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Verbum et Ecclesia
versión On-line ISSN 2074-7705
versión impresa ISSN 1609-9982
Verbum Eccles. (Online) vol.34 no.1 Pretoria ene. 2013
The remarkable cell: Intelligently designed or by evolutionary process?
Mark PretoriusI, II
IDepartment of Dogmatics and Christian Ethics, University of Pretoria, South Africa
IISouth African Theological Seminary, South Africa
The objective of this article was to deal with the challenging theme of the Origin of Life. Science has been arguing the when and how of the beginning of life for centuries. It is a subject which remains perplexing despite all the technological advances made in science. The first part of the article dealt with the idea of a universe and earth divinely created to sustain life. The second part dealt with the premise that the first life forms were the miraculous work of an intelligent designer, which is revealed by the sophisticated and intricate design of these first life forms. The article concluded with an explanation that these life forms are in stark contrast to the idea of a random Darwinian type evolution for life's origin, frequently referred to as abiogenesis or spontaneous generation.
Genesis 1:1, the first chapter and verse of the Bible, unequivocally states that God is the origin of everything. 'In the beginning God created [Ν┐Э bārā, create, give being to something new] the heavens and the earth' (cf. Ross 2010a:131). He is the causa causam [cause of all causes and the original source of everything]. This ultimately results in the belief that everything one sees and experiences comes from God. Furthermore, as explicated by Keil and Delitzsch (1981):
Heaven and earth have not existed from all eternity, but had a beginning; nor did they arise by emanation from an absolute substance, but were created by God. This sentence, which stands at the head of the records of revelation, is not a mere heading, nor a summary of the history of the creation, but a declaration of the primeval act of God, by which the universe was called into being. (p. 46)
Conversely, there are many who believe that rather than a causal creator, one must appeal to random chance as the only explanation for the beginning of life (cf. Beatty 2009:64-70).
As a consequence, the primary questions to be argued in this article are what constituted the first life forms and does the idea of complex prokaryotic1 and eukaryotic2 cells, birthed approximately 3.5 billion years ago, give credence to a chemical evolution? Most biological scientists, such as Gribaldo et al. (2010:743-752), believe that much work is still needed to substantiate the idea of abiogenesis, meaning that life emerged from non-life through random chemical processes. According to Ellegard (1958:134-135), this concept was first introduced by Darwin in a letter to the British botanist Joseph Dalton Hooker in 1871. But today, with the technology available to peer into the previous unseen world of organisms, especially those found in primordial fossils such as stromatolites, the idea of abiogenesis remains perplexing (cf. Ebifegha 2007:757-9; Tymieniecka 2010:212-216).
However, before addressing this, the notion is to first show, by cosmogony,3 that these emerging first life forms were an outcome of previous divine creation events that set the stage for life's emergence on earth by divine fiat [the creative command of God: 'Let there be'] rather than through the projected process of abiogenesis.
The universe created for life
As argued by Craig (2000) and Nowacki (2007) vis-à-vis the Kalam cosmological argument, the verity that the universe has a beginning in which time, space and matter were created required that the universe be caused by something that is timeless, spaceless, and immaterial. But, secondly, and most significantly, the universe is fine-tuned to permit life. As rightly recapitulated by Lioy (2011:16), God created everything - spiritual beings, physical beings, matter, energy, time and space (cf. Ec 11:5; Pr 3:19-20; Pr 8:22-31; Is 44:24; 45:18; Jr 10:16; Jn 1:3; Col 1:16; Hb 1:2).
In this frame of mind, Davies (2010) expresses that:
... it is no surprise that when modern science emerged in Christian Europe in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, it was perfectly natural for the early scientists to believe that the laws they were discovering in the heavens and on earth, were the mathematical manifestations of God's ingenious handiwork. (p. 199)
Davies (2010) further communicates that today:
... few scientists would appeal explicitly to a god to explain the laws. Nonetheless, the fact remains that the universe conforms to an orderly scheme, and is not an arbitrary muddle of events, which prompts one to wonder - God or no God - whether there is some meaning or purpose behind it all. (p. 200)
The following will concisely illustrate that there is unquestionably a divine order to the universe.
A finely tuned universe
Concerning the long periods crucial to develop the universe to the exact degree that it is now to bring forth and sustain life, Ross (2009) expressively states that:
[t]hey [long periods] testify of a causal Agent who cares enough for humans to invest 13.73 billion years of time and 10 billion trillion stars' worth of matter and energy in preparing a just-right home. (p. 108)
Apart from this, Ross (2009) expounds further that the intricacy of each design functioning in tandem with one another:
testifies to a creator that is above and beyond human understanding, yet was careful to make sure that everything was correct so that his ultimate creation [humanity] could have this just-right home. (n.p.)
Princeton physicist Robert Dickie (1961:440-441) notes that the universe could not contain physical life if any one of several physical constants differed in value by even a single amount. This led to the design of the Anthropic Principle4 (a term coined by Dickie), which identifies key elements that must function for the cosmos to sustain life on earth (cf. Fumerton & Jeske 2009:593-595). Although these elements are numerous, the following presents a brief idea of its intricacies, as conveyed by Ross (2009:261; 2010b:120-129). He identifies four key elements, each with their own extensive features and requirements:
- Fine-tuning for life in the universe: This element requires that 140 features of the cosmos must fall within certain narrow ranges to make physical life possible.
- Fine-tuning for intelligent-physical life: This element describes 402 quantifiable characteristics of planetary systems and its galaxies that must fall within narrow ranges to make intelligent life possible. If there is a slight increase or decrease in any of the values, it would destroy the possibility of advanced life's existence.
- Probability estimates for the features required by various life forms: This element identifies 922 characteristics of a galaxy and planetary system that makes physical life possible.
- Probability estimates on different size scales for features required for advanced life: This element presents a breakdown of the 922 characteristics as they arise separately from the galaxy cluster, planetary system, the surface of planets and planet's other life.
One could sum these elements up as follows: if the ratio of neutron mass were higher, forming life would be impossible, and if it was lower, the universe would be an amalgamation of black holes. If the earth was ten per cent smaller or larger, it would not be able to sustain a breathable atmosphere. If it were a little closer to the sun, life would vaporise - a little further away and life would freeze. If the expansion rate of the universe was larger, there would be no galaxies and if smaller, the universe would have collapsed. If the polarity of the water molecule were smaller or greater, life could not develop. If it were not on a twenty-four-hour spin cycle, no life could exist on it. If the earth was not tilted at exactly 23.45 degrees, it would not be able to support life. If the ozone layer was a tiny fraction thinner, no living matter could survive. If the velocity of light were faster, stars would be too luminous to support life - if slower, stars would be insufficiently luminous to sustain life (cf. Angelo 2007:286; Claerbaut 2004:150-152; Pasquini 2010:30-33). One ostensibly observes that the universe expresses intelligent design, thus one would be reticent to argue that based on this fine-tuning, the universe could have evolved through chance.
Ross (2009:114) further maintains that these conclusions were developed in part, because it takes at least 9 billion years to form a stable planetary system with the right chemical and physical conditions for life (cf. Craig 2010:105-116; Gonzalez & Richards 2004:195-200; Pojman & Rea 2011:203-205). In addition, physicists have calculated that physical life is impossible unless the universe is exceptionally uniform and homogenous. In fact, the acclaimed physicist Stephen Hawking (1988) said:
[i]t would be very difficult to explain why the universe should have begun in just this way, except as the act of a God who intended to create beings like us. (p. 131)
Although one could view this as nothing more than a deistic view of God, it is nevertheless a profound statement from someone who is reputed to be atheistic.
In addition Brandon Carter (1974:347-363), a British mathematician reflecting on the Anthropic Principle, observed that the universe took billions of years to prepare for a species with the potential to survive no longer than a few million years. In his view, 'God certainly has a plan for humanity, and he put great care in creating an environment, with all the right elements in place'. Ross (2010a) expands on this by saying:
evidently, their worth justifies his [God's] enormous investment of time and resources in a creation program for their [humanity's] specific benefit even though humanity can last only a brief period of time. (pp. 113-115)
The origin of life
Undoubtedly, the modern theory of evolution to explain the birth of life is largely attributed to Charles Darwin and his work On the Origin of Species published in 1859. Although he argued for a biological evolution, Darwin ([1860] 1887:312) is on record as saying, 'I cannot think that the world as we see it is the result of chance, yet I cannot look at each separate thing as a result of design'. Speaking generally, Moore (1979:103) says that for some Christian anti-Darwinians the main theological objection to Darwin's theory lay in the perception that it undermined the image of design in nature, thus bringing into question the very existence of God. Indeed, concerning this, Darwin (1872:151) made the statement that '[i]f it could be demonstrated that any complex organ existed which could not possibly have been formed by numerous, successive, slight modifications, my theory would absolutely break down'. Seemingly, Darwin was referring to the idea of irreducible complexity, discussed further on in the article.
Consequently, there have been many endeavours to demonstrate empirically that what occurred almost 3.5 billion years ago, when the first prokaryotic cell is assumed to have appeared, can be attributed to the natural process of abiogenesis rather than intelligent design. According to Rana and Ross (2004:63-69) palaeontologists have indeed assembled a body of evidence over the last decade or so indicating that life could have naturally formed on earth as far back as 3.8 billion years ago. This is attested to by Precambrian stromatolite fossils, considered to be the oldest fossils ever recorded, that contain prokaryotic cyanobacteria5, the first life forms (cf. Chela-Flores, Owen & Raulin 2001:253; Hall 2010:146; Hall, Hallgrimsson & Strickberger 2008:143).
Conversely, the more scientists examine the earth, the more they realise that it is uniquely designed for life's habitation. Natural scientists who analyse how life evolved are increasingly witnessing intelligent design in the very structure of the smallest living bacteria, which is assumed to be where life first evolved. Michael Denton (1985) writes:
Even the simplest of all living systems on earth today, bacterial cells, are exceedingly complex objects. Although the tiniest bacterial cells are incredibly small, each is in effect a veritable microminiaturized factory containing thousands of exquisitely designed pieces of intricate molecular machinery. These are far more complicated than any machine built by man and absolutely without parallel in the non-living world (p. 25).
Michael Behe uses the term irreducible complexity in his critically acclaimed book Darwin's Black Box to illustrate just how complex the inner workings of these cells are. According to Behe (1996:39) irreducible complexity describes 'a single system composed of several well-matched interacting parts that contribute to basic functions, wherein removal of any one of the parts causes the system effectively to cease functioning'. However, the case for irreducible complexity has had its critics, even though the design is compelling, as will be shown.
What follows, is an attempt to demonstrate that the complexity of creation and a belief that life evolved from prokaryotic, and later eukaryotic cells,6 by no means strengthens a Darwinian belief in a chemical and biological evolution. In reality, the more one investigates the complexity and design of these cells within the broader work of creation, the more one comprehends that only an intelligent being could have brought this complex cell into existence.
In fact, although the origin of life is often explained in evolutionary terms, a recent article published in the scientific journal Nature (Gribaldo et al. 2010:743-752) raises questions of whether an evolutionary perspective can adequately account for the complex birth of these cells in life's history, as shall be discussed.
Biochemistry and evolution
For many in different scientific fields dealing with natural science, the strides made in understanding our biological make-up seemingly point to intelligent design. Rana (2008:16) states that '[t]he ever increasing understanding of the cell's chemistry has revolutionised our daily lives. Biochemistry drives many of the technological advances in biomedicine, agriculture, and even industry'. He further states that, as important as these biochemical applications are, surely the most significant outcome of the so-called molecular biology revolution is acknowledgment that biochemical systems infer a designer.
Incontrovertibly, the complexity that is evident in virtually all aspects of the cell's chemistry carries profound philosophical and theological significance that stimulates questions about the origin, purpose, and meaning of life. Even atheists, such as the renowned evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins (1996:1), acknowledge that biology gives the appearance of having been designed. But it is not that simple for many biologists. The late influential biologist Francis Crick (1988:138), who shared the Nobel Prize for discovering the structure of DNA, cautioned '[b]iologists must constantly keep in mind that what they see was not designed, but rather evolved'.
Paradoxically, the deeper biologists study the structures of life to show a naturalistic evolution, the more they realise the complexity of what they see, thus inferring intelligent design. These designs increasingly show that biochemical systems clearly seem far more purposeful, intricate, and sophisticated than ever imagined. But how did the idea of an evolutionary pathway originate, especially when referring to these first life cells?
Chemical evolution
Evolutionary ideas, such as those proposed by Deckert et al. (1998:353-358) and Ruepp et al. (2000:508-513), often assume that life commenced with living organisms. However, these evolutionary biologists do not always agree on the 'how', except to state that it began with a chemical evolution, often referred to as a 'prebiotic soup'7. Hazen and Trefil (2009) write:
Most scientists agree about one aspect of evolution. Life seems to have arisen in a two-step process. The first stage - chemical evolution - encompasses the origin of life from nonlife. Once life appeared, the second stage - biological evolution - took over. (p. 245)
The first cells to arise through this chemical evolution are commonly referred to as prokaryotes,8 as previously stated. According to Rana (2008:54-57), these cells are the closest to the minimal requirements for life. The method used to determine this, although in its infancy, requires that life possess somewhere between 1300 to 2300 genes9 (cf. Ross 2009:151-152), which indicate that even at its simplest level, life forms appear remarkably complex (cf. Cowan 2000:466467; Deckert et al. 1998:353-358; Ruepp et al. 2000:508-513; Morell 1996:1043-1045; Nelson et al. 1999:323-329).
Rana (2008:62) affirms that prior to the mid-1990s, microbiologists had the simple view of prokaryotes as 'vessels' that contained a jumbled assortment of life molecules randomly dispersed inside the cell. Today, however, it is recognised that they display an extraordinary degree of internal organisation (cf. Gitai 2005:577-586; Shapiro, McAdams & Losick 2002:1942-1946).
Furthermore, Shapiro and Losick (1997) declare that:
[t]he use of immunogold electron microscopy10 and fluorescent microscopy11 to study the subcellar organisation of bacterial cells [prokaryotes], has revealed a surprising extent of protein compartmentalisation and localisation. (pp. 712-718)
A few examples of extraordinary internal organisation in prokaryotes, according to Rana (2008:62), include a bacterial chromosome12 DNA polymerase, cell-division proteins, the bacterial cytoskeleton,13 and bacterial internal compartmentalisation. The intelligent design of these cells in many ways dispels the notion that they could have evolved from a 'prebiotic soup' or by the natural process of abiogenesis. Nevertheless, there have been several experiments undertaken to try and mimic the conditions of early earth to show that complex cells could have evolved naturally. The following deals with two of these major attempts.
Proposed evolutionary ideas of the first life forms
The Oparin-Haldane hypothesis
From 1922 to 1953, Alexander Oparin, a Russian biochemist, and John Haldane, an English biologist, added to what has been called the Oparin-Haldane hypothesis. Haldane's ideas about the origin of life were very similar to Oparin's. Haldane proposed that the primordial sea served as a vast chemical laboratory powered by solar energy (cf. Fry 2000:65-76; Russell, Hertz & McMillian 2011:527-529). Although their research was years apart, Schaefer (2004:87) points out that their ideas have often been grouped as the Oparin-Haldane hypothesis. Their theory deals with the origin of life by chemical evolution in a 'prebiotic soup' composed of methane, ammonia, hydrogen, and water vapour in a reducing (little or no free oxygen) atmosphere. Möller (2010:66) testifies that Haldane coined the term 'prebiotic soup', which since then has become an influential symbol of the Oparin-Haldane view of the origin of life and is often used by scientists today when addressing the issue of how the first life forms appeared.
The Miller-Urey experiment
In 1952, a biologist named Stanley Miller and a Noble Prize winning chemist, Harold Urey, performed several experiments - commonly referred to as the Miller-Urey experiment - to again mimic the conditions of early earth and show that these first life forms were a product of a chemical evolution rather than intelligent design. As conveyed by Rana (2011:99-100), Miller's work was the first experimental validation of the Oparin-Haldene hypothesis.
According to Lawrence (2008:184), Miller (the primary researcher) filled the confines of a carefully assembled glass apparatus with a mixture of hydrogen, ammonia methane, and water vapour to test this hypothesis. Miller then passed a continuous electric discharge through the gas mix to replicate lightning. After a few days, organic compounds, including amino acids, formed. Amino acids are the building blocks of life and this is what Miller was after in his experiment. This supposedly simulated conditions prevalent on the earth some 4 billion years ago. Since then, evolutionists have been pretentiously claiming that they have now proven that life could have arisen naturally in the beginning of earth's existence.
However, according to Starkey (2011:180), scientists have since 1953 concluded that the atmosphere of the early earth consisted of gases produced from the earth's volcanoes, containing water vapour, carbon-dioxide, nitrogen and some hydrogen, which thus negated the findings of the Miller-Urey experiment. In truth, even the influential journal Science (Schaefer 2004:93), who are most friendly to the Miller-Urey experiment, stated that '[c]ontemporary geoscientists tend to doubt the primitive atmosphere had the highly reducing atmosphere used by Miller' (cf. Lawrence 2008:184-187; Lindsey 2006:160-162; Prothero & Buell 2007:148).
Consequently, the science community concluded that neither the Oparin-Haldane hypothesis, nor the Miller-Urey experiment proved anything about the origin of life. Indeed, Starkey (2011:180) further adds that it would require a huge stretch of the imagination to conclude that producing one of the organic compounds found in a living cell might suggest the same phenomenon could therefore produce something as complicated as a single-cell animal. Recent research has shown that single-cell animals are extremely complicated, comparable in complexity to a city full of machinery and chemical plants, and seemingly attest to intelligent design, just as expressed in William Paley's The Watchmaker (17431805) (cf. Fortey 1991:55; Tobin & Dusheck 2005:430-431).
Irreducible complexity and flagellums
When all the caveats are factored in, it would be seemingly impractical to query that the biological world offers many cases of imposed design, meaning that many of the complex structures found within a 'simple' cell point towards intelligent design. As previously referred to, Michael Behe (1996:59-73) wrote about what he called irreducible complexity. According to C.J. Collins (2006:288) he meant that one finds complex systems in the biological world of cell structures that need a minimum number of working parts already in place before the whole system works. One of the preferred examples Behe (1996:70-72) uses of this extraordinary complexity, is the flagellum - a whip-like tail that protrudes from certain bacteria cells that they use for swimming around.
The working complexities of flagellums are often referred to as miniature molecular machines. According to F.S. Collins (2006:184-185), they have multiple uses, such as translating RNA into protein, helping cells move around and transmitting signals from the cell surface to the nucleus. F.S. Collins refers to these miniature molecular machines as 'outboard motors' that propel cells in various directions. F.S. Collins goes on to say that the structures are quite elegant - they include a base anchor, a drive shaft and universal joints. In his view, '[t]he whole arrangement is a nanotechnology engineering marvel' (2006:185). To expand on this idea, Alberts (1998) illustrates what scientists are discovering when it comes to cells:
We have always underestimated cells ... The entire cell can be viewed as a factory that contains an elaborate network of interlocking assembly lines, each of which is composed of a set of large protein machines ... Why do we call the large protein assemblies that underlie cell functions machines? Precisely because like machines invented by humans ... these proteins assemblies contain highly coordinated parts. (pp. 291-294)
But, as was presented, irreducible complexity has had its critics, who argue that flagellums can indeed form via evolutionary pathways (cf. Blocker, Kaoru & Shin-Ichi 2003:3027-3030; Cavalier-Smith 1987:297-354, 2002; Ussery 1999:40-45; Miller 2003:202-397). Equally, the research is still in its infancy and is presently based on much speculation. But, as previously stated, it would be seemingly impractical to ignore the evidence of intelligence in the design of a cell.
William Paley's The Watchmaker
Vis-à-vis the cells intricate workings and irreducible complexity, one recaps the now classic analogy of William Paley's The Watchmaker, as mentioned earlier. For many, his analogy goes directly to the idea of the teleological argument14 that design implies a designer (cf. Himma 2005; Ratzsch 2001). Indeed, Darwin himself is on record as stating 'I do not think that I hardly ever admired a book more than Paley's Natural Theology. I could almost formerly have said it by heart' (cf. Levine 1991:29).
As voiced by Rana (2008:86), for Paley the characteristics of a watch and the complex interaction of its precision parts for the purpose of telling time, implied the work of an intelligent designer. Paley asserted that, by analogy, just as a watch requires a watchmaker, so too life requires a creator. He reasoned that, like a watch, organisms (such as microbial eukaryotes) display a wide range of features characterised by the precise interplay of complex parts for specific purposes, thus strongly inferring intelligent design vis-à-vis irreducible complexity (cf. McGrath 1995:404). The question now is: how does the complexity of the cell, and the clear idea that it was intelligently designed, affect Darwin's evolutionary tree, especially his concept of common descent?
Darwin's evolutionary tree
Common descent and natural selection
In The Origin of Species, Darwin formulated a theory with two main claims: the first being the theory of common descent, which argues that every creature on earth is ultimately descended from a single common ancestor.15 This led to Darwin's envisioned great branching tree, the Tree of Life, depicting the pathways to more evolved forms of life. For Darwin, the first one-celled organism (eukaryotic) was the root of this tree (cf. Benarde 2007:428-432; Doolittle 2006:87-91).
The second claim, according to Meyer et al. (2007:8), had to do with the biological process he believed was responsible for the branching patterns in his tree. Specifically, Darwin proposed a mechanism that he thought could cause existing living forms to arise. He called this mechanism natural selection and argued that it had the power to produce fundamentally new forms of life through an evolutionary process. For example, when studying biology one hears about biological evolution, which refers to the change of living things over time. Darwin concluded that biological evolution occurs as a result of natural selection, which is the theory that in any given generation, some individuals are more likely to survive and reproduce than others (cf. Levine 2008:59; Vinicius 2010:43-47).
Today, evolutionary scientists argue that species share common traits, which seemingly give further weight to common descent from a single cell and natural selection over long periods of time. This has lead to the idea of Anatomical Homology,16 or similarity in the anatomy of animals due to common ancestry. As explicated by Meyer et al. (2007:40), Darwin (and modern evolutionary biologists) believed that homologies exist, because organisms inherited these structures from the ancestors they had in common. In the following section, three basic arguments will be presented briefly - those for a Darwinian type convergence from common descent, an intelligently designed convergence, and convergence via random mutation.
Anatomical homology (convergence)
Common descent convergence
According to Ross (2009:167), species unrelated in the 'evolutionary tree' often manifest identical anatomical and physiological features. Examples include the bat, flying lemurs, songbirds, and the anatomy of modern wolves with the extinct Tasmanian wolves. This evidently gives credence to the naturalist's idea of a common ancestry or convergence17. This is especially so when it comes to theistic evolution and their idea that the modern human is a product of hominids, rather than the product of a unique and special creation in Adam and Eve (cf. Alexander 2008:224; Collins, F.S. 2006:207; Wilcox 2003:240-245).
To add to this, F.S. Collins (2006:126-128) suggests that the study of multiple genomes presented by computer simulation, shows that a certain stretch of human DNA has a match to other species. If, for example, one picks the coding region of a human gene (that is the part that contains the instructions for a protein) and uses that for a search, it was found that there will always be a highly significant match to the genomes of other mammals or in later evolution of hominids. F.S. Collins and his team from the Human Genome Project conducted much study around this. They reached the conclusion that it provides powerful support for Darwin's theory of evolution at two different levels, that is descent from a universal common ancestor with natural selection operating on randomly occurring variations (Collins, F.S. 2006:127-128).
However, as compelling as this may seem, some biologists such as Goodwin (1986:57), believe the laws of nature ensure that only a certain number of anatomical patterns are possible. Therefore, one should expect to see similarities in the anatomical structure of even different types of organisms. Thus, for some scientists, like Siew and Fischer (2003:241251), homology can be seen apart from common descent. Others, such as Santos and Tuite (2004:183-200), say that similarity is due to natural laws. These scientists argue that their theories can explain the evidence for intelligent design, as well as common descent.
Intelligently designed convergence
Nonetheless, this poses at least two problems, according to Ross (2009:168). Firstly, he proposes that, given that naturalistic evolution supposedly happened in response to many unpredictable and often dissimilar events, design convergence resulting from natural processes should be extremely rare. Yet design convergence outcomes permeate the Cambrian fossil record18, thus one still has to account for the rapid emergence of new species after the Permian Mass Extinction19 event. Secondly, as further explicated by Ross (2009:94), design convergence appears in species from radical different habitats, facing widely diverse survival stresses (cf. Barnes 1974:424-427). This would especially be problematic for common descent and natural selection for modern humans.
Furthermore, different habitats and different survival stresses imply dissimilar bases for natural selection rather than a common ancestor as proposed by Darwin. Also, according to Meyer et al. (2007:49), if anatomical homology is defined as similarity due to common descent, then to say that homology provides evidence for common descent -especially in modern humans - is nothing more than circular reasoning. As suggested by Rana and Ross (2004):
Though the idea of convergence fits awkwardly within the evolutionary framework, it makes perfect sense if a Creator is responsible for life. Instead of convergent features emerging through repeated evolutionary outcomes, they could be understood as reflecting the work of a Divine mind. The repeated origins of biological features equate to the repeated creations by an intelligent Agent who employs a common set of solutions to address a common set of problems facing unrelated organisms. (p. 15)
Additionally, the renowned biologist Jonathan Sarfati (2002) argues that it would be reasonable and logical to use the same anatomical design for different structures simply because they work. This does not imply that a common descent is the answer to these similarities. He illustrates as an example:
An architect commonly uses the same building material for different buildings, and a carmaker commonly uses the same parts in different cars. So we shouldn't be surprised if a Designer for life used the same biochemistry and structures in many different creatures. Conversely, if all living organisms were totally different, this might look like there were many designers instead of one. (p. 112)
Patently, one infers that God devised an archetypal framework that was effective, hence why would God not use the same prototypes for all analogous creatures, seeing as the prototypes can function effectively irrespective of who the creature is. As presented by Gilbert (2010:3-25), to reuse an ingenious and perfectly capable design, is in itself a sign of intelligence. But, how would this relate to random mutation vis-à-vis natural selection.
Random mutation and convergence
According to Strickberger (2000:632-637) it seems that natural selection channels random variations, believed to be responsible for evolutionary change, along similar pathways to produce similar features in unrelated organisms. This again would seem to give credence to a naturalistic view of common ancestry or convergence, as it fits into Darwin's 'tree of life'. However, if natural selection is the driving force behind the evolutionary process rather than intelligent design, then logically one would expect that if the record of emerging life were replayed the outcome would be different, since natural selection implies random mutation or a hit-and-miss process, as stated by Gould (1989:51). This would entail that a different pathway would inevitably be chosen, resulting in a different anatomical structure emerging. However, what has emerged is that even if a species takes a different pathway, that is a different environment, the anatomical structures are similar, indicating intelligent design (cf. Morris 2004).
Unfortunately for evolutionists, no known evolutionary mechanism, whether that be common descent, natural selection or random mutation, can account for the nature of biological convergence. Clearly then, biological convergence is an important component in the argument that life, throughout earth's history, is a result of the supernatural activity of a Creator.
Based on what has been uncovered in this article, one cannot but accept that the idea of intelligent design far outweighs a natural process for the emergence of life. A God that goes into this much detail to bring human life into existence is certainly one that has immense interest and care for His creation.
Nobel Prize winner Arthur Compton (1927) had this to say:
For me, faith begins with the realization that a supreme intelligence brought the universe into being and created man. It is not difficult for me to have this faith, for it is incontrovertible that where there is a plan there is intelligence - an orderly, unfolding universe testifies to the truth of the most majestic statement ever uttered - 'In the beginning God. (pp. 440-441)
The complexity of a cell is beyond refutation. Its design and function in giving and sustaining life, clearly points to intelligent design, as revealed throughout this article. This leads one to the cogency that a scientific and philosophical theology is more than simply uncovering facts for life's origin. It has to do with correctly interpreting these facts and making a case that corroborates that an intelligent designer was behind the creation of the universe, thus setting the stage for the emergence of life on earth through the complex design of these first life forms. It was further shown that this is in contrast to a Darwinian type evolutionary process, which tends to influence the empirical proposition that consents to intelligent design, with a view to present a disingenuous view of life's emergence. To think otherwise than divine causation in the creation of life would be a caricature, especially when the empirical proposition is prodigiously supportive of a Creator, who transcends time, matter, and space to bring about this creative miracle. In this, one does perceive that various scientists, who study nature and its influence on humanity, are rethinking many of their proposed evolutionary views and are now openly expressing these optimistic interpretations for intelligent design in significant academic journals and seminars.
Competing interests
The author declares that he has no financial or personal relationship(s) that may have inappropriately influenced them in writing this article.
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Mark Pretorius
Po Box 903, Klerksdorp 2570, South Africa
Email: email@example.com
Received: 11 Jan. 2012
Accepted: 23 Oct. 2012
Published: 30 Apr. 2013
Copyright: © 2013. The Authors. Licensee: AOSIS OpenJournals. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution License.
1.Prokaryotic cells (in the form of bacteria) are considered to be the first life forms.
2.A more advanced cell containing a nucleus.
3.Cosmogony, as opposed to cosmology, focuses on the origin of the universe. It is an explanation of how the universe came into being, rather than a broad study of it.
4.In physics and cosmology, the Anthropic Principle is the collective name for several ways of asserting that the observations of the physical universe must be compatible with the life observed in it.
5.Often referred to as 'blue-green algae'.
6.Microbiologists frequently refer to these cells as protozoans.
7.A liquid rich in organic compounds, providing favourable conditions for the emergence and growth of life forms.
8.It is the simplest known cell, which has no nuclear membrane and hence no separate nucleus.
9.A gene is the nucleotide sequence along the DNA strands that code the amino acid sequence of a particular polypeptide.
10.A technique in which cellular components are visualised with an electron microscope by using gold particles as antibody and protein labels.
11.A fluorescence microscope is an optical microscope used to study properties of organic or inorganic substances.
12.Structures within the nucleus of bacterial cells consisting of, or containing, DNA that carry genetic information essential to the cell.
13.The internal framework of a cell.
14.A teleological argument, or argument from design, attributes the existence of order and direction in nature to a kind of purpose, thereby essentially proving the existence of God.
15.This single cell is often referred to as LUCA (Last Universal Common Ancestor).
16.The argument for Anatomical Homology (similarity in structure due to common ancestry) arose when evidence gathered showed that certain skeletal structures of different animals show similarity.
17.In biology, homology is defined as any structure within a creature's body that is similar in shape, placement, and/or function.
18.Most major animal groups appear in the fossil record for the first time some 545 million years ago on the geological time scale, in a relatively short period of time known as the Cambrian explosion. The time period is far too short for a Darwinian type evolutionary process.
19.The Permian period, which lasted from 290 to 248 million years ago, ended with the world's most devastating extinction event of all time. Over 90 per cent of earth's species, including insects, plants, marine animals, amphibians and reptiles, were destroyed worldwide.


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Tips for boaters in the off-season
There's nothing worse for a boating enthusiast than to sit idly through the winter months in painful anticipation of warmer weather (even if you do have some sort of beautiful northern getaway complete with log products, bear skin rugs and a nice fire place). That's why Manitou has consulted some of the best names in boating to compile a list of ways to keep busy in the off-season. Take a look at our tips for off-season maintenance, inventory and fun to make sure your boat is ready to go the moment spring arrives.
Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/zabethanne/108937580/sizes/m/in/photostream/
First things first: You must make sure your boat is in safe storage. Make sure that snow does not accumulate on top of your boat, if stored outside. Even boats that have been shrink-wrapped during the winterization process can be damaged by extensive snow and ice accumulation. Wyatt Hanks, Education Manager for the Marine Mechanics Institute in Orlando, Florida sums up what successful winterization looks like with these tips:
- First make a checklist of all winterizing tasks that need to be accomplished.
- Check the owner's manual of your boat and motor(s) for manufacturer's recommendations on winterization.
- If you are a new boat owner, perhaps you should employ the assistance of a friend with experience in winterizing—or, hire a professional to do the job.
- When it comes time to de-winterize, remember that each boat will vary in what is required, so consult your boat's owner's manual or boat mechanic.
Take inventory
First things first: You must make sure your boat is in safe storage. Make sure that snow does not accumulate on top of your boat, if stored outside. Even boats that have been shrink-wrapped during the winterization process can be damaged by extensive snow and ice accumulation.
Next, take an inventory of your safety kit with these guidelines from Manitou. Make sure you have all that is required by your state to be legal on the water for the upcoming season. It's also important to ensure your fire extinguisher is in working order. Make sure:
- The pressure is at the recommended level – On extinguishers equipped with a gauge (such as that shown on the right), the needle should be in the green zone—not too high and not too low.
- The nozzle and other parts are not hindered in any way.
- The pin and tamper seal (if it has one) are intact.
- There are no dents, leaks, rust, chemical deposits and/or other signs of abuse or wear – Wipe off any corrosive chemicals, oil, gunk, etc. that may have deposited on the extinguisher.
Beautify your boat
Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/spigoo/42625155/sizes/m/in/photostream/
Now is one of the best times to make sure your boat's interior and exterior features are in tip-top shape. Johnny Ramirez of Ramirez Boat Service LLC offers some tips for keeping your boat beautiful and in good condition.
- Get the hull waxed before you put it in the water – Use wetland compound if gelcoat is too oxidized.
- Get the topsides waxed – You could do this after you've been in the water, but it might require wetsanding and compounding if oxidized.
- Wax all your metals – This will prevent any type of rust buildup from prior years and keep them looking good without replacement.
- Apply two coats of varnish to any teak wood on the exterior – Do this as a precaution. Remember, it's easier and less expensive to maintain a boat than to run it down and make replacements.
- Have your interior steps and companionway checked out – They may need some varnish while the boat isn't being used and able to dry completely.
- Clean the bilge – This will prevent any unwanted odors.
- Have the interior detailed – This will curb mildew problems and also prevent any odors.
Here are a few more tips for a good-looking boat from Wyatt Hanks:
- Wash your boat at least once a week – This will ensure the finish lasts longer.
- Routinely inspect and clean the bottom of your boat – It comes into constant contact with the water and needs special attention. This tip may even save you money on fuel.
- Spend regular time cleaning the boat's carpet, upholstery and wood accents to preserve the value of your boat.
- Grease all parts that require it.
Keep things running smoothly
Of maybe the most importance in off-season boat care is engine maintenance. We suggest these tips for winter maintenance:
- Change all spark plugs – Spark plugs are cheap and easy to replace, so taking this precaution can save you time and money once boating and fishing season actually starts.
- Check and tighten belts if needed, especially the alternator belt – A belt that's not tight will wear faster. The belt should fit snugly in the pulley grooves. If not, the belt is worn and needs to be replaced.
- Change the fuel filter, making sure the fuel line is not cracked – those in warm climates are lucky as the winters aren't extremely cold. But, for some other climates, the combination of cold weather and several months of dryness can crack the fuel line. The fuel filter should be changed yearly as a precaution.
- Check the oil – This falls under the obvious category, but it's still necessary. Oil has a tendency to gum after several months of disuse. It may be necessary to drain the old oil and replace with a totally new batch.
- Check the battery – Use a battery tester to see if the batteries still have a charge. Also check for corrosion, being careful not to contact any leaking acidic substances. This is important. You don't want to be on the middle of the lake, or, worse, the ocean with dead batteries.
Have some fun
Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/airwaves1/3189961116/sizes/m/in/photostream/
Aside from making sure your boat is in beautiful, functioning condition, there are plenty of others ways to pass time in the off-season. Andrew Canepari of The Daily Boater encourages enthusiasts to get revved up for warmer weather in a few fun ways.
- Attend boat shows – The off-season for boating is the busiest time of year for indoor boat shows, with convention centers displaying the latest and greatest boats and marine gear all over the world. Boat shows not only have a wide array of boats and products all in one place, but you can usually also find pretty good deals as exhibitors will often have special offers to maximize their marketing budget. Check the boat show calendar on FirstBoat.com for current and upcoming boat shows near you. http://www.firstboat.com/
- Listen to nautical-themed music – It puts you in the boating spirit when you can't get out on the water. The obvious choices are the likes of Jimmy Buffett and Kenny Chesney, but we also love nautical songs performed with passion by independent artists, ocean conservationists, and anybody that mentions water in their lyrics. Tune in to the Daily Boater for our Sea Song of the Week every weekend to see our suggestions. http://www.dailyboater.com/p/sea-songs.html
- Brush up on boater safety – Whether or not your state requires boating safety education, courses by the Coast Guard Auxiliary and Power Squadrons are usually inexpensive, and will give you the chance to brush up on your nautical knowledge and make you a safer sailor. Take advantage of the off season and take a course on boating safety or seamanship. Start at the boating safety page on Firstboat.com to find resources for courses in your area: http://www.firstboat.com/safety.html
- Plan ahead – If you are going to trailer your boat to new destinations make your plans and reservations now. The most popular boating destinations fill up fast. The sooner you call, the better chance you have of finding the ideal spot for you and your boat.
You might also enjoy these good-time tips from Wyatt Hanks:
- Go Fishing – There is usually good fishing in the off-season. Talk with local fisherman and see if they know of any good spots to fish. Find out what type of bait they use and any other tips they might be willing to share with you.
- Find some projects – This may also be the best time to do any restoration jobs that may have your boat out of commission for a period of time.
2 thoughts on "Tips for boaters in the off-season"
The best thing to do in the off-season is to check your boat often. Especially if there has been any kind of inclement weather. And the best way to store your boat is to have it in a locked, indoor facility. Thanks!
Hi Any tips for wintering my yacht in Greece . Don't expect any snow and temp wont really drop anywhere near freezing. She will be left for 6 months.
Comments are closed.

subset: commoncrawl


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Whether you need a website, contact forms, or graphic design, Stieltjes Innovations can help at a price that will work.


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Difference between revisions of "Mylyn/Release Howto"
< Mylyn
(→Test Install)
|Line 72:
|Line 72:
* Do a test install from http://download.eclipse.org/mylyn/snapshots/weekly
* Do a test install from http://download.eclipse.org/mylyn/snapshots/weekly
== Remove Old Integration Builds
== Remove Old Integration Builds
rm ~/downloads/mylyn/archive/3.6.0/I*
rm ~/downloads/mylyn/archive/3.6.0/I*
Revision as of 18:47, 15 June 2011
- 1 Before the Release
- 2 The Release
- 3 After the Release
Before the Release
Create a Branch
- Branch cvs projects (major releases only)
cvs -b 3_7_m_3_6_x org.eclipse.mylyn*
- Branch git (major releases only)
git checkout -b 3_7_m_3_6_x git push 3_7_m_3_6_x
Prepare Source Code
Internationalize Messages
- Run Source > Find Broken Externalized Strings over all bundles
- Run Source > Externalize Strings over all bundles
Update User Guide from the Wiki
- Run org.eclipse.mylyn.help.ui/build-helper.xml as an Ant Build (ensure org.eclipse.mylyn.wikitext* is checked out into your workspace)
- Review the user guide and commit changes to CVS
Update Copyright Notices
- Update the year in the about.ini to the current year
- Update the year in all feature.xml files to the current year for changed features
- Update the year in copyright notices of changed source files: Install platform releng tools, Project context menu > Fix Copyrights
Backport changes to the Platform Specific Branches
- Switch to branch
- Select branched plug-ins, Team > Merge
- End tag: HEAD
- Start tag: Merged_e_3_4_m_3_x
- Select Preview the merge in the synchronize perspective
- Merge changes and resolve conflicts
- Commit
- Switch to head,
- Tag branched plug-ins as Merged_e_3_4_m_3_x
Run Tests
- Trigger a nightly build or run the AllTests suite
The Release
Update Target
- Update target files to point to release sites
Tag Sources
- Tag the release as R_x_y_z (and R_x_y_z_e_3_3 if plug-ins are branched)
Prepare Build Environment
- Checkout sources on build.eclipse.org
ssh [user]@build.eclipse.org cvs -d :pserver:email@example.com:/cvsroot/mylyn co . ln -s org.eclipse.mylyn/org.eclipse.mylyn.releng ~/releng org.eclipse.mylyn/org.eclipse.mylyn.releng/integration-build/prepare.sh cd org.eclipse.mylyn/org.eclipse.mylyn.releng
- Make sure your have Java 5.0 or later in your path. Settings for $HOME/.bashrc on build.eclipse.org:
export JAVA_HOME=/shared/tools/mylyn/tools/jdk
- Release build (Hudson): https://hudson.eclipse.org/hudson/job/mylyn-release/
- Release build (manually):
TYPE=release TIMESTAMP=20110608-1400 mvn -f org.eclipse.mylyn/org.eclipse.mylyn.releng/pom.xml clean deploy
- Snapshot build (manually):
TYPE=weekly mvn -f org.eclipse.mylyn/org.eclipse.mylyn.releng/pom.xml clean deploy
Verify Update Site Contents
- Check that only approved features are on the update site
- Check that all Orbit bundles are tracked on approved CQs
Test Install
- Do a test install from http://download.eclipse.org/mylyn/snapshots/weekly
Remove Old Integration Builds
rm ~/downloads/mylyn/archive/3.6.0/I*
Add Mirror URLs
cd ~/downloads/mylyn/archive/3.6.0/ ~/releng/bin/update-metadata.sh
- Check that the content.jar contains the following property:
<property name="p2.mirrorsURL" value="http://www.eclipse.org/downloads/download.php?file=/mylyn/archive/.../v.../&protocol=http&format=xml"/>
Copy Release to archive.eclipes.org
cp ~/downloads/mylyn/archive/3.6.0 /home/data/httpd/archive.eclipse.org/mylyn/archive
Update Release Repository Content
- Update filters in ~/downloads/mylyn/releases/*/composite.index
- Update release composite sites
cd ~/downloads/mylyn/releases/ ~/releng/bin/create-composite.sh -r
- Update snapshot composite sites
cd ~/downloads/mylyn/snapshots/ ~/releng/bin/create-composite.sh -r
Update Website
- Update the version number on download page
- Create a new section on download archive page
- Add a link to the new API baseline on the download archive page (major releases only)
- Create a new section in the New & Noteworthy
Update Babel
- Make release available in Eclipse Babel for translation (major releases only)
After the Release
Update Versions
- Edit versions in org.eclipse.mylyn/org.eclipse.mylyn.releng/bin/update-versions.sh


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It's barely six weeks since the spring 2014 collections came down the runway at New York Fashion Week, and they're already starting to turn up on the red carpet.
The fashion was all over the place at the Oct. 12 New York Film Festival closing night gala screening of "Her." The movie's Rooney Mara was the first one out of the gate in spring Proenza Schouler, wearing a black chrome silk cloque dress with a pleated skirt that was both futuristic and feminine. Costar Olivia Wilde channeled Katharine Hepburn in a pair of sand-colored palazzo pants and a white blouse from Michael Kors' spring collection. The white shirt trend is going to be big, and this was a strong start, even if it was a questionable look for a gala event. It's also a mystery why Wilde didn't wear a belt with the pants, as shown on the runway. Amy Adams went in a totally different direction, debuting a naughty-but-nice spring Prabal Gurung dress in lavender with a super-sexy décolletage and side cutouts.
Carey Mulligan also opted for bold color at the Oct. 15 premiere of "Inside Llewyn Davis," in which she costars, during the 57th BFI London Film Festival. The red carpet was no match for her Dior sculpted matte silk and wool strapless dress in an electric shade of yellow. Mulligan ruled.
And speaking of fashion fearlessness, many actresses shy from prints on the red carpet, perhaps worrying that they will confuse the cameras. But not Lupita Nyong'o, who stepped out at the L.A. premiere of "12 Years a Slave" in a spring '14 Miu Miu dress with a whimsical Deco bird print. The newbie, who is already garnering Oscar buzz for her performance in the film, looked like a star ready to take flight.


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Cryptic and Perfect World are rolling out more content for Neverwinters third Beta Weekend event set to get underway this Friday. Players with access to the upcoming beta event will have a chance to sample new content that will include the PvP system and explore the Pirates' Skyhold and Icespire Peak zones. Additionally, the level cap will be increased to 50 and players will have the chance to take control of the Great Weapon Fighter class.
Neverwinters third Beta Weekend starts Friday, March 22 at 12pm PT and will conclude on Sunday, March 24 at 11:59pm PT. Get primed for this weekend's event with our Neverwinter Foundry and Beta Beginners Guides.
First-look at the Great Weapon Fighter Class, Pirates Skyhold, and Much More
(Redwood City, CA) March 19, 2013 -- Perfect World Entertainment Inc. and Cryptic Studios are excited to share further details regarding Beta Weekend 3 for the highly anticipated Dungeons & Dragons® MMORPG, Neverwinter.
Starting at 12:00 p.m. (PDT) on Friday, March 22, players with early access to Neverwinter's Beta Weekend 3 can experience a wealth of new content, including the first opportunity to check out Neverwinter's PvP system and the chance to explore the Pirates' Skyhold and Icespire Peak Adventure Zones. In addition, players may take control of the new Great Weapon Fighter class. An increased level cap of 50, alongside many other significant improvements based directly on feedback from previous Beta Weekends, promises to make Neverwinter's Beta Weekend 3 the best yet.
"The response from the Neverwinter community and members of the press who participated in our previous Beta Weekends has been amazing so far," said Lead Producer Andy Velasquez. "On behalf of the entire development team at Cryptic Studios, I'd like to thank all Beta Weekend players for their feedback and support in making Neverwinter the best free MMORPG around!"
Explore and defend one of the most beloved cities from Dungeons & Dragons as it rises from the ashes of destruction. This free action RPG set in an immersive MMO world takes players from the besieged walls of the famed city itself to subterranean passageways in search of forgotten secrets and lost treasure. Epic stories, action combat and classic roleplaying await those heroes courageous enough to enter the fantastic realm of Faerûn and the ruined city of Neverwinter.
For the chance to participate in Neverwinters Beta Weekend 3, players may register for free at http://www.playneverwinter.com.
For guaranteed access to Beta Weekend 3 and a wide array of in-game perks and items when Neverwinter launches, learn more about the Neverwinter Founders Pack program at http://nw.perfectworld.com/founderspack
Perfect World Entertainment is a leading North American online games publisher specializing in immersive free-to-play MMORPGs. Founded in 2008, Perfect World Entertainment has published 10 popular titles, including Blacklight Retribution, Forsaken World, Perfect World Internationaland Star Trek Online. The company works closely with its American development teams and partners such as Cryptic Studios, developer of the highly anticipated MMORPG Dungeons & Dragons Neverwinter, and Runic Games, developer of the hit Torchlight series, to provide unparalleled quality of service and game experiences to its players. A subsidiary of Perfect World Co., Ltd. (NASDAQ: PWRD), Perfect World Entertainment is headquartered in Silicon Valley, California. For more information, please visit: www.perfectworld.com
ABOUT CRYPTIC STUDIOS, Inc.
Cryptic Studios, Inc. is a leading developer of online games committed to delivering the next level of gameplay. Cryptic Studios, Inc. develops AAA titles for PC and is rapidly diversifying its portfolio of games to expand beyond the traditional MMORPG genre. In addition to its successfully launched "Champions Online: Free for All"and "Star Trek Online", Cryptic Studios, Inc. is now developing "Dungeons & Dragons: Neverwinter"and other unannounced projects. Cryptic Studios, Inc., a subsidiary of Perfect World Co., Ltd. (NASDAQ: PWRD), is located in Los Gatos, CA.
Dungeons & Dragons, Neverwinter, their respective logos, Forgotten Realms, and all character names are trademarks of Wizards of the Coast LLC in the U.S.A. and other countries. All rights reserved.
To read the latest guides, news, and features you can visit our Neverwinter Game Page.


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The seat is a luxurious addition to extend the life of your Classica Pram. Coordinated stroller seat is comfortably padded to pamper baby. There are 4 comfortable positions to accommodate baby or child's needs. Boot cover is included. Stroller frame sole separately.
Additional storage pockets on the sides
Protective hood keeps baby shaded
Front bar for grasping hands
Leg support and foot rest for ergonomic seating
The Inglesina Balestrino Frame is a classic style chassis made to attach easily to the Inglesina Classic Bassinet Body or Classic Stroller Seat and Hood. This Classic Carriage system is the epitome of quality, style and fashion. Named because of its old-time classic style, this premium pram is hand made in Italy using fine European materials according to the 35-year old standards of Inglesina. The Balestrino frame has 14? and 16? buggy style white tires with maximum suspension - perfect for strolls on urban streets or parks. The rear brakes are activated by a touch of your foot. A unique safety system prevents tipping or accidental closing. Let your baby ride in luxury in this classic carriage. Features: · 14? front wheels and 16? rear wheels · Genuine buggy style tires · Maximum suspension provides smooth ride · Anti-tipping and safety system prevent accidental tipping or closing · Rear brakes are activated with a touch of your foot · Seat unit and bassinet attach and remove easily for easy folding · Seat can face in towards parent or out towards the street · Made to attach to Classica Bassinet or Classic Seat and Hood
Mobile Site |
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Copyright ©1997 -2019 HealthCheck Systems, All rights reserved


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2003-2011 Genuine Original Factory Mazda RX-8 Xenon HID
Headlamp Assembly D2S Ballast (Xenon Light Control Unit
/ Module / Controller / ECU / Computer / Starter /Sation
/ Electronic Unit / Steuergerät /Inverter ) , D2S Philips
Discharge Bulb , Ignitor Replacement Sale
Part will fit : Driver side / Passenger
side / Left / Light / Front
Mazda RX-8 : 4-door
quad coupe , 1.3L RENESIS (Wankel) NA , Shinka , Evolve
, PZ , Nemesis , Kuro , 40th Anniversary , True Red Style
, Hydrogen RE , Mazdaspeed Version, NR-A , R3 , MS
If your Mazda RX-8 hid xenon headlights low beam have problem,
like light failure, dipped beam not working, flickering
or have any other issues, you only need to change or replacement
related original xenon parts like: ballast, gas discharge
bulb, igniter or wire harness, cable to repair your HID
light is ok, no need to cost a lot of money to buy a whole
brand new headlight assembly like the car dealer suggest.
Normally speaking, when your headlight have problem, check
out the fuse first, if it's ok, then replace the factory
fit xenon control unit box ballast is ok, because from our
many years experience, when the headlight not work, 90%
of the problem is on the ballast.
If you find the right part you
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Ps: In order to get more effective and faster communication,
please email us with the following details:
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come from (We can check shipping cost to your place directly
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2. Email us the production year and
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3. It's better to show us the picture
of the part you need or tell us the part number.
4. The order quantity you need.
PS. we will reply you timely (within 5-10
minite, except the reason of different
time zone ). We normally use express to do the shipment,
5-7 working days, the goods will arrive you.


text:
Basketball Grandma — Art Print
SKU: F303B-RT Category: Basketball
Product Description
Suzy's 8" x 10" art prints are the most cherished and unique gift art you will ever own. It is featured in a black or white mat, showcasing the artwork with the heartfelt message. For years, Suzy's images and stories have warmed the hearts of millions. Women read, laugh, cry and buy them by the armful. Order yours today.
8" x 10" Double Matted Art Prints
Easy-to-mail and Easy-to-frame
Additional Information
|Mat Color
Black, White
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Only logged in customers who have purchased this product may leave a review.


text:
Bill G. Snyder, 86, Andrews, died Saturday, April 13 at 3:19 p.m. at Norwood Health and Rehabilitation, Huntington.
Bill was born Nov. 9, 1926, in Wabash County, the son of John and Marguerite (Engleman) Snyder. He graduated from Andrews High School in 1945. Bill married Mary Catherine Crull on July 2, 1948 in Huntington.
Bill retired in 1989 from Schacht Rubber Company where he worked for over 43 years and was the assistant manager. After retirement, he went to work at Ford Meter Box in Wabash in 1991 as a supervisor. Bill started the rubber division there and left in 1993. He was a member of Andrews United Methodist Church. Bill loved the outdoors and fishing. He had a camper located in Washington, Ind. and loved spending time there.
Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Mary Catherine Snyder, Andrews; one son, Neal Snyder, Andrews; one daughter, Karen K. Reed, Pierceton; one brother, John O. (Gaya) Snyder, LaFontaine; six grandchildren, Braydon Snyder, Simeon Reed, Brandt Finley, Courtney Hixon, Ashley Schrader and Drew Smith and six great-grandchildren, Katy Reed, Taylor Reed, Lola Smith, Finley Smith, Alex Schrader and Amelia Schrader. His parents, daughter, Kathy Finley, brother, Charles Snyder, sisters, Barbara Boone and Wilma Deane Hacker, and grandson, Robert Neal Snyder preceded him in death.
Visitation will be from 3–7 p.m. Wednesday, April 17, at Bailey-Love Mortuary, 35 West Park Drive, Huntington. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, April 18, at Bailey-Love Mortuary with Pastor Andrew Hawk officiating. Burial will follow at Andrews Riverside Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Andrews United Methodist Church in care of Bailey-Love Mortuary, 35 West Park Drive, Huntington, IN 46750.
Friends may share an online tribute on the guestbook at www.baileylove.com.
Bailey-Love Mortuary is honored to serve the Family of Bill G. Snyder.


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Game Warden Field Notes
November 18, 2011
The following items are compiled from recent Texas Parks and Wildlife Department law enforcement reports.
- Wife bags her first buck…Not! Terrell County Game Wardens Saul Aguilar and Kenneth Stannard entered a hunting camp on Oct. 5 and noticed a tagging violation on a hanging 10-point white-tailed buck. As the wardens talked with the couple staying at the camp, they noted the man's wife was particularly excited about her first buck. She even offered her license and ID without being asked. After educating the couple on proper tagging requirements, Warden Aguilar decided to take some time to talk with their 9-year-old boy, who seemed intrigued by the wardens. After discussing his favorite superheroes and passion for the outdoors, the boy said he sure wanted to shoot a buck like the one his dad had shot and pointed to the hanging buck. Citations were issued to the couple after the husband admitted to shooting the deer and using his wife's license to tag it.
- High velocity camp prank not so funny after all: Val Verde County Game Wardens Kirk Clendening and Mike Durand responded to a call of shots fired at a hunting vehicle on Oct. 5. When the wardens arrived at the hunting camp, they found a large group of extremely intoxicated hunters. Apparently a hunter who had left the scene before the wardens arrived thought it would be entertaining to shoot at a truck occupied by several people. The wardens took statements and documented the bullet holes from a high-powered rifle that went through the passenger side window and exited the driver side windshield. Luckily, no one was hurt, but the wardens are hoping to file deadly conduct charges against the trigger-happy hunter when he's identified.
- Warden nabs felon with sawed-off shotgun: On Nov. 4, while patrolling the desert for hunting violations, El Paso County Game Warden Hallie Dacy came across a man armed with an illegal sawed-off 12-gauge shotgun with pistol grip. When asked why he was in possession of a shotgun like this, he said he was out target shooting. A check determined that the individual had two violent offenses pending, including aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. The warden confiscated the firearm. Felony charges pending.
- Wardens save two duck hunters: Nov. 5, while returning to the boat ramp after checking duck hunters, Tarrant County Game Warden David Vannoy noticed a large amount of debris in the main body of a lake. As the warden drew closer, he could see the bow of a flat-bottom boat sticking up out of the water. Warden Vannoy rushed to rescue two hunters whose boat sank just five minutes prior to the warden's arrival. The two hunters and a dog were pulled from the water and safely returned to their vehicle. Both hunters were wearing personal flotation devices when the boat suddenly went down, which probably saved their lives. The two were the last hunters out of the hunting area, and no other boats were around due to the high winds. One hunter said this was his first encounter with a game warden and he was sure happy to see one.
- No USDA inspection on this meat: Cherokee County Game Warden Eric Collins received a call on Nov. 3 from a local state trooper who said he had stopped a truck and found a large amount of blood in the bed. Warden Collins met the trooper and the driver of the vehicle at the sheriff's department. During the initial interview, the subject said he had killed a deer a week before with his bow. After further questioning, the man admitted killing the deer at night from a public roadway with a .22-caliber rifle, as well as hunting numerous times without a hunting license. He also admitted to only removing the back straps from the deer, discarding the rest of the meat, and selling the back straps for $15 to one of his friends. Cases pending.
- Not everyone was out after deer opening weekend:Jasper County Game Warden Justin Eddins and Capt. Tom Jenkins were patrolling the north end of Jasper County when Warden Eddins received a phone call from a local hunting club reporting that two individuals were trying to steal pipe from an oil well location. Warden Eddins and the captain arrived to find two subjects on ATVs trying to steal a 300-pound piece of pipe. Criminal trespass and theft charges pending.
- Hole in more than one at the golf course: Montgomery County Game Warden Brannon Meinkowsky apprehended two subjects on Nov. 4 after they had shot a doe at night on a local golf course. In addition to the doe they killed, the men were also in possession of an untagged 8-point buck. During the investigation, the subjects also admitted to killing two deer at night and two deer during the day on the golf course last year. Multiple cases pending.
- Busted by his cell phone: Montgomery County Warden Brannon Meinkowsky was patrolling for illegal night hunting on Nov. 4 when he noticed a truck driving unusually slow through a subdivision known to have a lot of deer. The vehicle was occupied by two males and one female armed with a .17 caliber rifle, a compound bow and three flashlights. During the investigation, the warden found cell phone photos of one of the men holding buck heads. The pictures had all been taken at night and before deer season opened. The subject confessed to killing one of the deer and provided information about the other deer killed out of season. Multiple cases filed. Additional charges pending.
- "Big" is in the eye of the beholder: Angelina County Game Warden Phillip Wood made contact with a hunter on Nov. 5 and observed blood on a trailer. When he asked whether the subject had killed something, the reply was "a big six point." After a short investigation, the warden located the deer horns at a residence and found they had already been sawed in half. Turned out the "big" deer taken in an antler-restricted county had only a 9 5/8-inch spread. Citations issued.
- Funny place for catalog orders: Shelby County Game Warden Mike Hanson received a call Nov. 7 from an informant regarding trespassers on a hunting lease. The caller said two vehicles left the highway, turned off their lights and proceeded down a power company right-of-way. Using night vision equipment, Hanson was able to locate the vehicles. As the warden approached, a male jumped into one of the vehicles. Meanwhile, a female in another vehicle became engrossed in reading a catalog. The male said the female was his sister-in-law and he was just meeting her there to purchase products from the catalog. Just the same, the lease holder elected to file trespass charges.
- No, really, I didn't lay a hand on my wife: On Nov. 1 Harris County Game Warden Jennifer Inkster received a call from the Pasadena Police Department about a possible hunting violation. Turns out police had responded to a domestic dispute and found a large amount of blood and a rifle in the suspect's pick-up. When questioned, the subject quickly admitted he shot a white-tailed deer the previous weekend on his lease, and that the blood had nothing to do with the domestic incident. Warden Inkster arrived and seized an 8-point buck and meat, and citations were issued.
- Not everyone's out deer hunting: Zapata County Game Wardens Roy Martinez and Shane Bailey set out on Oct. 25 to check for illegal commercial fishing on Falcon Lake. After several hours on the patrol boat, wardens observed two Mexican commercial fishing vessels enter Texas waters just north of their location. As the wardens made their move to make contact, the subjects bailed out into the brush. Border Patrol marine units came in to assist, and while in route to the wardens' location, they observed another vessel just south of the wardens' location. A total of three boats, a motor, and 1,980 feet of gill net were seized.
- Wild hog leads hunters astray: On the afternoon of Nov. 7, Llano County Game Warden Kevin Webb and San Saba County Game Warden Brad Reeves responded to a 911 call regarding two lost hunters on a 20,000-acre property in San Saba County. The two wardens, with help from the rancher, were successful in locating the two hunters and returning them to their deer camp. The hunters had wounded a feral hog that morning and started tracking it when they became lost. The hunters were several miles from their camp when wardens and rancher located them.
- Bragging can get you in trouble: On deer season opening day, Williamson County Game Wardens Turk Jones and Joel Campos were patrolling a subdivision in Liberty Hill off U.S. 183 when Campos spotted a man in camo holding a rifle in his front yard. The wardens made contact, and the first thing the hunter said was, "Look at what I shot during archery season." The hunter then displayed antlers from an 8-pointer. Warden Campos inspected the man's license and found he had an antlerless tag missing. Warden Campos brought this to the man's attention, and he said, "Well, you got me; let's change the story and say my cousin shot that one." Warden Campos told him he couldn't do that, and the hunter finally admitted he'd been bragging to people that he shot it. But as a further investigation revealed, in reality he cut the antlers off a road kill he found. Antlers were confiscated and citations were issued.
TPWD Press Release


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Rick Ross Gets His Jewels & Laptop Robbed In Tennessee By Groupies!
Rick Ross was in a concert up in Tennessee around June . After the concert in Hilton Hotel. He was headed to the elevator with 3 groupies and then the jewels come up missing. Shout out to HAYSTAK
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text:
From There MySpace Page:
This could
Wireless messaging lets you receive special text messages about Movie Miguel directly on your cell phone! We will let you know about The Movie Miguel Show, Dj Movie Miguel, TV appearances, events, special announcements, and other information that you just can't live without. You can unsubscribe at any time. To sign up, just enter your cellphone number and hit submit! Standard text message rates apply.


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jeffz needed a new logo design and created a contest on 99designs.
A winner was selected from 58 designs submitted by 14 freelance designers.
Lead Cash In
Lead Cash In is an affiliate network that is looking for a new logo. Right now we are working on a new page and really trying to come up with something unique for a logo. We are looking for your creativity and ideas to come up with our companies new look.
We are looking for something that appeals both to our publishers who do the advertising but on the other hand is still professional and appealing to our clients that were are advertising for. We are looking for a corporate but fun looking logo and are open to many different options
We have very little requirements. We are considering using green/grey/black for our colors but are open to any color scheme so use your creativity.
Find out how a design contest works or learn more about our logo design services.