text: Lahey Health System, Inc., located at 41 Mall Road, Burlington, MA 01805 (the parent of Lahey Clinic Hospital, Inc., 41 Mall Road, Burlington, MA 01805, Northeast Hospital Corp., 85 Herrick Street, Beverly, MA 01915, and Winchester Hospital, 41 Highland Avenue, Winchester, MA 01890), CareGroup, Inc., located at 109 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215 (the parent of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Inc., 330 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215 (which in turn includes Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital-Milton, Inc., 199 Reedsdale Road, Milton, MA 02186, Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital – Needham, Inc., 148 Chestnut Street, Needham, MA 02492, and Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital – Plymouth, Inc., 275 Sandwich Street, Plymouth, MA 02360), New England Baptist Hospital, 125 Parker Hill Road, Boston, MA 02120, and Mount Auburn Hospital, 330 Mount Auburn Street, Cambridge, MA 02138), and Seacoast Regional Health Systems, Inc., located at 25 Highland Avenue, Newburyport, MA 01950 (the parent of Anna Jaques Hospital, 25 Highland Avenue, Newburyport, MA 01950) (collectively the "Applicant"), intend to file an Application for Determination of Need ("Application") relative to a proposed affiliation involving the Applicant (the "Project"). The Applicant is submitting its Application as it intends to affiliate to create a new comprehensive, distributed, high quality and high-value non-profit healthcare delivery system to serve patients throughout Eastern Massachusetts. To facilitate the level of economic and clinical integration required to better manage the health of a broad population and meaningfully impact care delivery in the state, the Project would establish a new parent company that will function as the sole corporate member of each hospital, and will also include the participation of the organizations' accountable care organizations. The Total Value of the Project is estimated to be approximately $5,323,154,000. There is not expected to be any anticipated price or service impacts on the Applicant's existing Patient Panel. Any ten Taxpayers of Massachusetts may register in connection with the intended Application or amendment by no later than October 16, 2017, by contacting the Department of Public Health Determination of Need Program, 250 Washington Street, 6th Floor, Boston, MA 02108.


text:
Several folks have left comments at the previous post, offering their well-wishes. But consider this an open comments thread where the idea is that you post a message directly to Possummomma herself, as if she were reading it (which she will, because I'm emailing her the link to this post). If her blogging has impacted you — and it's impacted many of us — let her know.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
28 comments:
Dear Possummomma,
I can't recall whether I've previously commented on your blog -- I know I haven't recently, though I have swung by to catch up from time to time.
I began reading "Atheist in a Minivan" shortly after you published P1's wonderful Christmas essay. I was charmed by your occasional photos and descriptions of her and her siblings, and impressed by your writing. I should have told you so; I'm sorry about neglecting that.
And I'm so sorry for all the undeserved grief you've been getting lately. I hope you can focus on relaxing, rebuilding your stamina, and resuming the rhythm of normal family life.
As for the blog, I would love to see it re-activated, but not at the expense of your health or your family's peace.
Please take care, and know that you are very much admired and cherished.
WeemaryanneI hope you're doing okay, P-Momma. I, like many others who know about your blog, consider your blog amoung the best we've ever read.
I do know that reading your blog has helped to answer questions I have had about the future I'll have with kids, should I have any. Plus, I hold you up as a great role model for those skeptical and atheist parents raising their kids in the world that we have, such as it is.
I hope to one day be able to read your blog again or one day you have a site where you don't have to worry about being attacked simply for blogging and chronicalling how you raise your children.
I wish you all the best if I never am able to read a word of yours again.
Best wishes.P-Momma, what can I say....I read your blog and enjoyed the the thoughtful posts you had on life with a family, making due, and trying to cope in an xtian controlled world. I wish these people actually looked at themselves first, for the hatred and lies that they attribute to you and other non theists. I and my family are sending good thoughts your way P-mamma. I hope you do come back to the blogging world, for me and the rest of the sane world to enjoy.
I am very sad for the situation you have found yourself in. I think you have acted wisely in distancing yourself from the situation.
I never had the chance to read your blog but I was looking forward to it. Having recently deconverted, I had discovered that several people in the atheist community really cared for you and your family. They respected your opinions and thoughts specifically regarding raising children. As much as I would like to see you active in the community again, I would prefer that you not have the stress, instead you should have the peace of mind that you deserve.
So in regards to those of us who did not get to know you, you have made an impact that can be measured and that impact has made at least this person a better man.P-Momma,
I have read your blog for many months now, and even posted responses occasionally. Although not an atheist, I am a recovering Catholic, and I always found your posts interesting, funny, enlightening, and entertaining. It was sad the way a few attacked you, but I believe it was because you hit a chord with them. They, in their worldview, cannot see how someone can be as apparently well-adjusted as you and your family are without God being involved. It did not compute and they felt compelled to attack what they did not... could not understand.
I hope that you choose to begin again. Your perspective is needed and welcome by many.
Thank you for all you have written,
Your blog was the first blog I read whenever I noticed an update in my RSS reader. I don't even have children, but I read your blog in hopes that it would help me to decide when and if I wanted to have children. Reading how you handled the everyday situations that came up with your children has given me the confidence to raise children of my own someday.
I do hope you start blogging again somewhere, but not if it will adversely effect your family or yourself.
Ann- Anonymous10/13/2008 12:19 AM
Hi, Possummomma! I wasn't aware of your blog before, but I've learned about it through Pharyngula, Martin's blog, and Calladus. Firstly, I wish you and your family the very best in getting through these trying times, and the stresses placed upon all of you by some of these ridiculous insane people. Secondly, I'm not terribly active in the atheist community, but I thank the IPU, FSM, and Darwin's Ghost for people like you who put in the time and effort to lend your voice to the cause of standing up for rationality. Every voice helps, and you have obviously touched a lot of people. Thank you for that! Finally, if you do ever decide to come back to the blogosphere, I'd love to read what you have to say, and you have a lot of friends who will stick up for you. And if not, I'm sure you'd have support for that decision as well.
Very best,
kevin pmomma, I'm just one of the many, many ordinary joes who read your blog and loved the content and the writing style.
The post where you thanked averyone after the uv film was installed broke me up.
I'll miss your blog pm, but it will make me infinitely happier if the end of your blog gets the idiots and all the pressure off your back.
Whatever you choose to do, you know your friends out here, and we are legion, your freinds out here will support you.
I've been reading your blog for a little over a year now and as a father of two, I thank you for sharing your experience on raising children that are able to think for themselves. It's tough to find real information on that aspect of life.
I hope you can get back to blogging someday, but your health and family come first.
Take care,
DaveHi Pmomma-
I started reading your blog right around the time you published P1's Christmas essay. You were the first atheist blog I started reading on a regular basis, and really one of the first blogs I ever started following. Although I now subscribe to nearly 100 blogs, yours remained one of my favorites; whenever Google Reader indicated you updated, I'd click on that first. I know I never commented much, but I always loved your writing and your ideas.
I'll understand if you decide you need to quit blogging, but I hope it doesn't come to that.Pmomma!
You're in my thoughts as you deal with the crazies that are apparently moths to your rational flame. I hope you and your family make it out unscathed and a little bit stronger.
I miss your blogging terribly. As a father of two (one just two weeks old today), I looked forward to seeing how another atheist parent raised their children in an otherwise anti-atheist world. Although all parenting is different, just as all children are different, I still took a lot of things to heart, and I'm truly greatful for that.
Take care, be well, and hopefully we'll hear from you soon!Dear Possummomma,
Like many of your fans commenting here, I was introduced to you by way of P1's Christmas essay, and I immediately read all your previous posts. You're more dangerous than Dawkins and Hitchens combined to the fundamentalist community because you show that it's possible to raise wonderful children and live with grace and good humor, despite suffering from a debilitating disease, while remaining rational.
You and your family, through the window you provided, have made a real impact. I hope you get to a point where you can continue to do so.
Thank you,
I feel sick to my stomach hearing how you have been treated, and all that you have went through!! Seriously, I have tears in my eyes, and my heart aches for you.
I'm not sure if you remember me or not, I've emailed you a couple of times and posted a couple of comments on your blog. I followed pretty closely for a while, and then some interesting things started happening in my life. One of them was the impact of your words and blog on my life.
I lost contact with your blog and following it as I was seeking out my own truth. My husband reads some of the other atheist blogs that have mentioned what has happened, and forwarded the info to me.
You have had such an incredibly positive impact on my life and the hope that I have for raising my children open-minded and able to think for themselves.
I don't know how many times I've thought of emailing you with questions on how you dealt with things, but didn't. I have recently, very recently come to the conclusion that the faith I've been raised in, and started raising my children in is not true. You have been the first that I thought of that I could "talk" too, outside of my husband who has always "wanted" this. I have no idea on how to "leave" my church, or "come out" to my family. If I quit my church going habit, I know that my family will find out. I'm concerned how I will be received should my family know the truth. My family, both parents and siblings, as well as my own, have always been of paramount importance to me, and now they feel even more important, and I don't want lose them. But even with that knowledge, it feels wrong raising my children blind to the realities of the world. You have helped to show me that they deserve more, they deserve the right to be an individual!!
I know this is sort of personal, but I know of no other way to communicate the impact you have had on my life for good!! This is my "first step" to coming out, before this post, my husband was the only one who knew of my changing world and religious views. You truly are an amazing writer, and have influenced many so positively, I'm appalled at the treatment you have received for simply speaking your mind and expressing your own opinion and views of the world you are in.
I will miss reading you blog, your wisdom and insight to some many things in the world and child rearing. But more importantly, although I will probably never have the opportunity to know you personally, I want you to have a good life! I hope that things get better for you, and I'm so sorry for the ignorant, bigoted, self-righteous people that have made life more complicated for you. May you find health, peace, and joy in your children and life. Thank you, for everything and all that you have done for the world. Thank you!!Dear Possummomma,
You neither need or deserve to be the target of such stupidity. Your health and the welfare of your family should be foremost (which I know you already make it).
I (and obviously plenty of others) will miss your blog, but your well being is more important than our entertainment. Should you decide at some point to resume blogging, I will be back.
Until then know that you have touched a lot of lives and there are people who have never met you that care deeply for you.
vagrantPmomma - just adding my voice to the crowd to say that I miss AIAMV. It was something I checked daily, sometimes several times a day. Didn't matter if you posted lots of new things; you always had thoughtful things to say and most of your commenters helped me see things in a different way.
Cyberhugs to you, Pdaddy, and the 4 possums!!Ms. Possummomma,
There's been an boom of atheist blogs and sites in recent years, but yours has been consistently outstanding. Your unique perspective has contributed to the growing nontheistic community in a very real and very appreciated way.
I hope your current troubles are resolved quickly and positively. And while you may not have the power of a loving god on your side, you do have the warm thoughts of loving people.Dear Possummomma,
Oh do I miss your blog. I also miss you and your absolutely wonderful family. Reading about all of this insanity over at Berlzebub & Calladus, I am having a very hard time wrapping my head around the notion that the internet can be such a dangerous place.
I've really enjoyed your blog, and I want to know that your writing has had an immense impact on how I live my life. Reading about the various things you do with your kids has given me ideas for my own family and I think we are all more alive because of it. Thank you.
Also, thank you for offering help and support when I was frantically worried about finding a better preschool situation for my daughter. Your encouragement and can-do attitude gave me the strength to get up and do what needed to be done. And I ~know~ that my daughter is better off for it.
I miss your blog, but I would feel absolutely horrible if one more iota of harm came to you and your family. Stay safe, be well, and know that there is a lot of love out here. And of course, don't hesitate to ask for help if there is something any of us here can ~possibly~ do.- Anonymous10/15/2008 1:19 PM
Possummomma, I was deeply worried when your blog went offline. As an atheist (single) parent, I've greatly enjoyed reading your wonderful writing on family life and parenting from a godless perspective.
Thank you for sharing your insightful thoughts with "all of us". I hope that we'll be able to hear from you again at some point. In the meantime, please know that I wish you and the p-fam all the best.
- "Steve in MI" Dear Possummomma
You do not know me - I am from the UK and I do not normally comment on blogs (something to do with being 60+ and a long way behind with the technology, I suppose). I also have never even heard of your blog before now.
I heard about some of your recent problems and those of your family from PZM's blog.
My wife has long term health problems, most of which are invisible to people, although none the less real. I sympathise with you and wish you and your family well. More than that, I wish you all that you wish yourselves (and a bit extra!).
I am saddened at the unpleasant approach of some of those around you and the grief it has caused. I wonder when they moved away from the second great commandment from Jesus Christ, to love your neighbour as yourself? I cannot translate that into what I understand you have had to go through.
Seems to me that "neighbour" includes those of different beliefs to ourselves.
If this sounds clumsy to you, fair enough. I live thousands of miles away in a different culture and have never had to go through the problems you have so I hope you forgive me.
I wish you a more peaceful future in your life and the help and support of friends who know, love and understand you best.
AlanI hope you and your family are doing well, Possummomma. I liked your writing and hope that some day you will see fit to share your blog again, in the meantime, I fully support your decision to protect yourself and your family first and foremost. I would have done the same.
Best wishes to you.Dear Possummomma,
Don't let the bastards get you down.
We all wish you and your family safety, security, health, and happiness. Take care of yourself and your family.
Don't sacrifice your health for us blog lurkers - but, please, don't think that you aren't appreciated and much missed by us all.
Good Luck
PLEASE NOTE: The Atheist Experience has moved to a new location, and this blog is now closed to comments. To participate in future discussions, please visit http://www.freethoughtblogs.com/axp.
This blog encourages believers who disagree with us to comment. However, anonymous comments are disallowed to weed out cowardly flamers who hide behind anonymity. Commenters will only be banned when they've demonstrated they're nothing more than trolls whose behavior is intentionally offensive to the blog's readership.
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.

subset: commoncrawl


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After getting hosed for $100 (and that was cheap by Vegas standards, obviously) at a mediocre buffet last night, we were in no mood to try another. So we took the kids to McD's for breakfast. The 4 bags they gave us seemed a little unusual for the 5 items we'd ordered, but I took them and wandered back to the table... Where Mrs. Grumpy discovered that, in addition to our regular order, we'd been given 27 orders of hash browns.
If you're a McD's shareholder who lost money on the error (or an Idaho potato farmer who made some) I must say it was unintentional and not my fault.
This is the lobby carpeting at the Excalibur. It's a meaningless design, unless you're a neurologist. Then it looks like a drawing of a nerve cell releasing packets of neurotransmitters across the synapse.
In a sign that all rock groups eventually sell out, the Excalibur is building "Lynard Skynard's Barbecue" (Freebird chicken sandwich, anyone?). Not that I have anything against selling-out. Hell, someone, please, buy me.
Today we went to Hoover Dam, then walked up to the new bypass bridge. It's a helluva view, and you realize that if an oncoming semi-truck goes out of control, you have a choice between its grill or the canyon 900 feet down.
And here, from the top of Hoover dam, are (left to right) Craig's hair, Craig, Frank, and Marie. Although you can't see the line, Craig and his hair are in Arizona while Frank and Marie are in Nevada. And, as I said last year, all 3 are disguised as part of the Federal Witless Protection Program.
Shortly after this was taken Craig asked to leave because the wind was messing up his hair.
Then a fight broke out, because we'd all been in Nevada for a few days, but only Craig had been in Arizona (which was, say, a foot away). So Frank and Marie had a confrontation over who got to be the 2nd Grumpy child ever to go in Arizona, which ended when I pushed them both across the state line. Then they argued over who got to come back to Nevada first (it's a painted white line on the sidewalk, FFS!).
After all, one of the inalienable rights of siblings is that of fighting over stupid shit.
We talked about doing the dam tour, but the boys refused to go because it didn't include the room where they keep the Transformers.
On the drive back from the dam, the kids wanted to stop for lunch. After the fight on the dam I just opened the cooler and handed them a bunch of leftover McD's hash browns.
After getting back to the Excalibur, the kids and Mrs. Grumpy went down to the pool, and I went to play blackjack (I won $15). As I was sitting there... it happened.
Mrs. Sawme: "Hey! It's Dr. Grumpy! What are you doing here?"
Dr. Grumpy: "Oh, Hi, Mrs. Sawme. Funny to see you here."
Mrs. Sawme: "That surgeon you sent me to for my corroded artery..."
Dr. Grumpy: "Carotid."
Mrs. Sawme: "Was awesome! Look at how well my scar is healing!" (rolls down shirt collar).
Dealer: "Sir, were you going to bet on this hand?"
Dr. Grumpy: "Uh, no. I, um, need to go."
Dealer: "I understand."
Mrs. Sawme: "Bye, Dr. Grumpy! Hey, do you know when my next appointment is?"
Dr. Grumpy: "No, call Mary. It was nice seeing you."
Tonight, amidst much wailing and gnashing of teeth, we dragged the kids to see the Bellagio fountains "Dad! It's just water." And then the music started, and they shut up.
I lost the $15 bucks back to the Mirage. And they don't even have the cool white tigers up front anymore. That sucks. Between that and the manatees the world is just going to hell on a handcart.


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Barbara Bradley Hagerty
Barbara Bradley Hagerty is the religion correspondent for NPR, reporting on the intersection of faith and politics, law, science and culture. Her New York Times best-selling book, "Fingerprints of God: The Search for the Science of Spirituality," was published by Riverhead/Penguin Group in May 2009. Among others, Barb has received the American Women in Radio and Television Award, the Headliners Award and the Religion Newswriters Association Award for radio reporting.
Before covering the religion beat, Barb was NPR's Justice Department correspondent between 1998 and 2003. Her billet included the impeachment proceedings against President Clinton, Florida's disputed 2000 election, terrorism, crime, espionage, wrongful convictions and the occasional serial killer. Barbara was the lead correspondent covering the investigation into the September 11 attacks. Her reporting was part of NPR's coverage that earned the network the 2001 George Foster Peabody and Overseas Press Club awards. She has appeared on the PBS programs Washington Week and The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer.
Barb came to NPR in 1995, after attending Yale Law School on a one-year Knight Fellowship. From 1982-1993, she worked at The Christian Science Monitor as a newspaper reporter in Washington, as the Asia correspondent based in Tokyo for World Monitor (the Monitor's nightly television program on the Discovery Cable Channel) and finally as senior Washington correspondent for Monitor Radio.
Barb was graduated magna cum laude from Williams College in 1981 with a degree in economics, and has a masters in legal studies from Yale Law School.


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incl. 19% VAT , plus shipping costs
All dimensions are shown in millimeters, all weights are shown in grams. The images are provided for illustrative purposes only, they do not constitute a contractual element and refer to a single variant/size. Images, technical data, dimensions and drawings are not binding. We reserve the right to make changes at any time without notice. The dimensions are defined and shown more clearly in the item description. Other dimensions only serve as support and better clarification.
There are currently no media files available.
Too bad, now we have to go back to the glass ball or read in the coffee grounds to understand our visitors ...
Why do we have to do that? Quite simply, you have forbidden us to watch Your steps on our site with Google Analytics. That sounds dramatically to You, we know. But look at it: we do not even know who YOU are, we just see that SOMEONE looks at our pages, how he/she does that, how long this SOMEONE lingers on the respective pages, etc. We do not know who You are, whether You are male or female, how old You are, how Your weight is - no idea. Nor do we pass this data on to Google, we don not have them not at all! Nevertheless, this data of SOMEONE will provide us with valuable information about our site, we want You to like everything here, that You feel good and - of course - buy our products ...
So we can see where there are problems. If many visitors leave our site during the purchase process while choosing the payment method, we know that something is wrong and can improve it. Sounds good, right? Thats good for You and good for us. So it´s a win-win situation. So let us accompany You on Your way through our store. Deal?
Great, you got it! Now we can work better on our offer again!


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Charlie Haeger (0-3, 6.56) vs. Jhoulys Chacin (1-0, 0.00).
COMMENTS: Someday Jhoulys Chacin will face Jhonny Peralta and my head will jhust explode. Jhoulys is actually pronounced "Yo-lease," which is what your landlord yells when you're trying to recover your security deposit. But Jhoulys also looks like Julie, which of course brings to mind everybody's favorite cruise director:
Which leads us to:
Which led me to search for the scene in "Airplane!" where Ted Striker, during a jailbreak, passes the guy singing the "Love Boat" theme. Turns out that's actually in "Airplane II," so enjoy this:
And who plays Roger Murdock in "Airplane!"? That's right, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Which leads us to: Lakers @ Jazz, 5p PT on ABC. Go Purple & Gold!


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How to switch video inputs on a Sony TV
Most TV remote controls have an Input button that cycles from one input to the next.
Follow the steps below to use the TV remote control to switch video inputs:
- Check if the TV and the connected device are turned on.
- Press the Input or TV/VIDEO button repeatedly until the desired input is displayed on the TV.
NOTE: If one or more video inputs are being skipped or cannot be accessed, the video inputs may be set to SKIP in the Video Label or View Video Labels menu. In order to access skipped video inputs, change the SKIP setting for the video inputs. To see if your TV has a Video Label Feature, check the specifications.
The image below shows an example.
- Depending on the TV remote control being used, press the TV FUNCTION button or move the TV/VTR switch to the TV position.
- The location of the Input button on your remote and the Input labels may be different on your TV
- If your TV has an Input or TV/VIDEO button, you can switch video inputs using the same procedure above.
- For model-specific information, refer to the supplied operations manual.


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Type ASN code or IP and hit Check button
ASN Lookup
The ASN Information tool provides complete autonomous system (AS) information.
Autonomous Systems are routable networks within the public Internet, administered by the local RIRs and assigned to owners of networks. The ASN Information tool displays information about an IP address's Autonomous System Number (ASN) such as: IP owner, registration date, issuing registrar and the max range of the AS with total IPs.


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Setup and Troubleshoot Netflix
Choose a different Video Streaming Service
Netflix® is an online subscription service that charges a flat rate monthly fee for rental-by-mail and online streaming of movies and TV episodes. Please note, not all streaming services are supported on all models. Some older models may not have internet connection capability. Please refer to your product manual for details.
Getting started
- Connect your device to the internet
- How do I access Netflix?
- Sign up for Netflix
- What is Netflix calibrated mode and how do I turn it on or off on my TV?
- How to unlink my Netflix account from the device.
- How to determine which version of the Netflix app is on my Sony device?
- Network Services / Apps Status (Netflix, Amazon Video, YouTube, Spotify)
- Why isn't Netflix working?
- The screen is blank and I am unable to access the Netflix app.
- Netflix App Drops Back to Home Page When I Try to Play a Movie
- Error 301 appears when trying to access the Netflix channel.
- Error 100 Appears When the Netflix App Starts
- Netflix error messages and error codes
- The volume in Netflix is lower after updating to Android™ 9
- YouTube™, Netflix, or another streaming app installed on my BRAVIA TV doesn't work.
- The Netflix icon is missing
Using Netflix
- Using Netflix on your Sony TV or Blu-ray player
- How do I find TV shows and movies on Netflix?
- Using Netflix features
- How do I set parental controls on my Netflix account?
- How do I turn subtitles, captions, or alternate audio on or off?
- Downloading TV shows and movies on Netflix
- What are the compatible HDR formats on my TV
- Will My TV Output Dolby Digital Plus Audio While Streaming on Netflix App?


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Government and corporate networks increasingly are blocking Sipsey Street with return messages such as:
The website streetirregulars.blogspot.com/" is filtered under the denied category "Militancy and Extremist".
The ORIGINAL gathering place for a merry band of Three Percenters. (As denounced by Bill Clinton on CNN!)
Government and corporate networks increasingly are blocking Sipsey Street with return messages such as:
The website streetirregulars.blogspot.com/" is filtered under the denied category "Militancy and Extremist".
I still get through from inside CNN.
I can still read your site from inside CNN Atlanta
Yeah - blocked by the air force...
You know you have arrived. Congratulations.
We got you!
All the more to pique their interest at work and inspire them to look it up at home.
Oh great.
I noticed I was able to leave one comment on the SPLC site rebutting some of the rampant stuidity there. However, after the first response, my next comment (which was neither foul mouthed or abusive) was "awaiting moderation" for 3-4 days when other posts were published. I guess they just didn't care for the truth. When I pointed out that other posts had been published (via another comment submittal).....surprise, surprise, they deleted the one awaiting moderation altogether.
Typical fascists....exposing their slaves to notions contrary to their own ideals just might make converts of the ones with half a brain.
Now aint that the pot calling the kettle black. I would say that our .Gov is one of the world's most Militant and Extreme on the planet.
Do tell...
I find no references as a search so evidently this is a manually added item to their filters. One would think that an enterprising attorney could make some money here.
Of course any funds would be from us taxpayers so it's a win for them either way!
I guess you can regard this "proscription" as a badge of success, Mike ! >Jeff
Set up Tor on your pc's no matter where you are....and from there, you can access it....it works for me.
Using your RSS feed via Google Reader will probably circumvent those nanny filters. Thank you for providing full text in your RSS.
slightly related -
any way to access by other than the usual URL - meaning with a dotted quad address, for future needs?
apparently dotted quad won't work with blogger or similar - any workaround?
Blocked by our large medical employer in Oregon. When asked over several calls, they finally admitted that it was blocked as a "militant or extremist" site. They must be using or subscribing to a list made by?
also now blocked by the public indoctrina...er uh...education school system as well. was given a virus/malware error block message
Can't be informing the young ones now can we?
Websense is a popular firewall add-on to block objectionable content that can get good corporate citizens, or their employers, in a spot of trouble for having the wrong picture or text on their screen at the wrong time. Websense uses a definition table, most likely, which would have to have a manual entry from the customer's admin or from Websense via a master list. Just a little info. It's easy to wind up on the wrong list on the internet.
Mike, your Captcha app is going whacko. It just asked me to enter something in Greek - I had to change the choice twice before I got something I could actually type.
I'm still reading you loud and clear from inside Free America!!
Cocked, locked and ready to rock!
HammerHead out!
I am the IT manager at my company. When we switched to Websense, Sipsey was categorized as Viloence/Militia or something like that. I just reclassified it. Nice being able to be the one in charge.
Whenever it is appropriate when commenting on a news story on their website I'll either link to Sipsey Street Irregulars or spell out the name and recommend others go there and give it a read. This keeps new people coming in for a view I hope.
Hmmm - don't 'they' have to cite some alleged 'criteria' for labeling a site thusly? Seems to me that if they don't have valid set of criteria - equally applied to all potential 'subversive' sites, that they are practicing selective censorship. If that is indeed what is happening, it needs to be pointed out - often and loud.
"You can't stop the signal Mal..."
Mr. Universe to Malcolm Reynolds in "Serenity".
Better to be despised by the despicable...
Those getting "greek" captchas: Are you running TOR or the like? If so, Blogger may see you as greek or other furriner...
Here you go, sports fans:
This uses the Command Prompt already resident in Windows that will translate "Sipsey Street (etc)", the URL, into the 'dotted quad' (xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx), the IP address the computer actually uses.
That should evade the filter and allow you your dailly allotment of insurrection.
Blocked on USN, allowed on USMC.
I'm suprised NAPA hasnt blocked it yet, as they have comittee.org and the Michigan Militia web site.
That's funny. What they would have thought of the Founder of our country. The dangerous ones are the criminal gang in suits and ties in Washington, D.C.
They've been talking a lot about Satan and evil lately in the Hitler type propaganda media, I have fantasies of driving to D.C. and putting a sing on the side of the beltway that says, "Be careful, entering hell."
They all work for the Weather Underground and Muslim Brotherhood. I think they're paranoid because of what they do themselves. Projection I guess.
I'm still getting through from deep in the concrete bowels of the CBS mothership here in DC.
Yeah, that's right - I'm a newsie. I'm fighting the enemy IN their own trenches.
What are YOU guys doing?
Mike, sounds like you have finally pierced the elephant's hide with your proboscis. I congratulate you, sir, and raise a dram of Bushmill's in your honor! Hey, wait a minute, this isn't a full dram...
Damn you, Domino!
Bill and Domino
Militancy and extremism? How nice of them!
Barry Goldwater, in his acceptance speech as the 1964 Republican Presidential candidate, proclaimed "I would remind you that extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice! And let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue!"
As for militancy, Goldwater also said in an interview in 1988 "I told Johnson and old colleagues on Capitol Hill that we had two clear choices. Either win the [Vietnam] war in a relatively short time, say within a year, or pull out all our troops and come home."


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Windows/Mac/Linux/Others: XBMC is still our favorite customizable media center software around, and today you can download the beta of version 12.0 which adds live TV, PVR support, better AirPlay, and lots more to your home theater PC.
The full list of new features includes:
HD audio support, including DTS-MA and Dolby True-HD, via the new
XBMC AudioEngine
Live TV and
PVR support
h.264 10bit (aka
) video software decoding for anime
64bit support in OSX to match the 64bit support in Linux
Improved image support, allowing the database to accomodate numerous additional image types
Support for the Raspberry PI
Initial support for the Android platform
Improved Airplay support across all platforms
Advanced Filtering
in the library
Advanced UPnP
Translations now
powered by Transifex
The beta may still have a few bugs in it, and if you use a lot of add-ons or custom skins, expect that certain things may break. But if you're brave and want to give the new version a shot, you can check out the beta downloads under "Current Testing Release" on this page. Hit the link to read more about the update.
XBMC 12.0 Frodo - Beta 1 | XBMC Blog


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- 88
- collection
- 1966-2017
The fonds consists of records that reflect Ann Saddlemyer's close friendship with Irish poet Seamus Heaney. It includes correspondence with Heaney and his family, drafts of Heaney's poetry, reviews and articles written about Heaney, and photographs of Heaney's personal and work life.
The fonds is comprised of the following series: Series 1: Correspondence; Series 2: Literary Works by Seamus Heaney; Series 3: Records relating to Seamus Heaney; and Series 4: Photographs of Seamus Heaney.
Saddlemyer, Eleanor Ann


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AS VEGAS (AP) — The race to make TVs larger and larger has created a colossal problem for manufacturers: As screens grow, picture quality worsens — unless the viewer moves farther away from the screen.
The issue is playing out in cozy dens and family rooms around the world. To get the full benefit of a large high-definition screen, viewers must move back from their sets. Because the ideal viewing distance is no closer than three times the height of your screen, or about one and a half times the diagonal length, big TVs have literally forced many families' backs against the wall.
This year, TV makers are doing their best to give huge-screen fanatics more breathing room. New "ultrahigh-definition" sets were shown off Monday by LG Electronics Inc., Sharp Corp., Sony Corp. and Samsung Electronics Co. at the International CES gadget show in Las Vegas.
Consumers tend to buy a new set every seven years or so, and television manufacturers are hoping the technology will give consumers a reason to upgrade.
TV makers are also making their sets smarter. New TVs from Samsung, for instance, will recognize an expanded range of gestures so people can swipe through on-screen menus in a way that revolutionizes the old remote control.
Samsung President Boo-Keun Yoon said the new features are a response to the increased choices consumers have in what they watch.
"We have developed TVs that respond to people's needs and lifestyles, TVs that know in advance what people want to watch, TVs that have the power to create the ultimate lean-back experience," Yoon said.
With nearly 8.3 million pixels, an ultrahigh definition or "4K" screen contains four times more pixels than an HD TV. Because of the higher resolution, viewers can sit close — according to some estimates, as close as the diagonal length of the screen, which is about a third closer than before — without losing clarity. That could be appealing to big-screen fanatics who live in small spaces.
Ultra-HD sets come as small as new models from LG and Sony, which stretch 55 inches diagonally. And estimated prices are dropping from the tens of thousands to below $10,000, bringing these multi-megapixel TVs well within the spending range of early adopters.
"I hope you can see that 4K is not the future, it's now, and Sony is leading the way," said Sony CEO Kazuo Hirai.
It could be a few years before prices come down enough for the masses to justify buying ultra-HD TVs, especially considering that U.S. TV buyers spent a record-low average of $364 on flat-screen TVs during the recent holiday shopping season, according to research firm NPD Group.
Hampering sales even further, ultra-HD faces another problem: There's very little content. Since 2004, only about 50 movies have been shot with an ultra-HD camera. They include the James Bond hit "Skyfall" and the Batman sequel, "The Dark Knight Rises." Only a handful of movies shot on film, including "Taxi Driver," have been converted to ultra-HD.
There's also no standard way of getting content to the TV, although Sony took the lead in making movies shot in native ultra-HD make it to market.
Sony Corp.'s 84-inch ultra-HD model, which it unveiled in November, comes with a computer server capable of storing and playing back giant movie files. It's definitely not affordable for most people, however, and the TV unit with the server thrown in has a price tag of $25,000.
It also announced Monday that it would launch the world's first ultra-HD movie download service for owners of its compatible sets in the U.S. this summer. The company will launch the service with 10 movies.
Owners of the smaller ultra-HD sets from Sony may have to buy the playback device and movies separately, although a final decision hadn't been made, company representatives said.
Currently, there's no standard way for upgrading Blu-ray players and discs to handle the ultra-HD format, although plans are in the works. Broadcasters are also a few years away from an upgrade. LG and Sony said their ultra-HD sets come with upscaling technology to make regular HD images look better — the way some motion is smoothed out on some TVs using complex computer algorithms.
Sony showed off movie footage from a standard Blu-ray disc player that had been upgraded on a 65-inch ultra-HD screen and the result was stunningly clear.
The file sizes of ultra-HD movies will only be about 25 percent or 30 percent larger than similar HD files, according to Pete Lude, the past president of the standards-setting body, the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers. It's not four times as much data, despite having four times as many pixels as HD, because of advances in compression technology, he said. That means broadcasters won't have to make infrastructure changes to upgrade just a few years after they made huge investments in HD, and that Blu-ray disc standards might be revised without the need for consumers to buy new hardware.
"We want to get it all right in one big standard," Lude said. He pegged the timing for an ultra-HD standard as being anywhere between months and decades away as industry players dispute the merits of different technical specs.
Still, ultrahigh definition may not be as far in the future as you might think. According to research group IHS, about 20 percent of TVs shipped globally in 2017 will measure 50 inches or bigger, up from 9 percent in 2012. And this past holiday shopping season, Americans were much more attracted to these big screens. Flat panels that are 50 inches and bigger saw unit sales rise 46 percent from a year ago, compared with a drop overall of 1.5 percent, according to NPD.
The average screen size of TVs purchased around the world is expected to creep up to 40 inches by 2016, from 22 inches in 1997, according to the Consumer Electronics Association.
More big screens should create demand for a sharper image and more incentive for TV signal providers to start offering a premier service of ultra-HD channels.
But CEA analysts predicted that the high price tag and low availability means ultra-HD TVs will have a slow start.
Ultra-HD TVs are expected to account for only 1.4 million units sold in the U.S. in 2016, or about 5 percent of the entire market, the CEA said. The market share of all sets in the rest of the world is expected to be smaller.
"It's a very, very limited opportunity," said Steve Koenig, director of industry analysis at the Consumer Electronics Association, which officially kicks off CES Tuesday. "It is going to take some time for this market to gain traction as those price points come down."
Could ultra-HD be a passing fad? Possibly. But one advantage it has over other recent innovations is that most people can appreciate increased clarity on giant screens.
Other aspects of image quality that the industry has touted in recent years, like the color vividness of organic light-emitting diode (OLED) sets, can be a matter of taste. 3-D can even make people sick.
Ultra-HD is "the most buzz-worthy thing TV guys will be talking about," said Paul Gagnon, an analyst with NPD. "It has some potential in the future, but it'll remain a niche, high-end business for a while."


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This sequence of four courses will propose a multi-disciplinary approach to the study of Chinese cultural history conceived of as a succession of modes of rationality (philosophical, bureaucratic, and economic). The focus will be on the moments of paradigm shift from one mode of rationality to another. For each of these moments, cultural facts and artifacts—thought, literature, ritual—will be examined in relationship to changing social, political, and economic systems.
The first two courses will cover the periods of the Warring States (481-256 BCE) and the Period of Division (220-589 CE), with a brief excursion into the Han (206 BCE-220 CE). The Warring States laid the social and cultural foundations for the emergence of the imperial mode of rationality; the Period of Division saw the Buddhist "conquest" of China and the emergence of a rationality defined by the opposition of the Three Teachings to shamanism, that is, of a clear contrast between elite and popular culture.
The third and fourth courses will focus on the emergence of modern China in the Song-Yuan (960-1368) and of today's China 1850 to the present. We will see how the modern attack on religion, redefined as "superstition", led not only to religious reform movements but also to a society in which science and the nation became the primary value systems promoted by the state.
The courses are listed below:
A Critical Cultural History of China – Early China I: Intellectual Change in the Warring States and Han (481 BCE-220 CE)
A Critical Cultural History of China – Early China II: Religious Transformation in the Period of Division (220-589 CE)
A Critical Cultural History of China – Modern China I: Religion and Thought in the Song, Jin, and Yuan (960-1368) (To be launched in late 2018)
A Critical Cultural History of China – Modern China II: Structuring Values (1850-2015) (To be launched in late 2018)
Price: Enroll For Free!
Language: English
Subtitles: English
TUN Helps Students!
Copyright, 2024 – TUN, Inc


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Our Mission
To build a new class of productivity tool that every person at every company enjoys using every single day
Working hard at making work better
Quip was born because the way millions of people are working is broken, and we saw a way to fix it. Unseating outdated (yet ubiquitous) tools is no small job — and it takes a special product to get it done.
Putting the customer first
We pride ourselves on working quickly, but thoughtfully. These are tough problems we're tackling, and our customers need us to get it right. We're obsessively focused on building a better way for teams to work together.
One big, happy Ohana
We joined Salesforce in 2016 because we believe in their mission, and they believe in ours. Now, we get to unleash the Quip team with the values and resources of one of the world's most respected companies.
Together, Quip and Salesforce are creating innovative software, making customers happy, and giving back to our communities.


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A firewall is a hardware or software device configured to permit or deny data through a computer network in order to protect the resources of a private network from users from other networks. For example, an enterprise with an intranet that allows its workers access to the wider Internet would install a firewall to prevent outsiders from accessing its own private data resources and for controlling what outside resources its own users have access to.
In the same way, computer users install personal firewalls (usually software) to protect their computers from the threats of the Internet. The program simply sits between your computer and the Internet and its job is to filter incoming and outbound traffic. That way it can deny intruders or malware access to your computer and it can also detect unwanted outbound traffic. For instance, in order to guard against spyware which could be sending your surfing habits to a website.
Basically, a firewall examines all data trying to pass it to determine whether to forward it to its destination. This is done according to a set of rules set by the user, establishing which sorts of traffic to be allowed and which traffic not. The term "firewall" of course originated from firefighting, where firewalls are barriers established to prevent the spread of fire.
An up to date firewall is really one of the most basic must-have elements of computer protection and that became clear, when the Love Bug, MyDoom, Slammer, and Sasser worms swept across the globe in the first years of this millennium causing millions of dollars of damage. As a response ordinary computer users started installing firewalls and anti-virus products galore and the next generations of worms have pretty much been stopped dead in their tracks before they could start spreading to a serious degree.
Modern firewalls can filter traffic based on many packet attributes like source IP address, source port, destination IP address or port, destination service like WWW or FTP. They can filter based on protocols, TTL values, netblock of originator, domain name of the source, and many other attributes.
A firstclass firewall has always been an integrated part of BullGuard Internet Security and of course this is also the case in the brand new BullGuard Internet Security 8.0. The BullGuard firewall gives you full control of your Internet connection and allows you to create your own firewall settings if you choose to do so. It offers complete security, detecting all types of hacker attacks and protecting all types of network connectivity.


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Streaker Takes Jog on L.A. Freeway
You see a lot of nutty things driving down the freeway in any major city, but morning passengers on the 405 Freeway in Los Angeles got more than they bargained for when a man decided to take a nude stroll on the side of the road on Tuesday.
A number of motorists saw the suspect running in only a pair of black socks. Some even tweeted about it and posted pictures for others to see. They say he trotted leisurely along the freeway until taking the Santa Monica Boulevard exit. Soon after he allegedly attempted to attack a woman.
Police arrested the streaker for indecent exposure and will take a psychiatric evaluation.


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Dr. Daniel Amen
Dr. Daniel Amen ON: How to Change Your Life By Changing Your Brain & the Lies About Happiness That Are Increasing Depression
Subscribe on
Apple Spotify
About The Episode
Today, I sit down with our third time guest, the one and only Dr. Daniel Amen. Dr. Amen is a physician, double board-certified psychiatrist, twelve-time NY Times bestselling author, and founder and CEO of Amen Clinics, with 10 US locations. Dr. Amen is the author of many books including the mega-bestseller Change Your Brain, Change Your Life, as well as The End of Mental Illness, Memory Rescue, Healing ADD and Your Brain Is Always Listening. In March 2022, Tyndale will publish his new book, You, Happier: The 7 Neuroscience Secrets of Feeling Good Based on Your Brain Type.
Dr. Amen emphasizes the importance of our brain health. He explains how taking care of our brain and mental health is a constant daily practice, comparing the things we do to boost our brain health to eating foods that will love our body back, foods that we love to eat and are beneficial to our health. We share our thoughts on why our generation is the unhappiest and uncontented, what we can do to boost our happiness hormones, and how happiness is always tied to our health.
Get more science-based tips from Dr. Amen to achieve a healthier, happier, and more fulfilling life despite the challenges and difficulties we may be going through today.
What We Discuss:
00:04:53 A healthy mind starts with a healthy brain
00:08:12 Activities that damage our brains
00:11:55 Brain and mental health is a daily practice
00:17:31 Accurate thinking versus positive thinking
00:24:02 Love food that loves you back
00:28:20 Focus on the micro moments of happiness
00:32:04 Why are we the unhappiest generation?
00:34:42 Did you experience childhood trauma?
00:45:45 Targeted nutrients to boost happiness
00:49:50 What's your brain type?
00:54:19 Seek happiness in the context of health
00:56:10 Dr. Amen on Final Five
Episode Resources
Take The ACE Quiz
Do you want to meditate daily with me? Go to go.calm.com/onpurpose to get 40% off a Calm Premium Membership. Experience the Daily Jay. Only on Calm
Want to be a Jay Shetty Certified Life Coach? Get the Digital Guide and Workbook from Jay Shetty https://jayshettypurpose.com/fb-getting-started-as-a-life-coach-podcast/
If you enjoyed this episode, check out:
5 Rules To Create The Life You Want
Join me for a 5-day free class. I'll be sharing wisdom on my 5 rules to create your ideal life, so you can get everything you're after in life.
by RollTideDLCC
Jay has an amazing gift and an even more amazing heart! I love what he is doing in the world and has made me a better person through his insights and kindness! Thank you Mr. Shetty
by Kshaq87
Thank you for sharing your insight and knowledge as you fulfill your purpose in life in making wisdom go viral. I really enjoy your podcast.
Meaningful content!!
by Marmeduke puke
Thank you, Jay, for your podcast! I love the content and find myself regularly sharing the insights with people in my life. Many times I will listen 2 to 3 times per episode. Once while doing tasks, again to take notes, and a third time to really let it sink in. Listen, meditate, contemplate. Thanks again to you and your team.
Life changing
by wesbacher
This podcast is by far the best I've ever listened to. Jay goes deep into what it means to live a healthy life in all aspects and causes you to truly reflect on your own life and where you're at. Thank you for the life changing content, Jay!
Amazing and life changing podcast
by ChrisAlan83
I was not a fan of podcasts, however after listening to a few of Jay Shettys podcasts I've quickly become a fan of podcasts in general but primarily this one. It genuinely gives sincere positive life changing habits that I personally have incorporated into my life and often share with my own friends and family. Like many of us, I sometimes struggle with anxiety, and the many tips and mindful habits on this podcast truly help.
Thank you!!!
by madhatter96
Thank you so much Jay for creating this podcast and providing weekly content! I listen whenever I have some down time during the day and it's such a nice way to reflect and stay motivated and grounded throughout the day~
Thank you!
by pearljelly9
Thank you Jay Shetty for your spiritual wisdom and insight. I am on a spiritual journey currently and I've been searching for answers and teachings that are deeply connected spiritually. There's a higher calling on my life. I thank you again for all of your teachings.
Podcast is great!
by Bradley0414
This is an amazing podcast! It really has helped me to set my intentions for my day and to make decisions in alignment with my purpose! I really appreciate the thoughtfulness of your choices and the fact that it forces me to think deeply about my life and my choices! Thank you so much for all you do!
2020 Vision & Purpose
by Scottie4488
He has some much good interesting information. I like how he uses facts and information behind what he talks about. I am glad I found him in 2020 because he was just what I was looking for. I would love to meet him and keep up the great work. I am looking forward to your book. Not sure what to expect but listening to everything you said so far has been great. I can't wait to see what it has in store for us. Thank you for being a positive person and shedding light on things. I'm glad your not a lawyer or doctor! I'm glad you found your passion and helping others. I am looking for that as well. I feel stuck and hope your content gets me passed that!
Podcast is life changing
by Dejalovesyou670
Jay Shetty podcast is what has literally changed my life. Just buy listening everyday I have seen have much I have grown and healed myself as a person. I can't thank him enough for all his love, compassion, and knowledge. It's what's truly helped me be the person I am today and constantly wanting to grow into the best version of myself.
by Shocked and Offended
Great pearls of wisdom in each episode. Always motivates me to make changes in my life. Finally consuming content that increases your emotional intelligence and asks you to be better for your community. Keep a pen and notebook handy while listening. Lots of helpful and actionable steps for you life.
Mentor I hope to meet someday
by Hidef53
This is one of my favorite podcasts I listen to every week. I look forward to it and know I'll always go away learning something new, a new perspective on a subject I never considered. As I learned from Jay that you can be mentored by someone you haven't met and he is def someone I consider a mentor (hopefully I'll meet someday). This is a must listen, consider it a self care item.
Love this podcast!!
by Shui2323
Jay, and everyone else who works on this podcast, thank you. Your energy and passion is contagious and helpful. Thank you so much ~
Life changing
by BeChDu
Thank you so much for your enlightenment. It is so easy to listen and realize what direction I wanted to go but didn't know the steps to take. The podcast on how to not fall in love fast hit me like a brick. Words and their definitions such as what love means to me, values, priorities and preferences, etc. All of it is pure gold!!! Thank you Jay!
Gratitude for sharing knowledge
by BrotherRidhu
We human beings come across those souls so fortunately, yet so rarely, that generate a spark within us to see what the naked eye cannot. You have changed the rarity of such meaningful friendships by instigating that self-love, self-awareness, and self-care in every person who've had the chance to hear and see you. Knowledge is power, but when shared with others it becomes powerful. Thank you for sharing with the world your lessons and your insights. I've embarked on this journey of self discovery and your voice has been a powerful guide. I'm hoping to have a chance to connect with you personally some day, but until then I look forward to hearing from you every week to inspire me to make an impact in my own life for a better present ????????
Great Perspective
by Steelborne
"The world we see is what we give it, nothing more than that. As a man thinketh so does he perceive. Therefore, seek not to change the world, but choose to change your mind about the world." So far I would say the above quote from "A Course in Miracles," sums up Jay's podcast the best. If you want to live a purposeful life in service of others, as I do, you need to change your mind - your perception; not work to change others or the world. Work authenticity in what you are. Jay does this extremely well. Fantastic messages for a purposeful life. I will certainly listen to every episode.
Jay is life-changing!
by Naty0210
Listening to Jay Shetty during my commute early in the mornings has changed my life! He's wise yet so simple in delivering his message. I'm a fan and I'm so thankful for his insights in life, love and everything in between! ????
Super practical!
by Super practical!
I love how Jay makes a point to always give something practical to take away from each episode. My favorite piece of advice is his bit about "single-tasking". I'm a horrible multi-tasker, so that made me more aware of the quality of whatever I'm doing. I've been trying to be more deliberate and intentional by single-tasking, and it's been a great challenge.
The most Transformational podcast
by LD504
This podcast will become a mirror to your life, you will begin to have moments after listening that are constantly reflecting situations in your everyday and it gives you the tools and inspiration to make great choices! Jay is truly one of a kind. His messages and content services all walks of life.
Every episode is an opportunity!
by Gloraya
Life is beautiful when you find the right words and the right person who motivates you to keep growing, learning , going deep in our feelings and become a better version of ourselves ...Thank you Jay for been part of my journey and teaching me how to embrace the chaos with a better understanding. I was addicted to chocolate, now is chocolate and "On purpose" ❤???????? Gloria - Chile.
Did you enjoy this podcast?
Please leave a review on


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Mark Memmott
Mark Memmott is NPR's supervising senior editor for Standards & Practices. In that role, he's a resource for NPR's journalists – helping them raise the right questions as they do their work and uphold the organization's standards.
As the NPR Ethics Handbook states, the Standards & Practices editor is "charged with cultivating an ethical culture throughout our news operation." This means he or she coordinates discussion on how we apply our principles and monitors our decision-making practices to ensure we're living up to our standards."
Before becoming Standards & Practices editor, Memmott was one of the hosts of NPR's "The Two-Way" news blog, which he helped to launch when he came to NPR in 2009. It focused on breaking news, analysis, and the most compelling stories being reported by NPR News and other news media.
Prior to joining NPR, Memmott worked for nearly 25 years as a reporter and editor at USA Today. He focused on a range of coverage from politics, foreign affairs, economics, and the media. He reported from places across the United States and the world, including half a dozen trips to Afghanistan in 2002-2003.
During his time at USA Today, Memmott, helped launch and lead three USAToday.com news blogs: "On Deadline," "The Oval" and "On Politics," the site's 2008 presidential campaign blog.


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Mighty Dog Roofing
Mighty Dog Roofing of Lakewood Ranch Florida are experienced with residential and commercial roofing replacements and repairs. Ask about our siding, gutters, and windows installation. Call us today for more info.
Mighty Dog Roofing specializes in Roofing, Storm Damage Repair, Siding and Windows. A locally owned and operated company is your choice for servicing the Lakewood Ranch area in Florida. Mighty Dog Roofing is the most trusted name in the roofing industry, offering state-of-the-art 25 point inspections using Drone Super Scan technology. This technology, matched with the highest quality products and superior workmanship, allows you to have peace of mind on the most important investment you have, your home.
Lakewood Ranch is a planned community and census-designated place (CDP) in southeastern Manatee County and northeastern Sarasota County, Florida, United States, consisting of approximately 31,000 acres (13,000 ha). It is part of the North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area. According to the 2020 census, the CDP had a population of 34,877. == History == The area originally was assembled in 1905 by John Schroeder as Schroeder-Manatee Ranch (SMR). The land was purchased by members of Milwaukee's Uihlein family in 1922 for ranch operations such as timber and cattle.


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Biliary Atresia
What Is Biliary Atresia?
Biliary atresia is a chronic, progressive liver problem that becomes evident shortly after birth. Tubes inside and outside the liver, called bile ducts, normally allow a liquid produced by the liver called bile to drain into the intestines and kidneys. Bile aids in digestion and carries waste products from the liver to the intestine and kidneys for excretion. In biliary atresia, bile ducts that are located inside or outside the liver are blocked. When the bile is unable to leave the liver through the bile ducts, the liver becomes damaged and many vital body functions are affected.
Biliary atresia causes liver damage and affects numerous important processes that allow the body to function normally. It is a life-threatening disease and is fatal without treatment.
Biliary atresia is the most common cause of chronic liver disease in neonates. It occurs once in every 10,000 to 20,000 births. Asian populations most frequently affected; African Americans are affected approximately twice as much as Caucasians.
What Causes Biliary Atresia?
The cause of biliary atresia is not known. Some researchers and physicians believe that babies are born with biliary atresia, implying the problem with the bile ducts occurred during pregnancy while the liver was developing.
Others believe that the disease begins after birth, and may be caused by exposure to infections or exposures to toxic substances. Biliary atresia does not seem to be linked to medications the mother took, illnesses the mother had, or anything else the mother did during her pregnancy. Currently, there is not a genetic link known for biliary atresia. The disease is unlikely to occur more than once in a family.
How Is Biliary Atresia Diagnosed?
A physician or healthcare provider will examine your child and obtain a medical history. Several diagnostic procedures are done to help evaluate the problem and may include the following:
Blood Tests
- Liver enzymes
- Elevated levels of liver enzymes can alert physicians to liver damage or injury since the enzymes leak from the liver into the bloodstream under these circumstances.
- Bilirubin
- Bilirubin is produced by the liver and is excreted in the bile. Elevated levels of bilirubin often indicate an obstruction of bile flow or a defect in the processing of bile by the liver.
- Albumin and total protein
- Below-normal levels of proteins made by the liver are associated with many chronic liver disorders.
- Clotting studies, such as prothrombin time (PT) and partial thromboplastin time (PTT)
- Tests that measure the time it takes for blood to clot. Blood clotting requires vitamin K and proteins made by the liver. Liver cell damage and bile flow obstruction can both interfere with proper blood clotting.
- Viral studies, including hepatitis and HIV
- Checking for viruses in the bloodstream can help determine the cause of the liver problems.
- Blood culture
Checking for bacterial infection in the bloodstream that can affect the liver may be used to diagnose biliary atresia.
Imaging Tests
- Abdominal ultrasound: A diagnostic imaging technique which uses high-frequency sound waves and a computer to create images of blood vessels, tissues, and organs. Ultrasounds are used to view the liver, gallbladder, and bile ducts. .
- Hepatobiliary (HIDA) scan: A low radioactive isotope (technetium) is injected into the child's vein. The liver and intestine are scanned by a nuclear medicine machine. If the isotope passes through the liver into the intestine, the bile ducts are open and the child does not have biliary atresia.
The test that gives the most definitive diagnosis is a liver biopsy. A tissue sample is taken from your child's liver and examined for abnormalities, allowing biliary atresia to be distinguished from other liver problems.
What Are the Symptoms of Biliary Atresia?
Infants with biliary atresia usually appear healthy at birth. Most often, symptoms develop between two weeks to two months of life, and may include:
- Jaundice: A yellow discoloration of the skin and whites of the eyes due to an abnormally high level of bilirubin (bile pigment) in the bloodstream, which is then excreted through the kidneys. High levels of bilirubin may be attributed to inflammation or other abnormalities of the liver cells, or blockage of the bile ducts. Jaundice is usually the first sign, and sometimes the only sign, of liver disease.
- Dark urine
- Light-colored stools
- Distended abdomen
- Weight loss
Symptoms of biliary atresia may resemble other liver conditions or medical problems. Consult your child's physician for a diagnosis.
What Are the Treatments for Biliary Atresia?
Specific treatment for biliary atresia will be determined by your child's physician based on the following:
- The extent of the problem
- Your child's age, overall health, and medical history
- Your child's tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies
- Expectations for the course of the problem
- The opinion of the physicians involved in the child's care
- Your opinion and preference
Biliary atresia is an irreversible problem. There are no medications that can be given to unblock the bile ducts or to encourage new bile ducts to grow where there were none before. Until that happens, biliary atresia will not be curable. However, two different operations can be done that will allow the child with biliary atresia to live longer and have a better quality of life. Your child's physician can help determine whether either of these operations are an option.
Kasai Portoenterostomy
This operation connects the bile drainage from the liver directly to the intestinal tract. It is most successful when done before an infant is 8-weeks-old. The Kasai procedure is helpful because it can allow a child to grow and remain in fairly good health for several years.
Eventually, cholestasis (backup of bile in the liver) will occur, causing liver damage. Up to 80% of children who undergo the Kasai portoenterostomy will eventually need to have a liver transplant.
Liver Transplant
A liver transplant operation removes the damaged liver and replaces it with a new liver from a donor. The new liver can be either:
- A whole liver, received from a child who has died
- Part of a liver, received from a child who has died
- Part of a liver, received from a relative or other person whose tissue types match the child's tissue type
After surgery, the new liver begins functioning and the child's health often improves quickly. After a liver transplant, children will need to take medications to prevent the body from rejecting the new organ. Rejection occurs due to one of the body's normal protective mechanisms that help fight against an invasion of viruses, tumors, and other foreign substances. Anti-rejection medications are taken in order to prevent this normal response of the body from fighting against the transplanted organ. Frequent contact with the physicians and other members of the transplant team is crucial after a liver transplant. Learn more about liver transplants.
Nutrition & Biliary Atresia
Before your child has either one of these operations, nutrition may be a problem. With biliary atresia, not enough bile reaches the intestine to assist with the digestion of fats in the diet and so the following may occur:
- Protein deficiencies due to liver damage
- Vitamin deficiencies
Children with liver disease require more calories than a normal child because of a faster metabolism. Your physician may recommend that a pediatric nutritionist makes recommendations regarding your child's diet. Nutritional guidelines may include the following:
- Providing your child with a good, well-balanced diet
- Supplementing your child's diet with vitamins, as directed by your child's physicianMCT (medium-chain triglyceride) oil or infant formulas with MCT (Portagen® or Pregestimil®) These may be recommended to add extra calories to help your child grow. Medium-chain triglycerides are more easily digested without bile than other types of fats. MCT oil can be added to foods and liquids that your child eats.
- Providing your child with high-calorie liquid feedings, as directed by your child's physician
Some children with liver disease become too sick to eat normally. In this case, your physician may recommend that your child has liquid feedings given to help meet his/her body's requirements. These feedings are given through a tube called a nasogastric tube (NG) that is guided into the nose, down the esophagus, and into the stomach. A high-calorie liquid can be given through the tube to supplement your child's diet if he/she is able to eat only small amounts of food or to replace meals if your child is too sick to eat.
After surgery, your child's digestion may return to normal, or you may still need to give extra vitamins and/or work with your child's diet. Please consult your child's physician for recommendations.
What Are the Long-term Effects of Biliary Atresia?
Many factors affect the long-term outlook for these children. Some of them include:
- The extent of bile duct damage
- The age at which either a Kasai portoenterostomy or liver transplant is done
- The extent of liver damage that has occurred
- The overall health of your child
- More than 65% of children who have the Kasai portoenterostomy eventually require a liver transplant.
After a liver transplant, the child's health will usually improve; however, a rigorous medical regimen must be followed.


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