text:
**All the workshops are now fully booked and there will be no "walk-in" registrations on the workshop days**
List of workshops
full details and programmes via links below
Wednesday 11 February
- Automated capture of the environment in a sheer curation context (am)
- Data Carpentry: using APIs to access life science data available on the web (full day)
- Comparing Notes: Training Librarians for Research Data Management and Open Science Support (full day)
- Research at Risk: how can research data management become business as usual for UK universities? (pm)
Thursday 12 February
- Getting Started with Islandora (am)
- Research Data Spring: tools and services for managing research data (full day)
- A Big Data Investigation (full day)
Wednesday 11 February
**All the workshops are now fully booked and there will be no "walk-in" registrations on the workshop days**
Workshop registration will be open from 08.30 and will remain open all day
09.00 - 13.00 followed by lunch
Free of charge - Invitation only
Automated capture of the environment in a sheer curation context
Appraisal [Download PDF]
PERICLES Extraction Tool and Significant Environment Information [Download PDF]
Automated Capture of the Environment in a Sheer Curation Context [Download PDF]
Organisers: PERICLES project staff from King's College & University of Liverpoool
The PERICLES project is a 4 year EU-funded FP-7 project aiming at promoting and enhancing reuse of information throughout the content lifecycle taking account of evolving semantics. The workshop will present the initial research outputs of the PERICLES project with respect to the automated capture of environment information, and proceed with working sessions where the participants will be able present and evaluate the possibility of use of the tool (PERICLES Extraction Tool - PET) in their specific use cases. The final aim of this workshop is present the tool and its use to the community, and to collect useful feedback on the future research and developments plans for the tool, and more in general for the model for the ecosystem based on a dependency graph we are adopting in the project.
09.00 - 17.00 including lunch
Data Carpentry: using APIs to access life science data available on the web
Delegate fee £30
Organisers: Aleksandra Pawlik, University of Manchester & Data Carpentry
It has been established that the growing number of well-curated and publicly-available datasets can advance research progress in many domains. However, many researchers still lack the data analysis and management skills to most effectively use these datasets. Data must be accessed from remote repositories and large scale analysesconducted with command line tools or programming languages uch as Python or R. Data Carpentry workshops aim to teach these concepts, particularly to researchers with little computational experience.
The workshop is for anyone interested in learning more about using API's and R for accessing and working with life science data or for anyone interested in learning more about Data Carpentry workshops, to see if they would be useful for the researchers they work with in their communities. In particular, the workshop should be useful for anyone working with research domains supported by ELIXIR UK <http://elixir-uk.org/>
09.00 - 16.00 including lunch
Comparing Notes: Training Librarians for Research Data Management and Open Science Support
Delegate fee £100
Organisers: Mariëtte van Selm, University of Amsterdam Library & Sarah Jones, Digital Curation Centre
A full day train-the-trainer style workshop showcasing five training courses for liaison librarians and other support staff on research data management and open science. The aim is to raise awareness of existing materials, give participants ideas for reusing or combining the content, and to share lessons to inform future training courses. By sharing freely available training materials and advice on how they could be best implemented, the workshop will enable other librarians and support staff to run their own courses more easily.
The workshop will begin with a series of brief presentations to introduce existing training courses and we will invite further contributions from the floor to hear about training initiatives in other countries. The afternoon session will be more reflective. Initially a breakout discussion will consider the skills gaps and how these are addressed via the presented courses. A panel session will also consider lessons learned from implementing the courses. Each presenter will be asked to share their top tips based on what worked well and what had to be adjusted as each course evolved. The event will close with details of where all the course materials can be found to encourage others to reuse them.
14.00 - 17.00 including lunch
Research at Risk: how can research data management become business as usual for UK universities?
Free of charge
Organisers - David Kernohan & Rachel Bruce - Jisc
The half day workshop will outline the new Jisc research data management activity and engage the audience in discussion to get to know the developments but also to help to shape and inform them.
The workshop is intended for anyone interested in research data management, i.e. researchers, librarians, publishers, developers, funders, data managers, repository managers, research networks, research support professionals etc.
This workshop has three main objectives:
The ultimate aim is to ensure the relevant community is aware of the work underway and to help ensure the work under Research at Risk is cognisant of other international developments.
Thursday 12 February
**All the workshops are now fully booked and there will be no "walk-in" registrations on the workshop days**
Workshop registration will be open from 08.30 and will remain open all day
09.00 - 12.30 followed by lunch
Getting Started with Islandora
Getting Started with Islandora slides [Download PDF]
Organisers: Alan Stanley, Discovery Garden
Islandora is an open-source digital curation framework that provides out-of-the-box repository solutions for a wide range of digital content and research domains. Islandora combines the Drupal CMS and Fedora Commons repository software, together with additional open source applications (including Apache Solr), to deliver a wide range of functionality.
The workshop will provide users with an Islandora system overview as well as lead participants through the basic functions of an Islandora installation, including ingesting and managing digital assets, configuring search tools, exposing digital assets to external search services, as well as reviewing the new Islandora Scholar suite of tools intended for institutional and research data repositories.
Learning objectives for the workshop include:
This session is a half-day workshop for all audiences and levels. No prior knowledge of Islandora or repositories is required. If users wish, they can come with a laptop computer and digital files to ingest and describe (PDF or image collections preferred)
09.30 - 16.30 including lunch
Research Data Spring: tools and services for managing research data
Free of charge
Organisers: Rachel Bruce, Daniela Duca & Chris Brown - Jisc
Research Data Spring project is gathering and investing in technical tools, software and service solutions to support researchers' workflow, the use and managemet of their data. The initiative is part of the Research at Risk theme at Jisc.
The workshop will provide participants with full demos of the ideas posted on our online community page. We will also organise working groups to offer participants the opportunity to test and provide feedback to the project teams. Participants' suggestions could potentially influence the future development of these ideas, anticipating the pitches at the first sandpit workshop at the end of the month.
The workshop is intended for anyone interested in research data management, i.e. researchers, librarians, publishers, developers, funders, data managers, repository managers, research networks, research support professionals etc.
The ultimate aim is to test the ideas that came through with a wider audience and gain a first rough understanding of the impact that such technical tools and services can make also on the global scale.
09.00 - 17.30 including lunch
A Big Data Investigation
Free of charge
Organisers: Mahendra Mahey, BL Labs
A hands-on event organised for everyone who wants to have a better understanding of how to explore, investigate, analyse and visualise large scale text and image datasets.
Research today is often data driven not just in the Sciences but also in the Arts and Humanities. However, Researchers, Librarians, Curators, Repository Managers often don't have direct experience of working with data, especially at scale, and especially if that data is represented in forms other than columns of numbers. This one day event will provide you with an opportunity to:
Please note that in order to use some of the tools in the workshop you will need to be able to install software on your laptop.
Programme and additional information
- Home
- Digital curation
- About us
- News
- Events
- Resources
- Briefing Papers
- Introduction to Curation
- Annotation
- Appraisal and Selection
- Curating Emails
- Curating e-Science Data
- Curating Geospatial Data
- Data Accreditation
- Data Citation and Linking
- Data Protection
- Database Archiving
- Digital Repositories
- Freedom of Information
- Genre Classification
- Interoperability
- Persistent Identifiers
- Trust Through Self Assessment
- Using OAIS for Curation
- Web 2.0
- What is Digital Curation?
- Common Directions in Research Data Policy
- 5 Steps to Research Data Readiness
- Citizen Science
- Making the Case for RDM
- Legal Watch Papers
- Standards Watch Papers
- Technology Watch Papers
- Introduction to Curation
- How-to Guides & Checklists
- Appraise & Select Research Data for Curation
- Cite Datasets and Link to Publications
- Develop RDM Services
- Develop a DMP
- Discover Requirements
- Five Steps to Decide What Data to Keep
- Five Things You Need to Know About RDM and the Law
- License Research Data
- Track Data Impact with Metrics
- Using RISE
- Where to keep research data
- Write a Lay Summary
- Developing RDM Services
- Reviewing research data platform capabilities at CISER
- Using EPrints to Build a Repository for UEL
- Assigning DOIs at Bristol
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- Tailored support


text:
Ultar SAR (also Ultar, Ultar II, Bojohagur Duanasir II) is the southeastern most major peak of the Batura Muztagh, a subrange of the Karakorum Range. It lies about 10 km (6 miles) northeast of the Karimabad, a town on the Karakorum Highway in the Hunza Valley, part of the Gilgit District of the Northern Areas of Pakistan.
The first two ascents were made in July 1996 by two separate Japanese expeditions, the first (from the Tokai section of the Japanese Alpine Club) led by Akito Yamazaki (who summitted, but died on the descent) and the second led by Ken Takahashi. The first summit team comprised Yamazaki and Kiyoshi Matsuoka (who died one year later on the nearby peak Bublimotin). They climbed the peak from the southwest in alpine style, doing much of the climbing at night to avoid danger from falling rock and ice. After their successful summit, they faced strong storms and bivouaced several days without food before returning to base camp. However, Akihito Yamazaki died at base camp of an internal disease due to the severe stress of climbing.
The second summit team comprised Takahashi and four others: Masayuki Ando, Ryushi Hoshino, Wataru Saito, and Nobuo Tsutsumi. They climbed the south ridge. Since 1996, there have been no recorded ascents of the peak.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
The short answer to the headline is yes. Minutes after Microsoft's news to launch another $40 billion stock buyback and raise its dividend by 18 percent, Hewlett-Packard and Nike both announced major new buybacks of their own.
And all of this may serve as a clarion call to other cash rich tech companies to start sharing their wealth.
For Microsoft, such a move is an intriguing one: the last time this company embarked on such a major stock purchase, it served to buoy its shares but only for a short term. But it sent a message that while Microsoft might not be the most technologically innovative company, creativity was still alive and well in its finance office. And Wall Street likes what it's hearing, pushing shares up 6 percent on the news. Still a ways to go to get these shares back to where they were, but it's a key step in the right direction.
So who's next? We now have HP and an $8 billion buyback program. All eyes will turn to next to Apple, naturally. About $21 billion in cash, an enormous position for a company Apple's size. But the company's shares have dipped well off their highs and if they were a good deal at $200, they've got to be a phenomenal deal at $140. Would Apple take the step toward a dividend or a share buyback? Steve Jobs has been reluctant before, and is likely reluctant today.
- Microsoft Shares Leap on New Buyback, Dividend
- HP Board Authorizes Additional $8 Billion for Share Repurchases
- Sysco approves buyback of 20 million shares
I'm not sure the company needs it, but if it were to happen, it would dramatically pop these shares. The company wouldn't be doing so from a position of weakness. It would be doing so from a position of "market weakness," meaning Apple would be seizing on the macro forces that drove shares lower, and taking advantage of a good deal on its stock. In other words, if Apple were pondering such a move, now would be an ideal time to pull the trigger.


text:
Exopolitics Conference Promotional Video
The 5th Annual British Exopolitics Expo is to be held on Saturday 28th September 2013 at the University of Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, UK.
This year sees the return of US researcher Richard Dolan presenting "UFOs and the National Security State" and UK scientist, Professor Chandra Wickramasinghe will presenting "Cosmicrobia: Life As A Cosmic Phenomenon" with up to date research demonstrating Cometary Panspermia and the scientific proof of extraterrestrial life.
Other speakers include Andrew Johnson, Marcus Allen and Anthony Beckett.


text:
We now offer Field Trips for Schools, Daycares, & Rec Centers. You can choose from different field trip option that include instruction or just a Good Ole' Fun Bounce House Party.
Field Trips
Students's will begin with a fun-filled and engaging warm-up. This includes age-appropriate, movement based activities, jumps, turns, stretches, and team-work activities that are not only fun but also educational, non-competitive and motivating.
Yes, you can have a bounce house event for a field trip!!! Why travel to Charlotte, when you can save gas and money to host your event here. Great news….all Field Trips are private. No children other than the ones you bring will be there!


text:
U.S. Embassy in Chile
Consular Section - Immigrant Visas
Avenida Andrés Bello 2800
Santiago, Chile
Tel: (56)(2) 335-6550
Fax: (56)(2) 330-3005
Web site: http://www.usembassy.cl
Email: email@example.com
Chile's Adoption Authority
Servicio Nacional de Menores de Chile (SENAME)
Unidad de Adopción
Huerfanos 587
Santiago, Chile
Telephone: (56)(2) 398-4447
Embassy of Chile in the United State
1732 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20036
Tel: (202) 785-1746
Fax: (202) 887-5579
*Chile also has consulates in Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and San Juan
Office of Children's Issues
U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street, NW SA-29
Washington, DC 20520
Tel: 1-888-407-4747
E-mail: email@example.com
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
For questions about immigration procedures, call the National Customer Service Center (NCSC) at
Chile is party to the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption (Hague Adoption Convention). Therefore all adoptions between Chile and the United States must meet the requirements of the Convention and U.S. law implementing the Convention.
Chilean adoption law gives priority to Chilean families over non-Chilean families. Most Chilean children available for intercountry adoption are at least four years old. Not all children eligible for adoption in Chile meet U.S. immigration requirements to receive an orphan visa, so it is important that adopting families consult with the U.S. Embassy in Santiago before beginning any adoption procedures to ensure that the adoption complies with U.S. law. Under Chilean law, children to be adopted may not leave the country until the adoption is complete.
Note: Special transition provisions apply to adoptions initiated before April 1, 2008. Learn more.
Adoption between the United States and Chile is governed by the Hague Adoption Convention. Therefore to adopt from Chile, you must first be found eligible to adopt by the U.S. Government. The U.S. Government agency responsible for making this determination is the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Learn more.
In addition to these U.S. requirements for prospective adoptive parents, Chile also has the following requirements for prospective adoptive parents:
- RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS: There are no residency requirements to adopt in Chile.
- AGE REQUIREMENTS: The adoptive parents must both be at least 20 years older than the child being adopted.
- MARRIAGE REQUIREMENTS: Only married couples between the ages of 25 and 60 can adopt in Chile.
Because Chile is party to the Hague Adoption Convention, children from Chile must meet the requirements of the Convention in order to be eligible for adoption. For example, the Convention requires that Chile attempt to place a child with a family in-country before determining that a child is eligible for intercountry adoption. In addition to Chile's requirements, a child must meet the definition of a Convention adoptee for you to bring him or her back to the United States.
Families interested in adopting in Chile must apply and be approved by SENAME, which keeps the national registry of children eligible for adoption. The first stage of the application process is to send SENAME, at the address above, a letter or email that includes both prospective adoptive parents' names, dates of birth, contact information and any preferences, including the reasons for these preferences, for a child or children.
The children on the national registry have been declared eligible for adoption (susceptible de ser adoptado) by a judge and all parental rights have been terminated. SENAME matches available children with prospective adoptive parents. Blood relatives are always given priority, followed by unrelated Chilean families, then non-Chilean families. Prospective adoptive parents do have the right to decline a specific match, which they would do by simply notifying SENAME. Prospective adoptive parents should consider carefully declining a specific match as they will be required to begin the process again and will have to explain, in detail, the reason for their declination.
Waiting Period: After a child is successfully matched with a family, there is a wait to obtain a hearing with a judge. The normal wait time is between 6 to 12 months.
Chile's Adoption Authority:
SENAME (Servicio Nacional de Menores) is the clearinghouse for adoptions and approves parents who wish to adopt. Prospective adopting families must contact SENAME first before beginning any adoption proceedings.
The Process
Because Chile is party to the Hague Adoption Convention, adopting from Chile must follow a specific process designed to meet the Convention's requirements. A brief summary of the Convention adoption process is given below. You must complete these steps in the following order so that your adoption meets all necessary legal requirements.
NOTE: If you filed your I-600a with Chile before April 1, 2008, the Hague Adoption Convention may not apply to your adoption. Your adoption could continue to be processed in accordance with the immigration regulations for non-Convention adoptions. Learn more.
Choose an Accredited Adoption Service Provider
Apply to be Found Eligible to Adopt
Be Matched with a Child
Apply for the Child to be Found Eligible for Immigration to the United States
Adopt the Child in Chile
Bring your Child Home
1. Choose an Accredited Adoption Service Provider:
The first step in adopting a child from Chile is to select an adoption service provider in the United States that has been accredited. Only these agencies and attorneys can provide adoption services between the United States and Chile. Learn more.
2. Apply to be Found Eligible to Adopt:
After you choose an accredited adoption service provider, you must apply to be found eligible to adopt (Form I-800A) by the U.S. Government, Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Learn how.
Once the U.S. government determines that you are "eligible" and "suitable" to adopt, you or your agency will forward your information to the adoption authority in Chile. Chile's adoption authority will review your application to determine whether you are also eligible to adopt under Chile's law.
3. Be Matched with a Child:
If both the United States and Chile determine that you are eligible to adopt, and a child is available for intercountry adoption, the central adoption authority in Chile may provide you with a referral for a child. Each family must decide for itself whether or not it will be able to meet the needs of the particular child and provide a permanent family placement for the referred child.
After a child is successfully matched with a family, there is a wait to obtain a hearing with a judge. The normal wait time is between 6 and 12 months. At the hearing, the judge may determine that the prospective adoptive parents need to provide further documentation, but all of the stated required documents would have already been submitted and in the adoption file (see below "Documents for Adoption in Country"). Either SENAME or one of the approved adoption agencies must be present at the hearing, along with both prospective parents. The child is not normally present for the adoption hearing.
Note: It is extremely hard to obtain a duplicate certified copy of the adoption decree – it is highly recommended that parents ask for an extra certified copy while present at the hearing.
Once the adoption is approved, the judge will inform the civil registry and provide the information for a new birth certificate, with the adoptive parents' names. This part of the process can take between 15-30 working days. The new birth document is used to obtain a Chilean identification card (also known as a R.U.T. number), which is required to obtain a Chilean passport. This part of the process can take between 15-30 working days as well. Typically adoptive parents will remain in Chile for one to two months to complete the adoption process.
4. Apply for the Child to be Found Eligible for Adoption:
After you accept a match with a child, you will apply to the U.S Government, Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for provisional approval to adopt that particular child (Form I-800). USCIS will determine whether the child is eligible under U.S. law to be adopted and enter the United States. Learn how.
After this, your adoption service provider or you will submit a visa application to a Consular Officer at the U.S. Embassy. The Consular Officer will review the child's information and evaluate the child for possible visa ineligibilities. If the Consular Office determines that the child appears eligible to immigrate to the United States, he/she will notify the Chile's adoption authority (Article 5 letter). For Convention country adoptions, prospective adoptive parent(s) may not proceed with the adoption or obtain custody for the purpose of adoption until this takes place.
Remember: The Consular Officer will make a final decision about the immigrant visa later in the adoption process.
5. Adopt the Child (or Gain Legal Custody) in Chile:
Remember: Before you adopt (or gain legal custody of) a child in Chile, you must have completed the above four steps. Only after completing these steps, can you proceed to finalize the adoption or grant of custody for the purposes of adoption in Chile.
The process for finalizing the adoption (or gaining legal custody) in Chile generally includes the following:
- TIME FRAME: Intercountry adoptions from Chile normally take about two (2) years from start to finish. This time is measured from the time the prospective adoptive parents contact SENAME expressing their intention to adopt until the time the adoption is finalized.
- ADOPTION FEES: In the adoption services contract that you sign at the beginning of the adoption process, your agency will itemize the fees and estimated expenses related to your adoption process.
The U.S. Embassy in Chile discourages the payment of any fees that are not properly receipted, "donations," or "expediting" fees, that may be requested from prospective adoptive parents. Such fees have the appearance of "buying" a baby and put all future adoptions in Chile at risk.
Fees vary, but prospective adoptive parents should expect to spend no more than $300. Prospective adoptive parents should report exorbitant fees to the U.S. Embassy or SENAME.
- DOCUMENTS REQUIRED: The following documents are required by SENAME after the initial letter or email from the prospective adoptive parents is received. They will not accept these documents with the initial letter or email. Prospective parents will receive a letter from SENAME acknowledging receipt and asking for the following documents below. Once the package of documents is received, SENAME will begin the process of matching a child;
- Birth certificates and marriage certificate of the prospective adoptive parents;
- Certificate issued by a Chilean Consul in the U.S. that states that the parents have met all U.S. adoption requirements;
- Favorable home study conducted by an accredited agency in the U.S.;
- Physical and psychological exams demonstrating the well-being of the parents;
- Proof of parents' financial situation, i.e., ability to successfully support the child;
- Recent photographs of each of the prospective adoptive parent(s);
- Three notarized letters of recommendation from U.S. community, religious or other governmental authorities;
- Since all Immigrant Visas issued in Chile will be IH-3 visas, the U.S. Embassy will issue a certificate stating that the child is eligible for U.S. citizenship automatically after he/she legally enters the U.S. with an immigrant visa. In order to obtain this certificate, adopting parents and/or their agent must come to the Embassy Monday, Wednesday or Friday morning between 8:30-11:00am.
NOTE: Additional documents may be requested.
Now that your adoption is complete (or you have obtained legal custody of the child), there are a few more steps to take before you can head home. Specifically, you need to apply for three documents for your child before he or she can travel to the United States:
Birth Certificate
You will first need to apply for a new birth certificate for your child, so that you can later apply for a passport. Your name will be added to the new birth certificate.Chile Passport
Your child is not yet a U.S. citizen, so he/she will need a travel document or Passport from Chile.U.S. Immigrant Visa
After you obtain the new birth certificate and passport for your child, you also need to apply for an U.S. visa from the United States Embassy for your child. After the adoption (or custody for purpose of adoption) is granted, visit the U.S Embassy for final review and approval of the child's I-800 petition and to obtain a visa for the child. This immigrant visa allows your child to travel home with you. As part of this process, the Consular Officer must be provided the "Panel Physician's" medical report on the child if it was not provided during the provisional approval stage. Learn more.
Prospective adoptive parents who are traveling to Chile to finalize an adoption should send an email to: email@example.com to inform the U.S. Embassy Santiago of their impending trip. Once the adoption is completed and the documents listed below are all ready, adoptive parents should appear at the U.S. Embassy on Monday, Wednesday or Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.
Adopted children need not come for this initial appearance. At this point, the documents will be reviewed and the U.S. Embassy will discuss with the parents any final details needed. Then, the U.S. Embassy will set up the final interview date and give the letter needed for the child to go to obtain his/her medical exam. This interview date is typically within 3-5 working days from the initial appearance. The child will need to be present on the final interview date.
Visa issuance after the final interview now generally takes the minimum 1-2 days and it will not normally be possible to provide the visa to adoptive parents on the day of the interview. Adoptive parents should verify current processing times at the appropriate consulate or embassy before making final travel arrangements.
Documents needed for Immigrant Visa;
- The applicant will need the I-800 Petition to Classify Convention Adoptee as Immediate Relative for cases that are filed after April 1, 2008.
- Child's Chilean passport.
- Four (4) passport photos (5 x 5 cm. with white background).
- Forms DS230 Part I and II (which can be found on www.travel.state.gov).
- Child's birth certificate legalized by the Ministry of Justice and Foreign Affairs and an English translation.
- Adoption decree legalized by the Ministry of Justice and Foreign Affairs and an English translation.
- Suceptibilidad de adopción (document that proves the child's eligibility for adoption) legalized by the Ministry of Justice and Foreign Affairs and an English translation.
At the FINAL interview, the Medical examination and any other documents not submitted previously will be required.
Child Citizenship Act
For adoptions finalized abroad: The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 allows your child to acquire American citizenship when he or she enters the United States as lawful permanent residents.
For adoptions to be finalized in the United States: The Child Citizenship Act of 2000 allows your child to typically acquire American citizenship when the U.S. state court issues the final adoption decree. We urge your family to finalize the adoption in a U.S. State court as quickly as possible.
*Please be aware that if your child did not qualify to become a citizen upon entry to the United States, it is very important that you take the steps necessary so that your child does qualify as soon as possible. Failure to obtain citizenship for your child can impact many areas of his/her life including family travel, eligibility for education and education grants, and voting.
Learn more about the Child Citizenship Act.
Applying for Your U.S. Passport
A valid U.S. passport is required to enter and leave Chile. Only the U.S. Department of State has the authority to grant, issue, or verify U.S. passports.
Getting or renewing a passport is easy. The Passport Application Wizard will help you determine which passport form you need, help you to complete the form online, estimate your payment, and generate the form for you to print—all in one place.
Obtaining Your Visa
In addition to a U.S. passport, you also need to obtain a visa. A visa is an official document issued by a foreign country that formally allows you to visit. Where required, visas are attached to your passport and allow you to enter a foreign nation.
To find information about obtaining a visa for Chile, see the Department of State's Country Specific Information.
Staying Safe on Your Trip
Before you travel, it's always a good practice to investigate the local conditions, laws, political landscape, and culture of the country. The State Department is a good place to start.
The Department of State provides Country Specific Information for every country of the world about various issues, including the health conditions, crime, unusual currency or entry requirements, and any areas of instability.
Staying in Touch on Your Trip
When traveling during the adoption process, we encourage you to register your trip with the Department of State. Travel registration makes it possible to contact you if necessary. Whether there's a family emergency in the United States, or a crisis in Chile, registration assists the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in reaching you.
Registration is free and can be done online.
What does Chile require of the adoptive parents after the adoption?
We strongly urge you to comply with the wish of Chile and complete all post-adoption requirements in a timely manner. Your adoption agency may be able to help you with this process. Your cooperation will contribute to that country's history of positive experiences with American parents.
What resources are available to assist families after the adoption?
Many adoptive parents find it important to find support after the adoption. Take advantage of all the resources available to your family -- whether it's another adoptive family, a support group, an advocacy organization, or your religious or community services.
Here are some good places to start your support group search:
молодежный порно чат
Web Coding
Хакерский форум DedicateT
взломать shadow fighting DedicateT
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Real Reviews, All Verified Owners
Real Reviews, All Verified Owners
10th Generation Honda Civic
2016 - Present
Top Positive Review
"Backup camera and blind spot camera add safety, apps and technology"
Dustin»NC»2016 Honda CivicPurchased Nov 2015|Verified
I love the new 2016 Honda Civic. So far it has been a great and reliable car. Some features I like include: very roomy and comfortable for a Civic, good acceleration and offers a Sport mode for faster speed when needed. Great gas mileage (I get on average about 36 mpg and 45 mpg on the highway with economy feature). Sleek design for exterior and interior, large amount of trunk space for a Civic. Smooth drive with CVT. Great sound system, very crisp and clear. Capless refueling system makes refueling easier. Comfortable, plush cloth seats. Backup camera and blind spot camera add safety, apps and technology.
The new exterior and interior style of the 2016 Honda Civic is far better than the previous generation of Civics. This was a major consideration in the purchase of my car. The 2016 Civic is also very fun and comfortable to drive. For a Civic, the interior is extremely spacious. The fuel economy was another significant factor in the purchase of my car. The Civic has excellent gas mileage. I typically get around 45 mpg on the highway with the Econ button turned on. I'm very happy with my purchase of the 2016 Honda Civic!
Top Critical Review
"I've been greatly disappointed by the many, many glitches of the infotainment system in this vehicle"
David»OH»2016 Honda CivicPurchased Jan 2016|Verified
This has been the most disappointing vehicle to own I have ever had (in 25+ years of driving). The electronics simply suck... I have had all sorts of problems with the vehicle... false maintenance minders for an oil change, false brake and other important item failure warnings for no reason, no audio sound at all (fixed more than once, now), loud popping noises that could easily ruin my speakers, false brake warnings with my brakes slamming without my control and without anything in front of me (impossible to reproduce - just give it a couple of months and it'll happen again)... just... disappointing. I don't let people ride with me. I don't trust the car with others' lives.
I've been greatly disappointed by the many, many glitches of the infotainment system in this vehicle. It has been very frustrating and Honda has not been at all helpful. I would not recommend my car to others, and when they point out my new car and want to see it, I blow it off, as I fear I will be embarrassed by one of the car's glitches.
Updated on Aug 20, 2016
"show how underpowered the entertainment system is"
Daniel»CA»2016 Honda Civic|Purchased Jan 2016|Verified
The infotainment system is one of the worst I've ever used. If hassle free music playing is something required, consider other car brands. As I've stated, the infotainment system is very bad. I am looking forward to purchasing a US Type-R, but if it has the same infotainment system, and/or the software/hardware hasn't been updated, I will no long buy Hondas as my vehicle of choice of preferred vehicle. I've purchased four new Honda in 10 years. Because they were reliable and trusted. But the latest Honda Civic had tarnished that reputation.
Overall the quality, styling, performance and economics of the 2016 Civic is great. I absolutely love the new front end design. The LED headlights and taillights are awesome!. The quality of materials is most areas is great, although the lower door panels use a material that is EASILY and PERMANENTLY marred. The new instrument cluster is great, love the techy look (animations when starting up, great color choices). Overall, the vehicle is great, and I enjoy driving it. With one exception: The infotainment center is an absolute atrocity. Being in the software development field, it is absolutely clear that almost no R&D and Q&A went in to the design and implementation of the infotainment system. The system is riddled with infuriating bugs, glitches, and malfunctions. 1) USB, Bluetooth, and Apple CarPlay will fail to load/initialize when starting the vehicle. Resulting in having to disconnect/reconnect devices. 2a) USB, Bluetooth, and Apple CarPlay will fail to continue playing the song previously playing when starting the vehicle. 2b) Required steps for resuming playback after shutting off and turning the vehicle back on are: Navigate to Audio Source screen -> Press Play (I think) -> Press "Next Song" (I think) -> Maybe Press Play again? This results in 9 times out of 10, never getting to continue to play the current song. 3) Apple CarPlay will display a Black Screen on Startup. This will persist indefinitely until the battery is disconnected. 4) USB, Bluetooth music audio will sound distorted, scratchy, and appear to skip if you press "Next Song." It takes several seconds for the system to either catch up or buffer the song. 5) The entire infotainment center will randomly crash, shut down, and restart. One one occasion, an ear-piercing audio squeal proceeded just before the infotainment screen flashed blue several times, after which all personal settings stored in the infotainment system (fuel economy, "At the pump" information, previous locations in the navigation system, etc.) were completely wiped and lost. 6) Cannot type space as a valild character for the Wifi Password. 7) The cpu/memory power of the infotainment system is severely lacking. This is noticable by the slideshow startup of the entertainment system, and probably the reason why the audio sounds distorted, scratchy and appear to skip if you press "Next Song". The severity of these problems have seriously made me consider trading in the car for another brand. I've been a Honda owner and purchaser since 2006. I have bought four brand new Honda Civics (06, 2012, 2013 Si and now a 2016 Civic Sedan). And over the course of the last 10 years, I have seen a steady decrease in overall reliability and brand image from Honda. I implore Honda to take this feedback seriously and correct their infotainment system post haste. The software is in dire need of fixing. And the performance of the system needs addressed. I'd even purchase a factory upgrade infotainment system, with a better CPU and more RAM. The infotainment system was designed to be easily replaced.
The entertainment software and hardware is absolutely horrible. It lacks proper processing power. Any time I change a song on my iPod/iPhone/Pandora, the music is scratchy and distorted and take a moment to clean up. When starting the vehicle, the iPod will NOT resume playing the current song. You MUST press play and skip song. Sometimes when starting the vehicle, the entertainment system will get stuck at LOADING the iPod. Switching audio sources, scrolling through song lists, etc. show how underpowered the entertainment system is. PLEASE PROVIDE AN UPGRADED VERSION OF THE ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM. MORE POWERFUL!.
Updated on Sep 25, 2016
"I certainly appreciate the opportunity to provide feedback on my new car"
Athena»WV»2016 Honda Civic|Purchased Jun 2016|Verified
I certainly enjoy my new Honda Civic even though it is maybe more car than I need technology-wise. I wanted a trustworthy car to take me in to retirement, and my other Civic was a road-running machine but eight years old. The fuel economy is superior to my previous Civic, and I do appreciate that. It is also has better pick-up with the turbo, which is helpful for back road and interstate driving. This purchase was a smart one for me. I know I can depend on the brand and have had good interactions with Hagerstown Honda. In terms of improvements, here are a few suggestions: 1. The interior fabric at the doors, in the door handle area, seems inferior to my '08 Civic. It is thin and smudges way too easily for a new car and has a dull appearance already. 2. The driver's seat is not comfortable for me even though I am not heavy or tall. The power seat should be available with the turbo regardless of the seat fabric. I did not want the additional cost of the leather, but a car as special as the turbo should have a power seat included since this model is not bottom of the line. The seat needs to sit higher and flatter with the back rest less curved. Honda seats are a detraction for me. 3. The heating/cooling controls are not helpful in their current position. I would rather have the radio controls there. It is awkward to scroll the sound on the screen or on the steering wheel. Often I am turning the steering, and the controls are upside down! Also having to touch the screen to adjust the sound distracts from safe driving, and the same is true to adjust the climate controls on the screen. 4. The AM/FM radio reception is inferior to XM. Although I enjoyed the free service the first few months, I do not believe in having to pay for radio; therefore, I did not renew the service. It truly is rather expensive. When I listen to broadcast, the stations are not as clear as my previous Civic radio; this, of course, is rather disappointing. 5. The handling seems a little loose with so much extra power. 6. Last, I don't like having to turn on the engine if I have to roll up windows or close the sun roof. I certainly appreciate the opportunity to provide feedback on my new car. The Civic is a tremendous car!
The new Civic is sporty, zippy, and fun to drive. The turbo is very noticeable compared to my '08. The body style is eye-catching. So far, the gas mileage is looking good for a combination of city and highway. I have two concerns: the interior fabric is not very substantial compared to the '08. I'm not sure if it will hold up for 8+ years. Please redesign your seats. They are truly uncomfortable and sit too low to the floor, even with the manual adjustment. I am neither fat nor short. The radio controls are not convenient on the steering wheel or the touchscreen. Why did you put the Heat/AC controls on a knob? The AM/FM radio is of a lesser quality than my '08. I can't get my regular stations clearly, and I don't believe in paying for radio stations. I am very disappointed.
Updated on Dec 16, 2016
"My 15-year-old Honda trade-in had better sound quality"
Elizabeth»CA»2016 Honda Civic|Purchased Jul 2016|Verified
Safe choice, good reputation, reliable, meets overall family need, economical, service easy to find, maintenance is not a burden, generally good mileage, good value for cars of this size and type, not the most comfortable, luxurious, or high performing, not the car to create a prestige impression.
Front fender/bumper doesn't have enough ground clearance. I live in mountains, fender is too low, gets little dents and scratches beneath. Even low parking curbs don't clear. Should be built of sturdier material like old Hondas—I never dented or scratched hard rubber. Interior fabric on armrests, console, door interiors, headliner is very thin and a poor choice. It is going to wear quickly and make the car look old before its time. I hate all black interior, but that was all I could get. Radio static on local FM is terrible, but I have not had time to get it into service. New cars should have excellent sound in 2016—that should be a no-brainer. My 15-year-old Honda trade-in had better sound quality.
I like my car very much, and I really had to get a new car at that time. We have had four Hondas and been overall happy with the brand. It was really a foregone conclusion that we would buy it, but I did research anyway some other car. But I have problems that did not exist in my previous 15 yr old Honda. First: I bought silver car w/ black interior. The black plush-textured interior absorbs so much light so I cannot see to find anything when I am in the driver seat (console, glove compartment, passenger side and seat, door side compartments are like black holes and USB PORTS are invisible). I would never willingly choose black interior, but it was the only color available on the models I looked at. Change it to mid-gray. I bought gray seat covers in order to see my purse, notebook, phone and other items that I typically carry in passenger seat. Second: The fabric cover on the door and the console will wear thin and look terrible in a short period of time. Armrests, console and side of doors always take a lot of abrasion. There was even a visible abrasion mark when I bought the car and it only had four miles on it. This seems like a serious miscalculation to me. If the fabric cover is supposed to seem more luxurious it is a huge miss—it will soon look cheaply made. Third, my FM radio has a lot of static, which was not a problem on our other Hondas. I will take it to service to see if there are loose wires—it's very disappointing. I live 30 minutes from nearest dealer where I bought the car so I haven't had a chance to get over there yet to check it out. Finally, there was no printed manual so I could look things up. The quick start guide gets you off the lot but it is otherwise inadequate. I sent for the printed manual but have not received it, now about 6-7 weeks later. I think this is very poor, very slow service. A computer w/ disk drive is rarely accessible: people use tablets and new laptops don't have disk drive. Wifi is not cheaply and widely available except to people who pay heavy data fees to be on their phone all day, which is not the case for me. Honda should at least OFFER a printed owner manual at point of sale and should also OFFER buyer a feature demo before they drive away. Yesterday I bumped the right side mirror out of position, and I couldn't get it back into correct position—very unsafe for the rest of my one-hour drive in commute traffic. FYI: I didn't buy the Civic w/navigation b/c of higher price, which I did not feel was justified.
Updated on Aug 20, 2016
"Sales experience was great although i wish now that I had bought instead of leased .."
Diana»NJ»2016 Honda Civic|Purchased Jan 2016|Verified
The old adage is, never buy the beta version. I love my Honda Civic, completely redesigned model year, but there were annoying connectivity problems at first. Still, the performance,appearance and reliability of this vehicle plus its stylish and smart appearance made it a perfect choice for me. I drive a lot for work and leisure, and I love the color and interior leather finish. Sales experience was great although i wish now that I had bought instead of leased ... i won't make that mistake 5 years from now :-) I am a faithful Honda owner for over 40 years and my loyalty has been justified by the excellence of all the vehicles I hve owned. The last one went 14 years ...
Perfect car for me - virtually always driving alone, long and medium trips are routine, like to listen tp music in the car, etc. EXCEPT for (1) the driver seat is a little awkward for someone 5'2" toget ito and out of, and (2) the continuing connectivity problems. My new car does not have built-in GPS, and i agreed to this based on the promise of being able to use the GPS in my Samsung smartphone. In early days the connection to navigation was constantly being dropped, sometimes while I was navigating within a busy city. Connectivity improved after the service dept. reset my system and i myself learned some "tweaks" (this is not in any manual, but the connection only works if you use the original USB cable that came with the phone itself). However the connection has now mysteriously been lost yet again and i am going to have to leave the car for several hours to find the source of the problem (my phone is on the car manufacturer's list of compatible devices). There are only one or two technicians locally who understand the connectivity issue and may be able to fix it. The manufacturer's national "help" service failed to respond to emails I sent asking for help. I drive a lot for work and this is a serious inconvenience. I am holding onto my old discrete TomTom GPS in case this problem can't be properly resolved, a huge disappointment if i have to stop using my phone for navigation. Ask me again in 6 months.
I love the look, feel, comfort, driveability and gas mileage of my new car, and the selection and leasing experience was enjoyable and satisfactory - however, as this point, within the first month after buying it, i am very disappointed with the connectivity of my 2016 Civic. I was persuaded to buy a car that does not have its own GPS (only comes in the top priced model with features i don't want or need) on the basis that my (fully functional Samsung) smartphone could connect for navigation, etc. The phone disconnects constantly - dropping me out of navigation - while driving, and so far i have had no response at all from the dealer. I loved my old non-digital car, it was time fir a change but ... this was disappointing.
Updated on Dec 13, 2016
"I hope a true autopilot assist feature come soon"
Christian»OH»2016 Honda Civic|Purchased Jun 2016|Verified
Reliable inexpensive car with all the new safety features, good looks, great fuel economy. Apple car play needs upgrading- maps do not display corectly in night mode, volume transitions between phone, pandora and radio are significant Make over the air software updates like tesla Expand safety features yo work also at low speeds/ city mode Cover cameras to shield from elements and preserve view in rainy/ snowy weather To many computer errors- send codes to dealer remoteand allow them to erase the codes if unsignificant over air without visits to dealership.
excellent safety features and mileage frequent electronic malfunction alerts which are not real battery/charger undersized.
seats could use a tilt feature for the bottom (not the back) to allow a more comfortable or sporty position (in my case available only on higher trims with leather) honda sensing system would benefit from regular updates in software (see apps for phones) which would make owners feel like they have a newer product, that is more safe, reliable or environmentally friendly. I hope a true autopilot assist feature come soon. Phone app- Honda link is the most useless app I have ever seen - a teenager could design something better.
Updated on Mar 23, 2016
"Backup camera and blind spot camera add safety, apps and technology"
Dustin»NC»2016 Honda Civic|Purchased Nov 2015|Verified
I love the new 2016 Honda Civic. So far it has been a great and reliable car. Some features I like include: very roomy and comfortable for a Civic, good acceleration and offers a Sport mode for faster speed when needed. Great gas mileage (I get on average about 36 mpg and 45 mpg on the highway with economy feature). Sleek design for exterior and interior, large amount of trunk space for a Civic. Smooth drive with CVT. Great sound system, very crisp and clear. Capless refueling system makes refueling easier. Comfortable, plush cloth seats. Backup camera and blind spot camera add safety, apps and technology.
The new exterior and interior style of the 2016 Honda Civic is far better than the previous generation of Civics. This was a major consideration in the purchase of my car. The 2016 Civic is also very fun and comfortable to drive. For a Civic, the interior is extremely spacious. The fuel economy was another significant factor in the purchase of my car. The Civic has excellent gas mileage. I typically get around 45 mpg on the highway with the Econ button turned on. I'm very happy with my purchase of the 2016 Honda Civic!
Updated on Apr 17, 2016
"As far as performance and gas mileage, the 2016 is better"
Lenora»NY»2016 Honda Civic|Purchased Dec 2015|Verified
I am very disappointed in the Honda Civic 2016. My previous 2013 Honda Civic was excellent. The dashboard panel was located in a better place than the 2016. I was able to receive text messages. I cannot get text messages in the 2016. (I have the same phone as I did with the 2013) The bluetooth in the 2013 was easier to operate and better. I was able to have a choice of wallpaper in the 2013 but not in this vehicle. Also the passenger seat is very low and there is no availability to boost it up. As a passenger in this car, it feels like I am sitting on a slant. I don't like the location of the truck opening. I would rather have it on the floor instead of on the door. As far as performance and gas mileage, the 2016 is better. However, I wish I still had the 2013!
I am very disappointed in the updated features added to my 2016 Honda Civic. I would never use the brake-hold (waste of a feature). The passenger seat is lower than my previous 2013 Civic. I wish the passenger seat had a "pump up" feature. I don't like the speedometer read out (preferred the 2013 version). I don't like the emergency brake in this car. I prefer the old fashion emergency brake feature. I also feel I should be able to just put air in my tires and not go through a calibration list. I do feel the ride and pick up on the 2016 is much improved.
Updated on Dec 9, 2016
"it is the perfect union of technology and honda knowledge"
Ivan»WA»2016 Honda Civic|Purchased May 2016|Verified
the honda civic has all of the accesories that you would want in car at an affordable price. it is the perfect union of technology and honda knowledge. after driving the civic for 6 months, the only thing that would be nice is a vehicle detector side mirror light. which would tell me if there is a car on my left or right side without turning my head.
tires are fine. its not something i think about. the fabric is what i expected it to be in the car. which is sort of cheap when compared to the rest of the interior technology. i dont feel quite safe in the car only because the car is so low that people have trouble seeing me. also, its engine performance is amazing (its a turbo) but i cant use it to its maximum because its a red car (police) and traffic. also, i dont speed by nature. i have received quite a few comments about and i see more and more of them every week.
i want to point out that people may treat the 2016 civic as just another civic because the model has been around for 10 years.i saw the commercials for the civic first on tv. however, the tv commercials did not show enough of the infotaiment features that i have come to love. also, the commercials should have shown that a civic with higher horsepower is a sign that the civic is not just for 20 year olds. hence, i got an ex-t version to increase the horsepower while maintaining the great gas mileage that i expected from a civic. which should appeal to older buyers.
Updated on Sep 16, 2016
"I don't like not being able to open the back door without first opening the front door 6"
Nancy»WI»2016 Honda Civic|Purchased Jun 2016|Verified
I do not like: 1. the air conditioning system. When it is very hot outside and I use the AC, the back window where the cold air is coming out becomes foggy. 2. touch screen technology takes my eyes off the road more than a button that was on my previous Honda 3. the keyless entry can frequently be a pain! 4. when I put fuel in the tank, I feel I have to support the fuel handle because the heavy weight of the nozzle seems too much for the plastic tank 5. I don't like not being able to open the back door without first opening the front door 6. I still feel the AC system continues to need improvement. I wasn't happy with the 2009 Honda Civic AC and it still is a weak link I.
I am upset about the lack of a CD player in my Civic Touring. I am also very upset that there is no "quick at a glance" folder that I can use to solve a issue with the icons on the new dashboard. I am not sure I like the no cap gas tank. Knobs are much better than touch screen.
Updated on Jan 25, 2017
"Great features, technology"
Richard»IN»2016 Honda Civic|Purchased Aug 2016|Verified
Great vehicle for the money. Seats not the most comfortable seats. Great features, technology. Good cornering while not sacrificing highway ride. Good acceleration while not sacrificing mileage. Needs more comfortable seats and/or lumbar support. Other than that, nice job!
Cons: no lumbar support, headrest is too far forward, I would prefer a little more resistance in the gas and brake pedals. Pros: everything else. I'm amazed that the car: is fuel efficient yet has great acceleration; corners very well yet has a smooth quiet highway ride. As an older driver (61) I'm thankful for the ACC, Lane Keeping assist and emergency automatic braking.
I would have very much liked more lumbar support! My old Prelude had lumbar adjustment and it was great! The Civic EX-T does make my lower back sore if I don't use a lumbar cushion.
Jul 25, 2016
"Parking brakes are convenient, a push of a button"
Otto»CA»2016 Honda Civic|Purchased Apr 2016|Verified
Overall I love the car. Love the performance and fuel efficiency. However navigation is mediocre at best. Takes wrong directions, voice recognition is also very poor. Front bumper cover plastic is parting on both sides, interior fan grill installed crooked can't adjust airflow. Because of that there's is a rattle behind the dashboard. This is my 5th. Honda product and the quality is not what I expected from Honda. Having the Touring model which is the top of the line car I would expect for example a light in the glove compartment, memory seats, etc. Even my old Honda CIVIC has a calendar that is missing in this top of the line product. It's a love and hate relationship. Parking brakes are convenient, a push of a button. However it will only release when it feels like it. Other times it gives me a message to do it manually. Little things like that make the overall experience less than perfect.
Updated on Jan 25, 2017
"* The rear window of the Civic Touring Edition could probably use a rear wiper, as it tends to hold dirt/water (even using RainX"
Charles»NC»2016 Honda Civic|Purchased Aug 2016|Verified
The Civic is a reliable, fun-to-drive vehicle that gets great mileage, is comfortable and ergonomically sensible vehicle with an outstanding sound system. This is a car you won't mind spending an hour or more inside every day during your commute. On long trips, there's plenty of room for the luggage and the seats won't wear you out. Overall, the Civic Touring Edition I purchased is probably the best Honda I have owned -- and that includes seven Acura and Honda vehicles spanning from 1978-2016. This is a great car. Some suggestions: * Improve the remote start feature -- it is impossible to tell if it succeeded or failed from the key FOB. * The ability to have presets for AM/FM stations AND Sirius/XM stations on the same row would be great. * Add wireless Apple CarPlay into the next version of the terrific in-car system. * The rear window of the Civic Touring Edition could probably use a rear wiper, as it tends to hold dirt/water (even using RainX.).
This is a solid car; it is reliable, well-styled and well-appointed for its class.
Updated on Sep 17, 2016
"I decided on the leather trim Civic more for the trim level than the engine"
Bruce»IN»2016 Honda Civic|Purchased Mar 2016|Verified
This car is fun to drive, very responsive, and has well above average performance for cars in its class.The interior finish is also above average, and I have averaged about 34 mpg in mostly city driving. I really enjoy the performance of the 1.5 liter turbo, but was favorably impressed with the 2.0 liter engine in the standard trim Civic. I decided on the leather trim Civic more for the trim level than the engine.
I was impressed with this car the first time I drove it. It has head turning styling, great performance, great handling, topped off with excellent fuel mileage. I love the leather seats, and the newly designed instrumentation. Honda has hit a home run with the new Civic, and I think they are going to sell a ton of them.
Updated on Jan 26, 2017
"But I would (and have) also tell them that for some reason Honda cheaped out on the last releases"
Melissa»FL»2016 Honda Civic|Purchased Aug 2016|Verified
I would tell them that I like Hondas, they seem to be pretty good overall with a good price. But I would (and have) also tell them that for some reason Honda cheaped out on the last releases. The 2013 was a BETTER version than the 2016s.
I LOVED my 2013 Honda Civic and had all the emotional connections a manufacturer would want you to have to their object. The same model 2016 has removed almost all of the thing I loved about the 2013 and in my esteem have gone backward in form, function, progressiveness and edginess. There's so much gone (e.g. the "menu" used to be WAY more informational and more options, such as average fuel and range with current fuel, maintenance info, door setup, all gone now; trip counter is now manual instead of digital; no valet key; cigarette lighter socket is EXTREMELY difficult (behind this huge panel); smaller cup holders; used to read out text messages if phone was connected, to name a few). The 2016 is like three steps backward, instead of any steps forward and I have no connection to this model other than a vehicle to get me from place to place.
I just can't understand why so many great features were removed, unless it was all about making a cheaper vehicle. I'm as DISAPPOINTED with the 2016 as I had been excited about my 2013.
Updated on Oct 21, 2018
"Make a more comfortable back seat for my kids"
David»OH»2018 Honda Civic|Purchased Feb 2018|Verified
no regrets. worth every penny. Most fun I've had driving a car! No video adequately describes the feeling of Type-R mode. 3rd gear in Type-R mode pushes your eyeballs into the back of your skull.
Bluetooth audio when playing a video from my phone has an annoying 1.5 to 2 second audio delay from what is being displayed on my phone. Other cars makers (toyota) with significantly older audio systems 5+ years have NO delay. Make a more comfortable back seat for my kids.. Make safety features available for the TYPE -R, like blind spot monitoring.. auto breaking.. auto dimming mirrors..Sunroof.. heated seats..
Updated on Aug 6, 2016
"I have also found the civic owners forum to be really helpful in understanding he car and finding cool accessories"
Michael»WI»2016 Honda Civic|Purchased Apr 2016|Verified
The technology for safety , sound and connectivity is great but requires serious intention to learn so that it can be used easily and not be a distraction while driving. I sat in my car for several hours and downloaded parts of the online manual and tech schematics to understand the infotainment system. The service problem I had with my car was the complete crash of the infotainment system. It had to be replaced. The other thing I think needs to be emphasized is what type of gas to use in it. I asked my service manager. I have also found the civic owners forum to be really helpful in understanding he car and finding cool accessories.
Audio is too complex for even technical people to learn easily. It needs to be less or organized differently. My audio system had to be replaced the first month. The home screen disappeared.
May 27, 2019
"Since Honda chose to use a Potentiometer Gas Pedal, Honda should have made sure it was COMPLETELY SMOOTH through the ENTIRE ran..."
Jeffrey»WA»2019 Honda Civic|Purchased Mar 2019|Verified
The Potentiometer Gas Pedal is the WORST part of the car. At very light throttle (at all speeds, but especially low, like 10 MPH) it toggles between OFF & ON and causes the car to deaccelerate/accelerate at a steady, very light pedal press. It should have been designed to NEVER go completely OFF when the car is going 1 MPH or faster. It should be COMPLETELY SMOOTH throughout the ENTIRE range (1 MPH to Top-Speed). Honda knows about this issue, but so far, it has refused to fix it. (It is a simple fix.) To the vehicle manufacturer, the Deaccelleration/Accelleration at very light throttle MUST be fixed ASAP. Mechanical throttle is far more SMOOTHER & ADJUSTABLE and should have been used. Since Honda chose to use a Potentiometer Gas Pedal, Honda should have made sure it was COMPLETELY SMOOTH through the ENTIRE range when held at a light throttle press, from 1 MPH to top speed. This lack of refineness, especially in a Honda, and damage to its reputation will prevent me from ever buying another Honda again (unless they fix this on MY CURRENT 2019 Civic Si Coupe ASAP).
Apr 30, 2016
"For city driving, this is a nice feature"
Dennis»MO»2016 Honda Civic|Purchased Apr 2016|Verified
The was purchased by my daughter under my direction. We loved the new turbo. It brought excitement to a great brand. The outside design is what hooked my daughter. She bought the civic because she had owned one before but the engine was a dog (2012-but I didn't care for a college kid). I bought it for low costs, reliability and safety. The most important features to her were the USB ports, sunroof. The features that I liked was the power from turbo but still maintain good gas mileage. Second, I like the new braking features at a stop where you can take foot off. For city driving, this is a nice feature.
Jun 5, 2016
"I had an issue with the feature that allows a double click on the key fob's unlock button to open all the windows and sunroof a..."
Janet»IL»2016 Honda Civic|Purchased Feb 2016|Verified
I had an issue with the feature that allows a double click on the key fob's unlock button to open all the windows and sunroof all the way. I was not explained or shown this feature upon purchase, and it is not described at all in the manual. Needless to say, I accidentally and unknowingly activated this feature one day and came back to my two month old car flooded in a thunderstorm. This feature could be a separate button on the device or able to be deactivated for I do not foresee a need to ever use this feature.
Oct 9, 2016
"The infotainment system hard to program and bluetooth is especially difficult"
Martial»VT»2016 Honda Civic|Purchased Apr 2016|Verified
The rear windows seem to fog up year round. Car drives and feels great. Bluetooth system is difficult and seems to lose phone numbers entered. Gas mileage is pretty much as advertised. The engine power is sufficient. The rear brake light housing is flimsy and stuck to the back window with velcro, not very sturdy. Variable speed wipers would be nice. The infotainment system hard to program and bluetooth is especially difficult.


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Rich Sediments in the Gulf of Khambhat, India
The Gulf of Khambhat (formerly known as the Gulf of Cambay) is an inlet of the Arabian Sea along the west coast of India, in the state of Gujarat.
It is about 80 miles in length, and divides the Kathiawar Peninsula to the west from the eastern part of Gujarat state on the east.
The Narmada and Tapti rivers empty into the Gulf.
The Gulf is shallow and abounds in shoals and sandbanks including the Mal Bank at the river mouths and the Malacca Banks at the gulf's entrance to the Arabian Sea.
The Gulf is known for its extreme tides, which vary greatly in height and run into it with amazing speed. At low tide the bottom is left nearly dry for some distance below the town of Khambhat.
Here, the tide appears to be high, and the waters full of sediments from the two rivers. The reddish-brown color of the sediments reflects the color of the soil in the region.
The salt flats of the Rann of Kutch can be seen on the left, west of the Kathiawar Peninsula. The peninsula shares a similar landscape to that east of the gulf; it is not desertlike as is the land to the northwest.
The outflow of sediments is framed by an algal bloom, as is the gulf below the Rann of Kutch.


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When I was a kid, I used to get so upset about the number of books that I wasn't going to have time to read. I read as much and as fast as I could, and I never reread a book.
25 years later, and I do the same thing. I read all the time, carrying a book with me everywhere and listening to books in the car when I drive. I don't reread books (which is a shame, I know, but there are so many books to get to I just can't bear to go back). I'm making headway . . . okay, I'm not, but I like to pretend I am.
The truth is that I love books the way some people love cars or airplanes or shoes. They are the things that keep me sane, the paths that give me respite, and the ideas that inspire me.
When someone says they don't like to read, my brow furrows involuntarily because, truly, I just don't understand that. What is there not to love?
Years of teaching and talking to people about books has taught me how such a thing happens. It starts in childhood, young childhood, when the child's whole world is her parents. In that home, no one reads. People cook, clean, watch TV, and play board games, but they don't read. Not to themselves, not to each other, and not to the child. By the time the child gets to school, reading seems foreign, something that happens only in the classroom or for homework. It gets tainted by the element of force that is often part of education.
I am so blessed that I grew up in a house where books were (and are) the most precious things. Every room in my childhood home had books in it, even the bathroom. My parents took us to the library, and we spent more money on books than on anything else (especially when the Troll book order forms came to class – that was my favorite day!). By the time I was old enough to read on my own, I was having to be told not to read at the dinner table.
I wouldn't be who I am without books. Books gave me my method for working through ideas and problems – language, and without them, I wouldn't be a writer. In fact, it was reading – more than teachers or worksheets – that taught me how to write.
So here's to my mom and dad, the quintessential readers, who taught my brother and I to treasure a good book more than most anything else in the world, except each other.
What value did books have in your childhood home? What value do they have in your home now?


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Top 5 spring style trends for men
Published 8 April 2015 by Kyri Levendi
To help you update your wardrobe for spring, we've picked 5 of the best men's style trends to share with you.
Now that spring has finally arrived, it's time to look towards the style trends that are going to be dominating this season. For men, there are a couple that are set to make it big, with stripes, double denim and floral prints all being featured on the runways. To help you decide which to embrace, we've put together a list of the top 5 budget-friendly style trends for men:
Double denim
Denim is back with a vengeance this spring, after being tipped as a big style trend for both men and women. For men, the key to wearing it is to double up. Now we know what you're thinking, double-denim can be tricky even at the best of times, but not if you follow the golden rule and vary the shades of denim that you wear!
Take this black pair of jeans from F&F at Tesco, for example, you could match these jeans with a light wash denim jacket like this one from New Look or a denim shirt like this from Matalan.
As long as the denim you wear are different shades, then you're good to go!
Florals in spring are nothing new, but this season the print is finding its way into menswear as well! Floral prints can be as bold or as subtle as you like:
• If you're more of a daring dresser, then this Hawaiian style black shirt from Primark could be right up your street! This shirt would look great paired with skinny jeans and a bomber jacket.
• If you prefer to incorporate this trend a little more subtly into your wardrobe, then you could try this floral tee from F&F at Tesco or this panelled t-shirt from Matalan. Both tops allow you to join in the floral trend, without going overboard!
• Alternatively, why not rock the trend on your feet and wear these navy floral pumps from Primark? At only £8, they are quite the bargain!
Green is one of the colours of the season, and incorporating a colour like this into your wardrobe can really help to refresh your look:
• This light green tee from Primark is amazing value at just £2.50 and would be an ideal item to layer up with.
• A great alternative to chinos are these green skinny jeans from H&M. These will surely help you to stand out from the crowd and won't break the bank either at just £14.99.
• As we are going to see, stripes are a big trend for this season. So why not merge the two trends together with this easy-iron green shirt from H&M? It's is incredibly versatile and can be worn at the weekends or on an evening out.
Stripes are always great for spring and this season is no different. When perusing the striped-designs on the high street, be careful at which ones you go for. Remember vertical stripes will give you the appearance of height, while horizontal stripes will make you look wider!
• This navy and cream t-shirt from Primark would make a great basic to mix and match with. You could pair the tee with a denim shirt or hoodie for a laid back casual feel.
• Similarly, why not try this striped polo shirt for George at Asda? This shirt would look great worn under a chunky jumper and is a bargain at just £8!
• If you're looking for the perfect mix of comfort and style, then this striped hoody from Primark could be the answer to all your prayers!
White trainers
Crisp white trainers are a must-have for this spring, after featuring heavily in runway shows for Louis Vuitton and Alexander McQueen. Think clean, white tennis trainers like these from Adidas, only without the hefty price tag! For a pair that won't send you over budget, why not try these from H&M or this white and grey pair from Primark? Both are great value at under £15!


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Northern Bear: Me and the market are not on the same page
Disclosure: I have an interest in Northern Bear shares
Trading update
Northern Bear released a trading update today. It had three key notices:
- Trading in the year to 31st March has been good - 'at least in line with the prior year'.
- Chirmarn, the group's asbestos removal company, has had another bad year. It is loss making and drawing on group cash. As a consequence, it will be sold for £50k.
- New bank facilities are in place, now for £3.5m, to replace the term loan expiring last week. These have a reduced interest rate (previously LIBOR+325bps) and a £1m overdraft facility. I think the group should be below £2m net debt at year end, so this does give significant flexibility.
The fun thing about investing in a company like Northern Bear is that no-one really knows what the stock will or should do on a results announcement. Trading volumes are incredibly thin. There are no institutions driving liquidity. There are no broker notes to set expectations or guide participants, so there is no uniform consensus of what constitutes a 'surprise'. (more…)


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Five days after a fatal Metro-North Railroad derailment in the Bronx, the Federal Railroad Administration issued an emergency order on Friday requiring the railroad to have two people in place to operate trains at potentially precarious sites.
The directive to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which operates Metro-North, said the personnel requirement would remain until the railroad updated its signal system to better enforce speed limits.
The order calls on Metro-North to provide the railroad administration with a list of main track locations where maximum allowable speeds drop by more than 20 miles per hour. The railroad is to identify "appropriate modifications to its existing automatic train control system or other signal systems to enable adequate advance warning of and adherence to such speed restrictions," the administration said.
"We must do everything we can to learn from this tragic crash and help prevent future derailments," Anthony Foxx, the federal transportation secretary, said in a statement. "While we assist the National Transportation Safety Board in carrying out its investigation, this emergency order will help ensure that other Metro-North trains travel at appropriate, safe speeds."
The authority said that it would comply with the requirements. In a letter to the railroad administration, Thomas F. Prendergast, the authority's chairman, said the agency would continue to seek technological or operational remedies for "the hazards revealed by the Dec. 1 derailment."
Metro-North's existing cab signaling system warns of other trains or of red signals ahead, with a goal of avoiding collisions. The required signal enhancements could not only enforce speed limits on certain sections of track, as a similar system does at several points on the Long Island Rail Road, but also activate the train's brakes if warnings to operators are not heeded.
Adam Lisberg, the authority's chief spokesman, said earlier in the week that the authority was considering enhancing its signal system at up to 30 locations across Metro-North and the Long Island Rail Road.
The crash killed four people and injured more than 70. As the train's operator, William Rockefeller, apparently became dazed at the controls, according to his lawyer and union representatives, the train raced at 82 miles per hour into a curved section with a maximum allowable speed of 30 m.p.h.
The authority must install a more advanced control system to help dictate speeds, known as positive train control, by 2015, according to a federal law. The system's features include a capacity to slow trains around sharp curves, like the one at the crash site, just north of Spuyten Duyvil station. But the authority has called the technology "untested and unproven" for commuter railroads as large and complex as Metro-North and the Long Island Rail Road, suggesting it will not meet the deadline.
Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo also sent a letter on Friday to Mr. Prendergast, whom he appointed to run the state agency earlier this year. He wrote that while installing positive train control would be challenging for the authority, "this solution must be accelerated."
On Tuesday, the railroad administration sent a letter to the authority calling its recent safety record "simply unacceptable."
The railroad administration instructed the authority to adopt a confidential system to report "close call" incidents.
Mr. Prendergast told the railroad administration on Friday that the authority would adopt such a system.


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I cannot properly put into words how exciting it is to actually be able to pen this post. I've wanted to for what feels like a lifetime already. It feels so good to finally be able to say that
I am enlisting in the Marine Corps!
Once the shock value wears off, the most common response I'd gotten when I'd told people (who were a very select few beyond family up until a few weeks ago) is "Why?" If I'm being totally honest, the idea originally spawned as a joke between Tim and I. When our family first moved to California, I would always crack jokes with him about how much better off he'd be if he'd ended up with someone also in the Marine Corps so they could better sympathize and understand this lifestyle that I didn't very well at the time. His counter-argument? "Well, I guess you'll just have to become a female Marine."
Initially, of course, I laughed it off. Haha, okay. Yeah, me? Totally. And that was usually the end of that exchange.
Until one day, I responded to him with an anxious but halfway serious, "Okay, I will."
Now such a serious decision didn't depend solely on a light-hearted exchange between my husband and I. I wanted to make a difference. I wanted to do my part in our world today. Initially as I was exploring the possibility of joining, I was considering between the Navy and the Marine Corps. That is, until I realized the only reason I was entertaining the idea of the Navy was because it seemed "easier", the standards weren't as tough, etc. But then I called myself on my own bullshit and came to terms that if this really was worth doing, it was worth doing in its entirety – not taking the "easy way out". I'd developed a new respect for the Marines as I'd spent so much time around them, the lifestyle, their culture, and simply the air about them. So much about it really did enforce that they were the best of the best. And that's what I wanted in on. As an infant teacher on base, I saw and worked directly with service members of all branches, ranks, jobs, etc. Dual-military couples, single parents, you name it. As a woman who very strongly believes in equality, seeing these women get to be kind, nurturing mothers AND badasses further solidified the seemingly far out thoughts floating around in my head that maybe I could do it after all.
And that, ladies and gentlemen, is how this chapter of my life got its start.
A little over a year ago, I made a very personal commitment and began the journey I needed to undertake in order to make this goal my reality. The first step toward this future I wanted for myself: weight loss. I was well outside the weight standards for just about every branch of the military, so if I really wanted it, I was going to have to put in some serious work just to get the ball rolling.
Having to lose weight isn't fun. Having to be patient with losing a sizable amount of weight when you want it off overnight sucks. Cardio at the time was far from my favorite thing in the world. But as I became closer and closer to where I needed to be, my excitement grew and grew until finally, I met my goal weight, and could check the first box on the list of accomplishments I'd set my sights on.
With the weight now out of the way, I could then start discussing specifics with a recruiter. We talked about my goals and plans and what made the Marine Corps a good fit for me. From there, we set up a date for me to go to our local Military Entrance Processing Station to medically qualify to enlist back in December of 2017. Fortunately for me, this, too, went as I was hoping.
I was quite literally on Cloud 9; my hard work was paying off in all of the best ways. It was actually looking like this was something I could make happen instead of just dreaming it up.
Or so I thought.
Things unfortunately ended up not working out well with the local recruiter. I was devastated; I may not have gotten very far in the enlisting process with them, but I was so passionate about pursuing this that when it fell apart, I was so completely discouraged.
That is until my wonderful husband got me in touch with the recruiters from our local office back home in Kentucky. From the get go, my experience with them was totally different than the previous one in just about every way possible. And thank God for that. They've been genuinely invested in my success and have gone above and beyond to help me get where I need to be all around. I couldn't be more grateful to them for all they've done to assist me.
While it was far from conventional to have to correspond with my recruiter from thousands of miles away, he got it all done for me. I spent the month of June back in Kentucky to once again visit MEPS a couple more times, and from there I was able to swear into the Marine Corps Delayed Entry Program. Ironically enough, I swore in 8 days after Tim swore into the DEP 3 years ago, and 6 days before my 24th birthday. I couldn't have been more over the moon.
And it was only after this point that I felt comfortable sharing my news publicly. I mean, I guess I could've mentioned something sooner. But I haven't even scratched the surface on what's to come in this lifestyle and I've already heard more "Well I almost joined the military, but…" than I can count in this lifetime. I didn't want to be another one of those. I'm not one to announce my moves before they're made. My immediate family members knew what I was doing, as well as my in laws and a few of my closest friends, but beyond that, I kept it well under wraps. And boy, did that about kill me.
I wanted to shout from the rooftops when I lost all the weight.
I wanted to tell every person I knew when I medically qualified to enlist.
I wanted to stop strangers on the street to share my elation when I made the decision to pursue this all in the first place.
But I didn't. And it took everything in me not to.
Life happens sometimes. Maybe I'm superstitious, but I wasn't going to let anything mess this up for me or jinx it.
So now that it's much more official, I can't seem to shut up about it. I just can't describe the truly incredible feeling of working yourself so hard and it all paying off as you'd busted your ass for for so long. And honestly, the shock value when announcing it to everyone else was pretty worth keeping the secret that whole time, too. Throughout this entire process, while I've put in the necessary effort, I'd be lying if I said having an incredible home team didn't play a crucial role, too. Between my husband, family, sisters, friends who are now also family, and recruiters, I have more support than I ever could've dreamed of. They've believed in me when I didn't. They've reminded me of how far I've come on the days I struggled to remember. Having that in my back corner made me feel pretty invincible on the days life threatened to kill the dream.
I've been fortunate to have been met with overwhelming support in my decision to enlist. Not everyone is going to agree with me and what I'm doing, of course, and that's more than justified. However, nothing and no one out there is going to make me second guess or feel bad about what I've jumped through a fair amount of hurdles already (and will undoubtedly face infinite more) to get to.
I'm not sure it's obvious by now how ridiculously and borderline embarrassingly excited I am about this next venture in my life, but I'll be sharing as much of these chronicles as possible here with y'all. Thank you so much for everyone's support and kind words, it means everything to me. Let's get it.🤘🏻


text: MSSI fully supports the EI industry innovation voucher initiative, which builds links between Ireland's universities and small businesses. Innovation vouchers worth €5,000 are available to individual small and medium businesses or groups of businesses. Closing dates for submission of these standard and pooled applications fall in April and October. Fast-track co-funded applications can be submitted any time. Full details on the Innovation Voucher scheme are available at www.innovationvouchers.ie. University of Limerick is a registered knowledge provider in the "South and East" region of Ireland.


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- Use Equal Exchange French roast coffee in a French press to make approximately 1/2 cup too much exquisitely strong coffee in the early morning.
- Don't drink all of it.
- Sometime in the afternoon, poor remainder over ice.
- Enjoy!
Category Archives: Wisdom
Coal company asks court to strike protest song lyrics from activists' lawsuit
Coal company asks court to strike protest song lyrics from activists' lawsuit.
There is just so much to love about this. That the plaintiffs' lawyer — our friend Darold Killmer — included John Prine's beautiful lyrics in his complaint.
Then the coal company came with the world's largest shovel
And they tortured the timber and stripped all the land
Well, they dug for their coal till the land was forsaken
Then they wrote it all down as the progress of man …
And daddy won't you take me back to Muhlenberg County
Down by the Green River where Paradise lay?
Well, I'm sorry my son, but you're too late in asking
Mister Peabody's coal train has hauled it away.
That this annoyed Peabody Energy, the defendant. That they were so annoyed and clueless that they moved to strike the lyrics as "irrelevant, immaterial, impertinent and/or inflammatory." (I love "impertinent" with its overtones of the Dowager Countess of Downton Abbey.) That this motion gave Darold the opportunity to write things like this:
Defendant Peabody Energy Corp. has paid its lawyers thousands of dollars to submit a 17 page brief in support of its four page Motion to Strike song lyrics from the Complaint because . . . it wants "to avoid the expenditure of time and money that must arise from litigating spurious issues . . ."
A song can't hurt Peabody, and recitation of a portion of the song will not cause Peabody undue difficulty or expense, except that which is self-inflicted.
Undersigned counsel is happy to report that the frequency of references to Bruce Springsteen's lyrics in all types of legal writing is rising.
In fact, there is an entire section of the brief entitled "Non-Traditional Legal Writing is Good," and I commend that to my vast audience of word nerds (hi, Mom!).
Obviously, the most delicious thing of all is that if Peabody had just put on its big-kid undies, ignored the lyrics, and moved on, no one would know. Well, all of us with the privilege of hearing Darold recite his legal exploits would know, but it might not have surfaced outside the bar/bars of Denver.
Now, however, it's in the ABA Journal. And U.S. News & World Report. And the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. And Wyoming Public Radio.
Self-inflicted, indeed!
Love wins.
No union is more profound than marriage, for it embodies the highest ideals of love, fidelity, devotion, sacrifice, and family. In forming a marital union, two people become something greater than once they were. As some of the petitioners in these cases demonstrate, marriage embodies a love that may endure even past death. It would misunderstand these men and women to say they disrespect the idea of marriage. Their plea is that they do respect it, respect it so deeply that they seek to find its fulfillment for themselves. Their hope is not to be condemned to live in loneliness, excluded from one of civilization's oldest institutions. They ask for equal dignity in the eyes of the law. The Constitution grants them that right.
The judgment of the Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit is reversed.
It is so ordered.
Obergefell v. Hodges, No. 14-556, 2015 WL 2473451, at *23 (U.S. June 26, 2015).
Far more Americans are killed each year by the shooters in our midst like Craig Stephen Hicks than have ever been killed by all the jihadist terrorist outfits that have ever stalked this earth. That's the price, or so the rhetoric goes, of our wild freedom. But maybe to understand the Chapel Hill murders better we need to imagine how it would be playing out if it were the other way around—if some gun-toting Muslim, with a habit of posting hate messages about secular humanists, took it upon himself to execute a defenseless family of them in their home.
When Florida Police Used Mug Shots of Black Men as Target Practice, Clergy Responded with #UseMeInstead – QR Blog Editor | God's Politics Blog | Sojourners.
The effort was "motivated by our service to Christ and his call to love our neighbors," Gonnerman told The Post.
"We initially started thinking if a whole lot of us, in our clergy collar and worship attire, sent our photos to them, it would make a really powerful statement," Rev. Kris Totzke, a pastor in Texas, told The Post. "Then, it really snowballed, and we got people all over the country and of all different faiths."
An inspiring evening with the ACLU of Colorado
We went to the ACLU of Colorado's annual dinner on Friday. This is always a very energizing experience — to be surrounded by friends and allies who are working hard (and/or donating boatloads of money) to protect civil rights and civil liberties. It was especially inspiring this year for a number of reasons. Our friend Laura Rovner was honored with an award for her amazing work on behalf of inmates in solitary confinement and other extreme conditions. We all cheered our behinds off for a trio of recent court victories in police abuse cases. And I enjoyed hanging with the next generation of civil rights advocates.
Laura's friend and colleague Jeanne Theoharis introduced her, and spoke about the long struggle for civil rights and civil liberties. Laura "walks in the shoes of Rosa Parks," not because she is herself a Black woman standing up (sitting down) to racism, but because Rosa Parks was more than just a single moment in 1955. She was an experienced civil rights worker, who had been advocating throughout the 1930s and 1940s as well, laboring for decades without much success. Jeanne made me imagine a far more just future, in which Laura's work will be remembered for the ground-breaking qualities it truly has.
As an aside, I got into an interesting discussion after about the pros and cons of comparing a white lawyer to an African-American activist. My thoughts, which probably need their own post at some point, are summed up much more eloquently by this graphic by Dan Wilkins:
As the graphic says at the bottom, "There is power in knowing my struggle is your struggle and yours mine." If we are too quick to cordon off one set of struggles as the unique property of their protagonists, we miss the opportunity to perceive and fight the common enemies of fear, ignorance, and hatred of the unknown.
OK, where was I? Oh right – the trio of amazing police abuse cases. Our friends at Rathod Mohamedbhai achieved a $3.25 million settlement on behalf of Jamal Hunter against the Denver Sheriff Department, and our friends at Killmer, Lane & Newman, won back to back verdicts, first (with co-counsel Kate Stimson) $1.8 million against the Denver Police for a warrantless raid on the wrong house, resulting in wrongful prosecution, then $4.65 million against the Sheriff Department for the jail abuse death of homeless pastor Marvin Booker. The first article stated that Denver had paid $16.7 million in damages since 2004 before these three cases; if my math is correct, the total now stands at $26.4. And that's just in damages — it doesn't count the vast City resources (my tax dollars!) that go toward defending the indefensible. It's frustrating, after all those years and dollars, that the Denver Department of Safety can't prevent these abuses. It was satisfying to be able to congratulate breaking-news civil rights heroes Rathod Mohamedbhai and Killmer, Lane & Newman on Friday.
Now for the fun part (with apologies for incompetent phone photography). I was so glad Laura brought her amazing daughter Claire
and that we got to sit with Brittany Glidden and The Littlest Civil Rights Advocate, Ellie:
And after the main event, dancing happened:
Arrested in Ferguson in an Act of Repentance | Jim Wallis
Arrested in Ferguson in an Act of Repentance | Jim Wallis.
Repentance is a powerful theme throughout the Bible. But its meaning is often not well understood. Repentance is not about being sorry or just feeling guilty. It is about turning in a new direction. The biblical word for repentance in the original Greek is metanoia, which means you are going in the wrong direction, and it's time to turn right around.
Jim Wallis never fails to make me think. It's easy to express regret; much harder to change direction.