in the monastery of Chudoff; then came here, bought himself in with seven and a half thousand rubles, donated land and so won great respect. Here, too; they play cards. The Abbot, the steward and the treasurer, they all play with him. There is a girl who visits him--oh, the pigs! He has a separate apartment, and there he lives just as he pleases. The great filth of it!" I did not believe him; I could not. One day I asked the steward, Father Isador, to help me gain an interview with the Abbot. "An interview about what?" "About faith." "What do you mean, 'about faith'?" "I have various questions." He looked me over from head to toe. He was a head taller than I, thin, angular, with wise, smiling eyes, a long, crooked nose and a pointed beard. "Speak plainly; your flesh masters you?" Always of the flesh! Though I did not want to, nevertheless I told him of some of my doubts in a few words. He frowned, then smiled. "For this, my son, you should pray. By means of prayer you can heal the suffering of your soul. Still, in consideration of your love for labor, and because your request is so unusual, I will place the matter before the Abbot. Wait." The word "unusual" surprised me. I felt that the expression was frivolous and there was hostility in it toward me. Then I was summoned to come before the Father Abbot, and he looked at me sternly as I bowed before him. He said in a tone of authority: "Father Isador told me of your desire to discuss the faith with me." "I did not mean to argue," I said. "Do not interrupt the speech of your elders. Every discussion which two people have about a subject is an argument, and every question is a seducer of thought, unless, of course, it is a subject which concerns itself with the daily life of the brotherhood--: some commonplace subject. Here we have a working community. We work to subjugate the flesh, so that the soul, which lives in it temporarily, may devote itself wholly to the Lord, and thus pray and receive His mercy for the sins of the world. Our lot is not to gain cleverness, but to work. Cleverness is not necessary to us, only simplicity of soul. "Your discussions with Brother Misha are known to me, and I cannot approve of them. Limit the boldness of your thought so that you do not fall into temptation, for the aimless thoughts which are not bound down by faith are the keenest weapons of the devil. The mind comes from the flesh; bold thoughts from the devil; but the strength of the soul is a part of the spirit of God, and open-heartedness is given the righteous through meditation. "Brother Misha, your superior, is a strict monk, a true ascetic and brother, beloved by all for his work. I will punish you with a penance. After your day's labor is done read the Acathistus to Christ at the altar on the left in front of the Crucifixion, three times during the night, for ten successive nights. "Added to this, you will also have to have interviews with the penance monk, Mardarie. The time and the number will be told you later. "You were a clerk on an estate, were you not? Go in peace. I will think about you. It seems that you have no relatives on this earth. Well, go, I will pray for you. We will hope for the best." I returned to the bakery and began to weigh his words in my mind. That was easily done. Perhaps the mind does become scattered in its search. Still, to live like a sheep is hardly worthy nor right for man. At that time I understood "meditation in prayer" as a sinking into the depths of my own soul, where all the roots lay, and from which thoughts strove to grow upward, as fruit trees. I could not find anything in my soul which was hostile or not to be understood. All that was not to be understood I felt was in God, and all that was hostile was in the world--that is--outside of me. That the brothers loved Misha I knew to be absolutely untrue, for although I kept myself apart from all and did not mix in their conversations, still I noticed everything and saw that the vested monks as well as the novices disliked Misha and feared him and abhorred him. I saw also that the monastery was laid out on a purely business basis. They sold wood, they rented land to peasants and the right to fish on the lake; they had a mill, vegetable gardens, large orchards, and sold apples, berries and cabbages. Seventy horses stood in the stables, and the brotherhood was composed of a little over fifty men, all strong and hard workers. There were a few old men--only for parade--to show off before the pilgrims. The monks drank wine and mixed much with women. The young ones spent their nights in the village; and women came to the cells of the older ones, ostensibly to wash the floors; and of course the pilgrims were made use of also. But all this was not my affair and I could not judge them. I saw no sin in it, only a disgusting lie. Many novices came to the monastery, but the tests were so difficult that they could not endure them and deserted. During the two years that I spent in this holy place, eleven brothers escaped. They remained one or two months and fled. It seemed the life in the monastery was too difficult. For the pilgrims who came to the monastery there were, of course, all kinds of attractions. There were the chains of the deceased pious brother Joseph, which were a cure for rheumatism, and his little cap which, when put on the head, cured headaches. And there was a very cold spring in the wood, whose water was good for sickness in general. An image of the Assumption of the Virgin contained all kinds of wonders for believers, and the pious penance brother, Mardarie, could foretell the future and comfort the unhappy. Everything was as it should be, and in the spring, in the month of May, the people streamed here in crowds. After my conversation with the Abbot, I wanted to find another monastery, which would be simpler and where I need not work so hard, and where the monks would stand nearer to their real task--the understanding of the sins of this world. But several things happened which kept me back. One day I made the acquaintance of a novice named Grisha, who was employed in the office of the monastery. I had noticed him before. He walked quickly and noisily among the brothers, wore smoked glasses, had an insignificant face, an under-sized body, and walked with his head bent forward, as if he wanted to see nothing but his own path. The day after my conversation with the Abbot, Grisha came into the bakery. Misha had just gone to the brother treasurer to give his accounts. Grisha came in, greeted me low, and asked: "You were at the Abbot's, brother?" "Did you talk with him?" "He sent you away?" "Why should he?" Grisha fixed his glasses, became confused and said. "I beg your pardon, in Christ's name." "Did he ever send you away?" I asked. He nodded affirmatively and sat down on the edge of the flour bin, bent forward, coughed dryly and beat the bin with a hook while I told him what the Abbot had said to me. Suddenly he jumped up, straightened to his full height as if on springs, and began to speak in his loud, plaintive, excited voice: "Why do they call this a place for the salvation of the soul when everything here is based upon money; when we live here for money, just as in the world outside? I fled to save myself from the sin of business, and again I fell upon business here. Where shall I flee now?" His whole body trembled, and he told me quickly the history of his life. He was the son of a merchant who owned a bakery, had graduated from a school of commerce, and was placed by his father in his business. "Were it some little nonsense," he said, "then, perhaps, I could deal in it. But with bread it was unpleasant and shameful to me. Bread is indispensable to all. One should not own it to make it the means of trade for human need. Perhaps my father would have broken me had his avarice not broken him. I had a sister, an academy student, gay and proud, who read books and was friendly with all the students. Suddenly my father said to her: "Stop your studying, Elizabeth. I have found a husband for you." 'I don't want him,' she answered. "But my father pulled her hair until my little sister gave in. The bridegroom was the-son of a rich tea merchant--a cross-eyed, large man, vulgar and continually boasting of his wealth. Liza, next to him, looked like a mouse next to a dog. He disgusted her. But my father said: "'You fool, he has shops in many cities on the Volga.' "Well, they were married, and during the wedding supper she went to her room and shot herself in the breast. I found her still living, and she "'Good-by, Grisha. I want to live very much, but it is impossible! It is terrible! I can't! I can't!'" I remember that he talked very, very fast, as if he were running away from the past, while I listened and looked at the stove. Its brow was before me and it looked like some ancient and blind face whose black mouth licked with flames ate up the whistling and hissing wood. I saw Grisha's sister in the fire and thought bitterly: "Why do people violate and destroy one another?" Grisha's thick words fell one upon the other like dry leaves in autumn: "My father almost went out of his senses. He stamped his feet and cried: 'She has insulted her parents! Her soul is lost.' Only after the burial, when he saw that all of Kazan followed Liza's body and laid wreaths upon her tomb, did he come to himself. 'If all the people are for her,' he said, 'it means that I behaved like a scoundrel toward my child!'" Grisha wept and dried his glasses, and his hands trembled. "Even before this misfortune befell us I wanted to enter a monastery, and I had said to my father: "'Let me.' "But he swore at me and beat me. Nevertheless, I said firmly: "'I will not do business. Let me go.' "He was frightened by Liza's death, and gave me freedom, and now, in these four years, I have lived in three monasteries, and everywhere there is barter, and I have no place for my soul. They sell God's earth and God's word, His honey and His miracles. I cannot stand it any longer!" His story awoke my soul again, for I did little thinking while I lived in the monastery. I was so worn out by my labors, that _my_ rebellious thought slumbered. Suddenly his words woke me. I asked Grisha: "Where, then, is our God? There is nothing around us but the arbitrary and mad foolishness of man; nothing but the petty deceptions from which misfortunes arise. Where, then, is God?" But here Misha appeared and drove us out. From that day Grisha came to me often, and I told him my thoughts, which horrified him, and he counseled humility: "But why do people suffer so?" I asked. "For their sins," he answered. To him everything came from the hands of God--famine, fire, violent death and floods--everything. "Can it be that God is the sower of misfortune on earth?" I asked. "Remember Job, insane one," he whispered to me. "Job has nothing to do with me," I answered. "I in his place would have said to God, 'Do not frighten me, but answer me clearly: Where is the way that leads to Thee? Am I not Thy son, made in Thy image? Don't lower Thyself to repulse Thy child.'" Often Grisha wept at the foolishness of my audacity, and embracing me, "My dear brother, I am frightened for you--terribly frightened. Your words and your reasonings are from the devil." "I do not believe in the devil, for God is all-powerful." Then he became even more excited. He was a pure and tender man, and I loved him. It was at this time that I performed the penance. After my day's work I went to the church, where Brother Nikodime opened the door for me and locked me in, disturbing the stillness of the temple with the loud rattle of iron. I waited at the door till the last reverberation died away on the flagstones, then walked up quietly to the Crucifix and sat down upon the floor before it, for I was too weak to stand. Every muscle in my body ached from toil, and I had no desire to read the Acathistus. I sat down, clasped my knees and gazed about me with sleepy eyes and thought about Grisha and about myself. It was summer, and the nights were hot and close, but here, in the semi-darkness of the church, it was pleasantly cool. The lamps under the holy pictures twinkled and winked at each other, and the little blue flames tugged upward as if they wished to fly toward the cupola, or higher still, to heaven itself, to the stars of the summer night. The quiet crackling of the wicks could be heard, each with its own peculiar sound, and half asleep, it seemed to me that the church was filled with a secret, unseen life, which, under the flickering of the lamps, held communion with itself. In the warm stillness and darkness the faces of the saints floated meditatively, as if something unsolved were before them. Ghost-like shadows passed before my face and the delicate, sweet odor of oil and cypress wood and incense surrounded me. The gold and the bronze of the holy images appeared duller and simpler, the silver shone warm and friendly, and everything melted and swam fusing into a torrent large and wide as in a dream. Like a thick, sweet-smelling cloud, the church swung and swam to the low whispering of an indistinct prayer. I swung with it in a row of shadows, until a soft drowsiness took me up from the ground. Before the ringing of the bell for early mass, the silent Brother Nikodime would enter and wake me, touching me lightly on the head. "Go, in God's name," he would say, and I would answer: "Pardon me, I have fallen asleep again." Then I would go out swaying, and Nikodime would support me and say hardly audibly: "God will pardon you, my benefactor." Nikodime was an insignificant looking little old man, who hid his face from all and called every one his "benefactor." Once I asked him: "Say, Nikodimushke, are you silent because of a vow?" "No," he answered; "but just so." Then he sighed. "If I had anything to say, I would say it." "Why did you leave the world?" "Because I left it." If you questioned him further, he did not answer at all, but looked into jour face with guilty eyes, and said in a whisper: "I don't know why, my benefactor." At times I thought to myself: "Perhaps this man, also, had sought an answer at one time." And I wanted to run away from the monastery. But here another gentleman appeared, starting up suddenly like a rubber ball against a fence. He was a strong, short, bold fellow, with round eyes like an owl's, a bent nose, light curls, a bushy beard and teeth which shone in a continual smile. He amused all the monks with his jokes and his shameless stories about women. At night he had them come to the monastery, smuggled in vodka without end, and was marvelously handy at everything. I looked at him and said: "What do you seek in a monastery?" "I? Things to gobble." "Bread is given to those who work." "That," he answered, "is a commandment from the peasants' God, but I am a man from the town and have also served two years in the Council, and can count myself as one of the authorities." I tried to understand this jester, for I had to see all the springs which moved different kinds of people. As I became more used to my work, Misha grew lazier, went off somewhere or other, and although it was more difficult for me alone, still it was more pleasant. People came freely to the bakery and we talked. Mostly we were three--Grisha, I and; oily Seraphim. Grisha would be excited and threatened me with his hands; Seraphim would whistle and shake his curls and smile. Once I asked him: "Seraphim, you vagabond, do you believe in God?" "I will tell you later," he answered. "Wait about thirty years. When I am in my sixties, I suppose I will know exactly what I believe. At present I understand nothing and I don't want to lie." He would tell us about the sea. He spoke about it as about a great miracle, using marvelous words, now quiet and loud; now with fear, and with love. And he glowed all over with joy which made him look like a star. When we listened to him we were silent and even heavy at heart at his stories of this vast, live beauty. "The sea," he said with passion, "is the blue eye of earth which looks out to the far heaven and meditates on infinite space. On its waves, which are as alive and sensitive as the soul, is reflected the play of the stars and their secret path; and if you watch for a long time the ebb and the flow of the sea, then the sky, too, appears like a far-off ocean, and the stars like islands." Grisha listened, all pale, and smiled quietly, as if a moonbeam were playing on him, and he whispered sadly: "And before the countenance of this mystery and beauty we only barter--nothing more." At other times Seraphim would tell us about the Caucasus. He pictured to us a land gloomy and exquisite, like a fairyland, where hell and heaven embraced, and were at peace, both equal and both proud in their "To see the Caucasus," Seraphim said in ecstasy, "that means to see the pure countenance of the earth, on which without inconsistency there unite in a smile the delicate purity of the childlike soul and the proud audacity and wisdom of the devil. The Caucasus is the touchstone of man. Weak spirits are ground to dust there and tremble before the power of the earth; but the strong, on the other hand, feel their strength grow and become proud and exalted like the mountain whose diamond-studded summit sends down its rays into the depths of the celestial wilderness. And this summit is the throne of the thunder." Grisha sighed and asked in a low voice: "And who points out the path to the soul? Should one be in the world or go away from it? What should one accept and what reject?" Seraphim smiled distractedly and luminously. "The glory of the sun is neither augmented nor diminished because you do not look at the sky, Grisha. Don't bother about that subject, my dear friend." I understood Seraphim, but not entirely. I asked him, a little hurt: "And as to people--what do you think about them? Why are they here?" He shrugged his shoulders and smiled. "People--are like weeds. There are various kinds among them. For those who are blind the sun is black; for those who are not happy with themselves, God is an enemy. Besides, people are young. To call three-year-old Jack, Mr. So-and-so is early a bit and doesn't quite fit." His mouth overflowed with such quotations. They dropped from his lips like leaves from an apple tree, just as with Savelko. If you asked him anything, he immediately overpowered you with his puns, as if he were strewing flowers on a child's grave. His evasions made me angry, but he, the young devil, only laughed. At times I would say to him, irritated: "You are loafing here, you idle dog, eating bread for nothing." "That is the way it is with us," he answered. "He who eats his own bread remains hungry. Look at our peasants. All their life they sow wheat, yet dare not eat. You're quite right. To work is not my specialty. You get sore bones from work, but never rich and healthy; just lie in bed and shirk and you get fat and wealthy. And even you, Matvei, would rather steal than forego a meal." I argued with him, but toward the end I myself began to laugh. He was simple and straightforward, and that attracted me very much. He never made any pretensions, but said simply: "I am nothing but a little insect, and not very harmful at that. I only ask for bread that I be fed." I saw that his whole make-up was very much like Savelko's and I marveled how men could keep their clear spirits and their happy frame of mind in this maelstrom of life. Seraphim, next to Grisha, was like a clear day in spring compared to a day in autumn. Nevertheless, they grew more close to each other than to me. I was a little vexed at this. Soon they both went away together, Grisha having decided to go to Olonetz, and Seraphim said to me: "I will accompany him. Then I will rest a week and return to the Caucasus. You should come along with us, Matvei. In tramping you will find more quickly what you are seeking, or you will lose what you have in excess, which, perhaps, is just as well. They can't bribe God away from the earth." But I could not go along with them, for at that time I was having my interviews with Mardarie, and I was especially curious about this ascetic. I saw them off with great sadness, and my quiet evenings and my happy days went with them. CHAPTER XI Mardarie, the penance monk, lived in a pit in the stone wall behind the altar. In ancient times this hole was a secret place where the monastery treasure was hidden from robbers, and there had been a secret passage to it direct from the altar. The stone vault from this pit had been taken away, and now it was covered with thick, wooden planks, and underneath it was built a kind of light cage with a little window in the ceiling. There was a grating with a railing around it, through which the pilgrims looked at the ascetic. In a corner was a trap-door, from which spiral steps led down to Mardarie. It made one dizzy to go down them. The pit was deep, twelve steps down, and only one ray of light fell in, and this one did not reach the bottom but melted and faded away in the damp darkness of this underground dwelling. One had to look long and steadily through the grating to see somewhere in the depths of the darkness something still darker which looked like a large rock or a mound. That was the ascetic, sitting motionless. To go down to him the warm, odiferous dampness caught one, and for the first few seconds nothing could be seen. Then from the gloom would rise an altar and a black coffin, in which sat, bent over, a little, gray-haired old man in a dark shroud, decorated with white crosses, hilts, a reed and a lance, which lay helter-skelter and broken on his dried-up body. In the corner a round stove hid itself, and from it a pipe crawled out like a thick worm, while on the brick walls grew green scales of mildew. A ray of light pierced the darkness like a white sword, then rusted and broke apart. On a pile of shavings the ascetic swayed back and forth as a shadow, his hands resting on his knees and fingering a rosary. His head was sunk on his breast and his back was curved like a yoke. I remember that I went up to him, fell on my knees and remained silent. He, too, was silent for a long time, and everything about us seemed glutted with dead silence. I could not see his face, but only the dark end of his sharp nose. He whispered to me so that I could hardly hear: I could not answer. Pity for this man who lay alive in his coffin oppressed and overcame me. He waited a little while, and then again asked me: "What is it? Speak." He turned his face toward me. It was all dark, no eyes were to be seen; only white eyebrows and a mustache and beard, which were like mildew on the agonized and motionless countenance which was effaced by the darkness. I heard the rustling of his voice: "You argue up there. Why do you argue? You should serve God humbly. What is there to argue about with God? You should simply love God." "I love Him," I answered. "Well, perhaps. He punishes you, but you must make believe that you see nothing and say, 'Praise be unto thee, O Lord.' Say that always, and nothing more." It was evident that it was difficult for him to speak, either from weakness or because he was unused to it. His words were hardly alive and his voice was like the trembling of the wings of a dying bird. I could not ask the old man anything, for I was sorry to disturb the peace of his death-waiting, and I feared to startle something; so I stood there motionless. From above the sound of bells leaked down, rocking the hair on my head, and I desired ardently to lift up my head toward the sky and gaze at it, but the darkness pressed down heavily on my neck and I did not move. "Pray," he said to me, "and I will pray for you." He became silent again. All was quiet, and a terrible fear made my flesh creep and filled my breast with icy coldness. A little later he whispered to me: "Are you still here?" "I can't see. Well, go, and God be with you. Don't argue." I went out quietly. When I reached the earth above and breathed the pure air, I was drunk with joy and my head swam. I was all wet as if I had been in a cave; and he, Mardarie, had been sitting there now the fourth year! I was to have five interviews with him, but I kept silent through them all; I could not speak. When I went down to him he listened, and then asked me in his unnatural voice: "Some one came--the same one as yesterday?" "Yes. It is I." Then he began to mumble, with interruptions: "Don't offend God--what do you need? You need nothing. Perhaps a little piece of bread. But to offend God is a sin. That comes from the devil. The devils, they lend a hand to every one. I know them. They are offended and they are malicious. They are offended--that is why they are malicious. So don't get offended, or you will resemble the devil. People offend you, but you should say to them: 'Christ save you,' and then go. Everything is vanity. The main thing is yourself. Let them not take your soul away. Hide it, so that they cannot take it away." He sowed his quiet words, and they spread themselves over me like ashes from a far-off fire. They were not necessary to me, and they did not touch my soul. It seemed to me I saw a black dream, which I could not understand and which wearied me very much. "You are silent," he said thoughtfully. "That is good. Let them do what they want, but you keep quiet. Others come to me and they talk--they talk very much. But I cannot understand what they want. They even talk about women. What is that to me? They talk about everything. But what they say about everything, I cannot understand. But you are right to keep silent. I also would not speak, but the Abbot up there said: 'Console him; he needs to be consoled.' Well, all right. But I myself would much rather not talk. "Oh, God, forgive them all! Everything was taken from me--only prayers remained to me. Whoever tortures you, take no notice of him. It is the devils who torture you. They tortured me, too. My own brother, he beat me, and my wife gave me rat's poison. Evidently I was only a rat to her. They stole all I had from me, then said that I set fire to the village. They wanted to throw me into the fire. And I sat in prison. Everything happened to me. I was judged--sat some more. God be with them. I pardoned every one--I was not guilty, yet I pardoned. That was for my own sake. "A whole mountain of injury lay on me. I could not breathe. Then I pardoned them and it went away. The mountain was no more. The devils were offended and they went away. So you, too, pardon every one. I need nothing. It will be the same with you." At the fourth interview he asked me: "Bring me a crumb of bread. I will suck it. I am weak. Pardon me, in Christ's name." My heart ached with pity for him. I listened to his ravings and I "Why is that necessary, O Lord, why?" But he still rustled his dry tongue: "My bones ache. Night and day they draw. If I sucked a crumb it would be better perhaps; but this way my bones itch. It disturbs me--it disturbs my prayers. It is necessary to pray every second, even in one's dreams. If not, the devil immediately reminds one. He reminds one of one's name and where one lived, and everything. There he sits on the stove. It doesn't matter to him if it is hot--sometimes red hot. He is used to it. He sits himself there, a little, gray thing, opposite me, and just sits. I cross myself and do not look at him, and he gets tired. Then he crawls on the wall like a spider, or sometimes he floats in the air like a gray rag. He can do anything, my devil. He gets bored with an old man, but he has got to watch me, he has orders to. "Of course, it is not pleasant for him to watch an old man. I am not offended with him. The devil doesn't do it of his own free will, and I am used to him. 'Well,' I say to him, 41 am tired of you,' and I don't look at him. He is not bad or evil, only he continually reminds me of my name." Then the old man lifted his head and said loudly: "They called me Michail Petrov Viakhiref." And then he sank down in his coffin again and whispered: "Thus the devil tempts me. Oh, you devil! Are you still here, brother? I could have cried with anger that day. What was the use of this old man? What beauty was there in his deed? I could not understand it. All day and many days afterward I thought of him, and I felt that a devil mocked me and made grimaces at me. The last time that I went to him I filled my pockets with soft bread, and I brought that bread to him, with pain and anger against all mankind. When I gave it to him he whispered: "Oh, it is still warm. Oh!" He moved in his coffin. The shavings creaked underneath him while he hid his bread, whispering: "Oh, oh." The darkness and the mildewed wall--everything around us moved, reechoing the low groans of the ascetic--"Oh." Four times a week they brought him food. Of course, he was starved. This last time he said nothing to me, only sucked the bread. He evidently had not a tooth left in his head. I stood there for some time. Then I said: "Well, pardon me, in Christ's name, Father Mardarie. I am going now, and I won't return again. Let me thank you." "Yes, yes," he answered eagerly. "It is I who thank you; it is I who thank you. But don't tell the monks about the bread. They will take it away. They are jealous, the monks are. No doubt the devils know them, too. The devils know everything and everybody--say nothing about it." Soon after this he became ill and died. They buried him with solemnity. The Bishop came from the city with all his clergy, and they held a Cathedral Mass. Afterward I heard that under the tombstone of the old man a little blue fire burns of itself at night. How pitiful it all was and how disgraceful to man! Soon after this my life changed entirely. Even while Grisha was here an ugly incident happened to me. Once I went into the ante-room and caught Misha in an act which gave the lie to his constant and disgusting denunciation of women as unclean. It was inexpressibly disgusting to me, for I remembered all the filth which he spoke about women; I remembered his hatred of them; and I spat and escaped to the bakery, trembling with wrath and shame and bitterness. He followed me, fell on his knees, and begged me not to tell. "I know that she torments you at night, too. The power of the devil is strong." "You lie," I said. "Go to all the devils, you pig. And you bake bread, you dog!" I insulted him, for I could not contain myself. If he had not soiled all womankind with his dirty words, I would not have minded it so much. But he crawled before me and begged me not to tell. "Well," I said, "can one speak about such things? It is too shameful. But I don't want to work with you. Tell them to give me other work." I insisted on that. At this time people were not yet alive or clear to me, and I strove only for one thing: to keep myself apart. Misha became ill and lay in the hospital. I worked as of old and was given two assistants to help me. Three weeks passed, when suddenly the steward called me and told me that Misha had recovered but did not want to work with me because of my obstinate nature; and therefore in the meantime I would be ordered to dig stumps out of the wood. This work was considered a punishment. "Why?" I asked. Suddenly the handsome monk, Father Anthony, entered the office, stood modestly aside and listened. The steward continued to explain to me: "Because of your obstinate nature and your impudent opinions about the brothers. At your age and in your condition, it is foolish; unbearable; and you must be punished. But the Father Superior, in his goodness, said that we should take you over to the office for easy work. And that is how it may turn out." He spoke for a long time, in a singsong voice and without feeling; and I saw that it did not come from his conscience, but that he dragged one word after another from duty. Father Anthony leaned against a bench, looked at me, stroked his beard and smiled with his beautiful eyes as if he were joking with me about I wished to show him my character and said to the steward: "I don't seek to be raised, nor do I wish to accept humiliation, for I do not deserve it, as you know, but I want justice." The steward grew red in the face and beat the ground with his stick. "Keep silent, insolent one!" Father Anthony bent to his ear and said something. "It is impossible," answered the steward. "He is to take his punishment without a murmur." Anthony shrugged his shoulders and turned toward me. His voice was low and warm: "Submit, Matvei." He conquered me with his two words and his caressing look. I bowed to the steward and to him, and then I asked the steward when I must go to the wood. "In three days," he answered. "But these three days you must go to the dungeon--that's what." If Anthony had not been there I certainly would have broken the steward's bones. But I took Anthony's words as a sign of the possibility to get near him, and for this I was ready to cut off my right arm--anything. They sent me down to the dungeon. It was a hole underneath the office, in which it was impossible to stand or lie down; one had to sit. Straw was thrown on the floor, but it was wet from dampness. And it was quiet as a grave, not even mice were there; and such darkness that the hands disappeared. If you put your hands before your face they were not visible. I sat there and was silent, and everything in me seemed poured from lead. I was heavy as stone, and cold as ice. I clinched my teeth for I wished to hold back my thoughts; but they flamed up within me like coals and burned me. I could have bitten somebody, but there was no one to bite. I caught my hair with my hands, swayed back and forth like the tongue of a bell, and shrieked and raved and roared within: "Where is Thy justice, O Lord? Do not the lawless play with it? And do not the strong trample it in their evil, drunken power? What am I before Thee? A lawless sacrifice or a keeper of Thy beauty and justice?" I recalled the arrangement of the life in the monastery. It stood before me, ugly and cynical. And why did they call the monks the servants of God? In what way were they holier than laymen? I knew the difficult peasant life in the villages. They lived starved and wretched. They drank, they fought, they stole, they committed every sin. But was not His path unseen? And they had no strength to struggle for righteousness; nor time. Each one was attached to the soil and tied to his house with a strong chain--the fear of starvation. What could one ask of them? But here men lived free and satisfied. Here books and wisdom were open to them. But which one of them served God? Only the weak and the bloodless, like Grisha, remained faithful to God, who to the others was only a protector of sins and a source of lies. I remembered the evil lust of the monks for women and all their offenses of the flesh, which even the animals disdained--and their laziness and gluttony; their quarrels over the distribution of the funds, when they cawed maliciously at one another like ravens in a cemetery. Grisha told me that no matter how much the peasants worked for the monastery, their indebtedness grew continually. I thought of myself: "Here I have already spent a long time and what has my soul profited? I have received only wounds and sores. How has my intelligence been enriched? Only by the knowledge of all kinds of baseness and of loathing for man." Around me was silence. Even the sound of the bells, by which I could have measured time, did not reach me, and there was neither day nor night for me. Who dared to take away the sun from man? The rank darkness oppressed me, and my soul was consumed by it. There was nothing left to light my path. The faith which was dear to my heart, the justice and omniscience of God, sank and melted away. But like a bright star the face of Father Anthony flashed before me, and all my thoughts and feelings circled around it like a moth around a flame. I conversed with him, and complained to him, and asked him questions, and saw his two caressing eyes in the darkness. I paid dearly for those three days and I went out of the hole blinded, my head feeling as if it were not my own, and my knees trembling. The monks laughed at me. "What," they said, "you took a good soul-bath, eh?" At night the Abbot called me, made me kneel before him, and gave me a long lecture. "It is written that I shall crush the teeth of the sinner and bend his back in the yoke." I was silent and controlled my heart. The peacemaker, Father Anthony, stood before me, and stilled my evil mouth with his affectionate look. Suddenly the Abbot softened. "We value you, you fool," he said. "We think of you. We have noticed your zeal in work and wish to reward your intelligence. I even place before you a choice of two duties. Do you want to work in the office, or do you want to be a lay brother to Father Anthony?" I felt as if I had been revived with warm water. I was stifled with joy and could hardly speak: "Permit me to be a lay brother." He frowned, became thoughtful, and looked at me curiously. "If you go to the office," he said, "I will take away the stump digging; but if you go as a lay brother, I will increase the work in the woods." He asked me sternly: "Why, you fool! The work is easier in the office, and more respectable." I insisted. He bowed his head and thought a while. "I permit it. You are a strange fellow, and one should not lose sight of you. Who knows what fires you will light--who knows? Go in peace." I went to the wood. It was spring then, cold April. The work was hard, the wood an ancient one. The main roots went deep into the earth; the side ones were big. I dug and dug, and chopped and chopped; tied the trunk and made the horse pull out the stump. He tried with all his strength, but only broke the harness. Already by noon my bones felt broken and my horse trembled and was covered with foam. He looked at me out of his round eyes, as if he wished to say: "I cannot, brother; it is hard." I petted him and slapped his neck. "I see," I said. And again I dug and chopped and the horse looked at me, his hide trembling and his head nodding. Horses are intelligent, and I am sure that they perceive all the senseless actions of man. At this time I had an encounter with Misha, which came near ending badly for both of us. Once I went to my work after the noon-day meal, and had already reached the wood when suddenly he overtook me, club in hand, his face wild, his teeth showing, and panting like a bear. What did it mean? I stopped and waited for him. He did not say a word, but brandished his club at me. I bent in time, and struck him below the belt with my head. I threw him down, sat on his chest, and took away his club. "What is the matter with you?" I asked him. "What's this for?" He struggled underneath me and said hoarsely: "Get out of the monastery!" "I can't look at you. I'll kill you! Get out of here!" His eyes were red. The tears that came out seemed red, and his lips were covered with foam. He tore at my clothes; he scratched and pinched me, anxious to reach my face. I shook him lightly and arose from his chest. "You wear the garb of a monk," I said, "and yet you are capable of such vileness, you brute! Why?" He sat in the mud and demanded, obstinately: "Get out of here! Don't make me lose my soul!" I did not understand him. Finally I made a guess, and asked him low: "Perhaps, Misha, you think I told some one about your wretched sin? It is not so. I told no one about it." He arose, swayed, held on to the tree and looked at me with his wild "I wish you had told it to the whole world!" he roared. "It would be easier for me! I could repent before others and they would forgive me. But you, scoundrel, despise every one. I do not want to be under obligations to you, you proud heretic. Get out, or I'll have the sin of blood on me!" "If that is the way it is," I said, "go away yourself, if you have to. I won't go--that is sure." He again jumped on me, and we both fell into the mud, getting dirty like frogs. I proved to be the stronger, and arose, but he still lay there, weeping and miserable. "Listen, Misha," I said. "I am going away a little later. Now I can't. I am not staying out of spite, but because I have to. I have got to be "Go to your father, the devil," he groaned, and gnashed his teeth. I went away from him, and a little while later he was ordered to go to the monastic inn in the city, and I never saw him again. CHAPTER XIII When my penance was finished I stood before Anthony, dressed in new clothes. I remember this period of my life from the first day to the last; everything, even to each word, was burned into my soul and cut into my flesh. He led me to his cells quietly, and taught me in detail how and when and in what way I was to serve him. One room was arranged with book-cases, full of worldly and religious books. "This," he said, "is my chapel." In the center of the room stood a large table, near the window an upholstered armchair, and toward one side of the table a divan covered with rich tapestry. In front of the table there was a chair with a high back, covered with pressed leather. A second room was his bedroom. It had a wide bed, a wardrobe filled with cassocks and linen, a wash stand with a large mirror, many brushes and combs and gaily colored perfume bottles. And on the walls of the third room, which was uninviting and empty, were two closed cupboards, one for wine and food and the other for china, pastry, preserves and Having finished this inspection, he led me to his library and said: "Take a seat. So, this is the way I live. Not like a monk, eh?" "No," I answered; "not quite according to rule." "Well, you condemn every one. I suppose you will condemn me soon, too." He smiled, haughty as a bell tower. I loved him for his beautiful face, but his smile was disagreeable to "I do not know whether I will condemn you," I said. "I certainly would like to understand you." He laughed low, in a base, which was offensive to me. "You are illegitimate?" he asked. "You have good blood in your veins?" "What is good blood?" I asked. He laughed, then answered impressively. "Good blood is something from which proud souls are made." The day was clear, the sun shone in through the window, and Anthony sat entirely covered by its rays. Suddenly an unexpected thought flashed through my head and pierced my heart like the bite of a snake. I jumped from my chair and stared hard at the monk. He, too, arose, and I saw that he picked up a knife from the table and played with it, asking: "What is the matter with you?" "Are you not my father?" I asked him. His face became drawn, immovable and blue, as if it were carved from ice. He half closed his eyes so that the light went out of them, and said, almost in a whisper: "I think--not. Where were you born? When? How old are you? Who is your mother?" And as I told him how I was abandoned he smiled and put the knife back on the table. "I was not in the district at that time," he answered. I became embarrassed and uncomfortable. It was as if I had begged for charity and been refused. "Well," he said, "and if I had been your father, what then?" "Nothing," I answered. "Exactly. That is the way I think about it. We are living together in a place where there are no fathers and no children in the flesh, only in the spirit. On the other hand, we are all abandoned on this earth--that is, we are brothers in misery, which we call life. Man is an accident in life, do you know that?" I read in his eyes that he was making fun of me. I was still laboring under the unpleasant impression which my strange and incomprehensible question had aroused in me, and I would have liked to explain the question to him or to forget it altogether. But I made matters worse by asking: "Why did you take that knife in your hand?" Anthony gazed at me and then laughed low: "You are a bold questioner. I took it because I took it, and why I really do not know. I like it; it is a very pretty thing." And he gave me the knife. It was sharp and pointed, with a design in gold laid on the steel, and a silver handle, with red stones. "It is an Arabian knife," he explained to me. "I use it for cutting pages of books, and at night I put it under my pillow. There is a rumor abroad that I am rich and there are poor people living about me, and my cell is out of the way." The knife as well as the hands of Anthony had a rich, peculiar perfume, which almost intoxicated me and made my head swim. "Let us talk a little more," Anthony continued in his low, deep, soft voice. "Do you know that a woman comes to see me?" "So I heard." "It is not true that she is my sister. I sleep with her." "Why do you talk of these things to me?" I asked. "So that you will be shocked once and for all and not continue to be surprised. You like worldly books?" "I have never read them." He took from the book-case a little book bound in red leather and gave it to me. "Go, prepare the samovar and read this," he said, in a tone of command. I opened the book, and on the very first page I found a picture--a woman naked to her knees and a man in front of her, also naked. "I will not read this," I said. Then he turned to me and said sternly: "And if your spiritual superior orders you to? How do you know why this is necessary? Go." In the annex where my room was I sat down on my bed, overcome by fear and sadness. I felt as if I had been poisoned; I was weak and trembling. I did not know what to think; I could not understand. From where did the thought come that he was my father? It was a strange idea. I remembered his words about the soul: "The soul is made of blood." And about man: "That he is an accident on earth." All this was so plainly heretical. I remembered his drawn face at my question. I opened the book again. It was a story about some French cavalier and about women. What did I want with it? He rang for me and called. I came in, and he met me in a friendly "Where is the samovar?" "Why did you give me this book?" "So that you would know what sin is." I became happy again. It seemed to me I understood his object; he wished to educate me. I bowed low, went out, prepared the samovar eagerly and brought it back into the room, where Anthony had already prepared everything for tea. And as I was going out he said: "Remain and drink tea with me." I was grateful to him, for I wanted to understand something very much. "Tell me," he said, "how you have lived and why you came here." I began to tell him about myself, not hiding from him my most secret impulse, not a thought which I could remember. And he listened to me with half-closed eyes, so engrossed that he did not even drink his tea. Behind him the evening looked in at the window, and against the red sky the black branches of the trees made their outline. But I talked all the time and gazed on the white fingers of Anthony's hands, which were folded on his breast. When I had finished he poured out a little glass of dark sweet wine for me. "Drink," he said. "I noticed you when you prayed aloud in the church. The monastery doesn't help much, does it?" "No; but in you I place great hope. Help me. You are a learned man; you must know everything." "I only know one thing: You go up the mountain, reach the top, and fall--you fall to the very depth of the precipice. But I myself do not follow this law because I am too lazy. Man is a worthless thing, Matvei; but why he is worthless, is not clear. Life is exquisite and the world enchanting. So many pleasures are given to man, and man is worthless. Why? This is a puzzle I cannot solve, and I do not even wish to think about it." Vespers rang. He started and said: "Go, and God be with you. I am tired, and I must attend service." Had I been wiser I would have left him that very day, for then I would have preserved a pleasant memory of him. But I did not understand the meaning of his words. I went to my room, lay down, and noticed the little book which lay at my side. I struck a light and began to read it out of gratitude for my superior. I read how the cavalier I mentioned above deceived husbands, climbing to their wives at night through the windows, and how the husbands spied on him; how they wished to pierce him with their swords and how he escaped. And all this was very stupid and unintelligible to me; that is, I understood well enough that a young fellow might enjoy it, but I could not understand why it was written about, and I could not fathom why I had read such nonsense. And again I began to think: "How did I suddenly come upon the thought that Anthony was my father?" This thought ate my soul as rust eats iron. Then I fell asleep. In my dream I felt that some one touched me. I jumped up. He stood near "I rang and rang for you," he said. "Forgive me," I said, "in Christ's name. I have worked very hard." "I know," he answered. But he did not say, "God forgive you." "I am going to the Father Abbot. Make everything ready, as it should be. Ah, you have read the book! It is too bad you have begun it. It is not quite for you. You were right; you need another kind." I prepared his bed. The linen was thin, the cover soft; everything was rich and new to me; and a delicate, pleasant odor emanated from all. And so I began to live in this intoxicating world, as in a dream. I saw no one but Anthony. But even he seemed as if he were in a shadow and moved in shadows. He spoke in a friendly tone, but his eyes mocked. He seldom used the word God; instead of God he said soul; instead of devil, nature. But for me the meaning of his words did not change. He made fun of the monks and of the church orders. He drank very much wine, but he never staggered in walking, only his forehead became a bluish-white and his eyes glowed with a dark fire, and his red lips grew darker and drier. It happened often that he came back from the Abbot at midnight or even later, and he woke me and ordered that I bring him wine. He sat and drank, spoke to himself in his low voice long and uninterruptedly, sitting there sometimes till matins were called. It was difficult for me to understand his words, and I have forgotten many of them, but I remember how at first they frightened me, as if they had suddenly opened some terrible abyss in which the whole face of the earth was swallowed up. Often a feeling of emptiness and misery came over me because of his words, and I was ready to ask him: "And you, are you not the devil?" He was gloomy, spoke in a tone of command, and when he was drunk his eyes became even more mysterious, sinking far into his head. On his face a smile twitched continually, and his fingers, which were thin and long, opened and closed and pulled at his blue-black beard. A coldness emanated from him. He was terrifying. As I have said, I did not believe in the devil, and I knew that it was written that the devil was strong in his pride; that he fought continually; that his passion and his skill lay in tempting people. But Father Anthony in no way tempted me. He clothed life in gray, showed it to me as something insane, and people for him were only a herd of crazy swine who were dashing to the abyss with varying rapidity. "But you have said that life is beautiful," I said. "Yes, if it recognizes me it is beautiful," he answered. Only his laugh remained with me. He seemed to me to gaze upon everything from his corner as if he had been driven away from everywhere and was not even hurt at being driven away. His thoughts were sharp and penetrating, subtle like a snake, but powerless to conquer me, for I did not believe them, although often I was ravished by their cleverness and by the great leaps of the human mind. At times, though this happened seldom, he became angry with me. "I am a nobleman!" he shouted. "A descendant of a great race of people! My fathers founded Russia! They are historical figures, and this lout--this dirty lout dares to interrupt me! The beautiful dies, only the worms remain, and only one man of a distinguished family among His expressions did not interest me. I, too, perhaps, came from a distinguished family. But surely strength did not lie in ancestry, but in truth, and though the evening will surely not come again, the morrow comes. He sat in his armchair and talked, his face bloodless. "Again the monks have won from me, Matvei. What is a monk? A man who wishes to hide from his fellow men his own vileness and who is afraid of its power over him. Or, perhaps, a man who is overcome by his weakness, and flees from the world in fear, that the world may not devour him. Such monks are the better and more interesting; but the others are only homeless men, dust of the earth, or still-born children." "What are you among them?" I asked. I might have asked this ten times or more straight to his face, but he answered me always in this way: "Man is a child of accident on this earth, everywhere and forever." His God, too, was a mystery to me. I tried to ask him about God when he was sober, but he only laughed and answered with some well-known quotation. But God was higher to me than anything that was ever written about Him. I asked him when he was drunk how he saw God then. But even drunk, Anthony was firm. "Ah, you are cunning, Matvei," he answered. "Cunning and obstinate. I am sorry for you." I, too, was sorry for him, for I saw his solitude and I valued the abundance of his thoughts, and I was sorry that they were being sown at random in his cell. But though I was sorry for him, still I persisted firmly in my questions, and once he said, unwillingly: "I no more see God than you, Matvei." "Though I do not see God," I answered, "still I feel Him and do not question His existence, but only try to understand His laws, upon which our earth is based." "As for the laws," he said, "look in the book on Canonical Rights, and if you feel God then--I shall congratulate you." He poured out some wine, clinked glasses with me and drank. I noticed that, though his face was as grave as that of a corpse, the beautiful eyes of the gentleman mocked at me. The fact that he was a gentleman began to lessen my feelings for him, for he unfolded his birth to me so often that he made me boil with anger. When he was somewhat drunk, he liked to speak about women. "Nature," he would say, "has kept us in an evil and heavy bondage through woman, its sweetest allurement; and had we not this carnal temptation, which saps out the best from the soul of man, he could have attained immortality." Since Brother Misha had spoken about the same theme, though more heatedly, I was disgusted by this time with such thoughts. Misha had renounced woman with hatred and defamed her furiously; but Father Anthony adjudged her without any feelings and tiresomely. "Do you remember," he said, "I once gave you a book? If you read it you must have seen how woman in her whole make-up is cunning and full of lies, and debauched to the very bottom." It was strange, and it hurt me to hear man, born of woman and nourished with her life, besmirch and trample upon his own mother, denying her everything but the flesh; degrading her to a senseless animal. At times I expressed my thoughts to him, though vaguely; not so distinctly. He became outraged and shouted. "Idiot! Was I talking about my own mother?" "Every woman is a mother," I answered. "There are some," he shouted, "who are only loose women all their lives." "Well," I answered, "there are some who are hunchbacked; but that is not the law for all." "Get out of here, fool!" Evidently the officer was not dead in him. Several times when I asked about God, we wrangled with each other. He angered me with his sly wit, and one evening I went at him with all my might. My character grew bad, for I passed through great suffering at this time. I circled around Anthony like a hungry man around a locked pantry; he smells the bread through the door, and it only tends to madden him. And the night to which I refer, his evasions enraged me. I caught up the knife from the table and cried: "Tell me everything you believe or I will cut my throat, come what may!" He became frightened, grabbed my hand, wrenched the knife from me and grew very much excited--not at all like himself. "You should be punished for this," he said, "but no punishment ever helps fanaticism." And then he added, and his words were like nails beaten into my head: "This is what I will tell you: only man exists. Everything else is an opinion. Your God is a dream of your soul. You can only know yourself, and even that not certainly." His words shook me like a storm and ravaged me. He spoke for a long time, and though I did not understand everything, I felt that in this man was no sorrow or joy or fear, or sensitiveness, or pride. He was like an old church-yard priest, reading the mass for the dead, near a tomb. He knew the words well, but they did not touch his soul. His words were frightful to me at first, but later I understood that the doubt in them was without force, for they were dead. It was May, the window was open, and the night in the garden was filled with a warm perfume of flowers. The apple trees were like young girls going to communion--a delicate blue in the silver moonlight. The watchman beat the hours, and in the stillness the bronze resounded lugubriously. Before me sat a man with a face of stone, calmly emitting bloodless words--words which vanished and were gray like ashes. They were offensive and painful to me, for I saw brass where I had expected gold. "Go now," said Anthony to me. I went into the garden, and when early mass was rung I entered the church, went into a dark corner and stood there, thinking, what need of God had a man who was half dead? The brothers assembled. One would say it was the moonlight which broke the shadows of night into a thousand fragments and which noiselessly crawled into the temple to hide. From this time something incomprehensible happened. Anthony began speaking to me in the tone of a gentleman, dry and crossly, and he never called me to him in a friendly way. All the books which he had given me to read he took away. One of them was a Russian history which had many surprises for me, but I got no chance to finish it. I tried to fathom in what way I had offended this gentleman of mine, but I could The beginning of his speech was engraven in my memory and lived uppermost in my mind, though not troubling my other thoughts: "God is the dream of your soul," I repeated to myself. But I did not feel the necessity of debating this; it was an easy thought. Soon a woman came to him. It was late at night. Anthony rang for me and cried: "Quick--the samovar!" When I brought it in I saw a woman sitting on the divan, in a wide pink dress, blonde disheveled curls hanging over her shoulders, and a little pink face, like a doll's, with light-blue eyes. She seemed to me modest and sad. I placed the dishes on the table, and Anthony hurried me all the while. "Do it quicker--hurry." "He is aflame," I said to myself. I liked his love affairs, for it was pleasant to see how skilful Anthony was even in love--a thing which is not very difficult. As for myself, love left me cold at this time, and the looseness of the monks kept me away from it. But what kind of a monk was Father Anthony? The woman was pretty in her way, a delicate little thing, like a new toy. In the morning I went into the room to set it to rights. But he was not there, having gone to the Abbot. She sat on the divan, her feet under her, uncombed and half dressed. She asked me what I was called. I told her. Then she asked me if I had been in the monastery a long time, and I answered that question also. "Don't you get bored here?" "No," I answered. "That's strange--if it's true." "Why should it not be true?" I asked. "You are so young and good-looking." "Is the monastery only for cripples?" She laughed and put out a bare foot from the divan. She looked at me and let herself be seen immodestly; exposed, her arms bare to the shoulder and her gown unfastened at the breast. "You do that in vain," I thought. "You should keep your charms for your lover." And the little fool asked me: "Don't women bother you?" "I don't see them," I answered. "How can they bother me?" "What do you mean by 'how'?" And she laughed. Anthony appeared in the door and asked angrily: "What is this, Zoia?" "Oh," she cried, "he is so funny--that one!" And she began to chatter and tell how "funny" I was. But Anthony did not listen to her, and commanded me sternly: "Go and unpack the trunks and the bags. Then take part of the provisions to the Abbot." Even before dinner both of them had taken enough wine, and in the evening, after tea, the woman was entirely drunk, and Anthony, too, seemed more drunk than usual. They drove me from one corner to the other--to bring this, to carry that; to heat the wine, then to cool it. I ran about like a waiter in a drinking place, and they became more and more free before me. The young lady was hot and took off some of her clothes, and the gentleman suddenly asked me: "Matvei, isn't she pretty?" "Pretty enough," I answered. "But look at her well." She laughed, drunk. I wanted to go out, but Anthony called out, wildly: "Where are you going? Stay here! Zoiaka, show yourself naked!" I thought I had not heard rightly, but she pulled off a gown she had on and stood upon her feet, swaying. I looked at Anthony and he looked back at me. My heart beat loudly, for I pitied this man. Vulgarities did not quite fit him, and I was ashamed for the woman. Then he shouted: "Get out of here, you lout!" "You are a lout yourself!" I retorted. He jumped up, overthrowing the bottles on the table. The dishes fell to the ground with a crash; something began to flow hastily, like a lonely stream. I went out into the garden and lay down. My heart ached like a bone that is frozen. In the stillness I heard Anthony cry out: "Out with you!" And a woman's voice whined: "Don't you dare, you fool!" Soon the harnessing of horses was heard in the courtyard, and their dissatisfied neighing and stampings on the dry earth. Doors were slammed, the wheels of a carriage rattled, and then the large gates creaked. Anthony walked through the garden, calling low: "Matvei, where are you?" His tall figure moved among the apple trees and he caught at the branches and let fall the perfumed snow of flowers, muttering: "Oh, the fool!" And behind him, dragging along the ground, was his thick, heavy shadow. I lay in the garden until morning, and then went to Father Isador. "Give me back my passport. I am going away." He was so startled that he jumped up. "Why? Where?" "Somewhere--in the world. I don't know where," I answered. He began to question me. "I will not explain anything," I said. I went out from his cell and sat down near it on the bench underneath the old pine tree. I sat there on purpose, for it was the bench on which those who were driven away, or went of their own free will, sat, as if to announce the fact of their departure. The brothers passed me, and looked at me sideways; some even spat at me. I forgot to say that there had been a rumor that Anthony had taken me as his lover. The Neophytes envied me and the monks envied that gentleman of mine. And they slandered both of us. The brothers passed, saying to each other: "Ah, they have driven him away; thanked be the Lord!" Father Assaf, a sly and malicious old man, who acted as the Abbot's spy, and was known in the monastery as a half-witted hypocrite, attacked me with vile words, so that I said to him: "Go away, old man. If not I will take you by the ear and put you away." Although he was half-witted, as I said, he understood my words. The head of the monastery called me to him and spoke in a friendly tone: "I told you, Matvei, my son, that it would have been better to have entered the office, and I was right. Old men always know more. Do you think with your obstinate nature that you could act as a servant? Here you have shamefully insulted the revered Father Anthony." "He told you that?" "Who, then? You have not said anything." "Did he tell you that he showed me a naked woman?" The Father Abbot made a cross over me from holy fright and said, shaking his hands: "What is the matter with you? What is the matter with you? God be with you! What kind of a woman? That is some dream of yours, coming from the flesh; a creation of the devil. Oh, oh, oh! You should think of your words. How can a woman be in a monastery of men?" I wanted to calm him. "Who, then, brought you the port wine, and the cheese, and the caviar last night?" "What are you saying? Christ save you. How can you think up such things?" It was disgusting and enough to drive one insane. CHAPTER XIV At noon I crossed the lake, sat down on the bank and gazed at the monastery where I had slaved for over two years. The wood spread out before me with its green wings and disclosed the monastery on its breast. The scalloped white walls, the blue head of the old church, the golden cupola of the new cathedral and the striped red roofs stood out clearly from the splendid green. The crosses glowed, shining and inviting, and above them the blue bell of heaven sounded the joyful peace of spring, while the sun rejoiced in its In this beauty which inflated the soul with its keen splendor, black men in long garments hid themselves and rotted away, living empty days without love, without joy in senseless labor and in mire. I pitied them and myself, too, so that I almost wept. I arose and went Perfume was over all, the earth and all that lived sang, the sun drew forth the flowers in the field and they lifted themselves up toward the sky and made their obeisance to the sun. The young trees whispered and swayed, the birds twittered and love burned everywhere on the fruitful earth which was drunk with its owm strength. I met a peasant and greeted him, but he hardly nodded. I met a woman and she evaded me. And all the time I had a great desire to speak with people, and I would have spoken to them with a friendly heart. I spent the first night of my freedom in the woods. I lay long, gazed up at the sky and sang low to myself and fell asleep. In the early morning I awoke from cold, and walked on, racing to meet my new life as if on wings. Each step took me farther away, and I was ready to outrun the distance. The people whom I met looked suspiciously at me and stepped aside. The black dress of the monk was disgusting and inimical to the peasants, but I could not take it off. My passport had expired, but the Abbot made a note under it which said that I was a novice of the monastery of Savateffsky and that I was on my way to visit holy places. So I directed my steps to these places together with those wanderers who fill our monastery by hundreds on holidays. The brothers were indifferent or hostile to them, calling them parasites and robbing them of every penny they had. They forced them to do the monastery work and imposed on them and treated them with contempt. I was always busied with my own affairs and seldom met the newcomers. I did not seek to meet them, for I considered myself something quite extraordinary and placed my own inner self above everything else. I saw gray figures with knapsacks on their backs and staffs in their hands creeping and swaying along the roads and paths, going not hurriedly but depressed, with heads bent low, walking humbly and thoughtfully, with credulous, opened hearts. They flowed together in one place, looked about them, prayed silently and worked a bit. If a wise and virtuous man happened to be there they talked with him low about something, and again spread out upon the paths going to other places with sad steps. They walked, old and young, women and children, as if one voice called them, and I felt from this crossing and recrossing of the earth a strength arise from the paths which caught me also, and alarmed me and promised to open my soul. This restless and humble wandering seemed strange to me after my motionless life. It was as if earth herself tore man from her breast and pushed him forth, ordering him imperiously, "Go, find out, learn." And man goes obediently and carefully, seeks and looks and listens attentively, then goes on farther again. The earth resounds under the feet of the searchers and drives them farther over streams and mountains and through forests and over seas, still farther wherever the monasteries stand solitary, offering some miracle, and wherever a hope breathes of something other than this bitter, difficult and narrow life. The quiet agitation of the lonely souls surprised me and made me human, and I began to wonder, "What are these people seeking?" Everything about me swayed, frightened and wandering like myself. Many like myself sought God, but did not know where to go and strewed their souls on the paths of their seeking, and were going on only because they did not have strength enough to stop, acting like the seed of the dandelion in the wind, light and purposeless. Others unable to shake off their laziness carried it on their shoulders, lowering themselves and living by lies, while still others were enthralled by the desire to see everything, but had no strength in them to love. I saw many empty men and degraded rascals, shameless parasites, greedy like roaches. I saw many such, but they were only the dust behind the great crowd filled with the desire of finding God. Irresistibly this crowd dragged me along with it. And around it like gulls over the sea various winged people circled noisily and greedily, who astonished me with their monstrous deformities. Once in Bielo-ozer I saw a middle-aged man with a haughty mien. He was cleanly dressed and evidently a man of means. He had seated himself in the shade of a tree, and had pieces of cloth, a box of salve and a copper basin near him, and kept crying out: "Orthodox, those with sore feet from overstraining, come here; I will heal them. I heal free because of a vow I have taken upon myself in the name of the Lord." It was a church holiday in Bielo-ozer and the pilgrims had flocked there in great numbers. They came up to him, sat down, unwound the wrappings on their feet, while he washed them, spread salve on the wounds and lectured them. "Eh, brother, you are not over-wise. Your sandal is too large for your foot. How can you walk like this?" The man with the large sandal answered in a low voice, "It was given to me in charity." "He who gave it to you has pleased God, but that you should walk in it is your own foolishness, and there is nothing great about your deed. God will not count it to your credit." Well, I thought, here is a man who knows God's meanings. A woman came up to him, limping. "Oh, young one," he called out, "you have no corn, but the French sickness, permit me to tell you. This, Orthodox, is a contagious disease. Whole families die from it, and it is hard to get rid of." The woman became confused, rose and went away with her eyes lowered, and he continued calling: "Come here, Orthodox, in the name of St. Cyril." People went up to him, unwound their feet and groaned, and said "Christ save you!" while he washed them. I noticed that his refined face twitched as in a cramp and his skilful hands trembled. Soon he closed up his pious shop and ran off somewhere quickly. At night a little old monk led me to a shed, and there I saw the same man. I lay down next to him and began to speak low: "How is it, sir, that you spend the night together with these common people? To judge by your clothes, your place is in the inn." "I have taken an oath to be among the lowest of the low for three months. I want to fulfil my pious work to the very end, and let myself be eaten up by lice with the rest of them. I really cannot bear to see wounds--they make me sick; still, no matter how disgusting it is to me, I wash the feet of the pilgrims every day. It is a difficult service to the Lord, but my hope in His mercy is great." I lost my desire to speak to him, and, making believe I had fallen asleep, I lay thinking, "his sacrifice to God is not over great." The straw underneath my neighbor rustled. He arose carefully, knelt down and prayed, at first silently, but later I heard his whispered "Oh, thou, St. Cyril, intercede before God for me, a sinner, and make Him heal me of my wounds and sores as I have healed the wounds of men. All-seeing God, value my labors and help me. My life is in Thy hands. I know that my passions were violent, but Thou hast already punished me enough. Do not abandon me like a dog, and let not Thy people drive me away, I beg of Thee, and let my prayers arise toward Thee like the smoke of incense." Here was a man who had mistaken God for a doctor. It was unbearable to me, and I closed my ears with my hands. When he had finished praying he took out something to eat from his bag and chewed for a long time, like a boar. I have met many such people. At night they creep before their God, while in the day they walk pitilessly over the breasts of men. They lower God to do the duty of hiding their vile actions, and they bribe him and bargain with him. "Do not forget, O Lord, how much I have given Thee." Blind slaves of greed, they place it high above themselves and bow down to this hideous idol of the dark and cowardly souls and pray to it. "O Lord, do not judge me in Thy severity nor punish me in Thy wrath." They walk upon earth like spies of God and judges of men, and watch sharply for any violation of the church laws. They bustle and flock together, accusing and complaining. "Faith is being extinguished in the hearts of people; woe unto us!" One man especially amused me with his zeal. We walked together from Perejaslavlja to Rostoff, and the whole way he kept crying out to me, "Where are the holy laws of Feodor Studite?" He was well fed, healthy, with a black beard and rosy cheeks; had money, and at night mixed with the women in the inns. "When I saw how the laws were violated and the people depraved," he said to me, "all the peace of my soul went from me. I gave _my_ business, which was a brick factory, to my sons to manage, and here I am, wandering about for four years, watching everything, and horror fills my soul. Rats have crawled into the Holy Sacristy, and have gnawed with their sharp teeth the holy laws, and the people are angry with the church, and have fallen away from her breast into vile heresies and sects. And what does the church militant do against this? It increases its wealth and lets its enemies grow. The church should live in poverty, like poor Lazarus, so that the people might see what true holiness poverty is, as Christ preached it. The people on seeing this would stop complaining and desiring the wealth of others. What other task has the church but to hold back the people with strong reins?" Those sticklers for the law cannot hide their thoughts when they see its weakness, and they shamelessly disclose their secret selves. On the Holy Hill a certain merchant, who was a noted traveler and who described his pilgrimages in holy places in clerical papers, was preaching to the crowd humility, patience and kindness. He spoke warmly, even to tears. He entreated and he threatened, and the crowd listened, silent and with bowed heads. I interrupted his speech and asked him "if open lawlessness should be suffered also." "Suffer it, my friend," he cried; "undoubtedly suffer it. Christ himself suffered for us and for our salvation." "How then," I answered, "about the martyrs and the fathers of the church? For instance, take St. John Chrysostom, who was bold and accused even kings." He became enraged, flared up at me and stamped his feet. "What are you chattering there, you blunderer? Whom did they accuse? Heathens!" "Was Eudoxia a heathen, or Ivan the Terrible?" "That is not the point," he cried, waving his arms like a volunteer at a Are. "Do not speak about kings, but about the people--the people, that's the important thing. They are all sophisticated, and have no fear. They are serpents which the church ought to crush; that is her duty." Although he spoke simply, I did not understand at this time what all this anxiety about the people was, and though his words caused me fear, I still did not understand them, for I was spiritually blind and did not see the people. After my discussion with this writer several men came up and spoke to me, as if they did not expect anything good from me. "There is another fellow here; don't you want to meet him?" Toward vespers a meeting was arranged for me with this young man in the wood near the lake. He was dark, as if blasted by lightning. His hair was cut short, and his look was dry and sharp; his face was all bone, from which two brown eyes burned brightly. The young man coughed continually and trembled. He looked at me hostilely and, breathing with difficulty, said: "They told me about you--that you scoff at patience and kindness. Why? Explain." I do not remember what I said to him, but as I argued I only noticed his tortured face and his dying voice when he cried to me: "We are not for this life, but for the next. Heaven is our country. Do you hear it?" A lame soldier, who had lost his leg in the Tekinsky War, stood opposite him and said gloomily: "My opinion, Orthodox, is this: Wherever there is less fear there is more truth," and turning to the young man he said: "If you are afraid of death that is your affair, but do not frighten the others. We have been frightened enough without you. Now you, red-head, speak." The young man vanished soon after, but the people remained--a crowd of about half a hundred--to listen to me. I do not know with what I attracted their attention, but I was pleased that they heard me, and I spoke for a long time in the twilight, among the tall pines and the serious people. I remember that all their faces fused into one long, sorrowful face, thoughtful and strong-willed, dumb in words but bold in secret thoughts, and in its hundred eyes I saw an unquenchable fire which was related to my soul. Later this single face disappeared from my memory, and only long after I understood that it was this centralization of the will of the people into one thought which arouses the anxiety of the guardians of the law and makes them fear. Even if this thought is not yet born or developed, still the spirit is enriched by the doubt in the indestructibility of hostile laws--whence the worry of the guardians of the law. They see this firm-willed, questioning look; they see the people wander upon the earth, quiet and silent, and they feel the unseeing rays of their thoughts, and they understand that the secret fire of their dumb councils can turn their laws into ashes, and that other laws are They have a fine ear for this, like thieves who hear the careful movements of the awakened owner whose house they have come to rob in the night, and they know that when the people shall open its eyes life will change and its face turn toward heaven. The people have no God so long as they live divided and hostile to one another. And of what good is a living God to a satisfied man? He seeks only a justification for his full stomach amid the general starvation His lone life is pitiful and grotesque, surrounded on all sides by One time I noticed that a little, old, gray man, clean like a scraped bone, watched me eagerly. His eyes were set deep in his head, as if they had been frightened back. He was shriveled up, but strong like a buck and quick on his feet. He used to sidle up toward people and was always in the center of a crowd. He marched and scrutinized each face as if looking for an acquaintance. He seemed to want something from me but did not dare ask for it, and I pitied his timidity. I was going to Lubin, to the sitting Aphanasia, and he followed me silently, leaning on his white staff. I asked him, "Have you been wandering long, Uncle?" He grew happy, shook his head and tittered. "Nine years already, my boy, nine years." "You must be carrying a great sin," I said. "Where is there measure or weight for sin? Only God knows my sins." "Nevertheless, what have you done?" I laughed and he smiled. "Nothing," he answered. "I have lived on the whole as every one else. I am a Siberian from beyond Tobolsk. I was a driver in my youth and later had an inn with a saloon and also kept a store." "You've robbed some one." The old man started. "Why, what is the matter with you? God save me from it." "I was only joking," I said. "I saw a little man trotting along, and I thought to myself, how could such a little man commit a big sin." The old man stopped and shook his head. "All souls have the same size," he answered, "and they are all equally acceptable to the devil. But tell me, what do you think about death? You have spoken in the shelters about life, always about life. But where is death?" "Here somewhere," I answered. He threatened me with his finger jokingly and said: "It is here. That's it, it is always here." "Well, what if it is?" I asked. "It is here," and rising on his tiptoes he whispered into my ear, "Death is all powerful. Even Christ could not escape it. 'Let this cup pass from me,' He said, but the Heavenly Father did not let it pass. He could not. There is a saying, 'Death appears and the sun disappears,' you see." The little, old man began to talk like a stream rushing down a mountain. "Death circles around us all and man walks along as if he were crossing a precipice on a tightrope; one push with Death's wing and man is no more. O Lord, by Thy force Thou hast strengthened the world, but how has He strengthened it if death is placed above everything? You can be bold in thought, steeped in learning, but you will only live as long as death permits you." He smiled, but his eyes were full of tears. What could I say to him? I had never thought of death and now I had no He skipped along beside me, looking into my face with his faded eyes, his beard trembling and his left hand hid in the bosom of his cloak. He kept looking about him as if he expected death to jump out from some bush and catch him by the hand and throw him into hell. I looked at him astonished. Around us all life surged. The earth was covered with the emerald foam of the grass, unseen larks sang, and everything grew toward the sun in many colored brilliant shouts of gladness. "How did you get such thoughts?" I asked my traveling companion. "Have you been very sick?" "No," he said. "Up to my forty-seventh year I lived peacefully and contentedly, and then my wife died and my daughter-in-law hanged herself. Both were lost in the same year." "Maybe you yourself drove her to the noose." "No, it was from her own depravity that she killed herself. I did not bother her, though even if I had lived with her, it would have been forgiven in a widower. I am no priest, and she was no stranger to me. Even when my wife was alive I lived like a widower. She was sick for four years and did not once come down from the stove. When she died I crossed myself. 'Thank God,' I said, 'I am free.' I wanted to marry again when suddenly the thought occurred to me I live well, I am contented, but yet I have to die. Why should it be so? I was overcome. I gave everything I had to my son and began my wandering. I thought that on the road I would not notice that I was going to the grave, for everything about me was gay and shining and seemed to lead away from the graveyard. However, it is all the same." "Your heart is heavy, Uncle?" I asked him. "Oh, my son, it is so terrible I cannot describe it. In the daytime I try to be among people that I may hide behind them. Death is blind, perhaps it might not see me or make a mistake and take some one else, but at night, when each one remains unprotected, it is terrible to lie awake without sleep. It seems to me then that a black hand sweeps over me, feeling my breast and searching, 'Are you here? 'It plays with my heart like a cat with a mouse and my heart becomes frightened and beats. I get up and look about me. There are people lying down, but who knows whether they will arise? It happens that death takes away in crowds. In our village it took a whole family, a husband, a wife and two daughters who died of coal smoke in the bath house." His mouth twitched in a vain effort to smile, but tears flowed from his "If one would only die within a little hour, or in sleep, but first there comes sickness to eat one away little by little." He frowned and his face contracted and looked like mildew. He walked quickly, almost skipping, but the light went out of his eyes, and he kept muttering in a low voice, neither to me nor to himself: "Oh, Lord, let me be a mosquito, only to live on the earth! Do not kill me, Lord; let me be a bug or even a little spider!" "How pitiable!" I thought. At the station, among people, he seemed to revive again, and he talked about his mistress, Death, but with courage. He preached to the people. "You will die," he said; "You will be destroyed on an unknown day and in an unknown hour. Perhaps three versts from here the lightning will strike you down." He made some sad and others angry, and they quarreled with him. One young woman called out: "You have nothing the matter with you, and yet death bothers you." She said it with such anger that I noticed her, and even the old man stopped his eulogy on death. All the way to Lubin he comforted me, until he bored me to death. I have seen many such people who run away from death and foolishly play hide-and-seek with it. Even among the young there are some struck by fear, and they are worse than the old. They are all Godless; their souls are black within, like the pipe of a stove, and fear whistles through them even in the fairest weather. Their thoughts are like old pilgrims who patter on the earth, walking without knowing whither and blindly trampling under foot the living things in their path. They have the name of God on their lips, but they love no one and have no desire for anything. They are occupied with only one thing: To pass on their fears to others, so that people will take them up, the beggars, and comfort them. They do not go to people to get honey, but that they may pour into another soul the deadly poison of their putrid selves. They love themselves and are without shame in their poverty, and resemble crippled beggars who sit on the road on the way to church and disclose their wounds and their sores and their deformities to people, that they may awaken pity and receive a copper. They wander, sowing everywhere the gloomy seeds of unrest, and groan aloud, with the desire to hear their groans reecho. But around them surges a mighty wave--the wave of humble seekers for God and human suffering surrounds them many colored. For instance, like that of the young woman, the little Russian, who had talked up to the old man. She walked silent, her lips compressed, her face sunburnt and angry, and her eyes burning with a keen fire.. If spoken to she answered sharply, as if she wanted to stick you with a knife. "Rather than getting angry," I said to her, "you had better tell me your trouble. You might feel better afterward." "What do you want of me?" "I don't want anything; don't be afraid." "I am not afraid; but you are disgusting to me." "Why am I disgusting?" "Stop insisting or I will call the people." And so she struck out at every one--old and young, and women, too. "I do not need you," I answered. "I need your pain, for I want to know why people suffer." She looked at me sideways and answered, "Go to others. They are all in need, the devil take them." "Why curse them?" "Because I want to." She seemed to me like one possessed. "For whom are you making this pilgrimage?" I asked. A smile spread over her face. She slackened her pace and she talked, though not to me: "Last spring my husband went down the Dneiper to float lumber, and he never came back. Perhaps he was drowned, or perhaps he found another wife--who knows? My father-in-law and mother-in-law are very poor and very bad. I have two children-a boy and a girl--and how was I to feed them? I was ready to work--to break myself in two working--? but there was no work. And what can a woman earn? My father-in-law scolded. 'You and your children are a millstone around our necks, with your eating and drinking.' My mother-in-law nagged, 'You are young yet; go to the monastery; the monks desire women, and you can earn much money.' I could not stand the hunger of the children, and so I went. Should I have drowned them? I went." She talked as in her sleep, through her teeth and indistinctly, and her eyes cried out with the pain of motherhood. "My son is already in his fourth year; his name is Ossip and my daughter's name is Ganka. I beat them when they asked for bread; I beat them. I have wandered a whole month and I have earned four rubles. The monks are miserly. I would have earned more at honest labor. Oh, those devils! What waters can wash me now?" I felt I ought to say something to her, so I said: "On account of your children, God will forgive you." Here she cried out at me. "What is that to me? I'm not guilty before God! If He doesn't forgive me, He doesn't have to, and if He forgives me, I myself cannot forget it. It cannot be worse in hell. There the children will not be with me." I excited her in vain, I said to myself. But already she could not restrain herself. "There is no God for the poor. When we were in Zeleniklin on the banks of the Amur, how we celebrated mass and prayed and wept for aid! But did He aid us? We suffered there for three years, and those who did not die from fever returned paupers. My father died there, my mother had her leg broken by a wheel and both my brothers were lost in Siberia." Her face became like stone. Although her features were heavy, she had a serious beauty about her and her eyes were dark and her hair thick. All night up to early morning I spoke with her sitting on the edge of the wood behind the box of the railroad watchman. I saw that her heart was all burned out, that she was no longer capable of weeping, and only when she spoke of her childhood did she smile twice, involuntarily, and her eyes became softer. I thought to myself as she spoke, "She's ready to kill. She will murder some one yet or she will become the loosest of the loose. There is no outlet for her." "I do not see God, and I do not love people," she said. "What kind of people are they if they cannot aid one another. Such people! Before the strong they are lambs and before the weak--wolves, but even the wolves live in packs but people live each one for himself and an enemy to his neighbor. I have seen and see much, and may they all go to ruin! To bear children and not to be able to bring them up! Is that right? I beat mine when they asked for bread; I beat them!" In the morning she arose to sell her body to the monks, and going away she said to me spitefully, "What is the matter with you? We slept near each other and you are stronger than I am, and yet you did not take advantage of the bargain." I felt as if she had slapped my face. "You do wrong in insulting me," I answered. She lowered her eyes and then said, "I feel like insulting every one, even those who are not guilty. You are young and you are worn out and your temples are gray. I know that you, too, suffer, but as for me, it is all the same, I pity no one. Good-by." And she went away. CHAPTER XVI In the six years of my wandering I have seen many people made bad by sorrow. An unquenchable hatred for every one burned within them, and they were blind to everything but evil. They saw evil and bathed in it as in a hot bath, and they drank gall like a drunkard wine, and laughed and triumphed. "Ours is the right," they cried. "Evil and unhappiness are everywhere; there is no place to escape." They fell into mad despair and, inflamed by it, led depraved lives and soiled the earth in every way, as if to revenge themselves on her that she gave them birth. They crawled without strength on the paths of the earth, and remained slaves of their own weakness to the very day of their death. They elevated sorrow to godhood and bowed before it, and desired to see nothing but their own sores and hear nothing but the outcries of their own despair. They were to be pitied, for they were as though mad; but how repulsive to the soul they were, with their readiness to spit their gall into every face and pollute the sun itself with their spittle if they could. There were others, who were crushed by sorrow and frightened by it, who remained silent and tried to hide their small and slave-like lives, but who did not succeed and only served as clay in the hands of the strong, to plaster up the chinks in the walls of their own fortress. Many faces and expressions have become engraved on my mind. Bitter tears were shed before me, and more than once I was deafened by the terrible laughter of despair. I have tasted of all the poisons and drunk of a hundred rivers, and many times I myself wept the bitter tears of impotence. Life seemed to me a terrible delirium. It was a whirlwind of frightened words and warm rain of tears; it was a ceaseless cry of despair, an agonized convulsion of the whole earth suffering with an upward struggle, unattainable to my mind and to my heart. My soul groaned, "No; that is not the right." The streams of sorrow flowed turbidly over the whole earth, and with unspeakable horror I saw that there was no room for God in this chaos which separated man from man. There was no room to manifest His strength, no spot to place His foot. Eaten up by the vipers of sorrow and fear, by malice and despair, by greed and shamelessness, all life was falling into ruin and man was being destroyed by discord and weakening isolation. I questioned: "Art Thou not truly, O Lord, but a dream of the soul of man, a hope created by despair in an hour of dark impotence?" I saw that each one had his own God, and that his God was neither more noble nor more beautiful than His worshipers. This revelation crushed me. It was not God that man sought, but the forgetfulness of sorrow. Misfortune torments man and drives him in all directions. He escapes from himself; he wishes to avoid action; he is afraid to work in harmony with life, and he seeks a quiet corner where he can hide I did not find in man the holy feeling of seeking God nor a striving to rejoice in the Lord. I saw nothing but fear of life, a desire to overcome sorrow. My conscience cried out: "No; that is not the right!" It happened more than once that I met a man who seemed deep in serious thought and had a good, clean light in his eyes. If I met him once or twice, he was the same; but at the third or fourth meeting I would see that he was bad or drunk, and that he was no longer modest, but shameless, vulgar and blasphemed God, and I could not understand why the man was spoiled or what had broken him. All seemed blind to me, and to fall easily by the way-side. I seldom heard an exalted word. Too frequently men spoke strange words out of habit, not understanding the benefit nor the harm which was locked up in their thoughts. They gathered together the speeches of the pious monks or the prophecies of the hermits and the anchorites, and divided them among each other, like children playing with broken pieces of china. In fact, I did not see the man, but fragments of broken lives, dirty human dust, which swept over the earth and was blown by various winds onto the steps of churches. The people circled in vast numbers around the relics of the saints or the miracle-making ikons, or bathed in the holy streams, and sought only self-forgetfulness. The church processions were painful to me. Even as a child the miraculous ikons had lost their significance for me, and my life in the monastery had destroyed any vestige of respect that was left. At times I felt that man was a gigantic worm, crawling in the dust of the roads, and that men urged each other on by a force which I could not see, calling to each other, "Forward! Hurry!" And above them, forcing their heads to the ground, floated the ikon like a yellow bird, and it seemed to me that its weight was far too heavy for them. Those possessed fell in heaps in the dust and mud under the feet of the crowd, and they struggled like fish in the water, and their wild cries were heard. But the crowds passed over these palpitating bodies, stamped them and kicked them under foot, and cried out to the image of the Virgin, "Rejoice, Thou queen of heaven!" Their faces were distorted and wild with straining, damp with sweat and black with dirt; and this whole procession of man, singing a joyless song with weary voices and marching with hollow steps, insulted the earth and darkened the heavens. The beggars sat or reclined on the sides of the road, under the trees and stretched themselves out like two gay ribbons--the sick, the crippled, the wounded, the armless, the legless and the blind. Their worn bodies crept over the earth, their mutilated arms and legs trembled in the air and pushed themselves before people to excite their pity. The beggars moaned and wailed, their wounds burned in the sun, while they asked and begged a kopeck for themselves, in the name of God. Many of them were eyeless, while in others the eyes burned like coals and pain gnawed the flesh without respite, and they resembled some horrible growth. I saw man persecuted. The force which drove him into the dust and the dirt seemed hostile to me. Whither did it drive them? No; that is not the right! Once I was in the exquisite city of Kiev, and I was struck by the beauty and the grandeur of this ancient nest of the Russians. There I had an interview with a monk who was supposed to be very wise. I said to him: "I cannot understand the laws upon which the life of a man is based." "Who are you?" he asked me. "A peasant." "Can you read and write?" "A little." "Reading and writing is not for such as you," he said sternly. I saw in truth that he was a seer. "Are you a Stundist?" he asked me. "No. "A-ha! Then you are a Dukhobor?" "I gather it from your words." His face was pink like flesh and his eyes were small. "If you seek God," he said to me, "then it is for but one reason--to abase Him." He threatened me with his finger. "I know your kind. You will not read the Credo a hundred times. Well, read it, and all your foolishness will vanish like smoke. I would send all you heretics to Abyssinia, to the Ethiopians in Africa. There you would perish alive from the heat." "Were you ever in Abyssinia?" I asked him. "Yes," he answered. "And you didn't perish?" The monk became enraged. Another time, near the Dneiper, I met a man. He sat on the banks opposite Lafra and he threw stones into the water. He was about fifty, bald, bearded, his face covered with wrinkles, and his head large. At that time I could tell by the eyes if a man was in earnest or not, and I walked up to him and sat down at his side. It was toward evening. The turbid Dneiper rolled its waters hurriedly. Behind it rose the mountains, gray with temples, where the proud golden heads of the churches shimmered in the sun, the crosses glistened and the windows sparkled like precious gems. It appeared that the earth opened its lap and showed her treasure to the sun in proud bounty. The man next to me said in a low voice, and sorrowfully: "They should cover Lafra with glass and drive all the monks away from it and permit no one to enter, for there is no man worthy to walk amid such beauty." It was like a fairy tale told by some wise, great man, which came true there upon the banks of the river, where the waves of the Dneiper, rushing down from afar, splashed up against the Lafra with joy at the sight of it. But its surprised surging could not drown the quiet voice of man. With what force it commenced, with what strength it was built up! Like a faint dream, I remembered Prince Vladimir, and the Church fathers, Anthony and Theodosia, and all the Russian heroes; and I was filled with regret. The innumerable chimes on the other side of the bank rang out loudly and joyfully, but the sad thoughts about life fell more distinctly on my ears. We do not remember our birth. I came to seek the true faith, and now I found myself wondering, "Where is man?" I could not see man. I saw only Cossacks, peasants, officials, priests, merchants. I could find no one who was not tied up with some daily and ordinary affair. Each one served some one, each one was under some one's orders. Above the official was another official, and so they rose, till they vanished from the eyes in an unattainable height. And there God was hidden! Night came on. The water in the river became bluer and the crosses on the churches lost their rays. The man still threw stones in the water, but I could no longer see the ripples which they made. "Three years ago," he said, "we had a riot in Maikop on account of a pestilence among the cattle. The dragoons were called out to fight us, and peasants killed peasants. And all because of cattle. Many were killed. I thought to myself then: 'What is this faith of the Russians, if we are ready to kill each other on account of a few oxen, when God said to us, "Thou shalt not kill."'" The Lafra disappeared in the darkness, and like a vision reentered the mountain. The Cossack searched for stones in the sand around him, found them and threw them into the river, and the water splashed loudly. "Such is man," the Cossack said, lowering his head. "The laws of God are like spiritual milk, but they come down to us skimmed. It is written, 'With a pure heart you will see God.' But how can your heart be pure if you do not live according to your own will? Without one's freedom there is no true faith, but only a fictitious one." He arose, shook himself and looked about him. He was a square-built fellow. "We are not free enough before God; that is what I think." He took his cap and went away, and I remained alone, as if glued to the earth. I wished to grasp the meaning of the Cossack's words, but I could not. Still, I felt that they were right. The warm southern night caressed me, and I thought to myself: "Is it possible that only in suffering is the human soul beautiful? Where is the pivot around which this human whirlwind moves? What is the meaning of this vanity?" In winter I always went south, where it was warmer; but if the snow and the cold caught me in the north, then I always entered a monastery. At first the monks did not receive me in a friendly way, but when I showed them how I worked they accepted me readily. They liked to see a man work well and not take any money. My feet rested, while my arms and my head worked. I remembered all that I saw during the summer, and I desired to draw out of it some clean food for my soul. I weighed, I extracted, I wanted to understand the reasons for things, and at times I became so confused that I could have wept. I felt overfed with the groans and the sorrows of the earth, and the boldness of my soul vanished and I became morose, silent, and an anger arose in me against everything. From time to time dark despair took hold of me, and for weeks I lived as if in a dream or blind. I desired nothing and saw nothing. I began to wonder if I should not stop this wandering and live as every one else, and stop puzzling over my riddles, and subject myself humbly to conditions of things which were not of my making. My days were as dark as the night, and I stood alone on the earth, like the moon in heaven, except that I gave no light. I could stand apart from myself and watch myself. I saw myself on the cross-ways, a healthy young fellow, who was a stranger to every one, and whom nothing pleased, and who believed in no one. Why did he live? Why was he apart from the world? My soul became chilled. CHAPTER XVII I also went to nunneries for a week or two, and in one of them, on the Volga, I hurt my foot with an ax one day while chopping wood. Mother Theoktista, a good little old woman, nursed me. The monastery was not large, but rich, and the sisters all had a prosperous and dignified appearance. They irritated me, with their sweetness and their honied smiles and their fat crops. Once, as I stood at vespers, I heard one of the women in the choir sing divinely. She was a tall young girl, with a flushed face, black eyes, stern looking, her lips red, and her voice was sure and full. She sang as if she were questioning something, and angry tears mingled with her voice. My foot became better and, as I was already able to work, I was preparing to leave the place. While I was shoveling the snow from the road one day I saw the girl coming. She walked quietly, but stiffly. In her right hand, which was pressed against her breast, she carried a rosary; her left hung by her side like a whip. Her lips were compressed, she frowned and her face was pale. I bowed to her, but she threw her head backward and looked at me as if I had done her harm at some time. Her manner enraged me. Moreover, I could not bear the sight of this young nun. "Well, my girl," I said, "it is not easy to live." She started and "What did you say?" she asked. "It is hard to master one's self," I said. "Oh, the devil!" she said suddenly in a low voice, but with great anger. And with that her black figure disappeared quickly, like a cloud on a windy day. I cannot explain why I said that to her. At that time many such thoughts jumped into my head and flew out like sparks into any one's eyes. It seemed to me that all people were liars and hypocrites. Three days later I saw her again on another road. She angered me still more. Why did she cover herself all in black? From what was she hiding? When she passed me I said to her: "Do you wish to escape from here?" The girl trembled, threw back her head and remained standing, straight as an arrow. I thought she would cry out, but she passed me, and then I heard her answer distinctly: "I will tell you to-night." I was terrified, but I thought perhaps I had not heard correctly. Still, though she had spoken low, her words came as clearly to me as from a bell. At first they amused me; then I became confused, and later I calmed myself, thinking that perhaps the bold hussy was joking with When I had hurt my foot, they had brought me into the infirmary and I occupied a little room under the staircase, and that room I occupied all the time I stayed at the monastery. That night as I lay in my cot I thought it was time I stopped my wandering life, and that I ought to go to some city and there work in a bakery. I did not wish to think about the girl. Suddenly some one knocked very low. I jumped up, opened the door, and an old woman bowed and said: "Follow me, if you please." I understood where, but I asked nothing and went, threatening her inwardly. "Is that the way it is, my dear? You will see how I will surprise your soul." We crossed corridors and came to the place. The old woman opened a door and pushed me forward, whispering, "I will come to take you back." A match flared up for a moment and in the darkness a familiar face lit up, and I heard her voice say: "Lock the door." I locked it. I felt along the wall till I reached the stove, leaned up against it and asked: "Will there be no light?" The girl gave a little laugh. "What kind of a light?" she asked. "Oh, you wanton!" I thought to myself, but remained silent. I could hardly make out the girl. She was in the dark, like a black cloud in a stormy sky. "Why don't you speak?" she asked. Her voice was masterful. She must be rich, I thought, and I collected myself and said: "It is for you to speak." "Were you serious when you asked me about my running away from here?" I stopped to think how I could best insult her, but then, like a coward, I answered quietly: "No. It was only to test your piety." Again she lit a match. Her face stood out clearly and her black eyes gazed boldly. It was unpleasant for me. I got used to the darkness and saw that she stood, tall and black, in the middle of the room, and her bearing was strangely straight. "You need not test my piety," she whispered hotly. "I did not call you here for that, and if you do not understand, go away from here." Her breast heaved and there was something serious in her voice--nothing loose. In the wall opposite me was a window, and it looked like a path which had been cut out of the darkness into the night. The sight of it was disagreeable to me. I felt uncomfortable, for I understood that I had made a mistake, and it became more and more painful to me, so that my limbs trembled. She continued talking. "I have nowhere to run away to. My uncle drove me here by force, but I can live here no longer. I shall hang myself." Then she became silent, as if lost in an abyss. I lost myself entirely, but she moved nearer to me and her breath came with difficulty. "What do you wish?" I asked her. She came up to me and put her hand on my shoulder. It trembled, and I, too, shook all over. My knees became weak and the darkness entered my throat and stifled me. "Perhaps she is possessed," I thought to myself. But she began to sob as she spoke, and her breath came hot on my face. "I gave birth to a son, and they took him away from me and drove me here, where I cannot live. They tell me that my child is dead. My uncle and aunt say it, my guardians. Perhaps they have killed him. Perhaps they abandoned him. What can one know, my dear friend? I have still two years to be in their power before I reach my majority, but I cannot remain here." The words came from her inmost heart, and I felt guilty before her. I was sorry for her, and also a little afraid. She seemed half insane. I did not know whether to believe her or not. But she continued her whispering, which was broken by sobs: "I want a child. As soon as I am with child, they will drive me away from here. I need a child, since the first one died. I want to give birth to another, and this time I will not let them take it away from me, nor let them rob my soul. I beg pity and help from you. You, who are good, aid me with your strength, help me get back that which was taken from me. Believe me, in Christ's name, I am a mother, not a loose woman. I do not want to sin, but I want a child. It is not pleasure I seek, but motherhood." I was in a dream. I believed her. It was impossible not to believe when a woman stood on her rights and called a stranger to her, and said openly to him: "They have forbidden me to create man. Help me." I thought of my mother, whom I had never known. Perhaps it was in this same way that she threw her strength into the power of my father. I embraced her and said: "Pardon me. I have judged you wrongly. Forgive me in the name of the Mother of God." While lost in self-forgetfulness in accomplishing the holy sacrament of marriage, an impious doubt arose in my mind. "Perhaps she is deceiving me, and I am not the first man with whom she is playing this game." Then she told me her life story. Her father was a locksmith and her uncle was a machinist's apprentice. Her uncle drank and was cruel. In summer he worked on steamboats, in 'winter on docks. She had nowhere to live, for her father and mother were drowned while there was a fire on a boat, and she became an orphan at thirteen. At seventeen she became the mother of a child by a young nobleman. Her low voice flowed through my soul, her warm arms were around my neck, and her head rested on my shoulder. I listened to her, but the serpent of doubt gnawed at my heart. We have forgotten that it was a woman who gave birth to Christ and followed him humbly to Golgotha. We have forgotten that it was woman who was mother of all the saints and of all the heroes of the past. We have forgotten the value of woman in our vile lust and have degraded her for our pleasure and turned her into a household drudge. And that is why she no longer gives birth to saviors of life, but only bare, mutilated children, the fruit of our own weakness. She told me about the monastery. She was not the only one who was sent in there by force. Suddenly she said to me, caressingly: "I have a good friend here, a pure girl, from a rich family. And, oh, if you would only know how difficult it is for her to live here. Perhaps you could make her with child also. Then they would drive her forth from here and she would go to her godmother." "Good God!" I thought, "another one in misery!" And again my faith in the omniscience of God and the righteousness of his laws was broken into. How could one place man in misery that laws might triumph? Christa whispered low in my ear: "If only you could help her also!" Her words killed my doubts and I was ready to kiss her feet, for I understood that only a pure woman, who appreciated the value of motherhood, could speak like that. I confessed my doubts to her. She pushed me from her and wept low in the darkness, and I dared not comfort her. "Do you think I had no qualms or shame in calling you?" she said to me reproachfully. "You, who are so strong and handsome? Was it easy for me to beg a caress from a man as if it were alms? Why did I go to you? I saw a man who was stern, whose eyes were serious, who spoke little and had little to do with young nuns. Your temples are gray. Moreover, I do not know why, I believed you to be true and good. But when you spoke to me that first time so unkindly, I wept. 'I was mistaken,' I thought to myself. But later, thank God, I decided to call you." "Forgive me," I said to her. She kissed me. "God will forgive you." Here the old woman knocked on the door and whispered: "It is time to part. They will ring matins soon." When she led me along the corridors she said: "Will you give me a ruble?" I could have struck her. I lived about five days with Christa. It was impossible to stay longer, for the choir singer and the neophyte began to bother me too much. Besides, I felt the need of being alone to reflect on this incident. How could they forbid women to bear children if such was their wish, and if children have been and always will be the harbingers of a new life, the bearers of new strength? There was another reason for my having to fly. Christa showed me her friend. She was a slim young girl, with blonde curly hair and blue eyes and resembled my Olga. Her little face was pure, and she looked out upon the world with profound sadness. I was drawn toward her, and Christa urged me on. But this was a different matter. Christa was no longer a girl; but Julia was innocent, and her husband should also be innocent. I had no longer faith in my purity nor did I know what I really was. It did not matter with Christa, but with the other my self-doubt had the power to interfere. Why, I do not know, but it had that power. I said good-by to Christa. She wept a little and asked me to write to her; said she would want to let me know when she was with child, and I gave her an address. Soon after I wrote her. She answered with a letter of good news, and I wrote her again. She was silent. About a year and a half later, in Zadona, I received a letter. It had lain a long time in the post-office. She told me that she gave birth to a child, a son; that she called him Matvei; that he was happy and healthy; that she lived with her aunt, and that her uncle was dead. He had drunk himself to death. "Now," she wrote, "I am my own mistress, and if you will come you will be received with joy." I had a desire to see my son and my accidental wife, but by this time I had found a true road for myself and I did not go to her. "I cannot now," I wrote. "I will come later." Afterward she married a merchant who sold books and engravings, and went to live in Ribinsk. In Christa I saw for the first time a person who had no fear in her soul and who was ready to fight for herself with all her strength. But at that time I did not appreciate the great value of this trait. After the incident with Christa I went to work in the city; but life there was distasteful to me. It was narrow and oppressive. I did not like the artisans. They gave their souls nakedly and openly into the power of the masters. Each one seemed to cry out by his action: "Here, devour my body! Drink my blood! I have no room on this earth for myself!" It was unpleasant for me to be with them. They drank, they swore at each other over a bagatelle, they sang their sad songs and burned at their labor night and day, and their masters warmed their fat marrows by them. The bakery was close and dirty; the men slept there like dogs, and vodka and passion were their only pleasures. When I spoke to them about the false arrangement of our life they listened, grew sorrowful and agreed with me. But when I said that we had to seek God, they sighed and my words flowed past them. At times, for some unknown reason, they made fun of me, and did it with malice. I do not like cities. The incessant noise and traffic are unbearable to me, and the city people, with their insane business, remained strangers. There were drinking places enough, and a superabundance of churches. The houses rose like mountains, but to live in them was difficult. The people were many, but each one lived for himself; each one was tied to his work, and his life ran along on one thread, like a dog on a string. I heard weariness in every sound. Even the chimes rang out without hope, and I felt in my whole soul that things were not created for this. It was not right. At times I laughed at myself. What kind of a leader is this that has arisen among you? But though I laughed, it was not with joy, for I saw only error in everything, and since I could not understand, it was all the more oppressive to me. I sank into the depths. At night I remembered my wandering and freer life, especially my nights in the open fields. In the fields the earth is round and clear and dear to your heart. You lie on her as in the palm of a hand, small and simple like a child, clothed in a warm shadow and covered by the starry sky, floating with it past the stars. You feel your tired body filled with a strong perfume of plants and flowers, and it seems to you that you lie in a cradle, and that an unseen hand rocks it and puts you to sleep. The shadows float past and brush the tops of the plants, there is a murmuring and whispering around you, and somewhere a marmot comes out from its hole and whispers low. Far off on the horizon a dark form arises. Perhaps it is a horse in the night. He stands for a second, then vanishes into the sea of warm darkness. Then something else arises, now in another place, another form. And so the whole night long, the guardians of earthly sleep, the loving shadows of the summer nights, silently come and go in the fields. You feel that near you, in the whole sphere, all life has drawn back, resting in a light slumber. And your conscience hurts. Yet you continue to crush the plants with the weight of your body. A night-bird flies noiselessly, a piece of earth is broken off and becomes alive, and winged with its desires, seeks to fulfil them. Mice rustle through the grass; sometimes a small, soft thing runs quickly across your hand. You start, and you feel still deeper the abundance of life; that the earth itself is alive underneath you, is near to you and closely related to you. You hear her breathe, and you wonder what is the dream she is having, and what strength is quietly being born in her breast. How will she look upon the sun to-morrow? In what way will she rejoice him, his beautiful and beloved one? You lie on her breast and your body grows and you drink the warm, perfumed milk of your dear mother, and you see yourself completely and forever the child of the earth. With gratitude you think of her, "Oh, my beloved earth!" Unseen torrents of wholesome strength pour from the earth and streams of spicy perfumes float in the air. The earth is like a censer to the heavens, and you both the fire and the incense. The stars burn ardently that they may show all their beauty before the rising of the sun, and love and sleep fill and caress you. The bright light of hope passes warmly through your soul. "Somewhere there exists a sublime God." "Seek and thou shalt find." That is well said, and we should not forget these words, for in truth they are worthy of the human mind. As soon as spring came to the city I started out to tramp to Siberia, for I had heard that country highly praised, but on my way I was stopped by a man who strengthened my soul for the rest of my life and showed me the true path to God. I met him on the road between Perm and Verk-hotur. I was lying on the edge of a wood and had built a fire to boil water. It was noon, very hot, and the air was filled with a rosinlike woody smell, oily and sappy. It was difficult to breathe. Even the birds felt hot, and they hid themselves in the depth of the wood and sang there happily while they arranged their lives. It was quiet on the edge of the wood. It seemed to me that everything would soon melt underneath the sun and that the trees and the rocks and my own stultified body would flow in a many-colored, thick stream upon the earth. A man was approaching, coming from the Perm side, singing in a loud, trembling voice. I raised my head and listened. I saw a little pilgrim, in a white cassock, with a tea-kettle at his belt and a calf-skin knapsack and a sauce-pan on his back. He walked briskly and nodded and smiled to me from afar. He was the usual pilgrim. There are many such, and all of them are harmful. Making pilgrimages is a paying business for them. They are boorish and ignorant and are inveterate liars and drunkards, and are not beyond stealing. I disliked them from the bottom of my heart. He came up to me, took off his cap, shook his head, and his hair danced drolly, while he chattered like a magpie. "Peace to you, young man. What heat! It is twenty-two degrees hotter than hell." "Are you long from there?" I asked. "About six hundred years." His voice was vibrant and gay, his head small, his forehead high, and his face was covered with fine wrinkles, like a spider-web. His gray beard looked clean and his brown eyes shone with gold, like a young man's. "He is a merry dog," I thought to myself. But he continued chattering. "The Urals; there is where you find beauty! The Lord is a great master in decorating the earth. He knows how to arrange the woods and the trees and the mountains well." He took his tramping gear off, moving quickly and briskly. He saw that my kettle was boiling over and he lifted it off the fire, and asked like an old comrade: "Shall I pour out my tea, or will we drink yours?" Before I had time to answer, he added: "Well, let's drink mine. I've got good tea. A merchant gave it to me. It's expensive." I smiled. "You're spry," I said to him. "That's nothing," he answered. "I am nearly dead from the heat. But wait till I'm rested. Then I will crease out your wrinkles for you." There was something about him which reminded me of Savelko, and I wanted to joke with him. But in about five minutes I listened to his words open-mouthed. They were strangely familiar; yet unheard-of, and it seemed to me that my own heart, not he, was singing the joy of the sunny days: "Look! Is this not a holiday? Is it not paradise? The mountains rise toward the sun, rejoicing, and the woods climb to the summits of the hills, and the little blades of grass under your feet strive winged up toward the light of life. All sing psalms of joy, but you, man, you, master of the earth, why do you sit here, morose?" "What strange bird is that?" I asked myself. But I said to him, trying to draw him out: "But what if I am filled with unhappy thoughts?" He pointed to the earth. "What is that?" "The earth." "No. Look higher." "You mean the grass?" "Higher still." "The shadow?" "It is the shadow of your body," he said, "and your thoughts are the shadow of our soul. What are you afraid of?" "I am afraid of nothing." "You are lying. If you are not afraid, your thoughts would be bold. Unhappiness gives birth to fear, and fear comes from lack of faith. That is the way it is. Drink some tea." He poured tea into the cups and spoke without interruption: "It seems to me that I have seen you before. Were you ever in Valaan?" "I was." "When? No, it was not there. It seems to me that you were red-headed when I saw you there. You have a striking face. It must have been in Solofki that I saw you." "I was never in Solofki." "You were never there? That is too bad. It is an ancient monastery and very beautiful. You ought to go there." "Then you never saw me before?" I said, and it hurt me to find it so. "What is the difference?" he cried out. "If I didn't see you before, I see you now; and at that time the other one must have resembled you. Isn't that just the same?" I laughed. "What do you mean, 'just the same'?" "Because I am I, and the other one is the other one." "Are you better than he?" "I don't know either." I looked at him and was overcome with impatience. I wanted him to speak and speak without end. He poured out his tea and continued talking hastily: "Yes, the other one was a one-eyed fellow, and it made him wretched. All the lame and the crippled, whether in body or in mind, are the essence of egoism. 'I am crippled,' they say, or 'I am lame; but you people, don't you dare notice it.' He was that kind of a fellow. He said to me,' All people are rascals. When they see that I have one eye they say to me, "you are one-eyed." That is why they are scoundrels.' 'My dear boy,' I said to him, 'you are a scoundrel and a rascal yourself, and perhaps a fool also. You can take your choice. Understand this: The important thing is not how people look at you but how you look at people. That is why, my friend, we become one-eyed or blind--because we look at other people, hunting for their dark spots and put out our own light in their darkness. If you would light up the other's darkness with your light, the world would be pleasant for you. Man sees no good in any one else but himself, that is why the whole world is a wretched wilderness for him.'" He laughed and looked at me, and I listened to him as one who is lost in the wood at night and hears a far-off bell and is afraid that he made a mistake; that perhaps it is only the cry of an owl. I understood that he had seen much; that he had overcome much in himself. But it seemed to me that he did not think much of me, that he was joking with me, and that his young eyes made fun of me. Since my experience with Anthony I seldom trust a man's smile any longer. I asked him who he was. "I am called Jehudiel. I am a cheerful idiot for others and a good friend to myself." "Are you from the clergy?" "I was a priest for some time, but was unfro'cked and was put in a monastery at Suzdal for six years. You want to know why? Because I preached sermons in church which the people, in the simplicity of their souls, interpreted too literally. They were whipped for it and I was convicted. And thus the affair ended. What did I preach? I don't remember now. It was a long time ago, eighteen years, and one can forget in that time. I have had various thoughts but none of them ever came to anything." He laughed and in each wrinkle of his face the laughter played. He looked about him as if the mountains and the woods were created for him. When it became cooler we went on farther together, and on the way he asked me about myself. "Who are you?" Again, like that time before Anthony, I wished to place my former days before my eyes and to look upon their checkered face. I spoke about my childhood, about Larion and Savelko, and the old man laughed and shouted. "Eh, what good people! The Lord's fools, what! Those were dear, true flowers of the Russian soil, real God-loving ones." I did not understand this praise and his joy looked strange to me, but he could hardly walk from laughter. He stopped, threw his head back and shouted and called straight up to heaven, as if he had a friend there with whom he wished to share his joy. I said to him kindly: "You resemble Savelko somewhat." "Resemble!" he cried. "It is always good," he said, "to resemble some one. Eh, dear boy, if only the orthodox church had not ruined us ages ago, how different it would be for the living ones on the Russian soil His speech was dark to me. I told him about Titoff. He seemed to see my father-in-law before his eyes and he expressed himself freely about him. "Such a rascal! I have seen many such. They are rapacious bugs, but foolish and cowardly." When he heard my story about Anthony, he became thoughtful and then "So, that was a doubting Thomas. Well, not every Thomas is a genius. Some of them are stupidity itself." He drove a bumble-bee from him and lectured it. "Go away, go away from here. Such impoliteness, to fly straight into the eyes. The devil take you!" I listened to his words attentively, missing nothing. It seemed to me that they were children of deep thought. I spoke to him as before a confessor, except that I hesitated in mentioning God. I was afraid, and I regretted something. God's image had become tarnished in my soul at this time, and I wanted to polish it from the dust of the days, and I saw that I cleaned up to the hollow places and my heart shuddered with The old man nodded his head and encouraged me. "Never mind; don't be afraid. If you keep silent you only lie to yourself, not to me. Speak. Regret nothing. For if you destroy, you will create something new." He responded to my words like an echo and I became more and more at ease with him. CHAPTER XIX Night overtook us. "Stop," he said, "let us find a place to rest." We found a shelter underneath a large rock which had been torn away from its mother mountain, and the brush grew upon it, weaving itself into a dark carpet underneath. We lay down in its warm shadow and built a fire and boiled tea. I asked him: "Father, what were you telling me?" He smiled. "I will tell you everything I know. Only don't seek for assertions in my words. I don't want to teach, but only to relate. Only those people assert who are afraid of the paths of life, for whom the growth of truth is dangerous. They see that truth burns ever more brightly since men have lit its flames more and more in their hearts, they see it and are afraid. They quickly take a little truth, as much as is advantageous to them, and press it together into a small roll and cry to the whole world: 'Here is truth; pure spiritual food, and for all ages unchangeable,' and they sit, the cursed ones, upon the face of truth and strangle it, clutching at its throat, and hinder the growth of its strength in every possible way--they are enemies to us and to all beings. I can say one thing: that is the way it is to-day; but how it will be to-morrow I don't know. For you see, to-day there is no true, lawful master in life. He has not come yet. I do not know how he will arrange things when he comes; what plans he will establish and what suppress, and what temples he will cause to be built. The apostle Paul once said, 'All is for the best,' and many have accepted these words. But they who have confirmed them are without strength, for they have remained in one place. The stone is without strength. Why? Because of its immobility, brother. It is not right to say to man, 'stand here,' but always, 'go farther and farther.'" For the first time in my life I heard such speech and it sounded strange to me. Here was a man who negated himself while I tried to ratify myself. "Who is this master?" I asked. "The Lord?" The old man smiled. "No," he answered. "It is some one nearer us. I do not want to name him. It is better that you yourself divine it. They believe strongest in Christ who meet Him first and have Him in their hearts; and it is by the strength of their faith that they raised Him to the height of Godhood." He held me as before a closed door, and did not open it, or tell me what was hidden behind it. Impatience and pain grew in me and the words of the old man seemed dark. From time to time sparks flashed from his words, but they only blinded me and did not light the darkness in my soul. The night was moonlight, and black shadows surrounded us. The wood overhead crawled silently up to the mountains, and over the mountain tops, between the branches of the trees, the stars shone like lighted birds. A nearby stream murmured. From time to time an owl called in the wood, and over all the old man's words lived quietly in the night. A strange old man! He caught a little insect which was crawling on his cheek and he held it in the palm of his hand and asked it: "Where are you going, fool? Go, run in the grass, little creature." I liked it, for I, too, loved all insects, and I was interested in the secret life which they led among the grass and the flowers. I asked several questions of the old man, for I wanted him to speak plainly and more concisely, but I noticed that he evaded my problems. In fact, he jumped over them. I liked his lively face. The red reflection of the fire played lovingly over him, and everything vibrated with the peaceful joy which I so desired. I envied him. He had lived twice as long as I, or even more, but his soul was clear. "One man told me," I said to him, "that faith comes from imagination. What do you say?" "I say," he answered, "that that man did not know what he was talking about, for faith is a great creative feeling. It is born from the overflow of the life-forces in man. Its strength is enormous and it incites the youthful human spirit, driving it to action, for man is bound and narrowed by his activities, and the outside world hinders him in every way. Everything demands that he produce bread and iron, but not the live treasure which is in the lap of his soul. He does not yet understand how to take advantage of this treasure. He is afraid of the uproar in his soul. He creates monstrosities and he fears the reflection of his turbid spirit. He does not understand its being and he bows to the forms of faith, to his own shadows, I might say." I did not understand him that minute, but for some reason I became deeply enraged, and I thought to myself: "Now, I will not let you go away from this place before you answer the root of the question." I asked him sternly: "Why do you evade the question of God?" He looked at me, frowned and said: "But, my dear boy, I am speaking about Him all the time. Do you not feel it?" He stood on his knees and the fire played on him. He held my hand and spoke low and impressively: "Who is God, the worker of miracles? Is He our Father, or is He the child of our soul?" I remember that I started and looked about me, for I felt uncomfortable. Insanity spoke in the old man. Dark shadows lay about and I listened, while the murmur of the woods crept around us, drowning the weak crackle of the burning coal and the quiet sound of the river. I, too, wanted to kneel. Then he spoke loudly, as if in argument: "Man did not create God in weakness, no; but from an overflow of his strength. And He does not live outside of us, but within us. We have torn Him out of us in our terror at the problems of our soul, and we have placed Him above us with a desire to bind our pride, which is ever restless at this binding. I said that they have turned strength into weakness; they have hindered its growth by force. They have conceived an ideal of perfection too hurriedly, and it has resulted in harm and pain to us. Man is divided into two classes: The first are the eternal creators of God; the second are forever slaves of an overpowering desire to master the former and to reign over the whole earth. They have captured power, and it is they who maintain that God exists outside of man; that He is an enemy of the people, a judge and a master of the earth. They have disfigured the face of the soul of Christ and have falsified His commandments, for the real Christ is against them, and is against the mastering of man by his neighbor." He spoke, and I felt that a painful tooth gnawed in my soul. I wanted to tear it out, but it hurt, and I wanted to shout, "That is not the right!" There was a holy light in his face and he seemed intoxicated and transported with joy. I saw that his words were insane, but I loved the old man through the pain and the yearning in my heart, and I listened to his speech passionately. "But the creators of God are alive and immortal, and within them, secretly and earnestly, they will create God anew. And it is about Him you are dreaming; about a god of beauty and wisdom, of righteousness and love." His words agitated me and lifted me to my feet and gave me a weapon in my hands. Around me the light shadows shimmered and brushed my face with their wings. I was terrified, the earth swam about me, and I thought to myself: "Perhaps it is true that the devil tempts man with beautiful words. Perhaps this sly old man is plaiting a noose for me, to catch me in the trap of the greatest sin of all." "Listen," I said; "who are the creators of God? Who is the master? Whom do you await?" He laughed caressingly, like a woman, and answered: "The creators of God are the people. They are the great martyrs--greater than the ones the church has praised. They are God, the creators of miracles--the immortal people! I believe in their soul; I have faith in their strength. They are the one and certain basis of life; they are the father of all gods that have been and that will be." "A mad old man," I thought to myself. Up to now it seemed to me that, though slowly, still I was going toward the heights. More than once his words were like a fiery finger that pointed to my soul, and I felt that the burn and the sting were wholesome; but now my heart became suddenly heavy, and I remained standing in the middle of the road, bitterly disappointed. Many fires burned in my breast. I suffered, yet I was incomprehensibly happy. I was bewildered and afraid. "Is it possible," I asked, "that you are speaking of the peasants?" He answered loudly and emphatically: "Yes; of the whole working people of the earth, of all its strength--the one and eternal source of the creation of God. Soon the will of the people will awake, and that great force, divided, will unite. Many are already seeking the means by which all the powers of the earth shall be harmonized into one, and from which shall be created the holy and beautiful all-embracing God of the earth." He spoke loudly, as if not only I, but the mountains and the woods and all that lived, watching in the night, should hear him. He spoke and quivered, like a bird which is ready to fly, and it seemed to me that all this was a dream and that this dream lowered me. I recalled to my mind the image of my God and placed before His face the dark rows of enslaved, confused people. Did they create God? I remembered their petty meanness, their cowardly avarice, their bodies stooped with degradation and toil, their eyes which were dulled with sorrow, their spiritual stammering and their dumb thoughts, and all their superstitions, and could they, these insects, create a new God? Wrath and bitter laughter disturbed my heart. I felt that the old man had stolen something from me, and I said to him: "Ah, father, you have done mischief in my soul, like a goat in a garden, and this is all the result of your words. Do you dare to talk with every one like that? It is a great sin in my eyes. You should have pity for people. They seek comfort, and you go about sowing doubt." He smiled. "I think you are on the same road as I am." His smile was offensive to me. "It's a lie!" I answered. "I will never place man side by side with God." "You don't have to," he said. "Do not place him there, for in that way you will put a master over yourself. I am not speaking to you about a man, but of the whole strength of the spirit of the earth--about the people." I became enraged. This "God, creator," in rags, filthy, always drunk, who was beaten and flogged, became disgusting to me. "Keep still," I said. "You are a crazy old blasphemer. Who are the people? They are dirty in body and in thoughts; beggars in mind and in food, and ready to sell their souls for a kopeck." Here something strange happened. He jumped to his feet and shouted, "Shut up!" He waved his arms, stamped his feet, and he looked as though he were ready to beat me. When he had been in a prophetic mood I stood far from him, and he seemed funny, but now the human came nearer to me. "Shut up!" he cried. "You granary mouse! You have rotten noble's blood flowing through you, that is plain. You, who were abandoned to the people! Do you know about whom you are speaking? You are all alike. You proud, lazy land robbers! You don't know against whom you are barking, you scrofulous dogs! You have plundered and robbed the people; you have sat on their backs, and you swear at them that they don't run fast enough!" He jumped around me and his shadow fell on me, whipping my face coldly, and I moved away from him, surprised and fearful lest he strike me. I was twice as big as he was, and ten times as strong, but somehow I had no desire to stop the man. It was evident that he forgot that night was around us, and that we were in the wilderness, and that if I misunderstood him he would lie there alone in that place, without help. I remembered how that frightened, green Archbishop swore at me that time, and crazy Misha and other people of the old faith; but here was a man who was insulting me, and his wrath burned with a different fire. The others were stronger than I, but in their words I heard fear. This man was weak, but fearless. And he shouted at me, like a child or like a mother. His wrath was strangely loving, like the first storm in spring. I was confused and did not understand the boldness of the old man, and though his anger was amusing, still it hurt me that I so enraged him. He scolded insultingly, and I did not like to be called "abandoned," but his wrath pleased me, for I understood that here was a man angered, believing truly in his own right, and such wrath does the soul good. There is much love in it, and sweet food for the heart. I lay at his feet and he shouted at me from above. "What do you know about the people, you blind fool? Do you know their history? Read their life, and you will find them higher than all the saints, this father of ours, this greatest martyr of all--the People. Then, to your great fortune, you will understand who it is that is before you, and the strength that grows around you, you homeless vagabond, in a strange land! Do you know what Russia is? Do you know what Greece is, which is called Hellas? Do you know Rome? Do you know by whose will and by whose spirit all governments were built? Do you know on whose bones the temples were erected? Do you know with whose tongues the wise men speak? All that is on the earth and all that is in your mind was made by the People, and the nobility have only polished up that which they made." I remained silent. I liked to see a man who was not afraid to defend his right. He sat down, damp and red in the face, and breathed heavily. I saw that there were tears in his eyes, and this surprised me, for whenever my former teachers were offended with me they did not shed tears. He cried out: "Listen, and I will tell you about the Russian people." "You had better rest," I said. "Keep still," he said to me, threatening me with his hand. "Keep still, or I will kill you." I could hardly contain myself, and laughed outright. "Dear grandfather," I said, "you are an unspeakably marvelous old man. Pardon me, in Christ's name, if I have offended you." "You fool! How could you offend me? But you have spoken badly about the great people, you unhappy soul. It is advantageous for the nobles to slander the people. They have to stifle their conscience, for they are strangers on this earth. But you--who are you?" CHAPTER XX It was good to look at him when he talked thus. He became dignified and even stern. His voice grew calmer and deeper, and he spoke evenly and in cadences, as if he were reading from the Apostles. His face was turned upward, his eyes were round and big, and he was on his knees, but he seemed taller to me than when he stood. At first I listened to his words with an incredulous smile, but soon I remembered the Russian history which Anthony gave me, and it again opened before my eyes. He recited the marvelous fairy tale to me, and I compared this fairy tale with the book. The words tallied, but the sense was different. He came to the decline of the Kiev government. "Have you heard it?" "Yes, thank you." "Well, then, know that those heroes never existed; that it was the people themselves who incarnated their exploits into characters by which to remember their great labor in the building up of the Russian soil." Then he continued talking about the Sudzalsky land. I remember that somewhere behind the mountains the sun rose and the night hid itself in the woods and woke the birds. Rosy masses of clouds hung over us and we lay on the dewy grass of the rock, one resuscitating the past, the other astonished, counting up the immeasurable labors of men and hardly believing the tale about the conquest of the hostile woody soil. The old man seemed to see everything. He heard the hammering of heavy axes in strong hands; he saw the people drain the swamps and build up cities and monasteries; he saw them go ever farther along the cold rivers, into the depths of the thick forests; he saw them conquer the savage earth; he saw them render it beautiful. The princes, the lords of the people, cut and minced this earth into little pieces and fought against each other with the fists of the people whom they afterward robbed. Then from the steppes came the Tartars, but there was no defender of the people's liberty to arise from among the princes. There was no honor, no strength, no mind. They sold the people and made merchandise of them with the Khans as if they were cattle, and they bought princely power with the blood of the peasants, to have power over these same peasants. Later, when they had taught the Tartars how to govern, they sent each other to the Khans for slaughter. The night around us was friendly and wise like an elder sister. The voice of the old man gave out from weariness. The sun saw him, but he went still farther into the past, and showed me the truth with flaming "Do you see," he asked me, "what the people have done and what they have suffered up to the very day, when you abused them with your stupid words? I have told you mostly of that which they did through another's will, but after I am rested I will tell you on what their souls have lived and how they have sought God." He coiled up on the rock and fell asleep like a little child. I could not sleep, but sat there as if surrounded by burning coals. It was already morning. The sun was high and the birds were singing, full-throated. The wood bathed in the dew and rustled, meeting the day friendly and green. People walked along the road; ordinary, every-day people. They walked with bowed heads and I could not see anything new in them. They had not grown in any way in my eyes. My instructor slept and snored and I sat next to him lost in thought. Men passed by one after the other, looked askance at us and did not even bow their heads to my salute. "Is it possible," I asked myself, "that these are the offspring of those righteous ones, those builders of the earth about whom I have just heard?" The dream and the reality became confused in my head, yet I understood that this meeting meant very much for me. The old man's words about God, the Son of the spirit of the people, disturbed me, and I could not reconcile myself to them, not knowing any other spirit except that one which was living in me. I racked my mind for all the peasants and the people I had known and tried to remember their words. They had many sayings, but their thoughts were poor. On the other hand I saw the dark exile of life, the bitter toil for bread, the winters of famine, the everlasting sadness of empty days, all the degradation which man has suffered and every outrage against his soul. Where could God be in this life? Where was there room for Him? The old man slept. I wanted to wake him and shout "Speak!" Soon he awoke, blinked his eyes and smiled. "Ah," he said, "the sun is already near noon. It is time for me to go." "Where will you go in such heat?" I asked. "We have bread, tea and sugar. Besides, I can't let you go. You must give me what you have promised." Then he became thoughtful and said: "Matvei, you should drop your wandering. It is too late, or perhaps too early for you. You have to learn. It is time for you to learn." "Is it not too late?" "Look at me," he answered. "I am fifty-three years old, and up to this day I learn from some little children." "Whose children?" I asked. "They are some children I know. You should live with them a year or two. You ought to go to the factory. It is not very far from here, about a hundred versts, where I have good friends." "First tell me what you wanted to say, and then I shall think where I am to go." We walked together on the path alongside the road and again I heard his clear voice and his strange words. "Christ was the first true people's God, born from the soul of the people like the phoenix from the flames." He trembled all over and waved his hands before his face as if he wanted to catch new words from the air, and continued shouting: "For a long time the people carried various men on their shoulders. Without question they gave them of their labor and their freedom, placed them above themselves and waited humbly for them to see from their height the paths of righteousness on earth. But these chosen ones of the people, when they reached the height, became drunk and degraded by their power and remained above, forgetting who placed them there, and became a heavy burden on the earth instead of a joy. When the people saw that the children who were fed by their blood were their enemies, they lost their faith in them and abandoned these powerful ones, who had to fall and the power and the strength of their government decayed. The people understood that the law was not that one from a family should be raised and after having fed him on their liberty that they should live by his mind, but that the true law was that all should be raised to one height and that each one should look upon the paths of life with his own eyes; and the day when the consciousness of the inevitable equality of man arose in the people, that day was the birth of Christ. "Many people have tried to realize their dreams of justice by creating one live being, a common lord over all, and more than once various people, urged on by this common thought, have tried to bind it with strong words that it might live forever. And when all these thoughts were mustered in one, a living God arose for them, the beloved child of the people, Jesus Christ." That which he said about Christ, the Son of God, was near to me; but about the people giving birth to Christ I could not understand. I told him that, and he answered: "If you wish to know, you will understand. If you wish to believe, you will know." We tramped together for three days, going slowly; he, teaching me all the time and explaining the past to me. He recited the whole history of the people from the beginning up to the present day; he told me of the troubled times when the churches persecuted the jesters and of the merry men who awakened the people's memory with their jokes and sowed truth by them. "Do you understand," he asked me, "who this Savelko of yours was?" "Yes, I understand." "Remember that small things come from large and that the large is made up from small pieces." We came to Stephan Verkhatour. The old man said to me: "We must part here. My road lies with you no longer." I did not want to go away from him, but I understood that it was necessary. My thoughts troubled me. I was agitated to the very depths and my soul was furrowed as with a plow. "Why have you become thoughtful?" he asked me. "Go to the factory. Work there and mix with my friends. It will be no loss to you, I assure you. The people are intelligent. I learned from them, and you see I am no fool." He wrote a little note and gave it to me. "Go there. I wish you no harm, believe me. The people are new-born and alive. Don't you believe me?" "Our small eyes can see much," I answered, "but is that when they see the truth?" "Look with all your might," he cried, "with all your heart, with all your soul! Did I tell you to believe? I told you to learn and know." We kissed and he went away. He walked lightly, like a youth of twenty, and as if some happiness awaited him. I became sad when I looked back at this bird flying away from me, Heaven knows where, to sing his song in new parts. My head was heavy; my thoughts raced like Little Russians at market in the early morning, sleepy, awkward, slow, and in no way able to make order. Everything became strangely confused. To my thoughts there was another's conclusion and to this other's conclusion my own beginning. It hurt me, yet it was funny, and I seemed all changed within. When I went away from Verkhatour, I asked where the road led to, and they answered to the Isetsky factory. That was where the old man had wanted me to go, but I took a side road; I did not wish to go there. I wanted to go to the villages and look around me. The people were gloomy and haughty and seemed to wish to speak with no one. They looked about cautiously, as if they were afraid some one would rob them. "Here are the God-creators," I said to myself, looking at some pock-marked peasants. "I will ask them where this road leads to." "To the Isetsky factory." "What is it? Do all roads lead to that factory?" I asked myself, and wandered through villages and woods, crawling like a beetle through the grass, and seeing the factory from a distance. It smoked, but it did not lure me. I felt as if I had lost half of myself and I did not understand what I wanted. I was unhappy. A gray, idle pain filled my soul and evil laughter and a great desire to insult everybody and myself arose in me. Suddenly, without noticing it myself, I made up my mind: "I'll enter the factory, damn it!" I came into a filthy hell. In a hollow between mountains which were covered with stumps of felled trees, buildings arose on the earth, from the roofs of which tongues of flame shot forth. Tall chimney-stacks rose toward the sky, from which smoke and steam poured out, staining the earth with soot. There was a deafening noise of hammers, and a roar and a wild squeaking and creaking of saws shot through the smoke-laden air. Everywhere there was iron, wood, coal, smoke, steam, stench; and in this pit, filled with every kind of miscellaneous thing, men worked black as coal. "Thank you, old man," I said to myself, "you have sent me to a nice place." It was the first time I had seen a factory near-to. I was deafened by the extraordinary noise, and I breathed with difficulty. I went through the streets seeking for the locksmith, Peter Jagikh. Everyone I asked snarled back at me as if they had all quarreled with each other in the morning and had not yet succeeded in calming themselves. "God-creators!" I cried out to myself. I came upon a man who looked like a bear; dirty from head to foot. His oily clothes shone with dirt in the sun, and I asked him if he knew the locksmith, Peter Jagikh. "Who?" "Peter Jagikh." "I want to see him." "Well, I am he." "How do you do?" "Well, how do you do? What do you want?" "I have a note to you." The man was taller than I, with a large beard, broad shoulders, and heavily set. His face was sooty and his small, gray eyes could hardly be seen from under his thick eyebrows. His cap was set far back on his head and his hair was cut short. He looked like a peasant, yet not entirely so. Evidently he read with great difficulty. His face was all wrinkled and his mustache trembled. Suddenly his face cleared, his white teeth shone, he opened his good, childish eyes and the skin in his checks smoothed out. "Ah," he cried, "he is alive, God's bird! That's good. Go, my dear, to the end of this street and turn to the left toward the wood. At the foot of the mountain there is a house with green shutters. Ask for the teacher. He is called Mikhail. He is my nephew. Show him the note. I will come soon." He spoke like a soldier, giving his signal on a bugle. He made the speech, waved his hand and went away. "He is kind and funny," I thought to myself. At the house an angular boy in a cotton shirt and an apron, met me. His sleeves were rolled up; his hands were white and thin. He read through the note and asked me: "Is Father Juna well?" "Yes, thank God." "Did he tell you when he will come to see us?" "He didn't say. Is he called Juna?" The young man looked at me suspiciously and began to read the note "How then?" he asked me. "He said his name was Jehudiel." The young fellow smiled. "That is a nickname which I gave him." "Oh, the devil," I thought. His hair was straight and long like a deacons', his face pale. His eyes were a watery blue and he looked as if he did not spring from this dirty spot. He walked up and down the room and measured me with his eyes as if I were a piece of cloth; and I did not like it. "Have you known Juna a long time?" he asked me. "Four days." "Four days," he repeated. "That's good." "Why good?" I asked. "Just so," he answered, shrugging his shoulders. "Why do you wear an apron?" "I am binding books," he said. "Soon my uncle will return and we will have supper. Perhaps you would like to wash yourself after your trip?" I felt like teasing him. He was much too serious for his age. "Do people wash here?" I asked. He frowned. "How then?" "I have not seen any washed ones yet," I answered. He half closed his eyes, looked at me and answered calmly: "People do not idle here. They work; and there is no time to wash often." I saw that I had struck the wrong man. I wanted to answer, but he turned on his heel and went away. I felt foolish, sat down and looked The room was large and clean. In the corner there was a table set for supper, and on the walls there were shelves with books. The books were mostly secular, but there was also a Bible, the gospels and an old Slavic psalm-book. I went out into the court and washed myself. The uncle entered, his cap still farther back on his head, and he swung his arms and held his head forward like a bull. "Well, I will wash myself," he said. "Pump some water for me." His voice was like that of a trumpet and both his hands together were as large as a big soup tureen. When he had washed some of the soot off his face, I saw that he had high cheek-bones and a skin like copper. We sat down to supper. They ate, talked about their own affairs and did not ask me who I was or why I came. Still they offered me things hospitably and looked at me in a friendly way. There was something very solid about them, as if the earth was firm under their feet. I felt like shaking it for them--why were they better than I? "Are you Old Believers?" I asked. "We?" the uncle replied. "No." "Then you are orthodox?" The nephew frowned and the uncle shrugged his shoulders and laughed. "Perhaps we have to show him our passports, Mikhail." I understood that I had acted foolishly, but I did not want to stop. "I did not want to see your passports," I said. "I wanted to see your thoughts." "Thoughts? Right away, Your Excellency. Thoughts, forward!" And he laughed like a stallion. Mikhail, who was making the tea, said calmly: "I know why you came. You are not the first one whom Juna has sent us. He knows people and never sends empty men." The uncle felt my forehead with his palm and laughed: "Please look more gay. Don't show your trumps right away, or you may lose." They evidently considered themselves men rich in soul and that I was a beggar compared to them. They did not hurry to quench my hungry heart with their wisdom. I became angry and wanted to quarrel, but I could find no reason; and that angered me still more. I asked at random: "What do you mean by an empty man?" The uncle answered: "A man who can fill up with anything you wish." Suddenly Mikhail went up quietly to me and said, in a soft voice: "You believe in God?" But I became confused at my answer. It was not true. Did I really Mikhail asked again: "And you respect people?" "Don't you see," he said, "that they are created in the image of God?" The uncle, the devil take him, smiled like a copper basin in the sun. "With such people," I thought to myself, "one must argue sincerely and if I should fall asunder in little pieces, they will gather me up again." "When I look upon people," I said, "I doubt the power of God." Again it was not right. I doubted God before I ever saw the people. Mikhail looked at me thoughtfully, with wise eyes, and the uncle walked heavily up and down the room, stroking his beard, and grunting low to It made me uneasy that I had to lower myself to lie before them. I saw my soul with remarkable clearness and my thoughts raced through me stupidly and alarmed like a frightened bee-hive. I began to drive them out of me, irritated. I wished to empty myself. I spoke for a long time without connecting my words. I spoke at random on purpose. If they were such wise people, let them gather the sense themselves. I became tired and asked passionately: "How can you heal my sick soul?" Mikhail answered low, without looking at me: "I do not consider you sick." The uncle laughed again, and it pealed out as if a demon had come in through the roof. "To be sick," Mikhail continued, "is when a man is not conscious of himself, but knows only his pain and lives in it. But you, it is plain, have not lost yourself. You are seeking happiness in life, and only a healthy man does that." "But why is there such pain in my soul then?" "Because you like it," he answered. I gnashed my teeth. His calm was unbearable to me. "Do you know for sure," I asked, "that I like it?" He looked me straight in the eyes and drove his nails slowly into my breast. "As an honest man, you ought to recognize," he said, "that your pain is necessary to your soul. It places you above others and you esteem it as something which separates you from others. Is it not so?" His Lenten face was dry and drawn, his eyes darkened, he stroked his cheek with his hand, while he cleaned me hard, as one cleans copper with sand. "You are evidently afraid to mingle with people for you unconsciously think to yourself, 'Though they are ulcers, they are my own, and no one has ulcers but I.'" I wanted to contradict him, but found no words. He was younger than I, and weaker, and I did not believe that of the two I was the more stupid. The uncle laughed like a priest in a steam-bath. "But this does not separate you from people. You are mistaken," Mikhail went on. "Every one thinks the same. That is why life is weak and monstrous. Each one tries to go away from life and dig his own hole in the ground and look out upon the earth from it alone. From a hole, life seems low and futile, and it suits the isolated man to see life so. I say it about those people who for some reason or other cannot sit on the backs of their neighbors to drive them where they could eat tastier food." His speech angered and offended me. "This vile life," he said, "unworthy of human reason, began on that day when the first individual tore himself away from the miraculous strength of the people, from the masses, from his mother, and frightened by his isolation and his weakness, pitied himself and grew to be a futile and evil master of petty desires, a mass which called himself 'I.' It is this same 415 which is the worst enemy of man. In its business of defending itself and asserting itself on this earth, it has uselessly killed the strength of the soul, and its capacity of creating spiritual welfare." It seemed to me that his speech was familiar to me and that the words were those which I had waited for. "Poor in soul, the eye is powerless to create. It is deaf, blind and dumb in life, and its goal is only self-defense, peace and comfort. It creates the new and purely human only under compulsion, after innumerable urgings from without and with great difficulty. It not only does not value its brother 'I,' but hates him and persecutes him. It is hostile because, remembering that it was born from the whole from which it was broken off, the 'I' tries to unite the broken pieces and to create anew a great unit." I listened, surprised. All this was clear to me; not only clear, but even near and true. It seemed to me that I had long ago thought the same, only without words. And now I had found words, and the thoughts arranged themselves before me like steps on a ladder, which led ever upward. I remembered Juna's speeches and they lived before my eyes, clear and beautiful. But at the same time I was restless and uncomfortable, as if I were standing on a block of ice in a river in the spring. The uncle had quietly left us alone. There was no fire in the room, the night was moonlit, and in my soul, too, there was a moonlight mist. At midnight Mikhail stopped speaking and we went to sleep in a shed in the courtyard, where we lay in the hay. He soon fell asleep, but I went out to the gate, and sat down on some logs and gazed about me. The moon and two large stars strode carefully across the heavens. Over the mountains against the blue sky the jagged wall of the wood could be plainly seen. On the mountains was the hewn forest, and on the earth black pits. Below, the factory greedily showed its red teeth. It hummed and smoked and tongues of fire rose over the roofs and shot upward, but could not tear themselves away and were drowned in the smoke. The air smelled burnt. It was difficult to breathe. I thought of the bitter loneliness of man. Mikhail had spoken well. He believed his own words and I saw truth in them. But why did they leave me cold? My soul did not harmonize with the soul of this man. It stood apart, as in a wilderness. Soon I noticed that I was thinking the thoughts of Juna and Mikhail and that their thoughts lived powerfully within me, though still on the surface, for at bottom I was still hostile and suspicious of them. "Where am I?" I asked. "And what am I?" I spun around in my perplexity like a top, and always faster, so that the cloud storm roared in my ears. The whistle blew in the factory. At first it was thin and plaintive, then it became louder and masterful. The morning looked out sleepily from the mountain and the night hurried below, taking the thin veil off the trees quietly, folding it up and hiding it in the hollows and the pits. The robbed earth stood out clear to the eye. Everything was eaten out and plundered, as if some bold giant had played in this hollow, tearing out strips of wood and giving severe wounds to the earth. The factory was sunk in this basin, dirty, oily, covered with smoke and puffing. Dark people dragged themselves to it from all sides and it swallowed them up, one by one. "Creators of God," I thought to myself. "What have they created?" The uncle came out into the court disheveled, stretching himself, yawning, cracking his joints, and smiling at me. "Ah," he cried, "you are up!" Then he asked me kindly, "Or perhaps you did not go to bed at all? Well, it does not matter. You will sleep during the day. Come, let us drink tea." At tea he said to me: "There were nights when I, too, did not sleep, brother. There was a time when I could have beaten every one I met. Even before I was a soldier my soul was troubled, but in the service they made me deaf. An officer gave me a blow on the ear. My right ear is deaf. There was one _feldscher_ who helped me, thanks to--" It was evident he wanted to say God, but he stopped, stroked his beard and smiled. He seemed to me childish and there was something childish in his eyes. They were so simple and credulous. "He was a very good man. He looked at me. 'What is the matter?' he asked. 'Is this human life?' I answered. 'True,' he said, 'everything ought to be changed. Peter Vasilief, let me teach you political economy.' And he began. At first I did not understand anything. But suddenly I understood the daily and eternal baseness in which we lived. Then I nearly went out of my head with joy. 'Oh, you villains!' I cried. That is the way science always suddenly unfolds itself. At first you only hear new words and then there comes a moment when everything unites and comes out into the light and that moment is the true birth of man. Marvelous!" His face became happy and his eyes smiled softly. He nodded his shorn head and said: "That is going to happen to you, too." It was pleasant to look at him. The child was strong in him and I envied him. "Thirty-two years of my life I spent like a horse. It was disgraceful. Well, I will make up for it as best I can. Only my mind is not very quick. The mind is like the hands. It needs exercise. My hands are cleverer than my head." I looked at him and thought, how is it that these people are not afraid to speak about everything? "But for that matter," he continued, "Mishka has brains enough for two. He has read very much. You wait till he forgets himself. The factory priest called him 'an arch heretic.' Too bad his head is not clear about God. That comes from his mother. My sister was a very distinguished woman in religious matters. From Orthodox she went over to the Old Believers, but the Old Believers did not admit her." As he spoke he got ready to go to work. He walked from one corner of the room to the other. Everything about him shook. The chairs fell and the floor bent under him as he walked. He was funny, yet pleasant to look upon. "What kind of people are they?" I thought. Then I said aloud: "Can I remain with you three days?" "Go ahead," he said; "three months if you wish. You are a strange fellow. You are not in our way, thank God." Then he scratched his head and smiled apologetically. "The word God always comes to my mouth. It is from habit." Again the factory whistle blew, and the uncle went away. I went to sleep in the shed. Mikhail lay there. He was frowning sternly, and his hands were on his breast, his face was flushed. He was beardless and without mustache, his cheekbones were high; in fact, he was all bones. "What kind of people are they?" And with this thought I fell asleep. I awoke. There was noise, whistling, hubbub, as if at a meeting of all the devils. I looked out into the court. It was full of youngsters and Mikhail was among them, in a white shirt, looking like a sailboat among small canoes. He stood laughing with his head on one side, his mouth wide open and his eyes twinkling. He in no way resembled the serious Lenten young man of the night before. The children were dressed in blue, red and pink. They shone in the sun as they jumped and shouted. Something drew me toward them and I crawled out from the shed. One youngster noticed me and cried out: "Look, fellows, here is a mo-onk!" Like fire that had been set to a heap of dry shavings, so the children jumped, wheeled about, looked at me and began to dance up and down. "Wha-at a red one!" "And such a hairy one, too!" "He'll bite you!" "Oh, don't tease him; he's strong." "He's not a monk. He's a bell-tower." "Mikhail Ivanich, who is he?" The teacher became somewhat embarrassed, and they, the little devils, laughed. I did not know why I struck them as funny, but I caught the spirit from them, smiled and cried to them: "Stop it, you mice!" The sun was shining, a gay noise filled the air and everything about us fluttered and floated with it, blinding me with its light and wrapping me in its warmth. Mikhail greeted me and shook my hand. "We are going to the wood," he said. "Do you want to come along?" It was a pleasant sight. There was one fat youngster who snatched my cap, put it on his head and flew about the courtyard like a butterfly. I went to the wood with this band of madcaps, and the day remains engraven on my memory. The children poured out into the street and fled to the mountain lightly, like feathers in the wind. I walked alongside of their shepherd, and it seemed to me that I had never seen such charming children before. Mikhail and I walked behind them. He gave them orders, crying out to them; but the children refused to listen to him. They jostled, fought and bombarded one another with pine cones, and quarreled. When they were tired they surrounded us, crawled about our feet like beetles, pulled at their teacher's hands, asked him now about the grass, now about the flowers, and he answered each one in a friendly way, as if to an equal. He rose above them like a white sail. The children were all alert, but some of them were more serious and thoughtful than their age warranted. Silent, they kept near their teacher. Later the children again spread themselves out and Mikhail said to me, low: "Are they created only for toil and drunkenness? Each one is a receptacle of a living soul. Each one could hasten the development of the thought which would free us from the bondage of confusion, yet they must travel along the same dark and narrow channel through which the days of their fathers flowed turbidly. They are ordered to work and forbidden to think. Many of them, perhaps all, pledge allegiance to dead strength and serve it. Here lies the source of earth's misery. There is no freedom for the growth of the human soul." He talked while several young boys walked alongside of him and listened to his words. Their attentiveness was amusing. What could these young sprouts of life understand by his words? I remembered my own teacher. He beat the children on the head with a ruler and would come to school drunk. "Life is filled with fear," Mikhail said, "and mutual hatred eats out the soul of man. A hideous life. But only give the children time to develop freely; do not transform them into beasts of burden, and free and alert, they will light up life both from within and without with the exquisite young fire of their proud souls and the great beauty of their eternal activity." Their blond heads, their blue eyes, their red cheeks were around us like live flowers among the dark green pines. The laughter and clear voices of these gay birds rang out--these harbingers of new life. And all this vital beauty would be trampled down by greed! What sense was there in that? A delicate child is born rejoicing. He grows into a beautiful child, and then, as a grown-up man, he swears vulgarly and groans bitterly, beats his wife and drowns his sorrow in vodka. And as an answer to my thought, Mikhail said: "They go on destroying the people--the one and true temple of the living God. And the destroyers themselves sinking in the chaos of the ruins, see their wicked work and cry out, 'Horrible!' They rush hither and thither and whine, 'Where is God?' while they themselves have killed Him." I remembered Juna's words about the breaking up of the Russian people, and my thoughts followed Mikhail's words lightly and pleasantly. But I could not understand why he spoke low and without anger, as if this whole oppressive life was a thing of the past for him. The earth breathed warm and friendly, with the intoxicating perfumes of the sap and the flowers. The birds pierced the air with their twitter, the children played about and conquered the stillness of the wood, and it became more and more clear to me that before this day I had not understood their strength, nor had I ever seen their beauty. It was good to see Mikhail among them, with his calm smile on his face. I said, smiling: "I am going to leave you for a little. I have to think." He looked at me. His eyes beamed, his eyelashes fluttered, and my heart answered him, trembling. I had seen little of friendship, but I knew how to value it. "You are a good man," I said to him. He became embarrassed, lowered his eyes, and I also was confused. We stood opposite each other, silent; then separated. He called out after "Don't go too far. You will lose your way." I turned into the wood, chose a place and sat down. From the distance came the voices of the children. The thick, green wood resounded with their laughter and it sighed. The squirrels squeaked over my head, the finches sang. I wanted to explain all to my soul; all which I knew and which I had heard these days, but everything melted within me into a rainbow, and it enfolded me and carried me on as it floated quietly along, filling my soul. It grew infinitely large, and I lost myself in it, forgetting myself in a light cloud of speechless thought. At night I reached home and said to Mikhail that I would like to live with them some time, until I learned their faith. For this reason I wished Uncle Peter to find some work for me in the factory. "Don't hurry so," he said. "You ought to rest and read some books." "Give me your books," I said, for I trusted them. "Take them." "I have never read worldly books," I said. "Give me what you think I need; for instance, a Russian history." "It is necessary to know everything," he answered, and looked at the books affectionately, as at the children. Then I buried myself in study, reading all day long. It was difficult for me, and painful. The books did not argue with me. They simply did not wish to know me. One book especially tortured me. It spoke about the development of the world and of human life. It was written against the Bible. Everything was stated simply, clearly and positively. I could find no loophole in this simplicity, and it seemed to me that a whole row of strange powers were around me and that I w as among them like a mouse in a trap. I read it twice, read it in silence, wishing to find some flaw in it through which I could escape to liberty. But I found none. I asked my teacher: "How is it? Where is the man?" "It seems to me, too," he said, "that this book is not true, but I cannot explain where it is wrong. Still, after all, as a guess at the plan of the world, it is very pretty." I liked it when he answered: "I do not know; I cannot say." And I stood very close to him, for evidently in this lay his honesty. When a teacher decides to be conscious of his ignorance, it must be that he has some knowledge. He knew much that was unknown to me and which he related to me with marvelous simplicity. Once he told me how the sun and the stars and the earth were created, and he talked as if he himself saw this fiery work, done by an unknown and wise hand. I did not understand his God, but that did not trouble me. The principal force of this world he called some kind of matter, but I placed instead of matter God, and all went "God is not yet created," he said, smiling. The question of God was a standing source of argument between Mikhail and his uncle. As soon as Mikhail said God, Uncle Peter would get angry. "He has begun it again. Don't you believe him, Matvei. He has inherited that from his mother." "Wait, Uncle. The question of God for Matvei is the principal question." "Don't you believe it, Mishka. Send him to the devil, Matvei. There are no Gods. It is a dark wood--religion, churches and all such things are a dark wood, where robber bandits live. It is a hoax." But Mikhail insisted obstinately. "The God about whom I speak existed when men unanimously created Him from the stuff of their brains, to illumine the darkness of their existence. But when the people were divided into slaves and masters, into little bits and pieces; when they lost their thought and their will-power, God was lost, God was destroyed." "Do you hear, Matvei?" Peter would cry out happily. "He is dead! Long live his memory!" His nephew looked straight into his face, and lowering his voice, "The main crime which the masters of life have committed is the destruction of the creative power of the people. The time will come when the will of the people will again converge to one point, and then, again, the unconquerable and miraculous power will arise and the resurrection of God will take place. It is He whom you seek, Matvei." Uncle Peter waved his hands like a wood-cutter. "Don't believe him, Matvei. He is wrong." And turning to his nephew, he stormed at him: "You have caught church thoughts, Mishka, like stolen cucumbers from a strange garden, and you confuse people with them. When you say that the working people are called to renew life, then renew it, but don't gather up that which the priests have brought up from their holes and dropped!" It interested me to listen to these people, and their mutual respect and equality surprised me. They argued with heat, but they did not offend each other with evil language and abuse. At times the blood would mount to Uncle Peter's head, and he would tremble; but Mikhail only lowered his voice and seemed to bend his large opponent to the earth. Two men stood opposite me, and both of them denied God out of the fulness of their sincere faith! "But what is my faith?" I asked myself, and found no answer. During my stay with Mikhail the thought about the place of God among people sank and lost its strength and dropped its former boldness and was supplanted by a quantity of other thoughts, and instead of the question, "Where is God?" stood other questions: "Who am I, and why? Wherefore do I seek God?" I understood that it was senseless. In the evenings workingmen came to Mikhail and interesting conversations took place. The teacher spoke to them about life and explained to them the laws which were bad. He knew them remarkably well and explained them clearly. The workingmen were mostly young men, dried up by the heat of the factory. Their skins were eaten by soot, their faces were dark, their eyes sorrowful. They listened with serious eagerness, silent and frowning, and at first they seemed to me morose and servile. But later I understood their life better and saw that they could sing and dance and joke with the young girls. The conversations of Mikhail and his uncle were always on the same subjects--the power of money, the abasement of the workingmen, the greed of the masters and the absolute necessity of destroying divisions of men into classes. But I was no workingman and no master. I was not in search of money, and they laid too much stress on capital, and thereby lowered themselves. At first I argued with Mikhail, pointing out that man's first duty was to find his spiritual birthplace and that then he would see his own place on earth, and he would find his freedom. I spoke briefly, but with heat. The workingmen listened to my speech good-naturedly and attentively, like honest judges, and some of the elder ones even agreed with me. But when I finished Mikhail began with his quiet smile and annihilated my words. "You are right, Matvei, when you say that man lives in mystery and does not know whether God, that is, his spirit, is his enemy or his friend. But you are not right when you say that we, who are arbitrarily bound in the chains of the terrible misery of our daily toil, can free ourselves from the yoke of greed without destroying the actual prison which surrounds us. First of all we must learn the strength of our next-door enemy and learn his cunning. For this we must find each other and discover in each other the one thing which unites each with all. And this one thing is our unconquerable, I can say miraculous, strength. Slaves never had a God. They raised human laws which were forced on them without, to Godhood, nor can there ever be a God for slaves, for He is created from the flames of the sweet consciousness of the spiritual relationship of each toward all. Temples are not created from gravel and debris, but from strong whole stones. Isolation is the breaking away from the parental whole. It is a sign of the weakness and the blindness of the soul, for in the whole is immortality and in isolation inevitable slavery and darkness and inconsolable yearning and death." When we spoke this way it seemed to me that his eyes saw a great light in the distance. He drew me into his circle and every one forgot about me, but looked at him with happiness. At first this offended me. I thought that they misunderstood my thoughts and that no one was willing to accept any one's thoughts but Mikhail's. Unnoticed I would go away from them, sit down in a corner and quietly hold council with my pride. I made friends with the pupils. On holidays they surrounded Uncle Peter and me like ravens around sheaves of corn. He would make some toy for them while I was bombarded with questions about Kiev, Moscow and everything I had seen. Often one of them would ask me a question which would make my eyes bulge out in astonishment. There was a young boy there called Fedia Sachkof, a quiet, serious child. Once when I was going with him through the wood, speaking to him about Christ, he suddenly said in a firm tone: "Christ did not think of remaining a small boy all his life--for instance, a boy of my age. If He had done so, He could have lived and still have accused the rich and aided the poor, and He would not have been crucified. He would have been a small boy, and they would have been sorry for Him. But the way He did it, it is as if He had never been here." Fedia was about eleven. His little face was white and transparent, and his eyes were critical. There was another boy, Mark Lobof, a pupil of the last class. He was a thin, quick-tempered, sharp fellow, very impudent and a bully. He would whistle low, and pinch, beat and push the children. Once I saw him persecuting a small, quiet boy until the latter burst into tears. "Mark," I said to him, "suppose he fought you back." Mark looked at me, laughed and answered: "He won't fight. He is gentle and good." "Then why do you hurt him?" "Just so," he answered. He whistled and then added: "Because he is gentle." "Well, suppose he is?" I asked. "What are the gentle ones made for?" He said that in a remarkably quiet tone, and it was evident that at twelve years old he was already sure that the gentle people were created for insults. Each child was wise in his own way, and the more I was with them the more I thought about their fate. What did they do to deserve the wretched, offensive life which awaited them? I reminded myself of Christa and my son, and remembering them, angry thoughts arose in my soul. Do you not forbid the women free birth of children because you fear that they might give birth to some one dangerous and inimical to you? Do you not violate woman's will because her free son is terrible to you, since he is not tied to you by any bonds? You have time and the right to bind your children whom you have brought up and equipped for the affairs of life; but you fear that nobody's child whom you have denied your supervision may grow up into your implacable enemy. There was such a nobody's child in the factory. His name was Stepa. He was black as a beetle, pockmarked, and without eyebrows. His eyes were little and sharp, and he was quick at everything, and very gay. Our acquaintance began with his coming up to me one holiday and saying: "Monk, I heard you are illegitimate. Well, so am I." And he walked alongside of me. He was thirteen, had already finished school and was working in the factory. He walked along, blinked his eyes, and asked: "Is the earth large?" I explained to him as best I could. "Why do you want to know?" I asked. "I need to know. Why should I stick in one place? I am not a tree. As soon as I learn the locksmithing trade, I am going far into Russia, to Moscow, and farther still. I am going everywhere." He spoke as if he were threatening some one. "I am coming!" I watched him closely after this meeting. He had a serious streak in him. He was always where Mikhail's comrades talked, and he listened and squinted his eyes as if taking aim where to send himself. He had a special way of playing tricks. He teased only those who stood near to the boss. Once at dinner, he said: "It is dull here, monk." "I don't know, but they are a rotten lot. Work and trouble, nothing more. As soon as I learn my trade I am going to get out of here, quick." Whenever he spoke of his future wanderings his eyes became large and he glanced boldly and had the look of a conqueror, who staked his all on his own strength. I liked this creature, and I felt something mature in his speech. "He won't get lost," I thought to myself as I looked at him. My soul ached for my own son. How was he and what was going to happen to him on this earth? There was a quiet growth of new feelings within me. I felt that each man sent out to me a sharp, thin ray which touched me unseen and imperceptibly reached my heart. And I accepted these hidden rays ever more willingly. At times the workingmen assembled in Mikhail's rooms, and then I felt that a burning cloud formed from their thoughts, which surrounded me and carried me strangely upward with itself. Suddenly every one began to understand me more and more. I stood in their circle, and they were my body and I was their soul and their will, and my speech was their voice. And at times it was I that was a part of the body, and I heard the cry of my own soul from other mouths, and it sounded good when I heard it. But when time passed and there was silence I again remained alone and for myself. I remembered my former communion with God in my prayers. Then I had been glad when I could wipe myself out from my memory and cease to exist. In my relationship with people I did not lose myself; instead I grew larger, taller, and the strength of my soul increased many-fold. In this, too, lay self-forgetfulness, but it did not destroy me. It quenched my bitter thoughts and the anguish of isolation. I realized this mistily and vaguely. I felt that a new seed was growing in my soul, but I could not understand it. I only knew that it pulled me determinedly toward people. In those days I worked in the factory for forty kopecks a day, carrying on my shoulders heavy trays of iron, slag and brick. I hated this hellish place, with its dirt and its noise and its hubbub, and its heat which tortured the body. The factory had fastened itself onto the earth and pressed itself into her and sucked her insatiably night and day. It was out of breath from greed and groaned and spit out of its red-hot jaws fiery blood drawn from the earth. It cooled off, grew black, then again began to melt iron and to boil and thunder, flattening out the red iron and squirting up sparks and trembling in its whole frame, as it pulled out long strips like nerves, from the body of the earth. The wild labor seemed to me something terrible, something bordering on the insane. This groaning monster, devastating the lap of the earth, was digging an abyss under itself, and knowing that some day it would fall into it, screeched eagerly, with a thousand voices: "Hurry! Hurry! Hurry!" In fire and noise, under a rain of burning sparks, blackened men worked. It was no place for them. About them everything threatened to burn them by fiery death or to crush them by heavy iron; everything deafened and blinded. The unbearable heat dried up the blood, but they did their work quietly, walking about with a masterly confidence, like devils in hell, fearing nothing and knowing nothing. They lifted small levers with strong hands, and all around and above them hands and jaws of enormous machines moved quietly and terribly, crumbling the iron. It was hard to know whose mind and whose will reigned here. At times it was man who controlled and governed this factory according to his wishes. But other times it seemed that all the people and the whole factory were subject to the devil and that he laughed aloud, triumphantly and horribly as he saw the mad and difficult rush created by greed. The workers said to one another: "It is time to go to work." Were the men masters of their work, or did it drive and crush them? I did not know. Work seemed difficult and masterful, but the human mind was sharp and quick. Sometimes there would ring out amid this devilish noise of whirring machines a victorious and care-free song. I would smile in my heart, remembering the story of Ivan the Fool, who rode on a whale up to heaven to catch the wonder-bird, Phoenix. The people in the factory, though they were not friendly to me, were all bold and proud. They were abusive, foul-mouthed and often drunk; yet they were free and fearless people. They were different from the pilgrims and the tillers of the soil, who offended me with their servile, confused souls, their hopeless complainings and their petty cheatings in their affairs with God and themselves. These people were bold in thought, and although they were hurt by the slavery of their labor, and grew angry with one another and even fought, yet if the bosses ever acted unfairly, thereby rousing their sense of justice, they would stand together against them as one man. And those workingmen who followed Mikhail were always among the first, spoke louder than the rest and seemed to fear nothing. Formerly, when I did not think about the people, I did not notice men; but now as I looked upon them I wished to detect differences, so that each one might stand out separately before me. I succeeded in this and yet not entirely. Their speech was different and each one had his own face, but their faith-was the same and their plans were one. Without haste, friendly and sincerely, they were building something new. Each one of them, among his fellows, was like a pleasant light; like a meadow in a thick wood for the wanderer who had lost his way. Each one drew to himself the workingmen who were wider awake than the rest, and all these followers of Mikhail were held together by one plan, and they created a spiritual circle in the factory, a fire of brightly burning At first the workingmen were not friendly to me. They shouted and made fun of me. "Oh, you red-haired fly! You cloister-bug! You foul one! Parasite!" At times they struck me, but this I could not stand, and in such cases I did not spare my fists. Though people admire strength, still one cannot gain esteem and attention through his fists, and I would have had to bear many beatings were it not that at one of my quarrels a friend of Mikhail's, one Gavriel Kostin, interfered. He was a young metal pourer, very handsome and respected by the whole factory. Six men had come up to me and their looks boded ill for my back. But he stood next to me and said: "Why do you provoke a man, comrades? Is he not as much a worker as the rest of us? You do wrong, and against yourselves. Our strength lies in close friendship." He said these few words, but he said them so well and so simply, as if he were talking to children. The friends of Mikhail always made use of every incident to spread their ideas. Kostin embarrassed my opponents and the words touched my heart also. I began to talk. "I did not become a monk," I said, "to have much to eat, but because my soul was starved. I have lived and I have seen that everywhere labor is endless and hunger common; that everywhere there is swindle and fraud, bitterness and tears, brutality and every kind of darkness of the soul. By whom was this arranged? Where is our righteous and wise God? Does He see the infinite and eternal martyrdom of the people?" A crowd collected about me and listened earnestly to my words. I finished and there was silence. Finally, the head model-maker, Kriokof, said to Kostin: "That monk there sees things deeper than you and your comrades. He has taken hold of the root of the matter." It pleased me to hear these words. Kriokof slapped me on my shoulder "You have spoken well, brother, but all the same cut your hair by a yard. Such a mane catches the dirt and looks funny." And some one called out: "And is in the way in a fight." They were joking. Evidently their wrath had passed. Where there is laughter, there is man; the animal is gone. Kostin took me aside. "Be careful with such words, Matvei," he said. "You can get into prison for them." I was astonished. "What!" "In prison," he laughed. "For criticizing." "Are you joking?" "Ask Mikhail," he said. "I have to go to work now." He went away. I was very much astonished at his words. I could hardly believe them, but in the evening Mikhail confirmed them. All evening he told me about the cruel persecutions. It seemed that for such speeches as I had made thousands of people suffered death, were sent to Siberia and to the mines; yet, though the slaughter of Herod was in no way diminishing, the faithful were ever increasing in numbers. Something grew and became clear in my soul, and the speeches of Mikhail and his comrades took on another meaning, for, first of all, if a man was ready to give up his freedom and even his life for his faith, it meant that he was a sincere believer, and he resembled the early martyrs who followed the laws of Christ. Mikhail's words grew connected and blossomed out and came close to my soul. I do not mean to say that I understood his words at once and fathomed their depths, but for the first time that evening I felt their close relationship to my heart, and the whole earth seemed to me a Bethlehem saturated with the blood of children. I grew to understand the keen desire of the Virgin Mother when, looking upon hell, she asked of the Archangel Mikhail: "Oh, Archangel, let me suffer in this fire. Let me take part in this great agony." Only that here I did not see sinners, but righteous ones, wishing to destroy the hell upon earth, for the sake of which they were serenely prepared to undergo all suffering. "Perhaps there are no longer holy anchorites," I said to Mikhail, "because man is not going away from the world, but toward the world." "The true faith," he answered, "comes out in a true movement." "Take me into this movement," I begged of him. Everything burned within me. "No," he answered. "Wait a while and consider it. It is still too soon for you. If you, with your character, should fall into the enemy's noose at present, you would be entangled in it uselessly and for a long time. On the other hand, you ought to go away after what you have said. There is much that is still not clear to you, and you are not free enough for our work. Its great beauty has captivated and allured you, but though it is displayed before you in its whole strength you stand before it as if you were standing in a square room from which you can see the temple being built, in all its immensity and beauty. But it is being built quietly and evenly day by day, and if you are not familiar with the whole plan, the sublime temple will disappear and vanish from your vision, and the vision, which was not deep in your soul, will vanish and the labor of building will seem beyond your strength." "Why do you quench my ardor?" I asked him with pain. "I have found a place for myself and was happy when I saw that I could be useful." He answered me calmly and sadly: "I do not consider that you are capable of living by a plan which is not clear to you, and I see that the consciousness of your relation to the spirit of the working class has not yet arisen in your soul. You have been sharpened by the friction of life, and you stand in advance of the thought of the people. You do not look upon yourself as one of them, but it seems to me that you consider yourself a hero, ready to give alms to the weak from the overflow of your strength; that you consider yourself something special, living for yourself, and that in yourself is the beginning and end, and that you are not a link in the exquisite and immense unending chain." I began to understand why he sent me back to earth and unconsciously felt that his words were right. "You should begin wandering again," he said, "to look upon the life of the people with new eyes. Do not take books along with you. Reading will give you nothing. You do not yet believe that it is not human intelligence which is found in books, but the infinite diversity of the striving of the soul of the people toward freedom. Books do not seek to master you, but give you the weapon for emancipation; you do not yet understand how to hold this weapon in your hand." He spoke truly. Books were strangers to me at this time. I was used to church writings, but I could not grasp worldly thought except with great difficulty. The spoken word gave me much more than the written. The thoughts which I gathered from books lay on the surface of my soul and were quickly effaced and melted away by my fire. They did not answer my principal question: What was the law which governed God, and why, if man was made in His image, did He degrade him against His will? And, moreover, whose was this will? Side by side with this question, not antagonizing it, lived another. Was God brought down from heaven on this earth, or was He raised from earth up to heaven by the strength of the people? And here arose the burning thought that the creation of God was the eternal work of the whole people. My heart was cut in two. I wanted to remain with these people, yet something pulled me to go away and prove my new thought and to search for this unknown something which robbed me of my liberty and confused my spirit. Uncle Peter urged me also: "You ought to go away for some time, Matvei. There has been some dangerous talk about your speech." And soon things decided themselves without my control. One night a messenger came on horseback from a neighboring factory with the announcement that gendarmes were making house searches in their place and that undoubtedly they would soon be here. "Ah, it is too soon," said Mikhail with anger. There was a hurrying and scurrying to and fro and Uncle Peter cried to "Go, Matvei, go! You have nothing to do here. You did not make the soup and you needn't eat it." Mikhail insisted, looking straight into my face. "You had better go away from here. Your presence will help very little and may do some harm." I understood that they wanted to get rid of me, and it hurt me. But at this time I felt that I was afraid of the gendarmes. I did not see them, yet I feared them! I knew that it was not right to leave people in their need, but I succumbed to their will. They sent me away. I went up the mountain to the wood through underbrush, between tree stumps. I stumbled as if I was held by my heels. Behind me a young boy hurried along, Ivan Vikof, with a great pack on his back. He was sent to hide books in the wood. We ran forward to the edge of the wood. He found a hiding place and buried his burden. He was calm, but not I. "Will they come here?" I asked him. "Who knows?" he answered. "Perhaps they will come here. You must hurry." He was an awkward boy, and he looked as if he were hacked out from an oak-tree with an ax. His head was large, one shoulder was higher than the other, his long arms were out of proportion, and his voice was sad. "Are you afraid?" I asked him. "Of what?" "That they will come and take you." "If they only don't find what I have hidden, I don't care what they do." He arranged the books with care in the pit, covered them over, smoothed the earth down and threw brush upon it. He sat down on the ground, and seeing that I was getting ready to go away, he said: "Some one will come with a note for you. Wait." "What kind of a note?" I looked out from the trees into the valley. The factory breathed heavily, like a strong man who is being choked. It seemed to me that men were being pursued in the streets and that in the darkness they ran after one another; they fought, they snarled in anger, ready to break each other's bones. And Ivan, without haste, was getting ready to go "Where are you going?" "They will take you." "I am not long in the movement, and they do not know me. And if they take me, there is no harm done. People come out wiser from prison." Here some one loudly and clearly asked me: "How is it, Matvei? You are not afraid of God, and yet you fear the gendarmes." I looked at Ivan. He was standing and gazing down thoughtfully. "What did you say?" I asked. "You read many books in prison." "Is that all?" "Isn't that enough?" There were several lies that were rotting within me, and shameful questions shot up with piercing sparks. The night was cold, but I burned. "I am going with you." "You must not," Ivan said sternly. "They will certainly arrest you. This whole trouble began on account of your speech." "How?" "A priest in Verkhotour gave it away." I sat down on the ground and said to myself: "Then I have to go." But fear took hold of me. "Some one is running," Ivan whispered low. I looked down from the mountain. Thick shadows were crawling over it. The sky was clouded, the moon in its last quarter now showed itself, now hid itself in the clouds. The whole earth about me moved, and from this noiseless movement something oppressive and fearful fell on me. I watched the torrents of shadows which flowed over the earth and which covered up the undergrowth and my soul with black veils. A head moved among the brush, jumping like a ball among the branches. Ivan whistled low and said: "It is Kostia!" I knew Kostia. He was a boy of about fifteen, blue-eyed, blond and weak. He had finished school two years ago. Mikhail was preparing him to be his assistant. I understood that I was thinking about these little details on purpose, for I wanted to put my thoughts aside and stifle my shame and my fear. Kostia arrived panting, his voice broken. "They have arrived. They have asked for you, Monk. Here, Uncle Peter wrote a note and told me to take you to the Lobanofsky monastery. Let us go." I rose and said to Ivan: "Good-by, brother. Greet them all for me and ask them to forgive me." But Kostia pushed me and commanded me severely: "Go along! Whom are you greeting? They are all taken like hens for the market." We went along. Kostia went ahead, telling me in a low voice all that he saw below, and I followed him. But I was pulled from all sides, by my hands and the skirts of my coat, as if some one were asking me: "Where are you going? You have entrapped people and you yourself are escaping." I spoke aloud, to myself: "So on account of me people were lost!" The boy answered: "Not on account of you, but on account of truth. Are you truth? What a queer fellow!" His words were funny and he himself was small, but still they struck home. I wanted to set myself right before him, and I laid out my thoughts as a beggar lays out the crumbs from his bag. "Yes," I said, "it is evident that a great untruth lives within me." He muttered, answering each one of my words like a conscience: "Why great? You must always have something greater in you than any one else." "Those are not his words," I thought. "He has copied them from some "Kostin was right when he called you a bell tower. But you are not the kind that rings only for mass, but one which rings by itself, because it was built crooked and the bells are badly hung." He remained silent, and then he added: "I don't like you, Monk. You are so strange." "I don't know. Are you really a Russian? I don't think you are good." At any other time I would have become angry, but now I was silent. I became suddenly weak, tired unto death. Night and the wood were around us. Between the trees the gray darkness fell thickly and became dense. It w as difficult to tell which was night and which was tree. The moonbeams glistened above, broke themselves upon the body of the darkness and vanished. It was quiet. All these people, beginning with Juna, bore no fear. Some were filled with anger, others were always gay, and most of them were quiet, modest people, who seemed to be ashamed to show their goodness. Kostia walked along the path, and his blond head shone like a light before me. I recalled the youth of Bartholomew, the God-child Alexei and others. No, that was not the right! My thoughts were like water-hens in a puddle, jumping from stump to stump. "Have you read the 4 Lives of the Saints'?" I asked the boy. "I read them when I was little. My mother made me. Why?" "Did you like those chosen ones of God?" "I don't know. Ponteleimon I liked; and George also. He fought with the dragon. But I don't know what good it did the people to have dozens of them made holy." Kostia grew in my eyes. "If a Czar's daughter or a rich man's daughter believed in Christ and underwent martyrdom for her belief, neither the Czar nor the kingdom were ever better to the people for it? It is not spoken of in the legends that the tyrant Czars became good." Then, after a silence, he said: "Nor do I know of what good Christ's martyrdom was. He wanted to conquer suffering, and what came of it?" He grew thoughtful and then added: "Nothing came of it." I wanted to embrace him. Pity arose in my heart for Kostia, for Christ, for all the people who remained in the village, for the whole human world. And what of me? Where was my place? Where was I going? The darkness of the short night was lifting, and from above a quiet light came through the branches of the pine trees. "You are not tired, Kostia?" "I?" the small boy answered proudly. "No. I like to walk in the night. It seems to me then that I walk through wonderland. I love fairy tales." At dawn we lay down to sleep. Kostia fell asleep quickly, as if he had dived into a river, but I circled around my thoughts like a Tartar beggar around a Christian church in winter. It is stormy and cold in the street, but it is forbidden by Mohammed to enter the temple. I decided upon something towards morning, and when the boy awoke, I said to him: "Forgive me that I made you walk with me for nothing. I am not going to the monastery. I don't want to hide." He looked at me seriously and said: "You have already hidden." Then, without looking at me, he began to wave a twig. "Well, good-by, dear." He bowed his head: "Good-by," he answered. I went away, then looked back. He stood there among the trees following me with his eyes. "Eh," he cried, "good-by!" It pleased me that he said it with more tenderness this time. Like one sick, I wandered for many days, full of heavy heartache. A fire raged in my soul, that quiet piece of land of mine, and lit it up like a meadow in the wood, and my thoughts now crawled ahead of me, together with my shadow; now dragged behind, like biting smoke. Was I ashamed or not? I do not remember and I cannot say. A black thought was born in my mind and fluttered about me like a bat. "They are Godless ones, not God-creators." But heavier and broader than all my thoughts, was a hollow stillness in me, lazy and deep; a certain peace like a turbid pool, in the depths of whose heart dumb thoughts swam about with difficulty, like frightened fish who struggle but cannot rise to the light from out of the oppressive depths. Little reached me from the outside, and I remember my meetings with men as through a dream. Somewhere near Omsk, at a village market, I woke up. A blind man sat on the road in the dust and sang a song. His guide knelt near him and accompanied him on his accordion. The old man looked up at heaven with his empty eyes and sang the words with a faraway, rusty voice, describing the past, under the reign of Ivan Vasilef, and the accordion gave out its hollow accompaniment, "U-u-u." I sat down on the ground next to the blind man. He took hold of my hand, held it, let it go again, but did not stop singing: "Once there lived Ermak, a son of Timotheof." "A-a-a," the accordion repeated. And around the singers a crowd collected quietly, listening thoughtfully and seriously to the story of the past, with heads bowed to the ground. A dry warmth enfolded me and I saw curiosity light up the eyes of the men, and some one asked: "Won't he sing?" "He will. Wait." I had often heard these robber ballads, but I never knew whose were the words nor whose the soul mirrored there. But now all at once I understood. The ancient people spoke to me with a thousand tongues. "I pardon your great sins against me, man, for your small service." People still looked at me with, curiosity, and my spirit was aroused. The old man finished his song, and I arose and said: "Orthodox Christians, here you have heard about a robber who plundered and robbed the people, but, afterwards, his conscience troubling him, he went away to save his soul, wishing to serve the people with his great strength. And he served them. But to-day you are living among robbers who exploit you mercilessly, and in what way do they serve the people? What good do you see in them?" The crowd thickened around me, almost embracing me, and their attention made my words grow strong and gave them tone and beauty, and I lost myself in my words. I only felt a close alliance to the earth and to the people. They lifted me up towards themselves, drawing me on by their silence: "Speak; speak the whole truth as you see it!" Of course a policeman arrived and cried: "Move on!" asking what was the matter and demanding my passport. The people melted quietly away, like a cloud in the sun, and the policeman questioned and made inquiries as to what I said. Some answered: "About God; about many things; mainly about God." I saw a workingman standing apart. He leaned up against his wagon and gazed steadily at me, smiling tenderly. The policeman had taken hold of my collar, and I wanted to shake him off, but I saw that the people looked sideways at me, with half-closed eyes, as if they were asking: "Now, what are you going to say?" I paled at their lack of faith. Conquering myself in time, I shook off the hand of the policeman and said to him: "Do you want to know what I said?" And again I began to speak about injustice in life. Again the market people gathered around me in great crowds, and the policeman was lost in them and effaced. I recalled Kostia and the factory children, and I felt proud and happy. I became strong and as in a dream. The policeman whispered, many faces passed before me, many eyes burned; a warm cloud of people were around me, pushed me along, and I lay lightly among them. Some one took me by the shoulder and whispered in my ear: "Enough. Go." They pushed and pushed me, and soon I found myself in a kind of court, and a black-bearded man was on one side of me and on the other a young boy with no cap on his head. The dark man said: "Climb over the wall." I climbed it, then went over another. It seemed to me queer, yet pleasant. "Eh," I thought, "is that who you are?" The black-bearded man hurried me along. "Lively, comrade, lively!" I asked him on the way: "Who are you?" "One of yours," he answered. The boy without the cap followed us silently. We crossed gardens, came to a ravine at the bottom of which a stream ran along, and found a footpath in the brush. The dark man led me by the hand, looked into my eyes and said, smiling: "Well, good luck to you. Here, Fediok will conduct you to a good road. "You had better hurry. They might get you." The dark man bent down, began crawling up the mountain, and Fediok and I went along by the "Who is that man?" I asked him. "A blacksmith. An exile--for political reasons." "I know such people," I answered. I felt happy, but he was silent. I looked at the young man. His face was round, his nose short. His head seemed cut out from stone, and his gray eyes bulged far apart. He spoke low, walked noiselessly and held his head forward, as if he was listening or was pulled from above by some great force. He kept his hands behind his back, as my father-in-law used to. "Are you a native here?" "Yes, I am a farm hand at the priest's." "Where is you cap?" He felt his head, looked at me and asked: "Why do you care about the cap?" "Just so. It is night, and you will be cold." He remained silent. Then he muttered unwillingly: "What does it matter about the cap as long as one's head is saved?" The ravine became deeper, the stream sounded clearer, and night rose from the underbrush. My soul was unclear, yet I felt happy, and I wished to speak with the young man. "Have you only one exile here?" I asked. Here the young man opened himself as one opens an overcoat. Slowly and low, he said: "Four. There is a nobleman from Moscow and three from the Don. Two of them are quiet fellows. They even drink vodka. But the nobleman and that Ratkof who was here before, speak, though in secret, with whomever they can. They have not yet begun to speak openly before the people. There are many of them here, many around us. I, from Birsky--Fedor Mitkof, am here five years. During this time there were eleven men here. In Olekhine there are eight; in Shishkof there are three." He counted for a long time, and he reached about sixty. When he finished he became thoughtful; then began to speak, gesticulating with his finger. "There are even some peasants among them. They all say the same thing; this life is unbearable; it stifles them. I lived in peace until I heard these words, and now I see I am not yet full grown and I must bow my head. Then, in truth, it must be that this life is stifling." The young fellow spoke with difficulty, tearing each word from under his feet. He walked ahead of me and did not look at me. He was broad-shouldered and strong. "Can you read and write?" I asked him. "I once knew how, but have forgotten. Now I am studying again. It doesn't matter, I know how. When one has to, one can do everything. And I have to. If it were the noblemen who spoke about the difficulty of this life, I would not take any notice of it, for their beliefs were always different from ours. But when it is your own brothers, the poor working class, then it must be true. And moreover, some of the common people go even farther than the noblemen. That means that something social and human is beginning. That is what they always say--social, human. I am human. Then it means my way lies with them, that is what I think." I listened to him and said to myself: "Learn, Matvei." "What is the use of thinking about such a thing?" I said to him. "It is God's affair." He stopped, suddenly standing stiff upon the ground, so that I almost fell upon Iris back. Then he turned his face towards me and asked sternly: "Is it really God's affair? Here is what I think about it. This is why they say, 4 Honor your father.' And they say the authorities are also from God. And this they confirm by miracles. But then if the old laws are changed, new miracles should have come. But where are they? There were no signs when new laws came, none whatever. Everything is as it was. In Nijni they discovered relics which performed miracles. But then a rumor arose that they were not true relics, for Seraphim's beard was gray and this one was red. The question is not the beard, but the miracle. Were there any miracles? There were, but they don't want to admit it. They call all signs false, or they say faith creates miracles. There are times when I want to beat them to stop their confounding my soul." Again he stopped, and around him the night rose from the earth. The path fell more steeply, the stream flowed on more hastily, and the brush rustled, moving quietly. "Go on, brother," I said to him, low. He went forward. He did not stumble in the darkness but I almost fell on his back every step I took. He seemed to roll down like a stone, and his strange voice resounded in the stillness. "If I believed them, it would be an end of everything. I am not especially kind-hearted. I had a brother in the military, and he hanged himself. My sister worked as a servant in a farmer's house near Birsky, and she gave birth to a child who is lame. It is four years old now and cannot walk. It means that a girl's life was ruined on account of a man's caprice. Where should she go now? My father is a drunkard and my elder brother has taken all the land. I have nothing." We turned into the underbrush in the gray darkness. Now the stream went away from us into the depth, now again it flowed at our feet. Over our heads the night birds flew noiselessly, and above them were the stars. I wanted to walk fast, but the man in front of me did not hurry and muttered to himself unceasingly, as if he were counting his words, and taking their weight. "That dark one, Ratkof, is a good man. He lives according to the new law and takes the part of the oppressed. A policeman once beat me with a club and he immediately felled the policeman to the ground. He had to sit fourteen days for it. 'How can you fight the authorities?' I asked him when he came out. He immediately explained his law to me. I went to the priest, and the priest said, 'Ah, are these the thoughts you are plaiting?' Ratkof was sent to the prison in the city. He sat three months, and I nineteen days. 'What did he say?' they asked me there. 'Nothing.' 'What did he teach?' 'He taught nothing.' I am no fool myself. Ratkof came out. 'Forgive me,' I said to him, 'I was a fool.' But he laughed. 'It was nonsense,' he said." My guide remained silent, and then, in a new voice, and lower, he "Everything is nonsense to him. He spits blood, that is nonsense; he starves, that too is nonsense." Suddenly he began to swear grossly, turned about and faced me, and hissed through his teeth: "I can understand everything. My brother died--that happens in the military. My sister's case is not a rare one. But why do they torture that man to death? That I cannot understand. I go like a dog wherever he sends me. He calls me Earth. 'Eh, you Earth,' he says and laughs. But the fact that they are always torturing him, that is like a knife in my heart!" And again he began to swear like a drunken monk. The ravine opened, broadened its walls down into the field, leveled them and vanished into the darkness. "Well," said my guide, "good-by." He pointed out to me the road to Omsk, turned back and disappeared. He was still without his cap. When his heavy steps died in the stillness I sat down, not desiring to go farther. The night lay heavily on the earth and slept, fresh, and thick, like oil. There were no stars in the heavens, no moon, no light about. But there was warmth and light within me. The heavy words of my guide burned within my memory. He was like a bell that had lain a long time on the earth, and had been covered by it and eaten out by rust, and though his tone was dull yet there was a new sound in it. The village people stood before my eyes as they listened to my speech seriously and wonderingly. Their troubled faces passed before me as they dragged me away from the police. "Is that the way it is?" I thought, marveling, and I could scarcely believe what had happened to me. Again I thought. "This young man seeks signs and omens. He himself is a miracle. It is a miracle to preserve love for man in this horrible life. And the crowd who heard me, that, too, was a miracle, that it should not be deaf or blind, though many for a long time have tried to deafen and blind it. And a still greater miracle were Mikhail and his comrades." My thoughts flowed calmly and easily. I was unaccustomed to it and did not expect it. I examined myself carefully, searched my heart quietly, wishing to find there anxiety and troubled doubt. I smiled in the silent darkness and feared to move, lest I drive away the unwonted joy which filled my heart to the very brim. I believed and yet did not believe this marvelous fulness of my soul, this unexpected Godsend which I found in me. It was as if a white bird, who was born long before, had slept in the shadow of my soul, and I had not known it or felt it. I stroked it accidentally and it awoke and began to sing quietly within me and flutter its light wings in my heart, and its hot song melted the ice of doubt and turned it into grateful tears. I wanted to say something, to arise, to sing, to meet human beings and to embrace them. I saw before me the shining face of Juna, the kind eyes of Mikhail, the stern wit of Ivostia. All the familiar, dear and new people became alive to me, united in my breast and broadened it with happiness till it ached. So it had happened before while saying Mass at Easter, that I loved people and myself. I sat down, and thought tremblingly: "O Lord, is it not Thou, this beauty of beauties, this joy and this happiness?" Darkness reigned about me, and in it were the shining faces of the Believers sitting quietly. But my heart sang unceasingly. I stroked the earth with my hand, I patted it with my palm, as if it were a horse, which understood my caress. I could not sit still. I arose and walked on through the night. I remembered Kostia's words. I saw before me the look of childish sternness in his eyes, and I Went on, drunk with joy, walking over the earth towards the very end of autumn, gathering up into my soul its precious new gifts. At the station in Omsk I saw emigrants, Little Russians. A great part of the earth was covered with their bodies, those friends of labor. I walked among them, heard their soft speech and asked them: "Are you not afraid to lose yourselves, so far away?" A man gray and bent by work, answered me: "As long as we have a piece of land under our feet, we do not care how far it is. It is suffocating on earth when a man has to live by his own labor." Formerly the words of pain and sorrow fell like ashes on my heart, but now they were keen sparks which lit it up, for every sorrow was my sorrow, and I too suffered from the want of liberty, as did the people. There is no time nor place for general spiritual growth, and this is bitter and dangerous to the one who outstrips the people, for he remains alone in advance of them, and the people do not see him and cannot strengthen him with their strength; and alone and uselessly he burns himself up in the fire of his desires. I spoke in Little Russian, for I knew this tender language. "For ages the people have wandered over the earth, hither and thither, seeking a place where they may in freedom build up a righteous life with their own strength, and for ages you have wandered over the earth, its lawful masters, and why? Who is it that gives no room to the people, the real Czar of the earth? Who has dethroned them? Who has torn the crown from their heads and driven them from country to country, these creators of all labor, these exquisite gardeners who planted all the beauty on the earth?" The eyes of the people burned. The human soul which was just awakened in them glowed, and my own glance also became wide and keen. I saw the question on each face and immediately answered it; I saw doubt and I fought with it. I drew strength from the hearts which were opened about me, and I united this strength into one heart. When you speak to people some word which touches them as a whole, which lies buried secretly and deep in each human soul, then their eyes shine with glowing strength and fill you and carry you above them. But do not think that it is your strength which carries you. You are winged with the crossing of all strength in your heart. It surrounds you from without; you are strong by its strength just as long as the people fill you up with it; but should they go away, should their spirit vanish, you again fall back to the level of all. So I began my teaching modestly, calling the people to a new service in the name of a new life, though I did not know how to name my new God. In Zlatout on a holiday I spoke in the square, and again the police interfered, and again the people hid me. I met many splendid men and women. One whose name was Yashka Vladikine, a student in a theological seminary, is now a good friend of mine and will remain so for all my life. He does not believe in God, but he loves church music to tears. He plays psalms on the organ and weeps, the dear wonder-child. I asked him laughing: "What are you howling at, you heretic, atheist?" He cried out, tremblingly: "From joy at the knowledge of the great beauty which some day will be created. If already in this worldly and wretched life beauty has been created with the insignificant strength of individuals, what will be created on earth when the whole spiritual world shall be free and shall begin to express the order of its great spirit in psalms and music?" He began to speak about the future, which stood out with blinding clearness to him, and he was himself surprised at his visions. I have much to be grateful for to this friend of mine, as much as to Mikhail. I have seen marvelous people by tens, for they send me to one another from city to city. I go as with fiery signals, and each one is kept burning by the same faith. It is impossible to enumerate the various people and to describe the joy at seeing the spiritual unity which lies in all. Great is the Russian people and indescribably beautiful is It was in the government of Kazan that my heart received the last blow, the blow which finished the construction of the temple. It was at the monastery of the Seven Seas, at a procession of the miracle-working ikon of the Holy Virgin. They were expecting the return of this ikon to the monastery from the city--the day was a holiday. I stood on a little hill above the lake and gazed about me. The place-was filled with people, and the body of human beings streamed in dark waves to the gates of the monastery, and fought and struggled around its walls. The sun was setting and its autumn rays shone with bright red. The bells trembled like birds ready to fly and follow their own songs, and everywhere the bared heads of the people shone red in the rays of the sun, like double poppies. Awaiting the miracle, near the gates of the monastery, stood a small carriage, in which lay a young girl, motionless. Her face was set as if in white wax, her gray eyes were half open, and all her life seemed to be in the quiet fluttering of her long lashes. Next to her stood her parents. The father was a tall man, gray-bearded and with a long nose. The mother, stout, round-faced, with uplifted eyebrows and wide open eyes, gazed in front of her. Her fingers moved and it seemed to me that she was about to give a piercing and passionate cry. The people walked up to them, gazed upon the sick girl's face, and the father spoke in measured tones, his beard trembling: "Orthodox Christians, I beg of you, pray for the unfortunate girl. Without arms, without legs, she has been lying thus for four years. Beg the Holy Virgin for aid. The Lord will reward you for your holy prayers. Help deliver the parents from sorrow." It was plain that he had been carrying his daughter from monastery to monastery for a long time and that he had already lost all hope of her recovery. He poured out these same words over and over again and they sounded dead in his mouth. The people listened to his prayers, sighed, crossed themselves, and the lids which covered the sorrowful eyes of the young girl trembled. I must have seen about a score of weakened girls, about ten who were supposed to be possessed, and other kinds of invalids, and I was always conscience-stricken and ashamed before them. I pitied the poor bodies robbed of strength and I pitied their vain waiting for a miracle. But I never felt pity to such a degree as now. A great silent complaint seemed frozen on the white half-dead face of the daughter and a silent and indescribable sorrow seemed to control the mother. It was oppressive and I went away. Thousands of eyes were looking toward the distance, and like a cloud there floated toward me the warm, dull whisper: "They are carrying it." Heavily and slowly the crowd proceeded up the mountain like a dark wave of the sea, and the golden banners burned like red foam, shooting out their sheaves of bright sparks. The ikon of the holy virgin floated and swung like a fiery bird shining in the rays of the sun. From the human body a mighty sigh arose, a thousand-voiced song: "Intercede for us, O mother of the Lord, most high." The song was cut short by cries: "Hurry! Move faster! Hurry!" The lake smiled brightly in the frame-work of the blue wood; the red sun melted, sinking into the wood, and the copper sound of the bells rang out gaily. Around me were anxious faces, the quiet and sorrowful whispering of prayers, eyes dimmed with tears, and the waving of many, many arms, making the sign of the cross. I was alone. All this was sad error for me, weak despair, a weary desire for grace. The procession marched on, their faces covered with dust, streams of sweat pouring down their cheeks. They breathed heavily, they gazed strangely as if they saw nothing, and pushed one another and stumbled along. I pitied them. I pitied the strength of their faith which was wasted on the air. There was no end to this stream of people. A vigorous and mighty cry arose, but it was dark and sounded reproachful: "Rejoice, O merciful one," and again, "Hurry! Hurry!" In this whole cloud of dust I saw hundreds of black faces, thousands of eyes like stars on the milky way. I saw that those eyes were fiery sparks from one soul, eagerly awaiting an unknowm joy. The people went down as one body, pressing close upon one another, holding one another's hands and walking fast, as if the road was terribly long, but they were ready to go to what was their end without stopping. My soul trembled with an unknown pain. Like a prayer the words of Juna rose in my memory: "The people--the creators of God." I started forward. I rushed from the mountain to meet the people, went along with them and sang with a full throat: "Rejoice, beneficent strength of all strengths!" They seized and embraced me, and I seemed to float away and to melt under their hot breathing. I did not know that the earth was under my feet, nor did I recognize myself. There was no time nor space, only joy, vast like the heavens. I was like a glowing coal, flaming with faith. I was unimportant yet great and resembled all who were around me at the time of our general flight. The people flew over the earth irresistibly, ready to stride over all obstacles and abysses, all doubts and dark fears. I remember that the procession stopped close to me, that confusion occurred, that I was dragged near the wagon of the sick girl and heard the cries and the murmuring: "Let us sing the Te Deum; let us sing the Te Deum." There was great excitement. They pushed the wagon, and the head of the young girl rocked to and fro, helpless and without strength. Her large eyes gazed out with fear. Tens of eyes poured their rays out upon her; hundreds of force streams crossed themselves over her weak body, calling her to life with an imperious desire to see her rise from her I, too, looked into the depths of her eyes, and an inexpressible desire came over me, in common with all, that she arise; not for my sake, nor for her own sake, but for some special reason, before which she and I were like a bird's feather in a fire. As rain saturates the earth with its live moisture, so the people filled the dry body of the girl with their strength, and they whispered and cried to her and to me: "Rise, dear one, rise. Lift your arms. Be not afraid. Arise, arise without fear. Sick one, arise; dear one, lift your arms." Hundreds of stars arose in her soul and a pink shadow lit up her death-like face, and her surprised and happy eyes opened still wider. Her shoulders moved slowly and humbly she raised her trembling arms and obediently held them up. Her mouth was open like a fledgling's about to leave its nest for the first time. A deep sigh rose around her. As though the earth where a copper bell, struck upon by a giant sviatogor with all his strength, the people trembled, and laughing cried: "On your feet. Help her. Arise little one, on your feet. Help her." We caught the girl, lifted her and put her on her feet, holding her lightly. She bent like an ear of corn in the wind, and cried out: "Oh, dear one, Lord; oh, Holy Virgin!" "Walk!" the people cried. "Walk!" I remember their dusty faces, tearful and sweaty. Through the damp tears a miraculous strength shone out masterful, the faith in the power to create miracles. The recovered girl walked quietly among us. Confidently she pressed her revived body against the body of the people, and smiling and pale like a flower, she said: "Let me go alone." She stopped, swayed, then walked. She walked as if on knives which cut her feet, but she walked alone; fearful yet bold, like a little child; and the people around her rejoiced and were friendly as to a little child. She was excited. Her body trembled. She held her hands out before her as if she were leaning against the air. She was filled by the strength of the people and she was sustained from every side by hundreds of luminous rays. I lost sight of her at the gates of the monastery, and recovering myself, I gazed about me. Everywhere there was holiday tumult. There was a ringing of bells and the powerful talk of the people. The evening red fell brilliantly from the heavens and the lake clothed itself in the purple of the reflection. A man walked past me, smiled and asked: "Did you see it?" I embraced him and kissed him, like a brother after a long separation, and we found no words to say to each other. Smiling, we remained silent and separated. * * * * * At night I sat in the wood above the lake. Again I was alone, but now forever and inseparably united to the soul of the people, the masters and miracle workers of the earth. I sat and listened to all that I had seen and known grow and burn within me in one fire.--I, too, would reflect to the world this light in which everything flamed with great significance and was clothed with the miraculous. It winged my soul with a desire to accept the world as it had accepted me. I have no words to describe the exultation of that night, when, alone in the darkness, I embraced the whole earth with my love and stood on the height of my experience and saw the world, like a fiery stream of life-force, flowing turbidly to unite into one current, the end of which I could not see. I joyfully understood that the inaccessibility of the end was the source of the infinite growth of my soul and the great earthly beauty. And in this infinity were the innumerable joys of the live human soul. In the morning the sun appeared to me with a new face. I saw how its rays cautiously and lovingly sank into the darkness and turned it away; how it lifted from the earth the veils of night, and there she stood before me in the beautiful and magnificent jewels of autumn; the emerald field of the great play of peoples and the fight for free play was the holy place in the procession of the celebration of beauty and I saw the earth, my mother, in space between the stars, and brightly she gazed out with her ocean eyes into the distance and the depths. I saw her like a full bowl of bright red, incessantly seething, human blood, and I saw her master, the all-powerful, immortal people. They winged her life with a great activity and hope, and I prayed: "Thou art my God, the creator of all gods, which thou weavest out of the beauty of thy soul and the labor and agony of thy seeking. "There shall be no God but thou, for thou art the one God, the creator of miracles." This is what I believe and confess. And always do I return there where people free the souls of their neighbors from the yoke of darkness and superstition and unite them and disclose to them their own secret physiognomy, and aid them to recognize the strength of their own wills and teach them the one and true path to a general union for the sake of the great cause, the cause of the universal creating of God. * End of this Doctrine Publishing Corporation Digital Book "Confession - A Novel" *	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0068.json.gz/line187
__label__cc	0.576234	0.423766	Related Topics: EMC Journal PCIe Server Storage I/O Network Fundamentals #blogtober Peripheral Computer Interconnect Express aka PCIe is a Server, Storage, I/O networking fundamental component. This post is an excerpt from chapter 4 (Chapter 4: Servers: Physical, Virtual, Cloud, and Containers) of my new book Software Defined Data Infrastructure Essentials â Cloud, Converged and Virtual Fundamental Server Storage I/O Tradecraft (CRC Press 2017) Available via Amazon.com and other global venues. In this post, we look various PCIe fundamentals to learn and expand or refresh your server, storage, and I/O and networking tradecraft skills experience. PCIe fundamental common server I/O component Common to all servers is some form of a main system board, which can range from a few square meters in supercomputers, data center rack, tower, and micro towers converged or standalone, to small Intel NUC (Next Unit of Compute), MSI and Kepler-47 footprint, or Raspberry Pi-type desktop servers and laptops. Likewise, PCIe is commonly found in storage and networking systems, appliances among other devices. For example, a blade server will have multiple server blades or modules, each with its motherboard, which shares a common back plane for connectivity. Another variation is a large server such as an IBM âZâ mainframe, Cray, or another supercomputer that consists of many specialized boards that function similar to a smaller-sized motherboard on a larger scale. Some motherboards also have mezzanine or daughter boards for attachment of additional I/O networking or specialized devices. The following figure shows a generic example of a two-socket, with eight-memory-channel-type server architecture. Generic computer server hardware architecture. Source: Software Defined Data Infrastructure Essentials (CRC Press 2017) The above figure shows several PCIe, USB, SAS, SATA, 10 GbE LAN, and other I/O ports. Different servers will have various combinations of processor, and Dual Inline Memory Module (DIMM) Dynamic RAM (DRAM) sockets along with other features. What will also vary are the type and some I/O and storage expansion ports, power and cooling, along with management tools or included software. PCIe, Including Mini-PCIe, NVMe, U.2, M.2, and GPU At the heart of many servers I/O and connectivity solutions are the PCIe industry-standard interface (see PCIsig.com). PCIe is used to communicate with CPUs and the outside world of I/O networking devices. The importance of a faster and more efficient PCIe bus is to support more data moving in and out of servers while accessing fast external networks and storage. For example, a server with a 40-GbE NIC or adapter would have to have a PCIe port capable of 5 GB per second. If multiple 40-GbE ports are attached to a server, you can see where the need for faster PCIe interfaces come into play. As more VM are consolidated onto PM, as applications place more performance demand either regarding bandwidth or activity (IOPS, frames, or packets) per second, more 10-GbE adapters will be needed until the price of 40-GbE (also 25, 50 or 100 Gbe) becomes affordable. It is not if, but rather when you will grow into the performance needs on either a bandwidth/throughput basis or to support more activity and lower latency per interface. PCIe is a serial interface specified for how servers communicate between CPUs, memory, and motherboard-mounted as well as AiC devices. This communication includes support attachment of onboard and host bus adapter (HBA) server storage I/O networking devices such as Ethernet, Fibre Channel, InfiniBand, RapidIO, NVMe (cards, drives, and fabrics), SAS, and SATA, among other interfaces. In addition to supporting attachment of traditional LAN, SAN, MAN, and WAN devices, PCIe is also used for attaching GPU and video cards to servers. Traditionally, PCIe has been focused on being used inside of a given server chassis. Today, however, PCIe is being deployed on servers spanning nodes in dual, quad, or CiB, CI, and HCI or Software Defined Storage (SDS) deployments. Another variation of PCIe today is that multiple servers in the same rack or proximity can attach to shared devices such as storage via PCIe switches. PCIe components (hardware and software) include: Hardware chipsets, cabling, connectors, endpoints, and adapters Root complex and switches, risers, extenders, retimers, and repeaters Software drivers, BIOS, and management tools HBAs, RAID, SSD, drives, GPU, and other AiC devices Mezzanine, mini-PCIe, M.2, NVMe U.2 (8639 drive form factor) There are many different implementations of PCIe, corresponding to generations representing speed improvements as well as physical packing options. PCIe can be deployed in various topologies, including a traditional model where an AiC such as GbE or Fibre Channel HBA connects the server to a network or storage device. Another variation is for a server to connect to a PCIe switch, or in a shared PCIe configuration between two or more servers. In addition to different generations and topologies, there are also various PCIe form factors and physical connectors (see the following figure), ranging from AiC of various length and height, as well as M.2 small-form-factor devices and U.2 (8639) drive form-factor device for NVMe, among others. Note that the presence of M.2 does not guarantee PCIe NVMe, as it also supports SATA. Likewise, different NVMe devices run at various PCIe speeds based on the number of lanes. For example, in the following figure, the U.2 (8639) device (looks like a SAS device) shown is a PCIe x4. PCIe devices NVMe U.2, M.2, and NVMe AiC. (Source: StorageIO Labs.) PCIe leverages multiple serial unidirectional point-to-point links, known as lanes, compared to traditional PCI, which used a parallel bus design. PCIe interfaces can have one (x1), four (x4), eight (x8), sixteen (x16), or thirty-two (x32) lanes for data movement. Those PCIe lanes can be full-duplex, meaning data is sent and received at the same time, providing improved effective performance. PCIe cards are upward-compatible, meaning that an x4 can work in an x8, an x8 in an x16, and so forth. Note, however, that the cards will not perform any faster than their specified speed; an x4 in an x8 slot will only run at x8. PCIe cards can also have single, dual, or multiple external ports and interfaces. Also, note that there are still some motherboards with legacy PCI slots that are not interoperable with PCIe cards and vice versa. Note that PCIe cards and slots can be mechanically x1, x4, x8, x16, or x32, yet electrically (or signal) wired to a slower speed, based on the type and capabilities of the processor sockets and corresponding chipsets being used. For example, you can have a PCIe x16 slot (mechanical) that is wired for x8, which means it will only run at x8 speed. In addition to the differences between electrical and mechanical slots, also pay attention to what generation the PCIe slots are, such as Gen 2 or Gen 3 or higher. Also, some motherboards or servers will advertise multiple PCIe slots, but those are only active with a second or additional processor socket occupied by a CPU. For example, a PCIe card that has dual x4 external PCIe ports requiring full PCIe bandwidth will need at least PCIe x8 attachment in the server slot. In other words, for full performance, the external ports on a PCIe card or device need to match the external electrical and mechanical card type and vice versa. Recall big âBâ as in Bytes vs. little âbâ as in bits; for example, a PCIe Gen 3 x4 electrical could provide up to 4 GB/s bandwidth (your mileage and performance will vary), which translates to 8 Ã 4 GB or 32 Gbits/s. In the following table below, there is a mix of Big âBâ Bytes per second and small âbâ bits per second. Each generation of PCIe has improved on the previous one by increasing the effective speed of the links. Some of the speed improvements have come from faster clock rates while implementing lower overhead encoding (e.g., from 8 b/10 b to 128 b/130 b). For example, PCIe Gen 3 raw bit or line rate is 8 GT/s or 8 Gbps or about 2 GBps by using a 128 b/130 b encoding scheme that is very efficient compared to PCIe Gen 2 or Gen 1, which used an 8 b/10 b encoding scheme. With 8 b/10 b, there is a 20% overhead vs. a 1.5% overhead with 128 b/130 b (i.e., of 130 bits sent, 128 bits contain data, and 2 bits are for overhead). PCIe Gen 1 Raw bit rate 2.5 GT/s 16 GT/s 8 b/10 b 128 b/130 b x1 Lane bandwidth 16 Gb/s x1 Single lane (one-way) ~250 MB/s ~1 GB/s ~4GB/s x16 Full duplex (both ways) ~16 GB/s ~128 GB/s Above Table: PCIe Generation and Sample Lane Comparison Note that PCIe Gen 3 is the currently generally available shipping technology with PCIe Gen 4 appearing in the not so distant future, with PCIe Gen 5 in the wings appearing a few more years down the road. By contrast, older generations of Fibre Channel and Ethernet also used 8 b/10 b, having switched over to 64 b/66 b encoding with 10 Gb and higher. PCIe, like other serial interfaces and protocols, can support full-duplex mode, meaning that data can be sent and received concurrently. PCIe Bit Rate, Encoding, Giga Transfers, and Bandwidth Letâs clarify something about data transfer or movement both internal and external to a server. At the core of a server, there is data movement within the sockets of the processors and its cores, as well as between memory and other devices (internal and external). For example, the QPI bus is used for moving data between some Intel processors whose performance is specified in giga transfers (GT). PCIe is used for moving data between processors, memory, and other devices, including internal and external facing devices. Devices include host bus adapters (HBAs), host channel adapters (HCAs), converged network adapters (CNAs), network interface cards (NICs) or RAID cards, and others. PCIe performance is specified in multiple ways, given that it has a server processor focus which involves GT for raw bit rate as well as effective bandwidth per lane. Note to keep in perspective PCIe mechanical as well as electrical lanes in that a card or slot may be advertised as say x8 mechanical (e.g., its physical slot form factor) yet only be x4 electrical (how many of those lanes are used or enabled). Also in the case of an adapter that has two or more ports, if the device is advertised as x8 does that mean it is x8 per port or x4 per port with an x8 connection to the PCIe bus. Effective bandwidth per lane can be specified as half- or full-duplex (data moving in one or both directions for send and receive). Also, effective bandwidth can be specified as a single lane (x1), four lanes (x4), eight lanes (x8), sixteen lanes (x16), or 32 lanes (x32), as shown in the above table. The difference in speed or bits moved per second between the raw bit or line rate, and the effective bandwidth per lane in a single direction (i.e., half-duplex) is the encoding that is common to all serial data transmissions. When data gets transmitted, the serializer/deserializer, or serdes, convert the bytes into a bit stream via encoding. There are different types of encoding, ranging from 8 b/10 b to 64 b/66 b and 128 b//130 b, shown in the following table. Single 1542-byte frame 64 Ã 1542-byte frames Encoding Scheme Data Bits Encoding Bits Bits Transmitted Bits Transferred 64 b/66 b Above Table: Low-Level Serial Encoding Data Transmit Efficiency In these encoding schemes, the smaller number represents the amount of data being sent, and the difference is the overhead. Note that this is different yet related to what occurs at a higher level with the various network protocols such as TCP/IP (IP). With IP, there is a data payload plus addressing and other integrity and management features in a given packet or frame. The 8-b/10-b, 64-b/66-b or 128-b/130-b encoding is at the lower physical layer. Thus, a small change there has a big impact and benefit when optimized. Table 4.2 shows comparisons of various encoding schemes using the example of moving a single 1542-byte packet or frame, as well as sending (or receiving) 64 packets or frames that are 1542 bytes in size. Why 1542? That is a standard IP packet including data and protocol framing without using jumbo frames (MTU or maximum transmission units). What does this have to do with PCIe? GbE, 10-GbE, 40-GbE, and other physical interfaces that are used for moving TCP/IP packets and frames interface with servers via PCIe. This encoding is important as part of server storage I/O tradecraft regarding understanding the impact of performance and network or resource usage. It also means understanding why there are fewer bits per second of effective bandwidth (independent of compression or deduplication) vs. line rate in either half- or full-duplex mode. Another item to note is that looking at encoding such as the example given in the above table shows how a relatively small change at a large scale can have a big effective impact benefit. If the bits and bytes encoding efficiency and effectiveness scenario in Table 4.2 do not make sense, then try imagining 13 MINI Cooper automobiles each with eight people in it (yes, that would be a tight fit) end to end on the same road. Now imagine a large bus that takes up much less length on the road than the 13 MINI Coopers. The bus holds 128 people, who would still be crowded but nowhere near as cramped as eight people in a MINI, plus 24 additional people can be carried on the bus. That is an example of applying basic 8-b/10-b encoding (the MINI) vs. applying 128-b/130-b encoding (the bus) and is also similar to PCIe G3 and G4, which use 128-b/130-b encoding for data movement. PCIe Topologies The basic PCIe topology configuration has one or more devices attached to the root complex shown in the following figure via an AiC or onboard device connector. Examples of AiC and motherboard-mounted devices that attach to PCIe root include LAN or SAN HBA, networking, RAID, GPU, NVM or SSD, among others. At system start-up, the server initializes the PCIe bus and enumerates the devices found with their addresses. PCIe devices attach (shown in the following figure) to a bus that communicates with the root complex that connects with processor CPUs and memory. At the other end of a PCIe device is an end-point target, a PCIe switch that in turn has end-point targets attached. From a software standpoint, hypervisor or operating system device drivers communicate with the PCI devices that in turn send or receive data or perform other functions. Basic PCIe root complex with a PCIe switch or expander. Note that in addition to PCIe AiC such as HBAs, GPU, and NVM SSD, among others that install into PCIe slots, servers also have converged storage or disk drive enclosures that support a mix of SAS, SATA, and PCIe. These enclosure backplanes have a connector that attaches to a SAS or SATA onboard port, or a RAID card, as well as to a PCIe riser card or motherboard connector. Depending on what type of drive is installed in the connector, either the SAS, SATA, or NVMe (AiC, U.2, and M2) using PCIe communication paths are used. In addition to traditional and switched PCIe, using PCIe switches as well as nontransparent bridging (NTB), various other configurations can be deployed. These include server to server for clustering, failover, or device sharing as well as fabrics. Note that this also means that while traditionally found inside a server, PCIe can today use an extender, retimer, and repeaters extended across servers within a rack or cabinet. A nontransparent bridge (NTB) is a point-to-point connection between two PCIe-based systems that provide electrical isolation yet functions as a transport bridge between two different address domains. Hosts on either side of the NTB see their respective memory or I/O address space. The NTB presents an endpoint exposed to the local system where writes are mirrored to memory on the remote system to allow the systems to communicate and share devices using associated device drivers. For example, in the following figure, two servers, each with a unique PCIe root complex, address, and memory map, are shown using NTB to any communication between the systems while maintaining data integrity. PCIe dual server example using NTB along with switches. General PCIe considerations (slots and devices) include: Power consumption (and heat dissipation) Physical and software plug-and-play (good interoperability) Drivers (in-the-box, built into the OS, or add-in) BIOS, UEFI, and firmware being current versions Power draw per card or adapters Type of processor, socket, and support chip (if not an onboard processor) Electrical signal (lanes) and mechanical form factor per slot Nontransparent bridge and root port (RP) PCI multi-root (MR), single-root (SR), and hot plug PCIe expansion chassis (internal or external) External PCIe shared storage Various operating system and hypervisor commands are available for viewing and managing PCIe devices. For example, on Linux, the âlspciâ and âlshwâc pciâ commands displays PCIe devices and associated information. On a VMware ESXi host, the âesxcli hardware pci listâ command will show various PCIe devices and information, while on Microsoft Windows systems, âdevice managerâ (GUI) or âdevconâ (command line) will show similar information. Who Are Some PCIe Vendors and Service Providers While not an exhaustive list, here is a sampling of some vendors and service providers involved in various ways with PCIe from solutions to components to services to trade groups include Amphenol (connectors and cables), AWS (cloud data infrastructure services), Broadcom (PCIe components), Cisco (servers), DataOn (servers), Dell EMC (servers, storage, software), E8 (storage software), Excelero (storage software), HPE (storage, servers), Huawei (storage, servers), IBM, Intel (storage, servers, adapters), Keysight (test equipment and tools). Others include Lenovo (servers), Liqid (composable data infrastructure), Mellanox (server and storage adapters), Micron (storage devices), Microsemi (PCIe components), Microsoft (Cloud and Software including S2D), Molex (connectors, cables), NetApp, NVMexpress.org (NVM Express trade group organizations), Open Compute Project (server, storage, I/O network industry group), Oracle, PCISIG (PCIe industry trade group), Samsung (storage devices), ScaleMP (composable data infrastructure), Seagate (storage devices), SNIA (industry trade group), Supermicro (servers), Tidal (composable data infrastructure), Vantar (formerly known as HDS), VMware (Software including vSAN), and WD among others. www.pcisig.com From bits to bytes: Decoding Encoding www.thenvmeplace.com and www.thessdplace.com www.nvmexpress.org If Answer is NVMe, what are questions? Some server storage I/O benchmark workload scripts (Part I) Server Storage I/O Benchmarking Performance Resource Tools NVMe overview and primer â Part I Broadcom aka Avago aka LSI announces SAS SATA NVMe Adapters with RAID Announcing SAS SANs for Dummies book, LSI edition An NVMe Bibliography (via @Drjmetz) Software Defined Data Infrastructure Essentials (CRC Press 2017) PCIe is a fundamental resource for building legacy and software-defined data infrastructures (SDDI), software-defined infrastructures (SDI), data centers and other deployments from laptop to large scale, hyper-scale cloud service providers. Learn more about Servers: Physical, Virtual, Cloud, and Containers in chapter 4 of my new book Software Defined Data Infrastructure Essentials (CRC Press 2017) Available via Amazon.com and other global venues. Meanwhile, PCIe continues to evolve as a Server, Storage, I/O networking fundamental component. Ok, nuff said, for now. Gs Greg Schulz - Microsoft MVP Cloud and Data Center Management, VMware vExpert 2010-2017 (vSAN and vCloud). Author of Software Defined Data Infrastructure Essentials (CRC Press), as well as Cloud and Virtual Data Storage Networking (CRC Press), The Green and Virtual Data Center (CRC Press), Resilient Storage Networks (Elsevier) and twitter @storageio. Three Top Industry Thought Leaders To Keynote at SYS-CON's Cloud Computing Expo SYS-CON's 5th International Virtualization Conference & Expo: Themes & Topics An A to Z of Cloud Computing in New York City Exclusive Q&A with VMware CTO Steve Herrod The Top 150 Players in Cloud Computing VMware Coming Back Along with the Economy	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0068.json.gz/line192
__label__wiki	0.698686	0.698686	Home WA Times Mainers to consider Medicaid expansion this fall Mainers to consider Medicaid expansion this fall AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) – As congressional efforts to change former President Barack Obama’s health law sputter, a push to expand Medicaid in Maine has opponents raising questions about the source of future federal funding. Maine voters are set to consider a Nov. 7 ballot question to require the state to apply for a Medicaid expansion for adults under 65 with incomes at or below 138 percent of the federal poverty line. Currently, 31 states and Washington have used federal dollars to expand Medicaid coverage, and Maine is the only New England state not to do so. Liberal groups and health care providers say expansion could help roughly 70,000 low-income Mainers struggling with medical expenses and opioid addiction. Opponents include Republican Gov. Paul LePage, who has rejected Medicaid expansion five times with Republican allies and traveled to Washington this year to lobby for Maine and federal work requirements for Medicaid recipients. Both sides accuse the other of skimping on the facts. ‘ABLE-BODIED’ SINGLE ADULTS COULD QUALIFY Maine’s ballot question would expand coverage to adults under 65 who earn below $ 16,000 for a single person and $ 22,000 for a family of two. Currently, 19- and 20-year-olds, individuals with disabilities, the elderly and certain low-income parents qualify for MaineCare. David Farmer, a spokesman for the expansion campaign, said it will “reduce the number of people without health insurance, it will create jobs.” The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention called Maine’s uninsured rate of 8.8 percent in 2015 an all-time low, but Maine Hospital Association president Steven Michaud has said state eligibility rules cut MaineCare enrollment by 75,000 people in recent years. Michaud said that move shifted costs to Maine hospitals, which are providing about $ 250 million a year in charity care while Medicaid payments to hospitals are decreasing. $ 54 MILLION ANNUALLY FOR EXPANSION Expanding Medicaid is estimated to cost Maine $ 54 million each year once it is fully implemented, according to the ballot question’s fiscal note. That figure includes $ 27 million in estimated savings and the cost of 103 new state positions to administer the expansion. The federal government would chip in $ 525 million each year, and lawmakers would have to appropriate the $ 54 million if the ballot question passes. Obama’s health care law allowed states to expand Medicaid coverage and receive enhanced federal funding that recent House and Senate Republican bills would have curtailed. Under the law, the government share dropped to 95 percent this year and drops to 90 percent in 2020. Maine won’t receive that extra federal funding for a chunk of low-income Mainers under an expansion because the state previously expanded Medicaid then curtailed coverage. A failed Maine bill estimated that the state would instead receive the regular match of about 62 percent for a quarter of approximately 79,000 eligible Mainers. $ 130,000 RAISED FOR EXPANSION CAMPAIGN The campaign behind the expansion push has reported more than $ 130,000 in contributions and in-kind support from Maine progressive groups, residents and the out-of-state Fairness Project, which is backed by Service Employees International Union and supports ballot initiatives nationwide. Opponents have not formed a formal campaign. LePage, Maine Republican Party Executive Director Jason Savage and the Maine Heritage Policy Center are warning the state’s 2002 Medicaid expansion led to unexpected enrollment and annual shortfalls of $ 50 to $ 100 million. Savage said: “$ 500 million is a lot of money to be paying with in the state budget with no certainty” about the federal health care law’s future. A 2012 Harvard School of Public Health study found expanding Medicaid reduced mortality, increased access and coverage and improved health care outcomes in three states including Maine. Source: www.washingtontimes.com stories: Politics Tags: consider, Expansion, fall, Mainers, Medicaid, This 6 Years After This Train Exploded, Deadly Cargo Still Rolls Through Canada And Then There Was One: Three People Lived in This Village Until Two Were Murdered. ‘Mother Is Not Going to Like This’: The 48 Hours That Almost Brought Down Trump Jeffrey Epstein prosecution could rise or fall on a single word This Reporter Asks a Lot of Questions. In Japan, That Makes Her Unusual.	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0068.json.gz/line196
__label__wiki	0.830635	0.830635	Pens introduce Mike Johnston, Rick Tocchet comes off impressive Wednesday, June 25, 2014 / by William DePaoli / / Pittsburgh Penguins / 0 comments JOHNSTON, TOCCHET INTRODUCED After missing out on Bill Peters and Willie Desjardins last week, GM Jim Rutherford feels he got the right guy. “I feel very strong we got the right coach,” Rutherford said. “He brings great experience.” Rutherford said Mike Johnston fits key areas he was looking for in being able to make adjustments and play a puck possession game. “The style of play, guy capable of making adjustments during games, that’s probably his strongest suit,” Rutherford said. “Guy who coached teams in tournaments and in order to be successful in those tournaments, you always have to make adjustments.” For the Penguins there will be a comfort level with Johnston from the standpoint of a playing style as Johnston is a strong believer in an uptempo offensive system. They’re not making some 360 and hired a Dale Hunter type coach. “My basic framework of the system is puck possession, puck management, tempo and pace,” Johnston said. “We want to give our players as many options as possible. I’m more inclined in teams I’ve coached over the years, to really play a pace game. I want to play a pace game. Certainly like core of players here, defense and forward to play that style of game. Think Pittsburgh was built on the makeup of that style,” Johnston said. One difference I believe we’re going to see in Johnston’s style compared to Bylsma is less reliance on the stretch pass as Johnston is more of a believer in support. Meanwhile, just like how GM Jim Rutherford is believed to feel about this group, Johnston likes the core of this team. “The core group is exactly where I want it. There’s a lot of teams in this league that would like to have this core group,” Johnston said. {MIKE JOHNSTON AUDIO} Johnston called the Penguins group of centers “tailor-made” for his system. A primary focus for Johnston and his coaching staff will be entrenching the mindset into this team that everything they do is built towards the playoffs. “Everything we do is setting the table for the playoffs,” Johnston said when it comes to incorporating good habits from day 1 in training camp. Rick Tocchet will be Johnston’s top assistant, while Jacques Martin is expected be much less involved as a 3rd assistant coach/consultant role. The Penguins will look to hire one more assistant coach, though, it remains to be seen if Johnston will have the authority to make that hire himself or ownership will be making the hire. Johnston was asked if he had the authority and he was vague and appeared a bit uneasy. It’s likely the hire will be someone with a defensive minded background to work with the defensemen. Nonetheless, it’s Tocchet who is being brought on to be the bad cop and presence in the room to the unknown and soft spoken Johnston. Tocchet who held a media scrum after the press conference was very impressive. He talked about the need for players to have the attitude you need to have in the playoffs where if get knocked down, you get back up. The Penguins have longed been plagued by getting rattled by the opposition and it has started with the core players. “When you’re in the playoffs, you get knocked down, you get back up,” Tocchet said. “Love this story, saw Toews get hit in the face, didn’t look at referee, he didn’t go down. Continued to play. Why Chicago successful. Not saying they don’t have that attitude here, just little details I like to see in a player…..LA down 2-0, many times they didn’t panic, not a lot of bitching on the bench. End result is because of these little things from their leaders.” What’s a growing theme from this coaching staff is winning 6-1 games in the regular season isn’t the important part. “Honestly who cares in December, 6-1 games, pad stats, it doesn’t really matter,” Tocchet said. “It’s really April, May.”	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0068.json.gz/line197
__label__wiki	0.645026	0.645026	Blueberry Muffin Oatmeal Adds Flavorful Twist to Breakfast Menu at Jack in the Box® SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apr. 17, 2013-- For generations, oatmeal has been about as interesting as watching grass grow and paint dry. Put simply, oatmeal was boring. Well, leave it to Jack in the Box® restaurants to change the hearty grain’s perception from dud to dynamite by topping it with a dried blueberry blend and adding the flavor of a breakfast pastry by mixing in a swirl of streusel. The new Blueberry Muffin Oatmeal is available beginning today at all Jack in the Box restaurants. “With so many flavorful breakfast options available, oatmeal’s appeal has largely been its ability to keep a hearty appetite satiated,” said Iwona Alter, Division Vice President of Menu Strategy. “While that reputation still holds true, our new Blueberry Muffin Oatmeal is full of flavor, giving breakfast lovers a very compelling reason to choose it for their morning meal.” Jack in the Box offers one of the most varied breakfast menus in the quick-serve industry, with products ranging from assorted breakfast sandwiches and a breakfast platter featuring eggs and mini pancakes to biscuits, croissants and breakfast burritos. Seemingly the only morning staple missing was a hearty bowl of grains. With its full menu, including breakfast, available all day every day, guests can enjoy the new Blueberry Muffin Oatmeal for breakfast, lunch or dinner or as a late-night snack. Jack in the Box Inc. (NASDAQ: JACK), based in San Diego, is a restaurant company that operates and franchises Jack in the Box® restaurants, one of the nation’s largest hamburger chains, with more than 2,200 restaurants in 21 states. Additionally, through a wholly owned subsidiary the company operates and franchises Qdoba Mexican Grill®, a leader in fast-casual dining, with more than 600 restaurants in 44 states, the District of Columbia and Canada. For more information on Jack in the Box and Qdoba, including franchising opportunities, visit www.jackinthebox.com or www.qdoba.com. Follow Jack in the Box on Facebook and Twitter. brian.luscomb@jackinthebox.com	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0068.json.gz/line199
__label__cc	0.513978	0.486022	Accrol appoints John Pilkington as Finance Director on permanent basis Wed 10 Apr 2019 08:20 Tissue converter Accrol announced that John Pilkington had accepted the permanent role of group Finance Director with immediate effect. John joined the senior management team of Accrol in September 2018, as Group Financial Controller. Since then, he had gained a strong understanding of the business and its financials and had been closely involved in the latter stages of the turnaround process. Hannah Argo, who was appointed Interim Chief Financial Officer whilst a search for a permanent replacement was undertaken, had completed her contract and would leave the company today, Accrol said. At 8:20am: (LON:ACRL) Accrol Group Hldgs Plc share price was 0p at 22p	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0068.json.gz/line200
__label__wiki	0.510476	0.510476	The Hunter region, and its capital Newcastle, remain at the crossroads. Behind it is a well documented history of success on the back of resources and manufacturing enterprises. We now face a choice whether to maintain our attachment to the past and the competitive advantages of yesteryear, or to build on our emerging new strengths in services and the knowledge economy, in order to deepen, diversify and accelerate change which is already underway. The Hunter is on the crest of a transition that will reshape the way that we interact and do business. The transition provides the perfect opportunity to build on the region’s natural competitive advantages, exploit its depth of research talent, engineering expertise and creative community and leverage these ingredients to shape our region into one that can be renowned as a smart city. The partners behind the Hunter Innovation Project have declared their stance: The future should embrace innovation-led growth in order to sustain our role as a dynamic economy in the years to come. Our collective vision is to establish and nurture an innovation ecosystem within the Hunter Region. The HIP will help achieve this vision through establishment of smart city infrastructure and a digitally connected innovation precinct. This will enhance the appeal of Newcastle and the Hunter to businesses and entrepreneurs in the technology and digital-creative sectors. Newcastle and the Hunter Region is a vibrant, prosperous and future-focussed community. We celebrate an enviable lifestyle and a creative, cohesive society, secure in a knowledge-based, diverse and sustainable economy. The future economic prosperity of the Hunter region will rely heavily on its capacity to turn people’s ideas into services and products that create value. The Hunter Innovation Project will foster economic growth and employment in the Hunter regional economy particularly in new and emerging industries. It will act as a magnet to attract, retain, and develop talent and additional investment in the new knowledge-based economy and beyond. The new economic paradigm for Newcastle and the region will be about participating in, if not leading, the creative/ disruptive forces which will create the value add and jobs of the future in new and expanding markets. The Hunter Innovation Project will provide physical spaces, data connectivity and smart infrastructure to increase productivity and leverage investment in research and technology in Newcastle and the Hunter Region. This innovation-enabling infrastructure will support entrepreneurs, tech and knowledge-related start-ups and existing enterprises in both traditional and emergent sectors to take advantage of opportunities in the digital economy, green technology, advanced manufacturing, health, education and smart city management. The HIP will deliver three key elements: Smart City Infrastructure The Hunter Innovation Project is deploying smart cities infrastructure initially throughout the Newcastle city centre. Digital connectivity through WiFi and LPWAN (low power wide area networks) will link sensors and integrated technology to provide detailed real time city data, facilitating an open-ended range of services and applications to improve the ease of access, efficiency and liveability of the city for residents, businesses and tourists. Initial applications include smart parking, smart lighting, and public WiFi. A central piece of the Hunter Innovation Project is a dedicated facility in the Newcastle city centre bringing together researchers, students, developers, entrepreneurs, investors, technical specialists and business advisors. By linking with existing Innovation and Entrepreneurship programs, the Innovation Hub will facilitate the launch of spinoffs, start-ups and mature companies; attract investment and businesses to the Hunter Region; encourage innovation and commercialisation; and produce the next generation of entrepreneurs, business leaders and inventors. Digital Precinct The Hunter Innovation Project will seed a designated zone within Newcastle City Centre with high speed fibre broadband (fttp). This concentrated capability will give the Hunter Region a key competitive advantage in attracting and retaining high-tech, digital and creative industries to stay or locate in the region. Additional investment in technology-integrated public domain will create a city environment attracting entrepreneurs, start-ups, and SMEs to locate, cluster and co-create a dynamic digital precinct in the heart of the new Newcastle. Innovation-enabling infrastructure will support entrepreneurs, tech and knowledge-related start-ups and existing enterprises. Newcastle Now City of Newcastle Hunter DiGiT For enquiries contact Nathaniel Bavinton (Smart City Coordinator, City of Newcastle) Email: smartcity@ncc.nsw.gov.au © 2016 Hunter Innovation Project. All Rights Reserved.	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0068.json.gz/line203
__label__wiki	0.541254	0.541254	by admin - January 6, 2019 January 6, 2019 0 By: Jay Moore The youth in Georgia girl’s basketball have created their own new Atlanta as well in the Georgia high school basketball scene. No disrespect to the class of 2019, but 2020, 2021, 2022, and even some players in 2023 are making a name for themselves. A name not only in the state of Georgia, but a name that rings bells across the country. Class of 2020 host a slew of prospects ranked in the ESPN top 60 and another who is the Georgia 6A player of the year. 2021 is the young gunz of Georgia making noise every year since the arrived into high school. 2021 host ranked players, state champions, and players who are breaking scoring records before their 16th birthday. 2022 has one of the top prospects in the state regardless of class. Then 2023 has girl who has college offers, championship, and plays that make people take notice before she has walk through a high school door. Cliff Harris (T.I. aka TIP aka King of the South) = AC Carter (5’10 G Wesleyan) The Educated killer. A.C is one of the top players in the country, yet that does not stop her from going to one of the best academic schools in the country too. AC dominates games and has two state championships to show for how much she can affect a high school basketball game. Just like T.I rapping style AC is smooth, melodic, and methodical in her approach to the game. We as a staff have not seen many players think the game as well as she does. The kid always seems to be two plays ahead of everyone else on the court. Just like the political T.I, A.C. is able go play against any public school or private school and still dominate. 2 Chainz = Anaya Boyd (6ft PG Lovejoy High School) The two Southside legends. Both products of Clayton County with exceptionally unique styles. 2 Chainz style is of rap is different than anyone else. He is exceptional amongst a group of exceptional talents. He’s witty, smooth, with a charisma that can charm anyone. Anaya’s game basically mirrors that on a basketball court. With her sheer size (6 foot tall) at her position she is exceptionally unique. When you put her in a room full of top prospects she easily draws attention. Her smooth game is likeable, different, but for sure makes you respect it. She and 2 Chainz both have carved out their own lane in the game, with a style that no one can duplicate. Young Jeezy= Olivia Cochran (6’2 F Carver Columbus) South Georgia has always been overlooked by Atlanta. Then they always send a legend to Atlanta and make their name and city known. Young Jeezy came at the height of the trap music era with his smooth street style. Now he is the OG and still manages to re-event himself to be at the top of the food chain in New Atlanta. With Atlanta being one of the hot beds for recruits, its young kids stand strong in the rankings and impact they are having on the high school scene. One 2020 that has come from South Georgia, (Carver Columbus to be exact) has made her name known. Olivia Cochran, is not just only one of the best players in Georgia but one of the top players in the nation. Her physical style is a lost are in the women’s game, but not in Olivia’s game. She embraces the contact. Still she is nimble enough to face up, take you off the dribble, or shoot the three. 6’2 and all muscle Olivia is simply a grown woman. Gucci Mane = Genesis Bryant (5’7 PG Lovejoy High) The hood legend Gucci Mane. Has made his own way. Gucci was never supposed to be a national super star. If you looked up what a rap superstar was before Gucci he was not that. Commercial he was not, he was the hood legend. The people made Gucci a superstar. No matter where you went in any hood they loved Gucci. The people related to him. In girls basketball the hood Gucci is Genesis Bryant. Go anywhere they know Genesis Bryant. She is a walking bucket. Commercial nah, Genesis has too many negative on her game for that. She not big enough, is she point guard or a small wing. Negatives are thrown at her just like Gucci. Go in any gym and ask any fan or coach what they think about Genesis Bryant. Each will tell you they love her. 5’7 115lbs, 6A player of the year, 2x All state, Clayton county player of year, 1,000 point scorer, and state champion the class of 2020 point guard has all the accolades to show for herself despite whatever any one may doubt about her size. Just like Gucci she always overcomes all the hate thrown her way. Migos = Raven Johnson (5’10 Pg.) Olympia Chaney (5’9 G) , Brianna “Snoop” Turnage (6’1 W/F) Westlake High School Quavo, Takeoff, Offset, Raven, Olympia, and Snoop in that order. Westlake has the hottest group of young hoopers in the state. Three power five Division One sophomores on one team. Early and fast success came from the three unique artist blending their talents together. Offset the unsung leader, a genius who orchestrates the group. Offset the muscle and style of the group. Then there is Takeoff the member who at times is overlooked, but once you take a deeper look he may be the most talented. Yet his laid back demeanor does not seem to care if he is the front or back of the group as long as the group is a success. The same for the three super sophomore. Early success came for the trio as they won a state championship in their freshman year. Raven Johnson is the Quavo to Westlake. Hands down one of the top point guards in the country not just the state of Georgia. Raven runs any team that she plays on like a well-oiled machine. Brianna “Snoop” Turnage, Offset the much different player than the rest. Not just different because she is a 6’1 wing/forward who can guard any position on the floor and impacts games on both ends of the floor. The swagger Snoop brings to the game creates a following like no other in the girls game. Olympia Chaney laid back demeanor is not the only thing that reminds you of Takeoff. Quavo (Raven) and Offsets (Brianna) swag overshadow a lot of the time Takeoff’s talent. The same can be said about Olympia, arguably one of the top 10 sophomores in the state of Georgia. Olympia is talented, her natural knack for scoring the basketball has garnered her division 1 offer from Ole Miss University and interest from multiple other power 5 schools. People see the talent when the take a close look but the way Westlake trio setup Olympia does not mind taking a back seat to the starlight. Lil Baby= Mia Moore (5’6 Point Guard St. Francis) Lil Baby has burst on the scene. Coming with consistent hits has made people respect what he does in the loaded youthful Atlanta rap scene. Mia Moore is a 2021 guard who has burst on to the scene this year with consistent stellar play. Her lighting quick speed has blown defenders and fans away. Derez Deshon= Sania Feagin (6’4 Forward Forest Park) Derez Deshon is not one of the first names when you think of the youthful Atlanta rap scene. He is not unless you are talking to the youth. Ask anyone under 25 about a rapper that making noise and they all will bring up the Clayton County product. The same can be said abought Sania Feagin. When you bring up the top 2021’s she is not one of the first names everyone thinks of, but when you ask the young hoopers they all talk about the 6’4 stretch 4. Sania is a rim protector from Forest Park High School (Clayton County) who has made a name for herself in the state and the nation. One of the lone 2021 ranked in ESPN’s terrific 25. Her game speaks for herself, the same way Derez music speaks for him. Lil Yatchy= Demauri Flournoy (5’6 Carrollton High School) Check out Demauri state sheet from this year alone, you will quickly see that she is not the average sophomore. Demauri is a walking bucket. Standing 5’6 she is often overlooked because she is different being a smaller guard. The same way Lil Yatchy is overlooked for his different appearance. Their differences does not outweigh their beautiful talent. Demauri maybe the shiftiest player in the south. Her handles are out of this world and to think she is only in the 10th grade the sky is the limit for the Carrollton produce. 21 Savage= Kayla McPherson (5’6 Madison County) Different is the easy way to explain 21 Savage and Kayla McPherson. Different they are but the are both also talent. Regardless how much exposure they do or don’t have everyone around the country know who they are. Kayla is the highest ranked 2021 in the state of Georgia. She scores with the best of them, shoots lights out, and her the ball is on a string in her hand. Not to many people can say Mcpherson has many holes in her game. Young Nudy= Essence Cody (6’4 Valdosta High School) Both Nudy and Cody are the new kids on the block. Young Nudy is known and loved by everybody in the Atlanta rap game. Yes he the newest face in a crowed Atlanta rap scene but he has created his own lane. Essence a 2023 6’4 C maybe the top 8th grader in the country and she resides in Valdosta Georgia. Essence game is light years in front of her age. She has poise in the post, can face up and shoot while also still having star appeal. Cody and Nudy both are making a statement to reassure that the youth in Atlanta are here to stay. TOC Player Report by Jaron Pierre Mathurine	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0068.json.gz/line211
__label__cc	0.646038	0.353962	Dhimmitude as Stockholm Syndrome When a person is helpless against another who can beat him at will, even kill him, the persecuted person soon starts admiring the persecutor Two terms I frequently use are dhimmitude and dhimmi, terms whose genesis, consequence and current state I would like to examine here. From this examination, I also hope to make it clear why Hindus can’t take their religious processions through Muslim-majority areas, why Hindus historically never studied Islam, and why they did not mount a spirited, intellectual criticism of Islam, and why Hindus still think Islam is merciful and benevolent in the face of all evidence to the contrary, and most importantly, why even today Hindus refuse to discuss Islam and tell fellow Hindus to shut up if the try to discuss Islam. First, an extract from Wikipedia- Stockholm syndrome, or capture–bonding, is a psychological phenomenon in which hostages express empathy and sympathy and have positive feelings toward their captors, sometimes to the point of defending them. These feelings are generally considered irrational in light of the danger or risk endured by the victims, who essentially mistake a lack of abuse from their captors for an act of kindness.[1][2] The FBI’s Hostage Barricade Database System shows that roughly 27% of victims show evidence of Stockholm syndrome. Stockholm syndrome can be seen as a form of traumatic bonding, which does not necessarily require a hostage scenario, but which describes “strong emotional ties that develop between two persons where one person intermittently harasses, beats, threatens, abuses, or intimidates the other. ”[4] One commonly used hypothesis to explain the effect of Stockholm syndrome is based on Freudian theory. It suggests that the bonding is the individual’s response to trauma in becoming a victim. Identifying with the aggressor is one way that the ego defends itself. When a victim believes the same values as the aggressor, they cease to be a threat. This line needs to be read again: “one person intermittently harasses, beats, threatens, abuses, or intimidates the other.” When a person is helpless against another who can beat him at will, even kill him, the persecuted person soon starts admiring the persecutor for the intervals when he is not being beaten. Now we can turn to the Quran 9.29, in which lie the origins of Dhimma, meaning “pact”: 9.29. Fight against those from among the People of the Book who (despite being People of the Book) do not believe in God and the Last Day (as they should be believed in), and do not hold as unlawful that which God and His Messenger have decreed to be unlawful, and do not adopt and follow the Religion of truth, until they pay the jizyah (tax of protection and exemption from military service) with a willing hand in a state of submission. It’s also illuminative to read authoritative commentaries by noted Islamic scholars on this verse: Jalal: Fight those who do not believe in God, nor in the Last Day, for, otherwise, they would have believed in the Prophet (s), and who do not forbid what God and His Messenger have forbidden, such as wine, nor do they practise the religion of truth, the firm one, the one that abrogated other religions, namely, the religion of Islam — from among of those who (min, ‘from’, explains [the previous] alladhīna, ‘those who’) have been given the Scripture, namely, the Jews and the Christians, until they pay the jizya tribute, the annual tax imposed them, readily (‘an yadin is a circumstantial qualifier, meaning, ‘compliantly’, or ‘by their own hands’, not delegating it [to others to pay]), being subdued, [being made] submissive and compliant to the authority of Islam.(Tafsir al-Jalalayn,) Ibn Kathir’s commentary: “Allah said, (until they pay the Jizyah), if they do not choose to embrace Islam, (with willing submission), in defeat and subservience, (and feel themselves subdued.), disgraced, humiliated and belittled. Therefore, Muslims are not allowed to honor the people of Dhimmah or elevate them above Muslims, for they are miserable, disgraced and humiliated. Muslim recorded from Abu Hurayrah that the Prophet said, (Do not initiate the Salam to the Jews and Christians, and if you meet any of them in a road, force them to its narrowest alley.) This is why the Leader of the faithful `Umar bin Al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, demanded his well-known conditions be met by the Christians, these conditions that ensured their continued humiliation, degradation and disgrace.” The verse itself, and both the commentaries by the most renowned commentators lay emphasis on the fact that -jizyah has to be paid in submission, in humiliation. The Muslim who comes to collect jizyah has to humiliate the person paying jizyah. Equally, several Muslim sources are quoted saying that the jizyah collector has to sit on a higher place, and the kafir has to stand in front of him, and after the money changes hands, the Muslim must hit the kafir below ear to degrade him. The first instance of dhimma, and which is the basis of later pacts, was the pact that Mohammed made with the Jews of Khaybar Oasis after defeating them, killing many, and taking many women as sex slaves. The pact stipulated that Jews can continue to cultivate the lands but that the ownership of land would lie with Muslims, and 50 per cent of the produce each year would be paid as jizyah. This was in 628 CE. With such a humiliating pact, the Oasis which was till then the richest Oasis in Arabia, went to ruins, as Jews, very good farmers till then, lost all incentive to work hard, and the remaining Jews were driven out by Omar in 642 CE. This is also the reason why Hindus in India became so poor during the prolonged medieval Muslim rule- when 50 per cent of income of the Hindus were taken away as jizyah, not to mention the slave-like conditions they had to work in, they only produced enough to keep themselves alive. Next, we can examine Omar, the second Caliph after Mohammed. It is worth reading the text of his famous pact which the vanquished Christians of Syria signed. In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. This is a document to the servant of Allah `Umar, the Leader of the faithful, from the Christians of such and such city. When you (Muslims) came to us we requested safety for ourselves, children, property and followers of our religion. We made a condition on ourselves that: we will neither erect in our areas a monastery, church, or a sanctuary for a monk, nor restore any place of worship that needs restoration nor use any of them for the purpose of enmity against Muslims. We will not prevent any Muslim from resting in our churches whether they come by day or night, and we will open the doors [of our houses of worship] for the wayfarer and passerby. Those Muslims who come as guests, will enjoy boarding and food for three days. We will not allow a spy against Muslims into our churches and homes or hide deceit [or betrayal] against Muslims. We will not teach our children the Qur’an, We will not] publicize practices of Shirk, [We will not] invite anyone to Shirk or prevent any of our fellows from embracing Islam, if they choose to do so. We will respect Muslims, [We will] move from the places we sit in if they choose to sit in them. We will not imitate their clothing, caps, turbans, sandals, hairstyles, speech, nicknames and title names, or ride on saddles, [We will not] hang swords on the shoulders, collect weapons of any kind or carry these weapons. We will not encrypt our stamps in Arabic, or sell liquor. We will have the front of our hair cut, wear our customary clothes wherever we are, [We will] wear belts around our waist, refrain from erecting crosses on the outside of our churches and [refrain from] demonstrating them and our books in public in Muslim fairways and markets. We will not sound the bells in our churches, except discretely, or raise our voices while reciting our holy books inside our churches in the presence of Muslims, nor raise our voices [with prayer] at our funerals, or light torches in funeral processions in the fairways of Muslims, or their markets. We will not bury our dead next to Muslim dead, or buy servants who were captured by Muslims. We will be guides for Muslims and refrain from breaching their privacy in their homes. We will not beat any Muslim. These are the conditions that we set against ourselves and followers of our religion in return for safety and protection. If we break any of these promises that we set for your benefit against ourselves, then our Dhimmah (promise of protection) is broken and you are allowed to do with us what you are allowed of people of defiance and rebellion. This is the pact, the dhimma which gives rise to dhimmitude and dhimmis. It is pretty clear from this that it is an instrument that gives rise to Stockholm Syndrome in the entire population of kafirs. And that is its exact objective and effect. When we analyse the pact clause by clause in the context of Hindus, we get this: No new temples can be constructed, and existing ones cannot be repaired. So kafirs will gradually lose their places of worship. Muslims are entitled to stay in temples, in kafir homes, and the kafir is bound to take good care of them whether kafirs want to do so or not. Kafirs are prohibited to read the Quran, for the simple reason that they will discover what this so called book of religion actually says, and whether any God can ever say what this alleged book of God says. That is why Hindus know so little of the Quran even today. Kafirs will respect Muslims and will leave for them place to sit. Kafirs will not bear arms, and will not use saddle on horses. Fully disarmed, kafirs can’t defend themselves. Kafirs will not take out religious procession through Muslim areas. That is why the Jaggannath Yatra in Ahmedabad cannot be taken through Muslim areas. And kafirs cannot beat Muslims of course. In all, Kafirs lead and must lead a most degraded existence. But the most crucial aspect of the pact is the last paragraph. In return for safety and protection- in other words, non-Muslims are only safe and protected only if they obey all of the above conditions at all times. So if any kafir breaks any of the conditions, the protection is lifted from all kafirs, because the pact was collective. And because individual Muslims are authorized to inflict sharia punishments, any Muslim can punish any kafir. This is what has made a huge chunk of the 100 crore Hindus of India as dhimmis whether they consciously realize it or no. It is what dictates Indian politics and public discourse;” you are allowed to do with us what you are allowed of people of defiance and rebellion,” meaning people of rebellion are allowed to be killed. So jizyah is basically protection money to put off the killing of the conquered people by just one more year, that is, when the next installment of jizyah comes due. But payment of protection money doesn’t buy protection if any conditions of Umar’s pact are violated. Therefore kafirs themselves become enforcers of the conditions of Omar’s pact. Thus, any infraction of the pact by any kafir makes every kafir liable to be killed. This is the condition that gives rise to dhimmitude- an attitude that gets ingrained into the kafir’s psyche like a control switch: Muslims are not to be offended nor allowed to be offended by my fellow kafirs instead they have to be respected and praised. And so we have hundreds of thousands of dhimmis—fellow Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, and Christians of India (and others across the world)—who continue to unconsciously enforce Omar’s diktat. Indeed, the obstinacy of a few Hindus asking uncomfortable questions and critically scrutinizing Islam’s foundational books may lead to murder of any one of these modern-day enforcers of the dhimma. Welcome to dhimmitude. Foundational Texts of Hinduism One year of the Narendra Modi Government: An assessment	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0068.json.gz/line215
__label__wiki	0.917493	0.917493	Home Info Forums Prereleases Unlicensed Game Secrets Hacking Info Community Hacking Guide Fan Gaming Adventures of Sonic Sonic the Hedgehog 006 (Archie) From Sonic Retro "Sonic the Hedgehog" Country: North America Writer: Michael Gallagher Pencils: Dave Manak, Henry Scarpelli, Dan Nakrosis, Barry Grossman, Victor Gorelick and Paul Castiglia Cover artist: Dave Manak, Henry Scarpelli Sonic the Hedgehog 6 is the sixth issue of the Sonic the Hedgehog comic series. It was released in January 1994. This comic features two stories: The Spin Doctor, and Sonic's Christmas Carol. It also features one featurettes: Here Comes the Bribe!. It is the first comic in the series to feature a direct tie-in to a video game release, namely Sonic Spinball. 1 The Spin Doctor 2 Here Comes the Bribe 3 Sonic's Christmas Carol 4 Background Information The Spin Doctor Sonic the Hedgehog leads on the Freedom Fighters to a surprise attack on Dr. Robotnik's factory in Robotropolis. Upon arrival, they notice the factory boarded up and a note on the door stating that Robotnik has moved his operations to Mount Mobius, an active volcano. Sonic rushes off to the volcano, solo, despite objections from the other Freedom Fighters. Sonic later arrives at Mount Mobius, a large active volcano with Robotnik's likeliness on it. He leans on a pair of rails leading into the volcano, standing infront of a pinball flipper. Robotnik, from inside the volcano, presses a button in his lair, activating the flipper and sending Sonic careening into lava. He jumps over the lava continuously onto the pinball rails, using them as a track for his legs. He runs into the volcano. Sonic first enters into the Toxic Caves, meeting with a Rexxon. Rexxon picks Sonic up and takes him to Scorpius. Sonic enters into a spindash and rebounds off the two, destroying them both. Robotnik reacts in anger as he watches Sonic continue through the volcano, but thinks he won't be able to go through the next level. Sonic, meanwhile, boards a freight car and heads to the Lava Powerhouse. While on the mine cart, Sonic encounters 4 Ferrons. Despite the overwhelming number, Sonic destroys them with ease and boasts at Robotnik through his monitor. Getting off the mine cart, Sonic hears many animal calls, only to be launched into a tube toward The Machine. Sonic arrives in The Machine, witnessing a ton of animals trapped in the Veg-O-Machine, a roboticizer. They warn Sonic to look behind him just as a bunch of pitcher plants try to eat him. He runs off toward a door leading to Robotnik, only to find it's a trap. A spring launches him out the top of the volcano. Tails grabs him in mid-air, while Sonic says he will return to destroy the base. Here Comes the Bribe Sonic is reading some fan-mail from a mailbox. The first letter he opens up has a reader, Brandon, asking for Antoine to appear more often. Sonic reacts in shock and anger as he keeps reading, with the writer stating that Antoine is the noblest Freedom Fighter, is brave, loyal, and has helped saved Sonic before. The writer goes so far to saying that the comic should be called 'Antoine'. Sonic marches off in anger to Antoine's room, finding Antoine writing a letter to Brandon thanking him for writing the letter he so asked and is enclosing a check. Sonic's Christmas Carol Robotnik Scrooge is talking to Rotor Walrus, asking him if he was saying he was a penny pincher. Rotor states he was simply asking when he will have the roof fixed, as the room is full of snow. Robotnik yells at Rotor, saying he'll spend his money when he feels like it. Rotor then asks if he can have the next day off, which Robotnik declines, as his factory must run everyday. Rotor promises to make up the time, which makes Robotnik change Rotor's lunch time from 5 minutes to 1 minute for 10 years. He chases Rotor out of the factory as he heads home. That night, Robotnik is sitting in his mansion, watching television and eating petroleum pudding. Suddenly, the image of burning rubbish on his television changes to an image of the ghost of Jacob Snarley. Robotnik tries to change the channel to no avail. Snarley warns Robotnik that he needs to change his ways or become like him. Robotnik ignores him, and kicks the television, damaging it and making Snarley disappear. Later that night, at midnight, Robotnik is attempting to sleep, hiding under the covers in fear. He hears a noise and peeks out of the covers, watching as Sonic arrives infront of the bed on a skateboard as the Spirit of Christmas Past. He grabs Robotnik, despite his objections, and travels to the past where a young Robotnik is enjoying setting up the house for Christmas with Sonic under the watch of Uncle Chuck. Robotnik watches as his younger self, however, grabs Uncle Chuck's tractor and heads to ram the Christmas tree and put the blame on Sonic. The young Sonic digs a trench around the tree to protect it, to the anger of old Robotnik. He runs forth to stop the young Sonic, only to trip and land his face in a bowl of Christmas mush. He looks up to see he is now in Knothole Village, the home of Rotor. Sonic has now been replaced with another Sonic wearing a present, proclaiming himself as the Spirit of Christmas Present. Tails arrives with a large package, which Robotnik instantly notices is a bomb he sent out. They decide to open it, Robotnik watching in glee, only to have Sonic arrive and take the package, wanting to return it to the sender in case it was a gift from Robotnik. As Sonic writes 'Return to Sender' on the package, Robotnik attempts to stop him, as the Spirit of Christmas Present holds him back, saying he can't do anything. Now wanting to go back to his house, he finds himself in the middle of a wasteland: the future. An old man walks up to Robotnik. He laughs at the old man, only to find out that it is him by a yellow caped Sonic, the Spirit of Christmas Future. The Spirit tells him that Robotnik has turned into broken man bent on greed and evil in the future. The Freedom Fighters, all old and worn out, walk by. The Spirit mentions that with all the years of fighting, they have grown tired. He concludes that, even with all the power, Robotnik will have nothing to rule over in the future and that he must end his evil ways. Before he can decide, he looks over to see a large mecha capture the old Freedom Fighters with the old Robotnik celebrating with glee. Robotnik changes his mind, just as an old Sonic arrives, but before he can enter into a spindash to stop him, he trips. A mailman then arrives, giving Robotnik the package that Sonic had sent for return in the present, sent via fourth class, the slowest mail possible. Present Robotnik recognizes the present and runs to stop the old Robotnik, but is too late: the package explodes. In Knothole Village, Sonic is woken up by Rotor, having dreamt the whole thing. Rotor tells him he has slept through most of Christmas, which perks Sonic up, realizing they are on the last page of the comic. He gets out of bed, just in time to wish the reader a Merry Christmas, acting as Santa in a shoe-shaped sleigh with the Freedom Fighters singing Christmas carols and Robotnik stuck in the snow after the explosion. The Spin Doctor is a direct tie-in to the game Sonic Spinball, which came out about 1 month prior to release of this issue. All areas of the game, and some of the badniks in it, are referenced. This issue uses Sally's original pink style. This is the first issue in the comic series to use Rotor's name correctly, rather than using Boomer. The cover of issue 7, shown in the Sonic-grams segment, is different from the final design. Sonic references the Casino Night Zone in The Spin Doctor. Sonic's Christmas Carol is based on the Charles Dickens story A Christmas Carol. The title has a tie pun. 1 \| 2 \| 3 \| 4 \| 5 \| 6 \| 7 \| 8 \| 9 \| 10 \| 11 \| 12 \| 13 \| 14 \| 15 \| 16 \| 17 \| 18 \| 19 20 \| 21 \| 22 \| 23 \| 24 \| 25 \| 26 \| 27 \| 28 \| 29 \| 30 \| 31 \| 32 \| 33 \| 34 \| 35 \| 36 \| 37 \| 38 \| 39 \| 40 \| 41 \| 42 \| 43 92 \| 93 \| 94 \| 95 \| 96 \| 97 \| 98 \| 99 \| 100 \| 101 \| 102 \| 103 \| 104 \| 105 \| 106 \| 107 \| 108 \| 109 \| 110 \| 111 \| 112 \| 113 \| 114 \| 115 \| 116 \| 117 118 \| 119 \| 120 \| 121 \| 122 \| 123 \| 124 \| 125 \| 126 \| 127 \| 128 \| 129 \| 130 \| 131 \| 132 \| 133 \| 134 \| 135 \| 136 \| 137 \| 138 \| 139 \| 140 \| 141 \| 142 \| 143 144 \| 145 \| 146 \| 147 \| 148 \| 149 \| 150 \| 151 \| 152 \| 153 \| 154 \| 155 \| 156 \| 157 \| 158 \| 159 \| 160 \| 161 \| 162 \| 163 \| 164 \| 165 \| 166 \| 167 \| 168 \| 169 \| 170 171 \| 172 \| 173 \| 174 \| 175 \| 176 \| 177 \| 178 \| 179 \| 180 \| 181 \| 182 \| 183 \| 184 \| 185 \| 186 \| 187 \| 188 \| 189 \| 190 \| 191 \| 192 \| 193 \| 194 \| 195 221 \| 222 \| 223 \| 224 \| 225 \| 226 \| 227 \| 228 \| 229 \| 230 \| 231 \| 232 \| 233 \| 234 \| 235 \| 236 \| 237 \| 238 \| 239 \| 240 \| 241 \| 242 \| 243 \| 244 245 \| 246 \| 247 \| 248 \| 249 \| 250 \| 251 \| 252 \| 253 \| 254 \| 255 \| 256 \| 257 \| 258 \| 259 \| 260 \| 261 \| 262 \| 263 \| 264 \| 265 \| 266 \| 267 291 \| 292 \| 293 \| 294 \| Everything Old is Newt Again 1 \| 2 \| 3 \| 4 \| 5 \| 6 \| 7 \| 8 \| 9 \| 10 \| 11 \| 12 \| 13 \| 14 \| 15 \| 16 \| 17 \| 18 \| 19 \| 20 \| 21 \| 22 \| 23 \| 24 \| 25 \| 26 \| 27 \| 28 \| 29 \| 30 \| 31 \| 32 \| 33 \| 34 \| 35 \| 36 \| 37 \| 38 \| 39 \| 40 \| 41 \| 42 \| 43 \| 44 \| 45 \| 46 \| 47 \| 47 \| 48 \| 49 \| 50 \| 51 \| 52 \| 53 \| 54 \| 55 \| 56 \| 57 \| 58 \| 59 \| 60 \| 61 \| 62 \| 63 \| 64 \| 65 \| 66 \| 67 \| 68 \| 69 \| 70 \| 71 \| 72 \| 73 \| 74 \| 75 \| 76 \| 77 \| 78 \| 79 \| 80 \| 81 \| 82 \| 83 \| 84 \| 85 \| 86 \| 87 \| 88 \| 89 \| 90 \| 91 \| 92 \| 93 \| 94 \| 95 \| 96 \| 97 The Original Sonic Mini-Series: ¼ \| 0 \| 1 \| 2 \| 3 \| Sally Mini-Series: 1 \| 2 \| 3 \| Tails Mini-Series: 1 \| 2 \| 3 \| Knuckles Mini-Series: 1 \| 2 \| 3 \| Sonic Quest: The Death Egg Saga 1 \| 2 \| 3 Specials & Digests Sonic in Your Face! \| Sonic & Knuckles \| Sonic Triple Trouble \| Knuckles' Chaotix \| Super Sonic vs Hyper Knuckles \| Sonic & Knuckles: Mecha Madness \| Sonic Live! \| Sonic Blast \| Sonic Mega Drive Sonic Super Special: 1 \| 2 \| 3 \| 4 \| 5 \| 6 \| 7 \| 8 \| 9 \| 10 \| 11 \| 12 \| 13 \| 14 \| 15 Free Comic Book Specials: FCBD 2007 \| FCBD 2008 \| FCBD 2009 \| FCBD 2010 \| FCBD 2011 \| FCBD 2012 \| FCBD 2013 \| HCF 2013 \| FCBD 2014 \| FCBD 2015 \| FCBD 2016 \| FCBD 2017 Sonic Super Special Magazine: 1 \| 2 \| 3 \| 4 \| 5 \| 6 \| 7 \| 8 \| 9 \| 10 \| 11 \| 12 Sonic Super Digest: 1 \| 2 \| 3 \| 4 \| 5 \| 6 \| 7 Worlds Unite Battles: Sonic \| Mega Man Sonic the Hedgehog Firsts \| Sonic the Hedgehog: The Beginning \| Sonic: Genesis \| Worlds Collide: 1 \| 2 \| 3 \| Deluxe Edition Sonic Archives: 0 \| 1 \| 2 \| 3 \| 4 \| 5 \| 6 \| 7 \| 8 \| 9 \| 10 \| 11 \| 12 \| 13 \| 14 \| 15 \| 16 \| 17 \| 18 \| 19 \| 20 \| 21 \| 22 \| 23 Sonic Select: 1 \| 2 \| 3 \| 4 \| 5 \| 6 \| 7 \| 8 \| 9 \| Knuckles Archives: 1 \| 2 \| 3 \| 4 \| 5 \| 6 Sonic Universe Series: 1 \| 2 \| 3 \| 4 \| 5 \| 6 \| 7 \| 8 \| 9 \| Sonic Saga Series: 1 \| 2 \| 3 \| 4 \| 5 \| 6 \| 7 Sonic Legacy Series: 1 \| 2 \| 3 \| 4 \| Best of... Comics: 1 \| 2 \| 3 Digital Exclusives: Sonic: Love Stinks \| Sonic: Bunnie Blast \| Sonic: Fight Club \| Sonic: The Games - Classic \| Sonic: The Games - Millennium \| Sonic: The Games - Modern \| Sonic's Monster Mash-Up The Complete Sonic Comic Encyclopedia \| Archie & Friends: A Halloween Tale \| Archie's Weird Mysteries \| Sonic and the Secret Rings \| Sabrina the Teenage Witch 28 \| Mega Man: 24 \| 25 \| 26 \| 27 \| 50 \| 51 \| 52 Retrieved from "http://info.sonicretro.org/index.php?title=Sonic_the_Hedgehog_006_(Archie)&oldid=275690" Sonic the Hedgehog issues Sonic the Hedgehog (Archie) issues About Sonic Retro	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0068.json.gz/line216
__label__wiki	0.701398	0.701398	Militants Used Chinese Made Steel Bullets In Anantnag Attack: Report SRINAGAR: Militants who carried out the attack on a joint team of police and paramilitary men in Anantnag district of June 12 that left five CRPF personnel and a police officer dead, used Chinese-made steel-coated bullets in the attack, media reports claimed on Friday. The reports have quoted a top CRPF officer who confirmed that the five personnel killed were wearing bulletproof shields but suffered serious injuries due to the Chinese-made bullets that pierced through the protective shields. The official added that the last time these types of bullets were used was in 2017, when JeM carried out attacks in district police lines Pulwama and another in Lethpora area targeting CRPF camps both the times. Intriguingly, no steel-coated bullets were used in an attack that took place in 2018, a report by TimesNow said. On June 12, armed militants ambushed a security force’s patrolling party at a general bus stand in Anantnag. Troops of the 116 Battalion were present inside the patrolling vehicle along with police personnel. The attack took place at 4:55 pm when the militants started firing at the vehicle, critically injuring five CRPF men and one police personnel, who later succumbed to their injuries.	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0068.json.gz/line235
__label__wiki	0.719882	0.719882	Home / English Review / English Review MOLISA Minister Dao Ngoc Dung presents gifts to disadvantaged children (LĐXH)- Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA) Dao Ngoc Dung visited and presented gifts to disadvantaged children at the National Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Xa Dan secondary school in Hanoi on May 9 on the occasion of the National Action Month for Children. At the hospital, Minister Dao Ngoc Dung, who is also Standing Vice Chairman of the National Committee on Children, lauded medical staff for their considerate care for patients. He presented 150 million VND for 75 disadvantaged children who are being treated in the hospital. Director of the hospital Nguyen Danh Cuong said with 1,010 beds, 14 clinical faculties, 9 non-clinical faculties and 7 centres, the hospital is not only the leading unit in obstetrics and gynaecology but also a tertiary and post-tertiary training establishment with research and technological transfer. The hospital treats over 323,000 outpatients and nearly 70,000 inpatients each year, he said. ** At the Xa Dan secondary school which is dedicated to hearing impaired children, Minister Dao Ngoc Dung hailed Hanoi for its achievements in child protection, care and education, especially for poor and disabled children. Though Vietnam is the first country in Asia and the second in the world to sign the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, there are still 2.5 million children living in especially difficult situation, he said. The Minister Dao Ngoc Dung expressed his emotion and appreciation the school has made great efforts in caring and educating students in general and students with disabilities in particular. He also praised Hanoi city has paid close attention and achieved many achievements in the work of protecting, caring and educating children, especially well implementing 4 groups of children's rights. The Minister proposed Hanoi City and other branches and levels to create more conditions for the Xa Dan school to successfully complete its tasks. The Minister hoped that the municipal authorities will offer all possible support to the school to fulfill its assigned tasks. Rector Pham Van Hoan said the school now has 28 classes from preschool to secondary levels with 496 students, 343 of them are living with disabilities. He added that the school will strive to meet national standards in the near future. On the occasion, Minister Dung presented five television sets and 100 million VND as gifts to the school. TAG: disadvantaged children Minister Dao Ngoc Dung: “It is necessary to increase the retirement age” Action Month for Children 2019 launched in Thanh Hoa province UN Women supports Vietnam’s review on the implementation of Beijing +25 Yen Bai fights child drowning New joint statement between the Ministry of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs of Vietnam and State of Thuringia (Germany) Ministries, agencies are determined to protect children Vietnam builds policy in response to aging population Billionaire Mai Vu Minh brings billion-dollar projects to Vietnam, his fatherland	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0068.json.gz/line262
__label__wiki	0.866983	0.866983	In Venezuela, possible hate crime in murder of lesbian, ongoing massacre of transgender people HT: Tertulias DSx LGBT groups in Venezuela are calling the murder of a lesbian a possible hate crime. Petra Maria Rojas died in a public hospital in Porlamar. the largest city on Isla Margarita, Nueva Esparta State in Venezuela after being stabbed She was attacked after she and her partner, Yuli Betancourt, were stopped as they walked hand in hand along a street by a man, Pablo Montoya, who had approached them asking for a cigarette. After they refused, he verbally abused the couple. Betancourt then took up a glass bottle to defend himself. After thinking that the man was scared and had fled the scene she tossed the bottle onto the road. But he ran to a nearby restaurant where he worked to steal a knife and attacked them again. Rojas saw the man coming after them and yelled to her partner to run. Montoya caught up with Betancourt and threw her to the floor to try and stab her, but she escaped and ran to a nearby police 'tent'. Betancourt says she found no police in the 'tent' and immediately returned only to find her partner injured. Rojas had also tried to run, but Montoya came up and stabbed him in the right side causing internal bleeding. Betancourt took her by taxi to a nearby hospital but she died of her injuries a few hours later. Activists are calling for a full police investigation, including of the possible hate motive. In January two young gay men were found shot and beheaded in a Caracas barrio. The two were reported to be effeminate. One was shot several times, then his throat was cut and he was throw into a pit. The second was shot whilst trying to flee, also had his throat cut and was then set on fire whilst still alive. In April Johan Leon, director general of Zulia for Life Action, said they had received three serious complaints about physical and verbal abuse by local police. "We're not just talking typical offensive words officials use when referring to homosexuals, but of beatings," said Leon, referring to the Brigade Chiquinquirá Regional Police Zulia State. He said that in a local cruising area, police look for someone with a 'mannerism' and then try to extort money from them. But the ombudsman's office has "opened the doors and has placed the order for processing such complaints," said Leon, however LGBT people are afraid to make a report for fear of reprisals, to avoid public ridicule and because they don't believe officials will take any action against police. "We have to denounce, without fear, because you need to set precedents for progress on this theme also recalled that exists in the Ombudsman's a mechanism to remain anonymous if they are the victim's wishes," said Leon. Last month, two transgender prostitutes were murdered in Caracas. In Argelia Bravo's documentary 'Pasarelas Libertadoras' the prostitutes working on Caracas' Libertador Avenue - where the two murders took place - describe a life of violence, from both customers and the state. Yhajaira talks about doing this work since she was 13. "A shot in the eye by the police left her blind in one eye, she has not recovered from having teeth knocked out by police with a bat, nor has she been cured following dog bites nor have death threats ceased since she witnessed the murder of one of her friends." "At this point you have is fear of people," Yhajaira says at one point in the documentary." From an article in Spain's El Mundo: "With stitches in her eye and a bruise to try to hide with makeup, one of the stars of 'Pasarelas Libertadoras' explains how the police takes them into custody, beat them, humiliates them, robs them, forces them to maintain relationships with them and leaves them lying in marginal areas." Last year Transgender Europe (TGEU) reported that according to their findings a transgender person was murdered in a hate crime somewhere in the world every other day. It said: "That while Brazil has received special attention due to the elevated number of killings, the number of killings in other South and Central American countries ... is equally or even more worrying in view of the much smaller population sizes of these countries." The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) was told last year by the president of the NGO Diversity and Sexual Equality that a 2008 study of 750 LGBT found that more than half had suffered from societal violence or police abuse. This rose to 83 percent of n cases of transgender people. It should be noted that - like South Africa - Venezuela has an extremely high murder rate. In Iraq, a country with about the same population as Venezuela, there were 4,644 civilian deaths from violence in 2009, according to Iraq Body Count; in Venezuela that year, the number of murders climbed above 16,000. 118,541 since 1999, according to the Venezuelan Violence Observatory. The murder rate is Caracas is ten times that in Bogotá and fourteen times São Paulo's. Venezuelan LGBT activists have been working to improve relations with police. Human rights activist Yonathan Matheus has echoed Johan Leon's argument that LGBT must complain and work with authorities to get change in the police's treatment of them. Matheus describes his experience of police treatment of LGBT as "suffering, death, social exclusion and use of disproportionate force." He has personally been threatened with death in his HIV prevention work with transgender street prostitutes. But he says he is 'explicando lo viejo, para construir lo nuevo' (explaining the old, to build the new). Last May the Public Defender's Office hosted an international seminar on sexual diversity in Caracas in order to promote discussion on ways to eliminate discrimination against LGBT people. The public defender said the event was undertaken as a way to help public defenders develop the methodological and conceptual tools to process complaints by LGBT persons of human rights violations. Last November the Ministry of Interior and Justice published in the Official Gazette guidelines for the National Police and its officers relating to respect for gender identity and sexual orientation. Activist Tamara Adrian noted that, in describing the lesbian couple attacked in Porlamar, newspaper reports had demonstrated a positive development in Venuezuelan media coverage of LGBT people [via Google translation]: "Having read so many refuse to background lesbo-homo-transphobic I note that in this case the newspaper was of equal treatment and respect. The words used: partner, concubine, etc., show an important development highlighted." Stop Homophobia Venezuela also noted that the incident had been reported "with seriousness and maturity and not the usual lesbo-homo-transphobic sad tone." Venezuela: Violence in Caracas (globalvoicesonline.org) Labels: Transgender, Venezuela	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0068.json.gz/line263
__label__cc	0.506695	0.493305	Click Here for a FREE QUOTE or call 860-653-2573 for more information MAGNATECH LLC BLOG Orbital Welding Shell’s Quest Project “Green” Pipeline The Athabasca Oil Sands Project (AOSP) is a joint venture between majority owner Shell Canada, Chevron Canada, and Marathon Oil Canada Corporation. AOSP operates two mines. No processing is done at the mines and the bitumen is transported in a diluted form by pipeline to the Scotford upgrader facility located 50 km northeast of Edmonton, Alberta. The Scotford upgrader currently produces 255,000 barrels per day of synthetic crude. This currently meets 10% of Canada’s requirements. The proposed Keystone XL pipeline, to transport Alberta oil down to refineries on the Gulf of Mexico ignited a firestorm of controversy, and it was eventually blocked by President Obama. Critics claim it encourages the use of “dirty” oil. (Until recently, Canadian oil supplied 17% of US demand, the tar sands have been actively mined since the mid-60’s.) The critics have several complaints, but a significant fact is that in “upgrading” the bitumen, large quantities of CO2 are generated. Shell Canada is investing $1.4 billion in the Quest carbon capture and storage demonstration project. It is designed to capture one million tonnes of CO2 annually from the company’s Scotford heavy oil upgrader. The CO2 is converted from a gas to liquid, and transported by a new 60 km pipeline to a storage site. To put this in perspective, one million tonnes of carbon dioxide is equivalent to the annual tailpipe emissions of 175,000 cars. The Government of Canada and the province of Alberta are also providing funding for this initiative. Gas and oil are typically extracted from deposits trapped by stone formations below the earth’s surface. In a novel twist, captured CO2 will be injected into a sandstone formation, two kilometers down. The CO2 is injected under pressure into the porous sandstone geological formation. Once injected, the CO2 moves through the formation, but is trapped by an impermeable layer of cap rock overlying the sandstone storage. This method of storing (sequestering) carbon dioxide is termed “structural storage”. There is considerable experience with Carbon Capture and Sequestration (CSS) projects worldwide and the evidence is that carbon dioxide can be captured permanently in geological formations. For example, the Norwegian Sleipner project, operating since 1996, has stored CO2 which is injected into oil wells to enhance oil recovery at this offshore oil fields. Impermeable geologic formations have trapped oil and gas for millions of years, which provides confidence that carbon dioxide will be safely stored indefinitely. Three sealing layers of rock exist at the Quest storage site. Shell has decades of experience in modeling subsurface geologic formations during gas exploration, providing the company with unique expertise in storage site selection. One process used to upgrade the bitumen to lighter synthetic oil involves hydrocracking where steam, methane gas, and a catalyst are combined with the bitumen under high pressure. The chemical reaction produces hydrogen, which is then used to convert the heavy oil into lighter crude by a process called “hydrogen addition”. But carbon dioxide is a byproduct of the process. The Scotford upgrader currently releases three million tonnes annually into the atmosphere. The Quest facility pipes CO2 gas into a vessel containing Shell’s patented ADIP-X amino-based capture technology, which absorbs the CO2. The solution is then piped to a stripping tower where heat and pressure release the CO2, which is then piped to a compressor station. The compressor turns the gas to a liquid that can be transported by pipeline. The construction of the 60 km 12” pipeline posed significant challenges. Because the pipeline would be transporting liquid CO2, the welds had to meet Charpy impact testing of 60 joules at -50⁰ C as pipeline construction for this project was generally through farmland, with several marshy areas. Work was done through a winter ith temperatures reaching down to -30⁰C. Shell contracted with Aecom Technology’s Flint division (formerly Flint Energy Services Ltd.) for the pipeline project. A standard 30⁰ bevel was used as delivered from the mill. A gap was maintained between pipe ends, and a 1.6 m land was used. The root and hot pass were done using 8010 electrodes welding double down. Two additional fill passes and a cap pass were made using the flux-cored process. The contractor used Magnatech Pipeliner FCAW systems based on prior experience renting from John W. Page Welding Consulting. John also provided his experience and technical support during the project. The fill and cap passes were carried out using the Magnatech Pipeliner. The Magnatech Pipeliner is a “bug and band” type system. A guide ring is first mounted on the pipe and the weld Head is quickly installed on the guide ring using a push button switch. Welding is carried out in a double-up progression. The welder starts the weld at six o’clock and welds clockwise to 12 o’clock. The Head is declutched and rapidly repositioned to six o’clock and the pass completed welding to 12 o’clock in the counterclockwise direction. A side boom mounting on a diesel generator, lowered the tent over the joint. The Pipeliner power supply, water recirculator, and gas bottle were mounted on a steel plate attached to the tent frame. The entire welding system was contained in the tent, with only a power cable from the generator required. Hobart Brothers’ Corex filler wire was used on the 12 in. pipe, 1.3 mm diameter alloy E71T-9. For the 12 in. X-80 pipe, filler wires used were Lincoln Pipeliner G-80M (E101T1-GM-H8) and the ESAB Dual Shield II 101-TC (E80T-a-K2). A mixed gas of 75% Argon, 25% CO2 was used. A preheat of at least 100⁰ C was required. Although two weld heads can be simultaneously used for welding a pipe joint, the small diameter 12” pipe made it less practical for more than one bug on a pipe. Typical time for the six passes was between 53 – 62 minutes, substantially less than manual welding. The pipe material was specified to meet the low temperature toughness requirements for liquid carbon dioxide transmission. During procedure testing, it became evident that to achieve the requisite mechanical properties in both the weld metal and Heat Affected Zone (HAZ) that mechanized welding was required. The uniform torch rotation speed prevented variations in heat input. Manual welding with semiautomatic FCAW torches had consistently failed testing in the HAZ. “Tie in” welds at river or road crossings required welding to an existing pipeline that is already strung beneath the obstacle and often has a heavier wall thickness. Tie in welds required welding to the existing string in the ditch. The welding system and tent were lowered into the ditch to perform the welds. A total of ten systems were used, with several tie in crews. Author MagnaTech LLCPosted on May 3, 2017 Tags canada, mps4000, orbital pipeline welding, orbital welding, Pipeline, Pipeline construction, pipeliner, tar sands Field Welding of CRA Pipelines ID Welders Delivered Orbital Welding Systems For Use In The Aerospace Industry: How Magnatech Can Help! Magnatech Adds Yet Another CNC Milling Center © 2019 MAGNATECH LLC. Privacy Policy \| Terms and Conditions	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0068.json.gz/line264
__label__wiki	0.553166	0.553166	marketing23950.blog2learn.com What Are The Benefits When You Upsize Microsoft Access To SQL Server Los Angeles Value of Microsoft Access in Your Organization Mid to big companies might have hundreds to thousands of computer. Each desktop has basic software that enables team to achieve computing jobs without the intervention of the organization's IT department. This offers the primary tenet of desktop computer computer: encouraging users to boost performance and also lower expenses via decentralized computer. As the world's most popular desktop computer data source, Microsoft Access is utilized in mostly all companies that make use of Microsoft Windows. As customers end up being much more proficient in the procedure of these applications, they start to identify options to service tasks that they themselves could implement. The natural development of this process is that spreadsheets and data sources are developed as well as kept by end-users to handle their day-to-day tasks. This dynamic enables both productivity as well as dexterity as customers are empowered to address business troubles without the intervention of their organization's Information Technology framework. Microsoft Accessibility matches this space by offering a desktop database setting where end-users could promptly establish database applications with tables, queries, forms and reports. Access is suitable for affordable solitary individual or workgroup data source applications. But this power has a price. As more users utilize Microsoft Access to manage their work, concerns of information protection, reliability, maintainability, scalability as well as monitoring end up being acute. Individuals that developed these options are rarely educated to be database professionals, programmers or system managers. As data sources outgrow the abilities of the initial author, they need to relocate right into a much more durable setting. While some people consider this a reason that end-users shouldn't ever use Microsoft Gain access to, we consider this to be the exemption as opposed to the guideline. Many Microsoft Accessibility data sources are created by end-users and never ever need to graduate to the next degree. Implementing a method to produce every end-user database "expertly" would certainly be a big waste of sources. For the unusual Microsoft Accessibility databases that are so effective that they have to develop, SQL Server provides the following all-natural progression. Without losing the existing investment in the application (table layouts, data, queries, forms, reports, macros and components), data can be relocated to SQL Server as well as the Access database linked to it. Once in SQL Server, other platforms such as Aesthetic Studio.NET can be used to develop Windows, internet and/or mobile remedies. The Access database application might be totally replaced or a crossbreed remedy may be created. To find out more, read our paper Microsoft Gain access to within an Organization's Overall Data source Approach. Microsoft Gain Access To and SQL Database Architectures Microsoft Access is the premier desktop computer data source product readily available for Microsoft Windows. Given that its introduction in 1992, Access has actually offered a versatile system for novices and power customers to develop single-user and also tiny workgroup database applications. Microsoft Access has actually taken pleasure in terrific success because it pioneered the concept of tipping users with an uphill struggle with using Wizards. This, together with an user-friendly query designer, among the best desktop reporting tools and also the inclusion of macros as well as a coding atmosphere, all contribute to making Accessibility the very best selection for desktop computer data source development. Considering that Accessibility is created to be easy to use and also friendly, it was never ever planned as a system for the most reputable as well as durable applications. In general, upsizing must take place when these characteristics end up being essential for the application. The good news is, the adaptability of Accessibility allows you to upsize to SQL Server in a range of means, from a quick cost-efficient, data-moving circumstance to full application redesign. Gain access to offers a rich selection of information styles that permit it to take care of data in a range of means. When considering an upsizing job, it is essential to comprehend the variety of methods Accessibility could be configured to use its native Jet database format as well as SQL Server in both single as well as multi-user settings. Accessibility as well as the Jet Engine Microsoft Accessibility has its own database engine-- the Microsoft Jet Data source Engine (additionally called the ACE with Accessibility 2007's intro of the ACCDB style). Jet was developed from the starting to sustain solitary customer and also multiuser file sharing on a computer network. Databases have an optimum dimension of 2 GB, although an Access database can link to other databases through linked tables as well as several backend data sources to workaround the 2 GB restriction. But Gain access to is more than a database engine. It is also an application development setting that allows customers to make questions, develop kinds and also reports, and also compose macros as well as Aesthetic Fundamental for Applications (VBA) module code to automate an application. In its default configuration, Access uses Jet inside to save its style items such as forms, records, macros, and also components as well as utilizes Jet to keep all table data. One of the main advantages of Accessibility upsizing is that you could redesign your application to continue to use its kinds, reports, macros and modules, and change the Jet Engine with SQL Server. This permits the very best of both worlds: the convenience of use of Accessibility with the dependability as well as safety of SQL Server. Before you try to convert an Access database to SQL Server, make sure you comprehend: Which applications belong in Microsoft Access vs. SQL Server? Not every data source must be customized. The factors for upsizing your data source. See to it SQL Server gives you just what you look for. The tradeoffs for doing so. There are pluses and minuses relying on what you're aiming to optimize. See to it you are not migrating to SQL Server exclusively for browse around here performance reasons. In most cases, efficiency lowers when an application is upsized, particularly for reasonably small data sources (under 200 MEGABYTES). Some performance problems are unconnected to the backend database. Improperly designed inquiries and also table design won't be taken care of by upsizing. Microsoft Access tables provide some attributes that SQL Server tables do not such as an automated refresh when the data modifications. SQL Server requires a specific requery. Alternatives for Migrating Microsoft Accessibility to SQL Server There are numerous alternatives for hosting SQL Server databases: A regional circumstances of SQL Express, which is a totally free variation of SQL Server can be mounted on each customer's equipment A shared SQL Server database on your network A cloud host such why not look here as SQL Azure. Cloud hosts have safety and security that limitation which IP addresses could fetch information, so set IP addresses and/or VPN is necessary. There are numerous methods to upsize your Microsoft Gain access to databases to SQL Server: Move the data to SQL Server and link to it from your Access database while preserving the existing Access application. Adjustments may be needed to sustain SQL Server questions and also distinctions from Gain access to databases. Convert a Gain access to MDB database to an Access Data Project (ADP) that connects straight to a SQL Server data source. Considering that ADPs were deprecated in Gain access to 2013, we do not suggest this option. Use Microsoft Accessibility with MS Azure. With Office365, your information is published into a SQL Server database organized by SQL Azure with a Gain access to Web front end Appropriate for standard watching as well as editing of information across the web Sadly, Access Internet Applications do not have the modification includes comparable to VBA in Accessibility desktop computer solutions Move the entire application to the.NET Structure, ASP.NET, as well as SQL Server platform, or recreate it on SharePoint. A crossbreed service that places the data in SQL Server with an additional front-end plus a Gain access to front-end database. SQL Server can be the standard version held on an enterprise quality web server or a totally free SQL Server Express version set up on your COMPUTER Database Obstacles in an Organization Every company has to get rid of database difficulties to fulfill their objective. These obstacles include: • Optimizing return on investment • Handling personnels • Rapid release • Flexibility and maintainability • Scalability (secondary). Making The Most Of Return on Investment. Taking full advantage of roi is much more crucial than ever. Administration requires substantial results for the expensive investments in data source application growth. Many database development efforts fail to produce the results they promise. Choosing the right modern technology and also strategy for each level in a company is critical to making best use of return on investment. This indicates picking the best total return, which doesn't indicate selecting the least pricey initial service. This is usually the most important decision a primary info police officer (CIO) or chief technology policeman (CTO) makes. Taking Care Of Human Resources. Managing individuals to customize modern technology is challenging. The even more complex the modern technology or application, the fewer people are certified to manage it, and the extra expensive they are to employ. Turn over is constantly an issue, and having the right standards is essential to successfully supporting heritage applications. Training and also staying on top of modern technology are also challenging. Fast Implementation. Developing data source applications quickly is necessary, not just for reducing expenses, but for reacting to interior or client needs. The capability to develop applications Bonuses swiftly gives a substantial competitive advantage. The IT supervisor is in charge of supplying choices and also making tradeoffs to sustain the business requirements of the organization. By using various technologies, you can offer business choice makers selections, such as a 60 percent solution in three months, a 90 percent remedy in twelve months, or a 99 percent service in twenty-four months. (As opposed to months, maybe bucks.) Occasionally, time to market is most crucial, other times it might be expense, and other times features or safety are most important. Needs change rapidly and are unpredictable. We stay in a "good enough" rather than an ideal world, so knowing how to provide "sufficient" remedies swiftly gives you and also your organization an one-upmanship. Flexibility and Maintainability. Despite the very best system style, by the time several month advancement initiatives are completed, needs modification. Versions follow versions, and a system that's designed to be flexible as well as able to accommodate adjustment could mean the difference between success as well as failing for the individuals' occupations. Scalability. Solution ought to be created to manage the anticipated information and more. But numerous systems are never ever finished, are disposed of soon, or change a lot gradually that the initial analyses are wrong. Scalability is very important, but usually less important than a quick solution. If the application efficiently sustains growth, scalability can be included later when it's economically warranted.	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0068.json.gz/line271
__label__cc	0.690244	0.309756	Day 2. The Temple Run Tour We started our day early, woke up at 4AM and started our troop to this famous structure. We fell in line and waited eagerly for Mr. Sun to come out. I’ve done it once in Kiltepan, Sagada but the throng of tourists here are unparalleled! Humanity's craving to glimpse heaven for a while. The sunrise and the gaping massive crowd are just overwhelming. Tourists come here in thousands. I am amazed by the sturdiness of this century-old structure and how withstand not just battles but foremost, the onslaught of tourists. A day tour will cost you $20 including a free photo-op at the entrance. Hightech sila teh. And we assure you, one will be enough exercise for your legs. It is definitely Temple Run game in reality. Dili lalim mubaktas, musaka ug mag-ambak-ambak sa mga temple oi! Splendid reflection snapped at noon I love the movement of the monk's robe. Saw him when we're about to leave Angor Wat. Old buildings like this make me emotera. I was about to walk when this young lady with her mom came. This shot reminded me of the story about Narcissus and the Goddesses. Funny combination for a table in a resto at Angkor Wat This kid along other kids were catching fishes in the mud. He gladly posed for us. Angkor is undergoing renovation as most of the bass relief has been touched by thousands of humans and owing to climactic changes too. There are already cracks in the wall drawing. The tour for Angkor Wat itself will take you a half day. And it’s a hot day so prepare to have those towels and handkerchief and your water.We decided to take our lunch at the resto near the Leper King Terrace. Nakim knows the owner of the resto and he helped us out ordering local dish. At the entrance of Ta Phrom After eating, we continued the tour. We went to Prasat Ta Phrom or the Jungle Temple. Or as a new branding for moviegoers, it is now more known as the Tomb Raider Temple, where Angelina Jolie shot her action-packed movie. This is where nature has taken over the structures. There is also a hospital built here. There is a sense of co-existence yet an eerie hostility of struggle between the trees and the bricks, not measured by minutes but in centuries. Notice the faces in the towers. Bayon Tempe. It links heaven and earth. Angkor Wat is a whole complex of three temples built to honor Vishnu. It is first a Hindu temple and later on, became a Buddhist one. It is a symbol of the country, and appears on its flag. The Angkor Thom complex covers around 400 square kilometers with temples, hydraulic structures like the reservoirs, basins, dikes and communication routes. The Angkor Wat, Bayon, Preah Khan and Ta Phrom show us the grandeur of Khmer architecture. It was built by King Jayawarman II and served as the capital of the Khmer Empire until the 15th century. It is named as Angkor from the Sanskrit word meaning City or Capital. King Jayawarman II declared himself as the “universal monarch” or “God King”. But there was a rebellion in 1431 by Ayutthaya causing its population to migrate. The influence of the Khmer empire stretched up to the border of neighboring country called as Siam (Thailand). If you have been to Ayutthaya in the Chao Phraya River Plain of Thailand, you will notice the similarities with the Angkor. Ayutthaya became a new central power while Angkor’s central empire control diminished. The similarities in both structures showed slavery has a role. One reference in Ayutthaya wrote that it was migrant Khmer peasants and slaves who worked on Ayutthaya, explaining the influence. Then we continued the walk to the Bayon Temple where you can find the temple heads carved in 54 towers. This temple is dedicated for the Buddhists wherein you can find the four faces of the Bodhisattva (enlightened being) Avalokiteśvara (“Being who looks down” and it can either be male or female). Its eyes are downcast, bearing broad forehead, big nostrils and thick lips that curl, making that half-smile. It is also the center of the Angkor Thom complex and serves as the “symbolic link between heaven and earth.” There’s a long line of walls and another temple before going to the Leper King’s Terrace. I am too exhausted while Nina and Xyza want to explore the outskirts. I decided to walk alone and go directly to the King’s Terrace. There are a lot of temple workers who were taking their break. Most do not speak in English but one old woman worker grimaced when one tourist came up at the stairs with her plunging sleeves top and bra already showing. She motioned to her companion and her companion shook her head. The last stop for me is the Leper King Terrace. Why the name? It refers to the statue of a Leper King at the terrace, seated with his right knee raised. It is naked and it is considered unusual in Khmer art. Some historians said it is Javanese-style.Is the king a leper? One account said that Jayavarman VII was a leper that is why he built a lot of hospitals during his reign. But there is no historical record for such, while other accounts the said figure represents the God of Wealth, Kubera. I am still waiting for those two and Nakim is nowhere in sight. So I just followed a path at the back and I chanced upon a local artists who’s doing his finishing touches for his sunset artworks. I tried conversing with him but he said, “no no English!” and pointed to her daughter-in-law for the prices if I want to purchase his work. I said I don’t have much money and I don’t have a house yet where to hang those lovely artworks. I just sat there and looked while he painted. He keep on smiling and laughed. He motioned for me to come closer and look at the details. I am amazed by how he mixes the colors. He said (through his daughter-in-law translating) that he draws from memory of the Angkor Thom and adds other details. He grew up watching the sunrise and sunset there and never left the place. He smiled saying he hopes his grandson will be able to see the magnificent view from his childhood. I thanked him for his time and walked to find a shade while waiting for Nakim. Found him under the tree with an English dictionary at hand. He is polishing his English language skills, he said with a laugh. We talked about the next day’s plan and other options. We had enough of the temples and he recommended going to the Silkworm Farm. It’s quite far and that would entail additional rent for his tuktuk. And I prefer to check out the downtown area. He suggested we can go to the Tonle Lake, artisan shop then downtown tour. I said that’s brilliant. I just sat at the back of the tuktuk and watched people passing by. I’m seeing kids on their bikes heading home after school. The dogs are lazing around, their fur already color red from the dust. The two gals arrived and our day does not end here. We went back to the Angkor to catch the sunset. The sunset is usually depicted in artworks and postcards setting behind the main Angkor Wat temple. The sun rises there, yes so the sun sets at the other side, in front of the temple, at the bridge and another inland lake. Looking at the sun on its last hours of splendor, changing the colors in the horizon..that's one great way to end this real Temple Run scene. We reserved a dinner buffet and Apsara show at the Amazon Angkor Restaurant. The owner of the Happy Guesthouse brought us the (and also picked us up at the resto. Very humble guy!) It is for $10 for a buffet dinner to serve a large group of tourist. The chicken amok is great and they also serve other dishes like Japanese and Italian. The food is not shabby nor super exceptional. But the dance is another story. . The Apsaras, is a female spirit of the clouds and waters in the Hindu and Buddhist mythology. It is a dance- drama. It is a flowing sensuous dance with feathery movement. It is well restraint with the controlled knee and toes and splaying of the fingers. While doing this, the neck and the shoulder remain erect, giving a sense of serenity. Also apsara is everywhere in the temples. The dances were used to hold at the temples too. But now, well because of tourism it is now in the restaurants and marketplaces. They also performed theatrical traditional dances like the good harvest dance (like our own “maglalatik”) and the romantic fishing dance depicting the rural life of Cambodia. We went back to the hostel with big grins on our faces. Posted by May (Dora d Explorer) at 1:02 AM Labels: ASEAN, foodtrip, travel diary, TRAVEL TIP Why I decided to spend my Christmas holidays in Is... Day 1: Longest Bus Trip. Saigon Direct to Siem Rea... Before the Trip Hullabaloo Meet the Backpackers of Vietnam-Cambodia Trip Tottenham confirm Rose free to leave after being left out of Asia tour squad	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0068.json.gz/line275
__label__cc	0.733701	0.266299	Spider Rock, Canyon De Chelly, Arizona, September 2018 (Photo courtesy Susan C) Welcome to Lost For Words After traipsing through life gathering a treasure chest of story fodder, my torrid on-again-off-again love affair with words is on again. This time, for keeps. Lost For Words essentially offers spirited true stories about wide-ranging topics to keep life interesting. Having been through many proverbial dark nights of the soul, I have been fortunate to find my joy again and firmly believe there is always a light at the end of the tunnel if you know where to look. These days I am a ‘for fun’ filmmaker, writer and editor for various online magazines including The Otherside Press and Paranormal Daily News. Should you need assistance with your next written masterpiece, please connect via my Contact page. In the meantime, I hope you enjoy the following overview that explains how holistic health choices and the ancient world of indigenous medicine helped me heal old wounds and embrace life again. To the max! Linda Summer Don’t Die With The Music Still In You Dr Wayne Dyer My Shamanic Odyssey In 2013, I took an extended leave from my civilian role with South Australia Police. After seven years of entertaining, at times disturbing experiences in the public service, I needed to rest, write, travel and heal some old wounds. Life finally caught up with me. And it had to change. Radically. My GP respected my choice to explore holistic health pathways and was later amazed at how rapidly I recovered my health on all levels. (She also asked why doctors were seeing so many patients with stress-related issues from SAPOL. With respect to the Police Commissioner, politicians need to get their self-serving priorities right.) We had many engaging conversations about life, love, health, stress – you name it – and how our personal ‘baggage’ compounds with each passing decade. I recall her saying that people in the 50+ age group carried the heaviest loads of unresolved ‘baggage’ and would be terrified of travelling down this path. It saddened me to learn that the majority choose prescription drugs to block out the ‘hard stuff’ and end up living increasingly depressed lives in their later years. She also encouraged me to write about my healing journey to help others find the courage to do the same. So here I am. For many years I had a niggling inkling that the mysterious world of shamanic healing would be a helpful pathway to explore. But it all seemed a little too spooky until I discovered books written by modern-day shamanic healers based in the US who were mentored by indigenous shamans. I was particularly drawn to learning more about healing trauma with a process called ‘soul retrieval’. Unable to find what I was looking for in my home town of Adelaide, South Australia which was awash with people calling themselves ‘shamans’ I began researching shamanic healing in Arizona and Peru. Feeling more comfortable about a solo journey to Arizona, it soon became clear that I needed to journey to Peru, not just for healing but to experience some of the most extraordinary sacred sites on our planet – Macchu Pichu in particular. Fortunate to link up with a Peruvian tour guide who also happened to be a healer and ‘Inkapedia,’ off I flew to the great unknown. Little did I know that this would herald the beginning of the end of life as I knew it. Peru is another story. This story begins in Adelaide, post-Peru. Andean Master Shaman at Salala – gateway to the remote, sacred Huaringas lagoons, northern Peru Embracing The Unknown Life began to unravel for all the right reasons upon my return from Peru. An Inka shaman called Raghida crossed my path a couple of months later in Adelaide. She ‘saw’ my spirit feathers and asked ‘who or what was stopping me from doing my work.’ Then she held an impromptu weekend workshop and proceeded to floor me with pertinent details about my past, present and future. Confirming what I already knew about my present circumstances but didn’t want to hear. And more. Woah! Was I looking forward to reading her book one day. After thirty years of dabbling in spiritual realms full of woo-woo wannabes, Inka shaman Raghida stood in a highly-attuned realm of her own. This profound experience turbo-boosted my resilience and helped me move through the ensuing loss, sadness, pain, uncertainty, anger, fear and frustration with grace, focus, strength and dignity. The universe must have known I needed extra strong backup, so it also introduced me to former US attorney turned mainstream spiritual healer and teacher, Deborah King via her book Be Your Own Shaman. Now here was a woman who walked her talk. How many holistic practitioners can honestly say that? Deborah is a highly accomplished author who has mastered the art of making every word count. Another of her books worthy of mentioning is The Truth Heals – What You Hide Can Hurt You. A must-read for anyone. Healing journey or no healing journey. Be Your Own Shaman inspired me to enrol in Deborah’s online Life Force Energy Healing (LFEH) course. This also connected me to a study group of compassionate, understanding souls from all walks of life which I really needed amidst my unfolding healing journey – and the beginning of the end of my long-term relationship. My healing studies were so nourishing and strengthening that I went on to complete four LFEH levels and also gained my Initiate in Training certificate. This provided a credible foundation from which to build my own holistic haven when the time was right. But I had a whole lot of healing to do, so I focused on that instead. Being new to the holistic healing world, I was surprised at how many practitioners resided in my hometown of Adelaide. I also noticed a boom in ‘weekend certificate healing courses,’ some of which claimed to be all an aspiring practitioner needed to start a business. Fortunately, my discernment radar was in fine form. My intuition to guided me to three experienced healing practitioners: sound therapist Patricia Blythman, holistic practitioner Carolyn Pedlar and wellbeing mentor Erika Klement, all of whom utilised shamanic practices together with other honed skills and gifts. When you feel ready to deal with and release your personal ‘shite,’ (we all have it, especially 50+ men and women), I highly recommend you connect with these wonderful women – or holistic practitioners of their ilk. Embracing wholefood nutrition and regular exercise also fast-tracked my recovery. February 2014, I resigned from my job and experienced a slow, painful death of my first long-term relationship, leaving behind my house and everything in it apart from personal belongings. Faced with redesigning my pulverised life, I learned to embrace the unknown. Trust that all would unfold as intended. View life as a blank canvas waiting to be filled with new experiences and dreams come true. Accept all the ‘hard stuff’ since my late teens as mini-movies that now serve as a Pandora’s box of wisdom, strength and hindsight. ‘Little Bird ‘ by Artist Sharon Bosmoore I also immersed myself in screenwriting studies, drafted a feature-length screenplay called Woo Woo World – a spiritual comedy, of sorts. I wrote, produced and directed short (experimental) film Good Medicine which attempted to convey a message about the unacceptable male suicide rate in Australia, shamanic healing and soul retrieval. My film featured a medicine woman called Kachina, inspired by a captivating portrait of ‘Little Bird,’ by spiritual artist Sharon Bosmoore. Little Bird initially arrived via email with a pertinent message: ‘Remember who you are.’ Sharon said she was ‘impressed by spirit‘ to create this painting and for reasons unknown, sent it to me. I connected with Little Bird instantly and felt a deep sense of comfort, healing and strength from just looking at her. I also interpreted her to be an Inka medicine woman and bought the original painting from Sharon soon after. Little Bird became the signature image for Good Medicine. Where Crows Fly… 2015, I temporarily relocated to Sydney, New South Wales, unsure of where to settle. Sydney was ok for a holiday but I didn’t want to live there again. Embracing my newfound freedom, vastly improved health and energy levels, I also noticed the appearance of crows. Daily. Often in the most unlikely places. Then, feathers appeared. Constantly. I now have enough feathers for a significant headdress. “It takes enormous courage to find the gifts in the ‘dark journeys’- however when we do – we can rewrite our stories of pain and trauma, and turn them into stories of empowerment and liberation.” Beata Alfoldi Well aware that my healing journey would be an ongoing work in progress, I breathed a sigh of relief when I found Peruvian trained, ‘modern medicine woman’ Beata Alfoldi. She helped me recalibrate my emotional strength following my relationship breakdown and associated shite that went with it. One of the things I love and respect most about shamanic healing is that it encompasses healing on all levels – physical, mental, emotional and spiritual – which enables you to recover and embrace life again. Illness on any level need not be a life sentence. Healing, in my experience, is essentially about taking responsibility for your health, life choices and wellbeing, not becoming addicted to therapy, therapists, doctors and drugs. Tip: You always know you are with an attuned shamanic practitioner when the drum beats of its own accord. And an unexpected re-connection with an old friend living about an hour north of Sydney on the Central Coast, provided a welcome distraction, new adventures and eventually, a new home. Thank you Jack. Surrendering to the universe and trusting the unknown began to feel like a whole lot of fun! ‘Lone Crow’ appeared out of nowhere when I arrived at the Painted Desert, Arizona and made his way to the car where I shared my water with him. What Is Shamanic Healing? 2016, an online shamanic study course with US based Peruvian curandero (healer) and transpersonal psychologist don Oscar Miro-Quesada caught my eye. Initially dubious, I also knew that my chances of learning about the Pachakuti Mesa Tradition and ancient Peruvian healing arts in Australia, were nil. “When we surrender the need to figure it all out and cultivate the ability to let it all in, our earth walk becomes a sacred dance of healing service on the planet. More than the world needs saving, it needs loving.” Don Oscar Miro-Quesada Thankfully, a string of serendipitous events also assured me that don Oscar’s teachings would be a wise investment. For example, I naively wondered how relevant his ‘Hummingbird Medicine’ teachings would be in Australia given that Hummingbirds don’t live here. That same afternoon, I spotted multiple images of hummingbirds on a stack of boxes at a store entrance. Later that evening I caught a glimpse of a David Attenborough documentary. There he was marvelling at the magical world of hummingbirds. And the following day, I passed a clothing shop displaying a blouse covered in colourful hummingbirds. And after my first profound session with don Oscar via the internet, I sat on a rock overlooking a shimmering waterway. Seconds later, a crow flew past so close that I could almost touch him. This was just the beginning of many more serendipitous events that continue to unfold to this day. (If this resonates, I highly recommend you begin with don Oscar’s engaging book Lessons in Courage.) Opening The Floodgates Don Oscar’s private study group included many traditionally trained therapists from whom I learned so much more. They also inspired me to share a significant personal story about a tidal wave of devastating events in my late 20’s that came close to killing me. If a shamanic practitioner had crossed my path at that desperate time, life would have taken on a distinctly different tone. “Contemporary psychotherapy has, in most cases, forgotten that it’s about soul. Not about fixing things. Shamanism is a soul-based therapeutic approach to healing. It honours whatever the person is experiencing, no matter how distressing, traumatic or painful it may be because it plays a very important role in that person’s life. Underneath the experience of fragmentation and breakdown, there is breakthrough to another level – a rite of passage – an initiation.” don Oscar Miro-Quesada (Sounds True interview) Learning to Perceive Adversity as a Gift Western medicine commonly treats mental illness with psychotropic ‘bandaid’ drugs that not only shut down your spirit but significantly increase the risk of suicide, even if suicide was never on your radar. It’s also a lucrative world for both the trillion-dollar pharmaceutical industry and their prescribers whose collective actions are creating a whole new world of preventable mental disability. New York-based Dr Peter Breggin, known as the ‘Conscience of Psychiatry,’ aptly labels psychotropics as ‘psychiatric cocaine.’ Thankfully, increasing numbers of drug labels now carry suicide warnings. Which makes me wonder why intelligent doctors would still prescribe them. In recent years I have heard stories from old friends who have struggled with depression and antidepressants for decades. The sparkling new Royal Adelaide Hospital has an overflowing drug withdrawal section for anti-depressant patients who need to change their medication? It horrifies me to know that the health care system allows this to happen. A Blinkered Shrink My one and only shortlived experience with a psychiatrist in 1990 is worth revisiting. In short, a psychiatrist dismissed my traumatic experiences completely because she didn’t have the education or spiritual capacity to understand them. Instead, she prescribed deadly drugs for my grief which knocked me out and led me perilously close to death by suicide – and I was never suicidal to begin with. If it wasn’t for my (then absent) mother acting on her intuition to intervene, I wouldn’t be here writing this story. When I recovered and confronted the psychiatrist about the devastating impact of her drugs, she dismissed me all over again. And completely missed my diagnosis of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. That was diagnosed by transpersonal psychology friends several years later. And for the record, Post Traumatic Stress is not a debilitating life sentence. But that’s another story. That said, I accept my chosen path and embrace the invaluable hindsight that adversity has gifted me along the way. These days I also perceive mental ‘illness’ as mental ‘injury’ from which we can fully recover. With the right help. That said, there will always be people who prefer the psychotropic drug option and I wish them well. However, it should be mandatory for health professionals to provide information about alternative health pathways to ensure patients are able to make fully informed decisions about managing their mental injury. Learning to Beat My Own Drum Parallel to my studies with don Oscar, I befriended Medicine Crow, a local native American shaman. How uncanny that he lived a few suburbs away. He introduced me to his sacred drum circle teachings, inspired me to beat my own drum and co-facilitated my first vision quest in April 2018 with his counterpart Two-Crows. (Yet another story.) After embracing the art of navigating the unknown and learning to trust, I knew I was in the midst of something worth writing about one day. ‘Tis common knowledge in the indigenous world that when a human steps onto their shamanic path, the animal kingdom draws closer. I can certainly vouch for this. In the past year, eagles have appeared more frequently, often with a crow in pursuit. And what’s with all the Kookaburras? Birds of a feather flock together. My kooky friends paid a special visit on the eve of my flight to Arizona, USA. Answering the Call of Arizona & The Hopi Lands May 2018, I connected with native American ancestral wisdom teacher and healer Adam Shield of the Feather. The Arizona desert and Hopi Lands had been ‘calling my name’ since the beginning of the year, and my ‘on hold’ draft screenplay also ended in Arizona. I couldn’t possibly finish an authentic account of Woo Woo World without experiencing this sacred land in person. How uncanny, then, that Adam mentioned he was facilitating a retreat in Sedona, USA in late September and invited me to come along. I instinctively knew I had to be there and that connecting with Adam at this time was no coincidence. The Autumn Equinox Convergence retreat proved to a most enriching and grounding experience. Over three engaging days, I found Adam to be one of the most articulate, authentic and highly attuned teachers I have ever had the honour of meeting and learning from. While a more detailed account is yet to be written, I will share that the retreat began with a fire ceremony and ended with a sacred medicine wheel. This prompted me to recall the moment my personal journey into this sacred world began. It was in the early ’90s, Sydney, Australia when a friend gifted me a dreamcatcher. I didn’t know what it was but instantly felt a powerful connection. The dreamcatcher awakened something I didn’t understand and compelled me to learn about Native American culture. The journey that followed and continues to this day brought much-needed solace, healing and strength to my deeply wounded spirit. It opened a significant door to a far wiser world that played an integral role in restoring my faith in humanity and life itself. And of course, Great Spirit and Co had the ultimate ‘unseen’ hand in orchestrating the whole event. (While I struggle to connect with religion and the concept of God, I feel at home with Great Spirit because I know that a spirit world exists.) Rise of The Wakadoos The retreat also inspired me to change my screenplay title to Rise of the Wakadoos. And I can’t help but have a quiet giggle about naming myself (in jest) ‘O Winging It One’ when I decided to produce Good Medicine. Seems fitting that I should meet a brother called Shield of the Feather. I look forward to sharing future photo-blogs of my spirited Arizona adventures – a road-trip to the Hopi Lands with travel buddy and photographer Susan. Interestingly, the first winged-ones to greet me in the sacred lands were a convocation of eagles, a hummingbird and a lone crow! In that order. Until next time. Be good. Original Hopi symbol for Peace, Prosperity, Fortuity. One of over 5000 significant ancient glyphs at Tutuveni, Hopi Lands, Arizona, September 2018	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0068.json.gz/line292
__label__wiki	0.960778	0.960778	Back to Press Releases Tuesday, May 12th, 2015 NBC’S “SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL” IS PRIMETIME TELEVISION’S NO. 1 SHOW FOR FOURTH CONSECUTIVE TV SEASON SNF No. 1 in Primetime in Viewership & HH Rating SNF Wins Key Adult 18-49 Demo for 5th Consecutive TV Season SNF Dominates Head-to-Head Sunday Competition STAMFORD, Conn. – May 12, 2015 – For the fourth consecutive television season, NBC’s Sunday Night Football will finish as television’s No. 1 primetime show in household rating and viewership when the 2014-15 TV season concludes next Wednesday, based on live plus same day data from The Nielsen Company (September-May). This marks the only four times on record that a sports series has been the highest-rated and most-watched show of the primetime TV season. In addition, SNF will rank No. 1 in primetime in the coveted Adult 18-49 demographic and across all key male demos, while also handily defeating its head-to-head competition in these categories in the Sunday 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. hours. For the 2014-15 primetime television season, Sunday Night Football ranks as the highest-rated (12.5 HH rating) and most-watched show (21.3 million, viewers 2+), and the No. 1 program in the advertiser-coveted Adult 18-49 demographic (7.7). In addition, 12 SNF games averaged at least 20 million viewers. During the NFL postseason (not included in SNF season average), NBC televised Super Bowl XLIX on February 1, 2015, which became the most-watched program in U.S. television history (114.4 million viewers), and the AFC Wild Card game in primetime on January 3, 2015 (27.9 million viewers for Baltimore-Pittsburgh). Following is a look at primetime telecasts averaging at least 20 million viewers from Sept. 1, 2014 – May 10, 2015 (based on live plus same day data, excluding pre- and post-game shows): Program # of Primetime Telecasts With 20 Million Viewers Sunday Night Football 12 NFL Postseason Games* 4 (2 on NBC) NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament (Semifinal & Final) 2 BCS Playoffs (Semifinal & Final) 2 Thursday Night Football 2 The Blacklist (post-Super Bowl) 1 SNL: 40th Anniversary 1 Academy Awards 1 Grammy Awards 1 World Series 1 *Four NFL postseason games in primetime: Super Bowl XLIX (NBC), AFC Championship Game (CBS), NFC Divisional Playoff (FOX), AFC Wild Card Playoff (NBC) Also notable from the 2014-15 TV season (based on live plus same day data through May 10): The 21.3 million average viewers for Sunday Night Football — despite the most lopsided games in the history of the NBC primetime package (since 2006) — tops primetime’s No 2. show (Thursday Night Football; 16.7 million viewers) by more than 4.5 million viewers; In the advertiser-coveted Adult 18-49 demographic, Sunday Night Football ranks as the No. 1 show for the fifth consecutive TV season and tops the second place show by 4% (7.7 vs. 7.4 for The Walking Dead) (see head-to-head notes below); The 2010-14 seasons of Sunday Night Football are the first five consecutive seasons that an NFL primetime package drew more than 21 million viewers since the 1992-1996 seasons of Monday Night Football on ABC; LIVE, LIVE, LIVE…HEAD-TO-HEAD ON SUNDAY NIGHTS IN THE FALL In the two full primetime hours of Sunday Night Football – 9-10 p.m. and 10-11 p.m. – NBC’s SNF has been dominant in head-to-head competition against all other shows in the LIVE metric, reflecting viewer choice at that moment. Following are the top four regularly-scheduled programs in HH rating and Adult 18-49 rating in each of those head-to-head hours in the fall TV season (LIVE ratings, Sept.-Dec. 2014): 9 p.m. hour – U.S. Household Rating Program HH Rating SNF Advantage Sunday Night Football 12.6 — Madam Secretary 7.1 77% The Good Wife 5.8 117% The Walking Dead 4.9 157% 9 p.m. hour – Adult 18-49 Rating Program Adult 18-49 Rating SNF Advantage Sunday Night Football 7.5 — The Walking Dead 4.7 60% Family Guy 2.1 257% Madam Secretary 1.4 436% 10 p.m. hour – U.S. Household Rating The Good Wife 5.9 97% The Mentalist 5 132% CSI 4.7 147% 10 p.m. hour – Adult 18-49 Rating The Talking Dead 2.2 223% The Mentalist 1.1 545% While final live plus seven data for the broadcast TV season will not be available for a few weeks, according to Nielsen’s most current data stream (with live plus seven through April 26), Sunday Night Football leads the No. 2 primetime show in the following metrics: Average Viewership – Sunday Night Football averaged 21.5 million viewers, more than 1.5 million above the 19.9 million for The Walking Dead (season complete for both shows). Household Rating – Sunday Night Football posted a 12.6 HH rating, topping the 11.6 for NCIS and Big Bang Theory. For more information about NBC Sports Group shows and properties, including press releases, photos, talent and executive bios and headshots, please visit NBCSportsGroupPressBox.com. –NBC SPORTS GROUP– Top Press Releases PREMIER LACROSSE LEAGUE: VIEWERSHIP, PRODUCTION & CLOSE COMPETITION HIGHLIGHT INAUGURAL SEASON HEADING INTO ALL-STAR WEEKEND NBC SPORTS PRESENTS MONSTER ENERGY NASCAR CUP SERIES RACING FROM “THE MAGIC MILE” IN NEW HAMPSHIRE THIS SUNDAY, JULY 21, AT 3 P.M. ET ON NBCSN NFL REPORTER JOE FANN JOINS NBC SPORTS NORTHWEST AS NFL AND SEATTLE SEAHAWKS INSIDER PEYTON MANNING SPEAKS WITH PETER KING FOR “FOOTBALL MORNING IN AMERICA” EXCLUSIVELY ON NBCSPORTS.COM SportsEngine, Inc. Sponsors National Youth Sports Day at U.S. Capitol Click here for More Press Releases	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0068.json.gz/line296
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__label__cc	0.676538	0.323462	Birds in Your West Brow Chimney? Here’s What to Do Do you have a birds in your West Brow, GA chimney? Here’s what you can do about it. When spring rolls around, you may no longer be thinking of cozy fires in the fireplace to take away the chill of winter. Rather, you’re looking forward to warmer temperatures and spending more time outdoors. However, this is also the time of year when chimney swifts begin nesting in chimneys. Chimney swifts are small birds with thin dark gray-brown bodies, narrow, curved wings and a tapered tail, according to All About Birds. This type of bird spends most of its days airborne but when it needs rest, it cannot perch so it has to cling to vertical walls within caves and chimneys. Many homeowners hear noises in their chimney and aren’t sure what kinds of birds they are. They may assume they are bats or other animals nesting inside the chimney. It’s important to have them removed as quickly and as humanely as possible to ensure the proper function of your chimney and ensure you don’t experience droppings from these birds into the fireplace, which can carry disease. Chimney Pro will come out to your West Brow GA property and do an inspection of the situation, removing the nests, cleaning the area and capping it off to prevent future incidents. The Humane Society encourages the practice of chimney capping to prevent conflicts with other species. They also advise calling in a chimney sweep once a year to remove nests after the young have left them for the season. Chimney sweeps know to be on the lookout for small cup-shaped structures made of small twigs attached to the chimney wall with saliva. Although they don’t pose a fire hazard (they are way too small), the nests should be removed for two reasons: this practice gets rid of bird parasites and the nest itself, which could become the home of returning swifts later on. However, they get far too unstable to support a whole new season of nesting and could fall. Certified, professional chimney sweeps like Chimney Pro know that swifts are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, which protects this species and many more. Violating the act by knowingly destroying the birds or nests containing eggs can result in a fine or penalty. Capping your chimney prevents nesting as well as perching. With so many newer homes being built with smaller metal flue pipes as opposed to clay liners, animals and birds can’t properly grip the metal and could plunge into the fireplace. This is a whole other type of situation that you don’t want to deal with as a homeowner! Chimney swifts aren’t the only animals that can invade your chimney for solace from the elements and predators. Bats, too, can take up residence, as chimneys resemble caves in many ways. While bats won’t hurt you if left alone, they can cause health problems from their guano. Never start a fire in your fireplace if you suspect bats are up there. This will only serve to scare them and drive them down the chimney and into your home. Again, capping and netting will prevent bats from getting in there in the first place, but if it’s too late and you already notice these critters, call in a chimney sweep for removal. Same goes for squirrels, mice, and other critters that may find their way into your chimney. Attempting to drive them out on your own could result in injury and potential for more damage when the critters feel they have no other choice but to invade the living space to protect themselves. Get in touch with Chimney Pro If you have bats in the chimney, a bird in the fireplace or any other type of animals in the chimney, call the professionals at Chimney Pro for an effective, humane solution. We service all of Northwest Georgia, including Rockmart GA, Dalton GA, and Waleska GA. Give us a call at (256) 845-9814 or fill out our convenient online contact form.	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0068.json.gz/line305
__label__wiki	0.5814	0.5814	Fwd: Thomas Jefferson Subject: Fwd: Thomas Jefferson Subject: Thomas Jefferson Thomas Jefferson was a very remarkable man who started learning very early in life and never stopped. � At 5, began studying under his cousin's tutor. � At 9, studied Latin, Greek and French. � At 14, studied classical literature and additional languages. � At 16, entered the College of William and Mary. � At 19, studied Law for 5 years starting under George Wythe. � At 23, started his own law practice. � At 25, was elected to the Virginia House of Burgesses. � At 31, wrote the widely circulated "Summary View of the Rights of British America " and retired from his law practice. � At 32, was a Delegate to the Second Continental Congress. � At 33, wrote the Declaration of Independence . � At 33, took three years to revise Virginia ’s legal code and wrote a Public Education bill and a statute for Religious Freedom. � At 36, was elected the second Governor of Virginia succeeding Patrick Henry. � At 40, served in Congress for two years. � At 41, was the American minister to France and negotiated commercial treaties with European nations along with Ben Franklin and John Adams. � At 46, served as the first Secretary of State under George Washington. � At 53, served as Vice President and was elected president of the American Philosophical Society. � At 55, drafted the Kentucky Resolutions and became the active head of Republican Party. � At 57, was elected the third president of the � At 60, obtained the Louisiana Purchase doubling the nation’s size. � At 61, was elected to a second term as President. � At 65, retired to Monticello . � At 80, helped President Monroe shape the Monroe Doctrine. � At 81, almost single-handedly created the University of Virginia and served as its first president. � At 83, died on the 50th anniversary of the Signing of the Declaration of Independence along with John Adams Thomas Jefferson knew because he himself studied the previous failed attempts at government. He understood actual history, the nature of God, his laws and the nature of man. That happens to be way more than what most understand today. Jefferson really knew his stuff. A voice from the past to lead us in the John F. Kennedy held a dinner in the white House for a group of the brightest minds in the nation at that time. He made this statement: "This is perhaps the assembly of the most intelligence ever to gather at one time in the White House with the exception of when Thomas Jefferson dined alone." “When we get piled upon one another in large cities, as in Europe, we shall become as corrupt as Europe .” -- “The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would -- Thomas Jefferson “It is incumbent on every generation to pay its own debts as it goes. A principle which if acted on would save one-half the wars of the world.” “I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them.” -- Thomas Jefferson “My reading of history convinces me that most bad government results from too much government.” -- Thomas Jefferson “No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms.” -- Thomas Jefferson “The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.” “The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.” -- Thomas Jefferson “To compel a man to subsidize with his taxes the propagation of ideas which he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical.” Thomas Jefferson said in 1802: “I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies. If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue of their currency, first by inflation, then by deflation, the banks and corporations that will grow up around the banks will deprive the people of all property - until their children wake-up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered.” I wish we could get this out to everyone!!! I'm doing my part. Please do yours...... 6/24/2011 12:14:00 PM \| Key Words: Founding Fathers, THOMAS JEFFERSON \| This entry was posted on 6/24/2011 12:14:00 PM and is filed under Founding Fathers , THOMAS JEFFERSON . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site. Jefferson was also distrustful of organized religion and openly doubted the divinity of Jesus, going so far as to create his own version of the bible with all such references removed. I wonder why that didn't get mentioned here... propagation of ideas which he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical Jefferson is talking about the need for a Seperation of Church and State. He is saying that to give public moneys to a church is a wicked thing which is to be avoided in a free society. to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.” Says the man who never served in any military force. The only blood he ever spilled was with a lash. Jefferson was indeed a great intellect. He was also able to live so well because he stole by force the labor of hundreds of other people. He was a philanderer who enslaved his own offspring. He was also terrible with money and the orginator of dirty politics in Presidential elections. All of these things make him an interesting person to study, but he was no saint. You have to take the good with the bad. Marc with a C said... Um, Jefferson is not the kind of guy you want to idolize on your side, wingers. In 1802, at age 59 he wrote his "wall of separation" letter, arguing for a separation of church and state. In 1803, at age 60, he authored the Jefferson Bible, a text which simply crossed out or removed any portions of the Bible with which he disagreed. Between 1795 and 1808 he fathered six children with a black woman, Sally Hemmings. And that's just off the top of my head. Wingers like to cherry-pick "history" just like how they cherry-pick Bible verses. They pick out the verses or aphorisms or sentiments or even historical facts that accord with some mythical fairy tale belief system that rightwingers hold dear. Then wingers use their very carefully cherry-picked notions to brow-beat others with it and/or to point how very "right" they are, and "wrong" everyone else is. It's a mug's game, but works for them. Pointing out facts and reality will have no effect on this crowd. They'll cling to their cherished mythical "beliefs" in the same way that they cling to their guns. Jefferson had sex with an African American woman and had kids with her. How does that accord with wingnut racist bigoted philosophy? Oh yeah, Sally Hemmings was Jefferson's slave and so were the kids they had together. Why that IS a rightwinger's version of "heaven" after all, amirite? P.S. I might point out that Jefferson never married Sally Hemmings, either. Isn't this sinful and despicable according to the rightwing belief system? Oh wait, I'm being all fact-y now. If Jefferson was Pres now, would Republicans vote to impeach him for having sex with "that" woman? Inquiring minds need to know! Where is Ken Starr when we need him? At 267, Thomas Jefferson had never existed, by vote of the Texas board of education because he said a few inconvenient things. Honus said... To say Jefferson was the active head "Republican" party is also a gross distortion. Jefferson was a member of the Democratic Republicans, which was the party of small farmers and the working class, and which is the same party known today as the Democratic party. They changed their name when the Republican party was formed in 1840 because they did not to be associated or confused with the new party. The republican party had chosen its name in a cynical effort to confuse democratic republican voters and loyalists. I love how this Jefferson hageography starts out by emphasizing all of the studying he did - and not just any studying, but useless, liberal arts subjects, including dead languages, literature, law, and French. Then it goes on to mention his travels to France, and his support of public education and religious freedom. Can you imagine the screeching condemnation from today's right wing noise machine, if a politician presented that sort of elite liberal-arts education, "old Europe" travel experience, and support of public spending and "secularism"? Fw: Quote of the week Fw: This is happening in California Fw: Irish Fire Fighter Fw: Threat Alerts Fw: New slogan for 2012 Fw: An Untimely Sad Message FW: Pace Car Fw: Fwd: Fw: Politically Incorrect Fw: You really MUST pass this on - make sure you r... Fw: Fwd: Fleming: Obama Admin. Deliberately Ignori... FW: Let' Be Clear -- New Updated Version FW: RECALL NOTICE FW: Gas Prices... Huh?? FW: Origin of Left & Right Fw: Two resumes FW: : Their Guy ...Our Guy Fw: Jihadist joke FWD: Harold.....an inspiration to us all... FW: AMERICAN FLAG IN PHOENIX - Fwd: Fw: THE Obama PLOT THICKENS FWD: Little Johnny Subject: Fw: Fwd: Fwd: Pray for Tyrone Fw: Fwd: FW: : Ronald Reagan FW: Utterly amazing video..... Fwd: FW: Osama is Truly Dead!! Fw: BULLSEYE! FW: : American Exceptionalism demonstrated FW: The Mentality of Radical Islam! FW: Forget About The Birth Certificate! FW: Rolling Thunder.	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0068.json.gz/line308
__label__wiki	0.615993	0.615993	Emory-based center speeds up scientific discoveries in chemistry By Carol Clark \| Emory Magazine \| May 29, 2015 Kathryn Chepiga, an Emory PhD student in organic chemistry, has been immersed in an international research project through an exchange program of the National Science Foundation’s Center for Selective C-H Functionalization. Emory Photo/Video Global bonds boost chemists' pace of research and discovery Emory Magazine Academics, International, Research, Science, Graduate School, Chemistry Near the end of a four-month stay in Japan during summer 2014, Kathryn “Katie” Chepiga 18PhD hiked up Mount Fuji. An Emory graduate student of organic chemistry, Chepiga was immersed in an international research project through an exchange program of the National Science Foundation’s Center for Selective C-H Functionalization (CCHF). She and her Japanese counterpart at Nagoya University had made a significant finding involving a new method of organic synthesis. Now she wanted to cap her experience abroad by summiting Fuji, Japan’s highest mountain and an active volcano. “It was really cold, rainy, and foggy. We couldn’t see more than a few feet ahead of us,” Chepiga says of the first eight-hour leg of the hike. She was accompanied by Emory senior Michael Wade Wolfe 15C, who had recently arrived in Japan as part of the same CCHF exchange program. The lack of visibility made all the pain and effort of hiking up one of the world’s most scenic peaks seem like a futile exercise. Soggy and freezing, they trudged on until they made it to a hiker’s communal way station where they could change into dry gear and get a few hours of sleep. When they awoke before dawn, the rain had stopped and the fog had lifted. They continued their trek on a fresh blanket of snow. “The last few hundred meters, we walked single file, in a line of people wearing little headlamps,” Chepiga recalls. “It’s high altitude and slow going. It feels like you’re only moving a few steps every twenty minutes.” Snow fell as they neared the crater rim. “You could see city lights peeking through the clouds below us,” Chepiga says. “It got more and more beautiful the higher we went. Then the sky turned from dark gray and black to orange and red. That sunrise was amazing. It was definitely worth the climb.” Summiting Fuji was a walk in the park compared to the CCHF research that took Chepiga to Japan. She joined forces with Atsushi Yamaguchi, a graduate student from Nagoya University, to demonstrate how a newer, more efficient strategy can be applied to synthesize natural compounds that hold potential medicinal benefits. “We ran into a lot of obstacles and dead ends, but we kept at it,” Chepiga says. “If you just keep putting one foot in front of the other, you know you can climb Mount Fuji. But in science you have to keep trying a lot of different approaches, even when you’re not sure you will achieve your goal. It’s much less certain and concrete.” View Full Story in Emory Magazine »	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0068.json.gz/line317
__label__cc	0.538966	0.461034	NDP asks how government will pay for new oil corporation and rate mitigation This week the provincial government announced it would introduce legislation to establish a new oil and gas corporation separate from Nalcor. Today in Question Period, NDP House Leader Lorraine Michael (MHA, St. John’s East-Quidi Vidi) questioned how government plans to pay for this new standalone corporation and mitigate power rates at the same time. The Minister of Natural Resources indicated that Nalcor will siphon money into the new oil and gas corporation until it generates revenue, yet meanwhile, government is counting on Nalcor’s equity assets to mitigate electricity rates, says Michael. “I ask the Minister, how can she be so sure there will be enough money in Nalcor’s assets in 2021 to cover both rate mitigation and the oil company’s operations?” Michael said. According to the Minister, Michael says, the new corporation will return significant value to the people and economy of the province. However, it seems clear there will be no new revenue to the corporation before 2025 when Bay du Nord starts production. “What will be the ‘significant value’ of this corporation to the lives of the people of the province before 2025?” Michael asked. Michael says that equity revenues are dependent on production and price. “We have already lost $70 million in royalties this fiscal year due to the oil spill,” said Michael. “I ask the Minister of Finance, have we met the oil price projected for this year or is Nalcor losing money in equity assets as well? For further information, contact Zaren Healey White, Director of Communications, NDP Caucus at 729-2137 (o), 693-9172 (c), or zarenhealeywhite@gov.nl.ca. Rate Mitigation Power Rates Nalcor	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0068.json.gz/line320
__label__cc	0.581526	0.418474	NAMA Trains Staff On Strategic Safety Management Capt. Fola Akinkuotu, Managing Director, NAMA BY FIDELIS UGBOMEH As part of sustained effort to enhance safety of air navigation in the country, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) will soon commence training of various categories of its workforce in safety management training. The training which will dwell on areas such as Safety Audit of Air Traffic Services; Safety Oversight Management and Practical Preparation for International Civil Aviation Universal Safety Oversight Programme (ICAO USOAP) and Air Traffic Management Safety Investigation and Analysis among others is targeted at equipping critical staff of the agency with the capacity and proficiency to investigate and analyse air traffic incidents with a view to mitigating or eliminating future occurrence. Making this revelation while signing the NAMA Safety Policy and Commitment to Safety Management, the Managing Director, Capt. Fola Akinkuotu noted that safety management has become key in a highly sophisticated and dynamic industry such as aviation adding that “Aviation has no room for I am sorry.” He disclosed that management was putting machinery in motion to drastically reduce or eliminate incidents while maintaining zero tolerance for accidents. Akinkuotu also charged top management staff of the agency to buy into the NAMA Safety Policy and also ensure that the message cascades down to the entire staff noting that “Everything we do in the agency, one way or the other impacts on safety. We must therefore focus not only on the obvious, but even the non-obvious things, and by this, every NAMA staff should key into the safety policy and also be passionate about it.” He disclosed that, The signing of NAMA Safety Policy is in compliance with the prescription of ICAO Document 9859 (Safety Management Manual) Annex 19 (Safety Management Systems) which requires that the Chief Executive Officer of an aviation service provider must sign a commitment to safety as the Accounting Executive for Safety Management Systems (SMS). Mexico Fines NYK, MOL $32m Over Cartel FAAN, NAMA begin implementation of Executive Order at Lagos Airport	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0068.json.gz/line330
__label__cc	0.500796	0.499204	Ashok Muthukrishnan, MD, MS PET-CT Fellowship Director Medical / Graduate School Chingleput Medical College (Medical) MS, Health Information Management, University of Alabama at Birmingham Residency Christian Medical College & Hospital (India) Clinical / Post-doctoral Fellowship PET-CT fellowship: University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Current American Health Information Association American Medical Informatics Association Health Information Management and Systems Society Indian Society of Nuclear Medicine International College of Nuclear Medicine Physicians Medical Council of India Society of Nuclear Medicine Society of Nuclear Medicine Young Professionals Committee Clinical Interest New tracers in molecular imaging using PET-CT. Parathyroid sestamibi SPECT-CT imaging. Dr. Ashok Muthukrishnan has been with the nuclear medicine division for more than a decade now and has been very crucial in shaping up the division’s day-to-day activities as well as in its long-term improvements over the years. He has been the go-to person in parathyroid SPECT-CT imaging, frequently consulted by the endocrinologists, ENT surgeons and other his radiology colleagues for expert opinions on difficult cases. He has developed and written unique imaging protocols to be used routinely in daily clinical nuclear imaging at UPMC. He partnered with clinical oncology team to spearhead the approval of a new radionuclide alpha particle therapy drug ‘Xofigo’ for prostate cancer patients. He was successful in bringing the new PET agent Gallium-68 DOTATATE tracer to Pittsburgh by working with the industry and clinical team, which would benefit many neuroendocrine patients in region. Also, he is the principal investigator on the Compassionate use/ expanded access of the yet-to-be approved Lutathera ( Lu-177 DOTATATE) radionuclide therapy for patients with inoperable metastatic midgut carcinoid tumors, that would make University of Pittsburgh as one of the few centers in the country open for such specialized novel therapies. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02705313 Few years back, he was instrumental in the enrollment of UPMC Hillman cancer center as a participating site for the Medicare PET patients as part of National Oncologic PET registry participant to help Medicare patients ensure access to reimbursement for certain types of PET scans. From the early days of his fellowship training at UPMC, Dr. Muthukrishnan’s dedication toward teaching residents and medical students has been noteworthy. The “fellow of the year” award for his excellent teaching during his PET-CT fellowship at UPMC stands testimony to his keen interest in teaching from the outset. Over the years, he has individually mentored many radiology residents and medical students. He routinely presents morning case conferences, didactic radiology lectures to radiology residents. He has been a constant resource for the medical students and radiology residents to turn to when it comes to research, journal publication and oral presentations. Many of his published journal articles involve at least one resident or a medical student. He also closely works with the radiology/nuclear medicine technologists who always seek his expert opinion and teaching when they have any clinical or technical questions. His Health Informatics science degree also comes in handy to help teach the technologic aspects of medicine. He also routinely teaches and offers didactic lectures to the nuclear medicine technology students who do clinical rotations from other institutions such as Robert Morris university and the CCAC. Dr. Muthukrishnan also is the program director for the PET-CT fellowship program in radiology. The fellowship program trains nuclear medicine physicians and radiologists in acquiring the subspecialty skillset and knowledge pertinent to PET-CT clinical imaging and interpretation. Research Interest 1. Examining the use of Ga-68 DOTOTOC for PET imaging of neuroendocrine tumors. 2. Clinical molecular imaging of the cell surface receptors for epidermal growth factor (EGF). 3. Evaluating the role of highly targeted alpha-pharmaceuticals (eg: Radium 223) in the palliation of bone metastases. Right from the beginning of his academic career at UPMC, Dr. Ashok Muthukrishnan has been very proactive in multiple research activities. He has been working with various other faculty members in the departments of pulmonary medicine and bioengineering in research involving aerosol drug delivery and aerosol-based pulmonary imaging in lung transplant recipients and cystic fibrosis patients. Their team has developed special nuclear imaging techniques that quantify pulmonary physiology including measurements of mucociliary clearance and liquid absorption in the airways. He has maintained funding support under the Imaging Airway Liquid Absorption in Cystic Fibrosis (RO1 PRO11060559) grant for the last several years. He has published over 20 peer-reviewed journal articles, 60 scientific abstracts and/or oral presentations in national and international scientific conferences. These include the Society of nuclear medicine and molecular imaging, Radiological society of North America, Molecular and Biology, Academy of Molecular imaging, European Association of Nuclear Medicine, American Head and Neck Society annual scientific meetings. His publications have been cited 115 times and his research involves multidisciplinary collaboration. He has co-authored a book chapter “Specialty Imaging: PET/CT: Oncologic Imaging with Correlative Diagnostic CT” and has also been invited to deliver guest lectures in evolving practice of nuclear imaging to international audience in India several times. He has been serving as the editorial committee member in a few peer-reviewed journals and has served as invited reviewer for multiple international journals. He currently serves as a co-chair for the International Atomic Energy Agency- Society of nuclear medicine and molecular imaging (IAEA-SNMMI) sponsored global PET-CT Educational webinar series. The flagship American scientific society for nuclear medicine i.e. the Society of nuclear medicine’s scientific program committee has appointed him as the vice-chair for the abstract review process for their annual meeting for the past several years. The Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC) based in Pittsburgh had also invited him to be their medical director or the nuclear medicine technology program, which he has been efficiently overseeing for the last 3 years. Selected Publications 1. Locke LW, Myerburg MM, Weiner DJ, Markovetz MR, Parker RS, Muthukrishnan A, Weber L, Czachowski MR, Lacy RT, Pilewski JM, Corcoran TE. Pseudomonas infection and mucociliary and absorptive clearance in the cystic fibrosis lung. Eur Respir J. 2016 May;47(5):1392-401. doi: 10.1183/13993003.01880-2015. Epub 2016 Mar 23 2. Mandal R, Muthukrishnan A, Ferris RL, de Almeida JR, Duvvuri U. Accuracy of early-phase versus dual-phase single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) in the localization of Parathyroid disease. Laryngoscope. 2015 Jan 30. doi: 10.1002/lary.25020. 3. Pinnamaneni N, Shankar PR, Muthukrishnan A. (99m)Tc MIBI SPECT findings in parathyromatosis--a rare entity causing recurrent hyperparathyroidism. Clin Nucl Med. 2013 Nov;38(11). 4. Bural GG, Muthukrishnan A, Oborski MJ, Mountz JM. Improved Benefit of SPECT/CT Compared to SPECT Alone for the Accurate Localization of Endocrine and Neuroendocrine Tumors. Mol Imaging Radionucl Ther. 2012 Dec;21(3):91-6. 5. Pinnamaneni N, Muthukrishnan A. Left ventricular myocardium metastasis in a patient with primary renal cell carcinoma detected by 18F-FDG PET/CT. Clin Nucl Med. 2012 Jul;37(7). 6. Gohil H, Muthukrishnan A. Bronchial atresia on FDG PET/CT: imaging characteristics of a rare pulmonary pseudonodule. Clin Nucl Med 2012 Jan;37(1):86-7. 7. Corcoran TE, Thomas KM, Myerburg MM, Muthukrishnan A, Weber L, Frizzell R, Pilewski JM. Absorptive clearance of DTPA as an aerosol-based biomarker in the cystic fibrosis airway. Eur Respir J 2010 Apr;35(4):781-6. doi: 10.1183/09031936.00059009. 8. Khanna V, Nama S, Tailor R, Muthukrishnan A. Myelofibrosis on 18F-FDG-PET/CT in a case suspicious for post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder. Hell J Nucl Med. 2009 Sep-Dec;12(3):274-5. 9. Lai SY, Koppikar P, Thomas SM, Childs EE, Egloff AM, Seethala RR, Branstetter BF, Gooding WE, Muthukrishnan A, Mountz JM, Lui VW, Shin DM, Agarwala SS, Johnson R, Couture LA, Myers EN, Johnson JT, Mills G, Argiris A, Grandis JR. Intratumoral epidermal growth factor receptor antisense DNA therapy in head and neck cancer: first human application and potential antitumor mechanisms. J Clin Oncol. 2009 Mar 10;27(8):1235-42. 10. Narla VV, McCook BM, Muthukrishnan A. Serendipitous detection of urothelial carcinoma with F-18 FDG PET/CT: usefulness of low intensity PET window setting in areas of high physiologic FDG distribution. Clin Nucl Med. 2009 Jan;34(1):53-4. 11. Rajagopalan MS, Narla VV, Kanderi T, Muthukrishnan A. Para-hyoid ectopic parathyroid adenoma localized by Tc-99m MIBI SPECT. Clin Nucl Med. 2008 Dec;33(12):880-1. 12. Narla VV, Rajagopalan MS, Kanderi T, Muthukrishnan A. Atypical presentation of hypertrophic pulmonary osteoarthropathy on Tc-99m MDP bone scintigraphy. Clin Nucl Med. 2008 Oct;33(10):702-4. 13. Narla VV, Muthukrishnan A, Mountz JM. Diaschisis in cerebral mitochondrial disorder. Clin Nucl Med. 2008 Aug;33(8):531-4. 14. Oliver C, Muthukrishnan A, Mountz J, Deeb E, Johnson J, Deleyiannis F. Interpretability of PET/CT imaging in head and neck cancer patients following composite mandibular resection and osteocutaneous free flap reconstruction. Head Neck. 2008 Feb;30(2):187-93. 15. Muthukrishnan A, Bajoghli M, Mountz JM. Delayed development of radiation vasculopathy of the brain stem confirmed by F-18 FDG PET in a case of anaplastic astrocytoma. Clin Nucl Med. 2007 Jul;32(7):527-31. 16. Muthukrishnan A,Joyce J,Islam M. Follicular Hyperplasia: A Potential False Positive Finding on PET/CT Imaging in the Evaluation of Lymphoma. Clin Nucl Med 2006 July 31(7):401-402. 17. Bajoghli M , Muthukrishnan A, Mountz JM. Posterior Bulge Sign for Parathyroid Adenoma on Tc-99m MIBI SPECT. Clin Nucl Med. 2006;31:470-1. 18. Ojha B, Muthukrishnan A, Raman AK, Satya R, Mahone T, Forero-Torres A. Diffuse F-18 FDG uptake in skeletal muscles secondary to chills resulting from sepsis: a cause for underestimation of viable tumor. Clin Nucl Med. 2004 Sep;29(9):600-1. 19. Muthukrishnan A, Shanthly N, Kumar S. Afferent loop syndrome: the role of Tc-99m mebrofenin hepatobiliary scintigraphy. Clin Nucl Med. 2000 Jun;25(6):492-4. MONOGRAPHS, BOOKS, BOOK CHAPTERS, PROCEEDINGS OF CONFERENCE & SYMPOSIA: 1. Muthukrishnan A, Blodgett T Specialty Imaging: PET/CT: Oncologic Imaging with Correlative Diagnostic CT. Publisher: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 1 edition (December 1, 2008): English ISBN-10: 1931884188 ISBN-13: 978-1931884181. 2. Shankar PR, Ferris J, Muthukrishnan A. Asymptomatic ileal carcinoid with mesenteric extension. Case in Point. 2012. http://3s.acr.org/CIP/CaseView.aspx?CaseId=Xg2wz3O9XXo%3d 3. PET adds definition to brain tumor diagnostics Published on online journal Physicians Practice January 01, 2007 Source URL: http://www.physicianspractice.com/articles/pet-adds-definition-brain-tumor-diagnostics 4. Researchers continue to refine high-grade brain tumor diagnostics - Published December 06, 2006 at Rheumatology network Source URL: http://www.rheumatologynetwork.com/articles/researchers-continue-refine-high-grade-brain-tumor-diagnostics 5. J.OMalley, A.Muthukrishnan, S.Khullar. Nuclear Medicine Case of the day: Teaching cases for Society of Nuclear Medicine. 53rd Annual Meeting Society of Nuclear Medicine San Diego, CA June 3-7, 2006 6. J OMalley J, A Muthukrishnan, G Deutsch, BC Ojha. RSNA 2004 Nuclear Medicine Case of the Day. 90th Scientific Assembly and Annual meeting, Chicago,IL November 28-December 3, 2004. 7. Muthukrishnan A, Almeida N, Orthner H. Integrated Information Technologies for Emergency Medical Care Informatics for the National Heart Attack Alert Program. International Mobile Health Association Conference, New Orleans, Nov 2002. Awards 2006 - Fellow of the Year for 2005-06 Award Dept of Radiology 2004 - Certificate of Merit In recognition of excellence 90th RSNA Radiologic Scientific meeting Chicago, IL 2004-05 - Chief Resident Nuclear med residency 2003 - Outstanding Student Award Master of Science in Health Informatics Program 1992-93 - President Medical Student Council Chengalpattu Med College Tamilnadu, India	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0068.json.gz/line339
__label__cc	0.685013	0.314987	FG to raise revenue through aggressive tax collection in Business, Featured As part of its effort to generate revenue from non-oil sector, the Federal Government has set an aggressive target to increase tax collection in the country. President Muhammadu Buhari disclosed this at the 21st annual tax conference organised by the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN) on Wednesday in Abuja. Buhari was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance, Dr. Mahmoud Isa-Dutse. He noted that tax collection must grow in line with the growth in economy, lamenting that this has not been the case in Nigeria. The President said: “Our tax system must reflect the nature of our commercial activity levels. Oil is just above 10 per cent of our Gross Domestic Product (GDP) but it represents a disproportionate share of our tax revenue. “We will, therefore, develop a framework that mobilises revenue from the non-oil sector. Our tax system must be dynamic in order to respond to an ever-evolving commercial landscape and to increasing technology driven business models. “As part of our drive to increase non-oil revenue, we have set an aggressive target for increasing tax collection. This is a reflection of the fact that the current level of compliance is low and in some cases, the effective tax rate paid by those that are compliant is lower than expected. “This administration has been instrumental to critical reforms in the Nigerian tax system, through for instance, the introduction of the tax amnesty regime under the Voluntary Asset and Income Declaration Scheme (VAIDS) and the Voluntary Offshore Assets Regularization Scheme (VOARS). READ Lawan withdraws Festus Adedayo appointment as media aide “These measures have no doubt led to improvement in voluntary tax payment compliance by the citizenry. “On the VAIDS, for instance, 5,122 applications were received, at the end of July 2018, when the Scheme had gone through a 12 month cycle and entered sunset. “Out of these applications, 1,006 made full payment, 1,613 had outstanding payments to make and 2,503 fell under those who did not furnish adequate information on their tax status. “Arising from these applications, N92.67 billion tax liability was declared. N34.67 billion had been paid out of declared liability. The outstanding liability of N56.81 trillion will be paid in installments. “In all, 16,906 assets were declared under VAIDS. Of these, 3,317 are immovable assets, 13,771 are moveable assets, while 205 represented intangible assets & Investments.” Addressing stakeholders and players in the taxation sector in the conference tagged: “Taxation and national development: Unlocking the potential of taxation”, Buhari noted that Nigeria’s tax-to-GDP ratio, although has improved from six per cent to about nine per cent in the last three years, is still the lowest in the world. The Chairman of Heirs Holdings, Mr. Tony O. Elumelu, in his paper delivery noted that we can never talk about national development without the inputs from Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). Elumelu said: “On one hand, our citizens demand good standard of living – education, healthcare, infrastructure, accommodation, security, moral values etc.” TRACE assures effective traffic management during African drum festival Two Chinese construction workers kidnapped in Ebonyi	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0068.json.gz/line354
__label__cc	0.732686	0.267314	DEMON'S KISS Is Out! I'm delighted to announce the release of Demon's Kiss, my short, sexy story about an artist and one of her paintings that comes to life :). It's available now at Changeling Press, and to tempt you, here's the blurb and a short excerpt. DEMON'S KISS Charlotte's been good too long. Now only a demon will satisfy her. Charlotte is a reformed bad girl, who releases her inner demons through art. But her talent and her disastrous decision to marry a "good" man have attracted powerful interference. When her painting comes to life and her own sexy demon invites her into the orgy she created on canvas, she realizes she can't deny her identity or her desires any longer. Charlotte let out a moan of need and frustration and fell backward onto the bed. Once, painting had been enough to calm her inner demons. Now it seemed she'd painted one so big that it was taking over. She should close her eyes, force her tense, pulsing body to relax until blessed sleep took her. Instead, she rolled onto her stomach and twisted around so that she lay gazing at the painting, staring at her demon. A rueful little smile tugged at her lips. "Well, demon? What would you actually do for me anyway?" God, she'd painted those deep-set blue eyes so well. They actually seemed to change expressions. She even imagined his lips moved in a provoking, tempting smile, inviting her to find out. "I'd love to," she whispered. "Do you know, I haven't had sex in six years?" A slight change of her position altered his expression again, and that was good too -- a mixture of pity and flattering surprise, as if he wondered how someone as attractive, vital and talented as she could possibly be without a sexual partner for so long. Even better, she imagined a new urgency to the invitation of his reaching hand. "I gave myself a fright," she explained. "When I was an art student, I was into everything, tried everything. I did exactly what I wanted, slept with anyone I wanted. Then one morning I woke up and realized I was failing my course, that I didn't like who I'd become. I hated being the art school slut, the bitch who stole other girls' men and spent most of her life out of her head. I hated the hangovers and the self-recrimination. So I turned it around. I went straight. I stopped drinking, I stopped taking drugs and sleeping around. I worked hard and scraped a pass just in time. I went back to my parents' church, and then I met James..." "Who's James?" Of course the demon in the picture would speak to her. And he would have that gorgeous, deep, seductive voice. It was natural. She'd probably drifted off to sleep. Whatever, it felt good to tell someone, even in her imagination. "My ex-fiancé. He's a good man, works in local government. We were going to get married and have children." "What's stopping you?" "Sex." Charlotte laughed and wriggled, rubbing her breasts against the sheet beneath them. "Among other things. As good Christians and members of our church, we don't do sex before marriage." "Get married," the demon advised. She liked the way his lips moved when he spoke -- sexy and tempting. She wanted to purr. "Well, that's the thing," Charlotte explained. "I don't think I really love James any more than I loved any of the shits I slept with at college. He just seemed to be everything I wanted at the time. Only... he isn't. I messed up again." She gazed straight into the demon's eyes. "I want sex." His smile seemed to widen. Lust stabbed straight to her womb, enticing, encouraging her to wicked elaboration. "I want wild, beautiful sex, lots of it in every imaginable way with a man who makes me scream for satisfaction and then gives me it." The demon's eyes darkened, and yet flashed like fire. "I can do that." Oh she'd just bet he could. This was a good dream. She propped her head up with her hand, adjusting position to allow him a tantalizing glimpse of her naked breasts. "And how would you do that, demon?" Obligingly, his gaze lowered, swept across her shoulders and breasts like a caress. "However you want me to. And a few more ways you haven't thought of yet." Oh yes. Involuntarily, Charlotte pressed her hips down into the mattress. It felt good, and yet only aroused a rush of stronger desire for real contact, flesh to flesh. "You're a good dream, demon." "Then step into my world." Yes, definitely, she was asleep, because she wasn't just putting words into his painted mouth; his outstretched hand actually turned; he crooked his finger. "Come." His low, rich voice spoke straight to her clenching pussy. I should wake up now... Please, no! What would happen if I actually got up and went to him? Would I feel the flesh of his hand? Or wet canvas? There was only one way to find out... :) Marie Labels: Changeling Press, Demon's Kiss, Marie Treanor Gabrielle 6 June 2011 at 06:15 Congrats! It looks very steamy! http://gbisset.blogspot.com/ Marie Treanor 6 June 2011 at 07:48 Thanks, Gabrielle! Has to be pretty steamy for Changeling :). But it's not over the top. It was just fun to write - a bit of therapy from a spate of constant editing and promo work :). Nadja Notariani 6 June 2011 at 17:31 Demon's Kiss sounds intense! Good luck with your newest story. ~ Nadja http://nadjanotariani.blogspot.com/ Thanks, Nadja - much appreciated! Congrats!! Wishing you lots of sales!! Marie Treanor 13 June 2011 at 02:33 Thanks, Valerie :) Summer Contest! Fabulous Steampunk Guests! Come and Sizzle with me at The Romance Reviews!	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0068.json.gz/line358
__label__cc	0.738396	0.261604	The security gate building at the Hanhikivi 1 site completed 15 August, 2017 / 20:17 The second permanent building at the Hanhikivi 1 site is completed; Fennovoima accepted the security gate building contract today. The security gate building was constructed by Rakennusliike Sorvoja Oy from Oulainen, and its HPAC and electrical works were done by ARE Oy from Kokkola. 35 companies, most of which are from Northern Ostrobothnia, have worked at the security gate building site through the subcontract chain. The two-storey, approximately 1,200 square meter security gate building is situated at the plant site in the Hanhikivi peninsula. Work site traffic monitoring and some permission administration matters are handled in the building. When the power plant is operational, all passenger and freight traffic will go through the main gate building. The security gate building will be taken into use gradually. Preparatory works at the Hanhikivi peninsula continue. At the moment, e.g. hydraulic construction and dredging works, injections in the bedrock surrounding the plant area, and construction works of the accommodation village are on-going. Approximately 300 people work at the site daily. Source: Fennovoima.fi 2019 News TVEL Fuel Company of ROSATOM Supplied Fuel for China Experimental Fast Reactor MORE 2019 News ROSATOM Marks 65th Anniversary of Nuclear Energy Industry MORE 2019 News TVEL Fuel Company of ROSATOM Supplied Fuel for China Experimental Fast Reactor MORE 10 July 2019 News Russia and Lao People's Democratic Republic to develop cooperation in the field of peaceful use of atomic energy MORE 20 June	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0068.json.gz/line360
__label__wiki	0.645663	0.645663	千花网阿拉爱上海后花园 The airport is now orga上海会所品茶微信ale simulation exer ercises for all departments stationed there to test its facilities and equipment. The exercises, running over more than two months, will see over 500 flights and ha 上海会所品茶微信ndle 51,000 passengers and 35,000 items of luggage, according to the news release. “The airport will also have to conduct several more test flights – for example, flying in low-visibility conditions – before being put into operation,” Guo said. The airport, which is planned to open before Sept 30, will act as a second international airport for Beijing to re 上海会所 lieve pressure from rising demand for air travel on Beijing’s Capital International Airport. By 2021, the new airportRead More → This year marks the 70th anniversary of the establishmen In: 上海419论坛 ent of diplomatic relations, and the bilateral relationship is at its best in history, Xi said. In a written statement released after his arrival in Moscow for the three-da y visit to Russia, Xi said China and Russia have created a role model of peaceful coexis tence and win-win cooperation between neighboring countries as well as between major world powers. In a joint interview with the TASS Russian News Agency an d the Rossiyskaya Gazeta newspaper ahead of the visit, Xi said the two countries have alwa ys firmly supported each other on issues regarding their respective core interests and major concerns. The president calledRead More → The forum, which opened on May 26, is devoted to implem menting the SCO Qingdao Summit consensus and improving the health level of the people across the region. Themed “Health, Cooperation, Innovation and Sharing,” the forum focused on the topics of national health, disaster relief, medical services, and medical education and research. The forum appreciates China’s remarkable achievements in health and medical services over the past 40 years of reform and opening-up and China’s medical assistance to other countries. In addition, the forum will also establish the “China-SCO Medical Innovat ion and Cooperation Committee” in Shanghai, which will be responsible for calling me etings and coordinating relevant national institutions to take turns holding the forum. www.ash521.cnRead More → The country will allow overseas investors to trade more In: 贵族宝贝 types of onshore commodity futures contracts without registering a Chinese entity, and will continuously improve the relate d rules, Lu Dongsheng, an official with the China Securities Regulatory Commission, told a forum on Tuesday Lu also announced other measures to develop China’s commodity fut ures market, such as accelerating the launch of ricThe Shanghai Futures Exchange will open up its nonferrous metals futures contracts to foreign investors, Jiang Yan, Party secretary of the exchange, said at the s ame forum. The bourGuo Shuqing, head of the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commissiose will also list a n ew type of futures contract, TSR20 Rubber, whichRead More → ery likely so. Only things may not go the way Wash If they wanted a replay of what happened to ZTE, a Chinese company which relies heavily on outsider technologies, they may never see it. Because Huawei is a dramatically different kind of business. The Plan B Huawei has just revealed — a series of self-developed chips — is only part of what makes it an enterprise of strategic insight, and hence resilience. Over time, that insight has rewarded it with a viable biosphere that its founder Ren Zhengfei believes will enable it to weat her the storm. “Our growth may drop a bit in the wake of US restrictions, but negative growth is impossible,” saidRead More → it has long been prepared for the “extreme scenario” of the US blo In: 阿拉爱上海 access to some components and technologies. “We have been developing backup products for years in anticipat ion. … Such efforts can ensure the strategic safety of most of the company’s products an d a continuous supply of most products,” said HiSilicon President He Tingbo in an internal letter. Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said at a news conferen ce on Friday that the development and utilization of 5G depends on global cooperation, and inte rference by the US undermines the principle of fair competition and shows a lack of respect for other countries. HiSilicon, which was founded in 2004, has designed chipsets like Ki rin,Read More → More than 700 scientists from around 40 countries, regio ns and international organizations supported the declaration. It recommended a ctions including data-sharing, investing in disaster risk reduction technologies and inf rastructure, and jointly enhancing disaster preparedness and response protocols. The conference also saw the launch of a scientific alliance on international disaster risk reduction, which included aro und 30 institutions and universities from countries including Italy, Belgium, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The alliance will serve as a new platform for international coordinati on and provide scientific support for disaster relief and sustainable development. The conference was co-hosted by the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Chi na Association for Science and Technology, the UnitedRead More → ime Minister Mahathir Mohamad’s championing of Asian value In: 娱乐地图 the ideal way to govern their countries.Lee and Mahathir maintained that i n Asia, social order and strong governance are keys to a stable and wealthy society. This type of governance succeeded in fostering rapid growth in Singap ore, Malaysia, South Korea and China. Santarita said strong Asian leaders are effe ctive because they serve their constituents and value mutual respect and discipline. Analysts said the Asian emphasis on community and harmony can help resolve some of the world’s most pressing intern ational issues such as territorial disputes, climate change and sustainable economic development. Santarita cited the current dispute over the South China Sea whichRead More → Noting that the uncertainties in the global economic env In: 爱上海 vironment are also rising and there remain downward pressures on the domestic economy, Li called for both attention and confidence from the entrepreneurs. Related departments should follow the guidance of Xi Jinping Though t on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, invigorate the market thr ough deepening reform and opening-up and ensure the stable growth of the economy, Li said. He said that tax reduction is the key to improving the business enviro nment and invigorating the market, which will not only stabilize growth and employment bu t also encourage companies to invest more in innovation for long-term development. Tax reduction is aRead More → Singer created a false profile for Guo, presenting her as s a competitive soccer player. He paid former Yale women’s soccer coach Rudolph Mered ith $400,000 to pass Guo off as a recruited player, despite Guo never having played soccer competitively. Guo has since been expelled by Yale. Meredith resigned and pleaded guilty to federal fraud-related charges. Neither the Guos nor the Zhaos have been charged in the investigation, which was made public in March. Federal prosecutors have charged 50 people in six states, inc luding 33 parents who allegedly paid a total of $25 million to Singer between 2011 and February this year. The typical sum ranges from $15,000 to $75,000 per child forRead More →	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0068.json.gz/line368
__label__wiki	0.916037	0.916037	On Photoshopped Pictures Yes, the picture, from 20th Century Fox’s advance publicity kit, pegged to this review of Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium is obviously a somewhat poorly Photoshopped interpolation, designed to cram Natalie Portman and Dustin Hoffman in the same frame. But it’s not nearly as bad as this one from Click, of Adam Sandler and Kate Beckinsale. I don’t know what’s more amusing — the fact that studios, with all the massive resources at their disposal, can’t even stage a few good publicity two-shots, or fact that someone receiving college credit apparently got to take a break from fetching coffee and crank out these gems. Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause I came to The Santa Clause franchise already in progress, the result of a yuletide review assignment last year, but I’d certainly seen enough of the trailers and TV ads for the first two films to grasp what was going on. The series began, in 1994, as the ultimate collision of workaholic-Dad-snapped-into-line-by-fantastical-intervention cinema (see The Family Man, Liar Liar, Click, et al) and high concept piffle (ordinary guy becomes… Santa Claus). The movies have since served as one of the two twin pillars, alongside the Toy Story films, in star Tim Allen’s otherwise negligible big screen career. Eight years passed between the original and its sequel, but the $172 million worldwide gross of The Santa Clause 2 (almost on par with its forebear) cemented plans for a trilogy. an engagingly colorful villainous performance by Martin Short as the jealous Jack Frost. After having become Santa in the first movie, Scott Calvin (Allen) has tried to juggle the demands of the job with his personal life. The Escape Clause finds Santa taking on new challenges as his extended family continues to grow. At the risk of giving away its secret location, Scott invites his in-laws, Sylvia and Bud Newman (Ann-Margret and Alan Arkin, a rich pair) to the North Pole to share in the holiday festivities and be near their daughter, Carol (Elizabeth Mitchell), as she prepares for the eagerly anticipated birth of Baby Claus. The problem, of course, is that Carol’s parents don’t know about Scott’s secret identity (they just think he’s a north-of-the-border toymaker), so he disguises the North Pole as Canada, instructing all his elves to cover up their pointy ears and go about appending, “ehh?” to the end of every other sentence. Further complicating matters are Scott’s own blended brood — ex-wife Laura (Wendy Crewson), her new husband Neil (Judge Reinhold), their daughter Lucy (a very effective Liliana Mumy) and Scott’s son Charlie (Eric Lloyd) — who beg on for a trip of their own, and have to be entertained as well as keep the secret from the Newmans. The main complication, though, is Jack Frost (Short), an icy-browed outcast on the Council of Legendary Figures, a group which includes the Easter Bunny, Father Time, Mother Nature, Cupid, et al. Jack wants his own holiday, and when rebuffed by the council he hatches a mischievous scheme to wreck Scott’s holiday and make him unwittingly invoke the titular “escape clause,” thus freeing the path for Jack to become the new Santa Claus. Jack’s ploy works — for a bit, at least — and we get to see him commercialize the North Pole, turning it into a theme park where the richest parents can bump their kids to the top of the “nice list” for a price. Naturally, Scott reconnects with just how much being Santa Claus really means to him, and how important separate time for family is, and makes a play to save the day and reverse Jack’s plot. Nuance surely isn’t Santa Clause 3’s name, but its performances are far the most part pleasing — Martin in particular brings a smirky, self-centered glee to his role — and its story isn’t condescending, which is something these days. It’s brisk and colorful, right on spot for its chief target demographic, and to that end certainly worthy of inclusion on the “nice list.” Santa Clause 3 comes presented in two versions — 1.33:1 full-screen or the Disney-dubbed “family-friendly” 1.78:1 widescreen, each free of edge enhancement or grain. Housed in a regular Amray case in turn stored in a cardboard slipcase with slightly raised, foil-embossed lettering, its audio is presented in an English language Dolby digital 5.1 track, with slapstick effects work mixed to the front. French and Spanish language tracks are also included, making for a release of even broader appeal. As with almost all Disney DVD releases, the bonus material is a mix of behind-the-scenes featurettes and tidbits geared specifically toward younger viewers, like a music video from Aly and AJ, “Greatest Time of Year,” here. A blooper reel cops a bit of material from the end credit sequence, but still provides some genuine laughs via Short’s mock-piqued improvisations. Director Lembeck sits for an audio commentary track, in which he naturally dishes out praise left and right for his cast and crew. There’s an alternate opening sequence, and also a featurette which looks at alternate character mock-ups and costumes and design for both Carol Claus and Jack Frost — work that was re-tooled on the fly once production commenced. Wrapping things up are a look at some of the movie’s special effects work, and an interactive “Carol-oke” feature that younger tykes will surely enjoy. B- (Movie) A- (Disc)	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0068.json.gz/line369
__label__wiki	0.52828	0.52828	If any of you had any doubt about much of the MSM's loathing for this war and our soldiers take a look at this letter written to a soldier in Kawait. We call him 2slick here. Because he is (too slick) and he visits here. He has a blog from which I am copying the letter below written to him by an NBC news reporter named John Hockenberry, "an Emmy award-winning news correspondent," after 2Slick sent him a NY Sun article written about Kerry's discharge. Keep in mind....this is a professional journalist for NBC. Note the 'respect' the letter begins with: 2Slick baby, Sorry, never would have expected an officer to speak so ignorantly. I've been in Iraq, Kuwait, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Israel. Jordan, Afghanistan, Somalia, Lebanon, and Pakistan. As for being ignorant of the military, ouch, wrong about that one too. I have two relatives buried at Arlington. But hey, making blanket statements about people seems to be a real talent over there at DOD. At least you know the difference between a real threat to our nation and a bogus half dead dictator (who was once on the CIA payroll). I feel better already knowing you are out there on the front lines delirious with self righteousness. Hey, you can call me a liar but I can't compete with you guys... you're professional grade. Hope your next promotion doesn't take too long I'm really looking forward to paying you more money to protect me and my family so well. Thanks again 2Slick (the officer who is apparently embarassed to reveal his rank)John Hockenberry (NBC Universal) John.Hockenberry@nbcuni.com 2Slick has this below the letter in his blog: "This guy, an emmy-winner, reports on "war zones" for NBC. Does anyone have any doubts about the way this man feels about our nation's military? Read his email again. For what it's worth, I told him twice before that I was a Captain- and I'm certainly not embarassed about my rank. If you really want to see the whole exchange, you can find it here. In any case, I ask you- whose side are these people on? I'm on my second tour in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, and I won't even pretend to know the answer." It is one thing to have a disagreement. To write a letter stating your position as a decent person, but this is a professional that reports on the military! Could he be any more condescending? Could he show any more disrespect? And as for being all knowing of the military...having 2 relatives buried in Arlington makes you an expert???? This letter made my blood boil!! Here is a soldier putting his life on the line, maybe disagreeing with the reporter about Kerry, but to write a letter to that soldier that looks a lot like a troll comment on a conservative blog is just disgraceful. He makes me sick. UPDATE: Since this has been making the rounds I found this sentence in ISOU's leftie blog telling... "Unfortunately for Mr. Hockenberry, that soldier is also a blogger." Which means that crude mean jerks who pretend to be objective journalists can longer get away with sending off these kinds of e-mails thinking the rest of us will never hear about them. Ahh...the power of the blog.....you gotta love it. Scott's light reading in prison. I think this is what is called Kicking Ass... Mudville gives us the following letter from the Battalion Commander of Colby Buzzell, the American soldier whose blog My War is well known, but hasn't been updated since Sept. (I'm thinking because he is part of the whole kicking ass thing): "I believe that we are making progress in Iraq and in Afghanistan. Despite the ravings of pundits and uninformed ambulance chasers, this fight doesn't' hinge on oil or payback. It isn't about religion or race. And it damn sure is not about any innate desire to rule the world. These people will succeed or fail on their own merits. The task is daunting. You can release a person from bondage. You can remove a tyrant from power. You can create the conditions for liberty. But, you cannot simply grant or proclaim freedom. Freedom without honest action is a whisper in a storm just as change without vision and purpose is the illusion of progress. For ages these people were literally beaten to the point of submission by oppression, censure, murder, torture, and rape - regardless of age or gender. I have asked myself why they let it happen. The only answer I can fathom is that evil flourished because good people refused to pay the price required to oppose it. This enemy has twisted and distorted things both sacred and profane to guideas well as justify its means and its stated end. Nothing is beyond the realm of the possible when it comes to the depths to which it will sink, the horror it is willing to commit, or the suffering it is willing to inflict. This enemy has no concept of mercy nor does it recognize combatants. Innocence is not a factor. You need only look at the headlines of the day to confirm that children, teachers, and doctors are murdered everyday by these villains. What makes them evil? I submit that it is not the act that earns them the epithet of evil - it is the intent to commit and the pride theydraw from the act. These animals revel in the post act announcements that they are responsible. They feel vindicated by the proclamations that they perpetrated these horrors in the name of God and that having committed the seacts some how elevates them. Make no mistake, this enemy is formidable but by no means invincible. To defeat this cancer requires the one thing that civilized people all over the world possess in absolute abundance - The will. The will to be free can only be surrendered by the person that has it - it cannot be murdered, raped, tortured, or stolen. It's not about being a martyr or a saint, it's about being a decent human being. And, the unvarnished truth is that the killing and the horror will continue until those with the will to endure prevail." This is where you stop for moment and say ....'wow.' Because it just cannot be said any better than that. Scott Peterson is convicted. He killed his wife and his unborn child and picks up the phone to chat with his clueless mistress. A while back, when I first started this blog I looked up a passage I remembered from a book I was reading. I posted it then, but it needs to be repeated. It says all we need to know about this guy. "You can go for a walk with them, see a movie with them, go swimming, eat dinner, even ride in a car with them while they are driving; but the sociopathic among us are quite literally different in every respect. They merely look like us. It is the ultimate disguise, making them an alien race within our own, and they know how to play us all for fools." The Scott Peterson case was sensationalized because of the elements of intrigue surrounding it. A beautiful pregnant wife, a blonde mistress,and a handsome guy who takes us all for a ride down the road of evil desires. It all ends in murder. But with deception being a way of life for this guy, he strings us along with tales of abduction. The press eats it up and Court TV has hours to fill, so we get every detail. But Scott is not alone, nor is he uncommon. The men aren't as handsome and the women aren't as sympathetic, but they die at the hands of the men they thought loved them all the same. Glenn Reynolds mentioned in his blog that he was always able to tell if there was no real news going on if he could look at the TV and see coverage of the Peterson trial. No real news. Now I hope Glenn was referring to the circus atmosphere of the trial. Or maybe the soap opera type coverage it was receiving. Because the case not only convicted a murderer, but finally gave us 'The Unborn Victim and Violence Act.' which makes it a crime to harm a fetus during an assault on a pregnant woman. A bill that had been fighting to get through Congress for five years. During it's debate in Congress the Laci Peterson family sent this letter to Congress: "As the family of Laci Peterson and her unborn son, Conner this bill is very close to our hearts. Knowing that perpetrators who murder pregnant women will pay the price not only for the loss of the mother, but the baby as well, will help bring justice for these victims and hopefully act as a deterrent to those considering such heinous acts." The bill passed (with Kerry and Edwards voting against it, just so you know) and Bush signed it into law in April saying: "As of today, the law of our nation will acknowledge the plain fact that crimes of violence against a pregnant woman often have two victims. The death of an innocent unborn child has too often been treated as a detail in one crime but not a crime in itself." As any woman who has carried a child in their womb and trembled with excitement at thought of finally being able to hold that child in their arms can tell you, you love that child with all your heart even before your fingers touch it's soft face. Even as you feel the kicks and turning, your love grows. I have no doubt that if Laci is somehow watching from above, she would want nothing more out of this trial than a conviction of murder for the man who took the life of her much wanted child. If it took us craving details of this sordid affair and murder to pass this important legislation, then it was worth it. It was worth it. To the Laci Peterson family I say that my heart breaks for your suffering. So many people go through their lives making little or no difference in the lives of others. But your daughter and your grandson will have given murderers of women and the unborn children they carry, the justice they deserve long before hell does. It may not give you what you so deserve..... your daughter and grandson back. But it does give us a better world. Laci and Conner gave us that. And you should hold that close to your heart when you think of them and be proud. Jonah Goldberg of NRO confesses today that his wife works for a minion of satan. Thats right..... she works for Attorney General John Ashcroft. Meaning she was practically the Wormwood to Ashcroft's Screwtape. If your not familiar with C.S. Lewis's book "The Screwtape Letters," Screwtape is an upper-level functionary in the complex bureaucracy of the underworld. (If that doesn't describe Washington D.C., I don't know what does.) Screwtape (boss demon) wrote letters to his nephew Wormwood(lower level demon) on how best to procure the soul of his "patient." (Interestingly, World War II serves as the backdrop for the Letters) . The left seemed to think Ashcroft was out to procure all of our souls and the Patriot Act was one of his ways to insure he could keep his evil eye upon us. I am, of course, making fun of the left's literal 'demonization" of Ashcroft in which Goldberg does a much better job than I ever could on proving Ashcroft unworthy of the assault of the leftwing/media machine. Goldberg ends his piece summing up the truth about Ashcroft: "By conventional standards, Ashcroft was among the best attorneys general in American history. Violent crime dropped 27 percent on his watch, reaching a 30-year low. Federal gun crime prosecutions rose 75 percent, and gun crimes dropped — something that should please liberals. By unconventional standards his service was heroic. There hasn't been a single terrorist attack since 9/11, despite all predictions by experts and efforts by terrorists to the contrary. Ashcroft was willing to take gross abuse to do what was necessary. Indeed, even the 9/11 commission certified that the Patriot Act was absolutely necessary to fix many of the problems that led to that awful day. The chorus that treated him so shabbily says it's good such a "polarizing" figure is leaving. Fine. But maybe it's too bad the people who made him such a polarizing figure aren't." h/t to BigDog's house for the NRO article. Was anyone like me yesterday watching Arafat's casket come out of the helicopter and just knowing they were gonna drop that thing over and he would come tumbling out????? Can you imagine? That crowd would have gone bonkers! It would have been like a mosh pit, each passing Arafat over them like a rock star. I swear, I thought that was gonna happen. But..I am wierd that way. Fox is saying there will be a verdict today in the Scott Peterson case. Jurors finally came to an agreement once the female jurors were assured that they could visit and bring Scott pie in prison. Since my household has been overrun with HALO 2 Madness!!! I found this pretty funny. UPDATE: I just noticed that my link of the dem's map that I linked below is no longer there. I even went to the Rolling Stone site and clicked on their link to it and it is gone. Could it be that they realized it really did look like a deep sea fish....or that it had no credibility?...hmmmm..... For those who missed it, it was like your 1st grader's drawing of the U.S. but with a drawing with alot of gas and more blue than was obviously true. heh. I personally am sick of seeing the red/blue map everywhere, but I stumbled across this one that the dems are using to blue up the map a bit: Via Rolling Stone: " Tim Dickinson thinks this is the best red/blue/purple map he's been emailed all week. (It's a county-by-county cartogram -- skewed by population rather than acreage -- of the country and its Bush/Kerry split.)" So click on the map, which I really feel they must have mixed up with a drawing of a deep water fish. This from Air America...seriously....I'm not kidding: Naomi Klein is urging P Diddy and his celebrity friends to go to Fallujah: “But first they are going to need to flip the slogan from "Vote or Die!" to "Die, Then Vote!" Because that is what is happening there.” But dying first and then voting is commonplace among democrats, isn't it? If you want to leave the country now and Robert Redford won't let you tag along, Harpers has a comprehensive look at how to do it. It's harder to leave freedom than you might imagine. This Leftie from Consortiumnews.com has it all figured out how we won: "The history is this: For the past quarter century, the Right has spent billions of dollars to build a vertically integrated media apparatus – reaching from the powerhouse Fox News cable network through hard-line conservative newspapers and magazines to talk radio networks to book publishing to well-funded Internet operations and right-wing bloggers." Rightwing bloggers are well-funded???? Where the hell is my check? "Using this infrastructure, the conservatives can put any number of “themes” into play that will instantaneously reach tens of millions of Americans through a variety of outlets, whose messages then reinforce each other in the public’s mind." Yeah, because the left never had that with all those left leaning newspapers and organizations like CNN, ABC, NBC, CBS, NY Times, and most major dailies. And they never use "themes" like "tax cuts for the wealthy" and "turning back the clock on women's rights" and the all time favorite one..."homophobic." "Beyond putting opposing politicians on the defensive, this Right-Wing Machine intimidates mainstream journalists and news executives who will bend over backwards and cater to the conservative side, do almost anything to avoid being tagged with the career-threatening tag of “liberal" Pause for hysterical laughter Is this a parallel universe they live in? The idea of Dan Rather or Peter Jennings catering to the conservative side is like saying Howard Stern really caters to the church goers. Funny Bumper sticker of the day: "If you were looking for a sign from God. This is it." I was sitting here wondering exactly how to say what I felt about Arafat's death and then how to express the disgust I felt over what former President Jimmy Carter said about Arafat. And then I went to Protein Wisdom and Jeff said it all so well. I usually don't allow the "F" word here, but in this case, Jeff gets a pass. “Former US President Jimmy Carter calls Arafat a ‘powerful human symbol,’” AFP: Former US President Jimmy Carter called Yasser Arafat “a powerful human symbol and forceful advocate” who united Palestinians in their pursuit of a homeland. “Yasser Arafat’s death marks the end of an era and will no doubt be painfully felt by Palestinians throughout the Middle East and elsewhere in the world,” Carter said. “He was the father of the modern Palestinian nationalist movement. A powerful human symbol and forceful advocate, Palestinians united behind him in their pursuit of a homeland,” "he said in a statement distributed by his Atlanta, Georgia-based Carter Center.Then the linoleum-toothed Castro groupie let go a single, poignant tear. Reached for comment, pieces of dead Israeli school children blown to bits by Arafat-directed suicide bombers over the years asked if former President Carter “wouldn’t mind fucking right off.” Only they said it in Hebrew."-Protein Wisdom It is this kind of blogging that is going to continue to change the way we get the news. I think it's called... the truth. The Belmont Club has the lowdown on Fallujah, and I mean all the lowdown. You must read this letter from a marine in Fallujah to his dad. h/t The Obsidian Order. h/t to BigDog's House for sending me the best military news sites. Check his 'athiest' views on the role of religion in American and European history as well. This from Winds of Change: A research team at the Bloomberg School of Public Health at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore has been publicizing their study, which claims to show that 100,000 Iraqis have died since the beginning of The Second Gulf War. Needless to say, these results were conveniently published by the New York Times on Oct. 29, 2004 - less than a week before the U.S. elections. Fred Kaplan of Slate destroys this study, and confirms its status as just the latest politically-motivated voodoo produced by social "scientists" whose manipulations of their methods and results are blatant and transparent (q.v. Afghanistan, Marc Herold). So could all you lefties out there that keep quoting me this number please shut up now? Where shall I begin, sex or the Supreme Court? If I start with the Supreme Court at least I know you will keep reading. Wizbang has all the sites for and against Arlen Spector to head the Senate Judiciary Committee. The Monk has a good take on the leak of a possible Chief Justice Clarence Thomas. h/t McGehee. It is truly beyond comprehension that abortion has become the number one deciding factor of judicial nominees. But don't look at Republicans. We have both pro-choice and pro-life senators and judges (not to mention bloggers). It is the democrats that are one minded on this. What everyone knows is the whole Clarence Thomas confirmation debacle was about abortion. NARAL and NOW went moonbat insane over his nomination. They began a personal smear campaign the likes of which had never been seen before. How Justice Thomas withstood it is a testament to the kind of man he is. Not only full of integrity and honor, but one who wasn't going to let a bunch of hate filled abortion 'rights' zealots tear down a lifetime of hard work. I am a advocate for the unborn child. Make no mistake about that. My generation of women were lied to and manipulated by the abortion industry. An industry that profits (big time) off the agony of women. But this isn't a post about the issue. It is, once again, a post about the RIGHT of those of us who are pro-life to have just as much of a say in what kind of country we want as the democrats do. (and moderate Republicans for that matter) A friend of mine tells me that Spector owes Bush big time and will support his nominees. I wish I could believe it, but I don't. Spector may have supported Thomas in those viscous hearings, but my view was that Spector was so disgusted with Anita Hill that it overcame his absolute support for abortion. Spector is not a 'moderate' Republican, he is a liberal one. Period. And not just on the abortion issue, but on everything from school choice to racial preferences. As NRO says: "Specter votes like a Democrat until late in his term, when he remembers that he will need at least some conservatives on his side.." I'm with NRO on this. And to all my fellow conservative bloggers who see Spector has just fine, just think about the absolute meltdown of the left if Thomas is confirmed as Chief Justice. We are talking head spinning and vomiting the likes of which one has not seen since the original Exorcist. Wouldn't that be satisfying enough for you? And to Glenn, Wizbang, Powerline, Jeff, and all the rest, you may disagree with me on this, but you know there is a southern saying: "you gotta dance with the one who brought you." And we brought you Bush. So get your dancing shoes on and get out on the dance floor with us. And remember, Spector is not invited to this party. Now on the sex part, but your not gonna like it. If you haven't heard about about the book "100 Strokes of the Brush Before Bed" by Melissa Panarello yet, you will. Melissa, an Italian girl from a middle class home was 16 years old 2 years ago and kept a diary. That diary (which is the book) is now published and being released this month in the U.S. It came out in July of 2003 in Italy. It was a runaway bestseller. To date it has been published in 23 countries. A best seller everywhere. Why would a 16 yr olds diary be a best seller? Well, sex of course. Her catalogue of sexual escapades of lesbianism, sex with transvestites , and S & M adventures, one orgy, and several gang bangs, not to mention your garden variety heterosexual encounters is not something one might come to expect from a 16 yr old girl's diary, but there it is. In reading reviews of this book I became not only sickened by the fact that so many want to read about this, but that no one reviewing it seems to be bothered by the fact that many of her sexual adventures were with overage men. In case your not up on this, it's called statutory rape, willing partner or not. You see, she was a minor. Maybe this isn't the case in Italy, I don't know. But is there any doubt the book will be a best seller here? Please prove me wrong America. For God's sake, prove me wrong. The feminists I read that reviewed the book saw it as some sort of poetic piece of sexual awareness. In an interview recently Melissa said that really all she was looking for was love. She thought she had found it with a 40 yr old man. She says..."He represented for me the father figure that in one way or another I've always been lacking." Which really says it all for me. I don't know about her family life, but a little girl needs a father. A good father. She needs a father's love. I have always noticed and studies have shown that those little girls without that love go looking for it in other men in other ways and usually before they are emotionally or physically mature enough to even know what love is. I hope to God, Melissa is a case for the extreme, but it does illustrate the importance of our culture on our children. When we conservatives talk values, we usually are always talking about our children. We are sick of a culture that has let adult sex and adult choices enter into the lives of our children. Gosh, what a downer this post was. Today or tomorrow I will lighten up. I PROMISE! I have to leave you with some good feelings...I just have to! Bush won, Arafat is dead/maybe dead/as good as dead. We are kicking ass in Fallujah, and most of the leftie bloggers seem to be in hibernation. Tech Central gives us some great insight into the battle of Fallujah and how it will and is being fought, but it is brutally honest in it's assessement: "The coming days promise to be ugly, confused, rife with rumors. There will be mistakes on the part of Coalition forces -- some possibly costly in casualties. And despite the ascendancy of American battlefield technology, the depths of the Islamic radicals' treachery may still hold surprises. But the "Islamic Republic of Fallujah" is now drowning appropriately enough in its own blood. " Pray for our Warriors. I am amused at the 2 different camps of democrats trying to figure out this election. One camp is intent on insulting people of faith with as much condescension and ridicule as they can muster. The other camp is falling over it's pews trying to figure out a way to convince people with deep held moral values to vote against those values and vote democrat. Kerry tried hard to talk the talk, but people of faith kind of like to see a person walk the walk as well. I have seen many argue that Bush's values, in their opinion, don't match what they see as 'moral values." Just as those of us on the right said that Kerry's values didn't seem to reflect what we perceived as "moral values." But the difference the left didn't seem to catch was that although you might could argue the differences, Bush stood by his values. If he said he believed it, he lived it. He worked at seeing it accomplished. From winning the war on terror to refusing to re define marriage. Kerry, on the other hand, would say he believed in one thing, but didn't live the faith he purported to have. He said he thought abortion immoral, yet wouldn't even vote to ban Partial Birth Abortion. He said he was against gay marriage, but no one really believed that. Gays supported him overwhelmingly. I could give many more examples, but you get my meaning. Kerry was like your date on prom night. He promises he will love you tomorrow, but you know once he gets your...umm....vote, he will forget you by breakfast and never call. Lucky for us, most voters kept their prom dress on. I saw Al Sharpton on Fox and Friends this morning plugging his new Spike TV show "I Hate My Job." He takes 8 young guys for a career makeover. In an interview with NewYorkMetro.com Sharpton explains the show and why he did it: :One of the things that drives me to do this kind of thing is, more young people are influenced by Comedy Central than by 60 Minutes, so if you understand that, you understand why Al Sharpton would do a reality show," he said firmly. "Also, I happen to agree with the concept of people looking to discover what they're really on the planet for, because I had to go through that." I always wonder why some people refer to themselves in 3rd person. It makes me think they are really listening to the voices in their head and simply repeating what those voices are saying. Why else would a person just not say "I?" Now we all know why Al Sharpton would do a reality show. It's called the Benjamins and the bling bling. And you can't really blame him, he did discover what he was on the planet for long ago.....pure entertainment. Speaking of Fox and Friends. If you aren't watching that in the mornings you are missing great TV. Sharpton on how his SNL appearance changed the general perception of him: "The right wing would love to project me as a hater and all of that. But I think America that night said, "This guy ain't no hater!" No, no, no.......we say "hustler", not hater. We rightwingers are just always misquoted. And considering he's slated to head out to the Coast to meet with NBC, ABC, CBS, UPN, and the WB about shows that he might executive-produce, I think our way of projecting Rev. Sharpton is dead on. Describing his meeting with President Bush as Bush spoke at the Urban League, the Rev went on to say: "..... then he says to me, "You know, it's hard to run for president, and I give you a lot of credit, Al." So, how you gonna get mad at a guy who says that to you? You know you're on TV, so do you smile and act respectful or do you do the ghetto? I mean, what do you do?" You will all be relieved to know that Sharpton did not do the ghetto. Well, I got linked yesterday by what is in the blogosphere the high school equivalent of the President of the Senior Class . I really appreciate all the great e-mails and comments. It was like being the new girl in school. Obviously the new girl who needs to take time for spell check. You are all are some picky people! It was just one word! I was one letter off! I will try my best, but I have this thing..... called a life. Well, actually it really isn't my life. It's more like my kid's life, but it takes up way too much of my time. For example, they insist on being fed every day. It was nice though when some snotty leftie decides to sneeringly point out my spelling error in his comment and then commits a spelling error in that comment! smile There must be a blog god who looks after me. The Politburo Diktat discusses the future of blogging post election. He thinks we will turn in different directions especially since many are burned out over politics 24/7. He is probably right. I have posted a few personal musing in my short time blogging and no one seemed interested. But that could be because my life is not nearly as interesting as my rantings. Thanks to the commissar for a mention too. He really kinda rocks for a commie. What the hell is this about? I mean you become President of the College Republican Club at San Francisco State University and you figure it will look great on a resume. You dress preppie, work on some campaigns, and life is good. Next thing you know your surrounded by a "noisy and menacing mob of over 300 Palestinian, Arab, Muslim and radical leftist students surrounding your club's table being held back by 13 San Francisco State police officers." These conservative kids were slapped, had food and drinks thrown at them, and some called a"Nazi." (What would the left do if there had been no Hitler? I suppose it would at least limit their name calling to "bigots and racists!" And I imagine "Ditigal brownshirts" would only have the impact of insulting us as some kind of online UPS drivers) But I digress... "Lee Wolf, another College Republicans member, described one of the women on Monday as shouting, "The only way we can defeat you is to kill as many as possible! I'd rather die a suicide bomber's death than to call myself an American!" How about calling you #5873 in cellblock 5? That would work for me. These lovely people calling themselves The General Union of Palestinian Students (GUPS) were distributing flyers saying "Don"t Let the College Republicans Commit Racism and Bigotry Against Arab Women." Calling someone a Nazi, assaulting them, and expressing a desire to kill as many College Republicans as possible, on the other hand, is a noble cause. You have to feel sorry for the College Republicans these days on campus. It use to be all they really gave up were dates with goth and biker chicks and girls with tattoos. Now they have to face angry mobs of ugly bitter women who don't even have time to do their hair or take a shower?? They will get enough of that in the real world of politics facing down the women in NOW and NARAL. Former presidential candidate Howard Dean is considering a bid to become chairman of the national Democratic Party. Steve Grossman, a former chairman of the Democratic National Committee said it is not too soon for Democrats to focus on their future leadership. "I strongly urged (Dean) to seek the position," he said. "Howard is a voice of political empowerment (YEEE HAAWWWW!...sorry, couldn't help it) and that to me is important, for the Democrats to get their sea legs back as quickly as possible, (guess they were on that 'swiftboat' too long..heh) to get beyond the disappointment of the last week and to believe there is a bright future ahead for the Democratic Party." via SFGate.com Mudville has Russ Vaughn's latest poem "Swift Justice." You gotta love a former warrior with a poet's heart. Greyhawk also has incredible details about Fallujah. Please go read it. It is so necessary to understand this enemy. There is no reasoning and no surrender with these monsters. It will just disgust you how these terrorists torture and kill even their own people. Greyhawk , as always, lays it out for us. Have I mentioned lately that he rocks? Because he really does. He also has some good news out of Iraq...so go...now... read. UPDATE: at 8:15 central time- Arafat's condition has worsened from almost dead to pretty much dead. The jurors in the Scott Peterson Trial are still deadlocked and apparently ticked as well. The male jurors are fed up. One female juror was heard to say "He is just too smokin hot to be guilty." *Ok, just kidding about that last part, but you almost believed it, didn't you? Because that is how sad our justice system has become. "Sure God created man before woman.. but then you always make a roughdraft before The Final Masterpiece." I suppose I could write a book on the condescension and insults the left media has poured out on us "red staters" since Tues. But this one Slate article pretty much sums them all up. h/t to NRO Jane Smiley tells us: (emphasis mine) " I grew up in Missouri and most of my family voted for Bush, so I am going to be the one to say it: The election results reflect the decision of the right wing to cultivate and exploit ignorance in the citizenry. I suppose the good news is that 55 million Americans have evaded the ignorance-inducing machine. But 58 million have not. (Well, almost 58 million—my relatives are not ignorant, they are just greedy and full of classic Republican feelings of superiority.) Of course her relatives aren't ignorant. And it is Republicans that feel superior, not her, as you can clearly see. "The error that progressives have consistently committed over the years is to underestimate the vitality of ignorance in America" That doesn't sound the least bit snotty or superior, now does it? Those Democrats (uhh...'progressives') are really the sweet ones. It's obvious. "Here is how ignorance works: First, they put the fear of God into you—if you don't believe in the literal word of the Bible, you will burn in hell. Of course, the literal word of the Bible is tremendously contradictory, and so you must abdicate all critical thinking, and accept a simple but logical system of belief that is dangerous to question. A corollary to this point is that they make sure you understand that Satan resides in the toils and snares of complex thought and so it is best not try it." Something tells me this woman has spent zero time in church or reading the Bible. She is certainly ignorant ( is ok for me to use that term?) of Catholic theology. Galileo, one of the greatest scientific minds ever and a devout Catholic once said "I do not feel obliged to believe that the same God who has endowed us with sense, reason and intellect has intended us to forgo their use." As it turns out, neither do most of us Christians. Galileo taught us and the Church long ago that science is the canvas upon which God paints his mysteries. Maybe Ms. Smiley ( an ironic name if there ever was one) would be surprised to know that like her relatives, most of us red staters are not ignorant. But, unlike her relatives, we are not greedy. Here is a little known fact. Under Reagan us greedy little pre-nightmare scrooges gave more to charity than in other time in history. But Smiley goes on to describe how 'they' keep us ignorant: "..when life grows difficult or fearsome, they (politicians, preachers, pundits) encourage you to cling to your ignorance with even more fervor. But by this time you don't need much encouragement—you've put all your eggs into the ignorance basket.." Feeling superior is the hallmark of the left and the elite media. For them to use that term for us is truly laughable. It's like Donald Trump calling Mother Teresa egotistical. Operation Phantom Fury has begun in Fallujah. Video on Fox right now is AWESOME! PRAY FOR OUR BOYS!!!! Bloomberg.com has details. Belmont has good stuff too. Nice to see Blackwatch finally mentioned. Blogging Rocked This Election. Tech Central gives us the following tidbits regarding blogs and this election: Daily Kos raised more than $500,000 to assist the campaigns of fifteen candidates. None were elected." You know, that's has got to hurt. Especially since they are all so dang smart. As the Grand Forks Herald observed in the Daschle-Thune race, which really was BIG and the dems are trying so hard to ignore: "This little-noticed development deserves a lot more attention. The Daschle-Thune race differed from previous South Dakota Senate races in this way: Conservative Web logs gave South Dakota voters access to news like never before. "Take a look and you'll see what we mean: Web sites such as Daschle vs. Thune and a few others chipped away at Daschle's image day after day." You S. Dakota bloggers, think about it....You were a huge part of finally getting rid of the biggest hypocrite of all time, the leader of the democratics in congress.....DASCHLE!!!!!! You ended a 26 year reign of moonbattiness!!!!! Do you have any idea how many points in heaven you are gonna get for that???? I mean you have achieved your purpose in life ....... Now go find an island and sunbathe, your place within the pearly gates is secure....;-) Some of these heaven bound bloggers are... http://daschlevthune.typepad.com/daschle_v_thune/ http://southdakotapolitics.blogs.com/ http://sibbyonline.blogs.com/ The biggest false story of the msm was the Dan Rather memogate story, of course. Being a new blogger, I watched in amazement as Little Green Footballs and Power Line and Instapundit debunked the story in less than a day and Drudge provided communications with the mainstream media. A lesser known, but extremely important story was about this blogger who debunked a bogus Associate Press report regarding booing of President Clinton when his heart surgery was announced at a Bush rally. (Complete with audio featuring no boos). Things that used to be ignored, or spun by the news are now available with the 'rest of the story' online with links and sometimes visual proof. Proof that was easily attainable by the msm, but didn't quite fit their story. Anyway you look at it, it is a boon for democracy. It is certainly a boon for the truth. It seemed pretty clear to me that stories that really did have no basis in truth quickly died, even online. The bottom line here is that the left leaning media that proclaims itself mainstream can no longer have it's stories go unchallenged. Who knows how this election might have turned out if the Rather's memo story had been accepted at face value or if the Swift boat guys had been ignored, which they certainly would have if it had not been for the bloggers, especially the milblogs. Who knows if any of us would have heard all the good news out of Afghanistan and Iraq if not for the soldiers blogging from the actual places??? This is the Blogging Revolution, and Che Guevera aint got nothing on us. Is Arafat dead? The Politburo Diktat has the scoop. The leftie Londoners have a way with words I think..... Brian Reade in the Daily Mirror, who attributed the President's victory to: "The self-righteous, gun-totin', military-lovin', sister-marryin', abortion-hatin', gay-loathin', foreigner-despisin', non-passport-ownin' rednecks, who believe God gave America the biggest dick in the world so it could urinate on the rest of us and make their land 'free and strong'." Forty five per cent of Hispanics voted for the President, as did 25 per cent of Jews, and 23 per cent of gays. The Hispanic number is big and wonderful. The Jew and gay number is small but gratifying. But it does sorta discount the lyrical words of our across the pond wierdo. You know, I can see why he thinks these insults just really are the worst you can say about someone from their wacky point of view, but "military loving????' That's akin to "sister-marryin???" Joining the military and incest.......same thing to them. Hmmm.....can anyone say 'twilight zone?" And if he really thought about it he might not have wanted to use "the biggest dick in the world," because if you think about it, isn't that a compliment? I have always heard that size matters. Mark Steyn, who I copied the above Brain Reade post from had this to say in response: "In all but six states, the Republican vote went up: the urinating rednecks have increased their number not just in Texas and Mississippi but in Massachusetts and California, both of which have Republican governors. You can drive from coast to coast across the middle of the country and never pass through a single county that voted for John Kerry: it's one continuous cascade of self-righteous urine from sea to shining sea. States that were swing states in 2000 - West Virginia, Arkansas - are now solidly Republican, and once solidly Democrat states - Iowa, Wisconsin - are now swingers. The redneck states push hard up against the Canadian border, where if your neck's red it's frostbite. Bush's incontinent rednecks are everywhere: they're so numerous they're running out of sisters to bunk up with." Please read the whole thing. Steyn is worth is weight in gold. This is the thing about Americans. Don't tell us we are stupid if we don't vote your way. I honestly think the leftie movie stars and Michael Moore did more harm than good for the left. The European condescending e-mails to Ohio did more for Bush than any of the swiftboat ads, windsurfing and skiing commercials against Kerry ever could have. Another thing I think that hurt Kerry is having his people simply say "they are lying" about every single thing that came out about Kerry. Whether it was swiftboat ads, liberal voting record, or non support of the military. Because when things then came out about Bush, like the National Guard accusations, lost explosives in Iraq ect. The public just shrugged and said "oh, they all lie." and listened to none of it. Half the time I didn't know what to believe on either side myself. There is this thing called the truth. And I really think that it is time the media got back on that bandwagon. Instead of spinning a story, show both sides, and at least TRY to get at the truth. The public is SICK of it, I can tell you that. I have been e-mailing a liberal friend who insists that Iraq had nothing to do with terrorism. If you read my blog, then you saw my post on Operation Viking Hammer, where our special forces went into Iraq at the beginning of the war and brought down a international terrorist training camp. This was a story I got from U.S. News and World Report with an inbred reporter. Several soldiers got silver medals of valor and the like. It is documented military fact, and a reporter from a msm magazine there to report on the accuracy. I told my friend this and he had the same reaction a commenter on my blog had. It wasn't true. It. Just. Was. Not. True. How do you argue with people like that? These are not stupid people. But their mindset is so against Bush and this war that I honestly believe that if tomorrow we found WMD so incredible they could have blown up the world in the basement of one of Saddam's palaces, they would insist that Rumsfield planted it there. Ok, my funny quote of the day is a bit irreverent, but given the quotes above I decided today was the day to go with it. Women's creed: "Men are like linoleum. If you lay them right the firsttime, you can walk on them for 20 years." If any of you had any doubt about much of the MSM'... I think this is what is called Kicking Ass... ... Jonah Goldberg of NRO confesses today that his wif... Was anyone like me yesterday watching Arafat's cas... Since my household has been overrun with HALO 2 Ma... UPDATE: I just noticed that my link of the dem's m... I was sitting here wondering exactly how to say wh... It is this kind of blogging that is going to conti... This from Winds of Change: A research team at t... Where shall I begin, sex or the Supreme Court? If ... Tech Central gives us some great insight into the ... Well, I got linked yesterday by what is in the blo... I suppose I could write a book on the condescensio... Operation Phantom Fury has begun in Fallujah. Vide... Is Arafat dead? The Politburo Diktat has the scoop...	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0068.json.gz/line380
__label__wiki	0.638818	0.638818	The President's Speech Today Rocked. Here is the whole thing. Bush finally made clear some things that needed to be made clear. One important thing was to define who we are fighting and their goals: (emphasis on what the terrorists themselves said) "Many militants are part of a global, borderless terrorist organization like al Qaeda — which spreads propaganda, and provides financing and technical assistance to local extremists, and conducts dramatic and brutal operations like the attacks of September the 11th. Other militants are found in regional groups, often associated with al Qaeda — paramilitary insurgencies and separatist movements in places like Somalia, the Philippines, Pakistan, Chechnya, Kashmir and Algeria. Still others spring up in local cells — inspired by Islamic radicalism, but not centrally directed. Islamic radicalism is more like a loose network with many branches than an army under a single command. Yet these operatives, fighting on scattered battlefields, share a similar ideology and vision for the world. We know the vision of the radicals because they have openly stated it — in videos and audiotapes and letters and declarations and on websites. First, these extremists want to end American and Western influence in the broader Middle East, because we stand for democracy and peace, and stand in the way of their ambitions. Al Qaeda's leader, Osama bin Laden, has called on Muslims to dedicate, their "resources, their sons and money to driving the infidels out of our lands." The tactics of al Qaeda and other Islamic extremists have been consistent for a quarter of a century: They hit us, and expect us to run. Last month, the world learned of a letter written by al Qaeda's number two leader, a guy named Zawahiri. And he wrote this letter to his chief deputy in Iraq — the terrorist Zarqawi. In it, Zawahiri points to the Vietnam War as a model for al Qaeda. This is what he said: "The aftermath of the collapse of American power in Vietnam — and how they ran and left their agents — is noteworthy." The terrorists witnessed a similar response after the attacks on American troops in Beirut in 1983 and Mogadishu in 1993. They believe that America can be made to run again — only this time on a larger scale, with greater consequences. Second, the militant network wants to use the vacuum created by an American retreat to gain control of a country — a base from which to launch attacks and conduct their war against non-radical Muslim governments. Over the past few decades, radicals have specifically targeted Egypt and Saudi Arabia and Pakistan and Jordan for potential takeover. They achieved their goal, for a time, in Afghanistan. And now they've set their sights on Iraq. In his recent letter, Zawahiri writes that al Qaeda views Iraq as, "the place for the greatest battle." The terrorists regard Iraq as the central front in their war against humanity. We must recognize Iraq as the central front in our war against the terrorists. (Applause.) Third, these militants believe that controlling one country will rally the Muslim masses, enabling them to overthrow all moderate governments in the region, and establish a radical Islamic empire that spans from Spain to Indonesia. Zawahiri writes that the terrorists, "must not have their mission end with the expulsion of the Americans from Iraq." He goes on to say: "[T]he jihad ... requires several incremental goals. ... Expel the Americans from Iraq. ... Establish an Islamic authority over as much territory as you can to spread its power in Iraq? Extend the jihad wave to the secular countries neighboring Iraq." With the greater economic, military and political power they seek, the terrorists would be able to advance their stated agenda: to develop weapons of mass destruction; to destroy Israel; to intimidate Europe; to assault the American people; and to blackmail our government into isolation." So for all of you who don't believe anything President Bush says, will you believe what Zawahiri says to Zarqawi? And The President once again reminded us of a few things we have accomplished in this war on terror. And heaven knows he needed to, since the media doesn't seem to interested in informing the public of them. "Together with our partners, we've disrupted a number of serious al Qaeda terrorist plots since September the 11th — including several plots to attack inside the United States. Our coalition against terror has killed or captured nearly all those directly responsible for the September the 11th attacks. We've captured or killed several of bin Laden's most serious deputies, al Qaeda managers and operatives in more than 24 countries; the mastermind of the USS Cole bombing, who was chief of al Qaeda's operations in the Persian Gulf; the mastermind of the bombings in Jakarta and Bali; a senior Zarqawi terrorist planner, who was planning attacks in Turkey; and many of their senior leaders in Saudi Arabia." These are no small things. The guy has a point. The Washington Post has this: National security adviser Stephen J. Hadley came out strong in the briefing room yesterday to issue a rebuttal to "the notion that somehow the administration manipulated prewar intelligence about Iraq." Ahem. Listen up. (emphasis mine) "Some of the critics today," Hadley added, "believed themselves in 2002 that Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction, they stated that belief, and they voted to authorize the use of force in Iraq because they believed Saddam Hussein posed a dangerous threat to the American people. For those critics to ignore their own past statements exposes the hollowness of their current attacks." The article goes on: "Hadley noted that the presidential commission, led by retired judge Laurence H. Silberman and former senator Charles S. Robb (D-Va.), said it found no evidence that administration officials manipulated intelligence." So is it possible for the left and the Democrats and the media to stop beating this drum and let's move forward with what has to be done NOW? Because while it is all well and good to grasp at anything in order to win the next round of elections, shouldn't the focus be more on doing what needs to be done in Iraq? For once, can we put the country first and elections second and let this administration WORK instead of defend itself?? The Jordan Terror Bombings... hit close to home. A personal story that reminds us all that as safe as we may feel here, terror can still touch us. via Mudville Veterans Day. Yesterday, after helping with homework, cooking supper, feeding the kids and cleaning up, I had to rush my 8 yr old to basketball practice. After practice he had to change in the car for his 2nd grade "Patriotic Program." On the drive there I was grumbling to myself about this silly programs they do at school (you can only imagine how many I have been to). My attitude couldn't have been worse. The kids were dressed in red, white, and blue t-shirts. I was expecting the usual "singing" and boring stuff. I couldn't have been more wrong. The gym was decorated with red, white, and blue stars with the names of veterans that each child knew. I had written the names of my Dad and my Father-in-law on a star about a week before, but didn't expect the emotional impact that seeing all those stars and all those names would give me. About eight older veterans were sitting in the front. We started out with The Pledge of Allegiance and then the Principal asked all those who had served or were serving to come forward for a thank you gift. About 2 dozen came forward and the whole gym interrupted in clapping, cheers, and whoops. No one stopped clapping until the gifts were given out and the Veterans and soldiers sat back down. I was already wiping my eyes. Then the kids came in. All dressed in red, white and blue waving small flags. My son's class had Uncle Sam's hats on and danced and sang "Yankee Doodle Dandy." There was a great big blue bucket in the middle of the gym and someone read a poem about mixing blue for bravery, white for purity, and red for something I can't remember, and the kids put big pieces of colored confetti in the bucket. Then the poem said to mix it, and they did. And then the poem said we had made "Old Glory." They then pulled out a flag as big as a small room and started "waving" it as they held on to all sides and sang "It's A Grand Ole Flag." The confetti in the middle would fly up and down as they did this. A beautiful sight. There were more songs and dances and they ended it by playing Lee Greenwood's "I'm Proud To Be An American" in which every person in the room sang along and cheered again when the song ended. It was wonderful. Like an unexpected gift. Sometimes we need to be reminded who paid the price for our freedoms. As we left we were given a poem that was written from the perspective of our Flag. The poem was reflecting on how in times past when the American Flag led a parade people would stop and put their hands over their hearts, but not anymore. The Flag in the poem was asking if we had forgotten all the men and women who had died for it? And if we had forgotten all the freedoms our Flag represented? The Flag in the poem then requested that the next time we see our Flag in a parade or elsewhere to stop and put our hand over our heart. You damn betcha I will. Did ya'll see.. the Kurds commercials they showed on Fox News this morning? The one I saw was a bunch of them thanking America. One young man points at the camera with his purple finger and says "Thank you America." You want to feel really good about what we have done. Go here and scroll down to the bottom for the commercials and click. Sweet. Truly sweet. Another Open Thread. Discuss anything again. Suggested topics? How are we suppose to stop relying on foreign oil if we can't even drill in a frozen tundra? Why are Republicans such wimps and compromisers when they are in power? At least the Democrats knew how to mow over the Republicans the 40 something years they were in power. Did San Francisco even watch the looters on TV during Katrina? Can anyone say..."earthquake?" Trust me, you are going to want your gun then. Star Power! I saw Sen. John McCain on The Jon Stewart show night before last. He is, without question, the wittiest politician to go on the show. He is able to keep up with Stewart joke for joke and that is a pretty amazing feat. I have only seen the really big comedians be able to do it as well. Yeah, yeah, everyone here knows I love John McCain. I love him despite his sins. Despite all the compromising, the gang of 14, the big ego, and the MORTAL sin of finance reform that ticked off every libertarian on the planet. I keep telling everyone he is the only one with the star power and charm to beat Hillary in 08'. I hope powers greater than me (like the RNC) see that as well. I won't sit here and gush about him being a true war hero in every sense of the word and his years of public service because we all know that isn't important in a Presidential election....;-) What IS important is "perception" and the overall feeling Americans get from their candidate. That is the way it is. Watching him on Jon Stewart convinced me even more. If he can charm Stewart (and he did) and Stewart's lefty audience then he can certainty charm America. And charm is one thing Hillary is severely lacking in. I might mention one more thing and then I will try and put off my cheering for him until closer to the election. McCain can't raise his arms above his shoulders because they were broken so many times in the 6 yrs he was in a POW camp. (one in which he could have left early because of his dad, but wouldn't leave his men) So every time he is suppose to raise his arms in the politician wave, America will be reminded of his sacrifice and his service to our country. Let's see Hillary beat that. What does this say about us? I hadn't heard much about the school shooting in Tennesee on the news, so I decided to google it. This was about all I came up with. A Principal at a high school gets shot dead by a student and we hardly notice. Maybe because of things like this. Even high school football games have become deadly. I see this over and over in this country. We become numb to the evil that surrounds us. We shrug or shake our heads and wonder what can be done, and then off we go to Starbucks. Was Columbine so awful that everything else seems tame in comparison? Yes I know, I know... Lots of things happening! I'm busy here! Bombings in Jordan. When will the sane people in the Middle East truly step up to the plate to fight terrorism? Oil executives explain to Congress why they are in the business to make money. I know I am not objective on this, but give me a break. When you are in the oil business it is feast or famine. We have been through 7 layoffs. Lawmakers don't seem too interested in us when we lose our jobs, do they? American Oil Companies in no way control the price of oil. Do the American people know this? Another investigation of a leak? Yeah, I know. It's probably payback. Here's an idea. How about the Justice Dept. START SAYING NO TO STUPID INVESTIGATIONS. No one in America cares about leaks. Really. Open thread today. Feel free to discuss anything-- yesterday's elections and referendums, 'Jarhead,' if you've seen it (cuz I would really like to), France, OR, most importantly..Restaurants you would recommend in New York City. The Cotillion is up! If you want to check out some right of center chicks blogging, Not A Desperate Housewife has all the links you need. Beautiful Atrocities.. comes out of seclusion (ok, he probably was actually going outside and doing stuff, like having a life) to give us his unique perspective on the riots in France. Hilare!!!! (that's french, ya know...;-) ) I had to laugh. I was listening to Rush in the car a few minutes ago and he was discussing Sen. Tom Harkin's ongoing campaign to "balance" Rush on Armed Forces Radio. Rush pointed out that they have NPR 24hrs a day and he is only on one hour, even though the troops request the full 3 hours. It seems a liberal radio show host, Ed Schultz, was given the green light to get on AFR and then denied and then a roar was made about it and now he is greenlighted again. Rush says that a lot depends on what the soldiers request. I have no problem with having a liberal radio host on AFR. Let the market decide. But that isn't what made me laugh. Rush played an audio of Sen. Harkin at Paul Wellstone's funeral. Harkin was going on and on about fair wages for (and I quote) "those who clean our bathrooms and mop our floors." Uhhhh.... you mean wives? I just think it is hilarious how the liberal elite don't even see how they sound. Like Rush pointed out, don't most Americans clean their own bathrooms and mop their own floors? But those like Harkin and Kennedy want better wages for those who clean their bathrooms and mop their floors. Here's an idea I want to pass on to Harkin and Kennedy. You know those people who clean for you? PAY THEM MORE!!!!! I think it would be interesting to know how much Harkin and Kennedy do pay the people who clean, do the yards, and drive them ect... Do they pay them minimum wage? And if they hire services, do they make it clear that they will pay more to insure that the workers get more than minimum wage? Put your money where your mouth is, I always say. A turning point in European history? Daniel Pipes from the New York Sun gives us a brief historical perspective on the riots in Paris, if you're interested. Good links as well. They are reading blogs... and apparently lifting material from them as well. When ex-wives attack. New Jersey's nasty politics got even nastier earlier this week with the Governor's race: From The Star Ledger: "U.S. Sen. Jon Corzine's ex-wife said yesterday he "compromised his ideals" to get elected by cutting deals with political bosses, and that his pursuit of power "destroyed" their family. Joanne Corzine said she was reluctantly breaking her silence because her ex-husband is giving an inaccurate portrayal of himself in his campaign for governor. She said that when she campaigned by his side five years ago, she urged him not to get involved with Democratic political bosses, but he contributed millions of dollars to them to "buy their loyalty." "It changed him. I think once you go down that road of making deals, compromising your ideals to get somewhere, it's easier to do it the next time," she told The Star-Ledger in an interview. For the first time, she also said her ex-husband's affair with Carla Katz, president of New Jersey's largest state workers union, led to the breakup of their marriage. "I think the relationship between Jon and Carla was the catalyst to our separation," she said. Joanne Corzine met Jon Corzine in first grade and was married to him for 33 years. The couple raised three children together before divorcing two years ago. "We grew up together. We came from first grade on. And our family was a unit and I think with the ambition that kind of took over our life -- his ambition -- it really destroyed our family as we knew it," she said. "When he ran for Senate, family values were an important part of his campaign. We all helped campaign. And then when he got into the political arena, that changed, and I think people should know that because values are the core of what a person is." Tom Shea, a senior campaign adviser to Corzine, had previously said the senator's romance with Katz began only after his separation from Joanne Corzine in March 2002. Last night, Jon Corzine did not dispute his ex-wife's statement on when the affair began." Corzine's Republican opponent, Doug Forrester aired a TV commercial that features a disparaging quotation from the former Mrs. Corzine: "All I could think was that Jon did let his family down, and he'll probably let New Jersey down, too," she told the Times." Ouch. Ouch. Should Forrester have used that in his commercial? What do you think? Since she did say it publicly and to a newspaper, it seems to me to be fair game. PARIS (AP) France's Cabinet authorized curfews under a state-of-emergency law Tuesday in an extraordinary measure to halt the country's worst civil unrest in decades after violence raged for a 12th night. Extraordinary? Is it just me or is the French's response to the "worst civil unrest in decades" with rioting and burning out of control, a bit....too little too late? Especially the "too little" part. I mean giving the rioters a time to be home seems sort of ridiculous in the extreme. These kids are burning the neighborhoods down. Does anyone think they will obey a curfew? What am I missing here? Some French fear of being grounded? Another Defense lawyer in the Saddam trial killed. It's becoming almost as dangerous to be a lawyer on that team as it was to live under Saddam's rule. Can someone explain to me who and why they would want to kill these lawyers? Why are these young people rioting in France? Y ahoo news has this: LE BLANC MESNIL, France - Bands of youths roaming Parisian suburbs burned more than 500 vehicles and hurled stones at police Friday, as the worst rioting in a decade entered its second week and spread elsewhere in France. The U.S. warned Americans against taking trains to the airport via strife-torn areas. And Yahoo News explains why: "The violence has exposed deep discontent in neighborhoods where African and Muslim immigrants and their French-born children are trapped by poverty, unemployment, racial discrimination, crime, poor education and housing." But Victor Hanson Davis gives us a slightly different view. I'll go with his: "In the case of the Paris rioters, there are other explanations for their behavior that are more accurate than liberal clichés about “frustration.” As Dr Jack Wheeler puts it, “The problem is not that these Moslem kids are unemployed, but that they are unemployable. They are illiterate, unskilled except in crime, don't speak French well, refuse to assimilate into French culture and think being Moslem is more important than being French. Worse, they are paid by the French welfare state not to work, living well off the dole (and crime). The problem was epitomized by these words of a young Moslem rioter to a French reporter: 'In the day we sleep, go see our girlfriends, and play video games. And in the evening we have a good time: we go and fight the police.'” Read the whole thing. It's good. As usual. What might have been. Dave Price over at Dean's World summarizes nicely the cost of NOT going to war: "There's a relevant concept in business finance called "opportunity cost." It's the "cost" of not having the benefits of things you didn't do. What would Iraq's state be today had we not invaded, the opportunity cost of a decision not to invade? No Iraqi free press, no elections, no right to protest, the continued existence of state-sanctioned rape rooms and torture/murder centers, civil rights groups banned, continued Iraqi state support of terrorism, continued uncertainty about clandestine WMD development and WMD stockpiles, the continuation of the massive Oil-For-Food corruption, and very little hope of any of that changing. We'd be looking at another few decades of low-intensity war enforcing the no-fly zones, which inflamed Muslim opinion toward the U.S., or alternatively allowing Saddam to slaughter hundreds of thousands more Kurds and Shia, which we'd also be blamed for. Syria would likely still control Lebanon. And on top of all that, the looming end of the sanctions regime, allowing Saddam to pursue his WMD programs unfettered --with $60/barrel oil." And we can't forget the two madmen sons waiting in the wings. The ones who so enjoyed the rape and torture rooms. Liberals shouldn't try to be funny. Seriously. Please. Stick to what you do best...whine and complain. This is kinda cool... Forbes has The E-mail Time Capsule. You type a message to yourself or to your children or maybe your young daughter types a message to herself about what she wants to accomplish for example. The e-mail can be sent back to you even 10 or 20 years later! via boing boing Say What?? Saudi to pay for weddings to fight terror "RIYADH - The Saudi government said that it plans to keep former Guantanamo inmates from returning to terrorism by paying for their weddings. Assistant interior minister for security affairs Prince Mohammed Bin Naif Bin Abdel Aziz said that the government would also provide the men with a monthly salary bonus. The program is being set up for five of the 121 Saudi nationals held at Camp Delta after they were captured in Afghanistan." Bombings or Brides, you CHOOSE!!! Ok, whatever works. Forgive me.. for making fun of a serious subject, but my college age son sent me the following e-mail (and if you knew him, it would be even funnier) WARNING: Police are warning all men who frequent clubs, parties and local pubs to be alert and stay cautious when offered a drink from any woman. Many females use a date rape drug on the market called "Beer". The drug is found in liquid form and available almost everywhere. It comes in bottles, cans, from taps and in large "kegs". "Beer" is used by female sexual predators at parties and bars to persuade their male victims to go home and have sex with them. A woman needs only to get a guy to consume a few units of "Beer" and then simply ask him home for no strings attached sex. Men are rendered helpless against this approach. Many times these unfortunate men are swindled out of their life's savings in a scam known as a "relationship". In extreme cases, the female may even be shrewd enough to entrap the unsuspecting male into a longer term form of servitude and punishment referred to as "marriage". Please! Forward this warning to every male you know. If you fall victim to this "Beer" and the women administering it.....there are male support groups where you can discuss the details of your shocking encounter Rove must stay. Bush letting go of Rove would send a message that the left can dictate things and that is unacceptable. Bill Kristol also give several reasons Rove must stay, the most important being...winning. "After all, it was with Rove as his primary adviser that Bush put together the remarkable back-to-back election successes of 2002 and 2004. Bush had barely won the presidency in 2000, and Republicans had lost five Senate seats. Yet with Rove's advice, Bush was able to help the GOP gain seats in both the House and the Senate in 2002 and 2004, as well as building a three million vote majority in the 2004 presidential election." This is why the left hates him so. This is why this campaign to "get" Rove has been so vicious. This is why the left went into a tizzy when he wasn't indicted. Rove knows how to win. Period. While I was busy having babies in the 90's, Rove was busy turning our state from Democrat to Republican. Replacing a very well liked Democrat governor, Ann Richards (who everyone thought was unbeatable, including myself) with a man named George W. Bush. There's loyalty, and then there is just common sense. Rove should and must stay. Kristol also points out that every time Bush's poll numbers have dropped it has been when he has tried to be bipartisan instead of pushing a Republican agenda. (see Social Security reform and the pork-laden highway bill) The bottom line message here to Bush should be to stop trying to compromise with those who only want to bring you down. Stand strong on your agenda of advancing pro-growth and pro-family tax reforms. Explain in simple terms the reasons we stay the course in Iraq, and don't be afraid to appoint the judges YOU want appointed. Once again, don't try and please those who only wish you harm. And for God's sake. Keep Rove. A daring escape... And a not so daring recapture. Here in Houston a man sentenced to death escapes jail by changing clothes and flashing a fake badge to securities. Ok, imagine you're this man. You have just escaped the gas chamber. You are in Houston and they can't find you. You head for the Mexican border, right? Once you're in Mexico you're a free bird, they will never catch you. And what is even sweeter, the border is just a hop, skip, and jump away. But what do you do??? You go to Shreveport, La. and get drunk and get caught. Ah, the mind of a criminal. Not to overstate the obvious... But everything that is happening now in France illustrates why we should never have respect for anything they say. They are weak willed, frozen in the face of decisions, and incapable of shutting down the violence that rocks their country. Online Lessons In Terror. From the TimesOnline: AN Al-Qaeda website containing detailed instructions in Arabic on how to make nuclear, “dirty” and biological bombs has attracted more than 57,000 hits and hundreds of readers’ inquiries. Terrorism experts are warning that the site could be boosting the organisation’s appeal to would-be assassins in Britain and abroad. The manual, posted on October 6 on a forum titled Al-Firdaws, or Paradise, contains 80 pages of instructions and pictures of kitchen bomb-making techniques. It is divided into nine lessons under the overall heading The Nuclear Bomb of Jihad and the Way to Enrich Uranium, and is dedicated as a “gift to the commander of the jihad fighters, Sheikh Osama Bin Laden, for the purpose of jihad for the sake of Allah”. As well as describing how to make a nuclear bomb from enriched uranium — impossible for the layman — the manual explains how to make simple bombs that can blow up anything from electrical generators to petrol stations. They may live in tents and rarely bathe, but they have the internet. I hope we are paying attention. Splendor In The Ass.... Ok, sorry. I just couldn't resist that one. Warren Beatty is following around Schwarzenegger as Schwarzenegger travels the state drumming up support of ballot measures that would curb the power of the Democrat- controlled Legislature and the state's public employee unions. Another measure he backs would extend the trial period for teaches to get tenure. On the one hand Beatty says this about Schwarzenegger's campaigning, "To me, this is an abuse of the initiative process." And yet when asked if he would be running for Governor in the future, Beatty says, " "I don't want to run for governor. I want to say what I think." So Beatty wants to say what he thinks, but he doesn't want the Governor to do so? Such is the mind of a liberal. *note: Although my post title may sound like a gay porn movie, it isn't. For those not familiar with old movies,the title is after the movie that first made Beatty famous, "Splendor In The Grass." Which is an interesting movie about a young girl who goes insane because she can't have sex with Beatty. Simply put, of course...;-)	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0068.json.gz/line381
__label__cc	0.512184	0.487816	Top 10 New Gods So just chillin', listening to Ryan Daly's Secret Origins podcast last week, specifically Mister Miracle's, and isn't it always the way? It got me daydreaming about who my favorite New Gods are. I mean, the Fourth World is pretty important to me, and I don't talk about it nearly enough. Who's in here? Anyone born on Apokolips or New Genesis could make the cut, though yeah, none of the Forever People made the list (is anyone surprised?), and they don't have to have originated under Jack Kirby's sainted pencil, but it sure seems to help. 1. Darkseid. THE big bad of the DC Universe, I really first encountered him (like a couple of his friends) on later-day Super-Friends cartoons and loved him and his gravelly voice so much, he became my first Super-Powers action figure. I made him slam his desk so often and so hard, one of his arms has come off. Though his design is simple (and I haven't liked ANY attempt at making it more baroque), Darkseid remains a striking and intimidating figure. His quest for the Anti-Life Equation, the monuments in his likeness on Apokolips, his operatic family life, him absurdly showing up in Scott Free's (or Ambush Bug's) living room, and the Omega Beams that really don't need to be aimed, all help him get to #1. Darkseid is. 2. Mister Miracle. Every story needs a hero, and with all due respect to Orion, Scott Free is the shining beacon of the Fourth World. He is the Freedom Christ to Darkseid's God of Nihilism. He has a great origin, the son of Highfather swapped for Darkseid's and dumped in a torture orphanage instead of raised as a son, he seems to have his New God powers beaten out of him - he's the most "human" of them all - and spends his life playing escape artist and freeing others of their "anti-life". One of those liberated is Barda who becomes his wife (see below). He wears a costume that shouldn't work but does, had some fun adventures with Justice League International, and shout-out to Oberon who is a pretty great hetero life-mate (because I won't call him a sidekick). 3. Big Barda. Standing a foot taller than her husband, she's my kind of heroine, the brawny former Female Fury fell under Scott Free's spell, or rather, was freed from Darkseid's/Granny's, and became a great partner for Mr. Miracle. I love this marriage, and I love it when they get really domestic with the character. This warrior-born fuming after burning the roast, or whatever, is where my fondness comes from, but I like to see her kick ass as well. Another baroque costume that probably shouldn't work but does, and her alt-costume is a red battle/Ursula Andress bikini which is pretty cool too. 4. Lashina. Another Female Fury? So soon? Can't help it, in large part because the character was allowed to develop as Duchess, a badass member of the Suicide Squad. In full Apokolipsian gear, she's a terrifying S&M figure wielding killer straps, and belting out punishment. Between her and Barda, it makes me wonder if Jack Kirby had predilections similar to Robert Crumb's... 5. Granny Goodness. No Female Furies without someone to train them, right? Granny beats independence out of her "children" and is the most nightmarish headmistress imaginable, giving even the toughest superheroes on Earth the chance to brawl with a woman of a certain age and risk losing. Bonus points for Ed Asner lending her his voice in the DC Animated Universe. That's both insane and awesome. 6. DeSaad. Another of the Super-Friends foes, DeSaad is Darkseid's closest aide, as cruel as his master, but always risking oblivion-by-Omega Beam. Though he seems like a toady today, his history is intimately wrapped in Darkseid's, for it was he who poisoned Darkseid's first love at the behest of the Big D's mother Heggra, and was then forced by Darkseid to murder Heggra, making him the ultimate ruler of Apokolips. In other words, he pretty much made Darkseid what he is. 7. Orion. Darkseid's son, sent to live on New Genesis as part of a treaty, Orion has an interesting psychology in that his Apokolipsian wrath is always bubbling near the surface. He has both an pretty and an ugly face representative of his dual nature. I may have him at the back of this pack because I never thought much of his costume. So plain. Though I did like how they streamlined it in the New52's Wonder Woman book, I will admit. 8. Kalibak. The son Darkseid DID raise is a bit of a brute, but for some reason, I like bruiser-type New Gods. Not sure why. Sorry Metron. You had a cool chair, but you're just not active enough. Kalibak gets my sympathy for being the disappointment who Darkseid is always quick to dismiss in favor of even an adopted son, like a brainwashed Superman, for example (in Legends, among other places). The only thing that keeps Kalibak alive (or from not being resurrected) is that he is the progeny of the one person Darkseid truly loved. There's something almost sweet about that. You know, if Kalibak wasn't such a hateful monster. 9. Forager. Technically not a God, Forager and his people are essentially New Genesis' answer to insects. And that's why I like him: In the Fourth World, even BUGS are SUPERHEROES. He's the lowest of the low in that universe, and climbs up to heaven to appeal to his gods, and there's something great about that. That tribal-mask look is pretty damn distinctive too. 10. Knockout. Annnnnd if only to show that I'm quite willing to entertain the idea of New Gods not created by the King of Comics, I wanted to use this last spot to feature a NEW New God. Could have been Amazing Grace, the first such I thought was viable, but John Byrne's additions to the mythos (the other is Sleez) are rather rapey and unpalatable. No, much better to go with Barda's replacement in the Furies, pictured above smiling as she fights both Superboy and Valor. I mean! A very fun character, flirting with punches. Like several before her, she escaped Granny's stranglehold, and made a life for herself on Earth, joined the Suicide Squad and Secret Six, has had quite the longevity where other newbies mostly failed (Takion, anyone?). I do give out honorable mentions. For example, I was sorely tempted to put the Black Racer on here, because it's sheer MADNESS to imagine the Angel of Death as a knight on flying skis, but I've always hated his color scheme. In the end, he's a poor man's Silver Surfer, I suppose. The Mantis action figure redesign is also a favorite, but that's not really the Mantis in the comics. I like the Deep Six, but none of the characters stand out. But look, it's your turn. Maybe you have an as-yet-unspoken love of Lightray. Or Beautiful Dreamer. Or Mokkari over at the Cadmus Project. Or Doctor Bedlam. Maybe you're all about one of the more obscure characters like Highfather's wife Avia, or somebody from the later years like Yuga Khan. Let us know in the comments. At who's altar do YOU worship? Labels: Comics, Jack Kirby American Hawkman said... I liked Lonar when I first met him in the pages of Warlord, but he tends to be a second Orion outside of a fantasy setting. I find it impossible to like the New Gods, primarily because of how they are used. There was a time when they didn't much interact with the DC Universe, and that's how it should be: they operate on a different plane altogether, good and evil at stalemate with earth on the periphery of the conflict. Unfortunately, there has been this tendency to make Darkseid THE Big Bad of the DC Universe, just as you say. That poses a big structural problem, really a multitude of them: - So long as he exists and routinely interacts with the DC Universe, he is unfinished business and we are all f-ing doomed. See Earth-2 in the nu52; that's what happens when Darkseid gets around to giving the world his full attention. After all, if he's probably slightly more powerful than Superman, and with all his minions in tow, the earth has no hope. Unless ... - ... the heroes DO fight him and win. For example, Batman recently harrowed Apokolips and managed to beat Darkseid; he was equipped with the best technology and materials this universe could offer plus a crystal from Apokolips, but nevertheless he did win. What does it do for Darkseid's reputation as the ultimate Big Bad if a trust-fund furry can beat him? What does that do to his regime of despair? I imagine the Hunger Dogs have started scratching bat symbols on the walls of their hovels as signs of hope. - Why hasn't Darkseid taken revenge on Batman? That's a big hanging plot thread that nobody wants to address. But that's the sort of consequence that should matter when you take up arms against Darkseid. - Then there's the New Gods ... they're too often written as complete tools. They were recently in a big crossover with the GLC where they killed billions because, as a benign force, they generate no conflict. And they weren't under the influence of yellow space bugs or any of Darkseid's despair schemes (which would have actually fixed the story), they were just being terrible until Hal said to them: "Hey! Quit being jerks! Nobody wants you to be jerks!" Win or lose, putting Darkseid in conflict with the heroes just makes everything worse. The proper role of the New Gods is to answer the question of why Darkseid doesn't take more direct action, and the proper use of Darkseid is to CORRUPT mankind so that this world will someday welcome Darkseid. That means subtle mind games that try to bring out the worst in human nature. I got opinions! Count Drunkula said... Great list, Siskoid! For the longest time, I kept the Fourth World/New Gods characters at an arm's distance. The idea seemed too big and too deep, and I just didn't have the time to fully immerse myself in this corner of the DC Universe. Well, I finally started... just started... and I love it so much. I've only read a handful of Kirby's original MR. MIRACLE book, but they're incredible. Most of my knowledge of Forage comes from COSMIC ODYSSEY, which I mostly enjoyed. I recently acquired the entire '90s NEW GODS series for free. Haven't read them yet, but I'm looking forward to diving into that when I have the time after Secret Origins Podcast wraps up. Anon: You certain do. Just because the characters haven't been used well in some years is no mark against them as concepts. After all, some would argue that very few DC characters have been used well in the past few years ;). Ryan: I'm only partway through the Omnibi myself, and really need to get back to them. Recommended reading for a richer appreciation of the Fourth World on this very blog: http://siskoid.blogspot.ca/2008/01/belated-testament-of-jack-kirby.html and in some respect the follow-up: http://siskoid.blogspot.ca/2008/01/comics-alchemy-silver-into-bronze.html I'm tooting my own horn here, but I really do think they are among the best things I've written for the blog. Tony Laplume said... Thanks for including Knockout! True, I'm speaking to how the characters have been used lately, not how they were intended. Fair enough, I sure wouldn't like Superman if all I had to go on was how he's been typically handled in the nu52 either. I do like the idea of Darkseid as a guy who tries to bring out the worst in people, though, and that is straight out of Kirby. It's his successors who have basically used Darkseid as somebody Superman has to punch multiple times. Hypothetically speaking, can one completely separate a character concept from the character handling? I say this as a Hal Jordan fan, and there aren't many characters who have been more routinely abused than Hal -- yet I still like him for the times he's done well. Jack Kirby's Vision of Darkseid was very different from the Darkseid Geoff John's presented in the pages of the New 52 JLA some five years back. Kirby's Darkseid would never have entered the battle himself. Kirby's Darkseid ran the show from behind the scenes and made very liberal use of minions and various front organizations like Earthly amusement parks, television news channels and crime organizations, much like how the internet conspiracy promoted 'illuminati" run the world from behind the scenes. Exactly. The common man doesn't see Darkseid causing Man of Steel-level mayhem in the distance. His life is instead impacted by Intergang's operations. Darkseid is the Devil of this mythos, and his influence is corruptive, not apocalyptic, no matter where he hails from. The beginning of the end for me was The Death of the New Gods/Countdown (both of which were uncoordinated hit squads against the Fourth World), and while Morrison tried to walk us back from those events by creating the concept of avatars for the New Gods on Earth in 7 Soldiers, no one picked up the baton. Didn't dislike the New Gods seen in N52 Wonder Woman, but that didn't amount to much before the reigns were given over to the Finches. Jeff Nettleton said... Good list, though I'd rank Forager a bit higher, myself. I first encountered the characters in the mid-70s revival, rather than the Kirby originals. Forager was one of the characters that was well handled by Gerry Conway and I loved Don Newton's artwork in the scene where Forager infiltrates "The Project," as The Cadmus Project was then known. Unfortunately, the noble Forager was sacrificed by Jim Starlin so we didn't get to see more of the character. I have to confess I have a greater fondness for the Mister Miracle characters than the New Gods characters. On the villain front, I would add Vermin Vunderbar, Kirby's satire of German militarism. I especially enjoyed seeing him in JLU, voiced by Arte Johnson, in a nod to his Laugh-In German soldier character (right up to "Very interesting...."). Those guys did a fantastic job with the 4th World, in that cartoon series. The other character I would add to the list is Steppenwolf. That was a truly great character! I doubt she deserves a spot in the top ten, but I do have a soft spot for Gilotina's story arc in the 90's Super-books. Fired by the Furies for incompetence, she starts hanging out with the Newsboy Legion at Project Cadmus--and Tommy in particular. Then, despite enjoying all that life on Earth has to offer, she realizes she'll never fit in and returns to duty when the opportunity presents itself. Either a tragic contrast to the many who reject Darkseid's world given the chance, or Karl Kesel (co-creater of Knockout, btw) putting the toys back in the box when he was done with them. Either way, it was nicely done. Krypto #18: He's Solar Boy's Dog DCAU #104: Batman Adventures Holiday Special DCAU #103: Survivor Syndrome DCAU #102: Tree of Knowledge Resurrection-ish DCAU #101: Going Straight oHOTmu or NOT Ep.5: Aragorn to Arkon DCAU #100: Super Friends Fried Computer and Bacon for Breakfast DCAU #99: Deep Freeze DCAU #98: Lock-Up Krypto #17: First Solo Adventure DCAU #97: Batgirl Returns DCAU #96: Make 'Em Laugh The Four Folded Green Lantern DCAU #95: Harley's Holiday Director Profile: Lau Kar-leung DCAU #94: Time Out of Joint Lonely Hearts Ep. 11: The Many Loves of Peter Park... DCAU #93: Baby-Doll DCAU #92: Riddler's Reform DCAU #91: Second Chance Krypto #16: He's Supergirl's Dog DCAU #90: Bane DCAU #89: Grave Obligations The Full-Bodied Four Folded Flash DCAU #88: Toxic Shock Director Profile: Atom Egoyan DCAU #87: Good Face Bad Face First Strike: The Invasion! Podcast Ep.5: Firestor... DCAU #86: House of Dorian DCAU Extra: The Batman Adventures Team That Got Fi... DCAU #85: Smells Like Black Sunday DCAU #84: Troubled Realms Krypto #15: Off-Model Alt-Universe Pooch DCAU #83: Decision Day DCAU #82: The Tangled Web The Four Folded Flash DCAU #81: Mad Love (the comic) Director Profile: Edgar Wright DCAU #80: The Killing Book oHOTmu or NOT Ep.4: Annihilus to Arabian Knight DCAU #79: Badge of Honor Tintin in the Congo: 1930 \| 1946 Comparison DCAU #78: Puglic Enemy DCAU #77: Last Tango in Paris Krypto #14: Time Travel Dog DCAU #76: Batgirl: Day One Director Profile: Zack Snyder DCAU #75: Harlequinade	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0068.json.gz/line383
__label__wiki	0.735084	0.735084	Sailor Moon Crystal Act 16, Abduction – Sailor Mercury, Review Posted on February 22, 2015 by Adam The latest episode of Sailor Moon Crystal, Act 16, Abduction – Sailor Mercury, is now available to view for free on Crunchyroll, Hulu and Niconico. This week’s episode is tons of fun with the Tuxedo Mask puppet, some fan service in the form of swimsuits, young Ami and her daddy issues and of course Berthier who may or may not have been an inspiration for Elsa from Frozen. This episode had a number of differences from it’s original manga version, in changes, omitted scenes and in added content. That said, it also had a lot in common and like the rest of Sailor Moon Crystal is a very faithful adaptation. In the opening scene of the episode Usagi gets upset at Chibiusa but what she doesn’t do is raise her hand threatening to hit her as she did in the manga. This sort of changes the tone of the next scene where Usagi feels a sense of guilt but not about raising a hand at Chibiusa but instead about not protecting Sailor Mars who is now kidnapped. Chibiusa runs off and, as usual, hides in the park. Mamoru takes her home and talks to her with his Tuxedo Mask puppet. This puppet has been in the original manga, original anime and even in the latest musical, Petite Étrangère. All of a sudden I wonder just where he go that thing. Is Mamoru such a megalomaniac that he built a puppet of himself? Maybe he found it in a store and finds it so bizarre that products of his alter ego exist that he had to buy one. He uses his ventriloquism to make the puppet talk and also makes the excuse that this is why Luna seems to talk. But why doesn’t Chibiusa expect Luna to talk? We will later learn that one of Chibiusa’s good friends in the future is Diana, a talking cat herself and daughter of Luna and Artemis. Chibiusa also travels with Luna P which looks just like Luna who she must surely know in the future. While Chibiusa has trouble recognizing her mother and father why would she also have trouble with this cat that looks so much like her ball and why would she be at all surprised to hear one talk? Enter Berthier! She uses dowsing to find water and help with her chess game. Dowsing is not real. This whole arc is riddled with pseudoscience. I understand that within the context of the story these people can use magic but just like UFOs and to a greater fortune telling were the nonsense in the last show dowsing is the nonsense this week. Historically it’s just something that used to be used to find water or minerals underground using items such as a divining rod but when there are modern dowsing products which claim to do things like detect bombs, directly contributing to a loss of lives in war zones, I feel people can do with being reminded that dowsing has no basis in reality. Those who read the comments on this blog will note that one particular commenter has been asking since the beginning just when we will be getting a beach episode, particularly desiring that we see some of the characters in two piece suits. Well his day has come. This week we see Ami, Naru and Usagi in swimsuits at the pool. In the original manga version we see these three only wearing simple one piece suits but they have been updated a bit for the show. Ami’s suit as seen from the pool seems like a simple one piece, though when seen from behind the design doesn’t appear to be that consistent. This is fitting with how she is usually portrayed in the original anime as well. Naru’s suit is the most interesting as it looks quite a bit like the bikini she wore in episode 23 of the original anime. While Sailor Moon Crystal is frequently manga based it only occasionally takes cues from the original 1992 Sailor Moon anime. This suit also bears a bit of a resemblance to the dress that Naru wears to the ball. Finally we have Usagi’s suit which goes from a one piece in the manga to a two piece bikini here in Sailor Moon Crystal. This seems like blatant fan service as Usagi wears her towel on her head. An awkward thing to do when your goal is anything but exposing your bare midriff to your fans. Apologies for speaking entirely too much about such a silly thing, but if the comments are any indication there are people who consider such things to be quite important. Another anime original thing which makes it into this episode is Usagi’s inappropriate cheering at a chess tournament. In both the original anime and Sailor Moon Crystal she makes a spectacle while cheering for Ami and is told to be quiet. One background character in this scene looks a bit like Yusuke from Yu Yu Hakusho, written by the husband of Sailor Moon’s creator Naoko Takeuchi. Berthier is shown to be the the 3rd ranked chess player in the world. Later in the episode Ami beats her. Does this make Ami the 3rd ranked chess player in the world? You would think someone with such a skill would do more than just occasionally play on their iPad! I guess she does have world saving to do. Berthier’s clothing is ridiculous. It’s a full on super villain costume. That’s cool for fighting the forces of good and all but the way she just wears these clothes to a chess tournament like it was nothing is a bit silly. Speaking of the way Berthier dresses, some have mentioned similarities between her and Elsa from Frozen. See the image included above that explains the parallels between the two. This seems a bit far fetched to me. The controlling of the power and similarities in her relationship to Koan aren’t really the same. She does not encase herself in an ice tower. The similarities are mostly cosmetic and even that could be a coincidence. Elsa and Berthier both have ice powers, and so they dress in blue, a colour associated with cold. They also have white hair or light hair which is also natural for someone with ice powers. The braid is really the biggest similarity going on here. All considered I think Elsa bares more of a passing resemblance to Rosalina from Super Mario Galaxy. Why not just get the Elsa Disney Infinity figure instead of the Rosalina Amiibo which has been so hard to find? This is a fairly Ami centric episode, as she is the one to get kidnapped this time around. One big addition to the story not in the manga was the inclusion of young Ami and showing more of her father. Young Ami is quite cute and shown being abandoned by her father who is a painter. She is also shown having an interest in playing chess. Sailor Mercury uses a new ability Shine Snow Illusion. This isn’t enough to save her from getting kidnapped. Who will be next? The next episode is Act 17, Secret – Sailor Jupiter. The episode preview shows some shipping between Makoto and Ittou Asanuma. His scenes were cut from episode 16 but we’ll be seeing more of him next time. A couple of visually interesting things are seen in the next episode preview. Usagi has no nose in one shot and Chibiusa is wearing a short sleeved version of her blue school uniform. This seemed off to me and a post on the moonsisters.org Facebook page made me realize what is what. Chibiusa’s white school uniform is normally the one that has short sleeves while her blue school uniform has long sleeves. Keep reading for more images from this episode and the next episode preview. Watch Sailor Moon Crystal Act 16, Abduction – Sailor Mercury, February 21st at 5am Eastern Time Sailor Moon Crystal Act 2, Ami – Sailor Mercury, Review Sailor Moon Crystal Act 15, Infiltration – Sailor Mars, review Sailor Moon Crystal Act 14, Conclusion and Commencement – Petite Étrangère, Review Sailor Moon Crystal Act 6, Tuxedo Mask, Review This entry was posted in Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Crystal (2014) and tagged Ami's Father, Berthier, Chibiusa, Elsa, Frozen, Luna, Luna P, Naru Osaka, Sailor Moon Crystal Act 16 - Abduction – Sailor Mercury, Sailor Moon Crystal Phase 2 - Black Moon, Tuxedo Mask by Adam. Bookmark the permalink. 39 thoughts on “Sailor Moon Crystal Act 16, Abduction – Sailor Mercury, Review” Ponchita on February 22, 2015 at 4:16 pm said: No nose Usagi doesn’t really bother me much, mostly because I think they did a decent job with the lighting in that shot. Too skinny Chibiusa bugs me a whole lot more to be honest. Are you enjoying the Black Moon Arc more than the Dark Kingdom Arc overall? saintfighteraqua on February 23, 2015 at 6:45 pm said: I sure am! So far Black Moon has had better pacing. But then, the manga counterpart did too, at least early on. I can’t tell if Usagi is missing her nose or if that’s just the way she’s animated at that angle. Skinny Chibi Usa annoys me since that takes away from the end of this season when… SPOILER! She ages when she becomes senshi and matures. Yeah I’ve read the manga a few times The pacing gets better as the series progresses. I know she matures, but right now she’s supposed to be chubby and young MariTrench on March 1, 2015 at 7:27 pm said: Will the Sailor Gaurdians get their men back too? Rami on February 22, 2015 at 4:32 pm said: Yeah, I wondered about Berthier’s dress. Also, how is she the 3rd-ranked chess player in the world? I mean I can get Zoisite cross-dressing and faking being a professor, this was just in one city, but an international chess player? This anime takes place in the Internet age, so Berthier would have to have done a lot of work to make that work, weird costume and all. By the way, why is Chibiusa wearing Mamoru’s shirt? Seems a little weird for a man and a child who have yet to realize they’re father and daughter. Ashley on February 22, 2015 at 5:43 pm said: Chibi Usa’s clothes were wet, and I’m relieved that Mamoru isn’t storing any little girl clothes in his apartment, so that’s all he had for her to wear. That aside, where the hell did the Tuxedo Mask puppet come from? Does Mamoru just own a puppet of his secret identity? Does he talk to it when no one else is there? Is it involved in weird love games between him and Usagi? I MUST KNOW! Rami on February 23, 2015 at 9:15 am said: I’m guessing there are places where you can get custom made or custom-dressed dolls, like Build-a-Bear. All he’d need is a generic doll with dark hair, and if there’s a tuxedo, top hat and mask around, he’s set. He probably got it as a joke though. I might, if I were in his position. Either that or it was a joke gift for Mamoru from Usagi, who probably thought he’d enjoy a doll that looked like him. Rami that’s the best explanation I’ve seen for the Tux puppet! That being said, I love that scene and I’m not afraid to admit it Aurelia on February 23, 2015 at 12:49 pm said: I have an hypothesis about Berthier being the 3rd-ranked chess player in the world. It was shown that the crowd assisting the tournament was, in fact, made of Black Moon’s puppet soldiers. So when Berthier challenged Ami through the TV screen at the swimming pool, we can guess that Berthier’s interviewer was also a BM soldier, and that the channel on which the interview was aired didn’t really exist : a ghost channel targeting only Ami wherever she is. From this point of view, the tournament itself was some kind of a clandestine tournament, a perfect trap that wouldn’t have worked if “normal people” had heard of it. With that hypothesis, Berthier remains unknown to the world, and the fact that she is said to be one of the best chess player in the world is only a lie that only Mercury and the other Senshi can hear. That also makes Berthier’s minimalistic clothing looking less outrageous ;p … I’m weary tonight, so I hope my English is not too bad and that you can understand what I mean . Not only is your English great, but your hypothesis makes a lot of sense. Explains my problem brilliantly. That’s a fabulous idea! It makes a lot more sense that way. This would explain why she wore such an inappropriate outfit to a chess tournament… That makes perfect sense, especially considering the audience and security were all droids. Black Moon has technology far more advanced than us (UFO’s, teleporters, droids) so it would be a piece of cake to make a ghost channel. I’d bet your theory is canon. Thanks very much to all of you for your opinions about my theory. I’m glad to see it makes sense for you and has helped you to solve the problem . Sailor princess unicorn magical on July 28, 2018 at 5:54 am said: That was Frozen rip off else for sailor moon episode and they Disney frozen rip off as sailor moon anime I have last day:( :)!!! I AM SAILOR MOON!!! ;( That Bethier/Elsa thing is stretching waaaay too much to try and make a point. There’s zero indication that Bethier’s gloves do anything other than compliment her outfit, and I hope this doesn’t inspire a glut of Sailor Moon/Frozen crossover fanfic. I’m surprised there’s not My-Otome/Frozen fanfic. Arika looks a lot like Anna, if you think about it. Similar personalities, too. Kayy on March 6, 2015 at 9:15 pm said: I don’t know why anyone is getting so offended and huffy. If anything it’s called out Frozen for being unoriginal, not Sailor Moon. And if it is true it’s a cute homage to Sailor Moon and I accept the crossovers. Neon Genesis on February 22, 2015 at 6:02 pm said: I think the chess match itself also owes more to the 90s anime and the manga. Berthier does challenge Ami to a match in the manga but it moves more quickly to the Sailor Mercury showdown than it does here in Crystal. I’m glad to be seeing some influences from the 90s anime and I’m glad you’re also catching all these cameos of other anime characters. But why did Crystal change the scene where Mamoru tries to kiss Usagi to cheer her up? In the manga it’s a very tender romantic scene and Usagi is clearly letting Mamoru kiss her. Crystal randomly changes it so that Usagi is actively resisting Mamoru kissing yet they have Mamoru kiss Usagi against her will anyway which makes Mamoru seem a bit creepy. Crystal has made Mamoru out to be a bit of a different kind of jerk than the 90’s Mamo. He’s a bit selfish and though he isn’t mean to Usagi, he is almost cold towards her in my opinion. Maybe it’s a difference in culture? Still, I don’t think a kiss on the forehead is that and, even if he did do it against her will, he knew she needed comfort and that her pulling away was trying to escape being comforted. If he’d pulled her in against her struggles and kissed her lips, then I’d think he’d gone too far, into treating her like property. I’ve had friends who needed a good hug even when they thought they didn’t. I think the main issue was that her struggles seemed more like “Let go of me, pervert!” than “Let go of me, I don’t deserve affection for losing Mars.” and it made the whole scene awkward. Mamoru: “I’m not a bad guy! I’m just drawn that way!” puckers lips Agreed; I think Mamoru gets a bad wrap in Crystal. Personally, I’ve had times where my husband has pulled me into a hug when I thought I didn’t want it, so that wasn’t weird to me. It happens, particularly when emotions are running high. Honestly he was cold in the manga. Remember in Supers when Usagi has her dream she’s confused because Mamoru is being so sweet and she said the Mamoru she knows is cold? He changes after that, but he IS pretty cold in the manga. [But I hate Classic!Mamoru] And honestly, I agree, people are freaking out unnecessarily about the whole kiss thing. I’ve done the exact same thing. I’m the type of person who freaks out easily and pushes people away. So my boyfriend just tries to push down the walls I put up. That’s not wrong as long as he’s not trying to do anything sexual when I’m like that. Luke Yannuzzi on February 22, 2015 at 9:54 pm said: At long last I finally see two piece bikinis. One is Molly, and the other is Serena. But, not poor Amy. I’m sorry. Maybe next time if there will ever be another anime Sailor Moon. But, nonetheless, I like bare midriffs, and there’s nothing wrong with that. Nick on February 23, 2015 at 12:57 am said: Perhaps you’ll luck our and there will be more someday Guys will I this call cute? Ashley on February 23, 2015 at 1:35 am said: “I like bare midriffs, and there’s nothing wrong with that.” Yeah, there’s zero wrong with obsessing over the bare midriffs of 14 year old animated girls. Nothing at all. You do know you’re the only one who actually uses the dub names, right? saintfighteraqua on February 23, 2015 at 12:22 am said: People who are trying to force the Elsa/Berthier thing really need to just let it go. Also…I actually have a doll of my alter ego that I keep in my bedroom. A friend made it for me. So I stand by Mamoru having a Tuxedo Mask doll. This was a really good episode, I wish they’d spent more time with Rei last episode and fill her character out some more. Ami got more character development in this episode than all of the others combined in the last arc! Crystal 14 on February 24, 2015 at 11:49 pm said: To everyone one who keeps bashing on the characters, especially mamoru. I get it, when he tried to hug usagi, it looked really weird, like she didn’t want his hug. But I prefer this mamoru in Crystal than the original anime. He’s way cooler and awesome in Crystal than all of the other shows so please stop bashing on him, you wouldn’t like if someone had correct ur favorite character. Not to rude, it’s just mamoru is my favorite and I hate it when people tell me they don’t like him,I already know that. I admit it, that scene was really weird but hey I enjoyed it nonetheless . It was a good episode!!!! Neon Genesis on March 2, 2015 at 1:02 pm said: If you don’t like that people disagree with you on something, why are you on the Internet? Mitsu on March 1, 2015 at 3:59 pm said: Why are you making such a big deal over the fact that Tuxedo Mask has a puppet of himself? You make it seem like he shoves his dong in their at night or something, its just a damn puppet relax! delusional are you? on March 2, 2015 at 10:57 am said: shipping my ass… he looks like a younger brother to makoto. Makoto is tall 5’6, and this guy is pretty small for her. shut yer trap. he has less appearance after this incident. delusional are you? on March 2, 2015 at 12:48 pm said: you just wanted to distract people who are a fan of shitennou/senshi. it aint gonna happen buster. it all says in your review. naoko support the shitennou senshi. this dude is like a younger brother to her. and her a big sister. ship your face. ship means supporting the characters to another. posting an extra, hahahaha…. and noticing her bathing suit? why is she some kind of an main character? hahahaha naoko didn’t even directed the old anime, what makes you think she does those fking fillers. hehehe Nikaido on March 2, 2015 at 8:58 pm said: Am I the only one who put my attention on Berthier? I couldn’t care less on Ami or whatever swimming suit they are wearing. From a more mature audience, these villains has more unique characteristic! I find Berthier was truly amazing. Combat and raw power wise, base on her cool Water Prison and that gigantic Tsunami… she clearly outrank all of the Dark Kingdom enemies plus her younger sister Koan. Compare back to the old 90’s episode, she even puts her old dark water attack and Mercury’s Shine Aqua Mirage or any of Neptune’s powers to shame! She also use her wits with good choice of wording to interrupt Ami in the chest match, that dowsing (although fake science in real life) was absolutely impressive as well. She has such a unique characteristic plus good sense of fashion (in a RPG/anime standard). Its almost unacceptable she serve as monster of the day. Seriously, a high school cry baby, lack of real battle training, hold a “death ray” scepter who can kill just about anything is really over-powered and make other senshi and villains seem useless. I know the main storyline are leaning toward manga (and I personally find manga suck!), but the storyline writer obviously was too lazy to come out with something more convincing. New Berthier was perfect, the voice actress… not as good as the original one, but it somewhat give her a more…villian/powerful theme. Too bad such nice rebirth has to be eliminated and wasted in one episode. Mave on March 18, 2015 at 7:52 pm said: To me, this was the worst episode. This chess thing was cute and stuff, but to me there were to many anime references (like putting emphasis on the actual game) and too much manga content blatantly left out (Motoki scolding the girls for not telling them that their hideout was in his game center, Mamoru’s super powers) OK how episode sailor moon tonight I not begin soon deal with I guess Will not answer sorry guys break out because that’s mean will only sailor moon chibi? \>~</ I don’t know no matter what? maybe will both talking together sailor moon news that’s right? :3	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0068.json.gz/line384
__label__wiki	0.676659	0.676659	In Treatment: Week six in review For the next-to-last time this season, I'm going to be looking at all five episodes of "In Treatment" at once, offering a brief overview of the week and then going patient-by-patient. Spoilers coming up just as soon as I'm placed on hold... "It's not about you, Paul. They're human beings. They're struggling with profound problems. If only you could find courage to sit with the fact that what we do is hard, and sometimes it makes you feel like an idiot. It's a humbling profession, and if you lack anything as a therapist, it's humility." -Gina Because "In Treatment" is a scripted drama and not a documentary, Paul's makes more progress, and faster progress, than a real therapist would. While he really only "cured" one of last season's patients (Sophie), he consistently achieved breakthroughs with them over the course of that season. (Mr. Prince would argue that Paul was too successful with Alex, which is why his son is dead and not flying jets.) And here, in this shorter season, Paul has done remarkable work with a group of patients who often fight him kicking and screaming every step of the way. But as Gina says in the line I quoted above, therapy is often a lot trickier than that. The process doesn't always work, the patients don't always want to let it work, and sometimes outside circumstances conspire to prevent Paul from accomplishing much of anything at all. And so it feels right, and moving, to see a week in which Paul repeatedly, and painfully, smacked up against the limits of his profession, encountered one scenario after another where his training seemed to be of little use. By the end of the week, it was no surprise he was ranting to Gina about his desire to chuck it all and become "a life coach." Also, while we may be at the it-goes-without-saying point on the genius of these performances, holy cow was everyone amazing this week. A few specific points on that as we go patient-by-patient... "Why did she give up? Okay, she was sick for a year. But after that, why didn't she fight harder to be my mother? How come nobody sticks by me?" -Mia As Paul says to Gina, what can he really do for Mia? The things that Mia wants -- children, and a husband to raise them with -- are almost beyond her now. There's still a chance she could find the right man, and they could adopt, etc., etc., but it'll be a struggle all the way. But at the same time, as Gina notes, the only way Mia even has a chance for that to happen is if Paul can help her learn to let love and affection into her life, to not be so guarded. Now, when Amy had her miscarriage in Paul's office last season, I didn't like that choice (even though I'm guessing it came from the Israeli version), as I thought the more interesting choice would be for Jake and Amy to realize that a baby didn't come close to curing all the ills of their marriage. But here, I was okay with Mia's condition turning out to be a false positive (does anyone still use the term "hysterical pregnancy"?), because far more than Amy, so much of Mia's unhappiness is genuinely tied up in this lack of a child. Having one wouldn't solve all her problems, either, but it would solve enough of them that, in "In Treatment" terms, it wouldn't give Paul enough to work with to make for good TV. And while helping her cope with the realization that her fantasy of being a mom was just that, and might always be, Paul also started to make significant progress on helping her deal with the underlying issues that have likely kept her from succeeding in previous relationships. He still hasn't gotten Mia to drop her idealized view of her daddy, but he did at least get her to start re-examining her belief that her mother is to blame for all her problems. All the patients are, in some ways, a reflection on Paul, and here we got to see him apply a lesson he'd learned from Gina about the unreliability of childhood memory -- of editing your own mental autobiography and learning to believe the altered details -- and show Mia how maybe, just maybe, her mother wanted to reach out to her, but her father made that impossible. Two great acting moments to highlight here: first Hope Davis as Mia sitting on the couch and debating whether to follow Paul into his office, as if crossing that threshold would make the therapy session real, as opposed to this impromptu waiting room chat she could pretend was just two friends chatting; and then Gabriel Byrne as Paul learning that this was no miscarriage at all and understanding the depths of Mia's pain. "I don't believe in anything anymore. I don't believe in love, or my mother, or my body, or you. Because of all this stupid therapy, I don't even believe in myself anymore. I literally have no idea why I should get out of bed in the morning." -April One of the limitations of the series' format is the difficulty in showing an event like Paul at the hospital with April, calling her mother in. It could have been done, but it would have had to be clumsily shoehorned into someone else's episode. So instead, we learn about it after the fact, as the episode opens with Paul and April as physically far apart in the TV frame as possible, her arms crossed, her attitude sullen and chilly. At first, I assumed she was still mad at him for not wanting to take her to chemo anymore, but instead it was this whole other story, with Paul making a choice to violate the one cardinal request April had made of him. And I understand why he did it -- just as, I think, April finally did by the end of the session, even though she didn't want to admit it. But her level of anger with him, and his frustration with her, led to some amazingly raw acting from both Byrne and Alison Pill. (Pill also had some hilarious black comic moments, like her delivery of "I don't understand: are you for this woman or against her?" She's at the can-do-no-wrong stage for me.) What we're seeing here, as we saw last week, and as we'll see in the Oliver episode, is that, while Paul's desire to play savior with his patients is admirable, it also creates problems that a more professionally-distanced therapist like Gina simply wouldn't have. April has come to think of Paul as much more than her therapist, and she feels flat-out betrayed by him. No matter how much she might objectively understand why Paul did what he did, it still hurts too much for her to deal with. And then comes that moment at the end, when she physically can't get herself up off the couch, and has to ask for help from this man whose help she's not sure she wants anymore. Mortifying, devastating, and brilliantly-played. "You can't help me." -Oliver And this one hurt -- badly. With Mia or April or even Walter, Paul at least has the hope that he can do something for them emotionally, even if he can't solve their bigger problem (Mia's loneliness, April's cancer, Walter's career). Here, he has completely and utterly failed to do anything to help Oliver -- not through any fault of his own, but just because Bess and Luke are such selfish, messed-up, oblivious twits that they have created a situation -- where Bess takes Oliver away from the city altogether so she can take this new job -- that no therapist could fix. Paul can rail against them, can cross all kinds of professional lines with them, can flat-out yell, "You have got to figure out a way to look after your son!," but there's no getting through to them. As Oliver realizes, neither of them wants him, and he's stuck with the one who doesn't want him less than the other one. And the hell of it is, Oliver has grown to like and trust Paul so much that, like April, he can't see him as a doctor anymore, but a father figure. And so of course he pleads with Paul to stay with him, and there's nothing Paul can tell him -- that it's ethically unkosher (I think it is, anyway), or that once Oliver went from being his patient to being his foster son, Paul would likely become just as distant with him as he's been with his own kids -- to ease the pain of being rejected by another parental figure, and especially by the one parental figure who actually seems to like him. There was a finality to that scene on the playground (beautifully shot by director Paris Barclay) that has me feeling, sadly, like this is the last we'll see of Oliver. Last year, we saw a few episodes towards the end without certain patients, and I could see us getting a "Wednesday" episode in the final week that has nothing to do with Oliver at all. (Maybe Paul's court hearing?) But dammit, it stinks that it had to come to this for the kid. "I'm not supposed to malfunction, Paul. That's for other people." -Walter Wow, and then double wow. The closing sequence, with Walter doubled over and bawling and wrapping his arms around Paul's leg like a little boy clutching his daddy, was among the most affecting scenes of this incredible week. In fact, I loved it so much, I asked "In Treatment" showrunner Warren Leight (who's been writing most of the Walter episodes of late) about its origins, since he'd alluded to it when I interviewed him before the season. Here's what he had to say: The truth is, I had been hoping for Walter to breakdown in front of Paul for a few episodes: week four, right after he'd been fired, and week five, in the hospital after his suicide attempt. What was fascinating to me was Mahoney's first take on those two episodes. His Walter stumbled, but he didn't breakdown. And even stayed confrontational. So, after week four, I wrote week five, set it in the hospital, and waited for a breakdown which never came (the Israeli week five was a one on one session between Paul and Walter's daughter discussing her spiritual quest in India, and her lesbianism, I believe. There was no suicide attempt). After week five, I thought, Walter's defenses are crumbling, but they are all he has, and he won't go down without a fight. So I wrote week six with that in mind. When I got to the last line from Paul, about how the other Walter is the one who wants to live, I thought, 'OK, this will work.' And it did. We had a long talk on the set about the false self and the true self, and how often people split off from themselves to please others or to survive. This seemed to resonate with both actors. The grabbing of Paul's leg was a spontaneous gesture on Mahoney's part. After the first take, Gabriel came up to me and Paris and said, basically, "How am I supposed to sit in the chair when the man is falling apart in front of me?" He asked if he could go over to Walter, we said yes, and we all decided not to tell John that would be happening. John reacted in the moment, and I think it's one of their strongest moments. Week seven then had to be rethought, to acknowledge, or deny, what had happened in week six. John would've gone there earlier if we'd asked, but I trusted his instincts. It would take someone like Walter a very long time and a huge amount of pressure before he'd drop his defenses. Older men don't come to therapy easily. Am I the only one who finds it really cool that the writer of the episode was trying just as hard to get Mahoney to open up as Paul was trying with Walter? In the end, it all played out perfectly, so I'm glad Mahoney had the instincts he did; Walter crying pre-suicide attempt, or even right after, wouldn't have had nearly as much power as it did after this long wait. Other than Walter's breakdown, the most interesting part of the episode to me was the comment by Walter's shrink from the hospital, about how Paul maybe opened a Pandora's Box he shouldn't have with Walter. That's what he arguably did with Alex, and what I was worried about in the early episodes of this season. I think the "other Walter" does deserve to come out after all this time, but I can't help but wonder if the Walter who came to Paul as a patient will be better off this way. "I really think that you're acting like an a--hole. I really think that you're a therapist who has remarkably little insight into your own behavior. You are so self-absorbed. You are so entitled. You come in here and you spout the same old bulls--t!" -Gina Triple wow. What's usually so wonderful about Dianne Wiest's performance as Gina is the extreme control she displays in front of Paul -- both how she manipulates him where she wants him to go, but how she keeps her own emotions buttoned up tight. While Paul is obviously more demonstrative with Gina than he is with his patients, it's more of a matter of degree; it's not stunning that the guy who occasionally loses his patience with the likes of Luke and Bess might explode even more when outside the confines of his role as a therapist. So to see Gina finally, after two seasons of goading from Paul, lose it and unload on him... amazing. I usually take meticulous, near-transcribed notes of these episodes, but when we got to Gina's outburst, I put the computer down, except to jot down an occasional line or two, because I didn't want to miss a second of this when I might be otherwise distracted by making sure my notes were correct. After all of Paul's failures during the week, Gina argues pretty convincingly for the value of what they do, and hopefully we won't see him asking for the letter back next week. But things got really, fascinatingly, ugly there for a little while, didn't they? Finally, I want to say that I've written all of the above without watching the final week's worth of episodes. I hope to get to those in the next few days, depending on my Upfront Week schedule, and to maybe talk to Warren Leight for a season post-mortem interview. I don't know what the future is for the show, or for these patients, but it feels like there's too much left to deal with in each case for the show to wrap up anybody's story the way that season one did, in one way or another, with all of its patients. I'd like to think this year leaves things a little more ambiguously, whether or not there's going to be a third season, and whether or not any or all of these four characters would be a part of it. Labels: In Treatment, In Treatment (season 2) Wow, wow and more wow. It has to be said again: these actors are giving some of the best performances on television right now, and that's saying something given some of the quality shows on air (particularly on cable). This show in no way affected me this way last season. I am blown away and rather bereft at the thought that next week is the last week. Usually, I hate to admit, I watch TV in the background. Not with this show. My eyes are front and center, not willing to miss a nuance. Every episode felt like it was the most emotional, until the next one (I give massive props to Gabriel Byrne, because shooting week six had to be pretty taxing). They were all incredible (I'm a big fan of Allison Pill's, but John Mahoney was incredible tonight. His face telegraphed more emotions than I think I'm capable of feeling in a half hour!) But I'm just as taken with smaller moments: watch Gabriel Byrne's face as Luke and Bess are telling Oliver about their plans. If I'm remembering it correctly, in the beginning, we don't see Oliver's face much, or at least a very visceral reaction, but the camera shot of Byrne's face telegraphs his anger, his concern and the trainwreck that is about to happen. Gorgeous. I'm almost afraid to watch week 7: can it somehow even equal the goods of this week? And Richard Schiff had a good week (unless they are two separate people): first a nice turn on In Plain Sight, then directing an episode of In Treatment. Many Wows. Even before watching the Gina episode I was thinking about what Paul's scorecard with his patients might be. Are they better or worse off, happier or less happy, at episode seven (or nine) than they were in episode one (IMHO)? Laura: Worse Alex: Worse Sophie: Better Jake & Amy: Worse This season (through episode 6) Mia: Worse April: Worse Oilver: Worse Walter: Worse Even if being a therapist is a little like being a baseball hitter (as Gina suggests), at one for eight, Paul's still got a ways to go to get to the Mendoza line. I think Paul would be a good life coach. Mia would probably like a dog, but a big one, like a golden retriever. He could buy Oliver a taser on-line. And speaking of (Supreme Court Justice) Mendoza, props to West Wing alum Richard Schiff for a very nice job directing the Gina episode. If IMDB is to be believed, his only directorial track record is two West Wing episodes. I must say, I thought the Mia arc had jumped the shark when she "miscarried." But somehow, the writers (and Byrne and Hope Davis) managed to rise above it. Until tonight, I still had trouble seeing John Mahoney as Frasier Crane's father Martin. But wow is right, he was amazing. I can't believe he did these episodes in between plays. It'll be a shame when these guys - in particular, Byrne, Mahoney, Pill, and Weist - get passed over for Emmys. Thanks for writing about this series, Alan, I never would have found out about it last season without your posts. I can't remember another show that offered such a wealth of killer performances week after week. It's not just great drama, it's practically an acting clinic. Mike F said... this has easily become one of my favorite shows...pretty much all the actors are terrific...the writing...and especially gabriel byrne...its hard to carry a show like this I hope they do 10 seasons...my hbo subscription probably depends on it From Jan: What a powerful week of episodes! I can't believe next week is the last one. John Mahoney was outstanding, but every one of the actors was just terrific. And poor Oliver. All of them have such incredible facial expressions--just the littlest gesture indicates what's going on inside--even that little half smile that Paul gives Gina at the end. BTW--for Turtle Scholar: I noticed in the last week of episodes (didn't get around to watching it right away because of the concentration it takes) that Gina suggests that Paul is using his anger for protection--like a shell. I just thought it was worth noting. fuzzydunlop said... Surely you meant to say it's ethically unkosher for Oliver to live with Paul? Um... yeah. Bad typo. Fixed. Great Freudian typo, Alan Great catch, Fuzzy. And speaking of The Wire, couldn't you see the remarkable Aaron Shaw as part of the Michael/Randy/Duquan/Namond crew of Season 4? (In some alternate universe, of course.) Maybe there's a part for him in David Simon's new joint? Oh, and did any Wireheads notice that Michael Kostroff (the great, awful Maury Levy) has a recurring role on Sonny With a Chance (the Demi Lovato Hannah Montana ripoff) on Disney? Guess the bills must be paid. If Paul moved back to Maryland, maybe Maury Levy could come in for a few soul-cleansing sessions? (optional) said... This week's episode made me appreciate Hope Davis and her ability to play the small moments. Mia is probably the patient with the least to work with in terms of big breakthrough moments. At least so far. Makes me think Melissa George could have maybe done more with Laura. Ai yi yi, I need a session with Paul to get over last night. I watched all 5 in a row On Demand. Every episode was tremendous but Oliver's episode had me apoplectic with rage. I know I'm supposed to see his parents as flawed people (as we all are) who are dealing with their own issues but all I could think of was punching them repeatedly in their respective heads. That scene where the two of them agree to this horrible plan and the look on Paul's face as they so quickly decided to uproot their deeply troubled and damaged child from everything he knows, so as not to inconvenience themselves, that was really difficult to watch. Every child's worst fear is that their parent doesn't love them or doesn't love them enough and in Oliver's case, it's true. How does a kid his age process that: yes, he's right to feel the way he does. His parents see him as a burden and really would rather not have him around. Horrifying. This was John Mahoney's week, I loved the scene of Paul calling him out on his bullshit and Walter's entire persona changed, he just deflated.Thanks so much for the sharing that behind the scnes insight, the moment when he grabbed Paul's leg was heart-breaking. I can't believe there is only one more week. acool said... This show is a classic. I agree with all that's been said here. Every episode was written, directed and acted beautifully. This has got to be the role that defines Gabriel Byrne. I am very anxious for another season. What was this, Emmy reel week or something? John Mahoney was spectacular. So were Pill, Byrne and Weist. A couple random thoughts about the plot: I was so happy Paul started to challenge Mia about her father. I've been waiting for that shell to be cracked, and I was watching the "clock" with this being week 6 and all, thinking they had better get to it soon. I was really happy Paul let Bess and Luke have it. They don't listen to Oliver at all, and I loved how Paul expressed the depth of rage (outrage, really) that they would only brush off if it were coming from Oliver. Poor Oliver. Paul and Gina - Bravo. Standing O. I don't know if it's the acting, the writing or both, but I am really far more invested in these patients this season, which is why I'm so worried about next week being the last. I read an interview with Byrne at the start of the season where he said it's physically and emotionally exhausting for him to do this series. I hope there's a season 3, but if there's not, I hope we get a little bit of closure for Paul next week. Oaktown Girl said... Thanks for sharing the behind-the-scenes stuff with us for the Walter story. Really interesting stuff, and I respect this show now even more than I did before. I'm with you all - Wow. This was an incredible week. Each half hour left me wiped out and exhilarated at the same time. Amazing, incredible stories. Even my least-favorite session (Oliver) had me riveted. Anon 1:04AM, I have to disagree on some of your "better/worse" assessments. I think Oliver and April fall into the worse category. Oliver's situation has definitely gotten worse, and April hasn't learned at all that she can lean on the people who love her, she's just turned to Paul instead. But I think both Mia and Walter have made breakthroughs that can really help them towards getting better. Mia is starting to see her family situation in a whole new light - and it's pretty clear that her relationships with both parents are partially responsible for the issues she has today - and Walter is starting to see how much he's kept inside his whole life, from when he had to grow up incredibly fast at age 6. Maybe seeing these things will let both of them move on and find some happiness. This is an incredible show. I didn't watch season 1 and now and then I regret that (when the Alex storyline comes up, mostly), but I don't feel I'm missing anything. Thanks, Alan, for the interview with Warren Leight. It was really illuminating to see how the writers and actor work together to craft not just the character, but the movement of the plot. I also really enjoyed the article in last Sunday's NY Times Arts & Leisure section about Sarah Treem and Allison Pill and how they've grown really close and how they've worked together to create April. Another typo, under "Gina": You wrote: "You come in her and you spout the same old bulls--t!" -Gina" Perhaps you should change "her" to "here...." Yikes! It's not just that they're typos -- it's that the typos are so fraught with meaning. Stella said... Wow times 5! For the episodes themselves and also for your great synopses, Alan. It is not surprising that the penultimate week would be filled with angst and more angst. What is surprising is that all this angst led to such incredible story-telling and acting. These patients are nowhere near ready to fly on their own, and yet soon those stories will be told and the season will be done. I think you are right about the nature of Season 2: no pretty bows, no funeral wreaths, no sighs of relief. Last year, I argued that Gabriel Byrne should return to In Treatment because the series had left us all hanging; well, that goes DOUBLE for this year (I should wait for the last week, I know, but I feel it in my bones). The mirroring these patients have provided for the character of Paul has been so well written and so well designed. I feel the writers more than I did last year and I like that. Thanks, Alan, for your observations and your analysis and especially for your insights about the behind-the-scenes work, with Warren Leight etc. That is really invaluable! Can't wait for next week and the end. I don't want next week to come and I hate the idea of IT Season 2 ending. Uh oh. I think I am in conflict. ;-) One last thing: Gabriel Byrne and Dianne Wiest rock BIG TIME!!! PS. I posted this over at the nj.com version of this article, too. The Bgt said... This is the second time in a row I had to pause the video player and leave the room to breath a little (last week during April's session this week during Oliver's). I have never reacted like this watching drama tv. Or cinema. Never. And I thought last year's In Treatment was extraordinary tv. I really dunno what else to say, I just hope there will br more seasons, even if I am not surethis kind of quality can be achieved again. They should create a special OSCAR category for the whole cast.. I was really happy Paul let Bess and Luke have it. They don't listen to Oliver at all,Paul has a problem by crossing the doctor/patient boundary so often, but as with the time he took April to chemo, I didn't mind when crossed the border and unloaded on Bess and Luke. They both need to grow up. I noticed the wave machine came back into play in Oliver's session. Little did the poor kid know when he was playing with the tossing waves that he would soon be sailing stormy seas because of his selfish parents. And to echo others, John Mahoney was brilliant, as was Dianne Wiest and of course, Gabriel Byrne. I wonder how much therapy Gina needs after putting up with Paul's petulance each week? I don't agree at all with the April - Worse categorization. Yeah, maybe she's mentally at a worse place but at least she's out of her denial. If she had not seen Paul she would have been dead by now. Mia and Walter are obviously making breakthroughs. And Oliver? What the fuck can Paul do, really? I don't want to repeat what has already been said, but John Mahoney was really amazing this week. I think if he can get in the same category as Glynn Turman did, he can get the Emmy. Everyone really is amazing in this show and while I always liked Gabriel Byrne, I am just so glad that he decided to do this show so that I can watch how excellent he is in every episode. Why can't something like this air 5 nights a week on a network, as opposed to 5 nights of Leno? Why can't something like this air 5 nights a week on a network, as opposed to 5 nights of Leno?Well, for one thing, the commercial breaks would ruin the tone and pacing. Considering that there hasn't been a season 3 of Be'Tipul yet, I'm curious about the possibility of having a season of In Treatment that originated in America. I don't want anyone to mess with a good thing, but I'm still curious. Gabriel Byrne is brilliant in this show - this is the defining role of his career, I think. Has anyone heard if he's interested in returning for another season? Anonymous 1:04 said... I find it interesting (and a tribute to the show and the quality of the discourse about it here) that two smart viewers (Susan and Anon 7:22) argue about my better/worse list in different ways. I'm beginning to think Paul is right, and that being happy might just be more important than self-knowledge. Walter is this season's Alex, and my sense is that without Paul he probably wouldn't have dropped the ball on the crisis by going to Darfur in search of Natalie, and thus would have lived to fight another day as CEO. And as for April, I think she was playing a game, and if Paul had been a dullard like the other Pratt shrink, she would have just given up and checked herself into the hospital with many of her self-delusions intact. These characters may be hobbling on (emotional) crutches, but Paul (and I) worry that he's taking away their crutches but not teaching them to walk. I might actually buy it that Mia might be better off, but I can see a real possibility that she falls back into her old patterns, and her newfound insights just make her more aware of what she's doing, and more mad at herself. And Kathy, I'm with you. Both Luke and Bess need to be smacked upside the head. Oliver (who is from Baltimore BTW) really is of a piece with the lost boys from The Wire. Despite having two parents present, he seems as emotionally neglected as Randy or Dukie. And thank again, Allan for giving us a place to talk about all this. At least I'll have this season of Breaking Bad to catch up on when In Treatment is over. This is the only show I watch on television. It is AWESOME! I pray there will be a season 3,4,5,& 6! Please wait for the week 7 post to go up before discussing week 7 episodes. Breaking Bad, "ABQ": Seven thirty-seven coming out... Breaking Bad: Vince Gilligan post-mortems season t... Pushing Daisies, "Window Dressed to Kill": I'm no ... My Boys, "Spring Training": For love of the game The Wire, Season 2, Episode 1: "Ebb Tide" (Newbies... The Wire, Season 2, Episode 1: "Ebb Tide" (Veteran... 'Breaking Bad' ends killer second season - Sepinwa... The plan for 'Band of Brothers' Leaving on a high note? We may now interrupt your regularly scheduled summ... The Goode Family, "Pilot": It ain't easy being Goo... Better late than never review: 'The Guild' on DVD Reaper, "The Devil and Sam Oliver": And it's 1, 2,... Summer programming advisory Rescue Me, "Iceman": Guy walks into a bar... Jon & Kate Plus 8: All over but the crying 'Mental' can't stack up to 'In Treatment' - Sepinw... In Treatment: Season two post-mortem with Warren L... 'The Goode Family' review - Sepinwall on TV Breaking Bad, "Phoenix": There's no real way to du... Party Down, "Stennheiser-Pong Wedding Reception": ... The love you save may be your own CW fall schedule announced -- Upfront Week American Idol: Are you ready for the finale? CBS fall schedule announcment Are you ready for the summer? Rescue Me, "Play": Road trip? Road trip. Glee, "Pilot": Just a small town girl... American Idol: Thoughts on the top 2? Chuck: Chris Fedak vs. the renewal NBC renews 'Chuck,' announces fall schedule - Upfr... ABC fall schedule announced - Upfront Week How I Met Your Mother. "The Leap": Carter Bays Q&A... 'American Idol' finale preview - Sepinwall on TV Upfront Week: Fox's fall schedule In Plain Sight, "Aguna Matatala": Get outta here! 'Glee' review - Sepinwall on TV SNL: Will Ferrell's greatest hits Breaking Bad, "Mandala": Jane's addiction Chuck saved! (but at a bargain price) At the movies: Star Trek Get ready for Bizarro Upfront Week 'Prison Break' finale review - Sepinwall on TV Party Down, "James Rolf High School Twentieth Reun... Grey's Anatomy, "Here's to Future Days"/"Now Or Ne... 30 Rock, "Kidney Now!": Steve Earle, Steve Earle, ... 'Party Down' just gets funnier - Sepinwall on TV Parks and Recreation, "Rock Show": Mouse-Rat! Mous... The Office, "Company Picnic": The perfect moment Reaper, "To Sprong, With Love": Stop. Hammer time!... American Idol: Top 3 elimination Lost, "The Incident": The men behind the curtain My Boys, "Facebook the Past": Man vs. machine In the news: Chuck, Party Down and Lie to Me Fringe, "There's More Than One of Everything": Pet... 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Scrubs, "My Finale": Sacred Heart, unbroken Better Off Ted, 'Get Happy': Cat people vs. spacem... My Boys, "Madder of Degrees": The weather outside'... Reaper, "My Brother's Reaper": Attack of the strip... 'Scrubs' finale review - Sepinwall on TV Rescue Me, "Sheila": Nightmares and dreamscapes American Idol, Top 4: Rock 'n Roll Night Scrubs, "My Chief Concern": A surgeon and a doc, a... House, "Under My Skin": A moment like this HIMYM, "Right Place Right Time": Hey glad girls In Treatment: Week five in review While I was off in Peacock land... NBC's faux fall schedule announcement - Sepinwall ... NBC announces (some) pick-ups for fall; 'Southland... Reader mail: Bubble shows and desert island discs Breaking Bad, "4 Days Out": Flight of the RV Dollhouse, "Briar Rose": Fairy tale ending Party Down, "Brandix Corporate Retreat": Peeping R... Farewell, Undercover Black Man. Hello, David Mills... 30 Rock, "The Natural Order": Trading places The Office, "Casual Friday": Playing favorites	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0068.json.gz/line386
__label__cc	0.709257	0.290743	The University of Sydney - Science Undergraduate Handbook 2019 Science UG Handbook You are here: Home / Science / Table A: A-E / Animal Health, Disease and Welfare / Unit of study descriptions Bachelor of Liberal Arts and Science Bachelor of Psychology Bachelor of Science / Bachelor of Advanced Studies Bachelor of Science / Bachelor of Laws Bachelor of Science / Master of Mathematical Sciences Bachelor of Science / Master of Nutrition and Dietetics Bachelor of Science / Doctor of Dental Medicine Bachelor of Science / Doctor of Medicine Bachelor of Veterinary Biology / Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Prohibited units of study Bachelor of Liberal Arts and Sciences Table A: A-E Table A Overview Agroecosystems Animal and Veterinary Bioscience Animal Health, Disease and Welfare Applied Medical Science Table A: F-M Financial Mathematics and Statistics History and Philosophy of Science Human Movement Immunology and Pathology Table A: N-Z Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Quantitative Life Sciences Soil Science and Hydrology Taronga Wildlife Conservation Veterinary Biology Honours Pre-2018 Coursework Bachelor of Animal and Veterinary Bioscience Bachelor of Food and Agribusiness Bachelor of Medical Science Bachelor of Medical Science / Doctor of Medicine Bachelor of Science / Bachelor of Arts Bachelor of Science / Master of Nutrition and Dietectics Bachelor of Science (Advanced) / Doctor of Dental Medicine Bachelor of Science (Advanced) / Doctor of Medicine Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Bachelor of Science (Veterinary) Table 2 - Geoarchaeology Electives from other faculties Honours areas - Environmental Systems Honours areas - Science Table 1 Overview Table 1 majors A - L Table 1 majors M - Z Advanced stream Degree core Dalyell Stream Science electives 1. Prerequisites have changed for the following unit, they now read: MEDS2004 Microbes, Infection and Immunity Prerequisites: MEDS2004: BIOL1XX3 or BIOL1XX7 or BIOL1X08 or MEDS1X01 or MBLG1XX1 20/2/2019 Advanced coursework and projects will be available in 2020 for students who complete this major. Animal Health, Disease and Welfare major A major in Animal Health, Disease and Welfare requires 48 credit points from this table including: (i) 12 credit points of 1000-level core units (ii) 6 credit points of 2000-level core units (iii) 6 credit points of 2000-level selective units (iv) 18 credit points of 3000-level major core units (v) 6 credit points of 3000-level interdisciplinary project units Animal Health, Disease and Welfare minor A minor in Animal Health, Disease and Welfare requires 36 credit points from this table including: (iv) 6 credit points of 3000-level minor core units (v) 6 credit points of 3000-level minor selective units The units of study are listed below. 1000-level units of study BIOL1006 Life and Evolution Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Matthew Pye, A/Prof Charlotte Taylor Session: Semester 1 Classes: Two lectures per week; 11 x 3-hour lab classes; a field excursion Prohibitions: BIOL1001 or BIOL1911 or BIOL1991 or BIOL1906 or BIOL1996 Assumed knowledge: HSC Biology. Students who have not completed HSC Biology (or equivalent) are strongly advised to take the Biology Bridging Course (offered in February). Assessment: Writing task (10%), laboratory report (20%), laboratory notebook (10%), during semester tests and quizzes (20%), summative final exam (40%) Practical field work: 11 x 3-hour lab classes, a field excursion Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day Biology is an immensely diverse science. Biologists study life at all levels, from the fundamental building blocks (genes, proteins) to whole ecosystems in which myriads of species interact. Evolution is the unifying concept that runs through the life sciences, from the origin and diversification of life to understanding behaviour, to dealing with disease. Evolution through natural selection is the framework in biology in which specific details make sense. This unit explores how new species continue to arise while others go extinct and discusses the role of mutations as the raw material on which selection acts. It explains how information is transferred between generations through DNA, RNA and proteins, transformations which affect all aspects of biological form and function. Science builds and organises knowledge of life and evolution in the form of testable hypotheses. You will participate in inquiry-led practical classes investigating single-celled organisms and the diversity of form and function in plants and animals. By doing this unit of study, you will develop the ability to examine novel biological systems and understand the complex processes that have shaped those systems. Knox, B., Ladiges, P.Y., Evans, B.K., Saint, R. (2014) Biology: an Australian focus, 5e, McGraw-Hill education, North Ryde, N.S.W BIOL1906 Life and Evolution (Advanced) Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Matthew Pye, A/Prof Charlotte Taylor Session: Semester 1 Classes: Two lectures per week; 11 x 3-hour lab classes; a field excursion Prohibitions: BIOL1001 or BIOL1911 or BIOL1991 or BIOL1006 or BIOL1996 Assumed knowledge: 85 or above in HSC Biology or equivalent. Assessment: Writing task (10%), project report (20%), laboratory notebook (10%), during semester tests and quizzes (20%), summative final exam (40%) Practical field work: 11 x 3-hour lab classes, a field excursion Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day Note: Department permission required for enrolment Biology is an immensely diverse science. Biologists study life at all levels, from the fundamental building blocks (genes, proteins) to whole ecosystems in which myriads of species interact. Evolution is the unifying concept that runs through the life sciences, from the origin and diversification of life to understanding behaviour, to dealing with disease. Evolution through natural selection is the framework in biology in which specific details make sense. This unit explores how new species continue to arise while others go extinct and discusses the role of mutations as the raw material on which selection acts. It explains how information is transferred between generations through DNA, RNA and proteins, transformations which affect all aspects of biological form and function. Science builds and organises knowledge of life and evolution in the form of testable hypotheses. You will participate in inquiry-led practical classes investigating single-celled organisms and the diversity of form and function in plants and animals. Life and Evolution (Advanced) has the same overall structure as BIOL1006 but material is discussed in greater detail and at a more advanced level. Students enrolled in BIOL1906 participate in a research project with a focus on developing skills in critical evaluation, experimental design, data analysis and communication. BIOL1996 Life and Evolution (SSP) Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Mark de Bruyn Session: Semester 1 Classes: Lectures as per BIOL1906; one 3-hour practical per week Prohibitions: BIOL1001 or BIOL1911 or BIOL1991 or BIOL1006 or BIOL1906 or BIOL1993 or BIOL1998 Assumed knowledge: 90 or above in HSC Biology or equivalent Assessment: One 2-hour exam (50%), practical reports (25%), seminar presentation (15%), lab note book (5%), prelaboratory quizzes (5%) Practical field work: null Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day Biology is an immensely diverse science. Biologists study life at all levels, from the fundamental building blocks (genes, and proteins) to whole ecosystems in which myriad species interact. Evolution is the unifying concept that runs through the life sciences, from the origin and diversification of life to understanding behaviour, to dealing with disease. Evolution through natural selection is the framework in biology in which specific details make sense. Science builds and organises knowledge of life and evolution in the form of testable hypotheses. The practical work syllabus for BIOL1996 is different from that of BIOL1906 (Advanced) and consists of a special project-based laboratory. Please see unit outline on LMS BIOL1007 From Molecules to Ecosystems Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Emma Thompson Session: Semester 2 Classes: Two lectures per week and online material and 12 x 3-hour practicals Prohibitions: BIOL1907 or BIOL1997 Assumed knowledge: HSC Biology. Students who have not completed HSC Biology (or equivalent) are strongly advised to take the Biology Bridging Course (offered in February). Assessment: Quizzes (10%), communication assessments (40%), skills tests (10%), summative final exam (40%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day Paradigm shifts in biology have changed the emphasis from single biomolecule studies to complex systems of biomolecules, cells and their interrelationships in ecosystems of life. Such an integrated understanding of cells, biomolecules and ecosystems is key to innovations in biology. Life relies on organisation, communication, responsiveness and regulation at every level. Understanding biological mechanisms, improving human health and addressing the impact of human activity are the great challenges of the 21st century. This unit will investigate life at levels ranging from cells, and biomolecule ecosystems, through to complex natural and human ecosystems. You will explore the importance of homeostasis in health and the triggers that lead to disease and death. You will learn the methods of cellular, biomolecular, microbial and ecological investigation that allow us to understand life and discover how expanding tools have improved our capacity to manage and intervene in ecosystems for our own health and organisms in the environment that surround and support us . You will participate in inquiry-led practicals that reinforce the concepts in the unit. By doing this unit you will develop knowledge and skills that will enable you to play a role in finding global solutions that will impact our lives. BIOL1907 From Molecules to Ecosystems (Advanced) Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Claudia Keitel Session: Semester 2 Classes: Two lectures per week and online material and 12 x 3-hour practicals Prohibitions: BIOL1007 or BIOL1997 Assumed knowledge: 85 or above in HSC Biology or equivalent Assessment: Quizzes (10%), communication assessments (40%), skills tests (10%), summative exam (40%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day Paradigm shifts in biology have changed the emphasis from single biomolecule studies to complex systems of biomolecules, cells and their interrelationships in ecosystems of life. Such an integrated understanding of cells, biomolecules and ecosystems is key to innovations in biology. Life relies on organisation, communication, responsiveness and regulation at every level. Understanding biological mechanisms, improving human health and addressing the impact of human activity are the great challenges of the 21st century. This unit will investigate life at levels ranging from cells, and biomolecule ecosystems, through to complex natural and human ecosystems. You will explore the importance of homeostasis in health and the triggers that lead to disease and death. You will learn the methods of cellular, biomolecular, microbial and ecological investigation that allow us to understand life and discover how expanding tools have improved our capacity to manage and intervene in ecosystems for our own health and organisms in the environment that surround and support us . This unit of study has the same overall structure as BIOL1007 but material is discussed in greater detail and at a more advanced level. The content and nature of these components may vary from year to year. BIOL1997 From Molecules to Ecosystems (SSP) Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Emma Thompson Session: Semester 2 Classes: Two lectures per week and online material Prohibitions: BIOL1007 or BIOL1907 Assumed knowledge: 90 or above in HSC Biology or equivalent Assessment: One 2-hour exam (40%), project report which includes written report and presentation (60%) Practical field work: As advised and required by the project; approximately 30-36 hours of research project in the laboratory or field Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day Paradigm shifts in biology have changed the emphasis from single biomolecule studies to complex systems of biomolecules, cells and their interrelationships in ecosystems of life. Such an integrated understanding of cells, biomolecules and ecosystems is key to innovations in biology. Life relies on organisation, communication, responsiveness and regulation at every level. Understanding biological mechanisms, improving human health and addressing the impact of human activity are the great challenges of the 21st century. This unit will investigate life at levels ranging from cells, and biomolecule ecosystems, through to complex natural and human ecosystems. You will explore the importance of homeostasis in health and the triggers that lead to disease and death. You will learn the methods of cellular, biomolecular, microbial and ecological investigation that allow us to understand life and intervene in ecosystems to improve health. The same theory will be covered as in the advanced stream but in this Special Studies Unit, the practical component is a research project. The research will be a synthetic biology project investigating genetically engineered organisms. Students will have the opportunity to develop higher level generic skills in computing, communication, critical analysis, problem solving, data analysis and experimental design. AVBS2001 Introductory Veterinary Pathogenesis Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: A/Prof Damien Higgins Session: Semester 2 Classes: 6 hours per week (lectures and practicals) Prerequisites: 12cp of (BIOL1XX6 or BIOL1XX7 or BIOL1XX1 or BIOL1XX2 or MBLG1XX1) Assumed knowledge: The basic structure, morphology, metabolism and behaviour of bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Fundamental histological structure and function of cells and key tissues, including blood vessels, skin, liver, lung, kidneys, intestine, and organs and cells of the immune system (lymph node, spleen, white blood cells). Assessment: Online exercises (15%), mid-semester exam (25%), practical assessment (20%), final exam (40%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day The overarching theme for this unit of study is the concept of the interaction between the host (or the animal), the agent of disease (genetics, physical, chemical and infectious agents) and environmental factors. In disease states, the host responds to the aetiological agent of disease and the environment through one of the basic five pathological processes that occur in tissues. These include inflammation and repair, degeneration and necrosis, circulatory disturbances, tissue deposits and pigments, and disorders of growth. A case based approach will be used whenever possible to illustrate these principles and enable the student to develop a problem solving approach and the skills of critical thinking. See unit of study guide. (MEDS coded units of study are only available to students in the Medical Science stream). IMMU2011 Immunobiology Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Umaimainthan Palendira Session: Semester 1 Classes: Online lecturettes, weekly Interactive lectures, fortnightly Workshops and Practicals. ~4-5h face-to-face per week Prerequisites: BIOL1XX7 or (BIOL1XX8 or BIOL1XX3 or MEDS1X01) or BIOL1XX2 or MBLG1XX1 Prohibitions: IMMU2911 Assumed knowledge: CHEM1XX1 or CHEM1903 Assessment: Online quizzes (15%), practical reports (30%), title and abstract task (15%) and final exam (40%). Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day Immunobiology is the study of defence mechanisms that protect living organisms against life-threatening infections. In this unit of study you will explore the essential features of the host immune responses mounted by animals, both vertebrates and invertebrates, plants and microbes themselves. Studies in animal and microbial immunobiology are leading to breakthroughs in veterinary and clinical medicine, including combatting infectious diseases, maximising transplant success, treating allergies, autoimmune diseases and cancer, as well as the development of new vaccines to prevent disease. Understanding the immunobiology of plants also enables us to protect crops from disease which enhances our food security. In this unit of study you will be provided with an overview of immunobiology as a basic research science. We will explore the nature of the immune cells and molecules that recognise danger and how the immune system of animals and plants respond at the cellular and molecular level. Practical and tutorial sessions are designed to illustrate particular concepts introduced in other face-to-face activities. Further self-directed learning activities, including online learning activities, will facilitate integration of fundamental information and help you apply this knowledge to the ways in which the host organism defends against disease. Upon completion, you will have developed the foundations to undertake further studies in Biology, Animal Health, Immunology and Pathology. Ultimately, this could lead you to a career in medical research, biosecurity and/or Veterinary Science. Abbas, Lichtman and Pillai (2016) Basic Immunology: Functions and Disorders of The Immune System, 5th Edition IMMU2911 Immunobiology (Advanced) Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Umaimainthan Palendira Session: Semester 1 Classes: Online lecturettes, weekly Interactive lectures, fortnightly Workshops and Practicals . ~4-5h face-to-face per week Prerequisites: A mark of 70 or above in [BIOL1XX7 or (BIOL1XX8 or BIOL1XX3 or MEDS1X01) or BIOL1XX2 or MBLG1XX1] Prohibitions: IMMU2011 Assumed knowledge: CHEM1XX1 or CHEM1903 Assessment: Online quizzes (20%), practical reports (15%), journal article comprehension task (5%), title and abstract written task (10%) and final exam (50%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day Immunobiology is the study of defence mechanisms that protect living organisms against life-threatening infections. In this unit of study you will explore the essential features of the host immune responses and how it evolved from unicellular organisms to complex multi-cellular organisms. Studies in animal and microbial immunobiology are leading to breakthroughs in veterinary and clinical medicine, including combatting infectious diseases, maximising transplant success, treating allergies, autoimmune diseases and cancer, as well as development of new vaccines to prevent disease. Understanding the immunobiology of plants also enables us to protect crops from disease which enhances our food security. In this unit of study you will be provided with a detailed overview of immunobiology as a basic research science. We will explore in detail the nature of the immune cells and molecules that recognise danger and how the immune system of animals and plants respond at the cellular and molecular level. Advanced practical and tutorial sessions are designed to illustrate particular concepts introduced in other face-to-face activities. Further self-directed learning activities, including online learning activities, will facilitate integration of fundamental information and help you apply this knowledge to the ways in which the host organism defends against disease. This advanced version of Immunobiology has the same overall concepts as the mainstream unit but material is discussed in a manner that offers a greater level of challenge and academic rigour. Students enrolled in the advanced stream will participate in alternative components which may for example include guest lectures from experts. The nature of these components may vary from year to year. MEDS2004 Microbes, Infection and Immunity Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Ms Helen Agus Session: Semester 2 Classes: Online lecturettes, webinars, discussion forums and self-directed learning activities; Face-to-face seminars, practicals, enquiry-, multimedia module- and data analysis-based workshops (5 hours per week for 13 weeks). Prerequisites: BIOL1XX7 or BIOL1X08 or MEDS1X01 or MBLG1XX1 Prohibitions: MIMI2002 or MIMI2902 or MICR2021 or MICR2921 or MICR2022 or MICR2922 or IMMU2101 or BMED2404 or BMED2807 or BMED2808 Assumed knowledge: CHEM1XX1 or CHEM1903 Assessment: Final examination (50%), practical exercises (20%), online quizzes (10%), integrated assessment (20%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day Transmission, pathogenicity and immune response to microbes are key concepts for understanding infectious disease processes. In this unit of study you will establish a conceptual foundation and, using an integrated approach, explore selected case studies of infection from a body system of origin perspective. You will explore the characteristics of viral, bacterial, fungal and protist pathogens and their virulence mechanisms for establishment and progression of disease. Comprehensive consideration of host immune response and characteristic pathological changes to tissue that arise will then be considered. Upon completion of this unit, you will be able to explain microbial pathogenic processes of infection including: mechanisms for colonisation, invasion and damage to host tissue; the ways in which your immune system recognises and destroys invading microbes; how T cell response is activated and antibodies function. You will learn about pathogenesis, symptoms, current challenges of treatment including antibiotic resistance, control and vaccination strategies. You will develop a holistic perspective of infectious diseases. You will work collaboratively to solve challenging problems in Biomedical Sciences. Practical classes will investigate normal flora, host defences and case studies of medically important microbes with linkage to disease outcome. You will also obtain experience and understanding of modern experimental techniques in microbiology and immunopathology. MICR2031 Microbiology Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: A/Prof Michael Kertesz Session: Semester 1 Classes: Two 1-hour lectures per week; one 3-hour practical per week; five tutorial sessions Prohibitions: MICR2021 or MICR2921 or MICR2024 or MICR2931 Assumed knowledge: Fundamental concepts of microorganisms, biomolecules and ecosystems; CHEM1XX1 Assessment: Theory 60%: 45-minute mid-semester theory exam (20%) and 1.5-hour theory exam (40%); Practical 40%: written assignment (10%), group oral presentation (20%) and online quizzes (10%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day Microbes are essential for every aspect of life on the planet. Microbes in the human gut control our digestion and our immune system, microbes in the soil are required for plant growth, microbes in the ocean fix more carbon dioxide than all the earth's trees. This unit of study will investigate the diversity and activity of microorganisms - viruses, bacteria, fungi, algae and protozoa - and look at how they interact with us, each other, plants and animals. You will examine how microbes underpin healthy ecosystems through nutrient cycling and biodegradation, their use industrially in biotechnology and food production, and their ability to cause harm, producing disease, poisoning, pollution and spoilage. Aspects of microbial ecology, nutrition, physiology and genetics will also be introduced. This unit of study will provide you with the breadth of knowledge and skills needed for further studies of microbiology, and will provide the fundamental understanding of microbes that you will require if you specialise in related fields such as biochemistry, molecular biology, immunology, agriculture, nutrition and food sciences, bioengineering and biotechnology, ecology or science education. Willey et al, Prescott's Microbiology, 10th edition, McGraw-Hill, 2017 MICR2931 Microbiology (Advanced) Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: A/Prof Michael Kertesz Session: Semester 1 Classes: Two 1-hour lectures per week; one 3-hour practical per week; five tutorial sessions Prerequisites: A mark of 70 or above in 6cp from (BIOL1XXX or MBLG1XXX) Prohibitions: MICR2021 or MICR2921 or MICR2024 or MICR2031 Assumed knowledge: Fundamental concepts of microorganisms, biomolecules and ecosystems; CHEM1XX1 Assessment: Theory 60%: 45-minute mid-semester theory exam (20%) and 1.5-hour theory exam (40%); Practical 40%: two written assignments (10%, 20%), and online quizzes (10%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day Microbes are essential for every aspect of life on the planet. Microbes in the human gut control our digestion and our immune system, microbes in the soil are required for plant growth, microbes in the ocean fix more carbon dioxide than all the Earth's trees. In this unit of study you will investigate the diversity and activity of microorganisms - viruses, bacteria, fungi, algae and protozoa - and look at how they interact with us, each other, plants and animals. You will examine how microbes underpin healthy ecosystems through nutrient cycling and biodegradation, their use industrially in biotechnology and food production, and their ability to cause harm, producing disease, poisoning, pollution and spoilage. Detailed aspects of microbial ecology, nutrition, physiology and genetics will also be introduced. This unit of study will provide you with the breadth of knowledge and skills needed for further studies of microbiology, and will provide the fundamental understanding of microbes that you will require to specialise in related fields such as biochemistry, molecular biology, immunology, agriculture, nutrition and food sciences, bioengineering and biotechnology, ecology, or science education. As an Advanced unit, MICR2931 provides increased challenge and academic rigour to develop a greater understanding and depth of disciplinary expertise. You will actively participate in a series of small group tutorials investigating the molecular detail of microbial communication and function, which will culminate in you creating a scientific research report that communicates your understanding of recent research in microbiology. MIMI2002 Microbes, Infection and Immunity Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Ms Helen Agus Session: Semester 2 Classes: Lectures, online mini-lectures, webinars, discussion forums and self-directed learning activities; Face-to-face seminars, practicals, enquiry-, and scenario-based workshops (5 hours per week for 13 weeks). Prerequisites: (BIOL1XX7 or MBLG1XX1 or BIOL1XX8 or MEDS1X01 or BIOL1XX3) Prohibitions: MEDS2004, BMED2404, MIMI2902, IMMU2101, MICR2021, MICR2921, MICR2022, MICR2922, BMED2807, BMED2808 Assumed knowledge: CHEM1XX1 or CHEM1903 Assessment: Final examination (50%), practical exercises (20%), online quizzes (10%), integrated assessment (20%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day MIMI2902 Microbes, Infection and Immunity (Advanced) Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Ms Helen Agus Session: Semester 2 Classes: Lectures, online lecturettes, webinars, discussion forums and self-directed learning activities; Face-to-face seminars, practicals, enquiry- and scenario-based workshops (5 hours per week for 13 weeks). Prerequisites: A mark of 70 or above in (BIOL1XX7 or MBLG1XX1 or BIOL1XX8 or MEDS1X01 or BIOL1XX3) Prohibitions: MEDS2004, BMED2404, MIMI2002, IMMU2101, MICR2021, MICR2921, MICR2022, MICR2922, BMED2807, BMED2808 Assumed knowledge: CHEM1XX1 or CHEM1903 Assessment: Final examination (50%), practical exercises (20%), online quizzes (10%), research publication-based assignment (20%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day Transmission, pathogenicity and immune response to microbes are key concepts for understanding infectious disease processes. In this unit you will establish a conceptual foundation and, using an integrated approach, explore selected infection case studies from a body system of origin perspective. You will explore characteristics of viral, bacterial, fungal and protist pathogens and their virulence mechanisms for establishment and progression of disease. Comprehensive consideration of host immune response and consequent characteristic pathological changes to tissue will be considered. Upon completion, you will be able to explain microbial pathogenic processes of infection including: mechanisms for colonisation, invasion and damage to host tissue; the ways your immune system recognises and destroys invading microbes; how T cell response is activated and antibodies function. You will learn about pathogenesis, symptoms, current challenges of treatment including antibiotic resistance, control and vaccination strategies. This advanced unit has the same overall structure as MIMI2002 but contains a unique science communication exercise in which you will actively participate in small group sessions and be assessed with a short essay. This advanced component explores how recent advances in microbiology, infection and immunity are communicated to the wider public and is based on recent publications with potential high impact for society. Major core AVBS3005 to be developed for offering in 2020 AVBS3001 Agents of Disease Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Gary Muscatello Session: Semester 1 Classes: lectures 3 hours per week, laboratories/tutorials 2 hours per week, group work 1 hour per week Prerequisites: AVBS2001 Assessment: 1500wd individual review (25%), 1000wd scenario-based group assignment (15%), 2 hour exam (50%), MCQ (10%) Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day The aim of this unit is to examine and appreciate the diversity of various disease causing agents (microbiological and parasitological) of significance to animal industries and the various strategies employed by those agents in the host-pathogen-environment interaction. This study is based on an understanding of the physical, chemical and genetic characteristics of infectious agents of disease and builds on the pathological and immunological processes taught in AVBS2001 Introductory Veterinary Pathogenesis. A scenario/case based approach will be used whenever possible to enable the students to develop problem solving approaches and skills in critical thinking. Cases selected will be those that best illustrate particular concepts and/or are of particular significance to the animal/veterinary industry. Research and industry focus activities will infuse the subject content and student learning outcomes of this unit. This unit is located at the Camperdown campus. A Unit of Study outline and LMS will contain detailed information and notes for this unit. ANSC3106 Animal Behaviour and Welfare Science Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Sabrina Lomax Session: Semester 2 Classes: 6 hours per week (including lectures, demonstrations, discussions and practical activities); classes will be held at the Camden campus; practical class activities will be held at the Mayfarm, Corstophine Dairy, and Camden poultry research unit, and there will be a full day excursion to Symbio Wildlife Zoo Prerequisites: AVBS1002 or BIOL1XX6 Assessment: Assignments/presentations (50%), theory exam (50%) Practical field work: Practical class activities will be held at the Mayfarm, Corstophine Dairy, and Camden poultry research unit, and there will be a full day excursion to Symbio Wildlife Zoo Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day In Animal Behaviour and Welfare Science 3, the behavioural and physiological responses of mammals, birds and fish to stressors related to husbandry, housing, transport and slaughter are explored in some detail. This Unit enables students to develop an appreciation of the responses of animals to common interventions that arise in the context of interacting with humans, including the domestication of livestock species and the management of wildlife. The principles of animal responses to stress are illustrated with production species as the main examples. Contemporary approaches to the scientific measurement of animal stress and welfare, based on an appropriate selection of scientific disciplines including ethology, psychology, physiology and neuroscience, are assessed with an emphasis on farmed livestock species. Genetic, environmental and evolutionary determinants of pain, stress and fear responses in animals are considered in the light of what is known about cognition and motivation in animals. Methods for assessing and enhancing animal environments and husbandry systems are examined and the impact on animal behaviour and welfare of stockmanship is explored in the context of human-animal interactions. Finally, the design and conduct of scientific experiments are assessed with a focus on animal ethics and current welfare issues. Broom, DM and Fraser, AF 2007, Domestic animal behaviour and welfare, 4th edition, CAB International, Cambridge Uni Press, Cambridge SCPU3001 Science Interdisciplinary Project Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Pauline Ross Session: Intensive December,Intensive February,Intensive January,Intensive July,Semester 1,Semester 2 Classes: The unit consists of one seminar/workshop per week with accompanying online materials and a project to be determined in consultation with the partner organisation and completed as part of team with academic supervision. Prerequisites: Completion of 2000-level units required for at least one Science major. Assessment: group plan, group presentation, reflective journal, group project Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day This unit is designed for students who are concurrently enrolled in at least one 3000-level Science Table A unit of study to undertake a project that allows them to work with one of the University's industry and community partners. Students will work in teams on a real-world problem provided by the partner. This experience will allow students to apply their academic skills and disciplinary knowledge to a real-world issue in an authentic and meaningful way. Participation in this unit will require students to submit an application to the Faculty of Science. Minor core Minor selective AVBS3888 and AVBS3005 to be developed for offering in 2020 © 2002-2019 The University of Sydney. Last Updated: 20-Feb-2019	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0068.json.gz/line400
__label__cc	0.545968	0.454032	Software and IT Telecom and Communication Deals and Investments TDK Honored Digi-Key with European Distribution Award “The Distributor Partner Award evaluates up to 1000 performance points. It means that a thousand things done right - every day" TDK has recognized Digi-Key Electronics Europe with their European Distribution Award 2018 in Gold in the high-service distribution category during the annual TDK European Award Dinner. This was Digi-Key’s fifth consecutive award from TDK. The awards are based on TDK’s annual Senten Manten distributor performance evaluation program. The Japanese term, Senten Manten, stands for the perfect result, with a maximum of 1,000 points available. Distributors are assessed on performance and collaboration with TDK in four categories: business performance, inventory management, contractual terms, and operational excellence. “We’re honored to receive this award as it is very well reflected in our daily activities,” said Hermann Reiter, Director, Global Strategic Business Development & Supplier Management at Digi-Key. “The Distributor Partner Award evaluates up to 1000 performance points. It means that a thousand things done right – every day”. “Digi-Key is one of our largest distribution partners, and this award is a reflection of their extreme hard work in achieving the highest score to date in our performance assessment,” said Ludger Trockel, President and Managing Director of TDK Europe GmbH. TDK’s broad portfolio of products is available for immediate shipment globally from Digi-Key. TDK Products in Digi-Key’s Website TDK Corporation is a leading electronics company based in Tokyo, Japan. It was established in 1935 to commercialize ferrite, a key material in electronic and magnetic products. Its portfolio features passive components such as ceramic, aluminum electrolytic and film capacitors, as well as magnetics, high-frequency, and piezo and protection devices. The product spectrum also includes sensors and sensor systems such as temperature and pressure, magnetic, and MEMS sensors, power supplies and energy devices. Digi-Key Electronics, headquartered in Thief River Falls, Minn., USA, is an authorized global, full-service distributor of electronic components, offering more than 6.8 million products, with over 1.4 million in stock and available for immediate shipment, from over 750 quality name-brand manufacturers. Digi-Key also offers a wide variety of online resources such as EDA and design tools, datasheets, reference designs, instructional articles and videos, multimedia libraries, and much more. Technical support is available 24/7 via email, phone and webchat. For more information, visit www.digikey.com Posted in: Electronics Industry , News SolarEdge terminated the agreement with flex Hungary Siklu Appoints Ben-Hamou as New CEO flex to Open a New Production Facility in Israel Elbit is one of Top 10 players in Cognitive EW NeuroBlade Raised $27 Million for AI Processor Habana Labs Announced Super-fast AI Processor Lethal AI: Rafael unveiled Deep-Learning Target Recognition Large-Scale Trial of Cellular-Based Accident Prevention REE Emerged From Stealth Mode with High-tech Wheels TowerJazz and Lumotive Demonstrate Solid-State Beam Steering for LiDAR BrightWay Raised $24 Million from Koito Group NoTraffic Adopted V2X Chipsets from Autotalks ERM and Altair to develop Vehicle Telematics based on Cellular Chipset I.D. Systems to Acquire Pointer Telocation for $140 Million Firefly to get Lunar Lander Technology from IAI Tactical Radars of RADA Gain Momentum Roni Lifshitz, Editor Yohai Schwiger, Co-editor Media Kit 2019 for Advertisers Orna Gadel, Contributor Proudly powered by WordPress \| Theme Faster by SuperPlugin	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0068.json.gz/line403
__label__wiki	0.530196	0.530196	Dental teeth whitening products Mary Otto By Mary Otto Is there a teeth-whitening story in your state? Now might be a good time to take a look at this widely-contentious issue. Dental whitening has grown into a multi-billion dollar business and the struggle over whether non-dentists should be allowed to bleach teeth has been playing out across the country in recent years. Many dentists offer the service, which involves applying peroxide-containing preparations to the teeth. The products act by chemical means to lighten stains on the surfaces, enamel and dentin layers of the teeth. Staining can be caused by food, drink, tobacco, aging and other factors Do-it-yourself teeth-whitening kits are available in pharmacies. In some states, retail salons and mall kiosks also offer teeth-whitening services. In at least 25 states, dental boards have taken steps to shut down these establishments, according to a report by the Institute for Justice (IJ) a non-profit libertarian law firm. Since 2005, at least 14 states have changed their laws and regulations and now ban all but licensed dentists, hygienists and assistants from performing teeth-whitening procedures, according to the IJ. Dental organizations back such restrictions, arguing that the retailers are practicing dentistry without a license and contending they could be putting customers at risk. But non-dentist owners and operators of the teeth-whitening businesses are fighting back in some cases with legal support from the IJ. They say their services are safe and that they have a right to provide them. The details of the cases vary from state to state. But the Supreme Court’s decision in the North Carolina case could have wider implications for teeth-whitening shops – and for the dental and medical boards that regulate the health professions nationwide. In North Carolina, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has taken the side of the retail shops, holding that North Carolina’s state dental board “illegally thwarted competition by working to bar non-dentist providers of teeth-whitening goods and services from selling their products to consumers.” The North Carolina dental board argues that its actions are not subject to such challenges because federal antitrust laws do not apply to actions taken by a state or its agencies. The high court will consider whether or not the dental regulatory board, created under state law, should be considered an arm of the state or whether it should be considered a “private actor” because a majority of the board’s members are, as dentists, also competitors in the market for dental whitening services and are elected to their seats by other dentists Meanwhile, in Alabama, teeth-whitening entrepreneurs are challenging that state’s ban on retail teeth-whitening on constitutional grounds. A Jefferson County judge is currently considering whether she should declare the ban unconstitutional or dismiss the lawsuit that challenges the law, explained reporter Ken Faulk in a Sept. 4 for the Birmingham News. “The lawsuit challenges the constitutionality of the Alabama Dental Practice Act, which requires a person to be a licensed dentist if they offer teeth-whitening services. Violation of the law could mean up to a year in jail and $5, 000 in fines, ” Faulk wrote. In South Carolina earlier this year, a state legislator introduced a bill aimed at shutting down teeth-whitening kiosks. The bill would still allow the over-the-counter sale of teeth-whitening products in the state, Manny Corea reported in a May story for the Orangeburg Times and Democrat. Trisha Eck, owner of Tooth Fairies Teeth Whitening, told Serrie she purchased equipment and supplies from a vendor she met at a trade show, including non-prescription strength teeth whitening gels. Customers could purchase her products as a take home kit or apply them to their own teeth while visiting the spa where she operated her business. Eck told Serrie she closed down her business after a dental board investigator determined her business was an unlicensed dental practice. “He comes from the dental board, and he’s telling me he can shut me down. He can fine me; I could face prison time, ” Eck said. “That’s a little intimidating.” In April, the U.S Food and Drug Administration denied a petition by the American Dental Association denied a request by the American Dental Association to reclassify peroxide-containing teeth-whitening preparations as drugs. The products are currently treated as cosmetics. Source: healthjournalism.org Best teeth Whitening Methods Sensitive teeth whitening products Affordable teeth whitening products where to buy teeth whitening trays Natural teeth Whitener baking soda	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0068.json.gz/line404
__label__wiki	0.578384	0.578384	Treason by Peter David - Shastrix Books Tensions within the New Thallonian Protectorate are at fever pitch following the murder of Prime Minister Si Cwan. Captain Mackenzie Calhoun and the crew of the USS Excalibur face an uncertain future in the turbulent Andromeda Galaxy. The sudden power vacuum will have far-reaching consequences for them all, as lives and the very fate of Sector 221-G are catapulted into utter chaos. Reviewed on 22nd June 2009 Though a quick read, the latest novel in the New Frontier series has brought it back from the brink. A definite improvement on recent falls. Several factions are out to kidnap the son of Robin Lefler and the late Si Cwan, some with more obvious intentions than others. They will stoop as low as controlling the minds of crew members to achieve their goals, but the ghost of Si Cwan has similar powers. My main complaint about recent New Frontier novels is that the crew have become too spread out, and that there are too many main characters to focus on, however this time, David has pulled the focus back to the Excalibur, and while the other characters still appear, it's only in a supporting role. There's an interesting juxtaposition, whereby the new aliens wanting to take control of bodies is bad, while Si Cwan's ghost taking control of Kalinda's body is somehow right, though none of the cast seem to realise this. The beginning also feels disconnected from the rest of the plot, as the original gang of kidnappers, while still suspected for a short while, are soon forgotten about. Overall, I'd say it's an improvement, and has left the story with a few loose ends left to tie up. It still needs to lift a little further to equal the earlier days though.	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0068.json.gz/line406
__label__wiki	0.90147	0.90147	GIBBS, MINNIE C thru GIBBS, M NELLIE GIBBS, MINNIE C. was born 1 January 1900, died 1 January 1967, and was buried in Block 1N Lot 114 Grave W3 of Alta Vista Cemetery in Gainesville, Georgia, U.S.A.. 54593369 Check the source file (free) and then check Archives for MINNIE C GIBBS. GIBBS, MINNIE E married 1 Jun 1922 in MENARD COUNTY, ILLINOIS, U.S.A. a groom named GEORGE H MEANS. 54593370 Check the source file (free) and then check Archives for MINNIE E GIBBS. GIBBS, MINNIE E. was born 20 August 1904, received Social Security number 429-03-6227 (indicating Arkansas) and, Death Master File says, died 09 May 1991 54593371 Gibbs, Minnie E. married in 1884 according to a Massachusetts vital record for Attleborough, Volume 352, Page 86. 54593372 Check the source file (free) and then check Archives for Minnie E. Gibbs. Gibbs, Minnie E. married in 1884 according to a Massachusetts vital record for Norton, Volume 352, Page 160. 54593373 Gibbs, Minnie Golightley, wife of Lloyd A. Gibbs, was born 27 October 1937, died 30 May 1995, and was buried in Section 71, Site 1248 in Calverton National Cemetery in Calverton, New York, United States of America. 54593374 Check the source file (free) and then check Archives for Minnie Golightley Gibbs. GIBBS, MINNIE L. was born 02 November 1916, received Social Security number 432-09-7764 (indicating Arkansas) and, Death Master File says, died 06 August 1998 54593375 Check the source file (free) and then check Archives for MINNIE L GIBBS. GIBBS, MINNIE L. was born 08 January 1894, received Social Security number 400-09-8631 (indicating Kentucky) and, Death Master File says, died 04 May 1992 54593376 GIBBS, MINNIE L. was born 12 August 1915, received Social Security number 414-36-8852 (indicating Tennessee) and, Death Master File says, died 10 March 1997 54593377 GIBBS, MINNIE L. was born 21 August 1893, received Social Security number 541-34-7807 (indicating Oregon) and, Death Master File says, died 21 January 1988 54593378 GIBBS, MINNIE L. was born 30 March 1910, received Social Security number 456-13-0110 (indicating Texas) and, Death Master File says, died 23 January 2004 54593379 GIBBS, MINNIE M. was born 27 December 1888, received Social Security number 566-80-8099 (indicating California) and, Death Master File says, died 15 February 1972 54593380 Check the source file (free) and then check Archives for MINNIE M GIBBS. GIBBS, Minnie M. was born ABT 1887;; died 12 Jan 1912 in Graham, Mason, West Virginia. 54593381 Check the source file (free) and then check Archives for Minnie M. GIBBS. Gibbs, Minnie M. married in 1881 according to a Massachusetts vital record for Winchester, Volume 326, Page 261. 54593382 GIBBS, MINNIE O married 6 Jan 1904 in Chickasaw Nation (Area), Oklahoma, U.S.A. a groom named J C A WALKER. 54593383 Check the source file (free) and then check Archives for MINNIE O GIBBS. GIBBS, MINNIE O. was born 06 November 1914, received Social Security number 427-78-0348 (indicating Mississippi) and, Death Master File says, died 09 September 2005 54593384 GIBBS, MINNIE O. was born 24 October 1950, received Social Security number 247-94-5733 (indicating South Carolina) and, Death Master File says, died 01 June 2008 54593385 GIBBS, MINNIE S. was born 23 October 1909, received Social Security number 038-07-5857 (indicating Rhode Island) and, Death Master File says, died 29 March 1993 54593386 Check the source file (free) and then check Archives for MINNIE S GIBBS. GIBBS, MINNIE SCHROEDER MRS married 29 Sep 1886 in MC HENRY COUNTY, ILLINOIS, U.S.A. a groom named GEORGE HENRY COATES. 54593387 Check the source file (free) and then check Archives for MINNIE SCHROEDER MRS GIBBS. Gibbs, Minnie V. died in Dayton OH, and was buried in Section 16 Lot 456 Grave 3 of Dayton Memorial Park in Dayton, Ohio, U.S.A. by undertaker: Riesinger Funeral Home. 54593388 Check the source file (free) and then check Archives for Minnie V. Gibbs. GIBBS, MINNIE W. was born 28 September 1917, received Social Security number 457-30-1732 (indicating Texas) and, Death Master File says, died 02 August 2004 54593389 Check the source file (free) and then check Archives for MINNIE W GIBBS. GIBBS, MINNIS was born 09 March 1906, received Social Security number 411-24-7101 (indicating Tennessee) and, Death Master File says, died April 1978 54593390 Check the source file (free) and then check Archives for MINNIS GIBBS. GIBBS, MINOLA married 18 Nov 1899 in Chickasaw Nation (Area), Oklahoma, U.S.A. a groom named FRATT L COLES. 54593391 Check the source file (free) and then check Archives for MINOLA GIBBS. GIBBS, MINOR W who was 65 (born ABT 1904) married 16 JUN 1969 in SHELBY COUNTY, TEXAS, U.S.A. a bride named ANNIE BOUSE who was 63 (born ABT 1906). 54593392 Check the source file (free) and then check Archives for MINOR W GIBBS. GIBBS, MINOR W, born ABT 1904, and his bride ANNIE, born ABT 1906, married 15 JUN 1969, and they had 0 children under 18 when they got divorced in PANOLA COUNTY, TEXAS, U.S.A. on 15 APR 1976. 54593393 GIBBS, MINOR W. was born 30 November 1903, received Social Security number 462-10-1531 (indicating Texas) and, Death Master File says, died 31 August 1988 54593394 GIBBS, MINTON O. was born 05 January 1911, received Social Security number 105-22-0631 (indicating New York) and, Death Master File says, died 29 June 2005 54593395 Check the source file (free) and then check Archives for MINTON O GIBBS. GIBBS, Miraetta I was born ABT 1847 in Alabama; was in the 1850 census in St. Calire County, Alabama. 54593396 Check the source file (free) and then check Archives for Miraetta I GIBBS. GIBBS, Miranda was born ABT 1836 in New York; was in the 1870 census in Saint Lawrence County, New York. 54593397 Check the source file (free) and then check Archives for Miranda GIBBS. GIBBS, miranda was born ABT 1794 in N.C.; was in the 1850 census in Pickens County, Alabama. 54593399 Gibbs, Miranda died in 1902 according to a Massachusetts vital record for Dana, Volume 14, Page 57. 54593400 GIBBS, MIRANDA L. married RONALD F. JR TURNER on 28 May 2016 using a marriage license issued in Fayette County, Indiana, United States of America. 54593401 Check the source file (free) and then check Archives for MIRANDA L. GIBBS. GIBBS, MIRANDA LYN and NOAH DANIEL WALTERS applied for a marriage license in Franklin County, Ohio, United States of America 2 June 2014, which license was issued 2 June 2014, which was valid until 1 August 2014, and which was returned 2 June 2014, indicating that a marriage happened 2 June 2014. 54593402 Check the source file (free) and then check Archives for MIRANDA LYN GIBBS. GIBBS, MIRIAM married a groom named JOEL H RESNICK in the year 1971 on license number 4872 issued in Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S.A. 54593403 Check the source file (free) and then check Archives for MIRIAM GIBBS. GIBBS, MIRIAM was born 09 April 1885, received Social Security number 423-66-9422 (indicating Alabama) and, Death Master File says, died February 1982 54593404 GIBBS, MIRIAM was born 10 June 1916, received Social Security number 055-10-5719 (indicating New York) and, Death Master File says, died 07 November 2012 54593405 GIBBS, MIRIAM was born 12 July 1915, received Social Security number 070-12-5457 (indicating New York) and, Death Master File says, died 09 April 1993 54593406 GIBBS, MIRIAM was born 24 October 1955, received Social Security number 492-66-5524 (indicating Missouri) and, Death Master File says, died 03 March 2002 54593407 GIBBS, MIRIAM was born 26 December 1887, received Social Security number 147-09-4621 (indicating New Jersey) and, Death Master File says, died October 1968 54593408 GIBBS, MIRIAM was born 26 May 1923, received Social Security number 081-18-0137 (indicating New York) and, Death Master File says, died 28 September 2004 54593409 GIBBS, MIRIAM A. was born 19 August 1943, received Social Security number 105-42-0375 (indicating New York) and, Death Master File says, died 12 July 1997 54593410 Check the source file (free) and then check Archives for MIRIAM A GIBBS. GIBBS, MIRIAM M. was born 03 December 1944, received Social Security number 225-56-6018 (indicating Virginia) and, Death Master File says, died 16 September 2003 54593411 Check the source file (free) and then check Archives for MIRIAM M GIBBS. GIBBS, MIRIAM R. was born 19 January 1911, received Social Security number 303-07-2755 (indicating Indiana) and, Death Master File says, died 25 December 2007 54593412 Check the source file (free) and then check Archives for MIRIAM R GIBBS. Gibbs, Miriam R. was born 19 January 1911, died in Rolling Hills Health Care Center25 December 2007, and was buried in Section O Lot 069 Grave 1 of Walnut Ridge Cemetery in Jeffersonville, Indiana, U.S.A. by undertaker: Scott-North. 54593413 Check the source file (free) and then check Archives for Miriam R. Gibbs. Gibbs, Miriam Rose was born 19 January 1911, died 25 December 2007, and was buried in Section O Lot 067 Grave 8 of Walnut Ridge Cemetery in Jeffersonville, Indiana, U.S.A. by undertaker: Scott-North. 54593414 Check the source file (free) and then check Archives for Miriam Rose Gibbs. GIBBS, MIRIAM S. was born 04 November 1911, received Social Security number 310-16-0323 (indicating Indiana) and, Death Master File says, died 10 August 2005 54593415 Check the source file (free) and then check Archives for MIRIAM S GIBBS. Gibbs, Miron A. was born in 1853 according to a Massachusetts vital record for Sandwich, Volume 75, Page 11. 54593416 Check the source file (free) and then check Archives for Miron A. Gibbs. Gibbs, Mirriam was born 1 April 1919, died 6 April 1919, and was buried in Section EA -7, Lot 45, Grave 3 in East Avenue Cemetery in New Philadelphia, Ohio, United States of America. 54593417 Check the source file (free) and then check Archives for Mirriam Gibbs. GIBBS, MIRTIE was born 26 March 1894, received Social Security number 419-86-9809 (indicating Alabama) and, Death Master File says, died December 1977 54593418 Check the source file (free) and then check Archives for MIRTIE GIBBS. GIBBS, MISELLE married a groom named ROY SANCHEZ in the year 1995 on license number 26690 issued in Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S.A. 54593419 Check the source file (free) and then check Archives for MISELLE GIBBS. GIBBS, MISELLE died 19 January 2007, and was buried in Hart Island Cemetery in New York City, New York, United States of America. 54593420 GIBBS, MISELLE A. married a groom named ANDREW DOUGLASS GOFFMAN on 3 March 1999 on a license issued in Queens, New York City, New York, United States of America. 54593421 Check the source file (free) and then check Archives for MISELLE A. GIBBS. GIBBS, MISS AGNES MAE was born 26 Aug 1907 (child of SELENA (mother)) died 10 Jun 1957 in ST. LOUIS COUNTY, MINNESOTA, U.S.A. 54593422 Check the source file (free) and then check Archives for MISS AGNES MAE GIBBS. GIBBS, MISS EDNA BELLE was born 22 Jun 1875 in MINNESOTA (child of WHITTEMORE (mother)) died 15 Jun 1961 in HENNEPIN COUNTY, MINNESOTA, U.S.A. 54593423 Check the source file (free) and then check Archives for MISS EDNA BELLE GIBBS. GIBBS, MISTI E who was 26 (born ABT 1972) married 13 JUL 1998 in POTTER COUNTY, TEXAS, U.S.A. a groom named STANLEY M COOPER who was 26 (born ABT 1972). 54593424 Check the source file (free) and then check Archives for MISTI E GIBBS. GIBBS, MISTI L who was 23 (born ABT 1963) married 15 APR 1986 in TARRANT COUNTY, TEXAS, U.S.A. a groom named RICKEY A PURSER who was 29 (born ABT 1957). 54593425 Check the source file (free) and then check Archives for MISTI L GIBBS. GIBBS, MISTI L who was 30 (born ABT 1962) married 3 DEC 1992 in FORT BEND COUNTY, TEXAS, U.S.A. a groom named FRANK OWENS who was 37 (born ABT 1955). 54593426 GIBBS, MISTY D who was 22 (born ABT 1974) married 7 SEP 1996 in DALLAS COUNTY, TEXAS, U.S.A. a groom named BOBBY G TUMEY who was 25 (born ABT 1971). 54593427 Check the source file (free) and then check Archives for MISTY D GIBBS. GIBBS, MISTY L who was 21 (born ABT 1985) married 7 JAN 2006 in VICTORIA COUNTY, TEXAS, U.S.A. a groom named WILLIAM K BOYD who was 22 (born ABT 1984). 54593428 Check the source file (free) and then check Archives for MISTY L GIBBS. GIBBS, MITCHEL A. was born 20 February 1990, received Social Security number 035-60-6156 (indicating Rhode Island) and, Death Master File says, died 01 October 2009 54593429 Check the source file (free) and then check Archives for MITCHEL A GIBBS. GIBBS, MITCHELL M who was 20 (born ABT 1959) married 27 APR 1979 in BELL COUNTY, TEXAS, U.S.A. a bride named BRIDGETT D SAILOR who was 18 (born ABT 1961). 54593430 Check the source file (free) and then check Archives for MITCHELL M GIBBS. GIBBS, MITCHELL R who was 26 (born ABT 1954) married 12 MAR 1980 in LUBBOCK COUNTY, TEXAS, U.S.A. a bride named HELEN M HAMILTON who was 24 (born ABT 1956). 54593431 Check the source file (free) and then check Archives for MITCHELL R GIBBS. GIBBS, MITCHELL R who was 39 (born ABT 1953) married 4 AUG 1992 in GALVESTON COUNTY, TEXAS, U.S.A. a bride named HELEN HAMILTON who was 37 (born ABT 1955). 54593432 GIBBS, MITCHELL R, born ABT 1953, and his bride HELEN M, born ABT 1955, married 13 MAR 1980, and they had two children under 18 when they got divorced in RANDALL COUNTY, TEXAS, U.S.A. on 9 NOV 1990. 54593433 GIBBS, MITCHELL R. was born 07 August 1953, received Social Security number 451-96-2374 (indicating Texas) and, Death Master File says, died 15 April 2004 54593434 GIBBS, MITT was born 14 February 1897, received Social Security number 241-20-5968 (indicating North Carolina) and, Death Master File says, died January 1975 54593435 Check the source file (free) and then check Archives for MITT GIBBS. GIBBS, MITTIE was born 01 July 1920, received Social Security number 435-76-2447 (indicating Louisiana) and, Death Master File says, died February 1985 54593436 Check the source file (free) and then check Archives for MITTIE GIBBS. GIBBS, Mittie (mother) , and Gaithen McClain, had a baby girl, Willa Mae BROWN born ABT 1909. 54593437 GIBBS, Mittie (mother) , and T.C. Taylor, had a baby boy, Clarance TAYLOR. 54593438 GIBBS, MITTIE S. was born 14 April 1939, received Social Security number 264-58-0806 (indicating Florida) and, Death Master File says, died 08 September 2006 54593439 Check the source file (free) and then check Archives for MITTIE S GIBBS. GIBBS, MITT T. was born 05 May 1937, received Social Security number 241-52-2902 (indicating North Carolina) and, Death Master File says, died 17 December 1997 54593440 Check the source file (free) and then check Archives for MITT T GIBBS. GIBBS, MITT T. was born 16 May 1960, received Social Security number 242-17-3262 (indicating North Carolina) and, Death Master File says, died 04 April 2013 54593441 Gibbs, Mixter died in 1888 according to a Massachusetts vital record for Milford, Volume 393, Page 526. 54593442 Check the source file (free) and then check Archives for Mixter Gibbs. Gibbs, Mixter married in 1907 according to a Massachusetts vital record for Orange, Volume 571, Page 48. 54593443 Gibbs, Mixter married in 1907 according to a Massachusetts vital record for Wendell, Volume 571, Page 61. 54593444 Gibbs, Mixter M. was born in 1885 according to a Massachusetts vital record for Wendell, Volume 358, Page 406. 54593445 Check the source file (free) and then check Archives for Mixter M. Gibbs. GIBBS, M J was born ABT 1848 in Mo; was in the 1860 census in Crawford County, Missouri. 54593446 Check the source file (free) and then check Archives for M J GIBBS. GIBBS, M J. was born 22 February 1971, received Social Security number 461-25-4681 (indicating Texas) and, Death Master File says, died 15 September 1994 54593447 GIBBS, M.J. married 7 Oct 1896 in Carroll County, Arkansas a groom named A.M. FULTZ. 54593448 Check the source file (free) and then check Archives for M.J. GIBBS. GIBBS, M.J. was born ABT 1831 in Kentucky; was in the 1850 census in Shelby County, Kentucky. 54593449 GIBBS, M JEANETTE was born 27 August 1924, received Social Security number 313-20-8285 (indicating Indiana) and, Death Master File says, died 11 July 1996 54593450 Check the source file (free) and then check Archives for M JEANETTE GIBBS. GIBBS, M JEANNE was born 12 September 1924, received Social Security number 295-12-8010 (indicating Ohio) and, Death Master File says, died 08 May 1994 54593451 Check the source file (free) and then check Archives for M JEANNE GIBBS. GIBBS, M. Joanah was born ABT 1854 in Ark; was in the 1860 census in Leake County, Mississippi. 54593452 Check the source file (free) and then check Archives for M. Joanah GIBBS. Gibbs, M. Josie married in 1865 according to a Massachusetts vital record for North Bridgewater, Volume 181, Page 294. 54593453 Check the source file (free) and then check Archives for M. Josie Gibbs. GIBBS, M KATHERINE married 11 May 1886 in HENRY COUNTY, ILLINOIS, U.S.A. a groom named O QUINCY BECKWITH. 54593454 Check the source file (free) and then check Archives for M KATHERINE GIBBS. GIBBS, M KIRK was born 07 April 1924, received Social Security number 564-20-5541 (indicating California) and, Death Master File says, died November 1991 54593455 Check the source file (free) and then check Archives for M KIRK GIBBS. GIBBS, M L was born ABT 1855 in Mo; was in the 1860 census in Crawford County, Missouri. 54593456 Check the source file (free) and then check Archives for M L GIBBS. GIBBS, M L. was born 01 April 1904, received Social Security number 479-03-5370 (indicating Iowa) and, Death Master File says, died 24 December 1991 54593457 GIBBS, M L. was born 02 May 1929, received Social Security number 224-30-4250 (indicating Virginia) and, Death Master File says, died 15 April 1989 54593458 GIBBS, M L. was born 09 August 1937, received Social Security number 525-70-4901 (indicating New Mexico) and, Death Master File says, died August 1989 54593459 GIBBS, M L. was born 13 July 1967, received Social Security number 426-47-0630 (indicating Mississippi) and, Death Master File says, died July 1988 54593460 GIBBS, M.L. was born ABT 1866 in MO; was in the 1870 census in Dent County, Missouri. 54593461 Check the source file (free) and then check Archives for M.L. GIBBS. GIBBS, M. Louisa was born ABT 1847 in Miss; was in the 1860 census in Leake County, Mississippi. 54593462 Check the source file (free) and then check Archives for M. Louisa GIBBS. GIBBS, M LOUISE was born 23 July 1912, received Social Security number 579-16-5204 (indicating District of Columbia) and, Death Master File says, died 23 October 2013 54593463 Check the source file (free) and then check Archives for M LOUISE GIBBS. GIBBS, M M married 17 Mar 1907 in Chickasaw Nation (Area), Oklahoma, U.S.A. a groom named E L MILLER. 54593464 Check the source file (free) and then check Archives for M M GIBBS. GIBBS, M M. was born 06 April 1929, received Social Security number 245-40-5173 (indicating North Carolina) and, Death Master File says, died 15 May 1991 54593465 GIBBS, M M. was born 22 May 1931, received Social Security number 487-34-0379 (indicating Missouri) and, Death Master File says, died 10 August 1996 54593466 GIBBS, M M. was born 28 September 1920, received Social Security number 479-60-8666 (indicating Iowa) and, Death Master File says, died 16 October 2008 54593467 Gibbs, M. Nellie died in 1883 according to a Massachusetts vital record for Westminster, Volume 348, Page 483. 54593468 Check the source file (free) and then check Archives for M. Nellie Gibbs.	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0068.json.gz/line408
__label__wiki	0.59353	0.59353	Six Pilgrims Action Committee SixPAC: Community issues, community muscle - News, views and direct action "No one wants to sit in Village Halls listening to random and abstract procedural votes waiting for the one issue to come up that you care about. The little secret is that none of the Councillors really likes it either, but it's better than any other version of Democracy, and that's how local issues are worked through." SixPAC wants to give anyone with a computer, smartphone, or tablet the opportunity to participate whether online or in person at meetings. SixPAC aims to help you understand the problems before someone has already made it permanent. SixPAC aims to provide bespoke graphics, and weatherproof posters to anybody for their village. Roadside signage is absolutely essential to get your neighbours talking and alert the press to the story they didn't even know they should have written. SixPAC aims to give you the tools you need to connect directly with decision makers. Both to praise the good and berate the bad, but make your voices heard. SixPAC is biased, but it's non-partisan. If it's for the good of the community, we can all work together. Somerset Waste Board - Steve Read Open letter to Mr Steve Read Somerset Waste Board I understand that you have little choice but to work with Viridor in the South West. But with the wealth of information in the public domain wouldn’t it be more prudent to distance yourself from them rather than giving the appearance to everyone that you are working for them? Consider the Viridor fiasco at Cardiff - Worker gossip that it is not well built or running properly. Coverage in the media reporting that Viridor want to truck waste from 100’s of miles away to keep it more profitable. In fact, there’s no real reason that Bristol’s waste can’t be shunted across the river so we can avoid another unnecessary environmental disaster at Avonmouth entirely. Then there’s the current coverage of the political farce over the Viridor/Sutton/Croydon Beddington Lane incinerator. Where the entire operation by Viridor Environmental Credits charity arm to bribe councillors and MP Tim Brake is embroiled in all kinds of damaging spats, resignations, accusations of political interference, collusion, coercion, bribery, corruption and misuse of LFC funds and accompanied interest from HMRC. Maybe the Glasgow problems would be enough to make you take notice. The Council's decision to hand over control of the Polmadie recycling plant to a private company (Viridor) to run a privatised incinerator (after initial proposals sold the idea on the basis that it would comprise part of a council green energy scheme) negotiated by Council director Robert Booth, brother of a Viridor executive, who retired with a huge severance package following the deal. How about Manchester? Suggesting they have to terminate their 25 year contract with Viridor because it's too expensive to continue and too inflexible to work with in these times of austerity. We all know Viridor’s vast future profits is predicated on moving into operating incinerators - However, Viridor already has the necessary planning permission for the Avonmouth incinerator in place. All Viridor required from Somerset’s public servants and political tools is a guaranteed revenue stream based on public money contracts to raise the finances to build it. Taunton has fulfilled Viridor’s requirements to perfection. However, I don’t want to focus on local government’s apparent collusion with the needs of a private company, because I want to address the more pertinent question that affects me. That is: Why you insisted on dragging the Dimmer site into this sorry mess at all? Dimmer tip isn’t required for Viridor's Avonmouth project to succeed. Dimmer is an entirely separate issue with well-known specific problems with universally accepted pre-existing agreements in place. It appears that there is no legitimate reason to build a Transfer Station in East Somerset with a landfill site already sited in a perfect position near Bridgewater. The Dimmer site has been opposed by the local residents since before it opened. Since the 90’s the traffic has worsened measurably so it’s now even less appropriate for the area. I know of two planning applications, one business venture and a housing project, turned down citing problems caused by traffic on this road in this last year alone. You’ve obviously never had the pleasure of walking along or trying to sleep or read a book alongside the B3153 between 4am and midnight, but Viridor and other hauliers have rendered four villages virtually uninhabitable by turning the B3153 into their private HGV motorway and racetrack. The villages of Clanville, Alford, Lovington and Lydford on Fosse have never been afforded sufficient public safeguards, traffic controls, noise barriers, compensation for loss of amenity or protected from cumulative pollution. It took over twenty years for someone from the Highways Department to discover two HGVs couldn’t pass each other in Alford … and the misplacement of a 30mph sign still allows Viridor HGVs to speed into Lovington at 60mph past several residences on a blind bend where there have been multiple minor collisions and accidents! You recently made a statement about doing your utmost to transfer waste directly to Walpole rather than to Dimmer. Like me, you know that a Transfer Station at Walpole would be able to handle all the waste from Yeovil, Wells, Street and Glastonbury without impacting anyone. Like me, you also know that Walpole landfill has great access to Avonmouth via the M5 and is linked to the A39 and A303 major routes. You should also know that bringing waste from Yeovil or Frome to Dimmer is a financially negligent and environmentally damaging proposal. Frome is almost in Wiltshire and it costs Yeovil £200,000 to transport it's waste to Dimmer that it could better spend on it's own waste facility and transferring directly to Walpole. You already know there’s a low railway bridge that won’t allow any excessively large vehicles to leave Dimmer without having to trawl through the residential area of Clanville and up the A371 to Shepton Mallet through Prestleigh. You should also know that the routes around Dimmer will be less fuel efficient per mile travelled and higher in vehicle mantenance costs accrued - I worked out that in 10 hours driving to Walpole it took over 12.5 hours to take the same loads via Dimmer costing the tax-payer a fortune in driver wages. The main problem for me is that, you've made a lot out of claiming proberty, impartiallity and listening to the public, but it flies in the face of perception. You committed millions of pounds of public money to a scheme that only benefits Viridor. Just because the County Council granted planning permission to Viridor, there's no compelling argument to use it. Cllr Derek Yeomans and you were overheard prior to the 16th of December meeting talking with your solicitor about how to handle the public. Cllr Yeomans said "We'll listen to what they say and just continue" You’ve brushed aside the previous agreements to allow Dimmer to close at its end of life by using the excuses, that you didn't know and alternatively that they were not legally binding. You've deliberately treated all the people it affects as a mere inconvenience. The fact is that no matter how ‘properly obtained’ anything has been, it doesn’t lessen the appearance of wrongdoing, mismanagement or worse. There is only one way to assure the residents that you’ll be doing your utmost to send waste directly to Walpole - Close Dimmer as per the 1991 negotiations when the landfill is full. No repurposing, no multi-generational occupation, no weasel words. Just closed. I look forward to your revised announcement on this matter. SixPAC believes that the British countryside is beautiful to look at, but it needs to be fit for people to live in as well as. The number one threat to anyone living in the country is the ever increasing size of vehicles being funnelled down narrow country lanes by sat-nav companies. The accompanying levels of danger to the residents from accidental squishing, deafening noise and cumulative pollution has become the acceptable level of collateral damage. It's particularly bad in the Six Pilgrims area, between the lights at Lydford-on-Fosse to the bridge at Castle Cary. The B3153 should be renamed the "A37 Wraxall relief road" because it's been operating as a private motorway for HGV traffic for years. This situation has been allowed to escallate and remained unhecked because there's no mechanism for reigning it in. Central Government isn't in the business of building roads, they're in the business of altering the legislation or raising the bar so they aren't required to do anything. We've now reached the point where it's almost impossible to reach a level of noise or pollution that would trigger the Environmental Protection Agency to reject any planning application on the grounds of noise or pollution! The system has been fixed legally so that you'd need to strap the equivalent of a portable jet engine to your headboard and have it take off at random intervals of less than 8 seconds throughout the night for at least 5 years. - I jest a little. But not by much. Apathy is not the answer, no one should be the willing victim of another's self-interest. It's not up to someone else to do something, we need to start protecting ourselves. What is wrong with the planning system? SixPAC believes that the British countryside needs protecting from unhepful development by encouraging joined up thinking from all departments. It seems just about everyone is upset by what's going wrong with the way planning issues are handled, but no one seems to do anything because powerlessness is integral to the system. It seems almost crazy that a single uninformed opinion from an official source can be continually cited as an excuse for doing something else entirely unethical. We need to introduce ethics back into decision-making. It's not a case of can it be done, but should it be done. It's astonishing that each layer of democracy can be over-ridden by a later heirarchy if the aims of the upper group's aims don't line up. For all the work done to appear impartial, there's nothing impartial about ignoring the wishes of everyone else. It's bizare that a report can be cited as cast iron gospel in one situation and treated as an advisory in another. Arbitrary is unacceptable. We need to decide that the reports are reliable or stop commisioning them. Or have a process that scrutinises the reports if they are used. It is actually crazy to compartmentalise decisions and reduce checks and balances to a series of checkboxes to be uses as cover for subsequent dysfunctional actions. However, I think the number one threat is a lack of public participation is when and where meetings are held to discuss issues that affect all our lives. How can anyone who works get to a meeting in Taunton? So who gets to speak for everyone - Retirees on fixed incomes who can't afford to get there or pre-school kids? It's seriously undermining the public's right to be consulted if the representation is being deliberately reduced - What needs to happen is decision-makers need to convene where the people are. Village Halls after 6pm so at least the demographic base of opinion would reflect reality more closely. What seems clear to me is that there are no legitimate avenues to fight injustice left because they've have been deliberately eroded. The public fight tooth and nail with massive costs to their mental health and personal wealth on a deeply emotional level which holds little sway in the deliberative process. The rich developers and wealthy businesses can afford to buy in experts - Professionals, who have no interest in truth, just winning the case through relying on every aspect of the law. They don't even have to address other people's concerns. They gamble that if they drag it out for long enough, everyone will lose interest and they'll never have to think about money again. Is there anything that prevents applicants from resubmitting their applications hundreds of times to deliberatlely game the system and waste thousands of man hours? Is there any reason a wealthy individual can tie up planning departments for years without facing any repercussions? Is there any way an applicant can be forced to reimburse local Councils if their half dozen public meetings, regular appeals, and appeals of the appeal are ultimately unsuccessful? Is there any way that developers who win approval for applications that are detrimental to individuals and communities can be forced to compensate their victims? Historically this situation exists today because only certain people had rights. When only landowners could vote, they only voted for themselves and they only wrote laws to benefit themselves. Last Chance - December 16th New Banners © 2019 Six Pilgrims Action Committee	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0068.json.gz/line413
__label__wiki	0.638181	0.638181	The Right Ballerina The Right Ballerina was produced by Truant in association with M6 Theatre Company and Oldham Coliseum. It was funded by Arts Council England. It toured to The Lowry, Salford; The Unity Theatre, Liverpool as part of Homotopia; Burnley Youth Theatre; Salford University and The Crescent Arts Centre, Belfast in October 2012. It was directed by Billy Cowan and starred Adam Grayson, Helen MacDonald, Richard Sales and Trevor McFarlane. "A powerful blend of storytelling and provocation and should not be missed." 4 stars The Public Reviews Jack, the Artistic Director of the country's leading dance company, is forced to make some difficult decisions when Penny, his principal dancer, is outed as a member of a right-wing organisation. A sustained campaign of protest by a group headed by Mr X brings the company to near bankruptcy and Jack is forced to meet Mr X's ever - increasing demands. Is Penny about to lose more than her career and reputation? "Engrossing, nervy, altogether excellent play." Jildy Juice The Right Ballerina is published by Playdead Press Ltd and can be purchased on Amazon.	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0068.json.gz/line419
__label__cc	0.542366	0.457634	LAND OF PALESTINE / Israel might apologize to Ethiopians but will keep shooting at unarmed Gazans Translations available: Français Israel might apologize to Ethiopians but will keep shooting at unarmed Gazans Gideon Levy جدعون ليفي גדעון לוי Israel’s ludicrous attempt to create islands of morality and equality in a sea of racism and violence has once again blown up in its face A protester stands opposite to a policeman during a protest for the death of 18-year old Solomon Tekah of Ethiopian descent, after he was shot by police, in Tel Aviv, Israel July 2, 2019. Photo CORINNA KERN/ REUTERS Shooting an Ethiopian Jew is improper. Shooting an Israeli Arab is more proper, while shooting a Palestinian from the territories is the pinnacle of Israeli propriety. Israel is deluding itself that it is possible to be periodically racist or periodically violent – supporting and even encouraging one type of racism and having reservations about another kind. It is allowed to shoot one kind of individual just because of his nationality, but is barred from shooting another only because of the color of his skin: Yawning over or even applauding in the face of the killing of Palestinian demonstrators, yet feeling a bit uneasy over the killing of Ethiopians of the same age. Israel has developed a map of correctness for itself showing that some racism and violence are permissible and some are not. The police will be informed about it in the next few days. Protestors shout slogans as they block a main road during a protest for the death of 18-year old Solomon Tekah of Ethiopian descent, after he was shot by police, in Tel Aviv, Israel July 2, 2019. \ CORINNA KERN/ REUTERS There will be a new sheet of instructions: Stop the racism against Ethiopians. As for everything else: carry on. It will be explained that beating and humiliating Ethiopians must stop, but it is allowed to continue toward other blacks, asylum seekers and also toward Israeli Arabs. And of course mistreatment of Palestinians in the territories is mandatory. Educational seminars are already on the way about limited racism. It is a waste of the police staff’s time. There is nothing to explain to them and no reason to repeat the regulations. There is no such thing. Either you’re a racist, or you’re not. Either you shoot for no good reason, or not. There is no middle ground. Israel’s ludicrous attempt to create islands of morality and equality in a sea of racism and violence has once again blown up in its face. Israelis are united in their pretensions to present the country as a Western democracy, a model society with a tiny and unseen stain of the occupation on the side. Most are convinced that such a thing exists. That’s a fact. All the values and beliefs have been enlisted for this campaign of self-justification: The worship of security, the Chosen People, the Holocaust, the “existential” threat and fear-mongering – to provide cover for the unbridgeable disparity between pretense and reality. But once in a while the mask is ripped off this deceitful spectacle and the irksome truth is revealed. That is what has been happening over the past few days with the Ethiopian protests. No one thinks the protesters are wrong. They shamefully condemn the violence of the protests: “anarchy,” the wedding that was postponed because of the traffic jams the protesters created, the girl with a fever who was stuck in traffic, the car that was torched – but it’s as if they really understand what the Ethiopians have been going through. They express sympathy of sorts: The institutional racism and state violence have exceeded what is acceptable. The flames need to be lowered and things directed at the permissible targets. It’s not nice, you Ethiopians, to remind us that we’re racist. But you are the only ones who can. All the other victims of Israeli racism – the “infiltrators,” “illegals,” “terrorists” – are illegitimate. You can go on shooting hundreds of Gazan protesters, and every so often again at Israeli Arab protesters, but leave the Jews alone. Palestinians rush towards a Palestinian youth carrying away an injured protester during clashes with Israeli forces near the fence along the border, near Bureij in central Gaza, on June 28, 2019. AFP As usual, it is the security forces who are the standard-bearers. They are the ones who carry out the gradations of Israeli racism. The settlers riot, set fires, throw stones and shoot and are immeasurably more dangerous in their protests than any other group, but the soldier or policeman who would even think of shooting them has not yet been born. A bit less restraint can be shown toward ultra-Orthodox protests, but of course in a measured manner. They’re Jews. Israeli Arabs can be shot as Ethiopians can be, but shooting Palestinians is mandatory. Racism knows no boundaries. Racist policy is racist policy. It is not that the occupation is responsible for everything. It is racism that metastasizes in every direction, one time to the territories and another time to the Ethiopian-Israeli, Solomon Teka’s Kiryat Haim neighborhood. The Ethiopians have exposed it in all its ugliness. There is no security and no fear here. This is a matter of skin color and nothing else. But it is a mistake to think that if the racism against Ethiopians is eradicated, Israel will stop being racist. Racism is a global phenomenon and it’s growing stronger. But in Israel it is institutionalized, dictated from above and more proper than in any other country, as long as it is directed at the permissible targets. Even if the prohibited racism is eradicated tomorrow and the Ethiopians become the darlings and most distinguished members of Israeli society, little will change. Either racism against all its victims will be eradicated or there will be many more Solomon Tekas. Courtesy of Ha'aretz Source: http://bit.do/eX6hQ Tags: Salomon Teka \| Black Israelis \| Ethiopian Israelis \| Israeli racism \| License to kill \| Palestine/Israel	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0068.json.gz/line423
__label__cc	0.652302	0.347698	Sustainable Gardening for the Southeast Susan M. Varlamoff Paper ISBN 13: 9780813061801 - Pub Date: 12/15/2015 Details: 336 pages, 6x9 Subject(s): Floridiana - Gardens Add Paper To Cart Share This Book on Facebook Share This Book on Twitter Email This Book Sample Chapters & Awards "A timely, accessible guide to responsible landscaping that convincingly explains how and why our home landscapes must participate in local ecosystems."--Douglas Tallamy, coauthor of The Living Landscape: Designing for Beauty and Biodiversity in the Home Garden "By explaining the importance of individual decisions, presenting relevant facts, sharing personal experience, and providing specific strategies, Varlamoff inspires readers to transform their yards into planet-friendly landscapes."--Lucy Bradley, coauthor of Earth-Friendly Desert Gardening "Captures in clear, easy-to-understand language how our gardening choices impact the environment--from water to soil to the creatures that inhabit them."--Linda Nelson, president, National Garden Clubs, Inc. While issues such as climate change, pollution, and water shortages become increasingly difficult to ignore, the movement toward sustainability continues to grow. Even though most gardeners are attuned to nature, some common processes of garden maintenance can take a toll on the environment. Sustainable Gardening for the Southeast is a vividly illustrated guide that offers simple techniques to help conserve water, reduce pollutants, and mitigate climate change while increasing biodiversity and attracting pollinators and wildlife. Gardeners will be inspired and empowered to protect and enhance the local ecology as they cultivate a resilient landscape featuring native plants, colorful flowers and trees, and even organically grown fruits and vegetables. And for those who cherish their emerald lawns, Susan Varlamoff provides tips for keeping it green and environmentally sound. Gardeners in the Southeast--whether amateurs or professional landscapers--who want to implement sustainable strategies will find this book the ultimate resource for cultivating a garden that gives back to the earth. Susan M. Varlamoff is director of the Office of Environmental Sciences at the University of Georgia, a certified Georgia Master Gardener, and the 2012 recipient of the University of Georgia Sustainability Award. She is the author of The Polluters: A Community Fights Back. Sample Chapter(s): A practical resource guide to sustainable gardening, . . . written for gardeners in the Southeast to help them take advantage of the region’s lengthy growing season and to give them tips for amending the heavy clay soil. But don’t be put off by the “Southeast” in the title if you live in another part of the country. No matter where you live, you can apply Varlamoff’s sound principles for sustainable gardening. --Mother Nature Network Of Related Interest The Nature of Plants Grasses of Florida Flora of Florida, Volume VI Flora of Florida, Volume V A Step-by-Step Guide to a Florida Native Yard Ornamental Palm Horticulture, second edition The Art of Maintaining a Florida Native Landscape Native Florida Plants for Shady Landscapes Attracting Hummingbirds and Butterflies in Tropical Florida	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0068.json.gz/line428
__label__cc	0.585362	0.414638	The Rebellion Lose Close Contest to USSSA Pride 1-0 USSSA Pride > 2014 Season > The Rebellion Lose Close Contest to USSSA Pride 1-0 Washington, PA-June 7, 2014 – For the second time in an eight game series to start their inaugural season, the Pennsylvania Rebellion, presented by The Coury Financial Group, lost a close 1-0 contest to the Pride on Saturday at CONSOL Energy Park. Angel Bunner suffered the loss for Pennsylvania while Blaire Luna threw 94 strikes in the win. USSSA’s lone run of the contest came in the top of the second inning with one swing of the bat. First baseman GiOnna DiSalvatore put the Pride ahead with a solo shot over the right field fence to make it 1-0. USSSA threatened again to score in the top of the third, but Rebellion catcher Taylor Edwards thwarted their plans to extend the lead, as she gunned down two baserunnners at second. Pennsylvania broke up the chances of a no-hitter in the latter half of the third inning when left fielder Mandy Ogle belted a single to give the Rebellion their first hit of the game. Ogle paced the Rebellion at the plate, going 2-3 with two singles. The Rebellion looked to overtake USSSA in the bottom of the fifth inning when they had the bases loaded with two outs, but Pride pitcher Luna and worked her way out of the jam. Luna finished her 5 1/3-inning performance giving up just two hits, walking five Rebellion batters and striking out two. A single by second baseman Lauren Lappin in the bottom of the seventh inning looked promising for a Pennsylvania comeback, but the one run proved to be too much, settling the final score 1-0 in favor of the Pride. Pennsylvania will play their final game of their inaugural home stand Sunday, June 8 as they round out their four-game series against USSSA. Official Box Score: Click Here The United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA), headquartered in Osceola County, Florida, USSSA is the World’s Largest Multi-sport Athletic Organization. Founded in 1968, USSSA has grown to over 3.7 million participants, competing in 13 nationally sanctioned sports including Baseball, Fastpitch, Slow Pitch, Karate, Basketball, Soccer and more! For more information on USSSA and to register your team visit USSSA.com. Also be sure to visit USSSAToday.com for the latest USSSA News! Angel Bunner,Blaire Luna,CONSOL Energy Park,GiOnna DiSalvatore,National Pro Fastpitch,NPF,Pennsylvania Rebellion,USSSA,USSSA Live,USSSA Pride,USSSA Today	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0068.json.gz/line429
__label__wiki	0.627064	0.627064	Saint Joseph's VCU (34-16, 14-5) 3 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 3 9 12 1 Saint Joseph's (18-25, 10-9) 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 0 0 3 8 1 HR: Brandon Henson 2B: Liam Bendo; Matt Cuppari HR: Matt Cuppari Score: VCU 9, Saint Joseph's 3 Location: Lower Marion, Pa. (Smithson Field) Records: VCU 34-16 (14-5 A-10), Saint Joseph's 18-25 (10-9) The short story: Sophomore designated hitter Liam Hibbitts drove in three runs and VCU used a 12-hit attack to back starter Justin Sorokowski Friday at Saint Joseph's. VCU scored three runs in the first and one each in the next three frames to stake Sorokowski, a junior right-hander, to a 6-0 lead Four Rams recorded multiple hits on the day, including sophomore centerfielder Hogan Brown, who finished 3-for-6 and scored three runs from the leadoff spot HIbbitts finished 2-for-6 with three RBIs Junior left fielder Brandon Henson added his sixth home run of the season when he led off the top of the third with a no-doubter to deep left center Sorokowski tossed five innings of one-run ball and allowed just three hits. He struck out a pair and did not walk a batter Senior righty Ben Dum got the Rams out of trouble in the seventh and threw the final 2 2/3 to pick up his third save of the season VCU struck for three runs in the first inning, including a pair of a two-run single by Hibbitts Rams added a run in the second when Paul Witt legged out a two-out infield single with the bases loaded. Henson later led off the fourth with a line shot over the left field fence The Hawks scratched out a run in the bottom of the fifth and then trimmed the margin to three runs on a Matt Cuppari two-run blast in the seventh Dum allowed just a pair of base hits the rest of the way. e He He struck out two and did not issue a walk VCU and Saint Joseph's will play a doubleheader on Saturday, May 11 to close out their three-game set. First pitch is set for noon. The teams were originally scheduled to play one game each Saturday and Sunday, but have decided to double up due to expected rain in the Philadelphia area.	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0068.json.gz/line432
__label__cc	0.556803	0.443197	Home / Business / UAE banks can withstand ‘severe yet plausible deterioration’ UAE banks can withstand ‘severe yet plausible deterioration’ The Levant May 21, 2018 Business, News, United Arab Emirates Leave a comment 373 Views The UAE’s banking system has “sufficient capacity to withstand a severe yet plausible deterioration in macroeconomic and financial market conditions,” according to the country’s central bank. The assessment comes after banks in the UAE underwent a regulatory stress test in 2017 put forward by the central bank to assess resilience to adverse shocks covering three years. While the central bank did not say if any banks failed the stress test, it said that banks that perform poorly will be subjected to “further supervisory review and will be required to submit a detailed plan to improve their capital adequacy.” In its 2017 Financial Stability Report issued on Monday, the Central Bank of the UAE also said the banking sector remained resilient, with strong capital ratios, liquidity buffers, profitability and stable sources of funding. Mubarak Rashed Al Mansouri, central bank governor, said that the improved economic outlook for the UAE, coupled with more favourable financial market conditions, would likely support financial stability going forward. He cautioned, however, that banks and financial services companies must adequately manage financial risk and “remain mindful of potential global and regional macro-financial uncertainties.” In its report, the central bank said the financial cycle in the UAE remained in a contractionary phase in 2017, with a slowdown in credit growth. Lending growth showed a marked slowdown in 2017 — at 1.7 per cent during the year compared to 6 per cent in 2016. The slowdown came as non-performing loans rose, reaching 4 per cent for the retail sector in 2017, up from 3.8 per cent in 2016. In terms of income, the UAE banking system’s profitability rebounded in 2017, the central bank said, increasing by 10 per cent largely due to higher non-interest income. In the report, the central bank also outlined risks for the banking system. It said that the expected hikes in interest rates may lead to pressure on stock prices, and highlighted initial coin offerings as another risk factor given the lack of regulations around them. The central bank designated four banks as systemically important; First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB), Emirates NBD, Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB), and Dubai Islamic Bank (DIB). The first three were designated as such in 2016, while DIB was only added to the list in 2017. A systemically important bank is one whose failure could trigger a financial crisis. Tags banks Financial Crisis financial solvency UAE Previous Iran fires back after Putin calls on foreign nations to leave Syria Next Big budgets, exotic locales, infrastructure: Dubai’s movie business Why Turkey Says It’s Ready to Go to War With Syria Over Afrin Ankara, Moscow Intensify Diplomatic Efforts as Battle Brews in Syria Neil deGrasse Tyson: Dubai is the city of the future Obama measures on Cuba trade, travel poke new holes in embargo UAE hosts President Isaias Afwerki of Eritrea	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0068.json.gz/line437
__label__wiki	0.665807	0.665807	My life in books…. About My Life in Books…. January-December 2008 2008 TOTALS: 7316 Pages, 250.75 Hours 1. Through the Eyes of a Raptor by Julie Hahnke, 396 pages, 1/2 2. Lean Mean Thirteen by Janet Evanovich, 7 hours, 1/09 3. When Crickets Cry by Charles Martin, 334 pages, 1/13 4. The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio by Terry Ryan, 9 hours, 1/31 5. Chasing Fireflies by Charles Martin, 342 pages, 2/8 6. Wrapped in Rain by Charles Martin, 11.5 hours, 2/28 7. Full Tilt by Janet Evanovich, 7.5 hours, 3/11 8. Full Speed by Janet Evanovich, 7.5 hours, 3/12 9. Sweet Far Thing by Libba Bray, 819 pages, 3/24 10. All the Pretty Horses by Cormac McCarthy, 302 pages, 3/24 11. Thanksgiving by Janet Evanovich, 5 hours, 4/3 12. Full Blast by Janet Evanovich, 7.5 hours, 4/13 13. Full Bloom by Janet Evanovich, 8 hours 14. Full Scoop by Janet Evanovich, 8 hours 15. Stardust by Neil Gaiman, 248 pages, 5/20 16.The Secret of Lost Things by Sheridan Hay, 11.5 hours, 5/26 17. The Dead Don’t Dance by Charles Martin, 315 pages, 5/31 18. A Poisoned Season by Tasha Alexander, 308 pages, 6/4 19. Pride, Prejudice & Jasmin Field by Melissa Nathan, 280 pages, 6/21 20. Maggie by Charles Martin, 311 pages 21. The Wayfarer Redemption by Sara Douglass, 613 pages, 7/1 22. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by JK Rowling, 8.25 hours 23. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by JK Rowling, 9.25 hours 24. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by JK Rowling, 12 hours 25. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by JK Rowling, 20 hours 26. Enchanter by Sara Douglass, 626 pages 27. Starman by Sara Douglass, 647 pages 28. The Writer’s Life by Annie Dillard, 128 pages 29. Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card, 226 pages 30. The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman, 10.5 hours 31. Griffin and Sabine by Nick Bantock, 20 pages 32. Sabine’s Notebook by Nick Bantock, 20 pages 33. The Golden Mean by Nick Bantock, 20 pages 34. The Gryphon by Nick Bantock, 20 pages 35. Alexandria by Nick Bantock, 20 pages 36. The Morning Star by Nick Bantock, 20 pages 37. Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer, 326 pages 38. The Sound and the Fury by William Faulkner, 321 pages 39. Harry Potter and The Order of the Phoenix by JK Rowling, 21 hours 40. Harry Potter and The Half Blood Prince by JK Rowling, 20.4 Hours 41. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by JK Rowling, 21.6 hours 42. City of Bones by Cassandra Clare, 14 hours 43. Fearless Fourteen by Janet Evanovich, 7 hours 44. The Subtle Knife by Philip Pullman, 9 hours 45. Where the River Ends by Charles Martin, 12.25 hours 46. The Sonnet Lover by Carol Goodman, 350 pages 47. City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare, 13 hours 48. A Fatal Waltz by Tasha Alexander, 304 pages Fellow Booklovers A High and Hidden Place Arukiyomi Bookalicious Babe Books, Food and other Things In Spring it is the Dawn Lalita_Darcy Living a Writing Life Maggie Reads Novel Challenges Pages Turned Renee’s World Sassymonkey Reads The Deliberate Reader The Library Ladder Stories are the stuff of life…. 2016 Completed Reading Total Pages: Total Hours: Some of my Books Goal: One Million Pages One Million Pages	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0068.json.gz/line439
__label__wiki	0.981928	0.981928	Garry Roberts and Simon Crowe were back, but this time they had two new recruits. Peter Barton and Darren Beale. Peter Barton is a strong R'n'B vocalist who added depth to the vocals on a bunch of classic tracks. Barton even wore his pyjama bottoms lest anyone miss Fingers' sartorial style. He was aided and abetted by Darren Beale whose virtuoso guitar made up for the lack of horns, strings and keyboards. There was the majestic drumming of Simon Crowe holding it all together, and the authentic sound of Garry Roberts, providing the main riffs that made the Rats sounds from 1977 -1979. The audience were treated to a run through of many of the Rats finest moment from the late seventies. They played (Peter Barton on lead vocals except where stated) .... She Does It Right (Lead Vocals : Garry Roberts) Riot in Cell Block #9 (Lead Vocals : Simon Crowe) All Through The City (Lead Vocals : Simon Crowe) Gerry Cott was also in attendance to watch his former band members going down a storm with the enthusiastic crowd. It was brilliant! Go and see the Rats! Next stop Blackpool. Key Street Music Bar, Clitheroe Monday 4th August - Key Street Music Bar, Clitheroe 01200 422 588. Doors 7.30pm “We asked but Bob politely declined. He said he's doing his own thing now,” said Simon. “Bob's gone in a different musical direction and we're about taking it back to basics." Simon wants to make sure I make it clear that it's just two of the original line-up reuniting — himself on drums and Garry Roberts on guitar. They're being joined by The Animals' Peter Barton on bass and Darren Beale on lead guitar. “I wouldn't say 'just' two of us though,” said Simon. “We'll be playing the songs we used to play when we first started off in 1975 — all the early stuff that really defined the Rats, We're drawing the line after the second album.” “Garry and I talked about it before but although we could have got a few pub gigs we didn't really have the contacts in the music business to make it work from a commercial sense,” said Simon. Simon and Garry contacted the other Rats but they were all too busy. “We thought we'd just carry on anyway,” said Simon. “The music comes naturally to me and Garry but the new guys have had to do a bit of homework. It's not been a problem though. They're such good musicians they've slipped into it.” “We did a gig in Devon the other day and the place was hopping — it was absolutely electric. It was so long since it's happened like that I forgot the feeling.” The band hope to record a new album in 2009 but they're not getting carried away. “We're taking one step at a time,” said Simon. "We're just going to get out there and see what reaction we get. But the message is watch this space. We're back, we're in action and it could be Boomtime again.”	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0068.json.gz/line440
__label__wiki	0.71491	0.71491	Peppy Hare, Star Fox 64 The gridiron in Atari Football Arcade » Atari Football - On trak First Down! Atari Football is released to arcades by Atari in 1978, drowning out everything else as over-excited players slap its newfangled control method, the trak ball, into submission. Designed by famed Atari mechanical engineer and controller designer Jerry Lichac, it is a large black rolling ball sunk into the game cabinet. The faster it is swept by the player, the faster his on-screen alter ego “runs”. The game was originally conceived in 1975 by Steve Bristow, with the title X’s and O’s. Bristow abandons the game to make Tank, and the game is later resurrected by Dave Stubben and Mike Albaugh, with additional help from Lyle Rains. Introduced for the first time in Atari Football is a playfield that scrolls beyond the borders of the monochrome screen, allowing plays to run the entire length of the simulated gridiron. It is also the first game to portray its sport in an even remotely realistic manner. While the on-screen teams are represented by the former title character X’s and O’s (in the tradition of actual football playbooks), players on offense can choose between four running and four passing plays, the defensive player with 4 defense plays, all chosen with buttons on a panel-mounted menu. No kicking plays allowed, however. The game also features a unique buy-in scheme Atari dubs Add-a-Coin; in addition to the game’s original allotment of 1.5 minutes, additional time can be bought for more quarters. X’s and O’s was never like this Atari Football cabinet Instigated a lot of bar fights Atari Sports banner, 1979 The stern profile of Susan B. Anthony Game Called On Account of Aliens As unique and seemingly made for a physical game like football as the trak ball is, Atari head Nolan Bushnell thinks the controller too expensive to include in the design, and that joysticks should work just fine. Albaugh has to threaten to quit in order to include the rolling ball. He is thusly vindicated when Atari Football is a smash hit in the U.S., at least during the U.S. football season. Arcade phenomenon Space Invaders rolls into town towards the end of 1978 and quickly steals the ball. While the original is a two player game, Atari releases a four player version the next year creatively titled Atari 4 Player Football, done by Ed Logg. In the 4-player, co-operative mode, the two players on each side share offensive and defensive duties between their two trak balls; one controls the quarterback and wide receiver, the other the defensive backs. Other improvements include a scrimmage line marker, as well an expanded choice of plays, including the ability to kick the ball. The game can also fall back to 2-player head-to-head mode, as in the original. Atari Baseball and Atari Basketball, each fitted with their own Trak Ball, soon follow. Another new addition to Atari 4 Player Football is a separate coin slot for the ill-fated Susan B. Anthony dollar coin, first rolling out of the Philadelphia Mint on December 13, 1978. Pressings of the coin would halt in 1981, and then start again for a short run in 1999. Being one of the most unpopular coins ever struck by the U.S. Mint, it’s doubtful that many of them, bearing the severe profile of the woman’s suffrage campaigner, ended up in in the coin box of Football. Sources (Click to view; inert links are kept for historical purposes) Atari Coin Connection, “First Dollar Coin Minted”, edited by Carol Kantor, pg. 3, Jan 1979. “On December 13, the first dollar coin came off the production line at the Philadelphia Mint.” Retrieved from Pinball Pirate, Sep 16 2015. Atari Historical Society – Atari Coin-Op/Arcade Systems – www.atarimuseum.com/videogames/arcade/arcade77.html THE HISTORY OF VIDEOGAMES PART 6 – dialspace.dial.pipex.com/town/estate/dh69/wos/world/front/history6.htm Videotopia – Arcade Games – www.videotopia.com/games.htm Videotopia – Top 16 – www.videotopia.com/opinion1.htm The Giant List of Classic Game Programmers – www.dadgum.com/giantlist/list.html Coinfacts – Susan B. Anthony Dollars – www.coinfacts.com/silver_dollars/susanbanthonydollars.htm KLOV: Football – www.klov.com/game_detail.php?game_id=13018 Susan B. Anthony dollar – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia – en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Susan_B._Anthony_dollar Computer History Museum, Mike Albaugh Interview – archive.computerhistory.org/resources/access/text/2011/10/102743036-05-01-acc.pdf Brian’s Coin-Op History Archive – Ed Logg Interview – coinop.vintagegaming.com/index.html I.C. When – -1978- – www.icwhen.com/book/the70s/1978.html Phoenix: The Fall and Rise of Videogames, by Leonard Herman Referenced Books (Click to view) Related Tags : 1978, 70's, arcade, Atari, big hit, football, hardware, innovative, Lyle Rains, Nolan Bushnell, space invaders, sports, Steve Bristow, trak ball. « Space Invaders Asteroids » Sign-up to get the latest articles My Abandonware Popular Bits >> The Great Video Game Crash 11,855 views ColecoVision 7,152 views Tennis For Two 6,851 views Intellivision 6,704 views Dragon’s Lair and the Laser Game Craze 6,582 views	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0068.json.gz/line443
__label__cc	0.585151	0.414849	Delete this - Duplicate of Coalinga-Huron Unified School District Duplicate of San Joaquin Delta Community College District Hueneme Elementary School District Duplicate of Santa Clarita Community College District Area 2 Delete this - duplicate of Southwestern CCD district 3 Delete this - Duplicate of Chula Vista Elementary School District 2 Duplicate - Formerly City of Santa Clara Council Ventura River Water District Ojai Valley Sanitary District Division 1 Castaic Lake Water Agency Board of Directors, At Large Board of Directors, Division 3 Calleguas Municipal Water District Division 2 Ventura County Resource Conservation District Delete this - Duplicate of Lamont PUD district 2 Prop. 51 Bonds for School Facilities Prop. 52 Private Hospital Fees for Medi-Cal Prop. 53 Public Vote on Revenue Bonds Prop. 54 Changes to the Legislative Process Prop. 55 Extend Tax on High Income Prop. 56 Tobacco Tax Prop. 57 Parole, Sentencing and Court Procedures Prop. 58 English Language Education Prop. 59 Political Spending Advisory Question Prop. 60 Condoms in Adult Films Prop. 61 Prescription Drug Costs Prop. 62 Repealing the Death Penalty Prop. 63 Gun and Ammunition Sales Prop. 64 Making Recreational Marijuana Legal Prop. 65 Money from Carry-Out Bags Prop. 66 Death Penalty Court Procedures Prop. 67 Plastic Bag Ban Measure AA Measure W Blanchard/Santa Paula Public Library District Oak Park Unified School District Measure X Measure Y Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District Special District 1 Measure C1 Duplicate - City of El Centro Board Member — Ventura Unified School District Sabrena Rodriguez Non-Profit Director Prioritize grade-level reading for all children by... Establish and support career pathways for all students... Support innovations in our curriculum, and give teachers... Ventura Education Support Professionals Assoc.Ventura Unified Educators Assoc.Ventura City Councilmembers: Erik Nasarenko, Cheryl Heitmann and Christy WeirVentura County Womens Political CouncilVC ReporterAssemblyman Das WilliamsCounty Supervisor Steve BennettVUSD School Board Members: Debbie Golden, Barbara Fitzgerald and Cliff Rodrigues (retired)Dr Trudy Tuttle Arriaga & Dr Joe Spirito (former VUSD Superintendents) Jackie Moran Business Woman-Realtor Help our 'at risk" youth by addressing the current... Bring in Academies to our High Schools to allow Vocation... Address the current Truancy Policy to make it more... Don Wood Father/Financial Manager Ensure that every student has a clear path to success... We need a long-range facilities and technology plan... I will work to be a strong advocate for our schools,... Ventura Unified Education AssociationVentura Education Support Professionals AssociationVentura Chamber of CommerceBarbara Fitzgerald - President - VUSD Board of EducationSuz Montgomery - Educator and Media Host No photo provided Steve Offerman Senior staff to Ventura County Supervisor... Prioviding a Pre-K summer academy in our Title 1 schools Additional AP science and technology classes in all... Providing experienced leadership and oversight on... Ed Summers Retired Banking Executive Linking businesses and career education Increasing the stakeholders to involve the community... Securing additional resources to support education Trudy Arriaga, Retired Superintendent, VUSDJoseph Spirito, Retired Superintendent, VUSDDebbie Golden, VUSD School Board MemberVentura Education Support Professional AssociationVentura Unified Education Association Lou Cunningham Bring my skills, knowledge and experience to the board. Be a voice for all of the community. I will do all I can to help the district in these... Gary Frick , ODJim Duran, The River CommunityVentura Chamber PAC David L. Norrdin's priorities are not yet available. 20,308 votes (26.57%)WinningCheck Prioritize grade-level reading for all children by third grade, to ensure student success Establish and support career pathways for all students in regionally-important growth industries Support innovations in our curriculum, and give teachers the freedom and training to engage students Profession:Non-Profit Director Program Manager, SAVE It! Rainforest Education Program, Rainforest Alliance (2000–2002) Program Coordinator, Rainforest Alliance (1996–2000) University of Kent, Canterbury, England — MS, Conservation Biology (1996) University of California, Irvine — BS, Biology with Concentration in Ecology (1992) I'm running for school board because I want to see every child at every school in our community be given the tools, the opportunities and the experience they need to craft their best future. We are very fortunate in Ventura to have strong schools which provide great diversity of learning opportunities for our students. But like all things in our society, education is changing very rapidly. The skills that students will need to be successful in the future include: a strong foundation in reading, math and science; technology skills that can be built upon as technology changes; the ability to work well with a diverse group of people; and the ability to adapt to new challenges. Our schools will need a board that understands this new dynamic and can help to create a vision to achieve this for all students, regardless of their circumstances. Over the last 10 years, I have had the opportunity to work daily with teachers, staff, administrators and volunteers to develop road-maps for student success. I helped create and implement the districts multi-million dollar Technology Plan, the Arts and Music Master Plan and helped determine the district‚Äôs priorities through the Local Control and Accountability Plan. In addition, I currently advise the district as a member of the Parent Advisory Council and the Parcel Tax Oversight Committee. As the parent of two current VUSD students, I can tell you that the education that our schools provide is critical to our community‚Äôs future. We must ensure that every child is given the best chance at a success by focusing on reading at grade level in elementary school, through reduced class sizes and by providing resources to those students that are falling behind. We need to create pathways for all students, not just those bound for college, to provide skills and training to help them be contributing members of our community. And, we must invest in teacher training and support for our staff, so that teachers can use their enthusiasm and experience to motivate and engage our youth. Education of our community's youth is critical to building a successful future for the citizens of Ventura. We need our young people to be challenged to think, encouraged to evolve and grow, and empowered to take action in the global and local community. Ventura Education Support Professionals Assoc. Ventura Unified Educators Assoc. Ventura City Councilmembers: Erik Nasarenko, Cheryl Heitmann and Christy Weir Ventura County Womens Political Council VC Reporter Elected Officials (3) Assemblyman Das Williams County Supervisor Steve Bennett VUSD School Board Members: Debbie Golden, Barbara Fitzgerald and Cliff Rodrigues (retired) Dr Trudy Tuttle Arriaga & Dr Joe Spirito (former VUSD Superintendents) Email - sabrena@sbcglobal.net Businesswoman/Parent Help our 'at risk" youth by addressing the current standard of requiring them to be 2 years behind prior to any interventions or accomodations Bring in Academies to our High Schools to allow Vocation based learning Address the current Truancy Policy to make it more parent-friendly and accomodating My formal education revolved around Business, finance and accounting. My parents owned a small family business, a Pet Store, I learned business from the ground up. I have been self employeed since the age of 21 and currently I am a Realtor. The Real-estate Profession allowed me the needed flexibility in both income and time to raise four kids with my husband Noel Moran. As a realtor one of the most frequently asked questions when looking for a home with a client is “what school district is this home in?” This is a key question, school and school related activities account for ½ or more of a child’s daytime hours, 5 days a week. The school experience is central to any family life. A Parent, not a Politician I am passionate about our schools and I believe innovation and cooperation are the keys to creating an even better school environment. I am a fighter and will work tirelessly for the people depending on me. School Involvement: As an independent business owner, my career allowed flexibility. When my children began school, I became involved. I volunteered in classrooms. I participated in fundraising for major events. I collaborated with administrative staff, Coaches, Teachers and PFSO organizations. I helped to meet funding needs for Technology, Sports, Building Improvements and Equipment. I believe that a positive school experience for each of our children translates into success! A Worthy Cause Jackie Moran on the Issues-these are my primary objectives: * If elected, I would work to create more specialty Academies in our high schools that prepare our students for the fields in their future. Academies that would pair our student’s interest with current industry needs; Filmmaking/editing, Engineering, Medicine, Criminal Justice/Law, Environmental Sciences and more… * As a small business owner, I understand the importance of a balanced budget and a strong financial outlook. I will work to focus funding first on the core of our operation, safety and a positive learning environment with qualified, competent teachers. * Learning Difficulties and the process of identifying and accommodating our children who are “at risk”. I will seek effective and early intervention tools to be made available in each of our classrooms and directed by our teachers and parents. These intervention tools and techniques can be at work for these children immediately. Our Districts current process requires these children to be 2 years behind before an intervention is available. These children are “left behind”; I will seek to change this. * The Truancy Policy allows our District Schools to pair with law enforcement to have criminal citations and prosecutions levied against children and Parents. Many cases have been enforced through improper application of this criminal law. I will seek to change the application of this law to make it in line with the spirit with which it was written, and make the process of clearing absences more Parent-friendly. * I oppose Common Core or any Federally mandated method of universal teaching. Teaching is like parenting, there are many techniques used to succeed. Our children are not a “one box fits all” proposition and they deserve the best methods available for their style of learning. I will work hard to bring diverse, dynamic and innovative learning techniques that will inspire learning and propel our children forward. You can learn more @ www.JackieMoran.net Email - remaxjackie@sbcglobal.net Ensure that every student has a clear path to success after graduation, whether that is to attend college or to move directly into the workforce. We need to provide strong vocational education and partner with local businesses to understand their ne We need a long-range facilities and technology plan that anticipates our future needs and provides a productive learning environment for every student, a productive work environment for every employee and keeps pace with with our rapidly changing wor I will work to be a strong advocate for our schools, locally, with the city and businesses, across other districts to share ideas and at the state-level to secure the resources we need too address the opportunities that abound Profession:Father/Financial Manager Multiple Leadership Positions, GTE/Verizon (1981–2015) Occidental College — Bachelor of Arts (Honors), Economics and Rhetoric (Double Major) (1981) Board Member, Ventura Education Partnership (1994–current) "Voice of Relay" and Committee Member, ACS Relay for Life of Ventura (also Ojai, Oxnard and Port Hueneme) (2001–current) President, Ventura Education Partnership (1996–2001) Don is running for a seat on the VUSD Board of Education because it's important. He is a true believer in the power of quality public education and the difference it can make in a community and in our society. Don has supported Ventura schools and our teachers over the past 22 years, hosting the District's largest fundraiser every year! He has been a member of the Ventura Education Partnership (VEP) throughout that time, including 4 years as President. Don has also volunteered himself to other important community efforts: Hosting over 20 American Cancer Society Relay For Life events in Ventura, Ojai, Oxnard and Port Hueneme as well as events to support The Kingdom Center, Gabriel's House and All American Ballet School. Don has also mentored students as a Project Business classroom instructor and served on a dedicated team from High Tech and Aerospace companies, along with LAUSD and LACOE to improve math and science education in the LA basin. Don and his wife Stacy have been married for 30 years. Their daughter Paige attended Loma Vista Elementary School, Cabrillo Middle School and Foothill Tech High School. Don began supporting our schools when his daughter was a baby and he continues today, years after her graduation. Because its important.. Don graduated with Honors from Occidental College with a double major in Economics and Rhetoric and went on to a successful 34-year senior business management career. He understands the dynamics of large organizations, the details of financial and performance analysis, the need for long-term vision, action toward that vision, strong "customer" focus and empowered employees. He would like to dedicate the next chapter of his career to serving our schools. Don understands the value of clear, open communication, consensus building and strong partnering. Don brings these skills and his broad experience to the table, along with an energy and a passion to make Ventura Unified School District better every day! Ventura Unified Education Association Ventura Education Support Professionals Association Ventura Chamber of Commerce Barbara Fitzgerald - President - VUSD Board of Education Suz Montgomery - Educator and Media Host Questions from League of Women Voters of California Education Fund (1) A recent law made major changes in the way that the state allocates funding to schools. What will you do to ensure that the public understands your local control formula for school spending and your plan to measure outcomes? Answer from Don Wood: I will ensure public understanding of this and other important activities of our school district through visible advocacy, utilizing local forums and media. I will also encourege our school district administration to communicate key aspects of this complex formula through communication to parents, students and the public. VUSD is in a position of strength, with a track record of success, but we can do better and we must be forward thinking to stay ahead of our rapidly changing world. I will serve to provide oversight, insight and foresight to position VUSD and its students for success today and in the future. Smaller class sizes, especially at the elementary level, are a key enabler for our teachers. They translate to better learning. The Arts are as important as any other subject in motivating, educating and inspiring our students. We should celebrate and embrace our diversity. This is not only right, it is vital in today's world. We must grow our understanding and appreciation of the multitude of cultures and individuals that make up our community, our country and our world. This provides lessons for us all. The VUSD workforce must feel empowered and appreciated. Motivated, empowered employees are essential to the health of any organization. This results in quality work. We must create the flexibility to allow teachers the freedom to learn, to share, to partner, to innovate and to inspire their students every day. Expand successful safety net programs that move quickly to prevent students from "falling through the cracks" and get them the help they need to stay on course. Expand our focus on lifelong learning through VACE Adult Education. We need to keep our growing senior population engaged and thriving. Nwever stop learning! Advocacy and Communication. As a school board mamber, I am a conduit to the community to ensure that our community'sd values and priorities are reflected in our schools. I will be visible, accessible and involved in our schools and our community. Email - electdonwood@yahoo.com County Supervisor's Assistant 12,960 votes (16.96%)Check Additional AP science and technology classes in all High Schools Providing experienced leadership and oversight on the school district board Email - s.offerman@sbcglobal.net Retired Business Executive Increasing the stakeholders to involve the community in our schools Profession:Retired Banking Executive Board Member, Work Force Investment Board Ventura County — Appointed position (2012–2015) President and CEO, Ventura Chamber of Commerce (2011–2014) Senior Vice President and Cheif Credit Officer, Infinity Bank (1997–2009) Council Member, Ventura City Council — Elected position (2005–2009) Chair, Ventura Cultural Affairs Commission — Appointed position (1996–2005) Commissioner, Claremont Planning Commission — Appointed position (1981–1988) Claremont Graduate University — M.B.A. (1982) USC School of Business — B.S., Business (1976) Robotics Mentor, FIRST Robotics (2015–current) Vice President , Ventura Educational Partnership (2004–current) President Elect and Director, Ventura Boys and Girls Club (2004–2015) As a longtime resident and active community member, I am proud to be running for Ventura's School Board. I have my business degree from USC School of Business and a MBA from Claremont Graduate University. I have also served one term on the Ventura City Council, was the co-chair for BRAC task force, was the president for the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Ventura Foundation, and many more. As I look back at those organizations that I’ve served a common theme emerges - building bridges between the community and our schools. Trudy Arriaga, Retired Superintendent, VUSD Joseph Spirito, Retired Superintendent, VUSD Debbie Golden, VUSD School Board Member Ventura Education Support Professional Association Answer from Ed Summers: We're closely with school administration to ensure that we are reporting information to achieve the maximum allocation possible. Work with legislators in Sacramento to stress the importance of education funding, increase funding from the local community, and ensure funding is being applied to classroom education and stability improvement. Solving complicated issues, financially conservative, open communication, consensus building to solve issue, advocate for affordable and work force housing, believes in a strong economy, supporting job growth, and economic prosperity. Email - Ed@summers4schools.com 4,236 votes (5.54%)Check I will do all I can to help the district in these changing times. Profession:Businessman Ventura Mobile Home Rent Review Board, City of Ventura — Elected position (2016–current) Board member, Ventura Education Partnership — Elected position (2014–current) Board Member, Tax Oversight Committee Ventura Unified Schools — Elected position (2014–current) Board Member, Poinsettia Pavillion — Elected position (2011–current) Superintendent of Photography, The Ventura County Fair — Elected position (2013–current) LOUIS J. CUNNINGHAM, 7341 Van Buren Street Ventura, CA 93003 uolgib@gmail.com 2009: to present Retired 1995-2008:DIRECTOR OF FACILITIES, OXNARD UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS: • Oversaw the facilities, maintenance and operations of the district’s six high schools and the adult education program. • Oversaw and implemented the deferred maintenance program, developer fee program, IPM program and the Labor Compliance Program (LCP) for the district of 16,000 students and a staff of 1300. • Oversaw the development and construction of all new facilities including Pacifica High School that opened in the fall of 2001, a $2,000,000 swimming pool at Oxnard High School that opened in the spring of 1999. Designed and constructed the new Pacific View Community Day School that opened in the fall of 2003, and the construction of a new $2,000,000.00 Swimming pool at Rio Mesa High School that opened in the fall of 2004. • Supervised the installation of 10 relocatable classrooms in 1997, and the relocation of four buildings and the installation of three new buildings in 1999 for the Adult Education program. • Created and constructed the new Frontier High School in 1997 (installed 16 relocatable classrooms, moved 6 other buildings and modernized the office facilities and existing classrooms) in a seven-week time frame. • Coordinated the planning, purchasing and installation of 33 relocatable classrooms, for growth and replacement of non-DSA buildings in 1998, and the installation of 28 relocatable classrooms in 1997. • Oversaw the $45,000,000 modernization of four of the districts six high schools using district and State funds • Worked with the DTSC, CDE, OPSC and DSA. to get the new school site and plans approved for construction of Pacifica High School. 1988-1995: OPERATIONS MANAGER, VENTURA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT • Analyzed needs and developed long term planning and construction of schools. • Priorities for custodial, grounds, water conservation and recycling for the district. • Accomplishments include: author of a successful recycling program, initiator of an effective water conservation program, creator of a district-wide custodial inspection and awards program • Responsible for management and planning for 115 custodial and grounds employees. • Author of the 1990-1991 VUSD Disaster Plan. • Served on the District Management Team for classified negotiations 1990-91 • President of the VUSD Classified Managers Association 1991 PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS-ACTIVITIES • Ventura County Grand Jury 2009 to 2011(Alt. Forman 2011) • Elected to California Local Agency Formation Commission (CALAFCo) 2011 to 2013. • Alternate Public Commissioner on the Ventura Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) (2005 to 2009) and 2013 to 2015. • Public Commissioner on the Ventura Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) 2001 to 2004. (Chairman 2003) 2009 to 2012 (Chairman 2011) and 2015 to 2016. (Chairman 2015). • City of Ventura Mobile Home Rent Review Board 1995 to 2008, Chairman 1999 to 2008. • Director III for the Southern Section of CASBO 2002. • Charter President, Central Coast Chapter, Intentional Maintenance Institute, 1986. • Regional vice-president, Intentional Maintenance Institute, 1989-1991. • President, V.U.S.D. Classified Management Association, 1990-1991. • Member of the Committee on Water Conservation, City of Ventura 1990. • Member of the Water Advisory Committee, City of Ventura, 1991-1992. • Member of the Planning Commission for P.A.P.A. Professional Association of Pesticide Applicators, 1991-1998. • P.A.P.A. Board of Directors 1994-1998. • P.A.P.A. Board President 1998-1999. Present Community Service Activities • Kiwins Advisor FHS 2011-2015, St. Bonnies 2013-2015 • Board of Managers Ventura YMCA 2011 to 2014 • Board of Directors Poinsettia Pavilion 2011-2016. Chairman 2013-14. • Superintendent of Photography Ventura County Fair 2011 to present. • VUSD Parcel tax Oversight Committee 2014-2017 • Ventura Education Partnership Contributor and Board Member • Pier into the Future Contributor and Board Member • City of Ventura Mobile Home Rent Review Board 2016 I have received formal instruction in the following areas: Electricity, plumbing, welding, refrigeration, HVAC, energy management, architectural drawing design drafting blueprint reading, mechanical drafting, budgeting, water conservation and pesticide management, bargaining unit contracts and negotiations. All local, state, and federal safety regulations, including OSHA, Cal OSHA, SB198, rule 210, SIMS, SB 2260, and the Americans with Disabilities Act. In 1996-1997 I completed the ACSA School Business Managers Academy. In 1999 I received the Educational Facilities Planning Certificate from UC Riverside. In 2003 I completed courses in Controlling Construction Cost and Managing Construction Projects at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Gary Frick , OD Jim Duran, The River Community Ventura Chamber PAC Website: bigloucunningham.com Email - uolgib@gmail.com	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0068.json.gz/line449
__label__cc	0.605705	0.394295	'Not a refugee problem but a political problem' - Stella Creasy MP in tonight's Standard Susannah Butter writes in tonight's Evening Standard 'MP Stella Creasy has led the fight to bring the children of Calais to London. As the first wave to arrive sparks a row over age, she tells Susannah Butter why she will take the grief to get it right' "What’s happening in Calais is a legal process" says Creasy. "The children are being extensively checked. The idea that we’ve gone ‘let’s just let them all over and figure out what to do later’ is not the case. It’s important that when a process like this has been put in place, we acknowledge it and support it.” So why are the refugees overwhelmingly male? “The children that have come here so far are ‘Dublin’ kids, But a lot of the girls are Dubs so there are around 40 of them still in Calais, in limbo, waiting to be processed.” She’s referring to the EU Dublin III regulation, which allows a child to come to Britain if they have family here, and the Dubs amendment to the Children and Social Work Bill that allows unaccompanied children to be offered safe refuge in the UK if it is in their best interests. The Dubs amendment was passed in May but the infrastructure to enforce it is still being implemented." Full article here Butterfields Estate - Dolphin Living completes pur... Where, this week, to find Stella Creasy MP for Wal... 'Not a refugee problem but a political problem' - ... Chuka Ummuna at Waltham Forest Co-op Party curry n... "Butterfields deal agreement" - the movie Butterfields Estate Update: "Deal to Save the Esta... How You Can Help Safeguard Children in Calais - fr... Statement on Refugees by Waltham Forest Council le...	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0068.json.gz/line451
__label__wiki	0.743328	0.743328	Society - Water - Investment - Health Ghana: Pure Home Water for the north Friday 11 March 2011 / by Kathryn McConnell / 1 opinion Dossier : Africa News Report According to the World Health Organization, diseases associated with unsafe water claim the lives of about 2 million people worldwide every year, most of them children under the age of 5. But recently, low-tech ceramic water filters have been saving lives and making people healthier in Ghana. Peter Adagwine sold thousands of such filters — including one to his uncle — while working for a social enterprise, Pure Home Water, in northern Ghana. “My uncle enjoys this simple tool that provides clean water for his family,” said Adagwine, now a student in international development at Brandeis University in Boston. “The filters have saved children who in the past had a lot of waterborne disease.” Adagwine became involved in improving his community’s water in 2006 when he met Susan Murcott, who was in Ghana doing water and sanitation research. (Murcott now teaches civil and environmental engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Boston.) The year before, with local partners and funding from the Conrad Hilton Foundation, Murcott founded Pure Home Water as a nonprofit organization. Pure Home Water initially purchased filters from a manufacturer in Ghana’s capital, Accra. It distributed them free through aid groups such as UNICEF. In 2008, the venture started selling the filters using the brand name “Kosim,” which means “pure water” in the local language. Each filter consists of a porous ceramic pot that holds around eight liters of water. The pot fits inside a larger plastic receptacle with a spigot. The filter screens out bacteria, microorganisms and toxic chemicals from water drawn from streams, ponds and wells. The filters come with a cleaning brush and assembly instructions. With proceeds from sales, the enterprise was able in 2010 to build its own filter factory in Tamale, a city of 250,000 people. Since its beginning, the enterprise has provided jobs for 20 people and its filters have benefited 100,000 people. Each filter costs around $17. “We make financing provisions available for all categories of people” so that anyone who wants a filter can get one, Adagwine said. The company has one truck and two motor bikes for deliveries. It gives filters to village schools and health centers for free. Adagwine described Pure Home Water’s approach to getting villagers to accept filters. Its representatives first identify someone in a village who can serve as a liaison between the company and the local chief. After securing the chief’s agreement to bring filters into the community, the representatives meet with community members to explain the health benefits of clean water and to teach them how to use and clean a filter. • Somalia: Rebuilding a stateless country’s piracy-driven economy • US-Nigeria: ’Trajectory of bad elections’ should be checked • Mozambique: Brazil and U.S. join in cooperative development program • Clean water for rural Ethiopia • Customized inventions for Africa gaining ground • Ivory Coast: Both Gbagbo and Ouattarra isolated? • From Negro History Week to Black History Month Discover the full dossier • Ghana: Pure Home Water for the north - I think the third world is going up now.These countries build a new moral on the holy bible and the result is corruption is going down and africans are dreaming a better life for their famillies.contrary the first world , especially europe, the (...) - Thursday 5 May 2011 - 07:12	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0068.json.gz/line460
__label__cc	0.643375	0.356625	- Gold Bangles - Gold Diamond - Traditional Bangles - White Gold Bangles - Gold Heart Bangles - White Heart Bangles Gold & White gold Bangles White-Gold Bangles Gold Diamond Bangles (Heart Shaped) Gold Bangle View All Gold Bangle 19 White Gold Bangle View All White Gold Bangle 4 In traditional Indian jewellery Bangles are the most important part. The word Bangle is derived from Hindi word bungri. Bangles are called as Decorative ornaments have over the centuries acquired a cultural, social and religious significance. They are called Kangan in Hindi, Gaaju in Telugu and Valayal in Tamil. Bangles are also called as Chudi. They are mainly worn by women. They are usually worn in pairs, one or more on each arm in India. Single Bangle is rarely sold by seller. After the marriage the Indian women wear theme especially Hindu. It is signifying the matrimony. Nowadays men also started to wear a single Bangle on their arm or wrists which is called kada. Bangles are not flexible like bracelets. They are circular in shape. Bangles are executed in different materials and different regions of India have distinct style of Bangle making. Women love to wear Bangles which are made from glass and gold or combination of both. Bangles are made from many materials such as glass, gold, silver, wood, ferrous metal, platinum, plastic, and lac. They are made of various precious and non precious materials. Bangles which are made from glass is most popular but now they are replacing in plastic. Glass Bangles are preferred at traditional occasions such as any festivals, marriages etc. When woman wear Bangles they make different sound. Depends on materials the sound is also differing. Like Glass Bangles tend to make a lot of noise. Heavy Gold Bangles are known to produce an attractive tinkling sound. Besides the classic clanking of plastic and metal Bangles are made some sound. Heavy gold or silver and possibly glass Bangles are believed to be aphrodisiac for fetishists who are aroused by the clinging sound. It is important to known how jewellery sounds as a person could identify how precious the metal is. As said much talk has been made in romantic songs and movies about the sound of Bangles. Embroidery or small glass pieces or paintings or even small hangings are attached to the Bangles. Types of Bangle In the market there are many types of Bangles available. The material used to make the Bangles is most primary distinguish factor. Traditionally Bangles were made of various types of metals like gold, silver, bronze etc. Now this may vary anything from glass to metal to lac and even rubber or plastic. Another factor that adds to the price of the Bangles is the artifacts or the work done further on the metal. The rareness of a color and its unique value also increase the value. Bangles enhance the feminine grace and beauty of the woman manifolds. Lac Bangles are one of the oldest ones among the all Bangles. Lac is clay like material which in molded in hot kilns-like places to make these Bangles. Nowadays Bangles made from rubber are popular. They are famous mostly in youngsters. They are worn more like a wrist band by them. Plastic Bangles are also look trendy like rubber Bangles. The unstoppable fancy and charm of these delicate works have successfully abridged the controversial barrier between tradition and fashion. Bangles have bewildered Indian women from ages with their shimmering sparkles, tinkling sound, innovative patterns and magnificent colors. As a sign of marriage colored Bangles are available. Most usually red and green glass Bangles are being seen as essential as a sign of marriage. Red symbolizes life and joy and green symbolizes fertility. Usually eight to twelve glass Bangles are worn on each wrist, but there are no rigid rules. Women of all classes of Indian society are worn glass Bangles mostly. They love to wear these Bangles. Bangles are considered essential for married women. Women from ancient ages wore Bangles as ornamental accessory on their arms and forearms to make them more beautiful and attractive. For our customer we provide a huge collection of various Bangles and handcrafted items, crafted with meticulous detailing. We are specialized in Bangles, Indian Bangles, Bangle, Studded Bangles, and Special Hyderabadi Bangles. A large collection of choice in terms of colours, designs, shapes and variety of gems, stones, beads, metals, aluminium, wooden, lac, glass etc.. We have a wide range Bangles Colorful designs and intricate carvings give them a touch of elegance. There is a history of culture behind these beautiful accessories. Since the Vedic and post Vedic ages glass Bangles have won and enhanced Indian women�s heart. Starting from a newlywed bride under veil to the jean freak swanky fashion girl, everyone's frenzy is same for this fabulous jewellery item. Harappa & Mohenjodaro of the Tamil civilisation were discovered, beads and Bangles were found. Beads took many forms. Carnelian beads were once considered the property of the noble class. Another origin of beads and Bangles is the Middle East. They were on necklaces and bracelets. Square disc-shaped etched carnelian beads indicated that there was trade between the Wests. Bangles and bead necklaces were worn by both men and women. But carnelian beads were worn exclusively by women. Bangles are fall under rituals which are still in vogue in different parts of this country. Adoring a married woman's wrists with green Bangles or gold Bangles bunched with glass Bangles. Often you will see Indian women wearing huge armfuls of Bangles, even while doing day-to-day chores. It is said that Bangles bring safety and luck to ones husband. With all that power a woman and her Bangles wield, a husband better be on his best behavior if he knows what's good for him! If a woman breaks Bangles (especially a large amount of them) her husband is in danger. As it is a strong traditional belief that it is inauspicious leaving their hands bare the tradition of wearing Bangles also engulfed the young, teenage, and unmarried women. In Punjab choodas wear by brides or newly wedded women. She generally wears them from a period of 3-6 months. This choodas means Bangles are in red and white color in multiples of four. In Bengal women wears white conch Bangles and a red lac Bangles. Married woman wears iron kada. On all auspicious occasions Green Bangles are worn by women of Maharashtra. When Gujarati woman conceives her sister-in-law presents her a silver chain bracelet. In the seventh month she is also asked to wear a bracelet made of black thread and five kowdis - a kind of shell. It is believed that this bracelet helps in an easy delivery. Top Jewelry Market Alabama, Atlanta, Australia, Baltimore, Bangladesh, Boston, California, Canada, Chicago, Colorado, Connecticut, Dallas, Delaware, Denver, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Houston, Idaho, Illinois, India, Indiana, Indianapolis, Iowa, Kansas, Las Vegas, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Orange County, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco, Sarasota, Seattle, Tennessee, Texas, Toronto, UK, Utah, Vancouver, Virginia, Washington, Washington DC, Wyoming, Bangalore, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Pune, Noida, Delhi, Hyderabad, China, Dubai, Philippines, Belgium , Sri Lanka, Italy, Bangladesh, Singapore, Netherlands, Indonesia, United Arab Emirates, Romania, France, Germany, Spain, Malaysia, Belarus, Saudi Arabia, Bulgaria, Egypt, Mexico, Portugal, Hungary, Hong Kong, Mauritius, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Kuwait, Poland, Puerto Rico, Algeria, USA (United States) Glass bangles are still preferred at traditional occasions Bangles are made from plastic are inexpensive and slowly replacing those made by glass. Along with gold, glass bangles are considered a symbol of the well-being of her husband and sons in certain communities. Glass bangles are still preferred at traditional occasions such as marriages and on festivals. Exquisite bangles are made of gold or silver and studded with precious diamonds for an enhanced appeal. These bangles are created in eye-catching and magnificent designs, earning the patronage of discerning clients, Bangles worldwide. This gold and silver jewellery from all parts of India draw the inspiration of patterns from flowers, leaves, fruits, fish, stars and the moon. How Durable is My Gemstone Jewellery? First of all a note about the hardness and therefore relative durability of gemstones. To measure hardness, the jewellery industry uses the Mohs scale. This gem-trade standard, conceived by Friedrich Mohs in 1812, measures the ability of a gem or mineral to resist abrasion damage. Diamond at 10 is the hardest whereas talc at 1 is the softest. Popular gemstones like amethyst and citrine register 7 whereas rubies and sapphires register 9. Most of us come off the beach on the first day with the 3 s�s all achieved - rings caked in sand, sea-salt and suntan lotion. Nude sunbathing, as far as silver and gold jewellery is concerned, is a must! Remember also that sand will scratch the surface of precious metals. Popularity of the Indian Silver Jewellery It might surprise people to find out that the Elements Class contains minerals that are composed of more than one element. Popularity of the Indian Silver Jewellery is associated with the elegance and versatility of it. The most difficult to classify are the metal/non-metal mineral combinations. Elements, by the chemical definition are composed of all the same atoms; whereas substances composed of two or more elements are compounds. These minerals, which combine metals such as iron with the very non-metallic elements of carbon, nitrogen, phosphorous and silicon, are quite unique and quite rare. But the sulfides class is by convention limited to sulfur and semi-metal combinations as discussed above. They are not too different from sulfides which typically combine metals with sulfur.	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0068.json.gz/line461
__label__wiki	0.804938	0.804938	Indie Film News Feature Your Film Road to Sundance 2014: My Sense of Modesty (short), directed by Sebastien Bailly Sebastien Bailly What made you decide to become a filmmaker? To be a director is an old desire. When I was a child, I wrote a lot of stories in my bedroom, because I was a unique son. I discovered cinema when I was a teenager. First, I discovered the American movies I could watch on television and, after, the French and European cinema in an art theater which was in my little city in the South West of France. At college, I was in an art classroom which specialized in cinema. I shot my first own little movies there and discovered cinema history. Tell us about your film. What inspired you to make it? "My Sense of Modesty" is a short fiction film which was selected in the Sundance competition (Short Program 1). I was inspired by all the young Arabic women I saw in the streets or in the subway in Paris. A lot of them have a Hijab in their hair. The Hijab is a debate question in France, but the media presents it as a strong religious symbol. I spoke with a lot of Arabic women and I discovered it is not only a religious symbol but also a cultural habit. A lot of these women receive a Hijab at twelve years old but they are not really believers. Then when they grow up, the question to remove it is often a really difficult, and important, choice. With this movie I would like to open up minds and let people see the Hijab differently. Still from My Sense of Modesty What do you love about your film? In my previous movies, I loved to show the portraits of women. It´s the same here. I like to show women with a sweet eye, with a comprehensive approach. And it was a pleasure to work with Hafsia Herzi, who is a famous actress in France (Cesar Award Winning). She was very generous and attentive. She was completely involved in the project - and now she loves the movie, which is important for me also. How long did it take you to make your film? Writing the script was really easy and very quick. It’s the process of searching for money which takes the longest. How did you finance your film? The movie has traditional financing for a French short. The French public TV gave us money after reading the script, before we even began shooting. We also received financial support from the City of Paris, and from the CNC (National Film Center). What was the most challenging part of the filmmaking process and how did you overcome it? The most important for me in this movie was how I can speak about this subject with a smooth approach. I'm not for or against the Hijab; I just want to tell a story, to show another reality than the one the French media shows. This movie had to be very touchy and direct. Tell us about your experience getting into Sundance. I was really surprised by the selection, it was like a dream! It´s so important for a French director to be here! I'm really happy about the positive feedback on the movie. I have had a lot of interesting meetings and encounters at Sundance. It´s a wonderful experience. And I must confess it’s my first time in America. It was a wish for me: go to America and present a movie. Done! If you had to make the film all over again, would you do anything different? That´s not a question for me actually. I enjoyed when the film was selected for festivals and I'm interested by the feedback, but I don't want to go back or change anything. I'm thinking about my future projects, that´s the most important now. What’s next for your film? Do you have distribution? If so, when and how can people see it and if not, what are your hopes for the film? At the same time of Sundance, the film is in Sofia Festival (Bulgaria) and in a French film festival. I hope there, some people from all over the world will have a chance to see it. A company is working on the world sales for TV and we have a project for a release in France with 3 of my short films. If someone wants to watch my film, they can contact me directly by email, and I will send them a link: bailly2000@gmail.com. I will be happy to receive feedback, and discuss it with people. Can you provide any advice to other filmmakers who dream of getting their films made? Just believe in yourself and your projects. Listen to what other people say about your script, but stick to your own desire; don't forget the first desire of your project. Labels: My Sense of Modesty, Road to Sundance 2014, Sebastien Bailly Pitching Tents Facebook - Follow Us! Email allaboutindiefilmmaking@gmail.com for more information on advertising on AllAboutIndieFilmmaking, which averages 21,000 views per month. Meritage Pictures Amazon Store Find Meritage Pictures Films Produced by Jane Kelly Kosek on Amazon! The Diary of Preston Plummer on DVD! Get Your Own Copy of The Diary of Preston Plummer The Diary of Preston Plummer, starring Trevor Morgan, Rumer Willis & Robert Loggia Watch The Diary of Preston Plummer on Amazon! Take Me Home, starring Sam Jaeger, Amber Jaeger, Cristine Rose, Lin Shaye, Victor Garber Watch Take Me Home on iTunes! Take Me Home DVD on eBay! Not Since You DVD on Amazon Filmmaking Terms Abby Singer - The second to last set up of the last shot of the day. Adaptation - A screenplay based on a written work, such as book or short story. Attachment - Verbal or written agreement attaching talent to a film project. Day Out of Days - Calendar detailing the days each actor will work on the film. DDACS - Detailed Dialogue Action Continuity Script Deal Memo - Short form deal between film production and cast or crew. Development - The period in which the screenplay is finalized for pre-production and other key elements, like financing, cast, and crew, may be attached. Digital Intermediate - The process of digitizing a 35mm or 16mm film print, resulting in a digital version of the film that can be corrected and from which a final output to film or tape is made. HD - High Definition; a higher resolution than standard definition. High or Low Hat - A camera mount that allows for filming low angles. Magazine - Lightproof film container that attaches to the camera and holds both exposed and unexposed film. Martini Shot - Final set up of the last shot of the day. One Liner Schedule - Shooting schedule condensed with each day's schedule on one line. Pay or Play Offer - An offer from the producer to talent stating that the talent will either be paid or played (required to perform) by a certain date. Pick Ups - New shots to be filmed that were not part of the original shot list. Post Production - The period following principal photography in which the film or TV episode is completed. Pre-Production - Often referred to as Pre-Pro; the preparation period prior to principal photography. Principal Photography - The primary period of shooting the film or TV episode. Production Draft - The version of the script that is used during film production. Reshoot - A period of filming during which shots of the movie or TV show are re-filmed. Screenplay - A script for a movie or TV show. Script Breakdown - Detailed list of items and people needed for each scene in the script, from which a schedule and budget are made. Shooting Schedule - Detailed schedule of principal photography, including lists of items needed from each department. Shot List - List of shots to be filmed during principal photography. My Production Company! Meritage Pictures So Natural TV! Check Out My Web Channel with Leena Pendharkar with Funny Videos for Women Voted 1 of 50 Best Blogs for Moviemakers by Moviemaker Magazine Indie Film Followers Jane Kelly Kosek on the Web So Natural TV Leslie Iwerks Productions Wonder Entertainment (2004-2012) Jane on Facebook Jane on Twitter Jane on IMDbPro Jane on IMDb Jane Kelly Kosek Films Days with Dandekar (2016) Dandekar Makes a Sandwich Short Film (2015) So Natural TV Short Films Plain Clothes Short Film (2013) The Diary of Preston Plummer (2012) Citizen Hearst (2012) Pipe Dreams Short (2011) Industrial, Light & Magic (2010) Not Since You (2009) The Frolic Short Film (2006) Fierce Friend (2005) Straight Line (2005) Become a Film Fan on Facebook I Love My Annoying Spouse The Diary of Preston Plummer Not Since You The Frolic Citizen Hearst Filmmaking Tools About.com Articles on Actresses Digital Intermediate Process Film Closings Filmmaking Stuff Go Into the Story How to Do Almost Anything with Social Media Independent Film Guide Marketing Movies Navigating the Distribution Divide Science & Entertainment Exchange Shooting People: Independent Filmmakers Network Talenthouse The Film Collaborative Distribution Discussions 10 Tips for Strategizing Distribution Today Maximizing Distribution My Adventure in Home Video, Part 2 My Adventure in Theatrical Self-Distribution, Part 1 No Film Distributor? Then D.I.Y. Roundtable: Self-Distribution The New Age of Independent Distribution Welcome to the New World of Distribution Alliance of Women Film Journalists Film Independent Film Stew Green Cine Daily Hammer to Nail Independent Filmmaker Project (IFP) Internet Movie Database (IMDb) Moviemaker Magazine SAGIndie The Independent - UK Workbook Project Blog Archive October (1) September (1) June (1) June (1) April (1) March (2) December (1) September (1) July (2) June (9) April (1) February (2) January (2) December (5) November (4) October (2) September (2) August (1) July (2) June (1) May (2) April (5) February (5) January (4) December (7) November (4) October (3) September (6) August (9) July (4) June (9) May (4) April (6) March (5) February (3) January (19) December (3) November (5) October (6) September (1) August (13) July (3) June (1) May (3) April (1) March (3) February (2) January (31) December (5) November (6) October (6) September (17) August (11) July (7) June (4) May (7) April (7) March (6) February (1) January (1) December (2) November (5) October (5) September (1) August (1) July (3) June (2) May (4) April (5) March (7) February (4) January (11) December (12) November (8) October (12) September (12) August (19) July (12) June (15) May (35) April (15) March (21) February (21) January (31) December (25) November (7) Copyright Jane Kelly Kosek. 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__label__wiki	0.533496	0.533496	The South Texas Alliance for Orphans was created by a group of foster/adopt industry veterans including our Founder and Executive Director, church leaders, foster/adopt families and child placing agency professionals in 2012 under the name San Antonio Alliance for Orphans. We met monthly for 2 years collaborating on how we, the church, could unite and fulfill our biblical call to care for children in the foster/adopt system. A small team including our Executive Director, a board member and a small team of foster parents successfully launched a ministry at their church and started handing off the model to other churches desiring to see ministry happen in their church. Over the years, our Executive Director gleaned wisdom from other area models across the state and nation like Fostering Hope Austin, Embrace Texas, Hope Fort Worth, Project 127, Promises 686 and Christian Alliance for Orphans In 2015, the name of the Alliance was changed to more adequately represent the region we serve of South Texas. In September of 2016, First Presbyterian granted the Alliance seed money to launch as a DBA non-profit. The Alliance received their 501c3 designation in July of 2018. The Alliance is now poised to serve and equip a collaborative church movement to solve the foster crisis from family crisis to youth aging out. AGENCIES & NONPROFITS WORKING TOGETHER CHURCHES CURRENTLY INVOLVED FAMILIES RECRUITED INDIVIDUALS ACTIVATED TO SERVE The Alliance has helped us as a foster/adopt group feel more connected to the larger Foster/adopt community beyond our church. We benefit from what other churches are doing, we benefit from the trainings and speakers other churches host. We in turn can support others in the community by making sure they know when we have training or speakers to benefit their families. We truly are all better together. The Alliance makes that possible. LAURA HUEY - Ministry Leader, Crossbridge Church The foster care world tends to function as a bunch of isolated entities. The Alliance has stepped in as the hub, providing resources, connecting people, and helping us to be more impactful without being bogged down recreating the wheel. And they do it very, very well. DANNI SPRINGFIELD - Ministry Leader, University United Methodist Church Our successful collaboration with South Texas Alliance for Orphans, over the past two years, has allowed foster parents and foster youth another source of support and has helped ensure a continuum of care, both of which directly impact the rates of high school completion. South Texas Alliance for Orphans has diligently worked to bring foster care organizations together to create greater impact for foster youth. ELAINE HARTLE - EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, THE THRU PROJECT The world of foster care and adoption in the state of Texas is a confusing maze and without the South Texas Alliance for Orphans to help us navigate that maze I doubt we would be as successful as we have been. Through our partnership with them in the last 5 years we have seen our community take in over 75 children, with 27 children finding forever homes! The Alliance comes alongside us to provide invaluable encouragement, support and training to our families and our staff. JAMYE CAPPADONNA - EXECUTIVE PASTOR, GRACEPOINT CHURCH DFPS (Department of Family and Protective Services) supports the Alliance initiative that will provide much needed respite for foster families who need qualified caretakers. ERICA BANUELOS - REGION 8 DIRECTOR, CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0068.json.gz/line464
__label__cc	0.654432	0.345568	WEA Eastern Washington wea-eastern.org UniServ? What's A UniServ? > Executive Board Executive Board Positions Executive Board Assignments Printable Council Brochure > The Legislature Legislative Hotline Ryan's Watch > WEAPAC What is WEAPAC? Why WEAPAC? Political Do's and Don'ts > Locals Cluster Lists Coord. Bargaining Clusters ESP Issues ESP Publications WEA Select Benefit Plans WEA Financial Investments/Personal Insurance NEA Benefits Grants/Discounts The Latest from Olympia We've hit the first cut-off date for the legislative session, which means that policy bills that didn't make it out of their respective origin point (the House or Senate) are considered "dead". Some of the bills that failed: HB1025 (http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=1025) was the bill that would have removed the requirement to provide PE in the elementary schools, which would have made it possible to eliminate PE programs. It had a hearing but went no farther. SB5399 (http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=5399&year=2011) would have linked layoff to evaluation and required that the principal approved of any transfer before it happened. Every one of the professional organizations opposed the bill, and in the Senate it never received a hearing. *HB1325 (http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=1325&year=2011) was this year's attempt at school district consolidation. It had a hearing before the House Education committee, but didn't go any farther. Remember, though, that many of these bills are like that scene in The Princess Bride (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9tAKLTktY0), where the difference between mostly dead and all dead can change with the drop of an amendment. If anything comes up, we'll let you know! The Next Big Legislative Battle: The Budget. There's another Revenue Forecast coming out on March 17th, and that will determine the number that the legislature has to work on for the 2011-2013 fiscal years. The pieces that are under attack are the usual--levy equalization, gifted education funding, and the K-3 class size money--along with a potential "freeze" of the salary scale and discussion about how the national board stipends will work. We've had a reasonable amount of success up to this point, but there's still innumerable battles ahead of us. If you haven't done your WEA-PAC drive for the year yet, it would be a great time! Lobbying: We have another one of our Eastern Region lobbying trips this week (look for a report on the website soon). A big thank you to all of you who emailed the area Representatives about the PE bill mentioned above; your voice made a difference! As always, if you have any political questions feel free to send them to me at ryanandpaula@juno.com, or call me on my cell phone: 951-1290. If you'd like me to come out and speak to your members let me know--I'm more than happy to make the trip! With thanks, and in solidarity, --Ryan-- << July 19 >> WEA JobLink Copyright © 2019 WEA Eastern Washington 230 E Montgomery Ave, Spokane WA 99207	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0068.json.gz/line471
__label__cc	0.627652	0.372348	Ethics and a little history You are an organisation seeking publicity You are a journalist You are a media outlet that reports news, such as a local radio station You are an organisation wishing to recruit a media practitioner You are an individual or organisation with services for hire or products to sell to the media You are hoping to embark on a career in the media You are a media individual or organisation with services for hire or products for sale You are seeking a job in the media You are looking to hire or purchase a media service or product Free to search: media releases, media jobs, media directory Our directory Our pay-for services Posting a media release on allmediascotland Posting a job ad on allmediascotland Promoting yourself in our directory Advertising and creative Post your media release here View media releases Buy a media release subscription Media release training Post your media job ad here View media job adverts Buy a media job listing MEDIA DIRECTORY Find and be found Buy a media directory listing Media Release: Endurance athletes take on a 190km Hebridean multi-sport challenge THIS weekend – Saturday 03 and Sunday 04 September 2016 – more than 120 endurance athletes and volunteer event staff will be heading to the Hebridean island chain of Benbecula, North Uist and South Uist, off the west coast of Scotland, for the inaugural Heb – Race on the Edge: a two-day, 190km adventure challenge on foot, mountain bike and kayak. In this new action-packed, multi-sport challenge athletes, competing as solos or pairs, will find themselves on the ultimate physical island journey made up of off-road running and mountain biking, with a bit of kayaking and some sections of easy navigation – beautiful desolate sandy beaches, magnificent mountains steeped in history, hidden coves, and wild Hebridean landscapes. With a strong emphasis on participation, camaraderie, enjoyment and fun for all involved, The Heb – Race on the edge is not purely the domain of the seasoned endurance athlete. Experienced adventurers, endurance mountain bikers and proficient fell runners from all over the UK will line up alongside enthusiastic newcomers to the world of multi-sport, keen to test physical fitness, stamina and mental toughness levels whilst having a lot of fun along the way. The Heb has been designed to be totally achievable for all. While the less experienced competitors will be able to take advantage of special ‘short cut’ options built into the route, the course has also been designed in such a way that the top level athletes will be able to push themselves as far as they can in order to make it to the top of the podium. (See route overview in notes to editors below) Former double Duathlon World Champion, double Long Distance Duathlon World Champion and multiple Ironman and Ironman 70.3 winner, Catriona Morrison, is teaming up with Caroline Wallace, a PE teacher at Peebles High School, to take on The Heb. Cat Morrison MBE said: “I’ve only had the pleasure of visiting the Uists once before and it was a fleeting visit. “I’m really looking forward to exploring the islands and I’m sure that The Heb will take us to stunning locations that few people have had the privilege to see. “I can’t wait to try my hand at something different. I’ve got no performance expectations other than having a great time. “I just hope that Caroline [Wallace] feels the same…! Having a team-mate is also something I’m looking forward to. Endurance racing for me is something that has always been a singular pursuit. “Having someone to share the journey with and all its highs and lows will be great. “I like the idea of racing with the added dimension of having to navigate and plan which route you are going to take. It’s certainly different to the triathlons and duathlons that I’m used to competing in. I studied geography at university and I’m a lover of the great outdoors but my map reading is a bit rusty. Still, that’s all part of the challenge!” Paul McGreal – from multi-award winning Durty Events, organisers of The Heb – said: “The Heb – Race on the Edge is a stunning and achievable journey through the best of the Hebrides, the ultimate outdoor playground. “With seasoned multi-sport athletes competing alongside relative newcomers to the world of adventure sport we have planned a challenging and demanding route without it being intimidating. “In fact, we’re really excited by the course we’ve planned. It’s got a bit of everything – great hill runs (long and short options available – you chose to suit your strengths), scenic and exciting (but not super-gnarrly) bike sections and some great, simple, safe kayak sections (with no special skills required). “It is going to be an incredible experience packed full of life long memories. We look forward to welcoming all of our competitors on Friday evening in Mallaig before the start on Saturday morning.” Paul Bush OBE, VisitScotland’s director of events, said: “The Hebridean islands present a varied but always stunningly scenic landscape, making them the perfect stage for a multi-discipline event like the Heb – Race on the Edge. “We are delighted to support The Heb through EventScotland’s National Funding Programme in its inaugural year and I’m sure that each of the athletes taking part will be provided with a highly memorable experience of competing over land and sea during this unique event.” Paul McGreal will be joined in the organisation of The Heb – Race On The Edge by Gary Tompsett, as course planner. Since 2001, Gary has been involved in the conceptualisation, ground planning and race directorship of almost every major adventure event to be staged in Scotland. Gary is well-known for audacious and flamboyant adventure planning; sometimes quirky, often challenging – always entertaining! The Heb Website: http://www.theheb.org/ The Heb on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hebchallenge Preview images for The Heb can be downloaded by going to: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/859kw1ohrsclqia/AABH0zhBxC5dGsL–JrGk4sLa?dl=0 For further information, images and to arrange interviews please contact: Paddy Cuthbert \| Littlehouse Media \| E: paddy@littlehousemedia.uk.com \| M: 07913 951717 The Heb – Route Overview Benbecula will be the starting point for the 120km route round North Uist on 03 September 2016 with a shorter 70km route taking athletes to the southernmost point of South Uist on 04 September 2016. However, to make it easier and more relaxed for everyone the race will stop at the end of day one on Benbecula, allowing for a well earned refuel and ‘battery charge’. On day one, participants begin with a coastal ride from Benbecula to North Uist, followed by running and trekking on Eaval mountain (shorter options available). Then there is a beautiful moorland bike ride to the uninhabited intertidal island of Vallay for a bit more running and trekking (short options possible), followed by the hop to Lochmaddy for a fun kayak section and a bike ride back to Benbecula for a night under the stars. Day one course map link: https://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/osmaps/#/route/649451/The-Heb-2016-Saturday Day two involves a spectacular North to South journey from the overnight camp to Kilbride on South Uist. It includes epic riding on the machair and firm sands of the west coast beaches, as much running and trekking as you can handle on Beinn Mhor and Hecla, and kayaking off the stunning coast between South Uist and Eriskay. This will be followed by an event party at the Polochar Inn, Lochboisdale, the perfect celebrations for such a huge achievement. Day two course map link: https://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/osmaps/#/route/649481/The-Heb-Sunday-2016 Athlete GPS tracking Using the latest GPS tracking technology, Durty Events are making it possible to follow the athletes live online as they progress around The Heb course. From the comfort of their own home, on phone, tablet or computer, friends, family and supporters will be able to watch all of the action as this exciting race unfolds. The Heb – sponsors and partners Caledonian MacBrayne – www.calmac.co.uk Durty Events would like to thank Caledonian MacBrayne for their sponsorship and logistics support, in the transport of both people and equipment between Mallaig and Lochboisdale. EventScotland EventScotland is working to make Scotland the perfect stage for events. By developing an exciting portfolio of sporting and cultural events EventScotland is helping to raise Scotland’s international profile and boost the economy by attracting more visitors. For further information about EventScotland, its funding programmes and latest event news visit www.EventScotland.org. Follow EventScotland on Twitter @EventScotNews. EventScotland is a team within VisitScotland’s Events Directorate, the national tourism organisation which markets Scotland as a tourism destination across the world, gives support to the tourism industry and brings sustainable tourism growth to Scotland. For more information about VisitScotland, see www.visitscotland.org or for consumer information on Scotland as a visitor destination see www.visitscotland.com MEDIA RELEASE issued by Littlehouse Media. You too can share your stories (aka press or media releases), on allmediascotland.com. Email here for more information. Check out twitter.com/newsdipper for your very own media releases feed… Check out too twitter.com/allOutdoorsPR and also twitter.com/allSportsPR. 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Littlehouse Media contact details… Contact: Paddy Cuthbert Email: paddy@littlehousemedia.uk.com Website: http://www.theheb.org/ By PaddyCuthbert · August 31, 2016 at 14:30 · Comments Off Littlehouse Media · Sport (excl otherwise stated) · Inverness and North (postcodes IV, HS, KW and ZE) Made here: The Singer Story: Made in Clydebank, BBC One Scotland May 8, 2019 · Comments Off THE Singer Story: Made in Clydebank has its first showing on BBC One Scotland, 9pm on... My Big Break: Craig Anderson, former BBC correspondent April 17, 2019 · Comments Off FORMER BBC correspondent, Craig Anderson, was awarded the Barron Trophy for lifetime achievement in journalism at this... Made here: Scotland from the Sky (series two), BBC One Scotland BRAND new for 2019 is a return of the hit series, Scotland from the Sky, where... My Media Day: Steven Ladurantaye, head of news and current affairs at STV February 21, 2019 · Comments Off STEVEN Ladurantaye is head of news and current affairs at STV. He joined STV from the Canadian... From our Media Directory Terms & Conditions \| Cookies \| Contact Us © 2019 allmediascotland…media jobs, media release service and media resources for all.	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0068.json.gz/line483
__label__wiki	0.761097	0.761097	Alloy Artifacts Lounging With Barcalo Detail from the 1922 Barcalo Trademark #158,332 Tool Identification Manufacturing Dates Charles E. Hall Company Tools Adjustable Wrenches and Pliers Carbon-Steel Tools Alloy Steel Wrenches Open-End Wrenches Tappet Wrenches Box-End Wrenches Post-War Wrenches Later Barcalo Production Contract Production What's New (Last Updated May 16, 2019) Recent changes to this page: 05/16/2019: Split into two pages. 05/04/2019: Changes for responsive design. 02/19/2019: Renumbered figures. 01/24/2016: Added a Barcalo 15/16x1 Offset Box-End Wrench. 12/18/2015: Added a Barcalo 13/16x7/8 Open-End Wrench. 12/16/2015: Added a Barcalo 8-Piece Tappet Wrench Set. 12/03/2015: Added a Barcalo 19/32x11/16 "Convex" Open-End Wrench. 12/02/2015: Added a Barcalo 25/32x7/8 "Convex" Open-End Wrench. 12/01/2015: Added a Barcalo 5/16x13/32 Open-End Wrench and a Barcalo 25/32x5/8 Open-End Wrench. 11/30/2015: Filled in some history for the Charles E. Hall Company, added a Barcalo 6-Piece Open-End Wrench Set. 11/29/2015: Expanded Contract Production section, refinements to formatting. 11/27/2015: Added the "Barcalo B Buffalo" trademark logo. 11/24/2015: Reorganizing the sections, still in progress. 11/18/2015: Minor reorganization. 10/14/2015: Added 1921 advertisement for Barcalo pliers. 11/18/2010: Added a Powr-Kraft Combination Wrench. 08/06/2010: Added Barcalo 10 Inch Combination Pliers. 07/09/2010: Added a Barcalo 7/16x17/32 Asymmetrical-Offset Tappet Wrench. 06/30/2010: Added a Barcalo 8 Inch Adjustable Wrench. 06/21/2010: Added a Barcalo 5/8x11/16 Asymmetrical-Offset Tappet Wrench. 05/27/2010: Added a Barcalo 1/2x9/16 Asymmetrical-Offset Tappet Wrench. 04/26/2010: Added Barcalo 3/4x7/8 Asymmetrical-Offset Tappet Wrenches. 10/10/2009: Added a Barcalo 19/32x11/16 Open-End Wrench. 09/07/2009: Added Barcalo Battery Pliers. 09/05/2009: Added a Barcalo "Barcaloy" 9/16 Combination Wrench. 09/01/2009: Added a Barcalo Transitional Combination Wrench. 08/31/2009: Added a Wards Lakeside Open-End Wrench. 08/19/2009: Added a Barcalo 1725B Open-End Wrench. 08/08/2009: Added a Barcalo "Barcaloy" 5/8 Combination Wrench. 08/05/2009: Added a Barcalo "Barcaloy" 11/16 Combination Wrench. 07/06/2009: Added a Barcalo 9/16x5/8 Open-End Wrench. 05/20/2009: Added a Barcalo 12 Inch Adjustable Wrench. 04/12/2009: Reorganized sections, added a Charles E. Hall 9 Inch Auto Wrench. 04/10/2009: Added a Barcalo 9/16x5/8 Starter and Manifold Wrench. 04/05/2009: Added a Barcalo 28S Open-End Wrench. 03/30/2009: Added a Barcalo TC08 Combination Wrench. 03/24/2009: Added a Barcalo TB3032 Box-End Wrench. 02/26/2009: Added a Barcalo Panelled Combination Wrench. 02/22/2009: Added a Barcalo Tack Puller and a Barcalo Panelled Combination Wrench. 02/21/2009: Updated company history, added a Barcalo 3/8x7/16 Short Offset Box Wrench. 12/27/2008: Added a Barcalo TS1214 Box-End Wrench. 12/09/2008: Added a Barcalo Spark Plug and Head Bolt Wrench. 07/02/2008: Added a Barcalo Chrome-Molybdenum 15/16x1 Open-End Wrench. 03/12/2008: Added a Barcalo N6 6 Inch Adjustable Wrench. 03/08/2008: Added Barcalo "Barcaloy" 3/8 Combination Wrench. 02/22/2008: Added a Barcalo Open-End Wrench Tool Roll. 01/24/2008: Updated catalog information. 12/05/2007: Added a Barcalo 9 Inch Auto Wrench. 12/02/2007: Added a Barcalo 3/8x7/16 Open-End Wrench and a Barcalo 19/32x11/16 Open-End Wrench. 11/30/2007: Added a Barcalo 5/8x3/4 Open-End Wrench and a Barcalo 13/16x7/8 Open-End Wrench. 10/23/2007: Added a Barcalo "Forged Vanadium" Offset Box Wrench. 10/08/2007: Added Barcalo Chrome Vanadium Combination Wrench. 10/03/2007: Added Barcalo Lineman's Pliers. 05/16/2007: Updated patent table. 03/02/2007: Added a Barcalo Chrome Vanadium Combination Wrench. 03/01/2007: Added a Hall No. 10 Bicycle Wrench. 02/23/2007: Expanded patent listings. 02/20/2007: Added patent table. 02/06/2007: Added a Wards Eclipse 4732 Open-Box Wrench. 01/26/2007: Added a Barcalo Open+Box Wrench. 01/22/2007: Added a Barcalo Panelled Open-End Wrench. 12/08/2006: Added a Western Auto Open-End Wrench. 11/22/2006: Added Barcalo Waterpump Pliers. 11/19/2006: Added page, moved contents from other-makers. × Alloy Artifacts Home Bottom of This Page It's not every day that a tool company is acquired by a furniture maker, but such was the case with Barcalo Manufacturing of Buffalo. Barcalo was a diversified maker of metal products including metal beds, tools, and later the Barcalounger line of reclining furniture. Eventually the fame of the Barcalounger chairs eclipsed the tool operations, and Barcalo was purchased by a furniture maker in North Carolina. In this page we'll look at some of the company's "Barcalo-Buffalo" line of hand tools. Barcalo Manufacturing was founded in Buffalo, New York by Edward J. Barcalo, and was in operation by 1896, based on a later catalog that noted "Quality Products Since 1896". Barcalo's early products included metal bed frames and cribs, and patent records going back to 1903 show the development of products of this type. The company apparently met with some success, as the company founder was able to build an impressive Georgian Revival House [External Link] around 1907, a well-known landmark to those interested in the architecture of the Buffalo area. A 1907 issue of The Foundry printed a brief notice that Barcalo Manufacturing was adding a foundry of size 95 by 135 feet to its existing facility, and also planned a three-story addition to the factory. An example of Barcalo's metal bed frames can be seen in an advertisement for Barcalo Beds [External Link] on page 80 of the 1911 issue of The American Magazine. Acquisition of Charles E. Hall Company In 1914 Barcalo Manufacturing acquired the operations of the Charles E. Hall Company, a maker of tools such as adjustable wrenches and pliers. Fig. 0A. 1908 Advertisement for Charles E. Hall Company. [External Link] The advertisement in Fig. 0A shows examples of the Charles E. Hall Company's tools, published on page 303 of the April, 1908 edition of the Automobile Trade Directory. The acquisition of Charles E. Hall was presumably Barcalo's introduction to the tool industry, and in the following years the company's engineers divided their development efforts between tools and the older line of beds and cribs. By 1919 Barcalo was producing socket sets in addition to wrenches and pliers, based on the products listed in the application for the "Barcalo B Buffalo" trademark. Fig. 0B. 1921 Notice for Barcalo Model N Adjustable Wrench. [External Link] By 1921 Barcalo had introduced its Model N adjustable wrench, as seen in the notice in Fig. 0B, published on page 27 of the February, 1921 issue of The Automobile Journal. The model N wrench had a distinctive handle design described by patent D59,786, and the teardrop-shaped hanging hole makes the wrench easy to identify. Barcalo's closely related patent D57,153 was filed later but issued sooner, and appears to add cross-hatched knurling to the edge of the wrench. Fig. 0C. 1921 Advertisement for Barcalo Pliers. [External Link] Barcalo tools were sold through distributors to hardware stores, as the advertisement in Fig. 0C from page 60 of the July, 1921 National Hardware Bulletin illustrates. Note the "Barcalo B Buffalo" logo in the lower right corner, issued as trademark #158,322 in 1922. The application for the "Barcalo" trademark #403,467 provides some information on first-use dates for different tools. According to the application, Barcalo was using the trademark for creepers by November of 1923, for ball-peen hammers by October of 1927, and for chisels and punches by June of 1934. (Note however that Barcalo filed a tool holder patent #1,822,070 in 1928, and the illustration shows it holding chisels and punches. Perhaps the earlier chisels were using a different trademark.) Barcalo was also a supplier to high-volume retailers such as Western Auto Supply and Montgomery Ward. A 1937 Western Auto catalog shows an illustration of an adjustable wrench marked "Barcalo Mfg", as part of Western Auto's "Master Quality" intermediate line of tools. Though not shown in the illustrations, Barcalo may have supplied a variety of open-end and box-end wrenches to Western Auto. Barcalo also produced tools under contract for various automobile tool kits. Barcalo also supplied tools to New Britain Machine in the 1930s for the "None Better" brand, based on the close similarity of the tools. The Reclining Chair Patent In 1940 the company licensed patents to make a new type of reclining chair, and after some refinements the chairs became the trademark Barcalounger line. The Barcalounger chairs proved to be very successful, and over time the company became more famous for its furniture than its tools. In the early 1960s Barcalo was purchased by a furniture maker and the Barcalounger operations were moved to Rocky Mount, North Carolina. Acquisition by Crescent Niagara When Barcalo was acquired by the furniture company, the company's tool operations were sold to Crescent Niagara, a company formed a few years previously to acquire Crescent Tools. (See our article on Crescent Tool History for more information.) Shortly after its formation Crescent Niagara went on to acquire other tool companies, including Billings & Spencer, Barcalo, and Bridgeport Hardware. The combined company continued to produce the various tool lines for some years, and in fact sometimes combined designs from one company with brands and trademarks from other acquisitions. One will occasionally find a wrench with a Barcalo-like design marked with a Crescent logo and bearing the Life-Time (Billings) trademark. Crescent Niagara was eventually acquired by Cooper Industries, and most of the tool brands (except for Crescent) were eventually discontinued. Barcalo Manufacturing was very active in product design and development, and received numerous patents for its efforts. The earlier patents (beginnning in 1903) were related to bed frames and adjustable cribs, but later patents covered tool designs and wrench holders. Barcalo Manufacturing: Issued and Licensed Patents Patent No. Notes and Examples 719,685 E.J. Barcalo & C. Vallone 09/11/1902 02/03/1903 Bed Spring Assignment to Barcalo & Boll Mfg. 733,772 C. Vallone 04/06/1903 07/14/1903 Bed Bottom 793,251 C. Vallone 10/03/1904 06/27/1905 Spring Bed Bottom 845,384 C. Vallone 10/23/1903 02/26/1907 Sliding-Side Folding Crib 857,850 C. Vallone 02/07/1907 06/25/1907 Corner Fastening for Bed Frames 958,316 C. Vallone et al 03/20/1909 05/17/1910 Miter Joint for Tubes 988,052 C. Vallone 12/11/1909 03/28/1911 Support for Hinged Member 1,052,863 C. Vallone et al 02/21/1911 02/11/1913 Apparatus for Heating Tubes 1,072,278 C. Vallone 07/22/1912 09/02/1913 Connecting Device for Bed Frames 1,231,675 C. Vallone 11/08/1913 07/03/1917 Holding Device for Cribs D57,153 L.A Safford 11/26/1920 02/22/1921 Handle for Adjustable Wrench Barcalo [N8] Adjustable Wrench 1,729,640 C. Vallone 08/11/1925 10/01/1929 Adjustable Wrench 1,822,070 C. Vallone 09/18/1928 09/08/1931 Tool Holder 1,830,577 C. Vallone 02/23/1928 11/03/1931 Wrench Holder Barcalo 6-Piece Open-End Wrench Set 1,870,612 A. DeSchebeko 03/17/1930 08/09/1932 Multi-Wrench Barcalo Multi Wrench 1,908,938 C. Vallone 09/18/1928 05/16/1933 Socket Wrench Holder 1,938,233 C. Vallone et al 05/11/1931 12/05/1933 Broaching Machine Barcalo 8-Piece Tappet Wrench Set D111,094 J.M. Vallone 06/19/1937 08/30/1938 Design for Wrench Handle Barcalo Convex Open-End Wrench 2,217,779 J.M. Vallone 01/25/1936 10/15/1940 Glider or Swinging Couch 2,681,099 J.M. Vallone 12/07/1951 06/15/1954 Adjustable Lounge Chair D177,636 W.R. Meier et al 11/23/1955 05/08/1956 Design for Wrench Barcalo Late-Design Combination Wrench D192,449 E.H. Shore 08/02/1961 03/20/1962 Slip-Joint Pliers Barcalo Manufacturing made use of a number of trademarks in its business, but for some reason no registrations have been found in the USPTO trademarks database (TESS) under the name "Barcalo". A more extensive search for documents has turned up a few registered trademarks, and more will probably be found with additional searching. Barcalo used the "Barcaloy" mark as an informal trademark for its later alloy-steel tools, particularly combination wrenches. This mark was in use by the late 1940s or earlier. Barcalo Manufacturing: Trademarks Issued Text Mark or Logo First Use Barcalo-Buffalo 146,429 08/28/1908 03/02/1921 09/06/1921 Used for furniture and upholstery. MATT-REST 153,403 05/15/1921 09/06/1921 03/21/1922 Used for mattresses. Renewed in 1942 158,332 01/01/1919 03/02/1921 08/29/1922 "Barcalo B Buffalo" logo. Used for wrenches, pliers, and socket-wrench sets. Barcalo 403,467 09/01/1913 10/24/1942 09/28/1943 Used for wrenches, pliers, other tools Barcalo tools marked as the company's own production are generally easy to identify, as these typically have stamped or forged-in markings of some variant of "-Barcalo-Buffalo-U.S.A." or just "Barcalo Buffalo". However, tools made as contract production may be difficult to attribute to Barcalo, unless certain distinctive design features can be identified. For example, designs such as the "convex handle" (patent D111,094) and tapered box ends (patent D177,636) are helpful for identification. Barcalo did not mark their tools with a date code, and it is therefore difficult to estimate the manufacturing date with any precision. Estimates for manufacturing dates must be made on the basis of tool design, markings, patents, catalog listings, and other such factors. The fact that Barcalo commonly offered multiple finish options for its tools further compounds the difficulty of estimating manufacturing dates. The following factors may be helpful in estimating the manufacturing date for a tool. Adjustable Wrench Design Patent. Tool Holder Patents. Alloy Steel Markings. Alloy steel tools were commonly marked with "Chrome Molybdenum" or "Chrome Vanadium" in earlier years, from the late 1920s to the early 1940s. "Convex" Handles. Barcalo's "convex handle" design patent was filed in 1937. Flat Shank Style. Barcalo's own production used a simple flat shank style in the post-war years from 1945 to the mid 1950s. The one exception was the combination wrenches, which continued to have raised panels similar to the pre-war design. Barcaloy Marking. Barcaloy was used as a brand for alloy steel combination wrenches from around 1945 to the 1950s. The earlier Barcaloy markings used a script font, but this changed to a block font after the mid 1950s. Taper Design Wrenches. In 1955 Barcalo filed a design patent for a distinctive tapered box end, with the opening broached at an angle. These "taper design" wrenches were in production by 1958 based on magazine advertising. The Barcaloy marking was eliminated when "taper design" wrench production started. Model Numbers. Barcalo tools were marked with a model number sometime after the acquisition by Crescent Niagara, probably around 1964. Photographs and observations of particular tools are based on items in the Alloy Artifacts collection. Barcalo Manufacturing is mentioned briefly in American Wrench Makers 1830-1930, 2nd Edition by Kenneth Cope (Astragal Press, 2002), referred to as AWM2e in the text. AWM2e reprints an advertisement stating that the Charles E. Hall business has been acquired by Barcalo Manufacturing. Currently we have only limited catalog resources for Barcalo, consisting of catalog No. 22 from around 1934, a line card (e.g. for hardware stores) from about 1947, and catalog No. 29 from about 1948. Catalog No. 22 (undated, but acquired with price list No. 27 from 1934) lists pliers, adjustable wrenches, a selection of chisels and punches, open-end wrenches in both carbon and alloy steel, chrome-molybdenum tappet wrenches, and chrome-molybdenum box-end wrenches. Open-end and tappet wrenches were available in sets in patented wrench holders. The 1947 line card shows a selection of wrenches and pliers for automotive or general service applications. The front of the card states "Manufacturing Quality Products Since 1896", providing a reference for the founding date of Barcalo Manufacturing. Barcalo tools were sold through some industrial distributors and by at least one high-volume retailer, Western Auto Supply. Ducommun "H" 1933. The 1933 catalog "H" from the Ducommun Corporation lists Barcalo auto wrenches on page 154. Using published notices and advertisements we've been able to piece together a brief history of the Charles E. Hall Company, the company acquired by Barcalo Manufacturing in 1914. A notice on page 151 of the July 25, 1907 issue of The Automobile describes an automobile carburetor made by the Charles E. Hall Company, and notes that they were the successors to the Union Manufacturing and Specialty Company. A notice on page 1002 of the November, 1907 edition of Hardware Dealers' Magazine mentions that the Charles E. Hall Company had released a booklet describing their products, which included drop-forged wrenches, pliers, and bicycle chains. Following up on the connection to Union Manufacturing, a notice in the December, 1900 issue of Carpentry and Building describes and illustrates the "Union Tool Grinder", a foot-powered grinder made by Union Manufacturing. The company address is given as 20 Breckenridge Street in Buffalo. Another notice on page 28 of the June 29, 1901 issue of The Age of Steel announces a 1901 catalog from Union Manufacturing, and mentions products including a "Union Grinder", a jeweler's lathe, machinist's screwdrivers, and other tools. The advertisement in Fig. 1A, published on page 10 of the May 25, 1908 issue of Hardware, illustrates various tools made by Charles E. Hall, including a "Union Foot Power Grinder" at the right. This ad shows that Charles E. Hall continued to make some its predecessor's products. From these notices and advertisements we can conclude that the Charles E. Hall Company was making tools by 1907 or earlier, and that their products included such items as S-Shaped wrenches, auto wrenches, pliers, and grinders, in addition to automobile carburetors. Published notices from the Patent Office show that Charles E. Hall received at least one patent for an automobile carburetor, with assignment to the Charles E. Hall Company. By 1908 or 1909 the Charles E. Hall Company had been acquired by the Crosby Company, a manufacturer of metal stampings with a large modern factory. This acquisition is noted on page 834 of the April 1, 1909 edition of The Motor World in an article about the Crosby Company, which mentions that the Hall company operations would soon be moved into the Crosby factory. The Charles E. Hall Company apparently continued to operate under its own name afterwards. Fig. 1B. 1910 Advertisement for Charles E. Hall Company. [External Link] The advertisement in Fig. 1B from the June 1910 Hardware Dealers' Magazine shows some of the tools produced by the Charles E. Hall company. The illustration shows a bicycle wrench, auto wrench, combination pliers ("Plyers"), and tin snips. Note that the corners of the illustration show a design with an "H" in a shield, a company logo that sometimes appears on the tools. In this section we'll look at some examples of the tools produced by the Charles E. Hall Company. Hall No. 10 Bicycle Wrench Fig. 1C. Hall No. 10 Bicycle Wrench, ca. 1907-1914. Fig. 1C shows a Hall No. 10 bicycle wrench, marked "Charles E. Hall Co." and "Buffalo, N.Y. U.S.A." with the H-Shield logo. (The logo is shown in the inset, as it's covered by the movable jaw in the photograph.) The overall length is 4.8 inches, and the finish is nickel plating. The next figure continues with another example of the Charles E. Hall Company production, a bicycle wrench of somewhat different design. Fig. 2. Hall No. 14 Bicycle Wrench, ca. 1907-1914. Fig. 2 shows a Hall No. 14 bicycle wrench, marked "Charles E. Hall Co." and "Buffalo, N.Y. U.S.A." with the H-Shield logo. The overall length is 4.2 inches retracted and 5.8 inches fully extended. The original finish appears to have been nickel plating, but most has been lost due to wear. Hall 9 Inch Auto Wrench Fig. 3. Hall 9 Inch Auto Wrench, with Inset for Marking Detail, ca. 1907-1914. Fig. 3 shows a Hall 9 inch auto wrench, stamped "Charles E. Hall Company" and "Buffalo, N.Y. U.S.A." on the fixed jaw. The overall length is 9.2 inches, and the finish is nickel plating, with some losses due to wear. Barcalo's earliest tools included adjustable wrenches and pliers, as these were among the products made by the Charles E. Hall company. Adjustable wrenches of the "auto wrench" style were among the products made by the Hall company. By around 1920 Barcalo had developed their own version of a Crescent-style adjustable wrench, referred to as the Model N wrench in advertisements and catalogs. These wrenches can be recognized by the distinctive handle design with two oval panels on the handle and a dart-shaped hole in the end. The design is described by patent #D59,786, filed by L.A. Safford in 1919 and issued in 1921. The Model N wrenches remained in production until at least the early 1940s. Barcalo 9 Inch Auto Wrench Fig. 4. Barcalo 9 Inch Auto Wrench. Fig. 4 shows a Barcalo 9 inch auto wrench, marked on the shank with "Barcalo-Buffalo" and "Made in USA" plus "Drop-Forged", all in forged raised letters. The overall length is 9.0 inches, and the finish is cadmium plating. Early [N8] 8 Inch Adjustable Wrench Fig. 5. Barcalo [N8] 8 Inch Adjustable Wrench, with Insets for Side View and Reverse Detail, ca. 1920s. Fig. 5 shows an early Barcalo 8 inch adjustable wrench with a distinctive handle design, marked with "U.S.A." and "Barcalo-Buffalo" forged into the panelled shank, with "8 Inch" and "Drop-Forged" forged into the reverse. The overall length is 8.0 inches, and the maximum opening is 1.0 inches. The finish is plain steel, with traces of black paint in the handle panels. The top inset shows a side view of the wrench. Note the relatively thick head, measured at 0.51 inches and typical of early carbon steel adjustable wrenches. Note also the relatively rough finish of the wrench, which has left the parting line of the forging dies clearly visible. The wrench has a distinctive design with two oval panels on the handle and a dart-shaped hole in the end. This style was registered as design patent #D59,786, filed by L.A. Safford in 1919 and issued in 1921. Barcalo produced wrenches of this style beginning around 1920 and continuing at least into the early 1940s. Early [N12] 12 Inch Adjustable Wrench Fig. 6. Barcalo [N12] 12 Inch Adjustable Wrench, with Insets for Side View and Reverse Detail, ca. 1920s. Fig. 6 shows an early Barcalo 12 inch adjustable wrench with a distinctive handle design, marked with "12 Inch" and "Barcalo-Buffalo" forged into the shank, with "Made in U.S.A." and "Drop Forged" on the reverse. The overall length is 12.2 inches and the maximum opening is 1.6 inches. The finish is plain steel with polished faces. The top inset shows a side view of the wrench. Note the relatively thick head, measured at 0.81 inches and typical of early carbon steel adjustable wrenches. Note also the relatively rough finish of the wrench, which has left the parting line of the forging dies clearly visible. (There are even a few sharp remnants of the trimming operation.) N6 6 Inch Adjustable Wrench Fig. 7. Barcalo N6 6 Inch Adjustable Wrench, with Insets for Side View and Reverse Detail, ca. Late 1920s to Early 1940s. Fig. 7 shows a somewhat later Barcalo N6 6 inch adjustable wrench in the distinctive panelled design, marked "Drop Forged" and "Barcalo" in forged raised letters, with "Model - N6" and "Buffalo U.S.A." forged into the reverse. The overall length is 6.2 inches, with a maximum opening of 0.6 inches and a head thickness of 0.49 inches. The finish is polished steel. The wrench has a distinctive design with two oval panels on the handle and a dart-shaped hole in the end. This design was registered as patent #D59,786, filed by L.A. Safford in 1919 and issued in 1921. Wrenches in this style were illustrated in the 1934 Barcalo catalog, in both standard and thin models, the latter being of vanadium steel. The relatively thick head of this example suggests a standard (non-alloy) model. Barcalo 4 Inch Adjustable Wrench Fig. 8. Barcalo 4 Inch Adjustable Wrench, with Inset for Reverse Detail, ca. 1940s to 1950s. Fig. 8 shows a later Barcalo 4 inch adjustable wrench in a more conventional Crescent-style design. The wrench is marked with "Buffalo-Barcalo" and "Made in USA" forged into the shank, with "4 In" and "Drop-Forged-Steel" on the reverse. The overall length is 4.4 inches. Pliers were among the products made by the Hall company, and Barcalo continue to produce a number of models of pliers. Barcalo 10 Inch Slip-Joint Combination Pliers Fig. 9. Barcalo 10 Inch Slip-Joint Combination Pliers, with Inset for Side View. Fig. 9 shows a pair of Barcalo 10 inch slip-joint combination pliers, stamped "Barcalo Buffalo" and "U.S.A." on the handle. The inset provides a side view of the pliers to illustrate the cross-hatched diamond gripping pattern on the handles. The pattern appears to have been applied by a knurling process rather than as a secondary forging, as traces of the parting line from the primary forging can be seen. Barcalo 7 Inch Slip-Joint Universal Pliers Fig. 10. Barcalo 7 Inch Slip-Joint Universal Pliers, with Inset for Handle Pattern. Fig. 10 shows a pair of Barcalo 7 inch slip-joint universal pliers, stamped "Barcalo Buffalo" and "U.S.A." on the handle. The "universal" style of pliers was a variant of the combination style, incorporating one flat jaw and one with rounded gripping surfaces. In addition, these pliers include a wire-cutting slot between the jaws, and one handle has a screwdriver tip. Barcalo 6 Inch Lineman's Pliers Fig. 11. Barcalo 6 Inch Lineman's Pliers, with Inset for Side View. Fig. 11 at the left shows a pair of Barcalo 6 inch lineman's pliers, marked "Barcalo Buffalo" around the pivot with "U.S.A." across the center. The overall length is 6.3 inches, and the finish is plain steel. This style of lineman's pliers was listed in the 1934 Barcalo catalog No. 22. Three sizes were available, 6-1/4, 7-1/4, and 8-1/2 inch nominal lengths. Barcalo Battery Pliers Fig. 12. Barcalo Battery Pliers, with Inset for Reverse Detail. Fig. 12 shows a pair of Barcalo battery pliers, stamped "Barcalo Buffalo" and "U.S.A." on one handle, with "Drop Forged" forged into the reverse. Barcalo 7 Inch Waterpump Pliers Fig. 13. Barcalo 7 Inch Waterpump Pliers. Barcalo was probably producing carbon-steel open-end wrenches by the 1920s, if not earlier. Their early design had depressed panels with forged-in markings, with a small depressed panel for the fractional size at each end. Barcalo offered several different finish options for its open-end wrenches. The options listed in the 1934 catalog were black rust-proof, cadmium plating, and satin nickel plating with polished ends, and additional options may have been available at other times. Barcalo 5/16x13/32 Open-End Wrench from 6-Piece Set Fig. 14. Barcalo 5/16x13/32 Open-End Wrench, with Inset for Reverse, ca. 1931-1933. Fig. 14 shows a Barcalo 5/16x13/32 wrench with depressed panels for the markings and sizes, marked with "Barcalo Buffalo USA" forged into the front panel, with "Drop Forged" and the fractional sizes forged into the reverse. This is the smallest wrench from the [4706R] 6-piece wrench set shown in a later figure. The details of the patented holder for the set have allowed an unusually precise estimate of the manufacturing date for the wrenches. Barcalo 19/32x11/16 Open-End Wrench Fig. 15. Barcalo 19/32x11/16 Open-End Wrench, ca. 1920s to Late 1930s. Fig. 15 shows a Barcalo 19/32x11/16 wrench with depressed panels for the markings and sizes, marked with "Barcalo Buffalo USA" forged into the front panel, with "Drop Forged" and the fractional sizes forged into the reverse. The overall length is 5.9 inches, and the finish is nickel plate. Barcalo 5/8x3/4 Open-End Wrench Fig. 16. Barcalo 5/8x3/4 Open-End Wrench, with Inset for Reverse Detail, ca. 1920s to Late 1930s. Fig. 16 shows a Barcalo 5/8x3/4 open-end wrench with depressed panels for the markings and sizes, marked with "Barcalo Buffalo USA" forged into the front panel, with "Drop Forged" and the fractional sizes forged into the reverse. The overall length is 6.8 inches, and the finish is plain steel with traces of black paint. The size markings are difficult to read but appear to be forged as "5-8" and "3-4", which may indicate that this is an early model. Barcalo 25/32x7/8 Open-End Wrench from 6-Piece Set Fig. 17. Barcalo 25/32x7/8 Open-End Wrench, with Inset for Reverse, ca. 1931-1933. Fig. 17 shows a Barcalo 25/32x7/8 open-end wrench with depressed panels for the markings and sizes, marked with "Barcalo Buffalo USA" forged into the front panel, with "Drop Forged" and the fractional sizes forged into the reverse. This is the largest wrench from the [4706R] 6-piece wrench set shown in a later figure. The details of the patented holder for the set have allowed an unusually precise estimate of the manufacturing date for the wrenches. Barcalo 15/16x1 Open-End Wrench Fig. 18. Barcalo 15/16x1 Open-End Wrench, ca. 1920s to Late 1930s. Fig. 18 shows a Barcalo 15/16x1 open-end wrench with depressed panels for the markings and sizes, marked with "Barcalo Buffalo USA" forged into the front panel, with "Drop Forged" and the fractional sizes forged into the reverse. Barcalo [4706R] 6-Piece Open-End Wrench Set Fig. 19. Barcalo [4706R] 6-Piece Open-End Wrench Set, with Insets for Top and Detail View, ca. 1931-1933. Fig. 19 shows a set of six Barcalo open-end wrenches in a patented metal holder, stamped with "Barcalo Buffalo USA" and "Pat. Nov. 3-31 1830577" on the front of the holder. The wrench sizes are 5/16x13/32, 3/8x7/16, 1/2x9/16, 19/32x11/16, 5/8x3/4, and 25/32x7/8. The wrenches are in the same style as the previous several figures, with "Barcalo Buffalo USA" forged into a depressed panel on the front, and with "Drop Forged" and the fractional sizes forged into the reverse panels. The finish on the wrenches is cadmium plating. The overall length is 7.9 inches and the height is 3.3 inches. The metal holder retains most of its original red paint. The metal holder is marked for patent #1,830,577, filed by C. Vallone in 1928 and issued in 1931. This set was offered in Barcalo's catalog No. 22 of 1934, and the red enamel holder with cadmium plated wrenches identify it as model 4706R. The metal holder was slightly more advanced by that time though, with corrugations on the cover to keep each wrench in place. (The catalog did note the same patent number however.) The simpler holder suggests a likely 1931-1933 manufacturing date for this set. The 1934 catalog offered similar sets with 5 or 6 wrenches and with different wrench size options, as well as a number of finish options. The wholesale price for this set was $0.46 in 1934. 19/32x11/16 "Convex" Open-End Wrench In 1938 Barcalo received design patent #D111,094 for an open-end wrench design with a distinctive convex shank. This new design appears to have replaced the older depressed-panel carbon-steel wrenches. These wrenches proved to be quite popular and thus are easy to find (and easy to spot) among older tools. As was the case with the earlier open-end wrenches, Barcalo offered the convex wrenches in multiple finish options. A 1940s price list noted the finishes as black rust-proof, cadmium plating, nickel plating with polished faces, and "steel gray" with polished faces and panels. Wrenches of this style were no longer listed in a catalog from the late 1940s, so we can estimate their production dates as ranging from 1937 (when the patent was filed) to the mid 1940s. Barcalo may have continued producing these as contract production after the 1940s. The next several figures show examples of the convex wrenches with various finish options. Fig. 20. Barcalo 19/32x11/16 "Convex" Open-End Wrench, ca. 1937-1945. Fig. 20 shows a Barcalo 19/32x11/16 open-end wrench with a distinctive convex handle, marked "Forged in U.S.A." with the Barcalo name embedded. The overall length is 6.5 inches, and the finish is cadmium plating. Note that the panel and faces have been left with a rough forged surface. The distinctive shape of this wrench was registered as design patent #D111,094 in 1938. 25/32x7/8 "Convex" Open-End Wrench Fig. 21. Barcalo 25/32x7/8 "Convex" Open-End Wrench, ca. 1937-1945. Fig. 21 shows a Barcalo 25/32x7/8 open-end wrench with a distinctive convex handle, marked "Forged in U.S.A." with the Barcalo name embedded. The overall length is 8.5 inches, and the finish is plain steel. The wrench appears to have been polished originally, but is now pitted due to rust. 15/16x1 "Convex" Open-End Wrench Fig. 22. Barcalo 15/16x1 "Convex" Open-End Wrench, ca. 1937-1945. Fig. 22 shows a Barcalo 15/16x1 open-end wrench with a distinctive convex handle, marked "Forged in U.S.A." with the Barcalo name embedded. More commonly these wrenches are seen with a plain finish, but for this example the finish is nickel plating, now worn through in several areas. Barcalo 7/16x1/2 Open-End Wrench with Depressed Panel Fig. 23. Barcalo 7/16x1/2 Open-End Wrench with Depressed Panel. Fig. 23 shows a Barcalo 7/16x1/2 open-end wrench with a depressed panel, marked with "Barcalo Buffalo USA" forged into the panel. The shank also has a forged-in code "A" visible at the right. Fig. 24 shows a Barcalo 9/16x5/8 open-end wrench with a depressed panel, marked with "Barcalo Buffalo USA" forged into the panel. The reverse also has a forged-in code "A" (not shown). Other Carbon-Steel Tools In addition to open-end wrenches, Barcalo produced a number of other carbon-steel tools, including such items as head bolt wrenches, tack pullers, and socket sets. Spark Plug and Head Bolt Wrench Fig. 25. Barcalo 5/8x15/16 Spark Plug and Head Bolt Wrench, with Insets for Side View and Reverse Detail. Fig. 25 shows a Barcalo 5/8 box and 15/16 open-end wrench, a popular style widely used for Ford Model T spark plug and head bolt service. The panelled shank is marked with "Barcalo-Buffalo-U.S.A." forged into the front, with "Drop-Forged-Steel" and a B-Circle logo on the reverse. Fig. 26. Barcalo Tack Puller, with Insets for Side View and Reverse Detail. Fig. 26 shows a Barcalo tack puller, marked with "Drop Forged" forged into the handle, with "Barcalo Buffalo USA" forged into the reverse. Go To Page: \| 1 \| \| 2 \| Next >> Alloy Artifacts Home Text and Photographs Copyright © 2005-2019 Alloy Artifacts Site Index	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0068.json.gz/line485
__label__wiki	0.600957	0.600957	Click here for patient testimonials \| Click here to request your appointment Patient Gallery \| Contact Us 700 Old Country Road, Suite 205 Doctor Profile Concierge Approach Varicose & Spider Veins AccuVein Groups & Links Advanced Vein Care Solutions 700 Old Country Road, Suite 205 Plainview, Long Island, NY 11803 Phone: (516) 822-1433 10 Little Known Facts about Vein Disease By A Long Island Varicose Vein Doctor A Long Island Vascular Doctor Explains What to Do about Painful Varicose Veins A Long Island Vein Specialist on Whether Weight Loss Will Make Varicose Veins Disappear Tweets by @healingrock THIS WEBSITE PROVIDES GENERAL EDUCATIONAL INFORMATION ONLY. Medical information or statements made within this web site are not intended for use in, or as a substitute for the diagnosis/treatment of any health/physical condition, or as a substitute for a physician-patient relationship which has been established by an in-person consultation of a patient. VIEW OUR MEDICAL DISCLAIMER Advanced Vein Care Solutions of Plainview, New York is the region’s leader in vein care and vein disease treatment. Under the guidance of Dr. Andrew J. Rochman, top vascular doctor, the center offers comprehensive, personalized health care ranging from treatments for minor spider veins to more bothersome varicose vein, venous reflux and complex circulatory disorders. Treatments available range from conservative options to sclerotherapy, microphlebectomy, and endovenous laser treatments. Swollen legs and ankles? Not to worry – at Advanced Vein Care Solutions our highly trained vein specialists understand the importance of providing the latest and safest treatments, with a minimum of downtime for the patient. With over a decade of experience, Dr. Rochman is a leader in advanced surgical techniques and he has dedicated his practice to maintaining a modern and comprehensive environment at Advanced Vein Care Solutions. In fact, the Center is the only practice on Long Island to be verified and approved by Best Vein Care, the industry’s leading verification organization. Patients can expect a comfortable and safe environment in which to achieve their goals of improved health and restored beauty. We are located at 700 Old Country Road, Suite 205, Plainview, NY 11803. You can arrange an appointment by calling (516) 821-0242. (Click here to find us on Google+ Local). © Copyright 2019 Advanced Vein Care Solutions \| Terms & Conditions \| Privacy Policy	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0068.json.gz/line490
__label__wiki	0.60543	0.60543	Nigeria: Learn from Ghanaian President, PDP Tells Buhari Home » Africa » Ghana » Nigeria: Learn from Ghanaian President, PDP Tells Buhari Mar 8, 2018 589 Viewed admin 0 respond The Peoples Democratic Party has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to use the benefit of his state visit to Ghana to draw lessons from his Ghanaian counterpart, President Nana Akufo-Addo on how to run a peaceful, united and economically vibrant nation. The party also criticised the President for offering to assist Ghana in her war against corruption, when his own administration allegedly “reeks heavily with corruption as evinced by the Transparency International report which exposed the fact that corruption has worsened in Nigeria under your watch.” The party, in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, in Abuja on Wednesday, said the President and his handlers should have been embarrassed that while the President of Ghana paraded credentials of a robust economy and a peaceful nation, Nigeria, under the Buhari Presidency was plagued with economic recession and an upsurge of violence and daily bloodletting. He said, “When President Buhari was reeling out President Akufo-Addo achievements in his one year in office; his ingenious approach to job creation; the farming-for-job initiative, the senior high school free education, one district-one factory project and one village-one dam initiative among others. “We hope our dear President reflected on the fact that back home, his inept government had instead, wrecked our once robust economy, the reason he had nothing to present to the world at the ceremony. “We hope President Buhari recollected that unlike his Ghanaian counterpart, his administration had nothing to show in its first year in office. “Our President recalls that under his own watch, over eight million Nigerians have lost their jobs, 16 million remained unemployed, 18 million more are underemployed while another 27.44 million refused to work for various reasons related to frustrations occasioned by the negative policies of his government.” In the same vein, Ologbondiyan said that he hoped that President Buhari noted that unlike his Ghanian counterpart, who initiated development projects and opened factories, in Nigeria under his watch, many factories had shut down and infrastructures collapsing. He also alleged that inflation had soared, fuel price moved from N86.50 to N250-N300 per litre in various parts of the country, while the nation’s debt profile had continued to escalate. He added, “Today, the world knows that what obtains in Nigeria is the direct persecution of opposition members under the guise of a fight against corruption, which has been aided by intimidation of the judiciary and incessant harassment of journalists. “The PDP therefore urges President Buhari’s handlers to stop embarrassing the nation, especially at the international stage. “We know that the Presidency sought to use the Ghana visit to curry international endorsement for their 2019 re-election bid, unfortunately, they reaped a harvest of international embarrassment and ridicule.” The PDP urged the President to be wary of turning Nigeria into a joke in the international arena, “especially when the world knows what is obtainable in his government.” As published by Punchng # Editor Picked# Ghanaian President# Main Featured Slider# News# Politics Filed in Ghana News Nigeria Politics Nigeria: Electricity Firms Drag FG to Court over N1 trn Debt Biafra: IPOB Threatens to Disrupt Ohanaeze’s Meetings on Restructuring	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0068.json.gz/line491
__label__cc	0.711068	0.288932	3 Key Reasons For OnePlus Becoming The Top Premium Smartphone Brand In India August 6, 2018 August 6, 2018 - by Shakthi - Leave a Comment The recently released Counterpoint report clearly shows that OnePlus is currently ruling the roost in the premium segment of smartphones in India. The company has pipped Samsung and Apple to get there and it looks like they are going to stay there. When we try and look at the rise of OnePlus as a brand in India, there are three very important factors that set them apart from others and these are also the reasons why they are on top now. Let us try and look at these facts now There are a lot of formidable and really large brands that are jostling for the top spot in the Indian market and it is no mean feat for any brand to get there and stay on top. OnePlus has just recently pulled this of. This means that there is something that sets them apart from other brands in the mind of the Indian buyer. When I went out and spoke to people about this, there were three very clear reasons why this has happened. Without much ado, here are the three key factors Consumer Empathy To put it in the words of Carl Pei, Co-Founder, OnePlus “OnePlus is very clear as a company that we don’t want to do anything that is consumer-hostile just because our competition is doing it or talking about it. It may be something that is perceived as cutting costs but in the end, our devices will deliver a value proposition that is unlike any other brand in the market and we will do it consistently” And having studied and very closely observed them over the years, I can say that the institutionalized priority of not doing something just for the sake of it has stood them in very good stead. Take the OnePlus 6 for example. The device is their biggest success till date and when you look at the spec sheet for the phone you will see that things like an IP certification for water resistance and wireless charging have been carefully left out from it. While there are those who say this is a problem, the larger number of people who swear by the value and performance that OnePlus devices deliver will know that adding these would have added to the cost of the device and simply not made much practical sense in the long run either. The end result of this thinking pattern has been the fact that OnePlus devices have been consistently hailed as the best performing Android phones whenever they were launched. People know that they get exactly what they expect from OnePlus Listening as a process Let us try and understand this with the facts that we have on hand. The logical starting point to understand all this is certainly at the beginning of it all. When the OnePlus One came on the scene, it had the best hardware that one could think of running with Cyanogen that was arguably the most fluid version of Android at that time. The price at which this package came was a miniscule fraction of what other brands wanted for similar devices. This combination intrigued the Indian buyers so much that they did not mind jumping through the hoops of an invite system and the overheads of getting the phone shipped into India from overseas. There was a mad craze for the OPO and it wasn’t looking like dying at all. Then the divorce happened with Cyanogen and personally I consider it more Cyanogen’s loss than anything else. Oxygen OS was born and around about the same time, the OP2 also took birth. This was a tad bit of a challenge for the brand as the UI and the device were more of a miss than a hit with the public. There was a long list of issues that people had with the OS and the phone. At this point, OnePlus did something that proved to be a pivot into the big league for them. They buckled down, owned up to the issues and setup a brilliant listening channel with the community and went to work on the issues. Iterations followed on Oxygen OS and it became one of the most appreciated flavors of Android around. Then the OnePlus 3 happened and the brand never looked back from there. The OP3 was a resounding success and they did what most brands would never do, come out with a mid-cycle refresh with the OP3T and the users loved it. The numbers were good and the brand was singing all the way to the bank. The same is true for the OP5, OP5T and now the OP6 Oxygen OS OnePlus’ operating system, OxygenOS, offers a refined Android experience that is faster, cleaner and more customizable than other Android experiences. You may think that this is a bit of an exaggeration when I put this here as a factor for the brad succeeding, but believe me, there are people who swear by the Oxygen OS experience and want nothing else. They are like brand ambassadors for the OnePlus experience on the field. Like its approach to hardware, OnePlus’ approach to software is centered around an experience that is refined, efficient and minimalistic. New features are vetted by OnePlus users through channels like the OxygenOS Beta Program and only added once OnePlus is confident the features can improve the way users use their phone. While it is light, there are subtle customizations that OnePlus users now love. Some of the good ones are There is full gesture support for navigation and it works pretty well, after moving to this, I am now unable to imagine going back to the navigation bar. It has one of the fastest implementations of face unlock in the Android world Apart from navigation, there are gestures like flip to silence and three finger screenshot that are pretty practical and thoughtful Oxygen Os supports a lot of third party icon packs that you can use right out of the play store The zero screen which is called the shelf gives you easy access to things that you do most often on your phone It would not be an exaggeration to say that Oxygen OS is one of the biggest reasons why the OnePlus devices are as fast as they are. In summary, doing the key things right, listening consistently and making the experience smooth are the three key factors that have helped OnePlus pip the big boys and take the top spot in India in the premium segment. TaggedCounterpoint researchOnePlusOnePlus 6 3 Standout Features Of The OnePlus 7 Pro 2019: The Year Of OnePlus’ Global Ascension? 3 Features That Make The Nokia 8.1 A Great Smartphone Previous Article MathWorks Adds New Predictive Maintenance Product for MATLAB Next Article Honor Play with GPU Turbo launched in India at INR 19,999 and INR 23,999 About Shakthi I am a Tech Blogger, Disability Activist, Keynote Speaker, Startup Mentor and Digital Branding Consultant. Also a McKinsey Executive Panel Member. Also known as @v_shakthi on twitter. Been around Tech for two decades now. View all posts by Shakthi →	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0068.json.gz/line494
__label__cc	0.676954	0.323046	Moveable Feast Cafe 2018/09/03 … Open Thread 6775 Views September 02, 2018 136 Comments Moveable Feast Herb Swanson Welcome to the ‘Moveable Feast Cafe’. The ‘Moveable Feast’ is an open thread where readers can post wide ranging observations, articles, rants, off topic and have animate discussions of the issues of the day. The ‘Moveable Feast Cafe’ will have two new open threads each week. The Saker stated moderation policy will apply eg ‘no caps’, no obscenity … etc to all post. The Cafe is now open for business … come on in and have a good time. Saker Webmaster Anonymous on September 03, 2018 · at 1:24 am EST/EDT Oh dear! Jeremy Corbyn is not following the proper MI5/MI6/CIA hegemonic script and so they are trying to haul him up on the carpet for a ‘corrrectional’ interview. Good luck there with the Skripal script -a child could see through that one. Corbyn Summoned by MI5 for ‘Facts of Life’ Briefing on Terrorism – Reports https://sputniknews.com/europe/201809021067686995-corbyn-mi5-briefing-terrorism/ one minion on September 03, 2018 · at 5:20 am EST/EDT This has more to do with the refusal to accept the prescribed definition of anti-Semitism– making criticism of Israel anti-Semitic and therefore hate speech—and the possible changes upcoming in deselection of sitting MPs (scaring off the remaining Blairites who will lose access to the gravy train) than anything to do with the ominously silent and now almost forgotten Skripals. But they have been out to get him since he was elected leader several years ago and by hook or by crook he will be got—can’t have ‘democracy’ undermined by allowing the democratic will of the people’s vote to stand, can we? Katherine on September 03, 2018 · at 8:41 am EST/EDT Sounds like a “reeducation camp.” Regarding ‘GCHQ Bude’ mentioned in the last café by one of Bro’s Q sources, Bude in Cornwall is where the undersea transatlantic cables, that carry all telephone and internet signals, come in. We will instantly know if that connection has been severed as not just Bude but all of UK and Europe will go dark to US traffic–which is not yet the case. Bro 93 on September 03, 2018 · at 4:38 pm EST/EDT How many places in UK are there where undersea cables come ashore? I certainly don’t know. If anyone read the entire Neon Revolt article posted there, besides Q saying “Bye-Bye” to the GCHQ regarding that primary connection, he posted not long thereafter something to the effect of Horizon activated. Which at least (in the movie or reality) was explained by Neon as a not nearly as robust system for emergency backup. Then there was a cool photo of Flying Fish…..an aircraft which has something to do with maintenance, security or something else related to undersea cables: https://www.horizontechnologies.eu/products/flyingfish-3rd-generation-s-horizon-technologies/screen-shot-2017-07-11-at-12-00-39-pm/ No, I am wrong. Has to do with Horizon back up communications….satellite, not cable. Although there was also stuff in that article about some satellites put out of commission by White Hats to hamper Black Hats. https://www.neonrevolt.com/2018/09/01/catching-up-with-newq-the-59-drop-mega-post-qanon-greatawakening-neonrevolt/ Who knows? Spy vs Spy. The Movie or Reality? Or the Book? “Book ‘er Dono!” OMG…….TV! Breaking through the back lawn turf of the mind….LOL. one minion on September 03, 2018 · at 5:10 pm EST/EDT There have been attempts on that cable site (to my knowledge the primary, if not only? site where those cables come ashore) but it is a restricted area with security. My point is that severing the cables would not be a secret, the results would be immediately obvious to every Tom, Dick and Harry who uses a phone or internet. My question could be read thusly if I had been more precise: “Is there only ONE cable between the USA and UK requiring Intelligence messages to be mixed up with every Tom Dick and Harry….OR is there a dedicated cable…or cable(s) strictly for intelligence sharing purposes?” There may be only the one you are aware of. But I would kind of doubt it. A dedicated cable would seem more likely to me., but what do I know about this subject??? Very little. That’s why I don’t assume only one big cable carrying everything between the two countries. To my knowledge there are several very large cables of bundled smaller cables that originally served as the GPO telephone links. It has undoubtedly been upgraded and supplemented since the mid last century, to fibre optics. I would say that it is unlikely to lay a dedicated transatlantic cable purely for the secret squirrels, the cost would be prohibitive when there are available facilities already there within the existing cables. The squirrels have a vast array of other means to communicate should they require it without going to the expense of forking out for a dedicated cable. The GPO, (General Post Office) BTW, was once a nationalised industry and it spawned both the current GCHQ at Cheltenham and British Telecom, a privatised company that owns and maintains all the telecom cabling in the country. The two are still joined at the hip, despite all protestations to the contrary. BT can tap into everything long before it hits a commercial server, one of the reasons I don’t worry too much about all the surveillance scares. Ain’t freedom grand? I went to Wales a few weeks ago and visited Portmeirion where the ‘Prisoner’, a 60’s TV series was filmed. The cat was out of the bag then, but its still a stunningly beautiful wooded location on an estuary. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GCHQ_Bude amarynth on September 03, 2018 · at 7:09 pm EST/EDT The dedicated stuff these days are mostly satellite based. These days we have satellite system backing up terrestrial and the other way around. Let me ask a few questions. I see the data given talks about I think 5 satellites dark and I think 7 supercomputers dark. I may have the numbers wrong and it may be the other way around. I see everyone that asks for independent verification, are mostly being disrespected with the answer that this stuff is classified, so, there is no independent verification. The stuff that NSA is dead or CIA is dead or both are dead?. Let me ask a question. Who is it that wants ordinary people confused these days with the only stars in their eyes being: “We don’t like the UK any more so we’ve taken them down and they cannot spy on us any longer”. So, how does on kill a computer? I’m dead serious with this question. There are 2 ways, hardware, or software. If I had now the very first computer that I had in my life, and the hardware was good, I could make the software run. These days the backup systems are incredibly sophisticated. So, someone gets to a root password, and takes the machine by root, the fellow with the hardware access can recover. A bad virus? One can recover. Backups, auto failover, redundancies, phased disk arrays, alarms of all kinds … software one can recover. Hardware, the only way you can kill a computer where the hardware is good, is to brick it, to bomb it, or attack it with a baseball bat, take some high powered electricity to it, or shoot that satellite into pieces. Making a satellite dead software wise, without ability to adjust the orbit every now and again, nudge it a bit, well, you’re just going to have falling satellites eventually. You can turn it off, same as with a computer in terms of software, but that is only for a while. If the machine/satellite is good, software can be recovered. AI and all the scary stories there … well, it all is still coding, development and programming. You can make a computer very intelligent, but that intelligence is still not a human intelligence and you can brick it, bomb it, beat it with a baseball bat, or get root access and make it dumb. So, if I wanted to make dead all the computers and satellites, I would not kill ’em either hardware or software. If I wanted it non compos mentis, I would sneakily first steal the databases (assuming I have a incredible amount of computer power and physical drive space) and then thereafter corrupt the databases. Show me any spook white or black hat that will not snag that data first. In this way, the throughput of data will not alarm anyone but the results will be, well incredible – crazy data results and satellites staggering all over the sky. This is all visible you know. I don’t believe this story and neither would any competent big data person with a smidgen of satellite experience. The amount of data flowing through these systems is just too massive not to have a real observable effect in real life – the amount of data flowing through the internet is routinely visible. One cannot hide that you know. These systems as well act as listening stations for more than what one may think. Killing a few will kill a massive amount of listening, not only among the 5-eyes. Why do you think we have that listening station where it is in the UK? Who do you think it monitors? So, what is happening? Here is one direction to think – Thierry Meyssan, here: http://www.voltairenet.org/article202622.html “The Western powers are moving inexorably towards Internet censorship, thereby facilitating the dissemination of propaganda and war indoctrination in their countries. In this context, an extremely violent tension is tearing apart the international scene.” Just another view on this thing. I’ll buy you a beer if I am wrong and a bunch of satellites and a bunch of big boxes all in the 5-eyes system were made silent. Bro 93 on September 04, 2018 · at 2:46 am EST/EDT Fair enough! With the rhetorical beer. Can I trade that in for an espresso??? I love the bravado! As though I believed anything about it, in the first place. LOL. What I KNOW is that the whole subject annoys you, and what with jousting with DL and mods (and here I thought you were Queen Moderator…….just to show how little I know….LOL) you worked overtime …..on Labor Day…and have reason to be annoyed at having to work so hard………..on Holiday. You and one minion are way, way ahead of me in communications technology and anything UK……however I must say that your approach is way, way more absolutist or binary than mine, perhaps because of IT training?? Either 1 or 0, period. Either A or B Either Communication ‘Birds” or Sea Serpents were killed or they were NOT. Soooo….. End of StoryTime….beddie bye time now, lights out…..and shut up! Giggle, giggle, whisper, whisper. There are nuances that are more interesting than A / B binary choices. The premise of the movie….. er Reality Show(Damn! I thought I kicked the TV habit two decades ago!) is that NSA surveillance is a double edged sword, and yes, It could lead to Big Brother 1984 in short order….but the really entrenched Black Hats are in Langley….not NSA and They Never Thought She Would Lose……got careless and overconfident and now….stand to be hung…….because the calls NSA is NOW interested in are Brennan’s and Hussein’s and Alice’s (HRC) and all the White Rabbits….not yours and mine. And there is Spy vs Spy jockeying for position on many fronts simultaneously for ANY competitive edge……which might mean disrupting some minor or major part of the other hats’ comms for a critical minute…. or seconds here or there not cutting off their eyes,ears and smell all in one fell, movie ending swoop. And, like a good piece of poetry, there is always ambiguity. Why “NSA down” even for a few seconds if they are White Hats now that they have recovered from CIA infiltrator of NSA Edward Snowden??? I don’t know. But I suspect this is not as simple as a binary system. Why does White lose a pawn to Black?? Maybe it’s a pawn sacrifice, and something greater of tactical or strategic importance much greater than a pawn is to be gained in the next few moves…. Maybe one can disable the other for a few seconds or a critical minute OF ITS CHOOSING to blind the other…at the bearable cost of blinding itself….for just enough time of its choosing. I don’t know! I am not talking specific predicates here, because I am far from qualified on the technology. All I am talking is non-binary plasticity of mind for the moment. Because there are strong hints that that is the requirement to follow the plot more than 5 minutes without getting frustrated and adamant enough to place bets. But while we are on the subject of betting, I will bet you TWO beers that Dennis won’t give a hoot for any development of the Third World in his current life (or maybe the next) and will still be advocating reversing ALL industrial and technological development everywhere and a return to a Sextopia of 80 thousand years ago that no one has any shred of evidence of having ever existed and that his real message to Humanity (including all of us )….is: “GO F Yourselves!” I’m not COMPLETELY stupid. Not if you give me a year or three to work on cracking The Code. Persistence pays off! Bro, the tech is inherently unstable. It was designed that way when stability was sacrificed for speed, so it is constantly going down, mostly momentarily but sometimes for a longer time-out. I myself wouldn’t read too much into a time-out since it goes with the territory. I would point out that dividing the category into white and black hats and assigning good and bad attributes is a red herring. None of us are dedicated good guys or bad guys as ‘good’ and ‘bad’ signify multiple different things depending on who is doing the categorising, as I am sure you appreciate. Change is the only constant in life. Dennis‘ S§$topia is/was REAL, only it was not 80.000 but 90.000 years ago and was realised by a multiculti population of Denisovans and Neanderthalerettes feasting day-in day-out in Upper Siberia and thusly producing among other wonders, just to honour Dennis L. and smash his naysayers, the „ inter-species love child ‘Denny’ “! Know more at https://www.sott.net/article/394535-Images-and-artifacts-from-the-Siberian-cave-where-inter-species-love-child-Denny-lived-90000-years-ago . Awfull Offall II. chimmy on September 03, 2018 · at 7:37 am EST/EDT Enjoy this content, while the author still has a blogspot account: https://www.revisionisthistory.org/ (This whole censorship thing made me want to buy his book on the Ernst Zundel trial — a topic I would’ve avoided ten years ago.) Following Sun Tzu’s dictum “when surrounding an enemy, leave them a path for retreat,” I think we can expect “Low intensity censorship” where dissenters are harassed, but not totally silenced. Revenue streams are interrupted, and providers potentially face bankruptcy. The aim is to silence, only without sending out an inadvertent, “Do not read this.” anon on September 03, 2018 · at 8:56 am EST/EDT On the train Between stations A man reading Of the World While racing From one stop To another. one minion on September 03, 2018 · at 10:19 am EST/EDT “Every Night & every Morn Some to Misery are Born Every Morn and every Night Some are Born to sweet delight Some are Born to Endless Night We are led to Believe a Lie When we see not Thro the Eye Which was Born in a Night to perish in a Night When the Soul Slept in Beams of Light God Appears & God is Light To those poor Souls who dwell in Night But does a Human Form Display To those who Dwell in Realms of day.” Blake’s conclusion to ‘Auguries of Innocence’, the whole thing is worth a read: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/43650/auguries-of-innocence I was listening to Neil Young this morning, which brought Old William and his own, personal, profoundly well-illustrated cosmos to mind: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2CRzXAPPEY ioan on September 03, 2018 · at 12:10 pm EST/EDT Thanks for sharing, a Master work of Blake. I posted the wrong song link, intending a Neil Young film theme for ‘Dead Man,’ but, no matter. Anonymous on September 03, 2018 · at 4:09 pm EST/EDT The wise learn to go check out what everyone tells them loudly not to read, see or listen to. Yes, sometimes you have to suffer through listening to a bit of Alex Jones’ performance art because you go listen to what’s being censored. That’s the price you pay. But its a small price to be in the habit of going in search of what others want to forbid you from knowing. Those things they don‘t censor openly and loudly but silently and invisibly by cutting out may even be yet more interesting. You must then probe what disappears: that content and those profiting from these cuts are the censors‘ dirty secret, things well worth the effort to find out. chimmy on September 04, 2018 · at 1:30 pm EST/EDT Case in point: Alex Jones–meh. Besides Hoffman and the Gates book, I am also enjoying Joseph Farrell’s financial trilogy which i am reading in reverse order. https://archive.org/stream/FromSmokeToSmother/smoke_djvu.txt It appears that all of Douglas Reed’s work have been expunged from Amazon. Besides the above work. I recommend Far and Wide which chronicles the author’s visit to the United States and the rise of the National Security State. I would say pass on The controversy of Zion which is marred by ideology and a flawed theological outlook. I seem to recall that Israel Shamir likewise holds a rather negative of this work. This particular volume spent roughly 70 years as a manuscript looking for a publisher — not everything that gets spiked is worthy of attention. I want to post this somewhere. I asked my Moscow correspondent the following: “What do you think of the new pension plan? I have read that it is a major defeat for Putin. And a victory for the “Atlanticists.” ” He responded: “Exactly, this is their victory and the defeat of Putin. It looks as he trusts to neo-liberal economists too much and by some reason he decided to sacrifice his high rating. The main mistake of the new pension plan is the unbelievable quickness of its implementation. The pension reform was first time announced publicly in May 2018, just after Putin’s election. The plan of reform will be adopted in this fall by Duma and the reform will begin immediately in the next year. As I know, Ronald Reagan announced about the new pension plan in 1980. This was 20 years before the beginning of the similar pension reform in the US. People had enough time to adjust their life-cycle plans. In the case of Russian pension reform there is no reason for such haste, in particular, due to the very low level of public debt and stability of public finance. The government could have announced the new pension plan and begun its implementation after the termination of Putin’s presidency, for example in 2026, when the generation born in 1966 comes to the pre-reform pension age (60 years for men). This generation is the first one that is beyond the pay-go pension system. Add to this strategic mistake a very stupid “supporting” campaign on TV showing the real-life retired people who are happy to work at their age. I do not doubt that these people tell the truth, but this is not surprising because they receive pensions from the state in addition to their wages! ” Павел (Paul) on September 03, 2018 · at 10:41 am EST/EDT … and mostly initiated during the World Cup football matches where the people should have been oblivious due to sport (and religion) being … “the opiate of the people” (according to Karl Marx). Katherine, I suspect your correspondent is associated with Pravda … here is the voice of the Communist Party (Pravda) on this matter … ” … After the president’s televised address to the nation on August 29, it became clear that it was Putin who initiated the pension reform in Russia. This is evidenced by his harsh affirmation about the lack of alternatives to the reform. Until recently, however, Putin tried to distance himself from his government, which he had allegedly commissioned to develop and implement the unpopular reform.” See more at http://www.pravdareport.com/russia/economics/30-08-2018/141485-putin-0/ (… why why why ?) Katherine on September 03, 2018 · at 6:33 pm EST/EDT He is not associated with Pravda. This is extremely doubtful. Surely not everyone who has an opinion on the Russian pension reform is associated with Pravda! He is a supporter of Putin. It is possible that as a Russian citizen who has a family and a job, he views things as . . . a Russian citizen with a family and job. the reason I wanted to post this—the reason I asked him what he thouight about the pension plan—was that I had read elsewhere in the alternative media that this was not a good step for Putin to take–also, the atmospherics of the way it was announced/communicated. But I couldn’t recall where I had seen that. ioan on September 03, 2018 · at 1:19 pm EST/EDT I don’t know if this poem helps to improve the wisdom and faith in a better world, though it shows my actual state of spirit : Sick and Angry by ioan Kingdom of Freedom Kingdom of Love Where is your wisdom Here and above ? Where are your fighters Where is your flag, Teachers and Masters Whom followers back ? Under constant pressure Lines begin to fissure, Wells are drying up Empty is the cup Souls are getting thirsty Bodies falling out, Nameless, sick and angry Living, in a doubt. Dimitar on September 03, 2018 · at 4:17 pm EST/EDT I play slow, its fast I play fast, its slow don’t play music, let music play you let music play you teranam13 on September 04, 2018 · at 3:48 pm EST/EDT With the death of A Zakharovsky, the knot holding back time and tide was undone . peace will not come piecemeal. The dogs of war howling below: http://theduran.com/ambassador-kurt-volker-us-to-drastically-expand-military-assistance-to-ukraine/ Babushka in Oz on September 03, 2018 · at 5:29 pm EST/EDT Putin shows he is a strong leader to carry out necessary reforms – The Duran’s Alex Christoforou and Editor-in-Chief Alexander Mercouris discuss Putin’s decision to address Russia’s pension issues, and the clear signal this sends to the Russian people regarding Putin’s final term in office, and the legacy he plans to pass on to his eventual successor. http://theduran.com/putin-sends-clear-message-this-will-be-last-term-as-russian-president-video/ Putin has demonstrated, again, that he is a strong leader for the benefit of the Major oil producing areas and Moscow https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/article/inequality-and-the-putin-economy-inside-the-numbers/ “Russia” (rather than Russians) is richer than at an any point in history so are thse “necessary” reforms related, rather, to the deepening of the Oligarch pockets. Isabella on September 04, 2018 · at 2:39 pm EST/EDT There are, of course, short sighted people everywhere. The combat to this is to read, view and think widely. President Putin has led his country from the Abyss of non-existence to it’s present pre-eminence. He hasn’t done this without a huge amount of criticism, from those who could not see as far as he can. Your associate, along with the other critics, seem sunable to make 2 + 2 = 4. When Putin wanted to raise the Kursk, he went around a table of advisors and experts, asking “Can we do it”? They replied “No, no, no, no”. He replied “We will do it – I promised. Get working on it”. He asked the lead engineer “How long will you need”? He replied “3 years”. Putin held up one finger. “You have one”. Well, the Raising of the Kursk made engineering history, astonished the world, and was done. Does this sound like a man who is influenced by “Atlanticists”. ?? It’s stuff like this that makes me shake my head in wonder. At least, for while. These days I tend to just shrug and move on. When V.V.’s then wife was being interviewed for the book “First Person” they talked of his relationship with his girls. The reporter said of his lax discipline; “and they can twist Papa round their little finger”. The reply of the woman who knew him fairly well? “NO-ONE can twist Papa around their little finger”. I’ve seen nothing to counter this. The very suggestion that Putin is a weak willed, rather stupid idiot who can be influenced in what he does by treachery is beyond insulting. It’s breathtaking in its tunnel vision. I watched the entire of his presentation to the people of Russia. He was clear regarding the reasons, the demographics, the finances, and the “why” it was essential for Russia to catch up with the rest of the world on this. Those who spit at him over this, are, to me anyway, merely selfish myopics, who dont give a damn about what the next generations of Russians will have to suffer, as long as they get to indulge in an unaffordable paid early retirement now. Some times a whole generation has to take the blow or the burden. The WWII generation gave their lives in massive numbers. It appears that Putin is requiring a certain sacrifice of the generation coming into their retirement in these perilous and uncertain times. Russia will have to fight and the deep state Looneytune ideologues will try to make it a draining, exhaustive one. So keep the barricades in good order. Isabella on September 04, 2018 · at 10:16 pm EST/EDT Well, given I am of the generation of Australians who “fell between the cracks” created by a short sighted, fearful and selfish government, who stole our massive private funds, and the end result of Governments who try to pay pensions out of Consolidated Revenue instead of investment, had no money to pay the future pensions and had to re-institute the investment fund model in order to prevent future generations dying of starvation – yes. In this case, I think Putin hs done a lot to spread the load, much more than any other government scheme I’ve heard of. It says a lot. I suspect that much of the complaining is being done by the Communist block people, the older ones who spent their lives in a system which tried to give cradle to the grave assured living, and miss that sense of comfort and security bitterly. It’s sad, but you can’t force reality on people who close their eyes to it. “It appears that Putin is requiring a certain sacrifice of the generation coming into their retirement” “in these perilous and uncertain times.” That is not reflected in Russian GDP growth statistics, if you press the “MAX”button under the graph here https://tradingeconomics.com/russia/gdp you will see that GDP had tripled from $500 Billion in 1992 to more than $1,500 Billion in 2016 and is in a long-term uptrend throughout. Putin could have implemented a much more aggressive taxation system to tackle any concerns about lack of funds for future development but instead decided to dampen that in favour of the richest Russian class. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/jul/15/billionaires-drive-economic-growth-crony “Americans, in particular, have been taught to think that billionaires have a positive effect on the economy. Why? Because they are “exceptional” people who have proved that they can accomplish great things. The key finding that, on average, they have an insignificant effect on growth prospects, even in the case of the politically unconnected, represents a huge negative surprise for supporters of the billionaire class.” “and the “why” it was essential for Russia to catch up with the rest of the world on this.” Can you explain, in a land in which 119 people control 19 percent of all household wealth, in a more digestable format, in what way Russia needs to catch up with the rest of the world? “Worldwide, there is about one billionaire for every $170 billion in household wealth; in Russia, there is one for every $11 billion.” Is it so he can increase that ratio of billionaire’s even more? Unfortunately Putin’s continuing popularity amongst the Russian people is akin to the poor old Turkey’s voting for Christmas. … just released, an Australian little known non-fiction world war 2 story … Author Tom Gilling has been talking about his non-fiction book on Australia’s “Nightlife” program. The story is fascinating … “A little known story of two Australian battalions abandoned in Java during World War II and the heroes who kept them alive in the worst of Japan’s prisoner of war camps. They were thrown into a hopeless fight against an overwhelming enemy. Later, hundreds died as prisoners of war on the Thai-Burma Railway and in the freezing coal mines of Taiwan and Japan. Through it all, wrote Weary Dunlop, they showed ‘fortitude beyond anything I could have believed possible’. Until now, the story of the 2000 diggers marooned on Java in February 1942 has been a footnote to the fall of Singapore and the bloody campaign in New Guinea. Led by an Adelaide lawyer, Brigadier Arthur Blackburn VC, and fighting with scrounged weapons, two Australian battalions – plus an assortment of cooks, laundrymen and deserters from Singapore – held up the might of the Imperial Japanese Army until ordered by their Dutch allies to surrender. Drawing on personal diaries, official records and interviews with two of the last living survivors, this book tells the extraordinary story of the ‘lads from Java’, who laid down their weapons, but refused to give in.” http://indies.com.au/upcoming/the-lost-battalions Thanks, I’ll look out for that book. Some years ago I visited the Katchanaburi war graves and museum in Thailand, an uncle is buried there. The track that they hacked by hand out of the rock still stands and I rode the train that still runs on it to the Burmese border. That phrase, ‘fortitude beyond anything I could have believed possible’ sums it up, even for this committed anti-imperialist. vot tak on September 03, 2018 · at 11:39 am EST/EDT Victory! California Passes Net Neutrality Bill https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2018/08/victory-california-passes-net-neutrality-bill “California’s net neutrality bill, S.B. 822 has received a majority of votes in the Senate and is heading to the governor’s desk. In this fight, ISPs with millions of dollars to spend lost to the voice of the majority of Americans who support net neutrality. This is a victory that can be replicated. ISPs like Verizon, AT&T, and Comcast hated this bill. S.B. 822 bans blocking, throttling, and paid prioritization, classic ways that companies have violated net neutrality principles. It also incorporates much of what the FCC learned and incorporated into the 2015 Open Internet Order, preventing new assaults on the free and open Internet. This includes making sure companies can’t circumvent net neutrality at the point of interconnection within the state of California. It also prevents companies from using zero rating—the practice of not counting certain apps or services against a data limit—in a discriminatory way. That is to say that, say, there could be a plan where all media streaming services were zero-rated, but not one where just one was. One that had either paid for the privilege or one owned by the service provider. In that respect, it’s a practice much like discriminatory paid prioritization, where ISPs create fast lanes for those who can pay or for other companies they own. In the middle of all of this, the story broke that Verizon had throttled the service of a fire department in California during a wildfire. During the largest wildfire in California history, the Santa Clara fire department found that its “unlimited” data plan was being throttled by Verizon and, when contacted, the ISP told the fire department they needed to pay more for a better plan. Under the 2015 Open Internet Order, the FCC would have been able to investigate Verizon’s actions. But since that order’s been repealed, Verizon might escape meaningful punishment for its actions. Verizon throttled fire department’s “unlimited” data during Calif. wildfire Fire dep’t had to pay twice as much to lift throttling during wildfire response. https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2018/08/verizon-throttled-fire-departments-unlimited-data-during-calif-wildfire/ “County Fire has experienced throttling by its ISP, Verizon,” Santa Clara County Fire Chief Anthony Bowden wrote in a declaration. “This throttling has had a significant impact on our ability to provide emergency services. Verizon imposed these limitations despite being informed that throttling was actively impeding County Fire’s ability to provide crisis-response and essential emergency services.” Bowden’s declaration was submitted in an addendum to a brief filed by 22 state attorneys general, the District of Columbia, Santa Clara County, Santa Clara County Central Fire Protection District, and the California Public Utilities Commission. The government agencies are seeking to overturn the recent repeal of net neutrality rules in a lawsuit they filed against the Federal Communications Commission in the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.” This is the people vs the right. The likud trump right. Yellowstone Grizzlies: Court Blocks ID, WY Trophy Hunts https://wildearthguardians.org/press-releases/yellowstone-grizzlies-court-blocks-id-wy-trophy-hunts/ “In the order, the court wrote that the plaintiffs’ arguments raise “serious questions going to the merits.” At minimum, the current issue is extremely similar to that recently presented in Humane Society of the United States v. Zinke, 865 F.3d 585 (D.C. Cir. 2017), in which the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals held that Fish and Wildlife Service violated the Administrative Procedure Act and the Endangered Species Act when it isolated and delisted a distinct population segment without considering the legal and functional impact on the remainder of the species. “We applaud Judge Christensen’s decision to hit the pause button,” said Matthew Bishop, an attorney with the Western Environmental Law Center. “There is simply no need to rush into a grizzly bear hunt, with potentially devastating consequences for this iconic species, when the merits of that hunt are being reviewed in federal court.” Grizzlies in the Yellowstone region remain threatened by dwindling food sources, climate change, small population size, isolation, habitat loss and fragmentation, and high levels of human-caused mortality. The Yellowstone population is isolated and has yet to connect to bears elsewhere in the U.S., including to bears in and around Glacier National Park. Grizzlies also have yet to reclaim key historic habitats, including the Bitterroot Range along the Montana-Idaho border. Hunted, trapped, and poisoned to near extinction, grizzly bear populations in the contiguous U.S. declined drastically from nearly 50,000 bears to only a few hundred by the 1930s. In response to the decline, the Service designated the species as threatened under the Endangered Species Act in 1975, a move that likely saved them from extinction. The species has since struggled to hang on, with only roughly 1,800 currently surviving in the lower 48 states. Grizzlies remain absent from nearly 98 percent of their historic range. Last year (2017) marked the highest mortality for the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem’s grizzlies since their ESA listing. Grizzly bear mortality in 2018 is proceeding at a record pace, even without the added mortalities from trophy hunting which would have claimed up to 22 more. At last count, approximately 690 grizzly bears resided in the Greater Yellowstone region, down from 2015’s count of 717 bears. The last three years had near record-breaking grizzly mortality, with at least 41 bears killed in 2017, and an additional 15 listed as probable mortalities. Of this, at least 32 were killed by humans, and humans were responsible for at least 9 of the 15 probable deaths. As of this writing, 34 grizzlies are on the 2018 known and probable mortalities list for the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem, far outpacing previous years’ rates.” Another victory for the people (albeit temporarily) against the likud trump right. I’ve got no problem with people hunting grizzlies. I just think that all of the guns, bows and other technologies should be taken away. Hand-to-Paw personal combat, Man vs Grizzlie. Under those rules, I think hunting of Grizzlies should be encouraged for those who want to kill them. vot tak on September 04, 2018 · at 8:24 am EST/EDT Works for me. :-D vot tak on September 03, 2018 · at 12:03 pm EST/EDT Corbyn and the Jewish Question https://dissidentvoice.org/2018/09/corbyn-and-the-jewish-question/ “It doesn’t take a genius to detect the present volatile state of British Jewish institutions. To the outside observer, some of the actions of Britain’s so-called Jewish ‘leaders’ may seem to be a form of collective insanity. Yet, the Brits do not seem to be at all impressed. They are perplexed by the self-propelled collective hysteria. Naturally, many Brits do not agree with Corbyn on issues; some may not agree with his pacifist politics, others see him as a naïve delusional lefty, a few are upset by his association with controversial characters, but no one except a few Israel Firsters sees Corbyn as a crazed ‘anti-Semite,’ let alone as a Hitler type who puts Jewish life under an “existential threat.” While it isn’t clear whether Corbyn can unite the Brits against their horrid government, it is increasingly likely that the Zionist lobby has the capacity to unite the Brits behind Corbyn. A comment on twitter the other day noted that “not supporting Corbyn at this point is an act of treason.” Rabbi Sacks’ reaction, however, takes us to a new level in our understanding of the Zionist mindset. The rabbi actually accused Corbyn of implying that “Jews are not fully British.” But that was not what Corbyn said or implied. He suggested that “Zionists” are not exactly British, a statement that poses no problem for most Zionists since they openly and voluntarily swear allegiance to another state, one that is nationalist, racist and expansionist and shares few, if any, values with Britain or the West. In order to grasp Rabbi Sacks’ recent outburst we may have to appeal once again to the famous French psychoanalyst Jacques Lacan’s astute observation:“unconscious is the discourse of the Other.” The unconscious, according to Lacan, is the fear that the Other, in this case, the gentile, the humanist or shall we say Corbyn and the Brits see you truly. It is the tormenting thought that the Goy may be able to detect the lie. It is the unbearable anxiety that the Brits know that British Zionists aren’t exactly Brits, they are deeply devoted to another state and its foreign interests, they never assimilated and do not plan to assimilate in the near future. The Lacanian unconscious is the fear that a Goy may stand up one day and decide to call a spade a spade or, way more a disturbing, refer to a celebrity ex-chief rabbi as a “far right extremist,” as Trade Union activist Eddie Dempsey suggests in the video below. (See full article in the link above.) Standing up against the likud right in the uk. Unlike trump who enthusiastically represents likud and embraces their psychotic extremism, Corbyn opposes these freaks. For the many, not the few. I am encouraged that some at least can keep focused on the key facts and thus avoid being influenced by the many smoke screens laid by the BBC, the Tories, and the Tony Blair fan club. Hey, it’s the Jewish question, not the “Corbyn question.” Happy Labor Day, everyone. This is the holiday in the usa where people celibate the rights and improvements they’ve won back in their lives and their victories over the right in so doing. Dennis Leary on September 03, 2018 · at 12:44 pm EST/EDT Hi. I am back from retreat, and back into this cafe. The former leaves me quite speechless and the latter at a loss for words. The pictorial masthead on this cafe appears to be yet another faked photo with a coded message. Note how the two sides have been pasted together with no attempt to make them fit, the right side a jumble of confusion and the paper-reading man on the left with two ears. Are you confused? Welcome to the new programmed Project Chaos, with the “we are hearing and seeing you” encryption–courtesy of Empire. Fortunately, the Love Army decryption unit deciphers the code and puts it into love language we can understand, if we are up to speed with the rapidly changing imperial 7D game. The tail end of the last cafe was quite enjoyable by way of a link by Anonymous VI to the Grateful Dead’s cover of Dylan’s Maggie’s Farm–if only it were true. Despite our best intentions, we’re all still working for Maggie and her Pa and Brother, affectionately called Big Brother, who has his eye and ear on us, a la the above mentioned crypto photo. Again, may I say, the Love Army has its reconnaissance special forces unit monitoring the empire, empowered by the Love Bower; so we can rest assured. Speaking of Maggie’s Brother, Bro 93 has taken off the gloves with respect to yours truly. I respect my dear Brother, and with all due respect to the moderation rules, welcome Bro’s contributions here, even when larded with self-projection and self-serving selections from what I write. In no way would I wish to see him moderated since he is a vital part of our team effort in defeating empire. In the last cafe, Saker was generous enough to engage with me on certain matters that in his view “distract from serious discussions, commensurate with his “desire to have adult discussions.” I wholehearted agree; if we are to win this war, we have to gather at these cafe tables as free, moderated, informed adults. As Bro’s link to the two-sided Nazi and Star of David coin implies, it’s that dense substance in the middle between the two sides of the coin that requires inquiry. Bro self-projects a rather unpleasant truth that “the densest substance is the Human Mind.” I apply that truism to myself first and foremost, since I am a blind fool like Cupid, who cannot see either. That’s why I need a community like this to help take the blindfolds off. Today is Labor Day in the good ol’ USA, the last country standing, for freedom, that is. Here at the marsh, there will be a family gathering, which is in sync with this vineyard family, our global family and family of origin, which I take to be the original Love Culture, of which one version is the Vineyard of Eden, represented here by the Love Bower. Happy Labor Day. Love’s Labors are not Lost because they thaw the coldest permafrost of the most frozen human hearts. Love, Dennis The above photo is not a faked one. Mod: Insult deleted. This picture was shot from the front of that Cafe, focusing on the window reflected image, therefore the seemingly deformations. The window is behind those figures, acting as a mirror for those in front of it. Mod: Insult deleted. The (mod insult deleted notes references). Yes, I know we have rules, but be sure, I am repeating those insults! (grins) “Today is Labor Day in the good ol’ USA, the last country standing, for freedom, that is.” That one too has to be clearly put to the light of truth, and at the moment, there are a few problems there. Syria for one, The Ukraine, for another, the openly declared conflicts against Russia and China, the few little coups going on in Central and South Americas for a few more, the wars, economic, just raging. Sometimes the dickheads just p me off! – only the dickhead ones. Mostly I like them, and I am married to one, but he is not a dickhead and he knows what is cutting. But I can say that of the Europeans as well. (you can check the dictionary, dickhead is an allowed word! It means “a person who is an idiot and shows it all too well”). What do we do? If the good people start insulting, there must be a reason eh. Mod: If the good people start insulting does it mean that the evil ones are winning thus driving us to distraction and despair? No mod, with respect. It simply means that we are done with the dickheads and personally I am done self-censoring because of Dennis, although I will keep within the rules as always. There is a reason for those and I am fully in agreement. May I express again my deep appreciation for the mods work. Let me speak very clearly. Dennis, that photo may have been taken as an interesting black and white photo of somebody right here in our community. I don’t know about that specific one, but I’ve seen a lot taken by photographers and artists right here in our community. We use some of those, and sometimes we don’t. How dare you question the work of the good people here! People that share with The Saker the fruits of their labor from their hearts! So, quit it, OK! It falls flat. You can quit it all by yourself and become less of a dickhead and become a functioning member of this community. There are some people here to do so much for this community and I know some of them. Some of them left because of you Dennis. Understand that. As one of these volunteers told me just a bit ago, nobody wants to create a chaos in the cafe. But me, sometimes I raise some hell and now I am raising some hell! No need to respond Dennis. No need to try and ‘parse’ what I say with a mess of words. I don’t need you to parse. In fact, rather say nothing. Think on these things. Think who you are ‘oh so lovingly’ disparaging. It falls flat Dennis. @Mod Let the people know what was the insult. I can repeat it elsewhere or tell it in other words if you don’t mind : If I ever had a photo camera and made photos by myself, I knew that this photo is not fake. This is valuable for others too, what is so insulting ??? Somebody who worked with a camera does know this. Doesn’t maybe Dennis insulted the Webmaster with repeated “faked” references ? It’s not a pleasant thing for anyone to be insulted, I agree but let’s be fair, comrade ! Mod: As a photographer since age 5 (which was 66 years ago) I agree that the photo isn’t faked. It appears to be a reflection (as was pointed out). IMO, it’s a pretty creative photo. That being said, can’t we point out our view, our opinion of the image without implying that the other poster is somehow “bad”. Mod, again with respect, it is not an issue of bad or good, it is an issue of impugning this site and the people here by saying this: “…. faked photo with a coded message. Note how the two sides have been pasted together with no attempt to make them fit, the right side a jumble of confusion and the paper-reading man on the left with two ears. Are you confused? Welcome to the new programmed Project Chaos, with the “we are hearing and seeing you” encryption–courtesy of Empire.” This kind of representation has been constant over a few cafes. So, we can either be allowed to tell someone he is an idiot but you know, it if happens over and over again, it gets boring. I will not allow any of the volunteers that work for this site to be impugned and their good work being questioned. I have to tell the man he is an idiot. Mod: With all due respect: 1. The moderation rules do not allow attacking another poster. We can disagree with their ideas but we must leave the personal attacks out of it. 2. This is the Moveable Feast Cafe where we are allowed to express our personal opinions and feelings that are not appropriate in other columns but otherwise, the moderation rules still apply here. 3. No one’s impugning the volunteers. Even our highly-valued long-time posters (who I appreciate as much as anyone) are human and all of us are at times a bit overly emotional and our comments can be a little over the top. Most of us recognize when this happens and we quickly scale it back toward reasonable respect. Nobody’s questioning any of the good intentions, good work and wonderful contributions of our posters. You’ve now expressed your opinion of another poster and I’m not going to moderate it out. This however, IMO, should be the end of this story. Do you know that joke about Hitler? Hitler after his bodily death – whenever it occurred, went straight to paradise, and was soon detected by a team of the Heavenly TV Network. They asked him: „Mr. Hitler – if you could do it all over again, what would you change?“ Hitler did not have to think, he responded immediately: „Definitely – I would no longer play the nice guy!“ The slaves are going on strike in “the last country standing, for freedom, that is”. But of course it is unlikely that the free American corporate media will tell you about it in the Land of the Free as you can’t know what you don’t know because Freedom isn’t Free, and I know that because a fascist on the tellie told me it was so. The Slaves Rebel https://zcomm.org/znetarticle/the-slaves-rebel/ The reason for the distortion–doubling—of the parts of the image that are seen through the glass at the edges of the window or the door is because the edge is beveled. That means—rather better-quality glass, I believe. I think it is the same effect that you see if you look down at your legs when you are swimming. They appear to go off at an odd angle. Acacia on September 03, 2018 · at 9:20 pm EST/EDT From reading the comments above, I gather this is the voice of reason vainly trying to correct more Miles Mathis-esque paranoia about photo fakery. I didn’t bother with Dennis’ post, as I now just scroll over everything he says. Acacia on September 04, 2018 · at 5:20 am EST/EDT …to be more precise, the paranoia and all-pervasive doubt about our world (i.e., that all strings are being pulled by the Joomanji, and all photos are faked, even those which adorn this humble cafe) resembles the effects of gaslighting. Perhaps this is the larger purpose of the Mathis “limited hangout” (with a nod to chimmy in the last cafe): to gaslight truth seekers. David Hollander on September 04, 2018 · at 5:09 pm EST/EDT Good point, but in my opinion the worst part of the “Miles Mathis” (most likely, group’s writings) is the pseudoscience. In general, there is today a lack of authoritative expert opinion. Anyone with a blog or a YouTube channel is granted as much (or more) credibility than scholars who have studied a given field for their entire lifetime. This was first evident in “Creation Science” but has expanded to challenge multiple scientific and technical fields: climate science, the reality of nuclear weapons, the Moon landings, etc. Whereas the “Mandela effect” or even the Flat Earth Theory are gaining credibility. The Scientific Method is the most reliable method of understanding the reality of our world available to us. Attempting to categorize entire scientific fields as “Jewish conspiracies” undermines our understanding of the world in a very fundamental way. I was always amusingly incredulous about the prospect for a collapse of scientific and technical knowledge in the world. Now I am not so sure. Anonymous on September 04, 2018 · at 11:31 am EST/EDT Hi Dennis and ioan, all of this seems MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING. Dennis is completely right in finding this picture a bit strange, and when such a terrible thing happens, one may assume it was meant to be this way: the artist wanted to show a twisted view of the world and especially this café – if this was a painting everyone would nod sleepishly (These artists these days, you now them…) but for a photograph in an environment where the photographs are usually as straightforward as the officers guarding this ground against desecration, this comes unexpectedly. Dennis remarked the unusualness of the picture and began: „The picture appears to be faked and to contain a coded message“. He was not sure, and thus worded cautiously not to awaken the terrible watchdogs this Café possesses. Every photo out of a camera is genuine by definition, and faking one would mean changing an existing one completely or making one out of two or three others as in the Reichskanzler_Murkl_stares_down_Emperor_Putin „photo“ or „fake photo“ or „photomontage“ discussed a while ago. However, people with some talent of playing around with cameras can fake one photo while really taking another one (or the other way round), and this seems (you see, I try just to be as polite and cautious as Dennis!) to have happened here. The Dangerous Watchdog of the Honour of our Mods, ioan, proves it. He wrote what he thought to be the case, but wasn‘t: This picture was shot from the front of that Cafe, focusing on the window reflected image, therefore the seemingly deformations. The window is behind those figures, acting as a mirror for those in front of it. What is wrong here? Just about everything, no more. If this photo was shot from the front of that Cafe… , you would see the photographer in it, exactly in the middle of it. Ioan‘s theory that the window (is) acting as a mirror does not conform with earthly optical theory: a mirror, if looked straight into his face, shows what is in front of it, the face looking at or „into“ it. This is not the case here. Looking at a mirror obliquely shows whatever (depending on the angle and on the surroundings), but something big and near to it can only be shown by the mirror if it is big and near to it, so that you must see the original and the fake (mirrored) picture of it or both not. Thus, the use of the windows as a mirror is, in this case, a myth. Probably ioan has never held a camera in his hand his whole life (and rarely a mirror), otherwise he could not have not remarked this mistake in his arguing. Next, the assumption that the photog had been focusing on the window reflected image is again a myth. If this were the case the landscape (or the guy) should be the sharpest elements in the pic, but they aren‘t, but the handle of the window is, next the guy (but not sharp), and the landscape is not sharp at all. …therefore the seemingly deformations uh, ah, gulp, what? Does focusing on a reflected image deform it? Always? And if yes, how does it if only „seemingly“? Is „seemingly deformed“ deformed or not deformed? Difficult to evaluate! And what deformation/s – the double ear? Any more? No? Ok, the photog wanted to focus on the window handles which are inside a building, so he had to go inside. This left him no choice but to photograph through the window, which for that purpose had to be be in front of „those figures“ (hey, ioan, they are humans, luminous beings, don‘t insult them just because they are strangers to you!), not the other way round. In general the picture looks undistorted which poses the next and last riddle of the double ear. How come? A magnifier shows that (at least) the glass in the left part of the window has a certain broad polished strip on both sides with another reflection index than the normal glass, and thus part of the ear is repeated at a slightly different angle. As for the war Dennis Leary seems to wage against our Café, one should try to forgive him because at his methusalaic age of over 70 years he may have less of a perfect sight than our young and a bit hilarious friend ioan, who was wrong on all accounts while Dennis was only on one and who was cautious and polite while ioan was neither cautious nor, given two mod remarks on a text of 3 1/2 lines, too polite. In the end I pray to the Mods to flush this text straight through before anyone detects that it was copied completely from Miles Mathis‘ pamphlet „Paris Photos as a Jewish Plot to Rule the World“. Mel Pfote Mel Pfote…. “methusalaic age of over 70 years” From what I read (of messianih bullsht) that was a lot longer in the past :- ) I replied to you yesterday but that reply never appeared, sorry. That made me to pick the pen and wrote a poem which – hopefully will be allowed, it has no names in it just an allusion. Mod: Did you mean to include the poem or ??? No, the poem is a poem only, which will try to post it in the next Cafe, you’ll see and judge as Mod if you will. Ralph on September 03, 2018 · at 2:12 pm EST/EDT As I don’t understand this, will somebody tell me if it’s any good? About 7 mins long: https://youtu.be/13QMJcKHvmM Министр Полторак оправдывается перед бешеным Порошенко (пранк) Prankers Vova & Lexus called minister of defence of ukraine poltorak. Dennis Leary on September 03, 2018 · at 2:30 pm EST/EDT I am updating this from almost two years ago, December 21st, 2016; I think it is more pertinent than ever. Count Khazar and Lord Leary December 21st was the day the Count loved best. The shortest and the darkest. He opened the heavy oak door in the thirteenth sub-basement. He entered the Hall of the Dead. Candles flickered. Here he was at home with the Dark Lords of the past, present and future. Here he relived the ancient rites of blood sacrifice where his youthful powers were renewed with age-old cruelty. The Zhazarian sat before the stone altar where many a Black Mass had been celebrated for the past thousand years in Transylvania and further back down the eons of time. He was the current king, czar and presiding priest of a long line of hunters and killers. Not even Countess Zioness was allowed in these chambers. This was a man’s world and she would only pollute it. He gazed with satisfaction at the symbols of power, icons of empire and black magic holy books. In his mind he went over The Plan for Man, that of subduing the planet that had been entrusted to him. Russia and America were the last outposts of resistance. Putin had foiled the Count’s last assassination attempt but it had hardly distracted the Count’s real plot which advanced like a black plague over the planet. Love remained buried under piles of propaganda. Animal slaughter increased to levels that put the ancient priests to shame; men were now beasts themselves. Pets were becoming persons and persons pets. Human relations now extended their range to strange perversions; marriage to pets was not far off–the Count smirked with a wicked grin. Money was now the new monotheism and religion the new mono-moneyism. Drugs were on the rise with pot-heads doing their trance dance. Minds were turning to mush and the blind led the kind. Like Rome, Russia and America would fall from corruption within. The Count snapped out of his reverie. He sat up and looked around. He frowned as his senses went on high alert. He could just feel it in the air. He was being watched. Security had been breached. He closed his eyes and reached deep into his psychic data base, and into the innermost recesses of his black magic intuition. Red lights were flashing and alarms sounding in his soul. Images from Babylon and Nibiru, banks of raped and sacrificed children along with tortured virgins flew by until they stopped at Kidron Valley, between the Mount of the Temple and the Mount of Olives, near the field of graves and a bower of vineyard grapes, not far away. The Count sighed, “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the Cauldron of Cauldrons, Jezebel Sorceress, I should have known. So you rise like the Phoenix to join my Phalanx, do you? Go ahead, make my day.” He thought of the Jezreel Valley, Mount Megiddo and Armageddon. He had his army ready. But what was this strange feeling of danger? At Lover Lodge in the Shannon River Valley, County Clare, which he affectionately called V Valley, Lord Leary studied the face of Lady Love. She gave him her best Mona Lisa smile. This man has no willingness to abide by what the Boss and Owner of this site asked him. At Lover Lodge in the Shannon River Valley, County Clare, which he affectionately called Vulva Valley, Lord Leary studied the face of Lady Love. She gave him her best Mona Lisa smile. In addition, he loves the attention that this gives him. Kent on September 03, 2018 · at 4:39 pm EST/EDT I fully support all your remarks/posts on this subject. Lord Leary? at some Cafe’- http://telemarksporten.no/SakerPhotos/TheDennis.jpg Generally I just skip over the contributions of this particular poster and move on to material that makes more sense to me. I guess I have never been a fan of stream of consciousness writing. Please could everyone close down this conversation as the MFC has to also follow moderation policy and discussing another commenter is breaking rule 2. Mod. amarynth – can I just ask soemthing here, which doesn’t involve any particular person? I do understand your frustration – I experienced it myself now over 2 yrs ago. I did make some private mention of my discomfort, but it was left at that. What bothers me is a sense of unkindness I am picking up here. Look, there are so many bad things happening int he world right now, and we are all on the same side regarding wanting to find a way to fight those things. I know some people can be irritating, but we often need to make allowances. [I confess, I speak as a one time nurse, and it’s par for the course in that trade]. I dont like seeing someone threatened with being banned and made to feel unwanted and rejected, especially when it may be they dont have a terribly fulfilled life anyway. Lets just be kind, and if someone bothers us with their words – just skim over and ignore them. Ciao, and best Thank you! Good Girl! Excuse me for having voted against you, then, in the olden days. Awfull Offall II Well, Anonymous, since I didn’t know you were I cannot have taken offence – not that I would anyway. All is forgiven. {how long ago?. I mean , “olden days”. cough cough. ?? :-) Hi Isabella, thank you for responding (I procrastinated with my response and now have the Rolling MFC problem, my bad). Please excuse my insufficiencies in not-my-mother-tongue: Instead of „voted against you“ something like „discounted you“ would, perhaps, have been better, and „olden days“ seemed to me just right, an exaggerationwhich yells „I am an exaggeration“, but perhaps it wasn‘t: time to start learning everything still missing after visibly not enough learning before. In the next café I remembered what I had learned at my age three or five from my aunt‘s dog Pluto_called_Plutoff. My mother later told me that he was very aggressive, and they always feared for my life when he was present. On one occasion Pluto lay on the lawn, gazing into infinity, the big ones stood and talked, and I tried what would happen if I went into Pluto‘s field of view. He turned his head a bit. So I made another step so that again he would see me instead of infinity. At which he turned his head back into the earlier direction. At which I repeated my experiment what would happen… What happened was that Pluto grumbled (is that the right word here?) quietly. At which I stopped my experimental series. After which Pluto and I never ever had any problems anymore with one another. With you it was similar – only different. There was (two years ago or I would say longer but am too lazy to check) a point of discord in the Café, in a discussion, perhaps about what might be going on or not or should in African village huts, at least in a not distant but already gone past. Someone advocated ideas which all the good ones abhorred, and especially you were vocal in this from the standpoint of what the russkies call „devich‘ja gordostj“ (virginal pride?). Although I have nothing against it, I was thuggish (is this the right word?) enough to make jokes about you, trying to detract you from your course, and in the end you stopped posting there (do I recall this correctly?) which was not at all what I had intended. In fact I liked your outspokenness (i.t.t.r.w.?) very much… but also liked to have and make fun. I then felt guilty of having you alienated (i.t.t.r.w.?) and possibly … too terrible to imagine. Yes, as Pluto had warned: even a little more may be much too much. Therefore I was very happy seeing you emerge here again and with the same enthusiasm, and then also about the same message I had had then: let ** say what he has to say without reacting with schemes how to best murder him, if not in the flesh then in this cafe, and, of course, also Kent‘s picture gallery. I am happy you forgave me. I hope no scars from my terrible German paw (as ioan charmingly and very poetically described it) remain. in those olden days also known as… hmm… too lazy to investigate… does it matter? The Saker on September 04, 2018 · at 10:41 am EST/EDT Again?! (sigh, rolleyes) Dennis, this is becoming really tedious. So okay, I am putting you on notice: one more violation and you will be banned. Pete Seeger on being Black Listed in America, 1965: CBC Archives \| CBC https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0_IME9WsHQ After I’d watched the above, Google then strongly suggested that next I should watch a news report on how Pete Seeger had been spied on by the US Government since his days as a private in World War 2. The initial trigger for this was that he used his rights to freedom of speech to express himself regarding a military plan to deny citizenship to Japanese after the war. Seeger wrote a letter suggesting that if they were going to deny citizenship to the Japanese they should also deny it to any Englishmen because the US had fought two wars against them. Someone apparently was offended that a soldier fighting for freedom might feel free to express such a view. Thus began decades of wasting government money spying on Pete Seeger. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcWPHx9Nbj0 The funny part now in watching this expose on the FBI on a leftist show is that suddenly the left in America now loves the FBI. One of those moments when we are suddenly told that now we are at war with EastAsia and Eurasia is our friend and ally, and it has always been such even though we can vaguely remember that yesterday we were at war with Eurasia. Now the left is at war with Donald Trump, and the FBI is the left’s friend and ally. Google apparently forgot to send this earlier video down the memory hole when the left shifted to being friends with the FBI. ” that suddenly the left in America now loves the FBI. ” This is the principal way that Trump Derangement Syndrome presents. Doesn’t look very healthy these days, does he? http://telemarksporten.no/SakerPhotos/George_W._Bush_Faces_of_Evil.jpg Can anyone tell me why the Rohingha are the Deep State’s darling right now? I turn on my local municipal tv news and the first lead story is about the plight of the Rohingha. Same on another channel. We all know that they don’t care about Yemeni, Iraqi, Syrian, Palestinian, or Iranian muslims, yet they want to appear concerned about the fate of the Rohingha. I suppose it is because they are an oppressed minority. That and the “pivot to Asia,”( i.e. put pressure on China) not to mention R2P (a moral fig leaf). The same game plan was unleashed on the Serbs in the 1990’s. chimmy on September 06, 2018 · at 12:29 pm EST/EDT Thiery Meyssan has article on the UN: http://www.voltairenet.org/article202751.html So the West has an excuse to send money to some “moderate rebels” in Myanmar and drag China into a proxy war on their southern border? teranam13 on September 05, 2018 · at 11:06 am EST/EDT The Rohingha like the Kurds in one way made some historically bad decisions–they were used and armed by the Brits after WWII and then proceeded to massacre the local Buddhist population in an attempt to establish their own ethnic beachhead before finally being repressed many years later right around the time coincidentally enough of Dien Bien Phu. This treachery was never forgotten and when armed groups of Islamic Rohingha militants started up again several years ago attacking police stations, temples etc. the Burmese army decided to nip this in the bud by draining the sea in which these militants swam. Yep, mass expulsions–many of the people were what folks in the USA call illegal aliens because they had moved into Burma from Bangladesh and India but many had lived there for years. There is more than one side to this story. Yes, there are big Chinese commercial and developmental interests in N. Burma which do desire protection of the Burmese government. Another reason the Rohingha are receiving attention now is that many have fled Myanmar to Malaysia and other parts of SE Asia, which has involved a number of them in the cruelties of human trafficking. Per/Norway on September 03, 2018 · at 7:52 pm EST/EDT https://www.theburningplatform.com/2018/09/03/all-you-need-to-know-about-syria-in-a-picture/ All You Need To Know About Syria In a Picture Divorce, Severed Connections, and The Great Western Railway. Message fo all Passengers : Questions regarding Q Must now be forwarded to : Duty Managers Office. Bude Raillway Station. Cornwall on Sea. (Opened in1898 Closed in 1968) Dennis Leary on September 04, 2018 · at 4:59 am EST/EDT I woke up at 3 am, and couldn’t get back to sleep, so I came here to catch up. Now I understand why I could not sleep. Apparently my recent posts have stirred up a hornets’ nest. Allow me to calm the situation by starting with an apology regarding Saker’s request that I refrain from sexual language. I was updating the Count Khazar chapter, and I completely forgot the V…. Valley terminology. Had I remembered what I said two years ago, with regard to Saker’s reply to me, I would certainly have omitted that word. Unfortunately, it slipped my mind, for which I take responsibility and say I am sorry. I appreciate the difficulty this situation has placed upon the moderators; and I think in this case has been handled with sensitivity and fairness. Accordingly, I will try to heed the last moderator comment, which was: Although I could defend my writing at this cafe, in deference to the above Moderator request, if I understand it correctly, I will refrain from discussing other commenters’ statements about me. I hope this will calm the waters, and allow us to proceed with the Saker’s “desire to have adult discussions,” in his communique to me. Please inform me if I overstep a line that only he or the moderators see. As always, I sign off with… Varvaria on September 04, 2018 · at 6:28 am EST/EDT Once upon a time there was a coup A huge wave lifted millions of voices Volunteer soldiers from the world over Traveled to Russia to fight for freedom Voices and fighters sounded together But the forces of evil grew stronger The death of a leader we have seen Infighting outfighting what does it mean But assistance and help to the enemy And nothing to show the world but tears. Friends let us again raise voices Petty concerns drag us into a mire Live and let live while we still can So’s not shame the dying and fallen Surely we are worth their freedom ? amarynth on September 04, 2018 · at 8:12 am EST/EDT Abby Martin explaining what has happened with her show The Empire Files and the attacks on Telesur. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1glTX3c8ttY&feature=youtu.be She explains that journalists need to move away from the usual platforms. “We bought into this system thinking that it can be this egalitarian thing and all could have an equal playing field and it has backfired on us!” This video is interesting because it shows the state and big corp interrelations and roots. And there is a Reddit AMA with Abby today if anyone is interested. This is the information: https://www.reddit.com/r/WayOfTheBern/comments/9c7ls2/upcoming_ama_with_abby_martin_tuesday_sept_4_46pm/ Dennis Leary on September 04, 2018 · at 10:24 am EST/EDT For my own clarity and education, I looked up moderation policy #2, which reads in part as follows. The most relevant part, it seems to me, is to be “courteous” to people, but “welcome to criticize and even attack ideas…” “2) All comments have to be courteous to me, the blog’s author, moderators, any guest author and all the other commentators. You are welcome to criticize and even attack ideas, but not people….” In other words, be courteous and do not attack people. I believe I have always stayed within this moderation rule, although some may interpret my remarks concerning them to be attacks. I may have violated other moderation guidelines, but when this was pointed out to me, I have tried to conform to the requests of the Saker or moderators. If I am in error regarding this, please let me know. To be safe, and on the windy side of the moderation policy, I think in the future, I should avoid referring to commenters by name. This will lessen the personal touch of this cafe but may better keep the peace for some who are more sensitive to confrontation. Accordingly, allow me to clarify my idea regarding the discussion of the current photo headliner. I think that whether the photo is an in-house contribution, an artistic rendition, a pasted in montage, a reflected camera shot, a beveled edged window, etc., I think that misses the point I was making, since it begs the question I was implying. I was asking whether or not the photo was truly random, selected from about 200 other pictures, as I recall; or was it selected to convey a coded message? I gave my opinion that it was selected, rather than random. I think that idea is within the moderation guidelines. I was open to being challenged about this idea, but nobody responded to that point, instead choosing to argue on behalf of the photo not being faked. However, even given that “faked” may be a prejudicial word, in any ordinary sense of the case, it is difficult to sustain the argument that the photo has not been manipulated in some way, for example, as an artistic expression. In order to determine whether the photo was random or not, we would have to know more precisely, how it was selected. Were numbers of photos put in a hat and selected by hand? Was some kind of a computer algorithm used? If the former, it would be hard to argue that it was not random; but then we would have to trust the word of the one reporting on this. If an algorithm was involved, then it would be subject to hacking, unless, analogous to voter machines, the tabulators are disconnected from the internet or not. It’s a complicated matter but not an unimportant one. This vineyard is growing in popularity, has made the fake news list, defends a political hot-spot (Russia) and is anti-imperial and highly critical of zionism. Thus, it is highly likely that we are being monitored, watched and listened in on, by bots or human agents, and possibly interfered with, as my comment was suggesting. I am open to counter-arguments and information from those most qualified to know the inside story. amarynth on September 04, 2018 · at 10:42 am EST/EDT Yes, it was random and even if the webmaster selected it in the unlikely event that the random selection software glitched, The Saker webmaster does not select photos for ‘coded messages’. Asked and answered and let’s move on. A Forgotten Hero Stopped the My Lai Massacre https://portside.org/2018-08-30/forgotten-hero-stopped-my-lai-massacre “Everybody’s heard of the My Lai massacre — March 16, 1968, 50 years ago today — but not many know about the man who stopped it: Hugh Thompson, an Army helicopter pilot. When he arrived, American soldiers had already killed 504 Vietnamese civilians (that’s the Vietnamese count; the U.S. Army said 347). They were going to kill more, but they didn’t — because of what Thompson did. I met Thompson in 2000 and interviewed him for my radio program on KPFK in Los Angeles. He told the story of what happened that day, when he and his two-man crew flew over My Lai, in support of troops who were looking for Viet Cong fighters. “We started noticing these large numbers of bodies everywhere,” he told me, “people on the road dead, wounded. And just sitting there saying, ‘God, how’d this happen? What’s going on?’ And we started thinking what might have happened, but you didn’t want to accept that thought — because if you accepted it, that means your own fellow Americans, people you were there to protect, were doing something very evil.” Who were the people lying in the roads and in the ditch, wounded and killed? “They were not combatants. They were old women, old men, children, kids, babies.” Then Thompson and his crew chief, Glenn Andreotta, and his gunner, Lawrence Colburn, “saw some civilians hiding in a bunker, cowering, looking out the door. Saw some advancing Americans coming that way. I just figured it was time to do something, to not let these people get killed. Landed the aircraft in between the Americans and the Vietnamese, told my crew chief and gunner to cover me, got out of the aircraft, went over to the American side.” What happened next was one of the most remarkable events of the entire war, and perhaps unique: Thompson told the American troops that, if they opened fire on the Vietnamese civilians in the bunker, he and his crew would open fire on them. “You risked your lives,” I said, “to protect those Vietnamese civilians.” “Well, it didn’t come to that,” he replied. “I thank God to this day that everybody did stay cool and nobody opened up. … It was time to stop it, and I figured, at that point, that was the only way the madness, or whatever you want to call it, could be stopped.” Back at their base he filed a complaint about the killing of civilians that he had witnessed. The Army covered it up. Then came the backlash. Calley had many supporters, who condemned and harassed Thompson. He didn’t have much support — for decades. It took the Army 30 years, but in 1998, they finally acknowledged that Thompson had done something good. They awarded him the Soldier’s Medal for “heroism not involving actual conflict with an enemy.” Today there’s a little museum in My Lai, where Thompson is honored, and which displays a list of the names and ages of people killed that day. Trent Angers, Thompson’s biographer and friend, analyzed the list and found about 50 there who were 3 years old or younger. He found 69 between the ages of 4 and 7, and 91 between the ages of 8 and 12. Nick Turse investigated violence in Vietnam against noncombatants for his book “Kill Anything that Moves.” He concluded — after a decade of research in Pentagon archives and more than 100 interviews with American veterans and Vietnamese survivors — that Americans killing civilians in Vietnam was “pervasive and systematic.” One soldier told him there had been “a My Lai a month.” Hugh Thompson died in 2006, when he was only 62. I wish we could have done more to thank him.” Thank you very much for this. It’s part of my answer to those who keep saying “you can’t blame Americans. We’ve been infiltrated by Jews / Brits/ Financiers/ etc etc. In other words, the guilty are anyone but us. But as I have said, those you are pointing a finger at do exist – but they weren’t at My Lai or any other atrocities your people – ordinary soldiers, ordinary “grunts” – committed. In Arabia, the Orient, the Andean Nations, where ever you have gone, you have committed these atrocities. Until you admit it, and accept responsibility, you can never start working out why it did, and then do something to [a] understand why it happened and why you are rapidly becoming the host hated people in the world and [b] stop it ever happening again. Each of us carries huge potential. Potential – to varying degrees – for evil, potential – to varying degrees, for angelic good. But which of these potentials is selected for and grows depends on the soil in which the seed is planted. If your culture is turning out My Lai’s at a rate of “one a month”, you have an urgent need to investigate the soil of your culture – before the Evil you have selected for destroys you all. Azorka1861 on September 04, 2018 · at 4:29 pm EST/EDT United States war crimes – Massacre of civilians https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_war_crimes Azorka1861 on September 05, 2018 · at 7:05 am EST/EDT Korea: Forgotten US War Crimes and Crimes Against Humanity! https://socioecohistory.wordpress.com/2013/05/20/the-korean-atrocity-forgotten-us-war-crimes-and-crimes-against-humanity/ Barry on September 05, 2018 · at 3:01 am EST/EDT vot tak! Thank you! I needed that story to recover from this week’s endless U.S. propaganda about the “heroic” John McCain, who wasn’t as advertised. I will light a candle for Hugh Thompson and share the story of his true heroism this coming Sunday at a Unitarian fellowship I attend. Maybe someone will “get” the message. Thanks again for sharing Hugh Thompson’s story. Azorka1861 on September 04, 2018 · at 12:09 pm EST/EDT Huge fire devastates National Museum in Brasil https://www.instagram.com/p/BnSJNk2ncla/?taken-by=sputnik_news Per/Norway on September 04, 2018 · at 12:15 pm EST/EDT https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2fu5pCSH38 one of the reasons im facinated by Russia. “The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) has confirmed that the same toxin was involved in the Salisbury and Amesbury incidents in the UK.” Is this more of the ambiguous ‘implication with deniability’ in the form of ‘we didn’t actually say what you think we did’? It doesn’t define the ‘toxin’ nor whether or not there were multiple toxins. https://www.rt.com/news/437631-amesbury-same-agent-skripals/ The Brand New “Novichok Edition” https://www.instagram.com/p/BlNmXzal5Ch/?taken-by=sputnik_news The Saker on September 04, 2018 · at 4:41 pm EST/EDT I am really sick and tired of this. Slip or no slip, but the next time you break the rules you are banned. Anyone care to count the distortions in this one? “while the Kremlin-linked hackers known as Fancy Bear were busy breaking into the US Democratic National Committee’s servers” -no, it was a domestic USB download. “For the past four and a half years, Ukraine has been locked in a grinding, undeclared war with Russia that has killed more than 10,000 Ukrainians and displaced millions more” What a piece of disgusting smear. https://www.wired.com/story/notpetya-cyberattack-ukraine-russia-code-crashed-the-world/ Not unexpected I suppose from someone called Greenberg. JJ on September 05, 2018 · at 8:40 am EST/EDT In view of latest declaration by UK with photos ( presumably the fruits of the super recognisers announced recently though the “evidence”that has been presented today would seem to have been easily available back in March ie 2 persons seen on cvtv close to Skripals home and arriving and returning back to Moscow) of “assumed ” “named” persons of GRU is behind Skripal poisening plus indictment by Mueller of 2 GRU peoples……and timing of todays announcement….eg after yesterdays Russian airforce success in bombing terrorists drone and manpad depots in Idlib for example …….is the GRU a rogue agency..? I don’t know the answer to you question about rogue agency, but I listened and watched some of the theater in the British Parliament this morning, and think I recognize a rogues gallery. I could not stomach that lot for a long time. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKnl7VMTUn4 Two supposed GRU agents did the poisonings according to this gallery.. they cannot show the agents and they don’t show the Skripals. It is almost as if a narrative like ‘9/11’ or ‘holocaust’ or ‘holodomor’ is now being created out of fluff. The provocations, threats and theatrical narrative creation against Russia and President Putin reaches most vile levels. Yes, there is a strange timing coincidence here, between the beginnings of the cleanup in Idlib and the timing of this announcement. I also was able to catch the United Nations Special Envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura and his Special Advisor, Jan Egeland, press statement yesterday. To give de Mistura his due, he does reference Raqqa. But his sidekick, the Egeland fellow is begging for the ‘innocent victims’ in Idlib, without a reference to the conditions that those ‘innocent victims’ are in right at the moment. ‘Reaching out to the terrorists’ is his fervent plea. http://webtv.un.org/media/watch/ose-syria-media-stakeout-humanitarian-access-task-force-geneva-4-september-2018/5830627291001/?term=#.W46fPGb-8uc.twitter JJ on September 05, 2018 · at 10:32 am EST/EDT Charles Shoebridge on rt just now……the trail seems too easy to follow back to Moscow……or a trail by careless persons- -careless persons in GRU?????? Rhetorical q again….perhaps the people payed fpr their trip in roubles….their payments for flights hotel train etc if by credit card should be traceable one would think…if a fake passport would that not have been flagged up on booking in at Moscow airport for Russian security……….gonna be so many questions again “Charles Shoebridge served for almost two decades until 2000 in diverse front-line policing and military roles, specialising in counter-terrorism and intelligence operations. This included twelve years of exemplary and highly successful service in London’s Metropolitan Police, performing uniformed and detective duties at Scotland Yard and elsewhere. He also previously worked in counter terrorism as a commissioned officer in the British Army. Almost alone amongst those who publicly comment upon such issues, Charles Shoebridge has extensive first hand experience of terrorism, and of anti-terrorist and intelligence related operations. His balanced and credible independence often challenge both conventional wisdom and official representation of events and policy.” A really enlightening article about Nikki Haley’s long record of corruption in office; it is clear that she will do and say anything for money, so her terrible lies at the UN are suddenly understandable. https://www.thenation.com/article/nikki-haleys-pay-play-politics/ The accusation against the two Russians is rather serious. Proof is needed or the allegations are slander and libel. The two Russians and their government should hire lawyers and begin proceedings against Elizabeth May. The disclosure should show the evidence, if any, pointing to the two Russian citizens. JJ on September 05, 2018 · at 2:14 pm EST/EDT Thinks….how did the Met police decide these were military intelligence…with assistance of uk military intelligence(considering a lack of trust and belief in that due to Steele Dossier and related conspiratal events)……or just because UK has highly likely decided it was “military” grade Novichok…..? There has been some reference on tv to finding a trace of Novichok in the hotel where they stayed which seems crazee…..and a replicated perfume bottle which easily shattered does not seem sensible either to carry ….GRU would replicate something unbreakable so no russian spies would be found dead on uk streets if there was an accident…..and oh boy.. every excuse for uk tv to go through the whole littany of russophobic hysterical allegations again……again…. Read carefully -the names are admitted by the authorities to be aliases. The identities and nationalities are therefore not even defined plus there is yet no evidence whatsoever of any wrongdoing by the two of them. The pictures have no provenance as to when and where. Political propaganda BS to keep the anti-Russia vitriol warmed up and coinciding with the final push on Idlib. The doorknob Novichok thing is so utterly ridiculous as a reliable method of targeting a specific individual. Plus the OPCW said it was a pure form on the sample taken by the authorities -and after weeks of rain and snow that is impossible -unless recently painted on. The doorknobs here are the Brtitish government plus their ‘solidarity’ countries ready to go to war and those dim and credulous enough to believe the script. Wake up people, you are being hosed. “Anonymous social media channel Nezygar also surmised that Britain had a high-ranking mole inside the GRU, the military intelligence identified by Theresa May as sending two agents to Salisbury to launch a chemical weapons attack. Citing an intelligence source, Nezygar claimed the most likely explanation of the poisoning in Salisbury was a mafia operation or a British provocation to undermine Russia. ‘Theresa’ May either publicly disclosed information about British intelligence having a high-rank mole within Russian military intelligence who passed confirming information or it is a simple assumption, manipulation, a game of coincidences,’ stated the channel. The visibility of the Russian pair in Britain and the bungled attack ‘clearly raises suspicions about their professionalism and qualification’, suggesting they are not GRU.” !!!!!!!!!! “and ALSO from Russia, but remember ,NOT from the Kremlin” interjects the excited creator of this remarkable video from the USA: https://youtu.be/TwGtIlYilhY?t=2302 HUGE! Former Intelligence Community Officials speak out about Spygate I wouldn’t write pindo-land off, quite yet. In fact, way things are going, it may soon be possible to use less derogatory names for my country of residence. Oh, I will admit I’ve considered emigration a few times since college 47 years ago but will only consider it in the future if people like these are all defeated, rather than bringing to justice those that they are exposing. It’s about bad actors generally…anywhere……and these intelligence officials even believe that there are good actors in the GCHQ….one minion and amarynth….pay heed! It’s not just “Bye-Bye”. It’s also “Hello, Hello!” ….depending on which set of actors you’re talking to. So, I managed nearly 25 minutes. “partiots” was mentioned far too often. A good definition of a patriot is https://inktank.fi/9-of-the-worlds-greatest-thinkers-on-the-evils-of-nationalism/ “Every miserable fool who has nothing at all of which he can be proud, adopts as a last resource pride in the nation to which he belongs; he is ready and happy to defend all its faults and follies tooth and nail, thus reimbursing himself for his own inferiority.” At around 22 minutes into Tracy’s video “but these people are not the United States these people are serving themselves they’re serving foreign interest and that’s why so many of us have grouped together” We know people are not countries (duh). We know the United states is an Oligarchy (as is every country in the World). These two guys in the video seem to have as little respect for their fellow man as you do, as follows: “on the thing with Jon Brennan, John Brennan a person who voted Communist was the head of our CIA which tells you right there how there is such a directed effort by the Obama administration to find people who had these far left extreme radical views” Let’s leave scumbag’s Obama & Brennan to one side – while he once voted for a communist party he became the opposite of what that stood for which, in the USSR was (at face value): “On the one hand, proletarian internationalism refers to the common cause of the working classes of all countries in struggling to overthrow the bourgeoisie and to establish communist regimes. Peaceful coexistence, on the other hand, refers to measures to ensure relatively peaceful government-to-government relations with capitalist states” http://www.country-data.com/cgi-bin/query/r-12662.html i.e. the Soviet system was the only political structure that has ever come close to tackling the Oligarch class. With it’s failure all hope was lost for the decency of human kind. So the question still remains – for what purpose are they grouping together. Oligarchic infighting (if that is the real game) can have no benefit for the common man. Having said that, you are definitely not a common man. I take that as a compliment, even coming from an anti-Putin anti Xi troll. like yourself, anonymous. Putin and Xi are not common men either, although their origins may have been as common or more common than mine. I don’t compare myself to either, but you do, casting yourself as “the better” morally, to both of them. What a pathetic joke THAT is! And I must admit, that as far as commonality is concerned your unhappy ideological fixedness and resentfulness is an all too common feature that the masses were better off shedding 100%. Cheers! And good luck with that. Now, for other readers, the reason I cued the video where I did was so that busy people would note the favorable attitude toward the Russian government there, and despite comments like Common Anonymice like to foul the air with…. designed to shoo people away (because Anonymouse is most definitely and resentfully AGAINST the governments of both Russia and China) you might also benefit from seeing some of the 38 minutes before where I cued it up. Anybody in jail yet? Thought so. However, there is a very convincing argument that McCain did not “go out on his own terms”….but rather the exact minute of his death was chosen for him. Suicide pill or firing squad I know not, but the “official” time was announced 31 days ealier…to the minute. That’s not “on your own terms”, no matter how commonly you cut it. So stay tuned. Plenty of terminally ill folk choose suicide. Those from the UK pay a lot of money to have that occur in Switzerland, exactly on their own terms. McCain had a load of money. Stay tuned to what. Forget it. Tune out. Even if it is put right in front of you, you choose willful blindness. “Forget it.” Logical fallacy – there is nothing of substance to forget. Mere fluff, gossamer in the wind to keep the simple minded amused just like kids blowing bubbles. There were other choices than depraved Clinton and the evil of Trump. The US half brains just chose not to take them. Bro, I actually listened to the full presentation. Why do these nice men want to overthrow Iran? Bro 93 on September 05, 2018 · at 11:52 pm EST/EDT I didn’t get to that point. Didn’t finish the interview. Got to the point about Russia and thought it should be posted at the 39 minute mark. You, very busy lady, have more time than I do! But in general you have much divergence in the so-called “Patriot Movement” regarding Iran. Scott Bennett and others, (Dr P, even…the “I was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize but I don’t deserve it, Trump, Putin and Xi do” guy you dislike..I forgot his name…that Nobel thing turned me off eventually, after the 100th or so time…LOL) for example have plainly stated that Iran is no enemy and no terrorist sponsor. Whereas Q’s most memorable quotes in this regard are: “Iran is next.” “Israel is last”. Both of these statements inspire hope in some and dread in others….that they may be misplacing their hope in an unknown, hard to decipher intention that may be opposite of their intention. The “Christian” Fundie Armageddon Nuts would be orgasmic over “Iran is next”…..assuming it is a war or regime change, and will fulfill “prophecy” they would dearly love to live to see, even if billions die. But “Isreal is last” might make them apprehensive of any diminishing of Zionist Power they love to prostrate themselves to. The average dolt who knows or cares nothing about the imperial interference in Iran, the CIA overthrow of Massadegh, etc just suffers egoic butthurt as a result of the late 70’s early 80s Hostage Crisis and wants to “get even”, and only has the attention span for what is “next”…..but certainly not for what is “last”. That might be MONTHS away! LOL. Or even years. Others say not to worry but think about it from the standpoint of the best that you could hope for from Trump on North Korea. That DJT (as I hear him express it, despite all the prior trash talking Kabuki Theater with Kim Il Sung) never had the slightest intention of provoking “a war that would have NK artillery rain down on Seoul and kill hundreds of thousands of civilians”. These Trumpers say that Kim is grateful to DJT for freeing him from CABAL influence, and treasures DJT’s gift to him of a commemorative CD of Elton John’s “Rocket Man” song. Other think it’s all an imperialist trick, and Kim is wise to the Capitalist Swine of hellbent imperial intention. I have said the hardest thing for me to swallow is the thesis that “Iran is next” means that Iran, or rather CABAL assets in IRAN, have, in fact played the same nuclear scare and manipulation of EVERYBODY the same way they played and controlled KIM (they claim….I don’t know this) and despite a general intention in Persian society to not develop any nuclear weapons….everybody who believes this has been hoodwinked and double-crossed….and there ARE nukes in Iran…..or Syrian space controlled by Hezbollah/Iran (how such an installation would be secure is beyond my imagination…but I guess the theory is that the CABAL in general ISIS and everything else would carefully avoid its discovery…until “the time is right”……NOT to blow anything up and start WWIII…not to even have a device there in Eastern Syria….but rather to have traceable samples of uranium, even in a mock joke of a “nuclear installation’ THERE..with some Uranium really doing nothing but waiting to be traceable back to what Clinton, Clapper, Mueller, Obama et al sold to Russia……TO FRAME RUSSIA…ie part of the same batch..with the same chemical or nuclear “signature” but never sent to Russia, but rather kept for false flag propaganda purposes, and smuggled into Syria…by I don’t know….ISIS?? Bad Iranians betraying Assad??? Or maybe the trusty Mossad!. Totally convoluted and I wouldn’t stake my life on EITHER the veracity or the total falseness of this theory. I lack the information and qualifications to do either. Anyway, the idea is “Don’t worry,we are the White Hats and we don’t do Regime Change…..we help the Good People and White Hats in Iran clean out their own Black Hats.” Which, of course, sounds exactly like Regime Change In A New Package. Maybe some people here know 100% of what the reality is in Iran. I admit I probably don’t know 1% of that reality. Meanwhile, these people as a group are more respectful of Russia by 1000 times than their domestic Russophobic enemies or Five Eyes globalist enemies…and I just hope they (The Crimson Tide) keep kicking Blue Ass here at home….but if they try to get out of line elsewhere they are restrained by Russia and China…..and reconsider. Time may tell, if Flynn knows something about all this none of us know…or if he’s just another lousy pretend “sovereignty of nations” defender. Bro 93 on September 06, 2018 · at 12:52 am EST/EDT The Deplorable Divide I made reference above to the Crimson Tide. Y’all outside of Pindo-Land may not get it. Red October isn’t just a sub the Soviets hide. Reds’re National Champs, y’all don’t forget it! We breathe football! Sweet Home, Alabama! Goin’ for two straight! Two Crimson Champs! Nick Saban and Trump, hell, rebel, yell MAGA! Visitors’re invaders, wherever Blue encamps! Neil Young don’t know shit, ’bout our Southern Man. When y’all take on Alabama,Tide’ll surely drown ya! Run north, to Higher Ground, or on the other hand Back to New York City, Philly or on out to California. Sweet Home Alabama Lynard Skynard w/Lyrics https://www.bing.com/search?q=sweet+home+alabama+you+tube&qs=HS&pq=sweet+home+alabama&sc=8-18&cvid=D853EAD7A10F4EC18B082A8FB89CB2DC&FORM=QBLH&sp=1 Southern Man Neil Young with lyrics https://www.bing.com/search?q=southern%20man%20neil%20young&pc=cosp&ptag=G6C999ACB2464B1B9&form=CONBDF&conlogo=CT3210127 ” yell MAGA!” From it’s resplendent past this stands out as a highlight from an incredibly long list of US Wars https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_wars_involving_the_United_States Victory – Long Walk of the Navajo The Long Walk of the Navajo, also called the Long Walk to Bosque Redondo (Navajo: Hwéeldi), refers to the 1864 deportation and attempted ethnic cleansing of the Navajo people by the government of the United States of America. Navajos were forced to walk from their land in what is now Arizona to eastern New Mexico. Some 53 different forced marches occurred between August 1864 and the end of 1866. Some anthropologists claim that the “collective trauma of the Long Walk…is critical to contemporary Navajos’ sense of identity as a people”. No doubt about it, the “US” hasn’t far to go (if it hasn’t already surpassed) to get back to past “greatness”. Lasttruebeliever on September 06, 2018 · at 10:15 am EST/EDT I grew up on the navajo reservation from 59-67. From 59-61 we lived in a two room place on Immanuel Mission near Sweetwater Arizona. We shared a bathroom with an old Navajo man. His name was Yellowhair and at that time he was over a hundred years old and had been on the long walk. So when I grew up the long walk was still a living Memory. It was my job to kill the bull snakes that gathered in his cool dark room which he hated. They were around 4-5 feet long and thick. I firmly believe the us has been judged and has been weighed in the balance and found wanting. It truly is Bro. And the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) changed the words from regime change to regime choice. I wrote about that ‘tongue in cheek’ and with many jokes .. in word washing and sneaky tricks .. https://saker.community/topic/word-washing-sneaky-tricks/ These guys from NED, this is what they say: they “only provide tools for regime choice”. “We’re not asking people to do anything that they don’t want to do,” Gershman said. “We’re supporting their own aspirations and giving them some of the tools to realize those aspirations.” Same old, same old … regime change. Based on your mention of Iran I forced myself to watch the rest of Bro’s video link but can’t recall any mention of Iran. Any possibility of a timestamp to follow up on that? mundanomaniac on September 05, 2018 · at 5:20 pm EST/EDT Each day the cafe is stuffed with revealings of the incessant traits of the political perpetrators. Heaven gives contrapoints to these daily crawlings of the demonic worms. To innocent hearts heaven talks the real essential stuff: This week:https://astromundanediary.blogspot.com/2018/09/sun-opposition-neptune-innocence-of.html Paraguay to Move Embassy Back to Tel Aviv From Jerusalem, Israel Outraged https://sputniknews.com/latam/201809061067786609-Paraguay-Embassy-Tel-Aviv-Israel-Outraged/ “Paraguayan Foreign Minister Luis Alberto Castiglioni said on Wednesday that the country will move its embassy in Israel back to Tel Aviv from Jerusalem, a reversal of the controversial decision made by Paraguay’s previous administration. “Paraguay wants to contribute to an intensification of regional diplomatic efforts to achieve a broad, fair and lasting peace in the Middle East,” Castiglioni said, according to the Israeli daily Haaretz. Now, Israel is responding by closing its embassy in Paraguay and recalling its ambassador for consultations, the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office said. The Latin American nation followed in US President Donald Trump’s footsteps in May when former Paraguayan President Horacio Cartes decided to relocate the country’s embassy to Jerusalem. He was the third foreign leader to do so, following Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales and Trump himself. But Paraguay’s move, at least, appears to be short-lived, because after three months, newly elected President Mario Abdo Benitez was more amenable to lobbying from Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki, who pushed for a reversal. Cartes even went to Israel for a ceremony for the new Jerusalem embassy in May, which was attended by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The decision to move the embassy back to Tel Aviv was reportedly made a month ago, not long after the new administration was ushered in. Maliki participated in the inauguration of the new president, but the two nations decided to keep mum about the move so as not to attract pressure on Paraguay from Israel, according to Haaretz. “The decision is in accordance with international law and [United Nations] Security Council decisions. It’s a breakthrough for Palestinian diplomacy vis-à-vis the international community,” Maliki said. Paraguayan media reported that the initial decision to move the embassy to Jerusalem was unpopular in the country. Many world leaders consider the question of whether Jerusalem is an Israeli or a Palestinian city to be in dispute, and the United Nations considers East Jerusalem to be illegally occupied by Israel. The Palestinian Authority maintains that East Jerusalem is its nation’s capital.” Human beings – 1 Zionazi-gays – 0 No doubt israel’s trump regime quislings will condemn the Paraguay return to sanity. Probably by their usual diplomatic method – twitter. “Do you want to get involved in making the news? Here is your chance. BBC Reality Check is dedicated to examining the facts and claims behind a story to determine whether or not it is true. What would you like us to investigate? It could be something you think is deliberately misleading, or a story in the news or on social media which just doesn’t look right. Or it can simply be something you’ve always wanted to know the truth about.” Good luck; only ‘suitable’ questions and probably only about mind-softening trivia will be selected. “Do you want to participate in a new program to outsource our propagand^H^H^H^H editorial staff, for which you won’t be paid…?” FIFY I kind of like this headline as it can be read two ways: “Pentagon has ‘zero intelligence’ on Syrian militants’ chemical weapons capabilities – Mattis” https://www.rt.com/usa/437734-mattis-evidence-chemical-weapons-idlib/ Littlejohn on September 06, 2018 · at 2:03 am EST/EDT Amazing! I wonder if Drumpf will copy this during his military parade in Washington D.C. ? Spasskaya Tower Military Music Festival closing ceremony in Moscow https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jokdYPruWAo Littlejohn Many thanks for the Spasskaya Tower Military Musiic Festival closing ceremony in Moscow Azorka1861 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSIhWr25yzc The Skripal comedy show continues: “Russia has developed an astonishing new technology enabling its secret agents to occupy precisely the same space at precisely the same time” https://alethonews.com/2018/09/05/the-impossible-photo/ I note the angle of the two shots is slightly different and the bend of the gate bars on the RHS of the picture is in a slightly different location and the lens smear/reflections are slightly different but I seriously doubt these are two different gates. Criminals and defence lawyers/solicitors must love the Met Police if this is the best they can do. ZH picked this up too: https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2018-09-05/russias-alleged-skripal-assassins-caught-breaking-laws-physics This is good, from Neil Clark, on gaslighting, Corbyn, anti-Semitism, McCain, Iran, Iraq and the raging torrents of media garbage that we are fed and pressured to buy into on a daily basis: https://sputniknews.com/columnists/201809051067774566-gaslighting-public-elites-go-full-patrich-hamilton/ Guiding Light (Understanding Jewish-Power) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U58RCskhQwU The Dire Threat of Israeli Zionist Control Over America https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFw31j035OQ&t=14s RT News: On-air livestream 24/7 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXBMjb6zZwo Blackstone Intelligence LIVE O Global News Roundup – September 5, 2018 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ham6Vl0Fk8g https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vST6hVRj2A Sinking of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SS_Edmund_Fitzgerald https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkxXFLRmqvw Thanks for the Edmund Fitzgerald story. It’s poignant, like the Titanic. My mother was born in Superior, and was often near the iron ore range of Minnesota. We kids used to ride the Soo Line from Stevens Point, Wisconsin to Superior. My grandfather, Dennis, was a conductor on the Great Northern. Bob Dylan was from up that way in Hibbing. Love those old memories. 2019 Cafe Calendar Download 2019 Cafe Calendar Ver 1 Current Links within comments Readers Selected News (link) Taras 77 ------ 2019-07-16 20:17:43 Orlov pretty much nails it (again). .... http://cluborlov.blogspot.com/2019/07/war-profiteers-and-demise-of-us.html#more MS ------ 2019-07-16 12:56:09 List of July articles and topics may be of interest to some .... https://greatgameindia.com/articles/ Tomsk ------ 2019-07-16 10:00:29 Arab Paper: Saudi-led coalition in war on Yemen is collapsing after the UAE left the Yemen war. .... Littlejohn ------ 2019-07-15 22:09:56 The Police State is closing in on clueless Americans .... https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2019-07-15/fbi-ramp-social-media-surveillance Why The BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation) acts as a Propaganda Outlet for Israel– An Insider View .... https://gilad.online/writings/2019/7/14/why-the-bbc-acts-as-a-propaganda-outlet-for-israel-an-insider-view US mission in Baghdad serves as Mossad, Daesh headquarters: Iraqi MP .... https://alethonews.com/2019/07/15/us-mission-in-baghdad-serves-as-mossad-daesh-headquarters-iraqi-mp/ BRICS Now a Larger Share of World Economy Than G7 .... https://www.checkpointasia.net/brics-now-a-larger-share-of-world-economy-than-g7/ Browder expose' site: Site was noted from comments on article: https://consortiumnews.com/2019/07/03/mueller-report-ge .... https://jaccuse.news/ Fairly long but extremely destructive article on new world order and their utter fraudulent policies-cites rhodes schola .... https://www.newcoldwar.org/the-strange-case-of-chrystia-freeland-and-the-failure-of-the-super-elite/ The Israeli conspiracy to cover-up the Nakba .... https://www.sott.net/article/416686-Benny-Morris-tells-more-about-the-Israeli-conspiracy-to-cover-up-the-Nakba Per/Norway ------ 2019-07-13 20:03:13 Leaked chat between Puerto Rico's governor and his executive team shakes the island .... https://www.elnuevodia.com/english/english/nota/leakedchatbetweenpuertoricogovernorandassociatesrockstheisland-2505280/	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0068.json.gz/line497
__label__cc	0.679241	0.320759	What price will mankind have to pay for the collapse of the Empire? 63574 Views April 13, 2018 212 Comments Saker Analyses and Interviews The Saker “I am surrounded, they are outside, I don’t want them to take me and parade me, conduct the airstrike, they will make a mockery of me and this uniform. I want to die with dignity and take all these bastards with me. Please my last wish, conduct the airstrike, they will kill me either way. This is the end commander, thank you, tell my family and my country I love them. Tell them I was brave and I fought until I could no longer. Please take care of my family, avenge my death, goodbye commander, tell my family I love them“ Alexander Prokhorenko “This is for our guys” Roman Filipov [This analysis was written for the Unz Review] We are currently living the most dangerous days in human history. You think that this is hyperbole? We are risking a nuclear Armageddon The first thing to realize is that this is not, repeat, not about Syria or chemical weapons, not in Salsbury, not in Douma. That kind of nonsense is just “mental prolefeed” for the mentally deficient, politically blinded or otherwise zombified ideological drones who, from the Maine, to the Gulf of Tonkin, to NATO’s Gladio bombing of the Bologna train-station, to the best and greatest of them all – 9/11 of course – will just believe anything “their” (as they believe) side tells them. The truth is that the AngloZionists are the prime proliferators of chemical weapons in history (and the prime murderers of Arabs and Muslims too!). So their crocodile tears are just that – crocodile tears, even if their propaganda machine says otherwise. Does anybody seriously believe that Trump, May, Macron or Netanyahu would be willing to risk an apocalyptic thermonuclear war which could kill several hundred million people in just a few hours because Assad has used chemical weapons on tens, hundreds or even thousands of innocent Syrian civilians (assuming, just for argument’s sake, that this accusation is founded)? Since when do the AngloZionist care about Arabs?! This makes absolutely no sense whatsoever! For those who would say that speaking of “several hundred million people” killed is hyperbole, I would recommend looking up past western plans to “solve the Russian problem” including: Plan Totality (1945): earmarked 20 Soviet cities for obliteration in a first strike: Moscow, Gorki, Kuybyshev, Sverdlovsk, Novosibirsk, Omsk, Saratov, Kazan, Leningrad, Baku, Tashkent, Chelyabinsk, Nizhny Tagil, Magnitogorsk, Molotov, Tbilisi, Stalinsk, Grozny, Irkutsk, and Yaroslavl. Operation Unthinkable (1945) assumed a surprise attack by up to 47 British and American divisions in the area of Dresden, in the middle of Soviet lines. This represented almost a half of roughly 100 divisions (ca. 2.5 million men) available to the British, American and Canadian headquarters at that time. (…) The majority of any offensive operation would have been undertaken by American and British forces, as well as Polish forces and up to 100,000 German Wehrmacht soldiers. Operation Dropshot (1949): included mission profiles that would have used 300 nuclear bombs and 29,000 high-explosive bombs on 200 targets in 100 cities and towns to wipe out 85% of the Soviet Union’s industrial potential at a single stroke. Between 75 and 100 of the 300 nuclear weapons were targeted to destroy Soviet combat aircraft on the ground. Articles like this one, this one, and this one are also good pointers (these are all estimates, of course, nobody knows for sure; all that matters is an approximate orders of magnitude). By the way, I am not suggesting that at this point in time the AngloZionists would want to deliberately start a thermonuclear war with Russia. What I am suggesting is that there is a very simple and basic asymmetry between the Russian and AngloZionist forces in the Middle-East which could lead to such an outcome regardless of original intentions. Here is how: How are we risking a nuclear Armageddon? Step one: the AngloZionists strike Syria hard enough to force the Russians to retaliate. Step two: now outraged by the Russian response, the AngloZionists retaliate against the Russian forces in Syria. At this point it is crucial to remember that while the Russians have better equipment and far better soldiers than their “western” opponents (the examples of Alexander Prokhorenko or Roman Filipov will tell you all you need to know about how Russians in Syria fight, especially compared to the kind of personnel deployed by the US and NATO), the CENTCOM+NATO+Israel+KSA have an immense numerical advantage. It does not matter how effective the Russian air defenses or (tiny) air superiority aircraft force is when it can simply be overwhelmed by numbers. All the Empire needs to do is first fire a large number of dumb old Tomahawk cruise missiles, let the Russian use their stores of air defense missiles and then follow-up with their more advanced weapons. The truth is that if the Empire wanted to, it could even establish a no-fly zone over Syria and completely wipe-out the Russian task force. Sure, there would be losses on both sides, the Russians would fight heroically, but they would lose. Unless, of course, they got help from the Motherland, specifically in the form of cruise missile attacks from the Black Sea Fleet, the Caspian Flotilla, the aircraft stationed in southern Russia (Crimea) or even in Iran. Russia also strike with land and sea based missiles. So Russia does have the capability to strike at numerous lucrative (and more or less defenseless) US and “coalition” targets throughout the Middle-East. But what would be the consequences of that? Step three: Russian strikes on CENTCOM targets would force the Empire to fight back and strike at Russian Navy ships and, even worse, at military installations in Russia proper. Step four: US/NATO attacks on Russian territory would inevitably trigger a Russian response on the USA itself. That response would be initially conventional, but as the losses on both sides would mount, the use of nuclear weapons would be almost inevitable. Yes, in theory, at any time during this escalatory cycle both sides could decide to de-escalate. In theory. But in the real world, I don’t see that happening nor have I ever seen any model which would convincingly explain how such a de-escalation could happen (especially with the exceptionally low-quality type of narcissistic and psychopathic individuals in command in the USA – think Trump or Bolton here – and all their “we are the best and biggest and greatest” pseudo-patriotic nonsense). I am not predicting that this is what will actually happen, but I am saying that this is the risk the AngloZionist Empire is willing to take in order to achieve.. what exactly? What is worth taking such a risk? I think that the UK Minister of Defense put it best: the AngloZionists want Russia to “go away and shut up”. Why we are risking a nuclear Armageddon (go away and shut up!) “Go away and shut up” has been the dream of all western leaders since at least a millennium (interspersed and strengthened by regular (and failed) attempts at conquering and/or converting the Russians). Just think how frustrating it has been for a civilization which has established colonies worldwide, including in the farthest regions of our planet, to have this unconquerable nation right next door which was not only refusing to submit, but which would regularly defeat them on the battlefield even when they all joined forces lead by their “best and brightest” leaders (Napoleon, Hitler and… Trump?). Just imagine how a civilization centered on, and run by, bankers would go crazy realizing that immense riches were literally “right next door” but that those who lived on that land would, for some unfathomable reason, refuse to let them exploit it! The very existence of a “Russian Russia” is an affront to all the real (as opposed to official) western values and that is simply not something the leaders of the Empire are willing to tolerate. Hence Syria, hence the Ukraine, hence all the silly accusations of “novichok” cum buckwheat attacks. These are all expressions of the same policy Paint Russia as some kind of Mordor and create yet another “grand coalition” against her Force Russia to submit to the AngloZionist Hegemony Defeat Russia politically, economically or militarily These are objectives for which it is worth risking it all, especially when your own Empire is collapsing and time is not on your side. What we are witnessing since at least 2015 is yet another western Crusade against Russia, a kind of holy war waged in the name of everything the West holds sacred (money, power, hegemonic world domination, secularism, etc.) against everything it abhors (sovereignty, independence, spirituality, traditions). The simple truth is this: were it not for the Russian military capabilities, the West would have wiped Russia “off the map” long ago, and replaced it with something like a number of “mini-Poland’s” ruled by a liberal comprador elite just like the one currently in charge of the EU. The desperate scream “go away and shut up” is just the expression of having this “western dream” frustrated by the power of the Russian armed forces and the unity of the Russian people behind their current leader. But even the admittedly frustrating existence of Russia is not a sufficient reason to risk it all; there is much more at stake here. Russia as the tip of a much larger iceberg Due to geographical, historical, cultural, religious and military factors, Russia is today the objective leader of the worldwide resistance to Empire, at least in moral, psychological and political terms. But that does not mean that she is “anti-USA”, not at all. For one thing, Russia does absolutely not run or control the worldwide resistance to Empire. In fact, to a superficial analysis, Russia often looks pretty much alone in her stance (as shown by the recent Chinese behavior at the UN Security Council). The truth is that other countries who want an end to the AngloZionist hegemony have absolutely no incentive to join Russia on top of the US “shit list” and expose themselves to the wrath of the Hegemon, especially not when Russia seems to be more than willing to bear the brunt of the Empire’s hatred. Besides, like all large and powerful countries, Russia lacks real friends and most countries are more than happy to demand that Russia fix all their problems (as shown by the constant stream of accusations that Russia has not done enough in this or that part of the planet). And yet all these countries are not exactly standing in line to show solidarity with Russia when she might need it. So when I say that Russia leads the resistance I am not suggesting that she does that the way the USA runs NATO or some “coalition of the willing”. Russia simply leads by the fact that she does not “go away” or, even more so, does not “shut up”. Russia is the only country on the planet, with the possible exception of Iran, which openly and unapologetically dares to denounce the Empire’s hypocrisy and which is willing to back her words with military power if needed. The DPRK is a unique and local case. As for the various Bolivarian countries and movements in Latin America, they are currently being defeated by the Empire. In theory, the Muslim world definitely has the potential to play a bigger role in the resistance to the Empire, but the Wahabi-virus injected into the Muslim world by the USA+KSA+Israel has, at least so far, prevented the emergence of a successful and truly Islamic model besides the one of the Islamic Republic of Iran (hence the demonization of the latter by the AngloZionists). And yet … The Empire is in the process of losing the entire Middle-East. Not so much because of some brilliant and Machiavellian Russian or Iranian policies, but more as a courtesy of its own infinitely arrogant, stupid and self-defeating policies. The overthrow of Saddam Hussein will probably go down in history as one of the dumbest political decisions ever (Bolton was behind that one too, by the way). That was an entirely self-inflicted catastrophe. As was the almost equally disastrous invasion of Afghanistan. Another self-inflicted disaster for the AngloZionists was their support for the US/EU led coup in the Ukraine, which not only resulted in a calamity which the Europeans will have to pay for for many decades to come (think of it as a big Somalia on the EU’s doorstep) but also did an amazing job uniting the Russian people behind their leaders and reduced the pro-Western feelings in the Russian public opinion to something in the range of 2-5 percent at the most. “Getting” the Ukraine sure would not have been worth “losing” Russia. Then there is China which the USA has grossly mismanaged since the so-called Third Taiwan Strait Crisis in 1996 when Clinton militarily threatened China (see here for details) and with whom Trump has now launched a trade war in order to MAGA (good luck with that!). In contrast, all the real “action” is now centered around the OBOR project in which China and Russia play the main role and in which the Anglosphere will play no role at all. Add the Petro-Yuan to the equation and you have the emergence of a new Eurasian model which threatens to make the entire Empire simply irrelevant. And then there is Turkey (2nd most powerful NATO member state). And Pakistan for that matter. Or Afghanistan. Or Iraq. Or Yemen. Everywhere the Empire is in full retreat leaving only chaos behind. The truth is that Russia would never be a credible threat to the AngloZionist Hegemony if it was not for the innumerable self-inflicted disasters the Empire has been absorbing year after year after year. In reality, Russia is no threat to anybody at all. And even China would not be a threat to the Empire if the latter was not so arrogant, so over-stretched, so ignorant, reckless and incompetent in its actions. Let me just give one simple, but stark, example: not only does the USA not have anything remotely resembling a consistent foreign policy, it does not even have any ministry of foreign affairs. The Department of State does not deal with diplomacy simply because the US leaders don’t believe in diplomacy as a concept. All the DoS does is issue threats, sanctions, ultimatums, make demands, deliver score-cards (on human rights and the like, of all things!) and explain to the public why the USA is almost constantly at war with somebody. That is not “diplomacy” and the likes of Nikki Haley are not diplomats. In fact, the USA has no use for International Law either, hence the self-same Nikki Haley openly declaring at a UNSC meeting that the USA is willing to ignore the decisions of the UNSC and act in complete violation of the UN Charter. Simply put: thugs have no need for any diplomacy. They don’t understand the concept. Just like their Israeli masters and mentors, the US Americans have convinced themselves that all they need to be successful on the international scene is to either threaten the use of force or actually use force. Which works great (or so it seems) in Gaza or Grenada, but when dealing with China, Russia or Iran, this monomaniacal approach rapidly shows its limitations, especially when your force is really limited to shooting missiles from afar or murdering civilians (neither the USA nor Israel nor, for that matter, the KSA has a credible “boots on the ground” capability, hence their reliance on proxies). The Empire is failing, fast, and for all the talk about “Animal Assad” or “Rocket Man” being in need of AngloZionist punishment, the stakes are the survival of Hegemony imposed upon mankind at the end of WWII and, again, at the end of the Cold War, and the future of our planet. There cannot be one World Hegemon and a multipolar world order regulated by international law. It’s an either-or situation. And in that sense, this is all much bigger than Syria or even Russia. From Douma to Donetsk? There is still a chance that the AngloZionists will decide to strike Syria symbolically, as they did last year following the previous chemical false flag in Khan Sheikhoun (Trump has now probably tweeted himself into a corner which makes some kind of attack almost inevitable). Should that happen though, we should not celebrate too soon as this will just be a minor course change, the 21st-century anti-Russia Crusade will continue, most likely in the form of a Ukronazi attack on the Donbass. Quick reminder: the purpose of such an attack will not be to reconquer and then ethnically cleanse the Donbass, but to force the Russian Federation to prevent such an outcome by openly intervening. Such a Russian intervention will, of course, quickly stop the war and crush the Ukronazi forces, but at that point the tensions in Europe will go through the roof, meaning that NATO will (finally!) find a halfway credible mission for itself, the Germans will have to give up on North Stream II, Poland and the Baltic statelets will make money by becoming the East European version of Okinawa and the Anglo powers (US/UK) will firmly reestablish control over the EU, Brexit notwithstanding. Furthermore, Russia will become the target of a total economic war, including an energy blockade (the US will be more than happy to impose its overpriced gas on the Europeans), a disconnection from SWIFT, a seizure of Russian assets, a ban on Russian financial operations in the EU, etc. That could be risky, of course, especially with a trade war with China also taking place, but these are just options. What is certain is that as long as Putin or anybody like him remains in power in Russia, the Congress will continue to slap sanctions after sanctions after sanctions on Russia. In fact, during most of her history, even before the Revolution, Russia was under one type of western sanctions or another. There is absolutely nothing new here and, as I like to remind people these days, the best predictor of future behavior is past behavior, especially with maniacal regimes and leaders. Besides, as I have already mentioned in the past, and unlike the current confrontation in Syria, a war in the Ukraine is a very safe bet for the Empire. First, when the goal is the defeat of “your” side, almost any military adventure is pretty safe. Second, once the Russians are in Novorussia, they will “own it”, meaning that they will have to carry the huge financial burden of rebuilding it. Third, such a Russian presence would consolidate and even boost the Ukie nationalists who, by the way, will have a golden opportunity to blame everything they did wrong over the past 4 years on the Russians. Fourth, any such operation will get a lot of the worst and most rabid Ukronazi killed and that will remove a potential problem from the Poroshenko-types the US much prefers to deal with. Finally, as I said, this will give NATO a sacred mission to “defend Europe against a revanchist Russian rogue state” thereby crushing any European hopes for even a modest degree of independence from the Anglosphere. And the worst case? The worst case would be if the Novorussians can stop the Ukronazi attack without overt Russian intervention. But even if that happens and even if the Novorussians launch some kind of counter-offensive liberating Mariupol or Slaviansk, these are irrelevant losses from the point of view of the Empire which sees both Russians and Ukrainians as cannon fodder. Just as the Empire wants Arabs and Muslims to kill each other on Israel’s behalf in the Middle-East, so does the Empire want nothing more than to see Ukrainians and Russians kill each other in maximal numbers and for as long as possible. [Sidebar: Some might suggest here that the Novorussians could not only defeat the Ukronazi forces but also liberate the rest of the Ukraine, including Kiev. I find that exceedingly unlikely. Here is why: First, all the hurrah-patriotic nonsense notwithstanding, there are very good and objective reasons why the Novorussians could not liberate Mariupol the first time around (there was a major risk of Ukrainian envelopment for the Novorussian force) or why it took them so long to retake control of the Donetsk airport: during most of their existence, Novorussian forces were composed of a mix of different types of units which, for all their personal courage, were simply not capable of operational-level offensives. They were limited to tactical-level engagements which, even when successful, do not necessarily lead to operational-level developments. There seems to have been major changes made in the command structure of the Novorussian forces. The liberation of the Donetsk airport and, even more so, the Debaltsevo “cauldron” were joint DNR-LNR efforts, but even if, as I suspect, the Novorussians are now capable of operational-level counter-offensives, this is still not what it would take to liberate Kiev. Furthermore, as one Novorussian officer commented, “the further West we go, the less we are seen as liberators and the more as occupiers”. Last but not least, Russia will not allow the Novorussians to liberate most of the Ukraine even if they could do so, because then Russia would have to pay for the staggering costs of trying to fix this massive “European Somalia”, and that is a task far beyond her current means. For all the East-European hallucinations about some Russian invasion, Russia has neither the desire nor even the means to invade anybody. The painful reality is this: the Ukrainians will pay a dear price for their Russophobic delusions and most of the bill to fix that mess will have to be paid by the rest of Europe. They created that nightmare, let them fix it now.] Conclusion: back to Syria None of the above should distract us from what is by far the biggest danger currently facing us all – the risks of a US-Russian war in Syria. In fact, this reality seems to be slowly dawning even on the most obtuse of presstitutes who are now worrying about a spill-over effect. No, not in Europe or the USA, but on Israel, of course. Still, the fact that there are folks who understand that Israel might not survive a superpower clash on its doorstep is a good thing. Maybe the Israel lobby in the USA, or a least the part of it which cares for Israel (many/most only pretend to), will be more vocal than all the silent Anglo shabbos-goyim who don’t seem to be able to muster even a minimal amount of self-preservation instinct? Bibi Netanyahu felt the need to call Putin after the Israeli ambassador to Russia was read the riot act by Russian officials following the (admittedly rather lame) Israeli airstrike on the T-4 Syrian air force base. Not much of a hope, I admit.. This is not about good guys versus bad guys anymore. It’s about sane versus insane. I think that we can safely place Trump, Bolton, Haley and the rest of them in the “terminally delusional” camp. But what about the top US generals? I asked two well-informed friends, and they both told me that there is probably nobody above the rank of Colonel with enough courage left to object to the Neocon’s insanity, even if that means WWIII. Again, not much hope here either… There is a sura (Al-Anfal 8:30) of the Qur’an which Sheikh Imran Hosein often mentions which I want to quote here: And [remember, O Muhammad], when those who disbelieved plotted against you to restrain you or kill you or evict you [from Makkah]. But they plan, and Allah plans. And Allah is the best of planners. And since we are talking about Syria where Iran and Hezbollah are targets as much (or more) as the Russians, it is also fitting here to quote a very popular Shia slogan which calls to remember that the battle against oppression must be fought ceaselessly and everywhere: “Every Day Is Ashura and Every Land Is Karbala”. And, of course, there are the words of Christ Himself: “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matt 10:28). Such religious references will, no doubt, irritate the many “enlightened” westerners for whom such language reeks of obscurantism, fanaticism, and bigotry. But in Russia or the Middle-East, such references are very much part of the national or religious ethos. To illustrate my point I want to quote from Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah’s “Divine Victory Speech” spoken in 2006 following the crushing victory by a relatively small Hezbollah force of the combined might of the Israeli ground, air and naval forces: We are today celebrating a big strategic, historic, and divine victory. How can the human mind imagine that a few thousand of your Lebanese resistance sons – if I wanted, I would give the exact number – held out for 23 days in a land exposed to the skies against the strongest air force in the Middle East, which had an air bridge transporting smart bombs from America, through Britain, to Israel; against 40,000 officers and soldiers – four brigades of elite forces, three reserve army divisions; against the strongest tank in the world; and against the strongest army in the region? How could only a few thousand people hold out and fight under such harsh conditions, and [how could] their fighting force the naval warships out of our territorial waters? By the way, the army and the resistance are capable of protecting the territorial waters from being desecrated by any Zionist. [Applause] [And how could their fighting] also lead to the destruction of the Mirkava tanks, which are an object of pride for the Israeli industry; damage Israeli helicopters day and night; and turn the elite brigades – I am not exaggerating, and you can watch and read the Israeli media – into rats frightened by your sons? [How did this happen] while you were relinquished by the Arabs and the world and in light of the political (human solidarity was profound though) division around you? How could this group of mujahidin defeat this army without the support and assistance of Almighty God? This resistance experience, which should be conveyed to the world, depends – on the moral and spiritual level – on faith, certainty, reliance [on God], and readiness to make sacrifices. It also depends on reason, planning, organization, armament, and, as is said, on taking all possible protective procedures. We are neither a disorganized and sophistic resistance, nor a resistance pulled to the ground that sees before it nothing but soil, nor a resistance of chaos. The pious, God-reliant, loving, and knowledgeable resistance is also the conscious, wise, trained, and equipped resistance that has plans. This is the secret of the victory we are today celebrating, brothers and sisters. These words could also be used to describe the relatively small Russian task force in Syria. In fact, there are numerous parallels which could be made between Hezbollah’s role and position in the Middle-East and Russia’s role and position in the world. And while both are well-trained, well-armed and well-commanded, it is their spiritual power which will decide the outcome of the wars waged against them by the Hegemony. AngloZionist secularists will never understand that – they just can’t – and that will bring their inevitable downfall. The only question is the price mankind will have to pay to have that last Empire finally bite the dust. Saker analysis: US war on Syria - options White Russian on April 14, 2018 · at 3:25 am EST/EDT What is Russia going to do now, can anyone tell me? I have been looking at Twitter and there are a lot of people (trolls) saying Russia is weak because they didn’t react when the tomahawks/missiles fell on Damascus and other places. Even Mark Sleboda, who is often on CrossTalk tweeted : “I have not seen any evidence or reports yet that the Kremlin even bothered to use Russian air defense systems in Syria last night as the US & its client states attacked a country Russia has a mutual defense pact w & where Russian soldiers are stationed. #Shame on them if true.” What will Russia do, do you think? It seems like the AZ was the one who gave Russia the bloody nose, not the other way round (which I had been hoping for) :( Jack Oliver on April 14, 2018 · at 6:36 am EST/EDT All I can say is that you greatly underestimate Russia ! None of us have any idea what Russia has up its sleeve – Scalar weapons amongst them ! Russia could drop ALL US planes out of the sky in an instant ! China can destroy their satellites – The Zio/US would not know which way is up ! If you think this war will be fought with ‘nukes’ you are delusional ! Like weather warfare ( which is real ) – I suggest you study Nicola Tesla ! This moment had to arrive – the world population will be 14 billon by 2060 – We must change direction to survive !! Anonymous on April 14, 2018 · at 7:24 am EST/EDT 1200 AD: Teutonic Knights invade Russia (defeated by Alexander Nevsky, eventually all Baltic Germans would become Russian subjected and best officers in the imperial army) 1400 AD: Lithuania invades Russia (what is today Belarus + Ukraine, leading to centuries of rule until Moscow retakes these lands + rule Lithuania for centuries) 1600 AD: Poland invades Russia (occupies Moscow, kicked out, Romanov rule starts, Poland eventually ruled for a century by Russia) 1700 AD: Sweden invades Russia (army wiped, end of their empire, eventually Finland is taken and ruled by Russia for a century) 1800 AD: France invades Russia (Moscow occupied then army wiped + Paris occupied by Russia + Napoleon’s end) 1900 AD: Germany invades Russia (twice WWI & WWII, Soviet Flag raised in Berlin + 40 years occupation) 2000 AD: US invades Russia (economic & political intervention, occupation of former Russian territory, Russia regains sovereignty retakes territory with Russian population, enters into anti-West alliances) dates are rounded to nearest century for poetic reasons Patrick Pappano on April 14, 2018 · at 7:30 am EST/EDT What is abundantly clear judging by events of the past few days, is that the UK, France, USA and associated allies have very little input into their activities. Now I read that “Mad Dog” Mattis instead of being a mad dog, is restraining Bolton’s more preposterous proclivities. None of this fits any narrative so far proferred from the alt media, including this article, meant to scare, awaken but not get to the granular level needed to understand what the game is. It is like watching football without knowing what the rules are. Yas on April 21, 2018 · at 4:30 pm EST/EDT Qu’Allah protége les justesvet les faiseurs de paix. Il est dit dans le Coran , sourate 30 que les chrétiens gagneront et que ce jour là les croyants se réjouiront …. L’unité des vrais muslims et des vrais chrétiens , les orthodoxes ( pas les sataniques de Rome qui prie devant l’obélisque satanique ) cet unité conduira à la victoire sur les sataniques qui veulent le pouvoir ! Nous sommes sur terre pour une épreuve . Fasse qu’Allah bénisse et protége de son pouvoir et de son secours toutes les âmes de paix et de bonne volonté ! Amin N’oublions jamais la puissance de la prière … Qu’Allah fasses disparaître la city de Londres Flopot on June 22, 2018 · at 3:50 pm EST/EDT Rumour has it that the Russian Federation has promised NATO its own Stalingrad in Syria. I believe those rumours. You cannot sit down for talks with Mr Wolf; just ask the Russians ;)	cc/2019-30/en_middle_0068.json.gz/line498

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