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Like last time, Jay's comments are full of self-serving and misleading statements, exaggeration and scare tactics. And, once again, I shall count the ways that his comments fall short of the truth:
First, Jay suggests that "terrorism insurance in Tennessee" is an illegitimate risk to insure through a captive insurance company (or perhaps he means through any insurance company?). Sounds about right for a "city slicker" who considers everything between LA and New York to be fly-over country. As a stereotypical city slicker, Jay can't be expected to know that virtually all the uranium for the United States' first atomic bombs was enriched in Oak Ridge, Tennessee as part of the Manhattan Project, or that a significant portion of the nation's bomb-grade uranium is stored there today, or that Oak Ridge National Laboratory, a top secret facility, still conducts much of the country's nuclear and scientific research? All of these things, and more, make Oak Ridge both a perfect strategic and symbolic target for terrorists (much more so than say...oh...the Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City), but Jay can't be expected to know that.
And, he can't be expected to know that two of the nation's nuclear power plants operate in Tennessee, or that the Tennessee Valley gets a large percentage of its power from dams. Both nuclear power plants and dams make ideal strategic targets for terrorist attack, no? How many businesses in Tennessee could operate without power?
Maybe Jay's problem isn't with Tennessee in particular, but with terrorism insurance in general. Maybe he doesn't consider terrorist attack to be a "real" risk to most small businesses? Well, if that's the case, he should know that his government disagrees with him. The Department of Homeland Security has a website that emphasizes the risk of terrorist attack to small businesses and implores them to prepare. This website includes a link to the Emergency Preparedness and Business Continuity Standard that, among other things, emphasizes the importance of insurance in mitigating risk, including terrorism risk. For instance, it says specifically that "the mitigation strategy should include...acceptance/retention/transfer of risks (insurance programs)." FEMA likewise has a page that emphasizes the risk of terrorist attack and recommends preparedness planning. Interestingly, neither of these government pages say that the recommended precautions don't apply to Tennesseans.
Additionally, when it passed the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act (TRIA), which specifically mentions captive insurance companies, Congress itself recognized that terrorism is a real threat to the American economy, and that an inability to obtain reasonably-priced terrorism insurance jeopardized America's economic security. TRIA says:
The Congress finds that—
(1) the ability of businesses and individuals to obtain pro-
perty and casualty insurance at reasonable and predictable prices, in order to spread the risk of both routine and cata- strophic loss, is critical to economic growth, urban development, and the construction and maintenance of public and private housing, as well as to the promotion of United States exports and foreign trade in an increasingly interconnected world;
(3) the ability of the insurance industry to cover the unprecedented financial risks presented by potential acts of terrorism in the United States can be a major factor in the recovery from terrorist attacks, while maintaining the stability of the economy;
(4) widespread financial market uncertainties have arisen following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, including the absence of information from which financial institutions can make statistically valid estimates of the probability and cost of future terrorist events, and therefore the size, funding, and allocation of the risk of loss caused by such acts of ter- rorism;
(5) a decision by property and casualty insurers to deal with such uncertainties, either by terminating property and casualty coverage for losses arising from terrorist events, or by radically escalating premium coverage to compensate for risks of loss that are not readily predictable, could seriously hamper ongoing and planned construction, property acquisition, and other business projects, generate a dramatic increase in rents, and otherwise suppress economic activity....
In light of the government's own proclamations on the risk of terrorism in general and the importance of terrorism insurance to small business and the American economy as a whole, Jay's contention that such coverage is irrelevant to most small businesses (especially those in Tennessee, I guess), or that most small business owners must be acting under pretext when considering the effect of a terrorist attack on their business, is either ignorant or disingenuous. At this point, I suspect the latter.
Or, maybe it's not that Jay has issues with terrorism insurance in general, but with how such policies are priced in the captive market. For instance, he says: "Would you normally buy [terrorism] insurance or pay premiums at the amount they want you to pay? Of course not — that's why it is a shelter and not a real insurance deal."
Really? Surely Jay does not mean to suggest that the only risks one can legitimately insure via a captive are those that the business previously insured through a third party. After all, the very reason captives were "invented" to begin with was to insure against risks for which coverage could not be obtained at a reasonable price in the third party insurance market. If coverage for an undeniably real risk were available from third parties at a price the business owner considered reasonable, then wouldn't every business owner just purchase the insurance from a third party rather than bother setting up a captive? The only reason to form a captive is if the business owner considers the premium charged by third party insurers to be unreasonable in light of his assessment of a given risk. By setting up a captive, every business hopes to retain the likely (but not certain) underwriting profits for itself, profits that would otherwise inure to the benefit of a third party insurer.
And, Jay must surely know that terrorism insurance policies offered by third party insurers often exclude the most important risks--i.e., losses from chemical, biological, nuclear, and/or radiological attack. Likewise, he must know that third-party policies typically only provide coverage for damages to property and not loss of business income (unless, in some cases, the loss of income is directly attributable to property damage). And yet, for most small businesses, the latter is much more important than the former. Direct damage from a terrorist attack may be unlikely for any single small business, but indirect damage to a small business resulting from loss of income is an all-too-real, and potentially devastating, possibility.
And yet protection against the above-described risks is often not available from third party insurers at any reasonable price. Were it not for the federal government subsidizing the cost of terrorism insurance via TRIA, it might not be available at all. Consider whether this is because the risk of loss to the insurance industry by providing such coverage is too small (i.e., because the risk is bogus, as Jay implies) or whether it is because it is too great! Clearly, it's the latter. Thus, these risks are very, very real, even in fly-over states like Tennessee. If they weren't, every insurance company in the world would be offering protection against nuclear, chemical and biological attack to Tennesseans for almost nothing, and TRIA would be unnecessary. And yet they don't, and it isn't. Quite the contrary. This itself is sufficient to refute Jay's silly assertion that premiums charged by captives for terrorism insurance are generally bogus and inflated.
Terrorism insurance is commonly purchased through captives not because it is a bogus tax-dodge, as Jay suggests, but because it is an economically feasible way to managing a very real risk and because policies offered by captive insurance companies typically insure one or more of the excluded risks noted above (e.g., many cover chemical and biological attack) at a cost that's reasonable to a business owner once he considers that he retains a share of the captive's profits. Also, unlike many third party policies, captive policies often cover not just direct losses that may result from a terrorist attack, but indirect losses as well. Given that equivalent policies are not available from third party insurers for any reasonable premium, most any premium charged by a captive for such coverage can't be de facto unreasonable. If anything the amount that most captives charge for such terrorism insurance can be criticized for being too low!
But, to prove another point, let's engage in a thought experiment: Let's assume for a minute that a business owner could buy purely third party insurance that would cover terrorism risk to the same extent as captive policies at some reasonable, albeit very high, cost. Does the fact that a given business owner may choose not to suffer a certain very high loss (by way of third party insurance premiums) in order to protect against an uncertain extraordinarily high loss (i.e., terrorist attack) mean that it is de facto unreasonable or disingenuous for the business owner to try to mitigate the impact of terrorism risk through captive insurance where he/she retains any underwriting profits? In other words, should such a business owner be barred from a captive arrangement simply because he would never purchase identical insurance from a third party at the same extraordinarily high price? Of course not. Yet, this is what Jay would apparently have his readers believe.
Next Jay goes on his traditional diatribe against life insurance. First he suggests that a captive investing in life insurance is somehow improper (i.e., the IRS will "act as your proctologist"). In response I will ask one simple question: Can Jay cite even a single federal statute, regulation, revenue ruling, court case or private letter ruling that holds that it is in any way improper for a C-corporation in general, or a captive insurance company in particular, to invest into life insurance? I'll save you the wait and state unequivocally that he can't because no such authority exists. Are we to fear IRS examination so much that we pass on doing perfectly legal things in hopes of avoiding an audit? Only people who have something else to hide should be inclined to take this approach.
The fact is that C-corporations invest into life insurance all the time. To provide just one (among innumerable) examples, a study by the American Society of Actuaries done some years ago indicates that nearly seventy percent of Fortune 1000 companies invest their non-qualified deferred compensation plan money, the money that is expected to fund retirement for the company's most senior executives, in...you guessed it...life insurance. There are many reasons why almost seventy percent of the country's most sophisticated CFOs made that decision, and at least some of those reasons apply in the context of a captive insurance company. There is absolutely no reason whatsoever that an honest taxpayer who chooses to have his captive invest in life insurance for legitimate economic reasons should fear the IRS, at least not any more than an honest CFO who funds his retirement plan with life insurance should. Jay should be ashamed for implying otherwise.
Jay next slanders life insurance arrangements as paying "obscene" commissions to those pesky "promoters", presumably making them a raw deal for the consumer. Really Jay? Those Fortune 1000 executives who invest their own retirement dollars in life insurance must be pretty stupid people, getting "hoodwinked" by those slick life insurance salespeople all the time. Apparently, Jay, you're not just an expert on captives, but you know more about life insurance than most Fortune 1000 CFOs as well! Your expertise knows no bounds.
Jay's criticism of life insurance combined with captives is all the more mystifying since he gave a talk a few years ago to the Association for Advanced Life Underwriting (a group made up of the industry's top life insurance salespersons) describing in detail (in addition to all the various tax planning opportunities captives provide) how captives can be combined with life insurance to achieve important planning objectives. Talk about a shill! If Jay's admonition to run from anyone who even mentions life insurance in conjunction with captives is to be taken literally, then include Jay Adkisson among those from whom the reader should run. The fact is that Jay himself has on more than one occasion formed captives where life insurance was involved.
Lastly, Jay continues with his all-too-familiar scare tactics designed to drive business away from others and toward his firm. He implies over and over throughout the "article" that anyone who does business with a captive professional (other than himself, it is implied) is taking their lives into their own hands. For instance:
Reading the article at the above link, you might be forgiven for thinking that everybody who mentions a captive, other than Jay, is a "promoter." How silly: There's simply no captive attorney in the country who has been more involved in self-promotion in general and promotion of captives in particular than Jay Adkisson. Adkisson is a captive promoter extraordinaire! A simple Google search will prove the point. Anyone who fears high profile "promoters" should fear Jay first and foremost.
Jay also suggests that if tax savings is a consideration in establishing a captive, then there's "no true economic purpose" for the entity. Really Jay? Can you find me a single court case that says that tax planning can't play any role in a contemplated transaction lest its economic substance be jeopardized? I wonder if Jay contributes to a 401(k) or an IRA and, if he does, whether he takes a deduction? Why would anyone would ever contribute to a 401(k) (that had no match) if he didn't get a tax deduction by doing so! Why would anyone voluntarily tie up his or her own money in a plan controlled by his/her employer--where he/she can't get to the money unless he/she first dies, becomes disabled, or terminates service; where he/she has a limited number of investment options chosen by someone else; where there are penalties if he/she takes the money out and spends it prior to 59.5, and additional penalties if he/she leaves it in past 70.5--if they didn't get a tax deduction in return? They wouldn't. The simple fact is that the only reason most people fund their 401(k)'s and IRAs is because they get a deduction. Does this mean that IRAs and 401(k)'s have "no economic substance" and are just "tax shelters"? Again, of course not. Admittedly tax planning probably should not be the primary motivation in forming a captive, but to imply that tax considerations must be ignored or down-played is just dishonest. Jay knows better.
He also suggests that there's something improper about the fact that the amount of captive premiums (in many cases) just so happens to equal the amount of the business owner's desired tax deduction for the year, as if that's improper. First, I'm not so sure that this is true since, in my experience, people desire much greater tax deductions than they typically obtain via captive premiums. Thus, captive premiums are typically less than the desired deduction, not equal to it. However, Jay is correct that, in the captive world, the amount of budgeted premium typically drives the amount of coverage purchased (rather than the desired amount of coverage driving the amount of premium), but that's every bit as much a function of general business budgeting considerations as tax planning. But, even if the amount of premium is driven in part by tax planning considerations, does that make the arrangement somehow de facto improper or a sham? Of course not. After all, isn't the amount of every single 401(k) or IRA contribution usually driven by a combination of budget considerations and the desired amount of a tax deduction (or the government's contribution limits)? Of course. Very, very few of us have actually taken the time to do the math that is necessary to make sure that we don't contribute any more or less to our 401(k) or IRA in a given year than is necessary to actually fund our retirement. Does this mean that our retirement plan contributions are shams? Of course not. Likewise, so long as a business isn't purchasing from its captive more insurance than it reasonably needs, the fact that budgeted premiums drive the amount of insurance purchased rather than the amount of insurance driving the premium is in no way improper.
Jay then warns about arrangements where premiums paid have no bearing to the "true cost", or where there is insufficient risk shifting and risk distribution, and he (as usual) cautions against relying on actuaries, attorneys or other professionals to determine what a reasonable premium should be or whether risk distribution/shifting is sufficient. Respectfully, Jay, how is Joe Public to know whether premiums and risk distribution/shifting are reasonable without reliance upon professionals? Oh yah, I almost forgot: Your problem isn't with all professionals, just any professional other than you. Everyone else is incompetent, a crook, or a shill in your world. Only you can be counted on to give clients the unvarnished truth and protect them from those mean old folks at the IRS. If I remember that, then at least your writings make a modicum sense.
Next, Jay warns against working with anyone who doesn't have a private letter ruling from the IRS, implying that lack of such a ruling makes an arrangement "bogus". How dishonest! Jay certainly knows that the IRS issues letter rulings only in limited circumstances, and that it regularly declines to do so in areas that are too "fact and circumstances" specific or where it doesn't want to concede any ground or where it simply hasn't arrived at a formal position yet. He likewise knows that there are thousands of perfectly legitimate transactions done every single day that aren't backed by letter rulings. To suggest that absence of a ruling means a transaction is "bogus" or even inherently suspect is just...lying. For what it's worth, it's a virtual certainty that Jay has not himself obtained a PLR for every captive with which he has been involved. Given the time and cost it takes to get one, I'm guessing that he obtained a ruling in only a small fraction of the captives he has formed.
I guess Private Letter Rulings are for the little guys. Great Men like Jay Adkisson can only rarely be bothered, but all of us advisors out here in fly-over country...well...we should be expected to produce one for every client/transaction.
Come on, Jay. Get real.
Remember when you were a kid and you'd let out a "silent but deadly" fart with your friends? What did you do next? If you were like most, you'd immediately shout out "Gross, who farted?!", in a rather shameless attempt to divert attention away from yourself and toward others. However, did you really fool your friends very often? Probably not. They likely outed you after a while. So, here in the fly-over country, we've developed a saying that's relevant to this topic: Whenever someone shout's "Who farted?", especially if they do it loudly and obnoxiously, we are apt to respond "the smeller's the feller!", meaning he who complains about the fart first and most loudly probably did it.
And when it comes to captive insurance companies, no one's out there screaming "Who farted?!" more loudly and obnoxiously than Jay Adkisson. As Shakespeare said, "the [man] doth protest too much." Remember that the next time you read an article by Jay.
UPDATE:> Shockingly, the Tennessee Highway Patrol doesn't know that terrorism isn't a threat in Tennessee. If only they'd listened to Jay, they wouldn't have wasted their money.
DISCLOSURE: IRS regulations require me to inform you that this post is not intended or written by me to be used (and cannot be used by you) for the purpose of avoiding penalties that may be imposed with regard to the tax consequences arising from any matters discussed in this message or for the purpose of promoting, marketing or recommending to another party any transaction or matter addressed in this message.


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subset: commoncrawl


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Wednesday, March 21, 2012
World Down Syndrome Day: Choosing Sides
Society seems to operate on the fact that any can speak as they will regarding people with intellectual disabilities because they don't or won't understand. Hateful words thrown at people with intellectual disabilities don't matter because they, the poor happy darlings, are oblivious to the meaning and the intent. Others, maybe most others. do realize that the words hurt but have no fear because people with disabilities have no political power and their vilification isn't taken seriously. So ... those with privilege and those with power do what people do when they can - abuse their power by abusing others.
I remember seeing a man with Down Syndrome coming out of a movie theatre and being stoned to silence, being frozen in spot, by other kids tumbling out of another movie flinging THAT word around. They saw him. Of course they did. The hurt was obvious. They didn't stop. They didn't care. They were with each other, he was alone. They thought, as they were a cut above, they could cut him down. They thought his disability, his lack of understanding, didn't hold them accountable. He did. They were. They committed the five minute murder.
You know the 'Five Minute Murder?' Its when someone does something to someone else that leaves that person wishing for death for five minutes. For five minutes there is struggle for breath. For five minutes the mind tries to stop the soul from bleeding. For five minutes the will to live, the will to move and the will to go on slowly revives. Those kids committed a crime knowingly and didn't care, cause they probably thought he didn't understand of if he did 'what could he do?'
Today, World Down Syndrome Day, for me is a day of protest, not awareness. To me this is a day where we declare our allegiance. To me this is a day where we pick sides. To me this is a day where we stand, are counted and thus held accountable. It is a day where we pledge to use our voices, use our anger, use our love and use our time - to eradicate the silence that ignorance and prejudice depend upon. We pledge to teach those with Down Syndrome and be taught by those with Down Syndrome. We work towards self advocacy and towards the 'growing' of the chorus of voices of the people affected most - those with Down Syndrome. Our vision is a movement that we support, not lead. Our vision is a voice that we facilitate, not manipulate. Our vision is power placed into the hands of those who need it. Those who are murdered, five minutes at a time, throughout a lifetime.
Those who live should not wish death. Those who live should not suffer willful hurt. Those who live should not have to depend on the voice and the courage of another. That, to me, is what World Down Syndrome Day is about.
People with Down Syndrome understand - it's time others do too.
63 comments:
- prof prem raj pushpakaran said...
- This comment has been removed by the author.
- 21 March 2012 at 01:02
- savannah Logsdon-Breakstone said...
. . .
I think dr Pushpakaran has a very different idea of awareness than us. . . .
- 21 March 2012 at 01:05
The doctor's post may be coming from a different angle - but is valid. I'm sure there isn't a parent in the world that wishes they had a baby with difficulties. Thankfully there are many who embrace differences with love. But, if there is a possibility to conceive and have a better chance of having a child who will not have to experience the 5 minute murder over and over in their lives - should we not consider that possibility? (I am NOT speaking of abortion - just some healthy choices.) Being a good parent starts with making good decisions even before pregnancy. So let's keep an open mind - and be aware of things we can do - before and after. And the awareness that folks like Dave bring to those already having difficulties goes a long ways in fighting the ignorance. Thank you Dave.
- 21 March 2012 at 03:00
- Dave Hingsburger said...
Being a victim of other peoples violence - the five minute murder - points a finger at the purpetrator of violence, it names the violence for what it is. It doesn't suggest that we stop the murder of one by the elimination of many. Fat kids, kids with glasses, clumbsy kids, kids of colour, kids who are tall, kids who are short - the body count is going to be huge here. So Anon, parents of kids with pimples and kids who get good grades, their kids and all the others will experience social violence. Perhaps parents should begin to parent their kids in such a way that when the shot is fired, it will always miss. There is a way to do this - perhaps the solution is there.
- 21 March 2012 at 06:18
The other day, at the mall, a middle aged woman with Down Syndrome was out for lunch with her sister. When she got up to throw away her garbage a man spoke to her. He asked her how old she was and then told her he had a one year old daughter with Down Syndrome. He proudly showed her a picture of his little girl. The woman and her sister admired the picture. Everyone walked away feeling good. When the sister shared this story with me I had a feeling that everyone in the story had somehow been affirmed.
I don't think the answer to people being cruel is to eliminate those they cruel to. Think of all the types of people who would no longer be here if that were the case.
- 21 March 2012 at 07:16
I know Dave has a policy of not deleting comments as he valueas them all. Others have no concerns about deleting and devaluing whole groups of people. I was disheartened by the first comments and wondered why they invade this day rather than start their own "eliminate Down Syndrome" day.
- 21 March 2012 at 07:55
- Tamara said...
I have no idea what Dr. Prem Raj Pushpakaran's point is. What "proper counseling"? Unhealthy choices don't cause Down syndrome, Anonymous. It's not Fetal Alchohol Syndrome. Quit trying to put the blame on the mother. And if his "older mothers" comment means to quit having babies after you're 35 - well, guess what? 75% of babies with DS are born to mothers under the age of 35. Having "Dr." in front of your name doesn't mean you know everything.
Instead of trying to do away with it, how about recognizing that people with Down syndrome are indeed human beings just like you? They deserve to live on this planet and breathe the air just as much as you do.
And they deserve to live that life without experiencing the Five Minute Murder over and over.
Eliminating them to fix that situation is like eliminating women to do away with rape.
Just ridiculous.
- 21 March 2012 at 08:12
- Unknown said...
Tamara nailed it!
- 21 March 2012 at 09:05
Dear Dave:
Yes Tamara nailed it.
Having Down Syndrome (or any other disability for that matter) does not make one's life "unworthy of life"(as the Nazis put it). What makes life hard for people with Down Syndrome is the supposedly "worthy" people who bully them and commit the 5 minute murders - perhaps we should be focusing efforts on censuring that kind of behaviour instead of eliminating people with Down Syndrome. Those 5 minute murders don't just come out of thin air - they come in a society that tolerates and even nurtures hate.
My brother lived with Down Syndrome. The Syndrome really caused him very little trouble - he was fully capable of loving, being loved, and enjoying life to the fullest. What made his life hell was other people and how they treated him.
- 21 March 2012 at 10:07
- Meriah said...
Great series of Ds posts here, Dave! My favorite is probably the "question authority" one - after all, if I hadn't questioned authority telling me my Moxie would be "a burden for life" and that I would be wise to terminate her, well, I wouldn't have had her, would I.
- 21 March 2012 at 10:10
Lots of things to think about. Thanks Dave for starting the discussion (thinking....)
- 21 March 2012 at 11:55
- Moose said...
I wish I could figure out when we stopped accepting people for being people and not for whatever perceived 'problems' we see in them. Instead of being people, family, friends, lovers, even enemies, we are the fat one, the blond one, the disabled one, the insane one, the latino one, the gay one, or maybe the token so-called 'normal' one.
Maybe we've never accepted people for being people. We have plenty of language to use to discriminate against those we perceive as different when the simpler words like friend will do.
- 21 March 2012 at 12:13
- Liz Miller said...
- 21 March 2012 at 13:34
- Shan said...
Tamara, I wonder if "proper counselling" means counselling towards abortion? Read the first comment with that assumption, and it kind of makes sense.
- 21 March 2012 at 14:00
Sometimes I am lost for words to describe my feelings...
After reading your post I silently voiced what Liz already said "Amen".
- 21 March 2012 at 16:22
- Tamara said...
Shan - It certainly could be what he meant, but why would he single out "older mothers" when new non-invasive tests are supposedly being offered to all pregnant women without regards to their age?
And not sure why we would want to save a person from "five minute murders" by not allowing them to live at all ... Not sure I understand the logic ...
- 21 March 2012 at 16:22
- John R. said...
silence = death.....awareness is one thing and Dave, yes....this is a protest day...ummm People with Down Syndrome are people with dreams, desires, thoughts, opinions, political ideas, sex fantasies and so on and so on.....
So, I doth protest Dr. Prem and Dr. Prem needs to learn that it is not Downs Syndrome if indeed he/she is going to be doing proper counseling...
- 21 March 2012 at 17:12
- John R. said...
oh...yeah....what the **** is proper counseling?????
- 21 March 2012 at 17:13
- Louise said...
It may sound horribly trite to say 'some of my best friends have Down's Syndrome', but it happens to be true. And not only their families and friends, but our societies and indeed the world would be much worse off without them.
I'm happy to pledge to be taught and to teach, to take sides and protest.
- 21 March 2012 at 18:05
- Cole said...
Never in a million years have I wished I hadn't read the comments here. So sad on this day that those would be the first comments. I completely respect your respect of all comments. Just not what I expected to see. They need to go read your two previous posts.
Anonymous must life quite the life to be able to assume that a baby with typical chromosomes is a baby without difficulties. One might assume from that post that they have NO children. If me being old is what got me my girl- thank god I waited.
- 21 March 2012 at 21:41
- lkgf4dmcrc said...
Cole - I totally agree. I never get upset with comments here but am utterly disgusted by this doctor. He obviously does not understand statistics let alone anything about Down syndrome. It is a shame that he has MD after his name and people take him seriously because of it. In my mind, he is a disgusting human being who uses his degree for power and control which he never should.
- 21 March 2012 at 21:52
- Heather said...
First and foremost, thank you for this series. All amazing. Hated to come to this last and find that still ignorance abounds. Although, I know it does, just saddens me but never weakens my resolve to soldier on. Perhaps we will continue to face it for always but no matter. We will keep, keeping on. Spreading the word about unconditional love to ALL human being, irregardless of what others perceive of differences. This entire world is made up of 'different' and thank goodness. What a boring place it would be other wise and what magic we all would have missed out on.
I am an 'advanced maternal age' mother and I where that title proudly but not as proud as I am of the child that came to us to show us the way. She came bearing an extra chromosome and a rare blood disorder and suffered a stroke inutero and had a rare form of epilepsy AND went through 8 months of treatment for leukemia .... does that stand as a testament of why these beautiful children should NOT be given life? Some may so narrow mindedly think so. I however see her as a beacon of hope. A testament of all that is good. Courage and resiliency show in the tiniest of bodies. Enduring the unfair and still emerging victorious. Inferior?? I think not. SUPERIOR. And I am blessed and lucky to be her mother. If anyone cares, click over and see a face that represents Down syndrome and I defy anyone to think she is anything but perfect.
Sorry for hijacking the comment section Dave. Thank you again for all you do, bringing awareness and light to a, at times, dark world.
- 21 March 2012 at 22:15
- Shan said...
I didn't know the stat quoted above, about 75% of children with DS born to women under 35. I thought the incidence increased with the mothers' age.
Even then, I don't understand the 'get an abortion' logic either, Tamara.
But then, I'm pro-life.
When I was pregnant at 28 & 30, and was offered the screening, I refused it. It sounded like a search and destroy mission, to me.
- 21 March 2012 at 22:52
Shan - You are correct that the odds of having a baby with DS increases with maternal age. However the majority of babies with DS are born to women under age 35 because that age group gives birth to so many more babies than the over 35 group.
- 22 March 2012 at 00:12
Reading over these comments for the the first time I am struck at how defensive and attacking many of the comments are, especially from people that are suppose to be supporting acceptance of those that are different - or does holding a different point of view not count?
- 22 March 2012 at 01:42
Really? So because most folks that have, are related to or have friends that have DS enjoy the company of DS folks it is ok to purposely create people with DS. Who suffers the most?
Because doctors can put most victims back together today after a car accident does that make it ok to drive drunk? You would probably say no - but yet defend the right to make a life miserable.
I think it is all very noble to say that having a child late is your choice, and you are ready and able to take what is given - but you aren't the one that has to live with the disability first hand.
Just because we can do something doesn't make it right. If there is a possibility of not having a DS child - wouldn't that be better? (I don't think the doctor is promoting abortion.)
If we want to make a difference in the DS world - use your head more than your heart. Do the research.
Oh - I have a disability. Like Dave I have my days of anger and frustration. I see more days of "red" and "blue" than most. I'm not saying I wouldn't want to live - but if I had a choice not to have a disability - you can bet I would take it.
- 22 March 2012 at 01:54
- Louise said...
No-one is 'purposely creating people with DS' - except perhaps God, depending on your point of view. They exist, in every nationality. As a group of people with a particular genome, to eliminate them would be genocide.
As for the whole question of life being more difficult and maybe not worth living for the individual concerned (in the end the opinion of family and friends doesn't matter so much, I agree) - those people with DS who I've asked have said that their lives are very much worth living.
Some years ago, there was a scandal in the UK around amniocentesis and a journalist from a Christian newspaper came to my community to interview some people with DS about exactly this ("Is your life worth living?'). Philip replied 'You're from a Christian newspaper. I'd rather talk about the divisions between the Christian churches. I think it's more interesting'. Philip's life was a gift, to himself, and to those around him.
- 22 March 2012 at 03:31
Nazi's held a different point of view, and they killed people deemed unworthy of life.
Peter Singer holds a different opinion and he advocates for killing children with disabilities, after birth, so society doesn't have the burden of their lives.
Sometimes opinions are more than opinions - they are ideas that need to be fought. Why do people who are aggressive always call those who fight back 'defensive'. You attack, we defend. What you are really annoyed about is the fact that we don't just accept your annonymous expertise and your annonymous finger pointing.
People who suggest we don't welcome all opinions are never welcoming ours. People who want us to respect their point of view, never bother to look at ours.
Don't think, anonymous commenters, that your point of view is fresh. It's not. Bigotry is a point of view, with a long, long history.
- 22 March 2012 at 06:12
- My Girls R Angels said...
Thank you Dave for another wonderful positive post.
Ummm, Dr. Prem, I feel sorry that you wasted so many years in school, have that big fat title in front of your name and still don't have a clue. Ignorance is the biggest disability!
- 22 March 2012 at 06:28
Janet - if you follow the rules of the internet as soon as you mention the Nazi's or Hitler you've automatically lost the debate. You can't just wind everything down to 'but what about the Nazi's...'
People ARE entitled to their opinion. The implication that if I don't agree with you I'm somehow an extremist is incredibly insulting. You should be ashamed of yourself.
- 22 March 2012 at 09:18
- Ettina said...
"Because doctors can put most victims back together today after a car accident does that make it ok to drive drunk? You would probably say no - but yet defend the right to make a life miserable."
Selective abortion does not prevent *disabilities*, it prevents the whole person. When you abort a child with DS, you're not choosing between having a child with DS vs an NT child, you're choosing between a DS child and no child (sure they can have one later, but that's no more the same child than I am my younger brother).
- 22 March 2012 at 10:11
Disabled people have every right to cite Hitler and the Nazi party. We were the first sought out to be killed. Attitudes do lead to practice. You call me by name, and attempt to shame me, yet you hide behind Anonymous. I am not ashamed of my views, nor am I ashamed for 'appropriately' citing history. I wonder why you want to 'shame' me, and yet hide your shameful ideology behind a mask. Name yourself before shaming someone else.
- 22 March 2012 at 11:07
- Tamara said...
Not sure if the Anonymous posts at 1:42 am and 1:53 am are from the same anonymous, but I'll address both.
There is a difference between respecting someone else's point of view and remaining silent while someone spreads misinformation.
There are two ways to prevent a baby with DS being born - not conceive one in the first place and abort.
If the Dr from India is suggesting that women over 35 do not have children, then he only prevents the birth of 25% of babies born with Down syndrome - and prevents the birth of a lot of babies born without Down syndrome.
What is he suggesting? I have no idea. The condition of Down syndrome is understood as the trisomy of the 21st chromosome. But no one has found the reason that chromsomes trisomy. Even if an egg has an extra chromosome, there is no way to identify it before it drops and is fertilized. And then there are the eggs that split after fertilization causing the Mosaic version of Down syndrome. What caused that? How do we stop that from happening. It probably happens hours or days after conception. Medical science is not there yet. Maybe they will be someday - I have no idea. I'm sure it will happen long after I'm dead.
And, there has been research done on the feelings of people with Down syndrome and how they feel about having Down syndrome. When my son was young, I didn't understand parents who said that if there was a "cure" for Down syndrome, they would not want it for their child. I just didn't get it. Sure, I would go for a cure. Then I came to the realization that it just wouldn't be my decision. My son is almost 15, and he would have to make that choice. (And I realize this is totally a hypothetical situation that probably won't ever happen).
So, interestingly, I saw some study not long ago that many people with Down syndrome wouldn't want to change themselves. I think that speaks to their acceptance of themselves in a very powerful way. We should listen to them. I know not all people with DS feel that way, but many do.
To summarize: There are no "healthy choices" or "good decisions" that can be made before pregnancy that will prevent Down syndrome. Not all people would abort a child with Down syndrome and should not be forced to do so. Many (most) people with Down syndrome report that they are happy with themselves just the way they are.
May I add, that I have done my research. I am not speaking with my heart. The doctor and at least two of the Anonymous posters have not done their research and are spreading information that is vague and probably false.
- 22 March 2012 at 12:06
- Becca said...
I think Dr. Pushpakaran is the one that needs some counseling...
Love you, Dave. Great post.
Actually, just today, my husband and I were marveling (as we do SO often!!) at how our daughter, Samantha, (who is 5 and has Down syndrome), makes such a positive impact, on complete strangers, on a daily basis. How could this world function without such beautiful, pure spirits? Without the unconditional love and joy? Without people who naturally *lack* malice, pretense or narcissism?
- 22 March 2012 at 14:00
- Moose said...
As a disabled person and someone raised in the Jewish faith who had many family members killed by the Nazis (although some few survived), I find any and all reference to Nazis as "being like" anything else completely abhorrent.
What happened in Nazi Germany is a stain on all of humanity. To compares anything else to it is to water down the impact of what happened to millions and millions of people.
If you cannot make your case without bringing up Nazis and Hitler, you are not making your case at all.
Aborting a fetus because of Down Syndrome is horrific not because of anything else. It is exactly what it is -- the idea that an abortion should be performed solely because of a disability.
Did you know that at least one in ten women would abort a fetus if they knew it would become a fat person? Think of the shallowness of that.
- 22 March 2012 at 15:33
I respectfully disagree, in part, with what you are saying. I abhor people using terms like "soup nazi" and speak up in protest about the minimization that occurs by the casual usage of that kind of terminology. But, in historical context, I believe it is important to mention. I, too, am Jewish, and I can tell you that in my family, and among our friends, we discuss disturbing trends, always with an eye to the past. Why can't people with disabilities, my other family, do the same thing? The connection between Nazi ideology and eugenics is not well known. Do you know the story about the first disabled person killed under Hitler's regime, do you know what he learned from the marketing of that death? I do. Not only that I can reference my sources. I do not casually, as you suggest, mention this history. Hitler believed in a world without disability. Nazi doctors castrated and sterilized people with disabilities to eliminate the gene pool of those who's lives weren't worth the living. The elimination of people with Down Syndrome has a long history and to ignore the part that Nazi science has in that history is dangerous. It may upset people and people who set "internet rules" may not like it. This is part of the history of disability and speaking about it on a disability blog is not only appropriate, it is imperative.
- 22 March 2012 at 17:59
- Ole Ferme l'Oeil said...
Thank You Dave for this important post, very well written and so right as usual.
I live in Switzerland (and am also French, and spend some time there too)
Here, where english-speaking people would use the R Word, people use slurs that directly reference people with Down Syndrome, I just can't imagine how painful for people with Down Syndrome (my colleagues haven't talked to me on this subject, and I didn't ask them, because I think it may be a painful subject and don't want to trigger them.)
But thamk you for this post really.
- 22 March 2012 at 19:28
Dave, don't know if you've ever seen the US website "Stuff White People Like," but they have an entry about "awareness." As in, white people love to raise awareness, because they naively think that if people are aware of bigotry, they will choose not to commit it. You, like the writers of that site, know better - that this is, alas, not necessarily the outcome.
- 22 March 2012 at 19:43
- Eric said...
anon said: "if you follow the rules of the internet as soon as you mention the Nazi's or Hitler you've automatically lost the debate"
I have this to say: first read the Godwin's law FAQ. (Though I am, of course, the sort who thinks "rules of the internet" are a bullshit notion in and of themselves. Godwin's law in and of itself, however, is not a rule to guide behavior or argumentation.)
As well: As Godwin's Law of Nazi Analogies becomes more famous the probability of misinterpretation and misapplication of the law approaches 1. All it says is the probability of an analogy approaches 1. It does not say such comparisons are automatically fallacious.
Also note that anon says nothing about the Singer reference. It seems that just us soon as they see Nazi analogies they shut down to any other arguments. Flawed reasoning in one part of a given writing doesn't automatically invalidate good reasoning in another part, providing that the latter does not depend on the former. It's a fallacy of relevance. As an example: while Singer's flawed reasoning with regards to disability and quality of life gives reason to look more critically at the argumentation in all his work, it doesn't necessarily mean Animal Liberation is automatically to be disregarded.
somebody else put it much better than I could: "[the idea that whoever makes the first Nazi comparison loses the argument] is fucking ridiculous and ahistorical. I mean, I get that comparisons to Nazism and the holocaust are often used in really inaccurate, appropriative, sneaky ways. but I've been accused of breaking Godwin's law for bringing up actual links to currently active neo-Nazi groups. Nazism had a historical context, its impact is ongoing, and there are many people today who hold explicitly Nazi beliefs. There is nothing to be gained by exempting it from any kind of analysis or comparison to other events. It doesn't help us to crystallise it as an example of the most incommensurable evil, qualitatively beyond any other genocide or atrocity. it's not, ok? that's the kind of thinking that stops us from understanding it and preventing future atrocities. it's also the kind of thinking that allows the unscrupulous to use it as an unanswerable slur. we need more critical analysis of the ongoing impact of Nazism and the Holocaust, not less."
Going from all of this, careful mentioning of Nazi ideology and its origins in American/British-created eugenicist and social Darwinist ideologies, and how much of the base ideas in this ideology with regards to disabilities are still in place, is not Godwin's law. Personally I'd be more prone to reference the earlier American & British eugenicists, because they're more obscure (and I believe it would be better if people were more informed on the subject, and that the Nazis essentially just implemented ideas created in other countries) and...well, nobody's going to pull out this obnoxious crap on me if I do that instead. But it doesn't make such comparisons invalid. At worst, I would be willing to accept comparisons in this thread as blunt.
Someone up-thread said something about how sometimes, resisting certain opinions is a good thing. I unequivocally agree with that statement.
Finished now, and apologies for the word vomit. Dave, thank you for the post.
- 22 March 2012 at 20:01
- Dave Hingsburger said...
I've followed these comments really closely and have gone through so many differing emotions while reading them. What impresses me though is that, when people disagree, they do so using words to debate not words to demean. I've seen these kind of discussions go so nasty so quickly elsewhere. The respectful, though heated, disagreement is something I'm thankful for.
AS for the Hitler reference, I was glad to see Eric's point and I think he said what he said better than I could say it right now. I remember when the play, 'Bent,' openned in Toronto and mainstream critics howled that the gay community was diluting the experience of millions by claiming to have something to say about the Holocaust. What I noticed was that none of those who made these statements were Jewish. I wonder if there are those who want to 'corral' those ideologies to history as a way of making them irrelevant. Like Janet, and I have written about it before, I don't like the word 'Nazi' used in a humourous way, but mentioning the Holocaust or Hitler in an appropriate context shouldn't be forbidden. I also don't think that Janet, and she may want to correct me here, was calling anyone else here a 'Nazi'. I thought she was simply making the point that opinions and ideas can become action and I thought that point was well made.
Anyways I'm in danger of writing another whole post here, so let me end again by thanking you all for discussing more than yelling.
- 23 March 2012 at 04:25
Dear Dave:
I believe I made the first reference to Nazis in this stream of responses and I stand by what I said. If anyone thinks that what happened in Nazi Germany happened in isolation or just all of a sudden during the war - think again. Eugenics programs and policies were around the world for decades before people were exterminated in Nazi Germany. Eugenics started in Great Britain and was supported by many high profile people in North America and around the world. In Canada we continued to sterilize people without their consent for 25 years after forced sterilization was declared a crime against humanity at Nuremburg - and nobody batted an eyelash.
I too dislike frivolous references to Nazis and Hitler. My reference is not frivolous. It is serious. If we do not know this history and if we are not vigilant we are in grave danger of doing it again. Eugenics has not just gone away - it has morphed into "proper counseling".
I do not want to live in a world where we eliminate anyone. I want to live in a world where we welcome everyone, celebrate everyone - just the way they are, the whole package.
- 23 March 2012 at 08:05
The book 'Our Own Master Race' looks at the practice of eugenics in Canada with particular emphasis on disability. What I read there about Canada's connection to the extermination of people with disabilities in Germany shocked me. What they don't teach us is what we need to learn.
- 23 March 2012 at 09:27
Dear Dave:
I absolutely agree. People need to know this history but we are not taught it. We are not as far from doing it again as many people like to think. Keep publishing your very thought provoking blog, Dave!
- 23 March 2012 at 10:32
- Cole said...
Last night I was sitting and reading the comments section while watching my 3 year old who has Down syndrome splash and play in the bathtub with her 5 year old sister while my 37 week in-utero baby happily kicked at me. It turned my stomach and made me want to lock the outside doors and keep all three of them with me protected forever. Then I came back just now in the light of the day and saw Dave's response and felt like I could breathe again- and she could go outside and safely play with her sister.
I'm just going to come pull up a chair and sit by you Dave while I watch her. ((hugs)) Thank you for the perspective- as always. Not only could I breathe again but I can go back to this- to quote you in what might be my favorite quote to date:
"Sometimes love is a political act.
Sometimes family is an act of rebellion.
Sometimes hearts do just what they are supposed to do."
Our little act of rebellion is due in just two weeks. I may be old- but I have love and a family. Our hearts are so very blessed.
- 23 March 2012 at 13:01
Anonymous said: "The doctor's post may be coming from a different angle - but is valid. I'm sure there isn't a parent in the world that wishes they had a baby with difficulties."
There is: me and my partner. We want to have disabled children. Why? Because as a lesbian couple, adoption is one of the ways we can have children and we would rather adopt a "hard to place" child, one who really needs us.
Most healthy babies in the adoption system will find good homes, but older children, or disabled children are less likely to find a permanent home, because everyone wants healthy babies. So, we want older children and children with disabilities, because they deserve a good home too, and we can provide one.
If my future child is blind, I already know Braille and will be able to help them with reading and pre-reading. If my future child is deaf, I already know sign language, and can communicate with them from day 1. If my future child has Downs, they will learn some things more slowly, or differently than other children, and they will do things when they are ready to do them, and we will love them for who they are and encourage them to do the best they can, whatever that is.
I do not hope I will have an able-bodied child. I just hope I will have children. Whatever they look like, whether they learn to speak with their mouths or their hands, whether they are potty trained at 2 or at 12 or need to use adult diapers, none of this matters to me.
If my child did end up being able bodied, I would love them all the same, of course.
- 23 March 2012 at 20:08
Hey - it's not about you - and how you have abilities and talents to cope. It's not about your capacity for great love - it is about the person with the disability. You may be able to "manage" - but we have been managed enough.
- 25 March 2012 at 18:36
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- 26 March 2012 at 22:07
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- 27 March 2012 at 22:47
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- 27 March 2012 at 22:52
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- 27 March 2012 at 22:56
Dave, the 1st comments are SPAM or very similar. Hate speech does not belong here. Delete them.
- 28 March 2012 at 06:55
- Chlomar said...
I "get it"' but at the same time I have to wonder why people notice other's differences rather than strengths. We are all different than one another and that is a good thing. We all have strengths and weakness and that is good as well. If you really think about it, the only place that label of Down Syndrome or any other name for a developmental disability is an advantage is for funding. I have heard Support Workers call those they are supporting "tools", I have also seen support workers that are embarrassed to be seen with the people they are supporting. When are we all considered just people, referred to by our first name or Mr., Miss, Mrs. Or Ms?
The only people I personally have a problem with is what I call "Stupid People" ...my definition of a Stupid Person is one that knows better, but plays stupid or knows better but will not stand for what they know is wrong. I still believe we have a long way to go to educate the world to treat people as people and not a label of a disability.
Here's to just being people!
- 28 March 2012 at 19:40
- erina james, secretary said...
The Secretary to Prof Prem Pushpakaran
To, Mr/ Ms Dave
blog admistrator
It has come to the notice of Professor Prem, that you in your blog,"Rolling Around In My Head" is trying to malign his reputation by posting some trivial comment and make him in an unconfortable place,
Do One thing as suugested by the Professor Prem, to delete his comment (the first one on your dirty blog) as he will be free from disrepute. The comments made on him by other bloggers are unpardonable.
do delete his comment at once, as he is not interested in the welfare ur downs community from hereon.
Erina James
secretary to Professor of Bio-Ethics
new delhi
- 29 March 2012 at 23:31
I'm late to this one, but... First, thanks for writing this, Dave and also thanks for letting the comments stand. This discussion is important.
That said, to the anonymous above who talked about whether it wouldn't be better to not have a DS child based on how that child would feel. I was struck by your statement that you'd leave your disability in the dust in a second (or words to that effect). And sure... life would be easier without it, but that isn't the choice here. The choice is life or no life, not life with or without a disability. I'm sure many people have looked on my parents with pity because they had a disabled child or maybe - OK, definitely - at me with pity because I have a disability, but it has never occurred to me or my parents to wish I wasn't there. Wish I didn't get juvenile rheumatoid arthritis? Many times, because it's not a fun existence when it flares. Wish I didn't have a disability? Y'know... Aside from the practical aspect of it which can be inconvenient and irritating, I'm fine with it. I like who I am and where I'm at in life and it's a product of everything that's happened in my life, including the disability. If I had the choice to go back and do it all again, I'm pretty sure I'd choose the same road.
- 29 March 2012 at 23:51
- Dave Hingsburger said...
To Ms James, as you can see he deleted his own comment.
- 31 March 2012 at 12:33
Just wanted to say a big Thank You. For all the good work you do, for the respect you show to each of us & the way you teach in all you do... Even in the types of comments such as the " wheelchair" having bathroom issues (hah ha). Thank you for being you...
- 31 March 2012 at 22:20
Only a bit more than a week after Down Syndrome Day, I was shocked by an Easter procession in Malta yesterday. Of all the participating children, one was visibly suffering from Down Syndrome. And guess which role they gave him to play? Have a look: http://andreasmoser.wordpress.com/2012/04/01/dingli-easter-procession-children/ - and be prepared to be shocked.
- 1 April 2012 at 11:56
- becca said...
I apologize to respected professor Prem Raj Pushpakaran for my comments which has hurt him to his heart.
Dave, please delete my comments made on him.
please send my personal apology mail to him
- 2 April 2012 at 00:38
- Dave Hingsburger said...
To 'Becca' above. I can't believe you have created a fake webpage and are commenting as 'Becca'. I have been in contact with Becca and know that this simply isn't her. I don't understand the obsession you have with this blog post and the work of Dr. Pushpakaran. I suggest that you have reached as low as you can go and I'd suggest you stop.
- 2 April 2012 at 07:39
- Becca said...
Dave - thank you, thank you, thank you so much for getting in touch with me about the person posting as me (not sure how they managed to get my blogger profile pic in the profile, though). I would never, ever apologize to that guy for my comments - the guy needs some counseling himself for being so bold as to perpetuate such ridiculous misinformation. So, having said my bit, THIS is actually me. :-) Thanks again, Dave. You're awesome!!!!
- 2 April 2012 at 08:12
Note to Colleen, my son and I are very interested in history, etc. and one part of history (to the present) is the topic of eugenics. I did find a website which is dedicated to the research and education of eugenics in Canada. I thought you may wish to look at their information. Perhaps, depending upon where you live, you may be able to attend one of their presentations (they had one that just went by in March).
Hi Dave and Joe,
I've been studying genetics, etc. recently, as my son went for genetic counselling in January at the IWK in Halifax. I wanted to know exactly what "genetic counselling" meant ... and, in my search, I found that genetic counselling was NOT for the purpose of encouraging termination of a pregnancy; (at least in our case) ... it was for the purpose of my son and his future partner to know what to possibly expect if (when) he contributed to a pregnancy.
I know for myself, if I knew of significant genetically passed-on health issues ... I would likely have been better prepared ... and my son would likely have had better health care (as so many months/years were spent trying to figure out what his health issues were .... and also that many of his health issues were misdiagnosed. With genetic testing/counselling, at least you can be prepared to realize that you have a certain percent change of your baby having this or that. (As CHD's run in our family, this is important to know).
I did get a chance to read the dr's comments before he deleted them, and I didn't read into his comment that he was suggesting that "proper counselling" meant that he was implying termination/abortion would be the best choice.
Dr's are responsible for giving their patients ALL of the information. I know one friend of mine, when we were in high school, that her mother had a pregnancy which she chose to end (after very difficult decisions were made). It broke her mother's heart to end her pregnancy, and she cried at the ultrasound images she kept. Her mother was faced with either contniuing the pregnancy or both she and the baby dying. I know my friends mother never got over what she chose to do. I know if I were in the same exact circumstance ... I truly don't know what I would have done either; but, it's not for me to judge others for what they do. We are responsible for ourselves.
I know when I had my son, I was basically "on my own", and even then, the obstetrician recommended I have an abortion; I think because he was looking at the situation I was in; but, ultimately, it was up to me, and I didn't want to end my baby's life, just because I was unexpectantly pregnant. Although he was not planned (by me), I chose to have bim, and have loved him ever since.
Just my opinion.
- 2 April 2012 at 23:38
- Leah Spring said...
I'm a bit behind on this discussion, but I wanted to comment on the Hitler references. Did you know the US was very much involved in the Hitler eugenics movement? It was that movement that created the building of mental institutions in the 30's and 40's here in the US, and the continued warehousing of people with disabilities well into the 80's. I have three kids with Down syndrome, two adopted from Eastern Europe. The facilities they came from were built in the late 30's to house the "useless eaters" as Hitler, Stalin and Lenin referred to them. During the Holocaust the entire disabled population was murdered LONG before the concentration camps were filled. Sadly, the mentality surrounding those born with disabilities in some parts of the world, particularly those still in the shadow of those three leaders, hasn't changed much. I have watched children in these facilities be treated worse than the stray dogs on the street by caregivers who then go home and lovingly care for their own children. All because they've been taught by generations before them that these are the "useless eaters" with no ability to think, reason, or feel pain.
- 3 April 2012 at 01:04
- woolywoman said...
I remember being told my unborn son possibly had had Down's syndrome. The next step was supposed to be amnio, which I declined. I signed up for having a baby- not for having a PERFECT baby. I'm not anti abortion. I think that people who are not ready to have a baby should not be forced to do so,although obviously birth control is the best way to try and do that. But I feel strongly that being a parent is about accepting the child you have, not some perfect dream child. This holds true for me whether the child has a disability or not. You have to love the child you have, not the one you wish you have. Parenting is a crap shoot.
It turns out that my son did not have DS- he was born with other, mild disabilities that have taken a lot of appointments, therapies, effort, and time to support his development. People would say "oh you're so great I couldn't handle it" and I would feel like doing violence to them, because, really, what sane person would walk away from their BABY? Will you walk away if they are ill or injured, or become disabled? I hope that most of us wouldn't.
I think the 5 minute murder is a powerful metaphor, and one I will not forget soon.
- 11 April 2012 at 23:03


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7/2 On Iowa Cubs & no fear
The kid who really impressed me on the Iowa team was Marwin Gonzalez, a switch-hitting shortstop. He hit a couple doubles, nice bat. He'll be a pretty good player. I have to speak about Bryan LaHair and what he's doing. His numbers are phenomenal. At some point, hopefully he gets a chance to help the team, whether it's here or somewhere. Welington Castillo is looking good back there and still learning. He looks good at the plate. Jonathon Mota, he played second and third, had some good at-bats, really nice hands. I think that infield, regardless of who they put out there, is one of the best in Triple-A. Bill Dancy is running things and righting that ship. Look at his winning percentage as a manager. He was my field coordinator in '99 with the Phillies. Some of the young guys were throwing the ball well — "Bergie" has a sub 2.00 ERA. He's got big league stuff. Scott Maine was doing well. He made one bad pitch when I was down there.
All the young guys who are first-years in Triple-A, like Marwin and DJ and Welington, need to keep stepping up and keep getting better and keep learning and take that from now until they get to the big leagues.
No fear. None whatsoever. First at-bat at Iowa, I took the first pitch and my thought process the whole time was, "See the ball." It wasn't, "What's going to happen?" That didn't cross my mind. In the second game, there was no thought process whatsoever, it was just baseball. I knew I was ready then. I'm glad, because I wasn't really sure how I was going to react and I reacted very well.
— Marlon
7 Comments
HI Marlon, glad to hear that you have the same attitude toward the ball you had before. We need all the bats we can get. We are playing tough and playing with as a "team". I know we have to crank it up a notch, but we have the horsepower to shift gears. I still think we can be within 6 games at the All-Star break… Tony Palos.
Glad to have you back in The Bigs , Your bat and you excellent approach to the game have been sorely missed.
hey marlon, im so glad you're back, me and my sister hav really missed you being in the game.
Wow, so if the Cubs called up Marwin Gonzalez, there would be Marlon, Starlin, Darwin and Marwin? Those are some great names
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Hello. We think we know you. You are a good student, maybe even a great or fabulous student. You are looking forward to going to college. Or, more likely, you are in your senior year and getting organized for the full-court press of getting into the college of your choice and getting the scholarship you need to be sure you and your family can afford this next step of your education.
Featured Scholarship:
It's pretty exciting and more than a little nerve-racking. You're already dealing with the pressures of your high school career, and they are significant, we know. The process of getting ready, getting into, and paying for college is a very big, extra project in your already crowded life.
You may be reading this Web site because you've already concluded that you will apply for a scholarship. Or the question of whether to apply for scholarships may not have an obvious answer for you yet. Either way, it's sensible to read our Web site and get the facts about college scholarships as well as the best advice we can offer about how to succeed in winning scholarships.
We will spend time on this Web site explaining how college funding works, the types of college scholarships available, how to find a scholarship, and how to apply for one. That's pretty standard issue for a Web site about scholarships, although we think (if you'll pardon us saying so) that we've done an excellent job of being comprehensive and readable. Here's what's different.
How To Win Scholarships
We know that the path to success in earning scholarships has approximately three parts. (This process is hardly so simplistic that anyone should presume to do more than approximate the components.)
- You must to be able to organize and prioritize.You must be able to write about a variety of topics, that may or may not be exciting to you, in a fluid and thoughtful way, demonstrating that you are a scholar or would like to be a scholar.
- You must be able to write about a variety of topics that may or may not be exciting to you in a fluid and thoughtful way, demonstrating that you are a scholar or would like to be a scholar.This may be the most difficult part about becoming a successful scholarship winner. However, we know that with some help, you can do it.
- You must understand yourself well enough to create a compelling portrait of who you are. You must understand your audience well enough to be able to position your skills and strengths as deserving of their support.
Knowing yourself takes more work than writing down a list of extracurricular activities. We will help you learn how to find the "method behind the madness" of your life and present it in a winning way. Why? Because scholarship committees award funding to candidates they can understand and relate to and who distinguish themselves from other candidates by their ability to communicate their special-ness.
Should you apply for scholarships? We think so. Why? Beyond the obvious fact that every extra dollar can help you and your family, the scholarship process is also a way to develop the winning skills that will serve you well in whatever you do in your life. The ability to organize, prioritize, write well, match message to audience and most of all, know yourself, are gifts you should give yourself as soon as possible. Use this website and the scholarship process to get yourself ready for the rest of your life.
By the way, if you happen to be a parent reading this website, please encourage your son or daughter to look for scholarships, following our approach. Just think how much smoother their path will be if they hone these skills now, before they leave your nest. If you're reading this website we know we don't really need to say this but we'll do it anyway. They'll need your help and support.
College scholarships are the ideal form of student aid, as they're basically gifts that never have to be repaid. On the other hand, student loans must be repaid, but they're made at very low interest rates, and you're usually you're not required to begin repayment until six months after you graduate. Some student loans require you to prove financial need, but some of them don't. Many students turn to student loans as a method to pay for college. Basically, if you cannot get access to the free money you have to borrow it in the form of a student loan.
Types of Scholarships Available
Scholarships originate from a variety of sources. This section will help you understand who awards scholarships and why they support college education through this specialized funding.
College Scholarships Come In Many Forms
College-Specific Awards
Colleges often have scholarship money available that is used to develop the financial package offered to an applicant who has been granted admission. These types of scholarships are available under a variety of terms that may include maintaining a certain GPA or pursuing a specific major.
Athletic Scholarships
Many athletes dream of going to college on an athletic scholarship. It's possible to achieve that dream, but these types of scholarships are highly competitive and the application process is a world unto itself. Awards are made through colleges, and applying for an athletic scholarship is akin to marketing yourself for a starring movie role. If you are interested in winning an athletic scholarship, go immediately to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Web site and begin reading as fast as you can.
According to the NCAA, athletic scholarships for undergraduate student-athletes at Division I and Division II schools are partially funded through the NCAA membership revenue distribution. These scholarships are awarded directly by each academic institution and not the NCAA. About $1 billion in athletic scholarships are awarded each year. Over 126,000 student-athletes receive either a partial or full athletic scholarship. Division III schools offer only academic scholarships. They do not offer athletic scholarships.
Second, contact the financial aid office of the school you hope to attend. They should have lots of information about available awards.
Third, find and read detailed information about the process of winning athletic scholarships. You might start with the site, www.collegesportsscholarships.com, created by an athlete and his dad to help other athletes understand the scholarship process. It's all free and is a good starting point. Also, the Fund My Future site, www.fundmyfuture.info, provides a lot of good, free information.
Academic Awards
These merit-based scholarships are awarded by your college for academic achievement. Inquire about these awards at your school's financial aid office, though you may not even have to apply for an academic award; they are often wrapped into the financial aid package offered by the college, based on your college application.
Departmental Awards
Specific departments may have scholarships available to attract or retain students in the department's field of study. If you know what your major will be, contact that department to inquire about scholarships.
Private Organizations
There are thousands of private organizations that offer scholarship awards, ranging from $50 to $20,000 and more. Within the "private" category, there are many types of organizations to consider.
Corporations offer scholarships to attract and retain employees, support the communities where the business is located, and encourage entrants into the business's field of work. These are often the scholarships that go unawarded for lack of applicants.
Search for corporation scholarships by checking with your parents' employers for possible programs, researching businesses in your region, and searching your newspaper's archives for award announcements. You may have a much greater chance of receiving a private corporation award because geographic, employment, and other restrictions narrow the number of candidates.
Religious Organizations
Religious organizations often award scholarships to help their members afford the cost of college. If you and your family are affiliated with a specific religious group, check with your local group about the availability of scholarships, as these types of scholarships are sometimes easier to qualify for than other kinds.
Unions are a major source of scholarship funds. The AFL-CIO Web site is good place to start searching for union-sponsored scholarships.
High School or School District
Your high school may offer scholarships to graduating students. Your high school guidance counselor can provide information about availability.
Chamber of Commerce
Chambers often have scholarship programs, and they can be great sources of information about which businesses in your community offer scholarships.
Other Private Organizations
The ubiquitous category "other" is really the mother lode of scholarship opportunities. There are thousands of scholarships available, given by organizations that wish to further their mission by supporting the education of students. This category of scholarships is the reason for using a Web search engine to identify suitable opportunities in this vast universe of money offers.
The Military
The military is a well-known source of college scholarships. The Air Force ROTC program can pay up to full college tuition, plus a stipend for books. Military scholarships are awarded in return for a tour of duty with the branch of the military supporting your education. Be sure you're prepared to fulfill the terms of your scholarship agreement. If the prospect of military service fits with your goals, a military scholarship may be an excellent way for you to underwrite your college education.
Use the military link at www.students.gov to locate the sites that you should search for military scholarships, including special scholarships for veterans.
State and Federal Sources of Financial Aid Funds
The federal government provides $41.3 billion in grant aid to post-secondary education students annually. The aid comes in several forms:
Need-based federal aid:
Federal Pell Grants
Federal Subsidized Stafford Loans
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants
Federal Work Study
Perkins Loans
Financing options:
Federal PLUS Loans (also known as Direct Plus Loans)
Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loans (also known as Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans)
Other parent loans
Alternative student loans
To receive a grant from the federal program, your college must qualify to administer these grants. Check with your school's financial aid department to be sure your school is a qualified participant. The Internet site where you can fill out your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), www.fafsa.ed.gov, provides great information about federal grant programs.
Another excellent site is www.students.gov. Click on their scholarships link, and you will find a glittering array of scholarship possibilities from many different federal agencies.
Check with your state's higher education authority to see what kind of assistance is available. Many states provide excellent scholarships and grants and often have special categories of award for women going back to school, minorities, and people with disabilities. Be sure to follow all application procedures and deadlines. Many colleges will not make up for state grants lost to students though late applications. Additionally, many states and private colleges administer need-based institutional funds that help round out financial aid awards.
Information Overload
The categories described on this page represent thousands of scholarships and billions of dollars in financial aid. Your job is to make your way through the maze of information and options, and in doing so, create a scholarship application plan that gives you the highest probability of success with the best scholarship matches available.
Read Next Article: College and Student Loans


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Pemphigus foliaceus (PF) is an immune-mediated disease that causes pustules and crusted lesions, most commonly on the pinnae, nasal planum, periocular area, chin, feet of affected cats. Acantholytic cells caused by dehydration of intercellular adhesions are often seen on cytology but are not pathognomic for PF. A definitive diagnosis is made based on histopathology showing subcorneal pustules with nondegenerate neutrophils and acantholytic cells. PF is treated with immunosuppressive doses of corticosteroids alone or in combination with other immunosuppresive medications, such as chlorambucil or cyclosporine. Most patients require lifelong treatment with these medications to keep the disease in remission.
Hershey, a 6-year-old, spayed domestic shorthaired cat weighing 3.4 kg, presented with an acute onset of nonpruritic crusted lesions on the head, ears, nail beds, and nasal area. She had a 2-day history of lethargy and anorexia. She had no history of medical disease and was up-to-date on vaccinations.
Full article on: http://mobile.vetlearn.com/Media/images/pdf/2010/PV/PV0510_mckay_Derm.pdf


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| 4.5°C Belfast
Union activists will today stage a protest outside a meeting at which they fear details will be given of plans to press ahead with redundancies at the Environment Agency.
The GMB said an amended timetable for 1,700 job losses will be laid out despite assurances from the Prime Minister that no jobs would be lost while the flooding crisis continued.
The agency has announced that any redundancies have been suspended, but unions believe the position will change as soon as the flooding recedes.
GMB official Paul Maloney said: "GMB is calling this protest because last week's EA announcement that consultation on redundancies has been put on hold is a sham.
"This meeting shows that the EA is pressing on with the 1,700 redundancies as soon as the floods have receded. Management wants the meeting to discuss how the delay in consultation impacts on the timetable for job losses.
"This is a ludicrous state of affairs - have government learned nothing from the current floods?
"At the root of the current flooding crisis are successive years of central government cuts that have trimmed maintenance budgets to unsustainable levels.
"What we need to see now is a clear commitment from Government to stop the redundancy process and to take the job cuts off the table.
"This should be in favour of an independent inquiry into what are the realistic funding levels necessary to ensure the EA has both the capital budget to protect the country from flooding and drought and a big enough revenue budget to maintain, service and run these vital defences."


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Sacrificial Lamb Kabobs & Wraps
- 50% off
- Only on the App
- Dupont Circle
- Indian, Halal, Middle Eastern
The best advertisement for this place is its aroma, which beckoned to me like a cartoon, drawing me in with a wispy finger. Must...get...noms...I remember first time I went to Sacrificial Lamb. I was biking to home from work along R St., NW, when I got a whiff of curry at the corner of 17th. Then, I swear, the aroma made like a cartoon and drew me in with a wispy finger. Soon I was dining on a plate of some of the juiciest, most flavorful curry chicken I've ever had and cutting its spice with a piece of freshly baked garlic naan. The next time I went (something like two days later), I opted for a dish featuring this hole-in-the-wall's namesake animal—lamb. I got it vindaloo-style, which did not disappoint. It made my tongue burn in the best of ways, but not so much that it masked the flavors of the spices, or most importantly, the lamb, which just like the chicken, was juicy and delicious. Keep in mind, though, that what you get in flavor and food quality, you don't get in frills. If there's room, I suggest sitting outside on the sunken patio, as the interior space can get snug when foot traffic is higher. It seems I'm not the only one unable to ignore the call of a beckoning cartoon aroma finger...
Menu Highlights:
Chicken Curry, $10.95
Lamb Vindaloo, $12.95
Beef Kabob, $11.95
Goat Biryani, $13.95
Chick Peas, $8.95
Garlic Naan, $2.95
Sunday - Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Friday - Saturday, 11 a.m. to midnight


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Now it actually BSODed at 108 degrees ...
Time for thermal paste replacement as i want to wait for intel halswell and skip ivy bridge ... Good move?
So is there a difference between all the pricespy products or is one superior or one to avoid?
How many grams do i need?


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49ers dig out of deficit, beat Falcons to stamp Super Bowl return
- 49ers last reached Super Bowl after 1994 season
- Falcons led 17-0 in second quarter
- Frank Gore%27s two second-half TDs spur San Francisco to NFC crown
ATLANTA — Jim Harbaugh threw one of the all-time great temper tantrums ever recorded on television.
Within a matter of minutes, he was giving his San Francisco 49ers assistant coaches big back-slapping hugs because he and his team were on the way to the Super Bowl.
The 49ers overcame a questionable call on a catch by the Atlanta Falcons' Harry Douglas (not to mention a missed call of offensive pass interference on Douglas) to make a stand deep in their own territory and hang on for a 28-24 comeback victory in Sunday's thrilling NFC Championship Game.
The 49ers, who posted their first road playoff win since 1989, will appear in their first Super Bowl in 18 years. They will face the Baltimore Ravens two weeks from Sunday in Super Bowl XLVII in New Orleans.
A matchup with the Ravens would pit Jim Harbaugh against his brother, John Harbaugh, Baltimore's head coach.
BOX SCORE:49ers 28, Falcons 24
FAILED CHALLENGE:Jim Harbaugh reacts angrily
Niners quarterback Colin Kaepernick, promoted to first string mid-season, will make his 10th NFL start in the Super Bowl. After running for a quarterback-record 181 yards in a divisional playoff victory over the Green Bay Packers, Kaepernick rushed just twice for 21 yards Sunday as the 49ers changed their game plan.
"I'm just enjoying this," Kaepernick said in a rowdy locker room. "I couldn't ask to be anywhere else."
The Niners almost didn't make it, and if they didn't, there would've been plenty of discussion about whether the ball hit the ground on Douglas' 22-yard diving catch to convert a third-and-2 and whether he should've been flagged for dragging cornerback Carlos Rogers to the ground to get open. Harbaugh's gyrating body after the Niners' failed challenge certainly showed what he thought of the calls on the field and in the replay booth.
Now, there will be plenty of talk about whether Niners linebacker NaVorro Bowman interfered with Roddy White on a failed fourth-and-4 at San Francisco's 10-yard line. Bowman got a jam on White at the 5-yard line, which is just at the edge of the 5-yard zone in which contact is permitted before the ball is thrown. He raised his arms to the air as the pass fell incomplete, and the officials agreed the contact was legal.
Of course, the Falcons shouldn't have allowed it to come down to such a close play and the judgment of the officials.
For the second straight week, they blew a big lead. Last week, they were able to regain the lead after wasting a 20-point edge against the Seattle Seahawks. This time, they came up short despite having a 17-point lead. Again, they wasted the No. 1 overall seed in the NFC and have pushed tight end Tony Gonzalez to the brink of retirement.
Give credit to Harbaugh's Niners. Nothing dissuaded them in their comeback attempt.
Not a 38-yard field goal attempt by David Akers late in the third quarter that doinked off the left upright. And not a fumble by Michael Crabtree at the 1-yard line on the next possession. Actually, that's generous. It was more like the 6-inch line, where Crabtree was stripped by Dunta Robinson. In a scrum the likes of which we can't even imagine, Falcons linebacker Stephen Nicholas came away with the ball.
No problem. On third-and-6, Rogers did what linebacker Patrick Willis couldn't do for most of the game – he covered Tony Gonzalez well and nudged him out of bounds short of the first down marker. The Falcons punted and the Niners took over at the at the Atlanta 38-yard line.
Four runs and a quick throw to Crabtree moved the ball to the 9. Frank Gore then ran underneath Falcons defensive end John Abraham, whose sprained ankle seemed to limit his change-of-direction ability Sunday and darted into the end zone for what proved to be the game-winning touchdown.
Where he did half of the former Falcons running back Jamal Anderson's "Dirty Bird" dance before giving the "Eh, never mind" wave to the home crowd. It was the image of the day – until Harbaugh nearly collapsed to the ground and chucked his headset.
Good thing for him, there was only reason to celebrate after that.


text: Dubai Party Pics: The Ahlan! Christmas Party At Opa Friends of Ahlan! gathered at cool new Greek restaurant Opa at the Fairmont Dubai, for a fun festive evening ByFarah AndrewsMonday , 17 December 2018 Sue, Preethi, Maggie and Jessie 0 Previous Next ITP Images Thumb-Previous Thumb-Next Share Your Photo On Tags : DUBAI PARTY PICS AHLAN! CHRISTMAS CHRISTMAS 2018


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Multi-channel consumers, an increasing desire and ability to shop around for the best deals, the impact of online reviews and recommendations… These are just some of the challenges facing the FMCG industry.
In order to spot opportunities and stay ahead of competitors, consumer goods businesses need both a 'full picture' view of market trends and granular understanding of consumer demand and purchasing behavior.
We provide timely, relevant data and insight on consumer trends and the factors impacting FMCG purchases and purchasing behavior. Three things make us stand out in this: our innovative research methodologies, our ability to combine multiple datasets (including our renowned Point of Sales tracking) and the sharp analysis provided by our FMCG industry experts. With these, we help you identify business opportunities and formulate winning strategies.
Here you can find the latest insights for the fast moving consumer goods industry. View all insights
?Our experience with GfK is great. They represent value-added research and I would endorse them without any doubt at all."


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Zend Framework has a great interface to access Google Data, this is one of the most easiest ways to implement Google Data API using PHP, in this short how-to i will explain how to authenticate, read and write information from/into your Google Calendar, Zend Framework Documentation has great examples on this. On this first part of this how-to i will explain how-to:
- Authenticate on Google Calendar
- List all your calendars
- Create a new Calendar
I will assume that you are already familiarized with the Zend Framework, and the project is already set up, meaning, include path's and all extra work.
First let's include the needed packages into our code:
In order to communicate with your Google Calendar, you need first to Authenticate, and there are 3 ways you can use to authenticate: ClientAuth, AuthSub and MagicCookie, you can read the details of each on the Zend Framework Documentation page, on my quick how-to i will use the ClientAuth method.
Authenticating on Google Calendar
* Please define your Email and Password for Google Accounts access
require_once 'Zend/Gdata.php';
require_once 'Zend/Loader.php';
//Let's enable autoload, ZF handles this nicely
$myEmail = YOUR_EMAIL_FOR_GOOGLE_ACCOUNTS;
$myPass = YOUR_PASS_FOR_GOOGLE_ACCOUNTS;
// Parameters for ClientAuth authentication
$service = Zend_Gdata_Calendar::AUTH_SERVICE_NAME;
$client = Zend_Gdata_ClientLogin::getHttpClient($myEmail, $myPass, $service);
Now that we have the authenticated client instance, we are able to interact with Google Calendar. The first action that i do, is to verify if the Calendar i want to write on, exists, if not, i create a new calendar.
Listing calendars and creating a new Calendar
* Lets create the Service instance, to interact with Google Data Api
$service = new Zend_Gdata_Calendar($client);
$calendarName = 'My Calendar ZF Example';
$useCalendarFeed = FALSE;
try {
// Let's get the calendar list from Google calendar API
$listFeed= $service->getCalendarListFeed();
} catch (Zend_Gdata_App_Exception $e) {
echo "Error: " . $e->getMessage();
* Need to run through all the array to search for our calendar name
* Calendar Listing Feed is available on $listFeed variable
foreach ($listFeed as $calendar) {
if($calendar->title == $calendarName)
$useCalendarFeed = $calendar->content->src;
* If we have not found the calendar we want to use,
* we need to create a new one
if(FALSE === $useCalendarFeed)
$appCal = $service->newListEntry();
$appCal->title = $service->newTitle($calendarName);
$own_cal = "http://www.google.com/calendar/feeds/default/owncalendars/full";
$service->insertEvent($appCal, $own_cal);
* Need to grab the Google Calendar feed again, with the newly inserted calendar
* We'll need the refreshed feed in order to get the newly added calendar ID in order
* to add the event into the created calendar
try {
$listFeed= $service->getCalendarListFeed();
} catch (Zend_Gdata_App_Exception $e) {
echo "Error: " . $e->getMessage();
If you go to your Google Calendar account a new calendar named "My Calendar ZF Example" was created.
You can download all the code from my Google Code Repository – Zend Framework Google Calendar Example 1/2.
Hope this helped, on the next how-to i will explain how to create events in your newly created calendar.


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Safety First!STEAM %83Safety First! is a twin stick physics puzzler in which you have to fix broken electric wires using your Magical Yellow Repair Liquid (MYRL). Can you beat all 69 levels? A game by JCOSafety First! is not the game you're looking for? You're searching for other games available in bundles? Take a look at our list of bundled games and you'll find them all for sure! If you're searching for FREE GAMES or great game deals you should visit our game deals & voucher page. Last but not least you should take a look at our epic bundle countdown page. Have fun.
Your thoughts about Safety First!?
Is Safety First! a MUST-PLAY, worth trying or is it just a MUST-SKIP? Help with your suggestions, hints, and thoughts! Have you written or found an interesting review, let's play or a related video or article for Safety First!? Feel free to post it here and start a discussion! Thank you for your comments!
Safety First! not in an active game bundle :(
- All current bundles are available on our bundle countdown page.
- If you´re searching for games in bundles, take a look bundle games page.
- You´re in search for digital game deals? Than just visit our Game Deals + Voucher page!


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Could it be dragons were in fact real? What if they just suddenly got extinct? With a little help from knights and other people, that is... I could imagine a huge dragon could be a real nuissance to any kingdom... But of course, the question arises: is it physically possible for a creature to breathe fire? Aren't all reptiles ectothermic? Hold on... dinosaurs were endothermic, right? Could dragons have actually been dinosaurs of sorts? OR descendants thereof -- like birds? Could a huge creature like that get airborne? Maybe they really weren't all that big? You would think that had they really existed, you would see a lot of evidence of that in historic accounts, right? But hold on, we do! There are all sorts of tales and legends. That doesn't make them true, though, does it?
...Does any of this make sense?
Oh, and I just recently found this in Leonardo da Vinci's notes...
The dragon flings itself under the elephant's body, and
with its tail it ties its legs; with its wings and with its arms it
also clings round its ribs and cuts its throat with its teeth, and
the elephant falls upon it and the dragon is burst. Thus, in its
death it is revenged on its foe.
These go in companies together, and they twine themselves after the
manner of roots, and with their heads raised they cross lakes, and
swim to where they find better pasture; and if they did not thus
combine they would be drowned, therefore they combine.
Personally, I have no idea what to make out of it.