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Photo by: Vojtěch Vlk
He was a dissident, laborer, writer, and screenplay writer. Thanks to his experiences, this Czech country rabbi has authority beyond the Jewish community, so we spoke with him about the roles of religion, values, and the war on terrorism.
Judaism remains surrounded by many mysteries. Do you think it's necessary to communicate more, to elucidate the differences between religions and what they have in common? What are you, as a rabbi, doing about it?
The whole time I've been a rabbi I've tried to demystify Judaism. Of course it has a touch of romanticism, but Jews are normal, they have one head and two eyes, like everyone else. Their only differences are their beliefs, their faith, and their approach to education. Hardly anyone knows that since the first century AD Jewish children have had mandatory schooling, and education has been seen as very important. People are more concerned about what they don't do than what they actually do. This has created legends that are bound to anti-Semitism, because in its own way anti-Semitism is a legend, too.
Why is the Jewish nation so hated?
Jews became the focus of envy, which is baseless. Anti-Semitism attributes to Jews certain exaggerated characteristics, resulting in a theory of a general conspiracy against the poor other nations. It's nonsense, but very persistent, it goes back to ancient times – anti-Semitism is traced to Egyptians in the third century BC.
Does religion have something in general to offer today's youth?
It evidently offers them something; see the development of Islam in recent years. But what good does religion offer? I think that in religions, even Islam, one can find common points. I'm not talking about theology, I'm talking about family, about respect for parents, and about sexuality. Religions look at everything that's ailing in western society differently, but they have much in common. Their influence on youth, if it were intelligent, could certainly help our society, which suffers from the blight of western European cultural values.
But many religious practices and rituals can seem obsolete. Don't you think they should develop with the times?
There's always conflict between tradition and the new things time brings. But you have to be careful, because traditions are verified by many generations. We're living through the technological revolution. Indiscriminately rejecting technologies is stupid, but accepting everything without analysis of what it is and how it's used is worthless.
But let's look at the position of Jewish women, for example. They can't study the Talmud, they have limited access to synagogues, and their sexuality is essentially limited to reproduction. Why should modern women accept something like this?
The Jewish religion is built mainly on laws – rights and obligations. Women are exempted from time-linked obligations. They aren't obligated to pray thrice daily, only once, whenever it suits them best. Synagogues were originally really for men, as they are obligated to pray together. The study that requires concentration and time is the obligation of men. But that doesn't mean women mustn't pray thrice daily or study! But through their entire character, women are much more bound to caring for their families, and this function is highly venerated in traditional Judaism. In my opinion this is the basic problem of modern culture – women are not as appreciated in their female roles as they deserve. The key is in satisfaction in service to society. It doesn't work here, and women can gain renown and success only by acting like men.
It doesn't work that way in Jewish families?
There are problems everywhere, but that doesn't mean women shouldn't get an education or work. They can work part-time. Men must earn more, but that doesn't mean they can't help out at home. When I discovered this world I was ashamed, as a man, as a central European, and I felt like a barbarian who'd discovered civilization.
The Czech Republic was recently praised by EU representatives for its care of Jewish monuments – they said it could be a model of cultural relations for many other countries. Do you share this opinion?
In principle, yes, but not that it should be a model. The cemeteries and synagogues were returned to the Federation of Jewish Communities in deplorable condition. Without the help of the non-Jewish communities and towns, we'd never have been able to do so much work. Today's relations with the Jewish community are good. I'm just concerned that under the stronger influence of western European countries the Czech Republic will become more like them. We've always thought that anti-Semitism is, at least for the west, a thing of the past – but now, under pressure from Islamic minorities, their politics towards Jews are changing. Today it's in fact harder for Jews to live in France than in the Czech Republic.
In today's multi-cultural France, they have many problems with religion. For example, they recently passed a law that children must not wear external symbols of their religions at school. Are you afraid of such pressure here, too?
I had a similar case here recently. One of our boys went for his internal passport photo. He was wearing a yarmulke and encountered a policeman who insisted it was an official act. But he wanted his picture with his yarmulke, as he's obligated to wear it. The complaint reached the Senate, and me as well – I had to make a statement. I discovered that he was right, because nuns can be photographed with their heads covered. I don't think the French solution is correct. Parents will take their children to their religious schools, and the influence of emancipated France will be much weaker on this generation. Worse, these children will be much more heavily influenced by crazy spiritual leaders.
The international situation is becoming harsher. Do you think the terrorism that is becoming more widespread is a legitimate means for the weak to fight against far more powerful enemies?
Unfortunately, the western world is terribly selfish. When only anti-Israeli terrorism was involved, everyone pretended nothing was happening. But they gave terrorism the green light, and today it's spreading, so their heads are spinning. It may be too late. Unfortunately, now it's a general habit to make demands, and to force victories through illegitimate means. Somehow it no longer applies that there are limits that must not be crossed. On the other hand, I think the western, globalizing value system gives an opportunity to Islamic radicals. It's basically built on the libido of the individual, which is also reflected in the western concept of human rights. The gap between civilizations is widening.
What can be done about it?
It's crazy, but nothing's to be done. Security forces and the army have to handle terrorism. However, the drivers of globalization should be aware that not everything they stand for is good. The blindness and momentum are so great that probably nothing can be done. Maybe representatives of various religions could still play positive roles, but they prefer spending their time on theological dialogues, and instead of working together to create an atmosphere for an internal transformation of the views of their citizens they argue about what they can't agree on anyway.
Do you think intervening from outside in the matters of a given country is justified, even when – by western standards – the citizenry is denied basic human rights? Such perceptions can be very relative, can't they?
It isn't a question of western standards, but rather of experiences that are even specifically Czech. If at the time when Hitler was gaining power there had been a force to oppose him, it would have saved tens of millions of lives. If the western world had then stood up against Nazi Germany, it would have certainly been good. There would have been the same arguments as there are today against the war in Iraq, and many people would surely be wavering as to whether it was right, because they wouldn't know what would happen it they failed to act. But we know now. If the west intervened only militarily, without trying to interfere socially by exporting their consumeristic value system, and if the military presence didn't last longer than it had to, it would be OK.
Although very young, prime minister Gross has surrounded himself with people connected with communism. Does it frighten you, as a person who had very negative experiences with the former regime?
I basically see no threat. I don't know Mr. Gross, but I get the impression that his political methods reflect the upbringing of his generation under late communism. The politics simply captured the generation that came of age when lying and stealing were part of the values, and now it's showing up. I don't see much in high politics, and I don't particularly want to.


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- My So-Called Life (Pi... - #1 »
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- The Zit - #5 »
- The Substitute - #6 »
- Why Jordan Can't Read - #7 »
- Strangers in the Hous... - #8 »
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- Other People's Daught... - #10 »
- Life of Brian - #11 »
- Self-Esteem - #12 »
- Pressure - #13 »
- On the Wagon - #14 »
- So-Called Angels - #15 »
- Resolutions - #16 »
- Betrayal - #17 »
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Username backstories
As the forum title implies: This is the forum for "anything else" which doesn't fit into one of the other forums.
Post Reply
I like the double-entendre...I'm wicked...hee hee hee
Wicked_dollz is my art site. I paint a lot of doll related stuff ( extremely long story) but my paintings tend to also have an edge sooo...
I just shorten it to wicked whenever I can
also wicked is kinda like "evil lite" not really evil just mischivious
"So this is hell. I'd never have believed it. You remember all we were told about the torture-chambers, the fire and brimstone, the "burning marl." Old wive's tales! There's no need for red-hot pokers. HELL IS - OTHER PEOPLE!"
I've been thinking about changing my username lately. Kristin is, obviously, my name. Not too creative, but maybe it's because I have to be insanely hugely creative all the time! So... I don't know. But that's what I've been thinking. If I do that I'll let everyone know.
Um, in my room, one seam is a little off and I stare at it constantly. It's, like, destroying me.
lol i thought i was being creative when i picked it because it was related to the show in some manner. but then like 10 other usernames have it in some other form. ah well.
- " It just seems like, you agree to have a certain personality or something. For no reason. Just to make things easier for everyone. But when you think about it, I mean, how do you know it's even you?" - Angela Chase
okay well my name is pretty self explaintiory... east beverly hill is where i'm from... rockstar is just a nickname because i L.O.V.E to play electric guitar and piano, sing and listen to music...so ya, and i'm 16, well i was when i made this account, but now i'm 17. okay so thats it. love peace ..bye;)
rockiced_dimonds_BeverlyHills style
shopping is amazing
Candygirl, what prompted the name change? Looks like you've joined the mscl.com team!
Sometimes I write a little MSCL fanfiction: https://www.fanfiction.net/u/1039807/Jody-Barsch
Also, after multiple V. Mars reiterations, and finally a Deadwood movie, still wishing for some continuation of The Riches !
Re: Username backstories
Let's see...
Lifetime is the name of a song of my favorite singer. So, 4 A Lifetime I thought was appropriate for how I feel about MSCL. I'll be a fan for a lifetime! So I guess there are 2 meanings in my name.
There's so many different ways to be connected to people.
There are the people you feel this unspoken connection to,
even though there's not even a word for it.
There's the people who you've known forever, who know you in
this way that other people can't, because they've seen you
they've let you change.
Re: Username backstories
Mine is just a nickname of me! And if you ask "Jesus, how did she get from Julia to Dudn?", I'll explain it to you. But that wasn't me, that were my friends and it developed over a cuople of years and in different schools:
Julia - Juli - Judy - Judn - Dudn
I think that was it. Really funny thing!
Re: Username backstories
(As for me necro-posting, considering the activity of the forum, I figured this was alright. If it's putting you guys off then please tell me.)
In 7th grade my favorite movie was The Warriors. My friends and I liked to draw stick figures a lot at the time. One very boring day during study hall I decided to draw out the entire Warriors movie in stick people. Years back I was stuck for a name and came up with StickWarrior in honor of my 7th grade weirdness. Whenever someone replied to me they usually would refer to me as Stick. Even though I've always hated StickWarrior as my IMDb username I feared some wouldn't recognize me after the name change. So, here, I decided to just go with Stick. Plus, just say it: Stick. I like the way it sounds.
Re: Username backstories
don't feel bad about posting a lot. sometimes the board needs a little activity!
Re: Username backstories
This is all so obsurdly interesting. I had no idea about 'allowed' boys names in Germany in the 1970's, the psychology of lance man and the lower case and as a new person to this forum i had no idea so many men watched mscl. I mean i can see why, i just hadn't come accross any. Although the time it was shown in the uk (6pm, monday on a non mainstream channel) i've only met 2 other people that watched - luckily one's my best friend.
My username started off with red (of course, how original!) but then developed because redordead are a uk design team who i love.
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Gabriella Levine
Talk: "Democratizing innovation with open hardware"
Gabriella Levine presents global adventures with the aid of data-collecting robots built with open source hardware technology.
About Gabriella:
Gabriella is a self-described creative technologist, interactive artist and open-source hardware designer interested in the relationship between technology and ecology. Levine studied Biology and Piano at Cornell University and Oberlin College, then worked doing Cancer Research at Albert Einstein College of Medicine before abandoning the lab for the outdoors to become a wildland firefighter based in Oregon.
She holds a masters degree in design and technology from ITP, Tisch School of the Arts, NYU. She creates sculptural and robotic works that mimic environmental phenomena and animal behavior. Gabriella is particularly passionate about biomimetic robots, PCB's, electromechanical actuation, wireless sensor networks, and coding.


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Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. –Ephesians 5:11
Paul's solution to the sin problem is exposure to the light of Christ. The Authorized Version translated it as reprove (ἐλέγχω, v. 11), and elsewhere as convict, convince, and rebuke. Strong's tells us that the Greek word is generally associated with a suggestion of shame regarding the person convicted; and can mean to bring to the light, to expose; to find fault with, correct; to reprehend severely, chide, admonish, reprove; to call to account, show one his fault, demand an explanation; and to chasten or punish. Exposure is part of it, but the heart of it is to see what is exposed in the light of Christ, to see it for what it is in reality, and then to tell the world what is revealed.
Shame is involved in the exposure. Paul went on to say that it is shameful to even speak about what is done "in secret" (Eph 5:12), apart from the light of Christ. As the light of Christ increasingly shines in this world, things are increasingly seen for what they actually are. Imagine that people have been living in a room without light for a very long time, when suddenly someone brings in a light. The first thing that the light will reveal is the dirt and filth that is not seen without the light. As people adjust to the light they will begin to clean up the squalor, and over time their living conditions will improve because of the light. The presence of light reveals the lack of perfection and the presence of sin. If the FBI were to do a thorough investigation on any of us, they would find much that would be embarrassing. And this parallels Paul's meaning here.
Paul was capitalizing on Jesus' assertion, "I am the light of the world" (John 8:12, 9:5, 12:46). This is not an analogy, but is to be understood literally. It is in the role of the archetype of humanity that Jesus is able to be the very light of the whole world. In the same sense that the eye is the light of the soul, Jesus is the light of the world. He provides illumination to help us see reality better.
Regardless of how it was done, if we can accept the fact that God created the world, we can understand that everything in the world is in some sort of relationship with God, the ultimate Creator. To say that God created the world simply means that the world fulfills the purposes of God, the purposes for which God created it. And everything in the world is related to God's purposes. Beyond the issues of mechanics and science, the statement that God created the world simply means that the world was created to serve the purposes of God. The discussion of the mechanics and science of creation tends to obscure this fact. The opposition to the idea that God created the world is not interested in winning the argument. The opposition is interested in obscuring the truth with the argument. The argument against God is itself the mechanism of denial. And if it is not continuously engaged, the facts will simply overcome the denial. It takes a lot of effort to deny the truth.
Arguing with people who argue against God is frivolous. Such arguments simply add vain words in favor of God to vain words that oppose Him. Such arguments are locked into the categories of Satan's false dilemma, the moral argument between good and evil that issues from various positions of human opinion. Such an argument cannot be won, but neither can it be lost. And this is why it has continued unabated throughout history. In the same way that the gospel is not a matter of piety, morality is not a matter of good defeating evil. We cannot defeat evil. Our job is to live in obedience to God's will, and the reality that issues from that will defeat, or actually dissolve, evil.
The whole scenario of good vs. evil falls almost entirely into the categories of Satan's false dichotomy. That is to say that it does not incorporate or encompass God's dichotomy of life vs. knowledge (or various opinions regarding good and evil). The gospel is not an argument, it is a way of life (Acts 19:9, 19:23, 24:14, 24:22). People are not argued into the kingdom, they are led. And this leading is not a matter of words, but of example, attitude, and behavior. To lead someone to Christ is not a matter of defeating all of their arguments against God, but of demonstrating the reality of God in one's own life. To be a leader is to manifest the character qualities of greatness, not by being popular, but by manifesting the fruit of the spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). Lead this life and you will be a great leader.
(from Ephesians—Recovering the Vision of a Sustainable Church In Christ, forthcoming, 2014)


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Connect with this vendor - Learn about this product
Mixer & Blender - MaxVenturi®
MaxVenturi® Overview
Now available with a 0-120 lpm flow meter for expanded flow ranges!
The MaxVenturi® has been specifically designed to interface with high-flow humidification systems. Using the well-established Venturi principle, this unit allows users to mix ambient air and oxygen without the need for piped medical-grade air. This is the perfect solution for adult high-flow oxygen therapy in almost any environment.
Has the ability to mix ambient air and oxygen without the need for piped medical-grade air
All-in-one oxygen/air mixer, MaxO2+ analyzer and flow meter
Long battery life on analyzer (approximately 5,000 hours)
Independently adjustable O2% and flow
Built-in pole clamp
Ease-in titration
Two-year O2 sensor warranty
High-flow therapy for trach patients
Compatible with common aerosol mask applications
Alternative conventional mixed gas delivery while moving entrainment away from patient


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This lesson actively engages learners in the process of evaluating an information source using the SIFT technique, designed by Mike Caufield. The approach uses lateral reading techniques and the lesson encourages learners to apply and reflect on the technique as it pertains to a specific information need.
A "jigsaw lite" activity to help students recognize that the information tools and systems they use in their everyday and academic lives are not neutral as existing power structures are reflected in the creation, organization, and access of information. Students work in small groups to read an assigned article about bias in a tool, source type, or system and answer questions to share with the larger class.
This activity/assignment was designed for a first year composition course in collaboration with an English/Writing instructor. It could be used in an information literacy credit course, First Year Experience course, or in another discipline-specific context. The purpose of the lesson is to lay the foundation for students to be able to read scholarly work more effectively and critically.
In this workshop, students learn about the driving forces behind fake news, reflect on how our opinions impact the way we evaluate information, and discuss and practice using criteria for evaluating news. The workshop includes a brief presentation on fake news and cognitive biases, reflection prompts for students to respond to, and an activity in which students work in groups to evaluate different news articles on a common topic.
As people rely more and more on social media to get their news, the filter bubble becomes increasingly problematic. In this workshop, students learn how to evaluate whether a news site is reliable. This group activity takes about 30 minutes and can be used for many different audiences by adjusting the examples used.


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We have seen a number of people reaching out and asking what the best prime lens for Nikon d5300 cameras currently available on the market right now is. After some consideration, we made our short list of lenses and set some time aside to type up and publish this article to help our readers in this same situation.
Both of these prime lenses are very budget friendly and we feel the vast majority if not all of our regular readers will be able to afford them. Both of them outprice many of the competing lenses in their price point as well as having great performance and decent functionality.
Click Here To Check For Prices On High-Quality, Budget Friendly Prime Lenses For Your d5300!
The Nikon AF-S DX 35mm F/1.8G Lens
Being a prime lens that is based around the 35mm focal length the Nikon 35mm is able to offer you some excellent image quality for various portrait photographs as well as limited wide-angle photography niches. Additionally, its low aperture is very fast while also offering your d5300 some great low light performance too. All of this for its very low price tag has made the Nikon 35mm very popular with the community and many d5300 owners already use it. Over the years they have posted their own third-party reviews (click to read) of their experiences using their d5300 and their Nikon 35mm lens that you may want to read.
The lens also comes with the Nikon Silent Wave Motor that provides you with fast, accurate, and quiet autofocus capabilities for many Nikon cameras. With the 35mm focal length, this can make the lens a great little run and gun lens allowing you to quickly change subjects and snap away to your heart's content.
On top of this though, the manual focus ring on the lens is great. It is very smooth to turn while also very easy to locate with your fingertips even when you are either wet or cold. This is due to the static location of the ring as well as its unique texture compared to the rest of the lens body making it easy to find without looking.
If you own a Nikon d5300 and are looking to pick up a nice little prime lens that is perfect for portrait photography while still having a limited capability for high-quality landscape photographs then this is the lens for you. It is a great lens that is very cheap for what you are getting and is hugely popular with the community with the reputation to match.
Click Here To Read Independent Third Party Reviews Of This Product!
Click Here To Check For Prices On This Product!
The video below offers an additional third-party, independent review for the Nikon AF-S DX 35mm F/1.8G to offer our readers an independent opinion of the product.
The Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.8G Lens
Again, the build quality for the lens is excellent, especially for its price while it also comes with solid low light performance with an autofocus technology that pretty much blows the competition out the water at this price level. Although its wide-angle performance is much worse than the 35mm variant, this 50mm version offers solid portrait photographs as well as being useful in other photograph niches too.
Due to all of that, it is no surprise that the photography community quickly woke up to this little bargain and started purchasing it in droves. Just like the 35mm variant of the lens, the 50mm variant also has a number of independent reviews (click to read them) posted online from d5300 owners sharing their thoughts.
The Nikon 50mm lens comes with a 58mm lens filter thread allowing you to easily source a large number of different lens filters to further customize the performance of the lens to what you require from it. If you are looking to pick up some new lens filters for your new lens then we would recommend that you check out the Gobe 58mm lens filter range (Click here to check for product prices and availability) for some cheap yet high-quality filters.
The Nikon 50mm is a very good prime lens considering its price point and it will make a nice little match for your Nikon d5300 allowing you to use it to capture a whole range of images with your camera with great image quality. If you are looking to pick this type of lens up then we would definatley recommend that you seriously consider it.
Click Here To Read Independent Third Party Reviews Of This Product!
Click Here To Check For Prices On This Product!
The video below offers an additional third-party, independent review for the Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm to offer our readers an independent opinion of the product.
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2 Of The Best Selfie Sticks For Nikon D5300 Cameras!
2 Of The Best Nikon D5300 Polarizing Filters On The Market!
2 Of The Best Macro Lens For Nikon D5300 Cameras!
Image Licensing
Shared under Creative Commons – https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/
Keroyama – no parking – https://flic.kr/p/ttLuhh
Charles Starrett – Sunrise at Haleakala (one) – https://flic.kr/p/7ouS7K
Boudewijn Berends – Mila at the beach – https://flic.kr/p/8ekxJX
Rajarshi MITRA – away in silence! – https://flic.kr/p/dLwgHR


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Washington, May 13 (IANS) NASA has dropped the idea of putting astronauts aboard the first integrated flight of the Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft — Exploration Mission-1, or EM-1 — the first in a broad series of exploration missions that will take humans to deep space, and eventually to Mars.
NASA's original plan was to launch the test flight without crew, but in February, reportedly at the request of the Donald Trump administration, NASA began an effort looking at the feasibility of putting crew aboard EM-1.
"After weighing the data and assessing all implications, the agency will continue pursuing the original plan for the first launch, as a rigorous flight test of the integrated systems without crew," NASA said in a statement on Saturday.
However, engineers will apply insights gained from the effort to the first flight test and the integrated systems to strengthen the long-term push to extend human presence deeper into the solar system.
NASA determined it is technically capable of launching crew on EM-1, but after evaluating cost, risk and technical factors in a project of this magnitude, it would be difficult to accommodate changes needed to add crew at this point in mission planning.
The effort confirmed that the baseline plan to fly EM-1 without crew is still the best approach to enable humans to move sustainably beyond low Earth orbit.
"We appreciate the opportunity to evaluate the possibility of this crewed flight," NASA acting Administrator Robert Lightfoot said.
"The bi-partisan support of Congress and the President for our efforts to send astronauts deeper into the solar system than we have ever gone before is valued and does not go unnoticed. Presidential support for space has been strong," Lightfoot added.
The US space agency also announced its plan to delay the scheduled launch of EM-1 in 2018.
"NASA will adjust the target launch date for the EM-1 mission to 2019, and will execute its normal process in the coming weeks to determine an official revised launch date," it said.
"NASA will continue to work with the Administration and Congress as we move toward a crewed flight test on EM-2 and, right now, we are very focused on accomplishing the EM-1 flight test," Lightfoot said.


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Bend Concept
River's Edge Hotel
1 Hotel
River's Edge Spa
Seventh Mountain Resort
Bend Concept
The Bend, Oregon resident/resort community project went through the early phases of programming and plan development prior to being shelved. The plan shown here as developed by Myhre Group Architects included remodel/update of existing clubhouse, addition of grocery store, local shops, restaurants, refurbished putting greens, luxury spa, resort condo/hotel, ice skating area, fitness club, luxury golf residences, event plaza, recreation center and secured parking.
River's Edge Hotel
The River's Edge Hotel is an $11.5M, seven-story, 100-room, four-star hotel project located in Portland, Oregon. The project is a post-tensioned concrete structure, over underground parking, over steel pilings in an urban location. The project is a Green Building LEED Gold certified project. This project was completed and is currently one of the finer hotel locations in Portland. Tasks completed were due diligence and property assessment, development management, project management and construction management.
1 Hotel
The Seattle mixed use project was a $165 Million, 557,000 SF, 24 story building designed to include hotel and condo units with high-end retail spaces. The project was designed as a post tensioned concrete structure in a prominant downtown urban site. The project became a casulty of the recession and was put on hold by the investor after construction started. Tasks completed were due diligence and property assessment, development management, project managment and construction management.
River's Edge Spa
The River's Edge Spa provided located on the south waterfront area of Portland, Oregon provides spa services in a two-level, 13,000 square-foot space. Avalon Spa is a full-service spa and salon providing locker rooms, lounges, whirlpool, steam room and fitness workout areas. The BC team performed owner's representation, design managenent and construction management services.
Seventh Mountain ResortBC Group served as the owner's representative for the rehabilitation of the resort's existing pool house development, providing all aspects of the development and construction management from budgeting, design, entitlements, construction and move-in.


text: Myriad Genetics Blog Leading expert in reproductive genetics joins Counsyl as CMO Leading expert in reproductive genetics joins Counsyl as CMO February 18, 2015 News Before Dr. James Goldberg joined Counsyl as its Chief Medical Officer he was a client. In the nine years he worked as a partner at San Francisco Perinatal Associates, he talked to hundreds of patients about the value of expanded carrier screening. In the course of assuring them that the Family Prep Screen is affordable and reliable, he became intrigued by the organization behind it. It didn't hurt that three of the genetic counselors he'd worked with ended up joining the Counsyl team and could vouch for it. By the time Counsyl reached out to him he was already receptive. The query came at a time when Dr. Goldberg was also considering making a major career change. "I sat back recently and realized I'd have the biggest impact on genetic medicine if I could come at it from the industry side," he says. "Then I just had to decide where best to do that. Since I've known Counsyl for a long time and know they do good work the decision was actually pretty easy." In his new job as CMO, Dr. Goldberg will focus on increasing awareness of expanded screening within the medical community and finding effective ways to implement new screening tests. He already sees an uptick in acceptance based on the increasing information available. It's now much easier for doctors to provide educational support. When couples were tested for only two or three disorders a typical counseling session included detailed discussions on each one. Now, with a test that screens for more than 100 diseases, there's been a shift to talking about the diseases only if a risk has been identified. If a couple is not found to be at increased risk, counseling remains optional. Dr. Goldberg first became excited about the potential of reproductive medicine as a graduate student at the University of Minnesota Medical School when the field was just taking off. Prenatal screening was brand new and typically recommended for couples with known family histories or specific ethnic backgrounds. But Dr. Goldberg, who eventually earned a masters in genetics and after medical school, residency, and a fellowship went on to practice reproductive genetics, recognized its potential almost immediately. "I committed to this field of study because it had the most direct and quickest applications that could be brought into clinical care," he says. New discoveries could be rapidly applied to patient care. When it came time to do his residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology he chose the University of California, San Francisco – and balmy weather. The Bay Area suited him. "I had no idea life could be so good," says Dr. Goldberg, who has lived here ever since. His 30-year-long career includes serving as the director of the Reproductive Genetics Unit at UCSF and subsequently as co-director of the Prenatal Diagnosis Center at California Pacific Medical Center. At San Francisco Perinatal Associates he was director of the Prenatal Diagnosis Center. A well-respected researcher, Dr. Goldberg has worked closely with ACOG, among other notable organizations, and co-authored its recent release on expanded carrier screening. He will continue to organize and oversee clinical studies within Counsyl. "I've experienced the full length of the clinical spectrum in reproductive genetics," he says. Dr. Goldberg lives with his wife, Vicki, in Tiburon and "dimly" remembers undergoing screening when she was pregnant with his oldest daughter who is now a 27-year-old lawyer in Boston. "I think it was for Tay-Sachs," he says. He has moved into Counsyl's East Wing, in the cubicle next to the white board that says "Welcome Jim" (for now, anyway), and is looking forward to meeting everyone. "I'm hoping people will reach out to me with any concerns or questions," he says. "I want to be a resource for any clinical issues that may come up."


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Sunnis and Shiites agree regarding the basic features of afterlife and salvation. After their death, individuals remain in a state of limbo in between life and death. In their graves, two angels, Munkar and Nakir, question them about their principles of faith. Whereas in the Sunni tradition the two angels only ask about someone's god, religion, and prophet, in the Shiite tradition the interrogators also enquire about the Imam a person has believed in. Shiites confirm that it is Ali. After this initial test, people sleep in their graves until bodily resurrection takes place and they are assessed according to their deeds and sent to hell or paradise.
Before the Day of Judgment, the world comes to an end amidst apocalyptic events. Islamic beliefs regarding these events comprise many elements in different variants and not always result in coherent expectations. The signs of the approaching end of the world are transformations of nature (such as the sun rising in the West), political conflicts, moral decay, and physical afflictions. The Mahdi will not only have the same name as Muhammad, but also—like him—will bring a revelation to restore truth and destroy earlier religions.
In Ismaili versions of human history, Muhammad ibn Ismail is the prophet-speaker of the last era, which brings the end of history. All established religions, laws, and social orders are abolished and the spiritual truth that had been hidden as inner or secret knowledge prevails. As in Shiite tradition more generally speaking, the arrival of the Mahdi also means the punishment of unbelievers. As in other apocalyptic traditions, astrological concepts often underpinned Islamic eschatology. The turn of a century was a likely candidate for the arrival of the Mahdi. Claims of individuals that they restore Islam are known from both Sunni and Shiite context; the latter are often characterized as following a Shiite model.
Like Sunnis, Shiites believe that everybody is going to be assessed on the Day of Judgment according to their deeds. The modern commentator of the Quran, al-Tabatabai, explains along the lines of the earlier exegetical tradition that there are exoteric and esoteric aspects of the Day of Judgment. The outer dimension focuses on God's role as Creator and master over humankind. "The human species is His creation and human beings are His servants who must obey His commands and prohibitions; and the prophets are the bearers of His messages, the conveyors of the laws and regulations which He has sent to mankind and has demanded that mankind obey."
In a typical rationalist fashion, al-Tabatabai emphasizes God's justice when judging every human being. "God has promised reward and recompense for faith and obedience, and punishment and painful retribution for infidelity and sin, and will not break His promise. And since He is just, His justice demands that in another state of being the two groups of virtuous and evil men, who in this world do not have a mode of life in accordance with their good and evil nature, become separated, the virtuous to possess a good and happy life, and the evil a bad and wretched existence." (translation by Seyyed Hossein Nasr)
While martyrs are celebrated for their sacrifice, martyrdom and other forms of significant suffering are not an absolute imperative. In cases of persecution Shiites may use the device of disguising their beliefs (taqiya). This principle was also accepted by Sunnis and Kharijites under certain circumstances. Those, however, who have lost their lives in the struggle for God's cause are celebrated, as they are in Sunni Islam. For Imamis, salvation lies in self-sacrifice on the side of the losers, often in conflicts with fellow Muslims, and is tragic, whereas for Sunnis, it is heroic and means fighting for the winning side.
In Sunni Islam, individuals are assessed exclusively according to their deeds without the possibility of intercession. Yet even within the Sunni traditions, there are tendencies to allow for possibilities of intercessions, for example by having a relative who dies as a martyr or by praying at the tomb of a Sufi shaykh. The latter is the source of blessings (baraka) that can be passed on. These options are, however, controversial and denied by more "orthodox" Sunni scholars. In Shiite Islam the possibility of intercession through the Imams is generally accepted. Weeping for Husayn or causing others to do so is believed to bring a believer into paradise. According to Shiite accounts of salvation history, the martyrs of Karbala had accepted their suffering even before the world was brought into being in order to create the possibility of interceding on behalf of believers. In some traditions, they can achieve such intercession by visiting the shrines, commemorating the sacrifice of the Imams, and sharing during Muharram the pain of the martyrs. According to a tradition that Pinault reports from Hyderabad, Fatima is present during these rituals and returns after them to paradise with the impression of the veneration for her son.
Study Questions:
1. What do Shiites have in common with Sunnis in regard to beliefs in the afterlife? And how do they differ?
2. What does Ismaili theology contribute to the discussion of salvation and the Day of Judgment?
3. What is the role of intercession in salvation?


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PHOTO: Haiti - Newly Built Cour de Cassation Building
Gade photo saa... Haiti - Nouveau Batiment de la Cour de Cassation... Here is the newly built Supreme Court of Cassation Building in downtown Port-au-Prince inaugurated 14 July 2015... It is Beautiful...
Haiti - Nouvo Batiment COUR de CASSATION sou Champs-de-Mars, Downtown Port-au-Prince... Bel Bagay, sa-w di? Kisa ou panse de sa???
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Haiti Justice News - Ever year, on the first Monday of October, a new judicial year opens in Haiti's Cour de Cassation... This year, judges open their new year in an entire new building, fresh paint, at the newly built High instance courthouse building...
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10 Hottest Steals of The Week
These perfumes are available for 50% off their real price! We rounded the 10 hottest perfume steals of the week for you to shop goodies for half of the real deal! Check out the perfumes that are on crazy sale right now!
Bright Crystal Absolu Versace Eau de Parfum Spray


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Angels in My Lifetime
Hurricane Harvey made landfall near the Texas towns of Port Aransas and Port O'Connor as a Category 4 hurricane on a Friday night and then slowly—dangerously too slowly—made its way up the coast to Houston and surrounding cities.
In its wake, it left more than 70 people dead, billions of dollars of damage, and hundreds of stories of strangers helping strangers. Several of those stories involve insurance professionals who were scrambling as early as Sunday to rescue customers from flooded homes and begin processing claims.
Randy King, a partner in Avalon Insurance Agency, an affiliate of Wright Flood Insurance, was keeping constant vigil on the rising water in his central Houston neighborhood, worrying not only about the clients he expected would have a tough time in the storm but also about a home he had just closed on but not moved into.
Nearby, one of his personal lines clients, Claude "Lee" Martin, a respected community leader and elder at the Westbury Church of Christ, was monitoring the storm from his two-story home, thinking Harvey just might spare his neighborhood. It stopped raining in his neighborhood Saturday afternoon, and he even spent some of the day swimming in his backyard pool.
But Saturday evening, rain started falling everywhere—in record amounts. Martin's daughter and her family came to stay at his house because he has a second floor. They moved what they could upstairs, including a small air conditioner.
"I checked at 3 a.m., and it hadn't stopped raining," says Martin. "It just appeared to hit and stay here. Water was coming in under the doors. By 6 a.m., it was a foot and half deep in here. I walked down the street a bit, but the current was real strong and it could pull you into a storm drain if you didn't know where they were."
By Sunday afternoon the power had gone out, and he was fashioning a raft out of pool toys to evacuate his grandchildren from the waist deep floodwater that had by then engulfed his house.
Meanwhile, in the Houston suburb of Sugar Land, Westbury Church of Christ teacher LeeAnn Moody had thought she too would be safe. "I was sure that I could stay home and not be affected," says Moody. "We'd had hurricanes before with no damage. My son kept asking me to come to Katy and stay with them."
The storm was so long and so intense that the days seemed to run together, Moody says. She knows her son Kyle drove from Katy, Texas, to rescue her but cannot recall if that was Sunday or Monday. "It rained several days before he came to get me," she says. "The last time Kyle called me to say, 'I'm coming to get you,' I finally said, 'Yes, I'll go.' I was getting scared, and the waters were rising up the driveway quickly.
"With roads being closed by the minute, there was no guarantee that he'd get to me, but he did. Kyle and I walked through 18-inch-deep water with my frightened dog, one suitcase and whatever else I could carry."
Hometown Hero
Randy King's roots are in Westbury. The Avalon partner is a member of the Westbury Christian School board and married his wife at the Westbury Church of Christ. "I'm really tuned in to what the school is about and what the people are like. They were my first priority," he says. When King discovered the extent of Moody's flooding, he reached out to help her, offering up the house he had just closed on as a place for her to live while he helped rebuild her home, which included tearing out the wet sheetrock and insulation, rebuilding the walls, re-flooring and painting the interior.
King is delaying moving into the new home until he can get Moody back into hers, which he expected to have accomplished by the end of October.
Moody says King is "a little like a comic hero. Randy is always joking and funny but the first one to offer help." Along with King's help, the Westbury Christian faculty helped Moody pack up her house. And the football team and coach helped demo the damaged areas of the house. "Some of my own anatomy students were right there with me in the mess helping to demo, throw wet items out and pack my things up in boxes to move," Moody says.
Martin echoes the response from King and from Wright Flood. Not only were the adjuster's estimated damages exactly what Martin was expecting, but the communication and swift action were crucial.
"I've known Randy for years," says Martin. "On Monday, he got my claim filed. On Wednesday, the adjuster called to say he was trying to come to Houston from Florida but the airport was closed. He got out here Thursday and said he was sorry it took so long. He was really professional. To me, the communication took a lot off my mind. I'm quite happy. The process has been handled extremely well."
This comes in the face of losing a great deal. "This one really opened my eyes," says Martin. "It ruined everything. All our memorabilia—that's just stuff. Now we start from scratch and do it over. This type of event really takes people under. But I feel pretty good about staying here. I like this area, and I'm ecstatic that Wright did everything that should allow me to rebuild myself. It will probably take about a year to get the house back to where it was. I really feel like I'm going to be able to get out of this OK."
All the Help We Could Give
According to the National Weather Service, Harvey dropped a total 51.88 inches of rain near Mont Belvieu, just east of Houston, making it the biggest rain-producing storm in U.S. history. Some estimate Harvey dumped 27 trillion gallons on land, or enough to fill the Astrodome 86,000 times. For perspective, Houston's highest annual rainfall recorded at George Bush Intercontinental Airport north of downtown Houston was 49.77 inches.
Harvey affected far more homeowners than businesses. Richard Blades, chairman of Houston-based Wortham, said he expects 85% of Harvey claims to be residential and 15% to be commercial. Some 185,149 homes were damaged or destroyed, according to data from the Texas Division of Emergency Management. An estimated eight million cubic yards of trash from flooded homes—soaked drywall, flooring, furniture, clothing and toys—was generated by the storm in Houston alone. If stacked together in one pile, it would be enough to fill the Houston Texans' football stadium two times over.
King admits to being scared as the rain started pounding his neighborhood Saturday night. "Saturday night through Sunday morning I was worried it was going to come in. It was just raining, raining, raining. Just constant pouring rain…. I had everything I needed upstairs, and I wanted to stay and ride it out. I never went to bed. I stayed up and watched the radar. At 2 a.m. Sunday, the water in the street was starting to get pretty high so I started putting everything upstairs.
While both of King's houses were spared, it wasn't until Tuesday that water in the street receded enough for him drive his car. "I came into the office on Tuesday to help man the phones," he says. "My partners work from their houses, but only one of them was answering phones, because the other got flooded and didn't have any electricity." The partner who was on the phone also had six inches of water in her house, but because her electricity never went off, she handled calls along with several other employees who were able to work out of their homes.
Other brokers and industry professionals heeded the call, showing their desire to help beyond just assisting with claims.
Reinsurance brokerage and risk/capital management advisor TigerRisk Partners sent a volunteer force of employees led by a former Navy SEAL to aid in rescue and recovery. Staging in San Antonio, the team assembled from several TigerRisk offices and embarked for Houston with a truck loaded with a flat-bottomed boat, tools, provisions, supplies, several ATVs and several four-wheel drive trucks.
"While we're dealing with the economic aspects of the disaster, there are Americans in real need. In the face of so much suffering, we feel compelled to help," says Rod Fox, CEO of TigerRisk.
The volunteer team was led by David Fernandez, an operations specialist at TigerRisk and former Navy SEAL. "The situation is a lot worse than people understand," said Fernandez from a truck ferrying supplies from San Antonio.
Brett Herrington, president of Marsh & McLennan Agency Southwest, says several employee teams rallied to help displaced colleagues with tear down and removal of water-soaked items but they also stopped to help others in their area who needed it.
"You look for people who look like they need help," says Herrington. "You may get inside and find people who had too many other volunteers already. Maybe they just needed something like a fan or a dehumidifier to dry things out. But many needed all the help we could give.
"Between sales and support, our people spent more time worrying about their colleagues than they did themselves," he adds. "And it wasn't just their colleagues. Many stopped wherever it looked like people were in need of assistance."
Ally Financial senior account executive Denise Douglas had to be rescued from her flooded home on Monday and within days was volunteering time to help customers and even an elderly neighbor of one of Ally's customers because she had no one else to help her.
"As we were helping one of the ladies gut her home and throw out all her belongings, she started crying," says Douglas. "I walked up to her and put my arms around her and said, 'I can't imagine what you are going through watching years and years of memories be thrown to the curb.' She turned to me and said, 'That is not why I am crying. I am crying because I don't know any of you and you all have been working all day in my home helping me. I have seven strangers in my home getting me through the worst time of my life.'"
Richard Beatty, an Ally Financial commercial product specialist, spent Tuesday rescuing as many as 25 people from the Blackhorse neighborhood in a friend's boat.
"We heard a rescue boat had capsized in the Blackhorse neighborhood and people were missing, so we headed to Blackhorse," Beatty says. "En route, a sheriff's deputy pulled us over and requested that we follow them to the Bear Creek subdivision where a paraplegic needed to be rescued. When we arrived and launched the boat, the two deputies asked my son and me to stay on shore, as the boat was not big enough. As we were waiting we figured we could launch my boat there as well. The National Guard helped push the boat off the trailer, and we began rescuing people."
"The experience is one that I would not wish upon anyone, but if I had to go through any type of disaster again, I would want these people with me," says David Cullins, an Ally Financial account executive. "Everyone worked hard and did things that we definitely do not do during the course of our normal business day. I had one lady pull me aside and say, 'I never thought I would meet real angels in my lifetime, and then y'all showed up.'"
Patten is a contributing writer. firstname.lastname@example.com


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The Color of Metal Roofs – Does It Matter?
A great feature of the many metal roofs available today is the range of colors that are offered.
What began as an option available from metal roofing companies in only a few basic choices has expanded over the decades into numerous color options.
All these color choices allow home and [...]


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Harmony Spa ambassador & Hungarian top model, Enikő Mihalik
"I'm proud that such a word class service is available in Budapest, so I was happy to be assigned the ambassador title, this way completing the expertise of Harmony Spa with my own experience in the beauty industry" – said Enikő who walked the Victoria's Secret runway twice, and shared the covers of the biggest magazines.
The Topmodels' Facial inspired by Enikő Mihalik is available in our spa & serves a good cause as we support the Mosoly Alapítvány with 20% of the makings from this treatment.
- "We have developed this treatment by using organic hungarian products that are made of 100% pure and natural ingredients. The treament is a great choice for all skin types whether our goal is hydration, an anti-wrinkle treatment or skin-tightening. The Sage & Mud Scrub has excellent detoxifying properties that deep cleanses the pores and gently removes impurities while the orange blossom scented Hyaluronic acid Facial Mist provides an instantly silky skin. Beta-carotine Cream Mask and Vitamin-C Serum fills the skin with a significant amount of minerals, vitamins and antioxidants which makes the skin visibly tight and fresh."


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Mowing the lawn teaches your child responsibility and gives him a chance to help his family, but lawnmowers can cause serious injuries to children. Accidents can happen to children while they are mowing or while being outside while someone else is mowing. Follow these safety tips to prevent accidents and keep your children safe this summer.
When Can Children Mow the Lawn?
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, children should be at least 12-years-old to use a push lawn mover and 16-years-old to use a riding lawn mower. (http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/suppl/2008/02/25/107.6.1480.DC1/p2_1480.pdf) Your child may not be ready at this age depending on his maturity level, so it is the parent's decision when their child can mow the lawn safely.
Your child should be able to show that he is responsible, mature, and able to make good judgments before operating a lawn mower. He should also have the strength and coordination to operate the mower to avoid accidents.
Before your child mows for the first time, tech him how to operate a mower and what to do when a problem arises. Then supervise him carefully until you are sure that he can mow safely alone.
Before Your Child Mows
Before your child mows the lawn each time, inspect the mower for any damage and repair damage if necessary. Don't mow when the grass is wet because your child or the mower could slip and cause an accident.
If your mower has a bagger or other safely features, make sure they are installed correctly and working properly before mowing.
Inspect the lawn for debris that could harm the mower or the person who is mowing. Remove large rocks, toys, and sticks that can be thrown from the mower and hurt someone.
Other Safety Precautions
Children who are not mowing can still be hurt by a parent mowing. Teach children to stay out of the yard while someone is mowing because rocks and other debris can fly out of the mower deck and hit the child.
Do not let children ride on your lap or sitting on the mower while mowing. Debris can hit the child, or he can fall off the mower and be seriously injured.
By following these safety measures, your children will be safe this summer, and older children can learn to be more responsible and help their family with their work.


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Former Muslim Testimonies
Turkish Student Found Out What The Truth Is - Muslim To Christian
Here is good testimony of former Muslim from Turkey. He had dreamt about resurrection of Jesus. But he was still doubtful about Christianity. When he found out the history veryfied the crucifixtion of Jesus Christ, he became a Christian.


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Forget everything you know about luxury travel.
A New Zealand-based company, W2 architecture, is preparing to usher in what they're calling a "mobile home revolution." The company is currently developing the Romotow, a tow-behind trailer that is unlike anything the world has ever seen.
Travel Green With These Eco-Friendly Travel Tips
Luxury Travel with the Comforts of Home
All travelers want to enjoy themselves as they go about their adventures. Most of the time, however, leaving home means leaving your life and your possessions behind while you're away. This is where W2 is hoping that the Romotow will make some major changes.
What if you could take your home with you when you go away from home? Well, maybe not your actual home, but possibly a portable living space that you could make your own. The Romotow travel trailer will be a personal mode of luxury ground transportation.
Contemporary Design, Timeless Luxury
The company calls this project "the reinvention of the caravan." They've done away with the boxy designs of yesteryear in favor of a more futuristic streamlined look. This new innovation does for travel trailers what the stretch limousine does for limousine cars. It extends the interior to give you more space for whatever activities you enjoy.
The trailer is a long, pill-like oval-shaped structure to be towed behind your vehicle. Once parked, the automated swivel rotates the living space on a pivot. This places the interior living space perpendicular to its enclosure, revealing a sheltered outdoor area. The newly opened space is perfect for setting up a relaxing patio area. It even has a built-in electric barbecue! Imagine kicking back in this space while grilling out and sipping a cold drink on a beautiful summer's day.
Breathtaking Travel Destinations: A Traveler's Best Kept Secrets
Images Courtesy of Romotow
What's Inside?
This snazzy camper trailer only has one bedroom, but the living room area can also be converted to sleeping space. At full capacity, the Romotow can comfortably house four adults. With the deck enclosure kit, you can add sleeping space for up to four more people by closing in the outdoor deck area.
This isn't your grandpa's Airstream. Imagine taking the best limousine features and expanding them onto a livable scale. Camping in one of these is like an extended version of a night on the town in a party van. The interior features wood and leather trim, premium sound system, and built-in shades. The synthetic teak wood used in these trailers is similar to what you would find in a luxury yacht.
Jumping on the Bandwagon
How would you like to be one of the lucky few to experience the Romotow in person? At press time, the first one of these trailers is still in production. The company is, however, taking a limited number of orders. These custom trailers will be shipped from the factory directly to the customer upon completion. You can follow the Romotow's progress on the project's Facebook page.
The entry-level price point for the travel trailer is $350,000. Final pricing will vary according to the level of customization.
How To Find The Proper Luxury Transportation Vehicle For Your Next Event
Facing Travel Challenges
Since these trailers aren't yet available to the general public, we can't really say how they will affect luxury travel as we know it. However, there are a few points to keep in mind.
Braving the Elements
Driving yourself sounds convenient until you start thinking about how trying it is to drive through bad weather or congested traffic. Part of the luxury travel experience is being able to unwind. You can't do that if you're stressing over your driving conditions.
Instead, consider booking a party bus for your next road trip. Your professional chauffeur is there to keep an eye on the road while you kick back and relax.
Venturing Out
Where will you go when you hit the road? When you're traveling through unfamiliar territory, the game plan can easily change. From new traffic patterns to losing your way, there is a multitude of things that could push back your schedule.
What if you could ride with a professional who knows the area? That's exactly what you get with a chauffeur. If you need an extra hand getting everything ready to go, personal concierge services give you the help you need.
Thinking Practically
Camping, with or without a travel trailer, is about getting away for a while. While this may be great for a vacation, there are times when isolation can be counterproductive.
You don't stumble across many business professionals working from the campground. It sounds great to bring all of the comforts of home when you go away. However, the travel trailer model doesn't fit well with the idea of corporate travel.
Other business professionals will be staying near the event location in accommodations built with them in mind. By keeping to yourself, you would miss out on valuable networking opportunities.
It's Electric: The Future of Luxury Ground Transportation
Why Wait for Luxury Travel?
Since the first Romotow trailer is still in production, it's hard to say whether W2 will reach its goal of revolutionizing the way we travel. Even once this trailer is finished, they have only accepted a limited number of orders from clients.
Don't wait around wishing that you could travel in luxury. There are already beautiful destinations to explore and luxurious ways to get there. From 5-star resorts to tropical getaways, there's a whole world of opportunities waiting for you to experience it.
There are so many options when it comes to traveling, these days. There's no reason to settle for less than the best. Luxury ground transportation services provide safety and comfort along every step of your journey.
A1A Airport and Limousine Service is
your one-stop shop
for all of your transportation needs.
Looking for business event transportation?
Our black car service features classic Town Cars and luxury sedans.
Our services range from special event limo transportation to corporate travel solutions.
For special events, you want everything to be perfect. If that includes making a big entrance, reserve a stretch limousine for luxury ground transportation to the venue.
A1A offers all of these services and more. Head over to our website to learn more. Don't forget to check out our fleet of luxurious limousine cars!


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Fresh details of the Tesla Model X have emerged online, including confirmation of a dual motor powertrain setup and its ability to tow.
It is, however, still unclear when the Model X will actually reach customers. The Tesla website mentions 'early 2016' for those who reserve it now, but nothing about those who have already paid the £4,000 reservation payment.
The Model X will come in 60, 85 and 85kWh Performance versions, mirroring the current Model S. The dual motor powertrain will be standard, which means all-wheel drive and potentially as much as 691hp and a 0 to 62mph time somewhere around the 4-second mark.
Tesla's Autopilot is also likely to feature, a system in recent Model S cars that adds a variety of new features including adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning and eventually self-driving.
The Model X sports utility vehicle was originally meant to go on sale in 2013 but has been involved in a series of delays. The sourcing of parts for the Falcon Wing doors that fold upwards to make it easier to access the third row of seats is said to be a part of the production delay.
All Model X allocations for 2015 have been filled in the US so expect to wait of at least a year to own one.
We have approached Tesla for comment on the production delays and Model X release date in the UK and US and will update the story accordingly.


text: At HB Auto & AC, your Huntington Beach auto mechanic, we know that the idea of an issue with your transmission or clutch is terrifying– which is why we go out of our way to make the repair process as smooth as possible for our customers. Clutch Replacement in Huntington Beach If there's a problem with your clutch or transmission, we can handle it. We can repair or replace clutches in vehicles with manual transmissions, as well as fix torque converters for automatic transmission vehicles. We pride ourselves on our ability to produce excellent workmanship that gets you back on the road with your engine purring in satisfaction once more. Thanks to our many years of experience, we're confident we have been there, seen it, done it, and fixed it when it comes to clutches and transmissions. That's why we know we can help resolve your issues, no matter how old, rare, new or damaged your vehicle is. Our vast experience includes the following manufacturers: BMW, Mercedes Benz, Audi, Volkswagen, Land Rover, Chevy, Subaru, Dodge, Jeep, Honda, Acura, Chrysler, Cadillac and many more. If you don't see your car brand listed, then just ask; we're sure we'll be able to help you out too. Call us You can be sure when you hand your vehicle over to us, that your vehicle is in good hands. We go out of our way to ensure that every vehicle is treated with individual respect, taking the time to thoroughly diagnose the issue before we begin work. This allows us to be sure that we're fixing the right problem, and allows our customers to be confident they're not going to be charged a penny more than they need to be. If you just suspect you have a clutch or transmission problem, or you know for sure and need it fixed, we can help you out. We'll diagnose and, if needed, repair your vehicle, but our service doesn't stop there. Our promise to our customers At HB Auto & AC, we put our money where our mouth is. We know we're the best choice for your vehicle, and we're willing to offer a guarantee on any work we do on your clutch or transmission. We offer a nationwide warranty that runs for 36 months or 100,000 miles, depending on which you reach first. This warranty means that when you leave our shop, you know you're good to go for years in the future. In the unlikely event you have an issue with one of our services, we'll put it right– and it won't cost you a penny. Save Time and Money on Your Clutch Replacement or Repair Of course, we know that every driver dreads the idea of taking their car for a service or repair. Everyone associates car repairs with being a) extremely expensive and b) hugely inconvenient, as you lose access to your vehicle to the duration of the repair. We know how nervous these two issues can make customers, which is why we have gone out of our way to make the process easier on you. 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Another minority looks likely but it could be very different from the last one
Canadians have chosen minority governments in four of the last six federal elections and Monday's vote seems likely to produce a fifth.
Whether it will be a Liberal or Conservative minority is anyone's guess.
Polls suggest the two parties are locked in a dead heat, neither within reach of winning a majority of seats in the House of Commons – much as they were in 2019 when Justin Trudeau's Liberals won a relatively stable minority.
But that doesn't mean this election will produce the same result.
Here are some things to keep in mind about how minority governments are formed and what another one might look like:
– Which of the two front-runners ultimately forms government doesn't necessarily depend on who wins the greatest share of the popular vote or even who wins the most seats.
Rather, it depends on which party can command the confidence of the House, notes University of British Columbia political scientist Maxwell Cameron.
And that means: which party is able to muster enough support from one or more smaller parties to win crucial confidence votes?
– If he were to see little prospect of mustering sufficient opposition support to continue governing, Trudeau would likely resign and allow the Conservatives to form government.
But regardless of the outcome, Trudeau has the right to carry on until he is defeated in a confidence vote in the Commons. Opposition parties would get their first opportunity to topple his government by voting against the throne speech, which opens each new session of Parliament.
If the throne speech was defeated, it would be the prerogative of the Governor General to invite Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole to form a new government. O'Toole would then have to gain support from one or more of the other opposition parties in order to command the confidence of the House. If he could not, another election would be triggered.
– In 2019, the Conservatives actually won a slightly larger share of the popular vote but, because so much of it was concentrated in the Prairie provinces, they came up with 36 fewer seats than the Liberals.
There was never any suspense about whether the Liberals would continue to govern. They were only 13 seats short of a majority and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, whose party captured 24 seats, had been clear during the campaign that New Democrats would never prop up a Conservative minority.
Trudeau was able to govern without reaching any formal deal with opposition parties, relying on support from different parties at different times to survive confidence votes and pass legislation.
– Singh has not ruled out propping up the Conservatives this time. Nor has Bloc Quebecois Leader Yves-Francois Blanchet.
Although O'Toole has shifted the Conservatives more toward the centre of the political spectrum, Cameron suspects it would still be harder for him to find a dance partner in the Commons, since both the Bloc and NDP are more ideologically aligned with the Liberals.
However, Quebec Premier Francois Legault's virtual endorsement of the Conservatives could influence the Bloc to give O'Toole a chance to move into the Prime Minister's Office.
– So what would happen if the NDP were to back the Liberals and the Bloc were to back the Conservatives but, even so, neither of the front-runners could muster majority support in the Commons?
In that case, it's theoretically possible that a handful of Green Party or People's Party MPs could determine which of the front-runners forms government.
– The further either of the front-runners is from the 170 seats needed for a majority, the more leverage the smaller parties would have to make demands in return for their support.
There are three approaches to minorities, notes Cameron, the most common being the informal vote-by-vote approach taken by Trudeau during the past two years. Cameron suspects that would be the likely approach again should Monday's election produce another minority.
However, it's possible that Trudeau or O'Toole might be compelled to go further, negotiating an agreement with one or more smaller parties to prop them up for a period of time in exchange for specific legislative action.
That's how David Peterson's Liberals took power in Ontario in 1985, striking a two-year deal with the NDP to oust the
Conservatives, who had won the most seats.
It's also how John Horgan's NDP won power in British Columbia in 2017, ousting the Liberals who had won the most seats by securing the support of the Greens' three members of the legislature.
It's also possible that the smaller parties could demand to be part of a coalition government. But coalitions, while common in other countries, are rare in Canada where the notion has been tainted by an aborted attempt to unseat Stephen Harper shortly after he won a second Conservative minority in 2008.
At that time, the Liberals and NDP negotiated an agreement to form a shaky coalition government, but since both parties combined still fell short of a majority, they had to secure a promise of support from the separatist Bloc Quebecois. Further complicating matters, the would-be coalition prime minister, Stephane Dion, had already resigned as Liberal leader.
Harper railed about the coalition as an affront to democracy, effectively characterizing it as an attempted separatist-backed coup and winning the public relations war. He then persuaded the Governor General to prorogue Parliament, buying himself some time.
By the time Parliament resumed, Dion was gone, the Liberals had got cold feet and the coalition agreement fell apart.
– While the smaller parties might be tempted to make stiff demands in return for their support, Cameron thinks their bargaining power would be limited by the fact that no one would want to plunge the country into yet another election in the midst of the fourth wave of COVID-19.


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President Obama: 'I Was Against Executive Privilege Before I Was For It'
The Democrats are accusing Republicans of being political in issuing a contempt citation to Eric Holder because of his refusal to hand over additional documents in the Fast and Furious case. Of course the Republicans are being political. Both sides are political. Let's everybody admit that politics is involved in everything a politician does. We're not stupid, at least not all of us.
While Executive Privilege is not mentioned in the Constitution, the Supreme Court has ruled that the principle is there in the Separation of Powers doctrine. The problem for President Obama is that Eric Holder has repeatedly said that Fast and Furious didn't have anything to do with the White House. If this is true, then how can the President claim Executive Privilege? In the end, the courts might have to rule on whether the Republicans will get the documents they want.
I hope Eric Holder does NOT resign. See why here.
Eric Holder is not doing his job. It's that plain and simple. He refuses to defend the laws that he took an oath to uphold. Here's how the New York Times states it:
Mr. Holder, a recurring lightning rod for conservative anger, has repeatedly tangled with House Republicans and been associated with some of the administration's most liberal policies, including refusing to defend a law barring federal recognition of same-sex marriages, challenging an Arizona law cracking down on illegal immigrants and invoking civil rights laws to block Republican-led efforts to impose voter photo ID laws.
In an interview with Larry King in 2007, before he was elected resident, President Obama called for the resignation of Attorney General Alberto Gonzales. He criticized Gonzales because he was acting as "the president's attorney" and "not the people's attorney."
This is an important point. The oath to uphold the law should trump politics. The family of the slain border agent who was killed with one of the guns that was sent to Mexico as the result of Fast and Furious program wants answers. By refusing to release the documents, Holder is acting as the President's attorney, the very thing Obama once criticized, and not the people's people. Here's part of what the family of slain Border Agent Brian Terry's mother and father wrote in a statement:
"Attorney General Eric Holder's refusal to fully disclose the documents associated with Operation Fast and Furious and President Obama's assertion of executive privilege serves to compound this tragedy. It denies the Terry family and the American people the truth."
In that same interview with Larry King, then Senator Obama went on to say this about the Bush Administration exercising Executive Privilege over the firing of attorneys:
There has been a tendency on the part of [the Bush] administration to try to hide behind and executive privilege every time there's something a little shaky taking place. The [Bush] administration would be best served by coming clean on this. There doesn't seem to be any national security issues involved. . . .
It's rather ironic that while the Attorney General and President Obama are stonewalling over releasing the Fast and Furious documents, on Tuesday (June 19) "the Obama Administration filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission demanding that Karl Rove's Super PAC, 'Crossroads GPS,' disclose its list of private donors." The law gives Crossroads GPS the right to keep the names of its donors private. The Super PAC American Crossroads does disclose its donors each month.
One would think by this that the Democrats don't have similar relationships with PACs. Well, you would be wrong: Priorities USA Action, the monthly reporting Super PAC, and Priorities USA, the non-disclosing nonprofit.


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With the hustle and bustle of life – both work and family – it's easy to get swept up in the daily grind and forget to take time out for yourself.
Creating a lovely nook at home can help remove you from the action and bring some added zen into your life.
Whether it's a secluded spot to sip your morning coffee or a relaxing space to read a magazine on a Sunday afternoon, nooks can offer an easy-to-obtain escape. No plane ticket required.
We asked renowned Australian interior designer David Hicks why he thinks nooks are important:
"I like to create nooks in larger rooms to provide a separate cosy space that can be used for reading, sitting and pondering or resting."
Bedroom nooks
If the rest of the house is too chaotic, the first port of call should be your bedroom.
David says: "Create a cosy nook in your bedroom by integrating a built-in banquette (cushioned bench seat) where you can have cushions and a throw ready and waiting for you to snuggle up and read a book."
Alternatively, you can find a comfortable armchair or sofa for a quick and easy escape: "This creates a designated space in which you can cocoon yourself".
Reading nooks
If there's space in one of your living areas then a comfortable chair in a secluded spot can work wonders.
David suggests investing in a canopy chair as a great way to get some you-time.
"Canopy chairs envelope you and give you a comfortable, cosy feeling. They work well next to fireplaces."
Study nooks
Find yourself working from home regularly? Maybe your idea of zen is space to get some quality laptop time away from the family?
According to David, study nooks can be created in small areas such as window bays or under stairs.
"With the integration of a built-in bench or a desk, and book shelving overhead, this can also add to the snug workspace."
Other nooks
Forgetting work, what about a nook for the other passions in your life?
Yes, we could be talking about wine – but also anything else you collect.
David says bar or wine nooks nestled under stairs or in small cupboards provide another interest point in a room.
"Start with wine storage and add a bench with a sink and bar fridge if space permits."
Originally published as How to create a cosy nook in your home by Erinna Giblin. Author at realestate.com.au.


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CNN approached us about writing an op-ed on the $8.9 billion BNP Paribas settlement and you can see the article here. This is the first time we've written for them and they seemed happy with the outcome. It was a very constrained space, only 600 words, which is enough only to make a point or two. Unfortunately, as often happens, the headline took a position I didn't take in the article. Oh well.
I've been remiss in not making an observation about the settlement. There's been a lot of handwringing about how fair the BNP Paribas settlement was, given that it was a dollar-for-dollar punishment, while other banks got off paying far less relative to their volume of money laundering. It's not easy to make such simple comparisons. Each case has its own fact set, and prosecutors maintain that BNP Paribas' conduct was the worst for several reasons: continuing to engage in prohibited activities for years after being warned, obstructing the investigation, and knowledge of and involvement in the misconduct at the very top levels of the bank.
The real bone of contention should be to compare the BNP Paribas settlement with bank pacts for other types of misconduct. That point has been made by foreign critics of the deal, in their objections to how large the fine is for defying US foreign policy. But there has been perilous little in the way of complaints by domestic activists, that these deals show how much the government was in bed with the banks when the various mortgage settlements were undertaken. You can be certain that the idea of "dollar for dollar" fines or demanding that senior officers lose their jobs never occurred to any of the regulators involved.
Nevertheless, now that these precedents have been set, it ought to be harder for the officialdom to let banks off as easy as they have in the past….provided that groups that represent the public interest make noise about it and can get the media to take the issue up.
bob goodwin
That was a very informative and helpful article, and I think the title was a reasonable conclusion based on your observations about history and the constraints on the willingness of the government to undermine banks. It is good to see you getting a higher profile still Yves!
Jonathan Dlouhy
Missing here is the main element: this is punishment for France refusing to cancel the helicopter carrier contract with Russia. It is well documented that the US offered to eliminate or drastically reduce the fine if France agrees to cancel the contract.
Nicely done piece! It is nice to see your exposure grow…..how will the co-option attempts appear?
The headline should have read: "Who Owns and Directs These Sleazy Banks?"
Interesting, but as you alluded to, why do shareholders pay for managements crimes? I think this question needs to be asked for all bank fines. Also, where does that $9B go? Send ppl to jail if u want to make a point. Let the banks rebuild their capital so we can have a functional system, imo. Otherwise you are just transfering money from pension plans and investors to the government, for what?
Putin Says U.S Blackmailed France Over Warship With BNP Fine – Bloomberg July 01
"prosecutors maintain that BNP Paribas' conduct was the worst for several reasons: continuing to engage in prohibited activities for years after being warned, obstructing the investigation, and knowledge of and involvement in the misconduct at the very top levels of the bank."
How is this any different than Citi other than being French? How many "very stern letters" has Citi received for laundering drug and terrorist money then continued business as usual? Slaps on the wrist for Citi. A slap across the face for BNP. When will we see some real punishments? When we go after a poor bank run by people with a different skin color and religion?
Well, MtnLife, here's how it works in Northeast Ohio. As I recounted in a comment to Yves' Benjamin Lawsky post yesterday, a black woman named Angelique Bankston just got 14 years and has to pay full restitution of $73,000 for "conspiracy to commit bank fraud, conspiracy to commit mail fraud, money laundering, aggravated identity theft and other related charges."
As noted in a comment to the cleveland.com story, a local financial operator named Frank Gruttadoria got 7 years for stealing $50 million of his clients' money. Gruttadoria is white.
French and German intelligence services are committed to industrial espionage, helping out domestic banks — in total defiance of American law which explains why they (French & German) were so quick to point out European law was not violated. German & French governments must be heavily involved with hacking into SWIFT, like everyone else. There is a virulent anti-American sentiment with these folks.
Christopher Dale Rogers
okay, I can buy into what you say usually, keep a keen eye on most of what you have written about BNP, and indeed, Lawsky in relation to enforcers enforcing rules somewhat more strongly, but you have missed the elephant in the room as far as US law goes withe regards the status of corporations, thats any corporation registered in the USA. This basically being that under your federal legal system corporations are effectively "real human beings" and in reality have been accorded more rights under your federal legal code than actual living and breathing humans. Hence, and lets not forget the "Holder Memo" or the fallout from criminal charges against Arthur Anderson, by imposing large tariffs against miscreant institutions, apparently your legal system is dishing out justice – although not to an actual living and breathing entity.
I'd say this is the root of your current predicament, combined with the revolving door, which acts against actually not only bringing the perpetrators to court under the criminal code, but by issuing jail time.
Obviously matters as more complex, as I'l be writing myself in a 1800 word article later this month, but as a Brit and European it seems ludicrous that your corporations are accorded more rights, rights that are actually upheld and expanded, than those "true living entities" the Constitution was supposed to protect, namely: "We the People."
"We the People", as you refer to us, also used to have a motto for our country with a similar sentiment. E Pluribus Unum means Out of Many, One. That change occurred in the 1950's and we are just further down that road.
CDR: You are correct. Many of us all across the United States are working to address this with a proposed Constitutional amendment that restricts Constitutional rights to human beings, thus outlawing 'corporate personhood', and reverses the "money as speech" doctrine. It has been introduced in Congress by Reps. Nolan and Pocan as House Joint Resolution 29. No other amendment has been proposed that would accomplish both of these essential goals. See http://www.movetoamend.org
Yes! I wondered earlier this week if people here had taken notice of this: http://www.thenation.com/blog/180605/senate-judiciary-committee-just-backed-amendment-overturn-citizens-united
and move to amends response: https://movetoamend.org/campaign-finance-reform-thatll-shut-em
naturally the congress critters are acting to create a distracting big battle over an insufficient amendment
as we both live in NE Ohio, i don't know about you, but i was disappointed to see Sherrod Brown Co-Sponsoring SJR-19
Re: Sherrod Brown– Me, too. SJR 19 is total bullshit. But you know, Sherrod didn't even support single payer health care. I could tell you a story about that.
Savedbyirony, I hope you are involved, or get involved, with one of the local Move to Amend affiliates. We did a cool action on July 4 down at Settler's Landing and got a very positive response from the public.
If you would like to get in touch directly, respond to me here, and I will email Yves to ask if she can give us each others' email addresses.
Good article–no surprise there.
Your mention of how the US used its financial muscle to achieve its foreign policy objectives (1956 Suez) was instructive–good perspective.
Thank you. This is important and isn't being said in the msm. I shared the CNN link on Facebook and immediately got a few likes and positive comments from people who I wouldn't have expected it from. This topic clearly touches a raw nerve for many people and I hope the traffic to CNN convinces it to pursue the issues you raised further and with more fervor instead of the usual Nancy Grace drivel.
The idea that the United States Government can impose it laws and even executive decisions on the rest of the world shows a level of arrogance and hubris that is breath taking. The whole world will one day turn against this evil leviathan and shun and isolate it. Be assured that if this government gets control of the rest of the world, the freedom and liberty that Americans have left will be at an end. We will be looking at Orwell's prediction : "If you want a vision of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face – forever."
Good article, and I enjoyed the "more links" at the bottom of the page, particularly Banks Know That Customers Hate Them
"The bankers say that this is taking a financial toll on the industry. According to Scott Tangney, executive vice president of Makovsky, those surveyed estimate that their firms lost 27% in revenue over the past two years, equaling billions of dollars, due to reputation problems.
Unsurprisingly, the bankers point their fingers at regulators. Tangney said that 55% of the executives surveyed thought regulatory actions, fines and lawsuits were hurting the industry's reputation. "
Bank execs are blaming their bad reputation on regulators and Bad Headlines, not their own actions.
Nothing changes, it seems.
H. Alexander Ivey
"Unfortunately, as often happens, the headline took a position I didn't take in the article. Oh well." Umm, well…, you did write: "But it is bankers, not banks, that commit crimes." so the headliner probably took that as your central thesis (certainly is an attention grabber).
But you got this lead: "Yves Smith is the creator of the influential financial and economics website Naked Capitalism…". Three cheers for Yves! (and a Bronx cheer to Google, word of mouth is still the best advertisement).


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When I first started backpacking, so many years ago, the world was a different place in many ways. And for me, there were many trade offs. If I didn't have to clean pots, I used a lot less water, and no soap. Freezer Bag Cooking came out of my desire to hike more, and carry a lot less weight (water) and a lot less fuel needed to cook with. Even with my focus on our farm these days of being mindfully more zero waste (we are aggressive with it), I never lost my love of FBC meals. But I can understand why single use plastic makes cringing (We don't use single use at home for example anymore). I had been looking for a bag to do FBC meal prep in, as well as a reusable way to carry mess foods on dayhikes.
Luumi reached out to us with samples of their silicone items, and we have been testing the bag and bowl for awhile.
Their items are made of platinum silicone (first use, high end), which is made of sand. To add to it, Luumi will take back worn out items for recycling (silicone can be recycled).
While I wouldn't carry these on long trips, for the typical overnighter many of us go on, this is a solution to stop single use plastics. The Bowl, with its metal clip, can haul dry ingredients with no spills. Open up, add in hot water, stir, and seal. Pack it out dirty and wash it at home. Simple, effective and it works. Due to being able to be sealed it can carry many things, such as cut fruit, that can make messes. Let me add that this bowl will come with us during huckleberry season, for picking in. With it having a bottom, and freestanding, it won't slump over. You can also leave the clip behind, to save weight, and use the multiple closures instead.
Ironically, it hit me that this would be an excellent (but pricey) garbage bag when backpacking. It would seal in odors and not leak!
Weight is 231 grams, metal clip included in weight.
The Bag works well for FBC as well, but is a bit smaller. You can use the metal clip on it as well, for a tight seal. It works great for dayhikes to carry sammies and even cold pizza, by using the built in closures. It has multiple closures on top, to fit various sized food, folding as needed.
Weight is 129 grams.
Both can be found on Amazon as well: Bag & Bowl
FTC Disclosure: We received complimentary product for potential review. All thoughts are ours.