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As dairy farms continue to grow their milk production, farmers are increasingly seeing the need to recruit employees onto the farm and this requires a structured process to ensure that it works out successfully both for the farmer as employer and for the new recruit as employee, a new Labour Management course being run by Lakeland Dairies in conjunction with Teagasc and Macra Skillnet has advised.
Some 20 Lakeland milk producers have been participating in the course over the past four weeks. It was led by a well-known expert in this area, Dr. Nollaig Heffernan, who specialises in management, leadership and organisation. It was also delivered by Co-ordinators from the Lakeland Dairies / Teagasc Joint Programme and representatives from the Workplace Relations Commission.
The issue of Labour Management in farming is highly topical. In a recent survey it was identified that over 93% of Lakeland milk suppliers have said they will stay in milk production for the future. In addition to farmers who have significantly grown their output, Lakeland milk suppliers said they will further expand their milk production by approximately 5% in each year to 2022.
This raises important issues around the provision of labour to cope with this expansion as, in general, farmers need to pursue a business model that is sustainable and that also enables them to establish an appropriate work-life balance.
In a recent survey it was identified that just over one-third of Lakeland milk suppliers currently employ staff on their farms. Of these, 8% employ staff on a full time basis and 28% on a part time basis. Two-thirds of Lakeland milk suppliers do not currently employ any labour on the farm, other than the family's own inputs.
Lakeland Dairies' Member Relations Manager, Eamonn Duignan said,
The Lakeland Labour Management course in conjunction with Teagasc and Macra Skillnet covers a wide range of labour management issues including how to determine what new skills are required, how to go about hiring staff and the induction process. It's essential to get the right person for your farm. The course provides information on how to go about an employee search including advertising in relevant places and interview skills. It also covers employment law and how to provide appropriate working terms and conditions.
Effective communication with employees is also essential so that they can understand how the farm works and what is reasonably expected of them. The participants in the course have found it highly informative and beneficial and this will provide them with the confidence to plan for and create employment opportunities on their farm.
Bringing in a new employee for the first time does add a further layer into the management of the farm but the benefits of additional labour far outweigh the possible stress of 'going it alone' which can, in itself, constrain the progress and success of a growing farm. The course also covers interpersonal skills including how to manage and motivate staff and the establishment of ongoing working relationships that work well for both the employer and employee. It helps farmers to understand their own recruitment needs and to adapt their management style to create the best possible outcome for their dairy business.
Half of all Lakeland milk suppliers said they have identified a successor to take over their dairy business. The majority of successors (80%) are all under 35 years of age and the vast majority of these have already received training ranging from the Green Cert to a Primary Degree in Agriculture.
The Labour Management Course is a further initiative in a series of Lakeland Dairies programmes designed to support milk producers. Lakeland Dairies and Macra na Feirme also recently launched a new Land Mobility Programme. The innovative new initiative will help all types of farmers, farm families, new entrants and land owners to consider their options for collaborative arrangements leading to better use of land resources for the mutual benefit of farmers and land owners. The programme is working to facilitate workable arrangements throughout the Lakeland Dairies catchment area.
Farmer owned Lakeland Dairies operates across 15 counties on a cross border basis, processing milk into a wide range of value-added dairy foodservice products and food ingredients. Lakeland has a portfolio of 240 different dairy products which it exports to 80 countries worldwide.


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OneClip, a tool leaked back in 2015, was a Microsoft app which worked as an universal clipboard. It uploaded the clips to the cloud and could be accessed from mobile devices as well. However it was cancelled and never saw a public release.
Today, a new leaked app called 'Cache' has surfaced, and it looks like the OneClip replacement for Redstone 2. It is a .exe file and can be installed on your PC but there's a catch. You need a verified email address from Microsoft to get it work. However, someone has got it to work and found that it indeed works a lot like OneClip.
There's no date on when it will be made available, but it looks like a solid app that would be very useful.

subset: commoncrawl


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Projects:Project Evolution Report
Openbravo ERP is missing a project progress report that permits to track the progress of projects.
This project depends on Project Scheduling Capabilities Enhancement and will be developed in the same branch.
- Leader: Rafa Roda Palacios <rro at openbravo.com>
- Feature Request: 4505
- Project branch: https://dev.openbravo.com/websvn/openbravo/branches/project-scheduling-capabilities-enhancement/


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This post is in collaboration with Talbots and Stylinity. All opinions are my own.
[ezcol_1third][/ezcol_1third] [ezcol_1third][/ezcol_1third] [ezcol_1third_end][/ezcol_1third_end] Talbots Fit & Flare Dress – c/o | Talbots Cashmere Sweater – c/o | Talbots Ponte Blazer – c/o
When I was cleaning out my closet this weekend, I realized how many items I actually had in my closet. One of my goals for the next couple of months is to see how I can start to incorporate the items I currently have into new outfits. I know I've said it before and I honestly do mix and match certain pieces, but I am really going to try and make this a point, especially for my workwear. (I may have a habit of wearing the same pieces styled the same way to work, because, well it's easy…)
This also happens to be a good season to try out different trends because the weather is so unpredictable and layering is my best friend. So, here goes my first blog post attempt at wearing one dress, three different ways for three different climates.
It's Still Warm Where I Live…
Most of the time, I would tell you this is my situation – Texas is proving me wrong this year, so can we just pretend? If it's still fairly warm outside and you don't need to layer, this amazing tweed dress (which is currently 30% off during Talbots' Friends & Family Event) makes for the perfect work wardrobe staple. Because it's tweed, the white gives it extra dimension (so I'm not always wearing a LBD to work), but it's still extremely classic.
And don't even get me started on the cut – it's by far one of the most flattering cuts on almost everyone. With short sleeves and an A-line skirt, it doesn't get much better! Talbots is one of my go-to spots for finding expertly fit workwear that feels classic with a bit of a modern twist, which makes it fit in today's corporate environment.
For this type of weather, I think that the best to let the dress be the star of the show. Personally, I paired it with a pair of nude pumps (or flats) and a neutral bag for a day of important meetings in the office. The little fringe detail on the sleeve was a nice addition and I love to show it off, but if your office is on the colder front, you could also throw a colored cardigan or blazer over it for versatility.
Fall recently hit…
If only the weather would stay like this forever. I love waking up in the morning and it being crisp and then warming up throughout the day. It's also the height of football season, the start of the holiday season and I could talk for days about my love for pumpkin spice everything – but let's stay focused on the clothes, Emily….
To change it up for the fall, I decided to add a 3/4-length black cashmere cardigan to the dress. One of the things I love most about cashmere is that it helps to regulate temperatures – if you're in an extremely cold climate, it will keep you warm, but you won't overheat when it warms up later in the day. I don't know how it happens (I'm sure there's some science behind it all), but it makes dressing during this variable time of year easier. Personally, I decided to add tights because I love the look together, but this time of year, I think you can go both ways – depending on how chilly it is by you.
Going back to the cut of the dress, I think it plays a critical role in how I can layer items and change up the look (aka. achieving my goal of mixing and matching more). Because the skirt is A-line, once the sweater is placed on top, the dress looks almost like a skirt and I don't think anyone would notice that it's actually two separate pieces.
I'm not ready for the Winter to start…
This was always the feeling I got when I lived in Indiana. Don't get me wrong, the first snowfall was absolutely amazing and I thought it looked beautiful for all of a week before I was ready for the cold to go away….hence why I now live in the South where the city shuts down if there is a chance it's going to snow. One of the most important lessons I learned during my four winters in the Midwest was that layering was absolutely necessary when dressing for the chilly, snow-filled days.
Since I was trying to layer, as much as possible, I stuck with the tights underneath to protect my legs from the air and threw on a blazer over the cashmere sweater to provide an additional layer of warmth. I personally prefer to wear flats to the office, but I think this outfit would also look adorable with a pair of leather or suede boots.
What's your favorite weather to dress for? Let me know in the comments below. And be sure to shop all of my looks here and check out my Talbots' coupon page for a promo code to save $$ on your next Talbots purchase! Happy mixing and matching, friends!


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Ale & Beer
Ale was the staple drink in the fifteenth century and the first half of the sixteenth, in both England and Scotland. By the end of the period, ale was giving way to beer, much to the disgust of older members of society who thought it a nasty, foreign brew.
Water was not generally safe to drink, particularly in urban areas and milk was only available around calving time. Any excess milk was far too valuable for drinking, and was saved for butter and cheese production.
Hops is an extremely strong and bitter substance which was important for flavouring, but the main benefit of its use was preservation. Unhopped ale spoilt very quickly and therefore had to be brewed every few days. Ale, although sweeter than beer, was flavoured with a substance called gruit – a bitter mixture of different herbs, including yarrow, heather and whatever else may have come to the brewer's hand.
Ale came in different strengths, the first brew from the mash (the fermented mixture of water and barley) was strong ale, followed by the average strength brew from the second use of the mash, and then small ale from a third mash. Small ale was weak, and very bitter - appropriate for breakfast and for children, it had fairly mild alcoholic content, but some degree of alcohol was necessary to provide a safe drink.
The regular consumption of weak beer was probably the best source of vitamin B for the majority of the population – too much alcohol prevents absorption of the vitamin.
Because beer had an extended shelf life, it permitted production on a much larger scale, resulting in the decline of home brewing, and the growth of "common brewers", generally male, providing a product to be bought in by households or delivered to inns, rather than being drunk on the premises. The purchasing of beer from the local brewer was a significant element in the downfall of Mary, Queen of Scots.
"You shall resort to every brewer's house in this city on their tunning day, and there to taste their ale whether it be good and wholesome for man's body, and whether they make it from time to time according to the price fixed."
The price of ale had been fixed back in the 1266 Assize of Bread and Corn, when it was decreed that the price of ale be related to the cost of corn. It was not taxed until the seventeenth century.


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Freestyle Steve breaks us off with another exclusive Jaime Foxx track called "Street Walker" via his myspace go check it out.
The track is produced by Timbaland and J Roc with vocals by Jim Beanz.
So I take it that neither of these tracks will be on Foxx's new album but does that mean there are others that will be on the project? Let's hope so!
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Jamie Foxx "Street Walker"
Freestyle Steve breaks us off with another exclusive Jaime Foxx track called "Street Walker" via his myspace go check it out.
16 comments :
- AnonymousDecember 4, 2008 at 12:07 PM
hot song but beat is below average :(ReplyDelete
this song sounds like the james fauntleroy songs!
j roc probably had something to do with those songs too...
j roc is pissin me off. i miss danja!
R.I.P. Timbahandz... <3
lol even though Tim got credit for songs Danja did by himself on FS/LS (I believe)ReplyDelete
but, this whole Timbaland/J Roc thing isn't working as well as it should... his old work with Danja is dusting all his new shit with J Roc. these songs are oversimplifying the whole Timbaland complex
meanwhile Danja continues to expand as an artist and producer
but this song is good for what it's worth... don't get me wrong, it'll probably end up on my iPod top 30 for the monthReplyDelete
I like them both their both good songs, but are nothing close to Can I Take U Home that is a great song. It's obvious Tim is still producing pop tracks for the most part right now his work with J Roc is pretty good right now to early to compare to Tim/Danja. Tim/Danja IMO did the same amount of work on FS/LS and it shows.ReplyDelete
IMO Danja put in MORE work than Timbaland on FutureSex/LoveSounds... all of the elements of future Danja songs were interspersed throughout all those songs. You can tell just by listening that Danja pretty much did "Set the Mood Right" by himself, aside from the drums. Other songs, too, have a sound that's alien to Timbaland working alone (and more familiar to Danjahandz works), so you can pretty much infer who did what.ReplyDelete
But, honestly, we're getting to the point where Jim Beanz alone can put together a more intriguing song than Timbaland and J Roc put together. And, Beanz never got put on like Danja or the Royal Court. These two (Tim and J) are on auto-pilot; Tim has lost his appetite.ReplyDelete
- AnonymousDecember 4, 2008 at 6:36 PM
link plzzzzReplyDelete
thank you....
Big-A would bite my head off...ReplyDelete
- AnonymousDecember 4, 2008 at 6:58 PM
"Bitch I" is on the album as "I Don't Need It"ReplyDelete
Meh, its good.ReplyDelete
Tim & J sound too mainstream
I Liked Danja because he was a new direction, and exciting
These new tracks sound identical ...just different drum patterns.
'Bitch I'is mean though...
The beat is hot. But I think a different singer will bring a different sound to the song..no offence to Jamie..I like him.ReplyDelete
open google and type in "how to rip music from myspace". no need to ever ask here again for links. thank you.
This comment has been removed by the author.ReplyDelete
There is no way you guys can compare J Roc and Danja at this point. We have not heard enough from J Roc and Tim to compare. And shit Tim and Danja hit major on Justin. Come on it's Justin guys. Lets wait until J Roc and Tim get with an artist on Justin's level to judge whats hot or not i the pop world. O and by the way Danja had way more flops this year than he had hits.ReplyDelete


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Mike Trout once again proved to be playing a different level of baseball than even the game's best and brightest. For the second year in a row Mike Trout is the MVP of the MLB All-Star Game. He accomplished the feat this year by hitting an opposite field home run to lead off the game against Zach Grienke, the National League Starter who hasn't even been scored on in 4 games. He followed that up by getting on base two more times and being responsible in some format for 3 of the runs the American League scored.
After flying around the bases to score on a Prince Fielder single, Trout was pulled for a pinch runner in the 7th. The move was made to make playing time for Brock Holt who eventually scored.
In addition to being named the first back-to-back All Star MVP, Trout accomplished a strange statistical feat. He produced a single, a double, a triple and a home run in his first four All Star Games. Giving him something that might be known as a "Trout Cycle".
In 2014 Mike Trout received a choice between a Corvette or a truck. He chose the Corvette in 2014. In 2015, he chose the truck over the Camaro.
Being a two-time All Star MVP puts him in some elite company.
After winning the game and being named MVP, Trout sent out this tweet to express his gratitude and respect for the game.
I try to respect the game & play it the right way each chance I get…I'm humbled. THANK YOU!!! #ASG
— Mike Trout (@MikeTrout) July 15, 2015


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Just an idea …
Did you know that:
- Crozet used to have buses? (above image thanks to Secret of the Blue Ridge)
- Crozet used to have commuter rail between here and Charlottesville?
Based on a great conversation I had yesterday at the Mudhouse, I started this conversation on the RealCrozetVA Facebook page and got some great comments.
What could be done to get great bus service to/from Crozet/Charlottesville? Cool buses. With lots of light & wifi. 5x in the morning & 5x at afternoon/evening for starters.
With bike racks on buses. Park and rides in the church lots … Just kicking around some ideas. (Not my ideas necessarily … Just ideas)
Could it happen?
Some back of the napkin numbers – correct me please, because I'm sort of making these numbers up.
- Population of Crozet: ~ 6,500
- Daytime population of Crozet: ~ 2200 (a complete & total guess)
- 40 people per bus? Is that reasonable?
What do you think? Could it happen? Who could/would do it? Could/would it be profitable?
Most importantly – for those of you who have "real" jobs as I call them (I'm a Realtor; my days are necessarily geographically scattered) – would you use a bus?


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In an interview with a Russian news agency, the U.S. Secretary of Defense, Robert Gates, once again touched upon the so-called Iran's nuclear problem (actually, instead of the word 'problem' Tehran has been using 'Iran's nuclear issue'). Mr. Gates repeatedly announced that Washington does not rule out any scenarios, including a military attack on Iran. The Pentagon chief stressed that the U.S. welcomes Tehran's peaceful nuclear program but suggested that Iran had been seeking ways to produce nukes.
Iran is becoming one of the key issues of foreign policy for Russia, and it covers a broader range of problems apart from 'will the U.S. attack Iran and when'.
On 14th of September Moscow hosted an international conference on security in Iran. The talks brought together diplomats form Iran, Israel, Iraq and Russia, who shared their views on how the current situation in Iran might affect Russia's role in global politics and in the system of regional security in the Middle East.
The participants made different predictions, which points to a lack of unity among experts on Iran. Some believe that the U.S. and its allies will not resort to any other means except propaganda or attempts to undermine the ruling regime in Tehran. Others are being more realistic.
If the U.S. acted on its own, it would have probably turned a blind eye on a possibility for Iran to obtain nukes-like they do it in case of Pakistan or North Korea. After all, the proliferation of nuclear weapons is inevitable process, and the problem is all about an approach to the issue. But if we suggest that Washington and Tel-Aviv have a kind of agreement on Iran, everything gets clearer.
The intention of Iran to destroy the Jewish state is being much spoken about in Israel.Journalists quote Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, though his words are often taken out of context. And let the idea of converting Israel into an Arab-Jewish state seem extravagant- actually, it differs little from hostile words about a change of regime in Iran, a country surrounded by U.S. military bases and other facilities. Expert for the Russian Institute of Strategic Studies, Mr. A. Kuznetsov, thinks that a true reason for so much fuss being made about Iran is that the country does not obey to Washington like it used to be under the royal regime, when this notorious nuclear program was launched by the West.
A nuclear-free zone in the Middle East could have become the most suitable option to bring peace to the region. Still, two obstacles remain on the way: Israel's intention to regain monopoly on nuclear weapons in the area, and, secondly, the U.S. attempts to maintain leadership in the Middle East. This region of Eurasia is among the key areas of influence for the U.S. Probably, Washington relies on a series of large-scale international conflicts in order to revive its weakening leadership.
Under these circumstances, sovereignty of Iran should have necessary geopolitical support.
How things are going on in Eurasia is determined also by the relations between Russia and Iran. And we should keep in mind that those differences which remain between Moscow and Tehran emerged long ago, and little can be improved if we rely only on the 1921 Soviet-Iranian Treaty of Turkmanchai. The Caspian Declaration of 2007 did not make countries, which do not comprise this region, abandon their plans to strengthen their positions in Central Asia. Despite some very promising signs in the previous years, in 2009 trade volume between Russia and Iran declined, and this tendency is likely to continue in future. It is also easy to see the difference in the number of flights between Moscow and Tel Aviv and Moscow and Tehran.
The ongoing tense discussions on Iran are expected to help Russia have enough scenarios of how to protect its interests in view of the Iranian problem and boost cooperation with Tehran on the most pressing issues.
The opinion of the author may not coincide with the position of editorial
read more in our Telegram-channel https://t.me/The_International_Affairs


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DNG Brady are pleased to bring to the market this absolutely stunning 3 bed end of terrace red brick period residence. It is superbly located fronting the North Road and located a short walk from the town centre. The property extends to 125 sq. m and is in need of redecoration. Accommodation comprises Sitting room, Extended Kitchen/Dining/Living room, Shower room, 3 Bedrooms & a Family Bathroom. The is a large private garden to the rear of the property. This property would make an excellent family home for the discerning purchaser. Viewing of this property is highly recommended.
Excellent location
Property in need of refurbishment
Within walking distance of The Lourdes Hospital & Drogheda town centre
Extended 3 bedroom property
BER: D2 BER No.113772271 Energy Performance Indicator:273.2 kWh/m²/yr
Entrance Hallway - m x m
Sitting Room - 5.2m x 3.8m
Attractive tiled fireplace, large bay window, attractive coving and high ceilings
Family room - 4.7m x 3.6m
Marble Fireplace
Kitchen/Dining room - 6.2m x 3.4m
Patio doors to rear garden, fitted kitchen units
Bedroom 1 - 4.5m x 3.3m
Bedroom 2 - 4.2m x 3.2m
Bedroom 3 - 3.5m x 2.4m
Bathroom - 3.1m x 2.5m
Downstairs Shower room - m x m


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The trip from Oslo to Trondheim
by train takes between 6:45 and 7:35 hours and costs from NOK 749 (as of 2023), depending on travel time and offer.
The Dovre Railway was opened in 1921 and runs between Oslo and Trondheim. The railway line leads through the breathtaking Gudbrandsdalen valley and over the mighty Dovrefjell mountain range.
It is 548 km long and offers some of Norway's most beautiful national parks, mountains and scenic attractions.
The whole trip from Oslo to Trondheim takes around 7 hours, and the train has frequent departures during the day. The train also runs as a night train with bedrooms.
The Dovre Railway also stops in Dombås. Here you can switch to the Rauma Railway that goes to Åndalsnes.


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Independent control of up to Sixteen Stepper Motors through: One Serial Port for ST400NT Series mature product), or RS485-USB for ST400USB Series. With four on-board drivers, the ST400NT-ST400USB will work with practically any stepper motor up to two amps and 48 volts at a step rate of between: 16 to 8500) steps/sec ST400NT and (1 to 10000 steps/sec) ST400USB. The ST400NT Series can operate in full step mode, both monophasic and biphasic, and half step mode. In addition to step mode, ST400USB will have ¼ and 1/8 micro-stepping. In ST400USB Series acceleration-deceleration can be changed in the fly motion according to pre-determined programmed parameters. Inputs Switches for: ABORT, HOME, RIGHT-LEFT Limit switches, Encoder Input: A,B and Indx, allowing to the application "a full hardware control" for closed loops, and also emergency STOP motion.
ST600µNet is our new Four Axis Stepper Controller Board that provides more capabilities: higher winding current (4.5 to 8 Amp per axis), sophisticated-high precision motions , on the fly speed-steps resolution can be changed. A "full-ready" IoT functionalities of ST600µNET are allowed when is connected to rmv_Taker modules. Multi-Internet protocols has been developed, Scripting Commands Compiler allowing to stand alone applications, Full Web Motion Server allowing applications written in JavaScript and HTML. ST600µNET Series can handle in both monophasic and biphasic stepper motors. Steps resolution size can be set as follows: full step, half step, 1/4 step, 1/8 step, 1/16 step, 1/32 step, 1/64 step, 1/128 step, and 1/256 step. ST600µNET Series can operate in the following motion control modes: PID speed control, PID position control, trapezoidal, profiling, s-curve, sequential motion which allows very precise graphics motion like: strait line, circle, ellipse, parabola, hyperbole, and its mixing. ST600µNET Series has Isolated Inputs Switches for: ABORT, HOME, RIGHT-LEFT Limit switches, Encoder Input:A,B and Indx, Digital Inputs-Output


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OB Rag Fall 2010 Elections – Part 4
So it's come down to this: either vote to add an $18 annual fee to your car registration or we'll close the State of California's 278 Parks. This reminds me of that old National Lampoon magazine that ran with the cover art of a gun pointing at a dog and the headline: "If You Don't Buy This Magazine, We'll Kill This Dog".
Californians love their parks. The sprawling network of state parks cover 1.5 million acres and one-third of our coastline, preserving natural space, historical sites and offering residents a low-cost form of recreation. In recent years, the parks have suffered an ongoing succession of indignities, with 60 of them operating under severely curtailed hours and a $1.5 billion backlog of repairs waiting for better times that certainly don't look they're going to materialize anytime soon. With each annual budget crisis the threat of massive closures rears its ugly head, only to be beaten down with the legislative equivalent of bubble gum and bailing wire that keeps the parks teetering along, barely open.
With an estimated 80 million total visits to State parks annually, and a huge economic footprint—a recent study estimated that visitors spend an average of $57.63 in surrounding communities per visit—it's no wonder that over four hundred organizations around the California have lined up in support of Proposition 21. Retired people, nurses, labor unions, chambers of commerce, city governments, park rangers, tree huggers and hunters have all lined up in support of the initiative. The campaign has attracted over $4 million in donations.
Lining up against Proposition 21 are the Alliance of Automobile Manufactures, the anti-tax group Americans for Prosperity, and Howard Jarvis, godfather of California's Proposition 13. Their arguments call the annual fee a "car tax" and whine about the state's legislators wanting to avoid the "hard work of cutting spending so that there is plenty of money in the state's basic general operating fund to support popular amenities such as the state parks." They have raised a whopping $25,000.
Two of California's big city dailies (LA Tines, San Francisco Chronicle) have come out in opposition to the initiative, not because they oppose funding for the parks, but because this is a piecemeal solution. And there is an element of truth to that claim. But getting to a solution that allows the legislature to fund both education and state parks requires revisiting "the third rail" of California politics, Proposition 13. You see, while Proposition 13—in the public's mind—protects granny's $50,000 shack down by the beach from being taxed for the $1 million it's now worth, it also protected the real estate belonging to big corporations around the State. That's why Plaza Bonita, for instance, pays less in annual property taxes that a quarter acre lot in Chula Vista. That's why Chase Bank got a sweetheart deal (no reassessments) when it acquired all Wamu's properties. And why Disney still pays the same taxes on its properties that it did thirty years ago.
So any politician wanting to address the State's perpetual budget shortfalls by righting this huge loophole risks being tarred with the "you hate grannies" brush. And if there's one thing Californians love more that their State parks, it's their grannies.
Next to the Holy Grail of overtaxed grannies, juxtapose the contemporary mantra of "less taxes equals more jobs/companies are fleeing California because of high taxes" and you have a situation bound to scare the bejesus out of any elected official brave enough to even think about tax reform. Herein lays the dilemma of Proposition 21: vote to save the parks and you're putting off the inevitable confrontations that are coming with the implosion of State government envisioned by Howard Jarvis. Vote against the parks and baby seals will die.
It's your choice.


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This was published 11 years ago
Your Turn: In game morality
Having a morality system in games has been a bit of a hot trend as of late. Plenty of "Triple A" titles have given the player a choice between right and wrong, most of which impacted on the game in one way or another. Fallout 3 is usually the first game that springs to mind with its karma system, and it makes for some interesting gameplay and varied rewards.
Upon recently completing Metro 2033, I learnt that the game included a much more subtle morality system, one which did not always present an obvious reward for taking a particular path. Without such an obvious reward system, it's interesting to consider what drives our choices as gamers, and whether our in game morality is driven by choice, or by want of reward.
Warning - epic Metro 2033 spoilers beyond this point.
For the unaware, Metro 2033 takes place in post-apocalyptic Moscow, where humans have been forced to live underground in metro tunnels, due to the complete desolation of Russia's surface. Most people are down and out, living in conditions akin to a slum, with daily goals rotating around simple survival techniques. Artyom's (the main character) metro is under threat from the Dark Ones, and he must venture to Polis, a kind of Canberra in the metro, to seek assistance. This puts everyone, including the player, into some pretty harrowing situations, complete with moments that question the player's moral standing on a number of issues. Metro 2033 never informs the player of the potential impact of moral choices, and that they are in fact, being tracked.
Some of these are overt yes/no moments, such as when the player is offered bullets (the metro currency) from a woman for saving her child. The woman is living in poverty, and has just lost her husband, yet offers the player bullets as a thank you for their selfless act. Others, however, are less obvious, and either blend into the superbly detailed environments, or in the context of gaming, don't appear to be moral questions at all. This is largely due to the lack of an onscreen morality tracker, forcing the player to keep track of their actions on their own, if they so chose.
For example, in the first level you'll hear a request from a man for bullets to allow him to buy medicine for his ill son. This is at the start of the game, where you have five bullets to your name, and are surrounded by poverty and desperation, as well as your personal demons. Unlike the woman with the child, you can choose to totally ignore this man, or give him the gift of bullets. It's an interesting encounter, mainly because there is no wrong answer. If you chose to give him the money, you feel good about yourself, but if you don't, you're not a bad person. Moscow is locked in a struggle for survival, of which you are a part, and if you chose not to help the man, there are no accusations of immorality. He continues to beg, and you go on your way.
Later in the game, the player has to infiltrate a neo-Nazi station in order to pass through the metro tunnels. Naturally, you are outnumbered and outgunned, but you do have stealth on your side. As you enter the tunnels, you hear two Nazis conversing:
"How are your children?" one asks.
"They miss their father," the other replies.
The banter continues along this path and other topics such as war and political ideology. I opted to shoot my way into the tunnels by blasting the Nazis in the head with the silent machine gun, gifted to me by my friend on the inside. My only response to the conversation was: "Man, this is a pretty intense game, this guy has kids," before I proceeded to blow his head off. In the context of previous games, such conversation has been used as a tool to shock the player, while simultaneously encouraging them to fire their weapon. To do so in Metro 2033 felt totally normal to me in the context of confronting material in games. Yet the overt morality context found in previous games was not presented, and thus, I did not consider it.
These two examples exemplify the strengths of Metro 2033's morality system. Unlike other games, it does not present you with blatant good or bad situations where you can either be a hero of the people or a horrific nutter. They are grey areas where there is no right or wrong answer, it is simply a matter of how you feel about the situation at hand. Then there are those such as the Nazi example, where you are presented with an "it's me or them" situation, where the horrific means can supposedly justify the ends of saving your home station.
It appears that developers 4A Games are prompting us to question our morality as gamers. As I said, I failed to even consider sneaking past the guards, only thinking to myself "Cool, a stealth section, time to kill some Nazis, oh man, they have kids, this is messed up". Whether or not this says something about our moral choices as gamers is not up for debate here. What Metro 2033 does do, is prompt you to ask why it is you make moral choices in games. Situations such as those presented in Metro 2033 suggest that when gaming, I have an amoral bend, and will not choose moral choices without being presented with an equally bad amoral choice. This, in my opinion, was the greatest element of the game, and a severely overlooked one at that.
After playing the game, it became clear to me that I had always made moral choices based on my perception of personal gain. Take Megaton in Fallout 3 for example. The first great morality test is to choose whether you blow up Megaton for a few hundred caps, or deactivate the bomb for the approval of the townspeople. In either case, the choices include an example of a reward, and while the moral opinion of the individual may direct the player, the thought of each parties reward still plays influences the decision somewhat. By, mostly, doing away with a morality based reward system, Metro 2033's morally grey circumstances have the potential to prompt the player to truly consider their moral standing on particular issues.
When either a reward or overt moral question was not presented, I failed to consider the implications of my actions, as the Neo-Nazi example shows. In those situations, I simply responded to the situation with my preferred manner of game play, which in this instance was shooter instead of stealth. I didn't think "I should kill these guys because they support Nazism" or "I should opt for stealth because he has children". I simply responded with the shooter option, as stealth games are rarely my cup of tea.
Upon finishing the game and saving my station, I felt like the hero. The Nazis were dead, the woman had her child back and the Dark Ones were nuked. Rather than play the whole game again, I searched the second ending on YouTube and found, much to my dismay, that I had taken the amoral path. The second ending, the ending that goes against the natural instinct of the FPS generation of gamers, revealed that the Dark Ones wanted peace, and by failing to consider the bigger picture, I had eradicated a harmless race, due to my preferential gaming approach. Technically, the game did have a morality counter after all.
It was not an overtly good or bad counter, but one that suggested that as a player, I failed to consider the bigger picture and instead, simply pursued my own survival without considering the survival of others. It was not a question of self sacrifice, it was simply a question of whether lives can be judged equally or not, and are there elements that we all share that makes us "human".
I can only speak for myself here, however it seems that when gaming, I require an overt presentation of moral choice, one that requires a blatant yes or no answer which results in some form of reward. Without such a context, I rarely consider the moral implications of environmental evidence, and simply fall back to what I consider to be enjoyable gaming. Yet the Neo-Nazi example forces us to ask, have we become so accustomed to high impact contents in gaming that we simply assume that this is a tool to make the game seem more "adult"? Again, I can only speak for myself here, but it's an interesting consideration nonetheless.
While I don't think that I'll give up on shooting people in games altogether, Metro 2033 has prompted me to take a different approach to absorbing the environmental factors of games, and whether these are simply establishing a context, or attempting to reach out to the player. With very few rewards outside a warm fuzzy feeling inside, most of the questions in Metro 2033 were true questions of morality, most of which were asked without ever posing a question. Once in a while, it's worth sitting down and considering what directs your moral choices in games, and if such direction is reward based, can your choices be said to be based in morality or material gain?
When presented with these situations in future games, try and ignore the material element and focus directly on the situation at hand. The cases where there are no wrong answers present the most rewarding in game experience on offer, as they directly ask the player, how did you come to justify your actions to yourself when no in game characters are judging you. Ask yourself, when the moral question is not directly posed, do you consider the moral implications of your actions?
- Peter Zaluzny
Screen Play readers can submit articles or ideas for consideration in Your Turn and Your Review using the email address email@example.com. The best blog post published on Screen Play between June 1, 2012 and June 29, 2012, as judged by Jason Hill, will win a PlayStation 3 console from Sony Computer Entertainment. The PS3 has a 160GB hard drive and is worth $349. The next prize winner will be announced on June 29. Only Australian residents are eligible and the judge's decision is final.
Screen Play is on Twitter: @screenplayblog


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Mavis Staples has a message. It has been there down through the decades, as she soared across musical styles and genres, collecting friends, fans and contemporaries all across the globe. Her message is about GOOD. The good in spirituality, in honesty, in faith and freedom. And the good in the struggle itself reaching for our better angels.
Her voice is unmistakable, she simply has some of the most soulful phrasings ever heard; it's a rough, tough, but gentle contralto embracing the listener making them feel what she is feeling. It's something she's been doing since the 1950s with her family group. Born in Chicago, where parents Roebuck "Pops" & Oceola Staples had moved from their native Mississippi, Mavis began singing with her family as a youngster. The Staples made their first appearance at Chicago's Mount Zion Church when Mavis was ten years old. A few years later, in 1953, they debuted with the self-released "These Are They/ Faith and Grace," on which Mavis and her father alternated lead vocals. Subsequent deals with the Vee-Jay and Riverside labels took the Staples into the mid-'60s, by which point their full-length releases included "Uncloudy Day," and the first of the five Grammy-nominated recordings "Swing Low Sweet Chariot." The latter was released in 1963, the year the Staples were newly motivated by meeting and speaking with Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. — a turning point that fueled the family's involvement in the Civil Rights Movement and an emphasis on message songs. The Staples' horizons broadened with their relocation to the Epic label. In 1967, the group first hit the Billboard Hot 100 with "Why? (Am I Treated So Bad)," written by Roebuck, and a version of Stephen Stills' "For What It's Worth." Led by father Roebuck "Pops" Staples, the Staple Singers balanced gospel and secular music in a way unheard of before. They had eight Top 40 pop singles through 1975, including the chart-topping "I'll Take You There" and "Respect Yourself" — with Mavis on lead.
Outside the group, Mavis recorded solo albums for 30 years, right through the 90s and left her mark on music history in a way that is appreciated by artists the world over. Her fellow Grammy Lifetime Achievement Winner, Sam Moore (of the group Sam & Dave) commented "I have known Mavis for more than 60 years. Mavis is still traveling the world with that incredible Staple Singers family legacy surrounding her, bringing joy and the message she and her family forged over the many, many decades. I think it's safe to say that I adore her!"
Mavis has been called a National Treasure by Billboard Magazine and that mantle rests gently on her 80-year-old shoulders. Honors, awards and praise flow freely. NPR calls her "one of America's defining voices of freedom and peace." She's been installed in the Blues Hall of Fame and the Rock Hall of Fame. She's a Grammy winner; a chart-topping soul/gospel/R&B pioneer; a National Arts Awards Lifetime Achievement recipient; and a Kennedy Center honoree. She marched with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., performed at President John F. Kennedy's inauguration, and sang in President Barack Obama's White House.
The performing road has been long and winding with many unexpected twists and turns, according to Cornelius Grant, writer, arranger and conductor for the world-renown Temptations. "We often played the same venues as the Staples and I made every effort to see them whenever I could. They were magic. Imagine how I felt when they recorded one of my songs, 'You've Got to Earn It'. What a gift that was."
It would be natural that gospel, R&B and blues folks would appreciate her and the family, but Mavis has another dimension that appeals to artists of every genre. Early on she became involved with rocker Bob Dylan, who told her father he wanted to marry her. Pops said, "Don't tell me, tell Mavis." She didn't marry Dylan, but 50 years later, she recorded and toured with him. She's collaborated with everyone from Prince to Arcade Fire and Hozier; blown away countless festival-goers from Newport Folk and Glastonbury to Lollapalooza and Bonnaroo; performed with The Band at The Last Waltz; and, been on all the most popular television shows, including Fallon, Colbert, Ellen, Austin City Limits and the Grammys, most recently in the tribute to Prince.
At a time when most artists begin to slow down some, it seems Mavis has hit another gear, releasing three albums and hitting the touring road on a schedule that would cripple artists half her age. It seems she still has a lot to say and sing, "I sing because I want to leave people feeling better than I found them," Mavis said. "I want them to walk away with a positive message in their hearts, feeling stronger than they felt before. I'm singing to myself and for those same reasons too." Now that's a message worth spreading.


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Dr. Heath Kelsey will deliver the keynote address at River Action's 9th Annual Upper Mississippi River Conference "Raising the Grade."
Kelsey is program director of Integration and Application Network, a group of scientists focusing on scientific synthesis and communication based at the University of Maryland.
Dr. Kelsey has developed ecosystem health report cards for numerous coastal and inland aquatic systems, including Australia's Great Barrier Reef, Coastal India and Chesapeake Bay. He earned his MSPH and doctorate in Environmental Health Sciences at the University of South Carolina.
River Action is excited to bring Dr. Kelsey to the UMRC to talk about the work he did for the Report Card for the Mississippi River Watershed, produced by America's Watershed Initiative (AWI).


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Hacking the human brain to enhance performance seems to be the ultimate dream of technocrats and their military counterparts.
We have reported extensively about the various methods that the military is studying to design a future soldier that is able to carry more weight, run faster, need less sleep, and even become a super sniper without training. These designs range from technical engineering to pharmacological, genetic, and to outright mind control via brain implant.
In a previous article I speculated that without proper ethical parameters these developments very well could herald a new type of global arms race of developing super humans, which naturally would begin to emerge on the battlefield.
China has made several announcements that show a clear attempt to become a leader in a race toward human superiority. Studies with animals like the super beagle have certainly raised eyebrows in the area of genetic engineering, as well as the potential for replicating humans at clone factories.
A new announcement is being reported from ARS Technica which shows that China is now studying brain stimulation techniques that sound very similar to what we have covered from DARPA's work with Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation. In this case, the scientists are using a combination of genetic engineering and light stimulation called "optogenetics," but with the same goal to alter cognition by artificially switching brain circuitry.
The Chinese study is particularly worrying as it is claiming to have enhanced aggression in normally docile mice.
Mice are typical of most mammals in that they have a hierarchy based on various forms of physical and social dominance. Researchers in Shanghai are claiming to have found a trigger whereby the lower-ranking mice can be made into super aggressive alphas:
Using a brain stimulation technique called "optogenetics" that triggers neural activity with proteins and light, they stimulated the dmPFC region of a low-ranking mouse's brain. Then the low-ranking mouse took the tube test with a high-ranking mouse. Immediately, the loser mouse began to shove the winner mouse vigorously, winning almost every contest.
Perhaps more interesting is how researchers found they could permanently transform loser mice into winners, just by stimulating their brains six or more times in tube tests. "We observed that not all the mice returned to their original rank," Zhejiang University neuroscientist Hu Hailan told the Guardian. "Some mice [did], but some of them had this newly dominant position." Hu and the other researchers refer to this as the "winner effect," in which one triumph can lead to more victories, due to a change in outlook.
Of course it remains speculation about how this type of stimulation will work on a more complex human brain, but The Guardian reports that U.S. researchers believe that there is the potential to bridge the gap:
Ivan de Araujo, a psychiatry researcher at the Yale University School of Medicine, agreed that the findings could be relevant in people.
"Social behaviours in rodents arguably operate under very different conditions when compared to human social behaviours," he said. "However, history of winning is one characteristic of social dominance that is relevant for almost every social species studied, from insects to primates. Because each brain region investigated has its direct primate homologue, the present study opens new opportunities for understanding the involvement of brain regions linked to planning and decision-making in establishing social hierarchies."
If the "winner effect" translates to humans, it would suggest that experience of success in one area of life could help build confidence in another. "And you can imagine for athletes before a really serious game they could maybe play a video game to have the winner experience to build up confidence," said Hu.
Regardless of where this particular study leads, there is a clear pattern of research that indicates a desire to rewire human brain function. There is also no doubt that the militaries of world are keeping a very close eye on the opportunities that will be presented.
While it might seem easy to dismiss what has so far only appeared in science fiction, we still need to spread awareness. As the Chinese scientist who was working on human cloning stated: "The technology is already there," telling AFP that his company is "only holding off for fear of the public reaction."
You can see the "test tube" demonstration in the video below:
Nicholas West writes for ActivistPost.com. He also writes for Counter Markets agorist newsletter. Follow us at Twitter and Steemit.
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What factors influence new and increased services, what makes IAG Cargo's network stand out, and what new routes are on the horizon? We spoke with
Category: Routes
Cargo Live 9: Expert Insights into the Airfreight Market
IAG Cargo's ninth episode of Cargo Live was filled with updates and insights from leading industry experts. The live webinar discussed IAG Cargo's transformational focus
IAG Cargo launches summer routes including Cincinnati
For the first time ever, we're flying freight between London and Cincinnati. But that's not all we've got up our sleeves this summer… A bustling
IAG Cargo's China Restart: Behind the Scenes
IAG Cargo has welcomed China back to its network with the restart of services between London Heathrow and Shanghai, and will soon be resuming flights
IAG Cargo's key moments of 2022
Last year, our network was back into full force since the challenges of the pandemic, and we're continuing to shape the future of airfreight with
IAG Cargo's most interesting and unique movements in 2022
This year has been a busy one for us. We've helped people celebrate traditions across the globe, from moving whiskey for Saint Patricks Day to
How IAG Cargo's Hong Kong team is bouncing back
As Hong Kong finally eases restrictions after nearly three years, Rob Wiemerink, who is based in Hong Kong as a Regional Commercial Manager looking after
IAG Cargo and DHL: Moving Film Productions Around the World
What does it take to fly production props across the globe for location shoots? Find out how IAG Cargo supports our partner DHL in bringing
How IAG Cargo Hong Kong supported customers IN THEIR TIME OF NEED THROUGHOUT COVID-19
We hear from Area Commercial Manager, Hong Kong, Philippines and Taiwan for IAG Cargo – Jayram Nair on how IAG Cargo's Hong Kong hub pulled ahead during the first global lockdown, charter challenges, plus how one Forward.Rewards member leapt to Forward.Platinum status
Animal crossings: Flying animals with IAG Cargo
From lions to lorises, we uncover which animals we've transported through our Live Animals service over the years
Supporting UNICEF to transport Covid-19 vaccines globally
With the agreement, UNICEF will benefit from access to one of the largest aircraft fleets in the world supported by five airlines, including British Airways, Iberia and Aer Lingus.
IAG Cargo partners with SENATOR INTERNATIONAL to deliver over a million protective masks to Germany
Partnering with SENATOR INTERNATIONAL, IAG Cargo utilised a B777-200 passenger aircraft converted into a freighter to charter a flight from Shanghai to Munich carrying over 17,000 boxes (actual weight of 21.1 tons) of medical-grade face masks for the population of Germany.
Helping to keep the magic alive this Valentine's Day, IAG Cargo has carried nearly 450 tonnes of flowers across its network, equating to nearly 18,000,000
The diversity of India's cargo market
In spite of the pandemic, India has continued to export huge volumes thanks to its diverse commodity market and the India cargo team's agility and customer service
IAG Cargo unveils Iberia A330 'preighter' ahead of peak season
The Iberia A330-300 conversion comes ahead of air cargo's peak season as demand grows for additional cargo services.
IAG Cargo resumes Tokyo services
The return of the carrier's London-Tokyo direct service will be good news for pharma and automotive forwarders on both sides of the Pacific
FLying freight? Here's all you need to know
From free cargo credits to seamless online bookings, it's worth investing in a reliable cargo partner that gives great mileage for your spend
The route will serve as a major link between southern Europe and North America with a weekly rotation that uses LEVEL's A330-200
As much of the world entered lockdown, IAG Cargo commenced a series of scheduled cargo-only flights to South Africa
Meet the Boeing 787-10, IAG Cargo's newest aircraft
Currently flying the route from London Heathrow to Dallas Fort Worth, the 787-10 joins the league of IAG Cargo's largest aircraft
IAG Cargo sharpens processing for special flights
Thanks to IAG Cargo's Network, Operations and Commercial teams, our mission to deliver urgent medical supplies to Munich from Shanghai in April.
IAG Cargo makes centennial cargo-only flight from India
To maximise capacity, IAG Cargo has been operating cargo-only flights out of the country since May 2020 in response to COVID-19. Beginning with flights out of Mumbai, Hyderabad, Delhi and Bangalore have since followed suit, and as a result, we've been able to transport in excess of 2350 tonnes to date.
IAG Cargo completes 100th cargo-only flight from Hong Kong to London
This week IAG Cargo completed its 100th cargo-only flight using 777 passenger aircraft, from Hong Kong to London.
It's not every day that a sudden Saturday night phone call kickstarts an unprecedented logistical marathon, but in a rapidly changing world where a soaring demand for essential supplies and critical deadlines are head-to-head, the world of cargo is facing a new set of challenges.
IAG Cargo supports Ireland through COVID-19 with mega mission to China
The aircrafts, five of Aer Lingus' biggest, A330 jets, are being flown back and forth from Beijing by dozens of pilots.
IAG Cargo's Partnership and Interline Manager Toby Hillier
We only work with airline partners who deliver the same high product standards as we do.
Why Antalya Is Your Next Mediterranean Must-See
Hot off the heels of record-breaking tourist numbers in 2019 comes our new Antalya route in time for Summer 2020. The Turkish coastal city may
5 of the best jazz bars in the world
This International Jazz Day, we're looking at the top spots in the world to catch some standards, swinging rhythms and solos
IAG Cargo teams up with British Museum for exhibition on Iraqi heritage and ancient Mesopotamia
We look at the ways shipping priceless artefacts has evolved over the centuries, and the launch of a new exhibition at the British Museum
How your fresh produce gets from farm to table
Regional commercial manager for Africa Graham Tufft talks us through trends in perishables shipments from Africa


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The 2017 Leafly Gift Guide: $20 or Less
Leafly's 2017 Gift Guide starts with a selection of gifts under $20. Don't call them cheap, though! Let's go with…budget-conscious.
Got a white elephant exchange at work? Searching for a stoner-friendly stocking stuffer? Last-minute shopping have you working from a tight bank account?
It doesn't matter why you're looking for a gift you can purchase with pocket change. Whatever the reason, we've got you covered with selections like rolling papers, strain diaries, and even a perfectly priced pocket vaporizer that all say, "I absolutely meant to get you this all along!"
CBD Lip Balm
Speakeasy; $6
Unfortunately, gift-giving season is also chapped lip season. This topical from Speakeasy blends the moisturizers you'll find in most lip balms with pain-relieving CBD and a terpene-influenced flavor profile.
OG Flavor Koko Nuggz
Koko Nuggz, $14.99
These tasty crisped rice and chocolate nuggs aren't infused, but you'd be hard-pressed to find a more realistic-looking flower recreation for the chocolate lover on your list.
Cone Artist Spliff & Cone Rolling Tool
Aqua Lab Technologies; $5
This year, give the gift of never having to say "This is too tight, I'm going to start it again." With a helping hand from the Cone Artist, it's easy to roll a perfect spliff, the first time and every time.
Wax Wallet Silicone Concentrate Storage 3-Pack
420 Science; $19.99
It can be really hard to find silicone storage containers for oils, concentrates, and other dab fuel that both work well and look classy, but these low-profile clamshells fit the bill.
Source 10 Cig
Sponsored by VaporNation; $9.95
With a USB rechargeable battery and two kinds of atomizers in a package the size of a No. 2 pencil, the Source 10 Cig Quartz Vaporizer is a "You shouldn't have!" gift with a stocking stuffer price tag.
CBD Swirl Grapefruit Bath Bomb
De La Beuh; $15
Rubber duckies? Out. Bath bombs that turn any tub into a fizzing, citrus-scented, CBD-powered soaking pool? Super in.
Rainbow Rolling Papers
Sweetflag; $10
If you've seen one plain white spliff, you've seen them all. But not anymore. Inspired by vintage Spanish paper stock, these swirling rainbow papers make it easy for anyone to roll an unforgettable joint.
Stoner Fluxx
Looney Labs; $14.94
A fast-paced card game with constantly changing rules—including some that will call for a smoke session—Stoner Fluxx is easy to pick up, hard to put down, and sure to get passed around at your next white elephant exchange.
The Patient Journal: A Medical Cannabis User Companion
Goldleaf; $16
This strain journal is perfect for medical patients, providing a slim volume where they can reference what strains and products they've used in the course of their treatment, and how effective they were in treating symptoms.
Grav Labs Upline Taster
DankStop; $14.99
A solid taster like this piece from Grav Labs is a must-have for any smoker's lineup. The pinched neck behind the bowl keeps ash where it belongs, and the wide mouthpiece allows for extra-large inhales and easy cleaning.


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What Does the Bible Say about Arranged Marriages?
- Katie T. Kennedy Contributing Writer
- Published Jun 29, 2023
The concept of an arranged marriage seems foreign to many of us, especially in Western culture. We couldn't imagine someone else choosing our spouse. However, as you glance back in history, arranged marriages were common. Leaders arranged marriages for political unity, opportunities to bring peace to quarreling countries, and economic benefits.
Since we look to the Bible as our ultimate authority, what does it say on this topic? Let's explore this interesting topic.
What Are Arranged Marriages, and Where Did they Come From?
Webster's Dictionary defines an arranged marriage as "a marriage in which the spouses are chosen for each other by their parents." In addition to the parents, the match could be selected by a family member such as a grandparent or close family friend.
While arranged marriages are rare in Western culture, they still occur in countries such as India, Pakistan, China, Israel, and Iran. Most people are under the impression these marriages are forced. However, the reality is options are provided, and the future bride and groom get an opportunity to reject or accept the proposed match. This wasn't the case before the mid-20th century in China. They were known as 'blind marriages' because the elders made the decision, and the children were expected to marry whomever they chose.
In the Middle Ages, the couples were usually total strangers, and the parents made all the arrangements. The marriages were often political agreements. The bride's family would include a dowry to the groom. As time went on, a period of courting was added to the process so the young folks would have multiple chances to socialize with each other.
Even the United States had its fair share of arranged marriages until the first half of the 20th century. As time went on and generations passed away, traditions dried up, and things shifted to the way of the culture.
An article in Psychology Today stated that a few decades ago, people found "in love" marriages (marriages chosen by the bride and groom) were "more in love for the first five years, while those in arranged marriages were more in love for the next thirty years." How could this be? Let's continue this subject and find out.
Arranged Marriage in the Bible
One of the most well-known stories in the Bible featuring an arranged marriage is of Isaac and Rebekah. Abraham is of advanced age and sends his most trusted and reliable servant on an important mission, to find Isaac a wife. His first instruction is that it must not be a Canaanite woman. He did not want his son to marry an unbeliever. In addition, he requested his servant go to his country and find his kinfolk.
The servant traveled to Mesopotamia and displayed his faith through prayer to God, "Lord, God of my master Abraham, make me successful today, and show kindness to my master Abraham. See, I am standing beside this spring, and the daughters of the townspeople are coming out to draw water. May it be that when I say to a young woman, 'Please let down your jar that I may have a drink,' and she says, 'Drink, and I'll water your camels too'—let her be the one you have chosen for your servant Isaac. By this I will know that you have shown kindness to my master." (Genesis 24:12-14)
Rebekah comes and speaks those exact words. The servant is convinced by her actions and kindness that she is a Godly woman. They go to Rebekah's house, and the servant informs her family of all that has transpired. After gifts are given, Rebekah's family asks her if she would be willing to go back with the servant, and she says, "I will go." (Genesis 24:58)
This marriage was not only arranged but God-ordained. As the servant sought God's assistance during the journey, God brought Rebekah to the servant. God had a woman selected for Isaac, and two faithful families brought them together.
What Does the Bible Say about Arranged Marriages?
The Bible doesn't support nor condone arranged marriages. Instead, it offers guidance and direction about marriage. The message is the same whether you chose your spouse or they were chosen for you. We are to take the covenant of marriage seriously.
The Bible gives us some advice when referring to marriage in 2 Corinthians 6:14-15, "Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial?"
In Deuteronomy, we learn about the demand for exclusive allegiance to God and the temptations the Israelites will face when entering the promised land. "Do not intermarry with them. Do not give your daughters to their sons or take their daughters for your sons, for they will turn your children away from following me to serve other gods, and the Lord's anger will burn against you and will quickly destroy you." (Deuteronomy 7:3-4)
God tells them to smash all the other nations alters and burn their idols. While this might seem harsh, God knows the risk of marrying unbelievers. "For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession." (Deuteronomy 7:6) He cares so much about His people; He wants the best for them.
While the Bible doesn't provide direct guidance on arranged marriages, we are given plenty of marital advice. Let's look at that next.
What Does the Bible Say about Marriage?
Whether marriages are arranged or not, we must take our commitment seriously. The Bible gives us a clear picture of what Christian households and marriages should strive to be like. Colossians 3:18-19 says, "Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them."
Biblical love is not a feeling; it's a commitment. In arranged marriages, the couples might not be in love when they first meet, but they are committed to the sanctity of marriage. I think many marriages dissolve today when the "feeling" of being in love departs.
We are called to agape love our spouse. Agape is a Greek word for love. Agape love is not an emotion; it's a motivation for action. "Agape is a sacrificial love that voluntarily suffers inconvenience, discomfort, and even death for the benefit of another without expecting anything in return."
Loving someone this way usually means choosing the opposite of what the flesh wants. It's helping your husband when you don't want to do. It's a husband serving his wife when he's tired and worn out. It's digging deep and making an intentional decision to put the needs and desires of your spouse first. It's striving to be Christ-like. Jesus is the ultimate example of someone who showed this kind of love repeatedly, including dying on the cross for us. As we seek Him, he will help us love this way.
Arranged Marriages Challenge Our View of Commitment
Arranged marriage or not, marriage is a pillar of civilization. As Christians, we must choose to love our spouse instead of expecting feelings to carry our relationship. With God's help, we can learn how to love our spouse and be others-focused. As we seek the Lord, He will fill in the gaps where we fall short.
I'm not suggesting we should bring back arranged marriages. I do think there is a thing or two we could learn from their process. If we could embrace the commitment and perseverance these couples brought to the marriage, it could do our society well. If we focus on the long view of marriage instead of short-term feelings, it could do wonders for our marriages. What if we could learn to love our spouses with agape love?
Katie T. Kennedy lives in Richmond, VA. She is married to a wonderful husband Jonathan and they have three girls. She is a writer, blogger, and employee of the family business. After a mid-life spiritual transformation, she discovered her love of writing. She loves to travel, read, be in nature, cook, and dream. She would love to connect with you online at www.katietkennedy.com, Instagram or Facebook.
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The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Salem Web Network and Salem Media Group.
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Today, the sun is shining brightly and it's incredibly hot here, so iced tea, our art challenge prompt for the day, is definitely a good choice. The intense heat made me think back to when I was a kid and my mom would make sun tea, which would later be poured over ice. This was a very popular tradition here in the Midwest when I was growing up. Basically, you'd toss a few tea bags into a jar with water, seal it up and set it out in the sun to bake for a few hours. Like many things in my childhood, these days, the act comes with a long list of warnings. Apparently warming water instead of actually boiling it can create a petri dish for little bacteria of all kinds to form. So many activities that were common in my childhood now carry so many warnings, that it seems a wonder I survived being a kid at all. But looking back, I only have the best memories of those times, so I think everything worked out just as it should.
Sun tea, like all seasonal traditions, was fun because it only happened at a very particular time of year. It was the signal that summer had officially arrived and school was officially over for awhile. And truly, tea made by the sun was just sort of an awesome and magical idea. But, alas, these days many warn against it adding to a list of similar memories. Like snow ice cream during the winter months. We'd scoop up a bowl of snow and then add some eggs, whole milk and vanilla for a wonderful treat! Beyond the raw eggs, these days this one comes with warnings of whether or not the snow is ever really clean enough to eat. Suggestions include gathering it mid-blizzard to assure the first snowflakes have scrubbed the sky first, or yes, simply avoid doing this entirely. Another black mark crossing out yet another wonderful childhood memory. But, I wasn't "one of the lucky ones" who survived all of these old traditions. We all did.
And the real magic of growing up for me was doing so freely, without being drowned in so much caution. It made me ponder whether or not it's always better to be safe than sorry. How sorry? I think life is more fun with a bit of risk taking, as long as the risks are calculated. It would be so dull if we heeded every warning we hear, because there would literally be nothing that we could do. Someone, somewhere, swears that we should avoid just about anything you can imagine these days. So, who should we listen to? Who are the real experts? To me, it's still the same expert I've followed my entire life. My instinct. This is the wonderful skill I was born with to know how to keep myself alive. If it didn't exist, I couldn't have survived that pre-Internet era. No google search could stop me from doing something back then, I just had to take my best guess. And, thanks to instinct, that guess was usually always right. So, blissfully, I was able to grow up with a treasure trove of wonderful moments filled with sun tea and other great memories.
About the Doodlewash
Da Vinci Paint Co.: Nickel Azo Yellow, Quinacridone Red, Benzimida Orange, Cobalt Turquoise and Cobalt Blue. Lamy Al-Star Safari Fountain Pen with sepia ink in an A5 Hahnemühle Watercolour Book. Want to purchase a print of this doodlewash? Send me a note with a link to this post, and I'll add it to my shop!


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HALO® 3004 Radar with 4' Open Array & 20M Cable
- HALO® 3000 - 130W power for a longer range (from 6m to up to 96nm) and higher-resolution target detection
- Advanced pulse compression technology with beam sharpening
- Simultaneous Dual Range operation
- Easy operation with Harbour, Offshore, Weather, and Bird modes
- Track up to 50 targets per defined area with ZoneTrack (two areas can be defined)
- VelocityTrack Doppler technology for collision avoidance
- Dangerous Target Alerts for radar and AIS targets
- Ready instantly from standby, and in 16-25 seconds from power-on
- 4' Open Array
More Power Matters
The HALO® 3000 array radar offers a premium experience on the water. An impressive 130 W of power – equivalent to a 25 kW magnetron radar – delivers an unrivaled combination of short- and long-range coverage that enables you to see targets from six meters (20 feet) out to 96 nautical miles with exceptional clarity. Pulse Compression technology powers confident navigation through marinas, and superior storm and hazard detection across a greater distance. The HALO® array series not only increase situational awareness and collision avoidance but also offer higher-resolution target detection you won't find in lower-powered radars.
Safer Navigation
The HALO 3000-series boast an array of new features that make navigation safer and offer peace of mind. ZoneTrack™ brings the best of professional boating technology to recreational users, allowing them to track up to 50 vessels within a defined area, automatically detecting their course and speed. HALO's Dangerous Target Alerts highlight range, graphical bearing, and heading of other vessels relative to yours. Meanwhile, VelocityTrack™ uses Doppler technology to show targets color-coded so you can identify potential threats at a glance. Because, when it comes to safety, situational awareness is everything.
Building on the HALO Legacy
The next generation of pulse compression radars, HALO 2000 and 3000 build on the features that have made HALO an established choice for boaters across the globe. The solid-state technology gets you up and running quickly, and HALO's low-power pulsed transmissions make it safe to run in harbors and marinas. Dual Range mode allows you to keep an eye on distant weather cells while monitoring channel markers and high-speed watercraft up close. Advanced digital signal processing gives you a clearer view of targets, helping eliminate sea clutter, while Beam Sharpening provides enhanced separation between small or distant targets. Finally, HALO 2000 and 3000 have the same footprint as their predecessors, making it easy to upgrade your current system. It's also compatible with a range of Simrad® chart plotters, including NSS™, NSX™, NSO™, and GO™.
Easier Operation
Designed with an intuitive interface HALO arrays make operation easier with smart features like Harbour, Offshore, Bird, and Weather modes. These Preset Modes require no manual tuning – just select your chosen mode and go. This simple approach also extends to fishing, with HALO's powerful bird-finding capability which enables boaters to find flocks of birds and – more importantly – schools of fish at a distance.
HALO 3000 with Bird + Mode
Designed with an intuitive interface, HALO 3000 has smart features like Harbour, Offshore, Bird, and Weather modes. These Preset Modes require no manual tuning – just select your chosen mode and go. This simplified approach also extends to fishing, with HALO 3000's powerful Bird+ mode – a must-have tool for sportfishing enthusiasts. Bird+ mode allows you to focus the full 130W of HALO 3000's power on bird finding, enabling boaters to find schools of fish up to 8nm away.
What's Included:
- 000-11465-001 HALO Antenna - 4ft
- 000-15766-001 HALO 300X Pedestal
- 000-15768-001 20M Cable
- 000-15757-001 RI-50 Power Supply
- Array Size (Inches): 48"
- Power - Output: 130W
- Range - Max (Miles): 96nm
- Box Dimensions: 6"H x 9"W x 10"L WT: 78 lbs
Payment & Security
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FL New Insurance Company finds a nitch in the Florida Car insurance industry.Check out this Article or ADD for EVER QUOTEInsurance industry news FL - Competition helps everyone - don't you think?What a great story!Inspiring plus it does
Luxury Beach Condo with Boat Slip and 13,000lb Lift For Sale in the heart of St Pete Beach Florida
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Regency West Condos FOR SALE St Pete Beach Presents www.regencywest.infoWide Open Water View 5575 Gulf Blvd Unit 138 St Pete Beach FL 33706www.wideopenwater.com
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http://agentmarketing.com/properties/FL/St Pete Beach/63802ndpalmpt/6380-2nd-Palm-PT-FL-33706 Check out the open househttp://www.mythreepalmspoint.com
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Condos for sale in Bacopa Bay are perfect for someone looking for luxury waterfront living! Located in Bay Way Isles overlooking Boca Ciega Bay, Its walkways meander through a tropicaly landscaped property with the quiet ponds, serine fountains and a private white sandy beach. Bacopa B...
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April 24th Treasure Island FL 33706 - a Community I had to drop an application for condo approval up to Lamonth management on 104th ave Treasure Island today, on the way back i saw a lively procession of vehicles turning on 1st st E so I decided to turn in and investigate.> Maudie Gurak, volun...
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Lovely Sylvette Condominium, a waterfront community in the heart of St Pete Beach fl, 33706.6201 2nd St East Unit 109 is 2 bed 2 bathrooms and like most units are around 1335 sq ft. However and most units in here do not have balconies like this building. It is a close for an easy walk to the B...
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BAKER, WILLIAM P. of Everett, passed away after a long and valiant battle with cancer on Thursday, July 18, 2019, a t he age of 70, with his loving wife, Marie (Grana) Baker, at his side.William (Bill) was born on March 23, 1949 in Boston, MA, the son of the late Francis and Helen(Sayre) Baker.
William is survived by his wife, Marie of 43 years and nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brothers Frank and Stephen Baker and his two sisters, Lorraine Grojean and Janice Callahan.
Veteran, US Navy honorably discharged and retired from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Information Technology Division. He enjoyed woodworking, electronics, as well as having an analytical mind that gave success to his endeavors. His greatest joy of all was helping people.
For those who wish, the family suggests that memorial donations may be made to the VNA Hospice & Palliative Care, 100 Tradecenter, Suite G-500, Woburn, MA 01801.