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Last week two of the world's largest Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) announced a historic alliance to enhance the management and protection of almost 300,000 square miles of marine habitat in the Pacific Ocean.
President Anote Tong of the Republic of Kiribati signed an agreement with the United States that establishes a "sister site" relationship between the Papahânaumokuâkea Marine National Monument, located in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, and the Phoenix Islands Protected Area near the equator in the Republic of Kiribati.
"This commitment acts like a beacon to other small island nations; providing hope that together we can sustain livelihoods, conserve nature and address global change on islands," says Kate Brown, Global Island Partnership (GLISPA) Coordinator. "Islands all across the world continue to show the value of working together regardless of whether they are from a large country or small island state – they are joined together by their islandness and have much to share."
The partnership links the sites and is designed to enhance management knowledge and practices for these tropical and subtropical marine and terrestrial island ecosystems.
"This is fantastic news," says Caitlyn Toropova, IUCN's MPA Coordinator. "Not only must we come together to increase global commitments to protecting marine areas, but we must develop active networks that share information so that we can learn what methods are most effective." Toropova is currently embarking on a global review of MPAs to identify gaps but also highlight success stories; the Pacific is one of the 18 regions under assessment.
Each site was nominated this year by their respective governments as World Heritage Sites, a designation of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Managers of both sites will meet in November in French Polynesia to formalize the agreement.
When it was established in 2006, Papahânaumokuâkea was the largest marine protected area in the world, protecting natural, cultural and historic resources within an area of approximately 140,000 square miles (362,075 square kilometers). The monument's extensive coral reefs are home to over 7,000 marine species, one quarter of which are found only in the Hawaiian Archipelago.
Papahânaumokuâkea is cooperatively managed to ensure ecological integrity and achieve strong, long-term protection and perpetuation of Northwestern Hawaiian Island ecosystems, Native Hawaiian culture, and heritage resources for current and future generations. Three co-trustees – the Department of Commerce, Department of the Interior, and State of Hawaii – joined by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, protect this special place.
Phoenix Island
In 2008, the Phoenix Island Protected Area was founded to protect the archipelago's terrestrial and marine resources, becoming the largest marine protected area in the world today at approximately 158,500 square miles (410,500 square kilometers). The coral reefs and bird populations of the islands are highly unique and virtually untouched by humans. The protected area also includes underwater seamounts and other deep-sea habitat.
The Phoenix Islands Protected Area is a unique partnership between the government of Kiribati that owns the Phoenix Islands, non-governmental conservation organizations and regional governments. It is supported through a unique "reverse fishing license" financing program, in which the government of Kiribati is reimbursed for the amount that they would have made from selling fishing licenses. The government of Kiribati and an advisory board, working collaboratively to ensure the long-term sustainability of this remarkable place, administers the trust.


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Here comes that monthly extravaganza known as the full moon, and it demands attention.
The sun in the west and moon in the east creates a cosmic see-saw asking us to find our balance. The archetypal sign of the mother is Cancer, and the father is Capricorn. They are calling us to balance our inner male and female. At the June 27 new moon, we considered nurturing ourselves to safely express our true feelings. With this full moon, we move our answers outward to the playing field of home and work.
Balance these arenas in a way that nourishes and continues to create safety. We may feel vulnerable by the light of the Capricorn Moon who says "Great you're in touch with your feelings. Now get out here and let's get some work done." Do you say "okay, Dad?" Or run for Mama's skirts?
What does this mean for individual signs?
Aries are struggling with security issues with the help of Uranus, the wild child; chaotic, individual and idiosyncratic. After July 21 Aries may find a need to review how far they've pushed the boundaries on their freedom march at work and home.
Libras, my husband, with many Libra planets, told me about a breathing exercise where you say "I am" on the inhale and "we are" on the exhale. That is so totally Mars in Libra! Not one or the other, but both, and in the same breathe cycle. Be you in the "we" of it. Libra, this is the key to relationships.
Capricorns could be feeling vulnerable with Pluto in the mix. Are you just ambitious or are you defending a primal wound? "Go big or go home" morphs into "go home and go deep" down to where the treasure lies. Make self-nurturing a priority. In time, like the phoenix, you will rise again.
Cancer, Jupiter brought you a year of optimism and faith. Are you as secure receiving nurturance as you are at giving it? The Sun, a big radiant battery, is shining on you so soak it up this birthday month as you recharge for the next cycle.
Watch out, Leo, Jupiter is moving in. Focus on self-expression and be aware of your penchant for drama. It could be over the top this year. However, it is warm, generous, dramatic, fun-loving Leo's job to teach us how to get our party on. Mark your calendars for July 16, buy balloons and put a little salsa music on, please!
Sagittarians may need a word of caution. Jupiter is going to cha-cha with Uranus, the wild child! Do not go to extremes over the next six months. Take reasonable risks. I repeat, reasonable risks. If you aren't sure what that is, get a reality check from a Scorpio who is learning Saturn's lessons of patience and boundaries.
Stay with your heart, Scorpio, and be true to yourself. You are probably seeing the fruits of your labor by now.
Geminis are excitable air signs and Mercury has turned direct! With Venus, Mars, Uranus and Jupiter bringing the party to their sector, they'll show us how fun summer can be. Take to the boardwalk and strut your stuff. Try to take a few minutes at sunset on the beach and sit quietly. You may hear angels talking to you. OK, that might sound silly. I'm just saying the lines are open.
Taurus, go with the flow, socialize and relax. Saturn has been leaning on you and your physical body needs a break. But Venus is in a great place and getting better so enjoy summer's ease with sun and breeze on your shoulders. Natural pleasures rejuvenate you.
Virgos, Mother Theresa and all that jazz, use this Full Moon to be sure your to-do-list is heartfelt and includes your needs. Your list can get dry and demanding at times. Be nice to yourself. After all, this is the month for self-nurturing.
Pisces are in the sweet spot at this moon. Let the inspiration flow and let Saturn help you give it form. Poetry, music, dance, singing, ritual? Bring them to the party, too. We need your soft, healing touch reminding us we are the world.
Airy Aquarians are in their heads so the heart energy of Cancer is a challenge. They have "theories" about feelings, homes, towns and cultures. Saturn in Scorpio insisting that they get with the feeling thing-y. Life is personal, Aquarius, not just an ideology.
One last word for all signs. We've been working under a continual grand cross since before Christmas. Remember that you are the consciousness in your chart. Astrology talks about universal flow patterns that you can use to bloom into your best self. If you haven't made your move or aren't sure what to do, pay close attention around July 17-20 for clues. Nothing changes unless you do!

subset: commoncrawl


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News & EventsSunday, September 22, 2019
Filed under: college visits
Get Money for College
There's good news about financial aid: Money is available to help you pay for school!
Winter classes start January 9.
Student Services has extended hours to help you start the semester out right:
WCC Millage Gets Overwhelming Approval
Dear Friends, Colleagues and Students,
Live at WCC!
The Paul W. Smith show, which airs on WJR-AM 760, held its morning broadcast here at WCC on July 18. During their interviews, WCC president Dr. Rose Bellanca and Advanced Transportation Center Director Alan Lecz were able to share the remarkable work that is done each and every day at WCC by our faculty, staff and students.
The Paul W. Smith Show Live at WCC
On Monday, July 18, the Paul W. Smith show, which airs on WJR-AM 760, will hold its morning broadcast here at Washtenaw Community College.
Register now for spring/summer and fall classes!
Winter Transfer Fair Feb. 17
More than 55 representatives from colleges and universities throughout Michigan and beyond are attending WCC's Winter Transfer Fair on Wednesday, Feb. 17. The event takes place from 10:00am to 3:00pm on the second floor of the Student Center building. It's free to students interested in learning more about their college transfer options. The public is also welcome.
30 Credits + 30 Weeks = Freshman year at WCC
30 credits in 30 weeks—it's that simple to complete your freshman year at Washtenaw Community College. With online and on-campus classes, it's now easier than ever to fit college into your schedule.
Supercharging Her Skillset
Jenelle Newman may already have a bachelor's degree and an MBA under her belt, but that hasn't stopped her from seeking the hands-on training she knows she needs to further her career.
Self-Employed Success
Ypsilanti native Brittany Barnhart, 21, may not have known what career she wanted to pursue when she went to college, but she knew exactly what school would help her figure it out. Having received the Presidential Scholarship from Washtenaw Community College—awarded for a student's academic achievement—Barnhart enrolled directly after high school.
On The Record
About Us
Mission, Values, and Vision
Office of the President
On The Record
For media inquiries, contact:
Susan Ferraro
Director Media Relations
Suggest a Story
To suggest a topic that you'd like to read about, please complete our brief form. Thanks!


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I just heard that Beppe Modenese is releasing a new biography!
It will be the first thing I buy when I get to Florence next week.  I'll give you an update as soon as I have it in hand.
Thursday, June 13, 2013
I just heard that Beppe Modenese is releasing a new biography!
It will be the first thing I buy when I get to Florence next week.  I'll give you an update as soon as I have it in hand.
34 comments
Do we have a 'Godfather of Style' yet? Is he on the short-short list? He never makes a bad turn.
i'm looking forward for your review :)
Impeccable style! He's always an inspiration. I love taking cues from his combinations for whenever I wear blazers. Nothing like Italian style! Thanks for the heads up!
I wonder if Mr Modenese is wearing his signature safety pin tie clasp ?
What a lovely, stylish gentleman !
An extraordinary Man.
The cover looks great! Great style!
Love my country and this man! Xo from Italy
Finally got him to smile … Actually laugh!
I feel like I need it
Great style. But does his hand look photoshopped? Or is it just me?
Would love to buy for my husband for father's day! But not on Amazon….yet. Can you advise where to buy?
So exciting to have an older man of style showing us how it is done!
Grazie mille, Beppe!
A man like that will always dress happily, whatever he wears-and beautifully too.
Nice pic. Great day.
Is legend a word?! This is going to be good! :)
He is soooo cute!
…the italian style…
Gian Luca M
I like this combination. Looks to be a nice green Panama tie over a blue Gingham check shirt, and of course he's wearing a double-breasted navy blue suit – with gold buttons. It's a safe combination, suitable to his age and status.
What a fantastic cover !!
Signore Beppe looks fantastico as always! What a charming gentleman! I'm sure the book will be an interesting read, I'll have to keep my eyes open for it.
le gagĂ revival, tres chic! http://munascoolture.blogspot.it/2013/06/munas-summer-trends-do-and-dont-lists.html
He always looks impeccable, the book looks beautiful.
I'll buy it, too. He's such a classy man.
I love him and the book title! Can't wait to hear more… Have a great trip to Florence…
Love it!
Johanna, Sweden
he's really wonderful! i think, i need his book
lovely pics!
Going to bella Italia and Florence in July, PLEASE advise on where I can buy the book. Which shop and where?
All the best, thanks for a brilliant blog!
It's funny that the silhouette also looks like Oscar De La Renta- Another super chic man.
Perfect gift for the man in my life, thank you!!
Very elegant!
I am tired of this look, the Europeans need to move away from this look – I am the count of Milan look!


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2019 Summer Activities
Proceeds from all activities are donated to the Shriner's Hospital for Children. To increase the monetary donation, we ask that those participating bring their own plates, utensils and cups. This cost savings measure for Travelers Woods, will increase the amount that is able to be donated at the end of the season.
Events that have an asterisk * require pre-purchased tickets. Tickets for these meals will be available on May 3rd, 2019. They are limited and will be sold on a first come basis. The main office and restrooms are not ADA compliant.
Download a complete schedule of events here. The main office and restrooms are not ADA compliant.


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A group of black Denver residents is backing Jon Goldin-DuBois in a state House race, selecting the white nonprofit adviser over the only black candidate running for the Colorado legislature.
"This notion that the African-American community lines up behind a particular candidate, well, some of us believe Jon Goldin-DuBois is the best person," said Wil Alston, a consultant and former spokesman for Gov. Bill Ritter.
He said today he has nothing against Angela Williams, a businesswoman with her own influential support in the black community, including former Denver Mayor Wellington Webb and House Speaker Terrance Carroll, who is term limited.


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Thise is an electrocardiogram of the mighty engine powering our copy editor, Jesús "Chucho" Nicholas-Koughan - who, despite his humble position on the masthead, is also the majority shareholder in our parent company, Burro Hall Enterprises, S.A. de C.V. (His name at birth was Apple Valley's Northern Star; he was hardly a man of the people.) This magnificent little pump, which worked longer than we had any right to expect it to, finally went quiet at 2:55PM on November 12, 2014. He was a few weeks older than 15-and-a-half. Five thousand seven hundred and seven days, to be exact. Or, since he had a canine's concept of time, 493,084,800 seconds.
Because posting here has slowed to a trickle lately, we should probably back the story up a bit. (Caveat lector: This will probably be the longest post in Burro Hall history. Go ahead and pour some coffee. Or mezcal.)
Jesús was well outside the statistics for pugs, and it's not like we couldn't grasp the inevitable. If you look back on what I wrote here on his various birthdays, you can hear that train a-comin' miles away. (See here for 15, 14, 13, 12, 11, 10, 9, and 8 - plus a bonus post for being 100 in dog years.) I can't even remember how long
In early August, we hit a turning point, when I stupidly tried to pick him up with one hand and he toppled over my arm and landed face-first on a marble floor. The faceplant left him dazed, and for a moment we thought his back legs were paralyzed. The silver lining is that this happened on a Sunday.
Now, we love our long-time vet, and have praised him here many times for his weird, shamanistic ability to diagnose and treat the boy while barely even touching him. But he doesn't work on Sundays, and so we had to call someone a good friend recommended: Dr Helia Acosta Córdova. It was her day off, too, and she was having lunch in San Miguel with friends, but she cut it short and drove an hour back to meet us. Note that, at this point, she was not actually our vet.
In terms of care, this was like upgrading from a vocho to an F-15. The fall didn't really damage him, but wrenched his already arthritic back - which for the last two years had been curved like the Elephant Man's and which, she assured us, had been a source of constant pain for him, even though he was never one to whimper or show distress. She put an end to his daily walks, changed his diet, gave him a series of analgesic shots and went to work on a treatment plan for his back. X-rays, blood tests - do any of you know your dog's albumin level? We did, and it was dangerously low. She brought in a specialist from Mexico City to give him the electrocardiogram above. She recommended stem cell therapy, though we eventually declined. I'm surprised she didn't suggest sending him into orbit to see if zero-gravity might help. And after the initial visit at her clinic, she did everything via house call, often late at night, because she worried the ride to the clinic would stress him. She and her team became such regular fixtures at Burro Hall, it was like they were on staff. The perro had become Melvyn Douglas in Being There.
|Rehydration infusion, Aug. 15, 2014
For a several weeks, it all seemed to work. And then eating became problematic. Understand, this is a dog who over the course of 17,000 meals had never had his bowl taken away in mid-bite, yet attacked every meal like it was a race against the Apocalypse. Any time we visited the home of another dog, he dispensed with hellos, strode right over to his friend's bowl, and helped himself to its contents. (The fact there would be a bowl of food left uneaten always surprised us; we had no idea dogs did that.)
But by mid-September, he had lost his taste for dog food, and for his favorite snack, carrots - his rejection of which was a devastating blow to root vegetable futures. Meals became an exercise in experimentation and frustration. Dry food, wet food, bread, tortilla, chicken, steak, cheese, a different kind of cheese, yet another cheese, cochinita pibil, ham, eggs... homemade French fucking toast! All the above. None of the above. Maybe he wants it, maybe he doesn't. Maybe he'll wolf it down, maybe he'll throw it up. Let's not talk about the diarrhea. And by the way, according to all the tests, there's nothing actually wrong with him. Nothing treatable, anyway. Dr. Helia's diagnosis: Es su edad. He's just old.
Still, he was basically okay. He would always eat something eventually. And how can you tell when a dog who slept 19 hours a day in his prime is slowing down? Even though he was sleeping in in the mornings, he would still plod out to the patio in the middle of the day and lie in the blazing sun. And whenever one of us moved from one room to another, he'd haul his weary bones upright and come trotting after us, even as his path grew ever more drunk-and-disorderly. Through most of October, we had good times together, even while Dr. Helia was making several house calls a week. Dehydration was a problem, and he needed IV infusions. (IV is actually a misnomer - the infusions were subcutaneous, and left him looking and feeling like a furry, half-filled water ballon, which was as funny as it sounds.)
And then, two weeks ago, The Man called. "America's reserve of public affairs documentaries is down to critical levels," said the electronically-altered voice. "Your country needs you." So I called the coyotes and arranged for passage to El Norte 36 hours hence.
Now, I'm not what you would call a morning person, but I get up pretty early anyway. And for most of the last decade and a half, Jesús would get up with me, wait impatiently for his carrot, and we'd sit alone drinking coffee (me) and drooling in my lap (both of us, but mostly him). This was our time together. Compared to the rest of his day, this was - to him - nothing special at all. Dozing and drooling took up most of his waking hours. For me, though, it was the best part of the day, every day. But over the last several months, he'd begun sleeping later. Sometimes he'd come trotting into the living room an hour after me. Sometimes I'd have to pull him out of bed even later. It varied from day to day. This is why, try as I might, I can't remember what he did the morning of Wednesday, Oct 29. I think he got up right after me, but maybe that's wishful thinking. I just can't say for sure. This is important to me, for some reason, because Oct. 29 would be our last full day together, and it really would be nice if I could remember every second of it. I know I spent a lot of it out of the house, doing errands. And at 6:57PM, I took this picture of him, as we were on our way out to meet friends for cocktails. The little fleece jacket was doctor's orders, to warm his aching bones as the fall turned to winter. It was the last picture I took of him alive. (This, on Oct. 14, 2000, is the first. These are, admittedly, rather unimpressive bookends to the oeuvre of the World's Most Photographed Perro, but we present them in the interest of the historical record.)
The next morning, at 4AM, I patted him on his head as he slept, and headed north to toil in the fields of The Man.
Over the next 13 days, his eating problems worsened. Señora Burro Hall, who was left to care for him alone as she had so often over the last eight years, spent most of her time as the chef of a restaurant catering to a lone, absurdly finicky diner. Dr. Helia came and went, sometimes multiple times a day. Nights were no easier, as he would wake up whimpering, then sleep all morning, uninterested in breakfast. And yet, the little fella would rally enough to convince us he might be out of danger. One day he bounded out of bed at dawn and ate everything put in front of him. As recently as late last week, Dr. Helia declared he probably had months ahead of him.
A few days later, the Missus called at 8PM New York time. Dr. Helia was with her. "Come home tomorrow." A few hours later, I was at LaGuardia, where for some stupid reason the bars aren't open at 3:30AM.
Backing up a bit: I am, as you know, an utterly fearless man. Except for one thing - for probably the last five or six years, I've had a nightmares about one day having to decide to euthanize my best friend. Anyone who's had to do this know that you're acting in the animal's best interest, but for my own selfish reasons I knew I would almost certainly deny the obvious for far too long. (After fearlessness, this is my other great talent.)
So that's what was going on in my head as I searched for an airport bar before sunrise.
On the flight to Houston, though, I felt, for the most part, kind of hopeful. Dr. Helia had hedged the diagnosis a little, and said I should come home just as a precaution. I did some work on the flight. I watched a silly movie. I wandered around Houston airport. I called home, and was told everything was cool.
Everything was not cool. Dr. Helia was already there, with her assistant Cesar, and would be there for the next seven hours. Things had gone from bad to worse, and the magnificent little pump was slowing... slowing... slowing... slowing. IVs had been placed. Short-term, life-sustaining drugs were being administered. But there was no reason to tell me this, because what could I have done, hijack a plane? So I sat in the Terminal B Chili's drinking a 20-oz. Shiner Bock and sending incredibly important emails, the details of which I can't remember.
My second flight was delayed, but we made up time in the air. I'd been upgraded to first class, which is no great perk on a 100-minute flight, but does get you closer to the exit. I refrained from punching the obnoxious Juriquilla douchebag sitting across the aisle from me, thus avoiding a time-consuming arrest upon landing. I was the first passenger through passport control. My bag was the first off the plane. Got the green light at Customs. First in line for a taxi. No significant traffic hassles. From the moment I crossed into Mexican airspace, I was a charmed man, and I didn't even realize it.
At least until I got to Burro Hall, and the first person I saw was not the Missus, but the vet. "Why's she here?" I asked, charmingly. We all went to the bedroom.
It looked like a fucking MASH unit. Dr. Helia's cantilevered gear box sat open next to a pair of upright oxygen tanks. An IV bottle hung from a stand. Detritus was strewn around the room, and Cesar's bulky figure sat on the edge of our bed, hunched over the little brown doggie bed in which lay our fragile little copy editor, rasping for breath with his legendarily-long tongue hanging out.
My first draft of this paragraph, in which I described my reaction at length, from my steel-eyed stoicism to the way I said all the right things in prose that bordered on poetry, was sent back by the factcheck dept. with some questions. So let's just say that, if you care enough to have read this far, you'd probably have behaved like a blubbering idiot, too.
I took his head in my hands and we had a very long, one-sided conversation, while the Missus dripped water into his mouth from a cotton ball. Dr. Helia was on the other side, holding her stethoscope under his ribs. "Keep talking," she said. "He can hear you."
This continued for about 10 minutes, until somehow we (the people) wound up in the living room, as Dr. Helia tried to explain the options. But her generous attempts at sugarcoating were making it hard for me to understand what she was saying, and I think I began to get nasty and abusive, and it started to descend into a three-way argument when Cesar's voice called out: "Doctora!"
We raced back to the bedroom. He was wheezing again, and the magnificent little pump was slowing... slowing... slowing... The Missus and I pressed our faces into his. I won't drag out the scene here. His breathing grew softer, gentler. We whispered things in his ears, including, repeatedly, "thank you." His breathing stopped, but the magnificent little pump kept trying. Dr. Helia held the stethoscope for another minute or so and then, red-eyed, she took it away.
[Here, insert 30 minutes of stunned silence, as black and as empty as the vacuum of space.]
Let's take a moment to accentuate the positive: this little creature, our constant companion for 14 years, never once did anything unselfishly. I mean never. Though I took great pleasure in having him doze on my lap, he dozed on my lap because he wanted to doze on my lap, not because he gave a shit what I wanted. It was part of his charm, I suppose. But on his final day on Earth, he performed the first two generous acts of his life, and they were enormous: 1) He waited for me; and 2) he went on his own, sparing us the wrenching responsibility of having to choose for him. I have never been as grateful for anything in my life.
[Another 30 minutes of stunned silence goes here, punctuated by the occasional primal scream.]
As Cesar packed up the MASH unit and gently withdrew the IV, Dr. Helia said, "why don't you keep him for a while?" This was enormously appealing; the question "what happens with him after he dies?" had never actually occurred to us, and since I had only gotten out of the taxi 20 chaotic minutes ago, we decided to keep him overnight. Mexico seeps into you without you even realizing it, sometimes. Keeping the dead close felt perfectly normal.
The next morning we cleaned him and brushed him, lay him in his favorite bed, and then just sat with him. It's probably comforting to believe that death is only the end of the physical body, but with him, the physical body was the entire point. He didn't run, he didn't fetch, he didn't bark very much - all ever he did was sit with you while you ran your fingers through his fur or stroked his velvety ears. So for the entire day, that's what we did. People always wish for "just one more day" with someone they've lost. That the perro wasn't exactly lively when he was alive made it feel like we got that wish.
But by late afternoon, it was time for him to go. Spanish, which is such a beautifully indirect and euphemistic language, has for some reason opted to call this next step incineración. We covered him in one of my t-shirts (he loved the familiar smell), and gave him a favorite toy (though he hadn't played with it in years), and a carrot for the journey. We tucked in some photos of ourselves and some handwritten notes. And because - largely thanks to this blog - he was something of a minor canine celebrity, we printed out a dozen pages of condolences sent to us via Facebook. (In the event that Doggie Paradise is run by Mexican bureaucrats, we wanted him to have good references.) Dr. Helia and Cesar arrived, along with a guy from the crematorium. We bundled his little bed into the back seat of our car - the same spot where he slept on the six-day drive to Mexico in 2006 - and the Missus got in next to him. I got behind the wheel and reached back to hold his paw. (Good luck getting a live pug to let you touch his front paws.) And so began Jesús's three-car funeral procession.
It was a true Mexican sendoff: darting at top speed through rush-hour traffic, the incinerator guy running red lights, taxibuses cutting us off. We lost Helia after about 10 minutes, and narrowly avoided three rear-end collisions. A fairly typical drive, all in all. And then we turned out of the city onto the road towards Coroneo, going in the space of a mile from urban chaos to rural emptiness - mountains, cacti, grazing animals, and mile after mile of shattered, neglected pavement. Despite what you may have read, it's surprisingly hard to get rid of a body in Mexico.
Forty-five minutes later, we arrived at "El Cielo de las Mascotas" - literally, Pet Heaven. Despite its trippy, hallucinogenic website, Pet Heaven is a monument to functionality, i.e., it looks like a place where you'd dispose of an animal carcass. According to Helia, it was started a couple years ago by a guy who'd lost his dog and didn't think there was any place around that could handle the task with dignity, which of course explains why she steered us there. ("Steered" is actually the wrong word. When we asked her for directions, she just shrugged; she'd never accompanied a "patient" out here before. If it's not clear by now, she loved Jesús as much as we love her.)
The cinder block interior of Pet Heaven contains two things: a small altar and a big incinerator. We carried the little bundle inside and said a very quick adios, for fear that anything longer would seal that room too much in our memories. Helia said it was okay if I wanted to load him into the machine myself, but I almost knocked her over rushing for the exit. We went outside and watched the sun set. It was probably the most perfectly quiet spot in all of Mexico. At least until the massive gas jets fired, and the metal parts began clanking. This wasn't quite the beautiful pyre you see in the movies.
Perhaps out of professional curiosity, Helia stayed in Pet Heaven for most of the process, but came out near the end just to talk and hug and reminisce. And she took my hand and said, very seriously, "I want you to know something: when you were talking to Chucho, his heart began beating faster and stronger. That's why I told you to keep talking to him. I've not seen that happen before." That story is the third and greatest gift he gave me in those final 20 minutes.
The clanking machinery had stopped, replaced by the sound of scraping and shoveling, and then a horrible crunching and grinding. (There is apparently a third object in the interior of Pet Heaven.) The technician gave us back his bed - we'd wanted him cremated in it, but, as it was hecho en México, it was thought that the stuffing might be toxic when burned. And then he handed us a little box, and inside was a knotted plastic bag full of what looked like salt-and-pepper colored sand: Jesús. He's about the size and shape of a human heart.
|Christmas 2013, Querétaro
This humble blog and the World's Most Photographed Perro are linked inextricably. Our blogspot.com address was originally a place where we posted some goofy, badly Photoshopped pix of him. We converted it to Burro Hall en route to Mexico, and wrote our first post with the boy snoozing on our luggage.
We broke ground on our corporate headquarters about the same time Calderón broke ground on his Drug War, when a mere quintuple decapitation was worthy of its own post. Since then, we've ground out 3,275 entries - probably a fifth of which were about the perro. He'd been propositioned, gay-propositioned, adopted his own namesake street urchin, discovered horses, danced with concheros, befriended serial-killer-survivors, appeared in a miracle paint chip, outlived at least two Mexican perro amigos and one (possibly two) co-pets. (God, this isn't even our first pet incineration here.) All the while, he tirelessly pursued sunbeams, and provided us endless photographic comedy. Hell, he passed away on Mexican Mailman's Day. A showman to the very end.
As of this month, we've been running Burro Hall longer than we worked at CBS, making this the longest job we've ever held. It's been clear for at least a year that, now that we're working full time, it's harder and harder to maintain this site and - after eight and a half years - to come up with anything original to say. (To those readers who came here hoping to learn how to retire at age 38, we apologize.) And now our muse is gone. Burro Hall started with the perro, and it's only fitting it should end with him.
We can't begin to express how much we've enjoyed all the comments, the feedback, the friendships we made (see the blogroll on the right), many of which have spilled over into other social media or in person. We've written more than a million words here, and have been struggling to come up with the right ending. But as our distinguished copy editor taught us last week, sometimes the best way to end something that means a great deal to you is with a simple, heartfelt thank you.
So.... gracias.


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The Latest from Iran (30 December): Rallies and Rumours
2055 GMT: The Hidden Story? An Iranian activist makes the interesting and important claim that the rumours around Mousavi and Karroubi have obscured a major story tonight --- "500 thugs attacked students with knives and machetes" at Mashhad University. We've got footage of the clash in our video section.
2050 GMT: Nothing has happened to change our opinion of 1915 GMT. We are treating Iranian state media's story of "two opposition figures" fleeing to northern Iran as rumour or disinformation.
2020 GMT: Reuters is carrying the opposition's denial of IRNA's story:
Hossein Karoubi, the son of moderate defeated presidential candidate Mehdi Karoubi, said his father and opposition leader Mirhossein Mousavi were still in Tehran.
"My father and Mr. Mousavi are in Tehran and IRNA's report is baseless. They are still pursuing the people's demands," Hossein Karoubi told moderate Parlemannews.
2005 GMT: Andrew Sullivan has gotten wind of what appears to be a five minute video of a group of security forces disarming after being surrounded by a crowd of demonstrators. We've added it to today's video page.
1915 GMT: Rumours. We're off on a 90-minute break. At this point, we consider the Islamic Republic News Agency story of the Karroubi/Mousavi flight to northern Iran "unconfirmed", with the possibility that it is either a rumour being elevated to "news" or a regime disinformation campaign.
Both the Karroubi and Mousavi camps have denied the story. It should also be noted that the rumour was being spread earlier today that Mousavi's wife Zahra Rahnavard had been detained, and no confirmation has followed.
BBC Persian is interviewing one of Karroubi's sons about 1930 GMT.
1910 GMT: We've posted footage of demonstrations today at Shahryar Qods Azad and Mashhad Universities.
1905 GMT: The Regime Rally (cont.). Peyke Iran, which has published photos indicating a smaller rally than the "hundreds of thousands" cited by other outlets (see 1853 GMT), is now off-line. (1926 GMT: Website is back up.)
1853 GMT: The Regime Rally. CNN's Shirzad Bozorgmehr claims "hundreds of thousands" at today's gathering. He said that at Vali-e Asr Square, he could not get further because of the dense crowd. From a bridge, he watched an area from Imam Hossein Square to Enghelab Square, a distance of about 18 kilometres (11 miles).
NEW Latest Iran Video: University Protests (30 December)
NEW Iran: The Uncertainties of Oppression and Protest
NEW Latest Iran Video: The Strength of the Regime? (29 December)
Latest Iran Video: Today's University Protest (29 December)
Iran: A List of the Ashura Detainees
Iran: The Regime's Fightback?
The Latest on Iran (29 December): A Desperate Swing of the Fist
1850 GMT: Mousavi Denial? It looks like Mousavi camp is also denying the IRNA story of "flight" to northern Iran, informing American ABC News that Mousavi is still in Tehran.
1840 GMT: Karroubi Denial of "Fleeing". Mehdi Karroubi's son Hossein has denounced reports that his father and Mir Hossein Mousavi "rumours" spread by Iranian state media. Hossein Karroubi says his father is still in Tehran "working for the people".
1820 GMT: Meanwhile, Some Rhetoric. Speaking to the Islamic Association of Students in Europe, the Supreme Leader said the Western condemnation of the recent events in Iran had been prompted by the influence of "Zionist media".
1815 GMT: IRNA on Mousavi and Karroubi? The Islamic Republic News Agency's account says two "riot leaders fled from Tehran" to Mazandaran amidst "demands for their punishment".
1810 GMT: Mousavi and Karroubi in "Protective Custody"? Returned from a break to find Rah-e-Sabz is checking an Islamic Republic News Agency that Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi have been taken to a small town, Kalar Abad, in Mazandaran in northern Iran "for their protection" under the watch of Ministry of Intelligence and Revolutionary Guard forces. Rah-e-Sabz cautions that this might be a falsehood.
We are urgently checking the news.
1410 GMT: The office of reformist member of Parliament Nasrullah Torabi has been set on fire.
1403 GMT: The "Millions" and Ahmadinejad. Press TV is pushing the line that "millions" turned out today to demonstrate for the regime and against the Ashura "rioters", showing claimed footage from Shiraz, Tabriz, Gilan, Arak, and Sistan-Baluchestan as well as Tehran. Press TV is backing this up with coverage of the Maryam Rajavi statement (see 1000 GMT) as proof of MKO "terrorist" involvement.
The station also briefly features President Ahmadinejad's statement, issued after a Cabinet meeting, that "efforts to destabilise Iran would not affect the nation". and that the US and Western leaders should learn from their past mistakes.
1335 GMT: Rahnavard Arrested? Meanwhile, we're watching closely the rumour, which began circulating about an hour ago, that the wife of Mir Hossein Mousavi, Zahra Rahnavard, has been detained.
1308 GMT: That's pretty much it, as Press TV goes back to the studio for the anchorwoman and "analyst" (journalist Nader Mokhtari) to repeat the standard line of "masses" of "religious" Iranian people standing against a foreign-stimulated opposition.
However, mark this exchange: Mokhtari and the anchorwoman are at great pains to say "this isn't a pro-Ahmadinejad rally....this has absolutely nothing to do with the President of Iran". is not over the issue of legitimacy of President Ahmadinejad but "an outpouring of grief" and "the support of the establishment". Could this be a distancing of the defence of the regime from a defence of the President?
1258 GMT: Now the emphasis is on the "greatness" and "magnanimity" of the regime based on "religious jurisprudence", with the Iranian people as a model for all Muslims. However, "we should not remain passive" any longer and "we should take the initiative" against those plotting conspiracies.
1255 GMT: And Now the Warning. Ayatollah Alamalhoda says that a deadline should be set for repentance. If protesters do not repent, they should be treated as "mohareb" (enemies of God), with the attendant punishment.
1250 GMT: Heavy criticism of those responsible for "fighting" on Ashura: "the Leader of the Islamic Revolution invited the rioters to return to the right path".
1243 GMT: Speeches have begun with tagline, "We have to accept rule of current religious jurisprudence." Quickly, the theme is that the United States is pushing the "party of Satan" protesting against the Iranian regime.
The speaker is Ayatollah Alamalhoda, the Friday Prayer leader of Mashhad.
1236 GMT: A wider shot around the Press TV correspondent ("Iranian nation" against the "disrespect" of Ashura, 16 Azar, etc.) establishes that there are thousands in Enghelab Square.
1230 GMT: Etc., etc. Nothing new to report from the rally. You can just put our comments from 1147 to 1208 GMT, like the Press TV coverage, on a loop and replay....
....Adding this: "a red line has been crossed", according to the anchorwomen, with the opposition's demonstrations and disrespect on Ashura.
1208 GMT: Press TV's correspondent finally shows up on camera in a fairly tight shot, surrounded by a few dozen protesters. That doesn't stop her from claiming "millions" have turned out. Ominously, she emphasises the line that demonstrators are demanding the "punishment" of opposition leaders like Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi.
1206 GMT: Ahh, Those Two Locations. It is now clear --- for those who have recorded this historic moment, follow a large black flag being fluttered --- that Press TV is claiming "two locations" for two shots from different angles of the rally in Enghelab Square.
1205 GMT: Press TV keeps trying to go to a correspondent, but she is still failing to show up "because the crowd is so loud" that she cannot find a location for the interview with studio.
1157 GMT: A Glitch in the Line? The Press TV anchorman rambles on and says, against a split-screen purportedly showing the rallies, that shots are of protests in "two different locations" in Tehran. However, he never names those locations.
Otherwise, this is the narrative: "MKO-Foreign Governments inciting violence, particuarly Foreign Minister David Miliband of the UK-Also President Obama-MKO-Foreign Interference".
1147 GMT: Press TV has now cut into programming to show live shots from Tehran. Initial close-range shots of the crowd give way to a long shot which (sorry to be uncertain) may or may not be of today. The anchorman's description is boiler-plate claim of continuing pro-regime demonstrations, with emphasis on rallies on Tuesday as well, against the "vandalism" of the opposition and "its violation of one of the most sacred events on the Muslim calendar".
An addition to the party line, however, is the focus on "MKO terrorists" declaring their role in the Ashura "riots" (see 1000 GMT).
1145 GMT: The Ritual Warning. Iran's police chief Esmail Ahmadi-Moghaddam has repeated the party line, including the hint of the death penalty, with the declaration, "There is no more room for tolerance over participants in illegal rallies....Those who participate in illegal rallies will be confronted more harshly and the judiciary will confront them more decisively."
Ahmadi-Moghaddam added, "Some of the protesters on Sunday are considered as mohareb (enemy of God) and will be confronted firmly." Capital punishment can be imposed on "mohareb".
1140 GMT: We're watching for first references to the pro-regime protest called for 3 p.m. local time (1130 GMT) in Tehran. So far Press TV English has not cut into its programming to provide an update.
1040 GMT: Death Penalty for Protest? German media are highlighting a statement by the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Mohammad Reza Bahonar, that the legal structure will be put in place within 24 hours for capital punishment against leaders of demonstrations.
1025 GMT: "The Velvet Revolution" Moves From CNN to IRNA. The Islamic Republic News Agency is also highlighting an interview with US-based academic Kaveh Afrasiabi on CNN as confirmation of foreign intervention against the regime. Afrasiabi told CNN, "We have seen tremendous evidence of meddling, by the UK Government in particular, during and after the Presidential election, and there is no doubt in my mind...that the British Government is determined to see regime change in Iran.
1020 GMT: The Regime Stays Negative. As we ventured in our analysis this morning, the Iranian Government appears to have put aside any attempt at a "positive" campaign to mobilise support in favour of bashing the opposition. The Islamic Republic News Agency is dominated by stories vowing punishment of protesters: Minister of Intelligence Heydar Moslehi has taken prime position for the moment with his declaration that the Iran's judiciary will "deal decisively" with the "anti-revolutionary" movement.
Moslehi also maintained the line that "foreign elements" were responsible for "assassinations" on Ashura.
1000 GMT: The Regime's Unexpected Helper? Press TV has jumped on an interview by Maryam Rajavi, the head of the National Council of Resistance in Iran, to headline, "The Mujahedin-e-Khalq Organization (MKO) has acknowledged that it played a role in Sunday's violent anti-government protests in Iran."
The NCRI is the political wing of MKO, which has carried out a violent campaign since 1979 to overthrow the Iranian Government. According to Press TV, Rajavi told Agence France Press that her organisation's followers "cooperated with the demonstrators and coordinated the protests". She supposedly said, "[The protests are] a call for solidarity among all those who reject the rule of the Supreme Leader, the velayat e-faqih....What we call the 'Green movement' against the electoral fraud quickly disappeared to be replaced by a deeper movement whose goal is the total overthrow of the regime."
0915 GMT: How Big Were the Pro-Government Protests? An interesting discussion amongst EA readers overnight of footage from the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting, supposedly showing thousands of people chanting against "rioters" and for the regime. Authenticity is far from certain --- note the debate in comments below over the trees blurred in the video --- and I am still looking for confirmation in the Iranian press.
Meanwhile, pictures of a rally by Iranian members of Parliament on Tuesday show few demonstrators beyond the MPs.
0845 GMT: We've now posted video claiming to be of the attack on Ayatollah Dastgheib's offices (see 0830 GMT) in Shiraz.
0835 GMT: Uncertainty and Rumour. Testifying to our theme today, a prominent Iranian activist, Mehdi Saharkhiz, has posted an account of a supposed meeting between the Supreme Leader and Hashemi Rafsanjani, discussing the situation after Ashura.
0830 GMT: The Regime v. The Clerics. Radio Farda has more on the story, which we noted yesterday, of attacks on the offices of Ayatollah Sane'i and Ayatollah Dastghaib in Mashhad and Shiraz.
0815 GMT: In our special analysis this morning, we began from Iran's settling into "tensions of uncertainty" after the Ashura demonstrations and the regime's fightback with widespread arrests.
The uncertainty is evident this morning in news that the nephew of Mir Hossein Mousavi, Seyed Ali Mousavi, is buried in Behesht-e-Zahra cemetery, reportedly after only the Government gave only a few hours' notice that the body should now be laid to rest. No prizes for guessing why, as the regime tries to limit any post-Ashura rallies --- Seyed Ali Mousavi was killed in Sunday's demonstrations.
Or, to be precise, post-Ashura rallies of the opposition. The regime's other gambit today is the call for a mass pro-Government demonstration in Tehran. The uncertainty, even with reports that "thousands" gathered on Monday and Tuesday to condemn the "rioters" of Ashura, is whether this demonstration will be a substantive indication of widespread support, especially for President Ahmadinejad.
And then there are the uncertainties that go beyond today's events. Consider, for example, how a rumour without any clear evidence is now "news". The Twitter chatter on Sunday was that a jet, with an escort of military fighters, was ready at Mehrabad Airport for the Supreme Leader to fly to Russia. Yesterday, that chatter, backed up by a mysterious fax, turned into "news" on Radio Netherlands, and today it is worthy of publication in The Huffington Post.


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Jane Skubic and her first- and second-grade students at the Evelyn Smith Wray Village School (ESWVS) enjoy a special field trip during the holiday season when they visited Autumn Care to spread some holiday cheer.
The children visited patient halls and sang Christmas carols. They also delivered tidings of joy and handmade Christmas cards to the residents, and enjoyed the trip as much as the Autumn Care staff and residents.
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Petit backing for Wenger
Brought to you by
Former Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Petit believes the current players have become disillusioned and lack mental strength, but insists parting company with manager Arsene Wenger would be the "biggest mistake" the club could make.
The Gunners look set to finish this season trophyless for the seventh straight campaign after crashing out of the FA Cup at Sunderland on Saturday - three days after losing 4-0 at AC Milan in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie.
Petit, who formed a formidable partnership with Patrick Vieira in the early stages of Wenger's reign, is convinced his fellow Frenchman remains the right man to get the Gunners back on track, telling BBC Sport: "I think that will be probably the biggest mistake at Arsenal."
Copyright (c) PA Sport 2012, All Rights Reserved.News Now - Sport News


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If you follow my site, you probably know a few things about me, including: I love butter, sugar, cream, flour, unicorns, and rainbows. And if there is a cake that can put all of these things together (OK, maybe not the unicorns), it is Funfetti. This cake might just be my muse, inspiring pancakes, sandwich cookies, cakelets in the toaster oven, and more.
But as it turns out, my muse-cake has also provided some inspiration for someone unexpected: Elizabeth Gordon, owner of Betsy & Claude Baking Co., a baker specializing in allergy-free treats. As she said of CakeSpy on her site in an entry that made me blush,
Mostly... I read her posts and chuckle because they are so funny and witty, drool over whatever she's put up on Serious Eats that week and then go about my day. It never occurred to me that one of her wheaty, eggy and dairy-ful ideas would become one of my greatest gluten, dairy, soy, nut and egg-free inspirations. And then, over Memorial Day weekend, my kids wanted to bake, and I just didn't feel like making something from scratch, so I let them make a Funfetti cake from a box (we were in someone else's kitchen).
Well, looks like this desire led to some delicious creativity, because Elizabeth dreamed up a downright delicious-looking allergy-free variation on the world's most festive cake; even though it is devoid of butter, eggs, and wheat, I'd totally hit this cake. And by that, I mean eat it.
For the full entry and recipe, visit Elizabeth Gordon's website!


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The category "People" has 26 subcategories. Show all categories
Abraham Lincoln (8)
Adolf Hitler (3)
Akhenaten (4)
Albert Einstein (4)
Albert Schweitzer and Martin Luther King (2)
Aleister Crowley (2)
Andrija Puharich (8)
Carla, Don, Jim (131)
Charlie Hickson (16)
Edgar Cayce (3)
Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt (3)
General Patton (2)
Hermann Goering and Heinrich Himmler (5)
Imhotep (2)
Jesus (19)
Mark Probert (2)
Moses (9)
Muhammad (1)
Nikola Tesla (7)
Paul Shockley (1)
Saint Augustine, Saint Teresa, and Saint Francis of Assisi (7)
Taras Bulba, Genghis Khan, Rasputin (9)
Thales, Heraclitus, Pericles (1)
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26.15 ▶ Questioner: Wondering if the one, Abraham Lincoln, could have possibly been a Wanderer?
Ra: I am Ra. This is incorrect. This entity was a normal, shall we say, Earth being which chose to leave the vehicle and allow an entity to use it on a permanent basis. This is relatively rare compared to the phenomenon of Wanderers.
You would do better considering the incarnations of Wanderers such as the one known as "Thomas," the one known as "Benjamin."
26.16 ▶ Questioner: I am assuming you mean Thomas Edison and Benjamin Franklin?
Ra: This is incorrect. We were intending to convey the sound vibration complex, Thomas Jefferson. The other, correct.
26.17 ▶ Questioner: Thank you. Can you tell me where the entity that used Lincoln— Abraham's— body what density he came from and where?
Ra: I am Ra. This entity was fourth-vibration.
26.18 ▶ Questioner: I assume positive?
Ra: That is correct.
26.19 ▶ Questioner: Was his assassination in any way influenced by Orion or any other negative force?
Ra: I am Ra. This is correct.
35.6 ▶ Questioner: Thank you. Earlier we discussed Abraham Lincoln as a rather unique case. Is it possible for you to tell us what the orientation was and why the fourth-density being used Abraham's body, and when this took place with respect to the activities that were occurring in our society at that time?
Ra: I am Ra. This is possible.
35.7 ▶ Questioner: Would it be of value for the reader to know this in your estimation?
Ra: I am Ra. You must shape your queries according to your discernment.
35.8 ▶ Questioner: Well in that case I would like to know the motivation for this use of Abraham Lincoln's body at that time?
Ra: I am Ra. This shall be the last full query of this session as we find the instrument quite low in vital energies.
The one known as Abraham had an extreme difficulty in many ways and, due to physical, mental, and spiritual pain, was weary of life but without the orientation to self-destruction. In your time, 1853, this entity was contacted in sleep by a fourth-density being. This being was concerned with the battle between the forces of light and the forces of darkness which have been waged in fourth density for many of your years.
This entity accepted the honor/duty of completing the one known as Abraham's karmic patterns and the one known as Abraham discovered that this entity would attempt those things which the one known as Abraham desired to do but felt it could not. Thus the exchange was made.
The entity, Abraham, was taken to a plane of suspension until the cessation of its physical vehicle much as though we of Ra would arrange with this instrument to remain in the vehicle, come out of the trance state, and function as this instrument, leaving this instrument's mind and spirit complex in its suspended state.
The planetary energies at this time were at what seemed to this entity to be at a critical point, for that which you know as freedom had gained in acceptance as a possibility among many peoples. This entity saw the work done by those beginning the democratic concept of freedom, as you call it, in danger of being abridged or abrogated by the rising belief and use of the principle of the enslavement of entities. This is a negative concept of a fairly serious nature in your density. This entity, therefore, went forward into what it saw as the battle for the light, for healing of a rupture in the concept of freedom.
This entity did not gain or lose karma by these activities due to its detachment from any outcome. Its attitude throughout was one of service to others, more especially to the downtrodden or enslaved. The polarity of the individual was somewhat, but not severely, lessened by the cumulative feelings and thought-forms which were created due to large numbers of entities leaving the physical plane due to trauma of battle.
May we ask if this is the information you requested or if we may supply any further information?
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7.14 ▶ Questioner: I'll just ask about Orion. You mentioned Orion as a source of some of the contacts of UFOs. Can you tell me something of that contact, its purpose?
Ra: I am Ra. Consider, if you will, a simple example of intentions which are bad/good. This example is Adolf. This is your vibratory sound complex. The intention is to presumably unify by choosing the distortion complex called elite from a social memory complex and then enslaving, by various effects, those who are seen as the distortion of not-elite. There is then the concept of taking the social memory complex thus weeded and adding it to a distortion thought of by the so-called Orion group as an empire. The problem facing them is that they face a great deal of random energy released by the concept of separation. This causes them to be vulnerable as the distortions amongst their own members are not harmonized.
11.7 ▶ Questioner: Can you tell us what happened to Adolf [Hitler]?
Ra: I am Ra. The mind/body/spirit complex known [as] Adolf is at this time in an healing process in the middle astral planes of your spherical force field. This entity was greatly confused and, although aware of the circumstance of change in vibratory level associated with the cessation of the chemical body complex, nevertheless, needed a great deal of care.
35.4 ▶ Questioner: I would now like to ask for the same type of information with respect to Adolf Hitler. You have given a little of this already. It is not necessary to re-cover what you have already given, but if you could complete that information it would be helpful.
Ra: I am Ra. In speaking of the one you call Adolf we have some difficulty due to the intense amount of confusion present in this entity's life patterns as well as the great confusion which greets any discussion of this entity.
Here we see an example of one who, in attempting activation of the highest rays of energy while lacking the green-ray key, canceled itself out as far as polarization either towards positive or negative. This entity was basically negative. However, its confusion was such that the personality disintegrated, thus leaving the mind/body/spirit complex unharvestable and much in need of healing.
This entity followed the pattern of negative polarization which suggests the elite and the enslaved, this being seen by the entity to be of an helpful nature for the societal structure. However, in drifting from the conscious polarization into what you may call a twilight world where dream took the place of events in your space/time continuum, this entity failed in its attempt to serve the Creator in an harvestable degree along the path of service to self. Thus we see the so-called insanity which may often arise when an entity attempts to polarize more quickly than experience may be integrated.
We have advised and suggested caution and patience in previous communications and do so again, using this entity as an example of the over-hasty opening of polarization without due attention to the synthesized and integrated mind/body/spirit complex. To know your self is to have the foundation upon firm ground.
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1.5 ▶ Questioner: Could you give me a little more detail about your role with the Egyptians?
Ra: I am Ra. The identity of the vibration Ra is our identity. We as a group, or what you would call a social memory complex, made contact with a race of your planetary kind which you call Egyptians. Others from our density made contact at the same time in South America, and the so-called "lost cities" were their attempts to contribute to the Law of One.
We spoke to one who heard and understood and was in a position to decree the Law of One. However, the priests and peoples of that era quickly distorted our message, robbing it of the, shall we say, compassion with which unity is informed by its very nature. Since it contains all, it cannot abhor any.
When we were no longer able to have appropriate channels through which to enunciate the Law of One, we removed ourselves from the now hypocritical position which we had allowed ourselves to be placed in. And other myths, shall we say, other understandings having more to do with polarity and the things of your vibrational complex, again took over in that particular society complex.
Does this form a sufficient amount of information, or could we speak further?
2.2 ▶ Questioner: Could you tell us something of your historical background, your earlier times in the illusion and the time state[?] contact, possibly your incarnation on this planet that you spoke of before, and contact with earlier races on this planet? Then we would have something to start with in writing this book.
Ra: I am Ra. We are aware that your mind/body is calculating the proper method of performing the task of creating a teach/learning instrument. We are aware that you find our incarnate, as you call it, state of interest. We waited for a second query so as to emphasize that the time/space of several thousand of your years creates a spurious type of interest. Thus in giving this information, we ask the proper lack of stress be placed upon our experiences in your local space/time. The teach/learning which is our responsibility is philosophical rather than historical. We shall now proceed with your request which is harmless if properly evaluated.
We are those of the Confederation who eleven thousand of your years ago came to two of your planetary cultures which were at that time closely in touch with the creation of the One Creator. It was our naïve belief that we could teach/learn by direct contact and the free will distortions of individual feeling or personality were in no danger, we thought, of being disturbed as these cultures were already closely aligned with a[n] all-embracing belief in the live-ness or consciousness of all. We came and were welcomed by the peoples whom we wished to serve. We attempted to aid them in technical ways having to do with the healing of mind/body/spirit complex distortions through the use of the crystal, appropriate to the distortion, placed within a certain appropriate series of ratios of time/space material. Thus were the pyramids created.
We found that the technology was reserved largely for those with the effectual mind/body distortion of power. This was not intended by the Law of One. We left your peoples. The group that was to work with those in the area of South America, as you call that portion of your sphere, gave up not so easily. They returned. We did not. However, we have never left your vibration due to our responsibility for the changes in consciousness we had first caused and then found distorted in ways not relegated to the Law of One. We attempted to contact the rulers of the land to which we had come, that land which you call Egypt, or in some areas, the Holy Land.
In the Eighteenth Dynasty, as it is known in your records of space/time distortions, we were able to contact a pharaoh, as you would call him. The man was small in life-experience on your plane and was a… what this instrument would call, Wanderer. Thus, this mind/body/spirit complex received our communication distortions and was able to blend his distortions with our own. This young entity had been given a vibratory complex of sound which vibrated in honor of a prosperous god, as this mind/body complex, which we call instrument for convenience, would call "Amun." The entity decided that this name, being in honor of one among many gods, was not acceptable for inclusion in his vibratory sound complex. Thus, he changed his name to one which honored the sun disc. This distortion, called "Aten," was a close distortion to our reality as we understand our own nature of mind/body/spirit complex distortion. However, it does not come totally into alignment with the intended teach/learning which was sent. This entity, Akhenaten, became convinced that the vibration of One was the true spiritual vibration and thus decreed the Law of One.
However, this entity's beliefs were accepted by very few. His priests gave lip service only, without the spiritual distortion towards seeking. The peoples continued in their beliefs. When this entity was no longer in this density, again the polarized beliefs in the many gods came into their own and continued so until the one known as Muhammad delivered the peoples into a more intelligible distortion of mind/body/spirit relationships.
Do you have a more detailed interest at this time?
23.6 ▶ Questioner: I see. Then at this time you did not contact them. Can you tell me the same— answer the same questions I just asked with respect to your next attempt to contact the Egyptians?
Ra: I am Ra. The next attempt was prolonged. It occurred over a period of time. The nexus, or center, of our efforts was a decision upon our parts that there was a sufficient calling to attempt to walk among your peoples as brothers.
We laid this plan before the Council of Saturn, offering ourselves as service-oriented Wanderers of the type which land directly upon the inner planes without incarnative processes. Thus we emerged, or materialized, in physical-chemical complexes representing as closely as possible our natures, this effort being to appear as brothers and spend a limited amount of time as teachers of the Law of One, for there was an ever-stronger interest in the sun body, and this vibrates in concordance with our particular distortions.
We discovered that for each word we could utter, there were thirty impressions we gave by our very being, which confused those entities we had come to serve. After a short period we removed ourselves from these entities and spent much time attempting to understand how best to serve those to whom we had offered ourselves in love/light.
The ones who were in contact with that geographical entity, which you know of as Atlantis, had conceived of the potentials for healing by use of the pyramid-shape entities. In considering this and making adjustments for the differences in the distortion complexes of the two geographical cultures, as you would call them, we went before the Council again, offering this plan to the Council as an aid to the healing and the longevity of those in the area you know of as Egypt. In this way we hoped to facilitate the learning process as well as offering philosophy articulating the Law of One. Again the Council approved.
Approximately eleven thousand [11,000] of your years ago we entered, by thought-form, your— we correct this instrument. We sometimes have difficulty due to low vitality. Approximately eight five zero zero [8,500] years ago, having considered these concepts carefully, we returned, never having left in thought, to the thought-form areas of your vibrational planetary complex and considered for some of your years, as you measure time, how to appropriately build these structures.
The first, the Great Pyramid, was formed approximately six thousand [6,000] of your years ago. Then, in sequence, after this performing by thought of the building or architecture of the Great Pyramid using the more, shall we say, local or earthly material rather than thought-form material to build other pyramidical structures. This continued for approximately fifteen hundred [1,500] of your years.
Meanwhile, the information concerning initiation and healing by crystal was being given. The one known as "Akhenaten" was able to perceive this information without significant distortion and for a time, moved, shall we say, heaven and earth in order to invoke the Law of One and to order the priesthood of these structures in accordance with the distortions of initiation and true compassionate healing. This was not to be long-lasting.
At this entity's physical dissolution from your third-density physical plane, as we have said before, our teachings became quickly perverted, our structures returning once again to the use of the so-called "royal" or those with distortions towards power.
23.12 ▶ Questioner: I had assumed before I asked the question that that would be the answer. I only asked it for his benefit because he would have wished for me to.
Can you tell me what happened to Akhenaten after his physical death?
Ra: I am Ra. This entity was then put through the series of healing and review of incarnational experience which is appropriate for third-density experience. This entity had been somewhat in the distortions of power ameliorated by the great devotion to the Law of One. This entity thus resolved to enter a series of incarnations in which it had no distortions towards power.
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17.8 ▶ Questioner: Then was the Confederation responsible for Earth receiving nuclear power?
Ra: I am Ra. It is a point which one cannot judge. What is cause? The basic equation which preceded this work was an equation brought through by a Wanderer dedicated to service to the planet. That this work should have become foundation for instruments of destruction was not intended and was not given.
17.9 ▶ Questioner: Can you tell me who that Wanderer was that brought through the equation?
Ra: I am Ra. This information seems harmless as this entity is no longer of your planetary third density. This entity was named, sound vibration complex, Albert.
26.20 ▶ Questioner: Thank you. In the recent past of the last thirty to forty years the UFO phenomena has become known to our population. What was the original reason for— I know there've been UFOs throughout history, but what was the original reason for the increase in what we call UFO activity say in the past forty years?
Ra: I am Ra. Information which Confederation sources had offered to your entity, Albert [Einstein], became perverted, and instruments of destruction began to be created, examples of this being the Manhattan Project and its product.
Information offered through Wanderer, sound vibration, Nikola [Tesla], also being experimented with for potential destruction: example, your so-called Philadelphia Experiment.
Thus, we felt a strong need to involve our thought-forms in whatever way we of the Confederation could be of service in order to balance these distortions of information meant to aid your planetary sphere.
39.4 ▶ Questioner: I will then continue now with the general questioning, attempting to find a way into a line of questioning which will get us into an area of understanding non-transient functions which may be worked upon by us and others to raise our consciousness and I may make several mistakes here in trying to find a way into this questioning. I apologize in advance if my questioning is misleading. I notice that everything seems… or most of the basic things seem to be divided into units which total seven. In looking at a transcript by Henry Puharich from "The Nine" I found a statement by The Nine where they say, "If we get seven times the electrical equivalent of the human body then it would result in sevenon of the mass of electricity." Could you explain this?
Ra: I am Ra. To explain this is beyond the abilities of your language. We shall, however, make an attempt to address this concept.
As you are aware, in the beginning of the creations set up by each Logos, there are created the complete potentials, both electrical, in the sense of the one you call Larson, and metaphysical. This metaphysical electricity is as important in the understanding, shall we say, of this statement as is the concept of electricity.
This concept, as you are aware, deals with potentiated energy. The electron has been said to have no mass but only a field. Others claim a mass of infinitesimal measure. Both are correct. The true mass of the potentiated energy is the strength of the field. This is also true metaphysically.
However, in your present physical system of knowledge it is useful to take the mass number of the electron in order to do work that you may find solutions to other questions about the physical universe. In such a way, you may conveniently consider each density of being to have a greater and greater spiritual mass. The mass increases, shall we say, significantly but not greatly until the gateway density. In this density the summing up, the looking backwards— in short, all the useful functions of polarity have been used. Therefore, the metaphysical electrical nature of the individual grows greater and greater in spiritual mass.
For an analog one may observe the work of the one known as Albert who posits the growing to infinity of mass as this mass approaches the speed of light. Thus the seventh-density being, the completed being, the Creator who knows Itself, accumulates mass and compacts into the One Creator once again.
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34.10 ▶ Questioner: If an entity were to be strongly biased toward positive societal effects, what would this do to his yellow ray in the aura as opposed to an entity who wanted to create an empire of society and govern it with an iron fist? What would be the difference in the yellow-ray activity of these two entities?
Ra: I am Ra. Let us take two such positively oriented active souls no longer in your physical time/space. The one known as Albert, who went into a strange and, to it, a barbaric society in order that it might heal. This entity was able to mobilize great amounts of energy and what you call money. This entity spent much green-ray energy both as a healer and as a lover of your instrument known as the organ. This entity's yellow ray was bright and crystallized by the efforts needed to procure the funds to promulgate its efforts. However, the green and blue rays were of a toweringly brilliant nature as well. The higher levels, as you may call them, being activated, the lower, as you may call them, energy points remain, in a balanced being, quite, quite bright.
The other example is the entity, Martin. This entity dealt in a great degree with rather negative orange-ray and yellow-ray vibratory patterns. However, this entity was able to keep open the green-ray energy and due to the severity of its testing, if anything, this entity may be seen to have polarized more towards the positive due to its fidelity to service to others in the face of great catalyst.
34.11 ▶ Questioner: Could you give me the last names of Albert and Martin?
Ra: I am Ra. These entities are known to you as Albert Schweitzer and Martin Luther King.
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18.10 ▶ Questioner: I see. The entity Aleister Crowley wrote "Do what thou wilt is the whole of the law." He was obviously in understanding, to some extent, of the Law of One. Where is this entity now?
Ra: I am Ra. This entity is within your inner planes. This entity is in an healing process.
18.11 ▶ Questioner: Did this entity, then, even though he intellectually understood the Law of One, misuse it and therefore have to go through this healing process?
Ra: I am Ra. This entity became, may we use the vibration sound complex, overstimulated with the true nature of things. This over-stimulation resulted in behavior that was beyond the conscious control of the entity. The entity thus, in many attempts to go through the process of balancing, as we have described the various energy centers beginning with the red ray and moving upwards, became somewhat overly impressed or caught up in this process and became alienated from other-selves. This entity was positive. However, its journey was difficult due to the inability to use, synthesize, and harmonize the understandings of the desires of self so that it might have shared, in full compassion, with other-selves. This entity thus became very unhealthy, as you may call it, in a spiritual complex manner, and it is necessary for those with this type of distortion towards inner pain to be nurtured in the inner planes until such an entity is capable of viewing the experiences again with the lack of distortion towards pain.
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7.10 ▶ Questioner: Is the Council of Nine the same nine that was mentioned in this book? [Questioner gestures to Uri.]
Ra: I am Ra. The Council of Nine has been retained in semi-undistorted form by two main sources, that known in your naming, as Mark and that known in your naming as Henry. In one case, the channel became the scribe. In the other, the channel was not the scribe. However, without the aid of the scribe, the energy would not have come to the channel.
7.11 ▶ Questioner: The names you spoke of, are they Mark Probert and Henry Puharich?
Ra: I am Ra. This is correct.
21.3 ▶ Questioner: Andrija Puharich will be visiting later this month. Can he read the unpublished healing material?
Ra: I am Ra. The entity of whom you speak has a knowledge of this material in its conscious memory in somewhat altered form. Therefore, it is harmless to allow this entity to become acquainted with this material. However, we request the mind/body/spirit complex, Henry, be sufficiently prepared by means of meditation, contemplation, or prayer before entering these workings. At present, as we have said before, this mind/body/spirit complex is not of proper vibrational distortion.
21.4 ▶ Questioner: I had already determined to exclude him from these workings. I have only determined to let him read the material. The only other thing is that I have noticed that within the material as it exists now there is a certain statement which will allow him to understand who I believe Spectra really was. It seems my duty to remove this from his knowledge to preserve the same free will that you attempted to preserve by not defining the origin of Spectra, his contact in Israel. Am I correct?
Ra: I am Ra. This is a matter for your discretion.
23.11 ▶ Questioner: You probably can't answer this question but I will ask it now since we are in the area that I think this occurred in. I feel this somewhat of a duty of mine to ask this question because Henry Puharich will be visiting me later this month. Was this entity involved in any of these times of which you have just spoken?
Ra: I am Ra. You are quite correct in your assumption that we can speak in no way concerning the entity Henry. If you will consider this entity's distortions with regard to what you call "proof" you will understand/grasp our predicament.
39.7 ▶ Questioner: Was the reason that "The Nine" transmitted this principle in this form the… was the reason for this the first distortion?
Ra: I am Ra. This is incorrect.
39.8 ▶ Questioner: Can you tell me why they gave the principle in such a veiled form then?
Ra: I am Ra. The scribe is most interested in puzzles and equations.
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