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For the very latest updates on newly released merchandise, check out the following info. By clicking on the word links towards the bottom of the page, you will see a picture of the item. If you like what you see...purchasing is easy, just click on the "buy it", "order now" or "add to shopping cart" link (depending on the merchandise site). As well as the latest items, this page will always list old favourites too. Many items such as the beanie bears and variant figures are limited so be quick to avoid missing out.
Check out AnotherUniverse.com for all your Buffy/Angel needs and especially to order the Buffy Reflections cards set. Printed on unique Linen card stock, each image in this 72-card series is like a work of art on a mini-canvas and allows Inkworks to focus on characters and scenes that could not be produced in earlier releases. In addition to the mini-canvas cards, the series includes three levels of randomly inserted special bonus cards. These bonus cards include a 9 card all-foil puzzle collage featuring Buffy and friends, 6 different "journal entry" cards and autographed cards of your favorite characters! Get started with the box of 24 packs and save $16!
Don't forget to check out the going going gone section of AnotherUniverse.com for great specials on Buffy card sets, T-shirts, chalices and more!
If you join the Buffy Collector's Society, at Moore Action Collectibles you can pre-order Buffy figures including exclusive variants by Clay Moore. These are incredibly detailed and not to be missed for the serious collector!
SNEAK PREVIEW!! Click HERE to see the latest Buffy figures to be released including Xander, Oz, Cordelia and Giles!
Ebay is the place to go for all your autographed items!! There are always auctioned autographed trading cards and pictures at great prices. (Just do a search under Buffy auto) Remember you can also get unusual Buffy items at Ebay such as press kits, scripts, light switch plates, mousepads, and more! If you want a cool utility to keep you notified of changes on Ebay, download it HERE.
And if you can't get enough of Buffy auctions...you have to go to the new Fandom Auctions site which AnotherUniverse has joined, offering Buffy collectors genre merchandise at even better prices. To celebrate the new "partnership" AnotherUniverse is putting items such as comics, action figures and cast pictures from $1 with no reserve! Don't miss out!
Powerstar Merchandise is a definite must see for the latest merchandise releases for both Buffy and Angel items. Latest items include the Buffy & Angel temporary tattoos, Angel 6 foot standup figure, pocket mirrors and the Supernatural Defense Kit. There are also lots of specials.
The Buffy Store is now open...to check out the official Buffy merchandise on line at the Official Buffy Website, Click Here
Looking for a BtVS/Angel article or info on the cast? Do a Buffy Search at Sci-fi Weekly.
Check out the place where it all began at The Bronze. While there you can chat with other fans known as Bronzers, and maybe run into a VIP...
BtVS/Angel Merchandise at Another Universe.com
BtVS Signed Lithograph of Buffy & the Master
SMG 2000 Calendar UK - 50% off!!
Buffy the Vampire Slayer 2000 Calendar - 50% off!!
Buffy comic #18 Photo cover
Buffy the Vampire Slayer Magazine #7
Buffy Pop Quiz
Buffy the Vampire Slayer S3 Photocards
Brooding Angel Gift Pack
BtVS/Angel Merchandise at Moore Action Collectibles
Buffy 6 inch figure
Angel figure
Willow figure
Master figure
Exclusive BuffyMAC variant
Exclusive Buffy Prom variant
Exclusive vampiric Angel variant
Exclusive Willow variant
BtVS/Angel Merchandise at Powerstar. Click HERE to enter the store as the items cannot be directly linked to below.
Sunnydale High Year Book
Limited edition Buffy beanie bears
Detailed Angel vinyl statue
1st City of Angel novel
Incredible limited edition Angel Becoming statue
Cult Times #52 magazine with lots of Angel
Angel shooter glass
Angel/Buffy lunchbox
Angel Magnets
Angel/Buffy 10 inch clock
Angel/Buffy watches
Buffy Photos
Icon Goblet
Angel Comics


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Sunseeker teams up with Red Bull Racing Formula One
Published: Friday, 26 May 2017
Sunseeker International supports the Red Bull Racing Formula One Team with providing tender service for the upcoming Monaco Grand Prix (May 25-28).
(Photos: Sunseeker - five sports yachts from Sunseeker)
The Monaco Grand Prix sees Sunseeker providing five sports yachts to the Red Bull Racing Formula One team for its VIP guests throughout the four-day event. The five models include three from the current range with two San Remo's and the Predator 57.
Two iconic Superhawk models that boast performance also accompany the Sunseeker fleet.
Phil Popham, CEO at Sunseeker, commented: "We are thrilled to be linking-up with the world-renowned Red Bull Racing team for the Monaco Grand Prix. There is a natural affiliation between Sunseeker and Formula One and we have had a long association with the sport. It is great to be involved again especially with such an incredible team as Red Bull Racing, and we are really excited about working with them."

subset: commoncrawl


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No quilting done this weekend. I've been traveling from Dover, NH to Poughkeepsie NY and back!
That's my youngest son Brandon. He graduated from Marist College in Poughkeepsie, NY yesterday. It's hard to believe my baby is now ready to enter the working world - if he can find a job. His degree is in Political Science and he wants to find working on a political campaign. Hopefully it won't take him long to find one.
He is dating a wonderful young woman, Ellen. She also graduated from college last week. Her degree is in French and she is in dancer. I don't know much about her, but I do think she is good match for Brandon.
Of course, what's a graduation without a picture with your mom?
My boys are becoming great young men and I'm so proud of them. In this picture you see Tasha, my FDIL, Geoffrey, son #2, Brandon, son #3 and his girlfriend Ellen. What an terrific group of young adults. All of them are ready to take on the world!
The party is over for now. This coming week will be spent making final preparations for next weekend - finishing my quilt studio!


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Hunterdon Review endorsement: "Vote for Malinowski"
Originally posted at: http://www.newjerseyhills.com/hunterdon_review/opinion/editorial/editorial-vote-for-malinowski/article_b18bb5bb-bf30-5aed-92d6-60668a4b4b39.html
During the past two years, Congressman Leonard Lance, R-7, has stood up publicly against President Trump more than any other Republican in the House of Representatives.
Lance became a darling of the cable networks for continuing to hold regular town halls to answer questions from angry constituents about GOP efforts to overturn the Affordable Care Act and enact an unfair tax law designed to punish New Jersey and other "blue states."
Lance is principled, thoughtful and often courageous, and we have endorsed him in both the primary and in the general election every time he has run for office.
But not this year – not with an erratic, vindictive and unstable President in the White House who is enabled and supported by the overwhelming majority of Republicans in Congress on policies that undermine our democratic institutions and values, weaken our country and treat states like New Jersey as the enemy.
New Jersey's future – and our nation's future – depends on electing a Democratic majority in the House of Representatives with the political clout to negotiate from a position of strength with the President and with a right-wing Senate GOP majority that is likely to remain in control after the election.
The Gateway Project, which would replace the Sandy-damaged rail tunnels, double rail capacity, and finally provide a one-seat ride for commuters on the Raritan Valley Line and greatly aid all commuters in the district, is the most important economic development project in our state.
President Trump and the Republican Congress have blocked Gateway for two years, even with Congressman Rodney Frelinghuysen, R-11, serving as House Appropriations Committee chair, and it will likely only be funded if Democrats win the House and make Gateway funding a requirement in next year's budget negotiations.
Lance's presence in Congress will not make any more difference to the future of Gateway than his opposition did to the Republican tax bill's virtual elimination of the SALT deduction for state and local taxes that was designed by the red state GOP majority to hurt the economies of New Jersey, New York. and California.
Nor can Lance persuade his Republican colleagues to walk a middle line on health care, immigration reform or any other policies that are so important to the people of New Jersey and the nation.
We urge residents of New Jersey's Seventh Congressional District, which includes all of Hunterdon County, to join Republicans like Peapack-Gladstone Mayor Bill Muller and Alexandria Mayor Michelle Garay in recognizing that the interests of their towns and of New Jersey require the election of Democrat Tom Malinowski to replace Lance in Congress.
A former Assistant Secretary of State under President Obama, Malinowski partnered with the late Senator John McCain in a bipartisan effort to pass the Detainee Refugee Act, which ended the practice of torturing prisoners. Previously, he had served as Senior Director of the National Security Council under President Clinton and as the Washington Director for Human Rights Watch. Unlike most new members of Congress, he knows how Washington works and is prepared to hit the ground running.
Malinowski's top priorities include health care reform, construction of the Gateway Tunnel and other infrastructure investment, immigration reform and environmental protection. As part of a new Democratic House majority, he would have a better chance to make a real difference than Leonard Lance.
We endorse Tom Malinowski for election to Congress from the 7th District.


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Listen to this article
Foot Locker is showing that it's not all doom-and-gloom for US retailers.
The shoe store's shares were Friday's top gainer on the S&P 500, rising more than 9 per cent after a strong quarterly earnings report showed the benefits of being at the centre of the "sneaker culture" that has transfixed fashionistas.
Over the three-month period ending January 28, Foot Locker's net income came in at $189m, or $1.42 a share, compared to the $175m in income and $1.32 a share that analysts surveyed by Bloomberg had expected. Revenue was in line with the $2.11bn expected, and same-store sales — a key industry metric — rose 5 per cent, versus expectations for a 4.8 per cent increase.
During a call with analysts on Friday, Foot Locker executives said they were benefitting from their position at the centre of the "sneaker culture" that has seen cool-obsessed consumers queuing up for hours to buy the latest must-have model.
And, unlike some retailers that are shuttering stores as foot traffic falls, Foot Locker executives said they have seen their customer base "energised" by the recent opening of two new stores in some of Manhattan's busiest locations, including a flagship store on 34th Street and a new outpost in Times Square.
"We have a lot of really exciting initiatives ahead of us in 2017 that we believe will keep us at the centre of sneaker culture, and gives us the right foundation on which to succeed over the long term," said chief financial officer Lauren Peters.
One thing to look out for in the coming months — "we know that our consumer likes to buy new sneaker when they get their tax refunds," added chief executive Dick Johnson.
A not-so-bright spot, however, was Europe, where sales growth did not keep up the rapid pace over 2016 as it had in previous years, Foot Locker said, despite "solid momentum" across that business.
"We intend to continue to invest aggressively in our European business, including new stores and remodels," Mr Johnson added.
Including today's gains, the company's stock has increased 12.2 per cent over the past 12 months. Barring any fallback, Friday's gains have positioned Foot Locker stock for its best day since August.
Get alerts on Corporate earnings when a new story is published


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Home >> Uk + Ireland >> England >> Shropshire >>
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"BEDSTONE, a parish in the hundred of Purslow, in the county of Salop, 5½ miles to the N.E. of Knighton, its post town, and 7 from Craven Arms railway station. The parish is very small, and the village consists of scattered houses, situated on the road from Knighton to Craven Arms station. The living is a rectory* in the diocese of Hereford, value £230, with 35 acres of glebe, in the patronage of E. Rogers, Esq. The church, dedicated to St. Mary, is a plain old structure, and was repaired in 1851. Edward Bennett, Esq., is lord of the manor, and proprietor of the parish."[Transcribed from The National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland 1868 by Colin Hinson ©2015]
You can also perform a more selective search for churches in the Bedstone area or see them printed on a map.
Church Records
Description and Travel
- A transcript of the Bedstone parish entries from Samuel Lewis's 1831 Topographical Dictionary of England,
- A transcript of the Bedstone parish entries from Gregory's 1824 Gazetteer of Shropshire,
Ask for a calculation of the distance from Bedstone to another place.
Click here for a list of nearby places.
Historical Geography
You can see the administrative areas in which Bedstone has been placed at times in the past. Select one to see a link to a map of that particular area.
You can see maps centred on OS grid reference SO369756 (Lat/Lon: 52.37479, -2.928316), Bedstone which are provided by:
- This place shown on an OpenStreetMap map.
- Google Streetview
- StreetMap (Current Ordnance Survey maps)
- OpenStreetMap
- Bing (was Multimap)
- OldMaps (Old Ordnance Survey maps.)
- Old Maps Online (Other old maps.)
- National Library of Scotland (Best site for old maps)
- Vision of Britain (Click "Historical units & statistics" for administrative areas.)
- English Jurisdictions in 1851 (Unfortunately the LDS have removed the facility to enable us to specify a starting location, you will need to search yourself on their map.)
- Magic (Geographic information) (Click + on map if it doesn't show)
- Elgin Road Works
- GeoHack (Links to on-line maps and location specific services.)
- All places within the same township/parish shown on an Openstreetmap map.
- Nearby townships/parishes shown on an Openstreetmap map.
- Nearby places shown on an Openstreetmap map.


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Christina Collins grew up in Massachusetts and lives in Northern Ireland, where she's always on the lookout for castle ruins and secret gardens. She earned her PhD in creative writing from Queen's University Belfast and her MFA in creative writing from George Mason University and has taught at both universities. She has been a writer-in-residence at the Kimmel Harding Nelson Center for the Arts as well as the Art Commune program in Armenia. Her Pushcart Prize-nominated short fiction and poetry have appeared in more than a dozen publications, including Jabberwock Review and NonBinary Review. After Zero is her debut novel.
Agent: Becky Bagnell, Lindsay Literary Agency


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I sCReam for!
Summer is that time of the year, when you can slip into a neutral color dress, slapped on with tons of pastel prints (baby blues, mint green, light pink), add a dash of bright lipstick, an accessory or two, and you are set to twinkle is dusty summer light!
I had my summer moment this year with this dress that brings food and fashion together. So, no surprise that I screamed with excitement when I pulled out this ice cream cone dress that is just perfect for a lunch date. Beyond this print, the fabric of this dress is flowy and the back is super cute too. I picked a pair of pink heels to coordinate the outfit and added a little glam with an oversized bow (that blended into my ponytail), pink lips, and purple nails.
Get the look
This dress is an old number, but here are some fun food prints to try this summer so you can wear your love for food on your sleeve or around your neck. Shop some these fun pieces and create the perfect look girly, fun, flirty summer weekend looks.


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According to an ABC news article, a woman was killed after she was to be questioned by police after allegedly sending a "hoax WMD package to a republican New York state senator."
The article continues:
"a female (who was armed with a knife and handgun) opened (the door) and began assaulting an officer with the weapons." In spite of the attack, the officer was able to access his service revolver and stop the woman from continuing the assault. The officer sustained non-life threatening injuries, and the woman, identified as Jameela Barnette, was killed.No matter what the circumstances are that surround such a tragedy, it is always hard to deal with death, particularly around Christmas. Death is such a final word that evokes deep and hurtful memories.
The sad thing is that we live as if we have hundreds of years to live when in actuality, there is no promise that I will finish the next w o r d in this sentence. That is the hoax we believe. Somehow we actually think that life...for us...never ends.
Geof Kimber, a musician friend of mine, wrote these words:
"It's not that life is so short, it's just that death is so long."If there is anything that our family has learned over these last 8 years, it is that life is riddled with unexpected events. In August of 2003, I went to church on a Sunday morning with no inkling that my life would all but end on the floor of a theater in Mount Pleasant, SC. I had suffered a dissected aorta that nearly ended my life and drastically changed my quality of life.
When that year began, it was like any other. We shot fireworks at the stroke of midnight on New Years Day; we planned for and secured a building for our church; and we even celebrated my 43rd birthday with all the boring jokes about my life being over... never even thinking that nearly 7 weeks later I would be lying in ICU at Roper Hospital fighting for my life.
As we begin a new year, I have renewed my commitment to live each day, wait, let me change that... each moment as if if was my last. The Psalmist understood that lifestyle more than most would care or consider:
Teach us to number our days carefully so that we may develop wisdom in our hearts. (Psalm 90:12 HCSB)Lord, this year, each moment, teach me.
Pastor Trey Rhodes


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About Us
Eve&Day formed November 2017 in Seattle, WA. Natalie Paige and Anthony Lee Phillips met to collaborate on Paige's solo work and quickly found a special bond through their musical partnership. As the two continued to experiment with each other's music, an identity started to form in an overlap of new music.
Phillips, born Christmas Eve, and Paige, born Christmas Day, soon formed the duo and are currently working on releasing their first EP, "Blend EP".
They can be found playing every Monday night at Orfeo in Seattle among other venues in the PNW.


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Outdoor Activities in Scotland – Adventure Activities, Training & Holidays!
Active Outdoor Pursuits provide a huge range of outdoor activities in Scotland. From activity days to 5 month instructor training course, we have an adventure for you! Operating across the country from our bases in the Cairngorms National Park, The Great Glen and Ayrshire.
Get Active and join us for a 5 star adventure, choose from watersports, mountainsports or snowsports. Activities are available throughout the year and include; white water rafting, canyoning, canoeing, kayaking, hill walking, rock climbing, mountain biking and so much more… During the summer, Active operate a programme of adventure journeys and expeditions by sea kayak, canoe, bike and on foot throughout the Scottish Highlands & Islands.
In Winter, we offer ski and snowboard lessons and equipment rental at Cairngorm Mountain, The Lecht, Nevis Range, Glen Shee and Glen Coe. We also offer courses in winter hillwalking, mountaineering and ski mountaineering.
Groups & Instructor Training
For schools, colleges and youth groups we provide 2-5 day multi-activity residential breaks at our Cairngorms Adventure Centre. We are an approved BC paddle sports provider, AALS license holder and a Scottish Tourist Board 5 star activity provider. Active are an accredited activities provider (AAP) for the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme.
If your passionate about the outdoors and love sharing your experience with others. You may want to consider a career as an outdoor instructor or guide then look no further than Active's 4, 5 & 6 Month Outdoor Instructor Training Courses.
Accommodation & Equipment Rental
Looking for a place to stay? If your visiting the Aviemore and Cairngorms area, we have group accommodation at our Cairngorms Adventure Centre in Newtonmore.
Have the skills but not the equipment? Rental for canoe, sea kayak and mountain bike is available throughout the year. We can drop off & collect equipment from your accommodation and provide support for self led expeditions. In winter we offer ski and snowboard rental as well as ski mountaineering kit.


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I wonder what are the best practices to program mongoose-os in C++.
Are we forced to use the main.c? My guess right now is that we can write our classes in C++ but then we need to "extern C" the functions to make them visible to our C main.
Is it possible to have the main file in C++? Are there other approaches?
Thank you for sharing!
There is no need of a
main.c file.
You only need to implement
enum mgos_app_init_result mgos_app_init(void)in a
.c or
.cpp file.
Aren't there library limitations?


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You know Halloween is coming soon and we don't celebrate it but I do like sending cute cards to our granddaughters and children. Well, this set is just adorable!
This stamp is one of 10 in the set called Hedgehog Halloween. It's on page 16 of our new Inspiration Avenue which sells for $17.95 (plus shipping). It's definitely on my wish list. There's even a hedgehog with and I.R.S. briefcase and tie. Now that's SCARY!!!
Stay tuned for a couple more sneaks!!


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Memorable Quote: "There is nothing more frightening than the moment we expose our ideas to the world."Dr. Brene Brown
A great speech about how critics and our self doubts keep us from being more creative in our work and lives. Dr. Brown uses the platform of the 99U conference to talk about what it means to be in the "arena" of hard work and presenting our ideas can make us feel vulnerable and less confident. She cites Teddy Roosevelt's quote as being her inspiration for having the courage to say and do what really matters to her in living a daring and fulfilling life. Please read the following quote and then listen to her down to earth and inspiring presentation that highlights how to deal with self-doubt and fear when living an open and caring life based on solid values and your truth.
Teddy Roosevelt's "Citizenship In A Republic" delivered at the Sorbonne, in Paris on 23 April, 1910. The Man in the Arena quote:
It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.


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Dubai Salik - Details
salik gate
What is Salik
Salik is the Dubai's road toll collection system.
The heart of the system is the Salik tag which is attached to the vehicle windshield and utilizes the latest Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology to positively identify the vehicle as it passes through a Salik tolling point.
Motorists with electronic Salik car tags will be automatically charged Dh4 each time they pass through the gates, with an upper limit of Dh24 a day regardless of the number of trips.Commuters without Salik tags, or insufficient Salik account credit, will be fined if they pass through the gates
Salik Gates
There are four Salik gates in Dubai — two on Shaikh Zayed Road and one each on Al Maktoum and Al Gharhoud bridges. Two more salik gates introduced in April 15, 2013. Listed below.
New Salik Gates
Al Ittihad Road near Al Mamzar Bridge - Will be using by Sharjah and Ajman-based commuters
Beirut Road near Airport Tunnel.
Article continues below

How it works
Each time you pass through a Salik tolling point your vehicle is detected using Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology that is built into your Salik sticker tag and the toll of AED 4 will be deducted from your prepaid toll account.
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Mormon Priestcraft… Is There Such a Thing?
Posted by Jon on January 21, 2008
I've had this burning question for a long time (truth be told, I just re-read the P.D.P. post by Shawn L, and it inspired me to revisit this question): Does "priestcraft" exist in Mormon culture? If so, what qualifies as priestcraft? Is it the books or cds by Mormon authors that are being solicited to Mormons? Is it the endless trinkets with CTR or "Hold to the Rod" emblazoned across them? How about the jazzed up or even rocked out versions of primary classics such as "Give Said the Little Stream," or "I Belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?" The "Forgotten Carols?" First, a definition of the word. Priestcraft as defined in 2 Nephi 26:29, which states: "…for, behold, priestcrafts are that men preach and set themselves up for a light unto the world, that they may get gain and praise of the world; but they seek not the welfare of Zion."
Truth is, I don't have an exact answer to my originally question. However, something in my gut just tells me that profiting off of someone because of their religious convictions has something inherently wrong about it. So, yes, I think it exists in Mormon culture, but to what degree, and what exactly constitutes "priestcraft," I'm still not sure.
At conflict with my opinion is the 13th Article of Faith, which reads, and I'm paraphrasing, "… If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things." Though I doubt that qualifies movies like "The R.M." or "Singles Ward," but does it help qualify a few of the well-intentioned books out there?
On that note, I've created my list of the top six (it was a top five list, but then I thought of my least favorite out of all of them, so I amended it to the not-so-round-number, six) items that qualify as Mormon Priestcraft (note: I'm not providing a link to where you can buy the item as that would defeat the purpose, n'est-ce pas?)
- The CTR Dog Tag (yes, it exists)
- An LDS Girl's Guide to Real Beauty. There are other books, lots of them, that could have made this list. Some of you are probably saying, what, no "Tennis Shoes Among the Nephites?" Personal disclaimer: I liked that book. So instead, I chose this one to represent the miriad of books available the mislead people to think they are getting the LDS perspective on any topic, but it can't/shouldn't be quoted in your church meetings. Not that this book in particular is incapable of helping any young lady seeking answers to this question, but by invoking the LDS name can misguide some into thinking it is approved of by the church.
- Any t-shirt about the Stripling Warriors, church song themes (Give Said the Little Stream was the first example I saw, but there are others out there), jr. missionaries, etc.
- Hold to the Rod key chains. Yes, I had one. No, I will not get one again. Heck, just about any key chain, other than the canister for consecrated oil, which I believe serves an actual purpose (if it hadn't come in handy so many times, than it would have been considered. But since it actually serves a purpose and is used for more than just trying to out Mormon the next guy, it stays off the list).
- Any "Christian Rock" band whose target demographic are Mormons, or any Christians for that sake. Yes, that includes groups like Jericho Road.
- And, perhaps my least favorite of all and the reason this is a list of 6 and not 5: RULDS2 Bumper Stickers. Please, I can't think of anything more pointless, self-righteous and belittling to anyone who understands it but isn't LDS.
There are a lot more items that could be listed, some that overlap with the P.D.P.'s, but feel free to add to the list of favorite "Mormon Priestcraft" items in the comments below. Let's be nice (no bashing on the Osmond's or Stephen Covey… both of whom I exempt from the list because they appeal(ed) to a broader audience), but have fun with it.
23 Responses to "Mormon Priestcraft… Is There Such a Thing?"
January 22, 2008 at 10:53 pm
I'd like to add "Saturday's Warrior" to this list, in its many forms.
January 23, 2008 at 11:28 am
Great point. I've never seen any of them, but from what I know, it would be a great addition to the list!
January 23, 2008 at 3:03 pm
One small caveat: I think LDS themed products can be beneficial. For example, I've seen some cool children's "quiet" books about the Book of Mormon. These are great for sacrament meeting, imo. And as far as the keychain goes, sure, it's kitche, but it is a symbol to remind the carrier of a principle.
If it's a poorly made product, and inaccurate product, or one made for the purpose of making a buck (I'm not talking about making any money, I mean get rich scheme type things) it may qualify as priestcraft moreso than other things.
Additionally, priestcrafts involved setting up classes, putting people above other people. Pride, and etc. Oh, well. Why am I defending a friggin' keychain?
January 23, 2008 at 8:29 pm
In my opinion, Mormons practice a form of priestcrafts when we over emphasize the importance of certain callings in the church. We are asked to sustain our Bishop and Stake President along with their counselors. Sustain does not mean to elevate.
The Lord makes it clear that He is no respecter of persons (see Acts 10:34).
I wonder if some church members expect the Bishop or Stake President to live better than they do so they can in turn depend on them for things that they themselves should be doing. It's like saying, "your my (fill in the blank) therefore I want you to live so you can have the Holy Ghost along with the gifts of the spirit, then I can come to you for help, and answers when needed."
January 26, 2008 at 7:05 pm
Shawn and Jared, if what you say is true (and I think you have a point as well), I am obviously favored above my peers, since I teach CTR 8. Literally, the best calling in the church!
January 26, 2008 at 7:06 pm
Shawn and Jared, if what you say is true (and I think you have a point as well), I am obviously favored above my peers, since I teach CTR 8. Literally, the best calling in the church!
April 7, 2008 at 11:35 am
This thread may be old enough that I won't be heard but I have to say that I don't care if someone makes money by producing lds themed entertainment. That is not priestcraft. There is a need for less worldly movies books and music. Hymns are a form of worship meant for cerimonial meetings but when my kids are hanging out with their friends dancing or just grooving it's wonderful to have some Jericho Road among many other talented lds musicians. I am an lds musician and I would love to make a little extra money for my family by selling a cd or two but I write because the Lord, my Father in Heaven and the Gospel are what inspire me. I do not practice priestcraft I write music for my Savior and I know He is pleased with my efforts. When I see the books available to my children to read even in the school library I'm so grateful for books like Tennis Shoes Among The Nephites series that inspires them to search the scriptures, as opposed to books like Billies Two Daddies or anything filled with worldly "wisdom" or vulgarity. I agree that all the 'kitsch' is irreverent but ?evil?
August 29, 2008 at 12:43 pm
I'm also an LDS musician, but one who thinks that profiting from my hymns and other pieces written for the church would definitely be priestcraft. We dedicate our time and talents to the Lord and to the church — we should not profit from that work. The worst offenders of music-related priestcraft: those selling choir music, since 95% of the audience is ward choirs whose funds to purchase that music come from ward budgets, which comes from tithing.
September 19, 2008 at 12:28 pm
I've been accused of many things, but this is the first time I've been accused of priestcraft, and I must admit I'm stunned. I am the author of your #2 piece of Mormon Priestcraft. My first thought is wow… this guy just accused the prophets of the church of priestcraft. According to your post, any product sold to the LDS people is priestcraft… or is there a provision for this based on the fact that these books make money for the church and not the prophet himself, per say… I mean the prophet and the 12 and other G.A's get stipends for living since they work full time for the church but that's not the same is it?? It's the same thing from the comment by Jah. So then, those who teach at the church school and institutes should go without salary because they have a talent from the Lord and the church profits from their work, and our tithing pays for it? Not everyone can attend release time seminary and everyones tithing pays for it. So that is priestcraft too then?
The other problem with how you've set up your definition is that you assume that the motivation for creating such things are for worldly praise and gain, and perhaps in some cases, that is true. But you don't know me or my motivation for writing An LDS Girls Guide to Real Beauty. It is definitely NOT for worldly gain and praise, nor to set myself up as a light. I did however seek to help the welfare of the daughters of Zion. That was my motivation. WIll I make money off this book. Yes, I will make a small amount. Nothing that will buy me a mansion or a fancy car, but enough to pay off some medical bills. Is money why I wrote the book? No.
Do you have daughters? I do, I have 3 and a sister who is the same age as one of my daughters. I have worked with youth my whole adult life. My mom, sister, and I joined the church at age 10 and that changed my life in many ways. I used those experiences to try and reach out to girls while keeping to gospel principles and standards. This book is geared for ages 10-14, an important age in the development of self esteem and it's various issues. When my oldest daughter was 10, she was going through a tough self esteem time. Nothing I said would help. She liked to read books by American Girl on self help topics, but she had been through them, so I went to a books store and looked for something that would be what I want to teach her, but that she wouldn't let me. My jaw hit the floor as I looked through the self help books for girls. First of all, it's all worldly. Yes, there may be a chapter about inner beauty, but it is right next to the chapter on how masturbate and whether or not sex is right for you. Truly… it's awful. There was not one thing remotely close to what I felt my daughter needed so I decided to write it in the hopes it would help her and others like her who struggle to find themselves, and know they matter, even in our church that teaches the answer to that.
My daughters gave input to the book and gave me perspective on things I asked them about. I chose to use the gospel as the foundation of what I wrote because I believe as I think most members of the church believe that the gospel should be the foundation of everything we do.
So you don't like the title, fine. I can see your opinion in that people might take it as a "church produced material." However, I also think that people who buy such things are smarter than you're giving them credit for in that regard. I also agree that there are many products that cross the line. I saw a plastic "Liahona" that reminded me of a Magic 8 ball because in the center there were floating messages of "go and do" etc. For me, that crosses the line. But if someone has a gift for music, writing, or art, and want to share that with others, it's okay as long as it has no mention of being LDS? That makes no sense to me. If there were truly something evil about it, the church wouldn't be in the business of producing it… for a profit… unless you are accusing the church and it's leaders of priestcraft. By their fruits ye shall know them… there are many who have been touched by hearing a song from one of those on your list, where the spirit bears witness to them and they feel the answer to a prayer that they had been seeking. The most touching thing I have heard in response to my book is that a young woman felt the spirit and doesn't feel alone in her feelings anymore. Is that a bad thing?
Are there lines being crossed? Of course. Are all of us who produce things that just happen to be for members of the church practicers of priestcraft? No. Please don't make blanket accusations toward and judge people of whom you know nothing about.
September 20, 2008 at 12:26 pm
Someone suggested the philosophy that "the servant is worth of his hire". This bids the question as to "whom" we are serving as we "labor" to produce?
September 6, 2010 at 12:29 am
Wow! I feel the original post is way off based. Just because a company or product uses church members as their demographic does not constitute them as practicing priestcraft. No, priestcraft is using an office or a type of authority to gain money. Think about if a bishop rents out the cultural hall to a local organization for a community event. Or, a priesthood holder that asked from something in exchange for blessing a sick neighbor. That is priestcraft! Read examples in the scriptures, they are full of them. And nothing had to do with making a living by capitalizing on the trends of a culture. You must remember that none of these companies have any church authority that they are pressing upon our members. If a church leader was coming out and promoting a certain product or company in which he or she had a financial interest in, then this fact would change. EVEN if a church leader is an owner in a company that sells products marketed to the LDS community, this does not solely constitute any grounds of priestcraft. That church leader would have to be using his or her said authority and calling as a means to be market their company and product.
In actuality, making a list of companies and products that do not actually fit the correct criteria of priestcraft is childish and rude. Do you realize that these people do have REAL jobs? Being an entrepreneur is a real job, one of the most important jobs of developing and continue to progress our cultures and civilizations. Though I do not take offense to any of the above comments, those comments seem hurtful and un-Christlike. We preach unity and build up of others, but these comments do not reflect those teachings. If these are the teaching that I believe many of you that have posted believe in, I encourage you to mend the damage which they may have caused. They are not just. And they do not accurately define priestcraft.
December 30, 2010 at 10:00 pm
The entire LDS structure is priestcraft. The "Prophet" Joe Smith was priestcraft. Joe's entire motive was to have sex with as many little women as he could, gain fame for himself, step over his already mystical and loopy family with further loopiness, and in the process become an early-american-idol. The entire LDS religion is priestcraft, becoming a God? Really? Sounds like a t.v. pitch. And it is, nothing more. Wake up folks, you have been duped by pure old fashioned 19th century priestcraft a la Smith.
September 29, 2011 at 1:29 pm
What about a GA using his position to secure for himself and his friends coveted tickets to ?
I just finished reading a book about the 1960 world series, where E.T. Benson, an apostle at the time, called up Vernon Law, a Mormon and a pitcher for the Pittsburg Pirates, looking for four free tickets to game seven of the series. Granted, he was US Secretary of Agriculture at the time, but it seems he was using his position as Mormon Apostle when asking Mormon ball player to secure the tickets. Besides, is it any less bad to use your position as a government official (a servant of the people) to get gain?
But, then again, who hasn't used inside connections of one sort or another to jump to the front of the line?
October 31, 2011 at 8:22 pm
I think you completely missed the meaning. It defines people who set themselves up to be worshipped or believed to hold answers to key social/political issues. Then it adds the caveat: they do not seek the good of Zion. Which implies that while they may be seeking the good of Zion, they actually work against it. D&C 121 illustrates this beautifully.
So sure there may be some that are set up to get gain, but by their fruits ye shall know them.
To me, however, there are none so blatant as those who would use a perception of righteousness to sway the public into listening to a talk radio show or elect them as president. This is where we see the part about vain ambitions rearing its ugly head. Especially when they pretend to preach an end to society as we know it when they clearly have no authority to do so.
February 27, 2012 at 1:01 am
I'm appalled to read these comments pointing the finger at my Religion as practising priestcraft. I just want to say, you will one day be judged by the judgment you have now of my Religion. Joseph Smith was a true Prophet of God chosen to restore His Church on earth. We are lead by a living Prophet today who receives revelations from our Father in heaven to guide His children here on earth. I dont care what you say or how much you ridicule my Religion. I stan firm in my Testimony of the true Church of our Father in heaven restored by Joseph Smith. Jesus is the head of this Church, and we follow His teachings and obey Father's commandments. We don't practice priestcraft, never did and never willl. We know it's not the will of our Father in heaven so we don't do it. We practice Charity, which is the pure love of Christ to all mankind, good or bad. We don't judge anyone. Jesus Christ will do that for all mankind including all or you who are making a mockery out of the truth.
March 18, 2012 at 9:32 am
There is a distinction to be made between 1)Priestcraft, 2)Making a profit off of shared culture, and 3)Cliquishness.
The Mormon kitsch that was described in the original post is making a profit off of a shared culture. Sure, most of it is supremely tacky. Sure, most of it is the exact same stuff you would find in a "Christian" bookstore only with the words "Mormon" or "LDS" tacked onto the title. Sure, a lot of it is pointless and has little to do with the actual Gospel. But, it's not priestcraft. A lot of it is quite manipulative (implying that "good Mormons" should buy their products or that the products are good simply because they have the words "Mormon" or "LDS" in their title or description or are authored by a member of the church). That's tacky and manipulative and usually without merit. However, it is not priestcraft. It is akin to people selling images of dead saints, holy water, and candles to burn to Catholics. It is taking advantage of the gullible. Not the same as priestcraft, but one could argue morally incorrect still.
Cliquishness among LDS is a well-known phenomenon among anyone outside of the church who has worked with a significant number of Mormons. I have seen many times this web of contacts and "who you know" come into play with doctor appointments, sports team involvment, and even college admissions. You will find the same kind of "who you know" or cliquish networking among Jews, Muslims, and any other insular groups (both religiously oriented and not – fraternities exhibit this same behavior long after the college days are over). Is it correct? Well, that's an argument of ethics among individuals and groups. But, it does not qualify as priestcraft.
So, what is priestcraft? In the Book of Mormon we find that priestcraft (1) involves being popular in the world (famous). Now, General Authorities are going to be famous among LDS to some extent simply because they are severely limited in number and exert absolute authority over member of the church (just read Ezra Taft Benson for that information – politics, business, etc. was all stated as perfectly viable territory for a prophet of God to issue commands to the world). Therefore, the question is: When a General Authority authors a book for which he (or she – R.S, Primary, and Y.W. auxillary general presidencies included) gets gain (both by money from book sales and from the publicity) is that priestcraft? Would that same person make the same number of book sales were he (or she) not a General Authority of the church? Would I make the same number of sales writing a book geared towards LDS that Thomas Monson would make writing the same book? Chances are great that Monson would make a killing in book sales. Why? Because he is already the supreme priesthood authority on Earth. That notoriety and fame grant him an immediate, paying audience.
Now, that gets into the second definition of priestcraft or (2) getting gain from one's position of priesthood authority. Book sales are the most obvious of that particular definition. However, we also see that in the Book of Mormon priestcraft is also specifically denounced as church members supporting priesthood leaders with clothing, food, shelter, etc. While most LDS church members strongly advise their nonmember friends that the LDS church has no paid clergy this is actually…not entirely correct. Once a member of the priesthood gains the status of Apostle or Prophet (or mission president as some parts of D&C indicate) according to the Doctrine and Covenants the people of the church should provide clothing, food, shelter, etc. for that priesthood leader. In the church it is euphemistically called a "living stipend". "Living stipend" in the English language is synonymous with "fee", "gratuity", "hire", "pay", "pension", "salary", "take", and "wage". We pay our General Authorities a "wage" solely for their priesthood position. This was true from Joseph Smith, Jr. onward, in fact. Would these members be paid by the church membership if they were NOT General Authorities? The answer is resoundingly, "No, these priesthood holders would not be paid by the church membership without their callings as priesthood leaders/authorities." You will find most members of the church jump through many mental hoops trying to reconcile this information. There are explanations such as, "Well, they give up a paying job when they become a General Authority." Except that most of these men are already at or near retirement age once they attain the position of General Authority. And, their "living stipend" is directly tied to their previous average salary in whatever career they had made a living prior. One need only look at the high profile and financially lucrative previous careers of most of our General Authorities to see that they are paid handsomely relative to the incomes of the average church member once they attain their calling of Apostle. Christ lived as the lowliest of his followers lived. Think about that for a moment.
When one reads the Book of Mormon priestcraft is also defined as (3) "preaching erroneous doctrine". Recently the LDS church public relations department issued statements that previous teachings from the pulpit (General Conference) and in published books by General Authorities were incorrect – wrong – erroneous doctrine. Specifically these were words that described all righteous, worthy, black church members as unworthy to hold the priesthood for numerous different reasons given. One could also surmise this included the General Conference address by a previous prophet that called for the death of any white person marrying a black person. Was this priestcraft? These were General Authorities – prophets and apostles – preaching what is now labeled erroneous doctrine.
Making a living off of administering to the spiritual needs of others is a part of the definition of priestcraft – but, according to the Book of Mormon is not the complete definition. It is certainly enough of a definition to give someone pause when looking at the modern structure of the church.
June 2, 2012 at 8:19 pm
I think before you go making posts like this one, you should research your subject a bit better. Priestcraft has absolutely nothing to do with your "Top 6" items.
Priestcraft is not about selling trinkets or help/aid books. Priestcraft is not referring to authors, publishers, or people who provide items/songs/movies/etc towards an LDS demographic. Believe me. They aren't making any real money on it! Priestcraft refers to people who use their position (ie: priesthood holders) for their own personal gain in position and influence. Priestcraft borders on abuse. These are people who may say the right things, but are doing so to make themselves look good. They want the praise. They want to be viewed as the authority. They want everyone to follow them, not the Lord. There are some Priesthood holders (who really shouldn't hold the priesthood) that will use that "title" to demand, order, and abuse their wives and families. There are others who will use that position to influence the way those who listen to them think and behave. Many of them will quote scripture, but take it completely out of context. That's not how it should be. (And this is not limited to men. There are women who can also be pretty persuasive.)
Every religion has priestcraft among its members. They are not the norm, however. Every religion has books, videos, and music for sale slanted towards their viewpoints. That is not priestcraft. That is bolstering the members. The military serviceman wearing the CTR dog tag isn't thinking about getting gain. He's using the dog tag to help him remember who he is, who's with him, and stand strong in the face of the opposition (both in and out of our military). The young woman who gets some great ideas on how to dress modestly and combine fashion and color from Leslie's guide to LDS beauty isn't worshipping Leslie, but maintaining respect for herself and her values. Don't go confusing "helps" with trying to get in the spotlight.
Avoiding priestcraft has nothing to do with not buying trinkets, clothing, videos, or books. It has to do with intention and how well you listen to the Holy Spirit. Focus on the instructions in the scriptures, the influence of the Holy Ghost, listen to the teaching of the prophets, and remember who your Savior is.
June 10, 2012 at 5:22 am
I love this whole discussion. It seems we are dealing with two separate and distinct entities – one is the culture of mormonism and the other is the gospel. The gospel is not for sale – it never has been and it never will be. Culture, however, has it's price and when we decide to participate in culturally relative practices, that in and of itself takes us away from the gospel. Is it priestcraft? When researching this topic, I came upon a very interesting definition by Thomas Gordon – it is that men 'pretend to greater degrees of favour with Deity'.
Maybe it all comes down to motive and since we cannot see motive, we must rely on other tests to judge. I personally believe there is a lot of priestcraft in the LDS culture – why would it be any different? Do some feel they are in greater favor with Deity and so then create marketable items? (the laborer in Zion – hmmmmm)
The example of Nehor – he was definitely practising priestcraft. He died, yet he still had people believing what he said 'The Order of Nehors'. What if getting the praise and gain of the world is more about 'gaining' adherents that it is about monetary gain? Nehor was tricky enough to preach to the people what they wanted to hear (okay, when does this not happen in cultural settings?) and that kept them so soothed they decided to set up an organization to soothe themselves. Was he narcissistic? Maybe, how many people are now – how many times do we tell our kids how amazing they are and how wonderful what they do is? Could this lead to later priestcraft?
I think in order to define priestcraft and what it means, we definitely need to open our minds to they myriad of possibilities that come up in our culture. Words have layers of meaning and if we examine concepts, popularity, etc. closely enough, we will most likely find the idea of priestcraft in anything we produce or replicate that is not the gospel. It is what people do, and if we don't do it, we want to find an idea, item, movement and feel comfortable with it.
June 24, 2012 at 8:40 pm
Christ-centered media and jewelry have MY VOTE over ALL the nonsense cartoons; fictional books; addictive violent, immoral, and mindless media, gaming, and partying which cause the forgetting of the name of Jesus Christ. Thank you authors and creators who are assisting to teach our children to REMEMBER amongst so many distractions of antichrist teaching our children to FORGET! [every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist–1 John 4:2-3]
November 27, 2013 at 10:29 pm
Have you ever noticed that some people are offended over everything. You could give them the moon and they still would be misersble. They look to be offended, they crave it. Who cares about key chains, or bumper stickers. The only bumper sticker I dislike is "Obama", but I am not going to loose any sleep over it. I have enough things to work on in my life than to care if someone has a community Baptist church bumper sticker, or a RULDS 2. Seriously!
March 20, 2014 at 5:45 am
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June 19, 2016 at 2:00 pm
Men preaching and setting themselves up for a light to the world that they may get gain and praise of the world; they do not seek the welfare of Zion (2 Ne. 26:29)."
This is from the official church website. After much study and contemplation on this issue myself, I must disagree with your above enumerated examples.
The concern with "priestcrafts" is of those who use the church teachings, as a conveyor of the gospel, to get gain; not simply those profiting off of church concepts, books etc.


text:
If you are breastfeeding, we want you to be successful!
To get help planning your return to work while breastfeeding, or with questions about working and breastfeeding, consult with a public health nurse by calling our breastfeeding line at (608) 243-0449 or check out our online resources at the Breastfeeding Education and Support, PHMDC.
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Family & Medical Leave Benefit Information
Video: Family & Medical Leave and Disability Leave/Layoff
A half-hour video presentation on the City of Madison policies and procedures relating to FMLA.
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If you will be needing to pump breast milk while in the community, you can find pumping-friendly locations in Dane County from the Breastfeeding Coalition of South Central Wisconsin.
Department of Labor: Break Time for Nursing Employees under the FSLA
The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) requires employers to provide break time and private locations for nursing employees.


text:
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text: This beautiful work by Ilan Averbuch, Monument to Time, is in a town so small (20 sq miles) the hamlet doesn't boast a hotel. The people in the community have their priorities straight though. The first link on the city web page is for the arts council. An amazing sculpture on the mall between the public library and the community swimming pool.


text:
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Chapter 320
"What in the hell did he just do!" Globe was yelling now, distraught at the site of Shimmerpath being tackled and her portal vanishing.
"Welcome to dealing with Nick," Vince muttered. "He won't hurt… okay he won't seriously hurt a Hero. I've got no idea what he's planning, but I doubt it's something we'd approve of. We should get to him as fast as we-"
Everyone felt it, like a mini-earthquake rippling across the land. The Heroes, students, and Globe all exchanged brief glances. They didn't know what it was, but they knew it was coming their direction. Wordlessly, they all started to run, tearing across the battlefield as fast as they could, hurrying to get past the trees and snare a glimpse of what was approaching.
Bigger this time, louder too, they could feel the wave of noise wash over them as they bolted. The guards across the battlefield were noticing as well, as were the other Heroes still fighting. Confusion spread as no one knew who, or what, was coming. Vince caught sight of Roy, Chad, Titan, and Dean Blaine all coming out of a building and tried to sprint in their direction, only for his head to swim as the injury and pain made themselves known. He waved to them, getting their attention. They waved back at first, before expressions of horror and surprise overtook them.
"Vince, what the fuck happened to your arm?" Roy said.
"Is that… Globe?" Chad was already stepping forward, but the mighty hand of Titan grabbed him by the shoulder.
"Trust me, you want to hear everything before making any rash choices. And you aren't the one who needs to deal with him." Titan nodded to Dean Blaine who leapt forward as soon as Globe drew near, grabbing him by the wrist.
"Globe, on behalf of the Department of Variant Human Affairs I am officially powering you down and taking you into custody."
For his part, Globe didn't struggle or fight back, though he did keep looking in the direction of the noise. "You're a little behind, Zero, I already turned myself in. That was before one of your kids, Nick Campbell, attacked Shimmerpath as she was moving Charles somewhere he couldn't hurt us. I would very much like to make sure she's okay, once we deal with whatever this next threat is."
Their teeth clicked from the force of the landing, and just over the hill they saw something for a brief moment. To everyone's surprise, Titan was smiling as the noise drew closer. "I wouldn't worry about that. Given how hard this place was to reach, plus the potential need for crowd control, I spoke to some old colleagues at Sizemore, ran it through Dean Jackson via Dispatch, and reactivated an old Temporarily Authorized Hero Asset I've worked with before. Someone who could cover a lot of ground while hauling in reinforcements. She might even be able to help cow our enemies into submission, or make the job easier if they still refuse to quit."
This time, they saw it moving as it leapt, no, hopped over the hill, finally allowing them a proper view. Even those who had seen the footage of Titan's fight in Brewster weren't fully prepared for the giant rabbit that landed heavily on the edge of the battlefield. It was shorter this time, yet still massive, and it had traded the old spiked armor for something silver and shiny, complete with a helmet that the ears could poke through. Riding atop it were the familiar costumes of The Gentle Hammers alongside several other Brewster Heroes, as well as a woman wearing a gray mask and a dark ensemble.
"What's up, fuckers?" Her scream carried down from the shoulder of the rabbit, a terrible and vulgar Bugs Bunny impression that really didn't feel appropriate for the situation. That was the benefit of commanding a giant rabbit, though, there was always an audience whether they liked it or not.
"Hot holy damn, that bunny looks way cooler in person." Roy glanced over to his father. "You make some weird friends. Awesome, but weird."
"Oh, you haven't seen anything yet." Titan touched his earpiece quickly, not wasting any more time. "Dispatch, put me through to all the Hero comms in the area, I've got a message to pass along." He paused, waiting for confirmation, then continued. "Attention Heroes, this is Titan. First off, the rabbit and the people on it are with us, so make sure to treat them that way. Secondly, we have captured and neutralized the criminal known as Globe, he is no longer a priority. Our new goal is to end this fighting as quickly and safely as possible, while securing the bunker and all the remaining information inside. Repeat, you no longer need to worry about Globe, so put your full force into dealing with the remaining guards as required. Hexcellent, that goes for you and Hopcules as well. Just make sure to avoid anyone in a white uniform or a costume."
From atop her rabbit Hexcellent yelled back down, on top of using the temporary comm she'd been given. "I'll do my best, but stay out of the damn way. It's a big fucking bunny, I can't always control where I swing it."
"Well, with that matter settled, our next priority should be to recover Charles Adair, Shimmerpath, and Nick Campbell," Dean Blaine said. His helmet tilted slightly down, looking at Vince's injury once more. "All of which we can do after meeting with Graham, turning over Globe, and getting Hallow to fix Vince's arm."
"Don't worry about me, our friends come first." Vince tried to tuck the stump behind his back, wincing from the pain of movement, but there wasn't enough left to shove out of sight. Even if it had worked, the way Vince was swaying on his feet betrayed how hard the injury was hitting him, much as he tried to hide it.
A quick finger flicked him on the back of the ear, so fast that by the time Vince turned around Globe's hand was almost back at his side. "Staying healthy is part of being a Hero too. Injuries slow you down, and the people counting on you might pay for those extra seconds."
"So you'll be getting healed too?" Vince countered.
"Big difference. I'm a criminal, remember? And besides, you lost yours in a fight to keep us all safe. My best friend took mine, because I was too stupid to realize what was happening." For the first time, Globe turned to Chad, who was glaring at him yet had resisted making a move. "When this is over, come see me in prison. I'll answer any questions you have about your dad, what happened that day, any of it. I owe you so much more than that, but I'm afraid the truth is the best I have to offer."
"It would be a nice change of pace," Chad replied. "I am beginning to suspect that I haven't dealt with the truth for a very long time."
An explosion came from nearby, the cause impossible to track but a good reminder that they weren't safe just yet. Titan grabbed Globe in one hand and Vince in the other, tucking both under his arms. "I'll get these two to Graham and Casper. The rest of you meet us there." With a powerful leap, Titan soared into the air, passing by Hexcellent and the dismounting Heroes, many of whom paused to give quick waves before Hopcules unceremoniously squashed a guard that foolishly opened fire on the towering rabbit.
Roy let out a sharp whistle as he watched the massive foot come down hard. "Now that's what I call a good pet."
Hey everyone, Drew here. Just popping by to make a quick announcement. For those who have been asking, I'm going to be doing a holiday meetup in Dallas this year. It is extremely relaxed, and if you're in the area feel free to swing through. Information can be found on the entry in the Events page, or by clicking here.


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If you've initiated quality control in your company, you've probably covered; prospecting, bidding, project control and materials ordering at the very least. Staying consistent at the early stages of the job, and keeping a tight rein on deviation from your established norms, makes everything downstream run smoother. Being able to cross check your procedures when something doesn't get done is usually enough for you to bring the QC back into line.
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Irfan Engineer
Centre for Study of Society and Secularism, Mumbai
The controversial statement of the BJP legislator of UP State Sangeet Som denigrating Taj Mahal should not surprise us. 'History' propounded by the Hindu supremacists is stranger than fiction. It is a tool in the hands Hindutva to justify their ideology which considers Muslims and Christians, whose holy lands are outside India (land mass from River Sindhu to Arabian Sea) as foreign religions. Indian Constitution may qualify Muslims and Christians as Indian citizens but Hindutva political ideology (HPI) views them as foreigners to be gotten rid off or subdued to the status of non-citizens or second class citizens. Hindutva calls upon all Hindus to wage war on what they consider foreign religions. Hindutva ideologue Vinayak Damodar Savarkar called upon Hindus to "Hinduize all politics and militarize Hindudom". Hinduizing politics meant to establish political and cultural hegemony of upper-caste Hindus.
The war that HPI wants to wage on the 'foreign' religions needs justification and convincing and mobilizing the lower caste sections of Hindus, without whom the war is impossible. They need to convince the lower castes that the Hindu religion, which practices oppressive caste system and treats a section as untouchables and sub-humans, is superior to the foreign religions – viz. Islam and Christianity. Demonization of Muslims and Christians was crucial to build militarized Hindudom that Savarkar called upon. One of the instruments used to demonize the Muslims and Christians was History. The political ideologues of Hidndutva fictionalized History and historicized fiction without having any intention to respect the science of History.
The rulers before the Muslim rule did not identify their religion as Hinduism, it the outsiders who referred to all the inhabitants of the region as Hindus. It is Colonial masters who used the geographical term 'Hindu' to mean religion. The Britishers in their census enumeration used Hinduism to denote religion of those who were neither Muslims, Christians or other known religions. Besides the fact that many historians would question periodization of history on the basis of religion of the ruler, Eliot and Dowson called 'pre-Muslim period' as Hindu period, even though the different rulers followed diverse religious faith including Jainism and Buddhism.
Hindutva ideologues differ in their narratives of history as is evident from the different stances taken by different leaders on Taj Mahal. Yogi Adityanath once said Taj Mahal had no connection with India's culture or heritage (Manish and Sanyal 2017) and omitted it from the booklet of tourism department of UP. Sangeet Som, BJP MLA called it a cultural blot on India and which was built by traitors (Sharma 2017). BJP MP Vinay Katiyar opined that Taj Mahal was originally a Shiv Temple (PTI 2017). Later Adityanath called it pride of India after visiting it and that sweat and toil of Indian people had built it.
However, their instrumentalist view of history is that the golden period of 'Hindu' history was over after invasion by the Muslim aggressors from the Northwest. Thereafter the social structure crumbled and 'Hindus' and 'Hindu' culture suppressed which caused their economic decline. The Muslim aggressors were despotic and their religious fanaticism required them to destroy every symbol of 'Hindu' culture and forcibly impose 'Islamic' culture and convert all 'Hindus' to Islam. 'Hindus' resisted the aggression which led to permanent war between the two communities or two nations – Muslim and 'Hindu' – not between two kings who happen to be Muslim or 'Hindu'. The Muslim community through their Emperors enslaved and humiliated the Hindus and with the intention of completely destroying their culture. Muslims demolished their temples and constructed their mosques over it. Presently they claim there were 3,000 such temples which were destroyed and mosques built over them, including the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya, and the mosques in Mathura and Varanasi. The HP ideologues have never presented a list of all 3,000 structures which were destroyed and mosques constructed in its place.
The objective of writing such a history is primarily to stigmatize entire Muslim community and represent them as oppressors against whom all Hindus should be united and wage a war to seek revenge of historical wrongs done to them. There was little chance for the caste based hierarchically structured society to unite and for those on the lower rungs of the structure to defend the birth based social privileges of those on upper rungs when they themselves suffered inhuman oppression from the upper castes. One of the strategies to achieve this was to demonize other communities, historicise conflicts with it, pose it as an existing threat and call upon all Hindus to unite against them.
Purushottam Nagesh Oak was one of the HP Ideologue who established 'Institute for Rewriting Indian History' and wrote several books. The historical wisdom of HPI is largely informed by Oak's writing. Broadly and Briefly, Oak's claims are as under:
* Islam and Christianity derived from Vedic Religion. Christianity was Krishna nitee. Vatican is corruption of 'Vatika Nagri' and Papacy was originally Vedic priesthood. 'Abraham' comes from Brahma; 'church' is corruption of Sanskrit word 'vichar-vimarsh"; Jesus or Yahveh was Rig Vedic God. The word disciple is derived from Sanskrit word 'dikshapal'. Krishna puja was prevalent in the whole world.
* Arabia had a Vedic past and Kabaa was a Hindu Temple – a Shiv Ling based on an inscription mentioning Indian King Vikramaditya on a dish found inside Kabaa. Mohammad was Hindu and Arabs worshiped Mahadev and performed their pilgrimage to Kashi and Haridwar. Allah was a Hindu God.
* The foreign Muslims were wrongly credited for construction of Indian monuments. Muslims were destroyers of Indian monuments and not constructors. Amongst the monuments wrongly attributed to the 'foreign' Muslims include Red Fort, Qutub Minar, Humayun Ka Maqbara, Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and many others. These were all 'Hindu' structures misappropriated by the Rulers of the time. The evidence to claim so could be as meagre as some carving on any wall which could not be of Muslim origin, or some similar sounding Sanskrit name. Taj Mahal e.g. was, according to Oak, an ancient Shiva Temple Tejo Mahalaya which was commandeered by Emperor Shajahan from the Maharaja of Jaipur. Oak argues that the words 'Taj' and 'Mahal' are both of Sanskrit origin. Mahal means mansion and Taj is corruption of word 'Tej' which means splendour. Oak gives such explanations for all his claims.
* To summarise, his other sweeping claims include that one should not believe in Medieval records; Mughal arts and art of Mughal gardens is a myth; Development of Indian Music during Mughal period is a myth; all the monuments built by Mughals (which Oak describes as 'jihadi') and the narratives behind the monuments are false; That the Medieval period (when 'foreigners' ruled) was golden age is a myth; Indian king Porus did not lose to Alexander in the battle of Hydaspes fought in 326 BC; Indian borders extended from Bali to Baltic Sea and from Kerala to Kaba; Sanskrit was the world language in ancient times etc.
These assertions would be and should be normally questioned by not only students of history but also people with ordinary intelligence. Hindutva's historical wisdoms are doled out to their cadres and followers who have been mobilized and recruited by touching their religious sentiments and amenable to orientation of a strong unitary collective that would act as their support network and give them a sense of belonging. The strong unitary collective is built around shared common objective and common hatred of those whom they call foreigners. Hindutva 'history' is an ideological tool to deepen the conviction of the mobilized cadres and imagine a past where the enemy 'foreigners' were oppressors even in the past. It induces them with hatred of the 'foreigner' and motivates them to commit worst crime against them. HPI built on imagined past in which the 'foreigners' are projected as having committed inhuman atrocities on them brings forth the need to exorcise the agony of having suffered such atrocities by inflicting it on the 'foreigners' around them. Such imagination of the past first suppresses the human within before they become cadre of Hindu supremacists.
The cadre convinced of such an imagined past is rarely able to stand up to rational scrutiny of his/her belief. They keep repeating their belief. They follow their leader who too keeps repeating his/her belief of what the past was and hope that it would be accepted as unassailable truth if enough number of people repeat it enough number of times. It is through this prism that Tipu Sultan is also looked from. That Tipu Sultan died fighting the Britishers notwithstanding, Tipu being a 'foreigner' should necessarily mean he was oppressor of 'Hindus'.
Mobilized cadres of HPI need empathy and help to restore their rationality and humanity. However, they have demonstrated the destructive potential once by demolishing Babri Masjid. Other historical heritage of the country needs to be protected. Our education system should be strengthened to inculcate human values and equip students to explore past in order to understand it and learn lessons of history to shape our future.
(The above are excerpts from the article published in Secular Perspective,
November 1-15, 2017)


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The MED25006 is an all-digital surround sound processor that decodes matrix-encoded stereo and produces 2.1 channel PCM digital 3D audio. And because the chip initially decodes audio into 4.1 channel Dolby Poly Logic and then reprocesses it into 2.1 channels, the resulting 3D audio contains virtualized surround sound information. The chip can be used in several system configurations and its flexibility allows one device to span an entire audio product family and to add enhanced features to the final system configuration. The Virtual Dolby Surround algorithms create a realistic 360° sound field that is especially useful in systems that cannot physically accommodate rear surround speakers, such as desktop multimedia computers, arcade games, and stereo TVs.
Audio Processor Enables 3D Sound In DCM Home Theater Systems
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What is my Wallet?
Your Wallet is where any funds transferred by you, or received as a result of your monthly distributions/sale of your Bricks, are deposited. You can use these funds to buy your Bricks. Depending on which investment approach you choose, your Wallet may consist of Funds Available and/or Funds Awaiting Investment.
If you're using Smart Invest, funds will be transferred to Funds Awaiting Investment. Distributions received from Bricks purchased using Smart Invest will be held in Funds Awaiting Investment and automatically applied to purchase more Bricks.
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The burden bearers carried their loads in such a way that each labored on the work with one hand and with the other held a weapon. And each of the builders had his sword strapped at his side while he built. Nehemiah 4: 17b-18a NRSV
I pray most mornings for the full armor of God. However, in this passage, the workers are geared for both fighting and building.
Nehemiah is determined that God's work will go on. Yet, he has enemies who try everything from sneak attacks to trickery to stop the work on the wall. But he never gives up. Instead, he looks carefully at the dangerous situation and creates a plan (verse 14) for the work to continue. He reminds the workers not to be afraid because God is on their side. He also encourages them to fight for their families and homes.
Setbacks don't bother Nehemiah. Threats cannot stop him. He knows that he is doing God's will and he is determined to find a way to carry out what God has asked of him.
I know many plans, especially in churches, that never get anywhere because folks are threatened. They become more afraid of other people than God. They pay attention to what humans want rather than what God wants. They lose their determination to see the job done.
But if God truly desires what you are trying to accomplish, there will be a way. It may be difficult and it may mean that you are going to wear different hats (perhaps one for fighting and one for building) but God will provide. Who can shut us down when God is on our side?
God, sometimes we can be our own worst enemies. We cave under threats. We let fear rule our lives. We lack determination to carry out your will and your desires in the world. Help us, God, help us. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Copyright 2010 Amelia G. Sims


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"Breath Counting" number 79 of 200 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.
When I first start actually regularly sitting, and not just reading and thinking about Zen, breath counting was my practice. I was surprised at how difficult and subtle a practice breath counting was.
Counting the breaths helped me with composure and centering. It felt like a beginners practice and as a beginner I benefited from counting breaths. I was never successful at staying with breath counting for any length of time over two or three cycles of ten breaths.
Once I met my teacher and started working with him, he set me on a koan path and we never talked of breath counting.
Coming back to breath counting this morning, I notice I have built up some zazen composure and was able to stay with counting my breath for the entire sitting period. Only drifted off a few times but only for a single breath before catching those sneaky thoughts as they tempt me to follow them rather than my breath. Good stuff this breath watching. I see what competes with and overlays my luminous mind.
Breath counting for me is 'breath in', 'breath out' while saying quietly to myself 'one', then repeat with 'two', and 'three' and so on. Keep eyes open and feel the sensations of the breath on the nose, throat, chest and abdomen. Listen carefully for the thoughts that will surly creep in. Don't entertain them and keep counting the breaths.
This could be said to be the beginners beginning practice as counting breaths is richer and deeper than how I've described it. It is surprising where it leads. Eventually the counting stop and the breathing continues.
For a richer understanding of Zen breath practice, check out Dosho Mike Port's blog post "Snow and Breath". In the post Mike points to breath.
- With practice, one can get pretty competent counting the breath and stay with the experience of breath for long periods.
- Dainin Katagiri said "Zazen is not to follow the breath."
- Dogen said only to "breathe softly through the nose" in his zazen recommendations for everyone.
- Rujing, Dogen's teacher said "Breath enters and reaches the tanden [hara], and yet there is no place from which it comes. Therefore, it is neither long nor short. Breath emerges from the tanden [hara], and yet there is nowhere it goes. Therefore it is neither short nor long."
- Dosho Mike Port said "...breath is not inside or outside. Breath is right in the midst of the functioning of zazen. You think that by zazen you will become the breath. At that time, breath is already outside. When you feel breath by zazen you feel breath inside. But this isn't real breath. Next moment it disappears. Real breath is blooming from moment to moment, not in the idea, but in the midst of the process of zazen."
- Will says "counting your breath starts you on the path to what Katagiri, Dogen, Rujing and Port describe." Dive in and join the fun!
Any error or confusion created by my commentary on
Miniatures of a Zen Master
is solely a reflection of my own delusion and ignorance.
Any merit generated by this activity is solely the result of
Aitken Roshi's clear teaching and is dedicated to
all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas throughout space and time.
Miniatures of a Zen Master
is solely a reflection of my own delusion and ignorance.
Any merit generated by this activity is solely the result of
Aitken Roshi's clear teaching and is dedicated to
all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas throughout space and time.