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Dr. Miguel A. Cardona was sworn in as the 12th U.S. Secretary of Education on March 2, 2021.
Secretary Cardona is one of three children, whose grandparents moved from Puerto Rico in the 1960s for better opportunities in the mainland United States. That experience, and his bicultural upbringing, have helped shape Secretary Cardona's passion to serve all students and improve their opportunities for success. Secretary Cardona's focus throughout his career on raising the bar for equity and excellence in education for all learners guides his leadership of the U.S. Department of Education in service of the nation's 65 million students, ranging from prekindergarten to adult learners, and their families.
Over the last two years, Secretary Cardona led the nation's efforts to safely and successfully reopen schools for in-person learning, going from only 46 percent of school buildings open when President Biden took office to nearly 100 percent open just nine months later, while distributing historic federal education funding for P-12 schools and colleges; working to increase higher education access, affordability, and student success; and leading unprecedented federal efforts to transform the country's student loan system.
Across all these areas, Secretary Cardona has highlighted the urgency of seizing this moment through intentional collaboration—particularly working in partnership with parents, families, students, and educators—and the opportunity we have, as a nation, not only to recover from the pandemic, but to reimagine a higher-performing and more equitable education system that works better for all.
In the year ahead, the Department will be focused on achieving academic excellence and accelerating learning for all students; delivering a comprehensive and rigorous education for every student; eliminating the educator shortage for every school; investing in every student's mental health and well-being; providing every student with a pathway to multilingualism; and ensuring every student has pathways to college and a career.
Secretary Cardona previously served as the commissioner of education in Connecticut, a position he held after being appointed by Governor Ned Lamont in August 2019. In this role, Secretary Cardona faced the unprecedented challenge of responding to the Covid-19 pandemic and led safe school reopening efforts in the state. The state was the first in the nation to provide equitable access to learning devices amid the pandemic, being one of the first in the country to safely reopen. Recognizing the increased importance of providing resources for the social-emotional health of students and staff, the state also collaborated with the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence and other public-private partnerships to provide free social and emotional learning courses for students.
Secretary Cardona's approach to leadership in Connecticut focused on partnerships: within his Education Department, between state agencies, and with local boards, educator unions, school administrator associations, child advocates, and most importantly, students and families. He attributes his success in Connecticut, in part, to those strong partnerships.
Secretary Cardona has two decades of experience as a public-school educator from Meriden, Connecticut, the same school system he attended as a child. He began his career as an elementary school teacher and went on to serve as an elementary school principal, leading a school that included outstanding programming for 3- to 5-year-old students with developmental delays, students with autism and other sensory needs, and students enrolled in the district's bilingual education program. Following that role, Secretary Cardona led performance and evaluation efforts for the Meriden Public Schools and became assistant superintendent for teaching and learning. Secretary Cardona is the recipient of the 2012 National Distinguished Principal Award for the State of Connecticut and the Outstanding Administrator Award from the University of Connecticut's Neag School of Education.
Secretary Cardona earned a bachelor's degree from Central Connecticut State University, a master's degree, two additional advanced leadership certifications, and a doctoral degree from the University of Connecticut. His greatest source of pride is his family. Secretary Cardona and his beautiful wife Marissa, an educator herself, are the proud parents of two children.


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U.S. calls on Russians not to fear for their savings
due to coming "pink dollar"
MOSCOW. Jan 4 (Interfax) - U.S. Ambassador to Russia Alexander Vershbow has assured Russians who prefer to keep their savings in U.S. dollars that their savings will not be affected by the introduction of so-called pink dollars.
"Whenever new notes are introduced, including the recently modified $20 bill and $50 bill, there's been a long transition period in which the old notes are still accepted. So I don't think anyone should worry about being stuck with worthless paper," Vershbow said in an interview with Interfax.
The U.S. Federal Reserve System has recently announced that modified pink dollar bills will be issued this year.
The ambassador did not say when pink dollars will appear in Russia.
"As an American who has just passed his 50th birthday it's going to be very traumatic to have anything other than green dollars in my own wallet, so I can understand how Russians are curious about this, given how many dollars are in circulation in Russia," Vershbow said.
"The purpose of these changes is to fight the increasingly clever counterfeiters, who around the world are able to produce very convincing replicas of our currency, including some very skillful Russians, as well as skillful Americans," Vershbow said.
Vershbow has characterized Russia as "a serious location for counterfeiting."
"It's a reflection of the advances in technology for laser- printing and other techniques that all of our central banks face an increasingly big challenge to stay one step ahead of the criminals," Vershbow said.

subset: commoncrawl


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Little Owls
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Carlton & Faceby
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Wraparound Care
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At our Schools, We are KIND:
- Kind and accepting
- Independent learners
- Never giving up
- Determined to be our personal best
- Kind and accepting
- Independent learners
- Never giving up
- Determined to be our personal best
Children are at the heart of what we do. Our committed and inspirational staff go the extra mile to ensure that our children thrive in a happy, safe and supportive environment. This enables them to become confident, independent learners, well-equipped to continue their learning journey when they leave us. We want our children to deepen their thinking and be continuously challenged.
If you would like to find out more about our wonderful federation, please get in touch and arrange a visit. I'd be delighted to share our fantastic schools with you.
Mr. Matthew Scott
Executive Headteacher
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Our Christian Vision
Our federation is a nurturing, inclusive family that welcomes those of all faiths, or those with none. As Church of England Schools, we explicitly teach Christian Values and our vision underpins all that we do.
Our Vision and Values
At Carlton & Faceby and Bilsdale Schools we are KIND:
Kind and accepting
Independent learners
Never giving up
Determined to be our personal best
Under God's guidance, we teach children the importance of kindness towards others, tolerance and mutual respect. This empowers children to have the courage to achieve their personal best.
Psalm 145:17
'The Lord is righteous in all his ways and kind in all his works'
Luke 2:40
'And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom…'
We uphold these values through our golden rules:
- Be ready
- Be respectful
- Be safe
- Be ready
- Be respectful
- Be safe


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How to Combat Bad Breath This Summer
Summer is a season of vibrant activities, outdoor adventures, and social gatherings with friends and family. However, rising temperatures and increased physical activity can also bring along an unwanted companion: bad breath.
Nothing dampens your summer spirit quite like being self-conscious about your breath! Let's dive into the common causes of bad breath during the summer and how to prevent it.
What Causes Bad Breath in the Summer?
Bad breath, medically known as halitosis, is caused by odor-producing bacteria present in the mouth and food particles on the tongue.
There are many factors that can cause bad breath, including poor oral hygiene, oral health issues, smoking, and an underlying medical condition, but the summer season also brings about a couple of factors that can contribute to bad breath.
Dry Mouth
As the temperatures rise, our bodies need more fluids, and insufficient fluid intake can result in a dry mouth.
Dry mouth occurs when the salivary glands are unable to produce enough saliva to keep the mouth moist and clean.
Saliva plays a vital role in removing food particles and neutralizing oral bacteria, and a lack of it can pave the way for bad breath.
Increased Consumption of Certain Foods and Beverages
Summertime comes with delicious foods and refreshing drinks. This means barbecues, grilled burgers, fresh fruits, alcohol, and other food items or beverages to help you cool down.
But did you know that certain foods and beverages can trigger bad breath?
Garlic, onions, spicy foods, alcohol, and sugary beverages or sweets are common culprits that can stay in your bloodstream for up to 72 hours after consumption and could cause unpleasant breath.
Read also: What Really Causes Bad Breath?
7 Tips to Combat Bad Breath in the Summer
Now that we understand the causes, it's time to take action and maintain fresh breath throughout the summer months!
Stay Hydrated
Hydration is key to combating bad breath in the summer. Drinking plenty of water throughout the day can keep your mouth moist and promote saliva production.
Aim for at least eight glasses of water daily, and carry a water bottle with you to stay hydrated on the go.
Choose Breath-Friendly Foods and Beverages
Opt for foods and beverages that freshen your breath, such as crisp fruits and vegetables like apples, lemons, celery, and carrots.
Try to limit the consumption of foods that could potentially cause bad breath, like onion, garlic, alcohol, and sweets.
Maintain a Consistent Oral Hygiene Routine
In the hustle and bustle of summer activities, don't compromise on your oral hygiene routine.
Brush your teeth at least twice a day using fluoride toothpaste, focusing on all tooth surfaces and your tongue.
Don't forget to floss daily to remove plaque and food particles from between your teeth, and brush or scrape your tongue with a toothbrush or a tongue scraper to remove odor-causing bacteria as well.
Use Mouthwash
Mouthwash serves as a valuable weapon in the battle against bad breath. Choose an alcohol-free mouthwash that contains antibacterial ingredients to kill odor-causing bacteria.
Chew Sugar-Free Gum
Keep some sugar-free gum handy. Chewing gum stimulates saliva production, which helps wash away bacteria and freshen your breath temporarily.
Visit Your Local Dentist for Regular Check-ups and Cleanings
Regular dental check-ups and cleanings are essential to prevent bad breath. Professional cleanings remove stubborn plaque and tartar buildup that can contribute to bad breath.
Your local dentist can also identify and address any underlying dental and health issues that may be causing persistent bad breath.
Avoid Tobacco and Limit Alcohol
Tobacco products and excessive alcohol consumption not only harm your overall health but also contribute to bad breath.
Avoiding the use of tobacco and limiting alcohol intake can significantly improve your breath and your overall health and well-being.
With these tips at your disposal, you can confidently keep your breath fresh all summer long. Taking these small preventive measures will ensure that you're always speaking confidently and never turning away due to bad breath.
And if you're looking for a trusted dentist in Lafayette, LA, Maestri Family Dental is ready to offer the best services to help you smile confidently! Contact us today to learn more about our dental services or to book an appointment.


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Nama Bar Novel By Dr Sayed Saeed Naqvi
Nama Bar is Urdu pdf Novel Book By Dr Sayed Saeed Naqvi in Urdu Language. You Can Download Urdu Pdf Books,English Pdf Books & Lots of More Pdf Books From This Site on your PC/Mobile Device to read or Can read it online,This File can be download from the link below.This file is pdf format supported & can also be read only from the same Download link. All Books files on … Read more


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OTT Roll reserve
This product is currently sold out.
- FUNCTIONAL TOILET PAPER HOLDER: Sturdy over the tank toilet tissue holder holds up to 2 rolls of toilet paper at a time.
- Slides easily onto the tank of your toilet.
- Perfect for your master bathroom, kid's bathroom, and guest bathroom
- Great for apartments, rentals, or dorms for clean and easy storage
- Chrome
- Dimensions(LxWxH): 11.2" x 5.5" x 2.1"


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Wonder Girl 2022 Annual #1 (One Shot) A Joelle Jones GGA (08/30/2022) Dc
Wonder Girl 2022 Annual #1 (One Shot) A Joelle Jones GGA (08/30/2022) Dc
StockID: 46657 SKU: 0622DC081
Art by Adriana Melo- Sweeney Boo- Jill Thompson and Emi Lenox After an unforgettable first visit to Themyscira (see Trial of the Amazons)- Yara Flor has been crowned Wonder Girl and her Esquecida tribe accepted into the Amazon sisterhood…so what now? The jungles of Brazil beckon our heroes home- just in time for some new adventures! You won't want to miss this oversize issue packed with never-before-seen stories about the mysterious new tribe and their most famous member!
This is a PRESALE. Release date stated in title. Books will ship after release date. Release dates subject to change without notice. We do not guarantee release dates set by publishers.
This listing uses stock images images may not have final trade dress. Final art may vary and will have trade dress (logos). Virgin covers will be explicitly stated in the title. If the title does not state that the cover is virgin it will have logos/trade dress. Industry standard is to provide retailers with images prior to release these images usually do not contain logos but logos will be on the actual product when it is released.
Books will be in Near Mint (NM) 9.4 or better condition.
Any CGC offerings will ship in approximately 60 - 90 days after the release date. Signed special or limited edition items usually have later release dates than the initial release. Title may state the release date of the unsigned/non limited item.
No returns or refunds on presale items.
Shipping Policy
Shipping Policy
Refunds Policy
Refunds Policy
If you have a problem with your item that is damaged or missing please email us. We can offer a refund or exchange if we have stock. Refunds will be issued within 5 business days back to the account you paid with Paypal, Credit Cards, Bank Account etc. Refunds cannot be sent to alternate accounts.
We do not accept returns for any of the following:
No cancellations, returns or refunds on PRESALE items. Any items sold BEFORE the release dates are considered PRESALE. We will not refund ratios (IE 1:10, 1:15, 1:20, 1:25, 1:50, 1:100, 1:200, 1:500 or any other type of ratio) for any reason. We will not refund any other PRESALE books. We place orders based on your orders. If you are ordering presale books we are paying for your books months in advance to secure copies specifically for you and we cannot return them for a refund. If you are ordering signed books, CGC/CBCS graded items that are preorder, please do allow plenty of time for delivery.
No Cancellations or refunds if you select our combined shipping option and do not qualify for a free shipment. Please review our SHIPPING POLICY for more details. Minimum purchase for free shipping is $100. Combined shipping orders must total over $100 to qualify for a free shipment. If your order is less than $100 you will be billed for our flat rate shipping - $6.99.
No cancellations on in stock books. Any in stock books that cannot be shipped immediately due to them being in orders with PRESALE items will not be refunded. In stock books with no PRESALE items in the order will ship ASAP when the order is ready to fill.
No refunds or returns on accurately described items. Books without a stated grade will be offered as NM 9.4 or better with no guarantee of 9.8s. We use industry standards to grade including Overstreet, CGC and CBCS standards. Not familiar with grading check out the following references:
Overstreet Comic Grading Standards
We will not accept returns or exchanges any book with out a stated grade where they would be NM 9.4 or better books. We cannot promise 9.8s on every book, that's not realistic. Printing is imperfect and does not allow for every book to be 9.8.
Please note that the following defects may be allowed in NM 9.4 as long as there is not an accumulation of defects.
bindery defects like minor to moderate corner tears, white along the edge of the spine, covers that are offset from the pages (common on cardstock covers) - bindery defects may not affect the grade much if at all
printing defects like a slight color rubs on the back covers, small wrinkles in the paper that were present on the paper rolls prior to the books being printed, paper that is "wavy" from the printing process
2 - 3 small color breaking spine dings or minor non color breaking spine dings


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Are You a Carer? Let Us Know!
Do you look after a family member or a friend in an unpaid capacity, who, due to illness, disability, a mental health problem, or addiction, cannot cope without your support?
At Strathclyde, we understand how difficult it can be to balance studying with caring responsibilities, and are dedicated to identifying and supporting student carers and to helping you succeed. We can offer you a range of support, even before you submit an application to us - just let us know that you are a Carer! If you are thinking of applying to study with us, we can offer the following services:
- Specific guidance on which subjects you'll need to study before applying to the University
- An offer based on minimum entry requirements, if applicable (please ensure your caring role is highlighted in your UCAS personal statement or teacher's reference, or by emailing email@example.com). Carer verification accepted include: an NHS carers card; a letter from a carers centre; a confirmation letter from a GP, medical professional or teacher; or evidence of being in receipt of carers allowance.
- Individual, personalised tours of our campus
- Priority places on summer programmes, such as our Accelerate courses
- Advice on financial support, including help with filling out funding applications
- A single point of contact for you to approach with any questions or worries you might have before and during your studies
- A range of student support services throughout your studies
Please see our Student Carers Policy which highlights our commitment to supporting student carers and provides information on the support the University can offer to students with caring responsibilities. For current students, please also see our link to MyPlace for more information and resources for student carers.
You may find some of the services below useful:
Which? Elderly Care is a source of free and independent information and advice on care choices for older people across the UK.
Carers Trust Scotland is the largest provider of comprehensive carers support services in Scotland. Please also see Carers Space which provides advice for adult carers.
TIDE provide support to carers of people with dementia in Scotland.
Are you a current student?
We are currently looking to identify students with caring responsibilities, with a view to establishing their support needs. Please get in touch to arrange an appointment to discuss your requirements, and also to hear about the student support services we offer at the University.
Get in touch with our dedicated adviser for Student Carers, Louise Martin, for more information, or to arrange to pop in for a chat.
E-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com
Looking for careers and employability support? NEW Careers module for student carers!
At the University, we understand that student carers often struggle to find employment that fits around their caring duties, and suffer from a lack of time to attend careers events to gain essential employment skills and engage with prospective employers. In order to address this challenge, the Careers Service teamed up with the Widening Access team in 2020 to employ 2 student carers to adapt an already existing careers and employability module to be student-carer friendly. The module focuses on career and employability learning and will provide student carers with an understanding of career choice, career development, graduate recruitment processes and the labour market, whilst encouraging student carers to consider how their caring role can contribute to employability skills. The module is non credit-bearing and does not have any assessments. Students can work through the module in their own time, with no deadline for completion. To register for the module, please click here.
We were delighted to be awarded the 'Going Higher for Student Carers: Recognition Award' by the Carers Trust in 2018, for our work and commitment to supporting student carers!


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Debris Found in Search Area for El Faro, Ship and 33 Crew Still Missing
The United States Coast Guard said on Sunday that various objects have been located in the vicinity of the El Faro cargo ship's last known position 35 nautical miles northeast of Crooked Islands, Bahamas.
"Life jackets, life rings, containers and an oil sheen were located by Coast Guard aircrews within a 225 square nautical mile search area. That debris has not been confirmed to be from the El Faro at this time," the Coast Guard said.
The El Faro, a 735-foot ro-ro cargo ship owned by TOTE Maritime, carrying 33 crew members onboard was en route to San Juan, Puerto Rico, from Jacksonville, Florida when it went missing.
At approximately 7:30 a.m. Thursday, watchstanders at the Coast Guard Atlantic Area command center in Portsmouth, Virginia, received an Inmarsat satellite notification stating the El Faro was beset by Hurricane Joaquin, had lost propulsion and had a 15-degree list. The crew reported the ship had previously taken on water, but that all flooding had been contained.
The crew consists of 28 U.S. citizens and five Polish nationals.
" As of 720am EST on Thursday October 1, TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico lost all communication with the El Faro. The US Coast Guard was immediately notified and since then we have been unable to reestablish communication. There are a number of possible reasons for the loss of communications among them the increasing severity of Hurricane Joaquin.
TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico's primary concern is for the safety and well-being of the 33 individuals on board. We are working to ensure clear and frequent communications with their families and loved ones as we learn more.
We have reached out to the families of those impacted and have established open lines of communication to provide them with timely updates," Tim Nolan, President of TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico said in a statement.
The Coast Guard said that the search and rescue crews continue searching in the Caribbean Sea for the El Faro cargo ship Sunday, covering a total search area of more than 70,000 square nautical miles.
The search includes participation of the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Navy and has seen the deployment of two HC-130 Hercules airplanes and an MH-60 Jayhawk from Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater, Florida along with two Coast Guard cutters, Northland and Resolute, which stayed on scene and searched through the night.


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Lighting the Lamp with Rick Ackerman
After a thrilling shootout victory over the archrival Blackhawks, the St. Louis Blues entertain the Anaheim Ducks tonight, the last home game before the Blues jet off on a lengthy five game road trip that takes them to Dallas, western Canada and finally the Pacific coast. The Note returns home two weeks from tonight to host the Vancouver Canucks and then immediately travels to the nation's capitol for a contest the next night with the NHL's best team. Whew! Thankfully, four of those seven games are against teams that are not going to qualify for the playoffs.
The game against Chicago was not without some anguish. After an extremely dubious charging major (and game misconduct, rescinded yesterday by the NHL) against rambunctious Ryan Reaves (even the obviously pro-Hawks NBC announcers and commentators agreed it was a terrible call, especially when the replay showed Reaves actually glided into the shoulder on shoulder check to Christian Ehrhoff), the Blackhawks took the lead on the ensuing five-minute power play and held on to it despite the efforts of the hard-charging Blues, who out shot Chicago 15-7 in the second period. Given power play opportunities in the third period, St. Louis cashed in (the Blues are now ranked 4th in the league on the power play) on tallies by David Backes and Troy Brouwer.
However, the Note could not hold the lead and Chicago tied it up with 77 seconds left in regulation, continuing to show the Blues' lack of a killer instinct and inability to put games away. Thanks to the stellar play of Jake Allen, who made 33 saves in regulation (including a spectacular paddle-save on Patrick Kane in the last minute of the first period) and six in bonus time, St. Louis was able to win the shootout on Kevin Shattenkirk's top shelf blast past Corey Crawford.
And just when you think that NHL officiating cannot get any worse, it does.
Once again the inconsistent officiating by referees Dan O'Halloran (a 20 year patriarch) and Wes McCauley (a nine year veteran) befuddled the capacity crowd of 19, 756, at least to disgruntled Blues' fans, who once again had the opportunity to shout, "Ref, you suck" several times during the match. The referees gave Reaves a major and game misconduct, yet failed to give Hawks' defenseman Brent ("Wakey-Wakey") Seabrook even a minor for face-planting Jori Lehtera into the boards; they called Paul Stastny for slashing and breaking Dale Weise's stick during the first period, yet failed to make a similar call when Lehtera's stick was broken by a slash off a face-off in the third period.
I can pretty much understand why the Hawk's high-stick that clipped Scottie Upshall in the last minute of e game was not called, yet I have absolutely no clue why Chicago's Andrew Ladd was not called for running into Jake Allen at full speed during overtime. Is there a league directive that the Blackhawks are exempt from goaltender interference during overtime or something? The Blues were assessed penalties for incidental contact with opposing goaltenders in several games this month, yet this obvious foul was completely ignored. Perhaps the officials felt disallowing the subsequent "goal" was punishment enough for Chicago, or something like that, eh?
Is there a solution to this absolute mess concerning NHL officiating?
Since the addition of a second referee for the 2000-01 season did not significantly improve the quality of officiating, why not take one off the ice and make him a "video referee?" One less body on the ice could only help, right? The two linesmen could assist the lone on-ice ref by relating what they saw concerning penalties while the off-ice ref could use current modern technology to make sure the right call is always made. There are already somewhat lengthy delays with the officials meeting to discuss events (and confer with the War Room in Toronto) and with the coach's challenge that was implemented last June for the current 2015-16 season. Nor would it be difficult to create space for this off-ice official in the area between the penalty boxes, either, complete with a video monitor equipped with instant replay and a direct line to Toronto. It makes sense to take advantage of modern technology and improve the one major area with which the NHL has the single biggest problem. There is no reason this system or something like it could not be implemented over the summer for the upcoming NHL Centennial and Blues' 50th Anniversary season of 2016-17.
With the announcement that the 2017 Winter Classic between the Blues and Blackhawks will be held at Busch Stadium on January 2, the scramble for tickets will commence sometime this summer. Will Blues' season ticket holders get priority, or will Cardinals' patrons get first shot? Is it possible that up to 50,000 or more tickets will even be available? And how much will an average ducat for this gala event cost? Will the Blues sport a retro Winter Classic jersey (with NHL 100th anniversary patch and Blues 50th anniversary patch) and how many sets will be worn and later auctioned off at exorbitant prices? Will Bob Plager be able to lace up the skates one more time and join Terry Yake other former Blues for an alumni game? Obviously, there are many, many questions to be answered and it will be most interesting to see how Blues' management (in coordination with the Cardinals) handles this upcoming major event.
Good luck to everyone involved or anyone who wants tickets!


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54.22 Questioner: Would a negatively oriented entity do anything like this? Could you give me an example?
Ra: I am Ra. A negatively oriented individual mind/body/spirit complex will ordinarily program for wealth, ease of existence, and the utmost opportunity for power. Thus many negative entities burst with the physical complex distortion you call health.
However, a negatively oriented entity may choose a painful condition in order to improve the distortion toward the so-called negative emotive mentations* such as anger, hatred, and frustration. Such an entity may use an entire incarnative experience honing a blunt edge of hatred or anger so that it may polarize more towards the negative or separated pole.
10.14 Questioner: For general development [of the] reader of this book, could you state some of the practices or exercises to perform to produce an acceleration toward the Law of One?
Ra: I am Ra.
Exercise One. This is the most nearly centered and usable within your illusion complex. The moment contains love. That is the lesson/goal of this illusion or density. The exercise is to consciously seek that love in awareness and understanding distortions. The first attempt is the cornerstone. Upon this choosing rests the remainder of the life-experience of an entity. The second seeking of love within the moment begins the addition. The third seeking powers the second, the fourth powering or doubling the third. As with the previous type of empowerment, there will be some loss of power due to flaws within the seeking in the distortion of insincerity. However, the conscious statement of self to self of the desire to seek love is so central an act of will that, as before, the loss of power due to this friction is inconsequential.
Exercise Two. The universe is one being. When a mind/body/spirit complex views another mind/body/spirit complex, see the Creator. This is an helpful exercise.
Exercise Three. Gaze within a mirror. See the Creator.
Exercise Four. Gaze at the creation which lies about the mind/body/spirit complex of each entity. See the Creator.
The foundation or prerequisite of these exercises is a predilection towards what may be called meditation, contemplation, or prayer. With this attitude, these exercises can be processed. Without it, the data will not sink down into the roots of the tree of mind, thus enabling and ennobling the body and touching the spirit.
15.14 Questioner: Yesterday you stated "the harvest is now. There is not at this time any reason to include efforts upon these distortions toward longevity, but rather to encourage distortions towards the heart of self. For this which resides clearly in the violet-ray energy field will determine the harvest of each mind/body/spirit complex." Could you tell us how to seek or the best way to seek the heart of self?
Ra: I am Ra. We have given you this information in several wordings. However, we can only say the material for your understanding is the self: the mind/body/spirit complex. You have been given information upon healing, as you call this distortion. This information may be seen in a more general context as ways to understand the self. The understanding, experiencing, accepting, and merging of self with self and with other-self, and finally with the Creator, is the path to the heart of self. In each infinitesimal part of your self resides the One in all of Its power. Therefore, we can only encourage these lines of contemplation, always stating the prerequisite of meditation, contemplation, or prayer as a means of subjectively/objectively using or combining various understandings to enhance the seeking process. Without such a method of reversing the analytical process, one could not integrate into unity the many understandings gained in such seeking.
23.12 Questioner: I had assumed before I asked the question that that would be the answer. I only asked it for his benefit because he would have wished for me to.
Can you tell me what happened to Akhenaten after his physical death?
Ra: I am Ra. This entity was then put through the series of healing and review of incarnational experience which is appropriate for third-density experience. This entity had been somewhat in the distortions of power ameliorated by the great devotion to the Law of One. This entity thus resolved to enter a series of incarnations in which it had no distortions towards power.
17.17 Questioner: Can you tell me what the Orion group did in order to try to cause his downfall?
Ra: I am Ra. We may describe in general what occurred. The technique was that of building upon other negatively oriented information. This information had been given by the one whom your peoples called "Yahweh." This information involved many strictures upon behavior and promised power of the third-density, service-to-self nature. These two types of distortions were impressed upon those already oriented to think these thought-forms.
This eventually led to many challenges of the entity known as Jesus. It eventually led to one, sound vibration complex "Judas," as you call this entity, who believed that it was doing the appropriate thing in bringing about or forcing upon the one you call Jesus the necessity for bringing in the third-density planetary power distortion of third-density rule over others.
This entity, Judas, felt that, if pushed into a corner, the entity you call Jesus would then be able to see the wisdom of using the power of intelligent infinity in order to rule others. The one you call Judas was mistaken in this estimation of the reaction of the entity, Jesus, whose teach/learning was not oriented towards this distortion. This resulted in the destruction of the bodily complex of the one known as Jesus to you.
80.23 Questioner: Is there anything that we can do to improve the contact or to make the instrument more comfortable?
Ra: I am Ra. The alignments are most conscientious. We are appreciative. The entity which serves as instrument is somewhat distorted towards that condition you call stiffness of the dorsal regions. Manipulation would be helpful.
I am Ra. I leave you, my friends, glorying in the light and the love of the One Infinite Creator. Go forth, therefore, rejoicing in the power and in the peace of the One Infinite Creator. Adonai.
84.23 Questioner: Is there anything we can do to make the instrument more comfortable or improve the contact?
Ra: I am Ra. We would ask that each of the support group be especially vigilant in the, what you would call, immediate future due to this instrument's unbidden but serious potential for increased distortion towards illness/health.
You are most conscientious. We thank you, my friends, and leave you in the glorious light and love of the One Infinite Creator. Go forth, therefore, rejoicing in the power and in the peace of the One Infinite Creator. Adonai.
8.11 Questioner: Wouldn't this type of craft totally solve, or come close to solving, a lot of the energy problems as far as transport goes? That we're used to transporting [inaudible]… transporting [inaudible].
Ra: I am Ra. The technology your peoples possess at this time is capable of resolving each and every limitation which plagues your social memory complex at this present nexus of experience. However, the concerns of some of your beings with distortions towards what you would call powerful energy cause these solutions to be withheld until the solutions are so needed that those with the distortion can then become further distorted in the direction of power.
11.19 Questioner: Can you name any of the recipients of the crusaders'— that is, any names that may be known on the planet today?
Ra: I am Ra. I am desirous of being in nonviolation of the free will distortion. To name those involved in the future of your space/time is to infringe; thus, we withhold this information. We request your contemplation of the fruits of the actions of those entities whom you may observe enjoying the distortion towards power. In this way you may discern for yourself this information. We shall not interfere with the, shall we say, planetary game. It is not central to the harvest.
11.31 Questioner: I don't know if this is a short question or not, so we can save it till next time, but my only question is why the crusaders from Orion do this. What is their ultimate objective? This is probably too long to answer.
Ra: I am Ra. This is not too long to answer. To serve the self is to serve all. The service of the self, when seen in this perspective, requires an ever-expanding use of the energies of others for manipulation to the benefit of the self with distortion towards power.
If there are further queries to more fully explicate this subject we shall be with you again.
65.23 Questioner: Is there anything that we can do to make the instrument more comfortable or improve the contact?
Ra: I am Ra. We feel that the instrument is well supported and that all is well. We caution each regarding this instrument's distortions towards pain, for it dislikes sharing these expressions but as support group this instrument subconsciously accepts each entity's aid. All is in alignment. You are conscientious. We thank you for this.
I am Ra. I leave you, my friends, rejoicing in the love and the light of the One Infinite Creator. Go forth, therefore, glorying in the power and in the peace of the One Infinite Creator. Adonai.
35.3 Questioner: Secondly, did Franklin place the limitation on his physical body himself?
Ra: I am Ra. This is partially correct. The basic guidelines for the lessons and purposes of incarnation had been carefully set forth before incarnation by the mind/body/spirit complex totality. If the one known as Franklin had avoided the excessive enjoyment of or attachment to the competitiveness which may be seen to be inherent in the processes of its occupation, this entity would not have had the limitation.
However, the desire to serve and to grow was strong in this programming and when the opportunities began to cease due to these distortions towards love of power the entity's limiting factor was activated.
100.15 Questioner: I will save that for next session and I will ask if there is anything we can do to make the instrument more comfortable or improve the contact?
Ra: I am Ra. All is well. The appurtenances are most conscientiously placed. We thank this diligent group. There is much greater distortion towards harmony at this asking and we join you in praise and thanksgiving. This is always the greatest boon to improvement of the contact, for it is the harmony of the group which supports this contact.
I am Ra. I leave you in the love and the light of the One. Go forth, therefore, rejoicing in the power and in the peace of the One Infinite Creator. Adonai.
90.31 Questioner: Is there anything that we can do to make the instrument more comfortable or improve the contact?
Ra: I am Ra. It is well that the appliances for the arms were placed upon the instrument. We ask that continued vigilance be accorded these distortions which are, if anything, more distorted towards dis-ease than at our previous cautionary statement.
All is well, my friends, You are conscientious and faithful in your alignments. We appreciate your fastidiousness.
I am Ra. I leave you now, rejoicing merrily in the love and the light of the One Infinite Creator. Go forth, then, rejoicing in the power and in the peace of the One Infinite Creator. Adonai.
11.20 Questioner: How do the crusaders pass on their concepts to the incarnate individuals on Earth?
Ra: I am Ra. There are two main ways, just as there are two main ways of, shall we say, polarizing towards service to others. There are those mind/body/spirit complexes upon your plane who do exercises and perform disciplines in order to seek contact with sources of information and power leading to the opening of the gate to intelligent infinity. There are others whose vibratory complex is such that this gateway is opened and contact with total service to self with its primal distortion of manipulation of others is then afforded with little or no difficulty, no training, and no control.
18.27 Questioner: Not completely. What specifically shall we do for physical balancing?
Ra: I am Ra. One: take care with the foodstuffs. Two: manipulate the physical complex to alleviate the distortion towards physical complex pain. Three: encourage a certain amount of what you would call your exercise. The final injunction: to take special care with the alignments this second session so that the entity may gain as much aid as possible from the various symbols. We suggest you check these symbols most carefully. This entity is slightly misplaced from the proper configuration. Not important at this time. More important when a second session is to be scheduled.
I am Ra. I leave you in the love and the light of the One Infinite Creator. Go forth, therefore, rejoicing in the power and the peace of the One Creator. Adonai.
35.1 Questioner: [I would] like to say that we consider this a great privilege to be doing this work and hope that we are going to question [in a] direction that will be of value to the readers of this material. This session, I thought that possibly inspecting the effect on the rays of different well-known figures in our history might be help in understanding how the catalyst of the illusion creates spiritual growth. I was making a list here and the first I thought we might possibly hit the high points on as to the effect of catalyst of the individual's working life would be the one we know as Franklin D. Roosevelt. Could you say something about that entity?
Ra: I am Ra. It is to be noted that in discussing those who are well-known among your peoples there is the possibility that information may be seen to be specific to one entity whereas in actuality the great design of experience is much the same for each entity. It is with this in mind that we would discuss the experiential forces which offered catalyst to an individual.
It is further to be noted that in the case of those entities lately incarnate upon your plane much distortion may have taken place in regard to misinformation and misinterpretation of an entity's thoughts or behaviors.
We shall now proceed to, shall we say, speak of the basic parameters of the one known as Franklin. When any entity comes into third-density incarnation, each of its energy centers is potentiated but must be activated by the self using experience.
The one known as Franklin developed very quickly up through red, orange, yellow, and green and began to work in the blue-ray energy center at a tender age, as you would say. This rapid growth was due, firstly, to previous achievements in the activation of these rays; secondly, to the relative comfort and leisure of its early existence; thirdly, due to the strong desire upon the part of the entity to progress. This entity mated with an entity whose blue-ray vibrations were of a strength more than equal to its own thus acquiring catalyst for further growth in that area that was to persist throughout the incarnation.
This entity had some difficulty with continued green-ray activity due to the excessive energy which was put into the activities regarding other-selves in the distortion towards acquiring power. This was to have its toll upon the physical vehicle, as you may call it. The limitation of the non-movement of a portion of the physical vehicle opened once again, for this entity, the opportunity for concentration upon the more, shall we say, universal or idealistic aspects of power; that is, the non-abusive use of power. Thus at the outset of a bellicose action this entity had lost some positive polarity due to excessive use of the orange- and yellow-ray energies at the expense of green- and blue-ray energies, then had regained the polarity due to the catalytic effects of a painful limitation upon the physical complex.
This entity was not of a bellicose nature but rather during the conflict continued to vibrate in green ray working with the blue-ray energies. The entity who was the one known as Franklin's teacher also functioned greatly during this period as blue-ray activator, not only for its mate but also in a more universal expression. This entity polarized continuously in a positive fashion in the universal sense while, in a less universal sense, developing a pattern of what may be called karma; this karma having to do with inharmonious relationship distortions with the mate/teacher.
24.19 Questioner: …It's not too important, but I would really be interested to know if Dwight Eisenhower met with either the Confederation or the Orion group during the 1950s or that time?
Ra: I am Ra. The one of which you speak met with thought-forms which are indistinguishable from third density. This was a test. We, the Confederation, wished to see what would occur if this extremely positively oriented and simple congenial person with no significant distortions towards power happened across peaceful information and the possibilities which might append therefrom. We discovered that this entity did not feel that those under his care could deal with the concepts of other beings and other philosophies. Thus an agreement reached then allowed him to go his way, ourselves to do likewise; and a very quiet campaign, as we have heard you call it, be continued alerting your peoples to our presence gradually. Events have overtaken this plan.
[Cough.] Is there any short query before we close?
24.17 Questioner: Could you tell me why the Orion group had to leave after, I believe, it figures to be a six-hundred-year period, why they had to vacate?
Ra: I am Ra. Although the impression that they had given to those who called them [was] that these entities were an elite group, that which you know as "Diaspora" occurred, causing much dispersion of these peoples so that they became an humbler and more honorable breed, less bellicose and more aware of the loving-kindness of the One Creator.
The creation about them tended towards being somewhat bellicose, somewhat oriented towards the enslavement of others, but they themselves, the target of the Orion group by means of their genetic superiority/weakness, became what you may call the underdogs, thereby letting the feelings of gratitude for their neighbors, their family, and their One Creator begin to heal the feelings of elitism which led to the distortions of power over others which had caused their own bellicosity.
Any short queries may be asked now.
60.17 Questioner: Thank you. I don't know if this question will result in any usable direction, but I think I must ask it. What was the Ark of the Covenant, and what was its use?
Ra: I am Ra. The Ark of the Covenant was that place wherein those things most holy, according to the understanding of the one called Moishe, [were] placed. The article placed therein has been called by your peoples two tablets called the Ten Commandments. There were not two tablets. There was one writing in scroll. This was placed along with the most carefully written accounts by various entities of their beliefs concerning the creation by the One Creator.
This Ark was designed to constitute the place wherefrom the priests, as you call those distorted towards the desire to serve their brothers, could draw their power and feel the presence of the One Creator. However, it is to be noted that this entire arrangement was designed, not by the one known to the Confederation as Yahweh, but rather was designed by negative entities preferring this method of creating an elite called the Sons of Levi*.
64.20 Questioner: In the healing exercises, when you say examine the sensations of the body, do you mean those sensations available to the body via the five senses or in relation to the natural functions of the body such as touching, loving, sexual sharing, and company, or are you speaking of something else altogether?
Ra: I am Ra. The questioner may perceive its body complex at this moment. It is experiencing sensations. Most of these sensations or in this case, nearly all of them, are transient and without interest. However, the body is the creature of the mind. Certain sensations carry importance due to the charge or power which is felt by the mind upon the experience of this sensation.
For instance, at this space/time nexus one sensation is carrying a powerful charge and may be examined. This is the sensation of what you call the distortion towards discomfort due to the cramped position of the body complex during this working. In balancing you would then explore this sensation. Why is this sensation powerful? Because it was chosen in order that the entity might be of service to others in energizing this contact.
Each sensation that leaves the aftertaste of meaning upon the mind, that leaves the taste within the memory shall be examined. These are the sensations of which we speak.
May we answer any brief queries before we leave this instrument?
94.30 Questioner: I would just state that this card, being male, would indicate that as experience is gained the mind becomes the motivator or that which reaches or "does" more than the simple experiencer prior to the catalytic action. That is, there is a greater tendency for the mind to direct the mind/body/spirit complex, and other than that I would just ask if there is anything that we can do to make the instrument more comfortable or improve the contact?
Ra: I am Ra. In the context of your penultimate query we would suggest that you ponder again the shape of the garment which the image wears. Such habiliment* is not natural. The shape is significant and is so along the lines of your query.
The support group cares well for the instrument. We would ask that care be taken as the instrument has been offered the gift of a distortion towards extreme cold by the fifth-density friend which greets you.
Although you may be less than pleased with the accoutrements, may we say that all was as carefully prepared as each was able. More than that none can do. Therefore, we thank each for the careful alignments. All is well.
We leave you, my friends, in the love and in the light of the One Glorious Infinite Creator. Go forth, then, rejoicing in the power and in the peace of the One. Adonai.
15.12 Questioner: How does an individual go about balancing himself? What is the first step?
Ra: I am Ra. The steps are only one; that is, an understanding of the energy centers which make up the mind/body/spirit complex. This understanding may be briefly summarized as follows:
The first balancing is of the Malkuth*, or Earth, vibratory energy complex, called the red-ray complex. An understanding and acceptance of this energy is fundamental.
The next energy complex which may be blocked is the emotional or personal complex, also known as the orange-ray complex. This blockage will often demonstrate itself as personal eccentricities or distortions with regard to self-conscious understanding or acceptance of self.
The third blockage resembles most closely that which you have called ego. It is the yellow-ray or solar plexus* center. Blockages in this center will often manifest as distortions towards power, manipulation, and other social behaviors concerning those close and those associated with the mind/body/spirit complex.
Those with blockages in these first three energy centers, or nexi, will have continuing difficulties in ability to further their seeking of the Law of One.
The center of heart, or green ray, is the center from which third-density beings may springboard, shall we say, towards infinite intelligence. Blockages in this area may manifest as difficulties in expressing what you may call universal love or compassion.
The blue-ray center of energy streaming is the center which, for the first time, is outgoing as well as inpouring. Those blocked in this area may have difficulty in grasping the spirit/mind complexes of its own entity and further difficulty in expressing such understandings of self. Entities blocked in this area may have difficulties in accepting communication from other mind/body/spirit complexes.
The next center is the pineal or indigo-ray center. Those blocked in this center may experience a lessening of the influx of intelligent energy due to manifestations which appear as unworthiness. This is that of which you spoke. As you can see, this is but one of many distortions due to the several points of energy influx into the mind/body/spirit complex. The indigo-ray balancing is quite central to the type of work which revolves about the spirit complex, which has its influx then into the transformation or transmutation of third density to fourth density, it being the energy center receiving the least-distorted outpourings of love/light from intelligent energy and having also the potential for the key to the gateway of intelligent infinity.
The remaining center of energy influx is simply the total expression of the entity's vibratory complex of mind, body, and spirit. It is as it will be, "balanced" or "imbalanced" has no meaning at this energy level, for it gives and takes in its own balance. Whatever the distortion may be, it cannot be manipulated as can the others and, therefore, has no particular importance in viewing the balancing of an entity.
23.6 Questioner: I see. Then at this time you did not contact them. Can you tell me the same— answer the same questions I just asked with respect to your next attempt to contact the Egyptians?
Ra: I am Ra. The next attempt was prolonged. It occurred over a period of time. The nexus, or center, of our efforts was a decision upon our parts that there was a sufficient calling to attempt to walk among your peoples as brothers.
We laid this plan before the Council of Saturn, offering ourselves as service-oriented Wanderers of the type which land directly upon the inner planes without incarnative processes. Thus we emerged, or materialized, in physical-chemical complexes representing as closely as possible our natures, this effort being to appear as brothers and spend a limited amount of time as teachers of the Law of One, for there was an ever-stronger interest in the sun body, and this vibrates in concordance with our particular distortions.
We discovered that for each word we could utter, there were thirty impressions we gave by our very being, which confused those entities we had come to serve. After a short period we removed ourselves from these entities and spent much time attempting to understand how best to serve those to whom we had offered ourselves in love/light.
The ones who were in contact with that geographical entity, which you know of as Atlantis, had conceived of the potentials for healing by use of the pyramid-shape entities. In considering this and making adjustments for the differences in the distortion complexes of the two geographical cultures, as you would call them, we went before the Council again, offering this plan to the Council as an aid to the healing and the longevity of those in the area you know of as Egypt. In this way we hoped to facilitate the learning process as well as offering philosophy articulating the Law of One. Again the Council approved.
Approximately eleven thousand [11,000] of your years ago we entered, by thought-form, your— we correct this instrument. We sometimes have difficulty due to low vitality. Approximately eight five zero zero [8,500] years ago, having considered these concepts carefully, we returned, never having left in thought, to the thought-form areas of your vibrational planetary complex and considered for some of your years, as you measure time, how to appropriately build these structures.
The first, the Great Pyramid, was formed approximately six thousand [6,000] of your years ago. Then, in sequence, after this performing by thought of the building or architecture of the Great Pyramid using the more, shall we say, local or earthly material rather than thought-form material to build other pyramidical structures. This continued for approximately fifteen hundred [1,500] of your years.
Meanwhile, the information concerning initiation and healing by crystal was being given. The one known as "Akhenaten" was able to perceive this information without significant distortion and for a time, moved, shall we say, heaven and earth in order to invoke the Law of One and to order the priesthood of these structures in accordance with the distortions of initiation and true compassionate healing. This was not to be long-lasting.
At this entity's physical dissolution from your third-density physical plane, as we have said before, our teachings became quickly perverted, our structures returning once again to the use of the so-called "royal" or those with distortions towards power.
2.2 Questioner: Could you tell us something of your historical background, your earlier times in the illusion and the time state[?] contact, possibly your incarnation on this planet that you spoke of before, and contact with earlier races on this planet? Then we would have something to start with in writing this book.
Ra: I am Ra. We are aware that your mind/body is calculating the proper method of performing the task of creating a teach/learning instrument. We are aware that you find our incarnate, as you call it, state of interest. We waited for a second query so as to emphasize that the time/space of several thousand of your years creates a spurious type of interest. Thus in giving this information, we ask the proper lack of stress be placed upon our experiences in your local space/time*. The teach/learning which is our responsibility is philosophical rather than historical. We shall now proceed with your request which is harmless if properly evaluated.
We are those of the Confederation who eleven thousand of your years ago came to two of your planetary cultures which were at that time closely in touch with the creation of the One Creator. It was our naïve belief that we could teach/learn by direct contact and the free will distortions of individual feeling or personality were in no danger, we thought, of being disturbed as these cultures were already closely aligned with a[n] all-embracing belief in the live-ness or consciousness of all. We came and were welcomed by the peoples whom we wished to serve. We attempted to aid them in technical ways having to do with the healing of mind/body/spirit complex distortions through the use of the crystal, appropriate to the distortion, placed within a certain appropriate series of ratios of time/space material. Thus were the pyramids created.
We found that the technology was reserved largely for those with the effectual mind/body distortion of power. This was not intended by the Law of One. We left your peoples. The group that was to work with those in the area of South America, as you call that portion of your sphere, gave up not so easily. They returned. We did not. However, we have never left your vibration due to our responsibility for the changes in consciousness we had first caused and then found distorted in ways not relegated to the Law of One. We attempted to contact the rulers of the land to which we had come, that land which you call Egypt, or in some areas, the Holy Land.
In the Eighteenth Dynasty, as it is known in your records of space/time* distortions, we were able to contact a pharaoh, as you would call him. The man was small in life-experience on your plane and was a… what this instrument would call, Wanderer. Thus, this mind/body/spirit complex received our communication distortions and was able to blend his distortions with our own. This young entity had been given a vibratory complex of sound which vibrated in honor of a prosperous god, as this mind/body complex, which we call instrument for convenience, would call "Amun." The entity decided that this name, being in honor of one among many gods, was not acceptable for inclusion in his vibratory sound complex. Thus, he changed his name to one which honored the sun disc. This distortion, called "Aten," was a close distortion to our reality as we understand our own nature of mind/body/spirit complex distortion. However, it does not come totally into alignment with the intended teach/learning which was sent. This entity, Akhenaten, became convinced that the vibration of One was the true spiritual vibration and thus decreed the Law of One.
However, this entity's beliefs were accepted by very few. His priests gave lip service only, without the spiritual distortion towards seeking. The peoples continued in their beliefs. When this entity was no longer in this density, again the polarized beliefs in the many gods came into their own and continued so until the one known as Muhammad delivered the peoples into a more intelligible distortion of mind/body/spirit relationships.
Do you have a more detailed interest at this time?
57.17 Questioner: Then are you saying that there is absolutely no need, use, or good in having the King's Chamber effect at this time in our planetary evolution?
Ra: I am Ra. Were all those who desired to be healers of a crystallized nature, and were all supplicants* those wishing less distortion, the pyramid would be, as always, a carefully designed set of parameters to distribute light and its energy so as to aid in healing catalyst.
However, we found that your peoples are not distorted towards the desire for purity to a great enough extent to be given this powerful and potentially dangerous gift. We, therefore, would suggest it not be used for healing in the traditional, shall we say, King's Chamber configuration which we naïvely gave to your peoples only to see its use grossly distorted and our teachings lost.
25.1 Questioner: …asking first what cause or complex of causes has led to the instrument's chest cold, as it is called?
Ra: I am Ra. This distortion towards illness was caused by the free will of the instrument in accepting a chemical substance which you call LSD. This was carefully planned by those entities which do not desire this instrument to remain viable. The substance has within it the facility of removing large stores of vital energy from the ingestor. The first hope of the Orion entity which arranged this opportunity was that this instrument would become less polarized towards what you call the positive. Due to conscious efforts upon the part of this instrument, using the substance as a programmer for service to others and for thankfulness, this instrument was spared this distortion and there was no result satisfactory to the Orion group.
The second hope lay in the possible misuse of the most powerful means of transmission of energy between your peoples in the area of body complex distortions. We have not previously spoken of the various types of energy blockages and transfers, positive and negative, that may take place due to participation in your sexual reproductive complex of actions. This entity, however, is a very strong entity with very little distortion from universal green-ray love energy. Thus this particular plan was not effected either, as the entity continued to give of itself in this context in an open or green-ray manner rather than attempting to receive or to manipulate other-self.
The only remaining distortion available, since this entity would not detune and would not cease sharing love universally under this chemical substance, was simply to drain this entity of as much energy as possible. This entity has a strong distortion towards busy-ness which it has been attempting to overcome for some time, realizing it not to be the appropriate attitude for this work. In this particular area the ingestion of this substance did indeed, shall we say, cause distortions away from viability due to the busy-ness and the lack of desire to rest; this instrument staying alert for much longer than appropriate. Thus much vital energy was lost, making this instrument unusually susceptible to infections such as it now experiences.
The original Law of One books are copyright ©1982, 1984, 1998 L/L Research. The Ra Contact books are copyright ©2018 L/L Research and Tobey Wheelock.
This site copyright ©2003–2024 Tobey Wheelock.
Questions? Comments? Email me: tw at law of one dot info.


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Pakistani officials hold talks with US envoy on Afghan peace
Pakistani senior officials on Friday assured support to visiting US Special Representative for Afghanistan Reconciliation, Zalmay Khalilzad, for his peace efforts in war-shattered Afghanistan, a media report said.
Khalilzad met Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Xinhua reported.
Khalilzad arrived in Pakistan on Friday morning after holding a series of meetings with Taliban political representatives in Qatar on a proposal of reduction in violence.
The Pakistani Foreign Ministry said that Khalilzad and Qureshi had reviewed efforts for peace in Afghanistan and also reviewed the overall regional situation.
"While exchanging views on efforts to establish peace in Afghanistan, the foreign minister reiterated Pakistan's support and facilitating role in the Afghan peace and reconciliation process," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Aisha Farooqui said in a tweet.
Meanwhile, a foreign ministry statement said Khalilzad briefed the foreign minister about the ongoing peace talks with the Taliban and appreciated Pakistan's role.
For his part, Qureshi said the signing of the peace deal between the Taliban and the United States will pave the way for intra-Afghan dialogue, which will be a good omen not only for Afghanistan but also for the peace and security of the whole region.
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Aquaponics has been an ever-evolving endeavor. It started as a curious experiment meant to demonstrate an inexpensive urban food production system. There have been several iterations and restructures as I've experimented with different substrates and system configurations over the years. It started out with two 35 gallon rubber bins in my tiny apartment living room, and is now a massive 120 gallon pond in the basement with LED lightting and a heater.
Aquaponics is a practice that combines aquaculture, for raising aquatic animals, and hydroponics for growing plants.
Wiki ref
There are several ways to build an aquaponics system. I have experimented with flood and drain vs constant flow. At the moment, I am sticking with constant flow in a shallow
garden bed. The deeper the garden bed is, the more water is drawn up from the fish basin below.
Keep in mind, build a leak proof system and keep any electrical connections off the floor, away from any potential contact with water. Use a breaker outlet.
I've tried expanded clay pellets - they float. They shift with the movement of the fill and drain system and dislodge the plants violently. I might revisit this one now that I am using the constant flow bed.
I've tried coconut choir - it never stopped leaching a continuous silty suspension into my pond. No matter how m uch I rinsed, my pond always turned brown and silty. This was the substrate that was the most successful for plant growth.
I've also tried the floating raft and am continually fighting with algal growth suffocating my plants' root systems.
Bacteria take unusable aquaponics fish waste and convert it into plant fertilizer. This is called "Cycling." It is the process of converting ammonia into nitrites and then the nitrates that is used by plants.
Follow this reference LINK for more info about the nitrogen cycle.
Another component of the aquaponics chemistry, is nutrient additives. I've only just started experimenting with these, starting with potasium. The image to the left shows what looks like deficiencies with my cucumbers.
My system started with goldfish and Koi. They grew massive and I ended up rehoming them. These are great for starters because they create tons of amonia and are very hardy and forgiving of system conditions.
I am working with Tilapia now, but they need warm water. They don't grow well in the 68 degree temps, so I have added a fish tank heater.
The garden bed has done relatively well with cherry tomatoes, sage and parthenogenic cukes. I've experimented with several other food plants, but I haven't yet managed to get bumper crops of fish or vegetables.
My first few versions of this system used natural light from the sliding door of my tiny apartments and they did relatively well.
Since the system is now located in the basement, I needed a lighting unit. Every single part of aquaponics can be expanded into so much more detail and this is especially true of lighting fixtures.
Plants use different qualities of lighting for different stages of their growth and the fixtures on the market now accomodate these variances. Again, this is an experimental system and we have lots more experimenting to do.
Every part of this system is dependent on the other factors involved in the system set up and environment. What my system looks like will be different from yours.
Good Luck!!
Getting great photos is difficult under the odd purple glow of grow lights, so bear with me as I attempt to show the system details.
photos comming soon!


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Wednesday, March 8, 2023
Secretary Watson Announces MBAT Summit at Jackson State University
JACKSON, Miss – Secretary of State Michael Watson is pleased to announce our next Mississippi Businesses Against Trafficking (MBAT) Summit to be held on April 4, 2023, from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. on the campus of Jackson State University.
In collaboration with the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation (MBI), the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH), and the Jackson State University (JSU) Police Department, the upcoming summit will include multiple sessions featuring industry experts.
"We are excited to continue offering in-person training for our Mississippi businesses and organizations. Not only is it about equipping Mississippians with information regarding types of trafficking and warning signs, but ensuring connections are made to the needed and available resources," said Secretary Michael Watson. "We are grateful for all who have joined our fight to combat human trafficking especially Chief (Herman) Horton for making this happen on the Jackson State campus."
Chief Herman Horton, Director of Public Safety at JSU, approached the Secretary of State's Office following the conclusion of the MBAT Summit at the University of Southern Mississippi to ensure JSU became the next host and the first HBCU campus.
"While attending the summit on the USM campus, I witnessed a tremendous amount of support from the faculty, staff, students, community, and law enforcement who all have a vested interest in combatting human trafficking. Hosting a summit on our campus is a great opportunity to spread the word on trafficking and exploitation right here in our community," said Chief Herman Horton.
Speakers for this summit will include Lieutenant Kevin Lavin, JSU criminal justice professor, and Brian Montgomery, father of deceased sextortion victim Walker Montgomery.
Serving as panelists are Dr. Dana Hunter, Executive Director at the Louisiana Governor's Office of Human Trafficking Prevention, Ashlee Lucas, Mississippi Statewide Human Trafficking Coordinator, Matt Bogue, Vice President Dutch Oil Company/Sprint Mart, and Deputy Helen Brown, CEO at No More Tears.
To view the full agenda, click here.
The MBAT Summit is open to all MBAT partners and those interested in learning more about how to combat human trafficking in Mississippi. Attendees must register prior to the event.
To register for the MBAT Summit, click here.
MBAT is a statewide initiative to raise awareness and empower Mississippi businesses to combat human trafficking. It is open to any business, nonprofit organization, or association in the State of Mississippi that is interested in promoting human trafficking awareness both internally and externally.
For questions regarding the MBAT Summit, please contact our External Affairs Division at email@example.com or 601-359-4454.
Click here to download the MBAT logo
Elizabeth Holbert Jonson
email@example.com | 601-927-8688


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- The first round of the NFL Draft kicked off in Las Vegas on Thursday night.
- The New York Jets and Giants both crushed their first-round picks, setting themselves up for potential future success.
- Check out our 11 winners and losers from the first round of the draft below.
LAS VEGAS — Just after 5 p.m. on Thursday NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell stepped out on stage in Las Vegas, Nevada to the boos of thousands of football fans.
—NFL (@NFL) April 29, 2022
And with that, the 2022 NFL Draft officially began. Four hours, 32 picks, and several eye-popping trades later, Round 1 came to a close, with some teams, players, and characters coming out on top and others wishing the day had gone differently.
Take a look below at the 11 winners and losers of the first round.
WINNER: Travon Walker
The Georgia Bulldogs edge rusher was a late-riser up draft boards after a brillaint performance at the combine.
In the weeks leading up to the draft, Michigan edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson had largely been projected to go first overall to the Jaguars, but at some point in the past few days the tides shifted.
Ladies and gentlemen, your first overall pick of the 2022 NFL Draft, Travon Walker.
While other top edge talents like Hutchinson and Kayvon Thibodeaux might have put up better numbers than Walker in college, the upside Walker presented was too much for the Jaguars to pass up.
It's a home run swing, and after a 3-14 campaign in 2021 with a defense that gave up more points than all but four teams in the NFL, the Jaguars are a team in need of a dinger. Regardless of whether or not it works out for the Jaguars, it's a boon for Walker, who goes down as the first defensive player taken No. 1 since Myles Garrett in 2017.
WINNER: Hometown heroes
After the Jaguars took Walker first overall, the door was open for the Detroit Lions to draft standout Michigan edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson.
Hutchinson broke the Wolverines' single-season sack record last year, and now will get to continue playing close to home as he begins his NFL career.
"I think it would be cool to stay around Michigan and be close to my family," Hutchinson told Insider earlier in the week when asked of the prospect of getting drafted by the Lions. "I'm sure it'd make the transition to the NFL easier. I think there's a lot of positives either way."
Hutchinson isn't the only potential superstar that will get to stay close to home.
North Carolina State offensive tackle Ikem Ekwonu was taken by the Carolina Panthers with the sixth overall pick, and Pitt quarterback Kenny Pickett was taken by the Pittsburgh Steelers at No. 20.
With a large contingency of Steelers fans in attendance in Vegas, Pickett's selection earned one of the loudest reactions of the night.
—NFL (@NFL) April 29, 2022
WINNER: Somehow, both the New York Giants and New York Jets
With four top-10 picks between them, there was a lot of potential for the New York football collective to mess things up pretty bad at the 2022 NFL Draft. Instead, both teams, somewhat shockingly, crushed it.
For the Giants, finding a quality edge rusher and offensive tackle were both top priorities. When they were set to make their first pick of the night, at No. 5, one elite edge prospect (Kayvon Thibodeaux) and two elite tackle prospects (Ikem Ekwonu, Evan Neal) were left on the board.
Since the Giants were also picking at No. 7, New York smartly played their hand, selecting Thibodeaux fifth overall, knowing that regardless of who the Panthers took at No. 6, one of the best tackles in the draft would still be there at No. 7. Carolina went with Ekwonu, leaving the Giants to take Neal, who might have been the highest-rated tackle on their board anyway.
Largely, the Giants' success was a result of not overthinking their picks, but credit where it's due, that's a hell of a duo to start the new season with.
Similarly, the New York Jets found great value in both of their top-10 picks. The Jets were able to grab possibly the best cornerback to come out of this draft class in Cincinnati's Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner, at No. 4, and followed that up by taking a player that could possibly be the best receiver to come out of this draft class in Ohio State's Garrett Wilson, at No. 10.
But the Jets' success didn't stop there. As Florida State edge rusher Jermaine Johnson began to fall past where many had him projected, New York found a trade partner in the Tennessee Titans and were able to move back into the first round to snag Johnson at No. 26.
Heading into the draft, the Jets needed help all across the roster. In one night, they found players that could prove to be foundational pieces at three key positions for years to come.
WINNER: Howie Roseman
It's hard to imagine anyone having a better night than the young players drafted on Thursday, but if anyone did, it was Eagles general manager Howie Roseman.
—Jon DiMuzio (@jondimuzCBS) April 29, 2022
Heading into the draft, Philadelphia was armed with two first-round picks, one of which had already been swapped with New Orleans ahead of Thursday.
With his first move, Roseman traded up from No. 15 to No. 13 to pick Georgia defensive tackle Jordan Davis. Not only is Davis a dynamic run-stuffer already, he will also get a year to learn the craft from Eagles veteran Fletcher Cox before eventually stepping into his sizeable cleats as the anchor of the team's defensive front.
But Roseman's biggest move of the night came next, as the Eagles flipped the No. 18 pick to the Tennessee Titans along with a third-rounder in exchange for star wide receiver A.J. Brown.
As the 18th pick was approaching, many of the top receiving prospects were already off the board. Rather than draft yet another wide receiver that might not work out — it's a position the Eagles have struggled to draft with the exception of DeVonta Smith last year — Roseman instead negotiated a deal for a receiver everyone already knows can dominate in the NFL.
It was a deal that shocked Eagles center Jason Kelce live on air.
—. (@rubythevalley) April 29, 2022
"Howie Roseman is working that Howie Roseman magic," Kelce said. "He's moving up in the draft to get Jordan Davis, and now he's trading to get an unbelievable receiver. This is like Christmas right now.
"Howie is a man on a mission right now, man. He's making things happen, and I'm a big fan."
LOSER: Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals also made a deal for a wide receiver, trading the No. 23 pick away to the Baltimore Ravens in exchange for Marquise "Hollywood" Brown.
On another day, the Cardinals' deal for Brown might have raised a few eyebrows and little else, but with the immediate comparison to the deal the Eagles pulled off with the Titans, Hollywood's move to Arizona suddenly looks less appealing.
—Kevin Clark (@bykevinclark) April 29, 2022
—Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) April 29, 2022
To be sure, this is a trade that could still work out fantastically for the Cardinals. Brown is a dynamic player and is being reunited with his college quarterback, Kyler Murray. The two are certainly capable of making sparks fly.
Still, given the price the Eagles paid for A.J. Brown, it's a tough comparison.
LOSER: Lamar Jackson
The Hollywood Brown trade came as a shock to the entire NFL, but no one was more surprised than Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson.
—Lamar Jackson (@Lj_era8) April 29, 2022
It would be rather strange to learn that one of your friends is moving away by watching television, but there's a lot about the life of an NFL quarterback that is rather strange.
WINNER: Wide receivers
There was a ton of wide receiver talent up for grabs in Thursday's first round, and clearly front offices around the league were aware of it.
From picks No. 8-18, a whopping six wide receivers were selected — Drake London to the Falcons (No. 7), Garrett Wilson to the Jets (No. 10), Chris Olave to the Saints (No. 11), Jameson Williams to the Lions (No. 12), Jahan Dotson to the Commanders (No. 16), and Treylon Burks (No. 18) to the Titans.
Given the instant impact that the likes of Ja'Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson have had in their recent rookie seasons, expectations are high for this group. It's going to be fun to look back on this group in four or five years.
LOSER: Aaron Rodgers
Another year, another draft with the Green Bay Packers refusing to draft for Aaron Rodgers. Despite all of that receiving talent available this year, the Packers didn't make a move to get Rodgers another pair of trusted hands. Green Bay's refusal to give Rodgers another target is magnified by the recent departure of Davante Adams.
With the Packers sitting out of the receiving pool through the first round, look for Green Bay to be major players in the potential market for 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel, who recently asked for a trade from San Francisco.
WINNER: Georgia Bulldogs
The 2021 Georgia Bulldogs defense was one of the greatest defenses in the history of college football.
On Thursday, they cemented their claim further, breaking the NFL record for most defensive players taken in the first round from one school.
—ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) April 29, 2022
The five Bulldogs that went off the board were: Travon Walker to the Lions (No. 1), Jordan Davis to the Eagles (No. 13), Quay Walker and Devonte Wyatt to the Packers (Nos. 22 and 28), and Lewis Cine to the Vikings (No. 32).
Additionally, linebacker Nakobe Dean is still on the board, and could be taken with one of the first picks of the second round on Friday.
WINNER: Trading up to get your guy
Trades make the draft, and Thursday's first round was full of exciting moves. Further, there's something inherently nice about teams moving up to get their guy.
Simply put, it's nice to be wanted.
In their press conferences after getting drafted, several players, including Jordan Davis and Devin Lloyd, expressed appreciation for their teams' making the effort to trade up for them.
Trades on draft day make the entire experience more exciting to watch and in some cases, leave players feeling warm and fuzzy inside. Feels like a win-win.
WINNER: The Las Vegas Draft
Heading to the NFL Draft in Las Vegas, I didn't know what to expect. Of all the things to turn into Coachella, "NFL teams hiring people," is about as strange a choice as you can make. And yet, the festival of football that the league has made of the modern draft sort of works.
It's weird, to be sure, but against the backdrop of Las Vegas, it feels right in place. Being here, it's entirely clear why the NFL was eager to get a team in Vegas — this town knows how to host a big event, and the NFL loves to throw them.


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When Hollywood's biggest stars join up with the most popular franchises in the industry, many of them have the opportunity to do a lot of good off-camera for their biggest fans. Some of the most heartwarming moments come from these popular superhero actor taking the time to visit people in need, whether they be at hospitals, shelters, or communities in need of assistance.
Even though almost all upcoming blockbusters are still months away from releasing due to numerous delays, there are still plenty of chances for the actors involved in these projects to spread kindness to the world. One of these acts from one of the biggest young stars of the Marvel Cinematic Universe has just been shared on social media...
A new video posted on social media by Jaimie Trueblood shows Spider-Man star Tom Holland helping Children's Healthcare of Atlanta heart transplant patient Jerry live out his dream of becoming the web-slinger in the Spider-Verse. The 27-second video features Holland tossing a Spider-Man mask to the young man before he suits up in the costume from Spider-Man: Far From Home , followed by the title card "Spider-Jerry: Close to Home."
The Direct spoke with Trueblood, who shared that Holland filmed his portion of the video with Trueblood during production of Spider-Man: Homecoming nearly four years ago. A friend of Trueblood's, Dan McFadden, shot the latter portion of the video with Jerry, while a professional advertising agency, BLT Communications, designed the poster displayed at the end of the clip.
Jerry is currently doing well and absolutely loves the poster and video that were made for him during his recovery, says Trueblood. Donations for Jerry's hospital can be made to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta.
The full 27-second video can be seen in the tweet below:
Tom Holland has made a name for himself as one of the most generous stars in the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe, especially with his time for children in need. He has made visits to multiple children's hospitals across the world , always happy as ever to suit up as his MCU superhero persona to bring smiles to young faces whenever he gets the chance, including this time with Jerry in Atlanta.
He has pulled this same incredible stunt during the press tours for both of his previous solo movies in the MCU, and since he is one of the franchise's youngest stars at only 24 years old, he knows how to use his own childlike enthusiasm to brighten the days of so many kids who desperately need to feel happy. Even though Holland filmed this particular clip years back, this almost certainly won't be the last time he suits up off-camera again as his run in the MCU continues.
Holland is currently in Atlanta, Georgia as he prepares to begin shooting for the MCU's untitled Spider-Man 3 , scheduled to release in theaters on December 17, 2021.
Donations for Jerry and other child patients in the Atlanta area can be made here to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta.


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Once again, Ethiopia is bleeding from a war that emanates from a political rift. The fall out between the Federal government and Tigrai People's Liberation Front (TPLF) which has been the vanguard of Ethiopia's coalition ruling party- EPRDF for over the last two decades and a half, has turned to open warfare on November 4th after the former attacked the Northern command of the Ethiopian National Defence Forces based in the region in an ambush they termed as 'pre-emptive strike'.
Over the last couple of weeks, Ethiopia became the epicentre of all and sundry providing commentaries, analysis, and even issuing prescriptions without diligent diagnosis of its problem. This is understandable, especially given the geopolitical importance of Ethiopia for both the region and the continent, and its strategical vantage position in the war against terrorism.
However, the most perplexing thing to watch was not the fact that the solicited military response of the federal government has superseded TPLF's naked attack of the national army or that the hostility is largely framed as a clash between an aggressing central government that is determined to usurp the autonomy rights of its subset region but the fact that TPLF is portrayed as pro-democratic party fighting to save the federalism. A concerted effort to positively paint TPLFhas cascaded in some pockets of the international media who are largely oblivious to Ethiopia's inner world.
The credulity of such propaganda and the concomitant impression it has resulted is largely bolstered by the secretive nature of the country and the reticent tendency of Ethiopian people.
In the process, a question of who is TPLF and their historical legacy as Ethiopia's de-facto ruling party over the decades has escaped from scrutiny and was evaded.
TPLF's history of Manipulation
From an ethnic nationalist to Albanian-style dogmatism and now with a camouflage of pro-democracy group, TPLF has never been anything consistently, but a chauvinistic ethnic group who are imbued with hate and exploitation. They constantly shifted their ideological pronouncements depending on the time and the circumference of the circumstance to survive and to cling on to power at all costs.
That is why, from the outset, it has never equivocated its ambition about Ethiopia. It was never interested in establishing federalism where real autonomy flourishes, neither were they ever genuine about the Ethiopia project as wholesomely. At their initial days, it was interested to continue wielding power under the auspices of nominal federalism in which it is the one and the only vanguard and dominant group as long as it is possible. In short of that, the prevailing choice was to walk away and precipitate forceful divorce with their marriage of Ethiopia. While this itself is constitutionally guaranteed, TPLF's nature of modus operandi defies the peaceful logic that such path dictates.
TPLF's autocratic nature doesn't fit well with a democratic environment where opposing ideas are exchanged and clashed, which gives credence to why they have placed an arduous effort to sabotage the reform agenda and the political openings that came with the advent of the new Prime Minister. Therefore, to dupe the world again that TPLF is for pro-democratic values and fighting against tyranny is tantamount to the subversion of the truth. The undemocratic tendency of the group is partly tactical and strategic based. It well comprehends that the new political dispensation in the country will lead her to a finally settled political weight equalled to its demographic size – an eventuality they feel compelled to oppose at all cost. TPLF is, therefore, anything but a democratic party.
History always has the answers!
Ethiopia's current transition should be viewed in the lenses of its predecessors, especially the one that propelled TPLF to power. Ethiopia is a country of nations, nationalities and people of diverse culture and religions who are fused coercively through Menelik's state-building project in the late 19th century. As Scholars argued in many fora, its formation has both similarity and dissimilarity with European state formation rather than an African one. Its long indigenous institutions that existed over the century and transversely absorbed shocks have made it formidable and anti-fragile to use the parlance of Nassim Nicholas. However, Ethiopia's successive regimes never aspired or bothered to create national harmony within the citizens of different ethnic groups, which explains why the country failed to attain mature nation-state status to-date.
The political landscape of the country is ethnically charged, where actors with different ethnic backgrounds contest in a politics of the zero-sum game. The turbulence and ethnic conflicts, including the current turmoil in the Tigrai region, should be understood under that context. It is not a sign for disintegration as some have alluded in their analysis but another labour pain experience and exploratory salvo for the re-creation of the state in another model.
In every political change, two competing types of actors emerge in Ethiopia; those who compete and run for the state capture and those who run away from the state-capture, see and sense an opportunity for secession. Historically, Somalis, Oromos and other marginalized communities belonged to the latter camp. TPLF is unique in that it belongs to both parties and inter-sails them. In 1991 after the fall of the Derg regime, TPLF was killing the Somalis for leading the secessionist camp and suppressed their ill-fated aspiration to break-away peacefully; the reversal is now happening – while the TPLF is waging a secessional war technically, Somalis are now rallying behind the federal government for defending the territorial integrity of the country. It is for the readers to judge whether that is a case of irony or history manifesting itself in another way!
Looking into the future – Conclusion
TPLF is dead and forever over. Its post-mortem analysis shows that it died of many causes but mainly its tyrannical jaw-crushing party that kills, maims and oppresses the people of Ethiopia. The same was true to the military regime of Mengistu and the imperial regime of Haile Selassie that proceeded it. The current attempt by the TPLF to wage guerrilla warfare will hit a dead end, for the ground has shifted, and the circumstances permitting it are no longer valid.
Now, the question is how Ethiopia can look into a democratic and peaceful future – one that has escaped from it since its inception as conquistador with confused priorities. For a starter, I would argue that the International Community should focus on the big agenda of democratizing Ethiopia – led by the current premier – through affording the badly needed support at this critical juncture of its history.
Secondly, ethnic federalism per se is not the genesis of our current political problems as some have overtly and covertly suggested. Instead, the problem is lack of devolved power from the inception and keeping the federalism over the decades in a wishy-washy form. And just like any other political card if ethnic federalism was misused and used by TPLF as a tool to further drive a wedge among the different ethnic groups, the perfect response is neither to discard nor to deconstruct it but to reinvigorate and augment it for equitable use.
Finally, Ethiopia must come to terms with its past – one with chronic wounds that need special care. Its historical fault lines are too stubborn that the only course to bridge is to collectively move to the contemptuous issue we are struggling now. For as long as we continue trapped on settling scores with the gone this vicious cycle of political disorder is likely to continue!
Omar Farouk Warfa
The writer is the deputy bureau head,Office of the president, Somali regional State. He can be reached via twitter; @Farouk_H_Warfa. The views expressed in the article do not necessarily reflect the view of The Reporter.
Contributed by Omar Farouk Warfa


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