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|Turkish Boys Dressed for Circumcision
In Christian circles it is a topic that does surface a bit more since the Bible mentions it numerous times. The letters of Paul and the book of Acts recount some of the debates over circumcision that took place in the early church. And even though the New Testament comes down against the requirement of circumcision for gentile Christians, most in the USA are circumcised, but not for religious reasons.
But outside of the USA the topic is looked at quite differently. I remember an American couple living in the UK who were trying to get their newborn son circumcised. No hospital or doctor would do it. The couples had to find a local Rabbi to perform the procedure. The locals who were part of our small group were quite vocal that the child should not be circumcised since they considered it barbaric. It was my first encounter with anyone who was opposed to the practice. For me, it was just what happened in life.
During my recent trip to Turkey I witnessed a different take on the practice. While it is banned in the UK and quietly done in the USA, it is celebrated in Turkey. There the boy is not circumcised until he is eight years old. The day is a big party and friends and family are invited to witness the procedure. A few days prior to that day the young boy walks around with a special hat with feathers and a sort of cloak (see pic above). Everyone knows that this means his day of circumcision is soon approaching. I cringed several times as I walked through the streets of Istanbul and saw a young boy with a hat and feather.
I bring this up because the practice of religious circumcision has been in the news twice lately.
In Germany, a judge has ruled that the practice must be banned because it commits bodily harm on the young boy. Muslims and Jews have reacted against the ruling. In New York, health officials are considering banning one form of circumcision since it can cause the infant to contract herpes.
Another recent example of the state imposing its will on religious practice, though not because of health concerns, is France's ban on Muslim women wearing headscarves.
My question is this. To what degree does the state have jurisdiction over the freedom of religious practice? Can or should the state ban a practice if it deems it to be harmful? I am not aware of any states that allow animal sacrifice, and even the use of animals in worship, as with snake handlers, is usually banned. But at what point does the state have the right to stop a religion from carrying out its practice?


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Acer's S3 Ultrabook: Thin Like the MacBook Air
Berlin's IFA Consumer Electronics Show has become the official launch party of Ultrabooks, an Intel-conceptualized category that plans to put more Apple Macbook Air look-alikes into the hands of consumers.
Today, Acer launched its S3 Ultrabook, following Toshiba's and Lenovo's entries into this category. Acer's version measures a mere 0.51 inches, which is thinner than the Macbook Air 13-inch at its thickest point (0.67 inches), and weighs a scant 3.1 pounds.
The S3's thin magnesium shell is no surprise, as metal appears to be the material of choice for crafting Ultrabooks. It features a 13.3-inch widescreen and 1,366-by-768 resolution. Its use of a Chiclet-style keyboard and glass clicking touchpad are consistent with those of the Toshiba Portege Z830 and Lenovo Ideapad U300s.
In terms of features, the bulk of the S3's ports are located in the back, where you'll find HDMI and two USBs. A memory card reader can be found on the right side, while the left side boasts a headphone jack. Like its Ultrabook brethren, the S3 lacks Ethernet, VGA, and of course, a built-in optical drive. Intel requires in its guidelines that Ultrabooks use Solid State Drives in order to take advantage of its Rapid Start Technology, which facilitates instant boot and resume times. Acer, apparently, is also offering options for spinning hard drives, which would lower the price of the laptop but also forfeit its instant-on capabilities.
The rest of the S3's specs are in line with the Toshiba Z830 and Lenovo U300s: It uses a low volt Intel Core i5-2467M processor, 4GB of memory, and 64GB SSD (with a 128GB option). It features a non-removable battery (Acer didn't list its capacity). But if the Z830 and U300s are any indication, the battery is most likely a Lithium Polymer 6-cell and last in the range of eight hours. Yes, long battery life is also part of Intel's Ultrabook guideline.
The Acer S3 will sell for around $1,179 when it ships later this year. By comparison, Asus and Toshiba are planning to sell their Ultrabooks for less than $1,000, while Lenovo listed its U300s for $1,199.
For more, see Ultrabooks: What You Need To Know. And check out the IFA slideshow below.

subset: commoncrawl


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Saturday | 2pm
April 22, 2017
$15 adults/$10 children under 12
Johnny developed a comedy dog act after he adopted his first dog Freckles from the humane society. Freckles was the first of a collection of fifteen mutts rescued from animal shelters all over the country. This group of talented and playful canines form the Muttsville Comix troupe. Over time, these four-legged artists retire and replaced by lovingly trained rescue dogs. Johnny Peers and the Muttsville Comix entertain people of all ages.


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Choking has cropped up in the news again too many times recently, so we thought we would share the simple stages of what to do if you are ever faced with that situation. We asked Mark to talk us through the procedure.
'Mark the Medic' or Mark Davis is the Director of @ABCMedical – a training and event medical service provider. Visit his website here where you can find out how to attend one of his first aid training courses. We have all trained with him and can recommend his first aid courses.
Choking is one of the most common life threatening emergencies that can happen to children in the home. It is an emergency where immediate assistance is required; this will be done by family members around at the time. This is not an emergency that can wait for an ambulance.
The following procedure should be used for children:
1. Encourage the child to cough. This is to establish if the airway is completely blocked. If the casualty can cough or is able to answer your question, encourage coughing. This should remove the object.
2. If the child is unable to cough you will need to give 5 firm slaps on the back. Lean the child forward or across your lap. With the heel of your hand give up to 5 firm slaps between the shoulder blades. Encourage the child to cough while you do this.
3. If back slaps don't work you will need to give abdominal thrusts. Stand behind the child; place your arms around the child. Make a fist and place it below the rib cage and above the tummy button. Place your other hand over the top. Give up to 5 firm inward and upward thrusts. If this doesn't work repeat steps 2 and 3.
4. If the child becomes unconscious check the airway and breathing and start CPR if they are not breathing.
The following procedure should be used for babies:
1. Lay the baby over your lap face down with their head lower than their body. With the heel of your hand give up to 5 firm slaps between the shoulder blades.
2. Turn baby over and give up to 5 firm chest thrusts with two fingers in the centre of the chest. If this doesn't work repeat steps 1 and 2. Never perform abdominal thrusts on a baby. If the baby becomes unconscious check the airway and breathing and start CPR if they are not breathing.


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Due to an increase in bodywork bookings of late, we are looking for a welder / bodywork operative type person, preferably with classic car experience and a tad of mechanical knowledge. Must be reliable and trustworthy too....
Sound like someone you know? Please pass the word on....this won't be seen in your local Jobcentre Plus!
CV's and / or cover letters to email@example.com please.
2/10/2015 08:46:59 am
Welding is a fascinating and exciting career but also requires patience and meticulous. Not everyone can be two factors that matter. This article is very useful but still need to add some comments for welding and welders
12/6/2015 11:29:12 pm
According to google trend, interests in welding jobs keep increasing since 2008. It is definitely a good career.
2/1/2016 03:37:52 am
thanks for your very informative article. Welding is nowadays widely known as a job with lots of prospects.
4/14/2016 07:56:41 am
good morning,yf you need a panel beater with big experience i m available,i can show you pictures of works
4/14/2016 09:27:37 am
Hi, thank you for the message - we did fill the post in the end, but it'll be worth dropping in with your CV if you're around any time soon?
9/5/2018 06:36:39 am
First of all! I want to say thanks for your post because you have provided a better skilled welder. I am very interested in your post. Thanks for sharing this interested post for all peoples like me.
Leave a Reply.
Written by a self-confessed car nut, petrol-head, spanner-wielding car-junkie.
July 2019
Find us at:
Unit 3 Tremorfa Industrial Estate, Cardiff CF24 5SD
Call us on:
029 2045 5682
Email us on:
About us:
Many moons ago a naive 20 something opened a VW Specialist workshop in Cardiff due to the local market lacking the levels of care and passion for the older models. Years of hard dedication in the workshop and very little dedication to the day to day running of the business meant that when this 20 something finally had a daughter he felt he needed to go and work for someone else. That didn't work out, provided him with lots of "character-building" moments, and Body & Soul was born out of a yearning to return to what truly motivated the much older chap. As Mark Twain mused:
"Genius has no youth but starts with the ripeness of age & old experience"


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This article originally appeared in a slightly different form in Post2015.
Eradicating poverty by 2030 is an ambitious undertaking. Development practitioners have argued that a major impediment to achieving this objective has been the absence or deficiency of accurate, up to date data on the dynamics of poverty. This has made it difficult to design and execute effective policies and to allocate resources appropriately. A pragmatic approach would be to bring about a data revolution that can lever existing and new sources of data to shape policy and facilitate the eradication of poverty.
Bali Communiqué of the High-Level Panel, March 28, 2013:
"Too often, development efforts have been hampered by a lack of the most basic data about the social and economic circumstances in which people live. […] We must […] take advantage of new technologies and access to open data for all people."
The data revolution, in development discourse, aims to increase access, analysis and utilisation of information by an ecosystem of actors to improve policy and allocation of resources to help bring an end to poverty. See the 2013 High Level Panel (HLP) report on the Post 2015 Development Agenda.
However, conceptually, the idea of the data revolution remains unresolved. It means different things to different people. For some it implies both knocking things down and building things up – an overhaul of the current system. For others, it implies empowering citizens in a fresh wave of data collection, analysis and use to ensure that information influences development policy. The phrase also calls for transparency accountability.
Can a data revolution really build better policies and eradicate poverty?
Recently, my colleagues and I at the Development Initiatives Africa Hub convened a round table for stakeholders in East Africa, all working around the open governance – information access – poverty eradication nexus. We brainstormed over the implications of the data revolution for poverty elimination in the region. It emerged from the discussions that, in order for the data revolution to eliminate poverty, there needs to be a focus on:
- citizens
- openness, transparency and accountability in government
- capacity building for stakeholders across the data ecosystem
- incentives for custodians of sources of data.
Focus more on citizens
The data revolution seeks to influence policy in order to improve the lives of ordinary citizens. However similar data initiatives in the past, such as the open data movement, have focused more on technology, numbers and infographics and less on the ultimate beneficiaries of policy action. To succeed, the data revolution must steer away from the skewed focus on the largely urban, marginal and ineffective cohort of people that has characterised the open data movement for example. Like all other revolutions, it must build from the bottom, creating demand for information from grass root levels. This is what will spark energy and enthusiasm about increasing access to information. The data revolution must emphasise making data more relevant to the lives of ordinary people. It must strategically seek to bring 'techies' together with the realities of local community groups by engaging citizen representatives. Importantly, the data revolution must aim to minimise the time lag between when data is accessed and analysed, and when the outcomes of policy actions are reflected on the ground.
Emphasise the need for open, transparent and accountable government
Being the guarantor and custodian of a large proportion of development data, the state remains a prominent player in the movement towards the data revolution. However government barriers in the form of regulations, legislation or polices that have limited access to information in the past must be urgently addressed. In addition, data must be open. Thus far, the conceptualisation of the data revolution does not explicitly imply an open data revolution. The revolution must also seek out and strengthen political will, especially within existing legislative frameworks.
Enhance the capacity of stakeholders to make sense of the data
There is a strong case for capacity building for key stakeholders in the data ecosystem to be able to make sense of the numbers. As it is, there is limited capacity among 'techies', journalists, CSOs, government officers as well as citizen representatives to interpret the products of data analysis and to portray the implications of data on the lives of common citizens. To drive the data revolution further, sufficient capacity to link data to the day to day lives of citizens is needed. This will induce demand but also sustain momentum and participation in the data revolution.
Provide incentives to custodians of sources of data
The interests of the people in control of data sources must be at the centre of the data revolution for it to succeed. Why should they give data? What is in it for them? Most often the open data drive has failed to motivate custodians of data to freely provide data to the public. Efforts have largely involved application of punitive measures or holding government officers accountable for data. These have assumed that custodians of data are sufficiently motivated to make data available.
Ultimately, the ability of the data revolution to contribute to the ending of poverty by 2030 will depend on the ability to collect and aggregate data, and to have as many people as possible collaborating effectively to make sense of the implications of the data on the lives of poor people. The data revolution must avoid having just a select group of 'techies' or politicians or government officers knowing a lot about poor people and their problems without the capacity or motivation to do something about them.


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Patricia Hobbs talking about the current situation of Clarendon with our host Eric O'Brien.
Les Nouvelles du Pontiac
CSHBO: New procedures in the event of an interruption of transportation
14 November 2019
The Hauts-Bois-de-l'Outaouais School Board (CSHBO) has clarified their new procedures regarding responsibilities and procedures in the event of an interruption of transportation due to a storm or a special situation. From the CSHBO, Monia Lirette, gave more details: The territory covered by (...)
The Parc des Chutes Coulonge announces its Festival des lumières
14 November 2019
The parc des Chutes Coulonge recently announced the return of the Festival des lumières for the month of December. Every Saturday night in December, families are invited to visit the one-kilometer illuminated trail leading to the Chutes Coulonge. A different theme and activities will be (...)
Phare Ouest presents: « La grande noirceur » Tonight
14 November 2019
Tonight, the organization Phare Ouest will present the movie «La grande noirceur» directed by Maxime Giroux, as part of the organization's cinéma Répertoire. «La grande noirceur» will be presented tonight at the George Bryson Cultural House in Mansfield at 7pm. As mentioned by Louis Harvey of Phare (...)
Cooking class students prepare for the job market
14 November 2019
CHIP 101.9 went to the Knights of Columbus Community Hall in Fort-Coulonge, where CFP Pontiac cooking class students, Anne Morissette, Alexandre Romain and Colette Morissette served a lunch to the public. When asked by CHIP, this is what the students said have in mind after graduation. The (...)
Pontiac Chamber of Commerce Annual General meeting
14 November 2019
Tonight, the Pontiac Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual general meeting between 6 and 8pm at the Little Red Wagon Winery, C165 Calumet Road West, in Clarendon. At 6pm is a networking session will begin along with a light meal that will be served. With special guest Simon Clarke, to allow (...)
Relay between outside nurses causes another break in obstetrics in Shawville
13 November 2019
The temporary interruption of service in the obstetrics wing of the Shawville hospital, that occurred between Monday evening and this morning at 8:00 am, was caused by a shortage of nursing staff, particularly in the relay between the Shawville nursing staff and the two nurses from the Jewish (...)


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Web Domains And Email Accounts For Babies
Why would you reserve a domain for your child?
Parents are starting to think ahead when it comes to their child's future – and not just which preschool waiting list to get on and when to start saving for college tuition. Personalized domains -- specifically baby names -- are being used as online photo albums, online journals and baby blogs or held to become a child's personal webpage, future resume page or future business webpage.
I've overheard some parents say they choose to reserve their child's name as a web domain for privacy and identity purposes -- they don't want their child's name used out of context or confused with someone else who happens to have the same name. Most of the parents buying domain names also choose to reserve an email address. These parents think that a personalized email address will give their child more credibility than a free email address from Google, Yahoo and the like. But really, if you're holding your child's domain name for 18+ years, what's another $5 – 10 dollars for an email address each year?
How to reserve your child's web domain
There are many sites that allow you to check availability, purchase and use or purchase and hold (park) a domain name. Here are a few popular domain sites that range anywhere from $8 to $15 per year.
What if your child's name is already taken?
Unfortunately, with the rise in online sharing, social media and blog activity, the secret is out. If your child has a common name, chances are it's already taken. Some sites will give you creative options, but try to come up with your own creative options before giving your child something like AshleyJones01265498.com.
- Add your child's middle name or middle initial
- Add the year your child was born
- Add a Mr. or Miss in front of your child's name
Tip: Don't include too many personal details in the web address. The last thing you want to do is make it easy for your child's identity to be stolen.
More on technology and babies
WTF?! – 81 percent of babies have an online footprint
Free Shutterfly membership and baby photo gear
Web surfing with your baby – online fun and games for young babies


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General News of Wednesday, 22 August 2018
Source: citinewsroom.com
President Nana Akufo-Addo will not win the upcoming general election on a silver platter following some issues at the party's grassroots level, outspoken member of the governing New Patriotic Party, Kennedy Agyapong has said.
According to him, currently, there is disquiet within the grassroots which may spell doom for the party in the next polls.
"I will not say 2020 is a done deal for Akufo-Addo. I'm a good politician. I'm a grassroots person. The NPP people are annoyed. The grassroots are not seeing anything. So it's not as easy as that so we have to correct those things," he said during an interview on Ekosii sen on Asempa FM.
Kennedy Agyapong, who is also the Member of Parliament for the Assin Central said there are a number of NPP members who are struggling to make ends meet saying there are some who "need just GHc200 to do business" but do not get any support.
He urged the president to resource Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC) to enable the centre take care of such people.
"Someone needs GHc500 so can't you give them such monies from MASLOC? Resource MASLOC to enable it take care of the ordinary people," Agyapong added.
Although Mr. Agyapong on the show commended the Akufo-Addo government for its handling of the economy and implementation of the free senior high school policy and other social intervention programmes, he said the NPP will struggle to retain power if issues at the grassroots are not checked.


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These are charming panties necessaires, made by me with many details, they are super feminine and can charge what your imagination tells you ; )
Orders by email: firstname.lastname@example.com,
Carine Calé
Orders by email: email@example.com
Carine Calé
I'm very happy to participate in this contest and even more for being the first winner, I can say that the patterns of the DMK are perfect, I've bought many patterns online, but the DMK is really the best, they are tested and that makes all the difference!
I'm also happy to have the opportunity to win an award like this for me because the patterns is of great value since I am a crafter and I have young daughter, she is jumping for joy and she wants me to start today to make new projects DMK in felt for her play.
I recommend the Dear My Kids because I tested and approved!


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All formats/editions
"What girl can't identify with Never the Bride? This is a fabulously funny novel with deep truths embedded in its pages." -Kristin Billerbeck, author of What a Girl Wants "I admire writers who employ words to paint touchable pictures, likable characters, introducing us to instant friends who lead us to unexpected endings. That's why I love Never The Bride." -SQuire Rushnell, author of the When GOD Winks books Eleven Bridesmaid Dresses Don't Lie Since she was just a little girl, Jessie Stone dreamed up hundreds of marriage proposals, doodled the romantic ideas in her journal with her treasured purple pen, and fantasized about wedding dresses and falling in love. She's been a bridesmaid nearly a dozen times, waved numerous couples off to sunny honeymoons, and shopped in more department stores for half-price fondue pots than she cares to remember. But shopping for one key component of these countless proposals hasn't been quite as productive-a future husband. The man she thought she would marry cheated on her. The crush she has on her best friend Blake is at very best.well, crushing. And speed dating has only churned out memorable horror stories. So when God shows up one day, in the flesh, and becomes a walking, talking part of her life, Jessie is skeptical. What will it take to convince her that the Almighty has a better plan than one she's already cooked up in her journals? Can she turn over her pen and trust someone else to craft a love story beyond her wildest dreams? Cheryl McKay is the screenwriter for the award-winning film The Ultimate Gift. She also wrote an episode of Gigi: God's Little Princess, based on the book by Sheila Walsh, and Taylor's Wall, a drama about high-school violence. She's been writing since the tender age of five when she penned her first play. Cheryl is originally from Boston, Massachusetts, and currently lives in Los Angeles. Rene Gutteridge is a critically acclaimed comedy writer and novelist. She is the author of fifteen novels including the Boo series, My Life as a Doormat, the Occupational Hazards series, and the novelization of the motion picture The Ultimate Gift. She lives in Oklahoma with her family. From the Trade Paperback edition.
All formats/editions
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Wiesneth Law can handle your Family Law Cases
Child Custody Attorney
In Indiana, there is both physical custody and legal custody. Legal Custody is the right to make major decisions involving your childrens educational and religious training and medical care. Physical Custody is where the children live. The party that the children live with makes the day-to-day decisions involving the children, such as what time they do their homework and go to bed. Most parties share joint legal custody with one party having the primary physical custody. However, more and more, parties are embracing a joint physical custody arrangement that attempts to work with everyones schedule and be in the best interest of the children.
When a couple separates, and the Court either establishes paternity (parties not married) or divorces the parties, an initial determination of legal and physical custody is made. At an initial determination, neither party is favored. There is no presumption for any party in Indiana. Legal and physical Custody at an initial determination is based on the standard of the best interest of the child. If a party wants to change legal and/or physical custody after the initial determination, that party must show both that a substantial and continuing change in circumstances has occurred, and that it is in the best interest of the child for the custody arrangement to be modified. It is very difficult to change physical custody after the initial determination, and typically the noncustodial parent must show that the substantial and continuing change of circumstances involves the custodial parent and their home. It is not enough that there has been a change for the better regarding the situation of the noncustodial parent. It is also not enough that a child wants to live with the noncustodial parent. The law in Indiana requires that a Court review a specific list of factors in determining whether to change physical custody, and there must be a substantial and continuing change related to one of those factors to even open the door to a physical custody change. However, even if it can be demonstrated that there has been a substantial and continuing change, it does not necessarily follow that the child would be better off under a different physical custody arrangement. Essentially, a change in physical custody is complicated and difficult under most circumstances. It can be done, but it is not to be undertaken lightly.
Schedule a FREE CONSULTATION with us today.
Child Custody Myths
Child Custody Myth 1: The children get to choose which parent they want to live with
The wishes of the child are never the deciding factor in determining custody. Indiana courts make initial physical custody determinations based on only one standardthe best interest of the child. If the child is aged 14 years or older, the court may take the expressed wishes of the child into consideration, but the custody decision is completely at the courts discretion.
Child Custody Myth 2: The Courts prefer the Mother in determining physical custody
Under Indiana law, there is no preference for either party in an initial physical custody determination. The standard is the best interest of the child.
Child Custody Myth 3: To modify physical custody, a party must only show that the change is in the best interest of the children
The initial determination of physical custody is based on the best interest of the child. However, once physical custody is determined, there is an assumption that the custodial parent is a fit and proper parent. To change custody after an initial determination, the noncustodial parent must show 1) that there has been a substantial and continuing change of circumstances, and 2) that it is in the best interest of the children for physical custody to be modified. Typically, the substantial and continuing change in circumstances must be related to the custodial parent.
LEGAL DISCLAIMER "The information you obtain at this website is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for individual advice regarding your own situation. Review of this website does not in any way constitute legal representation. Contacting James Wiesneth or the Wiesneth Law staff does not constitute legal representation, nor is any information you provide protected by attorney-client privilege until otherwise advised. All Statements regarding Family Law and procedure refer to the practice of Law in the state of Indiana."


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Order your custom creation here.
Upon receipt of your request, I will reply with questions or a price quote. Work on a custom order is not started until the specifications in the custom order are agreed upon, payment is received and confirmation is provided to you by the artist. At that time, all details of the time frame, total cost, shipping etc will be in place based on the agreement. Please read my custom order policies for more information.
Fill out the form below to get things started.


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This Southern version of romesco sauce uses pecans instead of almonds. We also love this over grilled chicken.
How to Make It
Step 1
Preheat oven to 350°. Bake pecans in a single layer in a shallow pan 8 to 10 minutes or until toasted and fragrant. Let cool 15 minutes.
Step 2
Pat peppers dry with paper towels. Combine peppers, pecans, oil, and remaining ingredients in a food processor. Pulse 8 to 10 times or until finely chopped (but not smooth). Cover and chill 2 hours before serving. Store in refrigerator up to 1 week. Let stand at room temperature 30 minutes before serving.
Step 3
*1 tsp. regular paprika with 1/2 tsp. ground cumin may be substituted.


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The Arker has posted new images of the upcoming Super Tuner Throwdown boxset for the Revenge of the Fallen line. It features Autobot Blowpipe versus Decepticon Sideways. Sideways appears unchanged from his mass release, while Blowpipe is a redeco of the Movie 2007 Dropkick/Salvage. His name comes from a Decepticon G1 Targetmaster famous for being Lord Zarak's brother in law.
Click on the title for all images.


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2016 Coachella Fashion Guide
Dressing for Coachella is an art form in itself and there are many factors festival lovers must consider in pursuit of this daunting task – creating the perfect outfits. While beautiful in all its glory, Indio's weather is far from ideal. You're sweating your face off during the day and battling the cold sand attacks at night. It makes you wonder how all these festival junkies managed to crack those charming smiles under the scorching sun.
There really is no true "Coachella look" and as such, there is no pressure to dress a certain way while enjoying three days of vibing and screaming lyrics from your favorite band off-key. We are often misguided by what celebrities wear and seek to find inspiration from their over-the-top outfits and forget that they're there for the parties and to be seen, not sweat under the sun.
It's important to dress for the festival spirit, but in the middle of a desert (that is prone to sandstorms), comfort should trump everything else. But I mean, who says you have to forgo personal style in the name of practicality?
Here are three common Coachella styles festival-goers love to wear:
Bohemian Rhapsody:
You're an ethereal fairy in the desert and a wanderlust at heart. Soft lace, tulle, and chiffon with an aged look are defining features to your outfit. Have no fear; the sweaty days are over for those who walk this path. The great thing about lace is that it covers enough for modesty but leaves room for your skin to breathe. You can also use a shawl to wrap yourself at night when it gets cold or use it as a mask to cover your nose and mouth from the sand.
Into the Wild:
Nothing screams good beach vibes more than crochet and ripped jeans. Baring excessive skin may not be appropriate for a job interview, but it's perfectly acceptable at Coachella. Who's going to judge you, the bitter people who clearly can't dress for the occasion? Flower crowns and flannels wrapped around the waist for additional warmth later into the night are popular (and practical) accessories.
Livin' On the Edge:
I get it. Not everyone is a fairy princess in pastels. Edgy girls have a place in the Coachella fashion sphere too. Dainty chokers and silver accents make for a badass look. Don't forget to pay homage to the king of grunge in your dark flannels. Kurt Cobain would be proud.


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I wish I were exaggerating.
When I don't have any new messages I click the little Inbox button just to make sure the browser is up-to-date (second?) so I don't miss any messages that might possibly come into my box.
Most of the time I wind up deleting the messages that do show up.
Fwds about angels and jesus and if-you're-a-good-person-you'll-pass-this-on messages
ads from REI and other outdoor/backcountry type places
mass emails from creative writing list-serves which hardly ever apply to me
notifications from twitter and blogger and facebook
Other times I scan over the email and think, I'll have time later to really look at this and maybe send a response.
Of course those ones wind up lost in the line somewhere and I probably have a lot of friends who wonder why I never email them back...
Lately I've been thinking about how email used to be so cool. And I suppose with the way I act it may seem like I think it's so cool even now (it's just that I'm addicted to my email, not that it's so cool anymore). But, I LOVE letters. The ones that actually come in the mail. And postcards--thos are way fun.
Maybe I should write more letters...
On another note, I really like this song. The lyrics are the bomb!
I'm trying to tell you something about my life...
There's more than one answer to these questions pointing me in a crooked line
And the less I seek my source from some divinity the closer I am to fine...
Write on!


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- Houston Route 3 - SOLD OUT
Houston Route 3 - SOLD OUT
per item
This route 3 visits 6 stops on a 9.75-mile Saturday course. This route begins at Katz Coffee (2400 Karbach St, Houston, TX 77092) at 9:00am, sharp! Katz Coffee is starting this route with an hour-long coffee and breakfast kickoff. Other stops include Boomtown Coffee, Morningstar, A 2nd Cup, Cafeza, and concludes at Paper Co. Cafe. This route ends at 1:10pm. This route is designed for self-driving from shop-to-shop.
Sold Out


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Natural Health Magazine Aug 2011 - Meditation Masterclass
"In the spring of 2011 I was interviewed by the author Stephanie Holland for a feature article in the well respected Natural Health Magazine. The words below are my contribution towards the article."
Mark Zaretti, Meditation Teacher.
Energy meditation
At a glance: Energy meditation helps us to explore an expanded state of consciousness by developing awareness of the faster energy planes that surround us: energy fields, aura, energy centres or chakras. In doing so we become more aware of who and what we are. Levels of awareness correspond to our understanding of the seven chakras: physical, etheric (known as the crystal body), astral (emotional), lower mental, higher mental, intuitive and atmic (or atomic; the fastest manifest vibration).
Awareness beyond the atmic point is spiritual and this is where pure energy lies. The idea is that everything is energy and you can tap into it, given some instruction.
What does it involve?
First you learn techniques to achieve stillness, such as breathe, advanced mantra or Kundalini meditation. You are then 'attuned' by your teacher in three stages: stage one gives you awareness of energy as light, sound and stillness; stage two enables you to become more spiritually aware and at stage three you realise a limitless state of being.
What will I experience?
Increased intuition as your awareness moves beyond the physical, mental and emotional body and your spiritual awareness is heightened. You might experience enhanced perception of light and sound energy, stillness, space and internal clarity.
What the research says:
"There is little research as this meditation has the ability to take the person beyond those parts that research can explore: mind, body and emotions. This energy creates these lower levels and so all aspects of the personality are better supported and the person also gains spiritual awareness," explains Mark. Personal testimonials include less stress and deeper relaxation; improved sleep; an increased sense of peace and wellbeing; increased self-esteem; the ability to make calm and better choices and improved intuition.
Find out more: Email Mark at Pure Energy Meditation for practitioners all over the UK.


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The leaders of the four Manitoba political parties—the Greens, Liberals, NDP, and Progressive Conservatives—are traveling the province telling voters some of the great things they will do once they are elected on October 4th.
Surprisingly, even though school just started, the political leaders have skirted policies that would help ensure that today's students become tomorrow's productive citizens. Consequently, parents and other citizens must ask the candidates about their educational policies.
At least three policies would help students become better prepared for the future.
First, the leaders should say that all schools must emphasize a core curriculum in languages, English and/or French, and mathematics. Other subjects, of course, should not be neglected, but languages and mathematics must be stressed because they are foundational. Presently, many college instructors, university professors, and employers are decrying the lack of adequate knowledge and skills shown by young people in language and mathematics. Certainly, this is the concern of the 184 petitioners who have urged the Minister of Education to increase the mathematics standard for admission to faculties of education (Teachers' math skills 'alarmingly weak', Winnipeg Free Press, Sept. 10, A13).
Second, the leaders should say that standardized examinations in English and/or French and mathematics will be required for high school graduation. There is, in fact, no better way of ensuring that students actually know how adequately to express themselves in an official language and that they know basic mathematics. In addition, the leaders need to say that these examinations will be created and marked centrally by teachers who teach the subjects, and that the range and average marks will be published so that students know where they stand in their school, in the division, and provincially.
At present, Manitoba provincial grade 12 standards exams are not published, so students—and their parents—do not know how well they are doing in comparison with others. In addition, the exams are graded at the divisional- or the school-level, resulting in unreliability and invalidity which is unfair to some students. Reliability and validity, indeed fairness, would be increased with centrally-created and graded graduation examinations, and with the publication of the results for schools, divisions, and the province.
Finally, the leaders must ensure that teachers who have been educated in programs that focus on early, middle, or senior years, are only certified to teach in the grades and subjects in which they have specialized preparation. At present, teachers are educated in specialized streams, but in Manitoba they are certified to teach any subject at any grade level. The Manitoba Teachers Society favours having its members certified to teach any subject at any grade level—hardly a professional approach to license teachers. However, it is not a good reason for a provincial government that represents all citizens to certify teachers without regard to their demonstrable expertise.
It is sad that the Greens, Liberals, NDP, and Progressive Conservatives leaders have not been explicit enough about policies to help students to become more literate and numerate before they graduate. Obviously, it would help if schools stressed languages and mathematics as the core subjects, that graduating students are shown by standardized exams to be competent in one or both official languages and mathematics, and that teachers teach in grade levels and subjects were they have specific expertise.
Thus, it is up to parents and citizens to put education on the political agenda for October 4th. So, when candidates come to your door, ask them what they are going to do to ensure that fewer high school graduates flunk out of college and university and fewer employers need to teach young employees basic literacy and numeracy skills.


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This Baby Girl And Baby Deer Encounter Is The Sweetest Thing You'll Ever See.
Separately, they're cute. Together, they are an unstoppable force of adorableness, destined to take over the world - or at least the backyard.
This baby girl and this fawn might not seem like they'd be instant friends, but as it turns out, they connect on a deeper level than any of us grown-up humans or bucks could understand. Normally, a fawn will run away if anyone is within a 50 foot radius, but for some reason, this little guy sticks around in the presence of this toddler, even letting her stroke its fur. The resulting video of the occasion is the cutest thing you'll see all day.
Baby girl encounters a baby deer!
Sometimes, it's just so sweet what babies will do together! We're just 'fawning' over this. ;-)Posted by StormTracker 13 on Tuesday, August 18, 2015
This hilarious deer makes the funniest noise ever.
Source: StormTracker 13


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Tom Goss - Our 2016 Headliner!/
Tom Goss is a guitar toting, power-pop prodigy often compared to Jason Mraz and Jack Johnson. Goss' earnest lyrics and dyna...mic voice have earned him listeners worldwide. Tom's music has been featured on ABC, HBO, MTV's LOGO & have aired on hundreds of radio stations across the country.


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Wednesday, December 29, 2010
I'll start with some pictures of me from work Christmas party. We had a lottery, and here I am showing my prize - probably with a slightly perplexed/amused face, as you can see from the second picture!
Because, actually what I won was some apples, some salted almonds and pistachios! Very unusual stuff, but at least little niece enjoyed her first pistachios a lot!
Lots of things have happened since last time I wrote here. Yet it seems as everything is the same.
I went to Paris, where I had the chance to know with our CEO. It was tiring but a very interesting experience.
I worked a lot - and I am proud of the results we got.
I moved to a town closer to work, by the sea (hence the lack of internet - but I'll deal with that soon).
I am well and relaxed, and actually I love living there.
I had my contract at work renewed.
Still studying music - only changed location, but my awesome teacher is still the same.
Had my first concert in a theatre, with the band. It was so much fun! I should get the pictures soon.
It was such a tiring year for me, 2010. Lots of changes and adjustments. I can only hope for 2011 will be better
Posted by chiara at 5:47 PM 2 comments:
Labels: stuff
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Song of the Dat...
I am back!
Been listening to Tom Waits for the last two months...Fell in love with this song!
Been listening to Tom Waits for the last two months...Fell in love with this song!
Posted by chiara at 12:46 PM No comments:
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Evolution, Religion, and Freedom of Speech
Yesterday (26 March) was Richard Dawkins's 74th birthday. I'm a big fan of Dawkins – it was while watching one of his documentaries a few years ago that I realized that I was an atheist, and had been at least agnostic since I was a child. The God Delusion was my first foray into atheist literature, and everything Dawkins wrote in that book expressed thoughts I'd already had, but hadn't said out loud. One of my favourite Dawkins quotes is the one to the right which I posted on Twitter yesterday along with a "Happy Birthday" for the man himself.
One of the attacks the religious make on atheists is that not believing in God means we have no sense of wonder. My experience has been quite the opposite. The more I learn and understand about our world and the way it works, the more in awe of it I am. I simply don't understand how someone can be satisfied with the answer, "God did it". I think reality is far more amazing and wonderful than the idea that some magic man created our universe. Besides, if it was a god, he didn't do a very good job as Stephen Fry pointed out so eloquently recently:
In a post entitled Teaching Evolution in Kentucky – With Accomodationism on his website today, Professor Jerry Coyne wrote about some of the issues encountered teaching evolutionary theory in the United States. While his personal views are well known via his books, articles, website and media appearances, when performing his day job as a University of Chicago professor he refrains from mentioning religion or atheism. There is really no reason religion should come into a class about evolution and besides, the First Amendment of the US Constitution makes Coyne's stance the legally correct one.
In the United States though, where only 19% of the population accept the reality that humans evolved with God playing no part in the process, it can be difficult to avoid talking about religion. For a large part of the population, evolutionary theory is a threat to their religious identity.
Coyne's piece is about an article in Orion magazine written by Professor Jim Krupa of the University of Kentucky called Defending Darwin. (Go to the link to see the beautiful painting by Alexis Rockman if nothing else.) As someone who teaches evolution in a Bible Belt university to students who aren't science majors, Krupa is frequently confronted by those who do not accept that evolution is a proven theory just as much as the theory of gravity or germ theory. Krupa reports that even those students who did biology in high school, are rarely taught human evolution. It seems the idea is just too controversial. Krupa states that students can accept evolutionary theory and retain their religion beliefs, and discusses how he teaches the idea that the two are not in conflict. As can be seen from the Gallup poll above, that is exactly what 31% of Americans manage to do.
But is this form of accomodationism really a good way to teach? While acknowledging Krupa's teaching ability Coyne doesn't think so, and neither do I. I can accept that this is what many people may choose to do themselves after being taught the theory, but for a teacher to take this stance is wrong in my view.
If a student is having trouble reconciling the reality of evolution with their religious beliefs by all means consult a leader in their religious community, or explore the contradictions in the many ways that are available these days. But a teacher of evolution should stick to the subject. The reality is that religion is completely irrelevant to a course on evolution. The only reason it comes up is that so many people feel entitled to force their religious views on others in any and all environments. They do not have this right, especially in a country that espouses the principles of both freedom of speech and religion.
I've posted this cognitive dissonance graphic before. Krupa wrote of students who walked from his class as soon as he started lecturing about human evolution, including two who yelled that he was lying before storming out. They had been taught that humans were created by a god from their earliest childhood, and were clearly unable to reconcile what they were hearing with what they thought they knew. This much is obvious.
I'm more interested in their petulant and childish reaction when they are confronted by someone who challenges their worldview, because I find that extremely problematic, and it goes back to the Dawkins quote I posted at the start. It is also, I think, a reflection of the overly protective way many in generations X and Y have been parented. In this example we're seeing those who have been brought up in an environment where the information they are exposed to has been restricted to that which supports their religious world view. They can't handle hearing other opinions. (Although, of course, evolution is more than an opinion.)
Another example of this phenomenon is the recent proliferation of Safe Spaces on American college campuses. Multiple Universities now have Safe Space initiatives, all of which seem to be competing for the most attractive logo. The American University in Washington DC even runs regular safe space workshops. While the idea of promoting inclusion and acceptance for all students is a good one, it also promotes the idea that spaces that aren't denoted "safe" are unsafe.The idea that no-one can say anything that might hurt someone else's feelings is patently ridiculous in an environment which is supposed to be about challenging ideas. It has created such inanities as the University of California student council banning the display of national flags in their lobby because someone might get upset and that this somehow displays "…freedom of speech is a valued right that ASUCI supports". To me, this goes against the whole notion of freedom of speech and expression.
Jerry Coyne wrote about the safer space initiative at Columbia University in a piece entitled 'The anti-free speech police ride again'. At Columbia, Safer Space flyers have been distributed to all students encouraging them to put them in their windows. Again, while the idea of making students of any and all descriptions feeling equally valued is a good one, what these flyers really do is restrict and suppress freedom of speech. In order to stop racism or sexism or anti-Semitism or homophobia or any other prejudice the idea should be to come up with a better argument than those who hold such ideas. Homophobia isn't reducing because we stopped talking about gay people, it's reducing because we started, and we demonstrated that the prejudices people held were nothing more that ignorance and baseless fears.
For a while now, universities have been rescinding speaking invitations when students protest that some may be offended by the speaker too. One of the best known is that of Brandeis University who were to present Ayaan Hirsi Ali with an honorary degree last year, but the accolade was withdrawn when multiple student groups, on the initiative of the Muslim Students Association, protested. According to the New York Times a spokesperson said "We cannot overlook that certain of her past statements are inconsistent with Brandeis University's core values". Those past statements were her objections to some of the practices of Islam, which really should not have been a surprise if they knew her well enough to offer her an honorary degree.
Freedom of speech and expression are the most important rights we have. There are many countries where people don't yet have those rights, especially if they are the member of a minority, women, children, or poor. Students of an American University are amongst the most privileged people on the planet, yet many of them do not seem to appreciate how lucky they are. Instead of reveling in a rich intellectual environment and taking advantage of it to expand their mental frontiers, they are trying to continue the protections of their childhood. It's time to grow guys. Make the most of this opportunity to explore ideas – don't protect yourself from them and especially don't try to stop others from doing it.
19 Responses to "Evolution, Religion, and Freedom of Speech"
Anywhere you go the world is full of prejudice against minorities. Christians in Muslim lands, Muslims in Christian lands. Homosexuals almost everywhere and dark skinned people in many places. Ignorance, bullying, and discrimination are ubiquitous. The purpose of safe spaces is to assure people who face such hatred daily, that this is a space where they won't be attacked for their religion, race, sexual orientation, gender, ethnicity, or physical disability. It is not a space that continue the protections of childhood. It is a space that rejects the prejudice and bigotry that are all too common in the childhood of many people and promises to treat humans as humans, not as minorities or "the other".
Those who think that denouncing minority cultures or religions or sexual orientations are promoting the cause of free speech rather than perpetuating prejudice, hatred and discrimination have blinded themselves to the realities of the world. Hate speech has always been free for the majorities who demonize those who are different than themselves. It takes little courage to denounce Muslims or homosexuals in America, Just like it takes little courage to denounce Christians or atheists or homosexuals in Muslim lands. The courage comes from those who stand up against prevailing prejudice and hatred in their own societies and create safe spaces for the downtrodden and abused. Gratuitously offending marginalized people should not be confused with defending free expression.
Hi Paxton. I kind of think you've made my point – it is by talking and freedom of speech that these things are discovered. When the Russian government, for example, tells lies or makes misleading statements in the Russian media, what they say is accepted by most because they cannot be challenged. We need to keep talking to find the truth.
Hirsi Ali is not perfect, but there is still much about her that I admire. Refusing her permission to speak is not the way to counteract those of her opinions that some may not agree with. It is by allowing her to speak, then coming up with more reliable information, or better analysis, or just a better argument – if you can.
Hi Heather. The biggest lies are those fictions or half-truths, for which there is an implicit agreement not to challenge them. There were no laws in America that prevented people from speaking out against the genocide of the indigenous population. This continued unabated from the earliest colonies into the twentieth century, yet was not only not part of the national narrative, but was concealed by a counternarrative that portrayed the pioneers as heroes in opposing the heathen Indians. It's not that there were laws against stating the truth, and of course a few did. But their voices were drowned out by the national myth of "manifest destiny" and the march of "freedom".
A similar thing is happening with the Bush invasion of Iraq. Many now admit it was a mistake, but few can recognize that it was an act of terrorism, unleashing advanced weapons against a defenseless people.
Talking alone will not bring us closer to truth if the talking we protect is to malign the groups we have wronged. The west has an extensive history of undermining Islamic societies, overthrowing governments we did not like, supporting ruthless dictators who would do our bidding. Yet the free speech we seem anxious to protect is that of detractors of Islam, thereby implicitly justifying our terrorism. Is allowing Muslim leaders to recruit for ISIS different from allowing Muslim antagonists to promote an attack on Iraq or Iran?
When free speech is simply a vehicle to vilify the underdog, whether of a different race, ethnicity, religion or sexual orientation, it works not in the cause of freedom but in the cause of oppression. Brandeis did not deny Ayaan Hirsi Ali her right of free speech, it simply denied her a particular platform. In doing so Brandeis used its own right of free speech to contradict the message of Ali. Isn't that just as valid as Ali's right to speak? If a homosexual fears the response to revealing his/her orientation (and there is plenty of justification for that fear), doesn't a safe space with people who have committed to not attack her/him, promote, rather than restrict free speech. Just because the law guarantees free speech doesn't mean people will not suffer for saying unpopular things.
Why are those championing free speech not pushing the limits of examining our (the west's) own crimes, rather then piling on minority groups who we have already wronged? Why get incensed over the murder of a dozen cartoonists, and ignore the murder of 2000 Palestinians or 200,000 Iraqis. It's our inability to apply the same standards to ourselves that we apply to others, that is the real barrier to free speech. When "free speech" is used to denigrate homosexuals or Muslims or blacks or Maori or other minorities it is not contributing to the quest for truth and understanding, but is a tool of ignorance and distortion.
I love free speech Heather, and I use it whenever I can. I agree with everything you say. I cherish my freedoms. But I am a realist and I recognize that there are discrepancies of power in the world and the powerful tend to exploit those without power, and to frame the discussion to their point of view. The importance of free speech is to give voice to the powerless. But when it is used to further denigrate the powerless, as in the whole blackface/minstrel tradition in the US after the civil war, or in Birth of a Nation, the racist movie classic, we rightly condemn it as hate speech. We may choose to make it legal. But we cannot admire it.
Hi Heather,
You always allow critical posts on your blog, so at least you practise what you preach when it comes to freedom of speech.
However, when I said Jerry Coyne hasn't always allowed critical comments on his blog, you said it's his blog and so his choice – that to me seemed apologism just because you admire his writing.
Of course, there are always two sides to a story, and if Jerry wants to give his explanation as to why he stopped a perfectly reasonable atheist blogger from posting on the comments section on his blog, that would be great.
I'll be posting on Jerry's latest ridiculously one-sided article on Hirsi a bit later today – let's see if he lets the comments go through.
Hi AU. I don't think you can really correlate what someone allows on their own website with general freedom of speech. It would be like me expecting to be able to turn up to Friday prayers at a mosque and lecture the worshipers.
Everyday a heap of spam gets caught by an app before it gets on my website. I don't allow those who are trying to sell all sorts of things access to my site. I also expect people to conduct themselves properly, and it's my decision what that means. Like me, Jerry considers his website an extension of his home. He doesn't have to put up with anyone he doesn't want to – it's got nothing to do with what I think of him personally. I hope that if a similar situation arose with someone I didn't like, my attitude would be the same. Feel free to call me out if I'm not consistent. 🙂
Hi Heather,
I completely disagree with your analogy of a mosque and Friday prayers. Friday prayers aren't an event open to the public for a debate, they are an event only for Muslims to come and pray. Therefore, of course you or anyone else for that matter shouldn't have the right to go and start debating there.
However, if the members of the mosque have set up a stall in the street and are handing out leaflets criticising atheists, of course you now have a right to go and debate them. They are in a public space, and they are propagating a view you do not agree with. Therefore, you have a right to counter that view. If they do not allow you to counter their arguments in public, then they do not believe in open and honest discussion.
It is wrong to say your website, or Jerry's website, is an extension of your/his home – it isn't. Once you start using your website to promote a certain view and to attack a certain group, it isn't your home anymore, it becomes more like a public hall, and if in a public hall you do not allow opposing views to be heard, then you're not really someone who is interested in an honest and open debate. Ok, sure, it might be wrong of me to say "you do not believe in freedom of speech", but you certainly do not believe in an open and honest debate. The question then is, why? Surely if you are so certain that what you are saying is correct, you will then allow opposing views, and then, to borrow a word Jerry uses, "destroy" them. If you want to silence opposing views, then it is quite likely that you are actually afraid that what you are saying isn't the real deal, and that people, after hearing opposing views, will stop following the view you are propagating. Hmmm, not letting people speak out for fear they might stop following you, where have we heard that before, oh yeah, religious fundamentalism!
As for "he might not have read the posts", what if I was to tell you I also posted a pro-Jerry message under a different name, and that went through? Wouldn't it be strange that all the messages that exposed what was wrong in his article didn't go through, and the one that was pro his view did go through.
Unfortunately, Jerry doesn't have a contact email address, apart from the one for media inquiries, and as I am not on Twitter, I have no way to contact him, but he is more than welcome to give his reasoning as to why he doesn't let messages through that show the errors in his articles.
Thank you.
I agree that Jerry Coyne's barring AU and me (along with many others) from commenting on his blog does not infringe our freedom of speech, any more than Brandeis uninviting Hirsi Ali interferes with her freedom of speech. But it does raise questions about Coyne's claim to be rational, evidence based and even-handed in his rejection of religious privilege.
I know why Coyne blocked me. It was because I disagreed with his whitewashing of Israel for the slaughter of 2000 Palestinians last summer. It is clear that he is not willing to subject his own heritage, Judaism, to the same critical standards he holds for Islam.
But I think that Coyne's bigger blind spot is that he seems to think that by rejecting religious claims he has overcome bias, prejudice, and irrationality. He thinks his animus against Islam is based purely on rational considerations. He abstracts religious motives from motives of power, wealth and nationalism as particularly evil. He attributes all Muslim atrocities to their religion, and will not hear of the role of western imperialism in the radicalization of Islam. He cannot see the parallels between US attacks on helpless Iraqis and Muslim acts of terrorism. He's so anxious to attribute all the evil in the world to religion, that he ignores or is unaware of cultural and historical context.
It takes courage to speak truth to power. This is the free speech we protect and cherish. If Coyne were writing in Pakistan or in 15th century Europe, he would be a brave man indeed. But it takes no courage to demonize minorities. There has never been a shortage of Free speech that is invoked by privileged majorities to satirize and demean blacks, Jews, indigenous peoples, Muslims and other disadvantaged groups. To use free speech to denounce and stir up animosity against helpless people who we have already harmed and against whom we are contemplating further harm (e.g. military attacks against Iran) is not an act of courage, but joining in with the bullies. The irony is that Coyne is now allying himself with right wing Christian evangelicals, who he otherwise disparages, against Islam. Just as his mentor Hitchins helped prepare the ground for US/UK terrorism against the Iraqi people, Coyne is abetting those, such as Netanyahu and the US neo-cons who are agitating for further western military slaughter of Muslims.
AU, please let me know where I can read your piece on Hirsi Ali. Heather, thanks again for your indulgence in allowing contrary opinions.
Hi Paxton,
I stand corrected – it doesn't strictly speaking infringe our freedom of speech, but it does show that the author isn't really interested in an honest and open debate.
I made numerous posts on the comments board so there is no one "piece" that I wrote, but none of them were allowed to go through. Maybe the first post I made put him off ("So Jerry Coyne writes he hates being in bed with conservatives, yet the basis of his article is a one-sided, dishonest article written by a pro-Israel neoconservative, in a neoconservative magazine!") and that's why he didn't let any other go through!
Thank you.
Hi AU, yes, I think that opening line ("So Jerry Coyne writes he hates being in bed with conservatives, yet the basis of his article is a one-sided, dishonest article written by a pro-Israel neoconservative, in a neoconservative magazine!") probably sunk your chances of appearing in WEIT comments. They (the comments)are usually not very interesting for that reason. A bunch of "yes people" sharing inside jokes. I agree that Coyne is not interested in an honest and open debate on his web page and screens out opposing views. In a way that is good, because it eliminates all the creationist drivel he naturally attracts. But he really can't handle criticism. Anyway, Heather is more tolerant, so why not repost your comments here.
Yes, this website is much more open to an honest and open debate than Coyne's, but I guess there is no point in posting my criticisms of Coyne's article here as Heather is an independent blogger who did not endorse Coyne's particular article in it's entirety.
Hi Paxton. I'm not going to get into the arguments because I've made them before and you know my opinion. I just wanted to put on record in this particular thread that I disagree with much of your characterization of Jerry's position. Also, while my position is not the same as Jerry's, I disagree with your position too.
My position, Heather, is that free speech and atheism should not be used as justifications for singling out minority groups for demeaning characterizations. Do you disagree with that?
According to the writing, Adam and Eve were the first humans created by God, who lived approximately 6,000 years ago. According to the science, humans existed a long time before. The two lines of thought can be easily united, thanks to the omnipotence of God, who in the beginning created humans in a reality where there was no concept of "evil". Metaphorically speaking, Adam and Eve were expelled from this heavenly reality, find himself in another reality, namely in today's reality that we all know, where there is the concept of evil, as well as that of the well; not necessarily a reality where they were the first humans, but the first who experienced firsthand the life God had reserved for them (so they were the first humans in the "perfect" reality). From here it is clear that the story of Adam and Eve does not upset in the least bit the evolutionary linearity. In practice, they were the first men of God; whereas prehistoric man lived before Adam and Eve was a man, but it could be considered as an animal evolved from apes or created by something else, which had two arms and two legs, and that may have hybridated with the descendants of Adam And Eve after they were "moved away" from the "perfect reality". God has endowed man about the concept of "infinity" and "eternity", as well as other questions can not be explained through the use of the scientific method, thus making humans free to believe in God or not, in a reality for us tricky and necessary for the construction and continuation of his project.


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The industrial application of brown fused alumina is wide:
1. Sand Blasting
As abrasives, brown fused alumina is moderate in hardness, high in bulk density and tenacity, and does not contain any dissociative, so it is the most ideal material for environmental sand blasting. It is widely used in aluminum profile and copper profile glass, water-washed jeans, precision mould, etc.
2. Free Grinding
Grinding abrasives are used in kinescope, optical glass, mono crystalline silicon, lens, crystal glass, jadeware, etc. Brown fused alumina is universally used as superior grinding material.
3. Resin-bonded Abrasive Products
The proper color, hardness, and toughness have guaranteed the ideal effect of brown fused alumina to be applied in resin-bonded abrasive products.
4. Coated Abrasive Products
Brown fused alumina is the raw material of abrasive paper and abrasive cloth.
5. Brown Fused Alumina Functional Stuffing
Brown Fused Alumina Functional Stuffing is mainly used in auto brake components, special tires, special building products, construction of expressways, runways, wharfs, parking lots, sports ground, etc.
6. Water Jet Cutting
Brown fused alumina abrasive is used as a cutting medium to cut based on high pressure water jet. It is a new, environmental friendly, and safe cutting method used in oil (or natural gas) tubes, steel materials cutting.


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Just days before giving birth, Natalie Portman became a music video star. The Oscar-winning actress is the object of our gaze in James Blake's brand new video for 'My Willing Heart' from last year's stunning album, The Colour In Anything.
The video was directed by Anna Rose Holmer with the intention to "shift the emphasis of the track's lyrics from lovelorn romanticism to maternal anticipation with subtle monochrome images." Watch below.


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Find Hostels all over the World
New Mansion House, HOSTEL in London England.
New Mansion House.
38-40 Lancaster Gate, London, England
Located near: New mansion House is located minutes away from the following: Bayswater Rd (2min) Hyde Park (3min) Oxford Street (5 min by bus) Notting Hill (5 min by bus) Kensington (15 min by bus) Paddington (7 min walk)
New Mansion House forms part of an attractive square overlooking Kensington Gardens on a peaceful cul-de-sac with access to the West End of London via Lancaster Gate (Zone 1) tube station or a short walk through Hyde Park.
Marble Arch and Oxford Street are within easy walking distance.
High Speed


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Dive into the Tales of Berseria demo today on PS4 and Steam!
That's right, European Tales of fans! BANDAI NAMCO have released a demo for Tales of Berseria for PS4 and PC and it's available now!
In Tales of Berseria, players control a pirate named Velvet Crowe who is on a journey of self-discovery. Her once kind nature has been replaced with anger and hatred following a traumatic experience three years prior to the events of the game. As Velvet, the players will join a crew of pirates sailing across the sea while visiting the islands that make up the kingdom of Midgand.
The exciting demo gives players a sneak peek at the drama and action waiting for them in the latest entry in the renowned Tales of series. Want to know more? Grab the demo to find out!
The pre-order pages are also available on Steam and the Playstation Network. Preordering fans will receive a 15 minute exclusive skit in the original version with English subtitles. Steam preorders will also give 10% off to owners of Tales of Zestiria or Tales of Symphonia. Playstation 4 fans will also receive three soundtracks and a Playstation theme. It's the preorder that keeps on giving!
Tales of Berseria will be released on January 27th 2017 for PS4 and Steam.


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The Importance Of Being Inauthentic: Mark Bowden
Mark Bowden is an expert in human behavior and body language, and creator of TRUTHPLANE™, a communication training company and unique methodology for anyone who has to communicate to an audience with impact. Mark gives keynote speeches worldwide on persuasive verbal and nonverbal language and communication structures to stand out, win trust and profit when you speak. Mark's publications are bestselling Winning Body Language (McGraw Hill 2010); Winning Body Language for Sales Professionals (MH 2012); and Tame the Primitive Brain (Wiley 2013).


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|With Amy's drawstring variations and Suzanne's incredible bagsket design you can enclose your gifts with style. Adjust bag and bagsket dimensions to "wrap" anything on your list for an environmentally-friendly (and beautiful) way to give.
We fell in love with Suzanne's Bagsket Tutorial the moment we first saw it and we're sure you will too. Visit Suzanne's blog foofanagle for more crafty goodness!
|Drawstring Bags
2011 Update: We compiled some new Drawstring Bag tutorials for you! Enjoy…
Pattern Recommendation
If you'd like to try a pattern, we suggest this one:
|Ditty Bag
Fabric Recommendations
Here are just a handful of fabrics we love for these projects:
|Beth's choice
|Kristin's choice
|Lauren's choice
Click the pattern and fabric images above to visit the Sew, Mama, Sew! store.
More Handmade Holiday ideas:
27 ~ Gifts for Warmth
26 ~ Embellish!
25 ~ For the Kitchen
24 ~ Sachets
23 ~ Soft Toys & Games
22 ~ Fun for Hair
21 ~ Pillows
20 ~ Gifts for Organization
19 ~ Tech Gifts
18 ~ For Baby
17 ~ Purses
16 ~ Gifts for the Crafter
15 ~ Warm those Toes
14 ~ Dress the Kids
13 ~ Placemats
12 ~ For the Table
11 ~ Reading & Writing
10 ~ Ties & Belts
9 ~ Fabric Ornaments
8 ~ Whimsy
7 ~ For Your Purse or Pocket
6 ~ Blankets for Baby
5 ~ Tote Bags
4 ~ Lunch Bags
3 ~ For the House
2 ~ Pincushions & Pins
1 ~ Aprons
Show us how you create Handmade Holidays! Join our Handmade Holidays photo pool!
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All links and photos from blogs on our Handmade Holidays posts are used with permission.
|Join our Handcrafters' Holidays Blog Meme! It will be fun!


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BEIJING — President Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines, one of America's closest allies in Asia, has said he wants to reduce American military influence in his country and build closer ties with China.
But he has stopped short of offering to do what China would like most: scrapping an accord that gives the United States access to five military bases in the Philippines.
How far he is willing to go will be tested this week when he arrives in China on Tuesday for talks that are likely to produce signals of whether he wants to become a close friend of Beijing.
"If China succeeds in peeling the Philippines away from the United States, it will be a major win in Beijing's long-term campaign to weaken U.S. alliances in the region," said Andrew Shearer, a senior adviser at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington. "It will feed fears that the right mix of intimidation and inducements could influence other partners to distance themselves from Washington."
Mr. Duterte has expressed doubts about whether the United States would come to the aid of the Philippines in a military showdown, and on the eve of his departure for Beijing he said he would be looking to buy Chinese weapons in his fight against terrorism.
The stepped-up American access to the Philippines, negotiated by the Pentagon under the previous government of Benigno S. Aquino III, was considered a mainstay of the Obama administration's "pivot" to Asia strategy that China has blasted as a containment policy, and that it would like to unravel.
Thailand, another American ally in Southeast Asia, has also increasingly turned toward China, raising the prospect that Washington faces frayed ties with two of its longstanding partners in the region.
How well China succeeds with Mr. Duterte will send signals throughout the region, where robust economic relationships with China are vital for most countries even as they fear its growing military clout — and its push for control of the South China Sea.
"China will be very watchful about how far Duterte wants to go," said Zhu Feng, executive director of the Collaborative Innovation Center of South China Sea Studies at Nanjing University. "His pledge to distance from the United States, of course it's very positive for China."
In particular, Mr. Zhu said, China would like the Philippines to stop American use of an air base at Palawan, an island about 100 miles from the disputed Spratly Islands, where China has built three military bases.
The Palawan base significantly enhances the ability of American forces to project power into the disputed South China Sea, and anything that jeopardized that access would complicate United States military planning.
As China probes Mr. Duterte for strategic concessions, the new leader has his own shopping list for economic help from Beijing. In an interview with the state-run Chinese news agency Xinhua, released on Monday, he criticized the United States for being stingy, saying "only China can help us."
Rodrigo Duterte's Most Contentious Quotations
President Rodrigo Duterte of the Philippines has a reputation for frank speechmaking that often angers the international community.
He has said he wants the Chinese to construct a railway in his home province of Mindanao, and from the capital, Manila, to Mindanao. A Chinese businessman has financed a huge drug rehabilitation center scheduled to open next month, a project that Mr. Duterte praised as a symbol of Chinese friendship.
A large contingent of Philippine businessmen accompanying Mr. Duterte is expecting the Chinese to lift bans on more than two dozen fruits, imposed by Beijing four years ago in retaliation against the former government for its stance on the South China Sea.
Mr. Duterte will be accorded a full state visit, and is scheduled to meet with the Chinese leader, President Xi Jinping, on Thursday at the Great Hall of the People. He is also expected to meet with Zhang Dejiang, the chairman of the standing committee of the National People's Congress, and to visit the Great Wall and perhaps the Palace Museum in central Beijing, Chinese officials said.
How smoothly the talks proceed may depend on how well the two leaders, the rough-talking and ad hoc Mr. Duterte, 71, and the tightly scripted Mr. Jinping, 63, get along.
Mr. Xi rose through the ranks of the secretive enclaves of the Communist Party; Mr. Duterte served as mayor of Davao, one of the Philippines' most crime-ridden cities, for 22 years.
The Philippine leader has presided over a bloody campaign against drugs that has used extrajudicial killings; Mr. Xi has led a sustained crackdown on corruption, and agreed to the detention of hundreds of lawyers, and forced confessions from some of them.
Early on, Mr. Duterte showed his desire to improve relations with China by appointing Santiago Sta. Romana, a former bureau chief for the American ABC television network in Beijing, as his new ambassador to Beijing.
Mr. Romana, 68, commonly known as Chito, lived in Beijing from 1971 until his retirement from ABC in 2010. On his return to Manila, he called for a more nuanced approach to China as head of the Philippine Association of Chinese Studies.
"The Philippines is shifting from a very close and tight alignment with the United States that made it seem we were part of the anti-China coalition," Mr. Romana said in an interview. "The pendulum may swing toward China. The alliance with the U.S. will stay. Relations with China were frozen from 2013, but now we will resume all types of dialogue."
One of the toughest parts of the discussion between Mr. Duterte and the Chinese leadership is likely to be over Scarborough Shoal, a disputed reef in the South China Sea that China seized from the Philippines in 2012.
In reaction to that takeover, the Philippines initiated a case before an international tribunal in The Hague. In July, the tribunal ruled overwhelmingly in favor of the Philippines, declaring China's fishing and reclamation activities around the disputed reef to be illegal.
China has denounced the decision and vowed to ignore it. In contrast, the tribunal ruling seems to be one issue on which Mr. Duterte is consistent: He has said the Philippines will abide by it.
A Chinese expert on the South China Sea, Wu Shicun, the head of the National Institute for South China Sea Studies, said in an interview that he could envision a "package" deal that would include a precondition that the Philippines recognize Chinese sovereignty over Scarborough Shoal, 150 miles west of the Philippine coast. In return for that, Philippine and Chinese fishermen could operate in the waters around Scarborough Shoal, but not inside the vast lagoon of the shoal because of environmental damage from overfishing in those waters, he said.
In its ruling, the tribunal said that both Philippine and Chinese fishermen had traditional fishing rights at the shoal, and that China had interfered with those rights by blocking access for the Philippine fishermen.
The notion of the Philippines granting China sovereignty over Scarborough Shoal may be a step too far for Mr. Duterte: He has said that it belongs to the Philippines, and that he would even drive a Jet Ski to plant the national flag there.
Left unsaid by Mr. Wu was China's ambition to start reclamation work at Scarborough Shoal and transform it into a military platform.
Such construction by China had been expected in the wake of the tribunal's decision. But that plan appears to have been postponed by the election of Mr. Duterte.
As much as China welcomes the new Philippine leader as a fresh face, he may not be an easy customer on all fronts, said Renato Cruz De Castro, a fellow at the East-West Center in Washington, and an expert on China and the Philippines.
China would meddle with Mr. Duterte's ties to the United States by extending generous economic inducements and offering a deal on the South China Sea, he said. But on one important item, Mr. Duterte would almost certainly prove an obstacle.
"Duterte is putting China on the spot," Dr. De Castro said. "If they do military construction at Scarborough Shoal, that would drive Mr. Duterte back to the United States."


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Monday, March 24, 2014
Introducing Shay
This is Shay. She's one of my favorites. My inspiration for her? She's a city girl. You might find her in New York, maybe San Francisco. Her hat, heels and clutch say it all...she's into clothes and she knows how to wear them! This stamp goes perfect with the Boutique stamp pack consisting of hats and handbags. Accessories always makes playing dress up a lot more fun, don't you think?
12 comments:
I love her she's so sophisticated love her hat and how she can hold things in her hand. Thanks Julie love all your dolls and accessories.~MandiReplyDelete
She looks really beautiful Julie and I can see her strolling in Paris too and she looks very chic.ReplyDelete
Fliss x
LOVE her!!!ReplyDelete
I am totally crazy about your doll stamps! Each one has her own personality and we can enjoy being creative with them! Shay is pretty sassy! Thanks so much Julie!ReplyDelete
I am crazy about your doll stamps! I love how each one has her own personality and that we can be so creative with each one. I look forward to seeing more of your creations on Live with Prima classes. Shay is definitely sassy!ReplyDelete
- AnonymousMarch 31, 2014 at 4:49 PM
I love all the doll stamps you've made Julie. I'm hoping you will make die cuts for them. I want to make lots of them for my family and friends and dies cuts would truly make the task so much easier.ReplyDelete
Thanks a million!
I love your doll stamps!ReplyDelete
But here, in Brasil, we have to wait for them a couple of months...
- AnonymousApril 23, 2014 at 5:33 PM
Hi Julie. My copy of your fabulous "Collage Couture" arrived today. It's the best craft book ever. Cheers.ReplyDelete
She reminds me of my daughter SHAE. ThanksReplyDelete
She reminds me of my daughter SHAE. ThanksReplyDelete
I just found your book while I was vacationing in the US. And I love it. You've got a wonderful talent and I'm inspired!ReplyDelete