text:
Domestic Violence
Riverside Area Domestic Violence Lawyer
The State of California does not take the charge of "Domestic Violence" lightly. A lot of these cases may start out seeming silly and frivolous, but if they are not handled appropriately, the consequences can be very serious.
If you are convicted of domestic violence, you could lose your job, your children and even your freedom. Criminal penalties for domestic violence may include jail time, probation, court ordered counseling for up to a year and other serious penalties.
If you have been charged with Domestic Violence you should immediately retain an attorney. Even a misdemeanor conviction for a Domestic Violence charge carries mandatory jail time. And this needs repeating: a Domestic Violence conviction can cause the loss of custody of your children, loss of employment, and if you are not yet a legal citizen can subject you to deportation.
Domestic Violence is not a "Male-Only" Crime
This is a unisex crime. Whether you are a man or a woman, if you are convicted of domestic violence in California, this creates a presumption that you are unfit to be the primary custodian of your own children. This means that you can lose custody of your children to the parent who may not even be the primary parent (in the case of a separation or divorce situation). If you want to protect yourself from such an humiliating and outrageous outcome as surrendering your children to a husband or wife that may only see your children a few times a year you need an attorney.
Out the Window… Firearms Ownership Gone!
Under federal law, you cannot ever legally carry a firearm if you have a domestic violence conviction. If you are in the military or a member of law enforcement, this is usually the end of your career. In other fields that require you to have a state license, such as an attorney, a contractor, a hairdresser, those that require special licensing, this conviction can cause you to lose and/or prevent you from renewing that license. A Domestic Violence conviction is a BIG DEAL!
Law Enforcement Professionals – Get an Attorney! –
The Omnibus Consolidated Appropriations Act of 1997 made several amendments to the Federal Gun Control Act of 1968. The amendments prohibit the possession of firearms and ammunition by persons convicted of state or federal misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence. Law enforcement officers and other governmental officials are NOT EXEMPT from these amendments.
What is Domestic Violence?
In California, the relationship that constitutes "domestic" and the actions that count as "violence" are very broad and loosely defined. Married persons, boyfriend-girlfriends, same sex couples, blood relatives (siblings, parents and their children, cousins), even roommates are all relationships which count as "domestic" for purposes of this charge. It gets worse… Simple, acts which may not seem like a violence, such as pushing, pinching or hair pulling, are all actions which can and are routinely labeled as the "violence" aspect of the crime.
Considering pleading Guilty or "No Contest" to a Domestic Violence Charge?
DO NOT try to handle your case by yourself and DO NOT plead guilty without talking to an attorney.
If you are considering pleading guilty to just "get this over with," you are gravely mistaking the consequences. A Domestic Violence conviction will be a permanent criminal record following you for the rest of your life.
In the State of California, prosecutors rarely reduce or dismiss charges of domestic violence. In addition, a plea often requires jail time and mandatory classes that last up to 48 weeks. Unless you plead guilty and are prepared to take the classes and do the jail time, your case will go to trial. For that you will need an experienced trial attorney to prepare and present your defense.
If you are currently charged with domestic violence, or if you are suffering loss of employment, family, or deportation due to a domestic violence conviction, it is not too late. Contact me, Riverside Domestic Violence Defense Attorney Jeffrey Williams. I have successfully defended clients accused of domestic violence. I have won jury trials and bench trials, successfully argued for the dismissal of charges, and obtained favorable plea agreements for many clients facing criminal charges.
If you retain me to handle your case, I will provide a vigorous defense against the criminal charges you face and represent you at any hearings involving a protective order that has been issued or may be pending.
I will carefully review the facts of your case and the events leading up to your arrest. Based upon my understanding of these facts and the strength of the case against you, I will recommend a legal strategy designed to obtain the best possible result in your circumstances.
In some cases, I may be able to convince the prosecutor to drop the charge or reduce it to a lesser offense. In other cases, I may be able to negotiate a plea agreement with the prosecutor on favorable terms. If the prosecution is not willing to be reasonable, I will be fully prepared to provide a vigorous defense on your behalf at trial.


text:
Sustainable, eco-friendly and healthy buildings in Vietnam
In Vietnam, we expect green buildings to quickly become the most sought-after buildings and spaces in the market to occupiers.
Currently there are over 100,000 LEED Certified projects across 160 countries and close to 1,000 projects are WELL (and Fitwel) Certified in over 100 countries. In Vietnam, there are currently 17 built office buildings with a LEED accreditation and 65% of these buildings are located in Ho Chi Minh City, and only 3 of these LEED buildings are located in the downtown Central Business District. In short, good quality and eco-friendly buildings are scarce in Vietnam, and for buildings with a focus on the daily users' or occupants' health and wellness – is virtually non-existent.
As sustainable building initiatives continue to be a main discussion topic around the world, green sustainable building standards are progressively becoming the norm, and for here in Vietnam, we expect these green buildings to quickly become the most sought-after buildings and spaces in the market to occupiers.
Many occupiers in Vietnam are starting to explore what are green buildings and what are the associated accreditations. Globally recognised accredited certifications such as LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) and WELL Building Standard are used to validate a building or an organisation's sustainability and wellness efforts before, during and after construction completion, and while the two accreditations similarly promote best healthy, efficient and green building practices, they are actually rather different when compared side by side.
Looking for more insights? Never miss an update.
The latest news, insights and opportunities from global commercial real estate markets straight to your inbox.
LEED Certification
LEED was founded by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) in 1994 and is the cornerstone of USGBC. LEED Certification helps building owners and designers to demonstrate their project's sustainability by measuring the impact that the building has on the environment and energy.
LEED is available for all building types and phases, including new construction projects, existing buildings, neighbourhood mixed-use developments, residential houses and more. For a building to become LEED certified, it will need to receive a certain amount of LEED Points that are based on the building's physical structure and whether it meets environmental criteria, such as innovation & design process, location & transportation, sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy & atmosphere, materials & resources, regional priority and indoor environment quality.
Investment Opportunities
Depending on the number of points achieved, the project will earn either a Certified, Silver, Gold or Platinum rating.
It is the most widely-used and recognised green sustainable building credential or the badge of honour that interior designers, architects, home owners, and real estate developers can receive.
WELL Certification
WELL accreditation on the other hand was a system launched by the International WELL Building of Institute (IWBI) in 2014, two decades after LEED, as the world's first building standard to explore the relationship between a building and the health and mental wellness of a building's users.
The IWBI partnered with designers, architects, together with scientists, doctors and wellness thought leaders to develop a list of standards with a sole-focus on promoting healthy and active lifestyles through the way a building is designed, constructed and then operated.
WELL certifications can be applied to different types of residential and commercial buildings to include new constructions, existing buildings and remodels.
Compliance is rated by an independent third-party assessor who awards a score based solely on occupant health and comfort.
WELL Points are awarded across multiple categories on criteria such as air & water quality, natural light exposure, nourishment, thermal comfort, materials, sound levels, mind, community, and dedicated fitness & wellness spaces.
Depending on score achieved, the building will received a Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum standard rating.
In light of the recent pandemic, WELL has even released a new Health-Safety Rating that is tailored towards operations and building management. This particular certification focuses on emergency preparedness, air and water quality and advanced cleaning and hygiene procedures to instill comfort for building occupants returning to indoor work and community environments in the new normal.
Hence, a short summary on the benefits of being in LEED and WELL Certified buildings, besides from reducing negative impacts that a building has on its surrounding environment, LEED certified buildings are highly efficient and have been shown to save on utilities such as energy, water and waste, which translates to lower maintenance and operating expenditures. WELL certified buildings allow its' occupants to feel safe and well where their health and wellness is being put first, which leads to healthier, happier, a more positive and ultimately a more productive community, and for buildings with the two accreditations combined, they are the buildings of the future that are looking after the planet as well as looking after the occupiers that work within them on a daily basis.
Contact William Tran
Head of Office Leasing Advisory, JLL VietnamWhat's your investment ambition?
Uncover opportunities and capital sources all over the world and discover how we can help you achieve your investment goals.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Seoul, South Korea, September 5th, 2023, Chainwire
- Aims to create a vast ecosystem to drive common growth of global blockchains
- Complete user-customized omnichain network to easily and conveniently utilize services across multiple blockchains
- All platforms and dApps are connected as one with blockchains bringing complementary strengths to the ecosystem
WEMIX has unveiled unagi, short for Unbound Networking & Accelerating Growth Initiative, which aims to construct an all-encompassing ecosystem that goes beyond the limitations of diverse blockchains by seamlessly integrating, connecting and encompassing multiple networks, fostering an environment where they coexist harmoniously. This need for an omnichain ecosystem that taps the potential for innovative synergy between blockchains is increasingly important amid the growing number and diversity of emerging blockchains.
Overcoming existing integration challenges
Proposed by the WEMIX Foundation, the launch of unagi marks a pivotal turning point with the potential to overcome existing challenges. unagi is designed to accelerate the mass adoption of blockchain by seamlessly integrating diverse blockchains and services, helping to address the multifaceted challenges that arise during chain interactions, and providing a seamless immersion into a wide array of blockchain experiences. With unagi, you can transcend the boundaries between chains and experience integrated transactions and comprehensive asset management.
Core Mechanism
At its core, unagi accomplishes a highly accessible omnichain, spanning on-chain and off-chain domains, through a messaging protocol known as unagi(x). This protocol supports decentralized off-chain messaging in addition to on-chain messaging, surmounting the computational limitations associated with contracts running on specific blockchains.
This is achieved through a decentralized validation method, ensuring swift and secure transactions across heterogeneous chains that are completely reliable, both on-chain and off-chain. unagi enhances various aspects of blockchain activity, aiding in optimal route discovery for dApps, reducing fees, and supporting gas fee delegation services.
Connecting 8 major blockchains
Moreover, unagi(x) will initially support EVM networks and expand its compatibility to Non-EVM environments in the future, reducing entry barriers and enabling utilization of existing smart contracts. An initial group of 8 major blockchains are connected by unagi including Arbitrum, Avalanche, BNB Smart Chain, Ethereum, Kroma (WEMIX L2 project), Optimism, Polygon, and WEMIX3.0.
Core Applications
unagi's core functionalities, supporting the omnichain, are accessible through the una Wallet, which provides a secure and speedy wallet authentication service that allows users to search and manage assets of various chains as if they were stored using a single wallet.
It facilitates access to the services of these chains swiftly and securely through robust authentication mechanisms, and enables efficient management of assets across various chains through one wallet. Notably, unagi's authentication will not only utilize MPC technology but also introduce Account Abstraction for unprecedented authentication speed and ease of use.
- una Wallet: natively manage assets on multiple chains through one single wallet with easy utilization of complicated concepts such as gas fee, seed phrase, network, etc.
- unagi Swap: A service that provides high liquidity and stability, and low fees using various cross-chain protocols, enabling users to potentially utilize dApp services at the lowest cost.
- unagi Scan: Get easy and direct access to transaction histories of various chains. Transactions that occur both on and between chains can all be recorded and searched through unagi.
In addition to delivering user convenience, unagi will also provide support for partners and dApp builders using a Standard SDK/API that will simplify effective and efficient development of services for builders.
This will create an environment where disparate blockchain services and assets effectively become interwoven as part of a single massive ecosystem and achieve what was once deemed unattainable in cross-chain transactions.
Wemade showcases unagi at Korea Blockchain Week
Experience unagi up close and personal at the Wemade booth on-site from 5 – 6 September at The SHILLA Seoul during Korea Blockchain Week 2023. Wemade is returning as the main sponsor for IMPACT, the key event headlining this year's KBW. You can also watch the introduction to unagi on YouTube or visit unagi's official website for more information.
About WEMADE
A renowned industry leader in game development with over 20 years of experience, Korea-based WEMADE is leading a once-in-a-generation shift as the gaming industry pivots to blockchain technology. Through its WEMIX subsidiary, WEMADE aims to accelerate the mass adoption of blockchain technology by building an experience-based, platform-driven, and service-oriented mega-ecosystem to offer a wide spectrum of intuitive, convenient, and easy-to-use Web3 services. Visit www.wemix.com/communication for more information.
Global PR
Kevin Foo


text:
FREE WORLDWIDE DELIVERY on all orders Learn more
Bunny Oil Painting 12
One in a series of ten original paintings of Playboy Bunnies in a retro Pin-Up style for Playboy Enterprises Marketing Department.
Out of stock
Product Description
Bunny Oil Painting 12
Playboy Commission Piece
Focus is given to the traditional 50's Playboy Bunny as a waitress. Playboy have licensed the Bunny worldwide on any product needs, beer packaging, apparel, accessories, bags etc.
Painting Details
Original oil on canvas, 30 x 20 inch (76 x 51cm) approx. Windsor & Newton medium grain 100% acid free stretched canvas. Kiln dried wooden frame, clean wrapped edge, pin and staple free, no framing required.
Free Worldwide Delivery. Upon clearance of payment your order will be sent within 14 days. The Bunny Oil Painting 12 will be securely packaged and insured with a tracking number.


text:
Selling property using a rent to own agreement is becoming increasingly popular with homeowners in the Michigan area! The process is underutilized and can be beneficial for both the buyer and seller when structured properly. Learn more about how to do it in our latest post!
While a rent to own sale may not be the first thing you think of when selling your house in Michigan, it can be a beneficial option in the right situations! If you want to open the door to a whole new market of buyers, consider the many benefits a rent to own agreement can offer you!
How Does It Work?
When a tenant or buyer enters into a rent to own agreement, they are agreeing to pay (an often increased) rent each month for a specific period of time. There will likely be a down payment made to the owner in order to secure the contract. Once the rental period has elapsed, the tenant will need to either obtain a loan to purchase the property outright from the buyer or walk away from the deal, thus losing and deposit money they had invested.
Term of The Contract
When a homeowner and a tenant enter into a rent to own agreement, there are a number of terms that will need to be agreed upon before the contract is signed.
Lease Term
How long will the tenant be able to rent the property before a purchase? Typically, the rental period will last 1-2 years.
Down Payment
In many cases, a tenant will make a down payment to the homeowner to secure the contract and to show good faith. While this amount won't be as high as the down payment for a traditional bank loan, it should be enough to keep the potential buyer from easily backing out.
Monthly Rent
To some extent, the seller is doing the buyer a favor by allowing them to rent before actually buying. While the process has many benefits for the seller, a rent to own agreement will open the door to home ownership for people who likely wouldn't have been able to do it otherwise.
Typically, the tenant will handle the maintenance of the property during the rental period. This should be discussed between the buyer and seller and detailed within the contract.
The tenant will also likely take on the property tax payments. This alleviates a large cost for you as a homeowner.
With the deposit from the prospective buyer and the increased rent each month, many agreements will state that a portion of this money goes toward the down payment on a traditional loan.
What Are The Benefits?
Get Your Asking Price
When you use a rent to own contract to sell your house in Michigan, you will open the property up for many more potential buyers. As such, there will be more interest, giving you the opportunity to easily secure asking price within the terms of the loan.
Higher Rent
Houses under a rent to own agreement often collect a higher rent each month. While some of these funds may be used toward the tenant's down payment on the home, you will still be able to see great profits, as well as the security of having a tenant in place throughout the duration of the lease term.
If the tenant defaults on the agreement, the deposit and the amount paid in rent, is yours to keep. You might be back where you started, but you will be there with more cash in your pocket.
How Do I Get Started?
To get started you will want to find the right tenants to enter into the agreement with. Draw up a contract detailing every aspect of the agreement as mentioned above. Have your lawyer review the contract to ensure everything is in order. MI. Quality Properties, LLC. can make the entire process of offering your property via a rent to own agreement simple and profitable.


text:
Web TV
Featured program
Satellite Info
Be Veg
SOS Global Warming
About us
Vegetarianism and Climate Change
Vegan Cooking shows
Simple & Nutritious Cooking with Supreme Master Ching Hai
Vegetarian Elite
Our Noble Lineage
Featured Videos
Stop Animal Cruelty
Telepathic Animal Communicators
Swine Flu Update
No-Kill Animal Shelters
Vegetarian Restaurants
Vegan Recipes for Pets
Vegetarian Restaurants Operated By Our Association Members
Veggie Food Suppliers & Distributors
A Journey through Aesthetic Realms
Animal World
Between Master and Disciples
Cinema Scene
Enlightening Entertainment
Golden Age Technology
Good People Good Works
Healthy Living
Models of Success
Music and Poetry
Noteworthy News
Our Noble Lineage
Planet Earth: Our Loving Home
Science and Spirituality
The World Around Us
Vegetarian Elite
Vegetarianism: The Noble Way of Living
Words of Wisdom
Today's Schedule
Weekly Schedule
Current & Past Schedule
Don't Miss
High Quality
Normal Quality
Flash Normal Quality(Mac Users)
Flash High Quality
TVants P2P TV 620kbps
TVants P2P TV 400kbps
Play Audio Only 90kbps
Featured Videos
Words of Wisdom Scrolls
Award of the Month Scrolls
Constructive Scrolls
Climate Change Conference with Supreme Master Ching Hai
Supreme Master Ching Hai on the Environment
Simple & Nutritious Cooking with Supreme Master Ching Hai
Killers - Campaign Against Meat,Alcohol,Drugs,Tobacco
Walk the Way of Love
Shining World Leadership Award
Scrolls Download
MP3 Download
MP4 download for iPhone(iPod )
Download by Program
A Journey through Aesthetic Realms
Animal World
Between Master and Disciples
Enlightening Entertainment
Good People Good Works
Noteworthy News
Vegetarian Elite
Vegetarianism: The Noble Way of Living
Words of Wisdom
Additional Language Subtitles
24-Hour Internet TV
Quan Yin World Wide Web Sites
SMCH Book Store
Celestial Shop
Celestial Jewelry
News Magazine Download
Online News Magazine
Subscribe eNews Magazine
Meditation Sample Booklet Download
Satellite Information
Satellite Setup Information
Cable TV / IPTV Info
Save Our Planet - The Latest News on Climate Change
Vegetarianism and Climate Change
Runaway Methane Global Warming
Food Shortage
Water Shortage & Pollution
Sea Level Rise
Green Technology
Organic Vegan Farming
UN Report
Scientists on Climate Change
Climate Change Conference with Supreme Master Ching Hai
Climate Change Public Service Announcements
Videos on Climate Change
What VIPs Say
About us
Contact us
Press Release
Media Reports
News and Events
Introduction to Supreme Master Ching Hai
The List of Humanitarian Relief Activities by the Supreme Master Ching Hai and Her International Association
World Wide Contacts
Supreme Master Ching Hai Press Kit
Harms & Benefits Flyer
SOS Climate Change Flyer
Vegetarianism in Religion Flyer
Alternative Livng Flyer
Channel ADs
Meditation Sample Booklet - The Key of Immediate Enlightenment
Videos on Climate Change
Solutions for a Beautiful Planet - August 15 , 2009 Nonthaburi, Thailand
Part 1
. Embed Tag:
wmv :
mp4 :
Part 2
. Embed Tag:
wmv :
mp4 :
Part 3
. Embed Tag:
wmv :
mp4 :
Part 4
. Embed Tag:
wmv :
mp4 :
Part 5
. Embed Tag:
wmv :
mp4 :
Part 6
. Embed Tag:
wmv :
mp4 :
Part 7
. Embed Tag:
wmv :
mp4 :
Part 8
. Embed Tag:
wmv :
mp4 :
If you want to add this video in your blog or on your website, Please copy above embed tag and paste it :
Get or update the Flash Player to see this online TV.
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Part 6
Part 7
Part 8
Concerned about global warming and the urgent need to act now to protect human lives and the lives of all beings, members of the Supreme Master Ching Hai International Association in Thailand and Âu Lạc (Vietnam) organized another climate change conference entitled 『Solutions for a Beautiful Planet.』 During the conference, distinguished guests and dignitaries from different parts of the world express their support for the meat-free diet as the single most effective solution to stop methane emissions and curb global warming.
Held on August 15 at Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University in Nonthaburi, Thailand,
over 2,500 guests attended the conference.
Among the scores of distinguished guests and ambassadors who attended were Dr. Art-ong Jumsai Na Ayudhya, Member of the Thai Parliament, former NASA scientist; Mr. Ennoo Suesuwan, Senior Executive Vice President of the Bank of Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives; Professor Dawan Wiwattanadate, Ph. D., Deputy Director, Energy Research Institute, Chulalongkorn University; Sir Velelo Gardener Kwepile, Counsellor of the Embassy of the Republic of South Africa; Sir Howell Howard, Regional Environment of the Economic Section of the Embassy of the United States of America;Sir Nikolay N. Pomoshchninov, Minister Counselor of Embassy of Russia; and Sir Stepan N. Golovin, representative of Embassy of Russia; Dr. Nguyễn Thọ Nhân, Ph.D., specializing in energy studies at Paris University in France; Dr. Nguyễn Thị Minh Kiều, Ph.D., M.D., Chairwoman of Food and Nutrition Association; and Dr. Ngô Đức Vượng, Ph.D., environmentalist. Invited as Guest of Honor, Supreme Master Ching Hai graciously attended via live videoconference to answer questions from the audience.
In light of the scientific evidence stressing the grave state of our planet caused by climate change and the urgent need for immediate action, Supreme Master Ching Hai affirms the important message she has been delivering for over the past two decades: we must be organic vegetarian or vegan, meaning an animal-free diet.
We now invite you to join us for the rebroadcast of the videoconference on climate change with Supreme Master Ching Hai entitled『Solutions for a Beautiful Planet,』held on August 15, 2009 in Nonthaburi, Thailand.
In recent years, Bangkok is among 13 of the 20 largest cities in the world at risk from rising sea levels. Some areas in Bangkok are under sea level and the highest point is only 3.5 to 5 feet or 1 to 1.5 meters above sea level.
Bangkok is gradually going under at a rate of 4 inches or 10 centimeters cms a year. Natural disasters which came simultaneously and continuously have caused enormous economic and social damage to this country and seriously affected people's lives and activities. ... Thirty-five percent of the population as I understand it, will be in great danger if the sea levels rise by 5 meters. Just 5 meters. yeah! Typhoons with accompanying flooding have continuously taken place during these recent years, which is a direct result of worsening global warming.
Every single day we are losing up to 270 species of plants and animals because of global warming. In Canada, for example, some of the little birds and creatures that I used to see as a child are no more, they simply don't exist. And did you know that we have lost 90% of our large sea creatures such as whales? The oceans are dying ? we have 400 dead zones now where nothing lives. This is due to fertilizer runoff largely of livestock contributing to the lack of oxygen which is necessary to support life. The ice caps are melting faster than we had expected. The Arctic ice cap is projected to be melted by the summer of 2012. Huge chunks of ice from the Antarctic ice cap are falling away. And Greenland is melting very quickly as well. Due to rising sea levels, 18 islands have completely submerged beneath the sea with more than 40 other land nations at risk.
Mr. Lin Hung-Chih Lin, a legislator from Formosa (Taiwan):If one person eats vegetarian for a day, it can reduce at least 5 kilograms kg of carbon dioxide dioxide emissions. It will be wonderful awesome if everyone does this. To improve the convenience for vegetarians and enjoyment of the vegetarian diet, we are introducing bills in Formosa (Taiwan) to build a vegetarian-friendly environment. In Formosa (Taiwan), starting since from since July 1st this year, all vegetarian products must be labeled with 『vegan,』 『ovo-vegetarian,』 『lacto-vegetarian,』『lacto-ovo-vegetarian』 or 『Wu Shin vegetarian.』All vegetarians can purchase the vegetarian food items based on their needs, and avoid accidentally getting foods that contain animal products.
We hope to create a more vegetarian-friendly environment. Other than In addition to such food ingredient labeling, we currently plan to promote vegetarian food certification, or good vegetarian food recognition to encourage more people to eat vegetarian food and to widely promote the vegetarian diet.
Park Kwang Joon, Administrator of Gangwon Meteorological Administration, in Korea : the Korean government has put together a national strategy for addressing the global warming issue, namely low carbon, green growth and we're trying to achieve not only new green growth, new growth engines but also sustainable development. Under the national strategy, Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) has annexed the role of monitoring, analysis and the prediction of climate change, particularly focusing on the research on adaptation of climate change, and KMA has actively participated in the relevant international
cooperation activities.
In this regard, let me also inform you that KMA will host the 32nd session of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate change in Busan, Korea, in 2010....On January the 15th 2007, I believe it was, Dr. Rajendra Pachauri, who is the chief of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate change (IPCC) for the UN, came out publicly and told all of us that there are 3 things that we can do to halt global warming. Number 1: Don't eat meat. Number 2: Ride a bike. And Number 3: Become a frugal shopper. In other words consume less.
Dr. Stephen Schneider, Professor of the Interdisciplinary Environmental Studies at Stanford University. He's a lead author, and works with the UN IPCC or Intergovernmental Panel on Climate change 4th Assessment. :Unequivocal is not a typical word for scientists so, in this case, they really mean it. And it's not just because the thermometers tell you this story, it's because it's consistent with 95% of the mountain glaciers in the world that are melting, including major glaciers that affect the rivers and a lot of other activities in Asia from the Tibetan Plateau. It also occurs because we know the sea levels
are rising because as you heat the oceans,they expand.
And in the last 20 years at least, we've been melting Greenland at a faster rate than anybody predicted, and all the ice up there as it runs out into the oceans is also raising sea level. And if that continues or accelerates as many people believe is possible, then we run a real risk of meters of sea level rise. The consequences are very clear. Meters of sea level rise would displace hundreds of millions of people in Asia alone. What else do we know?
Well, we know that hurricanes have been more intense in the last 30 years than they were before and we don't make hurricanes. But when you warm up the oceans, that gives them more power. They're going to get significantly intense in the 21st century if we keep on warming as we've been doing. So, this is very, very significant for Asia because with all the people that live in mega deltas and all those cities within a few meters of sea level, rising sea level and intensifying cyclones, which increases the storm surge and the flooding damage. It's is not good news when tens of millions of people every few years are moving into cities.
We really work very hard to try to control the pollution that's creating this problem, we'll warm up another one to two degrees. That's the best we can get, in other words, two to three times more than we already have. The worse worst looks like it's somewhere around four to six degrees over the next century ... So, the IPCC said that there was a possibility of extinction of up to 40% of known species if we warm up more than 3 or 4 degree C.
The cause of global warming is determined by the perpetual production of 3 main types of gas that create the greenhouse effect: carbon dioxide (CO2); methane (CH4), which is 72 times more potent than carbon dioxide averaged over 20 years; and nitrous oxide (N2O), which is 310 times more potent than carbon dioxide. The major source of these gases is from the livestock industry, as indicated by the United Nations FAO's report 『Livestock's Long Shadow.』 About 36% of the methane dissolved in the atmosphere is primarily produced by the digestive process of ruminant animals and 64% from their urine,
which contributes significantly to the development of acid rain. Livestock farming creates 65% of nitrous oxide related to human activities, the majority of which comes from chemical fertilizers. Aside from the huge amount of greenhouse gases released, the livestock industry has also detrimentally impacted topsoil and water resources in many parts of the world.
Currently, the livestock industry uses 30% of the Earth's surface primarily for long-term breeding farms, but it also accounts for another 33% of globally cultivated land used for producing animal feed. Vast tracts of forest have been destroyed to create grazing pastures for farm animals. For example, 70% of the forests in Latin America, such as the Amazon rainforest, have been turned into grazing pastures. Meanwhile, cattle herds trigger large scale topsoil degradation. Approximately 20% of grazing pastures are degraded through extreme cattle herding where the topsoil has hardened and eroded. This figure is even higher in dry regions where permanent desertification has occurred.
Dr. Art-ong Jumsai Na Ayudhya, a vegetarian, Member of Thai Parliament, former NASA scientist, engineer, and educator : You know, the northern part in the North Pole area we now find a lot of this methane coming up through the ice because ice is melting and disappearing and methane is now coming up through the ice. And as you know, methane is much worse than gas carbon dioxide for global warming. So, this is a very important problem that we have to take care of because it's going to speed up the global warming. The temperature will go up much more quickly in the next 3 years or so.
And because our world is a water planet especially around the Pacific area, it's a huge ocean and when we look from the Moon, it covers almost half the area of the world. So when you have an increase in the weight, increase in the water, there will be more weight on one side than on the other. And our Earth is rotating in space and suddenly, you have more weight on one side than on the other,then you cannot have like a top turning around on its axis anymore; it will start to wobble. So that's a big problem for our Earth right now, that we have more weight on one side than the other because of the melting of the ice.
We have more water in the ocean and so more weight in the Pacific area than on the other side of the world. So, in order for the Earth to survive, we can do two things. We are living on earth plates. Thailand here is part of the Eurasian plate, consisting of Europe and Asia except for India; we are on a big plate. And you know plates are floating on some liquid
inner core of our Earth, and so it can move fairly easily and it has been moving since many, many years ago, 250 million years ago it started to move and it kept on moving. Well, the Earth plates are likely to move more quickly now.
This is what scientists have found out, that the Eurasian plate is now moving towards the Pacific Ocean and the Pacific plate is also moving towards the Eurasian plate. So right now, on the edge where the two plates are joining, it's starting to push on each other, and this is going to create a lot of problems for those living along the Pacific rim because there is a big movement going on in the Earth plates now. And it will create not only a lot of earthquakes, big tsunamis will start from the Philippines side for example, and this will create tsunamis coming into the gulf of Thailand.
We never had anything like that before, but now there is a possibility that this will take place. And, of course, wherever you have the joint of the Earth plates, you are going to have more earthquakes. And if we look to the eastern side, next to United Stated, you see the area which they call most active rift zone. The most active rift zone is where the plates are separating.
That's a big problem for all of us. Around Thailand, along the Andaman Sea, we have a joint of the plates and therefore that's where we had the big tsunami that killed so many people in many, many countries in the past.
Mr. Ennoo Suesuwan, Senior Executive Vice President of theBank of Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives:BAAC ask the banks to provide credit so we have to provide the appropriate technology to our customers on how to avoid the global warming. We have also the project that we call 『1 million customers, 9 million trees for the king.』 And we have a project to encourage all the energy saving: electricity, water supply, and anything else.
For the farmers, we also promote our customers to do the sustainable agriculture such as the organic farming and also the agro forestry. For our officers, about 14,000 officers through our country, we also serve them the healthy food. Even in our head office we have the vegetarian food for their own choice, and also all the food in our cafeteria would be safer. And for physical health, for our officers, we have the exercise group, sports group, stretching every day and also have contestants for 『Mr and Mrs. Good Health.』 For the mental health, we have the counselor in the bank and also provide them the training for meditation also.
Dr. Nguyn Thi Nhan, Dr. of Philosophy at the University of Paris,France where he specialized in energy, the former advisor to the Asia Pacific Regional Energy Development Program in Bangkok, former head of the Program of Energy and Environment of the International Organization of Francophone Countries located in Paris, an author, wrote the book 『Energy and Climate Change.』:And we've seen on the graph that the temperatures are rising. And they can use scenarios to predict the global warming in the future,at least in the next century,in this century,21st century and at the end of the 21st century. In the most favorable conditions,they see that the temperatures would rise about 1.8 degree Celsius,and in the most unfavorable conditions,the temperatures will rise above 4 degree Celsius and it must be kept under 2 degree Celsius in order to avoid the dangerous consequences to the Earth.
A recent report released by the United States National Snow and Ice Data Center found that the rate of Arctic ice melt has been speeding up dramatically, with a shrinkage during the month of July equal to 41,000 square miles each day.
Meanwhile, Canadian researchers have already forecast that the entire Arctic ice cap would be gone within a couple of decades, maybe quicker. As the ice disappears, global warming accelerates because of losing the reflective white cover provided by the ice. The scientists also reported that Arctic tundra temperatures have been rising 1 degree Celsius each decade, which is faster than anywhere else in the world.
The critical mass in this case means that the number of people on Earth who have adopted the vegan lifestyle has become high enough that it helps create a kind of momentum you see,for others for others to be more open to join. This number was reached in June of this year,2009. Till now,we have altogether 40% of the population on the planet that have become veg,including vegetarian and vegan,including waterian,solarian,breatherian breatharian,pranarian meaning people who only live on water,who only lives on liquid,who only lives from solar energy,or only live on the chi,the prana energy,or on love from the Divine. So now,we have 40% of all this combination. This is surely encouraging.
We need only another 60%,Dr. Phim. However,we are still working hard to spread the veg message. So,it helps if we all continue informing as many people as we can,not just sit and wait for the critical mass to take effect.
You can show that scientists worldwide have proved that not only meat is unhealthy,but that it is actually like a poison. Eating meat,or any animal products for that matter,is directly linked to heart disease,strokes,and all kinds of cancers. Our distinguished speakers before me have mentioned it to you also. With over 1 million new colon cancer patients diagnosed each year and more than 655,000 related deaths by this ailment alone,truly,every aspect of health does benefit from the『Be Veg』approach,because so many toxic and poisonous substances are being removed from the diet through removing meat.
This is not to mention the freedom from worrying about bacteria and other troubling disorders like mad cow disease,which is most sadly always fatal ? . If means anyone who contracts ed mad cow disease ? will be dead,there's no cure for it. ... Now second,to show a the better way of living found through the health-restoring veg diet,we can offer veg recipes,cooking classes,to show how delicious and fulfilling it is.
Captain Paul Watson ? Founder and President of the Sea Shephard Conservation Society:Not many people realize that half of the fish taken out of the ocean isn't even eaten by people. It's fed to livestock. We have turned the pig into the largest marine predator on the planet.
Pig farms are the source of swine flu. We have to stop pig farming. We have to stop the place where the swine flu originated and spread and mutated and become worse and worse every day first. Thus, the root cause of the swine flu virus is our cruel meat-eating habit. that makes us a very cruel being, and not very dignified at that. As long as the meat industry continues, such viruses will continue to be born. After this one, we will have the next and the next and the next and the next, and one of them will be even worse than we can imagine now, and more deadly, as the experts have warned us long ago. The animal farms must be closed. And to do that, we must be vegan.
By the way, the swine flu is by far not the only scary disease - that also comes from or is spread by humans' cruel treatment of animals. Avian flu, tuberculosis, listeria, Crohn's disease, mad cow disease, camphylobacter, Staphylococcus aureus, etc., etc. And now, we have its more dangerous form, called MRSA, namely methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, it's a "superbug" ? meaning there is no antibiotic to cure it, no antibiotic for this superbug. We have it now in our world and its likely source is because we fed the animals too many antibiotics. So, these diseases arose because we over-breed animals and create the conditions for the diseases to form and spread.
Other diseases came from hunting ? another cruelty committed on the poor animals. HIV, the killer of 25 million people since 1981, is from humans' consumption of primates. And just recently, as you know from the news, people in China are dying from the pneumonic plague, which originated from hunting marmots for food. It's very contagious and can kill a victim within 24 hours! So, all these diseases, not just the swine flu, could be prevented if only humans turn away from such unhealthy, cruel, violent habits ? the habits of raising, hunting, and eating animal flesh.
Dr. Art-ong Jumsai Na Ayudhya:because the rising sea,it's rising up all the time. We have more weight in the Pacific Ocean,more so than on the other side of the world. And because of this,there is an imbalance in the world. The world is going around like a top in space,moving around the axis,and it's steady,it's peaceful. But then,we start to increase the weight on one side more than the other. So,it's just like when you play a top,you spin the top,normally the top will spin on its axis steadily,but suppose we put a little bit of clay on one side of the top and then try to spin it again,this time it will start to wobble,it will no longer spin on its original axis.
So is the world. We are going to have a lot of problems because of this imbalance and it's possible the worst scenario is that it will suddenly change the axis of rotation. This has happened before in our world in the past. The North Pole has not always been where it is. It has changed in the past because the world became hot when we got closer to the sun. Sometimes we are further away from the sun,so we got the Ice Age. So there is a lot of imbalance. Many times there is a change in the axis of the rotation of the world. Well that is the worst scenario that could happen. But also,because of the imbalance in the weight around the world,the earth crust is also moving. And because the earth crust is moving,we are going to get
more earthquakes,we are going to get more tsunamis,we are going to have a lot of problems because when you have tsunamis.
Most animals are in touch with God's grace already,at every moment of their lives here on Earth. They bring to our planet this divine grace and love,the power of love in its purest form. They are here to help the planet become more elevated. So in a way,their presence itself is like a prayer being answered,because they bring the blessings through them from the Divine to which they are so near. So much more the reason they deserve our respect and protection. The animals are truly noble,gentle beings,selfless,and in harmony with one another,the environment,and with Heaven.
Their role has always been since time immemorial,that is,to bring love and blessing to the world with their pure presence. Even in the physical aspect,scientists have shown time and again how each and every species fulfill a valuable role in nature.
It is true that our efforts to alleviate global warming in the recent few years helped to postpone already the deadline,somehow,somewhat,for some time. Not so long ago we only had about 2 years before we faced the point of no return. Then,as more and more people put in effort,namely by switching to a vegan diet,with a wish to help the planet ? this powerful wish helps and this powerful action helps - so time was added because of each one's great positive energy through this compassionate diet and well wish,until we had an extension of about 4 years now.
Of course,this is also Heaven's great merciful grace for giving us this second chance. The deadline,however,does not get postponed forever. In fact,every day on Supreme Master Television,there is a countdown of how many days we have left to change before it is too late. Today is day 1257.
Everything they feel is worth living for. We can get out of the danger but through the right direction. Our house is on fire but the water hose is right there in front of us. Just pick it up and use it,it's as simple as that. Just be vegan. And please,be quick. Our days are numbered.
Related Link
Be Organic Vegan to Save the Planet May 9, 2009 Lome, Togo
Save Our Earth Conference 2009 - April 26, 2009 Seoul, South Korea
Juice Fast for Peace - March 7, 2009 Culver City, CA, USA
Videoconference with Supreme Master Ching Hai:SOS - Save the Planet March 6, 2009 Xalapa, Mexico
Videoconference with Supreme Master Ching Hai Global Warming – SOS International Conference - Jan. 27, 2009-Mongolia (In English & Mongolian)
"Children's Health & Sustainable Planet" Jeju International Conference
The oceans are central to our livelihoods and our survival on the planet
::: SOS Global Warming :::
SOLUTIONS for the PLANET from Supreme Master Ching Hai
Save Our Planet - The Latest News on Climate Change
Relief News
Animal Production
Greenhouse Gases
Biodiversity Loss
Extreme Weather
Food Shortage
Human Impact
Polar & Glacial Ice Melt
Sea Level Rise
Water Shortage & Pollution
Runaway Methane Global Warming
Planetary Emergency
Organic Vegan Diet
Organic Vegan Farming
Green Technology
Scientists on Climate Change
Political Leaders on Climate Change
Supreme Master Ching Hai on the Environment
Climate Change Conference with Supreme Master Ching Hai
Climate Change Information Kit
Climate Change Public Service Announcements
Videos on Climate Change
UN Report
Daily Tips


text:
Information Possibly Outdated
The information presented on this page was originally released on May 1, 2014. It may not be outdated, but please search our site for more current information. If you plan to quote or reference this information in a publication, please check with the Extension specialist or author before proceeding.
Johnson uses 4-H skills to improve Mississippi
JACKSON – A 4-H'ers lifetime dedication to "making the best better" resulted in a non-profit organization that intends to make Mississippi a better place.
Sanford Johnson, a native of Starkville, spent eight years in 4-H and said the skills he learned in the Mississippi State University Extension Service youth development program improved his life.
Five years ago Johnson and Rachel Hicks Canter, another former 4-H'er, created Mississippi First, a non-profit organization that aims to improve the state's graduation rates and teen health with public education reforms.
Both Johnson and Canter completed stints with the Teach for America program, which trains and places qualified individuals in underserved school districts. After their teaching experiences, they wanted to do more to decrease the state's high poverty, obesity and teen pregnancy rates.
"We both had similar experiences through 4-H and as teachers," said Johnson, who lives in Clarksdale with his wife and daughter. "We share a pride in our state and want to make Mississippi a place where people want to stay and raise their children. We believe that the answer to some of the most pressing issues in the state start with helping students succeed academically and personally."
As deputy director of advocacy at Mississippi First, Johnson provides research-based data to parents, students, teachers and community members to help them understand the benefits of Common Core curriculum and the Creating Healthy and Responsible Teens, or CHART, Initiative.
Johnson credits his motivation and abilities to his involvement in 4-H. He joined Oktibbeha County 4-H in 1990 as a Cloverleaf after he moved to Starkville from Cleveland. He participated in several projects and programs, including public speaking. He also served on the leadership team. As state vice president and state president in the mid-1990s, he traveled to several states and interacted with a diverse set of people.
"Meeting different people and learning about their viewpoints was one of the most influential experiences for me," he said. "I was exposed to people who looked different and had different backgrounds. That challenged me in a good way and definitely made an impact on me."
4-H was a family affair for Johnson, whose mother, Everlyn Johnson, is a retired Extension clothing and textiles specialist. But it was the relationships he formed that kept him interested in the organization.
"There was never any question that I was going to be involved in 4-H," he said. "My grandmother was a 4-H leader. My mom was in 4-H as a child, and she worked for Extension.
"But I really enjoyed meeting new people. I still stay in touch with friends I made in 4-H. A big part of my job is community outreach, and it's a common occurrence for me to run into someone I knew in 4-H," Johnson said.
Over the last century, the Extension Service has evolved to meet the skill-building needs of young people. From livestock to robotics, 4-H programs have been offering children ways to find their callings for decades.
Rae Oldham, Extension 4-H specialist, said she remembers Johnson as a natural leader.
"Sanford was and still is an outstanding young man," Oldham said. "He was a leader at an early age and saw no barriers to life. He wanted not only to improve himself but also to help his peers. He always included everyone. He was charismatic and had great speaking and listening skills."
Mississippi needs people like Johnson, Oldham said. And 4-H is still a wonderful network to help young people reach their full potential.
"4-H provides a safe and supportive environment for youth to explore all the possibilities available to them while encouraging them to develop and obtain knowledge and skills that will enable them to be contributing and involved citizens in their communities."
Johnson agreed.
"4-H teaches young people to be leaders," he said. "These kids are going to get to run the state one day, and leaders must be able to communicate with people who are different from themselves."


text:
The collection in the museum room on the 15th floor of the Bromo Tower is on loan from and curated by Ernest Dimler.
Mr. Dimler's passion for treasure hunting since he was a child was inspired and supported by his Dad. He was drawn to all kinds of bottles and treasures but was significantly drawn to the iconic blue bottles which were used to package Bromo Seltzer. His extensive collection includes all generations of bottles including rare finds and the controversial "green" Bromo bottles. Recent documentation and advertising on display in the museum has provided the answers to avid bottle collector's questions. The museum includes The Maryland Glass Company Room, a holding of Emerson's, which produced 90% of the blue glass in America. Mr. Dimler is acknowledged for his recent contributions in multiple issues of Antique Bottle & Glass Collector Magazine featuring the Bromo Seltzer product and its efficacy.


text:
When it comes time to get new flooring you can save money by removing the old flooring yourself but if you have old linoleum on your floors you might be in for quite a challenge. Depending on how old the linoleum is and the type of adhesive that was used it can be extremely difficult to get up.
First of all, it's unlikely that you'll be able to just remove the linoleum and adhesive all at once. The surface under the linoleum and the damage you might cause it needs to be considered – especially if that surface is wood. Concrete floors can take a lot more in the way of rough treatment. The type of scraper you use has a lot to do with your success as well as the damage to the floor underneath. Many people use paint scrapers but those with a razor blade are usually more efficient. Be prepared to break some blades it if the adhesive is hard, and you're working on concrete.
Try cutting the linoleum into strips or sections instead of removing the whole chunk at once. This will make it easier to get an edge to pry up. Of course, the linoleum probably won't come up in nice neat sections so be prepared to deal with a lot of left over backing and glue that is still attached to your floor.
One way to deal with those remnants that just won't come up is to apply some kind of solvent or remover. A popular brand is Krud Kutter, which appears to work very well from the customer feedback comments. Follow directions on the label of whatever product you employ, and wear gloves to protect your hands. Do a small section at a time, and then move to the next one.
Another technique is to use boiling water and pour it directly on the backing and adhesive. Let it soak and then scrape up. If you don't want to use water, you can try to heat up the glue with a hair dryer or heat gun. Pick a very inconspicuous area, such as behind a door, to try it. Heat the adhesive with the hair dryer and scrape it up with a straight-blade scraper (like a stiff putty knife with a beveled edge). Move the scraper in the direction of the grain of the wood if you are uncovering a hardwood floor. Have a pan or some other container handy to drop the scrapings into – one that is unlikely to either melt or ignite when coming in contact with hot materials. Be very careful if you are using a heat gun as this can easily damage the floor underneath if it is wood.
If worse comes to worse and you are left with some stubborn adhesive on the floors, it might be time to sand. Of course, if your floors are wood and you plan to refinish them you would need to sand anyway, but during this step you must be careful not to damage the particular area by keeping the sander on it for too long.
Once you finally get the linoleum and all traces of adhesive up, you are ready to seal the floor as recommended for the type of flooring and apply the new floor as recommended!


text:
St Andrews, Scotland
Located north of Edinburgh on the east coast of Scotland, St Andrews is a historic town of about 16,500 people. Today, the town is best known as the home of Scotland's oldest university, which was recently attended by Prince William, and the Royal and Ancient Golf Club, whose renowned Old Course and museum attract golfers from around the world. But St Andrews also boasts some of the most important religious sites in Scotland. Its Cathedral of St Andrew, now a picturesque ruin overlooking the North Sea, was once the primary Christian center and largest building in the country, thanks to its ownership of a relic of St. Andrew the Apostle. Then, in the 1500s, St Andrews was at the epicenter of the Scottish Reformation: John Knox preached fiery sermons, the cathedral was attacked, and several Protestants were burned at the stake. Follow a link below to learn more about the rich spiritual heritage of St Andrews.


text:
PADI Rescue Diver Course
- Durée: 4 Jours (environ)
Scuba divers describe the PADI Rescue Diver course as the most challenging, yet most rewarding course they've ever taken. Why? Because you learn to prevent and manage problems in the water and become more confident in your skills as a diver, knowing that you can help others if needed. During the course, you learn to become a better buddy by practicing problem-solving skills until they become second nature. Plus, the course is just fun – it's serious, but still allows for lots of laughter in between the focused learning.
Prerequisites: PADI (Junior) Advanced Open Water Divers who are at least 12 years old and have completed the Underwater Navigation Adventure Dive may enroll in a Rescue Diver course. You also need to have Emergency First Response Primary and Secondary Care (CPR and First Aid) training within the past 24 months. You can complete this training during the Rescue Diver course. Your instructor may also offer the PADI Emergency Oxygen Provider specialty diver course at the same time.
Full Course on Site (4 days)
Price: $720 (park entrance fees are not included)
Includes: ebook., theory, equipment, lunch on diving days and online certification
Special Offer: Emergency Oxygen Provider
Add this certification to your rescue Course for an additional $50.
If you need any further information on the PADI Rescue Diver or you want to reserve your spot click here.


text:
Reuters reports that the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC) will revive long-standing attempts to make insults against religions an international criminal offense. Now the timing is perfect, but why would anyone who supports freedom of speech want to join the cause? The OIC secretary-general discreetly explained that the "deliberate, motivated and systematic abuse of this freedom" were a danger to global security and stability. Ah, the anti-blasphemhy brigade is a spinoff of the old "Support mental health or I'll kill you" campaign. Got it.
Where does the Obama administration stand (or cower) on this issue? In the wake of the Cairo debacle last week, the Heritage Foundation reminded us that as recently as December 19, 2011, the the United States voted for and was instrumental in passing "U.N. Resolution 16/18" against "religious intolerance" — "condemning the stereotyping, negative profiling and stigmatization of people based on their religion." Heritage's Helle Dale explains that the resolution was the latest incarnation of the "anti-blasphemy" resolution that has been pushed by the OIC at the United Nations since 1999.
This background must supply the context to the testimony Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Thomas Perez in a Constitution Subcommittee hearing in the House of Representatives this past July. Rep. Trent Franks questioned Perez were prompted by Neil Munro's Daily Caller story quoting Perez as warmly embracing the proposals of Islamist advocates in a meeting at George Washington University, among them a request for "a legal declaration that U.S. citizens' criticism of Islam constitutes racial discrimination." Now see this.
Later in the hearing, Perez unimpressively "clarified" his position at the prodding of Rep. Jerry Nadler.
Daniel Pipes, "How dare you defame Islam?"
Michael Moynihan, "Life in the fatwa's shadow."
Ted Bromund, "Re: WH asks YouTube to pull anti-Islam video."
Ronald Bailey, "No one has a right to a world in which he is never despised."
Via Michael Totten.


text:
1.5″ Cuban Heel Silver Glitter Latin Sandals
'- Man made PU upper
– Heavily padded inner sole cushion for extra comfort
– Professional ultra soft suede outer sole to guard against skidding
– Breathable antibacterial, anti-odor, anti-sliding cushioned insole
– Self locking buckles design for quick changes
– Ideal beginner's shoe with stable block heel
Colour: Silver
Heel: 1.5″ Cuban heel
- Size Guide
- Delivery & Returns
- Orders for in stock items placed on weekdays before 1pm NZ time are usually dispatched same day.
- Most order will be delivered within 1-2 working days. Rural can take several days extra.
- You can return your order for any reason, free of charge, within 7 days. Some exclusions apply.
- We offer free delivery within NZ for a first exchange.
For further details please visit delivery & returns page.


text:
Recycled Christmas Decorations: our favourite ideas for 2011
Who wants generic shop-bought Christmas decorations when homemade ones are so much nicer, cheaper and better for the environment? ;)
Our 2010 round-up of our favourite ideas for making upcycled/recycled Christmas decorations has been very popular this year and I hope it's provided lots of people with lots of inspiration – but if you've still got a little space to fill before the weekend, here are some more last minute ideas:
Paper wreaths have been very popular over the last couple of years but I love this one from EcoEmpire because, aside from staples, it's entirely made from reusing household waste – newspaper, cereal boxes and a little scrap of ribbon (Kat suggests the loops from clothes – I've got a drawer full of those!)
Sticking with paper crafts, I also love these paper ball ornaments – either as individual baubles or strung together into a garland. I also love the idea of using foil packaging to make silver or otherwise shiny ones.
These letter ornaments, decorated with scraps from old sweaters, would also work well on their own or as part of a garland spelling out a holiday greeting/special word. "Merry Christmas" if you've got a lot of scraps, "joy" if you haven't ;)
If you prefer your decorations a little more natural, these mini Christmas trees made from twigs are just fab – a simple idea but really nicely executed.
The Crafty Green Poet also reminded me that you don't have to just use special Christmas ornaments on your tree – any ornaments or little items that don't usually see the light of day can be hung up on there – even earrings on smaller trees for a little sparkle/bead-y delight.
Finally, Deb/Urbanwide sent me this fun Nativity scene idea: the whole Nativity crew painted on champagne corks. Perfect if little ones want to play with the scene – although if you want one for this year, you'll have to get working on drinking all the champagne ASAP ;) (A slightly healthier alternative – but one that needs nearly as much forethought – is to use Actimel bottles for the bodies instead.)
Anyone else got any fun recycled Christmas decoration makes or discoveries to share?
(Photos © EcoEmpire & MicheleMadeMe respectively)


text:
FM Transmittermap
The following page uses the Google Maps component to render site maps operated by Google Inc., 1600 Amphitheater Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043 USA, hereinafter "Google."
Each time the Google Maps component is called, Google sets a cookie to process user settings and data when viewing the page that has the Google Maps component integrated. This cookie is usually not deleted by closing the browser, but will expire after a certain amount of time unless it is manually deleted by you.
In addition, further data (referer, location information) can be sent to Google.
Only if you agree with this processing of your data, you can go through the confirmation below to the map page and there view the display of the transmitter sites.
Use of "Google Maps" and information obtained through "Google Maps" is
governed by the Google Terms of Use
and the additional terms and conditions for "Google Maps"


text:
Our website uses cookies
We use cookies for website functionality and to help analyse our traffic so we can improve our services. Necessary cookies help make the website usable by enabling basic functions like page navigation, the website cannot function properly without these cookies. Please choose your preferences below. Cookie Information
Allow all Cookies Allow selection
Find this school on a map
Charlotte Robins


text:
- Millions of Elvis fans have peered into the planes as part of the Graceland tour
- Elvis' jets are "both museum pieces" and can no longer fly, owner says
- Elvis Presley Enterprises says fate of the famous planes is still up in the air
- Elvis' ex-wife tells fans to "calm down" over jet controversy
(CNN) -- Elvis Presley's last two jets, the "Lisa Marie" and "Hound Dog II," are for sale.
The four-engine "Lisa Marie" features a queen-size bed, gold bathroom fixtures, a videotape system with four TVs and a stereo system with 52 speakers, according to an ad posted on an aviation sales website this week.
The tail section on the 1960 Convair 880 features Presley's trademark "TCB" -- for "Taking Care of Business" -- and a color scheme personally chosen by Elvis, the Controller.com ad said.
The smaller "Hound Dog II" JetStar was Presley's back-up plane, flown while "Lisa Marie" was remodeled to suit Elvis' tastes, the ad said.
These planes represent the epitome of 1975 rock star luxury, but if you buy them don't expect to fly them.
"They're both museum pieces," said K.G. Coker, the Memphis man who bought them after Presley's 1977 death. They've not been flown since they were parked at the tourist entrance to Presley's Graceland mansion in 1984.
Coker's ad doesn't set a price, but it he is looking for "serious offers."
Elvis' ex-wife tells fans to 'calm down' over jets
Millions of Elvis fans have peered into the planes as part of the Graceland tour, with Coker getting a cut of the ticket proceeds, but his agreement with Elvis Presley Enterprises has expired. He's looking for a buyer because his agreement with and negotiations to keep them at Graceland have failed, leaving the jets' future up in the air.
Fans erupted in protest when a news report in July said Elvis Presley Enterprises sent a letter to Coker asking him to move the planes from Graceland Plaza, across Elvis Presley Boulevard from the singer's famous home by next year.
I see your posts about the planes. Please calm down, we're in the midst of negotiations. It's as simple as that. Thank you.
— Priscilla Presley (@Cilla_Presley) July 2, 2014
Priscilla Presley, the singer's former wife and mother of his daughter Lisa Marie, tried to ease fan fears in a tweet on July 2: "Please calm down, we're in the midst of negotiations. It's as simple as that."
A spokesman for Elvis Presley Enterprises told CNN last week that negotiations were still going on, but Coker declined to comment on the process.
Another online message from Priscilla Presley to fans blamed Coker for stirring up the controversy to put pressure on the estate in the talks:
I'm reading what you are saying, but listen, the people who own the plane put the release out to intentionally... http://t.co/EyqUKzWo7g
— Priscilla Presley (@Cilla_Presley) July 6, 2014
"I'm reading what you are saying, but listen, the people who own the plane put the release out to intentionally upset everyone. We're on top of it. Thank you for your trust in us. We will soon be putting out a release about some new and exciting things happening at Graceland. If you want to even hear more about it ... come to Graceland in August. That way you will hear it and experience it first hand. I can't imagine you'll be disappointed."
Lodging will be part of the Graceland experience
The "new and exciting things" announced in August was the groundbreaking of a 450-room hotel -- "The Guesthouse at Graceland" -- at the complex set to open next year.
Lisa Marie Presley, the sole heir to the Elvis estate, sold a majority interest of Elvis Presley Enterprises to investors in 2005. She owns a minority share.
Authentic Brands, the company that also owns the rights to Mohammad Ali and Marilyn Monroe images, bought the rights to Elvis' brand last year and is also a minority partner in managing Graceland.
Elvis bought the "Lisa Marie" from Delta Airlines for $250,000 in April 1975, and he spent another $350,000 upgrading it, according to the sale ad.
The "Lisa Marie's" last flight for Elvis was when it carried Priscilla Presley and actor George Hamilton from California to Memphis for Presley's funeral in August 1977.
Presley's father sold the planes in 1978, but his estate later negotiated with the owners to park them at Graceland after it was opened to the public.


text:
John A. Thain
John A. Thain has been President and Co-Chief Operating Officer of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. since May 1999, and has been a director since August 1998.[1]
"He was President of The Goldman Sachs Group, L.P. from March 1999 to May 1999 and Co-Chief Operating Officer from January 1999 to May 1999. From December 1994 to March 1999, he served as Chief Financial Officer and Head of Operations, Technology and Finance. From July 1995 to September 1997, he was also Co-Chief Executive Officer for European Operations."[2]
Thain is a "member of The MIT Corporation, the Dean's Advisory Council - MIT/Sloan School of Management, INSEAD - U.S. National Advisory Board, the James Madison Council of the Library of Congress and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York's International Capital Markets Advisory Committee. He is also a member of the French-American Foundation, the Board of Trustees of the National Urban League and The Trilateral Commission, as well as a governor of the New York-Presbyterian Foundation, Inc., a trustee of New York-Presbyterian Hospital and a General Trustee of Howard University."[3]
Now Thain is the CEO of the New York Stock Exchange and has stepped down from Goldman Sachs.[4]
- Director, Partnership for New York City [1]
Resources and articles
Related Sourcewatch articles
- ↑ Board of Directors, Partnership for New York City, accessed December 28, 2007.


text:
Planned Parenthood: 'Personhood' amendment a product of 'radical anti-choice extremists'
A proposed fetal "personhood" amendment to the Florida constitution has alarmed pro-choice activists. Backed by Personhood Florida, the amendment would define all human beings as persons "regardless of age, race, health function, condition of physical and/or mental dependency and/or disability." Thus far, the initiative has zero signatures, but itcould find its way onto the ballot with the help from the state legislature.
Stephanie Kunkel, executive director of the Florida Alliance of Planned Parenthood Affiliates, says her organization is taking the initiative "seriously," pointing out that the amendment could lead to bans on birth control.
"The personhood amendment is bad public policy, spearheaded by radical anti-choice extremists who believe that even birth control should be banned," she says. "If passed, the result would not only ban abortion, but would go so far as to ban most common forms of birth control. … This has the potential to affect millions of Florida's women, when 98 percent of women will use birth control at some point in their lives."
Though Kunkel says that Planned Parenthood aims to take the initiative seriously, she says the group recognizes that similar initiatives have failed elsewhere: "Personhood has been soundly rejected by voters in Colorado twice, once in 2008 and again in 2010. And personhood has failed to make it to the ballot in eight additional states, including Florida, in 2010, whether by legal challenge or failure to collect enough ballot signatures."
Without enough signatures, the personhood initiative would have to rely on legislative help, likely from one of Florida's most pro-life advocates.
Rep. Scott Plakon, R-Longwood, though a fierce pro-life activist, has said that he believes the legislature will focus on more pressing issues, like jobs and the economy, before placing such a stringent initiative on the ballot. Another pro-life representative, Dennis Baxley, R-Ocala, has yet to make a statement regarding his support or opposition to the personhood initiative, but has endorsed the group in the past.
"If representatives like Dennis Baxley and Scott Plakon were serious about reducing the number of abortions performed in Florida, they would oppose measures that ultimately ban abortion and do nothing to prevent unintended pregnancy, like the personhood amendment," says Kunkel. "The only serious way to reduce the need for abortion is by expanding access to birth control and reducing the number of unintended pregnancies in Florida. This is a commonsense approach to reducing the need for abortion, something Planned Parenthood has been advocating for more than 90 years."


text:
Previous Lesson
Complete and Continue
Drawing Daze
Welcome to Drawing Daze and Art of Play! (11:04)
Beginning Supply List
PICK BY PROJECT!! See them all then choose :)
Zentangle Zennnnn
Zentangle Me This (73:31)
Scribble Art
The Art of Scribbles! (13:30)
The Value of Values
It's all about Values (60:52)
Simple Drawing Aids and Drawing in 3D! (45:14)
Let's practice! And make super cute cards while we do it! (38:10)
Guest Teacher - Claudia Finelle!
Lesson by Claudia Finelle
Flowers: What's your style?
Flower Power (39:30)
Drawing Faces: Whimsy vs. Realistic
Drawing Faces (68:30)
Expanding your Tool Set
What other fun paper choices are there? (23:33)
Seeing things a different way: Let's create on Toned Paper!! (40:54)
Learning to draw with the Stabilo All pencil! (31:17)
DRAWING Realistic Facial Features...SO FUN!
How to Draw a Realistic Nose with WHOLE Value Scale (38:41)
How to Draw Realistic Mouth with WHOLE Value Scale (29:09)
How to Draw a Realistic Eye with WHOLE Value Scale (48:14)
Little Extra Bonus! How to Draw a Realistic Ear for Human AND Fairy!
The End...Or is it just the beginning???
A Hearty Thanks
Teach online with
PICK BY PROJECT!! See them all then choose :)
Lesson content locked
If you're already enrolled,
you'll need to login
Enroll in Course to Unlock


text:
Mercury in vaccines may be up to 50 times more toxic to the brain than mercury in fish
The vaccine debate has been raging for decades now, with strongly held viewpoints on both sides of the spectrum. President Trump's establishment of a commission to evaluate the science on vaccines, in conjunction with the gauntlet thrown down by Robert De Niro and Robert Kennedy Jr., who have offered $100,000 to anyone able to conclusively prove the safety of mercury (as thimerosal) in vaccines, has brought the issue into the spotlight once more.
The fact that mercury is a potent neurodevelopmental poison is not under dispute; scientists can all agree on that. In fact, though mercury had been used in vaccines for decades, in the mid-1990s, it was removed from most vaccines, after scientists recognized that even low exposure to organic mercury could result in severe harm to fetuses and young infants. It was also around this time that the voices of parents' whose children had been harmed by these vaccines really began to be heard.
Nonetheless, the vaccine industry and its mouthpiece, the CDC, continue to assert that it has been scientifically proven that "trace amounts" of mercury in vaccines in the form of thimerosal cannot cause harm.
Their argument is that while the mercury you would find in fish (methylmercury) is very dangerous, the mercury in thimerosal (ethylmercury) is entirely different, and can safely be jabbed into your kids multiple times.
A 2013 study by scientists from the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Brazil, published in the Journal of Applied Toxicology, investigated the toxicity of ethylmercury vs. methylmercury. Though they stated that more research was needed into the subject, their findings were still interesting.
They noted that although methylmercury is considered dangerous in even tiny amounts, the World Health Organization (WHO) approves small doses of thimerosal in multiple vaccines taken repetitively during pregnancy and childhood. With this in mind, they compared the toxicity and potential harm of both etHg (ethylmercury) and meHg (methylmercury).
Their study abstract states: "In vitro studies comparing etHg with meHg demonstrate equivalent measured outcomes for cardiovascular, neural, and immune cells." And then it gets really interesting, because they note that since the two types of mercury have different toxicity profiles, in vivo testing indicated that, "in real-life scenarios, a simultaneous exposure to both etHg and meHg might result in enhanced neurotoxic effects in developing mammals."
So, not only are both types of mercury equally bad, but exposure to both would compound their toxic effects. That means, for example, that exposure to ethylmercury in a vaccine, combined with exposure to methylmercury in a tuna fish sandwich, would result in even greater harm.
Lisa Sykes, writing for Trace Amounts, raises some additional concerns about the mercury in vaccines. She notes that as bad as consuming mercury in fish is, that mercury is passing through the body's digestive system, meaning that you end up absorbing far less of it. On the other hand, the mercury in vaccines is injected directly into the body, entering the bloodstream, and from there quickly passing directly into the tissue. The body is left defenseless against this direct attack.
Babies in their mothers' wombs are even more vulnerable, since mercury passes the placental barrier straight to the fetus. The baby is therefore exposed to huge amounts of mercury at a time of critical neurological development.
Sykes also points out that unused vaccines that contain thimerosal are considered hazardous waste, and must by law be disposed of in steel drums. No such stipulation applies to fish, even fish with high mercury content. That alone indicates clearly that the mercury in vaccines is by no means harmless.
And just how much mercury is there in vaccines? The vaccine industry always references "trace" amounts, downplaying the issue to make any concerns seem trivial. The reality, however, as reported by TruthWiki, is that while fish like whitefish or tuna only contains about 250 to 500 parts per billion (ppb) of mercury, just one flu shot contains 51,000 ppb.
The simple fact that the CDC and the vaccine industry insist on saying that these vaccines pose "no harm" in spite of the clear scientific evidence to the contrary is a clear indication that both are involved in a massive cover-up. The fact is that vaccines are a $30 billion dollar a year industry, and those who benefit from it are going to do whatever they can to protect their own interests.
March 26, 2019
Also available in: Română


text:
Currently at my job, we have a large suite of unit tests for our C++ application. However we don't use a unit test framework. They simply utilize a C macro that basically wraps an assert and a cout. Something like:
VERIFY(cond) if (!(cond)) {std::cout << "unit test failed at " << __FILE__ << "," << __LINE__; asserst(false)}
Then we simply create functions for each of our tests like
void CheckBehaviorYWhenXHappens()
// a bunch of code to run the test
VERIFY(blah != blah2);
// more VERIFY's as needed
Our CI server picks up "unit test failed" and fails the build, emailing the message to the developers.
And if we have duplicate setup code, we simply refactor it like we would any other duplicated code we'd have in production. We wrap it behind helper functions, make some test classes wrap setting up frequently used scenarios.
I know there's frameworks out there like CppUnit and boost unit test. I'm wondering what value do these add? Am I missing what these bring to the table? Is there something useful I could gain from them? I'm hesitant to add a dependency unless it adds real value especially since it seems what we have is dead simple and works well.


text:
What are the real ways you have seen bullying reduced?
OECD project leader Dr. Tracey C. Burns, a global expert on bullying, and 12 Global Teacher Bloggers respond to this question.
ENABLE (European Network Against Bullying in Learning and Leisure Environments) aims to tackle bullying in a holistic way, helping young people exercise their fundamental rights in the home, school, class and community (i.e. peer group). Using a unique approach that combines social and emotional learning (SEL) with Peer Support, the ENABLE team strives to provide school staff with the skills, knowledge and confidence that can help them establish an effective student Peer Support scheme in their schools and develop their students' social and emotional skills. To find out more about the project, go to About. Stay InformedWhat are the real ways you have seen bullying reduced? OECD project leader Dr. Tracey C. Burns, a global expert on bullying, and 12 Global Teacher Bloggers respond to this question. 31/07/2015 Registration for ENABLE Hackathon up and running! Are you interested in coding and creating apps? Do you want to use your skills to help reduce bullying among young people? Do you fancy learning from some of the best in the tech industry? If the answer is YES, make sure you get involved in the ENABLE hackathon and you could win the chance to come and present your idea at an event in London! 14/07/2015 Tech likely not the main problem in cyberbullying: Breakthrough study There are some groundbreaking takeaways (and many more insights) in new research from the University of New Hampshire – "The Role of Technology in Peer Harassment: Does It Amplify Harm for Youth?". 11/06/2015 What's the role of technology in peer harassment? What are the features and emotional impact of peer harassment incidents based on of technology involvement? According to a new study the most distressing mix for kids is when harassment happens both online and in-person. 05/06/2015 Upcoming ENABLE Hackathon: get involved! Are you willing to work in teams with other young people and a mentor to reflect on bullying? Would you like to improve not only your digital skills but also your problem solving skills and creativity? The ENABLE Hackathon is for you! You will have the chance to prepare apps and tools - including videos, presentations etc. - which will be helpful to support the elimination of bullying 05/06/2015 This project is funded by the Daphne Programme of the European Union The work presented in this website has been produced with the financial support of the Daphne Programme of the European Union. The contents of this website are the sole responsibility of European Schoolnet and its partners and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Commission. | For more information, please contact:


text:
Welcome to another Sew Darn Crafty Link-Up Party. I hope you're all having great day and are ready to share your projects from last week. Sew Darn Crafty is a place where you can share anything that you've posted on your own blog and it's linked here, then linked back to your blog for all to see. I'm so thankful for all of you always joining in and for visiting all the other blogs that link up each week. I can't thank you enough!!
If you're new here, either to linking up or to visiting the links, all the instructions are explained below. Have fun!!
Sew Darn Crafty is a "sharing"party. I subscribe to a linking service, which provides the ability to link thumbnail pictures of posts from your blog to my blog. The pictures below are links to other blogs and the projects the blog owner wants to share with us. Each week, I start a new party where bloggers can add their own posts below for ALL to see!! Not only are you sharing your ideas and project, but the links will bring lots of traffic to your blog. You can add any project you'd like, old or new to your blog…cooking, crafting, scrapbooking, quilting, sewing, gardening, remodeling projects, vacation ideas etc. It so much fun to see what everyone is up to each week. This party would be nothing without all of you, so a great big THANKS to all of you who contribute. Follow directions below.
If you are new to visiting linky parties…just come on in and click on any picture box below and it will bring you to that post that someone has shared!! There are always so many wonderful ideas…don't miss out.
Come on in and join the fun!!!
If you're new here, either to linking up or to visiting the links, all the instructions are explained below. Have fun!!
Linking your blog to the party…
Visiting blogs at the party…
So let's get started this week!!
Come on in and join the fun!!!
- Go to the bottom of this post below, at the very end, you will click the red phrase "click here to enter"...it's after all the other picture links that everyone has shared. Click and follow the easy steps
- link up to the specific project post you want to share, not your whole blog. Makes it easier to link right to that post and not search through your entire blog.
- To find the http address to a specific post, just click on the TITLE OF YOUR "POST" YOU WANT TO SHARE...Not your blog address. Copy and paste the address of that particular post that's at the top of your computer into the linky steps.
- linking is open til Saturday night, so plenty of time to join in
If you want to add the button to your blog's side bar or add it to your list of parties that you're in each week...Click HERE for a tutorial for adding a button
Have fun linking up! Don't forget to come back and take a look at all the great projects during the week.


text:
Starting Hormone Therapy at Menopause Increases Breast Cancer Risk
Women who start taking menopausal hormone therapy around the time of menopause have a higher risk of breast cancer than women who begin taking hormones a few years later. The finding, from the Million Women Study (MWS)—a large observational study in the United Kingdom—adds to a growing body of evidence that the use of combined hormone therapy (estrogen plus progestin) to treat menopausal symptoms increases the risk of breast cancer and deaths from the disease. The results appeared in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute on January 28.
The pattern of increased breast cancer risk "was seen across different types of hormonal therapy, among women [in the MWS] who used hormonal therapy for either short or long durations, and also in lean and in overweight and obese women," Dr. Valerie Beral of Oxford University and her colleagues wrote. Their findings support results from the Women's Health Initiative (WHI), a randomized clinical trial that, in 2002, first reported evidence linking combined hormone use to breast cancer.
"The new findings underscore the idea that there's really no safe window of time for women to take combined hormone therapy," said Dr. Leslie Ford of NCI's Division of Cancer Prevention and the Institute's WHI liaison. After the initial WHI results were announced, she noted, some people had argued that hormones may be safer when started at the time of menopause. "The new findings refute that argument," she added.
WHI and MWS investigators have both reported that breast cancer incidence rates declined rapidly once women stopped taking combined hormone therapy. "It is important for women to know that if they stop using hormones, the risk of breast cancer very quickly returns to where it was before hormone therapy began," Dr. Ford said.
There has been a discrepancy between the WHI and MSW results to date as to whether estrogen-only therapy raises breast cancer risk in postmenopausal women. WHI reports have found little risk associated with this treatment, whereas the MWS investigators have observed a statistically significant increased risk.
Additional follow-up from the WHI estrogen-only intervention trial should help clarify this issue in the coming years, noted Drs. Rowan T. Chlebowski of Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center and Garnet L. Anderson of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in an accompanying editorial.


text:
In Brazil, Religious Gang Leaders Say They're Waging a Holy War
InSight Crime
December, 2017
The expression "evangelical drug trafficker" may sound incongruous, but in Rio de Janeiro, it's an increasingly familiar phenomenon.
Charismatic Christianity is on the rise across Brazil. Even Rio, a famously libertine city, elected an evangelical mayor last year. Now, evangelical Protestantism is so far-reaching in Rio that even some of the city's most notorious drug dealers claim to be spreading the gospel.
I study violence in Latin America, and I've observed a sharp increase in reports of religiously motivated crimes in Rio de Janeiro over the past year, in particular attacks on "terreiros" — the temples belonging to the Candomblé and Umbanda faiths.
Brazil's Evangelical Turn
Persecution of these Afro-Brazilian religions, whose adherents are largely poor black Brazilians, has been around since the 19th century. But studies in Rio — both mine and those of other crime researchers — suggest that the current wave of religious bigotry is more pointed, and more violent, than in the past.
While statistics confirming this new trend are still poor, the increase in religious hate crimes appears to coincide with the spread of evangelical Protestantism in Brazil.
Today roughly a quarter of all Brazilians identify as Protestant, up from 5 percent in the 1960s. Many Brazilian Protestants attend mainstream services. But the fastest-growing denominations in Brazil are the hard-line Pentecostals and Neopentecostal churches, including the wildly successful Assembly of God and the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God.
That's also true in politics. Evangelical lawmakers currently hold 85 of 513 seatsin Brazil's lower house of Congress, meaning that the religious right is shaping the national debate on gay rights, racial equality, women's reproductive health, education and other social issues.
Rio de Janeiro saw a 30 percent increase in evangelicals from 2000 to 2010. Over the same period, the number of Catholics and followers of Candomblé and Umbanda dropped by 9 percent and 23 percent, respectively.
Most converts are poor people attracted to the evangelical doctrine of personal salvation. Today, evangelical leaders in Rio's impoverished favelas routinely deliver a message of fidelity, purity and prosperity.
Some of them also have a dim view of Afro-Brazilian religions. For preachers espousing a binary spiritual worldview, "good" Christians must wage holy war against "evil" practitioners of Candomblé and Umbanda.
As Edir Macedo, the multi-millionaire bishop of the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God, wrote in his 1997 book "Orixás, Caboclos and False Gods or Demons," Afro-Brazilian religions "seek to keep us from God. They are enemies of Him and the human race … This struggle with Satan is necessary … to eternal salvation."
The book sold more than three million copies before it was banned by federal authorities in 2005.
Religious 'Cleansing'
For some analysts, this theological interpretation is just thinly veiled religious discrimination.
Still, parishioners, including a handful of drug kingpins who control favelas across Rio, are heeding the call to arms. For these evangelical criminals, Candomblé and Umbanda are Satan's work, and they must be stamped out, one terreiro at a time.
Fernandinho Guarabu, a 38-year-old don in Rio's Third Pure Command (Terceiro Comando Puro – TCP) gang, is an example. Sporting a tattoo of Jesus Christ, Guarabu is known for violently "cleansing" his community, the Morro do Dendê favela, of practitioners of Afro-Brazilian religions.
According to a state hotline dedicated to tracking religious intolerance, more than 30 terreiros were destroyed in fewer than 20 days during September 2017, and reports of religious discrimination have increased 119 percent since 2015.
Adherents of Afro-Brazilian religions living in gang-controlled areas report personal harassment, too. Followers are often prohibited from practicing their faith, and people caught wearing the religious garb of Candomblé and Umbanda may be expelled from the community.
According to representatives of a newly launched Commission on Combating Religious Intolerance, drug traffickers are responsible for a sizable number of these cases.
The Prison-to-Church Pipeline
A small group of evangelical preachers in Rio de Janeiro's favelas may have inspired these anti-Candomblé and Umbanda crusades, but the problem escalated in prisons.
A decade-long war on drugs has fueled mass incarceration. Brazil's overcrowded state prisons are essentially governed by one of two competing drug trafficking organizations with the government only nominally in control.
Gangs have long recruited their rank and file from prisons, and incarcerated members stay busy organizing trafficking and racketeering businesses.
Faith groups, too, have a long tradition of working with prisoners. The Universal Church and Seventh Day Adventists, among others, run programs in those same prisons, from drug treatment to restorative justice.
Previously, these ministries were predominantly Catholic. Today, of the 100 faith-based organizations subcontracted to run social programs in prisons, 81 are evangelical churches.
As a result, Charismatic Christianity has spread quickly through the criminal justice system. Jailhouse conversions are common. Evangelized inmates are frequently housed in separate prison wings that stand out for their order and cleanliness. Some have even established their own ministries inside jail.
Life in Baixada Fluminense
For drug kingpins, developing positive relationships with local Rio pastors while in jail can tighten their grip on power once released.
Converted traffickers control many of the city's favelas, but the violent heartland of evangelical trafficking is Baixada Fluminense, a sprawl of townships in Rio's poor northern outskirts.
Over the past century, the area has seen waves of migration from Brazil's north and northeast, where Afro-Brazilian religions prosper. Baixada Fluminense is now home to at least 253 Candomblé and Umbanda terreiros, more than any other municipality in the state.
The Baixada Fluminense is also one of Rio's most dangerous corners. Murder rates have fallen slightly across most of the city over the past decade, but not in Baixada Fluminense. According to the Institute for Public Security 1,486 of a total 4,197 reported homicides in the state so far in 2017 occurred in Baixada Fluminense.
Described by locals as a "Wild West," the area is home to famously corrupt public officials who have long worked with militia and mafia groups to intimidate their rivals. This practice — called "coronelismo," or patronage — allows drug traffickers, evangelical or otherwise, to operate with impunity.
Fighting Back
Rio de Janeiro state officials are taking note of this worrying new strain of violence. In the wake of attacks on Afro-Brazilian terreiros in Nova Igaçu, a municipality in Baixada Fluminense, the Joint Commission to Support Victims of Attacks on Religious Institutions was launched.
Working alongside a newly established task force dedicated to tackling racial crimes and intolerance, the state commission aims to map religious violence and resolve outstanding cases, including those involving evangelical drug traffickers. It will also make recommendations to prevent violence in the name of God.
People of faith are fighting back, too. In September 2017, some 50,000 people joined Rio's 10th annual walk for religious freedom, the largest gathering since the procession's inception. The iconic Copacabana beach was packed with evangelicals, Catholics, Baha'i, Buddhists, Jews, Hari Krishnas and others — all dressed in white and marching in solidarity with Afro-Brazilians.
In Brazil's religious diversity, there is conflict, yes, but unity, too.
Dandara Tinoco helped to report this article.