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Unwelcome: The Muslims Next Door
Aired August 12, 2012 - 20:00 ET
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I didn't say to hate them. I'm just saying we don't need them here. UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Everybody knows who's trying to kill us and it's like we can't say it. KEVIN FISHER, MURFREESBORO RESIDENT: Post-9/11 world we should be a little suspicious of any group trying to relocate to this community. LEMA SBENATY, ISLAMIC CENTER OF MURFREESBORO: They had words "not welcome" there and that's -- that's a very clear sign. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Get the (EXPLETIVE DELETED) out of the state. UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: Someone in the middle of the night doused these engines with gasoline. IMAM OSSAMA BAHLOUL, MURFREESBORO ISLAMIC CENTER: This is violent. FISHER: We have filed a lawsuit to stop the building of the mosque. JOE BRANDON, ATTORNEY: They can claim religion all they want, but it don't mean you will come in here and do this in Rutherford County. SBENATY: It's my right as an American citizen to have a place of worship. FISHER: Murfreesboro is kind of a small, big town. It's a beautiful place where a family can live and grow and be a part of a community, a very loving community. SALLY WALL, MURFREESBORO RESIDENT: We love Murfreesboro, and we love it for the most part the way it is and the way it has been. SBENATY: It doesn't matter what religion you are, what race you are, whatever. The people here are so welcoming. SOLEDAD O'BRIEN, HOST: Talk to the residents of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and they'll tell you the strength of their city lies in its close-knit community and strong religious faith. The city has 104,000 people. More than 140 churches. And one mosque. For decades, Muslims have lived and prayed alongside their neighbors. But in June 2010, their place in the community was questioned. Exposing a growing fear of Islam in America. Ten years after the attacks of 9/11. FISHER: We are citizens, we have families and we have children in this community and we're trying to look out for our future. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We thank you for your love. We thank you for your joy. O'BRIEN: Kevin Fisher has lived in Murfreesboro for 20 years. He's a corrections officer and a single father. In May of 2010 Kevin was stunned to discover local officials had approved plans for a 53,000 square foot Islamic center in his hometown. FISHER: The neighbors were outraged that something of this nature was being basically shoved down our throats so we didn't know anything about it. O'BRIEN: A month later, the typically sleepy county commission meeting was anything but. UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: So many people turned up for the public hearing. Authorities wouldn't let them all in. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I am very happy to see these people here that are really standing up. O'BRIEN: A few residents complained about the lack of notice of the mosque plan. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I would respectfully ask for an extended public hearing again. O'BRIEN: Virtually everyone else spoke out against the threat of Islam. UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Everybody knows who's trying to kill us and it's like we can't say it. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I would encourage the boycott of any contractor associated with the project. Thank you. UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Our country was founded through the founding fathers, through the true -- the true God, the Father and Jesus Christ. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm sorry, but they seem to be against everything that I believe in, and so I don't want them necessarily in my neighborhood. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That concludes our public comment period. Thank you very much. O'BRIEN: Local officials refused to reconsider their unanimous approval of the plan. FISHER: We decided to hold a march so that America, the whole world, everybody can see these people didn't get noticed so that's what we did. Ignore their intolerance. We call our county commission to hold the progress (ph) of this mosque. Under Sharia law, there is no freedom of speech. O'BRIEN: Among those marching against the mosque plan was prominent local resident and real estate developer Sally Wall. S. WALL: My fourth great-grandmother was the first woman buried in a marked grave in Rutherford County. That's how long we've been here. And I think that has quite a bit to do with how you feel about what happens here in the community. O'BRIEN: Also marching, Sally's husband, Howard Wall, a local power broker and former Republican county chairman. HOWARD WALL, MURFREESBORO RESIDENT: I always thought other people marched. You know I didn't have to march, but who am I not to march? I wanted to show my interest in my community and my country. S. WALL: Here is this enormous building which is going to be occupied by people who are of the same religion that the people are who were fighting in Afghanistan who we have been fighting in Iraq. H. WALL: Why are they building a mosque that's 5300 square feet? That is a lot of square footage and it's going to be a very expensive thing. Now are 200 families or 200 Muslims, however many they are, how are they going to pay for it? I know when we expanded our church, we're still paying for it. O'BRIEN: Other residents opposed to the mosque plan included Ronald Todd. For 93 years Todd's family owned the land sold at auction to the Muslims in Murfreesboro. Todd says his grandparents are turning over in their graves because their land is being used for a mosque. BRIAN TODD, MURFREESBORO RESIDENT: They worshipped another god than one that I worship. I've heard some rumors about a different law they go by, but if I live in Tennessee, I live by Tennessee law and the law of the United States of America. LOU ANN ZELENIK, LOCAL POLITICIAN: My name is Lou Ann Zelenik. And we're a group of citizens -- O'BRIEN: Several local politicians seized on the issue like Lou Ann Zelenik who ran for Congress in Tennessee. ZELENIK: We are joining with so many who feel that they're concerned because it is not the Christians, it is not the Jews that flew airplanes into the buildings. PAT ROBERTSON, TELEVANGELIST: Strange place for a huge mosque. O'BRIEN: Even televangelist Pat Robertson weighed in on the proposed mosque. ROBERTSON: You mark my word, if they start bringing thousands and thousands of Muslims into that relatively rural area the next thing you know they're going to be taking over the city council. O'BRIEN: More suspicions were raised after opponents claimed a member of the mosque had posted this photo of the leaders of Hamas. A U.S.- labeled terrorist group on his MySpace page. He was suspended from the mosque for two months. FISHER: The post-9/11 world we should be suspicious any of group trying to relocate to this community. O'BRIEN: But many in Murfreesboro supported the mosque plan. The protest march that June day drew hundreds of people of different faiths rallying in support of religious freedom. UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Organize this rally in order to show support for the First Amendment right of Murfreesboro residents to worship the way that they see fit. UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think we all should be free to practice our religion. O'BRIEN: Among the mosque supporters, Lema Sbenaty, an 18-year-old Muslim in Murfreesboro. SBENATY: You can just see there -- like, in their eyes you could see that hate. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I didn't say to hate them. I'm just saying we don't need them here. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Did you hear that? Heard that? UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There are some shots fired. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes. O'BRIEN: The explosive fight over religion in Murfreesboro was just beginning. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Murfreesboro, Tennessee Police Department. (COMMERCIAL BREAK) UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The Muslims don't believe it in it, honey. The Muslims -- UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: How many Muslims do you know? (CROSSTALK) UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Everyone out there -- UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: How many Muslims do you know? UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I was in the military. I've been over there. (CROSSTALK) SBENATY: The fact that I've lived here for so long and I've never seen this side of anyone before. Sometimes I still wake up and I'm, like, is this really happening? DIMA SBENATY, MURFREESBORO RESIDENT: To have all of these people come out and openly say that we are against, you know, this religion was very shocking. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This mosque that they're trying to build, all it is, is a training center. UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I don't want anybody in there creating something that can be used to attack us. SALEH SBENATY, MTSU PROFESSOR, MEMBER OF THE ISLAMIC CENTER OF MURFREESBORO: I know they're afraid for their country, but, you know, to label all the Muslims and the Muslim community in Murfreesboro in particular to be terrorists, this is nonsense. O'BRIEN: Saleh Sbenaty has lived in Murfreesboro for 20 years. It's where he and his wife Fatun (ph) raised their two daughters, Lema and Dima, and their son Salim. O'BRIEN (on camera): Do you feel not welcome? S. SBENATY: No. To the contrary actually, this is one of the most beautiful cities in the United States. The people over here are extremely, extremely hospitable and nice. How do we control -- O'BRIEN (voice-over): Saleh is an engineering professor at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro. He was born in Syria. D. SBENATY: I'm, like, banking on lab to save my grade in that class. O'BRIEN: His daughters are students at MTSU. Both were high school valedictorians. D. SBENATY: There were a few other Muslim students, but not very many at all. O'BRIEN: The Sbenatys say they've always felt welcomed in Murfreesboro, even after 9/11. S. SBENATY: Two days afterward, people whom we did not know stopped us and say please, don't be afraid. We are the same. We're going to treat you in the same way. O'BRIEN: Professor Sbenaty arrived in Middle Tennessee in 1980. Only 10 Muslim families lived in Murfreesboro then. Their mosque was a small one-bedroom apartment. Today, there are 250 Muslim families living in Murfreesboro. The current mosque is often packed beyond capacity. UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: There is really no place for us to pray or eat or do activities with the kids. S. SBENATY: People are usually praying on the sidewalk and in the parking lot. BAHLOUL: But do you know it can be assembled if we all do it together. O'BRIEN: Pushed by the center's imam, Ossama Bahloul, the congregation pooled their money in 2009 to purchase a 15-acre parcel of land on the outskirts of town. It would be land for their new Islamic center. (On camera): Where would you get the money from? BAHLOUL: We had a fundraising and we raised $320,000 to buy the land. O'BRIEN: In one fundraising. BAHLOUL: Yes. O'BRIEN: Here in Murfreesboro? BAHLOUL: Yes, here. O'BRIEN: When you first walked the land, describe that feeling for me. S. SBENATY: It's exactly like a homeless who has found the most beautiful home, and it's a long journey. A lot of pain to get there. A lot of effort and then finally you are about to sit down and say, wow, it feels good. O'BRIEN (voice-over): Their vision was to build the new facility in stages. There'd be a school, a gym, a swimming pool, a cemetery and a 10,000-square foot mosque. For the younger generations of Muslims in Murfreesboro the plans represented progress. (On camera): When you first heard about the new building being built what was your reaction? SBENATY: We went from a one-bedroom apartment that was divided by a sheet to, you know, having this piece of 15-acre land. I hate to be cliche, but it was a dream come true. O'BRIEN (voice-over): In November 2009 the congregation put up a sign announcing the future site of the Islamic center. Then it was vandalized. With a simple, but disturbing message, "not welcome." (On camera): What did you feel like when that sign had "not welcome" for someone who's lived here her whole life pretty much? SBENATY: It hit hard. You know, they had the words "not welcome" there. And that's -- that's a very clear sign. S. SBENATY: And we thought it was an individual act. The sign company said we will make you a new sign for free. O'BRIEN (voice-over): A second sign put up at the site was cut in half eight months later. A disturbing preview of the days and months ahead, as fear and suspicion would threaten to derail the mosque project and turn neighbor against neighbor. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We're asking for those individuals who know who may be responsible for this crime to come forward with any information. (COMMERCIAL BREAK) O'BRIEN: Late August, Ramadan. For Muslims the holiest time of the year. A time of reflection, praying and fasting. But for the Muslims in Murfreesboro August 2010 was a time of unease. Their plans to build a new house of worship had produced strong opposition. Members of the congregation sought answers from the imam. BAHLOUL: Some of them were concerned. Some of them were scared. Some of them couldn't understand why. This why, I couldn't provide it for them. O'BRIEN: Imam Ossama Bahloul came from Egypt to America in 2004 to lead a small mosque in Irving, Texas. BAHLOUL: I consider myself a Texan without the Texan accent. (LAUGHTER) O'BRIEN: Deep in the heart of Texas, Bahloul learned English and learned that in post-9/11 America, freedom of religion didn't mean freedom from suspicion. BAHLOUL: And I learned that I have to be careful because some people have an idea about Muslims and it is not a good one. O'BRIEN: It was at the mosque in Texas where Imam Ossama met his future wife Ivy. IVY BAHLOUL, IMAM OSSAMA BAHLOUL'S WIFE: I was raised Methodist. O'BRIEN (on camera): You, shortly after 9/11, decided to convert. I. BAHLOUL: Correct. O'BRIEN: For many people. I. BAHLOUL: Yes. O'BRIEN: Converting to Islam would be last thing they would do. I. BAHLOUL: Right. Well, I think that anyone that has ever known someone that is Muslim and would hear the things that were being said, it just didn't make sense, so I picked up a book and then I picked up another one, and another one and -- until I read the Quran, and then I contacted the local mosque in my area. I've had a couple of comments because I am an American Muslim. Some people feel like, you know, you're a traitor. How could you become one of them? UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This architect built so many mosques around the area. O'BRIEN (voice-over): Despite strong opposition by late summer Imam Ossama and the other leaders of the congregation decided to go forward with the first phase of their project, grading and leveling the land. BAHLOUL: We did not have any kind of celebration. O'BRIEN (on camera): Why not? You could have done a big groundbreaking. That's how these things usually go. BAHLOUL: We don't want to something like aggravate people's feelings. O'BRIEN (voice-over): The low-key beginning did little to silence opponents who felt their concerns weren't being heard. FISHER: I think they have a right to expand, but I think that the public has a right to say wait a minute, there are concerns here. O'BRIEN: Kevin Fisher who had led protest march against the planned Islamic center said traffic was a big concern. FISHER: By their own admission they're going to draw people from all over the county. Then you're going to put a whole lot of new drivers in the back roads of Tennessee. O'BRIEN: Concerns were also raised about the cemetery on the site. Already one elderly Muslim had been buried there. FISHER: You have well water out there. You have people who are going to be drawing off the same source. So according to their tradition they don't bury with a casket. They don't bury with a vault. O'BRIEN (on camera): So you're telling me, a casket protecting the body is going to change the quality of the water versus a body that's not in a casket? FISHER: It could. Absolutely. O'BRIEN: So how much of this is also, you just don't want a mosque in that neighborhood? FISHER: Not one person that I know of or friends of mine or people that have read anything, have ever said they don't have a right to worship. They have a right to worship however they see fit. SBENATY: I feel like what they're doing is kind of taking things and throwing them at the wall and seeing what sticks. And it hasn't really stuck very well, but I think they're still trying. O'BRIEN: Does it feel like people are in a war with Islam? BAHLOUL: Yes. There's no doubt. O'BRIEN: Do you feel like people here are in a war with Islam? BAHLOUL: Some of them yes. There's no doubt also. I'm very comfortable to say this. O'BRIEN: So you save some of the messages? BAHLOUL: Yes, I did. O'BRIEN (voice-over): There were disturbing voice mails. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Tuesday, 6:27 a.m. Osama is (EXPLETIVE DELETED). He's like the rest of you queer bitches. Get the (EXPLETIVE DELETED) out of the state. O'BRIEN (on camera): So what did you think when you heard that the first time? BAHLOUL: I couldn't believe that I heard this, and -- and I -- I was shocked, I would say yes. Yes. And I don't like the term go back home. We are American. I guess this is our home, and everyone has to realize this. O'BRIEN (voice-over): In late August, construction was barely under way when members of the mosque received a call from the police. A fire in the middle of the night had damaged equipment at the site. S. SBENATY: And I looked at this site and the tears started to come down, you know? It's -- why? You know, what did we do? O'BRIEN: Leaders of the congregation came to assess the damage. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's a natural growth to our community. We are growing. O'BRIEN: Suddenly our interview was interrupted by the sound of gunfire. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There are some shots fired. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes. Yes. Do you hear that? UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Murfreesboro, Tennessee Police Department. O'BRIEN: Fear had replaced concern. UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I don't like standing here. I don't know. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You're scared? UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That's what they're trying to do. It's a terrorist act. S. SBENATY: I heard very loud shots coming from this way. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: All right. Hang on. We're going to go up there and check for you. S. SBENATY: Yes. Yes. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It could very well be hunters. It could very well be. But we're going to check it out. We've got plenty of guys in the area. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thank you. Thank you. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And we'll make sure that we document at least your concerns. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thank you so much. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: So you've got something to show that we're looking into it. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We're grateful. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: OK. All right. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I appreciate it. BAHLOUL: This is sad. The whole issue is sad. Let's hope it's a hunter and it's not something that was done intentionally because I know this community. It's a good community. So people can't -- don't have to be scared like this in America. This is America. What is this? People can disagree with each other kindly, but violence like this is nonsense. This is violent. For children to be scared in the mosque, it's bad. For all the people to be worried about their safety, this is sad. This is sad. This is too much. Enough, I guess. Enough. Enough. Enough. O'BRIEN: Days after the suspicious fire, Imam Ossama addressed his congregation. BAHLOUL: I believe those people opposing this project, they do not understand the consequence of what they are doing. They are damaging the kids. While they are damaging the image of this country. O'BRIEN: Protests, vandalism and now a suspicious fire. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Let's go. O'BRIEN: Yet the fight over the planned Islamic Center of Murfreesboro was just beginning. BRANDON: What we're saying to the court is they can claim religion all they want, but it don't mean you're going to come in here and do this in Rutherford County. (COMMERCIAL BREAK) UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We have a $20,000 reward being offered for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of person or persons responsible for committing arson on August 28th -- O'BRIEN: A suspicious fire had damaged equipment at the construction site of a new mosque in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Days later the FBI confirmed the Muslim community's worst fears. It was arson. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Somebody knows something. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We must speak up for the freedom and the liberty of every person. O'BRIEN: While many in the community gathered to condemn the arson, some opponents had a different take. S. WALL: It didn't make sense to me. O'BRIEN: Influential real estate developer Sally Wall had her doubts. (On camera): So you think it was faked? S. WALL: Honestly, I do, and of course, I might be wrong. O'BRIEN: To what end? Why would someone fake their own -- S. WALL: I don't know. Now -- now here's one of those they say things, I'm told that they do that everywhere they go to make people think everybody's against us. Now I'm not saying I think that is true. It could be. FISHER: I think it was premature and automatically assumed that it was a hate crime, but I'll tell you this, I disagree with -- I disagree with violence. When you start having to rely on intimidating people to get your point across, I think you lose all your validity. Testing, one, two, three. O'BRIEN (voice-over): For months, Kevin Fisher and other opponent had tried everything to halt the construction of the 53,000 square foot Islamic center. FISHER: Hey, how are you doing? We went through every conceivable means to assure that our rights were upheld. The meetings of the commission, we went to petitions, we went through speaking with our representatives, our mayor. O'BRIEN: Armed with his bullhorn, Fisher attended another commission meeting in September, once again to press local officials to halt construction of the mosque. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm full out here so you can try upstairs. FISHER: OK. He's the one that told me I couldn't go in and speak. O'BRIEN: The meeting was so crowded he couldn't get in. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Next on our list. O'BRIEN: Lema Sbenaty, a member of the Muslim community, did get to speak. SBENATY: So, you see, I'm actually not very different from any of you or your kids or your grandkids, except for one thing. I was born and raised as a patriotic American Muslim. On September 11th, 2001, my religion was hijacked by extremists. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You have nothing to fear, but fear itself. FISHER: I can't (INAUDIBLE) and listen anymore. That's garbage. O'BRIEN: Frustrated, Fisher walked out of the commission meeting and made a surprising announcement. FISHER: We have filed a lawsuit to stop the building of the mosque. O'BRIEN: Later that night, Lema Sbenaty found herself fate to face with Lou Ann Zelenik, the congressional candidate who had denounced the mosque project. ZELENIK: And a lot of people stand with me. O'BRIEN: Zelenik had finished second in the Republican primary. ZELENIK: But I don't understand why you are not outraged with the rights of children and females under Sharia law. At this time -- (CROSSTALK) SBENATY: Ma'am. Ma'am, I'm Muslim. ZELENIK: I think you're wonderful. SBENATY: Thank you. ZELENIK: I have Muslims do call me. SBENATY: And I don't feel oppressed by any of them. ZELENIK: Well, I'm glad you haven't, but what about others that have? SBENATY: Who? Who in this county? Who in this county that is a woman has been oppressed by anyone? ZELENIK: Are you through? SBENATY: I've never seen any woman in Murfreesboro, Tennessee -- anyone in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, that has been oppressed by any man that is a Muslim. ZELENIK: OK. Would you interview her? I think she's a great interview. She really wants to take over. And I think that -- SBENATY: No, go ahead. Go ahead. Go ahead. ZELENIK: I think you're really important. O'BRIEN: True to his word, in late September, Kevin Fisher and three other Murfreesboro residents filed their lawsuit to immediately block the construction of the mosque project. FISHER: The lawsuit is simply seeking to do an investigation of this group to find out exactly where this group stands and whether it pose any kind of risk to the community. UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: All those having business before this court, please come forward and you shall be heard. BRANDON: Judge, we're here today on an issue of a temporary restraining order. O'BRIEN: The suit claimed local officials failed to give the community adequate notice. There would be a vote on the mosque plan by the county's planning commission. BRANDON: So we're talking about a 52,000 square-foot facility. O'BRIEN: Defense Attorney Josh McReary argued that under county law religious facilities are exempt from public hearings. JOSH MCREARY, DEFENSE ATTORNEY: And when you look at the law, they do not have a valid complaint and they certainly are not entitled to an injunction. O'BRIEN: But it quickly became clear, plaintiff attorney Joe Brandon was going to argue that the Islamic Center of Murfreesboro was not a religious facility because Islam is not a religion. BRANDON: Mr. Gross, do you believe the Islamic Center of Murfreesboro is a religious institution? UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I do not know enough about the center, I know that Islam is practiced there from talking to the people who go there. BRANDON: Is Islam a religion? UNIDENTIFIED MALE: In my opinion? BRANDON: Yes, sir. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes, sir. BRANDON: What do you based that on? UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They have a belief in a deity and afterlife. BRANDON: Now you say an afterlife, is that like when you yell "Allahu Akbar" and blow yourself up in a bunch of people that you get seven virgins, is that the afterlife you're talking about? Where you strap a bomb on your chest, blow up unsuspecting people that didn't know anything about you the day before, and then -- so you get you some virgins. Is that the afterlife that you're calling a religion? UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's a religion. I do not know if that's what they practice there, sir. Some Muslims believe that. Some I've talked to don't. BRANDON: Do you believe Allah and God is the same? UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Your honor, none of this is relevant, your honor. BRANDON: Do you know what that says? UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Allah Akbar. O'BRIEN: During the hearings several local residents took to the stand to link the mosque project to the threat of radical Islam. UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: This organization is presenting themselves as a peace-loving organization and in actuality some of their leadership is radical. UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think every law-abiding citizen in the United States of America should stand up against Sharia law. O'BRIEN: Sally Wall was in court almost every day. She helped fund the lawsuit. WALL: Every time you turn on the TV, every time you pick up the paper, there is a radical Muslim this or terrorist that and you can't really overlook it unless you can't read and can't hear. Look at Europe, and I've traveled quite a bit. They have got a problem that they never dreamed of. O'BRIEN: In Europe, various political parties have rallied against the spread of radical Islam in their countries. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Sixty percent want Sharia law in this country. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I don't think so. O'BRIEN: Leading several European governments to pass laws limiting the religious freedom of Muslims. Including a ban on the construction of minarets in Switzerland and in France a ban on Islamic face veils. In the United States, concerns about mosque projects have generated protests from New York to California. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: In Islam, a mosque means we have conquered this country. O'BRIEN: And in middle Tennessee, in the last three years two mosques within 50 miles of Murfreesboro have been targeted by hate including one burned to the ground. (On camera): There are other problems at other mosques. Why not just not build it? SBENATY: Because it's my right. It's my right as a human being. It's my right as an American citizen to have a place of worship. O'BRIEN: Do you understand people's fear? The 9/11 hijackers used religion. SBENATY: I definitely understand people's fears, but you can't possibly, you know, have this veil that covers everyone under one religion just because of something that a few people committed. BRANDON: Your honor, this is -- this is a circus, is what this is. O'BRIEN (voice-over): Inside the courtroom, the fight to halt the Islamic Center of Murfreesboro would continue. BRANDON: Why would we extend to any religion the right to cancel out the Constitution for which we're founded upon? (COMMERCIAL BREAK) BRANDON: Mr. Jordan, were you employed? UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I'm a county commissioner. BRANDON: Can you envision in your wildest dreams how something could be called a religion that promotes the abuse, physical abuse of women. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I wouldn't call it a religion, but I'm not the one that makes the definition of what is a religion. O'BRIEN: In a small courtroom in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, Islam was on trial. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I've been under the impression that Islam is not a religion for thousands of years, whether I agree with it or not. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You know if it was for Sharia law you wouldn't even be out here right now. O'BRIEN: A planned construction of a new Islamic center had divided this small city. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They should have the freedom to build a mosque here. O'BRIEN: Opponents claim the facility would increase traffic, damage water quality and provide a foothold for radical Muslims and Islamic law. BRANDON: This particular case cries for out for a revocation of the permit. O'BRIEN: Lema Sbenaty, a Muslim, born and raised in Murfreesboro, attended the hearing. BRANDON: Sharia law supports and dictates the beating and physical abuse of women with a whip. You're to hang a whip in your house and if your wife or your girlfriend does not submit you're to use a whip against her. O'BRIEN (on camera): When the opposition talks about Sharia law, they talk about it coming here to America. SBENATY: Yes. O'BRIEN: Oppressing women, torture, beating. Do they have it wrong? SBENATY: Yes, they do. A lot of things that our culture have been mistaken for religion. The Quran that I have read has never said torture was OK for anyone or beating women. You know, it was OK. None of this is OK. S. SBENATY: What Sharia is, is a way of life. You know. I am mandated as a Muslim to pray five times. I am mandated to fast during the month of Ramadan. And I'm mandated if I am able to go to pilgrimage. That's Sharia law for me. NOAH FELDMAN, HARVARD INTERNATIONAL LAW: Sharia, according to Muslims, is god's word on how you're supposed to live your life. O'BRIEN (voice-over): Noah Feldman is a professor of International Law at Harvard. He's written several books on Islam and Sharia law. FELDMAN: If you look across the Muslim world you could see a lot of difference in how customs and practices operate among people all of whom believe that they are following the Sharia. As a general matter, the Sharia is what you make of it, and there are plenty of Muslims who interpret the Sharia in a progressive way so that it's equal towards women and progressive towards women. O'BRIEN: Prominent Murfreesboro resident Sally Wall helped organize the lawsuit. She's convinced Sharia law isn't harmless. During our conversation, she showed me a photo of a woman punished under Taliban rule. (On camera): And this is the cover of "TIME" magazine. S. WALL: Exactly. O'BRIEN: Horribly disfigured. S. WALL: Right. And she didn't have ears either. O'BRIEN: You're realistically worried that this could happen here. S. WALL: Certainly I am. It happened to her. O'BRIEN: In Afghanistan. S. WALL: I understand. O'BRIEN: There are large Muslim populations in the United States already. S. WALL: I know that. O'BRIEN: I mean New York City we have a big Muslim community. S. WALL: I know that. O'BRIEN: There is no Sharia law in New York City. S. WALL: It is creeping in, though, I believe, and I think it will creep in as there are more Muslims coming here because that's what they're taught. I think they should try to come into the 21st century. O'BRIEN: Meaning do what? S. WALL: To assimilate. If you would quit covering you would find this a much easier place to live. I. BAHLOUL: Obviously, I'm not oppressed. I'm married to the imam in the mosque. If anyone was going to inflict Sharia law or whatever, obviously, it would be my husband. You know we make the decisions here in the house as a family, just as anyone else would do. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Bye, ma. I. BAHLOUL: I love you. Happy day at school. O'BRIEN: Should Americans be worried about Sharia law? FELDMAN: Our Constitution prohibits explicitly any religious system becoming the established law of our country. So such a thing would be completely unimaginable in our country and rightly so. BRANDON: Is Sharia a religion? O'BRIEN (voice-over): During the nine-day hearing to stop the building of the mosque -- UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There are people out there that have all kind of beliefs. O'BRIEN: -- twenty-three witnesses were called to testify. Not one was a member of the Murfreesboro mosque. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I do. BRANDON: If they practiced Sharia law would it still be your opinion that this is a religion? UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I don't know. O'BRIEN: In October, 2010, in the middle of the hearing, attorneys from the Federal Department of Justice took the uncommon step of delivering a message to the judge in the case. A reminder that according to the U.S. government, Islam is plainly a religion. BRANDON: We want to be allowed to ask questions. My position is, how do you believe anything if you don't question it? And the issue of whether Islam is a religion has never been decided. O'BRIEN (on camera): I thought Islam was considered to be one of the three great religions, right? BRANDON: Can you tell me what you base that on? O'BRIEN: Scholars have said that. People who study it have said that. BRANDON: Well, you can find an expert to testify hell's an ice house, too. They can claim religion all they want, but it don't mean you're going to come in here and do this in Rutherford County. O'BRIEN (voice-over): The judge's decision would surprise both sides in the fight. (COMMERCIAL BREAK) O'BRIEN: By November 2010, as the first phase of the Murfreesboro mosque continued, five miles away a hearing to halt construction was drawing to a close. BRANDON: Jihad is when -- O'BRIEN: Throughout the trial, plaintiff attorney Joe Brandon tried to link the Murfreesboro mosque project to jihad and Sharia law. BRANDON: Does it make you want to look at it with a jaundice eye? O'BRIEN: Even the county's mayor, a cattle farmer and lifelong Rutherford County resident, and a Christian found himself under attack. BRANDON: Sharia law says the United States Constitution is based upon ignorance. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I would not support those things that you just read. BRANDON: Why did you vote this place in for? UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We didn't approve Sharia law when we approved this site plan. FISHER: You would think that your elected officials would care more about the needs and concerns of the community than about an entity that we know nothing about. O'BRIEN: Plaintiff Kevin Fisher was hopeful the judge would stop the project. FISHER: With all my heart and all my soul I believe we're doing the right thing. O'BRIEN (on camera): You do? FISHER: I really do. O'BRIEN: You're 100 percent certain? FISHER: I pray about it every night. O'BRIEN: How have the last nine months been? I. BAHLOUL: Upsetting. Very upsetting. O'BRIEN: What's the worst thing? I. BAHLOUL: The effect I think that it's had on the children in the community. O'BRIEN: You daughter specifically? I. BAHLOUL: She's said -- she has some concerned about me wearing a scarf out in public. O'BRIEN: So what do you tell her when she -- when she says you can wear a scarf? I. BAHLOUL: That it's OK. That the people don't hate us. You know, that this is -- that there's maybe a few people that are not happy. O'BRIEN: Do you think people hate you? I. BAHLOUL: No, I don't think so. I think that people don't understand what Islam is and what Muslims are. BRANDON: The threat of subverse Sharia. O'BRIEN (voice-over): After nine days of arguments. BRANDON: That's hearsay, your honor. O'BRIEN: The judge, Chancellor Robert Corlew, delivered his decision. CHANCELLOR ROBERT CORLEW, RUTHERFORD COUNTY: It's our duty at this time to deny the temporary injunctive relief that the plaintiff sought. O'BRIEN: Joe Brandon had lost. The construction of the future Islamic Center of Murfreesboro would be allowed to continue. CORLEW: We're not privileged to render decisions in accordance with our own opinions, whims or desires. We must follow the law. O'BRIEN (on camera): Should you have focused more on there was a lack of transparency, the commissioners did not do their job, more on that and less on -- less talk about Sharia law? BRANDON: My answer to that is no. We hope to have this case ultimately before the U.S. Supreme Court to make a determination of whether or not Sharia law can co-exist with the U.S. Constitution. O'BRIEN: Will you try to stop the construction again? S. WALL: No. We're going to continue with lawsuits. O'BRIEN: On what grounds? S. WALL: I'm not sure what the grounds are going to be this time, but we're -- there will be another suit, I believe. S. SBENATY: I hope it is -- but my gut feeling is telling me no. O'BRIEN: Why? S. SBENATY: These people are determined. The construction of the Islamic center is going to continue. H. WALL: If they build a mosque it's their business and their religion is their business, but when they try to put in Sharia law and usurp my beloved constitution, then that gets on the fighting side of me. BAHLOUL: If you are saying to me, are you going to give up? No. No. If they are fighting this until the end of it, we will do the same and even more, and we will have something that they don't have. We'll have the constitution on our side. O'BRIEN (on camera): Have you met the Muslims in Murfreesboro? S. WALL: Sure. I've known Muslims forever. My sister lived in Saudi Arabia. My brother lived in Iran. Yes, certainly I have. O'BRIEN: Have you met the ones who are involved in the mosque here? S. WALL: You know, I have not. They have made no effort to get in touch with me, and I have made no effort to get in touch with them. Younger people think that I am a bigot, and that I am against freedom of religion for the Muslims. O'BRIEN: Are you? S. WALL: I'm not a bigot. O'BRIEN: Are you against freedom of religion for Muslims? S. WALL: No. I think we're worried about our American way of life. It would be great if the Muslims would try harder to realize that, that it's not something personal against them. FISHER: I would rather you and I sit here 20 years from now and you interview me and say, you know what? I was wrong. I was completely wrong about them. They've been wonderful and peaceful, but you what? What if I'm right? O'BRIEN: Look down the road 10 years. How does Murfreesboro look to you? SBENATY: I mean, it's going look like before this whole thing started. I think it's going to die down eventually. And I'm really hoping that some of our opposition -- I'd invite Kevin Fisher to the mosque whenever it's built and hopefully they'll see that there's really nothing to be afraid of. O'BRIEN (voice-over): After two years of construction and more legal challenges brought on by the opposition, Justice Friday, the Muslim congregation held its first prayer service in its new mosque. BAHLOUL: Today we can celebrate the importance of unity. O'BRIEN: It was a day for celebration and reflection. SBENATY: In the beginning we thought that, you know, we would never be able to have this because of all the opposition that we face and all the hatred that we face. O'BRIEN: The new mosque has been built but opponents like Kevin Fisher say the fight to preserve and protect their community is far from over. SBENATY: I think that certainly there are still a lot of issues to be dealt with with our community, however, I do believe that this building is going to help us with that. And hopefully in the end, you know, those misconceptions and those inconsistencies will kind of fade with time. We're very positive that this is going to do a good thing for our community.


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The Old Timer of Royal Oak, Mich., was a regular contributor to H&P years before we ever even heard of the internet. But most of his advice is just as ueful — and interesting — today.
So rather than leave his wisdom printed on pages archived in our storage room, I pulled out issues from the late 1980s and early 1990s and have been reproducing relevant entries in this blog. Here is my 14th entry, which was originally published in the February 1989 issue:
Extra cylinders beef up assembly press
When some parts were redesigned with new materials and thicker sections, it looked like our pneumatic assembly press had become obsolete. Even at maximum available air pressure, the 16-in. bore cylinder couldn't develop enough force to do the job. And the press configuration would not let us substitute a larger bore cylinder.
However, after a bit of careful carving on the press frame and reinforcing the platen, we could add some smaller cylinders on either side of the existing press cylinder. We hooked up a pair of 8-in. bore cylinders in tandem to give us the extra pressing force we needed. At the same time, we vented the main cylinder to convert it to single action. By using only the new 8-in. cylinders to return the press, we were able to perform the heavier assembly work without increasing our compressed air consumption.

subset: commoncrawl


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Send Results to This Email:
Street Address:
Street Address:
Dana and Ray Brandon
Ray's Take It's a conversation no one wants to have; however, it's important to have at least an idea of how financially prepared your parents are for their retirement. People are living longer – much longer – and the costs for senior care are soaring. Many older Americans saw a large portion of their nest egg disappear in the last recession.
All these factors explain why the percentage of adult children providing some level of care for their parents has more than tripled in the past 15 years, including 41 percent of the baby boomer generation.
Your parents might not welcome inquiries about their financial situation. They could see it as none of your business, or an attempt to take control. It can help to involve a third party. Ask them to go with you to a financial seminar for retirees or set up a joint appointment with a financial adviser for a consultation.
By bringing in an outside professional you give everyone a greater sense of comfort when discussing money matters. Otherwise it's too easy to revert to old "parent-child" roles.
If it turns out your parents are in good shape, all you need to do is make sure you know where all their important paperwork is – original wills, financial records, insurance policies, powers of attorney – or know who does know this. Plus, find out if there's a lock box and where the key is.
If you learn your parents are not in good shape financially, you and your siblings might need to step in. There may be assets that can be sold to increase savings. It might be time to consider a reverse mortgage on their home, though this is usually a last resort. You might need to open your home to them.
You'll want to do what you can to help, just be sure not to put your own financially secure retirement at risk in the process.
Dana's Take Parents are always talking about setting up college funds for their kids, often giving that goal priority over saving for their own retirement. This can be a costly mistake for both generations.
When you take saving for your own retirement seriously, you're freeing your children from what could be a tremendous financial burden later. The best gift you can ever give your children and grandchildren is your own financial independence.
If you run out of money in your senior years – or don't have enough to meet basic needs – who will pick up the slack? Is that the legacy you want to give your kids?
Paying for a college education for your kids is admirable, but don't let it sink your own future. Your kids would be much better off paying for their own higher education now and not supporting you at the same time they're trying to raise your grandchildren.
Ray Brandon is a certified financial planner and CEO of Brandon Financial Planning (www.brandonplanning.com). His wife, Dana, has a bachelor's degree in finance and is a licensed clinical social worker. Contact Ray Brandon at email@example.com.
Copyright 1995 -
by The Daily News Publishing Co. Inc. - All Rights Reserved


text: alternativista 1242 Posted July 18, 2008 (edited) Index to recipe and nutrient discussions and websites. Because there's been hundreds of good threads and they are always too hard to find. In fact, I can't find the threads I had in mind right now. These are what I find when I search. Feel free to post suggestions. But, Please add recipes to the existing threads. Or, if none exist that suit your topic, start a new thread. Make it a good one and it'll get added here too. Also, not everything here is going to be suitable for you. You need to figure out what intolerances you may have and how strict you need to be. Shopping: Sources for better food: local, wild, organic, etc: http://www.eatwild.com/ - to find farms near you. http://www.localharvest.org/ http://foraging.com/ People's shopping lists, sources and how they use those foods. I hope more people will post theirs. http://www.acne.org/...shopping-lists/ Diets and organic on a budget: http://www.acne.org/...s-on-the-cheap/ http://www.acne.org/...hy-on-a-budget/ Acne.org recipe threads: Cooking for Newbies - recipes, tips and tricks, what, how, when... Really Super Nutrient Dense recipes - Veggie dense, and/or with nutrients known to benefit acne. Soups, curries, stir fry. Add or remove meat or fish to meat your needs. Fabulous Green Smoothies - Great way to get those superfoods. Especially for the veggie phobe. Breakfast foods - For those that can't figure out what to eat when giving up cereal. Sweet potatoes rediscovered They are what's for breakfast! Holiday Meal recipes Acne Free Recipes Simple Ideas for Chicken Healthy food ideas Veggies More fruits and veggies Salad Ideas Dessert ideas and recipes - deal with cravings with something good for you Drink Recipes - teas, milk substitutes, ginger ale, cocktails and more. Healthy Recipes(links to recipes posted by Danny our resident Italian, plus a few other suggestions) Coconut Flour and dried coconut recipes -pancakes, cookies, muffins, crepes Fermented foods with live probiotic cultures--yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi Homemade Kefir guide Gluten Free Recipe books Gluten-Free Times Better breads and bread substitutes Better Grains Cooking methods and substitutes. Spaghetti Squash Recipes Bone, Veggie scraps, peels, stalks, stems, shells, seeds http://www.acne.org/...othsstock-help/ http://www.acne.org/....s-necks/<br />http://www.acne.org/...ins-in-the-gut/ Gaps diet Offsite: whfoods.org, where all the recipes prepare foods in the best way possible to preserve nutrients. Which, in the case of veggies, mostly means steaming or what they call healthy saute (in water) and topping them with what they call Mediterranean dressing (olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, S & P). Specific Carb site: http://www.scdrecipe.../recipes-bread/ Pre-industrial and/or Traditional diet sites and blogs: Very good Paleo recipe site. http://fastpaleo.com/ultimate-paleo-pad-thai/ This guy, a neurobiologist, is kind of primal with a bit of Weston Price tendencies, i.e. willing to eat properly prepared grains/legumes. http://wholehealthsource.blogspot.com/ Weston Price foundation: http://www.westonapr...rg/healthtopics But they don't seem to have recipes there anymore? I suppose because they sell books. Maybe there are still some in these articles: http://www.westonapr...aditional-diets The NourishingGourmet: Lots of good info on properly preparing foods including sprouting, fermenting... http://www.thenourishinggourmet.com The Nourished Kitchen - reviving traditional foods http://nourishedkitchen.com/recipes-2/ http://www.livingthenourishedlife.com/ http://beta.primal-p...ats-and-cheats/ Refer also to blogs/books from various ethnic groups. Indian, for example. No Meat Athlete Vegetarian recipe site: http://www.nomeatath...s-for-athletes/ Obviously not going to be allgrain/seed free, although some are. But there's a lot of smoothie and drink recipes, raw items, desserts, and nutrient dense veggie recipes worth checking out. Many are vegan. Paleo/Primal diet sites and blogs. Even if you don't follow a paleo diet, they can be good sources for recipes to make dishes that are normally high in grains and processed carbs out of more nutrient dense foods. Breads, pastas, pizzas, deserts, snacks... Gluten free since they don't use grains. Mark's Daily Apple (He's a paleo-like guru with a book called the Primal Diet. The primal diet is anti-grain but not anti dairy.) Primal Substitutes for Non-Primal Foods http://www.marksdail...#comment-514158 It's a good bunch of recipes. Cookbook and Fitness guides available as free downloads for subscribers to the blog. Son of Grok (another primal diet blogger) recipes http://www.sonofgrok...tegory/recipes/ TastyPaleo recipe index http://www.tastypale...ecipeIndex.aspx Paleofood recipe index http://www.paleofood.com/ Everyday Paleo blog (of a middle aged female cross trainer) http://everydaypaleo.com/ Foodee Paleo friendly recipe blog and iphone app: http://www.thefoodee.com/blog/ ChowStalker.com: http://www.chowstalker.com/ BulletProofExec - proponent of a paleo like diet. http://forum.bulletproofexec.com/index.php?/forum/12-bulletproof-recipes/ -Low carb blog - Link goes straight to the cauliflower pizza crust recipe. Try it. It's life changing!!! Other blogs: Recipe collection by an acne sufferer: http://my4everrecipes.weebly.com/ Oh, She Glows! blog: A woman blogs about how she got her glow back after years of bad diets and i think an eating disorder. Link to her recipe page:http://ohsheglows.co...off-the-season/ Includes ways to make some basic stuff special, like Carrot Cake and Pumpkin Pie oatmeal and Oat parfaits in which you layer your soaked overnight oats with all kinds of things like banana ice 'cream.' You are putting your overripe bananas in the freezer, right? You should be. Recipes are vegan. TV Shows/Books/Sites Most recipes in these shows that I've seen is fast and healthy. Although a few times, I have seen them use some processed convenience foods I don't approve of. Use your judgement. And avoid the recipes high in white flour and potato products. Jaime Oliver's Meals in Minutes/30 minute Meals TV show - mostly real, whole nutrient dense food with the occasional bit of bread or noodles. http://www.jamieoliv...0-minute-meals/ -Just Cook This/Sam the Cooking Guy - FitTV/DHC cooking show. ---http://www.thecookingguy.com/cookbook/recipes.php --http://health.discov...ipes/index.html -Eric Ripert's 'Get Toasted' blog Famous French chef posts recipes using a broiler/toaster oven. Fast, easy, healthy, simple, but with the little extra touches a French chef would add. The broiled fruit is really good desert substitute. Or breakfast. I used nectarines. I tried the mangos, but didn't like it. Mangos have an aftertaste that got worse with cooking. -America's Test Kitchen - experiments to find great tips/recipes to help you get great results. Also tests gadgets, cookware and appliances. -Everyday Food - PBS series that goes along with Martha Stewarts Everyday Food magazine. A very good show. -French Women Don't get Fat recipes Allrecipes.com - gluten free healingnaturallybybee.com Anti-candida recipes and info Adding Veggies to your favorite foods: Cookie Magazine's Sneak it In recipes of kid friendly foods filled with veggies great for those that think they don't like veggies. The veggies in these are not invisible, though, like in the two sites below. Note cookie magazine no longer exists but if you search, you may find a way to these recipes. Deceptively Delicious- cookbook in which veggie purees are snuck into meat loaf, brownies, chicken tenders, etc. Free recipes on this site. You'll need to reduce the sugar. I can vouch for cauliflower in scrambled eggs, I tried it accidently when trying to make the cauliflower pizza crust on a griddle on the stovetop rather than in the oven. It wouldn't hold together so I scrambled it. Only 1 egg and a lot more cauliflower, but it tasted like eggs. Sneaky Chef - Similar to the above. With even more free recipes and tips. http://alphamom.com/...-good-for-them/ http://www.foodnotfu...-even-noticing/ Gluten Free Girl and the Chef blog: http://glutenfreegirl.blogspot.com/ Kitchen Stewardship - Good site on preparing foods in the best ways, including soaking and fermenting: http://www.kitchenst...-which-is-best/ Site with online courses in such things including how to make sourdough into just about anything: http://gnowfglins.com/ecourse/ Some kind of paid membership required. Note there are also recipes in the What to Eat threads below. Edited May 29, 2013 by alternativista Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites


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"Jiro Dreams of Sushi"
An appetizing documentary in every sense, Jiro Dreams of Sushi follows 85-year-old master sushi chef Jiro Ono, paying lushly photographed homage to the process of preparing the artisan sushi that earned Ono's esteemed Sukiyabashi Jiro restaurant three Michelin stars. From the complicated relationship between Jiro and his sons to the ins and outs of the tuna auction, this spirited film profiles all aspects of Jiro's craft in tantalizing style and detail.
We don't waste our time on anything not worth your time. We celebrate the best of what's coming on film and TV. We cheer when our expectations are met and criticize when we're let down.


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What a touching blog entry. My husband served as an Infantry Officer in the Army and spent 15 months in Iraq. I have bookmarked the Quilts of Valor website and will definitely participate in this program in the future.
Beautiful! We remember, too!
God bless you
I am glad to see this today. I dressed myself and 2 little ones in red, white and blue today and we seemed to be the only ones at school this morning who remembered. I certainly hope not. Thank you for this entry and for remembering with me!
Hello, I live in Switzerland with my husband and our four kids and I just wanted to let you know that all of us as well as our friends and relatives do remember and will never forget. Take care. Tina
what a wonderful post.
That is so neat! Your quilts are darling too! Very inspiring!
It feels likt it was just yesterday. I still feel it that strong today. I remember feeling like I needed to do something, but I didn't know what or how.
Thanks for the inspiring post.
What a wonderful post and a wonderful organization. That last picture gave me goosebumps seeing all those quilts stacked like that.
What a beautiful gesture!!!
Thank you
Do you still have the pattern for this? Or can you tell me where I can find it, I have been looking for one for awhile now.
Great cause btw…
this is awesome!!!
and SO heart touching.
Yes, we will forever remember. My girls and I are dressed in red, white and blue from head to toe today. Your quilts and the message on the back brought tears to my eyes. Thanks for all you did that day, and continue to do!
Wow! I am at a loss of words… How amazing!
What a wonderful quilt and cause.
Will go check out the link you have.
Thank you for the wonderful post. I remember the People story on the babies. I love the quilts that you made. It really warms my heart.
What a wonderful project and beautiful quilts.
With my friends on facebook, we all posted where we were and how 9-11 impacted us. Glad to know that so many others are out there remembering our fallen brothers, sisters, fathers, mothers, children … thank you for remembering with us all.
Love the stars and stripes quilt and would be grateful to be directed to a pattern! My son is in the National Guard following a five-year stint as an Army Ranger. I would love to do this for him.
Thanks for the timely post of remembrance.
That is awesome. I love it.
Fabulous! Thank you…


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Re-thinking irrigation to fight hunger
Food prices are spiking globally and in Africa one way to ensure food security is to rethink the role of irrigation in agriculture and food production.
Achieving food security in Africa is a critical issue, even as efforts are stymied by drought, floods, pestilence and more. To these natural disasters, we can add the challenge of a changing climate that is predicted to hit Africa disproportionately hard.
So, what can we do? World Water Week kicked off on Sunday in Stockholm and how water impacts food security will be the focus.
In the World Bank's Africa Region, we are working on the belief that a proven way to expand agriculture and food production in Africa is to focus on scaling up irrigation programs, bringing water to parched lands, and strengthening the hands of farmers who produce food against climatic odds.


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Work-from-home programs are gaining momentum, and a recent survey on cloud adoption proves there is activity leading to increased flexibility for employees. The survey, conducted by Evolve IP, found that more than one third of respondents currently have desktops in the cloud or are planning to migrate in the next three years – a secure way to enable work from home employees to navigate proprietary tools.
According to the CTO of Evolve IP, Scott Kinka, technology is taking enterprise programs to the next level, enabling them to change the way they work. Cloud technology, such as unified business communications and desktop as a service (DaaS), integration with critical applications such as customer relationship management (CRM) and workforce management (WFM) tools, and other advanced technologies provide the organization with better insight and new options for such things as work-from-home programs. Based on the survey results, organizations are currently or are planning to take advantage of these technologies.
When done right, a work-from-home program is a win for everyone. Staff morale will soar with reduced commuting time and costs, increased shift flexibility and increased productivity. Employers also win by cutting operational costs and because fostering happy employees means better-serviced, happier customers. If you are looking to implement a work-from-home program, here are the top things you need to think about.
Related Topics : Vulnerabilities and Patches, Resellers, Broadcom, Broadband Services, Supercomputing
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Watson continuously learns from previous interactions, gaining in value and knowledge over time. Learn how companies are harnessing that AI power to create and improve products and services. ... More >>
Here are the top 10 strategic technology trends that will impact most organizations in 2017. Strategic technology trends are defined as those with substantial disruptive potential or those reaching the tipping point over the next five years. ... More >>


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John Ryan, the caretaker at the Amagansett Beach Association on Indian Wells Highway, noticed that exterior copper pipes on buildings there were removed sometime between April 1 and May 4. The 200 feet of half-inch pipe and one copper backflow valve were estimated to be worth $416.
Cathy Damm, the manager at the Bass outlet store in Amagansett Square, reported on May 9 that a front window there was broken sometime the night before.
East Hampton
A garage door window and an outdoor light were broken at Nancy Ellman's house on Central Avenue between April 22 and May 6. Police said someone used a BB gun to cause the damage.
Randy Steyert's Dodge was hit with a beer bottle while it was parked on Whooping Hollow Road on the night of May 10 or the following morning. The rear driver's-side door and mirror were damaged.
East Hampton Village
Frances Morey of Amy's Lane reported a sick raccoon in the vicinity of nearby Amy's Court on May 9. It attempted to attack her and her dog, she said. Mange was suspected, and the raccoon was euthanized on the spot.
At the Y.M.C.A. East Hampton RECenter, a cellphone valued at $499 was taken from a locker in the men's locker room on May 11.
Regina Lynch complained about parking on Cooper Lane last Thursday. There were construction vehicles blocking her driveway, she said, but when police arrived no such vehicles were found.
Someone from the Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research and Preservation saw a seal on the beach at Georgica Pond last Thursday. The responding officer determined that the seal was in good condition, and it returned to the sea as the officer departed.
Four wooden village benches have been stolen over the past two weeks, Michael Boucker told police on Friday. The benches were valued at $3,240.
Startled by a loud noise outside her house on Kirk Avenue on the night of May 5, Diane Koelpin saw a figure near her mailbox. She identified the person to the police, and although he denied any wrongdoing he offered to replace the damaged mailbox.
While Vincent Frasca was out on his boat on May 9, his boat trailer stayed behind at the West Lake Drive launch ramp. After Mr. Frasca brought his boat back up onto the trailer and drove to the West Lake Marina, he realized that its license plate was missing.
Emily and Mark Borek returned to their summer house on South Elroy Drive on Friday to find the back door open, clothes in the kitchen, and a blue cup in the bathroom sink. None of the items belonged to the Boreks, who had not been at the house since March 15. There was also a duck blind at the back of their property, which is on Fort Pond. The blind was not there previously, and three of the Boreks' duck decoys were found inside it.
A man called Karin Gosman a profanity at Gosman's restaurant on Saturday, she told police. There were no witnesses. Ms. Gosman said the man is a repeat offender. The man in turn said Ms. Gosman used a profanity against him. Police advised the two to avoid each other.
After locking up her bike at the Springs School on May 2, Lucinda Murphy returned about three hours later to find the red 10-speed gone. She valued the bike at $200.
Dawn Flagg noticed that two birdbaths and a Havahart trap went missing from her property on Copeces Lane sometime between May 9 and last Thursday. A landscape company was working at her house at that time, she said.
A harassing phone call was made to Barbara and Jeffrey Marcus's house on Sycamore Drive on Friday. Ms. Marcus told police she felt threatened. She said such calls have been made repeatedly. The alleged caller was warned against doing so again.


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Firefighters Letting Druid Complex Burn in Yellowstone National Park
Montana is famous for having a tough fire season, but although helicopters and line crews are a regular sight around wildfires like the Lolo Creek Complex, things are done differently at Yellowstone National park.
"It's a thrill in Yellowstone to be a firefighter, because we let fire play its natural role in creating the landscape of the park," said Yellowstone Park Fire Information Officer Jon Kohn. "Yellowstone is a product of fire. When I look out my window, all of the trees on the hillside are the same height, because they were born from the same fire 150 to 200 years ago."
Right now, the Druid Complex is still burning on nearly 12, 000 acres. The blaze poses concerns for many travelers.
"It's like being in a maternity ward," Kohn said. "There is some frustration and potential anxiety for visitors which we are here to dispel. There's some flexibility required, but they are also able to attend the birth of a new landscape. Visitors have great air quality and visibility here. Clouds and rain have kept a lid on the five fires. They haven't effected any of the main visitor areas of the park."
The Druid Complex was composed of three fires, but recent rains and high humidity have reduced the complex to just two large wildfires. The complex was created from lightning strikes.
According to Kohn, nearly 90 percent of the park's fires are lightning caused. In the state of Montana, by contrast, only about 50 percent of fires are lightning caused, the rest are started by human activity.


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Summit Custom Sign Company is a locally owned and operated company committed to building long-term relationships with their customers. We believe in honesty, quality work, and solid ethics, which resonates both inside and outside our office doors through our highly professional and diversely skilled team. Our focus is to provide the Colorado community with the highest quality vehicle wraps to help their businesses get noticed, improve brand awareness, and communicate their message to their customers.
The sign industry can be complicated, so we only hire individuals with a never-ending passion for delivering excellent customer service and who strive to make the experience a smooth and hassle-free process for all of our clients. By working with us, you'll have access to our innovative Customer Portal, which provides a secure and personalized platform that lets you view past projects, take advantage of online proofing, and place orders 24/7.
Leave Your Signage Needs in the Hands of the Experts
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So, why risk your hard-earned marketing and advertising budget with a less prepared and undedicated shop, despite their offer to create your signs faster and cheaper? In our experience, that usually doesn't bode well, and many of our now customers in Colorado could have saved themselves the time, hassle, and money if they had chosen differently from the start.
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Marion County, Ala., funds by Homeland Security, Department of
Listing $28,784.00 in stimulus funds from Homeland Security, Department of for Marion
Note: For some programs where states do not report where money will be distributed across the state, we do not have the allocation for individual counties. Those programs include: Medicaid, unemployment benefits and food stamps. Those amounts are included in the totals for where the state agency receiving that money is located.
Amount refers to both the amount of stimulus funding going toward the project and the face value of the loan.
|Federal Dept./Agency
|Marion Winston County Community Action
Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program (ARRA) Emergency Food and Shelter Ntaionl Board Program (EFSP) -- The EFSP ARRA funding is intended to supplement and expand the work of local social service agencies, both nonprofit and governmental, in an effort to help people with economic emergencncies (not di... Show more
This spending item is part of a $100,000,000 allocation. See details
|DHS - Federal Emergency Management Agency


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University of Minnesota Rochester won't see its first class of undergraduates until the fall of 2009.
Tonight the University will inaugurate its first chancellor. Stephen Lehmkuhle will be the first chancellor of the new university.
The campus will focus on the health sciences, such as biomedical informatics and health sciences. It has already developed partnerships with the Mayo Clinic and IBM in Rochester.
Lehmkuhle said the campus will personalize education for its students. It will avoid lecture halls and fifteen week courses.
"We have created a Center for Learning Innovation that will house all of our faculty. Our faculty will be cognitive experts in learning. And we really want to be known nationally as a place where that's where the innovative work is being done for student learning," Lehmkuhle said.
Lehmkuhle was the Vice President for Academic Affairs at the University of Missouri System.


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The Fractals bring original rock-a-billy surf music to The PlayList. The high energy rock group is driven by guitar and fueled by fun. The band includes Barry Pirkola, Jimi Cooper, Darryn Wallace and Marvin Pomeroy
The Fractals, "The Blue Jay"
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Funding for this program is provided by the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. Click here for more information or visit the Minnesota Legacy website.Clean Water, Land & Legacy Amendment


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How is it diagnosed?
Alzheimer's disease
Alzheimer's disease is a form of dementia but is not necessarily caused by the same factors which cause other forms of dementia. However, despite a considerable amount of research, the actual cause of the disease remains unknown. There is no single test to determine whether someone has Alzheimer's disease. It is diagnosed by a process of elimination, as well as a careful examination of a person's physical and mental state, rather than by finding actual evidence of the disease.
A carer or relative may be asked to provide information about the person's behaviour, e.g. difficulties getting dressed, washing, handling finances, keeping appointments, travelling alone, managing at work and using household appliances. A neuropsychological assessment is usually carried out. This involves finding out about possible problems with memory, language, planning and attention. A simple test called the Mini-Mental State Examination is often used. This involves the person being asked to answer questions such as: What is the date? What city are we in? What is this called? (shown a watch). Another part of the test is to follow a series of simple instructions.
A number of tests may be carried out (e.g. blood and urine samples) in order to rule out the possibility of other illnesses which might explain the dementia syndrome or illnesses which might aggravate an already existing case of Alzheimer's disease. In addition to this, a few methods of brain imaging have been developed which produce images of the living brain, thereby revealing possible differences between the brains of people with Alzheimer's disease and those of non-affected individuals. These tests provide a risk-free and pain-free means of examining the brain of a living person. Although they cannot lead to a certain diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease, some doctors may use one or more of these techniques to give more weight to a diagnosis.
Methods of brain imaging
Magnetic Resonance Imaging This permits an extremely detailed image of the brain's structure. When one image is placed over another, taken a few months' later, it is possible to see changes at an early stage in a certain part of the brain.
CT (Computed Tomography) Scanning This measures the thickness of a part of the brain which becomes rapidly thinner in people with Alzheimer's disease.
SPECT (Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography) Scanning This can be used to measure the flow of blood in the brain, which has been found to be reduced in people with Alzheimer's disease as a consequence of nerve cells not working properly.
PET (Positron Emission Tomography) The use of this scanning technique is often limited to research settings. It can detect changes in the way the brain of someone with Alzheimer's disease functions. It can, for example, detect abnormal patterns of glucose usage by the brain.
The importance of an early diagnosis
Although it is not possible to accurately predict dementia, it is extremely important that people who have dementia obtain an early diagnosis. It is only by obtaining a diagnosis that the correct medical treatment can be prescribed. Existing drug treatment is most effective in the early stages, so delaying diagnosis prevents people from benefiting from the latest medical advances, which in many cases lead to a temporary improvement of symptoms.
However, memory problems are not always a sign of dementia. Although mental faculties change with age, ageing is not synonymous with dementia. Many older people need more time to assimilate information and this may affect their capacity to learn and remember things. Nevertheless, older people are often worried about these changes and are afraid that they might be developing dementia.
At the same time, many people do not know what the symptoms are. This is not surprising, as different kinds of dementia have different symptoms. Furthermore, some forms of dementia (e.g. Alzheimer's disease) are insidious. The following table describes some of the early symptoms of different kinds of dementia.
Alzheimer's disease
- Difficulties with memory and orientation
- Difficulty finding one's words
- Personality change
- Lack of interest in hobbies
Vascular dementia
- Slowing down of thought and movement
Pick's disease and frontal lobe degeneration
- Loss of control and inhibitions
- Personality change
- Difficulties with language
Dementia with Lewy Bodies
- Cognitive decline
- Similar symptoms to those of Parkinson's disease
- Visual hallucinations
Creutzfeld-Jacob Disease
- Odd lapses of memory and mood swings
- Lack of co-ordination
- Inclination to withdraw from social activities
- Attention difficulties (very rapid progression usually)
The presence of one or more of these symptoms does not necessarily mean that a person has dementia. In fact, in the case of older people, the symptoms of depression are very similar to those observed in the early stages of dementia and it is not uncommon for the two to be mixed up. Sometimes, the symptoms are linked to other disorders such as thyroid gland dysfunction, lack of vitamin B12, disorders of the metabolic system, alcohol or drug abuse, infections, surgical operations, stress and intolerance of medication. In such cases, the symptoms may be reversible.
A differential diagnosis is clearly essential in order to rule out other causes for the symptoms experienced and correctly diagnose dementia. In case of concern, the family doctor/general practitioner should be consulted. He or she will carry out a few tests and if his/her suspicions are confirmed refer the person concerned to the relevant specialists for further tests.
What are the different kinds of diagnosis?
There are three possibilities for a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease : possible, probable and certain Alzheimer's disease.
Possible Alzheimer's disease
A diagnosis of possible Alzheimer's disease is based on the observation of clinical symptoms and the deterioration of two or more cognitive functions (e.g. memory, language or thought) when a second illness is present which is not considered to be the cause of dementia, but makes the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease less certain.
Probable Alzheimer's disease
The diagnosis is classed as probable on the basis of the same criteria used to diagnose possible Alzheimer's disease, but in the absence of a second illness.
Certain Alzheimer's disease
Identification of characteristic plaques and tangles in the brain is the only way to confirm with certainty the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. For this reason, the third diagnosis, that of certain Alzheimer's disease, can only be made by brain biopsy or after an autopsy has been carried out.
Should the person be informed of their diagnosis?
Nowadays more and more people with Alzheimer's disease are being informed of their diagnosis. This is perhaps due to a greater awareness of the disease. Some people might not want to be informed of the diagnosis. However, it is generally considered that everyone should have the right and be given the opportunity to decide whether they would rather know or waive this right. There are pros and cons involved in informing someone of their diagnosis. Also once the decision has been made to inform someone about their diagnosis the problem may arise of how to inform the person.
Pros and cons of telling the person
In many cases a diagnosis is made as a result of concern expressed by members of the family. Often the person with dementia is unaware or does not agree that they have a problem. They are therefore not interested in obtaining a diagnosis. Some might feel depressed about knowing or feel that they would have been happier not knowing. However, there are many advantages to knowing. When a person knows that they have Alzheimer's disease and understands what it involves, they can plan how to make the most of the remaining years of relative unimpaired mental functioning. They can also take an active role in planning their care, arrange who will care for them, make important financial decisions and even decide to participate in research or make the necessary arrangements to donate brain tissue after their death for research.
How to inform the person of the diagnosis
Some relatives and friends may find it difficult to approach the subject. Some people would prefer to be told privately on a one-to-one basis, whereas others might find it more reassuring to be told in the presence of their family, who could give them moral and emotional support. Another possibility is to arrange for the person's doctor to tell them. It might help to arrange to go to the doctor together or for the person to go alone. The doctor could then answer any questions that either the carer and/or the person with dementia might have. The way the diagnosis is explained will depend on the person's ability to understand. Some people might understand an explanation of what the disease is, how it tends to progress and the consequences for daily living, whereas others might only be able to grasp that they have a disease which involves the loss of memory. Once informed, they may need support to come to terms with feelings of anger, self-blame, fear and depression. Some might be able to benefit from counselling and support groups, provided that the disease is not too far advanced.
Last Updated: Wednesday 05 August 2009


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BioTrade refers to those activities of collection, production, transformation, and commercialization of goods and services derived from native biodiversity under the criteria of environmental, social and economic sustainability.
BioTrade Initiative
Since its launch by UNCTAD in 1996, the BioTrade Initiative has been promoting sustainable BioTrade in support of the objectives of the Convention on Biological Diversity. The Initiative has developed a unique portfolio of regional and country programmes.
Since 2003 the BioTrade Initiative has also hosted the BioTrade Facilitation Programme (BTFP) which focuses on enhancing sustainable bio-resources management, product development, value adding processing and marketing.
The BTFP complements the UNCTAD BioTrade Initiative activities. It is currently in its third phase (BTFP III), with various partners implementing its objectives.
The next 20 years: Upscaling BioTrade and the 2030 Agenda
In the past 20 years, BioTrade has expanded in terms of the number of partners and practitioners involved, sectors and geographical coverage. BioTrade has been mainstreamed at both national and international levels, for instance in the Decisions of the Parties to the CBD and CITES, discussions at the United Nations General Assembly, as well as within development banks, the private sector, civil society and markets. A strong network of partners and practitioners has been established and is being expanded continuously to cover evolving needs of beneficiaries, document lessons learned and address relevant emerging issues. Further efforts from BioTrade partners should continue documenting, disseminating and measuring its impact and contribution to sustainable development, SDGs and the Aichi Targets at all levels.
Recommendations on rules and procedures for a BioTrade-friendly implementation of the Nagoya Protocol in Viet Nam made at consultations organized by Viet Nam Government and UNCTAD.
United Nations Conference on Trade and Development
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A fresh wave of public skepticism confronts the Bush administration on current issues ranging from the unrest in Iraq to the ports deal and privacy rights at home. And when it comes to the Hurricane Katrina response or prescription drug benefits -- don't ask.
On Iraq, President Bush's single biggest challenge, eight in 10 Americans see civil war as likely and a record 65 percent say the administration lacks a clear plan to resolve the conflict; assessments of U.S. progress have tanked in the face of the current violence.
Fifty-seven percent in this ABC News/Washington Post poll say the war wasay not worth fighting, and just half say the war has improved long-term U.S. security, its basic rationale. When a president's in tough straits, the economy usually is the prime cause; Bush's case instead looks more like Lyndon Johnson's -- an unpopular war.
Nor does the administration get a break at home. In the latest controversy, not only do 70 percent oppose the administration-approved Dubai Ports World deal, but 53 percent oppose it "strongly," a remarkable (and largely bipartisan) level of sentiment. On domestic security more broadly, while it received majority support for renewal of the Patriot Act and more narrow support for warrantless wiretaps, there's been a slight negative shift on whether the administration is doing enough to protect Americans' rights in the war on terrorism. Fifty-one percent think not; that's more than half, albeit barely, for the first time.
On social policy, the new Medicare prescription drug plan began with a razz: A record 58 percent disapprove of Bush's work on the issue. (Seniors don't like it better than anyone else does.) And more, 63 percent, disapprove of the way Bush handled the federal response to Hurricane Katrina, the subject of recent critical reports. His disapproval rating on Katrina is nine points higher now than it was two weeks after the storm itself. (The president visits New Orleans and the Gulf Coast on Wednesday.)
All told, majorities disapprove of Bush's work on seven out of eight issues tested in this poll, which also included health care, ethics, international affairs and the economy. The sole exception is the way he has handled terrorism, his core strength, on which 52 percent approve -- far below his career average on this issue, 67 percent.
Bush's overall job approval rating is steady but very near his career low: Forty-one percent approve, essentially the same as in January, and a scant two points above his low last fall. Fifty-eight percent disapprove, and the intensity of sentiment remains heavily against him: While 24 percent approve "strongly" of his overall job performance, nearly twice as many, 44 percent, strongly disapprove.
Bush's personal (rather than professional) rating, while slightly less negative, is running on a similar track. Fifty-four percent have an unfavorable impression of him, a new high in ABC/Post polls, compared with 46 percent who view him favorably. And again, while 28 percent have a strongly favorable opinion of the president, 42 percent have a strongly unfavorable one. (Bush's "strongly unfavorable" score is five points below Vice President Dick Cheney's, despite the negative publicity surrounding Cheney's accidental shooting of a fellow hunter.)
Where Bush goes, the Republican-controlled Congress is also going, but faster: Sixty-two percent disapprove of the way it's doing its job, the most in ABC/Post polls in 10 years. Not only do 70 percent of Democrats disapprove, so do 54 percent of Republicans. The question, as November's midterm election moves closer, is whether this in turn fuels any significant anti-incumbent sentiment.
For now, notably, the Democrats are doing little to capitalize on the opposition's weakness, and rather have lost ground. The public divides by 42-40 percent on which party it trusts to handle the nation's main problems; that's down from a 51-37 percent Democratic advantage in late January. Independents, and particularly Independent women, have backed off from the Democrats. What's grown is general disaffection: Fourteen percent of Americans now trust neither party, up by six points.
The Democrats, similarly, have lost their edge in handling the situation in Iraq -- their seven-point advantage in January is now an even split -- and they have a much lower lead in trust to handle the economy, nine points now versus 18 points six weeks ago.
IRAQIraq is a top example of the Democrats' failure to offer a strong alternative. While two-thirds say the administration lacks a clear plan for what to do there, 70 percent say the Democrats in Congress don't have a clear plan either. Even 55 percent of Democrats say their own party lacks a clear plan on Iraq.
The current unrest is a particular blow. The parliamentary elections in December had produced a sharp gain in public optimism that the United States was making progress in Iraq. The recent sectarian violence has erased those gains just as quickly.
Fifty-five percent believe the United States is not making significant progress restoring civil order in Iraq, up 19 points from its level shortly after the December elections. And while 49 percent see progress in establishing a democratic government, that, similarly, is down from 65 percent in December.
Although Republicans remain far more optimistic than Independents or (especially) Democrats, these changes are broadly based. Belief that the United States is making progress restoring civil order has fallen by 15 to 18 points across party lines. On progress establishing a democratic government in Iraq, confidence has fallen most sharply among Democrats (down 26 points) but also by 11 points among Republicans.
Moreover, not only do 87 percent of Democrats see civil war as likely in Iraq, but 81 percent of Independents and 72 percent of Republicans agree. There is still hope, however: Fewer overall, 34 percent, call civil war "very" likely. The rest call it somewhat so.
Despite these glum views on progress in Iraq, attitudes on U.S. troop commitment are little changed. As was the case in December, a narrow majority supports decreasing the level of U.S. forces in Iraq, but fewer than two in 10 support an immediate withdrawal of all troops.
Nonetheless, the views of progress in Iraq bear watching, since in this poll they strongly interact with views on troop reductions: People who see no progress are much more apt than others to call for a reduction in U.S. forces (about seven in 10 do so), and an immediate one (about three in 10).
A striking component of the current discontent with Bush is that it's not chiefly fueled by economic discomfort. Economic views are hardly bright -- 43 percent say the economy's in good shape, compared with 70 percent when Bush took office. But positive economic ratings today are a bit better than their average across Bush's presidency (38 percent) and well up from their low, 25 percent in January 2003.
Central to Bush's presidency has been his response to terrorism, and that remains the case. In addition to his now-slight majority approval for handling terrorism, 56 percent say the country is safer today than it was before Sept. 11, 2001 -- the chief challenge of this administration, and the one that earned it re-election.
But the number who say the country is safer is down eight points from January -- another shift that bears close watching, since this rating is so key to the administration's prospects. (In a regression analysis, views of the war are the strongest individual factor in predicting Bush's approval rating, followed by views of national security, with ratings of the economy third, when all are controlled for partisanship and ideology.)
Controversy has had a way of tracking down the Bush administration lately, and the Dubai Ports World episode is the latest example. The administration panel that approved the deal does not appear to have had its ear tuned to public opinion: Not only do 70 percent overall oppose the idea, but that includes six in 10 Republicans. Even among Republicans, a very substantial 43 percent "strongly" oppose it.
Most critics of the plan -- seven in 10 of them -- maintain that they don't want any foreign-owned company operating a U.S. port. A quarter instead say their complaint is more specific -- that the company in this case is owned by the United Arab Emirates. But knowing that other U.S. ports are managed by other foreign-owned companies doesn't change much: Even with that information, nearly six in 10 still oppose the DPW deal.
While there's criticism of the deal, there's also -- welcome to politics -- some criticism of the criticism. Half the public thinks that elected officials who've been attacking the deal are doing so mainly to use the issue for political advantage -- not mainly out of concern about national security. Fewer, 37 percent, see security concerns as the prime motivation.
Comparative data from previous presidencies do not support the notion that Bush is in some sort of inevitable second-term slump. His approval rating since his re-election has averaged 46 percent; by contrast, Bill Clinton averaged 61 percent in the same period (re-election through the following March); Ronald Reagan, 63 percent.
The difference is in their appeal to the political center and beyond. In this time frame all three of these presidents enjoyed average approval from 84 to 90 percent within their parties. But Clinton and Reagan had 60 or 65 percent approval from independents; Bush has averaged 41 percent. And Clinton and Reagan won approval from a third or more people in the opposite party; since his re-election Bush, by contrast, has averaged just 16 percent approval from Democrats (11 percent in this poll).
Indeed the data don't support the concept of an inevitable second-term slump overall. The record instead is mixed: Dwight Eisenhower did better on average in his first term, but he was strong in both. Richard Nixon did far worse in his second term, given the Watergate scandal. But Clinton's approval rating averaged much better in his second term than in his first; likewise Reagan's, albeit more modestly so.
This ABC News/Washington Post poll was conducted by telephone March 2-5, 2006, among a random national sample of 1,000 adults. The results have a three-point error margin. Sampling, data collection and tabulation by TNS of Horsham, Pa.


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Nutrition and athletic performance
Nutrition can help enhance athletic performance. An active lifestyle and exercise routine, along with eating well, is the best way to stay healthy.
Eating a good diet with enough fluids can help provide the energy you need to finish a race, or just enjoy a casual sport or activity. You are more likely to be tired and perform poorly during sports when you do not get enough:
- Calories
- Carbohydrates
- Fluids
- Iron, vitamins, and other minerals
- Protein
Alternative Names
Food Sources
Side Effects
The diet recommended for an athlete is not very different from the diet recommended for any healthy person.
However, the amount of each food group you need will depend on:
- The type of sport
- The amount of training
- The time you spend in the activity or exercise
To help you perform better, avoid exercising on an empty stomach. Everyone is different, so you will need to learn:
- How soon before exercising is best for you to eat
- How much food is the right amount for you
Carbohydrates are a diet staple. They are important for providing energy during exercise. Carbohydrates are stored in the body in the form of glycogen, mostly in the muscles and liver.
Complex carbohydrates are found in foods such as pasta, bagels, whole grain breads, and rice. They provide energy,
What matters most is the total amount of carbohydrates you eat each day. A little more than half of your calories should come from carbohydrates.
You need to eat carbohydrates before you exercise if you will be exercising for more than 1 hour. You might have a glass of fruit juice, a cup of yogurt, or an English muffin with jelly.
During exercise, you also need carbohydrates. You can satisfy this need by having:
- Five to 10 ounces of a sports drink every 15 to 20 minutes
- Two to three handfuls of pretzels
- One-half to two-thirds cup of low-fat granola
After exercise, you need to eat carbohydrates to build the glycogen storage back up in your muscles.
- Within 30 minutes, eat a granola bar, small bagel with jelly, or sweetened cereal, or drink 12 to 16 ounces of an energy drink or fruit punch.
- People who exercise or train for more than 90 minutes should eat or drink more carbohydrates, possibly with protein, 2 hours later. Try a sports bar, trail mix with nuts, or yogurt and granola.
Protein is important for muscle growth and to repair body tissues. Protein can also be used by the body for energy, but only after glycogen or carbohydrate stores have been used up.
Many people feel athletes need a high-protein diet to support muscle growth, yet researchers have found this to be false.
It is also a myth that a high-protein diet will promote muscle growth. Only strength training and exercise will change muscle. Athletes, even body builders, need only a little bit of extra protein to support muscle growth. Athletes can easily meet this increased need by eating more total calories (eating more food).
Most Americans already eat almost twice as much protein as they need, so protein needs for muscle development are already met. Too much protein in the diet:
- Will be stored as increased body fat
- Can increase the chance for
dehydration(not enough fluids in the body) and loss of calcium
Often, people who focus on eating extra protein may not get enough carbohydrates, which are probably the most important source of energy during exercise.
Amino acid supplements and eating a lot of protein are not recommended. They can increase calcium loss and put an added burden on the kidneys, which must remove the excess nitrogen that protein provides.
Water is the most important, yet overlooked, nutrient for athletes. Water and fluids are essential to body hydrated and at the right temperature. Your body can lose several liters of sweat in a 1-hour period.
Clear urine is a good sign that you have fully rehydrated. Some suggestions for keeping enough fluids in the body include:
- Make sure you drink plenty of fluids with every meal, whether or not you will be exercising.
- Drink about 16 ounces (2 cups) of water 2 hours before a workout. It is important to start exercising with enough water in your body.
- Continue to sip water during and after you exercise -- about 1/2 to 1 cup of fluid every 15 to 20 minutes. Water is best for the first hour. Switching to an energy drink at that time will help you get enough
- Drink even when you no longer feel thirsty.
- Pouring water over your head might feel good, but it will not get fluids into your body.
Offer children water often during sports activities. They do not respond to
Adolescents and adults should replace any body weight lost during exercise with equal amounts of fluids. For every pound you lose while exercising, you should drink 24 ounces or 3 cups of fluid within the next 6 hours.
Changing your body weight to improve performance must be done safely or it may do more harm than good. Keeping your body weight too low, losing weight too quickly, or preventing
Young athletes who are trying to lose weight should work with a registered dietitian. Experimenting with diets on your own can lead to
Speak with a health care professional to discuss a diet that is right for your sport, age, gender, and amount of training.
Bonci L. Nutrition, pharmacology, and psychology in sports. In: DeLee JC, Drez D Jr, Miller MD, eds. DeLee and Drez's Orthopaedic Sports Medicine. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2009:chap 8.
Position of the American Dietetic Association, Dietitians of Canada, and the American College of Sports Medicine: Nutrition and Athletic Performance. Journal of the American Dietetic Association. March 2009. 109(3);509-527.


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73wire needed a new stationery design and created a contest on 99designs.
A winner was selected from 24 designs submitted by 13 freelance designers.
The Patriot Caucus
We are a Political Action Committee that focuses on the defeat of incumbents in Washington. These designs are for a specific project of the PAC called The Patriot Caucus, which is an effort that uses "Get-Out-The-Vote", phone banks, voter ID, voter registration and grassroots organizing to influence the outcome of elections.
Tea party activists, liberty minded, voters, etc
We want the front of the business cards to be visually appealing, creative and clean. The back of the cards need to say "Regroup. Rebuild. Reclaim." as that is our motto.
For letterhead, we don't really need anything fancy. Just something clean and comfortable to the eye, using our branding as the primary focal point.
Our logo is attached.
Front of Card should include "The Patriot Caucus" as business name, then Name, Email, Twitter, Phone, Address and URL.