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In Part One and Part Two, we looked at Antonioni's visceral portrayal of alienation and his none-too-optimistic outlook on its implications: that we're slowly becoming obsolete and unnecessary. It would be interesting to consider the conditions that resulted in the necessity to create such films as his trilogy. Of course, to provide a complete history, one would have to go back to the 1800s and the industrial revolution. I will try to provide at least a cursory and superficial examination of it here.
With the advent of the industrial revolution, you have the introduction of division of labor, wherein jobs become increasingly specialized to the extent that some people would have the job of pushing a button or pulling a lever all day. Eventually those jobs would be replaced by machines, and the humans would be relegated to other jobs that machines couldn't accomplish, still menial and repetitive however.
With the propagation of liberal capitalism, the focus grew more on profit and efficiency. Government relaxed its controls, and power shifted into the hands of business. People became commodities to be handled like any other kind of capital, without regard to their needs and rights. In the early 1900s, there were progressive social movements to fight this trend, with some success, resulting in new protections on rights and government regulations. However, with the continuing growth of free market economics, power continued to be shifted to businesses, corporations, and money.
The increased influence of businesses began to take its toll on the traditional foundations of society such as religion, local cultures, and family. Also, with the help of two world wars, uncertainty began to replace certainty. God seemed to disappear as things became more relative, and moral/ethical decisions became a mere business consideration of cost-benefit. The traditional family fractured and the roles people traditionally held began to change or disappear.
You suddenly had mothers who slaved away in the corporate world to become the breadwinners, and fathers that weren't so much the paterfamilias anymore. Children grew up increasingly in the absence of parents. And without the traditional models to grow on, they grew up directionless and seemingly without purpose other than being a cog in the giant, impersonal, relentless machine of capitalism.
As the standard of living rose, leisure time increased, and because working did not play as important a role in survival anymore, because of the increasing mechanization of job functions, there was a spiritual crisis in which working did not provide the fulfillment it once did and people became idle in their leisure.
In the case of the subjects of Antonioni's trilogy, they are of the bourgeois, and consequently, not needing to work at all, thus completely bereft of any purpose whatsover. Rituals that they could previously rely upon to provide meaning to life such as marriage, family, work, religion no longer held any substance. Cut loose of those traditional ties to society, they were in effect free, though in this situation, more akin to being set adrift.
This is the context in which we should approach these films.
It is no surprise then that the films' central theme is decay, most prominently exhibited in the relationships of the characters and more subtly suggested in the various empty settings such as dying small towns or barren landscapes. Nor should it be a surprise that there is a prevalence of wandering, of idle moments in the film in which the plot seems to go on a tangent, to skew away from any nascent bud of a developing story.
For Antonioni, just as traditional foundations of society and traditional ways of life had fallen apart, so must the traditional method in which life is portrayed in cinema. This means a departure from the formal narrative that defined cinema before, and a new visual style, developed at its peak in L'Eclisse, to replace it.
::Keep it locked on TOE for Part Four, which will present some examples of this kind of film from other countries::


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I study and write a lot about disruption caused directly or indirectly by the Internet.
It's actually the key tenant that matured my wonder and fascination with the Internet beyond just the technical/geeky aspect but into the socio-economic.
Most disruption is intentional, and it's now a well-weathered story to hear about a genius young entrepreneur out-smart an entire stalwart old-school industry in a way that the big guys didn't see until it was too late.
Yay the underdog! Go the little guy! Fuck the establishment!
But some disruption is unintentional, and often with negative impact. The biggest example is probably Craigslist and, as amazing as it is, the incredible negative impact it has had upon the quality of journalism in the US and around the world – especially local and niche journalism.
This is, of course, due to the fact that those clumsy paid-classifieds adverts financed the journalists in the newsroom. No more classifieds meant fewer journalists, which meant reduced circulation, which meant reduced advertising rates, and so on into a race to the bottom.
So it is with interest that I read today about an interesting startup whose aim is to make it easier to stop junk mail (of the physical kind) landing in your mailbox.
With PaperKarma (for iOS, Android and Windows Phone yuk – not linking to that) you snap a photo of the offending junk mail item and their system will attempt to notify the junk sender of your wish to be removed and to be put on their "do not contact" list.
Sounds awesome.
Except when you consider that its junk mail that is keeping the US Portal System afloat. Remove the junk mail, and just like removing the classifieds in local journalism, the money funding the system will disappear.
A PBS "Need to Know" article from September 2011 states:
"The days of custom stationery, handwritten letters and scented envelopes may be long gone, the USPS has been increasingly reliant on junk mail — advertisements, catalogs and other unsolicited mailbox "gifts" — to keep the service afloat. BusinessWeek notes that revenue from junk mail increased by 7.1 percent in the last quarter of 2010 – although volume has not increased since. [Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe] has also expressed optimism that junk mail volume and revenue will increase as the economy improves. But the lower cost of direct mailings means that more junk mail is needed to circulate in the system to make up for the accelerating loss of first-class mail."
And that BusinessWeek reference notes:
"[USPS] relies on first-class mail to fund most of its operations, but first-class mail volume is steadily declining—in 2005 it fell below junk mail for the first time. This was a significant milestone. The USPS needs three pieces of junk mail to replace the profit of a vanished stamp-bearing letter."
(emphasis mine)
I quite like having a postal service. I certainly wouldn't want their service to deterioate any further than it already has. Perhaps I should keep my junk mail? I recycle it after all.
It's also interesting to consider why unintentional disruption occurs.
In both examples, there was a symbiotic relationship between two otherwise disparate and unconnected factors within an economic ecosystem.
It seems strange that people wanting to sell their car, hire a nanny or find a couple to swing with would be directly funding journalists to sit in the local courtroom or investigate corruption in City Hall.
It seems perverse that we have to suffer receiving catalogs and flyers we don't want (including the impact on the environment from the creation of these items) just so that we can receive our bank statements, periodicals and other requested and desired items delivered to us in the mail.
The free-market means anyone can build anything (within the law) and disrupt anyone they want (intentionally or not). Yay the free-market!
But that means we need to think carefully about other examples where there are dubious, untenable or just plain-crazy symbiotic financial relationships that don't otherwise make sense. And protect or fix them before more young entrepreneurs come by and disrupt them.
I miss my local journalism, although I guess I wouldn't miss receiving my credit card statement in the mail every month.
Photo: CC Steve Rhodes

subset: commoncrawl


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Australia earns one medal on day three of 2012 IPC Nor-Am Cup
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Yesterday, on day three of the IPC Nor-Am Cup at Copper Mountain's Rosie's Arena run, Australia earned only one medal, with Cameron Rahles-Rahbula picking up a gold medal in the men's standing Giant Slalom. The results were not as good for Australia as Tuesday's, when Australia swept the exact same event. The course was technically difficult, with a number of skiers falling and unable to finish it.
Jonathan Walsh crashed in his first run and earned a did not finish. His failure to compete the first run meant he did not have a second run. Rahles-Raubula had a time of 1.00.68 in his first run and 59.21 in his second run for a combined run time of 1.59.89. Toby Kane and Mitchell Gourley did not start. Standing LW9-1 classified skier Jonty O'Callaghan did not finish.
Coming into IPC Nor-Am Cup, Australian skiers had a number of IPCAS points that assist them in qualifying for the [[w|2014 Winter Paralympics|2014 Paralympics in Sochi}}. At least one Australian skier, Melissa Perrine, has already qualified for Sochi assuming she does not get injured and maintains her points level. LW12-1 classified sit skier Victoria Pendergast had 406.06 points. Visually impaired B2 classified skier Jonathan Walsh and guide Jonathan Wong have 146.57 points. LW2 classified standing skier Rahles-Raubula had 52.76 and similarly classified skier Toby Kane had 26.61 points. Standing LW6/8-2 classified skier Mitchell Gourley had 3.24 points. Standing LW9-1 classified skier Jonty O'Callaghan had 321.38 points.
Australian skiers go back on the slopes today for the fourth day of competition, where they are to compete in the slalom event.
Related news
- "Wikinews interviews Australian blind Paralympic skier Melissa Perrine" — Wikinews, December 13, 2012
- "Wikinews interviews Australian Paralympic skier Andrew Bor" — Wikinews, December 13, 2012


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Expulsés des 4000 à la Courneuve: RELOGEMENT ET RÉGULARISATION DE TOUS !
Marche mercredi 8 sept 2010
RV à 18h, à la sous Préfecture de St Denis
M° Basilique ligne 13 - 30 Bd de la commune de Paris
The International Alliance of Inhabitants is a global network of associations and social movements of inhabitants, cooperatives, communities, tenants, house owners, homeless, slum dwellers, indigenous populations and people from working class neighbourhoods. The objective is the construction of another possible world starting from the achievement of the housing and city rights.


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Witch Cat SED-0147 Zip Sleeveless Hoodie
Material: Spandex and Polyester for high-quality printing.
Carefully hand sewing product.
Machine wash cold, gentle cycle. Medium thickness.
The design will not fade, crack, flack or peal.
- Product color may be darker in reality because of different lightings and printing on fabric.
-- Please check the size chart before buying the item
Because of Covid-19 Pandemic, shipping worldwide will be delayed more than 15 working days against normal. Shipping within the US is as usual. We hope to receive your understanding and patience. Thank you and Regards!
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- For domestic orders, please allow 1-2 weeks from the time you place your order to receive your purchase.
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The law firm of Jaburg & Wilk, P.C announced that Shawdy Banihashemi joined the firm as an Associate to assist with Insurance Defense matters and Litigation.
Shawdy developed her insurance defense skills handling pre-trial litigation for complex construction defect and general liability defense cases analyzing records, taking depositions, participating in mediations and arbitrations and negotiating settlements.
"I am delighted Shawdy joined the firm to expand the Insurance Defense practice area, said Insurance Defense attorney Jennifer Erickson. Her diverse experience and vast knowledge will be a valuable asset to the team."
Shawdy received her J.D. from the University of Baltimore School of Law in 2006 and passed the Arizona State Bar exam in 2007.
Jaburg Wilk is an AV rated Phoenix law firm, the highest level of professionalism according to the Martindale-Hubbell.


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First Destination Spa at Victoria Falls to Open Soon
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, May 17, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / The largest and first purpose-built spa in Victoria Falls is scheduled to open in October, following a rapid post-Covid tourism recovery, placing Zimbabwe's top tourist attraction on the map as a wellness destination.
Victoria Falls Safari Spa is being constructed by hospitality group Africa Albida Tourism, whose accommodation portfolio is made up of Victoria Falls Safari Lodge, Victoria Falls Safari Club, Victoria Falls Safari Suites and Lokuthula Lodges.
Construction of Victoria Falls Safari Spa resumed last month, following a two-year delay due to the uncertainties around the impact of Covid-19 on travel and tourism. It had originally been scheduled to open in September 2020.
The spa will be located along a north facing ridge in indigenous woodland in a tranquil setting on the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge estate. It will be built in harmony with its surrounds, under canvas, reminiscent of African safari tents and filled with ethnic fabrics and artefacts.
It will include a 280m₂ central area featuring manicure and pedicure stations, private relaxation rooms, a café serving healthy dishes, a hair salon and change rooms, including one that is wheelchair-friendly, as well as three outlying separate secluded treatment rooms (one double and two singles).
Africa Albida Tourism (AAT) chief executive Ross Kennedy said this an incredibly exciting development to be able to announce on the back of what is showing to be a much more rapid resurgence of tourism post-covid than expected.
"For two years we have had to look at the foundations that we started in March 2020 and to now see the contractors back on site and the project becoming a reality once more is a testament to the tourism recovery we are witnessing and contributing to," Kennedy said.
"Regional competition requires us to be always reinvesting in our properties and products, and this is just one of the additions we have planned. We are required to create competitive differentiators whilst at the same time enhancing the destination offerings to a wider audience," he said.
"The health and wellness market is rapidly growing and we believe that Victoria Falls Safari Spa will allow us to fully enter this market. The layout and design allows us to add further treatments and therapies in the future."
Victoria Falls' first destination spa will be ideal for wellness weekends, Monday to Thursday breaks, couples' and wedding packages where bridal parties can book it exclusively.
Victoria Falls Safari Spa will be managed by Michele Vickery, who has 19 years' experience as a beauty therapist, and treatments will include manicures, pedicures, waxing, tinting, facials, reflexology, body treatments, massages and hairdressing.
The design, décor and treatment menu at the spa, which is expected to create eight jobs, will reflect Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, and the spa will use all-natural African products with plant-based ingredients.


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What is the Myth of Gharaniq or 'The Satanic Verses'?
astory has been narrated in this regard, which has become popular as the story of Gharaniq. According to this story, the Noble Prophet (S) had been engaged in reciting Suratul Najm in front of the polytheists. When he had recited this verse:
أَفَرَأَيْتُمُ اللاَّتَ وَ الْعُزَّى وَ مَنَاةَ الثَّالِثَةَ الأُُخْرى
"Have you then considered the Lat and the 'Uzza; and Manat, the third, the last?"1, the Satan caused him (S) to recite the following two sentences (which were not part of Surah) too:
تِلْكَ الْغَرَانِيقُ الْعُلْيَ وَ إِنَّ شَفاَعَتَهُنَّ لَتُرْجَى.
"They are beautiful, high-ranking birds, and their intercession is anticipated."2
Hearing this, the polytheists were absolutely thrilled and said: (Muhammad), until today, had never spoken nicely of our Gods. At that moment the Noble Prophet (S) went into prostration and they too prostrated. All the polytheists of the Quraish were ecstatic and then went their ways, but shortly later Jibra'il descended and informed him (S): I had not brought for you those two sentences! These were of the inspirations of the Satan!
The following verse was then revealed which cautioned the Noble Prophet (S) and the believers3:
وَ مَا أَرْسَلْــنَا مِنْ قَبْلِكَ مِنْ رَسُولٍ وَ لاَ نَبِيٍّ إِلاَّ إِذَا تَمَنَّى أَلْقَى الشَّيْطَانُ فِي أُمْنِيَّتِهِ فَيَنْــسَخُ اللٌّهُ مَا يُلْقِي الشَّيْطَانُ ثُمَّ يُحْكِمُ اللٌّهُ آيَاتِهِ وَ اللٌّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ
"And We did not send before you any messenger or prophet, but when he desired, the Shaytan made a suggestion respecting his desire; but Allah (s.w.t.) annuls that which the Shaytan casts, then does Allah (s.w.t.) establish His communications, and Allah (s.w.t.) s Knowing, Wise."4
If this tradition were to be accepted, it would put a question mark over the infallibility of the prophets, even with respect to receiving the revelation, and would serve to erode away the confidence in them.
At this juncture, before we endeavour to study and critically examine the traditions, we should first separate the text of verse 52 of Suratul Hajj from the traditions fabricated in connection with it and see what the verse actually has to say:
Certainly, the text of this verse, disregarding the false annotations, not only does not taint the infallibility of the prophets but on the contrary, is one of the proofs of their infallibility. This is because, it says: Whenever they possessed a positive plan and desire (every kind of desire is called امنية, but here امنية refers to a positive and constructive scheme for the advancement of their objectives; if it was not constructive, the Satan would never seek to put whisperings into it) the Satan would attack it, but before he could exert an influence upon their will or acts, Allah (s.w.t.) would nullify the Satanic inspirations and fortify His verses.
(It should be noted that the "ف" in فَيَنسَخُ اللهُ denotes a sequence without any intervening time internal, i.e. immediately and without any time interval, Allah (s.w.t.) would annul and eliminate the inspirations and the whisperings of the Satan.)
Testifying to this statement is another verse of the Qur'an which explicitly states:
وَ لَوْ لاَ أَنْ ثَبَّتْنَاكَ لَقَدْ كِدْتَ تَرْكَنُ إِلَيْهِمْ شَيْئاً قَلِيلاً
"And had it not been that We had already established you, (and had you not been protected from deviation under the shelter of infallibility) you would certainly have been near to incline to them a little."5
In view of the fact that verse 73 of this same chapter indicates that the infidels and the polytheists, by means of their evil insinuations, strived to turn away the Noble Prophet (S) from the Divine revelation, it becomes clear that Allah (s.w.t.) did not permit them to achieve this success by employing their diabolical suggestions.
Also, in verse 113 of Suratul Nisa, we read:
وَ لَوْ لاَ فَضْلُ اللٌّهِ عَلَيْكَ وَ رَحْمَتُهُ لَهَمَّتْ طَائِفَةٌ مِنْهُمْ أَنْ يُضِلُّوكَ وَ مَا يُضِلُّونَ إِلاَّ أَنْفُسَهُمْ وَ مَا يَضُرُّونَكَ مِنْ شَيْءٍ
"And were it not for Allah's grace upon you and His mercy a party of them had certainly designed to bring you to perdition and they do not bring (aught) to perdition but their own souls, and they shall not harm you in any way."
All these indicate that Allah, by means of His blessings and succour, never permitted the sinister suggestions of the devils from amongst the men and jinn to affect and influence the Noble Prophet (S), and kept him protected from all kinds of deviation.
All the above is applicable if we take امنية to mean desire, plan and scheme (since, the original roots of this word are traced to assumption, supposition and description).
However, most of the commentators have taken امنية to mean recitation, and some have even sought to corroborate this by presenting poems of Hasan ibne Thabit.6 Fakhr Razi too, in his commentary, has stated: تَمَنَّی, according to the lexicon, possesses two meanings: The first meaning is 'the desire of the heart' and the second is 'recitation'.7
If we were to also take امنية to mean recitation, the meaning of the verse would be that when the divine prophets used to recite the Divine verses and sermons before the infidels and the polytheists, the devils and (those possessing satanic attributes) would insert their words amongst the words of the prophets in order to mislead the people, just as they used to do with the Noble Prophet (S) too. Verse 26 of Suratul Fussilat says:
وَ قَــالَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا لاَ تَسْمَعُوا لِهٌذَا الْقُرْْآنِ وَ الْغَوْا فِيهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَغْلِــبُونَ
"And those who disbelieve say: Do not listen to this Quran and make noise therein, perhaps you may overcome."
In the light of this meaning, the meaning of the next verse (53 of Suratul Hajj) also becomes clear when it says:
لِيَجْــعَلَ مَا يُلْقِي الشَّيْطَانُ فِتْـنَةً لِلَّذِينَ فِي قُلُوبِهِمْ مَرَضٌ وَ الْقَاسِيَةِ قُلُوبُهُمْ
"So that He may make what the Shaytan casts a trial for those in whose hearts is disease and those whose hearts are hard."8
Even today, it is a common practice that when reformers of human societies deliver beneficial and constructive lectures to a section of the society, at times, those with diseased hearts raise an uproar and by means of misleading slogans and satanic expressions attempt to make light of those speeches and obliterate them by means of their futile utterances.
And this, in reality, is an examination for the people of the society and it is here that those with diseased hearts swerve away from the path of truth whereas for the Mu'mins, it becomes a means for acquiring greater awareness of the truthfulness of the prophets (a.s.). This, in turn, would make the people humble towards their invitation to the truth.
وَ لِيَعْلَمَ الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْعِلْمَ أَنَّهُ الْحَقُّ مِنْ رَبِّكَ فَيُؤْمِنُوا بِهِ فَتُخْبِتَ لَهُ قُلُوبُهُمْ
"And that those on whom knowledge has been bestowed may learn that the (Qur'an) is the Truth from thy Lord, and that they may believe therein, and their hearts may be made humbly (open) to it."9
In any case, from what has been stated above, we have realized that the verse under consideration does not contain anything which is inconsistent with the infallibility of the prophets vis-à-vis errors and deviation. Rather, as has been stated before, the verse emphasizes the issue of infallibility since it says that Allah (s.w.t.) protects His prophets while they receive the revelation or when they intend to perform some other work, from the satanic inspirations and whisperings.
Now let us turn to the traditions and myths that have been mentioned in this section and deduce their worth, for things have reached such a stage that lately the devils, for the purpose of creating disturbance in connection with the Noble Prophet (S), have set about writing the book Satanic Verses.
Just as it had been previously stated, not only did the text of the mentioned verses not possess anything which contradicted the infallibility of the prophets, on the contrary, they prove and establish their infallibility. However, traditions found in some of the secondary Sunnite sources state things that are indeed strange in every respect, and therefore ought to be studied and discussed separately. These traditions, which we had presented at the start of this discussion, have been reported, sometimes, from Ibne 'Abbas, at other times from Sa'id ibne Jubair and occasionally from some other 'companions' or 'followers'.10
However, these traditions are not to be seen in any of the Shiite sources and, according to some of the Sunni scholars, these are also not to be found in any of the six Sihah of the Sunni. So much so that Muraghi, in his commentary, says: These traditions are undoubtedly a fabrication of the heretics and foreign hands, and have not been found in any of the authentic books. The fundamentals of the religion of Islam reject them and sound intellect testifies to their falsehood and incorrectness…
It is obligatory for all the scholars to disregard them and refrain from wasting their time in explaining and interpreting them, especially in view of the fact that trustworthy narrators have explicitly declared them to be lies and fabrications.11
We observe this same meaning, although in a different form, in Tafsir Jawahir of Tantawi, wherein he says: These traditions have not been mentioned in any of the Sihah like Muwatta of Malik, Sahih Bukhari, Sahih Muslim, Jami' Tirmidhi, Sunan Abi Dawud and Sunan Nisa'i12, and it is for this reason that the book, Tafsir al-Wusul Li Jami' al-Usul – a collection of all the interpretive traditions of the six Sihah – does not report these traditions while interpreting the verses of Suratul Najm. Thus, it is inappropriate to attach importance to them and talk about them, let alone debate about them… These traditions are just manifest lies!13
One of the testimonies which Fakhr Razi presents to prove it to be a fabrication is that in Sahih Bukhari it has been reported from the Noble Prophet (S) that when he recited Suratul Najm, the Muslims and the polytheists, the men and the jinn, all fell into prostration; and the tradition bears no mention of the story of gharaniq. Furthermore, this tradition (which has been reported in Sahih Bukhari) has been reported by several chains of narrators and not the slightest mention of the story of Gharaniq meets the eye.14
Not only the abovementioned commentators, but even others such as Qurtubi in his commentary al-Jami', Sayyid Qutb in his commentary Fi Dhilal al-Qur'an, other Sunni scholars and all of the distinguished and celebrated Shi'ite scholars have branded this tradition as a fabrication and have attributed it to the enemies of Islam.
As such, it is not strange that the enemies of Islam, especially the inimical Orientalists, have publicized this tradition and reported it with a great deal of embellishment. We have also witnessed that recently they have forced a writer, coming from an evil lineage, to author a book under the title of The Satanic Verses and, by means of extremely derogatory and vile expressions in the course of a fictitious and make-believe story, not only question the sanctities of Islam but also exhibit sacrilege towards the great prophets (like Ibrahim), who are looked upon with great reverence by all the Divine religions.
And again it is not strange that the English text of this book was translated with astonishing swiftness into different languages and distributed all over the world. And when Ayatullah Khomeini R issued his historical fatwa declaring the author, Salman Rushdie, to have become an apostate and thereby deserving to be compulsorily killed, there arose in Rushdie's favour, on the part of the colonial governments and enemies of Islam, a tidal wave of support, so great that the world had never seen the like of it before.
This amazing phenomenon revealed the reality that Salman Rushdie was not acting alone, and the issue is much more than just authoring an anti-Islamic book. It is, in fact, a conspiracy that has been chalked out by the Western colonial powers and the Zionists with the objective of bludgeoning Islam – a conspiracy which they support seriously and in great earnest.
But the firm resistance and perseverance of Ayatullah Khomeini (r.a.) in his fatwa, the continuation of his policy on the part of his successors and the global acceptance of this historical fatwa by the general Muslim public served to foil the conspiracy of the conspirators.
And until this date, as we write this, the author of the mentioned book leads his life in total concealment and is scrupulously protected by the colonial governments; it appears that he shall be forced to lead the rest of his life in this fashion and probably he might be killed by his very mentors to extricate themselves from this humiliation.
Thus, the 'creating cause' for this fabricated tradition also acts as its 'preserving cause', i.e. a conspiracy was initiated on the part of the enemies of Islam and now, after more than a thousand years, another group from amongst them strive to continue this conspiracy, although on a much wider scale.
As such, we do not deem it necessary to present, for this tradition, explanations and justifications which, for example, appear in great detail in the commentary Ruhul Ma'ani and concisely in other commentaries. This is because a tradition, which is fundamentally rotten and which has been emphatically branded as a forgery on the part of eminent Islamic scholars, does not need to be explained.
However, we only wish to present some points which shall provide some more clarification:
The relentless, uncompromising and perpetual fight of the Noble Prophet (S) against idolatry, from the beginning of his invitation (to Islam) until the end of his life, is a fact which is not concealed from friend and foe alike.
The most important issue for which he was never willing to compromise and exhibit flexibility was this very issue. Despite this, how could he have possibly commended and praised the idols of the polytheists by such words, and spoken of them in good light?
The teachings of Islam declare that the only sin that can never be forgiven and overlooked is polytheism, and it is for this reason that Islam has regarded the destruction of centers of idolatry, whatever the consequence, as obligatory, and the entire Qur'an is a testimony to this fact. This very fact is clearly indicative of the fabricated nature of the tradition of Gharaniq, in which idols have been commended!
Apart from this, those who have fabricated the story of Gharaniq have overlooked the fact that a cursory reading of the verses of Suratul Najm would be sufficient to prove this myth to be false, and reveal that there exists no harmony between the commendation of the idols by means of the sentence:
تِلْكَ الْغَرَااَنِيقُ الْعُلْيَ وَ إِنَّ شَفاَعَتَهُنَّ لَتُرْتَجَى.
and the verses situated before and after it. This is because, in the beginning of this very chapter, it has been explicitly stated that the Noble Prophet (S) does not speak of his own desire and whatever he says in connection with the Islamic beliefs and laws, is Divine revelation:
وَ مَا يَنْطِقُ عَنِ الْهَوى إِنْ هُوَ إِلاَّ وَحْيٌ يُوْحى
"Nor does he speak out of desire. It is naught but revelation that is revealed."15
The Qur'an also emphasizes that the Noble Prophet (S) shall never go astray from the true path and never lose himself:
مَا ضَلَّ صَاحِبُكُمْ وَ مَا غَوى
"Your companion does not err, nor does he go astray."16
What could be greater deviation than interpolating speeches of polytheism and praises of idols within the verses of monotheism? And as for speaking of one's desire, what could be worse than adding satanic words:
تِلْكَ الْغَرَااَنِيقُ الْعُلْيَ
to Allah's speech?
Interestingly, the verses following the verses presently under consideration explicitly criticize and denounce the idols and the idol-worshippers and say:
إِنْ هِيَ إِلاَّ أَسْمَآءٌ سَمَّيْتُمُوهَا أَنْــتُمْ وَ آبَاؤُكُمْ مَا أَنْزَلَ اللٌّهُ بِهَا مِنْ سُلْطَانٍ إِنْ يَتَّبِعُونَ إِلاَّ الظَّنَّ وَ مَا تَهْوَى الأََنْفُسُ
"They are naught but names which you have named, you and your fathers; Allah (s.w.t.) has not sent for them any authority. They follow naught but conjecture and the low desires which (their) souls incline to; and certainly the guidance has come to them from their Lord."17
Which intellect would be given to believe that a wise and intelligent person, occupying the rank of prophethood and in the process of reciting Divine revelation would, in one sentence, praise the idols while two sentences later deprecate them with such vehemence and intensity? How can this blatant contradiction in two consecutive sentences be explained and justified?
Here we have to acknowledge that the cohesion of the verses of the Noble Qur'an are such that any impure addition made to it on the part of inimical and tendentious individuals is thrown out, and they clearly reveal it to be a patch which is inharmonious and an addition that is unrelated. This is the fate which the tradition of Gharaniq suffers from amidst the verses of the Noble Qur'an.
At this juncture, one question remains to be answered and that is: How is it that an issue, so baseless and unsubstantiated, has come to acquire such popularity?
The answer to this question is not very difficult and intricate; the popularity of this tradition is, to a great extent, indebted to the efforts of the enemies of Islam, who imagine that they have managed to lay their hands on a good pretext to blemish the infallibility of the Noble Prophet (S) and the authenticity of the Noble Qur'an.
Thus, the reason for its popularity amongst the enemies is clearly comprehended. However, its popularity amongst the Islamic historians, according to some of the Islamic scholars, stems from the fact that many of the historians are always on the lookout for new, exciting and exceptional issues – however much there may exist a question mark over their historical authenticity – so that they can make their books more interesting and tumultuous.
And since the myth of gharaniq is unprecedented in the life of the Noble Prophet (S), they, without examining the weakness of its chain of narrators and the baseless nature of its contents, record it in their books of history and traditions; subsequently, others dwell upon it with the intention of subjecting it to a critical examination and study.
From what has been discussed above, it becomes plain and clear that not only do the verses of the Qur'an not contain anything which contradicts the infallibility of the prophets, rather, these very verses, which have been imagined to be contradicting it, contain clear indications that accentuate the rank of infallibility for them.18
1. Suratul Najm (53), Verse 19, 20
2. غرانيق is the plural of غرنوق – a kind of water bird that is white or black in colour. There are other meanings too that have been mentioned (for this word) (as quoted from Qamus al-Lugah).
3. Most of the distinguished commentators have reported this tradition although with a little difference, and have subjected it to a critical examination.
4. Suratul Hajj (22), Verse 52
5. Suratul Isra' (17), Verse 74
6. تمنی کتاب الله اول ليلة و آخرها لاقی حمام المقادر.
In Taj al-'Arus, the commentary of the book Qamus, and also in the actual text of the book Qamus, تمنی الکتاب has been stated to mean تلاوة الکتاب (recitation of the book). Then, quoting from Azhari, it says: تلاوة has been called امنية because whenever the reciter reaches a verse of mercy, he desires (Allah's) mercy and whenever he reaches a verse of chastisement, he desires deliverance from it. However, the book Maqayis al-Lughah is of the opinion that this word has been made to mean تلاوة because it is a kind of measurement and placement of every verse it is own place.
7. The Commentary of Fakhr Razi, vol. 23, pg. 51
8. Of course, the interpretation of the last verse, on the basis of the first meaning, is not without its objections. This is because the satanic inspirations in the souls of the Prophets, despite the fact that they were immediately eliminated and annulled by means of divine succor, cannot be a means of examination for the hypocrites and those possessing diseased hearts. This is because these whisperings do not have any external manifestation and appearance, rather, they are ephemeral inspirations inside the souls of the Prophets.
Except if it is said that the meaning is that when the divine Prophets desired to implement their desires and plans, in practice, the devils engaged themselves in sabotaging and whispering diabolical suggestions – this being the appropriate occasion for trials and examinations. And with this explanation, the coherence and relationship between the three verses (52, 53 and 54 of Suratul Hajj) is preserved and maintained.
Strangely enough, some of the commentators have presented various interpretations and possibilities for the first verse without endeavouring to preserve the harmony between it and the two subsequent verses.
9. Suratul Hajj (22), Verse 54
10. For more information regarding the chains of narrators of these traditions in the books of the Sunnis, refer the book al-Durr al-Manthur, vol. 4, pg. 366-368, under verse 52 of Suratul Hajj.
11. Tafsir Muraghi, vol. 17, pg. 130, under the abovementioned verse.
12. It should be noted that the book Muwatta of Malik is not regarded as one of the six Sihah books. The book Sunan Ibn Majah is the sixth book of the Sihah.
13. Tafsir Jawahir, vol. 6, pg. 46
14. The commentary of Fakhr Razi, vol. 23, pg. 50
15. Suratul Najm (53), Verse 3,4
16. Suratul Najm (53), Verse 2
17. Suratul Najm (53), Verse 23
18. Tafsir Payam-e-Qur'an, vol. 7, pg. 164


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There's one thing that drives me nuts about first time home buyer reveals. Many occasions they take a look at a room and say this needs to be gutted", to which somebody replies oh sure, a kitchen remodel will price about 15 to 30 thousand" and they get all scared as a result of they will barely afford the closing. Utilizing your 401k as collateral you'll be able to usually borrow up to $50,000 or as much as half of what your vested balance is. That is more than enough for many modest kitchen remodels. Nonetheless, whether or not you're working with a small or big kitchen, the easiest way to cut prices is to DIY. The counters and cabinets on this kitchen needed a classy replace, however the vintage stove had too much charm and potential to get rid of.
Because Wentworth contractors concentrate on transforming kitchens in older houses to fit modern lifestyles, we are uniquely attuned to the challenges of designing a kitchen for older, urban homes. It could be tempting to behave as your personal general contractor and hire each kitchen transforming specialist by yourself. Nonetheless, that does not mean you need to skip all transforming projects.
A new faucet and contemporary cupboard hardware might be yours for below $500, new lighting for $500 to $2,000, depending on how far you take it; even replacing Formica countertops with granite might cost lower than $4,000. No allow is required for easy projects that only replace (like-for-like) cupboards, countertops, flooring in the same configuration or (like-for-like) electrical, plumbing or air flow fixtures.
Avoid these widespread design and remodel mistakes, and you will remember to have the kitchen of your goals. If you are a Seattle homeowner considering a kitchen rework, you might be questioning if you will need to permit your mission. For a total kitchen transform, plan on spending between eight and 10 p.c of the worth of your home, he says. As you already know, your cabinets take up a lot of real property in your kitchen and set the tone for the remainder of the room.
It's a large win for you as long as you stay in the home, and even if you promote and move out before the loan is fully repaid you will nonetheless more than possible recoup what you spent on reworking the kitchen. Your kitchen will most likely be out of commission throughout the remodel, so arrange a temporary galley elsewhere in the home. There are a number of reliable reasons to consider skimping on the number of cabinets—perhaps you really need a window over the kitchen sink otherwise you're desperately in search of a minimalist aesthetic.


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Tag: occupy denver
Today is Occupy Prisons Day. At 6:30 this evening, the protest in Denver got underway at the ICE facility on 30th and Peoria. It's sponsored by the the Denver Anarchist Black Cross. the news isn't covering it so far, but there's a live-stream here and updates on Twitter is here.
(4 comments) Permalink :: Comments
The Denver Post has excellent photos here of Saturday's unpleasant encounter between the Occupy Denver protesters and the police, during which 20 people were arrested. Police say they were attacked and reacted, the protesters say police over-reacted and attacked them. Westword has more and additional photos.
There was a peaceful march by 2,000 protesters earlier in the day. It moved to the state capitol where tensions began to rise:
A group of the marchers advanced toward the building and some tried to make their way up the steps. About eight officers scuffled with a group of protesters and police confirmed that they used Mace and fired pepper balls — hollow projectiles filled with the chemical irritant — to break up the crowd. Protesters told the paper at the time that they believed police used rubber bullets.
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The Colorado State Patrol announced they will begin removing protesters from Occupy Denver at 11 pm. They want people to go home at night and come back the next day. They said they will issue citations and make arrests if necessary. Paramedics are on the scene in case of injuries.
Here is a live feed of the site. It's now 11:10 pm. The Denver Post has some great photos here.[More...]
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This is the sixth post in my SSA blogathon. Don't forget to donate!
When I first started exploring and getting into polyamory about a year ago, one of the things that appealed to me about it was this idea of having "different partners" for "different needs." It made a lot of sense to me and seemed like a rational, ethical justification for dating multiple people with everyone's knowledge and consent.
You'll see this rationale repeated and defended in various books and articles about polyamory, and it generally goes something like this: we all have various needs and desires when it comes to sexual/romantic relationships. Often, one person can't possibly fulfill all of these needs and desires for you. Maybe you have a particular kink that the person you love just isn't interested in. Maybe you thrive on the excitement of casual sex or brief relationships but still want to have a long-term, serious relationship. So you look for different partners to fulfill your different needs, and the fact that a given partner can't be everything you want in a partner doesn't have to prevent you from being seriously, passionately, and healthily involved with this person.
So yeah, that all sounds good in theory. But in practice, it has started giving me an uncomfy feeling over the past year. I couldn't put my finger on why until I read this great post on Tumblr:
The idea that we should look to a single person to fulfill all our needs offends me, but so does this notion that we each have some exact checklist of needs, and that the path to fulfillment is assembling just the right combination of partners.
Someone reblogged it and added this: "People aren't Pokemon where you are trying to build a team. Or trying to collect them either :B"
And suddenly, there it was. All of my discomfort perfectly articulated. What I'd encountered was Pokemon-Style Polyamory–the idea that polyamory is about assembling some ideal collection of partners to conveniently fulfill all of one's needs and desires.
There are a number of problems with this idea. First of all, it might not be practically possible. While it's often said that polyamory requires a lot of self-awareness–which is true–being able to literally make a list of all your "needs" might not be feasible for most people. For people with very specific sexual preferences, it's possible to be like, "I need a partner who's willing to Dom me," or "I need a partner with whom I can explore [X Fetish]." But sexual/romantic relationships are rarely this simple.
Further, except in the case of specific sexual preferences or relationship configurations, how exactly does one shop around for a partner who fits their specifications? Suppose I really love cooking with a partner, but my primary partner doesn't really like doing that (this isn't true, he totally loves doing that). Am I really going to go on OkCupid and specify that I'm looking for a partner with whom to go on dates, have sex, and cook meals? While I could certainly do that, the likelihood that anyone else out there is looking for that specific thing is pretty low, and unlikely to work–because most people want more from a partner than just someone to sleep with and cook meals with.
Or to make it even more abstract: suppose my partner's not the best at listening when I'm going through something difficult that I'd like to talk about (also false, but suppose). How do I go about finding a partner for the specific purpose of being a good listener (and also being, well, a partner)?
So there are at least a few practical challenges to such an approach. I'm not saying it wouldn't work; just that it would be pretty hard to make it work. I'm sure it's been done.
The more important challenge to this view, though, is an ethical one. Ultimately, what rubs me the wrong way about this approach to polyamory is that it feels objectifying. Rather than looking for partners in order to be close to people, have fun with them, build lives with them, have a single fantastic night with them, etc., you're looking for partners to "fulfill" particular "needs." You're kind of treating them like objects.
That's not to say that the end result could never be a mutually satisfying, respectful partnership in which you see each other holistically rather than just as means to ends. But it's an instrumental view of sex and dating. "I need this, so I will do this to get it."
Personally, if someone wanted to date or hook up with me because of a specific trait that I have that fulfills one of their needs–say, that I'm a good listener or am willing to do X or Y in bed or like going on dates that involve concerts and museums–I would probably say no. I would feel objectified. I want to be seen as a whole person, as the sum of all of my traits, not just as a way to fulfill a particular need that someone has.
(Of course, many poly folks might say that not being limited to one person–or seeing more than one person–is a "need" that they have, so they are poly in order to fulfill that need. I think that's a different sort of justification, though.)
Although this view had once appealed to me, when I read that Tumblr post I immediately realized that this is not why I'm poly. I'm not poly because I have different "needs" that I must assemble an optimal set of partners in order to fulfill. I'm poly because I love more than one person at a time. I dream of more than one person at a time. I want more than one person at a time. And it feels awful to limit myself to just one when the world is so full of people to love, and life is so short and so ultimately meaningless unless we create that meaning for ourselves.
I want to emphasize that if this works for you and your partners and nobody feels used or objectified (unless they want to feel that way), go for it. It's not my place to tell anyone how to set up their relationships. I don't think this approach is Bad or Wrong. I just think that this is an approach worthy of thinking carefully about and being cautious about, especially if this is how we explain and promote polyamory to others.
Extra moderation note: I am not interested in debating whether or not polyamory is healthy/natural/"moral"/feasible. If you want to argue about that, you can do it elsewhere. Because if you tell me that polyamory is unhealthy or never works, you are literally denying my lived experience and that of many friends and colleagues. Not cool. For some people, polyamory is unhealthy and doesn't work; for others, monogamy is unhealthy and doesn't work.
Liked this post? Why not donate to the SSA?


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Crossfire Returns
Newt Gingrich, S.E. Cupp, Stephanie Cutter, Van Jones to Host Debate Program
CNN today announced that Crossfire, previously the longest running political debate program on television, will return to the network this fall. Hosting from the right will be Newt Gingrich and S.E. Cupp, with Stephanie Cutter and Van Jones hosting from the left.
"Few programs in the history of CNN have had the kind of impact on political discourse that Crossfire did – it was a terrific program then, and we believe the time is right to bring it back and do it again," said Jeff Zucker, President of CNN Worldwide. "We look forward to the opportunity to host passionate conversation from all sides of the political spectrum. Crossfire will be the forum where America holds its great debates."
In addition, all four hosts will appear across the network's programming and its special coverage surrounding elections and political events.
"Following the successful launches of Around the World, The Lead with Jake Tapper, and New Day, we felt it was the right time to turn our attention next to Crossfire," said Ken Jautz, Executive Vice President of CNN. "This will be the next step in reinvigorating our lineup of live programs."
Newt Gingrich is the former Speaker of the House and former Republican presidential candidate. He served the Sixth District of Georgia for two decades. Gingrich is known as the architect of the "Contract with America" that in 1994 led to the Republican Party majority for the first time in 40 years. In 1995, he was elected Speaker of the House, where he served until 1999. During his tenure, Congress passed welfare reform, the first balanced budget in a generation, and the first tax cut in 16 years. Gingrich is a former Fox News contributor. He has published 24 books, including 14 fiction and non-fiction New York Times best-sellers.
S.E. Cupp is a conservative columnist, commentator and public speaker. She is author of the book "Losing Our Religion: The Liberal media's Attack on Christianity" and co-author of the book "Why You're Wrong About the Right." She will continue her role as a contributor to TheBlaze, now out of the network's new Washington bureau, appearing on a variety of network shows including "Real News." She is currently the co-host of MSNBC's "The Cycle." In addition, Cupp is a columnist at the New York Daily News and a contributing editor at Townhall Magazine.
Stephanie Cutter is a partner at Precision Strategies, a strategic consulting firm launched earlier this month with three veterans from the Obama 2012 campaign team. Cutter has a long history in politics, serving most recently as the deputy campaign manager for President Obama's re-election campaign and having joined Obama's 2008 campaign as Michelle Obama's chief of staff and senior adviser to then Senator Obama. Before joining the campaign, she served in the White House as Assistant to the President and Deputy Senior Adviser for communications and strategy, and was previously counselor to Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner. Cutter also spent time in the U.S. Senate as a senior advisor to both Majority Leader Harry Reid and the late Senator Edward M. Kennedy.
Van Jones is the founding president of Rebuild the Dream, an organization that promotes innovative policy solutions for the U.S. economy. He is a Yale-educated attorney and author of two The New York Times best selling books, "The Green Collar Economy" and "Rebuild the Dream." He is the founder of four thriving, not-for-profit organizations. Jones is also the recipient of numerous awards, including: the World Economic Forum's "Young Global Leader" designation; one of Rolling Stone magazine's "12 Leaders Who Get Things Done" in 2012; one of Time Magazine's 2009 "100 Most Influential People in The World." In 2009, Jones worked as the green jobs advisor for the Obama administration.
Crossfire, which aired weeknights from 1982 to 2005, examined political and social issues in a televised debate. Conservative Pat Buchanan and liberal Tom Braden were the original hosts of the program, but over the years Crossfire featured various hosts from the right and from the left, including Robert Novak, Tucker Carlson, James Carville and Paul Begala. Guests on the program were frequently top lawmakers from across the political spectrum, but also included an eclectic mix of other personalities: Bob Hope, Rupert Murdoch, Charlton Heston, Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Dr. Jack Kevorkian, Rush Limbaugh, Christopher Reeves, Arianna Huffington and Howard Cosell. As the preeminent political talk program, Crossfire cemented its status in the political and cultural lexicon when President Bill Clinton joked during his remarks at the 1997 White House Correspondents' Association Dinner that the newly opened Newseum featured an exhibit with "CNN's very first Crossfire— from the left, Alexander Hamilton, from the right, Aaron Burr, topic, gun control."
CNN Worldwide, a division of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner Company, is the most trusted source for news and information. Its reach extends to nine cable and satellite television networks; one private place-based network; two radio networks; wireless devices around the world; CNN Digital Network, the No. 1 network of news Web sites in the United States; CNN Newsource, the world's most extensively syndicated news service; and strategic international partnerships within both television and the digital media.


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Fat Biking in New Hampshire: Where to Fat Bike!
Fat biking on fat bikes (or fat tire bikes) is a new-ish winter sport gaining speed in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Basically, these things look like one of those silly Floridian water sport toys floating next to the ubiquitous banana boat: big, goofy tires and a frame that doesn't quite seem in proportion….
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[QUOTE=Domino_Dare-Doll;4774224]Have we seen her compassion and caring extend to humans though? Friends or otherwise? I've seen it towards characters like Kitty and other mutants but...?[/QUOTE]
Black Panther. If you read his solo she's acts kind and helpful and caring to them.
Uh, Marauders...She told Pyro to kill no Human.
In Hickmans First X-Men issue she showed compassion for that Proto-Human girl and she also made a comment on how sad it is for humans to feel a certain way to experiment on them-self or something like that.
I actually do like this combative Storm reminds me of Punk Rock Storm :-)


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Package: libc6.1-udeb (2.37-6) [debports]
Links for libc6.1-udeb
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debian-installer udeb package
Warning: This package is intended for the use in building debian-installer images only. Do not install it on a normal Debian system.
GNU C Library: Shared libraries - udeb
Contains the standard libraries that are used by nearly all programs on the system. This package includes shared versions of the standard C library and the standard math library, as well as many others.
This package contains a minimal set of libraries needed for the Debian installer. Do not install it on a normal system.
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ia64 (unofficial port) | 1,243.5 kB | 5,220.0 kB | no current information |


text:
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Willie Mays once said that no one could hit a baseball further than Willie McCovey. That is high praise from the former MLB Home Run King.
On Wednesday, McCovey died peacefully at his home at the age of 80, the San Francisco Giants announced.
McCovey was the 11th player in MLB history to join the 500 Home Run Club, and the second member of the Giants to join the club following Mays. McCovey hit 521 home runs in his 21-year career, which ended in 1980.
In 1986, McCovey was inducted to the Baseball Hall of Fame after being selected on his first ballot.
"Baseball has lost a giant, in every sense of the word, with Willie McCovey's passing this afternoon," Hall of Fame President Jeff Idelson said in a statement. "There wasn't a batter more feared by opposing pitchers than Willie Mac, who hit 521 mammoth home runs during a dominating 22-year career that included 19 seasons in a Giants uniform."


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Come out a spend an evening bowling with the Dodgers. You can even bid on special auction items, as well, to support a great cause.
Attendees can bid on more than 40 unique items in the silent auction including: a LA Kings team signed jersey, Blake Griffin signed LA Clippers Jersey, and autographed game-used baseball bats from Andre Ethier, Matt Kemp and Russell Martin. A special "Green Monster" live auction featuring two tickets on the Green Monster at Fenway Park to the Sunday, June 20 Dodgers vs. Red Sox game, airfare for two on JetBlue Airways and a two-night stay at the Ritz-Carlton, Boston will also be held.
Lanes are still available for purchase by calling (323) 224-1413.WHO:Dodgers James Loney, Russell Martin, Matt Kemp, Manny Ramirez, Clayton Kershaw, Blake DeWitt, Reed Johnson, Ramon Troncoso, A.J. Ellis, Charlie Haeger, George Sherrill, Ken Howell, Mariano Duncan and Rick Honeycutt
Celebrity bowlers include: James Denton, Alyssa Milano, Tom Arnold, David Arquette, Paul Wall, Jonathan Silverman, Jennifer Finnigan, Greg Grunberg, James Kyson Lee, Scott Porter, Peter Jacobson, Omar Miller, Rex Lin, Hoobastank, Doug Savant, Justin Hartley and Lindsay Hartley
WHERE: Lucky Strike Lanes L.A. LIVE at 800 W. Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles
WHEN: Monday, May 3, 20106:00 p.m. Registration
7:00 p.m. Bowling & Dinner
10:00 p.m. Awards
10:30 p.m. Event Concludes


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1101 Pink
Vikan - 1101 - Shadow Board, Wall Mounted excl. spacers, White background/coloured shadows, H600mm x W300mm
Shadow boards are an effective and affordable way to ensure GFSI-compliant "5S" storage of your hygienic cleaning tools. Colour-coded for hygienic segregation, these boards keep your tools organised, clean and in good condition – saving you time and money every day. They also make it easier to stay on top of inventories, and to keep the auditors satisfied.
Ideal for the food and beverage industry, providing an impressive colour coded range with hygienic design for easy cleaning.
Collections: Cleaning Equipment, Shadow Boards, Vikan Cleaning Equipment & Products
Please send us your enquiries via the following email form.


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Tennesseean hospitalized for "severe bleeding"
AUGUST 30--A Tennessee woman is hospitalized and facing a criminal charge for allegedly stealing $5000 from her boyfriend, cash she hid in her rectum and unsuccessfully sought to retrieve with a toilet brush and tongs when confronted by the theft victim, police report.
Christie Black, 43, swiped the money at the residence she shared with Bobby Gulley, according to a Hawkins County Sheriff's Office report.
Gulley told deputies early Tuesday that the cash--in $100 denominations--had been in two envelopes inside a medicine bag that he placed atop a foosball table. Gulley further explained he did this to "set a trap" for Black, whom he suspected had been stealing from him.
After later discovering the cash missing, Gulley, 46, called cops. He also confronted Black, who reportedly "admitted to him she'd wrapped it up and stuck it in her rectum," investigators noted. She also became ill and "threw up a Saran wrapped baggy of partially dissolved pills."
During questioning by a sheriff's deputy, "Black admitted to taking the money and medication because Mr. Gulley was going to kick her out and she needed money for a place to live." Black is pictured above in a mug shot taken after an arrest earlier this month for drunk driving.
In an attempt to retrieve the cash from inside her body, Black unsuccessfully employed a toilet brush and a set of tongs. "She was bleeding severely and was transported to the Hawkins County ER," reported Deputy Michael Allen. "There the wad of money was removed and collected as evidence."
Black, who remains hospitalized today, is facing an arrest warrant charging her with theft. (2 pages)


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The VRT series sets the new standard in applications requiring extremely high torque density and rigidity. Its compact design and robotic industry ISO flange is ideal for equipment requiring high speed, high precision indexing movement and streamlined installation. The remarkable torsional stiffness and ultralow backlash combine to provide outstanding positioning accuracy.
VRT 255 – 1-Stage and 2-Stage Adapter Dimensions
NOTE: For an explanation on the Adapter Flange Code, please review the Adapter Flange Codes tab section.
Adapter Flange Codes
These tables provide an explanation for the adapter codes. The tables start with Input Bore measurement and the Part # Code, which are indicated at the end of every model code. For each Part # Code, the Pilot, PCD, Tapped Hole, and Pilot Depth, are explained.


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Use a stitch ripper to catch the loop and pull the end through to the top.
Both threads should be on top of your quilt sandwich at this point.
Put the needle down into the quilt sandwich in the same exact spot that you pulled the bobbin thread through. Hold both threads to the side, put your presser foot down and start quilting.
Once you are a few inches away from the starting point, you should have enough room to bury your knot.
Tie a small knot using both of the thread tails.
So, I use my stitch ripper and gently take out a few stitches-just enough to give me some decent thread tails to work with.
Tie a knot. (You will notice that I had to tie the knot just above the thread on the right...you don't want to tie it off in the middle of the two threads or the knot will sit right on top of the fabric and it will be hard to bury.)
Thread the needle....
and once again, insert it through the same hole that your knot is coming from.


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Leading Enterprise Newsweekly Awards Honor the Best Enterprise IT Products/Services of the Year
SAN MATEO, CA.—April 6, 2004—NetSuite, Inc., announced today that eWEEK, a Ziff Davis Media publication and one of the IT industry's leading enterprise IT magazines, has named NetSuite 9.0 the winner in the CRM category in eWEEK's Fourth Annual Excellence Awards program. Products such as Microsoft CRM, Siebel On-Demand, and salesforce.com didn't even make it to the finalist list in the CRM category. The Excellence Awards honor the most innovative and relevant enterprise hardware, software and services announced in 2003 and available by the end of the first quarter of 2004. For more information about NetSuite's Excellence Award, please go to www.netsuite.com.hk/excellence. NetSuite's award-winning products include NetSuite, Oracle® Small Business Suite, NetERP and NetCRM. The Oracle Small Business Suite name is used under license from Oracle Corporation (NASDAQ: ORCL).
eWEEK evaluators said in bestowing the Excellence Award to NetSuite: "In a crowded field of entrants in the CRM category, NetSuite 9.0 emerged the winner by providing broad value and appeal in a market that is quickly and constantly evolving… The highly customizable interface and easy management won points during judging, as did the availability of graphical summaries of sales data."
NetSuite is the world's most popular on-demand integrated CRM/ERP solution. The eWEEK award is the latest in a string of accolades that NetSuite has received for its technology innovation in on-demand business application suites. In January, NetSuite won the coveted "Willy Award" presented to the Best Hosted CRM Application for 2003 by SellMoreNow.com.
The Fourth Annual eWEEK Excellence Awards program
provides enterprise IT professionals with a benchmark
for assessing a wide range of technology products and
services. Evaluating the entries was a panel of experts
including eWEEK Labs analysts and eWEEK
Corporate Partners, providing a unique mix of technical
and real-world analysis.
"eWEEK is recognised as one of the most
trusted technology journals, and it is a great honor
that they have named NetSuite the top CRM application
of 2004," said Zach Nelson, CEO of NetSuite. "This
accolade is another indication that the CRM applications
are maturing from simple forecasting tools to real business
applications that span order management, e-commerce
and back-office functionality."
" This year's Excellence Awards winners show that
technology innovation is alive and well in the high
tech industry," said Eric Lundquist, Editor-in-Chief,
eWEEK. "These winners from companies large
and small have shown that by being attuned to the customer's
needs, they can design, develop and distribute products
that are setting new standards in the enterprise marketplace.
In concert with our goal of providing enterprise IT
decision makers with the most current and in-depth technology
information, the eWEEK Excellence awards represent
the most vital products to this community."
eWEEK is the essential technology information
source for builders of enterprise infrastructure. eWEEK
helps its readers successfully evaluate, deploy and
leverage new technology solutions for competitive advantage.
The publication delivers breaking news, technology evaluations
and strategic analysis on the technologies, platforms
and trends that impact enterprise-wide computing.
For more information about NetSuite please visit our Web site at www.netsuite.com.hk.
Oracle is a registered trademark of Oracle Corporation
and/or its affiliates.


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Hillsboro, Petite—8.25" x 4"
Product Description
Few products can add as much value to the curb appeal of
your home as our cast aluminum personalized plaque. Each plaque is
hand-crafted in the USA from rust-free, recycled aluminum.
Paints have been specially formulated and weather-tested to
withstand the harshest elements, and many of our address
plaques are designed to provide maximum visibility to meet
local "911" emergency standards.
• 8.25" x 4"
One Line Version
• Line 1 holds up to six 1.5" characters.
Shown in Antique/Copper


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Privacy Policy
Last updated: January 1, 2018
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MOSCOW — It has been more than a month since the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, and Sergei Opalev is still trying to wrap his head around the chaotic end to America's 20-year war.
It's not the defeat that confounds him — he understands that part all too well. Opalev served as a captain in the Soviet army as it was gradually humbled by Afghan mujahedeen fighters during a decade of war in the 1980s.
The problem, he says, is how U.S. forces left.
"It's just a fact that if you want to evacuate a division, you need a week," says Opalev, who was among the last Soviet soldiers to withdraw from Afghanistan. "If you pull out an army of tens of thousands, you need a year."
As the United States grapples with the fallout from its exit from Afghanistan, former soldiers who fought as part of the USSR's own losing military campaign see echoes in their experiences — similar searing loss — but also evidence of American miscalculation that casts the Soviet experience in a more flattering light.
Moreover, perceptions of missteps in the U.S. withdrawal have played into the hands of Russian President Vladimir Putin's wider efforts to rehabilitate aspects of Soviet history.
The Soviets fashioned a made-for-TV exit
Take the final days of the Soviet pullout from Afghanistan in 1989. The pullout was once viewed as a moment of national humiliation, but Russian veterans say it now looks more impressive and orderly in comparison with America's hurried exit.
Soviet state television coverage of the final day shows popular crooner Iosif Kobzon in the Afghan border town of Hairatan to entertain troops. Soldiers shine their boots in anticipation of reunions with family members.
The footage culminates in this scene: On Feb. 15, 1989, the last tanks and trucks cross a bridge from northern Afghanistan into Uzbekistan, then a Soviet republic. They are followed by a lone figure on foot: Soviet Lt. Gen. Boris Gromov.
"I can say that not one soldier remains behind me," Gromov tells a Soviet reporter on the scene. Soon, the general is joined by his young son, and the two walk arm in arm into Soviet territory.
The event was — of course — staged. Neither were Gromov's words entirely true: Several hundred Soviet troops were still missing in action.
Yet, today, Opalev says he finds it an appropriate end to a decade of war.
"The main thing was that it was organized. From our perspective, the evacuation was done just right," he says. "We left civilian infrastructure but took every tank and machine gun with us."
The Soviet retreat was necessary. It was also methodical. For reasons Opalev still can't understand, the American exit wasn't.
The USSR propped up its communist ally in Kabul
Today, Opalev works at the Union of Veterans of Afghanistan's office in central Moscow, where he pulls out the decorated uniform he wears for ceremonies and occasional talks at schools.
Explaining the Soviet military effort to prop up a communist government in Kabul can be a tough sell, he admits.
"If someone thought we came to build socialism — well, yes, that was the political goal at the time and probably not the right one," says Opalev. "Just like the Americans thought, 'We'll build a democracy ... in five, 10 or 20 years.' It didn't work."
He much prefers to frame the Afghanistan mission in terms of "fighting the religious extremists of the day" — and what it means to serve.
"In Moscow, there are people who follow politics. They've always respected veterans and understood why we were there and why the war was in the country's interests," says Opalev. "But then there's another generation that thinks that it was completely unimportant."
Opalev says his nearly two years in Afghanistan — on mountain patrol until an injury earned him a desk job — was the first time he felt like he was doing something that mattered.
He was "like a blue-eyed Rambo" when he first arrived, he says. "Now ... ." His eyes drift to his middle-aged paunch. "Still, those were the best days of my life," he says.
Opalev was just one of more than a half-million Soviet soldiers who cycled through Afghanistan over a decade of fighting.
Others' memories are messier. Less happy.
The war left trauma in its wake
Some 2,300 miles south, in Dushanbe, Tajikistan — now an independent country but back then part of the Soviet Union — Rustam Khodzhayev still struggles with the Afghanistan war.
"It was a hard time for me," he says.
He was 18 in December 1979, when he was conscripted into the Soviet army and deployed at the beginning of the Soviet invasion.
Khodzhayev says Tajiks and other Central Asians formed the majority of initial troop deployments — part of "Muslim battalions" chosen in part for their knowledge of dialects with similarities to those of Afghan speakers of Dari, in particular.
But when he arrived with other new recruits, he felt like he'd landed in a strange land.
"When the cargo doors opened, all we saw was dust," says Khodzhayev. "It was like another planet."
He soon found himself in a special operations unit tasked with tracking the traveling caravans of more experienced Afghan mujahedeen fighters.
"We were all just kids," he says. "I watched friends die, three or four at a time, in province after province. Each one muttered the same word at the end: 'Mama.' "
His wife, Mukhru Khodzhayeva, says Rustam, now 59, still has nightmares from those days. He calls out for dead friends in his sleep — pleading with them to turn back, to run.
She worries he has "Afghanskii syndrome"— the PTSD-like term that Soviets gave to unexplained emotional trauma that lingered from the war.
Meanwhile, Mukhru has her own memories from Afghanistan to confront.
The Soviets also sought to liberate Afghan women
Mukhru served as a Dari interpreter for Russian-speaking Soviet forces beginning in 1987 — "kind words were my weapon," she says.
She also worked in education and job skills programs for Afghan women — first in Kabul, then elsewhere in the country.
"They were happy we were there," she recalls. "They weren't as conservative as they are now. They would wear hijabs in public," she says, referring to the traditional head covering, "but when they gathered with other women, they dressed openly."
Still, she found herself omitting phrases or selectively translating if her Russian-speaking comrades said something that might offend the locals.
"I was raised in the east, and there you learn to tread lightly," she says.
But that didn't save her from the war's violence. After viewing soldiers' bodies sheared open from battle wounds, she says she nearly lost her mind.
"I'd grown up being taught that good always won over evil," she says. "Only it turns out, evil was always there beside us. We just hadn't noticed."
For that reason, Mukhru views the Soviet withdrawal — that day on the bridge — as a happy event.
She was a patriot. She'd fulfilled her duty. The violence of the war was finally at an end.
Pundits called it "the Soviet Vietnam"
By the time the Soviet army withdrew, more than 15,000 of its soldiers had been killed and 60,000 wounded, and at least a million Afghans had died in the fighting.
U.S. military aid — in the form of shoulder-fired Stinger missiles supplied by the CIA — had helped the mujahedeen counter Soviet helicopter gunships and inflict damage on the occupying Soviet forces.
But after a decade at war, the Soviet public couldn't understand what the USSR was even doing in Afghanistan. Profound changes were underway at home as Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev's policy of perestroika brought increased freedoms — and growing economic turmoil. With no Kremlin victory in sight, pundits increasingly drew comparisons to another draining Cold War quagmire — referring to the Afghanistan war as "the Soviet Vietnam."
Less than three years after the Soviet pullout, the USSR was no more.
"The veterans went from a status of being venerated to the condition where they were completely despised, and that was also projected onto the collapse of the Soviet state," says Princeton University professor Serguei Alex Oushakine, author of The Patriotism of Despair: Nation, War, and Loss in Russia. "For the bigger part of this new century, [Soviet] Afghan vets were sort of outcasts."
Rustam Khodzhayev says that's how it felt for him.
"The USSR was gone and no one wanted to help us anymore," he recalls. "They say, 'Why should we? We didn't send you there.' "
Better days after the war
Yet good things also came out of the war.
Rustam and Mukhru first met at a reunion for Afghanistan vets in Dushanbe shortly after the war. "Rustam came up to me and introduced himself. Of course, I smiled," says Mukhru.
The two have been married now for over 30 years, with children and grandchildren.
Both remain active in veterans' affairs — gathering with fellow Afghanistan war vets and laying flowers at the graves of those they lost.
In Moscow, Opalev, the former Russian captain, says the Soviet mission may have been misguided, but more Russians have come to understand the sacrifice and selflessness of the soldiers involved in the Soviet-Afghan war all those years ago.
"I didn't take part in the decision to send in the troops or take them out," he says. "We did what we were ordered to do. And I think we did that with honor. From a military point of view, it was a success."
Views change about the war
In Putin's Russia, that's a message that increasingly resonates as the late stages of Soviet power have come to be seen through the lens of failed Kremlin leadership — not a failed military.
Today's Kremlin has also sought to cross-pollinate widespread reverence for the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in World War II with Russia's more recent — and controversial — proxy wars in eastern Ukraine, Georgia and Syria.
Soviet Afghanistan veterans, too, have found themselves part of that grander version of the Soviet past — within limits.
"The government hasn't forgotten about us. They invite us to events, but it's not the same as with the World War II veterans," says Opalev.
"After all, they were defending the Fatherland. We were defending the interests of the Fatherland."
Russian films like The 9th Company — a 2005 domestic blockbuster that tells the story of Soviet soldiers who heroically fought and died in one of the last battles of the occupation of Afghanistan — have also helped to rehabilitate the image of Afghanistan vets in the eyes of the Russian public.
"The message is extremely patriotic," says Princeton's Oushakine. "It has this very Hollywood-like message: The war may have been lost, but we won our personal battles."
Vets of the Soviet-Afghan war can point to another victory as well. In 2010, the Kremlin officially named Feb. 15 — the official date of the Soviet pullout from Afghanistan — a state holiday: "A Day of Remembrance of the Russians Who Fulfilled Their Service Duty Beyond the Limits of the Fatherland."
Opalev says in that path of redemption lies advice for American veterans as they restart their own lives — and journeys — post-Afghanistan.
"Help one another," he says. "Reach out to those who've been injured and to the families of the dead."
Meanwhile, Mukhru Khodzhayeva, the interpreter, recalls the Soviets' efforts to promote Afghan women's rights all those years ago. She says her thoughts now lie primarily with the fate of women under the Taliban. Since taking power in August, the new rulers have already rolled back many of the rights women gained under the previous government, including rights to work and education.
"How can the Taliban expect to build a society without women?" she asks.
And her husband, Rustam, still living with his nightmares, warns that for all those touched by the war, the struggle will never truly be over.
"It's only the beginning of the beginning," he says.
Witnessing two of the world's most powerful armies humbled in the Afghan deserts in one lifetime has revealed the simplest of truths: There are always more battles to come.
Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.


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Fetish Fantasy Series Limited Edition Furry Cuffs
The use of restraint has always been a sexual stimulant, and with these fur-covered metal cuffs, fantasy becomes reality! Lined with velvety-soft faux fur, these heavy-duty cuffs keep your lover comfortably constrained and looking sexy. The locking mechanism is the same technology used in professional police cuffs, so they're made to play hard. You'll both love the sensuous feel of the soft fur as it teases and titillates. Lock up your lover and explore your deepest fetish fantasies!
Product Details:
Product Details:
- Realistic: No
- Size/Circumference: 0.000
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text:
Evangelist/actress, Eucharia Anunobi dere na instagram ya tribute ya gbawa obi gi gbasara ofu nwa onwere nwuru, onwe tinye ya foto ebe ona emetu ozu ya . guo tribute ya n'okpuru
"22nd August 2017 was the day God's precious child and son, the amazing blessing God blessed me with, that made me to be a mother, travelled out of this earth.
5th September 2017 was the day his fleshly remains were committed to mother earth.
5th December 2017 was the day it cumulated three months of my mourning him, for the purposes of observing rites of culture/tradition .
Raymond Joshua Chimaobi Chimnonso Ekwu, your mummy is absolutely distraught without you still. Our home is so silent now without you. Every time I still peep into your room to see if you're there. When I drive back home, I long to see your smiling face radiating that joy of seeing me back. Cooking has lost it's joy because you're not there to ask all those questions: mummy what are you cooking now? What's that? Why do you put that? Mummy please can I stir the contents of what you're cooking? Can I get a piece of meat? No more will I hear you say: mummy my sleep mode is not activated yet when I say: Chimnonso go to sleep right now! No one to ask me: mummy how come am getting pimples on my face and you don't have? And I have to answer: Joshua, you're in your puberty years and becoming a young man? Aaaaah my son, my baby, the most considerate child, my six feet four inches ( 6ft, 4 inches tall ) adorable giant, I miss you oooooooo .
Be that as it may, I want to use this medium to wholeheartedly appreciate God, the eternal rock of ages, the all-knowing emperor of the universe, the pillar of my life, for it all.
THE GREAT I AM THAT I AM, I THANK YOU, I BLESS YOU, I HONOUR YOU, I GLORIFY YOU LORD – 1 Thessalonians 5: 18."


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Bookclub Questions for 'The Seven Sisters'
1) The Seven Sisters is allegorically based on the myths and legends of the Pleiades star constellation. Were you able to recognise parts or all of the mythology within the story? Do you think it adds another dimension?
2) One of the themes of The Seven Sisters is celebrating humanity's great cultural achievements. In this instance, Heitor da Silva Costa with the design and construction of Christ the Redeemer. Do you think mixing historical fact with fictional characters brings these events to life?
3) When we are first introduced to Gustavo, we are led to believe he is a shy, sensitive man who is dominated by his mother. Once married, he shows a far more selfish and sometimes aggressive side to him. Does this make you dislike him? Or are you able to sympathise with him?
4) Bel's father is socially ambitious to an extreme. How much of a driver do you believe this is in human nature in general?
5) Why do you think Paris in the 1920's became the hub of art and literature, and the bohemian population flocked there from around the world?
6) Maia, like all her sisters, is adopted. Discuss the nature versus nurture aspect of the book, eg; are our personalities formed from birth, and if so, how much does our childhood environment impact on us?
7) Maia eventually discovers the truth about her own past. Do you think in doing so she has achieved closure and is able to move on more effectively? In general, do you believe it is a healthy thing to know the truth of your birth? Or can it be damaging?
8) Do you think it was morally correct for a single man to adopt six daughters from different parts of the world? In your opinion, are men as capable as women when it comes to nurturing and taking care of young children, especially females?
9) How much do you think the exotic setting of Brazil adds to the story?
10) Has learning about the construction of Christ the Redeemer, and the hidden stories behind it, inspired you to learn more? Did you find history an interesting subject at school? Do you believe the way it is taught is effective?


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At a meeting with the deputy political director of the AFL-CIO during my campaign for Congress, she looked across her desk and told me that I could get major union support by coming out in favor of the Keystone XL oil pipeline.
That was five years ago. Since then, the nation's biggest labor federation has continued to serve the fossil fuel industry. Call it union leadership for a dead planet.
Last week, the AFL-CIO put out a statement from its president, Richard Trumka, under the headline "Dakota Access Pipeline Provides High-Quality Jobs." The rhetoric was standard flackery for energy conglomerates, declaring "it is fundamentally unfair to hold union members' livelihoods and their families' financial security hostage to endless delay."
The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe is steadfast against the Dakota Access pipeline: "We will not rest until our lands, people, waters, and sacred sites are permanently protected from this destructive pipeline."
In sharp contrast to the AFL-CIO's top echelon, some unions really want to restrain climate change and are now vocally opposing the Dakota pipeline.
Communications Workers of America has expressed solidarity with members of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe "as they fight to protect their community, their land and their water supply."
At National Nurses United, Co-President Jean Ross cites "an obligation to step up climate action to protect public health and the future for the generations to follow us."
Ross said: "We commend the leaders and members of the Standing Rock Sioux, the many First Nation allies who have joined them, and the environmentalists and other supporters who have participated in the protests against the Dakota Access pipeline."
NNU points out that "the proposed 1,172-mile pipeline would carry nearly a half million barrels of dirty crude oil every day across four states." Ross says that such projects "pose a continual threat to public health from the extraction process through the transport to the refinery."
As for the AFL-CIO's support for the pipeline, NNU's director of environmental health and social justice was blunt. "We're deeply disappointed in our labor federation siding with those that would endanger and harm the land, the water, the lives of the people along the pipeline path and the health of the planet itself in the name of profits," Fernando Losada said.
He added that the Dakota pipeline is part of "a drive to extract fossil fuel that is untenable for the future of the planet."
The nurses union is part of the AFL-CIO, but dominant forces within the federation are committed to corporate energy priorities. Losada said that "some elements in the AFL-CIO" have caused a stance that "is a narrow position in the alleged interests of their members for some short-term jobs."
Compare that narrow position to a recent statement from Communications Workers of America: "The labor movement is rooted in the simple and powerful idea of solidarity with all struggles for dignity, justice and respect. CWA will continue to fight against the interests of the 1% and corporate greed and firmly stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe against the environmental and cultural degradation of their community."
A venerable labor song has a question for the leaders of the AFL-CIO: Which side are you on?
When it comes to planetary survival, the answer from the top of the AFL-CIO hierarchy remains: We're on the wrong side.


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Italian manufacturer, De Cecco, the third largest producer of pasta in the world, has become the first agri-food company to adhere to the My Care methodology.
De Cecco production never stopped, even during lockdown, ensuring supply chain continuity throughout the country. In order to ensure the safety of their employees and mitigate the risk of infection, De Cecco chose to have internal protocols, processes and applications subjected to an independent verification by DNV GL using the My Care assessment methodology.
The robust methodology is used to identify strengths and opportunities for improving the processes and activities implemented to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The areas focused through this application was in De Cecco's two pasta factories of Fara San Martino and Ortona, in the olive oil mill and in the Pescara offices.
Following the successful assessment, De Cecco has been issued a Readiness Statement by DNV GL which can be used to provide transparency and build stakeholder trust. The data coming from the verification activities is stored on the VeChain public blockchain and can be accessed via a QR code.
"In recent months our priority has been to create a safe environment for all our collaborators and operators. With a cohesive team, we have adapted our management systems and our operating methods in such a way as to always be in line with the various governmental provisions that have followed over time "comments Vincenzo Ponte, Quality Manager of De Cecco. "To be sure that we have reached adequate levels of safety and to be able to give our operators and collaborators evidence of our commitment and the suitability of the procedures put in place, we asked DNV GL to verify their correct application and effectiveness. Being the first Italian agri-food company to adhere to the My Care methodology is a great satisfaction. "
"Our verifications according to the My Care methodology revealed full compliance for the pasta factories, the oil mill and the Main Offices of the De Cecco Group. Our independent verification highlights De Cecco's desire for transparency and the rigorous use of our methodology. A true example of seriousness that demonstrates the commitment in the application of all the measures activated by the Group to protect its employees and operators "concludes Francesco Di Sarno, Digital Assurance & Supply Chain Sales Director of DNV GL - Business Assurance Italy.


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Collecting Dust: Psychic Archives
Posted on Feb 28th, 2011 in Pics by Mr. Goldbar
Photos by In Your Closet NYC
Collecting Dust is a look into our art director Dust La Rock's vast archive of records, books, and other inspirational ephemera. For today's edition, Dust chose to display his Psychic TV collection, just in time for this Friday's "BK Scum" opening. Check some selects after the jump, and the full set here.