text:
Leslie Bean '13
I'm Leslie Bean, a double major in Biology and GWSS from New Orleans, LA. When I first arrived at Grinnell, I did not consider myself a feminist, even though I espoused feminist values in my everyday life. After taking my first Biology class, I knew I wanted to major in Biology and thought that would be the only major I would want. During my second year, I took Intro GWSS and a number of feminist issues I'd struggled with over the years came up in class and I realized I wasn't the only one with these views and challenges. The areas of Biology and GWSS that I'm specifically interested in (ecology and masculinity studies, respectively) haven't yet overlapped in my college career yet, but I appreciate the opportunity that I have here at Grinnell to explore multiple areas of interest instead of being forced to choose one over the other. As of right now, I have only vague notions of what my post-graduation life might entail, but I do know that I'll use the perspectives gained in my GWSS studies to live my life in such a way to stay true to my feminist and anti-oppression values.
Liana Eisman '13
While a native New Yorker at heart, in 2009 I traded the sidewalks of Manhattan for the silos of Iowa to attend Grinnell. Upon beginning my education in GWSS, with Introduction to GWSS my freshman year, my interest was focused on feminist activism and on grassroots feminist communities. Through Introduction to GWSS, I examined different social movements and studied how they have shaped feminist identities, however, I also gained a heightened awareness of the relationship between gender, race and class, of the role that the media plays in perpetuating identity roles. After taking Theories and Methods my sophomore year, a course that provided me with the tools to translate my social feminist interests into academic language, I decided to declare a GWSS major. An indecisive person, I have enjoyed the academic freedom that an interdisciplinary major permits. The GWSS program does not only encourage me to take courses within different departments but, rather, requires that I do so. Because of its interdisciplinary framework, GWSS has allowed me to foster a range of academic, personal and professional interests, while simultaneously connecting my varied coursework with the overlying threads of gender, social inequality, and social justice. Due to this variation, GWSS has led me to critically challenge why things appear as they do within all of my coursework and daily experiences, instead of simply taking information at face value. As gender and sexuality continue to permeate all facets of culture and society so, too, does GWSS and I am enthusiastic to continue to explore new aspects and applications of this discipline.
Claire Fleckenstein '13
I'm a GWSS/French double major from Olympia, Washington and taking "Theory and Methodology in GWSS" my second year convinced me that I needed to major in GWSS. My GWSS education at Grinnell taught me to tie together my personal life and my scholarship. Classes like "Foundations of LGBTQ Studies" and "Feminist Memoirs" showed me the theory that has always affected my personal life, and revealed how the relationship between theory and practice is a two-way street. In the future, I want to teach and wish to share feminism with my students through a feminist/queer pedagogy. I want to make feminism and queer theory accessible to younger people, so they have more lenses through which to see the world. My love of the French language has also inspired me to take on a little side project and read texts by French feminists and theorists in the original French.
Elena Lynch '13
A degree in Gender, Women's, and Sexuality Studies is my license to think and act constructively, empathetically, and passionately while navigating personal and professional realities. As I try to make sense of political, social, geographic, and economic intersections of humanness throughout my work and my life, Gender, Women's, and Sexuality Studies facilitates my overall awareness and intention of what I do and who I am. Having chosen this interdisciplinary area of study, I have allowed myself to develop tools and skills which I can use to bridge conceptual gaps and solve problems. These skills, rooted in cultural critique and performance as well as historical, biological, and social analysis enhance my ability to absorb, contemplate, and interact with myself and other individuals.
Anika Manzoor '13
My name is Anika, and I am a GWSS major with a concentration in Global Development Studies (the only one right now!) hailing from Bethesda, Maryland. Growing up near D.C., I have had the great fortune of being involved with advocacy surrounding international girl's rights issues at a young age. Learning about the various awful ways women and girls are devalued around the world instilled within me a passion for female empowerment and when I realized I wanted to make a career out of that passion, I thought the GWSS major would provide me with the best tools to go forward. Pretty soon, I began to discover (and love) that the field is so much more than about "women." I came into the major interested in transnational/postcolonial feminism, but have expanded that interest to include all theorizing that takes nationalism, colonialism, race/ethnicity, and gender/sexuality as variables that complicate the experiences of marginalized groups and people everywhere. I could not be more grateful for my GWSS education, which has critically shaped the way I now view the world and how I approach issues of social justice, inclusion, and empowerment. (By the way, the picture was taken at a rally in Nicaragua for the Day for the Decriminalization of Abortion in Latin America and the Caribbean. The sign reads, "For the sovereignty of my body, I demand the decriminalization of abortion." Wooo, human rights!)
Clara Montague '13
I am a fourth-year GWSS/English double-major from Skokie, IL. In addition to my academic work, I am involved in the GWSS department by being a co-chair of the GWSS Student Educational Planning Committee (SEPC) and working as a Writing Fellow in Professor Henry's Intro to GWSS class. I'm also a co-leader of the Feminist Action Coalition (FAC), work at the Career Development Office, and teach American literature classes with the Liberal Arts in Prison Program. Over the summer I took part in the Queer/Feminist Television Studies MAP, focusing on Glee. I decided to be a GWSS major after taking Theory and Methods in GWSS with Prof. Henry because I really love the way that GWSS always challenges me personally and intellectually. This spring I will be studying abroad in Madurai, India. After graduation, I think I'd like to complete a few years of service work before going to graduate school. Someday, I hope to find myself teaching GWSS and/or English classes.
Nidia Bautista '12
When I first arrived at Grinnell, I knew that I wanted to major in Political Science, but as a Los Angelean who was used to being part of the majority in Southern California, I quickly felt out of place within other departments due to the overwhelming lack of students of color in my class's discussion regarding issues relating to my community and background. After taking my first class in GWSS with Professor Lakesia Johnson, I knew I had found my niche at Grinnell. Although courses at Grinnell are generally dominated by white students, I felt safe within my GWSS classes because we delved into issues of gender, race, class and other intersecting identities that many of my other courses did not adequately address. I took Critical Race Feminism in the spring of my second year and I quickly fell in love with the analysis of the law and its relationship to marginalized groups. The focus on law and its everyday implications for disadvantaged groups within our society has always been a passion of mine and by taking CRF, I gained entrance into a field of study that complemented this personal passion. In addition, I intend to use all of the knowledge that my GWSS courses have taught me in my own research and in graduate school, which I will be applying to in the field of Political Science. Although I do intend to attain a PhD in Political Science, this does not mean I will not integrate all of the analytical techniques I have gained in my GWSS courses; it is thanks to my GWSS academic training that I am able to better see the multiple ways individuals are systematically and historically oppressed by those in power and this insightful analysis will allow me to deliver academic work that addresses issues that traditional academia ignores.
Joe Hiller '12
My name is Joe Hiller. I'm a Grinnell College alumnus and GWSS major from central Pennsylvania—in a phrase, I'm a small town kid from Amish country and a general malcontent. Though I came to Grinnell with strong political convictions, my understanding of "social justice" has developed profoundly over the past few years, and GWSS has been central to that process. Indeed, one could say that GWSS chose me and not the other way around. Even as they have required that I reevaluate and complicate almost everything I have come to know, my courses in GWSS have strengthened my feminism and my ethical commitments to plurality and equity. They have been transformative in the best possible way. As I move into my post-undergrad life, I am certain that the lessons I have learned as a student of GWSS will continue to inform my attempts to engage, critically, with our social world.
Isaiah Iboko '12
I chose to major in GWSS for the opportunity to apply interdisciplinary analyses to issues of race, gender, class, and sexuality. Since then, it has allowed me to delve deeper into coursework and theories from African-American Studies, Gender Studies, Cultural Studies, Anthropology, Sociology and History. Courses in all of these areas, taken both at Grinnell and abroad at the University of Amsterdam, have contributed to my learning and taught me to answer questions for papers and research in a way that integrates divergent types of knowledge. This interdisciplinary background has allowed me to prepare for grad school and an academic career in Ethnic Studies. During my second year, my studies evolved into research projects conducted through the Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship Program at Grinnell and the Summer Research Opportunity Program at the University of Iowa. The next summer, after studying media and cultural studies in Amsterdam, I was able to explore another research project at UCLA. These opportunities, made possible by my GWSS major, have prepared me to apply confidently to Ethnic and American Studies Ph.D. programs, and have laid the foundation for my graduate and academic career in the years to come.
Elliot Karl '12
My name is Elliot Karl and I am a recent Grinnell graduate and GWSS/Economics double major from Downers Grove, Illinois. As I feel is common among most Grinnell students, I enrolled at the college with a wide variety of academic interests and goals. After taking Intro to GWSS in the fall of my first year, however, I became completely fascinated by the study of gender and sexuality--especially as it relates to economic, legal and political stuctures--and chose to major early the following year. I am a GWSS major for many different reasons: the program's interdisciplinary curriculum affords me the flexibility I desire in choosing what topics to specialize in; I appreciate the discussion-focused nature of the curriculum; I love GWSS professors and the conversations we have inside and outside of the classroom; finally, the nature of GWSS curriculum content has greatly helped me to learn about topics of great personal significance. During my time at Grinnell, I have taken a wide variety of GWSS courses, completed a Noun Internship at Lambda Legal and recently completed a Mentored Advanced Project (MAP) with Professor Astrid Henry and four other students during the summer of 2011. After a year or two of service, I hope to attend graduate school to pursue studies in gender, sexuality, demography, geography and economics.
Christian Loggins'12
My major in Gender, Women's, and Sexuality Studies was a surprise in that I had originally intended to double major in other disciplines. However, it wasn't until I got deeper into gender studies coursework that I realized that I had found my passion. Never before had anything clicked in my head so easily before. Gender studies takes my love of literature and culture and gives me a critical lens to analyze it with. GWSS combines elements of English, philosophy, art, film, social studies, and anthropology--truly living up to its interdisciplinary reputation. This allowed for flexibility in how I chose classes, allowing me to mold my own major based on what I was interested in. With my major I want to go to into graduate school for either Gender or Media studies.
Najma Osman '12
Hello! My name is Najma and I'm a GWSS alumna from St. Paul, Minnesota. I have always been interested in issues of gender and sexuality, especially in the transnational context. My sophomore year I studied in Cambodia during the winter recess and did research on sex trafficking that I later presented at a student conference on campus. After that, I knew that GWSS was a passion of mine, and I continued to take courses in the department. What I like most about GWSS is the interdisciplinary nature of the program, which means I can explore diverse classes with topics from religious studies to LGBTQ studies at Grinnell. People often ask me what I plan to do with my GWSS major and Global Development Studies concentration after Grinnell, and one thing I always point to is the critical thinking skills that I have acquired that will allow me to succeed in any career path. The best thing about GWSS however, is that I have been able to harness my passion for many deeply personal issues into an academic context. GWSS classes are also always filled with wonderful and open-minded people that create a nurturing and enjoyable learning environment!
Aurora Quinn-Elmore '12
My name is Aurora Quinn-Elmore and I'm a member of the class of 2012. I'm a double major in Political Science and Gender, Women, and Sexuality Studies. In the last year or so, my academic interests have shifted from American politics to more of a focus on development, international political economy, the environment, and human rights. I have been very grateful that Grinnell's flexible majors have allowed me to complete my double major while pursuing these shifting academic interests. Now that I've graduated, I hope to pursue a career in consulting and eventually perhaps attend business school for a degree focused on ways that businesses can be more social or environmentally responsible. My GWSS major has taught me that there are many paths one can take to effect positive change.
Zoe Schein '12
I'm Zoe Schein, and I'm a senior GWSS major from Urbana, Illinois. I came to Grinnell intending to major in English or Sociology, but soon realized that what drew me to those other disciplines tended to be the ways in which they addressed issues of gender and sexuality. Because of the Grinnell GWSS program's interdisciplinarity (or, the term I prefer, *super*disciplinarity) I was able to explore the topics about which I was passionate without the disciplinary restrictions of more traditional majors. Though I have yet to encounter a subject within GWSS that hasn't struck my fancy, much of my coursework has focused on media representation and cultural critique, including courses such as "Feminism in Pop Culture," "Film Analysis," and "Women, Art, and History." This course of study culminated in a Mentored Advanced Project on Queer Television Studies led by Professor Astrid Henry, an experience that I not only *would* repeat, but for which I am actively attempting to construct a time machine in order to do so. This collaboration with Professor Henry, as well as Elliot Karl '12, Amanda Stromquist '12, Clara Montague '13, and Liana Eisman '13 was easily the highlight of my academic career at Grinnell.
Laura Stamm '12
I'm Laura Stamm, a member of the class of 2012 and it's hard to say how exactly I chose a GWSS major for I certainly did not enter college with that intention. The interdisciplinary nature of the program works well for me; I realized at the end of my second year that the diverse schedule of courses I was taking lent itself well to the GWSS major. Being a major has allowed me to take a variety of courses that encompass my interests in what can be described as cultural studies (primarily composed of film studies, literary theory, and feminist/queer theory). As a new Grinnell College alumna, I plan to continue my studies in these areas at the graduate level and am now pursuing a Ph.D. in a visual cultures program to achieve my ultimate goal: a career in academia.


text:
By Ken Thomas
Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Democratic Sen. Carl Levin's decision to not seek re-election in 2014 has set the stage for a wide-open race to replace the longest-serving senator in Michigan history.
First elected to the Senate in 1978, the 78-year-old Levin announced last Thursday that he has decided to focus on serving as Senate Armed Services chairman and an advocate for his home state without the distraction of campaigning. He said in a statement that he struggled to make a decision along with his wife, Barbara, calling it "extremely difficult because I love representing the people of Michigan" and "fighting for the things that I believe are important for them."
Levin is the sixth member of the Senate to announce his retirement, creating an open seat for Democrats in a state that has backed President Barack Obama twice but where Republicans hold the governor's office and the power in the rest of state government.
Democrats, who control 55 seats in the U.S. Senate, have to defend open seats in West Virginia, Iowa and New Jersey in the aftermath of three other retirements and will try to hold onto 21 seats in next year's elections.
The last time Michigan had an open Senate seat was in 1994, and Levin's retirement could draw a large field of potential successors. Rep. Gary Peters, a Democrat who represents suburban Detroit, has been viewed as a potential candidate along with former Rep. Mark Schauer and Democratic National Committee member Debbie Dingell, the wife of Rep. John Dingell. Potential GOP candidates include Reps. Mike Rogers, Dave Camp, Candice Miller and Justin Amash and Lt. Gov. Brian Calley. Attorney General Bill Schuette said in a statement that he would not seek the Senate seat.
Levin had won re-election handily in recent years and was considered a safe bet to hold onto the seat if he had sought another term.
Levin's departure puts Democrats at a disadvantage as they already are looking for someone to challenge Gov. Rick Snyder. On the other hand, Democrats have fared well in federal elections in a state that has gone for Democrats in six straight presidential races.
Just one Republican has won a Michigan Senate seat in 40 years, Spencer Abraham in 1994, a non-presidential year.
"This is going to get very interesting quickly," said John Truscott, a media consultant who has worked on GOP campaigns.
Levin, who often presents a slightly rumpled, down-to-earth demeanor, is the younger brother of Rep. Sander Levin, D-Mich., and the senator's retirement will end one of the longest-serving tenures of siblings in Congress. The congressman has said he intends to seek re-election.
President Barack Obama called Levin a "true champion" for members of the military and said no one has worked harder to "bring manufacturing jobs back to our shores, close unfair tax loopholes and ensure that everyone plays by the same set of rules."
Former Gov. Jennifer Granholm, a Democrat, said in a statement that "to categorize his decision as 'a loss' seems a sweeping understatement." Snyder said Levin has been a "thoughtful, compassionate voice in Washington."
Levin's announcement comes just days after he shepherded Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel's nomination through a bruising Senate confirmation fight. The Armed Services chairman often found himself at odds with some of the newer Republicans on the committee, including freshman Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas. Levin pointedly pushed back when Cruz insinuated that Hagel had taken money from extreme or radical groups, and he defended the president's nominee.
Levin also has been an outspoken advocate for his home state auto industry and manufacturers. When General Motors and Chrysler faced potential collapse in 2008, Levin pressed his fellow members and the incoming Obama administration to support the companies with billions of dollars in loans. The automakers have since rebounded.
Levin also has kept a keen eye on financial matters. As chairman of the investigations subcommittee, Levin in 2002 led a probe of the activities of Enron Corp., which had declared bankruptcy the previous year amid illegal accounting methods and other financial irregularities. The investigation resulted in legislation meant to improve the accuracy and reliability of corporate disclosures.
Levin also has sought to crack down on offshore tax havens, which he said cost the U.S. government at least $100 billion a year in lost revenues.
He attended Central High School in Detroit and spent time as a taxi driver and an auto factory worker, years later still carrying in his wallet a fading 1953 United Auto Workers membership card. He earned a bachelor's degree in political science from Swarthmore College in 1956 and a law degree from Harvard in 1959. In 1964, he was named an assistant state attorney general and the first general counsel for the Michigan Civil Rights Commission.
Detroit voters in 1969 elected Levin to the first of two four-year terms on the City Council, known then as the Common Council. He served as council president in his second term, then ousted Republican Robert Griffin in the 1978 Senate election.
Levin is famous for wearing his eyeglasses down on his nose.
Associated Press writers Donna Cassata in Washington and David Eggert in Lansing, Mich., contributed to this report.
Published: Mon, Mar 11, 2013

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Dungeon Deities is part Browser-game, part realtime Dungeon Crawler. Players traverse the Dungeons of other players, carefully avoiding traps and battling enemies in search for treasures, which they can then steal. Naturally, you store your loot in your own dungeons, so make sure they are safe!
Only registered members can share their thoughts. So come on! Join the community today (totally free - or sign in with your social account on the right) and join in the conversation.
Attack with your pants!


text:
The all-new SHOEI X-Spirit III is track certified by Marc Marquez & Bradley Smith, two of the fastest road racers on the planet! The X-Spirit III is a proven race weapon for those who aren't willing to sacrifice a single detail when it comes to high-end performance. Like the handcrafted race bikes that dominate MotoGP's premiere racing circuits, every detail of the X-Spirit III was carefully designed, tested and fine tuned until this final, uncompromised masterpiece was born.
AMX Superstores sources a wide variety of products from authorised wholesalers Australia-wide. These products are mostly imported from many different manufacturers worldwide, therefore, there is no standard size and sizes do vary from manufacturer to manufacturer.
AMX Superstores will be happy to assist and offer general advice on sizing. However, selecting sizes is solely the Customer's responsibility.
If for any reason, you are not satisfied with your purchase, you may return (at the expense of the Customer) the unused product(s) within 21 days of delivery, for an exchange or refund of the price of the product(s) only.
The product must be accompanied with the original receipt, be un-used, in its complete and original packaging:
AMX Superstores must be contacted before any product is to be returned, at which point a return authorisation will be provided. Product will not be accepted at AMX Superstores without an return authorisation.
AMX Superstores will not accept return freight charges.
Please note: Customers will be responsible for all postage costs incurred with returning any items for exchange or warranty.
Geelong North
3/358 Melbourne Road03 5277-3422
Hoppers Crossing
309 Old Geelong Road03 9974 3474
Shop 1/550 South Gippsland Hwy03 8787 8700
Shop 5 / 477 Dorset Road03 9729 8000
Keilor Park
Shop 3/31 Keilor Park Dr03 9331 5050
336 Cooper St03 9401 5411
172 Charters Towers Road07 4779 9417
5/1814 Sandgate Rd07 3254 6823
3385 Pacific Highway07 3442 8999
3/379 Morayfield Road07 5428 6851
1 Parramatta Road02 9637 1800
22 Blaxland road02 4620 4261
Blair Athol
356 Main North Road08 8359 8970


text: Modern optics come with many different configurations for eye cups. These are important to both eye glass wearers and non-eye glass wearers. Adjustable eye cups are becoming more popular and come in several configurations. A greater descriptive text on the types of eye cups available and their function can be found in the Basics II article in the All About Optics section.


text:
Toe the line: Live right to avoid pain of gout
Fred Flintstone had the biggest feet, and he used them to propel his car. I'll bet a pedicure would have cost him a grand! Fred loved his brontosaurus ribs, and perhaps a few beers at the Water Buffalo Lodge. Did a Stone Age doctor tell Fred he was a prime candidate for gout?
Fred had many risk factors: he was a male between 30-60 years old and overweight. About five million Americans have gout, and its prevalence is increasing.
An acute gout attack causes severe (mean and angry!) pain, usually in one joint. About 80 percent of cases of gout involve the great toe base– to the side of the ball of the foot (a.k.a podagra)– or the knee. This is why folks with a podagra wear flip-flops (and Jimmy Buffet in Margaritaville wouldn't step on a pop top) because anything– even bed sheets!– can hurt the inflamed joint.
The joint inflammation is red, hot, swollen, and makes life a living Hades. The severity of gout inflammation peaks within 12 to 24 hours, although it takes days to weeks for complete resolution. The redness can extend beyond the joint to mimic a skin infection. Swelling can spread to make a toe look like link sausage (minus the eggs and grits).
The other 20 percent of gout flares can occur in any joint and, rarely, in more than one joint.
Gout flares can be precipitated by trauma, such as simply stubbing the toe on a coffee table. Alcohol consumption can lead to gout, though wine isn't included in this bar tab of pain. (Yay!) Meat, liver, kidneys, and seafood, which are rich in purines, increase the risk of gout attacks. Fishiest of the fish are high in purines, such as anchovies, sardines, herring, and mackerel. Low-fat dairy products (e.g. low fat yogurt, skim milk) and coffee (not tea, though) seem to lower the risk.
Okay, so what's the deal with purines? Urate crystals deposit in the joint to cause gout, and urate (a.k.a uric acid) is created from purines. All patients with gout have high urate sometime in their lives, though levels can be normal on labs during an acute gout attack. Uric acid increases in the blood because it is overproduced and/or because it is not excreted by the kidneys.
Overproduction of urate can be due to inherited enzyme disorders, cancer, some bone marrow disorders, psoriasis, and obesity. Certain drugs like diuretics, niacin, and warfarin can increase urate production. Fructose can even increase urate. (So much for Fruity Pebbles!)
Decreased kidney clearance of urate can occur in congestive heart failure, chronic kidney disease, lead poisoning, hypothyroidism, and dehydration. I wonder if folks on the Atkins diet have more gout because starvation ketoacidosis (which is why weight loss occurs in this diet) is a cause as well.
Ironically, allopurinol, which is used to lower uric acid levels, can precipitate a gout attack in the first month. For acute attack, colchicine helps treat the gout, although the side effect is diarrhea! Indomethacin can be hard on the stomach but can reduce pain and inflammation as well. Probenecid can be used too, although it interacts with quite a few important medications.
The goal is to reduce the number of gout flares because the joint is destroyed with each attack. Also, weird urate-filled nodules, called tophaceous gout, can pop up on the skin such as over the elbow. Kidney stones and slow functioning kidneys can result from high uric acid.
Joint pain stinks! If there are risk factors for high levels of uric acid, it could be worth a trip to the doc to have it checked out.
High urate doesn't mean gout will occur, but the realization might help in leading to some lifestyle and medicine changes. Prevention is what it's all agout.
Dr. Hook cracks a joke or two, but he's an esteemed doctor with an interesting webpage, drjohnhong.com.


text:
Home > Propeller > BeeRotor Prop >
4 Pairs BeeRotor 5x5" BN Propeller - Purple
A set of 4 BeeRotor propellers, 2 blade style with a 5mm center hub. A good prop for small planes and multi-rotors.Specs:Rotation: CW/CCWLength: 5 inchPitch: 5 inchMaterial: PCWeight: 5.5 grams/unitHub ID: 5mmHub thickness: 7mm
If you have any questions about this product, submit your questions!
Reviews(0 reviews)
If you have any comments on the product or experience, please share!


text:
Tween Reads
April 2017
"I don't expect to need rescuing. I'm not that kind of princess."
~ from Garth Nix's
Recent Releases
See You in the Cosmos
Jack Cheng
Fiction. Along with his dog, Carl Sagan, 11-year-old astronomer Alex Petroski is on his way to the Southwest High Altitude Rocket Festival. He's recording the journey on his iPod (just like he records everything) with the hope that it can be launched into space and heard by aliens. Through the transcripts of Alex's recordings, you can follow along as he makes eccentric new friends, travels to Las Vegas in search of his supposedly dead father, and realizes that family is more complicated than he suspected. If you like the memorable narrator in this offbeat road trip story, you might also enjoy Sally J. Pla's
The Someday Birds
Last Day on Mars
Kevin Emerson
Science Fiction. Years ago, when the sun went supernova and destroyed the Earth, humanity fled to Mars and began searching for a safer solar system. Now, as 13-year-olds Liam and Phoebe wait to board the last starliner to the human colony's new home on Aaru-5, an explosion knocks out their scientist parents. Before the shocked friends can report the sabotage, the starliner takes off without them, catapulting Liam and Phoebe into a pulse-pounding race to catch the ship -- and warn the colony -- before it's too late. Featuring spaceships, time travel, extraterrestrials, and an AI panda called JEFF, this fast-paced trilogy opener is sure to grab science fiction fans.
Scar Island
Dan Gemeinhart
Adventure. Twelve-year-old Jonathan has only just arrived at Slabhenge Reformatory for Troubled Boys when a lightning strike kills all of the cruel adults, leaving the juvenile offenders free to roam the island prison. Though Slabhenge is an eerie, ramshackle fortress filled with giant rats, Jonathan would rather stay there than go home to confront his guilt for the crime that got him sent away. The boys enjoy their wild, unsupervised lifestyle at first, but when a storm threatens the island and a ruthless new leader rises, they find themselves caught in a suspenseful, high-stakes struggle for survival.
Garth Nix
Fantasy. Princess Anya's quest had just one goal: to collect ingredients for an anti-transmogrification lip balm. After her sister's suitor, Prince Denholm, was turned into a frog by the scheming Duke Rikard, bookish Anya promised she'd reverse the spell. But now that she -- along with froggy Denholm and talking dog Ardent -- is traveling the kingdom and meeting all kinds of transmogrified people, Anya's quest is getting more complicated. Encounters with wizards, witches, outlaws, and vicious weasel warriors add humor and intrigue to this clever, thought-provoking fantasy. For further fairy tale mash-ups starring intrepid princesses, try Megan Morrison's Tyme series.
Holly Goldberg Sloan
Fiction. She can't sing or dance, but middle school dreamer Julia Marks is just the right height to play a munchkin in a summer production of
The Wizard of Oz
. Skeptical about the theater and sensitive about being short, Julia's not exactly excited about the role -- at least not until she bonds with elderly costume genius Mrs. Chang, supportive director Shawn, and fellow munchkin Olive (an adult who's Julia's height), and she starts to see that being small can't stop her from dreaming big. Authentic backstage friendships make this upbeat read perfect for fans of Andrew Keenan-Bolger's Jack & Louisa series.
Books You Might Have Missed in 2016
Joan Bauer
Fiction. Despite his love of the game, playing baseball isn't an option for 12-year-old Jeremiah -- not after his heart transplant. He can still coach, though, and that's just what he hopes to do as a newcomer to down-and-out Hillcrest, Ohio. Hillcrest's once-thriving school baseball teams are faltering in the aftermath a tragic scandal, but with Jeremiah's unflagging enthusiasm and the right mix of players, they might be able to bounce back and restore the town's morale in the process. Strong, well-drawn characters in tough situations fill the pages of this "triumphant and moving" (
School Library Journal
) underdog story.
Hour of the Bees
Lindsay Eagar
Magical Realism. "Once upon a time, there was a tree." That's how all of Grandpa Serge's stories begin, and each story is so fantastical that Carol -- whose family is visiting Serge in New Mexico to help him move into assisted living -- thinks they must by touched by his dementia. Yet as she learns more about the Mexican side of her bicultural family -- and as she begins seeing supposedly magical bees -- Carol's perspective changes, leading her to a deeper understanding of herself and making her wonder if Serge's impossible stories might be true. Similar to Laura Resau's
The Lightning Queen
Hour of the Bees
is a captivating tale that spans generations.
The Apple Tart of Hope
Sarah Moore Fitzgerald
Fiction. Oscar may be missing, but Meg is sure he isn't dead. Even though it's been months since she saw him (due to her family's move), and even though the evidence points to suicide, Meg knows that her warm, optimistic best friend would never kill himself. Chapters told from Oscar's point of view, however, describe the loneliness and bullying that began to break his spirit after Meg left. Readers will be riveted by both atmospheric, intertwining stories as Meg -- joined by Oscar's brother Stevie, who uses a wheelchair and shares Meg's steadfast belief -- tries to discover what really happened to her friend.
Compass South: Book 1
Hope Larson; illustrated by Rebecca Mock
Graphic Novel Adventure. It's 1860, and after snitching on the Black Hook gang, twin thieves Alex and Cleo need to get out of town fast. Dressing Cleo as a boy, they try to fake their way onto a ship by posing as long-missing brothers…only to run into Silas and Edwin, twin con artists with the same idea. In the resulting fight, the pairs get mixed up and flung into separate adventures. Whether it's trekking through jungles or dodging storms and pirates at sea, the action never lets up in this swashbuckling 1st book in the Four Points series (Book 2,
Knife's Edge
, is due out in June).
The Plot to Kill Hitler: Dietrich Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Spy, Unlikely Hero
Patricia McCormick
Biography. As a quiet, piano-playing young pastor in 1930s Germany, Dietrich Bonhoeffer didn't seem like assassin material. Yet as he witnessed the Nazis' rise to power and their horrifying actions, Bonhoeffer's pacifist beliefs shifted into a different call to action -- to become a double agent in a conspiracy to assassinate Hitler himself. Readers of all faiths and backgrounds can appreciate the drama of this "tragic, inspirational, and quite unusual tale" (
). Of course, Bonhoeffer's story is just one of many; if you're curious about other resistance fighters in Nazi Germany, pick up Russell Freedman's
We Will Not Be Silent
Contact your librarian for more great books!
If you are having trouble unsubscribing to this newsletter, please contact the Bernardsville Public Library at
908-766-0118, 1 Anderson Hill Road Bernardsville, NJ 07924


text:
The Stack cracks spines and thumbs pages as it looks at the world of print media, from glossy magazines to investigative newspapers.
Episode 1: Monocle 24's brand-new show focusing on magazine culture invites designer and blogger Jeremy Leslie and acclaimed journalist Marion Hume to discuss quality paper and ink.
Episode 7: The Stack meets US media magnate and domestic goddess Martha Stewart, reviews magazines with Benjamin Eastham and Marion Hume, and discusses Ian Samson's new book – "Paper".


text:
Ekman Micro Expression Training Tool Plus (eMETT Plus) is an expanded version of the eMETT frontal-view training. It has the same format as eMETT 3.0, with several extended practice sessions and all new faces. This way, you can build your success rate without memorizing faces. eMETT Plus is designed to help you achieve the maximum skill level–and score–you can achieve with the eMETT training. eMETT Plus should be used AFTER having used eMETT 3.0. If you have not already taken that training, please do that first, and then come back to learn eMETT Plus.
Sections: Intro, Practice A, Practice B, Practice C, Test A, Test B, Test C
Language: English
Training Time: Several hours
License: 1 year, single user, repeated access
Platform: Web browser (please see system requirements)
Certificate: No


text:
The Lindenwood University Student Government Association (LSGA) has organized a letter-writing campaign from 6 to 11:45 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 10, in the Connection Center on the first floor of the Spellmann Campus Center. Students will have the opportunity to voice their opposition to Senate Bill 784, which seeks to reduce the amount of financial aid awarded to those attending four-year private institutions through the state-funded Access Missouri grant program.
If the proposal passes, many college students across the state would be hit with a reduction in financial aid. The LSGA invites all students and faculty to attend the Feb. 10 event to ensure lawmakers are aware of their view of the bill.
"Each person who comes to the Connection Center that night will get a packet of blank paper and envelopes," said LSGA member Dan Bedell. "We will have on-hand the contact information of state senators and state representatives as well as a few sample letters. But we will encourage everyone to write in their own words what it means to them."
For more information about proposed reductions to the Access Missouri financial aid program, visit www.keepmeincollege.org.


text:
So it turns out that the popular Flip video camera is good for more than just capturing YouTube stunts or your son's soccer game. And the virtual world of Second Life is more than a place to hook up. Try using those technologies to advance human rights.
These were just a couple of examples mentioned at The Soul of the New Machine, a conference hosted by UC Berkeley to showcase how technology and new media are being used to promote justice and human rights around the world.
Of course, exposure of abuses — be it in the form of video, photos, virtual reality, etc. — is just the first step.
"Often, people think that just showing the video is enough, but what is important … is that actions can be taken toward an objective," said panelist Yvette Alberdingk Thijm, executive director of Witness, an international human rights organization. Those actions could include providing an online petition for viewers to sign or ways for people to organize.
Witness' strategy is to use video and online technologies to turn personal stories of abuse into tools for pushing policy change. The group trains activists in countries such as Ethiopia to use the Flip camcorder and other devices (but Flip provides both the portability and immediacy of distribution necessary in dangerous situations). The organization has 3,000 hours of archived human rights footage.
The conference, hosted by UC Berkeley's Human Rights Center, brought together more than 250 thinkers and practitioners to explore the most effective ways to use tech to address human rights abuses. The sessions covered everything from data sharing to social networking to satellite imagery and mapping. The two-day conference ends today.
During a session titled "Animating Human Rights: Games, Animation and Multimedia," digital media artist Peggy Weil, who is a visiting assistant professor at USC's School of Cinematic Arts, began her talk by reminding the audience that "animate" means "to give life to" or "breathing life into a topic."
A prime example of that would be "Gone Gitmo," a re-creation of Guantanamo Bay in the virtual world Second Life, a project she and Nonny de la Pena launched in 2007 as part of a Bay Area Video Coalition (BAVC) program. In this virtual installation, visitors are shackled to the floor of a C-17 military transport plane, hooded, berated, given an orange jumpsuit and placed in a cell (but your avatar is spared any torture).
The inaccessible location of Guantanamo Bay made it "justifiable to build an accessible version in virtual reality," she explained. "It's a powerful experience, an interesting place to think of human rights." Much of that has to do with the connection people feel with their avatars. (Bernhard Drax did a virtual report on "Gone Gitmo" earlier this year, which you can view above.)
Weil and La Pena's latest interactive project is Walljumpers, where users leap over the world's separation border fences.
One of the more interesting speakers on Monday was Trevor Paglen, author of "Blank Spots on the Map: The Dark Geography of the Pentagon's Secret World." Paglen, an artist, writer and experimental geographer, is known as an independent investigator of government malfeasance, particularly off-the-books operations such as the kidnapping and "extraordinary rendition" of suspected terrorists.
Paglen delved into that topic, going into detail how he got this photo (on the right) of what he believes is a "black site," or secret prison. It wasn't easy — it took a fair amount of both online and on-the-ground sleuthing.
You can catch live video of the remaining sessions or catch replays at a later date.


text:
St. Charles County Government's cable access programming will officially move from cable channel 10 to channel 26 beginning January 26, 2006. The county entered an agreement with Lindenwood University and Charter Communications to cablecast St. Charles County Council meetings, Focus St. Charles County public information program, and other government-produced programming on the university's channel LUTV 26. The move marks the first expansion of county programming since viewers began watching St. Charles County Council meetings on cable in 1995.
"Our move to Lindenwood's channel provides viewers additional opportunities to watch county council meetings at times that may be more convenient for their schedules. Focus St. Charles County programs will also air more often, allowing more choice in when to watch programs about the services county government provides to its citizens," said Lisa Dunham, Director of Governmental Communications.
Since 1995, St. Charles County programming has aired on the City of St. Peter's government access channel. The move to LUTV 26 was necessary in order to gain timeslots for its Focus St. Charles County show and create additional public information programs in the future. The change also provides more residents the ability to view county programming as it will also reach cable subscribers served by Charter Communications' Lake Saint Louis head-end. Lindenwood University's TV 26 is the higher education cable channel for St. Charles County and reaches more than 50,000 cable subscribers.
"We appreciate the partnership we have had with the City of St. Peters over the last decade in sharing time on their channel. Our move to Lindenwood will allow St. Peters to make changes to their program schedule as well," added Ms. Dunham.
St. Charles County Government produces council meeting coverage and other cable programming as part of its continuing commitment to provide information, programs, and services to residents so that they can make informed decisions and become an active part of this dynamic county.


text:
Concerned observers called media, police last night to report choppers
Paul Joseph Watson
Prison Planet.com
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Black Hawk military helicopters are flying low over Minneapolis this week as part of an exercise being overseen by the U.S. Special Operations Command, increasing concerns that Americans are being prepared for a state of martial law.
The video above shows the helicopters being filmed from the 28th floor of the Wells Fargo Building on 90 S. and 7th St.
Despite the fact that the urban exercises have been ongoing since August 19th, authorities only decided to properly inform residents after police and media outlets received calls from worried residents last night.
This prompted authorities to announce that the "mysterious helicopters flying low over parts of the Twin Cities metro area Monday night aren't anything menacing," reports the Minneapolis Star Tribune.
Another video shows the Black Hawk helicopters flying information over the area surrounding the Hennepin Avenue Bridge.
The exercise is scheduled to run until the beginning of September and will also involve smaller Hughes 500 choppers which will join the Black Hawks in operations between 7pm and midnight.
Locations of where the helicopters will be flying have been withheld to "prevent people from gathering to attempt to watch the training and creating a safety hazard."
As we have previously highlighted, unannounced urban warfare operations of this kind are being used to condition the public into accepting a future declaration of martial law.
Back in May, Panic-stricken residents in Coconut Grove, South Florida were awoken at 1am to the sound of simulated gunfire and explosions as military helicopters hovered over buildings and dispatched troops to the ground.
The commotion was part of an unannounced joint drill between Miami police and the Department of Defense. The fact that the exercise took place in the middle of the night with no prior warning to residents suggested authorities were attempting to incorporate a 'shock value' into the drill.
However, instead of asking hard questions about why residents were not given notice of the exercises, local media stations characterized the whole issue as a "cool tourist story."
Black Hawks and A/MH-6 Little Bird helicopters were also seen cruising between skyscrapers earlier this year as part of preparations for the NATO summit.
Aside from military helicopters, fully armed troops have also patrolled neighborhoods as part of urban warfare training, while heavily armored military vehicles have also been used in recent exercises in St. Louis andWisconsin.
In St. Louis, local news media channels featured interviews with residents who praised the sight of troops on the streets as a valuable crime-fighting tool similar to that used in foreign countries.
Watch a CBS Minnesota report on the Minneapolis exercises below.
Paul Joseph Watson is the editor and writer for Prison Planet.com. He is the author of Order Out Of Chaos. Watson is also a regular fill-in host for The Alex Jones Show and Infowars Nightly News.
This article was posted: Tuesday, August 28, 2012 at 8:16 am


text:
I have used Pie Register plugin to add a "Phone" field.
I tried every method in the book (that google fetched for me, so far) to show it but it shows an empty array although the field is not empty and the wordpress backend shows it.
Also, User Meta plugin is able to show the field with its data but I can't get it to show manually in my header file.
Any help is appreciated, I spent hours without any luck doing this! Thanks


text:
The Best of the 2013 Max Borges Holiday Tech Showing from NYC
Recently, the Max Borges Agency threw a tech showcase party in Manhattan to display some of the best upcoming products their clients have to offer for the upcoming year. Fortunately, thanks to a very generous invitation by the hosts, I was lucky enough to attend.
While the view of scenic lower Manhattan would usually be the star of the space, instead all eyes were on a variety of gadgets, gizmos and gear that ran anywhere from under $50 to over a $1000, and included everything from unicorn slippers and tactical BBQ vests, to the newest models of headphones and speakers, all the way up too… well, things that can't be discussed quite yet.
Fortunately, there was plenty on display that can be talked about, some of which stood out even amongst the gadget smorgasbord available. So while it would be mind boggling to try to give a rundown of every item, here are five of the best gadgets I saw at the show.
USB Touch Lamp
Most people look at an empty liquor bottle and see a series of bad decisions. However, the people at Satechi looked at that bottle and saw this devic,e which allows you to turn any bottle, vase or physically compatible glass item into a lamp. Setup is easy, as you simply affix the lamp shade to any compatible bottle and plug in the USB cable to activate the touch-controlled light.
While ideal as a desk lamp, with the right setup, this is a perfect item for college students looking for a cool dorm room decoration, bars making use of those pesky empties, or even for a man cave that could use some creative lighting. Recyclable, affordable and pretty damn cool, this is a great gift for anyone.
Price: $29.99
You can follow us on Twitter and Facebook for content updates. Also, sign up for our email list for weekly updates and check us out on Google+ as well.
Posted in: Gadgets, Gear, Stuff to Buy
Tags: Affordable Humidifier, Airplay compatible speakers, best gadget gifts, Best Portable Chargers, best speakers under $400, best wireless speakers, Cheap Humidifier, Gadgets, gadgets for guys, gadgets for men, Gear, gear for guys, gear for men, gizmos, Goal Zero, Goal Zero Sherpa 50, Google Glass Substitutes, Hands-Free Camera, Lifelogging Device, living room speakers sets, Max Borges Agency, Memoto Camera, music streaming speakers, Play-Fi compatible speakers, Portable Chargers, Portable Humidifier, portable solar chargers, Portable USB Humidifier, Solar Chargers, Unique USB devices, USB Devices, USB devices for your office, USB plug in devices, USB Touch Lamp, Wi-Fi speakers, Wrensound, Wrensound V5


text:
Executive Vice President of PPG Industries Michael H. McGarry will share his perspectives on business and leadership on Friday, Jan. 31, as part of the Penn State Smeal College of Business's Executive Insights series.
As part of his visit, McGarry will take part in a moderated discussion with Charles H. Whiteman, John and Becky Surma Dean of Smeal, from 11:15 a.m. to 12:05 p.m. in the Struthers Auditorium, room 110 of the Business Building. The event is free and open to the public, but online registration is required at www.smeal.psu.edu/insights.
McGarry joined PPG in 1981 as an engineer at the company's Lake Charles, La., chemicals complex. He assumed his current role in February 2013. As executive vice president, he is a member of the company's executive and operating committees and oversees its architectural coatings and flat glass businesses; the Europe, Middle East and Africa region; and its corporate environment, health and safety, information technology and quality functions.
Additionally, McGarry serves as a director on the board of Axiall Corporation, an integrated chemicals and building products company, and on the board of Pittsburgh Glass Works LLC, in which PPG holds a minority interest. He holds a mechanical engineering degree from the University of Texas and completed the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School.
PPG Industries is a global supplier of paints, coatings, optical products, specialty materials, chemicals, glass and fiberglass. Headquartered in Pittsburgh, the company operates in more than 70 countries around the world.
Executive Insights is designed to complement the Smeal educational experience by bringing high-profile business leaders to the college to connect with students, faculty, staff, and administrators. Past guests include more than 25 leaders from organizations such as Boeing, Dell, Deloitte, Johnson & Johnson, Kohl's, KPMG, Procter & Gamble, Samsung, Siemens, Verizon and Tumi Holdings, Inc.


text:
R&W Auction Services
Real Estate Auction Services
For 160 years Richardson & Wrench have held the distinguished record of being the finest property auctioneers in Australia. No property firm in Australia can match the consistent track record of auction success achieved by Richardson & Wrench in all facets of property.
We are inordinately proud of our expertise, professionalism, knowledge of values, quality of auction delivery and unstinting belief in achieving the highest and best results for our clients.
Richardson & Wrench have no peer in the marketplace for the sale of high net worth, architecturally significant, iconic, heritage or just plain simple large or small properties. Working with the best agents in the business we break records across the country from beachfront to waterfront, suburban block to rural acreage, apartment to treasured family home.
Richardson & Wrench Auctions has handpicked a panel of dynamic, leading professional full time Auctioneers conduct daily in rooms and on site auctions for every class of property from residential, rural, retail, lifestyle, hotel, commercial and industrial throughout the country. All of our Auctioneers consider it a privilege to represent the R&W brand and are focussed on securing best price outcomes whilst conducting the auction in the most skilful, ethical and tactical way.
Our key point of difference is the strong lines of communication between our Auctioneers, the selling agent, the client and everyone involved in the sales process.


text:
ECB: Educational Communications Board
The Educational Communications Board serves as a resource for the Wisconsin education community by providing educational media, classroom resources, and professional development training opportunities in cooperation with the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI), Wisconsin Public Television, Wisconsin Public Radio, and the University of Wisconsin Extension. As an agency of the State of Wisconsin, the mission of the ECB is to provide a statewide telecommunications system and assistance in the diffusion of advanced technologies in support of education. Includes the Soundzabound Music Library, royalty free music library that meets all the licensing and technology requirements needed for education.
Send a Question or Comment to Appleton Public Library.


text:
Male • 38 weeks
Puppy ID #616280
DOB August 23, 2019
Available I'm ready today!
Color Black
Mom's Weight 60 - 65 lbs
Dad's Weight 80 - 85 lbs
Registry APR
Variety English
4/4 steps complete
Bonded with Mom
Old Enough
Weighs Enough
Labrador Retrievers are the lovable, family-friendly dog we all know and love! Labs have been the most popular breed in the United States for 25 years running. One of the older recognized breeds, Labradors were originally bred to be strong, active retrieving dogs that excelled in hunting and swimming. Today, they are known for their outgoing and energetic personalities, and are extremely intelligent and devoted pets. These pups have a high energy level and therefore require a significant amount of exercise. Labs are an incredibly versatile breed, as they can excel at anything from K9 police work to agility to service work for the disabled. Full grown labs are medium sized, typically weighing in at about 55-75 lbs. Read More
We do all of the 'ruff' work - screening and vetting breeders, performing health checks and coordinating travel so you can focus on what really matters: welcoming home your new furry family member! Learn more
PuppySpot will help find the right puppy for you. Search by breed or take our Breed Match Quiz to find the perfect furry friend.
Connect with your very own Puppy Concierge, who will help you find your new best friend!
A friendly Puppy Manager will help get your pup home safely! Take a peek at our pup-friendly travel options.
Congrats on your new furry family member! Don't forget to share your Wet Nose Moments on social media using #PuppySpot.
Michael S.
Labrador Retriever
We love our puppy! She is awesome. Puppyspot was awesome during the entire process.
Paula J.
Labrador Retriever
We couldn't be happier with our Labrador puppy from puppy spot. Once we finally decided on Chip (previously named Ranger), the entire process from purchase to delivery was very smooth. The folks at PuppySpot were very responsive to my questions and the breeder even checked in to see that Chip arrived safely to our house. I would recommend puppy spot to others.
Sophie W.
Labrador Retriever
We have a lovely healthy puppy and are delighted with that. The service was good throughout, the people were very responsive. There was a miscommunication about the delivery time of day that I think is more an issue with the taxi company. My only other little bug was that I think photos could be provided faster if they weren't like a photo shoot. All I want is a quick snap shot a week, not a puppy prom picture. I'm just kidding :) but seriously faster pics with less fuss would be better


text:
If you follow me on Twitter (@kirankaja12), you may have noticed a bunch of tweets from me in the past few weeks about the rather appalling level of assistance provided by Heathrow Airport to blind passengers. Sorry for flooding your timelines! According to EC Regulation 1107/2006, it is now the responsibility of the airport to provide any special assistance required by so called "Person with Reduced Mobility" or "PRM" passengers. This rather all-encompassing category of passengers may include persons with disabilities such as blind and partially sighted people, passengers who are deaf or hard-of-hearing, wheelchair users as well as elderly people who may have problems walking long distances or cannot manage steps. The regulation of course applies to airports within the European Union. Outside the EU, the responsibility to provide assistance usually lies with the airline. Almost all airports in the EU outsource the special assistance activity to a third-party contractor. In case of Heathrow Airport, this is a company called Omniserv.
So what on earth is the problem?
I use Heathrow Airport quite a bit because this is by far the most convenient airport for me. It is also the home of British Airways which in my opinion is the best airline for blind passengers primarily because BA cabin crew is well trained to assist passengers with visual difficulties. I mostly travel for work reasons with occasional leisure travel.
Over the past year or so, I have noticed that the assistance levels at Heathrow Airport have gone downhill. The issues I face on a regular basis include:
- · No assistance provided when my flight arrives into Heathrow in spite of booking assistance in advance with the airline. In a number of instances, there was no one from Omniserv to help me off the plane and guide me out of the terminal building. On a number of occasions, the cabin crew kindly walked me out even though this is not their responsibility. On other occasions, I had to wait a long time after everyone disembarked for someone to pick me up. a couple of times, I was left in a rather quiet part of the terminal building and was asked to wait for assistance with no information as to when they will be picking me up or no easy way to contact a member of staff.
- · Heathrow Airport advises passengers requiring assistance to arrive at least two hours before the flight departure. I diligently follow this but they would then make me wait for a long time before helping me through security and taking me to the departure gate. On occasion, I had to wait for up to 50 minutes to be helped inside. Again, they would not provide any update as to what is causing the delay or when they are likely to come assist me in, etc. their service level agreement states that 97% of passengers who have pre-booked assistance will be helped within 10 minutes and 99% within 17 minutes. Just like any other passenger, I may want to have a coffee or a meal before I get on a long flight. But if they take a long time to help me through security, there won't be any time left for me to do this.
- · While most Omniserv staff are very helpful and provide a good level of service, I have seen enough instances of unprofessional and inappropriate behavior. They would loudly argue with each other right in front of passengers about whose responsibility it is to help someone, fail to communicate important information such as flight delays, refuse to escort blind passengers to a coffee shop or other retail establishment within the airport when they are clearly required to do so, etc.
- · Of course there is that old bugbear of insisting that blind passengers sit on a wheelchair when they are able to walk just fine. I flatly refuse. There is absolutely no reason why blind people need to sit on a wheelchair unless they specifically wish to do so. Admittedly, this hasn't happened to me at Heathrow of late. They offer a wheelchair but they don't insist too hard when I politely refuse it.
So what did I do?
In addition to ranting about it on Twitter?
I am aware that Heathrow is a huge airport with high passenger volumes and there will be times when the resources are stretched thin. I expect, and am happy to put up with reasonable delays. However, when they consistently fail to show up to escort people off an arriving plane in spite of pre-booking assistance, I thought it was time to start complaining.
In September 2012, when no assistance was provided to me when arriving into Heathrow from Glasgow, I first wrote to British Airways explaining what happened and asking why no assistance was provided. They got back to me saying that under EU regulation, it is not their responsibility anymore and that I should write to Heathrow Airport directly. So I sent a strongly worded feedback to Heathrow Airport via their website. I didn't receive any reply initially and so I sent a second strongly worded feedback. I then received an apology from Omniserv customer services person. They gave me a vague reason about not having the correct information for my flight and informed me that they will improve their processes. However, the problem continued to persist. Meanwhile, I also started hearing about other blind people encountering similar problems. Omniserv again failed to assist me off a plane last month when I was coming back from a two and a half week work trip to the US. As usual, I booked assistance in advance and informed British Airways that I am blind. This information was passed on to Omniserv and Heathrow. In spite of all this, they not only failed to escort me off the plane but also failed to respond when they were told that a blind passenger was waiting to be helped. I had to find my way on my own within the terminal building until I luckily encountered an Omniserv employee who was just coming off a break. Once more, I sent a written complaint to both British Airways and Heathrow Airport with exact details of what happened and asking for a justification.
So why did Heathrow/Omniserv screw it up?
It is the stupid computer's fault!
Without going into too much detail, Omniserv claims that I was not met at the plane because of a problem with their computer system. My booking apparently had two special assistance codes "blind" and "WCHR". The latter is a code that denotes that I have no problems other than not being able to walk long distances. If a booking has more than one special code, the Omniserv system only retains one code and in my instance, it ignored the "blind". Since they don't necessarily have to assist every "WCHR" passenger in person, on this instance, they chose not to send a member of staff to the plane I was arriving on. I am rather puzzled by the fact that this glaring problem with the computer system has not been discovered in the two and a half years of Omniserv operations at Heathrow Airport.
Is Heathrow/Omniserv going to do anything about it?
Your guess is as good as mine!
After a number of email conversations and a couple of meetings with various people at Omniserv and Heathrow Airport, they now assure me that they will take a number of steps to improve the special assistance service at Heathrow Airport. I attended a focus group for blind users of Heathrow on Wednesday 4th April where I met other blind travelers who had similar experiences. Again without going into too much detail, here are some of the measures that Omniserv/Heathrow told us about that will hopefully lead to some improvements.
- · Generating regular extra reports on their computer systems to troll through bookings with multiple assistance codes to identify blind passengers. This is to circumvent the current limitation with their computer system mentioned above. However, as I observed earlier, I am surprised that this issue has gone undetected for so long. They would surely be better off fixing the system so that it receives all codes and not just one.
- · Identifying and retraining a core group of Omniserv staff who will primarily be assisting blind and partially sighted people. They feel that this is important because blind passengers constitute less than 1% of all special assistance requests at Heathrow. This means that most Omniserv staff members assist blind passengers only infrequently and therefore may not recall their training. Given the scale of special assistance operations at Heathrow, this may sound logical to Omniserv but we will need to see how this works in theory. What happens when no one from this core group of staff is on shift when a blind passenger is travelling through Heathrow? They should also be ensuring that staff is retrained in disability awareness on a regular basis.
- · Working with airlines operating out of Heathrow to ensure that they correctly pass on special assistance requests to Omniserv. Considering the fact that passengers can book their journeys directly with airlines or through thousands of travel agents scattered all over the world, I am not entirely sure how successful this exercise will be. Omniserv should still be prepared for special assistance requests that haven't been notified in advance.
While both Omniserv and Heathrow Airport seem to be genuinely interested in improving the service levels, it remains to be seen if there will be any real change in the next few months. More importantly, if they do manage to improve the service, they should ensure that that is maintained consistently.
Is there anything that blind people can do?
In addition to talking about it on Twitter that is
Definitely. There are a few things that we as blind passengers can do to help improve the situation.
Book assistance when possible
According to EC Regulation 1107/2006, you don't really have to book assistance in advance. Even though they recommend booking assistance at least 48 hours in advance, the airport is required to make all "reasonable efforts" to assist you when you arrive at the airport prior notification. Do remember though that airports like Heathrow can get extremely busy at certain times and no one has unlimited resources. Providing an early notification helps the airport schedule their resources correctly. So if you are booking your ticket in advance, do make sure that you inform the airline or travel agent that you need to book assistance as well. You should also let them know the type of disability you have so that they can book the right type of assistance. Remember that they have this weird system of special assistance codes that may influence the type of assistance you may get.
I know that some of us don't really want to book assistance because of a number of reasons. In fact, I always booked assistance in advance but I still ended up getting horrible service. So there is a tendency to not bother when you notice that the service is equally bad when you do book in advance.
However, there is no clear definition of what "reasonable effort" actually means. So an airport can claim but they could not accommodate you in spite of making all "reasonable efforts" if you don't notify. Further, if you do get poor level of service, you are on a much firmer ground when complaining to the service provider if you have booked in advance.
Of course, there will always be instances where it isn't possible to notify in advance. If you have to fly at short notice for whatever reason, most airports should generally accommodate you. Airline journeys, unlike train or bus journeys, tend to be booked well in advance. So I would urge you to take a few minutes to book assistance whenever possible.
A number of airlines let you book assistance online. This is typically done either at the time of the booking the ticket or can be done later via the airline website. in Europe, I was able to book assistance online with Finnair, Brussels Airlines and Airfrance KLM. Annoyingly, British Airways still requires you to call their customer care number to book special assistance. Wait times can sometimes be up to 20-25 minutes. I have been asking @British_Airways on Twitter to provide an online special assistance booking facility for a while now. If you think this would be useful, please tweet them and let them know.
I booked in advance but I still got a crappy service!
You don't have to put up with it. Take a few minutes to complain to the airport that is at fault. Explain that in spite of requesting in advance, you weren't given the assistance you required in a reasonable time. you can contact Heathrow Airport via their feedback form at http://www.heathrowairport.com/help/contact-us/feedback. Or, you can tweet them @HeathrowAirport. You can usually find contact details for other airports on their respective websites. You should also send in a complaint to the airline that you were flying with. Because it is the airport who is responsible for providing assistance, the airline will usually forward your complain to the relevant airport and forget about it. But at least it may add additional weight to your complaint to the airport.
It is important to provide feedback when things go wrong. Even if you travel only occasionally, there is absolutely no reason why you should put up with inferior service. But as long as we as customers don't hold them accountable, airports and even airlines will make no efforts to mend their ways. Similarly, we as passengers do have to make an effort to provide positive feedback when someone provides a very good level of support.
When you are writing to an airport, provide as much detail as you can remember about the incident. For instance, It would be far better to tell them that you have waited 45 minutes before you were offered assistance (if that is the case) rather than just saying that there was a long delay. Do remember that you need to allow for a reasonable time before assistance can be provided. If I have booked assistance in advance, I typically allow for a 15 minute delay at large airports before I begin to get annoyed. I am not for a moment suggesting that we should all start keeping track of the time we had to wait for assistance. It is certainly not my favorite pastime while waiting to board a plane. But any substantial facts are helpful when complaining to an airport.
What did I miss?
Quite a bit I am sure!
Let me confess that I am not an expert in accessible travel or anything of that sort. I am not a legal expert either to fully understand EC Regulation 1107/2006. I just happen to be a blind guy who travels a fair bit and was unlucky to have had some rather unpleasant experiences particularly at Heathrow Airport.
I don't know enough about all the challenges that people with other disabilities face while travelling by air especially wheelchair users like @Christiane whose inputs on Twitter are very appreciated.
So dear readers, if you happen to have any experiences of special assistance at Heathrow or other airports, please do share them via the comments form below. If you prefer, you can also talk to me on Twitter @kirankaja12 or email me on kirankaja12 at gmail dot com.
Happy travels and May you always get the assistance you need!
Tags: Accessibility, Airtravel, Aviation, Blind, British Airways, Heathrow, Special Assistance, Travel


text:
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A hit-and-run suspect was held at gunpoint Wednesday night by a man who witnessed the accident, according to authorities.
State troopers said 26-year-old Tracy Isbell, of Covington, Ga., was driving a white pickup truck and hit 30-year-old Joseph Bastian, of Jacksonville, at the intersection of Southside and Atlantic boulevards just before 8 p.m. Investigators said witnesses told them Isbell was driving erratically down Southside before hitting a curb, a yield sign, and then the pedestrian.
After realizing he had two flat tires, Isbell pulled into a Chick-fil-A restaurant on the corner of Southside and Atlantic, police said. According to authorities, he tried to leave, but was stopped by a man in the parking lot. The man detained Isbell at gunpoint until police arrived, authorities said.
Police said Isbell resisted arrest when officers arrived. According to officers, Isbell appeared "extremely intoxicated," and drugs and a weapon were found in his truck.
Police told Channel 4 Isbell likely faces charges of felony hit-and-run, possession and resisting arrest. The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating whether alcohol was a factor in the crash.
Bastian was transported to Shands Jacksonville Medical Center with serious injuries.
The road in the area was closed Wednesday night.


text:
Compare cheap flights to Mackay
When is the cheapest time to fly to Mackay?
Natural Mackay
With some of the finest national parks and fishing spots in the nation, Mackay is a holiday favourite for lovers of the great outdoors.
Our Mackay Favourite
The Mackay Highlands Great Walk is as advertised - it's great and it's a walk! A walk through gorges and sheer rock faces amid sub-tropical and tropical vegetation. You'll feel like you've taken a step back in time.
For bookings call the Mackay Information Centre on 1300 130 001 or toll free 1300 130 372.
Start your Mackay holiday on the right foot with a cheap flight from Skiddoo.
Temperature average in August
Rainfall average in August
30.1 mm
Cheapest time to fly to Mackay (MKY)
All prices refer to return flights to Mackay and include taxes and charges.
Our experiences customer support team is there to help you every step of the way.
With the Skiddoo Price Promise, if you find a cheaper price online we'll match it!


text:
U of I News
Platform Staffing Partners with U of I Champaign Urbana, Bringing
Companies Talent of the Future
Send a link to a friend
[August 28, 2014]
Staffing Group, provider of IT consultants to various industries
across the industrial spectrum, has partnered with the University of
Illinois's top 5 engineering program and Fortune 100 companies to
create an internship program unparalleled to any other.
Established in 2012, the prestigious internship program has
played a part in developing and nurturing some of the youngest and
most advanced leadership professionals in the technology engineering
industry. This program is unique from traditional internships in
that it provides an opportunity for hire upon graduation, therefore
reducing the number of independent contractors the company needs to
hire in favor of fully trained full time employees.
The program was created in part to address the issue of the skills
gap in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields
(STEM), which continues to expand as aging baby boomers, which make
up 11% of the total workforce, inch closer to retirement. According
to Microsoft, more than 120,000 computing positions are created in
the U.S. each year, with only 40,000 bachelor's degrees being earned
in computer science (Dice News). "It is more important than ever to
have young people educated in STEM in order to step up and take
those jobs that are being left vacant," said Mark Harrison, Managing
Partner of Platform Staffing. "The internship program gives us the
opportunity to find consultants and complete projects for companies
that have been experiencing backlog from the shortage of experienced
and available professionals."
Millennials and Gen Y, expected to
make up half of the workforce by 2020, are much sought after by
companies looking to adopt programs like Bring Your Own Device (BYOD).
This group of future leaders craves knowledge and continual learning
and development through mentorship programs and feedback. The
outsourcing of work to offshore facilities has played a part in
backlog of projects, making this internship program a perfect fit
for companies and students alike.
[to top of second column]
Many students who participate in the program continue on to
work for the employer, gaining knowledge and skills that set
them heads above the rest of their graduating classmates. The
program continues to build the base of talented individuals
within an organization, setting it up for future success and
leadership. The partnership allows for the successful completion
of projects on behalf of the Fortune 100 company and a chance
for students and the future of the STEM workforce to gain
valuable knowledge and real-world experience, skills highly
sought after by companies looking to recruit the Millennial
For more information on partnering with Platform Staffing Group
and U of I, please contact us at 630-506-5606 or firstname.lastname@example.com
[Text received; BRIAN JAMESON,on
behalf of PLATFORM STAFFING AND THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS]
About Platform Staffing
Platform Staffing Group brings over 25 years of experience to the
Information Technology staffing space, providing consultants in
Infrastructure, Data Management and Systems Development. Our mission
is simple: to provide unprecedented value to our customers by
providing superior IT consultants at a fair market rate. We
understand business, we understand technology, and we understand
< Top Stories index
Back to top


text:
- 1 Bed
- 1 3/4 Baths
Property TypeResidential – Single Family
Listing Date01/08/20
Year Built1924
Lot Size0.14 Acres (6,098 SqFt)
Property Description
Sitting in the Heart of Eagle you'll find this charming single family home on two lots. You'll love the original antique cabinets from 1924. Relax in one of the two sunrooms or enjoy your large fenced in backyard on those warm summer days. This home is zoned for Residential or Commercial and close to everything Eagle has to offer. Call to schedule your showing today!
Presented By
- Bus Route
- In Town
- Cable Available
- Deck
- Wired for Cable
- Cable TV
- City Sewer
- City Water
- Electricity Avail.
- Phone Available
- Snow Removal
- Trash Pickup
- Electric
- Dryer - Electric
- Washer
Financial Information
We get asked this question a lot. Below is a tool that gives you the ability to see what the market is like in your community. Find out what homes like your own are selling for right in your back yard. Simply enter in your address, choose the proximity of the search and find out market data for other homes that are selling near you.
While we'll provide you with plenty of information, this is a snapshot of your market data and there are real people behind the high-tech and automated tools. If you would like more detailed information or help in understanding the results we are here to help.
Until then, enjoy the tools!
The data relating to the real estate for sale on this website comes in part from the Internet Data Exchange program of the Vail Multi-List Service, Inc.
Copyright © 2020 Vail Multi List, Inc. (VMLS). The information displayed herein was derived from sources believed to be accurate, but has not been verified by VMLS. Buyers are cautioned to verify all information to their own satisfaction. This information is exclusively for viewers' personal, non- commercial use. Any republication or reproduction of the information herein without the express permission of the VMLS is strictly prohibited.
Listing courtesy of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices - Eagle Ranch


text:
Young Dolph (Feat. Gucci Mane) - A-Plus
Directed by VideoGod
@YoungDolph the hottest new independent rapper new mixtape "BLUE"
MAGIC" Hosted by DJ Scream drops 11/14/2012
No DJ edition available on iTunes
Please click the "Report" button below if the video on this page is not working properly.
Comments will only be displayed by verified emails. No Spamming or Racism.


text:
Tokyo fashion: Aoyama is refined, chic, elegant, and sophisticated
Sarah Deschamps and Lee Jay Walker
Modern Tokyo Times
Aoyama fashion is famous in Tokyo because you have so many exquisite boutiques in this very exclusive area. The fashion boutiques are a splendid mixture of American, European, and Japanese fashion, and the various mosaic within European fashion means that you have lovely contrasts and an abundance of choice.
The architecture of some of the shopping malls and major fashion houses also adds to the spice. This applies to ultra-modern buildings and the occasional touch of classical styles and this rich blend is visually appealing and creates a feeling of sophistication.
Aoyama is part of the rich vein of exquisite fashion which covers this non-stop zone of lovely boutiques. This applies to Aoyama, Harajuku, Omotesando and Shibuya whereby you leave one fashion zone and enter another. Not only this, the diversity and age groups which each area caters for and the back streets of Harajuku, Omotesando and before entering central Shibuya proper, is amazing.
Therefore, it is very rewarding for people who adore fashion to browse around and soak up the environment and come across new fashion outlets. The entire fashion zone in the backstreets is awash with creative fashion, riskier boutique styles, street vibes and American influences, independent boutiques and the buzz this creates is truly unique.
In Aoyama you have countless sophisticated boutiques to visit and a partial list includes Comme des Garcons, Gucci, Prada, Donna Karan, Loveless, Michael Kors, 10 Corso Como, L'eclaireur, Vivienne Westwood, A Bathing Ape, Jil Sander, Issey Miyake, Yohji Yamamoto, Artisan, Stella McCartney, Cynthia Rowley, Paul Smith, Helmut Lang, Mark Jacobs, Tsumori Chisato, Costume National, Carbane de Zucca, Hanae Mori, Diane Von Furstenberg, Undercover, Design Works, Frapbois, and many others like Deuxieme Classe.
In a recent article by Modern Tokyo Times the attention was on the elegant Omotesando Hills shopping complex and the quality boutiques and other shops in this exquisite mall. In Aoyama you have trendy and sophisticated stores which include Boutique W, Dress Camp, Flair Aoyama, Loveless and other exclusive shopping stores.
Cibone is another very trendy shopping mall which caters for futuristic furniture, clothing, dinnerware, restaurants, electrical appliances based on innovation, and so much more. The store is a magnet for fashion conscious individuals and the concept is challenging but richly rewarding.
Famous stars also love Aoyama fashion and Comme des Garcons fashion is internationally famous just like countless other fashion companies in Aoyama. The list of famous people who adore Comme des Garcons include Kanye West, Vincent Ng, John Waters, Chloe Sevigny, Mary Kate Olsen, Leila Aldik, Matt Bellamy, Tilda Swinton Justin Bieber, Selma Blair, and many others.
Aoyoma fashion is clearly debonair, sophisticated, international, and chic beyond your wildest dreams. The entire area is uplifting and the architecture and fashion displays are delightful. Therefore, if fashion is in your veins and you want to see sublime Japanese and international fashion, then Aoyama is a district that you must visit to see the latest trends and exquisite fashion styles.
http://www.aoyama-net.com/fashionmap/index.htm – Map of where the fashions companies are
http://tokyofashion.com/tag/aoyama/ – Aoyama fashion


text:
Researchers describe a new genetic program that converts static cells into mobile invasive cells
Researchers at the Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona) have identified the gene GATA 6 as responsible for epithelial cells -which group together and are static- losing adhesion and moving towards a new site. This process, which is common to developing organisms, is very similar to one that occurs in metastasis, when tumour cells escape from the original tumour and invade new tissue. "This process explains why Gata 6 is found in cancers of the liver, pancreas and colon, thus allowing tumour cells to acquire metastatic properties", stresses Jordi Casanova, CSIC professor and head of the Drosophila Morphogenesis Group at IRB Barcelona, where the study has been conducted. The journal Developmental Cell is to publish the results of this study this week.
In addition, Gata 6 triggers a genetic programme that favours the survival and adaptation of cells in new tissue. It also promotes the expression of some enzymes, the so-called metalloproteases, which degrade the cellular matrix, thus allowing cells to migrate and enter new tissue. Furthermore, Gata 6 induces the gene Forkhead, which is a survival factor. "When cells start migrating they are subjected to many changes and to stress, and in these adverse conditions many can die. This gene protects them against death", explains Kira Campbell, "Juan de la Cierva" post-doctoral fellow with Casanova's lab and first author of the article. Tumour cells hold metalloproteases and Forkhead.
From the Drosophila fly to cancer
Once again the small fly D. melanogaster, used in developmental studies, has shed light on processes linked to cancer. Casanova's team, which specializes in morphogenesis, has revealed the mechanism by which epithelial cells transform into mesenchymatic cells during gut development in fly embryos. The Drosophila gut is an endodermal organ, as is the colon, the liver and the pancreas. "What we have discovered is that the programme that we have characterized for the first time is specific for endodermal tissues", explains Casanova.
Having identified the genetic programme that favours this transformation in Drosophila, Casanova contacted Eduard Batlle's lab, which focuses on colorectal cancer and is also at IRB Barcelona. The aim was to test whether the homologue gene in mammal cells had the capacity to produce this same change. Their studies showed that this gene homologue, GATA 6, is conserved and confers cells the same capacities as those observed in the fly. "We started off with a strictly basic research line in development and have ended up with a collaboration with the Oncology Programme to address possible implications in cancer", says Casanova, emphasizing the multidisciplinary nature of the study. His lab now wishes to turn its attention to other members of the GATA family. "For example, pancreatic cancer has very poor prognosis. Our research can contribute to furthering understanding of the genetic bases of endodermal tumours and may speed up the detection of possible therapeutic targets".
Explore further


text:
The CIA Has Joined Facebook and Twitter
The Central Intelligence Agency showed its hipper side Friday, launching its Twitter presence with a cheeky first tweet: "We can neither confirm nor deny that this is our first tweet."
The CIA was slow to join Twitter. Other agencies like the geeky codebreakers at the National Security Agency and even the staid Director of National Intelligence had already joined Twitter. NSA had a creative tweet go viral last month, when @NSACareers tweeted a series of letters — with a challenge to break the code.


text:
Losing a tire in while driving an already rollover prone SUV at highway speeds has to be close to the top of the list of anyone's nightmare driving scenarios.
This Isuzu Trooper driver was on the highway in an unidentified foreign country (we want to say Russia out of habit) when that exact scenario played itself out.
From the sounds of it losing a wheel at high speed in a Trooper can only have one outcome—a serious rollover. With this in mind watching the driver's impressive recovery becomes even more amazing.
Hat tip to McNewbie!
[via TopGear]


text:
Emoji keyboard from EmojiSelector
by micheal9000
BEAUTIFUL, USER-FRIENDLY, LIGHT-WEIGHT, SMOOTH, FULL, CONVENIENT are adjectives to talk about our extension.
***** This extension is supported by https://www.emojionline.org. *****
* The Emoji Online (or emoji selector, emoji picker, emoji keyboard), included:
- The modern and beautiful emoji Keyboard.
- The cool emoji textstyles.
- The emoji template for events (just only for web version).
- Automatically copy text and emoji to clipboard, you just need to paste to everywhere you want.
The emoji Online helps you to make a cool text for facebook, twitter, youtube,... messenger, chat, other social activies and everywhere you want.
Now it works well in almost systems, such as windows (XP, 7, 8, 8.1, 10+), MacOS (8, 9, 10, +), iOS (8+), android 5+.
*** [New feature in version 3]: we allow you customize your own emoji keyboard. This feature is very useful.
** [New feature in version 2]: move categories of emojis to left and add key pressing effect (scale key, sound of pressing).
*Notice: If you are using old operating systems (such as, XP, Windows 7), maybe some emojis will not display correctly. NO WORRY, they still work fine on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, YOUTUBE, PINTEREST, REDDIT, LINKEDIN and OTHER great social networks, other MESSENGERS (facebook messenger, VIBER, SKYPE, IMESSAGE etc), because these apps use the owned emojis. You just browse, search the emojis you need and click on them. NO NEED copy, just paste to everywhere you want.
* It's a professional emoji keyboard, but FREE, NO ADS, NO POPUP. Funny and hope you enjoy it.
==>Now, we make this extension to become a REAL KEYBOARD with many useful features, such as scale key and make sound (optional) when you press, load text from clicked input on any webpages to extension and you can compose the message easier. This message will be synchronized with that input. If you don't want this, you also can paste it manually. No need copy, this process is automatic.
- This extension can access your data on all websites.


text:
I would like to ask what is the importance of tempo and time-signatures. By this I mean, aren't tempo and time-signatures all interchangeable. For example, a 4/8 60 BPM can be also described as 4/4 120 BPM (or at least something like that). Or a 60 BPM tempo can be transcribed to a 120 BPM tempo just by changing the note durations?
Apart from readability, what other importance is there that a specific tempo or time-signature should be used?
Thank you!


text:
Nine days after the horrible slaughter of 20 children, ages 6-7, and 6 adults in Sandy Hook Elementary School, Newtown, Connecticut, America is still reeling and grieving.
Every day across this veil of tears we call Earth, human beings are killed and murdered. We are no longer shocked or outraged, accepting that as routine. But not when the victims are little children. Thankfully, we are still capable of being jolted from life-as-usual by the slaughter of innocents.
While the cold-blooded murder of 20 little kiddies in an elementary school in Connecticut, each reportedly was shot 11 times by devil-worshipper Adam Lanza, is unimaginably horrific, a pastor reminds us of other even more horrible child-murders, both past and present.
In his Dec. 23, 2012 essay for News-Leader.com, "Once again, mankind faces Satan," Bob Johnson, pastor of Ozark Mountain Assembly of God in Kimberling City, reminds us of these other slaughters of innocents:
1. King Herod's slaughter of all infants, age 2 and younger
After learning from the three wise men, of the birth of the one destined to be the King of the Jews, "Herod, when he saw that he was mocked by the wise men, was exceedingly angry, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the region thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men." Matthew 2:16
Only God knows how many baby boys were torn from their mothers' arms and thrown into the Nile River.
2. The Nazis' slaughter of Jewish children
In Jerusalem, alongside the Holocaust Memorial is the Children's Memorial. As one walks through the semi-darkness of that memorial, the names, ages and countries of a million children who were murdered by the Nazis, are read. Lighting the darkness are the flickering flames of scores of candles representing the young lives that were snuffed out.
3. Islamic jihadists' use of children as suicide bombers
In recent years, psychopathic Muslims intent on jihad, are using children as suicide bombers, strapping them with bombs and sending them to blow up buses and other public places. Field trips by schoolchildren in Israel are accompanied by armed guards. The latest such attack was the targeting of a school bus with an anti-tank rocket.
4. The slaughter of innocents in the womb
By far, the most dangerous location for children in America is not our schools. The most dangerous location for our children is the womb. Since Roe v. Wade, more than 55 million unborn children had been aborted — suctioned out, scraped out, poisoned, strangled in "late-term or partial-birth abortions" as their heads emerge from the birth canal, or simply left to die from dehydration and starvation if they somehow survived a late-term abortion.
Why aren't we shocked, outraged, saddened, and grieving about these other slaughters of innocents?